Vibhuti miracles on Baba's chair

Jalarambapa, Shirdi Saibaba, Sathya Saibaba covered in Vibhuti.

 

Vibhuti miracles on Baba's chair materialised during 1990 at Sai Sruti. Currently preserved under glass.

 

Vibhuti miracles on Baba's chair. Full view of the chair preserved under glass at Sai Sruti.

 

Vibhuti miracles on Baba's chair in 1990 preserved at Sai Sruti.

 

Vibhuti materialised by Baba on his second chair in the form of 9 coins representing nine types of Devotion. This was materialised on 22nd of May 2006, the 18th Anniversary of Sai Sruti Temple. You may know that Shirdi Sai gave 9 coins to Laxmibai before he left his body in appreciation of her devotion.

SHRI SHIRDI SAIBABA SAMADHI MANDIR

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he shrine which houses Baba’s tomb was originally constructed as a wada (large private house) during Baba’s last years of physical presence. It is built on the same land that Baba had tended as a garden. The shrine was built by a wealthy devotee from Nagpur, Gopalrao Booty. The wada was originally intended as a rest house and temple for Muralidhar. The inspiration for the building came to Booty in a dream, when he was sleeping beside his friend and fellow devotee, Shama. Baba appeared and told him to build a house and temple. It is a perfect sai-incidence that Shama had the same dream as Booty had. Deeply touched, they commenced the activities for constructing the wada, took the sketches to Dixit for approval and then went to Baba for blessings. Baba responded warmly and gave His blessing to the project. The work commenced around 1915. It was built in stone and was therefore known as dagadi (stone) wada. Shama supervised the construction of the basement, ground floor and well. Later, Bapusaheb took over job of supervising the work. On Oct 15, 1918 Baba lay with His body fading fast. His last words were,”I am not feeling well in the masjid. Carry me to the dagadi wada”. Baba was indeed carried to the wada, and was buried in the place where the image of Muralidhar was to have been placed: an edifice was later raised over the tomb. The burial was completed by early Thursday morning. A photograph of Sai Baba was placed on a throne on the platform of the tomb. It remained there until the statue was installed in 1954. That picture is now kept in the recess of the Samadhi Mandir for display.

The statue, which has become such a famous and well-loved image of Baba, was not installed until 1954, thirty-six years after His mahasamadhi, and there is an intriguing story behind it. Some white marble arrived from Italy at the Bombay docks, but nobody seemed to know anything about it or who it was for, or why it had come. In the absence of a claimant, the dockyard auctioned it and the purchaser offered it to the Shirdi Sansthan (temple authorities). Impressed by the quality of the marble, they wanted to use it for an idol of Baba and gave the commission to a sculpture from Bombay, Balaji Vasant Talim. However, the latter had only one black and white photo of Baba as his model, and was struggling to get the likeness. One night Baba came to him in a dream, remarked on his difficulties and then showed him His face from various angles, encouraging Talim to study it thoroughly and remember it well. This gave Talim the fillip he needed and after that the work flowed easily and the result exceeded all expectations. The statue was installed on Oct 7, 1954, on the auspicious day of Vijayadasami. As the main object of adoration in Shirdi, the idol is accorded all due honors. Out of their love for Baba, devotees wish to provide every comfort and respect they can. Baba sits relaxed, natural and majestic, gazing benignly on the millions of diverse visitors who flock to him for succor. The lifelike quality of the eyes really does seem to be looking at us and responding! The feeling and experience that Baba is still alive and present pervades all the Sansthan facilities and activities of His devotees. The same sentiment is seen in entire Shirdi and contributes to the mystique and magic of what we call Shirdi.

The temple premise of Shri Saibaba Sansthan is spread in approximately in 2150sq.ft. It is situated in the heart of Shirdi village and is a major center of pilgrims from all over the world. Along with the Samadhi Mandir, the temple complex also has Khandoba Temple, Gurusthan, Dwarakamai, Chavadi, Lendi Gardens and other temples like Hanuman Mandir, Mahalakshmi Temple, Narasimha Temple and Jain Temple. On an average, daily 25,000 devotees visit Shirdi village, to have the Darshan of Shri Sai Baba. In the festival season, more than 1,00,000 devotees visit the Temple every day. The Temple premise is renovated in the year 1998-99 and is now equipped with all necessary facilities like Darshan Lane, Prasadalay (Lunch and Dinner), Donation Counters, Prasad Counters, Canteen, Railway Reservation Counter, Book Stall etc.

Mandir Timings

All Days	04:00 AM - 11:15 PM

Arati Timings

Day Kakad Arati Madhyahn Arati Dhup Arati Sej Arati	All Days 04:30 AM 12:00 PM Sunset 10:30 PM

Shri Sai Baba MAHIMA

1. Shri sai baba sai baba ,tumhi ho daata ek vidhata, tumhi the iisa issaiyon ke,

naam palatkar ban gaye sai, hinduon ke tumee ho sriram sai ram kah sabhee pukaren,
masjid mein tujh ko allah pukaren, nanak ghoonje har gurudwara,
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

2. koi na jaane tera bachpan ,saal poore solah tak , jag uddhar ke liye prakat

ho gaye gaanv shridi mein, datta jaise kiye guru anek ,kabir gopal aur jaaver,
lallan palan kiye thhey gopal ,satya e diksha poori dee, diksha siksha paakar
poori, sai baba ban gaye sai shri ram ban gaye sai iisu ban gaye, sai allah ban
gaye sai nanak ban gaye,sai jagat mein chha gaye,
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

3. virkhsh neem thha tera aashram ,lendi jangal tera bageecha ,poshak teree

fati kafni sir ko saaje ek saafa, karon mein tere chhadi va krmandal, charnon
mein tere jirin paaduka,roop tera hai manohar vaani jaisee murli manohar,
nayan hai teray prem say bharay, hirday hai tera daya say bhara, pathar hai
tera sinhasan, chhithra gooni tera aasan, jeeern gooni tera bistar ,eeet hi tera sirhana,
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

4.chaand bahi patil aaye balak sai baba ke paas, khoi ghori day kar baba

chimte say chillam jala diye, malsapati ko gyani bana kar nana ko diya
geetaupdesh, bayja bai ne udrat kar lee day kar khana tujh ko nirantar, dason ke daas hai das
ganoo, ban gaye tere kirtankar, abdullah ne kee badi sewa tan man de kar tujh ko apna.
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

5. kadvay neem ko meetha kar ke, sidhhi pahili kayam kee ,tel na paa kar paani

hi say jyoti uttam jalayee, neem kee pati dooni say udhhi, sab ko hardam
dete thhey, shakti in mein aisee hoti,dukh saara har letee thhee, bhiksha laa kar paanch
gharon say usay sab ko dete thhe, aisay ussay dete rahte jo khatam na hotee thhee,
teray saathi deen dukhi jan aandhay langday shoodra va rogi, tumhi thhay un kay sachay
saathee maat pita wah guru parmatma. aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

6. kushthh rogi bagoji shinde,aayee sai baba ke paas , jeevan bhar nij sewa

mein rakh kar, unke rog ko haran liya, aamlipit rog wah haizaa, say baday
hee peedit thay booti, dhooni say udhi dayker baba unko rog say muukt kiya, aatisaar kee beemari
thee kaka mahajini ko, swasthh kiye unko baba moongfali khila kar, baday hee peedit
theay shyama, bavaseer rog say, daya kay saagar sai nay, haran liya bavaseer ko, chowdah
varshon kay udhar rog say thay baday peedit dattopant, harda ke aise dukhi ko dekhkar
unko rog say mukt kiya, bheemaji paatil mahanubhaav thee narayan gaaon ke
shay rogi, aise bhyankar rog ko door kiya jagishwar ne.
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

7. aajanu bahu ban kar aaye , vishva ko ashish dene ko, teeno lok ne ashsh

paayee aise ajanu bahu say ,pooray vishva ki raksha karne, raat din baba jaagte
thay apni neend vah sab kuch tyagkar ,bahut he sewa karte thay , shirdi
shetra mein rah kar baba vishva ki mahaan sewa kee unsay bad kar mahaan tyagi koi na vishva
mein janam liya, dwarkamai masjid thee,gurkul jaise gyan ashram gyaniyon ka mela
thha hardam saiishwar ke paas,desh videsh say aakar log gyan vah bahgti paate thee, poorna
gyani saiishwar sab ko sab kuch dete thay bhgawat geeta ko samjaya deputcollector
nana ko, vishnu sahistnaam ko samja kaka sahib dixit ne, naath baghwat ko padte thee saiishwar
say hemandpant, dixit jog vah b.v.dev ne gyaneshwari ka gyan liya,gur charitra kaa paath karaya
sri saathe say sai ne, upnishdon ka aarth bataya nij premiyon ko baba ne , kuraan sharif ke
tatva ko samja abdulla ne sai say, sai premi mooulvi faatiha ko padte thay.
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

8. latka kar ghanti masjid mein, masjid mandir ek kiye, namaj puja ban gaye

ek, muslim hindu ho gaye ek, yeh hai agnee parsi ki yeh hai dwar gurdwara,
ayse sai baba kah kar vibhin jaati ko ek kiye.
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

9. vishwa roop ka darshan diya, nijh bakton ko sai ne, poorna khandoba thay

sai, mhalsapati kahte thay, ramdasiyon ne dekha, shirdishwar main ram
ko,pandarinath ka darshan diya, das ganu maharaj ko, srishti palak vishnu ko
dekha niyayadish rege ne, kailash pati shiv ko dekha, saishwar main megha
ne, dashavtaron ne darshn diye, dwarkamai masjid main, aise darshan naath
main pakar, naath ko vishwa ne maan liya. aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

10. alap aayu hi main baba, swecha maran pesh kiye, aadhi shankar jaise

baba, deh apna tiyag diye, dhiraj vishwas prem se, sabne us ki raksha ki,
thik tisre din ke baad, jagrit ho gaye sai naath, jagrit ho kar jagriti kar
di, har manav ko apni aur. aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

11. mhalsa pati tatya patil, bade hi tere premi thay, sote jagte chalte

phirte, saath hardam rahte thay, laxmibai mahalaxmi, nitya seva karti thi,
dekar unko rupaye nau, sari bakti de diye, vish se pirit shyama aaye, aise
sai baba ke paas, vish ko turant door kiye, bhole shankar sai ne, pran
bachai maindak ne, apne shatru ke mukh se, tha vah hukum baba ka, taal na
koi sakta tha. aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

12. h.s dikshit m.b reghe, bade hi shikshit giyani thay, kuchh na pakar desh

videsh main pas baba ke aaye, aisi hasti shakti dekhi, arpan apne ko kar di,
maharogi ban kar aaye, kashi naath upasni,baba nirog kar diye, upasni,
maharaj ban gaye, premi baybit ho uthe , jab haija aaya shrdi main,
dindayalu sai ne door kiya us haije ko. aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

13. nagpur ke baday hi dhani gopalrao booti thay, krishna murlidhar ke liye

booti vaada banayee, yeh hai esthaan sone ka mera aisay baba kahite thay jo
bhi kahtay sai baba hardam woh hi hota thha unees sao athharah ke dashra kay
dashmi mein, mangalwar kay din baba, jab bayasi saal ke lagte thay lag bag
dopahar adhhai baje, shirdi kee masjid mein,
BABA SACHMUCH SO GAYAY DUNIYA KE LIYE SO GAYAY , PAR BABA SARVATRA CHHA
GAYAY, HARDAM KAY LIYE CHHA GAYAY, MASJID MEIN VAY CHHA GAYAY, SHIRDI MEIN
VAY CHHA GAYAY, BABA SAB MEIN CHHA GAYAY,SAB KAY HIRDAY MEIN CHHA GAYAY.
aisi baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

14. chhayey hooay jaggte sai, ab bhee baba jaagte hain, sabhi dekhein pooray

vishwa mein ab bhi baba jaagte hain, sai baba hain satya aatma ,poorna aatma parmatama
,sai baba kahte bhi thay yohi, mein hoon aatma parmatma, aaise naath kee deh
ko paane mein ho gaye baday matbed, hindu kahe hindu thay baba muslim kahay
thay baday peer, es kaa nirnaya ho nahi paya,naath kee deh ko paa gayey
hindu, naath paray thay iis jaatee bedh say jaise paray hai parmatama.
aise baba jag mein aaye jin kee mahima koi na jaane.

15. hindu muslim sikh eessai nay, adhbut samaadi banaee, es samadhi mein

bhed na koi jaat paat wah oonch neech ka, shyam sunder tera ghoda bada hi
tera premi thha, shridha bhagti wah prem say tujh ko pranaam karta thha,
shirdi wasiyon ney dekha samadhikal kay baad bhi ,ashroodhara baha kar
samaadi ko pranaam karta thha, satya hai naath ka kathan mein hoon jagrit
samadhi par, es ki gawahi detay hai sai apni vishaal moorti say, aisee
moorti banayee talim, bambai kay murtikaar, jis kee sthpna kee thi unees sao
chovan mein ahmadabad kay badey hi premi ,sai sharanand ne, baba hai jagrut
jadh chetan mein, paayee to uun ko safal hai jeevan,naath ko paa kar sab kuchh payee, uun ko na
paa kar kuchh bhi na paayee, sai sevak guru NARAYAN kahe> ANANANT MAHIMA KI YEH
CHHOTI MAHIMA, jo bhi padhay nitya nirantar, sab kuchh payee sai krupa say,
sai krupa say sai krupa say, sab kuchh payee sai krupa say. sai krupa say
sai krupa say(repeat 5 times). sabh kuch paayee sai krupa say.

SRI SACHIDANAND SADGURU SAINAATH MAHRAAJ KI JAI.

Miracle in Shirdi on 5 Jan 2012

Miracle in Shirdi on 5th Jan 2012

A Miracle occurred in Shirdi on the night of Thursday 05th Jan`2012.
Right after Baba’s Shej Aarti got over, an image of Sai Baba’s face appeared on the wall of Dwarkamai.
Very distinctly seen, the face of Sai Baba appeared on the Nimbar (Niche) which is on the western wall of Dwarkamai.

The Shri Sai Satcharitra relates that it was here that Baba used to have his midday meal,
sitting behind a curtain with his back to the Nimbar, and a row of devotees on either side of him.
This is also the place where Baba would sleep with his head pointing towards the Nimbar.
Sai Baba also occasionally did his Namaz (ritual prayers) here.
This Nimbar also has a set of lamps placed by Baba in-front of it.

As this news spread, people from all over started rushing to Shirdi to be blessed by this miracle of Baba.
And slowly the crowds grew in such numbers that Shirdi Sansthan’s Security guards also found it difficult to control them.
Chanting the name of Sai Baba, the inside & outside of Dwarkamai was flooded with devotees, all trying to get a glimpse of Baba’s Image.

Om Sai Ram – Om Sai Ram – Om Sai Ram 

Sai Satcharitra Chapter 30

(1) Kakaji Vaidya of Vani – (2) Punjabi Ramalal of Bombay.

In this Chapter the story of two more devotees that were drawn to Shirdi, is narrated.

Preliminary

Bow to the Kind Sai Who is the Abode of Mercy and Who is affectionate towards His devotees. By His mere darshan, He does away with their fear of this ‘bhava’ (samsar) and destroys their calamities. He was first Nirgun (formless), but on account of the devotion of His Bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. To give liberation – self-realisation to the Bhaktas is the mission of the saints, and for Sai – the Chief of them, that mission is inevitable. Those who take refuge in His Feet have all their sins destroyed and their progress is certain. Remembering His Feet, Brahmins from holy places come to Him and read scriptures and chant the Gayatri mantra in His presence. We, who are weak and without any merits, do not know what Bhakti is but we know this much, that though all others may leave us, Sai won’t forsake us. Those whom He favours get enormous strength, discrimination between the Unreal and the Real and knowledge.

Sai knows fully the desire of His devotees and fulfills the same. Hence they get what they want and are grateful. So we invoke Him and prostrate ourselves before Him. Forgetting all our faults let Him free us from all anxieties. He who being overcome with calamities remembers and prays Sai thus, will get his mind calmed and pacified through His grace.

This Sai – the ocean of mercy, says Hemadpant, favoured him and the result of this, is the present work – Sai-Satcharia. Otherwise what qualifications had he and who would undertake this enterprise? But as Sai took all the responsibility, Hemadpant felt no burden, nor any care about this. When the powerful Light of knowledge was there to inspire his speech and pen, why should he entertain any doubt or feel any anxiety? Sai got the service in the form of this book done by him; this is due to the accumulation of his merits in the past births and, therefore, he thinks himself fortunate and blessed.

The following story is not a mere tale, but pure nectar. He who drinks it will realise Sai’s greatness and all-pervasiveness. Those who want to argue and criticise, should not go in for these stories. What is wanted here, is not discussion but unlimited love and devotion. Learned, devout and faithful believers or those, who consider themselves as servants of the Saints, will like and appreciate these stories, others will take them to be fables. The fortunate Bhaktas of Sai, will find the Sai-leelas as the Kalpataru (Wish-fulfilling Tree). Drinking this nectar of Sai-leelas, will give liberation to the ignorant Jivas, satisfaction to the house-holders and a sadhana to the aspirants. Now to the story of this Chapter.

Kakaji Vaidya

There lived in Vani, Nasik District, a man named Kakaji Vaidya. He was the priest of the Goodness Sapta-Shringi there. He was so much overwhelmed with adverse circumstances and calamities that he lost peace of mind and became quite restless. Under such circumstances one evening he went into the temple of the Goodess and prayed unto Her from the bottom of his heart and invoked Her aid to free him from anxeity. The Goddess was pleased with his devotion and the same night appeared to him in his dream and said to him, “You go to Baba and then your mind will become calm and composed”. Kakaji was anxious to know from Her who that Baba was, but before he could get any explanation, he was awakened. Then he began to think as to who might be that Baba, to whom the Goodess has asked him to go. After some thinking, he resolved that this Baba might be ‘Tryambakeshwar’ (Lord Shiva). So he went to the holy place ‘Tryambak’ (Nasik District) and stayed there for ten days. During this period, he bathed early in the morning, chanted the ‘Rudra’ hymns, did the ‘Abhishekam’ (pouring unceasingly fresh cold water over the Pindi) and did other religious rites; but with all that, he was as restless as before. Then he returned to his place and again invoked the Goddess most pitifully. They night She again appeared in his dream and said – “Why did you go to Tryambakeshwar in vain? I mean by Baba – Shri Sai Samarth of Shirdi.”

The question before Kakaji now was ‘How and when to go to Shirdi and how to see Baba? If anybody is in real earnest to see a Saint, not only the Saint but God also, fulfills his wish. In fact the ‘Sant’ (Saint) and the ‘Anant’ (God) are one and the same; there is not the least difference between them. If anybody thinks that he will go himself and see a Saint, that will be a mere boast. Unless the Saint wills it, who is able to go and see him? Even the leaf of the tree won’t move without his bidding. The more anxious a Bhakta is for the saint’s visit, the more devout anf faithful he is, the more speedily and effectively is his wish satisfied to his heart’s content. He who invites anybody for a visit, also arranges everything for his reception, and so it happened with Kakaji.

Shama’s Vows

When Kakaji was thinking his visit to Shirdi, a guest came to him at his place to take him to Shirdi. He was no other than Shama, a very close and intimate devotee of Baba. How he came to Vani at this juncture, we shall just see. Shama was severely ill when he was very young and his mother had taken a vow to her family Goddess Sapta-Shringi at Vani, that if the son got well, she would bring and dedicate him at Her feet. Then after some years the mother herself suffered much from ring-worms on her breasts. At that time she again took another vow to her Deity that if she got all right, she would offer Her two silver breasts. These two vows remained unfulfilled. At her death-bed she called her son Shama to her and drew his attention to the vows and after taking a promise from him that he would fulfills them, she breathed her last. After some time, Shama quite forgot about these vows and thus 30 years elapsed. About this time a famous astrologer had come to Shirdi and stayed there for a month. His predictions in the case of Shriman Booty and others came true and everybody was satisfied. Shama’s younger brother Bapaji consulted him and was told that his mother’s vows, which his elder brother promised to fulfill at her death-bed, were not yet fulfilled; hence the Goddess was displeased with them and bringing troubles on them. Bapaji told this to his brother Shama who was then reminded of the unfulfilled vows. Thinking that any further delay would be dangerous, he called a goldsmith and got a pair of silver breast prepared. Then he went to the Masjid, prostrated himself before Baba and, placing before Him the two silver breath, requested Him to accept them and free him from the vows as He was to him his Sapta-Shringi Goddess. Then Baba insisted upon him to go himself to the temple of Sapta-Shringi and offer them in person at the feet of the Goddess. Then after taking Baba’s permission and Udi, he left for Vani and searching for the priest came to Kakaji’s house. Kakaji was then very anxious to visit Baba and Shama went there to see him at that very time. What a wonderful coincidence is this!

Kakaji asked him who he was and whence he had come, and on learning that he came from Shirdi, he at once embraced him. So overpowered was he with love! Then they talked about Sai-leelas and after finishing the rites of Shama’s vows, they both started for Shirdi. On reaching the place, Kakaji went to the Masjid, and fell at Baba’s Feet. His eyes were soon bedewed with tears, and his mind attained calmness. According to the vision of the Goddess, no sooner did he see Baba, that his mind lost all its restlessness and it became calm and composed. Kakaji began to think, in his mind, “What a wonderful power is this! Baba spoke nothing, there was no question and answer, no benediction pronounced; the mere darshana itself was so conducive to happiness; the restlessness of my mind disappeared by His mere darshan, consciousness of joy came upon me – this is what is called ‘the greatness of darshan’.” His vision was fixed on Sai’s feet and he could utter no word. Hearing Baba’s Leelas, his joy knew no bounds. He surrendered himself completely to Baba, forgot his anxiety and cares and got undiluted happiness. He lived happily there for twelve days and after taking Baba’s leave, Udi and blessings returned home.

Khushalchand of Rahata

It is said that a dream, which we get in the small hours of the morning, generally comes out true in the walking state. This may be so, but regarding Baba’s dreams there is no restriction of time. To quote an instance :- Baba told Kakasaheb Dixit one afternoon to go to Rahata and fetch Khushalchand to Shirdi, as He had not seen him since long. Kakasaheb accordingly took a tanga and went to Rahata. He saw Khushalchand and gave him Baba’s message. Hearing it, Khushalchand was surprised and said that he was taking a noon nap after meals when Baba appeared in his dream and asked him to come to Shirdi immediately and that he was anxious to go. As he had no horse of his own nearby, he had sent his son to inform Baba; when his son was just out of the village-border, Dixit’s tanga turned up. Dixit then said that he was sent specially to bring him. Then they both went in the tanga back to Shirdi. Khushalchand saw Baba and all were pleased. Seeing this Leela of Baba, Khushalchand was much moved.

Punjabi Ramalal of Bombay

Once a Punjabi Brahmin of Bombay named Ramalal got a dream in which Baba appeared and asked him to come to Shirdi. Baba appeared to him as a Mahant (Saint), but he did not know His whereabouts. He thought that he should go and see Him, but as he knew not His address, he did not know what to do. But He Who calls anybody for an interview makes the necessary arrangements for the same. The same happened in this case. The same afternoon when he was strolling in the streets, he saw a picture of Baba in a shop. The features of the Mahant, he saw in the dream, exactly tallied with those of the picture. Then making enquiries, he came to know that the picture was of Sai Baba of Shirdi. He then went soon after to Shirdi and stayed there till his death.

In this way Baba brought His devotees to Shirdi for darshan and satisfied their wants, material as well as spiritual.

Sai Satcharitra Chapter 28

Sparrows Drawn To Shirdi

(1) Lakhamichand – (2) Burhanpore Lady – (3) Megha

Preliminary

Sai is not finite or limited. He dwells in all beings, from ants and insects to the God Brahma. He pervades all. Sai was well-versed in the knowledge of the Vedas, as well as in the science of Self-realisation. As He was proficient in both these, He was well-fitted to be the Sad-guru. Any one, though learned, but not able to awaken the disciples and establish them in Self-realisation, does not deserve to be called a Sadguru. Generally the father gives birth to the body, and death invariably follows life; but Sadguru does away with both life and death, and so he is more kind and merciful, than any body.

Sai Baba often said that-let His man (Devotee) be at any distance, a thousand koss away from Him, he will be drawn to Shirdi like a sparrow, with a thread tied to its feet. This Chapter describes the stories of three such sparrows.

Lala Lakhamichand

This gentleman was first serving in the Railways and afterwards in Shri Venkateshwar Press in Bombay and thereafter in the firm of Messrs. Ralli Brothers as a munshi (clerk). He got the contact of Baba in 1910. One or two months before Christmas he saw in his dream at Santacruz (a suburb of Bombay) an old man with a beard, standing and surrounded by his Bhaktas. Some days later he went to the house of his friend. Mr Dattatreya Manjunath Bijur to hear the kirtan by Das Ganu. It was always the practice of Das Ganu to keep Baba’s picture in front of the audience while making the kirtan. Lakhamichand was surprised to see that the features of the old man he saw in his dream, tallied exactly with those in the picture and thus he came to the conclusion, that the old man, he saw in his dream was Sai Baba himself. The sight of this picture, Das Ganu’s kirtan and the life of the Saint Tukaram on which Das Ganu discoursed, all these things made a deep impression on his mind and he pined to go to Shirdi. It is always the experience of the Bhaktas that God always helps them in their search for Sad-guru and other spiritual endeavours. That very night at 8-00 p.m. a friend named Shankarrao knocked at his door and asked him whether he would accompany him to Shirdi. His joy knew no bounds and he at once decided to go to Shirdi. He borrowed Rs.15/- from his cousin and after making due preparations left for Shirdi. In the train, he and his friend Shankar Rao did some Bhajan (sang religious songs) and enquired about Sai baba with some fellow passengers-four Mahomedans, who were returning to their place near Shirdi. They all told tham that Sai baba was a great Saint living in Shirdi for many years. Then when they reached Kopergaon he wanted to buy some good guavas for offering to Baba, but he was so much enrapt with the scenery and sights there, that he forgot to purchase them. When they were nearing Shirdi, he was reminded of the guavas; just then he saw an old woman with a guava-basket on her head, running after the tanga. The tanga was stopped and he gladly purchased some select fruits, when the woman said – “Take all the rest and offer them on my behalf to Baba”. The facts viz. that he had intended to purchase guavas, but that he had forgotten to do so, the old woman’s encounter and her devotion to Baba, all these were a surprise to both the friends; and Lakhamichand thought in his mind, that the old woman might be some relation of the old man he saw in his dream. Then they drove on and came near Shirdi and seeing the flags on the Masjid they saluted them. With Puja materials in hand, they then went to the Masjid and worshipped Baba with due formality. Lakhmichand was much moved and was extremely happy to see Baba. He was enrapt with Baba’s Feet as a bee with a sweet smelling lotus. Then Baba spoke as follows :-

“Cunning fellow, he does bhajan on the way and enquires from others. Why ask others? Everything we should see with our own eyes; where is the necessity to question others? Just think for yourself whether your dream is true or not? Where was the necessity of the darshan by taking a loan from a Marwari? Is the heart’s desire now satisfied?”

Hearing these words Lakhamichand was wonderstruck at Baba’s omniscience. He was at a loss to know how Baba came to know about all the things that had happened enroute from his house to Shirdi. The chief thing to note in this respect is that Baba never liked people to run into debt for taking His darshan, or celebrating any holiday or making any pilgrimage.

Sanza

At noon when Lakhamichand was sitting for meals he got some sanza (wheat-pudding) from a devotee as Prasad. He was pleased to have it. Next day also he expected it, but got nothing. So, he was anxious to get it again. Then on the third day at the noon Arati time, Bapusaheb Jog asked Baba, what naivedya he should bring. Baba told him to bring sanza. Then the Bhaktas brought two big potfuls of sanza. Lakshamichand was very hungry and there was some pain in his back. Then Baba said to him – “It is good that you are hungry, take sanza and some medicine for the pain in the back.” He was again wonderstruck to see that Baba again read his mind and spoke out what was passing therein. How omniscient was He!

Evil eye

On this occasion, he once witnessed one night the procession to the chavadi. Baba then suffered much from cough. He thought that this suffering of Baba might be due to somebody’s evil eye. Next morning when he went to the Masjid Baba spoke to Shama as follows – “I suffered last night from cough; is it due to some evil eye? I think that somebody’s evil eye has worked on me and so I am suffering”. In this case Baba spoke out what was passing in Lakshamichand’s mind.

On seeing these proofs of Baba’s omniscience and kindness to His Bhaktas, he fell prostrate at Baba’s Feet and said – “I am much pleased with your darshan. Ever be kind and merciful to me and protect me always. There is no other God to me in this world except Your Feet. Let my mind be ever rapt in Your Bhajan and Feet. Let Your grace protect me from the miseries of the world and let me ever chant Your name and be happy”.

After getting Baba’ Udi and blessing he returned home with his friend, much pleased and contented and singing Baba’s glory on the way. He remained a staunch devotee of baba afterwards and always sent garlands of flowers, camphor and Dakshina with any person of his acquaintance bound for Shirdi.

Burhanpore Lady

Now let us turn to another sparrow (Baba’s word meaning devotee). One lady in Burhanpore saw in her dream Sai Baba coming to her door and begging khichadi (rice cooked with dal and salt) for His meals. On awakening she saw no body at her door. However, she was pleased with the vision and told it to all including her husband. He was employed in the Postal Department and when he was transferred to Akola, both husband and wife, who were devout, decided to go to Shirdi. Then on a suitable day they left for Shirdi and after visiting Gomati Tirth on the way, reached Shirdi and stayed there for two months. Every day they went to the Masjid, performed Baba’s worship and passed their time happily. The couple came to Shirdi to offer Khichadi as naivedya but for the first 14 days, somehow or other, it could not be offered. The lady did not like this delay. Then on the 15th day she came at noon to the Masjid with her khichadi. There she found that Baba and others were already sitting for meals, and that the curtain was down. Nobody dared enter in when the curtain was let down, but the lady could not wait. She threw up the curtain with her hand and entered. Strange to say that Baba seemed that day, hungry for khichadi and wanted that thing first and when the lady came in with the dish, Baba was delighted, and began to eat morsel after morsel of khichadi. On seeing the earnestness of Baba in this respect, everybody was wonderstruck and those, who heard the story of khichadi, were convinced about His extraordinary love for His devotees.

Megha

Now let us go to the third and bigger ‘sparrow’. Megha of Viramgaon was a simple and illiterate Brahmin cook of Rao Bahadur H. V. Sathe. He was a devotee of Shiva and always chanted the five syllabled mantra ‘Namah Shivaya’. He did not know the Sandhya nor its chief mantra, the Gayatri. Rao Bahadur Sathe was interested in him, got him taught the Sandhya and the Gayatri. Sathe told him that Sai Baba of Shirdi was the embodied form of the God Shiva and made him start for Shirdi. At the Broach Railway station he learnt that Sai Baba was a Moslem and his simple and orthodox mind was much perturbed at the prospect of bowing to a Moslem, and he prayed to his master not to send him there. His master, however, insisted on his going there and gave him a letter of introduction to his (Sathe’s) father-in-law, Ganesh Domodar, alias Dada Kelkar at Shirdi, to introduce him to Sai Baba. When he reached Shirdi and went to the Masjid, Baba was very indignant and would not allow him to enter. “Kick out the rascal” roared Baba, and then said to Megha – “You are a high caste Brahmin and I am a low Moslem; you will lose your caste by coming here. So get away.” Hearing these words Megha began to tremble. He was wondering as to how Baba had come to know about what was passing in his mind. He stayed there for some days, serving Baba in his own way, but was not convinced. Then he went home. After that he went to Tryambak (Nasik District) and stayed there for a year and a half. Then again he returned to Shirdi. This time, at the intercession of Dada Kelkar, he was allowed to enter the Masjid and stay in Shirdi. Sai Baba’s help to Megha was not through any oral instruction. He worked upon Megha internally (mentally) with the result that he was considerably changed and benefited. Then Megha began to look upon Sai Baba as an incarnation of Shiva. In order to worship Shiva, bela leaves are required and Megha used to go miles and miles every day to bring them and worship his Shiva (Baba). His practice was to worship all the Gods in the village and then come to the Masjid and after saluting Baba’s gadi (asan) he worshipped Baba and after doing some service (shampooing His Legs) drank the washings (Tirth) of Baba’s Feet. Once it so happened that he came to the Masjid without worshipping God Khandoba, as the door of the temple was closed. Baba did not accept his worship and sent him again, saying that the door was open then. Megha went, found the door open, worshipped the Deity, and then returned to Baba as usual.

Ganges-Bath

On one Makar-Sankranti day, Megha wanted to besmear the body of Baba with sandal-paste and bathe Him with Ganges water. Baba was first unwilling to undergo this operation, but at his repeated requests, He consented. Megha had to traverse a distance of eight koss (going and returning) to bring the sacred water from the Gomati river. He brought the water, made all preparations for the bath at noon and asked Baba to get ready for the same. Then Baba again asked him to be freed from his bath saying that, as a Fakir He had nothing to do (or gain) with Ganges water; but Megha did not listen. He knew that Shiva is pleased with a bath of Ganges water and that he must give his Shiva (Baba) that bath on that auspicious day. Baba then consented, came down and sat on a pat (wooden board) and protruding his head said – “Oh Megha, do at least this favour; head is the most important organ of the body, so pour the water over that only-it is equivalent to the full or whole bath.” “Alright” said Megha and lifting the water pot up, began to pour it on the head but in doing this he was so much overwhelmed with love that he cried out ‘Har Gange’ and emptied the pot on the whole body. He kept the pot aside and began to look at Baba, but to his surprise and amazement he found that Baba’s head was only drenched but the body quite dry.

Trident and Pindi

Megha worshipped Baba in two places; in the Masjid he worshipped Baba in person and in the Wada, Baba’s big picture, given by Nanasaheb Chandorkar. This he did for 12 months. Then in order to appreciate his devotion and confirm his faith, Baba gave him a vision. Early one morning when Megha was still lying down on his bed with eyes closed but internally awake, he saw clearly Baba’s Form. Baba knowing him to be awake threw Akshata (rice-grains marked red with Kumkum) and said, “Megha, draw a Trident” and disappeared. Hearing Baba’s words, he eagerly opened his eyes but did not see Baba, but saw only rice grains spread here and there. He then went to Baba, told Him about the vision and asked permission to draw Trident. Baba said – “Did you not hear My words asking you to draw Trident? It was no vision but direct order and My words are always pregnant with meaning and never hollow.” Megha said – “I thought you woke me up, but all the doors were closed, so I thought it was a vision”. Baba rejoined – “I require no door to enter. I have no form nor any extension; I always live everywhere. I carry on, as a wirepuller, all the actions of the man who trusts Me and merges in Me.”

Megha returned to the Wada, and drew a red Trident on the wall near Baba’s picture. Next day a Ramadasi Bhakta came from Poona, saluted Baba and offered Him Pindi (an image of Shiva). At this time Megha also turned up there. Baba said to him – “See, Shankar has come, protect (i.e., worship) Him now.” Megha was surprised to see Pindi following Trident immediately. Then also in the Wada, Kakasaheb Dixit was standing with a towel on his head after having taken his bath, and was remembering Sai, when he saw a Pindi before his mental vision. While he was wondering about this, Megha came and showed him the Pindi presented to him by Baba. Dixit was happy to know that the Pindi exactly tallied with the One he saw a few minutes before in his vision. In a few days after the drawing of the Trident was complete, Baba installed the Pindi near the big picture which Megha was worshipping. The worship of Shiva was dear to Megha and by arranging the drawing of the Trident and the installation of the Pindi, Baba confirmed his faith therein.

After continuous service of Baba for many years, doing regular worship and Arati every noon and evening, Megha passed away in 1912. Then Baba passed His hands over his corpse and said - “This was a true devotee of Mine.” Baba also ordered that at His own expense the usual funeral dinner should be given to the Brahmins, and this order was carried out by Kakasaheb Dixit.

Devotees Experiences with Shirdi Sai Baba

Devotees Experiences with Shirdi Sai Baba – Part 1

Sai sister Sairoopa ji has shared few experiences of her friend with Shirdi Sai Baba and they are in turn shared with you all in this post.
Dear Hetalji, I am a regular reader of your blog and it really draw more close to Saibaba and boost up my energy to face hurdle of life.

There are couple of experiences which make me feel Saibaba presence in my life out of which I would like to share Saibaba’s miracle which happened to my friend.

My friend Shruti & me are best friends since 25 years now. She got married at the age of 20 and gone through many problems. Her marriage has gone through a rough path and when her son was 5 years old she walked out of her husband’s place along with her son. Life never seems to be easy for her as she didn’t have job some how she completed a beautician course with the help of her parents & started working in a parlour but income was too less to serve her needs.

She was totally into depression and lot of things happened that she couldn’t recover herself. She started facing lot of health problems. Out of which one problem was her right side hand was started shivering because of this she has to stop her beautician job. She tried lot of medicines changed doctors but no use. Later her whole right side body was not in control. She cant stand, sit and cant go alone anywhere. I was in middle east when her health problems increased to this level.

My last vacation I rushed to her house. Oh God what a painful sight it was! I couldn’t recognize my friend though I controlled tears started rolling down my cheeks. She was so beautiful and now she drastically lost weight and her beautiful long hair was cut short till shoulders as she cant comb her hair and she can not walk! She is just 30 years old and i felt its too early to get such sickness! Her mom told me with tears in her eyes that they tried all sorts of medicine from last 3 years but no use may be because her husband’s family did some black magic on her hence medicines not working on her body. Now even doctors have left hope. I was left unspoken.. looking at her 8 years old son and I wish I could do something for her.

Whole night I couldn’t sleep thinking about her. Morning I got up and prayed Saibaba to help Shruti and make her normal as before. In the evening I went to her I took “Saicharita” along with me. I spent some time with her and when I was departing I hugged her and gave Saicharita saying that “Keep firm faith in Saibaba and read this book”. Before leaving to middle east I couldn’t meet her but I spoke to her over the phone and she said she started reading “Saicharita”.

I came back from vacation joined my work and whenever I speak to my mom I used to ask about Shruti. After a month or so one day my mom saw Shruti in the bus and she was so surprised to see her healthy. Shruti told my mom that she is fine and she can go out alone now. When my mom told me this I was so very happy immediately I called shruti and “there she is” speaking clearly and she was sounding so happy. I was so eager to know how this miracle happened. Her mom explained as Shruti started reading Saicharita some one suggested a Neurosurgeon’s name though they didn’t have a hope her parents decided to go to him. After the check up he said this is side effect of some medicine which making her nerves weak as a result she is not able to walk and sit (when she was 12 she took medicine for elephant leg disease).

On other end of phone her mom and she couldn’t stop praising Saibaba and this side i had a pleased smile on my face. I thanked Shree Sai and I too truly believe that merciful Saibaba helped my best friend. He saved her life. Now she reading Saicharita everyday.

Sairam ! Please be with us, Please be kind to us & lead us in right path always.

Sai Satcharitra (Chapter 31)

In this Chapter Hemadpant describes the passing away of certain persons and a tiger in Baba’s presence.

Preliminary

The last wish or thought that a man has at the hour of death, determines his future course. Shri Krishna has said in Gita (VIII-5-6) that “he who remembers Me in his last moments, comes verily to Me, and he that meditates otherwise at that time goes to what he looks for.” We cannot be certain that we can entertain a particular good thought at our last moment, for, more often than not, we are more likely to be frightened and terrified by many causes. Hence constant practice is necessary for enabling us to fix our mind on any desired good thought at any or the last moment. All Saints, therefore, recommended us to always remember God and chant His name always, so that we may not be puzzled when the time for departure comes. The devotees on their part surrender themselves completely to the Saints, fully believing that the all-knowing Saints would guide and help them in their last moments. A few such cases will be noted here.

(1) Vijayanand

A Madrasi Sannyasi named Vijayanand started on a pilgrimage to Manasa-Sarovar. En route, hearing Baba’s fame, he halted at Shirdi. There he met one Somadevaji Swami of Hardwar and enquired of him about the particulars of the Manasa-Sarovar trip. The Swami told him that the Sarovar was 500 miles above the Gangotri and described to him the difficulties of the journey, viz. plenty of snow and the change of dialect every 50 koss and the suspicious nature of the people of Bhutan who give a lost of trouble to the pilgrims on the way. Hearing this, the Sannyasi was dejected and cancelled the trip. Then when he went to Baba and prostrated himself before Him, Baba got enraged and said, “Drive out this useless Sannyasi, his company is of no use”. The Sannyasi did not know Baba’s nature. He felt discomforted, but sat there watching things that were going on. It was the morning Darbar and the Masjid was overcrowded. Baba was being worshipped in various ways. Some were washing His Feet, some taking the Tirth (holy water) from His toe and drinking it heartily and some touching their eyes with it, some were applying sandal-paste, and some scents to His body. And all were doing these things forgetting the distinction of caste and creed. Though Baba got enraged with him, he was filled with affection for Baba and he did not like to leave the place.

He stayed in Shirdi for two days when he got a letter from Madras stating that his mother was very ill. He felt very dejected and wanted to be by his mother’s side; but he could not leave without Baba’s permission. So he saw Baba with the letter in hand and asked for His permission to return home. The omniscient Baba knowing the future said to him – “If you so loved your mother, why did you take Sannayasa? Fondness or attachment ill becomes an ochre garb. Go and sit quiet at your lodging, wait with patience for a few days. In the Wada there are many robbers, bolt your doors, be very vigilant, the thieves will carry everything. Wealth and prosperity are transient and the body is subject to decay and death. Knowing this, do your duty, leaving all attachment to the things of this world and next. He who does this and surrenders himself to the Feet of Hari (Lord) will get free from all troubles and attain bliss. The Lord runs and helps him who remembers and meditates on Him with love and affection. Your store of past merits is considerable, so you have come here. Now attend to what I say and realise the end of your life. Being desireless, begin from tomorrow the study of Bhagwat. Do three ‘saptahas’ i.e. three reading during three weeks, conscientiously. The Lord will be pleased with you and destroy your sorrows, your illusions will vanish and you will get peace.” Seeing that his end was approaching, Baba prescribed that remedy and made him read ‘Ramavijaya’ which pleases the God of death. Next morning after bathing and other purifying rites he commenced to read Bhagwat in a secluded part in the Lendi garden. He completed two readings and thereafter felt much exhausted. He returned to the Wada and stayed in his lodging for two days and on the third day he breathed his last on Fakir (Bade) Baba’s lap. Baba asked the people to preserve the body for a day for a good reason. The police afterwards came and on making proper enquiries gave permission for the disposal of the body. It was buried in a proper place with due rites. In this way Baba helped the Sannyasi and ensured him Sadgati (salvation).

(2) Balaram Mankar

There was a house-holder devotee of Baba by name Balaram Mankar. When his wife passed away, he got dejected and entrusting his household to his son, left his home and came to Shirdi and lived with Baba. Being pleased with his devotion, Baba wanted to give a good turn to his life and He did this in this wise. He gave him Rs. 12/- and asked him to go and live in Macchindragad (District Satara). Mankar was first unwilling to go and stay away from Baba, but Baba convinced him that he was giving the best course for him and asked him to practise mediation thrice a day on the Gad. Believing in Baba’s words, Mankar came to the Gad. He was much pleased with the lovely sight, pure water, healthy air and the surroundings of the place, and began to practice assiduously the meditations as recommended by Baba. After some days he got a revelation. Generally Bhaktas get revelation in their Samadhi or trance states, but in Mankar’s case he got it, when he came down to his ordinary consciousness from his trance. Baba appeared to him in person. Not only that Mankar saw Him, but he also asked Him why he was sent there. Baba replied – “In Shirdi many thoughts and ideas began to rise in your mind and I sent you here to rest your unsteady mind. You thought that I was in Shirdi with a body composed of the five elements and three and a half cubits in length, and not outside of it. Now you see and determine for yourself whether the person you see here now is the same you saw at Shirdi. It is for this reason that I sent you here.” Then after the period was over, Mankar left the Gada and proceeded to his native place Bandra. He wanted to travel by rail from Poona to Dadar, but when he went to the booking office to get a ticket, he found it very much crowded. He could not get his ticket soon, when, a villager with a langoti (piece of cloth) on his waist and kambali on his shoulder turned up and said – “Where are your going?” “To Dadar.” replied Mankar. Then he said – “Please take this Dadar ticket of mine; as I have some urgent business here, I have cancelled my Dadar trip.” Mankar was very glad to receive the ticket and was just taking out money from his pocket, when the rustic disappeared in the crowd. Mankar tried to find him out in the crowd, but it was in vain. He waited for him till the train left the station but found no trace of him. This was the second revelation Mankar got in a strange form. Then Mankar after visiting his home, again returned to Shirdi and remained there at Baba’s feet, always following His biddings and advice. In the end, he was very fortunate to leave this world in the presence, and with the blessings of Baba.

(3) Tatyasaheb Noolkar

Hemadpant gives no particulars regarding Tatyasaheb Noolkar, except the bare mention of the fact that he up his ghost in Shirdi. A brief summary of his account that appeared in the Sai Leela magazine is given here.

Tatyasaheb was a Sub-Judge at Pandharpur in 1909, when Nanasaheb Chandorkar was Mamalatdar there. Both met often and exchanged talks. Tatyasaheb did not believe in saints, while Nanasaheb loved them. Nanasaheb often told him the Leelas of Sai Baba and pressed him to go to Shirdi and see Baba. He finally agreed to go to Shirdi on two conditions:- (1) he must get a Brahmin cook, and (2) must get good Nagpur oranges for the presentation. Both these conditions were providentially fulfilled. A Brahmin came to Nanasaheb for service and he was sent to Tatyasaheb and a fruit parcel containing 100 beautiful oranges was received by Tatyasaheb, the consigner being not known. As the conditions were fulfilled, Tatyasaheb had to go to Shirdi. At first Baba was much enraged with him. But by and by Tatyasaheb got such experiences that he was convinced that Baba was God incarnate. So he was enamoured of Baba and stayed there till his death. As his end was approaching, sacred literature was read out to him and at the last hour Baba’s Pada-tirth was brought and given to him for drinking. Baba on hearing of his death, said, “Oh, Tatya went ahead of us, he won’t be reborn.”

(4) Megha

The story of Megha has been already described in Chapter 28. When Megha died, all the villagers followed the funeral procession. Baba also accompanied them and showered flowers on Megha’s body. After the obsequies were performed, tears flowed from Baba’s eyes and like an ordinary mortal, Baba showed Himself overcome with grief and sorrow. Then covering the body with flowers and crying like a near relation, Baba returned to the Masjid.

Many Saints have been seen giving Sadgati to men, but Baba’s greatness is unique. Even a cruel animal like a tiger came to Baba’s feet for being saved. It is this story which will be narrated now.

(5) Tiger

Seven days before Baba passed away, a wonderful incident occured at Shirdi. There came a country-cart and stopped in front of the Masjid. A tiger was on the cart, fastened with iron chains, with its fierce face turned to the rear. It was suffering from some pain or agony. Its keepers – three Derveshis – were taking it from place to place and making money by exhibiting it. It was the means of their subsistence. They tried all sorts of remedies to cure it from the malady it was suffering from, but all was in vain. Then they heard of Baba’s fame and came to Him with the animal. They got it down the chains in their hands and made it stand at the door. It was naturally fierce, besides, disease ridden. So it was restless. The people began to look at it with fear and amazement. The Derveshies went in, told Baba everything about the animal and with His consent, brought it before Him. As it approached the steps, it was taken aback on account of the lustre of Baba and hung its head down. When both saw each other, it got on the step and looked at Baba with affection. Immediately it moved the tuft of its tail and dashed it thrice against the ground and then fell down senseless. On seeing it dead the Derveshis were first much dejected and full of sorrow, but on mature thought they came to their senses. They considered that as the animal was diseased and nearing its end, it was very meritorious on its part that it should meet its death at the feet and in the presence of Baba. It was their debtor, and when the debt was paid off it was free and met its end at Sai’s Feet. When any creatures bow down their heads at saints’ feet and meet death, they are saved; and unless they have got a good store of merit on their account, How could they get such a happy end?