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  • 8/8/2019 Sai Baba of Shirdiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipage 2iii

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    Sai Baba of Shirdiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipage 2iii'Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on thesilence?' Sai Baba of Shirdi

    _

    My eye is ever on those who love me. _

    Whatever you do,wherever you may be,ever bear this in mind that I am always aware of everything you do.

    _

    If one meditates on me, repeats my name and sings about my deeds,he is transformed and his karma is destroyed.I stay by his side always.

    _ If one perpetually thinks of me,and makes me his sole refuge,I become his debtor and will give my head to save him.

    _

    I am the bond slave of my devotees.I love devotion.He who withdraws his heart from the world and loves me is my true lover and he merges in MElike a river in the sea.

    _

    If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims you will gain Paramathama. _

    Look at me and I will look to you. _

    Trust in the guru fully.This is the only sadhana.Guru is all the Gods.

    _

    Repeat my name.Seek refuge in me.But to know who I am,

    practice sravana and manana. _

    I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.

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    Even after my mahasamadhi,I shall be with you the moment you think of me.

    _

    I am the attributeless absolute Nirguna.

    I have no name and no residence. _

    I embroiled myself in karma and got this body.Brahman is my father and Maya is my mother.I am formless and in everything.I fill all space and am omnipresent.I am in water, in dry places, in crowd and solitary wilderness.I am in the fire and in ether.

    _

    I am the Progenitor of God.Meditate on me as pure Anand Nirakara,but if you cannot do this, then meditate on this Sai Body exactly as you see it.

    _

    I am not the body or the senses. I am the eternal Sakshi (Witness).

    CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS (Episodes) CONCERNING SHRI SAI BABA

    1835Sai Baba was born in very early hours of September 27 or 28, 1835 to a poor Hindu couple,Gangabhavadya and Devagiriamma. The newborn infant is left in the woods, abandoned. Theinfant is immediately discovered and adopted by a childless Muslim fakir and his wife.

    1838 Sai Baba lives with the Muslim couple for 4 years. Meanwhile the fakir dies.. The wife is left totend the child alone. Even as a small child Baba stirs up sentiments between the Hindu andMuslim community by worshiping Allah in Hindu temples, and Hindu gods in the mosque. Infear of increased problems by a sole widow, Baba is handed over for care with a local mendicantand story-teller, Venkusa.

    1839-51Sai Baba spent 12 years with his Guru. The name of his Guru was Gopal Rao Deshmukh(Venkusa, also known as Venkavadhuta) ) of Selu. Some say " Baba practiced penance at thetomb of His Guru in the cellar under the Neem Tree at Shirdi". Arrival of Devidas at Shirdi(Aged 10-11 years) took place in 1846. When he enquired, BABA mentioned the name of hisGURU as Venkusa implying VISHNU (Parvardigar).

    1851

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    Sai Baba first appeared at Shirdi and stays in the village for two months. He is noted to resideday and night under a Neem Tree (aged about 16 Years) which he claims is growing over thetomb of his old guru. After two months Baba disappeared to an unknown place.

    ca. 1855-1857

    Sai Baba travels about from place to place and finally ends up in Dhoopkheda (or Dhoop) inAurangabad District. There he ends up attending the marriage of Chandu Patel's son in 1858.

    1858Sai Baba returns to Shirdi along with the marriage-party of Chand Patil and remained at Shirdifor ever till His Samadhi. A widowed Deputy Collector and Settlement Officer by name H.V.Sathe (Hari Vinayaka Sathe) comes to Shirdi on the death of his wife. Baba takes great fondnessto Sathe. Sathe was the first to set up apartments at Shirdi for temporary visitors. Baba regardedSathe as his right hand in regard to all matters. Because Baba was keeping Sathe close to himand relying on him for everything, the residents of Shirdi grew jealous towards him.

    1865Saint Manik Prabhu of Homanabad in Bidar District of Karnataka passed away in 1878, ChaitraVadya 14. H. H. Akkalkot Swami left His mortal coil at Akkalkot in Solapur District of Maharashtra. (First appeared in 1835). It is reported that three of them (Manik Prabhu, SwamiSamartha and SAIBABA) met at Humanabad.

    1885Saint Anandnath (aged 95 years) of Yewala Math and a disciple of Akkalkot Swami visitedShirdi and seeing Sai Baba exclaimed, "This is a precious real diamond."

    1889Abdullah arrived at Shirdi from Nanded (in West Khandesh near Jalgaon and Amalner).

    1894 (approx)Das Ganu (Ganesh Dattatreya Sahasrabuddhe) accompanied Nanasaheb Chandorkar to Shirdi for the first time.

    1898Sai Baba was seen sleeping on a narrow plank suspended with old rags about 7 or 8 feet aboveground with lighted lamps placed on the plank.(Uknown year) About this time, the parents of Shyam came to Shirdi with the two-year old childnamed Mohan Shyam. A small school for children were adjoining Baba's room. Shyam used towatch Baba at nights through the ventilator. Shyam was apprehensive that Baba might fall fromhis lofty but narrow perch during sleep. Shyam prayed to stay near Baba and serve him for hisremaining days.

    1900-1902Sai Baba like a learned Pandit explained Geeta to Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who believed thatBABA was not well versed with Sanskrit language of Pandits (learned people).

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    1903Das Ganu's book 'Sant Kathamrit' was published. (Ch. 57 about Sai Baba's advice to NanasahebChandorkar).

    1906

    Das Ganu's book 'Bhakta-Leelamrit' was published. (Chs.. 31, 32 and 33 about Sai Baba).

    1906 Shivamma Thayee's uncle meets Baba for the first time, while Baba is visiting Vellakinaru inCoimbatore. Baba told Shivamma's uncle, 'She is the only girl in the whole lot who will be ahighly elevated soul.' Baba then slowly chanted the Gayatri Mantra to Shivamma.

    1908 EkadashiKashirarn Shimpi died. (Chaitra Shuddha 11). BABA saved his life in a mysterious way when hewas assaulted by Thieves in a jungle.

    1908Pundalikrao of Nanded met Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati. (Tembe Swami) at Rajahmundry on

    banks of Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh and Swami gave a coconut to be presented to SaiBaba. BABA showed cognizance of Swamiji's gilt and showed his oneness with Swami bydescribing him as his brother (Bhau).

    1909Sai Baba of Shirdi threw an ochre garment on Balasaheb Bhate, Mamlatdar of Kopargaon, andan atheist, on his very first visit and Balasaheb lost complete interest in worldly matters. Heretired prematurely from service and settled down at Shirdi permanently.

    1909Bapusaheb (Sakharam Hari) Jog on retirement from Govt. service came to stay at Shirdi

    permanently accompanied by his wife.

    1909Bhimaji Patil of Narayangaon (Pune District) came to Shirdi for getting his chronic tuberculosisat the last stage and was cured by Baba's blessings.

    1909, Dec 10Devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the Chavadi, where He slept on alternatedays.

    1910Baba's 'Handi' ritual, occasionally cooking food Himself in a big copper pot and distributing itto devotees and poor people without discrimination. This practice continued till this year. After wards owing to Das Ganu's keertans (musical recitals praising Baba), Baba's fame spread far andwide and devotees started flocking together in large numbers offering large quantities of food as'naivedya' and thus there was no need of 'Handi.

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    1910Govind Raghunath alias Annasaheb Dabholkar (Aged 51 years), the author of Shri Sai Satcharita(Marathi), had his first darshan of Sai Baba and received significant and prophetic title of

    'Hemadpant. Baba gave him his blessings and inspired him to write SAI SATCHARITA - areligious scripture describing BABA's life story and his divine play (leela) as monumental asGURU CHARITRA- the old monumental POTHI - a poetic religious scripture inspiring worshipto GURU, NARASINHA SARASWATI.

    1910,Bhadrapad Shuddha 5H. H. Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon (Buldhana District of Maharashtra)left His mortal coil. (First appeared in 1878). At that very time at Shirdi, Sai Baba grieved

    profusely and said, "Hallo! My Gajanan is gone. I must take bath again in reverance to the GreatSoul."

    1910Harishchandra Pitale's son suffering from epilepsy, was cured by Baba's mere glance at him.Baba gave Pitale three rupees and reminded him of two rupees earlier received by him fromSwami Samarth of Akkalkot and thus showed his oneness with all the other SAINTS (Vibhutis).

    1910, Ashwin Vady13Sai Baba pushed his arm into the brightly burning Dhuni to save a blacksmith's child. 'The armwas scorched and burnt. Nanasaheb came from Bombay with Dr. Parmananda but Baba did notallow the doctor to treat him.Bhagoji Shinde's service of massaging the arm with ghee and

    bandaging it continued till Baba's Samadhi. This episode is in testimony to BABA's cosmicexistence- HIS super consciousness.

    1910 Dec 5Hon'ble Mr. Ganesh Shrikrishna alias Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti (Maharashtra) firstvisited Shirdi. (Refused on 10 Dec. 1910) Mr.Babasaheb Khaprde was an ardent devotee of BABA and his efforts were instrumental in bringing Loka Manya Tilak- (a great national leader -Khapurde's contemparary) to Shirdi for Baba's darshan and blessings in his movement for India'sfreedom from the British Rule.

    1910, Dec10Foundation-stone of Dixit Wada laid with Baba's permission.

    1910Megha returns to Shirdi and stays till his death. In Baba's company he underwent mysteriousexperiences which transformed Megha from an athiest to an ardent devotee of Baba and spent hislife in the service of Sai -Shiva. He regarded Baba as Shiva-Shankar (Lord Shiva-Shankar -thewelfare Doer).

    1911Madrasi Sanyasi Vijayanand, while on a pilgrimage to Manas Sarovar, haulted at Shirdi and

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    breathed his last while reading 'Bhagawat' (a religious script written by Saint Eknath) for 3 dayson Baba's advice.

    1911, MarchTatyasaheb Nulkar (Aged 48), the Sub-judge of Pandharpur breathed, his last at Shirdi . Baba

    showed HIS oneness with Tatya Nulkar and described him as a pure soul and expressed HISgrief at Nulkars demise.

    After Tatyasaheb Nulkar passed away, Megha took over the regular daily worship of Baba in theDwarakamai. (He used to stand on one leg while performing the Arati). Tatyasaheb Nulkar relinquished everything and stayed at Shirdi in Baba's company till his demise Baba bestowedhim with the unique experiences in self realization. Baba advised him and Mr ShyamaDeshpande to perform Guru worship (Pooja).

    1911, Ram-NavamiConstruction of Dixit Wada was completed and was inhabited with due rites.

    1911Extension and roofing of the open space in front of the Dwarakamai was carried out byKakasaheb Dixit. Baba got enraged and tried to shake and uproot a pole. Then removing TatyaPatil's pugree, struck a match, set the pugree on fire and threw it in a pit along with one rupee asif an auspicious offering to avert evil. Baba never liked renovation of his dwelling place viz.Dwarkamai (the masjid) and opposed any such effort by the devotees.

    1911, June 27Kashinath Govind Upaswii (aged 41 years) first visited Shirdi and returned again on 6 July.Baba ordered him to stay for 4 years in the Khandoba Temple.

    1911, DecKashinath Upasani composed the famous 'Shri Sainath Mahimna Stotra (hymn) in Sanskrit.(Now being recited daily during Arati at Shirdi).

    1911, DecBubonic plague raged at Shirdi (Lasted upto March 15 next year) Baba however saved lives of

    plague inflicted devotees by taking upon himself i.e.. on his body the malody.

    1911, DecBaba's grinding of wheat in the hand-mill. It was not wheat that was ground but plague or cholera itself was ground to pieces and cast out of village. Seeing this Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) was inspired to write 'Shri Sai Satcharita.'

    1911, Dec 16Dr. Capt. Hate first visited Shirdi (who had just appeared at LCPS examination.) Baba sent him amessege in the dream saying, 'have you forgotten me?'.

    1911, Dec 19

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    Sai Baba's great devotee and a great saint of Nath-panth order, Shri Rama Maruti visited Shirdi.(Stayed for 34 days.) '. Ram Maruti offered 'Naivedya' to Baba and Baba very affectionately took a part of it (SWEET SANJA).

    1911-12

    Sagun Meru Naik arrived at Shirdi at the age of 23 and on Baba's advice settled permanentlyrunning a small restaurant for the devotees visiting Shirdi.

    1912, JanDadasaheb Khaparde's youngest son Balwant was cured of bubonic plague by Baba by taking thedisease on himself.

    1912, Jan 3Megha fed some Brahmins on completion of his Gayatri Punascharana (a religious ritual).Dadasaheb Khaparde attended it at Sathe Wada.

    1912, Jan 19Megha died at Shirdi at about 4 A.M. Baba lamented loudly and followed the funeral processionfor some distance. Baba showered flowers on Megha's body.

    1912, Jan 20Bapusaheb Jog started performing Baba's Pooja and Arati after Megha's death.He continued thistill Baba's Samadhi and even some years afterwards until he shifted to Sakuri and joined UpasaniMaharaj there.

    1912Transformation of Dwarakamai (the masjid) started. Pits were patched up and the stone slabsfixed on the floor. Baba gave up sack-cloth seat and started using cushion scat and boister indeference to devotees' wishes.

    1912, Mar 15Dadasaheb Khaparde returned to Amraoti. Mrs. Laxmibai Khaparde stayed behind.

    1912, Ram-navamiDada Maharaj Satarkar, known as 'Modern Tukaram', was invited to perform Ram-navamiKirtan.When he bowed down in obeisance, Baba said, "I know this man since last 4 years". BalaBuva had never met Sai Baba before but 4 years ago at Bombay, he had prostrated before Baba's

    picture. Thus Baba proved to His devotees that seeing His picture was equivalent to seeing Himin person.

    1912, AprilFirst visit of Balaram Dhurandhar along with his brothers. Before they arrived Baba hadexpressed, "Today many of my Durbar people are coming". Baba offered Balaram Chillim tosmoke and since then his 6 year old asthma was cured for ever.

    1912, Shravan 15

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    Guru-sthan padukas were installed under the Neem Tree at Shirdi.

    1913, MayWamanrao Patel (Aged 24 - 25 Years.) (Swami Sai Sharanananda ji) visited Shirdi again and thistime stayed for 11 months.

    1913Rao Bahadur Sathe got a son by Baba's Grace at the age of 57 years.

    1914Sapatnekar of Akkalkot arrived at Shirdi again with wife and returned being blessed for

    begetting a son.

    1914, Feb 14Mr.B.V. Deo (Memlatdar of Dahanu in Thane Distict) was charged and reprimanded by Baba for stealing His rag and after lot of abusing and scolding was favoured with instruction to read

    Dnyaneshawari regularly every day as per Deo's desire. This episode is an example of how Babasometimes displayed his transcendental powers to read devotees mental inclinations evenwithout formal oral communication.

    1914, Feb 22A Sadhak of Yoga (Swami Ram Baba) visited Shirdi and seeing Baba eating bread with oniongot suspicious and disappointed. However Baba proved His power of omniscience by reading hismind and the Sadhak returned highly satisfied and blessed.

    1914, April 2Before the year was over, Baba appeared to Deo in a dream and inquired if he understoodDnyaneshwari properly. Deo said 'No' and added that without Baba's Grace it will not beunderstood. Then Baba explained to Deo how to read it slowly (and without making haste) withfull concentration for knowing the subtle meaning between the lines (Bodha -Knowledge)

    1914, Ram-NavamiDas Ganu was ordained by Baba to perform Ram-Navami Kirtan at Shirdi every year.

    1914, ShravanH. H. Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Aged 80 years) (Tembe Swami) left His mundane body atGarudeshwar on the banks of River Nannada in Gujarat.

    1915, DecSai Baba suffered from asthma and was very weak. Yet He climbed over Radhakrishna Mai'sroof with a ladder. Paid Rs. 2/- to the person bringing and placing the ladder. Honouring aworker for his work, Baba showed how Dignity of labour should be maintained.

    1915, DecBalakram Mankar passed away at Shirdi.

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    1915, DecMrs Tarkhad (wife of Babasaheb Tarkhad of Bandra) sent a pedha (made of milk and sugar)which was already offered as naivedya and that too with Balakram's son Govindji who was inmourning. Yet Baba swollowed it with great eagerness and love.

    1915, Dec 30Construction work of Butty's Wada was in progress. Baba occasionally used to go at this place tosee the progress of this work and gave instructions.

    1916Radhakrishna Mai (Aged 35 years) passed away. Baba used to bless her by sending a portion of food collected by him by way of Bhiksha.

    1916.Arrival of a Madrasi Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramdasi Order). Baba gave darshan to thechief's wife in the form of her beloved diety Shri Rama. The chief also got a dream and his

    attitude towards Baba was completely changed.1916

    Nephew of Dr. Mulky from Malegaon (District Nasik), suffering from tubercular bone-abcess,was fully cured by Sai Baba's Udi and his loving glance. The doctor himself visited Shirdiafterwards and became a staunch devotee of Shri Sai Baba realising that Baba's service is to be

    performed not only for the sake of money or other mundane things but for the welfare of thedisabled, helpless and downtrodden.

    1916Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) retired from Govt. service. On Guru Poumima Day while atShirdi, Anna Chinchanikar pleaded before Baba for getting some other appointment for Hemadpant as his pension was quite insufficient and his family was growing. Baba assured himabout his source of income for livelyhood after retirement.

    1916, Vijaya DashamiWhen in the evening Shirdi residents were returning from 'Simollanghan' ceremony (crossing of the border or limits of the kingdom village), Baba suddenly got into wild rage and taking off Hishead-dress, kafni and langota (loin cloth) etc., tore them into pieces and threw them in the

    burning Dhuni before Him. The fire in the Dhuni became brighter and Baba stood there stark naked. Later when cooled down and dressed again Baba said, "This is My Simollanghan" andthus hinted at His departure from this world soon on Dassehra Day. This Darshan provided anenlightenment that Baba's body cannot be described as Hindu or Muslim or of any cast or

    belonging to any religion in vogue.

    1916Ramchandra Dada Patil became seriously ill. One night. appearing before him, Baba told himthat he would recover soon but Tatya Patil will die on Vijaya Dashami Day in 1918. Thus bysubstituting Tatya's name for HIS, Baba foretold Tatya's passing away. However, Baba sacrificedhis body to save devotees life by saying 'instead of him another person will go?'.

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    1916Baba averted Gopal Narayan Ambadekar's effort of suicide by prompting him to read anappropriate incident from Akkalkot Swami's Chaiitra (religious scripture) and avoided greatestsin in his devotees life.

    1917 Shyam, the faithful servant of Baba falls at Baba's feet and dies, merging in Baba.

    1917 Baba tells Shringeri Sharada Devi, "Gori, I will appear in Andhra [Pradesh] with the same nameof Sai Baba but in another Avathar . Then again, you will come to me. I will keep you with meand give you joy."

    1917 Baba names a young girl Shivamma Thayee and proclaims that she will be a saint.

    1917Haribhau Karnik of Dahanu (District Thane) wished to offerd. one more rupee to Baba whileleaving Shirdi, but could not do so. On the way at Nasik, in the Kala Rama Temple another saint

    Narasing Maharaj demanded one rupee from him. Karnik gave it willingly thinking that Babawas demanding the rupee he wanted to offer at Shirdi. Baba fulfilled in HIS many mysteriousways devotees' desire to offer dakshina through all the media.

    1917Sai Baba appeared at Thane (North of Bombay) to inquire the well-being of AppasahebKulkarni's wife and children when he was away on tour. When Appasaheb returned Baba not

    only fulfilled his desire of offering Rs.10 as Dakshina but also favoured him by returning ninerupees consecrated by His touch. These nine rupees are the symbol of nine bhakti services doneto HIM.

    1917Upasani Maharaj (Aged 47 years) made Sakuri (near Rahata) his permanent residence.

    1918Rao Bahadur Moreshwar Pradhan purchased Lendi Baug and later presented it to ShirdiSansthan'. Baba himself planted some trees at the Lendi Baug.

    1918, April 1At Vile Parle (East) (now suburb of Bombay) on Hanuman Road, Narayan Mahadev Thosar'sresidence (later known as Narayan Ashram) was built a Hanuman Temple. On the day it wasconsecrated, Baba paid Rs. 25 to a Brahmin named Waze and made him perform Shri Satya-narayan Pooja.

    1918Prof. G. G. Narke, son-in-law of Butty got a permanent job by Baba's Grace as Professor in the

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    Engineering College at Pune. Baba always remebered him by saying 'where has he (Narke)gone? Baba gave him a begging bag (zoli) for collecting food -an exercise in cultivating humilityand eliminating ego.

    1918, August

    Baba offered Hemadpant a glass of butter-milk and said, "Drink it all, you won't get suchopportunity again suggesting that time for his Samadhi has arrived.

    1918, Sep 9Das Ganu wrote 'Shri Sai Stavan Manjaril at Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) on the banks of River Narmada.

    1918, Sept 28 Nath Panthi saint Rama-Maruti of Kalyan passed away.

    1918, Sept 28

    Sai Baba had a slight attack of fever which lasted for 3-4 days. Since then Baba abstained fromfood and day by day His weakness increased.

    1918, Oct 1Baba asked a Brahmin devotee by the name Waze to read 'Raum- Vijay' (by Sridhar Swami) andlistened to it for 14 days.

    1918,Oct 8A tiger met its death at the feet and presence of Sai Baba and was emancipated.

    1918, Oct 15, TuesdayOn Vijaya Dashmi, Sai Baba left his mortal coil at about 2-30 p.m. Few minutes before He gaveRs. 9/- as prasad to Laxmi Shinde. These nine coins represent nine dimensional devotion toGOD.

    1918, Oct 16WednesdayEarly morning Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur, in dream and said, "TheDwaraka mai has collapsed and all the oilmen and grocers have troubled Me a lot. So I amleaving the place. Go there quickly and cover My body copiously with flowers".

    1918, Oct 16Wednesday in the evening Baba's body was taken in procession through the Shirdi village andthen interred in Butty Wada with due formalities.

    1918, Oct 27On the 13th day Baba's devotees from all over gathered and funeral rites were performed byBalasaheb Bhate with a feast (Bhandara) to Brahmins and poor. Later Upasani accompanied byBapusaheb Jog went to Prayag (Allahabad) and performed all the remaining obsequies on the

    banks of River Ganges.

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    DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE

    A great experience of Sai's miracle in our life

    This is the greatest experience I have faced in my life - The Blessing & Miracle

    of Shirdi Sai, The Great.

    My husband and I were going for a walk one early morning around 5 am afew years

    back and it was pitch dark with very few lights on the street. Suddenly onebike

    came and two men were on it with face covered and only their eyes could beseen.

    They got down from the bike and asked for an address. We said we do notknow and

    started walking. They followed us and one guy held a sharpened knife on mythroat. He wanted to take my chain. My husband held my hand tight and

    was aboutto run. I was in panic and words were not coming out of my mouth. Then

    suddenlymy husband started shouting at the top of his voice 'SAIRAM, SAIRAM,

    SAIRAM,SAIRAM' They just stood stunned for a fraction of a second. Due to the noise

    made by my husband, the lights were switched on in one house. The two

    guys thenstarted the bike and ran away. I was shaking with fear. The inmates of thathouse took us inside and to our greatest surprise we could see Sai Baba in

    thefront room with the

    wordings 'WHY FEAR WHEN I AM HERE. I started crying with joy. They gaveus

    milk and gave Sai's udhi and then we came back home.

    Chandrika, Chennai

    SRI SAI BABA

    To me Sri Sai is a loving mother, a tender father, a spiritual guide anddivinity himself. How can I describe His immeasurable grace and bountifulmercy, which He is showering on His innumerable devotees like a gentle rainon a parched land. Here is an instance of His unbounded love and protectinghand that balmed the bleeding heart.

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    My son S.K.Umapathi ten and half years studying in IV standard, was foundmissing from home from 2 Oclock on 26-1-44, Morning dawned but there

    was no trace of him. My anxiety increased as we heard of accident due tomilitary buses plying frequently. I reported to police and enquired inhospital. But nothing was known. Then there was also a fear of kidnapping,as this scare was there sometime back. Although though search was made,nothing was known. I consulted an astrologer and a palmist but though theyassured me of safety nothing could be heard of him. I know Sri Kesavayyapersonally and sent an express message and the reply cam back quickly Baba helps. All positive search was made and my agony was indescribable.

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    From December 1940, I am mysterious drawn to Sri Sai and have beenpraying him ever since. Now I began to pray fervently. I sought His grace,wept in silence. For I could not bear the torture as I lost of kidnapping. Theagony was all the more unbearable as I lost already just one and half yearsago, a boy of 13 years old of typhoid. I grew desperate but my faith in SriSai increased. Six days have passed but there was no trace. My prayer to SriSai had taken a different turn. At last I cried out in silence to Him. If it ismy lot to lose this boy in accordance with my past bad karma, I will try tobear it my Lord, but now can I bear the thought of the frenzy some whowould attribute this mishap to me solely for worshiping thee. This thoughtsimply crushed me. Then on the next day on 1-2-44 Igave an ultimatum it were to my Lord with overflowingtears in my eyes. whether my boy is traced or notwhether you give me more suffering and agony, whatever

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    worst may befall me, I have sought refuge at thy Lotus feet and I shall notbudge an inch. Let thy will be done. After this sincere cry I felt a great relief and with a calm mind I slept surrendering my all to Him. At 4 O clock in themorning I had a vision in which a tall white robed Fakir beating a boy anddragging him to me, made him sit by my side and served sweets to both of

    us to eat. I got up and felt relieved and I dressed up and was about to go tooffice at 9. A.M. (on 2-2-44) when a telegraph postman delivered an expressmessage into my hands, which read, Umapathi brought safe. Is this amiracle or-test for me? The fact is that the boy went in search of his motherwho at that time was in Madras for a short stay. He got the train alone, fedby some during journey, reached Madras, got hold of by the police as amissing boy and handed over to children aid-society at Egmore from wherehe was brought home by my contractor brother-in-law at Madras. All thesetook 7 days.

    Two facts are worthy of note. It was a grand trunk express he got into. If bychance he took up the Delhi carriage, he would have gone straight to Delhi.The second point was that my anxiety was whether he would be sufferingfrom hunger but to my surprise, I learnt that all along some one or other fedhim nicely.

    Who can perform such a miracle except my Lord Sai and how can I bethankful to Him- an embodiment of Love- all Merciful grace. There is nodenying the fact,, Sai lives with his devotees, showers His grace and

    protects them with such love that no mother on earth can do If you lookto me, I will look to you. If you come one step nearer to me I will cometen steps nearer to you. are true to the very letter.

    All Hail to thee Sri Sai-All praise to thee my Lord-Let thy grace be spreadevery where.

    S.KASIVISWANADHAN

    Secunderabad

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    VYREE BHAKTI AND SAI BABA(BY B.V.N.SWAMY)

    There are various incidents in the life of Sri Sai Baba that may be recalled inconnection with Vyree bhava. One Jehangir was the official superior of a SaiBhakta X, and he once got a picture of Sai Baba for the purpose of Xx. Withthrough callousness he would insult Baba in the presence of X, who being aweak man, in a subordinate position, had to endure the pain and disgracesilently. Z however prayed to Baba to turn the heart of the Jehangir. Afterfifteen days, that superior had qualms of conscience. He ran to hissubordinate, expressed regret for his past conduct and declared hisreverence for Sai Baba, in token of which he paid one rupee as his fine to besent to Shirdi. Here Baba, the Antaryami of all, was allowing theboil(bastred) in Js heart to ger ripe and burst. A very similar case was thatof Bala Saheb Bhate. When he was Mamlatdar at Kopergaon, his educatedfriends would call on him, on their way to Shirdi. He then never lost thechance of tolling them what fools they were to go and bow at the feet of aMahomedan and a crazy fakir at that. He refused their proposal that heshould visit Sai Baba to form judgement. After a year of two passed in thisviolently anti-Sai mood, he paid a visit to Sai Baba- accidentally one mightsay, if one did not know of Babas wonderful knowledge, power andkindness. The effect of the visit was most unexpected. The scoffer was heldspell-bounded by the glance of Sai Baba. He sat on for hours before Baba,

    feeling Babas power to read his thoughts and control his desires. Withdifficulty he could be made to leave Baba presence that day. He resolved tostay on for days there, though he had no excuse for staying there leaving hisofficial work unattended to. Three days he stayed and on the third day, Babaspread a kashaya cloth over his body. He then determined not to go back tohis office but to devote the rest of his life to the company and service of SaiBaba. That violent hatred of contempt he had for Baba became, by Babasgrace, transformed into strong attachment to Baba and Vairagya or distastefor all things wordly. In fact, though he resumed official duties and stayedon at Shirdi without leave for very long periods. He was compulsorily retired

    and granted compassionate allowance, as one who had met with a mentalmalady in the course of his official duties.

    In both the above cases, Baba the Antaryami, or powerful thoughtcontroller, helped the original innate goodness of the person to rebel againstthe unnatural and unreasonable hatred, the foreign element that was

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    superposed on it; and the result was vigorous Bhakti shooting or sproutingout of what looked like adverse or unpromising soil.

    Perhaps the same explanation may be given for tha not infrequent cases of persons who heartily disliked Baba on the score of his being aMahmadean(as he was long supposed to be ) being turned to devotees. Thebest instance of this is late Upasani Maharaj or Kasinath Govinda UpasaniSatri as he was first known. Sri K.G.U.had some serious disease of therespiratory organs that threatened his life. He was going about in search of Hindu Yogis who could remedy this ailment contracted by him in the courseof his practice of Pranayama. When he was told that he should bow at thefoot of a Mahomedan (as the very name Sai Baba indicated a Mahomedan).It was with great difficulty that he was persuaded by his well-wishers to goand see Baba. At his visit, he was not impressed w ith the nature of SaaiBaba and went away saying that he could not at all return in 8 days asrequired by Baba. But Sri Sai, out os his kindness, banished on the minds of all persons that surrounded K.G.U.Sastri compelled him to visit Sai Baba onthe 8th day his departure. None was more surprised at this revisit more thanSastri Maharaj himself. Finding himself no match for Sai Baba he agreed tostay on at Shirdi for 4 years- though such prolonged stay was all andwormwood to his soul. Again and again he tried to wriggle out of hispromise. But he stayed on and had to stay on for a little over three years.His former dislike for Sai Baba was changed to reverence, expressed so wellby the Mahimna Stotra that he composed about his newly accepted

    Gurudeva.

    EXPERIENCESBY P.RAJAGOPAL

    STATION MASTER, MAMANDUR.

    (1) My niece, Shanbagam (wife of Sri B.V.Parthasarathy Iyengar,P.W.D.Contracter) was suffering from Typhoid which turned recently intoPneumonia. She was attended on by Dr. Srinivasan.R, M.B.B.S., Salem.Mr.Parthasarathy Iyengar was worried very much about his wifes sickness.He approached Sai Babas pictures, appealed to Baba to save his belovedwife and told Baba in range and despair that he would give up his faith inBaba if no help is given immediately. Baba appeared in patients dream and

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    occupied a room next to the Samadhi. At 8 P.M. in the dark, she moved on,not knowing that the steps behind the Samadhi had no parapet wall, at thattime. She fell down on the stone pavement near the well. She was badlybruised. Her knees and forehead were bleeding. She ran up to me and toldme in Tamil that She fell down from the steps I offered to send for tincture

    iodine. She said No. She added that when she fell in the dark, a male witha lit lantern stood by her side and gently passed his hands over the hurtbody. She looked up and saw it was Sri Sai Baba himself. He told her thatshe would be alright. She felt no pain and went to bed. Next morning, shedeclared that Baba had appeared to her sleep and assured her that he wouldtake every care of her boy and that she need not entertain any fears.

    (N.B. On enquiry we find this lady is Kamal Ammal of Matunga)

    EXPERIENCESBy

    V.N. Murti Rao, Basavangudi, Bangalore.

    For about 17 years from my 19th year, I was a victim to fits. I had recourse

    to all kinds of medicines and charms, but it was all of no avail. Many peoplewho knew my trouble began their conversation with me in friendly andsympathetic attitude only to play upon my credulity and to rob me of hundreds of rupees. There is no exaggeration if I should say that I hadwasted nothing less than about Rs.1500 on all these treatments and charms,and that I derived no benefit there from. On the other hand, sometimes, Iwas in a worse state of health after the treatments an would wish that Imight resume my previous state of health.

    At last about two years back an old friend of mine gave me a little of Sri SaiBabas Udhi and advised me to leave off all useless medicines etc,. andcasting the entire burden of anxieties and worries that was troubling me onto Sri Sai Baba, to worship Him to release me fro my troubles. Immediately Ibegan to offer worship to Sri Sai Baba. I must admit here that it was notwith any real faith in Sri Sai that I did so, but only with the hope that Imight be released from my trouble.

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    But, though Sri Sai knew the actual extent and nature of my faith in Him,out of his everlasting mercy, He controlled my trouble from the very first. He

    saw to it that I would get the attacks only while at home or at the office, andnever on public roads and other dangerous places. The attacks becamemilder and milder and they had no such after-effects such as the previousattacks used to create. On several occasions, when time admitted myputting a little of the holy Udhi into my mouth on feeling the previoussymptoms, the attacks would vanish and would never trouble me.

    However; though I am quite content to be cured slowly, my mother andbrothers at home were anxious on seeing that I was still having the attacks.On two occasions, without consulting me; they went to some persons whowere advertised as having great mantrik powers to cure such complaints.Simultaneously with the consultation, my trouble was aggravated though Iwas unaware of the cause for it. For days together after each of theconsultations I had several attacks, and began to behave like an imbecile.When I was in such a condition, Sri Sai came upon me and told my mother

    Am I not here to look after him? Why did you go elsewhere? Never has anydevotees been thrown into despondency. He is never having any of theprevious attacks that he used to have. Within other three or four months, hewill be completely alright. Do not do anything now which may make him

    worse. Be content at having the complaint cured slowly. Immediately Idecided never to go to anyone in future, and to rest my entire faith on SriSai Baba. I am perfectly happy now. These incidents may suffice to convinceanyone that Sri Sai is most anxious not only to relieve us of our burdens, butto see that after once we pray to Him, we do not take any false step an thusruin our chances of an easy relief. How well He has realised the troubles of poor mortals like us and how anxious He is to make everyone happy cannever be described in full.

    -------Kumbakonam

    Mr. T.L.S.Mani Iyer reports the following experience of his:- Four monthsback, he started from his place at 4 A.M. When it was very dark, not a singlemunicipal light was burning. And there was no moonlight or other light. He

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    had to carry 2 bags one containing nickel change for Rs.50 and anothercontaining small silver change for Rs,50. He had them in his waist andwalked on along the road. Suddenly the bags got untied and the entirecontents of both fell on the road and rolled off in what direction, he could notsee. There was then none on the road. To leave the place to go and fetch a

    lamp was unwise, as before he returned, some passerby might strike his footagainst the coins and carry them away. So he kept on waiting. Sri Sai Babanever for sakes his devotee. Soon some one came up the road andremarked that the money ought to have been secured within the waistclothmore carefully. T.L.S.M sat down at once on the road. Strangely enough,there was dim twilight (as though at was 6 P.M.) and he could see the coinsdistinctly. He gathered the whole lot, and did not lose even a single coin.The man who from T.L.S went away. How suddenly the night became lit upwith twilight just for a while was the wonder.

    Sri T.L.S. Manis daughter is by Babas blessings fully recovering from herformer dumbness and is uttering more and more words as days pass.

    Sri T.L.S. Manis broken arm has almost healed. There is no pain now but fulland free use has not yet been restored by Sai.

    Sri D. Aswathanarayana Rao, Landlord, Doddakurugod. (Mysore State)writes as follows:-

    Myself and my wife had many troubles and sufferings. My father-in-law whois a public servant happened to visit our place. Seeing our troubles, gave usa brief account of Sai Baba and asked us to go to Sri S.B.Kesavayya of Penukonda and seek his blessings to get over the troubles. We went

    accordingly to Penukonda for that purpose on a Thursday. It was really afortunate day for us. I saw hundreds of people coming from distant places tosee the Pooja and seek the blessings of Baba through Sri S.B.K. We had noissue for five years and my wifes health was bad. When we approached SriS.B.K. in his pooja room, he gave Udhi to my wife to be kept with her for 5months and said she will have a son. To our surprise before the expiry of theperiod, her health improved and she conceived. Sai blessed us with a son.

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    My eldest sister-in-law who was carrying, had an accidental fall and she hadan abortion and was bed-ridden. Her life was in danger. She was taken to SriS.B.K. on a Thursday. He gave her Udhi and told her that she would be

    alright within a fortnight. She did recover happily.