Wednesday, October 8, 2008

BABA AND COURT SUMMON


BABA AND COURT SUMMON


A person was charged before the Dhulia's court with stealing jewels etc., The man pleaded that Sai Baba of Shirdi had given him the jewels and cited him as a witness. Summons came.

Constable: Baba, here is a summon for you.

Baba: Take it and throw it in to the fire. Anyhow the report was sent that Baba was served and as Baba was absent for the trial a warrant came to Shirdi.

Ganpatram, the constable to Baba: Baba, they have sent out a warrant. Will you kindly go with me to Dhulia?

Baba, angrily: Throw that piece of paper into (Baba was cursing and swearing).

The constable was perplexed. Then, as advised by N.G. Chandorkar, a Mahajar (largely signed) was sent up to the effect that Baba was worshipped by large numbers as God, that that the issue of summons and warrant were improper and undesirable and that if his evidence was necessary a commissioner might be sent to take it. Then Nana Joshi, the commissioner, a first class magistrate came and examined Baba.

Commissioner: What is your name?

Baba: They call me Sai Baba?

Commissioner: Your father's name?

Baba: Also Sai Baba.

Commissioner: Your Guru's name?

Baba: Venkusa.

Commissioner: Creed or religion?

Baba: Kabir.

Commissioner: Caste or Race?

Baba: Parvardigar (i.e., God)

Commissioner: Age please?

Baba: Lakhs of years.

Commissioner: Will you solemnly affirm that what you are going to say is the truth?

Baba: Truth.

Commissioner: Do you know the accused, so and so?

Baba: Yes I know him and I know everyone.

Commissioner: The man says he is your devotee and that he lived with you. Is that so?

Baba: Yes, I live with every one. All are mine.

Commissioner: Did you give him jewels as alleged by him?

Baba: yes. I give him. Who gives what to whom?

Commissioner: If you give him jewels, how did you get them and become possessed of them?

Baba: Everything is mine.

Commissioner: Baba, here is a serious charge of theft. That man says that you delivered the jewels to him.

Baba: What all this? What the devil have I to do with all that?

The commissioner was perplexed. Then it was suggested that the village diaries showing the presence of strangers in the village should be sent for. The diary showed that the accused, a stranger was not at Shirdi, at the time of his alleged receipt from Baba. And itwas well known that Baba never left the village.

The commissioner put the facts before Baba and Baba said that they were true. That closed the commission evidence. Baba was not asked to sign or put his mark. Baba does not appear to have signed or put his mark to any paper at any time.


(Courtesy: His Highness Pujyasri B.V. Narasimha Swamiji)

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