When and for how long He used to sleep no one knew. But He would get up in the early hours at about 4.00 to 4.30 a.m. He would sit near Dhuni – the sacred fire and talk to devotees about distant places he visited overnight and His activities there. He frequently referred to His ‘travels’ over great stretches of space and time though He was physically present in Shirdi whole night. Sitting near dhuni Baba would move His arms and fingers, as if making gestures to some invisible spirits.
Baba generally washed himself once in three days. And when He did people noticed the extraordinary control He had over his physical frame. But on other occasions Baba bathed twice or more times in a day.
After first round of begging He would offer a morsel to the dhuni and take some Himself. After morning breakfast, at about 9 a.m. He would leave for Lendi-garden accompanied by his devotees in a procession bare footed. It was in the later years that Baba wore his chappals(leather footwear) on vehement request from devotees. Sai Sansthan now preserves these as sacred relics. It was during one of these processions that Baba was photographed along with his devotees. There was a pit dug in the garden and a lamp was kept burning in it. Baba would sit behind it and ask Abdul, His personal attendant and the only one to be allowed with Him in the garden, to keep two pots of water near Him. He would sprinkle the water in various directions and meditate thereafter. These actions had some mystique significance:
After returning to the mosque by about 10 a.m. Baba would spent an hour and half with His devotees and visitors who used to come from all parts of India. Sometimes during this period He would go out to five houses for begging alms. He remained a mendicant all His life.
At noon , around 12 p.m., after devotees performed aarati in the mosque, Baba would distribute udi (sacred ash) to devotees and send them back home. After aarati Baba would sit down for lunch along with close devotees behind a curtain. Devotees said that the lunch session was very often the occasion for Baba to manifest some of His divine powers. Baba used to be offered betel and nut after the meal. After lunch Baba would spend some time alone. Devotees did not disturb Him during this period, as He was believed to be in a state of mystique meditation.
Inside the mosque during the recess between 1 and 2 p.m. Baba usually engaged Himself in what would normally appear to be inexplicable rites which He never explained. His devotees were not allowed to be present and He would conceal himself from view with a cloth screen. One devotee Dasganu recorded in 1910 that Baba was standing near dhuni and doing pradakshina (circumbulation). Chandorkar noted that all mantras that Baba muttered was either in Arabic or Persian but not in Sanskrit. Baba sometimes blew the conch, which the devotees felt produced the cosmic sound ‘Aum’ (Om).
At about 3.00 p.m. devotees and visitors used to assemble at the mosque, present their problems and offered prayers to Him. Towards the evening Baba would walk to the front yard of the mosque and stand there for some timeleaning against the outer wall and talking to the passers by in the lane. At about 4 p.m. He would again go for a stroll to the Lendi garden. Baba used to return in time from Lendi garden for the evening aarti. Devotees used to wave lamps and burnt camphor before Him.
As a rule there were three common sittings or 'durbars' during the day. First one in the morning after breakfast, second after Baba's return from Lendi garden and the third about 5 p.m. During all these sittings Baba gave general advice which was universal in character. The sum and substance of His advice was to have strong faith in God and patience for His realization, to love all creatures alike, not to wound the feelings of others, to be honest and sincere in all the actions, not to take the services of others without due payments, etc. Usually He gave advice through stories and parables which used to solve the different questions and anxieties of the different devotees at the same time.
In the evening before the sunset He would distribute the daily gifts of money to beggars, needy and also some devotees, emptying the day’s collections from his pockets. This daily distribution continued till his last breath. Then he would send the devotees and visitors’ home for the evening meal after giving udi (sacred ash). Some however would stay on with Him a little longer. Baba never allowed anyone to stay with Him at night in the mosque in the later years.
Baba was sleeping in Dwarkamai and Chavadi on alternate nights. Baba was taken in a colourful ‘Palki Procession’ from Dwarkamai mosque to Chawri. A regal palanquin, state umbrella, and a horse preceded by bearers of silver mace, whisks and other regal paraphernalia were part of the procession. Although the devotees offered these materials, Baba never used them. He used to walk behind the horse and the palanquin. These days, on every Thursday and important occasions this procession is being taken out with Baba’s photo in the palanquin. This procession is one of the most attractive and popular activities at Shirdi. Visitors to Shirdi must see it.
