Chapter XXII — Rescues from Serpent-bites; Baba's Opinion on Killing of Serpents

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/sai22.html

Sections

Balasaheb Mirikar — Warning Through Parable

Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar, was Mamlatdar of Kopergaon. On the way to a Chitali tour he came to Shirdi for darshana. Without context, Baba turned to him and said:

"Do you know our Dwarakamayi? This Masjidmayi is very merciful — she is the mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over."

After giving Mirikar udi, Baba added, closing his left arm into a fist and bringing it near his right elbow:

"Do you know the 'Lamba Bawa' (long gentleman) — viz. serpent? He is so terrible. But what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi?"

Baba then directed Shama to accompany Mirikar. Mirikar at first declined; Baba responded: "Alright, do not go. We should mean well and do well. Whatever is destined to happen, will happen." Mirikar reconsidered, called Shama back, and the two went together.

At Chitali they camped in the Maruti temple at 9 p.m. while waiting for the office staff. Mirikar was sitting on a mat reading a newspaper, his upper dhotar spread across his waist. A snake was sitting on the spread cloth, unobserved. The peon brought a lantern, saw it, and raised an alarm. The snake slid down from the waist, moved away from Mirikar, and was killed.

Bapusaheb Booty — Death Foretold

The astrologer Nanasaheb Dengale told Booty one day that the day was inauspicious for him and his life was in danger. Booty grew restless. At the masjid Baba said:

"What does this Nana say? He foretells death for you. Well, you need not be afraid. Tell him boldly, 'Let us see how death kills.'"

That evening Booty went to his privy and saw a snake. His servant prepared to kill it; before he returned with a stick, the snake had disappeared.

Amir Shakkar of Korale — Posted to the Chavadi

Amir Shakkar was a commission agent in Bandra of butcher caste. Suffering from rheumatism, he came to Shirdi and prayed for relief. Baba did not let him stay in the masjid but stationed him in the Chavadi — at the time a damp and unhealthy place. Amir however received the constant company of Baba, who passed by every morning and evening and slept in the Chavadi on alternate days. After nine months he became dispirited, left without permission for Kopergaon, met a dying fakir at a dharmashala who asked for water — and was the only witness when he passed away. Frightened of being held responsible, Amir returned through the night to Shirdi muttering Baba's name, and lived in the Chavadi again until his cure.

One midnight Baba cried out:

"Oh Abdul, some devilish creature is dashing against the side of My bed."

Abdul examined Baba's bed and found nothing. Baba struck the ground with his satka and asked him to bring the lantern near Amir's cushion. The coil of a serpent was seen there, moving its head up and down. It was killed.

Hemadpant — Scorpion and Serpent

Two episodes:

(1) The scorpion during a Ramayana reading. At Kakasaheb Dixit's recommendation, Ekanath's Bhagwat and Bhawartha-Ramayana were read aloud daily. During a portion describing Hanuman's testing of Rama's greatness, Hemadpant felt something on his right shoulder. He cast a glance: a large scorpion sitting on his upper dhotar, motionless. Without alarming the audience, he gathered the two ends of his dhotar, enclosed the scorpion, walked out, and released it in the garden.

(2) The serpent in the upper floor. Just before nightfall, sitting on the upper floor of Kakasaheb's Wada, a serpent crept through a hole in the window frame and sat coiled. A lantern was brought, sticks were fetched, but the serpent slipped out through the same hole before any blow could be dealt.

Baba's Settled Opinion on Killing

After the second incident, Muktaram remarked it was good the serpent escaped. Hemadpant disagreed, holding that serpents should be killed. The two argued without conclusion. The next day the question was placed before Baba:

"God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be serpents or scorpions. He is the Great Wire-puller of the world, and all beings — serpents, scorpions etc. — obey His command. Unless He will it, nobody can do any harm to others. The world is all dependent on Him, and no one is independent. So we should take pity and love all creatures, leave off adventurous fights and killings, and be patient. The Lord (God) is the Protector of all."

Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter

1. (To Mirikar) "Do you know our Dwarakamayi? This Masjidmayi is very merciful — she is the mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over."
2. (To Mirikar, of the snake) "Do you know the 'Lamba Bawa'? He is so terrible. But what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi?"
3. (When Mirikar declined Shama's company) "Alright, do not go. We should mean well and do well. Whatever is destined to happen, will happen."
4. (To Booty) "What does this Nana say? He foretells death for you. Well, you need not be afraid. Tell him boldly, 'Let us see how death kills.'"
5. (At midnight, before the serpent was found at Amir's cushion) "Oh Abdul, some devilish creature is dashing against the side of My bed."
6. (Settled opinion on harming snakes and scorpions) "God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be serpents or scorpions. He is the Great Wire-puller of the world. Unless He will it, nobody can do any harm to others. So we should take pity and love all creatures, leave off adventurous fights and killings, and be patient. The Lord is the Protector of all."