RAM NAVAMI FESTIVAL AND MASJID
REPAIRS
Efficacy of the Touch of the Guru’s Hand – Ram
Navami Festival – Its Origin, Transformation etc.
– Repairs of the Masjid.
Before describing Ram Navami Festival and Masjid repairs, the
author makes some preliminary remarks about Sadguru as follows :
Efficacy of the Touch of the Guru’s Hand
When Sadguru is the helmsman he is sure to carry us safely and
easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai
Baba, the Perfect Master. He appears to me, as if standing before me and
applying Udi (sacred ashes) to my forehead and placing his hand of
blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows my
eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru’s hand. The subtlebody
(consisting of thoughts and desires) which cannot be burnt by the
gross fire, is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru’s hand, and the
sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the
speech of those, who feel agitated, when they hear religious and Godly
talks, attain calmness. The sight of Sai Baba’s handsome form chokes
our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflow with tears and overwhelms
the heart with emotions. It awakens in us “I am He” (Soham) Brahma
consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization and dissolving the
distinction of I and Thou, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality).
When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my
Sadguru, Sai Baba, Who assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and
makes me listen to His Life. For instance, when I sit to listen to Bhagwat,
Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think He sings the Bhagwat
or Uddhav Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple,
Uddhav) for the welfare of the devotees. When I myself start to write
anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences; but when He of
His own accord makes me write, I go on writing... and there is no end
to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His
hand and gives him His own power, makes him achieve His object and
thus, satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and
surrenders his heart and soul to Him, then all the chief objects of life,
viz., Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and
Moksha (Deliverance), are attained easily and unsolicitedly. Four paths,
viz., of Karma, Dnyan, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of
these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches and thus,
difficult to traverse; but if you, relying on your Sadguru avoid the pits
and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to your destination (God),
so says Sai Baba.
After philosophising about the self-existent Brahma, His power
(Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that all
these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai
Baba’s words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas :
“There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and
clothes in My devotee’s home. It is my special characteristic, that I
always look to and provide for, the welfare of those devotees, who
worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord
Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore strive not much
for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, renounce
worldly honours, try to get Lord’s grace and blessings and be honoured
in His court. Do not be deluded by worldly honour. The form of the
Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind
be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for
any other thing. Fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will
not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be
calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sign of the mind being well
engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called
well-merged in Him.”
After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story
of Ram Navami festival in Shirdi. As Ram Navami is the most celebrated
festival at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sri Sai Leela
Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the
festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.
Origin
One Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a surveyor in Survey dept. at
Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives but had
no issue. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy
that he felt due to this, an idea of celebrating a fair or ‘Urus’ occurred
to him in the year 1897, and he placed it for consideration before other
Shirdi devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao
Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea, and obtained Sai
Baba’s permission and blessings for it. Then an application was made
to get the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the Urus, but as the
village Kulkarni held against holding the fair the sanction was refused.
But, as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again and ultimately succeeded
in getting the Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on
Ram Navami, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems He had
some purpose behind this, viz. the unification of the two festivals, the
Urus and the Ram Navami and the unification of the two communities
– the Hindus and the Mohammedens. As future events showed, this
end or object was duly achieved.
Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped
up. Shirdi was a village and there was scarcity of water. There were two
wells in the village, the one in use dried up soon and the water from
the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet
water by Sai Baba, by putting flowers into it. As the water of this well
was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water from outside.
Temporary shops were to be constructed and wrestling bouts arranged.
Gopalrao Gund had a friend by name Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar.
He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he had
two wives. He too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons and Mr. Gund
prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one flag for the
procession of the fair. He also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb
Nimonkar to supply another flag. Both these flags were taken in
procession through the village and finally, fixed at the two corners of
the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as ‘Dwarkamai’. This is being
done even now.
The ‘Sandal’ Procession
There was another procession which was started in this fair. The
idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar
Dalal, a Mohammeden Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in
honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings
are put in the Thali (flat dishes) with incense burning before them and
carried in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through
the village and then, after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the
dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (niche) and walls of the Masjid. This
work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years and
then afterwards, by his wife. So, on the same day the two processions,
the ‘Flags’ by the Hindus and ‘Sandal’ by the Muslims, went on side
by side and are still going on without any problem.
Arrangement
This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba.
Most of them turned up for the occasion and took part in the management
of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the
internal management was entirely left to Radhakrishnamai, a female
devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and
she had to look after their needs, and also arrange for all the
paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was
to clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which
were blackened and were full of soot on account of the perpetual Dhuni
(sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This she did during the night, when Sai Baba
had gone to sleep every alternate night in the Chavadi. She had to take
out all the things, including the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning
and white-washing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor,
which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a important item in this fair.
For this purpose, cooking on a grand scale and preparing various sweet
dishes, was done in Radhakrishnamai’s lodging, and various rich and
wealthy devotees took a leading part in this.
Transformation of Urus into Ram Navami Festival
Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually
increasing in importance till 1912, when a change took place. That year
one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jogeshwar Bhishm (the author of ‘Sai
Sagunopasana’), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of
Amaravati and was staying (on the previous day) in the Dixit Wada.
While he was lying in the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias
Kaka Mahajani was going with Puja materials to the Masjid, a thought
arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus – There is some
providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated
in Shirdi on Ram Navami; Ram Navami is very dear to all the Hindus,
then why not begin the Ram Navami festival – the celebration of the
birth of Shri Ram on this day here? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and
it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main
difficulty was how to secure a Haridas who would do ‘Kirtan’ and sing
the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But, Bhishm solved the difficulty
by saying that his ‘Ram Akhyan’, the composition on Rama’s birth was
ready and he would do the ‘Kirtan’ himself, while Kaka Mahajani
should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the
‘Sunthavada’ (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad, prepared
by Radhakrishnamai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get
Baba’s permission. Baba Who knew everything and aware of what was
happening there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the
Wada. Being rather perturbed Mahajani could not catch the purport of
the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishm what he
had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Ram Navami festival
and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced
and made preparations for the Jayanti festival. Next day the Masjid
was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by
Radhakrishnamai and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings
started. Bhishm stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani began to play on the
harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating
to go, doubtful whether Baba would allow the festival to go on but
when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on
and why the cradle was placed there. He asnwered that the Ram
Navami festival had commenced and the cradle was put out for that
purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the ‘Nimbar’ (niche) and
placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishm. Then the
Kirtan commenced. When it came to a close, loud sounds of “Victory
to Ram” went up and Gulal (colour-powder) was thrown up all around,
amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly a
roar was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously, went up and
somehow fell into Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and
abuse loudly. People got frightened and took to their heels. The intimate
devotees who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of
Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Ram was born,
it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravan and his
demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides they
knew that, whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was
usual with Baba to get wild and angry and so they kept quiet.
Radhakrishnamai was rather afraid and thought that Baba might break
her cradle and she asked Mahajani to pull the cradle back. When he
went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him and asked
him not to remove it. Then after some time Baba became calm and that
day’s programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later
on Mr. Mahajani asked Baba for permission to remove the cradle, Baba
refused the same saying that, the festival was not yet over. Next day
another ‘Kirtan’ and Gopal-kala ceremony [an earthern pot containing
parched rice mixed with curd is hung, to be broken after the ‘Kirtan’,
and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Krishna
amongst His cow-herd (friends)], was performed and then, Baba allowed
the cradle to be removed. While the Ram Navami festival was thus
going on, the procession of the two flags by day and that of the ‘Sandal’
by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time
onwards, the ‘Urus of Baba’ was transformed into the Ram Navami
festival.
From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Ram Navami
began to increase. Radhakrishnamai started a ‘Naam-saptah’ (singing
the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for seven days),
from (eleventh) day of Chaitra. For this all devotees took part by turns
and she also joined it sometimes early in the morning. As Ram Navami
festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty
of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival,
Mahajani incidentally met Balabua who was known as modern Tukaram
and got him to do the ‘Kirtan’ that year. The next year (1914), another
Balabua Satarkar of Birhad Siddha-kavathe, district Satara, could not
act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing there and
so he came to Shirdi. With Baba’s permission, which was secured
through Kakasaheb Dixit, he did the Kirtan and was sufficiently
recompensed for his labour. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas
every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai Baba, as He entrusted
this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently and since that time he
has been successfully and creditably conducting that function until
now.
Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year by year.
From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a bee-hive of men.
Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling
bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and
sincere efforts of Radhakrishnamai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan. (State)
Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and
many silver items, utensils, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were
presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though, all this
paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things
and maintained His simplicity and modesty as before. It is to be noted
that both the Hindus and Mohammedens have been working in unison,
in both the processions during the entire festival, and there has been no
confrontation or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-
7000 people used to gather, but that figure went up to 75,000 in some
years, still, there was no outbreak of any epidemic disease nor any riots
worth the name during past so many years.
Repairs to the Masjid
Another important idea occurred to Gopal Gund. Just as he started
the Urus or fair, he thought that he should repair and renovate the
Masjid. So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got
them dressed. But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved
for Nanasaheb Chandorkar and the pavement-work for Kakasaheb Dixit.
Initially Baba was unwilling to allow them to have work done, but with
the intervention of Mhalsapati, a local devotee of Baba, His permission
was secured. Baba took a small Gadi for His seat, discarding the usual
piece of sack-cloth, used till then. In 1911, the Sabha Mandap (courtyard)
was also put in order with great labour and effort. The open space
in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb
Dixit wanted to extend it and put a roofing on it. At great expense, he
got iron-posts, pillars and trusses and started the work. At night all the
devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba when he returned
from Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out.
Once it so happened that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one
hand and began to shake and uproot it and with the other hand caught
Tatya Patil's neck. He took by force Tatya’s Pheta, struck a match, set
it on fire and threw it, in a pit. At that time, Baba’s eyes flashed like
burning embers. None dared to look at Him. All got terribly frightened.
Baba took out a rupee from his pocket and threw it there, as if it were
an offering on an auspicious occasion. Tatya was also much frightened.
None knew, what was going to happen to Tatya and none dared to
interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a bold advance,
but he was pushed aside by Baba. Madhavrao was also similarly
treated, pelted with brick-pieces. So all those who went to intercede
were similarly dealt with. But, after some time, Baba’s anger cooled
down. He sent for a shop-keeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta
and Himself tied it on Tatya’s head, as if he was being given a special
honour. All the people were wonderstruck to see this strange behaviour
of Baba. They were at a loss to know, what enraged Baba so suddenly
and what led Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled
down the next moment. Baba was sometimes very calm and quiet and
talked sweet things with love, but suddenly, with or without any reason,
got enraged. Many such incidents may be related; but I do not know
which to choose and which to omit. I therefore, refer them as they occur
to me.
In the next chapter the question, whether Baba was a Hindu or a
Mohammeden will be taken up and His Yogic practices and powers
and other matters will also be dealt with.
Bow to Shri Sai Baba – Peace be to all
REPAIRS
Efficacy of the Touch of the Guru’s Hand – Ram
Navami Festival – Its Origin, Transformation etc.
– Repairs of the Masjid.
Before describing Ram Navami Festival and Masjid repairs, the
author makes some preliminary remarks about Sadguru as follows :
Efficacy of the Touch of the Guru’s Hand
When Sadguru is the helmsman he is sure to carry us safely and
easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai
Baba, the Perfect Master. He appears to me, as if standing before me and
applying Udi (sacred ashes) to my forehead and placing his hand of
blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows my
eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru’s hand. The subtlebody
(consisting of thoughts and desires) which cannot be burnt by the
gross fire, is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru’s hand, and the
sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the
speech of those, who feel agitated, when they hear religious and Godly
talks, attain calmness. The sight of Sai Baba’s handsome form chokes
our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflow with tears and overwhelms
the heart with emotions. It awakens in us “I am He” (Soham) Brahma
consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization and dissolving the
distinction of I and Thou, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality).
When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my
Sadguru, Sai Baba, Who assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and
makes me listen to His Life. For instance, when I sit to listen to Bhagwat,
Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think He sings the Bhagwat
or Uddhav Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple,
Uddhav) for the welfare of the devotees. When I myself start to write
anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences; but when He of
His own accord makes me write, I go on writing... and there is no end
to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His
hand and gives him His own power, makes him achieve His object and
thus, satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and
surrenders his heart and soul to Him, then all the chief objects of life,
viz., Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and
Moksha (Deliverance), are attained easily and unsolicitedly. Four paths,
viz., of Karma, Dnyan, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of
these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches and thus,
difficult to traverse; but if you, relying on your Sadguru avoid the pits
and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to your destination (God),
so says Sai Baba.
After philosophising about the self-existent Brahma, His power
(Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that all
these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai
Baba’s words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas :
“There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and
clothes in My devotee’s home. It is my special characteristic, that I
always look to and provide for, the welfare of those devotees, who
worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord
Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore strive not much
for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, renounce
worldly honours, try to get Lord’s grace and blessings and be honoured
in His court. Do not be deluded by worldly honour. The form of the
Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind
be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for
any other thing. Fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will
not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be
calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sign of the mind being well
engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called
well-merged in Him.”
After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story
of Ram Navami festival in Shirdi. As Ram Navami is the most celebrated
festival at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sri Sai Leela
Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the
festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.
Origin
One Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a surveyor in Survey dept. at
Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives but had
no issue. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy
that he felt due to this, an idea of celebrating a fair or ‘Urus’ occurred
to him in the year 1897, and he placed it for consideration before other
Shirdi devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao
Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea, and obtained Sai
Baba’s permission and blessings for it. Then an application was made
to get the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the Urus, but as the
village Kulkarni held against holding the fair the sanction was refused.
But, as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again and ultimately succeeded
in getting the Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on
Ram Navami, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems He had
some purpose behind this, viz. the unification of the two festivals, the
Urus and the Ram Navami and the unification of the two communities
– the Hindus and the Mohammedens. As future events showed, this
end or object was duly achieved.
Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped
up. Shirdi was a village and there was scarcity of water. There were two
wells in the village, the one in use dried up soon and the water from
the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet
water by Sai Baba, by putting flowers into it. As the water of this well
was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water from outside.
Temporary shops were to be constructed and wrestling bouts arranged.
Gopalrao Gund had a friend by name Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar.
He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he had
two wives. He too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons and Mr. Gund
prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one flag for the
procession of the fair. He also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb
Nimonkar to supply another flag. Both these flags were taken in
procession through the village and finally, fixed at the two corners of
the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as ‘Dwarkamai’. This is being
done even now.
The ‘Sandal’ Procession
There was another procession which was started in this fair. The
idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar
Dalal, a Mohammeden Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in
honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings
are put in the Thali (flat dishes) with incense burning before them and
carried in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through
the village and then, after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the
dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (niche) and walls of the Masjid. This
work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years and
then afterwards, by his wife. So, on the same day the two processions,
the ‘Flags’ by the Hindus and ‘Sandal’ by the Muslims, went on side
by side and are still going on without any problem.
Arrangement
This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba.
Most of them turned up for the occasion and took part in the management
of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the
internal management was entirely left to Radhakrishnamai, a female
devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and
she had to look after their needs, and also arrange for all the
paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was
to clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which
were blackened and were full of soot on account of the perpetual Dhuni
(sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This she did during the night, when Sai Baba
had gone to sleep every alternate night in the Chavadi. She had to take
out all the things, including the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning
and white-washing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor,
which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a important item in this fair.
For this purpose, cooking on a grand scale and preparing various sweet
dishes, was done in Radhakrishnamai’s lodging, and various rich and
wealthy devotees took a leading part in this.
Transformation of Urus into Ram Navami Festival
Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually
increasing in importance till 1912, when a change took place. That year
one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jogeshwar Bhishm (the author of ‘Sai
Sagunopasana’), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of
Amaravati and was staying (on the previous day) in the Dixit Wada.
While he was lying in the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias
Kaka Mahajani was going with Puja materials to the Masjid, a thought
arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus – There is some
providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated
in Shirdi on Ram Navami; Ram Navami is very dear to all the Hindus,
then why not begin the Ram Navami festival – the celebration of the
birth of Shri Ram on this day here? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and
it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main
difficulty was how to secure a Haridas who would do ‘Kirtan’ and sing
the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But, Bhishm solved the difficulty
by saying that his ‘Ram Akhyan’, the composition on Rama’s birth was
ready and he would do the ‘Kirtan’ himself, while Kaka Mahajani
should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the
‘Sunthavada’ (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad, prepared
by Radhakrishnamai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get
Baba’s permission. Baba Who knew everything and aware of what was
happening there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the
Wada. Being rather perturbed Mahajani could not catch the purport of
the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishm what he
had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Ram Navami festival
and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced
and made preparations for the Jayanti festival. Next day the Masjid
was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by
Radhakrishnamai and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings
started. Bhishm stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani began to play on the
harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating
to go, doubtful whether Baba would allow the festival to go on but
when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on
and why the cradle was placed there. He asnwered that the Ram
Navami festival had commenced and the cradle was put out for that
purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the ‘Nimbar’ (niche) and
placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishm. Then the
Kirtan commenced. When it came to a close, loud sounds of “Victory
to Ram” went up and Gulal (colour-powder) was thrown up all around,
amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly a
roar was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously, went up and
somehow fell into Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and
abuse loudly. People got frightened and took to their heels. The intimate
devotees who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of
Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Ram was born,
it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravan and his
demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides they
knew that, whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was
usual with Baba to get wild and angry and so they kept quiet.
Radhakrishnamai was rather afraid and thought that Baba might break
her cradle and she asked Mahajani to pull the cradle back. When he
went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him and asked
him not to remove it. Then after some time Baba became calm and that
day’s programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later
on Mr. Mahajani asked Baba for permission to remove the cradle, Baba
refused the same saying that, the festival was not yet over. Next day
another ‘Kirtan’ and Gopal-kala ceremony [an earthern pot containing
parched rice mixed with curd is hung, to be broken after the ‘Kirtan’,
and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Krishna
amongst His cow-herd (friends)], was performed and then, Baba allowed
the cradle to be removed. While the Ram Navami festival was thus
going on, the procession of the two flags by day and that of the ‘Sandal’
by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time
onwards, the ‘Urus of Baba’ was transformed into the Ram Navami
festival.
From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Ram Navami
began to increase. Radhakrishnamai started a ‘Naam-saptah’ (singing
the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for seven days),
from (eleventh) day of Chaitra. For this all devotees took part by turns
and she also joined it sometimes early in the morning. As Ram Navami
festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty
of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival,
Mahajani incidentally met Balabua who was known as modern Tukaram
and got him to do the ‘Kirtan’ that year. The next year (1914), another
Balabua Satarkar of Birhad Siddha-kavathe, district Satara, could not
act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing there and
so he came to Shirdi. With Baba’s permission, which was secured
through Kakasaheb Dixit, he did the Kirtan and was sufficiently
recompensed for his labour. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas
every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai Baba, as He entrusted
this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently and since that time he
has been successfully and creditably conducting that function until
now.
Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year by year.
From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a bee-hive of men.
Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling
bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and
sincere efforts of Radhakrishnamai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan. (State)
Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and
many silver items, utensils, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were
presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though, all this
paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things
and maintained His simplicity and modesty as before. It is to be noted
that both the Hindus and Mohammedens have been working in unison,
in both the processions during the entire festival, and there has been no
confrontation or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-
7000 people used to gather, but that figure went up to 75,000 in some
years, still, there was no outbreak of any epidemic disease nor any riots
worth the name during past so many years.
Repairs to the Masjid
Another important idea occurred to Gopal Gund. Just as he started
the Urus or fair, he thought that he should repair and renovate the
Masjid. So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got
them dressed. But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved
for Nanasaheb Chandorkar and the pavement-work for Kakasaheb Dixit.
Initially Baba was unwilling to allow them to have work done, but with
the intervention of Mhalsapati, a local devotee of Baba, His permission
was secured. Baba took a small Gadi for His seat, discarding the usual
piece of sack-cloth, used till then. In 1911, the Sabha Mandap (courtyard)
was also put in order with great labour and effort. The open space
in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb
Dixit wanted to extend it and put a roofing on it. At great expense, he
got iron-posts, pillars and trusses and started the work. At night all the
devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba when he returned
from Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out.
Once it so happened that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one
hand and began to shake and uproot it and with the other hand caught
Tatya Patil's neck. He took by force Tatya’s Pheta, struck a match, set
it on fire and threw it, in a pit. At that time, Baba’s eyes flashed like
burning embers. None dared to look at Him. All got terribly frightened.
Baba took out a rupee from his pocket and threw it there, as if it were
an offering on an auspicious occasion. Tatya was also much frightened.
None knew, what was going to happen to Tatya and none dared to
interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a bold advance,
but he was pushed aside by Baba. Madhavrao was also similarly
treated, pelted with brick-pieces. So all those who went to intercede
were similarly dealt with. But, after some time, Baba’s anger cooled
down. He sent for a shop-keeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta
and Himself tied it on Tatya’s head, as if he was being given a special
honour. All the people were wonderstruck to see this strange behaviour
of Baba. They were at a loss to know, what enraged Baba so suddenly
and what led Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled
down the next moment. Baba was sometimes very calm and quiet and
talked sweet things with love, but suddenly, with or without any reason,
got enraged. Many such incidents may be related; but I do not know
which to choose and which to omit. I therefore, refer them as they occur
to me.
In the next chapter the question, whether Baba was a Hindu or a
Mohammeden will be taken up and His Yogic practices and powers
and other matters will also be dealt with.
Bow to Shri Sai Baba – Peace be to all
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