THE STORY OF BABA'S PALANQUIN

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THE STORY OF BABA’S PALANQUIN

The palanquin stayed for three months in the forecourt of Dwarkamai, encased

in its wooden box. The Naik brothers of Harda village had sent a palanquin

for the use of Sri Sai Baba as a gift. Baba, however, did not allow anyone

to even open it and look at it. It fell to Raghuvir Purandhare to give it

the great good fortune of being of service to Sai Baba.

Raghuvir Purandhare was ardently devoted to Baba. He had decided that, come

what may, he would take the palanquin out of the box that very day, sit Baba

in it, and carry him in state to Chavadi. “Baba, I will take this palanquin

out of the box and deck it with flowers. You should ride in it to Chavadi –

that would be a sight for sore eyes, wouldn’t it?” Purandhare asked with

evident delight, taking Sai Baba’s agreement for granted.

Baba never cared for outward pomp. Even though he had the entire world at

his feet, he always behaved like a penniless fakir and went everywhere on

foot. He never climbed on to a vehicle at any time in his life. So this time

too, he shook his head, dismissing the idea of getting into the palanquin.

Purandhare tried to reason with him. “The palanquin has already come. How

can you now refuse to get into it?” Baba was as adamant as before in his

refusal. Purandhare changed tactics. He saluted Sai Baba’s feet and said

obdurately, “You have to get into the palanquin.” He thought that he could

get Baba to agree somehow or other and tried to take the palanquin out of

its box.

“Don’t open it! Stop! Have I not told you to stop opening it?” said Sri Sai

Baba, “Why do you not listen to me, my brother?”

Baba tried to stop him. He scolded and shouted at him but Purandhare

regarded all these as Baba’s blessings and continued unconcernedly to open

the box and take out the palanquin. Showing great anger Baba shook his satka

at Purandhare and said, “Do you not hear what I am saying? Get away from

here!” The other devotees saw Baba’s anger and ran away. Purandhare,

however, did not even lift his head and continued unconcernedly to do the

work and erected the palanquin.

He was a true devotee of Sai Baba who believed that even the anger of Baba

is but a veiled blessing. As the rain-bearing cloud can only give

life-sustaining water to the crops and not destroy them with fire, so is the

anger of Sri Sai Baba a blessing and not a curse. To his loving devotees the

anger is indeed a loving blessing. As Purandhare continued his work, Baba

could not but stop his tirade. Yes, Baba can punish pride or hatred but he

cannot help but love those who love him. God may rule the worlds, but he is

ruled by the heart of the loving devotee.

Purandhare got a variety of flowers and decorated the palanquin. It looked

very beautiful. Happily he said, “Baba, the palanquin looks beautiful now,

but if you sit in it the beauty will be enhanced much more.”

“palanquin,” said Purandhare. Jog was afraid of crossing Baba.

 

(To be contd....)

 

 

(Source Saipatham Feb 2001)