Sai Leela Magz x3r72

Sai Sri Rama http://www.saiamrithadhara.com/saibabaleelas_01.html

1. Wondorous Shirdi Saibaba "Udhi" completely eradicates "Asthma" of a Bangalore Devotee Shirdi Saibaba "arranges sleeper berths to 3 sai devotees" and " brings back to life a bangalore devotee's moth 2. who was knocking the door of death" 3. Baba sat with her (from Girija Sastry) 4. Fig Fruit in Milk Glass (from Girija Sastry) 5. With Baba blessings, a devotee got relief from Cyst Baba’s Grace Eases Challenging Times (as narrated by Mrs.Vandana Kamath to Saileela Magazine September6. October 2009 Issue) Sri Shravan Kumar, an ardent Sai devotee from Hyderabad has shared two of his experiences in the website. Th 7. following are the two experiences narrated in his own words 8. Experience Speaks (As narrated by Mrs.Meeta Bhat to Shri Sai Leela Magazine March-April 2012 Issue)

9. Shri Sai Satcharita, a Sai University: Ujjwala Borkar

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Saibaba tells His own story - Source: Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org

11 Kalemama’s experiences with Baba Baba's Leela’s before 1918 as narrated in Krishnashastri Jageshwar Bhishma’s letter dated 11th July 1921- Sai 12 Leela Magazine Vaman Rao Patil's Experince with Sai Baba - Source: Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published 13 in www.shirdisaitrust.org Saijeevi Radhakrishnan bestowed with Yogi’s Darshan - Personal experience of Saijeevi Late Shri.R.Radhakrishnan and

14 published in www.shirdisaitrust.org)

I turned to Sai Baba to save my honor - Shri.Vijaypat Singhania's personal experience with Sai Baba as narrate to Shri.Khalid A Ansari on 28th November 2005 and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org Experience of Shri C.Mankewallah from Ahmedabad – Sai Sudha Magazine September 1953 issue and published 16 in www.shirdisaitrust.org Sai Baba clears the loan that Shri Vasantrao took from Shri Amidas Lakshmidas Mehta - Translated from Gujara 17 Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) 15

18 Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Kafni Cloth Leelas – www.shirdisaitrust.org

Shirdi Saibaba "Udhi" completely eradicates "Asthma" of a Bangalore Devotee Srikanta Sharma, resident of Bangalore recalls that it was late 80s; he was suffering from severe Asthma problem then and had to take three Deriphyllin Retard Tablets every day to manage his breathing. He was working for private firm and financially he and his family were not strong. In his office there was a colleague by the name Rajesh, who would greet everyone with a ‘Sai Ram’, and Srikanta would be left wondering about his greeting, as he did not know about Sai Baba. One day Rajesh invited Srikanta to come to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan and said that all his (Srikanta) problems will end. But since, the trip would incur an expense of Rs.1500, and since, he did not have it, he gently

refused. But Rajesh and another friend Praveen were not ready to give up on Srikanta and persuaded him to come, saying, that you pay the money later. On June 7, 1989 Srikanta reached Samadhi Mandir and took Baba’s darshan. He felt a perceptible change in his mind and body. After having the darshan, when they were returning, on 11th June 1989, a strange thing happened; at around 2 am Srikanta was breathless and gasping for breath. Praveen immediately put Baba’s sacred udi in his mouth and asked him to chant Sai Taraka Mantra, ‘Om Sai Shri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.’ After sometime he dozed off and slept peacefully. In the morning when he got up, he realized he had no difficulty in breathing and stopped taking his medicines. Whenever the breathing issue would arise, he would take the udi and chant Sai’s name. From that day till this day he did not touch those medicines, with Baba’s blessings. From that first darshan of Baba, Srikanta became an ardent devotee and started sharing his leela with everyone. - Sri Srikanta Sharma Back to Top

Shirdi Sai Baba "arranges sleeper berths to 3 sai devotees" and " brings back to life a bangalore devotee's mother who was knocking the door of death" On July 20, 2009, Rajesh, who had formed Shri Dwarakamai Seva Trust at Rajajinagar, wanted to visit Shirdi to buy Sai Baba’s statue and Paduka. For this purpose he invited Srikanta, but since, the latter was suffering from (suspected) case of viral fever and severe t pain, addled with no money for traveling, he refused. But Rajesh persuaded him saying, he will bear the cost of the travel and stay, and Srikanta relented. Then Rajesh invited another Sai devotee, Venugopal, who after seeking Baba’s permission by putting agreed. Rajesh rushed to railway station, at that time he got waiting list ticket 137, 138 and 139 respectively for the onward journey by Karnataka Express and for the return journey he got the confirmed ticket from Pune on 25th July 2009 by Udyan Express. On July 22, 2009, when Srikanta reached the station at 5.45 pm the PNR was waiting list Nos.17,18,19, meaning one is can board the general compartment, but not get the sleeper berth. Srikanta was disappointed on seeing the waiting list numbers and called Rajesh, but both Rajesh and Venugopal were in Rajajinagar Saibaba Temple to have darshan before heading for Shirdi. Rajesh told Srikanta that they will reach the station in 15 minutes and not to worry too much. They arrived at the station and immediately checked with a Ticket Checker (TC) that there waiting list Nos. was 17, 18 and 19 and nothing could be done as the train was full. He told them to another TC who was standing near the next coach. Immediately, the trio rushed to another TC and requested him for a sleeper berth, but he too refused to help, but he was kind enough to ask them to board S4 compartment and wait for him. They were happy to hear this and took their luggage and started moving towards S4 compartment. While moving Srikanta once again went to the TC and requested him to arrange for a sleeper berth for the three and told him that they are going to see Shirdi Saibaba. The moment he heard this, the TC told them to occupy seat Nos. 41, 42 and 43 in coach S4. The train started on time at 7.20 pm and the TC never showed up! And those who came to inspect their tickets later did not find anything odd with the tickets! All reached Shirdi and had good darshan. On July 24, 2009 they went to a shop and purchased the idol of Dwarakami Saibaba and Saibaba Paduka and got the pooja done at Samadhi Mandir, Dwarakamai and Chavadi. They went back to their room at 2.30 pm, where they found 15 missed calls on Rajesh's mobile phone from his brothers, sisters and wife. Rajesh called up home and came to know that his mother was very critical and itted to an Intensive Care Unit, and the doctors had given up hope, as she was ailing and nor responding to medicines. The family had gathered in anticipation of her transition. Rajesh was asked to rush back, but found that the timing for the flight was possible only the next day at 1.30 pm. Their train reservation too was for next day, now the only option was bus service. Rajesh left Shirdi by bus the very same day at 4 pm to reach Bangalore next day at around 11 am. The moment he reached Bangalore, he rushed to hospital, applied Saibaba's sacred Udi on his mother's forehead and she was taken for ‘Endoscopy’. After some time, the results came, they were negative and the

sugar which had shot up earlier, started responding to the medicine. She was discharged from the hospital on July 30, 2009 which was a Thursday. - Sri Srikanta Sharma & Sri Rajesh Back to Top Baba sat with her (from Girija Sastry) Aparna and I (Girija Sastry) had gone to Shirdi in 2001. Aparna's husband and child were also with us. We entered Baba’s temple, had a good darshan of His statue at the Sanctum Sanctorum and we came out. Soon I wanted to do Satyanarayana pooja as is customary. Aparna & family were sitting outside on the steps. We were to do Satyanarana pooja at the end of the Sanctorum only during those days, though they have changed that these days. As all of us got ready lighting the lamp etc for pooja, I saw an old man who was almost Baba & dressed like Him only coming walking on the stage watching all of us. He was 90% Baba according to me. But the priest (Ullasji) on the stage also did not bother to look at him. I wanted to say “Ullasji, See, Baba is standing in front of you”, but could not as I myself was not sure that he was Baba, though he was 90% Baba. That 10% doubt was there. I was looking at him only. He looked at all of us, and smilingly he lifted his right hand to bless us all. I thanked Him mentally and soon saw Him going towards the main statue ing the men’s queue on the left hand side. When He was gone I concentrated on my pooja. To my wonder all had finished their poojas and were doing final Aarthi. I too hurriedly finished my pooja & came out. As I came out I saw the same Baba sitting on the platform where my friend Aparna was sitting. Aparna’s husband too had thought that man was Baba only and wanted to take his photograph but at the same time they were scared also that he might scold them. So Aparna was asked to sit a bit closer to him, i.e. the distance between them was reduced from 11ft or so to 7 ft or so and photo was taken. The scene was watched by me also and we were very happy. While we were on our journey back to Bangalore, Aparna’s naughty son aged about 7 years took the reel out of the camera and showed it to his mother. Aparna screamed because she felt she had lost her fortune. Aparna’s husband slapped the boy two times, when I ran to his rescue. Even then the reel was taken to the studio. The studio person said that only 1 picture was intact and all other photos had got washed out. In that photo, Baba was sitting next to Aparna. All of us were thrilled because nobody other than Baba could have played such a miracle. Isn’t it?

- Smt. Girija Sastry Back to Top Fig Fruit in Milk Glass (from Girija Sastry) Some 20 years ago, we were staying in Chandigarh. Every Thursday, Bhajans used to take place in one of Baba’s devotee’s house. One day, as the lady of that house was ill, she asked me to keep sweetened milk for Baba’s Neivedya. As the Bhajan was to start off, I ran to the kitchen, poured milk to a glass and added one spoonful of sugar and kept it in front of Baba. I thought by the time we finish our Bhajan’s the sugar will dissolve automatically and did not even bother to stir the glass to give the sweetened milk to all the devotees.

After the Bhajan was over, I wanted to stir the milk once or twice before I gave it as Teertha. To my wonder, the spoon did not move at all. Something must have fallen as I was singing with my eyes closed during the Bhajan, I thought and wanted to check what it was. I tried to take that thing out but the spoon was too small for that. It was a fig (about 3.5 inches long). Never in my life had I seen such a big fig. I showed it to one more devotee. She too wondered and said, “They say such big figs are available in Baluchisthan”. Then I took it out and cut it into small pieces and put it back into milk and gave one piece to each devotee along with the Theertha. Look at His miracle! - Smt. Girija Sastry Back to Top With Baba blessings, a devotee got relief from Cyst In October 2009 Sri Sanjiv, an ardent Sai devotee from Bangalore was diagnosed with a cyst (small in size) on his scrotum and was undergoing allopathic treatment for the same from Dr Srinath Herur who was his family doctor. While the treatment was going on, He got relief temporarily and after the course was over, the problem recurred. Finally he was advised by the doctor to meet a General surgeon based at Sagar Hospital at Tilak nagar for getting the cyst removed. He was all the more upset and taken aback at the decision that a surgery was necessitated to treat his problem. Next morning before leaving to meet the surgeon, He prayed to Lord Sai Baba to help him out of this situation and sought his blessings that the problem be solved by medication alone and spares him from the pain of going under a surgeon’s knife. Later when he met the surgeon along with his wife, the surgeon examined him and concluded that there was no necessity for performing a surgery and the problem could be treated by medicines alone. The announcement by the doctor was like nectar and pleasing to the couple and was greatly relieved. This miracle redoubled the faith of the couple in the Glory and the power of Sai Baba who proclaimed in Sai Satcharitra, “He, who believes in me and prays with unflinching devotion and steadfast faith, would be redeemed from all his difficulties and sorrows. For I alone stand as his barrier and protect him from all the evils from approaching him.” - Sri Sanjiv Back to Top Baba’s Grace Eases Challenging Times (as narrated by Mrs.Vandana Kamath to Saileela Magazine September-October 2009 Issue)

Mrs. Vandana Kamath was living in Bangaluru in a rented premise with her family. They were going through several financial problems. They were not aware of Baba; but by Baba’s grace the daughter-in-law of the owner of the house gave her a Shri Sai Satcharita and said that Baba will take care of them. One fine day, the owner of the house asked them to vacate the house. They were in a predicament; because they had no money to shift to a new rented house. It so happened that they got a chance to visit Shirdi during this period. On returning from Shirdi, Mrs. Vandana met a family friend to whom she narrated her situation. This friend suggested they buy a house. On looking back she thinks, the situation was impossible; because her friend was asking her to buy a house, when they didn’t have enough to pay the rent of the house! But then, as ordained by dear Sai, this same friend gave them Rs. 75,000 for a site available close to Baba’s Mandir. The family was jubilant; but unfortunately, the cost of the plot was in lakhs; so they again did not have sufficient fund. In the meanwhile, Mrs. Vandana’s father-in-law ed away and they got Rs. one lakh from his will. They immediately made some arrangement and purchased the plot. By this time the entire family started worshipping Baba. After purchasing the plot, they laid the foundation; but due to financial constraints they could not begin the construction for over a year. At this point of time Mrs. Vandana ed a chapter from the Shri Sai Satcharita where a black dog was fed with curd rice by a

devotee and his wish was fulfilled. So, she prayed to Baba that she would feed a black dog with curd rice for seven Thursdays and He should bless her in completing the construction of the house. On the first Thursday she kept a plate of curd rice in front of the house and was waiting for a black dog. After some time a black dog with some white patches approached the plate, she was confused, whether this was the dog to be fed as he was not fully black. Strangely the dog would go near the plate, smell the food and go back, this continued for 10-15 minutes and the dog went away without eating the rice. Mrs. Vandana waited for a very long time and felt very disappointed. After a while the same dog came along with another black dog. This black dog came and hurriedly ate the curd rice and left a little for the dog with white patches to eat, both the dogs ate happily and went away. Seeing this Mrs. Vandana had complete faith that Baba will help in constructing the house. And truly, despite their financial hurdles, with Baba’s blessings, they constructed the house within five months after this incident. Since then, Mrs. Vandana and her family’s faith grew and they have dedicated their life to Baba. They have formed a group named ‘Sai Smaran’ and for the last 11 years, every Sunday, they conduct Sai Bhajans in different devotees’ houses in Bangaluru. Besides this, once a year they go to Shirdi with the entire group (varying from 150-300 devotees), conduct Bhajans and have a Palki procession. Today, they have constructed three more floors, out of it one is dedicated to Baba, where His idol and photographs are worshipped every day. Every Thursday they have Bhajans, and on occasions like Ram Navami, Guru Poornima,Vijayadashmi, etc. hundreds of devotees’ are drenched in spiritual gaiety. - Smt. Vandana Kamath Back to Top Sri Shravan Kumar, an ardent Sai devotee from Hyderabad has shared two of his experiences in the website. The following are the two experiences narrated in his own words:Experience 1: “It was year 1982, I was studying 6th class, my family was in deep financial trouble since my father’s factory was closed and my family was almost bankrupt. There was no solution in sight and obviously my father, mother and grandmother were depressed. We the children could feel the change in the house. We were about to stop schooling since my father could not pay the school fees. There was gloom all around and no solution in sight. I forgot to tell you, my grandmother was a Sai devotee since a long time, may be from 1940’s. I think she was desperately calling for Baba’s help. As it is proven time and again, Our Beloved Sai will always be there for his devotees. And as if to prove that our prayers are heard, HE came to our house in Hyderabad. It was a hot day and time was around 2.00 PM. Lord Sai Baba came to our house in the same form. Only my mother and my grandmother were there in the house at that time. My Grandmother (she was totally deaf) was sleeping in the other room. My mother was in the verandah. She saw Sai Baba coming in and thought some Muslim Fakir was coming in. She asked him to stay outside. But He spoke in chaste telugu and said to my mother, “Do not be afraid my daughter, I am here since I wanted to tell you something” mean while, my grandma who was deaf and sleeping inside,came out excitedly calling my mother’s name and telling her that Baba has come to their house .(Only Baba knows how she knew HE had come to the house). BABA that day gave some predictions regarding our family and us (me, my younger brother and younger sister) and assured us not to get worried and asked to be brave. All the predictions came true very shortly afterwards. But the biggest sign that he was Sai Baba came when he was leaving. My mother and grandma were seeing HIM off. They saw him go out of the Gate and turn left, within the fraction of a second my father came from the same direction, seeing my mother and grandma standing outside asked “Why are you both standing outside?” He could not see BABA coming out of the house. There is no way he could have missed seeing BABA unless of course….. SAI BABA vanished into thin air.

He ran like a mad man to both corners of the street to check where BABA went, but nobody was seen. In fact not a single person was on the road. Experience 2 This is personal experience. I had to take up sales job very early in life to my family. Due to constant travel my health suffered. I had severe burning sensation in my stomach whenever I ate anything. Eating food was an ordeal for me. I used to wonder what sin I committed to deserve this pain. In a day I was eating around 20 Gelusil tablets. I tried many things but could not get any relief. I suffered like this for 5 years. On the Holi eve 1998 I went to Shirdi along with my colleague. After morning darshan, we went to Dwarakamayi. There was a huge BABA photo with beautiful Rose Garland around it. In those days, you were allowed to touch the photo and sit there also!!!! There were few ladies before me in the line. Each one of them plucked a rose petal from the garland and ate it. I was watching them and without any conscious effort, copied their act and did the same. I plucked one rose petal and treated it as prasadam from BABA and ate it. Miracle of Miracles, since that moment I do not have any problem with acidity. It is 12 years since that day, I always think of that incident whenever I eat anything which I like and enjoy. I am so grateful to my beloved BABA for the grace he showered on me. - Sri Shravan Kumar Back to Top Experience Speaks (As narrated by Mrs.Meeta Bhat to Shri Sai Leela Magazine March-April 2012 Issue) The medical reports showing 99% blockage for my sister deterred the doctors from undertaking a by- operation. However, we were optimistic and pressurized doctors for the operation. On the D-day the operation lasted for more than nine hours. Finally when doctor stepped out of the operation theatre he said “This is nothing less than a miracle. Thank the power that has seen this through making me an instrument”. After 3 days when my sister regained her strength, she said that after anesthesia she had become blank and then she saw Baba standing in the gate of a huge fort. Baba told her not to worry as He was with her. She didn't anything after that. Her life is Baba's gift. - Smt. Meeta Bhat Back to Top Shri Sai Satcharita, a Sai University: Ujjwala Borkar Chandrabai Borkar's granddaughter in law, Ujjwala Borkar too has experienced many Sai miracles. She says one of the Sai miracles is Shri Sai Satcharita, which is a Sai University and Sai Baba is its Chancellor!

She said, “I have seen how Sai devotees' like Madhavrao Deshpande, Bayjabai, Tatyaba Kote Patil, Lakshmibai Shinde, Kakasaheb Dixit, Chandrabai Borkar and others have progressed in their lives and decided to take ission to the Govindrao Dabholkar authored Shri Sai Satcharita University on May 18, 1974.” She states that Baba initiated Dabholkar to establish this University, which has 53 classrooms (chapters). Surprisingly Dabholkar, the builder of this University, was initially not prepared to accept Baba as the Chancellor of this University. He was learned and believed that results can be had by one's own efforts. His mind entertained the ego of action. Kakasaheb Dixit, Nana Chandorkar, Bhate and Nulkar – these students would try to convince Dabholkar. These students would do a full length prostration to Baba even on a dusty road. Seeing all this, he was surprised, but unaffected. He used to think that Dixit had toured the world and read world literature and yet, why was he being so condescending. What have these wise people seen in this Fakir and accepted Him as their Guru? But once he witnessed Baba grinding wheat at the quern, and the flour spread at the outskirts of the village curbed the spread of cholera in the village, this incident was a turning point for him. This was when the foundation stone laying work of Sai Satcharita University began. After his faith in Baba increased Baba placed His boon bestowing hand on Dabholkar's head and gave him permission to start the building of Sai University in the form of Shri Sai Satcharita. Some of the lessons in this University are: 1) Let Faith and Perseverance be with you always. 2) Gradually reduce your compulsive desires for everything if you want to live life in peace. Do not steal others' things. Strive hard. You will reap what you sow. That will stand in good stead for you alone. 3) One person will work and the other will get the results, this is not how it works here. You cannot get a first class in this University by just sitting at home, enjoying and giving bribe. Those who study is guided by the Chancellor, and will find right answers to their questions. 4) Give up your ego. Those who cannot avoid even a bit of their lust; he will never get 'Brahmagyan' (Knowledge of the Brahman). In this University you get ission without any expense or ission fees. The specialty of this University is that it runs round the clock (day and night) and life is the place where we put into practice what we have learnt. Each student is unique and the vigilant Chancellor works on each individually. Some are guided through dreams or other types of revelations. Chancellor Sai states, “Even if I am physically here, and you are beyond the seven oceans, whatever you do there is known to me here”. The University has many interesting events that are exemplary lessons to learn from. Once, Kakasaheb Dixit was subjected to an examination in this University. The examination was to judge whether the Guru's orders were obeyed or not. Even the pure gold had to go through the test by fire. In spite of being a Brahmin, taking up a weapon Kakasaheb Dixit, without any hesitation got ready to kill a goat, and ed the Chancellor's examination. In this University we should surrender the propriety and impropriety (of the act) dominated mind at the feet of Sai, the Chancellor of the University. Surrendering the power of your actions, act as per the rules of the University set by the Guru's commands. If action is done without ego then realization will not take much time. One student, Pundalikrao, was advised – if your attitude is ego-free, you are entitled to attain the Supreme Self. You will easily cross the ocean of life. The Chancellor of this University has promised the students – all those who will study will get success according to their capability. Each one will get whatever one asks for as per their capability. Everyone will get assistance in this University. Do not compare your progress with others. Cheating is not allowed at all. Students in this University should also be devoted and have steadfast faith. Those who follow the rules will get success easily. In this University the pupil is taught how to attain happiness, peace of mind, which cannot be obtained even after spending billions of rupees. No one can avoid the destiny of present joy and sorrow dictated by past actions. Prayer and ing Lord's Name, brings success in their respective class. (Photo & Article Courtesy: Shamshad Ali Baig, Journalist, Navi Mumbai). Back to Top Saibaba tells His own story One day while sitting in Dwarakamai Sai Baba broke His silence and started narrating an incident as under…..

Once I went to Aurangabad while roaming here and there. There was a mosque with a big tamarind tree in its centre. A fakir lived in the mosque. His name was Matababa. I asked for his permission to stay in the mosque. Initially the fakir did not allow Me, I requested him again and again and at last after a long discussion he agreed. An old woman lived nearby. That woman used to give a piece of roti to Matababa. Matababa used to live on that small piece of roti the whole day. He never begged for food from anyone in the village. So I asked for his permission to go to beg for food from the villagers, so that we can get sufficient quantity of food for both of us. In this way about 12 years ed. After that I took permission to leave Matababa. The fakir was in tears with the thought of my separation. At that time I consoled that fakir saying that I will come here again someday while roaming here and there. I never speak untruth and to fulfill my promise, I went to meet that fakir after four years. He was very happy to see me again. That fakir of Aurangabad came to Shirdi after some years and I made him stay in Chavadi……in this way Sai Baba completed His story. (There are some points in Sai Sarovar book after this sentence which has to be disclosed here is that…who was Matababa? when did he come to Shirdi? These facts are available nowhere other than this book; Sai Baba only understands the meaning of His own confusing words). After a small pause, there was a slight disturbance in the silence of Dwarakamai when this conversation was going on. Some sparrows were chirping on the top of Dwarakamai. Shama asked, why are all these sparrows chirping here together? To this Sai Baba replied, all these sparrows were born as sparrows in their previous birth and they are so lucky that in this birth also they are together. These sparrows used to sit on the top of Dwarakamai. But one day a snake came there and at once gulped up all the sparrows. (Here the author presents his thoughts like this….I think any snake can’t gulp up the entire sparrow at one stroke. Sai Baba must have symbolized snake for Yamraj). Due to the merits of their past birth God has given them the form of sparrow in this birth also. Not only this, they were born in the Holy Land of Shirdi. Today all of them have met and so they are expressing their happiness by chirping. Even God is incapable of describing their happiness. (Source: Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org ) Back to Top Kalemama’s experiences with Baba Kalemama or Ramchandra Bapuji Kale was born in Kolhapur, a city of Maratha Rulers. His father Bapuji Kale was a Minister in the personal court of Maharaja of Kolhapur. Kalemama, born in such an influential family, which had links with the Royal families of Kolhapur, received the best during his childhood and youth. He graduated as a Civil Engineer from Bombay. During the British rule in India, holding a degree in Civil Engineering promised a bright career. Kalemama served as Chief Executive Officer of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, Secretary of Dhule Municipal Corporation, State Engineer at Akkalkot Sansthan and at many other places until he met Meher Baba and came to Meherabad for a final stay, which lasted until the 16th of September 1954, when he rested in peace in Baba. Kalemama met Shri Sadguru Sai Baba of Shirdi which changed the course of his life. After Sai Baba dropped His physical body in 1918, Kalemama met Meher Baba at Ahmednagar in 1926. His wife Mrs. Janki, more often referred to as Mrs. Kalemama ed away in 1932, at Meherabad. Meher Baba had included her name in the list of 120 dear departed souls, whom he paid homage, as a token of His love and gratitude. It was a gesture of love for their surrender and unquestionable faith in Meher Baba, during the hilly walks of life. It was on the 16th of September 1954 when Kalemama ed away at Meherabad. Kalemama's son Murli was staying at Jabalpur at that time practicing Homeopathy, as permitted by Meher Baba. Kalemama had a well settled family. One of Kalemama's daughters’ was married to Dr. Bhadbhade of Indore and another was married to Rao Saheb Pandit, an Eminent Educationist and founder of the "Sanjeevan Vidhyalaya" at Panchgani, an institution that has now gained eminence in the field of education in various disciplines. Murli's elder brother Shreedhar, affectionately called Babu, was also at Panchgani and Babu's wife Nirmala was the Matron of Central Jail, Jabalpur. Kalemama was one of those very rare and fortunate persons who had the good fortune to meet Shri Sadguru Sai Baba, Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj and Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj. During 1908 to 1909, Kalemama was supervising the construction work of Burhanpur Tapti Mill at Burhanpur. The site was close to the Railway station and one day one of his friends informed Kalemama that Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj was going to

Khandwa that day and would be boarding the train from the Burhanpur Railway station. Kalemama with his friends went to the Station and had Sadguru Narayan Maharaj's darshan. Later from April 1910 to May 1911 Kalemama was appointed Secretary of Pandharpur Municipal Corporation. During this period, the glory of Sai Baba had spread throughout Maharastra and many a Government officers and learned persons became his devotees. At Pandharpur Mr. Rale and Mr. Patwardhan were disciples of Shri Sadguru Sai Baba. They requested Kalemama to visit Shirdi for Sai Baba's darshan. The threesome along with Justice Hatyangadi of Pandharpur made their way to Shirdi and met Sai Baba and attended the two days function during the last week of December 1910. At Shirdi some Government officers and some of the prominent solicitors of Bombay had also come to attend the gathering as during the winter vacations it was convenient to make a pleasure trip with families. Until Sai Baba's darshan Kalemama had never heard of Shirdi and he felt very happy to attend the function at Shirdi. Kalemama stayed at Shirdi for two days and returned back to Pandharpur. After sometime, Kalemama's elder brother Krishnaji's (referred as Anna Kale in Lord Meher) first wife died of Plague, on 1st February 1911, at Sholapur. To find peace after the loss, Annaji came to Kalemama for a stay at Pandharpur expecting a change. Meanwhile one of Kalemama's close relations, Justice Noolkar had taken voluntary leave from his job and was staying at Shirdi in service of Shri Sai Baba. Justice Noolkar's friend Mr. Bhate had also resigned from his job and was serving Sai Baba at Shirdi. Kalemama received a letter from Justice Noolkar proposing a marriage of Shri Bhate's daughter (who was slightly over age) with his elder brother Krishnaji and invited Kalemama to bring his elder brother to Shirdi for Sai Baba's darshan and approval. Kalemama along with his elder brother accordingly went to Shirdi perhaps in February or March of 1911 and met Sai Baba. On reaching Shirdi Kalemama and his brother Anna kept their luggage at a suitable place and walked towards the Mosque in which Shri Sai Baba was staying. As it was around noon, Shri Sai Baba was alone inside the mosque. Kalemama and Anna went inside and bowed down to Shri Sai Baba in reverence. Sai Baba asked them for two rupees. Kalemama had only two rupees in his pocket which he gave to Sai Baba immediately. On receiving the money, Sai Baba asked for four more rupees but Kalemama had no money in his pocket. The only thing he had in his pocket were the keys to his suitcase which he handed to Shri Sai Baba and at the same time asked Anna to go to the place of their stay and bring the money desired by Sai Baba. Kalemama has written in his notes that during this meeting, Sai Baba was very pleased to meet them and made a very significant remark. While waiting for the money and Annaji's return, Sai Baba said to Kalemama in Marathi "You are one amongst us", “When you intend to come again". ("Tumhi tar Amchyat le”, "Punha Kevha yenar").To this Kalemama replied instantly “When ever you may kindly bring us again". By this time, the four rupees desired by Sai Baba were brought and given to Him by Anna. Both of them stayed in the company of Sai Baba for some more time and then returned back to their place of stay. Kalemama felt thrilled over the peculiar statement made by Sai Baba "You are one amongst us" He however could not attach any significance to this conversation, until later in his life. Pondering over the mystical words of Sai Baba, Kalemama resumed his work and served for a few more years at Akkalkot. In 1917 he left his job and decided to move to Kolhapur. During his journey to Kolhapur, he ed that he was quite near to Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj's place and felt an uncontrollable desire to meet him. Accordingly, Kalemama got down at Kedgaon to meet Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj at Kedgaon-bet. Shri Sadguru Narayan Maharaj had constructed a temple of Shri Lord "Dattatreya", at Kedgaon-bet and it was supposed to be very auspicious for one, to have the opportunity to worship the deity and wash its feet. However to do so, permission of Shri Narayan Maharaj was required without fail. Kalemama went to the temple and wishing to pray at the feet of the statue, requested Shri Narayan Maharaj to kindly permit him to perform the worship. Shri Narayan Maharaj asked Kalemama if he was a brahmin, to which Kalemama replied in positive and told his `gotra' and `pravar'. On satisfying the Sadguru's queries, Kalemama was permitted by Shri Narayan Maharaj to wash the feet of the deity. He stayed at the Kedgaon Ashram for one day and then resumed his journey to Kolhapur. Once, from Ahmednagar, Kalemama was to make his journey to Dhule. On ing Sakori and the fact that he had never had the opportunity to have Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj's darshan, Kalemama requested Meher Baba for permission to go to Sakori and to have Shri Upasni Maharaj's darshan. Meher Baba was kind enough to permit him and thus Kalemama proceeded to Sakori via Shirdi having darshan of Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi and afterwards having Shri Upasni Maharaj's darshan. The very next year while Meher Baba was at Nasik in December 1928, Kalemama along with his elder son Shreedhar (also known as Babu) decided to go to Nasik. From Dhule they boarded a train and reached Nasik at 4 a.m. and went to one of Kalemama's friend Vinayak Dhamankar's residence. At daybreak, they went to search for the place where Meher Baba was staying but found to their surprise that Meher Baba and the Mandli had left the previous evening for Meherabad. It was around 7 a.m. and Kalemama and his son Babu were utterly disappointed to learn that Baba had already left Nasik. They decided to leave Nasik as it was early in the morning so as to reach Ahmednagar and Meherabad at the earliest. Kalemama thought of requesting one of his friends R. D. Karmarkar who was an Engineer at Nasik to kindly take them both in his car to Manmad immediately, so that they could board some train to Ahmednagar and

reach Meherabad by the afternoon on the same day. On reaching Karmakar's house, Kalemama made his request and was pleasantly surprised that his friend agreed instantaneously to his request. Shri Karmarkar suggested that instead of going to the Manmad Railway Station it would be better for them to go to the Yewala station as Shri Karmakar also had some construction work to supervise there. Karmakar, Kalemama, his son Babu and one Mr. Dhumal who was a noted Advocate and Chairman of the Local Board School proceeded accordingly to Yewala. While talking to each other in the car, Dhumal came to know that Kalemama was going for Meher Baba's darshan. Dhumal was himself a disciple of Shri Sai Baba and suggested that they may go to Shirdi, take their lunch and then proceed further. This was agreed and they all reached Shirdi had lunch at Shirdi and then darshan of Sai Baba's Samadhi. At this point, Kalemama felt that they had come so near to Sakori (which was just a few miles) and they should go to Sakori for Upasni Maharaj's darshan. All again agreed to this suggestion made by Kalemama and went to Sakori and met Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj. Finally when they reached Meherabad, they came to know that Meher Baba had gone to North India and the Gateman at Nasik who told them that Baba had gone to Mehrabad did not have the correct information. During 1928 or 1929 Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj came to Dhule and stayed for three days at Advocate Madhav Rao Apte's house and Kalemama and family had the opportunity to meet the Master every evening at Apte's residence. Later also, while Kalemama was frequently coming to Ahmednagar in connection with some of the court cases, was staying at the "Khushroo Quarters" and on two different occasions Kalemama met Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj was staying at the "Khushroo Quarters" and had His darshan. During one of these darshan's of Shri Sadguru Upasni Maharaj, Kalemama received a Coconut from Upasani Maharaj and one Coconut from Meher Baba. These Coconuts are still with Kale family. After Shri Sadguru Sai Baba dropped His physical body, Kalemama met Meher Baba in 1926 and devoted his life to Meher Baba. Kalemama was sent to Sakori by Meher Baba along with a few other disciples to attend the last rites of Shri Upasni Maharaj, when Maharaj dropped His body in December 1941. Kalemama remained with Meher Baba till his last breath. He ed away at Meher Baba's Ashram on 16th of September 1954.Kalemama's son Murli lived with Meher Baba as a close Mandli and had endeared Meher Baba with his bright and jolly mood in the difficult situations of New Life. Later Murli was permitted by Meher Baba to go to Jabalpur and settle down vide New Life Circular No 27. Also during the New Life which was full of helplessness and hopelessness, Meher Baba appreciated Murli very highly with all words at His command for Murli's exemplary and jolly mood during the hardships of the New Life. (Source: http://www..tripod.com/~meherbhopal/saidays2.html and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Baba's Leela’s before 1918 as narrated in Krishnashastri Jageshwar Bhishma’s letter dated 11th July 1921- Sai Leela Magazine The following excerpts are from a letter sent on 11th July 1921 by Vedshastri Krishnashastri Bhishma, the writer of most of the verses from Sri Sadguru Sainath Sagunopasana. My experiences with Maharaj are well-known to those around me. So, there is nothing special in this letter. If devotees already know or have read these experiences, please do not publish them. Sainath Maharaj had an extra sensory perception. Though I am writing this in the past tense, it is only with reference to the mortal body. For me, Sainath is immortal and will always be, since Maharaj is constantly giving me visions and is guiding me to do things He wishes, what I say cannot be false. One evening we were sitting with Sainath and also did the last Aarti, the Shejarati. But, when we went to visit Him the next day, Sai said, ‘‘Yesterday evening I had gone for a walk.’’ We could not believe this as He was with us all evening till the Shejarati. But, a few minutes later a man from a village south of Shirdi came and mentioned, ‘‘Yesterday evening Sai Maharaj was in our village.’’ We then understood that Sai had extra sensory powers and so could be in both places at the same time. Once, when all the people in Balwantrao Khaparde’s house were asleep, Sai came in his dream, dined with him, ate a paan sitting on the swing and then left. At that moment Balwantrao woke up. When he narrated this dream to me in the morning, I said, ‘‘without telling this dream to anyone go to Sainath Maharaj. If Sai has given you this vision, He will give you some indication. If it is an ordinary dream, Sai won’t say a word.’’ Balwantrao went to meet Sai and was amazed when Sai said, ‘‘you gave me dinner yesterday; but you did not give any Dakshina.’’ Balwantrao was stunned; but he immediately asked, how much he should give and back came the reply, ‘‘Rs. 25/-’’.

All these are the facets of extra sensory perception at play. Some may think, these stories are false; but in his book ‘Srimadbhagwatarth Darshan’ Mr. Yeshwant Vyankatesh Kolhatkar, B. A., L.L. B., proves that the Atma or soul is immortal and can perform many miracles. Then, how could it be impossible for Baba to give Darshan while awake or in a dream? ‘‘Jaagat Rama, Sovat Rama, Sapnon mein dekho Rama hi Rama,’’ said Sant Eknath and accordingly Sainath gives Darshan whenever He wills. In Chapter VIII, Vol. III, Verse 4, from the Chandogya Upanishad it is said that ‘‘Sometimes this blissful soul leaves the body and attains self-realization and oneness with the Supreme Light; but the soul does not need to leave the body unconscious.’’ Maharaj was in complete control of His senses and desires and remained perpetually calm. While going from His sleeping area towards the Masjid with His staff in hand, Baba used to hurl abuses. At such a time nobody had the courage to face Him. But, whenever He uttered these expletives at the top of His voice, people could hear the softly uttered words ‘‘Allah tera bhala karega’’. Which man could give blessings while in a fit of rage? That is why, in my opinion Baba’s anger was just a show, but His conscience was kind and calm. In verse 4274 of Tukaram’s Gatha it is said that God Himself bears the troubles of His devotees and is always close to them. One day, all of us were seated next to Maharaj, when it was time for the noon Aarti. According to the custom in those days Bapusaheb prepared the Aarti. But, suddenly, without any provocation, Maharaj donned the Narasimha Avatar. He threw away the Aarti and the Prasad, drove all the people out by hitting at them with His staff. He Himself left His seat and sat down in the Veranda. The Aarti could not take place. By 3 p.m. all the devotees were hungry. Some suggested that the Aarti should be done to the throne. But, Dadasaheb Khaparde did not agree and said that the Aarti should be done to Baba only, but at the hands of Vaghya and not Bapusaheb. Accordingly the Aarti was given to Vaghya. But, suddenly Baba returned to His throne and the Aarti was done. But, nobody understood the reason for Baba’s anger. The next day a lawyer from Kopargaon arrived. He said, ‘‘there was a criminal case against one of Baba’s devotee. The court had sentenced him when I reached there. I took the case and appealed. Surprisingly the court inquired me about the defendant’s conduct. When I vouched for his good behavior and his being innocent, the court acquitted him. To ask Baba, how this miracle took place, I came to Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan. That devotee told me about the eminent Sai and said he was acquitted due to Baba’s blessings.” As said in Sant Dhyaneshwar’s Aarti it is an open secret that the universe is Brahma. Sai behaved accordingly. There was a well-worn piece of sack-cloth which Baba used as a seat and loved it immensely. Once, when Baba was away, a devotee threw the sack-cloth away and kept a silk cushion in its place. When Baba returned He started fuming and abusing as soon as He saw the new cushion. He threw it and scattered the Dhuni. He calmed down only when His old torn piece of sacking was restored. One day people asked me to replace the old sacking with a new one; but I waited till everybody stood for Aarti and then asked Baba in sign language if I could change the sack-cloth. He signaled in agreement. I immediately told Dadasaheb and bought a new sack and replaced the old one, which was discarded. After the Aarti, Baba sat down quietly. Devotees served Him. Then He gave His ‘Chillum’ to me and asked for five Laddoos which I had promised. I kept worrying as to how I would be able to make Laddoos without anybody’s help in this unfamiliar place. If I took somebody’s help Baba would immediately know. Why did He ask specifically for five Laddoos and not just Laddoos? I spent the day mulling over it and went to sleep with the same thought in mind. But, soon I woke up with an inspiration to write a verse which I immediately penned. In the morning, when I was writing the next stanza, Mr. Dixit, who was on his way to Baba, stopped by and saw my poem. Later I took my bath and went for Darshan. As soon as He saw me Baba asked for the Laddoos. I did not say anything; but Dixit said, ‘‘The Laddoos are getting ready”. Baba was pacified. The next day I finished writing five stanzas and offered them to Baba. (I had tried to write more than five; but try as I may, I could not write beyond the five already written and so left it at that.) When Baba saw them, He asked me to read them out and while I was reading, blessed me by putting His hand on my head. It is impossible to narrate my state of bliss at that time. After that I read to Him every poem I wrote and this collection ultimately became the book ‘Sainath Sagunopasana’ which I offered at His feet. The proceeds of the book were given for the protection of cows. The copies of this book must still be there. ‘‘Dhiro Na Shochati,’’ says the Kathopanishad. Self-realized brave people never grieve and even if they feel sad, they do not need other people’s advice to restore their good cheer; they themselves get rid of it. Megha, a Gujarati was Maharaj’s loving devotee. He slogged to serve Baba. He was serving Baba at his master’s instance; but one day it crossed his mind ‘Why should I bathe a Muslim?’ And so one day he left Shirdi for his native place, where he fell ill. When he recovered, he went to visit the Shiva temple; but instead of a Shivalingam he saw Sai Maharaj. He promptly returned to Shirdi. To remove the evil thoughts from his body he was asked to chant the Gayatri Mantra a certain number of times. On completion Baba blessed him. When Megha ed away, Baba Himself came and touching his entire body with His hands, cried bitterly for five minutes. Then consoling Himself, ‘How much will you cry?’ He calmed down (as per the teaching of the Kathopanishad – ‘‘Dhiro Na Shochati’’) and gave permission for the final rites. (Source: Published in Sai Leela Magazine) Back to Top

Vaman Rao Patil's Experince with Sai Baba In the year 1904, Vamanrao Patil, aged 15 years lived in Matung with his father. At that time Prakashanandji Maharaj was hosted by one of his devotees. Vamanrao and his younger brother Vaikunthrao used to press Maharaj's legs and body. Maharaj used to tease them and said, "Red horse is of Vamanya and white horse is of Vaikunthrao" meaning for sometime Vaman would require some of his younger brother. When Vamanrao was studying law, he used to study the Gita Path, Panchikaran but still he was confused about existence of God. These thoughts always formed tangles in his mind. Thus all his knowledge was outer show, but he was unable to go deeper into it. Akkalkot Swamji Maharaj was known as the fourth incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. He took Samadhi in the year 1878. After him a saint named Balkrishna Maharaj stepped in his position and Vamanrao's father Prangovinddas used to go to him of and on. In the month of December 16, 1910, on Datta Jayanti, Vamanrao went to Balkrishna Maharaj with his father. Balkrishna Maharaj gifted him a biography of Akkalkot Maharaj and Eknath Bhagwat in Marathi Language. Vamanrao said to Balkrishna Maharaj, "I will accept only a saint as my Guru, who will make me see God face to face". After reading life instances of Akkalkot Maharaj, Vamanrao was deeply touched and was assured that saints who can help him to meet God are still present on this earth. Meanwhile a relative of Vamanrao's father Sakarlal Keshavlal Bhatt met with major accident. He was badly injured in his leg. A vain of his left leg's knee was damaged and every treatment caused unproductive result. Thus he could not walk properly. When all the ways seemed to be unsuccessful, he thought that his injury could only be cured by true saint's blessing only, otherwise he would die with his lame leg. He started his search for a true saint. Deputy collector of Kheda District Shri Hari Vinayak Sathe, who was a staunch devotee of Baba,came in with Prangovinddas. He told many stories and described many Leelas of Baba to Prangovinddas. Prangovinddas was highly impressed and he requested an introductory letter from Hari Vinayak Sathe. Everything was narrated to Sakarlal and they both left for Shirdi in the month of May in the year 1911. Hari Vinayak wrote an introductory letter to Shri Balabhau Chandorkar who used to run a small hotel in Shirdi. At that time Vamanrao's father's teeth were removed surgically. The gums were weak and he was not able to eat chapatti or any such hard substances. He ate Shira at home, but in Shirdi who will help him and how can he trouble someone unknown to him, were his thoughts. The responsibility of arrangement of meals for Shirdi pilgrims was entrusted to Bapusaheb Jog by Baba. Though Balabhau's hotel was providing good meals, Baba used to give some money out of his daily Dakshina to Dada Kelkar to feed visitors of Shirdi. After the noon arti, devotees went for lunch at Dada Kelkar's place. Prangovinddas was served with chapattis. He was in a fix and thought, "How will I eat these chapattis. When I was at home I ate Shira, but now there is no other alternative in Shirdi." He was thinking thus and a man came running from Dwarkamai and said, "Baba has asked for a potful of Shira. Tell all the devotees not to commence eating their meals, and nobody should leave without eating Shira. So please wait till Shira is served". Prangovinddas was surprised and came to know that Baba is a unique saint. He was impressed by the ability of Baba to know inner feelings of all His devotees. Thus Prangovinddas experienced Baba's divine powers in his first trip to Shirdi, but Sakarlal had no such experience till they left Shirdi after next two days. Sai Baba was tested by Vamanrao by offering an apple to Baba's photo and it was partaken by Baba lovingly by eating all the pulp and only skin of the apple remained in tact. In this way Baba assured Vamanrao regarding His presence and all-pervasiveness. In the year 1911, in the last week of November, Vamanrao Patel's LLB examination got over and as per his vow he decided to go to Shirdi. Nanasaheb Chandorkar was in Mumbai at that time. So he wrote an introductory note to his son-in-law Shri Balabhau who had a small hotel in Shirdi. Vamanrao's father Prangovinddas was very much aware of his son's nature. He knew that because his son was studying law he always had pros and cons in his mind. No lawyer will trust anything without seeing it by his own eyes. Moreover Vamanrao always said that, "I will not accept this truth there is God in this world, unless I see God face to face".

Prangovinddas said to Vamanrao, "O Son! Look at the stars in the sky, sun and moon arise and sets at correct time, they give light and due to this light, human beings and other lives get life. All this is done by supreme and nothing is in our hands". This did not affect Vamanrao's thinking a bit, instead he argued saying, "All this works as scheduled, then where is God in all this?" Vamanrao's such firm thoughts were not concealed to his father Prangovinddas and thus before going to Shirdi he thought to give his son some advice on Baba's nature and mode of showering blessings on His devotees. He said, "Look Vamanya, Saibaba is very queer fellow. Do not argue in front of Him, instead try to search the deep meaning from the words which fall in your ears.Accept with gratitude anything whether good or bad, whether given with love or with anger,given by Baba. Any gift received from such saints is for our welfare only." Carefully listening to his father's advice, Vamanrao took the introductory letter in the name of Balabhau and proceeded to Shirdi on December 10, 1911 from Boribandar by train. He reached Kopergaon by boarding another train from Manmad. He took bath in Holy River Godavari and hired Marwadi's tonga till Shirdi. As soon as they reached Shirdi, a small crowd was seen with cries "Victory Be Unto Sai". Marwadi Tongawala stopped the tonga and said, "The Person Who is walking in between the crowd is Sai Baba! He is going to Lendi Baug by walk." Saying this, the tongawala alighted from tonga and prostrated to Sai Baba. Vamanrao also followed this. On seeing Vamanrao Baba said, "Ishwar Aahe Kaay Mhnun, Naahi Mhanto, nigh... meaning being a human being you doubt the existence of Almighty, Go away from here?" Vamanrao thought, "He is the God I was searching". He was reminded of his father's experience how Baba arranged for Shira at the last moment of meals and took care of his comfort. As Vamanrao had introductory letter from Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Balabhau arranged for Vamanrao's lodging in Dixit Wada and took him for Baba's darshan. The thirst of Baba's darshan did not decrease a jot in Vamanrao's heart and so he again went to Dwarkamai with Marwadi pilgrimage. But Baba adopted an angry form and did not allow them to step into Dwarkamai. As they both were scared they did not dare to go for Noon Arti. They sat in Radhakrishnamai's home and took darshan of Baba from there only during Aarti. After lunch Vamanrao went to the Dwarkamai with Shri Shingane, Judge of High Court. Baba gave prasad of grapes sent by Radhakrishnamai to Vamanrao. Meanwhile a devotee put forward a question before Baba, "Baba, bubos due to plague was seen on your body, do they pain now?" Baba answered, "Bhau (brother), what is the treatment?! The bubos will disappear as they appeared. I took this disease on me. Only total of seven people from the whole village will die due to plague, not more than that." Baba sat on his seat and rested His Hand on the bolster and Vamanrao sat on a raised stone adjacent to the bolster. After a few minutes a crowd headed towards Dwarkamai. All the people requested Baba to take care of them and safeguard them from plague.(Source: Translated from Gujarati Book Sai Sarovar and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Saijeevi Radhakrishnan bestowed with Yogi’s Darshan - Personal experience of Saijeevi Late Shri.R.Radhakrishnan and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org Lord Krishna granted Arjuna divine vision (VISWARUPA DARSHANAM the universal form) as the cosmic universe. Thus He conclusively establishes His divinity. Krishna explains that His own all beautiful form of Godhead. One can perceive this form only by pure devotional service. (B. C. chapter XI) Every one of us can have God's darshan (vision) in some form or other in our sojourn of life provided we surrender ourselves to Him with body, mind and possessions, (Tan, man, dhan) as Arjuna did to Lord Krishna. Also, when we get such darshan (divine vision) we must go on always (throughout our life) & cherish, (such blessings of Lord on us) so that it becomes a sadhana spiritual practice) for us to become one with the Lord (SELF REALISATION). Thus avoid the recurrence of birth & deaths, (punarapi Jananam & punarapi Maranam). Now, I shall narrate how our Lord Sai had blessed me to have such darshan on the auspicious day of Gurupoornima in 1983 or so. I along with some devotees from Hubli was staying in the "Mangala Karyalaya" SHIRDI on the day prior to "Guru Poomima". My brother Sri. Subramaniam with some devotees from MADRAS also ed us there. We were spending the night, each narrating his Sai experiences (Sai Leelas). All of a sudden at 11.00 pm, I was feeling uneasy (in stomach) & dysentery (purging) started. I began to run to bath room every now & then. My physical condition deteriorated. I was completely exhausted & lying on the bed with semi - consciousness & chanting Baba's name silently.

At about, 4.00 am on Guru Poornima day the other devotees wanted to go and stand in the queue near Dixit wada & enter the Mandir premises in time so that they could attend the "KAKAD ARATHI" on time (ie) 5.15 Am. But, at the same time they did not want to leave me alone. Some one amongst them said to others that he (I) is a great Sai devotee, nothing will happen to him, come on let us go & attend the KAKAD ARATHI on this auspicious Guru Poornima day, & went out for Kakad Arathi. Wonder of wonders!! After they left, Baba appeared in a flash & said, "Meet the unknown yogi today & have his Darshan in Gurusthan". After this vision (Baba's appearance), I regained my (physical) strength, took bath & ran to attend the Kakad Arathi. The other devotees who were in the Mandir were wonder struck to see me there & took me near Baba. I told them about Baba's appearance to me & they were all delighted & said that Baba is "Bhaktha Paradeena" (Bonded slave of His sincere devotees). I would like to narrate some prelude (before meeting the unknown yogi on that auspicious Guru Poornima day) as indicated by Baba in the morning. I do daily 'Parayana' (reading 2 chapters everyday) of Sri Sai Satcharita. There is a reference to this unknown Yogi in chapter XXIII under the caption 'YOGA and ONION'. "Once it so happened, that a Sadhak of yoga came to Shirdi with Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had studied all works on Yoga, including the Yoga sutras of Patanjali, but had no practical experience. He could not concentrate his mind and attain samadhi even for a short time. He thought that if Sai Baba was pleased with him, He will show him, the way to attain samadhi, for a longer time. With this object in view, he came to Shirdi and when he went to the Masjid he saw Sai Baba eating chapati with onion. On seeing this, a thought crossed his mind: 'How can this man, eating stale bread with raw onion, solve my difficulties and help me?' Sai Baba read his mind and said to Nanasaheb, "Oh Nana, he who has the power to digest onion, should eat it and none else." Hearing this remark, the yogi was wonder struck and, he fell at Baba's feet with complete surrender. With pure and open mind, he asked his difficulties and got the solution from Baba. Thus, being satisfied and happy, he left Shirdi with Baba's udi and blessings. I was very inquisitive (very eager to know) about this yogi's name & other details etc. Our kind Baba had fulfilled my long desire on this auspicious day. The details are as follows: After attending KAKAD Arathi we took darshan of Lord Ganapati, Shanishwar & Siva installed in separate temples near the Samadhi Mandir. Then we visited Maruthi Temple & had darshan of Maruthi, then to BABA'S Chavadi, Dwarkamai & finally entered "Gurusthan" at about 9.30 AM or so. Lo!! I couldn't believe my eyes. The unknown yogi, tall well built 5'-6" high with effulgent eyes, was present there with his disciples. I prostrated before him, (at a distance from his feet) as the yogi did not allow any one to prostrate at his feet. I saw actually Baba in him. (Baba himself appeared through him). He blessed me & suddenly went straight to Samadhi Mandir with his disciples via Gurusthan connecting SAMADHI MANDIR (only this path / way, connecting Samadhi Mandir with GURUSTHAN will be permitted to TRUSTEES OF SANSTHAN & high dignitaries to avail). Baba's indication in the early morning dream vision has been realized by me viz: I had the darshan of the unknown yogi - a divine person. Then I ed the personal secretary of this yogi Sri. B. SAMANTH, who told me that his name was 'RAM BABA'. He visited Shirdi every year on "Guru Poornima day" to pay obeisance to Samartha Sadguru Sai Baba. He was very simple, egoless, shunned name & fame and did not accept any donation gift etc., from devotees without prior approval (intuition) from Baba. He had travelled abroad & propagated Baba's life, teachings, sayings, philosophy in all those places. He never allowed any one to prostrate at his feet nor allowed them to publish his name in any paper, magazine etc., So to say he was silently preaching BABA's life, His Leelas (experiences to his devotees). Hundreds of different devotees from all over the world became Sai devotees through him. What a great selfless Sai service he had done!! Such people are very rarely found in this world. He lived for 114 years or so. Finally he merged with Baba, thinking of BABA only just like KAKASAHIB DIXIT. The great, Sai Devotee late Sri. Nimbalkar of Pune who was present on that day told me that the yogi never craved for food, clothes etc., and some devotee would go to him & offer food; clothes at the appropriate time, some rich philanthropists would go to him & take him abroad for Sai Prachar. Baba had taken complete care of him in all matters. It is no wonder because he had surrendered (Tan, Man, Dhan) body, mind and all possession to his Sadguru Sri. SAI BABA. His firm conviction was that Baba (BABA'S Sakthi -power) was doing every thing (residing in him, in his heart) and he was only an instrument in his hands. Indeed it is the truth, the reality which we the devotees, have to understand (realize) in life and act accordingly to receive our Samartha Sadguru BABA'S Grace & Blessings. To conclude, though all cannot become "RAM BABA" (one with BABA), let us at least BABA always, meditate on him, go through his stories (Leelas) & chant his Taraka mantra "OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI" constantly which is the easiest path to attain salvation (self realization) (Source: Personal experience of Saijeevi Late Shri.R.Radhakrishnan and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top I turned to Sai Baba to save my honor - Shri.Vijaypat Singhania's personal experience with Sai Baba as narrated to Shri.Khalid A Ansari on 28th November 2005 and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org Vijaypat Singhania is convinced he was blessed with more than a fair dollop of what he ‘‘good luck’’ in his record breaking balloon flight last in the month of November 2005.

‘‘I am grateful to God and Shirdi Sai Babaji for making the trip possible,’’ Vijaypat told the media persons. of the Wellington Sports Club gave him a standing ovation when he entered the bar-cum-dining area of the Wellington Sports Club on that day in the afternoon. Dressed in a safari suit, Vijaypat looked relaxed as he recounted details of his voyage to the edge of space. ‘‘Every time it seemed that my mission would fail, God and Baba came to my rescue,’’ he said. ‘‘I was in constant communication with them all the way”. The unexpectedly strong winds lifted off his balloon from its moorings prematurely, even before he was fully ready. Whereas the balloon should have taken off vertically,the gust dragged him westwards towards the sea at a dangerously low altitude. At this juncture a rescue helicopter set off in pursuit and chief co-coordinator Andy Elson radioed to Vijaypat that he was ready to rescue him if he landed in the sea. ‘‘How farcical it would have been had I abandoned the mission just a few minutes after lift-off. I would have been the laughing stock of the world. With the burners not working efficiently, I turned to God and Saibaba and asked them to save my honor. ‘‘You won’t believe me, but at that very moment my prayers were answered, the burners kicked up and the balloon started to lift off, as if by Divine ordination. However, my burners started packing up soon after lift-off and it didn’t take long for all 18 of them to stop functioning. For the later part of my journey the balloon was powered by solar heat.’’ Vijaypat says the balloon’s ascent stalled at 60,000. ‘‘Hey Baba,’’ I said. ‘‘You have brought me so close to the record, don’t let me down now. My prayers were answered again and the balloon soared past Per Lindstrand’s record of 64,997 feet to a height of 69,852 feet.’’ ‘‘At this stage Andy ordered me to return. I was sorely tempted to stay back, burn a little fuel and ascend to 75,000, perhaps even 72,000 feet. But I recalled Andy’s voice onishing me that anything above 45,000 is forbidden territory. I decided discretion was the better part of valour and started descending”. ’’Apart from the problem with burners, there were snags with pressurization of the capsule, frosting of the cockpit window and failure of the camera and radio systems. A major slip-up concerned the lack of toilet facilities. Referring to problems during his descent, Vijaypat said he ignored Andy Elson’s advice to slow down his descent speed, which would have necessitated his having to stay aloft for another five to six hours. ‘‘I used my commander’s prerogative and decided to return even though the ground wind was dangerously fast. I was fortunate to land without any problem. Had the capsule tilted forward during touchdown, serious injury could have resulted? ‘‘Somebody up there was definitely watching over me,’’ he says. He also considers his landing at Sinnar, between Nasik and Shirdi significant. Certification of the record by the Federation Aviation International, the world body, is expected shortly. Meanwhile, Jatin Vakani, Singhania’s long-time flying companion claims that although the altimeter in the capsule shows a reading of 69,852 feet, the 164-ft height of the balloon increases past the targeted figure of 70,000 to 70,016. Vijaypat mischievously refused to be drawn into divulging future plans. However, his Cloud Nine demeanor suggested that Mission Impossible was, by no stretch of the imagination, his last adventure. (Source: As narrated by Shri.Vijayapat Singhania to Shri.Khalid A Ansari on 28th November 2005 and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org). Back to Top Experience of Shri C.Mankewallah from Ahmedabad – Sai Sudha Magazine September 1953 issue and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org Ahmedabad is a still strange-though not so very dramatic where- instance of Baba's chamatkars took place. Here a well-known lawyer of good standing, Sri C. Mankewallah, was the person to whom or for whose benefit

Baba's Leelas were performed. We may give his experience as it appeared in the September 1953 issue of the Sai Sudha, in the words of Sri Mankewallah himself. From 1948 to 1952, for five years continuously, I suffered from dropsy and gastric ulcer. I had no appetite. I vomited blood and could not eat anything or even take water. My weight became abnormal, viz. 300 pounds last year, from January onwards. I was bed ridden. Doctors attended on me. About 1952 April, the chief doctor of the hospital and other consulting doctors of the city gave up hope of my recovery. On one day, the chief doctor noticing that blood in profuse quantity was coming out of my mouth and that my weight due to dropsy was abnormally high, viz. 300 pounds said that there was no sufficient blood in the body and that surrounding poisons would prove fatal in 2 days. Some friends and relations had advised me to worship Sai Baba (whose temple was opposite to my house) in April, 1952 and I had hung up Baba's picture in front of me and worshipped him. After looking into his photo, I got affection for him. First, I had apprehension that I should not worship a Mohammedan Saint. But, the continuous attraction of His photo on my mind and relation's talk gave me a sudden vision of Baba when I was awake at 6 p.m. He then said to me. "I am not a Fakir. But I am an incarnation of Guru Datta. There are nine gems (including me) that are incarnation of Datta, namely, Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur, Dhuniwala Dada of Khandwa, Vishnu Debananda Saraswathi of Narmada, the Mahant of Akkalkot, etc." The next day, I got 2 books in Gujarati on Baba and read them. Some days later when the doctor completely gave up hopes and stated that life will away in 2 hours (at noon), then Baba appeared in front of me at about 1 p.m. First a light came from the door and Baba came in that light, and my mother Sri Sivaganga and I saw Him and heard His words. He said "Baccha, Math gabra tumara sub dukha me hardeya" to me; and to my mother he said "Tumara sub dukha me hardeya" which means, "Child, fear not, All your disease (or troubles) I have taken away." "Send your grandson immediately to Shirdi." Then he disappeared through the door. As my son had not sufficient experience of travel and as my sudden death would necessitate the presence of my son for funerals as apprehended by some, I and my mother had to consult together, but we told my son to start in the evening for Shirdi, and he did. At 6 p.m. on that day, Baba again appeared and told us. "Do not be afraid. I am with your son also. Tomorrow at 12 O'clock you will receive a wire from your son that he has reached Shirdi safe." After 6 p.m. the doctor visited me. He again gave up hopes of my survival and mocked at the above experience which was narrated to him. He said. "This is a mere hallucination.” In 1 or 2 hours, life would depart. This he said to my mother, and other close relations. Next day, at 12 noon, I got my son's wire "Reached Shirdi safe." Then from that moment, I began to purge. I purged continuously for 24 hours. Urine also ed. No blood ed. Next day, all poisons had ed out in that way, in the stools and urine; and my body became light. The weight was 75 pounds. The heart beat and the pulse were normal. The doctor came when the purging was going on. He was surprised. He was present at the weighing and the resumption of normal pulse and normal beating of the heart. The doctor was satisfied that I had now become safe and was saved by the "mysterious ways of Baba". From that date onwards my health regularly improved. In 2 months, I could and did take ordinary food. I am alright since then. I am doing regular lawyer's work now as before. I am always praying to Baba. In other matters, e.g., domestic, Baba is guiding me and protecting me. Then I went to Shirdi and I have now completed all my South Indian pilgrimages. I will visit Shirdi again on my way back home. I came to Madras 3 or 4 days back, as the guest of Mr. Ambalsi Khapadia of Adyar. On 8th night and on 9th morning, I had a vision of Baba (about 5 a.m.). He commanded me to visit his temple in Mylapore and all his devotees there. So I came here yesterday and today. In 1953 was the first appearance of Baba to Sri Mankewallah but this did not stop with 1953. In 1954 he had repeated appearance and help of Baba. That was for his benefit. But Baba appeared before him in August 1954 for the benefit of the public. This pamphlet had been written, and attempts were being made to print it in August. There was inordinate delay on the part of some printer who undertook the task of printing it. Meanwhile Baba made use of the delay for furnishing the best answer to the question at the top of this pamphlet. He appeared on the morning of 23-8-1954 to Sri Mankewallah and the message he gave was for publication and broadcasting of this pamphlet and also in the History of Sai Baba that was being written by Sri B. V. N. Swami which was nearing completion for which also the following message was the best Epilogue as it was for this pamphlet. This message published in Sai Sudha, September, 1954, runs as follows: It is with great sense of surprise, joy, and blessedness that I am penning these few lines to you, being yesterday night reminded by Shri Saibaba, who, with His habitual smiling face, inspired me in semi awakened state at the dawn of the morning to refer this matter to you, and to bring to your notice that Shri Baba is always present before his bhaktas. He is the guiding and all pervading power that shapes the ends of devotees and even of the universe. He has once saved me from the jaws of death, and he only guides me in all my and everybody's career, in this world. I saw Baba standing before me with his stick laughing, and telling me the above fact and especially asking me to refer the same to you. Why? That I do not know? By the grace of Shri Baba after I recovered from (attack of the icy hands of Pluto) death. I appeared in many civil and criminal cases including cases under sections 302, 307 I. P. C. murders, homicide, and I have become successful in all cases. Every moment in life, I feel the presence of Shri Baba. I always feel that like a parent taking care of his child, He always takes care of me. I have sometimes to through severe tests in life. I had to struggle hard with worldly affairs, but in all, l am triumphant. Even in spiritual worship, Baba's presence is felt. He always reminds me at the proper time and makes me feel that he is present watching all my movements, and guiding and shaping my life's career in a wonderful way.

I again remind you that I am writing you this at the express command of Shri Baba, who has commanded me to refer this matter to you." Again to make assurance doubly sure, Baba was invited to write his name at Thotapalli Hills, Santi Asram on a silver plate. His autograph in Telugu was, accordingly found on the plate. That by the kindness of Sri Omkar Swami was sent to Sri Rajeswarananda who presided on 6-10-54 at the 81st birthday celebration of Sri B. V. Narasimha Swami and presented by him to Sri B. V. Narasimha Swami. It is now kept among articles in the Pooja room of the A.I.S.S. Mylapore Sai Mandir to enable all devotees to see for themselves how Baba is the "Living" God of his devotees actively helping every one in the universe. All these the above instances are only an infinitesimal fraction of the miracle and benevolent acts done by Baba throughout the country - one would see that Sai Baba is undoubtedly now living and retaining the same nature and carrying on the same mission. During his lifetime up to 1918 at Shirdi, Baba said 'Mei Allahum.' His natural functions and mission were all divine. These are undoubtedly to help people who put faith in God, especially in the form of Sai. So, Sai is still carrying on his mission of removing the distress, of strengthening faith, of helping devotees from trouble, (Paritranaya Sadhunam), and of leading those who surrender themselves to him to the highest goal that man can attain, (Dharma Samstapanartaya). Baba is continuing his life in ethereal or Apantaratma shape without any fleshy body, though whenever he chooses, like Narada and Bhrigu, he does put on his fleshy body and appears to people in order to carry out his high and divine plans for the benefit of individuals or society. This will, therefore, suffice for this short pamphlet to enable people to shake off their doubts, fears, and inertia, and rouse them into a determination to get to know more of Baba, to get more with him, and to get all that they want, especially freedom from disease, trouble, etc. with his aid, ultimately freedom from all bondage, sorrow and misery. (Source: September 1953 issue of the Sai Sudha and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Sai Baba clears the loan that Shri Vasantrao took from Shri Amidas Lakshmidas Mehta - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org A money lender named Shri Amidas Lakshmidas Mehta lived in Nagpur. He lent six hundred rupees to a Sai devotee named Shri Vasantrao. Vasantrao’s bad days came and therefore he borrowed money from many other lenders also, but he could not repay his debts in time. So he decided to resort to Sai Baba. Moreover Sai Baba was always with him, so he went to Shirdi. Whenever any creditor went to Vasantrao’s house for recovery of his dues, he used to get only one answer that, “Brother is not in town”. Now Amidas was fed up by such answers. So he started searching for Vasantrao and came to know that he was in Shirdi. He got the news that Vasantrao was lying at the feet of a fakir. Amidas went to Shirdi. He saw Vasantrao massaging Sai Baba’s feet in Dwarkamai. Amidas abused Vasantrao then and there and uttered many bad words. Vasantrao was in tears on hearing Amidas’s words and abuses. He quietly sat massaging Baba’s feet. Sai Baba said to Amidas very politely, “Brother, you have waited for many days, now please wait for two more days. You will get your money with interest day after tomorrow.” Somehow Amidas believed Sai Baba’s words and went away. It was the third day morning. Amidas was sleeping in his house; just then some one knocked the door. Amidas came to the door rubbing his eyes, opened it and saw a stranger standing. Amidas asked, “Why brother it happened that I can not recognize you?” The guest answered, “I am a humble servant of Vasantrao. Sir has sent me to settle your . Just check your books and take the amount including interest from this small bag in order to settle the .” Placing a small bag in Amidas’s hand the guest said, “Sir, count the amount with your own hands, I believe in you, you will not take any extra penny”. Amidas thought in his mind, “Will a big amount like six hundred rupees be occupied in such a small bag?” Looking at the guest with broad eyes, Amidas took the small bag and started counting the amount by taking out the coins. To his surprise, the small bag was not emptied although Amidas took many of the coins out. The coins did not decrease at all. Amidas took his six hundred rupees and said, “Brother the book of is upstairs, please wait a minute, I will bring it”. The guest denied and said, “Oh please don’t bother sir, I have to settle many other s so I am in a hurry and will have to leave. Just send the receipt to Vasantrao”. When Vasantrao received the receipt he was speechless and overwhelmed with love and joy for Sai Baba. He repented thinking that Sai Baba had to take much pain to free from the trouble of creditors. (Source : Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Sri Shirdi Sai Baba's Kafni Cloth Leelas – www.shirdisaitrust.org

"Whenever Sai Baba's Kafni or Langot were worn out or torn, he never gave it to anybody, rather he used to burn them to ashes in Dhuni. And it was not compulsory that the clothes of Sai Baba had to be old in order to burn them. Sometimes he even used to burn clothes which were used for a short time & sometimes he would repair the worn out clothes and use them. When Sai Baba's clothes were torn, Tatya Patil used to tear them more by his fingers. If Sai Baba wanted to take any devotee high up in the matter of spirituality, then that lucky person got Sai Baba’s old clothes as Prasad. The clothes of Sai Baba had immense powers in it. Once Sai Baba gifted His Kafni to Mhalsapati. The result was that till his death Mhalsapati lived like a sanyasi while also taking care of his family and social attachments. In another instance, Sai Baba gave his Kafni to a devotee named Muktaram. As the Kafni was dirty, Muktaram washed it and placed it in Wada (Dharamshala) to dry. After this, Muktaram went for Baba's Darshan. Vamanrao was present where the Kafni was kept for drying in Kaka Saheb Dixit’s Wada. A voice came from the Kafni said - "See, Muktaram has brought me here and hanged upside down." Vamanrao immediately took the Kafni and wore it himself. After wearing the Kafni, Vamanrao went to Dwarkamai. Sai Baba got angry when He saw the Kafni worn by Vamanrao. But Vamanrao was determined to take Sanyas. When time came after this incident Vamanrao went high up in the matter of spirituality. On Tuesday 15th October`1918, the day Baba took Samadhi, an old cloth Bag that Baba never allowed anyone to touch was opened and in it a Green Kafni and a Green Cap (headgear) were found, which were given to him by Kasi Ram, the tailor. Baba had worn them also but later preferred white robes only. And, along with other items, this bag was also placed with Baba inside his Samadhi. Nowdays, Baba's other regular worn Kafni’s are kept at the "Sai Baba Museum" in Dixit Wada at Shirdi. – (Source:www.shirdisaitrust.org)

19.

Experiences of Sai Leela by eminent lawyer Shri Vaman Chintaman Muke Vakil, Pimpalgaon Baswant, District Nasik, written on 11th July 1921 from Panchavati - Shri Sai Leela, Year 1, Volume III, Jyeshtha, Shaka 1845

20 Experiences of Vaman Rao - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.o 21 The dumb Speaks By Sai Baba's Grace - Published in www.shirdisaitrust.org The Leela of how K. J. Bhishma composed “Shri Sadguru Sainath Sagunopasana” - Shri Sai Leela, September 22 1985 Issue Experience of Shri.Nilkanth Ramachandra Sahasrabuddhe vide letter written on 18th February 1920 – Shri Sai 23 Leela Magazine Year 1923, 3rd issue 24

Experiences narrated by Ganesh Govind Narke to Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit vide letter dated 4th March 1918 - Sh Sai Leela Magazine, Shravan, Shaké 1845, Year I, Vol. VI

25

Experiences of Rumalwala Baba - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org

26

Experience of Sai Leela by Shirdi's Primary School Teacher Shri.Daagi Vamanrao Chidambar – www.shirdisaitrust.org

27 Experience of Sai Leela by Kakasaheb Dixit’s brother Shri.Rajaram Dixit – www.shirdisaitrust.org

28 Experience of Sai Leela by Gadge Maharaj – www.shirdisaitrust.org

29 Experience of Sai Leela by Durgabai Karmarkar – www.shirdisaitrust.org

30 Saints can make the dead alive – Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 2005

Sai Leela’s experienced by Shri. M.Hanumantha Rao- Leela that appeared in Souvenir published by Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

31 Samajam, Hyderabad in the year 1991and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org

32 Sai Baba saves Ganpat Dhondu Kadam from Thieves – Sai Leela Magazine, January 1978

33 Experiences of Sai Leela by Shri.Panabhendra Swami of Alandi

34

Experience of Bapu Rao N Chandorkar son of Nana Saheb Chandorkar as narrated by him to Shri.B V Narasimh Swamiji on 16th September 1936

35

Expereince of Balakrishna Govind Upasani Sastri as narrated by him to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th Jul 1936

36

Experiences of a devotee who wanted Rs. 10 crore - Translated from a Gujarati Book 'Sai Sarovar and publishe in www.shirdisaitrust.org

Experiences of Sai Leela by eminent lawyer Shri Vaman Chintaman Muke Vakil, Pimpalgaon Baswant, District Nasik, written on 11th July 1921 from Panchavati - Shri Sai Leela, Year 1, Volume III, Jyeshtha, Shaka 1845 My spiritual Guru Sri Samarth Raghunath Maharaj alias Kaka Puranik Dhopeshwar (Rajapur Dist. Ratnagiri) guided me towards the worship of God. I spent some time everyday in worshipping my Guru. With his blessings I was inspired to read the Dnyaneshwari. He introduced me to a devotee of Sant Dnyaneshwar, who has mentioned his boundless love towards his Guru Nivrittinath in the Dnyaneshwari. All his devotees know that. In the 13th chapter of the Dnyaneshwari ‘Acharyopasana’ Sant Dnyaneshwar says there is no knowledge without the blessings of a Guru. Since my Guru had taken Samadhi, I felt I had not been able to serve at my Guru’s feet. My spiritual Guru Kaka Maharaj Puranik encouraged me to visit Shirdi and take Baba’s Darshan. I followed his advice and reached Shirdi. Sai Baba immediately involved me in Guru Bhakti, (Devotion to the Guru). Seeing my dedication, he blessed me by touching the book about Sagunopasana and a photo of Sai himself. I stay at Pimpalgaon Baswant, Taluka Niphad and am a lawyer by profession. About six years ago I built a small bungalow on my farm due to plague in the village. I lived there with my family. While staying there I used to regularly pray to Sai Baba, morning and evening. Once, at mid-night, some robbers broke the northern wall of my bungalow. Sai’s photo was just inches away from where they broke in. Out of the four robbers, one came in through the gap, stole a small chest and ed it through the opening to his accomplices. There were notes worth two hundred rupees, a rupee and some small coins in it. There were also some promissory notes worth about Rs.4000/- . Opposite Sai Baba’s photo there was a trunk kept on a bench. There was gold jewelry worth Rs.3500/-, silver utensils worth Rs.500/- and valuables worth Rs.10000/- in it. As soon as the robber touched the trunk, my sister-in-law, who was sleeping next to the trunk, was awakened and she screamed ‘Chor! Chor!’ with fear. I was fast asleep and did not hear her. Suddenly Baba came in my dream and said, ‘‘your trunk is gone, wake up!’’ I jumped up with

a start and with Baba’s motivation took a stick and said, ‘‘Hit this one!’’ Hearing my words the robber jumped out of the opening and ran away. With all this commotion, the watchman, the dog, the clerk and the servant got up and with the hullabaloo they created the robbers ran away. I ed the Shloka from the Bhagvad Geeta and prostrated myself in front of the benevolent Sai. ‘‘Ananyaschintayanto mam ye janaha paryupasate Tersha nityabhiyuktanam yagakshem vahamyaham’’ Till then we did not know that our chest was stolen. I sent my man to the police station to inform the officerin-charge about the attempted house-break. When the police asked for a written complaint, I looked for the chest and realized it was stolen. But, I was not bothered about this loss. When the police left it was almost sunrise. Just then, a farmer who worked in our farm informed us that the stolen chest was abandoned in the farm a furlong away. I immediately went and recovered the chest. The robbers had taken all the cash; but the rest was intact. Since the chest had easily opened, it was not damaged. Early next morning, I dreamt of Baba. In it I was offering my services at His feet. His noble disciple, Abdul and another fair and radiant Fakir were with Him. After dreaming of Sai, I felt a desire to visit Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan. I left the very same evening by train and reached Shirdi the following morning. When I saw Sai coming out of the village from His daily ablutions, I prostrated myself in front of Him. He kindly told me and others with me to go into Shirdi. There I stayed at Baba’s loving devotee, Shri Hari Sitaram Dikshit’s wada. After some time, when I went to the Masjid for Baba’s Darshan, I saw the same Fakir I had seen in my dream. When I inquired about him, I came to know that he was Abdul’s Guru. Isn’t it amazing I saw the same Fakir in person that I had seen in my dream a day ago at Pimpalgaon? A third miracle occurred some days later, when Brahmachari Buva of Kopargaon ed me and came to stay with us at our bungalow in Pimpalgaon. We lovingly worshipped him for three days. Before leaving Buva said that the money stolen would be returned. A few months later the robbers and the money-lender who bought the stolen goods were caught. Some of the currency notes stolen from us were found in the moneylender’s house. Since the robbers confessed that the notes were the ones they had stolen from our house, Rs. 65/- of the total Rs. 200/- stolen were recovered and returned to us by the police.(Source: Saidas Vaman Chintaman Muke Vakil, Pimpalgaon Baswant, District Nasik’s letter published in Shri Sai Leela magazine, Year 1, Volume III, Jyeshtha, Shaka 1845). Back to Top Experiences of Vaman Rao - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org Sai Baba is helper of His devotees; nothing could be compared to Him. Bhakti of Sai Baba cannot be ranked on any scale in the world. Maya can’t tease any Bhakta of Sai Baba, in whose heart Sai Baba resides. A person can only understand the secrets of Sai Baba, on whom Sai Baba showers His mercy. The road for attaining Sai Baba is very easy, but many unfortunate people don’t accept the road. On one occasion, when in Shirdi, Vamanrao commenced reading Mayavati literature written by Vivekananda. Meanwhile he came to a topic named Hard Routes of Knowledgeable persons. As the topic was difficult to understand, he found it boring in places. So in between his reading, he visited the Dwarkamai, took darshan of Sai Baba and went away. He was not all bothered whether Sai Baba was present in Dwarkamai or not. He could easily understand the meaning of the topic, when he started reading after his round to Dwarkamai. One day Sai Baba said to him, “See this farm. There is no one to look after the farm, so all the cattle will eat away the crops”. This means whatever Punya is done by you must be protected by Vrat (Fast), Niyam (Rule) and Sanyam (Patience); otherwise every thing will be washed out. On one night, when Vamanrao sat with Sai Baba in Dwarkamai, Sai Baba placed His loving hand on Vamanrao’s head and transferred Saktipaat Yog to him. He spoke in sweet words; Blessings of Lord Shankar are with you. In this way Sai Baba gifted him some divine powers. One day when Vamanrao sat worshipping Sai Baba, he thought in his mind, today Sai Baba is among us and we are doing His Seva Pooja by Chandan, Flowers, Incense Sticks, massaging his body, but when This Body is not be present, then whom shall we worship? Sai Baba is omnipotent and He immediately came to know the thoughts taking place in Vamanrao’s mind. In His answer Sai Baba said, Oh! Do you think that This Body is only Sai Baba? I am Forever. Don’t worry if I am not on this earth. Why do you think like that? (Source:Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org)

Back to Top The dumb Speaks By Sai Baba's Grace - Published in www.shirdisaitrust.org It is no exaggeration to say that Lord Sai is God Incarnate. He has performed miracles in His lifetime and after leaving this earthly life. His devotees have had miraculous experiences in their careers and one of the many instances is the following fact actually experienced by one of His devotees. Sow. Rajalakshmi, was the nine-year-old daughter of Sri. T. L. S. Mani Iyer, from Kumbakonam. He was well known as an ardent devotee of Lord Sai. Sow. Rajalakshmi was dumb by birth. Much dejected by this, he worshipped Lord Sai most fervently and found solace in Him. One day Lord Sai ordered Sri Iyer to come to his Samadhi at Shirdi. Much excited, Sri Iyer with his daughter went to Shirdi on 28-3-42. They worshipped the Lord before His Samadhi; and “Lo, the girl began to cry “Sai Baba, Sai Baba.” Is it not a miracle? Does this not go to prove that He is the incarnation of God? The girl is now studying in the school and there is now a veritable improvement in her speech. Greatly rejoicing at the mercy of Lord Sai, Iyer is daily offering pujas to Him in his house at Kumbakonam and of late he performed three Laksharchanas to Sri Sai Baba. In May 1944, he again went to Shirdi to attend the Sri Ramanavami celebration and paid homage to Lord Sai by presenting Benares Silk shawl worth about Rs.500 and also a silver lamp (Kuthivikkulu) of the height of his daughter costing nearly Rs.400. His extreme faith in Him and ardent devotion to Him manifested as above, have attracted many more devotees to His doors at Shirdi. Puja as done at Shirdi, is being performed at his residence in Kumbakonam daily.(Source:Published in www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top The Leela of how K. J. Bhishma Composed “Shri Sadguru Sainath Sagunopasana” - Shri Sai Leela, September 1985 Issue Krishnashastri Jageshwar Bhishma was a resident of a village called Bori in the district of Nagpur. He lived on the income from his farms. After his second wife died he became restless. His relations and friends advised him to remarry but he declined. In the month of Shravan in 1908, on the night of Purnima he had a dream. He saw a person of dark complexion with tripundra mark on his forehead, sandal-wood paste mixed with saffron applied to his body and Puja offered at his feet. He gave Bhishma a newspaper. Bhishma enquired of him as to who he was. He did not reply but pointed to the newspaper on which “Sat-Chit-Anand” was printed in bold letters. He directed Bhishma to read. Bhishma looked at the newspaper wherein he saw the words “Mantra va shikava” which means “chant mantra and learn”. Bhishma was intrigued and wanted to question the dark person, but both the person and the newspaper had vanished. Bhishma was mystified, but in the meantime he heard a knock at the door and he emerged out of his dream. He lost no time in recording this dream. Thereafter he thought long about his dream but was unable to unravel the mystery. After a few days a sadhu, a devotee of Ganesh, visited Bori. Bhishma narrated his dream to the sadhu who told him that “Sat-Chit-Anand Swami” was his guru, and gave him the mantra “Va Shikava”. After sometime Bhishma happened to visit Amraoti where Dadasaheb Khaparde asked him whether he would like to accompany him to Shirdi. He agreed and in the company of Khaparde arrived in Shirdi. There is a mention of Bhishma in Khaparde’s Diary pertaining to his second and long stay at Shirdi beginning from 6th December 1911. As soon as Bhishma went to the Musjid for Sai Baba’s darshan, Sai Baba with folded hands exclaimed “Jaya Sat-Chit-Anand”. Bhishma was perplexed. He wondered whether the sadhu of his dream was Sai Baba. However, the sadhu of his dream was a Vaishnavite while Sai Baba appeared to be a Muslim! Yet, why Sai Baba uttered Sat-Chit-Anand? All Brahmin devotees of Sai Baba took tirtha but Bhishma did not. Sai Baba used to smoke the chillim and often invited others to have a puff but excluded Bhishma in the beginning. Once while Sai Baba was narrating a story, a devotee got the chillim ready and gave it to Sai Baba. Sai Baba held it out to Bhishma and directed him to smoke after merely touching the chillim to his mouth. Bhishma had a puff and returned it to Sai Baba. Sai Baba accepted it and remarked, “I roam everywhere, my friend – Bombay,Pune, Satara, Nagpur; all those towns are filled with the presence of Rama”. Then he suddenly said to Bhishma, “You eat laddus alone by yourself without offering anything to me. At least now give me five laddus”. It is well known that Sai Baba asked for dakshina from every devotee and spent the amount collected for charitable purposes. Sai Baba’s remark had a strange effect on Bhishma. The distinction between the Vaishnav sadhu of his dream and Sai Baba disappeared. He knowingly asked the sevak for Sai Baba’s tirtha and placed his head on Sai Baba’s feet. Sai Baba put his palm on Bhishma’s head for two full minutes. Bhishma went into ecstasy. How could he describe the state of his mind except by saying like Devnath in his famous composition “Gurukrupayka uhnjuna paya mera main janu”. “The Guru’s Grace I have received I know it for myself”.

Bhishma returned to his lodging, brooding on how he could prepare five laddus in a place where he himself was a guest. Even otherwise he would have had to take the assistance of another person for the purpose and Sai Baba would have surely known about it. Moreover, why did Sai Baba ask him for only five laddus and not laddus generally? He spent a day thinking about the deeper meaning thereof and fell asleep with this thought uppermost in his mind. Suddenly he woke up and was inspired to compose a stanza. In the morning while he busied himself with the second stanza, Hari Sitaram Dikshit, on his way to the Masjid, saw the stanza. After his bath, Bhishma went to the Masjid. Sai Baba reminded him about the laddus. Bhishma kept quiet but Dikshit replied that laddus were being prepared. On hearing this Sai Baba fell into a silence. Next day, Bhishma completed five stanzas, and however hard he tried, he could not compose any more. So he placed the composition of five stanzas into Sai Baba’s hands.Sai Baba asked him to recite them. While he was reciting, Sai Baba again blessed him by putting his palm on his head and Bhishma felt exalted. Thereafter Bhishma would compose a verse and show it to Sai Baba who would order him to render it. Thus the booklet “Shri Sainath Sagunopasna” wrote itself and was offered at Sai Baba’s feet. Dadasaheb Khaparde has the booklet published at his expense till 1922. Later on in 1923, after Shri Sai Baba Sansthan was founded, with Bhishma’s consent a revised edition was planned and published by the Sansthan with incorporation of more compositions therein. Bhishma prepared a booklet entitled Shri Sainath Sagunopasana which contained,besides the Arati, psalms sung in Arati to Shri Sai Baba, some traditional hymns from the Hindu liturgy like, Purusha Suktam, Sree Suktam, Mantra Pushpam, Sri Lakshmi Ashtotharam, intended for use in the daily worship of the devotees. Shri G.S. Khaparde had borne all the expenses of its publication till 1922, After Baba's Mahasamadhi, the book has been adapted as the official 'Book of Daily Worship' at the Samadhi Mandir.Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, on making some additions to it, has taken up the publication of the revised edition since 1923. In all, there are thirty psalms in the Book of Shirdi Aratis. Of the thirty, only sixteen are especially composed on Shri Sai Baba. The rest (fourteen, i.e. about half), are traditional Arati psalms composed by the mediaeval poet-saints of Maharashtra (excepting a Vedic chant). Of the fourteen traditional psalms, five are composed by Sant Tukaram Maharaj, two each by Sant Namadev and Sant Janabai, one each by Shri. Ramjanardhan Swami and Shri. Rameshwar Bhat; of the remaining three, one is a Vedic hymn and the other two are traditional prayers. Of the sixteen, psalms especially written on Shri Sai Baba, the major bulk, i.e. nine, are composed by Shri. K.J. Bhishma, three by Shri. Dasganu Maharaj, one each by Shri.Upasani Maharaj, Shri. Madhav Adkar, Shri. Mohini Raj and Shri. B.V. Dev. Linguistically, of the thirty Arati psalms, twenty five are in Marathi, two in Hindi, two in Sanskrit and one a bilingual anthology of short Marathi and Sanskrit prayers.(Source: Shri Sai Leela, September 1985 Issue) Back to Top Experience of Shri.Nilkanth Ramachandra Sahasrabuddhe vide letter written on 18th February 1920 – Shri Sai Leela Magazine Year 1923, 3rd issue Late one night in the beginning of December 1910, while reading the ‘Panchadashi’ at a fellow devotee’s place, Shri Bhausaheb Dixit and Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar arrived unexpectedly around 11 p.m. After some preliminary conversation, Nanasaheb asked me, “When are you going to Shirdi?” “Someday,” I answered. They had asked me many times before, and I had been putting it off. This time they insisted that I leave the very next day, a Sunday. I told them that I would collect my pension and go on Monday; but they were so insistent that Nanasaheb gave me Rs. 10/- for expenses and said, “Annasaheb Dabholkar will arrange to collect your pension.” I was hesitant; but reluctantly agreed, wondering if I had to stay for more days in Shirdi, would Rs. 10/- suffice. But, Bhausaheb arranged for an unlimited amount to be paid to me by giving me a letter to a treasurer in Shirdi. Reluctantly I left for Shirdi the very next morning. My co-enger in the Manmad Mail was a young man, who was a M.A. graduate and studying for LL.B. Conversing with him I asked him if he knew anything about Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. “I know that mad Fakir,” was all he replied. My belief that Shirdi was a place of idiots was confirmed. I reached Shirdi around 10 a.m. and went to Rao Bahadur Sathe’s Wada, where I was supposed to look for Shri Madhavrao Deshpande, the treasurer mentioned by Bhausaheb. Just then, I met an old friend, Laxman Krishnaji alias Tatyasaheb Noolkar, seated there. Initially when I greeted him with a namaste, he did not recognize me; but when he did, he gave me a bear’s hug and said, all my work was now his responsibility. He apprised Madhavrao of my circumstances. After bathing, Tatyasaheb took me for the Aarti in the Masjid. As Tatyasaheb paid his obeisance by touching his head on Shri Sai Baba’s Feet, I too followed suit as a matter of routine. Immediately Baba said, “Do Namaskar to Tatyaba, do Namaskar to Bapusaheb, there is no lowliness in bowing to anyone.” Tatyasaheb had introduced me to Bapusaheb Jog earlier. Shri Sai told me to serve Tatyaba in the noon Aarti repeatedly for the next three days. Though I believed that some great souls graced this earth, I was doubtful of Shri Sai Baba’s authority. Hence, I jested with Tatyaba to give me some opportunity to serve him from the very first day. I continued to jest till one day Tatyaba told me to stop, as it hurt him immensely. One day, I told Baba that I could not fathom the meaning of His words and that He should tell me clearly, what He meant.

Unlike His other devotees, I could not deduce some hidden meaning. “Okay,” He said. A few days later, during one of His discourses, He said, “Our experiences are not indirect. Those who feel so can go and those who don’t should experience and then go.” I realized that these words were for me and so told him that I would not go, until I had proof. Once again, He just said, “Okay”. Madhavrao would keep asking Baba about the date of my return; but Baba kept saying, “We have to work on him. Let him lie around the Masjid like a dog.” Another time He said, “He is mine; I have to do his work; whom does he have besides me?” I was thus assured by Baba. Tatyaba, who had been in good health all these days, suddenly became extremely ill and I resolved not to go till he got well. But, he died in the month of March. Sai’s words “Serve Tatyaba” thus came true and one day Tatyaba tearfully said, “Nilkanthrao, Baba brought you here, so that I may not suffer. Don’t you think that is what He meant, when He first uttered those words to you?” Concentrating his sight and telling both his sons to recite the ‘Abhang’, which means - “Please remain within my sight always”, he left his body in the wee hours of the morning. The previous day, before his condition worsened, Baba had said to Madhavrao, “Tatyaba listened to me and stayed here to achieve salvation.” Not even is highly educated doctor son could have foreseen that Tatyaba’s condition would turn for the worse so suddenly. “Such a death is really the fruit of great good deeds (Maha Punya)” was everybody’s unanimous opinion as they recalled the Sloka from the Bhagvad Gita, which says that those who God when the end is near, achieve salvation. This was Baba’s Prasad. In the last 35-36 years, I do not a single week, in which I did not have dreams. But, while in Shirdi many months ed with dream-free sleep. There could be no other reason except Baba’s blessings. My health was good if not better in other places; but I had always had dreams. Once, during noon Aarti, while Baba was distributing Mithai brought by a gentleman as Prasad, I wondered if my turn would come. Just then Baba smilingly gestured, “Nothing for you”; and then gave me the Prasad! Once, referring to the fictitious name of Dadabhat Deshpande instead of mine, Baba described my proud nature, my family and circumstances. Bhausaheb Dixit asked, “Who is this Dadabhat Deshpande?” as he and I were the only two people, who completely understood whom Baba had implied. The others did not. One day, as soon as I entered the Masjid, Baba said, “Come Ramayya!” and asked me to come up. After some days, when Baba was distributing ‘Udi’ and it was my turn to do Namaskar, He blessed me by keeping His hand on my head and said, “Say Rama’s name,” as I had firm belief in thinking “Shri Ramam Sarvam Karmani”, that is Shri Ram did everything. Once, while I was musing for three days on the thought that saints made you like them immediately, Madhavrao as usual asked Baba as to when I would be allowed to return. Baba surprisingly replied, “He wants me to get up and make him sit in my place, a job which needs patience.” Nobody, but I understood the meaning of His words! I met the same young man I had met on the train to Shirdi, when he visited two months later. By now I had no doubts whatsoever regarding Baba’s authority and so just repeated the same question to him. Amazingly, he had changed his previous opinion about Baba within half an hour. He could not explain, why. The first time I met Baba, He asked me for Rs. 12/- as ‘Dakshina’. After some days, He asked for Rs. 8/-. Some days later, a friend Shri Ramchandra Vaman alias Bhausaheb Modak sent Rs. 5/- by money order to Tatyasaheb, which he asked me to deliver to Baba. When I presented the amount to Baba, He said, ‘‘Keep it, you will need it for your expenses.’’ But, since I had enough money, I requested Baba to keep it, when again He said, ‘‘you will need this for your expenses, I am telling you; so keep it with you!’’ Reluctantly I kept the amount. Later, when I got His permission to leave, I intended to go to Pune or Mumbai; but due to unforeseen circumstances I had to leave for Jalgaon. There was a shortfall of Rs. 5/- for the amount required to go there. I kept the note given by Baba in a sealed packet with a friend and borrowed Rs. 5/- from him. Later, I collected my sealed packet by returning the amount. In later years, whenever I went to Shirdi, Baba asked me for exactly Rs. 15/- as ‘Dakshina’. Once, when I did not have the requisite amount, He said, ‘‘Get them from Kaka (Bhausaheb Dixit)!’’ I could not meet Kaka then; but when I went once again, he said, ‘‘I do not know your money, I will take out the Holy Book (Pothi) and you can see for yourself.’’ But, I just returned to Baba without bothering to look in the Holy Book and telling Him, what had happened and asked Him to reveal the meaning of Rs. 15/-. But, He said, ‘‘let it remain for the time being. We will see later; there is no hurry.’’ So, I just kept quiet and mulled over the subject. Then I ed some lines from Shri Nath Bhagvat, which I had noted in my notebook earlier. I found great satisfaction in them. The meaning of the two lines was that the five ways of Yoga and control of ten sense organs were the ways to self-realization. It struck me that the fifteen rupees, that Baba asked for every time

must be these. As it is said in the Bhagvad Gita, those who believe will find knowledge; and my belief was not blind. On my last visit to Shirdi, as soon as He saw me, Baba said, ‘‘It is good you came; I was thinking about you.’’ Words, I had never heard before. But, it never occurred to me that this would be His last Darshan until He left His mortal coil. This time, when I decided to return, I kept asking through Bhausaheb for permission to leave in the late afternoon, since we all believed the train left Kopargaon in the evening. But, every time, Baba would say,’ Let him leave tomorrow morning.’’ Finally, one day, I managed to get permission to leave in the late afternoon and reached Kopargaon station only to find that the timings of the train had changed to morning. I had to stay in the railway station overnight! Once, my friend Rao Bahadur Ganpatrao Anjangaonkar had gone to Shirdi with some friends. Since he had to meet the public prosecutor in Thane regarding a District Court appeal on Sunday, he asked for permission to leave on Saturday; but Baba kept saying, ‘‘He does not need to go so early.’’ But, how can ordinary people like us believe it? Ultimately, after many appeals by Ganpatrao, Baba said, ‘‘Go, it’s your wish.’’ When Ganpatrao reached Thane Court at the appointed time, he was informed that the appeal was postponed for another eight days. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Year 1923 3rd issue). Back to Top Experiences narrated by Ganesh Govind Narke to Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit vide letter dated 4th March 1918 - Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Shravan, Shaké 1845, Year I, Vol. VI It was Nath Shashti (death anniversary of Sant Eknath Maharaj) day before yesterday. That day after sending some devotees to a narration of Sant Eknath’s life by an old lady, Baba told us some stories after mealtime, in which He mentioned Sant Kabir and Sant Namdev. Later at dinner time Baba suddenly flew into a rage and quarreled with Tatya. He took a ‘Narsimha Avatar’ before touching any food. He told Dada, “Throw him out or else I am going down”. He went to the ‘Chaurang’ (short four–legged stool used for Pooja) and even picked up two big stones to hit Tatya. Tatya descended; but he was adamant about not letting Baba go to the Chavadi without partaking any fruits. The bell clanged at 8.45 p.m. and devotees started collecting and started singing Bhajans; but Tatya continued to sulk. The clock ticked past 9.30, then 10.30, and the place became crowded with men and women. The palanquin was ready, the horse was at the gate and the singing of Bhajans reached a crescendo. Baba silently got up from His seat and approached the Chaurang. He then calmly sat near the pillar, but did not utter a word. “Baba is going to delay the departure to Paithan” assumed the people and started singing and dancing in frenzy as though they were in Paithan itself. At 11 p.m., Dada asked for permission to go home. Baba said, ‘‘where are you going? Sit down!” In the end Tatya gave up; but Baba said, ‘‘I am not going.” He told Dada, ‘‘Okay, you may leave, it is very late.” He hurled abuses to those singing Bhajans to stop. He told Mhalsapati, ‘‘Let’s go to the Takya!” Mhalsapati sent all the Bhajan singers away as per Baba’s wish. He told Tatya to go. Everyone went home. Bapusaheb left. While we were still in the Masjid (myself, Khadke etc.), Sai took His seat and again got very angry and hurled abuses. Amongst the many names mentioned, yours was one. Finally around mid-night, Baba said, “Let’s go!” The bell was rung in a hurry. Tatya and Bapusaheb came and we all reached the Chavadi joyfully. People called it a Sai Leela of Nath Shashti. The next morning everybody was talking of nothing, but the happenings of the night. Tatya came up to the wall and said, ‘‘Baba, if you had told us properly that we had to go after mid-night, everybody would have happily sung Bhajansuntil then. We would not have gone against you.” “What a sport!” “It’s you and Bapusaheb who are great sportsmen.” When people were returning from Lendi Baug, Baba asked, “Why were we late yesterday?” So be it. Everything is fine here. Once, Shri Moreshwar Pradhan’s son became ill. A Telangi Shastri, who was a Lord Datta’s devotee, lived there. He did not like Shri Pradhan worshipping Sai Baba. He told him, ‘‘Leave Baba and surrender to Lord Datta and your son will be fine.” Pradhan said, ‘‘Sai Baba is Lord Datta.” Shastri Buva said, ‘‘if your son starts drinking milk within five minutes, I shall believe Sai is Lord Datta and if from tomorrow your son starts recovering his normal health, I will go for Baba’sDarshan and offer Rs.125/- as Dakshina. The boy drank milk within five minutes and started gaining health from the very next day. When he recovered completely, Shastri Buva visited Shirdi, took Sai’s Darshan and offered the promisedDakshina. Late in the evening Baba again asked him for Rs. 5/- as Dakshina. When Madhavrao asked, why He again asked for Dakshina, when he had already received Rs.125/- in the morning, Baba said, ‘‘He gave them to Lord Datta. When did he give me?” When Sai was in the mood, He used to narrate stories to devotees around Him. Here are some:-

1. There was a son of a gardener - farm laborer (Mali-Kunbi). He came to the palace and grew up there. After twelve years, he started weeping for his parents. But, the Badshah consoled him, ‘‘there are many palaces here. You can stay in one of them.” The boy started weeping again. So, the Badshah gave his daughter in marriage to him. She did not conceive, so he married a Mali-Kunbi’s daughter; but he started lamenting once again. The Badshah tried to pacify him; but he left the palace. The Badshah then gave him some wealth since he was a great man. His name lives on. The moral of the story is the Badshah loved him so much that he gave him a palace, and his own daughter. But, the strong desire to return to his parents (to succumb to worldly desires) was so great that he could not stay. The great Badshah gave him wealth but had he stayed he would have got the kingdom. 2. There were four brothers; two of them went to a village. They belonged to the Mali- Kunbi community. There was a young girl in the village. She belonged to Kabir. They signaled her to come and she went. They took her to their village. I was a small boy. I too went with them. People in their village made inquiries and threatened them; so the two of them took the girl to the mountains. I went after them. Later the girl delivered two babies. After some days her parents found her. The people said, ‘‘Take your daughter and kill these two!’’ The parents said, ‘‘our daughter now has children. Let her stay!” 3. There was a grocer. He filled three vessels with ghee. My old man was nearby. He said, “If you put these in front of me, I alone shall eat all the ghee.” At that time the grocer’s brother beckoned him for lunch. The grocer locked the vessels in the shop. He told my old man, ‘‘When I come back; I shall give you roasted gram (Chana).” I was near the old man. There were two other kids. They kicked the dilapidated wall on the back side and it caved in. They finished the ghee from two of the vessels. At my old man’s instance I finished the third. When the grocer returned I told him about the ghee. He found that some gold and other things too were missing and took us to the police station. The real culprit was found and we were let off. We all suffered from dysentery, and ed ghee in our stools. My old man cured me. Later the grocer fed me for two years. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Shravan, Shaké 1845, Year I, Vol. VI). Back to Top Experiences of Rumalwala Baba - Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org In Madhya Pradesh, there is a big town named Indore. There is a big temple of Raja Vikramaditya’s deity Goddess Harishiddhi. In the year 1915, there lived a Fakir named Rumalwala Baba besides the temple. He was called a Mast Fakir. He never used to beg, and he was in meditation of Sai Baba for 24 hours. Although there was no need to go to Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan, he went to Shirdi many times to be engrossed in Baba. In the year 1915, in the month of May on a Friday, he visited Shirdi for Sai Baba’s Darshan. While he was meditating in Dwarkamai a photographer came and captured Baba’s photo and ran away with the camera. Baba abused him a lot for his act. On the third day i.e. Sunday, the photographer came and gifted the photograph to Sai Baba in the presence of Rumalwala Baba.At that time Prof. Ganpatrao Narke, son-in-law of Shri Bapu Saheb Buti, was seated before Baba to talk about his job. Baba gave the photograph to him and said, “Take this! The person who has this photograph, his calamities would vanish (Beda Paar Ho Jayega). Rumalwala Baba thought that how nice would be of Baba, if he had given me such an incomparable photograph. After that people sang Madhyan Aarti, stotras, Baba gave Udi to all and ordered everybody to go and have their lunch. Like a bird is not happy without wings, so is a snake without a pearl, an elephant is not happy without its trunk, so Rumalwala Baba was unhappy without the photograph. He went to Balabhau’s lodge to eat, but could not even eat a morsel. Some how he finished off his lunch and got up to give Balabhau eight annas for the lunch. Then along with the money the photograph also came out from his pocket. He became so happy and emotional that he started dancing and jumping. He said to everyone, “See I got Baba’s divine photograph, see I got Baba’s divine photograph. Baba had said whosoever preserves this photograph, his calamities would vanish”. By getting Baba’s divine photograph, there was no bound to happiness of Rumalwala Baba. He was very excited, his eyes overflowed with tears, he kept the photo near his heart and started embracing it again and again. After some days, Rumalwala went back to Indore; he kept the photograph in a recess of a wall. Some years later, a devotee named Shri. Pathakji started visiting Rumalwala Baba. One day he took the photograph in his hands. Seeing this Rumalwala Baba, became very angry and said, “You have angered me by taking the photograph in your hands. Now don’t keep it here. You take the photograph and keep it with you. Whoever has this photograph, preserves it, worships it, lights lamp and incense stick before it, their calamities would vanish. In this way the divine photograph of Baba ed away from Rumalwala Baba to Shri. Pathakji. There was a Sai Baba devotee named Gajananrao Krishnarao Nirakhe. People used to call him Bapu Saheb, and for offering service visited frequently Shirdi. He lived in Gandhinagar. After getting the divine photograph of Sai Baba, Shri Pathakji, ed the team of Bapu Saheb for visiting Shirdi. Seeing the utmost devotion to Sai Baba,

Shri Pathakji sent that divine photograph to Bapu Saheb through another devotee of Sai Baba named Shri Upasani. He danced and jumped with joy after getting the photo. He got the photograph framed and tied it around his neck. Devotees of Indore built a temple for Sai Baba. The idol of Sai Baba was duly installed by Bapu Saheb. In the year 1987, on 10th and 11th October, in a huge hall of Shreyas School, Baroda, Akhil Bhartiya Sai Sammelan was held. Late Shri. Maganlal Jermanwala, author of Sai Sarovar Book was honored. Indore’s Bapu Saheb was also present on the occasion. He had that divine photograph of Sai Baba which he himself tied around his neck. Sai Baba then inspired Bapu Saheb to give the photograph to Sai Sarovar.(Source: Translated from Gujarati Book "Sai Sarovar" and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Experience of Sai Leela by Shirdi's Primary School Teacher Shri.Daagi Vamanrao Chidambar – www.shirdisaitrust.org An able teacher was transferred to the primary school of Shirdi from school of another village. His name was Daagi Vamanrao Chidambar. He was concerned about his own future along with his student’s future. If any student ed with outstanding results, the teacher was praised and he got promotions. Thus he was always concerned about such perks and taught the students with greatest concentration and care. But the situation of the students on the other side was very different. No one concentrated on studies. All had the same words on their lips, “We are blessed children of Sai Baba, so there is no need to think about studies and examination”. One day Daagi Chidambar opened his heart in front of Kakasaheb Dixit, “Kaka (uncle) you are an elderly person of this village. All people respect you a lot. Please you try to make my students’ parents understand the importance of paying attention towards studies. Their children are fully dependent on Baba, they do not work hard. If this continues, I will lose hard earned fame in my entire career. All of them say that they will wake up early on the examination day, have darshan of Baba, partake prasad of Udi and thus presume to be ed and there is no reason for worrying about examination and studies”. “Kaka! I am ing sleepless nights worrying that all my hard work and fame will be washed away due to such students of Shirdi.” Kakasaheb answered, “Daagi! Keep patience and be calm. Just wait for the results. As the students have full faith in Sai Baba, so does the Fakir bears love for them. He is sure to help them. Moreover He is also concerned about you, even if you have faith in him or not. He is worried for everyone’s welfare and does well to everyone.” An inspector named Deshmukh was present in Shirdi for inspection. He was well known for his strictness and dedication to his work. This made Daagi’s heart beats double in a minute and his body started perspiring. He knew that the students did not study whole year, so his hard work and efforts for gaining a respectable position in his career would end up uselessly. He even feared of losing his job. The result day was a big surprise for Daagi. Even weakest of weakest student ed with good marks. Now Daagi realized the powers and mercy of Sai Baba. He went to Dwarkamai and fell at the ground and did Shashtang Namaskars to Baba. He said, “I have gained everything by coming to Shirdi and much pleased by your darshan. All my sins, sorrows and poverty have ended in front of you. The Almighty has given me the fruit of all my past births by showing me the path of Shirdi. The way to heaven is from Shirdi. O Grateful Sai, I do not want any money, designation or anything else, but give a blessing that I spend my whole life in Shirdi and I can meet my death in this Holy Land. I fold my hands before you please grant me one and only wish.” Sai Baba, God of Gods promised Daagi to give pure Bhakti and led him to the path of salvation. As time ed, Daagi got many promotions in school of Shirdi. He purchased his own and in Shirdi. He then permanently stayed in Shirdi with his family. After retirement, he used to meditate on Sai Baba whole day. He gained much devotion for Baba with His grace and was fortunate enough to be a part of many Leelas of Baba. As per his wish he breathed last on the soil of Shirdi and merged in its dust. (Source: www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Experience of Sai Leela by Kakasaheb Dixit’s brother Shri.Rajaram Dixit – www.shirdisaitrust.org Kakasaheb’s brother Rajaram Dixit lived in Nagpur. As he grew old, his health deteriorated. Kakasaheb resided in Shirdi at that time. So a letter was sent to him by Rajaram describing his own condition. In the end it was

written, “If you are present in Nagpur in this time of calamity, it would be helpful to me. Hence as soon as you receive this letter, leave Shirdi and come to me.” As per Kakasaheb’s practice, he went to Baba holding the letter in his hand. Baba who was Antaryami said, “Rajaram is nearing his old age. Thus it is obvious that he will be surrounded by bad health. So what is the use of your going there? Go and sit in your wada (lodging). When I am sitting here for you all, there is no need to worry”. When this discussion was going on between Baba and Kakasaheb in Shirdi, a Fakir in saffron colored dress stood in the courtyard of Rajaram’s house in Nagpur. He said, “I am a Sevak (servant) of Sai Baba of Shirdi.” All the welcomed Fakir on hearing Sai Baba’s name. Fakir took out handful of Udi and gave to Rajaram as prasad from Sai Baba. Rajaram partook some Udi with Baba’s name. And lo! all his sickness was destroyed by Udi in few minutes. He sent Kakasaheb a detailed letter regarding this incident, “By taking Udi which Sai Baba had sent through His Sevak, all my sufferings have ended, now it will be fine if you don’t come.” (Source: www.shirdisaitrust.org). Back to Top Experience of Sai Leela by Gadge Maharaj – www.shirdisaitrust.org Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaj narrated one interesting episode in the life of Gadge Maharaj as recounted by Nanasaheb Rasne. Once Gadge Baba visited the house of Nanasaheb Rasne, the son of Damodar Rasne who was one of the very fortunate souls profoundly blessed by Sai Baba. Gadge Maharaj explained to Nanasaheb Rasne how his life was completely transformed to that of a saint! Gadge Baba said to Nanasaheb Rasne,"I will tell you certain things which are not generally revealed to others. I was born in a washer man family. As I was very poor, I worked in a clothes shop in Shedgaon. Once a fakir came from Selu Manvant and asked for bhiksha. People did not offer him anything thinking that he was a Muslim. When I saw the fakir, I felt a strong desire to serve him. So I went home and brought some food to give him. But, the fakir already left the place! So I started in search of him. Searched several places but found him in a ripe cornfield munching a corn spike! When he saw me, he shouted at me, “Why have you come over here?" I answered, “I have come to give you food." Then he said, "Will you give anything I want?" I replied that I would give him anything in life except money because money I did not have. Then he demanded, "Give me your life!" I replied that it was already with him. I asked him to take my life immediately as I lost zest in life. Then suddenly the fakir took me closer to him and put his hands on my head blessing me. I felt galvanized at that moment and decided to quit the world! After feeding the fakir I returned home to tell my people about my decision. I told my people at home that I got a great Guru and I would follow him. I returned to the fakir only to find him angrier. He shouted at me," Rogue! Is it not sufficient which I had given to you? You still want more?" Then I replied that I could not live without him! Satisfied with my reply, the fakir took me to a nearby cemetery and asked me to dig a pit at the tomb of a Muslim saint. When the pit was dug he asked me to pour two pot full of water in to it. He sipped three handfuls of water from the pit and asked me to do the same. Suddenly I became oblivious of my state when I drank the water and went in to a yogic trance! I remained in that state for a long time! I did not notice when the fakir left the place. So I again started on a journey searching for him for so many years. One day I came to Shirdi and entered a masjid when the curtains therein were lowered for a fakir was taking a bath! I peeped inside and he was the same fakir whom I had been searching for years .He looked at me and cried, "Bastard! You have already eaten my flesh and now you have come to eat my bones! Don't you leave me?" I answered that I would not leave him. Then suddenly he became furious and flung a brick at me. The brick hit me on my forehead and I fell down bleeding. The fakir then came to me and cleaned the wound. He circumambulated me and blessed me, “Now, you can go! You are completely transformed! "The fakir is none other than great Sadguru Sai Baba!” So Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja made an inference with the help of this happening in the life of Gadge Baba about what Sai Baba did before His second appearance in Shirdi in 1856 and He was complete Perfect Master by the time He returned with Chand Patil's marriage party to Shirdi. Sai Baba is beyond time and space indeed! Gadge Maharaj had the habit of continuously singing “Gopala, Gopala Deviki Nandan Gopala”. In his early days he was a poor saint who owned only a mud pot, but a desire to build a grand building for charitable work. He was quite successful in building a “Dharamshala” at Pandarpur, when he started building a dharamshala at Nasik the funds suddenly froze. He had only a few rooms built and the work had to be stopped. He was quite disgusted by the turn of events so he decided to go and meet Baba. Just as he climbed the steps of the Dwarkamai, Baba looked at him and shouted a lot of foul abuses. Gadge Maharaj laughed heartily and so did Baba. Gadge Maharaj knew that hereafter his work would proceed smoothly. Since Baba had abused and driven the bad fortune and soon the funds rolled in and he successfully completed his mission.

Sadguru Gadge Baba visited Shirdi in 1927 before attaining Mahasamadhi and swept the streets of Shirdi chanting "Hum Jato Amche Gaona"(I am going to my abode!). He prayed at Samadhi Mandir and said to his followers, "We will not meet again!” Then he walked to the bank of Narmada and attained Maha Samadhi! (Source:www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Experience of Sai Leela by Durgabai Karmarkar – www.shirdisaitrust.org It was some time in the year 1913, when a woman wearing black sari and carrying an infant in her hand climbed the steps of Dwarakamai early in the morning. She placed the infant on the floor of the Masjid Mai and bowed down to its presiding deity Sai Baba. The women whose name was Durgabai Karmarkar was so touched by Baba’s darshan that she forgot everything and tears flowed down her cheeks. At that very moment all her bad deeds vanished. Durgabai’s baby was eight months old. She was very poor and it seemed difficult for her to meet expenses for her stay in Shirdi. Omnipotent Baba already knew about this fact and said, “This is Sai’s court. This Dwarakamai does good to everyone. Don’t worry about anything. Nothing can trouble you here. Now go and sit under that Neem tree. Sit there for three days without uttering a single word and don’t partake of any food or water. On the fourth day morning everything will be alright.” Durgabai answered, “Baba! I am not bothered if I don’t get food or water for three consecutive days. But what about my little kid? He lives on milk. So if I get some milk let alone other food for him, it is enough for me. Baba! I am very poor. I have none to ”. Baba answered, “Go, Go, if you don’t get milk for your kid, don’t give him anything. Just keep him sleeping. Allah is Malik! – Allah is Almight!”. There was no doubt in Baba’s words for Durgabai. Still her eyes were wet with tears. Durgabai decided to stick with Baba’s words whatever may be the consequence, good or bad. Baba’s words gave her immense strength to abide by this order. Durgabai went and sat under the Neem tree as Baba’s words were law and strength for such helpless devotees. It was the same Neem tree where, today, Gurusthan is situated. Three days ed by Durgabai without food and water and without uttering a single word to anyone. But more surprising fact here was that the infant of eight months also did not cry for milk or food. Both the mother and son did not even attend to the nature’s calls during these three days. On the fourth day in the early morning, Baba came and gave a piece of chapatti to Durgabai and placed a two rupee coin in her son’s hand to buy milk. Baba gave some advice to Durgabai, “Don’t talk with anyone unnecessarily. Be silent till it is possible. Serve others and that will be considered as My Service.” While such talks were going on between Baba and Durgabai, Balabhau having a hotel of his own in Shirdi, came to them and said to Baba with folded hands, “Baba! I take responsibility of this lady on my shoulders”. Thus Baba arranged everything to feed that poor lady and her son. The infant was not named till then. Baba named him Raghunath. Durgabai had decided to stay in Shirdi for seven to eight days. After this span of time, she went to Dwarakamai for permission to leave Shirdi. Baba said, “Go and sit at your place. I have pulled you here, but I have not pulled you here to return. I pull only those who are Mine. The lane between Dwarkamai and Lendibaug was unoccupied at that time. So if any residence was built in that unoccupied space then one could have easy Darshan of Baba while He went for rounds to Lendibaug in the morning and evening. Durgabai built a pukka house of her own in Shirdi in between the lane from Dwarkamai to Lendbaug. She used to work at two different places and earned her living. She was a hard worker and never felt ashamed to do any type of work. Well learned and high profile devotees of Baba’s court gave her much respect, but she was not the least proud of that. But such down to earth nature of Durgabai was not liked by all and few people used to criticize her very badly. Still she did not speak anything in answer to those people. She sat in a corner of Dwarakamai and wept slowly. One day it was noon time. She was pressing Baba’s legs in Dwarakamai and she ed few bitter words against her. She could not control her tears. Baba, who knew everything said to Durgabai, “Durge! What

business do you have with these people? People may do anything, speak anything, but is there any necessity to pay attention to them? I am here for you. You have to do many things and work hard. You will always find Me sitting here and ready to help you.” Baba’s nectar like words consoled Durgabai to a great extent. Durgabai never rejected any type of work. However difficult it may be, she would complete the work. After retiring from work she used to take pot filled with rice grains to Dwarakamai and cooked it on Baba’s Dhuni (sacred fire lit by Baba himself). Till the rice was cooked, she used to massage Baba’s whole body. She would not stop until Baba told her to stop. Durgabai prepared Naivedya from the rice cooked in Dwarakamai for Baba. There was a strange relationship between Durgabai and Baba. Durgabai was inspired to prepare those dishes which Baba wished to eat!!! So undoubtedly dishes prepared by Durgabai were partaken by Baba with love. Dada Saheb Khaparde was very much impressed by Durgabai’s service to Baba. For her uninterrupted service, he had arranged to give fifteen rupees to Durgabai every month. Durgabai used to follow strict rules in her worship to Baba, though Baba was only hungry for true feelings and love His devotees. She believed in discrimination of touchable – untouchable. Once it so happened that Durgabai had kept rice to cook in Dwarakamai and was massaging Baba’s body. Meanwhile a devotee turned up. He placed aside a rice pot from Dhuni, took a flame from Dhuni to light chilam and again placed the vessel on Dhuni. That devotee did not have any thought of untouchablility. He only knew that it was Baba’s darbar where there is no discrimination of high – low, rich – poor, touchable – untouchable. Everyone is equal in this court. Durgabai did not object to any of that person’s actions nor did she leave her service. Mentally she thought, “It’s time for my son’s lunch. How can I feed untouchable rice to my son? A person lives on food and he is the outcome of the food he eats. No, no, such untouchable food will not do any good to my son. Now when will I go to shop to bring rice, when lunch will be prepared again and when will I feed my son?” Such were the thoughts of Durgabai and they made her cry. One tear fell on Baba’s back and Baba knew her feelings and state of mind there and then. Baba said, “Durge, you please don’t cry. There is no room for untouchability in our court. This Masjidmai is not worthless. People come here and wash away sins of their crores of births. I have lighted this Dhuni with My Hands. God of fire – Agni Dev resides in this Dhuni. So, will the rice cooked on this pious fire ever become unfit to eat due to someone’s touching it? Your son’s fortune will shine by eating rice cooked on this holy fire. I am not saying these words because mercy has dawned in Me. I don’t have any ill feelings towards anyone in My heart. Agni Dev resides here in this Dhuni and I have lit this Dhuni. People come and take Udi (sacred ash) of this Dhuni to cure diseases and apply on foreheads. So what to say about their fortunes? Durge, don’t have any doubts in your mind. You feed Raghu with this rice only and also feed yourself!”. Saying so Baba tied to calm down Durgabai and gently moved His hand on her back. Again He added, “Now get up and go to your home. Eat this rice and give to Raghu also.” Like this Baba imparted a very valuable message that everyone is equal in His eyes and thus discrimination of caste-creed and touchable and untouchable are barriers in the path of spiritual progress. Continuing with stories of Durgabai and her son, days ed by and Raghu attained age of five. Durgabai decided to perform his thread ceremony. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Kakasaheb Dixit, Rao Bahadur Dhumal, Dada Saheb Khaparde and many other able devotees collected Rs. 75/- by their personal contribution and gave them to Durgabai. Four days were remaining for thread ceremony There was burglary in Durgabai’s house. Four thieves stole sway all the money from the house. When Durgabai came to know that nothing was left in her house, she was completely dejected. Whole day she cried and so her eyes got puffed by crying. She did not perform her evening worship too. Next day at about 9.00 am, Sai Baba came near her house on His round to Lendibaug. No sooner did she see Baba coming than she ran to Him, fell at His feet and start crying loudly. Baba gently placed His hand on Durgabai’s head and said, “Durge, what is there to cry in this matter? Is there any scarcity of money in our court? I am here to give thousands of rupees. I will give you carts and carts of money. Let this money be gone, it was not Ours”. These words pacified Durgabai to a large extent. After a few days, Durgabai was massaging Baba’s back in Dwarakamai. She was concerned about her son’s education. Baba said, “There is no master to teach Raghu here. Who will teach him? Allah Malik is his Master”. Baba arranged for Raghu’s education in Amravati in supervision of Dada Saheb Khaparde. Once Baba asked Durgabai, “O Durge! Do you go to Vithoba (Khandoba) Temple? Durgabai replied, “Yes I go there sometimes”. Baba said, “Upasani Maharaj has become very weak. Durge, you serve Him in Khandoba temple in the same way like you are doing to Me here. It will be equivalent to serving Me”.

At that time Upasani Maharaj was in deep meditation. If anybody went near Him, Upasani Maharaj abused them. Not minding these consequences Durgabai headed towards the Khandoba Temple. Upasani Maharaj did not accept any food from anybody. If anybody boldly took this action, he would get beatings and abuses. But was Durgabai to pay attention on all these? For her Baba’s words were order and law. On July 27, 1914, Upasani Maharaj left Shirdi and no one knew where He went. Still as per her custom, Durgabai used to go to Khandoba temple and placed food dish under the banyan tree in the name of Upasani Maharaj. In the year 1916, Durgabai came to know that Upasani Maharaj resided in Sakori. So after offering Naivedya to Saibaba in Shirdi, Durgabai used to go to Sakori by walk to offer Him Naivedya. Once Doulu Sheth of Rahata had organized Satsang of Upasani Maharaj in Rahata. So Durgabai used to go to Rahata with Naivedya for Upasani Maharaj from Shirdi. A big thorn went into her foot enroute to Rahata. Every effort to take thorn out failed. Still it did not interrupt Durgabai’s seva. After Upasani Maharaj accepted her Naivedya, she would partake her food. As days ed by the swelling and pain of the wound increased. She was finding difficult to walk normally. One day Upasani Maharaj noticed Durgabai’s wounded leg. He showed artificial angriness and said, “Why are you suffering since so many days without telling anybody? If you say someone, there can be a solution for your suffering.” Upasani Maharaj called for a pair of tongs and held Durgabai’s leg. Another person took out the big thorn which went deep into Durgabai’s foot. After Baba’s Mahasamadhi, Durgabai made Sakori as her permanent stay for serving Upasani Maharaj. After many years of her selfless service, Durgabai breathed her last in Solapur Sai Dham. (Source:www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Saints can make the dead alive – Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 2005 In the biographies of Saints and Sadgurus, one comes across many amazing feats which science cannot explain. Because the sciences have limitations while the doings of Saints are boundless. They are beyond comprehension of human mind and hence, we call them miracles. Saints do not perform miracle for the sake of their sensational value. They do not need help of miracles; because Saints are born as self-evident. With their amazing powers, they have conquered Chaitanya. And hence, we say that they have gained Siddhis (divine illuminations). Actually, the Saints believe that Siddhis are detrimental to Paramartha. It must be ed that Saints use Siddhis only for the salvation of mortal beings. Once, in the strong sun of mid-noon, a young lamb on the verge of death came staggering into the Masjid, fell down and lay motionless. The villagers examined it. Seeing that it has died, Mrs.Tarabai Tarkhad was moved to tears. At that time, she was massaging Baba’s Feet. She requested Baba and said, “Baba, the young lamb has died.” Baba replied, “Aaye (mother), it must not be dead. It must have fainted because of the strong sun rays.” “No, Baba, it has died,” the villagers also started saying. No one was willing to believe Baba. Then, Baba got up. He took water in His tumbler, pouring a stream of the water, Baba went around the young lamb. And what a miracle! That dead lamb suddenly sprang up and went away hopping on its legs. Everyone was amazed. In a village nearby Shirdi, on one night Dasganu Maharaj was to deliver Kirtan (preaching). As per his usual practice, he went to Baba to take His blessings. Besides giving blessings, Baba suggested, “Take My Bhau (Jyotindra - son of Babasaheb Tarkhad) along with you. Don’t forget.” After walking the distance of 7-8 Miles, Dasganu Maharaj and Jyotindra arrived at the village. The appointed time for Kirtan arrived. As it had grown dark, petromax lamps were arranged. Dasganu Maharaj arranged Baba’s photograph on a stool. Putting a garland and doing Namaskar, he stood up to deliver the Kirtan. The Kirtan had begun and just then, some people - looking like Bhillas - came carrying a dead body on a Tirdi (stretcher for carrying the dead). One of them scolded Dasganu Maharaj and asked him, “What is this mumbojumbo you have started and whose photograph is this?” Dasganu Maharaj replied, ‘‘Dada, this is Shri Sadguru Sai Baba. He is my Guru, my Deity and my everything! How can a mere mortal like me describe His greatness? I can only say that with His blessings impossible becomes possible. He is the Saviour of the poor and destitute. I only go from village to village and pray that people realize His greatness.” The Bhilla said, “Is it so? Then keep the dead body down. And you, tell him - whoever is your Sai Baba - to make this dead man come alive. And if he does not become alive, we will make you dead with our sickles, choppers and axes.”

Dasganu got scared. His hands and feet developed tremors and became clammy. However, he realized that as Baba had sent Jyotindra along to ward off the forthcoming danger. He asked, ‘‘Bhausaheb, please tell me, what I should do now?” Jyotindra replied, “Maharaj, this is a play (Leela) of Baba. We are only His children. We can only chant His name. Only that is in our hands. Start your famous Bhajan - ‘SAI RAHAM NAZAR KARANA, BACHCHONKA PALAN KARANA.’ Rest will be done by Baba.” Dasganu Maharaj began the Bhajan and got engrossed in it. He almost lost consciousness of where he was. An hour ed like this. And, suddenly the dead body broke the string tied around it, sat up and started clapping in rhythm with the Bhajan. Seeing this, Jyotindra said, “Maharaj, stop the Kirtan. Baba has completed His task.” The Bhilla folks, who had unconsciously started participating in the Bhajan, were dumb struck. They asked the ‘dead’ man to touch the feet of Baba’s picture. Tears were streaming from the eyes of all. Now, all of them promised to come to Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan. Next day, Dasganu Maharaj and Jyotindra returned to Shirdi and went to Dwarkamai. Before they could say anything, Baba said, “Ganya, yesterday My Bhau (Baba used to call Jyotindra as ‘Bhau’) was with you and hence, you were saved. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for you. Isn’t it?” If a devotee has full faith, devotion and unity at the feet of his Sadguru, then Chaitanya Parabrahma (Supreme Spirit) gives Darshan in a mortal form. But, the devotion must be total. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 2005) Back to Top Sai Leela’s experienced by Shri. M.Hanumantha Rao- Leela that appeared in Souvenir published by Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Samajam, Hyderabad in the year 1991and published by www.shirdisaitrust.org The number of instances where Baba came to the rescue of His devotees, stranded on Railway platforms, is legion. Sai Satcharitra illustrates an incident when Balaram Mankar wanted to travel by train from Poona to Dadar. At the booking office he felt helpless as he found a big crowd. Just as he gave up hope of traveling that day, a man looking like a villager came straight to him and told him that he had cancelled his Dadar trip and offered his ticket to him. Mankar was pleasantly surprised. But before he could take out the money, the man disappeared into the crowd. He rushed forth immediately and searched for him all over the place but there was no trace of the villager. It suddenly dawned on him who that villager was. Now read these similar incidents from the life of a saintly devotee from Hyderabad. It was in October, 1985. Sri M. Hanumanth Rao (MHR) had to go to Poona. He had no reserved accommodation. The general compartments were fully packed. People were hanging on the footboards also. With Sai on his lips and hope in his soul, he was pacing up and down the platform looking for some space anywhere. Just then a tall bearded Muslim from a reserved compartment beckoned to him to get in. He meekly got in. The old man ordered him to sit on the floor. He obediently did. A few minutes later when the train started leaving, the old man rose from his seat, smiled at him, and got down the train. Later when the Ticket Examiner (TE) came, he (MHR) produced his unreserved ticket. The TE looked at the ticket and then at him. Something happened in his mind. Adorning a smiling face, he lifted him by his arms and put him on the empty seat vacated by the old man and later collected the berth charges. In Poona his relatives pressed him to stay further when he wanted to return home for Diwali. They were all captured by his saintly manners. But there he felt like a fish out of water as he could not perform Sai Poojas and Aartis as he used to do in his house. One day he silently sneaked out of their house and came to the station. As in Mankar’s case, he found a big crowd at the Poona booking window. The train had already steamed in. A simple man he felt highly perplexed, unable to cope with the situation. A few minutes later the engine whistled and started moving. There was a quick flurry of movement. People were running in different directions to reach their compartments. He suddenly galvanized into action. Putting all faith in Baba, he came on to the platform and rushing towards the moving train got in. It was a reserved compartment. The TE angrily made wild gesticulations and demanded the ticket. He replied he could not purchase one. The TE then flew into a rage and threatened to throw him out at the next station. He ordered him to sit on the floor near the door. Without a word he (MHR) meekly obeyed him. He then opened the Sai Satcharita and started reading it. He does not waste his time anywhere as per his wont. In the meanwhile the TE completed his ticket checking and coming to him (MHR) sat on the TE seat near him. Looking askance at him, he gruffly asked what was he reading. The book was shown to him. He shuffled through the pages and read here and there. His attitude thereafter significantly changed. He enquired and came to know much of his (MHR) spiritual side. After some time Dhond station came. TE went out. Seizing the chance, MHR also got down and ran towards the station premises and came back with a ticket to Hyderabad. Settling himself he took out the Likhita Japa book and started writing Sai Naam. The TE too came back. There were some refreshments in his hand, which he offered to MHR and forced him to partake of it. He asked what he was writing MHR replied that it was Sai

Naam. “How many times you have written so far?” he enquired. “More than sixty lakhs. Baba willing. I will complete a crore and more before He recalls me,” MHR replied. Then they were drawn into lengthy conversations on Baba and His Leelas. Time flew by. After nightfall Wadi Station came where the operational staff changes duties. The TE took MHR into his arms and embraced him. Tears walled up in his eyes as he did so. He then took farewell, got down and merged into the crowd. A very strict man in the beginning threatening to throw him out, his manners changed completely on hearing of Baba and finally become a very warm friend. Now read this charming incident, around the same time MHR went with a friend to Cuddapah and stopped at his friend’s relative’s house. There he saw in every house and shop only the contemporary Sai Baba’s photos. They went to several other houses known to his friend. Wherever he went he saw only this Sai Baba’s photos. His eyes were thirsting for the photos of Shirdi Sai Baba anywhere. His attempts were met with thorough failure. This disturbed him greatly and his spirits were at low ebb. Only an intense Sai devotee could understand his state of mind then. Feeling restless, he desired to get out of the town quickly. Without telling his friend, he came to the bus stand and took a bus going in the direction of the station. There on the way, as the darkness was creeping, he heard the evening Aarti of Shirdi Sai Baba! MHR stopped in his tracks and looked. It was from the nearby Shirdi Sai Baba temple. Greatly relieved, thither he ran and took the darshan of his beloved Sai! Coming to know after Aarti that he was bound for Hyderabad, the priest told him that he must hurry as the train had already arrived on the platform. MHR ran and entered the platform from the long end of it. The train as usual was packed. Not knowing he hurriedly got into a reserved compartment. Seat No 5 was vacant and he sat on it. The neighbors protested saying that a Muslim old man had just then occupied the seat and went out. Entrusting his cloth bag and assuring them that he would not occupy seat No. 5, he went out to purchase the ticket. There he saw heavy rush at the booking window. When he felt totally helpless, he saw an old man with a grey beard in a worn-out sherwani leaning with one foot closed on a pillar and smoking a beedi leisurely. He beckoned him and introducing himself as Qudratullah asked where he was going. MHR replied. He said he knew that and so saying he took out a ticket and gave it to him. When MHR was fumbling for the fare from his pocket, he forbade him stating that he better hurry as the train was leaving. He said he would be with him soon. MHR ran and caught his compartment just in time. Wearily he sat on seat No. 5, which was still vacant, and looked into the ticket. What he saw made him sit bolt upright. It was a reserved ticket to Hyderabad and was marked seat No 5 of the same compartment!!! Then he looked for the old man but he was not to be seen anywhere. He felt momentarily disoriented. Then as light dawned on him he composed himself and reassured that unseen by the naked eye Baba is always by his side and that He would respond to any sincere devotee who loves Him wholeheartedly, by taking any form, at any time and at any place as mentioned in the Sai Satcharita.(Source: Leela that appeared in Souvenir published by Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Samajam, Hyderabad in the year 1991and published bywww.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top Sai Baba saves Ganpat Dhondu Kadam from Thieves – Sai Leela Magazine, January 1978 In 1914, Shri.Ganpat Dhondu Kadam and his wife went to take darshan of Baba. On the Nasik line the train was moving and it was one or two stations on this (Western) side of Nasik. He was seated in the carriage. Fifteen or twenty jet black Bhils got into this carriage one after another. They came and sat beside him. There was no other enger. His wife, daughter, and Ganpat were the only three who were not Bhils. At that time, Ganpat was doing the parayan of Hari Bhakta Parayan Lakshraan Ramachandra Pangarkar's Bhakti Margapradip book. Then he understood or thought that those men came and sat near him to hear the reading of the book. So Ganpat read out the abhangs very loudly. The Bhils sat for some five minutes near him. Then while the train was still running, they got down from it. Ganpat went to the carriage door and saw all these Bhils running away. Then he looked into the carriage and found an old Fakir in the carriage. Ganpat wondered in his mind how that Fakir could have got in the carriage. When this thought came in his mind, the Fakir suddenly disappeared. Ganpat was struck with great wonder and he was highly puzzled. Right before his eyes, there was a Fakir and there were the Bhils. He could not forget the same. Then they reached Shirdi and took darshan of Sai Baba. When Ganpat placed his foot on the Masjid, Baba asked, "Have you come back safe?" Ganpat’s heart then heaved with emotion and the miracle that took place in the train and the disappearance of the Bhils, who were obviously robbers, all came to his mind. He thought that they would have robbed him in the carriage; but Baba's presence in the garb of a Fakir was an obstacle. Thus, Ganpat was saved by Sai Baba in a miraculous way. (Source:Sai Leela Magazine, January 1978) Back to Top Experiences of Sai Leela by Shri.Panabhendra Swami of Alandi The Sai Leela experienced by Shri.Panabhendra Swami of Alandi during his visits to Shirdi was shared in letters written by him to Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit of Mumbai. He reveals his experiences in his own words as below:

‘After taking your leave on Thursday 29 January, I left Shirdi and reached Alandi. After celebrating the death anniversary of Guru Maharaj on 2 February, I reached Mumbai on Tuesday. There I showed the swelling behind my ear to Dr. Underwood. He ruled out the need for an operation and injected some sort of a serum and said it would suffice. The effect of Sai’s radiance and speech is so great that the mind cannot comprehend. I had only gone for Sai’s Darshan and was immensely satisfied by it. Though many people advised me to tell Sai about my ailment, my mind did not agree. Whatever is destined in our Karma, we should bear it with fortitude, says the Shruti. But, ultimately I asked Madhavrao Deshpande to tell Sai. As soon as Sai heard this, he lovingly said,”Allah Bhala Karega.” No sooner did He utter these words, the pain in my forehead stopped. Doctors from Nagpur and Alandi had advised surgery. But, the doctor in Mumbai gave a serum injection which subsided the swelling and the ailment disappeared. ing all the events I feel overwhelmed. On my first visit to Shirdi, Sai asked for Dakshina. Upon this I said, ‘‘Maharaj, I am a Sanyasi. From where will I get money? “After taking Darshan, I left. Later on Baba said to Deshpande, ‘‘I asked the Swami if he could offer me something; but he will not give me anything. Since he has come to me, it is I who will have to give him.” When Baba uttered these words, I was freed of the pains of my ailment. What can one say to praise this divine soul? He is Lord Narayan in the guise of a human. (Source: Shri Sai Leela, Year I, Ashvin Shaké 1845 /Vol. 8). Back to Top Experience of Bapu Rao N Chandorkar son of Nana Saheb Chandorkar as narrated by him to Shri.B V Narasimha Swamiji on 16th September 1936 Bapu Rao N.Chandorkar is the son of Sai Mahabhakta Late Shri.Nana Saheb Chandorkar. He narrated his experience with Shirdi Sai Baba to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 16th September 1936 in his own words as below: I was taken as a little boy to Sai Baba by my father. Mahalasapthy worshipped Baba applying gandha (i.e.) sandal to feet, head etc. None applied sandal paste to Baba's forehead. I was the first, who, as a child of 4, innocently applied it to his forehead just as we apply it to all the Gods we worship. After that time, others were allowed to do so. This was in 1900. My father told me that Baba explained the Gita to him in 1900-1901, in the style of the ordinary learned pandit’s expression, and without the use of mystifying parables or symbology etc. After 1902, Baba began use of mystifying parables or symbology etc. Then my father went on transfer to Jamner. My father said that Baba knew Sanskrit and that he had explained that stanza very well. My father told me that Baba had advaitamata. But, what advaitic idea he explained or put forward was not stated to me. We were all concerned with Baba's chamatkaras prophecies, goshttes( i.e.) moral talks etc, and we did not mind about philosophy at all. My father said that after 1913, the crowds that flocked to Baba were too heavy and there was no more peace for Baba, and that Baba once said with tears. "No one cares to take from Me what I am prepared to give abundantly. But they want from Me what I am unable to give". Baba once told my father about chamatkar something very interesting. It was about 1903-1904. My elder sister Minathai, had been helped at delivery by Baba with Udhi, sent through a Gosavi. That child, however, died very young. My sister also was widowed at that very early age and had no other issue. This cast a gloom over all of us. My father and all of us went to Shirdi. My father went and sat before Baba glum in sullen silence. Usually whenever he went, Baba would question him and he would talk and all would be cheerful. Now, on this occasion there was a sad sullen beginning. This continued for some minutes. Then Baba broke the ice. Baba : Why are you so silent? C : (my father) - Baba! You know everything. While we are under your care, these calamities have befallen us, bereaved of child, and son-in-law etc. Baba : If you care for child (or son-in-law) and come to Me for that, you are mistaken. You need not come to Me for these. These are not in My power. These (birth of child and death of relatives) are dependent on poorva karma. Even Parameswar, great God who has created the world, cannot alter these. Do you think he can tell the Sun or the Moon, 'Rise some two yards farther away from your usual or appointed place? No. He cannot and will not do that. That would produce disorder and chaos.

C : If that is so, how is it that you tell some one "You will have a son" and he gets a son, and you tell another "You will get appointment" and he gets it? Are these not chamatkaras of yours? Baba: ‘No, Nana. I do not do any chamatkaras. You have your village astrologers. They work 2 or 4 days ahead and give out their prediction. Some of them come true. I look further ahead. What I say happens. My art also is a sort of astrology. But, you people do not understand this. To you, my words look like chamatkaras, because you do not know the future. So, you regard events as proofs of My miracle-working power and you turn your reverence on to Me. I, in My turn, turn your reverence on to God and see that you are really benefited’. Baba spoke some numerous goshties but I do not them now. In 1913-1914, my father was unwell and on long leave. So, he went and stayed at Shirdi. My mother also was there and when they were by Baba's side and I was worshipping him. (Baba) said and moved His hand like the shaky neck of an old man "I will go away now. I will take birth as the child of Bapu. At that time, Nana's head (or wrist) will be shaking thus and thus". My father construed this to mean that he (my father) would not die till a son was born to me. Unfortunately he died in 1921. During the fatal illness, I ed this prophecy and hoped my father would survive, as I had not even got married and had no son, of course. But Fate willed it otherwise and my father died in 1921. I got married in 1922. My father's head was never shaky. All mantras that Baba spoke or recited were Arabic or Persian etc. and not Sanskrit, so far as I know. Kondaji and Baba recited fatias. When 'sera' was placed, on the niche (Caaba), when brought by people, Baba and Kondaji placed it repeating something in Arabic, Persian or some such ( unknown to me) language. My father never said that Baba spoke out or spoke of mahavakyas. It was about 1908, my father was working at Pandharpur. We went to Shirdi. Baba had asked him to prepare for naivedya. That was offered to Baba. My father asked Baba to go down to his quarters to eat. Baba : Go, I will come. My father knew that Baba was not intending to come in His physical body and so returned disappointed. Madhava Rao Deshpande was present at the talk with Baba. Baba told him after my father left the mosque in that mood. Tell Nana that he has been so long with me and yet not grasped the fact that Baba is in every ant and every fly etc. Baba said He was in all creatures. That is the highest truth I have heard from Him directly or indirectly. I do not if any pantheistic utterance came from Him. I have not heard if He spoke long sermons on Vedantic lines. He generally spoke on common matters, (e.g.) 'Give alms. Do good. Speak the truth' etc. He told me when I was a boy, 'Hearken to the words of your parents. Help your mother in her tasks. Speak the truth and truth alone'. Never a word did He talk to me about mantras or about God. I have firm faith in him as my protector. All my life is ed and maintained by him. I cannot give instances but I feel that he is guiding me and guarding me and protecting my interests and looking after my welfare. (Source: Shri.B V Narasimha Swamiji, 16th September 1936). Back to Top Expereince of Balakrishna Govind Upasani Sastri as narrated by him to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th July 1936 Shri.Balakrishna Govind Upasani Sastri was the son of Shri.Govind Gopal Upasani Sastri. He was a Brahmin aged 69 years. He was a retired Professor of Sanskrit and stayed at Saniwarpeth, Pune. He narrated his experience with Shirdi Sai Baba to Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th July 1936 in his own words as below: When plague was raging at Pune, my college was closed for many long months, and then I went on pilgrimage with my mother and wife. When I went from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Tapovan, there I met a sadhu who glared at me - at least he was persistently looking at me. I bowed to him and he still looked at me, and asked me 'Are you not from Satana?' 'Yes', I answered, for Satana is my ancestral village. Then, I, in my turn inquired of him, who he was. 'Come here again tomorrow at this time - (afternoon) and I will tell you, he said. I then went to my quarters and informed my mother. She thought that this might be our (family) Mutt Founder, Sri Uddhava of Mulhare (Mayurapura). Next day, she wanted to come to see the saint and she accompanied me to the appointed place at the time fixed. After 15 minutes of wandering up and down, she thought it was a wild goose chase to find a wandering saint and went away. Almost immediately after she left, that saint appeared before me and said, with a grave countenance, 'Do not act in this manner again'.

I: In what manner? He: Only those directed to come should come. There is always difference between one individual and another alike in physical and other peculiarities. No two are exactly the same. So only the bidden person should come. I agreed to abide by that rule. Then as I wanted to know his identity, he informed me that I had a saligram among the Gods that I worshipped at home and he gave me an exact description of it. I said that I had that saligram. Then, he added, that he was the person who gave it to Uddhava Maharaj from whose grandson, my grandfather had got it. It has been an heirloom with us and I am still worshipping it. Still as his identity was not clear, he thus replied to me – talking this time in Hindustani. Till then, he was talking in Marathi. He waved his hand so as to attract my attention and said ‘Lo, there was a tree. Two persons went up that tree. One came down; the other went up’. He wound up with the remark ‘you will come to know’ and then he disappeared. He looked like a man of 50 or 60 years, rather bulky and stout and he wore only a coupina and no other article of dress. Many years later, say about 1910-11, I was trying to utilize my Christmas Holidays for a trip from Dhulia southward to see if any trace could be found of my younger brother Kasinath (i.e Upasani Baba). He had ed some strange disease in the course of his efforts at Pranayama. He could not lie down lest breathing should stop. He had no sleep, nor good digestion. So he left home and we had no trace of his whereabouts. As I was in the train from Manmad going south, it stopped at Kopergaon for a few minutes and the local mamledar, Mr.Bhat, a friend of mine who was on the platform made me alight and spend a pleasant day with him. He told me that Sai Baba was a saint living 6 miles off (i.e) at Shirdi and worth a visit. He sent me in his tonga to that village. I went to the mosque and found Sai Baba at the dhuni in the mosque. He was standing close to the fire and occasionally turning round Himself. He saw me and invited me inside. I went and prostrated myself before him. Gazing at me, he told me to go to Khandoba's temple. I thought he recommended that visit to see the image of that God and I said that all Gods were there with Him, and was quite content to see Him. He repeated the words 'Go to Khandoba's Temple. I inferred that He wanted me to get away and not to stay there. So I went to an ading house and there they told me (after I mentioned Baba's order) that there was one Upasani Sastri at Khandoba Temple. I then went to Khandoba Temple and found my brother there. He said that he was remaining there by Sai Baba's order and that he saw very little of Sai Baba. I then gave him or rather one Dada Kelkar on his some Rs.4 for his food expenses and went back to the Masjid. I stayed at Shirdi for one or two days at that time. On the first day, He asked all generally for dakshina and some gave. He extended His palms towards me and asked for dakshnia. I said I had nothing and made pranams. On the occasion, Sai Baba said to me the same words as the sadhu at Tapovan. 'Lo there was a tree. Two persons went up that tree. One came down; the other went up, in Hindustani. I was at once reminded of the Tapovan saint whose person closely resembled Sai Baba's, though the dress was different. Sai Baba mentioned some autobiographical reminiscences of His own. He said He had been at the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi took part. He was then in the army. On the second day He asked me again for dakshina. I excused myself on the ground that I had barely the railway fare for my Journey with me. Then He pointed to a silver watch I had in my pocket and asked for it as dakshina. I gave it - but not without a momentary regret and hesitation. He received it and handed it over to some fakir by His side. Then looking at me and evidently to meet my momentary regret at losing the watch, Baba said to me "you are not going to be worse off (on this )'. I said, 'Of course, it was nothing I had given. Then I started back, and via Kopergaon came to Poona. There I went to a friend's (Mr. Natu's) house. I was talking of my Shirdi watch incident and inquired what it would cost to get a similar watch. Just then my friend's brother sent down his gold watch worth about Rs. 60 and wanted me to accept it as a present and I accepted it. So, I was not worse off for parting with my watch to Sai Baba. I visited Shirdi on one or two occasions. On those occasions, I composed Sanskrit poems on Sai Baba. (Source:Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji on 26th July 1936). Back to Top Experiences of a devotee who wanted Rs. 10 crore - Translated from a Gujarati Book 'Sai Sarovar and published in www.shirdisaitrust.org

In Chapter 16 and 17 of Sai Satcharitra, we had seen how Sai Baba treated a rich gentleman, who wanted Brahma Gyan from Him. Now we will see how He treated a poor fellow, who wanted ten crore rupees from Sai Baba, through other saint. Sai Baba never avoids any person, even if he has cheated the whole world. If such a person goes to Sai Darbar, Sai Baba welcomes him generously. So it is recommended that we should leave our ego, ignorance and stubbornness while going to Sai Darbar. Only Sai Baba is God, Brahma, Creator and He has no beginning and no end. There is no person on this earth whom greed has not touched. Everyone in some point of time has hoped for something or the other and tried his/her level best to achieve it. There was a devotee (not of Sai Baba and name of other God is unfortunately not given nor his wareabouts are mentioned). He had only one wish and that was to get ten crore rupees by hook or crook without working hard to get it. One thing he had made his mind that if a saint is pure and real, then Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of wealth) resides in him and if Goddess Laxmi does not reside then he is not real saint. Somebody advised him and said, “Oh brother, you can find such a rich saint in Shirdi. Sai Baba of Shirdi is a crorepati (very rich) saint and moreover He is very kind and humble. So the gentleman came to Shirdi and stayed there for three to four days. He used to observe Sai Baba’s Leela, but he was more attracted towards the long pocket of Sai Baba’s kafni. Whoever came Sai Baba gave Him money and Sai Baba used to put His hand in the pocket of His kafni and whatever amount came to His Hand was given. So no one went back empty handed. Seeing this, it was confirmed to the gentleman that surely Sai Baba must be having ten crore rupees. The gentleman said to Sai Baba, “O Baba, I have roamed much, but I haven’t found a true saint. You donate so much money daily, so you only seem to be a real saint to me. It is now clear to me that Goddess Laxmi resides in your heart, so I have come to you. Please get me only ten crore rupees from Goddess Laxmi, I don’t want anything else from you.” Sai Baba answered in very sweet words, “O gentleman, see I am begging, so how can I have ten crore rupees?” You do one thing, go to Gondavlekar in Gondavle. Then Sai Baba called him near and whispered in his ears, “if you get ten crores rupees, then you must give Me one crore out of that and in this way I will also get rid of this Fakiri ( begging food and living). The gentleman some how found out Gondavlekar Maharaj and put forward the same request to him. Gondavlekar Maharaj said, “This is not a big issue. But today you are late, so come tomorrow. Next day the gentleman again went to Gondavlekar Maharaj and sat in his feet. Maharaj Gondavlekar questioned him, “Say brother, why have you come from a long distance?” The gentleman said in an unrespectable manner, “I told you yesterday that I want only ten crore rupees. Maharaj Gondavlekar said, “Oh I forgot. So you want just ten crore rupees. That is not a big thing. I will arrange for you, till then you stay here.” In this way Maharaj Gondavlekar promised him again and again and made him stay for a week. The gentleman became more restless now. He decided not to eat anything, so Maharaj Gondavlekar made him take his lunch. Maharaj Gondavlekar said, “I have made arrangements for money and packed all of them in small bags. How will you take all the bags now?” The gentleman replied, “Shall I take it in a cart?” Maharaj then said, “how may carts will be required to carry bags of ten crore rupees?” The gentleman said, “It will require maximum hundred carts”. Maharaj said, “Go my brother and bring hundred carts quickly and I will give you ten crore rupees at once.” The gentleman thought, “From where I will bring the carts, neither one nor two, two hundred carts!” At last the gentleman left his obstinacy of receiving ten crore rupees from any saint forever and also left the place with a heavy heart. (Source: Translated from a Gujarati Book Sai Sarovar and published inwww.shirdisaitrust.org)

37 Dr. Mulki’s Experiences – www.shirdisaitrust.org

38 Sai Baba saves Smt.Krishnabai from a Train Accident - Shri Sai Leela Magazine, April 1978

39 11 Assurances of Sai Baba in a Photo Frame Sai Leelas all the way …. Shamshaad Ali Baig

40

Shirdi Sai Baba clears the Coronary Artery Block of Shri.Channabasappa, a Hyderabad Sai Devotee www.saiamrithadhara.com team

41

Shirdi Sai Baba shows His Omnipresence to many people connected with Baby Karunya on the day of her successful Heart Surgery – (Source: As narrated by Shri.Nagaraj Anvekar, Bangalore to Srikanta Sharma)

42 Sai Baba tells Shri.Tej Kumar “My Jholi is filled with the Charitra of my devotees” 43 Sai Baba gives darshan in the form of Old Man at Shivajinagar Sai Mandir, Pune 44 Shri.Vishwanath Sheregar shares four Sai Leelas that occurred in his life

Dr. Mulki’s Experiences – www.shirdisaitrust.org Dr. D. M. Mulki was a well-known doctor. Though originally belonging to Mumbai, due to his employment in the Govt. Medical Services, he got transferred from place to place and thus spent major years of his career outside Mumbai. His elder brother stayed in Mumbai. In 1915, his elder brother's elder son ed B.A. in first class. Hence, the family was very happy. However, its joy was short lived as the 18 year old boy embraced Christianity. In those days, conversion to another religion was considered to be a defiance of society. The family, which was dreaming a bright future for its 18 year old, got suddenly thrown in a deep gorge. The person who got jolted most was the doctor's elder brother! His mental status collapsed totally. He was close to Kakasaheb Dixit. He took him to Shirdi. With Baba's blessings, he soon recovered. His elder son had changed religion while his younger son ed a dangerous disease known in Marathi as Hadyavran. Lots of medicines were given. Even expert doctors operated on the affected leg. Medicines were brought even from other countries. However, the pain was persistent. The family even resorted to visiting various deities and taking different vows. However, everything was turning out to be futile. Around that time, Shri Sai Baba's name was gaining popularity in Mumbai. "He is an Aulia. Even with His mere Darshan, devotees get cured of their ailments. With His Udi, even the most difficult diseases vanish" was the talk going around. Therefore, as a last effort, the father and mother took both sons to Shirdi. The couple prostrated before Baba and narrated their woes about the disease. They made a fervent appeal, "Baba we are unable to see the sufferings of our son. After trying out different remedies, we are at our wit's end. Hearing your fame, we have come as a last resort to you. Please place Your Hand on his head, bless him and give him the gift of his life." Hearing these words, Baba said, “Those who come to the refuge of this Masjid, their bad times will always vanish. Anyone who steps into this Dwarkamai, the ship of his life will always reach the other coast. Keep this in mind and forget all worries now!" Baba made the boy sit in front of Him. He blessed him with His eyes and moved His hands - smeared with Udi over his back. He placed some Udi in the boy's mouth. The moment the Amrit entered his mouth, the boy's pains subsided. The family continued their stay in Shirdi over the next four days. They left Shirdi with their minds full of joy. Curing a difficult disease like Hadyavran was no small miracle !

In 1916, Dr. Mulki got transferred to Govt. owned Haffkin Institute at Parel, Mumbai. On arriving in Mumbai, he visited his elder brother's family. The talk naturally turned towards the disease and its miraculous cure. The family narrated the miracle in details and praised Shri Sai Baba whole heartedly. Here the doctor came to know about Sai Baba for the first time. He had not even seen His photograph till that time. In October of the same year, the doctor was suffering from fever. The temperature continuously hovered around 105 to 106 degrees. The medical fraternity was trying its best. Due to their knowledge in these matters, the doctors were not willing to resort to blind faith like Guru and miracles. However, now it was the Guru who had a keen desire to meet Dr. Mulki. One Thursday, Bhajans were being sung at his brother's house. That day doctor was running 104 degrees temperature. He was dozing. In his dream he saw an old Fakir Who had a cloth tied around His head. He said, "Don’t worry. If you come at once for my Darshan, your fever will go away". Doctor got scared with this strange dream and awoke. His sister-in-law came running. After doctor narrated his dream, from a cupboard she took out a photo wrapped in a silk cloth. Doctor confirmed that the same Fakir had appeared in his dream. He decided to immediately go to Shirdi. But, after getting well, he gave priority to his office work. He postponed his trip to Shirdi and immediately resumed his duties at the office. After getting engrossed in his work, as the days ed, he even forgot about the dream. In 1917, Baba once again reminded him in the dream. He was trying to get himself transferred outside Mumbai. Ultimately he was posted to Malegaon, which is closer to Shirdi. The Mumbai - Malegaon route es through Manmad. If the doctor had so desired, he could have got down at Manmad and visited Shirdi via Kopargaon. However, once again he gave priority to resuming his official duties at Malegaon over his pending pilgrimage visit to Shirdi. The doctor was not giving priority to visiting Shirdi; but Sai Baba ed him well. He performed one more miracle. The doctor was attending to a pregnant lady who was delivering a baby. While delivering the new born child, some liquid got sprayed into his eye. There was a strong burning sensation and the eye got swollen. The civil surgeon feared that he may lose his eye. For the first time in his life, the doctor made a fervent prayer to Sai Baba. His prayers were answered and within a week his eye recovered. Now he made a firm resolve to go to Shirdi. He asked his wife who was staying in Mumbai with his elder brother's family to come to Malegaon and him in the pilgrimage. He planned that the couple will avail Baba's Darshan at Shirdi and then return to Mumbai. They were waiting in Manmad for the train to take them to Kopargaon. It so happened that there was still some time for the departure of the train. The doctor therefore took a stroll on the platform. He started chitchatting with a ticket collector and casually mentioned to him of his plans to visit Shirdi. The T.C. started talking adversely about Sai Baba and even cast aspersions about Sai Baba's moral character. Dr. Mulki got carried away by his talk, dropped his plans of visiting Shirdi and took a decision to return to Mumbai. Dr. Mulki later on wrote: - "We listened to the T.C. and at once decided to return to Mumbai. Even now I feel ashamed of my unforgivable misdeed". However, the Sadguru always forgives the misdeeds of His children. Because of His greatness, our lives become worth living. After the couple returned to Mumbai, his sister-in-law once again persuaded him to visit Shirdi. They resolved to overcome all obstacles and ultimately arrived in Shirdi. They took Darshan of Shri Sai Baba. Baba exactly narrated to the couple the incident that had taken place a month back at Manmad station. The couple was amazed and moved into tears. They stayed in Shirdi for four days. Before embarking on their return journey to Mumbai, they sought permission of Baba. He said, "Now, start reciting Dnyaneshwari! When you return to Mumbai, you will find on your table the telegram stating that you have been transferred to Vijapur". And, when the doctor arrived in Mumbai, he found that the telegram had really arrived. After 15 days, he resumed duties at Vijapur. From there he went as an honorary doctor to serve the army which was during war. From there, he came to Gadag and settled down there. He was highly blessed by Baba that even without knowing Marathi, every year he began reading Dnyaneshwari for a week.(Source:www.shirdisaitrust.org) Back to Top

Sai Baba saves Smt.Krishnabai from a Train Accident - Shri Sai Leela Magazine, April 1978 Among those, who visited Shirdi in company with Das Ganu for Ramnavami Utsav of 1924, there was a resident of the Mughal City of Mukhed, by name Shri Baba Ramchandra Pathewar with his wife Smt.Krishnabai. This gentleman Pathewar was one of the bhaktas, who often went to Shirdi. When the function was over, that gentleman and his wife and Damooanna, a disciple of Das Ganu started from Shirdi to Bombay via Manmad. They took the enger train at Manmad at 3 a.m. and reached Thane at 11 a.m. on the next day. On of the scorching heat of the sun, Krishnabai felt very thirsty. As the train stopped at Thane for some time, she got down from her carriage with a vessel to take drinking water from the tap. She and two others had their carriage at the end of the train and the tap was far away near the engine. So she went there. On of the crowd around the tap, she had to wait for long. Her husband seeing that she had not returned for a long time got down and went towards the tap. Since it was time for the train to start and as these two had not returned, Damooanna also got down and started to go to the tap, but before he could reach the tap, the guard blew the whistle. Therefore Damooanna cried out to both of them, "Get into whatever carriage you can" and he himself got into another carriage. The train was beginning to move. With great haste, Baba Ramachandra Pathewar got into a carriage. But Krishnabai had the vessel in her hand and the train was going at its own ordinary speed. So when she tried to get in, her foot slipped and she fell down between the platform and the train. Her husband and Damooanna were trying to see if she got into the train. When they saw her falling, they jumped on to the platform and cried out, 'Lady fallen, lady fallen'. Then to stop the train the red flag was shown. Damooanna and Pathewar’s throat went dry out of fear. They feared that Krishnabai's body would have been smashed beyond recognition. The train stopped and the people began to look below the carriages. Meanwhile Krishnabai was seen between the carriage and the platform, trying to stand up. Damooanna ran up and extended his hand to raise her up. People gathered and asked. "What has happened, what has happened?" but the lady was calm and not frightened at all. She said calmly, "Nothing has happened to me; sit in the carriage". Then all went up and got into the carriage. Krishnabai explained, "As soon as my foot slipped, I could not think what would happen; so I naturally thought of Sai Baba. Immediately Sai Baba appeared and he with his hand pressed me below the platform and he stood beside me". Five or six carriages ed and then the train stopped. Having seen Baba, she had no further fear. She continued to see Baba near her till she climbed up the platform. Krishnabai had only one abrasion, a slight scratch near her elbow and nothing else. Though Baba is not in flesh in 1924, still he attends fully to his devotees and in times of trouble appears for their benefit and protects them. The above is an excellent instance; and if any one places full faith in Baba, he will get his grace. (Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, April 1978) Back to Top 11 Assurances of Sai Baba in a Photo Frame Sai Leelas all the way …. Shamshaad Ali Baig When Baba’s guidance came to make a Photo Frame of His 11 Assurances to His devotees’, I thought it was ‘easy’ to implement. Little did I know what was to unfold in the weeks to follow? When I got this guidance I looked up for the Assurances on the internet, I found variations of them floating on the net. One thing led to another and I found the original Abhangs (devotional songs) written by Mohaniraj Pandit, Mamledar of Nasik Mohaniraj Pandit finds a place of veneration in the Namaskaraashtakara of Baba Tula Magato Magane Hechi Dyave; Kara Joditho Deena Atyanta Bhaave; Bhavi Mohaniraja Haa Taari Aata; Namaskara Sashtanga Shri Sainatha.... When I saw the translations of the same Abhangs, I found they were not easily comprehensible. I had heard from many devotees that Baba’s messages are difficult to understand. So with Baba’s permission I started to do the English translations of the Abhang, till I reached the first line of 11th Assurance of Baba, ‘Sai Mhane Tochi, Tochi Jhala Dhanya’ When I was doing the translations I realized that Baba is saying 'Say Sai or chant Sai’. I called up an expert in Marathi and he was emphatic that ‘Sai Mhane Tochi’ is ‘Sai Says’. I was confused and wanted to know from the expert on the subject- Baba Himself. Then with complete surrender, I put two chits in front of Baba and asked Him what He wanted on the Photo Frame and His reply was 'Chant Sai Sai’. As days rolled into weeks, the concept kept on evolving. A Sai Bandhu suggested putting Translations and Transliterations of the 11 Assurances of Baba so that the devotees can understand the translations, as well read the original Abhangs in their own languages. It is currently available only in English (with Marathi original Abhangs) and Kannada (both translations and transliteration in Kannada). They will soon be translated in other languages.

A friend caught hold of a very 'connected' devotee to see if my translations were right, and amazingly my ‘Translation’ was ‘approved’. I there and then thanked Baba for Guiding me; in spite of what I was hearing was contrary to what He wanted. Then as one thing led to another we realized that unknowingly all the five tatvas (element) - earth, water, air, sky and fire is represented in the photo frame, making it complete for any Vastu/ premise. S Anantha, an ardent devotee from Bangalore, the first to place an order for the 11 Assurances of Sai Baba Photo Frame wrote to me and thanked me saying, “I had an urge to have the 11 assurances of Sai Baba with their exact meaning in my language so that I can read and re-read them daily. My desire has been fulfilled and I m very grateful for this divine presentation.” A Vastu expert on condition of anonymity said, “Though North is the place for Kuber and North East is Ishan stan (place for worship) keeping Baba’s picture in the South West (SW) wall or side of the premise is the best option. Even in Shirdi Baba is sitting in SW. That is one of the reasons for health, wealth, prosperity flowing in that region. With Baba’s presence in your SW Corner, you will strengthen that area of your premise, and this direction brings good health, wealth and confidence.” The expert added, “Sai Baba had Ashta Siddhis (eight Siddhis); He had perfect control over nature, so keeping Baba’s picture in the house will clear the negative energy from the premise.” As we go along, we are going to experience Baba’s leeals from the Photo Frame. The Guidance looked ‘easy’ but has turned into Sai leelas galore! Jai Sai! By: Shamshaad Ali Baig Email: [email protected] www.eprasaar.com +91- 98204 37006 Back to Top Shirdi Sai Baba clears the Coronary Artery Block of Shri.Channabasappa, a Hyderabad Sai Devotee This Sai Leela happended on 7th November 2014 at Hyderabad. Shri.Channabasappa was working with the Crime Branch as an Office Assistant and retired from service recently. He first visited Shirdi in the year 1995. At that he was ailing from severe Bronchial Asthma. After having darshan of Sai Baba and returned from Shirdi he did not have any signs of Asthma. That was the turning point in Shri.Channabasappa’s life and he turned an ardent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba. He has been visiting holy places Like Rameshwara, Badarinath, Kedarnath, Sringeri etc., and participates regularly in the homams performed by his Guruji from Hyderabad. In November 2014, he was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Block by the doctors who told him that he must be operated at the earliest to remove the block in the Artery which is preventing the Blood from being supplied normally to the Heart. Series of tests were conducted by competent doctors and the date of operation was decided as 7th November 2014. In the meantime, Shri.Channabasappa was constantly praying Baba to solve his Heart problem. On the day of operation Doctors took Shri.Channabasappa to the Operation Theatre and were preparing for the operation. As a procedure, they conducted one more final test before embarking on the operation. And to the surprise of doctors, the reports came negative and the Coronary Arteries showed no signs of blockage at all! Hence, doctors decided to discharge Shri.Channabasappa without performing any operation but advised him to take some medications. (Source: As narrated by Shri.Channabasappa to Srikanta Sharma on 12th November 2014). Back to Top Shirdi Sai Baba shows His Omnipresence to many people connected with Baby Karunya on the day of her Successful Heart Surgery This Sai Leela happened in the life of Baby Karunya, only daughter of Smt.Lakshmi and Shri.Jagadish aged about 3 years. They belonged to a middle class family. This Girl was operated for PA Banding at Narayana Hrudayalaya when she was just 2 months old baby for closing multiple holes in the heart. After the heart operation, the baby recovered well and was leading a normal

healthy life. But when she was 3 year old, she was again taken to Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore for medical Check up. The doctors after thorough examination found that multiple holes in the heart had not closed even after 3 years. Hence, they decided to use the latest technology that had come to the Narayana Hrudayala facility just 5 days back known as VSD Banding first on Baby Karunya by Dr.Chinnaswamy Reddy. Accordingly the doctors fixed the operation date as 18th November 2014. The date of operation i.e., 18-112014 when individual seen or totally added comes to 9 which is known as Baba's Number signifying "NAVA VIDHA BHAKTI" advocated by Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. In the meantime, message was sent through Facebook, Whats App and other social media networks to to many Sai Devotees across the globe to pray for the successful operation of Baby Karunya. Accordingly many Sai Devotees across the globe prayed for the successful operation of Baby Karunya. What happened on the day of operation is something amazing which I would like to share with Sai devotees: I went on a business trip to on 16th November 2014. I was not knowing about the date of operation of Baby Karunya when I left for as the date was not fixed. I have got the habit of taking Sai Baba books during my journey and read them during my spare time. Likewise, on 18th November 2014, a few hours before attending the conference at my office, I was reading the Sai Leela pertaining to 1st November 2014 published in the latest book of Sai Leelas titled “BABA’S DIVINE SYMPHONY” by Vinny Chitluri. The leela was about one Mr.Chandrashekar Rane’s father in law who was suffering from Heart Attack and to him a Pacemaker was put. I read this Sai Leela early in the morning and was pondering over the same incident for some time before I left to the conference. Later on that day I came to know Karunya’s operation was on the same day, Then I realized that Baba has given indication and I was very sure about the successful operation. Here in Bangalore, on the day of operation, many incidents showing the omnipresence of Baba occurred throughout the day. I would like to narrate all those chain of events that occurred during the day: 1. That day early morning Smt.Uma and Shri.Gautam, Sai Bandhus known to Shri.Jagadish started on their Scooter to go towards Narayana Hrudayalaya. When they entered the end of the street, an elderly man came running behind their scooter and stopped them. When they stopped the vehicle and turned around to asked him what he wanted, he apologized to them saying that he mistook them for the milk vendor. The elderly man also said “you might be going in a hurry to attend an auspicious occasion. God Bless You. Let good thing happen to you”. Saying this the elderly man went away. This was the first good omen early in the morning on the day of operation of Baba Karunya. 2. The surgery started at 12:15 PM in the afternoon. Smt.Lakshmi, Shri.Jagadish, Smt.Uma and Shri.Gautam were sitting inside the car and wereabout to have lunch while Baby Karunya was inside the Hospital. It was around 1:30 Noon.Just then a person who was looking like a Fakir came towards them and asked to give him Drinking Water after seeing the bottle in the hands of Shri.Gautam. After sipping just a few drops of water, the Fakir made a gargle Sound and spit the whole water that he had taken inside. Then lifting his hands in a blessing manner, he went away. This was the 2nd omen. 3. During the surgery, Shri.Jagadish, his wife Smt.Lakshmi, Smt.Uma and Shri.Gautam went to the Sai Temple that is present within the Narayana Hrudayalaya premises to pray for the wellbeing of the Child. To their surprise, they saw the Nurse Smt.Manjula who was taking care of Baby Karunya in the 5th Floor of the Hospital when Karunya was in the ward. Since Manujla was not a Sai Devotee, they asked her what she was doing inside the Sai Temple. Manjula replied that since jagadish and his wife were staunch Sai Devotees, she also felt that day like praying to Sai Baba for the success of karunya’s operation. This was the 3rd Omen. 4. Shri.Srikanta Sharma a Sai Bandhu who knows most of the Sai Smaran Bhajan Mandali to which all the above mentioned people are connected suddenly ed Baby Karunya while walking back home from his office around 4:00 PM to enquire with Shri.Gautam about the operation. Sai Devotees should bear in mind that Srikanta Sharma hardly calls anybody from this group. Shri.Gautam told Shri.Shrikanta Sharma that he had called him at the right time and that the operation got over just at that moment of time and that the Baby was being taken to Intensive Care Unit. 5. During the operation, Shri.Jagadish was sitting inside the Hospital premises as nobody is allowed inside the Operation Theatre. Suddenly a thought came to his mind that what If Baba gives Darshan to him to boost his confidence about the success of the operation. But at the same time, another thought told him that it was a Hospital and how can Baba give darshan to him there. As he was sitting on the chair for a long period of time, he thought of having a cup of tea in the Cafeteria present behind the Hospital. Just as he was walking, to his surprise he saw “SAIBABA IS STILL ALIVE”inside a book shop situated behind the hospital premises. This gave Shri.Jagadish an assurance that Saibaba will save his daughter for sure. All the above incidents shows that Baba was, is and will always connect with people concerned with a particular

issue, resolves the problem and Blesses them too; Baba will come running to the aid of His devotees every time and answers them especially if the group prayers related to health issue of an individual is done. (Source: As narrated by Shri.Nagaraj Anvekar, Bangalore to Srikanta Sharma). Back to Top Sai Baba tells Shri.Tej Kumar "My Jholi is filled with the Charitra of my devotees" This breathtaking incident happened sometime in August 2005 in Bangalore. Shri. Tej Kumar who was a member of “Sai Smaran Bhajan Mandali” met with a severe accident. His condition was very critical as he had suffered a Head injury and doctors had no hopes about his survival. Doctors informed Shri.Tej Kumar’s relatives and friends that immediate surgery had to be performed. In the meantime, collective prayers were performed to save Shri.Tej Kumar (affectionately called by the Bhajan as Teju) at the Bhajan Team’s head Smt.Vandana Kamath’s house in front of Baba’s murthy (idol) that too after Shej Aarti was over by removing the Mosquito Net that was already put on Baba’s Murthy (Idol). After the collective prayer was over, all the team undertook individual vows like performing 108 Pradakshina of Samadhi Mandir, Walking barefoot from Kopergaon to Shirdi, Shri Sai Satcharitra Saptaha Parayana etc... to Baba for his early recovery. Doctors informed the relatives and friends of Shri.Tej Kumar to immediately arrange for 4 to 5 bottles of blood that was required for the Surgery. Arranging the blood at such a short notice was indeed a herculean task because the required blood group was B-ve which is a very rare group. Later somehow it got arranged by Baba’s grace. When the bhajan group were frantically searching for Blood donors inside and outside the hospital premises, one Muslim who was standing in front of the Hospital came forward on his own accord without being asked and donated his blood. This came as a big surprise for all the team and relatives of Teju.!! The surgery was successful, and Shri.Tej Kumar was out of danger. Doctors shifted him to the ICU after the surgery. While Shri.Tej Kumar was recuperating in the hospital bed, one night he saw Sai Baba in his dream. In his dream Shri.Tej Kumar had gone to Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi which was not like the present Samadhi Mandir that we see now. Shri.Tej Kumar just saw Baba’s Samadhi without Baba’s Murthy (Idol) behind it. The samadhi looked like the Samadhi that is shown in the photograph present in the museum. Shri.Tej Kumar was all alone standing infront of the Samadhi and no other devotee was present there. In wonder Teju looks at Baba and ask him "Baba, what do you keep in Jholi?" Then Baba showed him His Bhiksha Jholi and said “Just as you read my Charitra, I keep the Charitra of all my deevotees in my Jholi and look at it time to time”. And then Baba disappeared. Needless to say, Shri.Tej Kumar completely recovered after this powerful dreamvision. Today he is leading a happy and peaceful life. This incident clearly shows that if devotees collectively pray wholeheartedly, surely Baba will answer without any doubt!! (Source: Shri.Nagaraj Anvekar, Bangalore). Back to Top Sai Baba gives darshan in the form of Old Man at Shivaji Nagar Sai Mandir, Pune This Sai Leela was experienced by Smt.Shreya Nagaraj and Shri Sham Nagaraj on Saturday, 6th September 2014 at Shri Sai Das Mandal, Shivajinagar, Topkahana, Pune. The same has been narrated in Smt. Shreya Nagaraj in her own words below: On Saturday evening me and my husband went to have darshan of Sai Baba at Saibaba Mandir, Shivajinagar, Pune. From the time we have settled in Pune, we have the habit of visiting this mandir every Saturday to take Baba's darshan. While we were travelling in the car I told my husband that I will request and pray Sai Baba to give darshan to my husband. We reached Mandir at 5:00 pm; bowed to Baba and prayed that Sai Baba should give darshan to me. Afterwards, I ed the Samoohika Vishnu Sahasranama Chanting that was going on in the mandir. All the devotees were reciting Vishnu Sahasranama and totally engrossed in devotion towards Lord. When the chanting was going on, I looked back casually. First I saw a Lady entering with her son, followed by an old man. The Old man was wearing dirty torn clothes and had beard on his face. He offered pranams to Sai Baba, applied Udi on his forehead and had Prasad that was given to Him. Then He went inside Mandir's office

and again came out. I was looking at the old man (Sai Baba) all the time while chanting Vishnu Sahasranama and my heart kept on saying "Go, Sai Baba has come". He even walked like Sai Baba. Immediately I realised and uttered to myself “Oh My God! its my Sai Deva....”. As Sai Baba was leaving the Mandir, I took out purse from my bag, left my bag there itself and leaving Vishnu Sashasranama chanting halfway I ran to Him towards the gate. I had a close look at Sai Baba, touched His feet and offered Rs.10 Dakshina to Him. Sai Baba placed His hands and blessed me. He did speak anything. After receiving His blessings I went back and ed Vishnu Sahasranama recitation. When all these events were happening, my husband was sitting on a bench inside the Mandir. He did not come out with me..He was immersed in deep contemplation sitting on bench and staring at Sai Baba's moorthy (Idol)... It was an unforgettable experience which we will and relish throughout our Life. Thanks to Sai Deva for giving us darshan...Koti Koti Pranamas at Sai Deva's feet.... (As narrated by Shreya Nagaraj, Pune). Back to Top Shri.Vishwanath Sheregar shares four Sai Leelas that occurred in his life I Am Vishwanath Sheregar froim Mumbai. Sai Leela happened in my life even before I came to Sai Baba's fold. I would like to share that Leela with sai devotees.

FIRST LEELA I developed severe chest pain on Thursday, 1st August 2013 when I had just reached office. Then I took a cab and reached home by 2 pm. But the pain was unbearable. I took some tablets but to no avail. I got itted myself to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Andheri West Mumbai. My Sister who is a Gynaecologist immediately summoned known Cardiologists in that Hospital. The doctor performed first Angiography and later around 5:30 pm shifted me to the Operation Theatre where he performed Angioplasty and fitted one stent. After a few days of rest, discharged me from the hospital after I showed signs of improvement. As I was recuperating at home, in October 2013, I came across a Book titled Sai Baba Is Still Alive. I read that book completely. Later, after a few months, got the Shri Sai Satcharitra Book written by Late Shri.N.V.Gunaji when my wife was cleaning the book Shelf. I earnestly started reading that book and this is how I came to Sai Baba’s fold in October 2013. I would like to share three more Sai Leelas that happened after I came to Sai Baba's fold.

SECOND LEELA

On Tuesday, 17th February 2015, my mother-in-law fell sick and hence, I took my mother-in-law to Kokilaben Ambani hospital for the ECG and 2D Echo tests. But before the tests could start she felt giddy and was immediately itted into the emergency ward.Later doctors told me to finish the ission formalities and took only Rs.40,000 as security deposit, which I consider as first Leela of Baba, which I could pay with the help of my credit card . Then on Thursday,19th February 2015, Baba’s day, she underwent angiography. I Submitted the policy paper to the TPA Helpdesk of the hospital who in turn forwarded the papers to the TPA (Mediassist). Now the real problem started. The TPA first asked for the previous policy papers. Later after about an hour, they wanted a letter from the doctor clarifying from when the patient had high blood pressure. Again after an hour they wanted a letter from the doctor clarifying whether the patient had undergone angiography for the first time. My wife got totally tense and became further tense when she saw the hospital bill of Rs.2,90,000. But I consoled her and said : “Baba is with us and hence there was no need to worry about the matter. HE will take care of everything”. We then went to a small room in the corner where portraits of all GODS AND SAINTS of all faiths were hung on the wall and including that of Shirdi Sai Baba. We sat there and meditated on Baba and then went to the TPA helpdesk again. Now one more big shock was staring at us. The TPA (Mediassist) had written back to the helpdesk stating that they are not able to understand the doctor’s handwriting. Then I felt an intution that Baba was instructing me to tell the TPA helpdesk person to resend the same letter with a small correction on it. I told the helpdesk person accordingly as per the instructions of Baba. The TPA helpdesk person carried out my instruction accordingly. And again after waiting for an hour, finally the approval from the TPA came and Lo! we got the Cashless claim approved. Baba came to our rescue just in time.The process that started at 11 AM in the morning got over at 7 PM in the evening.Till we got the approval from the TPA, we were breaking our head and thinking as to how we will manage to arrange such a big amount in case the approval did not come from the Insurance Company. But then, Baba came like a lightning and took away all our worries and brought happiness to all of us.

We again went to the small room and thanked Baba profusely, prostrating before HIS portrait. Hence, I would like to tell all readers of my Sai Leela to completely surrender to Baba and He will do the rest. THIRD LEELA

After few months of the occurrence of the above incident, my wife had to undergo Cataract Surgery and the cost was Rs.40,000. Immediately I felt like Baba was asking me to check with the HR department of my employer, whether we could reclaim the amount from the Insurance Company. My company HR Staff gave me the assurance but still I was very apprehensive.The surgery got over. I then forwarded all the ing documents to the insurance company and Lo! after a month we got the full amount without any deduction. FOURTH LEELA My daughter who appeared for the 12th exam fared poorly in the exam. She got 60 percent, a score not good enough to secure an ission in Engineering College. I started approaching all colleges personally to see if I can secure an ission for her through management quota. One fine day my daughter came and said that she met one staff member of a college who said that for she can get ission provided we offered a donation of Rs.5 lakh. I Went with my sister and daughter the next day to meet the principal but the peon would not allow. Then a little while the peon himself came to us and took us to the Principal’s cabin.My sister spoke to the principal and he advised us to call after a week. After a week my sister called the principle and again he said to wait for a week more. Like this 2 weeks elapsed. Again my sister called and then he told to come and meet the trustee personally.My sister spoke to the trustee and said that we can only afford to pay Rs.3 lakh to which the trustee agreed. Lo! yet another Leela of Baba. After a series of above incidents happening in quick succession in my life, I only want to say these words:“Just keep ing Baba, chant HIS name and Baba is sure to look after our needs”. Shri.Vishwanath Sheregar C-53, Flower queen Housing Society, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West, Mumbai-400 053 Mobile: +91 92244 26361

UNIQUE SAI BABA INFORMATION

Invisible Sai Baba

This photograph was taken by a devotee named Gopal Dinakar Joshi in the year 1912. Every morning after breakfas Baba went to Lendi Baugh. The devotees stayed in Sathe Wada would eagerly wait for Baba and the procession to approach the corner in front of the Wada, so that they could have his darshan. Baba responded to their wishes by standing there for a while.

Joshi wanted to take a photograph of Baba. He kept his camera mounted and ready for Baba to return from Lendi Baugh. Before doing this he asked Baba for permission to take his photograph. Baba said, “I don’t want a photograp of mine, but you can certainly take a photograph of the devotees accompanying me”. Upon Baba’s return from Lendi Baugh, he stood a while near Sathe Wada. Joshi seized the opportunity and took a photograph of Baba. Shama saw this and told Baba that Joshi had taken his photograph. Again Baba repeated the same saying “I don’t need any photograph of mine. What am I to do?”.

Joshi got the photograph printed and to his utter surprise, Baba is not visible, and only his feet can be seen. The Umbrella, Bhagoji Shinde and the other devotees are clearly seen but in place of Baba there is a luminous light and only his feet can be seen. (Refer Sai Leela Magazine 4th Year, Ank.4-5 Jeshta and Ashad Shake 1848 (1826)) (Source: Ambrosia in Shirdi & Baba’s Gurukul by Vinny Chitluri).

Saibaba holding Tukaram's Gatha in Hand

This is a rare photograph of Baba holding Tukaram's Gatha in his hand. On Guru Poornima day numerous devotees came to Baba and placed a book before him, hoping that he might return it with his blessings. So they could study and benefit from it. Saibaba however took a book from one devotee and gave it to another. This photo is from the First Edition of the Marathi Sai Satcharitra. The text says Baba with Tukaram’s Gatha in Hand. - (Source: Ambrosi in Shirdi by Vinny Chitluri).

Saibaba’s with consent Photograph

Vasudev Sadashiv Joshi of Sitharam & Company and his friend Chidambar Rao K. Gadre were devoted to Baba. The went to Shirdi every now and then. Once Joshi gave Rs.10/- to his friend and asked him to give it to Baba as Dakshina. He also made another request and that was to take a photograph of Baba and bring it back to him. Gadre left with Rs.10/- and went to Dwarakamai, prostrated before Baba and gave him Joshi’s Dakshina. He was silent, as he did not have the courage to request permission for the photograph. Baba too was silent for a long time. Then jus before his departure Baba himself asked Gadre to take his photograph. Baba told him that the photographs should not be sold for a profit. He then gave him Udi and Prasad. - (Source: Ambrosia in Shirdi by Vinny Chitluri).

Sai Baba’s Original Photograph of going to Lendi Garden

Baba would daily go to Lendi in the morning between 8.30 and 9.30. He would normally use footwear only when he went to Lendi, and even that was subject to change as fancy took him. He would first come out of the mosque and stand leaning on the wall a while. After that he would stand opposite the Maruti temple to the monkey God Hanuma and gazing fiercely at the temple would move his hands about making some kind of signals. He would then stand at the crossroads at Gurusthan as if talking to someone, and then proceed further. The devotees who were staying at the wada and those who had recently arrived would have the darshan of Baba there. They would all be standing in lines, eagerly awaiting Baba's arrival from the mosque. Baba would slowly move down the lines, lovingly greeting each devotee by name, and smiling his benediction at them.

He would then turn left and proceed towards the house of Balaji Pilaji Gurav’s House. There Baba used to lean on t wall of Balaji Pilaji Gurav’s house. On one such occasion when Baba was leaning on the wall of Balaji Pilaji Gurav’s house, this rare black and white photograph of Shri Sai Baba was taken.

In this rare picture, we can see Nana Saheb Nimonkar on the right side of Baba, Buti is standing on the left side of Baba. In this photograph, Buti is looking downwards. This is because, Buti never looked at Baba's face.He preferred to bow down to HIM and look downwards indicating his respect to Sai Baba (Guru). Bagoji Shinde used to hold the Umbrella above Baba’s head and a Chopadhar used to lead Baba fron the front. If we closely observe this picture Baba is standing like lord Krishna (on one foot) we can also see that a thread is coming out of the Kafni that Baba i wearing.

Afterwards leaning on the wall of Balaji Pilaji Gurav’s house for sometime, Baba would cross in front of the Vitthal temple and turn right towards the Kanifnath temple (located opposite the post office). He would walk a little further and turning another right would enter the Lendi. He used Lendi to complete his daily toilet. Baba also used to bathe in Lendi Garden. Baba used to again go between 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm in the afternoon to Lendi garden and return to Dwarakamai. (Source: Vinny Chitluri).

Sai Baba sitting with Outstretched Legs

This is an original photograph of Sai Baba. In this photograph, Baba is sitting with His legs outstretched. Mhalsapati on His left and Shama is on His right. The name of the Muslim lad who rests his head in Baba’s lap is not known. (Source: Vinny Chitluri)

Sai Baba Going for Bhiksha

This original photograph of Sai Baba shows Baba going for Bhiksha. The villagers would often bring their wares and set up temporary shops. Baba is in the vacant space near the Chavadi between Vamanrao Gondkar’s and Sakharam Shelke’s home. He has the Tumrel in his hand and a cloth over his head. (Source:Vinny Chitluri)

Sai Baba sitting in front of Dhuni Maa

The below photograph is the original photograph of Sai Baba sitting in front of Dhuni Maa taken during Baba's perio

This pose possibly represents the “inward journey” that we have to take to reach “Baba”, and be one with him. This journey started with the first step of withdrawing our Karmendriyaas totally from this mundane life. This is represented by the left leg which is not seen.

Control the Jnanendriyaas, which are to act over the Karmendriyaas which is represented by the right leg over the l leg.

This is achieved by following the messages heard or insight derived from this inward journey. This is represented by the closed fist of the right hand which is kept next to the ear. An invisible Antakarna Chatushtaya with adhimanas a is represented by the right hand kept next to the right ear.

The left hand over the right leg represents surrendering to him in totality. We have to surrender all of the following, the three Shariras, the trigunas, the arishadvargas, the 5 pranas, and the 5 koshas. This is achieved by following th Jnana Marga, Bhakti Marga, Karma Marga or the blend of these three.

Baba sitting on the Ota in the Sabhamandap at Dwarakamai

This rare photograph shows Baba sitting on the ota with Abdul Baba, is seated on the first step of the central stairs the Dwarakamai. Tatya Kote Patil is sitting on the third step with a book in his hand, as identified by his descendant Nanavali is next to him seated on the third step of the southern Staircase. (Source: Vinny Chitluri).

Sai Baba standing next to the wall of Dwarakamai This is a very unusual photograph of Baba, who is standing next to the wall of the Dwaraka Mai with his right arm bent and resting against the wall. The Kafni that Baba has worn is made out of white satin. The Kafni is possibly pasted on the photograph. (Source:Vinny Chitluri)

Original photograph of Baba with devotees

This is a very rare original photograph of Shri Sai Baba. This photograph of Baba sitting on the stone was taken in 1903. It was taken by Shri.Pupal, the owner of M/s.Pupal Photo Studio of Ahmednagar. And the photo is with them. He had learned photography from the British and because he had a Photo studio he came and cliked Baba's Photograph. (Source: Vinny Chitluri)

Original photograph of Baba giving Udi to devotees This is a rare original photograph of Shri Sai Baba distributing Udi to devotees in Dwarakamai.

Portrait of Baba in Anandrao Phakardhe's Home

This is the original painting of Baba that was hung in Anandrao Pakharde’s home. Anandrao used to offer his prayer to this photograph. This photograph was with him since Baba’s sojourn in Shirdi. But one does not know whether Baba himself gave this photograph to him. (Source: Baba’s Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photoghraph was in the house of Sai Mahabhakta Shri.B.V.Deo and was worshipped by him. (Source: Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

Baba's Photograph in Purandare's Home:

Baba himself gave this Photograph to Purandhare who venerated it and prayed to it daily. Often at times when he w in trouble he would sit in front of this photograph and cry his heart out and Baba would appear immediately and comfort him. (Source: Baba’s Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri)

The below photoghraph of Sai Baba was in the house of Sai Mahabhakte Lakshmi Bai Shinde and was worshipped b her. (Source: Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photoghraph of Sai Baba was in the house of Sai Mahabhakta Govinda Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant and was worshipped by him. (Source: Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below painted portrait was sent by Baba Himself to Sadhu Bhaiyya Naik on 8th February 1915(Source: Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph is in Vishnu Pant Pitale's Home. Baba hugged this photograph before giving it Vishnu Pant Pitale.(Source: Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph of Sai Baba belongs to Balaram Mankar's family. (Source:Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph is the original photograph of Sai Baba belonging to Nulkar's family. (Source:Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph is the original photograph of Sai Baba which was used by Late Shri.B.V.Talim to sculpt the ido of Sai Baba for installing in Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi. (Source:Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph is the Bass Relief Replica of Baba at Bhivpuri Sai Baba Mandir. This is the first ever Sai Baba Mandir in the world built during Sai Baba's sojourn itself. (Source: Baba's Vaani by Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph is the original photograph given by Sai Baba to Jyotindra Tharkhad. (Source: Baba's Vaani by Vinny Chitluri).

Original Paintings of Shri Sai Baba

The below photograph is not a photo but a painting done by Shri.Shamarao Jayker. One day Shri.Ramachandra Atmaram Tarkhad and Jayakar walked into the Dwarakamai when Baba was getting ready to have his bath, and the suns rays were streaming down upon him and his entire body was illuminated. It looked as though the lustre of a thousand Suns were shining on him. Immediately Tarkhad asked Jayakar to capture the scene in his mind's eye and paint a portrait for him exactly like that and he did. This portrait is in Virendra Tarkhad's i.e Jyotindra Tarkhad's son home in Santa Cruz Mumbai. There is a 'Gangal' filled with water in front with a lota. Baba has taken off his Shirves and is bear headed.(Looking at his thick abundant beard and mustache I would have thought that he had thick lush hair but it looks scanty). This clearly depicts the divinity of Sai Baba and confirms Him to be a Parabrahma. (Source:Vinny Chitluri)

The below portrait was painted around 1917, when Jayakar came to Shirdi. He asked Baba for permission to paint t Dwarakamai pose and also painted this portrait of Baba's Chavadi procession (Ref:Shri Sai Sagar Magazine, JanMarch 2011).

In the above color painting, you can see Nana Saheb Nimonkar on the right side, Das Ganu behind Nimonkar,Behind Das Ganu is Baala Shimpi, Buti on the left side of Baba, Moreshwar Pradhan holding the garland, Moreshwar Pradhan's son "Chota Sainath" also known as Bapu holding the pooja materials in the thali, Shamrao Jaykar's son holding the Rajat Danda (silver staff), Kaka Saheb Dixit behind Sai Baba on the right hand side, Bhagoji Shinde holding the Umbrella, Balaram Mankar in between Buti and Moreshwar Pradhan and Lakshmi Bai Shinde behind Bhagoji Shinde.(Source:Vinny Chitluri).

The below photograph is another rare photograph of Shri Sai Baba. The photograph is a close up photograph of Bab sitting on stone (inside Dwarakamai Masjid).

Original Pictures of Places in Shirdi

There was a famous photo studio in Pune called Welling photo studio. Shri.G.G.Beliga the photographer belonging to

that studio had taken the below original picture of Nanda Deep around the year 1930. This photograph was later published by Late Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji in his series of Books called The Life of Sai Baba. (Source:Vinny Chitluri)

The below photograph is the one of the oldest photographs of Lendi Baugh.

The below photographs are very old photographs of Lendi Baugh showing the Banyan Tree and Nandadeep.

The below photograph is a very old and rare photograph of Dwarakamai Arch.

The below photograph is a very old photograph of Dwarakamai.

The below photogragph is the original photograph of the Nimbar present inside Dwarakamai Masjid.

The below photograph is the original photograph of Dhuni Maa taken around the year 1936 by Late Shri.D.D.Neroy from Pune. (Source: Charters & Sayings by Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji).

The photographs below are the original photographs of Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi.

The below photograph is a rare original photograph of Samadhi Mandir. This photograph was taken during some festival. Devotees carry holy water from Godavari River for Baba's Mangal Snaan. In the below photograph one can see Kavadi (2 pots filled with the holy water is slung on to a wooden carrier which in turn is carried to the Samadhi Mandir on a shoulder. This holy water is used for Baba's Mangal Snaan.

The below photograph is a original photograph of Samadhi Mandir.In the photograph one can see that the devotees are performing "SAI SATYANARAYANA VRAT" but the Murti (Idol) of Shri Sai Baba is not seen in the picture. Hence, this photograph must have been taken before 1954.

Fake Photographs displayed in Web Media and Social Networks as original Photographs o Shri Sai Baba and Shirdi - Courtesy:Vinny Chitluri

Baba rarely gave His consent for His photographs to be taken. However a few photographs were indeed taken. Most of these photographs were taken after 1900 and at that time Baba was not young. The below photograph was first published in 1930 in a Magazine called “Manoranjan” and Shri.Shripad Keshev Naik had written that this was “Sh Samarth Shirdi Che Sai Baba”. However this photograph is of SHRI ADVETANAND SARASVATI BAAL BRAMACHARI SWAMI MAHARAJ of Sarvabhauma Datta Sansthan, Vitthal Chaitanya Vishranthi Mutt, Ganagapur Gulbarga District of Karnataka State. This Swami took Samadhi in Bhadrapad Ved Panchami in Shake 1830 that is 1908 of the English Calander. This information was provided by a person whose father was a disciple of this Swami and he had the photograph of the Swami from his father. (Reference: Sai Anantha. Jully 2009, year 4, Ank 14

The photograph displayed below is not the Original Photograph of Shri Sai Baba but of Sai Mahabhakta Abdul Baba who looked almost similar to Shri Sai Baba.

The photograph displayed below is not the Original Photograph of Shri Sai Baba but of Sai Mahabhakta Kamu Baba.

The photograph displayed below is not the Original Photograph of Shri Sai Baba. The reasons that can be attributed are as follows:

1. His Sirvesh (head gear) is loose and hanging and not tied in a knot on His left side as he always does. Even in Hi biksha pose His sirvesh (head gear) is tied in a knot on His left side. In the below photograph, the Sirvesh is seen below the cloth on his head.

2.It does not look like he is wearing a Kafni which is V necked and torn at the upper arm, it looks more like a shawl And there is a white curtain like cloth at his back (right side). What is that? and another sheet behind him on his lef

The below photograph is not a original photograph of Sai Baba. Instead the photograph is taken from a Movie.

The below photograph showing Sai Baba with a Parrot supposed to have been taken in the year 1906 is not the original photograph of Sai Baba.

The below photograph is not the original photograph but a morphed photograph of Dwarakamai Masjid circulated as orignal photograph.

The below photographs are being circulated in many Web Media and Social Networks as the final Samadhi Processio of Shri Sai Baba on 16th October 1918. But, we would like to clarify that these photographs are not the final Samadhi Procession photographs of Shri Sai Baba. Hence, www.saiamrithadhara.com team urges all Sai Devotees t exercise prudence and not to circulate these photographs as original photograph in Web Media and Social Networks and be part of the mis-leading Sai Groups but instead like a true devotee focus on the Life and Teachings of Shri Sa Baba.

The below re-created photograph using the latest technology is being circulated in many Web Media and Social Networks wrongly stating and misleading Sai devotees that Baba had appeared in front of His Samadhi at the Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi. We would like to inform Sai devotees that it is far from truth and urge them not to get carried away by seeing such photographs and also request them to cross before putting the posts in Web Med and Social Networks.

The below photograph is being circulated in various Social Media Networks claiming to be Original Photograph of Sh Sai Baba of Shirdi. Sai Devotees can easily conclude that this is not at all original photograph of Shri Sai Baba base on the following points: 1. Shri Sai Baba never used to apply such big Chandan on his forehead like it is being dipicted in this photograph. 2. Shri Sai Baba never used to cover Chaddar/ Bedsheets which is shown in this photograph. 3. Shri Sai Baba never used Kamandala (holy vessel to carry water used by Gurus and Saints) as show in this photograph. 4. Shri Sai Baba's Eyes were believed to be very powerful and vibrant which we cannot see in t photograph(Photograph and Article Courtesy: Shri.Nagaraj Anvekar, Bangalore).

Significance and Complete History of Sai Baba’s Aarti in Shirdi

Aarti is a mode of congregational worship, in which the devotees stand facing the image of a deity or a deified Saint or, the personage ('living idol') of an exalted Saint singing devotional songs in unison. Normally, the singing is accompanied by musical instruments such as bells, gongs and cymbals. The object of worship is devoutly decorated with posy garlands and aromatic incense and musk are kept smoldering. While the devotees sing psalms, either an officiant or a devotee revolves clockwise, (usually) a fivefold oil lamp - consisting of five oil-traylets - round the obje of adoration. Such a performance of aarti with a fivefold oil-lamp is called Panchaarti.

At times Aarti is performed with a single, three or elevenfold (and so on) lamps. A lamp with wicks burning clarified butter (ghee) is the most preferred. Sometimes, instead of an oil-lamp, ignited camphor placed on a try is waved. A such details as the number of wicks, the kind of fuel, etc., carry their own esoteric symbolism. After the devotional singing, the flame of the Aarti-lamp is offered to the devotees, who their hands by turns over the sacred-flame and quickly draw them to their faces and heads as a gesture of drawing unto themselves the auspicious energy emanating from the receptacle of grace', i.e. the flame. Though, the tradition of offering Aarti is almost ubiquitous i the Hindu liturgy, the details of the modus operandi differ from region to region and are distinguished by many sectarian embellishments. This custom of Aarti, as a from of congregational worship, is more in vogue in northern India, especially in Maharashtra. In the South, usually it is done as a concluding part of the ritualistic worship, (both public and personal) which is called mangala Aarti or neerajana. In mangala Aarti normally camphor is kindled instead of an oil lamp.Congregational worship with prolonged singing of devotional songs in unison is seldom found South India.

The First Glimmerings of Sai Aarti

The first glimmerings of the dawn of the Aarti tradition in Shirdi are a bit foggy. In the whole gamut of the literature on Sri Sai Baba, the details regarding how and whence the custom of performing regular Aartis to Baba commenced

are not clearly recorded. Even the small stray details scattered here and there are fuzzy and incongruous. Let us fir glean all the available data from various sources and construct them into a coherent hypothetical sequence, before proceeding to discuss the posing discrepancies therein.

The Seed-bed of Sai Worship

The introduction of Aarti as a regular congregational worship at Shirdi is to be seen as marking a new phase in the evolution of the worship of Sri Sai Baba. Even from the day of his advent at Shirdi, people - though a handful in the beginning - looked upon him as a holy man, a fakir (a Muslim ascetic). The introduction of Aarti as a regular congregational worship at Shirdi is to be seen as marking a new phase in the evolution of the worship of Sri Sai Bab Even from the day of his advent at Shirdi, people - though a handful in the beginning - looked upon him as a holy man, a fakir (a Muslim ascetic).

To pious Hindus, an ascetic, whether he is a Hindu or a Muslim, is a holy man worthy of reverence. As Sai Baba's fame soon started spreading, people – mostly Hindus -were drawn to him in galore from far and wide. It is the piou custom of the Hindus to bow down or prostrate in reverence before a saint by touching his feet, as a mark of humili and self-abnegation. As most of the people who were drawn to Sri Sai Baba, from the outset, were Hindus, we can imagine the customary fashion in which he could have been honoured in general. Obviously Baba did not object to the pious usage. Strictly speaking, that was the seed-bed upon which the glorious tree of Sai Worship has begun to grow! As the devotee's emotional attachment to his Guru grows, the inflated emotional fervour seeks some form of expression.

Who Performed the First Aarti?

It is a familiar notion among many Sai devotees that the Aarti tradition at Shirdi was started by Shri K.J. Bhishma, which is in a way off the mark. Swami Sai Sharan Anand, who had direct association with Baba for about eight year i.e. from 1911 to 1918, informs, "In the beginning only Mhalsapati and Mahadev, son of Nanasaheb Chandorkar, use to worship Baba. Afterwards the tradition of Aarti was started. Morning (Kakad) and Night (Shej) Aartis were conducted in the Chavadi. Only Noon Aarti was performed in the Dwarakamai. The Aarti tradition was first started b Noolkar, a Retd. Mamaledar of Pandharpur." Shri Kakasaheb alias H.S. Dixit also says, "Before, Baba never allowed anybody to perform Aarti to him. But, after some time, (Lakshman Krishnaji) Tatyasaheb Noolkar had the honour of giving Aarti to Shri Sai Baba for the first time."

So it was to Shri Tatyasaheb alias (Laxman Krishnaji) Noolkar that the laurels of setting up the Aarti tradition in Shi go. Shri Noolkar was a sub-judge at Pandharpur. Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar, was also working there in 1908 as Mamaledar. The first Shri Noolkar heard of Shri Sai Baba was from Shri Nanasaheb, with whom he visited Shirdi for the first time in 1909. He was overwhelmingly impressed with Shri Sai Baba even at the first sight.

As he was already on the verge of his superannuation, he resolved to settle at Shirdi for good. Shortly after, he obtained voluntary retirement from service and lost no time repairing to the holy feet of Baba. He remained there adoring his beloved Sadguru till he away in March 1911. It was a long cherished dream of many a devotee at Shirdi to perform regular congregational worship (Aarti) to Shri Sai Baba. But Baba did not countenance such a fanfare of ritualistic exuberance to his person and used to be adamant in turning down all the buoyant appeals of th devotees. At last, devotees succeeded in obtaining Baba's sufferance to perform Aartis. Unfortunately the actual circumstance that surrounded the event went off the record. By the look of it, it seemed as though Baba had to give in to the devout sentiments of Shri Noolkar out of his deep affection towards the latter. Once the permission was given, the devotees lost no chance to set it up as an ongoing tradition. Tatyasaheb turned out to be the lucky officiating priest of the daily Aarti services. Shri Noolkar took to the seva (devout service) with enthusiasm and, carried it out as the most precious good fortune in his life.

After the demise of Shri Tatyasaheb Noolkar in 1911, one devotee by name Megha Shyam took over the charge of officiating at Baba Aartis. Megha was a poor, simple and austere GujAarti Brahmin. Shri Sai Saran Anandaji describe his unique style of performing Baba's Aarti thus, "After Noolkar's death, Megha got the good fortune (of conducting Baba's Aarti). With long beard, matted hair, Megha shone with a healthy body fair in complexion. He used to perform Aarti standing on one leg. Till the Aarti was over, he never used even to move his head. He performed Aarti with utmost concentration."

Megha ed away on January 19, 1912, i.e. within a year after he had assumed the charge of officiating at Baba Aartis. After Megha's demise, one Sakharam Hari alias Bapusaheb Jog stepped forward to fill Megha's shoes as the

presbyter of the Aarti conductions under the orders of Shri Sai Baba. Jog was also a man of ascetic deportment like Megha with a flair for orthodoxy. He carried out his priestly ministrations with a pious zeal till Baba ed out of th earthly scene. Obviously he enjoyed the longest period - i.e. about six years - of rendering priestly services in Baba durbar.

Even though Shri Tatyasaheb Noolkar has been acknowledged as the initiator of the institution of Aarti in Shirdi, the was another devout soul 'behind the scenes', who set the stage ready. It was Radhakrishna Ayi. In fact the custom performing Aarti to Shri Sai Baba was her brainchild. Ayi's real name was Smt. Sundaribai Kshirasagar. She lost her husband in her early years and to make up for the misfortune, she repaired to Pandharpur to spend her life in the service of her chosen deity, Lord Krishna. At heart she was of an occult disposition. She spent a few pious years at Pandharpur, when she came to hear of Shri Sai Baba. She set foot in Shirdi, for the first time, in 1905 along with Sh Nanasaheb Chandorkar. Even on her first visit she felt in her bones that Shirdi was her real home and Shri Sai Baba was her Lord Krishna. Without any second thought she made Shirdi her home. In her early days at Shirdi, she was found constantly chanting the holy name 'Radhakrishna', carrying a small idol of the deity. Hence, people began to call her 'Radhakrishna Ayi' which stuck to her to the end. Ayi means mother. She was a real live wire and in no time she ushered in a new phase in the mode of devotional expression in Shirdi. It was her cherished dream that her Sai Vittal should be duly adored with all the pomp and paraphernalia with which 'He' was being worshipped at Pandharpur. It almost became the ruling ion of her life. She became up to her ears in working out her rainbow. She always found it hard to bring Baba round to her projects. For some reason, Baba used to be very hard on her a never even allowed her to come anywhere near him. So, Ayi never dared to face Baba directly but, in her own way made her presence felt among other devotees. Her invisible workmanship was there behind most of the institutionalised ceremonies in Shirdi, like Chavadi procession, Ram Navami celebrations, Gopalakalotsav, regular Aarti performance, etc. The tribute Shri Kakasaheb Dixit paid to her in his Introduction to Shri Sai Satcharitra, clear shows her role in changing the semblance of Shirdi. "....Soon Shirdi was transformed into a Sansthan. Performance Aarti with all royal honours began to be offered to Sai Maharaj with all pomp and eclat. All the royal paraphernalia l music, horse and palanquin, uniformed escorts-cum-harbingers with maces, bhajan parties, started accompanying him in a procession as he proceeded to the Chavadi. The Chavadi was decorated with ornamentations like mirrors. Stone slabs were fixed on the floors of the Masjid and the Chavadi. The one who was responsible for all these things was Sundaribai Kshirasagar (alias Radhakrishna Ayi). She was an acharya of loving devotion. Even though she had wealth, she offered her body, mind and all to the service of Sai Baba. She could procure various articles from the devotees with which she made the Shirdi Sansthan grand and gorgeous. But, unfortunately, she ed away at the young age of thirty five. She was in Shirdi for about eight or nine years. Yet, what she could accomplish in such a short span, is impossible for anyone else to do even in twenty five years. It is because of her efforts that the custom of offering Kakad Aarti in the morning and Shej Aarti at night to Shri Sai Baba in the Chavadi has begun.... Radhakrishna Ayi not only diligently rendered her own services, but with love and devotion made others also serve. number of women volunteered to do jobs like carrying stones and earth, sweeping, digging earth and filling pits (on the roads), planting trees, hewing firewood (for dhuni) cleaning the Masjid, cleansing utensils, making confetti, tailoring flags, etc. Even ladies from wealthy aristocratic families used to come and gladly in doing those jobs a felt elated at their good fortune." Ayi suddenly ed away in 1916. She is, no doubt, as Kakasaheb Dixit described 'an acharya of loving devotion - nay, rather of 'living devotion!'

The exact date/month/ in which the regular custom of performing Aartis commenced is not clear. Shri Sai Satcharitr (Ch. 4, P. 21) states that the Night (Shej) Aarti commenced on 10/12/1910. In the same book in Ch. 37 (p. 204) it stated that from 10/12/1909 devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the Chavadi! In the said context in Ch. 4 it is also recorded that two more incidents took place on that day, i.e. on 10/12/1910. One is Shri G.S. Khaparde permission from Baba to leave Shirdi and the other was the laying of the foundation stone of Dixit Wada. But according the Diary of Shri G.S. Khaparde, the actual permission to leave Shirdi was granted to him on 12/12/1910. On his first visit to Shirdi, Shri Khaparde stayed for about eight days, i.e. from 5/12/1910 to 12/12/1910. There is no mention of any Aarti - in any of the entries made on those days in his Diary - whether Morning, Midday, or Night - or anything about the foundation laying ceremony of the Dixit Wada! Shri Khaparde wh did not elide to note down even seemingly insignificant happenings, would not have ed over recording such an important event as the commencement of Sej Aarti -if it took place on 10/12/1910. On the authority of Shri Sai Satcharitra, (but with a slight modification of the date by a margin of two days) if the commencement of Shej Aarti was to coincide with the leave-taking or departure of Shri G.S. Khaparde, then it should be on 12/12/1910.

One more obstacle crops up on the way for a smooth arrival at the conclusion. In the context of narrating the famou Jamner Miracle in Shri Sai Satcharitra (Ch. 33), it is said, "About 1904-05 A.D., Baba called one Ramgirbua.... and told him.... to stop at Jamner on his way home and give the Udi, and Aarti, to Nanasaheb.... Then Baba asked Sham to write a well-known Aarti composed by Madhav Adkar, and give a copy of it with Udi to Ramgirbua, to be delivered to Nanasaheb." If the custom of performing Aarti to Shri Sai Baba started only in December 1910, how could it

happen that Baba sent the famous Aarti song 'Aarti Sai Baba....' by Madhav Adkar in 1904-05?

The udi was sent by Baba to save Nanasaheb's daughter, Mainatai, who was then undergoing a risky delivery, Shri B.V. Narasimha Swamiji writes, "About 1904 or so, Baba commissioned him (Ramgirbua) to go to Jamner, in order t deliver to Nana Chandorkar a packet of udi and a set of papers containing Bhishma's Aartis for the puja of Baba, modelled on the Pandhapur Aartis.... So, he (Ramgirbua) went there (Jamner).... (and) handed over to Nana the udi,... The Aarti paper also was handed over to Nana for his approval, so that it might be used for Baba's puja at Shirdi."

As Hemadpant says, the paper containing the Aarti-song was sent by Baba to Nanasaheb to be recited by the latter prayer. Shri B.V. Narasimha Swamiji states that the same was sent for Nanasaheb's approval! It is hard to believe that Baba himself would send an Aarti song written in his praise to a devotee to sing in prayer! By all means such a act seems to go against Baba's grain. On the other hand, it is even a humiliating proposition to imagine the probability of Baba himself sending a song devoutly composed by a devotee in his (Baba's) praise for the approval o some other devotee (however important or influential he might be). Curiously, neither Mainatai nor Bapurao Chandorkar (son of Nanasaheb) mentions anything about the Aarti-song in their reminiscences.

In view of all the above incongruities, it can be surmised, without much impugn, that Baba would have sent only ud as is customary with his ways - through Ramgirbua. As he already been noted, long before 1910 devotees had been planning to commence the performance of regular Aarti to Shri Sai Baba and had been collecting devotional songs f that purpose; but for the approval of Baba the actual commencement of Aarti had been stalled till 1910. On knowin Ramgirbua was going to Jamner, the local devotees (like Shama) would have sent the Aarti-psalm to Nanasaheb for his opinion. According to the pious custom, Shama would have requested Baba to give the copy of the Aarti from hi hands to Ramgirbua as a gesture of blessing.

It can be deduced from the available data that the custom of offering regular Aarti to Shri Sai Baba commenced wit Shej Aarti when Baba slept at the Chavadi, and later the Kakad when he woke up there. The performance of the Midday and the Evening Aartis at the Masjid might have been introduced subsequently.

Here pops up another pertinent question! Why Baba did not allow Kakad and Shej Aartis to be performed at the Masjid? In the absence of any record either of Baba explaining himself or of a direct devotee explicating the reasons the only course left is to take recourse to conjecturing again. Though, in a general sense, all Aartis are essentially t same, in the strict liturgical sense, the Noon and Eve Aartis are only a hymnal, whereas Kakad and Shej Aartis com under sevas (services), which form a part of the daily services in a temple. The latter might have been considered more idolatrous in character and so more offending to the orthodox Muslim sentiments. Not identifying himself in totality with any religious community by steering along an unbiased middle path of transcendence seems to be the constant leitmotif of Baba's life style. Lest there should be any scope for a communal hubbub by the performance o Kakad and Shej Aartis in the Masjid, which are very akin to the services in a Hindu temple, Baba might have disapproved their performance (in the Masjid). The inherent limitations of this pure conjecture are legion and it cannot be helped!

The pious custom ens that the daily liturgical services such as Kakad and Shej Aartis, if once undertaken, should be attended to without a break. As Baba did not permit the Shej and the Kakad Aartis to be performed at the Masjid the devotees had to conduct them only at the Chavadi when Baba slept there on every alternate night. This gave ris to the problem of continuity of the daily seva. As a solution, the devotees started performing Aartis to Baba's pictur at Sathe Wada when Baba slept at the Masjid. Later, after the Dixit Wada was constructed, another Aarti was set up there. Shri Bapusaheb Jog was in charge of conducting the Aartis at the Sathe Wada. After Baba's padukas were installed at the Gurusthan in 1912, another, a third, Aarti used to be performed at the Gurusthan. A young man, by name Dixit, was appointed to officiate at the Aartis at the Gurusthan. The result; two Aartis performed simultaneously, one at Sathe Wada and one at Gurusthan. The situation seemed odd because Sathe Wada and Gurusthan are located practically in the same compound! One day Baba cut a joke at Shri Jog. Pointing to Shri Dixit he said, "Look! This boy will surely outdo you. You can't stand in competition with him!" It so turned out that after some time devotees were attracted more to the Aartis performed at the Gurusthan and the attendance at Sathe Wada gradually waned. But Jog perseveringly kept the Sathe Wada Aartis just jogging along by performing them all alone, or with only one or two participants!

A Glimpse of Sai Aarti In Shri Sai Satcharitra we find a ing glimpse of how the Aartis were conducted during Baba's time. "Before the

midday-meal, the bell in the Masjid rings announcing the performance of the noon-worship and Aarti to Shri Sai Baba. All devotees assemble at the Masjid. First Baba is worshipped ceremoniously with gandhakshatas (sandal and rice mixed with vermilion and turmeric). Then Bapusaheb Jog performs Aarti with love and devotion. Both men and women in performing Noon Aarti. As women stand up in the Masjid, men assemble in the open courtyard below All the devotees loudly sing Aarti psalms in unison to the accompaniment of gongs, bells and cymbals. Baba sits in seat as usual smoking his chilim. Jog stands right in his front waving panchAarti while ringing the bell with his left hand.... At the end of the Aarti all devotees say ghosanna loudly chanting 'Shri Satchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai!' After the devout singing is over, Jog waves ignited camphor (neerajana), reverentially prostrates before Baba and then offers sugar candy as naivedya to Shri Sai Baba. As Baba stretches his hand to receive, Jog places in Baba's hands the candy, in a quantity as much as it fits in Baba's hand. The rest is distributed among the devotees as prasad."

To the devotees, offering ritual worship and Aarti to Shri Sai Baba was not a 'mere' gesture of reverence to the sain To them Sai Baba was their chosen deity, divinity personified, and the 'living idol' of their abstract 'idea of God on earth'. It would be interesting to note the role 'played' by the 'living idol' during the Aarti sessions. During the Aarti Baba was usually found sitting quietly smoking his chilim or conversing with some devotee, as if, unmindful of the ritual exuberance shown to his person. Baba's moods were quite unpredictable and he used to suddenly flare up wit rage. Devotees were constantly apprehensive that Baba might disrupt the Aarti at any moment! Sometimes, Baba "exhibited great grace accompanied by hard words", "At times, when he was in a pleased mood, (he) danced as he left the Chavadi and went towards the Masjid". Even though Baba let the Aarti " off easy", after the Aarti was over it was his usual custom to use "hard words against the internal enemies by naming them as Appa Kote, Telin, Waman Tatya, etc.", as if to fulfil the devotees' prayer in the Aarti, "kam krodh mad matsar attunee kakada kela" (' Lord Sainath, we offer Kakad Aarti to thee!.... I make my lust, anger, pride, envy and hatred as wicks', etc.)

Though Baba seemed unmindful of the ritual expression of the devotees' loving veneration, he did reciprocate their love in his own unique style. It was during the time of Aarti that many a devotee was blessed with rare and wonder glimpses of Shri Sai Baba. Shri Khaparde describes the Aartis as "edifying" and noticed that Baba was particularly gracious at the time of Aarti and "sent out wonderful moments of joy and instruction!" Shri K.J. Bhishma articulates this fact when he sings in one of the Aarti psalms, "Lo! Now seen with help of the light (emanating from the flames the panchAarti), Sadguru Sainath is shining forth with brilliance. That illumination destroys the darkness (of all sens of duality and lo, both the seer and the seen shine as One (without any shade of difference). Many remarks made b Shri G.S. Khaparde in his Diary bear testimony to this truth. Let's glean a few of the glimpses: (17/1/1912) "....we went to the Chavadi for Kakad Aarti. Megha was too ill to attend. So Bapusaheb Jog did the Aarti. Saying Baba showed his face and smiled most benignly. It is worth while spending years here to see it even once. I was overjoye and stood gazing like mad." (7/1/1912) - "In the morning I attend the Kakad Aarti. Sayin Maharaj looked exceeding pleased and gave Yogic glances. I ed the whole day in a sort of ecstasy," (6/1/1912) - "We attended the Shej Aarti at the Chavadi. Sayin Maharaj was in an exceptionally pleased mood, made mystic signs to Megha, and did wh are known as 'Drishti Pata' in Yoga." (22/1/1912) - "During the course of the worship he put two flowers in his two nostrils and put two others between his ears and the head. My attention was drawn to this by Madhavrao Deshpand I thought this was an instruction. Sayin Baba repeated the same thing a second time and when I interpreted it a second time in our mind he offered the chilim to me and this confirmed it. He said something which I noted instantl and particularly wished to , but it went clear out of my mind and no efforts made all through the day coul bring it back. I am most surprised as this is the first experience of the kind," (8/3/1912) - "At the midday Aarti, Say Baba approached me and touched my left arm and held his hand waist high just as we do to indicate a young man, with the other hand he made a sign as we do to indicate a man ing away. He made a sign with his eyes. I did n understand the whole and puzzled over it all day."

Thus, it is clear that Baba, in his own inimitable way, made the otherwise routine ritual into a lively course of spiritu instruction and a veritable vehicle of grace! It seems the performance of Aarti, though ceremoniously regular, was n always very punctual! Sometimes, it was 'a little late' or 'finished soon' depending on the convenience of the officiating priest or the condition of Baba's moods. At times Baba himself put off the commencement of the Aarti to drive a piece of instruction home into the devotees' heads. There were occasions when Baba asked the devotees to hold off the commencement of Aarti in waiting for some devotee who was about to arrive at Shirdi shortly.

In the beginning, when the custom of offering regular Aarti was started, there were not many psalms which were especially composed on Sai Baba. Except a few, like Dasganu's and Madhav Adkar's, most of them were adaptation of the traditional Aarti-psalms composed by the mediaeval saint-poets of Maharashtra on the deity Lord Vitthal of Pandhapur. It was only about a year after the commencement of Aartis at Shirdi, that the actual 'Psalm-Book' began to take shape. The kudos of giving a form and format to the Shirdi Aartis go to Shri Krishna Jogiswar Bhishma. Shri Bhishma hails from Bori, a village near Nagpur. He was a friend of Shri Khaparde with whom he visited Shirdi for th

first time on the 6th of December 1911. He was an old-liner before he met Shri Sai Baba. A few years before he visited Shirdi, he had a vivid dream in which he saw a swarthy brahmin in traditional vestment of a Vaishnava gosai The holy man, without uttering a single word, showed Bhishma a newspaper on which the words 'Sat-Chit-Ananda' (Being-Consciousness-Bliss) were printed in bold type. When Bhishma inquired of him what it was, the gosai again simply pointed to the newspaper wherein appeared another set of words 'mantra va shikava' (lit. 'mantra and learn Bhishma could not make out anything and before he posed another question the Vaishnava vanished with his mysti scroll! Bhishma was roused from his dream but could not figure out the meaning of the dream revelation. Later whe he asked a sadhu about it, the latter construed the dream message as a mantropadesh (initiation into a mantra) an that Satchidanand was the name of the Guru who appeared to him in the dream. A few years ed before he wen to take Baba's darshan on the invitation of Khaparde. As he approached Baba for the first time, the latter greeted h with folded hands, "Jai Satchidanand!" Bhishma was instantly mystified. The thought that Baba might be the holy man who appeared to him in the dream flashed across his mind. But, he blinked it away with an orthodox proclivity identify the brahmin gosai with the 'Moslem Sai'. While at Shirdi though he saw many brahmins devoutly receiving Baba's pada teerth without any orthodox scruple, he gently avoided the predicament. Baba used to smoke tobacco from a chilim (a clay-pipe) and as he smoked he used to offer a puff to the devotees present. Bhishma was apprehensive at heart at the possibility of smoking a chilim polluted by the lips of a Moslem. Surprisingly, for the fir few days, Baba never proffered a puff to Bhishma even though he was sitting almost at his elbow. One day Baba wa running over a parable to a group of devotees including Bhishma. Suddenly he stopped the narration and ed th chilim to Bhishma and bade him to smoke. Bhishma did Baba's bidding without any demur. Then Baba said, "Look here, I move about everywhere - hills and mountains, Bombay, Pune, Satara, Nagpur....; it is Rama who dwells in a these places" After a pause, he suddenly asked Bhishma complainingly, "Well, Why do you eat the laddus all yourse without offering a single piece to me? At least now give me five laddus!" As Baba spoke those words something happened which changed the basic outlook of Bhishma. His fogyish reactions suddenly evaporated, as if blown away in the singly puff he smoked from Baba's chilim. Then he himself asked for Baba's padateerth and wholeheartedly placed his head on Baba's feet. Baba blessed him by placing his hands on his head for a few moments which induce a strange ecstasy in him. He went to the lodgings but still his mind was running with Baba's cryptic remarks about the five laddus. He could not take Baba's words too literally nor could be clearly construe what actually Baba meant by 'laddus'. Next morning he got up seized by an overwhelming impulse to write a poem, which he penned immediately. The following morning it happened again, and thus five poems were committed to paper, as if under a divine afflatus. When he offered those songs to Shri Sai Baba in lieu of the five laddus he had asked for, Baba bless him approvingly.

Besides the five devotional songs, Bhishma composed a few more later. The devotees have appreciatively added the all to their collection of Aarti-psalms. Thereupon, Bhishma prepared a booklet entitled Shri Sainath Sagunopasana which contained, besides the Aarti-psalms sung in Aarti to Shri Sai Baba, some traditional hymns from the Hindu liturgy like, Purusha Suktam, Sree Suktam, Mantra Pushpam, Sri Lakshmi Ashtotharam, intended for use in the dail worship of the devotees. Shri G.S. Khaparde had borne all the expenses of its publication till 1922, After Baba's Mahasamadhi, the book has been adapted as the official 'Book of Daily Worship' at the Samadhi Mandir. Shri Sai Ba Sansthan, Shirdi, on making some additions to it, has taken up the publication of the revised edition since 1923.

In all, there are thirty psalms in the Book of Shirdi Aartis. Of the thirty, only sixteen are especially composed on Shr Sai Baba. The rest (fourteen, i.e. about half), are traditional Aarti-psalms composed by the mediaeval poet-saints o Maharashtra (excepting a Vedic chant). Of the fourteen traditional psalms five are composed by Sant Tukaram Maharaj, two each by Sant Namadev and Sant Janabai, one each by Shri Ramjanardhan Swami and Shri Rameshwa Bhat; of the remaining three, one is a Vedic hymn and the other two are traditional prayers. Of the sixteen, psalms especially written on Shri Sai Baba, the major bulk, i.e. nine, are composed by Shri K.J. Bhishma, three by Shri Dasganu Maharaj, one each by Shri Upasani Maharaj, Shri Madhav Adkar, Shri Mohini Raj and Shri B.V. Dev. Linguistically, of the thirty Aarti psalms twenty five are in Marathi, two in Hindi, two in Sanskrit and one a bilingual anthology of short Marathi and Sanskrit prayers. (Source: excerpt from Shri Sainathuni Sharath Babuji’s Article for Sai Leela Magazine July – August 1996 to May-June 1997).

Baba liked these Tukaram’s Abhangs very much Baba used to often tie ghungurus (tiny bells) on his ankles and dance in ecstasy. Baba appreciated talent and responded to it from his heart. The leela given below is about a famous Hindustani Classical Singer whom Sai Baba kept in Shirdi for 10 days.

It was customary for any musician, singer or any talented person to present themselves in Baba’s durbar. Baba love music and had a great deal of knowledge of it. Khan Sahib Abdul Kareem Khan was one such talented singer. He ha graduated in Hindustani Classical Music from the Kirana Gharana. This gifted singer had a voice that tinkled like a

bell, besides being a wise man. His name and fame had spread far and wide. In 1914, Khan Sahib Abdul Kareem Khan had a programme in Amalnere, where he was invited by Pratap Shet. The Shri Bapu Saheb Buti and various other devotees attended his programme and invited him to Shirdi. Khan Sahib cancelled the rest of his programme to visit Shirdi. He had a great respect for saints and he felt this was a good opportunity to pay homage to Baba.

He and his entourage of students and musicians arrived in Shirdi. They camped in the hall of Tatya Kote Patil’s hous In the evening when the usual bhajans took place in the Dwarakmai, Khan Sahib was sitting alongside the singers. Then Khan Sahib went for Baba’s darshan. Baba blessed him and made inquiries about him. Then Baba asked him t sing a Tukaram Abhang in Marathi. Thus Khan Sahib in a melodious voice sang the below Abhang: Abhang: hechi daan dega dewa tuza visara n whawa goon gaien aawadi hechi mazi sarv jodi nalage mukti aani sampada santsang dei sada tuka mahne garbhwasi sukhe ghalave aamhasi Meaning:

O God, grant only this boon. I may never forget Thee; and I shall prize it dearly. I desire neither salvatio nor riches nor prosperity; give me always company of the good. Tuka says: On that condition Thou mayest send me to the earth again and again.

Baba liked this Abhang in Raag Piloo so much that he closed his eyes and heard it attentively. Then Baba said “You ask for a boon in such a way that one cannot but give it to you. Now don’t make haste to leave Shirdi. Do not worry about your family, everything will be all right.” Then turning to Tatya Kote Patil, Baba said, “Give them Shirdi’s Badashai treatment.”

The next day Khan Sahib received a telegram from his wife Taaharabai that his daughter Gulabkali was seriously sic and he should return home. Khan Sahib brought the telegram and handed it to Baba. Baba reassured him and aske him to bring his family to Shirdi. His wife and daughter, came to Shirdi. Khan Sahib carried his daughter, who was hoovering at death’s door, and laid her on Baba’s feet.

Baba took some ash from his chillum and mixed it with jaggery. Baba made a mixuture of it with water, and gave it her to drink. After two days of this treatment, Gulabkali was on her feet. Baba kept Khan Sahib and his family in Shirdi for 10 days. Meanwhile Khan Sahib asked the other devotees “What are the bhajans that Baba likes? Then he learned them by heart and practiced them, thus he was ready to present them before Baba.

The entourage of singers, students and musicians consisted of about 20 people. Taaharabai asked Mrs.Kote Patil if she could do the cooking and houshold chores. Mrs.Patil replied “What you say is right, but I have orders from Baba to look after your comforts. You can however tell me what you would like to eat. And how you would like to eat and shall prepare in the same way.” That night Taaharabai sang some bhajans and ended with Gaalina Lotangana and Baba was very happy.

Khan Sahib was concerned about his music school at Poona, and Baba reassured him. Baba then gave him permissi to leave Shirdi saying “You are eager to go, but do not return to Poona. Go to Varahad, as the cotton trees are in fu bloom.” Then Khan Sahib sang some of the Baba’s favourite bhajans and that baba particularly liked which were: Abhang: je ka ranjale gangale tyasi mahne jo apula tochi sadhu olkhawa dev tethchi janwa mrudu sbahya navneet yaise sajannche chitt jyasi apangita pahi tyasi dhari jo hriudyi daya karane je putrasi tochi dasa ani dasi tuka mahne sango kiti tyachi bhagwantavy murti Meaning:

Know him to be a true man who takes to his bosom those who are in distress. Know that God resides in the heart of such a one. His heart is saturated with gentleness through and through. He receives as his only those who are forsaken. He bestows on his man servants and maid servants the same affection he shows to his children. Tukaram says: What need is there to describe him further? He is the very incarnation of divinity.

Khan Sahib also sang a bhajan titled “Jogiya”.

Baba blessed him and stroked his back and gave him a silver coin, saying, “Do not spend this coin, keep it in your pocket at all times.” Then he gave 5 rupees to Taaharabai and asked her to keep it in her trunk. Baba took a lot of Pedas and put it in her ooti. “Filling the ooti” is a wonderful tradition, especially in Maharashtra, where the elderly o the guru blesses an fills the ooti. Women usually keep their heads covered as a sign of respect. The lady gathers up that part of her sari that diagonally covers the abdomen and places both ther hands beneath that part of the sari when she receives the blessing (i.e., coconut or whatever the guru may give). Here Sai Baba put a large number of Pedas in her ooti. (Source: Baba’s Vaani by Vinny Chitluri).

The story of Shehnai played during Mangal Snan of Shri Sai Baba at Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi

The 5-1/2 feet Italian Marble Idol of Sai Baba sculpted by Late Shri.B.V.Talim was installed in Samadhi Mandir, Shird on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashmi on 7th October 1954. Earlier Sansthan used to perform "Mangal Snan" t the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba and from 7th October 1954 onwards Shri Sai Baba Sansthan started performing “Mangal Snaan” to both Samadhi and Marble Idol of Shri Sai Baba every day after Kakad Aarti.

During the holy bathing or Mangal Snaan to Shri Sai Baba, Sansthan is playing 2 famous Raag’s namely Raag Todi & Raag Lalit played by Shehnai Maestro Late Shri.Ustaad Bismillah Khan.

Shehnai played by Shri Saibaba Sansthan during Mangal Snan-Video1

Shehnai played by Shri Saibaba Sansthan during Mangal Snan-Video2

Raag Todi Teen Taal

According to Maharashtra tradition, Shehnai is played during all auspicious occasions like marriage. Hence, in order adhere to the Maharashtra tradition, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan started playing these 2 famous Shehnai Raag’s played by well known Shehnai Maestro Late Shri.Ustad Bismillah Khan during Baba’s Mangal Snaan. The tradition is followe even to this day by Sansthan.

Raag Lallit Part-1

Raag Lalit - Part 2

Raag Lalit - Part 3

Sansthan daily performs Managal Snaan to Shri Sai Baba Murti (Idol) and Samadhi with luke warm water as is the practice with human beings. During earlier days, they also used milk & Rose water. They also used Honey, Curd and Sugar only during festive occasions. But in 2007-2008 when they changed the Aarti time from 5.15 a.m to 4.30 a.m to accommodate more devotees to have Baba’s darshan, Sansthan decided not use milk and rose water for Mangal Snaan considering the safety of the Idol. Hence, since then they are using only minimal quantity of luke warm wate for Mangal Snaan. (As narrated by Vinny Chitluri).

The significance of the Brick that Shri Sai Baba used to always keep with HIM

Ever since Shri Sai Baba came to stay in the Dwarakamai in Shirdi, He had a brick with Him. It was His constant companion.The Brick measured 3-1/2x9 inches in size. Baba loved this Brick very much and called her as His "life long companion". Baba used to His hand on the brick while he sat in solitude in the Dwarakamai. When He slept, He used the brick as a pillow. Mhalsapathy and Kashiram Shimpi used to perform Mangal Snan to the brick an place her against the pillar adjacent to the Dhuni Maa to dry. At night they would wrap the brick in a clean cloth and gave it to Baba to use as a pillow.

One day Madhu Fasle who used to sweep and clean the Dwarakamai accidentally dropped the brick and it broke into two pieces. Frightened of the consequences, he placed the two pieces adjacent to each other against the Dhuni Maa and left the Masjid. When Baba returned, He asked Mhalsapathy for His brick. When Mhalsapathy tried to lift the brick, one of the broken pieces fell to the ground. Seeing this Baba started crying like a ordinary human being. He said "It's not just the brick, but My fortune that is broken. She was my constant companion! Now that she has gone too will leave". Mhalsapathy tried to comfort Sai Baba saying "Baba I will bind her together again with a gold wire". that Baba said "O Bhagat, this brick is more valuable than many gold bricks! Now my companion is broken, I canno remain here". Thereafter Baba's health started deteriorating and exactly on the 5th day Baba took Mahasamadhi. T incident has been mentioned in Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 44. While the lord of Pandarpur stood on a brick, th lord of Shirdi Sai Baba used the brick as His pillow.

The significance of brick could possibly be, that the brick is earthern or made out of a mixture of mud and sand. Th it is given a shape and dried. This is symbolic of the human body. Its breaking could signify death. The brick is bake in a kiln so that it attains hardness. Nonetheless it can still break. The baking is symbolic of human nature that is enmeshed in the Arishad Vargas. Lord Vittal of Pandarpur stood on it and stamped the Arishad Vargas. While Baba kept under His head and transferred good energy to transform the Arishad Vargas from worldly emtions towards Him To give an example, one of the Arishad Varga is sion i.e., emotion of love and longing can be turned towards Baba. The ionate love is turned towards Baba just as the Gopis turned their love towards lord Krishna.

In the year 1918, when Baba took Mahasamadhi, He was taken to Butti Wada according to His wish and the Samad was made. During the Samadhi time, Madhu Fasle placed this broken brick as a pillow under His head. Madhu Fasle Shama and Tatya Kote Patil have narrated this incident to Dr.Gavankar. Thus, this lucky brick found her rightful plac (Source: Baba's Rinanubandh by Vinny Chitluri)

Why Sri Sai Baba gave importance to the parayan of Sri Rama Vijaya?

Sri Sai Baba cast off his mortal coil on 15th October 1918. It was the first month of Dakshinayan, on the Vijayadashmi day in the brighter half of the moon. It was also the Muslim month of Muharram, it was the ninth day and that night was ‘the night of slaughter’. On that day around 2:35 pm Sai Baba attained Samadhi. It was the end of Dashmi and the beginning of Ekadashi . Hence, actually speaking Sai Baba took niryan on Ekadashi Day. But since it was Dashmi at sunrise on that day Vijayadashmi is regarded as the day of Baba’s niryan and Mahasamadhi day celebration is performed on that day itself (Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 42).

Just 14 days prior to Sai Baba’s Mahasamadhi, Baba who had foreseen his death, appointed a devotee by name Va

to read “Sri Rama Vijaya” to him. Accordingly Vaze sat down in Dwarakamai masjid and started the repeated readings of Sri Rama Vijaya. Baba was listening attentively to the pothi. Eight days elapsed in this manner. Later Baba asked Vaze to continue the reading of the pothi clearly and without stopping it. Hence, Vaze went on reading the pothi for the next three days and nights. Like this Vaze read the pothi for a total of eleven days. By then Vaze w very exhausted. As he kept on reading, he became very tired. Three days ed like this. Then Baba told Vaze to stop reading the pothi and sent Vaze away. Sai Baba kept himself calm and peaceful. Saints, Sadhus and virtuous have pothi’s and puranas read out to them and listen to them attentively when they foresee their death (Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 43).

Likewise Sri Sai Baba also gave importance to the reading of Sri Rama Vijaya. But why Sri Sai Baba gave importanc to the parayan of Sri Rama Vijaya can be clearly seen from the essence of Sri Rama Vijaya which is mentioned belo

The book “Sri Rama Vijaya” is lauded as one of the rare masterpieces in our Indian Literature. Apart the original masterpiece –“Srimad Ramayana” by Sage Valmiki in Sanskrit language, many a scholars have sung the Ramaya in various vernacular languages. When compared to the Original work Srimad Ramayana by Sage Valmiki, there ma be some variation in the versions of all the Ramayanas present around the globe but the essence of all these versio revolves around the advent of Lord Vishnu as Sri Rama to annihilate the demon king Ravana, his legions of darknes and establish an universal kingdom of peace and righteousness aptly called as “Rama Rajya”. It would be prudent for the readers to grasp the essence from the life of Sri Rama rather than ruminating over the thoughts of authenticity of the version. In fact, when we go through all the versions extant, we will find that each and every composer has, though occasionally drifted from the main version of Valmiki, yet maintained the sanctity of the Ramayana by singing the glory of the central hero-“Sri Ramachandra”. So, the essence of each and every version of Ramayana is pregnant with the same “Knowledge of the Brahman” (Brahma Vidya) and nothing different from on another. Sri Rama Vijaya happens to be one such glorious version of Bhagavan Rama’s life. Some of the salient features seen in Sri Rama Vijaya are:

Birth of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana, their prayers to Brahma and the latter granting their desires

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Lord Vishnu’s assurance to the Gods declaring his advent as Rama through Dasharatha and Kausalya

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The story Shravana Kumar

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Devi Mahalakshmi’s advent as the daughter of King Paksha

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Her later advent as a female child in a casket got by King Janaka

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The story of advent of Lord Hanuman

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The story of Ahiravana and Mahiravana.

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Birth of Lava and Kusha.

Sri Rama Vijaya, as the name suggests speaks of the “Victory of Rama”. It’s symbolic with the analogy of the victory of the Self (i.e; Rama) over the six internal enemies- Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha , Madha and Maatsarya (personified with the demons- Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Suka, Sarana, Indrajith, Prahasta, Mahiravan etc;). Once the six enemies are conquered, the lamp of knowledge gets illumined which shows us the “Path to the Pathless” (i.e. relieving us from this terrible cycle of birth and death). It is believed that one who ardently reads Rama Vijaya is redeemed from his sins and liberated.(Source:Dr.P.V.Sivacharan) To read Sri Rama Vijaya online Click here......

Why Sri Sai Baba gave importance to the parayan of Bhavartha Ramayana? On the advice Shri Sai Baba, Shri.Bapu Saheb Jog and Shri.Kaka Saheb Dixit used to read Bhavartha Ramayana every evening at Dwarakamai Masjid. When devotees used to ask question and seek guidance from Sai Baba, He

used to tell them to read a particular section or chapter of Bhavartha Ramayana. When the devotees read that particular portion as adviced by Baba, surprisingly they used to get solution to the problem that they were undergoing (Chapter 18 & 19, Shri Sai Satcharitra).

The above incident clearly shows why Shri Sai Baba gave importance to the regular parayan of Bhavartha Ramayan

The interesting story behind the origin of Bhavartha Ramayana has been given below for the benefit of Sai Devotee

Eknath began writing the Bhavartha Ramayana, a Marathi translation of the Ramayana, but took Mahasamadhi (left his body) in 1599 before completing it. This parallels the story of the sage Valmiki: Scholars believe that Valmiki never wrote the Uttar Kanda, but that it was added later. Similarly, in Eknath's case, the Uttar Kanda was written later by his disciples.

Santh Eknath had a boy named "Poli"who was generally considered a good for nothing by all the villagers.One day h was brought to Santh Eknath and remained with him thereafter.After Santh Eknath took samadhi,many of his disciples,including his son tried to complete the Bhavartha Ramayan with no success.One day one of Santh Eknath's disciples had a dream where the Saint told him that Poli would be able to complete the unfinished Bhavartha Ramayan.So next day the day disciple went to meet Poli and told him his dream.Poli was such a sincere and earnes sishya,he immediately said if guruji has said then ok, come and sit and write down what I say,and shlokas just started pouring and Bhavartha Ramayan was thus completed. (Source: http://eknathinfo.blogspot.in/2012/06/bhavartha-ramayana-story-behind.html ).

The significance of the Threshold of Shirdi

A Threshold is a strip of wood or stone forming the bottom of a doorway and crossed in entering a house or a room Shirdi, the abode of God Who Walked on Earth Shri Sai Baba also has a Threshold in the vacant space in between th Chavadi and Shyam Sunder Hall (near the Arch that has been built by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan in 2013 opposite to the Hanuman Mandir to denote the boundary) which many devotees are not aware of. This threshold separated the two villages of Shirdi and Bhirgaon. In the earlier days Shirdi was a very small village. Later on during Baba's sojourn itself, Sai Bhakta late Shri.Ramachandra Dada Patil united Bhirgaon and Shirdi into a single village of Shirdi.

That is why there are two Chavadi’s near Dwarakamai. The North facing Chavadi (for Shirdi) and the South facing Chavadi (for Bhirgaon) respectively. Likewise there were two small Idols of Hanuman at the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuma Mandir representing the two villages. Later when Shri Sai Baba Sansthan re constructed the Hanuman Temple, the small Idols of Lord Hanuman were placed in the Museum replacing them with one big life size Idol of Hanuman carrying "Sanjeevini Parvat" in their place.

During the earlier days, it was customary for the newly wed couples to break the coconut and offer pooja to the Threshold. The villagers of Shirdi also used to offer sugar to the Pedestal and perform pooja. Also when some body died, the villagers used to take the deadbody in procession and when the procession reached the point of the Threshold, they used to place the deadbody for a few minutes on the Threshold and then took the body for cremation. Even to this day, the old residents of Shirdi offer special pooja to this Threshold during the auspicious Hindu months of Shravan and Kartik.

The signficance of the Threshold according to Hindu mythology can be clearly seen from the Story of Narasimha Avatara as narrated in Bhagavata Purana which is as follows: According to a story from Bhagavata Purana, Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha are Vishnu's gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya, born on earth as the result of a curse from the Four Kumaras. In Satya Yuga, Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha - together called the Hiranyas - were born to Diti (daughter of Daksha Prajapathi) and sage Kashyapa. It is said that asuras were born to them as a result of their union at the time of dusk, which was said to be an inauspicious time for such a deed.

After his brother Hiranyaksha's death at the hands of the Varaha avatar of Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu, started to abhor Vishnu. To which end he decides to attempt to kill Vishnu by gaining mystical powers, which he believes Brahma, th chief among the devas will award to him if he undergoes many years of great austerity and penance just as Brahma has awarded to other Rakshasas. This initially seems to work as planned with Brahma becoming pleased by Hiranyakashipu's austerities. Brahma thus appears before Hiranyakashipu and offers him a boon of his choice. Upon Hiranyakashipu's asking for immortality however, Brahma refuses. Hiranyakashipu then requests the following:

O my lord, O best of the givers of benediction, if you will kindly grant me the benediction I desire, please let me not meet death from any of the living entities created by you.

Grant me that I not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Grant me that my death not be brought by any being other than those created by you, nor by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal. Grant me that I not meet death from any entity, living or nonliving. Grant me, further, that I not be killed by any

demigod or demon or by any great snake from the lower planets. Since no one can kill you in the battlefield, you have no competitor. Therefore, grant me the benediction that I too may have no rival. Give me sole lordship over al the living entities and presiding deities, and give me all the glories obtained by that position. Furthermore, give me the mystic powers attained by long austerities and the practice of yoga, for these cannot be lost at any time.

Whilst Hiranyakashipu had been performing the penance to be granted this boon, his home had been attacked by Indra and the other devas, seizing the opportunity in his absence. At this point the divine sage, Narada intervene in order to protect Hiranyakashipu's wife, Kayadhu, who he describes as 'sinless'. Following this event Narada takes Kayadhu into his care and while under the guidance of Narada, her unborn child (Hiranyakashipu's son) Prahlada, became affected by the transcendental instructions of the sage even at such a young stage of development. Thus, Prahlada when later growing as a child began to show symptoms of this earlier training by Narada, gradually becoming recognised as a devoted follower of Vishnu, much to his father's disappointment.

Hiranyakashipu eventually becomes so angry and upset at his son's devotion to Vishnu (who he sees as his mortal enemy) that he decides he must kill him but each time he to attempts to kill the boy, Prahlada is protected by Vishnu's mystical power. When asked, Prahlada refuses to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the univer and claims that Vishnu is all-pervading and omnipresent. To which Hiranyakashipu points to a nearby pillar and asks 'his Vishnu' is in it:

"O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described a supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere then why is He not present before me in this pillar?"

Prahlada then answers, He was, He is and He will be. In an alternate version of the story, Prahlada answers He is in pillars, and he is in the least twig. Hiranyakashipu, unable to control his anger, smashes the pillar with his mace, an then following a tumultuous sound, Vishnu in the form of Narasimha appears from it and in defence of Prahlada moves to attack his father. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu and not upset the boon given by Brahma, the form of Narasimha was chosen. Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by human, deva or animal, Narasimha is neither one of these, as he is a form of Vishnu incarnate as a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his lap (neither earth nor space). Using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon.

Even after killing Hiranyakashipu none of the present demigods were able to calm Narasimha's fury, not even Shiva So all the gods and goddesses called His consort, the goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi applies the fruits of fig tree on the burning nails of Lord Narasimha and immediately the lord calms down. This story of Narasimhavatara clearly depict the victory of Good over Evil on the Threshold. The significance of this Threshold according to ancient Indian Literature and Veda are as follows:

A “Threshold” to the house is said to be a must. Especially, in context to our Indian culture a threshold to a house, threshold to the main entrance of a village or town or a temple is not just understood as “a boundary” alone but veritably as a form of Maa Lakshmi within Lord Vishnu. Hence never have we come across a term in our ancient literature stating to “The Threshold” as “It” rather we see instances reverentially calling the same as “Her”. It is customary to lay the foundation stone prior to the construction of any building or layout, to which we reverentially worship with all the mantras befitting to that of a God and finally erect a wooden or a stone threshold over the sam This foundation block is also called “Aadhara Ishtikaa” (Ishtikaa means brick or stone) as called as “Vaasudeva” (for of Lord Vishnu). Now, when we closely contemplate on the word “Vaasudeva”, the first part of the word can be fragmented as “Vaasa” which means to reside or stay. So, who resides in Vaasudeva?? It is none but his consort an our beloved mother “Maa Bhagavati Mahalakshmi”. Where Lakshmi resides, there exists every form of wealth. At th point let us Lakshmi just doesn’t mean materialistic opulence alone but also peace, contentment, happiness, knowledge, brilliance, Joy etc; It would be foolhardy say that Maa Lakshmi is bestower of wealth alone. For such skeptic people, “Sri Sukta” (a Rigvedic Hymn eulogizing the Glory of Maa Lakshmi) is an eye opener where Lakshmi is praised as “Moksha Lakshmi” (veritably the Moksha itself). So, it is that primeval power residing in Vaasudeva that makes him all auspicious. So, Lakshmi here is not only considered as a female goddess but also as the “Dynamic Aspect” of Lord Vishnu himself. As we lay the foundation block and stone, we recite the Veda mantras like Purusha Sukta, Sri Sukta, Bhoo Sukta, Bhaagya Sukta, Neela Sukta – eulogizing the Supreme One in his male form as the “Parama Purusha” (Supreme

Person) and the female form ever residing in HIS HEART as “Paraa Shakti” (Supreme Energy) and praying –“….. Oh Divine One! Oh Universal Mother… May we invoke you in one form to reside in this stone that we lay deep in your sister’s (Mother Earth) lap, May you forever reside in the same and bestow happiness to the village (to be dubbed a city /temple / house), may you, Oh Goddess! Ever seated in the lotus of the Heart of my Father (Viz: Lord Narayan may always bless this village with unbroken joy, everlasting prosperity, abundance, faith in God, Faith in Guru, peac of mind all unshakable in nature and forever… We shall daily anoint you with vermilion and turmeric as a mark of gratitude for protecting all of us. Once again Oh Mother! Who had her origin for the milky ocean, bless us all with thoughts unblemished, keep no dark areas in any nook and corner of our minds, like how you stand unshaken at ou doorstep guarding all your children against any adversaries, so do give us the same unshaken devotion at the Feet the Supreme One ”. (Source: Vinny Chitluri and Dr.P.V.Sivacharan, Photo Courtesy: Shri.Nagaraj Anvekar and Shri.J.Subramanya, Bangalore)

Bhivpuri – The Holy Palace of First Ever Saibaba Temple In the World

This is the first ever Shirdi Saibaba Temple built in the year 1916 at Bhivpuri by Sri.Keshav Ramachandra Pradhan when Baba was still in his physical Body. Hence, this is a must see pilgrimage centre for all the Saibaba Devotees. The history of this temple is very interesting and the devotees of Shri Sai Baba will be happy to know how Shri Sai Baba converts people and creates devotion in their minds.

Sri.Keshav Ramachandra Pradhan hailed from this village. He owned a house and farmland in this village. He also worked as a Bill Collector in a private finance company to earn his livelihood. His home was next to his farm in an isolated area. The place was very peaceful and had a beautiful flower garden and also surrounded by luscious trees. Next to his house there is a Saibaba Temple which was built later. There is a Tulasi Brindavan, a well and aged trees in the vicinity. In the Flower Garden, there was an old Banyan Tree, a Peepul Tree, two Neem Trees and an Audumbara Tree.

Before Pradhan met Baba, he had a great deal of disrespect and contempt for saints. Once his friend was going to Shirdi along with his family. He repeatedly requested Pradhan to accompany them but Pradhan declined. Finally Pradhan agreed to accompany his friend on the condition that he would not bow before Baba and would not drink Baba’s “Pada Teertha” as the very thought repulsed him. They reached Shirdi and went to Dwarakamai to have darshan of Baba. Dwarakamai was fully crowded and hence Pradhan sat in a corner far from the Sanctum Sanctorum Gradually the crowd became less and the Dwarakamai was empty. His friend was in the Sanctum Sanctorum worshipping Baba. Baba told “bring that irresponsible and contemptuous rascal here” pointing towards Pradhan. His friend brought him before Baba who was still shouting. Then Baba advised him about his behaviour an contempt for ascetics and saints. While Baba was advising him Pradhan got a glimpse of Baba’s omnipresence and h knowledge of every ing thought. Pradhan was touched by Baba’s words and his contempt for saints vanished at once. At that very moment he became an ardent devotee of Saibaba.

As the days progressed, the financial position of Pradhan improved by the grace of Baba and he found peace of min He started making frequent visits to Shirdi. During every visit, he requested Baba to come to Bhivpuri. On one of hi visits, his persistence paid off and Baba said “I will come”. But, Pradhan was extremely stubborn and adamant b nature. He was repeatedly asking Baba during his frequent visits to Shirdi as to when he would come to Bhivpuri. O one of his visits to Shirdi, Baba gave Pradhan a Bas-relief image of himself and said “Hear, take this and keep it your home. Truly believe that this is me and do not come to Shirdi hereafter”. Pradhan took the image hom but he thought that Baba was joking. So, he went to Shirdi again. As soon as he stepped into the Sanctum Sanctorum Baba said. “I am in your home. Do not come to Shirdi again. Go back to Bhivpuri. Erect a temp and install my Bas-relief image in it. Perform all the festivals there. Do not come back again for that is your Shirdi. Now leave at once, and go home”. Thus on the instructions of Baba, Pradhan stopped going to Shirdi.

Pradhan constructed a temple next to his home. Once at midnight he heard the temple doors open. He and his fam went to see who it was; everyone was surprised at what they saw. Baba entered the temple and closed the door behind him. Then at 3 a.m. the door opened and Baba left. Pradhan narrated this wonderful event to all his friends and relatives who also came to behold this wonderful event.

Once Pradhan had a terrible crisis in his life, and it seemed to be never ending. He could not find a solution for it. A that juncture Baba gave him Sakshatkar or divine vision and patting his back said “Don’t be afraid, I am here to protect you”. Pradhan considered the place that Baba gave him Sakshatkar very sacred. He did not want any one walk on it. Hence, to preserve the sanctity of the place, he built a Tulasi Brindavan over it.

There is a trust which is taking care of the management of this Temple in Bhivpuri. The trust has recently decided to demolish the old buildings and construct a new temple in this place. The Address, Details and Direction of the Mandir is mentioned below for the benefit of Sai Devotees:

Sri Sainath Mandir C/o. Sri Sainath Mandir (Bhivpuri Road) Trust, Regd.No.A-2024 (Mumbai), Bhivpuri Road, Village:Ukrool, Post:Chinchvali-410 201, Taluk:Karjat, District: Raigad, Maharashtra, India. Numbers:+91 93722 18558 / +91 74981 62002 / +91 93714 94766 Direction:Alight at Karjat Railway Station on the Mumbai Pune Railway Route. The Temple is about 13 KMS from Karjat Railway Station. There are plenty of Autos playing between Karjat and Bhivpuri Saibab Temple. The devotee can also alight at Bhivpuri Road Railway Station (only few trains stops here). The Temple is about 2 KMS from the Bhivpuri Road Railway Station. For more information about the mandir click here:

History of Shri Sai Leela Magazine

In the year 1912 (approximately), on one Sunday, Shri Govindrao Dabholkar (popularly called Hemadpant for his great of work Sai Satcharitra) came to Shri.Ramachandra Atmaram Tarkad after completing some chapters of Sai Satcharitra. Among them Tarkad liked two chapters much that he requested him to print them. Moreover, they were not sure that people would like all Leelas of Sai Baba compiled in a single book. Moreover if all the Leelas are published together, then the cost of printing would be very high. So, it was decided that in the beginning, a monthly magazine should be released. Shri Dabholkar took advice of Shri Hari Sitaram Dixit. Like this six months ed and the work of Sai Leela did not progress further. But they were not disappointed. One day, Shri Dixit and Shri Dabholk came to Tarkad’s home to discuss about Sai Baba's Leelas to be published. Thinking from the other side also,

whatever experiences they had at the Holy Feet of Sai Baba were not all fake stories. So the thought of publishing H Leelas would be surprising to the devotees, but truly speaking it would settle down in the hearts of the readers deeply. Moreover it would increase self confidence in them. Keeping this in mind, they decided to step ahead in this matter and thus proceeded to publish Leelas of Sai Baba in the form of a monthly magazine. After deducting the expenses of printing from the first lot of issue of magazine, it was decided that the whole proceeds would be reserv for the same purpose only.

First 960 copies became so popular that another 1000 copies were printed. The of the committee decided to reserve the copyrights of the book with Tarkad only. Now Sai Baba's sweet experiences and Leelas were publishe Until Shri Dixit was alive, he used to publish the experiences after ing all of them personally from his side. But after his death now the publication of the magazine was not done on time. After the death of Shri Dabholkar the wo back logged for one year. Due to all these reasons, the subscriptions of the Sai Leela decreased from 960 to 400. The whole responsibility of the magazine was now on Tarkad’s old shoulders. He wanted to be away from fame and he had a habit of working from corners. But due to the responsibility which came forcibly upon him, Shri Prasanna and Shri Dev encouraged him voluntarily not to neglect his duty.

At a ripe old age of seventy, Tarkad had to work to meet his family expenses, look over the work of Sai Leela and moreover Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan had given him the work of treasurer. But he thanked Sai Baba that everything was going on smoothly because of His grace. He felt that people accepted such an ignorant person like him in such great work, which showed that Sai Baba was with him. Tarkad gives full credit to Sai Baba only.

At one point of time the subscribers of Sai Leela had gone down to 260 as compared to 960 in the beginning. So, after deducting the postal and printing expenses, Tarkad had to spend up to Rs. 250 from his own savings. Keeping all these things in mind and to serve Sai Baba's permanent work, he requested to all Sai Devotees to subscribe to t magazine thinking that it was his own monthly publication.

Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi was established in the year 1921 exactly 3 years after the Samadhi of Shirdi Sai Ba on 15th October 1918, after obtaining due permission from Ahmed Nagar District Court to continue the legacy of Shri Sai Baba. “Shri Sai Leela” the official Magazine of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) was started in April 1923 as a Marathi Edition with Shri.Kaka Mahajani as the Chief Editor of the Magazine. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan started Bi-lingual edition of Shri Sai Leela (Marathi and English/Hindi combined edition) fromApril 1973. (As narrated by Late Shri. Ramachandra Atmaram Tarkad and published inwww.shirdisaitrust.org).

Shri Sai Baba’s tooth kept under Holy Padukas in this temple in Shivaji Nagar , Pune

This temple in Shivaji Nagar, Pune is the oldest and many people are devoted to it. Its history also is strange, curiou and thrilling. This temple stands on the bank of the Mutha river in the Shivaji Nagar area in the vicinity of Rasane Chawl. Recently one road has been constructed in the rear side of this temple and because of a big retaining wall constructed by the side of the river, the flood water of the river does not come near the temple, otherwise in olden days the flood water of the river, used to come as far as the temple every year during the monsoon. If we turn left from the new road, we first come to the Rasane Chawl. If we move a little ahead and turn our face to the right then we at once get the Darshan of Shri Sai Baba. This darshan gives us the satisfaction of having taken the trouble of coming to the temple.

Shri Damodarpant Rasane was a Sai devotee, who had the good fortune to have lived with Shri Sai Baba during the latter’s life time. The Rasane Chawl belongs to Shri Damodarpant. Round about 1945 Shri Nanasaheb Rasane, the s of Shri Damodar Pant converted two of the rooms in the Rasane Chawl into a temple and started there the worship Shri Sai Baba. Since that time the worship of Shri Baba is going on at this place regularly. The morning and evening Aarati became a regular feature and hence devotees started flocking at the site. Sessions Judge of Pune, Shri Patil, Shri Chougule, a Judge from Belgaum, Shri V. Shankar Mudaliar, Shri P. S Rao, Shri Ranganathan, Shri Bendre, Shri Gaikwad, Shri Takawane Guruji can be mentioned as the illustrious devotees, attending the temple. Shri Nikam, fro Khed was a Jamadar in the Police Deptartment. He was known to be a sincere Sai devotee and hence he was called by Shri Nanasaheb Rasane to the activities of the temple. Shri Nikam accordingly responded to the call of Shri Nanasaheb Rasane and reg his job in the Police department, dedicated his entire life to this temple. He has presented to this temple one Talisman obtained from Shri Sai Baba due to Shri Nikam’s good fortune. The story of how Shri Nikam came to get this Talisman is also very interesting and noteworthy for all Sai devotees and hence it would not be out of place to narrate it here.

One girl from Shirdi named Kashibai, was married to a gentleman staying in Niphad. Due to her ill luck Kashibai’s husband died within a few years after her marriage. She was pregnant at the time of her husband’s death. She confined at the proper time and gave birth to a son, who was named as Madhav. When her son completed one year Kashibai returned to Shirdi from Niphad and started staying with her father. As Kashibai had no means of livelihood she used to work on some body’s field for the whole day and used to earn some money. Kashibai’s son was more or less a problem for her. There was nobody at her house, who could look after him. Hence she found out a solution fo that. She used to leave her son, in the morning in the Masjid and go away to the field for work. In the evening whe she would return from the work, she used to pick up her son from the Masjid and then she used to go home. In the evening, she used to bow down to Shri Sai Baba before going home. As Kashibai used to leave Madhav in the Masjid for the whole day, she never had any worry about him. She used to work in the field whole day and return in the evening. This became a sort of a routine for Kashibai for four or five years. After Madhav attained the age of five, S Baba started giving him a rupee every day. In his turn, Madhav also used to attend to Shri Baba’s petty jobs.

Smt. Kashibai knew that Baba used to give some money to many people. Once she came to the Masjid and said to Shri Baba, “Baba, you are daily giving Rupees fifty to some people, to some others you are daily giving Rs. 30. Som people are in daily receipt of Rs. 25 and Rupees fifteen respectively. My son Madhav is doing so many of your sundr jobs; but you are giving only one rupee to him everyday. Why is it so?” Baba replied, “Kashibai, I know I am giving more money to some people than what I am giving to your son, but that I am going to stop giving this prasad to others; but your son’s donation will not be stopped. It will continue for ever, I am the master of widows like you, who have no protector”.

Kashibai did not understand the words of Shri Baba properly and said, “My Master (ifa) died some five years before and I am a widow since that time”.

On listening to these words, Shri Baba got enraged and started speaking to her in loud tone. Looking at the wrath o Shri Sai Baba, Kashibai quietly slipped out of the Masjid and went home. She then stopped going to the Masjid for some time. After two or three days, however, Shri Baba ed about her and He sent for her. Kashibai came the Masjid along with Madhav. She was quite afraid to speak to Shri Baba; but Baba spoke to her in mild tone. One tooth of Shri Baba had become loose. Hence he pulled it out and after tying it in a small rag along with some Udi, h gave it to Kashibai informing her to keep that Talisman with her. Baba told Kashibai further that it would do her goo

In course of time, Madhav grew up to be a man. He was now known as Madhavrao. After the death of his mother Kashibai, he left Shirdi and settled at Niphad. Once he fell seriously ill. During that sickness, he saw a dream, in which Shri Sai Baba ordered him, “Very soon a person will come to you and you should give him the Talisman tied round your arm”. Shri Nikam came on the same day to Shri Madhavrao’s house at Niphad. Shri Madhavrao and Shri Nikam had met each other many times at Shirdi; but just as Madhavrao got a dream, similar dream was seen by Sh Nikam and hence for fulfillment of the dream he met Madhavrao. As both the devotees confirmed their dreams, the Talisman was handed over by Shri Madhavrao to Shri Nikam. This Talisman was with Shri Nikam for many years and now he has handed it over to this Mandir, for safe custody. It is now kept below the Padukas of Shri Sai Baba in this Mandir. The Padukas were installed by Pujyashri Narasimha Swamiji in 1950. It is said that the tooth of Shri Buddha is kept at some places of worship of the Buddhas, especially the stupas. It appears that this temple will have corresponding importance to the Sai devotees because of this Talisman as the Buddhist have for their temples, containing the tooth of Shri Gautam Buddha.

In 1950, Saidas Mandal was established to take care of this Mandir and it was also ed. Shri Ranganathan wa the Secretary of the Mandal for many years. After his death, Shri S. Ramakrishnaji, who was a petty contractor, too over the secretaryship and he still continues to hold that post. Shri Ramakrishnan has taken a lot of pains for the construction of this Mandir and today even at the age of seventy-five; he is not backward in his duties to the Mandi His enthusiasm is really wonderful and some young people even cannot show as much energy as this old man has. Dasara, Ram Navami, Guru Pournima, these three festivals are celebrated at this Temple every year with great devotion and discipline. Shri Ramakrishnan is paying personal attention to every small or big job concerning the Temple and because of this keen interest shown by him in the affairs of the Temple; it has been possible to show good progress. Because of this able guidance of Shri Ramakrishnan, the young generation is always volunteering th services to the Temple and are willingly yoking themselves to work.

Shri Nanasaheb Awasthi, a veteran Sai devotee of Pune, who was more than eighty years old, was also another source of inspiration of the Mandal. He being one of the lucky persons, who had the good fortune to see Shri Saibab

while he was alive, his blessings were considered to be very valuable for the project and it was hoped that with his guidance, the work of the Mandir would progress swiftly. Shri Awasthi Kaka used to visit the Mandir on every Thursday, in the evening for Aarti. Due to his death, this Mandal has lost a very strong er and guide, but the enthusiasm of the of the Mandal has not become less in any way.

One miracle about the old Temple is worth narrating here. On 12th July 1961, the Panshet Dam gave way and the whole of Pune city was under flood water. A large part of the city was devastated and many houses crumbled down like a pack of playing cards. This Sai Mandir at Shivaji Nagar was at that time actually on the banks of the river. It was therefore, no wonder if this Temple was caught in the flood water. Because of the breaking of the Panshet Dam the level of water rose to about 20 to 25 feet above the dome of this Temple.

The small structures of mud in the compound of Rasane Chawl were drowned in the flood-water and therefore the of the Mandal were much worried about the Temple. No sooner had the flood water subsided, the membe of the Mandal ran to the site for salvaging the Temple. It was really a job to clear the thick deposit of mud on the Temple and its vicinity. The work went on continuously for 2 to 3 days and then to the wonder of everybody, the old Temple was found to be quite intact. The Audumbar tree by the side of the Temple stood as before and was not eve bent down a little. The colored photograph of Shri Saibaba in the Temple was also intact. Even after remaining burie in the thick mud for so long a time it did not get soiled at all. It is really a wonder how this has happened. Now one marble statue of Shri Saibaba, which was ordered from Jaipur is installed in the Temple; but the aforesaid photogra is worshipped daily. Every Sai devotee who visits the Temple comes to know of the spiritual power of Shri Shirdi Saibaba, because of this miracle and at once bows down his head before Shri Shirdi Saibaba for getting His blessing The Sai devotees in Shivaji Nagar area have great regard for the Temple and it is hoped that other Sai devotees als will make it a point to visit this Temple at the time of their visit to Pune. Details: Shri Sai Das Mandal 83/84, Shivajinagar, Rasane Chawl, Juna Tophkhana, Pune – 411 004. Maharashtra, India. Person: Dr.Prakash Rasane, President PHONE: +91-020-2551 0790/2445 5399/2433 5745/2567 6155 Mobile: 098906 65626 Email: [email protected] Website: http://saidasmandalpune.org/

(Source: Original article written in Marathi by Shri.S.M.Garje and published in Shri Sai Leela Magazine o January 1976).

Shri Sai Baba Blessing Cards first time in the world

For the first time in the world, Shri Sai Baba Blessing Cards have been released by Prasaar Communications, a publishing company based in Navi Mumbai.

These Blessing Cards are like Tarot and Angel Cards, where according to the guidance of Sai Baba, 60 utterances of Sai Baba have been chosen and attractive and colourful designs have been used to convey the messages pictorially. One need not have any special skill to read the messages/ guidance. In fact, there is a guide book on how to use th Blessing Cards.

Shamshaad Ali Baig, proprietor of Prasaar Communications said, “When we call Sai Baba He comes and answers ou query. But in times of trouble because of our chaotic mind we cannot hear His voice/ guidance. Shri Sai Baba Blessi Cards is one of the many ways to centre oneself, and seek answers from Baba or who ever is your Spiritual Guide.” Shamshaad Ali Baig said, “Sai Baba guided me at every step, right from the unique inspirational idea to conceptualizing it and finally production and distribution,” Shamshaad confessed that when Sai Baba’s first inspiration came to her in 2010, she was unsure of taking up the venture – “I thought, who will accept the idea of Sai Baba Cards when the market is flooded with thousands of different types of Tarot and Angel cards,” she said.

Moreover, another worrying aspect was that Sai Baba’s messages were very philosophical and Shamshaad wondere how they could answer queries of the people in today’s materialistic world, particularly pertaining to finance, career love, relationships, etc. She said that in May 2012, when she attended a spiritual program, the message came in loud and clear. “At one of the sessions, I actually visualized Shri Sai Baba standing on the stage and urging me: Why do you worry about the finances? Everything will be taken care of. Don’t worry. You start the work I am there to you,” Shamshaad

said.

That was the turning point and Shamshaad mustered the energy to launch the project – “Just as Sai Baba had assured, everything seemed to fall in place, at every stage I could sense his guidance and even the issue of finance was taken care of,” Shamshaad said with relief.

Another ‘miracle’ she experienced was during the printing of the Cards, she says ‘when the first few prints came fro the printing presses, everything was fine – except for one picture which was technically not matching the original colour tone. I thought to myself that such a minor error, nobody would really notice, as they had not seen the origin image and its colour tone.’

She said, “In spite of rationalizing with myself over this issue, the thought kept on ranking me, so I prayed to Baba what was He trying to tell me through this,”

She raised the issue with the printer who shrugged and said nothing could be done about that particular card which was technically lacking in quality. Just then, the press production supervisor came and was informed of the problem He emphatically said, “We can better this quality.” He went and fixed a few knobs and reams of fabulously printed sheets started coming out!

Hoping to cut costs, Shamshaad was planning to insert a couple of pamphlets on how to use the deck, but again, sh claims Sai Baba’s inspiration nudged her to pen a small guidebook – while the cards printing was already underway

As the cards were printed, she got the reply to her original question, too, on the utility of the cards for common people in their routine lives. Baba in His infinite wisdom guided me that, when the question is posed to Him (like on relationship, finance, career, etc.), He will guide His devotee through the image or message on the card or through thought, image, sound, feeling, etc. that will arise in that moment of ‘Communion’. However, she hastens to add that the Shri Sai Baba Blessing Cards are not meant for prediction or astrological purposes, but intended for ‘guidance’ to ordinary people on their day-to-day challenges.

“The guide book explains how to calm one’s agitated mind, how to shuffle the cards, how to connect with the divine and the technique of asking the questions for Sai Baba’s guidance,” Shamshaad explained.

For more information and to purchase the Divine Blessing Cards, log on to www.sai-blessings.com or send emai to [email protected].

Shri Shirdi Saibaba postal stamp

Shri Shirdi Sai has spread his wings through the Department of Posts, India. The Department of posts, Government of India, has released the first ever postage stamp, First day cover postage-seal and brochure on Shri Shirdi Sai Ba on 20th May 2008. The stamp is of Rs 5/- denomination and about 0.4 million stamps have been printed by India Security Press, Nasik.

World’s Largest Statue of Shirdi Saibaba (54 Feet) World’s Largest Statue of Shirdi Saibaba is present in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is about 54 Feet in height and looks very elegant.

Nagasai Temple of Coimbatore

In the year 1939, Sri. H.H.B.V. Narasimha Swamji along with Sri A.V. K. Chari and Sri.H.Varadaraja Ayyah and his brother Sri. C.V. Rajan started the Sai movement in Coimbatore and the first institution of Sri Sai Baba in Tamilnadu (erstwhile madras province) was established in Coimbatore. The Institution was named as Sri Sai Baba Mission was put up for darshan of the Devotees. Swamiji entrusted the centre to the care of Sri. A.V.K.Chari in the year 1942. T late Sri.C.Varadaraja Ayyah donated about one acre of land at Mettupalayam Road and a Thatched Shed was erecte at the donated land to house the Sri Sai Baba Mission which was later named as Sri Sai Baba Madam in those days and the place was opened for worship to one and all at all times irrespective of class, creed, caste or religion. The S Baba Madam was the meeting ground of Sai Devotees in and around the Coimbatore City. Sai Bajans are held regularly on Thursdays.

In 1943 on the evening of the 7th of January, Guru-vara (Thursday) sacred for worship of Baba, a miracle happened A shining and lustrous Cobra small in size but possessing an unusually big hood with divine marks of Tripundra, Shanka and Chakra appeared before Baba’s picture when the Bhajan was going on in full swing to the accompaniment of drum, cymbals etc., with all the lights on. The Naga stood there in a pose of worship fullness entranced in Baba Music! Waving of lights, aratis etc had no effect on the nerves of the Cobra. People around who had swelled into a crowd of a few hundred stood there in awe and wonder at the wondrous sight of the Naga with spread head. There was no fear for the snake; the proverb that even a battalion of soldiers of valour shiver at the sight of a cobra was falsified. Young and old, women and children in thousands began to pour into the spacious land of the Bhajan Madam to witness the Naga that lingered in the same spot for full 48 hours Baba bhaktas began to shower baskets of flowers in worshipful reference for the Naga. The Cobra was virtually submerged in a mould of flowers but even then, he was immobile. Aartis were performed for the Naga. On the second day of Naga’s advent, photographer came to take a picture of the Naga in its majesty but the latter was immersed under heaps of flowers No one had the courage to go near the spot where the cobra was lodged and clear the flowers. The only course ope to them was to pray. Ho! the Naga jumped out of the flowers heaps and posed for the photograph as if in answer to the prayers of the multitude. One and all were sure for the first time that it was all the work of Sai Baba. The devotees then prayed with fervour and faith to the Naga to clear out and enable them to resort to their routine worship of Baba in the Madam. Then the immobile Naga showed signs of movements went around Sri Sai Baba’s picture and slowly marched out into the open, disappeared into the bush where later an ant-hill (snake’s natural habitat) appeared. The place where the Naga disappeared in held as a ‘Holy Ground’ by devotees and from that day onwards Shirdi Sai Baba in Coimbatore is worshipped as “Sri Naga Sai”.

Hejje Pradakshine made easy in this Saibaba Temple at Mysore Road, Bangalore There is a Beautiful Shirdi Saibaba Temple at Hunsemaradahalli, Off Mysore Road, Bangalore known by the name "Shri Shirdi Sai Anandamayi Temple".

The speciality of this temple is that the temple and the Dwarakamai is constructed just like the Original Shirdi Temp

More speciality about the temple is that There are Hundred and Eight (108) Stone Blocks erected starting from the left side of the temple in a clockwise manner and the Stone Blocks ends exactly at the right hand side of the temple from where you can enter the temple. This has been done to enable the sai devotees to perform "Hejje Namaskara" wherein a devotee is given the opportunity to Chant Saibaba's name hundred and eight times (108) or utter Sai

Astothara before entering the temple. Really an innovative thought indeed by Capt.Mahesh. The address of the temple is as below: Sri Shirdi Sai Anandamayi Temple Hunasemaradapalya, Off Mysore Road Next to Amrith Distillary, 2 KM Off Mysore Road Bangalore. Person: Capt. V.V.Mahesh Phone: 28437345/9980479992/9448116146

Oldest Shirdi Saibaba Temple of Bangalore

The Shirdi Saibaba Mandir situated at Sriramapuram, Bangalore is the oldest Saibaba Temple of Bangalore. It was started way back in 1943. In this mandir there was an old lady who had seen Shirdi Saibaba. I was fortunate enoug to touch her feet and take blessings from her on Guru Poornima Day about 10 years back. Unfortunately the blesse lady is no more. Her grand childrens are running the temple. The addess of the temple is as below: Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mandir 4th Cross, 4th Main, Maruthi Extension Sriramapuram, Bangalore-560 021. Phone: 23326721 Person: Mr.Baba Prasad

Smt.Dukki Sai Leelamma receiver of first copy of first ever edition of Telugu Sri Sai Satcharitra

Sri Sai Satcharitra was first written by Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemad Pant between 1922 & 1929 in Ovi form in Marathi and the same was published by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust (Shirdi) on 30th October 1930. Later Sai Satcharitra in condensed form was translated into English by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji & it was this epic book the basis for translation into all major Indian Languages. The first language in which Sri Sai Satcharitra translated was Telugu by Late Sri Pratti Narayana Rao on the basis of English Translation of Sri Sai Satcharitra (Condensed Version by Sri Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji. The first copy of the first ever edition of Sri Sai Satcharitra in Telugu was handed ov to Smt.Dukki Sai Leelamma on 19th May 1953 at Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi.

She was born on 17th August 1923. She practiced and preached Sai Philosophy to all those who came to her. She had started a Meditation Hall and Mandir at Old Alwal, Secunderabad in the year 2004. She used to tell devotees“Believe in Baba, He will take care. Do not indulge in unwanted talks with anybody. Do not discuss your problems with anyone. Instead always offer Manasa Pooja to Sai Baba wherever you are a whenever time permits”. She had also printed the devotee expereinces book titled “Sai Leelamma –Experienc of Devotees” wherein she had given tips to Sai devotees on how to do meditation on Shri Sai Baba. She used to take the problems of people on her, tell their problems to Sai and solve their problems. In this way, she had healed many people’s problems and ailments. She attained the lotus feet of Shri Sai Baba at 11:05 AM on Monday, the 25th August 2014 at her Old Alwal residence cum Mandir at Secunderabad at the age of 91. (Source:Shri.C.Saibaba, Orissa and Shri.Anjaneyalu and Shri.Kamashastri, Hyderabad).