BABA'S FIRST DARSHAN
"I have lost my horse. For this whole week, I am searching him," said Chand, approaching the fakir, with folded hands. "Then why go further? Your animal is grazing beyond that hedge, there, look!" told thefakir, with. a gentle smile, pointing to a thick hedge beyond which nothing could really be seen. Chandbhai went and saw, and Io! The horse was found quietly grazing there.
Chandbhai was awe-struck. How did this fakir recognise him as the patel, how did the boy know that there, was a horse beyond the hedge and that it belonged to him all this struck him with wonder. He was convinced that the boy had a spark of Divinity in him. As Chandbhai related this incident among his friends and neighbours, the boy's fame spread like a drop of oil on the surface of water.
A few months later, a marriage procession went from Dhoopkhede to Shirdi. The boy fakir also accompanied it. When the procession reached the outskirts of Shirdi,it stopped to pay homage to God Khandoba. Mhalsapati, the priest of Khandoba temple, eyed the fakir, and out of spontaneous admiration, exclaimed, "Welcome, ye Sai Baba". It was as if the Divine Will that had given the boy this name, for that very naw stuck to him all his life. From that day (1854), the boy stayed in Shirdi. But what was his real name and his native place none ever came to know.
People at Shirdi soon discovered the perfect Saintliness of the fakir and by and by, many of them became his devotees (bhaktas). A few, however, who were themselves of a saintly nature, saw the real worth of this Godly person. Sadhu Gangagir said, "This is a gem. By your great good luck, you have got him." Anandnath said, "This is a jewel you will know its worth in the immediate future."
From places like Bombay and Poona, you can now go to Shirdi directly by State Transport buses. You can also travel upto Manmad or Kopargaon by Central Rly and then take a bus to Shirdi.When Sai Baba first came to Shirdi, it was a little known, underdeveloped village. But as Baba came and his fame spread in all quarters, Shirdi also grew and improved. Like Pandharpur, it is now a great place of pilgrimage. Thousands and thousands go there everv year to have a darshan of Baba's, Samadhi (Tomb). Devotees still get the same experiences of Baba as they did when Baba lived in flesh. Baba entered Samadhi in 1918. Now let us see Wherein lay Baba's greatness and read the Bhaktas' actual experiences about Baba.
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All Knowing Baba
Just as Baba knew the present, so he knew the past and future too. Such a person is known as Trikal-gyani or Siddha. This will be clear from the following stories.
A certain lady was a life-long devotee of Baba. Once she came to Baba and bowed at his feet. Stroking her head, Baba said "Ma, you have a bad headache, isn't it ?"
Looking up in surprise, she said, "Baba, it was aching till this moment, but there is not a trace of it now."
"Well, it will never ache again," said Baba.
The fact was that the lady's head was aching for the last six years. However, she had not come to Baba so that it could be cured by his grace. Yet Baba recognised her ailment and cured it by his miraculous touch.
At her residence, the lady used to offer naivedya (prasadam) to Baba thrice a day. Baba told her that he visited her house thrice daily to accept her offerings. Baba also told all the details about her house and the inmates.
A certain lady in Bombay asked her husband for a rupee to be offered to Baba in her house. The husband was in a hurry to go to his office. He opened his purse, but found only a ten-rupee note and no rupee coin. So he said, he would get the change in the evening and then give her the rupee she wanted. The gentleman descended the staircase and, feeling his other pockets, found a rupee therein. But, instead of going back and giving the coin to his wife, he proceeded to the office. But in the evening, none remembered about it.
A few days later, they both went to Shirdi. As thev were sitting before him, Baba said, "Ma, people have now-a-days become liars, isn't it ? Even though they have a rupee in their pocket, they say they don't have it. The lady could not understand the meaning of these words. But the gentleman at once knew what Baba was saying. He fell at Baba's feet and asked for pardon.
At Nanded, there was a wealthv merchant, named Ratanji. He had several daughters, but no son. He was therefore very, dejected. Das Ganu had advised him to go to Shirdi and have a darshan of Sai Baba. Ratanji earnestly wanted to do so, but due to pressure of work, he had not been able to go. Once a local Saint, Mouli Baba by name, came all of a sudden to Ratanji's house. Ratauji treated him with utmost respect and offered him flowers and sweets. Mouli Babe blessed him.
A few months later Ratanji went to Shirdi. As he sat before Baba with hands folded, Baba said to him, "you have already offered me a dakshina of Rs 3-14-0 and now you have yourself come to this Masjid. So don't worry. Allah will grant your wishes." So saying, Baba applied Udi to Ratanji's forehead.
Ratanji returned with satisfaction. But he was puzzled as to the dakshina of Rs. 3-14-0 which Baba had referred to. He told about it to Das Canu. But he too couldn't make out anything. Then, in the course of conversation, Mouli Baba's visit cropped up and just for fun; they made a list of all the expenses done on that occasion. And what a wonder! The expenses added up exactlv to Rs. 3-14-0. it was clear that things offered to Mouli Baba in Nanded had reached Sai Baba in Shirdi ! The next year Ratanji was blessed with a son.
Another merchant. Seth Hariischandra Pitale, had gone to Shirdi for the first time. His infant son was also with him. Baba gave him three silver rupees aiid said, "I have already given you two rupees. Keep these three with them and worship them together. They will lead to your welfare." Pitale returned home with satisfaction. But since he had gone to Baba for the first time, he could not understand Baba's words, 'I have already given you two rupees'. He asked his mother. She thought deeply and, as in a flash, she exclaimed, "Ah, I got it. When you were young your father had gone to Akkalkot Swami, who had given him two rupees for worship. Your father worshipped them in his lifetime. But, after him, they have been lying uncared for. Now the Swami is re-born as Sai Baba in Shirdi, and that is why he reminded vou of the 'two rupees already given and gave you three more. Henceforward, worship them all with devotion."
These incidents show how Baba was a Trikal-gyani Siddha.
Baba's Devotees
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Mhalsapati and Kashiram were the two earliest devotees of Baba. They assigned to Baba a dilapidated mosque to live in. Baba named it 'Dwarkamai'. People who came to Shirdi visited Baba andhadhis darshan at this place. Many structures, small and, big came up at Shirdi later on. But Baba lived all his life in Dwarkamai only. This place is, therefore, regarded as very holy.
Mhalsapati spent almost his whole day with Baba and served him with utmost devotion. Kashiram supplied Baba all necessary things. There was not even a stint of selfishness in this. He did this all out of puire love and sense of service. Once when he was traveling on business, he had a bloody encounter with robbers. He was remembering Baba all the time. While he was, on the point of fainting due to exhaustion, a drama was taking place in Shirdi. Baba, throwing up his hands was shouting in Kashiram's direction. This gave Kashiram such a sudden spurt of strength that the robbers, being overpowered, fled away. This was a clear indication of Baba's supernatural powers.
Next, Madhavrao Deshpande of Shirdi was strongly attracted towards Baba. He completely merged himself in Baba's service. Baba lovingly called him 'Shama'. So great was Shama's authority that Baba deputed Shama to go in his own place wherever needed. What Arjuna was to Lord Krishna, the same was Shama to Sai Baba. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, a highly placed Govt. officer, also became Baba's unflinching devotee. Das Ganu Maharaj was serving in the Police Dept. But, after meeting Baba, be left the service and turned to the Path of devotion. He became one of the greatest kirtankars in modern times. He and Nanasabeb spread the fame of Baba in all quarters.
Sathe built the first wada at Shirdi and this became a good resting place for visitors. Another wada, a bigger one, was built bv Dixit. This provided further amenities. But the biggest wada, a spacious stone and masonry structure, Was built by Gopalrao Buti of Nagpur. The present Samadhi Mandir is housed here. Radhakrishna Mai came and settled at Shirdi, after her husband's death. She lived only ten years more. But due to her tireless and imaginative work during that short span of life, she eiitirely changed the very face of Shirdi. The present discipline and daily routine at Shirdi were laid down bv her. That Shirdi soon attained the status of a Sansthan (Institution) is a testimony to her fiery zeal.
Oneness with God
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Baba was God incarnate. God is only one - really nameless and formless, but he appears in any form which is dear to his bhaktas. This is what Baba also did. Sometimes he appeared as Ram or Krishna,sometimes Vithal, sometimes Akkalkot Swami, sometimes a Moulvi, or a Guru. When Das Ganu was staying with Baba in Shirdi, he once wished to go to Pandharpur to see Vithal. He asked for Baba's permission. Baba said. "Ganu, for you Shirdi itself is Pandharpur. Why leave Shirdi and go so far ?" Das Ganu had implicit faith in Baba. But he thought, "if Shirdi is Pandharpur, then who is the Vithal here ?" As, with that thought in his mind, he looked up. Baba appeared to him in the form of Vithal. He has composed a beautiful song on this incident.
Gauli Buwa mostly lived at Pandharpur, serving Vithal. But occasionally he used to go on pilgrimage and when he visited Shirdi, Baba would appear to him as Vithal Himself. At Prayag there is a confluence of Ganga and Jamuna. It is considered a very sacred place. Das Ganu once wished to go there. Again Baba said, "Ganu, your Prayag is here." At this, water began trickling down from both thumbs of Baba's feet. Das Ganu had his "Prayag tirth" there and then.
Bapusaheb Jog, a devout bhakta residing at Shirdi, once longed to have a darshan of the late Akkalkot Swami. When he expressed his desire, Baba gave him a darshan in that form. To another Bhakta. Baba appeared as Gopal Krishna - the bhakta's favourite deity. A doctor from Bombay was a staunch devotee of Ram. He regarded Baba not as a great saint, but rather as a mad fakir. A close friend of his invited the doctor to go to Shirdi with him. The doctor agreed on the express condition that he would come to Shirdi merely as an onlooker, but not bow before Baba. On reaching Shirdi, the very atmosphere there softened' the doctor's resolve. He accompanied his friend who had started to go to Baba, and, on seeing Baba from a distance, the doctor ran towards him and fell at his feet. Smiling meaningfully, Baba blessed him. As they both started to come back, the friend asked, "What happened, doctor ? Did you forget your resolve ?" "As soon as I saw Baba, my resolve vanished, for in Baba's place there appeared Shri Ram of Ayodhya.
Unaware of myself. I ran and fell at his feet," said the doctor with tears of joy. For a long time after this, he was immersed in a state of bliss. A staunch Shastri of Nasik had come to Shirdi with a similar resolve. His devotion was only to his Guru who had passed into Samadhi some time earlier. Baba gave him a darshan in the form of his late Guni, whereby the Shastri was completely transformed. Some students while appearing for their examinations, or even afterwards, ask an astrologer whether they would pass or not. The astrologer tells them some hotch-potch, and the students get uneasy thereby. Sai Baba discouraged such habits. He would advise the students to concentrate on their studies and for the rest put their trust in God. Baba would bless them and apply Udi on their forehead. Such students would always come out with flying colours.
The Powers of Udi
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Friends, I have told you what Udi is. It is not the ordinary ash. It is the ash from the dhuni which Baba had lit by his yogic power. Hence the Udi has all the powers of Baba. It has banished the agonies andcured incurable diseases of innumerable persons. Here are a few real instances.
A certain doctor's nephew had bone-cancer. The doctor tried all remedies, including surgical operation, but in vain. With acute pain, the boy cried pitiably. At last the doctor brought the boy to Baba and threw all burden on him. Daily Baba placed a blessing glance on the wound and applied Udi on it. Within a week, the boy was completely cured.
Another doctor had a guinea-worm in his leg, which was terribly swollen and caused intense pain. He approached Baba with a request to release him from his mortal coil and thus end his agony for good. Baba daily applied Udi to his leg and also administered it orally. One day, an attendant inadvertently stepped on the doctor's affected leg with the result that the wound burst open and the guinea-wom was driven out. The doctor was soon cured.
There are countless instances of this kind. But I will tell you one, deserving special mention.
Nanasaheb Chandorkar, one of the earliest devotees of Baba, was a mamlatdar at Jamner, about 24 miles from Jalgaon in Khandesh. One can go upto Jalgaon by railway and then take a tonga.
Nanasabeb's daughter, Maina had come to Jamner for delivery. For fortyeight hours, she was in labour and her very life was in danger. Nanasaheb was appealing to Baba to come to her succour. Sai Baba as if 'heard' it in Shirdi. Ramgir, a resident bhakta, was then inspired to go to his village in Khandesh. He came to ask for Baba's permission. Baba said, "Yes. Start immediately. But first go to Nanasaheb at Jamner, givehim Udi and Arati, and then proceed home". Baba gave him a packet of Udi from the dhuni with his own hands and the Arati on a piece of paper to be recited at Maina's bedside. Ramgir took the two things, but, in a tone of anxiety, he asked, "Baba, I have only two rupees with me. With this much. I can barely go to Jalgaon. But how could I make a detour to Jamner and thence to my place ?" "You need not worry," Said Baba, "You only go to Jalgaon. Everything will be arranged thereafter."
With firm faith in Baba, Ramgir started. He had to pay Rs. 1-14-0 for railwav ticket and only two annas were left with him. About midnight the train reached Jalgaon and Ramgir got down. Just then a sepoy in Khaki uniform approached him and said "Sir, you are Ramgir from Shirdi, I hope". Ramgir said he was. "Then come along," said the sepoy, Nanasaheb has sent me with a tonga for you." Ramgir thought that as Baba had hinted he must have sent a word to Nanasaheb and asked him to make these arrangements. The sepoy gave him a few snacks, which he said, were sent bv Nanasaheb. Then the tonga started and by dawn, it arrived at Jamner. The sepoy, pointing to a distant 'building, said, "That is Nanasaheb's office." Ramgir alighted there to ease himself and went behind a bush. But as he came out, what did he find ? Nothing, no horses, no carriage, no sepoy. All had disappeared. Dumbfounded, he went to Nanasaheb's office and, obtaining Nanasabeb's address, went there. Saluting Nanasaheb, he said, "Baba has sent me here from Shirdi and has given you these things." A thrill went through Nanasaheb on hearing this. He said, 'Oh Baba, Baba! What should I say to you ? I called your name here and hearing my call in Shirdi, you at once ran here in the form of these things. A million pranams to you ! "
Nanasaheb applied the Udi to his daughter and put a little in her mouth too. Then he sat by her bedside, reciting the arati. And would you believe it ? In half an hour, Maina delivered safely. Ramgir was waiting outside. Nanasabeb came out and thanked him profoundly. Eagerly Ramgir asked, "Nana, your tonga brought me to Jamner all right. But then as I got down to ease myself, it suddenly vanished. Where is that tonga ?" "Which tonga ?" asked the puzzled Nana. "Your tonga which you had sent for me to Jalgaon Station. Your sepoy met me there, g;ave me your delicious snacks and brought me here with great speed." With tears of gratitude, Nanasaheb said, "Ramgir, I had not the faintest idea that you were coming. So how could I have sent the tonga ? This is all no doubt done by Baba. How unbounded is your kripa, Oh mother Sai !" Later, Nanasaheb himself related this whole incident to the people assembled at Shirdi. It therefore bears a stamp of authority.
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