skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Sunday’s parayan
Sai devotees used to come to Baba and seek his pardon for mistakes committed by them and sought his blessings for an end to their sufferings. Baba understood their needs and blessed them.
Today you will read about the experiences of some devotees and people who were drawn to Baba even before they had met him or heard about him. The pujari (priest) of the Saptashringi temple at Nasik was mentally troubled and fervently sought the Devi’s help in overcoming his difficulties. One day the Goddess of the Saptashringi temple appeared to him in his dream and instructed him to go to Shirdi. The pujari, Kakaji Vaid, decided to do as instructed by his Devi and began to plan for his trip to Shirdi when Shama, the great devotee of Baba, came for the darshan of Saptshringi devi. Shama immediately offered to take Kakaji Vaid to Shirdi with him. On getting Baba’s Darshan at Shirdi, Kakaji Vaid was awestruck and surrendered himself at Baba’s feet. He returned to Nasik after spending a week at Shirdi with Baba’s vibhuti Prasad and amazingly free of the tensions he had travelled with to Shirdi.
Ramlal Punjabi once had a dream in which a mahatma (saint) came to him and told him to go to Shirdi. Ramlal, however, did not know where Shirdi was and did not know the Mahatma who had appeared in his dream. He spent his waking hours wondering who the Mahatma was and how he could get to Shirdi and to his surprise he saw a picture of the same mahatma at a shop. When he asked the shopkeeper about the person in the picture, the shopkeeper told him the picture was of Shirdi Sai Baba and gave instructions about the route to Shirdi. Ramlal immediately set out for Shirdi. Baba’s darshan filled him with immense peace and joy and he thereafter decided to spend the rest of his life in Shirdi.
Once Kaka Saheb Dikshit had a dream in which Baba asked him to go to Rahata and bring Sri Kushalchand to Shirdi. Kaka hired a tonga (horse carriage) and went to Kushalchand’s house at Rahata. While Kaka was on his way to Rahata, Kushalchand also had a vision in which Baba asked him to come to Shirdi. As he was preparing to leave for Shirdi he realized that his horse was unwell and just at that very moment Kaka arrived at his house and told him he had come to accompany him to Shirdi. This is the amazing leela of Baba, he communicated with his devotees without sending any letters or telegrams.
Master Tendulkar once consulted an astrologer who told him that it was not a good time for him to take his exams as he may fail the tests. When Master Tendulkar’s mother met Baba and told about the prediction of the astrologer, Baba said her son should have complete faith in him and should start preparing for the exams. As advised by Baba, Master Tendulkar prepared for his exams and he passed the exams without any difficulty. His faith in Baba got him success.
Once members of the Madras Bhakta Samaj came to Shirdi and sang bhajans at the Shirdi shrine. While in Shirdi, the head lady of the bhajan mandali had a dream in which Baba appeared as Sri Ram, her ishta devta. When she told her husband about her dream he dismissed it as just a dream. He in turn had a dream in which he saw himself in prison and was released through the blessings of Baba who appeared as Ramdas swamy. His wife’s dream where Baba appeared as her istha devta and his dream in which Baba set him free from prison appearing as Ramdas Swamy made him a devotee of Baba. He received the blessings of Baba and was told that he would receive plenty of money through the grace of Allah.
The first time Shiva Bhakt Megha went to see Baba, he hesitated to prostrate before Baba because he thought Baba was a muslim. On seeing him Baba got wild and did not allow him to enter the masjid, and angrily told Megha that since he was a high caste Brahmin and Baba a Muslim, he would lose his identity if he came near Baba. On hearing this Megha immediately knew that Baba had read his mind and he found himself spontaneously prostrating at Baba’s feet seeking his blessings. Thereafter, he stayed in Shirdi for some time and his affection and devotion for Baba deepened. While at Shirdi he would visit all the temples everyday and then come to Baba for the Pada tirtha (holy water). Once he expressed a desire to do abhisheka of Baba as was done to Shiva Lingas. He walked about eight kilometers to fetch water from the Gomati river and did the abhisheka of Baba. Baba had requested him not to pour water on any other part of the body other than his head. Megha poured water on Baba’s head chanting Har Har Gange, and to the amazement of everyone who was a witness to this beautiful spectacle not a drop of water fell on any other part of Baba’s body.
Once a devotee by the name Lala Lakshmichand had a vision of an old man with beard and when he attended a discourse by Das Ganu he saw a picture of Sai Baba kept there. It struck him that the old man he had seen in his dream resembled the person in the picture. This made him very eager to see Baba and so he borrowed rupees fifteen and arrived at Shirdi to see Baba. On seeing him Baba said “if you wanted to come to Shirdi why did you have to borrow money?” He advised him not to borrow money anymore. On seeing Baba’s love and affection, Lakshmichand was moved and he decided to spend rest of his life at Shirdi.
A Ramdasi- a devotee of Lord Ram, lived in Shirdi and everyday he recited the Vishnu Sahasranam (thousand names of Lord Vishnu) after taking bath. One day Baba sent the Ramdasi to the market to bring Sena pods. While the Ramdasi was away, Baba took his Vishnu Sahasranam book and gave it to Shama, a great devotee of Baba. On his return when the Ramadasi found that his Vishnu Sahasranam book was with Shama, he got wild and said he will die if the book was not returned to him immediately. On hearing the Ramadasi scream thus Baba called him and told him not fight and asked him to be considerate, affectionate and not have any attachment for material things. Baba said “you are not able to give away a small book whose contents you have memorized fully, how can you give yourself away when it is required. The Ramdasi understood significance of Baba’s message, and the meaning of life. This brought him peace and tranquility.
Gopal Narayan Ambedkar would come to Shirdi and used to share his grief and happiness with Baba. Once he was so overcome by troubles that he decided to commit suicide by jumping into the well at Shirdi. Just when he was about to take this drastic step, another devotee came there and gave a book which had the biography of Akalkot Maharaj. In the book it was mentioned that the Maharaj had saved a person from drowning in the well and told him he had to suffer for all bad deeds committed in his past birth in this life itself, and one cannot escape the same by committing suicide. The book further said that if one tries to escape the sufferings and pain in this life by ending one’s life then one has to take several rebirths to atone for sins committed. This left a deep impression on Ambedkar and he realized that taking one’s own life is a sin. Over a period of time he mastered astrology and spent the latter part of his life immersed in astrological studies.
Harshchandra Pitle’s son used to faint very often and so Harshchandra brought him to Baba’s masjid hoping that his child would get cured. However, the boy fainted as soon as they entered the masjid. Both Harshchandra and his wife were inconsolable on seeing their son’s plight and began to lament that they had brought their son to Baba hoping he would be cured but it seems there was no help. Baba asked them to be calm and assured them that the boy will regain consciousness soon, and God definitely helps those who have Shraddha and Saburi - faith and patience. As assured by Baba, the boy recovered and was completely cured of his sickness.
Shri Pitle was given three rupees by Baba and was told that he should keep the same in the shrine at home and worship it to attain happiness. Baba also told Shri Pitle that he had been given two rupees earlier. Shri Pitle, however, did not remember receiving the two rupees. Morever, that was his first visit to Shirdi. When he returned home and narrated his conversation with Baba to his mother, she told him that as a young boy he had visited Akalkot Maharaj with his father. At that time his father had received two rupees from the maharaj. His father used to worship the coins. Thus Baba conveyed to Shri Pitle that he knows the past of people and one Mahatma knows about the other because of their visionary power.
Once someone sent a box of mangoes for Baba at Shirdi. From the box, Baba set aside four mangoes for Damu anna. Baba asked Damu anna to give the mangoes to his second wife and said that Damu anna will be blessed with a child once his wife eats the mangoes. Damu anna who has been childless for a long time was blessed with a child through Baba’s amra (mango) leela. After sometime Damu Anna wanted Baba to join his business as a partner. Baba declined the offer saying that he did not want to entangle himself in worldly affairs.
Baba had said that even after he takes Samadhi he would take care of his devotees. He may not be physically present but His spirit would continue to guide his devotees, He would talk to His devotees and take care of their wellbeing. He asked his devotees to always remember Him and have faith. “Good things will happen to you,” thus spoke Shri Sai Baba.
Once Hemandpant was washing Baba’s feet when some peanuts fell from his coat pocket. He was puzzled as to how there were peanuts in his coat pocket. Baba remarked that since it was the day of the baazar (weekly market) Hemandpant may have gone to the bazaar, bought some peanuts and eaten them all by himself. On hearing this Hemandpant told Baba that he never ate anything without sharing and it was wrong to say that he had brought peanuts to eat them all by himself. To this Baba replied that he knew that Hemandpant always shared and would never eat anything without giving to others. He advised all present there to remember that God is always with them and before anything is eaten it should be offered to God as all that we had or receive is provided by His grace and blessings.
Once Shama, a devotee of Baba was bitten by a snake, and as was the custom people wanted him to be rushed to the temple of Khandoba. Shama refused and said his God and doctor was Baba, so they should take him to the Masjid. When he was entering the Masjid, Sai Baba started to scream “Oh thankless Brahmin get down and get out.” Shama was taken aback by Baba’s reaction and as he lay at the Masjid wondered why Baba was not helping him. However, he soon found himself feeling better, cured of the effects of poisoning without any medicine. He came to realize, as did the other devotees present there, that Baba was not shouting at Shama but commanding the snake to get out.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba Sai, my prostration to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Sunday. Please bless me with a life well lived, with good health, with the means to take care of my life and of those around me, and peace for the world. Please bless me with your remembrance always and to receive the Prasad of your blessings daily.
Om Satguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
Om Sri Sai Ram
Saturday’s Parayan
Once Baba Saheb Mirikar, who was on his way to Chitali, came for Baba’s Darshan. Baba asked Mirikar if had seen a long baba, warned him that it was like death but it would not harm devotees of the Dwarakamai. The masjid is very kind, Baba said. Baba Saheb Mirikar was puzzled by Baba’s question and warning. Later when Shama and Baba Saheb Mirikar were sitting at a temple courtyard in Chitali, a serpent unnoticed, came and coiled itself on Baba Saheb Mirikar’s lap. A temple staff noticed the snake and began to scream “serpent, serpent.” To everyone’s relief, after a few minutes the serpent slithered away without harming anyone and Baba Saheb Mirikar knew Baba’s blessing had saved him from harm. Neither scorpion nor any serpent can cause any harm unless ordered by God. So we should never harm any of these creatures as God will take care of us, Baba would tell devotees.
Mahatma Apa once gave a book titled Vichar Sagar to Sri Thakur and asked him to read it saying his wishes will be fulfilled after reading it and in due course of time a saint from north India will show him the path to salvation. After some years, Sri Thakur came to Shirdi and on seeing him Baba said that the spiritual path was not all that easy as told by Mahatma Apa. Spiritual knowledge gained in real life is essential to achieving salvation, Baba said.
Once Radhakrishna mai, a devotee of Sri Sai was shivering with fever. Baba untold went near her house and asked for a ladder. He then climbed the roof of her house and crossed over to the other side. While Baba was doing this Radhakrishna mai’s fever began to subside and she was well soon. After climbing down the roof, Baba gave Rs.2/-to the person who had brought the ladder. When people asked Baba why he gave so much money, Baba replied that one should never take any service free and must pay whatever was due.
Baba once told a devotee who was known to be rude and ruthless that he was like a pig that lives in and eats filth and there was no point in him coming to a sacred place like Shirdi. The devotee soon realized the significance of Baba’s message. The devotee realized that his actions, and words said with the intention of hurting others would come back to hurt him.
Once Das Ganu Maharaj was translating the Isha Upanishad in Marathi but he could not get the essence of one of the sections in the scripture so he went to Baba and asked for his help in understanding the Upanishad. Baba told him that the meaning of the Upanishad would be taught to him by the maid at Kaka Saheb Dikshit’s place in Ville Parle, Bombay. Baba’s instructions surprised Das Ganu Maharaj but he decided to follow it. He went to Kaka Saheb’s house at Ville Parle and he saw the maid dressed in rags and wondered how this girl would teach him the meaning of the Upanishad. Das Ganu felt sad for the girl and asked Kaka Dikshit to buy her a new sari. The next day, Das Ganu saw that the girl in a new saree, singing merrily as she was washing utensils. The following day, Das Ganu saw that the girl was wearing her old torn dress but she was still singing happily as she did her work. On seeing this Das Ganu in an instant realized that both happiness and sorrow depend on our own attitude and mindset, and he understood why Baba had sent him to Kaka Saheb Dikshit’s house.
Sri Patankar, a learned man, came to Shirdi to seek Baba’s blessings. Baba told Sri Patankar that without devotion all knowledge gathered was a waste and that the right way was to have devotion with love and respect and that in turn will give him the mental peace and tranquility he was looking for. Sri Patankar understood the meaning of Baba’s message and felt blessed and at ease.
Once a rich man came to Baba seeking Brahma Gyan. Baba told him that a person whose intention was to only earn money for the sake of hoarding and does not use the money earned in good work should not aspire for Brahma Gyan. He advised the rich man to have faith in his guru, overcome his greed for money, and practise pancha prana and panch indriyas to be blessed with Brahma Gyan.
Once Sri Sathe came to Shirdi feeling troubled and anxious. Baba advised him to read the Sat Charita for seven days and said that his miseries will end thereafter. Sri Sathe started reading the Sat Charita as advised by Baba and one day Baba appeared in his dream with the Sat Charita and asked him to do the Parayan for another seven days. Another devotee of Baba, Hemandpant, who heard about Baba’s assurance to Sri Sathe, felt upset that even though he had been reading the Sat Charita for several years, he had not been blessed by Baba. Baba, the Omniscient, could read Hemandpant’s mind. Baba asked Hemandpant to visit Shama and to chat with him for a while. During their conversation, Shama told Hemandpant about an old lady called Radha Bai Deshmukh. Radha Bai Deshmukh once came to Shirdi and began a fast to seek Baba’s blessings. On hearing of her fast, Baba called her and asked her to eat. He told her that his guru who was in Samadhi never gave any mantra, he only asked for a dakshina of two paise – that is the paise of Shraddha and Saburi (devotion and patience). Baba further explained to Radha Bai Deshmukh that he had dedicated himself to the service of his guru and aspired for nothing more. He said patience will wipe away all our sins and difficulties, determination will take us through this life and give us peace. Baba also told her that his guru’s blessing was the reason for all that he had or learned. He asked her to similarly devote herself to the service of her guru and she was sure to achieve Mukti. On hearing about Baba’s advice to Radha Bai Deshmukh, Hemandpant realized that he would receive Baba’s blessing one day and his prayers and devotion will be heard and answered by Baba. After a while Shama and Hemandpant went to the Dwarakamai on hearing the sound of bells for the arti. After the arti, Baba placed some sugar candies in Hemandpant’s palm and asked him to always remember the story of Radha Bai Deshmukh and said it would remove the barriers between the guru and his disciple. Baba assured Hemandpant that his life would be as sweet as sugar candy. Thus Hemandpant received blessings from Baba.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba, my prostration to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Saturday. Please bless my family, my friends and others around me with long life, peace, good health, and enough wealth to take of their needs. Please bless me with your remembrance and to receive the Prasad of your blessings daily.
Om Satguru Sainathaya Namah.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
The edited versions now you can copy in word document and take a print out to make as booklet for ease of reading the same daily.
Om Sri Sai Ram
Friday’s Parayan
The people of Shirdi, while doing their daily chores, used to sing Baba’s praise. They were blessed. They regarded Sai as their God. One day, Baba lost in the wrestling game of khushti against Thamboli, and as per the rules of the game he had to leave Shirdi and live in another place for a few days. During this period Baba would wander in the jungles and Baijabai, an elderly lady, would go searching for him with homemade food. Sai Baba remembered Baijabai’s devotion and took care of her son Tatya all his life. On his return to Shirdi, Baba started going around Shridi begging for food. Baba would visit about two or three houses and from the food received he would eat a little and the rest he would distribute to the poor. Baba used to say that he was the servant of his devotees.
Once Nanavalli, a devotee of Baba, ordered Baba to get down from his throne and he went and sat on the throne and after a while got up and went away. Baba did not mind Nanavali’s behaviour at all and without any hesitation allowed his bhakta’s desire to sit on the throne to be fulfilled.
Baba never expected anything from anybody and was always sympathetic towards everyone. One day while Mrs Tharakad, another devotee of Baba, was having lunch when a dog came to her door. Mrs.Tharakad gave him some of her food and appeased his hunger. Later during the day when Mrs. Tharakad met Baba at the Masjid, Baba said “you appeased my hunger and you fed me well.” By this Baba wanted to convey to her that the hunger of the dog and his hunger were not different and whoever feeds the hungry and then eats himself will achieve salvation. “Whoever sees me in every living being is my true devotee,” Baba told Mrs. Tharakad.
Once Mrs.Tharakad sent a peda (the only eatable available in her house on that day) for Baba through Govind Balram Bhasker. On reaching Shirdi, Govind Balaram Bhaskar forgot about the peda and remembered only when Baba asked him for the peda. Baba eagerly ate the peda like he was waiting for it for a long time.
Sai Baba used to sleep in Dwarkamai (the masjid) on a small wooden plank presented by a devotee by the name of Dengle. The plank was hung from the roof with the help of strings made of rags and people who saw it wondered how Baba managed to sleep on the plank and they would often gather at night to watch Baba sleep. One day when a crowd gathered to watch Baba sleep Baba pulled down the plank and broke it into pieces and threw it into the burning dhuni.
Sai Baba knew the past, present and future of his bhaktas. Kaka Mahajani who had come to Shirdi to stay for a week was asked by Baba to leave for his home town immediately. On his return Kaka Mahajani found that he was urgently needed by his employer as the manager of the firm had fallen sick.
Dhumal, a pleader in the village, once came to see Baba on his way to the court and was asked by Baba to stay and not leave Shirdi for a week. When Dhumal went back to court a week later he came to know that the case had been postponed the previous week.
Once Tatya Patil ignoring Baba’s advice left for the mandi and he met with an accident when his horse cart toppled over and his horse suffered a sprain. Tatya also received minor injuries and had to call off his trip to the mandi. Once a foreigner came for Baba’s darshan and he was asked to sit on the floor. The foreigner felt insulted and wanted to leave Shridi immediately. Baba read his mind and asked him to stay back for one more day. But the foreigner ignored Baba’s advice and left Shirdi. He met with an accident and had to stay in hospital for some time.
One day Baba informed his devotees that he would don the orange robe that day. The people there did not get the meaning of what Baba meant by orange robe. In the evening a Nasik Brahmin by the name Mule Shastri offered flowers to Baba and as he was prostrating before Baba he saw his Guru Dholup Swamy with orange robe, where Baba was standing. When Mule Shastri got up he saw Baba again standing in front of him. Similarly, to a doctor who was a Ramabhakta Baba appeared as his guru Sri Ramachandra Murti. These incidents tell us about the omniscient nature of Baba.
Baba would always advise the people of Shirdi to stay united and live in harmony, irrespective of the religion they followed. God will always save you, try to achieve salvation, without salvation life is meaningless, Baba would say. He would ask his devotees to forgive those who hurt them and to help each other.
Once during summer holidays Mrs.Tharakad came to Shirdi. One day when Mrs Tharakad came to the Masjid for Baba’s darshan, Baba told her that he had been to her house in Bandra that day but there was nothing there for him to eat.
Everyday Mrs. Tharakad would offer naivedya to the photo of Sai Baba at the shrine in her house in Bandra. However, while she was away at Shirdi, Mr. Tharakad had forgotten to offer naivedya. Thus, Baba informed his devotees that praying to his picture was equal to doing his puja in person. Baba was omniscient and he experienced the love of his devotees and tasted the food offered by them even when they were far away from him.
Sai Baba never allowed anyone to put sandal paste on his forehead, but one day Dr.Pandit applied sandal paste on Baba’s forehead and Baba did not object. Seeing this people asked Baba why he did not object to Dr.Pandit’s action. To this Baba replied that Dr. Pandit saw his guru Raghunath maharaj in him thus he did not object. Dr. Pandit later confirmed this by saying he saw his guru Raghunath maharaj in Baba. Sai Baba used to chant God’s name and used to distribute the sacred ash – vibhuti to people. The vibhuti cured even those diseases that were thought to be incurable. Bimaji Patil once contracted tuberculosis and it became so severe that he began to vomit blood. He came to Baba seeking help. Baba asked him not to worry and said that all his difficulties will be over soon. Baba said that whoever steps into Dwarkamai with true devotion will see an end to all pain and suffering. “The fakir at this place is very compassionate and he takes care of everyone who has true devotion,” Baba said to Bimaji Patil. That night Baba appeared in his dream and blessed him and the next day when Bimaji woke up he found himself cured and free of all the symptoms of tuberculosis. In order to express his gratitude Bimaji Patil started a vrata called Sai Vrata similar to the Satyanarayana vrata.
Sriman Baba Saheb Buti once suffered from diahorrea and Baba saw him rush to the toilet many times during the day. On seeing this Baba pointed a finger towards Mr Buti and said he was cured of diahorrea at that very instant. Within seconds Mr Buti felt cured. Baba was known to cure many devotees by making them eat things that were said to aggravate to those conditions, like almond and pistachio paste for people suffering from an upset stomach. Once Baba cured a Sanyasi who came to Baba complaining of severe earache, simply by saying “Allah will take care of you.” Dutta Pant got cured of the stomach pain he was suffering from for nearly fourteen years by eating the Udi given by Baba. Shama, another devotee of Baba, who was suffering from piles was cured with the essence of Sonamukhi seeds. After sometime Shama again got piles and he decided to cure himself by taking some sonamukhi seeds. And to his surprise his condition became severe and he had to seek Baba’s help. Pandit Gangadhar was cured of his stomach pain when Baba placed his hand on his stomach and said “God will take away your pain.
Hardik Sidique Phalke who had been to Mecca on pilgrimage was not allowed to enter the Masjid for nine months. He was allowed to enter only when his ego and pride were gone. Baba embraced him and welcomed him into the masjid.
Once Das Ganu wore a fancy robe and some jewellery for a Harikatha recital. Baba called him and asked him to be simple and do the Harikatha like Narad rishi. Das Ganu understood the significance of what Baba said and immediately changed into the simple everyday attire of dhoti and angavastra.
Sri Sai Baba never offered any mantra to chant or ask his devotees to do yoga. He only asked them to chant God’s name with a pure heart and to remember God always. Baba had control over natural elements too. Once when heavy thunder and storm raged over Shirdi, Baba pointed his finger towards the sky and asked the thunder and storm to calm down. The storm immediately subsided. Once the fire in the dhuni flared up and the flames leapt up to the ceiling. Baba hit his satka on the ground and asked the fire to calm down. Within seconds the fire stopped raging, the flames subsided and the people around were relieved.
Whenever devotees felt jealous or had bad thoughts, Baba would read their minds and in a subtle way teach them how to be rid of their unpleasant thoughts and feelings. In order to instil in his devotees the feeling of compassion he would take dakshina from them and by evening he would distribute the money collected as daskshina amongst his bhaktas or spend it on the upkeep of Dwarakamai. The two rupees he took from him devotees signified patience and devotion, Baba said. Once he asked Sri Narke for fifteen rupees. Mr Narke told Baba that he did not have money, to which Baba said that he did not want the money, he only wanted Sri Narke to practice the yog nishta he was studying.
Sometimes Baba used to refuse to take dakshina from devotees and when they brought expensive presents he would scold them. One Sri Jholkar came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan and for the trip he had saved money by not consuming sugar. On seeing Sri Jholkar, Baba immediately ordered that Sri Jholkar be given tea with a lot of sugar. Sri Jholkar was moved to tears and he realised that God took care of those who worshipped him with pure devotion.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba, I bow before you. Please bless my family and friends with good health and happiness. With your grace and blessings I was able to complete the parayan for Friday. Please bless me with your remembrance, today and always.
Om Satguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
As the earlier version was posted in haste,the same is edited once again and posted here.We shall post the other days parayan with in few days.
Sai Sat Charita Thursday's Parayan
Param Guru Sainath ! I salute you a thousand times and bow before you. I depend on you completely and have full faith in you. I seek your blessings. Your grace protects my life. Parameswar, please keep me with you, and let not any evil spirit distract me from your guidance and please give me the strength to be with you, always. Please give me the ability to understand all your teachings and let me acquire the qualities of a good human being. Sainath, I prostrate before you a thousand times.
In the district of Kopergaon in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, there is a small village called Shirdi and in that village under a neem tree Sai Baba appeared as a sixteen year old boy. Baba lived there for many years and his kindness and miracles transformed Shirdi into a holy place. No one knows where Baba was born or who his parents were. Baba never spoke to anyone about his past, his family or his early years. He was affected by neither rain nor scorching heat nor the cold weather in winter. He would sit under the neem tree unaffected by the changes in weather. He would often be seen in padmasan mudra, in deep meditation (tapas).
Once the people of Khandoba dug up a portion near the neem tree where they found a cave with four lamps burning. Baba informed the people there that his Guru had resided in that cave and asked the people of Khandoba to always protect it. After this incident Sai Baba left Shirdi and he came back after three years with a marriage party. Baba thereafter stayed in Shirdi till his samadhi.
Once Chand Patil, a rich man from a village called Dhoop, was searching for his mare when he saw a fakir wearing turban and kafni sitting under a mango tree. The fakir told Chand Patil that his mare was near the nullah. To Chand Patil’s surprise and joy the mare was found near the nullah. When he returned to the mango tree to thank the fakir, he saw the fakir striking the ground with his satka and out came a burning ember with which the fakir lit a chillum and with a wet piece of cloth he held the hukkah pipe. The fakir offered Chand Patil a smoke from the hukkah. Chand Patil realised that the fakir was not an ordinary human being. He requested the fakir to accompany his family to Shirdi for the wedding of his brother in law. When the marriage party reached the entrance to Shirdi, the priest of Khandoba temple welcomed the fakir saying “O SAI, please come” and from that day on he was called SAI by one and all and in due course he became SAI BABA.
In Shirdi, Baba stayed in a masjid made of mud. He wore a turban and kafani and his only possessions were a tin pot, a satka and chillum. Sai dressed like a Muslim, followed Hindu rituals and practices; like a Hindu he had his ears pierced and he resided in a masjid which he called Dwarakamai. He always kept a dhuni burning in the masjid like an ever burning agnihotra. He used to grind wheat between the two stones of a handmill. Devotees used to ring the bell before entering the masjid and would offer things in the dhuni to keep it burning. Brahmins used to visit the masjid and bow their heads before SAI BABA. Sai Baba would always chant “Narayan, Narayan” and “Allah Malik” (Allah is the sole owner of this world). In Shirdi the Hindus celebrated Ramanavami festival and the Muslims celebrated the sandal procession on the same day. Sometimes Baba would wear bells on his ankles and dance as if in a trance all through the day and night and people would stand watching him, mesmerised.
Many people returned to good health on seeing SAI BABA and many had their desires fulfilled. Baba’s touch helped blind people regain their vision and the lame were able to start walking. His grace ensured that there was no dearth of food or clothing in the house of his devotees. Sai Baba used to say that those who chanted his name or remembered him would always have their needs taken care of. He always blessed his devotees.
Baba talked to everyone very affectionately and never discriminated between the rich and the poor. Even though he lived in Shirdi he knew about events that were happening in distant places. He used to remove evil thoughts from the minds of his devotees and would urge them to nurture good thoughts. He directed them onto the spiritual path.
Baba’s fame spread far and wide, drawing devotees from different parts of the world. His presence gave immense solace to people who came to see him. At Dwarkamai, Baba used to light earthen lamps with oil borrowed from shop keepers at Shirdi. One day the shopkeepers refused to give Baba oil to light the lamps, saying that there was no oil in their stores. This behaviour of the shopkeepers did not upset Baba, instead he went about calmly pouring water in the lamps and to the utter bewilderment of the shopkeepers, Baba managed to light the lamps filled with water. The shopkeepers were ashamed of their behaviour towards Baba and they requested him to forgive them. Baba said that they were free to give or refuse but they should never lie.
An old man called Gouli Bua was a devotee of Lord Vittal and when he saw Baba at Shirdi he knew in his heart that Sai Baba was the incarnation of Vittal. He knew that Baba was not an ordinary person. During his early days in Shirdi Baba created a beautiful garden in the courtyard of the masjid and everyday he would water the plants with water from an earthen pot. Baba would fetch water from a well that was far away from the masjid and after watering the plants he would break the earthen pot at the foot of the neem tree. Baba was given a fresh earthen pot everyday by Tatya Patil. In due course of time a lovely garden came into being at the masjid.
Gangadhari, a sadhu, on seeing Baba watering the plants in the garden predicted that the boy would one day be a precious jewel of Shirdi. Shri Anand Rao Maharaj, a devotee of Akalkot Maharaj said the boy was a gem and the people would realise this one day in the near future. Once Shri Krishnaji, a devotee of Akalkot maharaj wanted to do a puja of the padukas of the Swami in Akalkot. In his dream he saw Baba who asked him to come to Shirdi and perform the paduka pooja. As instructed Krishnaji did the prathishta of the padukas under the neem tree after seeking Baba’s blessings. Sri Upasini Baba wrote a prayer and the same was engraved near the padukas under the neem tree.
In Shirdi, Baba was the doctor people sought help from for their ailments. People with no vision regained sight with the help of Baba’s medication made of biba seed paste which was applied over the eyes and the eyes were thereafter bandaged. When the bandage was removed the patient found his/her sight restored. Sometimes Baba would take the sufferings of his devotees upon himself and would suffer along with them. Mr Kharpade’s son once got bubonic plague and Mr Kharpade came to Baba seeking his help. Baba told Mr Kharpade that he was aware that his son was ill and had already started the process of treating the boy. Baba showed Mr and Mrs Kharpade Bubos of Plague on his body and said that he had taken the same on himself to cure the boy. Baba used to treat devotees who were ill even when they were far away from him. One day Baba thrust his hand into the dhuni, severely burning his whole arm. When questioned why he had done that Baba said that in a far away place a blacksmith’s wife who was working near fire had suddenly got up without remembering that she was holding her little baby in her lap. The baby was falling into the fire when, as the mother later recounted, an invisible hand stopped her son from falling into the fire and was thus saved. People in Shirdi realised that Baba was omniscient and knew if his devotees were in trouble and would rush to help them no matter where they be. Bhagoji Shinde, who was afflicted by leprosy, used to apply ghee to Baba’s wound caused by the fire and gently massaged Baba’s injured hand after it started to heal. Bhagoji Shinde continued with this practice till the Samadhi of Sai Baba. Bhagoji Shinde’s devotion towards Baba and Baba’s affection for him showed that Baba treated all his devotees alike and never discriminated on the grounds of caste, creed or physical affliction.
Sai Baba’s devotee, Das Ganu Maharaj, once wished to go to Prayag for a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. Baba asked Das Ganu Maharaj to have faith in him and that he would soon be able to visit Prayag. Baba said that as Das Ganu was prostrating at his feet when water began to flow from Baba’s feet. Das Ganu beheld the holy rivers of the Sangam sitting at Baba’s feet.
For some time a bachelor called Rohilla stayed at the masjid with Baba and he used to do the aajan every day shouting Allah O Akbar and used to read aloud verses from the Koran. This disturbed the peace and tranquillity of the place and many devotees complained to Baba about this and asked him to stop Rohilla from shouting. Baba asked his devotees to be patient with Rohilla saying that the bachelor was being troubled by his wife (bad thoughts) causing him to wail out loud the Lord’s name. As assured by Baba, Rohilla recovered and stopped screaming.
A devotee of Baba, Sheerasagar worshipped Lord Vittal till his death but his son discontinued the puja thereafter and never offered any Naivedya. Baba passed on a message to Sheerasagar’s son saying that his father was a great friend of his and scolded the son for ignoring the puja and Naivedya of Vittal Bhagwan. Sheerasagar’s son realised his mistake and in earnest started the puja of Lord Vittal, observing all the practices his father had followed including the offering of naivedya everyday.
Anna Saheb Dabolkar once came to Shirdi and offered his pranam to Baba by prostrating at his feet. Anna Saheb witnessed several changes in his life thereafter. While he was at Shirdi Anna Saheb once saw Baba grinding wheat at the masjid. Some ladies who were also witness to this sat down with Baba and began to help him grind the wheat. And while they did this they began to sing beautiful songs in praise of the miracles Baba had shown. When all the wheat was ground they began to gather the flour to take home with them. Seeing this Baba got angry and directed the ladies to take the flour and spread it in the four directions across the village. This, the devotees later realised, was done to prevent a cholera epidemic from spreading into the village. Seeing this and the other miracles of Baba, Anna Saheb Dhabolkar wanted to write a book about them and he sought Baba’s permission through Shama, the great devotee of Baba. Baba granted Anna Saheb permission by applying udi on his forehead. Baba told Anna that he was would be a tool for writing the book while he (Baba) would write his own biography as a living example. “Once my devotees listen to my leelas and preaching they will take the spiritual path and even an atheist will learn to respect me and begin to have faith in me,” Baba told Anna Saheb. He also said that no one who believes in him will ever go hungry. Baba used to lovingly address Anna Saheb as Hemandpant.
Both Gopal Rao and Damu Anna Kesar, who were childless for a long time, were blessed with children by Baba’s grace. And in order to express their gratitude, Gopal Rao and Anna Kesar decided to start celebration of the Ramanavami festival and flag hoisting at the Masjid. Damu Anna Kesar and Nana Saheb together donated two flags which were taken out in a procession around Shirdi and thereafter they were placed at the masjid. During this time a Muslim gentleman decided to start the Sandal paste procession. At Shirdi Ram katha, the cradle festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna and the Sandal procession were held in a spirit of harmony between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities. A weekly reading of the Nam Saptah was also held and on the concluding day the poor were fed a sumptuous meal.
Om Sri Sathguru Sainath Maharaj Ji Ki Jai.
O Sri Sainath, I prostrate at your feet and seek your blessings. Today I have completed the first day’s reading of your Satcharita. Please bestow your blessings on me to complete the weekly reading of your Satcharita. Please bless me and those around me with peace, tranquillity, and devotion towards you. I pray for your Grace all through my life.
Sat Guru Sainathaya Namah
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
By Kamala Murthy
The leaves of the tulsi plant are important in worship. They are superior even to fragrant flowers. Flowers are fragrant only when they bloom. But every part of the tulsi plant has fragrance. Its seeds, it leaves, its stem, its roots- all have fragrance. Even the soil in which it is planted acquires the fragrant smell of the plant. All we need to do is to use a single tulsi leaf in worship. Nothing will please Lord Narayana more. Using tulsi leaves in worship will bring prosperity.
One day, Tulsi went to the Lord with a complaint. She had a grievance, she said. Like Goddess Mahalakshmi, Tulsi too came from the milky ocean. But while Lakshmi adorned His chest, which was Her permanent abode, what honour had she (Tulsi) been given? Tulsi had come from the scattered drops of nectar. Why was it that she was not honoured, while Lakshmi was, Tulsi wondered.
The Lord said that Lakshmi had done penance and had thus reached Him. Lakshmi, however, was going to appear on the Earth, as the daughter of Sage Markandeya. Tulsi should go to the Earth too, and there spread herself as a bush, that would shelter Lakshmi, who would appear under the bush. Lakshmi would be brought up by Sage Markandeya. The Lord would come down too, and would marry Lakshmi later on.
As per the Lord's instructions, Tulsi appeared on the bank of the Cauvery river. She appeared in such profusion, that the whole place resembled a tulsi forest. So dense was the vegetation. Sage Markandeya, who was on a pilgrimage, reached the place where Tulsi had taken root. He bathed in the river, and began to meditate. In his mind's eye, the sage could see the Lord. And as long as the image of the Lord filled the sage's mind, he was oblivious to everything else around him. He did not even notice the child who was under the tulsi bush.
This child was none other than Goddess Mahalakshmi. In order that the sage should open his eyes and see Her, the Lord caused His image to disappear from the sage's mind. Only then did the sage open his eyes, and upon seeing the child, he picked her up, brought her up, and later got Her married to the Lord.
By Swami Gautmananda
How does one practise Bhakti to the Supreme Brahman whose infinite glory is hailed by the scriptures as beyond description? They state that He is formless and that He is the very essence of Eternal Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. How does a simple Jivatma establish contact with such a great personality?
Sri Ramakrishna used to answer this legitimate doubt in the hearts of many of his devotees by advocating the practice of meditating on any one of the forms of the Lord, say Rama, Krishna or Siva. Is there any need for a thirsty person to know the extent of water available in a lake or a pond when a cup of water is enough to slake his thirst? Though the Lord's greatness is limitless, any form of God is enough for us to cultivate Bhakti. When a picture of the Lord or the stories of His Avatars can help one to meditate on Him, there is no need to take the trouble of trying to comprehend His infinite greatness.
The Bhagavad Gita extols the quality of Bhakti as a sure path to salvation and Lord Krishna holds the Bhakta in great esteem. What the Lord expects from the Bhakta is sincerity, faith and true devotion. The Lord accepts whatever a devotee offers — a fruit, leaf, flower or a drop of water — looking only for his love and devotion to Him.
The path of Jnana is difficult and it is easy for even the Jnani to succumb to the pulls of worldly attractions. All our sorrows are gone if we identify ourselves with the Atma rather than the body. This feeling liberates us from the limiting forces of worldly life. In Kali Yuga, doing one's duties in an unattached matter can lead to Bhakti. This attitude to one's day-to-day activities gradually leads our mind and thoughts to God. When we remember that all our actions, thoughts and words are on behalf of God and we just act as an instrument of God, there is no sense of ego with regard to the action. We also understand that the result of all our acts also is for the sake of God and not for any personal gain.
The ultimate aim of every Jivatma is to get liberated from the cycle of birth. This is attainable through devotion.
