We should offer whatever we enjoy to Baba

Once Shirdi Sai Baba asked Hemadpant: Do you remember Me before eating? Am I not always with you? Do you offer Me before you eat?  Baba advise us to remember Him before the senses, mind and intellect enjoy their objects. We should offer whatever we enjoy to Baba.

The senses can never remain without their objects, but if those objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment for them will naturally vanish. In this way, all the vrittis (thoughts) regarding desire, anger, avarice etc. should first be offered and directed to the Guru, and if this practice be followed, then almighty will help to eradicate impure and immoral thoughts.

Before enjoyment of the objects, if one visualizes that Baba is present close-by and watching, the question of whether the object is fit to be enjoyed or not will arise in the devotee’s mind. Then, the object that is unfit to be enjoyed will be shunned, and in this way, vicious habits or vices will disappear and one’s character will improve. Thus, in this manner, love for the Guru will expand and pure knowledge will sprout up. As this knowledge grows, the bondage of body-consciousness (I am the body) dissolve and the intellect will be merged in spirit-consciousness (I am spirit). It is then, bliss and contentment shall be attained.

As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat:

Shrigurudeba gurubara || paaichi krupaa mun tumara

Gyanne agyanne hele dosha || Kshmaa karicha krupaabasha

 

Jaani jaani mun truti kare || Puni je anutaapa kare

Paapa kare sahashrabaara || Krupaasindhu Hey kshamaakara

 

Mo pari neecha paapee pain || Tumathu shreshtha guru naahin

Tenu tuma poojana paain || Praana mo byaakula gosaain

[“Oh Shri Gurudev! I have received your compassion. Whenever I have committed any mistake, knowingly or unknowingly, You have been kind enough to pardon me. Knowingly and unknowingly I often commit mistakes and repent for it. I have commited thousand of such sins but You have pardoned me everytime, Oh the compassionate one. Who can be a better Guru than You to redeem a wretched sinner like me. That is why my heart always yearns for Your worship.”]

Jai Shri Sai !

Sources:
1. Shri Sai Satcharita, Chapter 24
2. Shri Guru Bhagavat Vol.4 by Dr. C B Satpathy