Babas passing away

January 22, 2009

Baba had told

Uddhavesa Bua some months back no to be “paying fortnightly visits”

and bade him final farewell. In Dasara time, Baba was unwell, for a number of

days, as also Tatya Patil. In the earlier part he went and begged food in the

accustomed places supporting his body on some others. During the last two or

three days, he was not able to go out.

On the 15 October 1918,

i.e., Dasara day, after Arati was over:

Baba: You Kaka

(H S Dixit), Buty, etc., go for your meal.

And then they

left. After they left, Baba sat upon His bed, reclined on Bayyaji’s lap

and said, “I am going. Carry me to the Wada. All the Brahmins will be

living near me.”

and then breathed his last. Nana Nimonkar poured water into His mouth; but the

water came out. It was about 3

p.m. The day was no doubt Vijaya Dasami, but Ekadasi had begun

at that time.

In anticipation

of His passing away, He gave gifts (dana) in the morning of that dasami. He sat

up and paid from his pocket first Rs.5/- and then Rs. 4/- to Lakshmi Bai

Scindhe who was daily preparing and giving Him food and daily receiving Rs. 4/-

from Him. A few days before Baba passed away, He sent Rs. 200 for feeding

fakirs and the chanting of prayers with drum beating, at a holy place. He sent

word to another Moslem saint in these terms, “The light of Allah lit, He

is taking away.” That saint received the intimation with tears.

Rama Viyaya had

been read during the 14 days of Baba’s illness, i.e., on the 9th,

10th, 11th day of Dasara within Baba’s hearing, as

Hhad said that “Mrityunjaya would be pleased thereby.”

On the night of

Dasara, Baba appeared in the dream of Lakshman mama and said, “Get up

quick and do my Kakada Arati. Jog thinks that I am dead and he will not

come.”

And Lakshman did

the morning Arati in spite of the protest of the Maulvis. Jog resumed the noon arati on the 16th October 1918.

(Source Sai Baba Charters and Sayings)

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