In the last chapter we described Baba's Chavadi procession. In
this we take up Baba's Handi (cooking pot) and some other subjects.
Preliminary
Oh, blessed Sad-guru Sai, we bow to You, Who have given happiness to the whole world, accomplished the welfare of the devotees
and have removed the affliction of those who have resorted to Your
Feet. Being very liberal and being the protector and saviour of the
Bhaktas who surrender themselves to You, You incarnate yourself in
this world to oblige the people and do them good. The liquid essence of
Pure Self was poured into the mould of Brahma1
and out of this has
come out the crest-jewel of the saints-Sai. This Sai is Atmarama Himself. He is the abode of perfect divine bliss. Having Himself attained all
objects of life, He made His devotees desirelss and free.
Baba's Handi
Different sadhanas (means of accomplishments) are prescribed in
our scriptures for different ages. Tapa (Penance) is recommended for
Krita age, Jnana (Knowledge) for Treta age, Yajna (Sacrifice) for
Dwapara age and Dana (Charity) for Kali (present) age. Of all the charities, giving food is the best one. We are much perturbed when we get no
food at noon. Other beings feel similarly under similar circumstances.
Knowing this, he who gives food to the poor and hungry, is the best
donor or charitable person. The Taittiriya Upanishad says that is Brahma;
from food all the creatures are born and having been born, by food they
live, and having departed, into food again they enter.When an Atithi
(uninvited guest) comes to our door at noon, it is our bounden duty to
welcome him by giving him food. Other kinds of charities, viz., giving
away wealth, property and clothes etc., require some discrimination,
but in the matter of food, no such consideration is necessary. Let
anybody come to our door at noon, he should be served forthwith;
and if lame, crippled, blind and diseased paupers come, they should
be fed first and the able-bodied persons and our relations afterwards.
The merit of feeding the former is much greater than that of feeding
the latter. Other kinds of charities are imperfect without this Annadana (giving of food) as stars are without the moon, a necklace without its central medal, a crown without pinnacle, a tank without a
lotus, bhajan without love, a married lady without the kumkummark, singing without a sweet voice or butter-milk without salt. Just
as varan (Pulse-soup) excels all other dishes, Anna-dana is the best
of all merits. Now let us see how Baba prepared food and distributed
it to others.