Satsang Uddhavesh alias Shyamdas Baba

Satsang Uddhavesh alias Shyamdas Baba

Once, he had gone to Dwarkamai, and Baba was grinding wheat. At that time, Baba had ground a little wheat and was about to grind some more. He went to the Sanctum Sanctorium and sat down and noted that Baba, while grinding, was singing awhile, saying Vedanta a while, then showering abuses. He was so fascinated by the grinding, that he asked Baba, “Baba, why have You kept this hand mill? Why do You do this chore of grinding?” Baba then said, “Ithe je yetaat, tyaanche malaa dalaava laagta bara (Whoever comes to me, I have to grind for them)!” This sentence struck the core of his heart and he realized how much trouble and hardship Baba undergoes for us.

Our Sanchit (The sum total of merit and demerit of the present life as well as all the previous births) and Kriyaman (The actions of this present life with its repercussions and fruits in future births) are whirling around like a wheel. Then there are our hopes, aspirations, goals and trials. Only the Sadguru shoulders our tribulations for material benefits. Finally, to set us on the path of spirituality, helping us as we take the first few steps like a mother carrying us every time we falter or fall.

Only the Sadguru can liberate us from the cycle of future births and deaths. No one else can!

When he went to take permission to leave, he said, “Baba, why don’t you call me more frequently to Shirdi?” Then Baba, turning to Bala Shimpi said, “He says I don’t call him often. Yet, we meet every fifteen days, don’t we?” Shyamdas had a routine of writing to Baba on Ekadashi of every month and Baba used to reply. Baba was referring to this. Then Baba, as usual, gave him a handful of udi and blessed him. In a motherly tone, Baba said, “So, you are leaving? Arre Shyamdas, I am with you all the time. Allah Ram Malik will bless you and do good. Okay?”

On his last visit, he had gone to the Dwarkamai in the afternoon at about three o’clock . Some devotees were seated at the Sabha Mandap and they cautioned Shyamdas not to got to the Dwarkamai. Baba at that time was sitting still as if in meditation. Just then, one of the devotees went up for darshan. Baba flew into a rage and swiftly smacked the devotee with his satka. He let out a volley of abuses. The devotee fled from the Dwarkamai. Shyamdas went up and Baba welcomed him as if nothing had happened. Shyamdas sat a while and Baba said, “Shyamdas, when will you come again?” Shyamdas replied that he would return quickly and taking Udi, he left. He had not even reached the gate of the Sabha Mandap, when Baba called out to him. He retraced his steps and went to Baba. Baba said, “Henceforth, don’t come to Shirdi, okay? I am always with you, wherever you may be, okay? The people here have changed a lot. They trouble me incessantly with their cries for money (paika) and I am getting tired. Are you going on a yatra, or are you going to meet your family? I am always with you now and forever.” Then Baba gave him permission to go and try as he may, he couldn’t make a trip to Shirdi, nor could he send his letters on Ekadashi. Then Shyamdas received letters from various devotees informing him that Baba had taken Mahasamadhi.

[REF : Sai Leela 1926 (June-July)]