Shirdi Baba-Real facts regarding his birth.

Many devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba are not aware of Baba's birth and childhood days. On 28 September 1990, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has revealed the following astonishing facts about Saibaba: Saibaba was born on 28 Sep' 1835 as a result of blessings and boon granted to his mother by Lord Shiva himself. Manifesting in front of the humble cottage in the guise of a old man, Lord has tested "Devagiri amma", the mother would be of "Sai". It seems that in the Nizam State, there was a village "Pathri" where a dovout couple lived. They were issueless. Hence they were spending their time in remembering God and led their life from the meagre income from a boat. Gangabava, the would be father of Sai, used to ply the boat to transport people across the river. Thus he earned a little money and spent it on running his family. Devagiriamma, the devout wife of Gangabhava was sincerely serving her husband's need and took care of him.

One day there was a storm and hence Gangabhava decided to spend the night in his boat lest it would be swept away in the flood. Hence he took his food and asked Devagiriamma to take care and left the house. She also took her food and started to rest on her bed. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Devagiriamma opened the door thinking that her husband might have returned. To her surprise, there was a old man who pleaded with her to provide him a resting place for the night. Devagiriamma showed him a place in the outer verandha and bolted the doors inside and started resting. Again, there was a knock in the door. She opened the door and found that the old man was asking for food to appease his hunger. She hurried to the kitchen and found some rice and curd. She mixed it and gave it to the old man. Again she retreaded inside and lay on her bed. The third time, there was a knock. This time, the old man has requested her, "My feet are aching, Can you press it for some time?. Unable to face such request, she went to her prayer room and started pleading with Mother Parvati, to rescue her from such a piquant situation. Suddenly she remembered that there may be some maid in the nearby houses, who may respond to offer such service for money. She went to places and unfortunately, none was available. After some time, there was a tap on the door. One servant maid, who told her that 'she was away on some work' it seems that somebody from the house needs her service". Getting relief for the timely help she asked the maid to press the feet of the old man and returned to her room. Surprisingly there was one more knock on the door. Since there was a lady outside, Devagiriamma opened the door. To her utter surprise, there stood Siva and Parvati in their Divine form and blessed her for her sincere devotion. Mother Parvati blessed Devagiriamma, that a son would be born. Again there was one more boon. A daughter would be born and by offering her in marriage, they would get merit. Finally, Lord Shiva spoke and told Devagiriamma, that He himself would take birth as a third son to her. Blessing her thus, they vanished mysteriously.

The husband returned in the morning and hearing the narration from his wife, he ridiculed her. He said, it is your own imagination. How could Lord Shiva and Parvati come to their humble dwelling. Your mind is in confusion. He was not willing to believe her version though she confirmed again and again, the events on the previous night. To prove the blessings, Devagiriamma conceived and delivered a son. After some time, she again become pregnant and this time a daughter was born. Finding the truth about the blessings, Gangabhava became remorse for not believing his innocent wife when she told him the events. He said, "You are really fortunate that the Lord and Parvati came to you and blessed you thrice. I am not so fortunate. Now my only concern is to do penance and to get the coveted Dharsan of the Lord. He was impatient to leave the house early. As blessed by Shiva, Devagiriamma conceived for the third time and nine months have passed. Unable to wait any longer, the husband told Devagiriamma, "I am leaving the house". Being a devout wife, she too followed him but on the way, labor pain has started. They rested below a huge tree and soon Devagiriamma delived the third child. But she made a sari bit torn from her as a bed and placed the child over it and spread green leaves over it. She started following her husband with great detachment. A Muslim Sufi, who was issueless, happened to come near the tree.Hence the Sufi took the baby and handed over to his wife. The muslim lady brought up the child with care. Soon her husband passed away. The boy was four at the time.But his activities have become a concern to the muslim lady. The boy would go to Hindu temple and say, I am Allah! Shiva is Allah!. People got angry and reported the matter to the muslim lady. The boy would visit the mosque and utter such words which would infuriate the muslim devotees. Finding that the boy is uncontrollable, she handed over the boy to One Guru "Venkusa", who accepted the boy in his custody. From the year 1839 to 1851, the boy was under the custody of the saint "Venkusa". As the Guru was very loving to the new boy "Sai", other disciples got jealous of the boy. Then Saibaba left his Guru and was wandering in the west. He came to Shirdi but after sometime left the place. Again he came back to Shirdi alongwith a marriage party of Chandpatil. From then onwards till his death he stayed there continuously (From 1853 to 1918). Sairam, Saisaran.

Mega, a sincre and true devotee!

Mega is one great devotee of Saibaba. He was illeterate but humble. Initially, he was not willing to go to Shirdi, thinking that Baba is a Muslim and he was not inclined to worship a Muslim. He was forced to go to Shirdi with an introduction letter. He requested his master not to send him to Shirdi. Initially when he reached Shirdi and went to Dwarakamai, Baba hurled abuses on him saying, "You are a high caste Brahmin, How you can bow before a Muslim? saying thus Baba has not allowed him to come near. But somehow impressed with Baba's Omnipotence in knowing his innermost thoughts, Mega was sitting in a corner watching the people who worship Baba. Still he was not much convinced. Hence he returned to his native and from there he went to Trayambakeswar and stayed there for one and half years. Subsequently, he returned to Shirdi and on the intervention of Dada Kelkar, he too was admitted near Baba. Mega worshipped Baba in his own way. After worshiping other deities in Shirdi, he used to come to Dwarakamai and started messaging the feet of Sai. He used to pour water on the feet and drank the water poured on Baba's feet.

Saibaba blessed Mega in some mysterious manner. Once when Mega was sleeping in his room, in the early morning, he saw Baba inside the room. Baba showered rice grains on his head and said, "Draw Trisul". Saying this he vanished. Mega was unable to believe his own eyes. Hence when he went to Baba, he enquired whether he has to draw "Trisul". Baba told him, "My words are never hollow. When i told you earlier, why you are asking Me? Mega said, that his prsence inside a locked room seem like an illusion" Baba told him, i need no enterance to go over any place. I have no length or bredth. Doing the worship for many years, finally Mega passed away during the year 1912. Baba passed his hand on Mega's body and said, "This is my real devotee". Also Baba fed people in the memory of his great devotee Mega. Sairam, Saisaran.

The Blessed people of Shirdi!

Many people started visiting Baba in Dwaraka Mai for removal of their sufferings and for gaining wealth, progeny and other benefits. Saibaba treated all with love. He granted their heart's desire. But few devotees came to Baba seeking the real aim of life. They are "Bagat Mahlsapathy, Shri Kaparde, Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Dasganu Maharaj. Kakasaheb Dixit, Sriman Buti also are some notable devotees who constructed their own wada in Shirdi. In this regard Sriman Buti is blessed in such a way, that his wada now accommodates Baba's mortal remains. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees are visiting Shirdi, nowadays which has become a famous pilgrim centre in Maharashtra. Regular Artis and Bhajans, Puja etc are being conducted with frequent procession of Baba's Paduka and other memorials in a palank every Thursday with lot of fanfare. Such a remote hamlet, unknown to the outside world till Baba made His place of residence. The dust and grass, Baba treaded everyday for His Biksha are really very fortunate. The people of Shirdi are most fortunate for they were blessed with the opportunity to see Him, talk with him and receive the blessed Udhi from His own hand. Sairam. Saisaran.

How Damodar was blessed with children?

Damodar Savalram(Damu Anna) was a regular visitor to Shirdi from the year 1895. He had no issues though he was wealthy. He had two wives. One day Baba received a parcel of mango fruits booked in the name of Shama for Baba. Baba kept four mangoes in his kolomba and said this is for Damu Anna. After few hours, Damu Anna reached Shirdi and visited Dwarakamai for the Dharsan of Baba. Baba told him, "Damiya take these four fruits and give them to your youngest wife. This "Amra Leela" will grant children. As directed by Baba, Damu Anna gave those fruits to his youngest wife. In course of time, she delivered. Altogether four daughters and four sons were born to Damu Anna as predicted by Baba. Sairam, Saisaran.

How Mirikar was forewarned by Baba?

Saibaba's ways are very peculiar and none can gauge his words or warnings. Once Shri Mirikar came to the Masjid to take Dharsan of Baba before leaving for some official tour to Chitali. Baba gave him Dharsan and gave him permission. While doing so, he asked Mirikar, "Do you know lamba bhava? He is very cruel. But what harm it will do to the children of Dwarakamai and Baba made some signs with his hand and palm that resembles a snake. Baba asked Mirikar to take Shama alongwith him. But when Shama asked Mirikar whether he would accompany him, Mirikar said that it would be inconvenient to him. Shama went to Baba and told him, Mirikar's views. Baba said, O.K., we have to tell people good things, If they don't listen, what we can do. Things will happen as destained. After contemplating a while, Mirikar changed his mind and consented to take Shama with him to Chitali. Shama again went to Baba and obtained his permission to leave for Chitali. Then both of them proceeded to Chitali in a tonga. When they reached there, the officials have not yet turned up. Hence they were sitting in the Maruti temple, reading newspaper. Mirikar's upper cloth was near his waist and one snake was silently lying on one portion of the cloth. Some peon noticed the snake and started shouting as Snake! Then Mirikar moved away without causing disturbance. The snake was immediately killed by the peon and others. Thus Baba saved Mirikar from an impending danger which he foresaw and warned him ahead. This is the way of Saibaba. Sairam, Saisaran.

Sai Sath Charita parayan.

Shri Hemadpant(Govinda Ragunath Dabolkar) has explained in his book "Sai Sath charita", his incompetability to write a book on Saibaba. He laments that he is not able to understand the mind of his friend nor he is able to understand his own mind. How he can attempt to write about the 'inscrutable Sai". One must be a jnani to write about a jnani. But he is an ordinary house holder with medium capacity. However, he adds that "Baba's grance alone can make his attempt to succeed. Hence, he requested another devotee to intercede on his behalf to get the permission from "Sai". The request was made to Baba when Hemadpant was present. Baba atonce approved the plan. He said, "let him keep notes of the events. "I have to myself write the Satcharita through him. Let him be devoid of 'ego or ahamkar and consider himself as my instrument. Let him not try to emphasize his own views. Let him avoid all arguements and remain humble. Then I will enter him and get it written through him. Now we all know and read the beautiful Sat Charita which is being read in thousands of households as a "Parayana"(daily reading). It is published in many languages. Those who read it dutifully daily atleast one chapter will realize the aim of life.-Baba. Sairam, Saisaran.

How Baba cured Beemaji Patel of TB?

One Beemaji Patel from Junnar Taluk, Narayangao village was suffering due to various ailments and he developed Tuberculosis. There was no end to his sufferings. Desparately he was searching for Divine help. Fortunately, he was guided to Baba. Initially, Baba was not willing to interfere in the karma of Beemaji. But Beemaji cried out loudly and held Baba's feet. Baba softened and told him, "Do not cry! your sufferings will come to an end. By uttering these words, Beemaji found great relief. Actually he was vomitting blood every five minutes. But after Baba's assurance, he was relileved to a great extent. Baba asked him to stay in the house of Bheembai. Though it was not a hygenic place, yet Beemaji obeyed the instructions. During his stay there, he dreamt two horrible dreams. In one dream, his school teacher was thrashing him with a cane for not memorizing some poem. In the second dream, one huge stone was pressed against his chest up and down. He underwent great pain during the dream itself. By these two dreams, he was completely cured! As a mark of thanksgiving, Beemaji started observing, "Sai Satya Vrata Puja" instead of Satya Narayana Puja!. Sairam, Saisaran.