Chapter X — Baba's Mode of Life; His Sleeping Plank; Birth Date; Humility; Nanavalli; the Easiest Path
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/sai10.html
Sections
The Suspended Sleeping Plank
Nanasaheb Dengale brought Baba a wooden plank, about four cubits long and a span wide. Instead of resting it on the floor, Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of the masjid with old shreds of rag and slept on it. The rags were so thin and worn that they did not appear capable of bearing the plank itself, let alone Baba's weight, yet they held. Baba lit a panati (earthen lamp) at each of the four corners and kept them burning through the night. No watcher succeeded in observing how Baba climbed up or down. When crowds began to gather to see the feat, Baba broke the plank into pieces and threw it away.
Probable Birth Date
Hemadpant reasons from continuous stay: Baba first came to Shirdi as a youth of sixteen and stayed three years, then disappeared. He reappeared in the Nizam state near Aurangabad and returned to Shirdi with Chand Patil's marriage party at age twenty. From then he stayed in Shirdi continuously for sixty years until his Mahasamadhi in 1918. Estimated year of birth: 1838 A.D.
Mission to Unify Hindus and Mahomedans
Baba's constant advice:
"Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of the Mahomedans) were one and the same; there was not the slightest difference between them; then why should their devotees quarrel among themselves? You ignorant folk, children, join hands and bring both the communities together, act sanely and thus you will gain your object of national unity. It is not good to dispute and argue. So don't argue, don't emulate others. Always consider your interest and welfare. The Lord will protect you. Yoga, sacrifice, penance, and knowledge are the means to attain God. If you do not succeed in this by any means, vain is your birth. If any one does any evil unto you, do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto others."
Humility
A specimen of Baba's own words spoken to a devotee:
"Slave of slaves I am, your debtor, I am satisfied at your darshan. It is a great favour that I saw your feet. I am an insect in your excreta. I consider Myself blessed thereby."
Nanavalli — Baba's Equanimity
A quaint and queer Shirdi devotee named Nanavalli once approached Baba on his gadi and asked him to get up because he wanted the seat. Baba immediately got up. Nanavalli sat for a while, then asked Baba to retake his seat. Baba sat. Nanavalli fell at his feet and went away. Baba showed no displeasure at being dictated to. Nanavalli loved Baba so much that he breathed his last on the thirteenth day after Baba's Mahasamadhi.
The Easiest Path — Hearing the Stories
Baba prescribed no asan, no breathing exercise, no rite, no mantra-blowing. He told devotees:
"Leave off all cleverness, and always remember 'Sai Sai.' If you did that, all your shackles would be removed and you would be free."
Hemadpant's gloss: hearing the stories of saints is in itself their company. Their company removes body-consciousness, dissolves the chain of birth and death, and leads to God. Saints' grace alone gives the desire to listen to their stories in the first place.
Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter
- (Constant advice on Hindu–Muslim unity) "Rama and Rahim were one and the same… join hands and bring both the communities together… If any one does any evil unto you, do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto others."
- (Self-effacing speech to a devotee) "Slave of slaves I am, your debtor… I am an insect in your excreta. I consider Myself blessed thereby."
- (Prescription of practice) "Leave off all cleverness, and always remember 'Sai Sai.' If you did that, all your shackles would be removed and you would be free."
- (Continuous utterance at the Dhuni) "Allah Malik" — "God the real owner."