Category: Company of saints

Satsang โ€” the company of holy ones โ€” is one of Baba’s most emphasised practices. Explore the lives of saints who walked alongside Baba, and the transformative power of holy association.

  • SUBMITS TO WORSHIP OUT OF LOVE TO DEVOTEES

    SUBMITS TO WORSHIP OUT OF LOVE TO DEVOTEES

    Babaโ€™s submits himself to worship by devotees

    Para Number in the Book “BC&S” and about Babaโ€™s Submission himself for Worship by Devotees.

    551. Baba from the beginning disliked or avoided the worship of his body by devotees. But Mahlsapathy’s ardent devotion began the worship and could not be resisted. Bapu, a four year old son of N.G. Chandorkar extended it, and all (then) began to claim the same privilege as the child.

    Still Baba did not wish to have sandal applied to his forehead e.g., in three horizontal lines. But Dr.Pandit came and put these lines of sandal on Baba’s forehead. Baba suffered it quietly.

    Dada Kelkar : Baba, How is it that though you objected to this form of sandal paste, you allow it now?

    B.: “Pandit believes in his mind that I am the same as his Brahmin guru Dhopeswar Kaka Maharaj, and applied sandal to me as he was doing to that guru. Hence I could not object.”

    Abdul Rangari, a moslem, came later and asked Baba.

    A.R.: Baba, how is it that sandal is being pasted on you? This is not our custom.

    B.: “Jaisa Desh, Vaisa Vesh (i.e., we must conform to our surroundings). The Hindus worship me as their God. Why should I displease them? I allow them to do so. I myself, am a devotee of God.”

    Baba orders Guru Purnima Celebration

    552. Baba’s (group) Arati and pooja on ordinary days was started in 1909; but for some time, there was no celebration of Guru Purnima by special worship of Baba on that day.

    Baba himself sent for Dada Kelkar on Guru Purnima day and said “Do you not know that this is Guru Poornima; Bring your worship materials and do your Guru Pooja”. The Guru Pooja was done on that day and this practice of celebrating Guru Poornima by all the devotees worshipping Baba, then begun, has continued up-to-date.

    But Baba objected to stealthy midnight worship of himself on Sivaratri, by H.V.Sathe.

  • CONSIDERATION FOR FEELINGS OF DEVOTEES

    5โ€“7 minutes

    Babaโ€™s consideration for feeling of devotees

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” , About Babaโ€™s consideration for Devotees

    (a) For Mother’s Prayer (Haribhav Panse)

    524. Haribhav Panse Dahanukar started for Rameswaram against his motherโ€™s will, and she was observing a fast, that should last up to his return. Hearing that her son had stopped at Shirdi with Baba. She prayed thus, โ€œIf Baba is a true Sadhu, he should make my son cancel his pilgrimage and send him back to his house.โ€

    (Here) Baba to Haribhav: “Give me Dakshina.”

    Baba took from Haribhav the entire railway fare from Shirdi to Rameswaram and back.

    Baba to Haribhav: “Go home, Rameswar is starving since you left home. If you do not go now, Rameswar will cease to exist and Badreswar will take its place.”

    Haribhav went home and found his mother fasting and learnt of her prayers, which Baba thus granted.

    (b) Kusal Bhav’s Pious wishes

    525. Baba told H.S.Dixit one day to take a tonga and go to Rahata and fetch Kusal Bhav, a devotee greatly attached to Baba. What was the reason?.

    K.B. thought on the previous day that for a long while he had not seen Baba; and that night, Baba came to him in his dream and said “Come to Shirdi”. In the morning K B found that he had no horse for his tonga and so he could not go. He sent his son on foot to Shirdi in his stead. Before the son came .

    B.: “Kaka (H.S.Dixit), take a tonga and go to Rahata and bring Kusal Bhav.”

    When H.S.D. came to K.B., he pleaded the absence of his horse.

    H.S.D.: That is why Baba asked me to take a tonga and bring you in the tonga.

    K.B. thereupon paid the visit, he was anxious to pay.

    (c) Mavushe’s

    526. B. (one day) said: “My stomach in aching.”

    Then Mavushe applied a red-hot brick over Baba’s abdomen and then removing it, began pressing Baba’s sides with her hands with great violence. S.B. Nachne, then present, cried out: Hold. Hold. Be more gentle Baba will suffer.

    Baba to Nachne: “Get out, do not interfere.”

    (d) Baba asked Dada Kelker to get onions from S.B.N’s Mother-in-law (see under Baba’s Justice and Equality) (see 587)
    (e)Vadhavkar’s Hunger

    527. Sadashiv T. Vadhavkar went to Baba and sat before him. Though feeling hungry, delicacy prevented his mentioning it. A pocket of pedas was brought to Baba. Baba usually touched nothing when it was brought. But on this occasion, he opened that packet and threw one peda into Vadhavkarโ€™s lap.

    Vadhavkar retained it in his hand.

    Baba: “It is not given to you for merely keeping.”

    Then Vadhavkar ate it and his hunger was half appeased. Then Baba flung another peda at him. Vadhavkar held it in his hand, thinking of taking it home.

    Baba: “This is not given to you for keeping.”

    Vadhavkar ate that up and his hunger was wholly appeased.

    Baba did not throw any more pedas.

    (f) B.V.Vaidayโ€™s health and safety

    528. B V Vaidya in 1911 went with family to Shirdi and at 1 a.m. alighted at Sathe Wada. He took light tiffin (faral), went to bed.

    In the morning, Baba (to the people at the Wada, angrily): “My children arrived, none looked after them and you made them upas i.e., eat faral” (With these words baba drove away the Bhaktas from Mosque)

    • When leaving Shirdi with intent to go Nasik, Vaidya went to Baba and asked leave.

    Baba: “Going to Nasik! What for should you go to Nasik! There is plague there. Do not go there. Go back home, taking your little one with you.”

    • Vaidya took Babaโ€™s photo and gave it to into his hands. Baba touched it and returned it (for worship)

    Baba then said   ” You had better go now.”

    Vaidya and family go into the tonga and arrived at the station just in time to miss the train. They believed they were unlucky and spent some hours at the station for the next train. They arrived at Manmad by the next train and learnt that the previous train, which they would have boarded at Manmad had they arrived earlier, had an accident in which one carriage was smashed.

    • At the next visit Baba made them overstay their leave.  B.. “Be quiet. Do not fear.”

    When they returned three days after expiry of leave, they applied for extension of leave to the G.I.P and that was granted without any trouble.

    (g) Consideration for Mrs. Pradhan’s baby’s cries

     529.   Mrs. M.W.Pradhan was doing her puja of Baba at Dwaraka-Mayi and suddenly Baba stopped her. 

    B.: “Stop. Go to you Wada (lodgings)”.

    She stopped and went to her lodgings. There she found her baby was crying. She then comforted it, put it to sleep and came back to Baba.     B.: “Now do your Puja.”

    Baba had heard the baby’s cries by his Antarjnana, though the lady’s lodgings were far from the mosque. Such hearing is referred to in the well known song. i.e.,

    Sai hears even the footfall of an ant.

    (h) Purandare’s Obstinacy

    530. When a palki was brought and silver ornaments there from were stolen, R.B. Purandhare and his friend were keen on erecting a room or garage, for it next to the mosque on northern side. For erecting a room, R.B.P. was boring some holes in the mosque wall, when Baba was absent. Baba came and ordered him to stop the work. R.B.P. however went on, in spite of Baba’s threats. He went on with the work, not minding his own mealtime.

    B.: “See how bad it is. He won’t listen to me. I have to put up with all this.’

    Again    Baba said: “Go for your meal.”

    R.B.P.: Baba, I will not, because you will undo my work in my absence.

    Baba : “No, you may go for your meal.”

    Then R.B. Purandhare went.

    B: “What is to be done? If a child passes stools upon your leg, do we cut off the leg or the child ? We have to put up with it.”

    (i) Varde’s Obstinacy

    531.     Varde : Baba, give me leave to do Satyanarayan Puja at this Mosque.

    B.: “You may do it.”

    Then Varde went out and brought young plantain trees and put them on all sides of Baba, treating Baba as the image.

    Varde. Baba, I have not got money for expenses.

    B.:    “How much do you want ?”

    Varde : Rs2-8-0.

    B. (Pointing out Jayakar):   “That man has it, borrow it from him.”

    Though that was all the money Jayakar had, he had to lend it. And Varde’s Satyanarayana Pooja was finished.

  • OTHER POWERS II

    12โ€“17 minutes

    Babaโ€™s other powers II

    Para Number in the Book & About HIS Powers II

    AUTO-BIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES OF PAST BIRTHS
    Snake and frog-Rebirth for revenge, Development of Vasanas, Justice of God

    473. Sai Baba said โ€œOneโ€™s sin (Papa) does not cease, till he falls at the feet of sadhus,โ€ and told a tale.

    Another moral of this tale told by Sai Baba is that lust for Pelf drags, one down to the lowest level.

    Sai Baba said: โ€œOne morning at 8 a.m. I went out for a walk. I came to a river (like Rahata River) which was deep. But there was a footpath and a cart track also sheltered by shade trees. A gentle breeze was blowing. I sat in the shade and looked at the dense foliage of the trees. As I was wetting my hand-kerchif to smoke my chilm. I heard the croaking of a frog. I struck my flints and lit my pipe; and Wayfarer came, sat by me, bowed to me and invited me to dine at his house.

    I agreed; and he lit the pipe and handed it over to me. He heard the croaking and tried to find out what it was due to. I told him, โ€œA frog is in trouble, tasting the bitter fruit of its own Karma. See, what we do in our past lives, we reap the fruit of, now . Why cry out now (against fate)?โ€

    Then he went out in the direction of the sound to see the cause. I told him, โ€œThe frog is caught by a huge serpent and is crying. Both were very wicked in their past lives and they have come into their present bodies to reap their fruit.โ€ The wayfarer found these words true. There was a huge black serpent holding in its mouth, a big frog.

    And he said. โ€œIn 10 or 20 minutes. it will be all over with the frog.โ€ But I said to him, โ€œI am its father and am here. Will I let the snake eat it? See how I effect its releaseโ€.

    I took the man with me and went to the place of the serpent. The man went first, looked at the snake and came back in terror and said to me, โ€œThe snake might come here and attack us. Let us fly from here. Do not go there.โ€

    Then I went and addressed the struggling creatures thus-โ€œHallo! Veerabadrappa! Even now, Have you no pity for your enemy Basappa, though he, has taken form as a frog?. You also have become a serpent, Be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred and be quiet.โ€œ

    Hearing these words, the snake let go the frog quickly, entered the deep water and disappeared. The frog also went away and hid itself in the tree.

    The wondering wayfarer said that he could not understand all that took place, why the serpent dropped the frog at the words spoken, who was Veerabadrappa among the two and who Basappa; and what was the bone of contention between the two, and asked me to tell him. We went back to our shade at the tree foot and smoking our chilm, I then explained it all to him. 

    Some 2 or 3 Kros from my place, there was a holy place,      A dilapidated Mahadeva temple was there. People resolved to renovate it. They collected funds for the purpose. A very rich man was made the treasurer. He had strict and  regular  accounts. But he was a born miser. The building  was left incomplete and fresh collections were made. Still  no progress was made in the building work.

    God sent his wife a dream, wherein she was told. โ€œIf you spend any money on this temple renovation, Siva will give it back to you a hundred foldโ€. She mentioned this to her husband. He feared that it was involving him in expense.     So he laughed it out as a mere dream, and not a  thing  to be  acted  on. โ€œElse, why did not God come to  me and tell  me?  Am  I  very  far  from you?โ€  he  said.

    Then God came to her again in a dream and said that she need not bother herself about his wealth and that she might (if she liked) give any little thing she could scrape up of her own. 

    She had her sridhan (marriage gift by parent) ornaments. She went and told her husband of the dream and  of her desire to give her ornaments to God. Now this miser wanted to cheat God in this transaction.  

    The jewels were worth Rs.1,000. So he told his wife that he would take the jewels himself and give God a land. But that land he held only as a mortgagee (some poor widow was the mortgagor). It was an uncultivated piece of coastland which yielded nothing in the best of seasons.

    This, he gave away to the God (or to the Poojari i.e., tempโ€™e priest as an inam for worship?).

    Then came later a terrible storm. Lightning burnt down his house. He and his wife died. In the next life, the rich man was born at Mathura (Muttra). She was born as the daughter of the Poojari of Siva and was named Gowri. Dubaki, the mortgagor was born as a man named Basappa and was adopted as Poojariโ€™s heir. The rich man in his rebirth was named Virabadra.

    The Poojari of Sivaโ€™s temple was a great friend of mine and he would come to smoke with me. His daughter also was devoted to me. Her father, the poojari, considered whom he should wed her to. I told him โ€œDo not bother. A man will come to you for her hand. โ€œ

    Veerabadrappa left his poor parents and begged his food wherever he went and finally came to poojariโ€™s house, and offered to wed his daughter. Veerabadra married Gowri. Veerabadra also became my devotee.

    But he was hankering after money. He told me that I was responsible for his marriage and should help him to get wealth. I said, โ€œWait, Better times are comingโ€.

    The coastland suddenly rose in value and was sold for one lakh of rupees. Half the price was paid in cash. The rest was promised in 25 instalments of Rs. 2000 each. All agreed to this in joy.

    Then Virabadrappa and Basappa quarrelled over that money. I said Gowri was the sole proprietrix of the priestโ€™s property.

    Gowri had a dream that she should hold the property herself and not allow any one to claim it. Gowri sought my protection. I gave her a pledge that I would cross 7 seas even to help her. (It appears as though in that Janrna, Baba was a Moslem with siddhies, living in the masjid).

    Virabadrappa disputed with Basappa and both came to me. I tried in vain to appease Veerabadra. He was wrath with me, got mad and threatened to kill Basappa and cut him to pieces. Basappa was timid and sought my protection. I pledged myself to save him from the vindictive wrath of Veerabadrappa. Veerabadra became mad with rage and cursed and swore at me and all. Then Veerabadra died and was born as a serpent. Basappa died and was born as a frog.

    Hearing Basappaโ€™s miserable croaking and remembering my pledge, I have kept my word and saved Basappa, the frog from Veerabadra, the snake. God has saved his devotee Basappa by sending me. All this is Godโ€™s Lila.

    474. โ€œI went to place, and by the Patilโ€™s compulsion, I made a plantation and also a hard footpath through it.โ€

    1. Once I had heart palpitation and my life was in great danger. I put Vishnu Saharanama over my chest. God descended it into my body and the disease left me and I was safe.
    2. Baba: โ€œOnce I was a little boy and I tried to earn my bread. I started in quest of employment. I went to bid and got employed in weaving lace cloth. I was never wearied in my work. By my fakirโ€™s (masterโ€™s) ways, there was no feeling of fatigue. Each day I turned out as much work as four boys together tuned out. One boy produced Rs. 50/- cloth per diem, another Rs. 100/-, another Rs.150/- and I Rs. 600/- worth. My employer was pleased. He loved me and praised me to others. He gave me nice dress, a pagota for my head and shawl for upper cloth. I did not use them, but gave them away to others. What Sircar (God) gives lasts for ever, not what man gives.
    1. โ€œI was Kabir and used to spin yarn.โ€œ
    2. โ€œI had four brothers. The eldest had all the money. His wife starved us all. I earned money by a contract and fed all including the eldest brother. He became a leper and was shunned by all and cast out. I attended on him, fed him and looked after his comforts. Ultimately he died.โ€
    3. โ€œI was with 4000 persons, then an epidemic broke out. They were in fear. Then I assured the 4000 and said, โ€œI will die rather than let you die. I will not let you die.โ€
    4. In the place, where this Shirdi Masjid (i.e., Babaโ€™s) stands, one Muzafar Shah lived. He owned property extending for miles, i.e., upto Nandurki, where his son lived. I stayed with him and cooked for him. He died where the Dhuni (fire) is glowing now in the mosque.
    5. A devotee: Baba, what is your native place?

    Baba: I came here from Aurangabad. My maternal uncle (Mama) brought me down here.

    Devotee: What is the name of that Mama? Where is he now?

    Baba (Laughing): He was a mad man, having no name. He must be living somewhere now.

    1. Baba: โ€œMy brother once misbehaved and was consequently excommunicated. I looked after him and eventually had him re-admitted in to caste.โ€
    2. Baba: In 1913 gave out a long personal story of previous birth of his. โ€œWe were two brothers. We walked on. On the way my brother went ahead. He was bitten by animals and he died. Five or six men came up and asked me. โ€œWhere is your brother?โ€. I told them the facts and added โ€˜I made a shroud for himโ€™. Refusing to believe me they went in search for him, despite my protest and were eaten up by animals. A stout lady came and made the same enquiry and the same search and shared their rate. I gave her also the shroud. Then as I went on, six or seven moslems were came with a sheep. They then began to force it into my mouth. I said, โ€œI will pray to God and then eat.โ€ I covered the flesh with a cloth and prayed to God. Then the mutton was converted into huge red rose. They were so big that you could not enclose one rose into your palm. The moslems went away. Then I walked on. I was walking on a footpath and was enclosed by a wide expanse of clear water. No path was visible from there. That is Godโ€™s work. 

    Baba, then turning to Shama: What is our duty? Behave properly. that is enough. Go to the Wada and read pothi.

    1. Baba said once: โ€œAs a boy, I was weaving shawls and my father was once so pleased with my work that he gave me a present of Rs. 5/- or so. โ€œ
    2. I was once eating food (i.e., living) in the East Coast (Coromandel Coast).
    3. Baba: โ€œPshaw, what of Akbar? I protected him in his infancy. He stood in awe of me.โ€
    4. โ€œThat Brahmin of Paithan (evidently referring to Eknath), I knew. Such excellent Brahmins are not to be found now a days.โ€
    5. Baba to Balakrishna Upasani Sastri: โ€œI was at the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi took part. I was then in the army.โ€
    6. โ€œMy rich father had much buried wealth. I sat on one and became a big cobra. After a time, I left the treasure and regained human form.โ€
    7. Baba to (GSK): โ€œI was here (at Shirdi or on the banks of Godavari) eight to ten thousand years ago.โ€
    8. โ€œAn old Patil was on this field, and he used to visit me. Detectives (Govindas) 4 or 12 used to watch the old man and they had disagreements and once they had a scuffle with him, and I helped the old man then. He was hauled up and taken to a big town to be dealt with. I intervened and got him released.โ€
    9. โ€œWhen I was young, I was going away far from Jaina. There was a mango tree on the way. Its fruits all marred by insects, I struck iron nails in the tree. That cured the defect. The fruits produced thereafter were free from insects.โ€
    10. Baba: โ€œI and Sakharam (of Angaonkavad) studied under the same Guru and we both planted mangoes with our own hands. Two fruits from them, I have sent just now (1909) for you, Mrs. Kanitkar.

    Mrs. kanitkar next day received at Kopergaon on her way back two mango fruits from the Brahmachari of the temple who said, โ€œBaba sent these for you.โ€

    495. When I was young I went out one morning and suddenly became a girl and continued to be so for sometime thereafter.

    496. Baba: I laboured very hard. I went without food for months and fed myself on leaves of Kala Tekkal, Neem, and other trees. God was very good to me. Life never became extinct though all flesh got wasted and bones appeared to be in danger of crumbling away.

    497. My father found a bar-maid, selling date toddy in a garden to two hundred Rohillas, took to her (wedded or not) got sons by her. She refused to go with him and favoured many. Worms developed on her feet. As she was my fatherโ€™s wife, I tended her feet and cured her. She dies later.

    1. โ€œOnce I wove cloths, turbans, pitambar, rugs etc, but still I could not get enough money to satisfy hunger.โ€
    2. โ€œMy mother was greatly rejoicing that she had got a son, i.e., me. I was for my part wondering at her conduct. When did she beget me? Was I begotten at all? Have I not been already in existence? Why is she rejoicing over this?โ€

    Baba draws people by Rinanubanda

    (l) N.G.Chandorkar

    500Nana : Baba, why did you send for me?

    Baba: There are thousands in the world. Do I send for them all? Should there not be some special reasons to send for you?

    M: May be.    I am not able to see.

    B.: Nana, you and I have been intimate with each other for the last four births. You do not know that; but I do. So be coming here, now and then when you find time. 

    (2) Bbagavant Rao Kshirsagar

    501.โ€œThis man never worships Vittal, not gives Naivedya as his father did. He starves me and Vittal. His father was my friend. So I have now drawn him here to tell him to revive his Pooja.โ€

    (3)

    502.In a former birth, I, you (G.S.K.) Jog, Kaka (H.S.Dixit), Shama, and Dada Kelkar, were all living together with our Guru, in a blind alley. I have therefore now brought all these together.

    (4)

    Nana, this man has left a box with us, and now wants it back. It is not proper to refuse, (i.e., he has done us a good turn in a former Janma. We must now do him a good turn.) (s.c.227.)

    (5) Do not drive away

    503. โ€œNo one comes to us without Rinanubanda. i.e., some pre-natal connection. So when any dog, cat, pig, fly or person approaches, do not drive it or him away with a โ€œHat-Hat,โ€ โ€œJit-Jitโ€.

    (6) Rinanubanda for animals

    504. Baba (to a performer whose tiger died): The tigerโ€™s debt to you incurred in a former birth is now cleared.

    Babaโ€™s reference to his being a Brahmin in the present Janma

    505.(a) This is a Brahminโ€™s mosque.

    (b) This is a Brahmin, a pure Brahmin, a white Brahmin, who will carry thousands on through Subhra Marga.

    506. (c) Baba (to Mrs. Chaubal who intended to pay 1/2 rupees as dakshina to Baba, paid only 1/4 rupee and retreated): โ€œWhy do you wish to dupe me, a poor Brahmin, of the other 1/4 ?โ€

    (d) Baba (to S.B.Nachna. who asked him leave to start, but forgot to deliver 2 annas to Baba, though he had received it from V.C.S. for that purpose): โ€œAll right you may go back via Chitali, but do not dupe a poor Brahmin of his two annas.โ€

  • OTHER POWERS I

    6โ€“10 minutes

    Babaโ€™s other powers

    Para Number in the Book & About HIS Powers

    BABA AND BLACK MAGIC

    449. Theosophical Lady: (thinks whether Babaโ€™s extraordinary powers are cases of black magic).

    [Babaโ€™s powers were not acquired one after another by dint of repeating mantras and going through rites intended for such acquisition. His powers were part of his nature, as developed by the Guruโ€™s grace, after a course of prolonged and intense love and devotion to the Guru-God. 

    (cf. Srimad Bhagavata, V(5) 35, where the saint Rishabha in proceeding with his blissful God realization, i.e., realization of Vasudeva, as God external to himself and as his self, developed, siddhis such as (1) Duragrahana โ€“ seeing things happening at any distance, (2) Antardhana โ€“ sudden appearance and disappearances, (cf. 352, 532) (3) Manojava โ€“ quick flash of thoughts, achieving all feats of intellect or reason-intuition intensified, (see 406) (4) Parakayapravesa โ€“ entering other bodies living or dead, (see 321) (5) Vaihayasa โ€“ travelling with a physical body through air, despite obstructions like walls etc.,(see 75 to 87)]

    Baba: Black! This is a Brahmin, a pure Brahmin, a white Brahmin. He will lead thousands on to the Subbra Marga, i.e., white or pure path (to God). No (Black) Kala Yavana can put his foot here.

    1. Baba to Kusa Bhav: “Stop all your magical feats (i.e., black magic) and then come here.”
    2. Baba to a victim of Black Magic: “God will bless.”

    A man of parwani was the victim of Black Magic. Food looked like hair, and smelt like dung. His articles caught fire spontaneously. He tried poojas and professional mantrics in vain. He came to Shirdi. Baba blessed him. The Black Magic was destroyed.

    452. Evil Spirits were removed by Baba in His presence.

    • Hansraj was said to be afflicted with an evil spirit. He came to Baba.

    Baba (slapping him): “Evil spirit! Be off.”

    Hansraj had no more evil spirit and his Asthma (chronic) also left him, by staying with Baba.

    • Mrs. Tipnis was possessed and was brought to Shirdi. The evil spirit gradually left her, while at Shirdi by Babaโ€™s blessing.

    Benefits from Knowledge of the Future-Courage and Endurance

    1. Baba to R.B.P.: “Do not cry. This trouble (Asthma) breathing hard, Allah has given me. It will pass away, in 2 or 4 days.”
    2. Baba to H.S. Dixit: “You will have fever. It will last only eight days. Do not be worried over it.”

    Dixit got fever, but was indeed so free from worry; that in spite of friendsโ€™ protests, he declined to take medicines and consumed food and drink considered unsafe for the sick. In eight days, he regained health.

    BABA ON THE PAST

    (A) Baba’s tracing Past lives of others

    1. Baba to Balasaheb Bhate: ” you were a Khatri in your past life, and your present wife and son were of the weaver (Sali) caste in their past life.”
    2. Vasudeva  Kaka was (in his past Janma) Rajput named Jai Singh, whose daughter turned out bad and became the mistress of a Barwar.
    3. Kondaji’s son who died recently (in 1912) was previously a mang and before that, he was my grandfather who died of leprosy. In all three lives, I helped and played with or near him.
    4. Sparrows now nesting (1912) on the Mimbar of the Mosque were once nesting there and eater up by a snake. But they were again born as sparrows and nested in the same place.
    5. For centuries, he (R.B.Purandhare)was connected with me.
    6. This sister (Chandrabai Barker) is my sister of 7 Janmas. Wherever I go, she seeks me out.
    7. You introduce him to me! I have known him (G.G. Narke) for 30 generations.
    8. Shama (Madhava Rao Deshpande), I have been with you for 72 generations, and never pinched you till now.
    9. (Re. Mrs G.S. Khaparde) Formerly she was the cow of bania and gave (me) plenty of milk. Then after death, she was born a mali’s (gardener’s) daughter; and later went to a Kshatriya. Then she married the Bania, and then was born Brahmin.

    After a long spell of time, I am seeing her again and the food she gives me is sweet.

    This was in explanation to Shama’s objection that Baba was showing partiality to Mrs.Khaparde, by tasting her Naivedya first, without touching any of the previous Naivedyas (i.e., food) already offered.

    G.S. Khaparde

    464.   Baba to G.S. Khaparde- “In a former birth, you were with me for two or three years, and went into royal service, though there was enough at home to live in comfort.”

    1. Rao Saheb Yeswant Rao J, Galwankar went to Baba in 1917.

    Baba placing his palm over his (G’s)head (and thereby putting him in ecstacy) said: This is a person, who has had integrity and purity in his previous births. I therefore placed him in his present mother’s womb and he still retains those qualities. (cf. 469.)

    1. Baba to T.A. Karnik (Kalyan): “I have known you for 2,000 years. You were always obstinate and up to monkey tricks.”
    Hangman Rebirth for revenge – Re-incarnation and reaping of results

    467. At Shirdi, near the takia, a blind man lived. He was murdered. A hangman carried out the villager’s sentence to execute the murderer. But he did so, out of spite or enmity towards that murderer. So the executed man was born as the hangman’s son.

    N.G.Chandorkar

    468.   N.G.C. to Baba: “Why have you sent for me.”

    Saba: “There are thousands of persons. I do not send for them. You and I have been intimate for four Janmas. You do not know it. But I do. Be coming to me, when time permits.”

    Kishya (or Pishya)
    1. He was a Rohilla.   He married my grand aunt and I put him into the womb of his present mother.
    Pradhan
    1. At Shirdi there was an old man of great piety over 12 years. His wife and grown up sons were at Jalna and they repeatedly entreated him to go back. At last, he went on horseback and, I (Baba) followed him in a cart. After a time, this old man married the young daughter of his own brother and had by her a little boy. The old man died, when the boy was aged six. That boy was later poisoned by Biradars and was born as Babu (Dada Kelkar’s brother’s son); and Babu after dying here (1910) is born again in Bombay.

    In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Pradhan of Bombay were present before Baba.

    B.. “Syama, this (Mrs.M.W.P.) will be the mother of my Babu.”

    The lady was not then pregnant ; but 12 months from that date she begot a boy, who was given the name Babu; because Baba said he was Babu. Some months after the child was born, the parents with the child went to Shirdi and placed the child before Baba.

    Baba, taking the child in his arms- “Babu, where have you been? Were you vexed with or weary of me?”

    This Babu passed away (1919) soon after Baba passed away

    Baba’s Reminiscences of former births: Goats
    1. Once Baba noted two out of a flock of goats near the lendi garden and bought them for Rs.32. Shania and Tatya considered that Baba was duped in the bargain, as the highest price for them would be Rs.8. He spent some more money in purchasing 4 seers of dhal(lentils) and fed the goats and then sent them away to the owner of the flock.

    B.: “Shama, Tatya, you think I have been duped? No. Listen to the history of these goats. In their former births, these goats were human and my neighbours. They loved each other at first and they loved me. Later they became enemies, fought with each other and killed each other. They have now been born as these goats. As they passed by me, they looked at me and I at once remembered their past history; my love for them was renewed and I spent all this money to have them near me once again and to feed them sumptuously. As you do not like my bargain, I sent them back to the shepherd.”

    Guru follows devotee birth after birth-Mrs. T.

    1. Baba (to Mrs.T. of Bombay and her son).

    “How often, in the past janmas. have I been with you! And how many more shall remain with you !! We shall meet again and again.

    I have to give an account of every pie (i.e., every- soul committed to my care) to God.”

    472A. Baba’s references to his present birth (Mahlsapathy often said that Sai Baba told him explicitly) “I was a Brahmin of Patri. When I was young, my parents gave me away to a fakir” (and Sai Baba mentioned names of many people of patri and made enquires about them).

    472B. (Das Ganu says that Baba said) “My Guru was a Brahmin, Venkusa of Selu.”

    (G.G.Narke says that Baba said) “My guru is a Brahmin.”

    H.V. sathe says that Baba mentioned his Guru’s name and that it ended with “Sah” -“Shah” and that it might be Venkusa.

    472C.   Baba’s Rebirth in the Future:

    • Baba promises devotees to be reborn, to look after them e.g., Mr.M.B.R (see para 17) Master T.(see 472).
    • Baba to N.G. ChandorkarNana- “your (Manghat) wrist will later on, shake an old man’s neck. After that I will be born as the child of Bapu.”
    • RS.Dixit said that Baba declared that “he would be reborn and that he would appear before people as a boy of eight.”
  • MISCELLANEOUS -NATURE

    11โ€“17 minutes

    Babaโ€™s other natures

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” About HIS other Natures

    Baba’s advice re. His Biography

    609. Baba: (How the biography ought to be written).

    1. “Inquire and collect a true account of events and experiences of devotees.
    2. The biographer should not write with self conceit and in the spirit of controversy. Let there be no taking of sides and no aggressive debate.
    3. The biographer must drown himself in the contemplation of Sai Baba and after full surrender of self and egotism, the biography must be written. It will then be really written by Baba himself.
    4. Benefit of reading, writing and thinking of Baba’s life is this:

    Devotion will be intensified and ignorance will be dispelled. If however the book is written in a controversial spirit, ignorance will develop thereby.

    1. If anyone serves me (Baba) with faith, God will be kind to him.”
    II. Baba’s Peculiar methods of Talk-Paradox
    1. When H.S. Dixit had a vision of Vittal (Pandari Nath God) at his lodgings and then went to Baba, Baba said:

    “Has not Vittal Patil come?   Have you not seen him? That vittal is very elusive. Tie him fast. If inadvertently, you lose sight of him for a second, he will vanish.”

    1. Das Ganu Maharaj was much confused about the meaning of Isavasya Upanishad and went to Baba.

    Baba : What, man. is the difficulty in this? Go back to Kaka’s house (H.S.D,’s in Ville Parle). His molkarin (i.e., servant girl of the agricultural class) will clear your doubt.”

    Das Ganu went there ; and a young servant girl (aged 8 and belonging to the Kumbi caste) was there. Her words and conduct enabled him to understand the Upanishad, though she never knew his difficulties or she was solving them.

    1. When Shama was stung by a snake and went to Baba at the mosque. Baba: “Do not get up Bramin. Get back. Descend”. Shama was afraid that this was an order to him not to climb. Baba a little later : “come up. The fakir (God), is kind. You will be cured”. (Then shama discovered that the first spoken words were addressed to the poison so that it should not creep up the body of the Brahmin.)
    2. Uddhavesa Bua was writing a letter to Baba every Ekadasi day i.e., once in 15 days. He visited Baba some months before Baba passed away.

    B.: Well go. You need not be coming here every fifteen days, I am always with you and will ever be. Tell all people there (i.e., convey my best wishes to all.) This was really bidding farewell. Uddhavesa did not however understand it, but somehow owing to forget-fulness, he did not send his Ekadasi letter thereafter. Obviously Baba’s reference to the 15 days, visit was a reference to these letters.

    1. Baba (1} (re: a poor but saintly man): ‘He has much paica (literally Cash)”.’

    (2) “Brahmins earn much paica by their ways’. (Baba meant by Paica-punya, or Apoorva, i.e.. merit.)

    1. B. (re: a person of Harda who had just died): “How can he die? In the morning, he will come to life.”

    (The relations of the deceased were looking for the revival of the corpse and were disappointed. Baba referred to survival of personality and taking up a new body in the next birth.)

    1. B.: “That fakir is kind to all”. (Baba referred to his God-Guru, under the term Fakir.)
    2. H.S.D. to Baba: Nana saheb Karambelkar writes that his wife and brother are unwell and wants your help for their recovery.

    Baba: The brother will recover. H.S.D.: The lady?

    Baba: Is she come?

    H.S.D.: No, but shall we send for her ?

    Baba: Yes.

    The brother recovered and the lady died. ‘Is she come?’ means, in “sukshma sarira, after death.”

    1. H.S.D. wished to help a devotee at Shirdi who was in pecuniary difficulties, but who would not accept any presents. So he enclosed the money in an envelope and went to Baba.

    H.S.D.; Baba. shall I send this letter? Baba: “Yes”.

    H.S.D. send it at once; and it was accepted. The devotee gave the explanation. Two hours earlier, the wife of that devotee went to Baba. Baba: “Mother, I am coming to your house. Tell your husband, not to reject me.”

    III Baba’s peculiar humour, double entendre, jokes etc.

    1. Once a goat entered the mosque, old, famished and just about to die.

    Baba (to Bade Baba): Cut that goat with one stroke.

    Bade Baba (Looking at it with pity):How are we to kill this?

    So saying, he went away from the mosque,

    Baba: Shama, you cut it.   fetch a knife from Radhakrishna Ayi.

    (Ayi sent a knife; but learning the purpose recalled it.) Shama: I will go home to fetch a knife.

    Shama went home and stayed away there.

    Then Baba to H.S.D.:You fetch a knife and kill it. H.S.D. went and fetched a knife. H.S.D. Baba, shall I kill it? Baba: Yes.

    H.S.D. lifted up the knife and held it up in hesitation.

    Baba: What are you thinking of? Strike.

    Dixit obeyed and was bringing the knife down.

    Baba: Stop, let the creature remain, I will kill it myself but not at the mosque.

    Then Baba carried the creature a few yards, after which it fell dead.

    1. G.D. Pandit of Pelaspe came and bowed to Baba. Baba (to some one): “What is Bapu Saheb doing?”

    Narayan: Sleeping.

    Baba : “Narayan, beat him well, when he comes here. He owes me three or four thousand rupees and delays payment.”

    This referred to a debtor of G.D. Pandit named Bapu Saheb, who owed G.D.P. that amount and was delaying payment. But Bapu Saheb Jog (who was Baba’s occasional banker) believed that it was a wrong accusation against him and he declared in anger that he did not owe any such sums.

    IV Baba’s peculiar method of Teaching
    1. Madhava Bua sat before Baba, and thought that Baba should teach him the nature of a “Hamsa “saint

    Baba (to M.): Go and hear pothi (read by H.S.D.) At once M. went to H.S.D. and found him reading Eknath Bhagavat, Skanda XI, chapter 18. Verses 2737, describing Hamsas and paramahamsas.

    1. A Prarthana samajist discovering that Baba’s power, nature and acts showed (a) that Avatars were possible and probable, (b) that God comes as Avatar to help devotees and (c) that offer of camphor, and naivedya to Avatras and God is right, came to Baba and sitting before him framed within his mind this question: “Baba, shall I place all my burdens on you?”

    Baba (loudly): “Yes.”

    P.S. (loudly): “Do you look on all with equal eye?”

    B.: “Some sense is required to ask questions.   What a silly question you ask?  I look on all with equal eye.”

    P.S. Mentally prayed or wished to have an Ishta devata (divine form) for worship. He turned to the old sala and there a lovely female apparition was standing and looking at him. He turned to Baba, Baba looked at him with a smile. On that occasion this happened several times.

    P.S, learnt later that the figure, he saw was Annapurna and made her his Ishta devata. On the second visit of P.S. to Shirdi, somebody discussed with him whether Sai was a Sthutaprayna, and the good of going to Shirdi and that upset his faith. Then he went and sat before Baba.

    B: Shama. take this man.   Tell him something.

    Shama took him out and said: Outsider’s talk and upsetting of your faith thereby is all Baba’s Lila. Do not mind what the world says or the troubles it gives. Keep your mind at Baba’s feet. Then Baba will give you peace. When the two returned, Baba (to P.S.): “follow Shama’s advice.”

    623. Baba, to Radhabai Deshmukhin:

    “I do not bite (i.e., instruct through) the ear. Our traditions are different.”

    624. Baba to Upasani Maharaj: “Be by me and keep quiet. I will do the rest.”

    As in the case of Narayana Tirtha, he infused this devotee with thought and feeling without giving express instruction (Upadesa). except in visions.

    625. Shama Rao R.Shrotrie, a record keeper of District court, Thana, sat before Baba at Shirdi with a question in his mind.

    Baba- “Go to Bai”.

    She is reading puran in the temple. Then Shrotrie went up and listened and found the answer to his question in what she read.

    This is one of Baba’s ways of giving answers.

    V. Re. Photographing Baba

    626. B.:   Shama   what   have   the   boys   come   here Shama: To take a photograph of you.

    B.: Tell the boys that no photo should be taken (To have my real likeness), if the wall is pulled down, that is enough.

    N.B.- wall is (1) the body and (2) the idea that we are the body. Baba’s real likeness is Brahman.

    VI Baba’s parables
    1. Baba- “I had brought numerous asses laden with gold. Robbers looted all that on the road. So it is very hard to live in the house (or proximity) of thieves. You (Bhao saheb Pradhan, sub-Registrar) have been sent to me that I may teach you this. It is very difficult to remain in this sapless world. That is what I was taught. Convey this much to my brother Madhav Nath (Maharaj).

    627a. My money was carried away by people. I said nothing, but quietly followed them killed them and recovered my money.

    1. Baba: “I once changed the lower party of my body for that of a parrot, and after a year’s experience, I discovered that it was a serious loss. I lost a lakh of Rupee  (i.e., aim).”
    2. Baba: “I sat near a post and then a great serpent woke up, and was very angry. It used to jump up and also fall from above.”
    3. Baba: “A man had a very beautiful horse. In spite of all his efforts, it would not go in pair. A vidwan suggested that its should be taken back to the place whence it was brought (it source). That was done. Then it became controllable and useful.”
    4. Baba (to B.V. Dev); “You have given four, it is true. Baba however gets only one.”(All four merged into one)
    5. Baba (to Mr G.S.K.)”It is cloudy. Rains will fall. Crops will grow and mature. Clouds will disperse, why do you fear?
    6. Baba: “A person rode on a camel. It passed excreta. I gathered all the excreta and ate them up, My belly was puffed up-swollen. I felt listless. Then the rider took pity upon me. He gave me four grains of Bengali gram (Cicer arietinum) and I ate them and drank water. Thus my vehement turbulence ceased. My swollen belly subsided. Now hereafter, it will be cured.”
    7. Shama:  Why  are you grinding  corn  with  grindstones?

    Baba:   “For those who come here (to me), I have to grind.”

    Sri Sai Baba’s utterances to Kasinath Upasini Maharaj
    1. Sai: Hallo, Kasinath when you left, you protested you-could not return within 8 days.

    Kasi: I do not know how this has happened. It is all your doing.

    Sai: “Man, I was behind you all these 8 days.   Now go and stay in that Wada (Kaka Sahib’s).”

    Sai: (Addressing a general crowd):- “One day as I walked along I noticed a pregnant woman. Her belly was protruding, her hand and feet were emaciated, she was alone, could not walk easily except with a stick to support “You have been carrying for many years. Why are you not yet delivered?”. She made no reply, so I added” Let it pass. Drink only hot water. That will make delivery easy”. She heeded not my advice and went to a steam to drink cold water.

    Hallo, I thought “she will die and that unnecessarily and her numerous children in her belly will also die with her, so, I went up and told her “Dame did I not tell you to avoid cold drink; why have you come to this stream? Go to the village and get hot water to drink”. From that day she drank hot water. Now she is all right. This is all mere Vata (Wind). “

    As Sai spoke thus. He pointed occasionally towards Kasinath and looked at him. Kasinath at once understood. It is Sai that came to me at Rahuri and told me drink hot water and again at Jejuri 156 miles away and forced me to drink hot water. He is the kind Saviour, who cured my trouble, that no doctor could cure.

    1. “There is renanubandha, mutual obligations between us. Our families have been interlocked by mutual obligations for centuries,   nay for a thousand years, so there is no difference between you and me.”

    B. “There was a well at its brink there was a tree, on the tree 2 birds sat, one of them slipped down and was about to be drowned. Down jumped its loving friend to save it and actually saved it, though the saviour nearly lost its life.”

    637. Sai: “Kasinath must clear his accounts before he can leave Shirdi.”

    Shame: “What accounts”

    Sai: “I settle the accounts of all that come to me. (Some weeks later) all accounts have been settled except 2 or 4 cart loads (Sravanam. July-Aug. 1911). All accounts have been settled with the result that Kasinath must remain 4 years at Shirdi”

    Shama:    “What is he to do for 4 years here?”

    Sai: “He must simply sit quiet in Vittoba’s temple doing nothing. He has merely to eat bread and vegetable and sit quiet. I shall accomplish what I want”.

    Sai to Kasinath: “Have nothing to do with anybody. Your future is very excellent.”

    Sai to Others; “Such is his worth” the whole world may be put in one scale pan and he in the other.

    (Bombay Prabhti): “What Baba-do you give him a copper plate grant of your full favour”.

    Sai; “What I have spoken, every thing I have got has been given.”

    Sai to Kasinath: “Wherever you may be, you are God. Now understand that the gold plate grant is in your hands. You need not go to me frequently, come to me only occasionally. However don’t talk to me and I shan’t talk to you. After 4 years, you will have the full favour of Mahalsapathi and you will realise everything”

    “You have not recognised me, I have recognised you thoroughly. I have been intently thinking of you for many a year. Now where have you to go or come? If you are unable to do anything, keep quiet. I shall personally accompany you, get a ticket, put you into the train and see that you reach your destination.

    Prabhti : “What Baba, you have given everything to this individual”.

    Sai; “Yes, Yes, everything has been given, whatever he be, good or bad, he is mine.”

    There is no distinction between me and him. Now the whole responsibility for him rests with me.

    1. Sai Baba (to Kasinath) ” I shall be coming there to Khandobha’s.”

    “If I go over, will you regonise me and give me a chilm to smoke?”

    Kasinath; I do not understand you.

    1. Sai Baba to Kasinath : ” I do not want your prasad. why do you take the trouble to bring it here? I was there”

    Kasinath:  “Baba.  there was none there, except a black dog.

    Sai: “Yes, I was that black dog”.

    1. Sai to Kasinath : “You drove me away.”

    Kasi: There was none there except a sickly Sudra.

    Sai: “I was in everything and even beyond”.

    1. Kasi to Sai: Baba, the person you cast out and burnt is I.

    Sai:    “Yes, you were in that SIN form”. Papa Rupa. I have destroyed him. You are now free from sin. By our united efforts there are many things to be achieved in the future and how can that be done if sin remains.”

    1. Sai to Kasi: “Look at that man, that is you. Your punya purusha. (See 112) Kasi: “Baba, if this my punya purusha and the other whom you destroyed is my papa purusha, who am I?

    Sai: “You are beyond these two. That which constitutes me, constitutes you, you are myself.”

    1. Sai to Kasinath: – “Plant 14 peepal trees that live for centuries.”
  • MATERIALISATION

    Babaโ€™s materialisation

    Para Number in the Book & About Materialisation

    1. Chidambar Keshav Gadgil, when transferred and ordered to join his new station, sat in the Railway carriage and regretted he could not go to Baba before joining. Suddenly a packet of Udhi fell into his lap. On his return to Shirdi:

    Baba (to C.K. Gadgil): “You could not come. So I sent Udhi. Did you get it?”

    1. Baba (to Kusha Bhav), “think of me and at once I am near you”. Whenever Kusha Bhav thinks of Baba, Baba’s Udhi pours out from Kusha’s folded palms. (See also 283)
    2. Das Ganu wanting to go to Godavari (called Ganges by the people) said to Baba: “Baba, this is Mahasivarathri. I want to have Gangasnan at Singaba, three miles from shirdi”

    B.: Why should you go there?

    D G. was at once dejected.

    B . :Ganga is here at my feet.    Do not go.

    • DG.was again cheerless, because though he had written that Baba was God Vishnu, his faith in that statement was very very weak.
    • B.: Come here, hold your palm near my feet.

    D.G. did so. Lo and behold! A thin stream of water poured out from Baba’s feet on to the palm and D.G. had a palmful of water. Here was Ganga and D.G. sprinkled it over his head.

    Power to give Power
    1. Baba (to N.G.C., who was giving medicines to all sorts of people for all diseases for one year): “give the same medicine for everything.”

    Thereafter N. G. C. gave sublimate of alum for scorpion sting, snake-hite and all sorts of troubles and cured them.

    1. N G Chandorkar was climbing Harischandra hill on a summer day, and was seized with thirst. No water was available anywhere in the place. N. G. Chandorkar: ‘If Baba was here he would give me water.’

    At that time Baba was at Shirdi, 40 miles away. At Shirdi Mosque:

    Baba: “Nana is thirsty. The heat of summer is great. Should we not give him at least a palmful of water?”

    The devotees present there could not make out why Baba talked like that. But on the hill Nana saw a Bhil coming down.

    NGC: Bhil, I am thirsty. Canโ€™t I get water to drink?

    Bhil: Under the very rock you are sitting on, there is water.

    So saying the Bhil left.

    The rock was shifted and below it, was a palmful of drinking water. N. G. Chandorkar drank it.

    [When saw later] Baba: “Nana, you were thirsty. I gave you water. Did you drink it?”

    T.D. Jethadhai-seeded Grapes become Seedless Grapes

    351. Takkar Dharmsey Jethabhai, the sait under whom Kaka Mahajani was serving, came out of curiosity, with Kaka to see Baba. They brought with them grapes with seeds and presented them to Baba. Sait wanted to see some of Baba’s miracles; but did not want to pay dakshina.

    Baba:   Here  sait,   take  some   of these   grapes  and  eat them.

    The sait was much confused. He put the grapes into his mouth, but did not know what to do with the seeds. He could not spit them out into the Majid. So he put them into his pocket, which also he did not like. He wondered, how if Sai were a saint, he could be ignorant of his dislikes. At once:

    Baba: “Here are more grapes, take them.” So saying, Baba gave them more of the grapes which they themselves had brought.  Sait holding the  grapes in hand wondered what to do. Baba: “Eat it.”

    Saitย  putย ย  theย ย  grapesย  intoย  hisย ย  mouthย ย  andย ย  foundย  they wereย ย  seedless. Heย wantedย Chamatkarsย andย ย  hereย  they seeded grapes into seedless grapes.

    Then, Shama introduced the sail to Baba as Kaka’s master.

    Baba.”How is he Kaka’s master? Kaka has a different master, who gives him bliss”.

    After Arati, sait wanted to go away with Kaka, who was usually detained for days by Baba. Shama asked for permission. Baba then spoke in his characteristic fashion.

    Baba- “There was a fickle-minded gentleman, very rich and healthy. He took on his head needless burdens and carried them hither and thither and had no peace of mind. He drops his burdens; and resumes them. His mind is not steady. I took pity on him and say, “Now if you like, place your firm faith in one place your present rambling and confusion are useless,”

    Dharmsey found that this was an exact description of himself.

    Then Baba asked Kaka for Rs.15/- dakshina and received it.

    B.: “If I take one rupee of dakshina from anyone. I have to return it to him tenfold. I never take anything gratis. I do not ask everyone indiscriminately for dakshina. I take only from him, who is pointed out by the Fakir. If any one is indebted to that Fakir, money is got from him. The giver gives, but really sows his seed, the gift to reap a rich harvest later on. Wealth is merely means to work out dharma. If one uses it merely for personal enjoyment, it is vainly spent.

    Unless you have given wealth, you do not get it now. Dakshina is asked, because ย wealthย  hasย  beenย  given. Theย  givingย  of dakshina, advances vairagya and thereby Bhakthi and Jnana.ย ย  What am I doing?ย ย  Receiving one and returning it tenfold!”

    Sour and not Sour

    351A. Judge MB. Rege one day prepared at shirdi some lime juice syrup to offer it to Baba and first tasted it. He found it not sour at all. He then took it and gave it to Baba. Baba (after tasting it), to H.S.D.- “Kaka, see how sour it is.” H.S.D. and judge then tasted it and it was sour. Judge was mortified.

    Baba:   No. I was only joking.   Now taste it.

    Again H.S.D. tasted it.ย ย This time, it was not sour at all.

  • GURU

    Babaโ€™s sayings about HIS own Gurus and other Gurus

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About Teachers

    (Sai Baba’s Former Guru’s Mahima)

    175. Baba himself described how he met his guru.

    “Once myself and three others were studying our Pothi, Puran and other works and discussed how we were to get realisation.

    One said we should depend on ourselves (and not on a guru) for Gita says raise your self.

    A second said the main thing is to make the mind selfcontrolled, free from thoughts and doubts. It is we who are in everything, everywhere.

    A Third.: The form (i.e. in phenomena) is ever changing. The formless is unchanging. So we must always be making Vichara i.e., distinguishing between Nitya and Anitya.

    The fourth (Sai Baba) disliked bookish knowledge, “Let is do our prescribed duty,” HE said, “and surrender our body, speech and life to a guru, who is all pervading.   Faith in him is the thing needful.”

    As we rambled through the forest, we met a Vanajari (a caste that carried salt, grain etc.) who asked us “where are you going in this heat into the forest?” We gave no direct reply. He kindly warned us from getting into the trackless woodsโ€”and that needlessly. He bade us share his food.

    We disdained his advice and marched on.

    But   in   that  vast   and  dense   wood,   we  lost  our  way

    That man met us again and said that by relying on our own cleverness, we had got into a wrong way and that a guiding finger is needed to show the way. “Do not despise offers of food. Such offers are auspicious signs of success in one’s endeavour,” he said; and he again invited us to take food with him. Again we declined it and went away. I soon felt hungry and I went and accepted a bit of bread and ate it and drank some water.

    Then A Guru came then and said, “What was your dispute?” and I told him all our talk. The others left him and did not care  for  him. But I reverently bowed   to him.    Then he took me to a well tied up my legs with a rope, and   suspended me, head downwards, from a tree by a side of the well. My head was about three feet off the water,   which I could not reach. 

    And  my guru  left me  there  and went away-God  knows where. He returned after 4 or 5 hours and asked me how I fared. “In great bliss was my time passed”-I answered.      The Guru, mightily pleased with me, drew  me  near  him,  passed  his palm over my head  and   body   and   spoke   to   me tender words dripping with love, and he put me into his school -where I entirely forgot my father and mother and all attachments and desires.

    I loved to gaze at him. If he were not there to see, I would not like to have eyes at all. I did not wish to go back. I forgot all other things but the Guru. My life was concentrated in my sight and my sight in him. That was the object of my meditation. In silence, I bowed.

    Meaning i.e., Realisation flashed upon me, of itself without effort or study, purely by his grace.

    Guru’s grace is our only sadhana. JNANA comes as experience (or in its wake).

    Guru needed

    176. A devotee- ‘Baba, where is one to go?

    Baba.: Above this.

    D.: What is the way?

    Baba.: There are plenty of ways proceeding from each place. For you, here is this way, leading hence. But the way is rugged. There are tigers and bears on the route.

    H.S.Dixit: But Baba, if one has a guide with him, then?

    Baba.- If one has a guide with him, then there is no difficulty. Then, the tigers and bears move aside. If there is no guide, there is a deep yawning pit on the way, and there is the danger of falling into it.

    (Here “Guide” = “Guru,” and ‘Pit= “Hell”)

    177- Baba-“Stick to your own Guru with unabated faith, whatever the merits of other Gurus and however little the merits of your own.”

    Pant, we must not give up attachment to our own Guru but be ever firmly resting in him and in him alone.

    BABA ON “VENKUSA” The Guru of this birth

    178. “For 12 years I waited on my Guru who is peerless and loving. How can I describe his love to Me? When he was DYANASTHA, (i.e., in love-trance) I sat and gazed at him. We were both filled with Bliss. I cared not to turn my eye upon anything else. Night and day I pored upon his face with an ardour of love that banished hunger and thirst. The Guru’s absence for a second made me restless. I meditated on nothing but the Guru, and had no goal, or object, other than the Guru. Unceasingly fixed upon him was my mind. Wonderful indeed, the art of my Guru!

    I wanted nothing but the Guru and he wanted nothing but this intense love from me. Apparently inactive, he never neglected me, but always protected me by his glance. That Guru never blew any mantra into my ear. By his grace, I attained to my present state. Making the Guru the sole object of one’s thoughts and aims one attains Paramartha, the Supreme Goal. This is the only truth the Guru taught me. The four Sadhanas and Six Sastras are not necessary. Trusting in the Guru fully is enough.

    That is the only Sadhana

    My fakir’s wife left me with ‘Venkusa’ at Selu, stayed with him 12 years, and left Selu.

    178. This Brick (which Baba always lovingly used to support his arm or head) is my Guruโ€™s gift, my life companion. It is not the brick that is broken now-but my Karma (prarabdha) is that has snapped. I cannot survive the breaking of the brick.

    (Baba said this early in October 1918, when Madhav Fasle lifted the brick and carelessly allowed it to fall, whereby it broke into two. Baba seeing the broken pieces expressed his grief and spoke as above.)

    1. Baba: “Nana, I am not angry with you. You, my children can be angry with me. If Venkusa were alive, I could be angry with him.”
    2. “One should not stay in any place, where saints are (or oneโ€™s Guru is) ill spoken of.”
    FORMER GURU KABIR UPASANA

                 Margosa Foot tomb is Kabirs i.e., Body of Kabir became flowers

    181. Kabir was my guru (cf.477)

    I put up at that tree foot (Gode Neem), for that reason.

    God will bless those who burn incense here on Thursdays and Fridays (sc 164)

    182. GURU IS GOT, BY ADOPTION BY THE DEVOTEE

    A rich lady carried a plateful of rupees and stood before Baba for 4 days. But Baba did not ask her for any Dakshina.

    Lady (on the fourth day): “Baba, I have come here for a Guru. Take my dakshina now. Make yoursef my guru and give me upadesa.”

    Baba: It is not the guru that makes himself your guru. It is you who must regard him as Guru, i.e., place faith in him. Take a Postherd and regard it as your Guru and see if your goal or aim is reached or not. (cf Ekalavya)

    Nature of Jnana or Brahman and how to get it through Gurus

    183. N.C.G., a graduate well versed in Sanskrit and a good student of Sankara Bhashya on Gita, was once massaging Baba’s feet at the Mosque.

    Baba- ” Nana, what are your muttering?”

    N.G.C.: A Sanskrit verse.

    B.: What is the verse?

    N.G.C.: A verse from the Gita.

    B.: Recite it audibly.

    Then N.G.C. recited Gita, Chapter 4, verse 34.

    B.: Nana, do you understand this? 

    N.G.C.: I do.

    B.: Then give the meaning. 

    Then N.G.C. gave the meaning.

    B.: I do not want the general purport.   Give the meaning word for word, with strict reference to case, mood, tense and other parts of grammar.

    Nana gave such an explanation, wondering whether Baba could know anything of Sanskrit grammar. But Baba began cross examining him severely with reference to grammar.

    B.: In Thatvidhi what does That refer to?

    • NG.C: Jnana.

    B.: Which Jnana or Jnana of what?

    N.G.C.: The Jnana referred to in the previous stanzas.

    B. What does Pranipatha mean?

    N.G.C.: Prostration.

    B.: What does (Patha) mean?

    N.G.C.: The same.

    B.: If Pranipatha and Patha meant the same, would Vyasa have added two needless syllables’?

    N.G.C.: I do not know the difference between the two.

    B.: What does prasna mean’.’ 

    N.G.C.: It means putting questions. 

    B.: What does pariprasna mean?

    N.G.C.: The same.

    B.: If both the phrases meant the same, was Vyasa off his head to use the longer phrase?

    N.G.C.: I do not see however any difference.

    B.: What does Seva mean?

    N.G.C.: Service, such as massaging.

    B. : Nothing more?

    N.G.C.: I cannot see what more it will mean.

    B.: Let that go. In the last two parts. Krishna asks Arjuna to get Jnana from Tatwadarsi Jnanis. Was not Krishna a jnani?

    N.G.C.: Yes.

    B.: Then why does he not give jnana himself but refer Arjuna to others?

    N.G.C.: I cannot say.

    B.. Is not Arjuna a jiva, a piece of Chaitanya?

    N.G.C.: Yes.

    B. : How can jnana be given to the jiva, which is already a piece of Chaitanya or Jnana?

    N.G.C.: I cannot say.

    B. : Let that alone.    In the second half of the stanza can you read an extra syllable into it?

    N.G.C.: Yes. 

    B.. How?

    N.G.C.; By adding an Avagraha, i.e., elision mark before Jnana.

    B.How will it read then ?

    N.G.C.  Updateikshanthi Tejanam. But Baba, this reading is not found in Sankara’s commentary.

    B. : What if? If it makes a better sense, what is the harm? 

    N.G.C.: I cannot see how it can make a better sense. 

    B.: You will.

    Then Nana wanted Baba to answer the questions which he Himself had raised and explain the stanza in his own way.

    B.: The Stanza refers to how a sishya should approach his guru to obtain realisation of the Real. The disciple must approach the Guru, completely surrendering body, mind, soul and possessions, to the Guru. The  prostration must be one accompanied by that attitude.

    As for Pariprasna, it must be repeated and must not be mere idle questions or merely out of curiosity or with any improper motive, or attitude, e.g., to trap the Guru into a mistake and catch him. The object must be pure desire to attain progress and liberation and the questions must be humbly repeated till full light is gained.

    As for Seva, mere service e.g., massage etc., is not enough. To be effective, there must be no lingering idea that one is free to yield the service or refuse it. One must feel that one is not the master of the body-which has become the Guru’s and exists merely to render him service.

    As for the Guru giving Ajnana to the sishya, we will see, 

    B.. Is not Brahman, Jnana or pure Sadvastu? 

    N.G.C.: Yes.

    B.: Have not the sastras declared that Brahman is not reached by speech or mind? (Ayathovacho)

    N.G.C.: Yes.

    B.. Then that speech (of the Guru) is not Brahman or Jnana?

    N.G.C.: No. It is not.

    B.: Then what the Guru speaks is not Jnana but Ajnana? Is it not so?

    NG.C.: It seems so.

    B: “The Guru’s instruction is ‘a piece of ignorance Ajnana, removing the disciple’s Ajnana’, just as a thorn removes a thorn. Is that not so? “

    N.G.C; Yes.

    B.: The pupil is a jiva, whose essential nature is jnana. Is it not so?

    N.G.C.: Yes.

    B.: Then there is no necessity to give him jnana, but only to remove the curtain of ignorance that hides that jnana. Is it not so?

    N.G.C: Yes.

    B. That, of course, is not done at one stroke, as the disciple’s jiva is immersed deep in age-long ignorance and requires to be instructed repeatedly, birth after birth it may be.

    B.: What is the nature of this instruction through speech, about that, which is beyond speech? It is just like removing a cover. Ajnana is covering jnana, just like moss covering the water. Then remove the moss and you have the clear water. You have not got to create the water. Water is there. During an eclipse the Sun or Moon is there, but Rahu or Kethu hides the view from us and when Rahu or Kethu passes away; the light of the Sun or Moon which is continuing right through is seen bv us.

    Take another example. We are seeing things with the eyes. Then a cataract forms over them and the eyes cannot see. Pull off the cataract, then the eyes see. Ajnana is the. cataract.

    The Universe is the efflorescence of the indescribable Maya, which is ignorance. Yet it is the Ajnana that illuminates the Ajnana.

    B.: Jnana is to be realised and is not a matter of direct Upadesa.

    Salutation, Questioning and Service are Sadhanas for obtaining the Guru’s grace.

    The impression that Phenomena are real is a delusion. This is the screen of darkness that hides Jnana. Tear off that screen. Then Prajnana Brahma will shine forth.

    Ajnana is the seed of Samsara. If the Guru kripa paint is put on the eye. Maya screen lifts and Jnana survives. Jnana is not an effect. It is ever self-existent. On the other hand, Ajnana has a cause and an end. “God is one. The Devotee is another”. This is the root of ignorance. Remove it. Jnana remains.

    Ignorance finds a snake in the rope. Remove the ignorance, then the rope is known as it is.

    As to why Krishna refers Arjuna to other gurus without imparting Jnana himself, consider this. Did Krishna view Jnanis as different from Himself? Did he not say that Jnanis are identical with Himself? Thus their teaching is His teaching. Is it not so?

    • G. C.: Yes, Baba.   Pray teach me the whole of the Gita.

    B.: Daily read one chapter and come and sit before me. 

    N.G.C.: Yes.

    Thereafter Nana went each day having read up one chapter and when he sat at the feet of Baba, he got the gist of it.

  • Babaโ€™s promises in His own name

    Babaโ€™s promises in His own name

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS’ & Baba’s Sayings on his Own-Name, the followings

    1. My eye (of vigilant supervision) is ever on those who love me.
      Whatever you do, wherever you may be, ever bear this in mind that I am always aware of everything you do.
    2. If one ever meditates on me, repeats my name, signs my deeds, and is thus transformed into me, oneโ€™s Karma is destroyed. I stay by his side always.
    3. You should have truth always with you. then I shall be always with you, wherever you are, and at all times.
    4. I will be with you, whenever and wherever you think of me. Do not fear.
    5. If one perpetually thinks of me, and makes me his sole refuge, I am his debtor and will give my head to save him.
    6. If, one ever dwells on me in his mind and will not even taste food before offering it to me, I am his slave. So also if he hungers and thirsts after me, and treats all else as unimportant.
    7. I am (Bhaktaparadeena) the bond slave of my devotees, I love devotion.
    8. He who withdraws his heart from wife, child and parents and loves me is my real lover and he merges in me like a river in the sea.
    9. Saibaba: The key of my treasury is now placed in your hands. Ask for anything you want, Rs. 5 to 100 a month or what you will and, I will give it to you.
      Devotee (M B Rage) declines to ask.
      Baba: Ask something, I am anxious to give you.
      Devotee: Is it agreed that you will grant anything I ask for?
      Baba: Yes
      Devotee: Then, Baba, I want this. In this and in any future birth that may befall me, you should never part from me. You should always be with me.
      Baba: Yes, I shall be with you, inside and outside you, whatever you may be or do.
    10. My devotee feels me in you, in himself and in all creatures and sees all as his Guru. He will become like me.
    11. If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will gain Paramartha. (supreme Goal)
      Look to me; I will look to you.
      Trust the Guru fully. That is the only sadhana. Guru is all the Gods.
    12. If one devotes his entire mind to me and rests in me, he need fear nothing for body and soul. If one sees me and me alone and listens to talk about me and is devoted to me alone, he will reach God (Chaitanya). He who worships me as Nitya, Suddha and Buddha comes to me.
    13. Those who perpetually repeat my name reach their goal.
    14. Simply say โ€œSaiโ€ โ€œSaiโ€ with heart overflowing. I care not for show of respect and forms, I rest in such devotees.
    15. Repeat my name. Seek refuge in me. But to know โ€˜who I amโ€ have Sravana and Manana.
    16. I am formless and everywhere.
    17. If anyone casts his burden on me and thinks of me, I look after all his concerns.
    18. Yes; you can place your burdens on me.
    19. In the abode of my devotees, there will be no dearth of food and clothing.
    20. You devotees are my children. I am your father. You have to get everything from me. So you should not talk like that (say Sai is not God).
    21. Why are you anxious? I take all care of you.
    22. Sit quiet, Uge Muge. I will do the needful. I will take you to the end.
    23. Go Everything will be provided, Babugir.
      I will provide for you, Ganu
      I will provide for Mankerโ€™s son.
    24. Why do you fear? Am I not here (where you go to ease yourself?)
    25. Stay here, treat it as your house
      Governor came with a lance to pierce Dada (G.S.K). I had a tussle with him and drove him out. Finally I conciliated him.
      Why should any fear, when I am here?
    26. When this baby sleeps we have to stand by, keep awake and watch or take trouble.
    27. I will not allow my devotees to come to harm. I have to take thought for my devotees. And if a devotee is about to fall, I stretch out my hands, and thus with four, four (i.e. a number of), outstretched hands at time to support him. I will not let him fall.
    28. I am its (frogโ€™s) Father, and am here. Will I let the snake eat it? See how I effect its releaseโ€ฆโ€ฆ.. โ€œHallo Veerabadrappa, be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred. (The snake dropped the frog). I have kept my word and saved Basappa (the frog from Viradadrappa, the snake). God has saved him by sending me.
    29. See I have to suffer for your sake, to remove your sufferings.
      I Will not let you die. I will die first ere I let you die (Nandram) (Nandram lived long after 1918)
      Nana is about to die. But will I let him die? (535-A)
      Fakir (God) wishes to kill Dada Saheb (i.e., G.S.Khaparde), but I will not permit him.
      O Annah! if I had delayed a minute, this man (S.B.Nachen) would have indeed perished. The madman had seized him with his hands, even his throat. But I extricated him. What is to be done? If I do not save my own son, who else will.
    30. He is mine, and mine alone.
      I alone have to shoulder the responsibility for carrying him across.
      Whom has he got except me?
    31. (After Cholera goddess was driven away) You are now safe, Go.
    32. Night and day, I think and think of my people, I con/recite their names over and over again.
      Baba to.Dhumal: โ€œBhav, the whole of last night, I had no sleep. I lay thinking and thinking of you.
      At every step, I have to take care of you, Else, what will happen to you, God knows.โ€
    33. I shall never forget him; I shall remember him, even if he is 2000 miles away. I will eat nothing without him.
    34. I get angry with none. Will a mother get angry with her kiddies? Will the ocean send back the waters to the several rivers? I love devotion. I am the slave of my devotees, Bhakta Paradhina.
    35. How can I allow my children to fast or starve?
    36. Come, Sirs, carry away bags of udhi. Come, cart away the treasures of your mother.
      Look here, People come and say Baba, give. I tell them to take. No one takes.
    37. My master told me to give bounteously to all that ask. No one listens to me or wisdom. My treasury is open. None brings carts to take from it. I say dig; none will take any pains. I said dig out the treasure and cart it away. Be the real and true sons of the mother and fully stock your magazine. What is to become of us i.e. this bodily life? Earth will return to the earth; and the air (breath) will return to the air. This opportunity will not return.
    38. Place your entire faith in my words. Your object will be accomplished.
    39. Baba To Lakshman on 15-10-1918 : Jog thinks I am dead. I am living. Come and perform morning Arati
    40. (Give me) my 1ยผ Rupee (Majya Savva Rupya)
    41. My tomb will speak and move with those who make me their refuge.
    42. I shall be active and vigorous from my tomb also.
    43. Even after my Mahasamadhi, I will be with you, the moment you think of me, at any place.
    44. As soon as a devotee calls unto me with love, I will appear. I require no train to travel.
  • “LIFE OF SAI BABA” -LoSB

    “LIFE OF SAI BABA” -LoSB

    5 minutes

    Nov 7, 2024 4:45 PM

    The author of this Book is Pujya Sri H.H. Nara Simha Swamiji- Founder & First President of All India Sai Samaj, Chennai , India.

    A) Shirdi Sai Baba:โ€“

    Babaโ€™s training, teachings and achievements were of widely different sorts. They were suited to the conditions of each person who approached him. They are also suited to the conditions of those who approach him now.

    Baba is still a Guru, a Divine Personality. He is not a mere abstraction. He can be seized by those who are in dead earnest.

    Unfortunately for mankind, very few are so earnest. Most stop with raising preliminary questions, as to the impossibility of such an experience or its undesirability and the various objections, from the standpoint of the learning that they have already acquired.

    If the highest is not possible at the present moment, Baba suitably develops them. This development occurs either in this life or in the life beyond. Baba has repeatedly undertaken to guide his devotees. He promises to guide them life after life, and to be born with them for that purpose.

    โ€“By H.H. Narasimha Swamiji, Author of this Book, in his Preface

    B) Parts of this Book-LoSB on Sai Baba.

    The object of this book, is to help people to realise more and more the great work, that is being done by Shirdi Sai Baba and his essential greatness. This Book consists of four Volumes /Parts.

    Part I- History, Personality, Nature, Functions of Sai Baba

    The early history and accounts of Baba and the materials are necessary to understand Baba as a Samartha Sadguru. He will help one to attain the highest in life. At the same time, He enables one to get the other incidental benefits of contact with such a saint.

    Part  II -Saiโ€™s Apostles and Mission

    This second part mainly consist of Babaโ€™s dealings with various prominent persons. It shows how they were drawn to him and influenced by him. It also illustrates what progress they made. Additionally, it details how they were helped to make it by reason of their contact with him.

    Most of the Bhaktas were drawn for specific temporal gains, but they stuck on and became very good Adherents of Baba.

    Part III. -Babaโ€™s Lovers

    Babaโ€™s prominent devotees, not in Part II, must come into here. They like something unintelligible, โ€œjust like Love at first sight of a pure Girl with a pure bachelorโ€.

    Part IV- Life and Teachings of Sai Baba

    Which as the residuals and final part must include general matter not covered by the previous parts. The spiritual and mystical personalities, such as Saints like Sai, embody an adventurous and worthy life. They think intellectually in the pursuit of their lives.

    The life of Sai Baba especially gives a very tough treat for the spiritual seekers. Only a few writings present so vivid a picture of the life and teachings of Sai Baba. They do so in such a descriptive form. For this reason, this volume stands out.

    C) Baba provided Ankita children for this Book Project

    Sri Krishna says, โ€˜Those who rescue my entirely devoted bhakta from his troubles, I shall rescue and help them. I will save them from all troubles and calamities. A boat rescues one in the ocean in the same wayโ€™. Baba somehow gives the feeling to the authorโ€™s helpers, that they are being looked after by him.

    • Baba provided his Ankita child with a stenographer who, out of modesty, wishes to conceal his light under a nom-de-plume R.R. Without the help of a stenographer, turning out any work would be impossible. This applies to work for the book, for the Sai Sudha, or for the numerous pamphlets constantly requisitioned by others from this author.
    • Since October 1953, the authorโ€™s health has been extremely unreliable. The work would have been impossible without the due provision of medical help. Here again Babaโ€™s help to his Ankita child is remarkable. Baba designated a doctor in a very good position. The doctor had excellent knowledge. Baba made him repeatedly attend without receiving any recompense at all.
    • Babaโ€™s grace alone made the work see the light of day. It also aided in getting the means for publication. The royal present of Rs.5,000 by His Highness The Maharaja of Mysore, enabled the All India Sai Samaj  to purchase a Press and Types.
    • There may be numerous others (Sri Dewan Bahadur R.V. Krishna Ayyar and Miss Indira, Professor of English, etc) who have helped this author in the course of getting up this book.

    Stage after stage, idea after idea, and reference after reference, the remarkable help that was suddenly forthcoming was the clearest evidence to the Author that, Baba is giving unstinted support for this publication. Fact it is not mere modesty, but love of truth that makes the author say that, โ€œthe real producer of this book is Baba himselfโ€œ.

    – By B.V. NARASIMHA SWAMI, Author in Preface to Part I in 1955

    D) After studying โ€œLife of Sai Babaโ€

    A properly written life of Sai (like all saintly biography, cf. โ€œJo Sant, Toch Devโ€ i.e. Saint is himself God) would be a scripture in itself.

    One should rise from that study with the feeling that they have been through scripture. They should mentally keep in touch with God. This allows them to derive all benefit necessarily flowing from such contact.

    The benefits are temporal, intellectual, moral, spiritual, etc. There is no limit to the benefit one can derive from such contact.

    A saintโ€™s life is like the milk of the ocean. From it, one might extract, a few interesting bits of saintly biography. It also offers a collection of apothegms, counsels, reflections and other miscellaneous items. But the main interest is still the milk of ocean. It will yield an infinite and inexhaustible supply of divine nectar.

    The essentials of the Bhagavad Gita, for instance, have always been regarded as a valuable religious mine. They have been found to embody what is contained in Sri Saiโ€™s life. Sri Krishna and Jesus Christ are better understood, after studying Sai Babaโ€™s life than without such study.

    PS: The collection of data was made for this book project, by the great author, after 36 years of Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi. (LoSB-Ch 1)


    It is our earnest desire and intention that, the book of “Life of Sai Baba” written by our revered Founder and First President H.H. Narasimha Swamiji, to reach the hands of numerous Sai Devotees, who are earnestly interested in attaining “Sai Bliss”.By the Publisher, Management of All India Sai Samaj, Chennai-600004, India

    “Presenting the Great Master Sri Sai Baba to the world through his intensely dedicated service, Sri Narasimha Swamiji has made himself into a living golden link between the present generation and Sri Sai Baba. Yes, Sri Swamiji is still active from His tomb. He guides millions of devotees to the feet of his Master.

    This book will surely fulfill its glorious task of helping, guiding and transforming countless lives on their onward progress towards Divine Perfection. All glory to Sri B.V. Narasimha Swamiji Maharaj! Glory, Supreme glory to Samartha Sadguru Sai Baba!” In Foreword to Part 1 by -By His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India.

    During the last 20 years, thanks to Swamiji’s energetic propaganda and publicity, Shri Sai Baba has attracted devotees from far and near, as also from all sects, communities and religions. They come from all sections of the society and, in particular, from its intelligentsia. In the case of the latter, one has to carry them across the fields of doubt and scepticism before they reach the other shore of spiritual enlightenment; and are safely and for ever established on the bedrock of faith in and devotion to the Divinity that Shri Sai Baba WAS and IS”. -In Foreword to Part II by Sri B N Datar, then Home Minister, Government of India


    Extract from Pujyasri H.H. Nara Simha Swamiji’s ‘Life of Sai Baba’ book-LoSB

    Studying this work will provide

    Correct knowledge of facts connected with the lives of saints is good for the individual who knows them. It is also beneficial to society. In the long run, it promotes social unity. It encourages ethical, spiritual, and religious study and endeavor. Lives of saints provide more than information, for the readerโ€™s brain. They offer sustenanceโ€ฆ

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    FURTHER RESULTS OF WORSHIP-IV Merge with God

    Earnest readers, who are anxious to study the history of Sai Baba (who realised in himself the perfection of Godhead by attaining Purnalaya) -concentrating his mind always on God with intense love from his earliest period of life; and -thereby attained Aikya (merge with God), -so that he could say Mainm Allahum, that is Ahamโ€ฆ

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    “LIFE OF SAI BABA” -LoSB

    “5 minutes Nov 7, 2024 4:45 PM The author of this Book is Pujya Sri H.H. Nara Simha Swamiji- Founder & First President of All India Sai Samaj, Chennai , India. A) Shirdi Sai Baba:โ€“ Babaโ€™s training, teachings and achievements were of widely different sorts. They were suited to the conditions of each person who approachedโ€ฆ

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    One simple remedy

    I request the readers to leave out the various hindrances viz. indolence, sleep, wandering of mind, attachments to senses, etc. and turn their whole and undivided attention to these stories of Sai Baba. Let their love be natural, let them know the secret of devotion; let them not exhaust themselves by other Sadhanas, let themโ€ฆ

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  • Sai Baba Temples in Dubai, UAE

    Sai Baba Temples in Dubai, UAE

    Dubai Hindu Temple

    First One is the New Hindu Dubai Temple at Jebel Ali Village, Dubai. There are 15 sannathis including Ganesh, Siva, Vishnu, Durga, Laxmi, Murugan, Shirdi Sai Baba and Hanuman; which are Divine Treat. The location link

    Sai Baba at Hindu Dubai Temple

    Second SAI BABA Mandir was* within Shiva Temple, Next to Krishna Temple, Near Dubai Museum . The Location Link

    Dubai Siva Temple Notice Board
    Visit the Dubai Siva Temple and experience the divine presence of Sai Baba โ€“ Plan your darshan today!

    * This whole temple was shifted from here, to the first mentioned Dubai Hindu Temple, on 3rd January 2024. Hence, no dharsan here from 03.01.2024, as per the notification on the Notice Board of this Sivan Temple

    Another one Sai Baba Temple is at Jumeirah, Dubai. But Entry-fee (around 30 AED) is there for Non-Member, as this is a Private Property. Location Link.

    Check these if you think that Shirdi Sai Baba calls you

    Interested in Going to ShirdiClick me
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    Interesting Spot in and around ShirdiSee here