Satsang Shri Baba and Vedic Religion by Sai Rag

Satsang Shri Baba and Vedic Religion by Sai Rag

Pitru Yagna
.Let us now take Pitru Yagna-the offering to the ancestors. A devotee had
not been performing the "Sradha" of his late father. In "Sradha" the food is
offered to the pitras and ultimately everything reaches the foot of Lord
Vishnu-"Vishmi Pade Dattam". On seeing the particular devotee Shri Baba
said, "This man has starved me and his father". By this statement Shri Baba
made two things clear. First, the importance of Pitru Yagna. Second that He
was Vishnu reincarnated.

Deva Yagna
We next take up Deva Yagna - the offering to Gods. Instances abound in
Shri Baba's life and teachings, where he emphasized the importance of
offering to Gods. Shri Baba Himself whenever "He cooked food, first offered
it to God before distributing it to others. When Nana bypassed Datta's
temple to avoid an offering of Rs. 500/-, which he had vowed, Shri Baba
chided him and refused to talk to him and Nana realised his mistake. Shri
Baba advised all His devotees not to neglect the worship and offerings to
their family deities. Shama had to offer silver breasts to the Goddess
Saptashringi to fulfill the long standing vow of his late mother. When he
approached Shri Baba with the silver offerings, He refused to accept them
(although He identified Himself with Lakshmi) and directed him to make a
pilgrimage to the temple of the Goddess and make the offering there.

Bhoota Yagna
Bhoota Yagna comes next. This is the offering to beings. Shri Baba used to
beg for His food and on His return to Dwarakamai he used to deposit the food
in a kundi. Dogs, cats and crows ate the food from the kundi freely. Once
when Mrs. Tarkhad was carrying specially made dishes for Shri Baba, a hungry
dog turned up. Mrs. Tarkhad threw some food for the dog. When she reached
Dwarkamai Shri Baba told her, "Mother! Take pity on Me like this. First give
food to the hungry and then eat yourself". Shri Baba added further, "The dog
which you saw before meals and to whom you gave the piece of bread is one
with me, so also other creatures. He, who sees Me in all these creatures is
my beloved".

Manushya or Atithi Yagna
Lastly comes the Manushya or Atithi Yagna or the offering to men or
uninvited guests. Shri Baba always said that without "Rinanubandh" nobody
comes to any one. To quote the words of Shri Baba, "Unless there is some
relationship or connection nobody goes anywhere. If any man or creature
comes to you, do not discourteously drive him away but receive him well and
treat him well. Lord Hari will be certainly pleased if you give water to the
thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and your verandah to the
strangers for sitting and resting". By numerous incidents, Shri Baba
encouraged those who followed this advice and scolded those who behaved
rudely to beggars and strangers; the compassion which Shri Baba himself
showed to the poor and needy cannot be described in words.

All the above examples show that Shri Baba was the greatest exponent of the
Vedic and Upanishadic teachings by His words and more than that by His
deeds. As devotees of Shri Baba, it is our duty to meditate on His teachings
and lead our lives accordingly. That is the surest way of pleasing Baba and
getting his ever lasting blessings.

Sai Rag
Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine February 1979)