Mr.Shevade’s Faith
Baba’s main preaching is Shraddha (faith) and Saburi (patience). There are many stories in the Satcharitra where the faith of the devotee bears fruits. In the last few times of my readings the unique faith of Mr.Shevade has been standing out for me. It is not a story oft quoted as an example of faith. It is present in Chapter 48 of the Satcharitra. In the story, Mr.Shevade and his friends discuss to check how much prepared they are for their exam. Mr.Shevade seems least prepared. Yet, he displays utmost confidence. Upon enquiry he says Baba has told him he will pass the course and he has utmost faith in Baba. Baba’s words, he says, are never untrue. His friends jeer at him and Baba. When the results come, he passes, to the surprise of these friends.
What I find unique in Mr.Shevade’s story is his telling faith in Baba. His faith is not in that he will pass but that Baba’s words are never untrue. Even if the face of discussions that show he is not well-versed in the subject he shows no doubts. Despite peer-pressure and jeering he is confident. There is no wavering of faith. It almost appears to me that the miracle here is the level of faith Mr.Shevade has.
In contrast I am reminded of Mr.Tendulkar’s story found in Chapter 29 of the Satcharitra. He is taking his medical course exams. He is very well prepared. The astrologers have predicted that he wouldn’t pass that year. But Baba assures him that he would pass. He appears for the written exams reluctantly. Since he is still dubious he doesn’t appear for the oral exams. Due to his excellent score in the written exams, the examiner asks him to appear for the oral exams and he passes it with good results as well. Baba’s words are never untrue.
My observation from the two stories is that Baba always has the best plan laid out for us. Faith and patience is in our hands. The peace of mind resulting from this faith and patience are what we are blessed with if we keep it. It reminds me of an imagination I once had. In early days Baba used to sleep on a wooden plank tied high up from the roof and would light four lamps at its corners. The wooden plank was held up by very fragile threads of rope. Yet the wooden plank hung strong. This fragility of the rope is like the maya of the world. We don’t know when it is going to let us down. But Baba is there for us lighting all corners of our life and path with hope and wisdom . He may be high up on his swing. Sometimes he comes close to us, sometimes far. It is but an illusion. We need to know that Baba is always there. We keep him on our hearts. Sometimes incidents show that Baba is present and blessing us in all events of our lives. Sometimes it appears that world is cruel and burdensome. Baba is not there. We are searching for him. Whether to have faith or be doubtful is our choice. It’s our choice between peace and restlessness. If like Mr.Shevade, despite the events unfolding in front of our eyes, however unprepared we are for the tests of maya, whether our friends and peers jeer at us and forsake us, if we keep the faith in Baba alive in our hearts, we will have peace of mind.
Sai hi hai mere Ek. Sai ke Leela Anek
Om Sairam
