A Dip into Vishnu Sahasranama – 30: Sahasranama Leads You to ‘Raise Above the Mundane World’

The Railway Police had caught a common thief who had stolen some jewelry on the train. He stated in Dhulia court that Sai Baba had presented him with those jewels. Dhulia court summoned Sai Baba to appear in person to give testimony. Sai Baba was furious when he received the summons. He tore it into pieces and put it into the ‘Dhuni’ right in the presence of the court official who issued the summons.

With this direct insult, the Dhulia court issued an arrest warrant for Baba.

An officer of the court with a policeman reached Shirdi to arrest Sai Baba. This officer was preparing to go to Pandharpur for Lord Vittal’s darshan. This was intercepted and he was sent to Shirdi to arrest Sai Baba. He was in an angry mood. He wanted to complete the assignment very fast. When this court officer entered the mosque, noon Aarthi was in progress. Sai Baba planned to give him a glimpse of his divine form. The court officer glimpsed God Vittal in place of Sai Baba! He was stunned and moved with emotion. The Lord of Pandharpur was right in front of him! He shoved the arrest warrant into his pocket and with folded hands kneeled in reverence! Later he looked at his companion – the Police Constable. He was lost in the vision of Lord Rama! Both were extremely happy with their own experiences but unhappy at the official task assigned to them. However, they met an attorney known to them. On the attorney’s advice they returned to Dhulia along with the attorney – but without Baba.

The Magistrate heard the story and heeded the attorney’s counsel. A special commission was appointed to go to Shirdi and examine Sai Baba on the spot. The accused charged with theft was also taken along.

The commission was headed by a judge. The mosque was crowded as usual when the commission reached there. Baba was engaged in stitching a torn gown. There were a few legal luminaries among the crowd. Baba got up and offered a chair to the judge. While he sent away most devotees, the legal luminaries stayed back thinking they could help in some capacity. But does God need anyone’s help? He permitted them to watch to how God deposes in the court of humans.

The judge asked his first question – “Your name?”

“They call me Sai Baba” – The Loving God told him how humans address him. The judge too felt that after all God has no name! The judge asked the next question – “Sai Baba, what is the name of your father.”

Everybody became alert! But is not Sai himself the mother and father of this universe? He just said – “My father’s name? Of course, Sai Baba!” Ordinarily, a judge would have lost his temper. But here the Judge was a learned Hindu and a Brahmin by caste. His name was Joshi. He went to the next question – “Who is your Guru?” Sai Baba replied – “Venkusa”. Baba always talked mystically and kept his earlier life a secret.

The next question was – “To what faith do you belong?” Asking Baba about his religion was a means for Joshi Saheb to identify the Holy Scripture that he should use for Baba to take the oath. Baba replied – “Where is the question of my caste or community? I belong to Kabir’s class”. What a reply indeed! With that response, Baba again kept himself out of any religion or community on earth! Wasn’t Kabir’s birth a mystery too? He grew up in a Muslim weaver’s family, picked up Islamic culture, yet believed in Ram and Rahim!

The next question was – “What is your profession, Baba?”

“Profession! Oh! The one of Almighty Protector!” What an answer! Any other person would have bowed down to Baba! But Joshi did not do it. Hence, he quickly asked him – “What is your age?”

A silly-looking but real reply came – “Saheb, you want to know my age? Sir, it is countless! It runs into millions of years!”

The judge was still unable to decide which Holy Scripture should be used for Baba to take the oath of speaking the truth as per court rules. So, he told Baba directly – “Baba, here we are sitting in a court! So, you must ensure that whatever you speak is truth and nothing but the truth!”

Baba replied – “Truth? Why, every word I utter is truth! Nothing less, nothing more!” Those who have an insight into Hindu philosophy know that every word Baba spoke was true to its core.

Joshi Saheb asked an important question – “The accused sitting here, is he known to you?” Baba said in affirmative.

“Baba, this accused says he stays with you. Is it true?” Sai Baba replied on a spiritual level! He said – “Cent percent true! Because I stay with everyone! Everyone is mine!”

“But this jewelry? It was found with him. He says you gave it to him.”

“Right! I gave it. But tell me Saheb, who gives to whom?” The question was subtle indeed! But a witness is not entitled to ask questions to a court! So, Joshi Saheb asked Baba again – “Baba, you just said you gave this jewelry to him. Then tell me how it came to you?”

With this question, Sai Baba flared up! How can God ever like being questioned about how a particular thing came to him or was created? He had all along replied on a human plane, but now he was disgusted at being implicated by a mere statement of a common thief. The accused had not visited Shirdi at all. He gave Sai Baba’s name just because he heard it on the train from co-passengers. How can God testify against his child? Sai Baba angrily said – “How can you involve me in this? It is for you to find out from the accused. Why do you ask me?” Baba got up and left the place.

The judge was considerate. He recorded the witnesses of a few villagers and residents. None of them had seen the accused at Shirdi. He also verified the record of visitors to Shirdi, and his name was not on the list.

By then Baba returned to the mosque. The judge told him – “Baba, we have completed our investigation! We find that the accused never visited Shirdi. Therefore, it is impossible that he has got this jewelry from you.”

“That’s right! I have nothing to do with it.” – Baba replied

The accused also confessed his crime and was later punished appropriately!