Life History of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba - Part 26 to 28

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

 

LIFE HISTORY OF SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA

 

By Ammula Sambasiva Rao

 

English Translation by Thota Bhaskara Rao

Chapter XXVI

 

Balaram Mankar

 

Balaram Mankar became dejected after the death of his wife, handing

over the household responsibility to his son, he came to Shirdi and

remained there with Baba. His devotion was appreciated by Baba.

 

Once Sai Baba gave him Rs.12 and asked him to go to Machindragarh and

stay there, meditating thrice a day. After experiencing the natural

beauty, pure drinking water and healthy air, Mankar felt happy and

meditated regularly as directed by Baba.

 

One day Baba gave him Darshan while he was in conscious state. He

asked Baba why he was sent to that place. Baba replied, " While at

Shirdi so many thoughts were in your mind and hence to make your mind

stable, I sent you here. You imagined me as a person made of five

elements and three and half cubits in length. You also thought that I

am always at Shirdi. Now say whether the Baba you see here and the

Baba you saw at Shirdi are the same or not. I have sent you here only

to prove this. "

 

After sometime, Mankar started for Bandra and wanted to travel from

Poona to Dadar by train. When he went to purchase the ticket he found

the booking office crowded with people buying tickets. He could not

get a ticket. Then a villager with a blanket over him approached

Mankar and enquired where he wanted to go. When Mankar told him it

was Dadar, the villager gave him a ticket to Dadar saying that he had

cancelled his visit due to some other work. Mankar lowered his head

to look at the ticket and by the time he lifted his head the villager

was not to be seen. He waited for him till the departure time of the

train but could not find him. He went home and again came to Shirdi

and remained with Baba till his last days. He was very lucky to have

died in Shirdi.

 

Completion of the Temple Construction by Booty

 

Booty, with the intention of completing the construction of the

Krishna temple early, was getting things done quickly. Shama was

regularly supervising the construction work., while Bapu Saheb Jog,

Tatya, Ramachander Patil and other devotees were helping him in his

work. With Baba's grace, the construction of Booty Wada was completed

in December 1916. Some minor items like carvings, polishing, etc.

remained.

 

Waman Narvekar

 

Waman Narvekar was the devotee who loved Baba wholeheartedly. Once he

brought a rupee with him. On the obverse were the images of Sita,

Rama and Lakshman and on the reverse side was the image of the

Reverent Anjaneya (Hanuman). He gave the coin to Baba. His desire was

to have the coin consecrated by Baba and to keep it in his house for

worship. But Baba put it in his pocket. Shama, knowing the desire of

Narvekar, requested Baba to return the coin to Narvekar. Baba asked

why he should return the coin and wanted to keep it with him. But, if

Narvekar gave Rs.25, then the coin would be returned to him. As

Narvekar did not have the money with him, he borrowed from others and

gave this to Baba. Then Baba said, " This coin is valued more than

Rs.25, Shama. Let us keep the coin with us. Keep it in your Puja room

and worship it. " No one had the courage to ask Baba about his action.

Perhaps, Baba did it for the good of Narvekar.

 

Ramachander Patil

 

Ramachander Patil was a friend and relative of Tatya Kote Patil.

Having known the greatness of Baba, he also worshipped Baba daily

with devo