Satsang SHRI SAINATH PRABHU AND SAIABAD

SHRI SAINATH PRABHU AND SAIABAD
D. Sankahah
The Dakshina Bhiksha Samstha was established during the
year 1915 to serve the needs of pilgrims visiting Shirdi. The
Samstha published a Journal called Sainath Prabha. The
information furnished hereunder is taken from the journal as
every Sai devotee would like to know more about Shirdi alias
Sheeladhi alias Saiabad of 1915 and also what Baba spoke
/taught to the visiting devotees of yesteryear. The population
of Shirdi was only 1500 at that time. They considered Sheeladhi
as Mukti-Kshetra of the Yuga with Shree Sai Baba as Mukti
Data. Many of his bhaktas heard him saying that Shirdi with
three other villages had been given to him by his Malik. Shirdi
was his ancestral place. Baba declared more than once that
he had come to stay there permanently after an interval of
about two hundred years. Maharaj did not say the name of the
original place from where he came. But he often mentioned that
that place was inhabited by typical men well versed in all arts
and professions besides being kind-hearted and God-fearing.
Even Shirdi which was a barren and forsaken village during the
early period, was an excellent citadel encircled with pleasant
groves of fruit trees. Its bazaars were large enough to have kept
his favourite Marwari-vysyas in great affluence.

Again with the advent of Sainath the spiritual importance had
steadily grown. Baba's unique, pure and divine love, his simple
ways, his scanty and ordinary food enhanced observers' regard
for him. Baba saved many sufferers from bodily ailments. Though
he did not leave Shirdi, his body was seen in distant lands
attending to his bhaktas. In his own words:
The sick and the wounded expect miraculous cure from Amritic
Vibhuti. Many an atheist had changed and become his sincere
bhakta. With the increasing fame of Shri Sainath, the importance
of Shirdi also had grown and it is reckoned as an important pilgrim,
centre in the world. The good and deserving attempted to reach
His paramarthic goal under his safe and sure guidance. Sainath
Maharaj had practically shown to the world that the platform of
Dwarakamai was a sight to see where devotees of all religious
faith gather for common prayer irrespective of their caste, creed,
sex, region. Not a single disturbance had ever been witnessed
during so many years of such congregated worship, consequent
on any religious difference.
No doubt Baba Sai accepted dakshina or arpans from visting
Bhaktas; (If I borrow money from somebody I will utilise for his
work. I don't require his money).
Of course Baba did not ask for dakshina from every one nor did
he accept everything offered by everybody. He was often heard
saying that he had to keep an account for the owner and
Government.
Perhaps associations or individuals who receive money should
bear in mind that every paisa has to be accounted to the giver
as well as to Government as the collection is in his name.
Sainath Prabhu used to disburse dakshina amounts among
sevakaris bhaktas, gosevis. fakirs, bairagis and children.
Seasonal fruits were purchased and distributed. His care for
the poor, the needy and crippled worked . Baba used to say,
who else would see the poor except myself. He used to impress
on the devotees such charities would confer extraordinary
benefits on the giver.
We may conclude this article with Sadguru Math's invaluable
assurance. Fifty thousand people may come and fifty - six
thousand may go. Why we should bother? A person whose
faith is firm and integrity is established he can cross seven
seas. I look after my people for 72 generations.
OM SAI SRI SAI JAI JAI SAI
"Your life is in your own hands. So elevate it, purify it and fill it
with the bliss of immortality. " May God who is within be your
guide. "
-Swami Ramdas