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Sri Sathya Sai Baba Avatar |
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General Index
Sai Satcharitha
The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Friday Reading – Day 2
Index
Chapter VIII
Importance of Human Birth-Sai Baba
Begging Food - Bayajabai's Service - Sai Baba's Dormitory - His
Affection for Khushalchand.
Chapter IX
Effect of compliance and
Non-compliance with Baba's Orders at the Time of Taking Leave - A
few Instances - Mendicancy and Its Necessity - Devotees' (Tarkhad
family's) Experiences - Baba fed sumptuously - How?
Chapter X
Sai Baba's Mode of Life - His Sleeping -
board - His Stay in Shirdi - His Teachings - His Humility - The
Easiest Path.
Chapter XI
Sai, as Sagun Brahman -- Dr. Pandit's
Worship -- Haji Sidik Falke --Control over the Elements
Chapter XII
Sai Leelas - Experience of (1) Kaka
Mahajani - (2) Dhumal Pleader - (3) Mrs. Nimonkar - (4) Moolay
Shastri - (5) A Doctor
Chapter XIII
More Sai Leelas - Diseases Cured - (1)
bhimaji Patil - (2) Bala Shimpi - (3) Bapusaheb Booty - (4) Alandi
Swami - (5) Kaka Mahajani - (6) Dastopant of Harda.
Chapter XIV
Ruttonji Wadia of Nanded - Saint
Moulisaheb - Dakshina Mimansa.
Chapter XV
Naradiya Kirtan - Paddhati - Mr.
Cholkar's Sugarless Tea - Two Lizards.
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter VIII
I mportance of Human Birth-Sai Baba
Begging Food - Bayajabai's Service - Sai Baba's Dormitory - His
Affection for Khushalchand.
As hinted in the last Chapter, Hemadpant now
explains at length, in his preliminary remarks, on the importance
of human birth; and then proceeds to relate how Sai Baba begged
His food, how Bayajabai served Him, how He slept in the Masjid
with Tatya Kote Patil and Mhalsapati and how He loved Khushalchand
of Rahata.
Importance of Human Birth
I n this wonderful universe, God has
created billions (84 lacs according to Hindusastra calculation) of
creatures or beings (including Gods, demigods, insects, beasts and
men) inhabiting heaven, hell, earth, ocean, sky and other
intermediate regions. Of these, those creatures or souls, whose
merits preponderate, go to heaven and live there till they enjoy
the fruits of their actions, and when this is done, they are cast
down while those souls, whose sins or demerits preponderate, go
down to hell, and suffer the consequences of their misdeeds for so
long a time as they deserve. When their merits and demerits
balance each other, they are born on earth as human beings, and
are given a chance to work out their salvation. Ultimately when
their merits and demerits both drop down (are got rid of)
completely, they get their deliverance and become free. To put the
matter in a nutshell, souls get their births or transmigrations
according to their deeds and intelligence (development of their
minds).
Special Value of the Human Body
A s we all know, four things are common
to all the creatures, viz. food, sleep, fear and sexual union. In
the case of man, he is endowed with a special faculty, viz.
knowledge, with the help of which he can attain God-vision, which
is impossible in any other birth. It is for this reasons that Gods
envy man's fortune and aspire to be born as men on earth, so as to
get their final deliverance.
Some say, that there is nothing worse than the
human body, which is full of filth, mucus, phlegm and dirt, and
which is subject to decay, disease and death. This is no doubt
true to a certain extent; but inspite of these drawbacks and
defects, the special value of the human body is - that man has got
the capacity to acquire knowledge: it is only due to the human
knowledge that one can think of the perishable and transitory
nature of the body itself, and of the world and get a disgust for
the sense-enjoyments and can discriminate between the unreal and
the real, and thus attain God-vision. So, if we reject or neglect
the body because it is filthy, we lose the chance of God-vision,
and if we fondle it, and run after sense - enjoyments, because it
is precious, we go to hell. The proper course, therefore, for us
to pursue is the following; that the body should neither be
neglected nor fondled, but should be properly cared for, just as a
traveler on horse-back takes care of his pony on the way till he
reaches his destination and returns home. Thus the body should
ever be used or engaged to attain God-vision or self-realization,
which is the supreme end of life.
It is said that though God created various
sorts of creatures he was not satisfied, for none of them was able
to know and appreciate His work. So he had to create a special
being - Man, and endow him with a special faculty, viz. Knowledge
and when He saw that man was able to appreciate His Leela -
marvellous work and intelligence. He was highly pleased and
satisfied. (Vide, Bhagawat 11-9-28). So really it is good luck to
get a human body, better luck to get birth in a Brahmin family,
and best one, to get an opportunity of having recourse to Sai
Baba's Feet and surrendering to Him.
Man's Endeavour
R ealizing how precious the human life
is, and knowing that Death is certain and may snatch us at any
time, we should be ever alert to achieve the object of our life,
we should not make the least delay but make every possible haste
to gain our object, just as a widower is most anxious to get
himself married to a new bride, or just as a king leaves no stone
unturned to seek his lost son. So with all earnestness and speed,
we should strive to attain our end, i.e., self-realization.
Casting aside sloth and laziness, warding off drowsiness, we
should day and night meditate on the Self. If we fail to do this,
we reduce ourselves to the level of beasts.
How to Proceed?
T he most effective and speedy way to
gain our object is to approach a worthy Saint or Sage - Sadguru,
who has himself attained God-vision. What cannot be achieved by
hearing religious lectures and study of religious works, is easily
obtained in the company of such worthy souls. Just as the sun
alone gives light, which all the stars put together cannot do, so
the Sad-Guru alone imparts spiritual wisdom which all the sacred
books and sermons cannot infuse. His movements and simple talks
give us 'silent' advice. The virtues of forgiveness, calmness,
disinterestedness, charity, benevolence, control of mind and body,
egolessness etc. are observed by the disciples as they are being
practiced in such pure and holy company. This enlightens their
minds and lifts them up spiritually. Sai Baba was such a Sage or
Sad-Guru. Though He acted as a Fakir (mendicant), He was always
engrossed in the Self. He always loved all beings in whom He saw
God or Divinity. By pleasures He was not elated. He was not
depressed by misfortunes. A king and a pauper were the same to
Him. He, whose glance would turn a beggar into a king, used to beg
His food from door to door in Shirdi, and let us now see how He
did it.
Baba Begging Food
B lessed are the people of Shirdi, in
front of whose houses, Baba stood as a beggar and called out, "Oh
Lassie, give Me a piece of bread" and spread out His hand to
receive the same. In one hand He carried a Tumrel (tinpot) and in
the other a zoli or choupadari, i.e., a rectangular piece of
cloth. He daily visited certain houses and went from door to door.
Liquid or semi-liquid things such as soup, vegetables, milk or
butter-milk were received in the tinpot, while cooked rice, bread,
and such solid things were taken in the zoli. Baba's tongue knew
no taste, as He had acquired control over it. So how could He care
for the taste of the different things collected together? whatever
things He got in His zole and in the tinpot were mixed together
and partaken by Baba to His heart's content. Whether particular
things were tasty or otherwise was never noticed by Baba as if His
tongue was devoid of the sense of taste altogether. Baba begged
till noon, but His begging was very irregular. Some days He went a
few rounds, on other days up to twelve noon. The food thus
collected was thrown in a kundi, i.e. earthen pot. Dog, cats and
crows freely ate from it and Baba never drove them away. The woman
who swept the floor of the Masjid took some 10 or 12 pieces of
bread to her house, and nobody prevented her from doing so. How
could, He, who even in dreams never warded off cats and dogs by
harsh words and signs, refuse food to poor helpless people?
Blessed indeed is the life of such a noble person! People in
Shirdi took Him in the beginning for a mad Fakir. He was known in
the village by this name. How could one, who lived on alms by
begging a few crumbs of bread, be revered and respected? But this
Fakir was very liberal of heart and hand, disinterested and
charitable. Tough He looked fickle and restless from outside. He
was firm and steady inside. His way was inscrutable. Still even in
that small village, there were a few kind and blessed people who
recognized and regarded Him as a Great Soul. One such instance is
given below.
Bayajabai's Brilliant Service
Tatya Kote's mother, Bayajabai, used to go to
the woods every noon with a basket on her head containing bread
and vegetables. She roamed in the jungles koos (about 3 miles)
after koss, trampling over bushes and shrubs in search of the mad
Fakir, and after hunting Him out, fell at His feet. The Fakir sat
calm and motionless in meditation, while she placed a leaf before
Him, spread the eatables, bread, vegetables etc. thereon and fed
Him forcibly. Wonderful was her faith and service. Every day she
roamed at noon in the jungles and forced Baba to the partake of
lunch. Her service, Upasana or Penance, by whatever name we call
it, was never forgotten by Baba till his Maha Samadhi. Remembering
fully what service she rendered, Baba benefited her son
magnificently. Both the son and the mother had great faith in the
Fakir, Who was their God. Baba often said to them that "Fakir
(Mendicacy) was the real Lordship as it was everlasting, and the
so called Lordship (riches) was transient". After some years, Baba
left off going into the woods, began to live in the village and
take His food in the Masjid. From that time Bayajabai's troubles
of roaming in the jungles ended.
Dormitory of Trio
Even blessed are the Saints in whose heart Lord
Vasudeo dwells, and fortunate, indeed, are the devotees who get
the benefit of the company of such Saints. Two such fortunate
fellows, Tatya Kote Patil and Bhagat Mhalsapati, equally shared
the company of Sai Baba. Baba also loved them both equally. These
three persons slept in the Masjid with their heads towards the
east, west and north and with their feet touching one another at
the centre. Stretching their beds, they lay on them, chitchatting
and gossiping about many things, till late at midnight. If any one
of them showed any signs of sleep, others would wake him up. For
instance, if Tatya began to snore, Baba at once got up and shook
him from side to side and pressed his head. If it was Mhalsapati,
He hugged him close, stroked his legs and kneaded his back. In
this way for full 14 years, Tatya, leaving his parents at home,
slept in the Masjid on account of his love for Baba. How happy and
never to be forgotten were those days! How to measure that love
and how to value the grace of Baba? After the passing away of his
father, Tatya took charge of the household affairs and began to
sleep at home.
Khushalehand of Rahata
Baba loved Ganpat Kote Patil of Shirdi. He
equally loved Chandrabhanshet Marwadi of Rahata. After the demise
of the Shet, Baba loved his nephew Khushalchand equally or even
perhaps more, and watched his welfare, day and night. Sometimes in
a bullock cart, at other times in a tanga with intimate friends,
Baba went to Rahata. People of that village came out, with band
and music, and received Baba at the Ves or gate of the village and
prostrated before Him. Then He was taken into the village with
great pomp and ceremony. Khushalchand took Baba to his house,
seated Him on a comfortable seat and gave Him a good lunch. Then
they talked freely and merrily for some time, after which Baba
returned to Shirdi, giving delight and blessing to all.
Shirdi is midway between and equidistant from
Rahata on one side (south) and Nimgaon on the other (north). Baba
never went beyond these places during His life time. He never saw
any railway train nor travelled by it. Still, He knew exactly the
timing of arrival and departure of all trains. Devotees who acted
according to Baba's instructions (re : their departure)which were
given by him at the time of taking His leave fared well, while
those who disregarded them suffered many a mishap and accident.
More about this and other matters will be told in the next
Chapter.
Bow to Shri Sai-- Peace to be all
NOTE: An incident, given in the footnote at the
end of this Chapter, showing Baba's love for Khusalchand how He
asked one afternoon Kakasaheb Dixit to go to Rahata and fetch
Khushalchand to Him, and at the same time appeared before
Khushalchand in his noon-nap dream asking him to come to Shirdi,
is not given here as it is described in the body of the book
(Sai-Charita) later on (Chapter 30).
Back to Index
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter IX
E ffect of compliance and
Non-compliance with Baba's Orders at the Time of Taking Leave - A
few Instances - Mendicancy and Its Necessity - Devotees' (Tarkhad
family's) Experiences - Baba fed sumptuously - How?
At the end of the last chapter, it was barely
stated that the Bhaktas, who obeyed Baba's orders at the time of
taking leave, fared well and those, who disobeyed them, suffered
many a mishap. This statement will be amplified and illustrated,
with a few striking instances; and by other matters dealt with in
this Chapter.
Characteristic of Shirdi - Pilgrimage
O ne special peculiarity of
Shirdi-pilgrimage was this, that none could leave Shirdi, without
Baba's permission; and if he did, he invited untold sufferings,
but if any one was asked to quit Shirdi, he could stay there no
longer. Baba gave certain suggestions or hints, when Bhaktas went
to bid good-bye and take leave. These suggestions had to be
followed. If they were not followed or were departed from,
accidents were sure to befall them, who acted contrary to Baba's
directions. We give below a few instances.
Tatya Kote Patil
T atya Kote was once going in a tanga to
Kopargaon bazar. He came in haste to the Masjid, saluted Baba, and
said that he would go to Kopargtaon bazar. Baba said, "Don't make
haste, stop a little, let go the bazar, don't go out of the
village". On seeing has anxiety to go, Baba asked him to take
Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) at least with him. Not minding this
direction, Tatya Kote immediately drove his tanga. Of the two
horses one, which cost Rs.300/- was very active and restless.
After passing Sawul well, it began to run rashly, got a sprain in
its waist and fell down. Tatya was not much hurt, but was reminded
of Mother Sai's direction. On another occasion while proceeding to
Kolhar village, he disregarded Baba's direction, and drove in a
tanga, which met with a similiar accident.
European Gentleman
O ne European gentleman of Bombay once
came to Shirdi, with an introductory note from Nanasaheb
Chandorkar, and with some object in view. He was comfortably
accommodated in a tent. He wanted to kneel before Baba and kiss
His hand. Therefore, he tried thrice to step into the Masjid, but
Baba prevented him from doing so. He was asked to sit in the open
court-yard below and take Baba's darshan from there. Not pleased
with this reception he got, he wanted to leave Shirdi at once and
came to bid good-bye. Baba asked him to go the next day and not to
hurry. People also requested him to abide by Baba's direction. Not
listening to all this, he left Shirdi in a tanga. The horses ran
at first all right, but when Sawul well was passed, a bicycle came
in front, seeing which the horses were frightened and ran fast.
The tanga was turned topsy-turvy and the gentleman fell down and
was dragged some distance. He was immediately released; but had to
go and lie in Kopargaon hospital for the treatment of the
injuries. Because of such experiences all people learnt the
lesson, that those who disobeyed Baba's instruction met with
accidents in one way or the other, and those who obeyed them were
safe and happy.
The Necessity of Mendicancy
N ow to return to the question of
mendicancy. A question may arise in the minds of some that if Baba
was such a great personage - God in fact, why should He have
recourse to the begging bowl, all His lifetime? This question may
be considered and replied from two standpoints. (1) Who are the
fit persons, who have a right to live by the begging-bowl? Our
Shastras say that those persons, who, getting rid of, or becoming
free from the three main Desires, viz. (1) for progeny, (2) for
wealth, (3) for fame, accept Sannyas, are the fit persons to live
by begging alms. They cannot make cooking arrangements and dine at
home. The duty of feeding them rests on the shoulders of
house-holders. Sai Baba was neither a house-holder nor
Vanaprastha. He was a celibate sannyasi, i.e., sannyasi from
boyhood. His firm conviction was that the universe was His home,
He was the Lord Vasudeo - the Supporter of the universe and the
Imperishable Brahman. So He had the full right to have recourse to
the begging-bowl. (2) Now from the standpoint of (1) Pancha-soon -
five sins and their atonement. We all know that in order to
prepare food-stuffs and meals, the householders have to go through
five actions or processes, viz. (1) Kandani-Pounding, (2)
Peshani-Grinding, (3) Udakumbhi - Washing pots, (4) Marjani -
Sweeping and cleaning, (5) Chulli-Lighting hearths. These
processes involve destruction of a lot of small insects and
creatures, and thus the householders incur a lot of sin. In order
to atone for this sin, our Shastras prescribe five kinds of
sacrifices, viz. (1) Brahma-Yajna, (2) vedadhyayan - offerings to
Brahman or the study of the Vedas. (3) Pitra-Yajna-offerings to
the ancestors, 4)Deva-Yajna - offerings to the Gods, (5)
Bhoota-Yajna-offerings to the beings, (6)
Manushya-Atithi-Yajna-offerings to men or uninvited guests. If
these sacrifices, enjoined by the Shastras are duly performed, the
purification of their minds is effected and this helps them to get
knowledge and self-realization. Baba, in going from house to
house, reminded the inmates of their sacred duty, and fortunate
were the people, who got the lesson at their homes from Baba.
Devotee's Experiences
N ow to return to the other more
interesting subject. Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagawadgeeta
(9-26) "Whosoever devoutly offers to me a leaf, a flower, or a
fruit or water, of that pure-hearted man, I accept that pious
offering." In the case of Sai Baba, if a devotee really longed to
offer anything to Sai Baba, and if he afterwards forgot to offer
the same, Baba reminded him, or his friend about the offering, and
made him present it to Him, and then accepted it and blessed the
devotee. A few instances are given below.
Tarkhad Family (father and son)
M r. Ramachandra Atmaran alias Babasaheb
Tarkhad, formerly a Prarthana-Samajist, was a staunch devotee of
Sai Baba. His wife and son loved Baba equally or perhaps more. It
was once proposed that Master Tarkhad should go with his mother to
Shirdi and spend his May vacation there, but the son was unwilling
to go, as he thought that in case he left his home at Bandra, the
worship of Sai Baba in the house would not be properly attended
to, as his father being a Prarthana Samajist, would not care to
worship Sai Baba's enlarged portrait. However, on his father's
giving an assurance of oath, that he would perform the worship
exactly as the son was doing, the mother and the son left for
Shirdi on one Friday night.
Next day (Saturday) Mr. Tarkhad got up early,
took his bath and before proceeding with the Puja, prostrated
himself before the Shrine and said - "Baba, I am going to perform
the Puja exactly as my son has been doing, but please let it not
be a formal drill." After he performed the Puja, he offered a few
pieces of lump-sugar as naivedya (offering), which were
distributed at the time of the lunch.
That evening and on Sunday, everything went on
well. The following Monday was a working day and it also passed
well. Mr. Tarkhad, who had never performed Puja like this in all
his life, felt great confidence within himself, that every thing
was passing on quite satisfactorily according to the promise given
to his son. On Tuesday, he performed the morning Puja as usual and
left for his work. Coming home at noon, he found that there was no
Prasad (sugar) to partake of, when the meal was served. He asked
the servant - cook, who told him that there was no offering made
that morning, and that he had completely forgotten then to perform
that part of the Puja (offering naivedya). After hearing that he
left his seat and prostrated himself before the Shrine, expressed
his regret, at the same time chiding Baba for the want of guidance
in making the whole affair a matter of mere drill. Then he wrote a
letter to his son stating the facts and requested him to lay it
before Baba's feet and ask His pardon for his neglect.
This happened in Bandra at Tuesday noon.
At about the same time, when the noon Arati was
just about to commence in Shirdi, Baba said to Mrs. Tarkhad,
"Mother, I had been to your house in Bandra, with a view to having
something to eat. I found the door locked. I somehow got an
entrance inside and found to My regret, that Bhau (Mr. Tarkhad)
had left nothing for Me to eat. so I have returned from there
without eating anything."
The lady could not understand anything; but the
son, who was close by, understood that there was something wrong
with the Puja in Bandra and he, therefore, requested Baba to
permit him to go home. Baba refused the permission, but allowed
him to perform Puja there. Then, the son wrote a letter to his
father, stating all that took place at Shirdi and implored his
father not to neglect the Puja at home.
Both these letters crossed each other and were
delivered to the respective parties the next day.
Is this not astonishing?
Mrs. Tarkhad
L et us now take up the case of Mrs.
Tarkhad herself. She offered three things, viz. (1) Bharit
(roasted brinjal egg plant mixed curds and spice). (2) Kacharya
(circular pieces of brinjal fried in ghee), (3) Peda (sweetmeat
ball). Let us see how Baba accepted them.
Once Mr. Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare of Bandra,
a great devotee of Baba started for Shirdi with his family. Mrs
Tarkhad went to Mrs. Purandare, and gave her two brinjals and
requested her to prepare Bharit of one bringal and Kacharya of the
other, when she went to Shirdi and serve Baba with them. After
reaching Shirdi, Mrs. Purandare went with her dish of Bharit to
the Masjid when Baba was just about to start his meals. Baba found
the Bharit very tasty. So He distributed it to all and said that
He wanted Kacharyas now. A word was sent to Radha Krishna-Mai,
that Baba wanted Kacharyas. She was in a fix, as that was no
season of brinjals. How to get brinjals was the question? When an
enquiry was made as to who brought the Bharit, it was found that
Mrs. Purandare was also entrusted with the duty of serving
Kacharyas. Everybody then came to know the significance of Baba's
enquiry regarding Kacharyas, and was wonderstruck at Baba's
all-pervasive knowledge.
In December 1915 A.D., one Govind Balaram
Mankar wanted to go to Shirdi to perfrom the obsequies of his
father. Before he left, he came to see Mr. Tarkhad. Then Mrs.
Tarkhad wanted to send something with him to Baba. She searched
the whole house but found nothing, except a Peda, which had
already been offered as naivedya. Mr. Mankar was in mourning.
Still out of great devotion to Baba, she sent the Peda with him,
hoping that Baba would accept and eat it. Govind went to Shirdi
and saw Baba, but forgot to take the Peda with him. Baba simply
waited. When again he went to Baba in the afternoon, he went
empty-handed without the Peda. Baba could wait no longer and,
therefore, asked him straight, "What did you bring for me?"
"Nothing" was the reply. Baba asked him again. The same reply came
forth again. Then Baba asked him the leading question, "Did not
the mother (Mrs. Tarkhad) give some sweetmeat to you for Me at the
time of your starting?" The boy then remembered the whole thing.
He felt abashed, asked Baba's pardon, ran to his lodging, brought
the Peda and gave it to Baba. As soon as Baba got it in His hand.
He put it into His mouth and gulped it down. Thus the devotion of
Mrs. Tarkhad was recognized and accepted. "As men believe in Me,
so do I accept them" (Gita, 4-11) was proved in this case.
Baba Fed Sumptuously, -- How?
O nce, Mrs. Tarkhad was staying in a
certain house in Shirdi. At noon, meals were ready and dishes were
being served, when a hungry dog turned up there and began to cry,
Mrs. Tarkhad got up at once and threw a piece of bread, which the
dog gulped with great relish. In the afternoon, when she went to
the Masjid and sat at some distance, Sai Baba said to her,
"Mother, you have fed Me sumptuously up to my throat, My afflicted
pranas (life-forces) have been satisfied. always act like this,
and this will stand you in good stead. Sitting in this Masjid I
shall never, never speak untruth. Take pity on Me like this. First
give bread to the hungry, and then eat yourself. Note this well."
She could not at first understand the meaning of what Baba said.
So she replied -- "Baba, how could I feed You? I am myself
dependent on others and take my food from them on payment." Then
Baba replied -- "Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended
and I am still belching. The dog which you saw before meals and to
which you gave the piece of bread is, one with Me, so also other
creatures (cats, pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am
roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures is
My beloved. So abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and
serve Me, as you did today." Drinking these nectar-like words, she
was moved, her eyes were filled with tears, her throat was choked
and her joy knew no bounds.
Moral
"See God in all beings"
is the moral of this chapter. The Upanishads, the Geeta and the
Bhagwat, all exhort us to perceive God or Divinity in all the
creatures. By the instance given at the end of this Chapter and
others too numerous to mention. Sai Baba has practically
demonstrated to us how to put the Upanishadic teachings into
practice. In this way Sai Baba stands as the best Exponent or
Teacher of the Upanishadic doctrines.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter X
S ai Baba's Mode of Life - His Sleeping -
board - His Stay in Shirdi - His Teachings - His Humility - The
Easiest Path.
Remember Him (Sai Baba) always with love, for
He was engrossed in doing good to all, and always abided in His
Self. To remember Him only is to solve the riddle of life and
death. This is the best and easiest of Sadhanas, as it involves no
expenditure. A little exertion here brings great rewards. So as
long as our senses are sound, we should, minute my minute,
practice this Sadhana. All other Gods are illusory ; Guru is the
only God. If we believe in Sad-guru's holy feet, he can change our
fortune for the better. If we serve Him nicely, we get rid of our
Samsar. We need not study any philosophy like the Nyaya and the
Mimansa. If we make Him our Helmsman, we can easily cross over the
sea of all our pains and sorrows. As we trust the helmsman in
crossing rivers and seas, so we have to trust our Sadguru in
getting over the ocean of worldly existence. The Sadguru looks to
the intense feeling and devotion of his devotees, endows them with
knowledge and eternal bliss.
In the last chapter, Baba's mendicancy, and devotees' experiences
and other subjects are dealt with. Let the readers now hear, where
and how Baba lived, how He slept, and how He taught etc.
Baba's Wonderful Bed-Stead
L et us first see where and how Baba
slept, Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale brought, for Sai Baba, a wooden
plank, amount 4 cubits in length and only a span in breath, for
sleeping upon. Instead of keeping the plank on the floor and then
sleeping on it, Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of the
Masjid with old shreds or rags and commenced to sleep upon it. The
rags were so thin and worn out that it was a problem how they
could bear or support even weight of the plank itself, let alone
the weight of Baba. But somehow or other-it was Baba's sheer Leela
that the worn out rags did sustain the plank, with the weight of
Baba on it. On the four corners of this plank, Baba lighted
panatis (earthen lamps), one at each corner, and kept them burning
the whole night. It was a sight for the Gods to see Baba sitting
or sleeping on this plank! It was a wonder to all, how Baba got up
and down the plank. Out of curiosity, many careful observers kept
watching the process of mounting and dismounting, but none
succeeded. As crowds began to swell so to detect this wonderful
feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and threw it away.
Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never
practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a
result of His perfection.
Sagun Manifestation of Brahman
T hough Sai Baba looked like a man, three
cubits and a half in length, still He dwelt in the hearts of all.
Inwardly, he was unattached and indifferent, but outwardly, He
longed for public welfare. Inwardly most disinterested, He looked
outwardly full of desires, for the sake of His devotees. Inwardly
an abode of peace, he looked outwardly restless. Inwardly He had
the state of Brahman, outwardly He acted like a devil. Inwardly He
had the state of Brahman, outwardly he acted like a devil.
Inwardly He loved Adwaita (union or monism), outwardly He got
entangled with the world. Sometimes He looked on all with
affection, and at times He threw stones at them; sometimes He
scolded them, while at times He embraced them and was calm,
composed, tolerant and well-balanced. He always abided and was
engrossed in the Self and was well-disposed towards His Bhaktas.
He always sat on one Asan and never travelled. His 'band' was a
small stick, which He always carried in His hand. He was calm,
being thought-free. He never cared for wealth and fame and lived
on begging. Such a life He led. He always uttered 'Allah Malik'
(God the real owner). Entire and unbroken was His love for the
Bhaktas. He was the mine or store-house for self-knowledge and
full of Divine Bliss. Such was the Divine Form of Sai Baba,
boundless, endless and undifferentiated. One principle which
envelopes the whole universe, (from a stone pillar to Brahma)
incarnated in Sai Baba. The really meritorious and fortunate
people got this treasure-trove in their hands, while those people
who not knowing the real worth of Sai Baba took or take Him to be
a man, a mere human being, were and are indeed miserable.
His Stay in Shirdi and Probable Birth-date
N one knew or knows the parents and exact
birth-date of Sai Baba; but it can be approximately determined by
His stay in Shirdi. Baba first came to Shirdi, when he was a young
lad of sixteen and stayed there for three years. Then all of a
sudden He disappeared for some time. After some time, He
reappeared in the Nizam state near Aurangabad, and again came to
Shirdi with the marriage-party of Chand Patil, when He was twenty
years old. Since then, He stayed in Shirdi continuously for a
period of sixty years, after which Baba took His Maha-Samadhi in
the year 1918. From this we can say that the year of Baba's birth
is approximately 1838 A.D.
Baba's Mission and Advice
S aint Ramadas (1608-1681) flourished in
the 17th century, and fulfilled to a great extent his mission of
protecting cows and Brahmins against the Yavanas (Mahomedans), but
within two centuries after him, the split between the two
communities -- Hindus and Mahomedans widened again, and Sai Baba
came to bridge the gulf. His constant advice to all was to this
effect. "Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of the
Mahomedans) were one and the same; there was not the slightest
difference between them; then why should their devotees and
quarrel among themselves? You ignorant folk, children, join hands
and bring both the communities together, act sanely and thus you
will gain your object of national unity. It is not good to dispute
and argue. So don't argue, don't emulate others. Always consider
your interest and welfare. The Lord will protect you. Yoga,
sacrifice, penance, and knowledge are the means to attain God. If
you do not succeed in this by any means, vain is your birth. If
any one does any evil unto you, to do not retaliate. If you can do
anything, do some good unto other." This in short was Sai Baba's
advice to all; and this will stand in good stead both in material
and spiritual matters.
Sai Baba as Sadguru
T here are Gurus and Gurus. There are
many so-called Gurus, who go about from house to house with
cymbals and veena in their hands, and make a show of their
spirtituality. They blow mantras into the ears of their disciples
and extract money from them. They profess to teach piety and
religion to their disciples, but are themselves impious and
irreligious. Sai Baba never thought of making the least show of
His worth (piety). Body-consciousness, He had none, but He had
great love for the disciples. There are two kinds of Gurus (1)
'Niyat' (appointed or fixed) and (2) 'Aniyat' unappointed or
general). The latter by their advice develop the good qualities in
us, purify our hearts and set us on the path of salvation; but
contact with the former, dispels our quality (sense of
difference); and estalishes us in Unity by making us realize "Thou
art that". There are various Gurus imparting to us various kinds
of wordly knowledge, but he, who fixes us in our Nature (Self) and
carries us beyond the ocean of worldly existence, is the Sadguru.
Sai Baba was such a Sadguru. His greatness is undescribable. If
anybody went to take His darshana, he, without being asked, would
give every detail of his past, present and future life. He saw
Divinity in all beings. Friends and foes were alike to Him.
Disinterested and equal-balanced, He obliged the evil-doers. He
was the same in prosperity and adversity. No doubt, ever touched
Him. Though He possessed the human body, He was not in the least
attached to His body or house. Though He looked embodied, He was
really disembodied, i.e., free in this every life.
Blessed are the people of Shirdi, who
worshipped Sai as their God. While eating, drinking, working in
their backyards and fields and doing various household works, they
always remembered Sai and sang His glory. They knew no other God
except Sai. What to speak of the love, the sweetness of the love,
of the women of Shirdi! They were quite ignorant, but their pure
love inspired them to compose poems or songs in their simple rural
language. Letters or learning they had none, still one can discern
real poetry in their simple songs. It is not intelligence, but
love, that inspires real poetry as such. Real poetry is the
manifestation of true love; and this can be seen and appreciated
by intelligent listeners. Collection of these folk songs is
desirable and Baba willing, some fortunate devotee may undertake
the task of collecting and publishing these folk-songs, either in
the Sai Leela magazine or separately in a book-form.
Baba's Humility
L ord or Bhagwan is said to have six
qualities, viz. (1) Fame, (2) Wealth, (3) Non-attachment, (4)
Knowledge, (5) Grandeur, and (6) Generosity. Baba had all these in
Him. He incarnated in flesh for the sake of the Bhaktas. Wonderful
was His grace and kindness! He drew the devotees to Him, or how
else one could have known Him! For the sake of His Bhaktas Baba
spoke such words, as the Goddness of Speech dare not utter. Here
is a specimen. Baba spoke very humbly as follows:- "Slave of
slaves I am your debtor, I am satisfied at your darshan. It is a
great favour that I saw your feet. I am an insect in your excreta.
I consider Myself blessed thereby". What humility is this? If
anybody would think that by publishing this, any disrespect is
shown to Sai, we beg His pardon and to atone for this we sing and
chant Baba's name.
Though Baba seemed outwardly to enjoy
sense-objects, he had not the least flavour in them, nor even the
consciousness of enjoying them. Though He ate, he had no taste and
though He saw, He never felt any interest in what He saw.
Regarding passion, He was as perfect a celibate as Hanuman. He was
not attached to anything. He was pure consciousness, the resting
place of desire, anger, and other feelings. In short, He was
disinterested, free and perfect. A striking instance may be citied
in illustration of this statement.
Nanavalli
T here was in Shirdi, a very quaint and
queer fellow, by name Nanavalli. He looked to Baba's work and
affairs. He once approached Baba who was seated on His Gadi (seat)
and asked Him to get up, as he wanted to occupy the same. Baba at
once got up and left the seat, which he occupied. After sitting
there awhile Nanavalli got up, and asked Baba to take His seat.
Then Baba sat on the seat and Nanavalli fell at His feet, and then
went away. Baba did not show the slightest displeasure in being
dictated to and ousted.
This Nanavalli loved Baba so much that he breathed his last, on
the thirteenth day of Baba's taking Maha-Samadhi.
The Easiest Path
Hearing the stories of the Saints and Being in
their Company:
Though Sai Baba acted outwardly like an ordinary man, His actions
showed extraordinary intelligence and skill. Whatever He did, was
done for the good of His devotees. He never prescribed any asan,
regulation of breathing or any rites to His Bhaktas, nor did He
blow any mantra into their ears. He told them to leave off all
cleverness and always remember "Sai" "Sai". "If you did that" He
said, "all your shackles would be removed and you would be free".
Sitting between five fires, sacrifices, chantings, eight-fold Yoga
are possible for the Brahmins only. They are of no use to the
other classes. The function of the mind is to think, it cannot
remain for a minute without thinking. If you give it a
Sense-object, it will think about it. If you give it to a Guru, it
will think about Guru. You have heard most attentively the
greatness, grandeur of Sai. This is the natural remembrance,
worship and Kirtan of Sai. Hearing the stories of the Saints is
not so difficult, as the other Sadhanas mentioned above. They
(stories) remove all fear of this Samsar (worldly existence), and
take you on to the spiritual path. So listen to these stories,
meditate on them, and assimilate them. If this is done, not only
the Brahmins, but women and lower clases will get pure and holy.
You may do or attend to your worldy duties, but give your mind to
Sai and His stories, and then, He is sure to bless you. This is
the easiest path, but why do not all take to it? The reason is
that without God's grace, we do not get the desire to listen to
the stories of Saints. With God's grace everything is smooth and
easy. Hearing the stories of the Saints is, in a way, keeping
their company. The importance of the company of Saints is very
great. It removes our body-consciousness and egoism, destroys
completely the chain of our birth and death, cuts asunder all the
knots of the heart, and takes us to God, Who is pure
Consciousness. It certainly increases our non-attachment to
sense-objects, and makes us quite indifferent to pleasures and
pains, and leads us on the spiritual path. If you have no other
Sadhana, such as uttering God's name, worship or devotion etc.,
but if you take refuge in them (Saints) whole-heartedly, they will
carry you off safety across the ocean of wordly existence. It is
for this reason that the Saint manifest themselves in this world.
even sacred rivers such as the Ganges, Godavari, Krishna and
Kaveri etc., which wash away the sins of the world, desire that
the Saints should come to them, for a bath and purify them. Such
is the grandeur of the Saints. It is on account of the store of
merit in past births that we have attained the feet of Sai Baba.
We conclude this chapter with meditation on
Sai's Form. He, the beautiful and handsome Sai, standing on the
edge of the Masjid and distributing Udi to each and every Bhakta,
with a view to his welfare. He who thinks the world as naught and
Who is ever engrossed in Supreme Bliss -- before Him -- we humbly
prostrate ourselves.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Back to Index
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XI
S ai, as Sagun Brahman -- Dr. Pandit's
Worship -- Haji Sidik Falke --Control over the Elements
L et us now, in this Chapter, describe
the manifested (Sagun) Brahman Sai. How He was worshipped and how
He controlled the elements.
Sai as Sagun Brahman
T here are two aspects of God or Brahman
: (1) the Unmanifested (Nirgun) and (2) the Manifested (Sagun).
The Nirgun is formless, while the Sagun is with form, though both
denote the same Brahman. Some prefer to worship the former, some
the latter. As stated in the Gita (chapter XII) the worship of the
latter is easy and preferable. As man has got a form (body,
senses, etc.), it is natural and easy for him to worship the God
with form. Our love and devotion do not develop unless we worship
Sagun Brahman for a certain period of time, and as we advance; it
leads us to the worship (meditation) of Nirgun Brahman. So let us
start with Sagun worship. Image, altar, fire, light, sun, water,
Brahman are the seven objects of worship, but Sadguru is better
than all these. Let us, on this occasion, bring to our mind the
form of Sai, Who was non-attachment Incarnate, and Who was a
resting-place for His whole-hearted devotees. Our faith in His
words is the seat of Asan; and our Sankalpa (determination to
start and finish the Puja) is the abandonment of all our desires.
Some say that Sai was a Bhagwad-bhakta (devotee of the Lord),
others say He was a Maha-Bhagwat (a great devotee), but to us He
is God Incarnate. He was extremely forgiving, never irritable,
straight, soft, tolerant and content beyond comparison. Though He
looked embodied (as having the form), He was really dis-embodied,
emotionless, unattached and internally free. The Ganges on its way
to the sea, cools and refreshes the creatures affected with heat,
gives life to the crops and trees, and quenches the thirst of
many. Similarly Saints (Souls) like Sai, while they live their own
life, give solace and comfort to all. Lord Krishna has said that
'the Saint is My soul, My living image, I am He or He is My pure
form (Being).' This in-describable Shakti or Power of God, known
as Pure Existence, Knowledge and Bliss, incarnated in the form of
Sai in Shirdi. The Shruti (Taitiriya Upanishad) describes Brahman
as Bliss. This we read or hear daily in the books, but the devout
people experienced this Brahman or Bliss in Shirdi. Baba, the
support of all, required no prop or support (Asan) from anybody.
He always used a piece of sack-cloth for His seat, which was
covered with a small beautiful bed by His bhaktas and has a
bolster placed by them, as a rest to His back. Baba respected the
feelings of His devotees and allowed them to worship Him as they
liked. Some waved Chamara or fans before Him, some played on
musical instruments, some washed His hands and Feet, some others
applied scent and chandan, some gave betel nut with leaves and
other things, and some others offered naivedya. Though He looked
like living in Shirdi, He was present everywhere. This
all-pervasiveness of His way daily experienced by His devotees.
Our humble prostration to this all-pervasive Sadguru.
Dr. Pandit's Worship
O ne Dr. Pandit, a friend of Tatyasaheb
Noolkar, once came to Shirdi for Baba's darshana. After saluting
Baba, he stayed in the Masjid for some time. Baba asked him to go
to Dadabhat Kelkar. He went to Dadabhat, by whom he was well
received. Then Dababhat left his house for Puja and Dr. Pandit
accompanied him. Dadabhat worshipped Baba. Nobody until then dared
to apply sandal paste to Baba's forehead. Only Mhalsapati used to
apply it to His throat. But this simple-hearted devout, Dr.
Pandit, took Dabadhat's dish containing Puja-materials and taking
sandal-paste out of it, drew a Tripundra, i.e. there horizontal
lines on Baba's forehead. To the surprise of all, Baba kept silent
without uttering a single word. Then Dababhat that evening asked
Baba, "How is it, that though You object to the sandal-paste being
applied by others to Your forehead, but You allowed Dr. Pandit to
do so now?" Baba replied that Dr. Pandit believed Him to be the
same as his Guru, Raghunath Maharaja of Dhopeshwar, known as Kaka
Puranik, and he applied the paste to His forehead, as he was doing
to his Guru. Hence He could not object. On enquiry, Dr. Pandit
told Dadabhat that he took Baba as his Guru Kaka Puranik, and
hence he marked the Tripundra on Baba's forehead, as he did on his
Guru's head.
Though Baba allowed the devotees to worship Him
as they pleased, still sometimes, He acted in a strange way.
Sometimes, He threw away the Puja-dish and was wrath Incarnate,
then who could approach Him? Sometimes, He scolded the devotees,
at times, He looked softer than wax, a statue of peace and
forgiveness. Though He seemed to shake with anger and His red eyes
rolled round and round, still, He was internally a stream of
affection and motherly love. Immediately, He called out His
devotees and said, that He ever angry with His devotees; that if
mothers kicked their children and if the sea turned back the
rivers, He would neglect the devotees' welfare: that He, the slave
of His devotees, always stood by them, and responded to them,
whenever they called upon Him, and that He always longed for their
love.
Haji Sidik Falke
T here was no knowing, when Baba would
accept a devotee. That depended on His sweet will. Sidik Falke's
story is to the point. One Mahomedan gentleman by name Sidik Falke
of Kalyan, after making a pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, came to
Shirdi. He lived in a Chavadi, facing north, and sat in the open
court-yard of the Masjid. For nine months, Baba ignored him, and
did not allow him to step into the Masjid. Falke felt much
disconsolate, and did not know what to do. Somebody advised him
not to be disappointed; but to try to approach Baba through Shama
(Madhavarao Deshpande), a close and intimate devotee of Baba. He
told him that as they approach the God Shiva through his servant
and devotee, Nandi, so Baba should be approached through Shama.
Falke liked the idea and implored Shama to intercede for him.
Shama agreed and on a convenient occasion spoke to Baba about him
thus:- "Baba, why don't You allow the old Haji to step into the
Masjid, while so many persons freely come and go, after taking
Your darshan; why not bless him once?" Baba replied "Shama, you
are too young to understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not
allow, what can I do? Without His grace, who will climb into the
masjid? Well, go to him and ask him whether he will come to the
narrow footpath near the Barvi well." Shama went and returned with
an affirmative answer. Again Baba said to Shama,"Ask him whether
he is willing to pay me the sum of Rs. 40,000/- in four
instalments." Shama went and returned with the answer that he was
willing to pay even 40 lacs. Again Baba said to Shama- "We are
going to butcher a goat in the Masjid, so ask him, whether he
would like to have mutton, haunch or testicles of the goat." Shama
returned with the answer that the Haji would be happy to receive a
small crumb from Baba's kolamba (mudpot). Hearing this Baba got
excited and with His hands threw away the earthen jars and kolamba
and straightway advanced to the Haji and lifting His Kafni up with
His hands said - "Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and
pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read Koran like this? You are
proud of your pilgrimage to Macca, but you do not know Me." Being
thus scolded, the Haji was confounded. Baba then went back to the
Masjid, purchased a few baskets of mangoes and sent them to the
Haji. Then again Baba went to the Haji and taking out Rs.55/- from
His pocket, gave them to the Haji. From that time, Baba loved the
Haji, invited him for meals and the Haji, thereafter, came into
the Masjid whenever he liked. Baba gave him at times some rupees,
and thus the Haji was enlisted in Baba's Darbar.
Baba's Control over the Elements
W e shall close this Chapter after
describing two incidents showing Baba's control over the elements.
(1) Once at evening time, there was a terrible storm at Shirdi.
The sky was overcast with thick black clouds. The winds began to
blow forcibly; the clouds roared and the lighting began to flash,
and the rains began to descend in torrents. In a short time, the
whole place was flooded with water, All the creatures, birds,
beasts and men got terribly frightened; and they all flocked to
the Masjid for shelter. There are many local deities in Shirdi,
but none of them came to their help. So they all prayed to Baba -
their God, Who was fond of their devotion, to intercede and quell
the storm. Baba was much moved. He came out and standing at the
edge of the Masjid, addressed the storm in a loud and thunderous
voice - "Stop, stop your fury and the calm." In a few minutes the
rains subsided, the winds ceased to blow, and the storm came to a
stop. Then the moon rose in the sky, and the people then went back
home well-pleased, (2) On another occasion at noon the fire in the
Dhuni began to burn brightly, its flames were seen to be reaching
the rafters above. The people who were sitting in the Masjid did
not know what to do. They dared not to ask Baba to pour water or
do anything to quench the flames. But Baba soon came to realize,
what was happening. He took up His Satka (short stick) and dashed
it against a pillar in front, saying - "Get down, Be calm." At
each stroke of the Satka, the flames began to lower and slow down;
and in a few minutes the Dhuni became calm and normal.
This is our Sai, an Incarnation of God. He will
bless any man who will prostrate and surrender himself to Him. He,
who will read the stories of this Chapter daily with faith and
devotion, will soon be free from all calamities; not only this,
but always attached and devoted to Sai, he will get very soon
God-vision: all his desires will be fulfilled and being ultimately
desireless, he will attain the Supreme. Amen!
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Back to Index
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XII
S ai Leelas - Experience of (1) Kaka
Mahajani - (2) Dhumal Pleader - (3) Mrs. Nimonkar - (4) Moolay
Shastri - (5) A Doctor
Now let us see in this Chapter how devotees
were received and treated by Baba.
Saints' Mission
W e have seen before, that the purpose or
object of Divine Incarnation is to protect the good and destory
the wicked. But the mission of the Saints is quite different. To
them the good and the wicked are the same. First they feel for the
evil-doers and set them on the right path. They are like the
Agasti to destroy the Bhava-sagar (the ocean of wordly existence)
or like the Sun to the darkness of ignorance. The Lord (God)
dwells in the Saints. In fact they are not different from Him. Our
Sai is One of these, Who incarnated for the welfare of the
devotees, Supreme in knowledge and surrounded with divine lustre,
He loved all beings equally. He was unattached. Foes and friends,
kings and paupers, were the same to Him. Hear His powers. For the
sake of devotees, He spent His stock of merits and was ever alert
to help them. But the devotees could never approach HIm, unless He
meant to receive them. If their turn did not come, Baba did not
remember them, and His Leelas could not reach their ears. Then,
how could they think of seeing Him? some men desired to see Sai
Baba's but they did not get any opportunity of taking His darshan,
till His Mahasamadhi. There are many such persons, whose desire
for Baba's darshan was not thus satisfied. If these persons,
believing in Him, listen to His Leelas, their quest for milk
(darshan) will be, to a great extent, satisfied by the butter-milk
(Leelas). If some persons went there by sheer luck and took Baba's
darshan, were they able to stay there longer? No. Nobody could go
there of his own accord, and nobody culd stay there long even if
he so wished. They could stay there, so long as Baba permitted
them to stay, and had to leave the place when asked to do so by
Baba; so everything depended of Baba's will.
Kala Mahajani
O nce, Kaka Mahajani went to Shirdi from
Bombay. He wanted to stay there for one week, and enjoy the
Gokul-Ashtami festival. As soon as he took Baba's darshan, Baba
asked him - "When are you returning home?" He was rather surprised
at this question, but he had to given an answer. He said that he
would go home when Baba ordered him to do so. Then Baba said - "Go
to-morrow". Baba's word was law and had to be obeyed. Kaka
Mahajani, therefore, left Shirdi, immediately. When he went to his
office in Bombay, he found that his employer was anxiously waiting
for him. His munim, i.e., the manager, suddenly fell ill, hence
Kaka's presence was absolutely necessary. He had sent a letter to
Kaka at Shirdi, which was redirected to him at Bombay.
Bhausaheb Dhumal
N ow listen to an opposite story. Once
Bhausaheb Dhumal, a pleader, was going to Niphad for a case. On
the way he came to Shirdi, took Baba's darshan and wanted to
proceed to Niphad immediately. But, Baba did not premit him to do
so. He made him stay at shirdi, for a week or more. In the
meanwhile, the magistrate at Niphad suffered intensely from pain
in his abdomen, and the case was adjourned. Mr. Dhumal was then
allowed to go and attend to his case. It went on for some months
and was tried by four magistrates. Ultimately Mr. Dhumal won the
case, and his client was acquitted.
Mrs. Nimonkar
M r. Nanasaheb Nimonkar, Watandar of
Nomon and Honorary Magistrate, was staying at Shirdi with his
wife. Mr. and Mrs. Nimonkar were spending most of their time in
the Masjid with Baba and serving Him. It so happened, that their
son fell ill at Belapur and the mother decided, with Baba's
consent, to go to Belapur, and see her son and other relatives;
and stay there for a few days, but Mr. Nanasaheb asked her to
return the next day. The lady was in a fix and did not know what
to do; but her God Sai came to her help. While leaving Shirdi she
went to Baba, who was standing in front of Sathe's wada with Mr.
Nanasaheb and others, and prostrated at His Feet and asked His
permission to go. Baba said to her, "Go, go quickly, be calm and
unperturbed. Stay comfortably at Belapur for four days. See all
your relatives and then return to Shirdi." How opportune were
Baba's words! Mr. Nanasaheb's proposal was overruled by Baba's
decree.
Moolay Shastri of Nasik
A n orthodox Agnihotri Brahmin of Nasik,
by name moolay Shastri, who had studied the six Shastras and was
well-versed in astrology and palmistry, once came to Shirdi to see
Mr. Bapusaheb Booty, the famous millionarire of Nagpur. After
seeing him, he and others went to see Baba in the Masjid. Baba
bought various fruits and other things from vendors with His own
money, and distributed them to the persons present in the Masjid.
Baba used to press the mango on all sides so skilfully that when
any person received it from Baba and sucked it, he got all the
pulp at once in his mouth and could throw away the stone and the
skin forthwith. Plantains were peeled off by Baba and the kernel
was distributed to the devotees, while the skins were retained by
Baba for Himself. Moolay Shastri, as a palmist, wanted to examine
Baba's hand or plam and requested Him to extend the same. Baba
ignored his request and gave four plantains to him. Then, they all
returned to the Wada and Moolay Shastri bathed, wore sacred
clothes, and started his routine duties, viz. Agnihotra etc. Then
Baba as usual started for Lendi and said - "Take some Geru (i.e. a
red miry substance, to dye clothes in saffron-colour), we shall
today don saffron-coloured cloth. None understood what Baba meant.
Then after some time when Baba returned, and preparations for the
noon-Arati were being made. Bapusaheb Jog asked Moolay Shastri,
whether he would accompany him for the Arti. He replied that he
would see Baba in the afternoon. Very soon Baba sat on his seat,
was worshipped by the devotees and Arti commenced. Then Baba said
- "Get some Dakshina from the new (Nasik) Brahmin." Booty himself
went to get the Dakshina; and when he gave Baba's message to
Moolay Shastri, he was sorely perplexed. He thought in his mind
thus: "I am a pure Agnihotri Brahmin, why should I pay Dakshina?
Baba may be a great Saint. I am not His dependent." But as a great
Saint like Sai Baba was asking for Dakshina through a millionaire
like Booty, he could not refuse. So leaving his routine
unfinished, he forthwith started with Booty to the Masjid.
Thinking himself holy and sacred, and the Masjid otherwise, he
remained at a distance, and joining his hands threw flowers at
Baba. Then lo! all of a sudden, he saw no Baba on the seat, but
saw his late Guru Gholap Swami there. He was wonder-struck. Could
this be a dream? No, it was not, as he was wide awake; but though
awake, how could his late Guru Gholap be there? He was speechless
for some time. He pinched himself and thought again, but could not
reconcile the fact of his late Guru Gholap being in the Masjid.
Ultimately, leaving all doubt, he went up, fell at his Guru's feet
and then getting up stood there with folded hands. Other people
sang Baba's Arati, while Moolay Shastri chanted his Guru's name.
Then casting off all pride of caste and ideas about sacredness, he
fell flat at his Guru's feet and closed his eyes. When he got up
and opened his eyes, he saw Baba asking for Dakshina. Seeing
Baba's blissful form, and His inconceivable power, Moolay Shastri
forgot himself. He was extremely pleased, his eyes were full of
tears of joy. He again saluted Baba and gave the Dakshina. He said
that his doubt was removed and that he saw his own Guru. On seeing
his wonderful Leela of Baba all the people, including Moolay
Shastri, were much moved, and they realized the meaning of Baba's
words, "Bring Geru, we shall don saffron-coloured garment." Such
is the wonderful Leela of Baba.
A Doctor
O nce a Mamlatdar came to Shirdi with a
doctor friend of his. The Doctor said that his Deity was Rama and
that he would not bow before a Mahomedan, and so, he was unwilling
to go to Shirdi. The Mamlatdar replied, that nobody would press
him to make a bow, nor would ask him to do so. So he should come
and give the pleasure of his company. Accordingly, they came to
Shirdi, and went to the Masjid for Baba's darshan. All were
wonder-struck to see the Doctor going ahead and saluting Baba.
They asked him how he forgot his resolve and bowed before a
Mussalman. Then the Doctor replied that he saw his beloved Deity,
Rama, on the seat and he, therefore prostrated himself before Him.
Then as he was saying this, he saw Sai Baba there again. Being
dismayed, he said, "Is this a dream? How could He be a Mahomedan?
He is a great Yogasampanna (full of Yoga) Avatar."
Next day, he made a vow and began to fast. He
absented himself from the Masjid, resolving not to go there, until
Baba blessed him. Three days passed and on the fourth day, a close
friend of his from Khandesh, turned up, and with him, he went to
the Masjid for Baba's darshan. After the salutation, Baba asked
him, whether anybody had gone to call him, so that he had come.
Hearing this vital question, the doctor was moved. The same night
he was blessed by Baba, and he experienced the Bliss supreme, in
his sleep. Then he left for his town, where the experienced the
same state of a fortnight. Thus his devotion to Sai Baba increased
manifold.
The moral of all the stories mentioned above,
specially, that of Moolay Shastri, is this that we should have
firm faith in our Guru and nowhere else.
More Leelas of Sai Baba will be described in
the next Chapter.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XIII
More Sai Leelas - Diseases Cured - (1) bhimaji
Patil - (2) Bala Shimpi - (3) Bapusaheb Booty - (4) Alandi Swami -
(5) Kaka Mahajani - (6) Dastopant of Harda.
The Inscrutable Power of Maya
B aba's words were always short, pithy,
deep, full of meaning, efficient and well-balanced. He was ever
content and never cared for anything. He said, "Though I have
become a Fakir, have no house or wife, and though leaving off all
cares, I have stayed at one place, the inevitable Maya teases Me
often. Though I forgot Myself I cannot forget Her. She always
envelops Me.This Maya (illusive power) of the Lord (Shri Hari)
teases God Brahma and others; then what to speak of a poor Fakir
like Me? Those who take refuge in the Lord wil be freed from Her
clutches with his grace".
In such terms Baba spoke about the power of
Maya. Lord Shri Krishna has said to Uddhava in the Bhagwat that
the Saints are His living forms; and see what Baba had said for
the welfare of His devotees: "Those who are fortunate and whose
demerits have vanished; take to My worship. If you always say
'Sai, Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas; believe in these
words, and you will be certainly benefited. I do not need any
paraphernalia of worship - either eight-fold or sixteen-fold. I
rest there where there is full devotion". Now read what Sai, the
friend of those, who surrendered themselves to Him, did for their
welfare.
Bhimaji Patil
O ne Bhimaji Patil of Narayanagaon,
Taluka Junnar, Dist. Poona, suffered in the year 1909 A.D. from a
severe and chronic chest-disease which ultimately developed into
Tuberculosis. He tried all sorts of pathos (remedies), but to no
effect. Losing all hopes, he ultimately prayed to God - "Oh Lord
Narayana, help me now". It is a well known fact that, when our
circumstances are well off, we do not remember God, but when
calamities and adversities overtake us, we are reminded of Him, So
Bhimaji now turned to God. It occurred to him that he should
consult Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, a great devotee of Baba, in this
respect. So he wrote to him a letter, giving all details of his
malady, and asking for his opinion. In reply, Mr. Nanasaheb wrote
to him that there was only one remedy left, and that was to have
recourse to Baba's Feet. Relying on Mr. Nanasaheb's advice, he
made preparations for going to Shirdi. He was brought to Shirdi
and taken to the Masjid, and placed before Baba. Mr. Nanasaheb and
Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) were then present. Baba pointed out
that the disease was due to the previous evil karma, and was not
at first disposed to interfere. But the patient cried out in
despair that he was helpless, and sought refuge in Him, as He was
his last hope, and prayed for mercy. Then Baba's heart melted an
He said, "Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come
to an end. However, oppressed and troubled one may be as soon as
he steps into the Masjid, he is on the pathway to happiness. The
Fakir here is very kind and He will cure the disease, and protect
all with love and kindness." The patient vomitted blood every five
minutes, but there wa no vomiting in the presence of Baba. From
the time, Baba uttered the words of hope and mercy, the malady
took a favourable turn. Baba asked him to stay in Bhimabai's
house, which was not a convenient and healthy place, but Baba's
order had to be obeyed. While he was staying there, Baba cured him
by two dreams. In the first dream, he saw himself as a boy
suffering the severe pain of a flogging, which he received for not
reciting his 'Swami-poetry' lesson before his class-master. In the
second dream, some one caused him intense pain, and torture, by
rolling a stone up and down over his chest. With the pain thus
suffered in dream, his cure was complete, and he went home. He
then often came to Shirdi, gratefully remembering what Baba did
for him, and prostrated before Him. Baba also did not expect
anything from devotees, but grateful remembrance, unchanging faith
and devotion. People in the Maharashtra, always celebrate
Satya-Narayana Puja in their homes every fortnight or month. But
it was this Bhimaji Patil, who started a new Sai Satya-vrata Puja,
instead of Satya-Narayana-vrata Puja, in his house, when he
returned to his village.
Bala Ganpat Shimpi
A nother devotee of Baba by name Bala
Ganapat Shimpi, suffered much from a malignant type of Malaria. he
tried all sorts of medicines and decoctions, but in vain. The
fever did not abate a jot and so he ran to Shirdi and fell on
Baba's Feet. Baba gave him a strage recipe, in this case as
follows:- "Give a black dog some morsels of rice mixed with curds
in front of the Laxmi temple". Bala Shimpi did not know, how to
execute this recipe; but no sonner he went home, then he found
rice and curds. After mixing them together, he brought the mixture
near the Laxmi temple, when he found the a black dog waving its
tail. He placed the curds and rice before the dog. The dog ate it
and, strange to say, Bala got rid of his Malaria.
Bapusaheb Booty
S hriman Bapusaheb Booty suffered, once
from dysentery and vomitting. His cupboard was full of patent
drugs and medicines, but none of them had any effect. Bapusaheb
got very weak, on account of purgings and vomittings and,
therefore, was not able to go to the Masjid for Baba's darshana.
Baba then sent for him and made him sit before Him and said, "Now
take care, you should not purge any more" and waving His
index-finger "The vomiting must also stop". Now look at the force
of Baba's words. Both the maladies took to their heels
(disappeared) and Booty felt well.
On another occasion he had an attack of
Cholera, and suffered from severe thirst. Dr. Pillai tried all
sorts of remedies but could give him no relief. Then he went to
Baba and consulted Him as what to drink that would allay his
thirst and cure the disease. Baba prescribed an infusion of
almonds, walnuts, pistachio (a kind of dry fruit), boiled in
sugared milk. This would be considered, as a fatal aggravation of
the disease by any other doctor or physician, but in implicit
obedience to Baba's order, the infusion was administered and
strange to say, the disease was cured.
Alandi Swami
A Swami from Alandi, wishing to take
Baba's darshana, came to Shirdi. He suffered form a severe pain in
his ear, which prevented him from getting the sleep. He was
operated for this, but it served no purpose. The pain was severe
and he did not know what to do. While he was returning, he came to
take Baba's leave, when Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) requested Baba
to do something for the pain in the Swami's ear. Baba comforted
him saying, "Alla Accha Karega (God will do good)." The Swami then
returned to Poona, and after a week sent a letter to Shirdi,
stating that the pain in his ear had subsided though the swelling
was there, and in order to get the swelling removed, he went to
Bombay for operation, but the surgeon on examining the ear said
that no operation was then necessary. Such was the wonderful
effect of Baba's words.
Kaka Mahajani
A nother devotee named Kaka Mahajani
suffered once from diarrhea. In order that there should be no
break in his services to Baba, Kaka kept a tambya (pot) with water
in some corner of the Masjid and whenever there was a call, he
would go out. As Sai Baba knew everything, Kaka did not inform Him
of his disease, thinking that Baba would of His own cure it soon.
The work of constructing the pavement in front of the Masjid was
permitted by Baba, but when the actual work was begun, Baba got
wild and shouted out loudly. Everybody ran away, and as Kaka was
also doing the same, Baba caught hold of him and made him sit
there. In the confusion that followed, somebody left the a small
bag of groundnuts. Baba took a handful of groundnuts, rubbed them
in His hands, blew away the skins, and gave the clean nuts to Kaka
and made him eat them. Scolding and cleaning the nuts, and making
Kaka eat them, went on similtaneously. Baba Himself ate some of
them. Then, when the bag was finished, Baba asked him to fetch
water as He felt thirsty. Kaka brought a pitcher full of water.
Then Baba drank some water and made Kaka also drink it. Baba then
said, "Now your diarrhea has stopped, and you may attend to the
work of the pavement." In the meanwhile other persons, who had run
away, returned and started the work; and Kaka, whose motions had
stopped, also joined them. Are groundnuts medicine for diarrhea?
According to current medical opinion, groundnuts would aggravate
the disease, and not cure it. The true medicine, in this as in
other cases, was Baba's word.
Dattopant of Harda
A gentleman from Harda by name Dattopant
suffered form stomach-ache for fourteen yeas. None of the remedies
gave him any relief. Then hearing of Baba's fame, that He cures
diseases by sight he ran to Shirdi, and fell at Baba's Feet. Baba
looked at him kindly and gave him blessings. When Baba placed His
hand on his head, and when he got Baba's Udi with blessing, he
felt relieved and there was no further trouble about the malady.
Towards the end ot his Chapter three cases are
cited in footnotes:
1. Madhavrao Deshpande suffered from Piles.
Baba gave him decoction of Sonamukhi (senna pods). This relieved
him. Then after two years the trouble again recurred and Mahdavrao
took the same decoction without consulting Baba. The result was
that the disease aggravated but later on it was cured by Baba's
grace.
2. Kaka Mahajani's elder brother,
Gangadharpant, suffered for many years from stomach-pain. Hearing
Baba's fame he came to Shirdi and requested Baba to cure him. Baba
touched his belly and said, "God will cure". From that time there
was no stomach-pain and he was completely cured.
3. Nanasaheb Chandorkar also once suffered from
intense stomach-pain; he was restless the whole day and night.
Doctors administered syringes which produced no effect. Then he
approached Baba, who told him to eat Burfi (a kind of sweetmeat)
mixed with ghee. This recipe gave him complete relief.
All these stories go to show, that the real
medicine that cured the various diseases permanently was Baba's
word, and grace, and not any medicines or drugs.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to al
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XIV
R uttonji Wadia of Nanded - Saint
Moulisaheb - Dakshina Mimansa.
In the last Chapter, we described how Baba's
word and grace cured many incurable diseases. Now, we shall
describe, how Baba blessed Mr. Ruttonji Wadia with an issue.
The life of this Saint is naturally sweet in
and out. His various doings, eating, walking and His natural
sayings are also sweet. His life is Bliss incarnate. Sai gave it
out as a means of His devotee's remembrance to Him. He gave them
various stories of duty and action, which ultimately led them to
true religion. His object may be that people should live happily
in this world, but they should be ever cautious and gain the
object of their life, viz. self-realization. We get human body as
a result of merits in past births and it is worth-while that with
its aid, we should attain devotion and liberation in this life. So
we should never be lazy, but always be on the alert to gain our
end and aim of life.
If you daily hear the Leelas (stories) of Sai,
you will always see Him. Day and night you will remember Him in
your mind, When you assimilate Sai in this way, your mind will
lose its fickleness and if you go on in this manner, it will
finally be merged in pure Consciousness.
Ruttonji of Nanded :
N ow let us come to the main story of
this Chapter. In Nanded, in the Nizam state, there lived a Parsi
mill-contractor and trader, by name Ruttonji Shapurji Wadia. He
had amassed a large amount of money and had acquired fields and
lands. He had got cattle, horses and conveyances and was very
prosperous. To all outward appearances he looked very happy and
contented, but inwardly, and really he was not so. Providential
dispensation is such, that no one in this world is completely
happy and rich; Ruttonji was no exception to this. He was liberal
and charitable, gave food and clothing to the poor and helped all
in various ways. The people took him to be a good and happy man,
but Ruttonji thought himself miserable as he had no issue, male or
female, for a long time. As Kirtan (singing glories of the Lord)
without love or devotion, music of singing without rhythmical
accompaniments, Brahmin without the sacred thread, proficiency in
all arts without commonsense, pilgrimage without repentance and
ornamentation without a necklace, are ugly and useless, so is the
house of a man or house-holder without a male issue. Ruttonji
always brooded on this matter and said in his mind, "Would God be
ever pleased to grant me a son?" He thus looked morose, had no
relish for his food. Day and night, he was enveloped with anxiety
whether he would ever be blessed with a son. He had a great regard
for Dasganu Mahajat. He saw him and opened his heart before him.
Dasganu advised him to go to Shirdi, take Baba's darshan, fall at
His Feet and seek His blessing and pray for issue. Ruttonji liked
the idea, and decided to go to Shirdi. After some days he went to
Shirdi, took Baba's darshana and fell at His Feet. Then opening a
basket, he took out a beautiful garland of flowers and placed it
around Baba's neck and offered Him a basket of fruits. With great
respect he then sat near Baba, and prayed to Him saying- "Many
persons who find themselves in difficult situations come to You,
and You relieve them immediately. Hearting this, I have sought
anxiously Your Feet; please, therefore, do not disappoint me." Sai
Baba then asked him for Daksbina of Rs. five which Ruttonji
intended to give, but added, that He has already received Rs.
3-14-0 from him, and that he should pay the balance only. Hearing
this, Ruttonji was rather puzzled. he could not make out what Baba
meant. That was the first time, he thought, that he went to Shirdi
and how was it that Baba said that He had formerly got Rs. 3-14-0
from him? He cold not solve the riddle. But he sat at Baba's Feet
and gave the balance of the Dakshina asked for, explained to Baba
fully, as to why he came and sought His help, and prayed that Baba
should bless him with a son. Baba was moved and told him not to be
worried, and that that time his bad days had ended. He then gave
him Udi, placed His hand on his head and blessed him saying that
Allah (God) would satisfy his heart's desire.
Then after taking Baba's leave, Ruttonji
returned to Nanded and told Dasganu everything that took place at
Shirdi, He said that everything went on well there, that he got
Baba's darshan and blessing with Prasad, but there was one thing
which he could not understand. Baba said to him that he had got
Rs.3-14-0 before. Please explain as to what Baba meant by this
remark. He said to Dasganu, "I never went to Shirdi before, and
how cold I give Him the sum to which Baba referred?" To Dasganu
also, it was a puzzle, and he pondered much over it for a long
time. Some time afterwards it struck him that Ruttonji had
received some days ago a Mahomedan Saint, by name Moulisaheb, in
his house and had spent some money for his reception. This
Moulisaheb was coolie-saint wellknown to the people of Nanded.
When Ruttonji decided to go the Shirdi, this Molisaheb
accidentally came to Ruttonji's house. Ruttonji knew him and loved
him. So he gave a small party in his honour. Dasganu got from
Ruttonji the yadi or memo of expenses of this reception, and
everybody was wonderstruck to see, that the expenses amounted to
exactly Rs.3-14-0, nothing more, nothing less. They all came to
know, that Baba was omniscient, that thought He lived in Shirdi,
He knew what happened outside far away from Shirdi. In fact He
knew the past, present and future, and could identify Himself
heart and soul with anybody. In this particular instance how could
He know the reception given to Moulisaheb, and the amount spent
therefore, unless He could identify Himself with him, and be One
with him?
Ruttonji was satisfied with this explanation
and his faith in Baba was confirmed and increased. In due time
afterwards, he was blessed with a son and his joy knew no bounds.
It is said that he had in all a dozen (12) issues out of which
only four survived.
In a foot-note towards the end of this
Chapter,it is stated that Baba told Rao Bahadur Hari Vinayak
Sathe, after the death of his first wife, to remarry and that he
would get a son. R.B. Sathe married second time. The first two
issues by this wife were daughters and he, therefore, felt very
despondent. But the third issue was a son. Baba's word did turn
out true and he was satisfied.
Dakshina - Mimansa
N ow we shall close this Chapter with a
few remarks about Dakshina. It is a well-known fact that Baba
always asked for Dakshina from people who went to see Him.
Somebody may ask a question, "If Baba was a Fakir and perfectly
non-attached, why should he ask for Dakshina and care for money?"
We shall consider this question broadly now.
First for a long time, Baba did not accept
anything. He stored burnt matches and filled His pocket with them.
He never asked anything from anybody--whether he be a devotee or
otherwise. If anybody placed before Him a pice or two, He
purchased oil or tobacco. He was fond of tobacco, for He always
smoked a bidi or Chilim (an earthen pipe). Then some persons
thought that they could not see the Saints empty-handed, and they,
therefore, placed some copper coins before Baba. If a pice was
placed before Him. He used to pocket it; if it was a two pice
coin, it was returned immediately. Then after Baba's fame had
spread far and wide, people began to flock in numbers; and Baba
began to ask Dakshina from them. It is said in the Shruti (veda)
that Puja of the Gods is not complete, unless a golden coin was
offered. If a coin was necessary in the Puja of the Gods, why
should it be not so in the Puja of the Saints also? Ultimately,
the Shastras laid it down that, when one goes to see God, King,
Saint or Guru, he should not go empty-handed. He should offer
something, preferably coin or money. In this connection we may
notice the precepts recommended by the Upanishads. The
Brihadaranyak Upanishad says that the Lord Prajapati advised the
Gods, men and demons by one letter "Da". The Gods understood by
this letter that they should practice (1) "Dama" i.e.
self-control; the men thought or understood that they should
practice (2) "Dana" i.e. charity; the demons understood that they
should practice (3) "Daya" i.e. compassion. To men Charity or
giving was recommended. The teacher in the Taittiriya Upanishad
exhorts his pupils to practise charity and other virtues.
Regarding charity he says, "Give with faith, give with
magnanimity, i.e. liberally, give with modesty, with awe and with
sympathy. In order to teach the devotees the lesson of charity and
to remove their attachment to money and thus to purify their
minds, Baba extracted Dakshina from them; but there was this
peculiarity, as Baba said, that He had to give back hundred times
more of what He received. There are many instances, in which this
has happened. To quote an instance, Mr. Ganpatrao Bodas, the
famous actor, says in his Marathi autobiography, that on Baba's
pressing him often and often for Dakshina, he emptied his
money-bag before Him. The result of this was, as Mr. Bodas says,
that in later life he never lacked money, as it came to him
abundantly.
There were also secondary meanings of Dakshina,
in many cases, in which Baba did not want any pecuniary amount. To
quote two instances - (1) Baba asked Rs.15/- as Dakshina from Pro.
G.G.Narke, who replied that he did not have even a pie. Then Baba
said, "I know you have no money; but you are reading
Yoga-Vashistha. Give Me Dakshina from that." Giving Dakshina in
this case meant - `Deriving lessons from the book and lodging them
in the heart where Baba resides'. (2) In the second case Baba
asked a certain lady (Mrs. R. A. Tarkhad) to give Rs.6/- as
Dakshina. The lady felt pained, as she had nothing to give. Then
her husband explained to her that Baba wanted six inner enemies
(lust, anger, avarice etc.) to be surrendered to Him. Baba agreed
with this explanation.
It is to be noted, that though Baba collected a
lot of money by Dakshina, He would distribute the whole amount the
same day, and the next morning He would become a poor Fakir as
usual. When Baba took His Mahasamadhi, after receiving thousands
and thousands of Rupees as Dakshina for about ten years, He had
only a few Rupees in His possession.
In short, Baba's main object in taking
Dakshina, from His devotees was to teach them the lessons of
Renunciation and Purification.
Post-script
M r. B. V. Deo of Thana, retired
Mamlatdar, and a great devotee of Baba, has written an article on
this subject (Dakshina) in "Shri Sai Leela" magazine, Vol.VII,
P.6-26, in which he says amongst other things, as follows:-
"Baba did not ask Dakshina from all. If some
gave Dakshina without being asked, He sometimes accepted it; and
at other times He refused it. He asked it from certain devotees
only. He never demanded it, from those devotees, who thought in
their minds that Baba should ask them for it, and then they should
pay it. If anybody offered it against His wish, He never touched
it, and if he kept it there, He asked him to take it away. He
asked for small or big amounts from devotees, according to their
wish, devotion and convenience. He asked it, even from women and
children. He never asked all the rich for it, nor from all the
poor."
"Baba never got angry with those from whom He
asked Dakshina, and who did not give it. If any Dakshina was sent,
through some friend, who forgot to hand over the same to Baba, He
reminded him somehow of it and made him pay it. On some occasons,
Baba used to return some sum from the amount tendered as Dakshina,
and ask the donor to guard it or keep it in his shrine for
worship. This procedure benefited the donor or devotee immensely.
If anybody offered more than he originally intended to give, He
returned the extra amount. Sometimes, He asked more Dakshina from
some, than what they originally intended to give and, if they had
no money, asked them to get or borrow from others. From some, He
demanded Dakshina three or four times a day."
"Out of the amount collected as Dakshina, Baba
spent very little for His own sake, viz., for buying Chilim (clay
pipe) and fuel for His Dhuni (sacred fire), and all the rest, He
distributed as charity in varying proportions to various persons.
All the paraphenalia of the Shirdi Sansthan was brought, by
various rich devotees at the instance and suggestion of
Radha-Krishna-Mai. Baba always used to get wild and scolded those,
who brought costly and rich articles. He said to Mr. Nanasaheb
Chandorkar, that all His property consisted of one koupin
(codpiece), one stray piece of cloth, one Kafni and a tumrel
(tinpot), and that all the people troubled Him by bringing all
these unnecessary, useless and costly articles."
Woman and wealth are the two main obstacles in
the way of our Pramartha (spiritual life); and Baba and provided
in Shirdi two institutions, viz., Dakshina and Radha-Krishna-Mai.
Whenever they came to Him, He demanded Dakshina from them, and
asked them to go to the 'SCHOOL' (Radha-Krishna-Mai's house). If
they stood these two tests well, i.e. if they showed that they
were free from attachment for woman and wealth, their progress in
spirituality was rapid and assured by Baba's grace and blessings.
Mr. Deo has also quoted passanges from the Gita
and Upanishads; and shown that charity given in a holy place and
to a holy personage, conduces to the donors' welfare to a great
degree. What is more holy than Shirdi and its Presiding Deity --
Sai Baba?
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XV
N aradiya Kirtan - Paddhati - Mr.
Cholkar's Sugarless Tea - Two Lizards.
The readers may remember that mention was made
in the 6th Chapter regarding the Rama-Navami Festival in Shirdi;
how the festival originated and how in the early years there was a
great difficulty in getting a good Hardidas for performing Kirtan
on that occasion, and how Baba permanently entrusted this function
(Kirtan) to Dasganu permanently. Now in this Chapter we shall
describe the manner in which Dasganu was performing the Kirtan.
Naradiya Kirtan-Paddhati
G enerally our Haridasas, while
performing the Kirtan, wear a gala and full dress. They put on a
head-dress, either a pheta or a turban, a long flowing coat with a
shirt inside, an uparane (short dhotar) on the shoulders and the
usual long dhotar from the waist below. Dressed in this fashion
for some Kirtan in the Shirdi village, Dasganu once went to bow to
Baba. Baba asked him - "Well, bridegroom! where are you going
dressed so beautifully like this?" 'For performing a Kirtan' was
the reply. Then Baba said - "Why do you want all this
paraphemalia-coat, uparani and pheta etc, doff all that before Me,
why wear them on the body?" Dasganu immediately took them off and
placed them at the Baba's Feet. From that time Dasganu never wore
these things while performing the Kirtan. He was always bare from
waist upwards, a pair of `chiplis' was in his hand and a garland
round his neck. This is not in consonance with the practice
generally followed by all the Hardidasa, but this is the best and
the purest method. The sage Narada, from whom the Kirtan-Paddhati
originated, wore nothing on his trunk and head. He carried a
'veena' in his hand, and wandered from place to place everywhere
singing the glory of the Lord.
Mr. Cholkar's Sugarless Tea
I nitially, Baba was known in Poona and
Ahmednagar Districts, but Nanasaheb Chandorkar, by his personal
talks and by Dasganu, by his splendid Kirtans, spread the fame of
Baba in the Konkan (Bombay Presidency). In fact, it was Dasganu -
May God bless him-who, by his beautiful and inimitable Kirtans,
made Baba available to so many people there. The audience, who
come to hear the Kirtans have different tastes. Some like the
erudition of the Haridas; some his gestures, some his singing,
some his wit and humour, some his preliminary dissertation on
Vedanta, and some others, his main stories and so on; but among
them, there are very few, who by hearing the Kirtan get faith and
devotion or love for God or saints. The effect of hearing
Dasganu's kirtan on the minds of audience was however electric, as
it were. We give an instance here
Dasganu was once performing his Kirtan and
singing the glory of Sai Baba, in the Koupineshwar temple in
Thana. One Mr. Cholkar, a poor man serving as a candidate in the
Civil Courts in Thana, was amongst the audience. He heard
Dasganu's Kirtan most attentively and was much moved. He there and
then mentally bowed and vowed to Baba saying - "Baba, I am a poor
man, unable to support my family. If by your grace, I pass the
departmental examination, and get a permanent post, I shall go to
Shirdi, fall at Your Feet and distribute sugar-candy in Your
name." As good luck would have it, Mr.Cholkar did pass te
examination and did get the permanent post and now it remained for
him to fulfil his vow, the sooner the better. Mr. Cholkar was a
poor man with a large family to support; and he could not afford
to pay for the expenses of a Shirdi trip. As is well said, one can
easily cross over Nahne ghat in Thana District or even the
Sahyadri Range; but it is very difficult for a poor man to cross
Umbareghat, i.e., the threshold of his house. As Mr. Cholkar was
anxious to fulfill his vow as early as possible, he resolved to
economize, cut down his expenses, and save money. He determined
not to use sugar in his diet; and began to take his tea without
it. After he was able to save some money in this way, he came to
Shirdi, took Baba's darshan, fell at His Feet, offered a coconut,
distributed it with a clean conscience along with sugar-candy as
per his vow and said to Baba that he was much pleased with His
darshan and that his desires were fulfilled that day. Mr. Cholkar
was in the Masjid with his host Bapusaheb Jog. When the host and
the guest both got up and were about to leave the Masjid, Baba
spoke to Jog as follows:- "Give him (your guest) cups of tea,
fully saturated with Sugar." Hearing these significant words, Mr.
Cholkar was much moved, he was wonderstruck, his eyes were bedewed
with tears, and he fell at Baba's Feet again. Mr. Jog was also
curious about this direction, regarding the tea-cups to be given
to his guest. Baba wanted by His words to create faith and
devotion in Cholkar's mind. He hinted as it were, that He got the
sugar-candy as per his vow and that He knew full well his secret
determination not to use sugar in his diet. Baba meant to say, "If
you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am immediately
with you, day and night. Though, I am here bodily, still I know
what you do; beyond the saven seas. Go wherever you will, over the
wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am
within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as
well as, in the hearts of all beings, Blessed and fortunate,
indeed, is he who knows Me thus."
What a beautiful and important lesson was thus imparted by Baba to
Mr. Chokar !
Two Lizards
N ow we close this Chapter, with a story
of two little lizards. Once Baba was sitting in the Masjid. A
devotee sat in front of Him, when a lizard tick-ticked. Out of
curiosity, the devotee asked Baba whether this tick-ticking of the
lizard signified anything; was it a good sign or a bad omen? Baba
said that the lizard was overjoyed as her sister from Aurangabad
was coming to see her. The devotee sat silent, not making out the
meaning of Baba's words. Immediately, a gentleman from Aurangabad
came on horse-back to see Baba. He wanted to proceed further, but
his horse would not go, as it was hungry and wanted grams. He took
out a bag from his shoulders to bring grams and dashed it on the
ground to remove dirt. A lizard came out therefrom and in the
presence of all, climbed up the wall. Baba asked the questioner
devotee to mark her well. She at once went strutting to her
sister. Both sisters met each other after a long time, kissed and
embraced each other, whirled round and danced with love! Where is
Shirdi and where is Aurangabad? How should the man on horse-back
come there from Aurangabad with the lizard? And how should Baba
make the prophesy of the meeting of the two sisters? All this is
really very wonderful and proves the omniscience -- the
all-knowing nature of Baba.
Post Script
He who respectfully reads this Chapter or
studies it daily, will get all his miseries removed by the grace
of the Sadguru Sai Baba, Hence:
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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