Compliance with Guru’s Orders
In Chapter 22 of Shri Sai Satcharita, we find the story of Amir Shakkar who was a native of the village Korale, in Kopergaon Taluka. He belonged to the butcher caste and worked as a commission agent in Bandra, and was well-known there. He once suffered from Rheumatism, which gave him much pain. He was then reminded of God, and so, he left his business and went to Shirdi, and prayed to Baba to relieve him from his malady.
Baba asked him to stay in the Chavadi, which was then a damp unhealthy place, unfit for such a patient. Any other place in the village, or Korale itself would have been better for Amir, but Baba’s word was the deciding factor and the prime medicine. Baba did not allow Amir to come to the Masjid, but fixed him in the Chavadi, where he had a great advantage. Baba passed via Chavadi every morning and evening; and every alternate day Baba went to the Chavadi in a procession and slept there. So Amir often got Baba’s company very easily.
Amir stayed in the chavadi for full nine months, and then, he became disgust for the place. So one night he stealthily left the place and reached Kopergaon and stayed in a Dharmashala (rest house for travelers). While staying there an unprecedented event made Amir repent for his action, viz. leaving Shirdi without Baba’s permission, and prayed to Baba. He was then determined to return to Shirdi. That same night he ran back, remembering and chanting Baba’s name on the way, and reached Shirdi before dawn, and became free from anxiety. Subsequently he lived in the Chavadi in perfect accordance with Baba’s orders, and got himself cured.
As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat vol. 1:
Prathama prakarara shishya || Shri Gurunkara shrestha daasa
Gurunka bhaabanaaku dhari || Laagithaae karama kari
Gurumukhaku sadaa chaahin || Basithaae aadesha paain
Chetanaa taara sabubele || Gurunka chaaripaashe khele
Paaile Gurunka aadesha || Turanta karai prayaasa
Sahaja karma baa kathina || Bada karma baa saadhaarana
Nathaae taa’ra lobha moha || Nija paain se beetaspruha
Guru karama na saarile || Nija karma nakare bhale
