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

[Guest guest]

Hemadpant's Shimga Dinner

Now let us take another story which shows how Baba appeared in the form of His

picture and fulfilled the desire of His devotee.

In 1917 on the full-moon morning, Hemadpant had a vision. Baba appeared to him

in his dream in the form of a well-dressed Sannyasi, woke him up, and said that

He would come to him for meals that day. This awakening constituted a part of

the dream. When he fully awoke, he saw no Sai nor any Sannyasi. But when he

began to recollect the dream, he remembered each and every word the Sannyasi

uttered in his dream. Though he was in contact with Baba for seven years and

though he always meditated on Baba, he never expected that Baba would come to

his house for meals. However, being much pleased with Baba's words, he went to

his wife and informed her that being the Holi day, a Sannyasi guest was coming

for meals and that some more rice should be prepared. She enquired about the

guest, who he was and whence he was coming. Then not to lead her astray and not

to cause any misunderstanding he gave her the truth, i.e., told her about the

dream. She

doubtingly asked whether it was possible that Baba should come there (Bandra)

from Shirdi, leaving the dainty dishes there for accepting their coarse food.

Hemadpant then assured her that Baba might not come in person but He might

attend in the form of a guest and that they would lose nothing if they cooked

some more rice.

After this, preparations for the dinner went on and it was quite ready at noon.

The Holika-worship was gone through and the leaves (dishes) were spread and

arranged with 'Rangoli' marks around them. Two rows were put up with a central

seat between them for the guest. All the members of the family - sons,

grandsons, daughters and sons-in-law etc., came and occupied their proper seats

and the serving of the various articles commenced. While this was being done,

everybody was watching for the guest, but none turned up though it was past

noon. Then the door was closed and chained; the anna-shuddhi (ghee) was served.

This was a signal to start eating. Formal offering to the Vaishwadeva (Fire),

and Naivedya to Shri Krishna were also over and the members were about to

begin, when foot-steps in the staircase were distinctly heard. Hemadpant went

immediately and opened the door and saw two men there: (1) Ali Mahomed and (2)

Moulana Ismu Mujavar.

These two persons, seeing that meals were ready and all the members were about

to begin eating, apologized to Hemadpant and requested him to excuse their

interference. They said - "You left your seat and came running to us, others

are waiting for you, so please take this your Thing and I shall relate all the

wonderful tale about it later on at your convenience." So saying he took out

from his arm-pit a packet wrapped in an old newspaper cover and placed it on

the table. Hemadpant uncovered the packet and saw, to his great wonder and

surprise, a big nice picture of Sai Baba. Seeing it, he was much moved, tears

ran from his eyes and hair stood on end all over his body, and he bent and

placed his head on the feet of Baba in the picture. He thought that Baba had

blessed him by this miracle or Leela. Out of curiosity he asked Ali Mahomed

whence he got this picture. He said that he bought it from a shop and that he

would give all the details

about it some time afterwards and wished that as all the members were waiting

for him, he should go and join them. Hemadpant thanked him, bade them good-bye

and returned to the dinning-hall. The picture was placed on the central seat

reserved for the guest and after the due offering of the Naivedya, the whole

party commenced eating and finished it in proper time. Seeing the beautiful

form in the picture everybody was extremely pleased and wondered how all this

happened.

The is how Sai Baba kept up and fulfilled His words uttered by Him in the dream

of Hemadpant. The story of the picture with all its details, viz., how Ali

Mahomed got it, why he bought it and gave it to Hemadpant, is reserved for the

next chapter.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all"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

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