"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.

  • MISCELLANEOUS -NATURE

    11–17 minutes

    Baba’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.”

  • Mystical Rites and Practical Wisdom

    Baba’s Sayings and his practical wisdom and mystical rites

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” About HIS Wisdom and Rites

    1. Bade Baba (Fakir Baba), brought with him a recent Hindu Convert (Ibrahim) to Islam to the mosque.

    Baba, slapping that convert on the cheek: “Ah! you have changed your father!”

    Baba’s Prayers

    1. Sai Baba: I speak things here. Things take place there (in accordance with my words). This is all God’s sport (lila).

    (Re.M.W.Pradhan), Baba : “O God. Let the rain stop. My children have to go home. Let them go back comfortably (And the rains stopped till M.W.P. reached the Railway Station).

    596a.   (Re.H.V. Sathe) Dada Kelkar: “When are we to have a grandson?

    Sai Baba- “I am requesting Allah.    He will comply with my request.”    (Next year a grandson was born).

    1. “I  have been considering  long and thinking day and   night. All are thieves; but we have to deal with them. I prayed to God night and day for their improvement or   removal. But God delays and does not approve of the (my) attitude, and grant the prayer. I will wait for a month or two and see. But living or dead, I will have what I have been praying for. I will not go to Teli  or  Vani. I will never beg of them. The people are not good and devoted. They are unsettled in mind etc. A few friends will gather together and talk divine wisdom, and sit and contemplate.”-Baba (G.S.K. diary)
    1. In 1886. (Baba to Mahlsapathy):”I am going to God.”
    2. (Re. his hand burnt)Baba: “It is all God’s play. He himself will cure. Why should we be anxious? Allah is my doctor.”

    Baba, to R.B.P.- “In two or four days I will be all right. Allah has given me this sickness and He will make me all right within that period. You need not cry.”

    Baba’s Practical Wisdom and detachment

    1. Baba was seated at the mosque. The season for custard apple (Seethapal) had just began. A woman with these fruits was coaxing Baba to take fruits. She demanded very high prices first. Baba- “I do not want your fruits. Take them away.”

    Then the woman begged of him to take six fruits for ten annas. The fruits were bought. A little later, before the woman was paid, another woman with Seethapal turned up and Baba bargained with her. B.- ” For ten fruits, I will give only six annas.” The woman agreed.

    B.. Shama, what is the total to be paid to these women.

    Syama: Deva, one Rupee.

    Then Baba addressing some one present (Kaka Mahajani?): “Bhav, will you give me Rs.2?”

    That man gave the two rupees asked for.

    Then Baba calling the first woman: Have this. Take the money.

    And he paid her one rupee.

    Then Baba called the second one and paid her also one rupee.

    The devotee, who paid two rupees said, “Baba, I do not understand all this, will you make me understand?

    B.: What is the difficulty? When the first basket came, fruits were scarce and so 10 annas for six was settled.

    When the second basket came, fruits were not so scarce, and so 6 annas was fixed for 10 fruits. As for the actual payment, each was paid according to her Bhagya (poorva Karma etc.).

    1. In 1890 Nana Saheb Nimonkar voluntarily offered a ten rupee note. B.: “I will not take this.    I am a fakir.”
    2. Mr.Kanitkar went with his family about 1907 to Baba, and found Baba in the chavadi using obscene language by way of abuse and wondered at it. One of his clerks said that Baba was a great saint. Then Kanitkar said “I will consider Baba a great saint, If he returns all the dakshina he has taken from members of my family.” Then when his wife and family went to Baba, B.” Here is all the money you have given till now. Take it away.”

    Mrs. K.: It may be useful for purchase of fuel etc. Keep it B.: “I do not want it.”

    1. Baba (to S.B. Nachne) “whatever you do, do thoroughly. Else do not undertake it.”
    2. Baba: “Do not borrow for celebrating a feast or festival, for a pilgrimage or other journey.”
    3. Baba.: “Always take your meal, before you start for a journey.”

    Conservatism re. Death- Pollution, when observed by the devotee

    606. Baba (to Haribhav K.karnik): “Do not get up the steps of the mosque. Go back straight to your home (Dahanu) without halting on the way.”

    Haribhav went back and found that his grandson’s wife had died just two hours before Baba spoke.

    607. Mrs. Gokhle was coming into mosque with others. Baba(to Mrs. Gokhale). “Do not climb into the mosque.”

    She went back, purified herself and again tried to enter it. Baba (again): “Do not enter.”

    Then Mrs. Gokhle went home and found that when she tried to enter the mosque, she was under pollution arising from the death of a relation.

    Baba’s Mystical Rites and Wisdom

    608, (a) Village women to Baba:You are grinding wheat into flour. Let us also help you. Baba:”Do”.

    After some grinding. Women: Baba, you do not prepare bread so we will take away the flour.

    B.: “No, no, no. Come on. Let us carry all the flour.”

    Then Baba led the way to the streamlet which forms the northern boundary of Shirdi.

    B. “Now let us throw all this flour alongside of the stream on its bank. These epidemics, cholera, plague etc. come in the shape of Goddesses and they will be satisfied with this flour, which we offer and will go away from the village. In point of fact, when Baba threw the flour alongside of the streamlet the threatened epidemic did not visit the village.

    (b) Baba rubbing coins.

    Baba when alone used to take out coins from his pocket and rub their surface with his fingers, (as a result of which all the letters etc. were rubbed out) saying;

    “Nanache Nanache (i.e., Nana’s Nana’s) Kakache. Kakache; Somyacne somyache etc.

    By this, adverse circumstances against these persons were rubbed out. That is what the devotees felt and believed.

    (c) Baba watching over the safety of devotees.

    Baba to Abdul: “Abdul, place some buckets of water nex to   that   (Akhandam)   in   the   Lendi   garden   see   that,   That lamp (Akhandam) is perpetually burning.   Feed it always oil.”

    Baba, after the buckets, full of water, were placed near the Akhandam, would sprinkle water from them in all the cardinal directions, and he would also stand up and walk a few steps in each direction and intently speak at the horizon in each direction evidently to note and avert evils befalling his devotees.

    (d) Baba one day suddenly put his hand up to the elbow very close to the Dhuni fire at the mosque or even into the fire. His skin was burnt.

    Shama : Baba, why do you do so ? (So saying, Shama pulled him off.)

    Baha: “Let the cursed hand go. A child had fallen into the fire and I was picking it out.”

    Later, information was received that in some place, not far off, a blacksmith’s child had fallen into the fire and was picked out before any danger to its life happened.

    (e) Mystical rites: In March 1911, just before Arti. Baba: “Hallo ! I have intense pain in the belly fetch a turban”. A turban was brought. Baba wound it round his body and wanted each end of the turban to be pulled by each of two men standing on his right and on his left side.

    Baba: “Pull. Pull, I have not yet got relief”. Later: Baba “You may stop now. I have relief”. None could make out what the matter was.

    A little later news came from Nimgaon, 2 miles off, that a lady devotee having unbearable pains of parturition thought of him and then had safe delivery. Evidently this mystic rite helped in that delivery.

    (f) An ardent lady devotee that was not allowed to approach or appear before Sai Baba at any time, was seriously ill. Evidently to effect her cure, Baba got over a neighbouring house top, walked over the terrace of the house where in the patient lay, arrived at the top of another house and sent for a ladder to descend therefrom. On descending, he paid Rs.2 to the person that brought the ladder, saying that services should not be accepted gratis, (see 226). The patient recovered.

    (g) Vastu Paoja, etc. when the Shirdi mosque was reconstructed (about 1911), Baba often pulled down what the masons put up. After that was built, a dandal with pillars supporting a zinc sheet roofing was being put up in the open yard in front of the mosque evidently ignoring the directions contained in Vastu Sastra.

    Baba came up angrily, seized Tatya Patel, pulled out one of the pillars just then planted, burnt Tatya’s cloth and inserted the ashes of that cloth and a silver coin in the hole from which the pillar was pulled out, then reinserted the pillar and allowed the work to go on. Baba was obviously observing the directions of Vastu Sastra. i.e., that relating to house and temple construction.

    (h) Baba frequently made gestures, waving his hands or fingers or a stick held in his hand (1) before the Dhuni fire; (2) before the chavadi; (3) when he came in procession to a spot from which Maruti temple is seen (see about this 58 supra); (4) before G.S. Khaparde at the mosque: (5) and on other occasions and at other places. Each had its own significance.

    (i) When in the terrible heat of the noon day sun, a kid came up to the mosque, fell down whirling and appeared to be dead. Baba came round it and sprinkled water drops on it. It jumped up and ran away.

    Baba similarly came round the burning stack of a marvadi and drew a thin line of water all round it, and said “This stack alone will be burnt”. The stacks near that were all safe, though a strong wind was blowing. (See 342.)

    (j) Abdul Kadir wanted fakiri,   spiritual   uplift, evidently   through Vairagya and the acquisition of higher states. 

    Baba  held  up  his   clenched   fist  in  the  air and waved it towards that man opening the pam finally, as though he threw something at him, saying Lev.  From  that moment that man was full of Vairagya and indifference to  all his temporal affairs. His relations were displeased and he also behaved in an erratic way. 

    Then Baba extended his hand towards  him and  withdrew the fist saying “Lao” i.e. Give back. That man regained his original mentality and attended to his affairs. These were witnessed by Chotekhan.

  • Religious Tolerance

    Baba’s Says about religious tolerance

    Para Number in the Book & About Religious Tolerance

    1. Baba. All Gods are one. There is no difference between a Hindu and a Mohammadan. Mosque and temple are the same. Yet I will respect your (people’s) susceptibilities, and not enter the temple (,as you Mahlsapathy object to the entry).

    Look at Chokamela’s life.

    1. Baba to H.S.D.(who had been just recently talking ill of Christ and Christianity at his own lodgings. “Get away.   Do not massage me.”

    (Again when H.S.D. repented and approached, Baba raised no objection to his massage.)

  • Justice and Equality

    Baba’s Says on Justice and Equality

    Para Number in the Book & About Justice and Equality

    1. “This world is funny. All are my subjects. I look upon all with equal eye, But some turn thieves. What can I do for them? People at death’s door, plot against the lives of others. These offend and hurt me much.   But I am quiet, saying nothing.   God is great.   He has his officers everywhere, who are all powerful.   One must rest content with one’s lot.   I am very powerful.   I was here, eight or ten thousand years ago”- Baba (G.S.K’s diary)
    (a) Margosa Tree Branch

    586. Baba: “You have to cut your own child, if it falls athwart the womb” (with this remark, Baba himself cut off a branch of the Gode Neem Tree, that interfered with the raising of a wall in Sathe Wada).

    (b) S.B.N.’s Mother-in-law’s Revenge

    587. Dada Kelkar. Where am I to get onion for my granddaughter’s eye?

    B.: Get it from this Ayi (pointing to S.B.Nachne’s mother-in-law)-

    M.-in-L:. Baba, this Dada abused me this morning for cutting onions. I do not care to give him anything; but if you order it, I will give him onion.

    B.: Do. (N.’s Mother-in-law had the grand revenge of returning good for evil, by Baba’s just orders).

    ( C ) Bala Patil

    588. Damia (i.e., Damodar S. Rasane) went to Baba and requested him to send Bala Patil, his attendant, who was of a low caste, to D’s house for a meal as Baba’s representative.

    B.: Yes, but do not cry “Dhut Dhut” (keep away, keep away) at him. Do not give him a place far away from your own place of eating.

    Damia adopted Baba’s advice and took Bala Patil as his guest and made him sit near him and not outside the house for the meal.

    (d) Chakra Narayan

    589. When a Christian, Chakra Narayan was appointed Police Fouzdar at Kopergaon, a devotee said to Baba : “We have got a Christian for the Fouzdar.”

    B.:    “What of that?   He is my brother”

    (e) Peston Jamas

    1. Peston Jamas and his brother-in-law went in about 1915 to Shirdi, to see “Sai Maharaj” there at the Dixit Wada, there  was much  crowding and the  rich people alone were accommodated upstairs and these two Parsis were left downstairs.

    “What sort of justice is here in this Darbar! Big people enjoying comforts above and poor people left downstairs to suffer inconvenience”, thought these Parsis.  

    When they went to Baba at the Mosque. Then, Baba (to somone present): “Take these people up. And they were given accommodation upstairs.”

    (f) Tukaram Barku

    1. Tukaram Barku, a Mahar (Harijan) was leaving shirdi in quest of employment. Baba met him and put his arm round his neck. Baba: (to Barku) “Do not go.”

    Barku: I must go and earn.   Baba:Do not go.

    Barku   disregarded   the   advice,   went,   fell   ill  and  had prolonged illness and returned earning nothing.

    Baba and Creatures

    1. Nana Saheb Dengle bringing a plateful of dainties, on a silver plate gave it to Baba and begged him to eat. Baba shouted out. A black dog ran up and licked up the food. Nana Saheb was disgusted and thought, “Is it for this pariah dog that I prepared all this?”

    Baba (flinging away the plate): Take this away.

    See 592-Baba giving away Laxmi’s bread to a dog.

  • BABA’S INDEPENDENCE

    Baba’s Says ie HIS independence

    Para Number in the Book & About Baba’s Independence

    (a) Dhulia Court Commission

    581. A person was charged before the Dhulia Magistrate’s court with stealing jewels etc. The man pleaded that, Sai Baba of Shirdi had given him the jewels and cited him as a witness. Summons come

    Constable’. Baba, here is a summons for you.

    B.: “Take it and throw it into the fire”.

    Anyhow the report was sent that Baba was served and as Baba was absent for the trial a warrant came to Shirdi. Ganpatram, the constable to Baba: “Baba, they have sent out a warrant. Will you kindly go with me to Dhulia?”

    Baba, angrily. “Throw that piece of paper into” (Baba was cursing and swearing).

    The constable was perplexed. Then, as advised by N.G.Chandorkar, a Mahajar (largely signed) was sent up to the effect that Baba was worshipped by large numbers as God; that the issue of summons and warrant were improper and undesirable, and that if his evidence was necessary a commissioner might be sent to take it.

    Then Nana joshi the commissioner, a first class magistrate came and examined Baba.

    Commissioner. What is your name?

    Baba: “T”hey call me Sai Baba.”

    Com.: Your father’s name?

    B.: “Also Sai Baba.”

    Com.: Your Guru’s name?

    B.: “Venkusa.”

    Com.: Creed or religon?

    B.: “Kabir.”

    Com.: caste or race?

    B.: “Parvardigar {i.e.,God) “

    Com.: Age please?

    B.: “Lakhs of years.”

    Com.: Will you solemnly affirm that what you are going to say is the truth?

    B.: “Truth.”

    Com.: Do you know the accused, so and so?

    B.: “Yes I know him and I know everyone.”

    Com.: The man says he is your devotee and that he lived with you.    Is that so?

    B. ” Yes I live with every one.    All are mine.”

    Com,: Did you give him jewels as alleged by him?

    B.: “Yes. I gave him.    Who gives what to whom?”

    Com.: If you gave him the jewels, how did you get them and become possessed of them?

    B.: “Everything is mine.”

    Com.: Baba, here is a serious charge of theft.   That man says that you delivered the jewels to him.

    B.: “What is all this? What the devil have I to do with all that?”

    The commissioner was perplexed. Then it was suggested that the village diaries showing the presence of strangers in the village should be sent for. The diary showed that the accused, a stranger was not at Shirdi, at the time of his alleged receipt from Baba. And it was well known that Baba never left the village.

    The commissioner put the facts before Baba and Baba said they were true. That closed the Commission evidence. Baba was not asked to sign or put his mark. Baba does not appear to have signed or put his mark to any paper at any time.

    (b) Sir G.Seymour Curds’ Visit

    582. In 1910-11, Baba said at the Dwarakamayee: “Rascal, coming to see me! What have I got? I am a naked fakir with human organs.”

    People wondered whom Baba referred to. Then in a short time a big official procession passed by the mosque, including Mrs. and Mr. Curtis, Revenue Commissioner, Mr. Macneil, the Collector etc.   They passed on to the chavadi. The assistant Commissioner said (to N.R.S.)-; “Ask Sai Baba to finish his morning routine quickly as the sahebs (officers) wish-to see him”.

    N.R.S.: Such a communication to Sai Baba is unthinkable. If you have any business with him, you must await his pleasure.

    In half an hour, Baba passed by that side. Mrs.Curtis, bowing to Baba said: “We wish to have a little talk with you, Maharaj. “

    B.: Wait half an hour.    I have to go and beg.

    So saying, Baba went away but returned in ten minutes.

    Mrs. Curtis, again bowing, repeated her request.

    B.: Wait one hour. So saying Baba passed on to the Masjid.

    The officers were in a hurry and they did not stop; and Mrs. Curtis’ object namely, to get a child by Baba’s blessing was not achieved.

    Worship with Sandal Paste Muslims with clubs

    583. Baba was being worshipped by a number of Hindus with flowers, etc. As for sandal, the chief devotee, Mahlsapathy applied it to Baba’s neck, but not to the forehead, as Baba objected to it.

    One day Mahlsapathy had a vision of Baba with sandal on Baba’s forehead. Thereafter Mahlsapathy was regularly pasting sandal on Baba’s forehead without any objection from Baba. But some Muslims raised objections. But Baba did not care for their views.

    Then the Muslims met together, consulted the Sangamnere Kazi and resolved to beat anyone who should put sandal on Baba’s forehead. One Tambuli told Mahlsapathy of this fact. That day Mahlsapathy stood outside the mosque compound and performed puja of Baba from there.

    B.: What are you doing there? M: Doing your Puja.

    B.: Come in and daub me with sandal on the forehead, hands, breast, and everywhere; Let me see who will dare to beat!

    The Muslims were cowed down and the puja with sandal developed into regular Hindu worship as in temples.

    1. In 1913-1914, plague raged at Poona. R.K. Dube who vowed to go to Shirdi, broke that vow and went to Sasarwada. In that trip he lost a child and his wife was seriously unwell. Dube prayed to Baba.

    Baba, appearing in a vision, said: “One must perform one’s vow. Else he has to bear the punishment in this manner.”

    Applying Udhi to Mrs. Dube, Baba disappeared.

    Dube saw the Udhi on her face. The next day she recovered.

    Later when Mr. and Mrs. Dube went to Shirdi, Baba referred to the above incident.

  • ANTARJNAN II

    7–11 minutes

    Baba’s Saying and his Antarjnan-Omniscience II

    Para Number in the Book & About antarjnan

    Gurjar and 1 Rupee

    427. One Dhundiraj V.Gurjar alias Babu Saheb was going to Shirdi and Mrs.Kanitkar delivered one rupee to him to be paid to Baba. At Shirdi he stayed for two or three days. Baba asked him for dakshina each day. On the last day,

    B.: These three days I have been noting with amusement that you are each time giving your own dakshina, hiding in your pocket the rupee delivered to you by the lady. Will you give it?

    Then Gurjar, thus reminded, gave the rupee. 

    Lizard’s tick

    428.    A lizard tic-ticked at Baba’s mosque.

    Some one: What is the meaning of the lizard’s tick?

    B.: She is rejoicing that her sister is coming from Aurangabad.

    Presently some one came on horseback from Aurangabad and threw out the contents of his pouch of gram. A lizard fell there from. That lizard ran into the mosque and was soon playing with the lizard already there.

    Cholkar’s Tea with sugar

    429. One cholkar had by Baba’s grace obtained success in an examination and employment and had to fulfil his vow of going to Shirdi. But as his pay was poor, he saved money for the trip by avoiding the use of sugar in his tea.

    Then he came to Shirdi, where Babu Saheb Jog was his host. Before he narrated the above facts,

    Baba (to Jog): “Give him plenty of sugar in his tea.“

    Pandari Vakil -Insincerity and scandalising exposed

    430. A pleader from Pandharpur known to H.S. Dixit came to Shirdi, went with others to Baba, prostrated and paid dakshina.

    B.: What humbugs people are ! They fall at one’s foot, pay dakshina and yet abuse one in their hearts.

    The pleader confessed later to H.S.Dixit that Baba referred to what he had done at the Bar room of Pandharpur, where he joined other pleaders in scandalising their munsiff or subjudge (Noolkar) “who despite his education went to Baba, an illiterate fakir, for overcoming his eye troubles, diabetes etc.”

    V.H.Takur’s Buffalo ride

    431. V.H. Takur B.A., a clerk in the Survey Department got a copy of Nichaldars’ Vicharasagara from a saint. Kanadi Appa, Who told him that in his later travel in the north, a saint with realisation, would teach him.

    On his way to some places, he had to ride on a buffalo in going up a hill and that galled him in his seat. When he came to Baba, Baba of his own initiative said:

    ‘You have been told by that saint that you will get teaching. But the spiritual path is rough. As in your buffalo ride, here also you must undergo much suffering’

    Modak’s Friend Resiling from intended gift

    432. V.L. Modak went with a friend to Shirdi. Each intended to give Rs. 2 to Baba as dakshina and set it apart in his pocket.

    Baba to V.L.M.: Will you give me dakshina?

    V.L.M.: Yes. And he paid Rs. 2

    Baba to V.L.M.s friend: Will you give me dakshina?

    The friend: yes. And he paid Rs. 1.

    B.: What liars some people are. They set apart Rs.2 in their pockets to be paid to the fakir, Why then pay only Rs. 1 now? If money is required for travelling expenses, is there not plenty of money in the other pocket?

    N.R.S.’s relationship

    433. N.R. Sahasrabudde treated a lady for incipient lunacy at Shirdi and cured her by Baba’s udhi and grace. This was mentioned to Baba as a matter to N.R.S’s credit.

    Baba: Whom has he helped? It is his own daughter-in-law.

    N.R.S. was not aware of the relationship; but when he enquired, he found out that the lady was the wife of his Sagotra Kinsman.

    Jaykar’s doubts cleared

    434. Jayakar sat by Baba one day at the mosque and Saryanarayana pothi (puran) was being read at the mantap, which is three feet lower in level than the floor of the mosque. Jayakar’s mind was much upset in trying to solve the conflicting merits and demerits of his stay near Baba at the mosque.

    • It is always good and meritorious to be near Baba.
    • But listening to Satyanarayana Pothi was a special attraction to him; and
    • Moreover, remaining on a higher level when Satyanarayana Pothi was read at a lower level, was not proper.

    When his mind was torn and undecided about these issues, Baba read his mind and said: “Go and attend Pothi.” This settled his course.

    Dixit’s dakshina of Rs. 25

    435. H.S. Dixit intending to give Baba Rs. 25 and a garland, went to Baba and gave the garland first.

    B.: This garland calls for Rs.25. Then H.S.D. gave the Rs.25 Dakshina.

    Dixit’s Betel

    436. H.S.Dixit one day in doing pooja of Baba’s picture failed to offer Tambool i.e., betel and nut. When he went to Baba,

    B.: “Kaka. give me betal and nut.”

    Khaparde’s Dakshina

    437. G.S. Khaparde’s son dreamt that Baba came to his house and had his meal. Next day he went to Baba,  to verify if really Baba  came  to  his  house. Baba anticipated his question.

    B.:   “Last night you fed me, but gave no Dakshina. Now give me dakshina.”

    UDDHAVESA’S LOSS OF MONEY AND THIRST

    438. Uddhavesa Bua of Dahanu starting with a party of friends, went to board a steamer to go to Dwaraka. When on the boat, his entire money and the tickets of all fell into the sea.

    At Dwaraka, having no money, he wrote a letter to Sai Baba at Shirdi wanting money and mentioned the above facts. That very night before his letter could reach Shirdi, a rich man at Dahanu had a dream in which he was told “Your father’s money had dropped into the sea. Send him money.” That man accordingly sent Rs. 50 to Uddhavesa Bua at Dwaraka. Then Uddhavesa Bua continued his pilgrimage.

    One day he climbed up a hill and went half way up felt scorching thirst, which was allayed after sometime by a fakir giving him water. When Uddhavesa Bua returned to Shirdi, Shama went up and reported his arrival to Baba, before Uddhavesa Bua reached Mosque.

    Baba at once: ‘I have seen him”. Baba then quoted two lines of verse.

    “How money fell into the sea and how God gave him money and water to drink”

    V.S. Mulherkar-Pucca Devotee

    439. V.S. Mulherkar, head clerk at Bandra was travelling to Shirdi along with N.G.C. and on the way at Kopergaon, he told someone that N.G.C. was a Pucca (ripe) Bhakta. On arrival at Shirdi, Baba repeated the pharse and asked him.

    “Is Nana a Pucca Bhaktha and you a Kutcha (i.e.) unripe)?”

    Special Peda and Mrs.Mulherkar’s life

    440. Mulherkar bought special peda at Phandarpur and brought it to Shirdi and gave it to Baba.

    Baba, without being told about these facts-said: “This peda is from Pandarpur and it has been specially brought for me.”

    Baba gave a full description of the daily life of M.’s wife.

    D.D. Rasane-Money still left in pocket

    441. D.D. Rasane, and his cousin had paid dakshina several times. They had Rs. 25 left and had written for more money.

    B.: Give me dakshina.

    D.D.R. and Cousin: No money left, Baba.

    B.: Why talk humbug? you have Rs.25 left still with you and the money you have written for will arrive presently. (cf.R.B.P.)

    Babu Rao Boravke and the forgotten rupee

    442. Babu Rao Boravke when young was without money and was going to Shirdi. On the way, he went to his uncle, who told him not to go with empty hands to a saint and gave him Re. 1 to give Baba.

    Boravke arrived at Shirdi.

    B.: Give me Dakshina Re.l.

    Boravke(forgetting the newly acquired rupee):”I have nothing”

    B-: See. Re.  1 is in your pocket. You must give Re.l to a fakir,

    Boravke felt in his pocket, found the rupee and gave it

    Device Exposed of Printer, NV

    443.   D.V.Sambhare’s friend N.V., a Bombay printer knew that Baba would ask for Dakshina, and in order that he may conscientiously deny having money, left his money with Sambhare.

    Baba (to N.V.) “Give Rs. 2 Dakshina. Take it from that man (pointing to D.V.S.) and give it.”

    N.V.found that Baba’s all-seeing eye could not be hood-winked.

    Mr. T-one must correct himself after discovering a mistake

    444. Mr. T. (Tarkhad?) when starting from home was asked by his wife for money. He believed that he had none in this pocket, said so and came down. Then he discovered a rupee in his pocket, but did not go up to give it. He went away to office.

    Weeks later, Mrs. T. and Mr.T. went to Baba.

    Baba (addressing Mrs. T,); ‘Mother, nowdays how deceitful people are! He had a rupee in his pocket and yet said no” (Mr.T. then only confessed his mistake to his wife). 

    Lala Lachmichand

    445.    Lala Lachmichand, one night in 1910, saw in his dream a bearded old man (surrounded by his devotees), a   figure unknown to him, Later on he found that old Man’s   picture with Das Ganu Maharaj and learnt that it was Sai  Baba of Shirdi. He resolved to go to Shirdi and  borrowed  Rs,15 for the expense.  On the way L.L. questioned people  about Sai Baba, to learn  more him. When he reached Shirdi and came before Baba, the latter without any intimation of the above facts spoke at once. 

    Baba- “Rascal, he goes on questioning others. Why question others? Regarding what one sees with one’s own eyes, why ask others? One must decide for oneself whether what he has seen in his dream is true or not. He borrows from a Marwadi. What was the urgency for the darshan? Is the heart’s desire now satisfied?”

    L.L.’s Sanza-Baba’s Consideration for hunger

    446. L.L went to wada and came before Baba expecting Sanza semolina pudding and in a hungry state.

    Jog : Baba, what Naivedya shall I prepare?

    B.: Prepare Sanza. If one is hungry, that is good. (again)Now Sanza is ready, hurry up Arati worship.

    Rich Man’s adopted boy

    447. A rich man’s adopted boy was brought by him to Shirdi with great difficulty and sat with his adopting father before Baba. Then that boy thought within himself that he would decamp from the place without telling his adopted father.

    Baba, at once, spoke: “No one should leave Shirdi today without leave from me.”

    The boy found that he was found out and confessed his idea of decamping.

    Police Officer’s Rs.50 and Need for it

    448. Baba to police officer: “Give me dakshina”. 

    P.O.: I have none.

    B.: See, in you pocket is a 50 Rupees, note.

    P.O.: Here, take it. 

    B.: No Keep it, you will soon have need for it.

    P. O. went back and was in trouble very soon and had need for the note.

  • ANTARJNAN I

    10–15 minutes

    Baba’s Saying and his Antarjnan-Omniscience

    Para Number in the Book & About antarjnan

    ANTARJNAN (RITAMBHARA PRAJNA) (l)Baba’s avowal

    406. Baba at the close of the noon Arati one day declared, (a fact well-known to staunch devotees in their everyday experience): (para 9). “Be wherever you may, Do whatever you may. Remember this always, I ever know whatever you do or say,”

    Constant proof of his all knowing nature to H.S.D.

    407. In 1947 after Dusserah, Kaka Mahajani’s master’s (i.e. Takersay Sait’s) son told K.M, at Bombay, that Sait wanted him (K.M) to go to Sai Baba and learn Baba’s orders about Sait’s health.

    K.M. suggested that H.S.Dixit being at that time at Shirdi might be written to. But the Sait’s son insisted that K.M. should go personally and at once get Baba’s order, as that alone would satisfy the Sait. Thereupon. K.M. started for Shirdi

    “What discussions and deliberations go on there!” When K.M. arrived the next day and talked about the matter to Baba, Baba told H.S.Dixit “It is this matter I told you of yesterday.”

    Then K.M. and H.S. Dixit compared notes and found how Baba saw everything and knew everything at the same time at places hundreds of miles apart.

    Baba on Gajanan’s Passing away

    408. When Gajanan Maharaj passed away at Shegaon, Baba said at shirdi: “My Gajanan is gone.”

    Some Shirdi people at once wrote to Shegaon to inquire about Gajanan Maharaj and the reply came that he passed away on the day when Baba spoke of his death.

    Ubiquity: Antarjnan (Omniscience)

    Atharva Veda:

    “If two persons sit together and scheme, king varuna is there as a third and knows it.

    He that would flee beyond Heaven

    Far away could not flee from King Varuna.

    King Varuna sees through all that is between Heaven and earth and all that is beyond.    He has bounded the winks of men’s eyes.”

    Atharva Veda IV.   16-2,4.  5

    Varuns is immanent in a drop. Tho’  oceans are his loins

    DAS GANU’S SUB-INSPECTORSHIP

    409. Baba to Das Ganu (then a constable): “Ganu, you had better resign your police service?”

    Das Ganu: I will do so after becoming a sub-inspector (Fouzdar) and retaining the place for one year.

    Baba: But you are not going to get it.

    Ganu went without permission of his superiors to Nizam’s states and when he was about to cross the river Godavari, to get back to his station, he found a number of envious constables on the opposition shore watching to note his return and reported against him.

    Then he took up a palmful of Godavari water in hand and swore that if he escaped punishment at this time, he would give up his service. He turned back to the native state and found a robber gang dividing their booty. Arresting them and seizing the property, he returned to his station and pleading the seizure as the excuse for leaving the station, not only escaped punishment but also got good grounds for promotion. So he did not resign.

    As he rode past Shirdi, hoping to avoid Baba, Baba was on the road. Baba: “Ganu, who is it that took the vow with a palmful of Godavari water in hand?”

    Das Ganu: What harm is there? I am really going to resign after all.

    Baba: “Wait, You will not listen to me while things are thus (smooth-running). “

    Sometime later he got into trouble. A fine which was collected, while he was in charge of the station and paid at the station was not sent up to Government, and his conviction and imprisonment seemed to be imminent. He vowed again he would leave the service, if he escaped. He promised to resign at the inquiry. He escaped and left service.

    Thembe Swami’s Cocoanut

    410. When Pundalikrao was touring, one Thembe Swami gave him a cocoanut to be presented to Sri Sai Baba, but on the way his companions ate up the cocoanut. Pundalikrao arrived at Shirdi, and went to Baba without the cocoanut. Baba accosted him with the words, “Here is a thief. Where is the cocoanut given for me by my brother?”

    Kaka Maharaj’s passing away(=214)

    411. Kaka Maharaj of Dopeshwar gave leave to H.G.Joshi, a pleader of Thana and another, to go to Sai Baba for paying their respects. But they waited a while, and kaka maharaj passed away.

    When they arrived at the Shirdi mosque, Baba was in a towering passion apparently ungovernable. But Baba saw them and said: “Bring those two persons, here into the mosque”.

    When they came in. Baba was calm and cool. 

    Baba- “You have killed that old man and come here? ” This was a reference to Kaka Maharaj’s death.

    Gadgil’s first visit-coming from Bhimasankar

    412. Chidambar Keshav Gadgil was told by a sadhu living at Bhima Sankar temple at Poona to go to the saint at Shirdi.

    Gadgil came to Shirdi for the first time. Gadgil to Schoolmaster Shama: Is there a saint here?

    Shama : There is none. You see that mad Muslim fakir seated in the mosque.

    That is the only man we have here.

    Anyhow Gadgil and his friends walked the few steps to the mosque.

    Baba- “(showering a lot of foul abuse) Don’t get up the mosque, I am a muslim. Go and fall at the foot of the sadhu at Bhima Sankar Temple.”

    Gadgil discovered at once the Antarjnan of Baba and became his staunch devotee.

    Gadgil’s Presents

    413. L.G.Munge accompanied Chidambar Keshav Gadgil, Mamlatdar of Sinnere and his friend Vaman Rao on their trip to Baba. On the way on the night before going to Shirdi, Gadgil set apart some dates, one rupee and a packet of Udh-Battis (scented sticks) to be given to Baba. As soon as they reached the Mosque.

    Baba (to Gadgil): “Give me my dates, my Udhu-bhati packet and my one rupee”, (cf Boravkes R.)

    Gadgil’s worship of Baba as Ganapathi

    414. C.K. Gadgil was worshipping Sai Baba, regarding him in his mind as Ganapathi.

    Baba- “This cunning man spies a rat under me.”

    R.S. Dev’s idea and Upadesh

    415. When R.S.Dev intending to go to Akkalkote called on the way at Shirdi, Baba said: “I must go to Akkalkote. “(thereby expressing the visitor’s predominating idea.).

    Again, when R.S.Dev. having his own Sampradaya Guru at Ratnagiri. asked Baba “Give me upadesh and be my Guru”

    Baba- “There is no need for a guru. It (the upadesh) is all within you. Try to listen within and follow the direction you get.   We must look at ourselves, i e., the monitor, the guru.”

    Baba was echoing back the ideas already in R.S. Devs mind in these words.

    Dr. Mulky’s Mistakes

    416. Dr D.M.Mulky, recovered from serious illness after vowing to Baba to go to Shirdi, but failed to do so. Once going as far as Manmad for that purpose, Dr.M. met the Railway booking clerk, who talked against Sai Baba and said he was an immoral and dangerous man. Dr. Mulky ran back to Bombay and later his sister-in-law induced him to visit Baba.

    Then Baba gave out details of the vow, the incidents at the Manmad Railway Station etc., and Dr. Mulky felt fully ashamed of believing the booking clerk.

    Dr.Mulky: “Baba, give me leave to go to my place”

    B.: Yes, go, read Jnaneswari and you will find an order on your table that you are transferred to Bijapur on promotion.

    Doctor went back and found the order on the table exactly as stated by Baba.

    G.G. Narke

    Baba is Mad, Begging bowl and Kupni gift

    417. At Baba’s Arati, G.G.Narke found HIM in a rage without any apparent cause and wondered if Baba was mad. This was a passing thought. Later in the evening when G.G.N. massaged Baba’s feet, Baba to G.G.N.: “I am not mad”

    418. One day G.G.N. thought that Baba should give him the opportunity to serve him, by going out at noon to beg food as his proxy in the village at the four customary places, as Vaman Rao Patel, B.A.. L.L.B., was then doing.

    Some Devotee :   “Baba, should not Vaman Rao be sent for Bhiksha ?”

    B.   (pointing to G.,G.N.}:  “Let this man go and beg food for me.”

    G.G.N. had that privilege for four months. 

    419, G.G.N. found Baba distributing Kupnis (gowns), and thought (from a distance) that Baba should give him a Kupni.

    Baba (not giving him one) :” Do not blame me for not giving you one.   That Fakir (God) has not permitted me.”

    [NB.- Kupni denotes asceticism,  G G.N.  was not to be an ascetic but a Grihasta, i.e., a family man]

    S.B.Nachoe, Leave

    420. S.B. Nachne, when going to visit Baba for the first time, alighted at Kopergaon station. The Station Master there told him “Baba is a mere hypnotist. He is deceiving people like so many jugglers all over the country.” This unsettled Nachne’s mind,

    Baba, as soon as he saw Nachne: “What, have you come away, without taking leave from the mamlatdar? .

    N.: Yes.

    B.: Do not behave like this. 

    Nachne wondered how Baba knew he was a mamlatdar’s clerk, who had come away without permission and was glad to note Baba’s kindness in giving the advice. The Antarjnan and kindness of Baba; thus shown freed him from the doubts created by the Station Master. Baba evidently used his Antarjnan and manifested his kindness  for that very purpose.

    S.B. Nachne and 2 annas

    421. S.B. Nachne was commissioned by a devotee to deliver to Baba annas two, a coconut etc. Nachne delivered only the articles, but not the money, as he forgot all about it.

    S.B.N:    Baba, give me leave to go.

    B.: Yes, you may go via Chitale. But why do you with hold a poor Brahmin’s two annas?

    Thus reminded, S.B.N. performed his duty and paid 2 annas to Baba.

    Baba: When you undertake anything, carry it out thoroughly, or do not undertake it.

    Date’s oranges

    422. Nachne went once with Date; and Date had kept some oranges in their cart, at their lodgings for Date’s palaharam faral, and brought only the remaining oranges to Baba and presented them. The oranges were distributed to persons present. A marwadi girl asked Baba for more.

    Baba – “Go and bring the oranges,”

    Rajabali Mohammad: Bark

    423. (Rajabali Mohammad went to Nasik for receiving tanning barks form a contractor at Nasik, found the barks not ready, and came to Shirdi. He wanted to go back.)

    Baba- “That man is not yet ready to deliver your goods.”

    Mohammed   stayed   2   or   3   days   and   then went to Nasik and  found Baba’s statement true.  (cf.   535  B)

    Megha’s Caste pride

    424 Megha was an illiterate Brahmin sent by H.V. Sathe to go to Shirdi. On the way he was told that Baba was a Moslem and so he had a strong aversion to Baba. But H.V. Sathe prevailed upon him to go. As soon as Meghe went to Baba:

    B.:” Kick out that rascal, you are a high caste Brahmin and you will lose your caste by bowing to me. Get away. Do not come here. Why does that fool of a Saheb (H.V.S) send this idiot to me?”

    Megha then went away from Shirdi, stayed one year and a half at Triambak, had stomach and other pains, got faith in Baba, came to Baba and became His pujari in 1910.

    In 1912 when he passed away, Baba passed his hand over his corpse and said: “This is a true devotee of mine”. Megha regarded Baba as an avatar of Siva.

    N. Londa’s Caste Pride

    425. Narahari Londa of Nivas went with some others to Baba’s mosque to take darshan. On the way, he alone was oppressed by the doubt how he, a Brahmin, could bow to Baba, a Moslem. The other bowed and paid dakshina and were well received by Baba.

    When Londa was making up his mind to go near Baba, Baba darted a fierce glance as much as to say, “You dare not come near. Mind, if you do”.

    Again and again, he thought of going near but with the same result. Then he went over from the mosque, to the Khandoba temple, where Baba’s Brahmin devotee Upasani Maharaj was living, where also he was repulsed.

    UM sat with legs outstretched, but when N.L. repeatedly tried to take darshan, he shifted his leg and prevented darshan, saying, “You are a Brahmin. You can not take darshan of Sai Baba!! What business have you with me here?”

    Hari Kanoba’s Sandals

    426. Hari kanoba started from Bombay with friends for shirdi to test Sai Baba. He wore a lace turban on his head and sandals on his fee; Going to Baba, he left the sandals out and took darshan. When he came out, his sandals had disappeared and could not be discovered even after search. Then he went away to his lodgings.

    Baba, picking up the sandals, called a Maharatta boy and said: “Boy, perch these sandals on the top of a stick and go out crying, “Harika Beta, Jarika Peta”. If anyone claims the sandals, ask him if his name is Harika Beta and also if he has a lace turban and, if he has, give the sandals to him. When the boy came near H.K.’s lodgings, he claimed the sandals, saying that his name was Hari’s son and showing his lace turban. Kanoba was his father’s name. It means Hari; and Hari Kanoba being his name. Baba’s Harika Beta resembled it very much and he wondered how Baba discovered his name and sent the shoes.

    Soma Deva Swami: Baba’s Standards

    426-A. In 1911 Somadeva Swami came to Shirdi to see. But when he saw two giant standards floating over the masjid, he said to himself “Thus proudly floating a flag is inconsistent with a sadhu’s humility” and told his companions that he would not like to go to Baba; but finally he was persuaded to go and see Baba. When he went and saw Baba from the Mantap, he gazed at Baba’s eyes and was entranced. Tears suffused his eyes and choked his throat and he was quivering with joy. But, as he approached Baba, Baba was furious and thundered out abuse.

    Baba -“Get back to your house. Beware of entering in to my mosque again. Why take darshan of one who floats a flag or standard? Is that the sign of a Sadhu? You should not remain here one minute.”

    Somadeva Swami wondered at Baba’s  perfect Antarjnan.

  • CONTROL OTHERS’ MIND

    Baba’s controlling others’ mind

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS’ , About controlling minds of others

    (I) G.S. K’s prosecution

    402. Baba “The Governor came with a lance to attack Dada Saheb (i.e.,G.S.K.), but I finally conciliated him”.

    (Just then G.S.Khaparde was in danger of prosecution at the hands of Govt. as a prominent “extremist”. Lokamanya having been sent to jail just then.

    G.S.K.. assured by Baba’s words “Why should any fear when I am here?” stayed 6 months with Baba. There was no prosecution launched against G.S.K.)

    402A.     When M.B.R.  was to start for Shirdi  for 1944 Christmas holidays, he wished to take P.R.A  with him. But P.R.A. received an order not to quit his post, till all judgements were delivered by him in part-heard cases.

    Ordinarily he could not write and deliver these within the 2 or 3 days available. But he sat up and tried, and he succeeded. Then when R. and A. were going from Indore, they passed Mhow a Contonment Station. There the train was commandeered and all passengers including R. and A. had to get down. Suddenly the commanding officer came up to R. and A. and allowed them to board their compartment as that alone was not commandeered.

    When they arrived at Shirdi, Baba said-“Look! He would not be content to come alone and insists on others being brought”. Again Baba said-‘They wanted to take down my children from the train. I asked the commander to let them come to me”.

    R. in his train journey was keeping awake all night and doing Baba’s bhajan. When he arrived at Shirdi, Baba said: “He gave me no sleep last night. All the night, there was the cry “Baba Baba” round my bedside.”

    1. Baba to B.V. Dev: “This is a contest about Rs.25. I said often ‘Give the Rs.25. But he does not listen. He will give it in 2 or 4 months”. [S.V.Dev’s promotion to a higher grade and increase in pay of Rs.25 was being withheld by his superiors at that time. He got both after 2 or 4 months]

    (II) Criminal Appeal of Baba’s servant

    1. Baba’s servant Raghu and five others were convicted of outraging the modesty of a Marwadi woman and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Raghu cried in jail. Baba in dream assured him he would be released the next day. Before that, the case papers were seen by leading lawyers, who thought that success in appeal was hopeless.

    Tatya Patel : Baba, these are papers for the appeal.

    B.. Take them to Bhav (i.e., Rao Bahadur S.B. Dhumal, Pleader of Nasik). The papers were so taken. S.B.D. took the judgement and an appeal memo to the District Magistrate’s bungalow, at Ahmednagar.

    Dt. Magistrate : What have you come for?

    S.B.D.: For filing a criminal appeal on behalf of Raghu, a servant of Sai Baba and five others.

    Dt. Magistrate : What are the facts?

    S.B.D. stated the facts briefly.

    Dt. Magistrate : It looks like a strong case. What! Six eye-witnesses! What do you think?

    S.B.D.: Why six! In a faction-ridden village like Shirdi, you can get 60 eyewitness!

    Dt. Magistrate: Do you think so?

    S.B.D.: Think! Why, I am more than sure of it.

    Dt. Magistrate: “Alright. I acquit all your clients. Give me the appeal memo”.

    The Dt Magistrate without reading the judgement or other papers, without sending for the records or other papers or issuing notice, wrote out the facts and positions, relied upon by the appellants and acquitted them.

    Dt. Magistrate : Is your Sai Baba a Hindu or a Moslem?

    S.B.D. : Neither.    He is above both.

    Dt. Magistrate: What does he teach?

    S.B.D.: To learn that, you must go to him yourself.

    While the appellants were going from Ahmednagar to Shirdi that same day, Baba: (to some villagers):- “Come here. You will see a Chamatkar i.e., a wonder”.

    Shortly thereafter, S.B.D. and the appellants finally acquitted in the above remarkable way, came to Shirdi. That was the Chamatkar.

    Baba’s words and the Dt. Magistrate’s words showed that Baba had gripped the Magistrate’s mind to mete out summary justice, without heeding the usual forms of procedure, getting records & hearing the other side.

    Baba controls others’ minds and removes obstacles (III) Dev, Mamlatdar

    405. B,V.Dev, B.A., mamlatdar, wanted to read ‘Jnaneswari’ as Pothi. But whenever he tried to start it, obstacles invariably turned up. So he resolved not to read it again, till Sai Baba himself should order him to read it. So he went to Shirdi and gave Baba ‘Jnaneswari’ with one rupee, so that the book may be returned to him for study. 

    Baba: “Why one rupee? Bring Rs.20”

    Dev brought and gave Rs.20; but still Baba said nothing about Pothi. That night Dev was trying to talk to Balakram Manker, who was deriving much spiritual benefit from Baba and asked him to narrate his experiences with Baba, showing how he got into His grace. Balakram put off the narration till the next evening.

    Next day, Baba “Give me Rs.20”. Dev paid it and went back and was talking to Balakram. Balakram was just beginning his narration. Just then Baba sent for Dev, and Dev went.

    B.: What were you talking?   With whom? and Where? 

    B.V.  Dev:   At Dixitwada, I was talking with Balakram about your greatness and fame. 

    B.: Fetch Rs.25

    Dev fetched and paid Rs.25 to Baba. 

    B.: Sit here at the mosque.

    Baba then suddenly grew angry and said- “Why are you stealing my rag? Is it your way to steal and that, despite your grey hairs? I will kill you with a hatchet.”

    Dev was bewildered and did not know what the rag was and what the anger would lead to. After ten minutes of such fiery anger, Dev was sent back. Half an hour later, Baba sent for Dev and all others to come to the Masjid.

    Then Baba addressing Dev: “Tambye Bhav, have I wounded you by talking of the rag? If there is a theft, it has to be mentioned. There is no other go. Be it so. God will look to everything”. Then he asked Dev for Rs.12 dakshina which Dev procured and paid.

    B.: (to Dev): What are you doing? 

    Dev: Nothing.

    Baba.: Go on reading Pothi daily in the morning at the Wada. When I wished to give you a nice lace shawl in its entirety, why do you go and steal a tatter?

    Dev then began reading Jnaneswari as Pothi and thereafter there were no more obstacles. This was a grand personal experience of Baba’s controlling powers; and there was no necessity for him, thereafter to enquire about the experiences formed a full lace-shawl given by Baba and picking up second-hand information from other of their experiences amounted to stealing rags.

    Though Dev succeeded in reading Jnaneswari without obstacle, he had made no progress in understanding its meaning. Baba then appeared in his dream and asked, “Do you understand what you read?”

    Dev (with tears)- “No. How can I understand unless you grant it by your grace?

    B.: You are reading hastily.    Sit by my side and read. 

    Dev.: What shall I read?  B.: Adhyatma.

    Then Dev went and brought Adhyatma Ramayana. Then the dream ended and Dev woke up.

    Baba similarly removed Duradrishra of Gadgi Bua. He could not complete his chatrams, and so went to Sai Baba. Baba observed on him vile abuse, Bua laughed. His Duradrishta was removed. Funds came, chatramas were completed.

    405A. PARAMANANDA Baba, without words, directly illumines hearts of devotees, e.g. (1) N.G. Chandokar (2) Narayanan Asrama (3) Mrs.Manager i.e. Mrs.Sadasiva Tarkhad (4) G.S.Khaparde, by yogic glance (5) S.African doctor

  • WELLNESS

    WELLNESS

    Baba’s Saying and helping on variety of Health issues.

    Para Number in the Book of BCS, about health and Recovery

    BABA RESTORES SIGHT- Ophthalmologist

    339. In 1916, Vittalrao Y. Deshpande took his grand father, who was stone blind of both eyes to Shirdi and led him by both hands to Baba. The grandfather bowed and said, ”Baba, I cannot see.”

    Baba: Yes, you will.

    Baba: Give me four Rupees Dakshina.

    VYD went out to change a note. Then Baba placed his hand on the old man’s head and his sight was fully restored.

    Old man (with tears): “Baba, your kindness is wonderful. I can see everything now.”

    Baba: “Take udhi and then go.”

    The old man went back into Shirdi and from Shirdi to Bombay with clear vision requiring no assistance.

    339A. BABA RESTORES SIGHT (TEMPORARY) A woman of Bassein came to Baba. She was blind. At the Mosque she said, “Baba, my wish is to see you with these eyes.” She was at once able to see Baba. She then went out and blindness returned.

    Baba’s Recipes for Fever / Back Pain/ Diarrhoea and Cholera

    391. Baba- “Give curd rice to a black dog that will come to you at the temple”. This was the recipe for Ague. That was done and the Ague was cured (Malaria type fever). “

    392. Baba: “Kaka Mahajani, eat groundnut and drink water. Your anal sphincter is now tightly closed. “(Recipe for Diarrhoea, which stopped.)

    1. B.: To Buty:”Do not pass motions any more nor vomit”. (Buty’s motions etc., stopped without any medicine”).
    2. B. :”Let him (Buty) drink infusion of almond, walnut and pistachio in milk for his cholera” (That drink cured Cholera)
    3. B.: “Apply heated aloe  over the affected part and the pain will subside”. (This cured a servant’s lumbago.)
    4. Baba prescribed Sira (sweetened semolina pudding) for R.R.Samant’s children, suffering from Diarrhoea and they were cured by sira.
    Karma -Dr. C pillai-Guinea worm (Baba in Helminthology)

    397. Doctor C. Pillai (Suffering badly from severe guinea-worm) to H.S.D.: “Kaka saheb, this pain is excruciating. Death is preferable. It (the pain) is no doubt for repaying poorva karma; but go to Baba and ask him to stop the pain now and transfer the working of poorvakarma to ten later births of mine”.

    H.S.D. went to Baba and conveyed this prayer.

    B.: “Tell him not to fear. Why want ten more births? In ten days he can finish all that suffering. Saints exist to give devotees spiritual and temporal welfare; and Pillai wants death instead! Bring him here. Let him not get confused.”

    The Doctor was brought and Baba gave him his own pillow to lie upon and said: “Lean on this, do not indulge in vain thoughts. Stretch you leg and be at eased without actual suffering, Karma cannot be got over. That is true. Karma is the cause of joy and sorrow. Therefore put up with whatever comes to you. Allah Malik. God is the all controller and protector. Think of him always. He will look after all. Surrender completely to him. Think always on him and you will see what He does.”

    Then N.G.C. put a bandage over the wound.

    B.: “Take it off, Nana is mad. That will kill you. Now a crow will come and peck at the wound. That will make you alright.”

    Another day, Abdul, in trying to get down, unknowingly put his foot over the wound of Dr.Pillai. The swelling was thus pressed, and the worms were squeezed out, Dr, Pillai first roared with pain.

    Later, Pillai “Will the crow come and peck me hereafter?”

    B.: No, the crow: (Abdul) has come. The worms have been thrown out. Go and rest in the Wada.

    By applying udhi and taking in udhi, without other treatment or medicine, the guinea-worm was cured in ten days.

    KARMA FOR SARANAGATA BhimajiPatel (Baba in oneirology)

    398. At Junner in Pune district was one Bjhimaji Patel. He had contracted Tuberculosis with continuous fever, ejecting bloody sputum and had gastric trouble also. All remedies he tried were in vain. All pujas were in vain. N.G.Chandorkar sent him to Sainath. Bhimaji came; and to alight from his tonga, four men had to support him. Shama conducted him to Baba.

    Baba: “Shama, in bringing this thief to me, what a load of responsibility you are placing on my shoulders!”

    Then Bhimaji (placing his head upon Baba’s feet): “Helper of the helpless. I am helpless. Pray, show thy pity and grace unto me.”

    Baba changed his tone and spoke to him with a smiling face.

    Baba: Stay, cast off anxiety. the wise avoid anxiety. Your sufferings for your past karma have come to an end, as soon as you put your feet on Shirdi. Persons in great trouble, sunk in their misery, rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of this mosque. That Fakir (God) is very kind and will eradicate your disease. He will show his love. He is kind to all. Go and stay at Bhima Bai’s house.

    Accordingly Bhimaji stayed in Bhima Bai’s house, using Baba’s udhi only. On the first day, Baba himself applied the udhi to his forehead and placed his palm on his head.

    Baba: Bhimaji, walk to your quarters.

    Patel was at once able to walk up to his carriage without being supported by any. Baba did not give him any medicine, but gave him something better and more effectual.

    Bhimaji had two dreams. In the first he had become a boy. His teacher in teaching a lesson, birched him vigorously and the man roared with pain in his sleep. In the next dream, Bhimaji found that some one had got upon his breast and rolled over it a heavy stone roller and he felt the pangs of death. Then he awoke with these dreams, his disease had fled. He slowly walked up to the Masjid and bowed to Baba. After a month’s more stay with Baba, he went home hale and healthy.

    Baba granting issue when prarabdha was against

    399. One Scindhe of Harda had seven daughters, but no sons. In 1903, he went to Gangapur and prayed to Datta for a son and said that if he got a son in 12 months, he would bring the child to Gangapur for Darshan. He got a son in 13 months; but did not take the child to Gangapur. In November 1911, he came to Baba at Shirdi.

    Baba- ” What!   Have   you   got puffed   up?   Where   was there   any   male   progeny    in your   destiny?  I tore this body (pointing to Sai’s body) and gave you one.”

    In  the  case  of Damodar  Rasane  also.  Baba  overcame astrological obstacles for issue.

    Compare Baba’s methods with mantric methods,

    cf.  Srimad Bhagavat VI(I9) 25 & 26. where kashyapa taught the Pumsavana Vratham.

    Baba’s Cure without Medicines (Baba in Oncology)

    400. Baba (to Mahlsapathy, whose wife was unwell in a distant village)- “Your wife has a tumor in the neck,causing intense suffering. I shall cure it. No other will cure it.”

    Mahlsapathy was not aware of the tumour or illness; but subsequently got a letter that his wife had a tumour. And it was cured.

  • PROPHECY AND CONTROL

    Baba’s Saying of Prediction of Future and Control

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About prophecy and control

    Foretells coming glory of Shirdi

    360. Long before 1908 (after which alone Baba’s popularity developed), when Shirdi was a very quiet and humble village.

    Baba said: “ Mansions will arise in this village. Bigwigs will come. Guns will be fired. Chariots, horses, elephants all will come. Grand processions will be held.

    People laughed, as these were unlikely in such a worthless hamlet, but with increasing popularity of Baba, all these came about.

    L.V. NADKAR.

    1. Lakshman V. Nadkar of Mahim Bazaar went in 1915 to Baba. When he went to take leave of Baba, it appeared to be very much after the time for catching his train at Kopergaon.

    Baba: Go, you will catch the train at Kopergaon.

    Nadkar went; but when he reached the Godavari river, it was dark and after dark the ferry was not allowed to ply across the Godavari in floods. So he appeared to be stranded. Suddenly the mamlatdar arrived there and a boat was got ready for him. Nadkar also got in. So he reached the station without molestation from thieves etc.

    D.V. SAMHARE

    1. When D V Sambhare started for Bombay by a train which should reach Bombay at 8 a.m.

    Baba: Go. You will reach at noon.

    The train was four hours late at Bombay. So D.V.S reached at noon.

    N.G.C’s Train Late

    See 143 (I) Supra) The train was late. Nana caught it

    MAHLSAPATHY
    1. Mahlsapathy was invited to a feast at his daughter’s father-in-law’s house at Dorhali. He came to Baba for leave.

    Baba: You will get insult there.

    Anyhow Mahlsapathy could not avoid going and he went.

    When he reached Dorhali, the feast party had finished their dinner without caring to wait for him.

    1. Mahlsapathy wanted to visit Arthangaon and asked Baba for leave.

    Baba: Do not go there. There will be quarrel and fight there.

    But Mahlsapathy had to go and went up to read Pothi. i.e., Malhari Mahatmyam. But as he read on, lads quarrelled with each other and beat each other with sticks. The Pothi was abruptly stopped and Mahlsapathy went back to Shirdi.

    Singvekar

    365. Anant Mahadev Kulkarni Singvekar asked: ” Baba, Shall I pass my examination? Will my number appear in the list?

    Baba: “Your number is 114. It will appear in the pass list”. His number was 114 and it appeared in the pass list.

    N.A.Samant

    366. Baba (to N.A.Samant) “you take back this Rs.5/- Keep it carefully. It will be stolen.”

     Mr.N.A Samant went for a meal leaving his coat outside the dinner hall and the note was stolen

    Tendulkar and Sapatnekar’s Friend

    367. Baba: “Tell him (Tendulkar) to throw aside all horoscope predictions and consultation with astrologers. Let him go and sit up for his examination quite at his ease. He will pass.” (And he passed)

    Baba (to Sapatnekar’s friend): “However much you study, you will not pass (your law examination) this year. However little you study in the next year, you will succeed.” (The next year he passed)

    A Parsee Merchant’s missing son
    1. Baba :   “Kaka, the boy is gone south. He is all right and cheerful and he will come back of himself”. Soon after the boy did return from Madras.

    Insane Parsi boy’s health

    1. Baba (to an insane Parsi boy’s father) : “your boy will become all right.”

    The boy improved and was later able to do business.

    Vakil’s brother’s insanity
    1. Baba (to a Bombay High court vakil): “Your brother will recover from his insanity”. (And he did.)

    370A. Mr. A.’s derangement:- M.B.Rege took A with him to Shirdi for the first time. Baba (on seeing A said) “why have you come, pissat (crazy)?” In a day or two, A actually got mental derangement and got back to his normal condition as soon, as he left Shirdi.

    DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MIRACLE AND PROPHECY

    1. Baba (to NGC): “None cares to take from me, what I am prepared to give abundantly. But they want from me, what I am unable to give.”

    Baba once told to NGC about Chamatkars, something very interesting. It was about 1901-04. NGC’s daughter Minatai, at delivery had been helped by Baba with Udhi sent through Gosavi. That child however died very young. She was also widowed at that very early age and had no other issue. This cast a gloom over all the family. NGC and family went to Shirdi and sat before Baba glum in sullen silence. Usually whenever he went, Baba would question and he would talk and all would be cheerful. Now on this occasion there was a sad sullen beginning; this continued for some minute. Then Baba broke the ice.

    Baba: Why are you so silent?

    NGC: Baba, you know everything. while we are under your care, these calamities have befallen us; bereaved of child and son-in-law etc.,

    Baba: “If you care for child (or son-in-law) and come to me for that, you are mistaken. You need not come to me for these. These are not in my power. These (i.e., birth of child and death of relatives) are dependent on poorva karma. Even Parameswar, the great God who has created the world cannot alter these. Do you think, he can tell the sun or the moon, “Rise some two yards farther from you usual or appointed place.” No, he cannot and will not do that. That would produce disorder, chaos.“

    NGC: “If that is so, how is it that you tell some one, “You will have a son” and he gets a son and you tell another “You will get appointment” and he gets an appointment. Are these not Chamatkars of yours?“

    Baba: “No, Nana. I do not do any chamatkars. You have astrologers. They work 2 or 3 days ahead and give out their predictions, some of which come true. I look further ahead. What I say happens. My art also is a sort of Astrology. But you people do not understand this. To you, my words look like chamatkars, because you do not know the future. So you regard events as proof of my miracle working power and you turn your reverence on to me. I, in my turn, turn your reverence on to God and see that you are really benefitted.

    372. Baba (to Narayan Rao Motiram Jani of Nasik in October 1918)- “Henceforth, you are not to be a servant.

    Do your own business.”

    Then N. started the Anandashram Hotel at Nasik and that was a great financial success.

    373.   Baba (to Nachne):  “(a)come to Bombay for service” (b)”Do not trust mad men.”

    [Then (a) N. was transferred to a suburb of Bombay. (2) A mad man, whom he considered harmless at pooja time, grasped his throat and attempted to murder him.]

    374. Baba (to Sankar Rao and Nachne): “Give me Rs.15/- Dakshina.”

    Shankar Rao: No money, Baba.

    Baba: Give me Rs. 30/- Dakshina.

    Sankar Rao: I have no money, Baba.

    Baba: Give Rs.64/-

    Then Nachne: We are poor people. We can’t afford to pay such large sums.

    Baba: Then collect and give.

    Sometime later (1916) Baba fell ill. A big sapta was performed for his restoration to health and subscriptions were raised for mass feeding. Then Sankar Rao and Nachne collected subscriptions and sent up the collection. It proved to be exactly Rs.64/-

    H.S.Dixit’sBoy

    375.   H.S.D. got a letter in 1913 that his son was unwell at Bandra and he wanted Baba’s permission, to go.

    B,: Do not go, bring the boy here.

    H.S.D. wrote for the boy,  but  the answer was that the examination was nearing and that Shirdi, lacking both medical and educational aid, was not the best place for the boy. 

    B.: Never mind, do send for the boy.

    The boy accordingly came and improved in his health, very rapidly.   Then a letter came from Bandra that tha date of the examination was 2-11-1913 and that boy should be sent up. 

    B.:    Do not send up the boy.

    Again a letter came that the examination was postponed from 2-1I-19I3 to 6-11-1913 and that the boy should be sent up for 6-11-1913

    B.:   Wait, Iet us see.

    And the boy was not sent for 6-11-1913,

    Again a letter came that the examination was postponed to 13-11-1913.

    B.:    Send him up for 13-11-1913.

    The boy sat and passed his examination.

    GODAVARI WATER FOR JOG

    1. In November 1910 Babu Saheb Jog: “Baba, give me leave to go for Godavari bath for tomorrow. It is a holy day.”

    Baba: Do not go.

    Jog was dissatisfied, but stayed at Shirdi alone.

    Next morning villagers rushed to Baba.

    Villagers: Baba, the Godavari water is coming into Shirdi in the newly cut channel (though the Government had not ordered the supply, to be begun till 1912).

    Baba: See, how gracious is God! Jog!

    1. Bapu Saheb’ Jog’s Pithru Shraddha was approaching. 

    Jog to Baba: Give me leave to go and find out Brahmins of my sec from Kopergaon, for the approaching Shraddha.

    Baba: You need not go.

    Jog: Am I give up Shraddha, Baba?

    Baba: There are yet four days more. We will see.

    Two days later, Jog went to Baba.

    Jog: I want Brahmins of my sect. Let me go.

    Baba: They will come.

    Jog: How will they know of the Shraddha and come? Will they be of my sect?

    Baba: Yes.

    On the day of the Shraddha, two Brahmins from Puntamba came to Baba and asked him “can we get Brahmin food here?”

    Baba: Go to Jog.

    They went to Jog and Jog found that they were Brahmins of his-sect, well versed in Sastras, able and ready to perform his Pithru Shraddha.

    Jog’s Loans (=230)

    378. Jog had lent Rs.1,400/- to an Aurangabad man. When the limitation term was approaching,

    Jog to Baba: Baba, give me leave to go to Aurangabad.

    Baba: The debtor himself will come here. Then ask him.

    Jog, flaring up: Am I to lose Rs. 2 to 3 thousand? I will not do your Pooja and Arati from tomorrow. Without money, how can I get on here?

    Baba: Where will your money go? sit at home it will come.

    Jog: I cannot listen to you. Will he come of his own accord? Even when I went to him, he did not pay. Unless a suit is filed, he will not pay.

    Baba: Let it rest.

    Jog gave up hopes of recovery of the amount. At last the debtor came, long after limitation time, and offered only Rs.1,400/- the principal. Jog would not agree.

    Baba: Jog take it and give him release.

    Then Jog took it and placed it before Baba.

    Baba took a part and gave the rest to Jog.

    379. G G Narke’s mother to Baba (in 1913): “My son is being tossed to all sorts of places and he is without a permanent job. Settle him at Poona.”

    Three years later, an offer of service in Benares School or College came.

    GGN: Baba, shall I apply for this?

    Baba: What have we to do with Benares? We have to go to Poona and Satara.

    In 1917 a vacancy in the Engineering College, Poona, was advertised.

    GGN: Shall I apply for this, Baba?

    Baba: Yes.

    Later, Baba: Where is Narke gone?

    Devotees: He has gone to Poona to try for the appointment.

    Baba: Allah will bless. Has he any children?

    Devotees: Three or four were born, but they all died after a short life.

    Baba: Allah will bless.

    GGN got the appointment in 1918 and the children he had after 1913 are all lived longer.

    1. Baba: (In 1913 to GG Narke): “Your father-in-law, Buti will built a temple and you will be in charge of it.”

    Sai temple was built (1913-1918) and G G Narke was in charge of it as trustee of the Sai Sanstham after 1918.

    1. Baba (To Mrs. M.W.Pradhan)- ” Your baby will have fits (it had fits two hours later)”
    Karnik of Kalyan

    382. Baba addressed Mr.Karnik of Kalyan, at his first arrival at Shirdi- “Welcome, sowcar (Banker or money lender).”

    K. at that time was wretchedly poor. But many years later, he became a sowcar.

    Shama’s Sister-in-law’s plague

    383. Shama’s brother’s wife had bubonic plague fever and bubo in the groin. Shama’s brother ran to Shama and asked for udhi and Shama’s presence at the patient’s bedside.

    Shama: Baba, please give me udhi and leave to go.

    B. :”Send the Udhi now, God is our master. The fever and bubo will subside of themselves. You may go there in the morning at sunrise and return. Do not go now.”

    The udhi was applied. The patient improved and in the morning, she was preparing coffee when Shama visited the place. Shama returning said, “Baba what wonders you are working.”

    B.: To God be the praise. I am but the slave of God.

    Balawant G. Khaparde’s Plague (=521)

    384. When Shirdi had an epidemic of Plague in 1911, Balwant G.K. had fever and bubos. Baba showed the mother the bubos that he (Baba) drew from B.G.K. to save his life.

    Baba (to G.S.K.): “I have saved your son. Balawant, My orders are supreme.’

    Adam Dalali-Criminal Case

    385. Adam Dalali.: “Baba a serious criminal case has been brought against me unjustly.”

    B.: Do not fear.   Everything will come right.

    Adam Dalali was  discharged  and taken as  prosecution witness.

    H.M. Penses’s Criminal Appeal

    386. Nachne (to Baba): “Haribhav M. Pense wants your help Baba, in the criminal appeal he has filed, as he is innocent.”

    B.: Tell him not to have any anxiety. He will be acquitted in the appeal. (And he was acquitted)

    Death Sentence on a Brahmin

    387.   Baba- “In 4 days he will be acquitted.” (And he was)