Many people used to have doubts about Baba's transcendental powers. One day, the birth anniversary of Dattatreya was to be celebrated in the month of Margasirsha (9th month of the Hindu calendar) on Panchami (fifth day of the lunar calendar). Several devotees had assembled in Shirdi. Among them was a wealthy man, a great scholar called Kaijack. He is not to be confused with "highjack"! His name was Balmant Kaijack. As he was approaching the masjid, Baba took his stick and marked it at the devotees, asking them to get away. He even beat some of them, shouting, "Saitan! Saitan!". No one could understand why Baba was behaving like this. "I am suffering labour pains. Get away, all of you!" He shouted. In those days, Baba not only used to shout at people, but also wield the stick on them on occasions. He even used to throw the stick at fleeing persons. Everyone used to be afraid of Him. They all left the place. Sometime later, He called all of them to come. "Balmant Kaijack, come!" He said. When Balmant came, Baba went inside the masjid. Balmant went in and found that Baba was not there. He found a three-headed baby on the floor. Baba had declared that He was suffering from labour pains and there was a baby there. The three headed child appeared to represent Dattatreya. It was a small baby with a number of hands. Balmant recognised the child as Dattatreya and called other devotees to come inside. They went in and on seeing the child closed their eyes. At that instant Baba reappeared there. From that time onwards, people started looking upon Baba as the incarnation of Dattatreya.
A controversy arose among the local people as to whether Baba was a Muslim or a Hindu. At one time he used to say: "Allah Malik! Allah Malik!" At other times, he would say, "Dattatreya Malik!" Whenever he shouted "Allah Malik!" Muslims used to come to him in the masjid. His appearance was very much like that of a Muslim. Hence, many Muslims used to come to him. Hindus also used to come and offer incense to Him. The Muslims did not approve of what the Hindus were doing. The Hindus did not like the way Muslims revered Baba. Consequently, bitterness developed between the two communities.
subhasrini
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.