Life History of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba - Part 29 to 31

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Om Sri Sai Ram

 

LIFE HISTORY OF SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA

 

By Ammula Sambasiva Rao

 

English Translation by Thota Bhaskara Rao

Chapter XXIX

 

Sugunameru Naik

 

Naik owned a shop at Shirdi. The devotees who came to Shirdi visited

his shop for making purchases. One day, when a devotee named

Madhuradas went to the shop, he found Naik and some others talking

ill of a lady devotee who came to see Baba. Madhuradas also joined

them in the evil talk. When he came to Dwarakamayi, Baba said to

him, " What is Naik telling? One must utilise the time given by God in

a beneficial way and should not indulge in criticizing others. All

kinds of devotees come here, both good and bad. Why should you

discuss about their character and others? "

 

Who is God?

 

One day a person from Kopergaon came to Baba and sought answers for

his doubts. Baba wanted to know his doubts. Then the person

asked, " Who is God? How will He be? Where will He be? How to see

God? " Baba understood the mentality of the person and did not reply

to him. Instead he called a devotee and asked him to go to the

Marwari Chagchand and told him that Baba wanted a loan of Rs.100. The

devotee went to the Marwari and came back empty-handed saying that

the Marwari told him he had no money and sent his salutations. Then

Baba sent for Nana Chandorkar and asked for Rs.100. Since he had no

money, Nana sent a written request to the same Marwari Chagchand for

a loan of Rs.100. Nana received the amount immediately through the

messenger. This he gave it to Baba. The person who questioned Baba

about God, asked Das Ganu as to why Baba, without answering his

questions was trying for a loan of Rs.100. Das Ganu told him that

Baba was doing all that for his sake. The Marwari, while he declined

to give loan to Baba, gave it readily to Nana Chandorkar. Similarly,

if one wants to know about God, he should have the capacity to

understand. Otherwise, he cannot understand whatever is said about

God.

 

Samsara (Worldly Life) is Fearful

 

One's closeness to Baba was the result of good deeds over many

births, and such a person was Nana Chandorkar. He learnt many things

from Baba. He found his Samsara (Worldly life) to be like a fearful

ocean. The samsara appeared to him like an obstacle for spiritual

progress. He learnt this truth by practical experience. In the year

1918, one day when Baba was alone, Nana Chandorkar said to

him, " Baba, I am finding the samsara very fearful. My mind is not

interested in the worldly affairs. Somehow give me salvation from

these attachments. " On hearing this Baba smiled and said, " There is

truth in what you said. But the remaining is untruth and meaningless.

You are under the impression that by taking to forests, one can

escape from the trials and tribulations of the samsara. But this is

not correct. It is only an illusion, because wherever you go, your

body and mind are with you only. They will never leave you but will

be giving you some kind of happiness. Our past actions are the basis

for our present troubles and happiness. They should be faced

courageously and with tact, and you should lead a family life in the

proper way. By getting away from samsara, one cannot attain

happiness. Everyone who proceeds in the spiritual way will have to

face all these problems, and to think of Vairagya (renunciation), as

a solution, is not correct. " This is the message of Sai Baba.

 

Pandharpur Lawyer

 

There was a lawyer Deshpande, at Pandharpur. The Sub-judge of this

place was Noolkar, who was suffering from ill health. He stayed at

Shirdi for some days to get Baba's blessings. There was some

discussion that one should take proper medicines for ill health

instead of going to fakirs. Deshpande partook in the discussions and

he too blamed Sai Baba. He came to Shirdi many years after this

incident. After touching the feet of Baba, he sat in a corner of

Dwarakamayi.

 

Baba turned towards him and said, " People are cunning. They fall at

the feet and give Dakshina, but abuse behind his back. " Deshpande

understood to whom Baba intended his words. He was surprised as to

how Baba could know about this, which had happened some years before

at Pandharpur, which was 300 miles from Shirdi. He wondered at the

omniscience of Baba. From that day, he resolved not to talk ill of

others and not to participate in such discussions. In this way Baba's

Darshan had put him in the right path.

 

Periods of Deeksha (Vow)

 

Baba used to give Deeksha to the devotees who came to him. The

Deekshas were prescribed by Baba depending on the stages of the

devotees, and during this period he moulded them. Baba prescribed

Brahmacharya Deeksha (celibacy) to Tatya, Hari Seetharam Dixit and

Kaka Dixit were given nine months period of Vanaprastha (away from

wife and children) at Shirdi. Baba prescribed four years Deeksha

period to Upasani Baba who left Shirdi without completing the Deeksha

period. Similarly, Baba used to prescribe Deeksha periods for some to

do Parayana of holy books, and to some to do Nama Sankeertan

(chanting of Names). The devotees were very much benefited by the

Deeksha periods prescribed by Baba.

 

Khaparde' Son - Plague

 

Khaparde's wife with her son stayed at Shirdi for some days. While

there the boy had an attack of bubonic plague. She feared very much

for his life. She talked to Dixit and Shama and wanted to take her

son to a good doctor. But there was no allopathic doctor at Shirdi.

She wanted to take him to their native place Amaravathi, but lacked

courage to take him on such a long distance. She was weeping bitterly

fearing what would happen to her son. Shama, consoling her, said that

there was nothing to fear when Sai Baba was there and advised her to

take her son to Baba and put him at his feet.

 

That evening while Baba was on his way to Lendi Bagh, she ran towards

him and fell at his feet, washing them with her tears. She became

speechless because of her suffering and could not even get up.

Noticing her condition, Baba lifted her up and said, " Mother, the sky

is overcast with dark clouds. But shortly the clouds will disperse

and the sky will become clear. " So saying he lifted his Kafni (shirt)

and showed four egg-sized buboes. He told her how he would suffer for

his real devotees. Who is more to us than Baba who takes on him the

sufferings of his devotees? In two days, the boy regained complete

health.

 

Breaking of Baba's Brick

 

Baba looked after the brick given by his Guru Venkusa more than his

life. While sleeping he kept it under his head. While sitting he put

the brick beside him and put one hand on it. He used to say that the

brick was a form of his Guru.

 

It was the month of August in 1918. One Thursday, Abdul who used to

clean the lanterns and keep the mosque tidy, took the brick in his

hand. It fell down and broke into two pieces. Baba, who came

afterwards, saw it and bemoaned its loss. He cried, " It is not the

brick that is broken but my fate is broken into pieces. This way my

life's companion all these years. With it I always meditated on the

self and it is equal to my life. It has left me today. " Through this

incident also Baba indirectly indicated his impending `Nirvana'.

 

Shamshuddin Miya

 

Even prior to the above incident, in June 1918, Baba made some

arrangements, according to Muslim customs, which are done previous to

the death of a person. He sent Rs.250 to Shamshuddin Miya, a Muslim

fakir at Aurangabad through Khasim, son of Bade Baba of Shirdi, and

also sent a garland for arranging Moul, Qawali and Nyas. He then sent

the following message. " On ninth day of the ninth month Allah would

be taking away the lamp he lit. This is the grace of Allah. " Next day

when Khasim reached Aurangabad and met Shamshuddin, without his

telling him, Shamshuddin told the contents of Baba's message As per

Baba's wish he arranged in the name of Baba recitation about

Paigambar, drums were played for Muslim saints. He spent all the

money sent by Baba by arranging feeding of all who were present. Next

day Khasim and Shamshuddin went to the great Muslim saint, Banne Mia,

and found him standing in a peculiar position. When anyone went near

him, he got angry and scolded and hit them. Everyone was cautioned

not to go near him But Shamshuddin without fear went near him and

after putting the garland sent by Baba around his neck, conveyed the

message sent by him. On hearing the message Banne Miya wept, since

Baba would be leaving his mortal body. The Ninth day of the ninth

month in Urdu and Arabic calendars were equivalent to 15 October 1918

Ekadashi.

 

To Die at Will

 

As all the above actions of Baba were in secrecy no one had any idea

that he would leave his body soon. Therefore all the routine things

went on as usual. Baba took good care in not creating any kind of

suspicion in his devotees about it. Only Dwarakamayi, Gurudhan and

Venkusa who were in an invisible form knew about Baba's `Nirvana' .

The devotees were worshipping Baba as usual.

 

The month of September came. The local merchants and those who came

from outside Shirdi, were praying to Baba for more profits in their

business. Baba was pained at the desire for money of such devotees.

In the nights, Baba used to discuss with Gurudhan, Dwarakamayi and

Venkusa the selfish desires of such devotees and the way they were

pestering him. Since Sai Baba had no negative answers or actions in

response to his devotees' prayers, he had to fulfill their desires

atleast to a certain extent, even though the recipients did not

deserve it. If this went on like this, it would be against the laws

of creation. Therefore, they decided that the only solution to this

was that Baba should leave his body. Even taking into consideration

the 83 years age of the body, it was time for leaving the body.

Though Baba would leave his body, his power would be there. It was

decided to spread Sai Philosophy and to remove the Ajnana (nescience)

and blind beliefs in the people and make the people lead peaceful and

happy lives.

 

Towards this goal, they decided to fill this world with love for the

next 500 years. They decided that Sai Baba might take another form

according to the need and orders of God. Since Baba had the ability

to lay down his life at his will, he was setting the time for his

leaving the human body. The day was the 28th September. The noon

Aarti was going on. One group of merchants from Bombay entered

Dwarakamayi. Baba felt pained on seeing them. The merchants came here

after hoarding essential food grains in godowns with a prayer to Baba

to see that they got double the rates. They brought with them large

amounts of money to give Baba as Dakshina. Having understood the

purpose of their visit, Baba told those who were there that there

would not be any Darshan after Aarti was over. The merchants

approached Shama and Nana Chandorkar and pleaded with them for

arranging an interview with Baba, as they had to return to Bombay

urgently. Shama innocently took them inside Dwarakamayi, convincing

Baba. Seeing the situation, Baba understood that the time had come

for him to leave the body. From that day Baba increased the

temperature of his body, which appeared as if he had fever. Unable to

bear the mental suffering caused to him by the devotees, Baba wanted

to lay down his life at will. He stopped taking food, thereby

shrinking his body and to making his death appears like a natural

one. Usually death comes due to ill health, accidents or old age. But

Sai Baba had to leave the body only for the sake of his devotees. In

this way he who worked throughout his lifetime for his devotees, had

to leave the mortal body at his will, for the sake of devotees only.

 

" Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi "

 

Chapter XXX

 

In the previous chapter we learnt how Baba suffered on account of the

selfishness of some devotees, without his close devotees also not

knowing about this. Disciples should not go against the wishes of

their Guru, even in small matters. Sometimes they may do something

out of love for their Guru, even though the Guru tells them not do

it. By doing such things, they should know that they are making the

Guru suffer. Unfaithfulness to one's Guru is the same as

unfaithfulness to God, since Guru is God.

 

Tatya's health deteriorated from the end of July. Ramachander Patil

was very much worried about this and was always looking after him.

Knowing that Tatya's death was coming closer, Patil satisfied the

tastes of Tatya. Poor Tatya did not know about his impending death!

Though he was suffering form ill health, he was cheerful. But Patil

was suffering mentally. The month of August was gone and September

came. By the end of September Tatya was bedridden. He could not even

walk up to Dwarakamayi. The tuberculosis from which Tatya was

suffering advanced and everyone thought that he would not survive.

But Tatya never bothered about his health. He was a single person, a

bachelor. With his association with Baba, he lost his attachment to

his body and thus he had no fear of death. He was always thinking

about changing Baba's dress and arranging his bed in the nights in

his absence.

 

Reading of Sacred Books

 

On the first of October, a Brahmin devotee, Vaje, came to Baba and

saluted him with folded hands. Baba, while blessing him with udi

prasad noticed a book in his hands and asked him what book it was.

Vaje said it was Rama Vijayam written by the poet Sreedhar. Baba took

it and turned the inner pages several times. After that he asked Vaje

to read the book aloud, seated near him. Vaje took Baba's orders as a

great boon and commenced reading immediately. Now and then in the

middle Baba would explain clearly certain matters contained in the

book, for the benefit of the devotees who were there. This went on

daily in the mornings and evenings. It was the practice to read

sacred books before a person who would die soon. Baba kept this also

a secret. The book was completely read by Vaje three times in a

period of 14 days. Tatya's ailment was becoming serious day by day.

He was vomiting blood. Everyone thought that his days are counted.

 

On 8 October 1918, Baba became very weak. He sat leaning on the wall

of the mosque. Aarti and worship were done as usual. As he was very

weak, the devotees were not allowed to go near him and Shama and Nana

Chandorkar ensured this. Some people with a tiger in the cart were

going round places and earning money. They came to Shirdi and brought

the tiger near to Dwarakamayi. The tiger was suffering from some

disease and was weak. On seeing Baba, it stretched its two front legs

and lay down. It appeared as if the tiger was saluting Baba. Baba

looked into the eyes of the tiger for a long time. The tiger also

looked at Baba and shed tears. Seeing Baba thus it breathed its last.

There must have been a tie-up in one of its previous births with

Baba. Thus Baba helped the tiger to merge with God.

 

Last Days

 

Even though Baba became very weak, he gave necessary directions to

the devotees. He had taken a human form only to help the devotees. He

never did anything for himself. His life's aim was to provide peace

and happiness to all mankind. He worked towards this end, day and

night. Even in the middle of the night, he was in solitary meditation

and saved many devotees at far and near places. The devotees who

noticed Baba's ill-health and the shrinking of his body due to poor

intake of food, thought this to be a strange act but they never

thought that his life was ebbing. Bhagoji Shinde, Mahalasapati,

Abdul, Nana Chandorkar, Shama, Lakshmi Bai, Bhate, Dixit and others

were looking after Baba day and night. We a view not to cause anxiety

to his devotees, he would go up to Lendi Bagh and Booty Wada now and

then. The Chavadi procession also was held as usual. Shama's uncle

Laxman Mama cooperated with Jog in giving Aarti. Booty and Dixit sat

along with Baba and took food. In the absence of Baba, they were not

able to relish their food. Baba as usual went out for alms to five

houses and after collecting the food, put some in the Dhuni and fed

the animals and birds with the remaining food.

 

Baba's body looked very weak. The eyes, which were shining like fire,

were sunken. Even then there was no change in his concentrated looks.

He gave proper advice and udi prasad to the devotees who came to him.

Das Ganu, with the permission of Baba, had gone to Pandharpur to

fulfill certain engagements. From 13 October, Baba stopped going to

Lendi Bagh and also for alms. He sat in Dwarakamayi and gave courage

to the devotees. He had been unwell once in 1916 and recovered. The

devotees thought that Baba would recover this time also. But the

close associates of Baba were very much worried over his not taking

any food. Hence, they stayed in the mosque throughout the night

looking after him. On the night of 14 October, even though he was

seriously ill, he got up and made loud noise and hit the floor with

his sataka. Everyone woke up at the sound. Then Baba explained his

action by saying that thieves had come to Khaparde's house at

Amaravathi and he drove them away. In his last hours also, Baba was

thinking about his devotees only and not about himself.

 

Final Day

 

The day was Tuesday, the 15th of October 1918. It was the last day

for Baba's physical body. The sun had risen as usual. That day was

Vijayadashami (Dushera). Baba became bodily very weak. For ordinary

persons, it would have been difficult even to get up and sit. But,

Baba got up as usual and sat in his place. Devotees came for his

Darshan as usual. Shama stopped some devotees from coming inside the

mosque, as Baba was unwell and advised them to have Darshan from

outside. But Baba did not agree to this and asked all the devotees to

come inside and have his Pada Darshan from outside. But Baba did not

agree to this and asked all the devotees to come inside and have his

Pada Darshan. The devotees did so. Baba put his Abhaya Hastha on

their heads, blessed them and gave them udi prasad. For unknown

reasons, even the close devotees of Baba who were always with him,

fell at his feet one after another. Baba gave them necessary advice

as per their need. They took them as usual advice which Baba used to

give, but failed to think that they were Baba's last ones to them

while in physical body. Baba asked Laxman Mama, who was an astrologer

and devotee , to do God's Naamasmarana for some time.

 

The time was eleven in the morning. Tatya vomited blood frequently

and went into unconscious state. His pulse also became weak.

Ramachander Patil and Bala Shimpe feared that Tatya would die that

day as per Baba's prediction. They brought Shama and showed him the

condition of Tatya. Thinking that Tatya would die in a few moments,

Shama came running to Baba. He explained the condition of Tatya to

Baba and prayed him to come to Tatya's house immediately and save

him. Baba consoling Shama told him not to worry and assured him that

Tatya would escape death as soon as Ekadashi set in that day. But

Shama again requested Baba to come once and see Tatya. Then Baba told

Shama, " All of you have the tie of friendship only with Tatya. But

for me there is also the responsibility for his welfare. I gave word

to his mother Baija Bai at the time of her death, that I would look

after Tatya equal to my life. The service rendered by that mother and

the word given by me to her cannot be forgotten. So you do not worry

at all. To save Tatya, I need not go there, and I can do it sitting

here, " After hearing this Shama calmed down.

 

The time was noon. Preparations were being made for noon Aarti. It

appeared as if some divine light entered Baba. Aarti was started.

Throughout the Aarti Baba's facial features were changing every

moment. Those who looked at him had peace of mind and felt like

looking at him continuously. During that period Baba appeared in

different forms to the devotees present there. He appeared in the

forms of Maruthi, Vittal, Dattatreya, Rama and to Muslim devotees as

Mecca and Medina. For one Christian devotee, he appeared as Jesus.

For Booty he appeared as Sri Krishna playing the flute in the Wada

built by him. One devotee brought his little son for initiating him

to education by Baba, that being Vijayadashami day. To him Baba

appeared as Vigneshwara and writing the Sanskrit alphabet `OM' showed

it to the boy and blessed him. In this manner Baba, during Aarti time

that day, had shown his divine form to the devotees as per their

thoughts.

 

Aarti was over. The time was one hour past noon. Baba ordered all the

devotees to go away quickly. With joy at Baba's divine Darshan, all

of them went away to their houses and Wadas. Suddenly Baba had a

severe cough and he vomited blood. There, Tatya recovered and his

pulse came to normal. Some new strength entered his body. He stood up

and could walk also. He cried out of joy. He could not understand

from where he got this new energy all of a sudden. The onlookers were

also surprised. Before he recovered from his surprise, he remembered

Baba. Thinking that Baba had given him another lease of life, he went

running to the mosque.

 

By that time Baba leaned on Baija Appaji Patil and was telling him

something secretly. Saying this, he warned him not to reveal this to

others, otherwise, he would die. Tatya heard these last words. Baba

was getting severe cough and was heaving. Whenever he coughed, blood

poured out through his mouth and fell all over Dwarakamayi.

Beforehand Baba had asked his devotees to be without fear and sent

them for their meals. But a few devotees refused to leave Baba.

Lakshmi Bai, Bhagoji, Appaji, Laxman, Bala Shimpe were sitting near

Baba. When Tatya saluted Baba, he asked Shama to take Tatya and leave

him in his house. Shama returned after leaving Tatya in his house.

The time was two o' clock in the afternoon. Baba sent away the others

also for meals.

 

Charity of Nine Rupees

 

Lakshmi Bai Shinde and Bayyaji were the only ones remaining. She was

near Baba's feet. Baba put his right hand in his shirt pocket twice,

took out Rs.5 and Rs.4 and gave them as charity to Lakshmi Bai. Baba

explained the significance of these nine rupees as the nine qualities

a devotee should have (1) Absence of egoism (2) Absence of jealousy

(3) Untiring service (4) Absence of worldly desires (5) Complete

faith in Guru (6) Peaceful nature (7) Desire to know the truth (8)

Absence of envy, and (9) Absence of self-boasting and finding faults

in others. Unless a devotee improved these nine qualities, he could

not have true devotion to reach God. Thus Baba taught to Lakshmi Bai

even in his last moments.

 

Baba's Mahasamadhi

 

Dashami ended and Ekadashi came. The time was 2.30 in the afternoon.

Baba told Bayyaji that he was leaving this world and his body was to

be kept in Booty Wada, assuring him that from there, he would be

protecting his devotees at all times. So saying, Baba leaned on the

body of Bayyaji. He did not fall on the floor, or his bed. He

breathed his last giving charity and teaching Jnana to his children.

This is the way the king of yogis - Yogi raja - attained Samadhi.

Lord Shiva who is capable of commanding death, and who was born as

human, invited death. The divine light which came out of the body of

Baba, joined Gurudhan, Dwarakamayi and Venkusa, who were already in

the form of divine lights (Jyothis) and all the four Jyothis combined

into one as Sai's divine power. It again divided into four parts. One

part went to Gurusthan. The second part when to Chavadi and settled

there. The third part merged in Dwarakamayi, and the fourth part went

into Booty Wada. These four powers represent the four Vedas. These

are the proofs of Sai Power, which can command, and control the whole

world. The Sivasakthi from Kailas came and stayed in Shirdi. In this

way Shirdi became a holy place. The body of Sai who exhibited

supernatural powers and saved several devotees, was lying in

Dwarakamayi.

 

The physical body of Sai Baba, lying in Dwarakamayi, cannot be seen

again. So let us imagine ourselves to be in Dwarakamayi and touch the

holy feet of Sai Baba and make our life meaningful.

 

" Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi "

 

Chapter XXXI

 

The news of Baba's Samadhi spread throughout Shirdi and the

neighboring villages in minutes. People came along with women and

children to Dwarakamayi. They wept uncontrollably as Sai Baba, who

was God to them, was no more. They became speechless when they saw

the lifeless body of Sai Baba, and felt as if the entire world had

come to standstill. There was not a single family either in Shirdi or

the neighboring places, which had not experienced Baba's Leelas and

greatness. They cried loudly, recollecting the good things Baba had

done to them. Some fell down unconscious after seeing Baba's body.

Some were seen weeping and running in the streets. There is none who

did not shed tears. They now understood the `Seemollanghan' incident

of two years back and how Baba had taken on himself Tatya's death and

give his life to him. Several people were recollecting Baba's strange

actions and words. Some said that Baba had indicated that he would be

born again after eight years, in Madras State. Some imagined that

what Baba had told Appaji secretly must be about his future birth.

Since he had warned Appaji not to reveal anything to others, he kept

silent in spite of so many people questioning him.

 

After a few hours, the question as to what to do with Baba's mortal

remains arose. Some Muslims requested that the body of Sai Baba may

be kept in Samadhi, outside the mosque in the open space. Khushal

Chand and Amir Shakkar also supported this. But the village Munsiff,

Ramachander Patil took a firm decision that Baba's Samadhi should be

in Booty Wada and nowhere else. This way two groups formed in Shirdi

and began arguing over the matter. By Tuesday evening, the Sub-

Inspector of Police from Rahata, Chakranarayan, came to Shirdi. When

he searched Baba's body he found seven rupees in his pocket. The

whole night discussions and arguments went on regarding the location

of the Samadhi.

 

In the early hours before daybreak on Wednesday the 16th , Baba

appeared to Das Ganu in his dream and told him that the mosque came

down, and the merchants were angry with him, so he left his body. He

asked him to proceed immediately to Shirdi and cover his body with

jasmine flowers.

 

Das Ganu, along with his disciples, started for Shirdi immediately.

Pradhan's wife at Bombay had a dream on the night of 15th. She dreamt

of Baba's life was leaving his body and she cried that Baba was

dying. Baba told her in the dream that one should not say dying in

the case of saints, but say " attained Samadhi " .

 

He again appeared in her dream on the 16th night and requested her to

give him all the money she had in her box. Next day she sent all the

money in her box to Shirdi for utilising for the last rites of Baba.

The same night Baba appeared in the dream of Pradhan's sister and

asked her to send silk clothes to put on his Samadhi. She sent the

clothes to Shirdi. In the early hours of Wednesday, Baba appeared in

the dream to Laxman Mama Joshi and said, " Bapu Saheb, Jog is thinking

that I am dead. I only left my body and I am alive. Get up and give

Kakad Aarti. " Laxman Mama, who had full faith in Baba, went to the

mosque taking with him the Puja items required for Kakad Aarti. Even

though the police and village servants tried to prevent him from

entering the mosque, he forcibly entered inside and gave Kakad Aarti

to Baba's body. Seeing his determination none could stop him. Bapu

Saheb Jog gave the noon arathi. This was the last Aarti given in

Dwarakamayi.

 

On Wednesday morning the Tahsildar of Kopergaon Taluk came and

gathered the views of both the groups regarding the place of Samadhi

and asked them to express their views in writing along with their

signatures. The majority wanted that Baba should be laid to rest in

Booty Wada. Even then, the Tahsildar had no courage to take a

decision, but wanted to act according to the orders of the District

Collector, Ahmednagar. But in the meantime, the other group

reconciled to the situation and agreed for the Samadhi inside Booty

Wada.

 

In the evening of Wednesday at about 4 o' clock they wanted to bathe

the body of Baba. When they tried to remove the Kafni (long shirt)

the hands bent as usual. In ordinary cases the limbs cannot be bent

as they stiffen. Baba's body was laid on a big table before

Dwarakamayi, and potfuls of water were poured on the body with

devotion. After that they spread a white cloth on the body. The put

flowers, sandal and Akshatas (rice) over the cloth. For the last time

everyone had the Darshan of Baba's body to their hearts content. A

grave, 6 feet in length was dug in Booty Wada's underground

structure, enough for keeping his body. The body was taken into Booty

Wada in procession to the sounds of various musical instruments.

First, the broken brick of Baba was broken into smaller pieces and

put in the grave, over that soft beds were spread. Dixit, Booty,

Shama and Mahalasapati slowly lifted the body. The thought that in a

few moments the body would be hidden from their view, gripped the

devotees present there and all of them burst into tears. There was

complete silence except for snifflings. Due to sadness, the devotees

felt weak and all of them together could not lift Baba's body. A few

of them got into the grave and from below caught the body and it was

slowly lowered . The head side went down first . Someone cried aloud

that Baba was going away. The devotees surrounding the grave tried to

catch a glimpse of the body for the last time. The entire body was

lowered and rested on the soft beds. Rose water and perfumes were

sprayed on the body. When they started putting earth on the body, the

people wept and rolled on the floor, crying. Even God, if He is born

on this earth, has to be buried under the earth. This is a fact.

 

Samadhi Temple

 

Booty's life was blessed. The Wada built by him became Baba's

Samadhi. At five o' clock in the evening, after the Samadhi, Bapu

Saheb Jog and Laxman Mama gave Sandhya Aarti in Booty temple for the

first time on 16 October 1918. From that day onwards till date, four

Aarti are given to Baba daily. Nanavalli, who was like Baba's life,

watched the Samadhi from a distance. He stopped taking food from that

day and died on the 13th day.

 

Das Ganu, after reaching Shirdi on Thursday morning, did sankeertan

for two days near the Samadhi of Baba. In the name of Baba, he fed a

large number of people. Baba Saheb Bhate and Upasani Baba of Sakori

Ashram performed the last rites of Baba. Where Booty wanted to

install the idol of Sri Krishna, Baba's Samadhi came up. This way

Baba became Muralidhar. The Booty temple with Baba's Samadhi in it

had become the holiest of the boly places, giving millions of

devotees peace and happiness.

 

" Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi "

 

To be continued…