This really means a lot to me and my family

This really means a lot to me and my family

 

"Who are His representatives and who appear here at proper times, help in their own way to fulfill that mission" – Shri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. 4.

 

Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter.

This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12. You could tell they didn't have a lot of money. Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean.

The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by- two behind their parents, holding hands. They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts they would see that night. One could sense they had never been to the circus before. It promised to be a highlight of their young lives.

The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and basking in pride, looking at her as if to reply, "You got that right."

The ticket lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "Please let me buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets so I can take my family to the circus."

The ticket lady quoted the price. The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. The father leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?"

The ticket lady again quoted the price. The man didn't have enough money.

How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?

Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground. (We were not wealthy in any sense of the word!) My father reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket."

The man knew what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family."

My father and I went back to our car and drove home. We didn't go to the circus that night, but we didn't go without.

A GREAT AND BLESSED SAI DEVOTEE - LATE TATYASAHEB NOOLKAR 2 of 6 (SHRI SAILEELA MAY JUNE 1991)

A GREAT AND BLESSED SAI DEVOTEE  - LATE TATYASAHEB NOOLKAR 2 of 6

(SHRI SAILEELA MAY JUNE 1991)

 

 

Severe pain of eyes cured

 

Once Tatyasaheb had some dangerous disease of his eyes. He could not see properly and pain was unbearable. When no improvement occurred in spite of treatment from well-known eye specialists, Tatayasaheb as a last resort went to Shirdi.

 

Two days he sat in Sathe Wada praying Sai Baba and continuously repeating Sai-Nama. On the third day Baba placing His hand on His own eyes, said to Madhavrao Deshpande, "Shama! Today My eyes are paining severely". As soon as Baba said these words, Tatyasaheb's pain started becoming less and less and soon the eyes were cured completely. (In Shri Sai Saicharita Ch. XXI, Sai Baba's taunting a pleader from Pandharpur and teaching him not to indulge in any scandal or slander of others, was in reference to that pleader's criticism and discussion in the Bar Room of Tatyasaheb Noolkar's above stay at Shirdi for cure of his eyes only).

 

Babu's favours to Tatyasaheb

 

In earlier days Sai Baba was not getting Himself worshipped. If somebody brought a garland, He did not accept it. But later on due to love of various devotees, He started permitting devotees to apply sandal-paste to His fore-head, offer Him flowers and perform Arati (waving of burning lamps). It was Tatyasaheb who had the privilege of first performing such Pooja on Guru Pournima Day. Tatyasaheb describes this incident in his letter to Nanasaheb Chandorkar thus:

 

"On Saturday just as I got up in bed, I remembered it was GURU POOJA DAY and made preparations. After Bhiksha (begging round of Sai Baba) we were permitted to perform Guru Pooja. Baba allowed us to do upachar (particulars and points of worship) quickly. He returned all Dakshina that was given at the time of Pooja. Then He sent word to Radhakrishnamai and Dadabhai (Dada Kalkar, father-in-law of Rao Bahadur Sathe) that Pooja and Arati was being done and they should come. So Radhakrishnamai sent her Pooja articles and Dada came with his Pooja articles."

 

Thus, with Tatyasaheb Noolkar, the congregational worship of Baba with singing of Arati and playing of musical instruments started which was continued further first by Megha and then later by Bapusaheb Jog.

 

Sai Baba's and Tatyasaheb's mutual love was really incomparable. Sai Baba used to call Tatyasaheb Tatyaba or 'mhatara (old man)'. At worship time, many dishes of different food items used to come and sometimes Sai Baba used to say, "Today I want Tatyaba's 'poli (wheat cake) and so saying He would accurately pick out poli received from Tatyaba's house out of the heap of pollies received.

 

Tatyasaheb once had a desire in his mind that he should get some words from Baba's sacred mouth for reciting. Baba having known this, once uttered some special words to satisfy Tatyasaheb who continued to recite the same till the end of his life. Tatyasaheb also wished to receive some article from Baba for placing it in his Poojaroom and worshipping. Then unexpectedly on Datta-Jayanti Day (Birthday of Sri Dattatreya in the month of Margasirsh), at about 9 p.m., Sai Baba sent a messenger for Tatyasaheb. The messenger had not even reached the Wada when Baba was in such a hurry that He sent two more messengers one after another. When Tatyasaheb arrived, Baba pulled out one 'Kafani' (a long robe such as used by Baba Himself) from the heap of kafanies and placed it on Tatyasaheb's body saying, "Let it be with you. It will protect you from severe wind and cold". Tatyasaheb felt that this was a sort of 'sanyas diksha' (initiation into the fourth stage of life, i.e. abandonment of all worldly possessions and earthly affections) as per his own liking and with tears of joy in his eyes he placed his head on the feet of Baba and resumed. Such were the many favors Tatyasaheb received from Sai Baba.

Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayana - Chapter – 30 Assigned for May 31, 2016

Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayana

Chapter – 30 Assigned for  May 31, 2016

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

 

DIRECT DOWN LOAD LINKS IN MAJOR INDIAN LANGUAGES:

 

Shri Sai Satcharitra in English Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CscjdxRXFad3NGT0E

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Hindi Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsTHlVeXlFblVsdnM

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Marathi Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsNjViQnUyYW16c3M

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Tamil Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsOExoYTQwdHJGYVE

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Telugu Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsYm5jVFdTdWE1blU

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Malayalam Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsU1FSTHJoYVVPZm8

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Kannadam Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsNFhEOU9ib1Z0T2c

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Konkani Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsMTRUbnlySzFCcUk

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Bengali Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsYjRmdEVWS0EzU3c

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Gujarati Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsbUgwOEUyeFZINjg

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Odia Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsZkJDMVNVQllQZEE

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Punjabi Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsbUMtdktLazF6NHM

Shri Sai Satcharitra Sindhi Ch 30

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsbUMtdktLazF6NHM

 

SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES:

 

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Nepali

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1bwnkVMR-Csb0Q4T0JfR3dlY2M&usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra in German

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsRXd1TW5QSWhjN1U&usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra in French

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsY0JCdGdsYV9lWUE/view?usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Spanish

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsOXJSaVBSZjN2ckU/view?usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra in Urdu

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsclNCdlBjTlA3X1U/view?usp=sharing

 

SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA IN AUDIO MP3 FORMAT:

 

Shri Sai Satcharitra Audio in English Ch. 30

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsUnFPSzNwUkpoZm8/view?usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra Audio in Hindi Ch. 30

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-Csc1JoMm1vNkZZWXc/view?usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra Audio in Marathi Ch. 30

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsdEJDejdwUVJpY2M/view?usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra Audio in Tamil Ch. 30

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsV19aeGo4aHgyUnM/view?usp=sharing

Shri Sai Satcharitra Audio in Telugu Ch. 30

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1bwnkVMR-CsSEZhMC03X0RrR00/view?usp=sharing

  

Chapter XXX

Drawn To Shirdi

 

(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.

 

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Ice Cream Is Good For The Soul

Ice Cream Is Good For The Soul

"What is wanted here, is not discussion but unlimited love and devotion.´- Shri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. 30.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!".

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

A GREAT AND BLESSED SAI DEVOTEE - LATE TATYASAHEB NOOLKAR 1 of 6 (SHRI SAILEELA MAY JUNE 1991)

A GREAT AND BLESSED SAI DEVOTEE  - LATE TATYASAHEB NOOLKAR 1 of 6

(SHRI SAILEELA MAY JUNE 1991)

 

In Shri Sai Satcharita, late Shri. Tatyasaheb alias Laxman Krishnaji Noolkar has been only referred to at few places. (Ch. II, Ch. XXVII and Ch. XXXI). Shri. Nagesh Gunaji in his English Saicharita has added a few lines on his life and spiritual achievement in brief. Perhaps both of them had no access to more information about Tatyasaheb Noolkar.

 

Luckily recently, I came across Tatyasaheb's grandson Shri. Raghunath Vishwanath Noolkar from whom I received lot of reliable information (personally observed by his father and written down for an article in Sant Kripa magazine) not known to us Sai devotees. He also produced some proofs viz a letter from Shri. Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) in his own hand-writing and a letter written by Tatyasaheb Noolkar to Shri. Nanasaheb Chandorkar about his spiritual experiences.

 

Based on all this and also on information procured from other sources, I have collated this article in detail to describe the great spiritual progress of Shri. Tatyasaheb Noolkar and his final beatitude at the feet of Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi in March, 1911.

 

 

Early life and first meeting with Sai Baba

 

Tatyasaheb was born in the latter half of the 19th century and educated at Pune High School. In government service and other activities, he was known for his firmness, truthfulness, selflessness, benevolence and self-control. In spiritual mailers, his study was great and he used to read Upanishads and other religious books regularly. He had "darshan" and intimate association with quite a few saints.

 

In 1908, Tatyasaheb was Sub-Judge at Pandharpur (famous place of pilgrimage of Sri Vithoba in Maharashtra) and Nanasaheb Chandorkar was the Mamlatdar (Revenue Officer, in charge of a sub-division) at the same place. Nanasaheb as per his usual habit, used to urge Tatyasaheb to visit Shirdi at least once. At last Tatyasaheb agreed to go to Shirdi on two conditions, (1) he must get a Brahmin cook and (2) he must get good Nagpur Oranges for presentation to Shri Sai Baba. On this Nanasaheb said, "Yes, with Baba's grace you will get them also".

 

Surprisingly, the same night one Brahmin cook came to Nanasaheb for a job and he immediately sent him to Tatyasaheb. Next day morning, Tatyasaheb received a parcel of excellent Nagpur oranges, the name of the consigner not being mentioned. Thus Tatyasaheb was convinced of Baba's divine powers and he went with Nanasaheb Chandorkar to Shirdi. Tatyasaheb was physically short and fat. As he bowed down at Baba's feet, Baba placed his hand spreading all five fingers on Tatyasaheb's head lightly but with a slight push. As a result, Tatyasaheb collapsed a little towards the nearby pillar, but at that time quite different feelings appeared in his head and having been convinced that this was the real and ultimate place of his Guru, he was in the state of unparalleled joy.

 

That night Tatyasaheb while asleep in Sathe Wada, suddenly woke up and started asking Nanasaheb for betel (a roll of Piper-betel leaves with areca nut, clover, lime etc. chewed after meals) which Nanasaheb was not in the habit of chewing. Just at that time Baba at the Masjid said to someone present, "Take these four betels and give them to the old man who has come with Chandorkar at Sathe Wada." Seeing that man suddenly come with the betels, Tatyasaheb was convinced about Baba's powers of knowing secrets of others' mind (Anthargnan) and his faith in Baba was further established. Tatyasaheb came back to Pandharpur but whenever he got leave or had holidays, he started visiting Shirdi for Sai Baba's darshan and company.

 

Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayana - Chapter – 29 Assigned for May 30, 2016,

Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayana

Chapter – 29 Assigned for May 30, 2016,

Stories of (1) Madrasi Bhajani Mela – (2) Tendulkars (Father and son) – (3) Dr. Captain Hate – (4) Waman Narvekar.

DIRECT DOWN LOAD LINKS IN MAJOR INDIAN LANGUAGES:

 

Shri Sai Satcharita in English Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-Csc0hHcTM4eUQ3Y0U

Shri Sai Satcharita in Hindi Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsTXR2ZkVncF8tSVk

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Marathi Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsNVZINTZvYUFBbkU

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Tamil Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsWGtMLTFVZEZFSHc

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Telugu Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsbWNhN2l2eTk5ODg

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Malayalam Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsX0E2cG56Qmk2Qmc

Shri SaiSatcharitra in KannadamCh29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsRnY3aFZnV2p6OWc

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Konkani Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-Csdk10TkY2YnlnMFk

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Bengali Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsaUtmMUtCTW8tdzA

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Gujarati Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsTVU1X1RxZUR0R2M

Shri SaiSatcharitra in OdiaCh29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CsRTh0ZlpJSDdUMzg

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Punjabi Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CscUVPT0ZZZlZINEk

Shri SaiSatcharitra Sindhi Ch 29

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1bwnkVMR-CseVpqT3o3TE53Tjg

 

SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES:

 

Shri SaiSatcharitra in Nepali

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Shri SaiSatcharitra in German

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Chapter XXIX

 

Stories of (1) Madrasi Bhajani Mela – (2) Tendulkars (Father and son) – (3) Dr. Captain Hate – (4) Waman Narvekar.

 

This Chapter described other interesting and wonderful stories of Sai Baba.

 

(1) Madrasi Bhajani Mela

It was in the year 1916 that a Madrasi Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramadasi Panth) started on a Pilgrimage to the holy city of Banaras. The Party consisted of a man, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law. Unfortunately their names are not mentioned. On their way, the party heard that there lived at Shirdi in Kopergaon Taluka, Ahmednagar District, a great sage named Sai Baba, who was calm and composed, and who was very liberal and who distributed money every day to His Bhaktas and to skilful persons, who went and showed their skill there. A lot of money in the form of Dakshina was collected daily by Sai Baba and out of this amount, He gave daily one rupee to a three year old girl Amani, the daughter of a Bhakta Kondaji and Rs. 2 to 5 to some, Rs. 6 to Jamali, the mother of Amani and Rs. 10 to 20 and even Rs. 50 to other Bhaktas as He pleased. On hearing all this the party came to Shirdi and stayed there. The Mela did very good bhajan and sang very good songs, but inwardly they craved for money. Three of the party were full of avarice, but the chief lady or mistress was of a very different nature. She had a regard and love for Baba. Once it so happened, that when the noon-day Arati was going on, Baba was much pleased with her faith and devotion, and was pleased to give her darshan of her Ishtam (Beloved Deity). To her Baba appeared as Sitanath (Rama) while to all the others the usual Sainath. On seeing her beloved Deity, she was very much moved. Tears began to flow from her eyes and she clapped her hands in joy. The people began to wonder at her joyful mood; but were not able to guess its cause. Late in the afternoon she disclosed everything to her husband. She told him how she saw Shri Rama in Sai Baba. He thought that she was very simple and devout, and her seeing Rama might be a hallucination of her mind. He poohpoohed her, saying that it was not possible, that she alone should see Rama while they all saw Sai Baba. She did not resent this remark, as she was fortunate enough to get Ramadarshan now and then, when her mind was calm and composed and free from avarice.

Wonderful Vision

Things were going on like this, when the husband got a wonderful vision in his dream one night as follows :- He was in a big city, the police there had arrested him, tied his hands with a rope, and put him up in a cage (lock-up). As the police were tightening the grip, he saw Sai Baba standing quiet outside, near the cage. On seeing Baba so near, he said in a plaintive tone – "Hearing Your fame I came to Your Feet and why should a calamity befall me when You are standing here in person?" Baba said – "You must suffer the consequences of your action" He said – "I have not done anything in this life which would bring such a misfortune on me." Baba said – "If not in this life, you must have committed some sin in your past life." He replied, "I do not know anything of my past life, but assuming that I did commit some sin then, why should it not be burnt and destroyed in Your presence, as dry grass before fire? "Baba – "Have you got such faith?" He – "Yes." Baba then asked him to close his eyes. No sooner did he shut them than he heard a thumping sound of something falling down, and opening his eyes, he saw that he was free and the police had fallen down, bleeding. Being much frightened he began to look at Baba who said – "Now you are well caught, officers will now come and arrest you." Then he begged – "There is no other saviour except You, save me anyhow." Then Baba again asked him to close his eyes. He did so and when he opened them, he saw that he was free, out of the cage and that Baba was by his side. He then fell at Baba's Feet. Baba then asked him – "Is there any difference between this namaskar and your previous ones? Think well and reply." He said "There is a lot of difference; my former namaskaras were offered with the object of getting money from You, but the present namaskar is one offered to You as God; besides, formerly I thought resentfully that you, being a Mahomendan, were spoiling us, the Hindus". Baba "Do you not believe in your mind in Mahomendan Gods?" He said "No". Then Baba said – "Have you not got a Panja (Emblem of Hand) in your house and do you not worship the same in Tabut, i.e. Moharum festival? Also there is in your house another Mahomedan Deity by name Kadbibi, whom you propitiate and appease on your marriage and other festivals. Is it not so?" He admitted all this. Then Baba said,"What more do you want?" Then a desire arose in his mind to get the darshan of his Guru Ramdas, when Baba asked him to turn back and see. And when he turned, lo, Ramadas was in front of him. No sooner did he begin to fall at His Feet, Ramadas vanished. Then he inquisitively asked Baba,"You look old. Do You know Your age?" Baba – "What! Do you say I am old! just run a race with Me and see." Saying this Baba began to run and he too followed. Baba disappeared in the dust raised by His foot-steps while running and the man was awakened.

After awakening he began to think seriously about the dream-vision. His mental attitude was completely changed and he realised the greatness of Baba. After this, his grabbing and doubting tendencies disappeared and true devotion to Baba's Feet sprang in his mind. The vision was a mere dream, but the questions and answers therein were most significant and interesting. Next morning when all the persons assembled in the Masjid for the Arati, Baba gave him as prasad two rupees' worth sweetmeats and also two rupees from His pocket and blessed him. He made him stay there for a few more days and gave him His blessing, saying,"Allah (God) will give you plenty and He will do you all good". He did not get more money there, but he got far better things viz. Baba's blessing which stood him in good stead all along. The party got plenty of money afterwards and their pilgrimage was successful as they had not to suffer any trouble or inconvenience during their journey. They all returned home safe and sound, thinking of Baba's words and blessings and the Anand(Bliss) they experienced by His grace.

This story illustrates one of the methods, which Baba followed (and is following even now) in some cases to improve and reform His devotees.

(2) Tendulkar family

There lived in Bandra (a suburb of Bombay) a Tendalkar family, all the members of which were devoted to Baba. Mrs. Savitribai Tendulkar has published a Marathi book named "Shri Sainath Bhajan Mala" containing 800 abhangas and padas describing the Leelas of Baba. It is a book worth reading by those who are interested in Baba. The son, Babu Tendulkar was studying hard day and night and wanted to appear for the medical examination. He consulted some astrologers. Examining his horoscope they told him that the stars were not favourable that year and that he should appear for the examination next year, when he would be certainly successful. This cast a gloom over him and made him restless. A few days afterwards his mother went to Shirdi and saw Baba. Amongst other things she mentioned the gloomy and morose condition of her son, who was to appear for the examination in a few days. Hearing this Baba said to her,"Tell your son to believe in Me, to throw aside horoscopes and predictions of astrologers and palmists and go on with his studies. Let him appear for the examination with a calm mind, he is sure to pass this year. Ask him to trust in Me and not to get disappointed". The mother returned home and communicated Baba's message to her son. Then he studied hard and in due course appeared for the examination. In the written papers he did well, but being overwhelmed by doubts he thought that he would not secure sufficient marks for passing. So he did not care to appear for the oral examination. But the examiner was after him. He sent word through a fellow- student, stating that he had passed in the written examination and that he should appear for the oral. The son being thus encouraged appeared for the oral examination and was successful in both. Thus he got through the examination that year successfully by Baba's grace, though the stars were against him. It is to be noted here that doubts and difficulties surround us just to move us and confirm our faith. We are tested as it were. If we only hold on steadily to Baba with full faith and continue our endeavours, our efforts will be ultimately crowned with success.

The father of this boy, Raghunathrao was serving in some foreign mercantile firm in Bombay. As he grew old, he was not able to attend to his work properly and so he had to take leave and rest. As he did not improve during the period of leave a further extension of leave or retirement from service was inevitable. The Chief Manager of the firm decided to retire him on pension as he was an old and a reliable servant. The question regarding the amount of pension to be given was under consideration. He was getting Rs.150/- p.m. and his pension i.e. half the amount viz. Rs. 75/- would not be enough to meet the expenses of the family. So they were all anxious about this matter. Fifteen days before the final settlement, Baba appeared to Mrs. Tendulkar in her dream and said, "I wish that Rs. 100/- should be paid (settled) as pension, will this satisfy you?" She replied "Baba, why ask me this? We fully trust in You". Though Baba said Rs.100/- still he was given ten Rupees more i.e. Rs.110/- as a special case. Such wonderful love and care did Baba exhibit for His Bhaktas.

(3) Captain Hate

Captain Hate, who was staying in Bikaner, was a great devotee of Baba. Once Baba appeared to him in his dream and said "Did you forget Me?" Hate then immediately held Baba's Feet and replied, "If a child forgets his mother, how could it be saved?" Then Hate went into the garden and took out fresh walpapadi vegetables, and arranging 'shidha' (ghee, wheat-flour and dal etc.) and Dakshina, was about to offer all this to Baba when he was awakened and came to know that the whole thing was a dream. Then he decided to send all these things to Baba at Shirdi. When he came to Gwalior some days afterwards, he sent Rs.12/- by money order to a friend, with instructions that Rs. 2 should be spent in buying shidha articles and walpapadi vegetables, and those should be offered to Baba with Rs. 10 as Dakshina. The friend went to Shirdi and purchased the things mentioned, but walpapadi was not available. In a short time a woman turned up with a basket on her head, which curiously enough contained the vegetables. It was purchased and then all the things were offered to Baba on behalf of Captain hate. Mr. Nimonkar prepared the 'naivedya' (rice and walpapadi vegetables) next day and offered the same to Baba. All the people were surprised to see that Baba while dining, took and ate walpapadi, and did not touch rice and other things. Hate's joy knew no bounds when he heard of this from his friend.

Consecrated Rupee

At another time Captain Hate wished that he should have in his house a coin of rupee consecrated by Baba with His touch. He came across a friend who was bound for Shirdi. With him Hate sent his rupee. The friend went to Shirdi and after the usual saluation gave first his Dakshina which Baba pocketed. Then he gave Hate's rupee, which Baba took in His hand and began to stare at it. He held it in front, tossed it up with His right thumb and played with it. Then He said to the friend, "Return this to its owner with the Prasad of Udi, tell him that I want nothing from him, ask him to live in peace and contentment." The friend returned to Gwalior, handed over the consecrated rupee to Hate, and told him all the h0appened at Shirdi. This time Hate was much pleased and realised that Baba always encouraged good thoughts, and as he wished intently, Baba fulfilled the same accordingly.

(4) Waman Narvekar

Now let the readers hear a different story. A gentleman, named Waman Narvekar loved Baba very much. He once brought a rupee. On one said (obverse) of it were engraved the figures of Rama, Laxman and Sita and on the other (reverse) side was engraved the figure of Maruti, with folded hands. He offered it to Baba with a hope that He should consecrate it with His touch and return it to him with Udi. But Baba immediately pocketed it. Then Shama spoke to Baba, regarding Womanrao's intention and requested Him to return it. Then Baba spoke in the presence of Wamanrao as follows :- "Why should it be returned to him? We should keep it ourselves. If he gives Rs.25/- for it, it will be returned." Then, for the sake of that rupee, Wamanrao collected Rs.25/- and placed them before Baba. Then Baba said, "The value of that rupee far exceeds 25 Rupees. Shama, take this rupee, let us have it in our store, keep this in your shrine and worship it." No one had the courage to ask Baba why He followed this particular action. He only knows what is best and most suitable to each and all.

 

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all