Abdul

I came to Shirdi 45 years ago (1889) from Nanded on the banks of Tapti. I was under the care of Fakir Amiruddin of Nanded. SaiBaba appeared in the dream of that Fakir and delivering two mangoes to him directed him to give those fruits to me and to send me to Shirdi. Accordingly the Fakir told me of his dream, gave me the fruits and bade me go to Sai Baba at Shirdi. I came here in my twentieth year. Even Nana Saheb Chandorkar had not then come to Baba. Baba welcomed me saying “mera kavala ala” i.e. My crow is come" Baba directed me to devote myself entirely to his service. From the beginning, I lighted and fed with oil five perpetual lamps i.e. those at Lendi, Masjid, Chavadi, etc. As for food, Baba was not giving me or any one else food. I got some food somehow and lived 5 or 6 years in what is now the stable. I was always by Baba’s side rendering service. I read Koran near him at the mosque. Baba occasionally opened the Koran and made me read the passages at which he opened the book. He occasionally quoted passages from the Koran. I went on writing down what Baba was uttering. This is the book (in Mahratti and Modi script) which contains the gracious utterances of Baba. Everything which fell from his lips is sacred.

I make use of this record in the following way. By Baba’s blessings, I have full faith in what he has said guiding me and every one aright. When any one wished to know about the future or other unseen and unknown matter, he comes to me and states the problem. Then I reverently consult this book of Baba’s utterances and the answer that comes out of the page opened comes out correct. This has been tried and proved many times. This gift of prophecy is due to Baba’s grace. I shall give two instances of such consultation. When the well in the Sai Mandir was dug, the water proved brackish. Baba had attained Mahasamadhi at that time. I consulted his utterance book. Baba’s reply was that as a result of deeper digging the well water would become sweeter. I dug the well deeper by two feet and well water was no more brackish. A second instance is Barrister Gadgil’s. He wanted to know if his son would return from England. I said he would and he did. I use this manuscript book of Baba’s utterances along with and just like the Koran. I go on reading it reverently, getting absorbed in it and go on rolling my beads at the same time.

Baba sat behind what is now a pillar like structure at the Lendi in which a “Nanda Deepam” or perpetual lamp is kept up. I found generally that Baba sat behind the Lendi pillar which enclosed the lamp and not infront. From there the lamp was not visible to him. I never saw him gazing at that lamp. I was the person to do the required service at the Lendi and at other places fro Baba. I used to fill pots with water and place them near Baba at the Lendi lamp place. He would sit near two such potsful of water; and he would go on pouring out the water in various directions. What that was for and whether he would utter any mantra while doing so, I cannot say. Except me none else was present when he poured out water as state above.

I do not think that any other Mohammedan except myself was reading Koran or other Holy books sitting by Baba’s side. Baba would occasionally go on speaking out scared words and I have noted them in this note book. By Baba’s order or permission I have taken all this down. The writing can be read by you or other devotees. The script is either Devanagari or Modi.

(N.B. Abdul hands over the notebook to B.V.N. who finds they are in Mahratti language. There are prayers to Maruti in those reports of speeches of Baba. There are recitals of the Avatars of God dovetailing Mohammed and numerous others with the Hindu Dasa Avatar. Quite obviously, Sri Sai baba and following him Abdul, revere the Hindu Avatars, Maruti etc and pray to them).

As stated already I use these books not merely for daily reading but also as “Sortes Virgiliani” for purposes of prophecy.