SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA - Ch. V and VI

[Guest guest]

6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">Baba’s Return with Chand Patil’s

Marriage - party - Welcomed and Addressed as "Sai" - Contact with Other Saints

- His Dress and Daily Routine - The Story of the Padukas - Wrestling Bout with

Mohdin and Change in Life - Turning Water into Oil - The Pseudo - Guru Javhar

Ali. Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage - Party As hinted in the last Chapter,

I shall now describe first how Sai Baba returned to Shirdi after His

disappearance.

TEXT-ALIGN: justify">There lived in the Aurangabad District (Nizam State), in a

village called Dhoop, a well to do Mohammedan Gentleman by name Chand Patil.

While he was making a trip to Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For two long

months, he made a diligent search but could get no trace of the lost mare.

After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad with the saddle on his

back. After traveling four Koss and a half, he came, on the way, to a mango

tree under the foot of which sat a RATNA (queer fellow). He had a cap on His

head, wore Kafni (long robe) and had a "Satka" (short stick) under His armpit

and He was preparing to smoke a Chillum (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by

the way, He called out to him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a

little. The Fakir asked him about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that it was

of his mare, which was lost. The queer fellow or Fakir

asked him to make a search in the Nala close by. He went and the wonder of

wonders! He found out the mare. He thought that this Fakir was not an ordinary

man, but an Avalia (a great saint). He returned to the Fakir with the mare. The

Chillum was ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting; (1) fire to

light the pipe, and (2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which

smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly into the

ground and out came a live burning coal, which He put on the pipe. Then He

dashed the Satka on the ground, from whence water began to ooze. The chhapi was

wetted with that water, was then wrung out and wrapped round the pipe. Thus

everything being complete, the Fakir smoked the Chillum and then gave it also

to Chand Patil. On seeing all this, Chand Patil was wonderstruck. He requested

the Fakir to come to his home and accept his hospitality. Next day He went to

the Patil’s house and stayed there for some time. The

Patil was a village - officer of Dhoop. His wife’s brother’s son was to be

married and the bride was from Shirdi. So Patil made preparations to start for

Shirdi for the marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The

marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the

Fakir alone stayed in Shirdi, and remained there forever. How the Fakir Got

the Name Sai When the marriage - party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot

of a Banyan tree in Bhagat Mhalsapati’s field near Khandoba’s temple. The carts

were loosened in the open courtyard of Khandoba’s temple. The carts were

loosened in the

open courtyard of Khandoba’s temple, and the members of the party descended one

by one, and the Fakir also got down. Bhagata Mhalasapati saw the young Fakir

getting down and accosted Him "YA SAI" (Welcome Sai). Others also addressed Him

as Sai and thenceforth he became known as Sai Baba. Contact with Other Saints

Sai Baba began to stay in a deserted Masjid. One Saint named Devidas was living

in Shirdi many years before Baba came there. Baba liked his company. He stayed

with him in the Maruti temple, in the Chavadi, and some time lived alone. Then

came another Saint by name Jankidas. Baba spent most of His time in talking

with him, or Jankidas went to Baba’s residence. So also one Vaishya householder

Saint, from Puntambe by name Gangagir always frequented Shirdi. When he first

saw Sai Baba, carrying pitchers of water in both hands, for watering the

garden, he was amazed and said openly, "Blessed is Shirdi that it got this

precious Jewel. This man is carrying water today; but He is not an ordinary

fellow. As this land (Shirdi) was lucky and meritorious, it secured this

Jewel." So also one famous Saint by name Anandnath of Yewala Math, a disciple

of Akkalkot Maharaj came to Shirdi with some Shirdi people. When he saw Sai

Baba, he said openly, "This is a precious Diamond in reality. Though he looks

like an ordinary man, he is not a ‘gar’ (ordinary stone) but a Diamond. You

will realize this in the near future." Saying this he returned to Yewala. This

was said while Sai Baba was a youngster. Baba’s Dress and Daily Routine In

his young days, Sai Baba grew hair on His head; never had His head shaved. He

dressed like an athlete. When He went to Rahata (3 miles from Shirdi), He

brought with Him small plants of Merry Gold, Jai and Jui, and after cleaning,

he planted and watered them. A devotee by name Vaman Tatya supplied Him daily

with two earthen pitchers. With these Baba Himself used to water the plants. He

drew water from the well and carried the pitchers on His shoulders. In the

evening the pitchers were kept at the foot of the Neem tree. As soon as they

were placed there, they were broken, as they were made of raw earth and not

baked. Next day, Tatya supplied two fresh pitchers. This course went on for 3

years; and with Sai Baba’s toil and labour, there grew a flower garden. On this

site, at present, stands the big mansion - Samadhi Mandir of Baba, which is now

frequented and used by so many devotees. The Story of Padukas (footprints)

under the Neem Tree A devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj by name Bhai Krishnaji

Alibagkar worshipped the photo of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going to

Akkalkot (Sholapur District), taking the Darshan of the Padukas (foot-prints) of

the Maharaj and offering his sincere worship there; but before he could go

there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Maharaj appeared in the vision

and said to

him - "Now Shirdi is my resting place, go there and offer your Worship." So Bhai

changed his plan and came to Shirdi, worshipped Baba, stayed there for six

months and was happy. As a reminiscence of this vision etc., he prepared the

Padukas and installed them on an auspicious day of Shravan, Shaka 1834 (1912

A.D.) under the Neem tree with due ceremonies and formalities, conducted by

Dada Kelkar and Upasani. One Dixit Brahmin was appointed for worship, and the

management was entrusted to devotee Sagun. Complete Version of this Story Mr.

B.V. Deo, Retired Mamlatdar of Thana, and a great devotee of Sai Baba, made

enquired about

this matter with Sagun Meru Naik and Govind Kamlakar Dixit and has published a

full version of the Padukas in Sai Leela Vol. 11, No. 1, page 25. It runs as

follows: In 1834 Shaka (1912 AD) one Doctor Ramarao Kothare of Bombay came to

Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan. His compounder; and his friend, Bhai Krishnaji

Alibagkar, accompanied him. The compounder and Bhai became intimate with Sagun

Meru Naik and G.K. Dixit. While discussing things, these persons thought that

there must be some memorial of the fact of Sai Baba’s first coming to Shirdi

and sitting under the holy Neem tree. They thought of installing Baba’s Padukas

there and were going to make them of some rough stones. Then Bhai’s friend, the

compounder, suggested that if this matter be made known to his master, Dr.

Ramarao Kothare, who would prepare

nice Padukas for this purpose. All liked the proposal and Dr. Kothare was

informed of it. He came to Shirdi and drew a plan of the Padukas. He went to

Upasani Maharaj in Khandoba’s temple, and showed him his plan. The latter made

many improvements, drew lotuses, flowers, conch, disc, man etc., and suggested

that the following SHLOKA (verse) regarding Neem tree’s great ness and Baba’s

Yogi powers be inscribed. The verse was as follows: "Sada Nimbarvrikshasya

mooladhiwasat, Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam tam, Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam

sadhayantam Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham" Upasani’s suggestions were

accepted and carried out. The Padukas were made in Bombay and sent to Shirdi

with the compounder. Baba said that they should be installed on the Pournima

(15th) of Shravan. On that day at 11 a.m., G.K. Dixit brought them on his head

from Khandoba’s temple to the Dwarakamai (Masjid) in procession. Baba touched

the Padukas, saying that these are the feet of the Lord and asked the people to

install them, under foot of the

Neem tree. A day before, one Parsi devotee of Bombay named Pastha Shet sent

Rs.25/- by money order. Baba gave this sum for the installation of the Padukas.

The total expense of installation came up to Rs.100/- out of which Rs.75/- was

collected by subscriptions. For the first 5 years, G.K. Dixit worshipped the

Padukas daily and then this was done by Laxman Kacheshwar Jakhadi. In the first

five years, Dr. Kothare sent Rs. 2 per month for lighting and he also sent the

railing round the Padukas. The expense of bringing the railing from the station

to Shirdi (Rs. 7-8-0) (presently Rs.7.50p) and roofing was paid by Sagun Meru

Naik. Now, Jakhadi (Nana Pujari) does the worship and Sagun Meru Naik offers

the naivaidya and lights the evening lamps. Bhai Krishnaji was originally a

devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj. He had come to Shirdi at the installation of the

Padukas, in Shaka 1834 on his way to Akkalkot. He wanted to go to Akkalkot

after taking the Darshan of Baba. He asked Baba’s permission for this. Baba

said - "Oh, what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The incumbent

Maharaj of that place is here, Myself." Hearing this Bhai did not go to

Akkalkot. He came to Shirdi off and on, after the installation of the Padukas.

Mr. B.V. Deo concluded that Hemadpant did not know these details. Had he known

them, he would not have failed to depict them in his Sat-Charita. Wresting

Bout with Mohdin Tamboli and Change in Life To return to other stories of

Baba. There was a wrestler in Shirdi, by name Mohdin Tamboli. Baba and he did

not agree on some items, and both had a fight. In this Baba was defeated.

Thenceforth, Baba changed His dress and mode of living. He donned Kafni, wore a

Langot (waistband) and covered His head with a piece of cloth. He took a piece

of sackcloth for His seat, sackcloth for His bed and was content with wearing

torn and worn out rags. He always said, "Poverty is better than Kingship, far

better than Lordship. The Lord is always brother (befriender) of the poor."

Gangagir was also very fond of wrestling. While

he was once wrestling, a similar feeling of dispassion came over him, and at the

proper time he heard the voice of an adept, saying that he should wear out his

body, playing with God. So he too gave up Samsara and turned towards

God-realization. He established a math on the banks of the river near Puntambe,

and lived there with disciples. Sai Baba did not mix and speak with the people.

He only gave answers when he was questioned. By day he always sat under the Neem

tree, sometimes under the shade of a branch of a Babul tree near the stream at

the outskirts of the village. In the afternoon, He used to walk at random and

go at times to Nimgaon. There He frequented the house of Balasaheb Dengale.

Baba loved Mr. Balasaheb. His younger brother, named Nanasaheb, had no son,

though he married a second wife.

Balasaheb sent Nanasaheb for taking Darshan of Sai Baba, and after some time

with His grace, Nanasaheb got a son. From that time onwards, people began to

come in numbers to see Sai Baba, and His fame began to spread and reached

Ahmednagar; from thence Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Keshav Chidamber, and many

others began to come to Shirdi. Baba was surrounded by His devotees during day;

and slept at night in an old and dilapidated Masjid. Baba’s paraphernalia at

this time consisted of a Chilim, tobacco, a "Tumrel" (tin pot), long flowing

Kafni, a piece of cloth round His head, and a Satka (short stick), which He

always kept with Him. The piece of white cloth on the head was twisted like

matted hair, and flowed down from the left ear on the back. This was not washed

for weeks. He wore no shoes, no sandals. A piece of sackcloth was His seat for

most of the day. He wore a koupin (waist-cloth-band) and for warding off cold

he always sat in front of a Dhuni (sacred fire) facing south

with His left hand resting on the wooden railing. In that Dhuni, He offered as

oblation; egoism, desires and all thoughts and always uttered Allah Malik (God

is the sole owner). The Masjid in which He sat was only of two room dimensions,

where all devotees came and saw Him. After 1912 AD, there was a change. The old

Masjid was repaired and a pavement was constructed. Before Baba came to live in

this Masjid, He lived for a long time in a place Takia, where with GHUNGUR

(small bells) on His legs, Baba danced beautifully sang with tender love.

Turning Water into Oil Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil

from

shopkeepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple.

This went on for some time. The Banias, who supplied oil gratis, once met

together and decided not to give Him oil. When, as usual, Baba went to ask for

oil, they all gave Him a distinct ‘No’. Unperturbed, Baba returned to the

Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps. The Banias were watching Him with

curiosity. Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a few

drops) of oil, put water into it and drank it and forced it fall in the

container. After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took water in

the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them. To the surprise

and dismay of the watching Banias, the lamps began to burn and kept burning the

whole night. The Banias repented and apologized. Baba forgave them and asked

them to be more truthful in future. The Pseudo-Guru Javhar Ali Five years

after the wrestling bout mentioned above, one Fakir from Ahmednagar by name

Javhar Ali came to Rahata with his disciples and stayed in Bakhal (spacious

room) near Virabhadra temple. The Fakir was learned, could repeat the whole

Koran and had a sweet tongue. Many religious and devout people of the village

came to him and began to respect him. With the help of the people, he started

to build an Idgah (a wall before which Mahomedans pray on Idgah day), near the

Virabhadra temple. There was some quarrel about this affair, on account of

which, Javhar Ali had to leave Rahata. Then he came to Shirdi and lived in the

Masjid with Baba. People were captured by his sweet talk, and he began to

call Baba his disciple. Baba did not object and consented to be his Chela. Then

both Guru and Chela decided to return to Rahata and live there. The Guru

(Teacher) never knew his disciple’s worth, but the disciple knew the defects of

the Guru, still he never disrespected him, observing carefully his duties. He

even served the Master in various ways. They used to come to Shirdi off and on,

but their main stay was in Rahata. The loving devotees of Baba in Shirdi did not

like that Baba should stay away from them in Rahata. So they went in a

deputation to bring Baba back to Shirdi. When they met Baba near the Idgah and

told the purpose for which they came, Baba said to them that the Fakir was an

ill-tempered fellow, he would not leave him and that they should better return

to Shirdi without him, before the Fakir returned. While they were thus talking,

the Fakir turned up and was very angry with them for trying to take away his

disciple. There was some discussion and altercation

and it was finally decided that both the Guru and Chela should return to Shirdi.

And so they returned and lived in Shirdi. But after a few days the Guru was

tested by Devidas and he was found wanting. Twelve years before Baba arrived in

Shirdi with the marriage-party, this Devidas aged about 10 or 11 came to Shirdi

and lived in the Maruti temple. Devidas had fine features and brilliant eyes,

and he was dispassion incarnate and a Jnani. Many persons, namely Tatya Kote,

Kashinath and others regarded him as their Guru. They brought Javhar Ali in his

presence and in the discussion that followed, Javhar was worsted and fled from

Shirdi. He went and stayed in Bijapur and returned after many years to Shirdi,

and prostrated himself before Sai Baba. The delusion that he was Guru and Sai

Baba his Chela was cleared away, and as he repented, Sai Baba treated him with

respect. In this case Sai Baba showed by actual conduct how one should get rid

of egoism and does the duties of a

disciple to attain the highest end, viz., self-realization. This story is told

here according to the version given by Mhalasapati (a great devotee of Baba).

In the next Chapter will be described Rama-Navami Festival, the Masjid, its

former condition and later improvement etc. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Chapter VI RAMA-NAVAMI FESTIVAL AND MASJID REPAIRS Efficacy of the Touch of

Guru’s Hand - Rama-Navami Festival - Its Origin, Transformation etc. Repairs to

the Masjid Before describing Rama-Navami Festival and Masjid Repairs, the author

makes some preliminary remarks about Sad-Guru as follows: - Efficacy of the

Touch of Guru’s Hand Where Real or Sad-Guru is the helmsman, he is sure to

carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to

mind Sai Baba. He appears to me, as if standing before me, and applying Udi

(scared ashes) to my forehead and placing his hand of blessing on my head. Then

joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of

the touch of Guru’s hand. The subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires),

which cannot be burnt by the world dissolving fire, is destroyed by the mere

touch of the Guru’s hand, and the sins of many past births are cleaned and

washed away. Even the speech of those, whose heads feel annoyed when they hear

religious and Godly talks, attains calmness. The seeing of Sai Baba’s handsome

form, chokes our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflowing with tears, and

overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us ‘I am He (Brahman)’

consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization, and dissolving the

distinction of I and Thou, then and there, makes us one with the Supreme (One

Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my

Sadguru, and Sai Baba, assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen

to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna

from top to toe, and I think he sings the Bhagwat or Uddhava Gita (song of

teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the

devotees. When I begin to chitchat, I am at once put in mind of Sai’s stories

for enabling me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write

anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences, but when He of his own

accord makes me write, I go on writing and writing and there is

no end to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His

hand, and giving him His own power, makes him gain His object, and thus

satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders

heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz.

Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance),

are easily and unsolicitedly attained. Four paths, viz., of Karma, Jnana, Yoga

and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny

and full of pits and ditches, and thus difficult to traverse, but if you,

relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will

take you to the destination (God). So says definitely, Sai Baba. After

philosophising about the Self-Existent Brahman,

His Power (Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that

all these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai Baba’s

words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas: - "There will never be any

dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees’ homes. It is

my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare

of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed

on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not

much for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, leave worldly

honors, try to get Lord’s grace and blessings, and be honored in His Court. Do

not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed

in the mind. Let all the

senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no

attraction for any other thing; fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that

it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be

calm, peaceful and carefree. This is the sign of the mind, being well engaged

in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."

After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of Rama

Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated

at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sai Leela Magazine of 1925,

page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the festival, as related in both

these accounts is attempted here.

justify">Origin One, Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He

was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives, but had no issue. With Sai

Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy that he felt regarding the

event, an idea of celebrating a fair or ‘Urus’ occurred to him in the year

1897, and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, viz.

Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavarao Deshpande (Shama). They all

approved of the idea, and got Sai Baba’s permission and blessings. Then an

application for getting the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the Urus was

made, but as the village Kulkarni reported against holding the fair, the

sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba

had blessed it, they tried again, and ultimately succeeded in getting the

Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day,

after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view, in

this, viz., the Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the

Rama-Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the

Mohammedans. As future events showed, this end or object was achieved. Though

the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped up. Shirdi was a

village, and there was scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village,

the one in use, dried up soon, and the water from the second was brackish. This

brackish water was turned into sweet one by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into

it. The water of this well was

insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water, from a well by fixing

moats (leather sacks) thereon, at a considerable distance. Then temporary shops

had to be constructed, and wrestling bouts arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend,

by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar. He also was similarly unhappy in the

matter of progeny, though he married two wives. He too was blessed by Sai Baba

with sons, and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one

simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr.

Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were

taken in procession through the village, and finally fixed at the two ends or

corners of the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as Dwarkamai. This is being

done even now. The

‘Sandal’ Procession There was another procession, which was started in this

fair. This idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar

Dalal, a Mohammedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of

great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrapings are put in the

THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in

procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then

after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the

‘Nimbar’ (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands. This work was managed by

Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years and then afterwards by his wife. So

on one day, the two processions, the ‘Flags’ by the Hindus and that of ‘Sandal’

by the Muslims, went on side by

side, and are still going on without any hitch. Arrangement This day was very

dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. Most of them turned out on the

occasion, and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote

Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the internal management was entirely

left to one Radha Krishna Mai, a female devotee of Baba. Her residence was full

of guests on the occasion, and she had to look to their needs, and also to

arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she

willingly did, was to wash out and clean and whitewash the entire Masjid, its

walls and floor,

which were blackened and were full of soot on account of the ever-burning Dhuni

(sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This work, she did during the night, when Sai Baba

went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take out all the

things, including even the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning and whitewashing

replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai

Baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking, on a grand

scale and preparing various sweet dishes was done in Radha-Krishna Mai’s

lodging, and, various rich and wealthy devotees took a leading part in this

affair. Transformation of Urus into Rama-Navami Festival

blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Things were going on in this way and the fair was

gradually increasing in importance till 1912 AD, when a change took place; That

year one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet

‘Sai Sagunopasana’), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, and

was staying on the previous day in the Dixit Wada. While he was lying on the

verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias Kaka Mahajani, was going down with Puja

materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the

latter thus - There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus

or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear

to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the

celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the

idea, and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main

difficulty was how to secure a

Haridas, who would perform ‘Kirtan’ and sing the glories of the Lord on the

occasion. But Bhisma solved the difficulty, by saying that his ‘Rama Akhyan’

(composition on Rama’s birth) was ready, and he would do the ‘Kirtan’ himself,

while Kaka Mahajani should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get

the ‘Sunthavada’ (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by

Radha-Krishna Mai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba’s

permission. Baba, who knew all things and what was passing there, asked

Mahajani, as to what was going on in the Wada. Being rather perturbed, Mahajani

could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked

Bhisma, what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Rama-Navami

festival, and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced

and made preparations for the Jayanti-festival. Next day, the Masjid was

decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna

Mai, and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings started. Bhisma

stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani played on the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man

to call Mahajani. He was hesitating to go, doubting whether Baba would allow

the festival to go on; but when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to

what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the

Rama-Navami festival had commenced, and the cradle was put on for that purpose.

Then Baba took a garland from the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche), and placed it round his

neck and sent another garland for Bhisma. Then commenced the Kirtan. When it

came to a close, pound sounds of "Victory to Rama" went up; and Gulal (red -

powder) was thrown up all round, amidst band and music. Everybody was

overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously

all round, went up, somehow entered Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to

scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this scene and

took to their heels. Those intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took these

scolding and outpourings of Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that

when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill

Ravana; and his demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides

they knew, that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was usual

with Baba to get wild and angry, and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was

rather afraid; and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked

Mahajani to get the cradle backs. When he went to loosen and unfasten the

cradle, Baba went to him, and asked him not to remove it. Then after some time,

Baba became calm, and that day’s Program, including Mahapuja and Arati was

finished. Later on, Mr. Mahajani asked Baba, for permission to remove the

cradle, Baba refused the same saying, that the festival was not yet finished.

Next day, another ‘Kirtan’ and Gopal-Kala ceremony (an earthen pot

containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the

‘Kirtan’, and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Krishna

amongst His cow-herd (friends), were performed, and then Baba allowed the

cradle to be removed. While the Rama-Navami festival was thus going on, the

procession, of the two flags by day and that of the ‘Sandal’ by night, went off

with the usual pomp and show. From this time onwards, the ‘Urus of Baba’ was

transformed into the Rama-Navami festival. From next year (1913), the items in

the Program of Rama-Navami began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a

‘Nama-Saptah’ (singing the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for

seven days), from 1st of Chaitra, For this, all devotees took part by turns,

and she also joined it, sometimes early in

the morning. As Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the

country, the difficulty of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days

before the festival, Mahajani met accidentally Balabuva Mali, who was known as

modern Tukaram, and got him to do the ‘Kirtan’ that year. The next year (1914),

another Balabuva Satarkar of Brihadsiddha Kavate, District Satara, could not act

as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing in his town, and so he

came to Shirdi; With Baba’s permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb

Dixit, he did the Kirtan; and was sufficiently recompensed for his labour. The

difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year was finally solved from 1914 by

Sai Baba, as He entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently, and

since that time, he has been successfully and creditably conducting that

function until now. Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually

year-by-year. From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a beehive of

men. Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling

bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and sincere

efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan (State).

Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many

silver things, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were presented. Elephants

were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased

enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things, and maintained His simplicity as

before. It is to be noted that both the Hindus and Mahomedans have been working

in unison in both the processions, and during the entire festival, there has

been no hitch or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-7000

people used to

collect, but that figure went up to 75000 in some years; still there was no

outbreak of any epidemic or any riots worth the name during so many past years.

Repairs to the Masjid Another important idea occurred to Gopal Gund. Just as

he started the Urus or fair, he thought that he should put the Masjid in order.

So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got them dressed.

But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved for Nanasaheb

Chandorkar and the pavement -work for Kakasaheb Dixit. First, Baba was

unwilling to allow them to have these works done, but with the intervention of

Mahalsapathi, a

local devotee of Baba, His permission was secured. When the pavement was

completed in one night in the Masjid, Baba took a small Gadi for His seat,

discarding the usual piece of sack - cloth used till then. In 1911, the Sabha -

Mandap (court - yard) was also put in order with great labour and effort. The

open space in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb

Dixit wanted to extend it and put on it roofing. At great expense, he got

iron-posts, and pillars and trusses and started the work. At night, all the

devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba, when he returned from

Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out. Once it so happened

that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one hand, and began to shake and

uproot it, and with the other hand caught the neck of Tatya Patil. He took by

force Tatya’s Pheta, struck a match, set it on fire and threw it in a pit. At

that time, Baba’s eyes flashed like burning embers. None dared

to look at Him. All got terribly frightened. Baba took out a rupee from his

pocket and threw it there, as if it were an offering on an auspicious occasion.

Tatya also was much frightened. None knew what was going to happen to Tatya, and

none dared to interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a

little boldly advance, but he was pushed out by Baba. Madhavarao was also

similarly treated, he being pelted with brick pieces. So all those, who went to

intercede, were similarly dealt with. But after some time, Baba’s anger cooled

down. He sent for a shopkeeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta and Himself

tied it on Tatya’s head, as if he was being given a special honour. All the

people were wonderstruck to see this strange behavior of Baba. They were at a

loss to know what enraged Baba so suddenly and what led Him to assault Tatya

Patil, and why His anger cooled down, the next moment. Baba was sometimes very

calm and quiet and talked sweet things with love, but

soon after, with or without any pretext, got enraged. Many such incidents may be

related; but I do not know which to choose and which to omit. I, therefore,

refer them as they occur to me. In the next Chapter the question whether Baba

was a Hindu or a Mohammedan will be taken up; and His Yogic practices and

powers, and other matters will be dealt with. Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be

to all TO BE CONTINUED… With Sai love from Sai brothers –

‘’

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