Satsang SAI BABA AND FOOD

NEVER EAT ANYTHING WITHOUT SHARING IT WITH OTHERS


In Ch. 24, Sai Baba has conveyed this principle very effectively
by making fun of Annasaheb Dabholkar, the author of Shri Sai
Satcharita, when some grains of gram were seen stuck in the
folds of his coat's sleeve. Sai Baba further explained that, when
no person or animal is present nearly, one should offer it to Baba
by remembering Him. This will result in the devotee avoiding food,
which is impure and not fit to be enjoyed. He further explained
that this method should be employed not in case of the sense
of taste only but in case of all senses viz. sight," touch etc. also.

To illustrate this, Hemadpant in the same Chapter, has narrated
the story of Sudama - a co-student of Shri Krishna and Balaram
in the ashram of their Guru Sandipani. Once when these students
were collecting firewood in the forest, Krishna was thirsty and
asked for some water. Sudama advised him not to drink water
without eating something. Shri Krishna, therefore, rested his head
on Sudama's lap and slept. After sometime Shri Krishna woke up
and heard Sudama chewing something. Shri Krishna asked
Sudama as to what he was eating. But, Sudama, although he
was eating grams, told Shri Krishna a lie that he was not eating
anything; but his teeth were chattering because of cold. Later,
as a result of this, Sudama, although a churn of Lord Krishna,
had to pass his life in utter poverty.

However, when he later offered Shri Krishna a handful of parched
rice, earned by his wife with her own labour, Shri Krishna was
pleased and gave him a golden mansion to live and enjoy. Baba
Himself never ate anything without sharing it with others. Everyday
He used to go out begging and whatever food was collected. He
used to place it in the earthen bowl in the Masjid. Some beggars
used to pinch 3-4 breads and dogs and birds used to eat out of it;
but Baba never drove them away. Whenever any devotee offered
Him fruits and richly cooked food, He hardly tasted it and distributed
amongst the devotees present. Every afternoon, when in the
Dwarkamai, the meal was served and ready to cat, Baba used to
call out for Bade Baba (a Fakir from Malegaon) and used to make
him seat next to Him on His left respectfully as an honoured guest.
Not only this, but after the meal, Baba used to pay him Rs. 50 as
dakshina and walk with him upto 100 paces to see him off.

In the Taittiriya Upanishad, Anuvak 11, it is slated 'Atithi Devo
Bhava1 (May the guest be, to thee, a God). In Bhagvat Geeta
also Shri Krishna in Ch. 3, says, Yadnyashishtashinaha santo
muchyante sarvakilbishaih Bhujjate te twagham papa ye
pachantyatmakaranaat 13 (The virtuous, who partake of what is
left after sacrifice, are absolved of all sins. The sinful ones, who
only cook and eat for themselves eat only sin.) Thus Sai Baba
taught this principle of not partaking any food without sharing with
others both by precept and example very effectively. 'Atithi' (guest)
literally means 'without date'. Hence a guest in the above context
should mean, one, who appears unexpectedly and stays not more
than one day or date. In the present days of towering prices and
food rationing, therefore, this meaning would have to be borne in
mind to ensure that an unwanted and persisting person docs not
take advantage of our generous nature.

to be contd....
(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 1993)