Sai Satcharitra-Let us all read it together, a little everyday

[Guest guest]

Harishchandra Pitale

There was a gentleman by name Harishchandra Pital in Bombay. He had a son, who

suffered from epilepsy. He tried many allopathic and ayurvedic doctors, 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 Bombay Presidency. Mr.

Pitale heard some of these kirtans in 1910 and learnt therefrom and from others

that Baba, by 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

presents and fruit-baskets, Mr. Pitale came to Shirdi with family, wife and

children. He then went to the Masjid with them, prostrated before Baba and

placed his sick son on Baba's Feet. No sooner Baba saw the child than an

untoward thing happened. The son immediately revolved his

eyes and fell down senseless. His mouth began to foam and his whole body began

to perspire profusely and it seemed as if he breathed himself out. Seeing this,

the parents became very nervous and excited. 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, crying 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. Then Baba comforted her

saying - "Do not wail like this, wait a bit, have patience, take the boy to

your lodging, 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, husband, wife

and others were very delighted and all their doubts disappeared. Then Mr.

Pitale came 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 help. Baba then smilingly said - "Are 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-meat on a large scale and gave Baba excellent fruits and pan

(betel-leaves). Mrs. Pitale was a very Sattwik lady, simple, loving and

faithful. She used to sit near the post staring at Baba with tears of joy

flowing down from her eyes. Seeing her of an 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 by and said to him - "Bapu, I had given you before, Rs. two, now I give

you Rs. three; keep these in your shrine for worship and you will be

benefited." Mr. Pitale accepted these as Prasad, prostrated himself again

before Baba and prayed for His blessings. A thought arose in his mind, that as

that was his first trip 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 solves, but Baba kept silent. When Mr. Pitale returned to Bombay, he

narrated to his old mother all that had happened at Shirdi and the mystery

about Baba's giving him Rs. two formerly. The mother also did not understand

the mystery, but, thinking seriously about that, 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 darshana of the Maharaj there many years ago. That Maharaj was also a

Siddha, Perfect Yogi, omniscient and liberal. Your father was pure, 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 accordingly 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 Akkalkotkar Maharaj has appeared to you in the form of Sai

Baba just to remind you to your duties and worship, and to ward off all

dangers. Now beware henceforth, leave off all doubts and bad thoughts, follow

your ancestors and behave well; go on worshipping the family gods and the

rupees, appraise properly and take pride in the blessing of the Saints. Sai

Samartha has kindly revived the spirit of Bhakti in you, cultivate it

it your benefit." Hearing the remarks of the mother, Mr. Pitale was very much

delighted. He came to know, and was convinced about the all-prevasiveness of

Baba and the significance of His darshan. From that time he became very careful

about his behaviour."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

Discover Find restaurants, movies, travel &; more fun for the weekend. Check it out!