Saibaba's birth!

It was the blessings granted by Lord Shiva to Baratwaja Rishi, that resulted in the Avatar Saibaba who was born in "Pathri", a place in erstwhile Nizam state. The mother was Devagiriamma and father was Gangabava, who plied a boat across the river and earned a little to lead a frugal life. They had no issues until one day, the Lord himself manifested himself before the devout Devagiriamma. She was astonished. Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva conferred on her unasked boons, the birth of a girl and boy and Shiva himself has promised to take birth as the boy in the family. The husband was absent during the entire episode since he went to the riverbed to take care of the boat due to heavy rains. True to the boons granted, first a girl was born and after some time as predicted a boy was born(saibaba). The birth was on 28 September 1935. The husband realising the validity of the boons was desparate to have the Dharsan of the Lord. Hence he was very much eager to leave family life and to pursue monastic life to achieve his goal. He left his pregnant wife but she was adament and followed her husband. When they were approaching a big tree, the wife had developed pains and the boy was born. Since her husband was eager to lead a life of renunciation, the mother left the new born baby at the mercy of nature, covering it with some tree leaves. A Muslim house holder who happened to go near the tree, heard the cries of the new born baby. He searched for the parents but could not find any. Hence he took the baby in his custody since he was issueless. He handed over the boy to his wife and they took great care to bring up the baby. (To be contd..) Sairam.