Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 29

Stories of (1) Chennai’s Bhajani Mela (2) Tendulkars
(father and son) (3) Dr. Captain Hate (4) Woman
Narvekar

This chapter describes other interesting and wonderful
stories of Sai Baba.

(1) Chennai’s Bhajani Mela

It was in the year 1916 when a Chennai’s Bhajani Mela (Party of
the Ramdasi Panth) started on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Benaras.
The party consisted of a man, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law.
Unfortunately, their names are not mentioned. On their way the party
heard that there lived in Shirdi, Ahmednagar district, a great saint
named Sai Baba, Who was God realized and Who was very generous
and distributed money every day to His bhaktas and to skillful persons
who went and showed their talent there. A lot of money in the form of
dakshina was collected daily by Sai Baba and out of this amount He
gave daily one rupee to a three year old girl Amani, the daughter of a
bhakta Kondaji and Rs. 2 to 5 to some, Rs. 6 to Jamali, the mother of
Amani and Rs. 10 to 20 or even Rs. 50 to other bhaktas, as He pleased.
On hearing all this, the party came to Shirdi and stayed there. The Mela
did very good Bhajan and sang very good songs, but inwardly they
desired money. Three of the party were full of avarice but the lady or
mistress was of a very different nature. She had regard and love for
Baba. Once it so happened that when the noon-day Arati was going on,
Baba was much pleased with her faith and devotion and gave her
vision of her Ishta (chosen) deity. To her Baba appeared as Sitanath
(Ram), while to all others the usual Sainath. On seeing her beloved
Deity she was very much moved. Tears began to flow from her eyes and
she clapped her hands in joy. The people began to wonder at her joyful
mood but were not able to guess its cause. Late in the afternoon she
disclosed everything to her husband. She told him how she saw Shri
Ram in Sai Baba. He thought that she was a very simple and devout
woman and her seeing Ram might be a creation of her mind. He ignored
her saying that it was not possible that she alone should see Ram, while
they all saw Sai Baba there. She did not resent this remark as she was
fortunate enough to get Ram-darshan, as and when her mind was calm
and composed and free from avarice.

Wonderful Vision

Things were going on like this when the husband got a strange
vision in his dream one night : He was in a big city the police there had
arrested him tied his hands with a rope and put him up in a cage (lockup).
As the police were tightening the grip he saw Sai Baba, standing
quiet outside, near the cage. On seeing Baba so close he said in a
plaintive tone, “After hearing Your fame I resorted to Your Feet then
why should a calamity befall me when You are standing here in person?”
Baba said, “You must suffer the consequences of your action.” He said,
“I have not done anything in this life which would bring such a
misfortune on me.” Baba said, “If not in this life you must have committed
some sin in your past life.” He replied, “I do not know anything of my
past life but assuming that I did commit some sin then, why should it
not be burnt and destroyed in Your presence as happens to dry grass
before fire?” Baba, “Have you got such faith?” He, “Yes.” Baba then
asked him to close his eyes. No sooner did he shut them, than he heard
a thumping sound of something falling down and after opening his
eyes he saw that he was free and the police fallen down, bleeding. Being
much frightened he began to look at Baba, Who said, “Now you are
well caught, officers will now come and arrest you.” Then, he begged,
“There is no other saviour except You, save me anyhow!” Then Baba
again asked him to close his eyes. He did so and when he opened them
again he saw that he was free, out of the cage and that Baba was by
his side. He then fell at Baba’s Feet. Baba then asked him, “Is there any
difference between this Namaskar and your previous ones? Think well
and then reply.” He said, “There is a lot of difference, my former
Namaskars were offered with the object of getting money from You but
the present Namaskar is one offered to You as God, besides, earlier I
thought resentfully that You, being a Mohammeden, were spoiling us
the Hindus.” Baba, “Do you not believe in your mind in Mohammeden
gods?” He said, “No”. Then, Baba said, “Have you not got a Panja
(Emblem of Hand) in your house and do you not worship the same in
Tabut, i.e. Moharrum festival? Also there is in your house another deity,
by name Kadbibi whom you propitiate and appease on marriage occasion
and other festivals. Is it not so?” He admitted all this. Then Baba said,
“What more do you want?” Then a desire arose in Bhajan : Devotional songs his mind to get the
darshan of his Guru Ramdas when Baba asked him to turn back and
see. And when he turned around, lo! Ramdas was in front of him. No
sooner did he bend to fall at His Feet Guru Ramdas vanished. Then he
inquisitively asked Baba, “You look old, do You know Your age?” Baba,
“What! Do you say, I am old! Just race with Me and see!” On saying
this Baba began to run and he too followed. Baba disappeared in the
dust raised by His foot-steps while running, and at that moment man
was awakened.
After waking up he began to think seriously about the dreamvision.
His mental attitude was completely changed and he realized the
greatness of Baba. After this his doubting tendencies disappeared and
pure devotion to Baba’s Feet descended on his mind. The vision was
a mere dream but the questions and answers therein, were most
significant and interesting. Next morning when all assembled in the
Masjid for the Arati Baba gave him as prasad, two rupees’ worth of
sweetmeats and also two rupees from His pocket, and blessed him. He
made him stay there for a few more days and gave him His blessing
saying, “Allah (God) will give you plenty and He will do you all good.”
He did not get more money there but he got far better things, viz. Baba’s
blessing, which stood him in good stead all along. The party got plenty
of money afterwards and their pilgrimage was successful as they did
not suffer any trouble or inconvenience during their journey. They all
returned home safe, thinking of Baba’s words and blessings, and the
Anand (Bliss) they experienced by His grace.
This story illustrates one of the methods which Baba followed in
some cases, to improve and reform His devotees.

(2) Tendulkar family

There lived in Bandra (a suburb of Mumbai), a Tendulkar family,
all the members of which were devoted to Baba. Mrs. Savitribai
Tendulkar has published a Marathi book, named ‘Shri Sainath Bhajan
Mala’, containing 800 Abhangas and Padas, describing the Leelas of
Baba. It is a book worth reading by those, who are interested in Baba.
The son Babu Tendulkar was studying hard day and night and wanted
to appear for the medical examination. He consulted some astrologers.
On examining his horoscope they told him that the stars were not
favourable that year and that he should appear for the examination
next year when he would be certainly successful. This cast a gloom
over him and made him restless. A few days afterwards his mother
went to Shirdi and saw Baba. Amongst other things she mentioned the
gloomy and morose condition of her son who was to appear for the
examination in a few days. On hearing this Baba said to her, “Tell your
son to believe Me, to throw aside horoscopes and predictions of
astrologers and palmists and go on with his studies. Let him appear
for the examination with a calm mind, he is sure to pass this year. Ask
him to trust Me and not to get disappointed.” The mother returned
home and communicated Baba’s message to her son. Then he studied
hard and in due course appeared for the examination. In the written
papers he did well, but being overtaken by doubts he thought that he
would not secure sufficient marks for passing. So he did not care to
appear for the oral examination. But the examiner was after him. He
sent word through a fellow-student stating that he had passed in the
written examination, and that he should appear for the oral. The son
being thus encouraged, appeared for the oral examination and was
successful in it also. Thus, he got through the examination that year
successfully by Baba’s grace, though the stars were against him, as
indicated. It is to be noted here that doubts and difficulties surround
us, just to move us and confirm our faith. We are tested as it were.
If we only hold on steadily to Baba, with full faith and continue our
endeavours, our efforts will be ultimately crowned with success.
The father of this boy Raghunathrao was serving in some foreign
mercantile firm in Mumbai. As he grew old he was not able to attend
to his work properly, and so he had to take leave and rest. As he did
not improve during the period of leave, a further extension of leave or
premature retirement from service was inevitable. The chief manager of
the firm decided to retire him on pension as he was an old and a
reliable servant. The question regarding the amount of pension to be
given was under consideration. He was getting Rs. 150/- p.m. and his
pension, i.e. half the amount, viz. Rs. 75/- would not be enough to meet
the expenses of the family. So they were all anxious about this matter.
Fifteen days before the final settlement Baba appeared to Mrs. Tendulkar
in her dream and said, “I wish that Rs. 100/- should be settled as
pension, will this satisfy you?” She replied, “Baba, why ask me this?
We fully trust in You.” Though Baba said Rs. 100/-, still he was given
ten Rupees more, i.e. Rs. 110/-, as a special case. Such wonderful love
and care did Baba exhibit towards His bhaktas.

(3) Captain Hate

Captain Hate, who was staying in Bikaner was a great devotee of
Baba. Once, Baba appeared to him in his dream and said, “Did you
forget Me?” Hate then immediately held Baba’s Feet and replied, “If a
child forgets his mother how could he be saved?” Then Hate went into
the garden and took out fresh Walpapadi vegetables and after arranging
‘Shidha’ (ghee, wheat-flour and dal etc.) and dakshina, was about to
offer all this to Baba when he was awakened and came to know that
the whole thing was a dream. Then he decided to send all these things
to Baba at Shirdi. When he came to Gwalior some days afterwards, he
sent Rs. 12/- by money order to a friend with instructions that Rs. two
should be spent in buying Shidha articles and Walpapadi vegetables,
and those should be offered to Baba with Rs. ten as dakshina. The
friend went to Shirdi and purchased the things mentioned but
Walpapadi was not available. In a short time a woman turned up with
a basket on her head, which curiously enough contained the Walpapadi
vegetables. It was purchased and then all the things were offered to
Baba on behalf of captain Hate. Mr. Nimonkar prepared the ‘Naivaidya’
(rice and Walpapadi vegetables) next day and offered the same to Baba.
All the people were surprised to see that Baba while dining, took and
ate Walpapadi and did not touch rice and other things. Hate’s joy knew
no bounds when he learnt this from his friend.

Consecrated Rupee

At another time captain Hate wished that he should have in his
house, a rupee consecrated by Baba with His touch. He came across a
friend who was bound for Shirdi. Through him Hate sent his rupee. The
friend went to Shirdi and after the usual salutation gave first his
dakshina which Baba accepted. Then he gave Hate’s rupee which Baba
took in His hand and began to gaze at it. He held it in front, tossed it
up with His right thumb and played with it. Then He said to the friend,
“Return this to its owner with the Prasad of Udi, tell him that I want
nothing from him; ask him to live in peace and contentment!” The
friend returned to Gwalior handed over the consecrated rupee to Hate
and told him all that happened at Shirdi. This time Hate was much
pleased and realized that Baba always encouraged good thoughts, and
as he wished intently, Baba fulfilled the same accordingly.

(4) Waman Narvekar

Now let the readers hear a different story. A gentleman named
Waman Narvekar, loved Baba very much. He once brought a rupee. On
one side (obverse) of it were engraved the figures of Ram, Laxman and
Sita and on the other (reverse) side was engraved the figure of Maruti
with folded hands. He offered it to Baba with a hope that He should
consecrate it with His touch and return it to him with Udi. But Baba
immediately pocketed it. Then Shama spoke to Baba regarding
Wamanrao’s intention and requested Him to return it. Then Baba spoke
in the presence of Wamanrao, “Why should it be returned to him? We
should keep it ourselves. If he gives Rs. 25/- for it, it will be returned.”
Then for the sake of that rupee, Wamanrao collected Rs. 25/- and
placed them before Baba. Then Baba said, “The value of that rupee far
exceeds 25 Rupees. Shama take this rupee, let us have it in our store,
keep this in your shrine and worship it!” No one had the courage to
ask Baba why He followed this peculiar action. He only knows what
is best and most suitable to each and all.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 28

Sparrows Drawn to Shirdi

(1) Lakhshmichand (2) Burhanpore Lady (3) Megha

Preliminary

Sai is not finite or limited. He dwells in all beings, from ants and
insects to the God Brahma. He pervades all. Sai was well-versed in the
knowledge of the Vedas, as well as in the science of self-realization. As
He was proficient in both these, He was well-fitted to be the Sadguru.
Any one though learned, but not able to awaken the disciples and
establish them in self-realization, does not deserve to be called a Sadguru.
Generally, the worldly parents give birth to the body but death invariably
follows life; but Sadguru does away with both life and death and so he
is more kind and merciful than anybody.
Sai Baba often said that – let His man (Devotee) be at any
distance, a thousand kos away from Him, he will be drawn to Shirdi,
like a sparrow, with a thread tied to its feet. This chapter describes the
stories of three such sparrows.

(1) Lala Lakshmichand

This gentleman was first serving in the Shri Venkateshwar Press
in Mumbai, then in the railway department and afterwards in the firm
of Messrs Ralli Brothers & Co., as a Munshi (clerk). He came in Baba's
contact in 1910. One or two months before Christmas he saw in his
dream at Santacruz (a suburb of Mumbai) an old man with a beard,
standing and surrounded by his Bhaktas. A few days later he went to
the house of his friend, Mr. Dattatreya Manjunath Bijur to hear the
Kirtan by Das Ganu. It was (and is) always the practice of Das Ganu
to keep Baba’s picture in front of the audience, while doing the Kirtan.
Lakhshmichand was surprised to see that the features of the old man
he saw in his dream, tallied exactly with those in the picture and thus,
he came to the conclusion that the old man he saw in his dream, was
Sai Baba Himself. The sight of this picture, Das Ganu’s Kirtan and the
life of the Saint Tukaram on which Das Ganu discoursed, all these
things made a deep impression on his mind and he decided to go to
Shirdi. It is always the experience of the bhaktas, that God always
helps them in their search for Sadguru and other spiritual endeavours.
That very night, a friend named Shankararao knocked at his door and
asked him whether he would accompany him to Shirdi. His joy knew
no bounds and he at once decided to go to Shirdi. He borrowed Rs. 15/
- from his cousin and after making due preparations left for Shirdi. In
the train he and his friend Shankararao did some bhajan (sang religious
songs) and enquired about Sai Baba with some fellow passengers-four
Mohammedens who were returning to their place near Shirdi. They all
told them that Sai Baba was a great Saint living in Shirdi for many
years. When they reached Kopergaon, he wanted to buy some good
guavas as offering to Baba, but he was so rapt in the scenery and sights
there, that he forgot to purchase them. When they were nearing Shirdi
he was reminded of the guavas, just then he saw an old woman with
a guava-basket on her head running after the tonga. The tonga was
stopped, and he gladly purchased some fruits, when the woman said,
“Take all the rest and offer them on my behalf to Baba”. The facts viz.
that he had intended to purchase guavas but had forgotten to do so, the
old woman’s encounter and her devotion to Baba, all these were a
pleasant surprise to both the friends, and Lakhshmichand thought in
his mind that the old woman might be some relation of the old man he
saw in his dream. Then they drove on and came near Shirdi, and on
seeing flags on the Masjid, they saluted them. With puja materials in
hand they went to the Masjid and worshipped Baba with due ritual.
Lakhshmichand was much moved and was extremely happy to see
Baba. He wrapped himself around with Baba’s Feet, as a bee with a
sweet smelling lotus. Then Baba spoke as follows :
“Cunning fellow he does bhajan on the way and enquires from
others, why ask others? Everything we should see with our own eyes;
where is the necessity to question others? Just think for yourself whether
your dream is true or not? Where was the necessity of the darshan by
taking a loan from a marwari? Is the heart’s desire now satisfied?”
Hearing these words Lakhshmichand was wonderstruck at Baba’s
omniscience. He was at a loss to know how Baba came to know about
all the things that had happened en-route from his house to Shirdi. The
chief thing to note in this respect is that Baba never liked people to
borrow or take loan for His darshan or celebrating any holiday or
making any pilgrimage.

Sanza

At noon when Lakhshmichand was sitting for meals he got some
sanza (wheat-pudding), from a devotee as prasad. He was pleased to
have it. Next day also he expected it, but got nothing. So he was
anxious to get it again. Then on the third day at the noon Arati time,
Bapusaheb Jog asked Baba, what Naivaidya he should bring. Baba told
him to bring sanza. Then, the bhaktas brought two big potfuls of
sanza. Lakhshmichand was very hungry and there was some pain in
his back. Then, Baba said to him, “It is good that you are hungry take
sanza and some medicine for the pain in the back.” He was again
wonderstruck to see that Baba again read his mind and spoke out what
was passing therein. How Omniscient was He!

Evil eye

During this visit, he (Lakhshmichand) also witnessed one night
the procession to the Chavadi. Baba then suffered much from cough.
He thought that this suffering of Baba might be due to somebody’s evil
eye. Next morning when he went to the Masjid, Baba spoke to Shama
as follows, “I suffered last night from cough; is it due to some evil eye?
I think that somebody’s evil eye has worked on Me and so I am
suffering”. In this case Baba spoke out what was going on in the mind
of Lakhshmichand.
On seeing these proofs of Baba’s omniscience and kindness to
His bhaktas, he fell prostrate at Baba’s Feet and said, “I am much
blessed with Your darshan. Ever be kind and merciful to me and
protect me always. There is no other God to me in this world except
You, let my mind be ever rapt in Your Bhajan and Feet, let Your grace
protect me from the miseries of the world and let me ever chant Your
name and be happy.”
After getting Baba’s Udi and blessings he returned home with his
friend, much pleased and contented, and was singing Baba’s glory on
the way. He remained a staunch devotee of Baba then onwards and
always sent garlands of flowers, camphor and dakshina with any
person of his acquaintance bound for Shirdi.

(2) Burhanpore Lady

Now, let us turn to another sparrow (devotee). One lady in
Burhanpore saw in her dream Sai Baba coming to her door and begging
khichadi (rice cooked with dal and salt) for His meals. On waking up
she saw nobody at her door. However, she was pleased with the vision
and told it to all, including her husband. He was employed in the
postal department and when he was transferred to Akola, both husband
and wife, who were devout persons decided to go to Shirdi. Then on
a suitable day they left for Shirdi and after visiting Gomati Tirth on the
way, reached Shirdi and stayed there for two months. Every day they
went to the Masjid, worshipped Baba and passed their time happily.
The couple came to Shirdi to offer khichadi as Naivaidya but for the
first 14 days somehow or other, it could not be offered. The lady did not
like this delay or tardiness. Then on the 15th day she came at noon to
the Masjid with her khichadi. There she found that Baba and others
were already sitting for meals and that the curtain was down. Nobody
dared enter in when the curtain was down but the lady could not wait.
She lifted up the curtain and entered. Strange to say that Baba seemed
that day hungry for khichadi and wanted that thing first, and when the
lady came in with the dish Baba was delighted and began to eat morsel
after morsel of khichadi. On seeing the earnestness of Baba in this
respect, everybody was wonderstruck and those, who heard the story
of khichadi were convinced about His extraordinary love for His
devotees.

(3) Megha

Now let us go to the third sparrow; Megha of Viramgaon was a
simple and illiterate Brahmin cook of Rao Bahadur H.V. Sathe. He was
a devotee of Shiva and always chanted the five syllabled mantra ‘Namah
Shivay‘. He did not know the Sandhya nor its chief mantra, the Gayatri.
Rao Bahadur Sathe was interested in him, taught him the Sandhya and
the Gayatri. Sathe told him that Sai Baba of Shirdi was the embodied
form of God Shiva and made him start for Shirdi. At Bharuch Railway
station he learnt that Sai Baba was a Muslim, and his simple and
orthodox mind was much perturbed at the prospect of bowing down to
a Muslim, and he prayed to his master not to send him there. His master
however insisted on his going there and gave him a letter of introduction
to his (Sathe’s) father-in-law, Ganesh Damodar, alias Dada Kelkar at
Shirdi, to introduce him to Sai Baba. When he reached Shirdi and went
to the Masjid, Baba was very indignant and would not allow him to
enter. “Kick out the rascal” roared Baba and then said to Megha, “You
are a high caste Brahmin and I am a low Muslim, you will lose your
caste by coming here. Just get away!” On hearing these words Megha
began to tremble. He was wondering, as to how Baba had come to know
about what was passing in his mind. He stayed there for some days
serving Baba in his own way but was not convinced. Then he went
home and then to Tryambak (Nasik district) and stayed there for a year
and a half. Then again he returned to Shirdi. This time at the intercesion
of Dada Kelkar he was allowed to enter the Masjid and stay in Shirdi.
Sai Baba’s help to Megha was not through any oral instruction. He
worked upon Megha internally (mentally) with the result that he was
considerably changed and benefitted. Then Megha began to look upon
Sai Baba as an Incarnation of Shiva. In order to worship Shiva bel
leaves are required and Megha used to go miles and miles every day
to bring them and worship his Shiva (Baba). His practice was to worship
all the deities in the village and then come to the Masjid, and after
saluting Baba’s Gadi (Asan) he worshipped Baba and after doing some
service (shampooing His Legs) drank the washings (Tirth) of Baba’s
Feet. Once it so happened that he came to the Masjid without
worshipping Khandoba, as the door of the temple was closed. Baba did
not accept his worship and sent him back again saying that the door
was open then. Megha went found the door open, worshipped the
Deity, and then returned to Baba as usual.

Ganges Bath

On one Makar Sankranti day Megha wanted to besmear the body
of Baba with sandal-paste and bath Him with Ganges water. Baba was
first unwilling to undergo this but at his repeated requests He consented.
Megha had to traverse a distance of eight Kos (going and returning)
to bring the sacred water from the Godavari river. He brought the water,
made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Baba to get ready
for the same. Then, Baba again asked him to be spared from this bath
saying that as a Fakir He had nothing to do with Ganges water but
Megha did not listen to Him. He knew that Shiva is pleased with
Abhishek (Sacred Bath) on that auspicious day. Baba then consented,
came down and sat on a wooden board and projecting His head said,
“Oh Megha do at least this favour, head is the most important organ
of the body, so pour the water over that only – it is equivalent to the
whole bath”. “All right”, said Megha and lifting the water pot up began
to pour it on the head but in doing this, he was so much overwhelmed
with love that he cried out, “Har Har Gange” (Hail goddess Ganga)
and emptied the pot on the whole body. He kept the pot aside and
began to look at Baba, but to his surprise and amazement he found that
only Baba’s head was drenched while the body quite dry.

Trident and Pindi

Megha worshipped Baba at two places : in the Masjid he
worshipped Baba in person and in the Wada, Baba’s big picture given
by Nanasaheb Chandorkar. This he did for 12 months. Then in order
to appreciate his devotion and confirm his faith Baba gave him a vision.
One morning when Megha was still lying down on his bed with eyes
closed but internally awake he saw clearly Baba’s Form. Baba knowing
him to be awake threw akshata (rice-grains marked red with Kumkum)
and said, “Megha, draw a Trident!” and disappeared. Hearing Baba’s
words he eagerly opened his eyes, saw no Baba there but only rice
grains spread here and there. He then went to Baba, told Him about the
vision and asked permission to draw Trident. Baba said, “Did you not
hear My words asking you to draw Trident? It was no vision but direct
order, My words are always pregnant with meaning and never hollow.”
Megha said, “I thought you woke me up but all the doors were closed
so I was doubtful and thought it to be a vision.” Baba rejoined, “I
require no door to enter. I have no form; I always live everywhere. As
a wire-puller I carry on all the actions of the man who trusts Me and
merges in Me.”
Megha returned to the Wada and drew a red Trident on the wall
near Baba’s picture. Next day a Ramadasi bhakta came from Poona,
saluted Baba and offered Him Pindi (a phallic image of Shiva). At this
time Megha also turned up there. Baba said to him, “See, Shankar has
come, protect (i.e. worhsip) Him now!” Megha was pleasantly surprised
to see Pindi. Also in the Wada Kakasaheb Dixit was standing with a
towel on his head after having taken his bath and was remembering Sai
when he saw a Pindi in his mental vision. While he was wondering
about this Megha came and showed him the Pindi presented to him by
Baba. Dixit was happy to know that this Pindi exactly tallied with the
one he saw a few minutes before in his vision. In a few days after the
drawing of the Trident was complete, Baba installed the Pindi near the
big picture, which Megha was worshipping. The worship of Shiva was
dear to Megha and by the drawing of the Trident and the installation
of the Pindi, Baba confirmed his faith therein.
After continuous service of Baba for many years, doing regular
worship and Arati every noon and evening Megha passed away in
1912. Then Baba passed His hands over his mortal remains and said,
“This was a true devotee of Mine” Baba also ordered that at His own
expense the funeral dinner should be given to the Brahmins, and this
order was carried out by Kakasaheb Dixit.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 27

Favour shown by giving Bhagwat and Vishnusahastra-
naam – Dixit’s Vitthal Vision – Gita
Rahasya – Khapardes

This chapter describes how Sai Baba favoured His
devotees by granting them religious books, after he had
touched and consecrated them, for paraayan (reading regularly) and
certain other matters.

Preliminary

When a man takes a plunge into sea he gets the merit of bathing
in all the tirthas and sacred rivers. Similarly, when a man takes refuge
at the feet of the Sadguru, he gets the merit of bowing to the Trinity, i.e.,
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and also Para-Brahma. Victory be unto
Shri Sai, the wish-fulfilling tree and the ocean of knowledge, who gives
us self-realization. Oh Sai, create in us reverence for Your stories. Let
the readers and audience devour them with the same relish, with which
the chatak bird drinks the water from the clouds and becomes happy.
While listening to Your stories, let them and their families get all the
true and pious emotions, viz. let their bodies perspire, let their eyes be
full of tears, let their breath be steady, let their minds be composed, let
their hair stand on end, let them cry, sob and quiver, let their hostilities
vanish. When these things happen, that is a sign of the grace of the
Guru, dawning upon them. When these emotions grow in you, the
Guru is most pleased, and will certainly lead you on the path of selfrealization.
The best way therefore, to get free from the shackles of
Maya, is our complete and whole-hearted surrender to Baba. The Vedas
cannot take you across the ocean of Maya. It is only the Sadguru who
can do so, and make you see the God in all creatures.

Granting Consecrated Book

The various methods of imparting instructions, followed by Baba
have already been noticed in the previous chapters. In this we shall
deal with one aspect of it. It was the habit of some devotees to take to
Baba some religious books, of which they wanted to make a special
study and to receive the same back from Him, after they were touched
and consecrated by Him. While reading such books daily, they felt that,
Baba was with them. Once Kaka Mahajani came to Shirdi with a copy
of Eknathi Bhagwat. Shama took this book to read in the Masjid. There
Baba took it from him, touched it and turning some pages here and
there, gave it back to Shama and asked him to keep it with him. When
Shama said that it belonged to Kaka and had to be returned to him,
“No, no,” replied Baba. “As I have given it to you, you better keep it ,
it will be of use to you.” In this way many books were entrusted to
Shama. Kaka Mahajani after a few days, came again with another copy
of the same Bhagwat and gave it in Baba’s hand. Then Baba gave it
back as Prasad and asked him to preserve it well, and assured him that,
it would stand him in good stead. Kaka accepted it with reverence.

Shama and Vishnu-sahasra-naam

Shama was a very intimate devotee of Baba and Baba wanted to
favour him in a particular way by giving him a copy of Vishnu-sahasranaam,
as Prasad. This was done in the following way; once a Ramadasi
(follower of the Saint Ramadas) came to Shirdi and stayed there for
some time. The routine he followed daily was as follows; he got up early
in the morning, washed his face, bathed and then after wearing saffroncoloured
clothes and besmearing himself with sacred ashes, read Vishnusahasra-
naam (a book giving a thousand names in praise of Vishnu
and held second in importance to Bhagwad Gita) and Adhyatma
Ramayan (Esoteric version of Rama’s story) with faith. He read these
books very often. After some days, Baba thought of favouring and
initiating Shama with Vishnu-sahasra-naam. He therefore called the
Ramadasi to Him and said to him that, He was suffering from intense
stomach-pain and unless He took Sennapods (Sona-mukhi, a mild
purgative drug) the pain would not stop; so he should please go to the
bazaar (market) and bring the drug. The Ramadasi closed his book and
went to the bazaar. Then Baba came from His seat, to Ramdasi’s place
of reading and took out the copy of Vishnu-sahasra-naam and after
coming back to His seat said to Shama, “Shama, this book is very
valuable and efficacious, so, I present it to you, you read it. Once I
suffered intensely and My heart began to palpitate and My life was in
danger. At that critical moment I hugged this book to My heart, and
then Shama, what a relief it gave me! I thought that, Allah Himself came
down and saved Me. So I give this to you, read it slowly, little by little,
read daily one name at least and it will do you good.” Shama replied,
that he did not want it and that the owner of it, the Ramadasi, who was
a bad tempered, obstinate and irritable fellow would certainly pick up
a quarrel with him; besides, being a rustic himself, he could not read
distinctly the Sanskrit (Devanagari script) text of the book.
Shama thought that Baba wanted to set him up against the
Ramadasi by this act of His, but he had no idea, what Baba felt for him.
Baba must have thought to tie this necklace of Vishnu-sahasra-naam
round the neck of Shama, as he was an intimate devotee, though a
rustic; and thus, save him from the miseries of worldly existence. The
efficacy of God’s name is well-known. It saves us from all sins and
bad tendencies, frees us from the cycle of births and deaths. There
is no easier Sadhana than this. It is the best purifier of our mind. It
requires no paraphernalia and no restrictions. It is so easy and so
effective. This Sadhana, Baba wanted Shama to practise, though he
did not crave for it. So Baba forced this on him. It is also reported that
long ago, Eknath Maharaj, similarly forced this Vishnu-sahasra-naam
on a poor brahmin neighbour and thus saved him. The reading and
study of this Vishnu-sahasra-naam is a broad open way of purifying
the mind and hence, Baba thrust this on His devotee, Shama.
The Ramadasi returned soon with the Senna-pods. Anna
Chinchanikar, who was then present and wanted to play the part
of Narad (the Celestial Rishi, who was well-known for setting up
confrontations between gods and demons and vice versa), informed
him of what had happened. The Ramadasi at once flared up. He
came down at once on Shama with full fury. He said that it was
Shama, who set Baba to send him away, under the pretext of stomachache,
for bringing the medicine and thus took away the book. He
began to scold and abuse Shama and remarked that if the book was
not returned, he would dash his head . Shama calmly remonstrated
with him but in vain. Then, Baba spoke kindly to him as follows :
“Oh Ramadasi, what is the matter with you? Why are you so
turbulent? Is not Shama our boy? Why do you scold him
unnecessarily. How is it that you are so quarrelsome? Can you not
speak soft and tender words? You read these sacred books daily
and still your mind is agitated and your passions uncontrolled.
What sort of a Ramadasi are you! You ought to be indifferent to all
things. Is it not strange that you should possess this book so strongly?
A true Ramadasi should have no ‘Mamata’ (attachment), but have
‘Samata’ (equality) towards all. You are now quarrelling with Shama,
for a mere book. Go take your seat, books can be had in plenty with
money, but not men; think well and be considerate. What worth is
your book? Shama had no concern with it. I took it up Myself and
gave it to him. You know it by heart. I thought Shama might read
it and benefit thereby, and so I gave it to him.”
How sweet were these words of Baba! soft, tender and nectar-like.
Their effect was wonderful. The Ramadasi calmed down and said to
Shama that he would take ‘Panch-ratni Gita’ in return. Shama was
much pleased and said, “Why one, I shall give ten copies in return.”
So the matter was ultimately settled. The question for consideration
is ‘Why should the Ramadasi press for Pancha-ratni Gita, a book, for
which he never cared to know and why should he, who daily read
religious books in the Masjid in front of Baba, quarrel with Shama
before Him?’ We do not know how to apportion the blame and whom
to blame. We only say that, had this incident not happened, the
importance of the subject, the efficacy of God’s name and the significance
of Vishnu-sahasra-naam would not have been brought home to Shama.
So we see that Baba’s method of teaching and initiating, was unique.
In this case, Shama did gradually study the book and mastered its
contents to such an extent that he was able to explain it to Professor
G.G. Narke, M.A., of the College of Engineering, Poona, the son-in-law
of Shriman Buti and a devotee of Baba.

Vitthal Vision

One day while Kakasaheb Dixit was in meditation, after his
morning bath in his Wada at Shirdi, he saw a vision of Vitthal. When
he went to see Baba afterwards, Baba asked him, “Did Vitthal Patil
come? Did you not see Him? He is very elusive, hold Him fast otherwise,
He will give you the slip and run away.” Then at noon, a certain
hawker came there with 20 or 25 pictures of Vitthal of Pandharpur, for
sale. Mr. Dixit was surprised to see that the form of Vitthal, he saw in
his meditation, exactly tallied with that in the picture, and he was also
reminded of Baba’s words. He, therefore, bought one picture most
willingly and kept it in his shrine for worship.

Gita Rahasya

Baba always loved those, who studied Brahma-vidya (metaphysics)
and encouraged them. To give an instance, once Bapusaheb Jog received
a post-parcel. It contained a copy of Gita Rahasya by Lokamanya Tilak.
Taking it under his armpit he came to the Masjid and prostrated before
Baba, when the parcel fell at Baba’s Feet. Baba enquired what it was.
It was opened then and there, and the book was placed in Baba’s hand.
He turned some pages here and there for a few minutes and took out
a rupee from His pocket, placed it on the book and handed the same
with the rupee to Jog and said to him, “Read this completely and you
will be benefitted.”

Mr. and Mrs. Khaparde

Let us close this chapter with a description of the Khapardes.
Once Dadasaheb Khaparde came with his family and lived in Shirdi for
some months. (The diary of his stay has been published in English in
the Shri Sai Leela Magazine, I Volume.) Dadasaheb was not an ordinary
man. He was the affluent and the most famous advocate of Amaravati
(Berar) and was a member of the council of state, Delhi. He was intelligent
and a very good speaker. Still he dared not open his mouth before Baba.
Most devotees spoke and argued with Baba off and on but only three,
viz. Khaparde, Noolkar and Buti, kept always silent. They were meek,
modest, humble and good-natured. Dadasaheb, who was able to
expound Panchadashi (Well-known Sanskrit treatise on the Adwait
Philosophy by the famous Vidyaranya) to others, uttered no word,
when he came to the Masjid before Baba. A man, however learned he
may be even in Vedas, fades away before one, who has realized Brahma
and becomes one with it. Learning cannot stand before self-realization.
Dadasaheb stayed for four months but Mrs. Khaparde stayed for seven.
Both were highly pleased with their Shirdi stay. Mrs. Khaparde was
faithful and devout, and loved Baba deeply. Every noon she brought
naivaidya herself, to the Masjid and after it was accepted by Baba, she
used to return and take her meals. On seeing her steady and firm
devotion, Baba wanted to exhibit it to others. One noon she brought a
dish containing Sanza (wheat-pudding)), purees, rice, soup, and Kheer
(sweet rice) and other sundry articles to the Masjid. Baba Who usually
waited for hours, got up at once, went up to His seat and removing the
cover from the dish, began to partake of the things zealously. Shama
then asked Him, “Why this partiality? At times You throw away dishes
of others, and do not care to look at them; but this appeals to You
earnestly. Why is the dish brought by this lady so sweet? This intrigues
us.” Baba then explained, “This food is really extra-ordinary. In former
birth this lady was a merchant’s fat cow yielding much milk. Then, she
disappeared and took birth in a gardener’s family, then in a Kshatriya
family and married a merchant. Then she was born in a Brahmin
family. I saw her after a very long time, let Me take some sweet morsels
of love from her dish.” After saying this, Baba did full justice to her
dish, washed his mouth and hands, belched out as He was fully
satisfied and resumed His seat. Then, she bowed down and began to
shampoo Baba’s Legs and He began to talk with her and knead her
arms which were shampooing His Legs. On seeing this reciprocal
service, Shama began to joke and said, “It is going on well, it is a
wonderful sight to see God and His bhakta serving each other.” After
being pleased with her sincere service, Baba asked her in low and
fascinating tone to chant ‘Rajaram, Rajaram’ then and always and said,
“If you do this, your life’s object will be achieved, your mind will attain
peace and you will be immensely benefitted.” To persons unfamiliar
with spiritual matters, this might appear as a polite zesture, but really
it was not so. It was a case of what is technically called, ‘Shakti-paat’,
i.e. transference of power from the Guru to the disciple. How effective
were Baba’s words! In an instant they pierced her heart and remained
there.
This case illustrates the nature of the relations, that should subsist
between the Guru and the disciple. Both should love and serve each
other, as One. There is no distinction nor any difference between them.
Both are One, and one cannot live without the other. The disciple
placing his head at the Guru’s feet is a gross or outward vision; really
and internally they are both One and the same. Those who see any
difference between them, are yet unripe and not perfect.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 26

Stories of (1) Bhakta Pant (2) Harishchandra Pitale
(3) Gopal Ambadekar

Preliminary

All the things, that we see in the universe are nothing
but a play of Maya – the creative power of the Lord. These things do
not really exist. What really exists is the Absolute. Just as we mistake
a rope or a garland for a serpent, on account of darkness, we always
see the phenomena, i.e. things, as they outwardly appear, and not the
Noumenon, which underlies all the visible things. It is only the Sadguru
who opens the eyes of our understanding and enables us to see things
in their true light and not as they appear. Let us therefore, worship the
Sadguru and pray to him to give us the true vision, which is nothing
but God-vision.

Inner Worship

Hemadpant has given us a novel form of worship. Let us, he says,
use water in the form of tears of joy to wash the Sadguru’s Feet, let us
besmear His body with sandle-paste of pure love, let us cover His body
with the cloth of true faith, let us offer eight lotus in the form of our eight
Sattwik emotions and fruit in the form of our concentrated mind, let us
apply to His head the Bukka (black-powder) in the form of devotion and
tie the waistband of Bhakti and place our head at His feet.
After decorating the Sadguru with all ornamentation this way, let
us offer our self to Him and wave chamar of devotion to ward off heat.
After such blissful worship, let us pray thus : Turn our mind inward,
give us discrimination between the unreal and the real and nonattachment
for all worldly things, and thus enable us to get selfrealization.
We surrender ourselves, body and soul (body-consciousness
and ego) to You. Make our eyes Yours, so that we should never feel
pleasure and pain. Control our body and mind as You wish. Let our
mind rest at Your Feet.”

Now let us turn to the stories of this chapter.

Bhakta Pant

Once, it so happened that, a devotee by name Pant, a disciple of
another Guru, had the good fortune of visiting Shirdi. He had no mind
to go to Shirdi, but man proposes one way and God disposes the other.
He was travelling in a B.B. & C.I. Rly train, where he met many friends
bound for Shirdi. They all asked him to accompany them and he could
not say ‘no.’ They alighted at Mumbai, while Pant got down at Virar.
There, he took the permission of his Guru for the Shirdi trip and after
arranging for the expenses, left with the party for Shirdi. They all
reached the place in the morning and went to the Masjid at about 11
a.m. On seeing the concourse of the devotees assembled for Baba’s
worship, they were all pleased but Pant suddenly got a fit and fell
senseless. They were all frightened, still they tried their best to revive
his senses. With Baba’s grace after sprinkling water over his head, he
regained his consciousness and sat upright as if he was just awakened
from sleep. The Omniscient Baba, knowing that he was a disciple of
another Guru, assured him and confirmed his faith in his own Guru,
by addressing him as follows : “Come what may, leave not but stick to
your own bolster (support, i.e. Guru) and ever remain steady with him.”
Pant, at once, knew the significance of this remark, and thus he was
reminded of his Guru. This kindness of Baba, he never forgot in his life.

Harishchandra Pitale

There was a gentleman, by name Harishchandra Pitale in Mumbai.
He had a son who suffered from epilepsy. He tried many allopathic and
ayurvedic physicians but there was no cure. There remained only one
way of remedy, viz. resorting to the saints. It has been stated in chapter
XV that Das Ganu, by his inimitable and splendid Kirtans, spread the
fame of Sai Baba in the Mumbai Presidency. Mr. Pitale heard some of
these Kirtans in 1910 and learnt from the kirtans and others that Baba,
with His touch and mere glance, cured many incurable diseases. Then
a desire arose in his mind to see Sai Baba. Making all preparations and
taking offerings and fruitbaskets, Mr. Pitale came to Shirdi with wife
and children. He then went to the Masjid with them, prostrated before
1. Abkari department – Excise deptt.
Baba and placed his sick son at Baba’s Feet. No sooner did Baba see
the child, then an untoward thing happened. The son immediately
revolved his eyes and fell down senseless. His mouth began to throw
foam and his whole body began to perspire profusely, and it seemed as
if he was breathing his last. Seeing this, the parents became very nervous
and upset. The boy used to get such fits very often, but this fit seemed
to persist long. Tears began to flow ceaselessly from the mother’s eyes
and she began to wail, that, her condition was like that of a person, who
being afraid of the robbers ran into a house, which collapsed on him;
or like a cow fearing a tiger, ran into the hands of a butcher; or like a
traveller, who being tormented by the heat of the sun went to take refuge
under a tree, which fell upon him; or like a devout person going for
worship into a temple, which collapsed upon him. Baba comforted her
saying, “Do not wail like this, wait a bit, have patience, take the boy to
your lodgings, he will come to his senses within half an hour.” They
did as directed by Baba and found that, His words came true. As soon
as he was taken into the Wada, the boy recovered and all the Pitale
family, and others were very happy, and all their doubts disappeared.
Then Mr. Pitale went with his wife to see Baba and prostrated himself
before Him very humbly and respectfully and sat shampooing His Legs
and mentally thanking Baba for His kind help. Baba then smilingly
said, “Have not all your thoughts, doubts and apprehensions calmed
down now? Hari (Lord) will protect him, who has got faith and
patience.” Mr. Pitale was a rich and well-to-do gentleman. He distributed
sweet-meats on a large scale and offered to Baba excellent fruits and
Pan (betel-leaves). Mrs. Pitale was a very pious lady, simple, loving and
faithful. She used to sit near the post, gazing at Baba with tears of joy
flowing down from her eyes. Seeing her amicable and loving nature,
Baba was much pleased with her. Like Gods, saints are always
dependent on their devotees, who surrender and worship them with
their heart and soul. After passing some happy days in Baba’s company,
the Pitale family came to the Masjid to take Baba’s leave to depart. Baba
gave them Udi and blessings and called Mr. Pitale close to him and
said, “Bapu, I had given you Rs. two before, now I give you Rs. three;
keep these in your shrine for worship and you will be benefitted.” Mr.
Pitale accepted these as prasad, prostrated himself again before Baba
and prayed for His blessings. A thought arose in his mind that, as this
was his first visit to Shirdi, he could not understand what Baba meant,
when He said that He had given Rs. two previously. He was curious
to have this mystery solved; but Baba kept silent. When Mr. Pitale
returned to Mumbai, he narrated to his old mother, all that had happened
at Shirdi and the mystery about Baba’s giving him Rs. two earlier. The
mother also did not understand the mystery but thinking seriously
about this, she was reminded of an old incident, which solved the
mystery. She said to her son, “As you now went to Sai Baba with your
son, so had your father done, when he took you to Akkalkot for the
darshan of the Maharaj there, many years ago. That Maharaj was also
a Siddha, Perfect Yogi, omniscient and gracious. Your father was devout
and his worship was accepted. He then gave your father Rs. two for
being kept in the shrine and worshipped. Your father worshipped them
till his death; but thereafter the worship was neglected and the rupees
were lost. After some years the memory of these two rupees also
disappeared and now, as you are very fortunate, the Akkalkot Maharaj
has appeared to you in the form of Sai Baba just to remind you of your
duties and worship to ward off all dangers. Now beware henceforth,
leave all doubts and bad thoughts, follow your ancestors and go on
worshipping the family gods and the rupees, and take pride in the
blessing of the saints. Sai Samartha has kindly revived the spirit of
Bhakti in you, cultivate it to your benefit.” Hearing the remarks of the
mother, Mr. Pitale was very much delighted. He came to know and was
convinced about the all-pervasiveness of Baba and the significance of
His darhsan. Then onwards, he became very careful about his conduct.

Mr. Ambadekar

Mr. Gopal Narayan Ambadekar of Poona was a devotee of Baba.
He served for ten years in the Abkari Department in the Thana district
and in Javhar state, from where he had to retire. He tried to get some
other job but he did not succeed. He was overtaken by other calamities
and his condiiton grew from bad to worse. He passed 7 years in this
condition, visiting Shirdi every year and placing his grievance before
Baba. In 1916, his plight became worst and he decided to commit
suicide in Shirdi. So he came there with his wife and stayed for two
months. One night while sitting in a bullock cart in front of Dixit Wada
he resolved to end his life by throwing himself into a well close-by. But
Baba wished to do something else. A few paces form this place there
was a hotel and its proprietor Mr. Sagun, a devotee of Baba, came out
and accosted him thus : “Did you ever read Akkalkot Maharaj’s life?”
Ambadekar took this book from Sagun and began to read it. Casually,
or we may say providentially he came across a story, which was to this
effect; during the life time of Akkalkot Maharaj, a certain devotee suffered
very much from an incurable disease and when he could no longer
endure the agony and pain, he became desperate and in order to end
his miseries threw himself one night into a well. Immediately, the
Maharaj came there and took him out with his own hands and advised
him thus : “You must bear the fruit-good or bad-of your past actions;
if it is incomplete, suicide won’t help you. You have to take another
birth and suffer again; so instead of killing yourself, why not suffer
for some time and finish up the fruit of your past deeds and be done
with it once and for all?”
Reading this appropriate and timely story, Ambadekar was much
surprised, and moved. Had he not got Baba’s hint through the story, he
would have been no more. On seeing Baba’s all-pervasiveness and
benevolence, his faith in Him was confirmed and he became a staunch
devotee. His father was a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj and Sai Baba
wanted him to walk in his father’s footsteps and continue his devotion
to Him. He then got Sai Baba’s blessings and his prospects began to
improve. He studied astrology and gained proficiency in it, and thereby
improved his lot. He was able to earn sufficient money and passed his
later-life in ease and comfort.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 25

Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar (1) Speculations
(2) Amraleela

Preliminary

We begin this chapter with a prostration, with all our
eight limbs, to Sai Baba, Who is an Ocean of Mercy, the God Incarnate,
the Para Brahma and the great Yogeshwara (Lord of Yoga). Victory be
unto Sai Baba, who is the crest-jewel of the saints, an Abode of all
auspicious things, our Atmaram (Self) and the sole refuge of the devotees.
We prostrate ourselves before Him, who has attained the aim and end
of life.
Sai Baba is always full of mercy. What is wanted on our part, is
whole-hearted devotion to Him. When a devotee has got firm faith and
devotion, his wishes are soon fulfilled. When the desire arose in the
mind of Hemadpant to write the life and Leelas of Sai Baba, He
immediately got it written by him. When the order ‘to keep the memos’
was given, Hemadpant was inspired and his intellect got strength and
boldness to undertake and finish the work. He was not as he says,
qualified to write the work but the gracious blessings of Baba enabled
him to complete the undertaking and thus, you have this Satcharita,
which is a cistern, or a Somakant jewel, from which nectar, in the form
of Sai Leelas, oozes out for the readers to drink to their hearts content.
Whenever, a devotee had complete and whole-hearted devotion to
Sai Baba, all his calamities and dangers were warded off and his
welfare attended to by Baba. The story of Damodar Savalaram Rasane
Kasar of Ahmednagar (now of Poona), alias Damu Anna, illustrating
the above statement, is given below.

Damu Anna

The readers are aware that a mention of this gentleman was made
in the 6th chapter, regarding the celebration of Ram Navami festival in
Shirdi. He went to Shirdi about the year 1895 A.D., when the Ram
Navami Utsav – celebration began and since that time, he has been
providing an ornamental flag, for that occasion every year. He also
feeds the poor and the fakirs, who come there for the festival.
His Speculations : (1) Cotton trading
A Mumbai friend of Damu Anna wrote to him that, they should
do some cotton-speculation business in partnership, which would bring
them about two lakhs of rupees as profit. (Damu Anna says, in his
statement, made about the year 1936. to Mr. B.V. Narsimha Swami that
the proposal about speculating at Mumbai in cotton was from a broker,
who was not to be a partner and that, he (Damu Anna) was to be the
sole adventurer : vide P. 75 of the ‘Devotees’ Experiences’, part II). The
broker wrote, that the business was good and involved no risks, and
that the opportunity should not be lost. Damu Anna was vacillating. He
could not at once determine to venture into the speculation. He thought
over this, and as he was a devotee of Baba, he wrote a detailed letter
to Shama giving all the facts and requested him to consult Baba and
take His advice in the matter. Shama got the letter next day, and when
he went with it at noon to the Masjid and placed it before Baba, He
asked Shama, what the matter was and what the letter was about. He
replied that, Damu Anna of Nagar wanted to consult Him about
something. Then Baba said, “What does he write, and what does he
plan? It seems that he wants to reach the sky and he is not content with,
what God has given him, read his letter!” Shama then said, “The letter
contains what you have just said. Oh Deva, You sit here calm and
composed and agitate the devotees and when they get restless, You
draw them here, some in person and others through letters. If You know
the contents of the letter, why do You then press me to read it?” Baba
said, “Oh Shama, read it, I speak at random, and who believes Me.”
Then, Shama read the letter and Baba heard it attentively and said
feelingly, “The Sheth (Damu Anna) has gone mad, write to him in reply
that, nothing is wanting in his house, let him be content with the half
loaf (bread) he has and not bother himself about lakhs.” Shama sent the
reply, which Damu Anna was anxiously waiting for. After reading it
he found that, all his hopes and prospects about lakhs of rupees as
profit, were dashed to the ground. He thought that, he had done a
mistake by consulting Baba. But, as Shama had hinted in the reply that,
there was always much difference in seeing and hearing and that
therefore, he should come to Shirdi personally and see Baba. He thought,
it was advisable to go to Shirdi and consult Baba personally about the
affair. So he went to Shirdi, saw Baba, prostrated himself before Him
and sat shampooing His Legs. He had no courage to ask Baba openly
about the speculation; but he thought in his mind that, it would be
better, if some share in the business should be assigned to Baba, and
said in his mind that if Baba were to help him in this transaction, he
would surrender some share of profits to Him. Damu Anna was thus
thinking secretly in his mind, but nothing was veiled from Baba;
everything, past, present and future, were clear to Him, A child wants
sweets, but his mother gives bitter pills; the former spoil his health,
while the latter improve it. So the Mother, looking to the welfare of her
infant, coaxes and gives bitter pills. Baba, kind Mother as He was, knew
the present and future prospects of His devotees and therefore, reading
Damu Anna’s mind, He openly spoke to him, “Bapu, I do not want to
be entangled in any such wordly things (sharing profits).” On seeing
Baba’s disapproval, Damu Anna dropped the enterprise.

(2) Grain Dealing

Then he thought of trading in rice, wheat and other grains. Baba
read this thought also and said to him, “You will be buying at five seers
and selling at seven seers a rupee!” So this business was also given up.
The rise in the prices of grains was kept up for some time and Baba’s
prophecy seemed to be falsified; but in a month or two, there was
abundant rain everywhere and the prices suddenly fell down and
therefore, those, who stored grains suffered a severe losses. Damu Anna
was saved form this fate. Needless to say, that the cotton speculation,
which was conducted by the broker with the help of another merchant,
also collapsed with severe loss to the adventurers. After seeing that,
Baba had saved him from two severe losses in cotton and grain
speculations, Damu Anna’s faith in Baba grew stronger and he remained
a true devotee of Baba till His passing away.

Amra-leela (Mango miracle)

Once a parcel of about 300 good mangoes was received at Shirdi.
It was sent from Goa by one Mamlatdar, named Rale to Sai Baba, in the
name of Shama. When it was opened, all the mangoes were found to
be in a good condition. They were given in Shama’s charge and only
four were retained and placed in the Kolamba (pot) by Baba. He said,
“These four fruits are for Damu Anna, let them lie there!”
This Damu Anna had three wives. According to his statement,
mentioned above, he had not three, but two wives only. He had no
issue. He consulted many astrologers and himself studied astrology to
some extent and found that, as there was a ‘Papi’ (inauspicious) planet
in his horoscope there was no prospect of any issue to him in this life.
But, he had great faith in Baba. When he went to Shirdi, two hours after
the receipt of the mango parcel, for worshipping Baba, He said, “Though
other people are looking for the mangoes, they are Damya’s. He whose
they are, should ‘eat and die’.” Damu Anna, on hearing these words,
was first shocked, but on Mhalsapati (a Shirdi devotee) explaining to
him that, death meant the death of the ego and to have it at Baba’s Feet
was a blessing. Damu Anna said that, he could accept the fruits and
eat them. But Baba said to him, “Do not eat yourself, but give them to
your younger wife. This Amra-leela (mango miracle of 4 mangoes) will
give her four sons and four daughters.” This was done, and in due
course it was found Baba’s words turned out true and not those of the
astrologers.
Baba’s speech established its efficacy or greatness, while He was
living in the flesh, but it did the same even after His passing away. Baba
said, “Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb would
be speaking, moving and communicating with those, who would
surrender themselves whole-heartedly to Me. Do not be anxious that,
I would be absent from you. You will hear My bones speaking and
discussing your welfare. But remember Me always, believe in Me
heart and soul and then, you will be most benefitted.”

Prayer

Hemadpant closes this chapter with a prayer. “Oh Sai Sadguru,
the wish fulfilling tree of the bhaktas, we pray, let us never forget and
lose sight of Your feet; we have been troubled with the ins and outs
(births and deaths) in this sansar; now free us from this cycle of births
and deaths. Restrain us from the outgoing of our senses to their objects
and introvert us, and bring us face to face with the Atma (self). As long
as this outgoing tendency of the senses and the mind is not checked,
there is no prospect of self-realization. Neither son, nor wife, nor friend,
will be of any use in the end. It is only, You, Who will give us salvation
and bliss. Destroy completely our tendency for discussions and other
evil matters, let our tongue get a passion for chanting Your name. Drive
out our thoughts, and make us forget our bodies and do away with our
egoism. Make us ever remember Your name and forget all other things.
Remove the restlessness of our mind and make it steady and calm. If
You just clasp us, the darkness of night, of our ignorance, will vanish
and we shall live happily in Your light. That, You made us drink the
nectar of Your leelas and awakened us from our slumber, is due to Your
grace and our store of merits in past births.”
Note : In this connection the following extract from Damu Anna’s
statement, mentioned above, is worth perusal (page 76).
“Once, when I sat at His Feet along with many others, I had two
questions in my mind and He gave answers to both.
(1) There are so many crowding to Sai Baba. Do they all get
benefit from Him?
To this, He replied orally, “Look at the mango tree in blossom. If
all the flowers become fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do
they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc.
very few remain.”
(2) The second question was about myself. If Baba were to pass
away, how hopelessly adrift I would be and how am I to fare then? To
this, Baba answered that, He would be with me, whenever and
wherever I thought of Him. That promise He had kept up before 1918,
and has been keeping up after 1918. He is still with me. He is still
guiding me. This was about 1910-11, when brothers separated from me
and my sister died, and there was a theft and police enquiry, all these
incidents made me very disturbed.
When my sister died, my mind was much upset. I did not care for
life and enjoyments. When I went to Baba, He pacified me with His
Upadesh and made me eat a feast of Pooran Poli at Appa Kulkarni’s
house.
There was a theft in my house. A thirty year old friend of mine
stole my wife’s jewel-box, including her auspicious Nath (nose-ring). I
wept before Baba’s photo. The next day, the man returned the jewel-box
and asked for pardon.”

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 24

Baba’s Wit and Humour – Chana Leela (1)
Hemadpant (2) Sudama (3) Anna Chinchanikar vs.
Maushibai

Preliminary

Unless we surrender our ego to the feet of our Sadguru, we will
not succeed in our undertaking. If we become egoless, then, our success
is assured.
By worshipping Sai Baba, we attain both the objects – worldly and
spiritual, and are fixed in our true nature and get peace and happiness.
Therefore, those who want to accomplish or gain their welfare, should
respectfully hear Sai Baba’s Leelas or stories, and meditate on them. If
they do this, they will easily attain the object of their life and get bliss.
Generally, all people like wit and humour but they do not like that
jokes should be cut at their expense. But Baba’s method was peculiar;
when it was accompanied with good gestures, it was very interesting
and instructive, and the people therefore did not mind, even if they were
held up to the ridicule. Hemadpant gives his own instance below.

Chana Leela

In Shirdi, a special bazaar was held every Sunday and people
from the neighbouring villages came there, erected booths and stalls in
the open street and sold their wares and commodities. Every noon the
Masjid was crowded, but on Sunday, it was crowded to suffocation. On
one such Sunday Hemadpant sat in front of Baba, shampooing His
Legs and muttering God’s name. Shama was on Baba’s left, Vamanrao
to His right. Shriman Buti and Kakasaheb Dixit and others were also
present there. Then Shama laughed and said to Annasaheb, “See that
some grains seem to have stuck to the sleeve of your coat!” So saying
he touched the sleeve and found that, there were some grains. Hemadpant
straightened his left fore-arm to see what the matter was, and to the
surprise of all, some grains of gram came rolling down and were picked
up by the people, who were sitting there.
This incident furnished a subject-matter for joke. Everybody present
began to wonder and said something or other, as to how the grains
found their way into the sleeve of the coat and lodged there so long.
Hemadpant also could not guess. When nobody could give any
satisfactory explanation in this matter, and everybody was wondering
about this mystery, Baba said as follows :
“This fellow (Annasaheb) has got the bad habit of eating alone.
Today is a bazaar-day and he came here chewing grams. I know, his
habit and these grams are a proof of it. What wonder is there, in this
matter?”
Hemadpant, “Baba, I never know of eating things alone; then,
why do You shoulder this bad habit on me? I have never yet seen Shirdi
bazaar. I never went to the bazaar today, then how could I buy grams
and how could I eat them if I had not bought them? I never eat anything
unless I share it with others present around me at the time of my
meals.”
Baba, “It is true that, you give to the persons present but if none
be near-by, what could you or I do? But do you remember Me before
eating? Am I not always with you? Then do you offer Me anything
before you eat?”

Moral

Let us mark and note carefully, what Baba has taught us by this
incident. He has advised us that, before the senses, mind and intellect
enjoy their objects, first He should be remembered, and if this be done,
it is in a way by making an offering to Him. The senses etc. can never
remain without their objects, but if those objects are first offered to the
Guru, the attachment for them will naturally vanish. In this way, all the
Vrittis (subtle thoughts) regarding desire, anger, avarice etc. should first
be offered and directed to the Guru, and if this practice be followed, the
Lord will help you in eradicating all the Vrittis. When before enjoyment
of the objects, you think that Baba is present, the question, whether the
object is fit to be enjoyed or not, will at once arise. Then the object, that
is not fit to be enjoyed, will be shunned and in this way our vicious
habits or vices will disappear, and our character will improve. Then
love for the Guru will grow and pure knowledge will sprout up. When
this knowledge grows, the bondage of body-consciousness (we are the
body) will snap and our intellect will be merged in spirit-consciousness
(we are the spirit). Then we shall get bliss and contentment. There is no
difference between Guru and God. He who sees any difference in them,
finds God nowhere. So leaving aside all ideas of difference, we should
regard Guru and God as one; and if we serve our Guru, as stated above,
God will be certainly pleased and by purifying our minds will give us
self-realization. To put the matter in a nut-shell, we should not enjoy
any object with our senses etc., without first remembering our Guru.
When the mind is trained in this way, we will be always reminded of
Baba and our meditation on Baba will grow apace. The Sagun Form of
Baba will ever be before our eyes and then, devotion, non-attachment
and salvation will all be ours. When Baba’s Form is thus fixed before
our mental vision, we forget hunger, thirst and this Sansar (world), the
consciousness of worldly pleasures will disappear and our mind shall
attain peace and happiness.

Sudama’s Story

When the above story was being narrated, Hemadpant was
reminded of a similar story of Sudama, which illustrates the same
principle and therefore, it is given here.
Shri Krishna and His elder brother, Balaram, were living with a
co-student, named Sudama, in the ashram of their Guru, Sandipani.
Once Krishna and Balaram were sent to the forest for bringing fuel.
Then the wife of Sandipani sent Sudama also for the same purpose,
with some quantity of grams for the three. When Krishna met Sudama
in the forest, he said to him, “Dada, I want water, as I am thirsty.”
Sudama replied, “No water should be drunk on an empty stomach so,
it is better to rest a while.” He did not say that he had got grams with
him and that Krishna should take some. As Krishna was tired, He lay
down for rest on the lap of Sudama and was soon snoring. On seeing
this, Sudama took out the grams and began to eat. Then Krishna suddenly
asked him, “Dada, what are you eating, what is this chitter-chatter
sound?”. He replied, “What is there to eat? I am shivering with cold
and my teeth are chattering. I can’t even repeat Vishnu-sahasra-naam.”
Hearing this, the Omniscient Krishna said, “I just had a dream, in
which I saw a man eating things of another, and when asked about
this, he said, “What dust should he eat”, meaning thereby that he had
nothing to eat? The other man said, “Let it be so.” Dada, this is only
a dream. I know that you won’t eat anything without Me, under the
influence of the dream I asked you what you were eating?” If Sudama
had known the Omniscient Shri Krishna and His Leelas, he would not
have acted as he did. Therefore, he had to suffer for what he did.
Though he was a chum of Shri Krishna, he had to pass his later life in
utter poverty. But when he later offered Krishna a handful of parched
rice, earned by his wife with her own labour, Krishna was pleased and
gave him a golden estate to enjoy. This story should be remembered by
those, who have the habit of eating things alone, without partaking
them with others.
The Shruti also emphasizes this lesson, and asks us to offer things
first to God and then enjoy them, after they are renounced by Him. Baba
also has taught us the same lesson in His inimitable and humorous
way.

Anna Chinchanikar vs. Maushibai

Hemadpant now describes another witty incident, in which Baba
played a peace-maker’s part. There was one devotee by name Damodar
Ghanashyam Babare, alias Anna Chinchanikar. He was simple, rustic
and straightforward. He cared for nobody, always spoke plainly and
carried all dealings in cash. Though he looked outwardly harsh and
uncompromising, he was goodnatured and guileless. So Sai Baba loved
him. He has willed away all his property to Shri Sai Baba Sansthan,
Shirdi. One day like others, serving Baba in their own way, this Anna
was shampooing the left arm of Baba, which rested on the Kathada
(railing). On the right side, one old widow named Venubai Koujalgi,
whom Baba called ‘mother’ and all others called Maushibai, was
serving Baba in her own way. This Maushibai was an elderly woman
of pure heart. She clasped the fingers of both her hands round the trunk
of Baba and was at this time massaging Baba’s abdomen. She did this
so forcibly that Baba’s back and abdomen became flat and Baba moved
from side to side. Anna on the other side was steady but Maushibai’s
face moved up and down with her strokes. Once it so happened that,
her face came very close to Anna’s. Being of a witty disposition she
remarked, “Oh, this Anna is a lewd fellow, he wants to kiss me. Even
being so old with grey hair, he feels no shame in kissing me.” These
words enraged Anna and he pulled up his sleeves and said, “You say
that I am an old bad fellow, am I quite a fool? It is you who has picked
up a quarrel with me.” All the persons present there were enjoying this
encounter between them. Baba Who loved both of them equally and
wanted to pacify them, managed the affair very skillfully. Lovingly He
said, “Oh Anna, why are you unnecessarily raising this hue and cry?
I do not understand what harm or impropriety is there, when the
mother is kissed?” Hearing these words of Baba, both of them were
satisfied, and all the persons laughed merrily and enjoyed Baba’s wit
to their heart’s content.

Baba’s Characteristics – His Dependency on Bhaktas

Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way and did
not like any other persons interfering in this. To quote an instance, the
same Maushibai was, on another occasion kneading Baba’s abdomen.
Seeing the force used by her, all other devotees felt nervous and anxious.
They said, “Oh mother be more considerate and moderate, otherwise
you will break Baba’s arteries and nerves.” At this Baba got up at once
from His seat and dashed His Satka on the ground. He got enraged and
His eyes became red like a live embers. None dared to stand before
Baba. Then He took hold of one end of the Satka with both hands and
pressed it in the hollow of His abdomen. The other end He fixed to the
post and began to press His abdomen against it. The Satka which was
about two or three feet in length, seemed all ready to go into the
abdomen and the people feared that, the abdomen would be ruptured
in a short time. The post was fixed and immovable and Baba began to
go closer and closer to it, and clasped the post firmly. Every moment the
rupture was expected and they were all dismayed, did not know what
to do and stood dumb with wonder and fear. The other devotees wanted
only to give a hint to the Maushibai to be moderate in her service and
not cause any trouble or pain to Baba. They were surprised to see that,
their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this crisis, and they could
do nothing but to wait and watch. Fortunately, Baba’s rage soon cooled
down. He left the Satka and resumed His seat. From this time onward
the devotees took the lesson that, they should not meddle with anybody
but allow him to serve Baba as he chooses, as He was capable to gauge
the merits and worth of the service rendered unto Him.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 23

Yoga and Onion – Shama cured of Snake-bite –
Cholera Ordinance broken – Ordeal of Guru-bhakti

Preliminary

In Reality this Jiva (human soul) transcends the three
qualities, viz. Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas; but being deluded by Maya, he
forgets his nature which is ‘Pure Consciousness-knowledge-bliss’ and
thinks that, he is the doer and thus, entangles himself in endless miseries,
and does not know the way of deliverance. The only way of deliverance
is the loving devotion towards the Guru’s feet. The great Player or
Actor, Lord Sai, has delighted His Bhaktas and transformed them into
Himself (His nature).
We regard Sai Baba as an Incarnation of God, for reasons already
stated but He always said that, He was an obedient servant of God.
Though an Incarnation, He showed people the way to behave
satisfactorily and to carry out the duties of their respective stations
(Varnas) in this life. He never emulated others in any way, nor asked
others to have something done for Him. For Him Who saw the God in
all movable and immovable things of this world, humility was the
virtue. None, He disregarded or disrespected, for He saw Narayan
(Lord) in all beings, He never said, “I am God;” but that, He was a
humble servant, and He always remembered Him and always uttered,
“Allah Malik” (God is the Sole Proprietor or Owner).
We do not know the various kinds of saints, how they behave,
what they do etc. We only know that, by God’s grace they manifest
themselves in this world, to liberate the ignorant and bound souls. If
there be any store of merits in our account, we get a desire or interest,
in listening to the stories and Leelas of the saints, otherwise not. Let us
now turn to the main stories of this chapter.

Yoga and Onion

Once it so happened that, a Sadhak of Yoga came to Shirdi with
Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had studied all the works on Yoga,
including the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali, but had no practical experience.
He could not concentrate his mind and attain Samadhi even for a short
time. He thought that if Sai Baba will be pleased with him, He will
show him, the way to attain Samadhi, for a longer time. With this object
in view, he came to Shirdi and when he went to the Masjid he saw Sai
Baba eating chapati with onion. On seeing this, a thought crossed his
mind : ‘How can this man, eating stale bread with raw onion, solve my
difficulties and help me?’ Sai Baba read his mind and said to Nanasaheb,
“Oh Nana, he, who has the power to digest onion, should eat it and
none else,” Hearing this remark, the yogi was wonder-struck and, he
fell at Baba’s Feet with complete surrender. With pure and open mind,
he asked his difficulties and got their solution from Baba. Thus, being
satisfied and happy, he left Shirdi with Baba’s Udi and blessings.

Shama cured of Snake-bite

Before Hemadpant begins the story, he says about the Jiva that it
can be very well compared with a parrot, and that they both are bound,
the one in the body and the other in a cage. Both think that, their present
bound state is good for them. It is only when a helper, i.e. Guru comes
and by God’s grace opens their eyes and liberates them from their
bondage, that, their eyes are opened to a greater and larger life, compared
to which, their former bound and limited life is nothing.
In the last chapter, it was shown, how Baba anticipated the
calamity, that was to befall on Mr. Mirikar and rescued him from it.
Now let the readers hear a story more interesting than this. Once Shama
was bitten by a poisonous snake. His little finger was bitten and the
poison began to spread in the body. The pain was also severe and
Shama thought that, he would pass away soon. His friends wanted to
take him to the God Vithoba, where such cases were often sent but
Shama ran to the Masjid to his Vithoba (Sai Baba). When Baba saw him,
He began to scold and abuse. He got enraged and said, “Oh vile
Bhaturdya (Priest) do not climb up. Beware if you do so!” and then,
roared, “Go, Get away, Come down!” Seeing Baba thus, red with wrath,
Shama was greatly puzzled and disappointed. He thought that the
Masjid was his home and Sai Baba his Sole Refuge, but if he was driven
away like this, where should he go? He lost all hopes of life and kept
silent. After a while, when Baba became normal and calm, Shama went
up and sat near him. Then Baba said to him, “Don’t be afriad, don’t
care a jot (a small amount), the Merciful Fakir will save you, go and sit
quiet at home, don’t go out, believe in Me and remain fearless and have
no anxiety”. Then he was sent home. Immediately afterwards, Baba sent
Tatya Patil and Kakasaheb Dixit to him with instructions to the effect,
that he should eat what he liked, should move around in the house; but
should in no case lie down and sleep. Needless to say, that these
instructions were acted upon and Shama got all right in a short time.
The only thing to be remembered in this connection is this – the words
of Baba (or the five syllabled Mantra, viz. ‘Go, Get away, Come down’)
were not addressed to Shama, as it apparently looked, but they were a
direct order to the snake and its poison not to rise up and circulate
through Shama’s body. Like others well-versed in Mantrashastra, He
had not to use any incantation, charged rice or water etc, His words
only were most efficacious in saving the life of Shama.
Any one, hearing this story and other similar ones, will beget firm
faith in the Feet of Sai Baba, and the only way to cross the ocean of
Maya is to remember the Feet of Baba, in the heart.

Cholera Epidemic

Once, cholera was raging virulently in Shirdi. The residents were
much frightened and they stopped all communication with the outside
people. The Panch of the village assembled together and decided upon
two ordinances, as a remedy to check and put down the epidemic. They
were (1) No fuel-cart should be allowed to come in the village and (2)
No goat should be killed there. If anybody disobeyed these ordinances,
they were to be fined by the village-authorities and Panch. Baba knew
that all this was mere superstition and therefore, He cared a damn for
the cholera-ordinances. While the ordinances were in force, a fuel-cart
came there and wanted to enter the village. Everybody knew that there
was dearth or scarcity of fuel in the village, still the people began to
drive away the fuelcart. Baba came to know of this. He came to the spot
and asked the cartman to take the fuel-cart to the Masjid. None dared
to raise his voice against this action of Baba. He wanted fuel for His
Dhuni and so He purchased it. Like an Agnihotri keeping his sacred
fire alive, throughout his life, Baba kept His Dhuni ever burning, all day
and night; and for this He always stocked the fuel. Baba’s home, i.e. the
Masjid was free and open to all. It had no lock and key and some poor
people removed some wood from there for their use. Baba did not
grumble about this. Baba saw that the whole universe was pervaded by
the Almighty and so, He never bore enmity or ill-will to anybody.
Though perfectly detached He behaved like an ordinary house-holder,
to set an example to the people.

Ordeal of Guru-bhakti

Let us now see, how the second cholera-ordinance fared with
Baba. While it was in force, somebody brought a goat to the Masjid. It
was weak, old and about to die. At this time Fakir Pir Mohammad of
Malegaon, alias Bade Baba, was near. Sai Baba asked him to behead it
with one stroke and offer it as an oblation. This Bade Baba was much
respected by Sai Baba. He always sat on the right side of Sai Baba. After
the chillim (pipe) was first smoked by him, it was then offered to Baba
and others. After the dishes were served, at the time of taking meals at
noon, Baba called Bade Baba and made him sit on His left side and then
all partook of food. Baba paid him also daily Rs. 50/-, out of the amount
collected as Dakshina. Baba accompanied him hundred steps, whenever
he went away from the Masjid. Such was his position with Baba. But,
when Baba asked him to behead the goat, he flatly refused, saying,
“Why it should be killed for nothing?” Then, Baba asked Shama to kill
it. He went to Radhakrishnamai and brought a knife from her and
placed it before Baba. Knowing the purpose for which the knife was
taken, she recalled it. Then Shama went to bring another knife but
stayed in the Wada and did not return soon. Then came the turn of
Kakasaheb Dixit. He was ‘gold’ not doubt but had to be tested. Baba
asked him to get a knife and kill the goat. He went to the Sathe’s Wada
and returned with a knife. He was ready to kill it at Baba’s bidding. He
was born in a pure Brahmin family and never in his life knew killing.
Though quite averse to do any act of violence, still, he made himself
bold to kill the goat. All the people wondered to see that, while Bade
Baba, a Mohammeden was unwilling to kill it but this Brahmin was
making preparations to do so. He tightened his Dhotar and with a
semicircular motion raised his hand with the knife and looked at Baba
for the final signal. Baba said, “What are you thinking of? Go on,
strike!” Then when the hand was just about to come down, Baba said,
“Stop, how cruel you are! Being a Brahmin, you are killing a goat?”
Kakasaheb obeyed and kept the knife down and said to Baba, “Your
word is law unto us, we do not know any other ordinance. We remember
You always, meditate on Your Form and obey You day and night, we
do not know or consider whether it is right or wrong to kill, we do not
want to reason or discuss things, but implicit and prompt compliance
with Guru’s orders, is our duty and Dharma.”
Then Baba said to Kakasaheb that He would Himself do the
offering and killing business. It was settled that, the goat should be
disposed off near a place called Takiya, where Fakirs used to sit. Then,
when the goat was being taken to that place, it fell dead on the way.
Hemadpant closes the chapter with a classification of disciples.
He says that they are of three kinds : (1) First or best (2) Second or
average and (3) Third or ordinary. The best kind of disciples are those,
who guess, what their Gurus want and immediately carry it out and
serve them, without waiting for an order from them. The average disciples
are those, who carry out the orders of their masters to a letter, without
any delay, and the third kind of disciples are those, who go on
postponing the carrying out of their order and make mistakes at every
step.
The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence,
and if they add patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant.
Control of breath-ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult
practices, are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the abovementioned
qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the
masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to
perfection.
In the next chapter we deal with Baba’s interesting wit and humour.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all