Chapter XLII — Baba's Passing Away: Previous Indications; Averting Tatya Patil's Death; the Rs. 9 to Laxmibai Shinde

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/sai42.html

Sections

The Precise Date and Time

Hemadpant gives the documented record. Baba got a slight attack of fever on 28 September 1918. The fever lasted two or three days; afterwards Baba gave up food and grew weaker. On the 17th day — Tuesday, 15 October 1918, about 2:30 p.m. — Baba left his mortal coil. The dating is preserved through Professor G. G. Narke's letter dated 5 November 1918 to Dadasaheb Khaparde, published in Sai Leela magazine, first year, p. 78.

First Indication — Dasara 1916

Two years before, on Vijayadashami (Dasara) 1916 evening, as devotees returned from Seemollanghan (the ceremonial crossing of the village border), Baba suddenly got into wild rage. He took off his head-dress, kafni, and langota, tore them, threw them in the Dhuni. The fire blazed brighter. Baba shone brighter. He stood naked with burning red eyes:

"You fellows, now have a look and decide finally whether I am a Moslem or a Hindu."

Everyone trembled. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee, alone went near and tied a langota round Baba's waist:

"Baba, what is all this? Today is the Seemollanghan, the Dasara Holiday."

Baba struck the ground with his satka:

"This is my Seemollanghan."

Baba did not cool until 11 p.m.; the Chavadi procession that night was doubted. After an hour he returned to normal, dressed, attended the procession. The remark "This is my Seemollanghan" was understood only retrospectively as marking Dasara as the day of his crossing.

Second Indication — Ramachandra Dada Patil's Bedside

Ramachandra Patil later became seriously ill. He despaired. One midnight Baba stood suddenly near his pillow. Patil held his feet:

"I have lost all hope of life; please tell me definitely when I shall die."

Baba:

"Don't be anxious, your hundi (death-warrant) has been withdrawn and you will soon recover. But I am afraid of Tatya Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashami of Shaka 1840 (1918 A.D.). Do not divulge this to anybody, nor to him, for he will be terribly frightened."

Ramachandra recovered but lived in fear for Tatya. He confided only in Bala Shimpi (a tailor).

The Approach of Dasara 1918

Time passed. The month of Bhadrapad of Shaka 1840 was ending; Ashwin was in sight. True to Baba's word, Tatya fell sick and was bed-ridden — unable to come for Baba's darshan. Baba was also down with fever. Tatya's illness and Baba's predicament grew equally worse.

Ramachandra Dada and Bala Shimpi trembled with fear. The day Baba had predicted was at hand.

The Exchange — Tatya Lives, Baba Passes

Vijayadashami 1918 dawned. Tatya's pulse beat slowly; he was expected to pass shortly. "But a curious thing happened. Tatya remained, his death was averted, and Baba passed away in his stead. It seemed as if there was an exchange. People said that Baba gave up His life for Tatya."

Das Ganu at Pandharpur

The next morning (16 October 1918), Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur in dream:

"The Masjid collapsed, all the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I leave the place. I therefore came to inform you here, please go there quickly and cover me with 'Bhakkal' flowers."

Das Ganu received the same news by letter from Shirdi. He came with his disciples, started bhajan and kirtan before Baba's samadhi, wove a garland of flowers studded with Hari's name, and arranged a mass-feeding in Baba's name.

Charity to Laxmibai Shinde — the Rs. 9

Dasara is the most auspicious time for Hindus; befitting that Baba should choose it. He had been ailing some days but was internally conscious throughout. Just before the last moment he sat up erect without aid and looked better. Some thought the danger had passed.

Baba knew otherwise. He wanted to give charity to Laxmibai Shinde.

Laxmibai's Earlier Episode — the Dog and the Bread

Hemadpant inserts the canonical illustration. Laxmibai was a good well-to-do woman who worked in the masjid day and night. Only Bhagat Mhalsapati, Tatya, and Laxmibai were allowed to step into the masjid at night.

Once Baba sitting in the masjid with Tatya in the evening said to Laxmibai:

"Oh Laxmi, I am very hungry."

She returned at once with bread and vegetables. Baba took it up and gave it to a dog. Laxmibai protested:

"What is this, Baba? I ran in haste, prepared bread with my own hands for You and You threw it to a dog without eating a morsel."

Baba's reply is one of the Satcharitra's most-cited teachings:

"Why do you grieve for nothing? The appeasement of the dog's hunger is the same as Mine. The dog has got a soul; the creatures may be different, but the hunger of all is the same, though some speak and others are dumb. Know for certain, that he who feeds the hungry, really serves Me with food. Regard this as an axiomatic Truth."

From that day Laxmibai brought Baba bread and milk daily; he ate appreciatively, sent the remainder with her to Radha-Krishna Mai (who always relished Baba's prasad-remnants).

The Rs. 9

At the very last moment Baba put his hand in his pocket and gave Laxmibai Rs. 5, then Rs. 4 — Rs. 9 in all. The figure 9 signifies:

• The Nava-vidha Bhakti (nine forms of devotion; see Chapter 21)
• And/or the Bhagavata 11.10.6 enumeration of nine disciple-characteristics (five in the first couplet, four in the second) — which exactly matches Baba's split of 5 + 4.

Laxmibai was well-to-do and did not need money. The gift was a final teaching.

The Last Order — Devotees Sent to Eat

Baba took other precautions. To prevent entanglement with affection for his devotees, he ordered them all to clear off. Kakasaheb Dixit, Bapusaheb Booty, and others were anxiously waiting at the masjid. He asked them to go to the Wada and return after meals. They could not disobey. They sat for meals with heavy hearts and mind elsewhere.

Before they finished, news came of Baba's passing.

The Last Moment — Bayaji's Lap

They ran back to the masjid. Baba did not fall down on the ground nor did He lie on His bed but, sitting quietly on His seat and doing charity with His own hand, rested finally on Bayaji's lap.

Hemadpant: "Saints embody themselves and come into this world with a definite mission, and after that is fulfilled they pass away as quietly and easily as they came."

Verbatim Sai Baba quotes documented in this chapter

1. (Dasara 1916, in wild rage) "You fellows, now have a look and decide finally whether I am a Moslem or a Hindu."
2. (Striking the ground with satka) "This is my Seemollanghan."
3. (To Ramachandra Dada Patil at his bedside) "Don't be anxious, your hundi has been withdrawn and you will soon recover. But I am afraid of Tatya Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashami of Shaka 1840."
4. (Dream to Das Ganu at Pandharpur, 16 October 1918) "The Masjid collapsed, all the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I leave the place. I therefore came to inform you here, please go there quickly and cover me with 'Bhakkal' flowers."
5. (Asking Laxmibai for bread) "Oh Laxmi, I am very hungry."
6. (To Laxmibai about the dog) "Why do you grieve for nothing? The appeasement of the dog's hunger is the same as Mine. The dog has got a soul; the creatures may be different, but the hunger of all is the same, though some speak and others are dumb. Know for certain, that he who feeds the hungry, really serves Me with food. Regard this as an axiomatic Truth."