1Aum. I bow down to Sree Sai, abundant Supreme Consciousness, abode of all Happiness, store of all Prosperity. It is by your grace that all deprivation is removed.
2By merely touching your feet all the sins are washed away. How much more blessed are those that worship you with all devotion!
3One glance at your smiling face was enough to forget all worldly sorrows, and to immediately satisfy hunger and thirst. Such was the unique darshan.
4How can I describe the greatness of one who always meditated on “Allah Malik”, who was disinterested, without pride, without greed and without any desires.
5We cannot forget even for a moment, he who obliges even those who harm him and has such peace of mind. Give him a place in your hearts.
6Ram and Krishna are lotus-eyed. A Saint may be one-eyed or blind. Gods are handsome; Saints are always Bliss Incarnate.
7The Gods look after them who call them; but there is no limit for the grace of the Saints. Gods say “thus far and no further”; but Saints are compassionate even to those who speak ill of them.
8There is no difference between Ram, Krishna and Sai. They appear as three, but in essence they are only one.
9To say that all these three faced death, is in itself totally incorrect. He who has power over death, how can he be troubled by it?
10We are unaware of the merits and demerits of former existence which have occasioned the present birth. Nor am I aware of the good and bad done during the present life. Sai, Gururaya is merciful. Knowing this, I plead for his mercy.
11There are many waves of desire which arise, whereby there is no peace of mind. Without your grace, the mind will not reach quietude.
12In the beginning of the last chapter, I had promised to narrate somethings which I could not keep. I could not fully narrate them. Listen to it completely, from the beginning to the end.
13Knowing that the end was near, Baba listened with full attention to the Ramayan, for fourteen days, day and night, read by a Brahmin.
14Thus two weeks passed listening to the Ramayan. When Vijayadashmi day arrived Baba left the body.
15In the last chapter, it was narrated how Lakshman Mama did the puja and how Jog did the arati, after Baba’s passing away.
16After that the Hindus and the Muslims needed thirty-six hours to decide upon the last rites for the body;
17how the place for the Samadhi was decided upon; how the BRICK had unexpectedly broken; and how in the past, Baba had raised his ‘prana’ high up for three days.
18Everybody had doubts whether it was Samadhi or the abandoning of the body. By observing the absence of breath it seemed doubtful if he would become normal.
19When three days had passed thus, it seemed certain that he had abandoned the body. Then, naturally, all raised the subject of the last rites.
20Then, at that time, Baba who was fully conscious internally returned to his normal self suddenly and warded off the worries of the people.
21Listen to many such stories with loving devotion. You will be delighted and choked with emotion.
22It is not a story but a treasury of invaluable Sai gems. Open with love, and experience the bliss of darshan.
23In this whole chapter, you will see Sainath densely filling it. By listening to it you will be fulfilled. By recalling it, you will have a protector.
24This is the story of that Sai, who was most generous. Get ready to listen to it with a loving and undisturbed mind.
25Hearing such a pious story never fulfils the craving of the devotees; but they are filled with spiritual bliss and those that are troubled by worldly problems, find repose.
26Such is this story of Sai that it gives the happiness of a contented mind. Self Bliss seems to be standing before us and one experiences the purest joy of all the joys.
27It appears fresh and new, no matter how often you hear it. Its characteristic is that it is enchanting. Therefore, listen to this story of the Saint with a pure and concentrated mind.
28So be it. Later on, the discussions about the last rites for the body went on endlessly and everyone was tired. Listen to the final outcome.
29It was finally decided to place Baba’s body at the site designated for the statue of Lord Krishna (Murlidhar) in the sanctum of the hall of Butti’s wada.
30Earlier, when the foundation was being dug, Baba was passing by on his way to the Lendi. Baba had consented to Madhavrao’s request.
31Madhavrao gave a coconut in Baba’s hands and requested: “Bless this place with your merciful glance as I am digging the sanctum for Lord Murlidhar”.
32Considering it an auspicious moment, Baba said: "Break this coconut. All of us, Balgopals, will spend time here.
33Here itself, we will talk of our problems, on and oft. We will be at peace with children and family".
34At first everyone thought that Baba had spoken something casually. But when the later events took place, they realised that they had not properly understood those words.
35After Baba abandoned the body, this was deemed to be the best place for protecting Baba’s precious body. The idea of establishing the statue of Lord Murlidhar was abandoned.
36Baba’s last words: “Place this body in the wada”, ultimately became everybody’s decision. Baba himself became the Murlidhar.
37Shrimant Butti and all others, all the Hindus and Muslims became happy with the decision and the wada was put to good use.
38If Baba’s body had been put elsewhere, that expensive wada would have been an inanity and been desolate.
39It is because of Sai, today there is puja, worship, listening to holy scriptures and songs and distribution of food to devotees, guests and visitors.
40It is because of Sai that abundant food is distributed there, various rituals are frequently held and people come from far and near and from different countries.
41So, bear in mind, the speech of the Saints – study every word that is heard. Do not cast them aside, disbelieving them and considering them to be only casual.
42However stupid they may sound in the beginning or appear doubtful, as time passes the meaning becomes clear even if they were difficult to understand initially.
43When there was still time for leaving the body, many inauspicious signs occurred to indicate the forthcoming events, in the Masjid, in Shirdi earlier.
44Out of them, I will narrate only one for the benefit of the listeners. Otherwise, if I narrate them all, the book will be lengthened.
45Since many years, Baba had an old BRICK, on which he rested his hand, and sat in a yogic posture.
46At night, in solitude, he regularly took the support of the BRICK and Baba sat in a yogic posture, quietly in the Masjid.
47This practice had gone on for quite a few years without disruption, and without any problems. But fate is not governed by any rules; and unexpectedly they are broken.
48When Baba was not in the Masjid, a young boy was sweeping. With the intention of cleaning the dirt underneath it, he picked up the BRICK a little.
49The time had come for it to break. The BRICK slipped from the boy’s hand. It fell down with a bang and broke into two pieces.
50Hearing of it, Baba said : “It is not the BRICK but my fate that has broken into pieces”. Saying this, he was very distressed and tears of sorrow sprang from his eyes.
51When the BRICK broke, with which Baba sat regularly in a yogic posture, Baba’s heart was torn and he was choked with emotion.
52This BRICK, which was with him since several years, was of long standing, and was the main support for his yogic posture. When it was suddenly broken it seemed to make the Masjid desolate for him.
53Though it was a BRICK, Baba liked it very much and loved it like his own life. Seeing its condition, Baba was very distressed.
54Baba spent hours together, resting his elbow on that very BRICK, sitting in a yogic posture. Therefore, he loved it very much.
55"In whose company I meditated and was dearer to me than life, that companion of mine is broken. I also will not remain without it.
56The BRICK was a life long companion and has left me and gone away today". Thus remembering its qualities, Baba began bemoaning it.
57A natural doubt may arise here, as isn’t a BRICK only a perishable object? Why grieve for it? What would the people say?
58Anyone would entertain such a doubt at the very outset. Bowing to Sai’s feet I shall attempt to clear it.
59The Avatar of the Saints is only for the upliftment of this world and the salvation of the poor and the sinful. They have no other mission or goal.
60They laugh, cry, play like ordinary people but it is a drama. This is the secret of behaviour of the great ones in the world. Akin is the behaviour of the people.
61Though the Saints are fully enlightened, desireless and without ambition, for the salvation of the people of the world they become ready for action.
62Be it so. Thirty-two years before he actually left the body, the samadhi would have taken place if it was not for the wisdom of Mhalsapati which certainly and definitely prevented this inauspicious event. This is the truth.
63If this said event had not been prevented, how would everyone have had Sai’s companionship?! Forty-three years before writing about this event, it would have happened.
64On Margashirsh Purnima day (thirty-two years before the Samadhi) Baba had an attack of asthma and he became very uneasy. In order to bear this bodily pain, Baba raised his ‘prana’ high up and went into samadhi.
65“For three days from now I will raise my ‘prana’ high up and go into samadhi. Do not waken me up”. Baba told them.
66“See that corner of the courtyard,” Baba said pointing his finger. “Dig there for my samadhi and place me there”.
67Then looking at Mhalsapati, he point blank said to him: "Do not neglect me for three days.
68Place two flags at that site as an indication". Saying this, he raised his ‘prana’ high up.
69Suddenly he whirled around and became unconscious. Mhalsapati placed him on his lap. Others lost hope.
70It was about 10 o’clock at night when this happened. Oh, everyone became still, thinking about the sudden turn of events.
71There was neither breath nor pulse. It seemed as if there was no life in the body. The people were in a state of deep fright. But Sai was absolutely at peace.
72Then Mhalsapati remained alert day and night and took care of Sai. He sat wide awake near him.
73Though Sai himself had ordered that the samadhi be dug yet no one had the courage to do that.
74Seeing Baba in a state of samadhi, the whole village assembled there. The people watched with awe and were subdued. Bhagat Mhalsapati did not remove the body from the lap.
75The people would get a shock if they realised that the body was lifeless. Sai, therefore, seemed to have deceived the people by saying that the body should be kept for three days.
76The breath had stopped. All the sense organs were at a stand still. There was no trace of movement. The lustre of his face had dimmed.
77He had lost consciousness of the surroundings. He was totally silent. How could he come back to consciousness? This was the great worry for all.
78Two days had passed but he did not gain consciousness. Moulvis, maulanas and fakirs came and gave their opinion for future action.
79Appa Kulkarni and Kashiram also came. They took a firm decision that Baba had achieved his abode of peace and the body should be given eternal rest.
80Some said: “Wait a little longer. Such haste is not good. Baba was not like ordinary people. Baba’s words come true”.
81Others promptly replied : "How will the life spirit return to a body which is ice cold? How foolish all these are!
82Dig a grave at the place shown (by him). Call all the people. Perform the last rites on time. Make all the preparations. "
83Thus, while the discussions to do or nor to do went on, the time period of three days was over. Then, early in the morning, at 3 o’clock, the life spirit was observed as returning.
84Very slowly his eyes opened, the body stirred and the limbs stretched, the breath re-commenced and the abdomen was seen to move.
85His face showed a cheerful expression, the eyes began to blink, the unconsciousness went and a state of awakening arose.
86It seemed as if he had been reminded of a body he had forgotten. The lost treasure had been found again and was freely available.
87Seeing Sai fully conscious everyone rejoiced. By the Grace of God a great calamity had been averted. The devotees were wonder-struck.
88Bhagat (Mhalsapati) looked at Sai’s face, marvelling, as he gently moved his neck. The moulvis and fakirs lost face. In this manner, a terrible event passed.
89If the Bhagat had not obeyed Baba’s instructions, considering the ill advice he got from the moulvis, and had lost his determination even slightly, what a terrible situation it would have been!
90The tomb would have been built (forty-three years before writing this) then, who would have had the pleasing darshan of Sai, which brought such happiness?
91Sai arose again, leaving aside the samadhi state only to oblige the people and to grant satisfaction to the devotees.
92He who toiled and moiled for the purpose of the devotees and then got immersed himself in the highest bliss, how could he have been awakened earlier? Inconceivable is his sport.
93All the devotees were happy on seeing that Baba had regained consciousness. Everyone ran to take his darshan. His coming to life was a pleasure for all.
94Be it so. To continue the earlier story of the final Mahasamadhi, complete details of which have been narrated earlier, it all happened as I remember.
95Therefore, all you listeners ask your ownselves for a moment why should one be happy (that Baba had regained consciousness years back) or sad (that Baba had taken Mahasamadhi). Both emotions are caused by lack of discrimination.
96Are you confident that our Sai is this gross skeletal body of three and a half arms length and the senses? Remove this doubt forever.
97If one is to call that body Sai, then there is no name for the one who is free from all bodily and earthly enjoyments and pursuits. There is no form for it. Sree Sai is beyond a form.
98The body is perishable. Brahman on its own is indestructible. The body is included in the five elements but Brahman is without beginning or end.
99Observe the Pure, Excellent Self, the Supreme Being, the Life Spirit, which animates the gross senses. Sai is the name for that.
100He transcends the senses. The senses are gross and do not know That. It is That which animates the senses and activates them with ‘prana’.
101The name of that power is Sai. There is no place without it. All the ten directions are desolate without it. It fills the movable and the immovable.
102It is this that has taken Avatar. Earlier it was unmanifest. Taking a name and form and becoming an individuality, it became manifest. After accomplishing its mission, it merged into the unmanifest.
103After achieving the work of the Avatar, the body taken for the Avatar is abandoned and enters the abode of the Knower and the Known. Sai acted in this manner.
104When he felt like going beyond the veil, like the Swami of Gangapur, Sree Narasimhasaraswati, who said “I am going to the mountains”, he left suddenly.
105When the devotees prevented him, he pacified them by saying: "My departure is in accordance with popular practice. I am not leaving Ganga Bhuvan.
106After bathing in the Krishna early morning and doing puja at Bindu Kshetra, worship the ‘padukas’ in the Math. I dwell there always".
107Similar is the story of Sai Baba. The leaving of the body was an outward act. Sree Sai is pervading the whole creation and the hearts of all.
108Sree Sai transcends death. Never doubt it. One can experience[1] it according to one’s devotion.
109Sai fills the movable and the immovable. Sai is within us and outside us too. Sai is in your and my heart. He stays there permanently.
110Sai Samartha is compassionate to the humble. He is the protector of the innocent devotees. He is hungry for true love and most loving towards all.
111Though we cannot see him with our naked eye he is everywhere. Though he is hiding in a subtle form, he keeps us engrossed in him.
112His leaving the body is a sham. It is a trick to deceive us. He is an actor par excellence, who seems to be non-existent but is eternal.
113With the love and affection that we have for him, let us follow him and find him in the end. Let us fulfil our mission.
114Worshipping him with heart and soul, remembering him with love and devotion, all the devotees will experience his all-pervasiveness.
115The Eternal Ones are not afraid of birth, existence and death. They are Eternal and Enlightened. Emotions have no place there.
116Gold is gold before it is shaped into ornaments and remains gold even when it is made into various kinds of ornaments.
117The variety of ornaments can all be changed, subjected to modifications and destruction. When melted, there remains formless gold and only the shapes and the names disappear.
118Therefore, this Hemadpant wishes to merge in this Gold, which is Sai, and stay thus till the end of time, at the feet of Sai, who is the embodiment of all the qualities of this Gold.
119Then, the thirteenth day rites were performed by Balasaheb[2], the gem amongst the devotees, with the help of the Brahmins from the village.
120After bathing, with the clothes on, and doing puja in the wet clothes, Balasaheb himself offered a palmful of sesame seeds, did other rituals with the sesame seeds, and also offered the ball of rice etc.
121The offering of the ball of rice and other funeral rites were performed according to the scriptures at the specified times, including the monthly rituals for a whole year, as per the code of Hindu Law.
122Upasani, a great devotee along with Jog went to the holy banks of the Bhagirathi and performed rituals with fire etc. (Homa – Havan).
123They returned after feeding the Brahmins and the poor, giving dakshina as prescribed, and performing all the rites as per the scriptures.
124Now it is different because of the absence of Baba and the discussions; still, when one sees the Masjid one remembers the good old days.
125An extremely beautiful painting of Baba in his usual sitting posture was placed in the Masjid, with great love, so that one could have the same pleasing experience of how Baba used to sit.
126Though Sai is no longer in the body, by having the darshan of the painting, it seems as if he is alive to his loving devotees.
127Shamrao Jaykar had painted this beautiful portrait, which was very pleasing and constantly reminds one of Baba.
128Jaykar was as great a devotee as he was an artist. He acted according to Baba’s instructions, with due thought to his behaviour.
129He was commissioned to make beautiful paintings of Baba, to put up in the homes of the devotees, in order to meditate on them.
130Earlier, it has been explained several times, and you will recall it, that Saints do not ever die. It is not necessary to explain this again.
131Baba is not in body now. Yet, one who remembers him is helped by him even now, as in the past, when Baba was in the body.
132If one does not experience something according to what Baba may have said, it should not be believed that this has happened because Baba is no more.
133Baba’s words are destined. One should have faith and experience this. If they do not come true immediately, they will do so in time to come.
134Be it so. As I have mentioned Jog, it reminds me of a story which is a digression. Hear this unparalleled story and you will know of Sai’s loving nature.
135Though the conversation between the two is concise, it is illuminating for the devotees of a Guru. Fortunate is one who learns about ‘vairagya’ (detachment); unfortunate is the one who is tied to the mundane existence.
136Once, Jog asked Baba: - "Why am I in such a state even now? How strange is my fate! When will I achieve stability?
137Lord, I have been able to serve you single-mindedly for many years. Yet, this fickle mind has not found peace. Why is it so?
138Why am I so unfortunate? Is this what I have gained in the company of a Saint? When will I enjoy the benefits of the company of the Saints?"
139Sai Samartha, hearing this entreaty of a devotee, with great love replied to Jog. Hear what he said, with a calm mind.
140"Your bad actions will be destroyed. Your merits and demerits will be reduced to ashes. I will consider you fortunate when I see the bag for alms under your arm.
141When you overcome all your impediments, and immerse yourself in meditation upon God, when you break all attachments, hopes and desires completely, I will consider you fortunate.
142When you abandon all worldly pleasures, consider duality as improper, control your palate and lust, then I will consider you fortunate".
143Be it so. After some considerable time Baba’s words came true. With the grace of the Sadguru, Jog attained detachment which Baba had predicted.
144Since he had no children, there was no question of attachment to them. His wife passed away. Before passing away himself, he took sanyas and easily became detached.
145So be it. This Jog was also fortunate that Sai’s words came true. At the end, endowed with sanyas he merged with Brahman.
146All that Sai had said happened in the end and the result was that he reached the exact state. Sai’s words were substantiated. Truly, Jog was fortunate!
147In short, Baba was compassionate to the afflicted and the poor and concerned about the welfare of his devotees. He offered them the nectar of wisdom in plenty, in Shirdi, all the time. Listen to it.
148"Those who love me most, they see me always before them. Without me their universe is desolate. They have only my stories on their lips.
149They meditate on me ceaselessly; they have my name on their tongue and chant it repeatedly; and they sing of my deeds wherever they come or go.
150When they are so merged in me and forget all about their actions and omissions, and where there is reverence for service to be rendered to me, I dwell there always.
151He, who constantly remembers me after completely surrendering to me, I owe him a debt which I will repay by uplifting him.
152I am in bondage to him who does not eat or drink anything without offering it to me first and who constantly meditates upon me. I act according to his wishes.
153I constantly care for him who only longs for me and for him no one is equal to me. I act according to his wishes.
154He who has turned away from mother, father, kinsmen, friends and relatives, wife and son alone is attached to my feet.
155During the rainy season, many rivers in flood meet the sea and forget that they are rivers. They become one with the ocean.
156The form, as well as the name, has disappeared. The water has mixed with the sea. The river and the sea are enjoined. Duality is lost in unity.
157On achieving such oneness, the mind forgets the name and the form. It will begin to see me with its natural disposition, because there is no other place for it but with me.
158To expose to the people that I am not ‘parees’[3] but just a stone, the pedagogues with their empty sayings have brought pieces of iron.
159When the iron came into conflict with me and turned into gold, it was proved that my being just a stone was a lie. It was a novel experience.
160Discarding all pride, surrender to me who dwells in the heart. Ignorance will be destroyed immediately and there will be no need to listen to any instructions about knowledge.
161Due to ignorance, body consciousness is born, which leads to sickness and sorrow. It is this which leads to the disregard of the code of conduct. That becomes the obstacle for self-realisation.
162You may ask where I am now and how I can meet you now. But I am within your heart and we can meet without any effort.
163You may ask who is in the heart and how? What are his attributes? And what is his identity by which he can be recognised?
164Then, be completely attentive. Listen to the clear description to whom one should surrender, and who is the dweller in the heart.
165The creation is filled in plenty with objects of different names and forms, which no one has been able to count. They are all the forms of Maya.
166In the same way, indeed, that throbbing of reality which goes beyond the three aspects viz. satva, rajas, and tamas, is really the form of the One embedded in the heart.
167That state of being without names and forms which remains as the essence of your own is really the indication of that One, embedded in the heart. Knowing this seek refuge in Him.
168One has to appreciate that I alone am ‘He and Thou’. On extending this very idea of identity in the world of beings, there appears the weighty essence of one’s own Self. There is no room for anything or anyone besides Myself.
169With continuous practice, you will experience my all-pervasiveness. Then you will become one with me and experience that there is nothing beyond me.
170You will be one with the Supreme Spirit and your heart will be pure. Without even having the waters of the Ganges, you will have had a Ganga bath (that is, you will be purified).
171The wise are ever wary of the bondage of the pride of the worldly achievements and do not let if affect them.
172One who meditates upon his Real Self, unwaveringly and does not break his concentration for him, there is no necessity of both – getting into samadhi or coming out of it".
173Therefore, laying my head at the feet of the listeners, I earnestly request them very lovingly to have love for all Deities, Saints, Devotees and others.
174Baba has repeatedly said: "If any one speaks insultingly to another, then he has hurt me only and pierced my heart.
175He hurts me immediately who speaks a volley of hard words to another; while I am immensely pleased for a long time if one bears an insult patiently".
176Sai is immanent in the whole creation and he likes nothing else than love.
177This supreme nectar of teaching, which was most auspicious, flowed from Sai’s mouth always. This was because of his great love for the devotees. And which fortunate ones are not aware of it?
178What must they be experiencing, after the sorrow had stung them, who had the privilege of eating, laughing and enjoying with him?
179I had only the remains of this nectar from the wise one. But I gathered every drop and distribute it happily.
180Can all the stories narrated so far be attributed to Hemadpant? Samartha Sai is their narrator, the writer and gets them written.
181I am not satisfied with narrating this story of Sai Samartha. I am only engrossed in it and the listeners too are happy listening to it.
182Besides, those who sing of Sai’s glory or listen to it with true faith, both become one with Sai. Know this certainly.
183Now, Hemad concludes this chapter and offers it to Sai, holding Sai’s feet with love. The next narration will be later.