Devayani stood to welcome everyone and respectfully and lovingly shared that Gurudev had left Thursday evening immediately upon hearing of his father’s final departure.
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She talked briefly of Sheena Shetty’s, life; a life filled with devotion for both Bhagavan Nityanand and Baba Muktanand, and shared some of his history. “Sheena Shetty, known by most as Seth, was a devotee first of Bhagavan and later also of Baba. Although he loved sadhus and early on wished to become one himself, he was a householder and owned a restaurant, Shree Yogiraj Refreshments in Mumbai. He was the father of 4 children – 2 of whom were later appointed to carry on Baba’s work as his successors. He was religiously devoted to his daily practice throughout his life. He used to get up very early in the morning. He was very punctual in his practice.”
After her
words we chanted Om Namo Bhagavate Nityanandaya – a version known
in Ganeshpuri with a slightly different tone and the words at times
varied with Shiva Shiva and Parabrahma. It was an enchanting, beautiful
melody - a tremendous peace permeated the room. This chant was followed
by Om Namah Shivaya and then we slipped into a deeply silent meditation.
Saturday evening closed with a special prasad and a quiet togetherness
in the office adjacent the hall.
The
next day many arrived for the Sunday morning Satsang, also to hear of
the news for the first time. Devayani greeted people by the stream and
shared personally with the devotees.
As always, we began the satsang by chanting the Guru Gita and this was followed by a rousing Raghupati Raghava Rajaram kirtan. Again Devayani introduced the program by speaking lovingly of Sheena Shetty and his life.
He
sang a beautiful verse from the Haripath and then shared the translation:
“The person who sings the fame of Hari’s name, his body is
purified. By the power of austerity of Hari’s name when the body
and mind get immersed, he becomes immortal and enjoys millions of years
in Vishnu’s abode. His mother, father, brothers and all relatives
become one with Lord Vishnu (achieve liberation). Jnanadev received this
sacred knowledge – Nivrittinath bestowed it in my hands.”
We heard the story of Ibraham bin Adam, a very wealthy king. One night as he was asleep on his golden couch, in his silken clothes, he heard a noise on the roof. He called out “Why are you walking on the roof?” And a voice called back to him, “Friend, I have lost my camel.” Ibraham bin Adam called back to he who was on the roof, “Fool! Why do you look for your camel on the roof?” And the voice called back to him, “Oh heedless one, do you look for God in silken clothes asleep on a golden couch?”
Later, as Ibraham bin Adam had become a great Sufi Saint, he was asked, “What befell you that you quit your kingdom?” And Ibraham bin Adam replied, “I was seated on a throne and a mirror was held before me. I looked into that mirror and saw that my lodging was a tomb and there was no familiar friend. I saw a long journey and I had no provision. I saw just a judge and I had no defense. And I became disgusted in my kingship.”
Dana talked about the Guru being the familiar friend that we need on the journey, the provisions are the practices, the mantra and a simple, pure life. And he asked, “What is our defense?” “It is the highest knowledge: Aham Brahmasmi – I am Brahman.”
“When you make that relationship strong with the Guru – when we are absorbed in that faith and the knowledge of the Self – fear does not dare to look at you – there is no fear for one who’s Guru attends to them at that moment of death.”
Yet, we must remember, “It doesn’t do any good to build a well if the house is on fire.” The remembrance of God must be a constant habit, a part of our very breath; it is something that is made steady and strong by constant practice.
He shared some of Baba’s words on how the Guru helps at Death: “…. If the Guru does not help one at the time of death, then what’s the use of having a Guru? The Guru helps you in life and in death as well. Therefore, never desert your Guru. Continue to hold his hand so he will help you when you need his help very badly, particularly at the last moment. Make your relationship stronger day by day.”
“We
can assume then, that surely at the time of Seth’s and Amma’s
death, Bhagavan and Baba have intervened with death itself, taken their
hands and said to death, ‘these are mine’.
After
Dana’s talk, Shankar Shetty, present at Sunday’s Satsang,
also spoke a few words. Shankar
Shetty is a relative of Sheena Seth and knew him well from the younger
years. Also, like Seth, Shankar Shetty is also one of those most
fortunate people who had not only the darshan, but was able to spend
time with both Bhagavan Nityanand as well as Baba Muktanand. For
many of us, his presence invoked the thoughts and presence of these
great beings. He spoke of his remembrance of Seth and told us that
Seth was always able to see God in other people. He especially mentioned
his great generosity and tremendous heart. We heard how often he
gave assistance to wandering sadhus – giving them food and
shelter. He told us that Baba himself, in the early years, when
he was wandering in Bombay and after others had turned him down,
had received care from Sheena Shetty. |
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Shankar Shetty left us with a quote “Beautiful thoughts create beautiful souls.” Sheena Shetty was indeed a beautiful soul.
We again chanted Om Namah Shivaya and sat quietly together in meditation. There was a palpable presence with us here in Walden, a certain depth of feeling – a most certain, quiet joy.
Shankar’s wife Suma Shetty performed the Arati at the end of the program.
