Cast all your burdens on me and I shall surely bear it!

What is the relationship between devotee and Saibaba. Apparantly indifferent to the outer circumstances and events, Baba takes care of his devotees as the eye lid protect the eyes. Hence, once the devotee comes into the fold of Baba, he need not fear about anything. As mortals we are, we can not delve into the future and know what is in store for us. But He is aware of the dangers that lurk in the ways of his devotees and wards of the troubles in time. Hence Baba has proclaimed that "Whoever puts his feet in Shirdi soil, his sufferings would come to an end. The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of my mosque. My mortal remains would speak from the Tomb. Why Fear, when I am Here. Cast all your burdens on me and I am sure to bear it. The assurances are valid for ever. Sairam, Saisaran.

Baba teases Dada Kelkar.

Dada saheb Kelkar was an orthodox brahmin but he had deep faith in Saibaba. Once Baba baded him to go to Korala to purchase meat. When he started for the errand, Baba told him not to go but to send somebody else. Hence he sent his servant Pandu. But Baba cancelled that also. It is only to test Dada Saheb, Baba acted in this way. On another day when Dada Kelkar was present, Baba was preparing "Pulav", a meat preparation in the hundi. Baba asked Dada Kelkar, "Is the salt is enough in the Pulav"? Without seeing, Dada said it is OK. Baba told him, you have not seen the preparation nor you have tasted it. Without worrying about your orthodox ways, put your hand and take a drop or two and put it in your food". Here actually Baba was again testing his devotee. Actually saints and sadhus won't allow their devotees to taste forbidden food. Some others used to pinch the baby and when it cries, they will embrace it. Likewise Baba wanted to tease Dada outwardly but prevented him from acting upon his words. Saicharan, Sairam.

Baba's Chavadi Procession.

Saibaba slept one day in Masjid or Dwarakamai and on the next day he used to sleep in the "Chavadi", a two roomed place nearer to the Masjid. When the time for proceeding to the Chavadi begins, people gathered there in the Masjid, performed keertans and Bhajans, lights were lit and many accompaniments to the Bhajans were made ready like the Tal,Tashe and harmonium etc. When every thing is ready and in place, Tatya used to call Baba, he will lift Baba by the armpit. Baba used to extinguish the light and remove the firewood from the fire place. Then he will put his joli on his shoulder, take the hookah with him along with a small bamboo stick which he used to carry wherever he goes. Beldars standing on the enterance of Masjid, shout loudly "Saibaba ki Jai". On the route, colourful cloths were spread for Baba to walk. Mahlsapathi used to hold one hand and Tatya, the other hand of Baba. Baba used to move very slowly. As he reaches the junction point, he will make some unusual jestures with his hand by moving it up and down listening to the music and drums. Sometimes, Mahlsapathy used to get into a trance and move and dance in a peculiar manner. Baba is never affected by all these. He will stand facing the North. His body and face had a peculiar glow. Those who witnessed the Chavadi procession are very lucky. Those days are gone and will never come again. After entering the Chavadi, Baba was seated in his gadi, with cushion seatings etc. Then Jog performs the Arati with all pomp and parapernalia. Slowly all take Dharsan and take his permission to leave to their houses. Tatya gives Baba scents and perfumes. Baba used to be garlanded and decorated with colourful beads etc. He is unconcerned with all this. He used to tell Tatya, Come when you are free and enquire about my welfare. Take care of me. Then Tatya bows to Baba and departs to his home. Baba used to lay sixty of seventy white towels one over the other and after preparing his beddings thus, he used to lay. Let the devotees remember about the Chavadi procession and his resting in the Chavadi, before going to sleep. Sairam, Saisaran.

How Baba blessed Mrs Ambedkar who was issuless?

There was one Mrs. Aurangabadgar, who had no issues for 25 years. She prayed several forms of god and goddess but she could not get her wish satisfied. Ultimately she came to the presence of Saibaba alongwith her sister's son Viswanath. Daily they visited the Masjid, but however she could not get a private audience with Baba. She approached Shama for intervention on her behalf. Shama told her that Baba's Durbar is open but she has to bade her time. One day when Baba finished his supper, Shama dried the hands of Baba with a towel. Baba pinched the cheek of Shama. Shama used to often argue with Baba. This time he said, "Baba why you are pinching me? Baba told him, Oh Shama I am with you for the past 72 janmas. You are finding fault for simply pinching you. Shama told Baba, "Oh Deva we want you to give us kisses and blessings" Baba told him, I have come preciously for that purpose. While they were talking in this tone, Shama signalled Mrs. Aurangabadgar to come up. The lady came to Baba and presented coconut and agarbathis. Baba shaked the coconut and there was a moving sound. Baba said, Oh Shama! what this coconut tells? Shama said, Baba this lady wants that a child should develop in her womb likewise. Baba told Shama, "How people are mad. How a coconut will give her child?. Shama pleaded, Baba, i know the efficacy of your blessings. Give her the coconut with your blessings. This will give her a string of babies. Finally Baba blessed Mrs Aurangabadkar that within a year you will have a baby. The coconut was broken and one half was handed over to the lady and the other half was eaten by Baba and Shama. Shama told the lady, "Amma you mark the words of Baba, If it do not come true, i will break a coconut on Baba's head and drive him away from the Masjid, Otherwise i will not call my name as Shama!. Exactly within a year, the lady delivered a baby and the parents came to the presence of Baba and an amount of Rs.500/- was presented by the father which was utilised for constructing a stable for the horse, "Shyamakarna". Saisaran, Sairam.

How Baba's Udhi cured many diseases?

There were number of instances where the efficacy of Udhi has been highlighted in Sai Satcharitra. A old man was suffering from kidney stones and the Doctors advised him surgery. As he was very old and keeping indifferent health, he could not convince himself to undergo the surgery. However, the inamdar of the town who was always keeping stock of Saibaba's Udhi happened to come there. He gave Udhi to the son for administering with water to his father. Accordingly, the Udhi was given and within few moments the stone came out of Urine mysteriously. An Iranian gentleman's daughter was suffering from eplipsy. She used to get fits more often and hence her limbs become underdeveloped and she was weak. She was brought to Saibaba. Baba blessed the girl with Udhi. She used to get frequent fits. After Baba's blessings, she got fits once in 7 hours instead of every hour. In a few days, by applying the Udhi and taking it in, she was cured completely. Saisaran, Sairam.

How Minatai was saved by Baba.

The efficacy of Baba's Udhi is well illustrated in the episode of Nana Saheb Chandorkar's daughter Minatai's crucial delivery time. Nana saheb was in Jamner at that time. His daughter Minatai developed labor pains. For two days she was suffering from severe pain without any relief. Nana tried many remedies and at last he remembered Saibaba and prayed to him earnestly. At that time Baba was seated in Dwarakamai and he called one devotee who was about to depart to his native which is beyond Jalagam. Baba told him to go to Jamner and hand over the Udhi to Nanasaheb and a copy of Arati song was also given along with that. The man pleaded, "Baba i am having money for journey upto Jalgaom. How i can go to Jamner which is far away? Baba said, "Allah will provide". After taking the Udhi, Arati song and Baba's permission, the devotee left for Jalgam. He was hardly having any money for his further journey to Jamner. He was in a perplexed situation. Suddenly he heard a voice calling his name. He was astonished to find a Peon with turban, who told him that he is coming from Nanasaheb. He has sent the tonga for the journey. Gaining confidence, he ascended the tonga and they reached the outskirts of Jamner. The peon asked him to partake some food which was sent by Nana saheb. After eating they reached Jamner. The peon halted the cart to ease himself. The devotee also went out to ease himself. On return he found that there was no cart or peon. He grew anxious and went near a taluk office where some one guided him to the house of Nanasaheb. At that time, the condition of Minatai grew worse. The devotee handed over the Udhi from Baba to Nanasaheb with a copy of Arti. Nana become calm and asked his wife to give the udhi mixed with water to their daughter. Arati song was recited. Instantly a baby was born and everybody were happy. This is the nature of Saibaba. He anticipates the problems of his devotees and assuages them in time. Saisaran, Sairam.

Saibaba's instructions to Mrs.Gokale.

Saibaba never advocates vows like abstaining from food. There was one devotee named Mrs.Gokale. She came to Shirdi and went to the Masjid along with Dada Kelkar. Saibaba told the devotees that he won't allow people to remain hungry due to vows. He asked Mrs Gokale to go to Kelkar's house and prepare "Poorna Poli", a sweet preparation using bison, jaggery etc. Accordingly, she went to Kelkar's house. She found that Mrs Kelkar was out of doors and there was none to prepare food for the children and family. Hence, she started preparing "Poorna Polis" and served them to the children and Mrs Kelkar and she also partook the same. Everybody were astonished at the timely instruction of Saibaba in helping Kelkar's family. Saisaran, Sairam.