Chapter 34

The Greatness of Udi

I bow down to Sree Ganesh
I bow down to Sree Saraswati
I bow down to the Guru
I bow down to the Family Deity
I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra
I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath

1In the last chapter, I spoke, as truly as I knew, about the greatness of udi. In the present chapter, I will continue the same narration describing its characteristics.

2There is a connection between the stories of the last chapter and this one about the power of the Udi. Listeners may hear them with a peaceful mind for their own happiness and understanding.

3The dreadful disease of tubercular bone-ulcers, which could not be cured by any means, was totally eradicated by the application of udi, by Sai’s own hands.

4There are many such stories about Udi. I am narrating one as an indication. You will be surprised listening to it, as it has been a well observed experience.

5A qualified doctor of Malegaon, District Nashik, was unable to cure the illness of his nephew by any medication.

6He was a doctor and had doctors among friends. They tried all kinds of remedies. Even skilled surgeons were at a loss and were confounded.

7The disease was tubercular bone-abscess. It was tremendously difficult to bring under control and it resisted all medication.

8All remedies, indigenous and foreign, were tried. All efforts were made. Even surgery was done. Nothing succeeded.

9The nephew was young. He was unable to bear the pain. He struggled under extreme pain and the relatives were distressed.

10When all medical efforts had crossed the limit and yet there was not the slightest improvement, some relations and friends suggested invoking divine help.

11So the family deity and others were propitiated but none of them seemed to help. Then they learnt that in Shirdi village there was a famous ‘aulia’.

12He was the greatest amongst saints at Shirdi – Sai Maharaj, the greatest of yogis! By his mere darshan diseases were eradicated. This was what they heard.

13The desire to have Sai darshan arose. The mother and the father decided: "Let us try this remedy, with trust in God.

14He is said to be a great ‘aulia’. If he applies udi with his own hands incurable diseases are eradicated. What do we lose by taking this experience?

15Let us go and bow at his feet. Let us try this last remedy. Perhaps it might ward off this problem. It is our last resort".

16Enough. Later the parents made quick preparations being anxious for Sai’s darshan. They arrived quickly at Shirdi.

17They took Baba’s darshan as soon as they arrived. They bowed and prostrated at his feet. They narrated the sufferings of the boy and stood in front of Baba.

18Overwhelmed with grief, with folded hands, they surrendered at Sree Sai’s feet. With faces showing distress, they beseeched Sai.

19“This boy is suffering”, they said. "We cannot bear to see him tortured but we do not know what more we can do. We see no hope.

20Seeing the deterioration of our son, we are greatly wearied, Sai Samartha. Therefore, place your boon granting hand on his head and relieve his suffering.

21Hearing about your greatness, we have come here. We have surrendered to you with full devotion. Bestow his life to us".

22Then, that Sai, the embodiment of compassion, assured them: "Those who come and resort to this Masjid shall never suffer anything in this life.

23Now, be carefree. Take udi and apply it on the abscess. Within four to eight days, he will get relief. Have faith in God.

24This is not a Masjid but Dwaravati[1]. He who steps here will get health and happiness, within no time. You also will get this experience.

25It is impossible that whoever comes here is not relieved. He who climbs the steps of this Masjid will accomplish his objective. Know that".

26Later, on orders from Baba, the patient was made to sit before him. Baba moved his hand on the leg and cast merciful glances at him.

27This was merely physical suffering. But even suffering which is destined or created by the mind is destroyed from its roots by the ‘darshan’.

28Just seeing Sree Sai’s face, all troubles cease then and there; and drinking the nectar of his words gives the greatest happiness to a sick person.

29So be it. They stayed there for four days. There was improvement in the disease and their faith in Sai developed.

30Thereafter, those three, with Baba’s full permission, returned home full of happiness and satisfaction.

31Was this a small miracle that the tubercular bone-abscess was cured only with udi and a merciful glance? This alone is the unparalleled remedy.

32Thus due to good fortune they had the darshan of the great sage, his assurance and beneficial blessings. By these only the disease had been uprooted.

33So be it. After application of the udi and partaking of it, for some days, the abscess drained away, the wound filled up and that boy regained good health[2].

34When the uncle heard all this at Malegaon, it aroused a desire to have Sai’s darshan in him. He thought of fulfilling his wish on his way back to Bombay.

35But when he left for Bombay, at Malegaon and at Manmad, somebody created doubts in his mind and he abandoned the idea of going to Shirdi.

36Such is the fate of many a good intention! Evil-minded people put a spoke in the wheel, right at the start. Only those who pay no heed to public opinion achieve happiness in the end.

37Then setting aside the idea of the saint’s darshan, he went straight to Bombay; and decided to spend the rest of his holidays at Alibag.

38After he had decided thus, for three consecutive nights, he heard a voice in his sleep: "Do you still have disbelief in me? "

39On hearing this voice from heaven, repeatedly, the doctor was bewildered. He decided to go to Shirdi for he felt that the voice was meaningful.

40But the doctor was treating someone with an infectious fever. So he decided to leave immediately after the patient got better.

41But the temperature was very high and no medication proved useful. It did not come down at all; so, he could not leave immediately.

42So he ultimately decided that if the patient improved that day he would leave the next day, without losing a moment, for Shirdi.

43Within a few hours of making this firm resolution the temperature came down. The doctor’s objective could be fulfilled and he left for Shirdi.

44As determined, he went to Shirdi. He bowed at Baba’s feet with full faith. Baba convinced him of his secret experience and made him a firm devotee.

45Baba placed his hand on the doctor’s head with blessings, and gave him ‘udi-prasad’. Realising the unfathomable greatness of Sai, he was filled with amazement.

46He stayed there for four days, and returned with a happy frame of mind. Hardly had a fortnight passed that he went to Bijapur on a promotion.

47It was on account of the tubercular bone – abscess that he had the opportunity of Sai’s darshan. He developed love for the saint’s feet and achieved permanent bliss.

48Similarly, once Dr. Pillai was in excruciating pain because of guinea-worms. They had increased from one to seven. He was fed up of life.

49Sai Baba loved him greatly and affectionately called him by the nickname ‘Bhau’. He always inquired after his well-being with great love.

50In the Masjid, Bhau’s place was near the railing, in the morning and evening. He spent a lot of time with Bhau and they chatted a lot.

51Bhau was needed when the ‘chillum’ was puffed; Bhau was needed when the ‘bidi’[3] was smoked; Bhau was needed when passing judgement on certain matters. When he was not near, he was missed.

52Enough. This was his background. Since the pain on account of the guinea-worms was unbearable, Bhau was confined to the bed being enfeebled. The intensity of the pain was too much to bear.

53Even in such a pathetic situation, Bhau chanted Sai’s name. “Enough of this suffering. Even death is preferable”, he cried surrendering to Sai.

54He sent a message to Baba: "I am weary of bearing this pain. How many abscesses do I have on my body! I do not have the strength to bear this.

55Throughout my life I have acted correctly. Why should I have to undergo this painful condition? I have never deviated from the path of righteousness. Why should I be punished and for what sin?

56Baba! I can longer bear this pain on account of the guinea-worms, which is similar to death. Instead let me die now. I shall undergo the suffering in my next life.

57There is no alternative but to bear the pain. I shall have to take many more births. But that which is destined cannot be avoided. Dull-witted though I am, I realise it.

58I will happily take ten more births, in which I shall undergo the fruits of my ‘karma’. But grant me the boon of ending this present life.

59Enough of this life. Release me from this birth. I do not wish to undergo this pain. That is all that I ask for now".

60Listening to this prayer, the Siddha-rana[4] felt compassion; and for Dr. Pillai’s satisfaction showered the nectar of mercy. Savour it.

61Then seeing this utterly painful condition of Dr. Pillai, notice what the devotee’s wish-fulfilling tree did to remove it.

62This message from Dr. Pillai was brought by Dixit. Listening to this news, Baba said: “Go and tell him to be fearless”.

63And the further message he sent: "Why should he be crippled for ten lives? He has to bear it out only for ten days; and we shall both share it.

64When I am capable of granting liberation, material desires, or spirituality, are you being brave in asking for something meaningless like death?

65Pick him up and bring him here. What has been destined must be borne with equanimity. One should not be confounded like this. Bring him here on somebody’s back".

66So, the doctor was immediately brought to the Masjid in such a condition. Taking out the bolster from behind his back, Baba gave it to him to lean on.

67Placing it on his right, where Fakir Baba used to sit he said: "Lean on it and stay quiet. Do not fret, unnecessarily.

68Stretch your legs out comfortably whereby you will be at ease. Whatever is destined has to be borne. That is the only remedy.

69Good or bad, pleasure or pain, as per destiny, come either like nectar or poison. Bear in mind that this pair of opposites comes naturally (in the life of a person). Be neither happy nor miserable.

70Endure whatever comes. Allah is the Master and Protector. Always meditate upon Him. He takes every care.

71Surrender at His feet with body, mind, speech and wealth. If one remains constantly thinking of Him, one will realise His functioning".

72Then Dr. Pillai said that Nanasaheb Chandorkar had tied a bandage over the wounds but he had got no relief.

73Baba said: “Nana is mad. Remove the bandage, otherwise you will die. Now a crow will come and peck. Then you will get well”.

74Enough. While this conversation was in progress, Abdul[5] came up immediately, to pour oil in the lamps. See what happened all of a sudden.

75The Masjid was as it is, small and there was a large crowd of devotees. In the midst of all that there was the confusion about Pillai. Abdul had no room to put his foot.

76Abdulla was concentrating on his work and had his attention on the lamps. Thereby, he did not notice Pillai. Something unusual happened!

77What could Abdulla[6] do? What is destined to happen will happen. Unknowingly his foot fell on the leg which Pillai had stretched out.

78The leg was as it is swollen and Abdulla stepped on it, at that very spot. Then Pillai bawled out loudly, as he was in excruciating pain.

79He shrieked once in such a way that it pierced the mind. Then, with folded hands, he prayed to Baba for mercy. Listen to it.

80The wound burst and the worms began to ooze out. Pillai was very restless. He was crying out loudly and singing, alternately:-

"O Karim! Have mercy on my pitiable state! Thou art called Merciful and Kind!

Thou art Emperor of both the worlds!

The world is thy splendour.

This world is going to be destroyed.

But Your Grandeur will be eternal.

You are always the Saviour of the Devotees".

  1. The pain was intermittent. He was in agony and lay down helplessly. Everyone felt that this was Sai Baba’s sport.
  2. Baba said : “Look at Bhau. He seems to be better. He is singing now”. Pillai then asked him: “Is that crow still going to peck at me?”
  3. Then, Baba said: "Go and rest in the Wada now. Now the crow will not come again to peck at you.
  4. Did he not already come? He is the same one who trod on your leg. He is the crow who pecked and ran away. He squeezed out the worms".
  5. What crow! It had only been a figure of speech! Whatever had to happen was got done in front of all. He fulfilled the prediction.
  6. These were not ordinary words; but destiny. Even the deeds done in previous births will have no effect. Within a short time Bhau began to feel better.
  7. And as the tenth day dawned, the disease was totally cured only by application of udi and partaking of it. This was the only medication.
  8. All the seven worms came out alive, from the wound. They were thin and long. The excruciating pain eased. There was an end to the misery.
  9. Experiencing this miracle, Pillai was overwhelmed, and tears of affection flowed from his eyes by this fine deed of Baba.
  10. Pillai embraced Baba’s feet. He was choked with emotion but could not utter a single word.
  11. After narrating one more experience, we shall conclude the description of the greatness of udi. One’s experience matches one’s devotion. That, in fact, is the sum and substance of this book.
  12. The story is about Bapaji, the youngest brother of Madhavrao and how he achieved his well-being with udi, when he was in difficulty.
  13. How much should I describe the marvels and the power of this udi! Udi is the medicine par excellence for plague and other diseases.
  14. While living at Savul Vihir, a place near Shirdi, Bapaji’s wife had fever and bubos developed in her groins. He felt anxious.
  15. Seeing his wife in great pain at the fearsome night time, Bapaji lost all fortitude and courage.
  16. During the night itself, he ran to Shirdi and arrived shaken and trembling. He told the full details to his brother.
  17. He said : “She has developed two bubos and is greatly troubled by the high fever. Come and see for yourself. I do not think all is well”.
  18. When Bapaji narrated this pitiful state, Madhavrao was shocked and terror – stricken. He was at his wit’s end.
  19. Madhavrao, though normally a balanced person, was shocked to hear about the bubos. It is well-known that bubonic plague could lead to a quick death.
  20. Whatever the situation, good or bad, or any work, auspicious or inauspicious, it was the tradition in Shirdi to consult Sai.
  21. Then whatever he said was followed meticulously. He alone removed the problems of the devotees. How many such experiences can I describe?
  22. So, as per this routine, Madhavrao also thought of adopting this means. He went to Baba, greeted him with reverence and prostrated before him.
  23. He said: "Hail, hail Sainath! Have mercy on us, the helpless ones. Now, what is this problem that has arisen, causing unnecessary anxiety!
  24. Who else can we implore besides you? Take away this girl’s agony and give your blessings.
  25. Remove this difficulty. Who else will care for us? Bring this terrible fever down. Be true to your creed of protection".
  26. He also asked permission to leave, when Baba said to him: "Do not go so late in the night. Send udi to her.
  27. Why care for the fever and the bubos? God is our father. She will be alright easily. Everything will be safe and without any problems.
  28. Early in the morning you go to Savul Vihir and return. Do not be in a hurry to go now. Stay here calmly.
  29. Go tomorrow only. There is no need to be restless. When udi is applied and partaken with faith, why should one be frightened? "
  30. Hearing this, Bapaji was frightened. He was greatly disappointed. Madhavrao knew the antidote of medicinal plants for this disease; but his knowledge would be of no use now.
  31. Madhavrao knew fully well that without Sai’s grace no medicine would be effective. This was a secret and an indication.
  32. So bowing to Baba’s will, Madhavrao sent the udi and remained calm and quiet. Bapaji returned disappointed.
  33. When the udi was mixed in water and given to drink, and also applied to the body, she profusely perspired and fell asleep.
  34. By sunrise, the wife felt quite well. Gone was the fever and also the poisonous bubos! Bapaji was surprised.
  35. At Shirdi, as soon as Madhavrao awoke and finished his ablutions, he came to the Masjid for darshan on his way to Savul Vihir.
  36. He took Baba’s darshan and prostrated at his feet. As soon as he got the udi and blessings, he left from there.
  37. As he was descending the steps of the Masjid, he heard Baba command him: “Shama, return immediately. There will be no cause to delay”.
  38. On the way, he worried: ‘Must my sister-in-law be in agony? How will she be bearing the sensation of the two bubos? She must be lying in agony.’
  39. Failing to understand the meaning of Baba’s words: “Return immediately”, Shama was worried even more and walked fast on the way.
  40. Until he reached Savul Vihir, he had no patience. But when he stepped across the threshold he witnessed a miracle.
  41. One who had fever on account of plague, the previous night, was making tea before the fireplace. Madhavrao was surprised to see the change in her condition.
  42. Then he asked Bapaji “How is it that she is busy with her normal routine?”, Bapaji replied: “This is the miracle due to Baba’s Udi certainly”.
  43. He added : "As soon as I came, I gave her udi to drink and applied it, massaging it all over the body. She immediately profusely perspired and slept comfortably.
  44. Then, this morning at sunrise, she got up hale and hearty free of bubos and fever. All this is Sai’s doings!"
  45. When Shama saw this state of affairs, he immediately recalled Sai’s words: “Return immediately.” He understood the meaning and was amazed.
  46. The problem had ended even before his arrival. Madhavrao had a cup of tea and returned. He went straight to the Masjid and bowed at Baba’s feet.
  47. He said: “O Deva, what is this sport? Sitting here, you raise a turmoil in our minds. A storm is raised and later you alone calm it down”.
  48. Baba replied to him: "Observe that the ways of fate are difficult to understand. I do nothing nor make others do anything. Yet I am held responsible for all that happens.
  49. I am just a witness to the deeds that happen on account of fate. The Eternal Lord is the doer and the mover. He alone is the Compassionate One.
  50. I am neither God nor the Almighty. I am not the Lord nor the Supreme Spirit. I only remember the Lord and remind people of the existence of the Supreme Lord. I am just a poor servant of Allah.
  51. He who abandons all pride, is ever grateful to Him, and places all his burden on Him, will achieve his objective".
  52. Listen to an important and similar experience of an Irani gentleman. His young daughter used to lose her speech hour on the hour.
  53. Every hour she got convulsions. Her body arched like a bow and she fell down at the very spot. She became unconscious and seemed as if she would die. No remedy was effective.
  54. Later, a friend of his described to him the importance of the udi and told him that there was no other, unbelievable and surefire remedy than that.
  55. "Go to Parle without any delay and ask Dixit for the udi, of which he has a store. He will give it with great pleasure.
  56. Then, everyday if you give this udi, remembering Sai with full faith, to drink to her, this convulsion will be cured and she will be well and happy".
  57. Hearing this, then this Irani gentleman got udi from Dixit, and gave it regularly to his daughter to drink; and she got cured.
  58. Whereas she used to have this problem every hour, she improved right away on taking the udi, as the frequency of the fits decreased from one hour to seven hours.
  59. At first the frequency decreased from one hour to seven hours. And, after some time had passed, the fits stopped altogether[7].
  60. An old gentleman lived in a village near Harda. He was distressed on account of kidney-stone and suffered much from it.
  61. There was no cure for it other than surgery. Therefore, he was told to find some skillful surgeon.
  62. The patient was extremely worried and could not think what to do. His body was very thin and weak and he seemed to be at death’s door-step. He was unable to bear the tremendous pain.
  63. To undergo an operation, a patient needs courage and this he lacked. But, by good luck his adversity ended. You will be surprised to hear it.
  64. When this was the situation, the Inamdar of the town who was a great devotee of Sai Baba, was known to have come to the village, at that time.
  65. Everyone knew that he always kept with him Baba’s ‘vibhuti’. The relatives of the patient came to him and requested him for some udi.
  66. The Inamdar gave the udi. The son gave it to the father, mixed in water. Hardly had five minutes passed, when a miracle happened.
  67. When the ‘udi-prasad’ was assimilated in the body, the kidney stone was pushed out from the kidney and was flushed out with the urine. He felt immediate relief.
  68. The wife of a gentleman from Bombay, by caste a Kayasth Prabhu, always had difficulty at the time of delivery.
  69. Then, no matter what was tried, nothing was efficacious. The lady felt as if she was dying. And the poor gentleman was distressed.
  70. Shri Ram Maruti was a well-known person, who was a devotee of Sai. After consulting him, this gentleman decided to leave for Shirdi.
  71. As the time of delivery neared, they both were terribly distressed; but after they decided to go to Shirdi they felt that they would have nothing to fear.
  72. ‘Whatever has to happen, let it happen at least near Baba’ – firmly deciding thus, they came and lived in Shirdi.
  73. In this way both of them lived in Shirdi for months together. Both were happy performing puja and staying in the company of Sai.
  74. After some time had thus passed, the time for the delivery neared. They became extremely apprehensive as to how the difficulty would be overcome.
  75. Finally, the day of the delivery arrived and the passage from the womb was obstructed. Everyone became worried?
  76. The lady was in severe pain; and was unable to think of what to do. She was chanting Baba’s name, for who else can have mercy.
  77. The neighbouring ladies came in haste. Praying to Baba fervently, one of them poured water in a glass, mixed udi and gave her to drink.
  78. Hardly had five minutes passed when the lady delivered. The child was stillborn, having died in the womb itself.
  79. That was the fate of the child. She would conceive again, later. But the lady felt relieved of her fears and was in a happy state.
  80. She delivered without much trouble. She was freed from any danger to her life. The time for anxiety was averted. She remained indebted to Baba for life.
  81. The next chapter is even more interesting and the listeners eagerness will be satisfied. The habit of criticising will disappear as devotion develops.
    162.“We worship the formless. We will not give ‘dakshina’. We will not bow down. We will come for ‘darshan’ only on these conditions”.
  82. Even those with such firm resolution, when they saw Sai’s feet, prostrated themselves with eight-fold obeisance and tendered ‘dakshina’. What a miracle is this!
  83. The incomparable greatness of udi; the loving devotion of Nevaskar and how he maintained the righteous behaviour of a householder by offering milk to a poisonous snake – all this will be narrated.
  84. Listening to such excellent stories will arouse loving devotion. The miseries of this worldly existence will subside. Is there greater bliss than this?
  85. Therefore, Hemad prays at Sai’s feet to arouse love in the listeners and to get involved in his stories.

May there be well-being! This is the end of the thirty-fourth chapter of the Sree Sai Samartha Satcharita, written by the devotee Hemadpant, impelled by Saints and virtuous people, called “The Greatness of Udi”.

This is offered to Sree Sadguru Sainath.
May there be auspiciousness!

  1. Lord Krishna’s Dwarka. ↩︎

  2. In the village of Turambhe, near Bellpur, in Thane District, a lady by the name of Shantabai had a tubercular bone abscess on the thumb of her left hand. She suffered from it for seven years. One night, Maharaj told her in a dream : “You apply 'dikemali” (medicinal plant with strong smelling resin). When the lady woke up, she felt very happy. She applied ‘dikemali’ to the abscess and it got better. Then she wrote a postcard, with all this information, to Maharaj. That card bears the date 1st September 1918. ↩︎

  3. Hand rolled tobacco leaf indigenous cigarette. ↩︎

  4. One who has acquired all the eight Siddhis. ↩︎

  5. Baba’s devotee who cleaned the lamps and lighted them in the Masjid. ↩︎

  6. Abdulbhai was originally a resident of Nanded. But nine or ten years before Maharaj’s Samadhi he had come to Shirdi to serve him and stayed there. Even after the Samadhi, he took no remuneration and continued to serve getting only clothes and food in return. When Maharaj was in body he had a big load of work and he did it with great love. Earlier he stayed in the Chavadi; and thereafter, near the Dwarakamai. Even at night, instead of resting, he spent a lot of time reciting the Koran. At home, he had his mother, wife and son; but leaving them all he was living in Shirdi. His mother and son came to Shirdi sometimes. His wife had also come once but he had no attachment for any of them. His mother was worried about the marriage of his son and she tried to arrange it with one party. But she was bluntly told that as Abdulbhai had become a fakir, they did not wish to give their daughter in marriage into that family. Consequently, the mother came to Shirdi and complained to Maharaj. Maharaj said: “Be patient and don’t be worried. The boy will get a good wife; and the marriage will be fixed by itself.” Of course, everything happened as Maharaj had said. Once Abdulbhai’s mother and son had gone to some village. They met a gentleman there and he insisted on offering his daughter to them. Some people told him that the boy’s father had become a fakir, whereupon he replied: “Even if I become a fakir, there is no problem. I will give my daughter in marriage only to this boy.” Accordingly, the marriage was celebrated immediately. This gentleman had an elder daughter of a marriageable age. Her marriage had been already fixed, but there was some time before the marriage was to take place. Yet, without a delay, he got his younger daughter married first, to Abdulbhai’s son. ↩︎

  7. There are many such experiences of this udi. A gentleman by the name of Narayan Gopinath Dighe used to live in Bombay. He developed a tumour in his stomach. It was like a hard stone and he began suffering a lot, due to it. He consulted one or two famous doctors of Bombay, but it was of no use. Later, someone advised him to go to Maharaj. Of course, it was not possible for him to go in his condition. He said that if with the blessings of Maharaj, this tumour would burst and be excreted he would feel better and then be able to go to Maharaj. So that person gave Maharaj’s udi to him. He began to be partake of it and the very next day the tumour burst and the internal pus began to be excreted. After a few more days, he felt better. Then, as soon as possible, he went for Maharaj’s darshan. ↩︎