Satsang Shri Baba and Vedic Religion by Sai Rag

Satsang Shri Baba and Vedic Religion by Sai Rag

Shri Baba and Vedic Religion
The other day, I was reading the text of a talk by the venerable Kanchi
Acharya Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham at
Kancheepuram). The Acharya has emphasized that Pancha Yagaa (Five kinds of
Sacrifices) is the best means of atonement of sins and final salvation. The
five kinds of Yagna are:
1. Brahma Yagna or Vedadhyan - Offerings to a Brahman or the study of
Vedas.
2. Pitru Yagna - Offerings to the ancestors.
3. Deva Yagna - Offerings to Gods
4. Bhoota Yagna - Offerings to the beings.
5. Manushya or Atithi Yagna - Offerings to men or uninvited guests.

When I read this, my mind went to our Shri Baba. He, who had taken Avatar
for the emancipation of mankind, had endorsed by his words and deeds the
Upanishad teachings in letter and spirit. A study of Sai Satcharita amply
illustrates this. What I am attempting is to highlight certain incidents and
teachings of Shri Baba, which emphasize the importance of the five Yagnas.

Brahma Yagna
Baba loved those, who studied Brahma Vidya and encouraged them. Once,
Bapusaheb Jog received a post-parcel. It contained a copy of Gita Rahasya by
Lokmanya Tilak. Taking it under his armpit, he went to Sri Baba and
prostrated himself before Him. Shri Baba told him "Read this completely and
you will be benefited". It was a common sight in Dwarkamai to see orthodox
Vaishnavites and Agnihotris chanting Vedas, Upanisbads and the Gayatri in
the presence of Shri Baba and feel most elevated. Yet Shri Baba knew that
the study of Vedas and Upanishads was possible only for a few. So for many,
Shri Baba showed a simpler path. He encouraged Shama, Purandare and many
others to study Vishnu Sahasranamam. He directed Swami Vijayanand to do
continuous reading of Bhagawat (to ensure continuous remembrance of Hari)
just before the Swami left his mortal coils. Many of the devotees read
Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari and other scriptures under Shri Baba's
guidance. The episode of Shri Baba expounding the meaning of a verse from
Bhagwat Gita to Nana, is too well known. The other interesting incident is
the teaching of the meaning of Isha Upanishad to Das' Ganu. Shri Baba also
knew that for many devotees even the study of scriptures was too much. He,
therefore pointed out to them other simpler ways. He told Mrs. Khaparde
always to chant "Rajaram" and added "If you do this, your life's object will
be gained. Your mind will attain peace and you will be immensely benefited".
Another devotee was reminded in a subtle way the mantra given to him by his
guru "Shri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram". Perhaps the simplest path shown by Him
was the chanting of Sai Ram. "If a man utters my name with love, I shall
fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. The simple remembrance of
my name as 'SAI SAI' will do away with sins, of speech and hearing,"

(to be contd.........)
Sai Rag
Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine February 1979)