Baba and Vijayadasami!

Saibaba and Vijayadasami kindles lofty memories to Sai devotees. Yes, it was on Vijayadasami day during the year 1918, Baba left his mortal coil at around 2-30 PM after asking some of his close devotees to go and have their lunch. They were reluctant but left with heavy heart. Still some devotees sat on the steps. It was the fortunate "Laxmi Bai" to receive the last blessings from Sai in the form of nine silver coins. Baba then said, Take Me to Dakdi wada, there I will become well! saying these few words he laid his head on the shoulder of a devotee and left his mortal coil. The devotee cried as "Baba". It seemed that Baba said "Ha" but it was evident that Baba left safely. Nana Nimonkar poured water on Baba's mouth but it came out. The news spread too quickly. Those devotees who left for their meals at the behest of Baba came running leaving their meals. People expressed the grief in many ways. Many cried pitiably. Many rolled on the ground. Many swooned. Then the talk about interring Baba's body was held. Some devotees remembered Baba's last words and said, they preferred interring Baba's body in Buti's Takadi Wada as per Baba's last wish. Some said, it should be interred on the open ground. The arguement went on for many hours. Ultimately, the suggestion to inter Baba's mortal coil in Buti Wada gained two third support and Baba's remains were interred ceremoniously after taking procession in Buti Wada. Thus Buti Wada became the Samadhi Mandir of Saibaba. Lakhs and Lakhs of people throng to Shirdi to visit the Samadhi and take Dharsan of the Marble idol of Saibaba which looks like Real. Sairam, Saisaran.

Bagat Mahlsapathy and Baba!

Saibaba came to Shirdi alongwith a marriage party. The marriage party returned but Saibaba choose to stay in Shirdi. It was Bakat Mahlsapathy who welcomed Saibaba first in Shirdi with the words "Ya Sai". This name struck him permanantly. Also Mahlsapathy became his devotee initially and Shama and others joined thereafter. Mahlsapathy was a poor man from 'goldsmith' caste. He had three daughters. He used to sleep in the Masjid alongwith Tatya Patil and Saibaba. Once Baba directed Mahlsapathy to go and sleep in his house. But Mahlsapathy did not heed Baba. Saibaba forced him again and he had to relent. Saibaba told him that 'daughters are like tamarind fruit whereas a son is a mango fruit'. Mahlsapathy had a son subsequent to the command of Baba. Mahlsapathy being poor was unable to make both ends meet. But Baba never allowed him to earn. However Baba looked after his welfare spiritually. Once a Sait named Hansraj desired to give Mahlsapathy a huge sum. But Baba had not allowed him to accept the amount. Baba had in his mind the spiritual upliftment of His Bagat rather than the material welfare. Mahlsapathy too evinced much interest in spiritual path shown by Baba and he devoloped much detachment towards material life and world. Thus Saibaba ensured his spiritual progress. Sairam, Saisaran.