Devotee Experiences  

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Experiences of Sai Leela by eminent lawyer Shri Vaman Chintaman Muke Vakil, Pimpalgaon Baswant, District Nasik, written on 11th July 1921 from Panchavati - Shri Sai Leela, Year 1, Volume III, Jyeshtha, Shaka 1845

My spiritual Guru Sri Samarth Raghunath Maharaj alias Kaka Puranik Dhopeshwar (Rajapur Dist. Ratnagiri) guided me towards the worship of God. I spent some time everyday in worshipping my Guru. With his blessings I was inspired to read the Dnyaneshwari. He introduced me to a devotee of Sant Dnyaneshwar, who has mentioned his boundless love towards his Guru Nivrittinath in the Dnyaneshwari. All his devotees know that. In the 13th chapter of the Dnyaneshwari ‘Acharyopasana’ Sant Dnyaneshwar says there is no knowledge without the blessings of a Guru. Since my Guru had taken Samadhi, I felt I had not been able to serve at my Guru’s feet. My spiritual Guru Kaka Maharaj Puranik encouraged me to visit Shirdi and take Baba’s Darshan. I followed his advice and reached Shirdi. Sai Baba immediately involved me in Guru Bhakti, (Devotion to the Guru). Seeing my dedication, he blessed me by touching the book about Sagunopasana and a photo of Sai himself.

I stay at Pimpalgaon Baswant, Taluka Niphad and am a lawyer by profession. About six years ago I built a small bungalow on my farm due to plague in the village. I lived there with my family. While staying there I used to regularly pray to Sai Baba, morning and evening.

Once, at mid-night, some robbers broke the northern wall of my bungalow. Sai’s photo was just inches away from where they broke in. Out of the four robbers, one came in through the gap, stole a small chest and passed it through the opening to his accomplices. There were notes worth two hundred rupees, a rupee and some small coins in it. There were also some promissory notes worth about Rs.4000/- . Opposite Sai Baba’s photo there was a trunk kept on a bench. There was gold jewelry worth Rs.3500/-, silver utensils worth Rs.500/- and valuables worth Rs.10000/- in it. As soon as the robber touched the trunk, my sister-in-law, who was sleeping next to the trunk, was awakened and she screamed ‘Chor! Chor!’ with fear. I was fast asleep and did not hear her. Suddenly Baba came in my dream and said, ‘‘your trunk is gone, wake up!’’ I jumped up with a start and with Baba’s motivation took a stick and said, ‘‘Hit this one!’’ Hearing my words the robber jumped out of the opening and ran away. With all this commotion, the watchman, the dog, the clerk and the servant got up and with the hullabaloo they created the robbers ran away. I remembered the Shloka from the Bhagvad Geeta and prostrated myself in front of the benevolent Sai.

‘‘Ananyaschintayanto mam ye janaha paryupasate
Tersha nityabhiyuktanam yagakshem vahamyaham’’

Till then we did not know that our chest was stolen. I sent my man to the police station to inform the officer-in-charge about the attempted house-break. When the police asked for a written complaint, I looked for the chest and realized it was stolen. But, I was not bothered about this loss. When the police left it was almost sunrise. Just then, a farmer who worked in our farm informed us that the stolen chest was abandoned in the farm a furlong away. I immediately went and recovered the chest. The robbers had taken all the cash; but the rest was intact. Since the chest had easily opened, it was not damaged.

Early next morning, I dreamt of Baba. In it I was offering my services at His feet. His noble disciple, Abdul and another fair and radiant Fakir were with Him. After dreaming of Sai, I felt a desire to visit Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan. I left the very same evening by train and reached Shirdi the following morning. When I saw Sai coming out of the village from His daily ablutions, I prostrated myself in front of Him. He kindly told me and others with me to go into Shirdi. There I stayed at Baba’s loving devotee, Shri Hari Sitaram Dikshit’s wada. After some time, when I went to the Masjid for Baba’s Darshan, I saw the same Fakir I had seen in my dream. When I inquired about him, I came to know that he was Abdul’s Guru. Isn’t it amazing I saw the same Fakir in person that I had seen in my dream a day ago at Pimpalgaon?

A third miracle occurred some days later, when Brahmachari Buva of Kopargaon remembered me and came to stay with us at our bungalow in Pimpalgaon. We lovingly worshipped him for three days. Before leaving Buva said that the money stolen would be returned.

A few months later the robbers and the money-lender who bought the stolen goods were caught. Some of the currency notes stolen from us were found in the moneylender’s house. Since the robbers confessed that the notes were the ones they had stolen from our house, Rs. 65/- of the total Rs. 200/- stolen were recovered and returned to us by the police. (Source: Saidas Vaman Chintaman Muke Vakil, Pimpalgaon Baswant, District Nasik’s letter published in  Shri Sai Leela magazine, Year 1, Volume III, Jyeshtha, Shaka 1845).

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Experiences of Vaman Rao - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org

Sai Baba is helper of His devotees; nothing could be compared to Him. Bhakti of Sai Baba cannot be ranked on any scale in the world. Maya can’t tease any Bhakta of Sai Baba, in whose heart Sai Baba resides. A person can only understand the secrets of Sai Baba, on whom Sai Baba showers His mercy. The road for attaining Sai Baba is very easy, but many unfortunate people don’t accept the road.

On one occasion, when in Shirdi, Vamanrao commenced reading Mayavati literature written by Vivekananda. Meanwhile he came to a topic named Hard Routes of Knowledgeable persons. As the topic was difficult to understand, he found it boring in places. So in between his reading, he visited the Dwarkamai, took darshan of Sai Baba and went away. He was not all bothered whether Sai Baba was present in Dwarkamai or not. He could easily understand the meaning of the topic, when he started reading after his round to Dwarkamai.

One day Sai Baba said to him, “See this farm. There is no one to look after the farm, so all the cattle will eat away the crops”. This means whatever Punya is done by you must be protected by Vrat (Fast), Niyam (Rule) and Sanyam (Patience); otherwise every thing will be washed out.

On one night, when Vamanrao sat with Sai Baba in Dwarkamai, Sai Baba placed His loving hand on Vamanrao’s head and transferred Saktipaat Yog to him. He spoke in sweet words; Blessings of Lord Shankar are with you. In this way Sai Baba gifted him some divine powers.

One day when Vamanrao sat worshipping Sai Baba, he thought in his mind, today Sai Baba is among us and we are doing His Seva Pooja by Chandan, Flowers, Incense Sticks, massaging his body, but when This Body is not be present, then whom shall we worship? Sai Baba is omnipotent and He immediately came to know the thoughts taking place in Vamanrao’s mind. In His answer Sai Baba said, Oh! Do you think that This Body is only Sai Baba? I am Forever. Don’t worry if I am not on this earth. Why do you think like that? (Source:Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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The dumb Speaks By Sai Baba's Grace - Published in www.shirdisaitrust.org

It is no exaggeration to say that Lord Sai is God Incarnate. He has performed miracles in His lifetime and after leaving this earthly life. His devotees have had miraculous experiences in their careers and one of the many instances is the following fact actually experienced by one of His devotees.

Sow. Rajalakshmi, was the nine-year-old daughter of Sri. T. L. S. Mani Iyer, from Kumbakonam. He was well known as an ardent devotee of Lord Sai. Sow. Rajalakshmi was dumb by birth. Much dejected by this, he worshipped Lord Sai most fervently and found solace in Him. One day Lord Sai ordered Sri Iyer to come to his Samadhi at Shirdi. Much excited, Sri Iyer with his daughter went to Shirdi on 28-3-42. They worshipped the Lord before His Samadhi; and “Lo, the girl began to cry “Sai Baba, Sai Baba.” Is it not a miracle? Does this not go to prove that He is the incarnation of God?

The girl is now studying in the school and there is now a veritable improvement in her speech. Greatly rejoicing at the mercy of Lord Sai, Iyer is daily offering pujas to Him in his house at Kumbakonam and of late he performed three Laksharchanas to Sri Sai Baba.

In May 1944, he again went to Shirdi to attend the Sri Ramanavami celebration and paid homage to Lord Sai by presenting Benares Silk shawl worth about Rs.500 and also a silver lamp (Kuthivikkulu) of the height of his daughter costing nearly Rs.400. His extreme faith in Him and ardent devotion to Him manifested as above, have attracted many more devotees to His doors at Shirdi. Puja as done at Shirdi, is being performed at his residence in Kumbakonam daily. (Source:Published in www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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The Leela of how K. J. Bhishma Composed “Shri Sadguru Sainath Sagunopasana” - Shri Sai Leela, September 1985 Issue

Krishnashastri Jageshwar Bhishma was a resident of a village called Bori in the district of Nagpur. He lived on the income from his farms. After his second wife died he became restless. His relations and friends advised him to remarry but he declined. In the month of Shravan in 1908, on the night of Purnima he had a dream. He saw a person of dark complexion with tripundra mark on his forehead, sandal-wood paste mixed with saffron applied to his body and Puja offered at his feet. He gave Bhishma a newspaper. Bhishma enquired of him as to who he was. He did not reply but pointed to the newspaper on which “Sat-Chit-Anand” was printed in bold letters. He directed Bhishma to read. Bhishma looked at the newspaper wherein he saw the words “Mantra va shikava” which means “chant mantra and learn”. Bhishma was intrigued and wanted to question the dark person, but both the person and the newspaper had vanished. Bhishma was mystified, but in the meantime he heard a knock at the door and he emerged out of his dream. He lost no time in recording this dream. Thereafter he thought long about his dream but was unable to unravel the mystery. After a few days a sadhu, a devotee of Ganesh, visited Bori. Bhishma narrated his dream to the sadhu who told him that “Sat-Chit-Anand Swami” was his guru, and gave him the mantra “Va Shikava”.

After sometime Bhishma happened to visit Amraoti where Dadasaheb Khaparde asked him whether he would like to accompany him to Shirdi. He agreed and in the company of Khaparde arrived in Shirdi. There is a mention of Bhishma in Khaparde’s Diary pertaining to his second and long stay at Shirdi beginning from 6th December 1911. As soon as Bhishma went to the Musjid for Sai Baba’s darshan, Sai Baba with folded hands exclaimed “Jaya Sat-Chit-Anand”. Bhishma was perplexed. He wondered whether the sadhu of his dream was Sai Baba. However, the sadhu of his dream was a Vaishnavite while Sai Baba appeared to be a Muslim! Yet, why Sai Baba uttered Sat-Chit-Anand? All Brahmin devotees of Sai Baba took tirtha but Bhishma did not. Sai Baba used to smoke the chillim and often invited others to have a puff but excluded Bhishma in the beginning. Once while Sai Baba was narrating a story, a devotee got the chillim ready and gave it to Sai Baba. Sai Baba held it out to Bhishma and directed him to smoke after merely touching the chillim to his mouth. Bhishma had a puff and returned it to Sai Baba. Sai Baba accepted it and remarked, “I roam everywhere, my friend – Bombay,Pune, Satara, Nagpur; all those towns are filled with the presence of Rama”. Then he suddenly said to Bhishma, “You eat laddus alone by yourself without offering anything to me. At least now give me five laddus”. It is well known that Sai Baba asked for dakshina from every devotee and spent the amount collected for charitable purposes.

Sai Baba’s remark had a strange effect on Bhishma. The distinction between the Vaishnav sadhu of his dream and Sai Baba disappeared. He knowingly asked the sevak for Sai Baba’s tirtha and placed his head on Sai Baba’s feet. Sai Baba put his palm on Bhishma’s head for two full minutes. Bhishma went into ecstasy. How could he describe the state of his mind except by saying like Devnath in his famous composition “Gurukrupayka uhnjuna paya mera main janu”. “The Guru’s Grace I have received I know it for myself”.

Bhishma returned to his lodging, brooding on how he could prepare five laddus in a place where he himself was a guest. Even otherwise he would have had to take the assistance of another person for the purpose and Sai Baba would have surely known about it. Moreover, why did Sai Baba ask him for only five laddus and not laddus generally? He spent a day thinking about the deeper meaning thereof and fell asleep with this thought uppermost in his mind. Suddenly he woke up and was inspired to compose a stanza. In the morning while he busied himself with the second stanza, Hari Sitaram Dikshit, on his way to the Masjid, saw the stanza. After his bath, Bhishma went to the Masjid. Sai Baba reminded him about the laddus. Bhishma kept quiet but Dikshit replied that laddus were being prepared. On hearing this Sai Baba fell into a silence. Next day, Bhishma completed five stanzas, and however hard he tried, he could not compose any more. So he placed the composition of five stanzas into Sai Baba’s hands.Sai Baba asked him to recite them. While he was reciting, Sai Baba again blessed him by putting his palm on his head and Bhishma felt exalted. Thereafter Bhishma would compose a verse and show it to Sai Baba who would order him to render it. Thus the booklet “Shri Sainath Sagunopasna” wrote itself and was offered at Sai Baba’s feet. Dadasaheb Khaparde has the booklet published at his expense till 1922. Later on in 1923, after Shri Sai Baba Sansthan was founded, with Bhishma’s consent a revised edition was planned and published by the Sansthan with incorporation of more compositions therein.

Bhishma prepared a booklet entitled Shri Sainath Sagunopasana which contained,besides the Arati, psalms sung in Arati to Shri Sai Baba, some traditional hymns from the Hindu liturgy like, Purusha Suktam, Sree Suktam, Mantra Pushpam, Sri Lakshmi Ashtotharam, intended for use in the daily worship of the devotees. Shri G.S. Khaparde had borne all the expenses of its publication till 1922, After Baba's Mahasamadhi, the book has been adapted as the official 'Book of Daily Worship' at the Samadhi Mandir.Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, on making some additions to it, has taken up the publication of the revised edition since 1923. In all, there are thirty psalms in the Book of Shirdi Aratis. Of the thirty, only sixteen are especially composed on Shri Sai Baba. The rest (fourteen, i.e. about half), are traditional Arati psalms composed by the mediaeval poet-saints of Maharashtra (excepting a Vedic chant). Of the fourteen traditional psalms, five are composed by Sant Tukaram Maharaj, two each by Sant Namadev and Sant Janabai, one each by Shri. Ramjanardhan Swami and Shri. Rameshwar Bhat; of the remaining three, one is a Vedic hymn and the other two are traditional prayers. Of the sixteen, psalms especially written on Shri Sai Baba, the major bulk, i.e. nine, are composed by Shri. K.J. Bhishma, three by Shri. Dasganu Maharaj, one each by Shri.Upasani Maharaj, Shri. Madhav Adkar, Shri. Mohini Raj and Shri. B.V. Dev. Linguistically, of the thirty Arati psalms, twenty five are in Marathi, two in Hindi, two in Sanskrit and one a bilingual anthology of short Marathi and Sanskrit prayers.(Source: Shri Sai Leela, September 1985 Issue)

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Experience of Shri.Nilkanth Ramachandra Sahasrabuddhe vide letter written on 18th February 1920 – Shri Sai Leela Magazine Year 1923, 3rd issue

Late one night in the beginning of December 1910, while reading the ‘Panchadashi’ at a fellow devotee’s place, Shri Bhausaheb Dixit and Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar arrived unexpectedly around 11 p.m. After some preliminary conversation, Nanasaheb asked me, “When are you going to Shirdi?” “Someday,” I answered. They had asked me many times before, and I had been putting it off. This time they insisted that I leave the very next day, a Sunday. I told them that I would collect my pension and go on Monday; but they were so insistent that Nanasaheb gave me Rs. 10/- for expenses and said, “Annasaheb Dabholkar will arrange to collect your pension.” I was hesitant; but reluctantly agreed, wondering if I had to stay for more days in Shirdi, would Rs. 10/- suffice. But, Bhausaheb arranged for an unlimited amount to be paid to me by giving me a letter to a treasurer in Shirdi.

Reluctantly I left for Shirdi the very next morning. My co-passenger in the Manmad Mail was a young man, who was a M.A. graduate and studying for LL.B. Conversing with him I asked him if he knew anything about Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. “I know that mad Fakir,” was all he replied. My belief that Shirdi was a place of idiots was confirmed.

I reached Shirdi around 10 a.m. and went to Rao Bahadur Sathe’s Wada, where I was supposed to look for Shri Madhavrao Deshpande, the treasurer mentioned by Bhausaheb. Just then, I met an old friend, Laxman Krishnaji alias Tatyasaheb Noolkar, seated there. Initially when I greeted him with a namaste, he did not recognize me; but when he did, he gave me a bear’s hug and said, all my work was now his responsibility. He apprised Madhavrao of my circumstances.

After bathing, Tatyasaheb took me for the Aarti in the Masjid. As Tatyasaheb paid his obeisance by touching his head on Shri Sai Baba’s Feet, I too followed suit as a matter of routine. Immediately Baba said, “Do Namaskar to Tatyaba, do Namaskar to Bapusaheb, there is no lowliness in bowing to anyone.”

Tatyasaheb had introduced me to Bapusaheb Jog earlier. Shri Sai told me to serve Tatyaba in the noon Aarti repeatedly for the next three days. Though I believed that some great souls graced this earth, I was doubtful of Shri Sai Baba’s authority. Hence, I jested with Tatyaba to give me some opportunity to serve him from the very first day. I continued to jest till one day Tatyaba told me to stop, as it hurt him immensely. One day, I told Baba that I could not fathom the meaning of His words and that He should tell me clearly, what He meant. Unlike His other devotees, I could not deduce some hidden meaning. “Okay,” He said. A few days later, during one of His discourses, He said, “Our experiences are not indirect. Those who feel so can go and those who don’t should experience and then go.” I realized that these words were for me and so told him that I would not go, until I had proof. Once again, He just said, “Okay”.

Madhavrao would keep asking Baba about the date of my return; but Baba kept saying, “We have to work on him. Let him lie around the Masjid like a dog.” Another time He said, “He is mine; I have to do his work; whom does he have besides me?” I was thus assured by Baba.

Tatyaba, who had been in good health all these days, suddenly became extremely ill and I resolved not to go till he got well. But, he died in the month of March. Sai’s words “Serve Tatyaba” thus came true and one day Tatyaba tearfully said, “Nilkanthrao, Baba brought you here, so that I may not suffer. Don’t you think that is what He meant, when He first uttered those words to you?” Concentrating his sight and telling both his sons to recite the ‘Abhang’, which means - “Please remain within my sight always”, he left his body in the wee hours of the morning.

The previous day, before his condition worsened, Baba had said to Madhavrao, “Tatyaba listened to me and stayed here to achieve salvation.” Not even is highly educated doctor son could have foreseen that Tatyaba’s condition would turn for the worse so suddenly. “Such a death is really the fruit of great good deeds (Maha Punya)” was everybody’s unanimous opinion as they recalled the Sloka from the Bhagvad Gita, which says that those who remember God when the end is near, achieve salvation. This was Baba’s Prasad.

In the last 35-36 years, I do not remember a single week, in which I did not have dreams. But, while in Shirdi many months passed with dream-free sleep. There could be no other reason except Baba’s blessings. My health was good if not better in other places; but I had always had dreams.

Once, during noon Aarti, while Baba was distributing Mithai brought by a gentleman as Prasad, I wondered if my turn would come. Just then Baba smilingly gestured, “Nothing for you”; and then gave me the Prasad!

Once, referring to the fictitious name of Dadabhat Deshpande instead of mine, Baba described my proud nature, my family and circumstances. Bhausaheb Dixit asked, “Who is this Dadabhat Deshpande?” as he and I were the only two people, who completely understood whom Baba had implied. The others did not.

One day, as soon as I entered the Masjid, Baba said, “Come Ramayya!” and asked me to come up. After some days, when Baba was distributing ‘Udi’ and it was my turn to do Namaskar, He blessed me by keeping His hand on my head and said, “Say Rama’s name,” as I had firm belief in thinking “Shri Ramam Sarvam Karmani”, that is Shri Ram did everything.

Once, while I was musing for three days on the thought that saints made you like them immediately, Madhavrao as usual asked Baba as to when I would be allowed to return. Baba surprisingly replied, “He wants me to get up and make him sit in my place, a job which needs patience.” Nobody, but I understood the meaning of His words!

I met the same young man I had met on the train to Shirdi, when he visited two months later. By now I had no doubts whatsoever regarding Baba’s authority and so just repeated the same question to him. Amazingly, he had changed his previous opinion about Baba within half an hour. He could not explain, why.

The first time I met Baba, He asked me for Rs. 12/- as ‘Dakshina’. After some days, He asked for Rs. 8/-. Some days later, a friend Shri Ramchandra Vaman alias Bhausaheb Modak sent Rs. 5/- by money order to Tatyasaheb, which he asked me to deliver to Baba. When I presented the amount to Baba, He said, ‘‘Keep it, you will need it for your expenses.’’ But, since I had enough money, I requested Baba to keep it, when again He said, ‘‘you will need this for your expenses, I am telling you; so keep it with you!’’ Reluctantly I kept the amount. Later, when I got His permission to leave, I intended to go to Pune or Mumbai; but due to unforeseen circumstances I had to leave for Jalgaon. There was a shortfall of Rs. 5/- for the amount required to go there. I kept the note given by Baba in a sealed packet with a friend and borrowed Rs. 5/- from him. Later, I collected my sealed packet by returning the amount.

In later years, whenever I went to Shirdi, Baba asked me for exactly Rs. 15/- as ‘Dakshina’. Once, when I did not have the requisite amount, He said, ‘‘Get them from Kaka (Bhausaheb Dixit)!’’ I could not meet Kaka then; but when I went once again, he said, ‘‘I do not know your money, I will take out the Holy Book (Pothi) and you can see for yourself.’’ But, I just returned to Baba without bothering to look in the Holy Book and telling Him, what had happened and asked Him to reveal the meaning of Rs. 15/-. But, He said, ‘‘let it remain for the time being. We will see later; there is no hurry.’’ So, I just kept quiet and mulled over the subject. Then I remembered some lines from Shri Nath Bhagvat, which I had noted in my notebook earlier. I found great satisfaction in them. The meaning of the two lines was that the five ways of Yoga and control of ten sense organs were the ways to self-realization. It struck me that the fifteen rupees, that Baba asked for every time must be these. As it is said in the Bhagvad Gita, those who believe will find knowledge; and my belief was not blind.

On my last visit to Shirdi, as soon as He saw me, Baba said, ‘‘It is good you came; I was thinking about you.’’ Words, I had never heard before. But, it never occurred to me that this would be His last Darshan until He left His mortal coil. This time, when I decided to return, I kept asking through Bhausaheb for permission to leave in the late afternoon, since we all believed the train left Kopargaon in the evening. But, every time, Baba would say,’ Let him leave tomorrow morning.’’ Finally, one day, I managed to get permission to leave in the late afternoon and reached Kopargaon station only to find that the timings of the train had changed to morning. I had to stay in the railway station overnight!

Once, my friend Rao Bahadur Ganpatrao Anjangaonkar had gone to Shirdi with some friends. Since he had to meet the public prosecutor in Thane regarding a District Court appeal on Sunday, he asked for permission to leave on Saturday; but Baba kept saying, ‘‘He does not need to go so early.’’ But, how can ordinary people like us believe it? Ultimately, after many appeals by Ganpatrao, Baba said, ‘‘Go, it’s your wish.’’ When Ganpatrao reached Thane Court at the appointed time, he was informed that the appeal was postponed for another eight days. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Year 1923 3rd issue).

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Experiences narrated by Ganesh Govind Narke to Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit vide letter dated 4th March 1918 -  Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Shravan, Shaké 1845, Year I, Vol. VI

It was Nath Shashti (death anniversary of Sant Eknath Maharaj) day before yesterday. That day after sending some devotees to a narration of Sant Eknath’s life by an old lady, Baba told us some stories after mealtime, in which He mentioned Sant Kabir and Sant Namdev.

Later at dinner time Baba suddenly flew into a rage and quarreled with Tatya. He took a ‘Narsimha Avatar’ before touching any food. He told Dada, “Throw him out or else I am going down”. He went to the ‘Chaurang’ (short four–legged stool used for Pooja) and even picked up two big stones to hit Tatya. Tatya descended; but he was adamant about not letting Baba go to the Chavadi without partaking any fruits.

The bell clanged at 8.45 p.m. and devotees started collecting and started singing Bhajans; but Tatya continued to sulk. The clock ticked past 9.30, then 10.30, and the place became crowded with men and women. The palanquin was ready, the horse was at the gate and the singing of Bhajans reached a crescendo. Baba silently got up from His seat and approached the Chaurang. He then calmly sat near the pillar, but did not utter a word. “Baba is going to delay the departure to Paithan” assumed the people and started singing and dancing in frenzy as though they were in Paithan itself. At 11 p.m., Dada asked for permission to go home. Baba said, ‘‘where are you going? Sit down!” In the end Tatya gave up; but Baba said, ‘‘I am not going.” He told Dada, ‘‘Okay, you may leave, it is very late.” He hurled abuses to those singing Bhajans to stop. He told Mhalsapati, ‘‘Let’s go to the Takya!” Mhalsapati sent all the Bhajan singers away as per Baba’s wish. He told Tatya to go. Everyone went home. Bapusaheb left. While we were still in the Masjid (myself, Khadke etc.), Sai took His seat and again got very angry and hurled abuses. Amongst the many names mentioned, yours was one.

Finally around mid-night, Baba said, “Let’s go!” The bell was rung in a hurry. Tatya and Bapusaheb came and we all reached the Chavadi joyfully. People called it a Sai Leela of Nath Shashti.

The next morning everybody was talking of nothing, but the happenings of the night. Tatya came up to the wall and said, ‘‘Baba, if you had told us properly that we had to go after mid-night, everybody would have happily sung Bhajans until then. We would not have gone against you.” “What a sport!” “It’s you and Bapusaheb who are great sportsmen.” When people were returning from Lendi Baug, Baba asked, “Why were we late yesterday?” So be it. Everything is fine here.

Once, Shri Moreshwar Pradhan’s son became ill. A Telangi Shastri, who was a Lord Datta’s devotee, lived there. He did not like Shri Pradhan worshipping Sai Baba. He told him, ‘‘Leave Baba and surrender to Lord Datta and your son will be fine.” Pradhan said, ‘‘Sai Baba is Lord Datta.” Shastri Buva said, ‘‘if your son starts drinking milk within five minutes, I shall believe Sai is Lord Datta and if from tomorrow your son starts recovering his normal health, I will go for Baba’s Darshan and offer Rs.125/- as Dakshina. The boy drank milk within five minutes and started gaining health from the very next day. When he recovered completely, Shastri Buva visited Shirdi, took Sai’s Darshan and offered the promised Dakshina. Late in the evening Baba again asked him for Rs. 5/- as Dakshina. When Madhavrao asked, why He again asked for Dakshina, when he had already received Rs.125/- in the morning, Baba said, ‘‘He gave them to Lord Datta. When did he give me?”

When Sai was in the mood, He used to narrate stories to devotees around Him. Here are some:-

1. There was a son of a gardener - farm laborer (Mali-Kunbi). He came to the palace and grew up there. After twelve years, he started weeping for his parents. But, the Badshah consoled him, ‘‘there are many palaces here. You can stay in one of them.” The boy started weeping again. So, the Badshah gave his daughter in marriage to him. She did not conceive, so he married a Mali-Kunbi’s daughter; but he started lamenting once again. The Badshah tried to pacify him; but he left the palace. The Badshah then gave him some wealth since he was a great man. His name lives on.

The moral of the story is the Badshah loved him so much that he gave him a palace, and his own daughter. But, the strong desire to return to his parents (to succumb to worldly desires) was so great that he could not stay. The great Badshah gave him wealth but had he stayed he would have got the kingdom.

2. There were four brothers; two of them went to a village. They belonged to the Mali- Kunbi community. There was a young girl in the village. She belonged to Kabir. They signaled her to come and she went. They took her to their village. I was a small boy. I too went with them. People in their village made inquiries and threatened them; so the two of them took the girl to the mountains. I went after them. Later the girl delivered two babies. After some days her parents found her. The people said, ‘‘Take your daughter and kill these two!’’ The parents said, ‘‘our daughter now has children. Let her stay!”

3. There was a grocer. He filled three vessels with ghee. My old man was nearby. He said, “If you put these in front of me, I alone shall eat all the ghee.” At that time the grocer’s brother beckoned him for lunch. The grocer locked the vessels in the shop. He told my old man, ‘‘When I come back; I shall give you roasted gram (Chana).” I was near the old man.

There were two other kids. They kicked the dilapidated wall on the back side and it caved in. They finished the ghee from two of the vessels. At my old man’s instance I finished the third. When the grocer returned I told him about the ghee. He found that some gold and other things too were missing and took us to the police station. The real culprit was found and we were let off. We all suffered from dysentery, and passed ghee in our stools. My old man cured me. Later the grocer fed me for two years. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Shravan, Shaké 1845, Year I, Vol. VI).

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Experiences of Rumalwala Baba - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org

In Madhya Pradesh, there is a big town named Indore. There is a big temple of Raja Vikramaditya’s deity Goddess Harishiddhi. In the year 1915, there lived a Fakir named Rumalwala Baba besides the temple. He was called a Mast Fakir. He never used to beg, and he was in meditation of Sai Baba for 24 hours. Although there was no need to go to Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan, he went to Shirdi many times to be engrossed in Baba. In the year 1915, in the month of May on a Friday, he visited Shirdi for Sai Baba’s Darshan. While he was meditating in Dwarkamai a photographer came and captured Baba’s photo and ran away with the camera. Baba abused him a lot for his act. On the third day i.e. Sunday, the photographer came and gifted the photograph to Sai Baba in the presence of Rumalwala Baba.At that time Prof. Ganpatrao Narke, son-in-law of Shri Bapu Saheb Buti, was seated before Baba to talk about his job. Baba gave the photograph to him and said, “Take this! The person who has this photograph, his calamities would vanish (Beda Paar Ho Jayega). Rumalwala Baba thought that how nice would be of Baba, if he had given me such an incomparable photograph. After that people sang Madhyan Aarti, stotras, Baba gave Udi to all and ordered everybody to go and have their lunch.

Like a bird is not happy without wings, so is a snake without a pearl, an elephant is not happy without its trunk, so Rumalwala Baba was unhappy without the photograph. He went to Balabhau’s lodge to eat, but could not even eat a morsel. Some how he finished off his lunch and got up to give Balabhau eight annas for the lunch. Then along with the money the photograph also came out from his pocket. He became so happy and emotional that he started dancing and jumping. He said to everyone, “See I got Baba’s divine photograph, see I got Baba’s divine photograph. Baba had said whosoever preserves this photograph, his calamities would vanish”. By getting Baba’s divine photograph, there was no bound to happiness of Rumalwala Baba. He was very excited, his eyes overflowed with tears, he kept the photo near his heart and started embracing it again and again. After some days, Rumalwala went back to Indore; he kept the photograph in a recess of a wall.

Some years later, a devotee named Shri. Pathakji started visiting Rumalwala Baba. One day he took the photograph in his hands. Seeing this Rumalwala Baba, became very angry and said, “You have angered me by taking the photograph in your hands. Now don’t keep it here. You take the photograph and keep it with you. Whoever has this photograph, preserves it, worships it, lights lamp and incense stick before it, their calamities would vanish. In this way the divine photograph of Baba passed away from Rumalwala Baba to Shri. Pathakji.

There was a Sai Baba devotee named Gajananrao Krishnarao Nirakhe. People used to call him Bapu Saheb, and for offering service visited frequently Shirdi. He lived in Gandhinagar. After getting the divine photograph of Sai Baba, Shri Pathakji, joined the team of Bapu Saheb for visiting Shirdi. Seeing the utmost devotion to Sai Baba, Shri Pathakji sent that divine photograph to Bapu Saheb through another devotee of Sai Baba named Shri Upasani. He danced and jumped with joy after getting the photo. He got the photograph framed and tied it around his neck. Devotees of Indore built a temple for Sai Baba. The idol of Sai Baba was duly installed by Bapu Saheb.

In the year 1987, on 10th and 11th October, in a huge hall of Shreyas School, Baroda, Akhil Bhartiya Sai Sammelan was held. Late Shri. Maganlal Jermanwala, author of Sai Sarovar Book was honored. Indore’s Bapu Saheb was also present on the occasion. He had that divine photograph of Sai Baba which he himself tied around his neck. Sai Baba then inspired Bapu Saheb to give the photograph to Sai Sarovar.(Source: Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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Experience of Sai Leela by Shirdi's Primary School Teacher Shri.Daagi Vamanrao Chidambar – www.shirdisaitrust.org

An able teacher was transferred to the primary school of Shirdi from school of another village. His name was Daagi Vamanrao Chidambar. He was concerned about his own future along with his student’s future. If any student passed with outstanding results, the teacher was praised and he got promotions. Thus he was always concerned about such perks and taught the students with greatest concentration and care. But the situation of the students on the other side was very different. No one concentrated on studies. All had the same words on their lips, “We are blessed children of Sai Baba, so there is no need to think about studies and examination”.

One day Daagi Chidambar opened his heart in front of Kakasaheb Dixit, “Kaka (uncle) you are an elderly person of this village. All people respect you a lot. Please you try to make my students’ parents understand the importance of paying attention towards studies. Their children are fully dependent on Baba, they do not work hard. If this continues, I will lose hard earned fame in my entire career. All of them say that they will wake up early on the examination day, have darshan of Baba, partake prasad of Udi and thus presume to be passed and there is no reason for worrying about examination and studies”.

“Kaka! I am passing sleepless nights worrying that all my hard work and fame will be washed away due to such students of Shirdi.”

Kakasaheb answered, “Daagi! Keep patience and be calm. Just wait for the results. As the students have full faith in Sai Baba, so does the Fakir bears love for them. He is sure to help them. Moreover He is also concerned about you, even if you have faith in him or not. He is worried for everyone’s welfare and does well to everyone.”

An inspector named Deshmukh was present in Shirdi for inspection. He was well known for his strictness and dedication to his work. This made Daagi’s heart beats double in a minute and his body started perspiring. He knew that the students did not study whole year, so his hard work and efforts for gaining a respectable position in his career would end up uselessly. He even feared of losing his job.

The result day was a big surprise for Daagi. Even weakest of weakest student passed with good marks. Now Daagi realized the powers and mercy of Sai Baba. He went to Dwarkamai and fell at the ground and did Shashtang Namaskars to Baba. He said, “I have gained everything by coming to Shirdi and much pleased by your darshan. All my sins, sorrows and poverty have ended in front of you. The Almighty has given me the fruit of all my past births by showing me the path of Shirdi. The way to heaven is from Shirdi. O Grateful Sai, I do not want any money, designation or anything else, but give a blessing that I spend my whole life in Shirdi and I can meet my death in this Holy Land. I fold my hands before you please grant me one and only wish.”

Sai Baba, God of Gods promised Daagi to give pure Bhakti and led him to the path of salvation.

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Experience of Sai Leela by Kakasaheb Dixit’s brother Shri.Rajaram Dixit – www.shirdisaitrust.org

Kakasaheb’s brother Rajaram Dixit lived in Nagpur. As he grew old, his health deteriorated. Kakasaheb resided in Shirdi at that time. So a letter was sent to him by Rajaram describing his own condition. In the end it was written, “If you are present in Nagpur in this time of calamity, it would be helpful to me. Hence as soon as you receive this letter, leave Shirdi and come to me.”

Rajaram Dixit

As per Kakasaheb’s practice, he went to Baba holding the letter in his hand. Baba who was Antaryami said, “Rajaram is nearing his old age. Thus it is obvious that he will be surrounded by bad health. So what is the use of your going there? Go and sit in your wada (lodging). When I am sitting here for you all, there is no need to worry”.

When this discussion was going on between Baba and Kakasaheb in Shirdi, a Fakir in saffron colored dress stood in the courtyard of Rajaram’s house in Nagpur. He said, “I am a Sevak (servant) of Sai Baba of Shirdi.”

All the members welcomed Fakir on hearing Sai Baba’s name. Fakir took out handful of Udi and gave to Rajaram as prasad from Sai Baba. Rajaram partook some Udi with Baba’s name. And lo! all his sickness was destroyed by Udi in few minutes. He sent Kakasaheb a detailed letter regarding this incident, “By taking Udi which Sai Baba had sent through His Sevak, all my sufferings have ended, now it will be fine if you don’t come.” (Source: www.shirdisaitrust.org).

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Experience of Sai Leela by Gadge Maharaj – www.shirdisaitrust.org

Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaj narrated one interesting episode in the life of Gadge Maharaj as recounted by Nanasaheb Rasne. Once Gadge Baba visited the house of Nanasaheb Rasne, the son of Damodar Rasne who was one of the very fortunate souls profoundly blessed by Sai Baba. Gadge Maharaj explained to Nanasaheb Rasne how his life was completely transformed to that of a saint!

Gadge Baba said to Nanasaheb Rasne,"I will tell you certain things which are not generally revealed to others. I was born in a washer man family. As I was very poor, I worked in a clothes shop in Shedgaon. Once a fakir came from Selu Manvant and asked for bhiksha. People did not offer him anything thinking that he was a Muslim. When I saw the fakir, I felt a strong desire to serve him. So I went home and brought some food to give him. But, the fakir already left the place! So I started in search of him. Searched several places but found him in a ripe cornfield munching a corn spike! When he saw me, he shouted at me, “Why have you come over here?" I answered, “I have come to give you food." Then he said, "Will you give anything I want?" I replied that I would give him anything in life except money because money I did not have. Then he demanded, "Give me your life!" I replied that it was already with him. I asked him to take my life immediately as I lost zest in life. Then suddenly the fakir took me closer to him and put his hands on my head blessing me. I felt galvanized at that moment and decided to quit the world! After feeding the fakir I returned home to tell my people about my decision. I told my people at home that I got a great Guru and I would follow him. I returned to the fakir only to find him angrier. He shouted at me," Rogue! Is it not sufficient which I had given to you? You still want more?" Then I replied that I could not live without him! Satisfied with my reply, the fakir took me to a nearby cemetery and asked me to dig a pit at the tomb of a Muslim saint. When the pit was dug he asked me to pour two pot full of water in to it. He sipped three handfuls of water from the pit and asked me to do the same. Suddenly I became oblivious of my state when I drank the water and went in to a yogic trance! I remained in that state for a long time! I did not notice when the fakir left the place. So I again started on a journey searching for him for so many years. One day I came to Shirdi and entered a masjid when the curtains therein were lowered for a fakir was taking a bath! I peeped inside and he was the same fakir whom I had been searching for years .He looked at me and cried, "Bastard! You have already eaten my flesh and now you have come to eat my bones! Don't you leave me?" I answered that I would not leave him. Then suddenly he became furious and flung a brick at me. The brick hit me on my forehead and I fell down bleeding. The fakir then came to me and cleaned the wound. He circumambulated me and blessed me, “Now, you can go! You are completely transformed! "The fakir is none other than great Sadguru Sai Baba!” So Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja made an inference with the help of this happening in the life of Gadge Baba about what Sai Baba did before His second appearance in Shirdi in 1856 and He was complete Perfect Master by the time He returned with Chand Patil's marriage party to Shirdi. Sai Baba is beyond time and space indeed!

Gadge Maharaj had the habit of continuously singing “Gopala, Gopala Deviki Nandan Gopala”. In his early days he was a poor saint who owned only a mud pot, but a desire to build a grand building for charitable work. He was quite successful in building a “Dharamshala” at Pandarpur, when he started building a dharamshala at Nasik the funds suddenly froze. He had only a few rooms built and the work had to be stopped. He was quite disgusted by the turn of events so he decided to go and meet Baba.

Just as he climbed the steps of the Dwarkamai, Baba looked at him and shouted a lot of foul abuses. Gadge Maharaj laughed heartily and so did Baba. Gadge Maharaj knew that hereafter his work would proceed smoothly. Since Baba had abused and driven the bad fortune and soon the funds rolled in and he successfully completed his mission.

Sadguru Gadge Baba visited Shirdi in 1927 before attaining Mahasamadhi and swept the streets of Shirdi chanting "Hum Jato Amche Gaona"(I am going to my abode!). He prayed at Samadhi Mandir and said to his followers, "We will not meet again!” Then he walked to the bank of Narmada and attained Maha Samadhi! (Source: www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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Experience of Sai Leela by Durgabai Karmakar – www.shirdisaitrust.org

It was some time in the year 1913, when a woman wearing black sari and carrying an infant in her hand climbed the steps of Dwarakamai early in the morning. She placed the infant on the floor of the Masjid Mai and bowed down to its presiding deity Sai Baba. The women whose name was Durgabai Karmakar was so touched by Baba’s darshan that she forgot everything and tears flowed down her cheeks. At that very moment all her bad deeds vanished. Durgabai’s baby was eight months old. She was very poor and it seemed difficult for her to meet expenses for her stay in Shirdi.

Omnipotent Baba already knew about this fact and said, “This is Sai’s court. This Dwarakamai does good to everyone. Don’t worry about anything. Nothing can trouble you here. Now go and sit under that Neem tree. Sit there for three days without uttering a single word and don’t partake of any food or water. On the fourth day morning everything will be alright.”

Durgabai answered, “Baba! I am not bothered if I don’t get food or water for three consecutive days. But what about my little kid? He lives on milk. So if I get some milk let alone other food for him, it is enough for me. Baba! I am very poor. I have none to support”.

Baba answered, “Go, Go, if you don’t get milk for your kid, don’t give him anything. Just keep him sleeping. Allah is Malik! – Allah is Almight!”. There was no doubt in Baba’s words for Durgabai. Still her eyes were wet with tears.

Durgabai decided to stick with Baba’s words whatever may be the consequence, good or bad. Baba’s words gave her immense strength to abide by this order.

Durgabai went and sat under the Neem tree as Baba’s words were law and strength for such helpless devotees. It was the same Neem tree where, today, Gurusthan is situated. Three days passed by Durgabai without food and water and without uttering a single word to anyone. But more surprising fact here was that the infant of eight months also did not cry for milk or food. Both the mother and son did not even attend to the nature’s calls during these three days.

On the fourth day in the early morning, Baba came and gave a piece of chapatti to Durgabai and placed a two rupee coin in her son’s hand to buy milk. Baba gave some advice to Durgabai, “Don’t talk with anyone unnecessarily. Be silent till it is possible. Serve others and that will be considered as My Service.” While such talks were going on between Baba and Durgabai, Balabhau having a hotel of his own in Shirdi, came to them and said to Baba with folded hands, “Baba! I take responsibility of this lady on my shoulders”.

Thus Baba arranged everything to feed that poor lady and her son. The infant was not named till then. Baba named him Raghunath.

Durgabai had decided to stay in Shirdi for seven to eight days. After this span of time, she went to Dwarakamai for permission to leave Shirdi. Baba said, “Go and sit at your place. I have pulled you here, but I have not pulled you here to return. I pull only those who are Mine.

The lane between Dwarkamai and Lendibaug was unoccupied at that time. So if any residence was built in that unoccupied space then one could have easy Darshan of Baba while He went for rounds to Lendibaug in the morning and evening.

Durgabai built a pukka house of her own in Shirdi in between the lane from Dwarkamai to Lendbaug. She used to work at two different places and earned her living. She was a hard worker and never felt ashamed to do any type of work. Well learned and high profile devotees of Baba’s court gave her much respect, but she was not the least proud of that.

But such down to earth nature of Durgabai was not liked by all and few people used to criticize her very badly. Still she did not speak anything in answer to those people. She sat in a corner of Dwarakamai and wept slowly.

One day it was noon time. She was pressing Baba’s legs in Dwarakamai and she remembered few bitter words against her. She could not control her tears. Baba, who knew everything said to Durgabai, “Durge! What business do you have with these people? People may do anything, speak anything, but is there any necessity to pay attention to them? I am here for you. You have to do many things and work hard. You will always find Me sitting here and ready to help you.” Baba’s nectar like words consoled Durgabai to a great extent.

Durgabai never rejected any type of work. However difficult it may be, she would complete the work. After retiring from work she used to take pot filled with rice grains to Dwarakamai and cooked it on Baba’s Dhuni (sacred fire lit by Baba himself). Till the rice was cooked, she used to massage Baba’s whole body. She would not stop until Baba told her to stop.

Durgabai prepared Naivedya from the rice cooked in Dwarakamai for Baba. There was a strange relationship between Durgabai and Baba. Durgabai was inspired to prepare those dishes which Baba wished to eat!!! So undoubtedly dishes prepared by Durgabai were partaken by Baba with love. Dada Saheb Khaparde was very much impressed by Durgabai’s service to Baba. For her uninterrupted service, he had arranged to give fifteen rupees to Durgabai every month.

Durgabai used to follow strict rules in her worship to Baba, though Baba was only hungry for true feelings and love His devotees. She believed in discrimination of touchable – untouchable. Once it so happened that Durgabai had kept rice to cook in Dwarakamai and was massaging Baba’s body. Meanwhile a devotee turned up. He placed aside a rice pot from Dhuni, took a flame from Dhuni to light chilam and again placed the vessel on Dhuni. That devotee did not have any thought of untouchablility. He only knew that it was Baba’s darbar where there is no discrimination of high – low, rich – poor, touchable – untouchable. Everyone is equal in this court.

Durgabai did not object to any of that person’s actions nor did she leave her service. Mentally she thought, “It’s time for my son’s lunch. How can I feed untouchable rice to my son? A person lives on food and he is the outcome of the food he eats. No, no, such untouchable food will not do any good to my son. Now when will I go to shop to bring rice, when lunch will be prepared again and when will I feed my son?”

Such were the thoughts of Durgabai and they made her cry. One tear fell on Baba’s back and Baba knew her feelings and state of mind there and then.

Baba said, “Durge, you please don’t cry. There is no room for untouchability in our court. This Masjidmai is not worthless. People come here and wash away sins of their crores of births. I have lighted this Dhuni with My Hands. God of fire – Agni Dev resides in this Dhuni. So, will the rice cooked on this pious fire ever become unfit to eat due to someone’s touching it? Your son’s fortune will shine by eating rice cooked on this holy fire. I am not saying these words because mercy has dawned in Me. I don’t have any ill feelings towards anyone in My heart. Agni Dev resides here in this Dhuni and I have lit this Dhuni. People come and take Udi (sacred ash) of this Dhuni to cure diseases and apply on foreheads. So what to say about their fortunes? Durge, don’t have any doubts in your mind. You feed Raghu with this rice only and also feed yourself!”. Saying so Baba tied to calm down Durgabai and gently moved His hand on her back. Again He added, “Now get up and go to your home. Eat this rice and give to Raghu also.” Like this Baba imparted a very valuable message that everyone is equal in His eyes and thus discrimination of caste-creed and touchable and untouchable are barriers in the path of spiritual progress.

Continuing with stories of Durgabai and her son, days passed by and Raghu attained age of five. Durgabai decided to perform his thread ceremony. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Kakasaheb Dixit, Rao Bahadur Dhumal, Dada Saheb Khaparde and many other able devotees collected Rs. 75/- by their personal contribution and gave them to Durgabai. Four days were remaining for thread ceremony There was burglary in Durgabai’s house. Four thieves stole sway all the money from the house. When Durgabai came to know that nothing was left in her house, she was completely dejected. Whole day she cried and so her eyes got puffed by crying. She did not perform her evening worship too. Next day at about 9.00 am, Sai Baba came near her house on His round to Lendibaug. No sooner did she see Baba coming than she ran to Him, fell at His feet and start crying loudly.

Baba gently placed His hand on Durgabai’s head and said, “Durge, what is there to cry in this matter? Is there any scarcity of money in our court? I am here to give thousands of rupees. I will give you carts and carts of money. Let this money be gone, it was not Ours”. These words pacified Durgabai to a large extent.

After a few days, Durgabai was massaging Baba’s back in Dwarakamai. She was concerned about her son’s education. Baba said, “There is no master to teach Raghu here. Who will teach him? Allah Malik is his Master”. Baba arranged for Raghu’s education in Amravati in supervision of Dada Saheb Khaparde.

Once Baba asked Durgabai, “O Durge! Do you go to Vithoba (Khandoba) Temple? Durgabai replied, “Yes I go there sometimes”. Baba said, “Upasani Maharaj has become very weak. Durge, you serve Him in Khandoba temple in the same way like you are doing to Me here. It will be equivalent to serving Me”.

At that time Upasani Maharaj was in deep meditation. If anybody went near Him, Upasani Maharaj abused them. Not minding these consequences Durgabai headed towards the Khandoba Temple. Upasani Maharaj did not accept any food from anybody. If anybody boldly took this action, he would get beatings and abuses. But was Durgabai to pay attention on all these? For her Baba’s words were order and law.

On July 27, 1914, Upasani Maharaj left Shirdi and no one knew where He went. Still as per her custom, Durgabai used to go to Khandoba temple and placed food dish under the banyan tree in the name of Upasani Maharaj. In the year 1916, Durgabai came to know that Upasani Maharaj resided in Sakori. So after offering Naivedya to Saibaba in Shirdi, Durgabai used to go to Sakori by walk to offer Him Naivedya.

Once Doulu Sheth of Rahata had organized Satsang of Upasani Maharaj in Rahata. So Durgabai used to go to Rahata with Naivedya for Upasani Maharaj from Shirdi. A big thorn went into her foot enroute to Rahata. Every effort to take thorn out failed. Still it did not interrupt Durgabai’s seva. After Upasani Maharaj accepted her Naivedya, she would partake her food.

As days passed by the swelling and pain of the wound increased. She was finding difficult to walk normally. One day Upasani Maharaj noticed Durgabai’s wounded leg. He showed artificial angriness and said, “Why are you suffering since so many days without telling anybody? If you say someone, there can be a solution for your suffering.” Upasani Maharaj called for a pair of tongs and held Durgabai’s leg. Another person took out the big thorn which went deep into Durgabai’s foot.

After Baba’s Mahasamadhi, Durgabai made Sakori as her permanent stay for serving Upasani Maharaj. After many years of her selfless service, Durgabai breathed her last in Solapur Sai Dham. (Source:www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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Saints can make the dead alive – Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 2005

In the biographies of Saints and Sadgurus, one comes across many amazing feats which science cannot explain. Because the sciences have limitations while the doings of Saints are boundless. They are beyond comprehension of human mind and hence, we call them miracles.

Saints do not perform miracle for the sake of their sensational value. They do not need help of miracles; because Saints are born as self-evident. With their amazing powers, they have conquered Chaitanya. And hence, we say that they have gained Siddhis (divine illuminations). Actually, the Saints believe that Siddhis are detrimental to Paramartha. It must be remembered that Saints use Siddhis only for the salvation of mortal beings.

Once, in the strong sun of mid-noon, a young lamb on the verge of death came staggering into the Masjid, fell down and lay motionless. The villagers examined it. Seeing that it has died, Mrs.Tarabai Tarkhad was moved to tears. At that time, she was massaging Baba’s Feet. She requested Baba and said, “Baba, the young lamb has died.” Baba replied, “Aaye (mother), it must not be dead. It must have fainted because of the strong sun rays.” “No, Baba, it has died,” the villagers also started saying. No one was willing to believe Baba. Then, Baba got up. He took water in His tumbler, pouring a stream of the water, Baba went around the young lamb. And what a miracle! That dead lamb suddenly sprang up and went away hopping on its legs. Everyone was amazed.

In a village nearby Shirdi, on one night Dasganu Maharaj was to deliver Kirtan (preaching). As per his usual practice, he went to Baba to take His blessings. Besides giving blessings, Baba suggested, “Take My Bhau (Jyotindra - son of Babasaheb Tarkhad) along with you. Don’t forget.”

After walking the distance of 7-8 Miles, Dasganu Maharaj and Jyotindra arrived at the village. The appointed time for Kirtan arrived. As it had grown dark, petromax lamps were arranged. Dasganu Maharaj arranged Baba’s photograph on a stool. Putting a garland and doing Namaskar, he stood up to deliver the Kirtan. The Kirtan had begun and just then, some people - looking like Bhillas - came carrying a dead body on a Tirdi (stretcher for carrying the dead). One of them scolded Dasganu Maharaj and asked him, “What is this mumbo-jumbo you have started and whose photograph is this?” Dasganu Maharaj replied, ‘‘Dada, this is Shri Sadguru Sai Baba. He is my Guru, my Deity and my everything! How can a mere mortal like me describe His greatness? I can only say that with His blessings impossible becomes possible. He is the Saviour of the poor and destitute. I only go from village to village and pray that people realize His greatness.”

The Bhilla said, “Is it so? Then keep the dead body down. And you, tell him - whoever is your Sai Baba - to make this dead man come alive. And if he does not become alive, we will make you dead with our sickles, choppers and axes.”

Dasganu got scared. His hands and feet developed tremors and became clammy. However, he realized that as Baba had sent Jyotindra along to ward off the forthcoming danger. He asked, ‘‘Bhausaheb, please tell me, what I should do now?” Jyotindra replied, “Maharaj, this is a play (Leela) of Baba. We are only His children. We can only chant His name. Only that is in our hands. Start your famous Bhajan - ‘SAI RAHAM NAZAR KARANA, BACHCHONKA PALAN KARANA.’ Rest will be done by Baba.”

Dasganu Maharaj began the Bhajan and got engrossed in it. He almost lost consciousness of where he was. An hour passed like this. And, suddenly the dead body broke the string tied around it, sat up and started clapping in rhythm with the Bhajan. Seeing this, Jyotindra said, “Maharaj, stop the Kirtan. Baba has completed His task.”

The Bhilla folks, who had unconsciously started participating in the Bhajan, were dumb struck. They asked the ‘dead’ man to touch the feet of Baba’s picture. Tears were streaming from the eyes of all. Now, all of them promised to come to Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan.

Next day, Dasganu Maharaj and Jyotindra returned to Shirdi and went to Dwarkamai. Before they could say anything, Baba said, “Ganya, yesterday My Bhau (Baba used to call Jyotindra as ‘Bhau’) was with you and hence, you were saved. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for you. Isn’t it?”

If a devotee has full faith, devotion and unity at the feet of his Sadguru, then Chaitanya Parabrahma (Supreme Spirit) gives Darshan in a mortal form. But, the devotion must be total. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 2005)

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Sai Leela’s experienced by Shri. M.Hanumantha Rao- Leela that appeared in Souvenir published by Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Samajam, Hyderabad in the year 1991and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org

The number of instances where Baba came to the rescue of His devotees, stranded on Railway platforms, is legion. Sai Satcharitra illustrates an incident when Balaram Mankar wanted to travel by train from Poona to Dadar. At the booking office he felt helpless as he found a big crowd. Just as he gave up hope of traveling that day, a man looking like a villager came straight to him and told him that he had cancelled his Dadar trip and offered his ticket to him. Mankar was pleasantly surprised. But before he could take out the money, the man disappeared into the crowd. He rushed forth immediately and searched for him all over the place but there was no trace of the villager. It suddenly dawned on him who that villager was.

Now read these similar incidents from the life of a saintly devotee from Hyderabad. It was in October, 1985. Sri M. Hanumanth Rao (MHR) had to go to Poona. He had no reserved accommodation. The general compartments were fully packed. People were hanging on the footboards also. With Sai on his lips and hope in his soul, he was pacing up and down the platform looking for some space anywhere. Just then a tall bearded Muslim from a reserved compartment beckoned to him to get in. He meekly got in. The old man ordered him to sit on the floor. He obediently did. A few minutes later when the train started leaving, the old man rose from his seat, smiled at him, and got down the train. Later when the Ticket Examiner (TE) came, he (MHR) produced his unreserved ticket. The TE looked at the ticket and then at him. Something happened in his mind. Adorning a smiling face, he lifted him by his arms and put him on the empty seat vacated by the old man and later collected the berth charges.

In Poona his relatives pressed him to stay further when he wanted to return home for Diwali. They were all captured by his saintly manners. But there he felt like a fish out of water as he could not perform Sai Poojas and Aartis as he used to do in his house. One day he silently sneaked out of their house and came to the station. As in Mankar’s case, he found a big crowd at the Poona booking window. The train had already steamed in. A simple man he felt highly perplexed, unable to cope with the situation. A few minutes later the engine whistled and started moving. There was a quick flurry of movement. People were running in different directions to reach their compartments. He suddenly galvanized into action. Putting all faith in Baba, he came on to the platform and rushing towards the moving train got in. It was a reserved compartment. The TE angrily made wild gesticulations and demanded the ticket. He replied he could not purchase one. The TE then flew into a rage and threatened to throw him out at the next station. He ordered him to sit on the floor near the door. Without a word he (MHR) meekly obeyed him. He then opened the Sai Satcharita and started reading it. He does not waste his time anywhere as per his wont. In the meanwhile the TE completed his ticket checking and coming to him (MHR) sat on the TE seat near him. Looking askance at him, he gruffly asked what was he reading. The book was shown to him. He shuffled through the pages and read here and there. His attitude thereafter significantly changed. He enquired and came to know much of his (MHR) spiritual side.

After some time Dhond station came. TE went out. Seizing the chance, MHR also got down and ran towards the station premises and came back with a ticket to Hyderabad. Settling himself he took out the Likhita Japa book and started writing Sai Naam. The TE too came back. There were some refreshments in his hand, which he offered to MHR and forced him to partake of it. He asked what he was writing MHR replied that it was Sai Naam. “How many times you have written so far?” he enquired. “More than sixty lakhs. Baba willing. I will complete a crore and more before He recalls me,” MHR replied. Then they were drawn into lengthy conversations on Baba and His Leelas. Time flew by. After nightfall Wadi Station came where the operational staff changes duties. The TE took MHR into his arms and embraced him. Tears walled up in his eyes as he did so. He then took farewell, got down and merged into the crowd. A very strict man in the beginning threatening to throw him out, his manners changed completely on hearing of Baba and finally become a very warm friend.

Now read this charming incident, around the same time MHR went with a friend to Cuddapah and stopped at his friend’s relative’s house. There he saw in every house and shop only the contemporary Sai Baba’s photos. They went to several other houses known to his friend. Wherever he went he saw only this Sai Baba’s photos. His eyes were thirsting for the photos of Shirdi Sai Baba anywhere. His attempts were met with thorough failure. This disturbed him greatly and his spirits were at low ebb. Only an intense Sai devotee could understand his state of mind then. Feeling restless, he desired to get out of the town quickly. Without telling his friend, he came to the bus stand and took a bus going in the direction of the station. There on the way, as the darkness was creeping, he heard the evening Aarti of Shirdi Sai Baba! MHR stopped in his tracks and looked. It was from the nearby Shirdi Sai Baba temple.

Greatly relieved, thither he ran and took the darshan of his beloved Sai! Coming to know after Aarti that he was bound for Hyderabad, the priest told him that he must hurry as the train had already arrived on the platform. MHR ran and entered the platform from the long end of it. The train as usual was packed. Not knowing he hurriedly got into a reserved compartment. Seat No 5 was vacant and he sat on it. The neighbors protested saying that a Muslim old man had just then occupied the seat and went out. Entrusting his cloth bag and assuring them that he would not occupy seat No. 5, he went out to purchase the ticket. There he saw heavy rush at the booking window. When he felt totally helpless, he saw an old man with a grey beard in a worn-out sherwani leaning with one foot closed on a pillar and smoking a beedi leisurely. He beckoned him and introducing himself as Qudratullah asked where he was going. MHR replied. He said he knew that and so saying he took out a ticket and gave it to him. When MHR was fumbling for the fare from his pocket, he forbade him stating that he better hurry as the train was leaving. He said he would be with him soon. MHR ran and caught his compartment just in time. Wearily he sat on seat No. 5, which was still vacant, and looked into the ticket. What he saw made him sit bolt upright. It was a reserved ticket to Hyderabad and was marked seat No 5 of the same compartment!!! Then he looked for the old man but he was not to be seen anywhere. He felt momentarily disoriented. Then as light dawned on him he composed himself and reassured that unseen by the naked eye Baba is always by his side and that He would respond to any sincere devotee who loves Him wholeheartedly, by taking any form, at any time and at any place as mentioned in the Sai Satcharita.(Source: Leela that appeared in Souvenir published by Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Samajam, Hyderabad in the year 1991and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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Sai Baba saves Ganpat Dhondu Kadam from Thieves – Sai Leela Magazine, January 1978

In 1914, Shri.Ganpat Dhondu Kadam and his wife went to take darshan of Baba. On the Nasik line the train was moving and it was one or two stations on this (Western) side of Nasik. He was seated in the carriage. Fifteen or twenty jet black Bhils got into this carriage one after another. They came and sat beside him. There was no other passenger. His wife, daughter, and Ganpat were the only three who were not Bhils. At that time, Ganpat was doing the parayan of Hari Bhakta Parayan Lakshraan Ramachandra Pangarkar's Bhakti Margapradip book. Then he understood or thought that those men came and sat near him to hear the reading of the book. So Ganpat read out the abhangs very loudly. The Bhils sat for some five minutes near him. Then while the train was still running, they got down from it. Ganpat went to the carriage door and saw all these Bhils running away. Then he looked into the carriage and found an old Fakir in the carriage. Ganpat wondered in his mind how that Fakir could have got in the carriage. When this thought came in his mind, the Fakir suddenly disappeared. Ganpat was struck with great wonder and he was highly puzzled. Right before his eyes, there was a Fakir and there were the Bhils. He could not forget the same. Then they reached Shirdi and took darshan of Sai Baba. When Ganpat placed his foot on the Masjid, Baba asked, "Have you come back safe?" Ganpat’s heart then heaved with emotion and the miracle that took place in the train and the disappearance of the Bhils, who were obviously robbers, all came to his mind. He thought that they would have robbed him in the carriage; but Baba's presence in the garb of a Fakir was an obstacle.  Thus, Ganpat was saved by Sai Baba in a miraculous way. (Source: Sai Leela Magazine, January 1978)

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Experiences of Sai Leela by Shri.Padmanabhendra Swami of Alandi

The Sai Leela experienced by Shri.Padmanabhendra Swami of Alandi during his visits to Shirdi was shared in letters written by him to Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit of Mumbai. He reveals his experiences in his own words as below:

‘After taking your leave on Thursday 29 January, I left Shirdi and reached Alandi. After celebrating the death anniversary of Guru Maharaj on 2 February, I reached Mumbai on Tuesday. There I showed the swelling behind my ear to Dr. Underwood. He ruled out the need for an operation and injected some sort of a serum and said it would suffice. The effect of Sai’s radiance and speech is so great that the mind cannot comprehend.

I had only gone for Sai’s Darshan and was immensely satisfied by it. Though many people advised me to tell Sai about my ailment, my mind did not agree. Whatever is destined in our Karma, we should bear it with fortitude, says the Shruti. But, ultimately I asked Madhavrao Deshpande to tell Sai. As soon as Sai heard this, he lovingly said,”Allah Bhala Karega.” No sooner did He utter these words, the pain in my forehead stopped.

Doctors from Nagpur and Alandi had advised surgery. But, the doctor in Mumbai gave a serum injection which subsided the swelling and the ailment disappeared. Remembering all the events I feel overwhelmed.

On my first visit to Shirdi, Sai asked for Dakshina. Upon this I said, ‘‘Maharaj, I am a Sanyasi. From where will I get money? “After taking Darshan, I left. Later on Baba said to Deshpande, ‘‘I asked the Swami if he could offer me something; but he will not give me anything. Since he has come to me, it is I who will have to give him.” When Baba uttered these words, I was freed of the pains of my ailment. What can one say to praise this divine soul? He is Lord Narayan in the guise of a human. (Source: Shri Sai Leela, Year I, Ashvin Shaké 1845 /Vol. 8).

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Experience of Bapu Rao N Chandorkar son of Nana Saheb Chandorkar as narrated by him to Shri.B V Narasimha Swamiji on 16th September 1936

Bapu Rao N.Chandorkar is the son of Sai Mahabhakta  Late Shri.Nana Saheb Chandorkar.

He narrated his experience with Shirdi Sai Baba to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 16th September 1936 in his own words as below:

I was taken as a little boy to Sai Baba by my father. Mahalasapthy worshipped Baba applying gandha (i.e.) sandal to feet, head etc. None applied sandal paste to Baba's forehead. I was the first, who, as a child of 4, innocently applied it to his forehead just as we apply it to all the Gods we worship. After that time, others were allowed to do so. This was in 1900.

My father told me that Baba explained the Gita to him in 1900-1901, in the style of the ordinary learned pandit’s expression, and without the use of mystifying parables or symbology etc. After 1902, Baba began use of mystifying parables or symbology etc. Then my father went on transfer to Jamner. My father said that Baba knew Sanskrit and that he had explained that stanza very well.

My father told me that Baba had advaitamata. But, what advaitic idea he explained or put forward was not stated to me. We were all concerned with Baba's chamatkaras prophecies, goshttes( i.e.) moral talks etc, and we did not mind about philosophy at all. My father said that after 1913, the crowds that flocked to Baba were too heavy and there was no more peace for Baba, and that Baba once said with tears. "No one cares to take from Me what I am prepared to give abundantly. But they want from Me what I am unable to give".

Baba once told my father about chamatkar something very interesting. It was about 1903-1904. My elder sister Minathai, had been helped at delivery by Baba with Udhi, sent through a Gosavi. That child, however, died very young. My sister also was widowed at that very early age and had no other issue. This cast a gloom over all of us. My father and all of us went to Shirdi. My father went and sat before Baba glum in sullen silence. Usually whenever he went, Baba would question him and he would talk and all would be cheerful. Now, on this occasion there was a sad sullen beginning. This continued for some minutes. Then Baba broke the ice.

Baba : Why are you so silent?

C : (my father) - Baba! You know everything. While we are under your care, these calamities have befallen us, bereaved of child, and son-in-law etc.

Baba : If you care for child (or son-in-law) and come to Me for that, you are mistaken. You need not come to Me for these. These are not in My power. These (birth of child and death of relatives) are dependent on poorva karma. Even Parameswar, great God who has created the world, cannot alter these.

Do you think he can tell the Sun or the Moon, 'Rise some two yards farther away from your usual or appointed place? No. He cannot and will not do that. That would produce disorder and chaos.

C : If that is so, how is it that you tell some one "You will have a son" and he gets a son, and you tell another "You will get appointment" and he gets it? Are these not chamatkaras of yours?

Baba: ‘No, Nana. I do not do any chamatkaras. You have your village astrologers. They work 2 or 4 days ahead and give out their prediction. Some of them come true. I look further ahead. What I say happens. My art also is a sort of astrology. But, you people do not understand this. To you, my words look like chamatkaras, because you do not know the future. So, you regard events as proofs of My miracle-working power and you turn your reverence on to Me. I, in My turn, turn your reverence on to God and see that you are really benefited’.

Baba spoke some numerous goshties but I do not remember them now. In 1913-1914, my father was unwell and on long leave. So, he went and stayed at Shirdi. My mother also was there and when they were by Baba's side and I was worshipping him. (Baba) said and moved His hand like the shaky neck of an old man "I will go away now. I will take birth as the child of Bapu. At that time, Nana's head (or wrist) will be shaking thus and thus".

My father construed this to mean that he (my father) would not die till a son was born to me. Unfortunately he died in 1921. During the fatal illness, I remembered this prophecy and hoped my father would survive, as I had not even got married and had no son, of course. But Fate willed it otherwise and my father died in 1921. I got married in 1922. My father's head was never shaky.

All mantras that Baba spoke or recited were Arabic or Persian etc. and not Sanskrit, so far as I know. Kondaji and Baba recited fatias. When 'sera' was placed, on the niche (Caaba), when brought by people, Baba and Kondaji placed it repeating something in Arabic, Persian or some such ( unknown to me) language. My father never said that Baba spoke out or spoke of mahavakyas. It was about 1908, my father was working at Pandharpur. We went to Shirdi. Baba had asked him to prepare for naivedya. That was offered to Baba. My father asked Baba to go down to his quarters to eat.

Baba : Go, I will come.

My father knew that Baba was not intending to come in His physical body and so returned disappointed. Madhava Rao Deshpande was present at the talk with Baba. Baba told him after my father left the mosque in that mood. Tell Nana that he has been so long with me and yet not grasped the fact that Baba is in every ant and every fly etc. Baba said He was in all creatures. That is the highest truth I have heard from Him directly or indirectly. I do not remember if any pantheistic utterance came from Him. I have not heard if He spoke long sermons on Vedantic lines. He generally spoke on common matters, (e.g.) 'Give alms. Do good. Speak the truth' etc. He told me when I was a boy, 'Hearken to the words of your parents. Help your mother in her tasks. Speak the truth and truth alone'. Never a word did He talk to me about mantras or about God.

I have firm faith in him as my protector. All my life is supported and maintained by him. I cannot give instances but I feel that he is guiding me and guarding me and protecting my interests and looking after my welfare. (Source: Shri.B V Narasimha Swamiji, 16th September 1936).

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Expereince of Balakrishna Govind Upasani Sastri as narrated by him to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th July 1936

Shri.Balakrishna Govind Upasani Sastri was the son of Shri.Govind Gopal Upasani Sastri. He was a Brahmin aged 69 years. He was a retired Professor of Sanskrit and stayed at Saniwarpeth, Pune.

He narrated his experience with Shirdi Sai Baba to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th July 1936 in his own words as below:

When plague was raging at Pune, my college was closed for many long months, and then I went on pilgrimage with my mother and wife. When I went from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Tapovan, there I met a sadhu who glared at me - at least he was persistently looking at me. I bowed to him and he still looked at me, and asked me 'Are you not from Satana?' 'Yes', I answered, for Satana is my ancestral village. Then, I, in my turn inquired of him, who he was. 'Come here again tomorrow at this time - (afternoon) and I will tell you, he said. I then went to my quarters and informed my mother. She thought that this might be our (family) Mutt Founder, Sri Uddhava of Mulhare (Mayurapura). Next day, she wanted to come to see the saint and she accompanied me to the appointed place at the time fixed. After 15 minutes of wandering up and down, she thought it was a wild goose chase to find a wandering saint and went away. Almost immediately after she left, that saint appeared before me and said, with a grave countenance, 'Do not act in this manner again'.

I: In what manner?

He: Only those directed to come should come. There is always difference between one individual and another alike in physical and other peculiarities. No two are exactly the same. So only the bidden person should come.

I agreed to abide by that rule.

Then as I wanted to know his identity, he informed me that I had a saligram among the Gods that I worshipped at home and he gave me an exact description of it. I said that I had that saligram. Then, he added, that he was the person who gave it to Uddhava Maharaj from whose grandson, my grandfather had got it. It has been an heirloom with us and I am still worshipping it.

Still as his identity was not clear, he thus replied to me – talking this time in Hindustani. Till then, he was talking in Marathi. He waved his hand so as to attract my attention and said ‘Lo, there was a tree. Two persons went up that tree. One came down; the other went up’. He wound up with the remark ‘you will come to know’ and then he disappeared. He looked like a man of 50 or 60 years, rather bulky and stout and he wore only a coupina and no other article of dress.

Many years later, say about 1910-11, I was trying to utilize my Christmas Holidays for a trip from Dhulia southward to see if any trace could be found of my younger brother Kasinath (i.e Upasani Baba). He had contacted some strange disease in the course of his efforts at Pranayama. He could not lie down lest breathing should stop. He had no sleep, nor good digestion. So he left home and we had no trace of his whereabouts. As I was in the train from Manmad going south, it stopped at Kopergaon for a few minutes and the local mamledar, Mr.Bhat, a friend of mine who was on the platform made me alight and spend a pleasant day with him. He told me that Sai Baba was a saint living 6 miles off (i.e) at Shirdi and worth a visit. He sent me in his tonga to that village.

I went to the mosque and found Sai Baba at the dhuni in the mosque. He was standing close to the fire and occasionally turning round Himself. He saw me and invited me inside. I went and prostrated myself before him. Gazing at me, he told me to go to Khandoba's temple. I thought he recommended that visit to see the image of that God and I said that all Gods were there with Him, and was quite content to see Him. He repeated the words 'Go to Khandoba's Temple. I inferred that He wanted me to get away and not to stay there. So I went to an adjoining house and there they told me (after I mentioned Baba's order) that there was one Upasani Sastri at Khandoba Temple. I then went to Khandoba Temple and found my brother there. He said that he was remaining there by Sai Baba's order and that he saw very little of Sai Baba. I then gave him or rather one Dada Kelkar on his account some Rs.4 for his food expenses and went back to the Masjid. I stayed at Shirdi for one or two days at that time.

On the first day, He asked all generally for dakshina and some gave. He extended His palms towards me and asked for dakshnia. I said I had nothing and made pranams.

On the occasion, Sai Baba said to me the same words as the sadhu at Tapovan. 'Lo there was a tree. Two persons went up that tree. One came down; the other went up, in Hindustani. I was at once reminded of the Tapovan saint whose person closely resembled Sai Baba's, though the dress was different. Sai Baba mentioned some autobiographical reminiscences of His own. He said He had been at the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi took part. He was then in the army.

On the second day He asked me again for dakshina. I excused myself on the ground that I had barely the railway fare for my Journey with me. Then He pointed to a silver watch I had in my pocket and asked for it as dakshina. I gave it - but not without a momentary regret and hesitation. He received it and handed it over to some fakir by His side. Then looking at me and evidently to meet my momentary regret at losing the watch, Baba said to me "you are not going to be worse off (on this account)'. I said, 'Of course, it was nothing I had given. Then I started back, and via Kopergaon came to Poona. There I went to a friend's (Mr. Natu's) house. I was talking of my Shirdi watch incident and inquired what it would cost to get a similar watch. Just then my friend's brother sent down his gold watch worth about Rs. 60 and wanted me to accept it as a present and I accepted it. So, I was not worse off for parting with my watch to Sai Baba.

I visited Shirdi on one or two occasions. On those occasions, I composed Sanskrit poems on Sai Baba. (Source: Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th July 1936).

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Experiences of a devotee who wanted Rs. 10 crore - Translated from a Gujarati Book 'Sai Sarovar and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org

In Chapter 16 and 17 of Sai Satcharitra, we had seen how Sai Baba treated a rich gentleman, who wanted Brahma Gyan from Him. Now we will see how He treated a poor fellow, who wanted ten crore rupees from Sai Baba, through other saint.

Sai Baba never avoids any person, even if he has cheated the whole world. If such a person goes to Sai Darbar, Sai Baba welcomes him generously. So it is recommended that we should leave our ego, ignorance and stubbornness while going to Sai Darbar. Only Sai Baba is God, Brahma, Creator and He has no beginning and no end. There is no person on this earth whom greed has not touched. Everyone in some point of time has hoped for something or the other and tried his/her level best to achieve it.

There was a devotee (not of Sai Baba and name of other God is unfortunately not given nor his wareabouts are mentioned). He had only one wish and that was to get ten crore rupees by hook or crook without working hard to get it. One thing he had made his mind that if a saint is pure and real, then Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of wealth) resides in him and if Goddess Laxmi does not reside then he is not real saint.

Somebody advised him and said, “Oh brother, you can find such a rich saint in Shirdi. Sai Baba of Shirdi is a crorepati (very rich) saint and moreover He is very kind and humble.

So the gentleman came to Shirdi and stayed there for three to four days. He used to observe Sai Baba’s Leela, but he was more attracted towards the long pocket of Sai Baba’s kafni. Whoever came Sai Baba gave Him money and Sai Baba used to put His hand in the pocket of His kafni and whatever amount came to His Hand was given. So no one went back empty handed. Seeing this, it was confirmed to the gentleman that surely Sai Baba must be having ten crore rupees. The gentleman said to Sai Baba, “O Baba, I have roamed much, but I haven’t found a true saint. You donate so much money daily, so you only seem to be a real saint to me. It is now clear to me that Goddess Laxmi resides in your heart, so I have come to you. Please get me only ten crore rupees from Goddess Laxmi, I don’t want anything else from you.”

Sai Baba answered in very sweet words, “O gentleman, see I am begging, so how can I have ten crore rupees?” You do one thing, go to Gondavlekar in Gondavle. Then Sai Baba called him near and whispered in his ears, “if you get ten crores rupees, then you must give Me one crore out of that and in this way I will also get rid of this Fakiri ( begging food and living).

The gentleman some how found out Gondavlekar Maharaj and put forward the same request to him. Gondavlekar Maharaj said, “This is not a big issue. But today you are late, so come tomorrow. Next day the gentleman again went to Gondavlekar Maharaj and sat in his feet. Maharaj Gondavlekar questioned him, “Say brother, why have you come from a long distance?” The gentleman said in an unrespectable manner, “I told you yesterday that I want only ten crore rupees.

Maharaj Gondavlekar said, “Oh I forgot. So you want just ten crore rupees. That is not a big thing. I will arrange for you, till then you stay here.”

In this way Maharaj Gondavlekar promised him again and again and made him stay for a week. The gentleman became more restless now. He decided not to eat anything, so Maharaj Gondavlekar made him take his lunch.

Maharaj Gondavlekar said, “I have made arrangements for money and packed all of them in small bags. How will you take all the bags now?”

The gentleman replied, “Shall I take it in a cart?”

Maharaj then said, “how may carts will be required to carry bags of ten crore rupees?”

The gentleman said, “It will require maximum hundred carts”.

Maharaj said, “Go my brother and bring hundred carts quickly and I will give you ten crore rupees at once.”

The gentleman thought, “From where I will bring the carts, neither one nor two, two hundred carts!”

At last the gentleman left his obstinacy of receiving ten crore rupees from any saint forever and also left the place with a heavy heart. (Source: Translated from a Gujarati Book Sai Sarovar and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org)

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