Theos-Talk Archives (November 2003 Message tt00161)

This I found in the Sai Baba mailing list: Sadguru Sai Baba initiated Meher Baba to His Avataric mission through his disciple Sadguru Upasni Maharaj; both declared in the public the spiritual status of Meher Baba. Etzion

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: What did Dasganu Understand?

Baba's teaching method to his devotees was not uniform. Sometimes he used to narrate a story and at other times, he recommended simple events to awaken his devotees towards Spirituality. He was the master of all, and he only knew the appropriate method, time and circumstances of teaching. Chapter 20 of Sai Satcharitra gives an account how Dasganu's problem of understanding the teaching of isopanishad was solved by Baba. Isopanishad's eighteen slokas consists of Atmatatwa varnan, the life of an ideal saint who remains steady even at the time of difficulties, the principle of karmayoga etc. Dasganu translated Isopanishad to understand the real teaching of Isopanishad. But as he was not able to understand it even with its translated version and he was very dissatisfied. Dasganu thought that the person who has already accomplished Atmasakshatkar could only help him understand the real meaning of Isopanishad. Dasganu then goes to Shirdi for Baba's Darshana and ask Baba to solve his problem in understanding Isopanishad. Baba then blesses Dasganu and says when you go back the maidservant of Kakasaheb Dixit at Vile Parle will solve your problem. The people around were dubious about Baba's solution that the illiterate maidservant can solve such a complicated problem of Dasganu. They thought that it was merely Baba's joke. But Dasganu's faith on Baba's words was total and he took it as a Brahmavakya. With total faith on Baba's words, Dasganu stayed in Kakasaheb Dixit's house in Vile Parle. 

Next morning, when he was enjoying early morning sleep, he happened to hear the melodious song of a girl. It was Namya ka bahan who was the maidservant in Kakasaheb's house. The words in the song were describing the red sari. The song actually was appreciating the color, border and the print of the red sari. She was cleaning the pots wearing the rags as her dress. But the girl was very happy even in her wretched condition. Dasganu was touched by the girl's condition and next day he requested Mr.Pradhan to give her a new sari. When Pradhan gave her a new sari, she accepted it as a very hungry person jumps at the food provided to him. She wears a new sari and started singing the song happily as she did previously. Third day, she put off the new dress and wore the old dress but she was equally happy and steady. Dasganu was astonished to see her steadiness. He thought that she was wearing rags because of her poverty but even now when she had new sari, she was wearing the rags and looked equally happy and steady as before. There was no trace of any problem or unhappiness in her appearance. Dasganu after this event realized that happiness or unhappiness depends upon the state of mind. One has to be satisfied whatever God has given to us. Thus Dasganu understood the preaching of the Upanishad that one has to be satisfied with whatever God has given. OM SAI RAM 

(Contributed by Pradip Koirala)



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