Become worthy of being Baba’s child
Gopal Narayan Ambadekar of Pune served for ten years in the Abkari [Excise] department in the Thane District from where he had to retire. He tried to get some other job; but he did not succeed. He was overtaken by other calamities and his condition grew from bad to worse. He passed 7 years in this condition, visiting Shirdi every year and placing his grievance before Baba. In 1916 his plight became worst and be decided to commit suicide in Shirdi. So, he came there with his wife and stayed for two months. One night, while sitting in a bullock cart in front of Dixit Wada, he resolved to end his life by throwing himself into a well close by. However, Baba had other plans for him. A few paces from this place, there was a hotel and its proprietor Sagun Meru Naik, a devotee of Baba, came out and accosted him thus – “Did you ever read this Akkalkotkar Maharaja’s life?” Ambadekar took that book from Sagun and began to read it. Casually, or one may say, providentially, he came across a story which was to this effect.
The story was related to one Vamanbua Vamorikar (Badodekar) who was born in the village of Vamori, in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. From early childhood he had a great desire to achieve the ultimate goal, the divine truth. One day, while he was in Pune with his mother, a Brahmin came and said in the course of conversation, “A life without the grace of a Sadguru is a totally wasted life.” Vamanbua asked him, where he could find a Sadguru. The Brahmin replied, “Go to Akkalkot and get the Darshan of Swami Samarth; He is the Avatar of Lord Dattatreya, manifest in human form.” Hearing the fame of Swami Samarth of Akkalkot he became eager for His Darshan. He, at once, went to Akkalkot in the year 1872. Swami Samarth had gone to Honde at that time. Vamanbua went to Honde, but could not reach the village, because the river which was to be crossed was in floods. He felt very disappointed. But, from his side of the river on the other bank he could see the celestial figure of Swami Samarth, and prostrated to Him where He was. Swami Samarth Himself came near him walking across the river and gave him Darshan in the form of Lord Dattatreya. Vamanbua prostrated at His lotus feet again with a deep thrill of joy, his heart overflowing with gratitude for Swami Samarth’s solicitude and compassion towards Him. He worshiped Swami Samarth, offered Naivedya. Very much pleased, Swami Samarth blessed Vamanbua with Mahamantra [a sacred hymn of the Deities] and also bless him with the religious book of Avadhoot Geeta [A sacred epic on the Incarnation of Lord Dattatreya].
Due to the strength of his accomplishment, Vamanbua soon attained the stage of Brahmanishtha [vehicle of God’s Will in transcendent relationship as well as in the creative process of God]. He stayed at Baroda and hence was later known as Badodekar. Vamanbua wrote a book covering the life miracles of Swami Samarth called as ‘Guru Leelamrit’. This book is considered highly worthy for worship by the devotees of Swami Samarth. After coming to Baroda, Vamanbua’s health started to deteriorate around 1876. He started suffering from all sorts of complications including diseases like cough, urinary problems, piles, and rheumatism. He was unable to bear the suffering. He took all sorts of medical treatments, but to no avail. The malady grew worse with every passing day. He then sent a letter to Swami Samarth praying that he should cure him by His grace, but did not receive any reply. The pain in his body increased to such an intolerable extent that Vamanbua while performing Pranayam decided to commit suicide by drowning himself in the Sursagar water tank.
One night, he went to the bank of Sursagar water tank, reciting the name of Swami Samarth. Just at that moment Swami Samarth suddenly manifested Himself in front of Vamanbua and caught hold of him. Swami Samarth yelled at him and said,
“You fool ! You wish to die in spite of the long life allotted to you by God. One has to undergo all the sufferings predetermined by one’s fate. You want to escape from paying off your debts. You had incurred heavy debts in your former life. All the present sufferings of yours are settlement of this old account. What you sowed in your previous life, you have to reap in the present one. Even Mahapurushas [great men] cannot escape prarabdha [past deeds], even if they had purified themselves completely by austerities in the present life. By committing suicide, do you think you can escape from your suffering? After suicide, it will be far worse; and unsettled accounts will haunt you life after life, increasing manifold as if with compound interest. Have forbearance!
Further Swami Samarth said,
Do you think I did not know about your suffering? But, you must know that it is all a cleansing and purifying process – the gold has to be put in fire and hammered on the anvil before it frees itself of its dross and attains purity and shines resplendently. The hardships thrown on man by destiny are by way of a similar process, meant to cleanse the mind, heart and the self of man, so that the divinity innate in him will get manifest in its fullness and he will become worthy of being God’s child.
Vamanbua fell on Swami Samarth’s feet, hugging them and bathing them with tears welling from his eyes. Swami Samarth took Vamanbua to his home, and then disappeared.
Reading this appropriate and timely story, Ambadekar was amazed at the way Baba worked in his life. It stirred up his belief and faith in the Lord of Shirdi. Had Baba not tiped him off through the narrative, he would have killed himself. On realizing Baba’s all-pervasiveness and compassion, his faith in Him was complete, and he became a staunch devotee. His father was a devotee of Akkalkotkar Maharaj, and Sai Baba wanted him to walk into his father’s footsteps and maintain his devotion to Him. He then got Sai Baba’s blessings, and his nightmare scenario began to improve. He made an in-depth study of astrology, and gained expertise in it. He was now able to earn sufficient money, and thus the remaining years of his life were spent in comfort.
As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat, Vol. 3
Dhairjya O bishwaasa sahita || Praarabdha bhogibaa uchita
Na sahi paari kete nara || Karanti aatmahatyaa ghora
Aatmahatyaa karile madhya || Kate naahin krura praarabdha
Jete praarabdha baakithaae || Aagare bhogibaaku hue
It is desirable to go through the results of the accumulated actions of one’s past life following the unchangeable laws of nature with patience and faith. However, some people, unable to bear the (painful) results of their past actions, commit suicide. The cruel effects of Karmic Rina does not get mitigated even if one commits suicide. The good or bad effects of ones ‘Prarabdha’ has to be borne in this life and ensuing lives.
Source: SaiLeela (2010)
