We only know what we have learnt through the screen of our own prejudices. What we have learnt from our environment and society, and that differs from one society to other, one environment to other. This is the root cause of conflict, inward and outward.
Sai Baba often used to tell not to look down or talk ill of others. In one incident described in Sri Sai Satcharit chapter number 24 saibaba expressed his displeasure when a devotee called Mausibai was serving Sai Baba in Dwarkamai and other devotees felt it could be harsh on Sai Baba’s body and asked her to be moderate and gentle in her services. Sai Baba got enraged and forced the satka (the short sturdy stick which He kept with Him), in his abdomen and pushed the other end of satka against a pillar. Sai Baba’s eyes were like burning embers. Those present there, could not have thought of minding the other devotees way of worshipping Sai Baba, thereafter.
The following incident with Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) illustrates the similar viewpoint but rather more serious one.
Saibaba often used to gift Shama with spiritual and religious books. He would also send him to various Spirituaaly charged place Tirth Yatras and sometimes had to coax Shama for the same.
Once Shama visited Nagpur and Amravati. On returning to Shirdi, he went straight to Dwarkamai to see Saibaba.
Straight away Sai Baba asked him, “Arre Shamyaa, what were the places that you visited?’
Shama replied that he visited Nagpur. Sai Baba furthered his query, “Arre Shama did you go to South Nagpur? There is a golden tree there. Did you see it?”
Sai Baba mostly spoke in symbolic language. Shama was quick to grasp the symbol; he knew that Sai Baba was referring to contemporary saint and a perfect Master, Shri Tajjudin Baba .He replied, “Yes Deva when I was at Nagpur I did visit South Nagpur, Bhosle’s (Raojee Raja’s) garden and had Darshan of Shri Tajuddin Baba.”
Saibaba continued his query and asked him about the other places that he had visited. It is quiet obvious that Sai Baba knew everything, it was displayed all the time while Saibaba meet a new visitor of Shirdi, or the regular devotee, that He knew everything they do or even think, giving them examples. Sai Baba’s enquiries to Shama about his visits and experience was to give Shama, very important lessons and teaching, which we will see as the dialogue progresses.
Shama in reply was much eager and excited about the other proceedings. He said that he went to Amravati, followed by darshan of Shri Narayan Maharaj in small village of Bet in Kedgaon. Shama was quite impressed by the big Durbar of Shri Narayan Maharaj the huge number of people visiting Him for his blessings. He repeatedly showed his getting influenced by the thousands of visitors to Shri Narayan Maharaj. Incidentally the numbers of visitors to shirdi were quite low comparatively, in those days.
