"I draw to Me, My man from far off or even across the seven Seas to Shirdi, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet"-Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian Spiritual Guru-God

Thanks SSS Trust, Shirdi

People from different Religious, Geographical, Economic, and Social backgrounds are brought together here. Their prayers are delivered and successfully resolved with the grace of the Indian spiritual SadGuru-God, Shirdi Sai Baba.

Category: Baba’s Charters and Sayings

As Lord Sree Krishna manifests Himself in the Bhagavad Gita, so does Baba in the “Charters and Sayings”; which was complied by Sri B.V. Narasimha Swami. The Book was published by All India Sai samaj, Mylapore, Chennai-600004. India.

  • Help in Business

    Baba’s help in business

    Para Number in the Book “BCS”, About Baba’s Help in Business

      (a) D.S.Rasane

    548. Damodar S. Rasane had an offer for speculation in cotton at Bombay from a broker. The broker promised him lakhs of rupees by way of profit. D.S.Rasane wrote to Shama to gel Baba’s permission. Shama brought the letter to Baba. Before it was read, Baba spoke.

    Baba: “Damia  wants to catch at the sky. He is not content to keep what God has given him. Damia’s is confused. Write to him that his present state is not unhappy. His present half loaf is enough. Let him not bothered about lakhs.”

    Then Damia went in person and, thinking of starting that speculation and giving Baba a share in the profits, massaged Baba’s feet.

    Baba, loudly: “Damia, I am not in anything (i.e. I do not wish to get entangled in any samsara, like sharing profits.)”. So, that enterprise was given up.

    Again Damia had a proposal, when prices of grains were running high to buy in a lot of grain; and store it for some months or years and then sell it. Damia went to Baba and said “Shall I trade in grain ?”

    B.: “No, you will be buying at five seers [weight] and selling at seven (per Rupee).”

    But for weeks, the rise in prices was kept up and Baba’s prophecy seemed to be falsified. But a month or two later i.e., in Sravan, there was abundant rain on all sides; and the prices suddenly fell and remained low for a long time. The grain storers had a serious loss. Baba saved Damia from that fate.

    (b) Bayyaji patel

    549 (1) Baba was giving regularly Rs.4/- per diem to Bayyaji Appaji patel for years.

    B.: “Do not lend these moneys, nor give them away to others, Do not eat and excrete these.”

    Baba evidently wanted the money to be invested in land Purchases. Accordingly Bayyaji purchased 84 acres of land, which he is still retaining.

    (2) Sugarcane was the vogue, and everybody was planting the Godavari valley with sugarcane.

    Bayayaji: Baba, shall I plant sugarcane? Baba. “Don’t.”

    But the example of others and the hope of large profits from sugarcane, made Bayyaji disregard Baba’s advice and go in for sugarcane planting. What was the result?.

    First, a loss of Rs.300/- in the money invested and next, the going without the usual supply of dry crops, he would have got on the land.

    (c) Rao Bahadur S.B.Dhurnal

    550. S.B. Dhumal was offered the pubic Prosecutor-ship at Nasik. He wrote to Shama for Baba’s approval.

    B. “ Why should he accept the new? The old is good enough.”

    S.B.D. rejected the Public Prosecutorship and his income was still good.

  • HELP IN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

    Baba’s says on domestic affairs

    Para Number in the Book & About Baba’s Help in Domestic Affairs

    (a) Mr. and Mrs.Nimonkar

    546. Nana Nimonkar (to his wife): See our boy at Belapur, and return immediately.

    Mrs.N.N: How ? There are so many relations there to see.

    N.N.: I cannot wait. Next day being Amavasya, you must return.

    Mrs. N.N. was greatly worried and perplexed.

    Baba coming up just then from the mosque said: “Mother, you are going to see your convalescent son at Belapur. Go Quickly. Go unperturbed. See all your relations there and then return to Shirdi, after 2 or 4 days of stay.”

    Thus Baba’s appellate decree reversed Nana Nimonkar’s. Nana proposes and Baba disposes.

    547. Mrs.H.V. Sathe had agreed to go with her husband to see a land recently purchased near Shirdi. But her father persuaded her and she resolved not to go as. If she did, Babu’s widow (relative) would give trouble by claiming rights in the land.

    So when the cart came and stood in front of Sathe wada; and her husband asked her to get in, she refused. The irate husband pulled out the whip from the cart-man and raised it aloft to chastise the wife. Suddenly, Megha rushed in.

    Megha: Baba wants you urgently to go to Dawaraka Mayee.

    H.V.S dropped the whip and went to Baba.

    Baba: “What is the matter? What is it that has happened? Your land is there. Where is the necessity to go and see it?

    H.V.S felt ashamed of his attempt at whipping his wife and was glad to note the watchful eye of Baba over himself and family.

  • BLESSINGS FOR ISSUE

    6–9 minutes

    Baba’s Says on children

    Para Number in the Book & About children birth

    (a) D.S. Rasane

    539. Damodar S. Rasane married one wife, had no issue and married another, hoping to get issue. But still the second marriage also was not fruitful. In his horoscope there was a papi in the fifth place from lagna. The stars evidently were against him. But he had great faith in Baba. When he went to Shirdi, Baba was waiting for him and gave him four mango fruits.

    B.: “Damia, take these fruits now.   Eat and die.”

    Damia was shocked, failing to see that begetting progeny and continuing in Samsara was Spiritual death. Again,

    B.: “Do not eat the fruits yourself.   Give them to your wife. Damia: Which wife?

    B.: “Junior wife. Let her eat the fruits. She will have two sons first, the first to be named Daulat Shan, and the second to be named Thana Shah.”

    Later Baba told him that he would have eight children in all. This proved to be exactly the case, Damia had two sons first. He took his first son to Baba and said’ ” How shall I name this child?”

    B.: “Have you forgotten what I told you? You have written it at page 3 of your notebook- Did I not say that he should be named Daulat Shah?”

    (He is Nanasaheb Rasane, Trustee of Baba Sansthan)

    (b) Rao Bahadur H. V. Sathe

    540.   H. V. Sathe, a deputy collector was at the age of 50, a widower with 2 daughters and without male issue and he hesitated very much to marry again to get male issue.   He came to Shirdi in 1904 along with the Mamlatdar.

    Mamlatdar: Saheb has no male issue, Baba.

    B.: “If Saheb marries, God will give him a son.”

    Thus assured, H.V.S. was prepared to marry. Next year, Dada Kelkar’s daughter was offered: but H.V.S. wished  to consult Baba. As soon as the girl was taken by Sharma and Dada Kelkar to Baba, Baba (putting Kumkum on the forehead of the girl) said: “Send this girl away to Ahemedabad (The place where H.V.S. then was). Then H.V.S. married her (1906); but during the next six years, two daughters only were born.

    In 1912, Dada Kelkar and his wife went to Baba and said: “Baba, when are we to have a grandson?”

    B.: “I am requesting Allah. He will comply with my request.” (In 1913 a son was born to H.V.S. and he is still (1940) hale and hearty.)

    (c) Sapatnekar

    541. One, Sapatnekar, a law student found his friend going up for the Law Examination with him and asked him what hopes of success, he could have with his insufficient preparation of his subjects. The latter replied that he was relying upon Sai Baba’s assurance to him of success despite insufficiency of preparation. Then Sapatnekar reviled both his friend and Baba. The Examination results came and proved the correctness of Baba’s statement.

    Sapatnekar, however, attributed the results to a fluke and still held Baba in low esteem. He then practised at Akkalkot as a lawyer and after ten years lost his only son. Then conscience began to prick him and he wished to visit Baba to apologise. He went and bowed to Baba.

    B: “Chal! Hut” (i.e., get away).

    A little later, again he bowed to Baba.

    B.: “Get away from here.” The man went back.

    A year later, Baba appeared in his wife’s dream and invited the pair to come to him. On this occasion Sapatnekar apologised humbly for his past contempt. Baba then addressed a shepherdess in S.’s presence and narrated the incidents of S.’s life, as his own.

    While S. was wondering at Baba’s thorough knowledge of things transpiring at distant places and at distant times. Baba spoke again to the shepherdess.

    B.: “This man (pointing to S.) blames me, thinking that I killed his son. Now I will again bring back that identical soul to his wife’s womb.”

    Baba then turned to S. placed his palm over his head and said: “Your object will be quickly attained.”

    Sapatnekar was full of joy and his faith grew and developed as Baba showed him, more and more of his Antarjnana. For instance Baba gave a full account of Mrs. Sapatnekar’s disease and foretold (or directed) its cure. In the face of such utterances, it was impossible to disbelieve Baba again, as he(S) did in his student days. At leave taking, Baba gave him a cocoanut and said “Put this in the Padar ( the frings of the upper cloth) of your wife and go away rejoicing”.

    In 12 months’ time he got a son, whom later he brought to Baba.

    (c) Mrs. Aurangabadkar 

    542.     One  Sakharam   Aurangabadkar  of Sholapur had no  issue  by his  second  wife. She never conceived even once during the 27 years she lived with him. Shama asked her to wait near the mosque, when he would call for her, after Baba should get into a pleasant mood.

    After Shama poured water on Baba’s food-soiled hand to wash it, Baba pinched his cheek. Shama feigning anger “What Deva, is it good for you to pinch me?”

    Baba: “During the 72 Janmas that you were with me. I never pinched you till now; and yet you resent my touching you.”

    Shama: Deva, we want a deva to give us sweet things, e.g.. Swargaloka, Vimana, etc.

    B.: “Yes indeed I have come for that”. Then Baba sat on his usual seat. Shama beckoned to the lady and she came, bowed and presented a cocoanut and scented sticks.

    Baba shook the cocoanut, which was dry.  The kernel within rolled and made a noise.

    Baba: (holding it in  “guduguduppandi” fashion) “Shama, this is rolling.  See what it says.”

    Shama: The lady here prays that a child might be similarly quickening in her womb. So give her the cocoanut with that blessing.

    B.: “Will the coconut given to her turn into a baby? How foolish people are to fancy such things!”

    S.: I know the power of the blessing and the cocoanut. Give her the coconut and the blessing.

    B.: “Break the coconut. “

    S.: Give the blessing and the coconut.

    This was repeated twice or thrice. S.: But when?

    B.: “In 12 months’ time.”

    Then the coconut was broken and one half was given to the lady.

    S.: Madam, you see what he said. If in 12 months time you do not get issue, I will break a coconut against his head and drag him out of the Masjid. If I do not, I will not call myself “Madhava Rao”.

    She was delivered of a son in one year’s time and the boy was brought to Baba in his fifth month; and the grateful father paid Rs.500/-, which was used for constructing a stall for Baba’s horse “Syamakarana“.

    (e) Cbintamani Rao

    543. Baba to Mahalsapathy: “Tell that man Chintamani Rao that, if he marries again, he will have one son and one daughter”. Chintamani married again and had just one son and one daughter.

    (f) Mahalasapathi

    544. Mahalsapathy had only female issue and yet resolved to lead a life of Brahmacharya and slept at the mosque or temple.

    Baba: “Bhagat, Go and live in your house. You will get a son. A son is a mango fruit. A daughter is a tamarind fruit.“

    Bhagat went on a Gokul Ashtami day and stayed at his house. Next Gokul Ashtami, a son was born to him.

    (g) Ratanji Sait

    545A. Ratanji Sapurji Wadia of Nanded (Nizam’s States) having no issue, gave a picnic party to Das Ganu Mahraj and Mouli Sahib, a Moulana at cost of Rs. 3-14-0 and went to Baba. He had no issue and wanted blessings from Baba for issue.

    B: “You have already given me Rs. 3-14-0. Give me now Rs. 2-2-0 Dakshina”.

    Ratatnji gave the required amount, but wondered how he had given Rs.3-14-0 to Baba, as he had sent him no money and never met him before.

    Baba: “God will fulfil your heart’s desire.”

    With this blessing, Ratanji returned and learnt from D.G. that Baba’s receipt meant that Baba had received it in the form of the Maulana. Ratanji looked up the account and saw that Rs3-14-0 was the amount expended on the picnic.

    Ratanji thereafter was blest with the birth of a son

     (h) Re: Narayana Govind Sindhe

    545B. N.G.S who got one son (after 7 daughters were born) by prayer to Datta in 1903 was told by Baba, that Baba granted the prayer, though there was no male issue in the man’s prarabdha. See under “Powers”.

    545C. Baba’s blessings for longevity of children 

    B: “Has G.G Narke children?

    Devotee: Baba, they all died very young.

    Baba: “Allah will bless.”

    Four children were born to G.G. Narke, after that and all of them are alive (Baba blessed Mrs.Badave, with similar effect.)

    545D. Villagers (after Appa’s death) : Baba, there is terrible cholera raging in the village. Save us.

    Baba: “Do not fear. Only seven will die. After that this epidemic will disappear,”

  • WATCH AND CURE

    Baba’s loving watch and care

    Para Number in the Book & About His Watch and Care

    (I) Dhulia Bahalkar’s boy’s illness

    532. In March 1913, Raoji Balakrishna Upasani Bahalkar’s younger son had high fever for 5 or 6 days.

    The doctor gave up hopes. Then R.B.U. prayed to Baba.

    Baba, appearing at 2a.m. in his room at Dhulia and applying Udhi to the boy said: “Now, have no more anxiety. In two hours, your boy will perspire. In the morning he will feel better. After he gets well, bring him to me.”

    In the morning the boy was better. This was about 6-3-1913.

    On 8-3-1913 Shama wrote to Raoji, as follows: ‘Baba said, “I have been to your Dhulia friend’s house”. I (Shama) asked. Who is that friend?

    B.: ‘Upasani Bahalkar Raoji, I am daily going to his house. You had better write to him.”

    Therefore   I have written this letter’

    Fifteen days later, Raoji and his son were going to Shirdi. On the way at Kopergaon, the tonga driver was delaying them.

    At Arati time, Baba told Shama : “Sharma, wait a bit for the is Arati to start. Your Dhulia friend is coming. The tonga driver is troubling him. On their arrival in time for receiving prasada.’

    (After that) Baba (to the boy): “When you were ill, I came to Dhulia. Do You remember ?”

    (2) Mahalsapathy – Snakes

    533. B: “Bhagat, two serpents are moving about near your house”. Mahalsapathy (who was addressed by Baba as Bhagat, i.e. Bhakta) returning from Dwarkamayi saw one serpent at his own door and another at the potter’s beneath his pillow.

    • 533B. Baba: ‘Bhagat. when you come here to night come with a lamp. You will meet thieves at the village gate.”

    Mahalsapathy came that night with a lamp and found a serpent at the gate.

    534. A devotee had gone out in the dusk to ease himself. There he heard the rustle of something. Believing it to be a snake, he hurried back to his quarters.

    Later he met Baba.

    B.: “Am I not in the place, where you go to ease yourself? Why do you fear?

    • 534B Mrs.   Manager   i.e.   Mrs   Sadashiv   Tarkad  of Poona  being saved  from  treading  on  a  snake,  merely by intuition.

    Abhyam to Mirikar-Snake

    535A.   Mamlatdar Bala Saheb Mirikar, son of Sardar Mirikar (Dev Exp) was about to take leave of Baba.

    B.: “Do you know there is Dwaraka Mayi of ours”. Merikar was puzzled, as he did not know.

    B.: “This is Dwaraka Mayi, in which you are sitting; This wards off all dangers and anxieties from her children. Highly merciful is this Masudi Ayi. She is the mother of all those, who place entire faith in her. She will save them, in the hour of danger. Once a person trusts her all his troubles are over.”

    B. (then giving udhi. added); “Do you know the elongated gentleman? (Baba extends both his arms at full length and moves one plam like the hood of a cobra). So terrible he is ! But what can it do against the children of Dwaraka Mayi ? If it appears, we shall be merely amused. When the Dwaraka Mayi protects, can the serpent strike?”

    Baba ordered Shama to accompany Mirikar. At Chitali, at 9 p.m. that night, Mirikar, Shama and some peons were at the Maruti temple. Mirikar was reading newspapers. Suddenly the peon heard a rustling sound on the newspaper. The peon took a lamp and saw what it was.

    A part of Mirikar’s upper cloth was on a newspaper and a serpent lay on that end of the cloth. The peon cried “snake, snake !”and it moved off from Mirikar. People gathered and clubbed it to death. Mirikar was only amused and not terrified.

    535B. One day at Shirdi, Baba made dolorous Sankha sound (indicative of coming death) and said “Hallo, Nana is about to die. But will I let him die?”.

    At that time N.G. Chandorkar and Lela Sastri were near Poona. They were in a tonga, the horse of which reared and overturned the tonga. N.G.C. and Sastri were in peril of their life. But they picked themselves up and found that they had suffered no injury. When they reached Shirdi, they found that Baba had made the above declaration and had saved their lives.

    535C. R.V. Modak feared that a special examination was being held, wherein his appearance might be a means for elevation or the certain means of dismissal on the score of inefficiency. He went to Baba and Baba detained him so as to miss the examination at Bombay.

    At parting, Baba said “Go”

    R.V.M.: “whither Baba? Home or Bombay?”

    Baba: “Go home, your children are waiting for you.”

    (4) Abhayam (Ganda) to Buti

    536. Nana saheb Dengle (who was good at astrology) told Buti one day that there was Ganda, i e., danger to his life that day. Later both came to Baba.

    B.: “what does Nana say? He sees death coming to you, eh? We have no need to fear. Strike! Strike! Let me see how you strike and kill.”

    Later Buti went to ease himself and there saw a snake. His servant saw it and lifted up a stone. ‘A stick is safer and better’, said Buti. But before the stick came, the serpent moved away.

    V. CONSIDERATION FOR HEALTH

    537. Baba found Bala Shimpi on the road side, very ill with no one to attend to him. Baba had begged food in his (B.S’s.) house and was deeply attached to his family.

    Baba told Bala Shimpi to go to Nana Saheb Dengle at Nimgoan. Nana Saheb had at that time a dream and Baba in that dream told him to undertake the care of Bala Shimpe,who would go to him. So when Bala went, he was cordially received and looked after by Nana Saheb Dengle.

  • CONSIDERATION FOR FEELINGS OF DEVOTEES

    5–7 minutes

    Baba’s consideration for feeling of devotees

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” , About Baba’s consideration for Devotees

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

    524. Haribhav Panse Dahanukar started for Rameswaram against his mother’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, “If Baba is a true Sadhu, he should make my son cancel his pilgrimage and send him back to his house.”

    (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 Vadhavkar’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.Vaiday’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 Baba’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.

  • Towards Lepers

    Baba’s helping lepers

    Para Number in the Book & About Helping Lepers

    1. (a) B.: “Bhimabai, take this leper woman home and attend to her.”

    Bhimabai: Baba, but she is a laper.

    B.: “Never Mind. What of that? She is my own sister. Take her home”.

    Bhimabai then took the leper and attend on her for one month, where after, the leper died.

    (b) B. (to Balaji Fatal Nevaskar): “Bala, do not go home; stay and attend on this Dagdu Bhav, (a moslem leper).

    Bala obeyed and tended the leper for a month, where after the laper died.

  • SACRIFICE OF SELF FOR DEVOTEES

    Baba’s sacrifice for devotees

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” About Baba’s Sacrifice for Devotees

    (a) Balwant G.Khaparde’s plague drawn by Baba to himself

    521. In 19ll-12 Plague started at Shirdi; and Balwant Khaparde’s son of G.S. Khaparde had fever (evidently plague). Mrs.G.S.K.: Baba, give us leave to go.

    B.: “It is cloudy. Then it will rain. Then crops will grow and mature. Clouds disperse, why do you fear?”

    Mrs. G.S.K. not understanding anything goes away.

    Later, Baba lifting up his kupni and showing bubos on his person: “Mother, see, I have to suffer for your sake to remove your sufferings.”

    The Bubonic fever Baba had evidently been drawn from Balwants body; and Balwant’s fever like Baba’s passed off in two or three days. Similarly Baba drew plague of a Police Superintendent at Goa to himself

    (b) Baba’s offer to his own Throat

    522. When R..Tarkhad, Mir Jaman of Kandahar and others were sleeping by the side of Baba at the Chavadi. Mir Jaman woke up at midnight and spoke to Baba.

    M.J.: Baba, the Hindus are spoiling you, and the Islamic faith. Give me leave. I will cut all their throats at once, with my sword.

    B. “I am (pagal) mad; and the Hindus worshipping me are mad, I am responsible for their heterodoxy; not they for mine. If you want to cut any throat, cut mine.”

    Mir Jaman kept quiet thereafter.

    (c) Baba’s sacrifice of his own health

    523. B.(To G.S.K. in 1910): “For two years, I have been so ill as to live on mere bread and water. I have string worm. People rush and give me no rest. This will continue, till I go back to the place of my origin. I do not mind it because, I care more for my people than for my own life.”

  • APPERCIATION OF LOVE

    10–14 minutes

    Baba’s Love of Devotees

    Para Number in the Book & About Baba’s love of devotees

    1. Baba’s Appreciation of Prema

    (a) Vinayak S.Girishar of Malad

    1. V.S.G.’s wife being greatly devoted to Baba took special pains to prepare a nice flower garland and sent it to Baba through her husband, Baba received it and kept it on his neck for a long time.

    B.: “This is prepared with great devotion.    Let her thus garland my photo every week in your house” (cf. Mrs. Tendulkar’s Bakul garlands) 

    (b) R.B.Purandhare

    1. B.: (I) “I will not forget him. I will always remember him even if he is away more than 2,000 miles. I will not eat, even a bit, without him.”
    • B.: “R.B.P., build a house. Do not ask for a single pie from anyone. I will help you myself.”

    Then R.B.P. built it taking a loan of Rs.500/- from his office, but it was a lonely building in a field.

    B.: “Do not fear. I am my self sitting there and guarding you and your young wife.”

    [No mishap befell the couple by reason of their loneliness]

    • In 1915 Baba was seriously ill. He had Asthma and hard breathing. R.B.P. without knowing of this illness went to Shirdi. saw Baba breathing hard, and cried.

    B.: Why do you cry?

    R.B.P.: I cannot endure the sight of this state of yours.

    B.: Do not fear. In 2 or 4 days, I will be alright. Allah has given me this illness and he will make me alright within that period. You need not cry. I was remembering you the last 2 or 3 days and told Kaka (H.S.D.) to write to you to come.

    (Before getting the letter R.B.P. went up to Shirdi.) 

    • R.B.P.’s mother wanted to go to Pandharpur to see Vitoba.  Then Baba gave her and her daughter-in-law(R.B.P.’s Wife) darsan of himself as Vitoba and Rukmai, at the Shirdi masjid itself and they were satisfied, Baba, after-wards:  “Mother,  when will you go to Pandharpur?” R.B.P’s mother: “My God is here at Shirdi and this is my Pandriarpur.”
    • Baba to R.B.P.: “You must always adhere to truth and fulfill all the promises you make. Have faith and patience. Then I will be always with you, wherever you are and at all times”.

    R.B.P. : Please get that done by me, Baba.

    B.: Do not battle and quarrel. I feel sick and disgusted, when you quarrel with other. (cf.289)

    1. Nandaram S. Marwadi at whose house Baba was daily begging bread, wished to leave Shirdi on account of plague epidemic there and because he had fever.

    Baba: “Do not go. You are not going to die. I will not let you die till I die.”

    Baba gave him udhi and he was cured. He is still alive (1940)

    1. In 1914, Ramanavami season, when myriads flocked to Baba, an old woman was shouting.

    Old Woman: Hallo! take pity upon me, an old woman! Hallo, Baba, give me your darsan.

    Shama went out and elbowed his way back with her into Sai Baba’s presence. She melted into tears and held Baba with both her arms round his waist. Baba: Mother! how long have I waited for you! Have you brought anything for me to eat?

    Old Woman: Here is a piece of stale flat bread and an onion. I started my journey with one flat bread and two onions. But tired by journey, I ate at a stream in the morning and ate off half the cake with one onion. Here is the remainder. You had better, eat it.

    Baba: (crunching the stale bread and eating it with gusto). “How sweet, O mother, is your bread!”

    1. In 1913 Nama-saptha, Baba sat surrounded by a large crowd. Baba: ‘Shama, go out. Beyond the wall there is an old man sitting and he has some sugar candy with him. Beg of him some candy for me and bring it.”

    Shama went out and found an old man, his saliva dripping, stinking pus exuding from a wound on his chest, pestered by flies and wearing a rag, in one corner of which some sugar candy was tied in a knot. Shama brought him through the crowd to baba and said “He here is”. Baba placed his hand in blessing on the old man’s head, took out a piece of the candy and said “Take back the rest of the candy” (as prasad).

    1. Baba Vakharkar of Bassein sent a bunch of plantains to Baba. The bearer came and stood before Baba without delivering it.

    B.: “Hallo (addressing the bearer) pluck one of the fruits from the bunch. He (Vakharkar) has not yet taken his meal. Send him a wire that Baba has eaten the plantain and then he will take his meal.”

    The bearer then remembered that V.’s instructions were exactly what Baba said.

    1. In 1915, January, eight days before Sankaranthi Baba: “Send up Sankaranthi Halva.”

    A messenger went up and returned from the stores with a negative answer saying that Sankaranthi was eight days off.

    Baba: “I want Sankaranthi Halva now.”

    The messenger went up to the stores again. The postman just then brought a packet of Tilgul, which a loving devotee had specially sent up in advance to be tasted by Baba. Baba by his antarjnana knew of its despatch and, the exact time of its arrival.

    1. B: “I want Kacheri (i.e., sliced   vegetable of brinjals) “

    This   was   not   in   the   stores,   but   Mrs.   Purandhare who had received a brinjal, to be given to Baba was making kacheri before it was brought to him and without any intimation of its having been sent.

    1. Baba (to Govind Balakram Manker): “Have you brought anything for me?” G.B.M: Nothing.

    B.: “Did none give you anything to be carried to me?”

    G.B.M.: None.

    B.: “Dear fellow, when you were starting from Bandra, did not that mother (Mrs. R. A. T.) with great love and devotion deliver sweetmeat to you to be presented to me?”

    G.B.M. Yes, yes, Baba, I now remember it.

    After all, the peda was some old stuff that had already been offered as Naivedya. As there was nothing else to send to Baba through Manker, Mrs. T sent up this old peda, with great love and devotion.

    1. When Baba was seated at noon in the Dwaraka Mayi, a number of dishes had been brought as Naivedya and placed by devotees before Baba who did not touch any of them. As soon as Mrs. G.S. Khaparde brought and placed her dish, Baba tasted it.

    Shama: What, Deva! What discrimination is this? What other brought, you did not touch. As soon as this lady brings her dish you taste it.

    B.: “She (Mrs.G.S.K.) was formerly a cow of a bunya and gave (me) plenty of milk. Then she was born of a mali (gardener) and later went to a Kshatriya. Then she married the bunya. Then she was born a Brahmin. After a long spell of time, I am seeing her again, and the food she gives me is sweet (with her love)”

    1. A stinking feeble leper with a packet of peda (tied up in his dirty cloth) which evidently he wanted to present to Baba, to take back part of it as prasad; came climbing up the steps and took considerable time to move up to the Dhuni, take the Udhi and give it to Baba. In his shyness and fear he parted from Baba without presenting the peda. A lady, Mrs. S. Tarkhad who was there with Baba, felt relieved at the stinking man’s departure and said within herself “Thank God, this fellow is off.”

    B. (darting a piercing glance at her): “Hallo, call that man back”

    The leper came and bowed, keeping the peda parcel in his hand.

    Baba, picking up that parcel and opening it:” Hallo, what is this? Pedas!”

    Baba took up a piece and giving it to Mrs. S. Tarkhad said, “Eat this.” And then Baba put a piece of the peda into his own mouth. Though the lady felt mortified, she swallowed it, noting that Baba was teaching her a lesson on consideration for fellow creatures and trust in the Guru.

    Baba, (taking up the balance of the peda and returning it to the leper): “Take away this prasad.”

    Baba thus enabled the poor leper to get prasad of peda though the man did not dare to offer it.

    (I) Gifts with pure mind [Garde’s Mangoes Pandit’s Sesha (urlat, ladus)

    518. K. K. Garde. B.A. LL.B. Sub-Judges, Nagpur (now retired) purchased at Poona Reay Market, three excellent mangoes and presented them to Baba. Baba (receiving them): “Hallo, these fruits he (Garde) has purchased in the market for me, and has brought the whole lot to me, without tasting any part of it, quite unlike what the pandit did the other day. Pandit got a whole packet of ladus intending to give them to me: but on the way after bath in the Godavari he was hungry and ate away some of the ladus and brought me the rest. These fruits are not urle or sesha like that

    (B) Gifts with impure mind-Bhikubai’s flowers, melon and Peda

    519. Bhikubai Bayyaji Patel returning from Ahmedabad to Shirdi brought with her a garland of flowers, a water melon, (Tubuj) and some milk sweets peda. With these, she crossed the Godavari at Kopergaon. Then remembering the wretched death of a friend of hers at that place was weeping and blaming Baba mentally for not averting such a wretched death. But she forgot all those thoughts evidently, when making the presents to Baba at Shirdi.

    Baba: “I do not want this garland of Tulul” i.e., mental uneasiness.

    Then she lifted the garland and went near Baba to place it on him. Strangely, the garland snapped into three, one bit on each hand and other on floor. Then she offered the water melon and milk sweets.

    Baba refused then.

    Baba: “This woman was weeping and shedding tears at the Godavari and she has brought this with such a troubled heart. So, I will not accept it.”

    Dubious Gifts, Mrs.Kantikar’s grapes

    520 Mrs. Kanikar went with her daughters to Baba with a very nice basket of grapes, which she specially and lovingly brought for him

    Baba: (in a kind tone) What have you brought? Grapes?

    Mrs. Kanikar: Yes, for your sake, I have brought it from Nasik.

    Then she presented the basket. As Baba was turning over a few grapes, her daughter- Banuthayi thought the fruits were going to be scattered and wasted by Baba.

    Baba pushed aside the whole basket to Mrs. Kanikar and said: “Go, take away yours.”

    Mrs. Kanikar was mortified. Baba eventually feeling for her, picked up a few dried and worthless fruits from the basket and returned the rest saying, “Go now, let your children eat this.”

    As Mrs. Kanikar and her daughters returned with the basket, Banuthayi said

    “Mother, I do not know what made me to think so, but as you presented the basket I thought “What! She has given him the whole basket of fruits! It will be all scattered in a trice. He will eat nothing and we shall get nothing.”

    Baba’s action and works showed that he appreciated the mother’s intention to present her gift, which was vitiated by the daughter’s unwillingness to part with it.

    578.[a]  Baba to MBR, a graduate, when he first came and bowed to him: “What! Do you worship a man?”

    MBR was stunned by the remark (or rebuff rather) and plunged in despair. Then finally, when Baba was alone he approached him. Baba beckoned him to approach and after MBR placed his head upon Baba’s feet, embraced him and seated him near himself.

    B.: “You are my child; When others, i.e., strangers, are in the company, we keep the children off.”

    (After) MBR  began the japa of Sai’s name, Baba sent for him.

    B.: “What were you doing in the morning?”

    R.: Japa.

    B.: “Of what name?”

    R.: Of my God.

    B.: “What is your God?”

    R.: You know it.

    B. (smiling). “That is right.”

    Baba thereby expressly approved of Sai Nana Japa and the maintenance of secrecy about one’s religious Sadhana.

    [ b ] On one occasion (a Guru Poornima perhaps) when all devotees (except MBR) had brought and placed garlands upon Baba, R. was mortified at his own forgetting to bring a garland. Then Baba lifting up a bundle of garlands from his body, said to MBR “All these are yours.”

    [ c ] MBR was identifying himself with Baba and in 1915 at Rama Navami, tried to get Baba’s approval and sanction for that identification.

    At Rama Navami, numerous devotees placed new clothes before Baba so that he may touch and return them. MBR brought a very fine pacca muslin (bought for Rs.85/-) kept it inside his shirt and then bowing to Baba, silently thrust the muslin under Baba’s gadi, when no one noticed it.

    MBR was resolved that if Baba cared for his love, the muslin should be retained and not returned by Baba, as Baba and he, were one. When all clothes were returned, Baba got up.

    B.: “I say, clear off all that lies on the gadi (mattress) and dust it.”

    The mattress was removed and the muslin packet was revealed.

    B.: (Picking it up and spreading it out): “Hallo! What is this! Muslin! I am not going to return this. This is mine.”

    Baba then wore it over his body and turning to MBR. Said: “Do I not look nice in this?”

    MBR was overjoyed to see that Baba recognised that he and MBR were one and accepted the present in that spirit.

  • OTHER POWERS II

    12–17 minutes

    Baba’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 “One’s sin (Papa) does not cease, till he falls at the feet of sadhus,” 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: “One 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, “A 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)?”

    Then he went out in the direction of the sound to see the cause. I told him, “The 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.” The wayfarer found these words true. There was a huge black serpent holding in its mouth, a big frog.

    And he said. “In 10 or 20 minutes. it will be all over with the frog.” But I said to him, “I am its father and am here. Will I let the snake eat it? See how I effect its release”.

    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, “The snake might come here and attack us. Let us fly from here. Do not go there.”

    Then I went and addressed the struggling creatures thus-“Hallo! 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.“

    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. “If you spend any money on this temple renovation, Siva will give it back to you a hundred fold”. 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. “Else, why did not God come to  me and tell  me?  Am  I  very  far  from you?”  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., temp’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 Poojari’s heir. The rich man in his rebirth was named Virabadra.

    The Poojari of Siva’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 “Do not bother. A man will come to you for her hand. “

    Veerabadrappa left his poor parents and begged his food wherever he went and finally came to poojari’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, “Wait, Better times are coming”.

    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 priest’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 Basappa’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 God’s Lila.

    474. “I went to place, and by the Patil’s compulsion, I made a plantation and also a hard footpath through it.”

    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: “Once 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 fakir’s (master’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. “I was Kabir and used to spin yarn.“
    2. “I 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.”
    3. “I was with 4000 persons, then an epidemic broke out. They were in fear. Then I assured the 4000 and said, “I will die rather than let you die. I will not let you die.”
    4. In the place, where this Shirdi Masjid (i.e., Baba’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: “My brother once misbehaved and was consequently excommunicated. I looked after him and eventually had him re-admitted in to caste.”
    2. Baba: In 1913 gave out a long personal story of previous birth of his. “We 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. “Where is your brother?”. I told them the facts and added ‘I made a shroud for him’. 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, “I will pray to God and then eat.” 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 God’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: “As 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. “
    2. I was once eating food (i.e., living) in the East Coast (Coromandel Coast).
    3. Baba: “Pshaw, what of Akbar? I protected him in his infancy. He stood in awe of me.”
    4. “That Brahmin of Paithan (evidently referring to Eknath), I knew. Such excellent Brahmins are not to be found now a days.”
    6. Baba to Balakrishna Upasani Sastri: “I was at the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi took part. I was then in the army.”
    7. “My 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.”
    8. Baba to (GSK): “I was here (at Shirdi or on the banks of Godavari) eight to ten thousand years ago.”
    9. “An 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.”
    10. “When 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.”
    11. Baba: “I 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, “Baba sent these for you.”

    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 father’s wife, I tended her feet and cured her. She dies later.

    1. “Once I wove cloths, turbans, pitambar, rugs etc, but still I could not get enough money to satisfy hunger.”
    2. “My 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?”

    Baba draws people by Rinanubanda

    (l) N.G.Chandorkar

    500. Nana : 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.“This 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.”

    (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. “No 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 “Hat-Hat,” “Jit-Jit”.

    (6) Rinanubanda for animals

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

    Baba’s reference to his being a Brahmin in the present Janma

    505.(a) This is a Brahmin’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): “Why do you wish to dupe me, a poor Brahmin, of the other 1/4 ?”

    (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): “All right you may go back via Chitali, but do not dupe a poor Brahmin of his two annas.”

  • OTHER POWERS I

    6–10 minutes

    Baba’s other powers

    Para Number in the Book & About HIS Powers

    BABA AND BLACK MAGIC

    449. Theosophical Lady: (thinks whether Baba’s extraordinary powers are cases of black magic).

    [Baba’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 Guru’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 – seeing things happening at any distance, (2) Antardhana – sudden appearance and disappearances, (cf. 352, 532) (3) Manojava – quick flash of thoughts, achieving all feats of intellect or reason-intuition intensified, (see 406) (4) Parakayapravesa – entering other bodies living or dead, (see 321) (5) Vaihayasa – 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 Baba’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 friends’ 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.”