DEVOTEES' EXPERIENCES OF SRI SAI BABA BY H.H. NARASIMHA SWAMIJI - PART II

[Guest guest]

with two friends, Sankar Balakrishna Vaidya and Achyuta Date. On the way, we

alighted at Kopergaon station. There the Station Master learning of our

intended visit to Sai Baba, aired his views rather freely and said that undue

honour was being lavished upon and people were being gulled by one who was a

mere , hypnotist, like so many of these wandering jugglers and

thau-maturgists all over the country. This rude fusillade at Sai Baba

unsettled my mind about him and I was beginning to doubt if, after all, it was

a real saint we were taking so much trouble to visit. We reached Shirdi anyhow

and saw Sai Baba returning from the Lendi. He must have evidently noticed my

condition. He looked at me, and at once, without having any

information given to him as to who I was, etc. said "What? Have you come away

without taking leave from the Mam-latdar"? I said "Yes". Baba advised me and

said "Do not behave like this". This removed all the doubts that the Sta­tion

Master's thoughtless remarks had raised in my mind. I felt I was before a

saint who knew everything that happened in places far away from him. We stayed

three days at Shirdi on this occasion. Each day Baba's kindness and powers were

manifested with greater frequency and force and the result was perfect

assurance and confidence. I became a firm be­liever in and worshipper of Baba

thenceforward. Baba took Udhi from my hand and applied it to my forehead - a

mark of favour and love that is not bestowed on all. Again when people were

assembling for Arati at the Masjid, and I was among them, Baba asked me to go

and take my meal. I said it was Ekadasi. Usually I did not fast on Ekadasi

days; but my two friends did and I had to conform to their ways and not be

singular and claiming advantages

which they did not share. But Baba did not want me to fast. He said (referring

to my companions) These people are mad. You had better go to the Wada and eat."

The person who had to serve the food at the wada was grumbling that I should be

clamouring for food on an Ekadasi day and would not give me food till Arati was

over. So he came to the Mosque and I also returned to the Mosque. Baba again

questioned me if I had messed but I said that it was time for Arati and so the

meal might be deferred till the completion of the Arati. But Baba 'insisted

and said "The Arati will wait and will begin after you' finish your meal and

come." The hotel man had to yield and gave me food. Then I went to the

Mosque for

the Arati. At that time a lady generally known as "Mavusi" brought beda (le.,

rolled up betel and nut) to Baba. Baba gave me some and asked me to eat. As

it is usual to avoid chewing betel and nut (which are considered as luxuries and

for that and other reasons avoided on Ekadasi days) I hesitated. Baba said

again, "Eat it." I obeyed and chewed the beda. At the close of the Arati

Baba took dakshina of Rs.4 from me and Rs.16 from Vaidya. He did not ask Date

for dakshina, as he was evidently not disposed to give it. There was a young

Marwadi girl that

was hankering after fruit and asked Baba for "orange". Baba by his own powers

knew that Date had kept back some oranges at the wada and brought only the

remainder to be offered at the Mosque and so asked Date to go and get the

oranges. But Date was assertive and said that the fruit was retained by him

for "Faral", Le., his own light meal on the Ekadasi day. He declined to part

with it, despite Baba's request. Baba did not press his request further.

-- to be contdDevotees

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www.Saileelas.org/books/exppart2.htm

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