SHRI SAI LEELAJUNE 1977 CONTENTS11. Editorial Miracle’

2. Homage to Late Prof. D D. Parchure

3. The Science of Religion Swami Chinmayananda

4. Shri Gajanan Maharaj, Shri S. N. Huddar

5. The Miracle of Typhoid –Cure Shri B. Ramanadha Rao

6. Obituary

7. Shri Sai Baba's Divine Favour --- Shri V. B. Nandwani

8. Saint Gadge Maharaj -- Dr. S. D. Parchure

9. My Mind-- Shri B. N. Moolchandani

10. Extracts from Shri H. S. Dixit's Diary Shri.S. M.Garje

11. Gurudakshina Prof. V. H. Pandit T -

12. Blessings of Shri Sai Baba Shri B. D. Kulkarni

SHRI SAI LEELA(Official Organ of Shirdi Sansthan)

SACRIFICETo give is better than to get. Many of the educated persons have no other thought than that of the rupees they collect to be a money-making machine is the ambition of many. Very, very few know of the joy of giving, the joy of ‘self-sacrifice’.

Editor :Shri K. S. PATHAKReceiver, Shirdi Sansthan of Shri Sai BabaExecutive Editors;Dr. S. D. Parchure M. A., Ph. D.Shri Sadanand Chendwankar B. Sc., S, T. C., R. B. PravinAnnual Subscription Rs. 6.00Single Copy Rs. 0.60Office;Sai Niketan, S04-B, Dr. Ambedkar KoU.Dadar Bombay 400014

Tel.; 443361

EDITORIALMiracle

In Marathi there is a saying '

the meaning of which is "No

body bows down unless he sees a miracle". This saying is true to a great extent. If

anything is done, which puzzles you for which you are not able to argue with cause and

effect, then you are apt to call that act as a miracle. This act then makes you attribute

some supernatural power to the person, who performs the miracle and then naturally what

follows is that you honour the person and bow down to him.

If we look at the biographies of so many saints in different parts of the world, then

at some stage or the other, they are said to have performed miracles in some form or the

other. These miracles are legendary and usually there are no means to verify them by

actually contacting the persons referred to in the legend as most of them, are usually out

of this world, where no one-can approach them. If we review the biography of Shri Sai

Baba as depicted in Sai Satcharita, we will come across the following incidents, which

may be classed as miracles.

1. Driving the Cholera epidemic out of Shirdi by grinding wheat in a hand-mill

(Chapter 1 )

2 Baba's reference to the discussion that took place at Sathe's Wada and asking the

question "What did this Hemadpant say?" (Chapter 2 )

3. Advice to Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar and reminding him about the worship of

Vithoba in the family (Chapter 4.).

4. Streams of Ganga-Yamuna water flowed from both the toes of Shri Baba (Chapter

IV).

5. Appearance of Shri Baba under the neem tree (Chapter 4).

6. Shri Baba traced out Chand Patil's mare ( Chapter 5 )

7. Shri Baba brought out a live burning coal by thrusting His prong in the ground.

(Chapter 5)

8. Water started oozing from Baba's Satka, when He dashed it on the ground.

(Chapter 5)

9. Lighting lamps with water. ( Chapter 5 )

10. Shri Baba saves the child of a blacksmith by thrusting His arms into the Dhuni.

(Chapter 7 )

11. Shri Baba takes over the Bubonic plague, from which the son of Shri Dadasaheb

Khaparde was suffering. (Chapter 7)

12. Shri Baba foretold the visit of Nanasaheb Chandorkar to Shirdi (Chapter 7)

!3. Shri Baba told master Tarkhad about the neglect of His Puja at Bandra, at

Tarkhad's house on the same day. (Chapter 9)

14. Shri Govind Balaram Mankar was questioned by Shri Baba about not offering to

Him, the Pedha given to him by Mrs. Tarkhad for giving it to Shri Baba. (Chapter 9)

15. Shri Baba told Mrs Tarkhad that the food offered by her to a dog reached Him and

gave Him satisfaction. ( Chapter 9)

16. Shri Baba controls the storm and rain at Shirdi. (Chap. 1I)

17. Shri Baba quenches the fire in the Dhuni by dashing His satka on a pillar and

commanding the fire to become calm. (Chapter II)

18. Shri Baba knew that the munim of Kaka Mahajani would become sick and hence

He ordered Kaka to return to Bombay on the next day. (Chapter 12)

19. Shri Baba knew that .'Bhausaheb Dhumal's case at Nipani would be postponed

and hence He did not allow Shri Dhumal to leave Shirdi for a week. (Chapter 12)

20. Shri Baba gave darshan to Shri Moolay Shastri of Nasik in the form of the latter's

Guru, Shri Gholap Swami. (Chapter 12)

21 Shri Baba gave darshan to a doctor in the form of Shree Rama. (Chapter 12)

22. Shri Bbimaji Patil got rid of T. B. because of the favour of Shri Baba. (Chapter

13)

23. Shri Baba cured Bala Ganpat Shimpi of Malaria by asking him to execute a recipe

(Chapter 13)

24. Shriman Bapusaheb Booty was cured of dysentry and vomitting by Shri Baba,

(Chapter 13)

25. Shri Booty was cured of cholera by Shri Baba by prescribing to him an infusion

of almonds, walnuts, etc. (Chapter 13)

26. A Swami from Alandi was cured of his pain in the ear. (Chapter 13)

27. Shri Baba cured Kaka Mahajani of diarrhoea by giving him a handful of

groundnuts to eat. (Chapter 13)

28. Dattopant of Harda was cured by Shri Baba of his stomachache, which he had for

fourteen years. (Chapter 13)

29. Shri Baba cured Madhavrao Deshpande of his piles trouble. (Chapter 13)

30. Shri Baba cured Gangadharpant, the elder brother of Shri Kaka Mahajani of his

stomach-pain merely by touching his belly. (Chapter 13)

31. Intense stomach-pain of Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar, was cured by Shri Baba by

asking him to eat burfi. (Chapter 13)

32. Shri Baba asked Shri Ruttonjl Shapurji Wadia, dakshina of Rs. 5, subtracting

therefrom an amount of Rs. 3-14-0, which he had spent on the reception of one

Moulvisaheb at Nanded. (Chapter 14)

33. Shri Ruttonji Shapurji Wadia was blessed by Shri Baba with a son. (Chapter 14)

34. Rao Bahadur Hari Vinayak Sathe was asked by Shri Baba to remarry and blessed

him that he would get a son and accordingly he got a son from his second wife. (Chapter

14).

35. Shri Baba told Shri Bapusaheb Jog to give his guest (Shri Cholkar) cups of tea

fully saturated with sugar and thus showed that He knew Shri Cholkar's vow to drink

sugarless tea. (Chapter 15)

36. Shri Baba predicted the meeting of two lizards on the wall of the masjid. (Chapter

15)

37. When one Shri V. H. Thakur met Shri Baba, He told him about the former's

meeting with Kanarese saint Appa and buffalo ride in the Nhane Ghat. (Chapter 21)

38. When a pleader from Pandharpur came to Shirdi and bowed down to Shri Baba,

He remarked referring to some discussion, which took place in the bar-room at

Pandharpurt in which the pleader had taken part. (Chapter 21)

39. The danger to Shri Babasaheb Mirikar, from a snake, was foretold by Shri Baba.

(Chapter 22)

40. A great astrologer named Nanasaheb Dengie once foretold the danger to the life

of Bapusaheb Booty; but Shri Baba told him that the danger would be averted. A snake

was accordingly seen in the privy by Shri Booty; but it went away without giving any

trouble to Shri Booty. (Chapter 22)

41. Shama was cured of snake-bite by Shri Baba. (Chapter 23}

42. Damu Anna was saved by Shri Baba from two severe losses in cotton and grain

speculations by giving advance warnings. (Chapter 25)

43. Shri Baba gave four mangoes to Shri Damn Anna and blessed him. With Shri

Baba's grace, Shri Damu Anna got children. (Chapter 25)

44. Shri Baba gave three rupees to Shri Harishchandra Pitale and reminded him of the

two rupees given to his father by Shri Akkalkot Maharaj. (Chapter 26)

45. When Laxmichand from Sancacruz met Baba, the latter told him about all the

things that had happened en route from his house to Shirdi. (Chapter 28)

46 Shri Baba referred to Laxrnichand's desire to eat sanza and and the pain in his

back. (Chapter 28)

47. Though Megha poured the water of the Gomati river, brought by him, on the

whole body of Shri Baba, only His head was drenched and the rest of the body was quite

dry. (Chapter 28)

48. Shri Baba gave darshan to the chief lady of the: Madrasi Bhajan Mela in the form

of Shri Rama (Chapter 29)

49. Shri Balabuva Sutar had prostrated himself before Shri Baba's portrait four years

before his actual meeting with Shri Baba at Shirdi in 1917. In his first meeting with Shri

Baba, He mentioned that He knew Shri Sutar since four years, referring to Shri Sutar's

first prostration. (Chapter 33)

50. Shri Baba cured a doctor's nephew from Malegaon of Tubercular bone-abcess by

application of sacred Udi on the abcess. (Chapter 34)

51. Shri Baba informed Dr. Pillay that he will be cured within ten days. He also

foretold of the pecking by a crow. Both the aforesaid events took place accordingly. Udi

was used all along for application. (Chapter 34)

52. The wife of Shama's younger brother, Bapaji, who was staying near Sawool Well,

was cured by Shri Baba cf Bubonic plague by the use of Udi, within one night and this

was foretold by Him to Shama. (Chapter 34)

53. Shri Baba blessed a woman of Kayastha Prabhu caste from Bombay and she had

painless delivery. (Chapter 34)

Note:-The cases of Irani's daughter and the Harda gentleman relate to the use of Udi.

They did not have direct contact with Shri Baba.

54. Shri Baba spoke exactly in the tone of Kaka Mahajani's friend's father. Shri Baba

knew that he had no intention to give Dakshina and hence Shri Baba did not ask him to

pay the same, though 'He asked Shri Kaka Mahajani to pay it. (Chapter 35)

55. Shri Baba gave grapes to Shri Thakkar of the Solicitor's firm, Thakkar Dharamsey

Jethabhai and though the first few given to him had seeds, on his thinking that if Shri

Baba was a saint, He should have given him grapes out of the same stock without seeds

as he did not like seeds, he found that those given to him at the second time were entirely

seedless. (Chapter 35)

Note:-The case of a Kayasth Prabhu gentleman of Bandra, who suffered from Insomnia

and of Smt. Newaskar, narrated in Chapter 35, relate to the power of Udi.

56. Mrs Aurangabadkar got a son through the grace of Shri Sai Baba. (Chapter

36)

57. Shri Baba attended Mrs. Dev's Udyapun ceremony as a Sannyasi with two others.

(Chapter 40)

58. Shri Baba appeared in the house of Hemadpant in the form of a portrait as per His

promise. (Chapter 40)

59. Shri Baba averted the deaths of Ramchandra Dada and Tatya Patil. (Chapter 42)

60. Shri Sai Baba pervaded all creatures (Chapter 42)

61. Shri Baba permitted Shama to go to Banares and Prayag and told him that He

would be ahead of him and Shama found Baba's portrait at Gaya as promised by Him.

(Chapter 46)

62. Shri Baba knew the past lives of Veerbhadrappa and Chennabassappa, (snake and

the frog) and ordered Veerbhadrappa (the snake) to leave Chennabassappa (the frog).

(Chapter 47)

63. Mrs. Sapatnekar got a son by the grace of Shri Baba (Chapter 48)

64. Shri Baba declared the name of Hari Kanoba without asking anybody about it and

returned his new sandals to him. (Chapter 49)

65. Shri Baba quoted correctly the thoughts of Shri Somadeva Swami while he was

on his way to Shirdi. (Chapter 49)

66 Shri Baba knew the restlessness of the mind of Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar on

seeing the face of the beautiful woman, who had come to take Shri Baba's

darshan and aavftcd Srtm ??? Chandorkar accordingly. (Chapter 49)

67. Shri Baba knew that Shri (Kakasaheb Dixit was coming to Shirdi from

Ahmednagar and He therefore sent Shama to receive him. (Chapter 50)

68. Shri Baba knew that Shri Tembye Svvami had sent a coconut to Him through Shri

Pundalikrao and asked the latter to give it to Him. (Chapter 50)

69. Shri Baba cured Shri Balaram Dhurandhar of his Asthma trouble by giving him

His pipe to smoke, (Chapter 50)

The incidents, mentioned above, are usually termed as "miracles" by ordinary

people, because they could not have taken place unless the person concerned had

supernatural powers; but Shri V.T. Nandwani, one staunch Sai devotee from Bombay,

sometime before suggested some classification for these events. An event like bringing

out live burning charcoal by thrusting the prong in the ground is in his opinion no doubt a

miracle, because no ordinary person would be able to do it; but curing Shama of

snakebite or blessing Shri Ruttonji Shapurji Wadia with a son, should not be called a

miracle, because here only one person was concerned and by the grace of Shri Sai Baba,

that person got certain favours. Hence, such incidents in his opinion should be called

divine favours and not miracles.

The classification proposed above by Shri Nandwani seems to be worthy of

consideration. All the saints are believed to be awatar's (incarnations ) of God. Of course,

some devotees have gone a step ahead and they believe that Shri Sai Baba is God

himself. If therefore God is pleased to do away with the agonies or difficulties of any

devotee, if the God feels like running to the help of His devotee and shows any particular

favour to a devotee then that favour can naturally be called a divine favour. The devotees

may consider this point and consider Shri Sai Baba's favour as a divine favour.

We may now consider the incidents referred to as miracles. Some people

seriously believe that the age of miracles is no more in existence. The miracles might

have taken place in the past centuries. The twentieth century is not so auspicious that it

can witness any miracles; but there are no doubt certain people, who still believe that

miracles do take place and some so called saints exploit the situation to add glamour to

their personality and greatness. If we look around us with open eyes, we will be able to

see such so called saints, who perform such miracles in a gathering of their devotees, so

that they should go round and advertise about his greatness as a saint. The simple

minded devotees, who simply get stunned at the sight of the miracle, go round advertising

the greatness of their guru. This has a salutory effect on many other devotees, who are

far off and who do not have constant personal contact with the guru. This advertisement

of their guru, done by a few devotees, is believed by them and thus these saints are

purposely showing these miracles among their devotees in order to advertise themselves

and increase their following; but when we look at Sai Satcharita, we do not find a single

incident where Shri Sai Baba performed a miracle to advertise himself.

From the incident of lighting the lamp with water to the incident of the coconut

sent by Shri Tembye Swami, we see that Shri Baba acted in the situation not with any

particular motive; but it was his mere leela. He acted at that moment freely without any

object in view. It will thus he seen that in view of the modern concept of miracles, the

incidents that took place in the life of Shri Sai Baba can now be classified as His leelas

and divine favours and not as miracles, performed to astonish and attract the devotees.

Homage to Late Prof. D. D. Parchure

Prof. D.D. Parchure, Ex-Editor of this magazine,

got a heart attack on 1-6-73 and he immediately succumbed

to it. Prof. Parchure was a great Sai devotee and he worked

very hard to boost the spread of this magazine among the

Sai devotees. This magazine is the vehicle for conveying

the thoughts and teachings of Shri Sai Baba and Prof.

Parchure edited this magazine with that object in view. He

was performing keertans in which he used to describe the life and teachings of Shri

Baba. He composed a set of eight keertans covering most of the important events from

the life of Shri Baba. These keertans have been published in book form by the Shridi

Sansthan. For the spread of the Sai cult among children he first composed the biography

of Shri Sai Baba in Marathi in story form in very simple language, under the caption

'Mulanche Saibaba'- which has now been translated in various other Indian language.

This book is very popular among the children.

We pay our homage to the departed soul, on the fourth death anniversary of Prof. D. D

Parchure and pray to God that his soul may rest in peace,—Editor.

THE SCIENCE OF RELIGION

By : Swami Chinmayananda

Is This Possible ?

When the promises of an achievement are so unbelievably spectacular, an

ordinary man wonders if he can ever scale such heights of perfection in himself. Anyone

can conceive and appreciate an Ideal, however noble and impossibly beautiful it may be;

but when it comes to striving to achieve it, very few will have the confidence to march

into it and gain it. We stop to wonder, "Is this possible for me?", and, stunned by the very

doubt, our abilities collapse and our enthusiasm withers away.

Arjuna reaches such a benumbing state of inner doubt. And as a rational man, he

raises questions to the possibility of such a personality achievement in man. He asks, (VI-

33) ''This Yoga of meditation taught by you, O Madhusudhana, consittng of the evenness

of mind, I am afraid, has no lasting effect, since mind is always restless''. This is his deep

feeling of doubt. The highest in meditation is reached when the mind is Laserised to the

chosen altar of our attention. But the mind is a vehicle, which always runs out into its

familiar fields-of-objects. Thus, the Yoga of meditation, though theoretically acceptable

to the reason in us, must be an impractical proposition because of the essentially fickle

nature of the human mind.

In spiritual science, a student is given the full intellectual right to raise doubts and

ask question. In no religion is this freedom fully allowed. Even in the Hinduism of the

Puranas, the students are to listen to the teachers, believe in what they say, and accept

what is said in the texts. Questions are not to be asked; to doubt the sacred statements is

blasphemy in itself.

But in Vedanta, students are encouraged to raise all their logical doubt, and the

Rishies take up the challenge to answer all such honest questions exhaustively. Thus, in

the Hindu scriptures of the Upanishads and the Geeta alone, we find a dialogue between

the Teacher and the taught. Here is Arjuna's doubt, very logically put, and so vividly

expressed.

Krishna, as a good psychiatrist, allows his student to express himself completely.

So Arjuna amplifies his own doubt, (VI.34) "Surely the mind, O Krishna, is restless,

turbulent, powerful and unyielding ---I regard it as difficult to control it as to control the

winds." Any seeker will realise that his mind is "surely restless, turbulent, 'powerful and

unyielding, O Krishna".

The mind is the vehicle by which we express our desires and passions. It is the

one instrument that seeks to fulfill our ideas and ideals. The vasanas constantly drive the

mind out into the world-of-objects, searching for sense gratifications. These powerful

desires lend their strength to the mind and any man can soon realise how restless and

turbulent his mind is, and how powerful it becomes when he tries to persuade it away

from its objects.

Naturally, Arjuna reasonably concludes that "to control the mind is as hard as to

control the wild winds' No man can order and control the might of a storm, the

tremendous forces of a typhoon. The storm does its havoc and spends itself. We can only

rebuild what the storm has destroyed. We are helpless against its released fury and

devastation. So too, the mind seems to be too powerful now, and we are helpless against

its majestic ferocity.

Since the mind is unyielding to our will, how can a man quieten it and meditate?

Meditation thus becomes an idealistic dream and not a realistic possibility. This doubt

can arise in every student of meditation, especially when he has made his first few shots

at meditation. There are many who have dropped their meditation-hour only because they

felt disappointed at their futile efforts - - - in fact their minds have sabotaged completely

all their efforts at meditation.

This tragedy visits all those who in a hurry to sit at their meditation-seats before they

accomplish the purification of their hearts, before the exhaustion of their vasanas through

selfless dedicated actions of service.

Without vasana reduction, mental quietude is unattainable. Through selfless

dedicated acts of love, through Karma-Yoga, we were told earlier, how we could

eliminate our vasanas and bring about mental peace and tranquillity. This precondition

for meditation is first to be brought about. Thereafter nobody can be a failure at

meditation.

So, once the student has sincerely accepted his own inner confusion, only then

can he express his doubt. When he opens up the discussion with his question, Krishna

gives the answer.

Surely, The Mind can be Tamed.

Arjuna, as a sceptic student, refuses to accept the Yoga of meditation as a

possibility because of the unsteady and wild nature of the human mind. This is a

challenge to Krishna as a teacher. The imperfect, in their arrogant objectivity and

intellectualism, will always question and challenge the scriptural matters. The student is

to be handled carefully and lifted into greater understanding from where he himself must

discover the answer to his queries.

Very tactfully thus, Lord Krishna admits, (VI-35) "No doubt, O mighty-armed

soldier, the mind is ever restless and is difficult to control. But through practice and

renunciation, O son of Kunti, the mind can be tamed." First of all, the teacher accepts the

stand of the student and says, "true, the mind is restless and difficult to control." Here he

addresses Arjuna as the "mighty-armed soldier". The thrust in it could not have escaped

Arjuna: that the conquest of the mind is a job for a heroic soldier in life and not for a

cowardly weakling.

When thus the main proposition in an argument is suddenly accepted, at least

temporarily we whisk away the very platform from under the feet of the protestors! They

seem to hang in the air, searching for some supporting base to stand upon. This is a subtle

strategy in logical argumentation.

On the acceptance of the main objections, Arjuna becomes a little calm and less

preoccupied with his doubt. Next Krishna comes out with his offensive thrust: "but

through practice and renunciation, O son of Kunti, the mind can be tamed."

Continuous practice of bringing the mind back to the point of contemplation

whenever it wanders into its world of sense objects is explained earlier as the "Yoga-of-

Practice". And this regular and sincere practice must be accompanied by the rejection

and renunciation of the ego and egocentric desires.

Renunciation negatively helps in calming the mind, and so in the practice of

meditation and positively pushes us onto the higher planes of consciousness. By these

two processes. (1) by the practice of regular concentration and meditation and (2) by

steadily renouncing and rejecting the ego and its vanities the mind can be brought under

restraint ---it can be tamed, it can be governed properly.

We must carefully note here how Krishna addresses Arjuna in the first line of the

verse as the "mighty-armed soldier" "You are a hero--- why be cowardly, afraid of the

might of your subjective enemy?" Again, in the second line of the verse, he addresses

Arjuna as "son of Kunti" indicating, "you are very dear to me, for you are the son of

mother-Kunti. I will not bluff you merely to win a point in an argument. Believe

me, it is a fact that the mind can be totally restrained if practice and renunciation are

pursued diligently for a length of time".

Declares the Lord, (Vl-36) "Meditation (Yoga) is difficult to attain for one who is

of uncontrolled self (ego); this is my opinion; but the self-controlled, striving correctly,

does obtain it.

One who has not eliminated the turbulant vasanas in him, through practice of

Karma-Yoga, will find his mind uncontrolled and so will never gain the Yoga-of-

meditation. On the other hand, one who has cultivated the power of self-withdrawal from

the fascination of objects-emotions-thoughts, can, and does obtain deeper meditations

The supreme need for controlling the senses from their frenzied dash into the

objects of ephemeral pleasures, for restraining the mind from its futile and exhausting

roamings, for steering clear the intellect from its panting exhaustions with passions and

desires, is clearly brought out here. Until all the other whirls of matter equipments are

controlled, until the body, mind and intellect are hushed and quietened, the leap into the

transcendental, through meditation, is impossible. Herein lies the secret of all dire failures

in meditation. We have not the necessary patience to strive for, and diligently

accomplish, all the pre-meditation adjustments within us. Hence Lord pointedly says that

for one who is self-controlled and "striving rightly" there is a way to be successful in

these above two verses, Arjuna’s logical argument that meditation is impossible and

impractical, because man's mind is ever turbulent, is fully answered and slickly check-

mated!

Arjuna's sharp intellect has caught up the chain of reasoning in Krishna's words, and the

militant warrior seems satisfied. But a dynamic intellect never stops probing: as soon as

an earlier doubt has been cleared, the student gets yet other set of doubts and he asks to

clear them. We shall discuss a fresh doubt raised BY Arjuna in our next talk.

( Courtesy ; Geeta Office, Powai )

SHRI GAJANAN MAHARAJ

By:- Shri S. N. Huddar

(Continued from May 1977 issue) CHAPTER 4

Smoke Without Fire

Shri Gajanan Maharaj was sitting amongst children on Akshayya Tritiya day

(Vaishakh Shud 3). He asked the boys to fill his chilim. Being an anniversary day live

coal was not available early in the morning. So the boys could not know how to get the

live coal. Shri Maharaj asked the boys to get the burning coal from Janakiram goldsmith,

as his oven is always ready for business.

The boys went to him and requested him to give the burning coal for the chilim of

Maharaj. Janakiram said "Today is the anniversary day. So I cannot give live coal to you"

The boys said, "There is nothing inauspicious in giving live coal from your oven to a

Sadhu (saint)". He replied "How can Gajanan Maharaj be a Sadhu? who can call that man

a saint, who smokes Ganja and tobacco and roams in the town without clothes? He acts

like a mad chap. His caste and relatives are unknown. I do not call him a Sadhu.

Bankatlal is a fool to be his follower. If he is God, why does he beg for live coal at

others? He should create fire by his will power. Jallunder smoked; but he did not beg for

fire. Go away, you shall not get burning coal from me".

The boys returned and reported to Shri Maharaj what had occurred at Janakiram.

Shri Maharaj smiled and said "We do not need his burning coal". He took the chilim in

his hand and asked Baukatlal to hold a straw on it and he began to smoke. The wonder

was that smoke came out without any fire!

Jankiram observed Akshayya Tritiya at his house and some persons were invited

for dinner. Tamarind soup was prepared. When the soup was being served, they found

that it was full of worms. People could not have dinner and Janakiram was much

distressed. He thought that as he did not give fire for the chilim of Shri Maharaj, he was

punished. He therefore ran to Bankatlal’s house with the pot of tamarind soup. Bankatlal

said, "You might have used old tamarind'1. Jankiram replied, "It is new which is evident

from the rubbish lying there". He bowed to Shri Maharaj humbly and expressed his regret

for his impudence in not giving burning coal to him that morning and further requested

that the tamarind soup was spoiled due to worms. Hence the persons who were invited

could not dine and the anniversary rites could not be duly performed. He prayed "Kindly

forgive me I shall not blame your holiness hereafter".

Shri Maharaj said "Your tamarind soup is quite good. It has no worms. Show it to

me". Jankiram showed the pot to Shri Maharaj and he was astonished to see that the

worms had disappeared and that the soup was quite clear. All wondered to see that.

SHRI MAHARAJ ATE CHANDU'S KANOLE

Chandu Mukin lived in Shegaon. He was one of the devotees of Shri Gajanan

Maharaj. Once in Jeshtha, (3rd Bhartiya month) Shri Maharaj asked him to bring two

kanole (an article of food prepared on Akshayya Tritiya day) placed in an earthen jar in

his store room. Chandu said, ' How can those kanoles at my house be in a good condition,

after more than a month's period? May I get them freshly prepared and bring them for

you? Shri Maharaj said, ‘I want the same kanoles and no fresh ones be prepared'.

Chandu went home and asked his wife if she had kept Kanoles in any earthen jar

in the store room. She said "I can prepare fresh ones if required; but I don't think that

there are any kanoles in the Jar." He insisted and said "Just remember and see, you have

kept any in any earthen pot. Maharaj wants the same and not the fresh ones". She then

recollected that she had put remaining two kanoles in a jug. She searched for them and,

found two dry kanoles there; but there was no froth or fungus on them. She gave them to

Chandu and he offered them to Shri Maharaj. How can the words of a saint be untrue!

Maharaj then ate them with delight.

MADHAO'S NIRWAN

There is a Village named ChinchoH to the south of Shegaon. A Brahmin named

Madhao lived there. He was 60 years old. He had lost his wife and children. He had lost

all his property and now he became anxious about his future. He came to Shri Gajanan

Maharaj at Shegaon and began to fast. He was reciting the name of 'Narayan'. After two

days Shri Maharaj said to him '-You are not doing well. Why did you not recite this

before? What is the use of calling a physician after death ? Whatever you have to do

should be done in time, there is no use digging a well after the house has caught fire. You

strived so much for your wife and children and they have passed away. Leaving the

eternal, you were after the perishable. You must therefore bear the consequences. So do

not insist on fast, Behave thoughtfully" Other persons also persuaded him to give up the

fast, but he did not agree. Kulkarni of Shegaon also requested him to give up his fast and

invited him for dinner at his house. But Madhao did not go but remained in the math

reciting God's name In the dark midnight Shri Maharaj assumed dreadful appearnce and

approached Madhao. He was frightened and began to flee away. Shri Maharaj said, "Is

this your courage? The death (Kal) will devour you in this way one day. You will not be

able to run away that time". Madhao requested, ‘Kindly do not send me to Yamlok, but

send me to Vaikunta. You have shown me the Yamlok. Though my sins are many, it is

not difficult for you to wipe off my sins. I am rather fortunate and so I can see you, no

fear of Yam".

After having seen you, there should be hearing this Shri Maharaj smiled and said,

"You continue the Jap of "Shri Man Narayan," your time of passing away is approaching.

Do not be careless. If you want to live for some more time, your life can be increased''.

Madhao said "I do not wish to live any more. Do not entangle me in this worldly

illusion". Shri Maharaj said "Let it be so. You shall have no birth now". After this

Madhao was not on his senses. People said that he had been mad due to fast. In the

afternoon he died in the presence of Shri Maharaj.

VASANT PUJA STARTED IN SHEGAON

One day Shri Maharaj asked his devotees to call Brahmins for Mantra Jagar i.e.,

to chant Veda Richas as by doing this the Gods are pleased. He also ordered to offer the

Brahmins sweets, cold drink of raw mango and sugar and dakshina. The devotees said

"There are no Brahmins well-versed in Vedas in Shegaon" Shri Maharaj said "You

arrange for Vasant Puja (worship in spring) and God will send Brahmins to you".

The devotees collected 100 rupees. Necessary articles were brought. Paste (Gandh) of

sandal wood was prepared, saffron and camphor was also brought. At midday some

Vedic Brahmins came to the math and began chanting Veda Mantras loudly. They were

offered sweets (as pedha, barphi) and cold drink of raw mango (Panha) and sugar and one

rupee each as Dakshina, Bankatlal thereafter continued this Vasant puja every year.

(to be continued)

THE MIRACLE OF TYPHOID CURE

It was on December 11, 1975, that I caught some fever which I thought was

ordinary; but as the temperature persisted unabated, I had to go to Doctor and on

examination of my blood, it revealed to be para-typhoid.

The Doctor began to treat - but how? He is my family Doctor, Sri P. Vadiraja

Rao. M.B.B. S, with his private clinic at Triplicane, while myself as a patient residing at

Perambur, about five miles away. He had heart attack and his doctor advised him not to

move out, hence he could not come to Perambur and I would not change this doctor,

since I had faith in him, since he is our family doctor for over 20 years.

With this difficulty and inconvenience, I did undertake treatment with him, by

going to Triplicane 5 miles away, twice a week in bus with all jolting and at times even

standing in the bus for want of seat.

It may be noted that as a rule, a typhoid patient should be completely confined to

bed with perfect rest- not even to roll much or sit even in bed - with only liquid food

(fruit juice) for 21 days. All these restrictions were violated in my case but I continued

treatment with that doctor only, saying to myself, "come, what may."

This was not the only disadvantage, I hardly slept in the bed for rest, since, there

was some printing work of Sri Sai and one Ramananda Swamiji, a Sai Devotee, was

visiting me almost every alternate day, for discussion clarifying points and thus exchange

our views (This matter still stands at proof stage, as Swamiji did not turn up and I had to

leave for Bangalore). In addition to this work, particularly and strangely during this

period, unexpectedly lots of guests and friends visited, to whom I had to give courtesy

talk. Thus 1 was disturbed from my even the minimum rest, in addition to the ordeal of

my going for treatment five miles away by bus twice a week I could not afford a taxi or

auto as a poor pensioner.

Due to these circumstances, my position became critical during the period twice,

on 11-1-76 and 16-1-76, My people had even given up hopes and a taxi was brought to

take me to the same doctor at Triplicane- but I do not know how, it revived on its own

when I declined to go to the Doctor, but asked my people to phone and seek his advice.

Temperature which also came down to sub-normal, shot up twice. In one of my

visits to the Doctor, he said I can take bath and go to Sri Partha Sarathy Temple for

Darshan on 16-1-76 being Mukkti Ekadasi - a holy and sacred day at Triplicane (but on

that day only I had a relapse and became critical).

The doctor told me that the relapse was due to my travel by bus 10 miles up and

down twice a week. Then he made it once a week or 10 days, later he stopped entire

visits of mine to him and asked ray people to go to him, give the report and get medicine.

However by 10-2-76, I was cured of Typhoid by Sri Sai's grace blessings and kindness,

being His surrendered Bhakt. While my story of Typhoid goes thus, I would like to

impress on Sai Devotees and bring home the fact, that it is not the medicine that cured

me, since I violated all the medical restrictions due for a typhoid treatment, but my

determined, adamant regular and steady prayers to Sri Sai for one full hour every

morning, sitting in my bed, with Abhaya Hasta Sri Sai Photo on the wall before me, that I

survived (but for what purpose I do not know, since I was praying Sai to take me to HIS

LOTUS FEET). After prayers, I was taking His Sacred Udi mixed in water daily before

the liquid food.

My dear Bhaktas, it will be interesting to note, that not only this one hour prayer a

day, I was doing, but Sri Sai made me read His "Satcharita" a few pages a day and made

me complete reading in seven days (Sapthaham). How holy I am to have this done in my

Typhoid period?

Is it not a miracle, that but for Sri Sai's grace, could I have survived (I also do not

know why He spared me while I was craving to take me to HIM) specially violating all

medical restrictions, by not remaining confined to bedrest, travelling 10 miles in bus for

treatment- thus being busy and active throughout as a normal man? Could there be an

instance of this kind of survival of a typhoid patient ? I wonder.

Is it not evident that the Hand of Protection of Sri Sai is there on His Bhakta who

has surrendered to HIM. It is Bhakti, Bhakti and Bhakti that gives you mukti and peace.

Bow to Sri Sai. Peace be to all by His grace.

B. Ramanadha Rao

Bangalore Rly Pin code: 560023

OBITUARY

We are sorry to inform our readers, that Smt. Sitaradevi, the wife of Shri P. L.

Goyal, who is constructing a Sai temple-cum-Ashram at Kasauli (for description of this

temple, refer to Shri Sai Leela magazine for March 1977), expired on 28-2-77. Our

heartfelt condolences and sympathies go with Shri Goyal in his sad bereavement. We

pray to God, "May the departed soul rest in peace".

Under the circumstances the donors, who intend to send their donations for the

temple, may now send them in the name of Shri P. L. Goyal, Kaushi Villa, Kasauli, Simla

Hill (H. P.) Pin code 173204, instead of Smt. Sitaradevi—Editor.

SHRI SAI BABA'S DIVINE FAVOUR

My "Sandhubhai" Dr. Minocha from Dehra Dun was here with us from 25th to

29th Dec. 1976. When he went back home, he knew little about Lord Sai from letters; but

he was not even sure whether Sathya Sai Baba and Shirdi Sai Baba are ONE or different.

The few days, we were together, he put lots of questions to me and I told him whatever

little I knew. In between, I mentioned about Kasauli Sai Sudha too. On 27th night just

before retiring at about 12.30, he gave me Rs. 5/- for Sai Sudha, saying he might forget to

do it in the hustle bustle of leaving. Same night i.e., early morning hours about 2.30 to

3.00 A. M. he had the following dream :

He and myself were sitting near the Lotus Feet of Shri Sai Baba with some 8/10

other bhaktas, sitting behind us. Strange thing was that in the group sitting there, was one

living Saint known as "Phuleri Baba", as he eats only fruit and no grains. He lives in a

boat in the Ganga at Garh Mukteshwar, near Moradabad. Dr. used to visit him often when

he was posted for years in that area and was treated by that Saint rather with more than

usual favour. This Saint is known to be about 100 years young. There was general

discussion for one and half hours during which Shri Baba blessed all about four times by

raising HIS both hands and told Dr. that his "Vicharas" are correct and that he must stick

to them. The meeting broke when Shri Baba got up to go.

In the morning the whole family was happy and full of bliss to learn that Baba

blessed Dr. and me and thus also graced this humble hamlet. One parcel of calendars etc.

from Kasauli arrived when we both were getting ready to go to office and as such,

thinking that the parcel contained only expected appeals, I did not care to open it then.

Just before leaving office at about 2.00 P. M. Dr. asked me for some calendars and I told

him that we do not distribute anything as New Year Compliments.

Having had tea etc. at home after coming from office, I asked him to hand over

the parcel to me, as he was near the table on which it was kept. My wife was sitting near

me when I started opening the wrappers. She said there must be calendars; but I replied

that I know there are only printed appeals. Surprise of surprise as the wrapper came out

partly, we saw the date sheets and I was found wrong. The joy of all was boundless to see

such GRAND BABA calendars. Dr took three for himself and his two daughters. How

divinely Baba arranged the arrival of the parcel.

Same evening Dr. and his wife and daughter and my daughter went for sight

seeing, that being the last but one day of their stay here. On returning home at about 9 P.

M. he gave me the sad news that he had somehow lost Rs. ISO/- and his Rly. pass. He is

a retired Rly. Doctor. Suddenly, he got up and went to see his other pants and in his

watch pocket, he found all what he had thought lost. So, we had this last Divine Favour

of the day, turning sorrow into happiness. Without that 1st Class Rly. Pass he could not

have travelled the next day to reach home in time for some function and on top of that he

would have had to pay the fare for all the three persons. There were ten people in the

house, but in Baba's Darbar only Dr and myself were there. However, we consider this as

a blessing for all and the home.

V. B. Nandwani

Bombay 16

SAINT GADGEMAHARAJ

By Dr. S. D. Parchure M. A., Ph. D.

(Continued from May '77 issue)

The annual village fairs, that are being held in the countryside, are a favourite

pastime of the village people. Saint Gadge Maharaj had been attending these fairs, at the

places round about Dapure from his childhood. By nature he was very much fond of

cleanliness. It may be recalled that even his cowshed was being kept very clean by him,

in his youth. All his cattle were also being cleaned by him by taking them to the river.

The accumulation of rubbish and other disorders in the village fairs were an eyesore for

Shri Maharaj and hence as a part of his social duty, he undertook to improve the sanitary

conditions in these places. The villagers, who used to attend the fairs, had no clear ideas

of sanitation. Many of them used to bring their bullock-carts as their conveyance. The

dung of their bullocks, their urine, the grass that was left over, all these used to add to the

insanitation. The children that used to accompany the elders also used to answer nature's

calls indiscriminately. The papers leaves etc that were being used for serving the lunch,

as well as the remnants of food, used to be thrown by the people helter skelter. All these

things used to create insanitary conditions. Shri GadgeMaharaj could not tolerate all these

things. He had not yet acquired such a commanding personality, that he could tell people

not to create filthy conditions or to clean the site of the fair and even if he would have

told the villagers, who would have listened to him? He therefore took the broom in his

hand and started cleaning the site of the fair as a part of his social work.

Shri GadgeMaharaj was not yet known to the people. He had to decide his line of

action. Later on when he started performing keertans, the first thing that he used to do,

was to sweep the site of the keertan very clean. He used to select the area round about a

village temple and would sweep it clean in the early part of the day and would perform

the keertan there in the night. Whenever he used to visit any Village, the first thing he

used to do, was to visit the public place of the village. He would first clean it with a

broom. If he would come across any choked drain, he would drain out the accumulated

water and reduce the filthy conditions prevailing there. This practice of doing the work

by himself was continued by Shri GadgeMaharaj even in his old age. After he built

Dharmashalas at Pandharpur, Alandi, Dehu, Kinamochan, Nasik etc. for the pilgrims,

he used to make it a point to attend these places during the fairs at these places and used

to clean the drains, WCs etc. of these dharma-shalas, by taking the broom in his hand and

doing the work by himself.

Though Sakhubai was apparently disappointed on the first Sunday in the fair at

Rinamochan, still she was not a lady, who would be discouraged by such reverses. She

had a real mother's heart. She had hoped to convert her son's mind and hence on the

second Sunday, she again went to Rinamochan in order to meet her son and according to

her expectation, she did really meet Shri Maharaj at the fair. He was however busy for the

whole day in doing his social service, which was least appreciated by the public.

Sakhubai again contacted Maharaj and requested him to leave that thankless job and

return home. She painted before him the rosy picture of the home and the family life;

but that had absolutely no effect on the mind of Shri Maharaj. He had not left the house

because of somebody's pressure. He had done it of his own accord after long

deliberation, when he was fully convinced that he was wasting his life by remaining

entangled in the family life. Sakhubai's persuations had therefore had absolutely no effect

on him and he paid no heed to her request. She therefore got totally disappointed and

returned to Dapure in the evening. Though two more Sundays followed and she knew

fully well that Maharaj would attend Rinamochan for the fair, for doing his public

service, still she did not go there to meet her son, because she knew that it was almost

like dashing her head against a strong stone wall!

Saint Gadgemharaj realised by and by that this work, that he was doing at the fair,

was found to be useful by the villagers, attending the fair. The underlying idea of the the

sweeping and cleaning was that the villagers should know the importance of cleanliness

and should of their own accord keep the site of the fair clean; but this never happened.

The general public in India is not enlightened to that extent even today. Then what to say

of those remote days? Thus though the ultimate object of Shri Gadgemaharaj was not

achieved, still he had the satisfation of starting some useful public service.

After the work that Shri Maharaj did in the fair for the first year, as explained

above, he started doing it every year in the month of Poush. Slowly and slowly the Parit

(Washerman) community, staying round about Rinamochan and attending the fair, came

to realise the usefulness of the work that Maharaj was doing and they started taking part

in the work. It may be recalled that when at Dapure, Maharaj used to arrange dinner at

the end of Namasaptaha etc. that was taking place there.

Similarly on the last day of the fair, the people started arranging the dinner by

way of Prasad to the pilgrims attending the fair at Rinamochan. This dinner programme

also became very popular and as many as two thousand people used to take food there.

As at Dapure, Shri Maharaj used to work from the beginning to end in the dinner

programme and used to see that the lame, blind and beggars got the food to their heart's

content and that they were fully satisfied; but it was the speciality of Shri Maharaj that he

never took a morsel of food out of the food prepared for the general public. He would go

round and beg for bread and would remain satisfied with the stale bread that he would get

by begging.

This activity of Maharaj helped to create an awakening among the Parit

community, staying round about Dapure and Rinamochan. This annual activity first of all

helped to develop a feeling of Cooperation among the community. The work at the fair

from levelling the banks of the river, keeping the site of the fair neat and tidy and

arranging the final Prasad (dinner), all required complete co-operation of the public and

under the direction of Shri GadgeMaharaj, all worked sincerely and made the function a

success. Self-respect of the people of the Parit community was regenerated. Due to

constant preaching of Maharaj and his ideal behaviour, the community, especially the

young generation, became free from the bad habit of drinking. A liking for public work

also started developing in the Parit community.

Though all the materials, required for feeding the two thousand people on the last

day of the fair, were quite cheap in those days, still the expenses of the Bhandara (by

which name the last day's function of feeding the people by way of prasad was commonly

known), were collected by contributions from the people, as this fostered a feeling of Co-

operation among them. Though Shri GadgeMaharaj used to strive personally and collect

the utensils for cooking the food from various sources, still bringing together all the

utensils and returning them back to their owners, was a big job and lot of time and energy

was consumed in managing that job. Hence it was decided to purchase by stages, the

untensils required for the Bhandara and the money, that used to be found surplus after the

function, was saved every year. When this amount was found to be sufficient, the

programme of the purchase of utensils was taken up in hand and slowly and slowly all

utensils sufficient for the Bhandara were purchased. The question then arose about the

storage of the utensils and making them available every year for the Bhandara. Shri.

GadgeMaharaj therefore found out a solution for the problem. He first of all arranged to

erect a tin shed, sufficiently spacious to accommodate all the utensils. He also then

appointed a committee and gave the utensils in their charge. Thus though Shri Maharaj

used to strive for all the public functions, he would usually remain aloof from everything

and never get involved in any affairs. When the whole programme of the fair at

Kinamochan was thus found to have been established on a solid footing, the people of

other villages in the vicinity also started celebrating fairs at their villages, in a similar

manner. Shri GadgeMaharaj was always ready to give guidance to the local committees

formed for the purpose and he strived for their functions also. Thus the holding of village

fairs and Bhardars started on similar lines in the villages round about Rinamochan also,

within a few years.

Because of his selfless public service at the time of the fairs at Rinamochan,

Pinchar Mahor and other places in the vincinity and because of his humbleness, the name

of Shri GadgeMaharaj became known in the area covered by the aforesaid towns; but he

was not yet known in remote villages, which were far in the interior and hence the

residents of those villages, still continued to look upon this strangely clad man with

suspicion. They therefore would often not allow Shri Maharaj to stay in their village

during the night. Driving him out of the village limits was a common occurance.

Talking in pinching language and troubling him without any valid reason, used to take

place very often. Still Shri GadgeMaharaj never used to utter a word of disapproval. He

would allow the people to treat him as they liked.

Shri GadgeMaharaj did not escape from the torture of the Police department also.

Because of his robust and well-built body, he was often suspected to be a person

belonging to a burgler's gang. His stay in the village was construed as spying for his

gang, stationed in the jungle. The Police therefore several times arrested him on suspicion

and kept him in the lock-up for one or two days without giving him food or even water.

Sometimes the Police forced him to carry a very heavy load from one place to another,

which was as distant as seven to eight miles. Later on, when Shri Maharaj came in the

limelight, some of these persons used to come to him and beg his pardon for the past

events, which had taken place unknowingly. Shri Maharaj was however not at all ruffled

by such reminiscences of the past. He used to laughout and say "Bury the past. Why do

you worry about it? You did your duty. Is there anything wrong in it?".

(to be continued)

MY MIND

When shall you, O mind,

Wake up and find

Thy pure self,

Forgetting the power and self ?

When shall you, O mind,

Break the chains that bind,

And try to realise

The self and be wise ?

When shall you chant the name

Of God and forget the fame

And fun of this world,

And be a free bird ?

Pray, sing a celestial song

On the road, dreary and long,

And end the journey

In peace and purity.

Bakht N. Moolchandani

13, Lilian Apartments, 73, Dr. Ambedkar Road, KHAR, Bombay 400052.

H. S. DIXIT'S DIARY

“TALK WELL OF OTHERS” SHRI BABA

Once two friends were talking in the Wada (Dixit Wada) about Christ. The tenor

of their talk was to find fault with Christianity. I also was then present and spoke against

its faults. A little while thereafter, I went to take Darshan of Baba, as soon as I began to

prostrate before him, Shri Sai Maharaj withdrew His feet from me. I understood from this

act of His that I had acted against His daily or frequent advice. I mentally prayed for His

forgiveness. Immediately, thereafter, Sai Maharaj spoke, of His own accord, thus;

"Come, Kaka, sit" and He stretched out His leg and spoke in Marathi as-"Do not speak

well of any nor speak ill of any" Few talk well of people. Mostly people talk ill of others.

So do not talk ill of others. Baba used to watch and warn in this way.

PHOTO

Once a group of youths had come for Baba's darshan. They had a great desire to

take Baba's photo and with this view they had taken a camera with them. Two days later,

they conveyed this object to Shri Madhavrao Deshpande viz. on his return from Lendi

Bagh, when He approached the Wada of Rao Bahadur Sathe, Baba should be reqested to

stay there for a few minutes so that a photo might be taken. This was the plan made by

Shri Madhavrao. In accordance with this plan, the group of youths, led by Madhavrao,

waited with a camera ready for an exposure of Maharaj. When Sai Maharaj came, He

said to, Madhavrao, "Shama, what is this?" Madhavrao replied, "O God! this group has a

desire to have your photo taken. So they are standing here" Sai Maharaj said, "Tell these

boys not to take any photo. It will be enough to demolish the wall." So saying He left the

place without stopping even for a minute. What He meant to convey was that the body,

whose photo was intended to be taken, was only 3 cubits high. The body was not, by any

means, the real form of Sai Maharaj. It was but the resemblance of the soul which, due to

the Dwaita wall of ignorance, appeared as such (i.e., as the person). Unless this wall of

avidya was pulled down, it was not possible to see or understand the real form of Sai

Maharaj. The secret of His instruction must be that His devotees should pull down this

wall and realise Sai Maharaj in His true form.

On one occasion a gentleman of the Prabhu community, who had worked for

some years in the studio of a famous photographer in Bombay, came for Darshan of Sai

Maharaj. He too had taken with him a camera with the idea of taking a photo of Sai

Maharaj. He desired to do so without obtaining a formal permission from Sai Maharaj.

Accordingly he took a photo, but when the plate was developed, instead of Baba's

likeness appearing on the negative he found his own Guru's. At this extraordinary

chamatkar, the photographer was greatly pleased, and he learnt from this leela of Sai

Maharaj that one should be firm in his devotion (Upasana) to his own guru.

Shri S. M Garje 80, Shivaji Nagar, PUNE – 411005

GURUDAKSHINA OF EKLAVYA

Dronacharya was the preceptor of the Kauravas and the Pandavas.

One day he called them apart and told them with a swelling heart, "I have in my

heart a particular purpose. Promise me truly, you sinless ones, that when you have

become skilled in arms, you will accomplish it."

Except Arjuna, all the princes remained silent but he vowed before the preceptor

to accomplish it whatever it was.

Drona then cheerfully clasped Arjuna to his bosom and took the scent of his head

repeatedly, shedding tears of joy all the while.

Drona taught the sons of Pandu, the use of many a weapon both celestial and

human. His fame of teaching spread far and wide and so all the neighbouring princes

cocked to learn the art of bowman.

Arjuna however, learnt the art of archery very quickly and in a short time he

excelled his class-mates. Indeed, although the instruction that the preceptor gave, was the

same in the case of all, yet in skill Arjuna became the foremost of all his fellow pupils.

Drona was therefore convinced that none of his pupils would be able to equal that son of

Indra.

Thus Drona continued giving lessons to the princes in the science of arms.

Arjuna's devotion to the service of his preceptor as also to his arms was very great and he

soon became the favourite of his preceptor.

Thereafter Drona began to teach Arjuna the art of fighting, on horse back, on the

back of elephants, on chariots and on the ground. And the mighty teacher taught him the

use of many weapons and fighting with many men at the same time. Seeing his

marvellous skill, Drona clasping him said, "Truly do I tell you that I shall do you a

favour, by which there shall not be a bowman equal to you in the whole World."

WARFARE SCIENCE

Hearing the reports of Arjuna's skill in arms, the kings and princes, desirous of

learning the science of warfare, flocked around Drona by thousands.

Amongst those that came, there was a prince named Eklavya, who was the son of

Hiranya-dhanu, king of the Nishadas -- the lowest of the tribe - (Adivasi). Drona did not

accept him as his pupil, because he was a Nishada, who might in time excel all his high

born pupils.

The Nishada prince touched Drona's feet with bent head and great reverence and went to

the forest. There he made a clay image of Drona and he began to worship it respectfully,

as if it were his real preceptor, and practiced the wielding of weapons before it, with most

rigid regularity. In consequence of his exceptional reverence for his preceptor and

because of his devotion to his purpose, all the three processes of fixing arrows on the

bow-string, aiming and letting off shafts, became very easy to him.

One day, all the pupils, with Drona's permission, set out on their chariots on a

hunting excursion. A servant followed the party at leisure with the usual impliments and

a dog. When the party arrived at the edge of the wood, the members of the party

wandered about, intent on the purpose they had in view.

Meanwhile, the dog, who was wandering alone about the woods, came up to the

Nishada, Beholding his dark hue, his body besmeared with filth, his black dress and the

matted locks on his head, it began to bark aloud.

The Nishada prince desirous of exhibiting his skill, struck seven arrows into the

dog's mouth before it could shut it.

The dog, thus pierced with seven arrows, came back to the Pandavas, who saw

this strange sight. All those heroes, were filled with wonder. They were ashamed of their

own skill. They began to praise the lightness of the hand, the precision of aim by

auricular preceptor, exhibited by the unknown archer.

They began to search in those woods the unknown dweller, who showed such

skill. The Pandavas soon found out the object of their search, ceaselessly discharging

arrows from the bow. They asked the stranger of grim visage, "who are you and whose

son?"

"You heroes," the man replied, 'I am the son of Hiranya-dhanu, king of the

Nishadas. I am also a pupil of guru Drona, and I am learning from him the art of arms "

(In those days the pupils took pride in telling the name of the Guru.)

The Pandavas returned to the city. They went to their preceptor and told him of

that marvellous feat of archery, which they had seen in the woods.

DRONACHARYA

But Arjuna saw the preceptor in private. All the while thinking about Ekalavya

and depending upon his preceptor's affection for him, Arjuna said, "Thou hast lovingly

told me, clasping me to thy bosom, that no pupil of thine should be equal to me. Why

then is there a pupil of thine — the mighty son of the Nishada king, superior to me?"

Dronacharya thought for a moment and resolving upon the course of action he should

follow, took Arjuna with him and went to the place of that Nishada prince, where he was

practising archery.

The Acharya saw Eklavya, with his body besmeared with filth, having matted

locks on the head, clad in rags, bearing a bow in hand and continuously shooting the

arrows from his bow.

When Eklavya saw his preceptor approaching towards him, he went forward a

few steps and touched his feet. He prostrated himself on the ground and joining his two

hands in reverence as his most obedient pupil, he stood before him.

Then the preceptor addressed him "If, O hero, you are really my pupil, then give

me my tuition fee or Gurudakshina."

"O illustrious preceptor," Eklavya, who was very much overwhelmed, replied,

"What shall I give? Command me, for there is nothing which I may not give unto my

preceptor."

"O Eklavya," Drona answered, "If you are really intent on giving me a gift, I

should like then to have the thumb of thy right hand."

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

Eklavya thought and thought in his mind, that the physical world is unreal. The

censory perception is Maya, and all striving towards the attainment of physical learning is

like trying to track down an elusive mirage. He was brought up in this philosophy of life.

Never would he get such a chance of obeying this great "Guru" in life. He intensely loved

his Guru and a thumb was a trifling thing to give as a gift to his preceptor.

He, however, decided when he heard the cruel words of his preceptor, who had

asked him his thumb as his tuition fee, or Gurudakshina. He was devoted to truth and

desirous of keeping his promise. With a cheerful face and an unafflicted heart he cut off,

without ado, his thumb, and gave it to Dronacharya.

Tears of grief, as well as of emotional joy, rolled down over the face of the

distinguished preceptor. He was extremely overwhelmed with his love and obedience.

The Guru also was satisfied in his mind for having kept his word, which he had given to

Arjuna.

After this, when the Nishada prince began once more to shoot with the help of his

remaining fingers, he found that he had lost his former proficiency of hand. Learning this,

Arjuna became very happy, the fever of jealousy having left him.

But Eklavya is still remembered. His name lives long on the lips of everybody.

His name has become immortal as his legend.

Prof. Vaman H. Pandit

Indore City (M. P.)

BLESSINGS OF SHRI SAI BABA

I am very glad to stale that I am very fortunate to have the blessings and

protection from Shri Sai Baba. Daily I am performing His puja for the last 33 years. I and

my family apply UDI on our fore-heads regularly daily which we procure from Shirdi. I

have been a bhakta member of the Sansthan so that I can get UDI thrice a year which we

get supplemented on necessary occasions. So far there is no break in this practice UDi of

Shri Sai Baba protects me from all evils. I feel that Shri Sai Baba has taken me under His

kind wings. He protects me, saves me from small and trifling sins and mistakes without

any untoward happenings. Those befalling on me on account of my providence, which I

have to clear up by suffering the effects of the unfortunate events, are minimised. The

evil arrows shot by the destiny are mostly shielded by Shri Sai Baba and those which

escape His shield get blunted, on account of His KRUPA DRISHTI. He also gives

strength and courage to endure these escaped unhappy sufferings.

In daily life too He guides, gives protection and gives help that is needed at the

moment, I can site so many experiences in this, manner.

I am narrating here a recent experience.

My birth-date is 14 Oct. 1908. I am now in 69th year. My last birthday fell on 14-

10-1976. On my birthday the members of my family celebrate the same by giving

presents to me and by arranging a feast in the house. At the time of this birthday, I was

residing at Dombivali with my younger son. On this occasion there was no movement in

the house for this celebration. My son, who is a lecturer in a college, as usual went to his

college and returned at about 4 P. M. My daughter-in-law, who is a teacher in a

secondary school, went to School as usual and returned at about the same time. On this

day therefore I was in a very uneasy mood as I was remembering the past celebrations.

To avoid the disgust and the grief, I sat before the portrait and bust of Shri Sai Baba and

offered prayers. I prayed Him to ‘grant His blessings and remove my grief and uneasiness

and also give me courage to bear such displeasing events in future’.

But Shri Sai Baba had another thing in His mind. In the evening, while I was

offering prayers before Shri Sai Baba, my son and daughter-in-law came to me and stated

that they are remembering that this is my birthday viz. 14-10-1976 and that they are

going to celebrate the same. They showed me the present viz. a piece of Dhoti and cloth

for zabba and told me that they have also arranged for sweet meals. My son also gave me

a letter of greeting for my birthday, received from my son (another one) serving in a

foreign country. With his birthday greeting he had also sent a postal order for five pounds

as a token birthday present. My son had arranged to post the letter on such a day that the

letter and the gift may reach me on my birthday.

Thus, on account of KRUPA of Shri Sai Baba, the day of uneasy mood and

disgust had by miracle turned into joy and happiness. I am confident that this miracle

happened only due to His KRUPA, and blessings.

I AM ALWAYS GREATFUL TO BABA for His blessings. He is helping me to

lead a contented life. Under His guidance I am leading a happy life in my old age.

B. D. Kulkarni

THANE