Maid Servent teaches Ishavasyopanishad

Om Jai Sai Ram! By submitting my ego at the holy feet of my Sadguru, I beseech him to turn his merciful gaze towards me and to help me sing his glory. I cannot stress enough on the fact that a dullard like me cannot sufficiently write about adhyathma and my Sadguru let alone understand these things. But by the grace of Sadguru anything is possible. For Sainath is the doer and he alone is the divinity that resides in the heart of all beings.

In the previous blogs, by the grace of Sainath, I wrote about some experiences of devotees and a fabulous experience in my own life. I now go on to narrate a beautiful story which goes to show Baba's unique method of imparting knowledge and dispelling avidya or ignorance.

Sainath's method of teaching was verily unique and practical. To some he recommended yoga. For some the study of holy books like Jnaneshwari or Nath Bhagwath. To some he recommended Tukaram's Gatha. To some he suggested Namasmaran (Remembering the name of God.). And to some, he advised chanting the thousand names of the divine. The beautiful story of Shree Das Ganu Maharaj's experience in this regard is worth mentioning. This story is like nectar to the ears, and the hearers will certainly gain the gist of the Ishavasyopanishad.

It is said that the Upanishad contains the gist of all the Vedic hymns in the form of stories and allegorical tales and mantras. The Ishavasyopanishad, though relatively shorter than the other upanishads, is said to contain the very essence of life, i.e knowledge about Brahman. Many scholars are of the belief that the other upanishads are actually commentaries on the Ishavasyopanishad.

Now Shree Das Ganu Maharaj, a staunch devotee of Sainath wanted to write a commentary on the Ishavasyopanishad in Marathi. However, the upanishad being subtle and containing the very knowledge of Parabrahman is hard to discern, no less to write in a local language. When Shree Das Ganu Maharaj was writing the same, he felt that he had not correctly understood the upanishad and needed some guidance in this regard. Hence he consulted many scholars and held lengthy discussions but to no avail.

Being thus dejected and not able to proceed further, Das Ganu Maharaj contemplated on whom to ask for guidance. Then he began to think thus. "The Ishavasyopanishad contains subtle knowledge of the self. It is very difficult to discern. Only a person who has realized brahman can indeed explain the purport of this upanishad." And thus, he decided to go immediately to Shirdi to consult Sai Baba.

Now Sainath is Brahman incarnate. All knowing. All pervading. The Ishavasyopanishad and the Vedas can be understood just by his merciful glance. Thus, Das Ganu Maharaj came to Shirdi, and bowed before the lotus feet of Sainath.

He opened his heart before Sainath, and told Baba his problem. He said "Deva, you being the antaryamin (Inner dweller), you will be aware of my problem. I intend to write a commentary on the Ishavasyopanishad, however, I feel I have not sufficiently understood it. I consulted many scholars but of no avail. Then I decided to resort to you Deva. You being a bhaktha vatsala (protector of devotees), only by your merciful grace will this problem of mine be solved." Thus addressed, Sainath turned towards Shree Das Ganu Maharaj mercifully and replied thus, "Ganu, there is no need to be anxious. The maid servent of Kaka (Kakasaheb Dixit) will teach you the gist of the upanishad on your way home at vile parle". The people at the masjid thought Baba was joking. How could an illiterate maid teach the gist of the Ishavasyopanishad, they thought. But Das Ganu maharaj believed in Sadguru Sainath's words. Sai Baba's words were the Vedas to Das Ganu. Thus, after staying for sometime in Shirdi, he returned to Bombay and then went to visit Shree Kakasaheb Dixit at Vile Parle on his way home.


Shree Das Ganu Maharaj was well received by Shree Kakasaheb Dixit, another great devotee of Baba. One morning, while praying, Shree Das Ganu Maharaj heard a cheerful voice singing a beautiful song melodiously. The subject of the song was a red saree, how beautiful it was and to that effect. Out of curiousity Shree Das Ganu Maharaj went to see who was singing the song. It was the younger sister of the maid of Kakasaheb Dixit who was washing the vessals. While she wore rags on her body, she was singing about a beautiful red saree. Das Ganu Maharaj felt sorry for the little girl.

The next day, when Mr.M.V.Pradhan wanted to present Shree Das Ganu Maharaj with a new Dhotar, Shree Das Ganu Maharaj, requested him to present a red saree to the young girl. It was done, and the little girl's joy knew no bounds. She wore the new saree, and she played with her friends merrily and she outplayed them all. Das Ganu Maharaj felt very happy indeed.

Now the next day. the girl kept the saree safely in a box in her house and came to work with her usual rags. She was as cheerful as ever and merrily singing, did her work. Shree Das Ganu Maharaj was amazed!

He then realized that, it is not what we have in life that makes us happy, but our attitude towards life. One must be content with one's lot and be happy about it. Everything is given to us by Ishwara, who dwells everywhere. Hence Shree Das Ganu Maharaj realized that the maid servant, the saree and her happiness were all a manifestation of the formless parabrahman. Thus he understood the purport of the Ishavasyopanishad.

"Ishavasyamidam sarvam yat kinchit jagatyam jagat
Tena tyakthena bhunjitaha ma grudaha kasyasvit dhanam"

-"Everything in the universe, from the anumate to the inanimate is pervaded by Ishvara(god). Hence be content with your lot and do not try to covet someone else's property."

Blessed is Shri Das Ganu Maharaj. By having faith in Sainath's words, he went to Kakasaheb's house and just as Baba had prophesised, he learnt the purport of the Ishavasyopanishad through an illiterate maid servant.

This story is like a nector to the ears. By listening to this, the hearers will be purified and will understand the gist of the Ishavasyopanishad.

Ananthakoti Brahmanda Nayaka Raja Dhi Raja Yogiraja Parabrahma Shri Satchitananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!

Bow to Shree Sai! Peace be to all!