SHRI SAI SATCHARITA - Ch. XI and XII

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Arial"> Sai, as Sagun Brahman - Dr. Pandit's Worship - Haji Sidik Falke -

Control over the Elements Let us now, in this Chapter, describe the manifest

(Sagun) Brahman Sai, how He was worshipped and how He controlled the elements.

FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Sai as Sagun Brahman There are two aspects of God or

Brahman: (1) the Unmanifest (Nirgun) and (2) the Manifest (Sagun). The Nirgun

is formless, while the

Sagun is with form, though both denote the same Brahman. Some prefer to worship

the former, some the latter. As stated in the Gita (chapter XII) the worship of

the latter is easy and preferable. As man ha got a form (body, senses, etc.), it

is natural and easy for him to worship the God with form. Our love and devotion

do not develop unless we worship Sagun Brahman for a certain period of time,

and as we advance, it leads us to the worship (meditation) of Nirgun Brahman.

So let us start with Sagun worship. Image, altar, fire, light, sun, water,

Brahman are the seven objects of worship, but Sadguru is better than all these.

Let us, on this occasion, bring to

our mind the form of Sai, Who was non-attachment Incarnate, and Who was a

resting-place for His whole-hearted devotees. Our faith in His words is the

seat of Asan; and our Sankalpa (determination to start and finish the Pooja) is

the abandonment of all our desires. Some say that Sai was a Bhagwad-bhakta

(devotee of the Lord), others say He was a Maha-Bhagwat (a great devotee), but

to us He is God Incarnate. He was extremely forgiving, never irritable,

straight, soft, tolerant and content beyond comparison. Though He looked

embodied (as having the form), He was really disembodied, emotionless,

unattached and internally free. The Ganges on its way to the sea, cools and

refreshes the creatures affected with heat, gives life to the crops and trees,

and quenches the thirst of many. Similarly Saints (Souls) like Sai, while they

live their own life, give solace and comfort to all. Lord Krishna has said that

'the Saint is My soul, My living image, I am He or He is My pure form (Being).'

This in-describable Shakthi or Power of God, known as Pure Existence, Knowledge

and Bliss, incarnated in the form of Sai in Shirdi. The Shruti (Taitiriya

Upanishad) describes Brahman as Bliss. This we read or hear daily in the books,

but the devout people experienced this Brahman or Bliss in Shirdi. Baba, the

support of all, required no prop or support (Asan) from anybody. He always used

a piece of sackcloth for His seat, which was covered with a small beautiful bed

by His Bhaktas and has a bolster placed by them, as a rest to His back. Baba

respected the feelings of His devotees and allowed them to worship Him as they

liked. Some waved Chamara or fans before Him, some played on musical

instruments, some washed His hands and Feet, some others applied scent and

chandan, some gave betel nut with leaves and other things, and

some others offered naivedya. Though He looked like living in Shirdi, He was

present everywhere. This all-pervasiveness of His way daily experienced by His

devotees. Our humble prostration to this all-pervasive Sadguru. Dr. Pandit's

Worship

Arial"> One Dr. Pandit, a friend of Tatyasaheb Noolkar, once came to Shirdi for

Baba's Darshan. After saluting Baba, he stayed in the Masjid for some time. Baba

asked him to go to Dadabhat Kelkar. He went to Dadabhat, by whom he was well

received. Then Dababhat left his house for Pooja and Dr. Pandit accompanied

him. Dadabhat worshipped Baba. Nobody until then dared to apply sandal paste to

Baba's forehead. Only Mahalsapathi used to apply it to His throat. But this

simple-hearted devout, Dr. Pandit, took Dabadhat's dish containing

Pooja-materials and taking sandal-paste out of it, drew a Tripundra, i.e. there

horizontal lines on Baba's forehead. To the surprise of all, Baba kept silent

without uttering a single word. Then Dababhat

that evening asked Baba, "How is it, that though You object to the sandal-paste

being applied by others to Your forehead, but You allowed Dr. Pandit to do so

now?" Baba replied that Dr. Pandit believed Him to be the same as his Guru,

Raghunath Maharaja of Dhopeshwar, known as Kaka Puranik, and he applied the

paste to His forehead, as he was doing to his Guru. Hence He could not object.

On enquiry, Dr. Pandit told Dadabhat that he took Baba as his Guru Kaka

Puranik, and hence he marked the Tripundra on Baba's forehead, as he did on his

Guru's head. Though Baba allowed the devotees to worship Him as they pleased,

still sometimes, He acted in a strange way. Sometimes, He threw away the

Pooja-dish and was wrath Incarnate, then who could approach Him? Sometimes, He

scolded the devotees, at times; He looked softer than wax, a statue of peace

and forgiveness. Though He seemed to shake with anger and His red eyes rolled

round and round, still, He was internally a stream of affection and motherly

love. Immediately, He called out His devotees and said, that He ever angry with

His devotees; that if mothers kicked their children and if the sea turned back

the rivers, He would neglect the devotees' welfare: that He, the slave of His

devotees, always stood by them, and responded to them, whenever they called

upon Him, and that He always longed for their love. Haji Sidik Falke

There was no knowing, when Baba would accept a devotee. That depended on His

sweet will. Sidik

Falke's story is to the point. One Mohammedan gentleman by name Sidik Falke of

Kalyan, after making a pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, came to Shirdi. He lived

in a Chavadi, facing north, and sat in the open courtyard of the Masjid. For

nine months, Baba ignored him, and did not allow him to step into the Masjid.

Falke felt much disconsolate, and did not know what to do. Somebody advised him

not to be disappointed; but to try to approach Baba through Shama (Madhavarao

Deshpande), a close and intimate devotee of Baba. He told him that as they

approach the God Shiva through his servant and devotee, Nandi, so Baba should

be approached through Shama. Falke liked the idea and implored Shama to

intercede for him. Shama agreed and on a convenient occasion spoke to Baba

about him thus: - "Baba, why don't You allow the old Haji to step into the

Masjid, while so many persons freely come and go, after taking Your

Darshan; why not bless him once?" Baba replied, "Shama, you are too young to

understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not allow, what can I do? Without

His grace, who will climb into the Masjid? Well, go to him and ask him whether

he will come to the narrow footpath near the Barvi well." Shama went and

returned with an affirmative answer. Again Baba said to Shama, "Ask him whether

he is willing to pay me the sum of Rs. 40,000/- in four instalments." Shama went

and returned with the answer that he was willing to pay even 40 Lakh. Again Baba

said to Shama- "We are going to butcher a goat in the Masjid, so ask him,

whether he would like to have mutton, haunch or testicles of the goat." Shama

returned with the answer that the Haji would be happy to receive a small crumb

from Baba's kolamba (mud pot). Hearing this Baba got excited and with His hands

threw away the earthen jars and kolamba and straightway

advanced to the Haji and lifting His Kafni up with His hands said - "Why do you

brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read

Koran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca, but you do not know

Me." Being thus scolded, the Haji was confounded. Baba then went back to the

Masjid, purchased a few Baskets of mangoes and sent them to the Haji. Then

again Baba went to the Haji and taking out Rs.55/- from His pocket, gave them

to the Haji. From that time, Baba loved the Haji, invited him for meals and the

Haji, thereafter, came into the Masjid whenever he liked. Baba gave him at times

some rupees and thus the Haji was enlisted in Baba's Durbar.

Arial"> Baba's Control over the Elements We shall close this Chapter after

describing two incidents showing Baba's control over the elements. (1) Once at

evening time, there was a terrible storm at Shirdi. The sky was overcast with

thick black clouds. The winds began to blow forcibly; the clouds roared and the

lighting began

to flash, and the rains began to descend in torrents. In a short time, the whole

place was flooded with water, all the creatures, birds, beasts and men got

terribly frightened; and they all flocked to the Masjid for shelter. There are

many local deities in Shirdi, but none of them came to their help. So they all

prayed to Baba - their God, Who was fond of their devotion, to intercede and

quell the storm. Baba was much moved. He came out and standing at the edge of

the Masjid, addressed the storm in a loud and thunderous voice - "Stop, stop

your fury and the calm." In a few minutes the rains subsided, the winds ceased

to blow, and the storm came to a stop. Then the moon rose in the sky, and the

people then went back home well-pleased, (2) On another occasion at noon the

fire in the Dhuni began to burn brightly, its flames were seen to be reaching

the rafters above. The people who were sitting in the Masjid did

not know what to do. They dared not to ask Baba to pour water or do anything to

quench the flames. But Baba soon came to realize, what was happening. He took

up His Satka (short stick) and dashed it against a pillar in front, saying -

"Get down, be calm." At each stroke of the Satka, the flames began to lower and

slow down; and in a few minutes the Dhuni became calm and normal. This is our

Sai, an Incarnation of God. He will bless any man who will prostrate and

surrender himself to Him. He, who will

read the stories of this Chapter daily with faith and devotion, will soon be

free from all calamities; not only this, but always attached and devoted to

Sai, he will get very soon God-vision: all his desires will be fulfilled and

being ultimately desireless, he will attain the Supreme. Amen! Bow to Shri

Sai -- Peace be to all

0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"> Chapter XII Sai Leelas -

Experience of (1) Kaka Mahajani - (2) Dhumal Pleader - (3) Mrs. Nimonkar (4)

Moolay Shastri - (5) A

Doctor Now let us see in this Chapter how devotees were received and treated

by Baba. Saints' Mission We have seen before, that the purpose or object

of Divine Incarnation is to protect the good and destroy the wicked. But the

mission of the Saints is quite different. To them the good and the wicked are

the same. First they feel for the evildoers and set them on the right path.

They are like the Agasti to destroy the Bhava-sagar (the ocean of worldly

existence) or like the Sun to the darkness of ignorance. The Lord (God) dwells

in the Saints. In fact they are not different from

Him. Our Sai is One of these, Who incarnated for the welfare of the devotees,

Supreme in knowledge and surrounded with divine lustre, He loved all beings

equally. He was unattached. Foes and friends, kings and paupers, were the same

to Him. Hear His powers. For the sake of devotees, He spent His stock of merits

and was ever alert to help them. But the devotees could never approach Him,

unless He meant to receive them. If their turn did not come, Baba did not

remember them, and His Leelas could not reach their ears. Then, how could they

think of seeing Him? Some men desired to see Sai Baba’s but they did not get

any opportunity of taking His Darshan, till His Maha-Samadhi. There are many

such persons, whose desire for Baba's Darshan was not thus satisfied. If these

persons, believing in Him, listen to His Leelas, their quest for milk (Darshan)

will be, to a great extent, satisfied by the buttermilk

(Leelas). If some persons went there by sheer luck and took Baba's Darshan, were

they able to stay there longer? No. Nobody could go there of his own accord, and

nobody could stay there long even if he so wished. They could stay there, so

long as Baba permitted them to stay, and had to leave the place when asked to

do so by Baba; so everything depended of Baba's will. Kala Mahajani Once,

Kaka Mahajani went to Shirdi from Bombay. He wanted to stay there for one week,

and enjoy the Gokulashtami festival. As soon as he took Baba's Darshan, Baba

asked him - "When are you returning home?" He was rather surprised at this

question, but he had to given an answer. He said that he would go home when

Baba ordered him to do so. Then Baba said - "Go to-morrow". Baba's word was law

and had to be obeyed. Kaka Mahajani, therefore, left Shirdi, immediately. When

he went to his office in Bombay, he found that his employer was anxiously

waiting for him. His munim, i.e., the manager, suddenly fell ill; hence

Kaka's presence was absolutely necessary. He had sent a letter to Kaka at

Shirdi, which was redirected to him at Bombay. Bhausaheb Dhumal Now listen

to an opposite story. Once Bhausaheb Dhumal, a pleader, was going to Niphad for

a case. On the way he came to Shirdi took Baba's Darshan and wanted to proceed

to Niphad immediately. But, Baba did not permit him to do so. He made him stay

at Shirdi, for a week or more. In the meanwhile, the magistrate at Niphad

suffered intensely from pain in his abdomen, and the case was adjourned. Mr.

Dhumal was then allowed to go and attend to his case. It went on for some

months and was tried by four Magistrates. Ultimately Mr. Dhumal won the case,

and his client was acquitted. Mrs. Nimonkar Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar,

Watandar of Nomon and Honorary Magistrate, was staying at Shirdi with his wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Nimonkar were spending most of their time in the Masjid with Baba

and serving Him. It so happened, that their son fell ill at Belapur and the

mother decided, with Baba's consent, to go to Belapur, and see her son and

other relatives; and stay there for a few days,

but Mr. Nanasaheb asked her to return the next day. The lady was in a fix and

did not know what to do; but her God Sai came to her help. While leaving Shirdi

she went to Baba, who was standing in front of Sathe's wada with Mr. Nanasaheb

and others, and prostrated at His Feet and asked His permission to go. Baba

said to her, "Go, go quickly, and be calm and unperturbed. Stay comfortably at

Belapur for four days. See all your relatives and then return to Shirdi." How

opportune were Baba's words! Mr. Nanasaheb's proposal was overruled by Baba's

decree.

fuchsia; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Moolay Shastri of Nasik An orthodox Agnihotri

Brahmin of Nasik, by name moolay Shastri, who had studied the six Sastras and

was well-versed in astrology and palmistry, once came to Shirdi to see Mr.

Bapusaheb Booty, the famous millionaire of Nagpur. After seeing him, he and

others went to see Baba in the Masjid. Baba bought various fruits and other

things from vendors with His own money, and distributed them to the persons

present in the Masjid. Baba used to

press the mango on all sides so skillfully that when any person received it from

Baba and sucked it; he got all the pulp at once in his mouth and could throw

away the stone and the skin forthwith. Plantains were peeled off by Baba and

the kernel was distributed to the devotees, while the skins were retained by

Baba for Himself. Moolay Shastri, as a palmist, wanted to examine Baba's hand

or palm and requested Him to extend the same. Baba ignored his request and gave

four plantains to him. Then, they all returned to the Wada and Moolay Shastri

bathed, wore sacred clothes, and started his routine duties, viz. Agnihotra

etc. Then Baba as usual started for Lendi and said - "Take some Geru (i.e. a

red miry substance, to dye clothes in saffron-colour), we shall today don

saffron-coloured cloth. None understood what Baba meant. Then after some time

when Baba returned and preparations for the noon-Arati were

being made. Bapusaheb Jog asked Moolay Shastri, whether he would accompany him

for the Arati. He replied that he would see Baba in the afternoon. The devotees

worshiped very soon Baba sat on his seat, and Arati commenced. Then Baba said -

"Get some Dakshina from the new (Nasik) Brahmin." Booty himself went to get the

Dakshina; and when he gave Baba's message to Moolay Shastri, he was sorely

perplexed. He thought in his mind thus: "I am a pure Agnihotri Brahmin, why

should I pay Dakshina? Baba may be a great Saint. I am not His dependent." But

as a great Saint like Sai Baba was asking for Dakshina through a millionaire

like Booty, he could not refuse. So leaving his routine unfinished, he

forthwith started with Booty to the Masjid. Thinking himself holy and sacred

and the Masjid otherwise, he remained at a distance, and joining his hands

threw flowers at Baba. Then lo! all of a sudden, he saw no Baba on the

seat, but saw his late Guru Gholap Swami there. He was wonder-struck. Could this

be a dream? No, it was not, as he was wide-awake; but though awake, how could

his late Guru Gholap be there? He was speechless for some time. He pinched

himself and thought again, but could not reconcile the fact of his late Guru

Gholap being in the Masjid. Ultimately, leaving all doubt, he went up, fell at

his Guru's feet and then getting up stood there with folded hands. Other people

sang Baba's Arati, while Moolay Shastri chanted his Guru's name. Then casting

off all pride of caste and ideas about sacredness, he fell flat at his Guru's

feet and closed his eyes. When he got up and opened his eyes, he saw Baba

asking for Dakshina. Seeing Baba's blissful form, and His inconceivable power,

Moolay Shastri forgot himself. He was extremely pleased; his eyes were full of

tears of joy. He again saluted Baba and gave the Dakshina. He

said that his doubt was removed and that he saw his own Guru. On seeing his

wonderful Leela of Baba all the people, including Moolay Shastri, were much

moved, and they realized the meaning of Baba's words, "Bring Geru, we shall don

saffron-coloured garment." Such is the wonderful Leela of Baba. A Doctor

10pt; COLOR: #333333; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Once a Mamlatdar came to Shirdi with

a doctor friend of his. The Doctor said that his Deity was Rama and that he

would not bow before a Mohammedan, and so, he was unwilling to go to Shirdi.

The Mamlatdar replied, that nobody would press him to make a bow, nor would ask

him to do so. So he should come and give the pleasure of his company.

Accordingly, they came to Shirdi, and went to the Masjid for Baba's Darshan.

All were wonder-struck to see the Doctor going ahead and saluting Baba. They

asked him how he forgot his resolve and bowed before a Mussalman. Then the

Doctor replied that he saw his beloved Deity, Rama, on the seat and he,

therefore prostrated himself before Him. Then as he was

saying this, he saw Sai Baba there again. Being dismayed, he said, "Is this a

dream? How could He be a Mohammedan? He is a great Yogasampanna (full of Yoga)

Avatar." Next day, he made a vow and began to fast. He absented himself from

the Masjid, resolving not to go there, until Baba blessed him. Three days

passed and on the fourth day, a close friend of his from Khandesh, turned up,

and with him, he went to the Masjid for Baba's Darshan. After the salutation,

Baba asked him, whether anybody had gone to call him, so that he had come.

Hearing this vital question, the doctor was moved. The same night he was

blessed by Baba, and he experienced the Bliss supreme, in his sleep. Then he

left for his town, where the experienced the same state of a fortnight. Thus

his devotion to Sai Baba increased manifold. The moral of all the stories

mentioned above, specially, that of Moolay Shastri, is this that we should have

firm faith in our Guru and nowhere else. More Leelas of Sai Baba will be

described in the next Chapter. Bow to Shri Sai --

Peace be to all TO BE CONTINUED… With Sai love from Sai brothers – ‘’

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