1In this chapter, I will make you listen to Sree’s marvellous and unimaginable skills, beyond which have been related in the previous chapter. The subject is the same.
2Hearing about Baba’s incredible leelas, in the year 1916, a bhajan party came to Shirdi for darshan.
3It was a travelling group who heard of Baba’s fame at Madras. While going on a pilgrimage to Kashi, they broke journey at Shirdi.
4They heard that Sai Baba was a great saint, patient, generous and one who had controlled his passions. He was kind to pilgrims and distributed large sums of money.
5He was munificent with small change; half and quarter rupees rained freely. He gave ten, twenty and fifty rupees to some.
6This was not only on festive days, or for some special occasions. Everyday, he gave it happily, in the above mentioned proportions.
7Showmen came, ‘nautanki’ troupes danced, great singers gave programmes, bards performed, persons doing ‘tamasha’ paid obeisance, kirtankars gave engrossing bhajans.
8Having heard by word of mouth that Maharaj was generous, and liberal in giving charity, they desired to have darshan.
9Sometimes, if Baba felt like it, he distributed money even to the travellers. He inquired after the well-being of the poor and the meek. Sainath was the embodiment of kindness.
10There were four persons in the party – one man and three women. The man himself, his sister-in-law, wife and daughter. They were desirous of the saint’s darshan.
11After taking Sai’s darshan, the party was pleased. They sang loving bhajans, before Sai, every day, regularly.
12They belonged to the Ramdasi cult and sang bhajans with great joy. Baba, too, if he felt like it, gave them a rupee or half a rupee.
13Sometimes Baba gave them ‘barfi’ and sometimes he sent them back empty handed. This was his usual practice but there was nothing definite or predictable about it.
14That he distributed money, that is true. There is no untruth in it. But he did not give to everybody. No one was aware of what was in his mind.
15Fakirs and beggars came to beg alms always at Baba’s door. Though Baba was very kind he did not give charity to all.
16Only he whose time had come to have good fortune, he alone received the happiness of the money. Even a small coin, touched by the hands of a saint, is obtained only by the fortunate.
17Let me tell you a story to illustrate this which will satisfy the listeners. After narrating it, I will proceed to the main one.
18After breakfast when Baba sat down near the ‘dhuni’ against the pillar, in the Masjid, a girl called Amani[1] used to come.
19The young girl was three years old, naked, and always came at this time, with her mother carrying a little tin box[2] in her hands.
20Amani would sit on his lap and give the little box in Baba’s hands. Holding Baba’s hands, she would repeat: “Baba, a rupee, a rupee”.
21Baba was very fond of children. The girl was plump and beautiful. He kissed and caressed her, and held her closely.
22Baba would embrace her but Amani’s mind was fixed on the money. “Baba, give, give me”, she would say, concentrating on his pocket.
23Amani was after all a child but the grown ups and the elders had the same greed, running only for selfish purposes. Rare was the person who had spiritual inclination.
24The young girl sat on his lap, while her mother stayed a little beyond, outside the railing. She would signal to the girl not to move till he gave her the money.
25“Am I a relative of your father or do I owe him anything that you pester me from the time you awake? Useless ones, wanting everything free!” Baba would say angrily.
26But this anger was simulated, for love rose in waves in his heart. Putting his hands in his pocket, he would bring out a rupee.
27After he put it in the box, and closed it with a sharp sound, as soon as the little box came into her hands, she would run off home.
28This happened at breakfast time. Similarly, when he left for the Lendi he gave Amani a rupee, getting angry in the same way.
29Thus, every day, he gave two rupees to her, six to Jamali[3], five to Dada Kelkar, and two each to Bhagya and Sundari.
30Tatyaba was given between rupees ten to fifteen; Fakir Baba between rupees fifteen to fifty; eight rupees were distributed amongst the poor. This distribution was done daily.
31Be it so. The Madrasis had heard stories of this generosity and as their selfish desire had arisen for the money, they started the practice of the bhajans.
32The bhajans were beautiful to listen to but they were sung out of great greed. They stayed in Shirdi, the whole family, in the hope of getting money.
33Out of the group, three of them had great greed and hoped that Baba would give a lot of money. But only the wife worshipped Baba with devotion. This was her own feeling while singing.
34Her reverence was like that of the peacock dancing happily on seeing the rain-bearing clouds or that of the chakor for the moon.
35One day when the noon arati was in progress, Sai the embodiment of kindness, seeing the lady’s true state of devotion, gave her darshan as Ram.
36For all others, he was the usual Sainath. He appeared to the lady as the consort of Janaki[4]. Tears began pouring from her eyes. People were surprised to see this.
37She clapped with both her hands while the tears flowed from her eyes. Seeing this unusual sight at that time, the people were surprised.
38Seeing this sight, all were curious to know why there was such a flood of intense love and joy only for her.
39Later in the afternoon, brimming with great joy, she told her husband about the wonderful experience of Ram darshan, given by Sai.
40"I saw Ram, he of the complexion of the blue lotus, the wish-fulfilling tree of the devotees, the elder brother of Bharat, the joy of Sita and the son of Dasharath.
41I saw Janaki Nath, adorned with a crown, wearing earrings, a garland of wild flowers, apparelled in yellow and with four hands.
42Holding the conch, discus and mace, on his chest was the mark of Vishnu and he was adorned by the ‘koustubh[5]’ garland. I saw that enchanting form of the divine Purushottam".
43She said: "This unparalleled incarnation of Vishnu, who has taken a human form, the heart and soul of Janaki, the bewitching archer, I saw.
44He may appear as a fakir begging for alms from door to door but I saw the heart and soul of Janaki, the bewitching archer.
45He may seem to be an Aulia; or be seen by anyone else, in their hearts as someone different, but I saw the heart and soul of Janaki, the bewitching archer".
46The lady was very devout; but her husband was very selfish. "Women are guileless, like this! How would Raghupati be here?!
47The innocent and devout see what is in their heart. We all saw Sai. How can she alone see Ram?"
48He ridiculed his wife with several such remarks. But the lady did not have any ill feeling as she had not wrongly imagined anything.
49It was popularly believed that she had earlier attained spirituality. She used to have Ram’s darshan, often, when her mind was calm and composed.
50Later, she became greedy for money. God does not co-exist with money. She was unable to have Ram darshan, for that is the nature of greed.
51Sai was aware of all this. Knowing her tendency, he gave her Ram darshan again and fulfilled her desire.
52Be it so. Later, that same night something strange happened. The man, while sleeping, had a frightful dream.
53He found himself in some city, the prisoner of the police, who had tied his hands with ropes so tightly behind him that the very bones creaked.
54There was a lock-up, near which Sai stood outside, quietly and unmovingly seeing the scene.
55Seeing Maharaj near by, folding both his hands, he spoke in a humble and pitiable voice.
56“Baba, having heard your fame I came to your feet. Why has this happened to me when you are present here?”
57Maharaj replied: “One must suffer for one’s deeds”. The man said with great humility: "I have not done anything wrong.
58At least, not in this life, whereby I have to suffer this hardship". Whereupon Maharaj said: “Then it must have been in another life”.
59He thereupon replied: "What do I know about the previous life? And if at all there is anything, it should burn to ashes by your darshan, certainly.
60It should burn like a blade of grass in the fire at your darshan. Why then have I not been freed from it?"
61Then Maharaj said to him: “Do you have so much faith?” When the man replied in the affirmative, he instructed him to close his eyes.
62As he stood with his eyes closed, as instructed, at that moment he heard a thump, a sound as if someone had fallen down.
63He was startled by this sudden sound. He opened his eyes and began to look around. He found himself free and the policeman lay on the ground, covered with blood.
64He was very frightened by this. He began to look at Sainath, who laughed and said to him: "You are well caught now.
65Now an officer will come and after observing everything, will certainly declare you to be the culprit. He will arrest you again".
66Then the person said sincerely, “Baba, what you say is true. Now, do something and have me released. No one else except you can protect me”.
67Hearing this Sai said: “Close your eyes again”. After doing that, when he opened the eyes, he saw another strange sight.
68He was outside the lock-up and Maharaj Sai was near him. He did an eight fold obeisance. Then Baba asked him:
69“Think well and tell me whether there is any difference between your prostration that you have done now and the ones that you have been doing before this?”
70Then, the man replied: "As different as the sky is from the earth! My earlier prostrations were done for monetary gains but this one is to acknowledge you as God.
71Earlier I had no faith in you. Not only that, but I believed that as you were a Muslim, you were defiling the Hindus. That was why I had anger within me, against you".
72Whereupon, Baba asked: “Do you not believe in any Muslim deity?” The man replied in the negative.
73Baba further asked him: "Do you not have a ‘panja[6]’ in your home? Do you not worship it during ‘Tabut’[7]? Think carefully.
74You also have Kada Bibi at home, whom you worship and propitiate at the time of weddings. She is a Muslim deity".
75He admitted this. Then he was asked if he desired anything. The man wished to have darshan of his own Guru, Ramdas.
76Maharaj then asked him to turn around and look. Then when he did so, he saw Samartha Ramdas standing before him.
77But as soon as he bent down at his feet, Samartha disappeared. Then, as he looked curiously a strange thought came to his mind.
78“Baba you are quite advanced in age and look like an old man. Have you any idea of the longevity of your life?”
79“How do you say that I am old? See if you can race with me?” and saying these words, Sai began to run and the man ran behind him.
80Maharaj raised a cloud of dust as he ran at full speed; and disappeared at that moment. The man then woke up.
81So be it. After waking he thought over his dream, and found that his whole thinking had changed. He extolled the greatness of Baba.
82Seeing such a marvel, his devotion at Sai’s feet was firmly established. His earlier attitude changed and his doubts about Baba vanished.
83Although the whole thing was a dream, but when the listeners hear those questions and answers, they will realise the profoundity therein.
84By reflection on these questions and answers, the Madrasi learned a great lesson. His antagonism to Sai disappeared, amidst laughter and jokes.
85Next day, early morning, when the group came to the Masjid for darshan, Sai Nath gave them ‘barfi’ worth two rupees and showed his grace.
86Also, Baba gave them all two rupees from his pocket and made them stay longer. They continued with their bhajans and worship.
87Later, after some time, the group decided to leave. Though they had not received a lot of money, they received blessings in plenty:
88“Allah Malik will give you in plenty! Allah will take care of your welfare!” When they set out on their travels, this is what proved most useful.
89With Sai’s blessings and with remembrance of Sai, in their minds and hearts during their travels, day or night, they had no discomfort of any kind, even in their dreams.
90They went to numerous pilgrim places, as desired, thanks to the blessings received. They had no problems on the way and they returned happily and comfortably to their home.
91In addition to the places they had intended to go, they could visit many other pilgrim places. They praised the marvel of Sai’s words and all were very happy.
92In addition to the saint’s blessings, the words “Allah will take care of your welfare” proved true in every way. Their wishes were fulfilled.
93Thus, this Madrasi group, all of whom were desirous of pilgrimage, and believed in God, all of them became virtuous and full of good qualities. Sai freed them from the cycle of life and death.
94I will tell you another story, as sweet and interesting as this one. If the listeners hear it with reverence and devotion, they would be surprised.
95How infinitely kind was Sai and how he fulfilled the desires of his devotees with love, working unceasingly! He was the wish-fulfilling tree for the devotees!
96In Bandra, Thane District, there was a staunch devotee named Raghunath Rao Tendulkar. He was brilliant, courageous and very knowledgeable.
97He was always cheerful and loving. He was attached to the lotus feet of Sai, with the hope of obtaining the honey of knowledge. He continuously chanted the Lord’s name.
98He has described the leelas of Sai in a book called “Bhajan Mala” (Garland of Bhajans). He who reads it with devotion and love, will be blessed by Sai at every step.
99His wife was named Savitri and his eldest son was called Babu. See his strange experience. Listen to this story about Sai.
100Once, Babu was confused. He had taken medical education for allopathy but he did not appear for the examination.
101He worked very hard, day and night. He asked an astrologer, whether he would succeed in the exam.
102Scanning through the pages of the ‘panchang’[8], the astrologer studied the placing of the planets and after calculating the ‘rashi’[9] and ‘nakshatra’[10], with his fingers, looked anxious.
103He said: “You have worked very hard, but this year the stars are not favourable. The next year is very auspicious. You will get through the exams next year without any worries”.
104So what was the point of sitting for the exam, if the efforts were wasted! The student was apprehensive and mentally faltered.
105Then, the student’s mother visited Shirdi, after some time. She bowed at Sai’s feet and began a conversation about general welfare.
106Then this matter turned up and she beseeched Baba, in a humble voice and said that her son would have appeared for the examination, if the stars were favourable.
107The astrologer had seen the horoscope and said that the time was not favourable. So, though he had studied well, the son had decided not to appear for the exam.
108“Therefore, Baba, what is this aspect of the planets influencing his lot? Why such disappointment this year? Everyone is eager for him to finish with the examination”.
109After hearing her, Baba said: "Tell him to listen to me. Roll up the horoscope and sit for the examination, without any anxiety.
110Do not follow anyone else’s advice. Do not look at the horoscope. Do not believe in astrology. Study with concentration.
111Tell your son that he will be successful. He should sit for the examination without anxiety. Let him not lose hope. Have full faith in me".
112Be it so. The mother returned to her home with Baba’s permission. She told the son of Baba’s message and the mother assured him, with eagerness.
113Such was the encouragement of Sai’s words that the son sat for the examination and answered all the questions confidently.
114The written examinations were finished. He had answered fully. Still, the lack of self-confidence overwhelmed him. Doubts wrecked his mind.
115Though he had written answers which were adequate for him to pass, the student felt that they were not enough and he lost courage.
116Actually, he had got through the written examination. Yet he felt that he had failed. Therefore, he was dejected and would not go for the oral examinations.
117The oral examinations started. The first day passed by. The next day, a friend came and found that the student was having his meal.
118He said: “How strange this is! The examiner is worried about you. He asked me to come and find out the reason for your absence yesterday”.
119Tendulkar frankly told him: “When I have failed in the written examination why should I take the trouble to appear for the orals. Therefore, I have stayed home through disappointment”.
120“The examiner, on the contrary, has told me to come and bring you somehow and give you the news that you have passed in the written examination”.
121Then, how can his joy be described! He invoked Sai Maharaj and without wasting a moment, ran out with enthusiasm.
122Be it so. Everything turned out well. The desire to get through the examination was fulfilled. Sai also strengthened the devotion at his feet by fulfilling his wish.
123The handle of the grinding stone often has to be moved about to fix it firmly. Similarly is the case with faith at the Guru’s feet. Sai strengthens it by testing it.
124He never said anything to anybody whereby the mind was not moved. This was the usual experience with Baba. He strengthened the faith in this manner.
125As one goes along the directed path, in the beginning everything seems to go well. Later, thorny shrubs seem to be so spread out that one encounters thorns only, in all quarters.
126Then one’s faith is shaken and doubts easily arise. ‘Why has Sai brought me to this difficult path?’, one could ask.
127When one feels like this, make a stronger effort to hold on to your faith. These difficulties are there to test you; then only will firm faith become part of you.
128Facing these difficulties and constantly chanting Sai’s name, all the problems will be removed. This is the tremendous power of the name.
129That is the purpose of these difficulties, which are also created by Sai. It is only then that one remembers Sai and chants his name, which brings about the end of all the difficulties.
130So be it. The father of this young man was a very loving devotee of Baba — patient, generous, and of a virtuous disposition. His body had become enfeebled.
131He had worked in the firm of a foreign businessman, who had an establishment in Bombay, with sincerity and honesty.
132Later, with advancing age, his vision began dimming and he was physically weakened. He desired complete rest.
133As he had no strength to work, Raghunath Rao took leave to improve his health and took complete rest.
134Even after that leave had fully expired, as he was not fully rested, he wrote a further application for extension of leave.
135When his immediate superior saw the application, he recommended the leave. But the head of the office was very considerate and kind.
136The head of the office was generous. Taking into consideration the sincere services of this worker, he put him on half pay to help the household.
137This was the Government practice, which was followed by the topmost business houses, depending upon circumstances, in the case of their honest staff members, to encourage them.
138“But will my employer continue to give me this pay when I am unable to work,” Tendulkar worried.
139“My whole pay is Rs. 150/-. When I get the pension of Rs. 75/-, how will I meet my family’s expenses”, was the thought he brooded over.
140But later, something delightful happened. See Baba’s novel miracle. He asked Raghunath Rao’s wife about their welfare. Hear this marvel.
141Fifteen days before the final orders for the pension, Baba appeared in her dream and asked her opinion.
142“I wish that he is given Rs.100/-. Will that satisfy you?” he asked. The lady replied: “Why do you ask? We have full faith in you”.
143There, a decision was taken on his application. Raghunath was a faithful employee who had served well and for several years, so he should be given a good pension.
144Though Baba had said Rs.100/-, Rs.10/- were given additionally[11]. Such was Samartha, who was compassionate and with immense love for the devotees.
145Now listen to one more story which is very interesting and entertaining, which will arouse love and delight amongst the devotees. The listeners will enjoy it.
146This sweet story is about a doctor, named Captain Hate, who was a staunch devotee of Baba, to whom Baba gave darshan in a dream, early one morning.
147Hate lived in Gwalior and saw Baba in his dream there. Notice the skillful way in which Baba asked questions and the replies that Hate gave.
148Baba said: “Have you forgotten me?” Hate immediately held Baba’s feet and said: “If the child forgets the mother, how will it be saved?”
149In the dream, he got up quickly and went to the garden, picked fresh ‘valpapdi’[12], ‘shidha’[13] and with dakshina made an offering to prove his devotion.
150When all these items were ready to prove his devotion, Hate moved forward with the scuttle, in which they were placed, to make the offering. Suddenly his eyes opened and he realised that it was a dream.
151Immediately, Hate felt that he must collect all the items seen in his dream and offer them to Baba personally, by going to Shirdi.
152But, as he was in Gwalior, he wrote a letter to his friend[14], giving him all the details of the circumstances, and persuaded him to go to Shirdi himself.
153"The money will be sent to you by post. Buy good quality ‘shidha’ and somehow, obtain selected ‘valpapdi’.
154Take the balance money with you and offer it to Baba, with ‘shidha’ and other things. Pay obeisance at his feet and ask for prasad, and send it to me".
155As soon as the money was received, the friend left for Shirdi. He purchased all the required items except for ‘papadi’ for which there was difficulty. Just then a basket came there.
156It was being carried on a woman’s head. He called her and was surprised to find ‘valpapdi’ in it. Everyone was surprised.
157Then, he brought all the items and offered them with reverence to Maharaj. He gave them to Nimonkar to cook for naivedya the next day.
158The next day when Baba sat down to eat, he did not touch the dal – rice etc. but he picked up only the ‘valpapdi’. Everyone was surprised.
159He accepted only the ‘valpapdi’ and ate only that. Hate was filled with joy when he got the news.
160‘The experience that one has depends upon one’s devotion’. Such was Hate’s experience also. Listen to the marvel of the next story and know the sweet courtesy of Sai!
161A desire arose in him to have a coin of a rupee, in his home, which had been touched and purified by Sai. Sai fulfilled his wish.
162The mind is full of different feelings. Discarding the harmful only the beneficial ones should be adhered to. Then observe Sai’s skill in helping the devotees.
163When such a good desire arose in Hate it did not take any time to be satisfied. A friend of his, desirous of Sai darshan, was about to leave (for Shirdi).
164Only the intention should be good, then Sai fulfils it marvellously. Those who have virtuous intentions, their well-being rests in Sai’s hands.
165Then Hate gave one rupee to his friend with great love and told him not to forget to place it in Baba’s hands.
166When the friend went to Shirdi, he immediately took Baba’s darshan. He bowed down at his feet and placed his head there. Then he sat in front of Baba.
167Baba extended his hand for dakshina, so he gave his dakshina at first. Baba put it in his pocket promptly. Then the friend took out Hate’s money.
168With folded hands, he put that rupee also on Baba’s palm and said: “This dakshina has been sent with me by Dr. Hate”.
169This Sai is the dweller in all hearts. Even though Hate was in Gwalior, knowing the desire in his heart, he sat minutely looking at it.
170Displaying affection, Baba held the coin before his eyes. He kept on singularly gazing at it. The people stared at him.
171He tossed the coin up with his right thumb and caught it with his hands. He played with it in this way for some time. Then, he returned the rupee.
172And said: “Return this to whom it belongs. Take this udi prasad along with it. Tell him that I do not want anything from him. Stay well”.
173Prostrating at Baba’s feet and putting the udi prasad at the proper place, that friend took Baba’s permission and returned to his home at Gwalior.
174After reaching Gwalior and giving the rupee to the doctor, he related in detail all that had taken place. Hate was choked with emotion.
175He said: “The purpose that I had in mind and as I had wished, Baba fulfilled my wish, knowing my desire”.
176This was what Hate felt but this was his interpretation. Who can understand the plans of the saints and their purpose?
177Even if this (Hate’s belief) is true then observe another incident. It is exactly the opposite of this. The Saints alone know their purpose.
178He returned one person’s rupee and pocketed the others! Who can explain the reason with certainty and what was in Baba’s mind.
179He alone knows his reasons. We should only enjoy what is happening, and not miss the lovely opportunity to do so. Listen to the story, to this purpose.
180Once, Vaman Narvekar who had immense love for Baba brought a beautiful coin to offer it with great devotion.
181On one side the facsimile of Ram, Lakshman and Sita was engraved; and on the other, was a pleasing image of Hanuman with folded hands.
182His intention in making the offering was to get it back after Baba had touched it, with udi and prasad.
183Baba always knew the innermost wishes of others fully. Yet, when the coin was placed in his hands, he promptly put it in his pocket.
184Madhavrao explained Vaman Rao’s desire to Baba and earnestly entreated him to return the coin to him.
185“Why should it be given to him? We should keep it ourselves”, Baba replied in clear tones in front of Vaman Rao.
186“However, if he is ready to pay twenty-five rupees, as its price, I will give it to him in exchange”, Baba said to tell him so.
187Then, to get back that coin, Vaman Rao quickly collected the required money, from here and there, and gave them to Baba.
188That amount too he put in his pocket, as earlier, and said: “Even a heap of rupees cannot equal this one in value. Their value will be less than that of this coin”.
189Further, he said: “Shama, you take this. Let it be in our collection. Keep it in the shrine and keep worshipping it”.
190Now, why did he act like this? Who had the authority to ask him? Sai knows what is right and what is wrong. He is the mighty giver and receiver too.
191So be it. Now that this story is completed, let us give a rest to the minds of the listeners so that they may contemplate and continuously dwell on the stories, which they have already heard.
192Whatever is done or heard cannot be assimilated without contemplation and continuous study. Listening alone will be useless.
193Therefore, Hemad surrenders to Sai. He holds his feet on his head, which is the best means for achieving anything. Further narration will come later.