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SRI SAI SATCHARITA
Shirdi Sai Baba's life story and miracles
Arati to Shri Sai
Baba
Oh Sai Baba, we wave lights before You, the bestower of
happiness to the Jivas. Give us - Your servants and devotees rest under
the dust of Your feet. Burning (destroying) desire, You remain absorbed in
Your Self and show the Lord (God) to the aspirants. As one feels intently,
You give him experiences or realizations accordingly. Oh kind-hearted,
Your power is such! Meditation on Your name removes our fear of the
samsar. Your method of work is really unfathomable as You always help the
poor and helpless. In this Kali age, You - the all-pervasive Datta, have
really incarnated as Saguna Brahma. Ward off the fear of samsar of the
devotees who come to You every Thursday so as to enable them to see the
feet of the Lord. Oh! God of Gods, I pray that let my treasure be the
service of Your feet. Feed Madhav and (you should utter your name here)
with happiness as the cloud feeds the Chatak bird with pure water and thus
keep up Your Word. Amen ! >
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Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Oh Sai Baba, we wave lights before You, the bestower of happiness to the
Jivas. Give us - Your servants and devotees rest under the dust of Your
feet. Burning (destroying) desire, You remain absorbed in Your Self and
show the Lord (God) to the aspirants. As one feels intently, You give him
experiences or realizations accordingly. Oh kind-hearted, Your power is
such! Meditation on Your name removes our fear of the samsar. Your method
of work is really unfathomable as You always help the poor and helpless.
In this Kali age, You - the all-pervasive Datta, have really incarnated as
Saguna Brahma. Ward off the fear of samsar of the devotees who come to You
every Thursday so as to enable them to see the feet of the Lord. Oh! God
of Gods, I pray that let my treasure be the service of Your feet. Feed
Madhav and (you should utter your name here) with happiness as the cloud
feeds the Chatak bird with pure water and thus keep up Your Word. Amen ! >
Sri Sai Satcharitra Epilogue We have done with Chapter 51 and now we come
to the last Chapter (No. 52 in the original). In this Hemadpant gave his
concluding remarks and promised to give an index, giving the contents of
all the Chapters in verse as is given in Marathi sacred books, but
unfortunately that index was not found in Hemabdpant's papers. It was
therefore, composed and supplied by an able and worthy devotee of Sai
Baba, Mr. B.V. Deo (Retired Mamlatdar) of Thana. As we give in English
books an index in the beginning and contents of each Chapter at its top,
we need not consider the last index Chapter here; and so we consider this
Chapter as the Epilogue. Unfortunately Hemadpant did not survive to revise
the manuscript of this Chapter and made it ready for the press. When it
was sent to the press Mr. Deo found it to be incomplete and unintelligible
in certain places; but it had to be published as it was found. The chief
topics dealt therein are briefly given below. Greatness of Sad-guru Sai We
prostrate ourselves before and take refuge in that Sai Samarth Who besets
all animate and inanimate things in the universe-from a post to God
Brahma, pots, houses, mansions and even sky, Who pervades all creatures
equally without any differentiation, to Whom all devotees are alike; and
Who knows not honour and dishonour, like or dislike. If we remember Him
and surrender to Him, He fulfills all our desires and makes us attain the
goal of life. This ocean of mundane existence is very hard to cross. Waves
of infatuation beat high there against the bank of bad thoughts and break
down trees of fortitude. The breeze of egoism blows forcibly and makes the
ocean rough and agitated. Crocodiles in the form of anger and hatred move
there fearlessly. Eddies in the form of the idea "I and Mine" and other
doubts whirl there inecessantly and innumerable fishes in the form of
censure, hate and jealousy play there, Though this ocean is so fierce and
terrible, Sad-guru Sai is its Agasti (Destroyer) and the devotees of Sai
have not the least to fear of it. Our Sadguru is the boat, which will
safety take us across this ocean. Prayer Now are fall flat before Sai Baba
and holding His Feet make the following prayer for the public:- Let not
our mind wander and desire anything except Thee. Let this work
(Satcharita) be in every house and let it be studied daily. Ward off the
calamities of those who study it regularly. Fala-Shruti (Reward of Study)
Now a few words about the reward you get, from a study of this work. After
bathing in the sacred Godavari and after taking the darshan of the Samadhi
in the Samadhi-mandir in Shirdi, you should read or hear the Satcharita.
If you do this all your threefold afflictions will vanish. Casually
thinking about the stories of Sai, you will get unconsciously interested
in spiritual life and if you then go on through the work with love, all
your sins will be destroyed. If you wish to get rid of the cycle of births
and deaths, read Sai's stories and remember Him always; and get yourself
attached (devoted) to His Feet. If you dive into the sea of Sai's stories,
and then give them out to others, you will get an ever-new flavour of them
and save the hearers from perdition. If you go on meditating on Sai's
Form, it will in course of time disappear and lead you into
self-realization. It is very hard to know or realize the nature of Self or
Brahma, but if you approach through the Sugun Brahma (Sai's Form) your
progress will be easy. If the devotee completely surrenders himself to
Him, he will lose his individuality and be merged in Him and be one with
Him, as the river in the sea. If you thus become merged with Him in any of
the three states, viz., waking, dream and sleep, you get rid of the bond
of samsara. If anybody after bathing reads this with love and faith,and
completes it within a week, his calamities will disappear; or if he hears
or reads it daily and regularly all his dangers will be warded off. By its
study, a man wishing for wealth will get it and a pure trader, success in
his life. He will get the reward according to his faith and devotion.
Without these, there will be no experience of any kind. If you read this
respectfully, Sai will be pleased, and removing you ignorance and poverty,
He will give you knowledge, wealth and prosperity. With concentrated mind,
if you read a Chapter daily, it will give you unbounded happiness. One who
has his welfare at heart, should study it carefully and then he will ever
remember Sai gratefully and joyfully in birth after birth. This work
should be read at home specially on Guru-Pournima (Ashadha full-moon day),
Gokul-Ashtami, Rama-Navami and Dasara (Baba's anniversary day). If you
study this one book carefully, all your desires will be satisfied and if
you always remember Sai's Feet in your heart, you will easily cross the
Bhava (Samsar) sagar. By its study, the diseased and sick will get health,
the poor wealth, the mean and afflicted prosperity, and the mind will get
rid of all ideas and get steadiness. Dear good and devoted readers and
listeners, we also make our bow to you all, and make you a special
request. Never forget Him whose stories you have read day by day or month
by month. The more fervently you read or listen to these stories, the more
encouragement Sai gives us to serve you and be of use to you. Both the
author and the readers must co-operate in this work, help each other and
be happy. Prasad-Yachana We close the with prayer to the Almighty for the
following Prasad of favour:- May the readers and devotees get complete and
whole-hearted devotion to Sai's Feet. May His Form be ever fixed in their
eyes and may they see Sai (the Lord) in all beings. amen! Bow to Shri Sai
- Peace be to all Back
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter I
Salutations -- The Story of Grinding Wheat and Its Philosophical
Significance.
>
According to the ancient and revered custom, Hemadpant begins the work,
Sai Satcharitra, with various salutations. >
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.
Then, to the Goddess Saraswati 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.
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.
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.
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, Shuka. Shounak, Vishwamitra, Vasistha,
Valmiki, Vamadeva, Jaimini, Vaishampayan, Nava Yogindra etc, and also
modern Saints such as Nivritti, Jnanadev, Sopan, Muktabai, Janardan,
Ekanath, Namdev, Tukaram, Kanha, and Narahari etc.
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.
Then, to the readers and prays them to give their whole and undivided
attention to his work.
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 getting 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
rotoated 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, fro m 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, 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, are 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 ground but the
Cholera itself was ground to pieces and pushed out of the village. 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 flour and Cholera? What was the casual
relation between the two? 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 Tama; 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 Satcharitra
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 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 teachings of Sai
Baba. The life of the saint is neither logical nor dialectical. It shows
us the true and great path. >
Incapacity and Boldness in Undertaking the Work>
Hemadpant thought that he was not a fit person to undertake the work. He
said, I do not know the life of my intimate 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, then 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-trappings. 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 Maharashtra, Shri Jnaneshwar 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,
while the latter wrote two - 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
teachings of Sai Baba are very well depicted. These have been separately
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 in a small decent book named Shri Sainath Bhajana Mala by Mrs.
Savitribai Raghunath Tendulkar of Bandra. Das-Ganu Maharaj also has
composed various sweet poems on Sai Baba. A devotee named Amidas Bhavani
Mehta, has also published some stories of Sri 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 call 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 Myself 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 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 straight go to Boribunder, and not get down at
Dadar, for the Manmad Mail did not get down at Dadar at all. If this
little miracle or Leela had not happened, I would not have reached Shirdi
next day as settled, 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 freewill, 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 Kakasaheb 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 corrupt 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 Satcharitra
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 entrusts 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 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 parallel. Sadgurus feel this motherly love towards their
disciples. Sai Baba had this same love towards me, and I give an instance
of it below:- >
In 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 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.
Rohilla’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 of 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 the 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 the 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 the Rohilla. He said to them that the 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. In fact, 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 Satcharitra
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 in 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 fulfil 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 every body 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 do 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. In this way, many saints,
viz. Nivritti, Jnanadev, Muktabai, Namdev, Gora, Gonayi, Ekanath, 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 did not
know or care 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, Ekanath did to Paithan, so Sai Baba raised Shirdi.
Blessed are the grass-leaves 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 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
Shri Krishna and Shri Rama who gave us solace and 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 darshan, 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 that 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
breast 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 shraddha 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 came or 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 inquiries
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, 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 it was His
Guru’s place, His holy Watan and requested them to guard it 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. Mhalasapati 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. A Par (platform) was built round the neem tree and lofts
with steps were constructed. Under the steps, there is a niche facing
South and devotees sit on the Par (platform) facing north. 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 had 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 Satcharitra
Chapter V
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 Fakir asked him about the saddle. Chand
Patil replied that it was of his mare which was lost. The queer fellow or
Fakir asked him to make a search in the Nala close by. He went and the
wonder of wonders! he found out the mare. He thought that this Fakir was
not an 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. 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 thence-forth 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 in 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’s 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 earthen 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 Alibagkar worshipped
the photo of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going to Akkalkot
(Sholapur District), taking the darshana of the Padukas (foot-prints) of
the Maharaj and offering his sincere worship there; but before he could go
there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Maharaj 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, made 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 there and were going to make them of some rough
stones. Then Bhai’s friend, the compounder, suggested that if this matter
be made known to his master, Dr. Ramarao Kothare, who would prepare nice
Padukas for this purpose. All liked the 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 great ness and Baba’s Yogi powers be inscribed. The verse was as
follows:
Sada Nimbarvrikshasya mooladhiwasat,
Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam
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 instal 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 devotee 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.
Wresting 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. Thenceforth, 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 was content with wearing torn and
worn out rags. He always said that Poverty 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-realization. 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 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 forced it fall in
the container. After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took
water in 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. Baba
forgave them and asked them to be more truthful in future. >
The Pseudo-Guru Javhar Ali
>
Five years after the wrestling bout mentioned above, 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 an 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 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 Maruti 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 etc.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter VI
RAMA-NAVAMI FESTIVAL AND 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, whose heads
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, then and
there, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality). When I begin to read
scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru, and Sai Baba,
assumes the form of 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
there is no end to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it
down with His hand, and giving 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 philosophising 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
sign 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, and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi
devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao Deshpande
(Shama). 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. Then
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 to 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;
this 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 perform ‘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 harmonium. 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
promiscuously all round, went up, somehow entered Baba’s eyes. Baba got
wild and began to scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this
scene and took 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 became 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 Kri
shna 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), from 1st of
Chaitra, 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, he did the Kirtan; and was sufficiently recompensed for
his labour. 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,
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, 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 or any riots w orth 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 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 dealt with.
Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharitra
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 linen 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 say their
prayers (Namaj) in His Masjid. Once in the Moharum 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 the keeping of 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 had 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*.(see below this paragraph) 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. Such a one as
Sai Baba was, 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. >
[* 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.
No Musalman can dare to step in here. He dare not. Again pointing to his
chest - 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. ]
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 describle 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
arguments. 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 inmost
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 Lord 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 Shani,
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 everyday.
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 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 started practicing 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 eye
balls 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 pounded some ‘BEEBA’ (Some Carpus Ana Cardium i.e.
marking nuts) and made two balls of them, 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
intestines, 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 masjid, he was
very much surprised to see Baba, hale and hearty and sound, as before. He
thought, that what he had seen the previous day, was only a dream.
Baba practised 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’s 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
(Shama). 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 blacksmith 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 healed.
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 medicines were not exposed to their 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 throught his programme
of loosening the Pattis, massaging he 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 un-interrupted 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,
for he was the premier servant of Baba, and got the benefit 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 everything 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, as 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 to 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 it Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Shri Sai Satcharitra
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 (84 lacs according to Hindusastra calculation) of
creatures or beings (including Gods, demigods, insects, beasts and men)
inhabiting heaven, hell, earth, ocean, sky and other intermediate regions.
Of these, those creatures or souls, whose merits preponderate, go to
heaven and live there till they enjoy the fruits of their actions, and
when this is done, they are cast down while those souls, whose sins or
demerits preponderate, go down to hell, and suffer the consequences of
their misdeeds for so long a time as they deserve. When their merits and
demerits balance each other, they are born on earth as human beings, and
are given a chance to work out their salvation. Ultimately when their
merits and demerits both drop down (are got rid of) completely, they get
their deliverance and become free. To put the matter in a nutshell, souls
get their births or transmigrations according to their deeds and
intelligence (development of their minds). Special Value of the Human Body
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 man's fortune and aspire to be born as men on earth, so as
to get their final deliverance. Some say, that there is nothing worse than
the human body, which is full of filth, mucus, phlegm and dirt, and which
is subject to decay, disease and death. This is no doubt true to a certain
extent; but inspite of these drawbacks and defects, the special value of
the human body is - that man has got the capacity to acquire knowledge: it
is only due to the human knowledge that one can think of the perishable
and transitory nature of the body itself, and of the world and get a
disgust for the sense-enjoyments and can discriminate between the unreal
and the real, and thus attain God-vision. So, if we reject or neglect the
body because it is filthy, we lose the chance of God-vision, and if we
fondle it, and run after sense - enjoyments, because it is precious, we go
to hell. The proper course, therefore, for us to pursue is the following;
that the body should neither be neglected nor fondled, but should be
properly cared for, just as a traveler on horse-back takes care of his
pony on the way till he reaches his destination and returns home. Thus the
body should ever be used or engaged to attain God-vision or
self-realization, which is the supreme end of life. It is said that though
God created various sorts of creatures he was not satisfied, for none of
them was able to know and appreciate His work. So he had to create a
special being - Man, and endow him with a special faculty, viz. Knowledge
and when He saw that man was able to appreciate His Leela - marvellous
work and intelligence. He was highly pleased and satisfied. (Vide,
Bhagawat 11-9-28). So really it is good luck to get a human body, better
luck to get birth in a Brahmin family, and best one, to get an opportunity
of having recourse to Sai Baba's Feet and surrendering to Him. Man's
Endeavour Realizing how precious the human life is, and knowing that Death
is certain and may snatch us at any time, we should be ever alert to
achieve the object of our life, we should not make the least delay but
make every possible haste to gain our object, just as a widower is most
anxious to get himself married to a new bride, or just as a king leaves no
stone unturned to seek his lost son. So with all earnestness and speed, we
should strive to attain our end, i.e., self-realization. Casting aside
sloth and laziness, warding off drowsiness, we should day and night
meditate on the Self. If we fail to do this, we reduce ourselves to the
level of beasts. How to Proceed? 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 alone gives light, which all the
stars put together cannot do, so the Sad-Guru alone imparts spiritual
wisdom which all the sacred books and sermons cannot infuse. His movements
and simple talks give us 'silent' advice. The virtues of forgiveness,
calmness, disinterestedness, charity, benevolence, control of mind and
body, egolessness etc. are observed by the disciples as they are being
practiced in such pure and holy company. This enlightens their minds and
lifts them up spiritually. Sai Baba was such a Sage or Sad-Guru. Though He
acted as a Fakir (mendicant), He was always engrossed in the Self. He
always loved all beings in whom He saw God or Divinity. By pleasures He
was not elated. He was not depressed by misfortunes. A king and a pauper
were the same to Him. He, whose glance would turn a beggar into a king,
used to beg His food from door to door in Shirdi, and let us now see how
He did it. Baba Begging Food 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 things He got in His
zole and in the tinpot were mixed together and partaken by Baba to His
heart's content. Whether particular things were tasty or otherwise was
never noticed by Baba as if His tongue was devoid of the sense of taste
altogether. Baba begged till noon, but His begging was very irregular.
Some days He went a few rounds, on other days up to twelve noon. The food
thus collected was thrown in a kundi, i.e. earthen pot. Dog, cats and
crows freely ate from it and Baba never drove them away. The woman who
swept the floor of the Masjid took some 10 or 12 pieces of bread to her
house, and nobody prevented her from doing so. How could, He, who even in
dreams never warded off cats and dogs by harsh words and signs, refuse
food to poor helpless people? Blessed indeed is the life of such a noble
person! People in Shirdi took Him in the beginning for a mad Fakir. He was
known in the village by this name. How could one, who lived on alms by
begging a few crumbs of bread, be revered and respected? But this Fakir
was very liberal of heart and hand, disinterested and charitable. Tough He
looked fickle and restless from outside. He was firm and steady Shri Sai
Satcharitra
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 any one was asked to quit Shirdi, he could stay there
no longer. Baba gave certain suggestions or hints, when Bhaktas went to
bid good-bye and take leave. These suggestions had to be followed. If they
were not followed or were departed from, accidents were sure to befall
them, who acted contrary to Baba's directions. We give below a few
instances.
Tatya Kote Patil
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 Kopargtaon
bazar. Baba said, "Don't make haste, stop a little, let go the bazar,
don't go out of the village". On seeing has anxiety to go, Baba asked him
to take Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) at least with him. Not minding this
direction, Tatya Kote immediately drove his tanga. Of the two horses one,
which cost Rs.300/- was very active and restless. After passing Sawul
well, it began to run rashly, got a sprain in its waist and fell down.
Tatya was not much hurt, but was reminded of Mother Sai's direction. On
another occasion while proceeding to Kolhar village, he disregarded Baba's
direction, and drove in a tanga, which met with a similiar accident.
European Gentleman
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. Therefore, he tried thrice to step into the Masjid, but
Baba prevented him from doing so. He was asked to sit in the open
court-yard below and take Baba's darshan from there. Not pleased with this
reception he got, he wanted to leave Shirdi at once and came to bid
good-bye. Baba asked him to go the next day and not to hurry. People also
requested him to abide by Baba's direction. Not listening to all this, he
left Shirdi in a tanga. The horses ran at first all right, but when Sawul
well was passed, a bicycle came in front, seeing which the horses were
frightened and ran fast. The tanga was turned topsy-turvy and the
gentleman fell down and was dragged some distance. He was immediately
released; but had to go and lie in Kopargaon hospital for the treatment of
the injuries. Because of such experiences all people learnt the lesson,
that those who disobeyed Baba's instruction met with accidents in one way
or the other, and those who obeyed them were safe and happy.
The Necessity of Mendicancy
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, getting rid of, or becoming free
from the three main Desires, viz. (1) for progeny, (2) for wealth, (3) for
fame, accept Sannyas, are the fit persons to live by begging alms. They
cannot make cooking arrangements and dine at home. The duty of feeding
them rests on the shoulders of house-holders. Sai Baba was neither a
house-holder nor Vanaprastha. He was a celibate sannyasi, i.e., sannyasi
from boyhood. His firm conviction was that the universe was His home, He
was the Lord Vasudeo - the Supporter of the universe and the Imperishable
Brahman. So He had the full right to have recourse to the begging-bowl.
(2) Now from the standpoint of (1) Pancha-soon - five sins and their
atonement. We all know that in order to prepare food-stuffs and meals, the
householders have to go through five actions or processes, viz. (1)
Kandani-Pounding, (2) Peshani-Grinding, (3) Udakumbhi - Washing pots, (4)
Marjani - Sweeping and cleaning, (5) Chulli-Lighting hearths. These
processes involve destruction of a lot of small insects and creatures, and
thus the householders incur a lot of sin. In order to atone for this sin,
our Shastras prescribe five kinds of sacrifices, viz. (1) Brahma-Yajna,
(2) vedadhyayan - offerings to Brahman or the study of the Vedas. (3)
Pitra-Yajna-offerings to the ancestors, 4)Deva-Yajna - offerings to the
Gods, (5) Bhoota-Yajna-offerings to the beings, (6)
Manushya-Atithi-Yajna-offerings to men or uninvited guests. If these
sacrifices, enjoined by the Shastras are duly performed, the purification
of their minds is effected and this helps them to get knowledge and
self-realization. Baba, in going from house to house, reminded the inmates
of their sacred duty, and fortunate were the people, who got the lesson at
their homes from Baba.
Devotee's Experiences
Now to return to the other more interesting subject. Lord Krishna has said
in the Bhagawadgeeta (9-26) "Whosoever devoutly offers to me a leaf, a
flower, or a fruit or water, of that pure-hearted man, I accept that pious
offering." In the case of Sai Baba, if a devotee really longed to offer
anything to Sai Baba, and if he afterwards forgot to offer the same, Baba
reminded him, or his friend about the offering, and made him present it to
Him, and then accepted it and blessed the devotee. A few instances are
given below.
Tarkhad Family (father and son)
Mr. Ramachandra Atmaran alias Babasaheb Tarkhad, formerly a
Prarthana-Samajist, was a staunch devotee of Sai Baba. His wife and son
loved Baba equally or perhaps more. It was once proposed that Master
Tarkhad should go with his mother to Shirdi and spend his May vacation
there, but the son was unwilling to go, as he thought that in case he left
his home at Bandra, the worship of Sai Baba in the house would not be
properly attended to, as his father being a Prarthana Samajist, would not
care to worship Sai Baba's enlarged portrait. However, on his father's
giving an assurance of oath, that he would perform the worship exactly as
the son was doing, the mother and the son left for Shirdi on one Friday
night.
Next day (Saturday) Mr. Tarkhad got up early, took his bath and before
proceeding with the Puja, prostrated himself before the Shrine and said -
"Baba, I am going to perform the Puja exactly as my son has been doing,
but please let it not be a formal drill." After he performed the Puja, he
offered a few pieces of lump-sugar as naivedya (offering), which were
distributed at the time of the lunch.
That evening and on Sunday, everything went on well. The following Monday
was a working day and it also passed well. Mr. Tarkhad, who had never
performed Puja like this in all his life, felt great confidence within
himself, that every thing was passing on quite satisfactorily according to
the promise given to his son. On Tuesday, he performed the morning Puja as
usual and left for his work. Coming home at noon, he found that there was
no Prasad (sugar) to partake of, when the meal was served. He asked the
servant - cook, who told him that there was no offering made that morning,
and that he had completely forgotten then to perform that part of the Puja
(offering naivedya). After hearing that he left his seat and prostrated
himself before the Shrine, expressed his regret, at the same time chiding
Baba for the want of guidance in making the whole affair a matter of mere
drill. Then he wrote a letter to his son stating the facts and requested
him to lay it before Baba's feet and ask His pardon for his neglect.
This happened in Bandra at Tuesday noon.
At about the same time, when the noon Arati was just about to commence in
Shirdi, Baba said to Mrs. Tarkhad, "Mother, I had been to your house in
Bandra, with a view to having something to eat. I found the door locked. I
somehow got an entrance inside and found to My regret, that Bhau (Mr.
Tarkhad) had left nothing for Me to eat. so I have returned from there
without eating anything."
The lady could not understand anything; but the son, who was close by,
understood that there was something wrong with the Puja in Bandra and he,
therefore, requested Baba to permit him to go home. Baba refused the
permission, but allowed him to perform Puja there. Then, the son wrote a
letter to his father, stating all that took place at Shirdi and implored
his father not to neglect the Puja at home.
Both these letters crossed each other and were delivered to the respective
parties the next day.
Is this not astonishing?
Mrs. Tarkhad
Let us now take up the case of Mrs. Tarkhad herself. She offered three
things, viz. (1) Bharit (roasted brinjal egg plant mixed curds and spice).
(2) Kacharya (circular pieces of brinjal fried in ghee), (3) Peda
(sweetmeat ball). Let us see how Baba accepted them.
Once Mr. Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare of Bandra, a great devotee of Baba
started for Shirdi with his family. Mrs Tarkhad went to Mrs. Purandare,
and gave her two brinjals and requested her to prepare Bharit of one
bringal and Kacharya of the other, when she went to Shirdi and serve Baba
with them. After reaching Shirdi, Mrs. Purandare went with her dish of
Bharit to the Masjid when Baba was just about to start his meals. Baba
found the Bharit very tasty. So He distributed it to all and said that He
wanted Kacharyas now. A word was sent to Radha Krishna-Mai, that Baba
wanted Kacharyas. She was in a fix, as that was no season of brinjals. How
to get brinjals was the question? When an enquiry was made as to who
brought the Bharit, it was found that Mrs. Purandare was also entrusted
with the duty of serving Kacharyas. Everybody then came to know the
significance of Baba's enquiry regarding Kacharyas, and was wonderstruck
at Baba's all-pervasive knowledge.
In December 1915 A.D., one Govind Balaram Mankar wanted to go to Shirdi to
perfrom the obsequies of his father. Before he left, he came to see Mr.
Tarkhad. Then Mrs. Tarkhad wanted to send something with him to Baba. She
searched the whole house but found nothing, except a Peda, which had
already been offered as naivedya. Mr. Mankar was in mourning. Still out of
great devotion to Baba, she sent the Peda with him, hoping that Baba would
accept and eat it. Govind went to Shirdi and saw Baba, but forgot to take
the Peda with him. Baba simply waited. When again he went to Baba in the
afternoon, he went empty-handed without the Peda. Baba could wait no
longer and, therefore, asked him straight, "What did you bring for me?"
"Nothing" was the reply. Baba asked him again. The same reply came forth
again. Then Baba asked him the leading question, "Did not the mother (Mrs.
Tarkhad) give some sweetmeat to you for Me at the time of your starting?"
The boy then remembered the whole thing. He felt abashed, asked Baba's
pardon, ran to his lodging, brought the Peda and gave it to Baba. As soon
as Baba got it in His hand. He put it into His mouth and gulped it down.
Thus the devotion of Mrs. Tarkhad was recognized and accepted. "As men
believe in Me, so do I accept them" (Gita, 4-11) was proved in this case.
Baba Fed Sumptuously, -- How?
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 cry, Mrs. Tarkhad got up at once and threw a piece of
bread, which the dog gulped with great relish. In the afternoon, when she
went to the Masjid and sat at some distance, Sai Baba said to her,
"Mother, you have fed Me sumptuously up to my throat, My afflicted pranas
(life-forces) have been satisfied. always act like this, and this will
stand you in good stead. Sitting in this Masjid I shall never, never speak
untruth. Take pity on Me like this. First give bread to the hungry, and
then eat yourself. Note this well." She could not at first understand the
meaning of what Baba said. So she replied -- "Baba, how could I feed You?
I am myself dependent on others and take my food from them on payment."
Then Baba replied -- "Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended and
I am still belching. The dog which you saw before meals and to which you
gave the piece of bread is, one with Me, so also other creatures (cats,
pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms. He,
who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved. So abandon the sense of
duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did today." Drinking these
nectar-like words, she was moved, her eyes were filled with tears, her
throat was choked and her joy knew no bounds.
Moral
"See God in all beings" is the moral of this chapter. The Upanishads, the
Geeta and the Bhagwat, all exhort us to perceive God or Divinity in all
the creatures. By the instance given at the end of this Chapter and others
too numerous to mention. Sai Baba has practically demonstrated to us how
to put the Upanishadic teachings into practice. In this way Sai Baba
stands as the best Exponent or Teacher of the Upanishadic doctrines.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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* This
work is an electronic version of Shri Sai Satcharitra by Shri N.V.Gunaji
which was adapted from the Original Marathi Book by Shri Hemadpant. (The
book is titled in english Shri Sai Satcharitra where as the original work
is Shri Sai Satcharita.)
*titled in English Shri Sai Satcharitra where as the original work is
Shri Sai Satcharita
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