Note: I am referring the original Marathi Ovi version of the Shri Sai Satcharita, beautifully translated by Mrs. Indira Kher. No copyright infringement is intended. These reflections and interpretations are drawn from my personal experience, devotion, and evolving understanding of Baba’s teachings and unceasing grace. I fully respect that others may hold different views or insights, and I welcome the diversity of devotion. However, I retain the creative and devotional agency to express myself freely on this blog, which is a heartfelt offering to my One and Only, Satchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj of Shirdi.

With Love, Priyanka

This is the second part of my reflection on Chapter 2, which focuses on the intercession of Shama ji on Hemadpant ji’s behalf and Baba granting permission. Shama ji, or Shri Madhavrao Deshpande, was one of Baba’s dearest devotees. His role in Baba’s life is often compared to that of Nandi to Lord Shiva, forever close, ever present. He was blessed with the rare privilege of intimate proximity to Baba. He could fight with Him, tease Him, even taunt Him, yet his love was boundless, and his faith in Baba absolute. We will see more of his unique relationship in future chapters. Here, after showing how all great works, the mahākārya of divine will, much like the “Great Work” in alchemy, are accomplished only by becoming instruments in God’s hands, the author tells us how Baba Himself granted permission. Baba not only allowed the writing of His life story but also assured Hemadpant ji that it was indeed He, Baba, who would be the true writer of it.

In ovis 68–69, Shama ji speaks a striking line after casually placing Hemadpant ji’s plea before Baba. Knowing Baba’s humility and His dislike for attention, he told Him not to dismiss the request, saying, “I am but a poor fakir, for such a one as Me, what is the need of narrating a life story?” For You are a diamond, which must be set in a socket, he said. I am reminded of a saying popular in India: “Heere ki parakh johri ko hi hoti hai”, only a true jeweller can recognise the worth of a diamond. To a non-human or one without sight, a diamond has no meaning. In the same way, ovis 87–88 declare in His holy words that deliverance is not possible so long as the mind remains entangled in malicious, misconceived speculation and arguments.

He doesn’t consider the ones engaging in debates, proving themselves right, maintaining their point of view and refuting others out of spite or ego, especially in spiritual matters as worthy of Self-knowledge. He says, such a person is engulfed by ignorance alone and can enjoy happiness neither on earth nor in heaven. Everywhere, and at all times, he is unhappy.

Baba’s mahabhaktas knew this and carried the divine sight to recognise His radiance. They were not swayed by appearances. They knew, with certainty, that Baba was the living Absolute, a diamond whose brilliance could never be diminished by the dust of daily life. Until the Self itself chooses to reveal, one cannot truly see or understand it. Our Upanishads say this, and here too it becomes clear, even in the days when Baba’s fame had not spread far and wide, those devotees who came to Him knew Him for who He truly was. And to know Him is to know Brahman, the Self. Which is why, to awaken the same sight within us, Baba clearly mentioned in context of His leelas by listening and contemplating on which:

The devotee will have Self-realisation, which will bring in tune, both, his Jeeva (Atman) and Shiva (Brahman); he will comprehend the Incomprehensible, which is without attributes, and the Supreme Spirit shall reveal Itself.

Ovi 85, Chapter 2, Sri Saisatcharita (Translated by Mrs.Indira Kher)

The humility with which Shama ji spoke to Baba reflects his acceptance of Him as the Absolute. At the same time, the playful, teasing, and even sarcastic way in which he sometimes addressed Baba shows the ease and kinship he felt with Him. Despite Baba’s divine stature, Shama ji could interact with Him as one of his own, without hesitation. In another chapter, Baba tells a devotee to remove the “veil” (teli ki deewar) that separates one from seeing truth. But in Shama ji’s case, I believe there was no such veil at all provided he was amongst the foremost devotees. His heart was open and transparent before Baba.

For Him and so many of us, He is the primordial Doer, the perfect embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ānanda, pure Being, pure Consciousness, pure Bliss. To be drawn into His presence, to remember Him even once, is already His grace. The author himself asserts his faith in non-doership with deep conviction again, “If only You give permission and extend Your help, the book will write itself.” We should all pause and ask ourselves, do we have such faith in Baba that we can see every happening in our lives as His doing and His will? Do we truly believe that all our tasks, whether completed, successful, failed, or abandoned, were in fact carried out by Him through us, and not by our limited human selves? Can we recognise that even our follies are not wasted, but are opportunities to learn and prepare for the greater challenges that the path of liberation from karma and worldly ties will inevitably bring?

Returning to the chapter, Baba placed His boon-bestowing hand on the author’s head, filling him with the courage to carry forward his intention. With that single gesture, Baba steadied Hemadpant ji’s impatient mind and gave him the calm assurance that the work would unfold in His will and His timing. I have to give it to Hemadpant ji for being so steadfast, focused, disciplined, and honest in collecting and writing these stories. How many of us can claim to show the same kind of discipline in carrying out the tasks entrusted or even suggested by the Guru? Baba has often asked things of me, and time and again, I falter. I lose discipline, slip into old patterns, and then circle through regret, shame, and self-reproach. Yet, He remains ever-forgiving, always offering me another chance. This is our human folly, we live as though we will be here forever, postponing the very tasks our Lord wishes us to take up, even if those tasks are as simple as living with more faith, patience, joy and peace.

Whenever there is faith and devotion together, I remain enslaved forever. Have no doubt about this. But otherwise, I always remain unattainable. When heard with virtuousness and a good feeling, these stories will generate devotion in the listener’s minds; self-experienec and bliss will then follow most naturally and a state of perpetual joy will thus be attained.

Ovi 83-84, Chapter 2, Sri Saisatcharita (Translated by Mrs.Indira Kher)

We fail because we do not truly extend the doer-ship to Him. We live with illusory control which breeds attachment, ignorance, ego and what not. It is so easy to speak about these concepts, but so difficult to embody them and live them in our flesh and bones. This is where discipline, surrender, and grace must meet. Because of this very chapter, I too felt inspired to start writing a book of my own experiences with Baba back in 2019. Since then, my life has gone through many changes, and it is only now, in 2025, that I have finally completed it after fully surrendering to Him for completion and being disciplined as an instrument, despite the countless nudges Baba gave me over these years to finish it and keep recording my experiences alongside. I do not plan on publishing it unless I am clearly called to. But this five-year stretch, laced with procrastination, has taught me an important lesson: how easily we humans take everything for granted. Each time I sat down to write about Baba, I could tangibly feel His presence and an overwhelming surge of gratitude within me.

That is why I recommend this practice to you as well. If you are a devotee and have leelas in your own life, make it a point to note them down, digitally or in a notebook. Do it first for yourself, as an act of remembrance and gratitude, and let it be your personal archive of His grace. And who knows, if Baba wills, your words may also inspire faith and devotion in others one day.

Listening to my stories, narrating them to others in a kirtan, contemplating on them will propagate love and devotion for me, which will destroy ignorance, instantly.

Ovi 82, Chapter 2, Sri Saisatcharita (Translated by Mrs.Indira Kher)

Since I do not usually share my personal experiences, this blog itself has sprung forth only because of Baba’s inspiration one whole night when He moved me to share my direct understanding of His teachings. Whether others read it with conviction or not does not matter to me. I know that Baba is reading it, and for me, it is He who is writing it too. The one who will teach and correct the deviations in understanding as well. Like the author, I subdue my ego at His feet. And I say to you, dear devotee, whenever you do anything, let it be offered completely at His holy feet, without worry or expectation.

Hinduism is full of scriptures that were channeled in this way, sages entering deep meditation and allowing the Divine to speak through them. My own work or journal entries too often emerge like this. In such moments, I find ‘myself’ stepping away from whatever task I was occupied with, because the words that flow cannot be ignored and simply move my hands as they want to. When the words come, they prove one thing with certainty, it is not “me” who could write or say such things. It is His will moving through me. You are no different. Have a journal and reflect every single day without fail. You will soon start speaking a language you knew before you were named.

In the next reflection, I will share how Baba named the author ‘Hemadpant’. If you are liking the reflections thus far, please share them far and wide.

|| OM SAI SHRI SAI JAI JAI SAI || 

|| SHRI SATCHIDANANDA SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI ||

Note: Since the chapters are long and stretch across many ovis, I will be breaking them down in a way that allows us to go deep without losing track. Each reflection will cover either a single concept, a leela, or at most 50 ovis – whichever completes a thought fully. This way, we can sit with every aspect of the Satcharita as carefully and reverently as possible, without skipping a single detail, guided always by Baba’s grace. I’ve also chosen this approach because very long posts can feel heavy or overwhelming for some devotees. Keeping them snack-able and focused will hopefully make it easier for everyone to read, return to, and reflect on in their own pace. All rights reserved.