Shri Sai Satcharitra.
Chapter – 2.
In the last chapter, the author mentioned in the original Marathi book that he would he would state the reasons that led him to undertake the work, and about the persons qualified to read the same, and such other points. Now, in this chapter, he narrates the same.
The Objects Of Writing This Work.
In te first caper, I described Sai Baba’s miracle of checking and destroying te cholera epidemic by grinding wheat and throwing the flour on the out skirts of the village. I heard other miracles of Sai Baba to my great delight and this delight burst forth into this poetic work. I also thought that, the description of these miracles of Sai Baba would be interesting and instructive to His devotees and would remove their sins, and so I began to write the sacred life and teachings of Sai Baba. The life of the saint is neither logical nor dialectical. It shows us the true and great path.
Incapacity And Boldness In Undertaking The Work.
Hemadpant thought that, he was not a fit person to undertake the work. He said, “ I do not know the life of my intimate friend nor do I know my own mind, then how can I write the life of a saint r describe the nature of Incarnations which even the Vedas were unable to do ? One must be a saint himself before he could know other saints, otherwise, how can I describe their glory ? To write the life of a saint is most difficult, one may as well be able to measure the depth o the seven seas or enclose the sky with cloth-trappings. I know, this was the most venturous undertaking, which might expose me to ridicule, I, therefore invoked Sai Baba’s Grace.
The premier poet – saint of Maharashtra, Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, has stated that, the lord loves those ho write the lives of the saints, and the saints also have their own peculiar method of assigning the service, which the devoted long for. The saints inspires the work, the devotees becomes oly an indirect cause or an instrument in achieving the end. For instance, in 1700 shaka year, the poet Mahipati aspired to write the lives of the saints. Saints inspired him, and got the work done, as also in 1800 shaka year Das Ganu’s service was accepted. The former wrote 4 works – Bhakta Vijay, Sant Vijay, Bhakta Leelamrut and Sant Kathamrut, in which the lives of modern saints were described. In chapter 31,32,33 of the Bharkta Leelamrut and in chapter 57 of the Sant Kathamrut, the life and teachings of Sai Baba are very well depicted. These have been separately published in the Sai Leela Magazine,No.11 and 12, Vol.17; the readers are advised to read these chapters. So also Sai Baba’s Wonderful Leela are described by Mrs. Savitribai Raghunat Tandulkar of Bandra in a small book., named Sri Sainath Bhajan Mala. Das Ganu Maharaj also has composed various sweet poems of Sai Baba. A deotee,named Amidas Bhavani Mehta, also published some stories of Sai Baba in Gujrati; some nos. of Sainath Prabha, a magazine published by Daksnina Bhiksha Sansthan of Shirdi, are also published. Then, the question of objection comes in, that while so many works regarding Sai Baba are extent, why should this ( SATCHARITRA ) be written; and where is its necessity ?
The answer is plain and simple. The life of Sai Baba s as wide and deep as the infinite ocean, and all can dve deep into the same and take out precious gems od knowledge and bhakti and distribute them among the aspiring people. The stories, parables, ad teachings of Sai Baba are very wonderful. They will give peace and happiness to the people, who are affiliated with sorrow and heavily loaded with miseries of this worldly existence, and also bestow knowledge and wisdom, both in worldly and spiritual domains. If these teachings of Sai Baba, which are as interesting and instructive as the vedic lore, are listed to and mediated upon, to devotees will get what they long for viz., union with Brahma, mastery in eight fold Yoga, bliss of meditation etc. So, I thought that I should collect these stories together, that would be my best Upasana.This collection would be most delighted to these simple souls, whose eyes were blessed with Sai Baba’s darshan. So, I set about collecting Sai Baba’s teachings and expressions – the outcome of His boundless self realization. It was Si Baba who inspired me in this matter, in fact, surrendered my ego at His Feet and thought that, my at was clear; and that He would make me quite happy here, and in the next world.
I could not my self ask Sai baba to give me permission for this work, so I requested Mr. Madhavrao Deshpande alias Shama, Baba’s most intimate devotee, to seek to Him for me. He pleaded my cause and said to Sai Baba, “This Annasahib wishes to write Your Biography, don’t say you are a poor Fakir, and there is no necessity to write I; but you agree and help him, he will write rather, Your grace will accomplish the work, Without Your consent and blessing, nothing can be done successfully.” When Sai Baba heard this request, He was moved and blessed me by giving me His Udi and placing placing His boon-bestowing hand on my head and said,” Let him make the collection of stories and experiences, keep notes and memos, I will help him. He is only a outward instrument I should write My Autobiography Myself and satisfy the wishes of My devotees. He should get rid of his ego and surrender it at My Feet. He, who acts like this in life, him I help the most. What of My Life-stories? I serve him in his house in all possible ways. When his ego is completely annihilated and there is left no trace of it, I Myself shall enter into him and shall Myself write My Own Life. Hearing My stories and teachings will create faith in devotees’ hearts and they will easily get self-realization and bless; let there be no insistence on establishing one’s own view no attempt to refute other’s opinion, no discussion of pros and cons of any subject.”
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