Shirdi Sai Baba's devotee - Bhikkubai

Sai Mahabhakte Bhikkubai belonged to Marathi community and resided in Shirdi. On 2nd December 1936, she narrated in her own words the experiences she had with Shri Sai Baba to Late Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamji as below:

My ancestral home is Ahmednagar. I knew Radhakrishna Mai as a friend at Ahmednagar. It was Radhakrishna Mai who had a photo of Sai Baba told me about Him. She was worshipping Sai Baba with Aarti and other rituals. She told me she wanted to go to Him. Radhakrishna Mai's grandfather was a lawyer there and his name was Baba Saheb Ganesh. She stayed with him in Shirdi. I was married to a person from Sangamner and he died at an early age. I came from there when I was 14 years old along with Radhakrishna Mai. She was serving Sai Baba since 1908 in Shirdi.

Gangagiri Baba of Vanjargaon was performing a massive Nama-Sapthaha under the Tamarid Tree near Dixit Wada in Shirdi. There used to be a huge gathering every day and among many pilgrim groups that came, one was from Sangamner and when that group returned to Sangamner, it brought from my friend Radhakrishna Mai a photograph of Sai Baba, a lot of Burfi Prasad and an invitation to me to go over to Shirdi and settle there. I accept the invitation of Radhakrishna Mai and came to Shirdi without any jewels and property. I then went and had darshan of Sai Baba. He told me to live with Radhakrishna Mai and be busy serving the devotees. During the end of 1916 i.e., 1 or 2 months after Radhakrishna Mai died, I had gone to Nagar to draw my pension as the widow of a man that died in the war at rupees 6 per month. On my way back, at Kopergaon, near the banks of River Godavari, I was reminded of the tragic passing away of Radhakrishna Mai, whose body was cremated there. My mind was in a turmoil. I had brought over my garland to Shirdi for offering that to Baba. When I went to place it near Baba, He said, "I don't want this garland of mental uneasiness" (Talha Haar Mala Nako). Baba did not receive the Garland. Hari Sitaram Dixit requested Him to take the Garland as I had brought it all the way from Ahmednagar for Him with such great trouble. I then went near Baba lifting up the garland with both hands. Then as I neared Baba, the garland somehow snapped into 3 parts; one was left in each hand and one fell on the floor. I was at a loss to understand as to how that garland got severed like that into 3 pieces. When this was happening, Baba kept on telling "I don't want it".

I had also brought with me along with the garland a watermelon and some milk sweets and I placed the pedas and the cut fruit before Baba. Baba took them and distributed amongst the devotees who were present at that time inside Dwarakamai. Then I took a slice and cut off the outer skin and presented part of it to Baba and asked Him to eat it. Dixit also requested Him to eat it. Baba then said, "This woman was weeping and shedding tears at Godavari and she has brought it with such a troubled heart and so I will not accept it". The fact was that at the River Bank I was weeping and blaming Baba mentally for not having saved Radhakrishna Mayi and for allowing her to die such a wretched death. Baba knew everything that was in my heart and hence His refusal to accept my offerings.

Baba at His noonday meal daily used to give me a vessel full of food which I used to take home.

On the day of Baba's Maha Samadhi, I was greatly agitated at his leaving me desolate and I was weeping at about 10:00 p.m., in my house saying "Baba, I cannot see you again". I came out and outside my front-door I saw a serpent and felt that It was Baba and said, "I cannot recognize you in this serpent body. I know only your Sai Baba form". On hearing this, Immediately the serpent disappeared.

(Source: Devotees' Experiences of Sri Sai Baba Part I, II and III by Sri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji)

Shirdi Sai Baba's devotee - Bhagoji Shinde

Bhagoji was a sort of attendant (personal companion) to Baba, engaged in regular service to him. He was the first to enter the mosque in the early morning, and every day he used to massage first Baba's right arm and then his body. Then he would light a chillim and the two of them would share it. Bhagoji also had the privilege of carrying the umbrella for Baba when he went to Lendi.

When Bhagoji came in contact with Baba he had black leprosy so outwardly he looked, miserable and unfortunate. He was indeed very fortunate to do seva and be with Baba constantly.

Once when Baba thrust his hand into the dhuni (the sacred fire) and was badly burnt (thus saving the life of a devotees' baby), Bhagoji was allowed to clean and dress the wound with a bandage. Even though Baba lived for a further eight years after the incident, Bhagoji would daily continue the ritual of bandaging Baba's arm long after it had healed.

His elder brother Raguji says, “Once Bhagoji was suffering from high fever and he was at deaths door and Baba came to our home. He branded Bhagoji with a hot iron rod on his back and temples and he recovered soon after”  It is said that once Baba asked Bhagoji to ask for a boon, of being cured of his Leprosy, however Bhagoji said, “Baba I am not concerned about my physical appearance, or my disease. But I would like you to me this wish, which is that I be allowed to be with you at all times and that I be allowed to come to the Dwarka Mai whenever I wish” and Baba granted him the wish.

Thus Bhagoji was the first person to enter the Dwarka Mai early in the morning when Baba sat in front of the Dhuni, and massage Baba’s burnt hand. After doing his seva he would prepare Baba’s chillum for Him and they would smoke it together. And only after Bhagoji left would the other devotees be allowed to come up. This seva he did without fail every day till 1918. 

Bhagoji had the good fortune of holding the ornamental umbrella for Baba when Baba went to Lendi Baugh. Thus Baba immortalized him because he is seen in the photograph behind Baba holding the umbrella. And when the devotee sees that photo years later they will remember him. 

Bhagoji's house, known as Shinde Wada, is just behind Laxmibai's house. This house is on the right hand side of the "Palkhi Road". It is close to the corner where the palanquin turns while going towards Tajim Khan's darga. The compound of Shinde Wada lies on the righ hand side behind a solid old wooden door.

There are many lesson to be learnt from the life of this remarkable devotee. Bhagoji had transcended body consciousness. He was the least concerned about how he looked he had lost most of the fingers of his hand, and also a part of his nose, and the nose is a prominent feature of the face. Although his body oozed pus and blood, that was fowl smelling he was not unconcerned about the sneers and disgusted looks that the others gave him, nor did the unkind words of people have an effect on him. This is the state of complete "Stitha Pragjna" (equanimity). He was determined to do seva for his Sadguru come what may and he persevered. Never once did he fail to come to massage Baba’s burnt hand regardless of the bitter cold or torrential rain. This is “Druda Buddhi”. In the Nava Vidha Bhakti, Bhagoji is an apt example of “Daasya”  or all kinds of seva to the Sadguru. Bhagoji had surrendered totally at his Sadguru’s feet and thus he was able to soak up Baba’s divine energy by being in His Divine presence, and also being able to touch Him and Baba transferred His divine energy to Bhagoji Shinde’s very soul.

(Source: Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 7, Baba's Anurag by Vinny Chitluri)

Shirdi Sai Baba's devotee - Amidas Bhavani Mehta

. Sai Mahabhakta Amidas Bhavani Mehta hailed from Bhavnagar (Kathewad, Saurashtra) Gujarat. Amidas belonged to the community of Narasingh Mehta. He was an intellectual poet and a devotee of Lord Krishna. He worshipped Lord Krishna everyday with great devotion. And every time he looked at Lord Krishna’s photograph he saw a Fakir superimposing the Lord in the Glass. Seeing this he was perplexed and his curiosity increased day by day. Thus, he started his journey and finally found that it was indeed Sai Baba of Shirdi. Amidas was a very learned man. He was trained in Indian Classical and Vocal Music. He was very rich and was attached to a small king Dayashankar Revashankar Pandya in Kathewad. During those days, this region was ruled by Gujarati Nawabs. He visited Shirdi very frequently and also rented a room there. He used to stay for longer period in Shirdi. He spent most of his time with Sai Baba. He wrote many articles and Books about Sai Baba in Gujarati and was responsible for spreading Baba’s name in Gujarat State. Amidas was poet and wrote many poems describing the likes, dislikes, characteristics of Sai Baba. He also wrote a Biography on Sai Baba titled PURNA PARABRAHMA SRI SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJNI – JANAVAJOG VIGATO TEMAJ CHAMATKARO. Baba liked the gentle nature of Amidas. Whenever somebody fell sick, Baba used to send them to Amidas Bhavani Mehta. He gladly attended to the patient, took utmost care of that person and nursed him back to normalcy. He wished to die in Shirdi in front of his Sadguru. Baba who knew his Mahabhakta’s desire told him that he may die anywhere but he will ever be with Him. During the later part of his life, Amidas was running a Photo Studio  as proprietor of erstwhile M/s.British Photo Enlarging Company at Kalabadevi, Mumbai. He was also appointed as Member of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan in the year 1923 during the Chairmanship of another Sai Mahabhakta Shri. Ganesh Dattatreya Sahasrabuddhe alias Das Ganu. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan has honored this Great Sai Mahabhakta by doing his Samadhi in front of Parayan Hall in Lendi Baugh next to the Samadhi of Muktaram. (Source: Baba’s Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri and  Shri Sai Leela Magazine Chaitra Shake 1923)

Shirdi Sai Baba's devotee - Abdullah Jaan

Abdulla Jan, originally of Tarbella, Mazra district near Peshawar, was a Pathan, living at Korhale, near Sakori, was a devotee of Baba who had some spiritual and some material touch with Baba. He had left Tarbella as a young boy, as he had none to support him. He simply roamed around and wanted some one to help him to go to Mecca for that is one of the cardinal duties of all Muslims. He walked on and travelled up to Manmad. At Manmad, instead of going to Mumbai, as he originally intended, he heard that Sai Baba was at Shirdi, 30 miles further south and so, as he heard that Baba was showering money on fakirs, he hoped that Baba would send him to Mecca. He went to Shirdi in 1913. When he entered the gate of the Masjid, Baba was in the main building. Their eyes met. At once, he had the feeling that Baba was his Guru. So, he stayed on at Shirdi instead of going to Mecca, as Baba was feeding every fakir abundantly.

Abdulla Jan wanted to live an easy life at Shirdi. He was aged only 17. He had no serious views about life. But as he stayed at Shirdi, there were noticeable changes in his mentality, which illustrate Baba’s way of promoting Hindu-Muslim Unity. When he first came to Shirdi, he like other Pathans regarded Hindus as enemies. After staying 3 years with Baba, this hatred passed away, and he began to view Hindus as his brethren. He gradually absorbed the national feeling and regretted very much that at Mumbai, Hindus and Muslims were fighting with each other destroying Mosques and temples, and he thought that if they wiped each other out the foreigners only would have the whole country to themselves.

When Baba passed away in 1918, he was 22. Even then he was not sufficiently serious to have any development on the religious side. He felt however grieved at Baba’s disappearance and started off on his travels again. In 1926, he was going back North. Then in the Swat valley (Malekand Agency) he found the tomb of a great saint, Akun Baba, who was a Sayyad, a direct descendant of Mohamed. His miraculous powers were the subject of popular legends. That Akun Baba is said to have locked up Lord Roberts on a hill for three months and 11 days. During Abdulla Jan's stay there, one night he had a dream in which a saint appeared. ‘Who was it?’ It was not Akun Baba that he had prayed to, but Sai Baba who was seated on a chair near his head. When he woke, he remembered the dream. So, he found he was still under Baba’s care, though it was eight years since Baba passed away. As Sai was kind enough of his own accord to give him Sakshatkar, 1500 miles away from Shirdi, his reverence for Sai increased and his former idea that Sai Baba had deceived him by giving him no help during the five years of his stay was found to be wrong. At This discovery he returned to India with full faith in Sai Baba.

In 1924 he married and started living at Korhale, four miles from Shirdi. He is lucky enough to have Baba’s appearance before him once in two or four years and he moralises on the past and sees the vanity of human wishes. Baba was surrounded by crowds in his lifetime, and it was hard to find room in the Mosque on account of these crowds of men swarming around him, and a large number of dogs intermingled
in the crowd. Abdulla Jan describes that the Mosque in 1936 looked deserted.

When Baba was in the flesh, Abdulla Jan once expressed his fear that Baba would expire and all his work and influence would pass away with him. Baba said that from within the tomb he would beat with sticks meaning that the death of his body would not terminate his influence or activity.

The five tenets of Islam are  1) uttering the Kalami or declaration of faith, namely, There is no god but God and Mohamed is the Prophet; 2) Panch Namaz, saying the Namaz five times a day, at dawn, at 10 a.m., at 12 noon, at 5 p.m. and at night, kneeling and bending the body at each utterance. 3) Fasting, especially all the forty days of Ramzan and on other occasions about 8 or 10 times in the year; 4) Alms-giving. 5) Haj Yatra that is, going to Mecca. These are the five tenets of Islam. Of these, Baba observed only alms-giving. His alms-giving was a princely scale and he supported over two hundred homeless beggars at Shirdi and distributed not merely vegetarian food, but also meat for non-vegetarians specially prepared as samaradhana from his Hundi, by himself. He also distributed clothes to the poor periodically. In addition to regular donations to certain persons, he also gave liberally to dancers, athletes, acrobats and Ramadasis and all sorts of people that came to him for alms. His reputation as a liberal Maharaj was known very far from Shirdi and attracted people like Madras Ramadasis and this man Tarbella Abdulla Jan.

(Source: Devotees' Experiences of Shri Sai Baba by Late Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji)

Sai's Kafni - robe worn by Sai

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Kafni Cloth Leelas – www.shirdisaitrust.org

"Whenever Sai Baba's Kafni or Langot were worn out or torn, he never gave it to anybody, rather he used to burn them to ashes in Dhuni. And it was not compulsory that the clothes of Sai Baba had to be old in order to burn them.

Sometimes he even used to burn clothes which were used for a short time & sometimes he would repair the worn out clothes and use them. When Sai Baba's clothes were torn, Tatya Patil used to tear them more by his fingers.

If Sai Baba wanted to take any devotee high up in the matter of spirituality, then that lucky person got Sai Baba’s old clothes as Prasad. The clothes of Sai Baba had immense powers in it. Once Sai Baba gifted His Kafni to Mhalsapati. The result was that till his death Mhalsapati lived like a sanyasi while also taking care of his family and social attachments.

In another instance, Sai Baba gave his Kafni to a devotee named Muktaram. As the Kafni was dirty, Muktaram washed it and placed it in Wada (Dharamshala) to dry. After this, Muktaram went for Baba's Darshan. Vamanrao was present where the Kafni was kept for drying in Kaka Saheb Dixit’s Wada.

A voice came from the Kafni said - "See, Muktaram has brought me here and hanged upside down."

Vamanrao immediately took the Kafni and wore it himself. After wearing the Kafni, Vamanrao went to Dwarkamai.

Sai Baba got angry when He saw the Kafni worn by Vamanrao. But Vamanrao was determined to take Sanyas. When time came after this incident Vamanrao went high up in the matter of spirituality.

On Tuesday 15th October`1918, the day Baba took Samadhi, an old cloth Bag that Baba never allowed anyone to touch was opened and in it a Green Kafni and a Green Cap (headgear) were found, which were given to him by Kasi Ram, the tailor.

Baba had worn them also but later preferred white robes only. And, along with other items, this bag was also placed with Baba inside his Samadhi.

Nowdays, Baba's other regular worn Kafni’s are kept at the "Sai Baba Museum" in Dixit Wada at Shirdi. – (Source: www.shirdisaitrust.org)

Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi

💐II 🕉 Sairam II💐
*The Samadhi.*

        The Samadhi is 6’ long, and 2’ wide. Surrounding it is an alter 9’ by 9’ with a height of 3’. Three steps lead to this alter; on the 3rdstep these words are inscribed

*“Shri Sai Baba hey mithi Ashwin sudh 10 roji mangalwar dinak 15 October, 1918 roji samadhisth zale”* (Roughly Translated) In the month of Ashsvin sudh 10th day on Tuesday the 15th of October 1918 Shri Sai Baba took Samadhi. This is the inscribed in Marathi on the central portion of the step. On either side there are Urdu inscriptions. On the left is the Islamic Tariq. The inscription reads *“Tariq vafat Sai Baba 9 Mohorrum 1339 Sun higari nanil”.* On the right side is inscribed *“Likhe ek jaane majmun khali aur Sikander mohib dar duniya dono haath khale”*

        The rough translation is “It is written in a well known article that both the learned philosopher and Sikander (Alexander) entered this world empty handed and left this world with both their hands empty”                  

        Many questions arise from this inscription. When was this added on? As the photographs in the old Shri Sai Satcharita do not show this, only the central inscription is there. Why should this be written on the step of Baba’s Samadhi? If its’ meant to be a sort of epitaph, then judging from the crowds Baba is fulfilling every ones desires, and no one returns empty handed. Is it a note of caution for us to remember the ultimate truth that finally after asking him for a thousand things and receiving them, we will leave this world empty handed?

        Everyday mangal snan is performed to Baba’s murty and the Samadhi, and then alankar is done with ashtagandh. Then theSamadhi is covered with a beautiful shawl, care is taken to cover the Samadhi, and the murtywith a warm shawl during the winter months, while a cotton shawl is used in summer. Meticulous care is taken be give Baba a warm shawl starting from Diwali Padava i.e. Karthik(October-November) through the winter. The use of the warm shawl is discontinued on Holi in Phalgun(March).

  On Monday, 8-3-1936 duringKakad arati it was noted by Shama and numerous devotees that the warm shawl covering the Samadhi had on its own accord moved aside. Thus leaving only the cotton shawl to cover it, the significance of this was that Baba was feeling hot and had pushed the woolen shawl away. This is the reason meticulous care given to change the fabric of the shawl on those particular dates.

Ref Sai Leela Magazine Ank 1,2,3. Year 13, Shake 1858 (1936).    

        This routine is also followed in the Dwarka Mai. The other caring practice is to place a kerosene lantern through the night next to Baba’s murty. A copper Zaari (container with a spout used for water) filled with water is placed next to the lantern. Radha Krishna Mai, lovingly did this during Baba’s sojourn in Shirdi.

After Sej arati a mosquito net covers the murty and the Samadhi. It is removed just before Kakad arati the next morning. Baba’s murty is offered butter sweetened with sugar at Kakad arati. The significance of butter, it is present in milk in the invisible form. After certain irrevocable process it becomes visible. Once the butter is formed it floats and does not dissolve either in milk or water. Baba wants us to offer ourselves as butter sweetened with sugar of “Total Surrender” to him.

        Every living being on earth is as pure as milk at birth. But as one grows the family and society influence and adulterate that human being with illusions of Maya to ‘set as curds’. At this juncture only the grace of the Sadguru can churn this curd from which butter of ‘self realization’ can be extracted. Once the butter surfaces it will float on this ‘Bhavsagar’ without being dissolved.

Breakfast is given before thelaghu arati “Shirdi majhePandharpur”. Lunch is given before the noon arati.

Dinner is given before Dhup aratiit is usually “Jhunka Bhakar” with raw onions. On Ekadashi he is offered ‘upavas’ food. Ekadashi is a day of fasting (upavas)

Upavas means “to stay near the almighty” i.e. to concentrate on him. A person can concentrate when his indriyas are not working outwardly. The first step is to have ‘satvic aahar’. We have to give ‘satvic aahar’ to our minds by doing Puja, naam smaran etc.

 Baba’s food is cooked in the Naivedya Koti which was a room in the rear of the Samadhi Mandir. The Naivedya Koti is now moved upstairs.

*Baba’s Murty*(idol)

  Baba’s murty is hewn from a single block of marble, it cost 22,000 rupees.  The murty’s faces east, and the face is tilted towards ‘ishanya disha’ (north east). This is the abode of Lord Vishnu. Every devotee who goes to the Samadhi Mandir feels that Baba is looking only at him or her, no matter where they stand. In fact Baba is not just looking at them but he is searching for them with his benevolent gaze.

   On the 7th of October 1954, the idol was installed next to the western wall, on the platform, behind Baba’s Samadhi.

*THE BRICK*

This brick was Baba’s, constant companion, his ‘Sangani’. Mhalsapati, Kashiram Shimpi and Madhu Fasle performed mangalsnan  and worshiped it every day. One day, accidentally the brick broke. The breaking of the brick is symbolic of death. A detailed account of the brick is given in the book titled Baba’s Rinanubandh.

 Baba was distraught and said, “It’s not the brick, but my fortune that is broken. She was my constant companion! Now that she has gone, so I too will leave.”  Thereafter Baba’s health stared deteriorating and on the 5th day he took Mahasamadhi. Mention of this incident is made in the ShriSai Satcharita chapter 44.

*Source : Baba’s Gurukul compiled by Vinny Chitluri. For copies contact 9902388699.For all copies by Vinny chitluri please contact Sada Ghode @ 09822856666 / 9975455835 in Shirdi*

Shri Sai Satcharita - Final Chapter with Sai Aarati

EPILOGUE

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 Hemadpant’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 Sadhguru 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 honor and dishonor, 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 incessantly and innumerable fishes in the form of censure, hate and jealousy play there, though this ocean is so fierce and terrible, Sadhguru 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 let us prostrate 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. When 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 flavor 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 Sagun 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 the Satcharita respectfully, Sai will be pleased, and removing your 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 own 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 especially on Guru Poornima (Ashadha full-moon day), Gokul-Ashtami, Rama-Navami and Dasara

(Baba's anniversary). 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) sugar. By its study, the diseased and sick will get health, the poor wealth, the mean and afflicted the 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 Sai 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 this with prayer to the Almighty for the following Prasad of favor: - May the readers and devotees get complete and whole-hearted devotion to Sai's Feet. May Sai’s  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

AARATI

Arati Sai Baba
Composed By: Shri Madhavrao Vamanrao Adkar

1)     Aarti Sai Baba, saukhyadaataara jeeva. Charana rajaatalee
Dhyaava daasaan visaawaa, bhaktaa visaawaa. Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: We do Aarti to Sai Baba, the soul that and the giver of happiness to all. Give refuge to the downtrodden devotees who are at your feet. We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

2)     Jaaluniyaan aananng swaswaroopee raahe dhanga
Mumukshu janaan daavee nija dolaan Sreeranga, dolaan Sreeranga Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: Burn the desires. To the seekers of Self, teach them the way to get Moksha (state of pure bliss). With their own eyes they see the Lord Vishnu (Sriranga). We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

3)    Jayaa manee jaisaa bhaava tayaa taisaa anubhava
Daawisee dayaaghanaa aisee tujzee hee maava tujzeeheemaava Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: You grant suitable experiences to everybody in accordance with their Faith and devotion. O, merciful one, such is your way.O kind one. We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

4)     Tumache naama dhyaataan hare sansrithi vyathaa
Agaadha tava karanee maarga daawisee anaadhaa,daawisee anaadhaa Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: Meditation of your name removes the worldly sufferings. Your actions are unfathomable. Show the path to unfortunate ones. We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

5)     Kaliyugee avataara saguna parabrahm saachara
Avateerna jhaalase swami Datta digambara, Datta digambara

Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: In this age of Kaliyug (The dark and troublsome age of present ), you are true incarnation of Brahama, that has taken form and descended on this earth. You are also Swami Datta digambar (Three-headed diety who is considered as combined incarnation of Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwara). Datta digambar. We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

6)     Aattan divasaan guruwaaree bhakta karitee waaree
Prabhupada pahaavayaa bhavabhaya niwaree, bhaya niwaree Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: On Thursdays, every week, the devotees take a trip (to Shirdi), to have a glimpse of the Lord’s feet and to avert their worldly fears. We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

7)    Maajan nija dravya tteewaa tav charan rajasevaa
Maagane hechiyaataa tumhan devaadhideva, Devaadhideva

Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: The only wealth I desire is to serve at thy feet. O Lord of Lords. We do Aarti to you Sai Baba.

8)   Ichchita deena chaatak nirmala toya nijasookha
Paajaawe maadhavaa yaa saambhal aapulee bhaaka, aapulee bhaaka Aarti Sai Baba

Meaning: Just as the chatak bird desires to drink pure raw water, so O Lord! Kindly give me also your assurance (that I will receive such direct knowledge).

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharita - Chapter 50

Shri Sai Satcharita

Chapter 50

Stories of three devotees (1) Kakasaheb Dixit (2) Shri Tembe Swami (3) Balaram Dhurandhar.

Preliminary

Hail Victory unto Sai, the main-stay of the Bhaktas, our Sadguru who expounds the meaning of the Gita.  He gives us His powers. Oh Sai, please look favorably on us and bless us all.

The sandalwood trees grow on the Malaya Mountains and ward off heat. The clouds, pour their rain-water and thereby, cool and refresh all the people. The flowers, blossom in the spring and, enable us to worship God, therewith. So the stories of Sai Baba come forth, in order to give solace and comfort to the readers. Both, those, who tell; and those who hear the stories of Baba, are blessed and holy, as also the mouths of the former and the ears of the latter.

It is well-established fact, that though we try hundreds of means or sadhana, we do not attain the spiritual goal of life, unless a Sadguru blesses us with his grace. Hear the following story in illustration of this statement.

Kakasaheb Dixit (1864-1926)

Mr. Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb Dixit was born in 1864 A.D., in a Vadnagara Nagar - Brahmin-family, at Khandwa(C.P). His primary education was done at Khandwa, Hinganghat, and secondary education at Nagpur. He came to Bombay for higher education and studied first in the Wilson College and then in the Elphinstone College. After graduation in 1883 A.D., he passed his L.L.B. and solicitor's examination; and then served in the firm of the Govt. Solicitors, Messrs Little and Co., and then, after sometime started a solicitors' firm of his own.

Before 1909 A.D., Sai Baba's name was not familiar to Kakasaheb, but after that he soon became His great devotee. While he was staying at Lonavla, he happened to see his old friend. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar. Both spent some time, in talking about many things. Kakasaheb described to him, how when he was boarding a train in London, he met with an accident, in which his foot slipped and was injured. Hundreds of remedies gave him no relief. Nanasaheb then told him that if he wished to get rid of the pain and lameness of his leg, he should go to his Sadguru- Sai Baba. He also gave him all the particulars of Sai Baba and mentioned to him Sai Baba's dictum "I draw to Me My man from far off, or even across the seven seas, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet." He also made it clear to him that if he be not Baba's man, he would not be attracted to Him and given a darshan. Kakasaheb was pleased to hear all this, and said to Nanasaheb that he would go to Baba, see Him and pray to Him to cure not so much his lame leg, but bring round his lame, fickle mind and give him eternal Bliss.

Sometime after, Kakasaheb went to Ahmadnagar; and stayed with Sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar in connection with securing votes for a seat, in the Bombay Legislative Council. Mr. Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Kakasaheb Mirikar, who was a Mamlatdar of Kopergaon, also came at that time to Ahmadnagar in connection with a Horse-Exhibition there. After the election business was over, Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to go to Shirdi and both the Mirikars, father and son were also thinking in their house about a fit and proper person, as a guide, with whom he should be sent there.

Meanwhile Sai Baba was arranging things for his reception. Shama got a telegram from his father-in-law at Ahmadnagar, stating that his wife was seriously ill, and that he should come to see her with his wife. Shama with Baba's permission went there, and saw his mother-in-law and found her improving and better. Nanasaheb Panshe and Appasaheb Gadre happened to see Shama, on their way to the Exhibition Dixit there and take him to Shirdi along with him. Kakasaheb Dixit and the Mirikars were also informed of Shama's arrival. In the evening Shama came to Mirikars, who introduced him to Kakasaheb. They arranged that Shama should leave for Kopergaon with Kakasaheb by the 10 O’clock night train.

After this was settled, a curious thing happened. Balasaheb Mirikar threw aside the veil or covering on Baba's big portrait and showed the same to Kakasaheb. He was surprised to see that He, Whom he was going to meet at Shirdi, was already there in the form of His portrait to greet him, at this juncture. He was much moved and made his prostration before the portrait. This portrait belonged to Megha. The glass over it was broken and it was sent to Mirikar for repairs. The necessary repairs had been already made; and it was decided to return the portrait with Kakasaheb and Shama.

Before ten O’clock, they went to the station and booked their passage; but when the train arrived, they found that the second class was overcrowded; and then there was no room for them. Fortunately, the guard of the train turned out to be an acquaintance of Kakasaheb; and he put them up in the first class. Thus they travelled comfortably and alighted at Kopergaon. Their joy knew no bounds when they saw Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was also bound for Shirdi. Kakasaheb and Nanasaheb embraced each other, and then after bathing in the sacred Godavari River they started for Shirdi.

After coming there and getting Baba's darshan, Kakasaheb's mind melted, his eyes were full of tears and he was overflowing with joy. Baba said to him, that he also was waiting for him; and had sent Shama ahead to receive him.

Kakasaheb then passed many happy years in Baba's company. He built a Wada in Shirdi which he made as his, more or less, permanent home. The experiences he got from Baba are so manifold, that it is not possible to relate them all here. The readers are advised to read a special (Kakasaheb Dixit) No. of 'Shri Sai Leela' magazine, Volume 12, No. 6-9.

We close this account with the mention of one fact only. Baba had comforted him by saying that in the end "He will take him in air coach (Viman)", (i.e., secure him a happy death). This came out true. On the 5th of July 1926 A.D., he was travelling in the train with Hemadpant and talking about Sai Baba. He seemed deeply engrossed in Sai Baba. All of a sudden he threw his neck on Hemadpant's shoulder, and breathed his last with no trace of pain and uneasiness.

Shri Tembe Swami

We come to the next story, which shows how Saints love each other with fraternal affection. Once Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati, known as Shri Tembe Swami encamped, at Rajamahendri (Andhra Country), on the banks of Godavari. He was a devout, orthodox, Jnaani and Yogi Bhakta of the God Dattatreya. One, Mr. Pundalikrao, pleader of Nanded (Nizam State) went to see him, with some friends. While they were talking with him, the names of Shirdi and Sai Baba were casually mentioned. Hearing Baba's name, the Swami bowed with his hands; and taking a coconut gave it to Pundalikrao, and said to him, "Offer this to my brother Sai, with my pranam and request Him not to forget me, but ever love me." He also added that the Swamis do not generally bow to others, but in this case an exception had to be made. Mr. Pundalikrao consented to take the fruit and his message to Baba.

The Swami was right in calling Baba a brother, for as he maintained an Agnihotra (Sacred fire) day and night, in his orthodox fashion; Baba too kept His Agnihotra, i.e., Dhuni ever burning in the Masjid.

After one month Pundalikrao and others left for Shirdi with the coconut, and reached Manmad, and as they felt thirsty they went to a rivulet for drinking water. As water should not be drunk on an empty stomach, they took out some refreshments, i.e., Chivda (flattened rice mixed with spice). The Chivda tasted pungent and in order to soften it, someone suggested and broke the coconut and mixed its scrapings with it. Thus they made the Chivda mare tasty and palatable. Unfortunately the fruit broken, turned out to be the same that was entrusted to Pundalikrao. As they neared Shirdi, Pundalikrao remembered the trust, i.e., the coconut and was very sorry to learn that it was broken and utilized. Fearing and trembling, he came to Shirdi and saw Baba. Baba had already received a wireless message, regarding the coconut, from the Tembe Swami, and Himself asked Pundalikrao first to give the things sent by His brother. Pundalikrao held fast Baba's Feet, confessed his guilt and negligence, repented and asked for Baba's pardon. He offered to give another fruit as a substitute, but Baba refused to accept it saying that the worth of that coconut was by far, many times more, than an ordinary one and that it could not be replaced by another one. Baba also added- "Now you need not worry yourself any more about the matter. It was on account of my wish that the coconut was entrusted to you, and ultimately broken on the way; why should you take the responsibility of the actions on you? Do not entertain the sense of doer in doing good, as well as for bad deeds; be entirely pride less and egoless in all things and thus your spiritual progress will be rapid." What a beautiful spiritual instruction Baba gave!

Balaram Dhurandhar (1878-1925)

Mr. Balaram Dhurandhar belonged to the Pathare Prabhu community, of Santa Cruz, Bombay. He was an advocate of the Bombay High Court and sometime Principal of the Government Law School, Bombay. The whole Dhurandhar family was pious and religious. Mr. Balaram served his community, and wrote and published an account of it. He then turned his attention to spiritual and religious matters. He studied carefully Gita, and its commentary Jnaneshwari; and other philosophical and other metaphysical works. He was a devotee of Vithoba of Pandharpur.

He came in contact with Sai Baba in 1912 A.D.. Six months prior to this, his brothers Babulji and Vamanrao came to Shirdi and took Baba's darshan. They returned home, and mentioned their sweet experiences to Balaram and other members. Then they all decided to see Sai Baba. Before they came to Shirdi, Baba declared openly that, "Today many of my Durbar people are coming." The Dhurandhar brothers were astonished to hear this remark of Baba, from others; as they had not given any previous intimation of their trip. All the other people prostrated themselves before Baba, and sat talking to Him. Baba said to them, "These are my Durbar people to whom I referred before" and said to the Dhurandhar brothers, "We are acquainted with each other for the last sixty generations."

All the brothers were meek and modest; they stood with joined hands, staring at Baba's Feet. All the Sattwik emotions such as tears, gush to devotion, love, choking, etc., moved them and they were all happy. Then they went to their lodging, took their meals and after taking a little rest again came to the Masjid.

Balaram sat near Baba, messaging His Legs. Baba was smoking a chillim advanced it towards Balaram and beckoned him to smoke it. Balaram 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 Balaram. He was suffering from Asthma for six years. This smoke completely cured him of the disease, which never troubled him again. Some six years later, on a particular day, he again got an attack of Asthma. This was precisely the time when Baba took his Mahasamadhi.

The day of this visit was a Thursday and the Dhurandhar brothers had the good fortune of witnessing the Chavadi. Balaram saw the luster of Panduranga on Baba's face. Next morning at the Kakad Aarti time, the same phenomenon; the same luster of his Beloved Deity- Panduranga was visible again on Baba's face.

Mr. Balaram Dhurandhar wrote, in Marathi, the life of the Maharashtra Saint Tukaram, but did not survive to see its publication. It was published later on, by his brothers in 1928. In a short note on Balaram's life given in the beginning of the book, the above account of Balaram's visit has been fully corroborated therein (Vide page 6 of the book).

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharita - Chapter 49

Shri Sai Satcharita

Chapter 49

Stories of three devotees (1) Hari Kanoba  (2) Somadeva Swami  (3) Nanasaheb Chandorkar.

Preliminary

The Vedas and the Puranas cannot sufficiently praise (describe) Brahma or Sadhguru; then how can we, who are ignorant, describe our Sadhguru Shri Sai Baba? We think that it is better for us to keep quiet in this matter. In reality the observance of the vow of silence is the best way of praising the Sadhguru; but the good qualities of Sai Baba make us forget our vow of silence and inspire us to open our mouth. Good dishes taste flat if there be no company of friends and relations to partake of the dishes with us, but when they join us, the dishes acquire additional flavor. The same is the case with the Sai Leela – the nectar in the form of Sai's leelas. This nectar we cannot partake alone. Friends and brothers have to join us - the more the better.

It is Sai Baba Himself that inspires these stories and gets them written as He desires. Our duty is to surrender completely to Him and meditate on Him. Practicing penance is better than pilgrimage, vow, sacrifice, and charity. Worshipping Hari (Lord) is better than penance, and meditation on the Sadhguru is the best of all. We have, therefore, to chant Sai's name by mouth, think over His sayings in our mind, meditate on His form, feel real love for Him in our heart and do all our actions for His sake. There is no better means than this for snapping the bondage of samsara. If we can do our duty on our part as stated above, Sai is bound to help and liberate us. Now we revert to the stories of this chapter.

Hari Kanoba

A gentleman of Bombay named Hari Kanoba heard from his friends and relations many Leelas of Baba. He did not believe in them. He wanted to test Baba himself. So he came to Shirdi with some Bombay friends. He wore a lace-bordered turban on his head and a new pair of sandals on his feet. Seeing Baba from a distance he thought of going to Him and prostrating himself before Him. He did not know what to do with his new sandals. Still going to some corner outside in the open courtyard, he placed them there and went in the Masjid and took Baba's darshan. He made a reverential bow to Baba, took Udi and prasad from Baba and returned. When he reached the corner he found that his sandals had disappeared. He searched for them in vain and returned to his lodging very much dejected.

He bathed, offered worship and naivedya and sat for meals, but all the while he was thinking about nothing but his sandals. After finishing his meals, he came out to wash his hands when he saw a Maratha boy coming towards him. He had in his hand a stick, on the top of which was suspended a pair of new sandals. He said to the men who had come out to wash their hands that Baba sent him with this stick in hand and asked him to go on the streets crying – Hari Ka Beta. Jari Ka Pheta and told him that anybody claims these sandals, first assure yourself that his name is Hari and that he is the son of Ka, i.e., Kanoba, and that he wears a lace-bordered turban and then give them to him. Hearing this, Hari Kanoba was pleasantly surprised. He went ahead to the boy and claimed the sandals as his own. He said to the boy that his name was Hari and that he was the son of Ka (Kanoba) and showed him his lace bordered turban. The boy was satisfied and returned the sandals to him. Hari Kanoba wondered in his mind saying that his lace-bordered turban was visible to all and Baba might have seen it, but how could he know his name Hari and that he was the son of Kanoba, as this was his first trip to Shirdi. He came there with the sole object of testing Baba and with no other motive. He came to know by this incident that Baba was a great Satpurush. He got what he wanted and returned home well-pleased.

Somadeva Swami

Now hear the story of another man who came to try Baba. Bhaiji, brother of Kakasaheb Dixit was staying at Nagpur. When he had gone to the Himalayas in 1906 A.D., he made an acquaintance with one Somadeva Swami of Haradwar at Uttarkashi down the Gangotri valley. 1 Both took down each other's names in their diaries. Five years afterwards Somadeva Swami came to Nagpur and was Bhaiji's guest. There he was pleased to hear the Leelas of Baba and a strong desire arose in his mind to go to Shirdi and see Sai Baba. He got a letter of introduction from Bhaiji and left for Shirdi. After passing Manmad and Kopergaon, he took a tanga and drove to Shirdi. As he came near Shirdi he saw two high flags floating over the Masjid in Shirdi. Generally we find different ways of behaviour, different modes of living and different outward paraphernalia with different saints. But these outward signs should never be our standards to judge the worth of the saints. But with Somadeva Swami it was different. As soon as he saw the flags flying, he thought - should a saint take a liking for the flags, does this denote sainthood? It implies the saint's hankering after fame. Thinking thus he wished to cancel his Shirdi trip and said to his fellow travelers that he would go back. They said to him – “Then why did you come this far? If your mind gets restless by the sight of the flags, how much more agitated would you be on seeing in Shirdi the Ratha (car), the palanquin, the horse and all other paraphernalia”? The Swami got more confounded and said – “A few such Sadhus, with horses, palanquins and tom-toms have I seen and it is better for me to return than see such Sadhus. Saying this he started to return. The fellow-travelers pressed him not to do so, but to proceed. They asked him to stop his crooked way of thinking and told him that the Sadhu, i.e., Baba did not care a bit for the flags and other paraphernalia, nor for fame. It was the people, His devotees that kept up all this paraphernalia out of love and devotion to Him. Finally he was persuaded to continue his journey, go to Shirdi and see Baba. When he went and saw Baba from the courtyard, he was melted inside, his eyes were full of tears, his throat was choked and all his evil and crooked thoughts vanished. He remembered his Guru's saying that - 'that is our abode and place of rest where the mind is most pleased and charmed.' He wished to roll himself in the dust of Baba's Feet and when he approached Baba, the latter got wild and cried aloud, “Let all our humbug (paraphernalia) be with us, you go back to your home, beware if you come back to this Masjid. Why take the darshan of one who flies a flag over his Masjid? Is this a sign of sainthood? Remain here not a moment”. The Swami was taken aback by surprise. He realized that Baba read his heart and spoke it out. How omniscient He was! He knew that he was least intelligent and that Baba was noble and pure. He saw Baba embracing somebody, touching someone with his hand, comforting others, staring kindly at some, laughing at others, giving Udi prasad to some and thus pleasing and satisfying all. Why should he alone be dealt with so harshly? Thinking seriously he came to realize that Baba's conduct responded exactly to his inner thought and that he should take a lesson from this and improve; and that Baba's wrath was a blessing in disguise. It is needless to say that later on, his faith in Baba was confirmed and he became a staunch devotee of Baba.

Nanasaheb Chandorkar

Hemadpant concludes this chapter with a story of Nanasaheb Chandorkar. When Nanasaheb was once sitting in the Masjid with Mhalasapati and others, a Mahomedan gentleman from Bijapur came with his family to see Baba. Seeing veiled ladies with him, Nanasaheb wanted to go away, but Baba prevented him from doing so. The ladies came and took the darshan of Baba. When one of the ladies removed her veil to salute Baba's feet, Nanasaheb saw her face. He was smitten with her rare beauty that he wished to see her face again. Knowing Nana's restlessness of mind, Baba spoke to him after the lady had left the place as follows, “why are you getting agitated in vain? Let the senses do their allotted work, or duty, we should not meddle with their work. God has created this beautiful world and it is our duty to appreciate its beauty. The mind will get steady and calm slowly and gradually. When the front door was open, why go by the back one? When the heart is pure, there is no difficulty, whatsoever. Why should one be afraid of any one if there be no evil thought in us? The eyes may do their work, why should you feel shy and tottering?”

Shama was there and he could not follow the meaning of what Baba said. So he asked Nana about this on their way home. Nana told him about his restlessness at the sight of the beautiful lady, how Baba knew it and advised him about it. Nana explained Baba's meaning as follows, “Our mind is fickle by nature; it should not be allowed to get wild. The senses may get restless, the body, however, should be held in check and not allowed to be impatient. Senses run after objects, but we should not follow them and crave for their objects. By slow and gradual practice restlessness can be conquered. We should not be swayed by the senses, but they cannot be completely controlled. We should curb them rightly and properly according to the need of the occasion. Beauty is the subject of sight; we should fearlessly look at the beauty of objects. There is no room for shyness or fear. Only we should never entertain evil thoughts. Making the mind desire-less, observe God's works of beauty. In this way the senses will be easily and naturally controlled and even in enjoying objects you will be reminded of God. If the outer senses are not held in check and if the mind be allowed to run after objects and be attached to them, our cycle of births and deaths will not come to an end. Objects of sense are things harmful. With Viveka (discrimination) as our charioteer, we will control the mind and will not allow the senses to go astray. With such a charioteer we reach the Vishnupada, the final abode, our real Home from which there is no return”.

This advice applies to all who wish to follow Sai-path.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharita - Chapter 48

Shri Sai Satcharita

Chapter 48

Warding off Devotee's Calamities:  

Stories of (1) Shevade and (2) Sapatneker

At the commencement of this chapter, someone asked Hemadpant whether Sai Baba was a Guru or Sadhguru. In order to answer the question Hemadpant describes the signs or marks of a Sadhguru as follows:-

Signs of Sadhguru

He who teaches us Veda and Vedanta or the six Shastras (systems), he who controls the breath, or brands his body with Mudras (metallic marks of Vishnu's weapons) or gives pleasing discourses regarding Brahma, he who gives mantras (sacred syllables) to the disciples and orders them to chant the same a certain number of times, but does not assure them any result in a definite time, he who by his spacious wordy knowledge explains beautifully the Ultimate Principle, but has himself got no experience or self-realization is not a Sadhguru. But he, who by his discourse creates in us, distaste for the enjoyments of this world and the next, and gives us a taste of self-realization, who is well-versed in both the theoretical and practical knowledge (self-realization) deserves to be called a Sad-guru. How can he, who is himself devoid of self-realization, give it to the disciples? A Sadhguru does not, even in his dream, expect any service or profit from his disciples. On the contrary he wishes to serve them. He does not think that he is great and the disciple small. Not only he loves him as his son but regards him as equal to himself or as Brahma. The main characteristic of a Sadhguru is that he is the abode of peace. He is never restless or ruffled. He has no pride of his learning. The poor and the rich, the small and the great, are the same to him.

Hemadpant thinks that on account of the store or accumulation of merits in his past births, he had the good fortune of meeting and being blessed by such a Sadhguru as Sai Baba. Even in full youth Sai hoarded nothing (expect perhaps chillim). Sai had no family, no friend, no home, nor any support. Since He was eighteen, Sai’s control of mind was perfect and extra-ordinary. Sai lived then fearless in a secluded place and always abided in His Self. Seeing the pure attachment of His devotees He always acted in their interests and hence He was in a way dependent on them. What experiences Sai gave to His devotees while he was living in flesh, are even to-day, after His Mahasamadhi, obtained now by those who attach themselves to Him.

What the devotees have to do is this - They have to trim their heart-lamp of faith and devotion, and burn in it wicks of love, and when this is done, the flame of knowledge (self-realization) will be lit up and shine brighter. Mere knowledge without love is dry; nobody wants such knowledge. Without love there is no contentment; so we should have unbroken and unbounded love. How can we praise love? Everything is insignificant before it. Without love our reading, hearing and the study are of no avail. In the wake of love follow devotion, dispassion, peace and liberation with all their treasures. We do not get love for anything unless we feel earnestly about it. So where there is real yearning and feeling, God manifests Himself. It includes love and is the means of liberation.

Now let us revert to the main story of this chapter. Let a man go to a true saint with a pure mind, otherwise (fraudulently) and hold his feet; ultimately he is sure to be saved. This is illustrated by the following stories:

Mr.Shevade and Mr. Sapatnekar

Mr. Sapatneker of Akkalkot (Sholapur District) was studying for law. A co-student Mr.Shevade met him. Other fellow students also gathered together and compared notes of their study. It was found by the questions and answers amongst themselves, that Mr.Shevade was the least prepared of all for the examination, and therefore all the students derided him. But he said that though he was not prepared, he was sure to pass the examination, as his Sai Baba was there to get him through it successfully. Mr.Sapatnekar was surprised at this remark. He took Mr.Shevade aside and asked him who this Sai Baba was whom he extolled so high. Shevade replied, “Sai lives in a Masjid in Shirdi (Ahmednagar District). He is a great Saint. There may be other saints, but He is unique. Unless there is a great store of merits on one's account, one cannot see Him. I fully believe in Him, and what He says will be never untrue. He has assured me that I will pass definitely next year and I am confident that I will get through the final examination also with His grace”. Mr.Sapatneker laughed at his friend's confidence and jeered at him and Baba.

Mr.Sapatnekar passed his examination, settled at Akkalkot and practiced as a pleader there. Ten years after this, i.e., in 1913 he lost his only son on account of a throat disease. This broke his heart. He sought relief by making a pilgrimage to Pandharpur, Ganagapur and other holy places. He got no peace of mind. Then he read Vedanta, which also did not help him. In the meanwhile he remembered Mr.Shevade's remarks and his faith in Baba, and he thought that he too should go to Shirdi and see Baba. He went to Shirdi with his younger brother Panditrao and was much pleased to see Baba from a distance. When he went near and prostrated himself and placed a coconut before Baba with pure feeling (devotion), Sai at once cried out “Get away”. Saptnekar hung his head down, moved back and sat. He wanted to consult somebody who would advise him how to proceed. Somebody mentioned Bala Shimpi's name. Sapatnekar saw him and sought his help. They bought Baba's photos and came with them to the Masjid. Baba Shimpi took a photo in his hand, gave it to Baba and asked him whose photo it was. Baba said that this photo was the 'Yara' (Lover) of him, pointing to Sapatnekar. Saying this Baba laughed and all others joined. Bala asked Baba the significance of the laugh and beckoned Sapatnekar to come forward and take darshan. When Saptnakar began to prostrate himself, Baba again cried out.Sapatnekar did not know what to do. Then they both joined their hands and sat before Baba, praying. Baba finally ordered Sapatnekar to clear out immediately. Both were sad and dejected.

As Baba's order had to be obeyed, Sapatnekar left Shirdi with a heavy heart praying that he should be allowed to take darshan next time.

One year elapsed. Still his mind was not at peace. He went to Gangapur, where he felt more restless. Then he went to Madhegaon for rest and finally decided to go to Kashi. Two days before starting, his wife got a vision. In her dream she was going with a pitcher to Lakadsha's well. There a fakir with a piece of cloth round his head, who was sitting at the foot of the Neem tree, came close to her and said - dear lassie, why get exhausted for nothing? I get your pitcher filled with pure water. She was afraid of the fakir and hastened back with the empty pitcher. The fakir followed her. At this point she woke up. She told this vision to her husband. They thought that this was an auspicious sign and they both left for Shirdi. When they reached the Masjid, Baba was absent. He had gone to Lendi. They waited till His return. When He returned, she was surprised to see that the fakir she saw in her vision resembled exactly Baba. She reverentially prostrated herself before Baba and sat looking at him. Seeing her humility Baba was much pleased and began to tell a story in his peculiar characteristic fashion to a third party. Sai said, “My arms, abdomen and waist are paining for a long time. I took many medicines, the pains did not abate. I got sick of the medicines as they gave me no relief, but I am surprised to see now that all the pains have disappeared at once”. Though no name was mentioned it was the story of Mrs.Sapatnekar herself. Her pains, as described by Baba, left her soon and she was happy.

Then Mr.Sapatnekar went ahead to take Sai’s darshan. He was again welcomed with the former “Get out”. This time he was more penitent and persevering. He said that Baba's displeasure was due to his past deeds and resolved to make amends for the same. He determined to see Baba alone and ask his pardon for his past actions. This he did. He placed his head on Baba's feet and Baba placed His hand on his head. Sapatnekar sat stroking Baba's leg. Then a shepherdess came and sat massaging Baba's waist. Baba in his characteristic way began to tell the story of a bania. He related the various vicissitudes of all his life, including the death of his only son. Sapatnekar was surprised to see that the story which Baba related was his own, and he wondered how Baba knew every detail of it. He came to know that He was omniscient and knew the hearts of all. When this thought crossed his mind, Baba still addressing the shepherdess and pointing to Sapatnekar said, “This fellow blames Me and charges Me with killing his son. Do I kill people's children? Why does this fellow come to the Masjid and cry? Now I will do this I will again bring that same child back in his wife's womb”. With these words He placed His blessing hand on his head and comforted him saying, “These feet are old and holy, you are care-free now; place entire faith in Me and you will soon get your object”. Sapatnekar was much moved with emotion; he bathed Baba's feet with his tears and then returned to his residence.

Then he made preparations of worship and naivedya and came with his wife to the Masjid. He offered all this to Baba daily and accepted prasad from Him. There was a crowd in the Masjid and Sapatnekar went there and saluted Baba again and again. Seeing heads clashing against heads Baba said to Sapatnekar, “Why do you prostrate yourself now and then? The one Namaskar offered with love and humility is enough. Then Sapatnekar witnessed that night the chavadi procession described before. In that procession Baba looked like a veritable Pandurang (Vithal).

At parting next day, Sapatnekar thought that he should first pay one rupee as dakshina and if Baba asked again, instead of saying no, he should pay one more, reserving with him sufficient amount as expenses for the journey. When he went to the Masjid and offered one rupee, Baba asked for another as per his intention and when it was paid, Baba blessed him saying “Take the coconut, put it in your wife's oti (upper fold of her sari), and go with ease without the least anxiety”. He did so, and within a year a son was born to him and with an infant of 8 months the pair came to Shirdi, placed it at Baba's feet and prayed thus: “Sainath, we do not know how to redeem Your obligations, therefore we prostrate ourselves before You, bless us poor helpless fellows, henceforth let Your holy feet be our sole refuge. Many thoughts and ideas trouble us in waking and dream states, so turn away our minds from them to Your bhajan and bless us”.

The son was named Murlidhar. Two more sons (Bhaskar and Dinkar) were born afterwards. The Sapatnekar pair thus realized that Baba's words were never untrue and unfulfilled, but turned out literally true.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all