The readers up till now heard the stories of Baba's life. Let them now hear attentively
Baba's passing away.
October 15, Tuesday 1918: On Vijaya Dashmi, Saibaba left His mortal coil at about 2:30 p.m. Few minutes before, He gave Rs.9/- as charity to Laxmibai Shinde.
Baba got a slight attack of fever on 28th September, 1918. The fever lasted for 2 or 3 days, but afterwards Baba gave up his food and thereby He grew weaker and weaker. On the 17th day, i.e., Tuesday, the 15th October 1918, Baba left His mortal coil at about 2-30 p.m. (Vide rofessor G.G. Narke's letter, dated 5th November 1918, to Dadasaheb Khaparde, published in Leelamagazine, Page 78, first year). Two years before this, i.e., in 1916, Baba gave an indication of His Passing away, but nobody understood it then. It was as follows: - On the Vijayadashmi (Dasara) day Baba at once got into wild rage in the evening when people were returning from 'Seemollanghan' (crossing the border or limits of the village). Taking off His head-dress, kafni and langota etc., He tore them and threw them in the Dhuni before Him. Fed by this offering, the fire in the Dhuni began to burn brighter and Baba shone still brighter. He stood there stark naked and with His burning red eyes shouted - fellows, now have a look and ecide finally whether I am a Moslem or a Hindu. Everybody was trembling with fear and none dared to approach Baba. Af-ter some time Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, went boldly near Him and succeeded in tying a langota (waist-band) round His waist and said - what is all this? Today is the Seemollang-han, i.e., Dasara Holiday.Baba striking the ground with His satka
said - is my Seemollanghan (crossing the border).Baba did not cool down till 11-00 p.m. and the people doubted whether the chavadi procession would ever take place that night. After an hour Baba resumed His normal condition and dressing Himself as usual attended the chavadi procession as described before. By this incident Baba gave a suggestion that Dasara was the proper time for Him to cross the border of life, but none understood its meaning.
Dasara or Vijayadashami is regarded by all the Hindus as the most auspicious time and it is befit-ting that Baba should choose this time for His crossing the border-line. He was ailing some days before this, but He was ever conscious internally. Just before the last movement He sat up erect without anybody's aid, and looked better. People thought that the danger had passed
off and He was getting well. He knew that He was to pass away soon and therefore, He wanted to give some money as charity to Laxmibai Shinde.
Being so watchful and conscious, Baba also took other precautions in His last moment. In order that He should not be embroiled or entangled with love and affection for His devotees, He or-dered them all to clear off. Kakasaheb Dixit, Bapusaheb Booty and others were in the Dwaraka-mayi anxiously waiting upon Baba, but He asked them to go to the Wada and return after meals. They could not leave Baba's presence, nor could they disobey Him. So with heavy
hearts and heavy feet they went to the Wada. They knew that Baba's case was very serious and that they could not forget Him. They sat for meals, but their mind was elsewhere, it was with Baba. Before they finished, news came to them of Baba's leaving the mortal coil. Leaving their dishes, they ran to the Dwarakamayi and found that Baba rested finally on Bayaji's lap. He did not fall down on the ground nor did He lie on His bed, but sitting quietly on His seat and doing charity with His own hand threw off the mortal coil.
Saints embody themselves and come into this world with a definite mission and after that is fulfilled they pass away as quietly and easily as they came.
JAI SAI RAM
Topic: SANATANA DHARMA & SHRI SHIRDI SAIBABA - 15th October 1918 (Read 2735 times)