Satsang Bhakta Leela Amrut by Das Ganu Maharaj

The Maharaj used to go round and get oil from the grocers, with which he
lighted every evening a number of oil lamps in the mosque and in the
temples -his daily 'Deepotsava'. One day, the grocers, tired of giving oil
gratis, decided to refuse as a body. They lied to him saying they had no
oil. Baba was surprised that the grocers found it so easy to tell him a lie.
People tell lies, degrade themselves and move away from the Lord, falling
eventually under the weight of their own karma. A liar is among the worst of
sinners. One who always tells the truth attains the Lord. Truth is the path
to salvation. Even penance and japa can not match it. Truth is the river of
bliss. One should stick to truth.
The Maharaj said nothing to the grocers. He went back to the mosque and
performed a miracle. He set the earthen lamps all round the mosque and put
wicks in them. The grocers, who had followed him, stood watching. "How can
the lamps burn without oil?" they said to one another. "The man must be
down-right mad; he is thinking of lighting the lamps without oil. Can any
sane man think of maternity for a sterile woman? Sure he is a mad man, a
leader of the ignorant."
Nanasaheb Dengale. a Sai devotee, did not agree with them. He said to them.
"You are all blind. Do not despise him like that. Shree Hari knows what
powers this man has. If a diamond lies in a heap of stones, would you call
it a stone? Keep quiet for a while and see what the Fakir does now. Don't
make hasty statements."
There was a little oil in Baba's tin can just enough to light one small
lamp. Baba put some water in it and drank the mixture.
He then filled the oil lamps with water and lighted them and lo and behold,
the lamps burned, as with oil. Awed, Dengale fell at Baba's feet. The people
of Shirdi seeing this miracle, began to wonder about Baba's powers. They
said that God himself had incarnated in Shirdi. They came all together, fell
at Baba's feet and said: We have sinned against you. Forgive us our sin. You
are our dear mother and we your children. 0 merciful one, please do not be
angry with us. You are Mercy, Knowledge, Virtue and Peace embodied in human
form" Baba then said to them, "Listen to me carefully. Act in such a way
that the Lord will be pleased with you. Never tell lies. Be truthful always.
Never deceive anybody. Spend your wealth on good causes according to your
capacity. You will be benefited and meet Narayan in the end. Remember my
words and act accordingly." Chastened, the people of Shirdi bowed down to
Baba and went back happily to their homes.

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