The Story of Mhalsapati

మహాల్సాపతి- 3 (బాబా రక్షణ కవచం) 

Baba protecting Mhalsapati & his family:

Baba coming in the form of Rupees 10:

As we discussed earlier Mhalsapati and his family had to fast without food on several occasions. One time it was miserable and the fast lasted for a long time. Then Baba told Mhalsapati’s wife that he himself is coming to their house and do not reject him. At the same time H.S Dixit came to Baba with an envelope and told Baba that he wanted his permission to send that to Mhalsapati. Baba knows everything and what is in that envelope. Then Mhalsapati accepted this envelope and opened it. He saw 10 rupees in that and they had to accept it because Baba told them not to reject this. In this way Baba took care of our great bhakta’s family.

Baba cautioning Mhalsapati about snakes: 

Shirdi was well known for snakes at that time. One evening Mhalsapati was about to go home and Baba told him at that time; “Bhagat ! You are going to see two thieves”. Then he saw two snakes. One snake was seen near Dwarakamai and other at a neighbor’s house. At another instance, he saw another snake while coming from his house. Baba warned him prior to that and asked him to come with a lamp. Without a lamp he could have stepped on this snake. But with Baba’s grace he was protected.

Mhalsapati was asked not to lie down on his back:  

One time Baba cautioned Mhalsapati not to lie down on his back. But when he went home, he eats “Burphy” and became giddy, looses consciousness. He became delirious and stretched his legs. He was on his back with in no time. When he became conscious he could not bend his legs. Then his daughters had to massage his legs. Then he was able to walk and went to see Baba. Baba then said “Didn’t I tell you not to lie on your back”.

Protecting his family:

Once Baba told Mhalsapati that there was something bad at Khandoba. His wife and his daughters became sick. This was around 1908. But I am here, you don’t worry. During that time so many Doctors came to Shirdi. But Baba assured him and cured all the diseases. Another time his wife was at her mother’s house. She had a tumor in her throat. But she could not reach her husband and wanted to write a letter. Then Baba told him “Your wife has a tumor in her throat and I am going to cure it”.  Mhalsapati later received the letter that she had a tumor but it disappeared without any treatment. When Baba told him about this he could not understand the intensity of the problem but had complete faith in Baba.

Mhalsapati insulted by his In-Laws:

Once Mhalsapati was invited by his in-laws and he decided to visit them. He came to Baba to ask for permission. Baba told him that it is not good idea to visit them. Because they invited him, he decided to take any kind of challenge. They all eat before Mhalsapati’s arrival. He was insulted by them in a worst possible way. But he felt that he fulfilled his responsibility. He came back to Shirdi and told Baba all the details of his trip. We can recognize his greatness and his indifference to all these worldly issues.

Astinagram visit: 

There was a village by name “Astinagram” about six to ten miles from Shirdi. One of the Sai devotees by name Ram Bhav Harde, requested Mhalsapati to host a Scripture (Purana) reading followed by dinner.  This Purana is called Mhalsapati (Khandoba) Purana. Then Mhalsapati went to seek Baba’s permission. Baba then told him that he should not go and there will be a fight there. Yet having been invited, Mhalsapati decided to go. He sat and read the Purana and while this is going on there was a commotion between two groups of boys. Then they started exchanging words. Then words quickly came to blows and sticks. The people were scattered and ran away from the place. Then Mhalsapati also had to pack his stuff and follow the crowd. He returned to Shirdi and told Baba every thing. But with Sai’s grace nothing happened to Mhalsapati.

Vittal Darshan- Going to Pandharpur:  

Mhalsapati’s faith in Khandoba was unquestionable. He had Lord Khandoba appear in his dream and told him to visit Pandharpur. For a person who has difficulty financially, it is not possible to have a pilgrimage. But by God’s grace, he got some help for his journey from a wealthy family. When he reached Pandharpur, the crowds were large and unmanageable. The professional priests demand money for the entrance. He did not have any money on him. As he was moving with the crowd nearer to Vittoba (Diety), suddenly people began to note that Mhalsapati’s face was exactly like Khnadoba. They started saying “Here comes Khandoba to take a darshan of Vittoba”. They all give way to Mhalsapati and he had a clear darshan of Viitoba. This was like a miracle and Mhalsapati was blessed again by the Great Sai.

 OM SAI RAM