shridi saibaba life history continues

Accepting dakshina by Baba commenced in the year 1907, with few pice (coppers). In the years 1912 - 1916, Baba used to get Rs.500 per day as dakshina. But Baba used to distribute this amount by evening to the needy and those who were dependent on him. Sathe established a society, "Dakshina Biksha Sanstha", in 1915, for the propagation of Sai leelas and miracles. This Sanstha gathered several matters relating to Baba and published them.
Baba’s Pilgrimage to Gaya
Kaka Saheb decided to perform the thread ceremony of his son at Nagpur. At the same time Nana Chandorkar’s eldest son’s marriage was fixed to be celebrated at Gwalior. Both came to Shirdi and invited Baba to attend the functions. Baba asked them to take Shama as his representative. But they insisted that Baba should come personally. He asked them to take Shama along with them and he would reach Gaya, before Shama finished his pilgrimage of Kashi and Prayag and reached Gaya.
Shama went to Nagpur as Baba’s representative for the thread ceremony of Kaka Saheb’s son. From there he went to Gwalior for the marriage of Nana Chandorkar’s eldest son. Afterwards he went on pilgrimage to Kashi and Ayodhya and from there reached Gaya in the third month. Having come to know that there was plague in Gaya, he feared. He stayed with a panda at Gaya. On seeing a big photo of Sai Baba in the panda’s house, he was surprised. He remembered Baba’s words that he would reach Gaya even before he reached the place and he shed tears out of joy on seeing Baba’s photo there. The panda told him that when he had gone to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan 12 years’ back a Sai devotee named Shama had given him the photo of Sai Baba. Shama recollected this and told the panda that he was the same Shama who had given him the photo. The panda was very much pleased to have him as his guest.
Sapatnekar and His Wife
Sapatnekar was a resident of Akalkot. When he was studying law, a co-student of his by name Shevade used to get low marks. Shevade told him that though he got low marks then, now he would get good marks and pass in the final examination with the blessings of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. On hearing this, Sapatnekar made fun of Shevade as well as Sai Baba.
After 15 years, Sapatnekar’s only son died. He became disheartened and visited several holy places but could not get peace of mind. He finally came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. Baba did not allow him inside the mosque. He tried twice or thrice but every time Baba asked him to get out. He became helpless and went back home.
After some time, Baba appeared in the dream of Sapatnekar’s wife . In the dream Sapatnekar’s wife was going with a pot on her head to fetch water. A fakir met her on the way and told her that he would fill the pot with water. Considering this as a good omen, Sapatnekar and his wife went to Shirdi immediately.
After seeing Baba she told her husband that was the same fakir who had appeared in her dream. Because of her good behaviour and devotion, Baba called her and told her following in his usual style: "My stomach, waist, hands and legs are paining since several days. In spite of using several medicines, there is no relief. After coming here the pains have subsided." Even though Baba did not reveal the name, the story was about her she realised. Thinking this was the approporiate time,Sapatnekar worshipped Baba’s feet with folded hands. This time also Baba asked him to go out. Sapatnekar realised that this was the result of his insulting his friend Shevade and Baba. With repentance in him, he again fell at Baba’s feet. This time Baba blessed him with his hand put on his head and stroked it.
While Sapatnekar was pressing Baba’s feet, Baba narrated a story about a person and his sufferings - it was Sapatnekar’s story. Baba told the devotees who were by his side: "This man is blaming me for his son’s death. Will I kill other’s children? He is sitting on the lap of this mosque mother and weeping. I will put the boy who died, again in his wife’s womb." The he told Sapatnekar, "These feet of mine are very holy. They are also old. Your difficulties are over. You be calm and without any worry." Next day Baba took two rupees as dakshina from Sapatnekar. He gave a coconut to him and asked him to put it in the lap of his wife. He told him to be fearless and go back home. After a year , they were blessed with a son.
Somadeva Swamy
Somadeva Swamy from Haridwar was coming to Shirdi in the year 1912. From a distance he saw the flags on the mosque. A yogi (saint) who shows interest in the flags is interested only in name and fame and there is no need to visit such a yogi, so thought Somadeva Swamy and wanted to turn back without meeting Baba. But his co-passengers in the tonga persuaded him to visit Baba, having come all the way. They also told him that actually Baba was not interested in the exhibition of flags etc. Somadeva Swamy changed his mind and went for a darshan of Baba. As soon as he had darshan from a distance, all his prejudices vanished, his heart melt and eyes filled with tears of joy. His throat dried up. He was eager to dedicate his life to the service of Sai Baba. When Somadeva Swamy went into the mosque and tried to touch Baba’s feet, Baba said to him, "Let our pomp and show be with us. You go home. Do not come to the mosque. Why should you have the darshan of a yogi who is fond of flying flags on the mosque ? Don’t stay even for a minute." Somadeva Swamy understood that Baba was reflecting the thoughts he had at the beginning. He took the words of Baba as his blessings. Afterwards, he became a great Sai devotee.
Message for the Construction of Samadhi Mandir
Sreeman Baba Saheb Butty, a millionaire from Nagpur, was living in Shirdi along with his family in August 1913. He wanted to build a ‘Wada’ like Sathe and Dixit Wadas. Baba never talked about things he intended to do. But when the time and opportunity came he used to get things done tactfully.
One night when Butty and Shama were sleeping in Dixit Wada, Baba told them in their dream, to build a Wada for Sri Krishna temple. Shama unable to control his joy, wept. Butty, being a wealthy and competent person and above all this a faithful devotee of Baba, commenced the arrangements for building the temple. A plan was prepared by Shama with a big hall in the centre and rooms on all sides, with Lord Krishna’s idol to be placed in the hall. This model plan was shown to Baba and his approval obtained. Arrangements were made for the commencement of the temple construction, starting with the foundation ceremony.
Tendulkar’s Family
The Tendulkars lived in Bandra and all the members of the family were Sai devotees. Tendulkar’s son was studying hard to appear for medicine. But he was unable to concentrate on his studies and was fearing that he might not be able to get through in the examinations. The astrologers who examined his horoscope expressed their opinion that the planets were in adverse position in that year and it would be very difficult to pass the examinations. In such circumstances, Savithri Bai, wife of Tendulkar went to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. She raised her son’s topic with Baba. He told her, "Ask him to keep faith in me and study carefully and not to get disheartened. Let me put aside the horoscopes and palmistry and keeping faith in me write the examinations. He will definitely pass the examinations." Tendulakar’s son kept complete faith in mother-like Baba and got through in the examinations. Baba’s words proved correct while astrology failed. From this we learn that Baba’s words are above all shastras. Any word coming from his mouth will happen without fail. There is no question of Baba’s words failing.
The above-mentioned boy’s father was Raghunath Rao Tendulkar. He was working in Bombay for a foreign company. Due to old age, he could not discharge his duties properly and thought of resigning. He was getting a salary of Rs.150 p.m. So, he would get a pension of Rs.75 p.m. He was fearing that with his meagre pension he would not be able to maintain his family. Baba appeared in Savitri Bai’s dream, asked whether a pension of Rs.100 would be sufficient. The management of the company decided to give him a pension of Rs.110 p.m. This happened because of Sai’s grace only.
Captain Hatey
Captain Hatey was a resident of Bikaner and a Sai devotee. One day Baba appeared in his dream and asked him whether he had forgotten him. Captain Hatey asked how a mother could forget her child, and how she could live forgetting the child. So saying he brought a bottlegourd from the garden, prepared curry with it and offered to Baba. Suddenly he woke up. After a few days, he gave Rs.12 to a friend who was going to Shirdi and requested him to get the curry prepared with the bottlegourd for Rs.2 and give Rs.10 to Baba as dakshina . His friend did as requested by Hatey. When he took the curry to Baba, he ate only the curry and forsook his meals that day. Knowing this, Captain Hatey, felt extremely happy.
On another occasion, Captain Hatey, desirous of worshipping the coin touched by Baba, sent one rupee through his friend to Shirdi. The friend gave the rupee coin to Baba without mentioning anything. Baba examined the coin turning it this side and that side. With the thumb of the right hand he played for some time by sending the coin up. Afterwards, he gave back the coin to Hatey’s friend with instructions to give it back to the owner along with udi , and also to inform him that Baba did not require anything from him. He further told him to inform the owner to keep cool and be happy. Captain Hatey started worshipping the coin daily.

Accepting dakshina by Baba commenced in the year 1907, with few pice (coppers). In the years 1912 - 1916, Baba used to get Rs.500 per day as dakshina. But Baba used to distribute this amount by evening to the needy and those who were dependent on him. Sathe established a society, "Dakshina Biksha Sanstha", in 1915, for the propagation of Sai leelas and miracles. This Sanstha gathered several matters relating to Baba and published them.
Baba’s Pilgrimage to Gaya
Kaka Saheb decided to perform the thread ceremony of his son at Nagpur. At the same time Nana Chandorkar’s eldest son’s marriage was fixed to be celebrated at Gwalior. Both came to Shirdi and invited Baba to attend the functions. Baba asked them to take Shama as his representative. But they insisted that Baba should come personally. He asked them to take Shama along with them and he would reach Gaya, before Shama finished his pilgrimage of Kashi and Prayag and reached Gaya.
Shama went to Nagpur as Baba’s representative for the thread ceremony of Kaka Saheb’s son. From there he went to Gwalior for the marriage of Nana Chandorkar’s eldest son. Afterwards he went on pilgrimage to Kashi and Ayodhya and from there reached Gaya in the third month. Having come to know that there was plague in Gaya, he feared. He stayed with a panda at Gaya. On seeing a big photo of Sai Baba in the panda’s house, he was surprised. He remembered Baba’s words that he would reach Gaya even before he reached the place and he shed tears out of joy on seeing Baba’s photo there. The panda told him that when he had gone to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan 12 years’ back a Sai devotee named Shama had given him the photo of Sai Baba. Shama recollected this and told the panda that he was the same Shama who had given him the photo. The panda was very much pleased to have him as his guest.
Sapatnekar and His Wife
Sapatnekar was a resident of Akalkot. When he was studying law, a co-student of his by name Shevade used to get low marks. Shevade told him that though he got low marks then, now he would get good marks and pass in the final examination with the blessings of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. On hearing this, Sapatnekar made fun of Shevade as well as Sai Baba.
After 15 years, Sapatnekar’s only son died. He became disheartened and visited several holy places but could not get peace of mind. He finally came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. Baba did not allow him inside the mosque. He tried twice or thrice but every time Baba asked him to get out. He became helpless and went back home.
After some time, Baba appeared in the dream of Sapatnekar’s wife . In the dream Sapatnekar’s wife was going with a pot on her head to fetch water. A fakir met her on the way and told her that he would fill the pot with water. Considering this as a good omen, Sapatnekar and his wife went to Shirdi immediately.
After seeing Baba she told her husband that was the same fakir who had appeared in her dream. Because of her good behaviour and devotion, Baba called her and told her following in his usual style: "My stomach, waist, hands and legs are paining since several days. In spite of using several medicines, there is no relief. After coming here the pains have subsided." Even though Baba did not reveal the name, the story was about her she realised. Thinking this was the approporiate time,Sapatnekar worshipped Baba’s feet with folded hands. This time also Baba asked him to go out. Sapatnekar realised that this was the result of his insulting his friend Shevade and Baba. With repentance in him, he again fell at Baba’s feet. This time Baba blessed him with his hand put on his head and stroked it.
While Sapatnekar was pressing Baba’s feet, Baba narrated a story about a person and his sufferings - it was Sapatnekar’s story. Baba told the devotees who were by his side: "This man is blaming me for his son’s death. Will I kill other’s children? He is sitting on the lap of this mosque mother and weeping. I will put the boy who died, again in his wife’s womb." The he told Sapatnekar, "These feet of mine are very holy. They are also old. Your difficulties are over. You be calm and without any worry." Next day Baba took two rupees as dakshina from Sapatnekar. He gave a coconut to him and asked him to put it in the lap of his wife. He told him to be fearless and go back home. After a year , they were blessed with a son.
Somadeva Swamy
Somadeva Swamy from Haridwar was coming to Shirdi in the year 1912. From a distance he saw the flags on the mosque. A yogi (saint) who shows interest in the flags is interested only in name and fame and there is no need to visit such a yogi, so thought Somadeva Swamy and wanted to turn back without meeting Baba. But his co-passengers in the tonga persuaded him to visit Baba, having come all the way. They also told him that actually Baba was not interested in the exhibition of flags etc. Somadeva Swamy changed his mind and went for a darshan of Baba. As soon as he had darshan from a distance, all his prejudices vanished, his heart melt and eyes filled with tears of joy. His throat dried up. He was eager to dedicate his life to the service of Sai Baba. When Somadeva Swamy went into the mosque and tried to touch Baba’s feet, Baba said to him, "Let our pomp and show be with us. You go home. Do not come to the mosque. Why should you have the darshan of a yogi who is fond of flying flags on the mosque ? Don’t stay even for a minute." Somadeva Swamy understood that Baba was reflecting the thoughts he had at the beginning. He took the words of Baba as his blessings. Afterwards, he became a great Sai devotee.
Message for the Construction of Samadhi Mandir
Sreeman Baba Saheb Butty, a millionaire from Nagpur, was living in Shirdi along with his family in August 1913. He wanted to build a ‘Wada’ like Sathe and Dixit Wadas. Baba never talked about things he intended to do. But when the time and opportunity came he used to get things done tactfully.
One night when Butty and Shama were sleeping in Dixit Wada, Baba told them in their dream, to build a Wada for Sri Krishna temple. Shama unable to control his joy, wept. Butty, being a wealthy and competent person and above all this a faithful devotee of Baba, commenced the arrangements for building the temple. A plan was prepared by Shama with a big hall in the centre and rooms on all sides, with Lord Krishna’s idol to be placed in the hall. This model plan was shown to Baba and his approval obtained. Arrangements were made for the commencement of the temple construction, starting with the foundation ceremony.
Tendulkar’s Family
The Tendulkars lived in Bandra and all the members of the family were Sai devotees. Tendulkar’s son was studying hard to appear for medicine. But he was unable to concentrate on his studies and was fearing that he might not be able to get through in the examinations. The astrologers who examined his horoscope expressed their opinion that the planets were in adverse position in that year and it would be very difficult to pass the examinations. In such circumstances, Savithri Bai, wife of Tendulkar went to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. She raised her son’s topic with Baba. He told her, "Ask him to keep faith in me and study carefully and not to get disheartened. Let me put aside the horoscopes and palmistry and keeping faith in me write the examinations. He will definitely pass the examinations." Tendulakar’s son kept complete faith in mother-like Baba and got through in the examinations. Baba’s words proved correct while astrology failed. From this we learn that Baba’s words are above all shastras. Any word coming from his mouth will happen without fail. There is no question of Baba’s words failing.
The above-mentioned boy’s father was Raghunath Rao Tendulkar. He was working in Bombay for a foreign company. Due to old age, he could not discharge his duties properly and thought of resigning. He was getting a salary of Rs.150 p.m. So, he would get a pension of Rs.75 p.m. He was fearing that with his meagre pension he would not be able to maintain his family. Baba appeared in Savitri Bai’s dream, asked whether a pension of Rs.100 would be sufficient. The management of the company decided to give him a pension of Rs.110 p.m. This happened because of Sai’s grace only.
Captain Hatey
Captain Hatey was a resident of Bikaner and a Sai devotee. One day Baba appeared in his dream and asked him whether he had forgotten him. Captain Hatey asked how a mother could forget her child, and how she could live forgetting the child. So saying he brought a bottlegourd from the garden, prepared curry with it and offered to Baba. Suddenly he woke up. After a few days, he gave Rs.12 to a friend who was going to Shirdi and requested him to get the curry prepared with the bottlegourd for Rs.2 and give Rs.10 to Baba as dakshina . His friend did as requested by Hatey. When he took the curry to Baba, he ate only the curry and forsook his meals that day. Knowing this, Captain Hatey, felt extremely happy.
On another occasion, Captain Hatey, desirous of worshipping the coin touched by Baba, sent one rupee through his friend to Shirdi. The friend gave the rupee coin to Baba without mentioning anything. Baba examined the coin turning it this side and that side. With the thumb of the right hand he played for some time by sending the coin up. Afterwards, he gave back the coin to Hatey’s friend with instructions to give it back to the owner along with udi , and also to inform him that Baba did not require anything from him. He further told him to inform the owner to keep cool and be happy. Captain Hatey started worshipping the coin daily.
Baba used to say to devotees that if their heart was like a mirror, he was the image in the mirror. He said several times that he depended on sincere and pious devotees only. What he required was the devotees’ love and affection and not wealth. Therefore, the devotees should sincerely repose their faith in Baba and not spend huge amounts of money in fulfilling their vows. They should offer their mind, intellect and thoughts to Baba and dedicate their life to him.

Baba used to say to devotees that if their heart was like a mirror, he was the image in the mirror. He said several times that he depended on sincere and pious devotees only. What he required was the devotees’ love and affection and not wealth. Therefore, the devotees should sincerely repose their faith in Baba and not spend huge amounts of money in fulfilling their vows. They should offer their mind, intellect and thoughts to Baba and dedicate their life to him.

shridi saibaba life history continues

The real name of Radhakrishnamai was Sunderbai Ksheersagar. She came to Shirdi in the year 1907 and completely dedicated herself to Baba’s service. Before her arrival at Shirdi, Balaji Sevalkar used to clean the paths on which Baba walked and also the front space before Dwarakamai and Lendi Bagh. Later, Radhakrishnamai attended to this work. She devoted herself with body, mind and soul in Baba’s service, for nearly 9 years till her death in 1916. She had no other thoughts except serving Baba. After her death, a Muslim devotee, Abdula, attended to the work done by Radhakrishnamai. Tatya Kote Patil also served Baba with love. Tatya’s duties were to changing Baba’s dress, serve Baba with tasty food, arrange soft mattresses one over the other for Baba to sleep. If sometimes Baba did not do as told, Tatya somehow coaxed him and if necessary by undertaking fast, made Baba do as he was told. The mutual love between Baba and Tatya appeared like the uncle-nephew relationship.
Baba slept in Chavadi on alternate days. On such days he and Venkusa talked over several matters. The eastern side of Chavadi was set apart for Venkusa, as per his wish and none were permitted to sleep there. Ladies were not allowed to enter this portion but only the western side portion and after visiting Baba, they had to leave immediately. Thursdays were important to Baba’s devotees. Baba who gave much importance to the Guru tradition told them that Thursday(Guruvar) was very dear to him. Thus, the importance to Thursday started from then onwards. In the beginning Chavadi Utsav was celebrated once in two days. Afterwards, it was celebrated once a week on Thursdays. The Utsav attracted a large number of devotees who participated with joy and danced with full abandon. We shall now go into these details.
Chavadi Utsav
On Utsav night, devotees gathered near the front side of the mosque and sang bhajans (singing of devotional songs accompanied by musical instruments) for sometime. Behind the bhajan party was the chariot, on their right side was the tulsi plant and to their front was Baba. The lighted torches for the procession were got ready. Some said loudly now and then with devotion "Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai" . Lights were lit all around the mosque and buntings tied. While these arrangemnents went on, Tatya would come to Baba and ask him to get ready. Baba’s horse Shyam Karna, gaily decorated, would be kept ready for the procession.
Baba, putting on his upper cloth, carrying the sataka under the arm and also the chillum along with tobacco, would get ready to go. Tatya brought a zari shawl and it was put around Baba’s shoulders and lifted him up slowly. After getting up, Baba would go near the Dhuni, push the firewood with the toe of his right foot and with his right hand put out the lamp in the mosque, turning in all directions, appearing to talk to someone by making gestures. Perhaps, he was talking to his mother Dwarakamai! After this he would come down the steps of Dwarakamai and the devotees would cry out "Shri Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai". Some devotees on either side of Baba would wave the chamaras. Lengths of white cloth were spread throughout on the path on which Baba walked. Tatya would hold Baba's left hand, while Mhalsapathi his right hand. Bapu Saheb Jog would hold a zari silk umbrella over Baba's head. Baba's horse Shyam Karna would be in the front of the procession. The bhajan party were behind the horse, with different kinds of musical instruments.
After proceeding for about 10 or 15 feet, Baba’s sight would wander somewhere else. He appeared to be talking to somebody and making gestures. Perhaps, Gurudhan, Dwarakamai and Venkusa were also there in the procession along with Baba! Baba also appeared to be talking and making gestures to Hanuman in the Maruthi Mandir to the left. When the procession reached halfway, the facial expressions of Baba changed. He appeared shining and emitting bright light like the morning sun. Sometimes he used to look with piercing eyes at some of the devotees, and their fears, sufferings and diseases would disappear. The devotees would become joyous and Mhalsapathi would dance as if in a trance. Tatya used to shed tears of joy at this sight. But Baba appeared unmoved by all this and was steady. Dixit used to shower flowers and gulal on Baba.
In this manner, as soon as the procession reached the main entrance to Chavadi, Bapu Saheb Jog washed the feet of Baba in a silver plate, applied sandalpaste and gave arathi with Camphor. Then Baba was slowly taken inside and made to sit on a bed made up with several mattresses. Then Shama prepared chillum and gave it to Tatya. After smoking once, Tatya gave it to Baba. It was then given to Mhalsapathi after Baba smoked. This act showed oneness. In this way the Utsav ended and some devotees put garlands on Baba. Baba had no desire for all these. But he agreed to all these for the satisfaction of the devotees. Finally, Bapu Saheb Jog gave full arathi and the devotees went back to their places. After making all arrangements for Baba, Tatya took leave of Baba, and while permitting him to go Baba asked him to come once during the night and see him. Tatya did as asked. After all the devotees left, Baba used to make a bed with 50 or 60 bed sheets, one over the other and slept. That was Yoga Sleep. But, for Baba it was not real sleep. If Baba slept then the entire world will sleep.

Sai devotees, while going to bed, are advised to recollect the Chavadi Utsav and imagine themselves to be in the procession. Then they will be nearer to Baba and it would be possible to see him in their dreams.

shridi saibaba life history continues

Upasini Shastri went to Nagpur, from there to Scinde and to Kharagpur in the year 1914, without informing Baba and without completing the four years novitiate ( diksha) prescribed by Sai Baba. Afterwards he stayed with Panchamuni for some time. By Baba’s grace he acquired siddhis (supernatural powers) while he was at Shirdi. After wandering about for 15 months, he returned to Shirdi in the year 1915, and Baba advised him to set up an ashram at Sakori, a village near Shirdi and live there. He followed Baba’s advice. Those who were sufferers, patients,etc. came up to Upasini Baba in thousands and obtained relief. He was a Guru to a number of devotees and attained Samadhi in the year 1942 at the age of 72. Those who go to Shirdi can also visit the ashram established by Upasini Baba at Sakori, which is about 5 kms from Shirdi.
Importance of Actions
Baba went for alms everyday. With the increase of Baba’s greatness, the faith in those who gave alms also increased and they kept the food ready and waited for Baba.
One day, a housewife named Savitri Bai was hurriedly cooking as the time of Baba’s visit for alms was nearing. Her old father-in-law was also hungry. She finished cooking quickly. As she was putting rotis (leavened bread) and curry in a plate to give to Baba, he arrived and she asked him to just wait for two minutes and she would be bringing food for him. In the meantime, her father-in-law called out loudly as he was hungry. She told him that she would serve him as soon as she had given food to Baba. She came out of the house with the food in a plate to give it to Baba. Baba told her, "mother, you should give food to your father-in-law first. You may ask me why. To give food to your father-in-law is your duty. To give me alms is only a pious action. You should give precedence to duty over noble action! To give timely food to your father-in-law is righteousness (dharma) you should attend to that first. After that only alms for me." Hearing Baba, she told him that he was really God in human form and her desire was to serve him first. Baba further told her, "Our actions are very powerful and are like arms ( aayudhas). God has kept your father-in-law under your care and made you responsible to serve him. Even if such a God stood before your house, you should give priority to your duties only. This is the Theory of Karma. What duties God has given us, we should discharge them properly. If you do not do them properly, it amounts to wrong. It is not proper for me to make you, who reposed complete faith in me, do wrong. In my presence, give food to your father-in-law. Till then I will sit and wait here. Afterwards, I will accept the food you proposed to give me with love." Thereupon she acted as per Baba’s advice. From that day onwards, Savithri Bai always gave food to her father-in-law before Baba came for alms.
Baba’s Knowledge of Sanskrit
Sai Baba was a strange God. Shirdi is a punya bhoomi for having had such a God there. The villagers of Shirdi are blessed. Even the grass on which Baba walked is also blessed. Shirdi came into prominence because of Baba. All siddhis (supernatural powers) were at the feet of Baba. Those who visited Shirdi worshipped Baba’s feet. One day, Nana Chandorkar, while pressing Baba’s feet, recited withim himself some shloka. None were there . Baba asked him what he was reciting to himself. Chandorkar replied that it was a Sanskrit shloka which Baba would not understand. Baba said that he would try to understand and asked Chandorkar to read it aloud. He read the thirty-fourth shloka in Chapter-4 of the Bhagawad Gita as follows:
Tatviddhi Pranipatena Pariprashnena
Sevaya - Upadekshyanti Te Jnanam
Jnanina Stattwadarshinah
The questions of Baba and the replies of Nana Chandorkar were as follows:

Baba	Nana, what is the meaning?
Nana	By making sashtanga namaskar (prostration), questioning the Guru, serving him, we learn what this jnana is. Then these jnanis who have attained the real knowledge of Brahman, will give us upadesha of jnana.
Baba	I do not want the collective purport of the whole stanza. Give me word by word meaning of it. What is meant by pariprashna?
Nana	Asking questions.
Baba	What is the meaning of prashna
Nana	The same (asking questions).
Baba	For both you are giving the same meaning. Is there any special meaning for the Sanskrit word pari?
Nana	I do not know of any other meaning.
Baba	What is the meaning of seva?
Nana	The same service that we are doing to you daily.
Baba	Is it enough to render such service?
Baba	In the shloka, suppose we substitute the word Jnana with Ajnana, then what meaning does it give?
Nana	I do not understand how to construe it by substituting with Ajnana.
Baba	Lord Krishna was a Tatwadarshi. But why did he advise Arjuna to prostrate, serve, and question other Jnanis?
Nana	This also I do not understand

Nana Chandorkar thought Baba did not know Sanskrit and that he (Nana) having read the Bhagawad Gita several times along with commentaries, knew everything. But when Nana could not give answers to Baba’s questions for even one shloka, he felt ashamed. Then he concluded that however much one might have read, one cannot be equal to a Jnani. His pride had gone. Then Baba in his own style, gave answers to the questions he had put to Nana, as follows:
1) Questioning the Guru should not be for testing the Guru or trying to trap him, but to actually learn and to keep in mind what was learnt, and to put that in practice in life. One should question the Guru with the aim of spiritual progress. That is what is meant by Pariprashna. Vyasa did not use it for nothing.
2) Seva or service which is rendered whenever you feel like doing, is not seva. A person should feel that his body is not his and God had given it to serve the Guru. Persons with such Jnana only can understand the teaching of it by a guru, and others cannot understand. To teach Jnana to such persons would be like teaching Ajnana.
3) However great a person may be, his close associates cannot gauge his greatness, taking him to be as ordinary human being like them.
This is the effect of Maya. That was the reason why Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to serve other Tatwadarshis.
After hearing the above explanations given by Baba, Nana could not imagine the greatness of Baba who had such deep knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita which Lord Krishna taught to Arjuna. Her learnt that the sky was the limit for Baba’s knowledge, and none could measure it. He thought how much small he was before Baba . Noticing the changes taking place in Nana, Baba slowly walked out of Dwarakamai. Nana also came out of Dwarakamai, following Baba in the same manner as an iron piece is attracted by a magnet. Nana saw Baba’s form growing big with changes in his face, with divine light rays emitting from the body in different colours. He had to lift his head to see the growing stature of Baba. He had to close his eyes, unable to withstand the divine light coming from Baba.
He heard Baba’s bold and loud words as if they came from the sky above. "Nana, your eyes contained the human body and caught in the darkness of Ajnana, cannot see any divine form. I am giving you divine sight. Open your eyes and see my real form. I am the divine power and the bearer of all the planets, Sun and moon are my eyes, I am the Virat and send the people either to heaven or hell based on their actions in life. The burning planets, oceans, all kinds of diseases, medicines required for their cure are all in me. All the animate and inanimate things of this creation are in me. There is nothing which is not in me. I am a complete being and all powerful person."
Hearing Baba’s words and seeing his Vishwarupa, Nana became unconscious for a moment. When he came back to his original state, he saw Baba in his usual form. Baba cautioned Nana not to reveal to others what he had seen. Nana was in a confused state not knowing whether what he had seen was a dream or real or whether it was Maya. When he found himself in control of his senses, he concluded that he was not dreaming. He fell at the feet of Baba and washed them with the tears that fell with joy.
Nana’s Disrespect for the Temple
Once Nana Chandorkar, along with his relative Binivalle, came to Shirdi . Baba asked him, "Being with me for such a long time, why did you do this? How did you come to Shirdi from Kopargaon?" Nana recollected the mistake commited by him. Whenever he came to Shirdi from Kopargaon, he used to bathe in the Godavari river, visited Datta temple and then come to Shirdi. During his previous visit he had promised the temple priest that he would give Rs.300 as donation. Thinking that the priest would ask him the money if he visited the temple, he avoided it and also discouraged his relative from visiting the temple. Baba, knowing the matter beforehand, said to Nana, "If you had no money to fulfil your promise, you could have told the temple priest. For money’s sake you could not visit Datta Dev. See how money has distanced you from God." Realising his mistake, Nana bowed his head in shame.
Arathi and Naivedya (Offerings to God)
Everyday after the noon arathi, all devotees went back to their houses or to the lodgings. Baba personally distributed udi prasad and made enquiries about each devotee, giving them advices. From some devotees he would enquire when they came and to some devotees he would ask when they would be leaving Shirdi. He ordered a few devotees to leave Shirdi only the next day. He enquired with some devotees about some who were in their houses and give some advices. He talked to the devotees to the extent necessary and according to their needs. Only he and the particular devotee could understand the matter. After the devotees left, the devotees close to Baba would sit in rows on each side of him. Baba would come walking slowly and sit in his seat.
Those who brought offerings to Baba ( naivedya ) waited outside Dwarakamai, for getting his blessings. They would bring a variety of food items like rotis, sweet rice, sanja, etc. All the offerings were kept before Baba and he offered all of them to God. After that he distributed a portion of them to the devotees waiting outside the mosque and the balance served to all the close devotees who were sitting on either side of Baba. The food items touched by Baba became very tasty and energy-giving ones.
One day, Hemadpant ate such food to his satisfaction. Baba immediately gave him a glassful of buttermilk and asked him to drink it. But Hemadpant drank only a little of it saying that his stomach was full. Its taste was peculiar . Baba asked him to drink the balance also, as such an opportunity would never come again. He drank the remaining buttermilk with great difficulty. His word became true. Hemadpant did not get such a chance again before Baba’s Samadhi.
Atmaram’s Wife
Atmaram’s wife desired to offer three items to Baba as naivedya (1) Brinjal and curd Chutney , (2) Brinjal fried curry, and (3) peda (a milk sweet).
Raghuveer Purander’s wife was known to her. When Mrs Purander was going to Shirdi, Atmaram’s wife gave her some brinjals with a request to prepare the chutney and curry and serve Baba. After reaching Shirdi, Mrs Purander prepared the brinjal and curd chutney and sent it to Dwarakamai at Baba’s meal time. As the preparation was tasty, Baba distributed it to all. He desired to have brinjal fried curry also then and there. As that was not the season for brinjals, Radhakrishnamai made enquiries as to who had brought the brinjal curd chutney and found out that it was Mrs Purander. Word was sent to her about Baba’s desire and immediately Mrs Purander prepared brinjal fried curry and sent it to Baba. The devotees who came to know the details of the matter were surprised at the desire of Baba to have brinjal fried curry. This is one more instance of Baba’s omniscence.
In December 1915, Balaram Mankad, a resident of Bandra, was going to Shirdi to perform the obsequies of his late father. Atmaram;s wife wanted to send something to Baba and searched in the house but could not find anything. A few pieces of peda were there. Even these few were already offered to Baba as naivedya. She sent them with Mankad. After reaching Shirdi, Mankad forgot about them when he went to see Baba in the afternoon. Again when he went to the mosque in the evening, Baba asked Mankad what was given by Atmaram’s wife at the time of his journey to Shirdi. Mankad felt ashamed and went to his room and brought the pedas given by Atmaram’s wife and gave them to Baba. Baba took one and ate it and the remainder were distributed to others.
Importance of Human Birth
For all living things food, sleep, fear and reproduction are common. But a human being, apart from these, has one more important quality called intelligence ( jnana) . With this the human is able to know about God. Some think that the human body comprises flesh, blood, and filthy waste products. The body finally dies and gets destroyed. Even then, through this body only we are able to get Jnana . Hence, good care should be taken to maintain a healthy body. If one indulges in pleasures and yields to physical desires, life will ultimately become lower than that of an animal. So one should take necessary care. If excess care is taken, this will lead to several desires and if less care is taken, it will result in poor health and will lead to some diseases.
One should understand this truth carefully. Finally the body should be utilised for obtaining moksha.
Khushal Chand of Rahata
Baba loved Khushal Chand of Rahata very much. When sometiems he went to Rahata with devotees, Khushal Chand welcomed Baba from the entrance to Rahata with drums, Cymbals and other musical instrumnets and took them in a procession. He arranged food for all others also. After taking food, Baba and Khushal Chand would discuss several matters. Similarly, Baba used to go up to Neemgaon and Kopargaon occasionally. He never went beyond these places. But he did know of the happenings at other far off places.
Khaparde’s Wife
While Khaparde and his wife were at Shirdi, his wife used to take food for offering to Baba daily at noon time. She took food only after Baba accepted her offering. Baba was pleased at her steady and deep devotion and faith in him.
One day, she brought food as usual. Baba took the plate and began eating. Then Shama, who ws present there, asked Baba why he was showing discrimination among the devotees, "So many devotees bring you offerings of food. You don’t touch them. But you are eagerly taking the food brought by Khaparde’s wife and eating it quickly. What is the speciality in her offering?"
Baba replied, "The food brought by her is really tasty. In her previous birth she was the cow of a merchant. She gave good milk to the satisfaction of the merchant’s family. In her subsequent birth, she was born as daughter to a gardener and served others well. Because of her nobility, in the next birth, she was born to a kshatriya ( a caste ) and married a merchant. In this birth also she is serving others sincerely and because of this, in her next birth, she will be born to a Brahmin family. I have seen her after a long period. Let me take some more food filled with love from the naivedya brought by the lady." So saying Baba finished all the food that was in the plate and went and sat on his seat. Khaparde’s wife began massaging his feet and he in turn started massaging her hands. The way the Guru and pupil were serving each other caused much surprise and also happiness to the devotees present there. Baba fixed his eyes on her and looked at her seriously; some divine power entered her. She shed tears out of joy. Baba advised her to repeat the mantra ‘Raja Ram’ always, and that it would bring peace and happiness to her and she would achieve her life’s desire.

Those who serve their Guru with a pure mind and love, will earn the love of their Guru. In fact, a Guru will depend on such disciples only. Such teacher-disciple are in fact one only and there will be no differences among them. Let us pray to Sai Baba to turn all those readers who read this Life History , into such sishyas,and thus close this chapter.

shridi saibaba life history continues

Baba never fasted. Neither did he permit his devotees to fast. Mind will not be steady if one fasts. We cannot see God with a hungry stomach. It is, therefore,essential to keep the Atma satisfied. We get strength for the eyes to see God, for the mouth to praise God and for the ear to hear things about God, only from the energy that food provides. Hence Baba did not approve of fasting.
Fasting by Gokhale’s Wife
Gokhale’s wife came to Shirdi with some devotees known to Dada Kelkar. She stayed in his house. She desired to undertake fasting for three days and be with Baba. But Baba told her, "Mother, there is no need to undertake fasting. Go to Dada Bhat’s house, prepare puranpolis (sweet stuffed chapatis) and feed his children and you also eat." On that day Bhat’s wife was indisposed. Hence, Baba’s advice appeared to be timely. Accordingly to his advice she prepared puranpolis, served the others and ate some. Fasting is only a method of regulating the digestive system and nothing more. To think that one gets some divine benefit from that is only a misconception. Apart from not getting any benefit, fasting makes a person weak with the result that one cannot attend to one’s normal duties. Those who worship Baba can take food and then worship him.
Shama’s Vow - Sapta Shringi
The famous Sapta Shringi temple was in a place called Vani at Nashik district. Kakaji Vaidya was the priest of that temple. He suffered one difficulty after another in his life and there was no peace of mind.
One day he stood in front of the idol and prayed to the Goddess, "I have been worshipping you with utmost devotion and sincerity all these days. Please give me peace of mind." That night the Goddess appeared in his dream and told him, "Go to Baba, you will have peace of mind." The priest thought Baba meant Lord Shiva of Thriambakeshwar. So went there and stayed for ten days worshipping with devotion. But he did not get peace of mind and returned to his place. Again he prayed to the Goddess and she told him in his dream that she meant Shirdi Sai Baba when she said Baba. The priest was wondering how to go to Shirdi. As he was pious Baba made arrangements for his visit to Shirdi in some other manner.
When Baba’s devotee Shama was a small boy he fell sick. His mother took a vow to take the boy to Sapta Shringi temple and worship at the feet of the Goddess. After sometime, the mother suffered with ringworm on her breasts and she took another vow to offer the Goddess two silver breasts if the ringworm subsided. Without fulfilling the above two vows she died. This had happened 32 years earlier. Shama had forgotten about this.
Once an astrologer came to Shirdi and told Shama that the vows taken by his mother remained unfulfilled. After thinking over, Shama recollected the two vows. Immediately he got two silver breasts prepared and placing them at Baba’s feet , pleaded with Baba to accept them since Baba was also the Goddess Sapta Shringi. Baba did not accept them, but asked Shama to go personally to the Sapta Shringi temple and offer them to the Goddess. Shama went to the house of Kakaji Vaidya, the priest of Sapta Shringi and told him the details.
Kakaji Vaidya thought it a great honour to receive a close follower of Baba from Shirdi. Shama also was pleased meeting the priest through whom the vows are to be fulfilled. Baba might have sent Shama to Sapta Shringi to bring him and Kakaji together. After fulfilling the vows both of them went together to Shirdi. As soon as Kakaji Vaidya touched Baba’s feet, his disturbed mind became placid and he felt happy. Baba did not speak anything. He did not even bless him. Even then, by the mere touch of his feet, Kakaji secured peace of mind. Thus Kakaji Vaidya found the greatness of Baba. He stayed for 12 days at Shirdi, experienced Baba’s love and left Shirdi taking Baba’s udi with him.
Shyam Karna - Baba’s Horse
A devotee of Baba, who earned huge profits in his business, presented a nice horse to Baba. Baba named it Shyam Sunder (or Shayama Karna) and entrusted its maintenance to a devotee named Tukaram. Many times Baba told the devotees not to merely consider Shyam Sunder as an animal but to treat it as Baba’s child.
One day the horse did not eat grass for reasons unknown. Tukaram tried his best but the horse did not touch the grass. He lost his patience and hit it with a stick. This happened a little away from the mosque. Baba sent for Tukaram and asked him angrily why he hit him ( Baba ) with such a big stick. Tukaram shivered at Baba’s words. Then Baba lifted his long shirt ( kafni ) and showed a read weal in the shape of a stick on his body. Those who saw it were surprised and feared. They looked at Tukaram suspiciously, but Tukaram told him that he had not come near Dwarakamai on that day and did not hit Baba. Then Baba said, "Is it not hitting me, if you hit my child Shyam Sunder?" He thus made Tukaram remember what he had done. Immediately the devotees ran to the place where the horse was tied. They found a similar swelling and the mark of the stick on the back of the horse. Everyone was surprised. They considered this as Baba’s leela to prove to the devotees that he was present in all living things. From that day onwards everyone looked after Shyam Karna with love and respect. Some brought fodder for the horse and some brought zari shawls.
A devotee named Aurangabadkar had no children. With Baba’s blessings, he got a male child. Out of gratitude constructed a shed for the Shyam Karna at a cost of Rs.500. Every Thursday they decorated Shyam Karna nicely and put it in front of the procession. The horse danced to the tunes of the musical instruments.
Testing Baba
It was the year 1915. One Thursday morning, the mosque was full of devotees Baba was sitting with crossed legs on the big stone in front of the mosque. Nana Chandorkar, Shama, Mhalsapathi, Dixit, Tatya, Sathe and others were standing. A rich middle-aged lady, Janaki Bai, wearing a silk saree with zari border, brought several costly items of jewellery on a gold plate to give them to Baba. She was standing in the ladies queue. Every devotee had something or the other in his hand to hand it over to Baba. Some washed the feet of Baba by placing them in a silver plate. Some applied sandalpaste on his neck and sprinkled perfumes. Some offered flowers, fruits and pedas ( a milk sweet). Some offered money according to their capacity.
Nanavali, who was standing behind the devotees, observed all this and felt happy. But in a few moment his face changed and his happiness disappeared. His face flushed with anger. His eyes became red and his appearance was fearful. He called out in a very loud voice, "You fakir". All looked towards him, stunned. Nanavali slowly advanced towards Baba and was stared into his eyes. He was a rough type of person and everyone feared what was to happen. He said to Baba, "So many have got up and stood fearing me. But you are calmly sitting cross-legged." Baba did not reply. Nanavali ordered Baba to get up. Baba went and stood near the devotees. Nanavali sat cross-legged on the stone just like Baba. He ordered the devotees to bring the offerings to him. He ate some and threw away some. He stared for some time at the lady who had brought jewels in a gold plate. He stared alternately at the lady and the gold plate for some time. Finally he looked at her insultingly and spat.
Then he looked at Baba and said, "What Nawab! How are you?" Baba replied that he was a fakir only and not a nawab. Nanavali questioned Baba about how the world was. Baba replied, "It is as usual." Nanavali asked what Baba meant by his reply. Then Baba said, "With the five elements and eight directions, this world appears normal only to me." With this reply Nanavali’s face changed, his anger disappeared and he became normal again. Again he stared into Baba’s eyes. Their eyes exchanged something silently. Nanavali fell at Baba’s feet and asking pardon went away quickly to the relief of the devotees.
Then Nana Chandorkar said to Baba, "Baba, the crazy actions of Nanavali are increasing day by day. He dared to sit on your seat and spoiled the offerings brought by the devotees, and also insulted your devotees. We will not tolerate this further. If you permit us we will take appropriate action." To this Baba replied, "Nanavali is not a crazy person as all of you are thinking. He is a sage (avadhuta) who crossed the worldly limits. He had come to test me. "Then Nana Chandorkar asked Baba how a crazy person could test him. Baba explained as follows, "When I came to Shirdi for the first time, the villagers threw stones at me taking me to be a crazy person (pagal fakir). After sometime, they called me a doctor. Now you are all treating me as God and worshipping me and offering me several things. Nanavali only tested me to find out whether desires have sprouted in me on seeing all this. From the reply I gave him he understood that I am in the original state only and nothing has changed in me. Craziness is the climax of Vedanta." In the light of Baba’s explanation, the devotees recalled the questions and answers between Nanavali and Baba and felt happy. From that day they wiped out their opinion that Nanavali was a crazy person.
Red Plantains

Shri M.G.Rege visited Baba during his student days. In those days, he was the youngest of all devotees who were close to Baba. One day a devotee presented Baba with plantains whose outer skin was red in colour. Rege was attracted by the red-coloured peel of the plantains. He desired to eat them. Baba gave the plantains to the devotees who were there. He removed the outer skin of a plantain and while he gave the inner fruit to a devotee, he gave the outer skin to Rege and asked him to eat it. Obeying Baba’s orders, he ate the skin. After distributing to all, Baba came to Rege and took out another plantain, peeled the skin and threw it away. He shared the inner fruit along with Rege. Since Rege had been attracted by the red colour of the plantain skin, Baba had made him eat it and know the taste. He again gave him the inner fruit to bring home the truth that there is nothing in the outer colour but the actual taste is in the inner fruit. So, one should not be carried away by the external appearance but should see the divine power in every matter.

shridi saibaba history continues

Sai Baba did not encourage the practice of black magic, witchcraft, etc. He never allowed those with such powers to come near him, until they shed off such powers.
Kusa Bhav
Kusa Bhav learnt black magic. The moment he desired, sweets came into his hand. After hearing of Baba’s greatness, he came to Shirdi. As he was trying to enter Dwarakamai, Baba stopped him and asked him to give up all his magic powers and only then come to him. For some days he was in a fix not knowing what to do. Finally, he removed the bracelet he was wearing and after giving up the powers, served Baba with devotion for a long time.
On an Ekadashi day, someone brought some food made with onions. Baba had no blind beliefs in such matters. He asked Kusa Bhav to eat it. Though Kusa Bhav told Baba that it was Ekadashi that day and he did not take onions, Baba insisted on his eating it. Finally Kusa Bhav told Baba that he would eat it if Baba ate too. Then Baba ate first,followed byKusa Bhav. After a while, some devotees came into the mosque and Baba told them that though it was Ekadashi day, and Kusa Bhav, an orthodox Brahmin, had eatern onions. Then Kusa Bhav told them that he had eaten only after Baba had eaten the onions. Baba told that he had not eaten onions but some turnips. So saying he vomitted, and the vomit contained pieces of sweet potato instead of onions. Kusa Bhav was surprised at this, he picked up the sweet potato pieces from the vomit and ate them. Baba got angry and scolded him as to why he was doing such a disgusting thing. After a moment Baba’s anger turned into pity and he said to him, "I am blessing you. Wherever you are and whenever you want, if you think of me you will get udi from Dwarakamai in your hands. If you give udi to those in need, their difficulties would be over and their desires fulfilled." From that day onwards till his death, Kusa Bhav used to get handful of udi by merely repeating Baba’s name . What we learn from this story is that Baba had no liking for black magic. He reformed such devotees who approached him and instead of such lowly powers, gave them some divine powers. Therefore, those who are true devotees of Baba, need not worry about such evil forces. They will not dare to come near them.
Hemadpant
Every Sunday was shandy day at Shirdi. People from neighbouring villages came to Shirdi on that day and visited Sai Baba. Hence, on Sundays at afternoon arathi , the mosque would be overflowing with devotees. One Sunday, Hemadpant was pressing Baba’s feet. Shama laughingly said to him that there were chana sticking to his coat and asked him to see it. When Hemadpant shook his shirt sleeves, a lot of chana fell on the floor. Some who were present there picked them up. Hemadpant did not know how the Chana had come to be on his shirt. Everyone was surprised . Then Baba said, "This person has a bad habit of eating alone. Today is Shandy date. He came here eating chana. He is not in the habit of sharing with others. These chana seeds are proof of it and what is there to be surprised?"
Hemadpant replied, "Baba, I never eat alone. Why are you putting this allegation on me? Till now I have never gone to the Shandy at Shirdi. I never purchased chana. Today also I have neither purchased nor eaten them. I always share with others near me." Immediately Baba said, "You will give to these who are near you. What are you doing when none are near you? Are you thinking of me before you eat anything? I am always with you. Then are you offering me before you eat?" Hemadpant became dumb at the last question put by Baba. It was true that he is not in the habit of offering to Baba before he ate anything. He did not think of this till then. When he considered Baba as everything in his life, was it necessary to offer again whenever he ate? When this doubt came to him, Baba read his thought and proceeded to tell him further.
"Before the sense, mind and intellect enjoy their objectives. I should first be remembered, and if this is done, it is in a way making an offering to me. The senses, etc. can never remain without their objects. But if these objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment to them will naturally vanish. In this way all the thoughts regarding Desire, anger, avarice, etc. should first be offered and directed to the Guru and if this practice is followed, then God will help you in eradicating all the thoughts. Before enjoyment of the objects, if you think that I am close by, the question whether the object is fit to be enjoyed or not will arise. Then the object that is not fit to be enjoyed will be shunned and in this way your vicious habits or vices will disappear and your character will improve. Then love for the Guru will grow, and pure knowledge will sprout. When this knowledge grows, the body consciousness will go and your intellect will be merged in the spirit-consciousness. Then you will get bliss and contentment. Therefore, you should offer all pleasures you enjoy through the senses to me first. Otherwise, there is the danger that you will not be able to control your senses and will become slaves to your desires."
The above teachings of Baba were not only for Hemadpant, but to all of us, and to the entire world, as long as mankind exists. The Life History of Shirdi Sai Baba is full of pearl-like stories. Let this Life History be in every household and Parayana done regularly. Like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, let this Life History of Baba be above caste, and religious differences and acquire national character.
Mavisi Bai
Anna Chinchinikar alias Damodar Ganshyam Babre was a devotee of Baba. He was a rough and adamant person. He was very straightforward and frank and did not care for anyone. But, he was good at heart.
One afternoon, he was sitting by the side of Baba and massaging his left hand. On the right side of Baba, an old widow by name Venkubai Koujalgi alias Mavisi Bai, sat massaging Baba’s back. She was also a person with a pure heart. While massaging due to the movements, her face kept coming very near to that of Anna Chinchinikar. Though she moved forward and backward in the process of massaging Baba’s back with full devotion, she complained that Anna Chinchinikar was trying to come very near her with the bad intention of kissing her. At this Anna Chinchinikar got up angrily and tried to quarrel with her. The onlookers were enjoying this quarrel. Then Baba asked them not to quarrel and there was nothing wrong in a son kissing his mother. Thus he cooled down their tempers.
On another occasion Mavisi Bai was massaging Baba’s abdomen exerting great pressure. People cautioned her to be careful as there was the danger of the intestines getting damaged. On hearing this, Baba suddenly got angry. His eyes became red. He took his sataka and with one end fixed on the pillar in the Dwarakamai, he fixed the other end on his stomach and was trying to thrust it into his stomach with full force. The devotees got scared. Nobody had the courage to talk to Baba or touch him. After sometime Baba came back to his original state. From this story it is clear that Baba knew about the devotion of those who came to him. The devotees served Baba in their own way and there was no need for others to interfere.
Harishchandra Pitale’s Son
Pitale was a resident of Bombay. His son was suffering from fits. He was given all types of medicines without any relief. After hearing the Hari Katha of Baba rendered by Das Ganu, he came to Shirdi in 1910 with his son. He visited Baba in the mosque and prostrated before him. He put his son near Baba’s feet. Baba looked for sometime with concentration at the patient. The boy lost consciousness and fell on the floor. Foam began to come out of his mouth and he perspired profusely, with the temperature of the body going below. On seeing the condition of the boy, the parents were very much worried. The boy’s mother started weeping. Then Baba told her not to weep but to take the boy to the room and he would be all right in half an hour. After taking the boy to the ‘Wada', the boy regained consciousness. From that day onwards, the boy did not get fits. While leaving Shirdi, Pitale went to see Baba who told him, "Brother, I had given you two rupees on a previous occasion and now I am giving you three rupees. Keep them in your puja room and worship them." Since Pitale had come to Shirdi for the first time, he could not understand how Baba could have given him two rupees earlier. After he reached home, when he narrated this to his old mother, she told him that in the same manner as he had taken his son to Shirdi, his (Pitale’s ) father had taken him to Akalkot Maharaj. He had given him two rupees and asked him to keep them in the puja room and worship them. His father had worshipped them till his death and the worship had stopped after that. From this story it is clear that Sai Baba was Akalkot Maharaj.
Ambadekar
Gopal Narayana Ambadekar, a resident of Poona, suffered without a job for seven years. He came to Shirdi several times and prayed to Baba. Gradually his condition deteriorated. He came then with his wife and stayed for two months.
One night he was sitting in front of Dixit Wada. Unable to bear the financial difficulties, he wanted to end his life by jumping into the nearby well. Just then, the proprietor of the hotel opposite to the Wada, Sagunamer Naik, called him and asked him to read the Life History of Akalkot Maharaj, and gave him the book. Ambadekar half-heartedly took the book and opened some page. That page contained the following details.
When Akalkot Maharaj was alive, a person suffered from prolonged illness and unable to bear it jumped into a well to end his life. But Akalkot Maharaj immediately caught hold of him and brought him out of the well, telling him that one had to undergo these difficulties which were a fallout of his actions in the previous birth. Even if one ended his life without fully undergoing the difficulties, in his next birth again he would have to face the difficulties. So before death, it was better to suffer for sometime and wipe off the sins of the previous birth. Though he had turned a page of the book at random, the story of an incident similar to his came and Ambadekar took it as an order of Baba and refrained from putting an end to his life.
Gentlemen from Goa
Two gentlemen came to Shirdi from Goa. Baba asked one of them rupees fifteen as dakshina. The other person tried to give thirty-five rupees but Baba declined to take them. Shama, who was present there, asked Baba about this discrimination. Baba replied that he himself would never ask for dakshina,but Mother Mosque would ask for payment of debt. From whom she desired to have dakshina , only from those he would ask. Those who were in debt to her would pay the amount and get salvation. Baba further told that he had no family or property and that he should not accumulate wealth. He took dakshina only from those who made certain vows but fell in debt without discharging the vows. One had to undergo the consequences of debt, enmity and killing of others. There was no way of escaping. The person from one whom now Baba had taken dakshina of fifteen rupees was very poor. He took a vowe to give the first month’s salary to God if he secured a job. He got a job with a salary starting at fifteen rupees. His salary gradually went up to Rs.700. Even then he did not discharge his vow. As a result of his action, he was dragged here and Baba had taken the debt money from him.
After this, Baba narrated a story in his usual strange manner. "One day when I was in deep sleep, a person put a hole in the wall and stole Rs.30,000. I was greatly distressed and it upset my mind. I could not drink or eat. Seeing my plight a fakir told me, ‘I will give you the address of a fakir. If you meet him, you will get back your lost money with his help. Till then you should stop taking one of your favourite food items.’ I acted according to the advise of the fakir and got back my money."
When I went to board a steamer, there was no room in it. But with the help of a servant working in the steamer I got inside and reached the other shore. From there I travelled in a train and came here." After finishing this story Baba called Shama and asked him to take the two guests for meals. While eating the two gentlemen wept. When Shama asked them the reason, they told him that the story Baba told was their story. The first gentleman said that he had taken a vowe to give the first month’s salary to Dattatreya. But during the course of time he had forgotten to discharge his vow and Baba reminded him of it, took the amount as dakshina and relieved him of the debt. The second gentleman narrated his story as follows. "My cook served me sincerely for 25 years. One day he stole Rs.30,000 from my house. I was distressed and weeping. A fakir came to our house and told me that if I worshipped Shirdi Sai Baba, I would get my money back. But till then I should not eat my favourite food item. I followed his advise and the cook who stole the money, changed his heart and gave back the entire amount and asked for pardon. For having Baba’s darshan when we tried to board a steamer at Goa, the captain told us that there is no room. But a servant in the steamer whom we do not know, helped us in getting accommodation and thus we came here." But then how Baba could know of the things which had happened at a very far off place.

The above story proves that Baba was omnipresent. Let us pray to Sai Baba to protect us also in all ways. May the readers have complete faith in Sai Baba.

shridi saibaba life history continues

Baba taught certain things to the devotees who came to him in several ways. There was no separate time or place for that. One day a devotee was abusing another devotee in his absence before others. After sometime, when Baba was going to Lendi Bagh, he met Baba and asked for several things. Baba showed him a pig which was nearby and said, See how this pig is eating the filth, feeling it tasty. Your behaviour was also like that. You abused a brother devotee with contempt. We got this ‘Human Birth’ because of the good done in the previous birth. If you do not mend your behaviour, how can Shirdi be of help to you?" The moral we learn from this is that one should not get elated because of the Sai puja done or make several visits to Shirdi. We should not cause any difficulties or harm others under any circumstances. If we indulge in such things, even Baba will not save us.
Sugarless Tea - Cholkar’s Story
The famous Kaupeeneswara temple is in Thane district. One day Das Ganu was rendering Baba’s Hari Katha there and he put Baba’s photo on the stage as was customarily done. Hearing the leelas and miracles of Baba, Cholkar was pleased and engrossed in it. He was a poor man unable to properly maintain his family. He took a vow that he would visit Shirdi and worship Baba’s feet, if he got a steady job After sometime, he got through a Government examination and was appointed as a clerk in the civil court. As his family was very large, he could not go to Shirdi and fulfil his vow. But he was determined to visit Shirdi and so started saving money. He stopped having sugar in his tea thus saving some amount. After some time, he went to Shirdi, and had darshan of Baba. He fell at the feet of Baba and worshipped him, then out of joy, he distributed sugar candy as Baba’s prasad to all the devotees.
Cholkar stayed in the house of Bapu Saheb Jog. After noon arathi both of them got up to go home. Baba called Jog and told him to put lot of sugar in the tea to be given to his guest Cholkar. Jog could not understand why Baba said this, but Cholkar understood and tears came to his eyes. He understood Baba’s omniscience and felt very happy that he had come to Shirdi by saving money. Baba said to him, "If you sincerely pray to me with your stretched hands, I will be with you day and night. Though I am at Shirdi in this form, I know what is happening even beyond the seven seas. Wherever you go in this vast world, I will be with you. I dwell in the hearts of my devotees. I am in the hearts of all beings. Whoever realises this will be blessed."
The Story of the Two Lizards
One day, while Baba was seated in Dwarakamai, a lizard on the wall made a noise. A devotee sitting opposite to Baba, asked him why the lizard was making such a noise. Baba replied that the lizard’s sister was expected to come from Aurangabad shortly, and so out of joy, it was making the noise. The devotee kept quiet.
Just then a devotee came on horse from Aurangabad to see Baba. He wanted to feed the horse, and taking out the bag which was with him he shook it. A lizard fell from the bag and rapidly climbed the wall. Baba told the devotees who had questioned Baba earlier, to watch the lizards carefully. The lizard from Aurangabad met her sister and kissed. They played out of joy, going round and round. People sitting before Baba were very much surprised Where is Aurangabad? Where is Shirdi? If the lizards were sisters, how did they happen to be at such distances. How did Baba know that the lizard was coming from Aurangabad? Did he know the mind of animals and also their language? Such doubts arose in the devotees and they simply stared at Baba with surprise.
Baba, who read the minds of the devotees said, "Not only about these lizards, but what is happening in every atom in this world, I know. Without my permission, the leaves on the tree also will not flutter. God is all powerful. All should follow the rules of this creation. Even I cannot go against them. God is the creator of all Universe. Allah Malik hai."
Baba’s Assurance to Bayaja Bai
Bayaja Bai whom Baba addressed as Sister, became physically weak due to old age. She was not in a condition even to get up from bed. Baba ordered Tatya to remain at the bedside of his mother and do service to her. Now and then he would send Tatya’s close associates like Shama also to be with Tatya. Bayaja Bai was nearing her end . She wanted to see Baba once. Immediately, Baba appeared near her head. His appearance at this last moment gave her divine bliss. Some unexplained joy came to her. She felt that her Atma was happily going towards heaven. Perhaps, this feeling was due to the complete divine darshan Baba gave her. She wanted to say something but words did not come out of her. She took her son Tatya’s hand and put it on Baba’s hand. Having understood her thoughts, Baba assured her that he would look after Tatya from that moment more than his life. She knew that his words were God’s words. After hearing those words from Baba, her Atma left her body and merged in the universe.
Stealing of Rags
B.V. Dev had a desire to read Jnaneshwari. The translation of the Bhagawad Gita into Marathi my Jnanadev is called Jnaneshwari in Maharashtra. This is considered as a very sacred book and many people in Maharashtra do Parayana of this book regularly . But whenever Dev started to do Parayana some obstacles came and he had to stop in the middle. The main reason for this was that he could not fully understand the inner meanings. He went to Shirdi determined to sit before Baba and complete the Parayana. Baba asked him twenty five rupees as dakshina. Dev gave the amount to Baba but did not ask him about the Parayana of Jnaneshwari. He went to Sathe Wada and asked a devotee named Balakram Mankar about Baba’s leelas. When he was narrating some to Dev the following day, Baba called Dev and with angry eyes began scolding him.
He said, "Though you are an old man with grey hairs, you have not stopped stealing. I will kill you with an axe!" Dev shivered. He did not understand anything. Baba asked for twenty-five rupees as dakshina. Dev brought the amount and gave it to Baba. This time Baba calmed down and told him, "When I am ready to cover you with a zari shawl, why do you steal rags? You read the Jnaneshwari. Sit before me and read it." Immediately, Dev started reading the Jnaneshwari and finished without any obstacles for the first time. When Baba had threated to kill him with an axe, the wavering of his mind stopped and he could now concentrate and read the book completely. To ask Balakram about the leelas of Baba amounted to stealing of rags. Baba personally showed his greatness, stopping the wanderings of his mind, making him read the Jnaneshwari, without any obstacles and increasing his concentration- it was like covering him with a zari shawl.
The important thing that we learn from what Baba said is, we should not waste our time and money by running after pseudo Gurus for consultations and advices. "I will give my advice or help, the moment it is sought" is one of the promises of Baba. This assurance is true and valid even now. You must directly ask Baba and have the zari shawl but should not attempt to steal the rags by going to pseudo Gurus.
Sadashiv Tarkhad
Sadashiv worked as a manager in a factory in Bombay. After the factory was closed, he did not have any means of livelihood and so he came to Baba. At that time, Tatya Patil and others were going to Ahmednagar to see a cinema, with the permission of Baba. Baba asked them to take Tarkhad also along with them for the cinema and from there to proceed to Poona. Tarkhad who was unemployed was surprised at being sent to the cinema. But he knew that none should go against Baba’s orders. So he went to the cinema with the others. When he reached Poona, he found that a factory owner who was trying to secure the services of a person as manager, had heard about him and sent a telegram to his Bombay address, and was waiting for his arrival. So, he got the job immediately. Every advice of Baba was based on one’s future.
How to Feed Baba
Ramachander Atmaram’s wife referred to in chapter twenty, was staying with a devotee at Shirdi. One day, during lunchtime, a hungry dog came near her and barked. She threw a bread piece from her plate at the dog, and it ate it quickly and went away, wagging its tail. That evening when she went to Dwarakamai and stood with salutation to Baba, he thanked her for feeding him stomachful. He told her, "In future also you do like this. You first feed the hungry ones and then only you take food. This mosque is my mother. Sitting in her lap, I will never tell lies. You should be always kind to me like this. You see me in all living things. You will definitely get higher birth". She was surprised at Baba’s words and asked him, "I am myself depending on others in this village for my food. Then when did I feed you?" Baba replied "In the afternoon, before you took your meal, you threw a bread at a dog. I am that dog. I am in all living things like Cats, dogs, cows and bees. Those who see me in all are lucky. One should discard the feeling of duality that he is different and animals are different." Baba taught her practically the gist of the Upanishads - that one should see God in all living things.
Sai Baba’s Teachings
Sai Baba frequently advised on how one should behave to one’s daily life. "Because of our contacts in the previous birth, we met each other in this birth also If any person or animal comes to you, do not drive them away unsympathetically. You should welcome them wholeheartedly and give them due respect. You should give water for the thirsty, food for the hungry and clothing for the naked. God will be satisfied and bless you, if you allow others to take rest in your Verandah. If anyone comes to you for money, you need not give if you do not like so, but you should not abuse or use harsh language and cause pain. This world is like a stage. Carefully observe the several thing being enacted on this stage. But be steady even if the world goes upside down. There is no difference between you and me. We both are one. You remove the wall in between us. God is the Head of all of us. Allah Malik hai!. None else except God can save us. The method of God is extraordinary very valuable and unimaginable. We all met here because of our tie-up in the previous births. We should be above caste, religion and nationality and move in an affectionate way and be happy and peaceful. We should be above caste, religion and nationality and move in an affectionate way and be happy and peaceful. We should utilise this body given by God, for the good of others. Such people are only blessed ones. The others live just because they take birth."
Baba taught whenever there was time and opportunity. He used to say that he is omnipresent and present in all elements like earth, air, water, fire and light. He allowed some devotees to do this pada puja, some others to hear his leelas; some others to go to the temple of Khandoba and a few others to do Parayana of holy books, according to their needs. He gave instructions to some personally and to some in their dreams. Once, when Radhakrishna Mai was suffering from fever, Baba asked for a ladder to be brought. He climbed it to the roof of her house. He gave two rupees to the person who brought the ladder. Even though all these acts of Baba appeared strange, the fever of Radhakrishna Mai subsided.
Grinding of Wheat
It was the year 1910. Hemadpant came to Shirdi. One day after washing his face, Baba sat in Dwarakamai and started grinding wheat. He lived on alms. He had never done the grinding before. So all who were nearby were looking with wonder at this. Four bold women went inside the mosque and requested
Baba to sit aside, took the grinding stone and started grinding. Though Baba got angry at this he kept quiet, seeing their affection for him. On completion of the grinding work, the ladies divided the flour into four parts and wanted to take it for themselves. Baba watching them calmly till then got angry and scolded them, "Oh ladies! Are you crazy? Are you thinking that this flour is your property to take it? I never took any wheat from you. Then why are you taking this flour?" He cooled down after a while and said, "It is all right. Take the flour and sprinkle it on the boundaries of this village." The ladies bowed their heads in shame, touched Baba’s feet, went quickly and sprinkled the flour on the boundaries of the village.
The villagers told Hemadpant that there was cholera in the village, and only to eradicate it Baba had done all this. Hemadpant did not understand the relationship between cholera and the wheat flour, but the epidemic in the village gradually subsided. Then Hemadpant concluded that what Baba ground that day was not wheat, but the cholera epidemic which he had sent outside the boundaries of the village. After seeing this leela of Baba, Hemadpant desired to write the Life History of Sai Baba, containing all the leelas and miracles of Baba. He sought the permission of Baba to write the book. But Baba asked him to wait for some time. In the year 1917, Hemadpant tried again thrugh Shama. Baba blessed him and gave udi prasad. The Life History of Sai Baba which Hemadpant started writing in Marathi language with the blessings of Sai Baba when he was alive, to read all over the world. This was translated into Telugu by Sri Pratti Narayana Rao.
Sai Baba’s Stories - Beacon Lights
In olden days there used to be beacon lights in the high seas, Boats sailing on the seas, with the help of these lights, sailed smoothly without hitting rocks and other dangerous things. This world is also like a big ocean consisting of several types of people with different thoughts and actions. Baba’s stories, full of his leelas, like beacon lights, show us how to live in this world. These stories are sacred and sweet as nectar, entering our bodies and egos. If the ego is removed, the result is Jnana. Through Jnana our sins are erased and we attain moksha.
Baba’s Mercy
On Diwali day in the year 1910, Baba was sitting opposite the ‘Dhuni’. He was adding firewood in the Dhuni every now and then. Suddenly, he thrust his hand into the burning Dhuni. The hand burnt, Shama and others who saw this, came running and pushed back Baba, who lose consciousness by then. He appeared to be somewhere else. After sometime, he came to his original state and told the devotees, "A blacksmith’s wife living very far off is my devotee. She was working the bellows. When her husband called her, forgetting the child in her lap she got up to ran to her husband. The child fell into the burning furnace. I immediately thrust my hand into the furnace and saved it. I am not feeling for my burnt hand. But I am happy that the child of my devotee is saved." How Baba could save a child so far away by putting his hand in the Dhuni at Shirdi is beyond our imagination. That is why we call these actions of Sai Baba as miracles. Sai Baba is a very competent Guru who is capable of doing any work in any manner. I prostrate before Sai Baba for having given me his blessings to write the Life History of such a Samartha Sadguru. Those who read these stories of Sai Baba are also blessed. Those whose sins are forgiven can only show interest in Baba’s stories. This is the Truth.
Bhagoji Shinde’s Service to Baba
On knowing that Baba had burnt his hand, Nana Chandorkar brought a notable doctor from Bombay. But Baba declined to get treated by him . He told,God is his doctor, Bhagoji Shinde applied ghee on the burnt hand, and putting some leaves on it bandaged it. This was done by him daily. Though he was a leper, he was a very lucky person to have served Baba so closely. For nearly 8 years, from 1910 to 1918, till Baba’s Samadhi, he dressed Baba’s burnt hand daily.
Damu Anna
A friend of Damodar Savalram Rasne alias Damu Anna from Bombay had written a letter to Damu Anna, that they both jointly do business in cotton as there would be huge profits. Since Damu Anna was a Sai devotee,he wrote to Shama at Shirdi, to take the opinion of Baba on the matter. When Shama went to Dwarakamai to consult Baba about it, Baba told him, "What things he is planning! Without being contented with what God has given him, he is trying to earn lakhs of rupees. He is crazy. Let him live happily with half-bread." Shama wrote back to Damu Anna about what Baba had told him. Damu Anna came to Shirdi personally to talk to Baba. He thought of offering him a share in the profits. Baba read his mind and told him that he did not like to involve himself in worldly matters. So Damu Anna dropped the proposal to trade in cotton. Soon after, all the cotton merchants incurred losses. At another time, Damu Anna wanted to trade in paddy. Baba told him that if Damu Anna purchased at 7 seers a rupee, he would sell at 9 seers a rupee. As Baba predicted, the rates of paddy came down and all those who hoarded paddy were put to heavy loss. Baba thus saved him twice from heavy losses. Because of this, Damu Anna’s devotion to Baba increased and he served him till Baba’s Samadhi.
He had no children in spite of having two wives. Many astrologers told him that he would not have children. In 1915 someone sent a basketful of mangoes to Baba. He took out four good mangoes from the basket and kept them aside. The rest he distributed to all. But all eyes were on the four mangoes. Having read their thoughts, Baba told them that the four mangoes were for Damu Anna. Just then, Damu Anna came to Shirdi. Baba gave him the mangoes and asked him to give them to his younger wife. "You should not eat. She will bring forth four sons and four daughters." After sometime, Baba’s words came true and the prediction of the astrologers failed.
The inner meaning of Baba’s statement that Damu Anna should not eat them and die was that Damu Anna, who felt sad at not having children, would suffer a lot being unable to maintain his eight children at a future time.
Once when Damu Anna was sitting near Baba’s feet, he got two doubts. ‘So many devotees are coming to Baba. Will all of them be benefited?’
‘Now I am seeking Baba’s advise in all matters and by acting according to his advice, I am much benefited. But what will be my fate after Baba leaves this body? Should I be like a drifting kite?’
Having read the doubts in Damu Anna, Baba answered, "Look at that mango tree and its thick flowers. If all the flowers become mangoes, how nice it will be. But at the flowering stage itself a lot will fall off. Some will fall off at the stage of tender mangoes. Due to plucking by birds, and children hitting with stones, some more will fall off. Finally very few become ripe mangoes. The same with these devotees also.
"Even after leaving the present body, I will be alert. The protection for my devotees will come from my Samadhi. I will discharge all my obligations from my Samadhi. My bones will look after your welfare."

We pray to Baba, to extend the assurance given to Damu Anna, to the readers of this Life History also.

shridi saibaba history in english continues

Sometimes Baba narrated his experiences in the form of a story. One day, after watering the plants in Lendi Bagh, Baba was sitting with Tatya under a nearby tree. Then Bhate and other devotees came there and sat with them. Baba shared his reminiscences with them.
Veerabhadrappa - Chenna Basappa
One morning, I went for a stroll, and going some distance, I rested under a tree by the side of a rivulet. A traveller came there and sat near me. A frog was croaking. He enquired me about it. I told him that the frog was tasting the bitter fruits of its karma (past actions). We have to reap the consequences of our actions whether right or wrong, of the previous birth, in this birth. He went to the spot from where the croaking sound was coming and found a black snake holding a frog in its mouth. I told him that both had been wicked in their previous birth and were reaping the consequences in this birth. He told me that the snake would devour the frog in a few minutes. I told him that I was like a father to the frog and would not allow it to die. Then we both went to the place where the snake was. I went near the snake and addressed it, "What Veerabhadrappa! Your foe Chenna Basappa had taken the form of a frog in this birth and is leading a lowly life. Though you are born as a snake, the enmity between you two has not subsided! Why are you having this enmity? You leave your hatred for each other and cool down."
On hearing my words, the snake released the frog and went into the water. The frog went away hopping. The traveller who was with me was surprised and asked me to tell him about Veerabhadrappa and Chenna Basappa. Then I narrated to him the details of the previous birth of the snake and the frog, as follows.
There was a dilapidated Shiva temple near a village named Mayuri. The villagers collected donations on a large scale, for getting the temple renovated. They appointed a wealthy man of the village as treasurer and handed over the collected amount to him. The person was a miser. He spent only a small amount for the temple but showed huge expenditure in the accounts. There was no improvement of the temple. If anyone questioned him, he put them off by his sweet words.
After some days, the deity in the temple, Mahadev appeared in the dreams of the miser’s wife and told her, "Construct the dome of the temple. I will pay back 100 times of the money you spend for this." When she told her husband about the dream, he laughed it off saying that was only a dream and could not be relied upon. When he was there, why did Mahadev tell her, ignoring him? The main aim of the dream appears to be to create ill-feelings between wife and husband. She became helpless and kept quiet.
Again after some days, Mahadev appeared in her dream and told her not to ask from her husband any money but to construct the dome of the temple with her money. She told her husband about this dream and decided to donate her jewels given to her by her parents, for the construction of the dome . Her miserly husband did not like this idea. He underestimated the value of the jewels as rupees one thousand and in exchange, without giving her the amount, gave her some dry land unfit for cultivation. Even this land did not belong to him. A poor old woman named Dubaki had pledged this piece of land with the miser for two hundred rupees and as she could not redeem it, the miser had annexed it. This cunning miser not only deceived his wife and Dubaki but also God. As this land is of no use, it was handed over to the temple priest.
After a period, a big cyclone hit the land and it rained heavily. During this time lightning struck the house of the miser and he and his wife died. In course of time Dubaki also died . In his next birth, the miser was born to a poor brahmin couple in Mathura and named Veerabhadrappa who live by alms. His wife of the previous birth was born to the temple priest and named Gouri. Dubaki was born as a male child to the temple owner and named Chenna Basappa. Veerabhadrappa hankered for money in this birth also.
All of a sudden, the cost of the lands went up. The land of Dubaki, which the priest presented to his daughter Gouri was sold for rupees one lakh. The value of her jewels also increased hundredfold . As long as their cost was negligible,nobody bothered about them. But when the values shot up, they started quarelling among themselves. They came to me for advice. I told them that all the property belonged to Lord Mahadev. Therefore, it should go to the priest. Since the priest had no sons, all rights accrued to Gouri and no amount should be spent without her permission and her husband had no right to this property. Veerabhadrappa got angry over this and accused me of trying to appropriate the property through Gouri . Hearing this accusation, I prayed to God and kept silent. Veerabhadrappa and Chenna Basappa became enemies over money matters. Veerabhadrappa became wild and threatened Chenna Basappa that he would cut him into pieces. Chenna Basappa sought my protection . I assured him that I would save him from his enemy. After sometime Veerabhadrappa died and took rebirth as a snake. Because of their enmity in their previous birth, the snake tried to eat the frog. To enable me to fulfil my promsie, God sent me here and the frog is saved.
Just as in the case of the story of the two goats, we have to learn some important matters from the above story also. If enmity and unfriendly attitudes were to be our life’s aims, then were are bound to come down from the human level to the animal level in our next birth. Therefore, atleast for our sake, we should discard these qualities and spend our lives in the path shown by Sai Baba. This is Prema Marga.
If anyone misappropriates God’s money and uses it for himself or for his family, he will suffer due to acute poverty and will have to beg for his living as in the case of Veerabhadrappa. If the readers hold the posts of Trustees, Secretaries and Treasurers in charge of God’s wealth, they should be careful and should not use even a rupee for their personal benefit. In case some have previously used God’s money unintentionally, they should reimburse the amount into God’s treasury. It is hoped that the readers will take this advice in its correct perspective and become pure in mind and action.
Deo was the tahsildar of Dahanu in Thane district. He was a Sai devotee as were the members of his family. His mother started a ceremony. She would do puja daily for a month and the lst day Udyapan ceremony would be held. On that day, according to one’s capacity, a number of relatives, friends and devotees would be fed. Deo wanted to celebrate the concluding ceremony on a grand scale by feeding four to five hundred people. While they were discussing the arrangements, his wife suggested that if Shirdi Baba graced the occasion, the reward for the Udyapan ceremony would increase a hundred fold and wanted Sai to be invited. Deo immediately wrote to Bapu Saheb Jog who was at Shirdi, to invite Baba on his behalf for the Udyapan ceremony. Sitting in Dwarakamai Baba received Deo’s invitation through Jog, and said, "I will come running to my devotees who call me with devotion. I will never forget those who remember me always. Whenever anyone thinks of me with love, I will be by their side. I and two others will attend the ceremony. You write to Deo." After receiving the above message from Jog, all the family members of Deo were very happy. There was still a month’s time for the Udyapan ceremony.
A sanyasi came to the Station Master of Dahan railway station and consulted him on matters regarding collection of donations for the protection of cows. He was dressed like a Bengali gentleman. The Station Master told the sanyasi to consult Deo, the tahsildar, as he could help him in this matter. Just then Deo also went there and learnt about the sanyasi’s mission. He told the sanyasi that donations were being collected for some other good cause and it was better to come after a month. So he went away.
One month was over. It was the day of Udyapan ceremony. The house was full of relatives and friends. In the morning the Bengali sanyasi alighted from the tonga before Deo’s house . Deo recognised and invited him into the house. But the sanyasi told him that he had come for meals and not for donations. Deo assured him it was all right and since they are having Udyapan ceremony, meals would be served by noon. If the sanyasi could tell where he would be, then Deo said that he would sent someone to fetch him. The sanyasi told him that it was not necessary to send anyone. Moreover, Deo would be busy with the work relating to the ceremony. The sanyasi finally told Deo that he would come for meals along with two others, and went away.
It was noon. The sanyasi came with two youngsters when the meals were in progress and had their meals and went away. The Udyapan ceremony went off well. But Deo was not fully satisfied as Baba did not attend the function, in spite of his message that he would attend. He wrote about this to Jog who was at Shirdi. Jog took the letter to Baba. Without seeing or hearing the contents of the letter Baba told Jog that "Sai will never deceive anyone. Having invited me, Deo failed to recognise me, inspite of my telling him that the Bengali sanyasi has not come for donations but for meals, there were two more with me and that he need not send anyone to fetch us, we went to his house for meals at the correct time and after taking meals came back. "Baba asked Jog to write to Deo about this and to recollect at least now. Then he added, "By doing my nama smaran, if you do any good things, there will not be any obstacles. I will always be there for my devotees. It is my duty to look after their welfare. I would rather end my life than break my word."
Baba’s ‘Padukas’ under the Neem Tree in Gurusthan
Dr. Rama Rao Kotari was resident of Bombay. He came to Shridi in 1912, got attracted to Baba and was in Shirdi for a mumber of days . He made friends with Dixit, Chandorkar, Shama and others who were with Baba. While discussing matters, they thought that it would be befitting if Baba’s padukas got carved in stone and put under the neem tree in comemmoration of his first visit to Shirdi when he sat under the neem tree. Dr Kotari sent padukas carved out of stone from Bombay. During that period Upasini Baba was staying at Khandoba temple. As per his advise, the padukas were brought in a procession on the full-moon day in the month of shravana. That morning at 11 o’ clock Dixit brought the padukas, carrying them on his head.
From Khandoba temple the procession with musical instruments playing came up to Dwarakamai and after taking the blessings of Baba they were brought to the neem tree and installed under it. The Sai Mahima Shloka Sada Nimba Vrukshasya Muladhi Vaasaath written by Upasini Baba was also carved there. From that day onwards puja was being regularly done in Gurusthan. If devotees clean the place and burn incense and dhoop on Thursdays, they will get the blessings of God. This was personally told by Baba.
Ratanji Wadia
A Parsee businessman named Ratanji Shapurji Wadia was a resident of Nanded. He had no children. On the advise of Das Ganu, he went to Shirdi and had darshan of Sai Baba. He thought of giving five rupees as dakshina to Baba. This ‘thought’ of Ratanji was known to Baba and he asked him to give him five rupees. But immediately, he told Ratanji that he had already received Rs.3 and annas 14 out of five rupees and therefore he may now give the balance Re.1.2 annas ( 16 annas equal one rupee ). Ratanji could not recollect when he had given Rs.3 and annas 14 to Baba. Anyhow, he gave the balance now to Baba as dakshina. After thinking for some moments, he understood Baba’s statement. When Ratanji wanted to visit Shirdi, a muslim fakir named Moula Saheb had come to his house of Nanded. That day Ratanji had spent exactly Rs.3 and annas 14 in welcoming the fakir. As soon as he remembered this, Ratanji thought how great Baba was and there is nothing he did not know. He immediately went and sat near Baba’s feet and begged him to give him a child. He developed undeterred devotion to Baba . After sometime he was blessed with a male child.
Baba’s Dakshina
Baba took dakshina only from a few devotees out of several who came for his darshan. Sometimes he accepted when devotees gave him unasked for. But he declined to take from such devotees at other times. He took dakshina from all, whether they were rich or poor. He used to ask dakshina from women and also children. If any devotee who Baba had asked for dakshina had no money, Baba advised him to take a loan, and give. If a devotee declined to give dakshina Baba never got angry. If anyone gave him more than what he asked for, he returned the excess amount. Sometimes he used to give back a portion of the dakshina to the devotees with an advice to keep it in the puja and worship. At times he took dakshina four or five times in a day from the same devotee. There were instances when the devotees gave away the entire amount they had with them. The devotees from whom Baba asked dakshina in return received the blessings of Baba. Such devotees never suffered for want of money in their lives. They always thought that Baba asked them dakshina for their own good.
Out of the money received through dakshina, Baba spent only a little of it for his chillum and towards firewood for the Dhuni. The balance amount he gave away to the poor and to those who were with him. Daily he gave away thus up to sixty rupees. The then British Government had received reports through its intelligence agencies, that Baba sometimes distributed more than we he received.
For spiritual progress, generally there are two obstacles: wealth and sex. Baba used to put the devotees to test regarding these two. He asked for money by way of dakshina. After that he sent them to the house of Radhakrishna Mai, who was a young and beautiful widow. She used to make arrangements in her house for food for those devotees who came from far-off places. She completely devoted her energies in the services of Baba. Pleased with her devotion, Baba gave her some powers without her knowledge. She could read the thoughts of those who visited her. She used to caution those whose thoughts became perverted after seeing her beauty. Baba sent the devotees to her house at one time or other, just to test them. The devotees exercised utmost caution while in her house.

All the valuable articles that were with Shirdi Samsthan were those brought by devotees on the advise of Radhakrishna Mai. But Baba never showed any interest in them. He told that all that his property consisted of were an undercloth, a separate cloth and a tumbler. His mind never went after materialistic objects. In the same way those who read this Life History should develop a detachment from worldly things. With a prayer to Sai Baba to bless these readers with peace and happiness, we will end this chapter.