First-person testimony · Part III

Appaji Sutar (likely connected to Balabuva Sutar)

Context

"Sutar" indicates the carpenter community. The famous Sai-devotee Balabuva Sutar of Bombay — known as "modern Tukaram" — is the subject of the Satcharitra's Chapter 33 episode: when he came to Shirdi for the first time in 1917 and bowed, Baba said "I know this man since four years" — referring to a portrait-prostration Balabuva had made four years earlier in Bombay.

About the 1936 statement

Appaji Sutar's statement at page 300 of Part III may be from a relative of Balabuva.

Verbatim excerpt from Narasimha Swami (1940s)

. 271 Before this, (i.e.) in 1924,1 was anxious to get my 4th daugh ter Minabai married. But, no groom could be found. I had already taken leave. I took my wife to her brother at Anjangow (C.P). The second day after I reached, I heard a voice: “Go to Jirapur”. I re turned to Indore and found my son had received an order to go to Jirapur. But, his wife being in ninth month of her pregnancy, he could not go. So his superior officers cancelled the order. After my leave expired, I learnt that I was posted to Kathegaon in Nemawar Dt. When, however, the draft went to the Revenue Minister for sig nature without any request from me, he cancelled that order and wrote ‘Posted to Jirapur’. So I went to Jirapur. Within a fortnight of my taking charge, I went on tour and halted at a place near Sayath where my brother was serving the Gwalior State. I visited him. There I saw with him one Balwant, who was really strong, stout and hand some. I enquired about him and found him a good match for my girl. That settled and the marriage was accomplished. XXXVIII Mr.X says of his experience in Sai Sudha: Before I write anything in this about Sai Baba, I should say something about me.

Source: B. V. Narasimha Swami, Devotees' Experiences of Sri Sai Baba (All India Sai Samaj, Madras, 1940s; reprint Akhanda Sainama Sapthaha Samithi, Hyderabad). PDF on Internet Archive · OCR full text. Excerpt matched on the term: Appaji Sutar. This is the canonical English excerpt; please consult the original PDF for context.