Chapter 4

Highlights of this chapter

• Reason behind Sai Baba's incarnation
• Sai Baba and Vitthal (deity from Pandharpur)
• Sai Baba's arrival in Shirdi
• Importance of Shirdi

This chapter starts with a discussion of why Shri Sai Baba (and generally other saints) incarnate. There are times in human civilization where people in general start living predominantly in an un-ethical manner.   People do not believe in the scriptures, they think they have all the necessary knowledge, they are always eager to argue and dominate others, they act in selfish manner and not think before carrying out any act, they eat any kind of food without thinking whether its fit or unfit. Making religion or caste as the reason, people are divided which eventually results in brutal atrocity and aggression against each other. The poor and weak suffer tremendously. This are the times when a saint incarnates and brings order to the prevailing chaos. They re-instate belief in God, remind people the teachings of their religion, also make everyone realize that God is one and is not divided by a country or state's boundaries. Throughout their life the saints endure lots of hardship and sets an example for others to live a un-selfish, healthy, successful and a peaceful life. This is not an ordinary task by any means, however the saints are free from the affect of Maya, they are an epitome of selfless action. God through them shower grace and blessings and brings order to this world. Once their work is done the saints sheds their human body and return to God and continue their service even when they are in spirit form. 

सकलजगदानंद करू

प्रत्यगात्माची परमेश्वरू

जो परमेश्वरू तोचि गुरु 

तोचि शंकरु सुखकरू 

Shirdi where Shri Sai decided to stay and show his leela's became one of the sacred places similar to Gangapur, Narsobachi wadi, Audumbar and Bhilawadi. Shirdi is located on the banks of Godavari river. Godavari is one of the holy rivers and many saints have incarnated in its surrounding region and there are several pilgrimages around it. Godavari is located in Ahmednagar district and in Kopargaon taluka (now its Rahata taluka) it gives way to Shridi. After crossing this river, at a distance of around 3 miles is the village of Shirdi.

There are few short stories in this chapter which shows the similarities between Shri Sai & God Vitthal (Lord Krisna) from Pandharpur.

1. There was a staunch Vitthal devotee named Gollibuva. He used to spent the 4 holy months (chaturmaas) on the banks of holy river Ganga and the remaining months in Pandharpur. He used to continuously chant the name of God, "RamKrishna Hari". He used to stop at Shirdi which was on his way and take Shri Sai's darshan. Looking at Baba he used to get mesmerized, he used to see Vitthal in Shri Sai Baba. He used to tell other devotees that its an extremely difficult task to be a saint, one has to work hard and do several sacrifice and he Shri Sai is true saint and no different than Vitthal. He told other devotees to not get distracted by the worldly things and realize that Shri Sai and God are the same.
2. Sai Baba was utterly fond of chanting and used to always utter "Allah Malik". He used to encourage his devotees to do the same and used to get naam saptah (discourse carried for a week) done regularly.  Once he asked his devotee Dasganu (he used to write songs, literature on saints etc) to organize such a saptah. Dasganu got excited to receive this command directly from Baba, he agreed and joyfully asked Baba that Vitthal should come out in open when the devotees are taking his name. Baba gave him guaranteed assurance, "Yes why not, Vitthal will come out provided all the devotees will chant sincerely and passionately. This Shirdi is no different than other sacred places and there is no need to visit this distant places. Vitthal always respond to devotees love and shows up no matter where the devotee is." People say that Dasganu indeed see Vitthal after the saptah.
3. Once Kakasaheb Dixit after his morning bath was meditating and he clearly saw Vitthal's face. He was extremely happy and when he went to take Sai's darshan, Sai Baba who knew everything, in his own humorous way asked him did Vitthal patil came and met him. He told Kakasaheb to keep an eye on Vitthal continuously since he has to tendency to hide as soon you look away from him. Kakasaheb was  ecstatic since he got confirmation from Baba. Later that afternoon, a man from some other village came to Shirdi and brought with him few photos of Vitthal to sell. Kakasaheb found the same photo which he saw during his meditation. Remembering Baba's word, he immediately bought that photo and kept it for his daily prayer.
4. Another short but sweet story is about Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar, whose dad was a great Vitthal devotee. After his dad's death the family completely forgot about it and they stopped offering prayer and food (naivedya) to Vitthal. Once this gentlemen came to Shirdi for the first time, Shri Sai said, "His father was my friend. That's why I brought him to meet me. He is not offering naivedya and keeps me hungry. He also keep Vitthal hungry. Thats why i got him here. Now he will remember this and correct his behavior".

Once Dasganu thought of going on a pilgrimage to Prayag and as a tradition there he wanted to bathe in Holy Ganga river. So he came to take Baba's permission. Shri Sai told him whats the use of going so far, all the pilgrimage are right here in Shirdi, just have full trust in mind. And what a surprise, as soon as Dasganu bowed on Baba's feet, lo and behold! water started flowing from both the toe's of Baba. Seeing this miracle Dasganu was left speechless, tears started flowing from his eyes, he couldn't comprehend the love and mercy of Shri Sai. In this state he started singing praise to Shri Sai.

Line 107:

अगाध शक्ति अघटित लीला तव सद्गुरुराया 

जडजीवातें भवीं ताराया तूं नौका सदया ||

वेणीमाधव आपण होउनि प्रयाग पद केलें 

गंगा यमुना द्वय अंगुषठी प्रवाह दाखविले ||

There are total 14 stanza in this poem and its beautiful !

Shri Sai first appeared in Shirdi at an young age of 16. He was all alone and used to sit and meditate below one Neem tree. All the villagers were utterly surprise to see such a young kid on its own and they realized that though young he is an evolved soul. They tried to get more information regarding his parents, village etc. but with no luck. Nobody knew from where and how Baba came to Shirdi. But the villagers were attracted to the brightness and majesty of young Sai Baba and they grew fond of him. People from neighboring village started visiting Shirdi just to get a glimpse of Shri Sai. Once couple of villagers got possessed by Khandoba, who is village deity. Other villagers sought this opportunity to enquire about Shri Sai and who he was. Khandoba, told the villagers to dig a hole at a spot under the Neem tree. The villagers did as said and they were astonished to see a small chamber under and there were 4 burning lamps in it. Khandoba further told that at this place this kid has done penance for 12 years. Villager knew that this kid was not a normal one, so they started asking again to Shri Sai from where he came and what place is that. Shri Sai replied that this place belongs to his Guru and they should take proper care of it. Later the villagers covered the hole and restored it back to its previous form and they started revering that place of Shri Sai's guru.

Later one of Shri Sai devotee, Mr. Sathe bought all the place surrounding the Neem tree and made a lodging place for all the devotees who used to visit Shirdi. He made a platform surrounding the Neem tree and this location became a place of worship for the devotees. Later on Kakasaheb Dixit also constructed a big house around that area which was used by the visiting devotees as a lodging area.

Kakasaheb Dixit was a spiritual person and his interest in spiritual matter was developed when he was in England. Kakasaheb came from a rich family, highly educated and had travelled all over India. Once in England he got involved in an accident and one of his leg got handicapped. Kakasaheb was a good friend of Mr. Chandorkar, another great and close devotee of Shri Sai. Chandorkar urged Kakasaheb to visit Shirdi and meet Shri Sai and was confident that Shri Sai can cure Kakasaheb completely. However Kakasaheb being more spiritual minded was more interested in getting rid of handicap nature of mind rather than his leg. Because he knew that this body is a temporary thing and it changes every moment, he was much interested in the spiritual matters.

On 2nd Nov 1909 Kakasaheb first came to Shirdi and met Shri Sai. In the next month Kakasaheb thought of constructing a building for the devotees and he got Baba's permission on 9th Dec. Another great devotee of Baba, Mr. Khaparde was in Shirdi at the same time and he was not getting permission from Baba to return home. However Khaparde got the permission on 10th Dec and on the same day Kakasaheb also started construction for the building. Another significance of 9th Dec is, aarati in Chavadi was started on this day.

Shri Sai didn't stayed in Shirdi for long, he disappeared for a long time but re-appeared along with a marriage party, more stories in the coming chapter.

Jai Shri Sai !

Chapter 3

Highlights of this chapter:

• Objective of this religious text
• Baba's permission
• Rohilla's story

Sai Baba gave his complete permission to Hemadpant to write this text. Shri Sai gave direct instruction to Hemadpant to continue this work with single pointedness and inspired him to have complete faith in him and not lose courage at any instant. He further assured that if he writes his story all the affects from his sins will cease to exist and whoever listens to these stories wholeheartedly will find peace and comfort in their life.

Shri Sai further gave assurance to everyone of us, "whoever takes my name with love, i'll fulfill all their wishes and increase their devotion towards me. I'll always take care of my people, my stories and my name will give them happiness, peace and success in their efforts. You have to have complete faith in me, its my duty to look after my devotees. My stories will not only remove the obstacles and pain on the material pane but also help resolve all doubts and help devotees realize God. Just remember "Sai Sai", that's the medicine to all the problems of Kalyug".

Well what an assurance, its so simple yet makes me wonder why we fail to comply. I sincerely pray to Shri Sai that he grant his grace so we all remember his name with our every breath.

Shri Sai knew the limitations of a normal average person, he therefor has laid path for a simple approach to attain peace & God realization. Throughout this chapter he is re-iterating the power of these stories and urging everyone to listen, remember and implement the learning from these stories.

Line 17:

कथा करा सादर श्रवण 

त्यावरी करा पूर्ण मनन 

मननावरी निदिध्यासन 

समाधान पावाल

Shri Sai further described in detail the discussion between Shri Krishna and Arjuna as mentioned in Bhagvad Gita. God is present everywhere around, in me, in you, all the moveable creature and also in immovable things. Those who realize this reaches the God state and merges in Him.

Once a Rohilla (Pathan) came to Shirdi and stayed along with Baba. He was a huge, strong guy and completely bullheaded. He had lot of respect for Baba but was completely indifferent to all the villagers in Shirdi. Whenever he felt he used to recite very loudly the scriptures from the Holy Quran and used to get completely engrossed in it. He had a harsh and a very loud voice, but Baba never got disturbed because of it. But that was not the case with villagers, they used to toil all day in the fields and in the evening when they returned home and during nights they were greeted by this loud voice of Rohilla. They let it go for few days, but because of lack of sleep they lost their patience. They didn't want to confront the Rohilla directly, so they decided to talk to Baba instead. On hearing this complaint from villagers, Shri Sai unexpectedly and in a quiet humorous way parted side with Rohilla. Baba warned the villagers that the moment Rohilla stops the recitation, Rohilla's wife will come and harass him like anything. He is continuing the readings just to stay away from his cruel wife. In fact the wife will harass Baba too if she gets hold of Rohilla, so Baba politely told the villagers to accept this situation. The villagers were awestruck and left empty handed. They knew that Rohilla was not married and there is no such wife who is harassing Rohilla and Baba. They later realize that by cruel wife, Baba was in fact referring to Maya. Those who forgets God name, Maya attacks them from all sides and those who remembers God and lovingly take his name, he whom the God protects. 

One day after the afternoon prayers Shri Sai Baba made some extraordinary statements, which every devotees should always remember; "Wherever you are, whatever you do, but always remember i am completely aware of all your actions.

Line 142:

कुठेही असा काहींही करा 

एवढें पूर्ण सदैव स्मरा

कीं तुमच्या इत्यंभूत कृतिच्या खबरा

मज निरंतरा लागती

Those of you experience me so closely, always remember I stay in your heart, I can travel anywhere and I am your Swami. I have transcended all the living and non-living things and yet I'm much more than that. This all is the organization of God and I'm the main driver of all. I am the originator of these universe and the bearer of balance condition of the 3 tendencies (satva, raja, tama). I am the driver of all the sense organs and I am responsible for the creation, preservation and destruction. Those who aim their attention towards me, I take away all their problem. And those who forget me, they have to face the wrath of Maya. 

Hence in this chapter Shri Sai Baba has clearly mentioned his original form and laid down simple steps to reach Him. He re-iterated that just by listening to his stories and learning from them is enough to realize peace, happiness, success, good health and most importantly realize God. Lets fill our heart with the name of Sai, Sai..

Jai Shri Sai !

Chapter 2

Highlights of this chapter:

• Inspiration behind writing Sai Satcharitra
• Author's first visit to Shirdi
• How the author was named Hemadpant
• Importance of Guru

As we all know Govind Raghunath Dabholkar (Govindrao) is the author of Sai Satcharitra. He arrived in Shirdi in year 1910, he had a government job with an important position. Initially he was apprehensive of visiting Shirdi and have a Guru, but as was the fate or indeed Shri Sai's blessing he came, stayed and got inspired to write Sai leela's . He soon realized that Shri Sai is a true Sadguru and his devotion towards Shri Sai grew no bounds. He found it hard to resist the urge of singing the name & glory of his dear Sai. He thought of collecting the stories as well as experiences from Sai's devotees and compose a life story of Shri Sai.

He knew that he was not at all qualified to undertake such responsibility. However he had complete faith in Shri Sai, he knew if Sai Baba gave his blessings he would succeed in it. He took help from Madhavrao Deshpande ( an intimate devotee of Shri Sai) to get Sai's permission. Initially Sai Baba declined, however looking at their loving persistence eventually agreed to it. Shri Sai gave his blessings to the author and guided him to start this work. Shri Sai knew all the thoughts going in Govindrao's mind, he ensured the author that he would be just an instrument to write the stories. Shri Sai further said that he himself will write the stories, he himself will tell the stories and the devotees wish to write the stories will be granted by him only. The devotee only has to keep his pride aside. Once this is done the devotees will have all the assistance from Shri Sai. Following assurance was given by Shri Sai himself, its reproduced as is.

81:

करीता माझ्या कथाचे श्रवण

त्यांचे कीर्तन आणि चिंतन

होईल मद्भाक्तिचे जनन 

अविद्यानिर्सन रोकड़े 

82:

जेथे भक्ति श्रद्धान्वित 

त्याचा मी नित्यांकित 

ये अर्थी न व्हावे शंकित 

इतरत्र अप्राप्त मी सदा 

83:

सद्भावे या कथा परिसता

निष्ठा उपजेल श्रोत्यां चिता 

सहज स्वानुभव स्वानंद्ता

सुखावस्था लाधेल

The author was also know by another name, Hemadpant. This name was given by Shri Sai himself and there is a short story behind it. Govindrao used to stay in Bandra, Mumbai and was close to two great devotees of Shri Sai, Kakasahe Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar. They persisted Govindrao to visit Shirdi and meet Shri Sai. Govindrao agreed to it, but during the same time one of his close friend's only son got sick. His friend took all the steps to cure his son but nothing seemed to work. In the meantime his son's health deteriorated. His friend had a spiritual guru and he asked guru to bless his son, he even got the guru to his place and made him sit next to his son. But that didn't worked too and his friend lost his son. This incident brought lot of grief to Govindrao and he wondered what's the use of the guru if he can't save the only son of a devotee. If fate or karma is so strong that it can't be changed, then why go behind a guru and lose all our independence. He lost his motivation to visit Shirdi and his meeting with Sai got postponed. 

Once Nanasaheb was in Mumbai for some work and he by a chance happened to meet Govindrao. Govindrao told the reason why he put off the visit to Shirdi, however Nanasaheb affectionately persuaded to get Shri Sai's darshan and left. Govindrao felt an excitement to meet Shri Sai and he decided to leave for Shirdi on same evening. He took a train to Dadar and decided to board the Manmad passenger from there. During his travel to Dadar out of nowhere a person approached him and started enquiring about his travel. He gave a timely advice to Govindrao, to not get down at Dadar since the Manmad passenger doesn't halt there. He should instead go to Boribandar. Govindrao did as advised and reached Shirdi the next morning where his friend Kakasaheb Dixit was waiting for him. What a luck !! Or Sai's blessing.

Upon reaching Shirdi, they happen to meet Shri Sai who was on his way back from Lendi bagh. Govindrao & Kakasaheb felt on Baba's feet and took his blessings. Govindrao was seeing Baba for the first time, his joy knew no bounds, he felt blessed. After this quick darshan they left to lodging and there they met Balasaheb Bhat. The normal chit chat took the form of heated argument and went on and on, with Govindrao insisting that one should not put their complete faith in a guru and lose their independence. Govindrao was sincere, hard working and always believed in fruit from action, rather than depending on a guru's grace. He was of the opinion that one should carry their assigned duties and responsibilities whole heartedly and intelligently. No guru can help a person who is lazy or careless. On the other hand, Balasaheb was of the opinion that no matter how much intelligent a person is, he is not free from the bondage and has no control on the outcome. Balasaheb was a strong believer in fate whereas Govindrao didn't like the idea of leaving everything on fate. As with any arguments, Govindrao thought he was absolutely right and took lot of pride in maintaing his stance. He lost all the peace which he had experienced from Sai Darshan.

153:

अंगी दुर्धर देहाभिमान 

तेणेच वादावादिचे जनन 

अह्मभावाची ही खुणा 

नाहीं त्यावीं वाद जगीं 

In the evening when they went to take Sai Darshan, Sai Baba who knew everything pointedly asked the people what argument was happening in the lodging. He looked at Govindrao and taunted what this Hemadpant is saying. Govindrao felt ashamed and he regretted his previous argument. He knew that 'Hemadri' was a smart and capable minister from 13th century and Sai Baba by calling him Hemdpant was instead ridiculing him and trying to teach him that argument should be avoided. Sai Baba explained to all that the tendency to argue indicate that we have unnecessary ego and pride in us and because of such bad qualities we don't let the grace of God to flow into our life.

86:

जेथे वादावादिची बुद्धि 

तेथे अविद्या मायासमृद्धि 

नाहीं तेथें स्वहितसमृद्धि 

सदा दुर्बुधि कुतर्की

87:

तों ना आत्मज्ञानासी पात्र
त्यासी ग्रासी अज्ञान मात्र
नाहीं तयासी इहपरत्र
असुख सर्वत्र सर्वदा
88:
नको स्वपक्षस्थापन
नको पर्पक्षनिराकरण
नको पक्षद्वयात्मक विवरण
काय ते निष्कारण सायास

Govindrao was open minded, he accepted and learned from this advice. He accepted the new name of Hemadpant so he always knew that he has to refrain from argument.  Through this story Shri Sai taught this valuable lesson to all of us. Govindrao realized that Sri Rama as well as Sri Krishna accepted the discipleship of their gurus, even though they were the incarnation of God. So what's the question for ordinary people like us. All the religious text have clearly mentioned that its not possible to gain knowledge or God realization without the help of a Guru.

Jai Shri Sai !