| What Shirdi Sai Baba Taught |
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1.0 PREAMBLE
1.1 Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, to His devotees, has come to stay
as`Para Brahma Swarupa' (God Incarnate), Supreme Spirit, Primary
Cause of the universe and Pure Consciousness. Baba lived a
saintly life at Shirdi during the period 1858-1918. His actions
are unique in nature, diverse in purpose and different in
character. Baba showered His grace on the devotees in multiple
ways -- to some He appeared in dreams, to some in physical form
and to selective few He showed His Godly form (Self).
1.2 Lord Sai extended His helping hand and blessings to many
`Sadhakas' who tread the path of self realisation through
meditations. In the process, Swamy (Baba) made the Sadhaka look
for internal divinity and upliftment of the soul through
constant guidance either by way of direct communication or
through messages.
1.3 The author with the blessings of Sri Shirdi Sai underwent
all experiences indicated above covering a period of sixteen
years (1978-94). Nearly hundred and ninety three messages
received directly from Baba were made available to the devotees
and readers by way of printed books. The purpose of the present
book is to cover another thirty five messages received in
meditation with focus on enlightenment from Sri Sai Baba on
"Salvation of the Soul". This is a "Process" and "Sadhana" and
has to be pursued sincerely through ones life for the end
purpose of holy communion with the Lord (Sai Baba).
2.0 PATH FOR GOD REALISATION
Meditation
2.1 In ancient times, there used to be ample scope for an
individual to choose mountain caves or dense forests for
meditation to understand oneself and realise the truth (God).
This is not possible for every one today. In the present day
world, with several stresses playing dominant role on the
physical and mental framework, human being is looking forward to
develop the inner spirit. For this purpose, control of body and
mind are essential through meditation. Similarly, soul needs to
be uplifted and purified through prayer and meditation.
Sacrifice
2.2 Sacrifice to God is an essential component of `Sadhana'.
Surrendering passion, possessiveness, desire etc. constitute an
important element of such `Sadhana'. Service towards betterment
and welfare of humanity is sacrifice to God. It helps to
cleanse the heart and also promotes firm-faith in the Lord.
Through purity of heart, upliftment of soul is ensured. An
elevated soul through sacrifice finds a place with the Lord (God
Almighty).
Namasmarana
2.3 Namasmarana is a kind of prayer by way of repeating the name
of God (Sai). The process of chanting the precious name of God
(`Om Sai Ram' or `Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai', Allah Malik,
Baba and so on) with pure heart is one of the important steps in
Sadhana. It has tremendous spiritual potential and almost takes
a `Sadhaka' nearer to the final goal of God realisation. In
essence, salutary effects of `Namasmarana' are as follows:
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Cleanses the environment in and around the prayer spot or dwelling.
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Tears off `Maya', curbs passions.
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Puts strength into the body (to see God and communicate with Him)
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Develops concentration on "Reality".
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Builds up detachment.
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Bliss descends.
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Bestows enlightenment (Gyana Jyothi).
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Ultimately, the total effect of "Namasmarana" results in the development of an "elevated soul".
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Liberation
2.4 Human being is subjected to `Karma' for his actions in the
past lives as well as the present one. It is cumulative in
effect. Redemption from `Karma' in its duration, magnitude and
intensity is in the hands of God. As such, faith in God and
prayer to Him are essential to eliminate `Karma'. `Namasmarana'
is one of the potent sadhanas which washes off `Karma'. Complete
annihilation of `Karmic action', arrests rebirth and thus
builds-up a state of liberation -- freedom from `Karma'. It is
only through complete elimination of `Karma', the soul ceases to
have any further life and merges with the Lord (God).
Elevated Soul
2.5 Soul is like an uncut diamond. Just as a diamond needs to
be cut and polished on several edges and faces to reveal its
true brillance, so also the soul needs to be purified through
various steps of `Sadhana' -- prayer, penance, sacrifice,
service and surrender to the Lord (Baba). Single elevated
(evolved) soul saves the sins of millions of people. As such,
evolution of millions of people. As such, evolution or
upliftment of the soul is important in the process of God
realisation.
Salvation of the Soul
2.6 Sacrifice and surrender to the Lord (God) are needed for
salvation of the soul. Desires of the body have to be
suppressed through meditation to brighten the soul. The only
hope and path for deliverence of the soul from bondage to the
body and rebirth is prayer. Wisdom derived through `Sadhana'
put into practice salvages the soul for eternal bliss. Through
`Sadhana', one can also awaken the Divinity within and free the
soul from bondage. The process in totality, if pursued, would
help complete merger of the soul with the Almighty (`Moksham').
3.0 MESSAGES ON "THE PROCESS"
`The Process'
3.1 Various steps in `Sadhana' elucidated above, put together
constitute "The Process". At times, in the pursuit of spiritual
path, additional undefined `Sadhanas' and "The Process" are
intertwined giving double strength to the cord woven for God
realisation. The attached sketch symbolises various steps
involved in "The Process".
Prayer and Messages
3.2 Messages received in meditation directly from Sri Sai Baba
on the subject "The Process" are reproduced below in
chronological order covering the period (1983-94) with the fond
hope that the same would help assist the devotees in their
"Sadhana" for God realisation.
PRAYER
December 1983
"Baba, save me from the agony of life,
Save me from the torture of the mind,
Save me from rebirth,
Allow me to enter into Thee for eternal bliss".
MESSAGES
February 1984
1. "An ugly insect can be turned into a beautiful butterfly
through proper transformation, so also any cruel or wicked
person can be transformed into a close associate of the Lord
through spiritual transformation".
May 1984
2. "One should avoid moving and thinking only along the path of
a circle,
One should aim to move along a straight line,
Any movement on the perimeter brings one to the same point,
Movement on a straight line gives scope to progress,
Even on a straight line, you get stunted,
If `Maya' overtakes you; you get blurred in vision;
To overcome this, you need the vision and grace of the Lord
through prayer"
December 1984
3. "Soul is the powerful part of the Lord (Almighty) lying
invisible in you -- if you harness the same, you merge with the
Lord for supreme bliss"
February 1985
4. "Human life is not the life you lead at the moment, it is a
process of lives and deaths till it reaches the sublime state of
merger with the Lord. This could be achieved through prayer and
penance, the latter embraces sacrifices one carries out to the
Lord under multiple facets. As such, life has to be looked in
its totality and not in segments".
PRAYER
July 1985
"I am in search of the Truth,
The Truth that symbolises the Supreme,
It is a long process and in this process,
I may make mistakes,
But I still pray to Him to put strength in me to overcome the
same,
And reach Him with Supreme bliss".
MESSAGES
April 1986
5. "To reach the absolute Purity (Lord Almighty)
One should get purified;
This is a process wherein you get burnt several times by the
flames of temptation,
`Maya' and desire;
But you emerge purer and purer as gold if you keep the goal --
to merge with Divine Purity".
6. "Life is a process -- a struggle to overcome desire, temporal
benefits and unreality (illusion);
In essence, a struggle to conquer `Maya' -- the force that
resists seeking the Truth (Reality);
In this process, there may be many pitfalls;
But the helping hand is extended only through one source -- the
source of Reality (God Almighty).
March 1987
7. "Human being often forgets that he or she is only a
missionary of the Lord in this world".
June 1987
8. "One should cultivate control of thought, desire and mind to
serve Me -- this is a process".
August 1987
9. "Physical body is a filth;
Mental part of the body needs control -- as it is dominated by
`Maya';
Sensory part of the body needs to be subdued;
Soul of the body needs to be uplifted and purified -- through
prayer and meditation;
This is "The Process" for God realisation difficult and
prolonged in practice"
10. "Instead of developing extreme attachment to the body and
undergoing agony, pray for the opportunity to cast-off the frame
(body) and merge the soul with the Lord (Almighty)".
(Translated from a message given in Telugu language).
September 1987
11. To keep the mind at peace is in essence the first step in
"The Process".
February 1988
12. "Through prayer seek recluse in Lord Sai and release the soul
from bondage"
November 1988
13. "Hear to the voice of the Lord (God Almighty)
And conduct thyself on the earth".
14. "Divinity within has to be awakened,
For this, sacrifice from human being is needed in many ways,
Elevated soul through sacrifice finds a place with the Lord,
This is the ultimate goal of life -- this life or repetition of
lives".
15. "To define life is difficult,
Human being attributes many values to life,
But in the eyes of God, the purpose of life is one -- to merge
with Him.
(through sacrifice, purity and penance)
September 1989
16. "Do not deal much with this frame (body) for materialistic
things,
Detach from the same through enlightment of the soul,
This is the path for permanent bliss".
November 1990
17. "Develop the inner spirit to control the outer environment,
This enables to control the five elements -- air, water, fire,
sky and earth.
Ancient saints have followed this method of meditation
(process) to uplift the soul and deliver its bondage from the
body".
18. "Environment to protect the process of meditation or prayer
needs to be built by the individual (person) seeking the Truth
(Almighty) rather than try to create or protect the environment
in nature".
(Sadhaka through meditation builds up an envelop of powerful
radiation around the place of penance which protects him from
poisonous creatures, wild animals and also from the influence of
`Maya'. This is one of the ways to control external environment
by developing inner spirit.)
19. "Prayer and meditation helps the process of contact,
conversation and holy communion with the Lord. Through this
process, detachment of soul with the body develops. The
process, if pursued, would help complete merger of the soul with
the Almighty (`Moksham').
February 1991
20. "Every cloud has its own silver lining,
But the source behind the lining is the same (Sun);
So is the case with every individual
The source behind individual is God Almighty".
21. "One should make many sacrifices, before one experiences the
grace of the Lord".
22. "Dictates of the mind should be honoured with discretion,
Discretion should emerge from moral values,
Moral values should be derived through meditation".
23. "Process is `Sadhana',
It cannot be achieved overnight,
It is to be cultivated through devotion and sacrifice to the
Lord"
March 1991
24. "Environment of body is different from the environment of
the soul;
The effort to separate the environment of the soul from the body
is a long drawn process (Sadhana);
To attach the liberated soul to Lord Almighty is `Moksha
Sadhana'".
April 1991
25. "Prayer has the power to shackle the bondage (between body
and soul),
It has also the power to bring you nearer to God (Baba),
Hence, do not give up Bhakti Marga -- path of prayer".
(Translated from a message given in Telugu language).
August 1991
26. "Keep the Lord nearer to you through sacrifice (surrendering
passion, possessiveness, desire etc.);
Place at His feet the sorrow and misery of humanity and seek for
redemption of `Karma'.
March 1992
27. "To seek God is a process,
It is a `Saga',
It is sacrifice".
July 1993
28. "The seat for Guru (Spiritual Master) and Daivam (God) is
the heart of the devotee. If that seat is worshiped with
special prayer (Abhishekam) with emphasis on `Namajapam', the
soul gets purified. This brings the devotee nearer to God.
Human being merges with Lord Almighty with the purification of
the soul. That is salvation of the soul -- `Moksham'."
(Translated from a message given in Telugu language)
PRAYER
August 1993
"OM SAI MA
Give me strength to serve you with sacrifice,
OM SAI MA
Provide me patience to pursue your mission of service,
OM SAI MA
Bestow me faith to follow you all the time,
OM SAI MA
Bless me to have your `Darshan as Manifested form of Divinity'".
November 1993
29. "I (Baba) am every where
`Bhakta' (Devotee) has to realise this truth,
My (Baba's) presence is felt through prayer and faith".
30. "A wondering mind wavers on many things including faith in
God,
A doubting Thomas does nothing to humanity,
But a `Sadhaka' should strive for irrevocable faith in Almighty".
December 1993
31. "Spiritual discipline is key to successful `Sadhana".
32. "God realisation is a process to be followed with patience
and faith".
February 1994
33. "Sadhana is surrender to Swamy (Baba),
Sadhana is service to Swamy,
Sadhana is sacrifice to Swamy"
March 1994
34. "Sadhana is embodiment of prayer"
35. "Sadhana symbolises faith and patience in prayer"
4. Explanation to Important Terms
1. Sadhaka -- One who endeavours to follow spiritual discipline
with a goal to attain `Moksha' (final liberation).
2. Sadhana -- Religious practice towards the goal of freedom
from bondage and merger with God.
3. Inner spirit -- Divinity within oneself
4. Namasmarana -- Kind of prayer involving repetition of divine
name.
5. Karma __ Person's cumulative actions in successive states of
existence (life) viewed as deciding his fate for next life or
destiny.
6. Soul -- Spiritual, indestructible and immaterial part of
human being which survives death.
7. Maya -- Illusion, unreal
8. Abhishekam -- Kind of ritualistic prayer to a particular God
or Goddess -- bathing the idol with milk, sandalwood paste,
curd, honey, ganges water and flowers etc.
9. Lord -- Lord Sri Shirdi Sai
Swamy -- " "
Almighty -- " "
Truth -- " "
Reality -- " "
10. Peetam -- A platform like base on which an idol, to be
worshipped, is placed or rested.
11. Saga -- Continuous and relentless effort.
Om Sai Ram
October 1983
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1. "Lord is the pole on which you can lean safely, |
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Lord is the bed on which you can rest comfortably, |
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Lord is the stick with which you can walk safely, |
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Nothing else is dependable as they are all illusory". |
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2. "When the world sleeps, I am awake, |
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When the world is awake, I am vigilant, |
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I am the watchdog for humanity" |
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3. "There is no sorrow for the soul |
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It is only for the body an d |
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4. "The key is in My hands, |
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I have to open the right door for you to enter -- a place with suitable light and environment for enlightenment". |
December 1983
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5. "Take what I give |
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Accept what I decide |
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Enjoy what I bless". |
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6. "It is difficult for everybody to accept God, |
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Unless one experiences Him through prayer". |
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7. "Do not entertain everything the body and mind demands, Entertain only what the soul requires -- to upgrade thyself". |
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8. "For good or bad I am the Master". |
January 1984
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9. "Our lives are for sacrifice and not to demand service from others". |
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10. "Unless the heart is pure the act of the hand even for serving others has no meaning, Unless the heart is pure the act of speech from the lips has no meaning, Unless the heart is pure any act even to save others has no meaning, Link the heart to the Lord to make it pure". |
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11. "There is no secret before the Lord, Admit all faults and sins before Him, As redemption from sins is in His hands". |
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12. "No act of service to the Lord goes unheeded, It has its reward at the appropriate time." |
February 1984
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13. "Anger belongs to the body Peace belongs to the soul". |
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14. "If you do not identify with the body and mind, Many things could be overcome." |
March 1984
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15. "Man has to bear many burdens of life as a process of `karma,' It could be lightened through the grace of the Lord -- have faith in Him." |
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16. "The love and affection derived from `Divine Mother' has no match to anything else in this world". |
April 1984
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17. "Man judges a human being by his/her nature, God judges a human being by upliftment of the soul, The touch stone to test the soul is in His hands". |
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18. "Your possession is only one, Hang on to it forever -- in life, disease of death, It is nothing but the Lord". |
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19. "You owe an explanation to nobody in this world, But you owe an explanation to Me for every act of Yours in this world" |
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20. "If you understand the Soul You have no sorrow, If you understand the soul, you have no religion, If you understand the soul you have no death, If you understand the soul you have God realisation". |
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21. "Develop purity of heart to develop the soul". |
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22. "`Parayanam' has to be performed to purify oneself and not to please Me". |
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23. "Sacrifice for the Lord, Sacrifice for humanity, Sacrifice of self are essential for the human being to attain bliss". |
May 1984
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24. "I am the light house, My vision is the beacon light to guide the lost ship to safe shores from high seas". (The lost ship is the drifted person in the sea of `Maya')". |
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25. "False steps in life need not be cursed all the time, As they provide many times an opportunity to look to the Lord". |
July 1984
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26. "Let one live in his own pride and arrogance, Till one hears the golden voice of the Lord, And sees the truth, reality and destination" |
August 1984
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27. "Burn the desires of the body and brighten the soul". |
September 1984
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28. "Man proudly announces that he is the master of many things, God accepts humbly his (man's) ignorance". |
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29. "When one experiences the grace of the Lord (`Anubhuti'), Worldly labels of mother, brother, sister, son, wife etc, cease to have any special significance, Only the act of compassion dominates to help humanity". |
October 1984
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30. "Do not pretend in prayer, As the Lord knows the depth of service and longing of the heart". |
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31. "What is important in prayer is the heart and not the routine rituals, As your prayer is judged by the agony of the heart and craving for the Lord". |
November 1984
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32. "If you live with the body you live with misery, If you life with the soul you live with mercy -- mercy from the Lord, And that is the path for peace". |
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33. "What is destined by the Lord to eliminate `Karma' has to be undergone in life, Not knowing the process, one blames the Lord". |
January 1985
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34. "If you live with the body you live with misery If you live with the soul you live with bliss". |
February 1985
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35. "Those who trust the Lord Get the best in the end." (End in this case is not the end of present life alone but future lives also). |
March 1985
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36. "Time, place and nature of death are not in the hands of human beings". |
April 1985
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37. "Whatever is done through mind and body is temporary and destructable, Whatever is done for the soul is permanent and constructive". |
July 1985
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38. "Any sacrifice made in the name of God stays permanently". (eg: Sacrifice for humanity Sacrifice from possession Sacrifice from passion etc) |
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39. "Patience pays Prayer saves". |
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40. "Through prayer and meditation kindle the supreme within you and see the Light-Light of Truth and the Light that filters the dictates of the mind". |
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41. "Live with Me You will be liberated, Ask for Me You will be answered, Pray for me You will be protected". |
August 1985
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42. "There is no greater power than the power of the Lord, There is no greater appeal than an appeal to the Lord, There is no greater wisdom than to realise the power of the Lord". |
September 1985
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43. "Have My strength and be humble, The universe shrinks before you". |
October 1985
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44. "Emulate My life in thought, action and deed, you will be emancipated from sin". |
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45. "To live with Me all the time, One should know the emptiness of the physical body". |
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46. "The power of man lies in the depth of prayer he offers to the Lord". |
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47. "Man's irrationality reaches it's base level when he ignores the magnanimity of the Lord". |
November 1985
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48. "Touch My feet I shall crown your head". |
December 1985
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49. "Sacrifice to the Lord is service to humanity --hidden or exposed". |
April 1986
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50. "Heart is the king-pin for prayer to the Lord and to get His grace". |
June 1986
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51. "Search inside and save thyself, Harness the God within and suppress the Devil, His grace will descend and the vision will be clear". |
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52. "Surrender to mind brings misery into sight, search inward saves the vision". |
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53. "Do not chase the mirage, It is not the reality, Look inside and light the lamp, The vision becomes clear and the goal is near". |
August 1986
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54. "Sacrifice is required to search the Truth -- that truth which is the ultimate Truth (the Supreme)". |
October 1986
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55. "There is only one source of solace, seek the same through sacrifice (prayer) to the Lord". |
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56. "There is no limit to luxury And there is no end to comfort, But there should be a full stop some where and that is `Contentment', Yearning for contentment emerges from prayer, Prayer answered brings perpetual peace, Perpetual peace is the permanent link with the Lord". |
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57. "Condition the mind to comfort -- not for materialistic comfort but for permanent peace -- through prayer". |
November 1986
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58. "Heart is not only the vital organ to sustain the human system, But it is the vital organ to link you to the Lord, As the heart pumps purified blood to keep the human system alive, It should also get purified (through prayer) to communicate with the Lord". |
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59. "Prayer is a potential panacea for many miseries of mankind". |
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60. "Plead for the mercy of the Lord, Mankind will be at peace". |
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61. "Sacrifice to the Lord through service is the first step to eliminate Karma and elevate the soul". |
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62. "Prayer is the potential service to the Lord". |
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63. "Prayer with pure heart is the passage to salvation" |
December 1986
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64. "Service to humanity is sacrifice to Me". |
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65. "Comfort the mind through prayer and control the desires, the mission of life is much fulfilled". |
March 1987
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66. "Faith in God provides protection to mankind, Faith in God processes the mind to sublime thought; Faith in God is the firm anchor to the turbulent world; Faith in God is the ultimate to attain the goal -- God realisation". |
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67. "Do not surrender to impulse Make impulse surrender to wisdom Seek wisdom from the Lord". |
October 1987
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68. "The power of God cannot be assessed; The grace of God cannot be measured; The will of God has to be accepted". |
November 1987
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69. "God is concerned with humanity only to comfort it". |
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70. "Man suffers from many complexes, God straightens the vision". |
February 1988
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71. "Soul has to get rid off the bondage with the body, For this, the only hope and path is prayer". |
October 1988
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72. "Chastity is the strength of woman, Sacrifice is the strength of man, Surrender to the Lord (God) is the supreme strength for both". |
November 1988
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73. "Power of God cannot be measured by human being, Nature of God is all embracing, Sacrifice to God should be unlimited". |
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74. "Have faith in Me You will progress in life, Have trust in Me You will tide-over difficulties; Sacrific for Me You will be saved; Surrender to Me Your soul will be elevated". |
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75. "Trust Me to the core You will be taken to the highest point -- a point of no return (absolute bliss)". |
May 1989
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76. "Do not sin with this body, You suffer to serve another life". |
January 1990
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77. "Faith is the foundation for prayer, |
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Prayer acts as the window for the glimpses of God, Experience of the glimpses elevates the soul, Merger of the soul with the Lord brings permanent bliss". |
February 1990
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78. "Light the wick of Divinity within, You will dispel the darkness around". |
March 1990
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79. "If you honour the senses You live subdued life, If you honour the soul You live sublime life". |
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80. "Look internally, Awake the Divine within, Free the soul from bondage". |
June 1990
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81. "Body is for the pyre Soul is for the Lord Seek wisdom through prayer And choose between the two". |
November 1990
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82. "In sorrow speak to Me In anger repeat My name In bliss sing for Me". |
December 1990
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83. "Purify the heart through prayer Seek solace at my feet". |
September 1991
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84. "Do not surrender to senses and suffer departure from the Supreme". |
October 1991
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85. "Limit your desires And live with internal peace". |
November 1991
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86. "Disposition towards God Dispels darkness" (Darkness of mind, darkness of life etc.) |
January 1992
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87. "Power lies not in physical form Power lies in nearness to God Power multiplies through purification of soul" |
February 1992
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88. "Keep the heart pure Before you seek solace from God" |
March 1992
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89. "Live in harmony within Live in commune with Me Peace descends" |
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90. "Gold in medicine is good for health Gold in wealth is prosperity Devotee who sees Me in golden form is blessed with health and wealth" (Baba appeared as a gold statue in Samadhi Mandir and conveyed the message) |
April 1992
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91. "Detach from desires Attach to Almighty" |
May 1992
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92. "Patience is needed in pursuing God Sacrifice is needed for salvation of the Soul" |
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93. "Think of Baba Things will be done". |
July 1992
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94. "Devil within deminishes As grace of the Lord dominates". |
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95. "Seek the grace of the Lord Sorrow will disappear". |
October 1992
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96. "Desist the thought from desire Detach the mind from the body Attach the soul to Almighty". (Path for liberation.) |
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Explanation to Key Words |
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Lord - Lord Sri Shirdi Sai |
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Swamy - Lord Sri Shirdi Sai |
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Baba - Lord Sri Shirdi Sai |
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Soul - Spiritual, indestructible and immaterial part of human being which survives death. |
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Maya - Illusion, material world regarded as unreal. |
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Karma - Person's cumilative actions in |
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successive states of existence (life) viewed as deciding his fate for next life or destiny. |
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Parayanam - Methodical and orderly reading of the sacred book covering the biography of Lord Sri Shirdi Sai Baba with religious fervour. |
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Anubhuti - Personal experience of divine grace. |
Om Sai Ram
PRELUDE
Before the reader dwells into the contents of the book and derives the benefit, it is essential to know the sequence of events that culminated into the shape of this compilation.
The author had the fortune to be initiated through Sri Brij Kishorjee, Hyderabad (India) to Shiridi Sai's grace on the "Sivaratri day" in 1978. In the same year in the month of July, Swamy entered the authors residence in the from of a gold idol, just before the commencement of bhajan. Later, several experiences were felt by the author and his family members at their Hyderabad residence.
In March 1979, the author had to move to Sri Lanka on a foreign assignment with the grace and blessings of Lord Shiridi Sai. As the family also moved to Colombo in June 1979, the bhajans at Hyderabad residence could not be continued; but everyday `Pooja' to Sri Sai remained unchanged at Colombo. Especially on Thursdays the intensity of prayer was more alongwith the family members.
Inspite of the above, it took considerable time and effort to cleanse the surroundings and environment, so as to purify the same for permanent dwelling of the Lord. This process was achieved through vigorous "Nama japam" and constant prayers.
Since January 1980, the grace of the Lord descended through prayers. This process was coupled with meditation. The Lord not only started showing His "Leelas" but his actual presence could be felt during the prayers. Initially, it used to be for a couple of minutes, but now extends even for hours. The whole process of five years stay in Colombo (1979-83), gradually shunning all social life and deeply engrossed with the Lord's service, has to be treated as a special mission carved out by Swamy for the author. During this period, several people have been benefited by the grace of Lord Shirdi Sai and virtually some of these are nothing short of miracles.
The most significant and completely different nature of benefit derived by the author through this process of meditation cum prayer is the receipt of messages of wisdom from the Lord directly for the benefit of humanity.
It may be remembered that intelligence is different from knowledge. Similarly wisdom is different from knowledge. Knowledge can be acquired through study but wisdom cannot be acquired through knowledge. Wisdom only dawns. Meditation provides means for this process of enlightenment. Wisdom derived through the grace of the Lord is the first step. Wisdom put to practice in life is the greatest sacrifice one can offer to the Lord for the deliverance of the soul.
What has been recorded in these pages of the book for the benefit of mankind is nothing but truth and only the truth. It is hoped that these messages, derived through the Lord's grace would be of immense benefit in shaping the lives of many ardent devotees.
Let us bow to the Lord to give us further strength to receive the nectar of messages and derive the spiritual strength to fulfil the mission of life -- God realisation.
K.V. Raghava Rao
OM SHIRDI SAI
FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION
It gives us great pleasure to bring out the second edition of this precious book. This reflects on the rapid spread of Sai cult in the country.
I hope it will surely fulfil the glorious task of helping, guiding and transforming several lives on their onward progress towards God realisation.
We earnestly pray Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and Sadguru Narasimha Swamiji to shower blessings on one and all.
Jai Sai Ram
December, 1992 At the feet of the Master
Madras.
T. KESAVA RAO President, A.I.S.S., Madras
Om Sai Ram
JANUARY 1980
1. "Inflict suffering on thyself
You are one step
nearer to the Lord".
FEBRUARY 1980
2. "Development of individual soul
is the prime essence of life".
3. "Nearness to the Lord depends
on the strength of detachment
one develops
from worldly bondage".
DECEMBER 1980
4. "I am the wick, I am the light,
I am the eye -- without the eye
(Spiritual wisdom) you cannot
see the wick or the light".
5. "Restore thyself to the Lord,
you develop detachment --
from the sense of body, feeling
of I and worldly detachment.
This is the path for firm
attachment with the Lord".
JANUARY 1981
6. "It is not for you to question the actions of others -- it is only for you to ask the Lord to excuse you if you have erred".
FEBRUARY 1981
7. "I am not to drown you,
I am here to save you,
I am the lifebuoy/life belt
for you to swim across the
`Samsara' and make you
reach the shores of safety --
the Divine".
8. "I am the cosmic ray
to keep you live in
the warmth of the light --
the light of Divinity".
9. "I am an elephant
My strength is shown
only when it is needed".
MARCH 1981
10. "Meditation brings many things,
Meditation is the wick to the
lamp of wisdom,
The lamp of wisdom is nothing
but the Lord".
(Through the process of meditation
you are nearer to the Lord).
11. "I am there always to help you
I am ready to serve you
you have to approach me with a
clean heart".
12. "When you are with Me
you are there to take
the pain and not to transmit
the same to others -- in deed,
thought or action".
13. "Feed the body to the extent
it deserves to function;
Man unknowningly tries to
overfeed the body;
What is needed is to feed
the Soul which is everlasting".
(This path takes you to the
position where is no need
to have a body nor feed it too --
as the Soul merges with the Lord
neither life nor death takes place,
except complete bliss).
APRIL 1981
14. "Suffering is yours
Service is to others".
(This motto takes you nearer
to the Lord).
AUGUST 1981
15. Swamy appeared as a butterfly
and gave the following messages.
"Butterfly is delicate and shortlived
It sucks honey and does no harm
to others.
Man should emulate the same --
he should suck Divine honey,
be harmless to others
and make his life sweet
and short lived".
SEPTEMBER 1981
16. Swamy appeared in prayers
holding an umbrella and
said the following:
"You need an umbrella
It protects you from sun and rain;
Sun is the brighter side of life
Rain is the shadower part of it
I am the umbrella to protect you
from Sun and Rain".
OCTOBER 1981
17. Swamy appeared driving a nice
Chariot (as Lord Krishna guiding
the Chariot in Bhagavad Geeta)
and offered the following message.
"You cannot be the `Saradhi'
as you do not know
the destination.
I alone
can be the `Saradhi'
for my devotees.
As I can take them safely,
surely and quickly
to the destination".
NOVEMBER 1981
18. "Mountains can be moved
through meditation".
DECEMBER 1981
19. "Social functions
cease to have any value
when you start seeing
the Lord".
FEBRUARY 1982
20. "Liberation of individual soul is
important as even a single
liberated soul saves
multitude of miseries associated
with the human beings."
21. "Physical ailments and suffering
have to be fought inevitably
on the battle field of `KARMA',
looking at the Lord as the
Chariot driver --
as Arjuna did by looking
at Lord Krishna.
In this process of fight
any commitment to suicide
is considered cowardice."
APRIL 1982
22. "Sacrifice coupled with religious
discipline is the
highest offer one can extend
to the Lord".
23. "Evolution of the soul is important
in the process of God realization,
as a single evolved soul
can save millions of sins
committed by people."
MAY 1982
24. "Prayer is yours
Action is Mine".
25. "Each life is like a rose
Man should emulate the rose --
the fragrance of the rose
to be thrown open
and not the thorn.
God within self is the fragrance
to be thrown open
through prayer".
JUNE 1982
26. "I am the radar
It has no range limit
It can catch any distant object
and bring it into focus."
27. "I am the telescope
to view the universe
and space and even beyond --
it posseses a lens
whose focal length
cannot be determined."
28. "My Philosophy is open,
It is for the individual
to have the nectar
and ambrosia out of it
or feel nostalgic over it."
JULY 1982
29. "The first step in
spiritual pursuit is nothing
but faith in God -- the creator of
you present life
and the planner of
you future life till such time
it merges with Him."
30. "Pain is for the body and mind
and not for the soul;
Try to live with the soul
and you will be liberated."
AUGUST 1982
31. "For whom you are craving?
You should crave for Me
for the merger of your soul
with Me;
That is the perfect bliss
without sorrow."
32. "There is no substitute for Mother,
There is no substitute for Prayer
Prayer to Mother Devine
Brings supreme bliss
and salvation."
33. "See mother in every woman
you succeed in many ways".
SEPTEMBER 1982
34. "Turn to the Lord
and tackle your problems."
35. "Universe is my family
Suffering calls for my attention
Devotees prayer
brings me into action."
OCTOBER 1982
36. "Life is a wheel
I am the spoke for the wheel
Without Me there is no
safe journey."
37. "Follow the path
I have led
You will be nearer
to the goal."
38. "The fruits of meditation
are deliverance of the Soul
from bondage and rebirth."
NOVEMBER 1982
39. "Sacrifices in life
do not suffer defeat
in the eyes of the Lord,
they are rewarded."
40. "It is difficult to please
everybody in all matters,
for this only, we have to look
to the Lord to please everybody".
41. "Baba give me strength
to follow the moral path;
Give me strength to pray
for your blessings;
To merge my tiny soul
with thy mighty power;
The "Power" which pervades
forever, everywhere
to protect the seeker."
42. "Save the soul through meditation
and sacrifice the body."
DECEMBER 1982
43. "Body seeks pleasure
Soul seeks salvation
Live with the soul
to achieve liberation --
liberation from the mind
and liberation from pleasure.
44. "Soul has no pleasure
It is beyond pleasure."
45. "Feed the soul with prayer
Starve the body from desires
46. "I am the Nature
Look to Nature
with reverence
I look to you naturally."
47. "Do not condemn anybody
Each man has his level of power,
for some it is visible
and for some it is invisible."
48. "You can reach Lord
only through
slow and steady means
You can never reach Him
overnight."
49. "Man needs certain
level of sacrifice to derive
the solace of the Lord."
(This sacrifice is multifacet.)
50. "Man should try to be as pure
as a Lotus and as sweet as
a rose in the normal life."
JANUARY 1983
51. "Sacrifice is needed to save
the soul and salvage the sins."
MARCH 1983
52. "Life is given as a process
to eliminate `KARMA'
There is no `Janma' (life)
without `Karma'
To eliminate `Karma'
Prayer is essential,
It is only through complete
elimination of `Karma',
the soul ceases to have any life
and merges with the Lord."
53. "As a reward to your prayers,
I have shown you both evil
and good coming ahead."
(As such, one should not blame
the Lord).
54. "In reality there is no death."
MAY 1983
55. "Individual is not a body
Individual is a soul;
Lord provides opportunity
to sharpen the soul through
each life (birth) till it
merges with Him".
56. "Both death and birth are
ordained by the Lord,
As such, it is wrong to desist
the Lord in the event of death of
one's near and dear".
57. "Redemption of `Karma' in its
duration, magnitude and intensity
is in the hands of the Lord but
not with the individual.
God craves as much to merge
the individual in Him
as the man craves
to live happily without suffering.
The truth of it is to identify
oneself with the soul
(and not the body) to achieve
this end, as the soul is beyond
pleasure and pain and capable of
possessing eternal bliss"
58. "Man seeks from God
two benefits -- the temporal and
spiritual benefits.
When he realises
the importance
of the spiritual benefit
namely the insignificance of self
and supremacy of the soul,
he ceases to seek temporal benefits.
Supreme bliss lies in the ultimate
merger of the soul in Almighty
without recurrence of births".
59. "Man is subjected to `Karma'
for all evil actions
whether performed knowingly
or unknowingly".
60. "The mission of the Lord
is to make the man sane
and sensible -- fit to be
merged with Him in all aspects".
61. "More than eighty percent
of mankind seeks temporal
benefits from the Lord, the
rest aspires spiritual benefits.
Lord struggles to make
hundred percent of the humanity
to gain spiritual benefit."
62. "Solitude sharpens the mind
if it is directed towards the Lord;
The sharpened mind sees
the truth and wisdom dawns;
wisdom put into practice
salvages the soul
for eternal bliss".
63. "Even God assumes the form
of human being to help hasten
the process of uplifting
some souls
in the shortest possible time".
64. "No man no earth can give you
the solace as every man
has his misery;
So look inward
and light the lamp
to see the Lord;
The end of misery
is in sight".
65. "The mission of the Lord is
to save the lives --
not from death
but from rebirth
as that is the state of bliss".
66. "A departed soul is not death,
It is only a rebirth till
it reaches the Lord
with complete annihilation
of "Karmic action".
67. "leave your burdens
at my feet, you are light
as a feather
in your mind".
JUNE 1983
68. To abhor woman
as an obstacle to spiritual path
is not the correct path;
To see mother in every woman
is the correct path;
To see Lord in every person
is the supreme path".
69. "You are like a lotus,
nearer to Me when you are
above the water -- the water is
the impure environment
of the world and the soul".
Note : (Swamy showed a lotus in his
"abayahastha" and gave the
message.)
70. "Sacrifice is needed to save
people and serve the Lord too".
Note : (Life of Swamy, Jesus,
Lord Buddha, Mohammed and
many prophets and saints point
towards this truth.)
71. "Anger is not your property
Avoid possession of the same".
72. "Man may cheat hundred persons
and be proud of the act,
but he cannot cheat
even once the Lord
as he is watched
hundred percent by Him".
73. "The inevitable has to be
accepted by everyone specially
when it is blessed
by the Lord for reasons
unknown to us".
74. "Transcend the temporal benefits
through prayer
and seek the spiritual benefit
from the Lord --
this is the way
to salvage the soul".
75. "Each man values
an act with a sense
of his own evaluation;
The true value of an act
emerges from Wisdom;
Wisdom is achieved through
inward search of self".
76. "Any committed sin
slides you down on the
ladder for God realisation;
The upward climb of such a
ladder has to be done
through penance and
sacrifice (for the Lord)
much against
the gravity force (Maya)".
77. "Hold the life balance even,
Joy and sorrow can be equated
through upliftment of the soul".
78. "Share the joy
and sorrow equally
with the Lord
because it is His creation
beyond our comprehension".
79. "Human life is provided
with an opportunity
for rational thinking,
Individual should develop
the same through prayer,
Prayer provides
the upliftment of the soul".
AUGUST 1983
80. "Faith in God is the
only anchor for the
ship of `Samsara' -
whether in smooth
or troubled waters".
81. "Man only knows his relations
in the present life and is
attached to them dearly;
He knows not the relationship
to previous life `Runanubandham'
Unless he looks to Me".
82. "Humanity is one whatever
religion one follows,
God is one
in whatever shape,
form or name one prays
In essence, God to man
and man to God,
realisation is the reality".
83. "Every act of God has a meaning,
The only difference is
that we know
not the meaning
To know the meaning
the soul has to be elevated
through meditation".
84. "I will act from the temple
I will act from the Church
I will act from the Mosque
To save humanity".
85. "If you realise that you are
not the body,
Half the problems are solved;
If you experience
you are the soul,
Half the distances to God
Realisation is covered;
If you feel the presence of Lord
Your mission is fulfilled".
86. "You are not the body
you are the Soul,
Live with the Soul and
lessen the grief".
87. "Man is put to many a test
by the Lord
Not to make him suffer
but to build the faith in Him;
Faith in Him is the only hope
to eliminate "Karma"
and elevate the Soul".
88. "The cry of the devotee
puts me into action,
I have the power to control nature
I can absolve the evil
from the planetary positions too".
SEPTEMBER 1983
89. "If I have the privilege
to sit at the feet
of the Lord permanently
I should have the courage to cast
the mantle and credit
the Soul to Him
through sacrifice".
90. "Sacrifice made for Me
is always rewarded".
91. "Unless one sees
the reality inside
whether human body,
Universe or Cosmos
one cannot cast off
the external as insignificant
This perception is derived
through meditation".
92. "Whom are you blaming?
I have created
this life for you,
To be with Me all the time --
to think of Me, pray for Me
and act for Me
Do not blame the family
nor the society".
93. "When you start seeing
and experiencing
the Lord through
your sacrifice,
You should start thinking
for the society
and not for the individual.
94. "The inevitable has to be accepted
as an act of the Lord
as we know not
what the inner meaning
of His action is".
95. "Each man has to strive for himself
for the betterment of the Soul
looking for guidance to the Lord
as nobody knows the path
better than Him".
96. "Baba! give me strength
to serve you
with a heart full of compassion
with a mind
uninfluenced by Maya,
with a Soul worthy
to be merged with you".
97. "The mighty power of
the tiny atom is released
through fission (or fusion)
The mighty power
of the soul is released
through meditation
and ceaseless prayer;
The first process destroys
the Universe and Humanity,
The second process
safeguards and uplifts all life
in the cosmos".
JAI SAI RAM
Explanation to Key Words
Lord Lord Sri Shirdi Sai
Swamy "
Baba "
Soul Spiritual, indestructible and immaterial part of human being which survives death.
Maya Illusion, material world regarded as unreal.
Karma Person's cumilative actions in successive states of existence (life) viewed as deciding his fate for next life or destiny.
Parayanam Methodical and orderly reading of the sacred book covering the biography of Lord Sri Shirdi Sai Baba with religious fervour.
Anubhuti Personal experience of divine grace
Om Sri Shirdi Sai
The first instance that I want to record is about my son Rahul, when he was six years old. He got very high fever and had continuous vomitings. For fifteen days, the medicines had no effect and his condition was serious. The doctors also could not understand whether it was malaria, typhoid or some viral fever.
Finally, one day the fever started rising even more and whatever he took started coming out, even plain water. The fever was above [105 (o F)] even after administering tablets and sponging. Two doctors sat beside him the whole night but there was no response. The whole night we were awake and extremely anxious. We are fast loosing hopes.
Then suddenly I remembered Udi (holy ash) and thought of giving Udi water. Till that time I prayed to Baba and applied Udi on the forehead only but to give it as a medicine and not strike me. I also prayed that if Baba's Udi works as medicine then I will publish this miracle.
I mixed Udi in water and started giving him one teaspoon of water every half an hour. From that time the fever started subsiding, half a degree per hour. And in four to five hours the fever came down completely. The Udi water did, what even the latest medicines could not do.
Later, after things became normal (after many days) I had a feeling that if I write this miracle, will people believe in the power of Udi? In this age of science and medicine will people believe in the supernatural or of some power which is behind us. Will the "Sai Sudha" or "Sai Prabha" magazines publish such incidents?
One day I casually turned the pages of a Sai Sudha magazine. In that a person had written a similar story of his son's fever which was cured by Udi. After reading it I felt very happy and thought that Baba made me read this miracle to remove my doubt.
Even in this age of science, there is still something called "Life" and "Death" which nobody is able to describe, define or prevent. However much we are able to probe still there is such a vast expanse of universe, about which nothing is known. All this is staying in harmony because of some powerful superhuman force, which we cannot see, but can only feel or experience, at some stage or other in our life. And this force tries to help us when we ardently invoke it.
All my experiences with Baba started with this Arti incidence. Once, as soon as I went for a bath, my mother completed her prayers and gave the Arti to God. I felt very sad because I could not receive the Arti.
Then suddenly the flame of the Arti appeared in the bathroom. Baba was holding the Arti in his hand. Like a shadowy figure clad in white clothes Baba stood over there but the flame of the Arti came towards me. I moved this side and that side but the flame followed me. Finally I got scared and bowed to it and took the Arti. Then the Arti vanished.
In those days we did lot of namajapam and also Bhajan day in and day out. After the above incidence, during prayers whenever I closed my eyes, certain Goddesses used to come in glittering silver. Each day I would describe the Goddess that I saw to my mother and she used to tell us the mythology connected with it. At that time, we realised, how many Goddesses were there in our mythology.
These incidents happened before my marriage, i.e. before 1980.
3. LAKSHMI, DURGA, SARASWATI
Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, Durga is the Goddess of power (sakti) and Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge.
I am surprised to realise that what I saw in dreams, meditation or prayers got correlated with actual events in life.
Lakshmi :
The first incident was about twelve years back I had this dream. There was hilly area. The air was quiet chilly. Some people along with me were climbing up a strenuous path. We were tired but were progressing in our journey. We came to a cave and had to pass through it, bending our heads and walking precariously. There was a stream flowing and we had to pass that also. Suddenly near a bend I was confronted by a Goddess. I stood over there looking. Later that Goddess became Lakshmi Devi. I could hear the sound of water flowing through the rocks beneath. The Goddess was sitting on a big lotus, smiling and gave her blessings. When the Goddess gave her darshan, I folded my hands and bent my head in reverence.
I told my dream to others but we could not realise which place it was. I thought that the dream had no relevance and forgot about it.
After some years, when I was casually watching the T.V., I saw some pilgrims walking on an almost similar hilly track. I started thinking about where I had seen this place before, when I suddenly remembered the dream. The Goddess was Vaishnava Devi. I had no idea or clue about Her before my dream. I was surprised that how could I get a dream about something that I had never seen in my life nor knew that it existed. I was happy that the Goddess gave me Her darshan, even though I was ignorant.
Durga :
This incident happened exactly one year after the Om Jai Jagdeshwari miracle described later in this book.
One day, my mother and myself were alone in the house with the kids. That night at about 10 p.m. the temperature of my daughter started rising. We became worried as we could not take her to a doctor. We immediately rang up our family doctor and spoke to him. He told us to administer some tablets for the fever. As there was nothing much we could do, we had to just pray that the fever would not rise. We administered the tablets and the baby started getting sleep. As I was having some doubt lurking in my mind based on my experiences last year, I anxiously looked at the calendar for the actual date of commencement of Navaratri festival. I became wonder struck as it was the first day of Devi Navratri. So the Goddess gave me a little scare by making my daughter unwell and made me pray to her. I remembered Om Jai Jagdeswari and started chanting the mantra which till then I quite neglected. I continued the meditation till the early hours of the morning. The face of a Goddess appeared in front of me. I didnot know who she was. The face flashed many times in front of my eyes. The face looked as if it was carved in wood. I prayed to her also that the baby should get well. My daughter became normal by morning.
Then again after some days, in the night I was watching T.V. The programme showed how Goddess Durga was worshipped in different forms all over India. Suddenly, they showed the forms of Durga carved in wood. In my shock I could not register the name of the place where She was worshipped in this form. But in this form Goddess Durga is worshipped to cure ailments and to bestow health to the people. I was surprised.
I can say that the Goddess Durga is so magnanimous that even though I was ignorant and did not know that this certain form of the Goddess existed, She only came to me, gave Her darshan and made me pray to Her. She hinted or showed to me through the T.V. programme that She really existed.
Saraswati :
In my routine prayers, I also pray to Goddess Saraswati.
Sometimes, in my prayers, a certain Goddess with Her face completely yellow and wearing a crown used to come. I mistook the vision and always thought that it was Goddess Lakshmi.
For "Varalakshmi Vrata" puja we apply turmeric to a coconut, so that it becomes yellow in colour and on it we put eyes, ears, lips, etc., just like the face of a Goddess. This coconut is put on top of a pot and a saree is wrapped around it and decorated with ornaments. She is considered as Goddess Lakshmi and is worshipped on that particular day.
As soon as I saw a yellow face I thought of Goddess Lakshmi only. On seeing the crown, I thought, the Goddess was asking me to decorate her with the crown the next week when I perform the puja. The following Friday, in the same auspicious month, I did the puja of Goddess Lakshmi grandly and also decorated her with a crown made of a small ornament I had. I was very much satisfied with myself, that I performed the puja nicely according to the wish of the Goddess.
Then again, after a week or so, after the Lakshmi puja, the yellow faced Goddess again started appearing. I was perturbed. I thought I did everything correctly regarding the puja, but then, why was She appearing again and again?
I asked the Goddess also whether I did something wrong that she appeared so many times. She used to appear at times in a flash and disappear, but She used to come regularly with long intervals in between. I always thought of her as Goddess Lakshmi and whenever She appeared I used to bow to her and join my hands in prayer. This happened many times.
One evening I was very busy with some work and was moving from one room to the other. On the T.V. they were showing some programme and my son was watching it. Suddenly he shouted, "Mom" it is "Basara Saraswati Devi, come and see, how nice She is looking". I said, "Keep quite and watch it if you want, I am very busy, don't disturb me". But as he was very persistent saying what will happen if you just give a look and go, I came to the T.V. and had a look. I was shocked because what I saw was the Goddess who was persistently coming in my vision. It was the same yellow face with a crown on Her head. It was unbelievable and I was also dazed. My mother was also surprised when I showed her the figure and reminded her of my visions.
As I did not recognise Her and as I mistook Her for Goddess Lakshmi instead of Goddess Saraswati, She came persistently to me. Even after coming so many times when I could not recognise her, she enlightened me through the T.V. How could an ignorant person like me know how Goddess Basara Saraswati looks when I have never gone to that place in my life.
After I realised the truth that it was Goddess Saraswati and not Goddess Lakshmi who came in my vision, the vision stopped coming.
To date, I fail to understand how such experiences occur and how can they be explained or proved by science.
My First daughter Swapna was very serious. She was only a year old baby. The doctors also did not know her condition properly. I started continuously thinking, Baba, will she live or not. In the night I got this dream.
Two very beautiful gold fishes were playing in the water in an aquarium. My daughter also was very beautiful. Suddenly both the fishes fell down and were dead. The male voice that I heard was --
"Death is inevitable for anybody".
After this scene, immediately another scene came. It was a very big hall with marble flooring. On one side there was a big statue of Baba and on the other side was a big statue of Goddess Lakshmi. Both the statues were beautiful and magnificent and were almost touching the ceiling. The whole hall was sprinkled with rice grains. I was standing and looking at the devine figures with a sad expression on my face.
I do not know the connection between both these dreams. Except that Baba knew before only about the sorrow that was about to befall me and that I would still continue to pray Baba, even after the sorrows.
When my daughter Swapna was in a serious condition I got this dream.
I was on a railway platform and was very thirsty. Some friends were also there with me. We had no water bottles with us. All of us were searching for water but we could not find water anywhere. We walked up and down, two or three platforms but there was no water.
Finally, on the last platform, on a bench sat a Fakir. He was just like Baba but a little more fat. He had a jug with him. We could not control our thirst and asked him for the little water that he had. He agreed and started giving a little water to everyone. I was the last one and by the time my turn came the jug was empty. There were only two or three drops at the bottom.
I took the jug from him hoping to wet my tongue atleast with that two drops of water. Baba pulled off the jug from my hands. He smiled and said, "There is no need for you to quench your thirst with water. From now on you can quench gave me the jug again. It was filled to the brim with sugarcane juice. I was surprised. I drank my full and still a lot was left. The Fakir vanished, laughing.
I hoped that some miracle would take place and my daughter would be alive. But she died. I was frustrated and very angry with Baba because when he could not save the girl, why to come in dreams and show such instances. I was in a state of depression for a long time.
But after laspe of many years and also after mature consideration, I felt that though I wanted water, Baba gave me sugarcane juice. That is though I begged for the life of my daughter, Baba knew that it was not possible and so instead of her he gave two more children. We have to endure what is written in our fate.
On day I came from the hospital (during daughter Swapna's illness) took bath and stood near Baba's photo and prayed. Suddenly I felt as if the whole of Baba's mouth was filled with blood, and I was shocked.
After sometime, my daughter died. I was frustrated, dejected and I chided Baba that He was the one who took away my child. I held Baba responsible for her death. For many years I could not reconcile myself. Whenever I thought of the event I was very sad and dejected.
After many years, I was praying to Baba, but inwardly I remembered this incident and was very disturbed. Then as if coming from my mind only I heard a voice, which said, "I did not take your baby, I took the suffering of the baby on Me". Baba flashed the message in my mind. After this incidence I stopped interrogating Baba regarding this matter.
Baba tries to do good only to us, but in our misery and suffering we interpret Him wrongly. If it is written in our `Fate' that we have to suffer, then we have to suffer. Perhaps Baba would not like to interfere with `Fate'. Only we get a lot of solace by praying to Him and He also tries to smoothen our path.
In my case, just one month after my daughter's death a son was born to me. And with a new born baby we will have so much work that there is no time to sit and think. And in one way that is also solace.
Before this interpretation, some four or five years after the death of my daughter, one night Baba came in the dream. He said, "You are thinking I took away your daughter. No I did not. See, if you want I will give back your daughter to you'. Saying this he dug up the tomb and gave her to me. I quickly touched her from top to toe and she was alive. She was wearing the same green frock in which she died. I started thinking, how could she survive there (underground) for so many days. I woke up from the dream trembling, shivering and sweating. After this, I became pregnant and a daughter was born to me.
One day I was in very low spirits. I was continuously thinking, Baba we pray to you only, we are your devotees, then why do you inflict such suffering on us that we are unable to bear it.
I got the following dream. My mother and myself were walking on a bridge over a river. Suddenly the bridge started collapsing. All the people including my mother ran for safety and were safe.
Only I fell down into the water. I was panic stricken as I was on the verge of drowning. Then I thought, though I am a devotee of Baba, my plight is like this. Baba says he helps his devotees, then what is this. He is not even bothered about his devotees who are suffering. Immediately Baba appeared and threw a big block on me. First of all I was drowning and on top of it if a heavy weight (load), falls on me, instant death was inevitable. I was surprised by Baba's behaviour but I knew I was about to die and as a last resort unknowingly I screamed Baba, Baba, please help me.
The next minute Baba threw a large net like basket around me and hauled me out of the water to safety.
Baba stood there before me, smiled and gave the following message :
"If you have complete faith in Me,
From all the burdens shall I free you".
As soon as I fell into the water I was proud that why should Baba not come and rescue his devotees. But when I screamed from the bottom of my heart, for His help, throwing all my burden on Him, thinking it is His wish to rescue me or not, He immediately came and rescued me.
Our troubles, sorrows, pains, grief, distress, everything comes under burden because they all weigh us down like a heavy load. If we start ignoring our difficulties and leave everything to Baba, He only will wade us out of this worldly existence, decide our future path and take us to safety.
After the death of my first daughter I was still wavering wether to continue prayer of Baba or not. My mother asked me to complete some of the vows which I had undertaken and did not fulfil. One of it was to do Parayanam of Satcharita.
I started reading it on a Thursday. I read it, but I was finding fault with every miracle as my heart was very restless.
On the third day of the reading, my second daughter suddenly became very ill with high temperature. It was the first day of Devi Navaratri. It was midnight and her temperature was very high and she was only months old baby. I took her to Baba's puja room, applied Udi on the forehead, and said to Baba that if anything happens to this girl, I won't tolerate it.
My father was working abroad at that time and brain fever was rampant in those parts, and also many children had died. The family doctor advised us to get a few tests done to eliminate doubts.
All the necessary tests were done and we were awaiting the results. We were all very tense and distressed because we had a tragedy at the back of our mind.
That night I got the following dream :
There was a huge and big mountain. A thundering, rumbling sound was heard and the mountain split into two. The atmosphere was very scary and the scenery was awesome because of the big sounds and the deep echos of the mountains breaking into two. The inside flat surfaces of the mountain faced me.
On one flat side of the mountain was carved the figure of a big Goddess. Slowly the figure became prominent. After my daughter's death, I was in a reckless mood and very fearlessly asked the Goddess "There are so many Goddess in our mythology. How do I know who you are? If you tell me, I will come to know".
Then from somewhere, musical sounds were heard, jingling sounds of bells ringing, conches being blown and from in between all these, as if coming from the depths of the ocean, sounds of singing came. The words I heard were, "Om Jai Jagadesh.....", immediately I said, Oh, it is Om Jai Jagadesh Hare. Then the Goddesses' clear and sharp voice said, "No, Not Jagadesh Hare, but Jagadesh Wari. Pray to me". Then to confirm the words, the other mountain turned completely and laid flat on the ground as shown below.
In Southern India. Gowri Devi's Puja is done in this form. A stone is cut in this shape and worshiped. One can imagine what a breathtaking and awe inspiring experience it is when a whole mountain splits into two, turns and falls flat on the ground, and how a Goddess will look when carved on a huge mountain surface.
After witnessing all the scenes, everything became calm and then I heard the voice of Baba. He wanted to tell me that all the tests were normal and I must not worry. He said,
"Number One, nothing is there,
Number Two, nothing is there,
Number Three, nothing is there. Don't worry. Wake up. The time now is 5.45. A.M."
I woke up from the dream. Under my pillow there was a digital watch. Immediately I pulled it out to confirm the time and it was exactly 5.45. A.M. I was shocked and surprised.
The whole night parents were also very restless, thinking about the results. Only in the early hours of the morning my father could get some sleep.
Baba came to my father, patted him and woke him up saying, "Go to the hospital". My father became very tense and anxious thinking that something might have happened to the baby. He immediately rushed to the hospital. There I received him with a smiling face. I told him that Baba had come in my dream and told me that there will be no problem at all and so there was no cause to get frightened. My father heaved a sigh of relief.
Just as Baba had given his word, all the tests were normal and we all were very happy.
Once we took our mother to a hospital in Madras as she was not well. There the doctors felt that her condition was not good and advised my father to get her admitted in the hospital. My mother was adamant and did not want to get admitted in the hospital.
When my father took her to the hospital to get some tests done, I was alone in the hotel room. I started praying to Baba. I was worried about my mother and did a lot of namajapam (Om Sai Ram). Then suddenly I saw Baba's white shadowy figure, walking swiftly up and down the room. As we pray ardently to Baba, Baba appears to us.
Later, my mother was cured without being admitted to the hospital, but by prayer to Baba.
After four or five years, once again my mother was in a serious condition with severe pain in the stomach. My brothers and myself were in Hyderabad and my parents were in Sri Lanka. My mother was admitted to the hospital and had to be operated immediately according to the doctors. My father informed us with anxiety that since her condition was not at all well, the doctors were debating whether it was possible to perform the operation or not.
All of us were very tense and started praying in the puja room. When I closed my eyes, Baba showed a silver hand and leg and asked me to put them in Tirupati. I did not understand why this vision repeatedly came when we were praying ardently about my mother's serious condition. But as it went on appearing, I thought, O.K. Baba, we will put them. Immediately the vision vanished. After sometime we got a phone call from our father informing us that the operation had been averted.
Later we came to know that my mother always suffered with pain in the arms and legs for no specific reason at all. This pain vanished.
Regarding the operation of my mother, Baba used to avert the operation in the last minute through prayer. This had happened not once or twice but several times. Everytime my mother was in a serious condition, Baba used to avert it in the last minute. Thus Baba showed us that though, according to doctors, the operations were inevitable, it was finally "He" who cured.
Namajapam is chanting of "OM SAI RAM". It is very powerful. Baba is also very pleased when we chant His name and He blesses us.
There are innumerable instances when I used to say, "Baba let this work be done, I will do a certain amount of Namajapam" and the work would be done. For any major or minor problem if I sai, "Baba, I will do a certain amount of namajapam please avert this problem", them immediately, the work used to be over and the problem got solved.
After sometime I started doing Namajapam in lakhs. If anyone in the family was not well or sick and I thought that I would do Namajapam, they got well. First I used to think I would do a little Namajapam, but Baba was not satisfied. Finally when I said I will do in thousands or lakhs then Baba cleared the problem.
Once I did a lot of namajapam. More than two lakhs in two days. Suddenly Baba started appearing whenever I closed my eyes. Even when I closed my eyes to wash my face, the smiling face of Baba came in front of me. He came in a very happy and joyous mood.
The same day, after some time, Baba came like a flash and vanished. Baba was going in a Pallaki (Palanquin). Two or three people were also sitting with Him in the Pallaki. Baba was laughing happily.
I did not tell this to anyone. I thought that if it is true, then Baba must also confirm it in some way or other.
That day after prayers my father came and asked me, "It seems you got Baba's darshan today. You recognised Him, but Baba is asking whether you could identify the people who were sitting with Him?" I was unable to do that. But my joy knew no bounds as I was not only fortunate enough to get Baba's darshan but also got it confirmed through my father's enquiry.
There was a small bridge. Some people were standing on one side of the bridge and others on the other side of the bridge. Baba took me there. He asked me, "Do you know who all these people are".
I said, "No".
Then Baba said, "See, this is Shayma, this is Tatya", and in this way he took me along with Him and told the names of many people present over there. Then Baba said, "See this man did four lakhs namajapam, this man did three lakhs, they are still here. The other did only two lakhs but he is able to cross the bridge and is o the other side. Some have done more prayers but have not been blessed. Some have done very less prayers and have got my blessing. It doesnot depend on how much namajapam you do. I know when to bless you and when to take you across the bridge".
This dream came when :
Once I did a lot of namajapam. So I questioned God that when we are doing so much prayer why cannot you burn off all our sins and sufferings and bless us. Baba answered this question through the dream that it is not the amount of prayer that we do but the will of God that decides when to bless us and when to accept us. He only knows the right time.
SHIRDI SAI BABA
Six or seven years after the dream mentioned previously I had another dream which was as follows :
There was a very big prayer hall. Many people were doing namajapam. I also joined them and was doing namajapam. Suddenly Baba appeared and showered his blessings on me and was about to go.
Another man, who was in the hall and who did a lot of prayer and namajapam till then came running to Baba for blessings. But Baba refused to give him any blessings. The poor man became very angry and out of frustration chided Baba. He said that Baba was partial and had given me blessings even though I had done little namajapam and did not bless him who did so much namajapam and this was not fair.
At this Baba became very angry and shouted at the man. The dignity and pride with which Baba stood over there and the strength and haughtiness with which Baba uttered the following words are undescribable.
"What! an ordinary man like you, you are telling me what to do. Telling me "I", "I who Am Baba". "Shirdi Sai Baba", "How to Judge"? I know very well who deserves to be blessed and who does not". Saying this Baba vanished.
By this dream I think that Baba wants to tell us that He is the sole Judge of our merits and demerits and rewards us accordingly. Even though we think that we have performed many pujas and prayers we cannot pass judgement upon ourselves. Only God can assess our devotion.
Sometimes we are ignorant about certain things. If Baba thinks that they are necessary for us, then He comes and does the needful.
One night again in a dream :
There was a big hall like place, similar to a courtyard we find in temples. Many ladies were sitting there. Baba came and sat in front of everybody. He made me and my mother sit on either side of Him. There were a lot of Puja materials over there. Baba started acting like a Pundit. He made me and my mother perform considerable amount of puja and after that he made us give a lot of things to others (like Daan).
This dream came in the early hours of the morning. I was so happy that Baba made me perform so many pujas. When I told my mother about the dream, she was also very happy and said that it was Kartik Poornima that day. So Baba came and made us perform all the pujas in advance.
Not only in dreams, but normally also Baba tries to inspire us to do certain tasks. These He does to benefit us only.
Just after my father's by-pass operation, Baba came in my dream and asked me to give everyone Pulav and Curd rice. In the dream itself, immediately I obeyed Baba's command and prepared everything to serve. Many people were there and Baba stood beside me. He was observing me when I was putting the items in the plates and then giving to each and everyone. He saw that I served everyone present. Finally, after serving everyone, I filled a plate and gave it to Baba, saying "You also take Baba". Baba accepted it and took the plate.
Suddenly my youngest daughter came there running. She was the plate in Baba's hand and pulled it saying "I want this plate". I chided her saying, "Keep quiet, don't touch Baba's plate, I will give you another plate".
Immediately Baba said, "Small girl, what does she know, let her take the plate, she only must eat now, I can take another plate and eat at any time". Saying this he gave the plate to Princy, stroked her head and vanished.
I do not know the proper significance of this dream but as per Baba's wish, I gave Pulav and Curd rice to his devotees.
Sometime before this, i.e. when my father was in the operation theatre, I prayed for my father's well being. Then in meditation Godess Durga appeared, planted new saplings and sprinkled water on them. May be, it meant that God had given a new life to my father.
Once when my father was in the hospital, I went and closed my eyes in front of God. I saw a "burning fire". I did not understand anything and went to the hospital. There my father complained that he was having burning sensation near the stiches.
I do not know the proper significance of this dream.
There was a big, open, green meadow. The weather was pleasant and many people were standing and waiting. I was also there standing among the crowd. Baba came there riding on a horse. A bag was hanging from his shoulder.
He stopped beside me. As soon as Baba stopped all the people flocked around Him. Baba started giving handfuls of Vibuthi (Holy Ash) to everyone from His bag. After some time He saw me. He put handfuls of Vibuthi in my hands and asked me to give it to everyone. Immediately I obeyed Baba's orders and started giving it to everyone. There were many people and all were very anxious to get the Vibuthi. In no time, the bag on Baba's shoulder was almost empty. Then Baba empitied the bag in my hands and vanished.
16. GLORIOUS VISION OF BABA
We get certain experiences and dreams when we ardently think of God.
I read in the Satcharita about how one Mr. Pakhade got a dream of Baba sitting on a diamond studded throne, in waist deep water (Page 243). After reading this, my mind became very restless. I thought that as the characters of Satcharita were very pious and religious they could get such divine experiences. How can ordinary people like us ever get such grand dreams or enjoy the bliss which Mr. Pakhade experienced in his life. Thinking about this, I was very disheartened.
Just a few days after this, on the following Thursday night, Baba came in a dream.
It was a bright and beautiful day. A cool breeze was gently blowing. I was standing on a beach and looking at the sea. The ocean was a beautiful blue. The atmosphere was filled with peace and tranquility. Suddenly a glittering object emerged from the sea in front of me. I blinked my eyes and was numbed to see the dazzling form of Sai Baba. Baba was seated on a glittering throne, filled with diamonds. He was dressed in shining white silk clothes. There was a super white glow surrounding the whole of His form. A big, pink garland of roses was around His neck. Colours, played havoc with the eyes, the beautiful sands of the beach, the bluish green sea, glittering diamonds, white Baba and pink roses.
A smile played on Baba's lips and when one looked at His face one could experience the extreme peace and calmness that surrounded Him. I am unable to describe Baba, but in fact it was inexplicable bliss.
The depth of the blue sea, the glittering of the diamonds, the calmness of Baba, the fragnance of the roses and the coolness of the breeze was highly intoxicating and something which we cannot experience in this world.
I ran to Baba and caught hold of his feet. I put my head on his feet and my eyes were filled with tears. Baba asked me, "Satisfied". I said "Yes".
Then everything vanished.
What I felt after this dream was, Baba knows all our desires and is always ready to fulfil them. If we ardently invoke Him, He fulfils our desires.
I had taken up many vows to different Gods and Goddesses. Whenever any trouble cropped up, I undertook a vow. Later when the trouble subsided I completed the vows. At one time, I had to complete so many vows that I could not do any proper Puja to Baba.
The whole day I felt sorry and bad that may be I am neglecting Baba and praying to other Gods and Goddesses more.
In the night I got this dreams :
My whole house was filled with statues of Baba. Not even a little space was left to walk. Everywhere there was a Baba statue either a Big Baba or a Small Baba, a Minute Baba or a Medium sized Baba.
Baba came in the dream to show that even though I had to take up other vows and fulfil them, He was the one who completely filled the house. I became extremely happy.
Once Baba showed His most magnificient form (Viswa Rupam). He was so big that we cannot even look at His face when we stand in front of Baba. He was so huge and big. We human beings will be a particle of dust in front of Baba. That was His magnificence.
After that he showed his minutest form. He was even smaller than our little finger. It was a clear miniature of Baba. And in order to show that He was alive and moving Baba raised His hand in blessing. It was a wonderful sight to see a small Baba moving about. We cannot imagine such a thing in real life.
Once when I saw the movie, "Shirdi Sai Baba", I was very much moved by the death scene of Baba.
I started imagining how the Masjid might have actually looked after the death of Baba. However much I tried to visualise, I could not imagine it. When I closed my eyes before Baba's photo, a scene flashed in front of my eyes. It was the condition of the Masjid after the death of Baba.
The scene had no comparison to anything that we see in the movies or which we try to imagine. There was no wailing or mourning. Everywhere it was extremely quiet. People were moving quietly with sorrow written on their faces. In fact the intensity of the quietness was so much that one could feel the depth and weight of the sorrow everyone experienced. The scene in indescribable and the immense sorrow unexplainable.
It is my habit to make something soft as Prasad for Baba on Thursdays. Soft because I feel that Baba is old and would relish eating soft items. I consider Him as one of the living members of the family. One Thursday I was unable to make anything for Baba, as I was not well. Inwardly I felt very unhappy because I was unable to make any prasad for Baba and offer it to Him. Nobody in the house knew about the turmoil in my mind as some Prasad was purchased and offered to Baba.
That evening when my father was in prayer and meditation, Baba appeared and said "Ask her not to worry for not making Prasad. Today I will make Prasad and give her".
After my father finished the prayers, he came out and said, "See Baba gave you this message. Were you worried that you did not offer anything to Baba".
I told him "Yes" and also felt very happy because Baba was noticing what I was offering Him. He recognised my service which was filled with love.
Once my aunty came to my house. She asked me casually, what were the types of pujas or cause I get of experiences from Baba. She also asked me wether I performed different types of prayers daily.
Then she told me about the various pujas that she performs daily. How she performs prayers with one hundred lotus flowers and thousands flowers and many other such types of prayers. I was fascinated and also surprised hearing the number of pujas that she was performing daily.
I pray to Baba in the normal way and also do a lot of namajapam. Though the rituals in my prayers are less, I always think of Baba, day in and day out. I am always conscious of Him. And that is what I told my aunty.
But, after my aunty left, I became very restless. The whole day I thought, everybody is performing so many types of pujas and prayers, may be I am only not doing anything. Then how will Baba bless me? Will Baba atleast remember me? Can He shower His grace on me for the little prayer that I am doing to him? In this way I was mentally agitated.
In Hyderabad, which is about 600 km away from my place, Baba showed this scene in meditation to my father :
Baba came and stood in front of my house and said, "Ram Ka Mandir Hamesha Yaad Rakhunga", which means that He will always remember the temple of Ram.
My father could not understand the meaning of this sentence and prayed to Baba to give its meaning. Baba said, "Her heart is like a temple of God, in which she always chants my name (`Sai Ram') and so I will always remember it".
That day I made a telephone call to my parents for no apparent reason at all. They asked me why I rang up. I said for no reason at all. Then they said, `No, you have got a message from Baba and to receive it Baba made you to telephone us. Then they gave me the message.
I could not believe my ears that Baba gave me an answer so fast. I was not only surprised but was indeed very happy.
Then I told my parents all that had happened and how my mind was wavering and restless and this was the answer that Baba gave me.
Baba knew that I was upset. He did not want me to deviate from my path. He wanted to show that he appreciated my form of worship. So to pacify me, he immediately gave this message through my father.
Once I had to undergo a minor operation. My son was very small and my daughter was only months old. My mother was also not well.
My father was taking me to the hospital. Though I tried to be brave I was a little scared inside. So I started doing some namajapam inwardly. My father put a cassette of Baba's songs on the way.
The song that started flowing out was "Sabka Dard Leta Sai". It means that Baba will take the pain on everybody. On listening to it tears welled up in my eyes because Baba is always around us, trying to take care of us. We human beings do not realise this.
Once I had rash on my hand. Though I used many ointments according to the doctor's prescription, there was no relief and I suffered a lot.
Then my mother seeing my suffering prayed for me. She took a small locket of Baba in her hands and did namajapam. After that she tied the locket around my neck. Along with it I applied vibuthi on the spot. In just three days everything vanished and I had no problem again.
For no apparent reason at all, I used to get severe headaches and the pain was unbearable. Doctors gave me many medicines but there was not much relief. One day, it was quarter to four in the evening and I had this severe headache. The pain was severe and so unbearable that I could not bear it any more. I tossed this side and that side on the bed and finally, in pain, I screamed, "Baba, where are you, I cannot bear this pain".
The next minute I saw a flash and a ray of light started passing into my forehead. I lay still on the cot and the ray went inside my forehead for full two or three minutes. The pain in my head stopped and I got up. After this incident, I did not get such splitting headaches again.
This incident had taken place neither in meditation nor in my dreams but when I was wide awake and fully conscious.
This incident took place when my son was not well. I was praying is formed on the incense stick into letters like S, B, etc. And the word flashes in my mind like S for Sai, B for Baba etc.
That day the ash started forming into knots. I became scared that may be Baba was trying to tell that the situation was going to get complicated like the knots. I could not control myself and started crying. My mother consoled me and said, pray to Baba and ask Him only to open the knots. I stopped crying, closed my eyes and started praying to Baba. In my anxiety I prayed that I would do fifty-two parayanas of Swami's Satcharita. The ash on the incense stick formed L - Leave, R - Reports, 2 - to, B - Baba. Then these scenes flashed in front of my eyes :
A beautiful Siva Linga appeared in front of me. Lord Ganesh (Elephant headed God) was seen at the side of the Siva Linga. He filled His trunk with water and poured it on the Shiva Linga as if doing `Abhishekham' with water. He did
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Abhishekham is pouring of cold water, milk, honey, sandalwood paste etc. continuously over God's idol while chanting mantras (hymn).
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this three or four times. Then a big black cobra came and coiled in front of the Linga. In its mouth appeared yellow crysanthemum flowers and it was putting the flowers, one by one, on the Sivalinga. It was a divine sight to see.
When I described this to my mother, she said that Baba had showed me Sri Kalahasti (holy place of pilgrimage). Here, mythology says, an elephant, a snake and a spider worshipped the Siva Linga. We all felt very happy that Swami had blessed us in the form of "Kalahastiswara", i.e., Sri Sai Shankara Bhagavan.
We all stood and worshipped Baba. As for my son, he was well with no problem at all.
Recently someone came and asked me about my son. I said, "Oh, there is nothing wrong with him, the doctors unnecessarily made him undergo so many tests. Everything was normal". Then she said, "why to think that your son underwent the tests unnecessarily. May be because you did such a lot of prayer to Baba, he might have made the tests normal".
One day I was in a very depressed mood. No one was around me to share my sorrow and pain. Even my mother was not near to listen to me and share my depression. I went and sat in front of Baba's photo and started crying.
I wiped my tears and looked at Baba's photo. It was the regular photo to which I pray everyday. It is saffron in colour. In that photo Baba gave me the darshan as Sai Ma. I was surprised and started at Baba. I could see only the Divine Sai Ma. The cloth that Baba ties on the forehead looked as if a pallu was pulled over the forehead, like many women do. The kum kum and chandan that we put to God everyday, looked like a Bindi on a woman's forehead. Two rays of light (I don't know from where they came) fell on Baba's ears and the light emiting from it looked as if Baba was wearing diamond earstuds. Baba's face was pure white and serene. The overall picture of Baba was as if a beautiful old lady was smiling at me with a orange pallu covered over her head, a bindi glowing on the forehead and diamond earstuds glittering on the ears. Then I heard a small whispering voice, I cannot place it properly whether it came from within myself or I heard it near my ears, but the words engulfed me. They are :
"To remove your difficulties and share your sorrows, I, "SAI MA", am here know".
I was dumbfounded and sat in a dazed state, for a very long time, staring at Baba. The picture of Sai Ma also slowly vanished. Later many times I tried to visualise the image but could not get such a wonderful sight again.
Experiencing this incident. I can say that Baba is always around and He tried to console me and share my sorrows, just like any ordinary mother does.
One day, I started thinking why do all the saints and Gods emphasize on praying to one God only, i.e., we should concentrate on one God only.
In our mythology there are so many Gods and Goddesses. Every one of them has got their own significance. We pray to different Gods on different festival days. Then why the emphasis on concentrating on one God only. Swami gave me this example :
Baba showed me a big blank wall inside a tunnel. With a hammer a hundred strokes were hit at different places on the wall. Small holes were formed on the entire wall but we could not see what was on the other side of the wall.
Then again the same blank wall appeared and the same hundred strokes were dealt with, but at a single place. Immediately, a hole was formed and we could see what was there on the other side of the tunnel.
This is what Swami said :
When we hammer the wall at different places, we can make only small holes on the wall, but we cannot see what is there on the other side of the wall. But when we concentrate at a single spot, then we are able to make a hole in the wall and can see or go to the other side of the wall. Similarly, if we are unable to cross the barriers. On the other hand if we concentrate on a single God only then we will be able to get salvation fast. By crossing the barriers fast we are able to see what is on the other side.
28. VENKATESWARA SWAMI -- GOLDEN NUGGET
Once the full form of Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) appeared and I was standing in front of the statue and staring at it. The two fingers of his right hand, i.e., the thumb and the fore finger moved and he caught a golden nugget in the two fingers.
Swami looked at me and opened His fingers releasing the golden nugget so that it would fall into my hand. I cupped my palms and reached out hoping that the small golden nugget will fall into my hands. But I did not move from my place.
The nugget started falling from above and I stood there waiting for it to fall in my hands. Suddenly an old man came in the middle and put his hand out to catch the nugget. The nugget fell in his hand and I gasped. But unfortunately for him and fortunately for me it bounced off his hands and fell in mine. It was through sheer luck that it again fell in my hands. Otherwise, it would have gone to the old man.
After this Baba said :
Whether it is a spiritual endeavour or a worldly venture, only if you grab at an opportunity, you will be successful. Otherwise if you wait and stand, thinking that it will come to you on its own accord, somebody else will grab it.
In the same way, in our spiritual endeavours, if we get certain experiences through the grace of God, we should try to perceive it, follow it and try to get even more better experiences. By doing so we can move towards salvation fast. Otherwise if we do not put any effort we will get stranded at the same place.
29. VENKATESWARA SWAMI -- VISWA RUPAM
Though I prayed Baba, on some occasions I had the fortune of Lord Venkateswara's drashan. On one such occasion when I was in prayer, Venkateswara Swami showed his full form (Viswa Rupam). He was so big that even though I lifted my head high up, I could not see his full form. The feet themselves were so big that the vision of our eyes could not go beyond the thumb on his foot. Each foot was almost the size of a multi storyed building. When the feet themselves are so huge, then one can imagine to what extent the whole body might have been. It was undescribable.
We human beings are smaller than a particle of dust in front of God, one can say even smaller than atoms. If our circumstances are not good, our phase is bad and we are suffering, then in our irritation, we show our anger of God. We chide God. We question God.
But God is such a compassionate person that he forgives everyone. His heart is so big and warm that if we pray to him, he helps us, and if we scold him, he forgives us.
Seeing such a big form of God, I was awe struck and felt that if God gets angry with us. He can blow us up into a lakh pieces. But He is so magnanimous that He does not do any harm to us.
We human beings are worse than ants in front of God, but we try to provoke God. In reality we do not know how big and powerful God is. And so, in our ignorance, we provoke God. But on the contrary such a powerful God is so good and patient with us and forgives our ignorance, though he knows that we are useless weaklings in front of Him.
There are innumerable occasions when a question rolled in my mind and consciously or subconsciously, when I turned the pages of the Satcharita, the answer to the question would be there before me. One or two instances are :
One of Baba's devotees came to our house and told his experiences. In the course of his talks he narrated how he completed certain vows and how he was immediately blessed by Baba.
Suddenly I thought in my mind, he did a simple vow or prayer and was immediately blessed and for me even after performing so many pujas and vows, Baba did not bless me properly.
That day when I opened the Satcharita, this portion came in front of me.
"One piece of Dakshina is Saburi.
Saburi means patience and perseverance.
This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence.
Saburi is Manliness.
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 and consort of good thought"
By showing this portion to me, Baba instructed me that I should keep aside my wavering thoughts and practice Saburi or patience.
My husband has the habit of spending lavishly without giving much thought to save for the future of the children. One day the thought regarding the future of my children was uppermost in my mind and I was in a continuous state of worry. That day I got these answers while doing the parayana of the Satcharita.
"Why do you worry. Death is inevitable for anybody in this world. So do not fret for anything. Only fret for me. I will give you Mukti".
I felt satisfied and thought, O.K. Baba, I will not crave for anything but I have got children, what will happen to their future. For this question I got this answer.
"Bayaja Ma did service to me, I benefited her son Tatya immensely, BELIEVE ME, My words are truth".
Riches are not everything. Self realisation is the main thing. Fakiri (mendicancy) is the real Lordship as it is everlasting and the so called Lordship (riches) is evanescent.
Once I saw a very precious and beautiful ornament and wanted to possess it but somehow I could not do so. I do not know why but at that time my mind was in a whirl and I felt very dejected and depressed.
That night I had a very disturbed sleep. In the early morning hours, I was in a state of semiconsciousness.
A yellow coloured light appeared and it was focussed on a spot on a step. There were two or three steps with dark green moss on them. On one of these steps, where the light was focused, thee was an egg. I was looking at it. Slowly the egg cracked an a worm came out of it. Slowly the egg cracked and a worm came out of it. Slowly the egg cracked and a worm came out of it. That worm wriggled this side and that side on the step, it did not move very far, but wriggled in that small place. After sometime it become still and vanished into another hard shell and I could not see it again.
Then I heard Baba's voice, "Do you know the meaning of it?" I kept mum. Then Baba gave the following discourse.
Just like the worm which came out from an egg, human being is born in this world, and like the worm he also does not know from where he came. What he knows is only the temporary existance that he is living in this world just like the worm. Like the stillness of the worm, human being experiences death. He does not know what will happen to him after death but he knows that death is `inevitable'. Then for such a short span of life, which is of no significance at all, why do you wriggle like a worm. Why do you move this side and that side in agitation. Stop wriggling and turn towards Me. You do not know what will happen to you in future, or after death. So stop your wriggling.
Just like a beautiful butterfly emerging out of the pupa, we might emerge in an even more beautiful state after death. Or like how a pupa can be destroyed even before it emerges as a beautiful butterfly, we can also be destroyed. Everything is in the hands of God.
Then we do not know about our lives, before or after, why should we wriggle like worms in this short span of our lives.
Baba had given me the example of the life cycle of a butterfly to teach the philosophy of life. In the eyes of God, this life of ours is very insignificant and almost equal to a worm. We do not know from where we come and where we will go. God knows it and it His eyes, ours is a very small and simple life. In God's eyes, our whole life exists only for a fraction of a second.
Through this small scene Baba had made us realise that we do not know our past and also our future. What we know is only the present, that is our life. And in this short span we unnecessarily run after things and get agitated and depressed. Baba says instead of wriggling like worms, if we turn towards God, maybe we will emerge like beautiful butterflies in future life.
33. RAHUL AND RAMYA -- DITCH INCIDENT
One day, certain thoughts plagued me. Who ever prays ardently to God, he has to undergo hardships in some or the other way. I went on thinking, Baba, when we pray to you, if all our worries, anxieties and difficulties vanish, then we will be very happy and pray to you even more. But when we pray to you, even more. But when we pray to you, if you give even more worries and hardships, then we will not feel like praying. We will not be able to stand the tests put to us in this regard. So why do you inflict pain and suffering on your devotees.
That night this dream came :
Baba came and took me to an open field. The atmosphere was very pleasant. In the middle of the field there was a small tree, underneath the tree, there was a ditch. Both my children were playing under the tree i.e., in the ditch, which they never did in real life.
Suddenly the atmosphere changed, dark clouds came rumbling. Rain started pouring down. Slowly the ditch started filling up with the trickle of rain water. My son wanted to come out as the rain was increasing. But my daughter dissuaded him. She showed him a branch of the tree that was swinging in the wind and told her brother that when the branch comes down with the wind they will catch hold of it. By doing so they can swing with the branch to the other side and come out of the ditch. He agreed. Both of them tried to catch hold of the branch many times but were unable to do so. The rain increased and the ditch started filling up very fast. Both got very scared that they might get drowned. So they tried desperately to get out of the ditch. As a lot of water got filled in the ditch, it became a difficult job for both of them to come out. But, finally they came out with great difficulty.
Then the whole scene vanished.
Once again the same open field, with the pleasant atmosphere and children playing under the tree appeared. Once again the rumbling sounds and rain started. Again the ditch started filling with water. This time children saw the water, they thought about their previous experience and immediately walked out of the ditch, before it got filled with the rain water.
Then Baba gave this discourse :
Man tries to take an easy way out in any work he does. But he is not successful always. Baba gives hardships to his devotees so that they will learn from the experience and will be ready or able to face any type of situation. Or if a similar type of situation arises in their life, they will be fully prepared to face it or overcome it in future just like how the children came out of the ditch the second time.
Thus by showing a small scene and giving a narration, Baba has told us why he inflicts pain and suffering on his devotees and by doing so, bestows strength to face any type of future situation.
34. I BEND MY HEAD FOR YOU TO GARLAND ME
In my daily prayers I wanted Baba to bless me in some or the other way. I went on asking Baba, "Baba do something for me". Also, I went on hoping that Baba will do something for me. But nothing happened.
During that time, daily, when I closed my eyes before Baba in prayer, a scene flashed before my eyes. Baba would be there, sitting grandly on his throne in Shiridi and I used to put a garland around his neck. The same scene flashed in front of my eyes many times, that is about six or seven times.
Seeing the same scene every day, one day I became very egoistic and thought, Baba, you are always showing this scene only. I know that you are always showing this scene only. I know that you are praiseworthy and everyone garlands you. That is why I am also garlanding you. But why do you always show yourself? Why can't you show something else? Why can't you show something like blessing me or giving me something, instead of always showing your figure. It was foolish on my part to think like that.
Immediately I heard a male voice from somewhere around me, "I BEND MY HEAD FOR YOU TO GARLAND ME". It was Baba's voice. I was nonplussed for sometime. Actually I should have been very happy to garland Baba as He allowed me to do that seva and it is an honour for me. But in my ignorance I thought the other way. And because of my foolishness I did not even realise that it was an honour for me to garland Baba, who is so great, and I unnecessarily chided Him.
I Bow my head in reverence to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba for opening my eyes to see the reality.
One Thursday night, i.e., in the early morning hours of an Ekadasi day I got the following dream.
There was a big double-storeyed building with sizable glass french windows. Many ladies gathered over there, Baba was also there and some spiritual competition was going on. Everybody took park in it with enthusiasm. After sometime Baba came to me and gave me a locket like round thing made of gold, meaning thereby that I had won the competition. I was very happy. Everybody also felt that I deserved it and smiled at me. But there was an element of sadness in their faces as they could not win the competition and get the medal.
I walked up and down the whole building among the ladies for some time. Then I felt that I should share what I had got with all the other people, so I broke the locket into small pieces and started giving to the ladies one by one.
In my mind I thought that as I had won the medal, I should keep a piece of it with me as a sovereign. But a lady stretched her hand for a piece and I had to give even the last piece. I felt sorry as I could not retain even a small piece for myself.
But immediately Baba came in front of me, smiled at me and raised His hand in blessing, and then I was engulfed with the sweet scent of incense sticks. I was awakened from the dream and opened my eyes. But the smell of incense sticks persisted.
I did not know from where the smell came. I thought may be my father had started his prayer, but it was too early for his prayer. I thought did anybody in the house burn incense sticks early in the morning. But everyone was asleep and the scent persisted. But everyone was asleep and the scent persisted. At that time my brother came into the room. that day he woke up very early for some work. When I saw him in the room, I enquired whether anybody in the house burnt incense sticks. He said, `No', but as soon as I asked him, he said, "Yes, I also got the smell. Everyday I come into the room but I have never experienced this type of scent. But today, I was also thinking, from where did this sweet smell come".
The I told him about the dream. We all were surprised.
After my father woke up I told him about the dream. He said that, Baba's teachings were as precious as gold and the dream can be intrepreted as distributing the golden teachings from Baba to others.
Actually after writing the whole book and before sending it for printing, I had a feeling within myself, that whether it was right on my part to write this book and publish it. Should I tell others what experiences Baba had given me. Will others think that `Why has she to publish the experiences that Baba had given her'.
But by this dream, Baba, settled the matter. By engulfing me in scent and confirming it through my brother, Dr.Jai Krishna, Baba has shown that he was present there.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
GOLDEN VOICE
January 1994
Messages :
1. In prayer, Baba appeared in sitting posture with crossed legs. First He showed a dog lying down on the ground in front of him. Swamy (Baba) started stroking the dog gently with his hand. Later, Swamy showed a cow in front of the dog. In the end He showed a `Kanduva' ( a cotton/silk cloth with a border worn over neck and shoulders).
I pleaded with Swamy to explain the significance of the symbolic appearance. He said
"Dog is a faithful animal,
It is for protection.
Cow is a domestic animal,
It provides milk (food),
`Kanduva' is cloth,
It covers the body'
One who provides all
the three (protection, food
and cover) is the Supreme (God)."
April 1994
(Sri Rama Navami Festival Day 20-4-94)
2.
Translation :
"I am the desire - fulfilling cow
"Kamadenu" in the present `yuga',
I am the charioteer for the
welfare of humanity,
I am moving as Universal Spirit
to mitigate the miseries of mankind,
I am the Guru, who can
give strength & faith
to devotees to see God.
1. Kamadenu - Desire fulfilling cow in Hindu mythology.
2. Present `Yuga' - Kaliyuga
3. Guru - Religious or Spiritual teacher
3.
Translation :
"The sacrifice carried out in
the service of God,
cleanses and purifies the mind,
washes the sins committed
and puts strength in prayer."
May 1994
4.
Universe
Truth
Eternal
Syllable Om, the primeval vibration)
Translation :
"Universe is created from
`OMKARA',
Truth is the word of God,Eternal is without qualities or attributes."
5. Swamy (Baba) appeared in meditation in cross legged posture with a lamp hanging from his right leg toe and gave the following messages'
"Look at the light of Divinity
and dispel the darkness of the mind,
Illusion (Maya) plays foul with human endeavour,
Protect thyself by looking at the light of Divinity."
6. Translation :
"Any Service, rendered towards welfare of
humanity is tantamount to sacrifice to God."
July 1994 (22 July 1994 Guru Poornima Festival Day)
7. During prayer and meditation Baba gave the following message.
"I put strength* in the soul
of the devotee to make him
realise the Universal Soul (God Almighty).
(* `strength' here means `purity' of
the soul)
8. On the same day, during `Arathi' time, Swamy (Baba) appeared walking and singing near the sea shore. When I pleaded him to explain the significance of His presence at the sea shore, He gave the following message.
"I appear at the horizon,
I stay in the infinite space,
But I am available to the
devotee any where."
August 1994
9. Swamy appeared in prayer holding a hurricane lantern (lamp) and said the following :
"The lamp of Divinity never diminishes nor does it get extinguished,It depends on how we look at the lamp, with faith in Almighty, it (lamp) brightens."
10. Translation : In meditation Swamy appeared bound with iron chains round His neck and shoulders and asked whether one can tie-up God? With some surprise and anxiety, I pleaded with Swamy to let me know the meaning of the posture in which he appeared. At this stage, Swamy turned the iron chains into a garland of flowers and subsequently turned the garland into a "Rudraksha Mala" and gave the following message;
"With a pure heart and with the garland of adoration, one can tie-up `God."
September 1994
11. "Parayanam is a sacred act
to perform,
It (Parayanam) provides a peep
into the glimpses of God,
It acts as a ladder to scale the
heights to heaven,"
12. "When you mixup `Real' with
`Unreal' you enter the cobweb
of `Maya', Through `Sadhana'
see the "Light of Divinity",
Illusion (Maya) will disappear,
Truth prevails."
(Through Sadhana, cut the
stands of Maya and see the Light
of Divinity.)
October 1994
13. "Look to `Internal Divinity'
And lessen the misery of life"
December 1994
14. "In `Sadhana', service to Swamy
(Sri Sai) is sacrifice with pure hear."
(Last day of the year 1994)
15. "Look to SAI
He is the Master,
Look to SAI
He is the GURU
Look to SAI
He is the Philosopher,
Look to SAI
He is the Saviour
Look to SAI
He is the Supreme."
March 1995
16. "Divinity acts when
desire dies."
17. "Desire is the strongest rope
that binds the body."
June 1995
18. "Contentment is not a compromise
in life,
It is a God given gift to over come
`Maya'."
July 1995
19. "Swamy (Baba) appears to those
whose heart is pure and filled with
prayer."
20. "One cannot buy Baba with money,
One can have His grace through
`Bhakti'."
12 July 1995 (Guru Poornima Day)
21. "Jackfruit is rugged outside
but sweet inside,
Life is also rugged externally
but smooth when viewed
through `Internal Divinity.'
August 1995
22.
Translation :
"To those who bestow faith
in Me,
To them, I surrender and serve."
September 1995
23.
Translation :
"Wealth is associated with physical body,
Divinity is associated with the soul,
Meditation leads the path to Divinity."
03 October 1995 (Vijayadasmi Festival Day)
24. "My presence is felt beyond `Punyatithi',*
As I move with momentum in space
as Universal Spirit (soul)
To mitigate the misery of mankind,
To help assist the `Sadhaka' to attain salvation (`Moksha')."
(*Vijayadasimi Festival Day when the mortal coil was cast-off by Baba.)
25. "Faith in Sri Sai (Baba) provides strength to tide over the turbulance of life."
November 1995
26. "Breath-in and breath-out the `Nama' of `Sri Sai Rama' to harness spiritual energy and awaken `Internal Divinity."
October 1994
2. AS I SEE SRI SHIRIDI SAI BABA.
(i) Soft hearted saint
Preceptor of `faith' and `patience'
Embodiment of simplicity in `lifestyle'
Epitome of kindness and compassion
Arbieter to human actions (good or
bad) Beacon light to Sadhaka*
(* One who follows spritual path for God realisation.)
12 July 1995 (Guru Poornima day)
(ii) "Baba is the embodiment of
Universal love and kindness,
He is the Guru of Gurus,
He is God incarnate."
3. EMPHASIS ON CHARITY :
During the period under review (1994-95)
Sri Sai stressed the need for charity as service to humanity. Such spiritual service embraces four facets of offering namely Anna Dhan, Vasthra Dhan, Chalivendra (drinking water distribution Centre) and child care (Package of milk food, medicines and clothes etc.) to needy and deserving persons attched to orphanage homes or allied centres.
Baba even blessed some of the devotees to organise such seva (service) on `Parvadinam' (festival days) and also encouraged a few followers to establish on temporary or permanant basis `chalivendras'.
This type of service to humanity is `seva' to swamy (Baba).
DIVINE TOUCH
Forewarn events to devotees
Blessing Motherhood
Solemnize Marriages
Delivery and Woodapple
Treatment
Visit to Pandharpur Temple and Significance
Reverence to Dhuni - Baba's guidance
Prior inidication
Baba saving the life of an infant
Episodes (1994-95)
1. Forewarn events to devotees and extend protection :
Three episodes described under this section relate to members of an Indian family working abroad (U.N). They are ardent devotees of Baba since long. Suddenly the housewife was in a critical condition. The doctors diagonised it as a case of brain tumour and advised immediate operation.They were apprehensive about the possible side effects, such as paraysis of some parts of the body. They contacted me for guidance and blessings from Baba.
Baba indicated that the surgery should be performed on a Thursday, but as everything is scheduled in the U.S. the date happened to be thirteenth August 1991. When the first operation took place the surgeons could not reach the tumour site and the operation was stopped. Surprisingly the follow-up surgery was performed on the following Thursday. It was a successful operation and with Swamy's grace there were no side effects and she recovered gradually. Intense prayers were offered during this period to Baba, both by the family members and self.
Subsequently, she visited India (Dec. 1992/Jan 1993) During this period Baba started indicating to me in meditation about the change of scenario in the health condition of the family members. I cautioned and also advised them to hasten up the marriage of their daughter as indicated by Baba.
1.2. As forewarned by Baba, she had to undergo another surgery of a different nature when she next visited India (June/July 1994.) `Vibuthi'was applied to the patient on the forehead before and after the operation. With the grace of Baba everything went well and the patient recovered to normal condition soon.
1.3 With the blessings of Baba, things moved smoothly in the right direction and the marriage of the daughter also took place in December 1994.
1.4 In December 1994/January 1995 the head of the family developed some facial neurological problems including blurring of vision, and some problems in the lungs. Swamy protected the devotee from surgery and made him respond to medicine.
1.5 One has to measure the benevolence of Sri Sai from his nature to forewarn the events befalling the devotee and other family members and protect them in time.
2. Blessing motherhood to childless.
2.1 One of my close relations was very much depressed in life due to lack of children. She meticulously performed many religious prayers at home and also visited several temples in the coutry. Having come to know the miraculous powers of Sri Shiridi Sai, the couple called at our residence on Bhogi/Sankranti festival day, 1994, to have "darshan" of Baba after Arti. This happened to be a Thursday too. Swamy (Baba) blessed the devotee and revealed to me in meditation that the curse was due to "Sarpa Dosham" and indicated the following pujas to be performed stepwise by the couple with full faith in Him (Baba) as a remedial measure.
(i) Visit Mantralayam temple in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh and perform `Naga Pratista' puja.
(ii) Visit Sri Sai Baba temple at Shiridi and perform rituals indicated by Baba.
(iii)Perform Baba's "Ashtotra Satha Namavali" for ninety days without interruption.
The above austerities were performed sincerely by the devotee couple. Added to this, I appealed to Swamy in my daily prayers to bless the couple with a child. Baba was kind to bless the couple with a child. Baba was kind to hear to the appeal and blessed the devotee with a male child. This has special meaning and connotation to the family members as none of them had male issue hitherto.
2.2 On one occasion, a close friend with nearly fifty years association called on us and expressed concern and anxiety regarding his daughter bearing a child as she had already undergone two abortions. I approached Swamy (Baba) through prayer and pleaded with him to bless her with the most coveted thing a woman seeks in life motherhood. Swamy was very kind in His response and desired that the devotee should perform the following poojas too.
(i) Visit Mantrayalam temple in Kurnool district and perform `Naga' Pooja.
(ii) Visit Sri Sai Baba temple at Shiridi and observe the rituals indicated earlier.
(iii) `Ashtotram' Parayanam and `Namasmarana' daily with complete devotion and faith.
When she acted accordingly and performed meticulously every ritualistic step, Baba showered His grace and granted the wish of the devotee. She is blessed with a female child.
2.3. Another instance where Baba blessed the devotee with motherhood, after the couple lost all hope for progeny, is covered below. A police officer's wife had no issue even after four to five years of marital life. She performed several `Poojas' (Prayers) too. She was earlier protected by Swamy (Baba) in her health which caused considerable concern to the family members. This act of kindness from Baba, enhanced their faith in Sri Sai and so pleaded with Him for an issue.
When I appealed to Swamy (Baba) in prayers to bless the couple with children, he advised that the devotee should have His darshan on any Thursday falling between `Sivarathri' and `Sri Rama Navami'festival days (1994) Accordingly, the couple visited my residence on a Thursday, with reverence to Baba. Baba showered his grace and they were blessed with a daughter.
2.4 Another devotee also, yearned for a child, When I prayed to Baba, Baba showed a doll in the girl's hands. Everybody became pensive about, Swamy showing a doll in her hands instead of a baby. After intensive prayers Swamy was kind enough to show movement in the doll.
Later Swamy showed the baby as a small crawling `Krishna' and gave the baby to her. Soon after this vision, the devotee was blessed with a boy.
3. Solemnize Marriages.
3.1 One devotee, due to financial and allied stresses in the family, left for Shiridi and attended all `Sevas' to Swamy for nearly two to three years. Later, he returned to normal life, and contemplated on performing the marriage of his youngest daughter. But there was no success or progress. He sought permission to visit our place on a Thursday to have `darshan' of Sri Sainathji. When he visited our place, Swamy was reluctant to receive the devotee and used to keep him at arms length. Subsequently after many visits Swamy conveyed to me in prayers that the devotee should offer a pumpkin piece to a `Purothi Brahmin' and come for darshan.
After considerable pleading in meditation, Baba assured to grant his wish,regarding the marriage of his daughter but indicated that it would take sometime. I had to vigorously pursue Swamy to fix the marriage early. I also set a deadline for the event to take place before early June 1995, With the grace of Baba everything got finalised by the stipulated date and the marriage was also performed.
3.2 One well to do gentleman's daughter had to be married at the appropriate age. However, all attempts to fix a suitable match continued to fail. Bride's aunt sought an interview for `darshan' of Baba which was granted by Swamy. When her request was placed at His feet, Swamy emphatically said that it would be performed in due course and the old lady (aunt) need not worry on this score.
They again came to Baba with some doubts. They said that some astrologers had predicted that the girl's marriage will not take place unless they undergo certain rituals. Baba indicated, that nothing was necessary and they should, start searching for matches.
Very soon, a proposal came and the party wanted to know from Swamy (Baba) on the credentials of the boy and family members and whether they should proceed further in this matter. Baba indicated that they should see the boy but offer puja (archana) in any one of "Ammavaru" (Goddess) temples before seeing and negotiating with the grooms party. This was observed meticulously, and the match was fixed and marriage performed. Strangely the birdegroom was also a Sai devotee. The couple soon after marriage visited Shiridi and offered prayers to Sri Sainathji.
3.3 Another instance of great significance in the benevolence of Lord Sai was his blessings to solmenize the marriage of the only daughter of a senior retired officer settled in Bangalore. Having considerable worry regarding education and marriage of his daughter, the elderly gentleman sought the blessings of Swamy at our residence. Swamy received the devotee with full affection and sympathy and indicated the following steps to be taken for fulfilment of the desired wish.
(i) Baba advised the parents to encourage their daughter to concentrate more on fine arts instead of higher education.
(ii) Perform "Mangalya Dharanam' for `Alivelu Mangathayaru Devi.'
(iii) Visit Shiridi and perform the poojas and rituals indicated.
On completion of the sacred tasks with faith, the girl (daughter) secured a groom of her choice and they got married with the blessings of Sri Sai.
4. Delivery and Woodapple.
One Sai devotee, whose marriage was blessed by Swamy (Baba) was in the late stages of pregnancy and was admitted to a hospital for delivery. However, the delivery got delayed and the doctors could not take a decision on whether to operate or not. Being the first delivery, the parents were anxious and approached self to appeal to Swamy for a safe and smooth delivery. When I approached Sri Sai accordingly, Baba showed a woodapple in his hand and suggested that the devotee be given a spoonful or two of the pulp of the fruit. With some difficulty, as it was not the season, the kith and kin procured a woodapple and administered the pulp to the patient (devotee). To the astonishment of everybody around her, the delivery process hastened up and she was blessed with a male child. Baba's ways of extending help to His devotees is beyond imagination.
5. Treatment for pain
A lady who is a devotee of Sri Sai suddenly developed pain in the urinary tract. Doctors identified the cause to be due to stones in the passage and treated her for the same. Some relief was felt but occasional recurrence of pain persisted. The lady was unhappy as the couple had to leave for States (USA) in few months time. She called on us for Swamy's `darshn' on a Thursday and requested for an appeal to be made to Baba to mitigate the suffering. I approached Swamy to shower his grace to cure her and Sri Sainath asked me to convey to the devotee that she should apply ghee (preferably ghee prepared from cow's milk) to a beetel leaf and sprinkle some `Vibhuthi' on the same and fold it and eat.
The lady carried out the instructions the same night and till date the pain did not recur. She left for States comfortably as per schedule.
6. Visit to Pandharpur Temple - Significance.
A middle aged couple unfortunately got into strained marital relationship and started living separately. Both are devotees of Sri Sainath. The lady approached us for an appeal to Baba and for His interference and mercy. Swamy guided her and children whenever they visited Thursday prayers. She followed the instructions for special `Poojas' meticulously and performed them with devotion.
After nearly six months there appeared some light at the end of the tunnel and the couple reunited and started living together with children. At this stage, Swamy indicated a visit by the family members to Pandharpur temple in Maharastra State and pay respects to the diety Lord Vittal and that he would bless them there. The couple expressed surprise at this suggestion by Swamy and admitted that they twice skipped the visit to the temple earlier on their way to Bombay from Hyderabad by road.
7. Reverence to `Dhuni' - Baba's guidance.
As a new trend in my prayer, I commenced `namasmarana' while taking a walk during `Sandhyasamayam' time. This period was specially chosen because the atmosphere is surcharged with spiritual energy and Swamy also communicates with the devotees at such times.
One day when I was engrossed in such a prayer Swamy started showing me the `Dhuni'. I could see Baba's presence in Dwarakamai and He was prompting me to here a message from a devotee who visited Shiridi on Swamy's advise. I could not grasp Swamy's message but within minutes I received a phone call from Shiridi from an ardent devotee requesting whether he had to perform any special `Seva or Puja' (service or prayer) to Baba before leaving the holy place, as he had completed all the prescribed ones. Swamy immediately told me to inform the devotee to put a `namaskar' to the `Dhuni' and then only leave Shiridi. The devotee performed the act very sincerely and with full reverence.
In this respect communication with Baba appeared as a sort of telepathy.
8. Prior indication of arrival of a photograph of `Padukulu' - significance.
Once in the early hours of the morning Swamy appeared in a dream and started communicating from the Samadhi mandir. He was seated on the silver throne and well decorated. He was drawing my attention to His feet. At this stage, He touched one foot with the other and repeated the act twice and both the sandals slipped out of his lotus feet. I was puzzled for a moment and pleaded Swamy to let me know the meaning of the divine act. Baba did not say anything and disappeared from the scene.
During the day, I started wondering about the significance of the dream and this anxiety I shared with my wife also. But no clue was there till evening. Late in the evening, a sincere devotee brought a laminated picture frame of Baba's Padukalu' developed from a photograph taken at Shirdi and presented it at Puja time. I realised that Baba had given me preindication about the arriaval of the photograph, on the same day at my residence. From that day onwards, I offer `Pada Pooja' to Swamy's lotus feet as part of daily routine in prayers. Swamy also indicates the devotees to whom such ritualistic service is to be advised for practice. This is the utmost significance of the dream and photograph.
9. Baba saving the life of an infant but not interfering with other aspects of Karma.
Two instances of unique nature have been recorded below to depict Baba's kindness to devotees who are in absolute distress.
9.1 One married couple got dejected as all their efforts to have children went in vain. Several prayers were offered to various dieties, but none paid dividends. In agony they approached self for `darshan' of Swamy and indication from Him. During meditation, Sri Sai directed me to convey to the devotee to perform seven consecutive `Parayanams' of `Satcharita' and also start `namasmaranam' on daily basis. On completion of the task, the lady was blessed with a male child and the couple were extremely happy. When the child crossed six months, he showed some signs of retarded development (mentally) and the reflexes were slow. He also had low grade fever frequently. The troubled parents approached Baba again. In a vision Baba showed an old lady, in a sitting posture, carrying the boy in her hands. When I asked Baba, who the lady was, Baba said that "She was a good soul." He also said with time the child would improve in over all condition.
9.2 In another case, the father of an infant child came rushing to me to seek Baba's intervention as doctors advised him to take the child home as there was no hope for survival. With blessings from Swamy and with his permission I gave some `Vibuthi' to be applied to the child on the forehead everyday. I also said that it was for the parents to try alternative medicine if they prefered accordingly. I was confident in the prolongation of life to the baby as Sri Sai handed over the child to me in a garland prepared with `Bilwa pathra' leaves, arranged as a mantress in oval shape. The child is alive till date though mentally retarted. The child is gradually picking up reflexes and smiles.
10. Curing a case of bone-marrow depression.
A well to do family, settled in U.S.A. sent their only son to do his M.B.B.S in India. Before the end of the first year the boy fell ill. He felt for States on a holiday and got a health check up done. From the blood test results doctors in the U.S.A. concluded that it was a case of bone-marrow depression. The parents were denerved and through close relations got in touch with us. The grand parents visited Hyderabad on one of the Thursdays and had Swamy's `darshan'. Baba was kind enough to interfere and advised that `Maha Prasad' be sent to the boy for daily application on the forehead and `Vibuthi' to be taken as `thirtham' with water. All family members were advised to perform namasmaranam individually and `Vishnu Sahashranamam' to be chanted on saturdays. The patient gradually recovered within a year to normalcy and no surgery was prescribed. Intensive appeal to Baba through prayers was made at my end. Today, the boy continues his studies. It is difficult to measure the magnitude of kindness showered by Baba on devotees.
11. Removing `Serpa - Dosham'
One middle aged couple from India moved to America to improve their business prospects. They had only one daughter schooling in the U.S. The entire family members are faithful devotees of Swamy. Despite this position, things were drifting away from the anticipated way especially in business. A sort of gloom descended on the family. At this stage, the head of the family had to move to the Middle - East and the housewife had to stay back in the U.S. along with her daughter. She posed her problems before Swamy and asked for mercy and benevolence. I appealed to Swamy in prayer to shower His grace on this family. Though Swamy cleared some of the tough issues like Visa and job in the Middle - East, timely disposal of house in States, entry into higher education for the daughter etc, the main problems in securing business contracts from several countries which used to slip in the final stages of the deal, threatning almost to the loss of His job remained unsolved. His health also deteriorated considerably.
At this stage, I advised the devotee to visit India and have `darshan' of Sri Sainath at Shiridi and call at my place for the same purpose. The husband visited Shiridi and a couple of other religious places in India and offered prayers. The wife called on us at Hyderabad and had `darshan' of Swamy and paid her respects to Sri Sai. On this occasion Swamy revealed that the family suffers from `Serpa - Dosham' and as a remedial measure, she should perform `Abhishekam' with milk in Lord Subramanya's temple on seven consequitive `Sasti' days. This was carried out and the family stabilised in business and opened up new ventures in other countries too. Baba's grace was showered on the family immensely and dispersed the gloom.
12. Saving Eye Sight
An ardent devotee settled in America, sought permission through correspondence for `darshan' of Lord Sai at my residence. Besides other pressures in the family, he had problem with the vision of his eyes. One eye had lost its sight despite medical treatment and attention. In the second eye the pressure started raising and this affected the optic nerve. For this and for other issues he visited Shiridi and offered prayers to Swamy. He was also exposed to Baba in my prayer room. He returned to States with full faith in the benevolence of Swamy.
As per advise, the devotee continued to get checked for the pressure in the eyeball. The time had come when his consultant doctor advised the patient to undergo an operation to drain the fluid and reduce the pressure to the desired level. He was very much worried and put a call to me requesting that Swamy's blessings be sought to protect the eye.
When I was pleading with Swamy in prayer to save the devotee's vision, Baba touched the eyes of the patient very gently with His hand.
As assured by Baba, the event passed off smoothly and the sight was not hampered. The pressure was brought down suitably to the normal range.
13. Baba's compassion towards an injured person.
13.1 An ardent devotee of Sri Sai who works in an academic institution in one of the Universities in Andhra Pradesh approached self and requested for Swamy's intervention and blessings as he was planning to get his aged mother (eighty plus) operated at the his joint as the earlier attempt failed. The patient had to be registered much in advance coinciding with the visit to India of a German Surgeon specialised in this technique.
The devotee was particular about clear assurance from Baba on the success of the operation keeping in view the crushed state of the joint and the various risk factors involved and also the age of his mother. On vigorous prayers and appeal to Baba, I got the message from Swamy to inform the injured to go ahead with the arrangements for the operation. Swamy assured that he would be persent during surgery.
On the scheduled date, when I was praying Swamy, He showed me the old lady resting on a coir cot under a mango tree in the open air in a fruit garden. Swamy was sitting by her side on a wooden stool and keeping a watch on her progress. He said it was all over and she was alright. As I heaved a sigh, the telephone message came from the devotee conveying their gratitude to Lord Sai. Subsequently, the old lady visited our payer room twice to pay her respects to Sri Sainathji.
13.2. An elderly gentleman who had just retired from service attempted to board a running train in Uttar Pradesh State (India) and got involved in a severe accident. One of his ankles got crushed badly and his backbone got nearly seventeen hits from the foot boards. Being a small town, no proper medical facilities were available. But first aid was given by the local doctors. On hearing the news, his wife reached the place of accident and contacted self over phone seeking mercy from Swamy.
Swamy advised shifting the patient to Bombay for better medical attention and treatment. They were apprehensive about the long journey with the crushed and injured leg. Inspite of the inherent odds in moving the injured for such a long distance, the task could be accomplished with blessings from Baba. I prayed to Swamy very vigorously and Baba instructed me to rush Vibhuti and `Maha Prasad' for application daily on the forehead. He suggested `namasmarana; to be carried out by the family members. Three successive operations were performed or the patient - one to remove the ankle, later further amputation below the knee to arrest gangrin formation and lastly plastic surgery and skin grafting near the knee. During this period, Swamy was kind enough to be present by the side of the patient's bed on a couple of occasions and guided the events. Swamy, had saved the life of the devotee, even though the leg was amputated.
Today the patient moves freely with an artificial leg and attends to his daily chores. Above all, he is grateful to Sri Sai and expresses this feeling in performing 'Satcharita' Parayana.
14. Curing a serious disease
In the year 1994 before `Siva Ratri' festival and on a Thursday, a devotee showed some anxiety in having individual `darshan' of Swami after Arti. As soon as I asked Swamy to let me know about the anxiety of the devotee, Swamy showed me `Goddess Durga' with blood oozing all over Her body. I was perplexed at the sight and picked up some courage and requested Swamy to let me know the meaning of this vision.
Baba responded to this appeal and indicated that some one in the devotee's family was very sick. As remidial measure, they should perform `Kumkum Puja' to `Ammavaru' (Goddess) of their choice in a temple and bring some kumkum prasad to home and keep it in the pooja mandir and apply it on the forehead daily. Besides this, they should carry on `namasmarana' daily for early recovery of the diseased.
At this point, the devotee stated that she got a message that morning informing that her maternal uncle living in Netherlands was very sick and in critical condition. The patient is a professor in a medical college in one of the universities in that country was fully aware of the gravity of the disease (S.L.E), and his precarious condition at that stage. He was bleeding all over the body too.
She pleaded for Swamy's permission to visit Netherlands and be of assistance to her aunty at this juncture. Baba granted her wish and the lady obtained her passport and visa in surprisingly short period and could nurse the sick uncle on time. She meticulously administered Vibuthi as well as carried out `namasmarana' and `Satcharitra' parayana.
I appealed to Sri Sai in my daily prayers for the well being of the patient. The professor recovered gradually and was able to attend to his domestic and professional activities. Subsequently, in the following year he wanted to visit Hyderabad and pay his respects to Swamy with all obeisance. Just before starting to India. Baba asked him to take half a cup of hot milk and undertake the journey. He followed the instructions and had a safe and smooth journey.
15. Kidney transplantation and saving the life of a devotee.
One day a close relation of our family suddenly called on us and was pensive and morose. I enquired about the welfare of everybody at home. Then he revealed that his wife had been sick for the last one year and her condition deteriorated considerably, She was bed ridden too. She was loosing weight and not able to assimilate solid food. Doctors have diagonised the case as renal failure and advised transplantation of the kidney.
He requested help and kindness from Baba to provide a suitable donar and make the operation successful. When I appealed to Swamy in prayers, He asked me to provide some `Vibuthi' for applying on the forehead of the patient or to be taken as `theertham' if she had no difficulty in swallowing liquids. Baba also indicated that `Vishnu Sahasaranamam' be recited in their house for nine consequtive saturdays for improvement of her health. I continued my prayers and appealed to Sri Sai for the protection of the patients life. Swamy was very considerate and showered his kindness. After receiving the Vibuthi a suitable donar was identified immediately and the transplatation operation went on smoothly. She is now leading a normal life with the family members.
16. Treatment for stomach disorder and blurring of vision.
16.1 Once my wife suffered a lot due to severe diarrhoea and it was not coming under control through normal medication. When Swamy was approached, He indicated that four or five peanuts mixed with a small quantity of Vibuthi be taken for five consequtive days. At first she hesitated to take the mixture of the peanuts and Udi, thinking of the sandy feeling in the mouth. But keeping in view the severe health condition, she reconciled and took Baba's prescription. She did not have any odd feeling in the mouth and recovered miraoulously.
16.2 On another occasion Swamy advised tender coconut water for five consequitive days as remidial measure for stomach uneasiness due to irritable bowel syndrome. The result was positive.
16.3 One day her blood pressure shot up suddenly and her vision got blurred. Reeling sensation also developed and she was unable to stand or walk. With the help of a doctor, the pressure was brought down gradually. But recurrence of vertigo effect and fluctuation in blood pressure caused some concern as it was acting on the eye sight.
When Swamy was approached in prayers. He offered some `drum sticks'. The significance of this act was not clear to us. After a few days, Swamy again appeared in Dwarakamai, near the hearth (`Chula') cooking `drum-stick' curry and gave it to her. Having got the cue, she prepared the curry, offered it to Baba, and then ate herself. There was lot of improvement in her condition.
17. Baba's Kindness to heart patient
During the period under reriew, Swamy's (Baba) kindness has been extended to forewarn devotees regarding the set back in their cardiac condition and impending danger to life.
17.1 A consultant working abroad for a company came to my house in Sri Lanka on a Thursday to have `darshan' of Baba. In the first instance, as soon as he entered the prayer room, Baba indicated that he should immediately get checked by a doctor for the heart problem. The devotee expressed that he was feeling normal. But Baba still indicated that he should get medically examined. The next day, early in the morning, he visited the doctor, just on the word of Baba. The specialist on examination, expressed concern and admitted him in intensive care unit as the cardiac condition was pretty bad. Later he was shifted to India, where a by-pass operation was performed (1989) with success. Application of Udi was carried out throughout the critical period.
Again since 1995, the incumbent started getting signals of fresh chest pain and also pain in the shoulders and arms. Swamy cautioned him on this sufficiently in advance but protected the devotee when a second operation was performed to eliminate the coronary block. Third time when he was admitted in the hospital for chest pain and allied discomfort, he was advised to keep Swamy's `Maha Prasad' packet under the pillow. That night, the patient had a vision of Baba going round his bed in the hospital. In a couple of days, he was discharged from the hospital.
17.2 In late eighties Swamy cautioned another devotee (an engineer officer) regarding his health condition. He got it checked in a hospital on Baba's word and the doctors said that he developed blood pressure and his cholestrol level was high. He was advised to get his heart condition monitored from time to time. Since that period, prayers were offered to Sri Sai. All through, he was attending to his official and personal activities. In 1995, his condition deteriorated and suddenly he was admitted to the hospital. His family members contacted self over phone for Baba's blessings. I advised them to apply `Vibuthi' and also perform `nama smarana' of Sri Sai. I appealed to Baba very ardently to shower His grace and save the soul. The relatives of the patient feared that a By-pass surgery may be needed. But after the angiogram it was found by Baba's grace that only a ballon angioplasty was needed instead of a by-pass. The patient recovered fast and is back in his business activity. He also visited Shiridi with family members to pay his respects to Lord Sainath.
17.3 Another executive of a well established firm approached self for darshan of Swamy after `Harti' on a Thursday (1994). Since the devotee's problems were of confidential nature we agreed to place them at the feet of Sri Sai.
The devotee wanted to build a house and solicited blessings from Baba. Sri Sai foresaw danger to the devotee's life and advised him to give up alcohol consumption completely and start `namasmarana' on priority. He attempted to follow the advice but was not hundred percent sincere in implementation. The following year, he had chest pain and was rushed to the hospital. The patient in this state remembered Swamy's word and rushed a common friend to my residence requesting that an appeal be made to Lord Sai to protect his life. I assured him on the prayers to Swamy to protect the patient and rushed some `Vibuthi' to the hospital. Doctors performed the operation successfully and the patient recovered soon. He paid his grateful respects to Swamy.
18.Hukka as a cure for lung infections :
During his life time Baba, cured many people of asthma, by making them inhale the smoke from his Hukka. Even after his Maha Samadhi today, Baba is treating devotees similarly. Baba's treatment with Hukka has no bar for men and women.
18.1 Once a lady devotee came with severe bronchital cough. Baba treated her by providing inhalation through Hukka. She was cured.
18.2 Another person came for `darshan' but did not express his feelings. When I asked Swamy about the visitor, Swamy said that he was suffering from lung and throat congestion. Baba also offered him Hukka. He was also cured.
OM SHANTHI SHANTHI SHANTHI
Wonderful words from Sri Satcharita
We begin this Chapter with a bow, with all our limbs to Sai Baba, Who is an Ocean of Mercy, the God Incarnate, the Para-Brahma and the great Yogeshwara (Lord of Yoga). Victory be unto Sai Baba, Who is the crown-jewel of the Saints, an Abode of all auspicious things, our Atmaram (Dear Self), and the able Refuge of the devotees, We prostrate ourselves before Him, Who has attained the Aim and End of life.
Hemadpant closes this Chapter with a prayer. "Oh Sai Sadguru, the Wish Fulfilling Tree of the Bhaktas, we pray - "Let us never forget and lose sight of Your Feet; we have been troubled with by the sins of previous births in this samsar; now free us from this cycle of births and deaths. Restrain us from the outgoing of our senses to their objects and introvert us, and bring us face to face with the Atma (Self). As long as this outgoing tendency of the senses and the mind is not checked, there is no prospect of self-realisation. Neither son, nor wife nor friend, will be of any use in the end. It is only, You, Who will give us salvation and happiness. Destroy completely our tendency for discussions and other evil matters, let our tongues get a passion for chanting Your name. Drive out our thoughts, good or otherwise, and make us forget our bodies and houses, and do away with our egoism. Make us ever remember Your name, and forget all other things. Remove the restlessness of our mind, and make it steady and calm. If you just clasp us, the darkness of night, of our ignorance, will vanish and we shall live happily in Your light. That, You made us drink the nectar of Your Leelas and awakened us from our slumber, is due to Your grace and our store of merits in past births".
Bow to the Kind Sai Who is the Abode of Mercy and Who is affectionate towards His devotees. By His mere darshana, He does away with their fear of this `bhava' (samsar) and destroys their calamities. He was first Nirgun (formless), but on account of the devotion of His Bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. To give liberation and self-realisation to the Bhaktas is the mission of the Saints, and for Sai- the Chief of them, that mission is inevitable. Those, who take refuge in His Feet, have all their sins destroyed and their progress is certain. Remembering His Feet, Brahmins from holy places come to Him and read scriptures and chant the Gayatri mantra in His presence. We, who are weak and without any merits, do not know what Bhakti is; but we know this much, that though all others may leave us, Sai won't forsake us. Those, whom He favours, get enormous strength, discrimination between the Unreal and the Real and knowledge.
Oh blessed Sadguru Sai, we bow to You, Who have given happiness to the whole world, accomplished the welfare of the devotees, and have removed the affliction of those, who have resorted to Your Feet. By being very liberal and also being the protector and saviour of the Bhaktas, who surrender themselves to You, You have Incarnated Yourself in this world to oblige the people, and do them good. The liquid essence of Pure Self was poured into the mould of Brahma and out of this has come out the crown-jewel of the Saints-Sai. This Sai is Atmarama Himself. He is the abode of the Perfect Divine Bliss. After having Himself attained all objects of life. He made His devotees desireless and free.
Blessed is Shirdi and blessed is Dwarkamayi, where Shri Sai lived and moved until He took Mahasamadhi. Blessed are the people of Shirdi, whom He obliged, and for whom He came such long distance. Shirdi was a small village first, but it attained great importance, on account of His contact and became a Tirtha, holy place of pilgrimage. Equally blessed are the womenfolk of Shirdi, blessed is their whole and undivided faith in Him. They sang the glories of Baba while bathing, grinding, pounding corn and doing other house-hold work. Blessed is their love, through which they sang sweet songs, which calm and pacify the minds of the singers and listeners. Blessed is Shri Sai Samarat, Who gives instructions, in both temporal and spiritual matters, to His devotees and makes them happy by enabling them to achieve the goal of their life, - Sai Who, when He places His hand on their heads, transfers His powers to them, and thus destroying the sense of differentiation, makes them attain the Unattainable Thing. - He Who embraces the Bhaktas, who prostrate themselves before Him, with no sense of duality or difference. He becomes one with the Bhaktas, as the sea with the rivers, when they meet it in the rainy season and gives them His power and position. It follows from this that he, who sings the Leelas of God's Bhaktas, is equally or more dear to Him, than one who sings the Leelas of God only. Now to revert to the stories of this Chapter.
Blessed, Oh Sai, are Your Feet, blessed is Your remembrance and blessed is Your darshana which frees us from the bond of Karma. Though Your Form is invisible to us now, still if the devotees believe in You, they get living experiences from You. By an invisible and subtle thread, You draw Your devotees from far and near to Your Feet, and embrace them like a kind and loving mother. The devotees do not know, where You are; but You so skillfully pull the wires, that they ultimately realize, that You are at their back to help and support them. The intelligent, wise and learned folk fall into the pit of the samsar on account of their egoism, but You save, by Your power, the poor, simple and devout persons. Inwardly and invisibly, You play all the game, but show that You save, by Your power the poor, simple and devout persons. Inwardly and invisibly You play all the game, but show that You are not concerned with it. While You do things, You pose Your-self as a non-doer, nobody ever knows Your life. The best course, therefore, for us is to surrender our body, speech and mind to Your Feet, and always chant Your name for destroying our sins. You fulfill the wishes of the devotees; and to those, who are without any desire, You give Bliss supreme. The chanting of Your sweet name, is the easiest sadhan for devotees. By this sadhan (means) our sins, Rajas and Tamas qualities, will vanish and the sattwa qualities, discrimination, dispassion and knowledge will follow. Then we shall abide in our Self and our Guru (who are one and the same). This is what is called complete surrender to the Guru. The only sure sign of this is that our mind gets calm and peaceful. The greatness of this surrender, devotion and knowledge is unique; for peace, non-attachment, fame and salvation etc., come in its train.
Blessed is the face of Sai. If we cast a glance at Him for a moment, He destroys the sorrow of many past births and confers great Bliss on us; and if He looks at us with grace, our bondage of Karma is immediately snapped away and we are led to happiness. The river Ganges washes away the dirt and sins of all people, who go to her for a bath; but she intently longs for the Saints to come to her; and bless her with their feet and remove all the dirt (sins) accumulated in her. She knows, for certain, that this accumulation can only be removed by the holy feet of the Saints. Sai is the crest-jewel of the Saints, and now hear from Him the following purifying story
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter I
Salutations -- The Story of Grinding Wheat and Its Philosophical Significance.
According to the ancient and revered custom, Hemadpant begins the work, Sai SATCHARITA, with various salutations.
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First, he makes obeisance to the God Ganesha to remove all obstacles and make the work a success and says that Shri Sai is the God Ganesha. |
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Then, to the Goddess Saraswathi to inspire him to write out the work and says that Shri Sai is one with this Goddess and that He is Himself singing His own life. |
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Then, to the Gods : Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar - the Creating, Preserving and Destroying Deities respectively; and says that Sainath is one with them and He as the great Teacher, will carry us across the River of Wordly Existence. |
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Then, to his tutelary Deity Narayan Adinath who manifested himself in Konkan - the land reclaimed by Parashurama, (Rama in the Hindi version) from the sea; and to the Adi (Original) Purusha of the family. |
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Then, to the Bharadwaja Muni, into whose gotra (clan) he was born and also to various Rishis, Yagyavalakya, Bhrigu, Parashara, Narad, Vedavyasa, Sanak, Sanandan, SanatKumar, Shunka. Shounak, Vishwamitra, Vasishtha, Valmiki, Vamedava, Jaimini, Vaishampayan, Nava Yogindra etc., and also modern Saints such as Nivritti, Jnanadev, Sopan, Muktabai, Janardan, Ekanath, Namdev, Tukaram, Kanha, and Narahari etc. |
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Then, to his grandfather Sadashiv, father Raghunath, his mother, who left him in his infancy, to his paternal aunt, who brought him up, and to his loving elder brother. |
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Then, to the readers and prays them to give their whole and undivided attention to his work. |
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And lastly, to his Guru Shri Sainath - an Incarnation of Shri Dattatreya, Who is his sole Refuge and Who will make him realize that Brahman is the Reality and the world an illusion; and incidentally, to all the Beings in whom the Lord God dwells. |
After describing in brief the various modes of devotion according to Parashara, Vyasa and Shandilya etc., the author goes on to relate the following story:
It was sometime after 1910 A.D. that I went, one fine morning, to the Masjid in Shirdi for having a darshan of Sai Baba. I was wonder-struck to see the following phenomenon. After washing His mouth and face, Sai Baba began to make preparations for grinding wheat. He spread a sack on the floor; and thereon set a hand-mill. He took some quantity of wheat in a winnowing fan, and then drawing up the sleeves of His Kafni (robe); and taking hold of the peg of the hand-mill, started grinding the wheat by putting a few handfuls of wheat in the upper opening of the mill and rotated it. I thought "What business Baba had with the grinding of wheat, when He possessed nothing and stored nothing, and as He lived on alms!" Some people who had come there thought likewise, but none had the courage to ask Baba, what He was doing. Immediately, this news of Baba's grinding wheat spread into the village, and at once men and women ran to the Masjid and flocked there to see Baba's act. Four bold women, from the crowd, forced their way up and pushing Baba aside, took forcibly the peg or handle into their hands, and, singing Baba's Leelas, started grinding. At first Baba was enraged, but on seeing the women's love and devotion, He was much pleased and began to smile. While they were grinding, they began to think that Baba had no house, no property, no children, none to look after, and He lived on alms, and therefore He did not require any wheat-flour for making bread or roti, what will He do with this big quantity of flour? Perhaps as Baba is very kind, He will distribute the flour amongst us. Thinking in this way while singing, they finished the grinding and after putting the hand-mill aside, they divided the flour into four portions and began to remove them one per head. Baba, Who was calm and quiet up till now, got wild and started abusing them saying, "Ladies, have you gone mad? Whose father's property are you looting away? Have I borrowed any wheat from you, so that you can safely take the flour? Now please do this. Take the flour and throw it on the village border limits." On hearing this, the women felt abashed and whispering amongst themselves, went away to the outskirts of the village and spread the flour as directed by Baba.
I asked the Shirdi people - "What was this that Baba did?" They replied that as the Cholera Epidemic was spreading in the village and this was Baba's remedy against the same; it was not wheat that was grinded but the Cholera germs. From this time onward, the Cholera Epidemic subsided and the people of the village were happy. I was much pleased to know all this; but at the same time my curiosity was also aroused. I began to ask myself - What earthly connection was there between wheat and Cholera and how to reconcile them? The incident seems to be inexplicable. I should write something on this and sing to my heart's content Baba's sweet Leelas. Thinking in this way about this Leela, my heart was filled with joy and I was thus inspired to write Baba's Life - The Satcharita.
And as we know, with Baba's grace and blessing this work was successfully accomplished.
Philosophical Significance of Grinding
Apart from the meaning which the people of Shirdi put on this incident of grinding wheat, there is, we think, a philosophical significance too. Sai Baba lived in Shirdi for about sixty years and during this long period, He did the business of grinding almost every day, not however, the wheat alone; but the sins, the mental and physical afflications and the miseries of His innumerable devotees. The two stones of His mill consisted of Karma and Bhakti, the former being the lower and the latter the upper one. The handle with which Baba worked the mill consisted of Jnana. It was the firm conviction of Baba that Knowledge or Self-realization is not possible, unless there is the prior act of grinding of all our impulses, desires, sins; and of the three gunas, viz. Sattva, Raja and Tarma; and the Ahamkara, which is so subtle and therefore so difficult to be got rid of.
This reminds us of a similar story of Kabir who seeing a woman grinding corn said to his Guru, Nipathiranjana, "I am weeping because I feel the agony of being crushed in this wheel of wordly existence like the corn in the hand-mill." Nipathiranjana replied, "Do not be afraid; hold fast to the handle of knowledge of this mill, as I do, and do not wander far away from the same but turn inward to the Centre, and you are sure to be saved."
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter II
Object of Writing the Work - Incapacity and Boldness in the Undertaking - Hot Discussion - Conferring Significant and Prophetic Title of Hemadpant - Necessity of a Guru.
In the last Chapter, the author mentioned in the original Marathi book that he would state the reason that led him to undertake the work, and about the persons qualified to read the same and such other points. Now in this chapter, he starts to tell the same.
Object of Writing the Work
In the first chapter, I described Sai Baba's miracle of checking and destroying the epidemic of Cholera by grinding wheat and throwing the flour, on the outskirts of the village. I heard other miracles of Sai Baba to my great delight, and this delight burst forth into this poetic work. I also thought that the description of these grand miracles of Sai Baba would be interesting, and instructive to His devotees, and would remove their sins, and so I began to write the sacred life and teaching of Sai Baba. The life of the saint is neither logical nor dialectical. It shows us the true path.
Incapacity and Boldness in Undertaking the Work
Hemadpant thought that he was not a fit person to undertake the work. He said, "When I do not know the life of my close friend nor do I know my own mind, then how can I write the life of a saint or describe the nature of Incarnations, which even the Vedas were unable to do? One must be a saint himself, before he could know other saints, otherwise how can I describe their glory? To write the life of a saint is the most difficult, though one may as well measure the depth of the water of the seven seas or enclose the sky with cloth. I knew, that this was the most venturous undertaking which might expose me to ridicule. I, therefore, invoked Sai Baba's grace.
The premier poet-saint of Maharastra, Shri Jnanewshwar Maharaj, has stated that the Lord loves those who write the lives of saints; and the saints also have a peculiar method of their own, of getting the service, which the devotees long for, successfully accomplished. The saints inspire the work, the devotee becomes only an indirect cause or instrument to achieve the end. For instance, in 1700 Shaka year, the poet Mahipati aspired to write the lives of saints. Saints inspired him, and got the work done; so also in 1800 Shaka year, Das Ganu's service was accepted. The former wrote 4 works-Bhakta Vijaya, Santa Vijaya, Bhakta Leelamrit and Santa Kathamrit, in which the lives of modern Saints were described. In chapters 31,32,33 of Bhakta Leelamrit and in chapter 57 of Santa Kathamrit, the sweet life and teaching of Sai Baba are very well depicted. These have been separeately published in Sai Leela Magazine, Nos. 11 and 12, Vol. 17; the readers are advised to read these chapters. So also Sai Baba's wonderful Leelas are described by Mrs. Savitribai Raghunath Tendulkar of Bandra in a small decent book named Shri Sainath Bhajana Mala. Das-Ganu Maharaj also had composed various sweet poems on Sai Baba. A devotee named Amidas Bhavani Mehta, has also published some stories of Sai Baba in Gujarathi; some Nos. of Sainath Prabha, a magazine published by Dakshina bhiksha Sanstha of Shirdi, are also published. Then the question of objection comes in, that while so many works regarding Sai Baba are extant, why should this (Satcharita) be written? and where is its necessity?
The answer is plain and simple. The life of Sai Baba is as wide and deep as the infinite ocean; and all can dive deep into the same and take out precious gems (of knowledge and Bhakti), and distribute them to the aspiring public. The stories, parables, and teachings of Sai Baba are very wonderful. They will give peace and happiness to the people, who are afflicted with sorrows and heavily loaded with miseries of this worldly existence, and also bestow knowledge and wisdom, both in the worldly and in spiritual domains. If these teachings of Sai Baba, which are as interesting and instructive as the Vedic lore, are listened to and meditated upon, the devotees will get, what they long for, viz., union with Brahman, mastery in eight-fold Yoga, Bliss of meditation etc. So I thought, that I should collect these stories together that would be my best Upasana. This collection would be most delightful to those simple souls, whose eyes were not blessed with Sai Baba's darshana. So, I set about collecting Sai Baba's teachings and expressions - the outcome of His boundless and natural self-realization. It was Sai Baba, who inspired me in this matter; in fact, I surrendered my ego at His feet, and thought that my path was clear; and that He would make me quite happy here, and in the next world.
I could not myself ask Sai Baba to give me permission for this work; so I requested Mr. Madhavrao Deshpande alias Shama, Baba's most intimate devotee, to speak to Him for me. He pleaded for my cause and said to Sai Baba, "This Annasaheb wishes to write Your biography, don't say that You are a poor begging Fakir, and there is no necessity to write it, but if You agree and help him, he will write or rather, Your feet (grace) will accomplish the work. Without Your consent and blessing, nothing can be done successfully." When Sai Baba heard this request, He was moved and blessed me by giving me His Udi (sacred ashes) and placing His boon-bestowing hand on my head said :- "Let him make a collection of stories and experiences, keep notes and memos; I will help him. He is only an outward instrument. I should write Myself My autobiography and satisfy the wishes of My devotees. He should get rid of his ego, place (or surrender) it at My feet. He who acts like this in life, him I help the most. What of My life-stories? I serve him in his house in all possible ways. When his ego is completely annihilated and there is left no trace of it, I Myself shall enter into him and shall write My own life. Hearing my stories and teachings will create faith in devotees' hearts and they will easily get self - realization and Bliss; let there be no insistence on establishing one's own view, no attempt to refute other's opinions, no discussions of pros and cons of any subject."
The word `discussion' put me in mind of my promise to explain the story of my getting the title of Hemadpant and now I begin to relate the same. I was on close friendly terms with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar. They pressed me to go to Shirdi and have Baba's darshana, and I promised them to do so. But something in the interval turned up, which prevented me from going to Shirdi. The son of a friend of mine at Lonavala fell ill. My friend tried all possible means, physical and spiritual, but the fever would not abate. At length he got his Guru to sit by the bed-side of his son, but this too was of no avail. Hearing this, I thought `what was the utility of the Guru, if he could not save my friend's son? If the Guru can't do anything for us, why should I go to Shirdi at all?' Thinking in this way, I postponed my Shirdi-trip; but the inevitable must happen and it happened in my case as follows : - Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was a Prant Officer, was going on tour to Bassein. From Thana he came to Dadar and was waiting for a train bound for Bassein. In the meanwhile, a Bandra local train turned up. He sat in it and came to Bandra; and sent for me and took me to task for putting off my Shirdi trip. Nana's argument for my Shirdi trip was convincing and delightful, and so I decided to start for Shirdi, the same night. I packed up my luggage and started for Shirdi. I planned to go to Dadar and there to catch the train for Manmad, and so I booked myself for Dadar and sat in the train. While the train was to start, a Mahomedan came hastily to my compartment and seeing all my paraphernalia, asked me where I was bound to. I told him my plan. He then suggested that I should go straight to Boribunder, and not get down at Dadar, for the Manmad Mail did not stop at Dadar at all. If this little miracle or Leela had not happened, I would not have reached Shirdi next day as planned, and many doubts would have assailed me. But that was not to be. As fortune favoured me, I reached Shirdi the next day before 9 or 10 A.M. Mr. Bhausaheb (Kaka) Dixit was waiting for me there. This was in 1910 A.D., when there was only one place, viz., Sathe's Wada for lodging pilgrim devotees. After alighting from the Tonga, I was anxious to have darshana, when the great devotee, Tatyasaheb Noolkar returned from the Masjid and said that Sai Baba was at the corner of the Wada, and that I should first get the preliminary darshana and then, after bath, see Him at leisure. Hearing this I ran and prostrated before Baba and then my joy knew no bounds. I found more than what Nana Chandorkar had told me. All my senses were satisfied and I forgot thirst and hunger. The moment I touched Sai Baba's feet, I began a new lease of life. I felt myself much obliged to those who spurred and helped me to get the darshana; and I considered them as my real relatives, and I cannot repay their debt. I only remember them and prostrate (mentally) before them. The peculiarity of Sai Baba's darshana, as I found it, is that by His darshana our thoughts are changed, the force of previous actions is abated and gradually non-attachment of dispassion towards worldly objects grows up. It is by the merit of actions in many past births that such darshana is got, and if only you see Sai Baba, really all the world becomes or assumes the form of Sai Baba.
Hot Discussion
On the first day of my arrival in Shirdi, there was a discussion between me and Balasaheb Bhate regarding the necessity of a Guru. I contended, "Why should we lose our freedom and submit to others? When we have to do our duty, why a Guru is necessary? One must try his best and save himself. What can the Guru do to a man who does nothing but sleeps indolently?" Thus I pleaded free will, while Mr. Bhate took up the other side, viz., Destiny, and said, "Whatever is bound to happen must happen; even great men have failed, man proposes one way, but God disposes the other (contrary) way. Brush aside your cleverness; pride or egoism won't help you." This discussion, with all its pros and cons went on for an hour or so, and as usual no decision was arrived at. We had to stop the discussion ultimately as we were exhausted. The net result of this was that I lost my peace of mind and found that unless there is strong body-consciousness and egoism, there would be no discussion; in other words, it is egoism which breeds discussion.
Then when we went to the Masjid with others, Baba asked Kakasahed Dixit the following :
"What was going on in the (Sathe's) Wada? What was the discussion about?" and staring at me, Baba further added, "What did this Hemadpant say?
Hearing these words, I was much surprised. The Masjid was at a considerable distance from Sathe's Wada where I was staying and where the discussion was going on. How could Baba know our discussion unless He be omniscient and Inner Ruler of us all?
Significant and Prophetic Title
I began to think why Sai Baba should call me by the name Hemadpant. This word is a distorted form of Hemadripant. This Hemadripant was a wellknown Minister of the kings Mahadev and Ramadev of Devgiri of the Yadav dynasty. He was very learned, good-natured and the author of good works, such as Chaturvarga Chintamani (dealing with spiritual subjects) and Rajprashasti. He invented and started new methods of accounts and was the originator of the Modi (Marathi Shorthand) script. But I was quite the opposite, an ignoramus, and of dull, mediocre intellect. So I could not understand why the name or title was conferred upon me, but thinking seriously upon it, I thought that the title was a dart to destroy my ego, so that, I should always remain meek and humble. It was also a compliment paid to me for the cleverness in the discussion.
Looking to the future history, we think that Baba's word (calling Mr. Dabholkar by the name Hemadpant) was significant and prophetic, as we find that he looked after the management of Sai Sansthan very intelligently, kept nicely all the accounts and was also the author of such a good work "Sai Satcharita", which deals with such important and spiritual subjects as Jnana, Bhakti and dispassion, self-surrender and self-realization.
About the Necessity of a Guru
Hemadpant has left no note, no memo about what Baba said regarding this subject, but Kakasaheb Dixit has published his notes regarding this matter. Next day after Hemadpant's meeting with Sai Baba, Kakasaheb went to Baba and asked whether he should leave Shirdi. Baba Said, "Yes". Then someone asked - "Baba, where to go?" Baba said, "High up." Then the man said, "How is the way?" Baba said, "There are many ways leading there; there is one way also from here (Shirdi). The way is difficult. There are tigers and wolves in the jungles on the way." I (Kakasaheb) asked - "But Baba, what if we take a guide with us?" Baba answered, - "Then there is no difficulty. The guide will take you straight to your destination, avoiding wolves, tigers and ditches etc. on the way. If there be no guide, there is the danger of your being lost in the jungles or falling into ditches." Mr. Dabholkar was present on this occasion and he thought that this was the answer Baba gave to the question whether Guru was a necessity (Vide Sai Leela Vol. I, No.5, Page 47); and he thereupon took the hint that no discussion of the problem, whether man is free or bound, is of any use in spiritual matters, but that on the contrary real Paramartha is possible only as the result of the teachings of the Guru, as is illustrated in this chapter of the original work in the instances of great Avatars like Rama and Krishna, who had to submit themselves to their Gurus, Vasishtha and Sandipani respectively, for getting self- realization and that the only virtues necessary for such progress are faith and patience. (Vide Sai Satcharita, Ch. II, 191-92).
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter III
Sai Baba's Sanction and Promise - Assignment of Work to Devotees - Baba's Stories as Beacon - Light - His Motherly Love - Rohilla's Story - His sweet and Nectar - like Words.
Sai Baba's Sanction and Promise
As described in the previous chapter, Sai Baba gave His complete assent to the writing of the Sat-Charita and said, "I fully agree with you regarding the writing of Sat Charita. You do your duty, don't be afraid in the least, steady your mind and have faith in My words. If my Leelas are written, the Avidya (nescience) will vanish and if they are attentively and devoutly listened to, the consciousness of the worldly existence will abate, and strong waves of devotion, and love will rise up and if one dives deep into My Leelas, he would get precious jewels of knowledge."
Hearing this, author was much pleased, and he at once became fearless and confident, and thought that work was bound to be a success. Then turning to Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) Sai Baba said.
"If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories. Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. It is My special characteristic to free any person, who surrenders completely to Me, and who does worship Me faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they be conscious of worldly objects and sensations, who utter My name, who worship Me, who think of My stories and My life and who thus always remember Me? I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of Death. If My stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect; and think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and contentment. The pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish, the mind of the hearers will be set at rest; and if it has wholehearted and complete faith, it will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple remembrance of My name as `Sai, Sai' will do away with sins of speech and hearing".
Different Works Assigned to Devotees
The Lord entrust different works to different devotees. Some are given the work of building temples and maths, or ghats (flight of steps) on rivers; some are made to sing the glories of God; some are sent on pilgrimages; but to me was allotted the work of writing the Sat Charita. Being a jack of all trades but master of none, I was quite unqualified for this job. Then why should I undertake such a difficult job? Who can describe the true life of Sai Baba? Sai Baba's grace alone can enable one to accomplish this difficult work. So, when I took up the pen in my hand, Sai Baba took away my egoism and wrote Himself His stories. The credit of relating these stories, therefore, goes to Him and not to me. Though Brahmin by birth, I lacked the two eyes. (i.e. the sight or vision) of Shruti and Smriti and therefore was not at all capable of writing the Sat-Charita, but the grace of the Lord makes a dumb man talk, enables a lame man to cross a mountain. He alone knows the knack of getting things done as He likes. Neither the flute, nor the harmonium knows how the sounds are produced. This is the concern of the Player. The oozing of Chandrakant jewel and the surging of the sea are not due to the jewel and the sea but to the rise of the moon.
Baba's Stories as Beacon- Light
Light houses are constructed at various places in the sea, to enable the boatmen to avoid rocks and dangers, and make them sail safely. Sai Baba's stories serve a similar purpose in the ocean of worldly existence. They surpass nectar in sweetness, and make our worldly path smooth and easy to traverse. Blessed are the stories of the saints. When they enter our hearts through the ears, the body - consciousness or egoism and the sense of duality vanish; and when they are stored in the heart, doubts fly out to all sides, pride of the body will fall, and wisdom will be stored in abundance. The description of Baba's pure fame, and the hearing of the same, with love, will destroy the sins of the devotee and, therefore, this is the simple Sadhana for attaining salvation. The Sadhana for Krita Age was Shamadama (tranquillity of mind and body), for Treta Age, sacrifice, for Dwapara, worship, and for Kali (present) Age, it is singing of the name and glory of the Lord. This last Sadhana is open to all the people of the four varnas (Brahmins, etc.). The other Sadhanas, viz. Yoga, Yagya (sacrifice), Dhyana (meditation) and Dharana (concentration) are very difficult to practice, but singing and hearing the stories and the glory of the Lord (Sai Baba) is very easy. We have only to turn our attention towards them. The listening and singing of the stories will remove the attachment to the senses and their objects, and will make the devotees dispassionate, and will ultimately lead them to self-realization. With this end in view, Sai Baba made me or helped me to write His stories, Sat-Charitamrita. The devotees may now easily read and hear these stories of Sai Baba and while doing so, meditate on Him, His form and thus attain devotion to Guru and God (Sai Baba), get detachment and self-realization. In the preparation and writing of this work, Sat-Charitamrita, it is Sai Baba's grace which has accomplished everything, making use of me as a mere instrument.
Motherly Love of Sai Baba
Everybody knows how a cow loves her infant calf. Her udder is always full and when the calf wants milk and dashes at the udder, out comes the milk in an unceasing flow. Similarly a human mother knows the wants of her child before hand and feeds it, at her breast in time. In case of dressing and adorning the child, the mother takes particular care to see that this is well done. The child knows or cares nothing about this, but the mother's joy knows no bounds, when she sees her child beautifully dressed and adorned. The love of mother is peculiar, extraordinary and disinterested, and has no parallell. Sadgurus feel this motherly love towards their disciples. Sai Baba had this same love towards me, and I give an instance of it below :
1916 A.D. I retired from Government Service. The pension that was settled in my case was not sufficient to maintain my family decently. On Guru-Pournima (15th of Ashadha) day of that year, I went to Shirdi with other devotees. There, Mr. Anna Chinchanikar, of his own accord, prayed to Baba for me as follows: "Please look kindly on him, the pension he gets is quite insufficient, his family is growing. Give him some other appointment, remove his anxiety and make him happy." Baba replied - " He will get some other job, but now he should serve Me and be happy. His dishes will be ever full and never empty. He should turn all his attention towards Me and avoid the company of atheists, irreligious and wicked people. He should be meek and humble towards all and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness".
The question Who is this HE, whose worship is advocated, is already answered in a note on "Who is Sai Baba" in the prologue, at the beginning of this work.
Rohila's Story
The story of the Rohilla illustrates Sai Baba's all embracing love. One Rohilla, tall and well-built, strong as a bull, came to Shirdi, wearing a long Kafni (robe) and was enamoured by Sai who stayed there. Day and night he used to recite in a loud and harsh tone Kalma (verses from Holy Koran) and shout "ALLAH HO AKBAR" (God is Great). Most people of Shirdi, were working in their fields by day and when they returned to their homes at night, they were welcomed with Rohilla's harsh cries and shouts. They could get no sleep and felt much trouble and inconvenience. They suffered in silence this nuisance for some days, and when they could stand it no longer, they approached Baba, and requested Him to check Rohilla and stop the nuisance. Baba did not attend to their complaint. On the contrary, Baba took the villagers, to task, and asked them to mind their own business, and not Rohilla. He said to them that Rohilla had got a very bad wife, a Zantippi, who tried to come in and trouble the Rohilla and Himself; but hearing the Rohilla's prayers, she dare not enter and they were at peace and happy. Infact, the Rohilla had no wife and by his wife Baba meant DURBUDDHI, i.e. bad thoughts. As Baba liked prayers and cries to God better than anything else, He took the side of the Rohilla, and asked the villagers to wait and suffer the nuisance, which would abate in due course.
Baba's Sweet and Nectar-like Words
One day at noon after the Arti, devotees were returning to their lodgings, when Baba gave the following beautiful advice:
"Be wherever you like, do whatever you choose, remember this well that all what you do is known to Me. I am the Inner Ruler of all and seated in their hearts. I envelope all the creatures, the movable and immovable world. I am the Controller - the wire-puller of the show of this Universe. I am the mother - origin of all beings - the Harmony of three Gunas, the propeller of all senses, the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. Nothing will harm him, who turns his attention towards Me, but Maya will lash or whip him who forgets Me. All the insects, ants, the visible, movable and immovable world, is My Body or Form".
Hearing these beautiful and precious words, I at once decided in my mind to serve no man henceforward, but my Guru only; but the reply of Baba to Anna Chinchanikar's query (which was really mine that I would get some job, began to revolve in my mind, and I began to think whether it would come to happen. As future events showed, Baba's words came true and I got a Government job, but that was of short duration. Then I became free and solely devoted my self to the service of my Guru-Sai Baba.
Before concluding this Chapter, I request the readers to leave out the various hindrances viz. indolence, sleep, wandering of mind, attachments to senses, etc. and turn their whole and undivided attention to these stories of Sai Baba. Let their love be natural, let them know the secret of devotion; let them not exhaust themselves by other Sadhanas, let them stick to this one simple remedy, i.e. listening to Sai Baba's stories. This will destroy their ignorance and will secure for them salvation. A miser may stay at various places; but he always thinks of his buried treasure. So let Sai Baba be enthroned in the hearts of all.
In the next chapter, I shall speak of Sai Baba's advent in Shirdi.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter IV
Sai Baba's first advent in Shirdi
Mission of the Saints - Shirdi a Holy Tirth - Personality of Sai Baba - Dictum of Goulibuva - Appearance of Vithal - Kshirsagar's Story - Das Ganu's Bath in Prayag - Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi - Three Wadas.
In the last chapter, I described the circumstances which led me to write Sai-Sat-Charita. Let me now describe the first advent of Sai Baba in Shirdi.
Mission of the Saints
Lord Krishna says in Bhagvadgita (Chapter IV, 7-8) that "Whenever there is a decay of Dharma (righteousness) and an ascendancy of unrighteousness I manifest Myself; and for the protection of the virtuous, the destruction of the vicious and for the establishment of righteousness, I manifest Myself, age after age".
This is the mission of Lord, and the Sages and Saints, Who are His representatives, and Who appear here at proper times, help in their own way to fulfill that mission. For instance, when the twice born, i.e. the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas neglect their duties and when the Shudras try to usurp the rights of the higher classes, when spiritual preceptors are not respected but humiliated, when nobody cares for religious instructions, when everybody thinks himself very learned, when people begin to partake of forbidden foods and intoxicating drinks, when under the cloak of religion people indulge in malpractices, when people belonging to different sects fight amongst themselves, when Brahmins fail to do Sandhya adoration, and the orthodox their religious practices, when Yogis neglect their meditation, when people begin to think that wealth, progeny, wife are their sole concern, and thus turn away from the true path of salvation, then Saints appear and try to set matters right by their words and action. They serve us as beacon-lights, and show us the right path, and the right way for us to follow. Gora, Gonayi, Eknath, Tukaram, Narahari, Narsi Bhai, Sajan Kasai, Sawata, Ramdas, and various others did appear at various times to show the right path to the people, and so presently came Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi.
Shirdi - A Holy Tirth
The banks of the Godavari river, in the Ahmednagar District, are very fortunate for they gave birth and refuge to many a Saint, prominent amongst them being Jnaneshwar. Shirdi also falls in the Kopargaon Taluka, of the Ahmednagar District. After crossing the Godavari river at Kopargaon, one gets the way to Shirdi. When you go three Koss (9 miles), you come to Nimgaon, from whence, Shirdi is visible. Shirdi is, as famous and well-known as other holy places, like Gangapur, Narsinhwadi, Audumbar, on the banks of Krishna river. As the devotee Damaji flourished in and blessed Mangalvedha (near Pandharpur) as Samarth Ramdas at Sajjangad, as Shri Narasimha Saraswati at Saraswatiwadi, so Sainath flourished at Shirdi and blessed it.
Personality of Sai Baba
It is on account of Sai Baba that Shirdi grew into importance. Let us see what sort of a personage Sai Baba was. He conquered this Samsar (worldly existence), which is very difficult and hard to cross. Peace or mental calm was His ornament, and He was the repository of wisdom. He was the home of Vaishnava devotees, most liberal (like Karna) amongst liberals, the quint-essence of all essences. he had no love for perishable things, and was always engrossed in self-realization, which was His sole concern. He felt no pleasure in the things of this world or of the world beyond. His Antarang (heart) was as clear as a mirror, and His speech always rained nectar. The rich or poor people were the same to Him. He neither knew nor cared for honour or dishonour. He was the Lord of all beings. He spoke freely and mixed with all people, saw the actings and dances of Nautchgirls and heard Gajjal songs. Still, He swerved not an inch from Samadhi (mental equilibrium). The name of Allah was always on His lips. While the world awoke, He slept; and while the world slept, He was vigilant. His abdomen (Inside) was as calm as the deep sea. His Ashram could not be determined, nor His actions could be definitely determined, and though He sat (lived) in one place, He knew all the transactions of the world. His Darbar was imposing. He told daily hundreds of stories, still He swerved not an inch from His vow of silence. He always leaned against the wall in the Masjid or walked morning noon and evening towards Lendi (Nala) and Chavadi; still He at all times abided in the Self. Though a Siddha, He acted like a Sadhaka, He was meek, humble and egoless, and pleased all. Such was Sai Baba, and as the soil of Shirdi was trodden by Sai Baba's Feet, it attained extraordinary importance. As Jnaneshwar elevated Alandi, Eknath did to Paithan, so Sai Baba raised Shirdi. Blessed are the grassleaves and stones of Shirdi, for they could easily kiss the Holy Feet of Sai Baba, and take their dust on their head. Shirdi became to us, devotees, another Pandharpur, Jagannath, Dwarka, Banaras (Kashi) and Rameshwar, Badrikedar, Nasik, Tryambakeshwar, Ujjain, and Maha Kaleshwar or Mahabaleshwar Gokarn. Contact of Sai Baba in Shirdi was like our study of Veda and Tantra; it quieted our Samsara (world consciousness) and rendered self-realization easy. The darshana of Shri Sai was our Yoga- Sadhana, and talk with Him removed our sins. Shampooing His Legs was our bath in Triveni Prayag, and drinking the holy water of His Feet destroyed our desires. To us, His commands were Vedas, and accepting (eating) His Udi (sacred ashes) and Prasad was all purifying. He was our Para Brahma (Absolute REality). He was Himself beyond the Pair of dwandwas (opposite), never dejected nor elated. He was always engrossed in His Self as `Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.' Shirdi was His centre; but His field of action extended far wide, to Punjab, Calcutta, North India, Gujarat, Dacca (now in Bangladesh) and Konkan. Thus the fame of Sai Baba spread, far, and wide, and people from all parts came to take His darshana and be blessed. By mere darshana, minds of people, whether pure or impure, would become at once quiet. They got here the same sort of unparalleled joy that devotees get at Pandharpur by seeing Vithal Rakhumai. This is not an exaggeration. Consider what a devotee says in this respect.
Dictum of Goulibuva
An old devotee by name Goulibuva, aged about 95 years, was a Varkari of Pandhari. He stayed 8 months at Pandharpur and four months - Ashadha to Kartik (July - November) on the banks of the Ganges. He had an ass with him for carrying his luggage, and a disciple, as his companion. Every year he made his Vari or trip to Pandharpur and came to Shirdi to see Sai Baba, Whom he loved most. He used to stare at Baba and say, "This is Pandharinath Vithal incarnate, the merciful Lord of the poor and helpless." This Goulibuva was an old devotee of Vithoba, and had made many a trip to Pandhari; and he testified the Sai Baba was real Pandharinath.
Vithal Himself Appeared
Sai Baba was very fond of remembering and singing God's name. He always uttered Allah Malik (God is Lord) and in His presence made others sing God's name continuously, day and night, for 7 days. This is called Namasaptaha. Once He asked Das Ganu Maharaj to do the Namasaptaha. He replied that he would do it, provided he was assured that Vithal would appear at the end of the 7th day. Then Baba, placing His hand on his heart assured him that certainly Vithal would appear, but that the devotee must be 'earnest and devout'. The Dankapuri (Takore) of Takurnath, the Pandhari of Vithal, the Dwarka of Ranchhod (Krishna) is here (Shirdi). One need not go far out to see Dwarka. Will Vithal come here from some outside place? He is here. Only when the devotee is bursting with love and devotion, Vithal will manifest Himself here (Shirdi).*
After the Saptaha was over, Vithal did manifest Himself in the following manner. Kakasaheb Dixit was, as usual, sitting in meditation after the bath, and he saw Vithal in a vision. When he went at noon for Baba's darshana, Baba asked him point-blank - "Did Vithal Patil come? Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly, otherwise, he will escape, if you be a little inattentive". This happened in the morning and at noon there was another Vithal darshana. One hawker from outside, came there for selling 25 or 30 pictures of Vithoba. This picture exactly tallied with the figure, that appeared in Kakasaheb's vision. On seeing this and remembering Baba's words, Kakasaheb Dixit was much surprised and delighted. He bought one picture of Vithoba, and placed it in his shrine for worship.
Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's Story
How fond was Baba for Vithal worship was illustrated in Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's story. The father of Bhagwantrao was a devotee of Vithoba, and used to make Varis (annual trips) to Pandharpur. He also had an image of Vithoba at home, which he worshipped. After his death, the son stopped everything - the Vari, the worship and shraddah ceremony etc. When Bhagwantrao came to Shirdi, Baba on remembering his father, at once said - "His father was my friend, so I dragged him (the son) here. He never offered naivaidya (offering of food) and so he starved Vithal and Me. So I brought him here. I shall remonstrate him now and set him to worship".
Das Ganu's Bath in Prayag
The Hindus think that a bath in the holy Tirth of Prayag, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet, is very meritorious and thousands of pilgrims go there, at periodical times, to have the sacred bath there. Once, Das Ganu thought that he should go to Prayag for a bath, and came to Baba to get His permission for doing so. Baba replied to him - "It is not necessary to go so long. Our Prayag is here, believe me." Then wonder of wonders! When Das Ganu placed his head on Baba's Feet, out flowed streams of Ganga - Yamuna water, from both the toes of Baba. Seeing this miracle, Das Ganu was overwhelmed with feelings of love and adoration and was full of tears. Inwardly, he felt inspired, and his speech burst forth into a song in praise of Baba and His Leelas.
Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi
Nobody knew the parents, birth or birth-place of Sai Baba. Many enquiries were made, many questions were put to Baba and others regarding these items, but no satisfactory answer or information has yet been obtained. Practically we know nothing about these matters. Namdev and Kabir were not born like ordinary mortals. They were found as infants in mother-of-pearls, Namdev being found on the bank Bhimrathi river by Gonayee, and Kabir on the bank Bhagirathi river by Tamal. Similar was the case with Sai Baba. He first manifested Himself as a young lad of sixteen under a Neem tree in Shirdi, for the sake of Bhaktas. Even then He seemed to be full with the knowledge of Brahman. He had no desire for worldly objects even in dream. He kicked out Maya; and Mukti (deliverance) was serving at His feet. One old woman of Shirdi, the mother of Nana Chopdar, described Him thus. This young lad, fair, smart and very handsome, was first seen under the Neem tree, seated in an Asan. The people of the village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practising hard penance, not minding heat and cold. By day he associated with none, by night he was afraid of nobody. People were wondering and asking, whence this young chap had turned up. His form and features were so beautiful that a mere look endeared Him to all. He went to nobody's door and always sat near the Neem tree. Outwardly he looked very young; but by His action he was really a Great Soul. He was the embodiment of dispassion and was an enigma to all. One day it so happened, that God Khandoba possessed the body of some devotee and people began to ask Him, "Deva (God), you please enquire what blessed father's son is this lad and whence did He come" - God Khandoba asked them to bring a pick - axe and dig in a particular place. When it was dug, bricks were found underneath a flat stone. When the stone was removed, a corridor led to a cellar where cow-mouth-shaped structures, wooden boards, necklaces were seen. Khandoba said - " This lad practiced penance here for 12 years." Then the people began to question the lad about this. He put them off the scent by telling them that this was His Guru's place, His holy Watan and requested them to guard this well. The people then closed the corridor as before. As Ashwattha and Audumbar trees are held sacred, Baba regarded this Neem tree equally sacred and loved it most. Mhalsapati and other Shirdi devotees regard this site as the resting place (Samadhi - Sthana) of Baba's Guru and prostrate before it.
Three Wadas
(1) The site with the Neem tree and surrounding space was bought by Mr. Hari Vinayak Sathe, and on this site a big building styled Sathe's Wada was erected. This Wada was the sole resting place for pilgrims, who flocked there. It is believed, that he who burns incense there, on Thursday and Friday evenings will, by God's grace, be happy. This Wada was old and dilapidated and wanted repairs. The necessary repairs, additions and alterations have been made now by the Sansthan. (2) Then after some years another Wada, Dixit's Wada was constructed. Kakasaheb Dixit, Solicitor of Bombay, had gone to England. He had injured his leg by an accident there. The injury could not be got rid of by any means. Nanasaheb Chandorkar advised him to try Sai Baba. So he saw Sai Baba in 1909 A.D., and requested Him to cure rather the lameness of his mind than that of his leg. He was so much pleased with the darshana of Sai Baba, that he decided to reside in Shirdi. So he built a Wada for himself and other devotees. The foundation of this building was laid on 10-12-1910. On this day, two other important events took place. (1) Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde was given permission to return home, and (2) the night Arti in Chavadi was commenced. The Wada was complete and was inhabited on the Rama-Navami day in 1911 A.D., with due rites and formalities. (3) Then another Wada or palatial mansion was put up by the famous millionaire, Mr. Booty, of Nagpur. Lots of money were spent on this building, but all the amount was well utilized, as Sai Baba's body is resting in this Wada, which is now called the Samadhi Mandir. The site of this Mandir was formerly a garden, which was watered and looked after by Baba. Three Wadas thus sprang up, where there was none formerly. Of these, Sathe's Wada was most useful to all, in the early days.
The story of the garden, attended to by Sai Baba with the help of Vaman Tatya, the temporary absence of Sai Baba from Shirdi, and His coming again to Shirdi with the marriage-party of Chand Patil, the company of Devidas, Jankidas and Gangagir, Baba's wrestling match with Mohdin Tamboli, residence in Masjid, love of Mr. Dengale and other devotees; and other incidents will be described in the next Chapter.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
ChapterV
Baba's Return with Chand Patil's Marriage - party - Welcomed and Addressed as Sai - Contact with Other Saints - His Dress and Daily Routine - The Story of the Padukas - Wrestling Bout with Mohdin and Change in Life - Turning Water into Oil - The Pseudo - Guru Javhar Ali.
Return with Chand Patil's Marriage - Party
As hinted in the last Chapter, I shall now describe first how Sai Baba returned to Shirdi after His disappearance.
There lived in the Aurangabad District (Nizam State), in a village called Dhoop, a well-to-do Mahomedan gentleman by name Chand Patil. While he was making a trip to Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For two long months, he made a diligent search but could get no trace of the lost mare. After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad with the saddle on his back. After travelling four Koss and a half, he came, on the way, to a mango tree under the foot of which sat a RATNA (queer fellow). He had a cap on His head, wore Kafni (long robe) and had a "Satka" (short stick) under His arm-pit and He was preparing to smoke a Chilim (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by the way, He called out to him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a little. The queer fellow or Fakir asked him about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that it was of his mare, which was lost. The Fakir asked him to make a search in the Nala close by. He went and the wonder of wonders! he found the mare. He thought that this Fakir was not ordinary man, but an Avalia (a great saint). He returned to the Fakir with the mare. The Chilim was ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting; (1) fire to light the pipe, and (2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live burning coal, which He put on the pipe. Then He dashed the Satka on the ground, from whence water began to ooze. The chhapi was wetted with that water, was then wrung out and wrapped round the pipe. Thus everything being complete, the Fakir smoked the Chilim and then gave it also to Chand Patil. On seeing all this, Chand Patil was wonderstruck. He requested the Fakir to come to his home and accept his hospitality. Next day He went to the Patil's house and stayed there for some time. The Patil was a village officer of Dhoop. His wife's brother's son was to be married and the bride was from Shirdi. So Patil made preparations to start for Shirdi for the marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the Fakir alone stayed in Shirdi, and remained there forever.
How the Fakir Got the Name Sai
When the marriage - party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot of a Banyan tree in Bhagata Mhalsapati's field near Khandoba's temple. The carts were loosened in the open court-yard of Khandoba's temple, and the members of the party descended one by one, and the Fakir also got down. Bhagat Mhalsapati saw the young Fakir getting down and accosted Him "YA SAI" (Welcome Sai). Others also addressed Him as Sai and henceforth he became known as Sai Baba.
Contact with Other Saints
Sai Baba began to stay in a deserted Masjid. One Saint named Devidas was living in Shirdi, many years before Baba came there. Baba liked his company. He stayed with him in the Maruti temple, in the Chavadi, and some time lived alone. Then came another Saint by name Jankidas. Baba spent most of His time talking with him, or Jankidas went to Baba's residence. So also one Vaishya house-holder Saint, from Puntambe by name Gangagir always frequented Shirdi. When he first saw Sai Baba, carrying pitchers of water in both hands, for watering the garden, he was amazed and said openly, "Blessed is Shirdi, that it got this precious Jewel. This man is carrying water to-day; but He is not an ordinary fellow. As this land (Shirdi) was lucky and meritorious, it secured this Jewel." So also one famous Saint by name Anandnath of Yewala Math, a disciple of Akkalkot Maharaj came to Shirdi with some Shirdi people. When he saw Sai Baba, he said openly, "This is a precious Diamond in reality. Though he looks like an ordinary man, he is not a `gar' (ordinary stone) but a Diamond. You will realize this in the near future." Saying this he returned to Yewala. This was said while Sai Baba was a youngster.
Baba Dress and Daily Routine
In his young days, Sai Baba grew hair on His head; never had His head shaved. He dressed like an athlete. When He went to Rahata (3 miles from Shirdi), He brought with Him small plants of Merry Gold, Jai and Jui, and after cleaning, He planted and watered them. A devotee by name Vaman Tatya supplied Him daily with two earthern pitchers. With these Baba Himself used to water the plants. He drew water from the well and carried the pitchers on His shoulders. In the evening the pitchers were kept at the foot of the Neem tree. As soon as they were placed there, they were broken, as they were made of raw earth and not baked. Next day, Tatya supplied two fresh pitchers. This course went on for 3 years; and with Sai Baba's toil and labour, there grew a flower-garden. On this site, at present, stands the big mansion - Samadhi Mandir of Baba, which is now frequented and used by so many devotees.
The Story of Padukas (foot-prints) under the Neem Tree
A devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj by name Bhai Krishnaji Alibangkar worshipped the photo of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going to Akkalkot (Sholapur District), take the darshana of the Padukas (foot-prints) of the Maharaj and offer his sincere worship there; but before he could go there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Miharaj appeared in the vision and said to him - "Now Shirdi is my resting place, go there and offer your Worship." So Bhai changed his plan and came to Shirdi, worshipped Baba, stayed there for six months and was happy. As a reminiscence of this vision etc., he prepared the Padukas and installed them on an auspicious day of Shravan, Shaka 1834 (1912 A.D.) under the Neem tree with due ceremonies and formalities, conducted by Dada Kelkar and Upasani. One Dixit Brahmin was appointed for worship, and the management was entrusted to devotee Sagun.
Complete Version of this Story
Mr. B.V. Deo, Retired Mamalatdar of Thana, and a great devotee of Sai Baba, enquired about this matter with Sagun Meru Naik and Govind Kamlakar Dixit and has published a full version of the Padukas in Sai Leela Vol. 11, No. 1, page 25. It runs as follows:
In 1834 Shaka (1912 A.D.) one Doctor Ramarao Kothare of Bombay came to Shirdi for Baba's darshana. His compounder, and his friend, Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar, accompanied him. The compounder and Bhai became intimate with Sagun Meru Naik and G.K. Dixit. While discussing things, these persons thought that there must be some memorial of the fact of Sai Baba's first coming to Shirdi and sitting under the holy Neem tree. They thought of installing Baba's Padukas. His friend, the compounder, suggested that if this matter be made known to his master, Dr. Ramarao Kothare, he would prepare nice Padukas for this purpose. All liked this proposal and Dr. Kothare was informed of it. He came to Shirdi and drew a plan of the Padukas. He went to Upasani Maharaj in Khandoba's temple, and showed him his plan. The latter made many improvements, drew lotuses, flowers, conch, disc, man etc., and suggested that the following SHLOKA (verse) regarding Neem tree's greatness and Baba's Yogi powers be inscribed. The verse was as follows:
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"Sada Nimbavrikshasya mooladhiwasat, |
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Sudhasravinam tiklamapi-apriyam tam, |
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Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam |
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Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham" |
Upasani's suggestions were accepted and carried out. The Padukas were made in Bombay and sent to Shirdi with the compounder. Baba said that they should be installed on the Pournima (15th) of Shravan. On that day at 11 a.m., G.K. Dixit brought them on his head from Khandoba's temple to the Dwarkamai (Masjid) in procession. Baba touched the Padukas, saying that these are the feet of the Lord and asked the people to install them, under foot of the Neem tree.
A day before, one Parsi devotee of Bombay named Pastha Shet sent Rs.25/- by money order. Baba gave this sum for the installation of the Padhukas. The total expense of installation came up to Rs.100/- out of which Rs.75/- were collected by subscriptions. For the first 5 years, G.K. Dixit worshipped the Padukas daily and then this was done by Laxman Kacheshwar Jakhadi. In the first five years, Dr. Kothare sent Rs. 2 per month for lighting and he also sent the railing round the Padukas. The expense of bringing the railing from the station to Shirdi (Rs. 7-8-0) (presently Rs. 7.50p) and roofing was paid by Sagun Meru Naik. Now, Jakhadi (Nana Pujari) does the worship and Sagun Meru Naik offers the naivaidya and lights the evening lamps.
Bhai Krishnaji was orginally a deovtee of Akkalkot Maharaj. He had come to Shirdi at the installation of the Padukas, in Shaka 1834 on his way to Akkalkot. He wanted to go to Akkalkot after taking the darshana of Baba. He asked Baba's permission for this. Baba said - "Oh, what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The incumbent Maharaj of that place is here, Myself". Hearing this Bhai did not go to Akkalkot. He came to Shirdi off and on, after the installation of the Padukas.
Mr. B.V. Deo concluded that Hemadpant did not know these details. Had be known them, he would not have failed to depict them in his Sat-charita.
Wrestling Bout with Mohdin Tamboli and Change in Life
To return to other stories of Baba. There was a wrestler in Shirdi, by name Mohdin Tamboli. Baba and he did not agree on some items, and both had a fight. In this Baba was defeated. Henceforth, Baba changed His dress and mode of living. He donned Kafni, wore a Langot (waist band) and covered His head with a piece of cloth. He took a piece of sack-cloth for His seat, sack-cloth for His bed, and said "Proverty is better than Kingship, far better than Lordship. The Lord is always brother (befriender) of the poor." Gangagir was also very fond of wrestling. While he was once wrestling, a similar feeling of dispassion came over him, and at the proper time he heard the voice of an adept, saying that he should wear out his body, playing with God. So he too gave up Samsara and turned towards God realisation. He established a math on the banks of the river near Puntambe, and lived there with disciples.
Sai Baba did not mix and speak with the people. He only gave answers when he was questioned. By day he always sat under the Neem tree, sometimes under the shade of a branch of a Babul tree near the stream at the outskirts of the village. In the afternoon, He used to walk at random and go at times to Nimgaon. There He frequented the house of Balasaheb Dengale. Baba loved Mr. Balasaheb. His younger brother, named Nanasaheb, had no son, though he married a second wife. Balasaheb sent Nanasaheb for taking darshana of Sai Baba, and after some time with His grace, Nanasaheb got a son. From that time onwards, people began to come in numbers to see Sai Baba, and His fame began to spread and reached Ahmednagar; from thence Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Keshav Chidamber, and many others began to come to Shirdi. Baba was surrounded by His devotees during day; and slept at night in an old and dilapidated Masjid. Baba's paraphernalia at this time consisted of a Chilim, tobacco, a "Tumrel" (tin pot), long flowing Kafni, a piece of cloth round His head, and a Satka (short stick), which He always kept with Him. The piece of white cloth on the head was twisted like matted hair, and flowed down from the left ear on the back. This was not washed for weeks. He wore no shoes, no sandals. A piece of sack-cloth was His seat for most of the day. He wore a coupin (waist-cloth-band) and for warding off cold he always sat in front of a Dhuni (sacred fire) facing south with His left hand resting on the wooden railing. In that Dhuni, He offered as oblation: egoism, desires and all thoughts and always uttered Allah Malik (God is the sole owner). The Masjid in which He sat was only of two room dimensions, where all devotees came and saw Him. After 1912 A.D., there was a change. The old Masjid was repaired and a pavement was constructed. Before Baba came to live in this Masjid, He lived for a long time in a place, Takia, where with GHUNGUR (small bells) on His legs, Baba danced beautifully and sang with tender love.
Turning Water into Oil
Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil from shop-keepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple. This went on for some time. The Banias, who supplied oil gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil. When, as usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct No. Unperturbed, Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps. The banias were watching Him with curiosity. Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a few drops) of oil, put water into it and drank it and then forced it to fall in the container. After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took the water from the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them. To the surprise and dismay of the watching Banias, the lamps began to burn and kept burning the whole night. The Banias repented and apologized and Baba forgave them and asked them to be more truthful in future.
The Pseudo-Guru Javhar Ali
Five years after the wrestling bout, the above - mentioned, one Fakir from Ahmednager by name Javhar Ali, came to Rahata with his disciples and stayed in Bakhal (spacious room) near Virabhadra temple. The Fakir was learned, could repeat the whole Koran and had a sweet tongue. Many religious and devout people of the village came to him and began to respect him. With the help of the people, he started to build Idgah ( a wall before which Mahomedans pray on idgah day), near the Virabhadra temple. There was some quarrel about this affair, on account of which, Javhar Ali had to leave Rahata. Then he came to Shirdi and lived in the Masjid with Baba. People were captured by his sweet talk, and he began to call Baba his disciple. Baba did not object and consented to be his Chela. Then both Guru and Chela decided to return to Rahata and live there. The Guru (Teacher) never knew his Disciple's worth, but The Disciple knew the defects of the Guru, still He never disrespected him, observing carefully his duties. He even served the Master in various ways. They used to come to Shirdi off and on, but their main stay was in Rahata. The loving devotees of Baba in Shirdi did not like, that Baba should stay away from them in Rahata. So they went in a deputation to bring Baba back to Shirdi. When they met Baba near the Idgah and told the purpose for which they came, Baba said to them that the Fakir was an angry, ill-tempered fellow, he would not leave Him and that they should better return to Shirdi without Him, before the Fakir returned. While they were thus talking, the Fakir turned up and was very angry with them for trying to take away his Disciple. There was some discussion and altercation, and it was finally decided that both the Guru and Chela should return to Shirdi. And so they returned and lived in Shirdi. But after a few days the Guru was tested by Devidas and he was found wanting. Twelve years before Baba arrived in Shirdi with the marriage-party, this Devidas aged about 10 or 11 came to Shirdi and lived in the Maruthi temple. Devidas had fine features and brilliant eyes, and he was dispassion incarnate and a Jnani. Many persons, namely Tatya Kote, Kashinath and others regarded him as their Guru. They brought Javhar Ali in his presence, and in the discussion that followed, Javhar was worsted and fled from Shirdi. He went and stayed in Bijapur and returned after many years to Shirdi, and prostrated himself before Sai Baba. The delusion that he was Guru and Sai Baba his Chela, was cleared away, and as he repented, Sai Baba treated him with respect. In this case Sai Baba showed by actual conduct how one should get rid of egoism and do the duties of a disciple to attain the highest end, viz., self-realization. This story is told here according to the version given by Mhalsapati, a great devotee of Baba).
In the next Chapter will be described Rama-Navami Festival, the Masjid, its former condition and later improvement.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter VI
Rama-navami Festival & Masjid repairs
Efficacy of the Touch of Guru's Hand-Rama- navami Festival. Its Origin, Transformation etc. Repairs to the Masjid.
Before describing Rama-Navami Festival and Masjid Repairs, the author makes some preliminary remarks about Sad-Guru as follows :
Efficacy of the Touch of Guru's Hand
Where Real or Sad-Guru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai Baba. He appears to me, as if standing before me, and applying Udi (scared ashes) to my fore-head and placing His hand of blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru's hand. The subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires), which cannot be burnt by the world dissolving fire, is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru's hand, and the sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the speech of those, who feel annoyed when they hear religious and Godly talks, attains calmness. The seeing of Sai Baba's handsome form, chokes our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflowing with tears, and overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us `I am He (Brahman)' consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization, and dissolving the distinction of I and Thou, there and then, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru, Sai Baba, who assumes the form fo Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to His Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think He sings the Bhagwat or Uddhava Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the devotees. When I begin to chitchat, I am at once put in mind of Sai's stories for enabling me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences, but when He of His own accord makes me write, I go on writing and writing and writing, and there is no end to it. When the disciple's egoism props up, He presses it down with His hand, and gives him His own power, makes him gain His object, and thus satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily and unsolicitedly attained. Four paths, viz., of Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches, and thus difficult to traverse; but if you, relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to the destination (God). So says definitely, Sai Baba.
After philosophizing about the Self-Existent Brahman, His Power (Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that all these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai baba's words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas:
"There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees' homes. It is my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not much for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, leave worldly honours, try to get Lord's grace and blessings, and be honored in His Court. Do not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for any other thing; fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sin of the mind, being well engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."
After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of Rama Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sai Leela Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.
Origin
One, Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives, but had no issue. With Sai Baba's blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy that he felt regarding the event, an idea of celebrating a fair or `Urus' occurred to him in the year 1897 A.D., and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, viz., Tatya Patil, Dada Kote patil and Madhavrao Deshpande (Sharma). They all approved of the idea, and got Sai Baba's permission and blessings. Then an application for getting the Collector's sanction for celebrating the urus was made, but as the village Kulkarni reported against holding the fair, the sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again, and ultimately succeeded in getting the Collector's sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view, in this, viz., the Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama-Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mahomedans. As future events showed, this end or object was achieved.
Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped up. Shirdi was a village, and there was scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village, the one in use, dried up soon, and the water from the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet one by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into it. The water of this well was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water, from a well by fixing Moats (leather sacks) thereon, at a considerable distance. The temporary shops had to be constructed, and wrestling bouts arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar. He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he married two wives. He too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons, and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village, and finally fixed at the two ends or corners of the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as Dwarkamai. This is being done even now.
The `Sandal' Procession
There was another procession which was started in this fair. This idea of `Sandal' procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, A Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the `Nimbar' (nitche) and walls of the masjid with hands. This work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years, and then afterwards by his wife. So on one day, the two processions, the `Flags' by the Hindus and that of `Sandal' by the Muslims, went on side by side, and are still going on without any hitch.
Arrangement
This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. Most of them turned out on the occasion, and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked after all outward affairs, while the internal management was entirely left to one Radha Krishna Mai, a female devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and she had to look to their needs, and also to arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was to wash out and clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which were blackened and were full of soot on account of the ever-burning Dhuni (sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This work, she did during the night, when Sai Baba went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take out all the things, including even the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning and whitewashing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking, on a grand scale and preparing various sweet dishes, was done in Radha-Krishna Mai's lodging, and, various rich and wealthy devotees took a leading part in this affair.
Transformation of Urus into Rama-navami Festival
Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually increasing in importance till 1912 A.D., when a change took place, That year one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet `Sai Sagunopasana'), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, and was staying on the previous day in the Dixit Wada. While he was lying on the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias Kaka Mahajani, was going down with Puja materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus - There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; the Rama-Navami day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba's permission in this matter. The main difficulty was how to secure a Haridas, who would make `Kirtan', and sing the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But Bhishma solved the difficulty, by saying that his `Rama Akhyan', composition on Rama's birth was ready, and he would do the `Kirtan' himself, while Kaka Mahajani should play on the harmonuium. It was also arranged to get the `Sunthavada' (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by Radha-Krishna Mai. So, they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba's permission. Baba, who knew all things and what was passing there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the Wada. Being rather perturbed, Mahajani could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishma, what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Rama-Navami festival, and asked for Baba's permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced and made preparations for the Jayanti-festival. Next day, the Masjid was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna Mai, and placed in front of Baba's seat and the proceedings started. Bhishma stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani played on the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating to go, doubting whether Baba would allow the festival to go on; but when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the Rama-Navami festival had commenced, and the cradle was put on for that purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the `Nimbar' (nitche), and placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishma. Then commenced the Kirtan. When it came to a close, pound sounds of "Victory to Rama' went up; and Gulal (red-powder) was thrown up all round, amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard. The red-powder thrown all round, went up, and somehow entered Baba's eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this scene and began to take to their heels. Those intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravana; and his demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides they knew, that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was usual with Baba to get wild and angry, and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was rather afraid; and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked Mahajani to get the cradle back. When he went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him, and asked him not to remove it. Then after some time, Baba bacame calm, and that day's programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later on, Mr. Mahajani asked Baba, for permission to remove the cradle, Baba refused the same saying, that the festival was not yet finished. Next day, another `Kirtan' and Gopal-Kala ceremony (an earthern pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the `Kirtan', and the contents distributed to all as was done by Lord Krishna amongst His cow-herd (friends)], were performed, and then Baba allowed the cradle to be removed. While the Rama-Navami festival was thus going on, the procession, of the two flags by day and that of the `Sandal' by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time onwards, the `Urus of Baba' was transformed into the Rama-Navami festival.
From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Rama-Navami began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a `Nama-Saptah' (singing the glory of God's name continuously day and night for seven days). For this, all devotees took part by turns, and she also joined it, sometimes early in the morning. As Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival , Mahajani met accidentally Balabuva Mali, who was known as modern Tukaram, and got him to do the `Kirtan' that year. The next year (1914), another Balabuva Satarkar of Brihadsiddha Kavate, District Satara, could not act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing in his town, and so he came to Shirdi. With Baba's permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb Dixit. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai baba, as He entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently, and since that time, he has been successfully and creditably conducting that function uptill now.
Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year by year. From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a bee-hive of men. Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and sincere efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan (State). Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many silver things, utensils, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things, and maintained His simplicity as before. It is to be noted that both the Hindus and Mahomedans have been working in unison in both the processions, and during the entire festival, and there has been no hitch or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-7000 people used to collect, but that figure went up to 75000 in some years; still there was no outbreak of any epidemic disease nor any riots worth the name during so many past years.
Repairs to the Masjid
Another important idea occured to Gopal Gund. Just as he started the Urus or fair, he thought that he should put the Masjid in order. So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got them dressed. But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved for Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and the pavement - work for Kakasaheb Dixit. First, Baba was unwilling to allow them to have these works done, but with the intervention of Mhalsapati, a local devotee of Baba, His permission was secured. When the pavement was completed in one night in the Masjid, Baba took a small Gadi for His seat, discarding the usual piece of sack - cloth used till then. In 1911, the Sabha - Mandap (court - yard) was also put in order with great labour and effort. The open space in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to extend it and put on it a roofing. At great expense, he got iron-posts, and pillars and trusses and started the work. At night, all the devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba, when he returned from Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out. Once it so happened that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one hand, and began to shake and uproot it, and with the other hand caught the neck of Tatya Patil. He took by force Tatya's Pheta, struck a match set it on fire and threw it in a pit. At that time, Baba's eyes flashed like burning embers. None dared to look at Him. All got terribly frightened. Baba took out a rupee from his pocket and threw it there, as if it were an offering on an auspicious occasion. Tatya also was much frightened. None knew what was going to happen to Tatya, and none dared to interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a little boldly advance, but he was pushed out by Baba. Madhavrao was also similarly treated, he being pelted with brick pieces. So all those, who went to intercede, were similarly dealt with. But after some time, Baba's anger cooled down. He sent for a shopkeeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta and Himself tied it on Tatya's head, as if he was being given a special honour. All the people were wonderstruck to see this strange behavior of Baba. They were at a loss to know, what enraged Baba so suddenly and what led Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled down, the next moment. Baba was sometimes very calm and quiet and talked sweet things with love, but soon after, with or without any small pretext, got enraged. Many such incidents may be related; but I do not know which to choose and which to omit. I, therefore, refer them as they occur to me.
In the next Chapter the question whether Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan will be taken up; and His Yogic practices and powers, and other matters will be dealth with.
Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter VII
Wonderful Incarnation - Behaviour of Sai Baba - His Yoga Practices - His All-pervasiveness - Leper Devotee's service - Master Khaparde's Plague-case - Going to Pandharpur.
Wonderful Incarnation
Sai Baba knew all Yogic Practices. He was well-versed in the six processes including Dhauti (Stomach-cleaning by a moistened piece of lines 3" in breadth and 22 1/2' in length), Khandayoga, i.e., separating His limbs and joining them again, and Samadhi, etc. If you think that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan. If you think Him to be a Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu. No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or a Mahomedan. He celebrated the Hindu festival of Rama-Navami with all due formalities, and at the same time permitted the 'Sandal' procession of the Mahomedans. He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival, and gave good prizes to winners.When the Gokul Ashtami came, He got the 'Gopal-Kala' ceremony duly performed, and on Id festivals, He allowed Mahomedans to chant prayers (Namaj) in His Masjid. Once in the Maharum festival, some Mahomedans proposed to contruct a Tajiya or Tabut in the Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the village. Sai Baba allowed them to keep the Tabut for four days and on the fifth day removed it out of the Masjid without the least compunction. If we say that He was a Mahomedan, His ears were pierced (i.e. had holes according to Hindu fashion). If you think that He was a Hindu, He advocated the practice of circumcision (though according to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who observed Him closely, He was not Himself circumcised. Vide article in Sai Leela on "Baba Hindu Ki Yavan" by B.V. Deo, page 562). If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid; if Mahomedan, He has always the Dhuni-sacred fire there, and the following things which are contrary to Mahomedan religion, i.e., grinding on the handmill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, Bhajan, giving of food, and worship of Baba's Feet by means of ARGHYA (water) were always allowed there. If you think that He was a Mahomedan, the best of Brahmins and Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His Feet. Those who went to make enquiries about His nationality, were dumb-founded and were captured by His darshana. So none could definitely decide whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan*. This is no wonder; for he who completely surrenders himself to the Lord, by getting rid of his egoism; and body-consciousness thus becomes one with Him, and has nothing to do with any questions of caste or nationality. Sai Baba was such a saint, who saw no difference between caste and caste and even beings and beings. He took meat and fish with Fakirs, but did not grumble when dogs touched the dishes with their mouths.
Such a unique and wonderful incarnation was Sai Baba. On account of the merits in my past birth, I had the good fortune to sit at His Feet and enjoy His blessed company. The joy and delight I derived therefrom was incomparable. In fact Sai Baba was pure Anand and Consciousness. I cannot sufficiently describe Him, His greatness and uniqueness. He who took delight at His Feet, was established in His own self. Many Sanyasis, Sadhakas and all sorts of men aspiring for salvation came to Sai Baba. He always walked, talked and laughed with them and always uttered with His tongue 'Allah Malik' (God is the sole owner). He never liked discussion or disputation. He was always calm and controlled, though irritable at times, always preached full Vedanta and nobody knew till the last Who was Baba. Princes and poor people were treated alike by Him. He knew the innermost secrets of all, and when He gave expression to them, all were surprised. He was the repository of all knowledge, still He feigned ignorance. He also disliked honour. Such were the characteristics of Sai Baba. Though, He had a human body, His deeds testified to His Godhood. All people considered Him as the God in Shirdi.
Behaviour of Sai Baba
Fool that I am, I cannot describe Baba's miracles. He got almost all the temples in Shirdi repaired. Through Tatya Patil, the temples of Shanti, Ganapati, Shankar-Parvati, Village Deity, and Maruti were put in order. His charity was also remarkable. The money He used to collect as Dakshina was freely distributed, Rs. 20 to some, Rs. 15 or 50, to others, every day. The recipients thought that this was 'pure' charity money, and Baba wished that it should be usefully employed.
People were immensely benefited by having a darshana of Baba. Some became hale and hearty; wicked people were turned into good ones. Kushtha (Leprosy) was cured in some cases, many got their desires fulfilled, without any drops or medicine being put in the eyes, some blind men got back their sight and some lame ones got their legs. Nobody could see the end of His extraordinary greatness. His fame spread far and wide, and pilgrims from all sides flocked to Shirdi. Baba sat always near the Dhuni and eased Himself there, and always sat in meditation; sometimes with and on other times without a bath.
He used to tie a small white turban on His head; and wear a clean Dhotar round His waist, and a shirt on His body. This was His dress in the beginning. He first practiced medicine in the village, examined patients and gave medicines. He was always successful, and He became famous as a Hakim (Doctor). A curious case may be narrated here. One devotee got his eyes quite red and swollen. No Doctor was available in Shirdi. The other devotees took him to Baba. Other Doctors would use ointments, Anjans, cow's milk and camphorated drugs etc., in such cases. Baba's remedy was quite unique. He pointed some 'BEEBA' (Some Carpus Ana Cardium i.e. marking nuts) and made two balls of them and thrust them on in each eye of the patient and wrapped a cloth - bandage round them (eyes). Next day, the bandage was removed and water was poured over them in a stream. The inflammation subsided and the pupils became white and clear. Though the eyes are very delicate, the BEEBA caused no smarting; but removed the disease of the eyes. Many such cases were cured and this is only an instance in point.
Baba's Yoga Practices
Baba knew all the processes and practices of Yoga. Two of them will be described here:
(1) DHAUTI or CLEANING PROCESS : Baba went to the well near a Banyan tree at a considerable distance from the Masjid every third day, and washed His mouth and had a bath. On one occasion, He was seen to vomit out His intenstines, clean them inside and outside and place them on a Jamb tree for drying. There are persons in Shirdi, who have actually seen this, and who have testified to this fact. Ordinary Dhauti is done by a moistened piece of linen, 3 inches broad 22 1/2ft. long. This piece is gulped down the throat and allowed to remain in the stomach for about half an hour for being reacted there and then taken out. But Baba's Dhauti was quite unique and extraordinary.
(2) KHANDA YOGA: In this practice, Baba extracted the various limbs from His body, and left them separately at different places in the Masjid. Once, a gentleman went to the Masjid, and saw the limbs of Baba lying separately at separate places. He was much terrified; and he first thought of running to the village officers, and informing them of Baba being hacked to pieces and murdered. He thought that he would be held responsible, as he was the first informant, and knew something of the affair. So he kept silent. But next day when he went to the Masji he saw Baba hale and hearty, as before. He thought, that what he had seen the previous day, was only a dream.
Baba practiced Yoga since, His infancy and nobody knew or guessed the proficiency he attained. He charged no fees for His cures, became renowned and famous by virtue of His merits, gave health to many a poor and suffering person. This famous Doctor of doctors cared not for His interests, but always worked for the good and welfare of others, Himself suffering unbearable and terrible pain many a time in the process. One such instance, I give below, which will show the all-pervasive and most merciful character of Sai Baba.
Baba All-pervasiveness and Mercy
In the year 1910 A.D., Baba was sitting near the Dhuni on Divali holiday and warming Himself. He was pushing fire-wood into the Dhuni, which was brightly burning. A little later, instead of pushing logs of woods, Baba pushed His arm into the Dhuni; the arm was scorched and burnt immediately. This was noticed by the servant Madhava, and also by Madhavrao Deshpande. They at once ran to Baba and Madhavarao clasped Baba by His waist from behind and dragged Him forcible back ward and asked, "Deva, for what have You done this?" Then Baba came to His senses and replied, "The wife of a blaacksmith at some distant place, was working the bellows of a furnace; her husband called her. Forgetting that her child was on her waist, she ran hastily and the child slipped into the furnace. I immediately thrust My hand into the furnace and saved the child. I do not mind My arm being burnt, but I am glad that the life of the child is saved."
Leper Devotee's Service
On hearing the news of Baba's hand being burnt from (Shama) Madhavrao Deshpande, Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, accompanied by the famous Doctor Parmanand of Bombay with his medical outfit consisting of ointments, lint and bandage etc. rushed to Shirdi, and requested Baba to allow Dr. Parmanand to examine the arm, and dress the wound caused by the burn. This was refused. Ever since the burn, the arm was dressed by the leper devotee, Bhagoji Shinde. His treatment consisted in massaging the burnt part with ghee and then placing a leaf over it and bandaging it tightly with Pattis (bandages), Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar solicited Baba many a time to unfasten the Pattis and get the wound examined and dressed and treated by Dr. Parmanand, with the object that it may be speedily healded. Dr. Parmanand himself made similar requests, but Baba postponed saying that Allah was His Doctor; and did not allow His arm to be examined. Dr. Paramanand's medines were not exposed to the air of Shirdi, as they remained intact, but he had the good fortune of getting a darshana of Baba. Bhagoji was allowed to treat the hand daily. After some days, the arm healed and all were happy. Still, we do not know whether any trace of pain was left or not. Every morning, Bhagoji went through his programme of loosening the Pattis, massaging the arm with ghee and tightly bandaging it again. This went on till Sai Baba's Samadhi (death). Sai Baba, a perfect Siddha, as He was, did not really want this treatment, but out of love to His devotee, He allowed the 'Upasana' - service of Bhagoji to go on uninterrupted all along. When Baba started for Lendi, Bhagoji held an umbrella over Him and accompanied Him. Every morning, when Baba sat near the post close to the Dhuni, Bhagoji was present and started his service. Bhagoji was a sinner in his past brith. He was suffering from leprosy, his fingers had shrunk, his body was full of pus and smelling badly. Though outwardly he seemed so unfortunate, he was really very lucky and happy of His company.
Master Khaparde's Plague-Case
I shall now relate another instance of Baba's wonderful Leela. Mrs. Khaparde, the wife of Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, was staying at Shirdi with her young son for some days. One day the son got high fever, which further developed into Bubonic plague. The mother was frightened and felt most uneasy. She thought of leaving the place for Amraoti, and went near Baba in the evening, when He was coming near the Wada (now Samadhi Mandir) in His evening rounds, for asking His permission. She informed Him in a trembling tone, that her dear young son was down with plague. Baba spoke kindly and softly to her, saying that the sky is beset with clouds; but they will melt and pass off and everythings will be smooth and clear. So saying, He lifted up His Kafni up to the waist and showed to all present, four fully developed bubos, as big as eggs, and added, "See, how I have to suffer for My devotees; their difficulties are Mine ." Seeing this unique and extraordinary deed (Leela), the people were convinced as to how the Saints suffer pains for their devotees. The mind of the saints is softer than wax, it is soft, in and out, as butter. They love their devotees without any idea of gain, and regard them as their true relatives.
Going to Pandharpur and Staying There
I shall now close this Chapter after relating a story illustrating how Sai Baba loved His devotees and anticipated their wishes and movements. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was a great devotee of Baba, was Mamlatdar at Nandurbar in Khandesh. He got an order of transfer to Pandharpur. His devotion to Sai Baba bore fruit, as he got an order to go and stay at Pandharpur which is regarded as the 'BHUVAIKUNTHA' - Heaven on earth. Nanasaheb had to take immediate charge, so he left, immediately, for the place, without even writing or informing anybody at Shirdi. He wanted to give a surprise visit to Shirdi - his Pandharpur, see and salute his Vithoba (Baba), and then proceed. Nobody dreamt of Nanasaheb's departure for Shirdi, but Sai Baba knew all about this, and His eyes were everywhere(omniscient). As soon as Nanasaheb approached Neemgaon, a few miles from Shirdi, there was stir in the Masjid at Shirdi. Baba was sitting and talking with Mhalsapati, Appa Shinde and Kashiram, when He at once said, "Let us all four do some Bhajan, the doors of Pandhari are open, let us merrily sing." Then they began to sing in chorus, the burden of the song being 'I have to go to Pandharpur and I have to stay on there, for it is the house of my Lord."
Baba sang and the devotees followed Him. In a short time Nanasaheb came there with his family, prostrated before Baba and requested Him to accompany them to Pandharpur and stay with them there. This solicitation was not necessary, as the devotees told Nanasaheb that Baba was already in the mood of going to Pandharpur and staying there. Hearing this Nanasaheb was moved and fell at Baba's Feet. Then getting Baba's permission, Udi (sacred ashes) and Blessings, Nanasaheb left for Pandharpur.
There is no end Baba's stories, but let me now make a halt here, reserving for the next Chapter other topics, such as importance of human life, Baba's living on alms, Bayajabai's service and other stories.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
* Note--(1) Mhalsapati, an intimate Shirdi devotee of Baba, who always slept with Him in the Masjid and Chavadi, said that Sai Baba told him that He was a Brahmin of Pathari and was handed over to a Fakir in his infancy, and when He told this, some men from Pathari had come, and Baba was enquiring about some men from that place. Vide sai Leela 1924, Page 179. (2) Mrs. Kashibai Kanitkar, the famous learned woman of Poona says in the experience No.8, published on Page 79, Sai Leela Vol. 11,1934, ---"On hearing of Baba's miracles, we were discussing according to our theosophic convention and fashion whether Sai Baba belonged to Black or White Lodge. When once I went to Shirdi, I was thinking seriously about this in my mind. As soon as I approached the steps of the Masjid, Baba came to the front and pointing to His chest and staring at me spoke rather vehemently -- "This is a Brahmin, pure Brahmin. He has nothing to do with black things. -- "This Brahmin can bring lacks of men on the white path and take them to their destination. This is a Brahmin's Masjid and I won't allow any black Mahomedan to cast his shadow here".
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter VIII
Importance 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
In this wonderful universe, God has created billions (841 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 for it. 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 transgressions according to their deeds and intelligence (development of their minds).
Special Value of the Human Body
As 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 human species, 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 body, or on account of it, 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 opprtunity of having recourse to Sai Baba's Feet and surrendering to Him.
Man's Endeavour
Realizing how precious the human life is, and knowing that Death is certain and may 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?
The 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 only gives light, which all the stars put together cannot do, so the sadguru alone imparts spiritual wisdom, which all the sacred books and sermons cannot do. 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 Sadguru. Though He acted as a Fakir (mendicant), He was always engrossed in 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
Blessed 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 food He got, in His zoli, 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., eartheen 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 beginning a few crumbs of bread, be revered and respected? But this Fakir was very liberal of heart and hand, disinterested and charitable. Though 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 cognized 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 koss (about 3 miles) after koss, trampling 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 her things-eatables, bread, vegetables etc. 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 death. 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 "Fakiri (Mendicacy) was the real Lordship Amiri(riches) was transient". After some years, Baba left going into the woods and began to live in the village and take His food in the Masjid. Thence forward, 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. After spreading 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 pulled him close, stroked his legs and patted 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 Gananpate Kote Patil of Shirdi. He equally loved also Chandrabhanshet Marwadi of Rahata. After the demise of the Shet, Baba loved his nephew Khushalechand 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 eclat 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 he travelled by it. Sill, He knew exactly the timing of arrivals and departures of all trains. Devotees who acted according to Baba's instructions (i.e. their departure) given 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 be to 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).
Tanga: it is a horse pulled coach used in India.
Shri Sai Satcharita
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?
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
One 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 anyone 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
Tatya 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 Kopargaon bazar. Baba said, "Don't make haste, stop a little, forget the bazar, don't go out of the village". On seeing his 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
One 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. Therfore, 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 darshana therefrom. Not pleased with the 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 make 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, on 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 rescued; but had to go and lie in Kopargaon hospital for the treatment. He 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
Now 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, after 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 arrangement and dine at home. The duty of feeding them is laid on the shoulders of house-holders. Sai Baba was neither 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 an amount 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) Pitru-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 home from Baba.
Devotee's Experiences
Now to return to the other more interesting subject. Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagvad-Gita (9-26) "Whosoever devoutly offers to Me a leaf, a flower, or a fruit or water, of that pure-hearted man, I accept the pious offering." In the case of Sai Baba, if a devotee intended really 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)
Mr. Ramachandra Atmaran alias Babasaheb Tarkhad, formerly a Prarthana-Samajist, was a staunch devotee of Sai Baba. His wife and son equally loved Baba 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 in 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 picture. 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 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." So saying he performed thePuja and offered a few pieces of lump-sagar as naivaidya (offering). The sugar was distributed at the time of the lunch.
That evening and next 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 the son. Next 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 naivaidya). At this, 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 about Tuesday noon.
At about the same time, when the noon Arati was just about to comence 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 unappeased".
The lady did not undertand this but the son, who was close by, understood the whole thing; that there was something wrong with the Puja in Bandra and he, therefore, requested Baba to permit him to go home. Baba refused this, 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 wonderful?
Mrs. Tarkhad
Let us now take up the case of Mrs. Tarkhad herself. She offered three things, viz. (1) roasted brinjal egg plant mixed curds and spice (2) circular pieces of brinjal fried in ghee, (3)sweetmeat ball. Let us see how Baba accepted these.
Once Mr. Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare of Bandra, a great devotee of Baba started for Shirdi with 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 sitting for 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 whom brought the Bharit, it was found that Mr. 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 wonder-struck 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. Tarkad wanted to send something with him to Baba. She searched the whole house but found nothing, except a Pedha, which had already been offered as naivaidya. The boy Govind was in mourning. Still out of great devotion to Baba, she sent the Pedha with him, hoping that Baba would accept and eat it. Govind went to Shirdi and saw Baba, but forgot to take the Pedha with him. Baba simply waited. When again he went to Baba in the afternoon, he went empty-handed without the Pedha. Baba could wait no longer and, therefore, did ask 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 Pedha 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?
Once, 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 bark, 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 sumtpuously up to my throat, My afflicted pranas (life-forces) have been satisfied. Ever 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 bedimmed 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 Gita and the Bhagawat, 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.
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter X
Sai Baba's Mode of Life - His Sleeping - board - His Stay in Shirdi - His Teaching - 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 Sadguru'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 were 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
Let us first see where and how Baba slept. Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale brought, for Sai Baba, a wooden plank, about 4 arms 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
Though 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. Though inwardly an abode of peace, he looked outwardly restless. 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 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-grove 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
None 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. Thence, He stayed in Shirdi for an unbroken 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
Saint 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 is not the slightest difference between them; then why should their devotees fall out 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, 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
There 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 spirtuality. 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 His 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 indescribable. 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, everyone touched Him. Though He acted in the 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 very 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
Lord or Bhagawan is said to have six qualities, viz. (1) Fame, (2) Wealth, (3) Non-attachment, (4) Knowledge, (5) Grandeur, and (6) Liberality. Baba had all these in His grace and kindness, for 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 Goddess 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 darshana. 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 repeat 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
There 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 a while Nanavalli got up, and asked Baba to take back 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 action 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 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 Guru, it will think about Guru. You have heard most attentively the greatness, grandeur of Sai. This is the natural remembrance, worship and sing Kirtans 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 classes 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 onward 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 safely 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 Saint. 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 an illusion and Who is ever engrossed in Supreme Bliss-before Him-we humbly prostrate ourselves.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharita
Capter XI
Let us now, in this Chapter, describe the manifested (Sagun) Brahman Sai, as to how He was worshipped and how He controlled the elements.
Sai as Sagun Brahama
There 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 (Taittiriya 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 bloster 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 naivaidya. Though He looked like living in Shirdi, He was present everywhere. This all-pervasiveness of His way was daily experienced by His devotees. Our humble prostration to This all-pervasive Sadguru.
Dr. Pandit's Worship
One Dr. Pandit, a friend of Tatyasaheb Noolkar, once came to Shirdi for Baba's darshana. After saluting Baba, he sat 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 realized Him as the same; hence he marked the Tripundra on Baba's forehead, as he did on his Guru's.
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 never knew, that He was very 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
There 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 darshana; 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 Masjid? Well, go to him and ask him whether he will come to the 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 cut a goat in the Masjid, so ask him, whether he would like to have its 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 straight away 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 Mecca, 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 in the Haji's hand. Thenceforth, Baba loved 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
We 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 lightning 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 be 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
Shri Sai Satcharita
Chapter XII
Sai Leelas - Experience of (1) Kaka Mahajani - (2) Dhumal Pleader - (3) Mrs. Nimonkar - (4) Moolay Shastri - (5) A Doctor
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