Dasganu and Isavasya Upanishad.

Dasganu spread the name of Saibaba by his beautiful discourses. He had a rare efficiency to write Marathi poetry. He tried his hands to translate one of the smallest Upanishad yet very profound one, "Isavasya Upanishad". It contained only 18 stanzas but covered the most profound and philosophical subject of "Imminence of God in the creation". The very first stanza depicts that "All this is God"-"Isawasyam Idam Sarvam". The essence of this Upanishad teaches that everything is permeated by God and one should be content with what God has blessed him with. We should not hanker for the possession of others. Dasganu attempted to bring the content of Isavasya in Marathi 'Ovi" verses. Though he translated the Upanishad, he was not satisfied with the outcome. Hence, he thought of consulting Saibaba to solve the riddle. Baba told him, "Do not worry, the servant maid of Kaka Saheb in Villeparle will show you the way. People who assembled in the Masjid thought that Baba is cutting jokes. But Dasganu knew that Baba's words contain real Truth. Hence, he proceeded to Villeparle, a suburb of present Mumbai and he was taking rest at the house of Kaka. Suddenly he heard a melodious and beautiful song from the lips of a servantmaid. She was singing about the colour and design of a beautiful sari. In fact, the girl was wearing torn cloths on her body but had an exuberant mood. Hence when he was presented with a pair of new cloths, he requested the host to provide the servant girl, a beautiful half sari and as per the wish of Dasganu, the servant maid got a beautiful half sari. She wore it on the next day, danced her way, played with the girls in the locality and won the games. The next day, she kept the sari in her house and wore a torn cloth on her body and was attending to her cores. She was as happy as she wore a new dress and bubbling with joy. Dasganu found that happiness and sorrow depend on the condition of the mind and not on external things. Thus he was shown the rear truth by the servant maid in practical terms. This is one of a rare miracle by Baba. Saisaran, Sairam.

How Baba taught a lesson to Hemadpant?

Once Baba asked Hemadpant to go to Shama and fetch him Rs.15/- as Dakshina and sit with him for a while and chit chat with him. It so happened that Hemadpant was pressing the feet of Baba and one devotee who was blessed by Baba within seven days of reaching Shirdi was present. Hemadpant was staying in Shirdi from 1910. He had a perturbing thought. The new devotee was blessed by Baba within seven days of his arrival whereas his long stay (1910-1917) didn't fetch him the grace of Baba. As Baba is aware of the innermost thoughts of his devotees, he asked Hemadpant to go to Shama and chitchat with him and come back. Thus Hemadpant was in Shama's house. Shama was astonished at the arrival of Hemadpant. He asked him, "How you are here at this hour? It seems you are coming from the Masjid, "What is the matter?. Hemadpant patiently explained him, that Baba has directed him to Shama to fetch Rs.15/- as Dakshina as well as to sit and chitchat with you. Then Shama told him, Please ease yourself and i will be back. He gave him a panvada for eating. When Hemadpant sat on the front side verandah, he found Jnaneswari, a holy book for parayan. In fact, Hemadpant was in the habit of reading this holy book daily. On the particular day, he could not complete the parayan. Hence he opened the book. Mysteriously, the unread portion came to his view and he finished reading it. He thought that Baba sent him to Shama to complete the Parayan. Meanwhile Shama returned and enquired Hemadpant the purpose. The later told him, "Let us talk about the leelas of Baba. Shama told him, i am an illeterate riot whereas you are an educated man. You are here for the past so many years and watching the leelas of Sai. However, one incident comes to my memory. There was one illeterate old woman named "Radhabai". She was the mother of Kasaba Deshmuk. She came to Shirdi alongwith the people of Sangamner. She loved Baba and attached to Him. She inwardly prayed for some holy sacred mantra diretly for recitation from Baba. She went to her staying place and abstained from food and water for three days thinking that she should eat only after getting her wish fulfilled. Shama interwined on her behalf and begged Baba, that she should be blessed with mantra otherwise people will blame Baba that she perished since Baba has not granted her genuine desire. Baba called her to His presence and pleaded, "Oh mother! why do you subject yourself to this ordeal? My guru never blown any mantra on my ear. He was compassionate and incarnation of Love. He looked after me lovingly. He shaved my head and asked two pieces of copper coins. Ofcourse my Guru is not after money. What he wanted is "Faith and Patience". Thus I served him for twelve long years. He never gave me any sacred formula for repeating. His love is like that of a tortoise which looks after the baby tortoises by its look. It never feeds the babies nor give warmth by its presence. Thus the baby tortoises are cared by the mere look of the mother. Thus My Guru showered his grace and love to me through His gracious glance. Hence do not crave for any mantra from me. The story impressed Hemadpant very much and he found that his mind could get peace by hearing the beautiful story of the old lady and thus he was blessed by Baba in a timely manner. Saisaran, Sairam.

The Miser and Brahma jnana.

Is it easy to acquire "Brahma Jnana"? The following episode of Saicharita gives a fine example. A rich man who possessed every thing and who lacked nothing materially somehow developed a desire to get "Brahma jnana". But his close friend chided him for this attempt. His friend told him, "You are too much concerned with the worldly riches, wife, children and comforts. How can you seek the greatest gift of "Brahma Jnana" When you think twice to help the poor, how can you aspire for Brahma Jnana? Unconcerned with the comments of his friend, this rich man engaged a tonga(horse cart) for the up and down journey. Thus, he came to the immediate presence of Saibaba and pleaded, "Baba! People say that you can grant "Brahma jnana" to those who are eager. I have come from a long distance. I have every thing, a man can desire. If only I get this gift, i will consider myself as fortunate. Baba told the miser, Oh man! I consider this moment as very fortunate. None comes to me for Brahma Jnana. Everybody pester me for mundane things. Hence, it is an unique opportunity. Sit here calmly and i will explain to you the entire gamut of "Brhama jnana". Thus Baba made him to sit for sometime and meanwhile Baba called a boy and asked him to procure a hand loan of Rs.5/- from Nandu Marwadi. The boy returned saying that Nandu was not there. He was sent to Bala groacer with the same results. This was repeated by Baba two or more times. The miser was sitting all the while noticing this drama. He was anxious to get the Brahma jnana and hence he pestered Baba saying, "Show me this Jnana early so that i can return satisfied". Baba told him, Oh Man! Don't you notice all the happenings here. This miser could have easily lent Baba Rs.5/- which is a very small amount. He was unable to decide even this. But he was asking Baba for Brahma jnana. Baba repeated, "It is not easy to get Brahma jnana for a miser like you". You have to sacrifice your all for the sake of Brahma jnana. You have to sacrifice the instruments of action and the senses. You have to sacrifice your mind. You have to sacrifice your possessiveness and wealth. Then only you become qualified for this knowledge. Remove from your pocket the value of fifty times five. The miser was astonished at the exact amount he was keeping in his pocket. He removed the currency notes and it was exactly Rs.250/-. You role your notes and keep it. If you are reluctant to spare even Rs.5/- how you can desire for the great knowledge? Thus the miser and all those who assembled in the mosque become wiser by Baba's teachings on that day. Saisaran, Sairam.

Baba's peculiar ways of curing the devotees.

How Saibaba cured the diseases of many of his devotees is legend. His treatment is also very peculiar and differ from normal treatment. To a man who was suffering from ailment of eye, Baba prescribed "peepa paste"(this is used for making marks in the cloths by washer man for identification. The paste was introduced in the eye of the suffering man and a bandage was tied. Next day, water was poured copiously over the eye and the eye became clean and the man was cured completely. Normally none will use 'peepa' for eye ailment. When Shama was suffering from piles complaint, Baba prescribed him juice from the senna pods. This cured Shama. After some time, Shama suffered from piles once again. Without consulting Baba, he took the same medicine prescribed earlier but the disease was aggrevated. Shama approached Baba who cured him by His grace. One Alandi Swami was suffering from severe ear ache. He was operated upon but his ear ache did not subside. Hence he came to the mosque and had Dharsan of Saibaba. Baba touched his ear and said, Allah Acha Karega. After taking Dharsan and Udhi, the Swami returned to Bombay. He consulted a Doctor who examined him and said, there is no need for any further operation. In few days, he was completly cured as foretold by Baba. Saisaran, Sairam.

Merits of reading Sai Sat charita.

Sai Satcharita has been written for daily reading. It is like reading other holy books and the efficacy of reading it daily has been explained in the Satcharita. Those who read the entire book in a week sitting in the Dwarakamai Masjid gets immense spiritual benefits. All the genuine desires of the devotees are fulfilled by Baba. In addition to temporal benefits, it purifies our soul of blemishes like "Vishnu Sahasranama". Hence, those who are intent upon their spiritual welfare should do daily reading of Satcharita. May Lord Sai bless all, who read the Divine history with faith and Love. Saisaran, Sairam.

Baba's instructions must be followed in toto.

Those people who listened to Baba's instructions while leaving Shirdi, were always safe. Those who have not followed his instructions, suffered many difficulties en route. Tatya Patil once wanted to leave Shirdi for market in a tonga driven by new horse. He went to the mosque to get the permission of Baba before leaving for the market. Baba said, "Don't go now! Atleast take Shama with you. As Tatya was in a hurry, he went to the market without listening to Baba's warning. As one of the horse was new, it got freightened on seeing a bicycle on the way and it ran fast, and it fell down toppling the cart. Fortunately Tatya was not hurt much. He remembered Baba's warning. Likewise one European gentleman, who wanted to enter into the masjid and kiss Baba's hand was prevented from entering by Baba. He was not happy with the treatment meted out to him. He wanted to leave Shirdi. He asked Baba's permission. Baba said, "Do not go to day". But the gentleman left without following Baba's warning. Initially, the horses were running normally. But near the Savulviheer well, a cyclist passed by. Excited by this, the horses ran very fast, stumbled upon a stone which tilted the cart. The European was thrown out and dragged for a few distance and he sustained bruises. He was admitted to Kopergaon hospital and he had to stay there for few days for the cure. Thus those who listened to Baba were safe. We must follow Baba's dictum. Saisarn, Sairam.

Tatya, Bayaji Bai and Baba.

Tatya Kote Patil received abundant love from Shirdi Baba. Tatya called Baba as 'Mama'. Bayaji ma treated Baba as her own close relative. She was eager to feed Baba as if a mother feeds her child. The crazy fakir used to wander deep inside the jungle. Bayaji Ma used to wander miles together to search out for the mad fakir. It is not the end. Baba used to be seated on some rock deeply absorbed in his own Self. He will be oblivious of Bayaji ma's presence. She never gave up. She used to spread the leaf before him who is sitting like a statue. She force fed Baba with the chappathi, vegetable etc. Baba remembered her great service and hence he showered his full blessings on Tatya. He allowed Tatya and Mahlsapathi to stay in the mosque in the night. They will be discussing many items till midnight. But poor Tatya and Mahlsapathi could not resist sleeping and they used to doze off in the middle. Baba will hit them, shake them until they wake up. These sweet ordeals lasted for many years. When Tatya's father passed away, Baba allowed Tatya to stay in his house. It is an open secret, Baba gave his life to save Tatya when he was laid up with fever during the Vijayadasami day in 1918. Two years back, Baba told Ramachandra Patil, "Tatya will pass away during Dusserah two years hence. As per Baba's prediction came true. Tatya was laid up with fever for many days before Vijayadasami. He had feeble pulse on that day. People thought that he will pass away. But a transformation took place. Baba passed away on Vijayadasami day and Tatya become alright. Thus Tatya was taken care fully by Baba. Saisaran, Sairam.