Sunday 13 November 2016
Glory of my Guru Shirdi Sai Baba
Glory of my Guru Shirdi Sai Baba
By: Shantha
Words certainly do not come easy to praise You Sai. Am neither a
writer nor a poet, yet, I cannot help but write about You, for You Sai.
Sai, You appeared under the
neem tree in Shirdi as a very young lad, bright and radiant.
Sai, You say nothing but
convey everything through Your silent meditation.
Sai, Your immaculate features
attract You to many. People flock to You. Some come to You out of curiosity and
some out of love and devotion.
Sai, in spite of Your
almighty powers, You remain simple, humble and meek. You are magnanimous.
Boundless is Your power and marvelous are Your deeds.
Sai, the joy You give us just
by Your mere sight is beyond measures. Your
loving glance gives us immense happiness. You are our visual treat. You are perennial source of bliss.
Sai, You are truly adorable that
each of Your devotee cannot help but be possessive of You. To each of us You
seem to be our very own in every special way.
You prove Your love upon us through Your constant unique divine play
(Leela).
Sai, Your love, affection and
concern towards each of Your devotee is enormous; You show Your mercy in every
step of our way.
Sai, You are a mother to all and refuge of every helpless and fatigued
devotee. You are the support of those dependent on You.
Sai, Your direct divine messages in Your Satcharita is the best
blessed gift for us from You. You are
the answer to everything in our life.
Sai, Your greatness is incredible.
Sai, You are my Guru Supreme,
Divine Comrade, Comfort and Strength.
“Where the mind is fully absorbed, that is our abode”. My earnest prayer
to You, my Sai, that abode for me should be at Your Holy Feet. Amen.
Saturday 5 November 2016
"SHIRDI SAI MOODS"
"SHIRDI SAI MOODS"
This article is selected from Sri Khaparde's Shirdi diary and references from other prominent Shirdi devotees.
In one of the entries of
Sri Khaparde's Shirdi diary dated 17/1/1917 he writes "we went to the
Chavdi for Kakad Aarti. Megha was too ill to attend. So Bapu Sahib did the
Aarti. Sai Baba showed His face and smiled most benignly. It was worth while
spending year here to see it even once. I was overjoyed and stood gazing like
mad". The feeling expressed here is so strong that it will move any Sai
devotee. It is not possible to bring back those days, but one can go through
experiences of various Sai devotees who had the good fortune of being in Sai's
company during Shirdi days.
One can gather that Sai
was very soft spoken. Sri Khaparde writes that Sai Sahib spoke with wonderful
sweetness and smile so often with extraordinary sweet grace.
When He used to be
in good mood He used to sit chatting and laughing. He used to make jokes. Sai
devotees are aware of Sai making jokes at the cost of devotees. In Sai Satcharita
chapter 24 Sri Dabholkar writes that all people generally like wit and humor,
but they do not like that jokes should be cut at their expense. But Sai's
method was peculiar. It was very interesting and instructive, and the people,
therefore did not mind if they are held up to ridicule. After that he narrates
the Chanakya Lila story. He narrates that Sai through His jokes advises us that
before the senses, mind intellect enjoy their objects, He should be first
remembered and if this be done, it is a way of making an offering to Him. This
will help in removing the attachment for them. In the same chapter there is a
story of another witty incident involving Anna Chinchanikar and Mausi Bai. In
this incident also Sai asks as to what harm or impropriety is there, when a
mother is kissed by a child. Probably He put forward that for the spiritual
upliftment of all; women are to be seen as mothers.
Most of the time Sai was
in a very pleasant mood. In this mood, Sai generally used to narrate some
stories. In these stories He used to talk about previous births, or some
parables or stories of His wandering. He used to show His grace to the
devotees. In one entry dated 6th January 1912 Mr. Khaparde writes "Sai
Maharaj was in an exceptionally pleasant mood, made mystic signs to Megha and
did what are known as "Drishti Pata" in yoga”. Next day he writes
"Sai Maharaj looked exceedingly pleased and gave yogic glances. I passed
the whole day in a sort of ecstasy.” On some days His never glanced at
anyone. Mr. Khaparde writes on 13th
January 1912 “Sai Maharaj did not say a word today and not even throw the
glance He usually does.” On that day Megha died. Mr. Khaparde writes that it was a sad day.
The Kakad Aarti was done, but Sai never threw glances spreading grace.
In pleasant and relaxed
mood Sai used to smoke and share His 'Chillum' with His devotees. One will find
that not only He used to show His grace through His glances but also through His
chillum. In the entry dated 12th January 1912 Mr. Khaparde writes that “Sai was
very gracious and repeatedly gave me smoke out of His pipe. It solved many of
my doubts and I felt delighted”. In Sai Satcharita Chapter 50 there is mention
of Sri Balaram Dhurandhar. During one of his visits to Shirdi, Bala Ram sat
near Sai, massaging His legs. Sai who was smoking the chillum advanced it
towards him and beckoned him to smoke it. Bala Ram was not accustomed to smoking.
Still he accepted the pipe, smoked it with great difficulty and returned it
reverentially with a bow. This was the most auspicious moment for Bala Ram. He
was suffering from asthma for six years. This smoke completely cured the
disease, which never troubled him. Some six years later one particular day, he again
got an attack of asthma. This was precisely the time when Sai took Mahasamadhi.
Sai used to smoke from others Hukka in a pleasant mood Sri Khaparde writes on
9th December 1911 "Sai Maharaj was in a pleasant mood. I took my Hukka
there and Sai Maharaj had a smoke out of it. He looked wonderfully beautiful at
Aarti time, but dismissed everyone very soon after it. He said He would come to
dine with us”.
During relaxed hours Sai
organized music and dance. He himself also used to sing and dance at some
occasions reminding others strongly of what Lord Krishna did in Gokul. How Sai
used to bless these singers and dance parties is quite known to Sai devotees
from the famous Madrasi Bhajan Mandali story in chapter 29 of Sai Satcharita.
Sri Khaparde has mentioned that many persons used to sing Bhajans before Sai.
Once he mentioned about one Mr. Gokhle who came from Narsoba's wadi. He was
directed to see Narain Maharaj of Kedgaon and Sai Maharaj. He sang very nicely
and at night Mr. Khaparde got him to sing a few Bhajans. Sri Bhishma the author
of Sai's Artis was a regular singer. There were occasional spiritually
developed devotees such as Bramhandandi Bai. As discussed earlier Sai Himself
used to sing and dance. 
In Sai Satcharita also there are mentions of Sai
singing the famous Udi song or singing Bhajan for Pandharinath when Nana Sahib
Chandorkar's arrival and with his posting orders for Pandharpur. In the entry
of 31 December 1912 Sri Khaparde writes Sai was in a very pleased mood, talked
pleasantly, danced and sang and reminded me and others very strongly of what
Lord Krishna did in Gokul. One day
Khaparde found that Sai Maharaj was sitting in the yard and a man was
exhibiting some tricks taught to a monkey. There were also Professional singers
and dancers. Later on came Bramhanandi Bai, his companion Salu Bai and
Shivanand Shastri. They did the Puja and Bramhanandi Bai whom they call Maiya
Sahib sang very beautifully. Sai Sahib ordered the "Sinhasan" to be
brought and when all was arranged we stood spell bound. Sai Sahib liked them.
(Entry dated 7.2.1912) On 21st February 1912 there is a mention of a dancing
woman of Bombay arriving and singing a few songs in the Masjid. She was a pupil
of Balkrishna Bua.
In Sai Satcharita also there are mentions of Sai
singing the famous Udi song or singing Bhajan for Pandharinath when Nana Sahib
Chandorkar's arrival and with his posting orders for Pandharpur. In the entry
of 31 December 1912 Sri Khaparde writes Sai was in a very pleased mood, talked
pleasantly, danced and sang and reminded me and others very strongly of what
Lord Krishna did in Gokul. One day
Khaparde found that Sai Maharaj was sitting in the yard and a man was
exhibiting some tricks taught to a monkey. There were also Professional singers
and dancers. Later on came Bramhanandi Bai, his companion Salu Bai and
Shivanand Shastri. They did the Puja and Bramhanandi Bai whom they call Maiya
Sahib sang very beautifully. Sai Sahib ordered the "Sinhasan" to be
brought and when all was arranged we stood spell bound. Sai Sahib liked them.
(Entry dated 7.2.1912) On 21st February 1912 there is a mention of a dancing
woman of Bombay arriving and singing a few songs in the Masjid. She was a pupil
of Balkrishna Bua.
Sai’s mood used to change
occasionally showing shades of anger. But every time this anger proved to be
for the benefit of one or the other devotee. Sri Khaparde records slight change
in Sai’s mood in one of the entries dated 11th December 1910. He writes
"My son told his friend Mr. Patwardhan that Sai Maharaj accepted or
refused fruits in proportion to the devotion with which they were offered. My
son tried to tell this to me and wished to do the same to Patwerdhan. This made
a little noise and Sai Maharaj looked at me with eyes that blazed and sparkled
with anger. He demanded what I said and I replied that I was saying nothing and
those children were talking with each other. He looked at my son and Patwardhan
and changed the mood immediately.” If Sai was in the poor mood He will not see
anybody. Sri Khaparde writes on 10th of December 1911 “I made two attempts to
see Sai Maharaj in the afternoon, but He was not in the mood to see anybody. I
saw Him in the evening near the Chavdi.” On 27th of December 1911 he writes
that in the afternoon many people attempted to go to see Sai Maharaj but He was
not inclined to speak and dismissed them soon.
Some time it was very difficult to interpret or understand Sai's behavior. On 26th of December Mr. Khaparde writes "I got up early and attended Kakad Aarti. Sai Maharaj was in rather unusual mood. Sai took his stick and with it tapped the ground round about. By the time He descended the steps of Chavdi He walked twice backward and forward and used violent language.” On 14th of February 1912 it is mentioned in Khaparde’s diary "I got up early, attended the Kakad Aarti and was very much struck by the fact that Sai Baba on leaving the Chavdi made passes with short stick towards the east, north and south. Then Sai proceeded with hard words as usual.” On 3rd January 1912 Sri Khaparde has entered in his diary "Sai was in a very pleased mood and laughed and abused in one and the same breath.” But His entire foul mood used to be for the benefit of mankind as is clear from the entry of 8th January 1912. The entry goes “During the mid day service after the Aarti, Sai Maharaj exhibited sudden and great anger and abused violently. It appears as if plague is likely to reappear here and Sai Maharaj is endeavoring to prevent its reappearance”.
Some time it was very difficult to interpret or understand Sai's behavior. On 26th of December Mr. Khaparde writes "I got up early and attended Kakad Aarti. Sai Maharaj was in rather unusual mood. Sai took his stick and with it tapped the ground round about. By the time He descended the steps of Chavdi He walked twice backward and forward and used violent language.” On 14th of February 1912 it is mentioned in Khaparde’s diary "I got up early, attended the Kakad Aarti and was very much struck by the fact that Sai Baba on leaving the Chavdi made passes with short stick towards the east, north and south. Then Sai proceeded with hard words as usual.” On 3rd January 1912 Sri Khaparde has entered in his diary "Sai was in a very pleased mood and laughed and abused in one and the same breath.” But His entire foul mood used to be for the benefit of mankind as is clear from the entry of 8th January 1912. The entry goes “During the mid day service after the Aarti, Sai Maharaj exhibited sudden and great anger and abused violently. It appears as if plague is likely to reappear here and Sai Maharaj is endeavoring to prevent its reappearance”.
In the entry dated 11th
January 1912 Sri Khaparde writes “Sai Baba was angry and threw away the Aarti
utensils and the dishes full of fruit brought by His worshipers. He lifted up
Ram Maruti who declared afterwards that he felt very happy and as if sent off
to higher regions. Sai Maharaj also roughly handled one Bhagya, a villager.
Sitaram brought the Aarti items and we finished the Aarti as usual, though in a
hurried way. Mahalsapati, showed the great presence of mind and prevented
confusion by directing that Aarti should be finished when it had started. He
did not know when Sai Baba moved out of his usual place. Before finishing Sai
Baba resumed His seat and all went much as usual except that Udi was
distributed wholesale and not individually, He was not really angry of course
and did the whole thing as a Lila". In 6th chapter of Sai Satcharita also
there is mention of Sai's strange behavior during repairs of the Masjid.
In 1911 Sai’s Devotee
tried to renovate the Masjid. At great expense, they got iron-posts, and
pillars and trusses and started the work. At night, all the devotees worked
hard and fixed the post; but Sai when He returned from Chavdi next morning,
uprooted them all and threw them out. Once it so happened that Sai 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, Sai's
eyes flashed like burning embers. None dared to look at him. All got terribly
frightened. Sai 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 Sai, made a little boldly advance, but he
was pushed out by Sai. 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, Sai'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 honor. All the people were wonder struck to see this
strange behavior of Sai. They were at a loss to know what enraged Sai so
suddenly and what let Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled
down, the next moment. Sai sometimes was very calm, quiet and talked sweet
things with love but soon after, with or without any small pretext, used to get
enraged.
Sai knows best and Sai
does best.
Om SairamTuesday 1 November 2016
Shirdi Sai Chalisa - translated to English
Obtained from internet.
Bow to Lord Sai with faith and patience.
Sai Thy Grace will remove ignorance.
Blessed are the grass, soil and dust of Shirdi;
by the touch of Sai, they became pure and holy.
Sai, Thou manifested under the neem tree.
Sai, Thy incarnation is the mission of mercy.
Oh! Sai! Thy grace and power are infinite.
Sai, Thy grace guides us as beacon light.
Sai, Thy seat made Neem leaves so sweet.
Sai, Thy peaceful radiant face is a visual treat.
Sai, Thou descended on earth as a boy of sixteen.
Sai You are Holy and handsome with merciful face of thine.
Sai, Thy radiant, bright, lustrous face;
gives us hope to cross the worldly maze.
Sai, Thy grace holds the goddess of wealth.
Sai, Thy love blesses the sick with health.
Sai, the words Thy mouth utter are pure nectar.
Sai, no one knows Thy religion; Mother or Father.
Sai let our heart be blessed as Thy Holy seat.
Sai let our heads be sheltered at Thy Holy Feet.
Sai Thy loving and merciful looks endear all.
Lord Sai begging with Tin Pot and Zoli;
Offerings to Thee make the donors so Holy.
Oh Sai! Thou art Lord Datta! Thou are Lord Shiva!
Sai Thou art Lord Rama; Pir Avalia and Lord Shyama.
Sai, Thou art repository of wisdom;
Sai the whole Universe is Thy Kingdom.
Sai, as one wishes and prays intently;
Thou shower him blessings lovingly.
Sai, Thy name has infinite strength and power.
Sai Thy name removes anxiety, distress and fear.
Sai, Thou art savior of poor and helpless.
Sai, Thy wonderful miracles and Leelas are endless.
Sai, Thou taught us love and equality.
Sai, Thou art symbol of peace and unity.
Sai Thy Grace will remove ignorance.
Blessed are the grass, soil and dust of Shirdi;
by the touch of Sai, they became pure and holy.
Sai, Thou manifested under the neem tree.
Sai, Thy incarnation is the mission of mercy.
Oh! Sai! Thy grace and power are infinite.
Sai, Thy grace guides us as beacon light.
Sai, Thy seat made Neem leaves so sweet.
Sai, Thy peaceful radiant face is a visual treat.
Sai, Thou descended on earth as a boy of sixteen.
Sai You are Holy and handsome with merciful face of thine.
Sai, Thy radiant, bright, lustrous face;
gives us hope to cross the worldly maze.
Sai, Thy grace holds the goddess of wealth.
Sai, Thy love blesses the sick with health.
Sai, the words Thy mouth utter are pure nectar.
Sai, no one knows Thy religion; Mother or Father.
Sai let our heart be blessed as Thy Holy seat.
Sai let our heads be sheltered at Thy Holy Feet.
Sai Thy loving and merciful looks endear all.
Lord Sai begging with Tin Pot and Zoli;
Offerings to Thee make the donors so Holy.
Oh Sai! Thou art Lord Datta! Thou are Lord Shiva!
Sai Thou art Lord Rama; Pir Avalia and Lord Shyama.
Sai, Thou art repository of wisdom;
Sai the whole Universe is Thy Kingdom.
Sai, as one wishes and prays intently;
Thou shower him blessings lovingly.
Sai, Thy name has infinite strength and power.
Sai Thy name removes anxiety, distress and fear.
Sai, Thou art savior of poor and helpless.
Sai, Thy wonderful miracles and Leelas are endless.
Sai, Thou taught us love and equality.
Sai, Thou art symbol of peace and unity.
Sai, Thy feet remove the hatred of caste and
creed.
Sai Thy devotees overcome anger, jealousy and greed.
Sai, Thy preaching is pearls of Knowledge.
Ram and Rahim are One is Thy message.
Sai, Thy grace gives the diseased good health.
Sai, Thy blessings removes sins of all birth.
Merciful Sai You always help the poor and helpless.
Sai’s Your Sacred Udi is the most efficacious.
Sai, Thy merciful looks purifies our body and mind.
Sins burnt away by Sai, our God so kind.
Oh! Lord Sai! Thou art Antaryami!
Sai, we don’t have anyone except Thee!
Sai, Thou have no caste, sect and religion;
Sai, to spread love and humanity are Thy mission.
Sai, Thou art protector of every simple devotee.
Sai, Thy spirit stands by us during calamity.
Sai, Thy name removes miseries and pain.
Sai, Thy name showers happiness rain.
Sai, Thy name gives us immense pleasure.
Sai, Thy Holy Feet is our precious treasure.
Sai, whosoever observes Your 9 Thursdays vow;
Thy grace removes all their pain and sorrow.
Meditate Sai’s name with faith, day and night;
Sai will wipe our pain and relieve us from plight.
Long Robe adorned Holy Mendicant;
uplifting the poor is the mission of this noble Saint.
Sai, the Sweetness of Thy words surpass ambrosia.
Sai, Thy sacred Udi is a wonderful panacea.
Sai, Thou art Spiritual Quintessence.
Sai, Devotion to Thy Feet renders deliverance.
Sai, Thy marvelous act of turning water into oil;
spread Thy fame as an aromatic pastille.
Sai, Thy words teach us not to be greedy;
but be kind and loving to helpless and needy.
Sai, Thy glory and power are infinity.
Sai, Thou art Trinity and Absolute Reality.
Sai, Thy name renders salvation.
Sai, Thy grace wards off consternation.
Sai Thou art our Guru, guide and helmsman.
Sai, only Thou can ferry us over worldly ocean.
Sai, utterance of thy Holy name is the only way;
to keep troubles and sorrows at bay.
Sai Thy devotees overcome anger, jealousy and greed.
Sai, Thy preaching is pearls of Knowledge.
Ram and Rahim are One is Thy message.
Sai, Thy grace gives the diseased good health.
Sai, Thy blessings removes sins of all birth.
Merciful Sai You always help the poor and helpless.
Sai’s Your Sacred Udi is the most efficacious.
Sai, Thy merciful looks purifies our body and mind.
Sins burnt away by Sai, our God so kind.
Oh! Lord Sai! Thou art Antaryami!
Sai, we don’t have anyone except Thee!
Sai, Thou have no caste, sect and religion;
Sai, to spread love and humanity are Thy mission.
Sai, Thou art protector of every simple devotee.
Sai, Thy spirit stands by us during calamity.
Sai, Thy name removes miseries and pain.
Sai, Thy name showers happiness rain.
Sai, Thy name gives us immense pleasure.
Sai, Thy Holy Feet is our precious treasure.
Sai, whosoever observes Your 9 Thursdays vow;
Thy grace removes all their pain and sorrow.
Meditate Sai’s name with faith, day and night;
Sai will wipe our pain and relieve us from plight.
Long Robe adorned Holy Mendicant;
uplifting the poor is the mission of this noble Saint.
Sai, the Sweetness of Thy words surpass ambrosia.
Sai, Thy sacred Udi is a wonderful panacea.
Sai, Thou art Spiritual Quintessence.
Sai, Devotion to Thy Feet renders deliverance.
Sai, Thy marvelous act of turning water into oil;
spread Thy fame as an aromatic pastille.
Sai, Thy words teach us not to be greedy;
but be kind and loving to helpless and needy.
Sai, Thy glory and power are infinity.
Sai, Thou art Trinity and Absolute Reality.
Sai, Thy name renders salvation.
Sai, Thy grace wards off consternation.
Sai Thou art our Guru, guide and helmsman.
Sai, only Thou can ferry us over worldly ocean.
Sai, utterance of thy Holy name is the only way;
to keep troubles and sorrows at bay.
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