THE STORY OF BABA'S PALANQUIN

[Guest guest]

Baba said, “You too go and have lunch.” There was no response from

Purandhare. Baba again said, “Are you not feeling hungry? Go have your lunch

and come.”

Purandhare did not move. He did not care to have lunch while the work was

still unfinished. Baba started pacing about impatiently. After a while he

said complainingly to Kaka Saheb Dixit who was present, “Look at this

obsessive fool! He could have had his meal and then finished the work! Why

does he not heed me however much I tell him to eat? How can he not know his

own hunger?”

Baba waited for five minutes to see whether Purandhare would go for his

meal. He again said, “How can I deal with this zealous maniac? His

intestines must be crying out for food.”

“Baba, he does not have much leave left, so he wants to complete the work

fast. Shall I ask him to go for lunch?” asked Kaka Saheb Dixit. Baba

skeptically said, “He is not obeying even me - is he likely to listen to

you? Bhagoji, go and call him.”

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Life is but a play and we are the actors

Obeying the directions of the puppet-master – Sai

Why ignore the master and fall down

Save us, Oh Sai, our refuge.

Purandhare was continuing his work but was also listening to all these

words. His heart melted to see the love Baba had for him. He came running

and fell at Baba’s feet and started weeping. Baba put his hand on Purandhare

’s head and caressed him.

“What happened now brother? Why are you crying?” asked Baba consolingly.

“Baba, I obstinately disobeyed you and am doing work which you did not

really like. Why do you have such love for me? In the morning you shouted at

me, you said that you would beat me, you even threatened to kill me. And now

you are feeling so miserable that I have not eaten. Who else but you can

show me such love which exceeds even my mother’s love for me? Baba, you are

my mother, my father, my guru, my god. You are indeed everything to me. I do

not want anything else in this world except you. Please grant me the great

good fortune of serving you every second of my life,” importuned Purandhare

tearfully.

“All right, but have your meal,” said Baba like a loving mother.

Purandhare wiped his eyes and rose to his feet. He turned and was about to

go out of the mosque when a doubt assailed him again. “Baba, will you

demolish what I have done the moment I go? asked Purandhare.

Baba smiled. “Don’t be childish. Go have your meal and come back,” promised

Baba, “I will do nothing of the sort.”

Later he turned to Kakasaheb Dixit and said, “What can we do? If the child

unknowingly passes stools on our leg do we strike it? Do we cut off the leg?

We have to put up with it.”

Purandhare returned after lunch and began to work again. By evening the shed

was built. He had intended to have two doors on it but could complete the

fixing of only one of them as he had to return home the next day. He thought

that with Baba’s permission, he could request Tatya to complete the work.

He came to Baba and said, “The work is almost finished. Only one door is yet

to be fixed, but my leave is over and I must depart for Bombay tomorrow. If

you permit me I will ask Tatya to finish the work.”

“We can see to that later,” said Baba lovingly. “You go and rest first. You

have been working since morning without a break.” He gave udi to Purandhare,

who saluted his feet and left.

 

 

 

 

(To be contd.....)

 

 

 

Source (source www.saipatham.org) Saipatham Feb 2001 Magazine