THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NINE

[SS91]

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NINE

"If Nine forms of Bhakti are followed devotionally GOD manifests Himself in the home of a Devotee-

SAIBABA

According to Hindu Mythological belief when adverse circumsta­nces

prevail in the life, it is generally believed that the present

suffering is on account of the past misdeeds and the Hindus are

advised to perform navagraha pooja, so that the evil effects may be

mitiga­ted if not eradicated rootlessly.

 The Nava Graha's are Bhaskara Chandra, Angaraka, Budha,

Grahaspathy, Shokula, Shani, Rahu and Kethu.


It has historical relevance, for during the regime of Akbar,

The Great in Mugal Dynasty the court was adorned with NAVARATNA.

In Shri Sai Satcharitha the significance of Nine is three fold.

Once a merchant came to SHIRDI. Before, him,

the Mare passed Nine Balls of stool.

He got peace of mind by gathering all the Nine balls in his Dhotar.

Mr. Patankar who came to SHIRDI to have the Darshan of BABA asked

Ganesh Damodar alias Dada Kelkar what BABA means the later replied

that the Mare is GOD's grace and the Nine balls excreted are the

nine forms of Bhakti viz.,

1. Shravana (Hearing),

 2. Kirtana (Praying),

 3. Smarana(remembering),

4. Padasevana (restoring of feet),

 5. Archana (Worship),

6. Nimaskara (bowing),

7. Dasya(Service)

8. Sakhyatva (friendship),

9. Atmanivedana (Surrender of the self).

If these are devotionally followed, Lord Hari will be pleased and

manife­sts himself in the home of a Devotee,

 Once SAI BABA appeared in disguise of a Fakir before

Mrs, Kulkarni at Thana and asked Dakshina.

The lady gave him a rupee. SAI-BABA gave her a small pocket of UDI

and asked her to keep it in the Shrine along with the photo for

worship. At that time her husband was not available at the house.

When he returned, his wife narrated this incident. On hearing,

Mr. Kulkarni said that had he been present at the time of the visit

of the Fakir he would have offered Ruppes Ten as Dakshina instead of

rupee one.

One fine day Mr. Kulkarni went for a walk with his friend

Mr. Chitra. He met the same fakir when he demanded  Dakshina.

Mr. Kulkarni gave him a rupee. He again putforth his hand.

Kulkarni gave rupees two. Still the fakir was not satisfied.

Then he borrowed rupees three from his friend Chitra and gave to

Baba. The later deman­ded more, Mr. Kulkarni took BABA to his house

and offered Rupees three for the fourth time (in all nine rupees).

The fakir looked unsatisfied. Then Mr. Kulakarni gave him Ten rupees

Note. BABA took ten rupees note and the Nine rupees consecrated by

BABA's touch were returned to Mr. Kulkarni. The figure nine denotes

the nine types of devotion-

Again the significance of nine was recorded in Shri Satcharita

when BABA, gave rupees Nine(coins) to Laxmibai Shinde at the time

of passing away, This lady was the strongest devotee of SAI BABA.

She served BABA day and night. BABA wanted to give some precious

thing in return of meritorious services. On Vijaya Dashmi (Dasara)

i.e.,15-10-1918 Just before BABA crossed the border of line put his

hand in pocket and gave her once rupees Five (5) and again rupees

four (i) in all rupees Nine (9). This figure Nine are the

Characteristics of a good disciple which she remembered for ever and

also is a standing proof at SHIRDI even now for the devotees to pray

and get SAI's Asheervad.



OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI!!!
Let us pray at the feet of Sai Baba who is the incarnation of all gods and protector of all, to show mercy on us, and increase our devotion towards him.