Shirdi Sai Baba

Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

Always remember Baba with love, for he was always engrossed in doing good to all, and was always abiding in the Self. To remember only him is to solve the mystery of life and death. This is the best and easiest of sadhanas as it involves little effort. Just a little exertion brings great rewards. So as long as our senses are sound, we should practice this sadhana minute by minute. All other Gods are illusory. The guru is the only God. If we believe in sadguru’s holy feet, he can change our fortune for the better. If we serve him, we become free from samsara (worldly bondage). We need not study any philosophy like the Nyaya and the Mimansa. If we make him our helmsman, we can easily cross over the ocean of all our suffering and sorrows. As we trust a helmsman to go across the rivers and seas, so we have to trust our sadguru in order to go over the ocean of worldly existence. What the sadguru looks for is the intense feeling and devotion of his devotees and endows them with knowledge and eternal bliss.

In the last chapter, Baba’s mendicancy, devotees’ experiences and other subjects are dealt with. Let the readers now hear where and how Baba lived, how he slept and how he taught...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

Let us, on this occasion, bring to our mind the form of Sai, who was detachment incarnate, and who was the resting place for his wholehearted devotees. Our faith in his words is the seat of asana; and our sankalpam (intention) is the abandonment of all our desires. Some call Baba a Bhagvad bhakta (devotee of the Lord) and others call him was a maha bhagwat (a great devotee), but to us he was God incarnate. He was extremely forgiving, never irritable, straight, soft, tolerant and content beyond comparison. Though he looked embodied and having a form, he was really beyond the body, emotionless, detached and internally free. The Ganges on its way to the sea cools and refreshes the creatures affected with heat, gives life to the crops and trees, and quenches the thirst of many. Similarly, saints like Baba, while they live their own life, give solace and comfort to all. Lord Krishna has said, “The saint is my soul, my living image. I am he and he is my pure form (being).” This indescribable shakti or power of God, known as pure existence, consciousness and bliss, incarnated in the form of Sai Baba in Shirdi. The Shruti the Taitiriya Upanishad, describes Brahman as bliss. This we read of or hear daily in books but the devoted experienced this Brahman or bliss in Shirdi.

Baba, the support of all, required no prop or support from anyone. He always used a piece of sackcloth for his seat. His bhaktas covered his small beautiful bed and placed a bolster as a rest for his back. Baba respected the feelings of his devotees and allowed them to worship him as they liked. Some waved fans before him, some played musical instruments, some washed his hands and feet, some others applied scent and sandalpaste, some gave betel nut with leaves and other things, and some offered naivedya. But though he looked like he was living in Shirdi, he was
present everywhere. This all-pervasiveness of his was experienced daily by his devotees. Our humble prostration to this all-pervasive sadguru...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

We have seen before that the purpose or object of divine incarnation is to protect the good and destroy the wicked. But the mission of the saints is quite different. To them the good and the wicked are the same. First, they feel for wrongdoers then set them on the right path. They are like the agasti (destroyer) of bhavaagar (the ocean of worldly existence) or like the sun to the darkness of ignorance. The Lord dwells in the saints. In fact, they are not different from Him.

Our Baba is one of these, who incarnated for the welfare of the devotees. Supreme in knowledge and surrounded with divine luster, he loved all beings equally. He was unattached. Foes and friends, kings and paupers were the same to him. Hear his powers. For the sake of devotees, he spent his stock of merits and was ever alert to help them. But the devotees could never approach him, unless he meant to receive them. If their turn did not come, Baba did not remember them and his leelas could not reach their ears. Then how could they think of seeing him? Some men desired to see Baba but they did not get any opportunity to have his darshan until his mahasamadhi. There are many people whose desire for Baba’s darshan was not satisfied. If these people, believing in him, listen to his leelas their search for darshan will, to a great extent, be satisfied by the leelas. If some people went there by sheer luck and had Baba’s darshan, were they able to stay there longer? No. No one could go there of their own accord, and no one could stay there long even if they so wished. They could stay there as long as Baba permitted them to stay,
and had to leave when Baba asked them to do so. Everything depended on Baba’s will...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

Baba’s words were always concise, deep, efficient, well balanced and full of meaning. He was ever content and never cared for anything. He said: 

"Though I have become a fakir, have no house or wife, have left all cares and stayed in one place, the inevitable Maya (illusion) teases me often. Even if I forget myself, I cannot forget her. She always envelops me. If this Maya of the Lord teases even Brahma, then what to speak of a poor fakir like me? Those who take refuge in the Lord will be freed from her clutches with his grace."

Baba spoke about the power of Maya in such terms. Lord Sri Krishna said to Uddhava in the Bhagavad Gita that the saints are his living forms. For the welfare of his devotee, Baba said the following: 

"Those who are fortunate and whose demerits have vanished, take to my worship. If you always say, ‘Sai, Sai’ I shall take you over the seven seas. Believe in these words and you will certainly benefit. I do not need any other worship, either eight-fold or sixteen-fold. I reside where there is total devotion."

Now read what Baba, the friend of those who surrender to him, did for their welfare...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

It is well known that Baba always asked for dakshina from people who went to see him. Somebody may ask a question, “If Baba was a fakir and perfectly detached, why should he ask for dakshina and care for money?”
We now shall consider this question broadly. 

For a long time, Baba did not accept anything. He stored burnt matches and filled his pocket with them. He never asked anything from anyone, whether a devotee or otherwise. If anyone placed a coin or two before him, he purchased oil or tobacco with it. He was fond of smoking. He always smoked a bidi (clove cigarette) and a chillum (pipe). 

Then some people thought that they could not see saints empty handed, so they placed some copper coins before Baba. If a coin was placed before Baba, he used to pocket it. If it was a two pice coin, it was returned immediately. After Baba’s fame had spread far and wide, people began to flock in numbers, then Baba began to ask dakshina from them. It is said in the Shruti (Veda) that puja to God is not complete unless a golden coin is offered. If a coin is necessary in the puja to God, why should it not be so in the puja of the saints also? Ultimately, the Shastras lay down that when one goes to see God, king, saint or guru, he should not go empty-handed. He should offer something, preferably money...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

The readers may remember that in Chapter Six mention was made about the Ramanavami Festival in Shirdi, how the festival originated, how in the early years it was difficult to get good singers for kirtan and how Baba permanently entrusted this function to Das Ganu. Now in this chapter we shall describe the manner in which Das Ganu was performing kirtan.

Das Ganu Changes His Clothes

Generally, kirtan singers wear elaborate dress. They put on a headdress or turban, a long flowing coat with a shirt inside, an uparane (short cloth) on the shoulders and the usual long dhotar (cloth) from the waist below. Dressed in this fashion, Das Ganu once went to bow to Baba. Baba asked,

“Well, bridegroom! Where are you going dressed so beautifully?”

“To perform a kirtan.”

Baba said, “Why do you want all this paraphernalia, coat, uparane and turban and all that before me? Why wear them on the body?” Das Ganu immediately took them off and placed them at Baba’s feet. From that time on, Das Ganu never wore these things while singing kirtan. He was always bare from waist up with a pair of chiplis in his hand and a garland around his neck. This is not the traditional practice by kirtan singers, but this is the best and purest method. The sage Narada, from whom kirtan originated, wore nothing on his trunk and head. He carried a vina (one stringed instrument) in his hand and wandered from place to place, everywhere singing the glory of the Lord....

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

The last chapter described how Mr. Cholkar’s vow of a small offering was completed and accepted. In that story, Sai Baba showed that he would happily accept any thing, no matter how small, when it was offered with love and devotion. But if the same thing were offered with pride and conceit, he would reject it. He, being full of satchitananda (existence, consciousness and bliss), did not care for outward formalities but if an offering was made in a humble spirit, it was eagerly welcomed and accepted with pleasure. In fact, there is no person more generous and compassionate than a sadguru like Sai Baba. He cannot even be compared to the Chintamani jewel (the philosopher’s stone which satisfies desires), the Kalpataru (the celestial tree which fulfills our desires) or the Kamadhenu (the celestial cow which gives what we desire), for they only give us what we desire. But the sadguru gives us the most precious thing, which is inconceivable and inscrutable—Reality. Now let us hear how Baba handled of a rich man who came and implored Baba to give him Brahma Jnana (self-realization)...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

It is a well-known fact that the sadguru looks first to the qualifications of his disciples, then gives them suitable instructions and leads them on towards the goal of self-realization. In this respect, some say that what the sadguru teaches or instructs should not be divulged to others. They think that their instructions become useless if they are published. This view is not correct. The sadguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours down profusely, widely scattering his nectar-like teachings. These we should enjoy and assimilate to our heart’s content and then serve others with them, without any reserve. This rule should apply not only to what he teaches in our waking state, but
to the visions he gives us in our dreams. One example of this is when Budhakowshik Rishi composed his celebrated Ramraksha Stotra, which he had seen in his dream.

Like a loving mother forcing bitter but wholesome medicines down the throats of her children for the sake of their health, Sai Baba imparted spiritual instructions to his devotees. His method was not veiled or secret, but quite open. The devotees who followed his instructions reached their aim. Sadgurus like Sai Baba open the eyes of our intellect and show us the divine beauty of the Self, and fulfill our tender longings of devotion. When this is done, our desire for sense objects vanishes. The twin fruits of viveka (discrimination) and vairagya (detachment) come to our hands and knowledge sprouts up even in sleep. All this we get when we come in contact with saints, serve them and secure their love. The Lord, who fulfills the desires of His devotees, comes to our aid, removes our troubles and sufferings, and makes us happy. This progress or development is entirely due to the help of the sadguru, who is regarded as the Lord Himself. And so, we should always follow the sadguru, hear his stories, fall at his feet and serve him. Now we come to our main story....

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

Sai was originally formless. He assumed a form for the sake of devotees. With the help of the actress, Maya, he played the part of the actor in this big drama of the universe. Let us remember and visualize Sri Sai. Let us go to Shirdi and carefully see the programs following the noon Aarati. After the Aarati was over, Baba used to come out of the masjid and standing on its edge, distribute udi (sacred ash) to the devotees with very kind and loving looks. The devotees got up with equal fervor, clasped his feet, and standing and staring at him, enjoyed the shower of udi. Baba passed handfuls of udi into the palms of the devotees and used it to mark their foreheads with his own fingers. The love he bore for them was boundless. He addressed the devotees as follows, “Oh Bhau, go to take your lunch. You, Anna, go to your lodgings. You, Bapu, go enjoy your meals.” In this way, he approached each of the devotees then sent them home. Even now, you can enjoy these sights if you bring your imagination into play. You can visualize and appreciate them. Now bringing Baba before our mental vision, let us meditate on him, from his
feet upwards to his face, prostrating before him humbly, lovingly and respectfully...

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Sri Sai Satcharitra: The Wonderful Life of Shirdi Sai Baba, A Modern Rendering of Hemadpant by Monika Penukonda 

If a man utters my name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. If he sings earnestly of my life and my deeds, I shall surround him in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees who are attached to me heart and soul will naturally feel happiness when they hear these stories. Believe me, if anybody sings my leelas I will give him infinite joy and everlasting happiness. ~ Shirdi Sai Baba

From this episode:

There has been the institution of saints in this world from time immemorial. Various saints incarnate themselves in various places to carry out the missions given to them. Although they work in different places, they are one. They work in unison under the common authority of the Almighty and know full well what the other is doing, supplementing the other’s work where necessary. An instance illustrating this is given below.

Mr. Thakur Meets Baba

Mr. Thakur was a clerk in the Revenue Department. He once came to a town named Vadgaum, along with a survey party. There he saw a Kanarese saint named Appa, and bowed before him. The saint was explaining to an audience a portion of the book, Vichar Sagar of Nischaldas, a standard work on Vedanta. As Thakur was taking to leave, the saint said to him, “You should study this book, and if you do your desires will be fulfilled. In the future when you go to the north to do your duties, you will come across a great saint. By your good luck he will show you your future path, give peace to your mind and make you happy.”..

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