Category: Chemistry

Baba knows all about Materials and their Chemical reactions

  • Nature, Uses, and Preparation of Udi- Holy Ash

    Nature, Uses, and Preparation of Udi- Holy Ash

    Based on Chapter 33 of the Sree Sai Samartha Satcharita, here is the discussion on the nature, uses, and preparation of Udi:

    What is Udi?

    Udi is the sacred ash taken from the dhuni, the eternally burning fire kindled by Shirdi Sai Baba in the Masjid. It is regarded by devotees as a miraculous and holy substance that embodies Baba’s power and grace.

    Preparation by Baba

    Baba prepared Udi by offering an oblation of firewood (logs and sticks) into the dhuni. He purchased this wood using the dakshina (monetary offerings) collected from devotees, piling it in large heaps to keep the fire burning day and night. The resulting ashes were then distributed to his followers as a blessing.

    Uses of Udi

    The sources categorize the significance of Udi into both material and spiritual realms:

    • Material World (Health and Prosperity): Udi is frequently used to cure physical and mental ailments. The text states there are “innumerable stories” where Udi was used to benefit the health and prosperity of devotees, acting as a “healing touch in the afflictions of life”.
    • Devotional and Spiritual (Destruction of Sins): Spiritually, Udi serves as a reminder of the transience of the human body and the illusory nature (Maya) of the universe. It teaches that the body will ultimately be reduced to ashes, prompting a focus on the eternal Brahman. Applying Udi with devotion is said to destroy sins and help seekers cross the “ocean of existence”.

    Notable Instances of its Power

    The sources describe two specific instances where Udi—or even road dust used in its stead—demonstrated Baba’s omnipresence:

    • The Jamner Miracle: When Nana Chandorkar’s daughter was suffering from intense labor pains in Jamner, Baba felt compassion from Shirdi. He sent a packet of Udi with Gosavi Ramgir (Bapugir) to Nana. Nana gave the Udi to his wife to administer to their daughter with water, resulting in an immediate safe delivery.
    • The “Road Dust” Incident: In another case, a devotee’s daughter was suffering from the plague. Her father sent a message to Nana Chandorkar asking for Udi. Nana, who was at Thane railway station and had no Udi with him, picked up a little dust from the ground, invoked Sai Baba’s name, and applied it to his own wife’s forehead on behalf of the girl. At that exact moment, the girl’s fever broke and she began her recovery.
  • Baba is a Scientist in Optometry and Pharmacognosy

    Baba is a Scientist in Optometry and Pharmacognosy

    Optometry involves examining the eyes and related structures for defects and abnormalities. Pharmacognosy is study of crude drugs obtained from medicinal plants, animals, fungi and natural sources.

    Baba started practicing medicine in the village, examined patients and gave medicines. He was always successful, and He became famous as a Hakim (Doctor). A curious case may be narrated, about His knowledge of solving Eye problem with medicinal plants, here.

    One devotee got his eye balls quite red and swollen. No Doctor was available in Shirdi. The other devotees took him to Baba. Other Doctors would use ointments, Anjans, cow’s milk and camphorated drugs etc., in such cases.

    Baba’s remedy was quite unique. He pounded some ‘Beeba’ (Some Carpus Ana Cardium i.e. marking nuts) and made two balls of them, thrust them over each eye of the patient and wrapped a cloth-bandage round them (eyes). Next day, the bandage was removed and water was poured over them.

    The inflammation subsided and the pupils became white and clear. Though the eyes are very delicate, the Beeba caused no hurt, but removed the disease of the eyes. Many such cases were cured, this is only one instances in this regard.

  • Irani’s Daughter

    Irani’s Daughter

    Acology means the science of therapeutic remedies. It encompasses a wide range of practices and therapies. These include medications, physical therapy, mental health, and even alternative methods.

    Baba is very good in therapeutic remedies including alternative methods ie Acology

    Now read the experience of an Irani gentleman. His young daughter got fits every hour.

    She experienced a convulsion. She lost her power of speech. Her limbs shrunk and contracted. She fell down senseless. No remedy gave her any relief.

    A friend suggested that her father use Baba’s Udi. The friend asked him to get it from Kakasaheb Dixit at Vile Parle (suburb of Bombay). Then the Irani gentleman got the Udi and gave it mixed with water to his daughter daily for drinking.

    In the beginning, the convulsions occurred every hour. Then, they came every seven hours. After a few days, the daughter recovered completely.

  • Why Udhi /Ash is important, even now?

    Why Udhi /Ash is important, even now?

    SSSC Ch 33 says

    It is well-known that Baba took Dakshina from all. Out of the amount thus collected, He spent a lot on charity. He purchased fuel with the balance left with Him.

    This fuel He threw in the Dhuni – the sacred fire, which he kept ever burning. The ash from this fire was called Udi. It was freely distributed to the devotees at the time of their departure from Shirdi.

    What did Baba teach or hint by this Udi? Baba taught by His Udi that all the visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash.

    Our bodies composed of wood or matter of the five elements will fall down. After all their enjoyments are over, they will be reduced to ashes.

    Baba distributed Udi to the devotees. This was to remind them that their bodies will be reduced to ashes.

    Baba also taught by the Udi that the Brahman is the only Reality. He taught that the universe is ephemeral. No one in this world, be he a son, father or wife, is really ours. We come here (in this world) alone and we have to go out alone.

    It was found and is even now found out, that the Udi cured many physical and mental maladies. However, Baba wanted to din into the devotee’s ears the principles of discrimination between the Unreal and the Real. He emphasized non-attachment for the Unreal, by His Udi and Dakshina.

    The former (Udi) taught us discrimination and the latter (Dakshina) taught us non-attachment. Unless we have these two things, it is not possible for us to cross over the sea of the mundane existence. So Baba asked for and took Dakshina.

    While the devotees took leave, He gave Udi as Prasad. He besmeared some of it on the Bhaktas’ foreheads. He placed His boon-conferring hand on their heads.

    So much about the spiritual implication of Udi. It had also its material significance.

    It conferred health, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, and many other worldly gains. So the Udi has helped us to gain both our ends – material as well as spiritual.