SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM [52]

[Guest guest]

Dear Sai brothers and sisters,

The most authenticated literatures to know about the Divine life of Shirdi Sai

Baba and His daily routines are ‘Sri Sai Satcharita’ and the ‘Khaparde Diary’.

>From Khaparde Diary we can visualize how the daily routines of Sai were and it

takes us to those days in Shirdi. We have completed the postings of Sri Sai

Satcharita. Now we are happy to post Khaparde Diary along with ‘Sathyam, Sivam,

Sundaram’ Part –IV. - ‘’

 

Om Sri Sai Ram

Ganesha Mantra: AUM Gung Ganapathaye Namah

Ganesh Gayatri

Tat purushaaya vidmahe

Vakratundaaya dheemahi

Tanno dhanti prachodayaat

 

SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM

The Life Stories of the Two Avatars of the Age – [52]

KHAPARDE DIARY

5th December 1910

We reached Shirdi about 4 p.m. We put in the Wada built for the convenience of

people by R.B. Sathe. Madhavrao Deshpande was very obliging and helped us and

treated us like guests. There are in the Wada Tatyasahib Nulkar with his

family, Bapusahib Jog, and Bahasahib Sahasrabuddhe. We all went to see the

Sayin Maharaj soon after our arrival. He was in the Masjid. After salutation I

and my son offered the fruits brought by us and gave some money at his request.

The Sayin Saheb then said that he has not been well for the last two years and

more, that he used to eat only barley

cake and take a little water. He showed his foot and pointed to a small sore,

said it was the string worm, that it was extracted but string snapped and then

it reappeared and so on. He said he heard that it would not be well with him

till he went to his native town. He said he kept it in view but that was all,

he cared more for his people than even for his own life. It could not be

helped. Then he told us to withdraw which we did. Towards evening he passed by

the Wada, and we went and saluted him. I and Madhavrao Deshpande were together.

After we saluted, he said "Go to the Wada and sit quiet". So I and Madhavrao

returned. We all Sat Talking. They have many Miracles to relate.

6th December 1910

In the morning I had a walk and after that we all saw Sayin Maharaj going out

with an embroidered big umbrella held over his head. Later on we went to

Masjid. Sai Baba appeared to be somewhat excited. Then he got up, distributed

the food accumulated there, and after giving Udi-ashes, requested us to

withdraw. We did so. The Midday meal was not served till nearly half past two

in the afternoon. After it we sat talking, say Sayin Maharaj in the evening

when he came out for a walk. Latter on we went to the Chavadi where Sayin

Maharaj sleeps tonight. He was accompanied by the Umbrella of state, Sliver

stick, Chavaris and Fans etc, etc. The place was tastefully lighted. The lady

who is known as Radhakrishna came out with lights. I saw her from distance.

Madhavrao Deshpande said he would be away tomorrow and return the day after. He

asked for and obtained Sayin Maharaja's permission to go.

7th December 1910

In the morning after my Prayer, Mr. Baba Saheb Bhate, who is a retired

Mamlatdar, came to the Wada and sat talking with us. He has been staying here

for some time and has a peculiar kind of calm on his face. We say Sayin Maharaj

as he was going out and went to him in the Masjid in the afternoon. I, Babasaheb

Sahasrabuddhe, my son Baba, Bapushaeb Jog and children went together and sat

there. Sayin Maharaj appeared to be in good humour. He asked Babasheb

Sahasrabuddhe whether he came from Bombay. Babasaheb replied in the

affirmative. Babasaheb was then asked whether he would

return to Bombay. He again replied in the affirmative, but added that he could

not be certain of remaining there as it would depend on circumstances. Sayin

Maharaj remarked, "Yes. It is true, you have many things on hand and have to

undertake more. You will be here, you will be hear, you should see yourself.

The experiences gone through are real. They are not fanciful. I was here

thousand of years ago". The Sayin Maharaj turned to me and started on

apparently a new track. He said "This world is funny. All are my subjects. I

look upon all equally, but some became thieves and what can I do for them?

People who are themselves very near death desire and make me great deal. They

hurt me a good deal, but I said nothing. I kept quiet. God is very great and

has

his officers everywhere. They are all powerful. One must be content with the

state in which good keeps him. But I am very powerful. I was here eight or ten

thousand years ago". My son asked him to tell a story as he told him before.

Sayin Maharaj asked what story it was. My son replied that it was a story about

three brothers who went to a Masjid. One of them wished to go out and beg. The

others did not want him to do that; on the ground that food obtained by begging

would be impure and would pollute their chowka. The third brother replied that

if the food spoilt the chowka his legs should be cut off & c. Sayin Maharaj

said it was a very good story. He would tell another when he was in the humour.

My son said he did not know when the thing would happen, and if the humour

recurred after he left, there would not be much use. There upon Sayin Sahib

told him that he should rest assured that the story would be told before he

left. I asked him why he was angry yesterday and he replied

that it was because the Teli said something. Then I asked him why he cried out

"Do not beat. Do not beat" today at the time of the distribution of food, and

he replied that he cried out because the Patil family was quarrelling and

divided among themselves. Sayin Sahib spoke with such a wonderful sweetness and

he smiled so often and with such extraordinary grace that the conversation will

remain engraved in my memory. Unfortunately other people came and the

conversation was interrupted. We were so sorry for it but it could not be

helped. We returned talking about it. Tatyasahib Nulkar was not present during

the first part of the conversation but came later on. Balasahib Bhate came in

the evening and we sat again talking about conversation.

8th December 1910

In the morning, after prayer, we saw Sayin Maharaj As usual when he was going

out. Later on we went to see him in the afternoon but had to turn back as he

was washing his feet. Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe, myself, my son and a certain

gentleman who came this morning formed the company that went and had to return.

Tatyasahib Nulkar did not accompany us. Later on we went again, but Sayin Sahib

dismissed very soon. So we returned. He appeared very much engaged in thinking

out something. At night Sayin Sahib slept at the Chavadi and we went to see the

procession. It was very nice. The gentleman mentioned above is a Police-Officer,

I believe, Head Constable. He was charged with extracting money and tried by the

court of sessions. He vowed to visit Sayin Maharaj if he was acquitted. He was

acquitted and so came

to fulfill his vow. On seeing him, Sayin Maharaj appeared affected and said "Why

did you not stay a few days there? The poor people must have felt disappointed".

He repeated this twice. We learnt afterwards that the gentleman's friends

pressed him to stay and that he did not comply with their request. He had never

seen Sayin Maharaj before. The wonder is how Sayin Maharaj knew him and said

what he did.

9th December 1910

I and my son intended going away today. In the morning, after prayer when we

went as usual to see Sai Maharaj, he asked my son if he intended going away and

added that we may go away. We thought the necessary permission had been granted

and made ready to start. Baba packed all things and engaged a spring cart and

another to carry our things, and in the afternoon went to formally see the Sai

Maharaj before actually starting. On seeing me Sai Maharaj said, "Do you really

intend going?" I replied "I wish to go but not if you do not permit." He said,

"Then you may go tomorrow or the day after. This is our house. The Wada is our

house, and why need anybody be afraid while I am here? This is our house and

you should look upon it as your own house". I agreed to stay and countermanded

all engagements for

departure. We sat down talking. Sai Maharaj was in a very pleasant mood and said

many pleasant things but I am afraid I did not understand him.

10th December 1910

In the morning after prayer I told my son Baba never to mention anything about

our going away to Sayin Maharaj. He knows all and would know Saheb as he was

going out, and later on when we went to the Masjid, Sayin Saheb was very much

pleased and told the story of a former life of a young girl who was playing

with him. He said she was an artist and died and was as usual buried. Sayin

Saheb passed that way and spent a night near her tomb. So she accompanied him.

He kept her in a babul tree and then brought her here. He said he was Kabir

before and said to spin yarn. The conversation was exceedingly pleasant. In the

afternoon Mr. Shridharpant Paranjpe of wardha accompanied by one Mr. Pandit,

another doctor, and a third gentleman came. Mr. Patwardhan, Junior of

Ahmednagar was with them. My son and he are

old college friends. They all went to see Sayin Saheb and we all accompanied

them. Sayin Saheb treated them the same way as he treats everybody and talked

of buildings that are being put up and added, "The world is gone mad. Every man

has acquired a peculiarity of evil thinking. I never put myself on equality with

any of them. So I never listen to what they say. Nay, I never reply. What should

I reply?” He then distributed "Udi" and told us to return to Wada. He singled

out Patwardhan Junior and told him to stay behind as usual; mentioning

"tomorrow" as the day of departure. I and Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe returned to

Wada. It appears Paranjpe and his companions went to lady, Radhakrishna.

Bapusaheb Jog's wife has been ill. She benefited very much by what Sayin Saheb

says and he give on medicine but apparently she lost patience today and wanted

to go anyway. Even Bapusaheb Jog, out of Sheer helplessness agreed to let her

go. Sayin Saheb made repeated inquiries about her and when she

was going. When however, in the evening Bapusaheb jog proposed to go formally to

Sayin Saheb for asking permission, she said she felt better and did not wish to

go-we wondered.

11th December 1910

In the morning after I finished my prayer and had a wash, Mr. Haribhaoo Dixit of

Bombay with a few companions, Mr. Tarkhad, son of the late Dr. Atmarang

Pandurang, and Mr. Mahajani, who is a cousin of Annasaheb Mahajani of Akola, we

went to Sayin Saheb as usual and today's conversation was both important and

marked by two incidents. Sayin Maharaj said that he used to sit in a corner and

desired to exchange the lower part of his body for that of a parrot. The

exchange came and he did not realise for a year and lost one Lakh of rupees.

Then he began to sit near a post and then a great serpent woke up and was very

angry. It used to jump up and also fall from above. Then he changed the subject

apparently and Sai that he visited a place and the Patil there would not let him

go unless he made a

plantation and hard footpath through it. He said he completed both. Some people

came in at this time. To the man, he said, "You have nobody but me to look

after you." Looking round he added that she was a relation of his and had

married the Rohillas who looted the man. Then he said, the world is bad. People

were not as they were before. Formerly they used to be pious and trustful. Now

they were unbelieving and disposed to contemplate the evil side, and then he

added something which I could not catch. It was something about his father,

grandfather and his becoming the one and the other alternatively. Now as to the

incidents, Mr. Dixit brought fruits. Sayin Saheb ate some and was distributing

the others. Balasaheb, Mamaledar of this Taluka, was there and said that Sayin

Maharaj was giving away only fruits of one kind. My son told his friends Mr.

Patwardhan that Sayin Maharaj accepted or refused the fruits in proportion to

the devotion with which they were offered. My, son, Baba, tried

to tell this to me and wished to do the same to Patwardhan. This made a little

noise and Sayin Maharaj looked at me with an eye that blazed wonderfully and

sparkled with anger. He demanded what I said. I replied that I was saying

nothing and that child were talking with each other. He looked at my son and

Patwardhan and changed the mood immediately. Towards the close Balasaheb

Mirikar remarked that Sayin Maharaj was talking all through to Haribhao Dixit.

In the afternoon while we were at meals Mr. Mirikar's father who is an Inamdar

and special magistrate at Ahmednagar came. He is a very respectable gentleman

of the old stamp. I liked this conversation very much. In the evening we saw

Sayin Saheb as usual and at night we sat talking, and Mr. Nulkar's son

Vishwanath did Bhajan as he does every day.

11th December 1910

In the morning after prayer we saw Sayin Maharaj Passing out as usual and sat

talking among ourselves as usual. Mr. Dixit appears to have turned a new leaf

altogether and spends a good deal of his time in prayer, and his temper which

was always mild appears to have acquired the peculiar sweetness which is

entirely due to internal calm. Rao Bahadur Rajarampant Dixit came soon after

from Pulgaon. He said he had no intention of visiting Shirdi when he left

Nagpur, but somehow at Pulgaon he made up his mind to visit very suddenly and

made the journey practically on the spur of

the moment. I was very glad to see him. We all went to see Sayin Saheb later on.

I was a bit late and missed a very interesting story told by him. He teaches in

parables. It was about a man having a very beautiful horse, which, do what he

could, would not go in pair. It was taken all round and given all the usual

training, to no purpose. At last a Widwan suggested its being taken to the

place from which it was originally brought. This was done and then the horse

went all right in the harness and became very useful. I heard the fragment of

the parable. Then he inquired when I was going. I replied that I would go when

he gave me permission of his own accord to go. He replied, "You go today after

talking your meals" and later on sent curds by the hands of Madhavrao Deshpande

as Prasad to me. I had it at meal, and soon after it, went to Sayin Saheb. He

confirmed his permission to go as soon as I went. My son did not feel sure of

the permission and so asked expressly and the permission

was given in clear words. The Sayin Maharaj today asked Daxana of others, but

nothing of me or my son. I was very low in funds and he appeared to know it.

After saying good-bye to Mr. Nulkar, Mr. Dixit, Mr. Bapusaheb Jog, Mr.

Babasaheb Sahastrabuddhe, Mr. Madhavrao Deshpande, Balasaheb Bhate,

Vasudeorao and others we left with Patwardhan, Pradhan, Kaka Mahajani, Mr.

Tarkhad, and Mr. Bhide who came today. We caught the train about 6.30 p.m. at

Kopargaon and traveled to Manmad. Mr. Bhide getting down at Yeola. I and my son

will soon leave Manmad by the Punjab

blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> Mail.

6th December 1911

As my Tonga come near the house newly built by Mr. Dixit the first person I met

was Mr. Madhao Rao Despande. Before I got out of the Tonga Mr. Dixit asked me

to dine with him today. Then I went with Madhavrao to pay respects to Sayin

Maharaj and saluted him from a distance. He was washing hands and feet at

the time. As I got busy washing and praying I could not salute him when he went

out. Later on we went to him in company and sat near him in the Masjid. He told

a story about having been with a Fakir who was fond of good food. This Fakir was

invited to dinner party and went with Sayin Maharaj. At the time of starting,

the Fakir wife's asked Sayin Maharaj to bring some food from the feast and gave

a pot for the purpose. The Fakir felt so well that he decided to sleep at the

place. Sayin Maharaj returned with the food tying the cakes to his back and

carrying the liquid in the pot placed on his head. He found the way very long,

lost his way, sat near a mangwada to rest a while. The dogs began to bark and

he got up and returned to his village and made over the cakes and liquid to the

Fakir's wife. By that time the Fakir also returned and they had a very good feed

together. He added, it is very difficult to find a good fakir. Mr. Sathe, who

built the Wada in which I lived last year, is

here, and I saw him first in the Masjid and then at dinner, Mr. Dixit fed a

large number. Among them is Mr. Thosar who is the sister's son of the late

Madhavrao Govind Ranade. Thoser is employed in the customs office, Bombay. He

is a very nice man and we sat talking. There is a gentleman from Nasik and

there are many others. Among them one Tipnis who came with his wife and the

latter was brought to bed of a son. Bapusaheb Jog is here and his wife is doing

well. Mr. Nulkar is dead and I miss him very much. None of his family is

here. Balasaheb Bhate is here and his wife gave birth to a son on

Datta-Jayanti-day. We are staying in Dixit's Wada which is very convenient.

7th December 1911

I slept well last night. My son and wife are doing well with Bhishma. Vishnu is

also here. We fed a good many people today and I fell into the proper routine

of the place. I saluted Baba Sayin Maharaj as he went out; then after he

returned to the Masjid, and again in the evening, and later on again, when he

went to sleep in the Chawadi. The Bhajanpujan was a little less. After we

returned from Sheja Aarathi, Bhishma had his usual Bhajan and Mr. Thosar also

song some verse, a few, of his own composition and others, of Kabirs, Das Gunu,

and others. Das Ganu's wife Baya who was here last year is now at her father's

house. We set talking till late at night. Madhavrao Deshpande told us at night

at Dada Kelkar had a nephew by name Babu. Sayin Maharaj was very kind to him.

This Babu died and Maharaj

remembers him to this day. Mr. Moreshwar Vishwanath Pradhan a Pleader practicing

at Bombay came to see Sayin Maharaj. On seeing his wife, Sayin Maharaj said that

she was the mother of Babu. She got in the family way later on, and on the day

of her delivery in Bombay, Sayin Maharaj here said he had pains and that twins

would be born and that one of them would die. So it happened, and when Mrs.

Pradhan came here on his lap and asked if he would come to the place, and the

child of two months distinctly answered

"Hoon".

8th December 1911

I forgot to mention yesterday and the day before that Upasani Vaidya, that use

to be at Amravati, is here and saw me soon after my arrival. We sat talking. He

told me briefly his story since leaving Amravati, how he went to Gwalior state,

how he purchased a village, how it became nonpaying, how he met a Mahatma, how

he got ill, how he tried all remedies, applied to various sadhoos and Mahatmas,

how finally Sayin Maharaj took him in hand, how he improved, and is now under

order to stay here. He has composed a Stotra of Sayin Maharaj in Sanskrit. We

all got of early and

attended the Kakad Aarti. It is very edifying. I prayed, bathed, and saw Sayin

Maharaj go out, then again he returned and once more in the afternoon. Sayin

Maharaj, looking at me said "Ka Sarkar" Then he gave the general advice that I

should live as God keeps me and added that a man fond of his family has to bear

many things & c. & c., and told the story of a rich man who starved till

evening, cooked for himself and ate a very rough bread, all on account of

temporary difficulty. We saw Sayin Maharaj again in the evening and sat in the

verandah of the house built by Dixit. Two gentlemen from Bombay brought a

Satar, and playing on it, said Bhajan. Mr. Thosar, whom I call Hazarat, also

sang very beautifully and Bhishma had his usual Bhajan. Time

passed away pleasantly till midnight. Thosar is a very pleasant companion. I had

a long talk with my son Balvant, the Bombay men and others about contemplation

etc.

9th December 1911

I was late in getting up and finishing prayer. Mr. Chandorkar came today with a

servant. Many others also came and some that were already here went away. Mr.

Chandorkar is a very nice simple man, very pleasant in conversation, and plain

in his dealings. I went to the Masjid and sat long listening to things said

there. Sayin Maharaj was in a pleasant mood. I took my Hukka there and Sayin

Maharaj had a smoke out of it. He looked wonderfully beautiful at Aarathi-time,

but dismissed every one very soon after it. He said he would come to dine with

us. He calls my wife "Ajibai". On returning to our lodging we learnt that Mr.

Dixit's daughter, who was ill, passed away. The deceased dreamt a few days ago

that Sayin Maharaj kept her under Neem tree here. Sayin Maharaj also said

yesterday that the girl was

dead. We sat talking about the sad event. The child was only seven years old. I

went and saw her mortal remains. They were very beautiful and the expression on

her face after death was peculiarly charming. It reminded me of the picture of

Madonna that I saw in England. The cremation took place behind our lodging.

I attended the funeral and did not breakfast till 4 p.m. Dixit bore the blow

beautifully well. His wife naturally broke down under grief. Everybody

sympathises with her. In the evening I went to the Chavadi to see Sayin Maharaj

both at sunset, and later on at Sheja Aarathi time. At night, I, Madhavrao

Deshpande, Bhishma and others sat talking till late, all about Sayin Maharaj.

Thosar got permission from Sayin Maharaj to return to Bombay. He will go

tomorrow morning.

10th December 1911

In the morning before I finished my prayer Dattatreya Chitnis, Solicitor of

Bombay, came. He was a freshman when I was a fellow in the college. So he is an

old, old friend. He naturally sat talking of old days and so on. As usual I saw

Sayin Maharaj as he went out and later again when he returned and sat in his

usual place. We all returned after Aarathi. The breakfast was a bit late and

after it I sat talking with Upasani, later on with Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He

is the chief, if not the oldest disciple of Sayin Maharaj. He is a very pleasant

man, gave me his history as

to how he came into contact with Sayin Maharaj and made his progress. He wished

to tell me the instructions he received but people gathered, and the things

could not be disclosed to the view of all. I made two attempts to see Sayin

Maharaj in the afternoon, but he was not in the mood to see anybody. I saw him

in the evening near the chawdi and had a long talk with Sathe Saheb, Chitnis

and others. There is one Gokhale come from Narsoba's Wadi. He says he was

directed to see Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaum and Sayin Maharaj. He sings very

nicely and at night I got him to sing a few Bhajans. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar

returned to Thosar today. Balasaheb Bhate, who got a son a few days ago. lost

him this evening. This was very sad. Sayin Maharaj this afternoon prepared some

medicine which he took.

11th December 1911

The prayer this morning was very very pleasant and after it I felt quite

elevated. Then I sat explaining the first few verses of Panchadashi to

Dattatreya Chitnis. He is a very nice man. Then we visited Sayin Maharaj, both

as he went out, and after he returned. He gave me the Chillam very often and

grapes that Radhakrishnabai had sent. He gave the grapes twice to my son

Balwant. In the afternoon I heard that he was cleaning the Masjid. So I didn't

attempt to go that side. All the people brought a deputation to Sayin Maharaj

to get rid of the plague. He advised them to clean the roads, sweep the tombs

and burning and burial ghats and to feed the poor. I spent the whole afternoon

reading the daily papers and talking to Chitnis and others. Upasani is

composing something. In the evening we saw Sayin

Maharaj near Chawdi and again attended the Seja-Aarti after which Chitnis, his

engineer friends, and another went away.

12th December 1911

I and Bhishma got up very early under the impression that the Kakadarti was

about to begin, but we were early by about an hour. Later on Megha came and we

attended the Arti. Then I prayed and sat waiting for Sayin Maharaj to go out. I

saw him then and again after he returned. I spent the interval in listening to

the songs of Gokhale. He sings well. Today the breakfast was late as Megha

could not get the leaves of Bela and had to go a long distance for them. So the

midday Pooja was not finished till about 1-30 p.m. Sayin Maharaj was in very

good mood and sat chatting and

laughing. After breakfast I lay down for a few minutes and then went with my

people to the Masjid. Sayin Maharaj was in a good mood and told a story. Taking

up a fruit lying there he asked me how many fruits it was capable of producing.

I replied as many times thousands as there were seeds in it. He smiled very

pleasantly and added that it obeyed laws of its own. He also told how there was

a girl very good and pious, how she served him, and prospered. We got "Udi"

about sunset and then stood opposite the Chawadi to see Sayin Maharaj when he

comes out for his evening stroll. We say him and returned and sat listening to

the Bhajan of Bhishma, Gokhale, Bhai and one young man Dixit. Madhavrao

Deshpande and Upasani were present. The evening passed very pleasantly.

13th December 1911

I got up as usual, prayed, and wished to bathe, but hot water was not ready, so

I came out and sat talking. I saluted Sai Maharaj as he went out and then had

my bath. I read panchadashi. Later on I went to see Sai Maharaj at the Masjid

and returned after Aarathi. About 4p.m. I went with Balvant, Bhishma, and Bandu

who grought my Hukka and Sai Maharaj had a smoke out of it. Madhavrao asked for

permission for me to return to

10pt">Amravati but Sai Maharaj said that he would decide about it tomorrow

morning. He got all the people there out of the Masjid and advised me very very

kindly in a truly fatherly way. At sunset we went again and saw him opposite the

Chawadi and later on attended the Sej Aarathi. Then Bhishma had his Panchapadi

earlier than usual. Bhai also sang a Bhajan.

14th December 1911

Wishing to go away I got up early attended the Kakad Aarathi, and praying

somewhat in haste went to Sai Maharaj at the Masjid with Madhavrao Deshpande.

Sai Maharaj said that I could go tomorrow or so and added that I should serve

God alone and no one else. He said, "What God gives is never exhausted and what

man gives never lasts". Then I returned and saw Durveshsaheb Falke of Kalyan

arrives. He is a very nice gentleman of the old sort. Mr. Shingne and his wife

are with him. Mr. Shingne is a high class Vakeel of Bombay and has a law class

also. I attended the

midday Puja and had my breakfast with Bapusaheb Jog. After it I lay down and

fell asleep. I went to the Masjid a little late and then made my Namaskar near

Chawadi. Then I sat talking with Durveshasaheb and Shingne. Later on Bhishma

had his daily Bhajan.

15th December 1911

In the morning after prayer I sat talking with Mr. Shingne and Durvesh Falke. He

is also called Haji Sahib. He had traveled to Baghdad, Constantinople and Mecca

blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> and all places near about. His conversation is very

pleasant and instructive Sai Maharaj likes him very much, sends him food and

otherwise treats him with great consideration. I saw Sai Maharaj go out and

again, at the masjid, on his return. He was in a very pleasant mood and we all

enjoyed his conversation. After meal I lay down for a while and then sat

listening to an account of Delhi read by my son Balwant. Then we went to the

masjid, received the blessings of Sai Maharaj and later on went for Sheja

Aarathi.

16th December 1911

I find I have got a severe cold. I could not get up in time for Kakad Aarti. I

got up at 3 a.m. and then overslept myself. After prayer I sat talking with

Durvesh Sahib Falke whom they call Haji Saheb and Hajrat indiscriminately. He

is a Karmamargi as we should call him in Hinduism and has numerous anecdotes to

tell. I saw Sai Maharaj go out and later on after he returned to the Masjid. He

was in a very pleasant mood and sat talking and joking. After Aarathi I return

to our lodging and had food and lay down a while but could not sleep. From

Amaravati they sent me, besides the Amrit Bazar patrika, two numbers of Bombay

Advocate, so there was a good deal to read. There was also a telegram offering

the case at Wardha. I declined it, as Sai Maharaj did not grant permission to

return. About today's telegram the result was the same. Madhavrao Deshpande

asked for permission for me, and Sai Maharaj said I might go the day after or a

month hence. So the matter is settled. I saluted him as usual in front of the

Chawadi and after Aarathi in the Wada sat listening to Bhishma's bhajan. Among

the new arrival today is Mr. Hate who has appeared for L.M. and S. he is a very

nice man. His father was judge at Amreli and later on Devin's of Palitana. I

think I knew his

uncle.

BOW TO SHRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL

*****

SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM - PART IV

The Life of the Divine Avatar Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - [1973-1979]

N. Kasturi M.A., B.L.

A COLLEGE FOR BOYS

The foundation stone for a Sathya Sai College was laid on 16th March 1972 on a

vast piece of land lying adjacent to Brindavan, near Whitefield. This building

was planned by Bhagawan as a unique architectural gem, comparable in its

magnificence to the one which houses the women's college at Anantapur. It had

been designed as a reservoir of Jnana, promising to transform the land into a

place of peace and prosperity. "Parents, politicians and teachers are all

responsible for the extent to which the educational system has deteriorated,"

Baba said. "In education, as in all sectors of modern life, borrowed ideals,

imported systems and fickle loyalties have brought disaster in their train.

Everyone is engaged in offering advice or criticism, but none in actual

execution to set an example. When the students of this college become leaders

and teachers, the number

of persons able to voyage happily on an even keel over the turbulent sea of life

will increase. Injustice, untruth and unrighteousness will be recognised as

disgraceful and demeaning social evils, instead of being tolerated and even

appreciated. Truth, justice, love and grace shall soon return to earth. The

reorganization of education is one of the means towards this end," Baba

declared.

HIS PEOPLE IN DELHI

On 25th March 1972, Bhagawan arrived in Delhi for a ten-day stay. Baba often

begins His discourses to the mammoth crowds before Him with the benediction, "I

am most happy to share your Ananda and to find you sharing My Ananda." Those ten

days were spent in sustained ecstasy and inexpressible, divine delight. After

His return to

Prashanthi Nilayam, Baba spoke to a gathering of devotees on the Delhi visit

thus: "The longing of My people in Delhi was so poignant that it took nearly

half an hour for Me to alight from the plane. Lakhs of people presented

themselves before My residence and clamored at all hours of the day and night

for Darshan. Unless one group moved on, there was no room for the next to get

Darshan. I had to climb up to the terrace so that the huge concourse could get

a glimpse of Me... Drawn by the Ananda that the Darshan gives,

masses of people from Meerut, Jullunder, Patiala and some other distant towns

and villages gathered for Bhajan and the discourses. On 1st April I agreed to

go to Kurukshetra during the hotter hours of the day, since I did not like to

disappoint the Delhi crowds and deprive them of Darshan.

There, Gulzarilal Nanda had arranged a meeting of ascetics and students at the

university campus. But there were three Lakh people waiting for Me on that

ground that was familiar to Me as a field for corrective teaching. I warned the

Sanyasis (ascetics) of the corrupting influence of institutionalism and

hierarchism. I told them to keep away from the contamination of political

involvements." Jogendranath Joshi, an eyewitness of the Kurukshetra meeting

writes, "Until Baba arrived, thousands of students were surging in confusion

and evidently getting increasingly restless and unruly. But as soon as He

ascended the dais and looked around, the wild emotions were soothed; apparently

menacing hordes were instantly transformed into brigades of peace."

The U. S. Ambassador at Delhi, Professor Keating, was so impressed by the

reverence that motivated the Delhi crowds, that he said, "I cannot grasp the

full impact of Indian culture through the study of books, nor can I vouchsafe

for the authenticity of the scriptures of this land... but when I see in the

capital city of this land, in the seventh decade of the 20th century, a

phenomenon like this - five Lakh ardent men and women milling round to get a

heartening glimpse of this five foot personality - I feel that I can hear the

heartbeat of this ancient people." Khushwant Singh, then editor of The

Illustrated Weekly of India, wrote thus on this unique wave of adoration that

stunned the bustle of

10pt">Delhi into silence: "A traffic jam is a rare occurrence on Delhi roads as

kerbs are broader than in any other city. But here it was - a traffic jam with

cars and buses snarling up all avenues within a radius of two miles, the focal

point being the house where Sri Sathya Sai Baba was staying." Baba explained it

as the natural manifestations of the longing for light and love. He deprecated

expressions such as 'Triumphal Entry', 'He Took Delhi by Storm', etc. which the

journalists used, as also the word 'invaded' used by Ariel in his column: "Last

week Delhi was invaded by one of India's most renowned mystics and seers, Sri

Sathya Sai

Baba, who received a welcome from the classes and the masses, more rapturous

than most welcomes Ariel has witnessed over the years."

Baba said at Prashanthi Nilayam, "We went to Meerut one evening, but the

gathering was so vast and thickly packed that the car could not proceed to even

within a mile of the dais. We were advised to return to Delhi, but the moans of

the multitude persuaded Me to appear before them on the platform. I sang a few

Bhajans, which the huge gathering

repeated after Me, line by line. Having satisfied their thirst, I got back to

the car as mysteriously as I had ascended the dais. I have been telling you

since six or seven years that the day when millions will gather to benefit from

the Avatar is approaching close. I advise you to garner and to treasure all the

Upadesh (teaching) and bliss that you can today, so that you can sustain

yourselves ruminating on the sweet memories of the experience."

For Baba, as for the millions, it was love, light and bliss every moment. The

News Chronicle reported an incident which symbolizes the divine love: "Baba's

car was moving at quite a speed near India Gate, when He suddenly asked the

driver to stop. Everyone was surprised at this. Baba got down, crossed the

road, went to an old man in tattered clothes sitting on the pavement and,

bending down before him, materialized a ring which He Himself put on one of the

man's fingers before returning happy to the car." Sri Ramanujam of Newsweek fell

in with a scooter

driver named Ashok Kumar, who had resolved to give up his evil practice of

overcharging his customers the moment he had Baba's Darshan. The impact of the

divinity cleansed his heart of vicious greed. Another incident worth recording

happened when Baba was at the American Embassy with Professor Keating. He

materialised a ring and put it on the Ambassador's finger, but the recipient

was rather unhappy since it was quite loose. Noticing the embarrassment, Baba

said, while sitting at the table for tea, "It will be tightened. You may ask

how? Just as it came unexplained, the ring will also be tightened by itself."

When he rose after tea, Keating found, "It was tight."

BABA INVADED

Instead of Baba invading Delhi, He offered Himself to be invaded! He addressed a

gathering of the capital's elite at Kamani Hall and another of over one hundred

and fifty thousand citizens at the playgrounds of the Modern

10pt">School. He spoke to members of the Seva Samithi and the Sevadal who were

engaged in various service activities as part of the spiritual upliftment

process recommended by Him.

Back at Brindavan, Baba decided to initiate another great movement for teaching

the wayward world that God is not a tyrant up in Heaven, but a way of life.

SHOWER OF LIGHT IN SUMMER

He planned the month-long Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality in

order to instill into students the qualities of humility and reverence. Three

hundred students from various colleges all over India, as well as seniors from

the Sai college, stayed in a camp and went through a spiritually-oriented

curriculum which centered round our heritage of moral and spiritual wisdom,

intensive practice of positive secularism and the study of the lives and

messages of mystics and saints of all creeds and countries. More than all,

Bhagawan Himself

graciously took on the role of author, producer, director, preceptor,

participant, provider and instructor. Meera Bharani, a student at the course,

said, "We were inspired to adopt nature as our teacher, life as our school and

service as our task." Onita Bahl, another participant, said, "Bhagawan was the

most taxed teacher at the camp. He talked to us every evening and on some days,

in the morning hours also. He spent most of the day with us - watching,

consoling, warming, cajoling and clarifying. He personally supervised every

detail of the daily schedule - the recitation of Om (the Primordial Sound) in

the early hours of the day, the Nagarsankeerthan, the classes and the daily

Bhajans, besides conducting question-answer sessions every Sunday. We asked

him, 'Where does the

soul reside?' 'How can one conquer ignorance or delusion (Maya)?' 'How should

one meditate?' 'How is one to engage in action (Karma) without being involved

in consequence?' 'How does one practice Pranayama (breath-control)? And so on.

He listened with compassion and analysed our problems in order to still the

waves of doubt in our minds through His highly illuminating expositions. He

filled our hearts with the gift of grace. None of us can ever be the same

again."

The array of intellectuals who had arrived from all parts of the country,

included pundits, professors, vice-chancellors, writers, judges,

administrators, artists and poets all of whom were thankful and happy for this

opportunity provided them. They, too, felt the impact of divinity and benefited

from the unique experience. On the valedictory day Bhagawan told the students,

"You are all bright and beaming with inspiration imbibed from the atmosphere of

peace and self-control, the vision you have gained of your own reality, the

sense of machine you have acquired, the inner resolutions you have formed and

the invigorating lessons you have assimilated. Now cherish with reverence what

these elders have taught you out of their love for you. Go back happily with

the courage born of self-confidence. Share

your Ananda with your parents, friends, companions and teachers. I shall be with

you wherever you are; you can never be alone and helpless hereafter."

THE MOTHER'S ROLE IS OVER

On 6th May when the summer course was progressing ahead full steam, mother

Eswaramma cast off her mortal coil at about 8.00 a.m. at Brindavan, in the very

presence of her son, the Divine Avatar. She was happy and in good spirits till

the last. When I paid my respects to her the previous night, I had found her

surrounded by children. She was then narrating stories about Puranik heroes,

and the children kept insisting for one more story before they unwillingly

crept into bed.

The passing away of the Mother did not cause even a flicker in Baba's demeanor.

The left half of the mausoleum at Puttaparthi wherein lay the body of the

Father, had been demarcated to serve as the tomb of the Mother. So Baba had the

sacred body sent with a few volunteers to Puttaparthi, where it was buried that

same evening. The sudden death plunged the village in gloom, as residents of

Prashanthi Nilayam bewailed the loss of their Prema Matha (loving mother). The

women devotees had been orphaned by the death. They led the long line of

mourners who were invoking the Lord through Bhajans, to grant them strength to

bear the loss. Meanwhile, at Brindavan, every item in the schedule of the camp

remained undisturbed. "Duty-Devotion-Discipline," Baba always emphasises. The

few who knew what had happened,

dared not spread the news without the specific permission of Baba, for whom

death was but a curtain drop, a wink in the wakefulness of the eternal, a

footstep to be followed by another in the soul's march to its source. Even when

the Father passed away at Puttaparthi, the event did not disturb the normal

routine at Prashanthi Nilayam. Baba's emphasis on duty and discipline as the

two banks of the stream of devotion was seen in action that day, the sixth of

May.

On 20th July Baba inaugurated, at Puttaparthi village, the Eswaramma High

School, a fitting memorial to the universal affection with which Eswaramma had

evoked the goodness dormant in thousands of rural and urban women and children.

Baba declared, "This village will certainly be uplifted when more of its

children receive higher education. The new

teachers who will reside in the village will spread both knowledge and the enthusiasm to earn it."

PREMA PUTRAS

The conference of the Sri Sathya Seva Dal comprising about 3000 members from all

over India, met at Prashanthi Nilayam in the fall of 1972, only a few days prior

to Dasara. Bhagawan received them as His Prema Putras, children fostered with

(His) love! He wanted them to lead the resurgence of spiritual yearning among

the youth. He encouraged them to develop faith in Sai, for each dal or petal

can be alive and active, colorful and fragrant, only if it is attached to the

torus. He directed them to practice the teachings of Sai and to be shining

examples

revealing their worth to the world. The lesson that one must learn from the

Yajna that lasted seven Dasara days is, Baba said, that, "Yajna alone gives

Jaya" (sacrifice alone can confer glory). During the festival, on 17th October,

Bhagawan announced that the auditorium at Prashanthi Nilayam - the most

beautiful and spiritually vibrating hall in the East, with soul-inspiring

sculptures and paintings - would be called Poornachandra, in memory of the late

Poonamchand Kamani whose dream it was, which was realised through Baba's grace.

The Birthday celebrations followed in November. Bhagawan conferred valuable

boons on the thousands who had gathered at Prashanthi Nilayam - the divine

Darshan, the revitalising smile of recognition and compassion, the gift of

sweets from His own hand and, more than all, the message of the Atman to be

enshrined in the heart.

THE MEW IS HEARD

One incident, which occurred on The 23rd of November, deserves to be highlighted

in the Sai chronicle. About sixty devotees had arrived from faraway Gauhati, the

capital city of Assam. They had traveled in a special railway coach for seven

days before they reached Bangalore, and they had before them another weeklong

ordeal

to get back home. Baba appreciated their devotion and gave them Darshan and a

short spiritual discourse at the prayer hall. He filled their hands with the

precious gift of Vibhuthi. He saw in the group a girl named Lakhi and he gave

her Vibhuthi a second time, saying, "This, for the cat."

The cat was Minkie, whom she had rescued from the city drain on a rainy day and

brought home to keep warmed and fed. The kitten was not, however, welcomed by

her elder sister who was a nurse in the biggest hospital in the city, but who

could not stand cats. She blamed Lakhi for bringing the horrid thing and

keeping it as a pet. One night when a few guests had arrived for dinner, the

cat stole into the kitchen and ran off with a bite of fish. This enraged the

lady so much that all her bellicose adjectives exploded in one burst at Lakhi's

face. Lakhi could bear it no longer. She caught Minkie by the neck and spanked

her severely with a longish stick. The poor thing yelled in pain. Suddenly,

every picture of Sai Baba in the house - there were sixteen of them hanging

with garlands after the Thursday

Bhajans - fell on the floor! The guests ran out of the house into the open

courtyard, for they were sure that an earthquake had struck.

But the lady noticed that only the pictures of Baba had dropped; all others were

intact on the walls! It was then that she realised that Baba had given a sign to

save the cat. She shouted to her sister, "Lakhi! Stop! Stop! Don't kill it! Baba

is angry with us!" Lakhi placed Minkie on the table. She was in tears, and her

sister, too, was sobbing. The cat tried to allay her pain by shaking in quick

quivers. The guest had come back by now and they too witnessed the struggle of

the cat to regain her poise. Lo and behold! When Minkie shook herself, puffs of

fragrant Vibhuthi emerged from her fur and fell thick on the table! The

fragrance announced that Bhagawan had blessed the cat.

Six months later, on 23rd November, when Lakhi was present with many other

devotees from Assam at the Prashanthi Nilayam prayer hall, Bhagawan, in His

infinite compassion, remembered Minkie, the unwelcome cat, and sent to her His

most valuable Prasadam. He instantly detects every denial of love and warns us

when we miss our way. His hand reaches beyond the horizons of space and the

chronologies of time. He teaches us, by example, to wish well for every form of

life, be it man, beast, bird or plant. His love has no limit, for He is in all.

Christmas '72 was a festival during which Baba further elaborated the concept of

Cosmic Christ. He traced the expansion of the Christ consciousness right up to

Christ's declaration, 'I and my Father are One' and said that this was the acme

of Advaithic (non-dualistic) experience. Baba said, in addition, "This is the

truth of Jesus and also of every one of you. You are all, fundamentally, the

Cosmic Christ."

On 5th January 1973, Baba addressed the ASC (S) army personnel at Bangalore. He

seldom misses an opportunity to bless the members of the armed forces, for He

likes them to know, more and more, the glory of the land that they have vowed

to defend. He instills inspiration and courage in their hearts. Since he can

and does accompany each

one of them, however far or near, His grace is much sought after by soldiers. On

14th January, Baba advised a large gathering of devotees, "Fill yourselves with

awe and reverence at the handiwork of God, the manifestation of His power, love

and wisdom that is called the 'universe', and upon which the great expanse of

space, the huge nebulae, the stars, the satellites and comets, the birds,

beasts, insects and plants, all contemplate. They can give enough instruction

and inspiration to you."

In January Baba was at Guindy, Madras, to unveil a monumental pillar at the

temple where He had installed an image of the Sri Baba of Shirdi, 25 years

earlier. On the sides at the base of this pillar are inscribed Bhagawan’s

directives for the regeneration of man.

KAKKARA HALLA LINGA

Since the biggest shed (there were only three then) could not hold even half the

number of pilgrims who came to Prashanthi Nilayam for Shivarathri, Bhagawan

quietly motored to the Bandipur forest on the border of Karnataka. The warden

of the jungle brought news that there was a quiet spot on the Kakkara Halla

stream, with a patch of dry sand. So Baba, and the few who were chosen by Him,

drove in a van into the forest. A herd of twelve elephants had been spotted

minutes earlier, but had discreetly made itself scarce. As Bhagawan alighted

from the van He stood and broke a stalk of jungle grass, about an inch and a

half long, and another about half its length, and bound them together in the

middle with a bit of stalk skin. It became a cross. He was about to drop it

into Hislop's open palm but He desisted.

"No! I must give you another," He said. Holding the grass cross before His face,

He blew upon it. This became a wooden cross having the same dimensions, with a

small silver icon of Jesus on it. "This is the wooden cross on which Jesus was

crucified; this is the correct image of Jesus on the cross," He said, and gave

it to Hislop who was kneeling, and in tears. (Later he got the wood examined,

and was informed that it was at least twenty centuries old. He had the silver

icon photographed and the photographs enlarged. He was surprised to note that

there were marks of sweat on the brow and signs of froth at the corners of the

mouth. It had all the signs of pain heroically borne). Then Baba moved down the

bank of the stream and sat on the sand with those who had accompanied Him,

including the warden, guards and a few tribals attracted by these mysterious

happenings in their part of the world.

>From the sand that was heaped as a raised bed, Baba created a translucent

Lingam, five inches long and four inches across, seated on an eight-inch-high

base. "Straight from Kailash where it was being worshipped. See the sandal

paste, the Kumkum dot, the Bilva leaf," He said. He transformed the sand into

an icon of Shirdi Sai Baba, an idol of Lakshmi and another of Durga. And,

finally, He created before the wonder-struck gathering, a casket which was full

to the brim with Amrit (nectar)-sweet beyond imagination and with a divine

fragrance. Even the tribals who had huddled around him received their share of

Prasadam from His hands.

The Lingam was at Brindavan the next day and Baba allowed a large number of

devotees to participate in the Puja. I could recite the Rudra-adhyaya from the

Vedas, in praise of Siva, during the ritual ablution of the Lingam. And I can

still recall the thrill of my pouring on the Lingam the holy water of the

Ganges, transported by Baba with a wave of His hand from the very source of the

river in the Himalayas

green; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">.

THE LAND OF VALOR

Baba responded to the prayers of the residents of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and

Himachal Pradesh, first visiting the town of Mogha near

the country's border. He was there on the 15th and 16th of March. He inaugurated

the Muralidhar Hospital, where more than two hundred thousand people had

gathered for His Darshan. "It is remarkable how the news of Bhagawan’s arrival

spreads at such short notice and with such great speed in every direction by

word of mouth," said Sri Sohan Lal, who had witnessed the phenomenon. Baba

advised the devotees: "

10pt">Punjab has earned a reputation for valor. It should make a name for

spiritual courage, which comes from faith in God... Pray to God asking Him to

endow you with an intellect that does not waver and a mind that is balanced."

Baba left Mogha for Simla by car. Forty thousand people had gathered on the

ridge, many from the suburbs and the homesteads in the villages lying amidst

the mountains. Simla had not seen such a massive assembly in living memory.

Baba told them that though man had probed outer space and explored the deep, he

had yet to learn to be at peace on earth. Man wants peace and happiness but he

does not know how to acquire them. He runs after petty desires and short-lived

pleasures. "There is a surfeit of preachers but a shortage of practitioners,"

Baba said. He advised and directed the people to concentrate on fundamental

gains rather than superficial ones. He gave two discourses the next day - one

on the ridge and the other at the grounds of 'Woodville', His residence. On

another day Bhagawan paid a brief

visit to Kufri and Phagu, past the snow-covered road. A magnificent view of the

silver-robed Himalayan peaks can be had from these hamlets. Though the snow was

knee-deep, about 200 men and women followed Him. Baba picked up a little snow

and changed it into a pair of gold earrings for a tribal girl. He blessed many

with Vibuthi, and an old lady with a ring. The visit of the Lord to the

Himachal Pradesh marked a turning point in the lives of many. Groups of seekers

from many of its towns and villages continue flowing into Prashanthi Nilayam to

be in His presence for a few days.

At Delhi, a Pandal (an outdoor auditorium), which could seat more than two

hundred thousand people, was found inadequate on some days. Bhagawan was

present there during morning and evening Bhajans, moving amidst the thousands

and showering grace on the sick in the form of curative Vibhuthi He also

addressed a select gathering of ministers, academicians and others at Vigyan

Bhavan. He spoke to them on the urgency of moral regeneration and of the role

of the individual in the process. Bhagawan was very liberal with His time and

conferred the fortune of personal conversation

and counsel on hundreds who yearned for the chance.

Next, Bhagawan motored to Jaipur, instead of going by air as had been earlier

planned, thus allowing thousands to have Darshan as He drove by. At Jaipur,

Bhagawan laid the foundation stone for the Sri Sathya Sai College for Women and

for a temple. He also addressed a gathering of 50,000 on the need for selfless

service.

>From the 28th to the 30th March Baba was in Bombay, making a short visit to

Poona on the 28th. He addressed a packed assembly of two Lakh Bombayites at the

Vallabhbhai Stadium. Next, He flew by a chartered plane to

10pt">Rajkot, in Gujarat, to bless the Raj Kumar College during its centenary

celebrations and to open the Digvijaya Singh wing of the college buildings to

commemorate the late Jam Saheb of Nawanagar. "The youth need colleges, for

there they can learn to live and move with others of their own age, coming from

different social and economic backgrounds. They can learn tolerance and

co-operation and realise their talents and virtues," He told the gathering.

CONTINUED…

With Sai love from Sai brother M. Palaniswamy

/