"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: Moral teaching

Moral teachings

  • OTHER POWERS II

    12–17 minutes

    Baba’s other powers II

    Para Number in the Book & About HIS Powers II

    AUTO-BIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES OF PAST BIRTHS
    Snake and frog-Rebirth for revenge, Development of Vasanas, Justice of God

    473. Sai Baba said “One’s sin (Papa) does not cease, till he falls at the feet of sadhus,” and told a tale.

    Another moral of this tale told by Sai Baba is that lust for Pelf drags, one down to the lowest level.

    Sai Baba said: “One morning at 8 a.m. I went out for a walk. I came to a river (like Rahata River) which was deep. But there was a footpath and a cart track also sheltered by shade trees. A gentle breeze was blowing. I sat in the shade and looked at the dense foliage of the trees. As I was wetting my hand-kerchif to smoke my chilm. I heard the croaking of a frog. I struck my flints and lit my pipe; and Wayfarer came, sat by me, bowed to me and invited me to dine at his house.

    I agreed; and he lit the pipe and handed it over to me. He heard the croaking and tried to find out what it was due to. I told him, “A frog is in trouble, tasting the bitter fruit of its own Karma. See, what we do in our past lives, we reap the fruit of, now . Why cry out now (against fate)?”

    Then he went out in the direction of the sound to see the cause. I told him, “The frog is caught by a huge serpent and is crying. Both were very wicked in their past lives and they have come into their present bodies to reap their fruit.” The wayfarer found these words true. There was a huge black serpent holding in its mouth, a big frog.

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

    I took the man with me and went to the place of the serpent. The man went first, looked at the snake and came back in terror and said to me, “The snake might come here and attack us. Let us fly from here. Do not go there.”

    Then I went and addressed the struggling creatures thus-“Hallo! Veerabadrappa! Even now, Have you no pity for your enemy Basappa, though he, has taken form as a frog?. You also have become a serpent, Be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred and be quiet.“

    Hearing these words, the snake let go the frog quickly, entered the deep water and disappeared. The frog also went away and hid itself in the tree.

    The wondering wayfarer said that he could not understand all that took place, why the serpent dropped the frog at the words spoken, who was Veerabadrappa among the two and who Basappa; and what was the bone of contention between the two, and asked me to tell him. We went back to our shade at the tree foot and smoking our chilm, I then explained it all to him. 

    Some 2 or 3 Kros from my place, there was a holy place,      A dilapidated Mahadeva temple was there. People resolved to renovate it. They collected funds for the purpose. A very rich man was made the treasurer. He had strict and  regular  accounts. But he was a born miser. The building  was left incomplete and fresh collections were made. Still  no progress was made in the building work.

    God sent his wife a dream, wherein she was told. “If you spend any money on this temple renovation, Siva will give it back to you a hundred fold”. She mentioned this to her husband. He feared that it was involving him in expense.     So he laughed it out as a mere dream, and not a  thing  to be  acted  on. “Else, why did not God come to  me and tell  me?  Am  I  very  far  from you?”  he  said.

    Then God came to her again in a dream and said that she need not bother herself about his wealth and that she might (if she liked) give any little thing she could scrape up of her own. 

    She had her sridhan (marriage gift by parent) ornaments. She went and told her husband of the dream and  of her desire to give her ornaments to God. Now this miser wanted to cheat God in this transaction.  

    The jewels were worth Rs.1,000. So he told his wife that he would take the jewels himself and give God a land. But that land he held only as a mortgagee (some poor widow was the mortgagor). It was an uncultivated piece of coastland which yielded nothing in the best of seasons.

    This, he gave away to the God (or to the Poojari i.e., temp’e priest as an inam for worship?).

    Then came later a terrible storm. Lightning burnt down his house. He and his wife died. In the next life, the rich man was born at Mathura (Muttra). She was born as the daughter of the Poojari of Siva and was named Gowri. Dubaki, the mortgagor was born as a man named Basappa and was adopted as Poojari’s heir. The rich man in his rebirth was named Virabadra.

    The Poojari of Siva’s temple was a great friend of mine and he would come to smoke with me. His daughter also was devoted to me. Her father, the poojari, considered whom he should wed her to. I told him “Do not bother. A man will come to you for her hand. “

    Veerabadrappa left his poor parents and begged his food wherever he went and finally came to poojari’s house, and offered to wed his daughter. Veerabadra married Gowri. Veerabadra also became my devotee.

    But he was hankering after money. He told me that I was responsible for his marriage and should help him to get wealth. I said, “Wait, Better times are coming”.

    The coastland suddenly rose in value and was sold for one lakh of rupees. Half the price was paid in cash. The rest was promised in 25 instalments of Rs. 2000 each. All agreed to this in joy.

    Then Virabadrappa and Basappa quarrelled over that money. I said Gowri was the sole proprietrix of the priest’s property.

    Gowri had a dream that she should hold the property herself and not allow any one to claim it. Gowri sought my protection. I gave her a pledge that I would cross 7 seas even to help her. (It appears as though in that Janrna, Baba was a Moslem with siddhies, living in the masjid).

    Virabadrappa disputed with Basappa and both came to me. I tried in vain to appease Veerabadra. He was wrath with me, got mad and threatened to kill Basappa and cut him to pieces. Basappa was timid and sought my protection. I pledged myself to save him from the vindictive wrath of Veerabadrappa. Veerabadra became mad with rage and cursed and swore at me and all. Then Veerabadra died and was born as a serpent. Basappa died and was born as a frog.

    Hearing Basappa’s miserable croaking and remembering my pledge, I have kept my word and saved Basappa, the frog from Veerabadra, the snake. God has saved his devotee Basappa by sending me. All this is God’s Lila.

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

    1. Once I had heart palpitation and my life was in great danger. I put Vishnu Saharanama over my chest. God descended it into my body and the disease left me and I was safe.
    2. Baba: “Once I was a little boy and I tried to earn my bread. I started in quest of employment. I went to bid and got employed in weaving lace cloth. I was never wearied in my work. By my fakir’s (master’s) ways, there was no feeling of fatigue. Each day I turned out as much work as four boys together tuned out. One boy produced Rs. 50/- cloth per diem, another Rs. 100/-, another Rs.150/- and I Rs. 600/- worth. My employer was pleased. He loved me and praised me to others. He gave me nice dress, a pagota for my head and shawl for upper cloth. I did not use them, but gave them away to others. What Sircar (God) gives lasts for ever, not what man gives.
    1. “I was Kabir and used to spin yarn.“
    2. “I had four brothers. The eldest had all the money. His wife starved us all. I earned money by a contract and fed all including the eldest brother. He became a leper and was shunned by all and cast out. I attended on him, fed him and looked after his comforts. Ultimately he died.”
    3. “I was with 4000 persons, then an epidemic broke out. They were in fear. Then I assured the 4000 and said, “I will die rather than let you die. I will not let you die.”
    4. In the place, where this Shirdi Masjid (i.e., Baba’s) stands, one Muzafar Shah lived. He owned property extending for miles, i.e., upto Nandurki, where his son lived. I stayed with him and cooked for him. He died where the Dhuni (fire) is glowing now in the mosque.
    5. A devotee: Baba, what is your native place?

    Baba: I came here from Aurangabad. My maternal uncle (Mama) brought me down here.

    Devotee: What is the name of that Mama? Where is he now?

    Baba (Laughing): He was a mad man, having no name. He must be living somewhere now.

    1. Baba: “My brother once misbehaved and was consequently excommunicated. I looked after him and eventually had him re-admitted in to caste.”
    2. Baba: In 1913 gave out a long personal story of previous birth of his. “We were two brothers. We walked on. On the way my brother went ahead. He was bitten by animals and he died. Five or six men came up and asked me. “Where is your brother?”. I told them the facts and added ‘I made a shroud for him’. Refusing to believe me they went in search for him, despite my protest and were eaten up by animals. A stout lady came and made the same enquiry and the same search and shared their rate. I gave her also the shroud. Then as I went on, six or seven moslems were came with a sheep. They then began to force it into my mouth. I said, “I will pray to God and then eat.” I covered the flesh with a cloth and prayed to God. Then the mutton was converted into huge red rose. They were so big that you could not enclose one rose into your palm. The moslems went away. Then I walked on. I was walking on a footpath and was enclosed by a wide expanse of clear water. No path was visible from there. That is God’s work. 

    Baba, then turning to Shama: What is our duty? Behave properly. that is enough. Go to the Wada and read pothi.

    1. Baba said once: “As a boy, I was weaving shawls and my father was once so pleased with my work that he gave me a present of Rs. 5/- or so. “
    2. I was once eating food (i.e., living) in the East Coast (Coromandel Coast).
    3. Baba: “Pshaw, what of Akbar? I protected him in his infancy. He stood in awe of me.”
    4. “That Brahmin of Paithan (evidently referring to Eknath), I knew. Such excellent Brahmins are not to be found now a days.”
    6. Baba to Balakrishna Upasani Sastri: “I was at the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi took part. I was then in the army.”
    7. “My rich father had much buried wealth. I sat on one and became a big cobra. After a time, I left the treasure and regained human form.”
    8. Baba to (GSK): “I was here (at Shirdi or on the banks of Godavari) eight to ten thousand years ago.”
    9. “An old Patil was on this field, and he used to visit me. Detectives (Govindas) 4 or 12 used to watch the old man and they had disagreements and once they had a scuffle with him, and I helped the old man then. He was hauled up and taken to a big town to be dealt with. I intervened and got him released.”
    10. “When I was young, I was going away far from Jaina. There was a mango tree on the way. Its fruits all marred by insects, I struck iron nails in the tree. That cured the defect. The fruits produced thereafter were free from insects.”
    11. Baba: “I and Sakharam (of Angaonkavad) studied under the same Guru and we both planted mangoes with our own hands. Two fruits from them, I have sent just now (1909) for you, Mrs. Kanitkar.

    Mrs. kanitkar next day received at Kopergaon on her way back two mango fruits from the Brahmachari of the temple who said, “Baba sent these for you.”

    495. When I was young I went out one morning and suddenly became a girl and continued to be so for sometime thereafter.

    496. Baba: I laboured very hard. I went without food for months and fed myself on leaves of Kala Tekkal, Neem, and other trees. God was very good to me. Life never became extinct though all flesh got wasted and bones appeared to be in danger of crumbling away.

    497. My father found a bar-maid, selling date toddy in a garden to two hundred Rohillas, took to her (wedded or not) got sons by her. She refused to go with him and favoured many. Worms developed on her feet. As she was my father’s wife, I tended her feet and cured her. She dies later.

    1. “Once I wove cloths, turbans, pitambar, rugs etc, but still I could not get enough money to satisfy hunger.”
    2. “My mother was greatly rejoicing that she had got a son, i.e., me. I was for my part wondering at her conduct. When did she beget me? Was I begotten at all? Have I not been already in existence? Why is she rejoicing over this?”

    Baba draws people by Rinanubanda

    (l) N.G.Chandorkar

    500. Nana : Baba, why did you send for me?

    Baba: There are thousands in the world. Do I send for them all? Should there not be some special reasons to send for you?

    M: May be.    I am not able to see.

    B.: Nana, you and I have been intimate with each other for the last four births. You do not know that; but I do. So be coming here, now and then when you find time. 

    (2) Bbagavant Rao Kshirsagar

    501.“This man never worships Vittal, not gives Naivedya as his father did. He starves me and Vittal. His father was my friend. So I have now drawn him here to tell him to revive his Pooja.”

    (3)

    502.In a former birth, I, you (G.S.K.) Jog, Kaka (H.S.Dixit), Shama, and Dada Kelkar, were all living together with our Guru, in a blind alley. I have therefore now brought all these together.

    (4)

    Nana, this man has left a box with us, and now wants it back. It is not proper to refuse, (i.e., he has done us a good turn in a former Janma. We must now do him a good turn.) (s.c.227.)

    (5) Do not drive away

    503. “No one comes to us without Rinanubanda. i.e., some pre-natal connection. So when any dog, cat, pig, fly or person approaches, do not drive it or him away with a “Hat-Hat,” “Jit-Jit”.

    (6) Rinanubanda for animals

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

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

    505.(a) This is a Brahmin’s mosque.

    (b) This is a Brahmin, a pure Brahmin, a white Brahmin, who will carry thousands on through Subhra Marga.

    506. (c) Baba (to Mrs. Chaubal who intended to pay 1/2 rupees as dakshina to Baba, paid only 1/4 rupee and retreated): “Why do you wish to dupe me, a poor Brahmin, of the other 1/4 ?”

    (d) Baba (to S.B.Nachna. who asked him leave to start, but forgot to deliver 2 annas to Baba, though he had received it from V.C.S. for that purpose): “All right you may go back via Chitali, but do not dupe a poor Brahmin of his two annas.”

  • Religious Tolerance

    Baba’s Says about religious tolerance

    Para Number in the Book & About Religious Tolerance

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

    Look at Chokamela’s life.

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

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

  • Justice and Equality

    Baba’s Says on Justice and Equality

    Para Number in the Book & About Justice and Equality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ( C ) Bala Patil

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

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

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

    (d) Chakra Narayan

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

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

    (e) Peston Jamas

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

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

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

    (f) Tukaram Barku

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

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

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

    Baba and Creatures

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

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

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

  • ALMS GIVING

    Baba’s sayings about Giving Alms

    Para Number in the Book “BCS”, About alms giving

    (a) ALMS GIVING WITH SUAVITY AND STRAIGHT FORWARDNESS.

    306. Baba: “Nana, I will give you one more lesson.”

    N.G. Chandorkar: Very good.

    Baba: Nana, if any one begs of you anything, if that be in your hand or power, and if you can grant the request or get it granted, do so. Do not say “No”. If you have nothing to give, then, give a suave negative. Do not mock or ridicule the applicant nor get angry with him. If you do not like to part with what you have, do not say falsely that you have nothing . Decline to give it in polite terms and say circumstances or your desire stand in the way. Will you remember this lesson or forget it?

    NGC: What is difficulty in this? I shall remember.

    Baba: This lesson is not quite so easy as it may seem.

    NGC: I will keep it in mind.

    Sometime later, NGC(Nana), who had promised to pay Rs.300/- for charity to be done at the Kopergaon Datta temple did not bring the money and therefore avoided a visit to the temple, which was on his way to Shirdi. He, with the approval of his friend, took a detour through a very thorny path, as a result of which he and his friend ran thorns in their bodies. When they reached Shirdi, baba would not talk to them.

    NGC: Why don’t you talk with me?

    Baba: Nana, when a man says he will remember the lessons I taught him but really does not, how can I talk to him?

    NGC: Baba, I remember all your lessons.

    Baba: You gentleman, you evade seeing ‘sircar’ (God Datta) and take a detour. Why? Because the saint will ask for Rs.300/- is this the way to remember my lesson? If you have not the money, if it was not easy to arrange to get it, you have only to tell him that fact. Will the saint eat you? But what device is this, to avoid the temple of God for fear of the saint demanding money? Well then, have not thorns pierced your feet and body and the posterior part of your sapient friend? How can I talk to such a person?

    (b) ALMS GIVING WITHOUT ARROGANCE AND ANGER.

    307. Baba: “Nana, to-day I will give you one more lesson.”

    NGC: Good.

    Baba: Nana, If anyone comes and begs for anything give him as much as you can, and if that person be not satisfied and asks for more, answer him suavely in the negative. Do not pour your wrath or display all your official authority against that person.

    NGC: Good.

    (But one day at Kalyan Mrs. NGC was greatly provoked by the importunity of a beggar woman who refused to budge, unless she was given as charity the whole stock of ‘Bhajani’ (fried and spiced grains); and Mrs. NGC appealed to her husband, NGC came down and called out to the peon to neck out the beggar, unless she quietly accepted the quantity given and left the house. Sometime late NGC visited Shirdi, but baba was glum and would not talk to him.

    NGC: Baba, why do you not talk to me?

    Baba: How can I talk to one who does not care for my advice or lesson?

    NGC: What lesson have I forgotten? I remembered all your lessons.

    Baba: That day, when the beggar woman was importuning you for ‘Bhajani’, how did you happen to call your peon to expel her and to show  all your official authority. What mattered, if she remained sitting your door, asking for more, while refused it? What could she do? After a while she would have gone away. Instead of gently replying her, why get angry with her and call the peon to expel her?

    308. Baba: “if anyone is angry with another, he wounds me to the quick. If any one abuses another, I feel the pain. If one bravely endures the abuse, I feel highly pleased.”

    (c) Alms giving without discrimination INTERPRETATION OF ATHITI.

    309. (N G Chandorkar found that though he waited for athities, i.e., guests, for a few minutes, after the daily vaiswadeva, none ever turned up and he intended to ask baba, if the direction in the Vedas to wait for guests was a worthless direction. But when he went to Baba, the latter anticipated the query and thus spoke)

    Baba: Yes. Yes. Guests will come! The devil, they will.

    NGC: True, Baba. I daily offer the Kakabali and go out and wait for guests. they never come.

    Baba: “Nana, the sastras are not in fault. Nor are the Mantras wrong. But their true importance you have not caught. You get into your head a worthless interpretation and then stand and wait for guests. They will not turn up. hallow! Does the term ‘Athiti” denote a man 3 ½ cubits high and of the Brahmin caste?

    Athithi is what ever creature is hungry and comes on to you, at that time, whether it is human or a bird, beast or insect. All these seek food. The real Athiti that you get, you do not regard as such. These have come to you in lakhs. nana, give up your rotten interpretation.

    At kakabali, take plenty of boiled rice outside the house and leave it there. Do not shout or call for any nor drive away. Whatever the creature that comes to eat, let not that disturb your mind. You get thus the merit of feeding lakhs of guests.

  • MORAL TEACHINGS AND CORRECTIONS

    MORAL TEACHINGS AND CORRECTIONS

    13–20 minutes

    Baba’s sayings about General Moral Teachings

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS” About Moral Teaching and general corrections

    203. Bapu Sahib Jag: Baba, I have served you so long with concentration (Ananya Bhava). How can I discover when its fruition comes?

    Baba: The fruition of your service that will gladden both our hearts will be when you wear a kupni and beg your food, as I do (i.e., identify yourself with me and be free from all attachments)

    Baba’s Moods, as Devotee of God

    1. Baba- “I am myself a devotee of God (Rangari), though the Hindus worship me. I remember God”
    2. Baba- “I am requesting Allah. He will comply with my request” (i.e., a son will be be born to H.V.S.)
    3. Baba- ” I say things here.   There, they happen.’
    4. Baba- ” O God, Enough. Stop the rain! My children have to go back home. Let them go back without difficulty “(and rain stopped M.W. Pradhau went safe}

    Contentment and Surrender

    267. “God is great. He is the Supreme Master.

    Allah Malik: How great is God! No one can compare with him.

    He creates, supports and destroys. His sport (Lila) is inscrutable.

    Let us be content to remain as He makes us, to submit our wills to His. Allah Rakega Vahisa Rahena. Take what comes. Be contented and cheerful. Never worry. Not a leaf moves, but by His consent and will.

    We should be honest, upright and virtuous.

    We must distinguish right from wrong.

    We must each attend to his own duty.

    But we must not be obsessed by egotism and fancy that we are the independent causes of action. God is that Actor. We must recognise His independence and our dependence on Him and see all acts as His. If we do so, we shall be unattached and free from Karmic bondage. “

    Love All Creatures

    268. Baba- “Love all creatures; Do not fight with any; nor retaliate, nor scandalise any. When anyone talks of you (i.e., against you) pass on, unperturbed. his words cannot pierce into your body. Other’s act will affect them alone and not you. It is only your own acts that will affect you.”

    IDLENESS
    1. Baba- “Do not be idle. Work, utter Gods name, read scriptures.”

    Other Moral Teachings.

    1. Baba to chandra bai Borker: “We should not harbour hatred, envy, rivalry or combative disposition towards others. If others hate us, let us simply take to Nama Japa and avoid them.”
    2. Baba to Bapu Rao N. Chandorker; “Hearken to the words of your parents. Help your mother in her task. Speak the truth alone. No one cares to take from me what I give abundantly. But they want from me what I am unable to give, Mother is God.”

    271A Baba to N.G. Chandorkar. “Look at this Haridas who leaves you and goes away. Have friends that will stick to you till the end, through thick and thin.

    Baba to H.S.D. (who proposed that Baba and he should start for Bombay and take a devotee with them to leave him in the middle at a wayside station): “I will never leave (i.e. desert) any one in the middle.”

    Spirits
    1. A devotee: Baba, do spirits really exist?

    Baba: Yes. We have nothing to do with them.

    1. R.A.T. one night went out. He saw a spectre under a tree, got frightened and then thinking of Baba, got courage and went back to his lodging at Shirdi.

    Next morning Baba himself when meeting him referred to the topic.

    Baba: What did you see last night?

    RAT: I saw a spirit.

    Baba: That was I.

    RAT: No, Baba. It was a spirit.

    Baba again: That was I. Go and ask your Ayi.

    RAT: went and asked his mother, who said that all spirits were under Baba’s control.

    Baba: And Am I not inside all of them? Hello! Bhutas etc., will do nothing (no harm) to us. Have I not told you this last year.

    MEEKNESS

    274: Baba to Mrs. M W Pradhan: “If anyone talks ten words at us, if we reply at all, let us reply with one word. Do not quarrel, retaliate or bandy words with anyone, giving tit for tat.”

    PATIENCE

    275. Uddhavesa Bua (at the first interview); Where is my Moksha Guru? How is he to be got’?

    Baba- ” Wait for five years and you will know. How can you gulp an entire bread? Wait for five years and see.”

    Persevering faith in case of Doubt
    1. A Prarthana Samajist went to Baba. However before seeing baba, he had a discussion with somebody else as to whether Baba had the characteristics of a Stitha Prajna as defined in Gita. This unsettled his mind and he wavered in his faith and went to Baba.

    Baba: Syama, take him and tell him something.

    Then, Syama took his wada and gave his advice. 1) “Despise irresponsible and uninformed people’s talk, 2) Place your mind at Baba’s feet, 3) All will be safe”.

    Then they returned to Baba.

    Baba: Follow Syama’s advice.

    OVER ASCEPTICISM

    1. Baba: “Do not get over-ascetic, e.g., by giving away all food, play and exercise. Rather regulate your meals, rest, etc. (cf “Yuktahara Vihara”.)

    277-A. To Kusa bhav, Baba: “When you come next, come two of you (i.e., get MARRIED and come).”

    BABA AGAINST UNNECESSARY FAST
    1. H.S.D. wanted to fast at night and to make it a rule. B.aba- “Kaka, Prepare food for the night and eat it.” H.S.D. gave up his idea of fasting.

    279.  One Mrs.  Gokhale wished to visit Shirdi for the Scingha holiday and to fast there while staying at Shirdi as the guests of Data Kelkar.

    Baba (to Dada Kelkar): “Will my children fast during Scingha festival?   I cannot permit that.”

    Next day the lady turned up at Shirdi and sat before Baba. 

    Baba (himself mooting the subject): “Why should we fast? Go to Dada Kelkars, prepare Pooran Poli, eat it and give it to all in the family.”

    Mrs. Gokhale went back to Dada’s found Mrs. Dada was in her period and therefore she, though a guest, had to do the cooking. She prepared Pooran Poli and ate it as directed by Baba.

    280 Baba (to S.B. Nachne): “Have you taken your meal?”

    Nachne: This is an Ekadasi Day (which Nachne wanted to observe on that occasion, though not observing at home, because two of friends who had accompanied him were very orthodox and were observing it)

    Baba: These two people are mad. You had better go and eat.

    Nachne went to Bala Bhav’s hotel; but Bala Bhav being orthodox, the meal was refused, as it was especially before Arati. So nachne returned with Bala Bhav to Mosque at Arati time.

    Baba: (to nachne) Have you taken food?

    Nachne: Baba, it is Arati time and meal can come after Arati time.

    Baba: No. You go and take meal. Arati will wait for you.

    So, Bala Bhav was forced to give Nachne his meal. After meal, Nachne and Bala Bhav returned to Dwaraka Mayee. Just then Mavusi brought and presented to baba a number of bidas (i.e., rolled betal and nut).

    Baba to nachne: Chew this.

    Nachne took a bida; but hesitated, as it is not customary to chew bida on Ekadasi Day.

    Baba: Never mind, Go on, Chew it.

    And Nachne chewed it.

    Yoga and Onion-Eating
    1. N.G.C. took with him a student of yoga who wished to consult Baba on matter of Yoga; but when they went to the Mosque, Baba was eating onion. And the Yoga student thought that Baba, as one who ate Tamasic food as onion, could not help in Yoga.

    Baba- ” Nana, what harm is there in eating onion, if one could digest it (overcome its tamasic effects)?”

    The Yoga student noticed that Baba knew his thoughts and hence must be a master of Yoga.

    HOW BABA MADE DAS GANU EAT ONION

    1. The orthodox Das Ganu Maharaj dislike onions.

    Baba (to Das ganu): Prepare Pitla, sauce of onions. Give me a part and eat the rest of it.

    Das Ganu: Yes.

    Next day DG prepared the onion dish and touched the onion with the tip of a finger and drew the finger near the nether lip as a token of tasting and then washed his fingers and face. then he went to Baba.

    Baba: Have you eaten onions?

    DG: Yes.

    Baba: He pretends he eats, but only touches it with his finer and brings the finger near lip.

    Baba actually showed what DG did.

    Baba: Ganu, you must really eat onion and not pretend.

    DG: Yes.

    DG was eating onion at Shirdi (as long as Baba was alive) on ordinary days, i.e., except on Ekadasi Day.

    KUSA BHAV – ONION

    283. On an Ekadasi day Kusa Bhav (i.e., Krishnaji Kasinath Joshi of Mirzgaon) sat by Baba’s side.

    Baba: What do you eat to-day?

    Kusa: Nothing. Today is Ekadasi.

    Baba: What does “Ekadasi” mean?

    Kusa: A day for “Upavasa”

    Baba: What does Upavasa mean?

    Kusa: It is just like “Rojas”

    Baba: What is Rojas?

    Kusa: We fast, i.e., do not eat anything except Kanda Moola. (Meaning sweet potatoes etc.,)

    Baba: Ob, Kaanda (i.e., onion) you eat. Well, here you have onion. Eat it.

    Kusa: (finding baba forcing on him unorthodox food) Baba if you eat it, I will eat.

    Baba ate some; and Kusa Bhav ate some, and then visitors arrived. Baba wished to have some fun.

    Baba: Look at this Bamniya (corrupt and contemptuous form of the word Brahmin). He eats onion on Ekadasi.

    Kusa: Baba ate it and I ate it.

    Baba: No. I ate Kanda, i.e., sweet potatoes. See.

    Baba then vomited out sweet potatoes.

    Kusa Bhav seeing the miracle, voraciously swallowed the potato as prasad.

    Baba beat him and said:

    “Rogue. why do you eat the vomit?

    But Kusa Bhav did not mind the blows. Baba’s heart melted. 

    Baba: (placing a palm on Kusa’s head) I bless you. Think of me and hold forth your Palms. You will have my prasad.

    KUSA BHAV now holds up his empty palms and WARM UDHI (BABA’S PRASAD) falls from it, and this is given as BABA’S PRASADA UDHI by Kusa Bhav.

    DADA KELKAR AND ONION

    284. Dada Kelkar, an over zealous Brahmin, abhorred onion and in his overzeal objected to visitors and Sathe Wada using onion. He fell foul on S.B.Nachne’s mother-in-law for using it. Then his grand-child had sore eyes.

    DK: Baba, the child has sore eyes. What should I do?

    Baba: Use onion for fomenting the eyes.

    DK: Where can I go for onion?

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

    S.B. Nachne’s Mother-in-law: “Baba DK abused me for using onion. So I do not like to give him anything. If you order it, I will give.”

    Baba: “Give.”

    Then the lady gave the onion and Baba, through her, humiliated DK for his intolerant over-asceticism. 

    Hospitality

    Baba shares food and smoke.

    1. (a) Baba(to D.V.Sambhare): “Boy. Come near. Why keep afar? Have a smoke.”
    2. (b) Baba- “Feed the hungry first.    Then feed yourself.”
    3. (c) Baba (By way of joke about A.D.): “Oh, it is his habit. He eats sweet things by himself, i.e., without sharing them with others”, (cf.Eka Swadu Na Banjitha.)
    4. (d) Baba added: “Am I not near you at meals? Do you give me a morsel?”

    (e) cf., Baba’s interpretation of Athiti and advice to N.G.C.(vide ante)

    HARMONY
    1. Baba: If you avoid rivalries and bickering, God will protect you.

    Return not evil for evil. Return good for evil.

    Other’s words cannot harm you.

    1. Baba: Life is lived in vain if no yoga, Yaga, Tapas and Jnana be achieved.
    2. Baba (in a message to a Devotee): “Will you sit idle (merely) eating your food. Have Saburi (patience and courage).”
    3. Baba: (to some one to his face)- “Our (your) end will get so better or wretched. Once or twice, I will warn. The end will be hard indeed if one does not heed the advice given. Even the child in the womb, we will cut to pieces and throw away if it falls athwart.”

    292-A. BABA REMOVES HANKERING FOR DRINK

    • 1) Baba to D V Sambare (who was getting addicted): ‘Boy, why do you behave like this? See, I give you this warning first, that you should give up drink. If you do not heed this, I will not warn you again but leave you to your fate.’ DVS forswore liquor. He was free of the hankering.
    • One day his superior invited him to a dinner, a big party and came up to see that the glassful kept before him was not drunk by DVS. The latter offered excuses which were laughed at.
    • In this perplexity of DVS, all the hall lights were extinguished suddenly. The host went to look at the cause. Mean while an obliging neighbour drank up DVS’s glass. The host returned, saw the glass empty and thanking his pleading was successfully went away. Baba performed a chamtkar to save DVS, – for none could discover how the lights were extinguished and again lit up by themselves.
    • 2) Baba to (a) Santaram and (b) a goldsmith boy who were addicted to drink: “Stay six days here.” From that time love of drink left them and they continued free from that vice even after they left Shirdi.
    BABA’S TAPAS OF PLANK VIGIL AT THE MOSQUE

    293. Once Baba talked of the plank he used to lie upon. It was only 5 feet long and about 15 inches broad and lamps were loosely placed on it. It was suspended from the rafters of the ceiling of the mosque by weak shreds of cloth. The wonder was, how it could support him, and another wonder was how Baba could swing himself up into it (it was hung up 6 or 7 feet high) and jumped down from it, without upsetting the lamps and snapping the shreds.

    Das Ganu and others went to see the wonder and Baba, in anger or disgust, broke the plank into pieces.

    H.S. Dixit offered to give Baba a cot then to lie upon.

    Baba: No. Am I to lie on a cot, leaving Mahlsapathy on the floor? Far better would it be that I should be on the floor and that he should sleep higher.

    Dixit: I will give two planks, one for you and one for Mahlsa.

    Baba: “He will not sleep on a plank. he will sleep only on the ground.

    Sleeping on the plank is no joke, who will sleep keeping eyes open, all awake like me? Only such a person can lie on the plank.  When I lie down on the ground, I ask Mahlsapathy to sit by me and keep his palm on my chest.

    You see that a plank will be of no use to him. ‘I lie down making mental Namasmarana.’ So, I say to Mahlsapathy, “Feel it by placing your hand on my heart. If you catch me napping, wake me up.’ Such was and is my order to him. “

    (THe ordinary sleep is a hindrance to the Yoga trance, it resembles it in some respects, but the heart-beat at the Namasmarana stage of trance differs from the heart-beat of natural sleep)

    Advice to Sadhakas
    1. Baba to Abdul: “Eat very little. Do not go for a variety of eatables. A single sort, i.e., dish will suffice. Do not sleep much. Have Dhyan on what is read. Think of Allah.”

    294-A. Benefit of Humility etc.,” Baba’s advice to Abdul (whom he named Halakoor (i.e., scavenger) and miriambi (because he rendered low services) (1) “Your clay is (being) transformed into gold; (2) you will cross the seven oceans; (3) high mansion is erected (for you).”

    SCANDAL
    1. When a devotee of Baba was reviling another behind the back, Baba went out and met him near Lendi. 

    Baba: Do you see that? 

    Dev ; It is a pig. 

    Baba. What is it doing ? 

    Dev : Eating filth.

    Baba: You see with what gusto the pig is gorging itself on night soil. Behold how it revels on human ordure. But we feel it disgusting. That is your conduct. People fret and fume against their own brethren and kinsmen to their hearts’ content. After performing many deeds of merit, one is born a man. Is he to go to Shirdi and yet commit moral suicide ?

    1. Baba (to Mathradas, who had been indulging in scandal at Sagun’s tea shop): “What was Sagun saying ?” Mathradas felt ashamed.

    Baba- “The good and the wicked alike come here.   Why draw their frailties and foibles to public notice, by depicting them.”

    AHlMSA
    (a) Mahlsapathy and Bitch
    1. One day Mahlsapathy hit a bitch full of sores with a stick and he went later to Baba.

    Baba- “Bhagat, there is in the village a bitch sickly like myself and everyone is hitting it.”

    Mahlsapathy felt that Baba was rebuking him and so repented for his mistake.

    (b) H.S. Dixit and Serpent

    1. H-S-D.: “The serpent kills people; so when one sees a serpent, should he not kill it ?”

    Baba- “No. we should never kill it. Because it will never kill us, unless it is ordered by God to kill us. If God has so ordered, we cannot avoid it.”

    MERCY TO MAD DOG

    299. In Vaisak 1917 a small dog bitten by a rabid dog began to chase big dogs. the villagers, club in hand, then chased the small dog. It ran through the streets and finally got into Dwaraka Mayee, stood behind Baba and made him its sanctuary.

    Villagers: Baba, that dog is mad. Drive it out and we will kill it.

    Baba: You mad fellows, you get out. You want to persecute and kill a poor creature.

                  Thus baba saved the life of that dog and it proved to be not rabid.

    Non-Resistance to Evil

    300. (a) Baba to Attar- “Aunt, let him eat.   It is only Anna (your own father) that eats (what he has gifted to you.) Do not sue him.    God will give you plenty.

    (b) Baba (to H.V. Sathe, who was pushing down Nana Wali the aggressor)  ” Saheb, do not do so.”

    Satsanga, Yama, Niyama etc.

    313. Baba: “Satsanga, i.e., moving with the good  is good. Dussanga, i.e., moving with evil-minded people is evil and must be avoided.

    Yama, Niyama. Restrain yourself from forbidden food and drinks. Avoid needless disputation. Avoid falsehood. Have restraint of speech.

    Fulfil promises.

    Restrain Lust-Wholly in respect of others’ wives, and partly in respect of your own wife.

    Enjoyment of marital pleasure is permissible. But be not enslaved by it. MUKTI is impossible to persons addicted to lust. Lust ruins mental balance, and strength or firmness. It affects the learned also.

    Unruly buffaloes are controlled by tying a log to their neck as a clog to their movements. Viveka (i.e., prudence and discrimination) must be tied to one’s mind when sex attracts.

    Desires must be controlled. You must master them and not be their slave.

    Yet you can (and must) use them, the ‘6 Inner Enemies’ within limits. e.g.,

    • Besides Kama(Lust) for the wife
    • have krodha (Anger) against unrighteousness.
    • have Lobha (Greed) for Hari Nama, uttering God’s name.
    • have Moha (Fondness) for Mukti (salvation)
    • have Matser (Hatred) for evil action; and
    • have no mada (Pride)
  • WEALTH

    WEALTH

    Baba’s sayings about Greed of Wealth and Asking Donation

    Para Number in the Book & About Greed Managing

    1. R.B.P. A devotee: “Why are you asking for so much money?”

    Baba- ” I am not asking of every one. I ask only from the man whom the fakir (God) points out. But in exchange, I have to give that man ten times the amount, which I have taken. I do not take the money for my own use. I have no family.”

    Every morning Baba would be a poor fakir owning zero and during the day dakshinas would accumulate; and by evening or night the whole accumulation will be disbursed. When Baba passed away, after receiving a Governor’s income from dakshina for about ten years, he had only Rs.16 in his possession.

    1. A man living with a mistress and suffering from venereal complaints came to Baba and said: “Baba, take this Rs.500″. Baba (angrily):” I want none of your money. You are keeping someone in your house; is it not? Give it to her.”

    The man was mortified at this exposure and went away.

    1. Some persons were on their way to Shirdi mosque of Baba.

    Baba (angrily): “Rascals, (pouring plenty of abuse) committing such and such vile crimes and sins (naming their sins, vices etc.,)! What help can they get! (as he finished this tirade, the parties entered with rich gifts.)

    Baba: “This is just what I have been saying” (and he refused to accept gifts or give help)

    Dakshina, a means of denuding a devotee of even thing

    [Which means I take away everything, when I wish to show my favour.] 

    236. S.R.V. Jayakar who has painted Baba’s portrait kept in Dwarka Mayee at Shirdi was staying before Baba with Rs.2-8-0 in his pocket.   One Varde of Bombay came to Baba. 

    V. I have no money to perform Satyanarayana Pooja.

    B.: How much do you want? 

    V Rs.2-8-0.

    B.: This man (pointing to Jayakar) has got it    Borrow from him.

    So varde applied and Jayakar had to part with the entire Rs.2-8-0 he had in his pocket.

    237. P.R. Avaste, a Judicial Officer of Indore and a devotee of Baba came during summer vacation with his wife and son to Shirdi. He was on his way to perform his son’s marriage and kept with his son Rs.400/- and Rs.300/- with his wife. He was to get a good bridegroom (karini) for his son’s marriage. When he came to Baba,

    Baba to P.R. Avaste: Will you give me Dakshina?

    P.R. Avaste: How much?

    Baba: Rs. 30/-

    Baba to P.R. Avaste’s son: Will you give me Rs.40/-

    Thus again and again Baba took away the whole fund with Mrs. PRA and her son – except Rs.30/-

    Baba to P.R. Avaste: Will you give me Rs.30/-

    P.R. Avaste: Shall I give it, Baba?

    Baba: Yes.

    Then with great pain at heart, Mr. Avaste took the last remaining Rs.30/- from his wife and paid to Baba.

    Baba asked for nothing more.

    As P.R. Avaste was dolefully returning from Baba, Bapu Saheb Jog exultingly patted him on the back.

    Jog: I say I congratulate you. Baba has taken frequent Dakshina from you. You are lucky. Baba never takes except to give back tenfold.

    P.R. Avaste: I do not know about that. I know that I have not got a pie remaining for going to the place of marriage.

    Jog: How much do you want?

    P.R. Avaste: Rs.100/-

    Jog: Here it is. Baba has got a present of Rs. 6000/- from a Mumbai merchant who vowed he would pay 25% of his profits, if the news of loss of his goods proved false. Of that 6000, Baba has already spent 3000 in three days. If I tell him I gave you Rs.100/-, he will neither object nor call for the Rs.100/-, but as he has taken Rs.600 odd from you, I assure you that you will have a promotion by Rs.50/- per mensem now.

    P.R. Avaste: I have no godfather to get me promotion.

    But as stated by Jog, the promotion of Rs.50/- was given to Mr. P.R. Avaste, as he learnt after the vacation ended.

    Dakshina asked for taking away first fruits on indicating coming of the amount asked

    238. Baba to S.B.Dhumal: “Bhav give me Rs.50/-.”

    S.B.D. I have not got the money.

    B.: Then ask Saheb (H.V.S.)

    S.B.D. went and asked H.V.S. for Rs.50/- H.V.S. gladly gave it. This was an indication to H.V.S. that his claim, then pending before Govt for an extra sum of Rs.50/- as part of his pension was to be allowed.

    Later the order allowing it came. And the date of the order was the date of Baba’s demand of Rs.50/-.

    239. Somanaih S.D.Nimonkar, a Police Sub-Inspector, was before Baba in 1912. 

    Baba- “Give me Rs.10/-.

    S. paid the amount of Rs. 10/-.

    Six months later S got an order raising his pay byRs.10/- from the date of his above payment.

    Dakshina as Prophecy or control

    240. R.S.Dev was before Baba, intending to get Baba’s sanction for building five suites of rooms.

    Baba (drawing 25 lines on the floor). “One rupee for each line, i.e., each suite of rooms. Give Rs.25/-.”

    R.S.Dev paid the sum. Though he intended to build only five, he went on adding till the number happened to be 25 suites of rooms and there are only 25 even now.

    241. Baba to S.B.Nachne and Sankar Rao: “Give me Rs.64/-.”

    S.B.: We have no money,

    Subsequently when Baba was ill, they collected funds for poor feeding and sent it up. That collection was exactly Rs.64/-.

    Dakshina as claim of first fruits

    242. Daji Hait Lele, Deputy Inspector of Land Records at Nasik was going to Shirdi and on the way at Kopergaon saw the Gazette and found that he had been promoted from Rs.125/- to Rs.150/-.

    Then he came and bowed to Baba at Shirdi.

    Baba- “Bring me Rs.15/-.”

    L.: I have no money.

    Baba- “It is only yesterday I gave you Rs.25. Go and bring the money.”

    Lele borrowed the money and paid it.    (See H.V. Sathe’s Experiences).

    Dakshina to deprive a man of money which he should not have taken or kept

    243. S.B. Dhumal was directed to file a criminal appeal on behalf of Baba’s chamatkar. Judgement of acquittal was immediately pronounced, as soon as he presented the appeal. He was given Rs.300 by the appellants and when he came with the money to Shirdi.

    Baba- ” Bhau, will you give me dakshina? “

    S.B.D.: Yes, Baba.

    In this way he repeatedly collected just the Rs.300 and did not ask for anything more.

    Dakshina asked for giving effect to intention

    244. M. W.Pradhan, when starting to see Baba for the first time intended to give him Rs.20 in silver, and for that purpose got a Rs.50 note changed.

    When he actually came to Baba and dakshina was asked, he changed his mind and wanted to give gold. So he gave a sovereign.

    Baba- ” What is this?”

    Noolkar: This is a guinea.

    B.. What is it worth?

    N.: Rs.15.

    B… I do not want this.    Give me Rs.15, and keep this.

    And Pradhan carefully treasured up the coin touched by Baba and gave him 15 silver rupees.

    Baba, (counting it over and over): Here is only Rs. 10. Give me Rs.5. more:

    M.W.P.: Here are Rs.5 more.

    Thus, under colour of wrong calculation and putting to test also M.W.P.’s combativeness in dealing with his own guru, Baba gave effect to his intention to pay Rs.20.

    After receiving the Rs.20, he did not ask for anything more.

    Secondary meaning of Dakshina

    245. Baba to B.V.Dev.: “Bhau. give me dakshina. 

    B.V.Dev gave one guinea. 

    B.: Give me more.

    Baba after getting four said.- “Though four were given by you, Baba has got only one.”

    Dev.: “Baba, I have given four.”

    B.’. Yes, but I have only one.    You will know.

    The obvious interpretation is, though the devotee surrenders his fourfold Antahkarana (of Manas, Buddhi Ahankara, Chitta) Baba receives only the Jiva; and all multiplicity, when it reaches God-Baba becomes one. So the mind must surrender multiplicity unto the God Guru to attain unity’.

    Dakshina

    246. Baba (to G.G.Narke): Give me Rs.I5 dakshina.

    G.G.N’.: Baba, you know I have not got a pie. Why do you often ask me for Rs.15/-?

    Baba- ” I know you have no money. But you are reading Yoga Vasishta. Get me Rs. 15 dakshina from that.”

    Getting dakshina here means deriving lessons from Y.Vasishta and lodging them in. the heart where Baba resides.(S.C.I 86.)

    1. Baba to R.B.Purandhare: “Give me Rs.2 dakshina.” R.B.P.:  Baba, why do you constantly ask me for Rs.2 when you know that I am a poor clerk.

    B.: “It is not these coins that I want. I want (1) Nishta (faith) and (2) Saburi (patient endurance and waiting courageously). Give me these.” R.B.P.: I have given you these. Please get these done by me.

    1. Baba to Mrs. T.: Give me Rs.6 dakshina.

    Mrs. T. (to her husband). We have no money. It is so painful to be asked when we have nothing.

    Mr. T.: Baba wants only your six inner enemies (Lust, anger etc.) to be surrendered to him.

    Baba, again to Mrs.T:. Will you give me Rs.6? Mrs. T: Baba, I have given them. B.: See that you do not wander off.

    Dakshina asked for teaching lessons

    1. Judge (MB Rege) in 1912, went to see Baba with Rs.100/- in his pocket.

    Baba: Give me dakshana Rs. 40/- That was given.

    Again Baba: Give me dakshana Rs.40/- That was given.

    Again Baba: Give me Rs. 20/-

    That also was given by the judge, who noted that Baba was reducing him to zero condition.

    Later, Baba to Judge: Give me Rs.40/- dakshina.

    Judge: I have nothing to give.

    Baba: Then go and get the money and give.

    Judge: To whom am I to go.

    Baba: Shyama.

    Then Judge went to Shyama and told him.

    Shyama: You have not understood Baba. He cares a rap for you rupees. What he wants is your mind and heart, your time and soul to be devoted to him. That is his meaning.

    The Judge went back and reported to Baba.

    Baba, smiling: Go to Dixit and ask him.

    The Judge went and told Dixit.

    Dixit: Baba’s directions to you must be understood in the circumstances as a lesson to you and that you should not feel absence of money or the begging for money or for anything else to be a humiliation and that you should not consider yourself to be above begging.

    Judge went and reported to Baba. Baba, smiling: Go to Nana (N.G. Chandorkar) Judge went and reported to Nana.

    NGC: I know how delicate it is, when baba asks for Dakshina and there is nothing to be given. You must learn my plans and ways.

    Whenever I go to Shirdi, I start with a certain sum and leave half of it at Kopergaon, e.g., on this occasion I came with Rs.200/= and left half of it at Kopergaon and came to Shirdi with Rs.100/- only. I go on giving dakshana out of the stock in hand to Baba and when it is exhausted, I send for the reserve at Kopergaon. You must adopt this plan.

    Judge went and reported this to Baba.

    Baba then sent for Nana and Nana came.

    Baba: Nana, give me Rs.40/- And Nana paid it and went away.

    Again he was sent for.

    Baba: Nana, give me Rs.40/- more.

    Again Baba sent for Nana and collected Rs.20/-. Then Nana sent someone to Kopergaon for the reserve fund, but before it came, Baba wanted more from Nana and Nana felt humiliated.

    The lesson taught by these demands for dakshana was that it was a presumption on the part of anyone to think that he himself was the great Providence supplying Baba or that anyone could supply all that Baba might ask for.

    DAKSHINA:

                    See elsewhere for the meaning of Baba’s demanding Rs.5,11,16, cf 135, 136, 186, 255

    (Chakra Narayan noted that Baba never showed anger or displeasure if any did not pay dakshina, and never gave (or sold) special favour for donors of dakshina. His unbought grace was given free to all. The moneys received by Baba did not stick to his palm, but were quickly passed out. Baba did not lead a luxurious life, but lived on simple begged food, except for the addition of Naivedya presented.)

  • Lobha or Greed

    Baba’s sayings about Greed

    Para Number in the Book & About greed

    1. Baba- ” Never accept gratis the labour (or, of course property) of others. This should be the rule of your life.”

    Baba said this, as he paid Rs.2/- to a man who brought him a ladder to get down from the top of a house.

    1. Baba (to N.G.C.)- “This man has left a box with us and wants it back. It is not proper to refuse. We must give him back what is his. “
    2. Baha (to Jayagvdi Bala Nev. jaskar): “Return the lands to the children (i.e., the lessors).. Why trouble them?”

    This was said to Bala Newaskar who was a lessee of Kshirasagar’s lands, the proceeds of which were given to Bala, but Bala refused to return the lands.

    229. Baba (to Attai): “It is Anna (your father) that eats your property. Let him eat. Do not sue him. God will give you plenty.

    230. Baba (to Jog): “Do not go to the debtor’s village to ask for your money. The debtor himself will come here.

    Jog: Will he himself come? How will he? The time for recovery of the debt is nearly over.

    Baba: Wait.

    Jog waited beyond limitation time and the debtor himself came and paid the debts, viz., Rs.I,400/- the principal without interest (cf 255.)

    Sadu chose the Better Part and not Bade Baba

    231. Sadu Bhayya (Sadashiv Dundiraj) who was at Harda on 15-2-1915 was walking with some friends at 4 pm. Suddenly Baba appeared to be coming from the opposite direction and he passed his hand into Sadu Bhayya’s, and leaving a toothpick in the latter’s hand and disappeared.

    A sceptic Friend: What is that has happened now?

    S.Bhayya: One thing is certain. When we were coming on, I had no toothpick in hand. Now I have got a toothpick here. Baba has given me this.

    Sceptic Friend: Why not write to Shirdi and verify? Sadhu Bhayya wrote ro Shama and on Shama’s invitation went to Shirdi and narrated all facts in Baba’s presence.

    Baba: “Sadu, go and tell this to bade Baba.”

    Sadhu Bhayya went and narrated it before Bade Baba, Dr. Pillai and others. Bade Baba very much excited began to think and came weeping to Baba.

    Bade Baba: “What Baba, you have been giving me large sums of money but money only; but to Sadhu Bhayya you have given Sakshatkar.”

    So saying he wept.

    Baba: “What is to be done? Each gets what he chooses”

    Bade baba who had plenty of money and paid income tax on them, subsequently lost all fortune and died.

    232. N R Sahasrabuddhe found Baba was distributing prasad to devotees. The quantity in baba’s hand being but little, NRS feared that nothing would remain for him.

    Baba (giving him a bit) said, with a smile, “There is nothing for you” and thus rebuked him for his anxiety and attachment to earthly goods. 

  • JEALOUSY

    Baba’s sayings about Jealousy

    Para Number in the Book-BCS, & About jealousy

    Baba to NGC: ‘Among the six Viharas; Jealousy is the easiest to conquer.’

    225. “In this Vihara, there is no question of (actual) gain or loss,  to ourselves.

    Jealousy (Matsara) is the inability to endure another’s profit and prosperity. If another gets fortune or power, we cannot put up with it, we scandalise him. When he meets with loss, we rejoice. But is it good? When that man attains prosperity , what loss have we really suffered? But people do not consider this point of view.

    If he attains good let us rejoice (with him) (or let us consider ourselves also as lucky or benefited); or let us attain or strive to attain equal good. That should be our desire and determination. What has he taken away of ours? Nothing. He received the prosperity that is the result of his Karma.

    How then should we feel aggrieved at it? So, Nana, conquer jealousy first.”

  • PRIDE

    Baba’s sayings about Pride

    Para Number in the Book & About pride

    Baba puts down the Pride of a Haji

    219. A Haji (one who had made a pilgrimage to Mecca) came to Shirdi mosque. Baba: “Do not get into the mosque.” The Haji went back and was for some months, prevented from getting into the mosque. Then when he asked Syama to intercede for him, Baba thus put him to the test and put down his pride.

    Baba, to Syama:” Go to the Chavadi and ask the man, if he will walk straight in the middle of the narrow foot-path amidst babul bushes near Barve well.”

    Syama went and returned with an affirmative answer.

    Again Baba to Syama: Go and ask him if he will pay me Rs.40,000/- in four instalments. Syama went and returned with the answer that he was prepared to pay Rs.40 lakhs.

    Again for the third time Baba: Syama, ask him whether he would like to have mutton or haunch with bone or the testicles of the goat? Syama returned with answer that the Haji would be quite happy to receive a small crumb of bread from Baba’s mudpot (Kolamba). Then Baba straightway advanced to the Chavadi himself and pouring a shower of vile abuse on Haji’s head added

    “What do you think is here (showing his body)? You vainly brag and fancy youself great. Does the Koran teach you to do so? You are conceited about your pilgrimage to Mecca etc. But you do not know me.”

    The Haji was flabbergasted. Baba went back to the mosque, purchased a basket of fruits and sent them to the Haji and later gave him Rs.50/- and allowed him to come thereafter into the mosque whenever he liked.

    220. Baba, to H.V. Sathe: “Why do you go there (to lay the foundation stone)? What have we to do with all this? The masons and other workmen will do it.”

    221. Baba to Das Ganu: “Why do you go, dressed like a bridegroom to perform Kirtan? Doff all that above the waist (including lace Pagadi etc.).” Narada inaugurated the Keertan Paddati. Hence Narada’s dress should be adopted, viz.. bare above the waist, dress below the waist, chipla and Tambur in hand.

    CASTE-PRIDE

    222. Mamlatdar says to a Brahmin Doctor from South Africa.-“Come, we shall go to see Sai Baba.”

    D.: I am a Rama Upasaka and will not bow to any others.

    M: Never mind, come on.   You need not bow.

    The Doctor, at the mosque, while standing at a distance from the Arati proceedings suddenly darted inside and fell at Baba’s feet.

    M.: (later}.: Why did you change your mind and bow?

    D.: Sai Baba showed himself to me as the beautiful dark Rama and so I bowed. This Sai is a Yoga Sampoorna Avatar. (Baba showed himself as Rama to Madrasi Ramdasis, also.)

    The Doctor resolved upon satyagraha, fasted three days and absented himself from the mosque resolving not to go there, until Baba should send for him and give him Brahmananda- God Realisation. But on the fourth day, a long absent chum of his turned up and accompanying him came to the mosque. Then,

    B.: “Did anyone invite you to come here?”

    Doctor was abashed and prayed mentally for experience of Paramananda. He had it that night at Shirdi and at his own town, (cf 112, cf. G.S.Khaparde on Baba’s yogic glance, and Mrs. Manager, also).

    223. When the caste-proud Mule Sastri of Nasik came to Shirdi. Baba-. ” (to someone) Get me some Gerua (a colour) ochre to colour my cloth.”

    Baba did not wear ochre-coloured cloth that day or any other day.

    Later Baba (to Buty).: “Go and get Dakshina for me from the newly arrived Nasik Brahmin.”

    The Nasik Brahmin Mule came and stood at a distance lest, he be polluted by entry into a mosque.

    Mule Sastri suddently saw his guru in the place of Baba and running into the mosque, cried “Jay Guru, Jay Dholap Guru Maharaj” and fell at Baba’s feet.

    Baba- “Give me dakshina.”

    Mule Sastri found that the Gerua robed Brahmin Guru of his, viz., Dholap Guru had suddenly disappeared and Baba was seated in his stead. He gave Baba dakshina.

    pride of physical strength

    224. Bayyaji Appaji Patel boasted of having Bhima’s strength and occasionally lifted Baba up in his arms after massage to place him before the fire. One day he tried to lift Baba, but could not. Baba looked at him and laughed. That laughter was a homily against pride, (cf, Kena Upanishad. –Vayu trying to lift up a straw in vain.)

    Pride of Learning

    Baba put down N.G.C.’s pride of learning in Sanskrit especially about Gita Bashya – See No. 182.

  • ANGER

    Baba’s sayings about Anger

    Para Number in the Book ‘BCS”, About anger

    1. Baba (to Ramadasi)- “You are reading pothi. Adhyatma Ramayana, unceasingly. Yet your heart is not pure. You repeat Sahasranama and yet your troubles are not gone. You call yourself a Ramadasi. If you are one, you must be indifferent to all objects. You ought not to have Mamata, attachment, but must have Samata, viewing everything with equal eye. You behave like a boy and fight for your book. Books can be had by the ton for money but not men, i.e. friendship.”
    2. Baba: If any one is angry with another, he wounds me to the quick. If any one abuses another, I feel the pain. If anyone bravely endures the abuse, I feel highly pleased. (cf. 289.)

    209. Baba to Jog- “Give me dakshina. “

    Jog (flaring up): You know I have not got a single pie. How can I give, Baba’?

    Baba- “Do not give, but why do you lose your temper?”

    210: Baba to R B Purandhare- “If anybody comes and abuses you or punishes you, do not quarrel with him. If you cannot endure it, speak a simple word or two, or else leave the place. But, do not battle with him and give tit for tat. I feel sick and disgusted when you quarrel with others”

    211 Baba to Mrs. MW Pradhan- “If anyone talks ten words at us, let us answer with one word, if we reply at all. Do not battle with anyone”.

    Baba’s Control of Anger

    1. When Baba was in a towering rage, Uddhavesa Bua came, prostrated and asked for leave; Baba, cooling down, spoke tenderly to him.-“Are you going? When will you come? You need not come again and again every fifteen days. I am with you. Well, go.”
    2. When Baba was in towering passion, Samant, Police Sub-Inspector stood at a distance and thought that unless Baba gave him leave immediately, he would, be too late for his train and have to meet official trouble.

    Baba, at once- “Tell all those who want to go, to come at once and take their Udhi.”

    1. When pleader Joshi of Thana and another sent by Kata Dopeshwar arrived at the Shirdi mosque, Baba was in towering rage. Baba saw them. Baba- “Bring those people here.”

    And when they came, he was perfectly cool and asked, “You have killed that old man and come here” (meaning that Kaka Dopeshwar died after telling them to go to Baba). (s.c. 411.)

    Baba’s Anger
    1. Baba- “I get angry with none. Will a mother harm her little ones? Will the ocean send back the water of the streams? I love devotion. I am the bond slave of my devotee, (s.c.15).
    2. Baba- “Nana, I am not angry with you. You, my children, have a right to be angry with me. If Venkusa were here, I could be angry with him. (s.c.179).
    3. Baba to Mrs. Pradhan (who feared that Baba would get angry:) “See, I did not get angry with anyone to-day.”

    218. Baba, when in a towering rage “Let blessings be to all”

    218.A(226)  HATERED. Baba to Das Ganu (who complained that he had not been invited to a feast where Sira (Semolina pudding) was distributed, on account of the host being his enemy)- “Who gives, what to whom? What is this Sira? Who eats it? Do not say anyone that he is your enemy. Who is whose enemy? Do not entertain any ill-feelings towards any one. All are one and the same.”