Dispelling Fear Is An Act Of Compassion As In Sahasranama
What causes fear? A feeling of not being good enough, a feeling of insecurity with respect to a more powerful being, ignorance of the rules that operate in the world, the possibility of losing material wealth or relationships, the apprehension of being called to own up from wrong, a revengeful enemy, the crying ache of lust. All these feelings cause or bring in their wake, exploitation. And this gives birth to fear.
Devotees of Sai Baba believe removal of all fear, known as ‘Abhayadanam’, is the highest quality, greatest charity and best action…the supreme manifestation of compassion.
Compassion is interchangeably called daya, anukampa, karunya, dana or maîtry and each term has its own specific connotations and some overlapping common features. Essentially, they all indicate empathy with the other, a close appreciation of the other’s pain, being moved by it, alleviating it by donating by something and nurturing love towards all. Compassion is present in any of the above ideas or a combination of them.
Compassion forms the very basis of ‘Sraddha’ as propounded by Sai Baba. The reason why dispelling of fear is considered paramount is because every soul is equal. So to cause harm to another is to cause harm to oneself. It is disrespecting the universality of the soul. Even if it be an insect or a plant. Sai Baba told his devotees – ‘I am in you-You are in me’.
This is aptly described in the third shloka of Vishnu ahasranama –
‘Yogo Yogavidam Netha Pradhana Purusheshwaraha
Narasimhavapuhu shriman Keshavah Purushothamaha’.
Here ‘Yogo’ denotes Sai Baba who could be known by Yoga, as ‘Yogavidam Netha’ as the leader of those that know yoga, as he practiced Dhoty-Poty and Khanda Yogas. He is ‘Pradhana Purusheshwara’ as He is the Lord of ‘Prakriti’(Pradhana) and ‘Purusha’(Jeeva) – Lord of both. He is ‘Naarasimha Vapuhu’ – He that has the form of man and lion is ‘Shriman’ united to ‘Lakshmi’. He is ‘Keshava’ representing the Trinity – ‘Ka’stands for Brahma. ‘A’ for Vishnu and ‘Isa’ for Rudra. Sai Baba therefore is the Best of Men the Supreme Lord.
Baba identified himself with dogs, pigs, crows and in fact in all animals and human beings. Implicit faith in Sai Baba has made devotees study non-human life in such detail that they have classified them as having one two, three, four or five senses. Further, they all also have a soul which desires to live. “To each his life is dear.”
Even the cockroach that you spray against or the mosquito that you slap dead, desires to live just as much as you or I do. Sri Narasimha Swamiji used to feed grains to crows and sparrows and Sri Radhakrishna wamiji encouraged ‘Gow-pooja’. Dogs were plenty near his abode ‘Hamsa Niketan’.
Sai Baba’s idea of compassion goes beyond human life to all living beings. Though it is contained in his concept of ‘Ahimsa’, it is an understanding and a true appreciation of other life. Sai Baba stopped Kaka Dixit from slaughtering a goat only to demonstrate others from doing harm.
It may appear obvious to many, but the subtle difference in understanding compassion arises because it talks about compassion at the level of the soul. To recognize that one should not cause fear and that everyone should be able to live free, indicates an understanding of the equality of one soul with other souls. And souls look after each other’s interest. It is said souls render service to one another.
The core act involved in this kind of compassion to spread the word of restraint…do not be led by temptation to commit remiss such that you fall low in the type of birth you may get in the next births and lose all the merits you have so far acquired. That is why much importance is given to listening to wise words, to the sermons of holy men who direct the erring followers.
Hari Vinayak Sathe was tempted to visit a prostitute’s house. At the nick of the moment, Sai Baba appeared before him and prevented a calamity. Sai Baba sent several of his devotees like Booty, Sharanand and others to Radhakrishna Mayi’s house, which he called ‘The School’ just to test how far they have achieved control over sexual instincts.
Sometimes it can happen the other way around too, as in the case of a monk who was doing penance in a dancing girl’s house. He was actually testing his will power and steadfastness, but lo, the charms of the lady soon made him forget that. Even as lust was overtaking his spiritual inclination, the lady rebuked him in such a manner that he became conscious of his folly and go back to the path of rectitude. The courtesan had been compassionate to the spiritual sadhaka of several years.
Sai Satcharita (Chapter 13, Ovi 11) states- “Such pious persons have become my followers whose sins have been destroyed and they have understood me”
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