Silence of Sai

Most of the people who come to baba will be in one of the category namely (artha,artharti, jignasu, gnani). Lord Krishna himself in Bhagavad Gita told that these four categories of people will worship him.

chaturvidha bhajante mAm, janA: sukrutino (a)rjuna |

Artho jignAsur arthArthi, gnAni cha bharatarshabha ||--- 7/16

The sloka means

“Oh best of Bharatas ! Four types of Men of virtuous deeds worship me. They are the one who is grieved, the one who desires worldly things, the one who seeks knowledge and the man of wisdom.”

Let us analyze what and who these four are.

FOUR BHAKTAS

Artha: - This is the classical grieved person who remembers God in the midst of his difficulty or trouble. Imagine a man, whose son is in the ICU of a hospital and to whom the physician says 'nothing is in his hands'. He now stands there alone, torn by grief. He is clueless now, who can protect his son, because with all faith on doctor he rushed to the hospital for his son's life, and now the doctor is helpless in saving his son's life.He then sees the small temple/any place of worship there and prostrates in front of God begging for his son’s life. He worships God for release from grief. He is the Artha.

Artharthi: This man is the one who always asks God for all his materialistic desires. For example we want our business to flourish, when we want some car to be purchased etc. When someone of us need some worldly possession, we turn to God for this.

Jignasu: A person who has inquistiveness to know about various things and he couldnt get the answer to his questions. And this person turns to none other than God to get cleared of this.

gnani: He is divine wisdom personified. Lord Krishna inserts a conjunction ‘cha’ to denote the speciality of this worshipper. He is a man of God.

You might want to grade these people. The Gnani comes first , followed by Jignasu, Artharthi and finally Artha. But the common thread among these all is that they all worship the Lord . Krishna also says that these are men of good deeds meaning they are devoid of demonic tendencies.

Now the people who used to visit baba, when he was in flesh as well the people who now flock to Shirdi to visit his samadhi mandir will fall into any one of these categories. Now the question is how baba used to handle all these categories of people at the same time. Because the thought levels and the understanding levels of various people will be different. Just like a small kid and a post graduate student. For this reason mostly baba used to talk in parables or appears to talk some irrelevant talk or most of the times remain silent. If we try to understand or correlate this talk. One can understand the way in which baba used to handle the things.

 

Because baba never used to say anything directly, whatever baba spoke or talk was understood by only that person who visited baba or whoever asked baba for some thing whether it may be materialistic desire or to save some one or to cure someone or to clear his spiritual doubt or it may be anything. If one reads satcharitra carefully, one can carefully observe this behaviour of baba. When we correlate the various instances of the people who visited baba on a particular day, we can correlate why baba behaved in that particular way or spoke in that particular manner or what is the meaning of that particular words. We can get most of the incidents to be correlated by keeping the khaparde diary/ devotees experiences collected by shri narasimha swamiji alongwith sai satcharitra to get a clarity on the behaviour and words of baba.

But keeping the assurance of baba that his tomb speaks, what about the present day situation. Seeing the number of people flocking to Shirdi daily, we can say that more and more people are flocking to shirdi, because baba is answering their needs/answering their calls. Sometimes it appears that  baba is silent inspite of our repeated requests. Then how to understand the silence of baba. Think that he has ignored us all of the sudden. The god/guru/guardian/well wisher who had protected all these days and who answered the calls of devotees immediately earlier now seemed to remain silent. Why?

The answer lies in the proper analysis of the behavior of baba. First thing we need to understand that baba is man of practicality and all his life he had taught whoever came to him through actions rather than by words. Mostly baba used to create situations in a way that would answer them whatever the queries they were having. Second thing, all the desires of the people if they were dharmic, baba would immediately bless it. In case if somebody is asking for some non-dharmic desire, baba used to remain silent and never bless their desire.

Now we need to analyse ourselves whether our desire is a dharmic one or not. For example, let us properly understand a case, so that we can understand this. Let us think that I am  having a desire to have a child. This is a very dharmic desire and if I approach baba and pray baba to bless with me child. Then how should baba react. Do he need to bless with me a child immeediately. or should check what is that which is stopping me from having a child, estimate the time frame so that the blocking thing can be removed so that I can be blessed with a child. Now all this a layman may not be able to understand. So thats the reason baba said to have faith in baba and have patience till things get materialised. Once we approach, it is by the nature of baba that he will always bless us with whatever is good for us. Some times giving will be good for us and sometimes stopping will be good for us. We dont know what is good for us and what is bad for us. So, our duty is just to have faith in baba and wait till he blesses. If we are in  a hurry and make our own conclusions that baba is not listening to me or not taking care of me or has not blessed with whatever I have asked, I am only the loser.

Baba's ways are different. Sometimes he blesses through dreams, sometimes he answers through messages which we listen on radio, TV, etc, some times he answers through others, sometimes he answers through some stories which we are reading, sometimes he answers from our inner heart etc. How he answers we cant expect. The only thing we need to remember is once we ask baba something, definetly he is going to give answer for it. Only we need to tune our heart and mind to receive the answer from baba. And as always, the person who is approaching baba may be in any of the four categories discussed above, will be raised to higher categories. Say a person is in the category of artha,  he will be slowly uplifted to artharthi, then to jignasu, then to gnani. The only thing one needs to firmly remember is that baba is like a lovable mother who is looking after her kids. We are all like the kids of the lovable mother baba, and mother never shows partiality towards any one child and has equal love and concern towards all the children. It is the same thing with baba. From the perception of baba, every one is equal in front of baba, and he is ready to answer all our calls. But it depends on us, to which category we belong and what we are asking baba. Do we have faith in the word and action of baba, do we have the patience till blesses us with what we asked for.

It is like this a child who is having pnuemonia asking for ice-cream. What should the mother do, should the mother deny giving the ice-cream to the child, because if the child eats the ice-cream, it will suffer and also may lead to other health complications or should it be given to the child because she loves the child and the child  had asked for it. What should be the right act keeping in view of the child. If the mother really loves the child, she will never give it to the child. Here from the perspective of the child, the mother had not listened to his request and denied giving ice-cream. From the perspective of mother, she knows, what will be the consequences if the ice-cream is given to the child. If the child had faith in his mother and thought that whatever she done is for his good only, then the child will be happy, else if the child thinks that his mother is ignorant and not hearing to his request, then he will be agonised and feel troubled in his mind and if starts thinking negative about his mother and abuses her, and leaves her,who is the loser?. Inspite of all these the mother out of her sheer love towards the child will listen to his abuses and bear his angry and never give the ice-cream.

Similarly baba who is the lovable mother knows all about us. When we ask for something and if baba had not listened to our call/request. Intelligent thing is to realise that he knows better about us than what we know about us. Not to leave him. Have faith  in his words and actions, that whatever he does is for our good only. Else we are losing a person who is our well-wisher, who knows everything about us and what is good for us.

This post is for all those category of people (like the youngest kids in a family or considering them as artha category) who come into the fold of baba very quickly and get angry on baba very quickly for not answering their call. Usually, Baba immediately answers them for various reasons, its just like this, if a youngest son/daughter asks for something, the parents will always show some extra preference to them for various reasons. Similarly baba rushes immediately to answer the calls of this category of people. But that doesnt mean that they can ask for anything and baba have to oblige them. If  one really understands Baba, and see all the people who approached Baba, one can see that those who have asked something were only blessed with what they asked for, and the ones who didnt asked for anything were blessed with thousand folds more than what they could have asked for or imagined to ask for. When we leave the decision to Baba, we need to remember the simple fact that it is for our benefit only whether we realise that fact immediately or not. Only time can give us the answer when we turn back and check  our past that the decision took by Baba was very much beneficial to us in all aspects.

Simply dont leave baba, because he had not answered your call. You are unaware what you are losing. If you stick to baba with faith and patience, you are unaware what you are gaining. It is beyond the imagination of human mind what we are blessed with. Only the one who had experienced that can only say. Praying Baba to bless all those who are reading this post for such state.

By the grace of baba, whoever is reading this article understand this and be blessed by baba.

Loka samastha sukhinobavanthu
Sarve Jana Sukhinobavanathu
Om santi santi santi

Prayer to baba

Baba,

1. Let our minds always be fixed upon you.
2. Let our tongue always chant your name.
3. Let our ears always listen your name and stories.
4. Let our eyes always look at your form.
5. Let our minds meditate upon you.
6. Let our hands, legs, body be engaged in your seva.
7. Let there be satcharitra in every home.
8. Let everyone do parayan alongwith all their family members, relatives, friends.
9. Let there be peace everywhere.
10. Let there be harmony among the lives of all people.
11. Let there love blossom in the lives of all people.
12. Let there be innocent smiles on the faces of people.
13. Let there be positivity in the lives of all people.
14. Let there be welfare in the lives of all the people.
15. Let there be auspiciousness in the lives of all the people.
16. Let there be balance in the lives of all the people.
17. Let us learn to see you among all the living beings of this universe.
18. Let us learn to see you even among the non-living beings, every atom of this universe.
19. Let us to have the courage to travel on the path shown by you.
20. Let us learn to understand your silence.
21. Let us to have shradhha and saburi in you.
22. Let us have the realisation that you know better about us rather than what we know about us.
23. Let us learn to understand your words.
24. Let us learn to have the wisdom to understand your actions.
25. Let us learn to realise the hints provided by you to us in various forms.
26. Let us learn to swim in the ocean of bliss by chanting your name
27. Let us to learn to have faith in your words and actions under all circumstances
28. Let we learn to have the balance between raaga and dwesha.
29. Let us to be in communion with you in all times.
30. Let us to share all our actions with you whether they are good or bad.
31. Bless us with  enough strength to walk in the nine paths of  devotion told by you
32. Bless us to stay with  you under all circumstances. 

Pray for the well being of this universe.
Loka samastha sukhinobavanthu, sarve jana sukhinobavanthu.
Om santi santi santi.

Mind and its power

The mind is the real culprit in misguiding a person on his spiritual progress. It makes a person forget who he is and what is his true identity. It always tries to provoke us into all ways/ methods of shortcuts and convenient ideas which are comfortable to us. For example, if a doctor says, dont eat sweets, and when we see sweets, the mind says, just for once, no problem, let us eat the sweets, the heart says, the doctor advised not to eat the sweets for our good health, please dont eat. So always there is a conflict going inside us between our mind and our heart. The wise and good always listen to their heart and the remaining listen to their mind. Even in case of our guru, if we listen to the words of our mind in following the footsteps of our guru, we may land into lot of troubles, though guru protects us, we will lose lot of time in getting realised and come back into the fold of guru.

Then the question arises, what is the best way to get the grace of guru and follow him. In simpler terms, guru resides in our heart, so we need to follow what our heart says, because it none other than our guru who is sitting in our heart and guiding us. He is the charioteer of  our life, like krishna was for arjuna. When this is the scenario and if we really handed over our steering to guru who is driving our life vehicle, then we can be sure and safe enough that we will reach our destination. But if we listen to our mind, and not listening to our heart, then we are bound to invite troubles. Even worse is the case when the guru cautions us in advance and still we consider our mind and our ego, then there is no one to protect us from the troubles which we are going to invite into our life. When the required damage had been done, then again we try to seek the help of our guru/god for protecting us.

Then what is the simple and easy method for not falling prey to our mind. The first thing, not acting immediately on what our mind says. Second take some time to rethink about the pros and cons about what the mind is suggesting. If the result is acceptable to our heart, then we can proceed ahead and act on that. In case we are still in dilemma and unable to come to a conclusion or take a decision. It is better to directly ask our guru. If our guru is having a physical form, then get clearance from him/her or get permission from him/her or get clarity on our doubts. If our guru had taken samadhi like baba or presently not in a physical form, then either his charitra/life history can be a guiding star to resolve our issue. Even we can refer to the life of great personalities and check what they have done under such circumstances and act accordingly. Even we can ask some great personality whom we can trust or who knows better about us and can guide us appropriately. If we really pray whole heartedly, our guru can/will guide us in any form, the only thing we need to develop is to have faith in our guru that he knows better about us, and whatever he does is always good for us, and we need to have patience till the result comes.

Sometimes, the results may not be visible immediately, but over a due course of time, we will realize that whatever had happened was for our good only, because guru is such an ocean of mercy that he can never cause harm to any of his disciples or followers. It is only our limited knowledge and the conclusions given by our mind which will take us away from our guru. But under any circumstances, we should not listen to our mind. If we start listening to our mind, the end result will be a miserable life. Because whatever the mind suggests is always a deceiving thing.

We need to train our mind to always follow our heart or the words of our guru. Upon training it slowly like a small kid who needs to be trained  for discipline, we can get control of our mind to make our life a happy one rather than a miserable one. The mind is the real culprit which tries to make us fall prey for all the things rather than realizing what is good for us. We need to understand the potential of our mind and use it for our betterment. We need to channelize the thoughts of our mind for the good of our individual self and for the good of the society. One who understand the power of mind, will use it in a proper way. We should try to become the master of the mind, not the slave of  the mind.

By the grace of baba, whoever is reading this understand the essence and not fall prey to their mind, rather follow the footsteps of their guru and have a blessed life.

Jai sagduru. Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.

Loka Samastha Sukhinobavanthu, Sarve jana sukhinobavanthu.

Om Santhi, santhi, santhi.

Places to visit in Shirdi

SAIBABA'S SAMADHI MANDIR

Baba's Sacred Body has been laid to eternal rest (Samadhi) here. The edifice of this main Mandir (Temple) was constructed by an ardent devotee Shri Gopalrao Butti of Nagpur with Baba's blessings. It is therefore also known as "Butti Wada". Baba's beautiful life-size idol is installed near His Samadhi in this shrine. All rituals, comprising of Pooja, Abhishek and the four daily Aartis, are performed here. The set of Baba's original 'Padukas' and 'Satka' are kept in the Samadhi Mandir which are used for Thursday Palkhi Procession. Since Baba Samadhi in 1918 till 1954, there used to be big life size photograph of Baba on Samadhi and later an idol of Baba, where he sits with one leg put on another leg, known as Veerasan is installed.

The Daily Program in the Saibaba Samadhi Mandir

Program                                                                  Time

Bhoopali                                                                  04.15am

Morning Aarti (Kakad Aarti)                                    04.30 am

Holy Bath                                                                05.05 am

Darshan Starts                                                         05.40 am onwards

Madyan Aarti                                                          12.00 noon

Dhoop Aarti                                                            Sunset

Night Aarti (Shej Aarti)                                            10.30 pm

Abhishek Pooja                                                        07.00 am & 09.00 am

(Abhishek Hall)

Satyanarayan Pooja                                                 07.00 am, 9.00 am, 11.00 am & 01.00 pm

Dwarkamai (Masjid)

This was Baba's abode (located within the Samadhi Mandir Complex) continuously for sixty years till He took Samadhi. Baba blessed innumerable devotees here. The Sheela (Stone), on which Baba used to sit, is located in Dwarkamai. The sacred Fire (Dhuni) lit by Baba is also eternally burning here. Baba used to give Sacred Udi (Ash) from this Dhuni to His devotees to fulfill their wishes. Even now, Udi distributed to devotees is from this Dhuni. ('Grinding Wheel' and 'Chul' on which Baba used to cook food here and distribute it amongst his devotees. is also kept here for darshan)

Chavadi

The Chavadi is located close to the Samadhi Mandir Complex on the eastern side. On every alternate day, Baba used to proceed in a procession from Dwarkamai to Chavadi at night and sleep there. Even now, on every Thursday between 9.15 and 10.00 p.m., Baba's Photo, Holy Padukas (footwear) and Satka (baton) are taken in a palaquin procession to the Chavadi.

Gurusthan

Baba was first spotted here(behind the Samadhi Mandir) when He was a lad of sixteen. Baba used to refer to this spot as His Guru's (Mentor's) location and hence known as 'Gurusthan'. The famous Margosa (Neem) tree referred to in the Shri Sai Satcharitra stands here. Devotees believe that if they burn incense here on Thursdays and Fridays all their ailments get cured.

Lendi Baug

Baba used to go for a stroll in this Baug (Garden) located within the Samadhi Mandir Complex. Nanda-Deep (Sacred Oil Lamp) is continuously kept burning near the Peepal tree planted by Baba Himself in this Garden. A small Datta Mandir is also situated here. Baba's beloved horse Shyamsunder was laid to eternal rest here. There is also a well, called "Baba's Shivadi", in this garden.

Museum Hall

Personal items used by Baba during his lifetime like his drinking vessel (Tumbler), Padukas (footwear), Satka (Baton), Grinder, Gramophones, a Bowl of Hukka, Horse Bridle, the Kaphani and Sandals worn by Baba and the original photographs of Baba are all kept in the Museum Hall for all Sai devotees.

Khandoba Mandir

This Temple is located near the Shri Saibaba Hospital on the Nagar-Manmad Road. The story goes that the marriage party of Chand Patil's wife's nephew came to Shirdi and took shelter under the banyan tree located near this temple. When Shri Saibaba, who had accompanied this marriage party, alighted with others in the

open ground of this temple, the Pujari (Priest) of the temple welcomed this Young Ascetic with the words "Aao Sai" ("Come Sai").

Hanuman Mandir
This temple is renovated by Sansthan recently a few years back.

Devotees Houses

Laxmibai Shinde

Mahalsapati

Shama

Loka Samastha Sukhinobavanthu Sarve Jana Sukhinobavanthu

Om Santi Santi Santi

Discussion of Chapter VI - Shri Sai Satcharitra

Shri Sai Satcharitra

Chapter VI

RAMA-NAVAMI FESTIVAL AND MASJID REPAIRS

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru’s Hand - Rama-Navami Festival - Its Origin, Transformation etc. Repairs to the Masjid.

Before describing Rama-Navami Festival and Masjid Repairs, the author makes some preliminary remarks about Sad-Guru as follows:-

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru’s Hand
Where Real or Sad-Guru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai Baba. He appears to me, as if standing before me, and applying Udi (scared ashes) to my fore-head and placing his hand of blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru’s hand. The subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires), which cannot be burnt by the world dissolving fire, is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru’s hand, and the sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the speech of those, whose heads feel annoyed when they hear religious and Godly talks, attains calmness. The seeing of Sai Baba’s handsome form, chokes our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflowing with tears, and overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us ‘I am He (Brahman)’ consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization, and dissolving the distinction of  I and Thou, then and there, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru, and Sai Baba, assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think he sings the Bhagwat or Uddhava Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the devotees. When I begin to chitchat, I am at once put in mind of Sai’s stories for enabling me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences, but when He of his own accord makes me write, I go on writing and writing and there is no end to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His hand, and giving him His own power, makes him gain His object, and thus satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily and unsolicitedly attained. Four paths, viz., of Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches, and thus difficult to traverse, but if you, relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to the destination (God). So says definitely, Sai Baba.
After philosophising about the Self-Existent Brahman, His Power (Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that all these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai Baba’s words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas:-
"There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees’ homes. It is my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not much for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, leave worldly honours, try to get Lord’s grace and blessings, and be honored in His Court. Do not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for any other thing; fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sign of the mind, being well engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."
After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of Rama Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sai Leela Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.

Origin
One, Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives, but had no issue. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy that he felt regarding the event, an idea of celebrating a fair or ‘Urus’ occurred to him in the year 1897, and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea, and got Sai Baba’s permission and blessings. Then an application for getting the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the urus was made, but as the village Kulkarni reported against holding the fair, the sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again, and ultimately succeeded in getting the Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view, in this, viz., the Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama-Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mahomedans. As future events showed, this end or object was achieved.
Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped up. Shirdi was a village, and there was scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village, the one in use, dried up soon, and the water from the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet one by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into it. The water of this well was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water, from a well by fixing Moats (leather sacks) thereon, at a considerable distance. Then temporary shops had to be constructed, and wrestling bouts arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar. He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he married two wives. He too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons, and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village, and finally fixed at the two ends or corners of the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as Dwarkamai. This is being done even now.

The ‘Sandal’ Procession
There was another procession which was started in this fair. This idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands. This work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years, and then afterwards by his wife. So on one day, the two processions, the ‘Flags’ by the Hindus and that of ‘Sandal’ by the Muslims, went on side by side, and are still going on without any hitch.

Arrangement
This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. Most of them turned out on the occasion, and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the internal management was entirely left to one Radha Krishna Mai, a female devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and she had to look to their needs, and also to arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was to wash out and clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which were blackened and were full of soot on account of the ever-burning Dhuni (sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This work, she did during the night, when Sai Baba went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take out all the things, including even the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning and whitewashing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking, on a grand scale and preparing various sweet dishes, was done in Radha-Krishna Mai’s lodging, and, various rich and wealthy devotees took a leading part in this affair.

Transformation of Urus into Rama-Navami Festival
Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually increasing in importance till 1912 A.D., when a change took place; That year one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet ‘Sai Sagunopasana’), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, and was staying on the previous day in the Dixit Wada. While he was lying on the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias Kaka Mahajani, was going down with Puja materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus - There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main difficulty was how to secure a Haridas, who would perform ‘Kirtan’ and sing the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But Bhishma solved the difficulty, by saying that his ‘Rama Akhyan’ (composition on Rama’s birth) was ready, and he would do the ‘Kirtan’ himself, while Kaka Mahajani should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the ‘Sunthavada’ (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by Radha-Krishna Mai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba’s permission. Baba, who knew all things and what was passing there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the Wada. Being rather perturbed, Mahajani could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishma, what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Rama-Navami festival, and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced and made preparations for the Jayanti-festival. Next day, the Masjid was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna Mai, and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings started. Bhishma stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani played on the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating to go, doubting whether Baba would allow the festival to go on; but when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the Rama-Navami festival had commenced, and the cradle was put on for that purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche), and placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishma. Then commenced the Kirtan. When it came to a close, pound sounds of "Victory to Rama" went up; and Gulal (red - powder) was thrown up all round, amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously all round, went up, somehow entered Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this scene and took to their heels. Those intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravana; and his demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides they knew, that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was usual with Baba to get wild and angry, and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was rather afraid; and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked Mahajani to get the cradle back. When he went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him, and asked him not to remove it. Then after some time, Baba became calm, and that day’s programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later on, Mr. Mahajani asked Baba, for permission to remove the cradle, Baba refused the same saying, that the festival was not yet finished. Next day, another ‘Kirtan’ and Gopal-Kala ceremony (an earthern pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the ‘Kirtan’, and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Kri shna amongst His cow-herd (friends), were performed, and then Baba allowed the cradle to be removed. While the Rama-Navami festival was thus going on, the procession, of the two flags by day and that of the ‘Sandal’ by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time onwards, the ‘Urus of Baba’ was transformed into the Rama-Navami festival.

From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Rama-Navami began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a ‘Nama-Saptah’ (singing the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for seven days), from 1st of Chaitra, For this, all devotees took part by turns, and she also joined it, sometimes early in the morning. As Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival , Mahajani met accidentally Balabuva Mali, who was known as modern Tukaram, and got him to do the ‘Kirtan’ that year. The next year (1914), another Balabuva Satarkar of Brihadsiddha Kavate, District Satara, could not act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing in his town, and so he came to Shirdi; With Baba’s permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb Dixit, he did the Kirtan; and was sufficiently recompensed for his labour. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai Baba, as He entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently, and since that time, he has been successfully and creditably conducting that function uptill now.

Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year by year. From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a bee-hive of men. Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and sincere efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan (State). Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many silver things, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things, and maintained His simplicity as before. It is to be noted that both the Hindus and Mahomedans have been working in unison in both the processions, and during the entire festival, there has been no hitch or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-7000 people used to collect, but that figure went up to 75000 in some years; still there was no outbreak of any epidemic or any riots w orth the name during so many past years.

Repairs to the Masjid
Another important idea occured to Gopal Gund. Just as he started the Urus or fair, he thought that he should put the Masjid in order. So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got them dressed. But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved for Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and the pavement -work for Kakasaheb Dixit. First, Baba was unwilling to allow them to have these works done, but with the intervention of Mhalsapati, a local devotee of Baba, His permission was secured. When the pavement was completed in one night in the Masjid, Baba took a small Gadi for His seat, discarding the usual piece of sack - cloth used till then. In 1911, the Sabha - Mandap (court - yard) was also put in order with great labour and effort. The open space in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to extend it and put on it a roofing. At great expense, he got iron-posts, and pillars and trusses and started the work. At night, all the devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba, when he returned from Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out. Once it so happened that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one hand, and began to shake and uproot it, and with the other hand caught the neck of Tatya Patil. He took by force Tatya’s Pheta, struck a match, set it on fire and threw it in a pit. At that time, Baba’s eyes flashed like burning embers. None dared to look at Him. All got terribly frightened. Baba took out a rupee from his pocket and threw it there, as if it were an offering on an auspicious occasion. Tatya also was much frightened. None knew what was going to happen to Tatya, and none dared to interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a little boldly advance, but he was pushed out by Baba. Madhavrao was also similarly treated, he being pelted with brick pieces. So all those, who went to intercede, were similarly dealt with. But after some time, Baba’s anger cooled down. He sent for a shopkeeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta and Himself tied it on Tatya’s head, as if he was being given a special honour. All the people were wonderstruck to see this strange behavior of Baba. They were at a loss to know, what enraged Baba so suddenly and what led Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled down, the next moment. Baba was sometimes very calm and quiet and talked sweet things with love, but soon after, with or without any pretext, got enraged. Many such incidents may be related; but I do not know which to choose and which to omit. I, therefore, refer them as they occur to me.
In the next Chapter the question whether Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan will be taken up; and His Yogic practices and powers, and other matters will be dealt with.

Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to all

Sai Prerna

Sri Saibaba Preranaby Shantilal Gopaldas chanchal

Is there any reason why we should not be thankful to baba

A question arised in mind "Is there any reason why we should not be thankful to baba"

Various answers roamed inside the mind. We have probably forget the basics- that we have learnt in our childhood- saying thanks and sorry. We need to say thanks when someone has helped us or extended their service to us. We need to say sorry when someone is hurt because of us whether it is physical or emotional.

Generally we forget when someone has extended their support or provided service or helped us. If some one is really remembering those people who helped them and showing gratitude they are really good. But here we are trying to talk about them who are accepting the help/service/support and forgetting them and not showing their gratitude. Generally we get the realisation of things only when we lose them. Think for a while, is it not baba who has provided us everything. is it not baba who is protecting us, is it not baba who is taking care of us in every aspect of our life. Then how thankful should we be towards baba. What can we offer to baba to show our gratitude, when everything is provided to us by him only. What is ours so that we can offer him. Remember the words of Baba, Baba just expects to have the gratitude towards him leaving our ego. We can know the value of what baba had provided us and what he is providing us only when we dont have them. Intelligent thing is to analyse and realise only when we have the things and show our gratitude rather than getting realisation after those things have been taken back by baba.

We will try to analyse the things so that we can realise the abundant mercy of baba which is showered on us. See those people who are blind or unable to see, you will realise how blessed you are that you are able to see the beautiful world created by god. Why are you using these eyes to watch all the nonsense. Try to use these eyes to see the beautiful form of Baba 

See all those who are unable to speak, you will realise how blessed you are that you are able to talk. why are you using this to speak ill about others. Try to use this tongue to sing the glory of baba, 

See all those who are unable to hear, you will realise how blessed you are that you are able to listen. Why are you using this to listen ill about others, and all nonsense. Try to use this ear to listen to the glory of baba.

See all those who are unable to walk and write, you will realise how blessed you are that you are able to walk and write. Why are you using them for all the wrong purposes. Try to use them to write about the glory of baba and visit the abode of baba.

See all those who are unable to sleep, you will realise, how blessed you are that you are able to have a sound sleep and get up next morning. See all those who have slept and didnt wake up to see the morning, then you will know how blessed you are that baba gave you another chance to see the morning and start your day being thankful.See all those who doesnt have parents, you will know how blessed you are having parents. See those who are childless, you will know how blessed you are being blessed with children by baba. See all those who are suffering with diseases, you will know how blessed you are being blessed with good health. See all those who are jobless, you will know how blessed you are that you are having a job for yourself. See all those who are deprived of something or other in their life, you will know how blessed you are being blessed with whatever you have in your life right now.

The list is endless, the only thing in confirmation is the truth that whatever we are being given right now in our life is by the grace of baba and it is for our good only, whether we know and realise it or not. It is enough for us to believe in this truth and being thankful to baba and show our gratitude by remembering always in our life. The easiest way is to remember baba at every instance, and being thankful- like when we wake up early in the morning, we need to thank baba for giving us another chance to live another day. When we are eating food, we need to thank baba for providing us food, so we should be careful enough not to waste the food we eat- as there are people who dont get food to eat. 

In summary we can say that we are unable to know the blessings of baba for whatever we are having and trying to ask for more. Because of this attitude, we are always in the mode of unsatisfaction, rather than being content and satisfied for what we are being given. Because our attitude is for more which we dont have, rather than being satisfied for what we have. This makes us not being thankful. Once we realise what is already being given, we feel blessed and thankful.

Hope by the grace of baba, whoever is reading this understand this basic truth and feel blessed and be thankful to baba in their life.

Loka samastha sukhinobavanthu, sarve jana sukhinobavanthu. om santi santi santi.