Sai Baba and Speech
I shall consider you blessed, when you will renounce all attachments, conquer lust and palate; and getting rid of all impediments, serve God wholeheartedly and resort to the begging bowl (accept sannyas).” (Ch. 44, P. 239) – Shri Sai Satcharita
The above reply was given by Sai Baba to Bapusaheb Jog, who asked Him as to why even after serving Baba so many years, his mind was not calm and composed and why was he not succeeding in his efforts for self-realization. Sai Baba in His teachings, always laid stress on controlling pleasures of senses, especially those of sexual organ and the tongue. The tongue, however, has two functions – to taste the food and to speak.
In our scriptures great stress is laid on ‘Non-violence’, which means not to hurt anybody, physically, mentally or by speech. Sai Baba had realized that of all the above, harsh and scornful words hurt a person much more than physical or mental violence. Such cutting words are not easily forgotten and also cannot be withdrawn. Consequently they cause ever-lasting enmity. Sai Baba, therefore, not only advised His devotees “not to speak harshly to anyone so as to hurt him to the quick” (Ch. 19, P. 104), but on the contrary, often, said :
“Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy” (Ch. 19, P. 101-102)
and in addition to make sure that they did follow His advice, used to say :
“He who carps and cavils at others, pierces Me in the heart and injures Me, but he that suffers and endures, pleases Me most.” (Ch. 44, P. 237)
Regarding tongue another advice of Sai Baba was to avoid arguments or hot discussions on any subject with others. Arguments spring from egoism. Arguments lead to quarrels and spread enmity. We remember, how in Ch. 2 of Shri Sai Satcharita, Annasaheb Dabholkar on the very first day of his visit to Shirdi, had hot discussion with Balasaheb regarding the necessity of a Guru (a spiritual teacher or preceptor) and how Baba checked Dabholkar’s this argumentative habit permanently by addressing him as ‘Hemadpant’ (corrupted form of Hemadripant, a well-known and learned minister of the Yadav kings Mahadev and Ramdev in 13th century).
Sai Baba advised His devotees not to indulge in scandal or slander of others. For this, He had His own methods of correcting the defaulters. He, being omniscient, knew, when and where the devotees had committed the fault, and so, he could correct them effectively by taunting them. In Ch. 19, Sai Baba pointed out to such a defaulter, a pig that was eating filth near a fence and said to him,
“Behold how with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling own brethren to your heart’s content.”
Needless to say that the devotee was ashamed and took the lesson to his heart forever. Similarly, in Ch. 21, having known that a pleader from Pandharpur, had unnecessarily taken part in a discussion in the bar room regarding the sub-judge Noolkar’s coming and staying at Shirdi for cure of his ill-health, Sai Baba, when the pleader himself arrived at Shirdi, started saying,
“How cunning people are! They fall at the feet, offer Dakshina, but inwardly give abuses behind the back. Is not this wonderful?”
The pleader understood that the remark was aimed at himself and being convinced, later said to Kakasaheb Dixit, “This is not a rebuke to me, but a favor and advice, that I should not indulge in any scandal or slander of others and not to interfere unnecessarily in others’ affairs.”
KEEP YOUR PROMISE ALWAYS
Sai Baba preached that, if you promise anything to anybody, you, must fulfill it. Never give a false promise. Devotees normally pray and make a vow to their deity or Guru to do some act or offer something, on condition, that certain desire of theirs is fulfilled, but, once their desire is fulfilled they forget to fulfill their vow. There are many instances, where Sai Baba prompted such devotees to fulfill their pending vows. For instance, in Ch. 33, Appasaheb Kulkarni wished to pay Rs. 10 to the Fakir, who had visited his residence during his absence and Baba got it fulfilled by approaching him again and demanding the full amount. Similarly, in Ch. 30, we have read how Sai Baba maneuvered to get Shama’s long-pending offering to Sapla-shringi Goddess fulfilled. In Ch. 15 Sai Baba is seen highly pleased to note His devotee Cholkar giving up sugar in his dietary and drinking tea without sugar until his vow to offer sugar-candy to Sai Baba by visiting Shirdi is fulfilled.
TALK LESS
Sai Baba Himself followed this principle. He never gave long lectures, but preached His devotees by giving them suitable experiences or by narrating stories. For spiritual advancement, observing silence for sometime everyday is good. Baba Himself practiced this by regularly spending sometime twice a day in Lendi Baug till the end of His life. Talking too much consumes lot of energy, hence, even in day-to-day business, it is advisable to avoid unnecessary talk.
REPEATING GOD’S NAME
In speech, Sai Baba’s most important advice was about repeating God’s name. He Himself used to repeat Allah Malik (God is Lord) constantly. He was fond of making others sing God’s name continuously by day and night for a whole week. This is known as Nama-saptaha. Hemadpant also adds in Ch.27 :
“The efficacy of God’s name is well-known. It saves us from all sins and bad tendencies, frees us from the cycle of births and deaths. There is no easier sadhana than this. It is the best purifier of our mind. It requires no paraphernalia and no restrictions. It is so easy and effective.” (P. 145)
SUMMARY
In short, Sai Baba’s advice on speech was as under:
(a) Not to speak harshly to anyone. On the contrary one should bear the other person’s outburst calmly!
(b) Avoid argumentation and disputation!
(c) Never indulge in slander-mongering or ridiculing others!
(d) Speak the truth always!
(e) Speak soft and sweet words!
(f) Keep your promise!
(g) Talk less and observe silence frequently!
(h) Repeat God’s name as often as possible!
Source: “SHRI SAI LEELA” NOV-DEC 1993