Shirdi Sai Satcharitra Chapter 6 - English Audiobook Read Sai Satcharitra Chapter 6: http://www.shirdibooks.com/sai-satcharitra-chapter-6/ This chapter covers the following: The Rama-Navami Festival Repairs to The Masjid Efficacy of the Guru’s Touch When the Sadguru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai Baba; He appears to me, as if standing before me and applying Udi (sacred ashes) to my forehead and placing his blessing hand on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of the Guru’s touch; The subtle body (consisting of thoughts and desires) cannot be burnt by the world-dissolving fire, but it is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru’s hand and the sins of many past births are washed away. Even the minds of those who feel annoyed when they hear religious talk, attains calmness; seeing Sai Baba’s handsome form chokes our throats with joy, makes the eyes overflow with tears and overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us “I am the Brahman” consciousness, manifests in us the joy of self-realization, dissolves the distinction of “I and Thou” and immediately makes us one with the Supreme Being (One Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru and Sai Baba assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance, when I sit and listen to the Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe and I think he sings the Bhagwat for the welfare of His devotees. When I begin to talk, I at once remember Sai’s stories to enable me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences; But when He, of his own accord, makes me write, I go on writing and and there is no end to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His hand and gives him His power, makes him gain His object and thus satisfies and blesses him. If anyone prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, the main objects of life− Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance)− are easily attained. The Four paths, of Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti(devotion) lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches, and thus is difficult to traverse. But if you, relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to the ultimate destination (God). After philosophizing about the Self-Existent Brahman, His Power (Maya) to create this world, the world thus created and stating that these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai Baba’s words guaranteeing the welfare of His devotees: “There will never be any dearth or scarcity of food and clothes in any devotees’ homes. It is my special characteristic that I always look to and provide for the welfare of those devotees who worship Me wholeheartedly, with their minds always fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita; Therefore, strive not for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord; forget worldly honors, try to get the Lord’s grace and blessings and be honored in His court. Do not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in one’s mind. Let all the senses and mind be devoted always to the worship of the Lord and let there be no attraction for any other thing. Fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sign of the mind being well engaged. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged.” After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of the Rama-Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated in Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in the Sai Leela Magazine of 1925, is also referred to and a summary of the festival as related in both these accounts is attempted here................... Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all