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Chapter
XVIII & XIX
How
Hemadpant was Accepted and Blessed
Stories
of Mr. Sathe and Mrs. Deshmukh - Encouraging Good Thoughts
to Fruition-Variety in Upadesh-Teachings Readings Slander,
and Remuneration for Labour.
In the
last two Chapters, Hemadpant described, how a rich
gentleman, aspiring for quick Brahma-Jnana, was treated by
Baba, and now in these two Chapters, he describes how
Hemadpant, himself, was accepted and blessed by Baba, how
Baba encouraged good throughts and fructified them; and
gives His teachings regarding Self-improvement, slander
and remuneration for labour.
Preliminary
It
is a well-known fact, that the Sadguru looks first to the
qualifications of his disciples; and then gives them
suitable instructions, without unsettling their minds in
the least, and leads them on towards the goal of
self-realization. In this respect, some say that what the
Sadguru teaches or instructs, should not be divulged to
others. They think that their instructions, become
useless, if they are published. This view is not correct.
The Sadguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours down
profusely, i.e., scatters widely his nectar-like
teachings. These, we should enjoy and assimilate to our
heart's content; and then serve others with them, without
any reserve. This rule should apply, not only to what he
teaches in our waking state, but to the visions he gives
us in our dreams. To quote an instance: Budhakowshik Rishi
composed his celebrated Ram-raksha stotra, which he had
seen in his dream.
Like a
loving mother forcing bitter but wholesome medicines down
the throats of her children for the sake of their health,
Sai Baba imparted spiritual instructions to His devotees.
His method was not veiled or secret, but quite open. The
devotees who followed His instructions got their object.
Sad-gurus like Sai Baba open our (eyes of the) intellect
and show us the divine beauties of the Self, and fulfill
our tender longings of devotion. When this is done, our
desire for sense-objects vanishes, twin fruits of Viveka
(discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassion or
non-attachment) come to our hands; and knowledge sprouts
up even in the sleep. All this we get, when we come in
contact with Saints (Sad-guru), serve them and secure
their love. The Lord, who fulfills the desires of His
devotees, comes to our aid, removes our troubles and
sufferings, and makes us happy. This progress or
development is entirely due to the help of the Sadguru,
who is regarded as the Lord Himself. Therefore, we should
always be after the Sad-guru, hear His stories, fall at
His Feet and serve Him. Now we come to our main story.
Mr.
Sathe
There
was a gentleman named Mr. Sathe, who had attained some
publicity many year ago during Crowford Regime, which was
put down by Lord Reay, the then Governor of Bombay. He
suffered servere losses in trade. Other adverse
circumstances gave him much trouble, and made him sad and
dejected. Being restless, he thought of leaving home; and
going out to a distant place. Man does not generally think
of God, but when difficulties and calamities overtake him,
he turns to Him and prays for relief. If his evil actions
have come to an end, God arranges his meeting with a
Saint, who gives him proper directions regarding his
welfare. Mr. Sathe had similar experience. His friends
advised him to go to Shirdi, where so many people were
flocking to get Sai Baba's darshan, for getting peace of
mind and the satisfaction of their wants. He liked the
idea, and at once came to Shirdi in 1917. Seeing Baba's
Form, which was like Eternal Brahma, Self-luminous,
Spotless and Pure, his mind lost its restlessness and
became calm and composed. He thought, that it was the
accumulation of merits in his former births, that brought
him to the Holy Feet of Baba. He was a man of strong will.
He at once started to make a parayana (study) of Guru-charitra.
When the reading was finished in the saptaha (seven days),
Baba gave him a vision that night. It was to this effect:
Baba with Guru-charitra in His hand was explaining its
contents to Mr. Sathe, who was sitting in front and
listening carefully. When he woke up, he remembered the
dream and felt very happy. He thought that it was
extremely kind of Baba. Who awakens souls like his that
are snoring in ignorance, and makes them taste the nectar
of Guru-charitra. Next day, he informed Kakasaheb Dixit of
this vision, and requested him to consult Sai Baba
regarding its meaning or significance -- whether one
saptah (week's) reading was sufficient or whether he
should begin again. Kakasaheb Dixit, when got a suitable
opportunity, asked Baba - "Deva (Oh God), what did
you suggest to Mr. Sathe by this vision? Whether he should
stop or continue the saptaha? He is a simple devotee, his
desire should be fulfilled and the vision explained to
him, and he should be blessed." Then Baba replied -
"He should make one more saptah of the book; if the
work be studied carefully, the devotee will become pure
and will be benefited, the Lord will be pleased and will
rescue him from the bondage of the mundane
existence."
At this
time, Hemadpant was present there. He was shampooing
Baba's Legs. When he heard Baba's words, he thought in his
mind as follows - "What! Mr. Sathe read for a week
only and got a reward; and I am reading it for forty years
with no result! His seven days' stay here becomes fruitful
while my seven years' stay (1910 to m1917) goes for
nothing. Like a Chatak bird I am ever waiting for the
Merciful Cloud (Baba) to pour its nectar on me; and bless
me with His instructions." No sooner did this thought
cross his mind, Baba knew it then and there. It was the
experience of the Bhaktas that Baba read and understood
all their thoughts, and that He suppressed the evil
thoughts and encouraged the good ones. Reading Hemadpant's
mind Baba at once asked him to get up, go to Shama (Madhavrao
Deshpande), get from him Rs. 15/- as Dakshina, sit and
chitchat with him for a while and then return. Mercy
dawned in Baba's mind, and so he issued this order. And
who could disobey Baba's order?
Hemadpant
immediately left the Masjid and came to Shama's house. He
had just bathed, and was wearing a dhotar. He came out and
asked Hemadpant - "How is it that you are here now?
It seems that you have come from the Masjid. Why do you
look restless and dejected? Why are you alone? Please sit
and rest, while I shall just do my worship and return: in
the meanwhile you please take pan-vida (leaves and betel
nuts etc.) let us then have a pleasant chat." After
saying his, he went inside and Hemadpant sat alone in the
front varandah. He saw in the window a wellknown Marathi
book named 'Nath-Bhagwat.' This is a commentary by the
Saint Ekanath, on the eleventh Skandha (chapter) of the
bigger Sanskrit work, the Bhagwat. At the suggestion or
recommendation of Sai Baba, Messrs. Bapusaheb Jog and
Kakasaheb Dixit read daily in Shirdi, BhagwadGeeta with
its Marathi commentary named Bhawartha-Deepika or
Jnaneshwari (A dialogue between Krishna and His friend
devotee Arjuna) and Nath Bhagwat (A dialogue between
Krishna and His servant devotee Uddhava) and also
Ekanath's othe big work, viz. Bhawartha Ramayana. When
devotees came to Baba and asked Him certain questions. He
sometimes answered them in part, and asked them to go and
listen to the readings of the above-mentioned works, which
are the main treatises of Bhagwat Dharma. When the devotes
went and listened, they got full and satisfactory replies
to their questions. Hemadpant also used to read daily some
portions of the book Nath-Bhagwat.
That day,
he did not complete the daily portion of his reading, but
had left it unfinished in order to accompany certain
devotees, who were going to the Masjid. When he took up
the book from Shama's window and casually opened, it, he
found, to his surprise, that the unfinished portion turned
up. He thought that Baba sent him very kindly to Shama's
house for enabling him to complete his daily reading. So
he went throught the unfinished portion and completed it.
As soon as this was over, Shama, after doing his worship
came out, and the following conversation took place
between them.
Hemadpant
:- I have come with a message from Baba. He has asked me
to return with Rs. 15/- as Dakshina from you, also to sit
with you for a while and have a pleasant chitchat and then
return to the Masjid with you.
Shama
(with surprise):- I have no money to give. Take my 15
Namaskaras (bows) in lieu of rupees as Dakshina, to Baba.
Hemadpant:-
Alright, your Namaskaras are accepted. Now let us have
some chitchat. tell me some stories and Leelas of Baba,
which will destroy our sins.
Shama:-
Then sit here for a while. Wonderful is the sport (Leela)
of this God (Baba). You know it already. I am a village
rustic, while you are an enlightened citizen. You have
seen some more Leelas since your coming here. How should I
describe them before you? Well, take these leaves, betel
nut and chunam and eat the pan-vida; while I go in, dress
myself and come out.
In a few
minutes Shama come out and sat talking with Hemadpant. He
said - "The Leela of this God (Baba) is inscrutable;
there is no end to His Leelas. Who can see them? He plays
or sports with His Leelas, still He is outside of
(unaffected by) them. What do we rustics know? Why does
not Baba Himself tell stories? Why does He send learned
men like you to fools like me? His ways are inconceivable.
I can only say, that they are not human." With this
preface Shama added, - "I now remember a story, which
I shall relate to you. I know it personally. As a devotee
is resolute and determined, so is Baba's immediate
response. Sometimes Baba puts the devotees to sereve test;
and then gives them 'Upadesh' (instructions).
As soon
as Hemadpant heard the word 'Upadesh', a flash of
lightning crossed, through his mind. He at once remembered
the story of Mr. Sathe's Guru-charitra reading and thought
that Baba might have sent him to Shama, in order to give
peace to his restless mind. However, he curbed this
feeling, and began to listen to Shama's stories. They all
showed how kind and affectionate Baba was to His devotees.
Hemadpant began to feel a sort of joy while hearing them.
Then Shama began to tell the following story.
Mrs.
Radhabai Deshmukh
There
was an old woman by name Radhabai, She was the mother of
one Khashaba Deshmukh. Hearing Baba's fame, she came to
Shirdi with the people of Sangamner. She took Baba's
darshan and was much satisfied. She loved Baba intimately
and resolved in her mind, that She should accept Baba as
her Guru, and take some Upadesh from Him. She knew nothing
else. She determined to fast herself unto death, so long
as Baba did not accept her, and give her any Upadesh or
Mantra. She stayed in her lodging and left off taking any
food or water for three days. I was frightened by this
ordeal of the old woman, and interceded with Baba on her
behalf. I said, "Deva, what is this You have started?
You drag so many persons here. You know that old lady. She
is very obstinate and depends on You entirely, She has
resolved to fast unto death, if You don't accept and
instruct her. If any thing worse happens, people will
blame You, and say that Baba did not instruct her, and
consequently she met her death. So take some mercy on her,
bless her and instruct her." On seeing her
determination, Baba sent for her, changed the turn of her
mind by addressing her as follows:-
"Oh
mother, why are you subjecting yourself to unnecessary
tortures and hastening your death? You are really My
Mother and I am your child. Take pity on Me and hear Me
through. I tell you My own story, which if you listen
carefully, will do you good. I had a Guru. He was a great
Saint and most merciful. I served him long, very long;
still he would not blow any Mantra into My ears. I had a
keen desire, never to leave him but to stay with and serve
him; and at all costs receive some instructions from him.
But he had his own way. He first got my head shaved and
asked Me two pice as Dakshina. I gave the same at once. If
you say that as My Guru was perfect, why should he ask for
money and how should he be called desireless? I replied
plainly that he never cared for coins. What had he to do
with them? His two pice were (1) Firm Faith and (2)
Patience or perseverance. I gave these two pice or things
to him, and he was pleased.
"I
resorted to My Guru for 12 years. He brought Me up. There
was no dearth of food and clothing. He was full of love
nay, he was love incarnate. How can I describe it? He
loved Me most. Rare is a Guru like him. When I looked at
him, he seemed as if he was in deep meditation, and then
we both were filled with Bliss. Night and day, I gazed at
him with no thought of hunger and thirst. Without him, I
felt restless. I had no other object to meditate, nor any
other thing than My Guru to attend. He was My sole refuge.
My mind was always fixed on him. This is one pice Dakshina.
Saburi (Patience or perseverance) is the other pice. I
waited patiently and very long on My Guru and served him.
This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane
existence. Saburi is manliness in man, it removes all sins
and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways,
and casts aside all fear, and ultimately gives you
success. Saburi is the mine of virtues, consort of good
thought. Nishtha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) are like
twin sisters, loving each other very intimately."
"My
Guru never expected any other thing from Me. He never
neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. I lived with
him, and was sometimes away from him; still I never felt
the want or absence of his love. He always protected Me by
his glance, just as the tortoise feeds her young ones,
whether they are near her or away from her on the other
side of the river bank, by her loving looks. Oh mother, My
Guru never taught Me any Mantra, then how shall I blow any
Mantra in your ears? Just remember that Guru's
tortoise-like loving glance gives us happiness. Do not try
to get Mantra or Upadesh from anybody. Make Me the sole
object of your thoughts and actions; and you will, no
doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life).
Look at Me whole-heartedly, and I in turn look at you
similarly. Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth,
nothing but the truth. No Sadhanas, nor proficiency in the
six Shastras, are necessary. Have faith and confidence in
your Guru. Believe fully, that Guru is the sole Actor or
Doer. Blessed is he who knows the greatness of his Guru
and thinks him to be Hari, Hara and Brahma (Trimurti)
Incarnate."
Instructed
in this way, the old lady was convinced; she bowed to Baba
and gave up her fast.
Hearing
this story carefully and attentively, and marking its
significance and appropriateness, Hemadpant was most
agreeably surprised. Seeing this wonderful Leela of Baba,
he was moved from top to toe, he was overflowing with joy,
his throat was choked, and he was not able to utter a
single word. Shama, on seeing him in this condition asked
him, - "What is the matter with you, why are you
silent? How many innumerable Leelas of Baba shall I
describe!"
Just at
that time the bell in the Masjid began to ring,
proclaiming that the noon-worship and Arati ceremony had
begun. Therefore, Shama and Hemadpant hurried to the
Masjid. Bapusaheb Jog had just started the worship. Women
were up in the Masjid, and men were standing below in the
open courtyard and they were all loudly singing the Arati
in chorus to the accompaniment of drums. Shama went up,
pulling Hemadpant with him. He sat to the right and
Hemadpant in front of Baba. On seeing them, Baba asked
Hemadpant to give the Dakshina brought from Shama. He
replied that Shama gave Namaskaras in lieu of Rupees and
that he was there in person. Baba said, "Alright, now
let Me know whether you both had a chitchat, and if so,
tell Me all that you talked about." Not minding the
sounds of the bell, the drum and the chorus songs,
Hemadpant was eager to tell what they had talked and
started to narrate it. Baba was also anxious to hear, and
so He left the bolster and leaned forward. Hemadpant said
all that they talked about was very pleasant, and that
specially the story of the old lady was most wonderful and
that on hearing it, he thought that His Leela was
inexplicable, and under the guise of that story, He really
blessed him. Baba then said - "Wonderful is the
story. How were you blessed? I would like to know
everything in detail from you, so tell Me all about
it." Then Hemadpant related in full the story which
he had heard a little while before, and which had made a
lasting impression on his mind. Hearing this Baba was much
pleased and asked him - "Did the story strike you and
did you catch its significance?" He replied -
"Yes, Baba the restlessness of my mind has vanished
and I have got true peace and rest, and come to know the
true path."
Then Baba
spoke as follows:- "My method is quite unique.
Remember well, this one story, and it will be very useful.
To get the knowledge (realization) of the Self, Dhyana
(meditation) is necessary. If you practice it
continuously, the Vrittis (thoughts) will be pacified.
Being quite desireless, you should meditate on the Lord,
Who is in all the creatures, and when the mind is
concentrated, the goal will be achieved. Meditate always
on My formless nature, which is knowledge incarnate,
consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate
on My Form from top to toe as you see here night and day.
As you go on doing this, your Vrittis will concentrate on
one point and the distinction between the Dhyata (meditator),
Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya (this meditated upon)
will be lost and the meditator will be one with the
Consciousness and be merged in the Brahman. The (mother)
tortoise is on one bank of the river, and her young ones
are on the other side. She gives neither milk, nor warmth
to them. Her mere glance gives them nutrition. The young
ones do nothing, but remember (meditate upon) their
mother. The tortoise glance is, to the young ones, a
down-pour of nectar, the only source of sustenance and
happiness. Similar is the relation, between the Guru and
disciples."
When Baba
uttered these last words, the chorus of the Arati songs
stopped and all cried out loudly in one voice:
"Victory be to our Sadguru Sai Maharaj, Who is
Existence, Knowledge and Bliss." Dear readers, let us
imagine, that we are at this time, standing amongst the
crowd in the Masjid; and let us join them in this
Jayajayakar.
After the
Arati ceremony was over, Prasad was distributed. Bapusaheb
Jog advanced as usual, and after saluting Baba, gave into
His hand a handful of sugar-candy. Baba pushed all this
quantity into the hands of Hemadpant and said to him,
"If you take this story to heart and remember it
well, your state will be sweet as the sugar-candy, all
your desires will be fulfilled and you will be
happy." Hemadpant bowed before Baba and implored,
"Do favour me like this, bless and protect me
always." Baba replied - "Hear this story,
meditate on it and assimilate its spirit. Then you will
always remember and meditate on the Lord, Who will
manifest Himself to you."
Dear
readers! Hemadpant got Prasad of sugar-candy then; and we
now get the Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar of this story.
Let us drink it to out heart's content, meditate on it,
and assimilate it, and be strong and happy by Baba's
grace. Amen!
Towards
the end of the 19th Chapter Hemapter Hemadpant had dealt
with some other matters which are given below.
Baba's
Advice Regarding our Behaviour
The
following words of Baba are general and invaluable. If
they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do
you good. "Unless there is some relationship or
connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures
come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but
receive them well and treat them, with due respect. Shri
Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to
the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked,
and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If
anybody wants any money from you, and you are not inclined
to give, do not give, but do not bark at him, like a dog.
Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not
resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate
such things, you will certainly be happy. Let the world go
topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing or staying
in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all
things passing before you. Demolish the wall of difference
that separates you from Me; and then the road for our
meeting will be clear and open. The sense of
differentiation, as I and thou, is the barrier that keeps
away the disciple from his Master, and unless that is
destroyed the state of union or atonement is not possible,
"Allah Malik" i.e. God is the sole Proprietor,
nobody else is our Protector. His method of work is
extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will
be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our
heart's desires. It is on account of Rinaubandh (former
relationship) that we have come together, let us love and
serve each other and be happy. He, who attain the supreme
goal of life, is immortal and happy; all others merely
exist, i.e., live so long as they breathe".
Encouraging
Good Thoughts of Fruition
It
is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good
thoughts. You have to surrender yourself completely to Him
with love, and devotion, and they you will see how, He
helps you, off and on, in so many things. Some Saint has
said, that when you get a good thought, immediately after
awakening from sleep, and if you develop the same
afterwards during the day, your intellect will be unfolded
and your mind will attain calmness. Hemadpant wanted to
try this. On one Wednesday night before going to bed, be
thought - "To-morrow is Thursday - an auspicious day
and the place, viz. Shirdi, is so holy; so let me pass the
whole day in remembering and chanting the Rama-nama, and
then he slept. Next morning when he got up he remembered
without any effort the name of Rama and was much pleased.
He then, after finishing his morning duties, went to see
Baba with flowers. When he left Dixit's Wada, and was just
passing Booty's Wada (present Samadhi-mandir) he heard a
beautiful song that was being sung nicely by one
Aurangabadkar, in the Masjid before Baba. The song was
Guru - kripanjan payo mere bhai" etc. by Ekanath, in
which he says that he got collyrium in the form of Guru's
grace which opened his vision and made him see Rama, in
and out, in sleep, dream, and waking state and everywhere.
There were so many songs; and why was this song
particularly chosen by Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba?
Is this not a curious coincidence arranged by Baba to feed
the determination of Hemadpant to sing unceasingly
Rama-nama, during the day?
All
Saints agree on and lay stress upon the efficacy of
uttering Rama's (God's) name, in fulfilling the ambitions
of the Bhaktas and in protecting and saving them from all
calamities.
Variety
in Upadesh -- Slanderer Condemned
Sai
Baba required no special place, nor any special time for
giving instructions. Whenever any occasion demanded, He
gave them freely. Once it so happened that a Bhakta of
Baba, reviled another behind his back, before other
people. On leaving aside merits, he dwelt on the faults of
his brother, and spoke so sarcastically, that the hearers
were disgusted. Generally, we see that people have a
tendency to scandalize others, un-necessarily; and this
brings on hatred and ill-will. Saints see scandal, in
another light. They say that there are various ways of
cleansing or removing dirt, viz. by means of earth, water
and soap etc., but a scandal-monger has got a way of his
own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others by his tongue;
so in a way of obliges the person, whom he reviles and for
this he is to be thanked. Sai Baba had his own method of
correcting the scandal-monger. He knew by his omniscience
what the slanderer had done and when He met him at noon
near the Lendi, Baba pointed out to him a pig that was
eating filth near the fence and said to him - "Behold
how, with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is
similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your
heart's content. After performing many deeds of merit, you
are born a man, and if you act like this, will Shirdi help
you in any way?" Needless to say, that the Bhakta
took the lesson to his heart, and went away.
In this
way Baba went on giving instructions whenever necessary.
If these are borne in our minds and acted upon, the
spiritual goal (realization) is not far off. There is a
proverb which says - "If there be my Hari (Lord), He
will feed me on my cot." This proverb is only true in
respect of food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in
this, sits quiet and does nothing in spiritual matters, he
will be ruined. One has to exert himself to his utmost for
attaining self-realization. The more he endeavours, the
better for him.
Baba said
that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country,
world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited. To
remove the misunderstanding of those, who thought that
Baba was only His body - three cubits and a half in
length, He incarnated Himself in this form and if any
devotee meditated on Him day and night with complete
self-surrender, he experienced complete union (without any
difference) with Him like sweetness and sugar, waves and
sea, eye and its luster. He, who wants to get rid of the
cycle of births and deaths, should lead a righteous life,
with his mind calm and composed. He should always engage
himself in good actions, should do his duties and
surrender himself, heart and soul to Him. He need not then
be afraid of anything. He who trusts Him entirely, hears
and expounds His Leelas and does not think of anything
else, is sure to attain Self-realization. Baba asked many
to remember His name and to surrender to Him, but to
those, who wanted to know who they were ('Who am I'
enquiry), He advised Shravanam (study) and Mananam
(meditation). To some, He advised remembering God's name,
to others hearing His Leelas, to some worship of His Feet,
to others reading and studying Adhyatma Ramayan,
Jnaneshwari and other sacred scriptures. Some He made sit
near His Feet, some He sent to Khandoba's temple, and some
He advised the repetition of the thousands names of Vishnu
and some the study of Chhandogya Upanishad and Geeta.
There were no limit, nor restriction to His instructions.
To some, He gave them in person. To others by visions in
dreams. To one addicted to drink, He appeared in his
dream, sat on his chest, pressed it and left him, after he
gave a promise not to touch liquor anymore. To some, He
explained some Mantras like `Gurur Brahma' in dreams. To
some devotee, who was practising Hath-Yoga, He sent word
that he should leave off Hath-Yoga practices, sit quiet
and wait (Saburi). It is impossible to describe all His
ways and methods. In ordinary wordly dealings, He set
examples by His actions, one of which is given below.
Remuneration
for Labour
One
day at noon, Baba came near Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and
said - "Bring Me a ladder." Some men brought it
and set it against a house as directed by Baba. He climbed
up on the roof of Vaman Gondkar's house, passed the roof
of Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and then got down from the
other corner. What object Baba had, none could know. Radha-Krishna-Mai
was, at that time, shivering with Malaria. It may be to
drive off that fever, that He may have gone there.
Immediately after getting down, Baba paid Rupees two to
the persons who brought the ladder. Somebody asked Baba,
why he paid so much for this. He replied that nobody
should take the labour of others, in vain. The worker
should be paid, his dues promptly and liberally.
Bow
to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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