1Blessed is Sree Sai’s visage. One glimpse of his visage removes the miseries of many lives. It is the perennial source of Bliss.
2One merciful glance immediately breaks all the bondages of past actions (karmas). His devotees attain the favour of Self-Bliss, within a moment.
3With a merciful glance from him, the perplexities of past omissions and commissions are dissipated. His grace is like the light of the sun in which the glow of the fire-flies fade.
4The Bhagirathi (river) washes the sins of the world whereby she herself becomes impure. She longs for the dust of the feet of the Saints to destroy her own accumulated impurity.
5‘When will the feet of the Saints touch me? When will they come to bathe in me? Without them, my sins will not be cleansed’. She definitely knows that.
6Samartha Sai is the crest jewel of such Saints. Knowing that these are his words, devoted and virtuous people hear this purifying story, with great reverence.
7The greatness of the story is marvellous. The bonds of karma of the listeners, whether they are wise or ignorant, will be broken. This is a very holy story.
8The faculty of the vision of all the eyes and the faculty of hearing of all the ears is Sai. He, himself, has entered my heart and narrated this story.
9Sai is himself eminently learned. Hearing the marvel of this story, the listeners will forget their ego and will be filled with the eight ‘satvik’ feelings[1].
10Paying attention to the intent of this story from Sai, keeping an eye on the moral, listeners will achieve the objects of their endeavours.
11But listeners hear my plea. Though I am the narrator of this story, I will be as vacuous as you are, not having understood the essence, if I do not concentrate.
12When I remember his love for his devotees, my mind forgets its nature and I am at peace, notwithstanding the problems of the worldly life. What greater benefit could there be?
13Listen to this story with attention, which is connected with the previous one. Listening to the story without interruption will bring satisfaction.
14In the end of the previous chapter, the listeners heard the story of the goats and Baba’s love for them, on remembering their past lives.
15This story is similar to it, about how the intense greed for money leads to a downfall. Listen to it with concentration.
16It is only Sai, with his utmost grace, who suggests the stories, one after another, so that there is no break for the listeners, and increases happiness and contentment.
17Sai Samartha, himself, is the story, the narrator and the narration. Why and how is Hemad there? It is only the assumed name.
18When I am sitting on the shores of an ocean of Sai stories, how can there be a shortage of them? Sitting under the wish-fulfilling tree, no sooner the wishes arise than they are fulfilled.
19Who worries about a lamp in the abode of the sun? One who drinks nectar, regularly, would he drink poison?
20When there is someone like Sai, as our protector, can there be a shortage of the nectar of stories? Savour them to your hearts’ content, with pleasure.
21The doctrine of ‘karmas’ is incomprehensible. No one is able to understand it thoroughly. Even the very wise ones are baffled; but the devoted ignorant ones are saved.
22Similarly, the laws of God are difficult to be understood. Who will transgress them? All we can do is to follow the code of conduct of the world, and do one’s duty always.
23Otherwise, it will be completely against the scriptures; and after death one is reborn in a form which is in accordance with the actions in life.
24In accordance with the deeds done and in confirmation with the sacred law, some, along with the seed and semen, enter the organ of creation, while some (others) enter static entities.
25Births verily take place in accordance with intelligence. The real meaning of Shruti (sacred law) is not known to anybody. If there is to be rebirth, let the soul take it as it likes.
26In order to be born again in a body, foolish and ignorant people should bear in mind that it depends on one’s merits and they will acquire bodies accordingly.
27Consider him to be wise, who before death, in order to achieve self-realisation, fully utilises the human birth.
28He alone is free from the worldly existence; others get entangled in the movement of the whirligig, never becoming free from a body, or the miseries of birth.
29Now, the miracle of this story is that the evil feeling that ‘I am the body’ is erased and the eight ‘satvik’ emotions are aroused.
30He who is a great miser inspite of immense wealth, his life can only invite scorn. Till death, he will experience a wasted life.
31Added to it, if there is a feeling of enmity it will never be good. Restrain and control yourself from that. Otherwise, it will completely destroy a person’s life.
32Mutual enmity causes one to fall from a higher state of life to a lower. Natural evolution of life is destroyed by debt, animosity and murder.
33I therefore narrate for the sake of the listeners, a story elucidating this principle, told by Sai himself, in his nectar-like speech. Listen to it attentively.
34I am going to repeat the story exactly as Mother Sai narrated it and as I heard it and remember it.
35Sai himself is the biographer, who gets the story written down in detail. Hemad, is only an instrument, of whom Sai is the controller.
36'One day in the morning, around 8 o’clock, having had breakfast as usual, I set out for a walk.
37Feeling tired from the walk, I reached a river bank. I washed my feet and bathed, which refreshed me.
38And how big was the river? It was of the size of the river in Rahata. There was overflowing water and bushes grew abundantly on its banks.
39There was a foot path and also a road for vehicles. On the banks there was a thick cluster of trees, which provided excellent shade.
40There was a cool and soothing breeze which delighted me. Gazing at the cluster of trees, I sat at ease in the shade.
41As I was about to fill the ‘chillum’ and for that purpose to moisten the cloth (chhapi), I heard the croaking of what seemed to be a frog.
42It was no wonder as there are frogs always near the water. So I moistened the cloth and returned and took the flint in my hand.
43When a spark arose from striking the flint, and the chillum was lighted and ready, a wayfarer came and sat near me, after bowing to me.
44Respectfully taking the chillum in his hands from me he said: “You seem to have travelled a long distance.”
45"The Masjid is far from here. It will become hot by the time you go there. My house is across the river. Let us go there after smoking the chillum.
46You can have something to eat and rest a while there. Then when the sun goes down a little, you can return comfortably.
47I will also come with you". After speaking thus, the wayfarer lit the chillum and gave it to me to puff, with reverence.
48At that time, that frog began to croak loudly and piteously, whereupon the wayfarer asked who was crying out.
49Then I said: "A frog has got into great difficulty at the river bank, because of its past actions. Listen. I will narrate its story.
50We have to reap what we sow in our past life. One should endure one’s destiny calmly. There is no use crying about it.
51After hearing this, the wayfarer handed over the chillum in my hands and set out from there, saying: "I will go and see and return.
52Is it really a frog or some other creature? Let me see also for myself what is its problem".
53Seeing that, that was his wish, I said: "Go and see and return. A frog has been caught in the mouth of a big snake and that’s why it is crying.
54Both are very wicked and the deeds of both of them have been dreadful. The sins of their past lives have been terrible; and they have been born in another form of existence, to suffer the fruit of their action".
55After I gave this opinion, the wayfarer went to that spot and returned after seeing what was actually happening. He confirmed the true situation.
56"The snake is deadly with a large jaw. The frog too is frightful but it is going to be eaten by the snake.
57He has an existence for a short while. He has become an offering in the snake’s mouth. What a strange fate! Soon he will no longer exist".
58Then I said to him: "How can he kill him? After all, I am its father, here! Why should I be here then?
59Have I left my own abode and come here to permit that frog to be eaten? Watch how I get it released.
60After ending this struggle, we will go to our own homes. Go, go and fill that chillum, once more. Then let’s see what the snake does".
61The chillum was made ready immediately. The wayfarer lit it himself and taking a deep-drawn puff, presented it to me and I took it in my hands to smoke.
62I took a couple of deep puffs and then, taking the wayfarer with me, went to that lush green grass and reached that specific spot.
63Seeing that snake again, the wayfarer was frightened. “How huge it is!” he said, and clutched me with terror.
64He said: “Do not go any further. The snake will come towards us. This place is too narrow if we decide to run. No, do not go there”.
65Seeing this scene, the wayfarer was afraid for his life. Then, hear this advice in respect of the enmity of both.
66"Oh, Veerbhadrappa has not your enemy Bassappa yet repented, though he has been born as a frog?
67You, too, though born as a snake still maintain bitter and mortal enmity? At least, now be ashamed; and giving up your enmity remain at peace".
68No sooner than the words were uttered, the snake left the frog and fled by quickly entering into the deep waters. He disappeared from there.
69Escaping from the jaws of death, the frog with a rebounding jump went and hid into the thicket. The wayfarer was filled with surprise.
70He said: "I do not understand anything. No sooner than you spoke, how did the snake release the frog and how the snake too hid himself?
71Out of these, who is Veerabhadrappa and who is Bassappa?" The wayfarer asked for the reason for the enmity; and said: “Please tell me about it.”
72“Very well. Let us go and sit in the shade under the trees and smoke the chillum again”, he said. “Then I will satisfy your curiosity and afterwards go back to my place”.
73We both came near the trees where the shade was dense. A cool, gentle breeze was blowing. We again lit the chillum.
74The wayfarer smoked it first then handed it over to me. While smoking it, I told this beautiful story to that wayfarer.
75"There existed a holy place, some two or three koss away from where I lived, which was ancient and full of glory.
76There was an old, dilapidated temple of Shiva there, which everyone thought about renovating.
77For that purpose, a large contribution was raised. A good amount was collected. Arrangements were made for worship and other rites and detailed plans were made for it.
78A rich, local man was appointed as the manager there. The monies were handed over to him and he was put in full charge.
79He was to keep a separate and independent account, and enter into it the cash contributions that were collected. He was to do this work without fail and honestly.
80But he was a great miser by nature. He did the work in such a way that he had to bear no loss. Therefore, the work could not be completed.
81The whole amount was spent but the work was only half done. He did not spend any of his own money, not even a farthing.
82Though he was a big moneylender he was miserliness incarnate. He spoke sweet words falsely, but did not put them into action.
83The people who had contributed to the funds, gathered at his home and said: "What is the use of your position as a wealthy man!
84If you do not solidly and financially support the renovation of the Shiva temple, how will the work be completed? Think of this.
85We will appeal once again to the people and collect more contributions. We will send all the money to you. See that this work is completed".
86Further monies were collected; and handsome amounts were received. But they were not put to any use at all. The rich man sat quietly.
87So be it. After some time, the Lord decided to take the matter in his own hands. The rich man’s wife had a dream vision, at that time.
88“At least, you should wake up and act! Go and build the dome for that temple. Neelkanth will give you hundred times the amount you spend”.
89The next day, she described, in detail, the dream vision to her husband. For him, who felt that it was the end of life to spend even a farthing, this was most upsetting.
90For him who thought only of amassing money, day and night, and had no other purpose in life, the meaning of this dream vision which involved unnecessary spending of money, of that how could he be convinced?
91He told his wife: “I do not believe in this vision. I have absolutely no faith in it”. And he started ridiculing her.
92One perceives the world as per his own inclinations. Being a rascal himself, he saw others in the same plight.
93"If God intended that my money should be spent, was I far away from you? Why did He appear in your dream?
94Why did you alone have this vision? Why didn’t God give it to me? Therefore, I have no faith in it. I have not understood its meaning.
95It is either a bad dream or it is an effort on God’s part to create a rift between husband and wife. These are the only two alternatives that I see.
96Am I not making sufficient contribution in the renovation work? Every month the bag that is filled gets empty.
97People bring all the amounts. This is what appears to be true outwardly. But the accounting procedure for receipts and expenses is a commercial one. It is a losing proposition for me.
98People are not aware of this. How should I explain it to you? Therefore, in this situation this vision of yours cannot be accepted.
99If it is believed to be true, then we will be deceived. A vision that is seen when the sleep is broken, can it be believed at all?" The rich man propounded this principle.
100Hearing this, the wife remained quiet and was unable to reply to her husband. Even though the people collected the money, they rarely gave it happily.
101God does not like contributions given without love, due to pressure, under persuasion or coercion. A little gift given with love is very precious.
102The work progressed depending on the money collected. When there was shortage of money, the work also stopped. In this way, the work got prolonged.
103The rich man, being a miser, did not spend a single farthing from his own pocket. Listen to a further vision that his wife had.
104"Don’t press your husband to give money for the temple. Your devotion is sufficient to God. You give whatever you wish.
105Even one paisa given with feeling and devotion, of your own money, is worth a lakh. Offer it to God after taking your husband’s permission.
106Do not unnecessarily worry. Offer whatever you like. Offer whatever little that belongs to you.
107Here, only devotion is important. Knowing that you have it, God persists in asking you for something.
108Therefore, whatever little wealth you have, give it and be at peace. To give without devotion is improper. God does not like it at all.
109Anything that one gives without faith is worthless like dust; and in the end, will be futile. This will be experienced in no time".
110Be it so. After having the vision, she decided to sell the jewellery given by her father and fulfil God’s desire.
111Then, she conveyed her decision to her husband, who listened to it, and felt dejected.
112Where there is greed, what can be expected? There is no thought about God, righteousness and morality. He thought: 'What foolishness is this! She has truly lost her mind!
113After estimating the value of her jewellery, and fixing the price to be one thousand rupees, the land should be transferred to her name’.
114He bought the ornaments himself. In lieu of the money he gave to his wife, a piece of land which was sandy and saline, which was mortgaged to him.
115It was fallow land which yielded no crops even during the rains. He told his wife: "Offer this to Shiva (Pinakpani).
116When you give in charity this piece of land, worth one thousand rupees to God, He who gave you the vision, will be propitiated and you will be freed from your debt".
117So be it. Believing her husband, the wife of the miser offered that land with love and devotion, to satisfy Shankar’s wishes.
118In fact, Dubaki had the ownership rights thereon, as she had mortgaged it to the rich merchant from whom she had taken a loan of two hundred rupees.
119Dubaki was a destitute woman who owned this land. When she had financial difficulties, she had mortgaged this land.
120But the rich man was very greedy. Not only did he cheat Shankar but he misappropriated his wife’s personal wealth. He was pleased with this deceit or fraud.
121The intense desire for all sense objects is most evil, which destroys the life of one who is so attached. One should not get entangled in these worldly pleasures if one hopes to live.
122The deer meets death because of its desire for hearing, the cobra is killed for the beautiful bead on its head; and the moth burns because of its love of light. Such is the outcome of having such desires.
123To enjoy the worldly pleasures one needs wealth. Therefore, intense efforts have to be made to acquire it. And the satisfaction of these desires only makes them multiply. It is impossible to destroy them.
124Undoubtedly it was a barren land and no effort could produce any crop on it. Such a land was offered to God. What merit could there be in such an offering?
125It is an absolute or real offering to God only when there is no motivation behind it. If not, it is a sin whose fruits are ultimately painful.
126On the other hand, the poor Brahmin who looked after the temple, was very contented that the land had been offered to God.
127Be it so. After some time, an adverse event took place. It rained heavily during the third of the lunar mansions (Kruttika Nakshatra) and there was a frightful storm.
128Suddenly, lightening struck. The building (of the miser) was razed to the ground leaving only the land without a claimant. Everything else was burnt to ashes.
129The rich man was also attacked; and died with his wife. Dubaki also died. Such was the end of these three.
130Later, this rich man was born in Mathura, in an impoverished Brahmin family and his devoted wife was born in the family of a pujari.
131She was named Gauri. There is a different story about Dubaki. She was born in the Gurava caste, that worships Shankar, but she lost her womanhood and took birth as a man.
132The naming ceremony of the boy was done and he was named Chanabassappa. Thus, the status of all the three changed, and the previous karmas bore fruit.
133The rich man, in the new birth, was named Veerabhadra. This is the essence of ‘prarabdha’ karma, which has to be borne for it to end.
134I greatly liked the priest of the Shiva temple. He regularly came to my home and smoked the chillum with me.
135Then we would chat away the whole night happily. Gauri had grown up and became of a marriageable age. He used to bring her along also.
136She too, was devoted to me. One day, the priest asked me: "I have searched all the places; but have not been able to fix her marriage anywhere.
137Baba, I have got exhausted looking for a good home for her. All my efforts have failed. I have got tired". “Why are you unnecessarily worrying?” I said. "The bridegroom is on the way.
138Your daughter is very fortunate. She will become very rich. The boy will come looking for her on his own.
139In a short time, he will come to your home and fulfil your wish. He will get married to Gauri, as per your wish".
140On the other hand, Veerabhadra’s family had a poor household. He encouraged his parents to have patience and left the home.
141He wandered from village to village, begging for alms and sometimes working as a labourer. He would sometimes eat only whatever he got and remained contented with that.
142While roaming thus, by good fortune, he came to the Pujari’s house. It was an incredible leela of Allah Miya! He was liked by all.
143Gradually, the priest (pujari) grew fond of him and thought of giving Gauri in marriage to him. The horoscopes matched and the priest was pleased.
144The priest, bringing Veerabhadra with him, came one day to me. Seeing both of them together at that time, I suddenly had an idea.
145No sooner had the idea occurred that I expressed it. “If the present time is auspicious for a marriage, then give Gauri to him and become free”.
146After getting his wife’s consent, Veerabhadra was selected as the bridegroom. Choosing an auspicious time, the marriage was performed in a proper manner.
147After the ceremonies were over, the family came to me for darshan and also for my blessings for a happy married life.
148I gave them my blessing with pleasure. Veerabhadra now had an easy life and looked contented as he was blessed with happiness and was prosperous.
149He too became devoted to me. His prosperity increased with time; but have you ever come across a person truly satisfied and not hankering after money?
150Money is a big snare! Even the very affluent are troubled by it. Veerabhadra also was disturbed at times. This is the game money plays!
151Veerabhadra said: "Baba, this shackle of marriage is a great obstacle. Lack of money is causing me suffering. Say something which would remedy the situation and which would enable me to cope with my affairs.
152I prostrate at your feet. It’s no good my deceiving you. I beg you to help me and remove my difficulty. After all, it was you who caused this marriage to take place".
153I gave him a lot of good advice, and blessed him lovingly. “Allah Malik is fully aware. He alone can remove the difficulty”.
154Knowing Veerabhadra’s desires and that they would be fulfilled, therefore I assured him and told him not to be miserable in any way.
155“The time for good fortune is very near. Do not unnecessarily get restless. You will have money easily and you will have it in plenty”.
156“Riches seem to scorn me. My wife’s requests for small things do not stop. Enough of this humiliation now! No more of this status of being a married man!”
157Be it so. Later on something marvellous happened! Behold the influence of Gauri’s planetary stars! The price of the barren land shot up. God’s ways cannot be understood!
158A purchaser came forward to buy the land for one lakh of rupees. He paid half the amount in cash and agreed to pay the other half in instalments.
159It was agreed that he would pay two thousand rupees, with interest, every year. Gauri would thus be fully compensated in twenty-five years.
160Everyone agreed with the deal. Chanabassappa, the Gurav, however made a point to say: "The Gurav has the first claim on whatever money is offered to Shankar.
161I should get half the interest as my share, as a Gurav. I will not accept less than that".
162Veerabhadra did not give anything. Chanabassappa did not remain quiet. This led to a lot of arguments. Both of them came to me.
163“Shankar alone is the Lord of the land; and it cannot be utilised by anyone else. Do not be entangled by greed”, I told both of them.
164"This is the price of the land which had been offered to Shankar. Any one else, besides Gauri, who makes a claim on it, will get nothing.
165Anyone who touches that money without the permission of God will certainly invite His wrath. All this belongs entirely to God.
166The ownership is vested in the pujari. Gauri is the sole heiress. No one else has any right to it. It is Gauri’s own money".
167Therefore, I told them both on behalf of Gauri: "Act as per her wishes. That will ensure your welfare.
168If you act against her wishes, God is not going to be pleased. Veerabhadrappa has no authority to independently deal with this".
169When I clearly expressed my views in the matter, Veerabhadra flew into a rage with me and showered a volley of abuses.
170He said: “Baba, by establishing my wife’s ownership, you want to misappropriate the whole property for your benefit”.
171Hearing these words, I was stunned. The deeds of Allah Miya are incredible! Why unnecessarily grieve!
172After saying this (accusation) to me, Veerabhadrappa was very angry and shouted at his wife at home. Then, when she came in the afternoon for darshan, she began to plead with me.
173“Baba, do not be displeased with me on hearing another’s words. I entreat you, to continue to love me as a daughter”.
174Hearing these words of hers, I gave her a complete assurance: “I would confer so much happiness on you that even the seven oceans could not contain it! Do not grieve”.
175That same might, when Gauribai was sleeping, she had a vision. Shiva appeared in her dream. Listen to what he said:
176"See, all this money is yours. Do not give anything to anybody. I am giving you instructions how to manage it. Act accordingly so that it is always carried on.
177Spend the money, towards the temple, as Chanabassappa advises. I trust him. Let this be the practice.
178If a need arises to use the money for any other purpose, do not mismanage the money. Therefore, without consulting Baba in the Masjid, do not make any arrangements".
179Gauribai told me the whole vision in detail. I also advised her correctly to abide by the instructions in the vision.
180“Keep the capital yourself, which belongs to you. Give half the interest to Chanabassappa. Do that regularly. Veerabhadra has no claim on it”.
181While we were talking thus, both of them arrived quarrelling. I tried very hard to counsel them to keep calm.
182I told them, in detail, of the vision that Gauribai had of Shankar. After listening to it, Veerabhadra became insane with fury.
183Veerabhadra showered lakhs of abuses on the opposite party, without rhyme or reason to his heart’s content. He used abusive language which frightened and confused the other person.
184He also became deliriously infuriated. He muttered curses and abuses. “I will kill you wherever I find you”, he said.
185Veerabhadra, in the insane fury, looking at Chanabassappa said: “I will cut you to pieces and eat them all up”.
186Chanabassappa was full of fears. He held fast to my feet and said: “Free me from this calamity”. Then I gave him my protection.
187Then, I told the humble Chanabassappa to have courage. “I will not let you die at Veerabhadra’s hands”.
188Be it so. Later on, Veerabhadra had a seizure and died. Then, he was reborn as a snake. Thus there was a change in the bodily form.
189Chanabassappa suffered from fears and apprehensions and died of them. He was reborn as a frog. That is his story.
190On account of the enmity in the previous birth, Veerabhadra was born as a snake and pursued Chanabassappa the frog. In the end, Veerabhadra caught him.
191Poor Chanabassappa, in the form of a frog, fell into the mouth of Veerabhadra, the snake. Hearing his piteous cries, I was moved.
192Remembering the assurance given in the previous life, I freed Chanabassappa from the mouth of the snake and fulfilled my promise.
193Allah comes running for his devotees at the times of their troubles. He has sent me here to protect His devotee.
194This is what you have experienced. Veerabhadra was driven away. Chanabassappa was rescued from his trouble. All this is God’s leela.
195Be it so. Fill up the chillum now. After smoking, I will leave for my abode. You too should go to your home. Remember me.
196After saying this, I puffed the chillum. After enjoying the company, I returned, walking home. I was supremely happy.