Shri Sai Satcharita - Chapter 2

Shri Sai Satcharita

Chapter 2

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 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 favored 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 Satcharita - Chapter 1

THE WONDERFUL LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF SHRI SAI BABA

By the grace and blessings of Shirdi Sai Baba, i wish to copy the contents of Shirdi Sai Satcharita (Adapted from the original Marathi Book SHRI SAI SATCHARITA By Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias 'Hemadpant' In English By NAGESH VASUDEV GUNAJI). This is for the benefit of those of you, who wish to know Shri Shirdi Sai Baba.

Shri Sai Satcharita

Chapter I

Salutations: The Story of Grinding Wheat and Its Philosophical Significance.

According to the ancient and revered custom, Hemadpant begins the work, Sai Satcharita, with various salutations.

(1)   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.

(2)  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.

(3)  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 Worldly Existence.

(4)  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) Purusha4 of the family.

(5)  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.

(6)  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.

(7)  Then, to the readers and prays them to give their whole and undivided attention to his work.

(8) 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 rotated it. I thought- ‘What business Baba had with the grinding of wheat, when He possessed nothing and stored nothing, and as He lived on alms!’Some people who had come there thought likewise, but none had the courage to ask Baba what He was doing. Immediately, this news of Baba's grinding wheat spread into the village, and at once men and women ran to the Masjid and flocked there to see Baba's act. Four bold women from the crowd, forced their way up and pushing Baba aside, took forcibly the peg or handle into their hands, and, singing Baba's Leelas, started grinding. At first Baba was enraged, but on seeing the women's love and devotion, He was much pleased and began to smile. While they were grinding, they began to think that Baba had no house, no property, no children, none to look after, and He lived on alms, 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 among 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 among 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 afflictions 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 worldly 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 Center, and you are sure to be saved.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all 

More Pics of my Loving Sai

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.

"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.

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”.

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 Sairam

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 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.

SHREE SATCHITANAND SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

Shirdi Sai Baba Statue in Samadhi Mandir

Shirdi Sai Baba Statue in Samadhi Mandir

 

Seventh October is the anniversary of consecration of Shirdi Sai Baba statue in Shirdi. It was a huge turning point for Shirdi when the Shirdi Sansthan decided to install Sai’s statue on 7th October`1954, Vijayadashami Day - 36 years after Sai's Mahasamadhi.

HERE IS A BRIEF STORY BEHIND THE STATUE:

In 1952, a piece of a white Italian marble had arrived from Italy
at the Bombay docks but for whom or why, nobody seemed to know!  Thus, in the absence of a claimant, the dockyard authorities auctioned it off and the purchaser later offered it to the Shirdi Sai Sansthan.

Impressed by the quality of the Italian marble, the Shirdi Sansthan planned to use it for an idol of Sai Baba.  So they gave Shri Balaji Vasantrao Talim - a sculptor from Bombay, the humongous task of sculpting Sai's idol.

Meticulously, Shri Balaji Talim got his tools 'made to order' from iron-smiths and carpenters started off by first making a model of Sai using mud clay. But it was difficult for Shri Balaji Talim to make the statue in its exact likeness without the intricate details of the physical characteristics of Sai's face, to profile as he only had Sai's one black & white photograph.

Therefore, he prayed saying "If Sri Sai Baba gives me darshan while making His statue, the statue will be worthy and the devotees also will have feelings of devotion".

And sure enough one early morning, around 07:00AM when Shri Balaji entered his studio, he saw a bright light even before he could switch on the lights. Sai appeared in the light and gave Darshan to him in the studio. Sai remarked on Talim's difficulties and showed him His face from various angles, encouraging Talim to study it thoroughly and remember it well. Shri. Balaji Talim testified about this to Sri Sai Narayan Baba, as to how Sai Himself had directed the sculpting of the statue and how at every stage, he could very clearly hear the divine voice of Sai guiding him.

The Shirdi Sai Sansthan immediately approved this mud statue of Sai, on the basis of which the present Italian marble statue of Sai Baba was carved and installed in the Samadhi Mandir.

In 1954, while working with his workers at the finishing stages of sculpting the almost ready marble statue of Sai Baba,  Shri Balaji Talim found an air pocket in a small additional portion below the left knee of Sai Baba's statue, which had to be removed. It seemed dangerous, as in removing an air pocket from a finished statue, there was every risk of the entire portion coming down, thus leaving the Statue damaged. So the work was stopped and Shri Balaji Talim hesitated to strike and chisel out the additional portion.

He became nervous and prayed to Sai, "Baba have mercy on me. Your murti is ready. Please Baba have mercy on me." Just then he then heard a voice within saying "Balaji, carry on".  So Balaji instructed his workers to carry on and chisel out the additional portion, but the workers refused to do so fearing that the entire knee portion would just drop out.

Eventually and quite nervously, Shri Balaji himself took the chisel and hammer and while praying "Baba, help me" gave a small stroke, touching the additional portion of the marble below the left knee. And to his great surprise, only the additional portion of the marble came down leaving the rest of Sai's statue intact.  Seeing this, tears rolled down his eyes and he prostrated before Sai.

He experienced such a wonderful miracle of Sai Baba. The 5' 5" finished idol of Sai Baba was taken throughout the village with pomp & ceremony. Sai's idol was so life like that devotees like Swami Sri Sai Sharanananda & Laxmibai, who had personally been with Sai, felt as if Sai had come back alive in the form of his idol.

On 7th October`1954, Vijayadasami day, this life like marble statue of Shirdi Sai Baba was installed on the platform of the Samadhi Shrine's western side behind Sai's Samadhi and the due formalities of Prana Pratistha were done by Swami Sri Sai Sharanananda who had met Sai before His Mahasamadhi.

At the time of preparation of Sai's statue, one day Sai gave Darshan to Shri Balaji Talim and said, "Finish the work and you will not do any other idol in future."

Talim did not prepare any other idol since then and finally at the age of 82 on 25th December 1970 he breathed his last. 

Om Sai Ram