Integrity: The Vehicle to Divinity
The Leela
In the sacred pages of the Sai Satcharitra, a unique promise shines brightly—a promise given to no other devotee but Kaka Saheb Dixit. Sai Baba once told him: 'Hold on to your faith (Iman), I shall give you the aircraft (Viman). Sit in it without worry, and remain at peace.'
Years later, as recorded in Chapter 51, this promise reached its fulfillment, but not in a way the ordinary mind might expect. Kaka Saheb was traveling by train with Shri Dabholkar. In a fleeting moment, while resting his head on his companion's shoulder, he passed away peacefully, merging into the five elements without struggle, pain, or the twisting of the body. He left this world as effortlessly as one boarding a flight.
But why did Kaka Saheb deserve such a specific and grand promise? The answer lies in his character. Before he ever met Baba, his friend Nana Saheb Chandorkar tried to entice him to Shirdi by saying, 'My Guru is so capable that he will cure your lame leg.' Kaka Saheb, who was physically disabled in one leg, responded with a profundity that stunned the heavens: 'Let my physical limp remain. The true lameness is in the mind—let your Sai remove that.'
He did not seek physical miracles; he sought the purification of the soul. Recognizing this supreme Iman (faith and righteousness), Baba promised him the Viman—the ultimate spiritual ascent.
? The Conflict / Doubt
Baba promised Kaka Saheb a Viman (aircraft), yet Kaka Saheb left his body while traveling on a physical train. Why did Baba use the analogy of an aircraft for a death that occurred on a railway? Is this a metaphor, or is there a deeper yogic significance hidden within these words?
The Revelation
To understand Baba's promise, we must look beyond the physical vehicle and understand the esoteric science of Prana (life force).
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The Vihangam Marg (The Bird's Path) Baba refers to the Vihangam Path—the direct flight to enlightenment. Unlike the Pipilika Marg (the ant's path), which is slow and step-by-step, the Vihangam Marg is for those who have attained spiritual maturity. It is the rapid elevation of consciousness.
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The Spiritual Aircraft The "Viman" Baba spoke of is not a machine, but the ascent of the Prana through the Sushumna Nadi to the Brahmarandhra (crown chakra). Just as Baba once raised his own Prana into the cosmic expanse for three days (Ch 44), he promised to grant Kaka Saheb this same yogic exit—merging directly with the universe.
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The Pressure Cooker Analogy Drawing from the wisdom of Nityananda Maharaj's Chidakash Gita, the transcript explains this process using a pressure cooker:
- The Cooker: The physical body.
- The Water/Grains: The mind, often impure and mixed like grains in water.
- The Fire: The Intellect (Buddhi), heated by discipline and discrimination.
- The Steam: When the intellect purifies the mind through constant friction and discipline, the life force turns into spiritual steam.
- The Whistle: The steam builds pressure and escapes through the whistle—symbolizing the Prana bursting through the Brahmarandhra to merge with the cosmos.
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The Connection of Faith Because Kaka Saheb prioritized the removal of mental impurities (desires/sins) over his physical disability, he qualified for this high state. Baba assured him:
"Phadāyel tujhe imān, Dhāḍin tujhe lāgī vimān" (Your faith will bear fruit, and I will send the divine chariot/aircraft for you.)
Scriptural References
📖 Sai Satcharitra Ch 45 (v103-107), Ch 51, Ch 16 (v78), Ch 44 (v65), Ch 4 (v154-155); Chidakash Gita (Nityananda Maharaj)
Watch the Discourse
In the sacred pages of the Sai Satcharitra, a unique promise shines brightly—a promise given to no other devotee but Kaka Saheb Dixit. Sai Baba once told him: 'Hold on to your faith (Iman), I shall gi...
Leela Narration
In the sacred pages of the Sai Satcharitra, a unique promise shines brightly—a promise given to no other devotee but Kaka Saheb Dixit. Sai Baba once told him: 'Hold on to your faith (Iman), I shall gi...