- 🪄I believe Sai Baba fully, as HE just dashed the satka on the ground, got water, and thrust the prong into the ground to get a live ember.
- 🌌I will always utter Allah Malik (God is the sole owner).
- 🪔I am unperturbed even in scarcity, because Sai Baba can perform the miracle of turning water into oil.
- 🧿I surrender my ego completely and accept Sai Baba’s authority, knowing that He leads me to the highest end: self-realization.
- 🙏I will be meek and humble, as Sai Baba, though a Siddha (one with powers), acts like a Sadhaka (aspirant).
- 🦶I believe that Padukas (footprints) under the Shirdi Temple Neem tree grant blessings and are the feet of the Sai Baba’s Guru.
- ⛱️My resting place is Shirdi; I will go there and offer my worship to Sai.
Category: Miracles
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Self-Affirmation from Chapter V of SSSC for Sai Baba devotees
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Testimonials about Sai Baba, Online
Shirdi Sai Baba, revered as a saint and a manifestation of God by his devotees, performed countless miracles during his lifetime and continues to bless his followers even today.
Here’s a curated collection of testimonials from various publicly available sources, reflecting the deep faith and experiences of devotees:
- Healing and Health Miracles:
- Many testimonials speak of Sai Baba’s intervention in grave health conditions.
- One devotee shared how their mother battled both a brain tumor and cancer; and through continuous prayers to Sai Baba, she survived and recovered, defying medical odds.
- Another account describes a child who fell seriously ill and was in great distress,; but after fervent prayers and repeating Sai Baba’s name, the child miraculously recovered and started speaking normally.
- A devotee suffering from a painful cyst behind their knee, which made daily puja difficult, found complete relief by applying Sai Baba’s Udi (sacred ash), enabling them to perform their spiritual practices without pain.
- A particularly striking testimonial recounts a person who was stabbed multiple times, with the knife blade even entering their heart. They screamed “Baba help me” and lost consciousness. Despite two cardiac arrests and doctors believing survival was impossible, they miraculously recovered, with the medical team attributing it solely to a miracle.
- Guidance and Problem Solving:
- Finding Lost Items: There are numerous stories of lost possessions being recovered through Sai Baba’s grace.
- One devotee’s restless child misplaced a phone, and after a fervent prayer to Sai Baba, the phone was miraculously found ringing within the child’s bag.
- Another account details a lost purse on a bus, which was later retrieved with all important documents, highlighting Baba’s help in seemingly small matters.
- Career and Financial Blessings: Devotees have shared experiences of securing jobs against all odds, even without applying, after praying to Sai Baba.
- One person, after facing significant financial losses and personal challenges, found their life gradually returning to normalcy with Baba’s blessings.
- Overcoming Obstacles in Life: Testimonials often highlight how Sai Baba helps devotees navigate difficult situations, from resolving workplace tensions to facilitating smooth transitions in life.
- Divine Intervention and Presence:
- Being “Called” to Shirdi: Some devotees describe a profound, unplanned urge to visit Shirdi, which inexplicably materializes into a trip, signifying Sai Baba’s direct invitation and presence in their lives.
- Dreams and Visions: Sai Baba often appears in dreams, offering guidance, blessings, or even materializing Udi (sacred ash) when a devotee is in need, as shared by those who received Udi in dreams during illness.
- Answers to Prayers (Big and Small): Devotees recount how Sai Baba answers both profound and seemingly trivial prayers, demonstrating his constant attentiveness to their needs. This includes a father’s blood pressure normalizing during a health scare after chanting “Om Sai Rakshak Sharanam.”
- Transformation and Spiritual Growth:
- Instilling Faith and Patience: Many testimonials emphasize Sai Baba’s teachings of “Shraddha” (faith) and “Saburi” (patience) as cornerstones for experiencing his grace. Devotees often express how their unwavering faith in Baba helped them overcome immense suffering and transform their lives.
- Experiencing Inner Peace: Beyond material benefits, many devotees share how connecting with Sai Baba brings a profound sense of inner peace, contentment, and spiritual fulfillment, even amidst life’s challenges
- These testimonials, sourced from Online devotional blogs like Rgyan and Shirdi Sai Baba Experiences, temple websites such as Shirdi Sai Baba Kripa and Shirdi Sai Baba Devotees, and open forums like Sai Vichaar and Quora, [Thanks to each Websites /Blogs] through AI,
- collectively paint a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba as a compassionate and powerful divine presence who continues to touch the lives of his devotees in miraculous ways.
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Why Shirdi Sai Baba is a Universal Spiritual Guide
A captivating exploration of the profound themes and vital truths surrounding Shirdi Sai Baba reveals a figure of immense spiritual significance.
I. The Nature and Identity of Sai Baba
Sai Baba is a divine, omniscient, and omnipresent, being whose true nature transcends conventional human and religious classifications.
- Ambiguity of Origin and Faith:
- Baba’s identity as Hindu or Muslim is deliberately obscured, highlighting his universality.
- He celebrated both Hindu festivals (Rama-Navami, Gokul Ashtami) and allowed Muslim practices (Sandal procession, Namaj in Masjid).
- His physical attributes (pierced ears like a Hindu, advocacy of circumcision, but not circumcised himself) further blurred the lines.
- No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or a Mahomedan.
- Divine Incarnation and Sadguru:
- Baba is depicted as a “Wonderful Incarnation,” a “precious Jewel,” and a “precious Diamond.”
- He is the “crest-jewel of the Saints, who is the home of all auspicious things, who is our Atmaram (Dear Self), and who is the able refuge of the devotees.”
- He is explicitly referred to as a “Sadguru,” a true spiritual master.
- “Lord (God) dwells in the Saints.
- In fact they are not different from Him.
- Our Sai is One of these,
- Who incarnated for the welfare of the devotees,
- Supreme in knowledge and surrounded with divine lustre.”
- Omniscience and Omnipresence: Baba has absolute knowledge of the past, present, and future.
- He knew Mr.Damu Anna’s secret thoughts about cotton speculation and his desire to offer Baba a share of profits.
- He knew Mr. Cholkar’s secret vow regarding sugar and his decision to forego sugar. Baba remarked, “Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the saven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you.”
- He knew Mr.Hari Kanoba’s name, parentage, and other details about him, even though it was Hari’s first visit to Shirdi.
- He read Somadeva Swami’s critical thoughts about the flags at the Mosque, directly addressing them.
- He knew about one pleader’s slander behind His back at Bar Council, demonstrating “His omniscience and His using it for correcting people and setting them on the right path.”
- He correctly predicted and averted the death of Ramachandra Patil and foresaw Tatya Patil’s passing.
- He is described as “omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited.”
- Detachment and Humility: Despite his divine powers, Baba lived a life of extreme simplicity and humility. He lived on alms, possessing nothing, and residing in a deserted Masjid. He begged for food daily, mixing all offerings together, and “His tongue knew no taste.” Dogs, cats, and crows freely ate from his earthen pot, and “Baba never drove them away.”
II. The Role and Importance of the Sadguru
The Sadguru (Guru, who realized Self) as the sole means to spiritual liberation and worldly well-being.
- Bridge to Salvation:
- The Sadguru is essential for crossing the “worldly ocean.”
- “Where Real or Sadguru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean.”
- The Vedas alone cannot achieve this; “It is only the Sad-guru, who can do so and make you, see the Lord in all creatures.”
- Destroys Egoism and Sins:
- The touch of the Guru’s hand is described as having “wonderful… power.”
- It can destroy the “subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires)” and cleanse “sins of many past births.”
- M. Hemadpant said, when starting writing Shri Sai SatCharitra, “Sai Baba took away my egoism and wrote Himself His stories.”
- Catalyst for Transformation:
- Baba’s darshan (sight) leads to profound inner change:
- “by His darshana our thoughts are changed,
- the force of previous actions is abated and
- gradually non-attachment of dispassion towards worldly objects grows up.”
- He transforms his devotees into “Himself (His nature).”
- Baba’s darshan (sight) leads to profound inner change:
- Teacher and Guide:
- The Sadguru Sai teaches based on the disciple’s qualifications, without unsettling their minds.
- He dispels ignorance (“Destroying ignorance is Jnana”) and
- He helps the disciple realize their true Self (“You are God, you are mighty and opulent.”).
- Unconditional Love and Service:
- A true Sadguru expects no service or profit,
- but instead wishes to serve his disciples, treating them as equals or even as Brahma.
- “Baba had great love for the disciples.”
- He “loved all beings equally.
- He was unattached. Foes and friends, kings and paupers, were the same to Him.”
III. Key Teachings and Practices Advocated by Sai Baba
Baba’s teachings, though sometimes indirect, emphasized faith, surrender, moral conduct, and devotion.
- Faith (Nishtha) and Patience (Saburi): These were presented as two coins of devotion by Baba to His Guru.
- Baba said: “This is one pice -Faith. Patience or perseverance is the other pice. I waited patiently and very long on My Guru and served him. This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence.” (pice=1/100 INR)
- Complete Surrender: “If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him,
- then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily and unsolicitedly attained.”
- “The best way, therefore, to get free from the shackles of Maya is our complete and whole-hearted surrender to Baba.”
- Charity and Non-Attachment to Wealth: Baba frequently extracted “Dakshina” (offerings),
- not for personal gain, but “to teach the devotees the lesson of charity and to remove their attachment to money and thus to purify their minds.”
- He asserted that “He had to give back hundred times more of what He received.”
- He discouraged debt for spiritual purposes: “Baba never liked people to run into debt for taking His darshan, or celebrating any holiday or making any pilgrimage.”
- He considered “money as a danger or bar to spiritual progress.”
- Ethical Conduct and Self-Correction:
- He advised against discourteously turning away those who come to you, emphasizing:
- “Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give
- water to the thirsty,
- bread to the hungry,
- clothes to the naked, and
- your verandah of your Home to strangers for sitting and resting.”
- Baba condemned slander:
- “Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you,
- do not resent by giving any bitter reply.
- If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy.”
- He used the example of a pig eating filth to correct a slanderer, stating, “Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart’s content.”
- Baba taught the importance of offering everything to the Guru before enjoyment:
- “before the senses, mind and intellect enjoy their objects, Sai should first be remembered, and if this be done, it is in a way an offering to Him...
- all the Vrittis (thoughts) regarding Desire, Anger, Avarice etc. should first be offered and directed to the Guru.”
- He guided devotees to remain calm and composed, engage in good actions, and perform duties without attachment.
- Remembrance of God/Guru (Dhyana/Bhajan): Baba advised various forms of devotion, including
- “remembering My name,”
- “hearing His Leelas,”
- “worship of His Feet,” and
- studying sacred scriptures like Shri Sai SatCharitra, Bhagwat, Jnaneshwari, and Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam.
- He stated, “If you always say ‘Sai, Sai’ I shall take you over the seven seas.”
IV. The Human and the Divine
- Interaction with Devotees:
- Baba allowed devotees to serve him in their own way,
- demonstrating his “dependency on Bhaktas” (in the sense that he allowed their devotion to manifest).
- He engaged in normal conversation, jokes, and sometimes strong reprimands, always with a deeper purpose.
- The Guru-Disciple Relationship: The relationship is central. Disciples are encouraged to fully surrender and trust the Guru. The Guru sees beyond superficiality and acts for the disciple’s ultimate good.
- Transcending Form:
- While he had a physical form, Baba’s true nature was “unattached and indifferent” and “the state of Brahman.”
- He demonstrated “Khandayoga, i.e., separating His limbs and joining them again,”
- His visible form was merely a “mould” for the “liquid essence of Pure Self.”
V. Miraculous Powers (Leelas) and Their Purpose
Baba’s “Leelas” (divine plays or miracles) are frequently cited, serving not as ends in themselves, but as tools to deepen devotees’ faith, teach spiritual lessons, and alleviate suffering.
- Manifestation of Divine Power:Grinding Wheat: Initially misunderstood as mundane, Baba’s grinding of wheat was a symbolic act to “destroy the cholera epidemic in Shirdi” with the flour.
- Turning Water into Oil: This demonstrated his control over natural elements(fire) and taught the Banias (Oil Traders) a lesson in /
- ‘truthfulness.
- Curing Diseases: He cured various ailments, including eye problems with Beeba (marking nuts-Carpus Ana Cardium) and diarrhea with groundnuts, emphasizing that “The true medicine… was Baba’s word.”
- Saving from Calamities: He averted the snake bite for Shama and predicted/averted the death of Ramachandra Patil. He also saved Mr. Mirikar from a potential snake bite.
- Fulfilling Desires (within divine plan):
- The “Amra-Leela” story illustrates his power. Four mangoes, given by Sai resulted in four sons and four daughters for Damu Anna. This happened despite astrological predictions.
- He facilitated the return of a stolen jewel-box and a stolen sum of money.
- Disguised Blessings and Tests:Baba’s “rage” and “abuses” were often a “blessing in disguise,” as seen with Somadeva Swami, or a direct command to the poison in Shama’s case.
- Drawing Devotees and Confirming Faith:
- The numerous anecdotes of individuals being drawn to Shirdi, despite their initial reluctance (Hemadpant’s own journey, Kakaji Vaidya being directed by Goddess Sapta-Shringi, the “idolater” friend of Kaka Mahajani) highlight Baba’s magnetic spiritual pull.
- His precise knowledge of hidden thoughts or distant events served to “create faith and devotion” in his devotees.
- Guaranteeing the Welfare of His devotees:
- “There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding Food and clothes in My devotee’s home.”
- In a nutshell
- Baba’s teachings
- emphasize love, compassion, and faith,
- uniting all religions and
- inspiring devotion beyond boundaries.
- His miraculous acts instill hope, and
- His wisdom fosters inner peace.
- Baba’s teachings
- Ambiguity of Origin and Faith:
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Baba’s Compassion and Love
Shirdi, Shri Sai Baba’s life is a testament to His boundless compassion, profound gentleness, and unwavering selflessness. He consistently demonstrated these qualities through His actions, teachings, and interactions with His devotees. Here are instances:
Baba’s Compassion:
- Protection from Epidemics: Baba displayed compassionate foresight by grinding wheat and having the flour thrown on the Shirdi village borders to curb a cholera epidemic.
- Villagers understood that He was not only grinding wheat.
- He was also grinding the cholera itself to pieces. This act pushed cholera, out of the village. This led to the epidemic’s subsidence.
- Encouragement of Hemadpant: When Hemadpant expressed self-doubt about writing Baba’s biography,
- Baba gently encouraged him. He blessed him with Udi (sacred ashes) and placed His boon-bestowing hand on his head.
- Baba assured,
- “I will help him.
- He is only an outward instrument.
- I should write Myself My autobiography and
- satisfy the wishes of My devotees”.
- This shows His desire for devotees’ spiritual growth and His loving support.
- Motherly Love for Disciples: Baba exhibited a unparalleled motherly love towards His disciples. He was always attending to their needs. Sadgurus like Baba have this peculiar and extraordinary love for their disciples.
- All-Embracing Love and Tolerance:
- Baba’s all-embracing love was evident in His defense of the Rohilla, who disturbed villagers with loud prayers.
- Baba took the villagers to task, explaining that the Rohilla’s prayers kept away “Durbuddhi” (bad thoughts),
- thus protecting even those perceived as troublesome.
- All-Embracing Love and Tolerance:
- Omnipresence and Constant Protection: Baba’s statement: “I am the Inner Ruler of all and seated in their hearts. I envelope all the creatures, the movable and immovable world.“
- Curing Ailments through Grace: Baba cured numerous diseases without using conventional medicine. He did so through His Grace, Words, or Udi. This demonstrated His compassion for the suffering. Examples include:
- Bhimaji Patil’s severe tuberculosis, cured by Baba’s words of hope and mercy, through two dreams.
- Bala Ganapat Shimpi’s malaria, cured by instructing him to feed a black dog, with rice mixed with curds.
- Bapusaheb Booty’s dysentery and vomiting, instantly cured by Baba’s command, “Now take care, you should not purge any more” and “The vomiting must also stop”. He also cured in another time, Booty’s cholera with a seemingly fatal remedy, effective due to Baba’s word.
- A Swami from Alandi’s ear pain, relieved by Baba saying, “Alla Accha Karega (God will do good)”.
- Madhavrao Deshpande’s piles and Gangadharpant’s stomach-pain, cured by simple words and touch, and Nanasaheb Chandorkar’s stomach-pain with a sweetmeat.
- A doctor’s nephew of tubercular bone-abscess, cured with Udi and Baba’s “loving glances”.
- Dr. Pillay’s excruciating guinea-worm pain, relieved by Baba’s command to be ‘fearless’ and allowing an accidental step on the wound, to expel the worms.
- Shama’s sister-in-law’s bubonic plague, cured overnight by sending Udi and giving instructions.
- A Harda gentleman’s bladder stone, dissolved with Udi mixed with water.
- A Bombay lady’s painless delivery, despite a stillborn issue, by her praying to Baba and consuming Udi-mixture.
- Acceptance of Sincere Offerings: Baba lovingly accepted offerings made with devotion, such as
- Mr. Cholkar’s small offering of sugar-candy, knowing his secret vow to save money for his trip by abstaining from sugar.
- He knew devotees’ sincere intentions,
- even reminding them if they
- forgot to offer something,
- demonstrating His acceptance of their inner devotion over the material value.
- Teaching Non-duality through Action: Baba profoundly taught the principle of “See God in all beings”
- when He told Mrs. Tarkhad, “Mother, you have fed Me sumptuously… The dog which you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread is, one with Me, so also other creatures… I am roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved.“. This practical demonstration encouraged compassion for all life.
- Drawing Devotees and Fulfilling Desires: Baba had an incredible ability to draw devotees to Shirdi, “like a sparrow, with a thread tied to its feet.” He was omniscient and knew their innermost thoughts and desires. Often, His compassion led Him to fulfill them. Examples include:
- Knowing Lakhamichand’s taking a loan for his darshan and forgetting to buy guavas, but arranging for an old woman to sell him the fruits.
- Knowing Damu Anna’s secret thoughts about speculative business and gently dissuading him, saving him from financial ruin. He blessed Damu Anna’s wife with four sons and four daughters, by gave her four mangoes as Prasad. This act overrode astrological predictions.
- Fulfilling Mrs. Tendulkar’s dream of her son passing his medical examination despite unfavorable astrological predictions, emphasizing faith. He also blessed Mr. Tendulkar with a higher pension after a dream.
- Ensuring painless death and salvation (Sadgati) for devotees like Sannyasi Vijayanand, Balaram Mankar, and Tatya Noolkar; Even showering flowers on Megha’s body and arranging his funeral rites after his passing shows, deep affection.
- Compassion for Animals: Baba displayed immense compassion for animals.
- Notably, he bought two goats for an exorbitant sum. He explained their past lives and their enmity in their previous human forms. Out of pity, he fed them.
- He also taught not to kill creatures, stating “God lives in all beings and creatures”.
- Personal Sacrifice for Devotees:
- A supreme act of compassion was when Baba
- sacrificed His own life to save Tatya Kote Patil’s life, fulfilling an earlier prophecy that Tatya would pass away, but Baba took his place.
Shirdi’s Shri Sai Baba exemplified unparalleled compassion and selflessness through numerous acts. He protected villagers from epidemics, encouraged disciples, healed ailments without medicine, and accepted sincere offerings. Baba’s teachings emphasized seeing God in all beings, fulfilling devotees’ desires, and displaying profound love for both people and animals, often embodying true sacrificial spirit.
- Protection from Epidemics: Baba displayed compassionate foresight by grinding wheat and having the flour thrown on the Shirdi village borders to curb a cholera epidemic.
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Love as Forgiveness
Baba’s Forgiveness:
- Transforming Initial Displeasure into Blessings: Baba’s “anger” was often a tool for spiritual correction rather than true wrath.
- Initially enraged at the women who forcibly took the hand-mill to grind wheat, He quickly became pleased by their love and devotion.
- He allowed Dr. Pandit to apply sandal paste to His forehead, a personal practice usually restricted to Mhalsapati. Baba explained it was because Dr. Pandit saw Him as his own Guru, showing acceptance of sincere devotion despite unconventional acts.
- He sometimes appeared as “wrath Incarnate.” However, internally, He was “a stream of affection and motherly love.” Baba stated, “He is ever angry with His devotees.”
- Baba used seemingly harsh words with Haji Sidik Falke. Initially, he prevented him from entering the Masjid and demanded a large sum. This ultimately led Haji to humility and acceptance. After this, Baba treated him with respect and gave him mangoes and money. This showed Baba clearing Haji’s spiritual block related to pride.
- He confronted a Pandharpur pleader for slandering Him and others behind their backs. Baba directly addressed the pleader’s inner thoughts. “Baba’s remark was aimed at me. It was a hint to me. I should not indulge in reviling or scandalizing others”. This led to the pleader’s sincere reform. It resulted in the riddance of this “evil tendency”.
- He initially gave Mr. Sapatnekar a harsh “Get out” upon his visit, likely due to Sapatnekar’s prior derision of Baba. Sapatnekar showed genuine penitence and perseverance. Baba then blessed him with a son. He said, “These feet are old and holy, you are care-free now; place entire faith in Me and you will soon get your object”.
- He similarly dealt with Somadeva Swami, who initially judged Baba by outward appearances (like flags on Baba’s mosque). Baba’s “wild” response exposed the Swami’s inner thoughts, which led to the Swami realizing Baba’s omniscience and transforming into a staunch devotee. The Swami realized “Baba’s wrath was a blessing in disguise”.
- Baba gently corrected Nanasaheb Chandorkar’s wandering mind. When he was smitten by a lady’s beauty, Baba advised him to let the senses do their work. He cautioned not to meddle with them. Baba also said, “When the heart is pure, there is no difficulty”.
- When devotees tried to interfere with Mavsibai’s intense abdominal massage of Baba, as they feared she would hurt Him; Baba became enraged. He took hold one end of his Satka with both hands and pressed it in the hollow of His abdomen and other end on fixed on a Post ie. His body could withstand anything. This demonstrated that He permitted devotees to serve Him as they chose, and His “rage soon cooled down”, showing His understanding and forgiveness of well-intentioned but misguided interventions.
- Transforming Initial Displeasure into Blessings: Baba’s “anger” was often a tool for spiritual correction rather than true wrath.
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People benefited immensely by having Baba’s Darshan.
- Some became vibrantly hale and hearty;
- wicked souls were transformed into paragons of virtue.
- Leprosy was miraculously cured in certain instances,
- countless hearts had their deepest desires fulfilled,
- without any medicine being into their eyes, some blind men get back their sight, and
- the lame were blessed with limbs.
- No one can fathom the boundless depth of His extraordinary greatness.
SSSC Ch-7
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During 72 generations that you were with me.
A woman from Sholapur tried for 27 years to have a child, making prayers to various gods in vain. In her final effort, she and her stepson went to Shirdi and stayed for two months, serving Baba.
Whenever she visited the Masjid, it was crowded, and Baba was always surrounded by people. She wanted to express her feelings, but couldn’t find the right moment to pray to Him for a child. In the end, she asked Shama to speak to Baba for her when He was alone.
Shama told her Baba’s Darbar was open, still he would try for her, hoping the Lord would bless her. ‘She should be ready with a coconut and joss sticks when Baba had His meals. She should also come to Him, when he called’.
One day, after dinner, Shama was wiping Baba’s wet hands with cloth, when Baba playfully pinched his cheek. Pretending to be upset, Shama said, “Deva, is it right to pinch me? We don’t want a mischievous God. Are we Your dependents; is this fruit of intimacy?”
Baba replied, “Oh Shama, during 72 generations that you were with me, I never pinched you until now. Now you resent my touch.”
Shama: “We want a God who always love us and give food; we don’t want reward or heaven. Let our faith unto your feet be awake.” Baba: “Yes, I have come for that. I care for you and love you.”
Then Baba sat down, and Shama signaled to a lady who offered a coconut and joss sticks. Baba shook the dry coconut, and the kernel made noise. He said, “Shama, look how it’s rolling, what does it mean?” Shama replied, “The woman hopes to have a child that rolls and grows in her womb. Please bless her.”
Baba questioned, “Will the coconut give her a child? People are foolish to believe such things!” Shama insisted, “Your blessing will bring her children. You are just wrangling and not giving a real blessing.” They continued to discuss.
Baba wanted to break the coconut, but Shama suggested gifting it to the lady instead. Then Baba agreed, saying, “She will have a child in 12 months.” The coconut was split in two. One half was eaten by Baba and Shama. The other half was given to the lady.
Shama alias Madhav looked at the woman and said, “You will be my witness. If you don’t have a child in a year, I will break a coconut on Deva’s head. If I fail, I won’t call myself Madhav anymore.”
A year later, she had a son, taken to Baba at five months. The grateful father, Mr. Aurangabadkar, donated Rs.500, which was spent to build a shed for Baba’s home, “Shyamakarna.”
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Baba is a Liturgiology Scientist
Liturgiology is study the rituals and practices of religious worship, including understanding the structure, significance, and evolution of the ceremonies.
Baba is good at Liturgiology. One of the Example, on evaluation in the rituals and practices is given below:-
Early one morning, when Megha (Devotee) was still lying down on his bed, with eyes closed but internally awake, he saw clearly Baba’s Form.
- Baba knowing him to be awake threw Akshata (rice-grains marked red with Kumkum) and
- He said, “Megha, draw a Trident” and disappeared.
- Hearing Baba’s words, he eagerly opened his eyes, saw no Baba there, but saw only rice grains spread here and there.
He then went to Baba, told Him about the vision and asked permission to draw Trident.
- Baba said – “Did you not hear My words asking you to draw Trident? It was no vision, but direct order; My words are always pregnant with meaning and never hollow.”
- Megha said – “I thought you woke me up, but all the doors were closed, so I was doubtful and thought it was a vision”.
- Baba rejoined – “I require no door to enter. I have no form; I always live everywhere. As a wire-puller, I carry on all the actions of the man, who trusts Me and merges in Me.”
Megha returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near Baba’s picture. Next day a Ramadasi Bhakta came from Poona, saluted Baba and offered Him Pindi (an image of Shiva). At this time Megha also turned up there.
- Baba said to him – “See, Shankar has come, protect (i.e., worship) Him now.”
- Megha was pleasantly surprised to see Pindi, following Trident.
Also in the Wada, Kakasaheb Dixit (another devotee) was standing with a towel on his head after having taken his bath, and was remembering Sai, when he saw a Pindi in his mental vision. While he was wondering about this, Megha came and showed him the Pindi, presented to him by Baba. Dixit was happy to know that the Pindi exactly tallied with the One, he saw a few minutes before in his vision.
In a few days after the drawing of the Trident was completed, Baba installed the Pindi near the big picture, which Megha was worshipping. The worship of Shiva was dear to Megha and by arranging the drawing of the Trident and the installation of the Pindi, Baba confirmed his faith therein.
In SSSC Ch-28
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Baba is a Master of “Catechectics”
Catechectics is an Art of teaching by Question and answer (as a Part of ‘How emotional investments shape our behaviors and thoughts’). Baba is in very advanced stage in this science. This is an example:-
It was in the year 1916, a Chennai Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramadasi Panth) started on a Pilgrimage to the holy city of Kasi/Banaras. The Party consisted of a man, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law; and they had come to Shirdi to get Gift of money from Baba. There the husband got a wonderful vision in his dream one night as follows :-
He was in a big city, the police there had arrested him, tied his hands with a rope, and put him up in lock-up. As the police were tightening the grip, he saw Sai Baba standing quiet outside, near the cage. On seeing Baba so near, he said in a plaintive tone – “Hearing Your fame, I came to Your Feet, and why should a calamity befall me, when You are standing here in person?”
- Baba said – “You must suffer the consequences of your action”
- He said – “I have not done anything in this life, which would bring such a misfortune on me.”
- Baba said – “If not in this life, you must have committed some sin in your past life.”
- He replied, “I do not know anything of my past life, but assuming that I did commit some sin; then why should it not be burnt and destroyed in Your presence, as dry grass before fire? “.
- Baba – “Have you got such faith?”
- He – “Yes.”
- Baba then asked him to close his eyes.
- No sooner did he shut them, than he heard a thumping sound of something falling down, opening his eyes,
- he saw that he was free and the police had fallen down, bleeding.
- Being much frightened, he began to look at Baba who said – “Now you are well caught, officers will now come and arrest you.”
- Then he begged – “There is no other saviour except You, save me anyhow.”
- Then Baba again asked him to close his eyes. He did so and when he opened them,
- he saw that he was free, out of the cage and
- that Baba was by his side.
- He then fell at Baba’s Feet.
- Baba then asked him –
- “Is there any difference between this namaskar (Hello) and your previous ones? Think well and reply.”
- He said “There is a lot of difference; my former namaskaras were offered with the object of getting money from You, but the present namaskar is one offered to You as God”
- Then a desire arose in his mind, to get the darshan of his Guru Ramdas;
- when Baba asked him to turn back and see. And when he turned,
- lo, Ramadas was in front of him.
- No sooner did, he begin to fall at His Feet, Ramadas vanished.
- Then he inquisitively asked Baba,”You look old. Do You know Your age?”. Baba – “What! Do you say I am old! just run a race with Me and see.” Saying this, Baba began to run and he too followed. Baba disappeared in the dust raised by His foot-steps while running, and the man was awakened.
- After awakening, he began to think seriously about the dream-vision. His mental attitude was completely changed and he realised the greatness of Baba. After this, his grabbing and doubting tendencies disappeared and true devotion to Baba’s Feet sprang in his mind.
- The vision was a mere dream, but the questions and answers therein were most significant and interesting.
- Next morning, when all the persons assembled in the Masjid for the Arati, Baba gave him as prasad two rupees’ worth sweetmeats and also two rupees from His pocket and blessed him.
- Baba made him stay there for a few more days and gave him His blessing, saying, “Allah (God) will give you plenty and He will do you all good”. He did not get more money there, but he got far better things viz. Baba’s blessing, which stood him in good stead all along.
- The party got plenty of money afterwards; and their pilgrimage was successful: as they had not to suffer any trouble or inconvenience during their journey.
- They all returned home safe and sound, thinking of Baba’s words and blessings and the Anand(Bliss) they experienced by His grace.
In SSSC Ch-29
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Baba is a Carpology Scientist
Carpology is a branch of botany. It focuses on the study of seeds and fruits, particularly their structure and morphology. It helps in understanding the evolution of plant species and reconstructing
Here is the proof of the Baba’s knowledge in this Science
Kaka was the Manager in the firm of Thakkar Dharmasey Jethabhai, a solicitor of Bombay. Out of curiosity and just to test Baba, Mr. Thakkar once decided to go to Shirdi with Kaka during Shimga holidays.
Kaka bought two seers of raisins (dried grapes with seed) on the way for presentation to Baba. Then Kaka prostrated himself before Baba and offered the raisins to Him. Baba ordered them to be distributed.
Mr. Thakkar got a few of them. He did not like the raisins and he was advised by his doctor not to eat them without washing and cleaning them. So he was in a fix. He did not like to eat them, nor could he reject them.
To keep up formalities, he put them into his mouth, but did not know what to do with the seeds. He could not spit them out on the floor of the Masjid, so he pocketed them against his wish.
He then thought about Baba being a Saint. He questioned how Baba could be ignorant of his dislike for the raisins. Could Baba force them on him?
When this thought arose in his mind Baba again gave him some more raisins. He could not eat them, but held them in his hand. Then Baba asked him to eat them up.
He obeyed and found, to his surprise, that they were all seedless. He wanted to see miracles and here was one. He knew that Baba read his thought; and as per his wish converted raisins (with seeds) into seedless grapes. What a wonderful power!
Again to test further he asked Tarkhad, who was sitting by and who also got some raisins, “What kind of grapes you got?” He replied “They variety with seeds.” Mr. Thakkar was still more surprised to hear this.
Then to confirm his growing faith Thakkar thought in his mind that if Baba was a real Saint, the raisins should be now given to Kaka first.
Reading this thought also, Baba ordered that distribution should be commenced from Kaka. These proofs were sufficient for Thakkar.
"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 