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

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Leela 90

A couple along with their sister-in-law went on a pilgrimage. The husband and

wife were ardent devottees of Baba. But the wife's sister was not. Enroute to

Rameswaram they halted at Madras. The Gujarathi Dharamshala that they stayed in

was clean and well maintained. But the sister-in-law was very rigid and orthodox

in her way of thinking. She observed all kinds of rituals, and pollution taboos.

Though the stay was pleasant, she incessantly grumbled about the non-compliance

of pollution taboos. Her sister said "You are grumbling so much about pollution

taboos here. Even though this place is very good. I wonder what you will do at

Shirdi? There even orthodox

devotees place their heads on Baba's feet joyfully". Aghast to hear this her

sister replied "If that is so my prostrations to your Sai Baba from here

itself. I don't need to go there".

That very evening the sister-in-law got shooting pains in her limbs. She could

not take even a few steps. Despite massages, fermentations and medicines the

pain didn't subside. As night fall approached they decided to leave the

sister-in-law with her sister in the Dharamshala and proceed. The devout sister

said "From the time you high handedly spoke about Baba you have been suffering

from this excruciating pain. You are missing Rameshwar and Baba. Sai Baba is

God almighty. You salute Him and Rameshwar from here itself as you are going

nowhere". The remark had a profound effect on the sister.' She thought about

it. She became repentant and said "I am sorry I withdraw my words. If my

shooting pain stops by morning and I am able to complete the Rameshwar

pilgrimage I will immediately go to Shirdi for Baba's

darshan". A few hours later the pain subsided and by morning she was well enough

to proceed. Thus she realized that Baba and Shri Rameshwar was one and the same.

Baba didn't give credency to orthodoxy, taboos and fasting. All He wanted from

His devotees was a heart bursting with 'Nishtha'. Baba never fasted and was

extremely fond of raw onions. In fact, He kept a bag of onions in the

Dwarakamai and ate them every day. In Sai Satcharitra Ch.23, the story of Ram

Baba a great student of Yoga, who came to Shirdi is given. Although he had

studied and practised Yoga meticulously he could not attain Samadhi even for a

few minutes. He hoped that Baba would help him and bless him. He entered the

Dwarakamai and was aghast to see Baba eating stale bhakri and raw onions and

doubts assailed him. Baba reading his thoughts said "Only they should eat

onions who can digest it"."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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