Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 5

Baba’s Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage-party –
Welcomed and Addressed as “Sai” – Contact with
Other Saints – His Attire and Daily Routine – The
Story of the Padukas – Wrestling Bout with
Mohiddin and Change in Life – Turning Water into
Oil – The Pseudo Guru Javhar Ali.

Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage-party.

As hinted in the last chapter, I shall now describe first, how Sai
Baba returned to Shirdi after His disappearance.
There lived in the Aurangabad district (Nizam state), in a village
called ‘Dhoop’, a well-to-do Mohammeden gentlman by name Chand
Patil. While He was making a trip to Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For
two long months, he made a diligent search, but could get no trace of
the lost mare. After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad
with the saddle on his back. After travelling four Kos and a half, he
came on the way, to a mango tree at the foot of which sat a fakir (queer
fellow). He had a cap on His head, wore Kafni (long robe) and had a
Satka (short stick) under His arm, and He was preparing to smoke a
Chillim (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by, He called out to him and
asked him to have a smoke and to rest a little. The queer fellow or Fakir
asked him about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that, it was of his mare,
which was lost sometime back. The Fakir asked him to make a search
in the Nala close by. He went and the wonder of wonders! He found
the mare there. He thought that this Fakir was not an ordinary man, but
an Avalia (a great saint). He returned to the Fakir with the mare. The
Chillim was ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting : (1)
fire to light the pipe, and (2) water to wet the Chhapi (piece of cloth,
through which smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took His prong and
thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live ember, which He
put on the pipe. Then, He dashed the Satka on the ground, from where
water began to ooze. The Chhapi was wetted with that water, then
wrung out and wrapped round the pipe. Thus, everything being
complete, the Fakir smoked the Chillim and then, gave it also to Chand
Patil. On seeing all this, Chand Patil was wonder-struck. He requested

the Fakir to come to his home and accept his hospitality. Next day, He
went to Patil’s house and stayed there for some time. Patil was a villageofficer
of Dhoop. His wife’s brother’s son was to be married and the
bride was from Shirdi. So, Patil made preparations to start for Shirdi for
the marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The
marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop,
except the Fakir who stayed back in Shirdi, and remained there forever.
How the Fakir Got the Name ‘Sai’
When the marriage-party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot of
a Banyan tree in Bhagat Mhalsapati’s field, near Khandoba’s temple.
The carts were loosened in the open courtyard of Khandoba’s temple,
and the members of the party descended one by one, and the Fakir also
got down. Bhagat Mhalsapati saw the young Fakir getting down and
accosted Him “YA SAI” (Welcome Sai)! Others also addressed Him as
“Sai” and thenceforth, He became ‘Sai Baba’.

Contact with Other Saints

Sai Baba began to stay in a deserted Masjid. One saint, named
Devidas had been living in Shirdi, for many years before Baba came
there. Baba liked his company. He stayed with him in the Maruti
temple, in the Chavadi, and for some time lived alone. Then, came
another saint by name Jankidas. Baba spent most of His time in talking
with him, or Jankidas went to Baba’s residence. So also, one Vaishya
house-holder saint, from Puntambe by name Gangagir, always
frequented Shirdi. When he first saw Sai Baba, carrying pitchers of
water in both hands, for watering the garden, he was amazed and said
openly, “Blessed is Shirdi, that, it got this Precious Jewel. This man is
carrying water to-day; but He is not an ordinary fellow. As this land
(Shirdi) was fortunate and meritorious, it secured this Jewel.” So also,
one famous saint by name Anandnath of Yewala Math, a disciple of
Akkalkot Maharaj, came to Shirdi with some people when he saw Sai
Baba, he said openly, “This is a Precious Diamond in reality. Though
He looks like an ordinary man, He is not a ‘Gar’ (ordinary stone), but
a Diamond. You will realize this in the near future.” Saying this he
returned to Yewala. This was said, while Sai Baba was a youngster.

Baba’s Dress and Daily Routine

In His young days, Sai Baba grew the hair on His head, never had
His head shaved. He dressed like an athlete. When He went to Rahata
(3 miles from Shirdi), He brought with Him small plants of Merrigold,
Jai and Jui, and after cleaning them He planted and watered them. A
devotee, by name Vaman Tatya, supplied Him daily with two unbaked
earthen pitchers. With these Baba Himself used to water the plants. He
drew water from the well and carried the pitchers on His shoulders. In
the evening, the pitchers were kept at the foot of the Neem tree. As soon
as they were placed there, they broke as they were made of mud and
not baked. Next day, Tatya supplied two fresh pitchers. This course
went on for 3 years, and with Sai Baba’s toil and effort, there grew a
garden. On this site, at present, stands the big mansion – Samadhi
Mandir of Baba, which is now frequented by so many devotees.
The Story of Padukas (foot-prints) under the Neem Tree
A devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj, by name Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar,
worshipped the photo of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going
to Akkalkot (Solapur district), take the darshan of the Padukas (footprints)
of the Maharaj and offer his sincere prayer there, but before he
could go there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Maharaj appeared
in the vision and said to him, “Now, Shirdi is my resting place, go there
and offer your worship!” So, Bhai changed his plan and came to Shirdi,
worshipped Baba, stayed there for six months and was happy. As a
reminiscence of this vision etc., he prepared the Padukas and installed
them on an auspicious day of Shravan, Shaka 1834 (1912 A.D.) under
the Neem tree with due ceremonies and formalities, conducted by Dada
Kelkar and Upasani. One Dixit Brahmin was appointed for worship,
and the management was entrusted to devotee Sagun.

Complete Version of this Story

Mr. B.V. Dev, retired Mamlatdar of Thana, and a great devotee of
Sai Baba, made enquiries about this matter with Sagun Meru Naik and
Govind Kamlakar Dixit and has published a full version of the Padukas
in Sai Leela, Vol. 11, No. I, page 25. It runs as follows :
In 1834 Shaka (1912 A.D.) one Doctor Ramrao Kothare of Mumbai
came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. His compounder and his friend,
Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar, accompanied him. The compounder and Bhai
became intimate with Sagun Meru Naik and G.K. Dixit. While discussing
things, these persons thought that, there must be some memorial of Sai
Baba’s first advent at Shirdi and his sitting under the holy Neem tree.
They thought of installing Baba’s Padukas there, and were going to
make them of some rough stone. Then, Bhai’s friend, the compounder,
suggested that, if this matter was made known to his master, Dr. Ramrao
Kothare, he would prepare nice Padukas for this purpose. All liked this
proposal and Dr. Kothare was informed of it. He came to Shirdi and
drew a plan of the Padukas. He went to Upasani Maharaj in Khandoba’s
temple and showed him his plan. The latter made many improvements,
drew lotus, flowers, conch, disc, mace etc. and suggested that, the
following Shloka (verse), regarding Neem tree’s greatness and Baba’s
Yogic powers be inscribed. The verse was as follows :
“Sada Nimbavrikshasya mooladhiwasaat,
Sudhastravinam tiktamapiapriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam
Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham”*
Upasani’s suggestions were accepted and carried out. The Padukas
were made in Mumbai and sent to Shirdi with the compounder. Baba
said that they should be installed on the Pournima (15th) of Shravan.
On that day at 11 a.m., G.K. Dixit brought them on his head from
Khandoba’s temple to the Dwarkamai (Masjid) in a procession. Baba
touched the Padukas, saying that, these are the Feet of the Lord, and
asked the people to install them at foot of the Neem tree.
A day earlier, one Parsi devotee of Mumbai, named Pastha Sheth,
sent Rs. 25/- by money order. Baba gave this sum for the installation
of the Padukas. The total expense of installation came up to Rs. 100/-,
out of which Rs. 75/- were collected by subscriptions. For the first 5
years, G.K. Dixit worshipped the Padukas daily and then, this was
done by Laxman Kacheshwar Jakhadi. In the first five years, Dr. Kothare
sent Rs. 2 per month for lighting the lamp and he also sent the railing
round the Padukas. The expense of bringing the railing from the station
to Shirdi (Rs. 7-8-0) (presently Rs. 7.50 p.) and roofing was paid by
Sagun Meru Naik. Now, Jakhadi (Nana Pujari) does the worship, and
Sagun Meru Naik offers the Naivaidya and lights the evening lamps.
Bhai Krishnaji was originally a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj. He
had come to Shirdi at the installation of the Padukas, in Shaka 1834
on his way to Akkalkot. He wanted to go to Akkalkot, after taking the
darshan of Baba. He asked Baba’s permission for this. Baba said, “Oh,
what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The Maharaj of that
place is here, Myself.” Hearing this, Bhai did not go to Akkalkot. He
came to Shirdi off and on, after the installation of the Padukas.
Mr. B.V. Dev concluded that, Hemadpant did not know these
details. Had he known them, he would not have failed to depict them
in his Satcharita.

Wrestling Bout with Mohiddin Tamboli and Change in Life style

To return to other stories of Baba. There was a wrestler in Shirdi,
by name Mohiddin Tamboli. Baba and he did not agree on some
points, and both had a fight. In this Baba was defeated. Thenceforth,
Baba changed His dress and mode of living. He donned Kafni, wore
a Langot (waist band) and covered His head with a piece of cloth. He
took a piece of sack-cloth for His bed, and was content with wearing
torn and worn out rags. He always said that “Poverty is better than
kingship, far better than Lordship. The Lord is always brother
(befriender) of the poor.” Gangagir was also very fond of wrestling.
Once while he was wrestling, a similar feeling of dispassion descended
over him, and at the proper time he heard the voice of an adept saying
that he should wear out his body, playing with God. So, he too gave
up Sansara and turned towards God-realization. He established a
Math on the banks of the river, near Puntambe, and lived there with
his disciples.
Sai Baba did not mix and speak with the people. He only gave
answers, when he was questioned. By day he always sat under the Neem
tree, some times in the shade of a Babool tree, near the stream, on the
outskirts of the village. In the afternoon, He used to walk at random and
go at times to Nimgaon. There, He frequented the house of Balasaheb
Dengle. Baba loved Mr. Balasaheb. His younger brother, named Nanasaheb
had no son, though he married a second wife. Balasaheb sent Nanasaheb
for taking darshan of Sai Baba, and after some time with His grace
Nanasaheb got a son. From that time onwards, people began to come in
large numbers to see Sai Baba, and His fame began to spread and reached
Ahmednagar, from thence, Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Keshav
Chidamber, and many others began to come to Shirdi. Baba was
surrounded by His devotees during day, and slept at night in an old and
dilapidated Masjid. Baba’s paraphernalia at this time, consisted of a
Chillim, tobacco, a ‘Tumrel’ (tin pot), long Kafni, a piece of cloth round
His head, and a Satka (short stick), which He always kept with Him. The
piece of white cloth on the head was twisted like matted hair, and flowed
down from the left ear on the back. This was not washed for weeks. He
wore no shoes, no sandals. A piece of sack-cloth was His seat for most
of the day. He wore a coupin (waist-cloth-band) and for warding off cold,
he always sat in front of a Dhuni (sacred fire) facing south, with His left
hand resting on the wooden railing. In that Dhuni, He offered an oblation
of egoism, desires and always uttered “Allah Malik” (God is the sole
owner). The Masjid, in which He sat, was only of two room dimensions,
where all devotees came and saw Him. After 1912, there was a change.
The old Masjid was repaired and a pavement was constructed. Before
Baba came to live in this Masjid, He lived for a long time in a place Takia,
where with Ghungru (small bells) tied on His ankles, Baba danced
beautifully and sang with tender love.

Turning Water into Oil

Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil from
shopkeepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid
and temple. This went on for some time. The Banias, who supplied oil
gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil. When, as
usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct “No”.
Unperturbed, Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the
lamps. The Banias were watching Him with curiosity. Baba took the
Tumrel (tin pot), which contained very little (a few drops) oil, put water
into it and drank it, and then, forced it out to fall into the container.
After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took the water from
the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them. To the
surprise and dismay of the watching Banias, the lamps began to burn
and kept burning the whole night. The Banias repented and apologized
and Baba forgave them, and asked them to be more truthful in future.

The Pseudo Guru Javhar Ali

Five years after the wrestling bout above-mentioned, one Fakir
from Ahmednagar, by name Javhar Ali, came to Rahata with his disciples
and stayed in Bakhal (spacious room) near Virabhadra temple. The
Fakir was learned, could repeat the whole Quran and had a sweet
tongue. Many religious and devout people of the village came to him
and began to respect him. With the help of the people, he started to
build an Idgah (a walled enclosure, in which Mohammedens pray on
Id day), near the Virabhadra temple. There was some quarrel about this
affair, on account of which Javhar Ali had to leave Rahata. Then, he
came to Shirdi and lived in the Masjid with Baba. People were captured
by his sweet talk, and he began to call Baba his disciple. Baba did not
object and consented to be his Chela (disciple). Then, both Guru and
Chela decided to return to Rahata and live there. The Guru (teacher)
never knew his Disciple’s worth, but the Disciple knew the shortcomings
of the Guru, still He never disrespected him, observing carefully his
duties. He even served the master in various ways. They used to come
to Shirdi off and on, but their main stay was in Rahata. The loving
devotees of Baba in Shirdi did not like that Baba should stay away from
them in Rahata. So they went in a deputation to bring Baba back to
Shirdi. When they met Baba near the Idgah and told the purpose for
which they came, Baba said to them that the Fakir was an angry, illtempered
fellow, he would not leave Him and that, they should better
go back to Shirdi without Him before the Fakir returned. While they
were thus talking, the Fakir turned up and was very angry with them
for trying to take away his Disciple. There was some hot discussion and
altercation, and it was finally decided that both the Guru and Chela
should return to Shirdi. And so, they returned and lived in Shirdi. But,
after a few days, the Guru was tested by Devidas and he was found
wanting. Twelve years before Baba arrived in Shirdi with the marriageparty,
this Devidas, aged about 10 or 11 years, came to Shirdi and lived
in the Maruti temple. Devidas had fine features and brilliant eyes, and
he was dispassion incarnate and a Dhyani. Many people, namely
Tatya Kote, Kashinath and others regarded him as their Guru. They
brought Javhar Ali in his presence, and in the discussion that followed,
Javhar was worsted and fled from Shirdi. He went and stayed in
Bijapur and returned after many years to Shirdi, and prostrated himself
before Sai Baba. The delusion, that, he was Guru and Sai Baba, his
Chela, was cleared away and as he repented, Sai Baba treated him with
respect. In this case Sai Baba showed by His conduct, how one should
get rid of egoism and do the duties of a disciple to attain the highest
end, viz., self-realization. This story is told here according to the version
given by Mhalsapati (a great devotee of Baba).
In the next chapter Ram Navami Festival, the Masjid, its former
condition and later improvement in it etc. will be described.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 4

SAI BABA’S FIRST ADVENT IN SHIRDI

Mission of the Saints – Shirdi a Holy Tirth –
Personality of Sai Baba – Dictum of Goulibua –
Appearance of Vitthal – Kshirsagar’s Story – Das
Ganu’s Bath in Prayag – Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His
First Advent in Shirdi – Three Wadas.

In the last chapter, I described the circumstances, which led me to
write Sai Satcharita. Let me now describe the first advent of Sai Baba in
Shirdi.

Mission of the Saints

Lord Krishna says in Bhagvad Gita (Chapter IV, 7-8) that,
“Whenever there is a decay of Dharma (righteousness) and an
ascendancy of unrighteousness, I manifest Myself, for the protection of
the virtuous and the destruction of the vicious; and for the establishment
of righteousness, I manifest Myself Age after Age.”
This is the mission of to Lord, and the sages and saints, who are
His representatives, and who appear at appropriate times and work in
their own way to fulfil that mission. For instance, when the twice-born,
i.e. the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas neglect their duties,
and when the Shudras try to usurp the duties of other classes, when
spiritual preceptors are not respected but humiliated, when nobody cares
for religious instructions, when everybody thinks himself very learned,
when people begin to partake of forbidden foods and intoxicating drinks,
when under the cloak of religion people indulge in malpractices, when
people belonging to different sects fight amongst themselves, when
Brahmins fail to do Sandhya adoration, and the orthodox leave their
religious practices, when Yogis neglect their meditation, when people
begin to think that, wealth, progeny, wife are their sole concern; and thus,
turn away from the true path of salvation then, saints appear and try to
set matters right by their words and action. They serve us as beaconlights,
and show us the path, and the right way for us to follow. In this
way, many saints viz., Nivrutti, Dnyandev, Muktabai, Namdev, Gora,
Gonayi, Eknath, Tukaram, Narahari, Narsi Bhai, Sajan Kasai, Sawata,
Ramdas and various others did appear at various times to show the right
path to the people, and so, the present advent came as Shri Sai Baba of
Shirdi.

Shirdi – a Holy Tirth

The banks of the Godavari river, in the Ahmednagar district, are
very fortunate for they gave birth and refuge to many a saint, prominent
amongst them being Dnyaneshwar. Shirdi also falls in the Kopargaon
Taluka or the Ahmednagar district. After crossing the Godavari river at
Kopargaon, one gets on way to Shirdi. When you go three Koss (9 miles),
you come to Nimgaon, from where, Shirdi is visible. Shirdi is, as famous
and well-known as other holy places, like Gangapur, Nrisinhawadi,
Audumbar, on the banks of Krishna river. As the devotee Damoji
flourished, and blessed Mangalvedha (near Pandharpur), as Samarth
Ramdas at Sajjangad, as Shri Nrisimha Saraswati at Saraswatiwadi, so,
Sainath flourished at Shirdi and blessed it.

Personality of Sai Baba

It is on account of Shri Sai Baba that Shirdi grew into importance.
Let us see, what sort of a personage Sai Baba was. He conquered this
Sansar (worldly existence), which is very difficult and hard to cross.
Peace or mental calm was His ornament, and He was the repository of
wisdom. He was the home of Vaishnav devotees, most generous (like
Karna) amongst all, the quint-essence of all essences. He had no love for
perishable things, and was always engrossed in self-realization, which
was His sole concern. He felt no pleasure in the things of this world or
of the world beyond. His Antarang (heart) was as clear as a mirror, and
His speech always rained nectar. The rich or poor people were the same
to Him. He neither knew nor cared for honour or dishonour. He was the
Lord of all beings. He spoke freely and mixed with all people, watched
the actings and dances of nautch-girls and heard gazal-songs. Still, He
swerved not an inch from samadhi (mental equilibrium). The name of
Allah was always on His lips. While the world awoke He slept, and
while the world slept He was vigilant. His inner self was as calm as the
deep sea, His Ashram could not be determined, nor His actions could
be definitely determined; and though He sat (lived) in one place, He
knew all the transactions of the world. His Darbar was imposing. He
told hundreds of stories daily, still He swerved not an inch from His
vow of silence. He always leaned against the wall in the Masjid or
walked morning, noon and evening towards Lendi (Nala) and Chavadi,
still He at all times abided in the Self. Though a Siddha, He acted like a
Sadhaka. He was meek, humble and egoless, and pleased all. Such was
Sai Baba, and as the soil of Shirdi was trodden by Sai Baba’s Feet, it
attained extraordinary importance. As Dnyaneshwar elevated Alandi,
Eknath did to Paithan, so Sai Baba raised Shirdi. Blessed are the grassleaves
and stones of Shirdi, for they could kiss the Holy Feet of Sai Baba,
and take his dust on their head. Shirdi became to us devotees, another
Pandharpur, Jagannath, Dwarka, Benaras (Kashi) and Rameshwar,
Badrikedar, Nasik, Tryambakeshwar, Ujjain and Maha Kaleshwar or
Mahabaleshwar Gokarn. Contact of Sai Baba in Shirdi was like our study
of Veda and Tantra; it quietened our Sansar (world consciousness) and
rendered self-realization. The darshan of Shri Sai was our Yoga-sadhana,
and talk with Him removed our sins. Shampooing His Legs was our
bath in Triveni Prayag, and drinking the holy water of His Feet destroyed
our sins. To us, His commands were Vedas, and accepting (eating) His
Udi (sacred ashes) and Prasad was all purifying. He was our Shri
Krishna and Shri Ram, Who gave us solace, and He was our Para
Brahma (Absolute Reality). He was Himself beyond the pair of
Dwandwas (opposites), never dejected nor elated. He was always
engrossed in His Self as ‘Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.’ Shirdi was
His centre, but His field of action extended far beyond, to Punjab,
Calcutta, North India, Gujarat, Dacca (now in Bangladesh) and Konkan.
Thus, the fame of Sai Baba spread, far and wide, and people from all
parts came to take His darshan and be blessed. By mere darshan, minds
of people, whether pure or impure, would become quiet at once. They
got here the same unparalleled joy that, devotees get at Pandharpur by
seeing Vitthal Rakhumai. This is not an exaggeration. Consider, what a
devotee says in this respect.

Dictum of Goulibua

An old devotee, by name Goulibua, aged about 95 years, was a
Varkari of Pandhari. He stayed for 8 months at Pandharpur and for four
months – Ashadha to Kartik (July – November) on the banks of the
Ganges. He had a donkey with him for carrying his luggage, and a
disciple as his companion. Every year he made his Vari or trip to
Pandharpur and came to Shirdi to see Sai baba, Whom he loved most.
He used to gaze at Baba saying, “This is Pandharinath Vitthal incarnate,
the merciful Lord of the poor and helpless.” This Goulibua was an old
devotee of Vitthoba, and had made many a trip to Pandhari; and he
testified that Sai Baba was real Pandharinath.

Vitthal Himself Appeared

Sai Baba was very fond of remembering and singing God’s name.
He always uttered “Allah Malik” (God is Lord), and in His presence
made others sing God’s name continuously, day and night, for all 7
days of the week. This is called ‘Naamsaptah’. Once He asked Das Ganu
Maharaj to do the Naamsaptah. He replied that he would do it, provided
he was assured that, Vitthal would appear at the end of the 7th day.
Then, Baba placing His hand on His chest assured him that, certainly
Vitthal would appear, but for that the devotee must be ‘earnest and
devout’. The Dankapuri (Takore) of Dakurnath, the Pandhari of Vitthal,
the Dwarka of Ranchhod (Krishna) is here (Shirdi). One need not go far
out to see Dwarka. Will Vitthal come here from some outside place? He
is here! Only when the devotee is bursting with love and devotion,
Vitthal will manifest Himself here (Shirdi).*
After the Saptah was over, Vitthal did manifest Himself in the
following manner. Kakasaheb Dixit was, as usual, sitting in meditation
after his bath. He saw Vitthal in a vision. When he went at noon for
Baba’s darshan, Baba asked him point-blank, “Did Vitthal Patil come?
Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly,
otherwise, He will escape if you are even a little inattentive”. This
happened in the morning and at noon there was another Vitthal
darshan. A hawker came there for selling 25 or 30 pictures of Vithoba.
This picture exactly tallied with the figure that had appeared in
Kakasaheb’s vision. On seeing this and remembering Baba’s words,
Kakasaheb Dixit was much surprised and delighted. He bought one
picture of Vithoba, and placed it in his shrine for worship.

Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar’s Story

How fond was Baba for Vitthal worship was illustrated in
Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar’s story. The father of Bhagwantrao was a
devotee of Vithoba, and used to make Varis (annual trips) to
Pandharpur. He also had an image of Vithoba at home, which he
worshipped. After his death, the son stopped everything – the Vari, the
worship and Shraddha ceremony etc. When Bhagwantrao came to
Shirdi, Baba on remembering his father, at once said, “His father was
my friend, so I dragged him (the son) here. He never offered Naivaidya
(offering of food) and so, he starved Vitthal and Me. So, I brought him
here. I shall remonstrate him now and set him to worship.”

Das Ganu’s Bath in Prayag

The Hindus think that, a bath in the holy Tirth of Prayag, where
the Ganga and Yamuna meet, is very meritorious and thousands of
pilgrims go there periodically, to have the sacred bath there. Once, Das
Ganu thought that, he should go to Prayag for a bath and came to Baba
to get His permission for doing so. Baba replied to him, “It is not
necessary to go so far. Our Prayag is here, believe Me!” Then, wonder
of wonders! When Das Ganu placed his head on Baba’s Feet, out flowed
streams of Ganga-Yamuna water from both the toes of Baba. Seeing this
miracle, Das Ganu was overwhelmed with feelings of love and adoration,
and tears filled my eyes. Inwardly he felt inspired, and his speech burst
forth into a song in praise of Baba and His Leelas.
Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi
Nobody knew the parents, birth or birth-place of Sai Baba. Many
enquiries were made, many questions were put to Baba and others,
regarding these, but no satisfactory answer or information has yet been
obtained. Practically, we know nothing about these matters. Namdev and
Kabir were not born like ordinary mortals. They were found as infants in
mother-of-pearls; Namdev being found on the bank Bhimrathi river by
Gonayi, and Kabir on the bank Bhagirathi river by Tamal. Similar was the
case with Sai Baba. He first manifested Himself as a young lad of sixteen
years under a Neem tree in Shirdi, for the sake of Bhaktas. Even then, He
seemed to be full of the knowledge of Brahma. He had no desire for worldly
objects even in dreams. He kicked out Maya, and Mukti (deliverance) was
serving at His feet. One old woman of Shirdi, the mother of Nana Chopdar,
described Him thus; this young lad, fair, smart and very handsome, was
first seen under the Neem tree, seated in an Asan. The people of the village
were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practising hard penance, not
minding heat and cold. By day he associated with none, by night he was
afraid of nobody. People were wondering and asking, whence this young
chap had turned up. His form and features were so beautiful that a mere
look endeared Him to all. He went to nobody’s door, always sat near the
Neem tree. Outwardly, he looked very young, but by His action He was
really a Great Soul. He was the embodiment of dispassion and was an
enigma to all. One day, it so happened that God Khandoba possessed the
body of some devotee and people began to ask him, “Deva (God), You please
enquire, what blessed father’s son is this lad and whence did He come.”
God Khandoba asked them to bring a pick-axe and dig in a particuar place.
When it was dug, bricks were found underneath a flat stone. When the
stone was removed, a corridor was seen, in which four Samayis (lights)
were burning. The corridor led to a cellar, where cow-mouth-shaped
structures, wooden boards, rosaries were seen. Khandoba said, “This lad
practised penance here for 12 years.” Then, the people began to question
the lad about this. He put them off by telling them that, this was His Guru’s
place, His holy Watan, and requested them to guard this well. The people
then closed the corridor as before. As Ashwattha and Audumbar trees are
held sacred, Baba regarded this Neem tree equally sacred, and loved it most.
Mhalsapati and other Shirdi devotees regard this site as the resting place
(Samadhi-sthan) of Baba’s Guru and prostrate before it.

Three Wadas

(1) The site with the Neem tree and surrounding space was bought
by Mr. Hari Vinayak Sathe, and on this site a big building styled Sathe’s
Wada was erected. This Wada was the sole resting place for pilgrims,
who flocked there. A platform was built round the Neem tree and lofts
with steps were constructed. Under the steps, there is a niche facing south
and devotees sit on the Par (platform) facing north. It is believed that,
he, who burns incense there on Thursday and Friday evenings, will by
God’s grace, be happy. This Wada was old and dilapidated and needed
repairs. The necessary repairs, additions and alterations have been made
now by the Sansthan. (2) Then, after some years, another Wada, Dixit’s
Wada was constructed. Kakasaheb Dixit, Solicitor of Mumbai, had gone
to England. He had injured his leg in an accident there. The injury could
not be got rid of by any means. Nanasaheb Chandorkar advised him to
see Sai Baba. So, he went to Sai Baba in 1909, and requested Him to cure
the lameness of his mind rather than that of his leg. He was so much
pleased with the darshan of Sai Baba, that he decided to reside in Shirdi.
So, he built a Wada for himself and other devotees. The foundation of
this building was laid on 10-12-1910. On this day, two other important
events took place. (1) Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde was given permission
to return home, and (2) The night Arati at the chavadi was started. The
Wada was completed and was inhabited on the Ram Navami day in
1911, with due rites and formalities. (3) Then, another Wada or palatial
mansion was put up by the famous millionaire, Mr. Buti, of Nagpur. A
lot of money was spent on this building, but it was all well utilized, as
Sai Baba’s Body is resting in this Wada, which is now called the
‘Samadhi Mandir’. The site of this Mandir formerly had a garden, which
was watered and looked after by Baba. Three Wadas thus came up,
where there was none formerly. Of these Sathe’s Wada was most useful
to all, in the early days.
The story of the garden which was attended by Sai Baba with the
help of Vaman Tatya, the temporary absence of Sai Baba from Shirdi,
and His coming again to Shirdi with the marriage-party of Chand Patil,
the company of Devidas, Jankidas and Gangagir, Baba’s wrestling
match with Mohiddin Tamboli, residing in the Masjid, love of Mr. Dengle
and other devotees; and other incidents will be described in the next
chapter.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 3

Sai Baba’s Sanction and Promise – Assignment of
Work to Devotees – Baba’s Stories as Beacon Light –
His Motherly Love – Rohila’s Story – His Sweet and
Nectar-like Words

Sai Baba’s Sanction and Promise

As described in the previous chapter, Sai Baba gave His complete
assent to the writing of the Satcharita and said, “I fully agree with you
regarding the writing of Satcharita. You do your duty, don’t be afraid
in the least, steady your mind and have faith in My words. If My Leelas
are written, the Avidya (nescience) will vanish and if they are attentively
and devoutly listened to, the consciousness of the worldly existence
will abate and strong waves of devotion and love will rise up and if one
dives deep into My Leelas, he would get precious jewels of knowledge.”
Hearing this, the author was much pleased, and he, at once,
became fearless and confident, and thought that the work was bound
to be a success. Then, turning to Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) Sai
Baba said, “If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his
wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My
deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Those
devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will naturally feel
happiness, when they hear these stories. Believe Me that, if anybody
sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and ever-lasting
contentment. It is My special characteristic to free any person, who
surrenders completely to Me, and who worships Me faithfully, and
who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they
be conscious of wordly objects and sensations, who utter My name,
who worship Me, who think of My stories and My life, and who thus,
always remember Me! I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws
of death. If My stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid
of. So, hear My stories with respect, and think and meditate on them,
assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and contentment. The
pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish, the mind of the hearers
will be set at rest; and if he has wholehearted and complete faith, he
will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple remembrance of
My name as “Sai, Sai” will do away with sins of speech and hearing.”

Different Works Assigned to Devotees

The Lord entrusts different works to different devotees. Some are
given the work of building temples and Maths, or Ghats (flight of steps)
on rivers; some are made to sing the glories of God, some are sent on
pilgrimages, but to me was allotted the work of writing the Sai Satcharita.
Being a jack of all trades, but master of none, I was quite unqualified
for this job. Then, why should I undertake such a difficult task? Who
can describe the true life of Sai Baba? Sai Baba’s grace alone can enable
one to accomplish this difficult work. So, when I took the pen in my
hand, Sai Baba took away my egoism and Himself wrote His stories.
The credit of relating these stories, therefore, goes to Him and not to
me. Though, Brahmin by birth, I lacked the two eyes (i.e. the sight or
vision) of Shruti and Smruti and therefore, was not at all capable of
writing the Satcharita, but the grace of the Lord makes a dumb man talk,
enables a lame man to cross a mountain. He alone knows the ways of
getting things done, as He likes. Neither the flute, nor the harmonium
knows, how the sounds are produced. This is the concern of the player.
The oozing of Chandrakant jewel and the surging of the sea are not, due
to the jewel and the sea, but due to the rising of the moon.

Baba’s Stories as Beacon Light

Light-houses are constructed at various places in the sea, to enable
the boatmen to avoid rocks and dangers, and make them sail safely. Sai
Baba’s stories serve a similar purpose in the ocean of worldly existence.
They surpass nectar in sweetness, and make our worldly path smooth
and easy to traverse. Blessed are the stories of the saints. When they
enter our hearts through the ears, the body-consciousness or egoism
and the sense of duality vanish; and when they are stored in the heart,
doubts will evade, pride of the body will fall, and wisdom will be stored
in abundance. The description of Baba’s pure fame, and the hearing
of the same with love, will destroy the sins of the devotee and,
therefore, this is the simple Sadhana for attaining salvation. The
Sadhana for Krita Age was Sama-dama (tranquility of mind and body);
for Treta Age, sacrifice; for Dwapar worship; and for Kali (present) Age,
it is singing of the name and glory of the Lord. This last Sadhana is
open to all the people of the four Varnas (Brahmins, etc.). The other
Sadhanas, viz. Yoga Tyaga (sacrifice), Dhyan (meditation) and Dhyandharana
(concentration) are very difficult to practice, but singing and
hearing the stories and the glory of the Lord (Sai Baba) is very easy. We
have only to turn our attention towards them. The listening to and
singing of the stories will remove the attachment to the senses and their
objects, and will make the devotees dispassionate, and will ultimately
lead them to self-realization. With this end in view, Sai Baba made me
write His stories, as Satcharita. The devotees may now easily read and
hear these stories of Sai Baba and while doing so, meditate on Him, His
form and thus, attain devotion to Guru and God (Sai Baba), get dispassion
and self-realization. In the preparation and writing of this work,
Satcharita, it is Sai Baba’s grace, which has accomplished everything,
making use of me as a mere instrument.

Motherly Love of Sai Baba

Everybody knows, how a cow loves her infant calf. Her udder is
always full and when the calf wants milk and dashes at the udder, out
comes the milk in an unceasing flow. Similarly, a human mother knows
the wants of her child before-hand and feeds him, at her breast in time.
In case of dressing and adorning the child, the mother takes particular
care to see that, this is well done. The child knows or cares nothing
about this, but the mother’s joy knows no bounds, when she sees her
child well dressed and adorned. The love of the mother is peculiar,
extraordinary and disinterested, and has no parallel. Sadgurus feel this
motherly love towards their disciples. Sai Baba had the same love
towards me, and I give an instance of it below :
In 1916 I retired from Government service. The pension, that was
settled in my case, was not sufficient to maintain my family decently.
On Guru Pournima (15th of Ashadha) day of that year, I went to Shirdi
with other devotees. There, Mr. Anna Chinchanikar, of his own accord,
prayed to Baba for me as follows : “Please, look kindly at him, the
pension he gets is quite insufficient, his family is growing. Give him
some other appointment, remove his anxiety and make him happy!”
Baba replied, “He will get some other job, but now, he should serve Me
and be happy! His plates will be ever full and never empty. He should
turn all his attention towards Me and avoid the company of atheists,
irreligious and wicked people. He should be modest and humble
towards all, and worship Me with heart and soul. If he does this, he
will get eternal happiness.”
The question, who is this He, Whose worship is advocated, is
already answered in a note on “Who is Sai Baba” in the prologue, at
the beginning of this work.

Rohila’s Story

The story of the Rohila illustrates Sai Baba’s all embracing love.
One Rohila, tall and well-built, strong as a bull, came to Shirdi, wearing
a long Kafni (robe) and was enamored of the Sai, Who stayed there. Day
and night, he used to recite, in a loud and harsh tone the Kalma (verses
from Holy Quran) and shout “ALLAH HO AKBAR” (God is Great).
Most people of Shirdi, were working in their fields during the day and
when they returned to their homes at night, they were welcomed with
Rohila’s harsh cries and shouts. They could get no sleep and felt much
trouble and inconvenience. They suffered this nuisance for some days
in silence, and when they could stand it no longer, they approached
Baba and requested Him to check the Rohila and stop the nuisance.
Baba did not attend to their complaint. On the contrary, Baba took the
villagers to task and asked them to mind their own business. He said
to them that the Rohila had got a very bad wife, who tried to trouble
the Rohila and Himself; but hearing the Rohila’s prayers, she dare not
enter and they were at peace. In fact, the Rohila had no wife and by his
wife Baba meant Durbuddhi, i.e. evil thoughts. As Baba liked prayers
and cries to God better than anything else, He took the side of the
Rohila, and asked the villagers to wait and bear with the nuisance,
which would abate in due course.

Baba’s Sweet and Nectar-like Words

One day at noon, after Arati, devotees were returning to their
lodgings, when Baba gave the following beautiful advice :
“Be wherever you like, do whatever you choose, remember this
well that, all what you do is known to Me. I am the Inner Ruler of all
and seated in your hearts. I envelope all the creatures, the movable
and immovable world. I am the Controller – the Wire-puller of the
show of this universe. I am the Mother – origin of all beings – the
Harmony of three Gunas, the Propeller of all senses, the Creator, Preserver
and Destroyer. Nothing will harm him, who turns his attention towards
Me, but Maya will lash or whip him, who forgets Me. All the insects,
ants, the visible, movable and immovable world, is My body or form”.
Hearing these beautiful and precious words, I, at once, decided in
my mind to serve no man henceforth but my Guru only; but the reply
of Baba to Anna Chinchanikar’s query (which was really mine) that I
would get some job, began to revolve in my mind, and I began to think,
whether it would come to happen. As future events showed, Baba’s
words came true and I got a Government job, but that was of short
duration. Then, I became free and devoted myself solely to the service
of my Guru Sai Baba.

Before concluding this chapter, I request the readers to leave out
the various hindrances, viz., indolence, sleep, wandering of mind,
attachments to senses etc. and turn their whole and undivided attention
to these stories of Sai Baba. Let their love be natural, let them know the
secret of devotion, let them not exhaust themselves by other Sadhanas,
let them stick to this simple remedy i.e. listening to Sai Baba’s stories.
This will destroy their ignorance and will secure for them salvation. A
miser may stay at various places, but he constantly thinks of his buried
treasure. So, let Sai Baba be enthroned in the hearts of all.
In the next chapter, I shall speak of Sai Baba’s advent in Shirdi.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- 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 about the persons qualified to read the same, and such other
points. Now, in this chapter, he narrates the same.

The Object of Writing this Work

In the first chapter, I described Sai Baba’s miracle of checking and
destroying the cholera epidemic 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 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, otherwise,
how can I describe their glory? To write the life of a saint is most
difficult, one may as well be able to measure the depth of the seven seas
or enclose the sky with cloth-trappings. I knew, 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 Dnyaneshwar
Maharaj has stated that, the Lord loves those who write the lives of
saints, and the saints also have their own peculiar method of assigning
the service, which the devotees long for. The saint inspires the work, the
devotee becomes only an indirect cause or an instrument in achieving
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 4 works – Bhakta Vijay, Sant Vijay, Bhakta Leelamrut and
Sant Leelamrut, while the latter wrote two – ‘Bhakta Leelamrut and
Sant Kathamrut’, in which the lives of modern saints were described.
In chapters 31, 32, 33 of Bhakta Leelamrut and in chapter 57 of Sant
Kathamrut, the 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 by Mrs. Savitribai Raghunath
Tendulkar of Bandra in a small book, named Sri Sainath Bhajan Mala.
Das Ganu Maharaj also has composed various sweet poems on Sai
Baba. A devotee, named Amidas Bhavani Mehta, has also published
some stories of Sai Baba in Gujarati; 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
among the aspiring people. 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 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 Brahma, 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 darshan. So, I set
about collecting Sai Baba’s teachings and expressions – the outcome of
His boundless 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 my cause
and said to Sai Baba, “This Annasaheb wishes to write Your biography,
don’t say that You are a poor Fakir, and there is no necessity to write
it; but if You agree and help him, he will write or rather, Your 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 ash) 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 My autobiography
Myself and satisfy the wishes of My devotees. He should get rid of his
ego, 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 discussion of pros and cons of any subject.”

Significant and Prophetic Title

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 darshan,
and I promised them to do so. But, something in the meanwhile 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 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 Divisional officer, was going on tour
to Bassein. From Thana he came to Dadar and was waiting for a train
bound for Bassein. 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 from 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 Mohammeden came hastily to
my compartment and seeing all my paraphernalia, asked me where I was
bound to. I told him about my plan. He, then, suggested that I should go
straight to Boribunder, and not to wait at Dadar, as the Manmad Mail did
not stop at Dadar. 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 favoured me I
reached Shirdi the next day before 9 or 10 a.m. Bhausaheb (Kaka) Dixit
was waiting for me there. This was in 1910, when there was only one
place, viz., Sathe’s Wada, for lodging pilgrim devotees. After alighting
from the tonga I was anxious to have darshan, 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
darshan and then, after bath see Him at leisure. Hearing this I ran and
prostrated before Baba and my joy knew no bounds. I found more than
what Nana Chandorkar had told me. All my senses were satisfied and I
forgot my 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 darshan, 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 darshan, as I found it, is that
by His darshan our thoughts are changed, the force of previous actions
is abated and gradually non-attachment or dispassion towards worldly
objects grows up. It is by the merit of actions in many past births, that such
darshan is got; and if only you see Sai Baba, all the world 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 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 conclusion 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 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?
I began to think, why Sai Baba should call me by the name
‘Hemadpant’. This word is a distorted form of ‘Hemadripant’. This
Hemadripant was a wellknown minister of the kings, Mahadev and
Ramdev of Devgiri of the Yadav dynasty. He was very learned, goodnatured
and the author of 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 Moodhi
(Marathi shorthand) script. But, I was quite the opposite, an ignoramus
and of 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 into 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 all the accounts properly and was also the author of
such a good work ‘Sai Satcharita’, which deals with such important
and spiritual subjects as Dhyan, Bhakti, 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, “Baba, where to go?” Baba
said, “High up.” Then, the man said, “Where is the way?” Baba said,
“There are many ways leading there; there is one way from here (Shirdi)
also. 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 whether
man is free or bound, is of any use in spiritual matters, but 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 Ram 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 Satcharitra -- Chapter 1

Obeisances — The story of grinding wheat and its
philosophical significance.

According to the ancient and revered custom, Hemadpant begins
the work, Shri Sai Satcharita, with various salutations.
(1) First, he makes obeisance to the God Ganesh to remove all
obstacles and make the work a success, and says that Sri Sai is God
Ganesh Himself.
(2) Then, to goddess Saraswati to inspire him to write 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, 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, (Ram in the
Hindi version) from the sea; and to the Adi (Original) Purush of the
family.
(5) Then, to Bharadwaj Muni, into whose gotra (clan) he was born
and also to various Rishis, Yagnyavalkya, Bhrugu, Parashar, Narad,
Vedavyas, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatkumar, Shuka, Shounak,
Vishwamitra, Vasishtha, Valmiki, Vamadev, Jaimini, Vaishampayan,
Nava Yogindra etc; and also modern saints, such as Nivrutti, Dnyanadev,
Sopan, Muktabai, Janardan, Eknath, 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 to 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
Brahma is the reality and the world an illusion; and incidentally, to all
beings, in whom the Lord God dwells.
After describing in brief the various modes of devotion according
to Parashar, Vyasa and Shandilya etc., the author goes on to relate the
following story :
“It was some time after 1910 that I went, one fine morning, to the
Masjid in Shirdi to have 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 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, forcibly took 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, and therefore, He did not require any wheat-flour for
making bread or roti, what will He do with this large quantity of flour?
Perhaps, as Baba is very kind, He will distribute the flour amongst us.
Thinking in this way and 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 by taking one portion per head. Baba, Who
was calm and quiet up till now, got wild and started abusing them
saying, “Ladies, have 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, do this! Take the flour and throw it on the
village borders!” On hearing this, the women felt abashed and
whispering amongst themselves, went 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 cholera epidemic was spreading in the village this was
Baba’s remedy for the same; it was not wheat, that was ground, but
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 causal 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 Sai Satcharita.
And as we know, with Baba’s grace and blessings 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. Baba lived in Shirdi for about sixty years and during
this long period, He did the business of grinding almost every day –
not, however, 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
one and the latter, the upper one. The handle, with which Baba worked
the mill, consisted of dhyan. 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 three gunas, viz.
Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, and the Ahankar, which is so subtle and
therefore, so difficult to get rid of.
This reminds us of a similar story of Kabir, who seeing a woman
grinding corn, said to his Guru, Nipatniranjan, “I am weeping, because
I feel the agony of being crushed under this wheel of worldly existence,
like the corn in the hand-mill.” Nipatniranjan 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 centre,
and you are sure to be saved.”

Bow to Shri Sai — Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 15

Naradiya Kirtan Paddhati – Mr. Cholkar’s

Sugarless Tea – Two Lizards

The readers may remember that mention was made in

the 6th chapter regarding the Ram-Navami Festival in

Shirdi; how the festival originated and how in the early

years there was great difficulty in getting a good Haridas for doing

Kirtan on those occasions and how Baba permanently entrusted this

function (Kirtan) to Das Ganu and how he has been doing it successfully,

ever since. Now, in this chapter we shall describe the manner in which

Das Ganu has been doing the Kirtan.

Naradiya Kirtan Paddhati

Generally our Haridas, while doing the Kirtan, wear a Gala and
full dress. They put on a head-dress either a Pheta or a turban, a long
flowing coat with a shirt inside, an Uparani (short Dhotar) on the
shoulders and the usual long Dhotar from the waist below. After dressing
himself in this fashion for some Kirtan in the Shirdi village, Das Ganu
once went to Baba for prostrating before Him. Baba asked him, “Well,
bridegroom! Where are you going dressed so beautifully like this?” “For
doing a Kirtan”, came the reply. Then Baba said, “Why do you want
all this paraphernalia-coat, Uparani and Pheta etc. lay off all that before
Me, why wear them on the body?” Das Ganu immediately took them
off and placed them at Baba’s Feet. Thenceforth Das Ganu never wore
these things, while doing the Kirtan. He was always bare from waist
upwards, a pair of ‘Chiplis’ was in his hand and a garland round his
neck. This is not in consonance with the practice generally followed by
all the Haridas, but this is the best and the purest method. The sage
Narada from whom the Kirtan Paddhati originated, wore nothing on
his torso and head. He carried a ‘Vina’ in his hand and wandered from
place to place, singing the glory of the Lord.

Mr. Cholkar’s Sugarless Tea

Initially Baba was known in Poona and Ahmednagar districts but
Nanasaheb Chandorkar, by his word of mouth and Das Ganu by his
splendid Kirtans spread the fame of Baba in the Konkan (Mumbai
Presidency). In fact, it was Das Ganu – May God bless him – who, by
his beautiful and inimitable Kirtans, made Baba available to so many
people there. The audience, who come to hear the Kirtans, have different
tastes. Some like the erudition or learning of the Haridas, some his
gestures, some his singing, some his wit and humour, some his
preliminary dissertation on Vedanta and some his main theme and so
on; but among them there are very few, who, by hearing the Kirtan get
faith and devotion or love for God or saints. The effect of hearing Das
Ganu’s Kirtan on the minds of audience was, however, electric, as it
were. We give an instance here :

Das Ganu was once doing his Kirtan and singing the glory of Sai
Baba, in the Koupineshwar temple in Thana. One Mr. Cholkar a poor
man, serving as a temporary employee in the civil courts in Thana, was
amongst the audience. He heard Das Ganu’s Kirtan most attentively
and was much moved. He there and then, mentally bowed and vowed
to Baba saying, “Baba, I am a poor man, unable to support my family.
If by Your grace, I pass the departmental examination and get a
permanent post, I shall go to Shirdi, fall at Your Feet and distribute
sugar-candy in Your name.” As luck would have it, Mr. Cholkar did
pass the examination and did get the permanent post, and now it
remained for him to fulfil his vow, the sooner the better. Mr. Cholkar
was a poor man with a large family to support and he could not afford
to pay for the expenses of a Shirdi trip. As is well said, one can easily
cross over Nahne Ghat in Thana district or even the Sahyadri range
but it is very difficult for a poor man to cross Umbar Ghat, i.e., the
threshold of his house. As Mr. Cholkar was anxious to fulfil his vow
as early as possible, he resolved to cut down his expenses and save
money. He determined not to use sugar in his diet and began to take
his tea without it. After he was able to save some money in this way,
he came to Shirdi, took Baba’s darshan, fell at His Feet, offered a
coconut, distributed it with a clean conscience along with sugar-candy,
as per his vow and said to Baba that he was much pleased with His
darshan and that his desires were fulfilled that day. Mr. Cholkar was
in the Masjid with his host Bapusaheb Jog. When the host and the guest
both got up and were about to leave the Masjid, Baba spoke to Jog as
follows, “Give him (your guest) cup of tea fully saturated with sugar.”
Hearing these significant words Mr. Cholkar was much moved, he was
wonderstruck, his eyes were bedewed with tears and he fell at Baba’s
Feet again. Mr. Jog was also curious about this direction. Baba wanted
by His words to create faith and devotion in Cholkar’s mind. He hinted
as it were that, He got the sugar-candy as per his vow and that He knew
fully well his secret determination not to use sugar in his diet. Baba
meant to say, “If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I
am immediately with you, day and night. Though, I am here physically,
still I know what you do beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you
wish, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart
and I am within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart
as well as in the hearts of all beings. Blessed and fortunate indeed
is he, who knows Me thus.”
What a beautiful and important lesson Baba had, thus imparted
to Mr. Cholkar

Two Lizards

Now we close this chapter with a story of two little lizards. Once
Baba was sitting in the Masjid. A devotee sat in front of Him, when a
lizard tick-ticked. Out of curiosity the devotee asked Baba, whether this
tick-ticking of the lizard signified anything good or was it a bad omen?
Baba said that the lizard was overjoyed as her sister from Aurangabad
was coming to see her. The devotee sat silent not making out the
meaning of Baba’s words. Immediately a gentleman from Aurangabad
came on horse-back to see Baba. He wanted to proceed further, but his
horse would not go as it was hungry and wanted grams. He took out
a bag of grams from his shoulders to bring grams and dashed it on the
ground to remove dirt. A lizard came out from there and in the presence
of all, climbed up the wall. Baba asked the questioner devotee to mark
her well. She at once, went strutting to her sister. Both sisters met each
other after a long time, kissed and embraced each other, whirled round
and danced with love! Where is Shirdi and where is Aurangabad for
the lizard? How should the man on horse back come there from
Aurangabad with the lizard? And how should Baba make the prophecy
of the meeting of the two sisters? All this is really very wonderful and
proves the omniscience – the all-knowing nature of Baba.

Post Script

He, who respectfully reads this chapter or studies it daily, will get
all his miseries removed by the grace of the Sadguru Sai Baba.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 11

CHAPTER XI

Sai as Sagun Brahma – Dr. Pandit’s Worship – Haji Siddik Falke – Control over the Elements

Let us now, in this chapter, describe the manifested (Sagun) Brahma Sai, as to how He was worshipped and how He controlled the elements.

Sai as Sagun Brahma

There are two aspects of God or Brahma : (1) the Unmanifested
(Nirgun) and (2) the Manifested (Sagun). The Nirgun is formless, while
the Sagun is with form, though, both denote the same Brahma. Some
prefer to worship the former, some the latter. As stated in the Gita
(chapter XIII) the worship of the latter is easy and preferable. As man
has got a form (body, senses, etc.), it is natural and easy for him to
worship the God with form. Our love and devotion do not develop,
unless we worship Sagun Brahma, for a certain period of time, and as
we advance, it leads us to the worship (meditation) of Nirgun Brahma.
So, let us start with Sagun worship. Image, altar, fire, light, sun, water,
Brahma are the seven objects of worship; but Sadguru is better than all
these. Let us, on this occasion, bring to our mind the form of Sai, Who
was non-attachment Incarnate, and Who was a resting-place for His
devotees. Our faith in His words is the Asan; and our Sankalpa
(determination to accomplish the Puja) is the abandonment of all our
desires. Some say that Sai was a Bhagwad-bhakta (devotee of the Lord),
others say He was a Maha-bhagwat (a great devotee); but to us He is
God Incarnate. He was ever forgiving, never irritable, straight, soft,
tolerant and content beyond comparison. Though, He looked embodied
(as having the form), He was really dis-embodied, emotionless,
unattached and internally free. The Ganges on its way to the sea, cools
and refreshes the creatures affected with heat, gives life to the crops and
trees, and quenches the thirst of many. Similarly, saints (Souls) like Sai,
while they live their own, give solace and comfort to all. Lord Krishna
has said that the saint is My soul, My living image, I am He or He is
My pure form (Being). This in-describable Shakti or Power of God,
known as Pure Existence, Knowledge and Bliss, incarnated in the form
of Sai in Shirdi. The Shruti (Taittiriya Upanishad) describes Brahma as
Pure Bliss. This, we read or hear daily in the books, but the devout
people experienced this Brahma or Bliss in Shirdi. Baba, the Support of
all, required no prop or Asan from anybody. He always used a piece of
sack-cloth for His seat, which was covered with a small mattress by
His bhaktas and had a bolster, placed by them, rest as His back. Baba
respected the feelings of His devotees and allowed them to worship
Him as they liked. Some waved Chamar or fans before Him, some
played on musical instruments, some washed His hands and Feet,
some others applied scent and Chandan, some gave betelnut with
leaves, and some others offered Naivaidya. Though, He looked like
living in Shirdi, He was present everywhere. This all-pervasiveness of
His was daily experienced by His devotees. Our humble prostration to
this all-pervasive Sadguru.

Dr. Pandit’s Worship

One Dr. Pandit, a friend of Tatyasaheb Noolkar, once came to
Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. After saluting Baba, he sat in the Masjid for
some time. Baba asked him to go to Dadabhat Kelkar. He went to
Dadabhat, by whom he was well received. Then, Dadabhat left his
house for Puja and Dr. Pandit accompanied him. Dadabhat worshipped
Baba. Nobody, until then, dared to apply sandal paste to Baba’s
forehead. Only Mhalsapati used to apply it to His neck. But, this simplehearted,
Dr. Pandit, took Dadabhat’s dish containing Puja-materials
and taking sandal-paste out of it, drew a Tripund, i.e., three horizontal
lines on Baba’s forehead. To the surprise of all, Baba kept silent, not
uttering a single word. Then, Dadabhat, that evening, asked Baba,
“How is it, that, though You object to the sandal-paste, being applied
by others to Your forehead; You allowed Dr. Pandit to do so?” Baba
replied that Dr. Pandit believed Him to be the same as his Guru,
Raghunath Maharaj of Dhopeshwar, known as Kaka Puranik and he
applied the paste to His forehead, as he was doing to his Guru. Hence,
He could not object. On enquiry, Dr. Pandit told Dadabhat that he took
Baba as his Guru Kaka Puranik and realized Him as the same hence,
he marked the Tripund on Baba’s forehead, as he did on his Guru’s.
Though, Baba allowed the devotee to worship Him as they pleased,
still some times, He acted in a strange way. Some times, He threw away
the Puja-dish and was wrath Incarnate, then, who could approach
Him? Some times, He scolded the devotees; at times, He looked softer
than wax, a statue of peace and forgiveness. Though, He seemed to
shake with anger and His red eyes rolled round, still, He was internally,
an ocean of affection and motherly love. He would call out His devotees
and say, that He never knew, when He was ever angry with them. If
it was possible that mothers could kick their children and the sea
turn back the river He too could neglect the devotees’ welfare; that He, the
Slave of His devotees, always stood by them, and responded to them,
whenever they called upon Him and that, He always longed for their
love.

Haji Siddik Falke

There was no knowing, as to when Baba would accept a devotee.
That depended on His will. Siddik Falke’s story is to the point. One
Mohammeden gentleman, by name Siddik Falke of Kalyan, after making
pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, came to Shirdi. He lived in the
Chavadi, facing north and sat in the open court-yard of the Masjid. For
nine months, Baba ignored him and did not allow him to step into the
Masjid. Falke felt disconsolate and did not know, what to do. Somebody
advised him not to be disappointed but to try to approach Baba through
Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande), a close and intimate devotee of Baba.
He told him that as they approach the Lord Shiva through his servant
and devotee, Nandi, so should Baba be approached through Shama.
Falke liked the idea and implored Shama to intercede for him. Shama
agreed and on a convenient occasion spoke to Baba about him thus,
“Baba, why don’t You allow the old Haji to step into the Masjid, while
so many persons freely come and go, after taking Your darshan; why
not bless him once?” Baba replied, “Shama, you are immature to
understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not allow, what can I do?
Without His grace, who will climb into the Masjid? Well, go to him and
ask him, whether he will come to the narrow footpath near the Barvi
well.” Shama went and returned with an affirmative answer. Again
Baba said to Shama, “Ask him, whether he is willing to pay Me the sum
of Rs. 40,000/- in four instalments”. Shama went and returned with the
answer, that he was willing to pay even forty lacs. Again Baba said to
Shama, “We are going to cut a goat in the Masjid, so, ask him, whether
he would like to have its meat haunch or testicles of the goat.” Shama
returned with the answer that the Haji would be happy to receive a
small crumb from Baba’s Kolamba (mudpot). Hearing this, Baba got
excited and with His hands threw away the earthen jars and Kolamba,
and straightway advanced to the Haji and lifting His Kafni up in arms
said, “Why do you brag and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read
Quran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca; but you
do not know Me.” Being thus scolded, the Haji was confounded. Baba,
then, went back to the Masjid, purchased a basket of mangoes and sent
them to the Haji. Then again, Baba went to the Haji, and taking out Rs.
55/- from His pocket, gave them in Haji’s hand. Thenceforth, Baba
loved the Haji, invited him for meals and the Haji, thereafter, came into
the Masjid, whenever he liked. Baba gave him at times some rupees and
thus, the Haji was enrolled in Baba’s Darbar.

Baba’s Control over the Elements

We shall close this chapter, after describing two incidents, showing
Baba’s control over the elements. (1) Once, at evening time, there was
a terrible storm at Shirdi. The sky was overcast with thick black clouds.
Winds began to blow with great force, clouds roared and lightening
began to flash and rains started pouring in torrents. In a short time, the
whole place was flooded with water. All creatures, birds, beasts and
men got terribly frightened, and they all flocked to the Masjid for shelter.
There are many local Deities in Shirdi but none of them came to their
rescue. So, they all prayed to Baba – their God, Who was fond of their
devotion, to intercede and quell the storm. Baba was much moved. He
came out and standing at the edge of the Masjid, addressed the storm
in a loud and thunderous voice, “Stop, stop your fury and be calm!”
In a few minutes, the rains subsided, the winds ceased to blow, and the
storm came to a stop. Then, the moon rose in the sky and people went
back home well-pleased. (2) On another occasion at noon the fire in the
Dhuni began to burn brightly, its flames were seen to be reaching the
rafters above.The people who were sitting in the Masjid, did not know,
what do do. They dared not to ask Baba to pour water or do anything
to quench the flames. But Baba soon came to realize, what was
happening. He took up His Satka (short stick) and dashed it against a
pillar in front, saying, “Get down, Be calm”. At each stroke of the Satka,
the flames began to slow down, and in a few minutes the Dhuni became
calm and normal.

This is our Sai, an Incarnation of God. He will bless any man, who
will prostrate and surrender himself to Him. He, who will read the
stories of this chapter daily, with faith and devotion, will soon be free
from all calamities not only this, but always attached and devoted to
Sai, he will get very soon God-vision, all his desires will be fulfilled and
being ultimately desireless, he will attain the Supreme. Amen!

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all