Sri SaiSatcharita Chapter – 9

 
In this this chapter Hemadpanth describes how the devotees faced troubles when they insisted on returning to their destinations without Baba’s permission. Sometimes he wanted them to leave the Shirdi and if they did not, they got in trouble. So they believed that the best thing to do is to obey Baba’s orders. He knew which train will be late and where the thieves will cause trouble. Tatya Kote Patil once wanted to go to Kopergaon where the weekly bazaar was held. On the way, he came to the Masjid to take a glimpse of Baba, bowed at his feet and pretended to ask for permission to leave. The devotee may try to evade, but Baba knows what is in the devotee’s mind. Seeing that Tatya was in a hurry, he asked him to wait for a while. Baba said “Let the bazaar take place! Don’t

leave the village”. But seeing that Tatya was very keen, he asked him to take Shama along. But Tatya goes alone and gets in trouble. Similar incident happened with a European gentleman. He wanted to see Baba and get his blessings. But Baba won’t let him come inside Dwarakamai and asked him to stay in the front court yard. Feeling rejected this gentleman leaves against Baba’s wish. He gets into an accident and hospitalized. There were many such instances. People began to have fear and apprehension. They began to obey Baba’s wishes. In some cases the wheels of the carriage came off; in some cases the horses got tired; in other cases they missed their trains, remained hungry and had to survive on puffed rice. On the contrary, those who respected his wishes were able to catch the trains even at odd times. They had a pleasant journey and remembered it throughout their life.

Hemadpanth then talks about how a household needs to serve the saints and how Baba went around for alms. He wanted to take away the sins related to Panchasoonas (Sins that are committed when preparing the food). The one who surrenders body- speech- mind and wealth at Sai’s feet, such a devotee is deeply loved by Sai. Without the five sacrifices, the householder is advised against eating the food. Every day he would go to five houses and remind the

hosts about the Attithi Yagna. So the persons were really fortunate who could sit at home and earn the ‘punya’.  Those people, who after performing the ‘panchmaha yagnas,’ ate the remaining food, were saved from the terrible and unknown five sins, because the sins were burnt. These five sins are the result of everyday activities and in preparing the food. In order to be free from these five sins, a householder has to perform these five ‘maha yagnas’, after which the sins are destroyed and attain purity.

Brahma Yagna is reciting of Vedas; 

Pitru Yagna – offering food by encircling with water;

Dev Yagna – offering food to the deities;

Bhoota Yagna – offering food to all creatures.

Attithi Yagna – Offering food to an uninvited guest who may come to the doorstep.

Baba gave simple solution to get rid of these sins and that is to offer to God first before we eat anything.

 Sometimes people wonder whether God accepts the offerings that we offer during the puja. Baba proved so many times that he accepts from every devotee when they offer anything. Babasaheb Tarkhad story is one such incident where Baba proves this. Once Atmaram sends his son and wife to see Baba, The son was worried that his daily worship of Baba will be interrupted. Then Atma ram reassures his son saying he will take care of puja and prasad like his son.

Atmaram does not do idol worship but agrees to perform puja for Baba. He does the puja and prasad everyday similar to his son. But one day he forgot to keep Prasad. Then Baba tells his wife that he could not find any food when he went to their house. Then the son understood that some mistake could have happened. Father also realized and asked for Baba’s forgiveness. Atmaram writes a letter to son about this mistake. At the same time son sends a letter to his father about what Baba said. Baba blessed his whole family.  


Once Mrs. Tarkhad fed a dog and a pig while she was about to eat. Then Baba told her “Oh mother you fed me today and you satisfied my hunger”. Baba encouraged her to be like that. This is nothing but Bhoota Yagna. Baba also said “Know that this is the kindness which I preach. Give food to the hungry first and then eat yourself. Remember this clearly in your mind”.  First she could not understand what Baba was saying and Baba had to explain her how she fed those animals. The lady was very much surprised. Baba fulfils the wishes of each and every one of his devotees. If they wished to offer Baba anything, he made sure that he got those items from them. This chapter describes such incidents with Tarkhad’s wife by asking for Brinjal and when she sent Peda (sweet) with person named Govindji. The essence of these stories is that one should perceive God in all living beings. This is also acknowledged by all the Shashtras. We also have to realize that God accepts our offerings if we can offer them with pure devotion.

Sri Sainathaarpanamasthu!