Stories of Baba
(1) Attending Mrs. Dev’s Udyapan Ceremony as a
Sanyaasi with two others (2) Visiting Hemadpant’s
House in the Form of His Picture
In this chapter we give two stories; (1) How Baba
attended the Udyapan ceremony, organised by Mr. B.V. Dev’s mother
at his house at Dahanu and (2) How Baba attended the Shimga dinnerparty
in Hemadpant’s house at Bandra.
Preliminary
Blessed is Shri Sai Samartha, Who gives instructions, in both
temporal and spiritual matters, to His devotees and makes them happy
by enabling them to achieve the goal of their life. Sai, when places His
hand on their heads, transfers His powers to them, and thus destroying
the sense of differentiation, makes them attain the unattainable thing.
He, Who embraces the Bhaktas, who prostrate themselves before Him
with no sense of duality or differentiation. He becomes one with the
Bhaktas, as the sea with the rivers. Now, to revert to the stories of this
chapter.
Mrs. Dev’s Udyapan Ceremony
Mr. B.V. Dev was a Mamlatdar at Dahanu (Thana district). His
mother had observed 25 or 30 religious vows and a Udyapan
(concluding) ceremony, in connection therewith, was to be performed.
This ceremony included the feeding of 100 or 200 brahmins. Mr Dev
fixed a date for the ceremony and wrote a letter to Bapusaheb Jog asking
him to request Sai Baba on his behalf, to attend the dinner of the
ceremony, as without His presence the ceremony would not be duly
completed. Bapusaheb Jog read out the letter to Baba. Baba noted carefully
the pure-hearted invitation, and said, “I always think of him, who
remembers Me. I require no conveyance, carriage, tonga, train, or
aeroplane. I manifest Myself to him, who lovingly calls Me. Write to
him a reply that, three of us (the trio), Myself, yourself and a third
person, will go and attend it.” Mr. Jog informed Mr. Dev, of what Baba
said. Mr. Dev was much pleased, but he knew that, Baba never went
to any place, except Rahata, Rui and Nimgaon, in person. He also
thought that, nothing was impossible for Baba as He was all-pervading
and that, He might suddenly come in any form and fulfil His words.
A few days before this, a Sanyaasi in bengali dress and professing
to work for the cause of the protection of the cows, came to the stationmaster
at Dahanu, to collect donations. The Station-master told him to
go into the town, and see the Mamlatdar (Mr. Dev) and with his help
collect funds. Just then, the Mamlatdar happened to come there. The
station-master then introduced the Sanyaasi to him. Both sat talking on
the platform. Mr. Dev told him that a subscription-list for some other
charitable cause had already been prepared by the leading citizen, Rao
Saheb Narottam Shetti, and so, it was not proper to start another
subscription-list and that, it would be better, if he would visit the place
after 2 or 4 months. Hearing this, the Sanyaasi left the place.
About a month afterwards, the Sanyaasi came in a tonga, which
stopped in front of Mr. Dev’s house at about 10 a.m. Dev thought that,
he came for donations. On seeing him busy with the preprations of the
ceremony, the Sanyaasi said that he had come not for money, but for
meals. Dev said, “All right, you are welcome in the house.” The Sanyaasi
said, “Two lads are with me.” Dev said, “Well, come with them.” As
there was about two hours for the meals to be served, Dev enquired,
where he should sent for them. He said that, it was not necessary, as
he would come himself at the appointed time. Dev asked him to come
at noon. Exactly at twelve noon, the trio came, joined the party, and after
feeding themselves went away.
After the ceremony was finished, Dev wrote a letter to Bapusaheb
Jog, complaining of Baba’s breach of promise. Jog went to Baba with the
letter, but before it was opened Baba spoke, “Ah, he says that I promised
him to come, but deceived him. Tell him that, I did attend his dinner
with two others but he failed to recognise Me. Then, why did he call
me at all? He thought that, the Sanyaasi came to ask for subscription
money, did I not remove his doubt in that respect, and did I not say that
I would come with two others, and did not the trio come in time and
have their meals? See, to keep My words, I would sacrifice my life, I
would never be untrue to My words.” This reply pleased Jog’s heart,
and he communicated the whole reply to Dev. As soon as he read it,
he burst into tears of joy; but he took himself to task mentally, for vainly
blaming Baba. He wondered, how he was deceived by the Sanyaasi’s
prior visit and his coming to him for subscriptions, how he also failed
to catch the significance of the Sanyaasi’s words that, he would come
with two others for meals.
This story clearly shows that, when the devotees surrender
themselves completely to their Sadguru, He sees to it that, the religious
functions in their houses are duly executed and complied with all the
necessary formalities.
Hemadpant’s Shimga Dinner
Now, let us take another story, which shows how Baba appeared
in the form of His picture and fulfilled the desire of His devotee.
In 1917, on the morning of the full-moon day Hemadpant had a
vision. Baba appeared to him in his dream in the form of a well-dressed
Sanyaasi, woke him up, and said that He would come to him for meals
that day. This vision constituted a part of the dream. When he fully
woke up, he saw neither Sai nor any Sanyaasi. But, when he began to
recollect the dream, he remembered each and every word the Sanyaasi
uttered in his dream. Though, he was in contact with Baba for seven
years and always meditated on Baba, he never expected that Baba
would come to his house for meals. However, being much pleased with
Baba’s words, he went to his wife and informed her that being the Holi
day a Sanyaasi was coming for meals and that, some more rice should
be prepared. She enquired about the guest, who he was and where he
was coming from. Then, not to cause any misunderstanding, he gave
her the truth, and told her about the dream. She, doubtingly asked,
whether it was possible that, Baba should come there (Bandra) from
Shirdi, leaving the dainty dishes there to accept their coarse food.
Hemadpant then assured her that Baba might not come in person, but
He might attend in the form of a guest, and that they would lose
nothing, if they cooked some more rice.
After this, preparations for the dinner went on, and it was ready
at noon. The Holika-worship was through and the leaves, were spread
and arranged with ‘Rangoli’ around them. Two rows were arranged
with a central seat between them for the honourable guest. All members
of the family – sons, grandsons, daughters and sons-in-law etc. came
and occupied their seats, and the serving of the various items
commenced. While this was being done, everybody was watching for
the guest but none turned up, though it was past noon. Then, the
entrance was closed, the Anna-shuddhi (ghee) was served. This was a
signal to start eating. Formal offering to the Vaishwadeva (Fire), and
Naivaidya to Shri Krishna were also over and the members were about
to begin, when foot-steps in the stair-case were heard distinctly.
Hemadpant went immediately and opened the door and saw two men
there : (1) Ali Mohammed and (2) Moulana Ismu Mujavar. These two
persons, seeing that meals were laid out and all the members were
about to begin eating, apologised to Hemadpant and requested him to
excuse their interference. They said, “You left your seat and came
running to us, others are waiting for you, so, please take this thing, and
I shall relate all about it later, at your convenience.” Saying so, he took
out from under his arm a packet, wrapped in an old newspaper, and
placed it on the table. Hemadpant uncovered the packet and saw, to his
great wonder and pleasant surprise, a big and nice picture of Sai Baba.
On seeing it, he was much moved, tears ran down from his eyes and
hair stood on end all over his body, and he bent and placed his head
on the Feet of Baba in the picture. He thought that, Baba had blessed
him by this miracle or Leela. Out of curiosity, he asked Ali Mohammed,
how he got this picture. He said that, he bought it from a shop and that,
he would give all the details about it afterwards; and wished that as
all the members were waiting for him, he should go and join them.
Hemadpant thanked him, bade them good-bye, and returned to the
dining-hall. The picture was placed on the central seat, reserved for the
guest, and after making the due offering of the Naivaidya, the whole
party commenced eating and finished it in proper time. On seeing the
beautiful form of Sai in the picture, everybody was extremely pleased
and wondered, how all this happened.
This is how Sai Baba fulfilled His words, uttered by Him in the
dream of Hemadpant. The story of the picture with all its details, viz.,
how Ali Mohammed got it, why he bought it and gave it to Hemadpant,
is reserved for the next chapter.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all
(1) Attending Mrs. Dev’s Udyapan Ceremony as a
Sanyaasi with two others (2) Visiting Hemadpant’s
House in the Form of His Picture
In this chapter we give two stories; (1) How Baba
attended the Udyapan ceremony, organised by Mr. B.V. Dev’s mother
at his house at Dahanu and (2) How Baba attended the Shimga dinnerparty
in Hemadpant’s house at Bandra.
Preliminary
Blessed is Shri Sai Samartha, Who gives instructions, in both
temporal and spiritual matters, to His devotees and makes them happy
by enabling them to achieve the goal of their life. Sai, when places His
hand on their heads, transfers His powers to them, and thus destroying
the sense of differentiation, makes them attain the unattainable thing.
He, Who embraces the Bhaktas, who prostrate themselves before Him
with no sense of duality or differentiation. He becomes one with the
Bhaktas, as the sea with the rivers. Now, to revert to the stories of this
chapter.
Mrs. Dev’s Udyapan Ceremony
Mr. B.V. Dev was a Mamlatdar at Dahanu (Thana district). His
mother had observed 25 or 30 religious vows and a Udyapan
(concluding) ceremony, in connection therewith, was to be performed.
This ceremony included the feeding of 100 or 200 brahmins. Mr Dev
fixed a date for the ceremony and wrote a letter to Bapusaheb Jog asking
him to request Sai Baba on his behalf, to attend the dinner of the
ceremony, as without His presence the ceremony would not be duly
completed. Bapusaheb Jog read out the letter to Baba. Baba noted carefully
the pure-hearted invitation, and said, “I always think of him, who
remembers Me. I require no conveyance, carriage, tonga, train, or
aeroplane. I manifest Myself to him, who lovingly calls Me. Write to
him a reply that, three of us (the trio), Myself, yourself and a third
person, will go and attend it.” Mr. Jog informed Mr. Dev, of what Baba
said. Mr. Dev was much pleased, but he knew that, Baba never went
to any place, except Rahata, Rui and Nimgaon, in person. He also
thought that, nothing was impossible for Baba as He was all-pervading
and that, He might suddenly come in any form and fulfil His words.
A few days before this, a Sanyaasi in bengali dress and professing
to work for the cause of the protection of the cows, came to the stationmaster
at Dahanu, to collect donations. The Station-master told him to
go into the town, and see the Mamlatdar (Mr. Dev) and with his help
collect funds. Just then, the Mamlatdar happened to come there. The
station-master then introduced the Sanyaasi to him. Both sat talking on
the platform. Mr. Dev told him that a subscription-list for some other
charitable cause had already been prepared by the leading citizen, Rao
Saheb Narottam Shetti, and so, it was not proper to start another
subscription-list and that, it would be better, if he would visit the place
after 2 or 4 months. Hearing this, the Sanyaasi left the place.
About a month afterwards, the Sanyaasi came in a tonga, which
stopped in front of Mr. Dev’s house at about 10 a.m. Dev thought that,
he came for donations. On seeing him busy with the preprations of the
ceremony, the Sanyaasi said that he had come not for money, but for
meals. Dev said, “All right, you are welcome in the house.” The Sanyaasi
said, “Two lads are with me.” Dev said, “Well, come with them.” As
there was about two hours for the meals to be served, Dev enquired,
where he should sent for them. He said that, it was not necessary, as
he would come himself at the appointed time. Dev asked him to come
at noon. Exactly at twelve noon, the trio came, joined the party, and after
feeding themselves went away.
After the ceremony was finished, Dev wrote a letter to Bapusaheb
Jog, complaining of Baba’s breach of promise. Jog went to Baba with the
letter, but before it was opened Baba spoke, “Ah, he says that I promised
him to come, but deceived him. Tell him that, I did attend his dinner
with two others but he failed to recognise Me. Then, why did he call
me at all? He thought that, the Sanyaasi came to ask for subscription
money, did I not remove his doubt in that respect, and did I not say that
I would come with two others, and did not the trio come in time and
have their meals? See, to keep My words, I would sacrifice my life, I
would never be untrue to My words.” This reply pleased Jog’s heart,
and he communicated the whole reply to Dev. As soon as he read it,
he burst into tears of joy; but he took himself to task mentally, for vainly
blaming Baba. He wondered, how he was deceived by the Sanyaasi’s
prior visit and his coming to him for subscriptions, how he also failed
to catch the significance of the Sanyaasi’s words that, he would come
with two others for meals.
This story clearly shows that, when the devotees surrender
themselves completely to their Sadguru, He sees to it that, the religious
functions in their houses are duly executed and complied with all the
necessary formalities.
Hemadpant’s Shimga Dinner
Now, let us take another story, which shows how Baba appeared
in the form of His picture and fulfilled the desire of His devotee.
In 1917, on the morning of the full-moon day Hemadpant had a
vision. Baba appeared to him in his dream in the form of a well-dressed
Sanyaasi, woke him up, and said that He would come to him for meals
that day. This vision constituted a part of the dream. When he fully
woke up, he saw neither Sai nor any Sanyaasi. But, when he began to
recollect the dream, he remembered each and every word the Sanyaasi
uttered in his dream. Though, he was in contact with Baba for seven
years and always meditated on Baba, he never expected that Baba
would come to his house for meals. However, being much pleased with
Baba’s words, he went to his wife and informed her that being the Holi
day a Sanyaasi was coming for meals and that, some more rice should
be prepared. She enquired about the guest, who he was and where he
was coming from. Then, not to cause any misunderstanding, he gave
her the truth, and told her about the dream. She, doubtingly asked,
whether it was possible that, Baba should come there (Bandra) from
Shirdi, leaving the dainty dishes there to accept their coarse food.
Hemadpant then assured her that Baba might not come in person, but
He might attend in the form of a guest, and that they would lose
nothing, if they cooked some more rice.
After this, preparations for the dinner went on, and it was ready
at noon. The Holika-worship was through and the leaves, were spread
and arranged with ‘Rangoli’ around them. Two rows were arranged
with a central seat between them for the honourable guest. All members
of the family – sons, grandsons, daughters and sons-in-law etc. came
and occupied their seats, and the serving of the various items
commenced. While this was being done, everybody was watching for
the guest but none turned up, though it was past noon. Then, the
entrance was closed, the Anna-shuddhi (ghee) was served. This was a
signal to start eating. Formal offering to the Vaishwadeva (Fire), and
Naivaidya to Shri Krishna were also over and the members were about
to begin, when foot-steps in the stair-case were heard distinctly.
Hemadpant went immediately and opened the door and saw two men
there : (1) Ali Mohammed and (2) Moulana Ismu Mujavar. These two
persons, seeing that meals were laid out and all the members were
about to begin eating, apologised to Hemadpant and requested him to
excuse their interference. They said, “You left your seat and came
running to us, others are waiting for you, so, please take this thing, and
I shall relate all about it later, at your convenience.” Saying so, he took
out from under his arm a packet, wrapped in an old newspaper, and
placed it on the table. Hemadpant uncovered the packet and saw, to his
great wonder and pleasant surprise, a big and nice picture of Sai Baba.
On seeing it, he was much moved, tears ran down from his eyes and
hair stood on end all over his body, and he bent and placed his head
on the Feet of Baba in the picture. He thought that, Baba had blessed
him by this miracle or Leela. Out of curiosity, he asked Ali Mohammed,
how he got this picture. He said that, he bought it from a shop and that,
he would give all the details about it afterwards; and wished that as
all the members were waiting for him, he should go and join them.
Hemadpant thanked him, bade them good-bye, and returned to the
dining-hall. The picture was placed on the central seat, reserved for the
guest, and after making the due offering of the Naivaidya, the whole
party commenced eating and finished it in proper time. On seeing the
beautiful form of Sai in the picture, everybody was extremely pleased
and wondered, how all this happened.
This is how Sai Baba fulfilled His words, uttered by Him in the
dream of Hemadpant. The story of the picture with all its details, viz.,
how Ali Mohammed got it, why he bought it and gave it to Hemadpant,
is reserved for the next chapter.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all
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