Chapter XXV — Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar: Speculations and the Mango Miracle

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/sai25.html

Sections

Damu Anna — Introduction

Damodar Savalaram Resane Kasar of Ahmednagar (later of Poona), known as Damu Anna, came to Shirdi about 1895 — the founding year of the Rama-Navami Utsava (see Chapter 6). From that year he has provided an ornamental flag for the festival annually, and feeds the poor and fakirs who come.

Speculation 1 — Cotton in Bombay

A Bombay friend (later clarified in Damu Anna's 1936 statement as a broker, not a partner) wrote that a cotton speculation could yield about Rs. 2 lakhs in profit with "no risks." Damu Anna oscillated and wrote a detailed letter to Shama at Shirdi requesting Baba's advice.

When Shama came to the masjid with the letter, Baba asked what the paper was. Before it had been read, Baba said:

"What does he write, and what does he plan? It seems that he wants to catch the sky and that he is not content with what God has given him; read his letter."

Shama protested: if Baba already knew the contents, why ask him to read it? Baba: "I speak at random and who believes Me." Shama then read; Baba listened attentively and said:

"The Shet (Damu Anna) has gone mad; write to him in reply that nothing is wanting in his house. Let him be content with the half loaf he has now and let him not bother himself about lacs."

Shama added in his reply that there was always a difference between hearing and seeing, and that Damu Anna should come personally. Damu Anna went to Shirdi. He sat shampooing Baba's legs, lacked the courage to ask openly, and thought privately of offering Baba a share of profits if Baba would back the deal. Baba read his mind and said openly:

"Bapu, I do not want to be entangled in any such worldly things."

Damu Anna dropped the cotton enterprise.

Speculation 2 — Grain Trade

Damu Anna next considered trading in grain, rice, and wheat. Baba said:

"You will be buying at five seers and selling at seven seers a rupee."

That is, he would buy dear and sell cheap — a guaranteed loss. Damu Anna abandoned the grain business. Prices in fact held for some time and Baba's word appeared mistaken; but within a month or two abundant rain everywhere caused prices to collapse. Those who had stored grain suffered severe losses. The cotton speculation, taken up by the broker with another merchant, also collapsed. Damu Anna was saved both times.

Amra-Leela — the Mango Miracle

A parcel of about 300 good mangoes was sent from Goa by Mamlatdar Rale, addressed to Baba in Shama's name. On opening all 300 were in good condition; Baba retained four in his kolamba (pot) saying:

"These four fruits are for Damu Anna, let them lie there."

Damu Anna had two wives (his own 1936 statement corrects "three" to two) and no children. Astrologers, and his own study of astrology, found a papi (inauspicious) planet in his horoscope and predicted no issue in this life. He had great faith in Baba.

When he arrived at the masjid two hours after the parcel's arrival, Baba said:

"Though other people are looking for the mangoes, they are Dammya's. He whose they are, should 'eat and die'."

Damu Anna was shocked. Mhalsapati explained: "death" here meant the death of the ego at the Guru's feet — a blessing. Damu Anna agreed to accept the fruits. Baba then said:

"Do not eat yourself, but give them to your junior wife. This Amra-Leela (mango miracle of 4 mangoes) will give her four sons and four daughters."

This was done. In due course Baba's word came true, not the astrologers'.

Baba's Posthumous Promise

Hemadpant inserts Baba's promise of continuing presence after Mahasamadhi:

"Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb will give you hope and confidence. Not only Myself but My tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who would surrender themselves whole-heartedly to Me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent from you. You will hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare. But remember Me always, believe in Me heart and soul and then you will be most benefited."

Hemadpant's Closing Prayer

"Oh Sai Sad-guru, the wish-fulfilling tree of the Bhaktas, let us never forget and lose sight of Your Feet… now free us from this cycle of births and deaths. Restrain us from the outgoing of our senses to their objects and introvert us and bring us face to face with the Atma (Self)… Make us ever remember Your name and forget all other things. Remove the restlessness of our mind, and make it steady and calm."

Footnote — From Damu Anna's 1936 Statement

A footnoted extract preserves two questions Damu Anna privately put to Baba; Baba answered both orally:

Q1: Do all who crowd to Sai Baba get benefit from Him?

"Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc. Very few remain."

Q2: How shall I fare if Baba were to pass away?

"I will be with you when and wherever you think of Me."

Damu Anna's gloss in 1936: "That promise He had kept up before 1918 and has been keeping up after 1918. He is still with me. He is still guiding me."

He also notes that after his sister's death Baba consoled him with Upadesh and a feast of Pooran Poli at Appa Kulkarni's house with sandal paste applied; and when a thirty-year friend stole his wife's jewel-box (including her auspicious Nathi), Damu Anna wept before Baba's photo — the next day the man returned the box and asked pardon.

Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter

1. (To Shama before the letter was opened) "What does he write, and what does he plan? It seems that he wants to catch the sky and that he is not content with what God has given him; read his letter."
2. (To Shama after the letter was read) "The Shet has gone mad; write to him in reply that nothing is wanting in his house. Let him be content with the half loaf he has now and let him not bother himself about lacs."
3. (Reading Damu Anna's silent offer of profit-share) "Bapu, I do not want to be entangled in any such worldly things."
4. (On the grain trade) "You will be buying at five seers and selling at seven seers a rupee."
5. (Setting aside the four mangoes) "These four fruits are for Damu Anna, let them lie there."
6. (To Damu Anna with the four mangoes) "Though other people are looking for the mangoes, they are Dammya's. He whose they are, should 'eat and die'."
7. (Direction to give them to the junior wife) "Do not eat yourself, but give them to your junior wife. This Amra-Leela will give her four sons and four daughters."
8. (Posthumous promise) "Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb will give you hope and confidence… You will hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare."
9. (To Damu Anna's mango-blossom question) "Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off by wind etc. Very few remain."
10. (Promise of continuing presence) "I will be with you when and wherever you think of Me."