Baba’s Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage - party - Welcomed and Addressed as "Sai" -
Contact with Other Saints - His Dress and Daily Routine - The Story of the Padukas -
Wrestling Bout with Mohdin and Change in Life - Turning Water into Oil - The Pseudo -
Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage - Party
As hinted in the last Chapter, I shall now describe first how Sai Baba returned to Shirdi
after His disappearance.
There lived in the Aurangabad District (Nizam State), in a village called Dhoop, a well-todo
Mahomedan gentleman by name Chand Patil. While he was making a trip to
Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For two long months, he made a diligent search but could
get no trace of the lost mare. After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad
with the saddle on his back. After travelling four Koss and a half, he came, on the way,
to a mango tree under the foot of which sat a RATNA (queer fellow). He had a cap on
His head, wore Kafni (long robe) and had a "Satka" (short stick) under His armpit and He
was preparing to smoke a Chilim (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by the way, He
called out to him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a little. The Fakir asked him
about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that it was of his mare, which was lost. The queer
fellow or Fakir asked him to make a search in the Nala close by. He went and the
wonder of wonders! He found out the mare. He thought that this Fakir was not an
ordinary man, but an Avalia (a great saint). He returned to the Fakir with the mare. The
Chilim was ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting;
(1) fire to light the pipe, and
(2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which smoke is drawn up).
The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live burning
(1) fire to light the pipe, and
(2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which smoke is drawn up).
The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live burning
coal, which He put on the pipe. Then He dashed the Satka on the ground, from whence
water began to ooze. The chhapi was wetted with that water, was then wrung out and
wrapped round the pipe.
Thus everything being complete, the Fakir smoked the Chilim and then gave it also to
Chand Patil. On seeing all this, Chand Patil was wonderstruck. He requested the Fakir to
come to his home and accept his hospitality. Next day He went to the Patil’s house and
stayed there for some time. The Patil was a village - officer of Dhoop. His wife’s brother’s
son was to be married and the bride was from Shirdi. So Patil made preparations to start
for Shirdi for the marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The
marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the Fakir alone
stayed in Shirdi, and remained there forever.
How the Fakir Got the Name Sai
When the marriage - party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot of a Banyan tree in
Bhagat Mhalsapati’s field near Khandoba’s temple. The carts were loosened in the open
courtyard of Khandoba’s temple. The carts were loosened in the open courtyard of
Khandoba’s temple, and the members of the party descended one by one, and the Fakir
also got down. Bhagat Mhalsapati saw the young Fakir getting down and accosted Him
"YA SAI" (Welcome Sai). Others also addressed Him as Sai and thenceforth he became
known as Sai Baba.
Contact with Other Saints
Sai Baba began to stay in a deserted Masjid. One Saint named Devidas was living in
Shirdi many years before Baba came there. Baba liked his company. He stayed with him
in the Maruti temple, in the Chavadi, and some time lived alone. Then came another
Saint by name Jankidas. Baba spent most of His time in talking with him, or Jankidas
went to Baba’s residence. So also one Vaishya householder Saint, from Puntambe by
name Gangagir always frequented Shirdi. When he first saw Sai Baba, carrying pitchers
of water in both hands, for watering the garden, he was amazed and said openly,
"Blessed is Shirdi, that it got this precious Jewel. This man is carrying water today; but
He is not an ordinary fellow. As this land (Shirdi) was lucky and meritorious, it secured
this Jewel." So also one famous Saint by name Anandnath of Yewala Math, a disciple of
Akkalkot Maharaj came to Shirdi with some Shirdi people. When he saw Sai Baba, he
said openly, "This is a precious Diamond in reality. Though he looks like an ordinary
man, he is not a ‘gar’ (ordinary stone) but a Diamond. You will realize this in the near
future." Saying this he returned to Yewala. This was said while Sai Baba was a
youngster.
Baba’s Dress and Daily Routine
In his young days, Sai Baba grew hair on His head; never had His head shaved. He
dressed like an athlete. When He went to Rahata (3 miles from Shirdi), He brought with
Him small plants of Marigold, Jai and Jui, and after cleaning, he planted and watered
them. A devotee by name Vaman Tatya supplied Him daily with two earthen pitchers.
With these Baba Himself used to water the plants. He drew water from the well and
carried the pitchers on His shoulders. In the evening the pitchers were kept at the foot of
the Neem tree. As soon as they were placed there, they were broken, as they were
made of raw earth and not baked. Next day, Tatya supplied two fresh pitchers. This
course went on for 3 years; and with Sai Baba’s toil and labour, there grew a flower
garden. On this site, at present, stands the big mansion - Samadhi Mandir of Baba,
which is now frequented and used by so many devotees.
The Story of Padukas (foot-prints) under the Neem Tree
A devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj by name Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar worshipped the photo
of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going to Akkalkot (Sholapur District), taking the
darshana of the Padukas (foot-prints) of the Maharaj and offering his sincere worship
there; but before he could go there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Maharaj
appeared in the vision and said to him - "Now Shirdi is my resting place, go there and
offer your Worship." So Bhai changed his plan and came to Shirdi, worshipped Baba,
stayed there for six months and was happy. As a reminiscence of this vision etc., he
prepared the Padukas and installed them on an auspicious day of Shravan, Shaka 1834
(1912 A.D.) under the Neem tree with due ceremonies and formalities, conducted by
Dada Kelkar and Upasani. One Dixit Brahmin was appointed for worship, and the
management was entrusted to devotee Sagun.
Complete Version of this Story
Mr. B.V. Deo, Retired Mamalatdar of Thana, and a great devotee of Sai Baba, made
enquired about this matter with Sagun Meru Naik and Govind Kamlakar Dixit and has
published a full version of the Padukas in Sai Leela Vol. 11, No. 1, page 25. It runs as
follows:
In 1834 Shaka (1912 A.D.) one Doctor Ramarao Kothare of Bombay came to Shirdi for
Baba’s darshana. His compounder; and his friend, Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar,
accompanied him.
The compounder and Bhai became intimate with Sagun Meru Naik and G.K. Dixit. While
discussing things, these persons thought that there must be some memorial of the fact
of Sai Baba’s first coming to Shirdi and sitting under the holy Neem tree. They thought of
installing Baba’s Padukas there and were going to make them of some rough stones.
Then Bhai’s friend, the compounder, suggested that if this matter be made known to his
master, Dr. Ramarao Kothare, who would prepare nice Padukas for this purpose. All
liked the proposal and Dr. Kothare was informed of it. He came to Shirdi and drew a plan
of the Padukas. He went to Upasani Maharaj in Khandoba’s temple, and showed him his
plan. The latter made many improvements, drew lotuses, flowers, conch, disc, man etc.,
and suggested that the following SHLOKA (verse) regarding Neem tree’s great ness and
Baba’s Yogi powers be inscribed.
The verse was as follows:
The verse was as follows:
"Sada Nimbar-vrikshasya moola-dhiwasat,
Sudha-sravinam tikta-mapi-apriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpa-vrikshadhikam sadha-yantam
Namameesh-waram Sad-gurum Sai Natham"
Upasani’s suggestions were accepted and carried out. The Padukas were made in
Bombay and sent to Shirdi with the compounder. Baba said that they should be installed
on the Pournima (15th) of Shravan. On that day at 11 a.m., G.K. Dixit brought them on
his head from Khandoba’s temple to the Dwarkamai (Masjid) in procession. Baba
touched the Padukas, saying that these are the feet of the Lord and asked the people to
instal them, under foot of the Neem tree.
A day before, one Parsi devotee of Bombay named Pastha Shet sent Rs.25/- by money
order. Baba gave this sum for the installation of the Padhukas. The total expense of
installation came up to Rs.100/- out of which Rs.75/- were collected by subscriptions.
For the first 5 years, G.K. Dixit worshipped the Padukas daily and then Laxman
Kacheshwar Jakhadi did this. In the first five years, Dr. Kothare sent Rs. 2 per month for
lighting and he also sent the railing round the Padukas. The expense of bringing the
railing from the station to Shirdi (Rs. 7-8-0) (presently Rs.7.50p) and roofing was paid by
Sagun Meru Naik. Now, Jakhadi (Nana Pujari) does the worship and Sagun Meru Naik
offers the naivaidya and lights the evening lamps.
Bhai Krishnaji was orginally a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj. He had come to Shirdi at the
installation of the Padukas, in Shaka 1834 on his way to Akkalkot. He wanted to go to
Akkalkot after taking the darshana of Baba. He asked Baba’s permission for this. Baba
said - "Oh, what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The incumbent Maharaj of
that place is here, Myself." Hearing this Bhai did not go to Akkalkot. He came to Shirdi
off and on, after the installation of the Padukas.
Mr. B.V. Deo concluded that Hemadpant did not know these details. Had be known
them, he would not have failed to depict them in his Satcharita.
Wresting Bout with Mohdin Tamboli and Change in Life
To return to other stories of Baba. There was a wrestler in Shirdi, by name Mohdin
Tamboli. Baba and he did not agree on some items, and both had a fight. In this Baba
was defeated. Thenceforth, Baba changed His dress and mode of living. He donned
Kafni, wore a Langot (waist band) and covered His head with a piece of cloth. He took a
piece of sackcloth for His seat, sackcloth for His bed and was content with wearing torn
and worn out rags. He always said "Poverty is better than Kingship, far better than
Lordship. The Lord is always brother (befriender) of the poor." Gangagir was also very
fond of wrestling. While he was once wrestling, a similar feeling of dispassion came over
him, and at the proper time he heard the voice of an adept, saying that he should wear
out his body, playing with God. So he too gave up Samsara and turned towards God realization.
He established a math on the banks of the river near Puntambe, and lived
there with disciples.
Sai Baba did not mix and speak with the people. He only gave answers when he was
questioned. By day he always sat under the Neem tree, sometimes under the shade of a
branch of a Babul tree near the stream at the outskirts of the village. In the afternoon, He
used to walk at random and go at times to Nimgaon. There He frequented the house of
Balasaheb Dengale. Baba loved Mr. Balasaheb. His younger brother, named
Nanasaheb, had no son, though he married a second wife. Balasaheb sent Nanasaheb
for taking darshana of Sai Baba, and after some time with His grace, Nanasaheb got a
son. From that time onwards, people began to come in numbers to see Sai Baba, and
His fame began to spread and reached Ahmednagar; from thence Nanasaheb
Chandorkar and Keshav Chidamber, and many others began to come to Shirdi. Baba
was surrounded by His devotees during day; and slept at night in an old and dilapidated
Masjid.
Baba’s paraphernalia at this time consisted of a Chilim, tobacco, a "Tumrel" (tin pot),
long flowing Kafni, a piece of cloth round His head, and a Satka (short stick), which He
always kept with Him.
The piece of white cloth on the head was twisted like matted hair, and flowed down from
the left ear on the back. This was not washed for weeks. He wore no shoes, no sandals.
A piece of sack-cloth was His seat for most of the day. He wore a coupin (waist-clothband)
and for warding off cold he always sat in front of a Dhuni (sacred fire) facing south
with His left hand resting on the wooden railing. In that Dhuni, He offered as oblation;
egoism, desires and all thoughts and always uttered Allah Malik (God is the sole owner).
The Masjid in which He sat was only of two room dimensions, where all devotees came
and saw Him. After 1912 A.D., there was a change. The old Masjid was repaired and a
pavement was constructed. Before Baba came to live in this Masjid, He lived for a long
time in a place Takia, where with GHUNGUR (small bells) on His legs, Baba danced
beautifully sang with tender love.
Turning Water into Oil
Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil from shopkeepers, and keep
lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple. This went on for some time. The
Banias, who supplied oil gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil.
When, as usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct No. Unperturbed,
Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps. The banias were
watching Him with curiosity. Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a
few drops) of oil, put water into it and drank it and forced it fall in the container. After
consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took water in the tin-pot and filled all the
lamps with it and lighted them. To the surprise and dismay of the watching Banias, the
lamps began to burn and kept burning the whole night. The Banias repented and
apologized. Baba forgave them and asked them to be more truthful in future.
The Pseudo-Guru Javhar Ali
Five years after the wrestling bout mentioned above, one Fakir from Ahmednager by
name Javhar Ali came to Rahata with his disciples and stayed in Bakhal (spacious room)
near Virabhadra temple. The Fakir was learned, could repeat the whole Koran and had a
sweet tongue. Many religious and devout people of the village came to him and began to
respect him.
With the help of the people, he started to build an Idgah (a wall before which
Mahomedans pray on Idgah day), near the Virabhadra temple. There was some quarrel
about this affair, on account of which, Javhar Ali had to leave Rahata. Then he came to
Shirdi and lived in the Masjid with Baba. People were captured by his sweet talk, and he
began to call Baba his disciple.
Baba did not object and consented to be his Chela. Then both Guru and Chela decided
to return to Rahata and live there. The Guru (Teacher) never knew his disciple’s worth,
but the disciple knew the defects of the Guru, still he never disrespected him, observing
carefully his duties. He even served the Master in various ways. They used to come to
Shirdi off and on, but their main stay was in Rahata. The loving devotees of Baba in
Shirdi did not like, that Baba should stay away from them in Rahata. So they went in a
deputation to bring Baba back to Shirdi. When they met Baba near the Idgah and told
the purpose for which they came, Baba said to them that the Fakir was an ill-tempered
fellow, he would not leave him and that they should better return to Shirdi without him,
before the Fakir returned. While they were thus talking, the Fakir turned up and was very
angry with them for trying to take away his disciple. There was some discussion and
altercation and it was finally decided that both the Guru and Chela should return to
Shirdi. And so they returned and lived in Shirdi. But after a few days the Guru was tested
by Devidas and he was found wanting. Twelve years before Baba arrived in Shirdi with
the marriage-party, this Devidas aged about 10 or 11 came to Shirdi and lived in the
Maruti temple. Devidas had fine features and brilliant eyes, and he was dispassion
incarnate and a Jnani. Many persons, namely Tatya Kote, Kashinath and others
regarded, him as their Guru. They brought Javhar Ali in his presence, and in the
discussion that followed; Javhar was worsted and fled from Shirdi. He went and stayed
in Bijapur and returned after many years to Shirdi, and prostrated himself before Sai
Baba. The delusion that he was Guru and Sai Baba his Chela was cleared away, and as
he repented, Sai Baba treated him with respect. In this case Sai Baba showed by actual
conduct how one should get rid of egoism and do the duties of a disciple to attain the
highest end, viz., self-realization. This story is told here according to the version given by
Mahalsapati (a great devotee of Baba).
In the next Chapter will be described Rama-Navami Festival, the Masjid, its former
condition and later improvement etc.