By: Dinesh Chikballapur
In the time of post Vedic period as informed by the puranas, Bhagavan (God) has been reincarnating in each yug (epoch or era) in one form or the other. Bhagavan takes birth as per his sweet wish to uplift human beings while we take birth again and again due to our Prarabda Karmas (past actions). Every yug has been a witness for one to three avatars which have consistently eradicated bad forces that dominated the universe in form of demons. These unfriendly forces constantly made the life for innocents miserable.
The concept of ‘Guru’ was assumed by Almighty for different ages.
He assumed the form of ‘Dakshinamurthy’ in Krita Yuga. He stayed in one place and people just on seeing him got their doubts cleared. They were pious and became ‘Krita-kritya’.
the next ‘Treta Yuga’ people became lazy and were uttering lies. Bhagawan assumed the form of Guru as ‘Dattatreya’. Here the Guru went in search of his devotees and gave them ‘Margadarshana’.
In the next Dwapara Yuga there was a deterioration in ethical standards. Bhagawan assumed the form of ‘Vyasa’ and had to lay down policies and procedures for our day to day living. That is the reason four Vedas came into existance.
Kali Yuga was the next and worst. People lead a deplorable life. They are argumentative and questioning the very basic concepts laid down in Vedas. Bhagawan felt that one Guru for the entire age may not be enough as each tenet in the Vedas is to be discussed threadbare and many Gurus are required. Each of these Gurus for Kali Yuga has to write a ‘Bhashyas’ – i.e., analysis, explanation, justification and what not for each of the tenets. They are conflicting and most often misleading! It started with Adi Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhwa and many more saints in Kali Yuga. Even then conflicts have always galored!
These Mahatmas had their own unique way to turn people’s attention towards Bhakti Marg (Path toward Devotion). Bhakti-Marg in the last few centuries have been led through Samarth Ramdas, Basavanna, Vidyaranya, Raghvendra Swamy, Sant Kabeer, Namdev, Narsi Mehta. They were social reformers as well to correct wrong practices of people from time to time.
Every one of them had their way of uplifting the humanity. Some of these avadhoots like Kabir, Namdev or Sainath appeared suddenly in life of people. Their parentage, cast or religion are all unknown and continues to remain a mystery. Looking back towards purpose of their lives, we come to realize that these Godly people had a vision beyond a common man could understand. Saints like Adi Shankara or Madhvacharya disappeared from the face of this earth without even leaving a trace of their bodies.
Reading the literary works about the life of Shri Sai Baba we come to learn that Baba’s aim of His life was to merely remove the miseries in the lives of His devotees and turn them towards a higher spiritual goal. Baba advocated four ethical concepts for one to lead a contented life. They are Mamata, Kshamata, Namrata and Samata. Empathy in heart towards all (Mamata), ability to forgive one and all (Kshamata), humbleness (Namrata) and equanimity (Samata). Baba lived and actively practiced these qualities during His mortal coil times. He showed people the way of leading a noble life. Baba never liked people talking about his parentage, birth place, birth date, nor religion.
Baba on several occasions has announced his identity in a very subtle way.
1. When a mullah having returned from Hajj tried to influence Baba to give him darshan through Shyama, Baba did not allow him to enter Masjid till the time he was successful in taming that Mullah off his ego. Once Baba asked Shyama ‘he is too proud that he has visited Mecca, but does he know who is in this Masjid?’.
2. One time during a discussion with Baba on a sloka in chapter 4 of Bhagavad Gita, Baba demonstrates His authority over the scripture. He asks Nana to add ‘AA’ behind ‘Gyan’ in third line of Tadviddi pranipatena. Nana is surprised and asks, ‘Baba what are you trying to say?’ Baba asks, what is meaning of ‘pari prashnena’. Nana says, it is to question. Baba blasts Nana ‘if it is just to question why does Vyasa asks to put ‘Pari’? Was he mad?” Here Baba shows His authority the way He speaks of Maharshi Vyas. Here Baba elaborates meaning of Gyan and Agyan referring to IshAvAsya Upanishad. Devotees maintained diaries and other biographies written about portions of Baba’s life illustrates that Baba was well informed of all literatures available on this earth.
3. Once knowing that it was “Parva” (holy time), Das Ganu wished to bathe at Prayag Tirth and came to Baba to take his permission. Baba, in return said: “You need not go that far for it. This itself is our Prayag bank. Have strong faith in your heart”. As Das Ganu put his head at Baba’s feet, water trickled out from both his toes as if it was the water of Ganga and Yamuna, oozing out.
All these episodes show that Baba was incarnate of invisible Parabrahma who was Kala Teeta (Beyond Time Limitations).
During Avatars, God used to punish the rakshasas and give them Moksha while Baba, the compassionate onecorrects people and bring them to Dharma marg. He had same empathy for all. He was Dwandwa Teeta meaning above duality like sin – no sin, likes – dislikes, praise – curse. This is possible only for a sidda purush like Baba. He is the Parabrahma appearing on earth for looking after the distressed.
Looking at the way Baba attained samadhi… Baba had announced the day many months before that, he would be casting away the mortal body but will be in in spiritual form to safe guard who all have Shraddha in him. He made eleven assurances and even after hundred years of the Mahasamadhi day He is adhering to His assured words and keeping to the promises He made. Baba is never born nor died. He was Parabrahma walking on Shirdi soil as said by many eminent contemporaries of his life time.
Saying that he is Parabrahma is to clarify that he is above religions, birth or death, papa or punya. Religion is a collection of sacred beliefs wherein people look for authenticity while in spirituality they have vision. People who have vision are not bound by scriptures by an unquestionable living. Baba lived His life above all scriptures and beliefs. People from all corners of life accepted him as GOD.
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