First-person testimony · Part II

Rajaballi Mohammed Khoja

Context

Rajaballi Mohammed Khoja's statement (page 161 of Part II) preserves the perspective of the Khoja community on Baba.

About the 1936 statement

The Khoja community — Ismaili Shia Muslims primarily based in Gujarat and Bombay — had several Bombay-Presidency members who became Sai-devotees through Das Ganu's kirtans.

Verbatim excerpt from Narasimha Swami (1940s)

turned saying that no tonga was to be seen. Baba said “Go and see, there is a tonga.” I turned and looked and found there was a tonga. How it suddenly happened to be there, we could not make out. Baba blessed us and we left. My wife re tained her good health. She died several years later. This was my only visit to Shirdi. But it gave me firm faith in Sai Baba. I remember him and other Saints when I go to bed. Whenever I think intently of Baba. I actually see him before me. We had very little talk with Baba during our two hours stay in the day. I found Baba was smeared with sandal paste over his hand, face, etc. Moslems do not smear them selves like this. I asked him how he put on all this. Baba said “ ‘jaisa desh thysa vesh’ (i.e. Do at Rome as the Romans do). Instead of worshipping their own Gods, they worship me as their God. Why should I object and displease hem? I myself am a devotee of God.” He added “If you had come yesterday, it would have been better.” I: Why Baba: There was music. I wept all night. They abused me. I: Why did they abuse you? 150 Baba: When I say “abused”, people do not understand, But you will understand. I thought that “abused” was amused” really.

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: Rajaballi. This is the canonical English excerpt; please consult the original PDF for context.