By: Dinesh Chikballapur
Understanding life of Baba, all devotees know very well that Baba is father and mother of all living creatures. Every one of us know that Baba himself is ‘Parabrahma’ walking on earth and taking care of one and all in some form or other. Also, Baba wants all human beings to cultivate humility and compassion.
Now let us look at what he taught to Nana on one occasion. At Sai Baba’s request Nana Chandorkar recited the thirty-fourth stanza of the fourth chapter of the Gita – “Tadvidhi Pranipatena Pariprasnena Sevaya – Upadesyanti Te Jnanam Jnanistatvadarshinah”. Baba appreciated it and asked him to explain the meaning. Nana Chandorkar said – “This means that when a disciple who offers his complete life in the service of the Guru, kneels at his feet in reverence with a problematic question, the wise Guru communicates his knowledge to him!”
Baba said – “How wonderful? Let me understand the meaning of every word therein. I shall understand it better from a scholar like you! ‘Tadvidhi’ means with respect. This I understand. But what does ‘Patena’ means?” Nana said – ‘Patena’ means kneeling down.”
Baba enquired – “And what about ‘Prani Patena’. Nana replied – “Prani Patena also means kneeling down.” Baba continued – “That means you have understood that Prani Patena and Patena mean the same i.e., kneeling down.” Nana asserted – “Of course”
Baba continued – “Nana, Vyasa must be a mad cap! When he could have managed with one word why did he put an auxiliary word ‘pari’ before ‘Pataena’.”
Nana could not make out what was in Baba’s mind! It was his feeling that Baba has no knowledge of Sanskrit. Nana himself had just studied what other exponents had explained! Baba’s next question came up as Nana pondered on this – “And, Nana, what is that ‘Prasnenaa’?” Nana replied – “’Prasnena’ means questioning!” Baba asked him – “And ‘Pariprasna’ also has the same meaning!” Nana replied in affirmative.
“Same thing again! Once more an auxiliary word! Has Vyasa really gone mad?” With Baba’s questions coming one after the other, Nana was now perplexed! His confidence of his mastery over Sanskrit was shaken.
Baba continued – “Nana, as in case of ‘Paripatena’ does not merely mean kneeling down but with reverence. It means kneeling with reverential humility and sincerity! Just bowing down with reverence will not induce a Guru to part with his knowledge. Similarly, the word ‘Priprasnena’ could not simply mean mere questioning, but questioning with an intense urge! And that too with’Sevaya’ i.e. with a gratifying service! On fulfillment of all these conditions, then only a Guru will part with his knowledge.
Baba’s explanation dissecting every word humbled Nana who now listened to him with complete surrender. He realized that Baba’s mastery over Sanskrit language.
Baba continued – “Lord Krishna repeatedly told Arjuna that ‘I am yourself’. When Arjuna was also a part of that great knowledge, where was the need to initiate him? Hence Lord Krishna preferred to enlighten Arjuna on his ignorance only so that he sees the Divine Knowledge within himself”.
Nana Sahib pointed out – “But Baba, nowhere in this stanza there is a reference to ignorance.” Baba clarified – “Why not? Krishna has used the word ‘Jnana’. The opposite of it is ‘Ajnana’. If you incorporate this…….?” Nana recited – “It will then mean ‘Upadeshyanti te Ajnanam’.”
Baba said that Nana was on the right track. Nana was surprised that all exponents of the Gita had
missed this great truth, which Baba explained in simple words.
Baba continued – “Nana, the knowledge of divine is like pure water covered with moss. Removal of it exposes the clean water below! Guru removes the ignorance that conceals him within yourself. Lust, anger, pride, jealousy, attachment and delusion form the basis of ignorance. Removal of these six passions leads us to experience that blissful oneness with all – ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ – I am Brahma!”
Turning to Nana, Baba asked him – “What did Arjuna say to Krishna in the end?” Nana replied – “Nashto Mohaha Gato Sandehaha” Arjuna says – ‘my doubts, my delusions, my ignorance has disappeared’. He has not said – ‘I have acquired the knowledge’. Now you can see for yourself that Guru does not initiate a disciple but only points out to him the ignorance so that he sees the divine behind its veil!”
Now Baba replies- ” I want to show you another meaning. We can apply
1. “Asatoma satgamaya Thamasoma Jyotirgamaya”.
2. Gyan and agyan are not opposite. Agyan is also a part of gyan only.
3. Master will give enough gyan (information)
4. In the fourth line ‘which will further lead to enlightenment’ This is evolution.
Here in the original shloka Lord Krishna insists on clearing of doubt, serving the master, show utmost respect to him and do not doubt his capacity. Major stress is given to get the doubt cleared completely. Baba is giving the biggest lesson to all of us by asking Nana to put ‘A’ behind the word ‘gyan’.
Though Baba did not attend any sanskrit class or went to a gurukul was aware of all scriptures. He was an Avadhoota, a sidda purusha like Ramana Maharshi, Ramkrishna and others who have demonstrated similar incidents.
Baba here is referring to Isovasya Upanishad which speaks of ‘vidya’ and ‘avidya’. Here Vidya stands for spiritual knowledge and Avidya stands for worldly matters (materialistic pleasures) science).
In Kathopanishad Yama teaches Nachiketa reality of Shreyas and Preyas. First path is preyas where a man will concentrate on his day to day comforts. The second path is ‘ shreyas ‘. It is one which guides a seeker to understand creation and about the ‘Self’. Now with these two upanishads we can infer that vidya refers to Shreyas and for Gyan. Further Avidya refers to Preyas and to agyan
Now Baba says “put ‘A’ behind Gyan” which makes it ‘Agyan’. In normal course, we go to a master to get a relief from our problems. Baba is a lovely saint like our own mother who will give us whatever we need and sows the seed of shradda. Then the four lines will read like this.
Tadviddi Pranipatena … Go to a Master and prostrate
pari prashnena sevaya … Serve him, ask questions till the doubts are cleared.
Upedekshanti te (A)gyanam …He will fulfill the needs
Gyanina tatwa darshinam… Master guides you in a spiritual path.
Here Baba conveys the message that not all people come to him for ‘Mukti’ but get relieved from mundane problems. Baba takes care of that devotee by destroying all his ‘prarabda’ relieving his troubles. Then any devotee would surrender to him ‘in toto’ with shradda. Naturally the devotees will be in path of Shreyas or gyan marg. Thus Baba’s interpretation for this shloka may be concluded.
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