SHRI SAINATH PRABHU AND SAIABAD

[Guest guest]

SHRI SAINATH PRABHU AND SAIABAD

D. Sankahah'

The Dakshina Bhiksha Samstha was established during the year 1915 to serve

the needs of pilgrims visiting Shirdi. The Samstha published a Journal

called Sainath Prabha. The information furnished hereunder is taken from the

journal as every Sai devotee would like to know more about Shirdi alias

Sheeladhi alias Saiabad of 1915 and also what Baba spoke/taught to the

visiting devotees of yesteryear. The population of Shirdi was only 1500 at

that time. They considered Sheeladhi as Mukti-Kshetra of the Yuga with Shree

Sai Baba as Mukti Data. Many of his bhaktas heard him saying that Shirdi

with three other villages had been given to him by his Malik. Shirdi was his

ancestral place. Baba declared more than once that he had come to stay there

permanently after an interval of about two hundred years. Maharaj did not

say the name of the original place from where he came. But he often

mentioned that that place was inhabited by typical men well versed in all

arts and professions besides being kind-hearted and God-fearing. Even Shirdi

which was a barren and forsaken village during the early period, was an

excellent citadel encircled with pleasant groves of fruit trees. Its bazaars

were large enough to have kept his favourite Marwari-vysyas in great

affluence.

Again with the advent of Sainath the spiritual importance had steadily

grown. Baba's unique, pure and divine love, his simple ways, his scanty and

ordinary food enhanced observers' regard for him. Baba saved many sufferers

from bodily ailments. Though he did not leave Shirdi, his body was seen in

distant lands attending to his bhaktas. In his own words:

The sick and the wounded expect miraculous cure from Amritic Vibhuti. Many

an atheist had changed and become his sincere bhakta. With the increasing

fame of Shri Sainath, the importance of Shirdi also had grown and it is

reckoned as an important pilgrim, centre in the world. The good and

deserving attempted to reach His paramarthic goal under his safe and sure

guidance. Sainath Maharaj had practically shown to the world that the

platform of Dwarakamai was a sight to see where devotees of all religious

faith gather for common prayer irrespective of their caste, creed, sex,

region. Not a single disturbance had ever been witnessed during so many

years of such congregated worship, consequent on any religious difference.

No doubt Baba Sai accepted dakshina or arpans from visting Bhaktas;

(If I borrow money from somebody I will utilise for his work. I don't

require his money).

Of course Baba did not ask for dakshina from every one nor did he accept

everything offered by everybody. He was often heard saying that he had to

keep an account for the owner and Government.

Perhaps associations or individuals who receive money should bear in mind

that every paisa has to be accounted to the giver as well as to Government

as the collection is in his name. Sainath Prabhu used to disburse dakshina

amounts among sevakaris bhaktas, gosevis. fakirs, bairagis and children.

Seasonal fruits were purchased and distributed. His care for the poor, the

needy and crippled worked . Baba used to say, who else would see the poor

except myself. He used to impress on the devotees such charities would

confer extraordinary benefits on the giver.

We may conclude this article with Sadguru Math's invaluable assurance.

Fifty thousand people may come and fifty - six thousand may go. Why we

should bother? A person whose faith is firm and integrity is established he

can cross seven seas. I look after my people for 72 generations.

OM SAI SRI SAI JAI JAI SAI