"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

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Media, Books, Magazines on Sai Baba

  • 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)

  • APPEARANCE AS OTHERS

    APPEARANCE AS OTHERS

    Baba’s appearance as others

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About Appearance as others

    To Mule Sastri, as Dholap Maharaj

    352A Baba  appeared as  Dholap Maharaj,  the guru of Mule Sastri, to overcome Sastri’s prejudice against Baba at the mosque.

    Baba assumes objector’s father’s voice

    353. Kaka Mahajani’s friend who was a believer in nirakara worship alone and objected to all worship  of forms, agreed out of curiosity to go with Kaka to see Baba. He stipulated, however, that he would neither bow  to  sai nor pay any Dakshina.  As  that friend  was getting  up  the  steps  of the  mosque  at  Shirdi,  Baba  said “Kayaveji”   i.e., Welcome Sir.

    But the voice that fell upon the friend’s ears was that of his father and thrilled him with joy. He at once fell down and placed his head upon Baba’s feet.

    Baba asked Kaka thereafter, twice for Dakshina, but did not ask this man, who thereupon whispered to Kaka that he wanted to give Dakshina.

    B.:    What is your friend saying? Kaka repeated his words.

    B: He has not been asked, because he was unwilling to give it.   But if he wants to give it now, he may. Then the friend paid Baba Rs.17

    B.(to that man): It is Teli’s wall[oil store, next to Baba place] that separates you from us. Pull it down and we can see each other clearly face to face.

    Then Kaka and his friend were starting and the weather was cloudy and threatening.

    B.: Shama, let them go without fear or anxiety.   There is no trouble from rain on their return journey.

    There was no rain till they reached the train, despite the clouds and thunder.

    Baba appears as or identifies with himself other saints

    354. S. B. Nachne’s brother and family were anxious about a very serious operation, which was just being performed at Mumbai on his brother. Then a Sadhu appeared at Dahanu and was given food by Nachne’s sister-in-law. They kept aside Bendi Baji (lady’s fingers’ dish) as not fit for presentation; but the Sadhu himself called for it and it was then served. The Sadhu then went away blessing them and telling them that the operation at Mumbai was safe and successful. Three years later, Nachne went to Baba. Then,

    Baba: “I had been to this man’s house (pointing to S.B. Nachne) for a meal. He did not give me Bendi Baji.”

    That saint was obviously Hindu and markedly different in features from Baba.

    355. Balakrishna G. Upasani Sastri, Professor of Sanskrit, went to Hardwar and Tapovan (Swargashram) and saw a saint who told him that a saligram held as an heirloom by the upasanis for many generations had been given by him. When asked about his identity, that saint said in Hindustani, “lo! There was a tree (or log). One came down. The other went up. You will come to know”. And then he went out of sight.

    Many years later, at the end of 1911, he was going about to trace the whereabouts of his younger brother, Kasinath now known as upasani Baba. He alighted at Kopergaon at the request of the local mamlatdar who sent him to Shirdi. When he went to Baba,

    Baba: Go to Khandoba’s

    BGU: When I have seen you, Baba, I have seen all the Gods.

    Again Baba: Go to Khandoba’s.

    When BGU came out of the Mosque and mentioned Baba’s order, people told him that Kasinath upasani sastri was at Khandoba’s. Thus Baba without being told, found out BGU’s relationship and quest. When BGU returned to Baba, Baba spoke in Hindustani the same words that were spoken by the Sadhu at Tapovan.

    “There was a tree (or log). Two persons were up over that. One came down and the other went up.”

    Sai Baba thus showed that he was the Tapovan saint.

    355-A. When Chandrabai R. Borkar was at Kopergaon during sravana or chaturmasya of 1908, an unknown fakir appeared before her and wanted Garlic chatni and bread. She said that she did not take garlic in chaturmasya and the fakir disappeared.

    Having heard of Sai Baba and his taking onion everyday, she thought that fakir might be Sai Baba. So she went to Shirdi for the first time and bowed before Sai Baba. Baba told her, “You have not given garlic chatni and bread! Any why have you come here?” This confirmed her idea that the fakir who come to her was Baba and she answered “Yes, I have come to give garlic chatni and bread”. Baba then said that “she was his sister for seven generations and had always sought him out”

    Baba identifying Himself with Anasuya and Datts

    356. In 1911, on Datta Jayanti day Balawant Kohojkar went to Baba at Shirdi. At 5 p.m.,

    B.: I am having pangs of labour and cannot bear the pain. So saying, he drove everyone out of the mosque.

    He was evidently identifying himself with Anasuya. A little later, Baba called all people in. Kohojkar went first and on Baba’s gadi saw not Baba, but a small charming three headed baby (i.e.,) Datta. In a moment, Datta disappeared and Baba was seen instead.

    357. B.V.Dev wished to perform an udhyapana ceremony, which included mass feeding and he wrote to Jog requesting Baba’s attendance at the dinner.

    Then,

    Jog : Baba, Dev wants you to attend the dinner at Dahanu on the prescribed date.

    B.: Write and tell him that I shall attend the dinner with two others, that I require no train to travel by, and that as soon as a Bhakta calls out to me with love, I will appear immediately.

    On the dinner day, Baba was not to be seen at the dinner party. A Sanyasi, previously known to Dev turned up with two others and saying, ‘I came only for dinner and not for money’ and dined with him.

    Then Dev wrote to Jog complaining of Baba’s breach of promise. Jog was bringing the letter to Baba and even before it was opened, Baba spoke:

    B.: Ah! He says that I made him believe that I would take his Udhyapana meal and that I deceived him. Inform him that I did attend the dinner with two others; but that he failed to recognise me. Tell him that I expressly said that I did not go there for money, but only for the dinner.

    The reply was written and sent; and Dev was convinced that Baba ate in the form of the Sanyasi,

    358. A Marwadi came to Adam Dalali and wanted food. And A.D. gave him some money and sent him to a Marwadi Hotel at Bandra. Later, A.D. went to Shirdi.

    Baba (pointing to A.D): “I went to this man. He sent me to a Marwadi for food.”

    Baba as Dog

    359. Mrs.G.S.Khaparde when presenting Naivedya at the mosque was daily inviting Baba to go to her lodgings for a meal. Baba promised; but did not come.

    One day when she was preparing dishes, a dog came near her and as she viewed it as an unclean and polluting animal, flung burning fuel at the dog and it ran away. That day at Naivedya time at the Mosque, Mrs. G.S.K. – “Baba, come to my lodgings for a meal.”

    Baba :  “Yes.  when  I came,  you threw burning fuel at me.”

    H.S.D.’s Brother

    401. H.S.D.’s Brother was unwell at Nagpur and a letter intimating that fact came to H.S.D.’s at Shirdi, when he was before Baba.

    H.S.D.: “I am of no service at all, Baba (to my brother), “(meaning that he could not help his brother any way.)

    Baba- “I am of much service.”

    The force of Baba’s words was understood by H.S.D. much later. At the time of his talk with Baba, someone had come to his brother at Nagpur and used the very same words, “1 am of much service”, and cured H.S.D.’s brother!

  • APPEARANCE

    Baba’s appearance

    Para Number in the Book & About Appearance

    Mahlsapathy at Jejuri

    352. Mahlsapathy went on a pilgrimage to Jejuri with his Palki. Plague was raging there. Mahlsapathy and his companions set down the Palki and in great dejection Mahlsapathy sat leaning against his Palki.

    He thought there was someone behind. He turned and saw Baba M who at once disappeared. He told his companions that Baba was with them. They all get bold and stayed on for four days, none of them being affected with plague and they went back safe. On their return,

    Baba: “Bhagat, you had a fine pilgrimage. You sat leaning against the Palki. At that time, I had come there.”

    Thus Baba assured him that Baba actually was present at Jejuri with his wonderful powers; and that Mahlsapathy was not under any hallucination or delusion, when he had the vision of Baba.

  • MATERIALISATION

    Baba’s materialisation

    Para Number in the Book & About Materialisation

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

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

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

    B.: Why should you go there?

    D G. was at once dejected.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NGC: Bhil, I am thirsty. Can’t I get water to drink?

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

    So saying the Bhil left.

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

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

    T.D. Jethadhai-seeded Grapes become Seedless Grapes

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

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

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

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

    Sait  put   the   grapes  into  his   mouth   and   found  they were   seedless. He wanted Chamatkars and   here  they seeded grapes into seedless grapes.

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

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

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

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

    Dharmsey found that this was an exact description of himself.

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

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

    Unless you have given wealth, you do not get it now. Dakshina is asked, because  wealth  has  been  given. The  giving  of dakshina, advances vairagya and thereby Bhakthi and Jnana.   What am I doing?   Receiving one and returning it tenfold!”

    Sour and not Sour

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

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

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

  • CONTROL ELEMENTS

    Baba’s control elements

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About the Five Elements

    338. Baba, to one who by pranayama etc.. had developed clairvoyance and had seen fire in his Dhyanaroom when his distant mill was burning, wished to point out the danger of being attracted by the desire of Siddhis, and said:” why are you gazing at the strumpet’s performances? I can never exhibit tricks. It does not behave us to daily with a strumpet.”

    340. ANTICIPATING A STORM.

    In Vaisak 1914, Bhima went from Bombay to Baba desirous of seeing some chamatkars of Baba. When afternoon Arati was over,

    Baba: All of you clear off. You must remain inside your lodgings and not wander about in the open and you must come again, when sent for.

    When Baba said this, it was clear weather. But very soon a furious gale blew ripping off the zinc sheets on the top of building and threatening to blow down houses. It stopped in 15 minutes of cloudy weather. Thereafter the sun shone with fierce heat, then Baba sending for all said:

    “Are you terrified?” then Bhima fell at his feet and cried for joy.

    Baba: Do not fear. This is the play of God. Many more of such plays you may see.

    Baba’s control over storm

    341. On another stormy occasion, Baba (addressing the storm in a loud and thunderous voice): Stop, stop all this!

    In a few minutes, the storm ceased and there were no more rains and wind.

    The sky became clear.

    Baba’s control over fire

    (a) Kondaji’s stack

    341A. One day, at noon.

    Baba to Kondaji: Go to the stacking floor. your stack is on fire.

    Kondaji goes to the far off stack, sees no fire and returns.

    Kondaji: Baba, there is no fire, you wanted the fun of sending me out in the hot sun, is it?

    Baba: Now turn and see behind you.

    Just then smoke was seen rising  above the stack floor. All the villagers ran up. Kondaji’s stack was burning. Villagers then begged Baba to stop the fire and save the numerous stacks kept near Kondaji’s on the stacking floor. See 608

    342 Baba (circling Kondaji’s stack with a thin line of water). Only this stack will be burnt, and no others.

    Only that stack was burnt, though other stacks were near and a wind was blowing.

    (b) Fire in the Dhuni

    343 Baba: (to the fire in Dhuni, the flames of which were seen reaching to the rafters above, while Baba was beating a pillar nearby with his stick): Get back, forebear, forebear.

    The fire immediately slowed down and became normal.

    (c) Baba controls fire and heat

    344. When on a hot summer noon, people finding the atmosphere too hot, left the Mosque and only five remained.

    Baba: (Addressing the five): You go, and sit near the fire.

    They did. In a few minutes the atmosphere inside became cool and a cool wind was fanning them.

    Baba’s control over Departed Spirits and Guidance of them

    345. Baba: There was a girl playmate of mine. She was an artist. She died and was buried. As I was passing by her tomb, I stopped and passed a night near it. Then she accompanied me. I kept her in a babul tree first, and then brought her to Shirdi.

  • DEATH and BIRTH

    Baba’s sayings about death and birth

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About death and birth

    3I3-A.     Prema conferred by Baba:  He appeared before Rao saheb Galwankar and said: “What do you want”? 

    G.   Nothing but Prema.

    Baba.   Yes  (and  Baba disappeared. But G. has often gushed of Prema, ever since then.)

    313-B Imam (i.e., faith) is conferred by Baba.

    Rajaballi Mahomed came to Baba.

    Baba to R.M.: What do you want.

    R.M.:Only Imam, faith.

    Baba: Allah accha karega. (God will bless.)

    314: Baba: “Why do you grieve: men are born to die. one day each one of us will die.”

    Baba to Appa Kulkarni’s wife.-“Death and life are manifestations of God’s activity. you cannot separate the two. God permeates all. However, (in fact) none is born. None die.: See with your inner eve. Then you realise that you are God, and not different from Him. Like worn-out garment, the body is cast away by God. Appa wants to change his dress (kupni) before I do. Let Appa go. Do not stop him. Do not ask for Udhi.

    Gain and loss, birth and death, are in the hands of God. But how blindly do these people forget God! Look after life just so long as it lasts. When death arrives, do not be grieved.

    The wise ones do not grieve for death; the fools do.

    Behold! The five pranas were lent for use till now. Now the lender claims back his won; and they are returned. Air goes back to air, fire to fire. Every one of the five elements thus goes back to its place.

    The body (is made up) of earth. See, really they are the same. Therefore its return to the earth is not a thing to bemoan.”

    Birth

    315. Baba: “Birth also is similar to be dealt with. Do not be jubilating over a birth. This is the process of creation (and goes on from the beginning). Be not moved by it.

    The earth bears seeds. Clouds drop their rain on them. The sun sends his rays, and makes them sprout. When these sprout, earth, clouds and Sun keep on their sport and happy course in all directions.

    But they neither exult at the growth not deplore the destruction of the sprout. You should be (unaffected) like these. If you are, whence can sorrow come to you? Mukti is this absence of sorrow.

    Selfishness of Sorrow

     (At the cries of an aged woman crying at the death of her husband who after intense suffering from protracted disease died thinking of Baba).

    316. Baba: “Listen to the cries of that woman! “What will become of me? Who will give me cloth or food?” she says. She wholly forgets the miseries and happiness of her husband!”

    Death of a son, daughter etc. W.G. Pradhan

    317. Baba: Why does the fool go on lamenting for the loss of a son? It is merely going to the earth. The body must go to the earth. Why go on lamenting for that? Scatter your fruits-Rarnphal-far and wide.

    -To a Magistrate. Sai Baba to N.G. Chandorkar(who had lost a grandchild)

    318. Baba:(to Bayyaji Patil): “Why should you be sorry? (for the death of your father). In five months, he will come back, [In five months, a son was born to Bayyaji]

    Jnani’s passing away

    319. Baba- ” They do not talk of saints as dying. They take samadhi”. (cf Kabir. )

    320. Baba’s warning to G P Bendre who was to lose his eldest son suddenly in four days.

    Baba: Go and ask Buty for Rs. 10 Dakshina.

    Bendre goes to Buty and sees that Buty is calmly proceeding to bury his clerk just dead.

    Baba to G P Bendre: “A very grievous thing has happened. Be not afraid. be courageous. Do not throw up your limbs.”

    (Thus prepared, Bendre did not feel the shock so much at the loss of his son two days later).

    When death is an advantage. Baba does not avert it.(Cobra bitten boy)

    (Sometime after Baba revived a kid that seemed to fall down dead in midday heat, a woman came and cried for Udhi to save her son who was bitten by a cobra. That was not given; and the bay died. She came again and cried)

    321 H S Dixit: “Baba, the woman’s cries are heart rending . For my sake, revive her dead son.”

    Baba: Bhav, do not get entangled in this. Bhav, what has happened is for good. He has entered into a new body. In that body, he will do specially good work which can not be accomplished in this body, which is seen here. If I draw him back into this body, then the new body he has taken will die and this this body will live. I will do this for your sake. but have you considered the consequences? Have you any idea of the responsibility and are you prepared to take it up?

    H.S. Dixit desisted from pressing his requests.

    The girl with slit lips

    322. In 1913, S B Mohile took his daughter to baba for curing her split lip, which doctors could not cure.

    Baba: I know what for you are come. I can cure her; but it will be of no use. The girl is of divine sort (Daivi) and consequently her span of life will be very short. Next Magha Shudda Chathurthi, i.e., March 1914, she will expire. If on that day you are not at home and go away to your office, you will not be able to see her (alive on your return).

    The girl died on that very date when the father was in his office.

    Appa Kulkarni

    323. Baba: (Appa Kulkarni): “Pucca (bilander) thieves have come to the village. You are the first object of their attack. Their aim is to get at the principal things. Taking these, they run away.”

    This referred to the Cholera epidemic which was to come upon the village and in which appa was the first victim. Appa, however, mistook it as referring to the public funds he kept in the chavadi and he placed a special guard over it. Appa was attacked by cholera; and he succumbed.

    323-A; Appa Kulkarni’s wife (crying) Baba, save my husband.

    Baba: Mother, Let Appa go. Do not stop him. He is removing his kupni before I take off mine. It is better for him that he goes.

    Trying to prevent Death-Ineffectual attempt

    324. When the Nigoj patil’s wife was seriously ill of plague, that night Baba was at the Chavadi with Mahalsapathi (Bhagat).

    Baba: Bhagat, do not sleep to-night. Stand and keep watching. I have to remember God today. Because the rude Rohilla (death or plague) wants to kill that woman, so I am praying to Allah.

    Mahalsapathy kept watch to prevent any disturbance of or interruption to baba’s prayers; but in the course of the night, the Nivas mamlatdar came with his peons who made a hubbub and shouted that mamlatdar wanted darshan. Their take with Mahalsapathi and mamlatdar’s taking Udhi disturbed Baba, who got angry and threw away mamladtar’s cloth.

    Baba: (After much abuse): You Bhagat! Are you a father of a family? you do not note what is going on in the village, Nigoj (i.e, the plague attack on the Patil’s wife). In such circumstances why did you admit people? Be it so. What has happened is good.

    That night the Patil’s wife died.

    Consolation

    325. Baba to Damodar B.Rampoorkar (who had lost two children and had a son ailing at the time)- “Why are you fearing? Those who are gone, are gone. Be contented with those who survive. Fear not. Am I not near you? what then?

    326. Baba to H.S. Dixit (just after his daughter died): “Read this Adhyatma Ramayana where Rama condoles Mandodari.”

    BABA AVERTS DEATH

    327. In May, June 1917, a Mumbai lady and her younger son sat before Baba at noon Arati.

    Baba: Your must come here exactly at 2 p.m.

    Boy: Yes.

    Accordingly the boy was there at 2 p.m. at the Dwarakamayee.

    Baba: “Boy, come here. Sit at my feet on this mat. Be massaging my feet and do not let go my feet till I tell you.”

    Accordingly the boy went on massaging. At 3 p.m. a terrible female figure with wild dishevelled hair, begrimed face and head and a protruding long tongue shot out and moving like a dog’s jumped over the compound wall and coming near the boy, said:

    “I want this person”.

    Baba: I will not give him.

    She: This exactly is the person I want.

    (She then approached the boy and pulled him. Baba got up enraged and holding the boy with one hand, kicked her on the breast. She roared and ran away)

    Baba: Boy, are you not attending? Do you know the woman that came; Hallo! that woman wanting you to be given up. But how can I give? I refused.

    Boy: When this was going on, I sat benumbed like a picture. I saw everything, but my body was inert or stonelike.

    (Baba declared that the female form was the goddess cholera. And the very next morning, Baba permitted the boy and his mother to go back to Mumbai. Cholera then began to rage at Shirdi)

     BABA’S PASSING AWAY

    Baba’s first attempt to leave the world (1886)

    328. In 1886 Baba said to Mahalsapathy: “I am going to Allah. Take care of this body for three days. If I return, I will look after it myself thereafter. If I do not, inter this body thereafter in that open land (pointing to an open land) and place two standards there to mark the place, where my body is placed.

    Then Baba’s breathing, pulse, circulation, all stopped and the body became a corpse. The village officers and police held an inquest and ordered Mahalsapathy to bury the body; but he prevented it, thus averting catastrophe which befell Sankaracharya’s body – a catastrophe that was in Sankaracharya’s case remedied by a Goddess.

    On the third day consciousness returned to Baba. Breathing began and the abdomen was seen moving. then Baba’s opened and his life was restored.

    II. In 1916

    329. In 1916 Vijayadasami Day (October) Baba was in a rage. He tored off all his clothes and threw them into the fire (Djuni) before him and stood there stark naked. Baba with red eyes shouted: “Fellows, decide for yourselves now If I am Moslem or Hindu.”

    After two hours of this rage, Bagoji Scindhe, his leper companion tied a langoti to him and said: “Why all this? To day is the festival of Simolanagan”. Baba striking the ground with his baton: “This is my Simolangan (my going beyond the boundary of life.)”

    People could not understand his meaning then, but it was on the Vijayadasami day of 1918 that Baba crossed the boundary of life.

    In 1916 before vijayadasami, Baba had been seriously unwell and the rumour got abroad that he was about to die. And the devotees conducted a sapta at Shirdi with mass feeding for the recovery of his health.

    Thereafter he recovered; but when Nana Saheb Nimonkar came there, on his way to Poona

    Baba: Nana, you stay here, bury me and then go.

    Baba would not allow Nana either to go back to Nimon or proceed on to Poona.

    Shama intervened on behalf of Nimonkar and asked Baba for leave for his going away.

    Baba: “Shama, do you want to kill my people. Is Kaka (Nana Nimaonkar) eating your father’s property?”

    Shama: But his daughter-in-law is pregnant and requires help.

    Baba: (Addressing Nimonkar): Hallo Kaka, why are you anxious? God will help. Bury me and then go.

    His daughter-in-law had no help. Suddenly at 10 p.m. one night, she felt that pains were coming and was at once taken in a tonga to the Poona Municipal Maternity hospital and left on a bed. The nurse went away to some other room at 11 p.m. and in the nurse’s absence, she was delivered  of a male child without any help.

    Baba said to Nana Nimonkar at that time at Shirdi: “There was a woman. She was taken to a place. There she was delivered safe of a male child.”

    III. In 1918

    330. Baba had told Uddhavesa Bua some months back no to be “paying fortnightly visits” and made him final farewell. In Dasara time, Baba was unwell, for a number of days, as also Tatya Patil.

    In the earlier part he went and begged food in the accustomed places supporting his body on some others. During the last two or three days, he was not able to go out.

    On the 15 October 1918, i.e., Dasara day, after Arati was over:

    Baba: “You Kaka (H S Dixit), Buty, etc., go for your meal.”

    And then they left. After they left, Baba sat upon his bed, reclined on Bayyaji’s lap and said, “I am going. Carry me to the Wada. All the Brahmins will be living near me.” and then breathed his last. Nana Nimonkar poured water into his mouth; but the water came out. It was about 3 p.m. The day was no doubt Vijaya Dasami, but Ekadasi had begun at that time.

    In anticipation of his passing away, he gave gifts (dana) in the morning of that dasami. He sat up and paid from his pocket first Rs.5/- and then Rs. 4/- to Lakshmi Bai Scindhe, who was daily preparing and giving him food and daily receiving Rs. 4/- from him.

    A few days before Baba passed away, he sent Rs. 200 for feeding fakirs and the chanting of prayers with drum beating, at a holy place. He sent word to another Moslem saint in these terms, “The light of Allah lit, he is taking away.” That saint received the intimation with tears.

    Rama Viyaya had been read during the 14 days of Baba’s illness, i.e., on the 9th, 10th, 11th day of Dasara within Baba’s hearing, as he had said that “Mrityunjaya would be pleased thereby.”

    On the night of Dasara, Baba appeared in the dream of Lakshman mama and said, “Get up quick and do my Kakada Arati. Jog thinks that I am dead and he will not come.”

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

    330.A Baba’s reference to the approach of his Mahasamadhi. Baba to Chotakhan: “Put this garland on the fakir Banne Mea and tell him “Allah is taking away the lamp he placed here.” That was mentioned to the Moulana shortly before 15-10-1918. That fakir then shed tears.

    IV. Baba’s Samadhi and Temple

    331. One night both Shama and Bapu Saheb Buty dreamt that Baba wanted the latter to build a wada and a temple. H.S.D. went to Baba to verify this with Shama.

    Sharma : Deva what mysterious wonders you are working?

    Baba, (shutting his ears): I am in my own place and say nothing to anyone.

    Then Baba was asked for permission to build and he gave it. Later Buty wanted to install Murlidhar’s image in the central hall without having a special garba-griha. Baba’s consent was asked. Baba- “After the temple is built, we will reside there.”

    When Baba was unwell and fast approaching his end, he said to Bayyaji and others. “I am going. Place me in the (Buty) Wada. Brahmins will reside near me”.

    Buty did not wish to reside there or introduce Murlidhar after Baba passed away and he agreed to Baba’s remains being placed in the Wada. Then Hindus and Moslems had a hot contest as to where Baba’s mortal remains should be interred and the local Mamlatdar ordered a plebiscite to be taken through mahajars. The Hindus, by a large majority voted that Baba’s remains should be placed in Buty wada and that was done. Baba’s samadhi is now there.

    SADGATI /Moksha [Salvation / Liberation]
    1. A BLIND MAN

    332. A blind man went to Baba for restoration of sight. Baba did not give him any encouragement and so he went out of the Mosque.

    He was then admonished, that restoration of physical sight to a man in his position, with only a short of life before him perhaps, is undesirable, as restored sight may merely develop desires and that his appeal to Sri Sai Baba should be for the grant of spiritual vision.

    The man returned and said, “I do not want my physical sight. Please take me under your protection and give me the inner vision.”

    Baba: Stay on.

    The man stayed for a month, improved spiritually and died.

    Baba: This man is not dead. It is only his wife, (ignorance) that is dead. He has attained Sadgati.

     (2)       L K NOOLKAR

    333. Lakshman K. Noolkar, who was sub-judge at Pandharpur in 1909, while N G Chandorkar was Deputy Collector there, was being induced to go to Shirdi by the latter.

    LKN: “I cannot go until I get a Brahmin cook, and good Nagpur oranges for presentation. I can find neither of these.”

    NGC: Baba’s grace will provide.

    That night a Brahmin cook came to NGC and wanted service and was referred to Noolkar who engaged him. In the morning Noolkar found a parcel of excellent Nagpur oranges and no trace could be found as to who the sender was. Any how, Noolkar, convinced of Baba’s miraculous powers of providing the needful, started with NGC, and went to Baba.

    Baba: Nana, who is this notorious crazy person, whom you have brought with you?

    Next day when Noolkar visited Masjid. Baba was in a furious mood and seizing his head, knocked it against pillar saying, “Your existence or truth will be lost or your unreality will be lost”.

    Noolkar was much afraid; but NGC, gave an optimistic interpretation of these occurrences.

    That night Noolkar suddenly got up and asked Nana for betel, which Noolkar was not ordinarily using. Just at that time, Baba was at Mosque far away.

    Baba to someone present: “Take these four bidas i.e., rolled up betel, and go and give them to an old man, at Chandorkar’s who needs the betel.”

    The sudden appearance of that man and the delivery of the bidas convinced Noolkar that Baba was his Antarsakshi and thenceforward Noolkar’s faith was greatly strengthened and he stayed on at Shirdi. Noolkar’s death suddenly came on rapidly, sacred literature was read within his hearing, as he approached the end. Baba’s Pada Theertham also was brought and given to him and died with his attention centered on Baba.

    Baba referring to Noolkar’s death: “Tatya, (Noolkar) has gone in advance (of us). He stayed here as I directed. His life’s goal has been reached. He will be born no more.”

    (3) VIJAYANANDASWAMI

    334. Sri Vijayananda Swami, a Madrasi, started from Madras on pilgrimage to Manasarovar. He visited Baba at Shirdi en route. Here one Somadevaji, a swami of Haridwar frightened the Madrasi and made him waver about his trip by describing the difficulties of the pilarimage. Then when Vijayananda went to Baba, Baba cried out, “Turn this useless Sanyasi out”.

    The man left the Masjid; but watched Sai Baba from the mandap and was very well impressed with Sai Baba. He was then graciously received by Baba.

    Then a letter came to him from Madras that his mother was very ill and so asked Baba for permission. But Sai saw the future better than the Madrasi and said: “If you are so fond of your mother, why did you assume the garb of sanyasi? The ochre colour and ‘Mamata’ i.e., attachment cannot go together. Go and sit at your quarters. wait for a few days courageously. We shall see then about the future. In your wada (i.e., building) there are many thieves. Bolt your doors and be on your guard. they will carry away everything. Wealth, kith and kin etc., are all transient – attended with fear.

    Utter renunciation alone leads to bliss. Begin “Sapthaha” of Bhagavata from tomorrow. Do three of these “Sapthaha” – devoting body, speech and mind to it; meditate on it, That will quench all vasanas; all-illusion will end”. Vijayanandaswami started his Bhagavata Parayana Sapthaha from the next day, right seriously. after two Sapthahas, i.e., 14 days, he was too much exhausted and weak and so spent 2 days at his quarters. the third day he breathed his last on Bade Baba’s lap.

    In the above incident, Baba’s each word is impregnated with universal spiritual advice to all humanity. 

    “Turn this useless Sanyasi out” – For those who have family responsibility and dependent to take care of, sanyasm is unacceptable and unwarranted.  

    This is how Sai Baba ensured his Sadgati, foreseeing his end.

    (4) Mrs. S.B. Dhumal

    335. Baba to S.B. Dhumal: “the next masik you perform for your wife, perform at shirdi and I will give her sadgaft (And the masik was performed.)”

    (5) Mrs. Upasani Maharaj

    336. When Upasani Maharaj’s wife died about the end of January 1912, Upasani M came much perturbed to Baba and said “Here is Rs.10/-, please do something to give sadgati to my wife.”

    Baba-” Keep the money. She (her spirit) has already come to me. What has to be taken from you has already been taken.”

    SADGATI TO ANIMALS: A SHE BAFFALO

    337. Baba to Mrs. Jog: “You will get a buffalo coming to you. Give it plenty of pooran poli with plenty of ghee.”

    Mrs. Jog: How am I make out that buffalo?

    Baba: It will itself come to your door.

    Mrs. Jog: So many baffaloes pass by my door.

    Baba: When you finish making the required number of pooran polis, that baffalo which comes to your door is the one.

    Mrs. Jog: I have two doors. Northern and southern door.

    Baba: It will be at the southern door.

    Mrs. Jog finished making pooran poli ready painted with ghee at noon that day. Just then a buffalo was at the southern door. Mrs. Jog placed all the pooran polis before it. The animal ate the whole and fell down dead. Mrs. Jog was in terror afraid of being charged in the next world with sin and in the world of being troubled by the owner or by Government. She went to Baba and mentioned the facts and her fear. Baba allayed those fears.

    Baba: That she baffallo had exhausted all her vasanas except the desire to eat plenty of pooran polis with ghee and when that desire was satisfied, her vasanas were exhausted and she passed away from the buffalo body. Go home. There is no reason why you should feel worried. You have only released it from this body.

    SATGATI TO A CHILD

    337A M B Rege’s wife (who was enceinte) and M B Rege visited Baba about 1914. Baba then told them “you have one of my gift with you”.  

    After the child was born, they took it to Baba. Baba to M B Rege: “Is he mine or yours. “

    M B Rege: Yours Baba.

    Baba: Keep him with you as a charge from me.

    18 months later, the child was dying. Rege prayed to Baba to take the child and give its soul rest at his feet, and that its remaining karma would be undertaken by himself. The child then died like a yogi, with a smile on its face when life left it, by the crown of the head being drawn in with a hiss (i.e., Brahmarandara gati). When he next visited Shirdi, 

    Baba: “The child was mine and this man agreed to keep it. One day he said, you keep him with you and I shall take the karma. I took him and kept him here (pointing to baba’s heart) and he shall be here eternally.