Satsang SAI BABA AND FOOD

CHARITY OF FOOD

Last, but an important advice about food, given by Baba, is
about charity : "Different sadhanas (means of accomplishments)
are prescribed in our scriptures for different Ages. Tapa (penance)
is recommended for Krita Age, Jnana (knowledge) for Treta Age,
Yajna (sacrifice) for Dwapara Age and Dana (charity) for Kali
(present) Age. Of all the kinds of charities, giving food is the best
one. We are much perturbed, when we get no food at noon. Other
beings feel similarly under similar circumstances. Knowing this,
he, who gives food to the poor and hungry, is the best donar or
charitable person. The Taittiriya Upanishad says that "Food is
Brahma, from food all the creatures are born and having been born
by food they live and having departed into food they again enter."
Other kinds of charities viz. giving away wealth, property, clothes
etc. require some discrimination; but in the matter of food, no such
consideration is necessary. Let anybody come to our door at noon,
he should be served forthwith; and if lame, crippled, blind and
diseased paupers come, they should be fed first and the able
bodied persons and our relations afterwards." (Ch. 38, P. 208-209)
We remember, how in Ch. 9, Sai Baba expressed His great
pleasure, when Mrs. Tarkhad fed a hungry dog during her meal time.
He further said, "Ever act like this and this will stand you in good
stead. First give bread to the hungry and then eat yourself!" (P. 55,
Shri Sai Saicharita). Similarly, we know, what Baba said to Laxmibai
Shinde, who was annoyed because Baba gave the bread and
vegetable, cooked urgently for Baba, to a nearby dog,

"Why do you grieve for nothing? The appeasement of the dog's hunger
is the same as Mine. Though some speak and others are dumb, the
hunger of all creatures is the same. Know for certain that he who
feeds the hungry, really serves Me with food." (Ch. 42, P. 233)

In this regard also, Baba Himself had set an example. In early days,
He on and oft used to feed the poor and helpless by cooking food
Himself in big pots (Handi). He used to buy the grains and spices
from bazaar and do the grinding also Himself, Later, devotees
started thronging to Shirdi in large numbers and cooked food in the
form of naivedya started coming in large quantities, so there was
no need for cooking the food by Baba. However, He never stopped
distributing this naivedya food to all and sundry. He Himself hardly
tasted it.

Conclusion
Sai Baba was always practical and realistic in His advice. While
eulogizing charity, He also warned not to do it in excess and
become a debtor (Bhakti Leelamrit, Ch. 32, by Das Ganu Maharaj).
The crux of His advice regarding food was to learn to control one's
tongue and be satisfied with whatever food is served. This will not
only ensure good health but also help one in one's efforts for
attaining emancipation.

By Lt. Col. M. B. Nimbalkar (Retd.)
(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine, September-October 1993)