Wonderful Incarnation - Behaviour of Sai Baba - His Yoga Practices - His All pervasiveness
- Leper Devotee’s service - Master Khaparde’s Plague-case - Going to Pandharpur.
Wonderful Incarnation
Sai Baba knew all Yogic Practices. He was well-versed in the six processes including
Dhauti (Stomach-cleaning by a moistened piece of linen 3" in breadth and 22 1/2" in
length), Khandayoga, i.e., separating His limbs and joining them again, and Samadhi,
etc. If you think that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan. If you think Him to be a
Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu. No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or
a Mahomedan. He celebrated the Hindu festival of Rama-Navami with all due
formalities, and at the same time permitted the ‘Sandal’ procession of the Mahomedans.
He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival, and gave good prizes to winners. When
the Gokul Ashtami came, He got the ‘Gopal-Kala’ ceremony duly performed and on Id
festivals, He allowed Mahomedans to say their prayers (Namaj) in His Masjid. Once in
the Moharum festival, some Mahomedans proposed to contruct a Tajiya or Tabut in the
Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the
village. Sai Baba allowed the keeping of the Tabut for four days, and on the fifth day
removed it out of the Masjid without the least compunction. If we say that He was a
Mahomedan, His ears were pierced (i.e. had holes according to Hindu fashion). If you
think that He was a Hindu, He advocated the practice of circumcision (though according
to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who observed Him closely, He was not Himself
circumcised. Vide article in Sai Leela on "Baba Hindu Ki Yavan" by B.V. Deo, page 562).
If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid; if Mahomedan, He had always the
Dhuni - sacred fire there, and the following things which are contrary to Mahomedan
religion, i.e., grinding on the handmill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, Bhajan, giving of food, and worship of Baba’s Feet by means of ARGHYA (water) were always allowed there. If you think that He was a Mahomedan, the best of Brahmins and
Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His Feet. Those who went
to make enquiries about his nationality, were dumb-founded and were captured by his
darshana. So none could definitely decide whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a
Mahomedan*.(see below this paragraph) This is no wonder; for he who completely
surrenders himself to the Lord, by getting rid of his egoism; and body - consciousness
thus becomes one with Him, and has nothing to do with any questions of caste or
nationality. Such a one as Sai Baba was, saw no difference between caste and caste
and even beings and beings. He took meat and fish with Fakirs, but did not grumble
when dogs touched the dishes with their mouths.
[* Note--(1) Mhalsapati, an intimate Shirdi devotee of Baba, who always slept with Him in
the Masjid and Chavadi, said that Sai Baba told him that He was a Brahmin of Pathari
and was handed over to a Fakir in his infancy, and when He told this, some men from
Pathari had come, and Baba was enquiring about some men from that place. Vide sai
Leela 1924, Page 179. (2) Mrs. Kashibai Kanitkar, the famous learned woman of Poona
says in the experience No.8, published on Page 79, Sai Leela Vol. 11,1934, - "On
hearing of Baba’s miracles, we were discussing according to our theosophic convention
and fashion whether Sai Baba belonged to Black or White Lodge. When once I went to
Shirdi, I was thinking seriously about this in my mind. As soon as I approached the steps
of the Masjid, Baba came to the front and pointing to His chest and staring at me spoke
rather vehemently -"This is a Brahmin, pure Brahmin. He has nothing to do with black
things. No Musalman can dare to step in here. He dare not." Again pointing to his chest -
"This Brahmin can bring lacks of men on the white path and take them to their
destination. This is a Brahmin’s Masjid and I won’t allow any black Mahomedan to cast
his shadow here." ]
Such a unique and wonderful incarnation was Sai Baba. On account of the merits in my
past birth, I had the good fortune to sit at His Feet and enjoy His blessed company. The
joy and delight I derived therefrom was incomparable. In fact Sai Baba was pure Anand
and Consciousness. I cannot sufficiently describle Him, His greatness and uniqueness.
He who took delight at His Feet, was established in His own self. Many Sanyasis,
Sadhakas and all sorts of men aspiring for salvation came to Sai Baba.
He always walked, talked and laughed with them and always uttered with His tongue
‘Allah Malik’ (God is the sole owner). He never liked discussion or arguments. He was
always calm and controlled, though irritable at times, always preached full Vedanta and
nobody knew till the last Who was Baba. Princes and poor people were treated alike by
Him. He knew the inmost secrets of all, and when He gave expression to them, all were
surprised. He was the repository of all knowledge, still He feigned ignorance. He also
disliked honor. Such were the characteristics of Sai Baba. Though, He had a human
body, His deeds testified to HIS Godhood. All people considered Him as the Lord God in
Shirdi.
Behavior of Sai Baba
Fool that I am, I cannot describe Baba’s miracles. He got almost all the temples in Shirdi
repaired. Through Tatya Patil, the temples of Shani, Ganapati, Shankar-Parvati, Village
Deity, and Maruti were put in order. His charity was also remarkable. The money He
used to collect as Dakshina was freely distributed, Rs.20 to some, Rs.15 or 50, to others
everyday. The recipients thought that this was ‘pure’ charity money, and Baba wished
that it should be usefully employed.
People were immensely benefited by having a darshana of Baba. Some became hale
and hearty; wicked people were turned into good ones. Kushtha (Leprosy) was cured in
some cases, many got their desires fulfilled, without any drops or medicine being put in
the eyes, some blind men got back their sight and some lame ones got their legs.
Nobody could see the end of His extraordinary greatness. His fame spread far and wide,
and pilgrims from all sides flocked to Shirdi. Baba sat always near the Dhuni and eased
Himself there, and always sat in meditation; sometimes with and on other times without
a bath.
He used to tie a white turban on his head; and wear a clean Dhotar round his waist, and
a shirt on his body. This was His dress in the beginning. He started practicing medicine
in the village, examined patients and gave medicines. He was always successful, and
He became famous as a Hakim (Doctor). A curious case may be narrated here. One
devotee got his eye balls quite red and swollen. No Doctor was available in Shirdi. The
other devotees took him to Baba. Other Doctors would use ointments, Anjans, cow’s
milk and camphorated drugs etc., in such cases. Baba’s remedy was quite unique.
He pounded some ‘BEEBA’ (Some Carpus Ana Cardium i.e. marking nuts) and made
two balls of them, thrust them on in each eye of the patient and wrapped a cloth bandage
round them (eyes). Next day, the bandage was removed and water was poured
over them in a stream. The inflammation subsided and the pupils became white and
clear. Though the eyes are very delicate, the BEEBA caused no smarting; but removed
the disease of the eyes. Many such cases were cured and this is only an instance in
point.
Baba’s Yoga Practices
Baba knew all the processes and practices of Yoga. Two of them will be described here:
(1) DHAUTI or CLEANING PROCESS: Baba went to the well near a Banyan tree at a
considerable distance from the Masjid every third day and washed his mouth and had a
bath. On one occasion, He was seen to vomit out his intestines, clean them inside and
outside and place them on a Jamb tree for drying. There are persons in Shirdi, who have
actually seen this, and who have testified to this fact. Ordinary Dhauti is done by a
moistened piece of linen, 3 inches broad 22 1/2ft. long. This piece is gulped down the
throat and allowed to remain in the stomach for about half an hour for being reacted
there and then taken out. But Baba’s Dhauti was quite unique and extraordinary.
(2) KHANDA YOGA: In this practice, Baba extracted the various limbs from His body,
and left them separately at different places in the Masjid. Once, a gentleman went to the
Masjid, and saw the limbs of Baba lying separately at separate places. He was much
terrified; and he first thought of running to the village officers, and informing them of
Baba being hacked to pieces and murdered. He thought that he would be held
responsible, as he was the first informant, and knew something of the affair. So he kept
silent. But next day when he went to the masjid, he was very much surprised to see
Baba, hale and hearty and sound, as before. He thought, that what he had seen the
previous day, was only a dream.
Baba practised Yoga since, His infancy and nobody knew or guessed the proficiency He
attained. He charged no fees for His cures, became renowned and famous by virtue of
His merits, gave health to many a poor and suffering person. This famous Doctor of
doctors cared not for His interests, but always worked for the good and welfare of others,
Himself suffering unbearable and terrible pain many a time in the process.
One such instance, I give below, which will show the all-pervasive and most merciful
character of Sai Baba.
Baba’s All-pervasiveness and Mercy
In the year 1910 A.D., Baba was sitting near the Dhuni on Diwali holiday and warming
Himself. He was pushing fire-wood into the Dhuni, which was brightly burning. A little
later, instead of pushing logs of wood, Baba pushed His arm into the Dhuni; the arm
was scorched and burnt immediately. This was noticed by the servant Madhava, and
also by Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They at once ran to Baba and Madhavarao
clasped Baba by His waist from behind and dragged Him forcibly back ward and asked,
"Deva, for what have You done this?" Then Baba came to His senses and replied, "The
wife of a blacksmith at some distant place, was working the bellows of a furnace; her
husband called her. Forgetting that her child was on her waist, she ran hastily and the
child slipped into the furnace. I immediately thrust My hand into the furnace and saved
the child. I do not mind My arm being burnt, but I am glad that the life of the child is
saved."
Leper Devotee’s Service
On hearing the news of Baba’s hand being burnt from (Shama) Madhavrao Deshpande,
Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, accompanied by the famous Doctor Parmanand of Bombay
with his medical outfit consisting of ointments, lint and bandage etc. rushed to Shirdi,
and requested Baba to allow Dr. Parmanand to examine the arm, and dress the wound
caused by the burn. This was refused. Ever since the burn, the arm was dressed by the
leper devotee, Bhagoji Shinde. His treatment consisted in massaging the burnt part with
ghee and then placing a leaf over it and bandaging it tightly with Pattis (bandages). Mr.
Nanasaheb Chandorkar solicited Baba many a time to unfasten the Pattis and get the
wound examined and dressed and treated by Dr. Parmanand, with the object that it may
be speedily healed. Dr. Parmanand himself made similar requests, but Baba postponed
saying that Allah was His Doctor; and did not allow His arm to be examined. Dr.
Paramanand’s medicines were not exposed to their air of Shirdi, as they remained intact,
but he had the good fortune of getting a darshana of Baba. Bhagoji was allowed to treat
the hand daily. After some days, the arm healed and all were happy. Still, we do not
know whether any trace of pain was left or not. Every morning, Bhagoji went throught his
programme of loosening the Pattis, massaging he arm with ghee and tightly bandaging it
again.
This went on till Sai Baba’s Samadhi (death). Sai Baba, a perfect Siddha, as He was,
did not really want this treatment, but out of love to His devotee, He allowed the
‘Upasana’ - service of Bhagoji to go on un-interrupted all along. When Baba started for
Lendi, Bhagoji held an umbrella over Him and accompanied Him. Every morning, when
Baba sat near the post close to the Dhuni, Bhagoji was present and started his service.
Bhagoji was a sinner in his past brith. He was suffering from leprosy, his fingers had
shrunk, his body was full of pus and smelling badly. Though outwardly he seemed so
unfortunate, he was really very lucky and happy, for he was the premier servant of Baba,
and got the benefit of His company.
Master Khaparde’s Plague-Case
I shall now relate another instance of Baba’s wonderful Leela. Mrs. Khaparde, the wife of
Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, was staying at Shirdi with her young son for some
days. One day the son got high fever, which further developed into Bubonic plague. The
mother was frightened and felt most uneasy. She thought of leaving the place for
Amraoti, and went near Baba in the evening, when He was coming near the Wada (now
Samadhi Mandir) in His evening rounds, for asking His permission. She informed Him in
a trembling tone, that her dear young son was down with plague. Baba spoke kindly and
softly to her, saying that the sky is beset with clouds; but they will melt and pass off and
everything will be smooth and clear. So saying, He lifted up His Kafni up to the waist and
showed to all present, four fully developed bubos, as big as eggs, and added, "See, how
I have to suffer for My devotees; their difficulties are Mine." Seeing this unique and
extraordinary deed (Leela), the people were convinced as to how the Saints suffer pains
for their devotees. The mind of the saints is softer than wax, it is soft, in and out, as
butter. They love their devotees without any idea of gain, and regard them as their true
relatives.
Going to Pandharpur and Staying There
I shall now close this Chapter after relating a story illustrating how Sai Baba loved His
devotees and anticipated their wishes and movements. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar,
who was a great devotee of Baba, was Mamlatdar at Nandurbar in Khandesh. He got an
order of transfer to Pandharpur. His devotion to Sai Baba bore fruit, as he got an order to
go and stay at Pandharpur which is regarded as the ‘BHUVAIKUNTHA’ - Heaven on
earth. Nanasaheb had to take immediate charge, so he left, immediately, for the place,
without even writing or informing anybody at Shirdi. He wanted to give a surprise visit to
Shirdi - his Pandharpur, see and salute his Vithoba (Baba), and then proceed. Nobody
dreamt of Nanasaheb’s departure for Shirdi, but Sai Baba knew all about this, as His
eyes were everywhere (omniscient). As soon as Nanasaheb approached Neemgaon, a
few miles from Shirdi, there was stir in the Masjid at Shirdi. Baba was sitting and talking
with Mhalsapati, Appa Shinde and Kashiram, when He at once said, "Let us all four do
some Bhajan, the doors of Pandhari are open, let us merrily sing." Then they began to
sing in chorus, the burden of the song being "I have to go to Pandharpur and I have to
stay on there, for it is the house of my Lord."
Baba sang and the devotees followed Him. In a short time Nanasaheb came there with
his family, prostrated before Baba and requested Him to accompany them to
Pandharpur and stay with them there. This solicitation was not necessary, as the
devotees told Nanasaheb that Baba was already in the mood of going to Pandharpur
and staying there. Hearing this Nanasaheb was moved and fell at Baba’s Feet. Then
getting Baba’s permission, Udi (sacred ashes) and Blessings, Nanasaheb left for
Pandharpur.
There is no end to Baba’s stories, but let me now make a halt here, reserving for the
next Chapter other topics, such as importance of human life, Baba’s living on alms,
Bayajabai’s service and other stories.