Chapter XI — Sai as Sagun Brahman; Dr. Pandit's Worship; Haji Sidik Falke; Control over the Elements
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/sai11.html
Sections
Dr. Pandit and the Tripundra
Dr. Pandit, a friend of Tatyasaheb Noolkar, came to Shirdi. Baba sent him to Dadabhat Kelkar. Dadabhat began his puja of Baba and Dr. Pandit took his dish, drew the sandal-paste, and applied the Tripundra (three horizontal lines) on Baba's forehead. To everyone's surprise Baba kept silent. Until then Mhalsapati had been the only one allowed to apply sandal even to Baba's throat, never to his forehead.
When Dadabhat asked Baba why this was allowed only of Dr. Pandit, Baba replied that Pandit believed Baba to be the same as his own guru, Raghunath Maharaj of Dhopeshwar (Kaka Puranik), and applied the paste exactly as he had been doing to his guru.
Baba's Promise to His Devotees
"If mothers kicked their children and if the sea turned back the rivers, He would neglect the devotees' welfare; He, the slave of His devotees, always stood by them, and responded to them whenever they called upon Him, and that He always longed for their love."
Haji Sidik Falke
A Muslim gentleman, Sidik Falke of Kalyan, after pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina came to Shirdi. He lived in a chavadi facing north and sat in the open courtyard of the masjid. For nine months Baba ignored him completely and did not allow him to step into the masjid. He was advised to approach Baba through Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande).
Shama interceded. Baba's reply:
"Shama, you are too young to understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not allow, what can I do? Without His grace, who will climb into the masjid? Well, go to him and ask him whether he will come to the narrow footpath near the Barvi well."
Shama returned with assent. Baba asked: "Will he pay Me Rs. 40,000 in four instalments?" Shama returned with the Haji's reply that he was willing to pay even forty lacs. Baba asked: "We are going to butcher a goat in the Masjid, so ask him whether he would like to have mutton, haunch, or testicles of the goat." Shama returned with the Haji's reply: he would be happy to receive a small crumb from Baba's kolamba (mud-pot).
Hearing this Baba grew excited, threw away the earthen jars and the kolamba, advanced to the Haji, lifted his kafni and said:
"Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read Koran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca, but you do not know Me."
Baba then bought baskets of mangoes for him and went back to him with Rs. 55 from his own pocket. From that day the Haji was welcomed into the Masjid; Baba invited him for meals and gave him rupees from time to time.
Control over the Elements
The storm. One evening Shirdi was overcome by a terrible storm — black clouds, rushing wind, torrential rain, the village flooded. Birds, beasts, and people fled to the masjid. Baba came out, stood at the edge of the masjid, and addressed the storm in a thunderous voice:
"Stop, stop your fury and be calm."
In a few minutes the rains subsided, the winds ceased, and the moon rose.
The Dhuni. On another occasion the fire in the Dhuni rose so high its flames reached the rafters above. No one dared ask Baba to do anything. Baba took up his Satka (short stick), dashed it against a pillar in front, and said:
"Get down. Be calm."
With each stroke the flames lowered and within minutes the Dhuni was normal again.
Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter
- (To Dadabhat on Dr. Pandit's Tripundra) "He believed Me to be the same as his Guru, Raghunath Maharaj of Dhopeshwar… he applied the paste to My forehead, as he was doing to his Guru."
- (Promise) "If mothers kicked their children and if the sea turned back the rivers, He would neglect the devotees' welfare…"
- (To Shama about Sidik Falke) "Shama, you are too young to understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not allow, what can I do? Without His grace, who will climb into the masjid?"
- (To Sidik Falke directly) "Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read Koran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca, but you do not know Me."
- (To the storm) "Stop, stop your fury and be calm."
- (To the Dhuni) "Get down. Be calm."