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Chapter No. | Part No. | Content of the Chapter |
---|---|---|
NA | NA | Introduction (Preface, Foreword, A Devotee Speaks and A Thought) |
Chapter 1 | Part 1 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
Chapter 1 | Part 2 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
Chapter 1 | Part 3 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
Chapter 1 | Part 4 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
Chapter 2 | Part 1 | The Heart Overflows |
Chapter 2 | Part 2 | The Heart Overflows |
Chapter 2 | Part 3 | The Heart Overflows |
Chapter 2 | Part 4 | The Heart Overflows |
Chapter 2 | Part 5 | The Heart Overflows |
Chapter 2 | Part 6 | The Heart Overflows |
Chapter 3 | Part 1 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
Chapter 3 | Part 2 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
Chapter 3 | Part 3 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
Chapter 3 | Part 4 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
Chapter 3 | Part 5 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
Chapter 4 | Part 1 | On The Wings Of Thought |
Chapter 4 | Part 2 | On The Wings Of Thought |
Chapter 4 | Part 3 | On The Wings Of Thought |
Chapter 4 | Part 4 | On The Wings Of Thought |
Chapter 5 | Part 1 | Sai Bhakti |
Chapter 5 | Part 2 | Sai Bhakti |
(e) Bhakti (Devotion)
Whatever the attachments for different objects, if all such love is collected and poured in a mould at the feet of the Lord, then it appears in the form of devotion. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 10, Ovi 128)
Where the sense of you and I does not arise, which should really be a natural state, we need that devotion without duality. We ask Sai for this boon. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 50, Ovi 27)
‘God resides in every being’ – till such time that this consciousness is not attained, enlightenment cannot be granted even by Lord Hrishikesh himself. – (Chap. 20, Ovi 114)
As long as we enjoy outer pleasures like listening to sweet music, enjoying a soft touch, sweet fragrance and pleasing sights, there cannot be a control over the senses. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 92)
Even though the body is perishable, it is a means towards gaining enlightenment, which is really more desirable than salvation, because through it, we can experience ‘bhakti’. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 24, Ovi 60)
The path of Bhakti is the thorny path, like the path through the prickly Babul forest. It is full of pits and potholes. One or two steps, in the right direction, takes you really close to God.
You should avoid the thorns and step forward. You will reach the destination without fear. This is the only remedy, says the Guru-mayi very clearly.
When the orchard of the mind is watered by devotion, detachment will grow, knowledge will blossom, union with the Supreme Spirit comes to fruition and joy will burst forth, avoiding the cycle of birth and death, as a certainty. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 6, Ovi 16-18)
When devotion is practised, ignorance is destroyed and knowledge dawns. – (Chap. 50, Ovi 117)
Whatever services devotees think of rendering to saints, it is the saints themselves who get it done. The devotees are merely the ordained instruments. The real inspiration comes from the saints. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 2, Ovi 19)
The four types of Mukti hold no attraction for us. Enjoin unwavering devotion to Sai. This is our supreme achievement.– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 50, Ovi 25)
We remember and always chant ‘Sai Samartha’ to attain the desired object; and with the same mantra also attain the ultimate goal and gratify our faith in you”. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 26, Ovi 33)
Unless and until one worships the bodily form, true devotion does not spring forth; and, till there is no such devotion, full of love, the inner mind does not blossom.
Unless that blossoms, only the lotus bud does not have either the fragrance or the honey. You will see that even the bee will not pause there for a moment.
That which has attributes (satva, rajas and tamas) is with form; that which has no attributes is without form. Both are not different from each other. The formless and the one with the form are one. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 11, Ovi 11-13)
It is really easy to understand the nature of a bodily form rather than the formless. Once love for the saguna increases, it is the awakening for the formless (abstract).– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 11, Ovi 17)
Carve out on your heart these kind words of Sai: “There are innumerable saints in the world, but our father (Guru) is the Father (Real Guru)”.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 45, Ovi 119)
(f) Upasana
While meditating, there should be intense concentration. There is no better means than meditation. He who practices this himself will undoubtedly uplift himself. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 45, Ovi 39)
“Those who love me most, they see me always before them. Without me their universe is desolate. They have only my stories on their lips. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 44, Ovi 148)
What is the nature of Brahman which is beyond illusion? And what are the means to conquer that illusion? God favours his devotees who lead virtuous and pious lives. How else is it possible for his devotees? – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 50)
“I am eternal, pure, enlightened, the liberated one. I am Vasudeva, the sacred letter ‘Aum’. I am the truth. Your good lies in worshipping ME with true faith and devotion.
“Thus realising my true nature serve ME in the right way. Moreover, surrender to ME completely. And be one with ME”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 97-98)
“Parabrahma is knowable. Apaar Brahma is attainable. AUM, their sign is their symbol to be meditated upon always, and to be worshipped for ever.
“AUM is the essence of the four Vedas. It is in the form of Pranav or Aumkar. Its meaning is actually non-meaning. It is the thought behind all knowledge”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 16, Ovi 103-104)
“The world made of movable and immovable objects, of names and forms, is manifested by ME in the form of the eight-fold nature. The phenomenon is created by ME only.
“The mystical symbol ‘Aum’ expresses ME. I am the only connotation of it. In the whole of the universe, there exists a multitude of things but I am immanent in all of them.
“There is nothing but the Aatman, so what desire should there be? I am all exhaustive in everything in all ten directions.
“Where all is filled with the whole, the feeling of ‘Me’ and ‘Mine’ melts away. What desires can we have when I am all pervasive?”
“Desires are born of the intellect. They do not have any connection with the soul. Sai Maharaj is the embodiment of the Aatman. Whence can desires arise in him?
“There are various kinds of desires. But once the essence is known of ‘Who am I’, then they dissolve like the hailstones in the blazing hot rays of the sun.
“I am not the mind, intellect, or the sense organs. Nor am I the matter or the gross form. I am also not the golden egg from which the universe evolved before it revealed itself. But I am the Ancient Witness without a beginning.
“In this way, I am beyond the senses. I have no interest in the sense objects. But there is nothing where I am not present. I am not the doer or the cause of any deed.
“With the realisation that the mind, intellect and other senses are gross instruments of the physical body, detachment will arise unveiling the concealed Self-Knowledge.
“To forget one’s own real nature is itself the illusion; to remember the pure and complete bliss is ME – none but the Supreme One, Pure Consciousness.
“To turn oneself towards that ME is itself a service and devotion to ME. When I experience the bliss of the mind, it is knowledge in the pure form.
“The soul is Brahman itself. Bliss from understanding knowledge is Brahman. By the knowledge of the untrue nature of the world, the illusion about the world will pass away. Brahman is Truth. That is ME. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 85-96)
(g) Surrender
“He whose self is pervading in the universe, I am part and parcel of Him. Surrender at the feet of Sai. This will mean MY service.
“To serve ME and to sing my praises, to surrender to ME completely will lead to union with ME. So says Krishna in the Bhagwat. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 104-105)
Surrender to Sai. God will bless you. The ardent desire to listen to his praises will arise. This is the easy means to God. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 10, Ovi 133)
“Take my name and surrender to me” was told by him to everyone. But he asked those who wanted to know him to listen and meditate. – (Chap. 19, Ovi 220)
Discarding all pride, surrender to me who dwells in the heart. Ignorance will be destroyed immediately and there will be no need to listen to any instructions about knowledge. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 44, Ovi 160)
A devotee should surrender unconditionally and observe the remarkable results of devotion. Each day will unfold a new miraculous deed of Sai.– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 19, Ovi 163)
Unless the false pride of the feeling ‘I am the doer, I alone am the enjoyer’ is left off, and one does not surrender to the Dweller in the Heart, one cannot attain self-liberation. – (Chap. 50, Ovi 87)
The one and only sure sign of the surrender at Sai’s feet is that the disciple becomes calm and peaceful and perfects his devotion with eagerness and joy. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 46, Ovi 13)
“It is my promise to redeem the one who, with faith sings my praises, totally surrenders to me, remembers me constantly and meditates on me. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 15)
He who surrenders to Sai, his ship will be able to cross the worldly ocean.– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 114)
Therefore, the easy way out for the householder is to surrender his mind to the feet of Sai Then he will bless you. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 10, Ovi 129)
(h) Listening to Leelas
“If you listen to My stories, recite them and meditate upon them, devotion for me will arise and ignorance will be completely destroyed.
“Wherever there is devotion, full of faith, I am entirely in its power always. Have no doubts about this. Otherwise I am unattainable.
“If the listeners listen to these stories with faith, then greater faith will be kindled and they will easily experience heavenly bliss and will acquire a state of happiness.
“The devotees shall get self realisation. The soul will be in tune with Brahman. The inconceivable and the formless will be understood by them and the Life Spirit will manifest”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 2, Ovi 82-85)
…Just as a buoy with red lights is anchored in the sea to guide the movement of ships by warning them to keep off the rocks and whirlpools,
So will the tales of Sai, which in their sweetness put even the nectar in the shade, navigate us safely and will smoothen the difficult paths of the ocean of existence.
Blessed are the tales of the saints that penetrate into the consciousness through the ears and cleanse the bodily ego and destroy the sense of duality.
As more and more of these tales are stored in your heart, the doubts run helter-skelter; and when the store of spiritual knowledge grows, your identification with the body diminishes. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 45-48)
If these stories are regularly heard, Sai’s image will perpetually remain before our eyes, our minds and our hearts; and we will remember him and meditate upon him day and night.
One would perceive him while waking or dreaming; while sitting, resting or eating. Wherever one goes about, either in society or in the jungle, he would seem to be walking beside him.
If thus he is with us day and night, one would be absorbed in divine contemplation; and when this happens every day, the mind will be one with the supreme energy. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 14, Ovi 32-34)
If Shri Sai Satcharitra is sung lovingly, the pleasures of listening will enhance and understanding the meaning and intent, enrich the devotees’ love and devotion which will grow manifold.
If you listen to it day and night, the bonds of worldly attachment will be broken. The triple consciousness of the meditator, the object meditated upon and the meditation will disappear and the listeners will be full of happiness. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 14, Ovi 217-218)
Listening to these stories from the mouth of the Guru will eradicate the troubles and anxieties pertaining to the world. Bliss will be born in the minds of the listeners and knowledge of the soul will dawn upon them. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 15, Ovi 10)
For the sake of one’s own upliftment, one should attain Sai’s blessings. Read his stories, listen and meditate on them.
If you listen to this biography of Sainath, in the company of wife, son, family, friends and relatives, you will get the benefits of both the worlds. Baba’s leelas are unique.
Only the fortunate and faithful listeners are able to listen to these stories. While listening, a feeling of lightness steals through them and leads to an all encompassing peace.
In the running waters of the stream of the life stories, the salt of actions and non-actions will dissolve and Sai’s beautiful image will appear before the eyes, through listening.
By listening to his life story, sins will be destroyed. By listening to his life story, destiny will be fought. By listening to his life story, supreme happiness will be achieved effortlessly by the listeners. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 104-108)
When the stories of the Saints are heard, there remains no sinfulness. Merits sprout on listening to the stories. Take advantage of this rare and favourable opportunity! – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 50, Ovi 24)
If one wishes to surrender at the feet of the Guru, one should sing the praises of the Guru or recite the life-story of the Guru or listen to the tales about him with devotion.
One who is desirous of obtaining knowledge should listen so intently that he becomes one with the preaching, with assimilation. Thus the Supreme Energy will appear before him and the mind will be elevated.
Even if one is engrossed in worldly affairs and one chances to hear the tales of a saint, without making the slightest efforts, they will still do good because such is their nature.
Then if they are listened to with faith and devotion, how much good can be gained! Oh! Listeners, just think, in your own interest.
The devotion to the Guru’s feet will develop and the wellbeing will tremendously increase gradually. No other rites or rituals are necessary. The Supreme Good will be attained. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 150-154)
Listening to the stories with love will dispel all worldly afflictions. Sai, the cloud of mercy, will shower grace; and, complete and pure knowledge will appear.
Sloth, a wandering mind, attachment to sense-objects and indulgence of the palate – these are the obstacles which come in the way of listening. Steer clear of these and the listening will become a happy experience. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 180-181)
By listening, the heart will become pure; by listening the cycle of birth and death will be avoided; by listening the listeners will achieve Brahman, which can be achieved by performing actions and offering the fruits to Brahman.
Such a person who desires to serve Sai, Sai will make him desireless and Sairama will give rest, peace and happiness to his own devotee.
Oh, listeners please read, listen, study or meditate on this book, part by part, daily or learn it or recite it. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 109-111)
To describe Baba’s pure fame and to listen to it with all your heart, will burn away the sins of the devotees. This makes for easy attainment of salvation. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 49)
“Whoever sings with feelings of my life, eulogises my powers, virtues and excellences, I will protect him totally, by surrounding him.
“Those devotees who have become one with me with heart and soul, they will, naturally, be bound to be happy by listening to the story of my life”.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 12-13)
“From the very jaws of death I will snatch away my devotees. Just by listening to my stories diseases will disappear.
“Listen to the story with due reverence, meditate fully upon it, intently contemplate upon it and you will attain peace. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 17-18)
© Author – Late Shri. Suresh Chandra Gupta – Explicit Rights To Publish To Shirdi Sai Baba Books.com (Member of SaiYugNetwork.com)