Chapter IX — Effect of Compliance with Baba's Orders; Mendicancy; the Tarkhad Family's Experiences

Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, trans. Gunaji
Marathi original: Sai Satcharita (archive.org scan) · Devotee testimonies: Narasimha Swami 1936 (Internet Archive) · Full bibliography: /sources.html

URL: https://www.saibaba.org/satcharitra/sai9.html

Sections

Compliance with Baba's Orders on Departure

A peculiarity of pilgrimage to Shirdi was that no one could leave without Baba's permission. Those who disobeyed his instructions on the time and manner of departure met with accidents.

Tatya Kote Patil. Once, in haste, Tatya Kote came to bid Baba goodbye in a tanga bound for Kopargaon bazaar. Baba said: "Don't make haste, stop a little, let go the bazaar, don't go out of the village." On seeing his anxiety, Baba added that he should at least take Shama with him. Tatya ignored both directions and drove off. One of his two horses (a Rs. 300 active animal) sprained its waist past Sawul well and fell. Tatya was reminded of Baba's words. A second similar accident occurred when he disregarded Baba's direction on the way to Kolhar.

A European Gentleman. A European gentleman from Bombay arrived with a note of introduction from Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He tried thrice to step into the Masjid to kneel and kiss Baba's hand; Baba prevented him each time and asked him to take darshan from the open court-yard. Displeased, he came to take leave. Baba said: "Go tomorrow, do not hurry." The gentleman did not listen and left in a tanga. Past Sawul well a bicycle came in front; the horses bolted, the tanga overturned, the gentleman fell and was dragged some distance, and was admitted to the Kopargaon hospital.

Why Baba Begged Food

Hemadpant answers the question why such a being lived by the begging-bowl. (a) According to the Shastras a sannyasi from boyhood (which Baba was) has the right to live by alms; the duty of feeding him rests on the householder. (b) Householders must atone for the five sins of pounding, grinding, washing pots, sweeping, and lighting the hearth — all of which destroy small creatures. The atonement is the five sacrifices, including offering to uninvited guests. In going from door to door Baba reminded each house of this duty.

The Tarkhad Family — Bandra

#### Father and Son: The Sugar Puja

Mr. Ramachandra Atmaran (Babasaheb) Tarkhad of Bandra, formerly a Prarthana-Samajist, was a staunch devotee of Baba. His wife and son loved Baba equally. When Master Tarkhad was preparing to spend his May vacation in Shirdi with his mother, he was unwilling to go because his father, a Prarthana Samajist, would not perform the home worship of Baba's portrait. His father swore to perform the puja exactly as the son did. Mother and son left on Friday night.

On Saturday Mr. Tarkhad performed the puja, offering lumps of sugar as naivedya. On Sunday and Monday all went well. On Tuesday morning he performed the morning puja and left for work. Returning at noon, he found there was no Prasad — the cook said no offering had been made that morning. Mr. Tarkhad fell at the shrine in regret. He wrote a letter to his son to lay it at Baba's feet and ask pardon.

That same Tuesday noon in Shirdi, when the noon Arati was just to commence, Baba said to Mrs. Tarkhad:

"Mother, I had been to your house in Bandra, with a view to having something to eat. I found the door locked. I somehow got an entrance inside and found to My regret, that Bhau (Mr. Tarkhad) had left nothing for Me to eat. So I have returned from there without eating anything."

The son understood, asked permission to go home, was refused but allowed to do the puja in Shirdi. He wrote to his father. The two letters crossed and were delivered the next day.

#### Mrs. Tarkhad's Brinjals

Mrs. Tarkhad once gave two brinjals to Mrs. Purandare, who was going to Shirdi, asking her to make `Bharit` of one (roasted brinjal, curds, spice) and `Kacharya` of the other (circular fried slices), and serve Baba. Mrs. Purandare came to the masjid with the Bharit just as Baba was about to eat; Baba found it tasty, distributed it among all, then said he wanted Kacharyas now. Radha-Krishna Mai was sent for; it was not the season of brinjals. When the matter was investigated, it emerged that Mrs. Tarkhad had also entrusted the Kacharyas to Mrs. Purandare. All marvelled at Baba's knowledge.

#### The Peda

In December 1915 Govind Balaram Mankar was going to Shirdi for his father's obsequies. Mrs. Tarkhad searched her house for something to send and found only a peda (sweetmeat ball) which had already been offered as naivedya. Mankar took it, but forgot to give it to Baba at first darshana. In the afternoon he came empty-handed again. Baba asked him directly: "What did you bring for me?" "Nothing." Baba asked again. Same reply. Baba then asked the leading question: "Did not the mother (Mrs. Tarkhad) give some sweetmeat to you for Me at the time of your starting?" Mankar remembered, ran to his lodging, brought the peda. Baba gulped it down at once.

#### Sumptuous Meal — the Dog

Once at noon Mrs. Tarkhad was in Shirdi when a hungry dog appeared at the door of the house where she was being served. She immediately threw a piece of bread which the dog ate. Later at the masjid Baba said to her:

"Mother, you have fed Me sumptuously up to my throat, My afflicted pranas (life-forces) have been satisfied. Always act like this, and this will stand you in good stead. Sitting in this Masjid I shall never, never speak untruth. Take pity on Me like this. First give bread to the hungry, and then eat yourself."

When she replied that she did not understand — she herself was dependent on others' hospitality — Baba added:

"Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contented and I am still belching. The dog which you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread is one with Me, so also other creatures (cats, pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved. So abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did today."

Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter

1. (To Tatya Kote) "Don't make haste, stop a little, let go the bazaar, don't go out of the village."
2. (To the European gentleman) "Go tomorrow, do not hurry."
3. (To Mrs. Tarkhad, on the day Mr. Tarkhad forgot to offer sugar) "Mother, I had been to your house in Bandra, with a view to having something to eat. I found the door locked. I somehow got an entrance inside and found to My regret, that Bhau had left nothing for Me to eat. So I have returned from there without eating anything."
4. (To Mankar) "Did not the mother give some sweetmeat to you for Me at the time of your starting?"
5. (To Mrs. Tarkhad about the dog) "Mother, you have fed Me sumptuously up to my throat… First give bread to the hungry, and then eat yourself."
6. (Same passage, on equal vision) "The dog which you saw before meals… is one with Me, so also other creatures are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved."