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EXPERIENCE OF KERAVAR
RAMACHANDRA PHADATALE
Sri Keravar Ramachandra
Phadatale visited Shirdi first in the year 1896 at the age of 10.The experience
narrated below occurred after 54 years ie., 1950 as narrated in Sai
Sudha,June'1951.
"He had Rs 9 and odd in
this pocket. That was clean scissored of by someone in the crowd. This he
noticed after
Dear Readers, Baba has
special way of solving devotees' problems. In the above case the devotee took a
firm decision of not leaving Shirdi till he got money. This decision must have
moved Omniscient Sai to arrange money. By adding 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi' to
nine types of devotion, Baba gave eleven assurances (He lost Rs 9 and got Rs
11).
SAI BABA AND ASTROLOGY
"You have studied very
hard, but this year the planetary position is not favourable". This was
what an astrologer told the son of Mrs Tendulkar reg his examination. " Tell your son to believe in Me, to throw aside
horoscopes and predictions of Astrologer's 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" (Baba's advice to Mrs Tendulkar).
'Astrology' is the art of
understanding the supposed influence on events, character and fate of the
groups and positions of the sun, moon, stars and planets and of telling the
future from them. The famous phrase "other things being equal" applies
here also. Other things are date, time and place of birth. Now a days the observations of any two astrologers do not tally.
Baba used to say in a philosophical way 'What you sow, you reap'.
Let us see some cases where
Baba proved what astrologers said was not correct:
One devotee Mr Scindha of
Harda was reminded of his vow in the year 1903 to Datta. Baba questioned in the
year 1911, " Where was there any male progeny in your destiny,I tore this body and gave you one"
Nana Saheb Dengle, a famous
astrologer told Sriman Bhutti "Today is an inauspiciuos day for you. There
is a danger to your life" , "Let us see how
death kills" was Baba's reply.
Damu Anna who had no issues
astrologically was blessed by Baba to have 8 children (Amra lila,Chap 25 of SSS).
Once an
astrologer gave a book to Baba perhaps for consecration. Baba instead of returning to him gave it
to Bhutti. Some devotees feel that this incident proves Baba's approval for
astrology. It is left to the discretion of learned devotees as the purpose of
this article is to create confidence in the minds of devotees whether Baba
approved or not. Are we not worshipping Baba as "KARMADHVANSINE NAMAHA" . Let us remember His assurance "If one ever
meditates on Me, repeates My Name, sings My Deeds and
is thus is transformed into Me once karma is destroyed". Then Why fear? Baba is there.
ART OF SPEAKING
To speak means express
thoughts aloud or to say things. In the following lines an attempt has been
made as to how we should speak. It is very important for all spiritual Sadhaks.
Sai mummy declared " He who carps and cavils at others pierces Me in the
heart and injures Me, but he who suffers pleases me most" (Chap 44 of
SSSC).If we analyse the above we will be convinced that Saima is correct. The
sixth nama in the 108 Glorious names of Sainath is
"
Baba cautioned reg our
behaviour and how to talk in Chap 2,19,21,33 and 44.He says we should not hurt
others by our speech, not to indulge in scandal mongering, always to speak
truth etc., Now the topic for discussion is 'How to
speak'
Let us see the invaluable
advice given to King Janaka by Sulabha, a sanyasin. She observed the King was
restless when she wanted to argue with him. The essence of her advice is as
follows 'when we want to convey any message through argument or speech, both
the speaker and the listener should have a calm and composed mind with a sense
of equality, devoid of anger ,ahankara selfishness etc., Man has two qualities
latent in him, he can attract or repel another by his talk. There are three
categories of men :
Dear readers, the best course
will be to think that the other person is as nearer to Baba as we are. Our ego
should not play any role so that the real purpose for which we talk to others
is defeated. If we think superior to the other man the language will be
different and will not enter into is ears. The golden rule is 'You treat others
as you wish to be treated by others' This is possible if we adopt the rule of
Three C's ---- Never Complain, Never Comment and Never Criticize.
SRI SAI BABA'S GRACE
Dear Readers, We are all
aware that Pujya Narasimha Swamiji brought Sai to the door steps of devotees
who do not know Marathi through His books in English, articles in newspapers
and meetings. May we have always His blessings. Sri
Nagesh V Gunaji, author of Sri Sai Satcharitra in english
really did yeoman service to english knowing people through that book.
Otherwise we would not have known about Sai Baba. Let Us offer our Pranams to
him. He himself had written his own experience of Sai Baba to the editor of Sai
Sudha(July 1951) as narrated below:
"Some of my friends
after reading Sri Sai Satcharitra (english) ask me
what are my experiences of Sai Baba. I reply them that they are many, but what
is the use of recounting them all? Take only one instance --- This Sai
Satcharitra (english). I'm not a scholar of the english language and I never intended to write this book,
but inspite of this, Sai Baba got it done by me--- how I have related in my
prefix to that book. I do not want to repeat the same here.
Coming to a recent experience
on Thursday,
It was Sai Baba's grace that
saved me from this accident and kept me hearty and hale with no injury of any
sort.
Bow to Sri Sai
Peace be
to all!!!
N.V.Gunaji"
Dear Readers, Baba always say
if we serve Him, He will serve us. He further declared He always thinks of His
devotees wherever they may be and run to their rescue in times of need.
IS SAIBABA LIVING AND HELPING
NOW?
(Baba attends Puja on
28-2-1944)
Sai Baba declared that those
who think that HE was at Shirdi did not understand Him. He further declared He
did not require any conveyance to go anywhere. It is stated that in Chap 40 of
SSC, when the devotees surrender themselves completely to Sadguru, He sees that
the religious function in their houses are duly executed and comply with all
the necessary formalities. Let us know from the narration given by Mrs.GS.Devi
in Sai Sudha of May 1944 that the above statements are true to the word and
letter:
HH BV Narasimha Swamiji,
Founder President AISS visited Konakandla village in Ananthapur district of AP
on 28-2-1944.He was taken in a procession, ofcourse with Sainath's photo with
full honours to the residence of the Host, Sri Venkoba Rao.The person
resembling a fakir with a dirty and torn cloth, bundle of rags on his head and
old papers bundle in his hands accompanied them in the procession. He even took
Arathi with Pujya Narasimha Swamiji,three persons
observed him but thinking he is a mad man they ignored.Pujya Swamiji
distributed thirtha, prasad to the devotees present. This fakir went to some
other house and had his food. He came to Swamiji again and remarked "Are
you meeting me tomorrow at Vajrakarur Mister?" This he asked in english (We know that Baba used to speak all languages
including english from the statement of Shama to
That night Mrs GS Devi had a
dream in which she saw a 6 yr old known boy addressing her "Aunty, Aunty What is this sleep? Food without Ghee was served, I was
driven out thinking I was a mad man by your brother, Did
you notice?"
She was initially confused on
hearing this but later caught hold of boy's feet and repented for what had
happened. Sri Venkoba Rao was informed of this dream at the time of Thursday
Puja. On hearing this he and his wife took a vow not to touch food till the
fakir comes in the same fashion. On the second day evening at
Dear readers, What a fine message Baba has conveyed through the above
incidence. Let us call Him from the bottom of our heart and enjoy His bliss. He
declared "I rest where there is full devotion".
HEALING PRAYERS
Prayer may be defined as the
solemn request made to God or Gods or to someone in a position of power. It can
also be said that Prayer is a process of communion with the invisible God who
is a source of all powers. If done in group it is a congregational or common
prayer. It may be for common good or specific good.
We are concerned with Prayer
for Healing. This type of Prayer done for others ie.,
intercession is effective. God will certainly be pleased with such service ie.,
selfless. It would be better if the person for whom we all pray join it. Though
this Healing Prayer is common among Christians, now a days
Sai Children all over the globe are doing. I’m sure Baba Sainath will Bless Us all.
We know Charaka,
a leading authority on medicine has stated the treatments he mentioned in his
book are all intended only for those whose Faith in God was not sufficiently
powerful to effect a cure. If there was such a Faith that alone would cure all
ailments. He has further declared "all diseases vanish by the use of this
remedy namely the utterance of names of Achyutha, Anantha and Govind".
Sri Sai Satcharitra gives
several examples to show how Baba cured through Udhi and Prayer." Allah
Achcha Karega" itself is a Prayer or appeal to God. I wish our Doctor's
Doctor Sainath Maharaj would respond to our Healing Prayers.
JAMNER MIRACLE REPEATED
Mr SB Deo, a staunch devotee
of Baba met with an accident and sustained multiple injuries and fractures at
Bhiwandi near
It appears that Shankar Rao
had gone to Ahmednagar for his work and returned via Shirdi. While at Shirdi
Sri Vittal Rao Marathe, a Samsthan singer enquired whether he knew Deo and was
aware of the accident. Sri Rao replied in the affirmative. Then the Samsthan
singer gave Udhi, Prasad after ascertaining it would be delivered to Mr Deo.
Like this Baba had repeated
what He did at the time of Minathai's delivery. We all
know Ram Ghir Bhua was given Udhi, Harathi song at Shirdi and Baba in the form
of a cartman received Ramghir and took him to Nana Saheb Chandorkar's house in
the cart. What is not possible for an Omni Potent Sai?
IS SHIRDI SAI BABA A MORTAL??
In the 108 Glorious Names of
Sri Sainath Prabhu, we come across
"AMARTHYAYA NAMAHA"
---- immortal ,
"KALATEETAYA
NAMAHA" ----beyond limitations of time,
"KALAYA
NAMAHA"-----Himself Time,
"KALAKAALAYA
NAMAHA" -----Lord of Eternity.
When we worship Sai attributing
the above qualities, there should not be any doubt about His continued Presence
or Existence. Baba declared "I'm not the body or the senses. I’m Sakshi(witness)." In His words "I'm not confined
within this body of three and a half cubits heights, I’m everywhere."
Sainath though left His mortal coils on 15th,October,1918,He
continues to remain in His subtle form (Sukshma sarira) with the option of
taking stable or visible form at will ie ., Aparantaratma. Baba assured prior
to His MahaSamadhi "My bones in My tomb will give
you hope and confidence. Not only Myself but My tomb will be speaking,moving and communicating with those who would surrender
whole heartedly to Me. You will hear My bones speaking
and discussing your welfare." (SSS Chap 25).Let us realise why Sainath
Prabhu declared "I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving
this earthly body." "Who is this me?" in His words "Barring
your name and form, their exists in you as well as in
all beings a sense of Being or consciousness of Existence. That is Myself." In the same chapters Sai is defined "This
pure being, Consciuosness or Brahma,the ruler and
controller of the senses and mind is the thing Sai...He pervades all animate
and inanimate things and their Inner controller and ruler."
Immediately after giving up
this body, Baba appeared in the dream of Lakshman Mama Joshi and said "Get
up soon, Babusaheb thinks I'm dead and so he won't come, you do the worship and
Kakada Aarathi." IN this way Baba got maintained the continuity of daily pujjas
and arathis as usual. He appeared in the dream of DasGanu Maharaj on
Please repeat "Victory
to thee,O Immortal Saint of Shirdi"
Origin of Rama Mantra
Samarth Ramdas of Sajjanghad
had propagated the above Nama for Rama Sakshatkar. He did 13 crore times and
had Rama Darshan.Sri RamDas who is dearly called 'Beloved Papa' of
Khananghad,Anandashram by prefixing "OM" assured that one would have
Rama Darshan if he repeats 9 crores of times. This Ashram has a target of
15,500 crores for world Peace and Prosperity. They have been doing for over
seven decades. The Shirdi Sai Sharan group of
Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj
narrated in 1944 October issue of Sai Sudha as follows:
Once upon a time, Sri Rama
after His return from Lanka was sitting in His Darbar with Sage Narada,
Viswamitra, Vasishta and host of other people. Suddenly Sage Narada posed a
question " Whether Naam (LOrd's name) or Nami
(Lord HImself) is superior?" As they could not arrive at a conclusion,
Sage Narada Himself gave the verdict "Certainly Naam is superior to
Nami." He wanted to prove his verdict and played a small drama. He told
Hanumanji not to salute Viswamitra, a Rajarshi. Sri Hanuman obeyed this and
incurred Viswamitraa's displeasure. Narada approached Viswamitraa " O Great Rishi!!! Hanuman didnot respect you. Please
punish him." Enraged Viswaamitra went to Rama and explained how he was
insulted by Hanuman and also suggested to award death sentence.
Hanuman was very much
agitated and told Narada he did as per the latter's suggestion only. Sage
Narada assured nothing would happen "Repeat Maha Mantra 'SRI RAM JAYA RAM
JAYA JAYA RAM', it would protect you." Next day Hanumanji had a bath in
Sarayu river, with folded hands repeated the Mantra.
Though Lord Rama rained the arrows on Hanuman, even Brahmastra would not touch
Hanuman. On seeing Rama's helpless condition Narada approached Viswamitra and
told Rama should be given rest as He was tired. He further added " You have understood the Glory of Sri Rama's
Name." Then Hanumanji prostrated to Rama and also Viswamitra.
Sri Ram ----- 'Sambhodhana'
or the locative addressing Rama
Jay Ram ----- Is His praise
Jay Jay Ram ---- Total
Surrender to Him
While repeating this Mantra,have this in mind "O Rama!! I Salute Thee, I Surrender
to Thee"
We know Baba Sai got several
Temples repaired at Shirdi from out of Dakshina amount, sometimes through
destined devotees.Ofcourse His abode was a dilapitated Masjid which He named
Dwarakamai, also got repaired in 1911.
The experience narrated by
Doma Venkata Swamy Gupta's father in law in Sai Sudha of March'1945 issue is
given below.
"When Baba was in the
flesh, this gentleman accompanied his master the Late Gummadalli Lakshmi
Narayana of Secunderabad to Shirdi and both took Darshan of Baba many times. GL
was an ordinary merchant not very rich at that time. On one occasion Baba told
him "You have to build a
SAINTS WORK IN UNISION
Though it is confirmed that
Baba is neither a Muslim nor a Hindu, devotees of yester years and today doubt
Baba belongs to Islam by His external appearance. We have read in Sai
Satcharitra He lived in a dilapitated Masjid christened 'Dwarakamai', He
allowed Akhanda Dhuni, Akhanda Deep, Bell, Tulsi Brindavan there. At the
sametime He did not discourage mohamedans also to pray as per their custom.
Before His Maha Samadhi, he removed His langoti and asked devotees present to
judge whether He was a muslim or hindu. Even in
We know He gave darshan in
the form of 'Ishta Devatha' or Guru to some devotees who were reluctant to seek
His blessings. In the incident narrated below another saint asked his devotee
to do Sai puja (Sai Sudha,March'1944) :
" Sri V Swaminadha Iyer of Mayavaram arranged
Sai puja on
Dear readers, it is said that
we are not supposed to know 'Nadi mulam' and 'Rishi Mulam' (origin of a river
and a rishi) and try to keep ourselves away from the controversy of religion.
NAASTHIKA NAHI TU LAVISHI NIJABHAJANI
Sri K J Bhisma in the
and transform them into theists.."(Naasthika
nahi .....nijabhajani).We can understand from the
following narration that his statement is cent percent correct. We know that
Keshav Rao Pradhan of Bhivapuri (near Mumbai) a declared atheist was made to
build Sai Mandir in the year 1916 itself i.e., during Baba's presence. Infact
Baba did not allow Pradhan to visit Shirdi after 1916 as He was always present
at Bhivapuri Sai Mandir.
We have read in Chap 9 of Sri Sai Satcharitra that Rama Chandra Atmaram Tarkhad alias Baba Saheb Tarkhad was a prardhana samajist. Let us see how Baba pulled him towards Him. The miraculous cure of Mrs Tarkhad's chronic headache by mere touch of Healing Hand of Sainath was the main reason for remarkable change in the hearts of Tarkhad family and also in their firm faith in Baba's spiritual powers. Baba Saheb consulted his close friends Kaka Mahajani, Jaykar and Purandhare who were Sai devotees before giving consent to his wife who insisted on his visit to Shirdi with them. Atlast father, mother and son travelled to Shirdi by train. On the way gents were playing cards to kill the time. A fakir approached Baba Saheb for alms, he gave him a silver coin with the stamp of George V embossed on it. After they reached Shirdi Baba asked Mr Tarkhad whether he could recognise Him. He showed the same silver coin given last night and asked "Do you atleast recognise this which you had given me last night?". Tarkhad was trying to recollect but Baba told him" Hay, That fakir and myself were the same ".Then he bowed to Baba as this incident transformed him to a good devotee. He visited Shirdi several times and supplied petromax lights to Dwarakamai and rolls of cloth for Baba's kufni. He had lot of experiences and was the first treasurer of Sai Samsthan.
SAI ---- SAAKSHAT ISHWAR
Sri Jyotindra, Son of
Ramachandra Tarkhad( Chap 9 of SSS) defined the word
SAI as follows -- SA means Saakshat (real), I means Ishwar (God),after
experiencing the Divine powers of Sainath Prabhu in his very first meeting at
Shirdi itself. Baba Himself gave darshan to Jyotindra in Mumbai in the guise of
a 'Fakir'. We are aware that Baba has declared "I require no conveyance,
carriage,
One day while Jyotindra was
crossing the road to go to school (St Xaviers,
How Tarkhad family was pulled
to Shirdi? Mrs Atmaram Tarkhad ie., Jyotindra's mother had a chronic headache,
which could not be cured by doctors. The family of Tarkhads was full of
doctors. One of them was personal doctor to the then Viceroy. Somebody
suggested her to approach Pir Moulana Baba residing near Bandra Masjid for
suitable medicines. On seeing her, Moulana Baba advised to go to his brother at
Shirdi for treatment. After getting details of location of Shirdi including
route particulars both mother and son left for Shirdi.
The moment Baba saw them at
Dwarakamai, He Himself told they were guided by His brother from Bandra to
Shirdi. He blessed her with a 'Abhaya Hastha' with
Udhi and said "Oh, Mother! from now onwards you
will never get headache in your life", she got instant relief and was
surprised to know that Baba Himself did what was required without their telling
Him. Ofcourse this incident laid firm foundation of Sai devotion in her and
son's heart.
Jyotindra who was observing
Baba's peculiar treatment for his mother's headache was astonished and fell on
Baba's feet as a mark of gratitude. Then Baba asked whether he could recognise
Him. As he could not Baba narrated how He collected one paisa copper coin of
1894 while he was crossing the road on his way to the school. Now Jyotindra
could recollect and caught hold of Baba's legs with tears of joy in his eyes.
Then Baba confirmed it was He who received the coin and the Fakir and Himself were one and the same. To confirm this He showed the
same coin and returned it to Jyotindra for preservation and worship.
We know from the above that
Baba in His own mysterious ways pulled the sparrows(devotees)
to Shirdi.
NAMA JAPA OF DATTATREYA
Lord
Sainath ordered Sri S Subba Rao pleader, Gooty, Andhra Pradesh through a dream
vision to do Dattatreya Nama Japa. Sri Rao narrated this in Sai Sudha of April' 1944 issue
as follows :
"On or about the end of
the 1st week of Feb'1944, I heard a voice in my sleeping moments saying
"Make incessant nama japam of Dattatreya."I got up from the bed and
thought that Baba has armed me with a weapon to ward off the calamity that is
about to befall. I seriously resolved to make namajapam of Dattatreya as
directed by Baba, but owing to my preoccupation with other wordly matters I
could not do Namajapam. Next day Baba appeared as a judge in my dream and was
very angry with me for my act of omission to do Namajapam. I got up and could
not then understand because of Baba's indignation. I again slept and dreamt
having seen gingelly seeds and having eaten them in large quantities. This is
really a very bad dream and indicates death according to the Science of dreams.
I got up in the morning and was sorry for the bad dream. I got a letter from my
son at an
Dear readers, The above narration reveals Baba's motherly care of His
children. Baba's suggested to all to do Namajapa for warding off evils. Why
Baba did not suggest Sai Nama instead of Datta Nama? Was there any connection
between Datta and devotee? Did Baba feel the antidote for the problem which the
devotee was facing Datta Nama? To speak frankly, a Sai only can understand Sai's
language. Perhaps Baba wanted devotee world to know that He is Datta and
there's no difference between Datta and Himself. Did not Baba give Darshan to a
devotee in Dwarakamai as a three headed Datta? Did He not redeem devotee's from vows to Datta? Above all.
in the evening aarthi we pray "Na datta guru Sai
mama javari kadhihi ruso" Alla Malik!!
NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAI AND
HIS PHOTO
One day Baba Saheb Tarkhad
and his son Jyotindra had a dream in which they saw a beautiful carved mandir
with Baba seated on it. Accordingly they got a beautiful Sandal wood mandir
carved by special carpenter. They needed Baba's portrait.
Let us see the wonderful way
how Baba arranged His photo. One friday evening, both
the father and son went to chor bazar in
When they asked him to open
the parcel it contained a framed photo of Lord Sainath suitable to be kept in
the sandolwood mandir.
Later Tarkhad family went to
Shirdi and had Baba's darshan in Dwarakamai. At the sametime Baba told a
devotee who was trying to take Baba's photo "Please go to my Bhau's place
where you will find me alive in the photograph in the mandir" Tarkdad's
were very happy to hear this news and shed tears of joy.
Dear readers, Let us
recapitulate Baba's declaration that there is no difference between Him and His
photo. Did not Baba attend in the form of His photo Hemandpant's shimaga
dinner? When Shama sought Baba's permission to go to Kaashi and Prayaga did not
Baba say "WE would be ahead of Shama", actually Baba's photo was hung
in Pujari's house in prayag?
BOW TO SAI
!! PEACE BE TO ALL!!
WHO THE OLD MAN WAS ??
Babu Rao Tukaram Kakade of
Satara narrated his experience in June'1951 Sai Sudha as Follows:
In 1946,he
started for Shirdi with his wife and children to attend Guru Purnima. Rains
were pouring in at and near Shirdi.He took the evening train at
Beloved Readers, Baba
confirms from the above incident "If you cast your burden on me, I shall
surely bear it" Did not Baba Sai provide water to Chandorkar on
harischandra hills in the guise of a Bhill? What is impossible for Omnipotent
Sai?
ARE ALL DREAMS CORRECT ?
NO !! A dream may be defined as a group of
thoughts, images or feelings experienced during sleep or semi conscious state
of mind. Let us confine to Sai Baba and His dreams. We know Baba has chosen
dream visions for communicating any instruction to His devotees.
One Mr Muthu Swamier of OOty
had written in October,1944 issue of Sai Sudha that
all dreams and chits drawn are not correct. Let us note his practical
experience in this regard. His son was an intelligent student. He appeared for
SSLC exam. He was devoted to Lord Sai. He had a dream in which HH BVN Swamiji
told he had failed in the exam. After waking he cast chits before Baba's photo.
The chit picked up by him showed negative result. Being disturbed he left the
house with some money. After two or three days the result was announced and the
boy passed. Even though he returned home within 24 hours his faith in Baba and
Swamiji was lost.
Sri Muthu Swamier opined that
all dreams should not be taken as God sent and true visions are Visions of
truth. He also noted that the constant consultation of Sri Sai Baba by anyone
and everyone casting chits in any state of mind was a serious mistake. He felt
a Sai surrendered soul had a right to consult Him. If a devotee was in
immediate need of Baba's direction could draw chits. It should be for guidance
not merely to get a prediction as from an astrologer.
Dear readers, now a days several devotees feel they got Sai's instructions
through dreams, they even go to the extent that Sai Baba spoke to them. We
cannot say NO, we have to believe as that is one way of guiding the devotee.
Sometimes a doubt arises can't Baba appear in the dream of a concerned person
instead of a mediator. Even if some gets a dream, Sai's Grace is a must for
correct interpretation of the dream.
Drawing chits before Baba's
photo is being done by ardent devotees like Narasimha Swamiji, HS Dikshit etc.,
Once Pujya Sivanesan Swamy told "People draw
chits at times when they don't want to do a thing." If we seek Sai's
guidance with full FAITH,He will guide.
SAI PROTECTED A MISSING
CHILD
The incident narrated below
took place sixty years ago. As this throws light on how a fervent prayer results
in an instant reply from Lord Sai, it is reproduced for the benefit of present
day students of Saiism.
SK Viswanathan treated Baba
as a loving mother, a tender father, a spiritual guide and Divinity Himself. He
further declared "Sai lives with His devotees, showers His Grace and
protects them with such love that no mother on earth can do." Such an
ardent devotee had to undergo mental agony on account of His ten and half year
old son's missing from home on 26-1-1944.All human efforts including reporting
to the police were made.
He was assured by Swamy
Kesavaiahji "Baba Helps", even palmists and astrologers assured that
the boy would return safe. As he lost his thirteen year old son one and half
year ago, no assurance gave him peace of mind. At last he cried out in silence
to Him "If it my lot to loose this boy in accordance with my past bad
karma, I will try to bear it, My Lord. But how can I bear the thought of the
frenzy some who would attribute this mishap to me solely for worshipping Thee?
Whether my boy is traced or not, whether you give me more suffering and agony,
whatever worst may befall on me, I sought refuge at Thy Lotus feet and I shall
not budge an inch, let Thy Will be done." This sincere cry gave him great
relief and he slept with a calm mind. in the early
hours he had a vision in which a tall, white robed fakir beating the boy made
him sit by his side and served sweets to both of them to eat. When he got up he
felt he was greatly relieved. As usual he went to the office and received a
telegram, which reads "Umapathi brought home safe." He thought
whether this was a miracle or a test for him.
It appears the boy went to
Dear readers, his prayer was
fervent with tears in his eyes and he was more worried if others attributed
this mishap to Baba's worship. His decision not to leave Baba's feet under any
circumstances is worth emulating by us. Let us try to realise that God is
always impartial and we get nothing by accusing God.
IS SAIBABA LIVING AND HELPING
NOW?
(Baba attends Puja on
28-2-1944)
Sai Baba declared that those
who think that HE was at Shirdi did not understand Him. He further declared He
did not require any conveyance to go anywhere. It is stated that in Chap 40 of
SSC, when the devotees surrender themselves completely to Sadguru, He sees that
the religious function in their houses are duly executed and comply with all
the necessary formalities. Let us know from the narration given by Mrs.GS.Devi
in Sai Sudha of May 1944 that the above statements are true to the word and
letter:
HH BV Narasimha Swamiji,
Founder President AISS visited Konakandla village in Ananthapur district of AP
on 28-2-1944.He was taken in a procession, ofcourse with Sainath's photo with
full honours to the residence of the Host, Sri Venkoba Rao. The person
resembling a fakir with a dirty and torn cloth, bundle of rags on his head and
old papers bundle in his hands accompanied them in the procession. He even took
Arathi with Pujya Narasimha Swamiji, three persons observed him but thinking he
is a mad man they ignored. Pujya Swamiji distributed thirtha, prasad to the
devotees present. This fakir went to some other house and had his food. He came
to Swamiji again and remarked "Are you meeting me tomorrow at Vajrakarur
Mister?" This he asked in english (We know that
Baba used to speak all languages including english from the statement of Shama
to
That night Mrs GS Devi had a
dream in which she saw a 6 yr old known boy addressing her "Aunty What is this sleep? Food without Ghee was served, I was
driven out thinking I was a mad man by your brother, Did
you notice?"
She was initially confused on
hearing this but later caught hold of boy's feet and repented for what had
happened. Sri Venkoba Rao was informed of this dream at the time of Thursday
Puja. On hearing this he and his wife took a vow not to touch food till the
fakir comes in the same fashion. On the second day evening at
Dear readers, What a fine message Baba has conveyed through the above
incidence. Let us call Him from the bottom of our heart and enjoy His bliss. He
declared "I rest where there is full devotion".
SADGATI
TO
A TIGER
Baba told Mrs
Tarkhad who fed the hungry dog " The dog which you saw before meals and to
which you gave a piece of bread is one with Me so also others creatures cats,
pigs, files, cows etc., are one with Me. He who sees Me
in these creatures is My beloved" .Baba further declared that "All
the insects, ants, the visible movable and immovable world is My body or
form".
We can observe
from the tiger's incident that Baba's above words are true in letter and
spirit. Sri.Jyotindra's eye witness account is given below:
One day an ailing Tiger was brought to Dwarakamai seven days
prior to Baba's Maha Samadhi. The Darveshis heard from the villagers that Baba
was powerful and could cure Tiger's ailment. The Tiger duly chained was brought
in a cart to Dwarakamai. Baba permitted them to bring it inside Dwarakamai
close to the steps of platform where Baba would be sitting. The Tiger on seeing
Baba bent down his head and growled in a very loud voice and fell flat
motionless on the ground(dead).The darveshis sought
Baba's guidance reagrding the disposal of the dead body. Baba advised them to
bury outside Siva's Mandir near statue of Nandi. The tiger's funeral ceremony
was attended by all villagers. This is the story.
The purpose of
this article is to know what Baba explained to Jyotindra. On enquiry from
Jyotindra as to what transpired between the tiger and Him, Baba told "Hay
Bhau! the tiger was in deep agony and was requesting
me to relieve him out of miserable condition, Hence I prayed to the Lord to
grant him salvation. The tiger is free forever from the cycle of births and
deaths and rebirth".
Here we have to
understand what is stated in para 1 above is correct. He knows the language of
animals and insects not only human beings. Though He Himself is God, He prayed
to the Lord for the Moksha of the tiger, What a Humility!!
The seventh Nama in the 108
Glorious Names of Sai is 'Om Sri Sai Sarvahrunnilayaya Namaha' which means
salution to Pranava Swarupa Sai who dwells in the hearts of all.The 68th Nama
is 'Om Sri Sai Sarvantaryamine Namaha' which means Salutions to Sri Sai who is
all pervasive. Sri Sai Satcharitra gives a number of incidents to show the
above attribute of Sai. Sai Baba Himself declared "I'm the inner ruler of
all and I am seated in their hearts.All the insects,ants,the
visible,movable and immovable world is my Body and Form( Chap 3). A
Sarvartaryami Sai only could push His arm into the ever burning Dhuni of
Dwarakamai to save a blacksmith's child who slipped into
the furnace at a far off place.
Once Mrs tarkhad,an intimate
devotee of Baba gave a piece of bread to a hungry dog before going to
Dwarakamai for the Noon Harathi.Baba was pleased with this act of the devotee
and said "Mother! You have fed Me sumptously upto my throat,My afflicted Pranas have been satisfied.First give bread to
the hungry and then eat yourself.A dog which you saw before meals and to which
you gave bread is one with me so also other creatures( cats,pigs,flies etc.,)
I'm roaming in their forms.He who sees Me in all creatures is My beloved (Chap
9).On another occasion Baba called Laxmibai Shinde and said "O Lakshmi!
I'm very hungry",she immediately ran to her house,prepared bread and
vegetable and brought it to the Masjid.Baba who was very hungry gave it to a
dog.When Laxmibai was unhappy to see that Baba did not eat her bread,Sai said
to her "The appeasement of the dog's hunger is the same as mine.The dog
has soul as mine.The creatures may be different but the hunger of all is the
same.He who feeds the Hungry,really serves Me with food.Regard this as
axiomatic truth".How wonderfully Baba has taught us,His children to see
Him in all creatures.This great lesson is not to laxmibai alone but to all at
all times.
In Chap 15 of Sai Satcharitra
Omnipresent Sai declares "Though I am here bodily still I know what you do
beyond the seven seas.Worship Me always who is seated in your heart as well as
in the hearts of all beings.Blessed and Fortunate indeed is he who knows Me
thus". Baba says that he who knows that He is seated in all hearts is
blessed and fortunate one.We may add here one can conquer lust,anger,greed,jealously,haterd and egoism(six enemies of
man),If one thinks that every other man's heart is Sai's abode.It is because we
cannot hate Sai,we cannot be jealous of Sai so on and so forth.We have to
respect and love every creature who is a Sai Swarupa.
Let us Pray to all merciful
Sai to give us the eyesight to see Him in all creatures.
Sankaraiah.D
SAI NAMA
EKAHA AT BASAR.
We know there are only two
temples of Goddess Saraswathi in India (kashmir and Basar of Andhra Pradesh)It
is one of the famous temples attracting devotees from all over India.Sadhakas
from Varanasi(Benaras)come for Sadhana living on Bhiksha.A Sai Devotee who
arranged 1008-Ghata Abhishek to the Goddess on 21-3-01 was inspired to have
non-stop Sainaam for 24 hours ie,19-03 to 20-03-01.We feel its a gift of
Samartha Ramdas Swamiji within 24 hours of Sajjanghad programme.It is
understood that this was first time that a public function of SaiBaba was
conducted at this temple town.The Bhajan Mandali of Datta Venkata Sai Samajam
of Kalloor Adilabad Dist participated with more than 70 devotees.
We are greatful to Baba and
Goddess For giving an oppurtunity to sing sweet name
of Sainath on the banks of river Godavari.Devotees who witnessed have great
appreciation for the quality and devotion of the programmes.
D.Sankaraiah.
SAI(SAI NAMA)GOES TO SAJJANGHAD
Lord Sai Nath in His own
mysterious way arranged Sainama Sankeertan from 16th March to 17th March 2001
at Sajjanghad,Satara Dist,Maharashtra,India.We know sacred Maharashtra mothered
immortal saints who are still guiding devotees seeking their guidance even
after leaving their mortal bodies some centuries ago.Saint Ramdas Swamiji is
one such immortal soul.He had popularised divine nama of "Sri Ram Jai Ram
Jai Jai Ram"as he had Rama sakshatkar.He established thousands of ashrams
and installed equal number of Hanumanji's moorthies through out the length and
breadth of India.Sri Chatrapathy Sivaji Maharaj surrendered every thing at
Samatha's feet and ruled the state.His immortal treatise "Das Bodh"
is His gift to the posterity.As per the principle,'A sound mind in a sound
body'He advocated workship of Hanumanji for a sound body.Some
considered Him as an Avatar of Lord Hanuman.
Having gone to His place,we felt
we should do 108 times non-stop Hanuman chalisa of Goswami Tulasi Dasji.keeping
in tune with the tradition we did 3 hours non-stop Rama Naam ie,"SRI Ram
Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram".Ofcourse,we have done 12 hour non-stop "Om Sai
Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai"as the very particulars of our visit was this.As
this place is also considered as Datta Sthan we did for about 2 hours
"Digambara Digambara Sripada vallabha Digambara".Perhaps this was the
first time a big Dwarakamai photo was kept with Akhanda Deep and Sai Nama
Sankeertana was done at this holy place.Greatful to Baba for sending us there
and also to Samartha for inviting.
Sainath assured He will be
active even after leaving the body.So also Samartha Ramdas assured he would be
in touch with devotees through Parayana of 'Dasbodh' and 'Atmaram'.Devotees who
get oppurtunity shall not miss to visit this holy place and enjoy Divine Grace
automatically without any human effort.The spiritual head of this great mutt is
very simple and always be in service of devotees or the institution.Perhaps
many of us including Heads of Ashrams should learn from them 'service to
humanity is service to God'and also no human is greater than God. Jaya Jaya
RaghuVeer Samartha!
D.Sankaraiah.
Akhanda Sainama at Thangal
Ashram
We generally go to holy places
for getting peace of mind. If we get it we say "It is a sacred
place." As we have experienced Divine grace on 8-12-2K(Baba's Maha Samadhi
Day) at Thangal Ashram I wish all devotees to know about the place i.e.,
sacredness and importance. Sainath sent us there for remembering Him, and also
as part of 108 Sainama Japa Yagnas proposed by us for world peace and
prosperity.
This place is enroute to
Thiruthani from Chittor(18 Kms) and 9 Kms from
Vallimalai in Vellore Dt. of Tamil nadu. It is here we find 'Jeeva Samadhi of
Sri Sri Sri Mauna Guru Deva and Mahasamadhi of Sadguru Sundarama Swamiji. Both
Gurus are being
worshipped irrespective of caste, creed, sex and
economic status. Both gurus had Sakshatkar of Lord Venkateshwara. 9 feet high
Panchaloha Murthi of Venkateswara Perumal is presiding over the Ashram.
We found Marble Murthi of Sai
Baba installed by the then Governer of Tamil Nadu, Dr M Channa Reddy garu. We
were further surprised to see idols of Jesus Christ, Lord Buddha, replica of
Macca and Madina. We hear and read about universal religion here. Hats off to the Founders. Mauna Guruji cured diseases
through prayers and medicines. A tiger was his constant companion. He took
Jeeva Samadhi. Sri Sundara Rama Guruji sacrificed health and wealth for the
sake of suffering devotees. He did Kumbhabhishek of more than 5000 temples and
devotees called him "Kumbhabhisheka Chakravarthy". Not only Sundara
Rama Guru visited Shirdi but took number of devotees to Shirdi.
The essence of
their teaching centres round one sentence i.e., "possess but behave
as if you do not possess". Though this is a simple sentence but has deep
meaning if we analyse.
Shri Sundara Rama Guru taught:
1. In all circumstances, we
should try our best and leave the result to the Almighty.
2. In all circumstances of
difficulties try tp be confidant that God's blessing
is there to protect us.
3. All kinds of problems come
across because of imbalance so let us try to be perfect, calm and concentrate
with utmost dedication at all point of time and work.
We are happy one Mr Mohan Raj of
D Sankaraiah.
SAI LIVES (Continued Presence of
Sai)
Thiru V.A.Rampremal is a critic
and a theoretician of Tamil New poetry and a pioneer poet in the same
movement.He had darshan of several living Saints and read biographies of Saints
who had discarded their physical bodies.We met during non-stop Sainama
Sankeerthana in Shenoy nagar Sai Mandir,Chennai.Somehow we became good Sai
friends.I requested him to send me an article on "Continued presence of
Sai".Important points from his article to the extent possible are
reproduced in his own words so that readers can enjoy the mysterious ways of
Sainath.
It was during the year 1963
Mr.Premal visited Sadhu Appadurai's farm house at Trincomalai (
Mr Premal met Sri Jiddu
Krishnamurthy and also Yogi Ramsuratkumar.Once when he was with Sri Ramasuratkumar(now at Tiruvannamalai,encourages SriRam
Jayaram,Jaya Jaya Ram"nama sankeerthana) in the year 1979 a cup of milk
spilled on the cemented floor of Yogi's Asram from Mr.Premal's hand.Yogi asked
premal to drink milk available in the cup.The pet dog"Sai" licked up
the spilled milk.Yogi remarked "Ah, at last SaiBaba has taken it."
Premal felt what he had to do with SaiBaba.Like this he heard Sai's name
through Yogi Rama Surat kumar.He met Saint Bheda in the year 1991.He heard
Bheda singing in urdu with the refrain "Sai Ram
Sai Ram".Thus "Sai" was after premal in some way or other.
Once premal suffered from severe
jaundice.He saw in a dream his dead body.He felt his reading,contact
with Saints had not been of any help.He resolved to wait for death!. Wonder of
wonders!.He started recouping his health from that
movement onwards.One day Mr premal attended a marriage
in a KalyanaMantapam near Mylapore SaiBaba Mandir. "There a jewish gentleman met and remarked."There is no tension
in your streets. What is the secret?".As a reply
Premal wanted to present a book and walked into New century Book house.To his
surprise he found a book "Sai Baba the Master" which he bought and
presented to the jewish man.Premal feels that he found Sai in this book as an
Awakener,Awakener of the heart."It is to reach
the heart,He pierces the intellect the weapon SaiBaba
uses for such piercing of the intellect is His miraculous powers. For an
intellectual miracles are humbugs.In any case,my
intellect reeled as though under a shower of mythical and godly missiles when I
read Sai's love-laden miracles. For His miracles belong not to barren showmanship
but are arrows coated with amruth.They kill self assurances while awakening the
hearts."
On
D.sankaraiah
Who The Foreigner Was?(Tiruvannamalai)
As announced to Sai devotees
throught the world,"Akhanda Sainama Sankeethana (OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA
SAI)was conducted at Saint Seshadri Swamigal Ashram from 10.30 AM of 24.09.2000
to 10.30 AM of 25.09.2000,after duly inagurated by Saint Uma Devi Ammier.About
100 devotees from all over India gathered for the function.Brahma Sri Uma Devi
stressed that Seshadri Swamigal and Shirdi Sai Baba are one and the same.She
even declared that Sai Baba earlier visited in "Sukshma Rupa", now in
"Sthula Rupa"(in the form of Marble Idol). Kali Mata,Seshadri Swami
& Sai Baba blessed the devotees assembled for the non-stop Nama Sankeerthana.While
she was declaring so,two flowers fell from Baba's photo&Seshadri Swami's
photo as a mark of Ashirwad of the Saints.Later ,Sri V.S.Kuber,Managing
trustee,A.S.S.Trust ,Bangalore started the Nama Sankeerthana.The Mandir was
decorated with lights as Baba was fond of lighting the lamps.It appears for the
first time that Sai Nama Sankeerthana with Sai Baba's moorthy was conducted at
Tiruvannamalai.
On 25.09.2000,we
started on "Giri Pradakshina".There was heavy down pour and we were
afraid whether the padayatra(14 Kms)could be conducted or not!.We prayed to
Arunachaleswar, Lord Sainath,Lord Seshadri Swamigal to
give us an opportunity to do Giri Pradakshina. Rain was stopped!About 50 devotees left the Ashram at
Scriptures say
"Arunachala" is famous for Giri Pradakshina.Bhagawan Ramana used to
instruct the devotees to do it.It is also said Siddhas,Saints
prefer to do it. Incurable diseases can be cured,materialistic
desires shall be fullfilled & spiritual upliftment can be guaranteed if
GiriValam is done.Arunagiri is nothing but "Tejolinga". It is proved
by American Geologists that this mountain is older than the
We came across several poisonous
insects,but no harm was done to anybody though all were bare footed.There was
heavy rain but we could protect ourselves under tree shades & pakka
buildings.The street lights which were showing lighting were put off by
invisible hand when we approached the pole,the lights were on.This miracle was
observed by every participant.
Coming to the main point,a six feet tall person(appears to be a foreigner)with only
lungi was sighted by some of us.He was shining in the darkness.He was facing
the mountain and sat doing meditation in his own way.From back side,he appeared
like Baba. One of us tried to follow him,but we could
not accompany him as he disappeared in the darkness,again appeared.This,we narrated
to sri D.sankaraiah when we all gathered for taking prasad.He was sitting on a
bench on the otherside of the road. Suddenly,he saw
the foreigner passing.Mr.sankaraiah persuaded him to share the prasad with the
devotees.He refused,but sankaraiah appealed him to bless the devotees. Then he
told"If You Want My Favour,Leave Me Alone!"
saying so, he went away.
Now beloved readers,can we come
to the conclusion that he is also a devotee doing Giri Pradakshina,as there are
number of foreigners in Tiruvannamalai doing Sadhana?We feel he is none
but"Sri Sai Baba",for the following reasons. Firstly,his physique.He
is more than six feet tall,golden colour,ofcourse without headgear.It is said
that Saints and holy persons do giripradakshina on the right side only.Others
are supposed to walk on the left side of the road only.He was walking only on
the right side of the road.A Sadhak cannot say"If you want my favour,leave
me"!.
Thus Baba again
confirmed"He Rests where there is full devotion". He doesn't require
any conveyance.We feel we are blessed as we could carry Baba's moorthy while
doing Nama Sankeerthana throughout the night.We pray to Lord Sai to give us one
more opportunity to do one more Giri Pradakshina!
Sai Eshwari
IN CREDIBLE BLESSINGS OF NAGADEVATHAS(TIRUVANNAMALAI)
Devotees of Lord Sainath are
aware that Saibaba appeared as cobra at coimbattore and received pujas/milk at
the present site of Saibaba mandir.Hence it is called Naga sai mandir.On
22-08-2000 at 5 pm two large cobras(female and male)
of 10 1/2 ' size appeared in H.H.Seshadri swamigal asram, changan
road,Tiruvannamalai.It appears on 20-08-2k peacocks came to the asram and
danced.The workers of the ashram informed the authorities about the appearence
of cobras. This news spread like wild fire in Tiruvannamalai town.Press and
T.V.cameramen took photos and published in newspapers(
Brahmasri Saint Umadevi ammier
who was in the ashram in deep meditation saw what was happening from 5pm to
7-30pm.She could see the nagas were half in human form and the other half in
snake form.The female wore a yellow saree.whereas the male in devatha dress.she
was told as the place is more sanctified they appeared in that form and danced
for the welfare of humanity.They can appear anywhere and at any time at
will.They will speak to her also in future.After 7-30pm they left the spot.
The secretary further explained
that thousands of years ago there was a five headed cobra and its progeny is
still live there.When special poojas/yogas are performed they appear and go(in
different sizes).H.H.Seshadri swamigal instructed the secretary to install naga
idol for blessing visiting devotees.It was done.It is called KalaNaga(beyond
time).
Devotees visiting Tiruvannamalai
may visit the ashram and enjoy divine vibrations.We are grateful to Shirdi
Sainath for showing such a holy place for conducting non-stop sainama[OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI] on
"Jai Bolo Sadguru Seshadri
Swamigal"
"Jai Bolo Sadguru Naga Sainathaya"
SAI(sainama)GOES TO TIRUVANNAMALAI
It is proposed to do non-stop
Sainama Sankeerthana(OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI)at 108 different places for
the welfare of humanity.The first function was organised at the divine feet of
Varasiddhi vinayaka mandir,kanipakkam,A.P. on 29-05-2000.The second function
was organised on 30th May2000 night at vellore.As Arunachala is 2 hours from
vellore a group of ten persons visited Tiruvannamalai.Somehow we missed prasad
at a particular Ashram as we reported late.While going to Arunachaleswar temple
I saw H.H.Seshadri Swamigal Ashram.
Four of us entered and had
darsan of samadhi.Though I didnot know any thing about Arunachala or
H.H.SeshadriSwamigal.I prayed"Bless us to organise non-stop Sainama
Sankeerthana at Tiruvannamalai".
On my return to
The following narration
convinces any devotee how saints work in unision and no difference among
them.Though Sri Muthukumar swamiji did not hear,read and see Saibaba developed
love and respect for shirdi Sai baba from his childhood.15 years ago he wanted
to develop H.H.Seshadri swamiji advised to collect even half a rupee from
devotees and start the work.After sometime a gentleman came to the secretary
and gave some coins as shirdi Sai baba.Aseervadam/Blessings for the development
of the Ashram.Gradually civil works started.One morning Baba advised to erect a
pillar keeping three stones inside.This was done.
During the year 1999 he went to vilasnagar(Mumbai)on a private visit.There he had a vision
in which he saw a tall sadhu with big belley and kaupeenam.His host told he was
Nityananda Swamiji of Ganeshpuri.They both left for the ashram same night,while
he was praying he could see full body of Nityananda swamiji instead of marble
samadhi.It appears Nityananda baba emitted light from the back side of his hip.
This divine experience and unexpected blessings prompted him to pay unscheduled
visit to shirdi also.He reached shirdi and had darshan in samadhi mandir at
3-05 pm.Wonder of wonders!.He could see Baba's crossed
legs instead of other parts of body or samadhi.He telephoned to his saintly
wife at 3-15 pm and learnt she too had Baba's darshan and also seen in vision
his unscheduled visit to shirdi.It appears that H.H.Seshadri Swamigal confirmed
that Saibaba and himself are not different.On his return his wife who is a
saint clarified that the idea of sharing crossed legs,light from hips and
tightly closed palms of Sri Saibaba,Sri Nityananda Swamy and H.H.Seshadri
swamigal respectively indicate grace showering sources.
Readers may note the invisible
hand of shri Sainath in making me to write a letter to the fittest person for
the present purpose i.e. conducting non-stop recitation of Sainama at an
unknown place(to me) and holiest place.Perhaps 24/9 & 25/9/200 are green
letter days in SaiNama prachar seva.At the conclusion of our conversation Sri
Muthukumar swamigal told it is shirdi Saibaba and Seshadri swamigal who are
conducting the programme and advised me to attend with a calm mind without any
sort of tension.
Jai Bolo Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai
Jai Bolo Mahan Seshadri Swamigal Ki Jai
Has 'KUSABHAVISM'PLACE IN SHIRDI SAISM ?
'Kusabhavism'refers to
production of things like sweets,fruits etc.at will through the help of evil
spirits/mantras.Lord Sainath through the help of kusabhav(krishnaji kasinath
joshi)taught us to distance ourselves from such persons(men of miracles) and
acts.
As true devotees of Sainath we
should condemn tooth and nail such acts.In the wordes
of Baba "The articles produced by him are stolen from other places and he
should throw iron and copper bangles in silver godavari so that he will loose
power."
Kusabhav learnt from one Datta
Maharaj, a guru with great power,pranayama,raising of kunadalini shakthi but the
sishya wanted to learn marawan(killing persons),uchchatanam (exercising devils)
and vasikaranam(bringing males & females as slaves under one's influence by
casting spells over them).The guru gave those mantras to him.He had therefore
to deal with the evil spirits and so he wore an iron bangle.He mastered the
mantras and was able to order sweet meats to come.The guru wanted to go to
Himalayas and advised kusabhav to go to Saibaba of Shirdi.Kusabhav went to
shirdi in the year 1908.Baba did not allow him with iron and copper bangles to
enter into Dwarakamai.He threw awy the bangles and lost the power.Lord Datta
drives away evil spirits.Perhaps for the reason Baba instructed kusabhav to
visit Ganugapur and 108 parayanas of Gurucharitra taking 3 days for each
parayana.We should note the purification process for such souls. As he ate
Baba's uchista(vomit)Baba confered on him with the
power of getting hot udhi from Dhuni-----In the words of kusabhav'not udhi
comes by mere remembering Baba not repetiton of any mantra.
In the words of
kusabhav"The pedhasd I produced are merely properly fetched from else
where.It was merely transfering pedha etc.,from one
place to another". The very fact that Baba did not allow kusabhav into
Dwarakamai without removing iron and copper bangles confirms that mantrik
powers have no place in Shirdi Sai cult.
So ,we humble devotees of shirdi
nath be aware of mantric/tantric gurus as nowadays we are in the midst of such
gurus who have mastered 'jana and dhana akarshana power' (power to attract men
and money).They cannot give spiritual elevation.
'
Sri Sai Satyavrata Pooja
Baba declared "I do not
need any paraphermalia of worship either eight fold or
sixteen fold. I rest there where there is full devotion
."At the same time He does good to his
friends i.e who surrendered themselves to him and who remember him with
unchanging faith.
It was in the year 1909 one
Bhimaji patil of poona district(India) suffered from
accute tuberculosos.Man looks to god after his efforts to find solutions to the
problems fail to produce good results.So also our Bhimaji.He consulted
Nanasaheb Chandrorkar who advised him to resort to Baba's feet.He left for
Shirdi.On seeing him Baba pointed out that the distance was due to the previous
evil karma and he did not leave Baba.Baba was moved and assured his suffering
would come to an end.
Doctor's Doctor Sainath gave
treatment through the dreams.In the first dream Bhimaji was punished by the
school teacher for not reciting poetry lesson.In the second dream someone
caused him & intense pain and torture by rolling stone up and down over his
chest.With the pain he sufferd in the above two dreams,Sai's treatment was over
and he went home. As a memory of this happy event Sri Bhimaji started Sri Sai
Satya vrata pooja instead of Satya Narayana vrata pooja in his house.
Shri Syama Rao jayakar who was
taken to Shirdi by M.V.Pradhan for painting life like picture in oil painting
was the painter of famous "Dwarakamai" photo.He narrates that one day
one Mr.Varde sought Baba's permission for performing"Satyanarayana"
vrata.He brought a small plantain plants and set them on both sides of Baba,to
make a pandal and tried to use Baba himself for the God Lakshmi Narayana or
Satyanarayana.Though Baba refused,He was ultimately persuaded to accept.Thus
Baba himself played the role of Satyanarayana.
Now let us try to analyse and
understand what lessons Sai taught us through Bhimaji Patil.One suffers
according to one's previous evil karma.But a divine Sainath could save one from
the effect of evil karma by making one to suffer as Bhimaji had undergone
through dreams.One should be grateful to the lord for interfering and relieving
us from evil effects.By playing the role of "Satyanarayana"Sai
confirmed He is divine and no difference between him and lord Narayana.
D.Sankaraiah
Sri Sai Seva
Having read heard and experienced Sai's lela's,We should review how to retain Sai's grace. Baba gives what
we want so that we begin to want what he wants to give.Let us take " Cart loads of his Sarkar's treasuary"(Spiritual
wealth). Saibaba himself has designed"Seva is not rendering
service,retaining still the feeling that one is free to offer or refused
service.One must feel that he is not the master of his body and the body is
guru's and exists merely to render service to him". Thus we are all
supposed to serve our guru-God with than,mann and
dhan. Perhaps if we measure our seva with this yard-stick we may not get(5%)i.e
five percent marks,as we are more attached with the world were we live in.Let
us try to do one or more than one of the following sevas to get eligibility to
receive Sai's grace.
1."First give bread to the
hungry and than eat your self"(chap 9 of Sri Sai Sacharitra).
2.If anybody comes to us on account of
rinanabandha,We should be courteous and receive them well.
3.Give water to the thirsty,clother to the
naked and shelter to the shelterless people.
4.Nobody should take the labour of others
i.e.free service.
5.As Baba was fond of remembering and signing
the glory of God's name continuously day and night for sevendays let us
encourage namajapa yagnas.
6.As declared by Baba ,'poverty
is better than kingship' .let us try to serve people who are nearer to
Baba.Instead of our going to shirdi a good number of times let us encourage
people who wish to see Shirdi but no means to go.
7.Let us make SaiLeela,Sai stories accessable
to all if necessary by getting it printed at subsidised rates.
8.As there is no difference between Baba and
his photograph let us distribute Baba's photographs to deserving and also
devotees to distress.
9.Let us arrange discourses on Sri Sai Baba's
life and teachings.
10.We
may help Sai mandirs with meagre means by collecting funds for feeding the
poor, maintenance of Dhuni and Nandadeep.
11.We
have to impress on Sai devotees that,a sight to Shirdi immortal by narrating
devotees experiences after Samadhi and popularising eleven sutras of sri
Sainath.
12.Above
all we must understand Sai's teachings and philosophy and implement in day to
day life.
13.We
must feel we are parting with baba is given as nothing is ours.
AS Sri Sai is residing in all hearts(
An Atheist Builds Sai Mandir
(Though this was
published article in Shree Saileela 25 years ago now written from a different
angle for the benifit of innumerable Sai devotees of the present day.Let us
note the divine hand of sri Sainath).
Shri Keshav ramachandra pradhan,native of Bhivapuri road near Mumbai was a noted atheist
from the begining of his life.Sai Maharaj in his own mysterious way pulled him
to Shirdi and turned into a staunch theist as narrated below.He was pulled to
Shirdi through his friend who was a regular visitor to shirdi.Pradhan also used
to go officially to Manmad,Kopergaon for collections. Once he had agreed to
accompany his friend to Shirdi on condition he should not be forced to see
Baba.They rented a room.Pradhan stayed back.At 12'0 clock
Doctor's Doctor Sai Nath Maharaj
We are all aware of several
incidents confirming Sainath's omnipresence and omnipotence Baba during early
period of his stay at Shirdi used to give medicines and later 'UDHI'for curing
diseases.It is my sincere appeal to all readers to understand greatness of our
beloved master from my own experience discussed below.
I was a patient of Hypertension
and neglected for more than two decades.I always used to say"Man dies only
once,when the time comes none can escape" one day i had massive heart
attack but ignored thinking it was a gastric problem.The conventional sweating
chestpain,back pain and hand pain etc.were not there except breathlessnes.
I did not got
to a doctor for 2 days.Even the third day I went to have endoscopy test. Ther I
was asked to take an E.C.G. The Techinician ran to the doctor giving a very bad
picture.I was immediately admitted to CDR hospital.All tests were done only to
confirm 95% of the heart was damaged .Doctors suggested ByPass surgery.CDR
hospital doctors informed my family that I could not withstand surgery.For some
other coveniences sake I was shifted to NIMS hospital where Dr.Mullapudi
R.V.assured of successful operation after three weeks observation .After
opening the chest doctor found new defects and told my wife"He is lucky.
Blood circulation was going on through a sub-way a rare feature."
Dr mullapudi who had done more
than 5000 ByPass surgeries in USA and India had done successful operation but
bleeding could not be controlled.He advised my people to wait and see but they
were disheartened as another patient died on account of profuse bleeding though
operation was successful.After 48 hours bleeding was stopped and i was shifted
to a special room for recoupment.Operation was done on 21.07.1995.I started
attending Sainama sankeerthanas from Oct 1995.Before I was taken to the theatre
my wife only was allowed.She asked me"Say SaiRam"I replied"What
Sairam,this is the result of my seva". I appologized to mother sai for
such dejected comments.This was in brief the incident. Later I came to know the
following facts indicating Baba's motherly care of her children. The purpose of
this article is only to project greatness of Baba.
One Mrs Rahmanbee(70 yrs) was taking care of my children for the past two decades. She silently developed faith in sai on account of our devotion,weekly Bhajan's, shirdi trips etc.She had some experiences of sri sai leelas.During my treatment in CDR hospitals she had a dream in which she was dancing while throwing coins on my dead body. (It is custom in some parts to shower coins and flowers on the deadbody while carrying to burial ground). Suddenly Baba appeared on the scene and shouted"Stop it,He is not dead. He will live. He will be a