Ambrosia in Shirdi Part-1-Baba's Leelas before1918

[OmkarSai]

Leela 89
Bala Saheb Bhate

Many incidents are given in the Satcharitra about skeptics who became ardent devotees of Baba. The Malegaon doctor (Sai Satcharitra Ch.34), Solicitor Jetha Bhai Thakkar (Sai Satcharitra Ch.35) and many others. The story of Bala Saheb Bhate is mind boggling. He was a Mamlatadar at Kopergaon, and a long time friend of Chandorkar. They knew each other since college. While Chandorkar was well versed in religious scriptures, Bala Saheb was just the opposite. Chadorkar was an ardent devotee of Baba and Bala a skeptic. Whenever they met Bala Saheb rediculed the very idea of a well educated person like Chandorkar going to pay obescience to a human. Often he tried to convince the devotees from not making the pilgrimage to Shirdi. It seemed as if his mission in life was to sabotage the pilgrimage of any devotee going to see Baba.

He was transferred to Sakori in 1894. There he heard a Kirtan about Kabir, and Thamal by Sant Bahu Maharaj. Somehow he was drawn to it and heard it attentively. He then came to Shirdi and took Baba's darshan. The very sight of Baba filled him with peace and bliss. He just sat and stared at Baba, oblivious of his surroundings. After a while his companions asked him to accompany them back to Sakori. He just said "Wait, wait a little bit". They waited but he continued sitting, and as hours rolled by, they left. So changed was he that he decided to stay at Shirdi and make it his home. The once responsible person seemed to have forgotten all about his job, family and home. He stayed on and served Baba till His Maha Samadhi.


This dramatic change caused concern amongst the other devoteess. Dixit, Chandorkar and.Shama asked Baba to intervene. Baba asked him to apply for leave for six months. This application he did write and send, but his mind was made up. Even his superios, co-workers and friends came to advice him, and take him back. He just said "Once a person finds his goal he should not leave it". His employer knowing that he was a good employee gave him pension of Rs.25/- per month on 'compassionate basis' because his mind was gripped by the Fakir of Shirdi. Balasaheb, however, progressed spiritually under the compassionate Fakir and he stayed on in Shirdi till his death.

Mention is made of him in Sai Satcharitra Ch. 1 and 44. After Baba's Mahasamadhi the thirteenth day ceremony was conducted by Balasaheb Bhate when 'til anjali, tilarpan and pinda pradan' was done.

Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

[OmkarSai]

Leela 90
A couple along with their sister-in-law went on a pilgrimage. The husband and wife were ardent devottees of Baba. But the wife's sister was not. Enroute to Rameswaram they halted at Madras. The Gujarathi Dharamshala that they stayed in was clean and well maintained. But the sister-in-law was very rigid and orthodox in her way of thinking. She observed all kinds of rituals, and pollution taboos. Though the stay was pleasant, she incessantly grumbled about the non-compliance of pollution taboos. Her sister said "You are grumbling so much about pollution taboos here. Even though this place is very good. I wonder what you will do at Shirdi? There even orthodox devotees place their heads on Baba's feet joyfully". Aghast to hear this her sister replied "If that is so my prostrations to your Sai Baba from here itself. I don't need to go there".

That very evening the sister-in-law got shooting pains in her limbs. She could not take even a few steps. Despite massages, fermentations and medicines the pain didn't subside. As night fall approached they decided to leave the sister-in-law with her sister in the Dharamshala and proceed. The devout sister said "From the time you high handedly spoke about Baba you have been suffering from this excruciating pain. You are missing Rameshwar and Baba. Sai Baba is God almighty. You salute Him and Rameshwar from here itself as you are going nowhere". The remark had a profound effect on the sister.' She thought about it. She became repentant and said "I am sorry I withdraw my words. If my shooting pain stops by morning and I am able to complete the Rameshwar pilgrimage I will immediately go to Shirdi for Baba's darshan". A few hours later the pain subsided and by morning she was well enough to proceed. Thus she realized that Baba and Shri Rameshwar was one and the same.

Baba didn't give credency to orthodoxy, taboos and fasting. All He wanted from His devotees was a heart bursting with 'Nishtha'. Baba never fasted and was extremely fond of raw onions. In fact, He kept a bag of onions in the Dwarakamai and ate them every day. In Sai Satcharitra Ch.23, the story of Ram Baba a great student of Yoga, who came to Shirdi is given. Although he had studied and practised Yoga meticulously he could not attain Samadhi even for a few minutes. He hoped that Baba would help him and bless him. He entered the Dwarakamai and was aghast to see Baba eating stale bhakri and raw onions and doubts assailed him. Baba reading his thoughts said "Only they should eat onions who can digest it".

Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

[OmkarSai]

Leela91
Kavji Patel of Andheri, Bombay, had a burning desire, to build a temple in memory of his father. He requested permission from Baba to build a temple of Vani Devi. Baba said "No". At a later date he requested again. Baba again said "No". Thenceforth he pestered Baba for permission whenever they met. Baba said "In spite of My saying 'no' repeatedly you still pester Me do what you like and suffer the consequences".
Quickly Kavji started making preparations for the Vani Devi temple, on the advice of a quack. The moment the quack entered the village plague broke out and a few villagers succumbed to it. Kavji lost faith in the quack. But still didn't believe in Baba's advice to instal his family diety. So he installed the idol of another godess.
For the next two years he was beseeched by misfortunes and illnesses. He was often at deaths door. Finally he developed faith and went for Baba's darshan. Baba said "Instal your family diety and remove the idol of the other godess". He obeyed Baba and was saved from further misfortunes. Grateful to Baba he composed a Kirtan in Marathi about this incident.

Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

[OmkarSai]

Leela 92
Bapu Saheb Jog had loaned Rs. 1,400/- to his wife's relative. At that time he was employed and earned Rs.2,000/- per month. So he gladly gave it. Interest and other details were worked out. Time rolled by, and the debtor was silent. In the meantime Jog retired. He and his wife came to Shirdi and made it their home. Jog did excellent seva and pooja of Baba. Mention is made of him in several places especially in Sai Satcharitra Ch.37 'The Chavadi Procession'. Jog wrote to the relative about the loan, but it was not forthcoming. Finally he went to Baba for permission to go personally and recover the money, or, to file a suit. Baba said "Where will the money go? The money will come to your doorstep. What is the hurry?" Jog was rather disappointed and said "12 to 14 years have passed and not a pie has been returned by him. Will he now come to my doorstep to return the money"?
Jog asked Baba time and again about the money, and Baba's reply was the same. Jog finally got tired of asking Baba. He pacified himself that there was no prospect of his ever getting the money back. A few days later the debtor came to Shirdi with a couple of friends. They went to Jog's house. Jog was astounded to see them. The relative did bring the principal of Rs. 1,400- but not the interest. He sought the help of Jog's wife, to convince Jog to accept the principal amount, and release him from the debt. At first Jog's wife was reluctant to intercede. But the relative begged and cajoled her-for help. The companions too requested Jog to forgo the interest but Jog was adament. At last both of them agreed to ask Baba and abide by His decision. They went to Dwarakamai and asked Baba about this. Baba told Jog to accept the principal and Jog agreed. He realized that he finally got the money that he had given up as lost. Then there was no legal proceedings and unpleasantness, so he accepted the money, and freed the debtor. Upon receiving the sum he took it and gave it Baba. Baba took a small amount and returned the rest.

Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

[OmkarSai]

Leela 93
"Don't be worried the boy will get a good bride and every thing will be alright in good time" said Baba. He comforted the mother of Abdul who was distraught. She had come from Nanded to complain to Baba and seek His help. Abdul was married and had a son when his Guru sent him to Shirdi. Abdul came to Shirdi to serve Baba and this he did for forty five years (he took samadhi on 2nd April, 1954). His family stayed on in Nanded. As years passed by his son came of age, and his grandmother was looking for a suitable bride for him. The elders of one household told her that, they didn't wish to give their daughter in marriage to the son of a Fakir. Disappointed she then came to Baba.
A few days later his grandmother and he went to visit some friends and relatives. There, they met a person who was interested in making an alliance for his daughter. The grandmother told him that her son was a Fakir. But the gentleman was rather keen and offered the hand of his younger daughter, although his elder daughter was unmarried. The wedding took place with great joy and merriment and Baba's predictions came true.


Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai

[PiyaSoni]

OMSAIRAM!!

Leela - 94

Moreshwar Pradhan and his wife Chotu Bai were devoted to Baba. In fact his whole family loved and revered Him. Once his elder son was sick with typhoid. The fever was relentless and the boy was weak and pale. .Seeing his condition, the aunt vowed to take the boy to Shirdi, if he recovered. Within 14 days the fever subsided and four to five days later the boy was allowed to sit in bed. The aunt, Chotu Bai and the son then set out to go to Shirdi. The doctor advised them against it. On the way the boy seemed to have a relapse. This frightened Chotu Bai and her sister. They both feared that if anything untoward happened, they would be rediculed and laughed at. The aunt who made the vow was extremely frightened about the consequences.

Nonetheless they reached Kopargaon. There a man asked "Shall I get you a tonga?" Hearing this the boy said "Have we reached Sai Baba's house? Now help me sit up'. Overjoyed his aunt laid him on her lap, and they reached Shirdi safely. They carried the boy for Baba's darshan. Baba held him with both His hands to a standing position. Quite effortessly the boy stood up, Baba gave him a banana and a mango that he ate without any problem. Baba said "Well will the world laugh at you for having brought him here?"

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 95

BABA SAVED THE SON OF A DOCTOR FROM THE HANDS OF AN EVIL SPIRIT

In 1917 during Vaisak month, a doctor, his wife and his son came to Shirdi
for Baba's darshan. The doctor thought that the throwing flour on the outskirts by Baba
to Stop the evil spirits to enter the village was unwanted. Baba asked him to come
at 3'o clock in the evening. The doctor, his wife and his son came at 3'0 clock. Baba asked
him to message his legs. The doctor and his son messaged Baba's legs. Then an ugly lady
with her hairs untied came and caught hold of his son and wanted to snap him away.
Then Baba gave her a blow with his satka. She ran away crying left the Doctor's son.
Then Baba told the doctor because she had not got her food, she came here to eat your son
and as you have also thought my throwing flour to her for food was unwanted and that was
why she came to eat your son. I drove her away. Baba given them permission to go
on the next day.

Surrender Shri Sai Completely ! Stupendous Delectation and Deliverance be there!!.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 96

BABA HELPED AND FULFILLED THE WISHES OF SHRI RAOJI BALAKRISHNA UPASANI.

Shri Raoji Balakrishna Upasani was suffering from Asthama. Shri Kakasaheb
Dixit advised him to go to Baba. Accordingly, Raoji came for Baba's darshan in
1913. On seeing him Baba told that he really felt glad of his arrival and gave
blessings with His UDI. After tak ing Baba's UDI, he felt better in Shirdi itself and
gone away.

His eldest son was suffered from fever for five or six days in 1913. The
doctor advised that the fever would not be cured soon. On the sixth day night, the
boy suffered heavily and the doctor also told about the survival of the boy in
negative. Raoji sat before Baba's photo praying for the life of his son. Baba gave
darshan to him and told him "Not to worry, the boy's troubles 'would be over
within two hours." Accordingly two hours later all the rotton things inside his
stomach came out and the boy felt ease and recovered fully as told by Baba. In
the morning the doctor came, examined the boy and astonished about his
recovery. After two days, Raoji received a letter from Shirdi in which Baba stated
all the occurances about his boy. This increased the faith of Raoji towards Baba.
After fifteen days, Raoji, his wife and his son gone to Shirdi for Baba's darshan.

In Kopergaom, they took bath and wanted to go to Shirdi to attend Arati. But (he
tanga wala in the middle gone to his house and came late. They doubted
whether they can attend Arati. At that time, Baba told Sharaa to stop the Arati for
a little as your Raoji friend was coming. After they came to Baba, Arati
commenced Baba called his son by the side and asked him "whether you recognised
Me when I came to you when you were with fever". By these acts of Baba
their devotion to Baba increased more.

Surrender Shri Sai Completely I Stupendous Delectation and Deliverance be there!! .

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 97

BABA ACCEPTED THE OFFERING OF PURAN POLI IN THE DISGUISE
OF ANTS AND SATISFIED SHR! NANASAHEB CHANDORKAR.

Once Nana saheb Chandorkar came to Shirdi at 12 noon and took
darshan of Baba. Baba told Chandorkar that "He want to eat Puran Poli".
Cbandorkar told to Baba that the time was more than 12 Nooa and that he would
offer Puran Poli tomorrow. Baba told that he wanted the Puran poli then itself.
Even then Chan-dorkar told that it would take time upto 4PM. Baba told him
"Nevermind for the time" Then Chandorkar came out of Dwarakamayee and
searched a woman for its preparation. He secured a woman and told her to
prepare Puran poli and that he would give Re. 1/- for one Puran Poli. She
prepared the Puran polli. Chandorkar gone to Baba with the plate of Puran Poli
and placed before him. After some time Baba asked Chandorkar to take away
the plate and take his meals. Chandorkar refused to take the plate as Baba has
not eaten the Pursn poli. Baba told him that "He has eaten it and asked him to
eat." For this, Chandorkar gone angrily to Chawadi. Baba called him and asked
him to take the plate away and take his meals. Chandorkar again gone to
Chawadi. angrily. Baba called him back again and told him to take meals.
Chandorkar told that the would not take his meals unless Baba eaten the Puran
Poli ? Then Baba told him you were with me for more than 18 years, what have
you learnt from Me? I have eaten your Puran Polls in the shape of ants" and
Baba prepared somethi ng and shown to Chandorkar secretly. Chandorkar then
realised his ignorance and felt for it and then taken his meals and the Puran poli.

Surrender Shri Sai Completely I Stupendous Delectation and Deliverance be there!! .

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[PiyaSoni]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 98

BABA HELPED AND FULFILLED THE DESIRE OF DOCTOR V.G. HATE BIKANER

Dr. Hate is a total believer in Sai Baba.    He   lived for some time at Shirdi.   One evening a person named Savalram of Gwalior came to him and said that his son was missing from home. So himself and his wife were greately distressed in mind. Doctor having full faith in Shri Sai Baba told him "Go to Shirdi. Take darshan of Sal". Then you would surely see your son" Saval­ram made a wow at once, that if news of the boy's where abouts were received, he would go to Shirdi for darshan. After some time a letter was received from the boy who was in Mesopotamia, which stated that he joined the army without telling anyone and that he was returning to India. When Savalram told Doctor Hate of this, he asked him to go to Baba for darshan first. Instead of doing so savalram went to Bombay first with his wife to see the boy. No doubt he saw his son, but the latter had got emaciated due to fever. Seeing that his son was suffering from fever Savalram went with the boy to Gwalior and gone to the doctor for treatment. Doctor Hate told him "you had failed to keep up your promise you had not taken Baba's darshan. If the boy falls at Baba's feet, he will get alright" Savlaram made up his mind to visit Shirdi. He went to Doctor Hate snd asked him for an introduction letter. The doctor replied that no introduction letter was required. So saying he took a ruppe from his box and gave it to Savalram with an idea that Baba should return it to him to be kept as Prasad and such a Prasad being a rare Prasad. Savalram went to Shirdi took Baba's darshan and delivered the rupee. Baba received and kept for sometime and returned the rupee to Savalram saying "Give him his rupee". The doctor's idea was to get it back as Prasad. Baba knowing that He returned the coin. Savalram returned to Gwalior and told the doctor that he had taken darshan of Baba and that his boy's health had improved and added that Baba returned the rupee to him. The doctor took the rupee in his hand. On taking the rupee in his hand, he felt that it was not the coin he sent. So he told to Savalaram to take it back to Shirdi for that it was not his coin. Savalram was much perturbed in mind and took back the coin. Next day he went to doctor Hate with a. different rupee. When that was placed in doctor's hand, he indentified it as his own. Savalram told that by his wife's mistake (of substitution) he had given the doctor the wrong coin.

Surrender Shri Sai Completely ! Stupendous Delectation and Delivervance be there!! .

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 99

HOW BABA SAVED SHRI KAKASAHEB DIXIT AND SANTHARAM
MORESHWAR PHANSE FROM THE TIGER IN A JUNGLE.


On 31-3-1915, myself and Santharam Moreshwar Phanse were going on
Government work through a thick jungle in a bullock cart at night. We packed
from Dahanu Taluka through Ranshet pass., the bulls of our cart' became restive.
The cart itself pushed backwards. We tried to find out the reasons, but could not
discover it. Beyond this place, there was a precipice. On the left side in front of
carriage, beyond the road, an axle pin was broken and visible. If the cart would
shalce then the whole of the cart would roll back and fall on us. Mean while
Santharam pointed out his finger at something. I looked in front. There was a
fierce tiger with its face to the south and its tail to the north. It started at the cart.
If we did not get down on the back side of the cart and direct the wheel by the
hand, if the bulls were only a bit terrified, then the cart could roll down the hill
side. If we got down the cruel creature in front of us was ready to jump on us with
open mouth. Phanse was bold by nature. He told me to hold the reins of the
bulls. I had not the courage to sit and hold the reins. Out of the two bulls one bent
its knees and fell on the ground as though its legs were broken. I could not see
what was to be done. My throat became dry and was strained. By Purva Punya, I
felt that Sai would do the right and Sai Baba would save us from the danger. I
shouted while in the carriage "Jaya Shri Sai Baba. Run up". Then the tiger got
up, turned its face towards our cart and jumped away on our right side. I
continued to shout aloud when the tiger passed by. Our bulls were terrified and
they began to ran fast. Thus made us escape from the danger. Instead of saying
so, it is better to say that the "Namasmaran of our Sadguru Saved us."   

Surrender Shri Sai Completely I Stupendous Delectation and Deliverance be there!! .

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[PiyaSoni]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 100

HIS HOLINESS SHRI SAI SHARAN ANAND WAS BORN BY BABA'S GRACE AND
BABA GIVEN HIM SANYASA AND THEREBY SADGATI

Shri Prangondji and his wife Manigowri came to Baba for
His darshan. Baba blessed them. Afterwards his Holiness Shri Sai Sharan Anand
was born to them on 5-4-1889 at Mota village, Bardoli Taluka in Surat District,
and named by them as Shri Vaman Rao Prana Govind Patel. When he was three
years of age, he fell sick and the parents have faith about his survival as it was
beyond medical treatment. At that time Baba as a Fakir gone to his house and
given His UDI and asked his mother to give it to her son mixing it with water
and told her as there was a scat in his right side back, he would become a
"SATPURUSHA".   The UDl was administered to him and the   child was   
miraculously saved by Baba.   He had his primary education at Surat
and Ahmedabad. In hia age of 13, he gone to  Somanath Mandir. There
Baba given him darshan as a Fakir.   He has finished his B.A. Education
in 1910  in  Elphistone College, Bombay and he passad his LL.B. in 1912. 
He used to question his college Professors whether the God is Phenomina
or Neomina".   The Professors were   net able to reply.  The Vaman Rao
gone to Bombay along with his   father to take   darshan   of   
Sri Balakrishna Maharaj a follower of Shri Akkalkot Maharaj.  Vaman
Rao put the same question to the   Maharaj   also.   The Maharaj
got angry with him and given him two   books, one the Saritra of
Shri Akkalkot Maharaj and the other Ekanath Bhagawat and asked
him to read them. He read them and questioned his father
whether there   was any such Maharaj.   His father replied that
there was    Shri Sai Baba Shirdi.    Vaman Rao came to Baba's
darshan first in 1911. At the very first instance on seeing Vaman
Rao, Baba told him "why are you worrying that there is God or not
God".   There is God.   Vaman Rao joi­ned the Solicitors firm in 1913.   
He  came to  Shirdi in 1913 when there was vacation holidays  for the
Court. On the expiry of leave, he requested Baba for permis­sion to
go to Bombay,   but Baba has not permitted him to go nearly for one
year on one plea or   other.    As he was not gone to his house,
his parents   worried   about his whereabouts and consulted astrologers,
"They have told them he was in God's   place    (SHIRDI)   without
any fear, if not it was danger to him. Afterwards Baba given him
permission to go.   He came to Shirdi   again in 1916 all on a sudden
when he came to  the   railway station to send off his friend    for   
Shirdi Baba    told Vaman Rao that he was expected him at  Shirdi. 
After twenty one days Baba allowed him to go to   Bombay. During
this period one day a big stone was   fallen on his head bleeding
when the   building of   Buty's wada was going one.    Baba sent
medicines for this. By baba's grace no wound was visible on   
his   head.   Vaman Rao told that at that time of bleeding he was
fully   emerged in Divine joy.    Only after this incident  he became
a staunch devotee of Baba.    After  three  years, he   was made
Head Master., Model High  School, Ahmedabad. He came to Bombay
in 1921 and became Managing Clerk in Messrs Ganga And Sayani Co.
Bombay.   He   wrote books on Baba (viz.) Gurusmriti in 1932   in   
Gujarathi language and in 1946 about Baba's life in Gujarathi  by
 name Sai baba.   Baba has given him Sanyasa in 1952 in Dakor
as a   Fakir,    and   thereby   he   was   named   as Shri   Sai   
Sharan   Anand.   In   the   year   1961,   He wrote   a   book   
in   English   Called   "Sai    Baba the Superman".    A   devotee   
has   given   Baba's   padukas telling that Baba wants to
handover them to Him.   At first He refused and then  accepted
and installed it in a place in Ahmedabad wherein a pucka Sai
Baba Mandir was   errected and   named   as  "Vishnu   Dharamalaya''
where so many devotees  are now flocking   there to get Baba's darshan.
He told "That from 1952 Baba was with-Him and getting His service to
the devotees through Hi'-n After many years of Baba's   service  to the 
devotees as His Holiness  Shri Sai Sharan Anand, He merged   with Baba
on 25-8-1982.   Such a blessed  soul by   Baba has given foreward to this book.

Surrender Shri Sai Completely ! Stupendous Delectation  and Deliverance be there !!.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!


Leela 101

BABA'S MAGNANIMITY IN ALLOWING OTHER SAI BABA'S TO ACT
AS HIMSELF EVEN IN HIS TIME.

When the Almighty Shri Sai Baba was in flesh and blood, there were other
Sai Babas. One Sai Baba was in Kopargaom, called as Kopargaom Sai Baba; One
Sai Baba was in Bandra called as Bandra Sai Bab a; One Sai Baba in Nagpur
called as Nagpur Sai Baba. They were all telling to the devotees that they were
Shri Sai Baba and thereby making their own ends to meet. Even knowing
all their acts and affairs, Baba tolerated and allowed them to go on in their own way as
He pretty knew the ins and outs of their actions. Gradually, all Sai Babas were
vanished without name and place, but the Almighty Shri Sai Baba Shirdi has
thrown out His mortal body on 15-10-1918 and acting more vigorously to help His
devotees even after His Mahasamadhi and remained Immortal
Hereafter, we may read how Baba helped His devotees after His Mahasamadhi.

Surrender Shri Sai Completely ! Stupendous Delectation  and Deliverance be there !!.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!