Haji Siddique Palke and Baba.

Shama(Madhava Rao Deshpande) was a humble school master, who was very close to Baba. People who want the blessings of Sai, some times could not get it. Hence they sought the intercession from Shama. Since Baba was very kind to Shama, his help was sought by some devotees. Haji Siddique Palke was an aged Muslim, who had sought nearness to Baba. He was not allowed to climb the steps of the Mosque instead he was asked to take Dharsan from the open area in front of the mosque. The Haji was greately perturbed by the neglect of Baba. He was staying there in Shirdi for many months with the hope of seeking an audience with Baba and to remain near Him. He thought of a way. He approached Shama and requested him to intervene on behalf of him. Shama said, "Baba's Dharbar is open". However, he will intercede and request Baba at an appropriate occasion. Once Shama asked Baba, "Baba! many people come here and climb the mosque and take your Dharsan. The Haji is waiting for several months, anxious to get your Dharsan. But you have not allowed him to climb the mosque. Baba told Shama, "Oh Shama! You are really ignorant. If the Fakir is not allowing some to come near, what i can do? :You go and ask him whether he will give Me Rs 40000/- in four instalments. Then Shama went to the Haji and enquired from him about Baba's question. The Haji humbly replied that he is prepared to give even 40 lakhs. Again Baba asked him through Shama, Baba is going to prepare the meat of a goat. What part of the goat, the Haji would like to receive? To this question, the Haji replied, He would be very glad to accept even a small bit of meat from Baba's colombo(vessel). After hearing about the replies, Baba threw the mud pots and colombo and came near the Haji and told him, "You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca but you do not know Me! After uttering these words, Baba sent the Haji, one basket full of fruits and allowed the Haji to come near Him. He gave the Haji money and dined with him.Thus the Haji was admitted into the Durbar of Sai. That is the way and love of Baba to the Haji.

Saibaba's assurances.

Saibaba's mood can never be predicted by anybody. At times he will be serene and exude all warmth and love. At times, without any provocation or reason, he used to abuse all and throw the mud pots etc. At those times, his eyes will be red and rotating with anger. None prefer to go near Saibaba at those times. Soon he will become calm. He will tell his devotees, "I never get angry! If i get angry with my children, where they will go. A mother never gets angry with her children. I love my devotees. I take care of their needs.He has uttered, "If you look to Me, i look to you! If you cast your burden upon Me, I shall surely bear it. If you seek my advise and help, it shall be given to you atonce. "Those who climb the steps of my mosque will become happy. They will not suffer any more. Those who have full faith upon his words reaped immense benefits. Sairam, Saisaran.

Radhakrishna Ayi, a humble devotee!

Radhakrishnaayi or mai is one woman devotee who served Baba in her own humble way. During the festival times like "Ramanavami" her house will be buzzling with cooking for the devotees and visitors. She will be assisted by several rich devotees who provide the resources for the cooking. Many people helped her in actual cooking by way of cutting the vegetables and other preparations. Whenever Baba slept in the Chavadi which is nearer to the Dwarakamai, she will remove the burned items neately, apply whitewash to the walls darkened by the soot and clean every thing and replace them neatly. She also participated in the Namasaptaha that was conducted for seven days during the Ramanavami celeberations. She was very much devoted to Sai. She managed the many events single handedly and she was responsible for gathering many things for the worship of Baba. Baba disapproved all the materials that was kept in the worship. He used to say that his property is the chilm and tin and the satka. Unnecessarily people dump many unwanted things in the masjid. Sairam, Saisaran.

Nana's thirst was quenched!

Nanasaheb Chandorkar was one influential devotee. He was a Deputy Collector. He came to Shirdi hearing about the fame of Baba. He was very much impressed with what he has seen. He was sincere and humble and he could gain Baba's love and his faith in Baba grew into leaps and bounds. Once he was on tour. On the road, he heard that one devotee's wife has developed pleague and was high with fever. Unfortunately, Nana was not having any Udhi given by Baba. Hence, he prayed Baba and took some mud and applied on the forehead of his wife. Immediately at the same time, the wife of the devotee was relieved from fever and she started to recover speedily. Once Nana went to Harischandra Hill to take Dharsan of a deity on the hill. It was severe summer. Nana was suffering from thirst. He could not find even a drop of water anywhere. He thought within himself, If Baba was there, he would definitely provide water. As soon as the thought struck him, a bill(a hilly tribe) was seen. Nana asked him if there is any water source nearby. The bill told him just below the very rock he was sitting, water will be found. With difficulty the rock was removed and lo! there was handful of water to quench the thirst of Nana. At the same time in the Masjid at Shirdi, Baba made some peculiar sound and when asked, he said, Nana is in need of water at a distant hill! Exactly at the same time, the Bill was seen by Nana. What a Divine Miracle. Sairam, Saisaran.

Urus and Ramanavami.

Muslims celeberate "Urus" by taking sandal paste and sandal powder in plates in procession. Saibaba allowed the procession on a particular day. From that time every year the local Muslims took procession of the sandal paste and powder and applied the paste in the mosque walls. The rest of the material was poured in "Nimbar" pits. One day a peculiar thought arose in the mind of a devotee of Baba. He thought that Baba gave permission for celeberation of "Urus" on "Rama Navami" day, a festival for Hindus. The devotee thought within himself that there must be Divine coincidence for performing the Urus on Ramanavami day. Why not ask Baba permission to celeberate the Ramanavami on that day. The main event of Ramanavami day is narrating the story of Rama. Who will narrate the story was the problem. But that was resolved by selecting each year one Puranik who happened to be conversant with the narration of "Rama katha". Every year, due to Divine blessings, one pundit or other happened to visit Shirdi and they were ready to perform the narration. Finally Baba appointed "Dasganu Maharaj" to narrate the same every year. Though the festivals were celeberated on the same day, no untoward happenings were noticed and Hindus and Muslims celeberated their festival peacefully. Sairam, Saisaran.

Wealth and Woman.

Mahlsapathy was a poor gold smith. He was a great devotee of Saibaba. He was privilaged to sleep in the Masjid every alternate day alongwith Tatya Kote Patil. Baba loved them much. Though Mahlsapathy was poor, Saibaba never allowed him to earn by any other means. Seeing the condition of Mahlsapathy, one Marwadi named Hansraj wanted to give a good sum of money to him but Baba has not allowed Mahlsapathy to accept the same. Only Saibaba knows what should be given, when and to whom. In matters of receiving Dakshina from the Devotees, Sai has not asked all. He said, "I ask only from those, Allah points". By giving the money, the devotee is rid of the debt due. Baba never kept any money with Him when the day ends. He used to distribute the Dakshina to different people in different proportions. None can understand the reasons behind Baba's actions. In fact the desire for wealth and woman are the greatest hurdles in the path of spiritual aspirant. Saibaba saw to that his devotees never fell prey to these vices. Sairam, Saisaran.

All creatures have Atma!

The people of Shirdi are very fortunate, especially those who were contemporary to Saibaba are the luckiest lot. They might not know their blessings. Everyday, they had the fortune to see Saibaba, took Udhi from His Divine Hand and some even drank the water that was used to clean the Divine Feet of Sai. He was the embodiment of Love and He loved His devotees as His own children. Night and Day, he was concerned about their welfare. Hence the devotees could spend their time without any burden or botheration. They have left all their concerns in his hand and enjoyed peaceful existence. Sai wanted nothing from His dear devotees. He wants them to remember Him always and see Him in all creatures. Once, He asked Lakshmi, "Oh Lakshmi! I am hungry, bring me food. Immediately, the devotee Lakshmi prepared food and brought roti, subji etc and placed in front of Sai. However Sai did not eat the food and He took the food and placed it in front of a dog which ate all with gusto. Lakshmi was annoyed. Oh Baba, why you pestered me to bring food? i prepared everything with my own hand and without tasting even a little bit, you placed it before the dog? Baba replied calmly, Oh Lakshmi! why you are perturbed. All creatures whether they talk or not has a soul which is Atma. Paramatma resides in all the creatures as Atma. The dog was hungry and hence i appeased its hunger. Such a beautiful teaching was given to the devotee Lakshmi on that day. What a nice episode? Sairam, Saisaran.