The Leelas in chapter 27 give us a glimpse of Baba's love for Shama, and how He wanted to give Shama several religious texts so that he could benefit from them. The first story is about Kaka Mahajani, who comes to the Dwarka Mai with a copy of the Eknath Bhagvat, hoping that Baba would return it with His blessings. But, Baba gives the book to Shama instead. Shama protests, but to no avail. Mahajani then brings another copy, which Baba blesses and returns to him. The main story of this chapter is about a Ramdasi, who used to read the Vishnu Sahasranam every day. Baba lies to him, saying that He has a terrible stomach ache which would abate with Senna powder. The concerned Ramdasi immediately leaves to get the powder. Then, Baba comes down, steals his book and gives it to Shama. Shama is unwilling to accept it as he thinks that Baba is trying to cause a fight between them, and that is exactly what happens. But Baba pacifies the Ramdasi, and Shama gives him a copy of the Pancharatna Gita instead, which the Ramdasi gladly accepts. The next Leela is of Babusaheb Jog, who receives a copy of the Gita Rahasya written by Lokmanya Tilak. Baba blesses the book and returns it to Jog. These incidents show that Baba encouraged His devotees to read these texts and inculcate them into their lives. Finally, Baba gives Mantra Upadesh to Laxmibai Khaparde, and asks her to continuously chant the words "Raja Ram, Raja Ram."
I shall now talk about the importance of reciting the Vishnu Sahasranam Stotra, and give a brief introduction to it. The chanting of Nama, or the divine name, has an important place in the disciplines advocated in the Bhakti Marg. This adoration of the Divine by names takes two forms - Japa and Stotra. Japa is the silent repetition generally of a single Divine Name, or a Mantra, which may also have a long formula. The Stotra, however, is invariably uttered aloud and it may include the chanting of verses conveying the glory and attributes of the Divine. The Sahasranam is perhaps the most popular and holiest form of Stotras among devotees. The word 'Sahasranam' means the thousand names of the Lord. It may be asked, 'What devotional purpose can the elaboration of names serve?' Inward concentration is the essence of devotional practice, but inward concentration is also the most difficult to practise. Even a great man like Arjuna said to Lord Krishna in the Gita, "Today, of all Sahasranams, the Vishnu Sahasranam is known as The Sahasranam." The mind is fickle, turbulent, powerful and unyielding. To control and concentrate it is as difficult as controlling the wind itself. So aspirants treading the path of devotion are given practices of varying subtlety for communion with the Divine. Concentrated meditation is of the highest form of communion. Japa comes next, and Stotra, the external worship, comes after that. While meditation and Japa can be done only very imperfectly by the majority of men, Stotra and external worship can be practised much more successfully, and with greater devotional satisfaction. Hence, the importance of Stotra as a devotional practice.
A Stotra has six characteristics, viz., salutation, benediction, statement of the doctrine, praise of the deity and His attributes, description of His valour, form, deeds and prayer. In elaborate Stotras, like the Vishnu Sahasranam, that often take the shape of long, literary pieces, these features can be clearly seen. These are brought out through the selection of meaningful names that are strung together into verses. Vishnu Sahasranam is a part of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata. Tradition says that the Vishnu Sahasranam was composed by Sanaka, one of the Kumaras. When Yudhishthira posed the question: "Who is that Being who is Supreme Lord of all, the sole refuge of all, and by praising and worshipping whom, man gains what is good and attain salvation?" Bhishma responded to the question, in the presence of Lord Krishna, by narrating the Vishnu Sahasranam, the thousand names of Vishnu.
Shama and Vishnu Sahasranam
Just as Lord Krishna bestowed His grace upon Arjuna and Uddhav, so did Baba bestow His grace upon Shama. But the method was very different. Baba's method was unusual and inscrutable. Once a Ramdasi came to Shirdi, and took his Asan in the Sabha Mandap of Dwarka Mai. Every morning, he would read the Pothi. One day, Baba complained of stomach ache. Shama, who was nearby, asked Him what the matter was. Baba said that He had a terrible stomach ache, and asked the Ramdasi to go and fetch some Sonmukhi to relieve Him of the pain. As soon as the Ramdasi left, Baba left His seat and took the Vishnu Sahasranam from the bundle of books belonging to the Ramdasi. Baba then gave it to Shama and asked him to keep it. Shama was very upset and said, "I don't want your Pothi." However, Baba insisted that he keep it. Shama angrily said, "Deva, first you lied saying that you had a stomach ache. Then you went and stole his book. You steal the b...
