Chapter XIII — More Sai Leelas; Diseases Cured

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/sai13.html

Sections

On Maya, the Power of the Lord

Baba spoke of Maya in his own case:

"Though I have become a Fakir, have no house or wife, and though leaving off all cares, I have stayed at one place, the inevitable Maya teases Me often. Though I forgot Myself I cannot forget Her. She always envelops Me. This Maya of the Lord teases God Brahma and others; then what to speak of a poor Fakir like Me? Those who take refuge in the Lord will be freed from Her clutches with His grace."

Baba's Promise on Worship

"If you always say 'Sai, Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas; believe in these words, and you will be certainly benefited. I do not need any paraphernalia of worship — either eight-fold or sixteen-fold. I rest there where there is full devotion."

Bhimaji Patil — Tuberculosis (1909)

Bhimaji Patil of Narayanagaon (Junnar Taluka, Poona District) developed a severe chronic chest disease that progressed to tuberculosis. He wrote to Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who advised him to come to Shirdi. Baba at first noted the disease was due to past karma. The patient pleaded helplessness. Baba relented:

"Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come to an end. However oppressed and troubled one may be, as soon as he steps into the Masjid, he is on the pathway to happiness. The Fakir here is very kind and He will cure the disease, and protect all with love and kindness."

From that moment the vomiting of blood that had recurred every five minutes ceased. Baba sent Bhimaji to stay in Bhimabai's house — an inconvenient and unhealthy spot. While there he was healed through two dreams: in the first he was a boy being flogged for not reciting his school lesson; in the second a stone was rolled up and down his chest with intense pain. With the pain in the dreams the cure was complete. Bhimaji later instituted a Sai Satya-vrata Puja in his village.

Bala Ganpat Shimpi — Malignant Malaria

The fever did not abate with any remedy. Baba's prescription:

"Give a black dog some morsels of rice mixed with curds in front of the Laxmi temple."

Bala did so. A black dog appeared at the Laxmi temple waving its tail; he placed the food, the dog ate, and Bala was rid of his malaria.

Bapusaheb Booty — Dysentery and Cholera

Booty was so weakened by dysentery and vomiting that he could not come to the masjid. Baba sent for him, sat him down, and said:

"Now take care, you should not purge any more."

Waving his index finger:

"The vomiting must also stop."

Both ailments ended.

Later Booty had cholera with extreme thirst. Baba prescribed an infusion of almonds, walnuts and pistachio nuts boiled in sugared milk — diet that any doctor would have considered ruinous in cholera. In implicit obedience the infusion was given. He was cured.

Alandi Swami — Ear Pain

A swami from Alandi visited Shirdi suffering from severe pain in the ear that prevented sleep. Surgery had failed. At his leave-taking Shama requested Baba's help. Baba's reply:

"Allah Achha Karega" — "God will do good."

A week later the swami wrote from Poona that the pain had subsided. He went to Bombay for surgery on the remaining swelling; the surgeon examined and said no operation was needed.

Kaka Mahajani — Diarrhea

Kaka, attending Baba's services, hid his diarrhea by keeping a tambya (water-pot) in a corner of the masjid. Baba scolded the pavement workers loudly, scattering all but Kaka, whom he held in place. When everyone fled, Baba took a handful of groundnuts from a forgotten bag, rubbed off the skins, and made Kaka eat them. Baba ate some too. Then he asked for water, drank, made Kaka drink, and said:

"Now your diarrhea has stopped, and you may attend to the work of the pavement."

(Hemadpant's note: groundnuts are medically contra-indicated in diarrhea. The medicine was Baba's word.)

Dattopant of Harda — 14-Year Stomach Pain

Dattopant's chronic stomach-ache yielded to no remedy. He came to Shirdi, fell at Baba's feet, received Baba's hand on his head and his udi. The malady ended.

Other cases summarised in the chapter

• Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) — piles: Baba's decoction of Sonamukhi (senna pods) relieved him. Two years later he tried it himself without consulting Baba; the disease worsened, then was cured by Baba's grace.
• Gangadharpant (Kaka Mahajani's elder brother) — years of stomach pain: Baba touched his belly and said "God will cure." No further pain.
• Nanasaheb Chandorkar — intense stomach pain unresponsive to syringes. Baba prescribed Burfi (sweetmeat) mixed with ghee. Complete relief.

Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter

1. "Though I have become a Fakir… the inevitable Maya teases Me often. Though I forgot Myself I cannot forget Her."
2. "If you always say 'Sai, Sai' I shall take you over the seven seas. I do not need any paraphernalia of worship. I rest there where there is full devotion."
3. (To Bhimaji Patil) "Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come to an end. However oppressed and troubled one may be, as soon as he steps into the Masjid, he is on the pathway to happiness."
4. (To Bala Shimpi) "Give a black dog some morsels of rice mixed with curds in front of the Laxmi temple."
5. (To Bapusaheb Booty) "Now take care, you should not purge any more… The vomiting must also stop."
6. (To the Alandi Swami) "Allah Achha Karega" — "God will do good."
7. (To Kaka Mahajani) "Now your diarrhea has stopped, and you may attend to the work of the pavement."
8. (To Gangadharpant) "God will cure."