Sri Saisatcharita Chapter - 35

 Sectarianism is the greatest obstacle on the path of spirituality. Those, who believe the God is without form, are heard saying that to believe the God is with the form is an illusion and that the Saints are only human beings. Why should we bow to them? we should not offer dakshina to them. This would be a mockery of devotion. some people who came to shirdi just wanted to see Baba but they did not want to bow to him. Whoever came to Shirdi to see Baba stayed on with him and never again turned his back, getting attached at Sai's feet. Where pride on account of sectarianism is discarded, there will be immense happiness. This is the essence of this chapter. 


Kaka Mahajani had pure devotion towards the saints. But his friend was a worshiper of God without form and was averse to idolatry. Out of curiosity he agreed to go to Shirdi with Kaka Mahajani on two conditions, viz., (1) that he would neither bow to Baba, (2) nor pay Him any Dakshina. Kaka agreed to these conditions and they both left Bombay on a Saturday night and reached Shirdi the next morning. As soon as they came to see Baba, he immediately

addresses Kaka's friend from a little distance in sweet words as follows, "Oh, you have come welcome". The tone that uttered these words exactly resembled the tone of the friend's father. It reminded him of his departed father and sent a thrill of joy through his body. What an enchanting power the tone had! Being surprised the friend said, "There is no doubt this is my father's voice". Then he at once up and, forgetting his resolution, placed his head upon Baba's Feet. Later Baba asked Dakshina from Kaka and he gave. Baba asks rupees 17 as dakshina from Kaka when they came back later. Then the friend asks Kaka why Baba was not asking him dakshina. Then Baba tells Kaka that your friend did not want to give dakshina but he can give now. Then the friend happily gave rupees 17 to Baba. Then told him to remove the difference between you and me. Baba also said "Pull down the oil-monger's wall between us, totally, so that the road is widened to enable us to meet each other". Then they were given permission to leave Shirdi. It was cloudy and everyone thought a storm will come. But Baba told them not to worry, so they encountered no problems in the travel. But when he goes home one sparrow which was caught inside flew out but other two were dead. He felt bad for them. 

Another experience of his is also worth listening to. He used to suffer from pain in the heel of one his feet. He had this for many months. After he returned from the Shirdi trip his pain was gone.

Once Kaka Mahajani was working as a manager at a firm owned by Mr. Thakkar a solicitor of Bombay. Thakkar knew that Kaka Mahajani frequently goes to Shirdi to visit Baba and out of curiosity he also wanted to go to Shirdi to test Baba. He took another person with him as Kaka may not be able to return with him if Baba does not give him permission. Kaka bought raisins to offer them to Baba. Thakkar met Tharkad in Shirdi and asked him why he came there and Tharkad replies that he came for Baba's darshan. Kaka prostrated himself before Baba and offered raisins. Then Baba wanted them to be distributed. Thakkar did not want to eat them without being washed. He had to eat them as they were given to him. He put them in his mouth and put the seeds in his pocket. He felt if Baba knows everything he should also understand that he does not like these raisins with seeds. Baba knows everything and offers the raisins again to Thakkar. Hesitantly he takes them and to his surprise this time he did not get any seeds in his raisins. He wanted to see miracles form Baba and he saw one there. Then Thakkar thought in his mind that Baba this time should offer the raisins to Kaka and Baba fulfills this wish also.     

Shama later introduced Mr. Thakkar as the master of Kaka, upon which Baba said, "How could he be his master? He has got a different Master altogether". Kaka appreciated this reply. Forgetting his resolve, Thakkar saluted Baba and returned to the Wada. After the noon-Arati was over, they all went to the Masjid for taking Baba's leave for their departure. Shama spoke for them. Baba then spoke as follows. "There was a fickle-minded gentleman. He had health and wealth and was free from both physical and mental afflictions, but he took on him needless anxieties and burdens and wandered hither and thither, thus losing his peace of mind. Sometimes he dropped the burdens and at other times carried them again. His mind knew no steadiness. Seeing his state, I took pity on him and said, "Now please keep your faith on any one place (point) you like, why roam like this? Stick quietly to one place. Thakkar at once came to know that, that was an exact description of himself. He wished that Kaka should also return with him but no one expected that Kaka would be allowed to leave Shirdi so soon. Baba read this thought also and permitted Kaka to return with his master. Thakkar got one more proof of Baba's capacity to read another's mind. Then Baba asked Kaka for Rs. 15/- as Dakshina and received it. Baba told Kaka that he has to return tenfold for what he takes as dakshina.  He does not take money from anyone unless it is necessary. The giving of Dakshina advances Vairagya (Non-attachment) and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. On hearing these words Mr. Thakkar himself gave Rs.15/- in Baba's hand, forgetting his resolve not to do so. He thought he did well in coming to Shirdi as all his doubts were solved and he learnt so much. Baba's skill in handling such cases was unique. Though He did all those things, he was totally non-attached to them. He felt no pleasure because He was worshipped and no pain because He was disregarded. He transcended the pairs of opposites, viz. pleasure and pain, etc. 

Insomnia CaseNext Heamdpanth talks about a strange case of Insomnia where a gentleman whne he tried to sleep, his departed father appeared to him in his dream, and abused and scolded him severely. This broke his sleep and made him restless the whole night. Every night this went on and the man did not know what to do. One day he consulted a devotee of Baba in this respect. He recommended the Udi as the only infallible remedy he knew. He gave him some Udi and asked him to apply a little of it to his forehead before going to bed and keep the Udi-packet under the pillow. He tried this remedy and found, to his great surprise and joy, that he got sound sleep and that there was no disturbance of any kind. He continued the remedy and always remembered Sai. Then he got a picture of Sai Baba which he hung on the wall near his pillow and started worshiping it daily and on Thursdays, offering garland, naivedya etc. Then he got on well and forgot altogether his past trouble.

Balaji Patil NewaskarThis man was a great devotee of Baba. He rendered most excellent and disinterested service. Every day he swept and kept clean all the passages and streets in Shirdi through which Baba passed in His daily routine. This work was, after him, equally well-done by another female devotee named Rahda-Krishna-Mai, and after her by Abdoola. When Balaji reaped his corn every year, he brought the whole quantity and presented it to Baba. He returned with what Baba gave him and maintained himself and his family with it. This course was followed by him for many years and after him by his son.

Power and Efficacy of Udi
Once it happened that at Balaji's death anniversary day, a certain number of guests were invited and the dinner was prepared for them. But at the dinner-time it was found that thrice the number of people invited had turned up. Mrs. Newaskar was in a fix. She thought that the food would not suffice for the people assembled and that if it fell short, the honor of the family would be at stake. Her mother-in-law comforted her by saying, "Don't be afraid, it is not ours, but Sai's food; cover every vessel with cloth, putting some Udi in it, and serve from the same without opening it : Sai will save us from ignominy." She did as she was advised and it was found to their surprise and joy that not only did the food suffice for all, but plenty of it remained after serving. "As one feels intently, so he realizes accordingly" was proved in this case.

Sai Appearing as Serpent
Once Raghu Patil of Shirdi went to Balaji Patil at Newase. That evening he found that a serpent entered the cowshed hissing. All the cattle were afraid and began to move. The immates of the house were frightened, but Balaji thought that it was Sai Who appreared in his house as a serpent. Without being afraid in the least he brought a cup of milk and placing it before the serpent said, "Baba, why do you miss and make noise? Do you want to frighten us? Take this cup of milk and drink it with a calm mind". Saying this, he sat close by unperturbed. The other members were frightened and did not know what to do. In a short time the serpent disappeared. Nobody knew where it went. It was not found though a search was made in the cowshed.

Balaji had two wives and some children. They sometimes went to Shirdi from Newase for taking Baba's darshana. Then Baba bought saris and other clothes which were given to them with His blessings.

Om SriSainatharpanamasthu!