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

[Guest guest]

Leela 57

Bhimaji Patil of Narayangaon, Pune district was suffering a great deal with

pulmonary tuberculosis. He tried all kinds of medicines; both hakims and vaids

treated him. Then he prayed to various gods and goddesses who were propitiated,

but of no avail. Even exorcising the evil spirits was tried. But the disease was

relentless. Then Nana told him of the compassionate Sai. So, he went to Shirdi.

Seeing him, Baba said, " The moment you put your foot in Shirdi, your

sufferings have ended. The Fakir of this place is very kind. He will eradicate

your disease and pain." (Sai Satcharitra Ch.13)

It was Baba's word and it had to be followed to the letter. Here is another

Leela about pulmonary tuberculosis.

Malanbai, the daughter of D.R.Joshi Devgaonkar suffered enormously from

pulmonary tuberculosis. All sorts of treatments, remedies and poultices were

tried, but nothing worked. Malanbai could not bear the pain and coughing bouts

anymore. So, she insisted on being taken to Shirdi. Baba upon seeing her let

off a volley of abuses and asked her to lie on a blanket and take nothing, but

water by mouth. She stayed in Dixit Wada for a week, carefully following Baba's

orders. Early one morning, she stopped breathing and died. Her family were

moaning her loss and making preparations for her cremation.

That morning, Baba did not leave the Chawdi, although it was past 8:00 a.m. It

seemed that Baba was in one of His 'rage fits'. He shouted and shouted for no

apparent reason. Hitting the floor with His 'satka', It looked as if He was

driving away, some unseen object. Still shouting, He strode to Dixit Wada and

paused a moment, shaking his 'satka' vigorously. Then just as suddenly, as He

flared up, He calmed down and went away.

The family was oblivious of Baba's actions, but as they were getting ready to

bathe the body, they noticed the girl breathing. She opened her eyes and looked

around frightened. She told the family what took place. " A demon-like black

person was carrying me away, I was terrified and couldn't do anything. So, I

called out to Baba to help me. He at once came and beat the black man quite

badly. Then, He snatched me from his hand and carried me to the Chawdi." She

gave a vivid description of the Chawdi, although she had not seen it. The

family, hearing all this, shed tears of joy.

Was it any wonder that Baba sat in the Masjid facing south? South, the dreaded

direction, from which Yamraaj comes. But everyday and all day long, He sat,

facing Yama. Not a moment was He without His 'satka',the 'magical wand', with

which He could drive away the Yamdoot, or save Amir Shakkar from being bitten

by the serpent (Sai Satcharitra Ch 22).With every stroke of the 'satka', He

could quell the blazing 'Dhuni' when the flames roared and leapt to the ceiling

(Sai Satcharitra Ch. 11).

Chandbhai Patil had lost his mare and though he searched diligently for her, he

could not find her. Disappointed, he was returning back to Dhoopkheda, with his

saddle.

Under a mango tree, sat an Avalia, who called out to him and said, "Come here,

smoke this chillum, then go. Rest a while." The loving tone and the benevolent

presence drew Chandbhai Patil. He went to the Avalia who was getting ready to

smoke His chillum. Two things were wanting; the coal to light the tobacco and

water to wet the cloth. The Avalia struck the ground with His 'chimta' and out

came a live coal. Then, taking His 'satka', He struck the ground and a stream

of water flowed out (Sai Satcharitra Ch 5).

This was Baba's first 'satka' Leela to the outside world. Though He had been

usine His 'satka' before and is still doing so.

Once, Mavsibai was kneading Baba's stomach vigorously. When another devotee

asked her to be gentler, hearing this, Baba got up and striking the 'satka' on

the ground, rolled His eyes around. Then holding one end of the satka with both

His hands thrust it into His stomach. The other end, He pushed against the

pillar in front of Him. It seemed that the 'satka' was fast disappearing into

His stomach. A little later, He calmed down and resumed His seat. The devotee

learnt a valuable lesson of not interfering with anyone's seva to Baba.

Baba Himself knew the depth of love and devotion that each devotee had for Him,

and allowed seva accordingly (Sai Satcharitra Ch 24).

This 'satka' Baba kept with Him at all times. Even today, His 'satka' is

venerated and taken in procession in the 'palki' and 'rath' on Thursday and

other holidays."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!