Satsang SHRISAIBABA AND SERVICE TO THE DISTRESSED

SHRISAIBABA AND SERVICE TO THE DISTRESSED
Lt Col. M.B. Nimbalkar(Retd.)

From his very early days in Shirdi, Sri Baba used to serve
the distressed and poor. In the beginning, He used to go
round Shirdi village and treat the sick persons:
"In the beginning, He used to act as a physician and after
examination prescribe medicines. His treatment was very
effective and he became famous as a physician" (46)
"He did not charge any fees and brought health to the poor
and helpless.
With his effective treatment, He became well-known in that
part of the country as a great physician."(47) –

Chapter 7
Sai baba not only used to cure their diseases but sometimes
draw those on his own body. Once Dadasaheb Khaparde's
young son while at Shirdi suffered from a very high fever. At
that time, Shirdi village had an epidemic of bubo., plague.
Naturally the boy's mother got very worried and holding
Babas feet started requesting His permission to return to her
native place Amaravati. Thereupon:
"Baba said in soft words, "The sky is full of clouds, It will
rain soon and the crops will grow. Then the clouds will
disappear and the sky will be clear." (106)
Then, raising His Kafani (long robe) upto the waist, He said,
Why are you afraid? and displayed to all those present four
buboes appeared on His body" (107).
"There were four buboes of the size of a hen's egg all round
and pointing at them He said, "Look! H... for your sake I have
to suffer this burden of yours,."(108)
Chapter 7 Sai Charita
Sai Baba not only used to cure the diseases of the distressed
persons but also used to ward off their calamities sometimes
even at the risk of His own life. Once an ironsmith's wife was
blowing the belows. Being under the stress of her husband's
anger, she forgot about her child in her arms. The restless
child slipped from her arms and fell into the burning furnace.
Sai Baba, being omniscient, learnt this and immediately thrust
his hand in his own dhuni (sacred fire kept continuously
burning in Dwarkamai) and thus saved the child by pulling it
out at that distant place. As a result, Sai Baba's hand was
heavily burnt but He was hardly aware of it. After some time,
Sai Baba stopped giving medicines and started using Udi
(holy ask from His dhuni) for curing diseases. For instance
in Ch 33, He relieved Nanasaheb Chandarkar's daughter
Maanatai from labour pains and in ch, 34. he is said to have
cured chronic bone ulcer of a Malegaon Doctor's nephew by
prescribing Udi only. This Udi even today is found to be a
most effective cure or a panacea for all diseases.

(to be contd....)