RAO SAHEB YESHWANT JANARDAN GALWANKAR

17TH OCTOBER, 1936.

RAO SAHEB YESHWANT JANARDAN GALWANKAR, B.A., Brahmin, Landholder and Superintendent, Home department, Secretar­iat, Bombay, aged 51, living at Turner Road, Bandra (Bombay 20), says:

I visited Sai Baba in 1911 first. I went because my father-in-law. Mr. Dabholkar and other relations, went to Baba. I had heard of his saintliness but was not very serious personally to benefit by the visit either temporally or spiritu­ally. I went thus four or five times. But gradually my interest increased. He appeared in my dream and asked for Rs. 2 dakshina. When I woke up, I resolved to send it and I sent Rs. 2 M.O to Baba at Shirdi. In that dream, he gave me two valuable directions, first,i.e., behave with probity and integrity: secondly, be chaste, be sexually pure. I have followed these directions with great care and zeal. Then on one occasion, it was perhaps 1917, when I went to Shirdi, he placed his palm over my head and that had a strange effect on me. I forgot myself and all surroundings and passed into as ecstatic condition. Then, it seems, Baba was telling others present (as I was told afterwards) that I was a soul characterized by integrity and purity, that I went through certain forms, states and conditions in my previous births (which he described), that he placed me in my present mother's womb in this birth and that I had still retained my integrity and purity.

I went to him during my Christmas or other vacations. He never made me overstay my leave. I have full faith in him. He has, however, given me neither Adwaitic self-realisation nor any other teaching on ethical or religious matters- except what I have stated already. I have, however, heard him say at one of my visits to Shirdi, i.e., I am not (confined) within this body of 3 1/2 cubits- height, I am everywhere. See me in every place." I believe that all my studies are directed by him, and I go on studying Gita, Bhagavata, Le., Eka-dashaskandha of Ekanath. But I was not directed by him to study them, in the way in which he directed Jog, H.S.Dixit, etc., I am sorry I made so little use of him, to get into contact with him before he attained Mahasamadhi. I was much younger and, therefore, not so serious-minded then as I am now. I found also few among those who approached him, fit enough to take to self-realisation. Hardly any soared so high. Even up to other spiritual and levels few soared.

As for dakshinas, when I went to him first, I started from my lodgings to go to his Mosque. But on the way I recollected that he would ask for dakshina. So I went back and took Rs.2, in order that I might pay it to him. When I was with him at the Mosque, he asked me for dakshina. I paid him the Rs.2, and he did not ask me for more. I was glad to note his Antarjnana of my intention and preparation to pay him Rs.2, and his kindness in accepting that amount. Baba has been kind to me. I am perfectly content to continue in the state in which I am placed.

(Some years back) In 1921. perhaps, I started with my family to Prayag and Kashi. At Prayag, I was taken to all holy spots. At Bharadwajashrama, my heart was touched and I prayed to Sai Baba to give me the sight of some Sant. I had told my guide also, that besides seeing holy spots, I was anxious to see holy Sants. Within a few minutes after we left Bharadwaja's Ashram, the guide stopped our Tongas and pointed to a venerable Saint, "Whose beard descending swept his aged breast." The guide stated that rarely, once in some years or so, that Saint would visit Prayag, that his Saintliness was widely known, that he would not allow people to ap­proach him and that he would accept no money. Seeing him, so soon after my prayer for the sight of a Saint, my heart was all aglow and I went near enough to him, despite my guide's protests. The Sant far from being angry, welcomed me with arms raised by way of blessing and said "Come, child." My wife, mother and other ladies also approached despite my guide's objections. They too were well received and blessed by him. Then I bethought myself what gifts I should give. I had no flower, fruit or eatable with me. I found three annas in my pocket and gave it to him. Much to the surprise of my guide and contrary to his custom, he received the annas, looked at the coins with a pleased countenance and pocketed them. I felt that it was Sai Baba that gave me this welcome and accepted dakshina.

Since I got ecstasy by Baba's blessing, I began to pay more attention to Adhyatma, le., spiritual side of my exis­tence. Then came the second stage in 1932. I had a dream then. Baba came to me in that dream and asked me, "What do you want?" I replied. "I want to get Prem,i.e., Love, that and that alone". Baba blessed me with Prem and disap­peared. Ever since then, I have had spells of Prem gushing through me - sometimes while I meditate, sometimes while I am reading, etc.

OM SAI RAM!

Mrs. Manager

Interview by BY H.H.NARASIMHA SWAMIJI on 21st MAY, 1936.

Mrs. Manager, Holy city, says: It is very difficult to describe Sai Baba and our experience of him, but one may talk about some things relating to him.

My daughter took ill when she was fifteen months old and I was sore distressed. Just then my brother-in-law came back from Shirdi and was sounding the high praise of Sai Baba. I then said that if the child recovered, we should go with our child to Shirdi and pay our respects to Sai Baba. The child recovered and we went up to fulfill our vow.

One's first impression of Sai Baba was derived from his eyes. There was such power and penetration in his glance that none could continue to look at his eyes. One felt that Sai Baba was reading him, or her, through and through. Soon one lowered one's eyes and bowed down. One felt that He was not only in one's heart, but in every atom of one's body. A few words, a gesture would reveal to one that Sai Baba knew all about the past, present and even future and about everything else. There was nothing else to do for one, except to submit trustfully and to surrender oneself to Him. And there He was to look after every minute detail, and guide one safe through every turn and every vicissitude of life. He was the Antaryami, call Him God or Satpurusha in Sahaja Sthithi or what you like. But the overpowering personality was there, and in his presence no doubts, no fears, no questioning had any place and one resigned oneself and found that was only course, the safest and best course. From one's first entry into His presence, one went on getting experience of His power. His all-knowing and all-pervasive personality, His protecting care. that shielded one, wherever one went and at any time what­ soever.

I shall give some instances of his Antanjamitva that I personally got or learnt of in the early days of my stay at Shirdi.

Shirdi in those days was a neglected hamlet without any lighting, sweeping and other conveniences of civilization.

It has had some improvement since. But when I was there, the streets and passages were all dark and unlit at night. One night I was walking about. But suddenly and abruptly I stopped. There was no sound or sight to account for my stopping. For some unknown reason I felt I must stop and I did. A little time passed and a light was brought by some one and there Lo, and behold! at the very place where I was to have placed my foot at the next step, there was a serpent lying quiet. Of course, if I had put my foot, the consequences might have been very serious, if not fatal. The light showed what the danger was that I escaped. But I could not have guessed of its existence so near me by the use of my own powers, in the absence of the light. Why and how had I stopped so abruptly and how did the light come in so opportune a moment to show me the danger? The only answer is-the all-seeing and ever watchful power and protective grace of Sai Baba. He has saved this body of mine from death on many occasions. But these or some of these will be mentioned later on.

To take another instance. We used to go and sit near Sai Baba at his Mosque. Any one could go up at the usual time, without permission asked of or introduction taken to Sai Baba and bow before him and all there. On one occasion, as I was seated at a short distance from Sai Baba. there came a leper to the Mosque. His disease was far advanced. He was stinking and he had little strength left in him, so that it was with much difficulty and very slowly, he clambered up the three steps of the Mosque, moved on to the Dhuni (fire) and then to Sai Baba and placed his head on Baba's feet. It took so much time for him to take his Darshan. and I feeling the strench from him intensely, hoped he would clear off. At last when he got down slowly carrying a small parcel wrapped up in a dirty cloth, I felt relief and said within myself, Thank God. He is off." Sai Baba at once darted a piercing glance at me, and I knew that he read my thought Before the leper had gone far, Sai Baba called out and sent some one to fetch him back. The man came. It was again the slow process of his clambering up, emitting foul strench all the time; and as the man bowed to Baba, Baba picked up that parcel saying "What is this7*and opened it. It contained some "pedas," (Le, milk sweets) and Sai Baba took up a piece and gave it to me alone of all present-and asked me to eat it. What horror! To eat up a thing brought by the stinking leper! But it was Sai Baba's order, and there was no option but to obey. So I ate it up. Sai Baba took another piece and himself swallowed it and then sent the man away with the remainder. Why he was recalled and I alone was the chosen recipient of his peda. none then understood. But I knew full well that Sai Baba had read my heart and was teaching me valuable lessons, (e.g.,in humility, fraternity, sympathy, endurance and trust in His Supreme wisdom rather than in my own notions of hygiene and sanitation for saving me from disease).

When we had difficulties to get over, we never had to speak. We had merely to go and sit or stand in his presence. He at once knew what the matter was and gave a direction exactly meeting our requirements. We had our servant with us at Shirdi. He had acute pain in his lumbar region. My husband went to Sai Baba and was standing. Some others were also present before Sai Baba. Baba suddenly said "Hello, my leg is paining. Great is the pain." Some one suggested that something should be done to relieve the pain. "Yes" said Baba If green leaves are heated and applied over it, it will go away." "What leaves, Baba?" was the query by some one. Baba said, "These green leaves near the Lendi" (le., steam let.) One suggested one leaf and another a different leaf. One finally asked if it was Korphad. "Yes", Baba said, "That is it. The leaf has to be brought, split into two, slightly heated over the fire and applied. That is all." At once, my husband knew that this was Baba's kind prescrip­tion for our servant. We fetched the leaf and applied it as directed; and the servant was relieved of his pain.   Not only was he present at all places when his physical body was in one place, say the mosque, but he was also able to do various things with his invisible body.

My eyes have been giving me trouble constantly. On one occasion while I was at Shirdi, they were greatly paining me and water was freely flowing from them. In such a condi­tion I went and sat up before Baba. He looked at me. My eyes ceased to pain and water. But his eyes were dropping tears. The accurate diagnosis of the disease at a glance was won­drous enough. Still more wondrous was his curing deep seated organic disease abruptly and suddenly without any visible application of remedy or treatment. Scientists or medi­cal men may disbelieve this. But having actually experienced it in my own case and in that of others who came before Sai Baba, I cannot disbelieve such cases and what is most pecu-liar-the drawing of diseases on to himself by pure willpower.

These wonderful powers and especially this wonderful nature of Sri Sai Baba with his Antaryamitva, le., his being inside every creature and every object animate or inanimate so as to control all voluntary and involuntary movements of creatures and objects, threw light on what He occasionally said of himself "I am not at Shirdi," he would say, while he was at Shirdi. As was frequently said, he was not confined within the three cubits length  of flesh, bone and blood that people called Sri Sai Baba. He was in every dog, cat, pig, man and woman. While we cannot shake off the idea that we are this physical sheath or the attachment we feel to things connected with it, he was ever free from such narrow ideas or attachments. He seemed to be in or to be the Oversoul, the Super-consciousness, Sahaj Samadhi,or Jnanamaya Sharir by whatever name we choose to refer to that higher state of his.

One noticeable difference between Sri Sai Baba and other saints struck me. I have moved with other notable saints also. I have seen them in high Samadhi or trance condition entirely forgetting their body and course) effacing the narrow notion of the self confined to the body; and I have seen them later getting conscious of their surroundings, knowing what is in our hearts and replying to us. But with Sri Sai Baba, there was this peculiar feature. He had not to go into trance to achieve anything or to reach any higher posi­tion or knowledge. He was every moment exercising a double consciousness, one actively utilizing the Ego called Sri Sai Baba and dealing with other Egos in temporal or spiritual affairs, and the other-entirely superseding all Egos and resting in the position of the Universal Soul or Ego; he was exercising and manifesting all the powers and features incidental to both the states of consciousness. Other saints would forget their body and surroundings and then return to it. But Sri Sai Baba always was in and outside the material world. Others seemed to take pains and by effort to trace the contents of others' minds and read their past history. But with Sri Sai Baba this was not a matter of effort. He was in the all knowing state always. Sai Baba was one whom some people could not understand at all. He would talk, e.g., to a howker about some cloth brought for making Cupnis, higgle and haggle like the most inveterate shopper at a bazaar, and beat down the price of the cloth, say from As.8 a yard to As.5 a yard and take, say, 40 yds. This made the hasty onlooker conclude that Sai Baba was parsimonious, and avaricious or at any rate attached to wealth. A little later, he(i e., Sai Baba) would pay the hawker, and then he would sometimes pay four times the price settled. Again the hasty onlooker would conclude that Baba was crazy, touched in the brain, or needlessly ostentatious in his misplaced charity. In both cases, the hasty judgments would be wide of the mark and the real reasons for Sai Baba's conduct would remain mysterious to all except those whom he meant to enlighten.

It is not merely his power that endeared him to his devotees. His loving care combined with those powers made Shirdi, a veritable paradise to the devotees who went there. Directly we went there, we felt safe, that nothing could harm us. When I went and sat in his presence,/ always forget my pain-nay the body itself with all mundane concerns and anxi­eties. Hours would pass and I would be in blissful unconsciousness of their passing. That was a unique experience-shared, I believe, by, all his real devotees. He was all in all and the All for us. We never could think of his having limitations. Now that he has passed away, I feel what a terrible loss it is, as I can no longer pass hours together in blissful unconsciousness of time and affairs at his feet. We feel we have lost our soul; our bodies alone are left to us now. Yet it would not be true to say that he has altogether vanished. He is still living now and we have ample proof of his powers and protecting care in many matters of and on; though the assurance we derive from these about his continuance can never compare with the bliss we felt in his presence when he was in the physical body. I shall proceed to give some instances of his active care for us and of the help he has rendered to us after dropping his physical sheath.

I was suffering for over a month during summer of 1915 with a splitting neuralgic headache; we were at Pan-chgani, a sanatorium, and we tried a number of remedies. It was all to no purpose. I felt I must die, With that feeling. I resolved to go to Shirdi, so that I may have the privilege of dying at Baba's feet; and in spite of some objections raised by my husband at first, we moved on to Kopergaon and came to the river Godavari which we had to cross. It struck me at once that I should bathe in the holy river as anyhow I was going to die soon. A cold bath might increase my pain and accelerate death. Well, so much the better, I had my bath. Well? Judge of our surprise! The bath over, I came out and the headache instead of getting aggravated, left me at once and for ever. That long standing scourge left me for good by that bath, even though a cold bath when the headache was on was previously totally impracticable and a terror to me. This cure was surely due to Sri Sai.

In 1927, when I was six months with child, we, (le._t our whole family) started for Shirdi; shortly thereafter my child died in the womb, and no delivery followed for days. My features were getting blue. I was clearly having blood poisoned. There was no medical help or midwife at Shirdi; we, however, got some medicines from Ahmednagar. They were of no avail. My husband went to Sakori and prayed to Sri Upas-ani-Baba to help me. The latter merely said "You have the best doctor and best nurse there, (meaning of course, Sri Sai Baba}. Why do you come to me?" The child remained for days dead in my womb.and I was unconscious. What happened thereafter and how I delivered, I do not remember. But my husband told me(Mr, Manager confirms this) that in my unconscious state, I was speaking and giving directions as to what steps were to be taken besides applying Udhi and Tirth of Sri Sai Baba. These directions were followed and every thing inside was expelled (especially later on through glandular swellings). Yet, for one more month I continued unconscious and at last recovered full consciousness and health. This was a clear case of Sri Sai Baba's help{to save my life) nine years after he entered into Mahasamadhi.

Sri Sai Baba did not found any Math or Institution and therefore left no one to occupy the Gadi he sat on.

Sri Sai Baba's qualities shine out of his own conduct and his virtues are worthy of mention. His kindness would be amply borne out by the incidents already mentioned. Many other incidents known to and experienced by all who came to him can be mentioned which show that it extended far be­yond Shirdi-thousands of miles away even-even to Europe, when his devotees were facing danger in the Great-War in 1914-19.   But he was also Just and impartial, while he was kind. If the occasion called for it, he said, one should sacrifice one's own child. His serene impartiality knew no difference between the king and a beggar. All were equal in his eyes. He was never obsequious to the rich and high placed, nor supercilious and contemptuous to the lowly. Revenue Commissioners and Collectors have called to see him, and lower officials in numbers, e.g., D. Os, D. C.s, Mamlatdars, etc. But wealth and position were no special grounds of preference or differential treatment with him.   His accessibility to all and at all hours practically was a remarkable feature of his. "My Darbar is always open," he used to say- "at all hours." He had nothing to fear from scrutiny, and nothing shameful to conceal. And his actions were open and above board,

Another distinguishing feature of his life was Freedom from care and anxiety.  He had no interests to serve or protect, no institution to seek support for or maintain; no acquisitions to safeguard; no private property to feel anxious about. Every­thing got was quickly disposed of. He lived on the begged and freely offered food.   He daily collected Dakshina   - of that a further detail may be given later on.   But he spent it freely and liberally.   During the last nine years or so of his life, he was daily giving Rs. 110 away to Tatya and Bade Baba.   Each day's earning were depleted in no time. And when he died, he left in his pocket just the amount needed to cover his funeral expenses.  His self-control and equanimity may be mentioned in this connection.    He was far too lofty to care for trivial things.   His palate, like his other senses, was so strictly under his control that none ever found him show any trace of desire for anything, so far as I know.

His generosity may next be mentioned. Besides Rs. 110 daily paid to some, he would scatter money and gifts. Some would say it was Rs. 300 daily-fancying that untruth or exaggeration is needed to set out Baba's glory. But his greatness needed no such untruth or exaggeration to set it off. A few actual facts would suffice to establish his greatness beyond question. Coming to the question of his generosity, we may state what we have seen Bhajan parties (Hindus) and Fakirs would come and would be liberally supplied.

His methods of imparting spiritual benefit and his reli­gious ideas were hardly brought to others' notice. He would speak of God as any other religious and pious man mightte., rarely, and with feeling. His religious practice was hardly noticeable. He would sit in the mornings near his Dhuni ie., fire and wave his arms and fingers about, making gestures which conveyed no meaning to us, and saying..."Haq", te., God.

Purity, Strength, Regularity and Self-denial one noticed about him always. He would always beg his food. Even during his illness, he never lay bedridden, but would get up and go round to beg his food. He would beg for food, only in the accustomed quarters and to a limited extent. And out of his begged food, he ate only a little and the rest he would give away.

There may be some who complain that even the ordinary talk of Sal Baba was meaningless jargon. So it was no doubt-to them-and was intended to be that. "Jaya Mani Jaisa Bhav, Taya Taisa Anubhav." But those who were intended to be benefited by that talk would find their full and vast signifi­cance. He did not want comforts to be provided for him. When the Mosque was sought to be repaired- it was first a rumbling old dirty dilapidated building badly needing re-pairs, he objected and put it off. It was by the devotees' insistence and by their conducting the repairs at night when he was sleeping in the Chavadi, that the reconstruction was pushed through.

Besides Upasani Maharaj, we met many noteworthy persons at Shirdi. Radhakrishna Ayi, a Brahmin widow, was looking after the requirements of Sri Sai Baba's Arati, etc. She ordered people to get things and was held in great re­spect; when we went there in 1915 or so, Sri Sai Baba told us to go to Ayi, and we went to her for accommodation. But Ayi gave it on the strict condition that I should do all the manual labour she might ask of me, I agreed and did the work as required. Ayi related the history of my past life and had wonderful powers of thought-reading and claire voyance. When some unusual order came from Baba that such and such a dish was wanted, she would keep it ready and supply it at once. When some message came for me, she read off my mind the reply I wanted to give and gave the reply herself. She was deeply devoted to Sri Sai Baba, and rendered great service to his Samsthan. Yet it must be admitted that Ayi had a very sharp tongue and many found her uncompanionable. But Sri Sai Baba put us there to develop our power of endur­ance, perhaps.

Sri Sai Baba's methods of giving spiritual help to visi­tors were not usual once. There was no Upadesh Mantra given. He never talked of Yoga, Pranayam and Kundalini. But when anything went wrong to one pursuing some Marga, he would come to Sri Sai Baba and would be helped. There was a man who had practised Asan and Pranayam and the poor man's system broke down. He was passing blood in his motions. So he came to Sri Sai Baba and stayed. After a while his health was restored during his stay at Shirdi.

OM SAI RAM!

SRI NARAYAN ASRAM

Interview by BY H.H.NARASIMHA SWAMIJI on 23rd SEPT, 1936, DADYAGIARI ST., BOMBAY

SRI NARAYAN ASRAM, Sanyasi and disciple of Vedasrama Swami (Taraka Muit, Durgaghat, Kashi), residing at Vaman Muth, Gangapuri Wai, (Satara District), aged 58, says:

I knew Sai Baba, Le. heard the name and the great­ness of Sai Baba in 1910 from Das Ganu Maharaj's kirtana. I asked him "Is Sai Baba living?" He said "Yes, at Shirdi." In five days of that, I went to Shirdi and saw SAi Baba. In six months thereafter, I paid Baba nine visits. I often went to him in later years also. I was then in service, in the Customs Department and continued in it till 1926 when I retired on pension after 31 years service. 1927-1930 I spent in "Nar-amada Pradakshina". In 19331. I took Sanyas changing my former name :Toser" to the present one, I came first under a Guru's influence in 1895 whom I saw in a dream. When I went to Shirdi in 1910 and had my contact with Sai Baba, I found that he was the same as the Guru who gave me first inspiration (without any words) in my dream in 1895. Then I passed after 1918 into the charge of Vasudevanand Sar-aswati of Garudeshwar on the banks of Narmada near Nanded (in Gujarat) Though Vasudevanand Saraswati left the flesh in 1915 he had connection with Baba. I believe that Baba has left me in; his charge. So, Vedasrama Swami of Kashi. Taraka Muth, Durgaghat, gave me deeksha in 1931.

I mostly stay at Wai. As for my internal progress and Sai Baba's influence on me, it is hardly a thing to be described.

Sai Baba had different ways of dealing with different people. He was the centre and to each man he darted a separate radius. Most cared for external things only and hardly any came to him for the highest spiritual benefit of Atma Nishta. Hari Sitaram Dixit, Chandorkar and Dab-hollkar were probably those who came close enough to him to receive high teaching. Yet it is a question, if any of them got into Atma Nishta or anywhere near that. Baba had made Dixit read Eknath's two works, as he was but a beginner in the religious field and had to develop his bhakti (devotion) chiefly. Of course, immediate proximity was not needed for development under Baba. When I was at Shirdi, I would mostly go and sit away by myself in the (Sathe) Wada and not be at the Mosque. Even at the Wada, one is under Baba's direct influence.

As for Baba's own state, that is a thing one can get a glimpse of from some facts. Baba had a way of touching (with his palm) the head of the devotee who went to him.There was no adhikari evidently to receive everything Baba could give and thus there was none to succeed to his position. But his touch did convey certain impulses, forces, ideas, etc. Some­times he pressed his hand heavily on the head as though he was crushing out some of the lower impulses of the devotee. Sometimes he tapped, sometimes he made a pass with the palm over the head etc. Each had its own effect—making remarkable difference in the sensations or feelings of the devotee. Baba's touch was one means. Apart from that, he would invisibly operate on the nature of the devotee and effect a great change in him. He graciously conveyed to me without any words, the feeling that differences (between vari­ous souls etc.) i.e.all differences were unreal, that the One real thing is that which underlines all. This was after my first visit-in 1913 or 1914 perhaps. But Baba never spoke out this truth so far as I know. Obviously there was not compe­tent adhtkari who had to be spoken to in that way,.

I have not given out my experience though Mr.Dixit and Mr.DabhoIkar asked me for it. I have never heard Baba utter Mahavakyas or say things of Sankaracharya's Atma-bodha or Viveka Chudamani or anything on those lines.

When I went first in 1910 no crowds had come. Baba was mostly silent then. Very soon Bombay crowds began to pour upon Shirdi. The Baba was being pressed into new habits and ways. Devotees to suit their own tastes forced numerous forms and observances on Baba and made him a mere man shining with the aid of the shows they arranged for him. His real greatness shone by itself without forms and rigid observances and pomp, and was shut out by ;these. These reduced Baba to earthly grandeur.

Baba spoke to me only a few words—but they were direct and plain words. He did not talk to me in parables. He began to employ parable in teaching the numerous people that flocked to him. There is a great deal of parallelism between Sri Sai of Shirdi and Akkalkote Maharaj and that can be found by reading the life of Akkalkote Maharaj. The latter also hardly ever spoke of Adwaitic realization. He was a greater Karmata, (le., follower of rigid Karmamarga, the path of works) and insister on forms than Sai Baba. Baba was trying to push people just a few steps above their level.

Das Ganu told me that Baba referred to one Daji Ma­haraj, a saintly grihastha Brahmin, who lived at the village Dangar Takidi near Nanded (in Nizam's State) as "mybrother." That Maharaj passed away in 1934. He was prac­tising Gayatri Purascharan. He said one day in 1914 at Dan-gar Takidi Yesterday, Sai Baba came here in the form of Maruti and there was a great rumbling noise at his arrival".

My father and I are Maruti worshippers. I installed a new Maruti image and got a temple built land consecrated in 1918 at Ville Parle, Hanuman Street, I had to name the God, and I called it Sai Hanuman, remembering that Sai was Ha­numan. I gifted that temple by deed to my brother. The very day this temple was consecrated at Ville Parle, Baba gave, it seems, Rs.25 to a Brahmin named Vaze and made him per­form Satya Narayan Puja at Shirdi. People connect these two events. When I was first visiting Shirdi, I was heterodox and could hardly be taken for a brahmin. Regard for Samskaras grew on ;me. In never cared for Siddhis. I seldom attended Baba's Chavadi procession even when I was at Shirdi.

I was desirous of getting Sanyas even before I got married. I actually got it only in 1931. But the way was being paved. My mother and wife are living;but I have no issue. Two children were born and they passed away after a few days of existence on this earth, one in 1900, the other in 1915. Brah-macharya is essential to Sanyasa. Tht fact that a wife is living in the house is no impediment to my Brahmacharya. If I look upon my mother like any other human being without special attachment, that is no hindrance to Sanyasa. The Samskara of going through Sanyasa gave me a great impetus. Sai Baba never spoke to me(or so far as I remember, to anyone else) about the desirability, necessity or disadvantages of a life of Sanyasa. About changes of caste, Ashrama.Guru, methods of Sadhana, caste observances, etc., he had one and the same advice or prescription "Each must stick to his lot and get on."

(Read over and found correct.)

The Guru after all is a medium, a means to realize your own self. He gives you a push and then you have to exert yourself and go higher and hold to your height. Sai Baba thus was a medium though one responsible for a con­siderable and momentous advance in my spiritual history. Before I went to Shirdi, one Vinayak Bhat Shadale (supported by the Kolhapur State) whom I met in 1900 and who had made me read bits of Yoga-Vashishta with zest was also a "medium" for me.

With one help at one time and a second at another, one has to go on steadily and realize the self.

OM SAI RAM!

RAO BAHADUR S.B.DHUMAL

Interviewed by Sri Narasimha SwamiJi on 16th October, 1936, Nasik

& 28th October, 1936, Shirdi

RAO BAHADUR S.B.DHUMAL, B.A., LL.B, Pleader, Brahmin, aged 63, Nasik, says:

I have one great difficulty in answering the question "What are your experiences of Sal Baba?"   All hours of day and night, 1 am having experiences of Baba.    There is no incident or event in my life which I do not connect with him -however trivial it may appear to be.    I firmly believe that everything in my life is swayed by Baba.   What then is to be mentioned as my experience?   Of course, the outside world will not be ready to accept my belief as correct or well-founded.   But that, matters nothing to me.   In fact, that very disbelief of people seems to be a reason for refusing to dis­close one's experience.   Every devotee feels that his experi­ences are his own, and are given to him for his own spiritual and temporal benefit and not for ventilation or publication to the general public which, of course, includes masses of Igno­rant, irrelevant carping critics and scoffers.   Yet ardent biog­raphers are anxious to ferret out one's innermost secret and sacred experiences to embellish their work.   But the devotee whom they delve into feels that in the very act of dragging the secret experience into light, its reality and life are destroyed. The anatomist anxious to examine the living organism inch by inch cuts out what he wants and places it under his microscope, but in that very act, life is destroyed and what he examines with his instrument is dead tissue and not the living organism. The best way of understanding Baba is to experience him oneself. Where is Baba gone? He is still alive and active - more active, if that were possible, than he was before his Mahasamadhi. Any one In downright earnest can get Into touch with him, to-day and at once. But if one will not do that, but wants experiences, second hand, third hand or even fifth hand, he will get but poor stuff. I feel also very strongly the regrettable facts that experiences which get their significance and full force when expressed in our ver­nacular are to be now expressed to you and by you in English and that the loss in transition will be serious.

Anyhow as you want some facts about Baba I shall narrate some that I can personally vouch for le., about my­self chiefly.

I was first (in 1903) devoted to Gajanan Maharaj whom I took to Srimant Gopal Rao Buti. About 1907 I went to Sai Baba. From my very first visit, I was greatly impressed with his extraordinary personality. At his unspoken com­mand, I took Buti to him and at once Buti also became his devoted follower. Among the services of the latter to Baba, perhaps the most momentous and memorable is his allowing his huge stone-pile (Dagdiwada) to be used as the temple for the reception of the mortal remains and the worship of Baba. It Is difficult to sort out my recollections of Baba, as I con­sider that every act of mine and every event In my life is moulded and directed by him. I may quote some sayings and acts of His which throw light on what Sai Baba is, has done, and is doing for devotees (like me).

Once Baba told me "At every step of yours, I am taking care of you. If I did not, what will become of you, God knows". This was no overstatement. At another time, when we two were alone, Baba told me "Bhau, the whole of last night, I had no sleep".

I: Baba. why so?

Baba: 1 was thinking and thinking of you, all the night.

At this declaration, I was overpowered by a sudden gush of love, gratitude, surprise etc. feelings which could find no other expression than a free flow of tears. What intense love he had for me! What an amount of trouble he took for my sake! Just as I was always thinking of him, he was kind enough to think of me - with this difference. My thought of him, though loving, was weak, and I could render him no real service. But his love was accompanied by such vast insight and such power that I was helped in every act and event. He could and did foresee things far ahead ai-d took every re­quired step to avert the evil and accelerate or promote the good that was coming to me. There are numerous instances that may be cited to show this. Outsiders may not be con­vinced that every such benefit derived by me was and is due to his guidance and ordering. But some instances of his help are so glaring that any fair-minded inquirer who is open to conviction, will be immediately convinced of the truth of what has been stated by Baba and by me.

Emboldened by his love, I used to write to him and Sri Madhava Rao Deshpande would read my letters to him and communicate his replies to me. In some cases, even during his lifetime and in all cases after his Mahasamadhi (1918 X)ctober) I addressed my queries to him mentally or by prayerfully placing chits (or casting lots) before his portrait and I invariably got his answer showing me what was the correct and safe course for me to follow. I invariably followed his advice - however much it might run counter to "common-sense", "medical opinion", "rules of prudence" etc., and in­variably discovered that the path chosen for me by Baba was the safest and wisest.

I have lived in this ancestral house of mine in the main road of Nasik, all my life. When plague broke out and dead rats were found in the house, I wrote to Shirdi for Baba's direction before moving out and left the house as soon as I got his reply. As I am ever under his protection and doing nothing without his guidance, I felt perfectly safe in remaining in the house till I got his reply. He has said that at every step he was guiding me. I knew he was guiding me - I had implicit faith in the truth of his words. He knew every­thing that was happening or was to happen at Nasik or in any other place and would not allow any harm to befall me while I was placing this childlike trust in and reliance on him. Dur­ing all these twenty nine years of such reliance, there is not a single instance in which such protection failed or such trust found misplaced.

After receiving Baba's reply, I moved to a bungalow at Nasik.  But the same night a dead rat was found near the bed of my brother's son at the bungalow.   Again I sought Baba's advice by letter whether I should move away.   The reply was in the negative.   And contrary to the rules of prudence and wisdom of medical experts and laymen, I kept on living with my family at the bungalow.   No harm befell us.   Later, dead rats were found in the servants' quarters, in the houses, in the neighbournuod, and lastly, in the well from which alone we had drawn all our supply of water for drinking, cooking etc. At this. I wrote "at once to Baba for permission and in anticipation of its arrival which I considered as certain, I packed up all our things and carted them off to this our house in the Bazar Street.    I went to the house and was just trying to unlock the front door, when a postal letter from Shirdi was delivered to me. That conveyed Baba's reply to me, "why should we give up (Le.,change) our residence?"   I adopted this advice without question or demur and went back immediately to the infected bungalow and lived in it.   (As for water. I took the precaution of avoiding the well and getting all our water from the river Godavari)   This further apparently risky and foolhardy step of reoccupation did not result in any harm to us.  There were times during the Plague Season when there were  14 or 15 deaths per day due to plague in the town - and despite that fact. Baba bade us stay in the house in town and we were all safe.

Baba's kindness to me was not confined to temporal aff.iirs. ! lost my wife In 1909. I was anxious about her soul's welfare and was performing the monthly (Masik) ceremonies. Al tin- linn- when the sixth month's ceremony had lo be performed, Baba told me to perform it at Shirdi and promised to give my wife Sadgati, (Le., literally a good start for her soul's, further spiritual course).    I went to Shirdi accordingly and performed that Masik there.   Baba then asked me for Rs,15 dakshina and I gave it.   I have implicit faith in the truth of Baba's declarations and have had ample verification in mat­ters which admit of verification, which naturally fortifies my faith in his statements as to matters unseen and apparently incapable of verification.   I am sure my wife got Sadgati by Baba's grace.  Then, as I was in 1909 a vigorous and healthy lawyer, aged 36, without issue, the question of marrying a second  time  was frequently considered,   especially by my friends and well-wishers.  Among them was my father-in-law, Rao Bahadur Bapu Rao Dada Kinkhede, M.A., a pleader of Nagpur.   When I told him that I could never act without a direction from Baba, he took me to Shirdi and then went to Baba without me.   He came back v, five minutes and inti­mated to me that he could read Baba's negative reply from his eyes and told me not to many without Baba's express con­sent or order.   Of course, I never acted without Baba's con­sent. , Up-to-date, Baba has not made me marry and I have continued my life of "single blessedness".    Alike from the temporal  and  spiritual  view  point  Baba   has   settled   this course for me and after a fairly happy and successful tempo­ral life, Baba is developing in me a slow but sure detachment from the temporal comforts and I am surrendering myself to his guidance without the faintest fear for my future here or hereafter inspite of the fact that his ways are mysterious, highly puzzling and really inscrutable in many matters.    As for temporal success, it is not vain glory but a desire to set down the actual truth that makes me inform you that almost invariably my professional efforts were crowned with success and from their financial or personal aspect also, I had noth­ing to complain of, as my income tax would clearly indicate. It was all due to Baba's help and grace.   Yet despite all this temporal success, he keeps me free - more and more free, from worldly shackles and ready for retirement when he gives the signal.

I had some public activities also which I took up with Baba's permission and in which his miraculous intervention and help were occasionally seen. Some instances appear so incredible that I first hesitated to reveal them. But it matters nothing to me whether they command other people's belief or not. As you want the truth, here is the truth as known to or experienced by me.

I will give instances of Baba's help in professional matters first and then proceed to his help in public matters. Some 20 or 25 years ago, there was a Criminal Case from Shirdi. There have always been party feeling and factions at Shirdi as in most villages. One Raghu, a servitor of Baba and five others were arrested on a charge of outraging the mod­esty of a Mi,, wadi woman and on the direct evidence of "num­ber of eye-witnesses", were convicted and sentenced to six months pr less of imprisonment. Tatya Patel Khote's sympa­thies and help were on the side of the accused. He took up a copy of the judgement ana papers to eminent lawyers like the Hon.G.S.Khaparde and H.S.Dixit and retired Magistrates like Rao Bahadur H.V.Sathe, who were at Shirdi. These found the judgement was strong and gave little hope of success in case an appeal should be filed. Tatya Patel was keen on an acquit­tal and went to Baba, who simply told him, "Go to Bhau with the papers". He accordingly came to Nasik and showed me the papers. After going through the judgement and finding hardly any hope of success on appeal, I told Tatya to employ eminent Counsel from Bombay or prominent lawyers at Ah-madnagar where the appeal had to be filed. But he told me that Baba's order was to go to me and so I felt I had neither option nor responsibility on my shoulders. I wrote out an appeal memo, after studying the papers and took it to the District Magistrate at his residence. He asked me - without receiving or reading the judgement or appeal memo what the matter was about and I very briefly recited that it was a conviction of six appellants for outraging the modesty of a woman based on the testimony of a number of witnesses, who professed to have seen it and that the case had now come up in appeal to him. Then he said it looked like a strong case and asked me what I thought of it. I said that the case and its number of witnesses were due to faction in the village. "Do you think so?" he asked and I replied Think! I am more than sure of it". He pronounced judgement at once, orally acquitting all the appellants and immediately took up my appeal memo and wrote on it his judgement mentioning the facts I relied upon. As soon as this was over he asked me "How is your Sai Baba of Shirdi? Is he a Moslem or a Hindu? What does he teach you?"    I answered that Sai Baba was neither a Hindu nor a Moslem but above   both and that I could not state what his teachings were - to know which, he must go in person to Baba at Shirdi.   The Magistrate prom­ised to go and in fact tried one summer day to visit Shirdi but gave up the idea at Kopergaon, on account of the excessive heat.   The prompt oral judgement without reading or receiv­ing any papers (of course without sending for the records of the First Court or giving notice to the Police or Public Prose­cutor) followed up by questions about Sai Baba were clear indications of the power that brought about the acquittal. What followed would confirm this view.   I returned from Ah-madnagar to Shirdi.   There, on that day, the residents were sadly going to attend the cremation of H.S.Dixit's daughter. But Baba called some of them to him at the Masjid and said, "Do not go away,    I will show you some Chamatkar, (Le., miracle).   They did not see any miracle and went away to attend the funeral. Shortly, thereafter, I returned from Ah-madnagar with news of the acquittal by the District Magis­trate in the above fashion.   Then they found what the Cha-matkar referred to by Baba was.

I shall give only one more instance in matters profes­sional.   There was a charge against and conviction of three brothers for grievous hurt in as much as they had attacked their opponents and broken a bone of one of them.    The injured man had been attended to by a medical man, who was not a qualified or certified Doctor and treated for over twenty days in his private hospital.   I was engaged for the appellants and I went up with the appeal memo and a bail application. The Sessions Judge, who was a senior European Officer remarked on hearing my application that the case was strong (against the appellants) and he was not going to allow bail.  I at once thought of Baba and then turned to the Judge. I told him that the evidence of a bone being broken was that of a "quack" or unqualified person and that the prosecution evidence was interested and unreliable and that as all three appellants, who were agriculturists, were in jail, the agricul­tural work of their family could not be carried on, that in case their sentence should be confirmed, they could be sent to jail finally etc. At once the Judge allowed bail. When the case came up for argument, the Public Prosecutor asked me if I was going to argue on the merits for an acquittal against such a strong judgement, or whether I would briefly ask for clemency, in which latter case he would not oppose. Though I felt the strength of the judgement, I put on a brave face and said that I would go the whole hog and fight for an acquittal. I did argue for a reversal before the Judge but wound up with a prayer for reduction of sentence. The Judge retorted that if I was merely asking for mercy of the court I need not have taken so much time to contest the conviction. When the Public Prosecutor was arguing, the Judge wanted to know how he made out a case of grievous hurt as the opinion of an unqualified man, a quack could not be accepted as to the breakage of a bone. The reply was that the injured man had been in the Hospital for over 20 days. The Judge sharply answered, "That is an argument which you can advance be­fore a 3rd Class Magistrate, Remember you are arguing be­fore a Sessions Judge and not before a 3rd Class Magistrate". On receiving this snub, the Public Prosecutor collapsed; there was no further argument and the appellants were acquitted.

Regarding public work, I may first mention that I was the first Non-Official President of the Nasik District Local Board (nominated by Government) and that I served in that capacity from 1-11-1917 to 13-5-25. I had personally to sign thousands of papers myself without the use of a facsimile seal - a proceeding which took many hours of my day; and one consequence of this heavy public work was to ruin my legal practice and reduce my income-tax from 260 odd rupees to zero - in recognition of which sacrifice, this Sanad of Rao Bahadur was granted to me in 1927 - a very poor and unsub­stantial recognition you may say - but it is still some form of recognition. Anyhow I faced the work and went on trusting in Baba for the proper execution of my office. A peon had to carry these papers to me and blot each signature and after some hours the work would be over and the papers sent back to the office. One day, when the papers were before me, a visitor for whom I had much regard came in and stayed talk­ing with me till midnight and so the signatures had to be postponed till the next day. The next morning, I found no time and as I was leaving the town, I sent back the papers to the office. When I returned to the town that night. I found only that day's papers brought for my signature and when I wanted the previous day's papers, I found that they all bore my signature. The peon had been sent away for his meal, the previous midnight and how the thousands of signatures had been affixed to the papers I could not guess. I have no other explanation for it, except Baba and his superhuman powers.

Another public act of mine in which Baba's helping hand is traceable is this.  As President, District Local Board, Primary Schools were under me.    Deepawali holidays had fallen immediately after the close of the month.   The Educa­tional Inspector a Mohammedan gentleman, one day came to me and asked me to make disbursements to help the teachers in such a big festival.   At first I did not consider his request seriously.   Two or three days after, he again reminded me of his proposal.  I asked the Chief Officer whether this could be done.   He answered in the negative as sanction of Govern­ment grant was not received and that Account Office in­formed my office not to issue cheque in the absence of sanc­tion. I was helpless. Again the Educational Inspector opened the subject to me.   I was inclined to agree but wanted Baba's permission.   I cast lots and Baba approved disbursement.   I at once issued cheque and sent the same to the Account Office, with the result that it was cashed, payments made and all the teachers were pleased.  But what was to happen to me for brushing aside the Accountant's objection and issuing the cheque?  By Baba's grace, it was nothing more than an audit objection raised long after the event and communicated to me and my reply to it or endorsement thereon was "noted for future guidance". There the matter ended.

Amidst the innumerable instances of Baba's help to me at every turn or crisis of my life I may select a few. In 1910, my intimate friend, Srimant Gopal Rao Buti, was anx­ious to help me. He agreed to lend me the necessary sums to maintain me in England for my study at the Bar and my family in India during my absence. We had settled in full detail all parts of this scheme and went to Baba for his ap­proval. When Madhav Rao Deshpande put him the question "Should not Bhav {i.e._f myself) be sent to Vilayat (Le., Eng­land)?" Baba asked "What for?"

M.Deshpande :   To study for the Bar.

:   

No. His Illayat (natural aptitude) and Vilayat (will of heaven) are not in Bilayat, but in this country. Why should he go to England? I realised then that,

The best laid schemes of mice and men Do often gang agley".

In 1912, I underwent an operation in J.J. Hospital under chloroform. It was a serious venture. But I saw Baba seated on a chair at my head, close to the operation table before the chloroform began to operate. He was there to look after me and I felt reassured. The operation was, in fact, safely performed and was a success. In 1915, 1 was offered the Public Prosecutorsnip at Nasik but I took two days' time to consider and wrote at once to Baba. Quickly came the reply "Your former work is good. Do not accept the new" and I declined the offer.

In 1918, a few days before Baba passed away, influ­enza was raging at Shirdi at Poona and many other places. At Poona my brother's wife had a very serious attack and he wired to me about it to Nasik. So I started at once with Rs.80 in my pocket to cover expenses of the journey and to meet all contingencies. I halted en route at Shirdi to get Baba's bless­ings and Udhi for the patient. When I went to him, Baba took from me dakshina repeatedly and the Rs.80 or the balance thereof was cleared off my hand in no time. This was no good augury of my trip to Poona being achieved or made useful to the patient. When I craved leave to go, Baba said in his characteristic fashion (reminding one of the form of the Regal Veto "The King will consider") — i.e., we shall see (what to do) tomorrow. He stopped me for three days. Meanwhile, a wire from Poona announced that the patient had expired. After that Baba gave me leave to go away. It was clear that Baba saw what was happening and to happen to my sister-in-law and judged it best for her to depart from the world and me to reach Poona some days after her departure. His rea­sons for such judgement, I could not discover. But surely he was in a position to judge and I was not. So I meekly ac­cepted his decision as final, as usual. This was shortly before he himself passed away and he gave me on the above occasion the last opportunity of spending a few days with him while he was in the flesh. By Baba's grace, I soon recovered some part of my former financial position after it was wrecked by District Local Board President ship or by acceptance of other office.

I was holding the office of Revenue Member of the Dewar  State  from   1-9-1930  to  9-4-1932  and  I was  the Karbhari of the Surgana State from end of 1932 to August 1933.   Each time I returned to Nasik, I resumed my practice and got 011 as well as I did before, without having to wait idly even for a day.   Baba's kind help on the financial side was manifested in a peculiar incident while I was in the latter State.   One day I was seated at my meal and the Chief of the that State walked into my room.   I apologized for my inability to leave the table and accord him a proper reception or even to offer him a fitting chair or seat.  But he quickly walked into the next room, gazed a while at the portrait of Sai Baba that was hanging on the wall and returned to my dining room.  He at once announced to me that from that time, I should have an increase of Rs.50 in my salary.  I had never asked for this increase.   This grant of an increase in salary within a fortnight of my appointment and without any motion on my part can only be explained by having been with Baba in my Pooja room.  I had not asked for the increase.   Baba evidently had, the   child's   welfare   is   the mother's care.

As for my pooja, I may mention that I had first the photos of Baba and later the coloured or painted portraits of Baba for worship. I carried these pictures whenever I went. When I was tossing between Dewar and Nasik several times, first my cook at Dewar and later my nephew at Nasik wanted them or some of them to be left behind. Each time I cast lots before Baba, to ascertain his wish and each time came the answer that I should carry them with me. The middle portrait which I constrained Radhakrishna Ayi to part with I specially like. In it, Baba is standing in a pensive or meditative mood. It reminds me of that important occasion when he made the disclosure "Bhav, I had no sleep all night due to thinking and thinking of you", I was passing by the side of the Masjid with that picture in my hands from Ayi's residence. Baba called me and I went into the Masjid.  Pointing to the portrait, he asked.

Baba    :   What is this?

I :   You are here.

Baba   :   Give it to me.

I gave it to him. He kept it a while, gazed at its front side and back side and returned it to me, saying "keep it". This is the very thing .my heart was desiring, to get Baba's portrait, touched by him and given to me for purposes of worship. This now a personal gift by Baba to me and I regard it with great veneration.

Baba gave me other articles to be kept safe and sacred. On the first occasion he took Rs.2 from me as a dakshina and returned it saying, "Preserve this carefully. Do not part with it to any one - nor spend it". With the same direction, he gave me again Rs.2 on another occasion, Rs.20, Rs. 15 and Rs.30 on other occasions - making a sum of Rs.69 which I preserve very carefully, not merely as momentos of Baba's loving care for me but as charmed coins that carry luck with them. Each of these gifts was characteristic of Baba. When I and G.Buty were present, Baba asked the latter for Rs.20 dakshina and when he gave it, Baba transferred it to me. On other occasions he gave me sums totaling Rs.30. On another occasion he asked for and got Rs.30 from Bury and sharing it between his palms sud­denly divided it into two parts and held each in one hand. He gave the contents of one hand to Buti and one to me. We went to our quarters and counted our sums. To our surprise, we found each got exactly Rs. 15. The true lover gives and re-ceives Baba's love took moneys from me. I gave them gladly. These dakshinas are often found to con­vey an allegorical esoteric meaning which the circumstances or accompanying remarks throw light upon.

Baba has at times reduced his devotees on their visit to an absolutely penniless condition, by taking away all the^ cash with them, on the possession of which they had been relying. He has frequently reduced me also to this condition. I have, however, enter­tained neither regret at parting with the last pie nor fear. For, it is He who gives and He who takes back what he has given.

It is up to him to provide us with ways and means when he denudes us of every bit of cash. And he has never failed to provide. As instances, besides the eighty rupees incident of 1918 that I mentioned above, I can cite others. It will, how­ever, suffice to give two more instances. Some time prior to the above incident when I went to him, he by repeated re­quests for dakshina took away all I had. Then again he asked me "Bhav, give me Rs.7". I explained that I had nothing left with me. He then told me to get it from some one. This was valuable lesson to me in humility. I must not consider myself too high to beg or borrow. In fact, this lesson was so forcibly brought home to me when I visited Shirdi, after he attained Mahasamadhi, that I went round to beg for bread in the places where Baba used to beg for his bread. By such means, his grace has kept down my pride and egoism which other­wise would soar so high as to avoid contact with the so-called "lower strata" of society.

On another occasion after depleting my resources, Baba asked me for Rs.50. And when I told him I had no cash left, he made me go round and ask some person, who gave me a negative reply. Then he made me go to Rao Bahadur Sathe, who rejoiced at the request being made to him. The signifi­cance of my going to the latter for Rs.50 was not explained to me then. But much later I was told that at that time, Rao Bahadur's claim for pension was being considered; the matter in doubt was whether it should be a lower amount as first calculated on the last permanent appointment or an amount higher by Rs.50 being based on a calculation his sub protem appointment. He succeeded in gaining his higher pension and Baba's direction that I should go to him for Rs.50 was indicative of his success and the date of the order was the date of Baba's demand for Rs.50.

On the occasion of the "Chamatkar" criminal appeal, the appellants without any demand from me paid me a fee of Rs.300. Baba, during my stay of three days on my return from Ahmadnagar, took away exactly that sum from me, by repeated requests for dakshina. It was most fitting and proper that there should be no receipt of consideration by me for defending my own Guru's servitor and at his behest -especially, when I had really done no work and when the entire success was due to his miraculous control over the District Magistrate's mind. In closing this brief account of my personal experience, I may quote a few of Baba's spiritual teachings or declarations.

He once made a remark which would intensify and strengthen our faith in Him and give us some clue to his real nature. To some one who was talking of God, he said "Why do you say 'God', 'God?' God is in my pocket?" As to God's dual or multiple function, (suggested for instance by the Trimurtnis welded into one as Datta or Brahman) he once made a pregnant remark. With his usual lavish generosity coupled with personal humility he was one day preparing his Handi, himself cooking food for hundreds and freely feed­ing the poor and all that wanted the food, with his own per­sonal labour. While the Handi was being boiled, a Fakir came, who was particularly keen on getting animal food and he put some flesh into the Handi. As Baba was going on with his cooking, Balasaheb Mirikar evidently disgusted with the transformation of an Innocel :. vegetarian Bhandarto all into a special dinner for those who loved to feast by killing ani­mals for filling their stomachs, asked Baba "Why all this Himsa, le., cruelty to other creatures for feeding ourselves?" Baba then answered cryptically i.e., literally, "He that slays saves; He that saves slays". This apart from its implied or express reference to the tripartite functions of the God that creates, maintains and withdraws or destroys might be deemed more particularly to ^: refer to the special function of Sat Purushas like Sai Baba, who bless one withSadgati when that one (human or subhu­man creatures) dies or is killed at their feet or in their prox­imity.

I may close this account with two incidents from the life of the Late Mr.H.S.Dixit personally communicated by him to me. Mr.Dixit was literally getting embarrassed in his fi­nancial arrangements. On one occasion he found that a sum of Rs. 30.000 was due four days later and he was troubled about the question wherefrom and how he was to get the money. That night he dreamt of the creditor as tormenting him with his claim for the amount and he replied in the dream to the creditor in order to reassure him "Do not fear that your amount will not be duly repaid. I have my re­sources. I know Sri Chimanlal, Sir X and Sir Y. So do not fear.     Shortly thereafter he woke up and remembered the dream.  He was aghast at his own ungrateful folly and stupid­ity in relying on the poor human support of Sir X, Sir Y and Sir Z who would probably disappoint one at the critical mo­ment and leave him in the lurch and his failing to recognize that his only and true sheet-anchor or Providence was Sri Sai.   He wept at his folly and went before the portrait of Sai Baba and entreated him to pardon the folly. Thereafter he felt assured that Baba and Baba alone would help him.  It was up to Baba to save him and Baba would never fail a devotee at the hour of need.  Yet as the day and hour for payment were nearing, he could not discover any money forthcoming.   Just the day previous to the due date, while he was ruminating upon his affairs in his office, the son of his late intimate friend and banker called upon him and wanted his advice whether a sum of Rs.30,000 he had, should be invested in one way or in another.   Mr.Dixit explained to him difficulties in the proposed investments and added that if the investor was thinking of investing with Mr.Dixit himself, he would be the last person to take advantage of his intimacy with his father and accept the deposit.  Mr.Dixit frankly stated that in his embarrassed condition, he would not be able perhaps to return the deposit on the date fixed.    The visitor far from being deterred by such revelation insisted that the revealed facts were just his reason for insisting that Mr.Dixit should accept the deposit. The son would not be true to his father, if he failed to help him with an accommodation at the time of need.   In this view, he pressed the deposit on Mr.Dixit, who thereupon paid, his creditor at the due date.   Sai had shown himself capable of wielding tens of thousands of rupees and moulding peoples' wills and intentions to suit his scheme of helping his devotees.

Mr.Dixit's younger brother, Sadashiv, B.A., LL.B., tried his hand at practice at Nagpur, Bombay and Khandwa suc­cessively with disheartening results. Then H.S.Dixit cast lots before Baba, and with Baba's consent again took him to Bom­bay to work in his office. After a short time, the result seemed to be unsatisfactory. Mr. Sadashiv told his brother that he would go away. H.S.D. wondered how in spite of Baba's approval of Sadashiv's being taken to Bombay, the step should prove to be utterly futile. In any case, he thought, he would postpone his brother's return to Khandwa till after the approaching Deepavali holidays. During those days, things took a strange turn. A friend of Mr.H.S.Dixit came to him and said that the Cutch State required a highly reliable Officer for their Bank with a knowledge of Gujarati. At once Mr.H.S.Dixit asked him if Mr.Sadashiv would suit. The friend was very glad to have Sadashiv (whom he believed not to be available) and recommended him to the State. Thenceforward, Sadashiv, who was found a failure at Law in so many places, got appointed on a salary of Rs. 1,000 a month and held it for a long time. This upshot showed that Baba in allowing or directing his devotee to go to Bombay was seeing not merely the immediate and near future but more distant prospects and enduring benefits.

OM SAI RAM!