Sathyam Sivam Sundaram - Part I (Sl# 33)

May 8, 2006

SaiRam

Sai Baba Again (Continued..)

About this time Sai Baba was approached by the Muslims of a neighboring village on a matter of importance to them. Their ranks had been reduced by a fatal disease.

The worship of what are called Pirs is traditional in these parts during the month of Mohurram. The installation, the worship, the ceremonial procession and the immersion are all celebrated by Hindu as well as Muslim communities. Pirs are hand-shaped objects made of brass and other metals which are held sacred as mementos of the sacrifice of Hassan and Hussein on the memorable battlefield of Kerbela. Sai Baba told the Muslims who came to Him that Pirs had been installed in their village for hundred of years, but lately the practice had stopped. He asked them to continue the worship and revealed to them that if they dug at a certain place which He pointed out, they would get the very Pirs which their forefathers consecrated. They dug at the place and the Pirs were exposed to view! Everyone was so surprised and stunned at Sai Baba's Omniscience and the sudden appearance of the sacred objects that none had the ability to descend and pull the Pirs into the open. So

Sai Baba Himself got down into the pit and took out the Pirs. There were four of them at the place! For many years thereafter these were kept at the temple, rolled up in a mat and packed neatly away. They were issued to those villagers for the Mohurrum celebrations only, and they were duly returned after the functions were over.

One curious circumstance witnessed by the author was when the Muslims were proceeding from the temple after accepting the Pirs from Sai Baba's Hands. The person carrying them began to act as if he were "possessed", and all gathered around him to watch the holy man in that elevated mood. He danced a few steps, ran round in circles, muttered to himself a few verses from the holy Koran, the Muslim Holy Book, and walked back to Sai Baba. Baba said, "Go! Go and come back after the festival," and quickly, quietly, the "possessed" man sped forward with the Pirs in the same tense condition of prayerful joy. Only those who have had the privilege of witnessing such moments can grasp even in a small way the mystery that is Sai Baba.

Many devotees came to Puttaparthi from far and near during those days. Each one was drawn by some inexplicable circumstance and kept steady by a glimpse of Sai Baba's Omnipresence or Omnipotence. A gentleman from Udumalpet who first refused to join the party of pilgrims, but who later was persuaded against his will to go along, offered a flower garland to Baba as others did as soon as Puttaparthi was reached. Baba did not accept his offering. He said, "You had no mind to come!" That remark brought Sai Baba closer to the unbeliever.

A gentleman who was from Madurai came because his sister at Vellore agreed to have an operation performed on her only if and when Sai Baba said it was essential. He came to Puttaparthi, but Sai Baba did not speak to him for some days. When at last He spoke, He only asked him to go to Vellore by the next available bus. The doctor at Vellore was getting more furious all the time because the silly patient was endangering her life by waiting for permission to undergo the operation from a mere boy, who, she said, was her Guru and God! The brother came at last. Another examination was made. Wonders of wonders, there was no need for an operation! "Is it the same 'she'?" the doctor asked in amazement.

It would make very inspiring reading if a book were composed of the answers from devotees to the question: "How did you first come to Puttaparthi, and why?" If such a volume were ever produced, the story of the coming of Sakamma, the well known owner of coffee plantations, a philanthropist of Coorg, and the lady who was honored with the title of "Dharmaparayani" (ever engaged in charity) by the Maharaja of Mysore, would make an interesting chapter. Not because she was rich or famous in the field of business and industry. Sai Baba does not mind whether a person is rich or poor. He cares for the richness of character, the wealth of spiritual discipline and the treasures of the spirit, no matter what the bank balance may be!

(Sai Baba Again To be continued..)

SaiRam