A Dip into Vishnu Sahasranama – 25: Why not let things be as they are?

By: Seetha Priya

Sri Narasimha Swamiji sent someone to bring a few Bilva leaves from a tree. He broke a full branch and was taking it when Sri Narasimha Swamiji stopped him. “Don’t you know, that if any part of this tree is destroyed, you, too, become less to that extent? When this tree stood before us, full and green, we, too, in a manner, were also full and green. Today, its wound has caused a scar within us also. We are not apart, we are one.”

Sri Narasimha Swamiji has quoted from the book, ‘Silent Spring,’ indicating that a sudden, drastic change had taken place in England. Thousands of birds suddenly fell down from trees and died. A thousand others lay dead in towns. Spring was hushed into silence.Sri  Narasimha Swamiji says, “Let things be as  they are.” Accept them, they are your companions.

The 25th shloka of Vishnu Sahasranama is –

Avartano Nivrutatma Samvrtah Sampramardanah
Ahah Samvartako Vahniranalo Dharanidharah

When the Soul is liberated (Avartana) from the cycle (Nivrutatma) of births and deaths (Samvrtah), Lord Vishnu firmly surrounds it. He is all in the entire Universe, as he is the destroyer (Sampramardanaha), the Sun (Ahah Samvartaka), the Fire (Vahni), the Air (Anila), and the Supporter of Earth (Dharanidharah).

It was 1918! The wheel of time moved fast! The mission of the Loving God Sai Baba was almost over. Thousands came and benefited. Saints like Rama Maruti, and Gadge Maharaj visited Lord Sainath. Lokamanya Tilak too visited. Kaka Dixit retired from his profession, renouncing his family life, he wore saffron clothes to live like a ‘mendicant’. His mission in life was to serve Sai Baba. His presence in Shirdi was immensely helpful! Shirdi was full of life! But Baba himself was now sinking due to his aging body! And as if an indication of Sai Baba’s departure from this world, an attendant dropped a brick, which was tenderly preserved by Baba, while cleaning the mosque. On seeing the brick broken into bits, Baba exclaimed – “It is over!! It is finished!! My luck has smashed!!”

It was a brick given to Baba by his Guru. It was now broken. It was Baba’s practice to talk in the first person when he referred to his devotees. By saying ‘My luck has smashed’ he meant the good luck of his devotees was smashed. It was a clear announcement of his shedding the mortal coil! But as usual, it went unnoticed! No one took it seriously! However, Sai Baba attained Mahasamadhi on 18th October 1918.