The Inescapable Law of Karma: The Tale of Two Goats
The Leela
One day, while returning from Lendi Baug, Baba encountered a flock of goats. Drawn by a deep, unseen connection, He lovingly singled out two of them, patting them gently. To the astonishment of onlookers, He purchased these ordinary animals for the exorbitant sum of 32 Rupees.
Madhavrao and Tatya were indignant. They protested against what they saw as a foolish financial loss. Why spend 32 Rupees on goats worth barely 2 Rupees?
Baba, unperturbed by their worldly logic, simply instructed them, "Go feed them a seer of pulse and then return them to the shepherd."
Seeing their resentment, Baba unveiled the hidden history of the beasts. "O Tatya, these goats that you see were brothers in their last birth." He revealed a tragic past where two brothers—one industrious, the other lazy and envious—allowed greed to turn them into enemies. Plotting against one another to secure wealth, they eventually killed each other. Having failed to value the dignity of human life, they were reborn as dumb creatures, locked in the consequences of their mutual hatred.
? The Conflict / Doubt
The devotees questioned the Master's judgement, asking, "Why did you have such a deficit bargain?" They could not comprehend why the Sadguru would waste money on a transaction that made no economic sense, blind to the spiritual debt being settled.
The Revelation
Baba used this incident to teach the terrifying permanence of Karma and the specific chains that bind a soul.
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The Three Unbreakable Chains: Baba explicitly states that three actions are nearly impossible to escape without suffering: Debt, Enmity, and Murder.
"If I have killed someone then in next birth I will have to pay for it. It is not possible to get rid of these."
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The Limits of Mercy: Baba paid 32 Rupees—far exceeding their worth—symbolizing His immense compassion to 'buy back' or save these souls. Yet, the weight of their crime (murder) was such that they had to return to the shepherd and eventually the butcher.
"Look, even my Compassion too cannot reach till the state you have reached by doing wrong."
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Grace Amidst Punishment: Although they could not escape death due to their karma, Baba's intervention changed how they would experience it. Because He 'purchased' them, He claimed a right over their souls.
"I can see to it that while cutting from the hands of butcher, the fear, distress, trembling state of your mind... I will take care of that." Even when the law of Karma demands payment, the Guru's Grace shields the devotee from the terror of the process.
Scriptural References
đź“– Sai Satcharitra Chapter 46 (Story of Goats), Chapter 36 (Vows and Debts)
Watch the Discourse
One day, while returning from Lendi Baug, Baba encountered a flock of goats. Drawn by a deep, unseen connection, He lovingly singled out two of them, patting them gently. To the astonishment of onlook...
Leela Narration
One day, while returning from Lendi Baug, Baba encountered a flock of goats. Drawn by a deep, unseen connection, He lovingly singled out two of them, patting them gently. To the astonishment of onlook...