Ambrosia in Shirdi Part-1-Baba's Leelas before 1918

[Guest guest]

Leela 39

In 1915 Triambak Govind Samanth went to Shirdi. He had only Rs.5/- with him, out

of which he gave Rs.1/- as Dakshina to Baba. Baba demanded one more rupee, which

Samanth was reluctant to give. None-the-less Baba kept on asking for it, till

finally Samanth parted with it. Baba took the Rs.2/- and turning them upside

down said "You have given these Rs.2/- to the one letter God (Ganapathi). Now

you may go. Ganu Mahar will bless you". Samanth was in a hurry to leave, and

rather upset at parting with the other rupee, that he didn't understand what

Baba said.

By His blessing Baba wanted to remind Samanth, that He had appeared to him,

earlier as Ganu Mahar. Samanth was then 21 years old and Baba as Ganu Mahar had

initiated him with the mono syllabled mantra of Lord Ganapathi. Then Samanth had

performed one crore of Japa of the same.

He had received Baba's permission to leave. Disgruntled he came to the main

road, but there was no tonga to take him to Kopergaon. Meanwhile a tonga from

Rahata turned up with a Gujarathi man in it. He beckoned to Samanth and asked

him to accompany him. Samanth sat next to him and they proceeded to Kopergaon.

The Gujarathi asked, "are you coming after taking Baba's darshan? If you give

one rupee He demands another rupee" Samanth was astounded to hear this. How

could he know all this he wondered!

On reaching Kopergaon the Gujarati paid both their fares, further, he bought two

tickets to Dadar, Bombay. They had a comfortable journey, and alighted at Dadar.

The Gujarathi gave Samanth a hearty meal. Samanth was puzzled at his kindness.

He asked the Gujarathi's name and address 'Ganu Marwadi, Plot No1, behind

Masjid Bunder'. He said and left. The next day Samanth went to meet his

benefactor and return the money. He searched invain, as no Ganu Marwadi lived

there.The whole area was inhabited by Muslims.

Samanth then thought about Baba's words seriously. He recollected how he had

lost his way in the forest near Triambakeshwar earlier. At that time some

robbers have taken him captive to a cave and threatened to kill him. He had

fervently prayed to Ganapathi for protection. When a loud voice called out "Jai

Malhari" this frightened the robbers and they set him free. On another occasion

he missed his way in the same forest, again he had prayed to Ganapathi.

Suddenly a man affected with black leprosy stood before him and said "My name

is Ganu Mahar. You have missed your way. I will show the way, but, you must not

turn back and see. Agreed". Samanth had agreed and they proceeded. Ganu Mahar

was behind him directing him and conversing with him. When they reached the

main road Ganu

Mahar was silent. Samanth turned around and there was no one.

Thinking over it calmly he realized that he who had freed him from the clutches

of the robbers, Ganu Mahar who had showed him the way in the forest, and Ganu

Marwadi the kind Gujarathi gentleman were forms assumed by Baba. Thereafter

Samanth began worshipping Baba in the form of Ganapathi."Gurur Brahma Gurur

VishnuGurur Devoh Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri Gurur Veh

Namah"May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our

families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength ,

goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa

Hdebu7366

!