Baba cautions many devotees while leaving.

Those who followed Baba's instructions while leaving Shirdi were safe and secure. Those who have acted contrary to His instructions, suffered many troubles. One European gentleman came to Shirdi. He wanted to enter the Masjid to kiss the hands of Baba. But Baba has not allowed him to climb up. He was asked to take Dharsan sitting below. He was not happy to the treatment meted out to him. Hence, he wanted to go out from Shirdi. He sought the permission of Baba for leaving. Baba told him, 'not to go on that day and he can leave the next day. Without heeding Baba's words, the European left Shirdi in a tonga. Initially, the horses behaved normally. But near the "Sahulveer well", one of the horse was excited and started running erratically. The tonga fell upside down and the European gentleman was dragged along with the tonga to a small distance. He suffered many bruises and he had to undergo treatment in Kopergaon hospital. Tatya kote Patil too disregarded twice Baba's words of caution. He too met with some mishap but fortunately he escaped unhurt. Hence, we must abide Sai's words implicitly to escape troubles unknown. Sairam.

Baba's initial coming to Shirdi and Janakidas.

Before Baba came to Shirdi, a saintly person Janakidas lived there. He was desire less and a dispassionate soul. Baba liked his association and spent much time in his company. Saintly persons used to visit Shirdi and has expressed the grandeur and greatness of Baba. One such saint has said, "Shirdi has got a valuable gem". Baba, though looking like a unassumed fakir, He is really a Diamond and you people of Shirdi are not aware of His greatness. Baba came to Shirdi when he was 16 years of age. He never showed his greatness to any. He was always staying under a neem tree and never bothered about heat or cold. He never talked with any. Only when he is asked, he used to reply. Afterwards, he disappeared from Shirdi and came again along with a marriage party. From that time, he started staying there permanantly. Sairam.

Baba and a devout boy.

There was a boy who was firmly devoted to Saibaba and believed that Baba is verily God. One day he came to the presence of Baba and started massaging the feet of Baba. Baba wanted to tease the boy. Baba said, 'i am an ordinary fakir, why people come and pastor me? The boy said, Baba! you are our God. Baba said, "people have become crazy". While the conversation was on, a devotee came from a distant place and thanked Baba from saving their child from peril. Baba said, "Yes, I hold my children with four hands and save them from peril. Immediately the boy who was massaging retorted, Baba! just now you told us that you are an ordinary fakir. Now you assert that you have saved the child with four arms. You are verily God! Baba was happy with the faith and steadfastness of the boy and blessed him profusely. Sairam.

Important dates in Baba's life.

Some important dates in the life of Saibaba as told by Bagawan Sri Sathya sai Baba on 28 Sep'90. Saibaba was born in Badri in Nizam state on 28 Sep 1935. His mother is Devagiriamma, and father Ganga bavadia. He was the third child and born as the result of boon granted by Shiva to the mother Devagiriamma. Shiva said, he will himself take birth to her as the third son. Baba was born under a tree and the mother has left him there covering him with a saree piece and leaves. Shortly afterwards a sufi, who have no children found the baby and gave it to his wife for rearing. Baba was with the Sufi family from 1835 to 1839. After the sufi's passing away, unable to maintain Baba, he was handed over to one Saintly person "Venkusa". He stayed there for 12 years from 1839 to 1851. Afterwards he left for Shirdi and other places. Finally along with Chand bai patel, he came back to Shirdi along with a marriage party and stayed back in Shirdi from 1853 to 1918.Sairam.

Baba is aware of everything.

Shirdi Baba used to take bath once in a while. He used to sit over a stone and it will take more than an hour for him to take bath. One boy was intent to do some service to Baba. Baba called the boy and told him to do a small help for which the boy readily agreed. Baba told him that he will hand over the kafni he wore for wash, The boy should wash it and hold it for drying without touching the ground. Then Baba went inside. The boy was waiting for a long time outside. At last Baba handed him his Kafni and told him to wash it neatly and hold it for drying without touching the ground. The boy dutifully washed the kafni and rinsed in water and held it for drying in the sun without touching the ground. After some time, the kafni started weighing a lot. The boy bore the weight for some time after which he was unable to bear the weight. He started praying Maruti(Anjaneya) to give him strength to bear the kafni. Afterwards, it became weightless. Baba called the boy from inside and asked him"why you are praying to Anjaneya? Since Baba was Antaryami, he was aware of what is going on outside and what everybody thinks within. The boy was astonished at the query of Baba since he was praying silently. Sairam.

Balaram Durandare

Balaram Dhurandar was a simple and pious spiritual minded person. His brothers visited Shirdi and narrated the beautiful experience to Balaram. Impressed with their narration, Balaram along with his brothers started for Shirdi. In the Masjid, Baba was telling to the gathered devotees, many of my Durbar's people are coming to day. After a while, Dhurandar brothers reached Masjid. Baba told all, "these are my people who are with me for the past 60 generations". After hearing Baba's words and seeing him in person, Dhurandar got elevated feelings and he got goose bump and his eyes started shedding tears. Whenever he got chance, he used to visit Shirdi. On the day of visit, Baba was smoking "Chilm". After taking a puff or two, Baba gave it to Balaram, who with great difficulty took one or two puff from the hookah and gave it back reverentially to Baba. Immediately, he was cured of his Asthma which was troubling him for several years. After several years, when Baba took Mahasamadhi, Dhurandar got the attack again. Baba's ways are unique and known only to Him. Sairam.

Baba and a sanyasi Swami.

Kaka Saheb's brother "Bayaji" while on a pilgrimage met a Swami. Both of them noted the address of others in their diary. After 5 years, the Swami visited Bayaji's house and came to know about Saibaba. He went to Shirdi along with some others. From a distance, he saw flags flying. This made him to construe that Baba is after fame. He wanted to retrace his steps. But those who accompanied him forced him to go forward. They said, you are worried about the 'flags'. If you know that there are more paraphernalia, what will you think? The Swami decided to return since he was aware of many saintly persons who keep such external things. He thought that the pomp wont match well with real sanyasis. Then the other devotees told him to stop judging Baba in a similar manner. Baba really never cares for all these pomp. He maintains his simplicity and humbleness and you will be benefited by going to him. Thus he was forced to get into the Masjid to take Dharsan of Baba. Baba shouted at him "why you have come to see me who keeps the flags and other things. Is it an indication of Sanyasi? The Swami was bewildered to understand how Baba knew his innermost thoughts even before he saw me. Hence, he stayed with Baba and remained in Shirdi. Sairam.