The Mirror of the Mind: Nana Saheb and the Test of Beauty
The Leela
In the sacred precincts of Dwarakamai, a profound drama unfolded involving one of Baba's closest devotees, Nana Saheb Chandorkar. Nana Saheb, along with Dasganu Maharaj, was instrumental in spreading Baba's name, yet even the most devout are tested. On this day, a Muslim family arrived to seek Baba's darshan. Among them was a lady of striking beauty. Following the custom of the time, she wore a veil (burkha). As she lifted her veil to bow reverently at Baba's feet, Nana Saheb, who was seated nearby, caught a glimpse of her face.
Though Nana Saheb was over sixty years old—standing on the threshold of old age—a sudden ripple of attraction disturbed his mind. If she were to lift her veil just one more time, he thought, I could gaze upon that beauty again. This fleeting desire arose right in the presence of the Brahmand Nayak, Sai Baba. His mind sought a surreptitious route to satisfy this visual hunger, unaware that nothing is hidden from the Master.
? The Conflict / Doubt
How can a devotee, even one as senior and dedicated as Nana Saheb, grapple with the sudden awakening of Ravan (lust/desire) within, even while sitting in the holy presence of the Guru?
The conflict arises when the mind, despite age and wisdom, is hijacked by sensory attraction. The devotee questions how one should handle beauty and desire—should one shut their eyes to the world to remain pure, or is there a higher way to engage with creation?
The Revelation
Baba, reading the subtle turmoil in Nana Saheb's mind, immediately addressed the root of the issue. He did not ask Nana to close his eyes or run away; instead, He offered a profound shift in perspective.
"Oh Nana, if the door in front is open, then why do you want to enter through the backdoor?"
Baba's teaching unraveled the knot of desire through these logical steps:
- The Nature of the Backdoor: Stealing glances or wishing to see secretly is the "backdoor." It indicates a mind disturbed by guilt and desire. If the mind were pure, there would be no need for stealth.
- Vision reflects the Mind: The world itself is holy, abundant, and beautiful. It is our vision that is blurred by impurity. Baba explained: "If the vision is clear, pure, and holy, then the world is also holy."
- Suppression vs. Transformation: Simply closing the eyes is not the solution. The sense organs are designed to see and hear; suppression often fails. However, if the mind is controlled and purified, the eyes can see beauty without lust.
- Appreciation without Attachment: One should be able to look at beauty with wide-open eyes and praise the Creator. The thought should be: "God, if your creation is so beautiful, then how beautiful must You be!"
The lesson culminated with the example of Shivaji Maharaj, who, upon seeing a beautiful woman from the enemy camp, did not objectify her but revered her, saying, "Mother, you are so beautiful; had I been born from your womb, I would have been so beautiful." Thus, the evil lies not in beauty itself, but in the turmoil of the mind.
Scriptural References
đź“– Sai Satcharitra Chapter 49
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In the sacred precincts of Dwarakamai, a profound drama unfolded involving one of Baba's closest devotees, Nana Saheb Chandorkar. Nana Saheb, along with Dasganu Maharaj, was instrumental in spreading ...
Leela Narration
In the sacred precincts of Dwarakamai, a profound drama unfolded involving one of Baba's closest devotees, Nana Saheb Chandorkar. Nana Saheb, along with Dasganu Maharaj, was instrumental in spreading ...