The inadequacy of the writer and the grace of Baba.

To write about a great saint, one should become a saint first. Then only he can write. But drowned in worldliness, how we can attempt to write about Avatar Sai? Hemadpant, the author of Sai Sath Charita too had similar doubts. Hence, he fervently prayed to Baba to grant him wisdom and to hold his pen and write his story himself. Baba has told, 'he should remove his ego and place himself at my feet. I will myself write it through him. I too pray Baba to give me the courage and confidence to dwell on Him and narrate the incidents, i have read from books on Sayin Maharaj. I have to remember both B.V.Narasimhaswamy, the founder president of "All India Sai Samaj" as well as Hemadpant for his brilliant narration in Sai Sath Charita. But for these, i would be a fool to know and write about Sai. When Baba, as a boy was under the guidance of his guru Venkusa, many co students got jealous of Baba since he was treated as a special disciple by Shri Venkusa. The fact is, Venkusa realised the true love and faith of Baba as he could easily gauge any body at the first instance itself. Though other students studied under Venkusa, they could not gain much. Baba with his one pointed devotion and love absorbed the full wisdom of Wisdom of His Guru. When other disciples grew so much jealous, one day they wanted to punish Baba. When the Guru and Baba were alone, from a distance they hurled a brick bat aiming at Sai. But the Guru intertwined and got the hit on his head. Finding the bleeding, Baba was remorse. He tended the Guru, who bade him to go in the western direction. Thus Baba came to Shirdi in the course of his wanderings but has chosen to stay in Shirdi for the guidance of Sadhus and Sadhaka, and also the house holder devotees etc. All gained benefits from the Dharsan and contact with Baba and his "Udhi", the holy ash from the fire place which was burning perpetually. Sairam.

Nana saheb Chandorkar, was a high ranking officer in Revenue department. He got to know about Saibaba through one of his subordinate officer. Curious to take Dharsan of such great saint, Nana came to Shirdi and witnessed all that happens in the masjid. He was impressed in the Divine Sai. Whenever he gets time, he used to visit Shirdi. Once Nana went on a pilgrimage to a hill temple. It was very sultry. Nana was feelings very much thirsty. He thought, 'had Baba been here, he would have provided me with water. Instantaneously, a bill(tribes man who resides in the jungle) came near Nana and told him, that there is water below the stone where he was resting. When the stone was lifted, Nana could see water. It was just enough to quench his thirst. Actually when Nana was frantic for water, Baba sitting in the masjid started sounding in a very particular way keeping his closed hands near the mouth and blowing. Every body there were wondering what is the matter. Baba told them, Nana is dying for want of water. At the same time, in the hill, the bill was seen by Nana and he could get water mysteriously. Devotees may conclude that Baba was not restricted to three and half cubit of body. He was pervading far and wide and hence he could immediately assuage the thirst of Nana in the form of Bill. Sairam.

How Baba directed his devotees.

Every third day Baba used to go to a distant well for washing and bathing. At those times, he used to vomit his intestines out and washing them, used to dry it on the trees. Some times he used to separate all his limbs from the body and throw it in different directions. One European gentleman who wanted to see Baba, went to the Masjid. He was frightened by the scene there. . Baba's limbs were scattered in different directions. He thought that somebody has massacred Baba. Thinking like that he rushed back to his dwelling. In the evening he went to the Masjid again and found Baba hale and healthy. He thought that it was his illusion or he was dreaming the previous sequences. It can be seen Baba was an adept in Yoga Sastra. Many a time Baba used to give certain directions to his devotees. If they adhere to his words, they were safe. Those who didn't hear his words suffered many troubles. One day Tatya kote Patil went to Baba and sought his permission to go out. Baba told him not to go. You can go later he said. Without listening to Baba's warning, Tatya ascended the horse cart. One of the horse was new. When he was riding near 'Savalkeni", a cycle came in front. The horse got frightenedTatya fell down but escaped with minor bruises. One European gentleman wanted to take Dharsan tried to enter into the Masjid. Baba forbade him from doing so. Unhappy at the treatment, he wanted to return back to his place. Baba told him not to go on that day. The gentleman without heeding the advise of Baba, caught a cart. The horses were restless. As they approached Savalkeni, the horses got much frightened and ran fast. They tumbled along with the cart. The European fell down and dragged for some distance and hence he had to spend some time in Hospital at Kopergaon. Hence it was very clear, that those who listened to Baba were happy whereas those who disregarded his directions suffered miseries. Sairam.

Baba lights the lamps with Water.

Baba used to get oil for lighting the lamps in the mosque from the oil vendors. One day, the oil vendors planned a strategy and said that there is no oil stock with them. When all the vendors replied in the same vain, Baba returned to the Masjid, unperturbed. He drank a little bit of oil that is left in his tin, poured water in all the oil lamps and lit them. The shop keepers who wanted to see the plight of Baba in dark, were watching the proceedings secretly. When Baba struck the match stick, the wicks were started glowing in the light flame and continued to glow. All the traders were wonder struck at the astonishing happening. With mere water, Baba was able to light the lamps in the masjid. All the traders came to the presence of Baba and begged his forgiveness for not supplying him oil. Baba told them to be more truthful in future. Sairam.

Baba's Hundi(vessel for preparing food)

Saibaba used to feed the devotees. He will himself go for purchasing necessary wheat flour, sugar or jaggery, oil and other condiments, salt etc. He has got two 'hundies'. One is for preparing food for 100 people and the other one is for 50 people. He will prepare 'sweet puddings' or other tasty savory preparations. Some times he used to prepare non veg items to cater to the needs of those who are accustomed to the food. The pertinent point is, he never allows the people who eat vegetarian dishes to touch non-veg items. He will pour sufficient water in the containers and place it on the hearth. When the puddings are nearing boiling point, he will thrust his own hand in the hot food and role it from side to side. People who noticed this with astonishment found that Baba was always calm and he never exhibited any fear etc.After preparing the food, he will ask the moulvis to offer the food to god and start distributing or serving the food lovingly. He will himself serve the food to all those who gathered there and ensure that every body is fully satisfied. His love for the people is boundless. Those who got the food served by Baba were really 'lucky and fortunate". Sairam.

How we can attempt to write about the holy Sainath?

Many attempted write about the glory of Shirdi Sainath. They could achieve what they aimed due to the grace of Baba alone. When the author of Sai sat charita, Govinda Ragunath Dabolkar, attempted to write about Sai, he first sought the Divine Blessings from Saibaba. His friend intervened on behalf of him and requested Baba, "Hemadpant"(nick name of GR Dabolkar given by Sainath himself) wants to write about you and you should bless this venture. Do not say that you are an ordinary fakir". Only if you bless him, he can undertake this job. Baba blessing Hemadpant, placed his benign hand on the head of Hemadpant, said, "Let him keep notes of the happenings here" I will myself write the life story through him. Let him not try to convince his points alone. He should avoid the company of "atheists" and let his ego be completely subdued. Then i will enable him to write my story". Thus Sainath enabled Dabolkar to write the beautiful "Sai Sat Charita". Though i am not as worthy as Hemadpant, still i seek Sai's blessings in writing the grand story of Sainath as i have perceived through various sources. May Shri Baba illumine my intelligence as well as my fingers in typing. Sairam.

How Shirdi got prominence?

How Shirdi got into prominence world wide? Shirdi became holy due to Saibaba. The people of Shirdi were very lucky to have the Dharsan of Sai, day in and day out. They served Baba in many ways. Since Baba used to come out of Masjid and go around the village for various errands like taking alms, sleeping in "Chavadi", a two room abode very near to Dwaraka Mai or the Mosque where Baba usually resides. People cleaned the road daily for Baba to walk, they decorated the mosque and chavadi in a routine manner.Slowly many people of authority started coming to Shirdi hearing about the greatness of Baba. Shri Gopal Rao Gundu was a Circle Inspector. He had 3 wives with no issues. After visiting Shirdi, he got a child. To celebrate the occasion, he got made, one flag to be hoisted in the mosque. Hearing this many people who had no issue, started coming to Shirdi. Baba fulfilled their wishes by blessing them with progeny. Many got their ailments removed. There was a case of 'ecliptic boy' who was cured by the "Udhi"(ash retrieved from the Dhuni in the mosque which was burning perpetually).Thus Baba was compassionate for all those who came to the mosque to take his Dharsan). Sairam.