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

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Leela 86

Keshav M. Gawankar lived with his parents in Bombay. When he was 7 years old, he

was seriously ill with 'nava jwara' (fever). All kinds of treatments and

remedies were tried, but of no avail. The fever was relentless and his chest

was congested and full of fluid and puss. He howered at death's door. A devotee

called Galwankar (Dhab-olkar's son in law) lived close by, he advised his

parents to pray to Baba and make a vow. His aunt who was nearby vowed to Baba

that they would go to Shirdi with pedhas if her nephew recovered.

Gawankar Early next morning, the parents noticed that the fever had come down,

and there was a tiny hole in the chest below the nipple. From this hole puss

and fluid was oozing out. A few hours later the doctor came to see the patient

and was astounded to see him recovering. The doctor prescribed some medicines

and left. He recovered good health in a few days but a tiny scar was present on

his chest.

Five years later in 1918 when Keshav was 12 years, and studying in Marathi

school Standard V they went to Shirdi. He, his parents and aunt went to

Dwarakamai took Baba's darshan and handed Him a packet of pedhas. Baba took the

packet of pedhas and gave six pedhas to Keshav and ate the rest. Shama who was

stading nearby said "What is this Deva, you are eating all the pedhas?" Baba

pointing to his aunt said "She kept Me hungry for five years". Then He made

Keshav sit nearby and lovingly passed His handover his back. Baba then asked

Keshav for Daks-hina of two paise.Keshav didn't understand what was happening

so Shama interjected and said "Keshav

Rao just say; Baba I offered the Dakshina and You accepted it" Baba agreed and

as Keshav said this Baba took off His Kafni and gave it to Keshav. Shama again

interceded on Keshav's behalf saying "Baba Keshav is too young to accept Your

Maha Prasad (Kafni) let me keep it for him till he becomes: a little older and

mature. Then I will hand it over to him, Deva". Baba agreed again. So Shama

preserved the Kafni with tender loving care and gave it to him at an

appropriate time.When the family was was ready for departure every one stood up

and did Namaskar by folding their hands. Keshav also did the same. Baba looked

at Keshav and becokened him to come near then Baba held his hand gently pulling

him to be seated. As soon as Keshav sat nearby Baba swiftly slapped him across

his cheek. Keshav's head reeled and he saw stars. His whole body started

quivering and shaking and this lasted for a few hours. Then catching hold of

his shendy (tuft of hair). He pulled his head and placed it on His feet. Baba

then applied Udi to his forehead and gave him a palmfull saying "Jao beta Allah

bhala karega" (Go My son Allah will do good).

Keshav's Moksha Guru was Triambak Vittal Samanth (Bahu Maharaj) who visited

Shirdi in 1914 and had given Baba Rs.2/ dakshina. Baba then demanded two more

rupees and said "I will send one of my sons to you" (Keshav). Under his Guru's

grace Kehav studied religious books, academically he became a doctor and began

to prosper. But he did not forget Baba. He prayed to Baba daily and as years

rolled by he became an ardent devotee. He started celebrating Ram Navami and

Vijaya Dashami in his home in Bombay. He did Anna Daan on both the festivals

according to his means. In 1939 he dreamt of Baba who said "Bikshecha Bhakar le

gode" (the bhakar obtained from Biksha is very sweet.) So he decided to take

Biksha. This was while he was staying in Suneel mansion, Bombay. He got seven

piles of Bhajri and jhumka bhakar was made from it. About 250 to 300 people ate

to their hearts' content. Before Anna Daan was started 11 jhunka bhakr were

offered as Naivedya to Baba. Of the Naivedya offered one bhakar was left before

Baba the rest was made into small pieces and distributed. Wonder of wonders the

bhakar even after 35 years or more is neither stale nor bitter or covered by

fungus nor eaten by ants even now."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

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