Megha

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!