Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 31

The Passing Away in Baba’s Presence of (1)
Sanyaasi Vijayanand (2) Balaram Mankar (3)
Noolkar (4) Megha (5) The Tiger

In this chapter Hemadpant describes the passing away
of certain devotees and a tiger in Baba’s presence.

Preliminary

The last wish or thought that a man has at the hour of death,
determines his future course. Shri Krishna has said in Gita (VIII-5-6)
that, “he who remembers Me in his last moments, comes verily to Me;
and he who meditates otherwise, at that time, goes to what he longs
for.” We cannot be certain that we can entertain a particular good
thought at our last moment, for more often than not, we are more likely
to be frightened and terrified by death. Hence constant practice is
necessary for enabling us to fix our mind on any desired good thought
at any moment. All saints, therefore, recommend us to remember God
and chant His name always, so that we may not be perplexed or
perturbed, when the time for departure comes. The devotees on their
part surrender themselves completely to the saints, fully believing that
the saints would guide and help them in their last moments. A few such
cases will be noted here.

(1) Vijayanand

A Sanyaasi from Chennai, named Vijayanand started on pilgrimage
to Mansarovar. En route on hearing Baba’s fame, he halted at Shirdi.
There, he met one Somadevaji Swami of Hardwar and enquired from
him about the Mansarovar trip. The Swami told him that the Sarovar
was 500 miles above Gangotri, and described to him the difficulties of
the journey, viz. plenty of snow and the change of dialect every 50 kos
and the suspicious nature of the local people, who give a lot of trouble
to the pilgrims on the way. On hearing this the Sanyaasi was dejected
and cancelled the trip. Then, when he went to Baba and prostrated
himself before Him, Baba got enraged and said, “Drive out this useless
Sanyaasi, his company is of no use.” The Sanyaasi did not know Baba’s
nature. He felt discomforted but sat there watching things that were
going on. It was the morning Darbar, and the Masjid was overcrowded.
Baba was being worshipped in various ways. Some were washing His
Feet, some taking the Tirth (holy water) and drinking it heartily, and
some touching their eyes with it; some were applying sandal-paste and
some scents to His body. And all were doing these things forgetting the
distinction of caste and creed. Though, Baba got enraged with him he
was filled with affection for Baba and he did not feel like leaving the
place.
He stayed in Shirdi for two days, when he got a letter from
Chennai, stating that his mother was very ill. He felt very dejected and
wanted to be by his mother’s side, but he could not leave without
Baba’s permission to return home. The Omniscient Baba knowing the
future said to him, “If you so loved your mother, why did you take
Sanyaas? Attachment makes misuse of an ochre garb. Go and sit quiet
at your lodging, wait with patience for a few days. In the wada there
are many robbers, bolt your doors and be very vigilant, the thieves will
carry everything. Wealth and prosperity are tansient and the body is
subject to decay and death. While knowing this, do your duty leaving
all attachment with the things of this world and next. He who does this
and surrenders himself to the Feet of Hari (Lord) will get free from all
troubles and attain Bliss. The Lord runs and helps him, who remembers
and meditates on Him with love and affection. Your store of past merits
is considerable so you have come here. Now attend to what I say and
realize the goal of your life. Begin from tomorrow the study of Bhagwat.
Do three ‘Saptahs’, i.e. three readings during three weeks, conscientiously.
The Lord will be pleased with you and will destroy your sorrows, your
illusions will vanish and you will get eternal peace.” On seeing that his
end was approaching, Baba prescribed this remedy and made him read
‘Ramavijaya’, which pleases the God of death. Next morning, after
bathing and other purifying rites he commenced to read Bhagwat at a
secluded spot in the Lendi garden. He completed two readings, and
thereafter felt much exhausted. He returned to the wada and stayed in
his lodging for two days, and on the third day he breathed his last, on
Fakir (Bade) Baba’s lap. Baba asked the people to preserve the body for
a day for a reason. The police afterwards came and on making proper
enquiries gave permission for the disposal of the body. It was buried in
a proper place with due rites. In this way Baba helped the Sanyaasi and
ensured him Sadgati (salvation).

(2) Balaram Mankar

There was a house-holder devotee of Baba, by name Balaram
Mankar. When his wife passed away he got dejected and entrusting his
household to his son, left home and came to Shirdi and lived with Baba.
Being pleased with his devotion Baba wanted to give a good turn to his
life and He did it in this way. He gave him Rs. 12/- and asked him to
go and live in Machhindragad (District Satara). Mankar was first
unwilling to go and stay away from Baba, but Baba convinced him that
he was giving the best course for him, and asked him to practise
meditation thrice a day in the Gad. On believing in Baba’s words
Mankar went to the Gad. He was much pleased with the serenity, pure
water, healthy air and the surroundings of the place, and began to
practise assiduously the meditations, as recommended by Baba. After
some days he got a revelation. Generally, bhaktas get revelation in their
Samadhi or trance states but in Mankar’s case, he got it when he came
down to his ordinary consciousness from his trance. Baba appeared to
him in person. Not only that Mankar saw Him, but he also asked Him
why he was sent there. Baba replied, “In Shirdi many thoughts and
ideas began to rise in your mind and I sent you here to bring your
unsteady mind to rest. You thought that I was in Shirdi with a body,
composed of the five elements and three and a half cubits in length.
Now you see and determine for yourself whether the person you see
here now is the same you saw at Shirdi. It is for this reason that I sent
you here.” Then after the period was over, Mankar left the Gad and
proceeded to his native place Bandra. He wanted to travel by rail from
Poona to Dadar, but when he went to the booking office to get a ticket
he found it very much crowded. He could not get his ticket soon, when
a villager with a Langoti (piece of cloth) on his waist and Kambali on
his shoulder turned up and said, “Where are you going?” “To Dadar,”
replied Mankar. Then, he said, “Please, take this Dadar ticket of mine,
as I have some urgent work here, I have cancelled my Dadar trip.”
Mankar was very glad to receive the ticket and was taking out money
from his pocket when the rustic disappeared in the crowd. Mankar tried
to find him out in the crowd but in vain. He waited for him till the train
left the station but found no trace of him. This was the second revelation
Mankar got in a strange form. Then Mankar after visiting his home,
again returned to Shirdi and remained there at Baba’s Feet following
His bidding and advice. In the end he was very fortunate to leave this
world in the presence of Baba.

(3) Tatyasaheb Noolkar

Hemadpant gives no particulars regarding Tatyasaheb Noolkar
except the bare mention of the fact that he gave up his ghost in Shirdi.
A brief summary of his account that appeared in the Sai Leela magazine
is given here.
Tatyasaheb was a sub-judge at Pandharpur in 1909, when
Nanasaheb Chandorkar was Mamalatdar there. Both met often and
exchanged words. Tatyasaheb did not believe in saints, while
Nanasaheb respected them. Nanasaheb often told him the Leelas of Sai
Baba and pressed him to go to Shirdi and see Baba. Noolkar finally
agreed to go to Shirdi on two conditions : (1) he must get a Brahmin
cook and (2) he must get good Nagpur oranges for the presentation.
Both these conditions were providentially fulfilled. A Brahmin came to
Nanasaheb for service and he was sent to Tatyasaheb, and a fruit parcel
containing 100 beautiful oranges was received by Tatyasaheb, the
consigner being unknown. As the conditions were fulfilled Tatyasaheb
had to go to Shirdi. At first Baba was much enraged with him. But, by
and by Tatyasaheb got such experiences that he was convinced that
Baba was God Incarnate. So he was enamoured of Baba and stayed
there till his death. As his end was approaching sacred literature was
read out to him, and at the last hour Baba’s Pada-tirth was brought and
given to him for drinking. Baba on hearing of his death said, “Oh, Tatya
went ahead of us, he won’t be reborn.”

(4) Megha

The story of Megha has been already described in chapter 28.
When Megha died all the villagers followed the funeral procession.
Baba also accompanied them and showered flowers on Megha’s body.
After the obsequies were performed, tears flowed from Baba’s eyes, and
like an ordinary mortal Baba showed Himself overcome with grief and
sorrow. Then covering the body with flowers and crying like a near
relation Baba returned to the Masjid.
Many saints have been seen giving Sadgati to men but Baba’s
greatness is unique. Even an animal like tiger came to Baba’s Feet for
being delivered from demerits. It is this story which will be narrated
now.

(5) Tiger

Seven days before Baba passed away a wonderful incident occurred
at Shirdi. There came a country-cart and stopped in front of the Masjid.
A tiger was on the cart, fastened with iron chains with its agonised face
turned to the rear. It was suffering from some painful malady. Its
keepers – three Derveshis – had been taking it from place to place and
making money by exhibiting it. It was the means of their subsistence.
They tried all sorts of remedies to cure it from the malady it was
suffering from, but all in vain. Then they heard of Baba’s fame and came
to Him with the animal. They got it down with chains in their hands
and made it stand at the door. It was naturally fierce besides being
disease-ridden. So it was restless. The people began to look at it with
fright and amazement. The Derveshis told Baba everything about the
animal and with His consent brought it before Him. As it approached
the steps it retreated on account of the awe of Baba, and hung its head
down. When both saw each other, it got on to the step and looked at
Baba with affection. Immediately, it moved the tuft of its tail and dashed
it thrice against the ground, and then fell down senseless. On seeing it
dead the Derveshis were much dejected and full of sorrow, but on
proper thought they came to terms with it. They considered that as the
animal was diseased and nearing its end it was very meritorious on its
part that it met its death at the Feet of Baba. It was their debtor and
when the debt was paid off it was free and met its end at Sai’s Feet.
When any creatures bow down their heads at saints’ feet and meet
death they are liberated. Unless they have got a good store of merit on
their account, how could they get such a meritorius end?

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 30

Drawn to Shirdi

(1) Kakaji Vaidya of Vani (2) Ramlal Punjabi of
Mumbai

In this chapter the story of two more devotees who
were drawn to Shirdi, is narrated.

Preliminary

Bow to the Kind Sai Who is the Abode of Mercy and Who is
affectionate towards His devotees. By His mere darshan He does away
with their fear of worldly illusions (Sansaar) and destroys their calamities.
He was first Nirgun (formless) but on account of the devotion of His
bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. To give liberation, self-realization
to the bhaktas is the mission of the saints and for Sai, the Chief of them
that mission is inevitable. Those who take refuge in His Feet, have all
their sins destroyed and their progress is certain. Remembering His Feet
Brahmins from holy places come to Him and read scriptures and chant
the Gayatri Mantra in His presence. We who are weak and without any
merits do not know what Bhakti is, but we know this much that though
all others may leave us, Sai won’t forsake us. Those whom He favours
get enormous strength, discrimination between the unreal and the real
and knowledge.
Sai knows fully the desire of His devotees and fulfils the same.
Hence, they get what they want and are grateful. So we invoke Him and
prostrate ourselves before Him. Forgetting all our faults let Him free us
from all anxieties. He who being overcome with calamities remembers
and prays to Sai thus, will get his mind calmed and pacified through
His grace.
This Sai – the ocean of mercy, says Hemadpant favoured him, and
the result of this is the present work Sai Satcharita. Otherwise, what
qualifications had he to undertake this enterprise? But as Sai took all
the responsibility Hemadpant felt no burden nor any care about this.
When the powerful Light of Knowledge was there to inspire his speech
and pen why should he entertain any doubt or feel any anxiety? Sai got
the service in the form of this book done by him; this is due to the
accumulation of his merits in the past births and therefore, he thinks
himself fortunate and blessed.
The following story is not a mere tale but pure nectar. He who
drinks it will realize Sai’s greatness and all-pervasiveness. Those who
want to argue and criticise should not go in for this. What is wanted
here is not discussion but unlimited love and devotion. Learned devout
and faithful believers or those who consider themselves as servants of
the saints, will like and appreciate these stories, others will take them
to be fables. The fortunate bhaktas of Sai will find the Sai-leelas as the
Kalpataru (wish-fulfilling tree). Drinking in or devouring this nectar of
Sai-leelas will give liberation to the ignorant Jivas, satisfaction to the
house-holders and a sadhana to the aspirants. Now, we come to the
story of this chapter.

Kakaji Vaidya

There lived in Vani, Nasik district, a man named Kakaji Vaidya.
He was the priest of the Goddess Saptashringi, there. He was so
overpowered by adverse circumstances and calamities that he lost peace
of mind and became quite restless. Under such circumstances, one
evening, he went into the temple of the Goddess and prayed unto Her
from the bottom of his heart and invoked Her aid to free him from
anxiety. The Goddess was pleased with his devotion and the same
night appeared to him in his dream and said to him, “You go to Baba
and then your mind will become calm and composed.” Kakaji was
anxious to know from Her, Who this Baba was, but before he could get
any explanation he was awakened. Then, he began to think as to Who
might be this Baba to whom the Goddess had asked him to go. After
some thinking he resolved that this Baba might be ‘Tryambakeshwar’
(Lord Shiva). So he went to the holy place ‘Tryambak’ (Nasik district)
and stayed there for ten days. During this period he bathed early in the
morning, chanted the ‘Rudra’ hymns, did the ‘Abhishek’ (pouring fresh
water over the Pindi) and did other religious rites but with all this, he
was as restless as before. Then he returned to his place and again
invoked the Goddess most pitifully. That night She again appeared in
his dream and said, “Why did you go to Tryambakeshwar in vain? I
mean by Baba-Shri Sai Samarth of Shirdi.”
The question before Kakaji now was ‘How and when to go to
Shirdi and how to see Baba?’ If anybody is in real earnest to see a saint,
not only the saint but God also fulfils his wish. In fact the ‘Sant’ (saint)
and the ‘Anant’ (God) are one and the same, there is not the least
difference between them. If anybody thinks that he will go on his own
wish and see a saint, that will be a mere boast. Unless the saint wills
it, no one is able to go and see him. Even the leaf of the tree won’t move
without his bidding. The more anxious a bhakta is for the visit to the
saint, the more devout and faithful he is, the more speedily and effectively
is his wish satisifed to his heart’s content. He who invites anybody for
a visit, also arranges everything for his reception, and so it happened
with Kakaji.

Shama’s Vows

When Kakaji was thinking about his intended visit to Shirdi, a
guest came to him at his place to take him to Shirdi. He was no other
than Shama, a very close and intimate devotee of Baba. How he came
to Vani at this juncture, we shall just see. Shama was severely ill when
he was very young and his mother had taken a vow to her family
Goddess, Saptashringi at Vani that, if her son got well she would bring
and dedicate him at Her feet. Then, after some years the mother herself
suffered much from ring-worms on her breasts. At that time she again
took another vow to her Deity that, if she got all right she would offer
Her two silver breasts. These two vows remained unfulfilled. At her
death-bed she called her son Shama and drew his attention to the vows,
and after taking a promise from him that, he would fulfill them, she
breathed her last. After some time Shama forgot about these vows, and
thus 30 years elapsed. About this time a famous astrologer had come
to Shirdi and stayed there for a month. His predictions in the case of
Shriman Buti and others came true and everybody was satisfied. Shama’s
younger brother Bapaji, consulted him and was told about his mother’s
vows which his elder brother had promised to fulfil at her death-bed
and not yet fulfilled; hence the Goddess was displeased with them and
that was bringing troubles on them. Bapaji told this to his brother
Shama, who was then reminded of the unfulfilled vows. On thinking
that any further delay would be dangerous he called a goldsmith and
got a pair of silver breast prepared. Then, he went to the Masjid prostrated
himself before Baba and placing before Him the two silver breasts,
requested Him to accept them and free him from the vows as to him He
was his Saptashringi Goddess. Then, Baba insisted upon him to go
himself to the temple of Saptashringi and offer them at the Feet of the
Goddess. Thus, after taking Baba’s permission and Udi he left for Vani,
and while searching for the priest reached Kakaji’s house. Kakaji was
then very anxious to visit Baba and Shama went there to see him at that
very time. What a wonderful coincidence was this!
Kakaji asked him who he was and whence did he come, and on
learning that, he came from Shirdi, he at once embraced him. So
overwhelmed was he with love! Then they talked about Sai-leelas and
after finishing the rites of Shama’s vows they both started for Shirdi. On
reaching the place Kakaji went to the Masjid and fell at Baba’s Feet. His
eyes were soon bedewed with tears and his mind attained calmness.
According to the vision of the Goddess no sooner did he see Baba, then
his mind lost all its restlessness and became calm and composed.
Kakaji began to think in his mind, “What a wonderful power is this!
Baba spoke nothing, there was no question and answer, no benediciton
pronounced; the mere darshan itself was so conducive to happiness,
the restlessness of my mind disappeared by His mere darshan,
consciousness of joy came upon me – this is what is called ‘the greatness
of darshan’.” His vision was fixed on Sai’s Feet and he could utter no
word. Hearing Baba’s Leelas, his joy knew no bounds. He surrendered
himself completely to Baba, forgot his anxiety and cares and got
undiluted happiness. He lived happily there for twelve days, and after
taking Baba’s leave, Udi and blessings returned home.

Khushalchand of Rahata

It is said that a dream which we get in the wee hours of the
morning generally comes out true, in the waking state. This may be so,
but regarding Baba’s dreams there is no restriciton of time. To quote an
instance : Baba told Kakasaheb Dixit one afternoon to go to Rahata and
fetch Khushalchand to Shirdi, as He had not seen him since long.
Kakasaheb accordingly took a tonga and went to Rahata. He met
Khushalchand and gave him Baba’s message. On hearing it
Khushalchand was surprised and said that, while he was taking a
noon nap after meals, Baba appeared in his dream and asked him to
come to Shirdi immediately, and that he was anxious to go. As he had
no horse of his own nearby, he had sent his son to inform Baba. When
his son was just out of the village-border, Dixit’s tonga turned up. Dixit
then said that he was sent specially to bring him. Then, they both went
in the tonga back to Shirdi. Khushalchand saw Baba and all were
pleased. Seeing this Leela of Baba Khushalchand was much moved.

Ramlal Punjabi of Mumbai

Once a Punjabi Brahmin of Mumbai, named Ramlal, got a dream
in which Baba appeared and asked him to come to Shirdi. Baba appeared
to him as a Mahant (saint) but he did not know His whereabouts. He
thought that he should go and see Him but, as he did not have His
address he did not know what to do. But, He Who calls anybody to Him
also makes the necessary arrangements for the same. The same happened
in this case. The same afternoon when he was strolling in the street, he
saw a picture of Baba in a shop. The features of the Mahant he saw
earlier in the dream tallied exactly with those of the picture. Then on
making enquiries, he came to know that the picture was of Sai Baba of
Shirdi. He went soon after this to Shirdi and stayed there till his death.
In this way Baba brought His devotees to Shirdi for darshan and
satisfied their wants, material as well as spiritual.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

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