Sri Saisatcharita Chapter 34

This chapter also talks about greatness of Udi like chapter 33. There was a doctor whose nephew was suffering from tubercular bone abscess. No medications were working. He tried everything possible and consulted all his doctor friends but of no use. The boy was experiencing excruciating pain and the parents turned towards God and finally they heard about Sai. The parents along with the boy decided to go to Shirdi and they had darshan of Baba. They prostrated in front of Sai and begged that he help this boy. Then Baba says ““Those who come and resort to this Masjid shall never suffer anything in this life. Now, be carefree. Take udi and apply it on the abscess. Within four to eight days, he will get relief. Have faith in God. This is not a Masjid but Dwaravati1. He who steps here will get health and happiness, within no time. You also will get this experience. It is impossible that whoever comes here is not relieved. He who climbs the steps of this Masjid will accomplish his objective. Know that”. Then Baba moved his hand on the leg and cast merciful glances at him. This was merely physical suffering. But even suffering which is destined or created by the mind is destroyed from its roots by the ‘darshan’. Just seeing Sree Sai’s face, all troubles cease then and there; and drinking the nectar of his words gives the greatest happiness to a sick person. Tehn family stayed there for 4 days and like Baba said he felt better. They left Shirdi and told the doctor what happened.

This this doctor thought about going to Shirdi but someone created doubts in his mind and he drops the idea of going to Shirdi. Then one night he hears a voice saying “you still have disbelief in me?” On hearing this voice repeatedly, the doctor was bewildered and decided to go to Shirdi. But he had a patient with a severe case of toxic fever and nothing was helping this patient. He ultimately decided that if the patient gets better he would leave next day. After he made that resolution, patient got better and fever came down. Then he goes to Shirdi and bowed to Baba with full faith. Baba also convinced him of his secret experience and made him firm devotee.

Dr. Pillai

Once Dr. Pillai was in excruciating pain because of guinea-worms and they had increased from one to seven. He was fed up of life. Baba used to call him affectionately Bhau. His place was special and he used to sit near railing in Dwarakamai. He was confined to bed due to pain and felt that he could not take it anymore. Then he sends a message to Baba through Dixit. “Baba! I can longer bear this pain on account of the guinea worms, which is similar to death. Instead let me die now. I shall undergo the suffering in my next life. I will happily take ten more births, in which I shall undergo the fruits of my karma’. But grant me the boon of ending this present life. I do not wish to undergo this pain. That is all that I ask for now”. Then Baba asks people to bring him to Shirdi and he does not have to take ten births for this, ten days is enough. So he was brought in there and Baba makes him sit in Masjid and tells him that a crow will come and peck at these worms. He was sitting there with lot of pain. The Masjid is crowded and Abdulla while cleaning the lamps and accidentally steps on Dr. Pillai’s leg and he starts crying out loudly with excruciating pain. The wound burst and worms began to ooze out. Pillai was restless. He was crying out loudly and at the same time praying to Baba with a song.

“O Karim! Have mercy on my pitiable state!

Thou art called Merciful and Kind!

Thou art Emperor of both the worlds!

The world is thy splendor.

This world is going to be destroyed.

But Your Grandeur will be eternal.

You are always the Savior of the Devotees”.

After 10 days the pain was gone and he realized that the crow was Abdul. Experiencing this miracle, Pillai was overwhelmed and tears of affection flowed from his eyes by this fine deed of Baba.

Bapaji’ wife

Bapaji is brother of Shyama. Once Bapaji’s wife developed severe bubos in her groin and at that time Bubonic plague was lethal. He was worried and comes to his brother in Shirdi. Then Syama goes to Baba “Hail, hail Sainath! Have mercy on us, the helpless ones. Now, what is this problem that has arisen, causing unnecessary anxiety! Who else can we implore besides you? Take away this girl’s agony and give your blessings. Then Baba tells him to not worry and asks him to send udi with Bapaji. He does not let him go with his brother that night. Next day when shyama goes to his brother’s place his sister-in-law is making tea. He was surprised to see her like that. Then Bapaji tells him that as soon as he gave udi mixed in water, she profusely sweats and went to sleep. Then when she woke up in the morning she is all better. Hearing this Shyama went straight to Baba and bowed to him. “O Deva, what is this sport? Sitting here, you raise turmoil in our minds. A storm is raised and later you alone calm it down”. Baba replied to him: “Observe that the ways of fate are difficult to understand. I do nothing nor make others do anything. Yet I am held responsible for all that happens. I am just a witness to the deeds that happen on account of fate. The Eternal Lord is the doer and the mover. He alone is the Compassionate One. I am neither God nor the Almighty. I am neither the Lord nor the Supreme Spirit. I only remember the Lord and remind people of the existence of the Supreme Lord. I am just a poor servant of Allah.

Next in this chapter it was mentioned how Baba’s udi cured Irani girl’s convulsions and how a gentleman from Harda got relief from a kidney stone. Baba also saved the life a pregnant lady with a difficult labor. Everyone was worried but the lady was saved. Baby died in the womb itself. That was the fate of the child. She would conceive again, later. She felt relieved of her fears and was in a happy state.   

Baba always says “He who abandons all pride, is ever grateful to Him, and places his entire burden on Him, will achieve his objective”.

OM Sri Sainatharpanamasthu!