Saileelamrutha

The grace of the Sadguru!

2011-12-06T18:05:00.000-08:00

The atheists declared there is no God!
Where does he exist give me proof they said!

Their argument was plausible it seemed
Until on your lotus feet I lay my head

The different religions seemed to contradict each other
Men belonging to them did not seem to like one another

It all seemed confusing to this mind of mine
Until you came and declared to me that "God is one!"

The scientists told me one fascinating theory after another
About the boundless cosmos and the minuscule atom and it's interior

And yet none of them satisfactorily explains
Your simplest of expressions and actions

The yogis who study the nature of the spirit
Told me of inter dimensional and space travel without limit

They told me of the fantastic powers of the mind
Of astral projections and different mysteries to unwind

And these pleasures seemed the greatest one can experience
Until I saw your blissful face and your wonderful visions and went into a trance

Your remembrance alone keeps me steady
Else Maya(Illusion) to whip me is always ready

There are manifold material and spiritual powers
To move mountains and stop the flow of rivers

Of no use it seems to me are any of these powers
It still leaves a huge void in my spiritual coffers

It gets filled only when I look longingly at your face
What in this world can indeed be compared to the Sadguru's grace!

-- Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru!

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai||

Bow to Shri Sai! Peace be to all!

The pillar of faith

2011-11-20T13:15:00.000-08:00

An ambassador came to the court
Of the mightiest king on earth

To make peace was his mission
To save a beautiful kingdom from demolition

The Lord of Lanka however would not yield
Added insult to injury by not giving him a seat

Remembering Lord Rama's might Angada roared
Try see if any of you can displace my foot

Should any of your warriors be successful
Then on behalf of my Lord Rama I promise

We shall leave Lanka without shooting a single arrow
If you can move my foot there shall be no fight tomorrow

So much was his faith in the name of Lord Rama
"If you can but move my foot you wretch" said Angad

Then forgoing Sita, my Lord Rama will turn back
And leave without a fight this I promise

Then taking the mighty name of Lord Rama
He planted his foot firmly in the ground

The demon warriors of the court were pleased
An easy challenge and our victory in this war is confirmed

The demon warrior Shardula moved with confidence
Towards the pillar of faith that was Angada's foot

This warrior had the strength of ten sabre tooth tigers
And yet try as he might he could not budge the foot

Then came other warrior demons in the court
Each mightier than the other in valor and strength

The mighty demon son of Ravana, Atikay came next
He was blessed with a boon by Lord Shiva making him next to invincible

And yet all those boons were in vain
For try as he might all his arm could feel was pain

The mighty Rakshasa general Akampana came next
Could not move the foot on any pretext

Enough of this, roared Indrajith.
He was Ravana's mightiest son

As he walked towards Angada, the earth trembled
All the demon warriors were sure Angada will be humbled

As a chaste woman's virtue does not ever falter
Or as a pure celibate's mind never for an instant does weaver

Just like that stood firmly planted Angada's foot
In his mind thinking of none but Lord Rama he stood still

Never had anyone seen Indrajit getting tired
None had ever seen him become so frustrated

And Yet what could he do? For who can in this world
Move the pillar of faith standing on Lord Rama's name

Ravana's heart witnessing this skipped a beat
He thought he himself should accomplish this feat

And Angada pushed him to the ground displacing his crown
As Ravana fell on the floor showing on his face a frown

"Wretch, I challenged the courtiers not you!" Said Angada
"The honor of defeating you should go to my Lord Rama"

Kicking the crown of ignorance from the ground
Angada flew back to his army in the battleground

Thus is the power of the name of Lord Rama
Build a pillar of faith around this

And you will stand immovable against life's difficulties
Like Angada's firm foot stood in the court of Lanka

-- Jai Shree Ram

||Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram||

||Jai Raghuveer Ramartha||

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai||

The Quest

2011-11-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! I bow before that primordial force from which all originated and into which all dissolves. Ganapati is one of your several names. Obstacles are singed by your very gaze. I beseech you to help me sing your glory. I then bow before Mother Saraswathi with her pure vermillon mark holding the Brahma Veena and riding the Peacock. The four vedas originated from her womb. I beseech her to give strength to my utterances. I then bow before the family dieties Mother Parvathi and Lord Shiva in pristine Kailasa. I seek their blessings in this venture to sing the glory of the saints. I then bow before Shree Sita Ramachandra, who is perfect amongst the most perfect, purest of pure. His name ever on the lips of Hara. I then bow before the lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath and ask him to guide me in this life which is veritably an ocean of challenges and desires which keep rocking the boat which we use to travel.

Today I had a strange experience. I was doing something and felt the need to gaze at the blessed picture of Sainath Maharaj. The first thought that came to my mind was to go to Facebook and look at a picture of his that I had recently posted. However to my dismay I found I was disconnected from the internet. I did not know what to do! Try as I might, I could not connect to the internet even after repeated attempts. And yet there was a deep desire to look upon the luminious face of the Sadguru before which worries, fears and miseries just melt away. Where was I now to look for to get a glimpse of that compassionate mother like glance of the Sadguru. I suddenly realized then! It hit me! I minimized all the windows on my desktop and there was this picture of the Sadguru, blissfully looking at me. In my complex state of mind filled with ego and unnecessary worries, I had forgotten that the very wall paper on my laptop was that of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj. It just made me realize, how often in vain do we try to search for him all around the world. When in reality he is truly within us and our true nature. He is anywhere and everywhere. Gaze at any cration of his and it is encompassed by him.

It also made me realize that as long as the Sadguru be with us, all our worries and fears are baseless. "What would happen to me if this happens?", "What about my ailment?", "Where will I go from here?". These are baseless worries and questions. The Sadguru will always show the way. It is for us to completely surrender unto him and his guidance will surely come to us. With him as the helmsman, why should we worry about drowning in this ocean called Samsara (Life). I express my heartfelt thanks to my Sadguru for making me realize this and I fall prostrate at his lotus feet and cling onto them for they are verily the universe to me.

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Deepawali

2011-10-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

In the narrow muddy streets
As the sun was about to set

The tiny hamlet was soon envoloped in darkness
The simple oil vendors stumbled about in ignorance

In this extreme darkness a fakir walked the streets
His face shone like the bright moon on a cloudless sky

He walked at a steady pace towards the mud walled Mosque
Many simple and confused souls followed him in the dark

Two drops of oil alone remained in the small tumbler
Many were the lamps to be lit to show the way to everyone

Water mixed with this oil the Fakir consumed
Once again with water the tumbler was filled

Those in darkness watched utterly amazed
For to fill the earthen lamps this water was used

Suddenly several earthan lamps shone brightly
Like several stars with the moon in the night sky

The simple souls were standing in a daze
To the Fakir's beautiful face they turned their gaze

Lamps of dispassion, devotion and knowledge were lit
Ego,ignorance,arrogance and illusion took to their heals and split!

It was as Deepavali, the festival of lights
Everyone worshipped the fakir to their heart's delight

The formless all encompassing ancient being
Had taken the form of a fakir to show the way

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

The incarnation of Krishna

2011-08-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

There was a time when evil reigned supreme
Darkness prevailed and light there was none

On the eigth day of the second forthnight
On a wednesday midnight when Rohini was ascendant

A terrible storm blew over Mathura
The river Yamuna was in spate

And yet at this time everything seemed pleasant
And the entire universe seemed to be rejoicing

The sun is in the constellation of Leo
And the moon is rising real high

At these dark times, in the darkest of dungeons
In the city of Mathura, the Capital of the wicked Kansa

There was a bright luminous light in a dark cell
To Vasudeva and Devaki was born the Lord God incarnate

A dusky baby who knew he ought not to cry
For all the evil guards were in deep sleep

And the chains that bound Vasudeva broke free
And the gates of the prison opened themselves

A heavenly voice said leave the baby
At Nanda's house in Gokul across the river

The clouds seemed to be crying tears of joy
For the rain fell down in huge torrents

Lightning flashed again and again in the sky
So that the clouds could glance just once more

At the bewitching face of the Lord
All creation seemed eager to see that face

The sacred king of the Cobras came to Yamuna
And shielded the Lord from the heavy rainfall

The Yamuna knowing the newborn to be the Lord
Was in all eagerness to touch the feet

When Vasudeva struggled in the rising waters
The merciful Lord touched the daughter of Ravi(Sun) with his feet

And thus sanctified the river receded
And Vasudeva with ease to Gokul proceeded

There he slept blissfully near Yashoda
And with Yogamaya as a baby in hand

Vasudeva returned to the dungeon of Kansa
Knowing that the Lord of all creation was in Gokul

It signalled the end of all evil upon earth
And the rise of virtue and piety

This was the beginning of the incarnation of Krishna
The most beautiful incarnation of the Lord on earth

--Dedicated to the one who dwells in all beings and the one in whom all beings dwell!

||Jai Shree Krishna||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

An Empire of Faith!

2011-07-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

A boy came into a tiny hamlet
Absorbed in the self day and night

Meditated near a neem tree
From desires was he ever free

Who knew what the future beheld
He sat alone feeling neither hot or cold

Disappeared one day all of a sudden
Much to the dismay of the Villagers

Reappered in the Nizam dominion
As an aulia in Chand Patil's opinion

Who knew that this poor begging fakir
Was to bless the richest of emir

An empire of faith was established
Differences and evil was abolished

He declared boldly before everyone
Listen to me "God is one"

To the Hindus he is Ram
And to the Yavanas he is Rahim

To the Jews,Samaritans and Christians he is Yahweh
To the Fire worshippers he is Ahura Mazda

To those who follow the divine 10 Gurus
He is called by them as Waheguru

To the followers of Siddhartha Gautama
He is known as the state of Nirvana

Follow with all your heart your own religion
Doing so find humanity and love within

No new religion or Math was established
No new religious order was laid out

He showed to one and all
That God is our all in all

Difference between God and Guru is none
The Jivatma (Soul) and the Paramathma (God) is one

I bow before the divine Samartha Sadguru Sai
He is to his devotees their Mai (Mother)

--Dedicated to the Lotus Feet of the Sadguru

|| Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki jai ||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All!

Fakiri

2011-06-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

The sun, the clouds and the earth
give impartially to every seed sown

And they are neither overjoyed
At the sight of a bountiful crop

Nor are they dejected when
The crop fails and the land is bare

And yet I laud you when pleasures come my way
And am angry at you when suffering fills my day

A child may at times get angry at its mother
But it's love for her diminishes not one bit

Likewise oh Sai, do I love you so
It is your boundless love that makes this possible

Pleasure or pain, Sunshine or rain
Let me always cling to your feet

Lost in your love this fakiri does not matter
Immersed in your thoughts, this fakir becomes a badshah

The company of the Divine!

2011-06-16T23:44:00.000-07:00

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha! I bow before the primordial power from whose single breath manifested this Universe and everything in it! Oh Lambodhara, fourteen worlds are contained in your belly. Thou art the source of all learning and knowledge. I humbly place my ego at your feet and beseech you to destroy the obstacles that might arise in my singing your glory. Different people call you by different names and yet in the end they all reach you. I then bow before Mother Saraswathi, for without her consent, how can one sing your glory? My obeisance be to Shree Sita Ramachandra, whose names are enough to reach the end. My obeisance to Lord Shiva whose abode is the pristine Kailasa. The name of Rama is ever on his lips, and the name of Shiva is ever on Hari's lips. Who can fathom this deep mystery. I then bow to all the saints, sadgurus and incarnations to bless me in singing their glory. I then bow before the Sweet form of the Sadguru, who is one with all the above. You are the destination of all and the protector of the meek and the helpless. Oh Sadguru, I pray to you, guide me in describing your glory. For you alone know the extant of your immesurable splendor. I now seek to sing the glory of Guru Arjan Dev Ji with whom you are but one! I submit my ego at your lotus feet. Oh Sai, add your sweetness which exceeds in nectar in my utterances.

Here now my own experience which but for the Sadguru's grace would not have come to pass. Once one comes into the fold of the Sadguru he feeds and nourishes our devotion like a mother. Listen here to my own tale and then decide for yourself how merciful the Sadguru is!

During recent days I have come under much duress. Fighting with these problems, I have not been especially loquacious when I met a few acquaintances and friends. This has made them move away from me. This was at first thought very troubling! "Oh why is this transpiring?" I thought day and night. Why are people despising me and moving away from me? But then When the Sadguru be with us, why do we need anyone else? Everyone is within Sadguru and the Sadguru is also the inner dweller within everyone. But dullard that I am, this realization did not come to me very easily.

Two days ago, even in the temple of the divine Sadguru Sai, I was pondering thus! That very time, a good friend remembered me and decided to call me! A devotee of God and a believer the maxim "Sabka Malik Ek" (God is one), hard working and good natured, he was a delight and everyone loved this person's company. With happiness at being remembered thus by a good friend, I answered the call. "A wish has sprung up in my mind to visit the Gurudwara!" said he. "Verily never have I gone to a Gurudwara before! But now a strong urge is there in my mind to visit it! It is my wish to visit it with someone who already has had the good fortune of having prayed in the Gurudwara. Will you hence, accompany me to this place of worship" said he! My troubled mind was delighted by this request. On one hand was the happiness at meeting a good friend of mine. On the other hand was the prospect of going to worship the friend of the poor and helpless. Guru Nanak has verily adviced us time and again to take his name and remember him at all times. Along with Eshwar and Allah, Waheguru is also one of your sweet names. The ten Gurus and their exalted words and the eleventh Guru, the holy Guru Granth Sahib bring nothing but peace and bliss to one's mind. Thus I immediately replied to him in the affirmative. This happened on Tuesday just before the holy puja of Lord Satyanarayana (Lord Vishnu) in the temple.

Wednesday came and I was filled with anticipation of visiting the Gurudwara. However in vain it seemed was this anticipation. As the day progressed I did not hear my friend. "Busy he must be at this hour!" I thought! "With lots of things to do now, he probably could not make it today". Thus ended Wednesday without any events worth the mention!

Now hear what happened on this Thursday, the day so dear to the Guru! After a couple of chores were completed I reached home. The call that was expected on Wednesday came miraculously today. "I was held up with a lot of work yesterday" said my friend. "However now I have completed them all! And now I wish to satisfy myself with a darshan (vision) of the Gurudwara".

I agreed, and off we went to the Gurudwara. Talking about the good old times, we went to worship the ancient supreme being in good cheer. On reaching the Gurudwara, and covering our head we went inside to sit down in the place of worship. The priest was away at that time. A stunning silence and peace reverberated inside. In this pristine environment, jocular as we were by nature, we jested about some things. And yet we both felt an immense bliss in there. The grace of Waheguru, when it is upon us, what can possibly disturb the mind then?

On our way out, the priest met us near the Langhar (The community kitchen in a Gurudwara, where devotees are fed freely and people of all race,religion sit together and eat symbolizing that they are children of the same god). We were about to take our leave, when the priest asked "My good friends, drink some tea at least before you leave" Said he. Looking at us hesitating a bit, he spoke to us in a very hospitable manner and inquired about us. "Is this your first visit here?" he asked. My friend admitted it was for him, and I said I have visited the Gurudwara before. "Please come often. We do special pooja (Prayer or worship) on Friday evenings and Sunday until afternoon". "Today we will start prayers in 10 minutes" he continued.

"For today, is the martyrdom day of our fifth Guru. Never for once swerving from the true path, and attracting many Hindu and Muslim devotees, Guru Arjan Dev Ji roused the ire of the bigotry and intolerant Mughal emperor Jehangir!" he said.

"Well known now, is the intolerance of these Muslim rulers of India. In the name of religion they killed many! In Lahore in presence of all who loved him, Jehangir had Guru Arjan Dev Ji tortured. A seat on a red hot iron stove and frequent showers of hot sand, could not persuade him to leave his faith. All attempts to make him accept Islam failed. "Allah and Eshwar are one and so are Hindus and Muslims" Said the Guru. "In the eyes of the one God all are same" said he."

"Thus did he show us the true path. Not once did he deter from his firm resolve. Accepting the punishment as God's will, he sat smiling much to the dismay of the barbarous Mlechhas (Mughals). He established the true path of devotion to that ancient being. It was on this day, many hundred years ago that the divine Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred. And hence a reading of his Adi Granth and a prayer we shall do now" said the priest.

Once we were in the Langhar, savoring delicious food and the tastiest tea I have ever had, I remembered the story of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. "When he was being tortured thus by the heartless Mughals" said I, "The great Sufi saint Mian Mir ran to the Guru's side. Being a true man of god and an Awalia (Saint), Mian Mir recognized the greatness of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. His very lotus feet were the sign posts to Allah's abode was known to Mian Mir. "Oh Guru! I no longer can watch this barbarous act!" said Mian. "Permit me! And I shall destroy this wicked and tyrannical empire of the Mughals by the powers bestowed in me by Allah" said he!

"The Guru smiled emphatically and pointed above! There were thirty thousand angels lying in wait for the Guru to but tell them once! One word from the divine lips and they would destroy the wicked Jehangir drunk with power! "No use of any force is necessary!" said the holy Sadguru. "What is destined shall happen as willed by Waheguru!". "One must stick to true faith and not try to run away" . "Not is it our way also, to use powers bestowed on us by Allah". "Ignorant are Jehangir and his minions!" "What matters is devotion and true faith in that one divine being who pervades everything!". "It is time for me to meet that being and merge in him! Let no one be persuaded to change his path to reach the divine! Just as the chaste woman thinks of none but her husband or as the celibate (brahmachari) holds onto the armor of dispassion, likewise oh Mian, may the true devotee stick to the path of truth which is above and beyond all religions,race and caste!" said the Guru. So saying with a blissful divine countenance on his face the Guru left his mortal coil".

We both contemplated on this and discussed how twisted bigotry people throughout history have committed the most heinous crimes in the name of religion. The crusades, the Spanish inquisition came to our minds. As also, the Islamic invasion of India and the inquisition of Goa. Never should such hatred enter our hearts we thought. May the true message of the Gurus reach one and all was what we concluded.

After all this, we both contemplated on the miracle that occurred on the day. We both were supposed to come to the Gurudwara a day before. And yet we came on the day when we were reminded of the martyrdom of the divine Guru Arjan Dev Ji. A thousand blessed things one can learn from this.

After all this I reflected, that I was worried about friends parting from me. Worried was I about being lonely. However this miraculous incident showed how can I be alone. HE is always with me. The sadguru is most kind and compassionate. He is verily the mother. God is essentially formless and attribute-less. However, hungering for devotion of his creation, he took form as the Sadguru. My prostrations are ever to the Sadguru and also I am grateful to my good friend for taking me to the Gurudwara today. Oh Sadguru, always keep your merciful glance on me like this. A dullard that I am, I need to be reminded like this that you are always with me. I know that you are always holding my hand and you will lead me to your abode. I know that no matter whoever forsakes me, you never will!

||Waheguru Ji Da Fateh : Waheguru Ji Da Khalsa ||

||Jo Bole So Nihaal : Satsriakal ||

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai ||

||Shree Satguru Arjun Dev Ji ki Jai ||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Santha Narahari : Vitthala or Shiva?

2011-06-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha! My humble prostrations to the primordial power unto whom obeisance is paid before undertaking any venture. All the Vedas, Shastras, arts and sciences have verily originated from you and yet they fall silent when trying to describe you. What then is the way for a dullard like me. But I know that I am not the doer. You alone are the inner-dweller of one and all, and knowing you to be the sole inspirer and doer of all great works, I muster the courage in singing your glory, for no earthly pleasure can equal the sweetness of the stories of Saints. Once lodged in the heart, the drive away desires and give us peace of mind. Along with this comes complete submission to the supreme will after which there is no dearth for anything in this world and hereafter. I then fall flat at the feet of Mother Saraswathi, clad in a pristine white saree and a vermillon mark on her forehead, and the beautiful peacock along her side. The vedas and the Sahastras verily was heard by the seers when she played her mystical veena. Without the mother, where be the child? I humbly request you to help sing your glory. I then bow before Shree Sita Ramachandra. All the happiness in the world is to be found in this sweet name of Rama. Umapathi himself always meditates on this blissful name. I then bow before Girijapathi, the most generous Parabrahma, on whose form Lord Rama meditates. I then bow before the Sadguru, who is one with all the above. Sadguru is verily the ancient being of Pandhari who met Pundalika on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga. Sadguru alone is Panduranga. He alone is formless Parabrahman (God) who has taken form for the sake of the devotees. Knowing you to be the doer, oh Sadguru, I submit my ego at your lotus feet, which is the holiest place in the whole universe. Help me sing thy glory!

In the previous post, was described, how Narahari, the staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, could not fashion a belt that would fit the waist of Vitthala. He did not want to visit or see any deity other than his Lord Shiva. And the measurements that the merchant accurately made with the thread somehow never helped Narahari fashion a belt of the right size. Frustrated with so many attempts, Narahari, ever true to his word decided to go to the Eagle platform at Pandhari blindfolded and measure Vitthala himself.

Notice now the miracle performed by Umapati (Consort of Uma)! Or was it a miracle performed by the ancient lord of Pandhari Vitthala? That too will be answered by this miraculous incident itself.

Many eyes gazed upon the curious pair as they traversed through the busy markets towards Pandharpur. The merchant leading in the front with his eyes open and holding his hand and walking behind him blindfolded was Narahari himself. It seemed apt that he was blindfolded as he headed towards the eagle platform. For it seemed, he had indeed closed his eyes to the real nature of Pashupathinath (The lord of all creatures - Lord Shiva) , the God of Gods.

"Behold now Uma, what I do! I am now going to help my dear child Narahari realize my true nature. Divisions of any sort exist not in this universe" said Lord Shiva to Mother Parvathi seated beside him. "I am curious oh Lord, to see your divine play" replied Uma.

No sooner than she had said this, the pair of the merchant and Goldsmith reached Pandharpur. One was devout to Vitthala. The other considered Shiva as his all in all. One was worldly yet not blind to the glory of God. The other was thinking of Shiva all the time and yet did not neglect his worldly duties. What way could one compare this pair? It was as though the musical giants Narada and Tumburu were heading to the Eagle platform to witness the glorious form of Panduranga.

On reaching the Eagle platform Narahari felt an inner quiet and peace that was profound and unfathomable. Who knows this feeling but those dear to Panduranga himself. It is this that made Namadeva sing and dance with glee. It is this very same thing that enamored Santh Jnaneshwar. Was it not this form that brought Choka Mela to the gates of the ancient temple?

"We have arrived at the holy presence of Vitthala, oh Narahari!" said the Merchant. "Come forward a few steps so you could feel him and measure his waist accurately. At your hands there will be no mistakes, of this I am certain" said the merchant.

Moving a few steps forward, Narahari touched the top of the murthi. "You are now touching the crown of Vitoba" said the merchant. "What is this?" thought Narahari. "These are matted locks! I feel no crown!" Then as he lowered his arms "You are now touching the neck" said the merchant. "Verily I feel a serpent now" thought Narahari to himself. On going lower the merchant remarked "There now you are touching his waist, measure please accurately so you could fashion a belt worthy of the Lord". "I feel the skin robes, this is none other than Lord Shiva himself" thought Narahari. So positive was he that it was Shiva, that he pulled the blindfold hastily and prostrated then and there and shouted with happiness "Oh Lord Shiva! It is you!". The perplexed merchant remarked "Why Narahari, you are mistaken. This is the murthi of the ancient Lord of Pandharapur who appeared before the blessed Pundalika!" . " Notice if you will, the beautiful crown, the neck bedecked by the magnificent Vaijayanthi Mala (necklace) and the yellow robes. Also see the blissful benign smile, which bewitches one and all" continued the merchant! "You have verily imagined this murthi to be that of your beloved Lord Shiva!"

Narahari felt that his eyes were decieving him! So sure was he, that he had touched his beloved deity Girijapathi himself! "I believe not what you say, oh merchant! Though my eyes now confirm what you just said, still I believe you not! Here take this cloth, and tie it around my eyes real tight again!"

The merchant found this request strange but complied. Then Narahari touched Vitthala again and felt the Jata (Matted locks) at the top, the serpent at the neck and the skin cloth instead of the robes. This was lord Shiva himself and there was no doubt in this! This time he pleaded to Lord Shiva to show himself and took off his blindfold, only to behold Vitthala standing gracefully before him on the brick! But this was a momentary sight, for it was replaced by a vision of Lord Shiva standing on the very same brick. There was the matted locks instead of the crown, the serpent instead of the necklace and the famed skin cloth of the ascetic that was enrobed on Mahadeva (God of Gods). With tears in his eyes, his hairs standing on their ends and throat choked unable to utter any words, Narahari fell at the feet of Lord Shiva crying! He said "My lord, not in vain was my worship to you! Finally I behold you! Please let me be here at your feet all the time! I want to spend the rest of my life here" and then on getting up, he again beheld the bewitching form of Vitoba! Unable was Narahari to comprehend what was happening. A brilliant light shone from the murthi, and it all came to Narhari. The implications of this event hit him hard!

"Forgive me oh Lord!" Said he. "You are Vitthala, you are my Shiva! You are Madhava, you are Keshava! You are Narayana and you are Shiva". So saying he wept soulfully at the feet of Vitoba. "What a fool I have been. Really blindfolded was I, oh Vitthala to your true nature! Difference there is none, between Shiva and Vitthala. Just as difference there is none, between one living being to the next. Also similar to this is the fact that, difference there is none, between you and your creation! Foolish was I not to see this!"

"All my worship and merits of past lives have yielded fruit, that I reached your abode! Now that I am here, I shall not leave your lotus feet!"

So saying Narahari fell prostrate at Vitthala's feet!

"Foolish is he oh Uma, who seeks me alone and hates Narayana!" said Lord Shiva at Kailasa! "Foolish also is he who seeks Narayana and hates me!" . "My nature is that I alone exist as one! There is no second being! I am alone present everywhere. Some call me Shiva. Some call me Vitthala. Some call me Krishna. But remember this always! Difference there is obviously none" said the Lord.

"You have shown your mercy upon your true devotee my Lord! Henceforth his progress towards you is rapid" said Uma.

"Verily he has become one with me today, for he has lost all sense of self" said Lord Shiva.

And that is indeed what had happened! Narahari had reached the final stage of realization. He had realized the oneness of God, and knew that God alone exists and everything else is an illusion!

Thus by this beautiful incident, Panduranga showed everyone that he is none other than Shiva and Shiva is none other than Panduranga. Blessed were those who witnessed this event. True to his word, Narahari spent the reminder of his life at Pandharpur, ever singing the glory of Vitthala and composed many a Abhangas (Devotional songs).

|| Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari ||

|| Om Namaha Shivaaya ||

|| Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai ||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

A dream vision

2011-05-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

Shree Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha! Oh Lord Ganesha, thou art that primordial power from which this universe originated. Your excellent form represents all the vedas and shastras. Resplendent and full of glory you use your mighty axe to destroy the thick forests of obstacles. Verily only the blessed come to you, worshipping you with different names. The Samaritans, the Jews and the Christians say you are Yehweh. The Mussalmans call you Allah. The Sikhs call you Waheguru and those of Sanathana Dharma call you Lambodhara. Just as a child calls it's mother in a particular language, all your children seek you by calling you different names. Please look kindly upon me and help me sing thy glory. For is it not by your grace that one can cross the forests of Sandalwood to reach the mines full of gold and dimonds. Today I seek your help in trying to describe the dream vision that you verily gave me. For are you not one with my Sadguru? I then bow before Mother Saraswathi, without whose grace, how can one speak, let alone sing the glory of saints. Oh mother, please help me sing thy glory. I then bow before Brahma,Vishnu and Maheshwara who are responsible for creation,sustenance and dissolution of the Universe. I then pray to Shree Sita- Ramachandra. Then just as the delicious dessert is served at the end of the feast, I seek the blessings of the Sadguru now, who is verily one with the divine parabrahma and is an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Undeserving, though I am, like a kind mother, you came to me in a dream vision. Look ever so kindly upon me and let me see you again and again in both dream and wakeful state.Help me describe the most blissful experience that you gave onto me.

Often atheists and agnostics question my belief in God. "The Vedas says Parabrahma cannot be described! How then do I know he exists, without getting a logical description" asks one! " I believe in Science" Says another, "And Science asks me not to believe in something until I have the proof". I am but a mere dullard. How can I even describe or provide proof of the existance of him, whom even the Vedas describe as "Neti, Neti" (Not this! Not this). Sometimes, their thoughts get into my mind too, like mud getting mixed up with clear water and cloud my vision. Whenever faith of the devotees weavers like this, the lord provides dream visions and/or other hints to prove that he is with us at all times. Let me describe one such blissful experience that I had day before yesterday.

The last vision I had was during a visit in Shirdi, which opened my eyes to the glorious form of the Sadguru. After that, I had not had any visions or dreams worth the mention. I was a little frustrated thinking about that. I often used to think, that my devotion has reached an all time low, and would I ever reach the same level of spirituality that I had once reached. A few days ago, owing to the changing weather patterns in Dallas city, I caught a nasty cold. Quite frustrated by that, I took medicine for cold, which made me really sleepy. I was very tired durirng this time. I had a strange dream in the night.

Shree Saipaadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji Maharaj

There I was in an unknown place, but with two of my close friends from Dallas. We all boarded a bus with the intention of going to the Indian stores. The other two friends of mine, each owns a car. I was perplexed therefore as to why we were in the bus and told them "If you guys cannot get a car, I still have my friend's car. Let me get that. Why do we need to take the bus?". They answered "No! Do not bother! Let us take the bus". So off we went. After sometime we got down from the bus, into a building. We had to take the stairs and get down and then walk some distance to reach the Indian stores. I walked down some flight of steps and then after getting down two or three levels, I started feeling very very tired. I suddenly remembered that I had cold. In this tired state, I stood there, for another friend of mine met an old acquaintance of his, and since he was talking to him, I felt it was not polite on my part to leave them and stood waiting for them. Then feeling really exhausted, I prayed mentally to God "Oh God, please help me" . Then we all resumed walking and before I knew it, I was outside the building! But to my dismay, I found that all my friends had already gone ahead and they had left me all alone. Then to my surprise, I saw the Sai Baba temple in the distance. My mind registered that it is the Sai Baba temple near my house in Bangalore (Though it did not look anything like the temple present there). I looked at the time. I realized that in some time (At 6 PM) there would be the evening aarthi (Dhoop aarthi) of Sainath. I rushed inside to the temple, only to find that the Sanctum Sanatorium where the beautiful marble statue of Samartha Sadguru Sainath, Sai Prema Dhoota (The apostle of love) Narasimha Swamiji and Saipaadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji are present was closed and would open during the aarthi time. I came out then to tell my friends that instead of going to the Indian stores I had come to the temple. I called them and informed them the same.

Shree Sai Prema Dhoota Narasimha Swamiji Maharaj

After that I realized that it was almost 6 PM. Then an agnostic friend of mine from San Diego was suddenly near me. I told him "My dear friend, the aarthi is about to start, we must hurry!" . Then from the temple started a very melodious and beautiful aarthi in Marathi. The strange thing is, I had never heard this aarthi before in my life. I still remember the words "Owalu aarthi" and "Pandurangachi" from this aarthi. Even my agnostic friend was attracted by this beautiful aarthi. I started hurrying towards the temple. Then as I entered the temple, I started moving towards the Sanctum Sanatorium. The Tyagrajnagar temple now seemed really huge, and as big as the Sai temple in Shirdi. As I was moving along, listening to the beautiful aarthi, I saw the room of Shree Radhakrishna Swamiji. What was once a small cottege, now resembled a huge room. In it, I saw his cot and on top of that were his Padukas (representing his lotus feet) . As I looked at his room and bowed before it, suddenly I felt that Shree Radhakrishna Swamiji was coming behind me. I turned around but he was not there. Then as I proceeded along with scores of people, an old man came next to me and laid a comforting arm around my shoulders. I suddenly felt transformed. There was something powerful in his touch. As I turned around to see who it was, I noticed that it was a complete stranger. Somewhat dusky, probably in his 60s or 70s, the man was clean shaven. He wore a thick black spectacles on his head. His dress was a simple white dhotar. His hair was complete grey. Then the queue seemed to stop for a while and we all stood facing a distant platform. Then as we stood there (The old man was standing to my left) a person from my right side, came and said "Is not Shree Samartha Ramdas Swami great?". Samartha Ramdas, for those who do not know, was a great saint in the 16th century. He was the spiritual guru of Chattrapathi Shivaji Maharaj - the warrior Maratha king, who brought the wicked Mogul empire on it's knees. Then the man continued "Shree Samartha Ramdas swami said" and then he uttered a Marathi word which was incomprehensible to me. He then translated it as "That means, Shree Samartha Ramdas said, I will go alone or I will do it alone (I do not recollect exactly what were his words). But the wonder in all this is, gone was all the fatigue that I had experienced only a short while ago. I was feeling really blissful. Then suddenly my phone rang waking me up. It was my mother. I briefly spoke to her, telling her that I was still sleepy and she then suggested that maybe I should continue to sleep and then the call got disconnected. I was eager to go to sleep again, to continue with the blissful experience. However this time, my sleep did not have any dream visions worth the name. However when I woke up, I remembered the vision and was feeling on top of the world. I do not know, what store of merits in the past life and this life brought me this beautiful vision. It is always my explicit prayer to you oh Samartha Sadguru Sainath, Sai Prema Dhoota Narasimha Swamiji and Saipaadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji. Please look kindly upon me. After the vision, for one or two days I find myself getting easily angry and running after pleasurable things, which is quite inexplicable! Oh Sadguru! Please look kindly on me. I feel like one, who going in search of a treasure, has seen the distant glint of gold and diamonds in the sunlight, and then on trying to proceed in that direction, caught in a terrible and blinding thunderstorm. Please help me oh Sadguru! I place my ego completely at your lotus feet. I hand over the reins of my chariot to you. Being an excellent charioteer, I know you will take me to your abode. Look kindly on one and all. Please help your children.

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki jai ||

||Shree Saipremadhoota Narasimha Swamiji Maharaj Ki Jai ||

||Shree Saipaadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji Maharaj Ki Jai ||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

A heavy burden

2011-04-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

A heavy burden of worries did I carry
Until I came near your palki (Palanquin)

The moment I carried your Palki
You took away my burden from me

My lips were only voicing my fears
Voicing the conflicts of a troubled soul

The moment I touched your palki
There was only your name on my lips

My feet were carrying me around my desires
They were manifold and were present in all directions

Not knowing in which direction to run
My feet were chained to the ground

The moment I saw your Palki
I broke free from the chains

My feet started following your Palki
Singing your glories with unbounded happiness

This cruel world brought be nothing but pain
Which inturn was lodged in my heart

Once I saw your blissful form in the Palki
You drove the pain and came to stay in my heart

There were tears of pain in my eyes
Which were caused by the wound in my heart

But once I applied your udi(Sacred ash) on my forehead
Like a balm it cured the wound in my heart

My eyes that once had tears of pain
Were now overflowing with tears of gratitude

This world is a veritable sea of pain
Deep is it, full of dreadful creatures

Once I carried your palki on my shoulders
You became the helmsman of my boat

Now you navigate across this sea of pain
Fearless am I, singing your glory in my lips

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

|| Jai Shree Ram ||

|| Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai ||

|| Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all ||

|| Jai SaiRam ||

2011-04-12T02:19:00.000-07:00

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha! I bow at the lotus feet of Lambodhara, the indweller of all beings and the primordial source of all life. By the mighty axe of discrimination, he chops through the thick forest of obstacles and clears the way for all those who believe in him. Oh mighty armed, help me sing thy glory. For, are not the saints your very own manifestation? Help this child of yours in singing the glory of the foremost of lineage of Raghus.

I then bow before Uma and Umapathi. Had it not been for their delightful conversation on the pristine Kailasa, where Kailashath (Lord of Kailasa), explained that the most pristine word is "Rama", how were we to know. Oh Girijapathi, I bow before you and mother Uma. Please initiate in me a love for chanting the name of Rama, which you always do and enjoy. Rama called you his Ishta daivata (Favorite Deity) and worshipped you. You called Rama your Ishta and worshipped him. Who can but understand the two of you my Lord? But dullard am I when I see the two of you as separate. For are the two of you, not the same reality? Bless me oh, Lord, So I may always chant the names of Umapathi and Raghupathi together.

I then bow before the beautiful Vanara, the mightiest in the universe and an incarnation of Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman. Oh Lord, initiate me in the mysteries of the name of Rama as you did to Vibheeshana. For do they not say, that where Lord Rama's glory is sung, you are there. Then why do you ignore this child of yours my Lord? Sinner though I may be, I have come seeking refuge in you. Please show me the infinite glory of Shree Ramachandra.

I then bow before Sita Ramachandra. Mother Sita, you have been ever kind on all your children. Me, your child may be a sinful wretch. But the mother is ever forgiving and merciful to her children. As you held Lava and Kusha in your motherly embrace, help this child of yours, and help me sing the grace of your consort.

I then bow before the long armed (Ajanabahu) incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is the most pristine in this universe and is loved by all. Oh darling child of Kaushalya, kindly show your beautiful form to me. You have never forsaken those who have sought refuge in you and have protected them always. Did you not, for instance, protect the sacred work of Goswami Tulsidas from getting destroyed? Did you not protect Bhadrachala Ramadasa from being prosecuted by the Nawab. Oh foremost of the Raghus, your name is as sweet as your form. Bless this child of yours, so I may ever be your servant. Help me sing your glory.

I then bow before the Samartha Sadguru Sainath Mahraj, who is verily an incarnation of Rama and is one with him. For this very fact can be established by the fabulous incident that once happened in Shirdi.

When Baba arrived in Shirdi and started living in the mosque (Which he lovingly called Dwarakamai), blessed were the people of Shirdi. For they were so close to God. They could see the Lord God in Shirdi each and every day living and moving amongst them like an ordinary fakir. Dressed in a simple Kafni, and holding the Zholi (Bag) and tumbler in hand, he would beg for his food every day. The name of Allah never left his lips. He would always proclaim "Allah Malik" (God is lord) . He also would tell people, that there is only one reality. That Rama and Rahim (Allah) are one and the same. Sabka Malik Ek (God is one). In the mosque, he kept the Dhuni (Sacred fire) burning all the time. From this came the sacred ash (Udi), which he distributed freely to one and all. Fabulous were the powers of this Udi, invoked by Baba with the name of Rama. It turned out to be like the Sanjeevani (The sacred plant brought by Lord Hanuman from the Brahmagiri mountains to cure the fatal arrow wound of Lord Lakshmana) for all devotees, curing incurable diseases and bringing peace and plenty to them.

Baba often used to sing the bhajan "Ramte Ram Aayoji! Udi ke Guniya layo ji" (Meaning : come oh playful Rama! Bring with you sackfuls of Udi). Fortunate were those who heard this song in Baba's melodious voice. However there were some in and around Shirdi, as there are many today, who were prejudiced by religion, caste and creed etc. To them all, Baba taught that god is one. He is invoked only by different names. Not only did Baba teach this, but he also showed that he was one with that God! He was indeed Sagun Brahma (God with form). Now listen to this fabulous incident, already sung in great detail by Shree Hemadpanth in the Shree Sai Satcharitamritha).

There was a doctor living in a certain city who was a staunch devotee of Lord Rama. Like moulding an image from clay and water, he had combined the principles of Science with those of devotion. On one side was rationality while on the other blind love. For this man of medicine was fond of nothing more than the lotus feet of Sitapathi (The consort of Sita). Sometimes the rationality clouded his judgement in devotion. As it did in the below instance. But like a mother, Sadguru Sai was there to show him the way.

One day, a friend came to visit this doctor. Being a very close friend, he thought always of the welfare of his friend, the doctor. Hence he came and said " Oh my friend, listen to me. In the district of Ahmednagar, is a village called Shirdi. Fortunate are those who visit this place, for in it, lives the Lord God himself. He has taken an incarnation as a simple fakir. He lives in a mosque which he calls Dwarakamai. One look at his lotus feet, is not enough, for his vision is most endearing. By god's grace, I have now got an opportunity to visit him. Since you are a close friend of mine, and I wish nothing but the best for you, would you please accompany me in this journey. Let us together fall flat at the lotus feet of Baba".

The doctor friend thought about all this and got agitated. He replied "What is this that you ask of me, oh friend? Have you not known me all these years? I love to worship and chant the name of him who is adored by Lord Shiva. Kailashnath has his name always on his lips. Rama himself is my ishta (favorite Deity). I do not worship anyone else. And now, on top of all this, you ask me to come to a mosque and bow before a Musalman (Muslim). How is this possible?"

The friend replied "It is your misfortune that you do not recognize Baba. However, I would never force you to bow before Baba and Shirdi, and neither will anyone else. But if you accompany me during the journey and back, I will be most grateful to you, for I loathe going alone on this long journey. I seek only, the pleasure of your company" .

The doctor friend consented after thinking for a long time. Thus the duo set out for Shirdi. After the journey they arrived near the Mosque(Dwarakamai), where Baba resided.

It was noon time. The noon aarthi (Waving of Lamps in front of the Deity. Usually 5 lamps are lit to indicate the submission of the 5 senses to God). The friends were accompanied by some other fellow travellers. They all were aware of the doctor's resolve not to bow before Baba. When they entered the Dwarakamai however they were in for a shock. For who should go first, and fall at the feet of Baba, than the doctor himself. Baba placed his bountiful hand on his head and blessed him. Fighting back tears in his eyes, the doctor stood and looking longingly at Baba attended the aarthi. When the eventually came out, everyone who accompanied the doctor during the journey, including his friend asked him "What wonder is this?! What happened to your resolve not to bow before a fakir? You were not even ready to come here! How then, did you fall flat at Baba's feet?".

With tears of happiness in his eyes, the doctor explained " What Mussalman (Muslim) and what fakir are you talking about my friends? For as soon as I entered the Dwarakamai, whom should I see, but my Lord Rama holding the Kodanda (Bow of Lord Vishnu) and smiling benignly at me. Never had I seen my Lord Rama at such close quarters. Ecstatic, I went and clung to his feet". As the doctor was explaining thus, Baba came and stood at the entrance of the Mosque. Seeing the form of Baba as a fakir, the doctor exclaimed "How could he be just a Muslim fakir?! He is a complete Yogasampanna (Full of Yoga) incarnation of Prabhu (Lord) Shree Rama" and then saying so, he again bowed before Baba.

Then feeling guilty, for all that he said and felt about Baba initially, he decided to observe severe austerities till Baba would bless him. Leaving food he started fasting until Baba was to bless him. He even resolved not to go to Dwarakamai until Baba called him. However after 2 days, another acquaintence of his came to Shirdi, and he was forced to go to Dwarakamai with him. Then Baba enquired after him and asked "Oh Bhau! Did you come here, because someone you knew came here to see me?". Knowing the appropriateness of this question, and Baba's knowledge of what was there in his mind, with tears in his eyes, and hair standing on their ends, the doctor once again fell flat at Baba's Lotus feet and clung onto him.

"You alone are my Rama oh Baba! Kindly bless me! Without your grace, where can I go?". Baba smiled, and placed his boon bestowing hand on the doctor's forehead. Immediately the doctor went into a trance (Samadhi) state. For fifteen days and nights, he continiously experienced a state of bliss, even after returning to his hometown. Thus is the power of the Sadguru's grace.

All the different gods are in the Sadguru only. The Samartha Sadguru alone is Shree Rama. Baba proved this from this beautiful incident. May Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj, who is to us Rama and Shama, bless us on this Ramanavami. Let us all wish Baba, happy birthday, for is it not his birthday indeed.
Happy birthday oh my dear Sadguru. You are the long armed Raghunandan (The noble descnedent of the Raghus).

||Jai Shree Ram||

||Jai Raghuveer Samartha||

||Sree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai||

||Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!||

Santha Narahari : Measuring the waist of Vitthala

2011-04-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha! I bow before the most intelligent and primordial power, who is the queller of all obstacles. Sinner though I am, I have come to seek refuge at your holy feet. Look kindly upon me, oh Vakratunda, and lead me onto your realm. For are you not known as the refuge of your devotees (Bhaktha vatsala). When I have caught your lotus feet, how can any of my endeavors fail? I now fearlessly sing the glory of Santha Narahari by your grace.

I then bow before Mother Saraswathi. Oh mother, without your grace, where be this child of yours? Help me in this endeavour of mine.

I then bow before the Sadguru, who is Sagun Brahma (God with form). He is the ancient lord of Pandhari whose praise sang Santha Tukarama.

I then bow to Umapathi (The consort of Uma), seated in deep meditation at the pristine mountain of Kailasa. His long locks ebb the flow of the mighty and every purifying Ganga. The beautiful name of Rama is ever on his lips. It is by his inspiration that one gets the desire to chant the name of the long armed one (Ajanabahu).

I then bow before Mother Sita, who is the ever pristine incarnation of Mother Lakshmi. Though the world gave her nothing but trouble, she blessed one and all like a true mother.

I then fall flat at the feet of those divine brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna. Their sacrifice and selflessness and has been sung endlessly.

I then bow before the ancient lord of Pandhari, who is the source of all saints, and whose vision is the most enchanting thing in the whole world.

In the previous post, I described by Sadguru's grace how, Santha Narahari refused to enter the eagle platform of Lord Vitthala. He asked the merchant to measure the waist of Vitthala with a thread.

And measure Vitthala's waist did the merchant. He brought back the measurement to Narahari. And with the name of Kailashnath (Lord of Kailasa) ever on his lips, Narahari came up with a most beautiful ornament for Vithoba (Meaning Father Vitthala). The merchant happy with the ornament, went to the temple. The priest was also overjoyed to see the belt. However when they tried it, it turned out to be a little too short for Vitthala's waist.

The merchant went back to Narahari, and mentioned the problem. "Oh Narahari!" Said he. "It is quite unfortunate, that this exquisite belt cannot fit Vitthala! Though the measurement was quite accurate, I cannot understand how the belt turned out to be a little too short?".

Narahari, puzzled said "Never mind, oh merchant. I will make this belt a little longer, so it could fit Vitthala. Please give me some time". So saying Narahari again started repairing the belt to make it a little longer.

This time however, when the merchant tried to put it on Lord Vithoba, he found the belt to be a little too long. Hence he went back to Narahari.

The merchant had to go back and forth to Narahari for quite some time. Finally, Narahari made a bold decision. He decided to go to the eagle platform and measure Vitoba's waist by himself. But he still decided to stick to his resolve. For he would go with the merchant blindfolded to the temple.

Now see how Panduranga performed a great miracle. By the grace of the one who stands with an enchanting smile on a brick, I will describe it in the next post.

|| Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari ||

||Jai Pundalika Varadhe|| Hari Hare ||

||Shree Namadev Tukaram Pandarinath Maharaj ki Jai||

||Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai||

||Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All ||

Santha Narahari : The golden belt

2011-04-05T05:36:00.000-07:00

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha! I bow before the lord also called by the name Heramba (Five headed manifestation of Lord Ganesh). With the sharp axe of discrimination, you chop through the forest of obstacles with great ease. I bow before you and seek shelter at your lotus feet. Kindly help me sing thy glory. I then fall at the feet of Mother Saraswathi. Without the mother's help, where be the child? Oh mother, only by thy grace can I sing to my heart's content, the glory of the saints. I then bow before my gurudeva, Sainath Maharaj, an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya and most generous and merciful like a mother. Oh Sainatha, listen to my prayer and holding my hands, help me sing thy glory.

Once Uma asked her consort at Kailas "My lord, in this Kaliyuga, when Bharatakhanda (The land of Bharatha) is beseiged by invading Mlecchas (Barbarians), and righteousness has declined to the fullest, whom do you claim in the mortal realm, is a befitting devotee of yours? Is there such a one, who is as devoted to you as Dashagreeva of Lanka?".

The merciful Lord replied "Uma, what you say is true. However, there are still noble souls on earth who are verily the embodiments of myself! For providing succor to people in these difficult times, I myself manifest as various Saints in the holy land near the Godavari, where Sage Gautama once performed severe penances"

"Near the land, where the devotee Pundalika was blessed by the Vaikuntapathi (Lord of Vaikunta - the realm of Lord Vishnu). Where the great saint Namadeva sang the glories of the consort of Rukmini, there lives a humble goldsmith by the name of Narahari"

"His devotion is verily as pure as the gold that he works upon, fashioning various ornaments. However he has only one impurity!"

Aparna,curious asked "What impurity is that my Lord?"

"Uma! he has a most basic delusion about my nature! This is the only thing that is holding him back!"

Mother Parvathi then said "Oh Lord! When you are there like a mother to your devotees, how can he go astray? You should help him now!"

The Lord on whose locks, the pure water of the Ganges descends to the earth said "True! I shall rid him of the delusion, and bring him to my realm! He will pass through a test and the end of which he will realise my true nature"

It was sometime in the 13th century. In the holy city of Pandharpur, there lived the goldsmith by the name of Narahari. Neither had he read the Vedas nor the Shastras. The secret mysteries of the Hatha Yoga he knew not! However in the intense heat of his devotion to Umapathi (The consort of Uma - Lord Shiva), He melted the gold that was his soul, and he got rid of all the impurities, before fashioning his life into a beautiful ornament dedicated to Lord Shiva. For the name of Girijapathi (Lord Shiva) never left his lips.

One day this very Narahari was visited by a rich merchant. The merchant spoke thus, "Fortunate am I oh Narahari, that there exists such a goldsmith as you, for none can excel you in your craftsmanship and honesty. You are very dear to the Lord, and hence I come to you. I want a waist belt made of gold. I want it to be of exquisite beauty and studded with gems. I want no cost to be spared!"

Narahari replied "It is Lord Shiva himself, who fashions these ornaments. I am a mere instrument! But tell me, oh friend! Who is this belt for? You speak as though you are commissioning it for a King?"

The merchant replied, "Why it is for the King of Kings! The very life breath of the Universe! I want to give this belt to Lord Vitthala. He has been too kind to me! Will you take up this commission?"

At this mention, Narahari shuddered a little. He seemed grim and he spoke thus " Oh merchant, I am sorry! I cannot make this belt! It is best that you go to some other goldsmith! For I have taken an oath, that I shall look at none but my beloved deity Lord Shiva. To make this belt, I have to see the deity Vitthala, and take his measurements! This is not possible".

The merchant was shocked at this, and asked "Surely Narahari, you know as well as I do, that you are the best goldsmith around for miles. Where can I find another like you. Can you please reconsider your decision?"

Narahari replied "I do not even look at the temple, then how do you expect me to see the deity, oh friend! What you ask is not possible! I am only Lord Shiva's servant, and I shall serve none else! But wait! There may be a way!"

The merchant asked happily "So you will do it after all? But what about your resolve to not visit the temple?"

Narahari replied "The resolve stays! My Lord Shiva is so generous! One has to just think of him and he removes the most severe of problems! He has inspired me to come up with a solution to your problem!"

"Take this thread, and measure the waist of the deity most dear to you. Bring it back to me, and I shall make the belt"

The merchant was happy at this suggestion and left to the temple of the ancient Lord of Pandhari!

In the next post, I shall describe by the grace of the Sadguru the beautiful leela (Divine play) of Rukminipathi (Consort of Rukmini- Lord Krishna).

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Dattavatar Shree Sadguru Swami Samarth Maharaj

2011-03-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

I first and foremost pray to Lord Ganesha, whom thou art
For it is by thy grace that cuts through the dense forest of obstacles

I then salute the Mother of all learning Mother Saraswathi,
This too you are, for is it not you who are the source of all knowledge

I then salute her consort Lord Brahma, who is one with you
For this immense and boundless universe is your creation

I then salute Lord Vishnu the preserver of the Universe,
For are you not the same, your peace and mercy deeper than the Ocean

I then pray to Umapathi, Girija Shankar Mahadeva
When in a wrathful rage you are none other than that terrifying Rudra

I then pray to Sadguru Sai, incarnation of Lord Dattatreya
Darling son of Sage Atri and Mother Anasuya

You showered your grace on the destroyer of Sahasrabahu
To the mighty axe weilding , Parashurama

Instilled devotion in Prahalada
Appeared before him as Narasimha (Man-Lion)

Appeared in Kurvapur as Shreepada Vallabha
Blessed were the people near river Krishna

Then did you appear as Shree Narasimha Saraswathi
Ganagapur,Narsobachawadi and Lad Karanja were made holy

You appeared on earth as the nine Nathas
"Alakh Niranjan" you told one and all

In Shree Shailam the woodcutter found you in an anthill
Emerged from it did you for the benefit of mankind

When the blind bard Suradasa called out to you
You appeared before him at Brij as the slayer of Mura

Oh Long armed one, like the foremost of the Raghus
You are Lord Rama, the Maryada Purushotthama (The ideal man)

When Pundalika was nursing his aged parents
You blessed him with a vision and stayed at Pandhari

When the bells of Pandhari struck, you miraculously
Called Choka Mela to your feet and not the arrogant priest

You accepted the simple devotion of a Mahar
To the priestly knowledge and arragonce of a Brahmin

You showed that there is no Brahmin or Mahar
All are but your children this you proved

After blessing people near Pandhari and Mangalveda
You came down to Akkalkot and made it holy

The great Vatavuksha (Banyan tree) you made your abode
Blessed were the people of Akkalkot who beheld you

To the erring children you were a wrathful father
And to the repentent you showed your mercy like a mother

After leaving your mortal coil in Akkalkot
You came down as a fakir to the holy village of Shirdi

You were also the great Manik Prabhu
Blessed and united Hindus and Yavanas near Hamunabad

Thou art verily the ancient lord of Pandhari
Oh Vitoba, bless this child of yours

Oh divine Sadguru, I prostrate before you
Always cast your merciful glance towards your children

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

--Shree Satchidananda Sadguru Swami Samartha Maharaj Ki Jai!

--Shree Satchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

--Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Who can?

2011-03-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Who can fathom my love for you?
None of your creation but you!

Who can understand the longing
Of the calf but her mother

Who can understand the thirst of the bee
But the flower with it's nectar

Who can understand the craving of the Chakora bird,
But the moon with her cool moonlight

Who can understand the anxiety of the rich miser
But the secret buried treasure of his

Who can understand the devotion of Pundalika
But the ancient lord of Pandhari himself

Who can understand the sweetness of Shabari's fruits
But the Lord Rama himself who is source of all sweetness

Hence only you can understand oh Sadguru Sai,
That you are to your devotees their mai (Mother)

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

--Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

I went in search of Vitthala

2011-01-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

I went in search of Vitthala
Of Pandhari he is the Raya (Lord)

I know not where lies Vaikunta
Nor do I know where lies the submerged Dwaraka

I was told you met Pundalika
On the crescent moon banks of the mighty Chandrabhaaga

During Karthika Ekadashi I saw that
Pandhari was a beehive of men

Everyone advised me, it is impossible
At that time to be in your eagle platform

Not possible was it, to glimpse
Your bewitching smile or your divine form

Not possible was it to see you on the brick
Not possible was it see with you Mother Rukmai

I went to my Guru's abode with these thoughts
An impressive durbar is his, and he is extremely generous

For my Sadguru is Lord Sainaatha
His hand is as bountiful as that of Karna

That night as I slept did I dream?
Was I asleep or awake or was it a vision or was it a dream?

In a desolate landscape I followed someone
Other than us two there was none

To see the man go and stand on a brick
To see the bewitching smile and divine form

For I held the magnificent form of the ancient lord of Pandhari
I fell at his feet and wept at the feet of my Mai (mother)

Held me did he in an embrace
Instantly I was in a blissful trance

The next day sang the priests
In the Sadguru's temple precincts

"Shirdi is my Pandharapura" they said
"Sai Baba is the consort of Rama" they affirmed

A fool was I to seek Vitthala elsewhere
In my Sadguru's abode alone was he present

In Guru alone can one see god
This lesson learnt I had

Sainath is verily the lord of Shirdi
He is none other than the lord of Pandhari

Sharath, the child of Baba prays to him for solace
From worldly troubles and miseries

His feet alone is my universe
They made me utter this verse

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj

--Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Swami Samarth Tarak Mantra

2010-12-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha! Shree Saraswatyai Namaha! Shree Kuladevatyai Namaha! Om Shree Sainaathaya Namaha! Om Shree Swami Samarthaaya Namaha! Verily we must have firm faith in the lotus feet of the Sadguru. For why else are we his devotees. We must surrender completely to him and think always that he knows best. His powers are immesurable and he is the lord and indweller of one and all. He is the Parabrahma of the Vedas and the Allah of the Koran. While describing him, the Vedas merely said "Neti Neti" (Not this, Not this). What then is the way for me? Is it not haughty of me to think I can describe his glory? I cannot, and all I can ever do is submit my ego before his lotus feet. By submitting my speech,hearing and all senses to him. When this is done, he alone will get the work done through the devotee who earnestly wishes to sing his glory. I pray to Sadguru Sainath to help me, nay to use me as an instrument and describe his boundless glory.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by problems in life, and then faith starts to waver. The same thing happened to me, and led me to question the use of doing any form of worship. When I was thus losing faith, the ever merciful Sadguru drove sense into my head and answered most of my questions. Here is what happened.

I attended a religious function on Shree Swami Samarth just before a big interview for a dream company. As I have mentioned earlier Swami Samarth and Sai Samarth are one and the same, both being incarnations of Lord Dattatreya. Swami Samartha, just before taking Mahasamadhi, told his devotees that he would henceforth be in Shirdi. Thus they are both one and the same. Now coming back to the function. There was one more function the next day, and I was asked by a highly realized soul to attend it. I was caught in a dilemma. I had not prepared for the interview. What was I to do? My mother was worried too. But somehow it was decided, it would be wise not to miss the function. I went to the function. Later as expected, I did not get any time to prepare. Much as I tried, I could not study. I went and attended the interview, and by the end of the interviews, I had the feeling probably I did not get the job. And as it turned out, I did not! Initially I took it in the right spirit, but then the thought that, had I not attended this program I could have prepared well and probably got the job kept coming to my mind. That being the state of my mind, I was telling my close friend, I am beginning to lose faith in god. My friend somehow comforted me, but my faith was still wavering. In such a situation Shree Swami Samarth came to my rescue like Parabrahma came to meet Pundalika on the banks of the Chandrabhaaga.

One month before this day when I froze in the wind of worldly problems, I was listening to the blissful "Taraka Mantra" of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj. I felt it was really powerful and that I need to understand the meaning of this Marathi mantra. I was listening to this Mantra on Youtube, and there I posted a comment "Could someone please translate this mantra for me, as I do not know Marathi" .

Now see the mysterious ways of Swami Maharaj. His ways are unfathomable to my simple mind. I cannot comprehend where his Glory begins and where it ends, for it is indeed boundless. On that very day, when I was frozen in the cold wind of worldly problems and desires Swami Maharaj's divine grace and blessings came to me as a warm fire and made me all right. For just after I had spoken to my friend and was still sitting there unconvinced, I got a mail, from youtube. Someone had answered to the comment I had put on the Tarak Mantra video on youtube. They had translated the "Tarak Mantra". When I read the translation of the Taraka Mantra, tears streaked down my cheeks and I was firmly convinced that with Swami Samarth's lotus feet in one's heart, one need not worry about anything. For here is the translation, and the readers will be astounded by the aptness of this mantra and how it helped me regain my footing in the narrow bridge called Sadguru's Bhakthi. For my faith which was wavering like a turbulent river, became a still and placid lake, established in the lotus feet of Swami Maharaj. Here is the translation of the holy Taraka Mantra of Swami Samarth Maharaj
:-

Swami Samarth Tarak Mantra on Youtube

"O my devotee, be fearless, unlimited power of Swami's blessings is with you,
Remember that he is beyond reason, he can make impossible, possible!

There remains no want where Swami touches his feet, he himself creates destiny for his devotees,
without Swami's wish even death can't touch his devotee and devotee is cared for even after his death!

Your fear is unwarranted, let the fear go, remember that Swami is with you always!

Do not fear, you dear to Swami who is master of this life and death!

How can one become true devotee unless he instills in himself piousness!

Remember countless times when Swami's help arrived just in time, so be fearless, he will keep an eye on you!

Swami resides in your bhakti (Devotion) towards in him, do that dutifully and be assured that Swami does not let go of those who pray to him! "

|| SHREE SWAMI SAMARTHA ||

When I read this, I felt as though the ever merciful Lord of all creatures Swami Samarth had spoken. He had sent this, his Tarak Mantra to me at the apt time. When I needed to understand the potency of his Bhakthi most, I got the answer from him. I may be a miserable wretch who is running wildly after worldly pleasures. But blessed am I, that Swami Maharaj's grace is there to bring me back on track. I am ever grateful to Swami Maharaj for bestowing his merciful glance towards me. My prayer to you oh Lord Swami Maharaj, is that you always cast your merciful glance towards this child of yours. No matter what my misgivings and faults, please give refuge to me at your lotus feet and let me ever serve you and be at your lotus feet.

- Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

- Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj Ki Jai!

- Avadhutachintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

- Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

I came in search of shelter

2010-11-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

I came in search of shelter
Arrived at your temple after travelling helter skelter

A bird I became in search of a nest
On your tree did I finally rest

Smitten by your tree was I
A creeper I became around you to be

Around your tree did I grow up
By your strength alone was I able to move up

Though so much I liked you
We both appeared different in my view

Into a river then I transformed
I flowed into your ocean and Submerged

There remained no more me
Your Ocean was all that there seemed to be

-- Dedicated to the lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All!

I am the cup!

2010-10-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

I am the cup
You are the nectar

I am the sugar
You are the sweetness

I am the flower
You are the fragrance

I am the wine
You are the intoxication

I am the beloved
You are the love

I am the sun
You are the light

I am the breath
You are the life

I am Nara (Man)
Thou art Narayana (God)

This verily is you and me
I cannot without you be

When one observes closely
There is no difference at all

This veil is only imaginary
Once lifted there is only reality

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj!

--Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

--Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya!

--Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Worship

2010-10-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

May my heart be thy shrine
Make my mind,body and intellect thine

The terrible din of the mind
Does the silence of the heart cloud

Replace this din by your name divine
Let me always behold your form benign

Let me apply the cool sandal paste
On you in the form of devotion without haste

Let me wash your divine form
With water of tears in form

Wherever I go or whatever I do
Let me like this constantly worship you

Let me submerge in the water of your pure form
Difference there will be none between rose and thorn

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj

--Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai

--Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta!

--Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Santha Jnaneshwara : Sanjivani Samadhi

2010-10-04T01:57:00.000-07:00

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha! Om Saraswatyai Namaha! Om Kuladevatyai Namaha! Om Shree Samartha Sadguru Sainaathaya Namaha! First I bow before Lord Ganesha, the Moreshwara! Thou art described by the Vedas merely as "Not this! Not this!". Oh all encompassing Lord, help this child of yours sing your glory. I then bow before Mother Saraswathi. Thou art the embodiment of knowledge, oh mother, I submit before thy lotus feet. As my master Lord Shankara said, even though a son is wicked a mother never is. Hence oh, mother, please forgive all my faults and give me refuge at your feet. I then bow before my family dieties, Mother Chandala Parameshwari and Lord Sangameshwara, the embodiments of Shakthi and Shiva. The formless Shiva with Shakthi created the manifold forms in the universe. I then bow before the lotus feet of the Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj! Oh, without the mother, what will the child do? The Sadguru is verily the one god, who appears in manifold forms. His feet are the universe to his devotees, and by clinging on to this, one realizes his self. Oh veritable Panduranga, Lord of Pandhari, with mother Rukmai by your side, thou has blest many a devotees who sought refuge in thee! Why then dost thou ignore me? You are famous as a protector of your devotees. I humbly place my ego at your lotus feet. Help me sing the tale of your glorious incarnation as Santha Jananadeva.

Sweet is a sugar candy and sweeter still is the smile of a child. A hundred times sweeter than this are the tales of the Saints. Blessed is he, who has a yearning to hear their divine stories. By listening to the same, one gets a disgust for the objects of the world and his progress towards the abode of Lord Vasudeva is firmly established. Now hear the tale of how Lord Jnanadeva, the incarnation of Vitthala of Pandhari, took Mahasamadhi (Left his mortal coil) at a very tender age of 21, having accomplished the purpose of his incarnation.

In the previous post on Santha Jnanadeva, I explained how Santha Jnanadeva expressed his desire to perform Sanjivani Samadhi (To leave the physical world willingly and to merge with the formless supreme self). Lord Nivritthinath, his guru and brother asked him to write a book embodying all his spiritual experiences. And thus came another jewel from the treasure trove of knowledge called Jnanadeva, and this priceless jewel was called the Amruthanubhava. Having accomplished the same, Santha Jnanadeva came again to his guru and brother Santha Nivritthinath and said "Oh Gurudev! Your lotus feet has helped me accomplish the task of writing the "Amruthanubhava". Now I feel that my duties in this earthly life are over. I wish to merge with the supreme. Hence, please allow me to perform Sanjivani Samadhi". The all knowing and wise Gurudev, Nivritthinath, knew this to be the truth and agreed.

The news quickly spread and the devotees prepared a samadhi location near the Siddheshwara temple (Temple of Lord Shiva) at Alandi. The saints and devotees were most pained. They felt like a calf about to be separated from it's mother, or like a rich man about to lose all his wealth. Seeing their pained faces Lord Jnanadeva assured them thus "Why do you cry oh dear brothers and sisters? Am I just this body? Do not identify me with it. I was there before my birth in this body, and I will exist after my death too. Birth and death are only of the body. The soul is immortal. I will always help you and guide you from my resting place. Remember that I am ever present". Thus on the 13th day of the dark half of the Karthik month, towards the end of October of 1296, Santha Jnaneshwar took the blessings of his guru Nivritthinath, bade farewell to Sopan, Muktha and all the other assembled saints. He entered the chamber and once inside, merged into the supreme and formless brahman. Thus ended the glorious incarnation of Lord Vitthala as Santha Jnaneshwar. Blessed is Alandi by the presence of Lord Vitoba as Santha Jnaneshwar. If anyone reads the Jnaneshwari near the samadhi of Lord Jnaneshwar, all his doubts will be cleared. I beseech Lord Jnanadeva to bless one and all.

Within a short span of 8 months all the other brother and sister saints took mahasamadhi. Sopan entered into Samadhi on the banks of the river Karha at Saswad, which is at the bottom of the hill Purandhar, near Pune. Chang Dev attained Samadhi in a village called Punatamba. Muktabai dissolved herself in the five elements at the age of eighteen, when there was a big storm. Nivritti entered into Samadhi at Tryambak which is at the source of the Godavari. (Source biography of Saints by Swami Shivananda)

It is said that Santha Namadeva was most pained by this incident. As he was wailing and crying helplessly at Pandharapura, Lord Vitoba appeared before him. The blessed Lord said "Oh Namadeva! Why do you cry for no reason? Do you not see, that I am only Jnaneshwara? I came embodied in a human form. Once my work got accomplished, I returned to my formless self. I am here only! Why do you cry?" . Thus was Namadeva consoled and everyone realized that Jnanadeva was none other than Panduranga.

Blessed is he, who has had the good fortune of visiting the samadhi of Lord Jnanadeva. Blessed is he who hears the stories of the blessed incarnation of Lord Vitoba. He who hears this story, by the grace of Panduranga, his threefold afflictions will vanish. And being egoless he will soon merge with the supreme brahman. Sharath, the humble servant of Samartha Sadguru Sainath, offers this to his lotus feet. He verily is the doer and I am a mere instrument in his hands. Let us all get together and sing the aarthi of the glorious incarnation of the lord of Pandhari, Lord Jnanadeva, which is like nectar to the ears.

JNANESWAR AARTI

Composed by : Rama Janardhani Swami.

Lopale jnaana jagin – hita nenatee konee
Avataara Panduranga – nam ttevile jnanee

Knowledge had disappeared from the world. No one knew what was good or right. Then the Pandurang Avatar (incarnation) came and manifested in human form. The learned called him thus.

Aaratee Jnaanaraaja – mahaa kaivalya tejaa
Sevitee Saadhusanta – hmanu vedhalaa maazha Aaratee Jnaanaraaja.

Refrain:

Aarti Jnyan Raja! (Lord of wisdom). Great divine essence and light! Served by Saints and sadhus as you are, you have engrossed my mind.
Aarti Jnyan Raja!
Kanakachee tat kareen – Ubhyaa gopikaa naaree
Narada tumbaraho – samgaayan karee Aaratee Jnaanaraaja….

With golden Thalis (Round platters filled with puja i.e. worship items) in their hands, gopikas and other woman are standing. Narad and Tumbar are singing Samveda! ( One of the four Vedas). Aarti …

Pragata guhya bole – vishwa brahmachi kele
Rama Janardanee – payee masthak ttevile Aaratee Jnaanaraaja….

The secret knowledge has been disclosed that the universe is created by Brahma. Ram, Janardani! I bow and place their heads at the feet of the Lord. Aarti ….

--Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

--Jai Pundalika Varadhe, Hari Hare! Shree Jnanadev, Tukaram Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

--Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

--Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Be like a river!

2010-09-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

Be like a river that joins the sea
Help beings on the way and join me

Be like a tree that gives fruits
In return for greedy people's stones

If someone speaks words that hurt
Remember me and keep quiet

If someone does wrong to you
Do not react with a similar view

For each is responsible for his action
So do always behave in the right direction

I am the one lord of one and all
I reside in the hearts of beings big or small

See me in all creation
This will lead you to salvation

If some being comes your way
Do not ignore or drive it away

For it is not without reason
That someone comes to meet you in person

All this is a play staged by me
If you know this you will be free

These are the words of Samartha Sadguru Sainath to me
This is how the Lord god of Shirdi wants his devotees to be

He is verily the doer
I am a pen and he is the author

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Shahbaaz

2010-08-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

Om Shree Ganeshaaya Namaha! Om Shree Kuladevatyai Namaha! Om Shree Sainaathaya Namaha! I prostrate before Lambodhara, who is the origin of this limitless universe that we inhibit. All forms are but your various manifestations. All the scriptures of various religions put together fail to describe your glory. What then is the recourse for a dullard like me. Knowing that you are the in dweller and the real doer, I submit my ego at your feet and beseech you to help me sing the glory of 2 of your Auliyas who reached your realm and submerged in the ocean of your love.

I now go onto describe how Hazrat Lal Shahbaaz Qalander got the name of Shahbaaz (Falcon) by one fabulous miracle which proves that he had merged into oneness with the almighty in his heart. By his extreme spiritual austerities and love for the Supreme the saint had reached a state of god-intoxication. Always was he in a mast (Intoxicated) state. He would wear robes of the color red which made people affectionately add the name "Lal" to his full name. He settled in the holy Shivastan (Place dear to Lord Shiva) now called Shehwan. The following incident happened in the lives of 4 young Auliyas dear to Allah.

Hazrat Lal Qalander along with 3 other Sufi Saints went to Makkah and Madina. In the retinue was also the great Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Farid Ganj Shakar. His mother used to place sugar under the mat to pursuade him to pray. Eventually even when his mother stopped putting sugar under the mat, the mother of all, the almighty ensured that there would be sugar cubes under his mat during his prayer. Hence the name shakar at the end of the saint.

After a vision of the Prophet's (pbuh) blessed tomb, they were returning and halted for the night in a town on the cost of Arabia. They decided to eat and Hazrat Shah Farid Ganj Shakar went to get bread from the local baker. The baker's wife, being a wicked and of a lustful character was captivated by the handsome and austere face of the Sufi saint. She immediately tried to seduce him, but the noble Hazrat Baba Farid whose beloved was the almighty Allah and none else and had a doubtless clear heart and conscience which was a mirror of god, refused her advances. Upset, the wicked lady screamed bringing the local guards to the place and said the Saint tried to take advantage of her. The local guards nor the Governor to whom they took him, were aware of the greatness of the saint, and instead of listening to him, the Governor condemned him to be executed.

When the Hazrat Lal Qalander heard this, he immediately fathomed the truth and decided to set things right by using his supernatural powers obtained by his spiritual austerities. He immediately transformed one of his companions into a deer and sent him near the site of the execution. The people who had come to watch the execution were fond of venison and surprised to find a deer in these parts ran after the deer. The deer went far away from the place and finally gave it's pursuers the slip. Tired they sat down to rest. In the meantime the divine Qalander transformed another sufi saint into a big lion and sent it towards the place of execution. This shocked the guards who were to execute Hazrat Baba Farid and the went and hid themselves. While this was happening, the god intoxicated Qalander melted into the air and transformed himself into a large Peregrine Falcon and then swooped and picked Hazrat Shah Farid Ganj Shakar and saved him from the terrible fate. Hence the name "Shahbaaz" came to be added to him. How to describe his glory. He used to melt in his love for the divine and used to vanish and materialize at will. He used to soar in the sky of God's love like a falcon. Praise be unto Hazrat Lal Shahbaaz Qalander, the Jhule Lal of Sindh. May his grace be upon one and all.

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainaath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be upon all!

Roots of your neem tree

2010-08-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

I saw a beautiful maiden

She seemed to be of divine origin

I rushed in pursuit of her

But she was nowhere to be seen

I searched land and air

I searched here and there

Finally within the forest

I saw her golden temple

I ran wildly to enter the temple

But she closed the door in my face

I was grief stricken as

It seemed a torture to even breathe

I went again in search of another entrance

Of the divine beauty if I could but get a glance

Try what I might, I could find no way

Tired I went to the neem tree some distance away

At the tree sat a fakir with divine countenance

By looking at him, I went into a trance

For there was no temple, no maiden

No neem tree or even I

There remained only the fakir

He recommended that I do the zikr

In his blissful company I realized

That he is the source of all beauty

The neem tree was actually in my heart

It revived the soil which had gone dry

The soil in my heart became fertile again

Of bliss there was plentiful rain

Oh Sadguru, get me out of the entanglement

In the web of this illusory world

For you alone are real,

All else is verily unreal

You alone are mother

You alone are father

You alone are my beloved

You alone are my everything

May the roots of your neem tree

Penetrate deep into the fertile soil of my heart

-- Dedicated to Sadguru Sai ma (Mother Sai)

Shree Satchitaananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai

Paint my robes with the color red

2010-08-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

Paint my robes with the color red

Let me wear the anklets that ring

With divine love as I dance in your court

I neither care for happiness nor sorrow

As I whirl intoxicated in your love

My red robes become colorless

The wali of walis lies at Sehwan

Holy place dear to Lord Shiva

Barthrihari came down to tame

The barbarous invaders from Arvastan

In your court, distinction there is none

Hindu and Yavana are one

As you dance the dahamal divine

Fariduddin Ganjshakar dances in tune

Also comes Shams of Tabrizi

Along with Jalaluddin Rumi

As all of you whirl in ecstasy

I see one, Sadguru Sai only

For all are mirror images

Of God's book, divine pages

For in your heart lies

The palace of the almighty

And as you whirl your red robes vanish

As a Falcon you soar high in divine skies

There lies then only the palace

Nothing exists anywhere else

--Dedicated to Lal Shahbaaz Qalander

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

What do I know?

2010-08-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

This Universe and it's vastness I know not

The verses from different scriptures I understand not

The questions posed by the atheists, answer I cannot

The doubts of the agnostics, clear I cannot

The mysteries of the universe I cannot solve

The riddle of existence I cannot resolve

Why is there happiness and sorrow I know not

Why is there Pleasure and Pain I understand not

The countless forms at once, behold I cannot

Why everyone thinks differently, think I cannot

Why are there so many paths , I know not

Where they all are leading, I understand not

Who you are, I know not

Your greatness I understand not

All I know is this in my heart

I love your lotus feet most

For in them seems to lie all answers

Hence it is them I seek on earth and the skies

You alone can show me the way

On which path does your palace lay

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of Sadguru

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All

Mast Qalander

2010-07-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

The Red robed Lord of Sindh

Whirls in ecstasy of divine love

Praising Ali he does near Jhelum dance

The mighty river stops in trance

Oh God intoxicated Qalander, falcon of love

Seeing your whirl, intoxicated I cannot move

Of Barthrihari they say you are reincarnation

You came to unite the Sindh and Hindh nation

Though your divine shrine lies across the border

There are no boundaries to your love and mercy

The ways of the world seem full of pain

Hearing your glories bring down of bliss rain

This universe is but your divine whirl

For your red color merged with the colorless almighty

Your divine love is contagious

By listening to it, I dance in your court

Adorn me in thy beautiful red robes of divine love

Let me dance to the accompaniment of beautiful music of bliss

I pray from a large distance away

But I know between us there isn't distance any

Sharath, the child of sai prays

to Lal Shahbaaz Qalander to bless

One and all in the Universe

For they are verily his manifold forms

For in everyones heart lies the Qalander

And everyone lie in his god intoxicated heart.

--Dedicated to the Red robed Lord of Sindh Hazrat Lal Shahbaaz Qalander

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Guru Pournima

2010-07-26T03:09:00.000-07:00

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha! Om Shree Sainaathaya Namaha!

First I bow before Lambodhara,

The foremost lord of the universe

This world is but your varied manifestation

I beg you to help me to sing but your glory

On this night, when the Full moon is bright

One reads the Vedas and contemplates on Brahman

Another reads the Kalma from Quran and says Allah Ho Akbar

Another chants verses from Gurbani and says Wahe Guru

The agnostics seek Nirvana from their Sutras

The atheists want the same from their Tirtankaras

Those who read the psalms from Bible contemplate on Yehwah

They are all singing but your glory tonight oh Sadguru

For thou art that, which everyone craves for

In different forms and things we seek but you

The air we breathe, and the water we drink are but one

Likewise all the forms that the eyes can and cannot behold

Are but your manifold incarnations

There is no place devoid of you

Truth be told you have no name nor form

You take both to please your devotees

You know the workings of the machinery called fate

You alone know how to fix a broken one

I beseech you on this holy day

Commemorating your greatness

To fix my broken fate, so that

My mind is away from worries

And ever fixed on your blissful form

I seek but your lotus feet, in various ways

This deep longing is but for you and none else

Just as the Chakor birds seek the moon light

Hindu or Yavana there is none

In god's court all are one

This message you drove home

To the bigots and narrow minded

There is only one lord for all

And the only religion is humanity

You are that one lord oh, Sadguru

I know not any other god

The world is suffering right now

A man fights his brother

Because of his religion, race and color

But are you not present in one and all

Please drive sense into the ignorant

May your blessed message reach all, oh Sadguru

Sharath, the child of Sai prays

Oh Sainath! Please bless one and all

Just as a miser thinks of his money

Or as a lover always thinks of his beloved

Or as a mother of her child

Or as glutton thinks of tasty dishes

Let me always think of your lotus feet

For in them verily lies emancipation

You are verily Vasishta, You are Sandipaani

You are Vyaasa, You are Brighu and Bharadwaaja

Thou art verily Lord Dattatreya

Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara

Volumes have been written about

Your glories and splendor

But it is like an unfinished book

For there is no beginning or end to your glories

One cannot find you oh Gurudeva,

You alone find yourself through a form

For once a being finds you

The being ceases to exist

And there is only you and nothing else

Just as the firefly merges into fire and

There remains only the fire, or as the river

Merges with the sea and there is only the sea

The universe and the various events

Are nothing but you engaged in your cosmic dance

One who can get of this, but a glance

Will be immediately in a trance

This is the holy Guru Pournima

You are known as the most liberal

I come to beg from you with the zoli

Please fill it with your divine vision

Having seen which nothing else

Remains to be seen, Oh Sadgurunaatha

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of Sadguru Sainath

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

You see through you yourself

2010-07-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Your names are countless
And yet you are nameless

Your forms are numerous
Yet you are essentially formless

They say you are in heaven
They say you sit on a throne

They say there are around you gardens
They say we are all sinners and must ask you pardons

And yet how can you be only in some place
When you are formless and everywhere?

One need not go far to seek you
For you are verily inside

Everything and everywhere is your realm
That means you are also within every being

How then have we committed sin?
For aren't you the only one there within?

This world is verily a dream and an illusion
All the various names and forms are a projection of your thought

The true principle from the smallest to the biggest
Is you and an illusion is the rest

You see through you yourself
Where then is the room for me?

When I look at the clearing from here, I see me
When I look from there, I see you

Hallaj asked you "who art thou?"
You replied simply "thou"

The water evaporates only
To fall down as rain again

Everyone forgets you easily
They try to restrict you in space and time

And yet he who truly forgets himself
Can only remember his true self

There is still a wall separating, the river from the sea
Once it breaks I will submerge in you

When I submerge, in thy clear waters
There is just clear water and nothing else

The most beautiful smile

2010-07-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

In this universe vast there are
Several beautiful things to behold

But what is more benign and beautiful
Than to behold your smiling countenance

When I look to you, you return the glance
It fills me with bliss and puts me in a trance

This universe is a harsh desert
To me, You are the only oasis in it

Like a mother you take care of me
No matter where I go I am always under your gaze

You see me all the time,
It is my wish to see you too

My eyes cannot see you,as you are essentially formless
This makes me sad and helpless

You are renowned to satisfy the wishes of your devotees
Then hear this child of yours and let me behold you

I am your child and I may have many defects
But oh most merciful Mother Sai, please let me behold you

Even if it is a dream, or reality
Please let me see you again

You appeared to me as Panduranga
The most ancient diety of Pandharapura

I wish to behold you again
Let my mind think of you all the time

Let "Sai" be always on my lips
May your lotus feet always be in my heart

The Dargah of Hazrat Tajuddin Auliya

2010-07-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Om Shree Ganeshaaya Namaha! I bow to the foremost lord of the Universe. Thou art essentially formless oh Lambodhara. By worshiping you alone all obstacles are quelled. Hold the hands of your child oh Mother of mine and guide me in narrating your divine splendor. For in describing you the Vedas have merely said "Not this, Not this"! Even the thousand tongued Adi Shesha upon whom you rest cannot describe your glory fully. What about a dullard like me? Kindly bless me and as I am an instrument in your hands, help me sing your glory.

About 12 miles from the banks of river Godavari is the holy land called Shirdi. It is like the Ayodhya of Lord Rama, or the Vrindavana or Dwaraka of Lord Krishna. For the lord manifested there as Sainath Maharaj.

Essentially formless, the Maharaj had attained the form for the sake of the devotees. Those who were blessed and had a store of good merits got to touch the lotus feet of this Samartha Sadguru.

Whether he was a Hindu or Yavana none could tell. He wore the garb of a fakir and lived in a Mosque. On his lips were the words "Allah Malik". However his ears were pierced. He gave money to rennovate temples and allowed devotees to worship him. Like a staunch agnihotri Brahmin he kept a fire burning always in the Mosque which is called the Dhuni. The holy ash coming from this fire is given to devotees. This can burn their karmas and heal their wounds both physical and mental and help them regain their health. None knew where he came from or who were his parents or who his guru was. There are speculations, but this is like an eternal mystery. However the Maharaj truthfully answered that "Brahma is my father and Maya my mother. I belong to no place in particular and the whole universe is my abode. I am essentially nirguna (Without form), however due to Karma, I have come in this body."

Now in another part of the Deccan Plateau in India at Kemptee in Nagpur lived the holy Hazrat Tajuddin Aulia. A great Sufi saint and Wali of Allah, this saint blessed many who came in touch with him. His compassion and mercy extended everywhere and were boundless. He held his Durbar (Court) in Kemptee and is called the Master of the seven climes. Such is the greatness of this Wali.

In Shirdi, devotees one day noticed Sainath Maharaj making strange movements towards the fire in the Dhuni. None could follow what was happening. When asked Baba said "There was a fire in the Darga of my brother Tajuddin. I just doused the flames".

Where is Shirdi and where is Nagpur? People were quite perplexed by what the Maharaj had to say. The staunch devotees of Sainath like Mhalsapathi,Shama and Nimonkar understood the purport of Sainath's words and bowed before the Samartha.

A few days after this some devotees came from Nagpur and after taking darshan (Seeing and taking blessings) of Sainath Maharaj told the other devotees that the Dargah of Tajuddin Auliya had caught fire in Nagpur but the fire got doused by itself within a few minutes. Then people understood Sainath's words and bowed at his feet. Then Sainath maharaj told them "God has several agents everywhere and their powers are vast". These agents are in fact god himself with a form. They are indeed incarnations of god. Verily they thought, what is the difference between Tajuddin Auliya and Sainath Maharaj. They are different manifestations of the one supreme.

Blessed are those who hear this leela (Divine play) of Sadguru Sainath who is verily an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. All their threefold afflictions will disappear like the fire in the dargah of Tajuddin Auliya when they read this leela and their desires will be fulfilled. May Sainath Maharaj bless us all. This post is offered to the feet of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj who is Hari,Hara and Brahma.

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Santh Jnaneshwar : The writing of Amruthanubhava

2010-07-19T01:06:00.000-07:00

Om Jai Sairam! Verily blessed is he who takes delight in listening to the stories of the saints. It is by his store of merits that he has got such an opportunity. It is extremely difficult to see the beginning or the end of a Saint's life which is verily an incarnation of god. Santha (Saint) and Anantha (God) are one. Just as a child struggles to walk and is susceptible to fall, I feel helpless when trying to sing their glory. However just as a child can walk with the help of the mother's firm hand holding it's hand I cling onto the hand of Sai ma (Mother Sai) the Sadguru to help me in describing his glory. You are the veritable Panduranga, the ancient deity of Pandharpur. Oh consort of Rukmai (Mother Rukmini), please hold my hand and help me sing your glory, for I take delight in nothing else. Your glory is unfathomable and only you can explain them. I submit my ego at your lotus feet, kindly help me sing the glory of your incarnation as the blessed boy saint Jnanadeva.

As the young boy Saint Jnaneshwar Maharaj, Panduranga brought about a spiritual revival in the region of India called Maharashtra and also the rest of India. The 12th century was like a night in Bharata Varsha because of the deteriorating society in Kali Yuga and the invasion of Yavanas in North India. During this night, Jnaneshwar Maharaj appeared as the full moon and the other saints were like the stars and the planets. Their brightness lit up the path of the traveler in the city called life and helped him travel to his destination called Self realization.

Such was the greatness of Jnaneshwar Maharaj and his brother and guru Nivritthinath Maharaj, Sopan, Muktabai, Namadeva, Ghora Kumbhaara, Savta Mali, Chokar Malhar, Gonayee, Janabai, Visoba only to name of a few. Just like there are several rivers and lakes but are made up of the same water, these Saints were the one god in different forms.

After their piligrimage the saint family of Jnaneshwar Maharaj returned to their village of Alandi. By now this had become a place of pilgrimage because of their divine presence. Santh Jnaneshwar then told his brother and Guru Lord Nivritthinath "Oh Gurudev! By your divine grace alone have I been able to fulfill the reason behind my birth. Now if you think that I have completed all my earthly duties, please allow me to perform the Sanjivani Samadhi (Going into union with the divine while living and then leaving the body and merging with Brahman who is everywhere). For this world and all the activities in it are verily a dream crafted by Maya. To wake up is to merge with the one Brahman who is the one who truly exists. I now seek your guidance in this matter. May your feet guide me into reaching that state of placid green pastures bereft of the storm called Maya."

Lord Nivritthinath replied "Oh Jnanadeva, the very purpose of your incarnation was to enlighten souls tortured by Samsara (life) and to lead them to emancipation. You are the supreme yogi and Jnani (Full of divine knowledge or knowledge of the self). Your blissful experiences and divinity must reach the common people. Just as an experienced traveler draws a map for the benefit of the amateur traveler, please put all your experiences into writing."

"As you say oh Gurudeva (Oh Lord)! For your feet verily will accomplish the writing of these experiences. Your grace caused me to go through all those beautiful experiences. And now the very same will enable me to write them".

Thus the divine Maharaj started writing the Amrutanubhava (The nectar of divine experiences). In 800 couplets the Maharaj wrote about all his divine experiences which were as boundless as the Universe. The Amruthanubhava is like the Nectar which the devas (Gods) obtained after the churning of the ocean. Blessed is he who reads this. He is sure to obtain emancipation by the grace of Jnaneshwar Maharaj who is the veritable Panduranga.

Blessed are they who see you in all names and forms! You came as Jnanadeva to teach everyone that you are the only one. Praise be to you oh most ancient deity and consort of Rukmai! Oh Umapati, You saved the world by consuming the Kolahala. Help this child of yours and do not ignore me because of my defects. For you are verily the mother oh Girija. A mother forgives her child and loves him no matter what his defects. Please shower your love on me and grace me by your presence. Oh Sadguru you are verily all the divinity, you are brahma and you created Maaya. You are verily the divine Jnanadeva!

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Sainatha Guru Majhe aai!

2010-07-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

At night the baby cries

And the mother comes running

Sleep, food she thinks of not

Her baby is always in her thought

You are no different oh Sadgurunaatha

You are to your devotees a mother, oh sainaatha

Just as a mother bestows on her child affection

To the beautiful moon and stars she draws his attention

When with the pain of worldly miseries I cried

Seeing your divine splendor my pain vanished

The world had become inhospitable

To many a places I went to be comfortable

All the doors were closed in my face

Of comfort and solace there was no trace

Only in your Masjid were the doors open

Only there did my misery lessen

I received all the comfort and solace

There came tears of joy on my face

In your lotus feet I found everything

Other than these there really is nothing

May you ever in my mind and heart reside

May I ever find you when I look inside

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Kabir

2010-07-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Found in the Bhagirati by Tamal

You among saints a jewel

Try whatever the Mullahs might

They could not find you a name right

The Almighty's name came up every time

To abandon you was the Mullah's claim

Al-Kabir cannot be a person's name

The very idea they said is insane

The weaver refused to let go

With the name of Kabir you grew

You wore a tilak on your young forehead

Much to the consternation of the Mosque's head

Allah and Ram distinction there was none

You said all are his children and god is one

Your longing for god drove you to the river

To see the divine feet of Swami Ramanand, of bliss the bestower

You heard him chant the name of Rama

Took it to your heart and fell at your deva(Lord)

Accepted a Yavana as a disciple

Other disciples did him despise

The lord does not come to you by ringing bells

Or by running to the Mosque listening to the Mullah's yells

Your words angered the Hindu and Yavana alike

Your concept of unity everyone did dislike

They asked you what is your religion

You replied all are of divine origin

Sikandar Lodi many a complaints received

Decided to get you killed

The raging elephant tried to run over

Saw many lions and ran away with fear

A house with you was burnt

With the name of Rama, unscathed you came out

They tried to in the river drown

You walked on the water without a frown

Sikandar realized your greatness

Begged for your forgiveness

You weaved with the instrument called Jnana (Knowledge)

With the thread called Bhakthi (Devotion)

And you produced the fine cloth called Enlightenment

You were always filled with happiness and fulfillment

Many were your devotees in number

Both Hindus and Yavanas together

When you left the mortal frame

With grief your devotees came

To bury it or to burn

The fight of the devotees had begun

You told them not to your words forget

You made them, their actions regret

Instead of your body, flowers they found

Hindus and Yavanas into half flowers divided

One half was burnt

The other half was buried

You are no doubt my Sadurunath

Says Sharath, the child of Sainath

May of your lotus feet the grace

Be ever be upon human race

Yours is the true religion

Everything else is people's opinion

Humanity is the religion of everyone

There is one spirit and god is one

-- Dedicated to the Lotus feet of Sadguru

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Shelter

2010-07-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

In the dense forest a path I found

In it I was walking around

Saw dark clouds in the sky

Frightened, the birds began to fly

I had nowhere to go

I did not know what to do

In torrents came down the rain

I continued in great pain

Many houses I saw along the way

When I sought shelter, the residents said nay

I reached a masjid finally

I was drenched and hurt really

The fakir who lived there allowed me inside

He allowed me to in that place reside

An ever burning fire made me dry

His love and compassion made me cry

I found that he did not only reside in the Masjid small

But he lived in the hearts of one and all

Finally I was residing somewhere

The Masjid's boundaries covered everywhere

The experience is no doubt mystical

The Guru's benign presence is blissful

This was the abode of existence, knowledge and bliss

Hidden along the path, it was easy to miss

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

What do I call you?

2010-07-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Do I call you Chanchal Bharati

You appeared to some as Maruthi

Do I call you as Digambar Baba

You reappeared in Shirdi as Sai Baba

Do I call you Shree Swami Samartha

You alone are Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva

Do I call you Akkalkot Maharaj

To the emperors all over you are the Mahraj

Fortunate was the raiseldar of the prison

To be one of the first to get your darshan

Lord Narasimha Saraswathi Went to Kardalivana

In a float of flowers oh digambara

To be found by a wood cutter's axe

Inside an ant hill was your divine form

Fortunate were people in Mangalveda

They Saw Damaji Panth and you oh Digambara

The world is like a fierce storm

Your form in the heart can only quell

Oh long armed blessed lord

Getting your feet is very hard

Only by store of merits in lives past

Is one able to attain your devotion fast

You are verily Brahma Saguna

You are by nature nirguna

For the sake of devotees dear

You have come to them near

Oh Swami, you are like a mother to your devotees

Always protect us by your loving glance thus.

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Where will Vitoba come from?

2010-06-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Where will Vitoba come from?

Where is he that he should come from?

This is of Ranchod the Dankapuri

There are no boundries to Pandhari

Das Ganu Maharaj did the Namasapthaha

Kakasaheb Dixit had the vision of Vitoba

You asked "Did Vitthal Patil come?"

"Truant he is, do not let him escape"

A hawker brought pictures of Vitoba

The same as in the vision of Kaka

Brought the picture of Pandharinatha

In his shrine to worship Lord Vithoba

From the Ganges came Guali bua

Stopped here before going to Pandharapura

Near the Dhuni in Masjidmai

Saw in you Vitoba of Pandhari

In the Prayag he wanted a bath

From your feet Ganga and Yamuna sprang forth

Hence sang Das Ganu Maharaj

That you are verily Pandharinath

Shirdi is my Pandharapura

Sai Baba is the consort of Rama

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of Sadguru, who is Hari,Hara and Brahma

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

Shree Jnanadev, Tukaram Pandharinath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Where do I go?

2010-06-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

A strange world I live in

Surrounded am I by many a Jinn

Fear comes to me at this thought

What is it that is by me sought

The wali who sleeps in Ajmer says

Where is this world of your's and it's ways

All this vanishes suddenly

Boundless is everything truly

I see in Konya Jelaluddin

And Shams of Tabriz within

I see in Kemptee Tajuddin Auliya

Shining with all glory at the Nagpur Darga

On the sea shore sleeps Haji Ali Baba

He has circumnavigated the Quaaba

Whom Shall I go to I think

Reached Kopergaon in a blink

On the banks of the holy Gautami

Is the village of Shirdi

There I saw them all

Every Auliya big and small

Guru is the divinity that we see everywhere

There is no need to look for it elsewhere

The desire was to travel south to Pandarpura

Only in dream to touch the holy feet of Vithoba

Bless me always thus

Fill me with immeasurable bliss

You are the king of kings

True happiness your presence brings

--Dedicated at the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Ramte Ram Aayo Ji! Udi Ki Guniya Layoji!

2010-06-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

You called to the child Rama, the playful

To get lifegiving miraculous Udi in Sackful

To the doctor devotee of Rama

You appeared as Mariyada Purushottama

To Mhalsapati and Shama near Masjidmai

You appeared as none other than Maruthi

Appeared did you,to the devout Megha

As his beloved diety Lord Hara

Mule Shashtri came with a lot of orthodoxy

Saw in you his beloved guru Gholap Swamy

As the devotee came to you

So did you appear to his view

I wish to in my eye, you behold

Maya however does my vision cloud

Your name sounds the sweetest

Your feet are the dearest

I come to your durbar with the Jholi

To see you is what I seek truly

Please hear the call of your child

Even if I am wicked and wild

In the dream did you appear as Vitthala

Showed me that Shirdi is Pandharpura

Please remind me of this again

there is no loss in this but only gain

There is in this world much dissonance

It is quietened by only your presence

Let me run in this great worldly race

Under the shade of your grace

Where do we go and where do we come from

All that we seek is but in your realm

--Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

Shree Satchitnanda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

In what language should I call you?

2010-06-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

In what language should I call you

Of what color is the morning dew

What can I from you hide

In everyone's heart do you reside

My eye does long to you behold

They are not big enough to your image hold

For where in the universe are you not

This is what the saints have taught

Envoloped am I by darkness

What I seek is eternal happiness

Enlighten me by showing yourself

I long to behold you myself

Help "me" the house leave

So only your presence it can have

On a starry sky in the grassy plain

I reach everywhere to escape this pain

Let the wolves howl and the birds chirp

I ignore them being the tiger with claws sharp

Huge waves in the ocean come crashing

Your prescense alone prevents my boat from rocking

Wearing of peackock feathers on your head the crown

With the complexion of the sky and the universe you own

A bewitching smile on your face you wear

The kaustuba jewel do my eyes glare

All bovines do not their grass munch

Sweet tunes from flute makes them forget lunch

Overcast is the sky with thunder and lightning

People worry of Indra's wrath nearing

Cattle and people firghtened seek shelter

Pray to the almighty who is to them so near

Playfully do you lift Govardhana in your little finger

Providing to cowherds and cattle shelter

-- Dedicated to one who resides in all and in whom all reside

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

I forget myself in you!

2010-06-22T10:01:00.001-07:00

A beloved in his love himself forgets

To him He is not there only his beloved exists

The ruby when held onto the sun bright

loses itself by streaming his light

The seven seas take up the color blue

From the sky struck to them like glue

A firefly that goes into the flame

loses itself with no one to blame

A piece of iron gets mould

when touched with philosophers stone into gold

The river flows into the sea

To merge itself into it and be

Likewise think they about you

Exist not they but only you

Journey of several rivers to become pure

You are the one ocean who is the lure

When I forget myself I remember you

There is no me but only you

Shree Swami Samarth at Rameshwaram

2010-06-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! It is only by the grace of Sadguru that one get's to hear his leelas and to sing them. Lord Dattatreya's ways are unfathomable, and what can a dullard like me understand or talk about them. However when I submit the ego before the lotus feet of Sriguru, he himself takes up the task of relating his life story, for I am merely an instrument in his hands.Victory be unto the Sadguru. Let me now relate a leela of Shree Swami Samartha Maharaj of Akkalkot, the glorious incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. He the purest of the pure, I beseech him to help me sing his glory.

That Rameshwaram is holy, is accepted beyond doubt. It was here that Lord Rama established the twelfth Jyotirlinga (Linga of Light) for worshipping Lord Shiva. The foremost of the Ragu's made this a holy place of Pilgrimage as the sands of this place kissed his lotus feet.

The worshipper at Rameshwaram used to extort money from piligrims for them to take bath in the holy Koti Khoop Tirtha. This was resented by some.

To test him, came none other than Lord Dattatreya in the form of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj. However the greedy worshipper did not recognize the true divinity of Swami Maharaj and refused to let him into the Koti khoop tirtha without money. To this the Lord smiled and went away.

Later the worshipper to his dismay found foul smelling worms in the waters. Quite perplexed by the incident, he went to the then Shankaracharya of Sringeri. The great Jagadguru went into Samadhi and told the worshipper, he had not allowed an ascetic who was none other than an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya.

The remourseful worshipper, went and fell at the lotus feet of Swami Maharaj and allowed him inside the waters. The waters retained their purity, no more were the worms to be seen.

Such is the greatness of Lord Dattatreya, the purest of pure. All things are rendered pure, but by his grace.

Om Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj Ki Jai!

Om Shree Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Sainath Guru Majhe aai (Sainath Guru is my Mother)

2010-06-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

Away from home was I travelling

With destination unknown was I drifting

I was walking on pastures green

Suddenly there were clouds looking dark and mean

I was caught in a terrible thunderstorm

From this it was not possible to take shelter from

I walked on and on in the storm terrible

Confused, hurt and angry and in deep trouble

I called out to him angrily

Why should this happen to me only?

As if in answer I saw in the distance

Shelter in the form of a fakir's residence

I entered with stress, anger and fear

They fled as to the fakir, I went near

I felt the love and ecstasy of meeting my Mother

The warmth that the cub feels with the tiger

A compassionate face glanced at me

My Guru! It was none other than he

His look was like a balm to my aching heart

Tears of joy, from my eyes were about to start

Just as child forgets the pain form a wound

When it finds the comforting presence of the mother around

I felt comforted with my guru around

The center of peace and happiness I had found

As I laid my head on his lotus feet

Felt like being in shade from the heat

In this life which is rough

Sadguru's compassionate glance is enough

When I saw him in many a place

Returned a bewitching compassionate smile from his face

He reassured me not to worry

Not to be impatient and not to be in hurry

I know Sadguru is always there to comfort me

What was sought, should be sought from he

Always keep your merciful glance on me

Your compassionate blissful form I always want to see

-- Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

-- Anantha Koti Brahmaanda Nayaka Rajadhiraaja Yogiraaja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai

-- Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta, Shree Gurudeva Datta, Shree Gurudeva Datta

The arrow of Bhishma

2010-06-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

When the arrow of Bhishma your head graced

An angry form of your's he faced

Full of happiness and bliss was Bhishma

When you raised in your hand the Sudarshana Chakra

"So beautiful do you look when you are angry oh Mukunda"

"What happened to your oath not raise weapons in Kurukshetra?"

Clung onto the Lord's feet did Arjuna

Please do not slay the dear Pitamaha (Grandsire)

Anger was replaced by a smile most bewitching

Bowed before the Lord did those with faith unflinching

-- Dedicated to the one who is all pervasive and complete in himself

-- Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari

-- Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogi Raja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai

-- Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta Shree Gurudeva Datta Shree Gurudeva Datta

-- Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Jai Panduranga!

2010-06-07T13:49:00.001-07:00

Several spots on earth do exist

Where the blessed lord makes his presence felt

The abode of Lord Vishnu on Earth

After visiting which people do not experience any dearth

On the banks of the river Chandrabhaga

With mother Rukmai on a brick stands Panduranga

The varkaris long to go to Pandharapura

To get the blessed vision of Mother Rukmai and Lord Vitthala

Royally adorned is the dear Lord

To describe his beauty is really hard

One glimpse is not enough to know him

He is ever in the mind of those who enter his realm

Playful as ever is Lord Krishna

How can I fathom your actions oh husband of Rama

Of Madhu you are the slayer

To mother Yashoda you are a dear

Sang your glory did Pundalika

Then came your blessed devotee Namadeva

You made a miser of nine crores called Navakoti Narayana

To become a renounciate servant of yours called Purandara Daasa

You played with Janabai as a child with his mother

How many more stories of yours can I gather?

You showed that true devotion to you is dear

Showered your grace on Chokar Mahar

You incarnated as Jnanadeva the boy saint

Explained the Bhagavat Gita in words quaint

Started the tradition of Varkari

Yearly piligrimage to Pandhari

In water,plants and trees did you appear

To Savata Mali the gardener

In water,clay and fire did you appear

To Ghora Kumbhara the potter

The village of Mangalvedha you blessed

By Bhaktha Damaji Pant were you worshipped

In the ancient village of Prathishtana

You helped your devotee Eknaatha

When the gatha was drowned in Chandrabhaaga

You brought it back unharmed to Tukaraama

When the Yavanas tried to capture him

You appeared as several Shivaji's in your realm

You appeared as divine Lord Rama

To the great Samartha Ramadaasa

To Narahari sonar did u appear as Lord Shiva

Proved there is no difference between Hari and Hara

What words can describe your glory

He who knows you is your image verily

Bless me with devotion eternal

Apart from you everything is unreal

Let me always hanker for your vision

Let chanting your name be my mission

I seek refuge in your lotus feet

You are here, there and in the next street

You are known for your devotees as the protector

Maya is like in the river an aligaotor

Remembering your name drives away illusion

Gives one the required emancipation

Turn your merciful grace towards me

Let your image always in my mind be

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of Panduranga who is none other than the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raaja Yogiraaja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Jai Pundalika Varadhe Hari hare! Jnanadev, Tukaram, Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chinthana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Thousand Suns

2010-06-05T23:53:00.000-07:00

When you enter, it is as though a thousands suns shine

So bringht, In fear I hide this face of mine

You leave After a brief moment

There will be only darkness, and then I lament

You always come but to go away

I search for you in every way

I search for you here and there

I look for you everywhere

Heaven and Earth I searched for thee

Only to find you within me

Digambara Digambara Shreepaada Vallabha Digambara

2010-06-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

Blessed Sage Atri and Mahasati Anasuya

Called you, oh Lord as Dattatreya

Seeing the divine wepons on your blessed feet, oh digambara

Appalaraja Sharma and Sumati called you oh Lord, Shreepaada Shree Vallabha

Seeing your blessed features,oh Brahma,Hara and Hari

Madhav and Amba Bhavani called you oh Lord, Narahari

In the blessed lineage of Adi Shankara was Sadguru Shree Krishna Saraswathi

Gave you the monastic name, of Lord, Shree Narasimha Saraswathi

Those near Mangalveda and Pandharpur called

As Chanchala Bharathi, the blessed Lord

On reaching Akkalkot oh digambara

Everyone sang your glory oh Lord, as Shree Swami Samartha

In and around Hamunabad are you called

Thy name is Manik Prabhu, oh Lord

Near the Krishna river and Godavari so holy

People worshipped you as Tembe Maharaj daily

Near Akola,Shegaon and Amroati people greet

Each other as Jai Gajanan Maharaj when they meet

Near Kopergaon Taluka on the holy Godavari river bank, oh digambara

People worshipped you as Shirdi Sai Baba, oh Sadguru Sainatha

In several forms do you, oh Sadguru, appear

One look at you, and all our doubts disappear

Oh compassionate lord with your grace is only possible emancipation

Your constant remembrance brings about of sense objects renounciation

May I always be sheltered at your lotus feet

May the firefly and the fire become one after they meet

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raaja Dhi Raaja Yogiraaja Parabrahma, Shree Satchitananda

Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Digambara Digambra Shreepaada Vallabha Digambara!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Nine verities of food

2010-06-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

There were nine verities of food served to me

I ate them all and each bite got rid of me

Finally difference there was none

The one who served, me and the food served became one

There was no more hunger or thirst

I did not require any food or rest

Where were my friends, for they are me

There were no strangers, for they are he

Where the five elements were

They seem now to be everywhere

Where is the fire, and where be the air

Who said they are distinct is in his outlook unfair

Who said there is earth and who said there is water

Not anymore distinct do they appear

Where was the Sky and where were the stars

Where was the earth and where is Mars

They all seem now to be centered

If they are different defective sight to be feared

Where is everywhere and where is nowhere

All are here, do not look elsewhere

-- Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Rajadhiraja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

A heavy bundle

2010-05-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

A heavy bundle I picked up on my way home

For all my pain and anxiety it was to blame

So heavy was it that disoriented I felt

Lost the way and then did I fret

I sometimes kept the bundle down in pain

Futile exercise it was with no gain

I came across a fakir sitting near a neem tree

He asked me to keep the bundle down and feel free

I sat down in the tree's shade by his feet

I told him everything around me was like the Labyrinth of Crete

He said "Sit still and be quiet"

"I will do the rest"

Suddenly I was at home, feeling all light

I finally saw daylight after a long night

Gu means darkness it is known

Ru means destroyer of great renown

The guru is the destroyer of the darkness of ignorance

Only resorting to his lotus feet should be given prominence

Submit speech,hearing, actions and ego to him

Bask in his immeasurable grace at his blissful realm

When the cold winds of life in the form of problems make you shiver

Wrap yourselves in the shawl called his devotion, oh brother

Warm yourself at the fire of his grace

Using the scarf of his immeasurable love cover your face

Chant his name, lest from cold your mouth chatter

To be warm, all these things do matter

May the Sadguru keep us all from the cold in the form of problems in life warm

May he keep us away from harm

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

--Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda

Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

The Guide!

2010-05-20T00:29:00.001-07:00

I lost my most prized posession

It was my greatest obsession

I went to search for it in the forest

I got lost at the earliest

Wandering I came across a neem tree

There sat a guide looking at me

He said he would get me my posession but not for free

In return all he asked was a small fee

Asked he two coins from me

I gladly gave the required fee

He showed me paths nine

Any I can take it would be fine

I tried little by little paths each

The guide was always within my reach

There were fierce tigers,wolves and cheetas causing fear

They however kept away as my guide was always near

After traversing the paths came a pond

There was nothing within it or in and around

"I" jumped into it and it submerged "me"

Only the guide remained, there was now nothing but he

I realized that my most prized posession was he

And that "I" was none other than he

The guru alone is the only reality

All else is a delusion in our mentality

Surrender yourself to the Guru

He will take you to the goal by crossing even Mount Meru

When he is the helmsman of our boat

We will reach the ultimate goal, there is no doubt.

-Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All!

I bow to the lotus feet of Master Shree Adi Shankaracharya

2010-05-17T23:44:00.001-07:00

My Obescience to Lord Ganesha

Queller of Obstacles the Ganadeesha

My prayer to Mother Sharadha

I beg of her help me sing the glory of Lord Shankara

I then pray to Mother Chandala Parameshwari and Sangameshwara with all my heart

They are family deities on my part

I then pray at the lotus feet of my Sadguru Sainath

To help me sing his glory, glory be to Sadgurunath

Listen here to the story of Lord Shankara

The renunciate incarnation of Lord Shiva

It was during the Kali yuga the time running

Righteousness was down and unrighteousness was ascending

The heretical scriptures of the Atheists and the Agnostics

Were revered more than the holy Vedas

When the agnostics and atheists rejoiced

In having Sanathana Dharma decried

When ritualistic worship was of Sanathana Dharma the emperor

And black magic and superstitions were his minister and foremost courtier

There rose in all three worlds a cry

Let the river of Sanathana Dharma not run dry

All the Devas(Gods) went to seek refuge

To the god of gods to save Sanathana Dharma from the deluge

The merciful God of Gods was moved by their plight

Promised to incarnate as a mortal and do what is right

Aryamba and Shivaguru offered at Chandramauleeshwara temple their sincere prayer

Each saw in their dream an old Sanyasin clad in robes of color Ochre

He asked them what they most wanted

A single son with life limited

Though extraordinary in intellect and a teacher of the world

Or many sons, ordinary intellect they hold

The couple chose the one brilliant son unanimously

For the other choice would be wrong decision made erroneously

Thus was born on earth at Kalady in Kerala as Shankara, Lord Shiva

As the son of Shivaguru and Aryamba

A different incarnation this was to be

Not like the earlier incarnations was this meant to be

This was not like the Maryada Purushottama Rama

Nor was this like the upholder of the mighty Govardhana Krishna

Nor was he like the terrible axe weilding Parashurama

Nor was he like the hermit Vamana

Nor was he like the slayer of Hiranyakashapu Narasimha

Nor was he like the uplifter of Bhoomidevi Varaha

Nor was he like the churner of Ksheerasagara the Kurma

Nor was he like the slayer of Hayagriva the Matsya

Though he was one with all the above

In a beautiful incarnation he was about to involve

He was to become a monastic

All his deeds were to be fantastic

Shivaguru left his mortal frame

with the almighty prabrahman one, he became

From a poor woman amlaka fruit as alms Shankara recieved

Prayed to Mother Lakshmi to bestow upon her cartloads of gold

Yearning for his divine nature was extreme

He told Aryamba, a monastic he wants to become

Shankara promised that he would be with her when her end is near

He would perform the last rites for one so dear

Bound she was by motherly love

Around Shankara indeed does her life revolve

She refused to give him the permission

To allow her son to live a life of renunciation

Caught was Shankara's leg in a crocodile's mighty grip

Try what he might, could not get out of the crocodile's grasp

Shankara asked a crying Aryamba in desperation

At least allow me now to lead a life of renunciation

She gave the permission finally

Released by the crocodile, he swam to the shore safely

Shankara the earlier promise reiterated

Said he will be there when most needed

He went up north to become a renunciate

In search of Guru, who would to the monastic order initiate

He walked and walked until central India he reached

Heard that there was a great sage who preached

For near the banks of the river Narmada

Were present the lotus feet of Shree Govinda Bhagavatpaada

He sat in Nirvikalpa Samadhi when Shankara arrived

In blissful realisation was he, unconscious of the world

In full fury was the river Narmada in spate

Unconscious of this, what was to be his fate?

Shankara with his Kamandalu touched the Narmada

Instantly she calmed down and did not go near Bhagavatpaada

Returned when to worldly consciousness

Impressed was he by the boy's spiritual prowess

Accepted him as his disciple he did

Life of a renunciate Shankara had reached

He thought Shankara the four vedas

He also thought him the six Shastras

Bhagavatpada thought him the tenet

"That Brahman and the soul are no different"

"This whole Universe and everything in it's realm

There is one god and everything has arisen from him"

Shankara was the brightest student clearly

The Guru had come to like him dearly

He told Shankara "Go to the four corners of the nation

Spread the tenets of Advita for self realisation"

The guru's orders set into motion

The divine mission throughout the nation

The holy city of Kashi he reached

Advaita to many he preached

His disciples many became

In their hearts rose the divine flame

Sanandhyaya was master Shankara's clothes drying

When on the other side of the river he heard Lord Shankara calling

So much was his faith in the guru that to meet

Him he walked on lotus flowers to cross the river to the Guru's feet

Shankara called him Padmapaada (Padma -Lotus,Paada - Feet)

Extreme was his devotion towards Shankara Bhagavatpaada

That the Vishwanatha temple at Kashi is holy is redoubtable

But when Shankara was going there, his path was blocked by an untouchable

"Move aside" said all the devotees of Shankara

"We do not want to be impure before visiting Hara"

"Oh, revered Acharya", the "untouchable" said

"Pray tell me what to move?" he questioned

"Is it the body that is made of the 5 elements and is perishable?"

"Or the self that is all pervading and invisible?"

"The body I can move"

"The self I cannot move"

Shankara saw in him Lord Shiva

He realised that the untouchable is none other than Hara

To him Shankara prostrated

Whatever Shankara taught the "untouchable" had reiterated

He saw near a river an old teacher

Teaching his pupils Sanskrit grammar

Shankara for him felt bad

At his age seek he should the bliss of god

"Futile is the repeating of grammar by-heart"

"Bhaja Govindam" came out of his heart

"Worship the lord oh foolish mind

This grammar will not protect you when the end is near, I remind"

A while later came to debate an old sage

16 year old Shankara's knowledge he had come to gauge

They debated on Brahmasutra Bhashyam for days

The Sage turned out to be the immortal Vyasa radiant as the sun rays

Adi Shankara with another sixteen years of life he blessed

To go all over the nation so Advaita could be preached

First went Shankara to quell ritualistic worship done without feeling

This was the beginning for the Juggernaut of victory to start rolling

This was the beginning of the glorious Digvijaya of Shankara

It spelled doom for the irreligious and the nastika (Atheist or Agnostic)

First he went to meet Kumarila, the mimamsa scholar

Living incognito in Nalanda for the agnostics he was a destroyer

However to his guru he claimed he had injustice committed

To end his life in a pyre was what he intended

"There is my disciple called Mandana Mishra in Mahishmati"

"He has an equally intelligent and pious wife called Saraswathi"

"You may debate with him instead of me"

"Knowledgeable in mimamsa verily is he"

To Mahishmati proceeded Shree Shankara

He reached the house of Mandana Mishra

He requested for a debate a chance with the condition

That the loser is to become the disciple of the winner with initiation

Saraswathi however a reasonable doubt raised

The responsibilities of a householder Shankara had not experienced

Shankara agreed with her point of view

Leaving his body in an Astral form flew

Brought back to life the dead king of Vanga country (Modern day Bengal)

Shankara was, in Vanga country king's body

He experienced the joys and sorrows of life

In many glittering durbars the good and evil of life

Having had enough experience he left the body

And returned to his own body thus leaving Vanga country

Vanga was filled with sadness ,now bereft of a king

Meanwhile the devotees of Shankara his glory sang

Now started the awesome debate with Saraswathi as the Judge

Engrossed, none in the audience dared to budge

Mandana on following the rituals stressed

As enjoined in the scriptures blessed

Shankara said "Mere mechanical rituals are of no use

Without bhakthi (devotion) they are a misuse"

The flowers in Mandana's garland wilted first

While Shankara's garland was with fresh flowers like those found in morning mist

By Mandana was defeat accepted

Sureshwaracharya was the monastic name received

They proceeded together towards south

Saw barbarous hill people who were uncouth

Shankara to them Advita preached

They became his blessed devotees reformed

At Gokarna came Hastamalaka who was supposedly dumb

By Shankara's blessings he spoke deeply about Advita making everyone numb

Kalananda came and sang praises at the lotus feet of Shankaracharya

He became the disciple Totakacharya

At Shringeri Saraswathi stood transfixed on the banks of Tungabadra

Established the Sharada peetham there did Shankara

By his divine nature Shankara fathomed

That his mother's end was near

He went to Kalady and comforted her

Pleased was Aryamba to see Shankara so near

As she breathed her last

She became one with the almighty

Shankara prepared to perform her final rites

Much to the dismay of the Orthodox Nambodri hypocrites

Shankara did visit every part of India

Established mutts in Puri, Jyotirmat and Dwaraka

He went to the Sharada peetham in Kashmir in the North

The door was never opened in the direction of the South

This indicated that no scholar came to the Sarvagna peetha from the South

Shankara came and had the door opened in the South

Defeated all the scholars present there

A Jain Muni sat at the highest seat here

He stood no chance against Shankara

The Sarvagna Peetham was occupied by the incarnation of Lord Hara

Many places did he travel

All the people did him marvel

One branch of corrupted Sanathana Dharma

Was still spewing Adharma

The terrible black Magician Ugra Bhairava

Came to combat Adi Shankara

Fearing his own existence

He decided to put an end to Shankara's brilliance

He tried to Kill Shankara with his Occult powers

They were no match for the Purity of the Gayatri Mantra and Shankara's Prowess

Rebound did the Bhairava's spell

In doing so the it did the Bhairava kill

Thus did Shankara, travel length and breadth

Was it possible to measure Shankara the ocean of Spirituality's depth

He brought an end to the heretical nastikas

They vanished into lands where they later became melacchas (Barbarians,uncouth people)

After the divine mission to an end came

At Kedarnath Lord Shiva's incarnation left his mortal frame

He returned to Kailasa amidst cheers and cries

Flowers rained from the Devas in the skies

At Kedarnath near the Jyotirlinaga so holy

Lies the Samadhi of Adi Shankara blissfully

He taught Monism to one and all

People followed him big or small

Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Tukaram, Mukta Bai,Nivritthinath

Sopan, Samartha Ramdas , Sai Baba and Swami Samarth

All advocated the truth that was spoken by Shankara

Verily he was the incarnation of Lord Hara

Sharath, the servant of Sai,

By his grace alone sings oh Mai

These words I offer at the lotus feet of Adi Shakara

May your grace be always upon me Lord Hara,

Did you not, save the devas and the Asuras when they pleaded for help

By drinking the deadly Kola Hala poison with a single gulp

Likewise oh Lord I beg you

Swallow my problems I beseech you

In you alone I trust

In your feet alone I rest

You are my Sadguru Sainaatha

And my Sadguru Sainatha is Lord Shankara

Thus concludes the narration of the glorious life of Shree Shankara

Written on the Jayanthi of the fabulous incarnation of Lord Hara

-- Dedicated to Lord Shree Adi Shankaracharya

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Who are you, oh Sadguru?

2010-05-16T01:15:00.000-07:00

Who are thy blessed parents oh Guru some asked,

Brahma is my father and Maya my mother to some he said

To some more he said he was the blessed son of a Brahmin couple

Who handed him over to a divine fakir when young

Who is thy Sadguru, oh lord of all creatures some asked

Venkusa he said to some

To some he said Roshan Shah Mia

And to some he merely said it was the fakir

What is reality some asked

To which "Allah Malik" is what he said

To some it is Brahman he said

To some others, look within he said

People have tried in vain

Information about your origin to gain

Only to realize that there is no beginning

Nor is there any ending

There is only one answer that they had

That you are none other than god

You alone are reality, all else an illusion

He who realizes this, is rid of all confusion

The Sadguru's feet alone is the source of all happiness

Seeking anything anywhere else is meaningless

Let me always remember you in my mind

Reside in my heart and may you ever be towards me kind

-- Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Rajadhiraja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

From Where comes this light?

2010-05-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

One day, my friends and I

Came to a clearing in a think, dark, dense, forest

Through the leaves streamed sunlight

"Wherefrom comes this light?" I asked

One friend said "From nowhere"

"I do not see it's source, so it cannot exist"

Another friend said "It must have an all powerful source

but it must be formless and nameless, since I cannot see it"

Another friend with a sharp eyesight saw a little of the sun

In a small gap between two branches

"I see it's source, all bright and powerful"

"And it has form too for I have seen it with my eyes"

At that moment I saw a fakir sitting near a tree

We all went to him and asked

"Wherefrom comes this light?"

"Which one amongst us is right?"

The fakir said "Close your eyes"

"Now where is the light that you saw?"

At that moment the darkness cleared

And we were in a green pasture

There was light everywhere

And there was no darkness

At that moment we realized,

That the Guru is the source of all light

For it is because of him

That everything shines

He being everywhere

He makes us see the light

For does not say the Guru Gita

That Guru is the dispeller of the darkness called Ignorance

Our lives were bright, none was the darkness

As we laid our heads at the lotus feet of the Guru

Useless was the argument

Needless was the debate

One can only know him

Who indeed can describe him

In the midst of his lotus feet there is no darkness

Here there is no dearth only there is happiness.

--Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogi Raja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Seeking the right thing at the right place.

2010-05-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! It so often happens to us all that we seek happiness outside us. I will become happy when I get a new Kindle, when I buy a car, when I get a job, when I marry that girl. We are seeking something in things that are perishable. Can we really get everlasting happiness from any of these? On contemplating it is so easy to see that we cannot. Then what is it that we crave for in life? Why this life and it's many manifestations? Why the starry heavens and why the green earth?

In all this, we try often to get something that makes us fearless, free from worries and happy. Now this is what we must seek. And where does one seek them. As the great sages and saints have said, one must look within.

I write this, yet Maya (Illusory power of god) teases me often. When great men fall pray to her, what of me? I often forget the timeless principle of looking within and seek comfort outside. Only when Sadguru is remembered, Maya is forgotten. Baba often used to say "He who remembers me, I will always be there for him, but the moment he forgets me, Maya will lash her whip at him". There are several diseases that emanate from Maya. There is only one Hakim (Doctor), and that is Sagun Brahma (God with form), Satchitananda (Existence, Knowledge and Bliss) Sadguru . One must always resort to his feet to realize the truth.

This is how I felt, most of us lead our life

"I went out groping in the darkness looking for light..Only to find a powerful searchlight at home!"

The darkness is the world outside with it's many manifestations arising from Maya, and the searchlight is the Sadguru who is antaryamin (The in dweller) and the one essence of all that is.

I hope by the grace of the Sadguru, that I always find solace at his lotus feet and never get entangled in Maya.

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogi Raja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhoota Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Two coins

2010-05-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

2 coins I lost, and went in search of gold

Gold turned to be elusive and ethereal

Disappointed, I returned home

To find the two coins there

I gave that to my guru and he filled my coffers

With treasure eternal and infinite.

Dedicated to the Lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Avadhoota Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

The Quest!

2010-05-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

I saw on the other side of the bank a glitter

Gold it must be, thought I, with all the intelligence I could muster

To reach there, I went in search of a boat

A big river it was, like around a fortress a moat

I met on the way a fakir

At a place I thought unlikely and queer

"Where art thou going?", he asked me

With a compassionate smile and a calm countenance asked he

Said I, "Yonder to the other side of the river bank"

"In search of gold and happiness let me be frank"

"But do you know where exists this gold?" he asked

"The gold is by a dense forest masked"

"There are dangerous tigers, wolves and hayeenas in this forest

Do not be foolish in going there alone, this is my request"

"I do not need any advice", said I

And onwards in quest of boat went I

In quest of a boat, canoe or bridge

I walked and walked till I reached the edge

A bridge I finally did see

Across the river it took me

I searched there all day long

Found nothing of value that I could take along

I searched and searched

Till the same bridge I reached

I walked on distraught

Till I met the same fakir at the very same spot

"So did you find it?" asked he

I answered "The tigers, hayenas and wolves found me"

"They attacked me, and barely alive I escaped"

"Till darkness and despair was I with envoloped"

The fakir angrily said " You had been warned"

"This would not be the case, had you listened"

"I can give you all that you want and more"

"The gold is right here, along with dimonds emeralds and more"

Said he thus, and at his feet I saw as promised the treasure

It was so immense and infinite, impossible it was to measure

It had no begining nor end

Inexhaustible it was, no matter how much I spend

I clung onto the feet in all eagerness

And it gave me all the happiness

This is what I sought, which earlier I had missed

Clinging to the lotus feet of the Guru, I feel indeed blessed

-- Dedicated to the lotus feet of the Sadguru

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogiraja Parabrahma,Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Avadhuta Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All!

Sadguru

2010-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Worry was my companion until I heard the glories of the Sadguru.

Despair was with me, until I realized Sai is with me who is Kalpataru.

Fear, their brother in law was lodged in my heart

When I heard Sai's leelas he fled in a bullock Cart

I realized that I have nothing to fear

I realized that Sadguru is always near

Where there were tears of disappointments and pain

There is now tears of joy pouring like rain

There is no place on earth or heaven more peaceful

The Sadguru's feet it is most restful

A child whether far or near

Is always under the constant gaze of it's mother

Likewise I see, whereever I am

I am not far away from the Sadguru's realm

Rama, Rahim and Jesus are but your different names

The ignorant do not fathom your divine games

The Gurucharithra sings but your glory, oh Lord Dattatreya

Thou art the son of Atri and Anasuya

In all life , you are the one atma

of this I have no doubt, that you are paramatma

My wish is and this is my mission

May I everyday see you in my vision

Just as the rivers and the oceans meet

May my head ever rest on your lotus feet

May I ever be enorbed in your devotion

May I worship you with diligence and dedication

One look at thy divine features

People know that you reside in all creatures

May you guide me in ever singing your divine glory

And may you always be in my memory

-Dedicated to the lotus feet of my Sadguru Sainath!

Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka RajadhiRaja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Avadhoota Chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta! Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Santh Jnaneshwar: At Kashi

2010-04-05T00:53:00.000-07:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! Lord Krishna has said that the saint is one with him and not different from him. Santha (Saint) and Anantha (Lord) are one and the same. The mission of the Lord is to uphold good and to punish the wicked and for this purpose he takes avatars. The mission of saints are quite different. They are his karuna avatars (Avatars of mercy or compassion). To them there is no good or evil person. They take the evil ones and make them good and make them traverse on the path of goodness. They can be compared to trees, which even when pelted with stones, give us fruits. Blessed is he who hears the stories of the saints. By merely listening to their sweet leelas, all his calamities will be destroyed and his desires will be fulfilled. Then being desire less and bestowed with the power of discrimination (Viveka) of real and unreal and dispassion (Vairagya), by the aid of which one can achieve the ultimate goal of life, which is union with Brahman. Such a saint was our Sadguru Sainath. His sweet leelas are like nectar. One who hears them once, is attracted to them again and again like bee to honey. I am a mere dullard and it is extremely difficult for me to understand the sweet life of a saint or to sing the glory of a saint. However remembering that Sadguru alone is the doer, and I a mere instrument at his lotus feet, I beseech him to help me sing his glory. I clasp the lotus feet of the Sadguru and beg him to help me sing the glory of Santha Jnaneshwara who was a veritable Panduranga (Lord vitthala). See now what he did in Kashi (Varanasi).

The galaxy of Saints, Nivritthinath, Jnaneshwar, Sopan, Muktha Bai, Visoba and Namadeva to name a few came to the holy city of Kashi. This was the seat of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (Linga of light) of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishwanatha (The lord of the universe). It was also a great center for learning. One day it was decided that the most scholarly and knowledgeable person in Kashi be honored by the elite scholars of the city. But they were at a loss to decide who was that one person who deserved this honor. One of them suggested "Let Lord Vishwanatha himself decide who deserves to be honored. Let us send the temple elephant with a garland and let him roam the city streets. Whoever the elephant garlands, will be honored by us, as the chosen person by Lord Shiva". Everyone agreed to this.

The elephant roamed the city streets of Kashi. Many a scholars stood eagerly, thinking that the elephant should garland them. The elephant walked towards the entrance of the village. As the elephant was doing so, from the other side, the galaxy of saints were approaching the village of Kashi. As soon as the elephant saw the resplendent form of Lord Jnaneshwara it immediately went towards him and garlanded him. Most of the scholars took this to be the decision of Lord Shiva. Some jealous ones who did not know about the greatness of Jnanadeva, protested. They said "How can we honor a boy, when there are so many scholars here? The elephant could have made a mistake! Honoring a mere boy would mean insulting all the erudite scholars of Kashi!"

Then Santha Namadeva intervened. He asked them "I humbly bow before all you scholars. Verily by Pandurangas grace have we had this opportunity of meeting you. Pray tell me, how are we to decide then, if Jnanadeva, who is no doubt an incarnation of the Lord needs to be honored or not? What will convince you?"

The scholars discussed amongst themselves and one of them proposed "Let this boy, whom you call an incarnation, offer food to Lord Vishweshwara (Lord of the universe, Lord Shiva). If he accepts, then we will take it that it is his will that this boy is to be honored. Else, we will think of some other means of finding the right person who deserves this highest honor."

Namadeva agreed. Lord Jnanadeva took the food, and offered it to the Jyotirlinga of Lord Vishwanatha. The Jyotirlinga became bright as soon as Lord Jnanadeva entered the temple. Lord Jnanadeva placed the food before Lord Shiva, and with folded hands prostrated and said "Oh Lord! Please accept this humble offering of mine! I have come here to seek your refuge. Please do not turn me away". No sooner had Lord Jnanadeva said this, the food on the plate disappeared and there was not a grain left in the plate.

The scholars were all dumb struck. They immediately forgot all about their ambitions and their learning, and realized that Lord Jnanadeva was indeed divine. They humbly fell at the feet of Jnanadeva. He was honored by the erudite scholars of Kashi, and he was even made to travel on the temple elephant and roam the streets of Kashi like a king. The people of Kashi hearing of this great leela (divine play) of Lord Jnanadeva come to the streets and prostrated before Lord Jnanadeva and the galaxy of saints. Fortunate were they to witness this. Blessed were the people to have seen this and blessed are those who hear of this. Panduranga will remove all their calamities.

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

Shree Satchcitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Shree Gurudeva Datta!

2010-03-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Om Jai Sainath! By the grace of the Sadguru who is lord Dattatreya incarnate I learnt a beautiful stotra praising Lord Dattatreya from my father today. I felt like sharing it with one and all, and am therefore posting it by the grace of Baba.

Jatadaram Pandurangam Shoolahastham Kripanidhim|

Sarvaroga Haram Devam Dattatreyam Aham Bhaje||

Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Aundha Naganatha

2010-03-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! Often it is hard for us to accept life as it is. We are frustrated and resist things. At such times one must not lose patience and faith. Hence Sadguru Sainath has given his mantra "Shraddha" (Faith) and Saburi (Patience). One must have faith in the Sadguru. Sadguru is like a mother and knows what is best for us. So if we are not getting what we want now, we would get something far better in a while. Patience is an important virtue along with faith. The two are interconnected. When we lose faith, we tend to become impatient. When we lose patience our faith wavers. Thus we must offer as daxina (offering to God) these two coins, namely Shraddha and Saburi and also offer our ego as the third coin. The third is the hardest to give up, but the best results are obtained when this is done. Since the Sadguru is like our father, mother, friend all in all, he knows what is best for us. Hence we must submit our 5 senses and all our actions and speech at his lotus feet. I am a dullard, and do not know much about these. I therefore submit my ego at the holy feet of Sadgurunath and beseech him to help me sing his glory.

In the previous post, I described how Santha Namadeva by his bhakthi (devotion) and by Lord Vitthala's grace brought back a dead cow to life. This miracle transformed the wicked and intolerant Sultan of North India, who had a very bigotry and narrow view of religion. Fortunate was the Sultan, for he was rid of all his sins the moment he fell at the feet of the Saints. The moment he realized their worth he became transformed. Like the Paras stone (Philosopher's stone) the saints transformed any ordinary metal like iron, however rusted it was into pure gold. The sultan treated the saints with respect and gave them many a gifts. He pledged to do his all to help them in their piligrimage. The saints now again traveled southwards and after meeting several saints like Kabir, Rohidas, and Ghahninath, Gorakshanath they reached Aundha Naganatha one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (Linga of light) of Lord Shiva. This is one of the most powerful places of worship of Devadideva (God of Gods) Lord Shiva. The Jyotirlangas are places where one can feel the presence of the God of Gods.

When the saints went there, they found Visoba Kechara, the old devotee of Lord Shiva whose guru was Lord Jnanadeva and who was the guru of Santha Namadeva.

After exchanging salutations, Namadeva felt ecstatic to be in the presence of Girija Shankar (Lord Shiva). So happy was he, that he started singing beautiful bhajans (devotional songs) in praise of Lord Shiva. Fortunate were the devotees who came to visit Lord Shiva on that day. They got to see some of the Lord's manifestations namely Avataras, Sadgurus and Saints there. The songs of Namadeva were like nectar to the ears. They assembled near the galaxy of Saints and were in a trance listening to the beautiful bhajans of Namadeva. Some of them started dancing with glee. Such was the beautiful bhajans of Namadeva. It was shocking still that, in such an environment of pure love and devotion, jealousy found it's way.

The priests of Shoolapani (Lord Shiva) at the temple became jealous that none of the people were listening to the mantras that they chanted but were attracted to the bhajans of Namadeva. When they could stand it no more, they came to Namadeva and accosted him thus. "Namadeva! Let us have none of your drama here! Your bhajans are distracting us from our prayer to Lord Shiva. Besides you are a devotee of Panduranga! Why come here and sing praises of GirijaPati (The consort of Parvati). You should stay at Pandharpur and sing praises of Panduranga. You are a Vaishnava (Devotee of Lord Vishnu). What are you doing here at a temple of Lord Shiva?"

Namadeva was deeply hurt. Lord Jnanadeva said "Oh revered priests! Do you not know that there is only one god, who is Parabrahma. He is worshipped by some as Shiva and some as Vishnu. Do not our scriptures say "Shivaaya Vishnu roopaaya Shiva roopaaya Vishnave, Shivasya hrudayam Vishnuhu, Vishnusya hrudayam Shivaha" (Shiva is Vishnu and Vishnu is Shiva, In Shiva's heart lies Vishnu and in Vishnu's heart lies Shiva). Why then this bickering of being a Vaishnava or being a Shiva bhaktha (Devotee). This has no meaning!". However the priests were deaf to this advice as they were seething with jealousy. They said " We must perform our prayers and please our Girijapati. We must please him by chanting the Rudra and Chamaka. Only by this will he be pleased. Not by your lame bhajans. If you still wish to sing, you may go to the back of the temple and sing your songs."

Namadeva was deeply hurt by this attitude of the priests. He went along with the other saints and devotees to the back of the temple and sang soulfully "Oh Girijapati! Is this right? Oh Panduranga! Do you not wish to hear my voice. I only wish to sing to you. I only wish that my prayer reach you. Please do not turn me away! I have come seeking refuge in you".

No sooner had Namadeva said this, the entire temple rumbled shook at it's foundations and started rotating. The priests inside were immersed in their prayer and did not realize what was happening. The temple rotated so the entrance of the temple should face Santha Namadeva and the Galaxy of Saints. Lord Shiva had given his verdict. He loved his devotees who offered songs sung in pure devotion and love. Namadeva was exceedingly pleased. Once the priests finished their prayer, they were stunned to see no Nandi (The bull Gana or servant of Lord Shiva) at the entrance and the outside looking very much like the back of the temple. Then they realized that the temple had rotated so that Namadeva and the saints could glance at the Jyotirlinga. This also proved that Lord Shiva loved his devotees who offered things to him out of pure love and that Lord Shiva himself is Panduranga and Panduranga is lord Shiva. The priests immediately realized their folly and went and fell at the feet of the saints and apologized.

Even to this day, the Nandi is at the back of temple unlike all the other Shiva temples where Nandi will be at the entrance. It is customary for devotees to prostrate first before the devotee (Nandi) and then prostrate before Lord Shiva (God). But this temple is a standing testimonial of the miracle that occurred before the galaxy of saints. A lifetime is not enough to sing their glory. Their deeds are sweeter than nectar. I am only a dullard. It is their grace that makes me type these words. I prostrate before them and submit my ego before them.

Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Santh Jnaneshwar : The piligrimage with Santh Namdev

2010-02-28T00:34:00.000-08:00

Om Shree Sainathaya Namaha! Who can describe the grandeur and glory of the Sadguru? It is easier to cover the entire sky with a cloth cover or measure the depth of the seven seas. In that case, how can a dullard like me sing the glory of the Sadguru? What is the way for me? However realizing that the Sadguru alone is the doer and he alone can help me sing his glory. Therefore I place my ego before his lotus feet and beseech him to help me sing his glory.

The galaxy of saints continued on with their piligrimage from Mewar. Nivritthinath,Jnaneshwar,Sopan,Muktabai, Namadeva and other manifestations of infinite brahman were moving to Northern India which was under harsh foreign rule and was an extremely hostile territory. However the saints continued on, singing the glory of Lord Vitthala and Mother Rukmini. When they reached Ayodhya, the wicked Muslim king heard of a large retinue coming to his kingdom and suspected it to be the enemies from the south. He sent his soldiers to investigate. The soldiers returned to him and told him that the people were Kafirs (Unbelievers of Islam) and were regarded by other Kafirs living in the kingdom as saints.

The cruel king immediately said "Saints, eh? How can they be saints, when they do not worship Allah? I will make mincemeat of these so called saints!". One of the wise court ministers however said "My lord, these saints are the same as our Sufi saints like Kwaja Mohinuddin and Nizamuddin Aulia. I have heard of these saints, and they indeed worship the same divinity as we do, but with a different name. Let us not displease Allah, by being harsh to his favorite children."

However the other religious bigots did not see the truth in this statement. They were blinded by fanatism. They urged the Sultan to continue with his course of action. The sultan however told all "I shall test the kafirs before executing them. I must find out for real if they are really Aulias". So saying the sultan had all the saints bought to the court. There he saw the pleasant and god intoxicated face of Namadeva first. He immediately became angry as fire and shouted at Namadeva "You kafir! You claim to be a saint! People worship you as though you are the almighty! Your religion and your singing is all false and will lead you to hell. Islam is the only true way of life. I tell you what? Do you see the butchered cow outside the palace? Bring it back to life by your powers. Then I will admit that you are an aulia. Else I will have an elephant run over you! If you cannot do this, and I know you cannot, then you must accept Islam. If you do so your life will be spared. So to spare your life, you must either bring the cow back to life or must accept Islam."

A few devotees who had accompanied the saints nudged Namadeva to get converted as it was hopeless to disobey the Sultan who was a devil incarnate. Namadeva said "I am not afraid of death! Nor can I not think of stopping my worship of Vitthala. His name and form are endeared in my mind. Allah is none other than Vitthala himself. However should I give in, people will follow my example and also get converted. One must worship god as he likes and wishes. Just as each parent treats his child with love and care, but the way it is shown may differ from parent to parent, in the same way each devotee worships god as he likes."

So saying Namadeva went near the dead cow and prayed earnestly to Lord Vitthala "Hey Vitoba! Hey Panduranga! You are my mother and father. I have sought refuge in you. If you do not save me now, who will? And what will happen to your reputation as a bhaktha vatshala (Protector of devotees) . Please oh deva! You are like a mother to me. Do what you think is right"

No sooner had Namadeva said this, the poor cow, that had been slain by the wicked Sultan came back to life. She bowed once before Namadeva and all the assembled saints and then went her way to her home. The Sultan and all the muslims were stunned. The Sultan came and hugged Namadeva and said "Please forgive me, oh Aulias. You truly are dear friends of Allah. How else could you perform this Karamat (Miracle) before our eyes. I release you and will give you plenty of gifts. Please do forgive me for treating you so unjustly."

Then Lord Jnanadeva responded "Oh king! Do not forget this. God is both formless and with form. He is everywhere and in every being. Never harm anyone or force anyone to follow your faith. It is upto the people to worship god as they believe. Your way of worship is only one of the ways. Please refrain from torturing people like this, just because they do not belong to your religion. They are all children of the same god. Please understand this."

The king bowed low before them all and pledged never to indulge in forceful conversions or killing of cows.

Thus did Santha Namadeva, by his bhakthi (devotion) bring back the life of a poor cow. And thus did Lord Vitthala, the aapathbandhava (The one who protects during difficulties) protected the lives of his manifestations from the wicked Sultan.

Pundalika Varadha! Hari Vitthala! Shree Jnandev! Shree Namdev! Shree Tukaram! Pandarinath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Kai!

Avadhuta chintana Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All!

Megha

2010-02-13T03:24:00.001-08:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! Blessed is he who has the devotion towards a Sadguru. Sadguru alone is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. He who knows this, his happiness is guarenteed. Different people have different ishta daivata (Favorite god). It may be Shambo Shankara (Lord Shiva), Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Jesus Christ or Allah. Once they reach the feet of the guru, the Guru becomes that god to them. They realize that this universe is verily nothing but their Ishta daivata. And this ishta daivata is none other than their Sadguru.I am a mere dullard and it is hard for me to explain these concepts, let alone understand them. I therefore submit my ego at the lotus feet of the sadguru and beseech him to help me sing his glory!

Megha was a stuach devotee of Lord Shiva. By his merits in various lives and his service to Lord Shiva, he came to Shirdi. Once he had the darshan (Vision) of Sainath he realized that Sai and Lord Shiva are one and the same. Sai became his Shiva. Everyday Megha would walk a long distance to fetch 'bel' leaves to worship the local dieties and Shree Sadguru Sainath.

On one Makara Shankranthi day, Megha felt like doing Abhishekam of his Shiva (Sai Baba) with the Ganga (Water from river Godavari). He pleaded Baba to agree with his idea. Baba initially refused saying "Why do I need a bath from the waters of Ganga? I am a poor fakir. Please let me be". However Mega said "Deva, we know that you are Lord Shiva incarnate, and like him you are a renunciate of the highest order. But still how can Girijapati (The consort of Girija) go without a bath from the Ganga on Makara Shankrarnthi. I beseech you deva, who are like a Kalpataru (Wish fulfilling tree) to your devotees to let me do your worship on this auspicious day". Baba heart melted at the devotion of Megha and he agreed.

Megha walked the enormous distance of several Kilo Meters before reaching the banks of the Godavari and returned with her waters. Blessed is Mother Godavari, for her waters have witnessed many a saints,sadgurus or divine incarnations. Jnaneshwar, Nivritthinath,Sopan,Muktabai,Bhanudas,Eknath,Tukaram,Namdev,Sawta Mali, Ghora Kumbhar, Narahari Sonar, Samartha Ramdas, Shreepadha Shreevallabha, Shree Narasimha Saraswathi, Damoji Pant, Shree Akkalkot Maharaj and finally our Sainath. Even repeating their names will wash away one's sins.

Thus did Megha fetch the holy waters of the Godavari and reached Shirdi by around noon time. He worshiped all the local deities and then came to his dear Lord God, Sainath. Sai Baba told him "Generally the head is the most important part of the body. Therefore pour a little water from the Godavari on my head and not on the rest of my body".

Megha became overjoyed and in his enthusiasm he lost control over himself and shouting "Har Har Gange" poured the water all over his Sadgurunath. Then he suddenly realized his folly and thought that Baba would be completely drenched. However he was in for a pleasant surprise. For sitting there resplendent in Dwarkamai (The mosque where Baba stayed), opposite to the dhuni (fire), was Baba. with only his head wet. The rest of his body was completely dry. There was not a speck of water. However all around Baba (in the nearby areas where he sat) the ground was completely wet. Megha was amazed by this leela of Sadgurunath. He realized his folly, and that his ego had got the better of him, and losing control he had gone against the wishes of his Guru. However, who can override Baba's dictum. Baba allowed Megha to lovingly worship him in the way he wanted and also miraculously ensured that whatever Baba wanted (i.e the water to be put only on the head), was achieved.

I humbly bow before Samartha Sadguru Sainath and his staunch devotee Megha. I beg the Sadguru to look kindly on me, and allow me to surrender my ego at his lotus feet, so I can always be in bliss at his feet and not be perturbed by Maya (The illusory powers of god)

Bow to Shri Sai! Peace be to all!

Shambo Shankara Hara Hara Mahadeva!

2010-02-13T01:02:00.000-08:00

When the universe was filled with fumes from the deadly poison Kola Hala

You saved the entire creation, by drinking the poison all alone

When demons like Ravana and Kumbakarna threatened life on earth

You saved earth by taking the incarnation of Lord Hanuman

When the heterodox faiths of the atheists and the agnostics threatened Sanathana Dharma

You took birth as the monk Adi Shankara and spread the true faith of advaiatha and wrought revival of our dharma

When the Yavanas came to Bharata varsha and threatened this country

You came as Shree Chidambara Dixit and provided succor to the people

When bigotry and caste overtook more importance than advaita

You brought forth your true teachings through the nine nathas

When the hindus and the yavanas were squabbling,

You came as Samartha sadguru Sainatha and taught all that "God is one"

I bow before Neelakantha (One with blue throat) and beseech him

to rid me of my 6 enemies and help me reach his realm.

Hara Hara Mahadeva! Shambo Shankara! Om Namaha Shivaya!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all

Om namaha Shivaya!

2010-02-08T01:09:00.000-08:00

Om Shree Sainathaya Namaha! Blessed is he, in whom the Sadguru has infused devotion towards the supreme. For this is what the Sadguru/god wants. Though god is beyond name and form he takes form for the sake of his devotees. Though god is unattached, he is attached to the devotion of his devotees and craves for the same. I am a mere dullard, who neither knows nor understands completely the concept of surrender and devotion to the Sadguru, much less write about it. I however surrender my ego to the Sadguru, and beseech him to guide me like a mother guides a child and help me sing his glory and the most beloved characteristic of a devotee, which is devotion! By the Sadguru's grace, I will describe the life of a a great Shaiva (Devotee of Lord Shiva) saint called Kannappa Nayanar. The story is so powerful, it can infuse devotion into a person with the heart of stone. I pray to Lord Shambu Shankara whose incarnation is the Sadguru, to help me sing his glory and that of one of his foremost devotees.

His parents called him and pleaded him to return to their home but in vain! The hunter refused to budge from the vicinity of the Shiva temple. He said "My Shiva will be all alone here. I refuse to leave him alone!". This Sakhyatva (Divine friendship) that he had towards Lord Shiva, the lord of the universe was so incredible that it was beyond all bonds of Maya (Illusory powers of god). Only yesterday had the hunter come to this spot, in search of boar for feeding himself. However he was mesmerised by the lone Shiva temple located in the midst of the Jungle. So infused was he with devotion to Lord Vishweshwara (Lord of the universe), that he refused to leave the spot. He told those who accompanied him "Just as the Ganges flowed from his jata (locks) and liberated the ancestors of King Sagara, Shiva has now freed me from all worries. My only worry is to leave him alone here. That I will not do!" Thus did Tinnan, the son of the Chief of the hunters refuse to leave the desolate Shiva temple. With tears of happiness in his eyes, he stayed rooted to the spot and kept staring at the Shiva Lingam (The symbol of Lord Shiva, the closest thing that comes to describing his formless state).

From the hunted boar meat, he tasted and chose the best meat for his beloved Lord. His companions who had come to hunt with him said "But before offering the food to the lord, you must offer flowers and do abhishekam (Washing) of the Lingam with water. Tinnan agreed. He chose the best meat, then chose the best flowers from a place in the forest. However he was worried that the flowers might get crushed if he held them in his hands. Therefore he put all the flowers on his matted hair. Now his hand was full of meat and his hair full of flowers. Where and with what was he to carry water? However the simple and childlike devotion of Tinnan did not know the word "no". He filled his mouth with water at a nearby stream, and headed towards the temple of Shoolapaani (Holder of the migthy spear). There Tinnan washed the Lingam by the water from his mouth. Then he worshipped Girijapati (Consort of Parvati or Girija) with flowers. He then offered the meat to his Lord.

As Tinnan went out to hunt more meat for his Lord who was his friend, father, mother, his all in all, the orthodox priest in charge of worshipping the temple came inside. He was shocked by the presence of the meat in the temple. He cried out loud "Hey Shambo Shankara! Which uncouth and uncultured fellow has committed this sacrilege? Why did not Chandrashekara (The Lord with the moon on his locks) smote this vile barbarian with his third eye?" The priest set about cleaning the temple, and in his orthodox way, started the worship. He started chanting the rudra and chamaka with full vigor. He missed not a step in his ritualistic worship. As he went away, Tinnan came back and saw that the temple and the Linga was bereft of the meat and the flowers. He cried soulfully "My lord! You have accepted my offering of meat and flowers. I am happy that you ate! Please accept some more meat that I got today." So saying he continued with the ritual of the previous day, that is washing the Shivalingam with the water "thrown" from his mouth, worship with the flowers and the offering of the meat.

This continued almost every day. As Tinnan went out to hunt, the priest would enter, curse the entity who is causing this problem (The priest now suspected it must be some jackal or some animal which was eating it's food in the temple). This continued on and on.

Meanwhile Aparna (Mother Parvathi) the mother of the universe, noticed all this and wanted the true devotee among the two to be blessed by her Lord. She therefore asked Lord Gangadhara (He whose locks are the birthplace of the Ganges) "My lord, everyday the hunter Tinnan and the priest both worship you in their own unique ways. One is more ritualistic and clean and the other is unclean and does not know the right way of worship. Who amongst them is truly your great devotee? Who amongst them deserves a place in Kailasa (The abode of Lord Shiva) .

The supreme god of gods replied, "Uma, you are all knowing and you know who is my true devotee. However to make people aware of what I crave for which is true devotion, I will test the two of them. This test will guide devotees as to the right mode of devotion. You shall now see who my true devotee is!"

One day, the priest came to the temple, and continued his routine of cleaning the place before sitting down to worship the lord. Suddenly he noticed 2 eyes protruding out of the Shiva Lingam. Then to his extreme shock blood started gushing out of one of the eyelids. The priest tried to wash the idol, with clean water from his clean vessal. But try what he might, the flow of blood was not to stop! Worried and frightened at this , he said "Oh dear Lord! What terrible omen! I better flee!". So saying the priest fled the place.

After some time Tinnan came as usual and when he saw the strange sight, his heart melted. With tears in his eyes, he addressed the Shivalinga and said "Oh Lord, how you bleed from your eyes! You must be in great pain, wait I will apply herbs and cure your wound!". So saying he went out and brought some herbs, crushed them and applied them to the bleeding eye of the Shivalinga. However the flow of blood would not stop. Undeterred, Tinnan came to a terrible conclusion. He thought, "If I offer my eye to my Shiva, his eye will be all right". So saying, with least hesitation he cut open his eye, and offered it to the Shiva Linga. The eye stopped bleeding. Though in great pain, Tinnan was ecstatic to see that his Lord was all right, if only momentarily. For now, the other eye of the Shiva linga started bleeding. No sooner did Tinnan see this, he decided to cut off his other eye, however he was in a dilemma. Were he to cut his other eye too, how was he to locate the bleeding eye of his Lord? However when a dear one is in trouble, the answer "no" is hardly an option. Will the cow ever worry about how much distance she has to travel to seek her hungry calf and feed her? Thus Tinnan, placed his feet above the bleeding eye of the Lingam and was about to pluck out his other eye, when there was a flash of light and Mahadeva (The great god) appeared in front of Tinnan. Tinnan was overwhelmed by what he could see, and soon realized that he was able to glance at his beloved Lord with both his eyes. Lord Shiva told Tinnan "Oh beloved devotee of mine! Tinnan blessed are you! Your love for me is infinite, like the calf's love for it's mother! Many are there who have prayed to me for eyesight! You are the only one, who has offered his eyes to me! I who am pleased by a mere offering of Bilva leaves, am satisfied and most pleased by your infinite devotion". Lord Shiva continued "Come Kannapa (Eye-saint). This is no place for you, for you verily belong in my abode of Kailasa" .

Thus did Tinnan come to be called Kannappa, and bodily left the mortal world and became one with the god of gods, parabrahma Lord Shiva. Kannappa is one of the Nayanars or Shaiva saints who graced South India and infused the people with devotion towards the supreme.

Om Namaha Shivaya!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

My father has the darshan of Swami Maharaj in his dream

2010-02-04T00:32:00.000-08:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! Om Shree Swami Samarh! One must have firm faith in his sadguru. By fully surrendering one's mind,body and actions to the Sadguru,one can sail smoothly in the ocean called samsara (life), which is full of tornadoes and hurricanes and reach the destination, viz union with brahman. As long as we have the "I" or ego, it is indeed hard for us to cross this ocean of Samsara. I therefore submit my ego to my Sadguru, and pray to his lotus feet, to help me sing his glory, which has no beginning and no end. All the scriptures of all the religions world over are not sufficient to describe his splendor and glory and fully describe him. I bow humbly to the lotus feet of Shree Gurudeva Dattatreya, and pray to him, who has looked after my like a mother to guide me. He alone is mother,father,friend, brother. He is all in all. He has infinite compassion and love for his devotees like a mother caring for her child (Bhaktha vatsalya). Oh Sadguru, please help me sing your glory,for nothing gives one greater happiness than the remembrance of your glories. By listening to them, one's sins are destroyed and all ailments are got rid of.

I wish to describe a leela which occurred today by the grace of Sadguru Sainath. I was asked by my good friend and stuanch devotee of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj, Shree Aniruddh Sonpatki to help him design a website for Shree Swami Samarth. I gladly agreed, as I thought, this was a golden opportunity provided by Swami Maharaj to help me serve him. I needed some help to jump start on this and there fore today I went to seek help from my friend Anuradha, who is devotion incarnate. Her devotion to Sadguru Sainath is amazing. Blessed am I to have such friends. As I set about the task here in the US, in India it was Thursday early morning.

Swami Maharaj decided to visit my father, who is also devoted fully to Sainath. I again re-iterate here that Shree Swami Samarth and Shree Sai Samarth are one and the same divinity embodied in two different bodies. Thursday early morning my father had this fabulous dream. There is a tailor near our house by the name of Swami. His brother is also a tailor. Both are well acquainted with my father. This Swami's son was married some months ago. Now in his dream, my father met Swami's brother and near them was a white wall. My father asked Swami's brother "Did you go to Swami's son's wedding?". To which Swami's brother replied "Which Swami? I know only one Swami, Shree Swami Samarth!". My father was quite surprised, and the moment he turned around he saw on the wall, none other than Swami Maharaj casting his merciful glance on my father. Now, neither me nor my father have seen an image of Swami Maharaj sitting on a wall. But in his dream, my father had the oppertunity of observing Swami Maharaj seated on a wall. My father was blessed and felt ecstatic. After getting ready, he went to the Sai Baba temple and prayed to Sadguru Sainath, and thanked him for visitng him in the dream and giving him darshan. When I came online, and told my father that I was working on the website design, my father was surprised yet again, and shared with me this leela of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj. I was pleased and I could not utter anything for a while. I kept telling my father "What beautiful words are these "Which swami? I do not know any swami! I know only Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj". I felt blessed by this, and cast aside all my doubts and worries momentarily and surrendered completely to Swami Maharaj. Blessed am I, to have heard of this leela of Swami Maharaj. I thank Swami maharaj from the bottom of my heart for providing my father with the darshan and making us all happy.

|| Jai Swami Maharaj ||

||Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Rajadhiraja Yogiraja Siddharaja Akkalkot Niwasi Shree Swami Samartha Maharaj Ki Jai||

||Anantha Koti Brahmanda Nayaka Rajadhiraja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai ||

|| Jai Sainath ||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Shree Swami Samartha Jai Jai Swami Samartha!

2010-01-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! It is extremely hard to describe the glory of Sadgurunath (Sainath) Lord Dattatreya. He is an enigma even to the vedas. He alone is real and all else a product of Maya. He is the true nature and antaryamin (The inner dweller) of all beings. For the sake of his devotees, says the holy Gurucharitra, he manifests in human form. He the unbounded, is only bound by devotion. I am a mere dullard, and it is hard for me to see the begining or ending of Lord Dattatreya's leelas. I therefore bow before the Sadguru, and place my ego at his holy feet. He alone is the doer. I am merely an instrument. I therefore cling to his lotus feet and beg the Sadguru to help me sing his glory.

Lord Dattatreya manifested in human form several times. To Santha Eknath Maharaj he appeared as a Yavana (Muslim) fakir, with roasary beads in his hands and contemplating on the formless self and the universe emanating from it. To Santha Eknath Maharaj's guru, Shree Janardhana Swami, he appeared as Lord Narasimha Saraswathi. For the benefit of the people he appeared as Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj in erstwhile Mangalveda, Pandharpur and finally in Akkalkot where he took Mahasamadhi in the 19th century. Before taking Mahasamadhi, he adviced one devotee that he will be henceforth in Shirdi and the devotee should take his darshan there. Hence Shree Swami Samarth and Shree Sai Samarth are one and the same. Even Shri Sadguru Sainath told one devotee "The incumbent maharaj of Akkalkot is here in Shirdi". I will now by the grace of the Sadguru, sing of the glory of Akkalkot Maharaj Shree Swami Samarth.

Of the manifold forms in which Lord Dattatreya appears to his devotees on earth, Shree Swami Samarth maharaj is one. His enigmatic presence is felt by his devotees all over the world, and his devotees are instantly rid of the fear of samsara (life), when the remember his words "Bihu na kos! Me thujha patishi aahe" ("Fear not, I am right behind you"). Swami Maharaj being the indweller of all beings, his mercy extended to everyone and everything.

On one summer day, one of the elephants in the royal stables of the King of Akkhalkot, Maloji Rao, became mad with rage. It started destroying everything in it's way and ran outside into the streets of Akkalkot. The people were worried. Like an approaching hurricane, the elephant wild with rage was running. The poor creature was under the influence of what is called balan (Something which all male elephants experince), and during such periods they are extremely angry and volatile.

The courtiers and the king, when they got to know of the incident, decided to put the animal to sleep, viz kill it, as it could harm lot of people and hence the king asked a British gentleman who was a skilled hunter to go and kill the animal.

Near the Banyan tree, devotees were assembled and looking at the resplendant form of Shree Swami Samarth. When suddenly, Swami Samarth seemed to become wild and agitated. He immediately left the place and started walking at a breath taking pace. None of his devotees could keep up with his speed.

As Swami Maharaj walked down the streets of Akkalkot in his majestic and resplendant way, he came face to face with the out of control elephant. The devotees were afraid of what was going to happen. However Pirsaheb (In arabic Pir=Saint, Saheb=sir), formerly a raisildar of Akkalkot and now a stauch devotee told the others "Crazy are you people to fear for Swami Maharj. He is verily Parvardigar (God). What is there to fear for him? See what he does now!". Shree Swami Maharaj raised his hand high, as if bestowing his blessing on the wrathful beast. The ajanabaahu (Long armed one), stood shining in the street. The elephant which was burning with rage like fire, stood still and suddenly became it's former gentle self. In front of all the devotees, the elephant saluted Swami Maharaj with his trunk and started to walk back to his place in the stables quite peacefully. The British hunter and his retinue of helpers, stood quite transfixed with their mouths agape. The British hunter had never bowed before anyone. But now, he went and fell at the feet of Swami Maharaj and kissed his holy feet. Swami Maharaj blessed them all and said "God alone is real. Datta lives everywhere. Even in the elephant. Do not take another's life in vain. respect all beings and treat them all alike. The elephant is my child too, and should not be harmed."

Thus all the devotees felt blessed after witnessing this leela, and singing Swami Maharaj's leelas they fell at his feet. There is no begining or end to Swami Maharaj's mercy. It extends to all creatures and everyone. I bow before the lotus feet of Shree Swami Samarth maharaj.

||Anantha Koti Brahmaanda Naayaka Raajadhiraja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Akkalakota Nivasi Shree Sadguru Swami Samarth Maharaj Ki Jai ||

||Anantha Koti Brahmaanda Naayaka Raajadhiraja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shree Satchitaananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Kai ||

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Shivaji meets Sadguru Samartha Ramdas

2009-12-02T05:05:00.000-08:00

Oh all pervading Panduranga, oh Sadguru, kindly show your merciful glance towards me, and let me glimpse thy true nature which is of pure bliss. In describing you the Vedas have said "Neti Neti" (Not this not this). The thousand tongued Adi Shesha finds it hard to describe your glory. What is the way for a dullard like me. I have come to your door, and I lay down my ego at your lotus feet oh Sadguru. Please help me sing your glory. I am merely an instrument in your hands. The Sun shines and the wind blows by your will alone. Kindly hold the hands of your child and help me sing your glory.

I now go on to narrate by the grace of the Sadguru, the greatness of the Sadguru ( A realized guru). How one of the foremost warriors of the world Shree Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj fell into a state of worry and doubt and how, by the grace of Sadguru Samartha Ramdas who is Maruti (Hanuman) incarnate was guided to follow his Dharma (duty).

The air was charged with devotion. "Tuka says, let my tongue ever sing your glory", so saying, Santha Tukarama sang the glory of Vitthala. The audience were spell bound. Lust got frightened and fled from the place. Her sister Greed, felt scorched and followed her soon. Their brother in law worry and his wife fear were themselves enveloped with fear of their sustenance and they also followed suit. Such was the kirtan (discourse) of Tukaram Maharaj.

Among the audience, there were luminaries, who Bhaaratha maata (mother India) was blest to have as her children. For there seated infused with the devotion to Panduranga were Chatrapathi Shivaji - the warrior emperor of the Marathas, Jeeva Mahal and Suryaraj his trusted bodygaurds.

Shivaji Maharaj, who himself was the blessed son of mother Bhavani, was so overcome with dispassion, that after the discourse, he threw aside his sword, with it's scabbord, his tigerclaw and his shield, and removing his turban, fell at the feet of Tukaram maharaj and entreated thus to him "Sadguru Tukaram Maharaj ki Jai! Verily, you are Panduranga (Vitthala or Lord Krishna) and none else. Through you, I could catch a glimpse of the infinite glory of Panduranga. Of what use is this worldly life? It is but like, the dream of a daydreamer. Where does this lead one? I have now realized that I am living but a dream. Of what use is it to fight the enemies hiding in stone forts? What of the enemies who are within us? You drove them away today during your discourse. I wish to be rid of them forever. Therefore, enough of this fighting. Enough of this war. I shall become a Haridaasa and with the name of Vitthala on my lips, shall serve you, Vitthala's foremost devotee."

When Suryaraj and Jivamahal heard this, they were alarmed! How are the lion cubs to fend for themselves, without the lion and lioness in the pride? The other predetors would quickly devour them. With quivering hearts, they pleaded Shivaji maharaj to see reason. Jeeva Mahal said "But my lord, what of the people? What of those who are struggling under the yolk of foreign rule? What of young Sambaji? What of your wife Sayyibai?". Suryaraj added "My lord, the moment the enemies know that you have renounced the world, they would charge upon our lands like a hungry pride of lions attacking a helpless crippled deer. Please think twice before you reach this decision"

But Shivaji was unmoved by their requests. He said "When warriors like Bhaji Prabhu, Tanaji should be around, why do you worry unnecessarily? The enemies quiver even hearing their name. Tanaji is like a lion. One roar from him sends the enemies flying. Let him, become the king of the Marathas and continue this struggle. I have, made up my mind."

So saying, Shivaji Maharaj rested his head yet again at the lotus feet of Tukaram Maharaj. Tukaram Maharaj, the ever gentle and all knowing one, watched all this with a smile. Now that all eyes were upon him, he spoke gently to Shivaji thus "Shivaba, what is this you are talking about? So many people come to listen to Vitthala's glory but do they all renounce their duties? What of Pundalika? Even when Panduranga (God) came to him, he continued doing his duty, viz serving his parents and threw a brick for Vithala to stand on, lest his robes get dirty. Thus by doing his duty did Pundalika reach Panduranga. Why then do you talk of renouncing your duties Shivaba?"

Shivaji Maharaj replied, "After tasting nectar, would one still be inclined to like sugar candy? Similarly after glimpsing the glory of Panduranga through you, I have become attached to your lotus feet. Please allow me to be your disciple and serve you."

To which the all knowing divine Sadguru Tukaram replied "Panduranga! Panduranga! Why do I even struggle to explain. It is not for me to do this. Sivaba, if you belive me, then hear me out patiently. I am not ordained to be your Guru. Your Guru, is the incarnation of Maruthi (Hanuman) and is the very embodiment of devotion. Verily through him, you will reach Rama (Panduranga). Hence, before you take any hasty decision, I request you to go meet your guru, Shree Samartha Ramdas at Sajjangad. To you he alone is brahma, vishnu and Maheshwara. He is beyond everything and he is beginingless and endless, for he alone is Parabrahman. Go therefore, oh righteous one. Go meet him. Go seek refuge in his holy feet. He alone is Panduranga. He will verily bless you. He is the Goswami (The swami who protects cows), who lives in Sajjangad.

Hearing this, Jeeva Mahal and Suryaraj breathed a sigh of relief, if only for a moment. They now set off, with their beloved Shivaji Maharaj to Sajjangad to meet the incarnation of Maruthi, the great Rama Bhaktha (Devotee), Shree Sadguru Samartha Ramdas.

After travelling many days, eagerly seeking the darshan (vision) of the Guru, like a thirsty person travelling in a desert or like a hungry person looking for his next meal, Shivaji maharaj travelled with his retinue, with ever increasing restlessness in his mind.

However as they neared the desolate landscape of Sajjangad, a kind of calm seemed to envelop them. As they neared the temple of Lord Ram, inside they saw a Samartha sitting and reading the Ramayana. His handsome face shone with the brilliance of a thousand suns. No sooner did he see them approach, as though he was waiting for them, he came out and proclaimed "Welcome my children, I was waiting for you."

One look at the Samartha, and Shivaji had lost all his restlessness. His mind became very still. He had forgotten about hunger, thirst or fatigue. His hands were aching to touch the lotus feet of the Samartha. He got off his horse, and fell on the lotus feet and cried tears of joy and ecstasy at having come so close to divinity.

He then entreated the Sadguru thus "Oh lord! Tukaram maharaj was right. You alone are god. There is no doubt in this. My store of good merits from past life have brought me to your feet. You know what doubts have assailed my mind. You know how they have besieged my mind. Only by your kindness and mercy can I be saved. You alone are mother, father, brother and friend. You are everything to me. One look at you and all my troubles seem to have fled far far away. Please accept me as your humble disciple and guide me as to where I should go, for there are many roads before me, and I do not know which one to traverse, for I have lost my way."

The ever compassionate Samartha Sadguru looked kindly at Shivaji Maharaj and addressed him thus "Oh Shivaba, I know what doubts assail you. What you saw at the Keethan was indeed the infinite glory and splendor of Lord Rama, sung by Tukaram maharaj, his great devotee. It is indeed this essence of truth and splendor that we are all striving to reach."

"There are many paths to this destination. Just like all paths up a mountain ultimately lead to the peak of the mountain, all paths lead to the same truth, the same essence of the universe."

"As Lord Rama, in his Krishna avatara (Incarnation) has said, there is Jnana Yoga (The path of Knowledge), Bhakthi yoga (Devotion), Karma yoga (Path of work) and Raja Yoga (Royal path to union, based on meditation)."

"Each of these paths is as good as the other. But depending on one's inherent tendencies, which are a result of one's past actions in this life and preceding lives, one gets attuned to follow a particular path. There is no path that is better than the other. One cannot argue that his path is better than another's path."

"According to your tendencies in this life and in previous lives, you were born a warrior. It is this tendency, oh rajan (King), that made you take the oath of Swarajya (a free land) when you were a mere stripling of a boy. It is this tendency that made you capture Torna fort when you were a mere teenager. Just as one standing on a cliff, sees nectar on another cliff, which is separated from the cliff he is standing on by a deep ravine, jumps towards the nectar trying to snatch it and ends up falling in the ravine, you are trying to jump from your chosen path of Karma (duty) to the path of bhakthi (devotion)."

Shivaji Maharaj, who was listening attentively until now, spoke to the Sadguru thus, "But oh Lord, why can't I become a Haridaasa (Devotee of the Lord) and chant the name of the lord all the time? What is wrong with me, or what is wrong in choosing that path?"

The Samaratha spoke thus "Oh Shivaba, you are now enamoured by the way of a haridaasa. Let us assume that you do become one. It is of utmost importance that heart and mind should be one hundred percent directed towards the worship of God. However should you hear that a temple is destroyed by the Yavanas (The uncultured ones). Should you hear of innocent people killed because of not getting converted. Should you hear of women being abducted and their honour put to stake. Would you still be calm. Would you still be able to see Panduranga? If those innocent and hapless women and the orphaned children of the Mugal tyranny start thinking "If only Shivaji maharaj had not renounced the world. Why did he do such a ghastly deed?", when you hear their cries and anguish, would you still be calm and do you think you will be able to sing the glories of the lord in peace?"

Shivaji Maharaj answered "No guru Maharaj. I now realize that I cannot. But is there no way for me to glimpse the infinite glories of Lord Rama, which you have experienced? I know that I can by your grace. Kindly help me in this pursuit as well."

The Samartha replied "Oh Shivaba, I see Lord Rama as clearly as I see you. There are various ways to reach him. I reached him by thinking of him and only him. All my actions were dedicated to him. I thought of him alone as the doer, and I merely as an instrument. When I gave up this false ego, I was able to see him and experience him. There was everlasting bliss. Having achieved his feet, what was there for me to do. Yet the Lord instructed me to spread his glory. As I was doing so, I saw the miserable conditions of the people of Sanathana Dharma. They groan under this foreign oppression. Hence I set about constructing temples of my Lord Shree Rama."

"See Mahavira (Lord Hanuman). How much was his surrender to the Lord. He did anything and everything for the sake of Lord Rama. He fearlessly flew to Lanka taking Shree Rama's name. He single-handedly combated the demons at Ashoka Vatika. He neither had fear nor cared for his life. All that mattered was service to Lord Rama. That was his duty."

"Likewise of Shivaba, do everything as a service to the Lord. Offer the results to Rama. You do your work. A grihastha (householder), who does his work with devotion and offers the fruits to the lotus feet of Lord Rama is as great, if not greater than a sanyasin (One who has renounced the world)."

"I accept you as my disciple. If you follow me as your guru, here is my advice to you. Let all your worries, doubts and burdens be with me. Leave them to me, and thinking of me, do your dharma (duty) with sincerety and submit the fruits to Lord Rama. Then you shall reach the very same place, which Shree Tukaram Maharaj and I have reached. Do not have any doubts anymore. I will take you to the abode of Rama."

Thus dispelled of all fears and doubts, Shivaji Maharaj fell at the Lotus feet of the samartha Sadguru and declared "Oh Sadguru maharaj. Your words are the vedas for me. Now my mind is clear. I shall continue performing my duties, and offer the results at your lotus feet oh Maruti avatar. I am now fearless as I know that you shall guide me, and now no fear or doubt can assail me, since I am protected by your feet (Grace)".

The Samartha Sadguru was pleased, and placing his Abhaya Hastha (Right hand) on the head of Shivaji Maharaj, he declared "Go now Shivaba. Go to your favorite temple at Tuljapur. Go to mother Bhavani. Pray to her earnestly for three days, and she will help you in the successful accomplishment of your duty."

Thus, cleared of all doubts and fears, Shivaba now looked like a tiger roused from his nap. With firm faith in the Sadguru's words, Shivaji Maharaj went to Tuljapur and prayed earnestly to Mother Bhavani for three days. At the end of three days, as the Guru had prophesised, Mother Bhavani (God in the form of Universal mother) appeared before Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj cried with tears of joy "Jai Bhavani! Jai Raghuveer Samartha! (It means victory to the foremost devotee of Rama ,Who was of the family of Raghu, symbolizing Hanuman or Samartha Ramdas). Blessed am I oh mother to behold you. Let my tears wash your lotus feet. You and you alone can help me, achieve my life's aim."

Mother Bhavani replied "Oh Child, it is to help you achieve your life's aim, that I sent you to Samartha Ramdas. cling to his feet at all times. Do your duty and rid this earth of all evil people who reside in this holy land. Tough times are ahead for the good people of this land owing to the age of Kali. You can do your Dharma (duty). To help you in your work, I shall give you my powerful Parashu (Axe) or Khadga. This will make you invincible. Use this for good, for the protection of good and the helpless. Do not follow the yavanas and kill innocent people. My blessings are always with you"

Thus having recieved the boon from Mother Bhavani and Sadguru Samartha Ramdas, Shivaji Maharaj was elated. He returned to his duties, and as the future unfolded he became the emperor of the Maratha empire, which at it's peak overthrew Muslim rule from even Delhi and the Bahamanis from Karnataka.

Shivaji Maharaja served his Sadguru till the end, and reached the goal of eternal bliss by the grace of Sadguru Samarth Ramdas.

May this wonderful sport of Lord Hanuman, in the form of Samartha Ramdas, always remind us to do our duty. To protect our dharma. May this guide us to that one essence, the one spirit of all beings out of whom this universe has manifested. This essence is none other than the Sadguru. A Sadguru can guide us through the thick forest of Samsara (life), which is teeming with tigers, lions and cheetas in the form of lust, greed, anger, and take us to the eternal goal.

My humble prostrations to Sadguru Samartha Ramdas, and his devotee Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj.

And my prostrations to my Sadguru Sainath (Shirdi Sai Baba), who is saguna brahma (God with form). It is only by his grace that I am able to sing his glory.

Jai Raghuveer Samartha!

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!

Shree Gurudeva Datta!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all.

Worshipping the Sadguru

2009-11-16T23:08:00.000-08:00

Om Shri Sai Nathaya Namaha! Many question the reason behind worshipping a Sadguru. Several people see this as blasphemy. Several other people think that it is arrogance on behalf of a guru to proclaim that "I will ease your burden. I will remove your sorrow". It is natural that such a question should arise. And their arguments are valid in case the guru in question is himself a seeker. But such Gurus do not qualify to become Sadguru. A Sadguru is one, who has realized the truth. He has realized that he is the truth. He is one who is capable of making his devotees to realize their inherent divinity. Only such a one is a Sadguru. Let us take the example of Samartha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj. Sai Baba lived the life of a fakir and claimed that he was a humble devotee of god, and had the words, "Allah Malik" (God is the sole owner) on his lips. However, when his most intimate devotees came to him for solace and guidance, he revealed his vast and unfathomable powers and revealed that he is god, and god is he and god alone is real, and all else is unreal. He said "By chanting the name of Hari I have become one with him". He also said "When you see with your inner eye, you realize that you are god, and none else". He also appeared to people as Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, Lord Dattatreya, Akkalkot Swamiji and Guru Gholap Swami. Thus proving that all are one. Santha (Saint) and Anantha (God) are one. All saints, all forms merge into the one, the only Sai.

Some people, belonging to religions other than Sanathana Dharma claim, it is against their scriptures or their religion to worship a person. Let us verify if this claim is valid. In Christianity, Jesus Christ has said "Within your heart, lies the Kingdom of heaven" (Proclaiming the inherent divinity in every person). In Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, an outstanding example is the Sufi Saint from Bhagdad called Mansur Al Hallaj. He was an austere Sufi, who had as a Dervesh (Seeker), given up his cravings of the senses and when he danced the sema (A sufi dance, which is done, when one is in the blissful presence of divinity) and did the dhikr (Chanting the name of Allah and praising the prophet Muhammed (Pbuh), he used to reach a trance like state where his ego was absent, the ego being the false identification with the mind and the body. What remained was pure divinity and in such a state, he had once declared An-Al-Haq (I am the truth). However, the narrow minded religious bigots of the time, who did not like Hallaj's popularity saw a loophole in this statement. They said "Al-Haq" is one of the 99 names of Allah. Hence they claimed Mansur Al-Hallaj had committed a great sacrilege. For this he was under close observation of the Caliph of Bhagdad. However, having reached the final stage of self realization, being unperturbed and unafraid of worldly things, Mansur Al-Hallaj went into a trance like state again and declared, "There is nothing else within these robes, save god". For the bigots, this was the last straw. They held a long trial, and when they saw that Al-Hallaj would not change his opinion, they tortured and crucified him.

Almost three centuries later, the famous sufi saint Jalaluddin Rumi spoke thus on the claim "I am god" of Mansur Al-Hallaj. He said it bespeaks of humility to say "I am god" than "I am a slave of god". This is because the one who claims "I am a slave of god" affirms to two existences, his own and that of god's. But the one who makes the statement that "I am god" says I am naught but only god is! In reality he really affirms the existence of god and god alone, and the non-existence of all else. All else being, god's projection into the universe, also called as Maya in Sanathana Dharma.

Thus, the tenet of advaita (non-dualty) of Shree Adi Shankaracharya says "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am verily that Brahman). This statement is most misinterpreted by people. They ask, "Are you suggesting that I am god?". But who is this "I" that they are alluding to? The answer to their question depends on that. If by I, they mean their identification with their mind, which is a bundle of past experiences, desires and future expectations, then the answer is an absolute no! But if they mean by "I", the present moment, the silent observer, who observes the body, the mind, the thoughts and is above and beyond all of them, something whose presence is not bound by space or time, then the answer is yes.

Our ego is like a firefly. On a cold winter night, when we see the warmth of the fire called Sadguru, we are drawn towards it. When we go closer and closer to the fire, we ultimately fall into it, and then there is no more the firefly and only there is the fire. This means the ego once gone, all that remains is god, and god alone and nothing else. or like the moon shines and gives light in the night. But is it not an illusion to think that the moon is self luminous? It is the sun light that is reflected from the moon.

Likewise, we are all living,standing divinity, but this fact is clouded from us by our ego or false identification with our mind and body consciousness.

I too am a dullard, who identifies myself with my ego and thinks the ego and the world to be real. hence I offer my ego at the lotus feet of my Sadguru, and beseech his help in guiding me to the truth. Oh Sadguru, please bless us, your ignorant children (The egos) and remove the ego as darkness is removed by the rising sun, and take us to peace and beatitude, which is your abode.

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to All!

Jai Raghuvir Samartha

2009-11-14T04:03:00.000-08:00

When the hapless people cried for help,

When wickedness had come to reside in India,

And his sister Religious Intolerance had become the queen of the Country,

You, oh Maharudra Avatar Hanuman, incarnated as a Samartha Sadguru,

You tought people to fight the 6 enemies by the potent wepon of Ramanama,

One look at you oh Samartha! brings dispassion in the worldly objects,

And makes us realize that you alone are real, and everything else is unreal

My mind hankers for your darshan (vision), and my tongue cries out in ecstacy

Jai Raghuveer Samartha! Jai Jai Raghuveer Samarha.

--In the lotus feet of Samartha Sadguru

And then what to say of your disciples? Each was a gem in itself. Foremost was a noble soul called Sivaba who was a beloved son of Mother Bhavani, whom you inspired to protect the Dharma oh gosai (Protector of the cows)!

His splendor shines as the sun,

His bravery is as immesurable as the ocean,

His ego destroyed by the powerful arrow called Guru's grace

His benigness as vast as the sky

I offer my Salutations to one of the greatest warriors

To the protector of Dharma,

I offer my salutations to Chattrapathi Shivaji Maharaj!

--Dedicated to my hero, Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj!

Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

Jai Raghuveer Samartha!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!

Wishing everyone a Happy Deepavali!

2009-10-17T00:56:00.000-07:00

Om Jai Sai Ram! Verily only by resorting the Sadguru can one drive out the darkness of ignorance. If the devotee, puts the wick of dispassion in the oil of bhakthi (devotion) and light it with the light of Jnana (Knowledge), then only can he drive out the darkness called ignorance, which exists in the form of our many desires and our ego. I wish all the readers a happy and prosperous Deepavali. May god bless you with a bright and prosperous year ahead. Deepavali is a very important festival to those who follow Sanathana dharma, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. I think many people would have learnt this fact, as the US president Barak Obama himself lit a lamp for Deepavali in the White House and in his message to the world, told the significance of Deepavali. The Samskrita verse "Lead me from untruth to truth, lead me from darkness to light, lead me from the cycle of life and death to immortality, peace peace peace!" (In Samskrita "Asatoma Sadgamaya, Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityoma Amritangamaya, Om Shanthih Shanthih Shanthihi!) signifies the importance of Deepavali. It symbolizes the victory of the forces of good on the forces of evil. It need not be considered an external war, but can be an internal struggle too, the culmination of which is enlightenment (The very term means being full of light, there being no darkness or despair). Every Deepavali I am reminded of a leela (divine play) of my Samartha Sadguru Sainath. Today by the Sadguru's grace I would like to sing his glory and describe this leela of his. I am not quite capable of describing the infinite glories of the Sadguru, who shines like a thousand Suns. I am a mere dullard. Therefore, I submit my ego at the feet of my Sadguru, and knowing him to be the doer, beseech him to help me sing his glory.

Deepavali as I said symbolizes light, knowledge, freedom from darkness of ignorance, misery and despair. In Sanathana Dharma, it symbolizes, Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya after vanquishing the forces of evil like Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Indrajit and the asuras (Demons) in his pay. When Lord Rama (The sixth avatara of Lord Vishnu) returned to Ayodhya, the happy citizens of Ayodhya lit several lamps to welcome Lord Rama his consort Sita his brother Lord Lakshmana, his devotee Lord Hanuman and King Sugreeva, the King of the Vanaras.

To intimate devotees of Sadguru Sainath, everyday is a Deepavali. Everyday, the thick layers of ignorance that surround the self or Atman is removed, ultimately culminating in the union of the Guru or God and the devotee and attaining of oneness with God. However one event certainly does come to the mind of all devotees of Sadguru Sainath during Deepavali. It is a beautiful story, which shows Sainath's all pervasiveness and his immense mercy and mother like love and care for his devotees. Sainath drove the ignorance that had enveloped the oil vendors of Shirdi one evening by lighting several lamps in the masjid (Dwarakamayee). And the lamps were not lit by any ordinary means. Please listen carefully to what happened once in Shirdi.

Sainath, lived the life of a fakir. He begged from 5 houses in Shirdi for his daily food, and this food he shared with any body and anything that came his way. He would not mind, if dogs, cats, or birds came and took the food, that he had begged for. Indeed, when their hunger was satisfied, his hunger was satisfied. He is the indweller of all beings. Baba also liked to light lamps in the temples and in the Masjid (Dwarkamayee) where he lived. He lit several earthen lamps every night, and Baba in the Masjid shone like the moon on a starry sky. For lighting the lamps, Baba used to take a small tumbler and beg for a tiny bit of oil from all the Oil vendors in Shirdi. The vendors, grumbling, used to give a little oil to Baba. The vendors did not realize Baba's true form and splendor and were caught up with the darkness of their own ego and little desires like greed, anger etc. One day all the oil vendors met and discussed thus "This mad fakir, begs everyday for oil. Oil does not come free you know. And he has become such a nuisance. He comes everyday! And who has ever heard of anything like burning so many earthen lamps in a Masjid (Mosque). It is all so crazy. Let us do this. Today when he comes to beg for oil, let us all lie to him and tell him that we did not receive our regular supply of oil. Let us see what he does!". So saying, they went back to their shops.

At noon time, when Baba came to beg for the oil, one vendor told him "Forgive me Baba, I do not have any oil today". Another said "Baba, for oil, you must pay. I cannot give you any oil, however small the quantity may be", another said "I am so sorry Baba. My oil supply just got over". That day no one gave any oil to Baba. Baba simply said "Allah Malik" (God is the sole owner) and went back to the Dwarkamayee. The vendors felt a prick in their conscience and started talking thus "I think poor Baba looked a bit sad, may be we should not have been so harsh. He does ask for only a little oil, one or two tablespoons from each of us. We should not have been so greedy", while another said "Yes but what is the use of giving the oil, however little it may be? Why should we give it at all. I still agree with what we did. But why was the fakir smiling when I refused him oil. It was as though he could see through me. He is strange" a third said " He even started laughing when I refused. Let us go and see what he does. He never misses lighting the lamps in the mosque. What do you suppose he will do today?", so saying out of idle curiosity all the oil vendors went to the Masjid at sun down. They saw a miraculous incident there. Please listen to what happened.

While all the oil vendors were secretly watching him, Baba was busy with the tumbler in which he generally collected oil. There were one or two drops of oil in the tumbler to which Baba added water, and drained the whole thing in a gulp and then spit the water back into the container. After consecrating the container in this way, he took the water in the container and poured it into all the earthen lamps in the Masjid. The oil vendors were astonished by this act, and one vendor remarked "I told you, he was crazy! Does he really think he can light lamps with water? The fakir is indeed mad! And to think, some people call him god!", but none of the other oil vendors spoke after this. For they were spell bound. They were pinching themselves to see if this were not a dream. For there, in the Mosque, Baba had lit all the earthen lamps which contained not oil but water! The masjid shone like a starry sky and Baba looked like moon in it. These lamps not only drove away the enveloping darkness of dusk but also the ignorance and ego of the oil vendors. No sooner had they witnessed this, crying tears of repentance, the oil vendors fell at Baba's feet. They said "Oh Baba, you are the Lord god. No one but god, could have lit lamps with water. We are sorry we lied to you. We will never repeat this henceforth. Please do forgive us oh Lord". Sainath affectionately patted them, and gave them this beautiful piece of advice "Never lie to anyone. We are all children of the same god. If someone comes to you, he comes to you only because of some prior rinanubandha (Relationships in some previous life). Do not ignore or ill treat anyone. If you do not want to give, do not! But do not slander anyone! However, always remember this, Charity is the greatest dharma". The oil vendors took it all into their minds and hearts, and served Baba sincerely ever since. Thus did Baba, by his leela drive out the ignorance, greed, selfishness and the ego of the oil vendors. May we always remember this leela. Listening to it, will also remove the darkness pervading our lives and will lead us to light.

Shree Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!