The Broken Brick: The Mystery of the Mortal Vessel
The Leela
For years, there existed a simple, old brick in Dwarkamai—an object of little value to the world, but of immense significance to Sai Baba. It was His constant support, the pillow upon which He rested His head in yogasana.
One day, during the routine cleaning of the mosque, the brick slipped from a boy's hand. It fell and shattered into pieces. When Baba heard the news, His reaction was not of indifference, but of deep sorrow. His eyes filled with tears as He looked upon the fragments. He lamented, declaring that it was not merely a brick that had broken, but His fortune itself. He proclaimed that with His companion gone, He too could not remain much longer. True to His word, shortly after this incident, Baba disintegrated His body into the five elements.
? The Conflict / Doubt
Why would a detached Sadguru lament over a transient object like a brick?
It seems incomprehensible that Baba, who had no place for infatuation or material attachment in His life, would shed tears and declare His fortune 'broken' over a piece of baked clay. How can we reconcile this attachment with His state of perfect renunciation?
The Revelation
The brick was not merely clay; it was a profound metaphor for the human body.
- The Symbolism of Soil: Just as the brick is made of soil scorched in fire, the human body is the vessel provided by the Almighty. Baba used the brick to illustrate that the body is an instrument.
- The Vehicle of Realization: It is through the support of this body that one purifies the mind and reaches the strata of Parabrahma. As the transcript explains:
"The body given by almighty, I made good use of it... I purified the mind with the help of this brick. I experienced my soul with the help of this brick."
- The Concept of the Companion: By calling the brick a 'companion,' Baba subtly teaches distinction. A companion is separate from oneself. Therefore, He indicates, "I am not the body," yet acknowledges its necessity to complete the spiritual journey.
- The Middle Path: The ultimate lesson is to avoid two extremes:
- The offense of believing "I am the body."
- The error of neglecting the body by considering it a failure.
The body must be respected as the instrument that carries us to the Atman and Paramatman, but when its time comes to shatter, one must recognize that its purpose has been fulfilled.
Scriptural References
📖 Sai Satcharitra Chapter 44
Watch the Discourse
For years, there existed a simple, old brick in Dwarkamai—an object of little value to the world, but of immense significance to Sai Baba. It was His constant support, the pillow upon which He rested ...
Leela Narration
For years, there existed a simple, old brick in Dwarkamai—an object of little value to the world, but of immense significance to Sai Baba. It was His constant support, the pillow upon which He rested ...