SHRI SAI SATCHARITA - Ch. IX and X

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mishap. This statement will be amplified and illustrated, with a few striking

instances and by other matters dealt with in this Chapter. Characteristic of

Shirdi - Pilgrimage One special peculiarity of Shirdi-pilgrimage was this,

that none could leave Shirdi, without Baba's permission; and if he did, he

invited untold

sufferings, but if any one was asked to quit Shirdi, he could stay there no

longer. Baba gave certain suggestions or hints, when Bhaktas went to bid

good-bye and take leave. These suggestions had to be followed. If they were not

followed or were departed from, accidents were sure to befall them, who acted

contrary to Baba's directions. We give below a few instances. Tatya Kote

Patil Tatya Kote was once going in a Tonga to Kopargaon bazaar. He came in

haste to the Masjid, saluted Baba, and said that he would go to Kopargaon

bazaar. Baba said, "Don't make haste, stop a little, let go the bazaar, don't

go out of the village". On seeing has anxiety to go, Baba asked him to take

Shama (Madhavarao Deshpande) at least with him. Not minding this direction,

Tatya Kote immediately drove his Tonga. Of the two horses one, which cost

Rs.300/- was very active and restless. After passing Sawul well, it began to

run rashly, got a sprain in its waist and fell down. Tatya was not much hurt,

but was reminded of Mother Sai's direction. On another occasion while

proceeding to Kolhar village, he disregarded Baba's direction, and drove in a

Tonga, which met with a similar accident.

10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> European Gentleman One European

gentleman of Bombay once came to Shirdi, with an introductory note from

Nanasaheb Chandorkar and with some object in view. He was comfortably

accommodated in a tent. He wanted to kneel before Baba and kiss His hand.

Therefore, he tried thrice to step into the Masjid, but Baba prevented him from

doing so. He was asked to sit in the open courtyard below and take Baba's

Darshan from there. Not pleased

with this reception he got; he wanted to leave Shirdi at once and came to bid

good-bye. Baba asked him to go the next day and not to hurry. People also

requested him to abide by Baba's direction. Not listening to all this, he left

Shirdi in a Tonga. The horses ran at first all right, but when Sawul well was

passed, a bicycle came in front, seeing which the horses were frightened and

ran fast. The Tonga was turned topsy-turvy and the gentleman fell down and was

dragged some distance. He was immediately released; but had to go and lie in

Kopargaon hospital for the treatment of the injuries. Because of such

experiences all people learnt the lesson that those who disobeyed Baba’s

instruction met with accidents in one way or the other and those who obeyed

them were safe and happy. The Necessity of Mendicancy Now to return to

the question of mendicancy. A question may arise in the minds of some that if

Baba was such a great personage - God in fact, why should He have recourse to

the begging bowl, all His lifetime? This question may be considered and replied

from two standpoints. (1) Who are the fit persons, who have a right to live by

the begging-bowl? Our Sastras say that those persons, who, getting rid of, or

becoming free from the three main Desires, viz. (1) for progeny, (2) for

wealth, (3) for fame, accept Sanyas, are the fit persons to live by begging

alms. They cannot make cooking arrangements and dine at home. The duty of

feeding them rests on the shoulders of householders. Sai Baba was neither a

householder nor Vanaprastha. He was a celibate sanyasi, i.e., Sanyasi from

boyhood. His firm conviction was that the universe was His home; He was the

Lord Vasudeo - the Supporter of the universe and the Imperishable Brahman. So

He had the full right to have recourse to the begging-bowl. (2) Now from the

standpoint of (1) Pancha-soon - five sins and their atonement. We all know that

in order to prepare food-stuffs and meals, the householders have to go through

five actions or processes, viz. (1) Kandani-Pounding, (2) Peshani-Grinding, (3)

Udakumbhi - Washing pots, (4) Marjani - Sweeping and cleaning, (5)

Chulli-Lighting hearths. These processes involve destruction of a lot of small

insects and creatures, and thus the householders incur a lot of sin.

In order to atone for this sin, our Sastras prescribe five kinds of sacrifices,

viz. (1) Brahma-Yajna, (2) Vedadhyayan - offerings to Brahman or the study of

the Vedas. (3) Pitru-Yajna-offerings to the ancestors, 4) Deva-Yajna -

offerings to the Gods, (5) Bhoota-Yajna-offerings to the beings, (6)

Manushya-Atithi-Yajna-offerings to men or uninvited guests. If these

sacrifices, enjoined by the Sastras are duly performed, the purification of

their minds is effected and this helps them to get knowledge and

self-realization. Baba, in going from house to house, reminded the inmates of

their sacred duty, and fortunate were the people, who got the lesson at their

homes from Baba.

Arial">Devotee's Experiences Now to return to the other more interesting

subject. Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagawad Gita (9-26) "Whosoever devoutly

offers to me a leaf, a flower, or a fruit or water, of that pure-hearted man, I

accept that pious offering." In the case of Sai Baba, if a devotee really longed

to offer anything to Sai Baba, and if he afterwards forgot to offer the same,

Baba reminded him, or his friend about the offering, and made him present it to

Him, and then accepted it and blessed the devotee. A few instances are given

below.

TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> Tarkhad Family (father and son) Mr. Ramachandra

Atmaran alias Babasaheb Tarkhad, formerly a Prarthana-Samajist, was a staunch

devotee of Sai Baba. His wife and son loved Baba equally or perhaps more. It

was once proposed that Master Tarkhad should go with his mother to Shirdi and

spend his May vacation there, but the son was unwilling to go, as he thought

that in case he left his home

at Bandra, the worship of Sai Baba in the house would not be properly attended

to, as his father being a Prarthana Samajist, would not care to worship Sai

Baba's enlarged portrait. However, on his father's giving an assurance of oath,

that he would perform the worship exactly as the son was doing, the mother and

the son left for Shirdi on one Friday night. Next day (Saturday) Mr. Tarkhad

got up early, took his bath and before proceeding with the Pooja, prostrated

himself before the Shrine and said - "Baba, I am going to perform the Pooja

exactly as my son has been doing, but please let it not be a formal drill."

After he

performed the Pooja, he offered a few pieces of lump-sugar as naivedya

(offering), which were distributed at the time of the lunch. That evening and

on Sunday, everything went on well. The following Monday was a working day and

it also passed well. Mr. Tarkhad, who had never performed Pooja like this in

all his life, felt great confidence within himself that every thing was passing

on quite satisfactorily according to the promise given to his son. On Tuesday,

he performed the morning Pooja as usual and left for his work. Coming home at

noon, he found that there was no Prasad (sugar) to partake of, when the meal

was served. He asked the servant - cook, who told him that there was no

offering made that morning, and that he had completely forgotten then to

perform that part of the Pooja (offering naivedya). After hearing that he left

his seat and prostrated himself before the Shrine, expressed his regret, at the

same time chiding Baba for the want of guidance in making the

whole affair a matter of mere drill. Then he wrote a letter to his son stating

the facts and requested him to lay it before Baba's feet and ask His pardon for

his neglect. This happened in Bandra at Tuesday noon. At about the same time,

when the noon Arati was just about to commence in Shirdi, Baba said to Mrs.

Tarkhad, "Mother, I had been to your house in Bandra, with a view to having

something to eat. I found the door locked. I somehow got an entrance inside and

found to My regret, that Bhau (Mr. Tarkhad) had left nothing for Me to eat. So I

have returned from there without eating anything." The lady could not understand

anything; but the son, who was close by, understood that there was something

wrong with the Pooja in Bandra and he, therefore, requested Baba to permit him

to go home. Baba refused the permission, but allowed him to perform Pooja

there. Then, the son wrote a letter to his father, stating all that took place

at Shirdi and implored his father not to

neglect the Pooja at home. Both these letters crossed each other and were

delivered to the respective parties the next day. Is this not astonishing?

Mrs. Tarkhad

fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Let us now take up the case of Mrs. Tarkhad

herself. She offered three things, viz. (1) Bharit (roasted brinjal egg plant

mixed curds and spice). (2) Kacharya (circular pieces of brinjal fried in

ghee), (3) Peda (sweetmeat ball). Let us see how Baba accepted them. Once

Mr. Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare of Bandra, a great devotee of Baba started for

Shirdi with his family. Mrs. Tarkhad went to Mrs. Purandare, and gave her two

brinjal and requested her to prepare Bharit of one brinjal and Kacharya of the

other, when she went to Shirdi and serve Baba with them. After reaching Shirdi,

Mrs. Purandare went with her dish of Bharit to the Masjid when Baba was just

about to start his meals. Baba found the Bharit very tasty. So He distributed

it to all and said that He wanted Kacharyas now. A word was sent to Radha

Krishna-Mai, that Baba wanted Kacharyas. She was in a fix, as that was no

season of brinjal. How to get brinjal was the question? When an enquiry was

made as to who brought the Bharit, it was found that Mrs. Purandare was also

entrusted with the duty of serving Kacharyas. Everybody then came to know the

significance of Baba's enquiry regarding Kacharyas, and was wonderstruck at

Baba's all-pervasive knowledge. In December 1915 AD, one Govind Balaram

Mankar wanted to go to Shirdi to perform the obsequies of his father. Before he

left, he came to see Mr. Tarkhad. Then Mrs. Tarkhad wanted to send something

with him to Baba. She searched the whole house but found nothing, except a

Peda, which had already been offered as naivedya. Mr. Mankar was in mourning.

Still out of great devotion to Baba, she sent the Peda with him, hoping that

Baba would accept and eat it. Govind went to Shirdi and saw Baba, but forgot to

take the Peda with him. Baba simply waited. When again he went to Baba in the

afternoon, he went empty-handed without the Peda. Baba could wait no longer

and, therefore, asked him straight, "What did you bring for me?Nothing" was

the reply. Baba asked him again. The same reply

came forth again. Then Baba asked him the leading question, "Did not the mother

(Mrs. Tarkhad) give some sweetmeat to you for Me at the time of your starting?"

The boy then remembered the whole thing. He felt abashed, asked Baba's pardon,

ran to his lodging, brought the Peda and gave it to Baba. As soon as Baba got

it in His hand. He put it into His mouth and gulped it down. Thus the devotion

of Mrs. Tarkhad was recognized and accepted. "As men believe in Me, so do I

accept them" (Gita, 4-11) was proved in this case. Baba Fed sumptuously, --

How? Once, Mrs. Tarkhad was staying in a certain house in Shirdi. At noon,

meals were ready and dishes were being served, when a hungry dog turned up

there and began to cry, Mrs. Tarkhad got up at once and threw a piece of bread,

which the dog gulped with great relish. In the afternoon, when she went to the

Masjid and sat at some distance, Sai Baba said to her, "Mother, you have fed Me

sumptuously up to my throat, My afflicted pranas (life-forces) have been

satisfied. Always act like this, and this will stand you in good stead. Sitting

in this Masjid I shall never, never speak untruth. Take pity on Me like this.

First give bread to the hungry, and then eat yourself. Note this well." She

could not at first understand the meaning of what Baba said.

So she replied -- "Baba, how could I feed You? I am myself dependent on others

and take my food from them on payment." Then Baba replied -- "Eating that

lovely bread I am heartily contended and I am still belching. The dog, which

you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread, is, one with Me,

so also other creatures (cats, pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am

roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures, is My beloved.

So abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did

today." Drinking these nectar-like words, she was moved her eyes were filled

with tears, her throat was choked and her joy knew no bounds.

Arial">Moral "See God in all beings" is the moral of this chapter. The

Upanishads, the Gita and the Baghawat, all exhort us to perceive God or

Divinity in all the creatures. By the instance given at the end of this Chapter

and others too numerous to mention. Sai Baba has practically demonstrated to us

how to put the Upanishad teachings into practice. In this way Sai Baba stands

as the best Exponent or Teacher of the Upanishad doctrines. Bow to Shri Sai

- Peace be to all Chapter X Sai Baba's Mode of Life - His Sleeping board -

His Stay in Shirdi -

His Teachings - His Humility – The Easiest Path. Remember Him (Sai Baba)

always with love, for He was engrossed in doing good to all, and always abided

in His Self. To remember Him only is to solve the riddle of life and death.

This is the best and easiest of Sadhanas, as it involves no expenditure. A

little exertion here brings great rewards. So as long as our senses are sound,

we should, minute my minute, practice this Sadhana. All other Gods are

illusory; Guru is the only God. If we believe in Sad-guru's Holy Feet, he can

change our fortune for the better. If we serve Him nicely, we get rid of our

Samsara. We need

not study any philosophy like the Nyaya and the Mimansa. If we make Him our

Helmsman, we can easily cross over the sea of all our pains and sorrows. As we

trust the helmsman in crossing rivers and seas, so we have to trust our Sadguru

in getting over the ocean of worldly existence. The Sadguru looks to the intense

feeling and devotion of his devotees, endows them with knowledge and eternal

bliss. In the last chapter, Baba's mendicancy, and devotees' experiences and

other subjects are dealt with. Let the readers now hear, where and how Baba

lived, how He slept, and how He taught etc.

0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> Baba's Wonderful BedStead Let us first see where

and how Baba slept, Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale brought, for Sai Baba, a wooden

plank, amount 4 cubits in length and only a span in breath, for sleeping upon.

Instead of keeping the plank on the floor and then sleeping on it, Baba tied it

like a swing to the rafters of the Masjid with old shreds or rags and commenced

to sleep upon it. The

rags were so thin and worn out that it was a problem how they could bear or

support even weight of the plank itself, let alone the weight of Baba. But

somehow or other-it was Baba's sheer Leela that the worn out rags did sustain

the plank, with the weight of Baba on it. On the four corners of this plank,

Baba lighted panatis (earthen lamps), and one at each corner and kept them

burning the whole night. It was a sight for the Gods to see Baba sitting or

sleeping on this plank! It was a wonder to all, how Baba got up and down the

plank. Out of curiosity, many careful observers kept watching the process of

mounting and dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell so to

detect this wonderful feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and threw

it away. Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never

practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of His

perfection. Sagun Manifestation of Brahman Though Sai Baba looked like a

man, three cubits and a half in length, still He dwelt in the hearts of all.

Inwardly, he was unattached and indifferent, but outwardly, He longed for

public welfare. Inwardly most disinterested, He looked outwardly full of

desires, for the sake of His devotees. Inwardly an abode of peace, he looked

outwardly restless. Inwardly He had the state of Brahman; outwardly He acted

like a devil. Inwardly He had the state of Brahman; outwardly he acted like a

devil. Inwardly He loved Adwaita (union or monism), outwardly He got entangled

with the world. Sometimes He looked on all with affection, and at times He

threw stones at them; sometimes He scolded them, while at times He embraced

them and was calm, composed, tolerant and well-balanced. He always abided and

was engrossed in the Self and was well disposed towards His Bhaktas. He always

sat on one Asan and never traveled. His 'band' was a small stick, which He

always carried in His hand. He was calm, being thought-free. He never cared for

wealth and fame and lived on begging. Such a life He led. He always uttered

'Allah Malik' (God the real owner). Entire and unbroken was His love for the

Bhaktas. He was the mine or storehouse for self-knowledge and full of Divine

Bliss. Such was the Divine Form of Sai Baba, boundless,

endless and undifferentiated. One principle, which envelops the whole universe,

(from a stone pillar to Brahma) incarnated in Sai Baba. The really meritorious

and fortunate people got this treasure-trove in their hands, while those people

who not knowing the real worth of Sai Baba took or take Him to be a man, a mere

human being, were and are indeed miserable. His Stay in Shirdi and Probable

Birth-date

justify">None knew or knows the parents and exact birth-date of Sai Baba; but it

can be approximately determined by His stay in Shirdi. Baba first came to

Shirdi, when he was a young lad of sixteen and stayed there for three years.

Then all of a sudden He disappeared for some time. After some time, He

reappeared in the Nizam State near Aurangabad, and again came to Shirdi with

the marriage-party of Chand Patil, when He was twenty years old. Since then, He

stayed in Shirdi continuously for a period of sixty years, after which Baba took

His Maha-Samadhi in the year 1918. From this we can say that the year of Baba's

birth is approximately 1838 AD

justify">Baba's Mission and Advice Saint Ramadas (1608-1681) flourished in

the 17th century, and fulfilled to a great extent his mission of protecting

cows and Brahmins against the Yavanas (Mohammedans), but within two centuries

after him, the split between the two communities -- Hindus and Mohammedans

widened again, and Sai Baba came to bridge the gulf. His constant advice to all

was to this effect. "Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of

the Mohammedans) were one and the same; there was not the slightest difference

between them; then why should their devotees and quarrel among themselves? You

ignorant folk, children, join hands and bring both the communities together,

act sanely and thus you will gain your object of national unity. It is not good

to dispute and argue. So don't argue, don't emulate others. Always consider your

interest and welfare. The Lord will protect you. Yoga, sacrifice, penances, and

knowledge are the means to attain God. If you do not succeed in this by any

means, vain is your birth. If any one does any evil unto you, to do not

retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto other." This in short was

Sai Baba's advice to all; and this will stand in good stead both in material

and spiritual matters.

justify"> Sai Baba as Sadguru There are Gurus and Gurus. There are many

so-called Gurus, who go about from house to house with cymbals and veena in

their hands, and make a show of their spirituality. They blow mantras into the

ears of their disciples and extract money from them. They profess to teach

piety and religion to their disciples, but are themselves impious and

irreligious. Sai Baba never thought of

making the least show of His worth (piety). Body-consciousness, He had none, but

He had great love for the disciples. There are two kinds of Gurus (1) 'Niyat'

(appointed or fixed) and (2) 'Aniyat' unappointed or general). The latter by

their advice develop the good qualities in us, purify our hearts and set us on

the path of salvation; but contact with the former, dispels our quality (sense

of difference); and establishes us in Unity by making us realize "Thou art

that". There are various Gurus imparting to us various kinds of worldly

knowledge, but he, who fixes us in our Nature (Self) and carries us beyond the

ocean of worldly existence, is the Sadguru. Sai Baba was such a Sadguru. His

greatness is indescribable. If anybody went to take His Darshan, he, without

being asked, would give every detail of his past, present and future life. He

saw Divinity in all beings. Friends and foes were alike to Him. Disinterested

and equal-balanced, He obliged the evildoers. He was the

same in prosperity and adversity. No doubt, ever touched Him. Though He

possessed the human body, He was not in the least attached to His body or

house. Though He looked embodied, He was really disembodied, i.e., free in this

every life. Blessed are the people of Shirdi, who worshipped Sai as their

God. While eating, drinking, working in their backyards and fields and doing

various household works, they always remembered Sai and sang His glory. They

knew no other God except Sai. What to speak of the love, the sweetness of the

love, of the women of Shirdi! They were quite ignorant, but their pure love

inspired them to

compose poems or songs in their simple rural language. Letters or learning they

had none, still one can discern real poetry in their simple songs. It is not

intelligence, but love that inspire real poetry as such. Real poetry is the

manifestation of true love; and this can be seen and appreciated by intelligent

listeners. Collection of these folk songs is desirable and Baba willing, some

fortunate devotee may undertake the task of collecting and publishing these

folk songs, either in the Sai Leela magazine or separately in a book-form.

Baba's Humility

justify"> Lord or Bhagawan is said to have six qualities, viz. (1) Fame, (2)

Wealth, (3) Non-attachment, (4) Knowledge, (5) Grandeur, and (6) Generosity.

Baba had all these in Him. He incarnated in flesh for the sake of the Bhaktas.

Wonderful was His grace and kindness! He drew the devotees to Him, or how else

one could have known Him! For the sake of His Bhaktas Baba spoke such words, as

the Goodness of Speech dare not utter. Here is a specimen. Baba spoke very

humbly as follows:- "Slave of slaves I am your debtor, I am satisfied at your

Darshan. It is a great favor that I saw your feet. I am an insect in your

excreta. I consider Myself blessed thereby". What humility is this? If anybody

would think that by publishing this, any

disrespect is shown to Sai, we beg His pardon and to atone for this we sing and

chant Baba's name. Though Baba seemed outwardly to enjoy sense-objects, he

had not the least flavor in them, nor even the consciousness of enjoying them.

Though He ate, he had no taste and though He saw, He never felt any interest in

what He saw. Regarding passion, He was as perfect a celibate as Hanuman. He was

not attached to anything. He was pure consciousness, the resting-place of

desire, anger, and other feelings. In short, He was disinterested, free and

perfect. A striking instance may be cited in illustration of this statement.

Nanavalli There was in Shirdi, a very quaint and queer fellow, by name

Nanavalli. He looked to Baba's work and affairs. He once approached Baba, who

was seated on His Gadi (seat) and asked Him to get up, as he wanted to occupy

the same. Baba at once got up and left the seat, which he occupied. After

sitting there

awhile Nanavalli got up, and asked Baba to take His seat. Then Baba sat on the

seat and Nanavalli fell at His feet, and then went away. Baba did not show the

slightest displeasure in being dictated to and ousted. This Nanavalli loved

Baba so much that he breathed his last, on the thirteenth day of Baba's taking

Maha-Samadhi. The Easiest Path

Arial">Hearing the stories of the Saints and Being in their Company: Though Sai

Baba acted outwardly like an ordinary man, His actions showed extraordinary

intelligence and skill. Whatever He did, was done for the good of His devotees.

He never prescribed any asan, regulation of breathing or any rites to His

Bhaktas, nor did He blow any mantra into their ears. He told them to leave off

all cleverness and always remember "SaiSai". "If you did that" He said, "all

your shackles would be removed and you would be free". Sitting between five

fires, sacrifices, chantings, eight-fold Yoga are possible for the Brahmins

only. They are of no use to the other classes. The function of the mind is to

think; it cannot remain for a minute without thinking. If

you give it a Sense-object, it will think about it. If you give it to a Guru, it

will think about Guru. You have heard most attentively the greatness, grandeur

of Sai. This is the natural remembrance, worship and Kirtan of Sai. Hearing the

stories of the Saints is not so difficult, as the other Sadhanas mentioned

above. They (stories) remove all fear of this Samsara (worldly existence), and

take you on to the spiritual path. So listen to these stories, meditate on

them, and assimilate them. If this is done, not only the Brahmins, but also

women and lower classes will get pure and holy. You may do or attend to your

worldly duties, but give your mind to Sai and His stories, and then, He is sure

to bless you. This is the easiest path, but why do not all take to it? The

reason is that without God's grace, we do not get the desire to listen to the

stories of Saints. With God's grace everything is smooth and easy. Hearing the

stories of the Saints is, in a way, keeping their

company. The importance of the company of Saints is very great. It removes our

body-consciousness and egoism, destroys completely the chain of our birth and

death, cuts asunder all the knots of the heart, and takes us to God, Who is

pure Consciousness. It certainly increases our non-attachment to sense-objects,

and makes us quite indifferent to pleasures and pains, and leads us on the

spiritual path. If you have no other Sadhana, such as uttering God's name,

worship or devotion etc., but if you take refuge in them (Saints)

whole-heartedly, they will carry you off safety across the ocean of worldly

existence. It is for this reason that the Saints manifest themselves in this

world. even sacred rivers such as the Ganges, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri

etc., which wash away the sins of the world, desire that the Saints should come

to them, for a bath and purify them. Such is the grandeur of the Saints. It is

on account of the store of merit in past births that we have attained

the feet of Sai Baba. We conclude this chapter with meditation on Sai's Form.

He, the beautiful and handsome Sai, standing on the edge of the Masjid and

distributing Udi to each and every Bhakta, with a view to his welfare. He who

thinks the world as naught and who is ever engrossed in Supreme Bliss -- before

Him -- we humbly prostrate ourselves. Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all TO

BE CONTINUED… With Sai love from Sai brothers – ‘’

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