Experiences of Sai Maharaj - 2

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Excerpts from a letter written on 18/2/1920 by Shri Nilkanth Ramchandra Sahasrabuddhe citing his experiences... (Contd. from Experiences of Sai Maharaj -1) One of Sai’s hands was wounded. He used to tie a bandage so tightly around it that anyone else would be in unbearable pain. But, He did not give any other treatment to the wound, even though His devotees requested Him to do so. Once, in reply, He said, ‘‘There should be a great fire lit up with at least a thousand or two ‘Govrya’ (dung cakes used as fuel) and then (touching His body) put all this in it and watch the fun from a distance.’’ Once, when I was in Shirdi, I met a rich old man from Bandra, who had adopted a son. But, he was unhappy with the behaviour of his adopted son and told me at length regarding this. When we left Mumbai, the boy sat in another compartment, since he wanted to smoke. And, instead of getting down at Kopargaon, he went two stations ahead. He returned two hours later by a train coming from Ahmednagar. Even then he did not come near us; but sat elsewhere. When I took the old man for the noon Aarati, he followed us; but stood aloof. I did not know then, who the boy was. But, when he bowed to Baba like the rest, Baba immediately spoke of filial duty and so, I asked the old man, if it indeed was his adopted son and he said, yes. After 3-4 days the boy got bored and had thought of quietly leaving in the evening; but before the people dispersed after the Aarati,

Baba said, ‘‘No one should leave without my permission.’’ The boy got scared and revealed, what he had planned to his father. Sages thus practice various types of Karma Yoga. One morning, between 8 and 9 o’clock, Bhausaheb Dixit was meditating after his daily ablutions, when he saw a divine vision of Lord Vitthal. Since he had never seen this Deity before, he had no clue to its identity; but believing that since he had been blessed due to Sadguru’s grace, Sai Himself would reveal its identity and whereabouts. At the noon Aarati Baba asked Bhausaheb, ‘‘So Kaka, today Vithoba

Patil paid a visit to you ?’’ Bhausaheb was overwhelmed and replied, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘He keeps moving from place to place and so, tie Him up to a stake !’’ Baba warned. But, still Bhausaheb was unaware of the whereabouts. Since none of us understood this dialogue, we asked Bhausaheb to elaborate; and he told us the whole story. In the evening a gentleman arrived with some photos of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur. ‘‘That’s the Deity !’’ exclaimed Bhausaheb with his eyes moist. This shows, how Baba cares for the belief and faith of His devotees and His supreme benevolence. Madhavrao Deshpande was

entrusted to take care of all Sai’s devotees, who came to Shirdi. But, when Bhausaheb left for Mumbai, not only Madhavrao, but Bapusaheb Jog, Balasaheb Bhate and myself accompanied him to see him off. After he left, some senior officers like the Commissioner of Central Region, Mr. Curtis and his wife, the Collector of Ahmednagar, Mr. McNeill and the Native Assistant of Mr. Curtis, Rao Bahadur Ramchandra Narayan alias Bhausaheb Joglekar were approaching Shirdi. Meanwhile, in the Masjid, Baba lifted His ‘Kafni’ (mendicant’s robe - Baba always wore a loin underneath) and said, ‘‘*** have come to see me. But, I am a naked Fakir.’’ Those serving in the Masjid did not understand Him at all, since there was no new arrival. But, a few minutes later they saw the above mentioned group walking towards the Chavadi and truth dawned on them. When they settled in the Chavadi, Bhausaheb Joglekar realized that he was acquainted with nobody other

than Balasaheb Ghate and so, he sent his peon to call him. Balasaheb did not wish to go and told the peon so. But, when I offered to bring Bhausaheb Joglekar to him and then accompany him to the Chavadi, he agreed. Accordingly, when Bhausaheb arrived, we went to the Chavadi. ‘‘Tell Baba to finish His morning ablutions soon,’’ suggested Bhausaheb; but I told him, it was nobody’s business to do such a thing and convinced Him against it with genuine reasoning. Thinking that perhaps Mr. Curtis would find this behaviour odd, he informed him that Baba and I were childhood friends. Later, they

all sat patiently, waiting for Baba to come out of the Masjid for ‘Bhiksha’ (alms). After a long wait, they saw Baba leaving the Masjid and walking towards the Chavadi. Immediately Mrs. Curtis went on the road in front of the Chavadi and paid her respects to Him in her own and said that she wished to speak a few words with Him. Baba told her to wait for half an hour. When Baba returned after collecting His ‘Bhiksha’, Mrs. Curtis once again paid her respects and requested the same. But, Baba told her to wait for another hour and went into the Masjid. Later, since Mr. Curtis was in a hurry, they quietly left. – Shri Sai Leela, Year 1, Volume III, Jyeshtha, Shaka 1845 (Source: Saileela Magazine, May-June 2007)

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