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

Thanks SSS Trust, Shirdi

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

Category: Welfare of devotee

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  • WORSHIP V-Baba worship, Stages

    Baba worship had and has all stages in it, and all sorts of worshippers.

    Baba who first objected to his worship, did by his own Antarjnana or prophetic vision foreseeing what was to follow, namely, not only individual benefits to millions, but also national benefit and ultimately benefit to the cause of religion itself for the sake of humanity.

    That is why HE gradually promoted and then developed HIS worship:-

    • Individual worship of Baba attracted larger and larger numbers from the immediate neighbourhood and
    • from distant places and this developed into congregational worship;
    • and that again from simple congregational worship to the highly complicated forms, which are seen in famous places of worship like Pandharpur.
    • Worship like Pandarpur and Tirupati were developed for Baba worship at Shirdi, including ritual, hymnology, music, processions, cars, palanquin horse and pujaris.

  • Help in Business

    Baba’s help in business

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

      (a) D.S.Rasane

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (b) Bayyaji patel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (c) Rao Bahadur S.B.Dhurnal

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

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

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

  • HELP IN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

    Baba’s says on domestic affairs

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

    (a) Mr. and Mrs.Nimonkar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • WATCH AND CURE

    Baba’s loving watch and care

    Para Number in the Book & About His Watch and Care

    (I) Dhulia Bahalkar’s boy’s illness

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Therefore   I have written this letter’

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

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

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

    (2) Mahalsapathy – Snakes

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

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

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

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

    Later he met Baba.

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

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

    Abhyam to Mirikar-Snake

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    At parting, Baba said “Go”

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

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

    (4) Abhayam (Ganda) to Buti

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

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

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

    V. CONSIDERATION FOR HEALTH

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

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

  • CONSIDERATION FOR FEELINGS OF DEVOTEES

    5–7 minutes

    Baba’s consideration for feeling of devotees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (b) Kusal Bhav’s Pious wishes

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (c) Mavushe’s

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

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

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

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

    527. Sadashiv T. Vadhavkar went to Baba and sat before him. Though feeling hungry, delicacy prevented his mentioning it. A pocket of pedas was brought to Baba. Baba usually touched nothing when it was brought. But on this occasion, he opened that packet and threw one peda into Vadhavkar’s lap.

    Vadhavkar retained it in his hand.

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

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

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

    Vadhavkar ate that up and his hunger was wholly appeased.

    Baba did not throw any more pedas.

    (f) B.V.Vaiday’s health and safety

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

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

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

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

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

    Baba then said   ” You had better go now.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sai hears even the footfall of an ant.

    (h) Purandare’s Obstinacy

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

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

    Again    Baba said: “Go for your meal.”

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

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

    Then R.B. Purandhare went.

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

    (i) Varde’s Obstinacy

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

    B.: “You may do it.”

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

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

    B.:    “How much do you want ?”

    Varde : Rs2-8-0.

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

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

  • SACRIFICE OF SELF FOR DEVOTEES

    Baba’s sacrifice for devotees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (b) Baba’s offer to his own Throat

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

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

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

    Mir Jaman kept quiet thereafter.

    (c) Baba’s sacrifice of his own health

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

  • OTHER POWERS I

    6–10 minutes

    Baba’s other powers

    Para Number in the Book & About HIS Powers

    BABA AND BLACK MAGIC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Benefits from Knowledge of the Future-Courage and Endurance

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

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

    BABA ON THE PAST

    (A) Baba’s tracing Past lives of others

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

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

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

    G.S. Khaparde

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

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

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

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

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

    N.G.Chandorkar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Guru follows devotee birth after birth-Mrs. T.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    472C.   Baba’s Rebirth in the Future:

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

  • Justice and Equality

    Baba’s Says on Justice and Equality

    Para Number in the Book & About Justice and Equality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ( C ) Bala Patil

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

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

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

    (d) Chakra Narayan

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

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

    (e) Peston Jamas

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

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

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

    (f) Tukaram Barku

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

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

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

    Baba and Creatures

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

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

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

  • 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.