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

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(or Damodar Kelkar) became deeply devoted to him and made Shirdi his permanent

residence. I built the Wada here at Baba's bidding in 1908 or so; and my

father-in-law with my wife and family ( and I also some­times) lived there

though its chief use was for the visitors that came to Baba. There was no other

lodging (except the village Chavadi) available for respectable visitors. The

foundation stone laying has already been mentioned. When the con­struction was

to go on, the walls had to be raised and soms of the branches of the Neem tree

(under which Baba had prac­tised His early Sadhana or penance) had to be loped

off. As the tree was held sacred by all, none dared to cut the branches and

Baba was approached. He then said "Cut off so much as interferes with the

construction. Even if our own foetus lies athwart the womb, we must cut it."

But even with His permission, the workmen feared to cut it as it seemed so

sacrilegious. Then Baba Himself came and cut off the ob­struction. Later the

steps for going upstairs and a niche over Baba's Guru's Tomb were put up. Baba

made me spend monies in this and in other matters also so as to help on

religion and charity e.g., when Das Ganu had his "Lives of the Saints" ready

for printing Baba made me pay Rs. 75 towards the expenses. The first two

children bom of this second marriage were girls. My father-in-law and

mother-in-law then approached Baba with the prayer that the promised son should

be bom and asked him "When are we to have a grandson." Baba then answered "I am

requesting Allah. He will comply with my request" A year or two

later (i.e., in 1913) my son was born. That boy is with me here (by Baba's

grace) hale and hearty and the prop of my age. I have already stated how Baba

directed me to behave in relation to my father-in-law and wife. I shall mention

his kindly interest in one more family affair of mine. Sometime after I retired

my financial circumstances were declining. On one occasion, I sold a jewel of

my wife. Baba then addressed my father-in-law and said "Why does that fool of a

Saheb sell my daughter's Jewel?". Baba was greatly attracted to Dada Kelkar's

(i.e., my father-in-law's ) nephew - Babu. He was a measurer under my

assistant. Limaye ( I was then Assistant Superintendent of Revenue Survey of

Kopergaon and Yeola). But instead of paying due attention to his official work,

he would go and stay at Shirdi, doing service to Baba. My assistant com­plained

to me that my brother-in-law (Babu) was always going away to Shirdi and

neglecting his work. I communi­cated this to Kelkar and he said "What is to be

done? He is guided and ordered by Baba." In fact, Baba knowing evi­dently what

was happening to Babu very shortly, made light of his service and said "Blast

the service. Let him serve Me." Babu was always attending on Baba and

rendering as much service as he could; and Baba would always see that Babu got

the choicest delicacies when ever they were available. So Limaye let him do as

he liked. Babu's end was drawing near in 1910. He ate mangoes (which were

always pouring in upon Baba since 1910) rather too freely. Baba warned Kelkar

and told him to have some care of his nephew's health. He said, Babu contracted

fever and as he was nearing death, Baba asked Kelkar. Is he alive?" In a few

days Babu passed away (1910) aged only 22 leaving an issueless widow. In

religious and temporal

affairs I never took any seri­ous step without consulting Baba, (either through

my father-in-law or otherwise.) To Be contd ---DEVOTEES CAN READ THIS

BOOK FROM THE BOOK SECTION OF WWW.SAILEELAS.ORG/BOOKS/EXPPART3.HTM

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