By: Seetha ‘Priya’
The age-old question of the existence of God has perennially divided humanity into two distinct camps: believers and non-believers. This schism has given rise to an endless debate, with each side staunchly defending its position. Believers assert that God exists, while non-believers adamantly reject the notion. This dichotomy has shaped diverse definitions of God, reflecting the myriad perspectives arising from individual ideas and beliefs.
For believers, the concept of God is often intertwined with the dogma of organized religions. Each faith presents a unique portrayal of the Divine. The
diversity in these depictions reflects the rich tapestry of human definitions but also underscores the inherent subjectivity in how God is perceived. On the other side of the spectrum, non-believers, argue that religion functions as a manipulative tool used by rulers and priests to subjugate people. They contend that in the name of God, people are deprived of necessities, such as food, clothing, and security.
However, believers and non-believers may overlook a nuanced understanding of the Divine. The point is that both are wrong. Believers claim that God exists, but have they explored and found? Non-believers assert there is no God, yet have they genuinely explored to determine this, and how do they define what God is or is not?
The Vedantic perspective raises crucial questions about the conventional understanding of God’s role in the world. When calamities strike, or crimes occur, the common question arises: where is God? Vedanta posits that God is not an intervening force preventing atrocities or natural disasters. Instead, God is conceived as an existential truth, distinct from the human interpretations prevalent in various religions.
In Vedantic philosophy, there is no concept of a controlling God who created the world and manages life, weather, rains, floods, and earthquakes. Vedanta defines God precisely with four words: Satya, Chaitanya, Ananda, and Vyapak – an existence that is truth, blissful, conscious, and omniscient. In this view, God is not a being nor a human-like figure manipulating the world. God is in existence. Omniscience entails being pervasive across time, space, and objects, which implies that without the layers of the body, mind, and intellect – you, too, are God.
In the Vedantic worldview, God is not confined to a specific gender or form. The Upanishads refer to it as That – that Brahman, Existence, Truth, Bliss. This understanding challenges the conventional tendency to assign a gender, form, and address to the divine, emphasizing the boundless nature of existence.
Therefore, it’s crucial to recognize that if there is God, it resides within me. Conversely, if the concept of ‘me’ is nonexistent, then unquestionably, God doesn’t exist either. The evidence supporting the existence of God lies within you. You are the proof – what else could it be?
In this regard, the Upanishads prove immensely beneficial. It’s essential to note that the wisdom of the Upanishads is not exclusive to Hindus but is universally applicable. Upanishadic knowledge, known as Brahmana Vidya, where Brahmana signifies the absolute Truth and Vidya represents knowledge, is accessible to everyone. Therefore, it is imperative to contemplate these concepts further, exploring the methods and means to realize ‘who am I’.
The 31st shloka of Vishnu Sahasranama is –
Amrutanshudhbhavah Bhanuh Shashabinduh Sureswaraha
Oushadam Jagatahsetuh Satyadharmaparakramaha.
Lord Vishnu is the source of all Immortal bliss (Amrutanshudhbhavah), the originator of the Sun (Bhanu) and Moon (Shashabinduh), and is the Lord of Devatas (Sureswaraha). He is the Originator of Medicines (Oushadam) and the bridge to cross the mundane river (Jagatahsetuh), whose prowess is Satya and (Satyadharmaparakramaha).
Sapatnekar was a successful advocate in Akkalkot in the Sholapur district. He had criticized Baba while studying for his law degree. Just before the examination, Sapatnekar and his friends compared their preparation for the final examination. One Shewade was not up to the mark but was confident that with Baba’s grace, he would pass in the ensuing year. Sapatnekar mocked his faith and advised him to take his study seriously! However, Shewade was undisturbed and said – “Yes, I pride myself on being after that Fakir – Sai Baba. That God has told me that I will not pass this year. But next year I will pass and get the degree too!” Shewade blurted out his mind and left the place. Shewade’s faith paid him dividends and he became an advocate as prophesied by Baba!
Years rolled thereafter! Shewade and Sapatnekar both progressed on the path of life. Shewade’s faith kept him peaceful and contented in life. Sapatnekar amassed wealth but lost his peace of mind due to domestic calamities. He lost his only son and to console his wife, he undertook extensive pilgrimage to Kashi, Rameshwaram, Badri, and Kedar. Extensive worship and rituals were observed but he did not get peace of mind.
Life was miserable at the loss of his only son! The vibrations of Sapatnekar’s wife reached Sai Baba. He gave her a dream vision. In the
early hours of the morning, she had gone to a well to fetch water. On her way, she saw a fakir under a neem tree. He offered to carry water for her. She got frightened and went back home. The fakir followed and the dream ended!
She narrated this dream vision to her husband. Immediately, Sapatnekar remembered Shewade’s fakir in the mosque at Shirdi. Without wasting any time, he went to Shirdi along with his wife and brother Pandit Rao.
Sapatnekar’s wife was astounded as she stepped into the mosque and saw Sai Baba. Here was the fakir of her dream vision right before her! Devotees would go near him, bow down to his feet and Baba spoke lovingly to one and all. She repented for having run away in her dream from this fakir! She told her husband – “Indeed he is the fakir I had seen in my dream!”
Sapatnekar himself was blissful seeing Baba. His disturbed mind had attained tranquility. He waited in line for his chance to touch Baba’s feet. Madhava Rao was regulating the crowd. First, it was Sapatnekar’s wife. Seeing her eyes full of tears, Baba offered her Udi and asked her to sit nearby. Then Sapatnekar touched Baba’s feet and placed his head on them. Baba suddenly took them away and shouted – “Get out!”
All were surprised by Baba’s sudden anger! Madhava Rao was also puzzled. Sapatnekar thought that Baba mistook him for someone else. Again, he moved forward and tried to touch Baba’s feet. This enraged Baba and he again shouted – “Get out”. Madhava Rao asked Sapatnekar to go back. Sapatnekar was sad and he went near the entrance and waited. Baba was unkind to him alone. His brother got up and joined Sapatnekar. His wife too got up to go near him, but Baba asked her to sit near him.
Just then a rustic woman started massaging Baba’s feet. Baba told her – “Mother, indeed my feet were aching. The massage has given me relief! I get pain in my abdomen, back, hands, and everything pains.”
The rustic woman just said ‘yes, yes’ to whatever Baba told her. Sapatnekar ‘s wife listened to this conversation and felt that Baba described her complaints. She was feeling better now and felt as if Baba was narrating her story. While she was thinking like this, Baba concluded – “Mother, it was all due to my drawing water from the well.”
Sapatnekar’s wife now knew for certain that it was indeed her tale. She felt relieved that her disease would disappear without any medicine. She happily looked at her husband who beckoned her to come near him.
She went near him and explained everything. Sapatnekar felt very unhappy. The Loving God who was kind to everyone had asked him to get out. Someone suggested that they should try to see Baba through Bala Shimpi. Bala Shimpi was a tailor and a close devotee of Baba. He advised them to buy Baba’s picture and with that once again they went to the mosque in the afternoon. Bala Shimpi took the photograph from Sapatnekar and giving it to Baba said in a friendly manner – “Baba, whose picture is this?”
“You know it is his Master’s picture,” Baba said pointing to Sapatnekar. Everyone laughed. Engaging Baba in this conversation, Bala Shimpi asked Sapatnekar to bow down to Baba’s feet quickly. Baba took back his feet with a ‘Get out’ as before. Madhava Rao asked Sapatnekar to go behind.
Sapatnekar broke into tears! He returned with his family to the lodging. He placed a garland around Baba’s picture and bending before it expressed- “Baba, pardon me! Now I have realized why you are angry with me! I had condemned you before Shewade and ridiculed him for his faith in you. This is a punishment for that!” Sincerely he prayed before the picture and went to Madhava Rao’s house. Hiding nothing, he told him everything.
Madhava Rao reassured him that Baba simply wanted to correct Sapatnekar. Now that he has repented for his misdeed, Baba will shower his grace on Sapatnekar. He asked him to meet Baba the next morning when he was alone.
With this, a new hope was born in Sapatnekar. The next morning, he went to the mosque. Baba was alone. He noticed Sapatnekar and how nervous he was. He called him – “Come up! Do not be nervous! Remove the wall between us.” Baba’s loving attitude made Sapatnekar bold enough. With his wife and brother, he went up. Still feeling nervous and shaking hands, he carried a garland, and he could not properly place it around Baba’s neck. Baba himself took the garland and put it around his neck. Sapatnekar held Baba’s feet and placed his head on them. His tears flowing profusely, he virtually bathed them. Baba said, “Listen, how can you go away from these feet? They are time-honored!” Sapatnekar held them fast! Baba stroked his head! Sapatnekar felt he had achieved everything he desired.
Just then Madhava Rao entered. Baba said to him – “Shama, this man says that I have killed his son! Tell me, did I kill his son? Do I not give whatever my devotees demand?”
Madhava Rao explained – “Baba, he is unhappy that you asked him to get out every time he tried to bow down to your feet.” “That was not for him!” Baba explained. “It was for his ego.” Sapatnekar was now thoroughly reformed. Baba raised him and said “Do not lament! Your desire will be fulfilled! Your dead son will be reborn to you! Go, Mother! Be happy!”
Baba blessed the couple with many children but only three children survived.
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