The Dual Power of the Tongue
Each sense organ given to human beings has one particular use, but the tongue is endowed with dual power. It has both the power of speech and the power of taste. In the Gita, the Lord cautions you to be very careful in using your tongue. He praises the devotee who has attained complete control over the tongue, for such a one will soon develop a pure and steady heart and feel the constant presence of the Lord. To gain such control, devotees have been practicing a number of special disciplines, such as observing silence, controlling their diet, or maintaining a complete fast.
Fasting promotes health for the physical body. In the mental realm it gives joy and bliss. Unlimited and unregulated food is very harmful for devotees. Indulging indiscriminately in unwholesome foods is likely to lead the devotee into the torpidity of inertia. To think that you can go on wantonly indulging yourself in food, while at the same time trying to please God and enjoy the nearness of God, is extremely foolish. These two, indulging in food and gaining the nearness of God, are not compatible. Therefore, right from the beginning you must make a determined effort to keep the tongue under control. Once you gain mastery over the tongue, the other sense organs will automatically come under control.
Sai Baba Gita
mukundan
Friday, March 02, 2007
Gifts of Sai Baba by By Dr. V. N. Shiradhonkar
Gifts of Sai BabaBy Dr. V. N. Shiradhonkar"The ignorant runs after false pleasures and falls into the wide net ofdeath. The wise knows what is eternal; he does not expect anything oflasting value from the inconstant pleasures of life."- KenopanishadSAI-brother K. N. Narayan Swamy has made an appeal-'Dedication to Sai' - inthe January 1988 issue of Sai Padananda, in which he has called upon Saidevotees to contribute articles / experiences on Sainath to several Saimagazines. Prompted by his appeal, my mind mused over the gifts that SaiBaba has conferred upon us.Shirdi Sai Baba is a phenomenon. His physical body has disintegrated intothe elements many years ago. But today belief in him and his power to assistpeople in times of distress is growing. Sai Baba started no cult and spreadno religion which one could identify with him. His teachings have been theessence of all religions. His believers are countrywide and include Hindus,Muslims, Parsis, Christians, and others and several others abroad.Saints exist to give devotees temporal and spiritual benefits. Sai Baba hassaid: "I have come to give such good things to the devotees". Once when oneof His devotees objected to people going to Sai Baba for temporal benefits,Baba told him: "Do not do that. My men first come to me on account of thatonly. They get their heart's desires fulfilled and comfortably placed inlife, and then they follow me and progress further. I bring my men from longdistance under many pleas. I seek them and bring them to me. They do notcome of their own accord. I draw them to me". These words are law eventoday.His assurances (11 sayings) are fulfilled in the case of each Sai devotee inhis own inimitable manner. Sai Baba did not care for money or gifts duringhis life time: He begged for food and ate along with dogs, pigs, beggarsetc. He had a perfect conquest of the palate and perfect sense of equalitythat He displayed to all the living creatures. They indeed see the veryperfection of what the world's scriptures had conjoined for the true seekersof God, viz., not minding what one eats and treating all life as one.What gift can we give Sai Baba who in fact is sustaining us in every momentof our life? We breathe Sai, talk Sai and live Sai. I can only borrow a lineof G.S. Khaparde from his 'Shirdi Diary' -"From the moment I approached Him,all the load of my worldly cares disappeared though only a few minutes,before, it was felt to be exceedingly oppressive and such as to causedisgust in life". So let us contribute our two-pice 'dakshina' - Sraddha andSaburi to our Sai Maharaj.Sourcehttp://www.saileela s.org/magazines/ saipadananda/ july1988. htm
Sri Sai Amrit Vani - March 1st, 2007
Sri Sai Amrit Vani
1st March 2007
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Bajan Sandhya was held on 24th
Feb, 2007 in the Central Park of Sidhartha Extension,
New Delhi from 5 PM upto 9:30 Pm, followed by dinner.
Shri Sandeep Kapoor entertained the large gathering of
about 750 to 800 Sai devotees, with his wonderful
sweet voice. The Bajans were a grand success. I have
uploaded few photos in the photo section of the
yahoogroup ‘mysaibaba20’ . During the Bajan, Baba
blessed Mrs. Gupta with Udi, when she was in deep
meditation in the pandal. Udi was already oozing from
the photo and the Statue of Baba in the mandir of the
house. This Photo and the statue were also taken to
the pandal along with the plate placed below them.
On Thursday again in the evening Mrs.
Gupta had to attend another Sai Sandhya at Vigyan
Vihar, New Delhi. There also Baba showed HIS presence
and blessed with Udi.
Following devotees participated in
absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani by
reciting Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places on 1st
march 2007. The list is sorted as per their email ids.
However Mrs. Gupta prayed for all the devotees. In
this list only those devotees are included, who
themselves recited or read Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their
places. The names of the devotees “for prayer”, are
prayed for, but not included in the list. Kindly
mention clearly, against each devotee’s name that
he/she will recite or read or listen to Sri Sai Amrit
Vani, or only for prayers. Please also give the name
of the place.
There was nothing new this Thursday yet we
enjoyed and we could see the following Leelas this
Thursday the 1st March 2007 .
1. Udi started appearing and oozing from the two
photos on the wall from Monday, Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’, and figure of Trishool were formed
with Udi on one photo. On Tuesday Udi started oozing
from the main photo in the mandir. Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’ along with other figures were also
formed on the photo in the mandir and Udi started
oozing and falling from the Statue from Wednesday
morning.
2. There was lot of Water from the Charans this week
also. This water was collected in the Thali. The
taste of water was similar to gulab jal and kewara
mix. After Sai Amrit Vani, this water was given to the
needy devotees and again the Thali was filled with
water. This water was taken out of thali 3-4 times
throughout the day and was given to devotees till
evening. Devotees even bring bottles to take the water
home.
3. Lap of Mrs. Gupta was filled with Udi during the
prayers. Udi was there between the falls of the Sari
and all over the sari.
4. Udi also appeared on many other devotees and also
in the books of Sri Sai Amrit Vani.
5. On Thursday as soon as Bhog was offered, it was
duly accepted by Baba and after the Sri Sai Amrit Vani
we noticed that the box, which was placed before HIM
was partially eaten and partially remained pieces of
items in the box. Part of Bhog was on the lips of
many photos and statue of Baba. These parts of the
remains in the box were given to the devotees who
offered that item of bhog to Baba.
6. Presence of Baba during the recitation of Sai Amrit
Vani was very strong.
7. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
8. The Charnamrit, the water in which Baba took the
bath in the morning was also sweet as if some honey
has been mixed into it.
9. On the table below the photos, small crystals of
sugars were also found along with the Udi.
10. Many documents, Roll nos and papers, of devotees
kept in the mandir room, were blessed with lots of Udi
as soon as they were placed there.
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Amrit Vani started at
11:04 AM. Noon Aartee started at 12:00 Hrs. followed
by brief Meditation and the prayer, Prayan of one
Chapter from Sai Satcharitra. Mrs. Gupta offered
prayers and thanks to Baba. Finally distribution of
Prasad, Udi and the water from the Charans.
Devotees are requested to write clearly
if they are reciting or reading Sri Sai Amrit Vani
along with us in their places. Not in ambiguous form
like ‘We will follow along’. Such letters will be
treated as for prayers. Following listed devotees
participated in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani (
in absentia) and have either recited or read or
listened Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places. Other
devotees were also prayed for but their names have not
been listed. Here problems of the devotees are
mentioned, as many problem are not supposed to be
made public and are confidential in nature and purely
personal.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 8th March, again
will be held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi.
Devotees interested in attending it in person may
contact on phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or
9312494767 only after 11 AM (IST) on any day except
Thursdays but no calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They
should NOT bring any bhog with them and be in time.
Kids are also not allowed in the hall. No disturbance
is tolerated during the Sri Sai Amrit Vani .
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now
available in Tamil script also besides in Devnagri,
English and Telgu, in the file section of the
yahoogroup. Links of Audio MP3 files are given in the
link section of the home page of ‘ mysaibaba20’
yahoogroup. To go to home page of yahoogroup key in or
click http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mysaibaba2 0 .
Audio Mp3 file has also been made available in the
publication section of http://saimemorial. com , the
site of Sai Memorial Temple of Baba of Lodhi Road, New
Delhi.
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer that
you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@ yahoogroups. com
akg_vg@bol.net. in
veena_gupta_ 2000@yahoo. com
1st March 2007
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Bajan Sandhya was held on 24th
Feb, 2007 in the Central Park of Sidhartha Extension,
New Delhi from 5 PM upto 9:30 Pm, followed by dinner.
Shri Sandeep Kapoor entertained the large gathering of
about 750 to 800 Sai devotees, with his wonderful
sweet voice. The Bajans were a grand success. I have
uploaded few photos in the photo section of the
yahoogroup ‘mysaibaba20’ . During the Bajan, Baba
blessed Mrs. Gupta with Udi, when she was in deep
meditation in the pandal. Udi was already oozing from
the photo and the Statue of Baba in the mandir of the
house. This Photo and the statue were also taken to
the pandal along with the plate placed below them.
On Thursday again in the evening Mrs.
Gupta had to attend another Sai Sandhya at Vigyan
Vihar, New Delhi. There also Baba showed HIS presence
and blessed with Udi.
Following devotees participated in
absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani by
reciting Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places on 1st
march 2007. The list is sorted as per their email ids.
However Mrs. Gupta prayed for all the devotees. In
this list only those devotees are included, who
themselves recited or read Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their
places. The names of the devotees “for prayer”, are
prayed for, but not included in the list. Kindly
mention clearly, against each devotee’s name that
he/she will recite or read or listen to Sri Sai Amrit
Vani, or only for prayers. Please also give the name
of the place.
There was nothing new this Thursday yet we
enjoyed and we could see the following Leelas this
Thursday the 1st March 2007 .
1. Udi started appearing and oozing from the two
photos on the wall from Monday, Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’, and figure of Trishool were formed
with Udi on one photo. On Tuesday Udi started oozing
from the main photo in the mandir. Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’ along with other figures were also
formed on the photo in the mandir and Udi started
oozing and falling from the Statue from Wednesday
morning.
2. There was lot of Water from the Charans this week
also. This water was collected in the Thali. The
taste of water was similar to gulab jal and kewara
mix. After Sai Amrit Vani, this water was given to the
needy devotees and again the Thali was filled with
water. This water was taken out of thali 3-4 times
throughout the day and was given to devotees till
evening. Devotees even bring bottles to take the water
home.
3. Lap of Mrs. Gupta was filled with Udi during the
prayers. Udi was there between the falls of the Sari
and all over the sari.
4. Udi also appeared on many other devotees and also
in the books of Sri Sai Amrit Vani.
5. On Thursday as soon as Bhog was offered, it was
duly accepted by Baba and after the Sri Sai Amrit Vani
we noticed that the box, which was placed before HIM
was partially eaten and partially remained pieces of
items in the box. Part of Bhog was on the lips of
many photos and statue of Baba. These parts of the
remains in the box were given to the devotees who
offered that item of bhog to Baba.
6. Presence of Baba during the recitation of Sai Amrit
Vani was very strong.
7. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
8. The Charnamrit, the water in which Baba took the
bath in the morning was also sweet as if some honey
has been mixed into it.
9. On the table below the photos, small crystals of
sugars were also found along with the Udi.
10. Many documents, Roll nos and papers, of devotees
kept in the mandir room, were blessed with lots of Udi
as soon as they were placed there.
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Amrit Vani started at
11:04 AM. Noon Aartee started at 12:00 Hrs. followed
by brief Meditation and the prayer, Prayan of one
Chapter from Sai Satcharitra. Mrs. Gupta offered
prayers and thanks to Baba. Finally distribution of
Prasad, Udi and the water from the Charans.
Devotees are requested to write clearly
if they are reciting or reading Sri Sai Amrit Vani
along with us in their places. Not in ambiguous form
like ‘We will follow along’. Such letters will be
treated as for prayers. Following listed devotees
participated in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani (
in absentia) and have either recited or read or
listened Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places. Other
devotees were also prayed for but their names have not
been listed. Here problems of the devotees are
mentioned, as many problem are not supposed to be
made public and are confidential in nature and purely
personal.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 8th March, again
will be held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi.
Devotees interested in attending it in person may
contact on phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or
9312494767 only after 11 AM (IST) on any day except
Thursdays but no calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They
should NOT bring any bhog with them and be in time.
Kids are also not allowed in the hall. No disturbance
is tolerated during the Sri Sai Amrit Vani .
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now
available in Tamil script also besides in Devnagri,
English and Telgu, in the file section of the
yahoogroup. Links of Audio MP3 files are given in the
link section of the home page of ‘ mysaibaba20’
yahoogroup. To go to home page of yahoogroup key in or
click http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mysaibaba2 0 .
Audio Mp3 file has also been made available in the
publication section of http://saimemorial. com , the
site of Sai Memorial Temple of Baba of Lodhi Road, New
Delhi.
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer that
you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@ yahoogroups. com
akg_vg@bol.net. in
veena_gupta_ 2000@yahoo. com
Monday, February 26, 2007
Satsang "SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
"SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
By V.B. KherSince August 1985, the "Shirdi Diary" of the Hon'ble Mr, Ganesh ShrikrishnaKhaparde is being featured in the issues of Shri Sai Leela month aftermonth. The "extracts" of Shirdi Diary reproduced therein first appeared inShri Sai Leela in 1924-25. I deliberately refer to what was published as"extracts" for I am not sure that the whole of Shirdi Diary has yet seen thelight of the day. When the Shirdi Diary was first serialized in Shri SaiLeela, G.S. Khaparde the right hand man of the late Lokamanya Tilak hadretired from the centre of political activity to its periphery, with therise on the political firmament of Mahatma Gandhi who had cast a spell onthe Indian National Congress and the masses. Sai Baba the Sadguru andspiritual mentor of Khaparde had also passed away and Khaparde was insemi-retirement. He had ample time to look back on his life and think of hisinterests which he could not pursue in the midst of his hectic politicallife as an activist and a leader. So it was with his permission andknowledge that the Shirdi Diary made its appearance in the issues of earlieryears of Shri Sai Leela i.e. 1924-25. The reader may rightly raise thequestion on what basis I make this assertion. And he would be justified indoing so. I have to answer this query and place material available at mydisposal before the reader.
Fortunately for all of us Balkrishna alias Babasaheb Khaparde, the eldestson of G.S. Khaparde authored a biography of his father. The biography iswritten in Marathi and was first published in 1962. In the preface, theauthor has stated candidly at the outset that the book is "not a biographybut edited material gathered from Dadasaheb Khaparde's diaries for thepurpose of the biography".The hero of the biography was born on 27th August, 1854 on the day of GaneshChaturthi and was therefore named after the Lord of the Ganas. We shall nowtouch upon the early life of Ganesh only in passing. His father ShrikrishnaNarhar alias Bapusaheb who had experienced poverty in his childhood had byhis enterprise and dint of hard work risen to the position of a Tahasildar(Mam-ledar) in the British Raj in the Province of C.P. fr Berar. Ganesh hadhis primary and secondary education in Nagpur and Amraoti. He failed twicein Matriculation because he was more interested in study of subjects andbooks other than those prescribed in the curriculum. Besides, he was weak inmathematics. After matriculating in 1872, he joined the Elphinstone Collegein Bombay. He was a favourite student of Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandar-kar who wasthe Professor of Sanskrit. Ganesh had studied Sanskrit extensively in atraditional manner under a shastri during his childhood at Akola and had,therefore, an excellent grounding in the subject. Moreover, he was avoracious reader of the Sanskrit literature, and before joining theElphinstone College had already poured over Bana's Kadambari andBhavabhuti's Uttararama-Charita, So he found the Sanskrit taught in theCollege a child's play. He also enjoyed reading English literature.Professor Wordsworth who taught him English was the grandson of WilliamWordsworth, the famous nature-poet of the English language. Under these twoprofessors he acquired a sound knowledge of these two languages. In fact hisknowledge of Sanskrit was so good that he was selected unanimously to debatein Sanskrit with Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, whenthe latter visited the Elphinstone College. No wonder that Ganesh wascomplimented by the Swami himself on his high standard of performance.
(Source Shirdi Diary)http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
By V.B. KherSince August 1985, the "Shirdi Diary" of the Hon'ble Mr, Ganesh ShrikrishnaKhaparde is being featured in the issues of Shri Sai Leela month aftermonth. The "extracts" of Shirdi Diary reproduced therein first appeared inShri Sai Leela in 1924-25. I deliberately refer to what was published as"extracts" for I am not sure that the whole of Shirdi Diary has yet seen thelight of the day. When the Shirdi Diary was first serialized in Shri SaiLeela, G.S. Khaparde the right hand man of the late Lokamanya Tilak hadretired from the centre of political activity to its periphery, with therise on the political firmament of Mahatma Gandhi who had cast a spell onthe Indian National Congress and the masses. Sai Baba the Sadguru andspiritual mentor of Khaparde had also passed away and Khaparde was insemi-retirement. He had ample time to look back on his life and think of hisinterests which he could not pursue in the midst of his hectic politicallife as an activist and a leader. So it was with his permission andknowledge that the Shirdi Diary made its appearance in the issues of earlieryears of Shri Sai Leela i.e. 1924-25. The reader may rightly raise thequestion on what basis I make this assertion. And he would be justified indoing so. I have to answer this query and place material available at mydisposal before the reader.
Fortunately for all of us Balkrishna alias Babasaheb Khaparde, the eldestson of G.S. Khaparde authored a biography of his father. The biography iswritten in Marathi and was first published in 1962. In the preface, theauthor has stated candidly at the outset that the book is "not a biographybut edited material gathered from Dadasaheb Khaparde's diaries for thepurpose of the biography".The hero of the biography was born on 27th August, 1854 on the day of GaneshChaturthi and was therefore named after the Lord of the Ganas. We shall nowtouch upon the early life of Ganesh only in passing. His father ShrikrishnaNarhar alias Bapusaheb who had experienced poverty in his childhood had byhis enterprise and dint of hard work risen to the position of a Tahasildar(Mam-ledar) in the British Raj in the Province of C.P. fr Berar. Ganesh hadhis primary and secondary education in Nagpur and Amraoti. He failed twicein Matriculation because he was more interested in study of subjects andbooks other than those prescribed in the curriculum. Besides, he was weak inmathematics. After matriculating in 1872, he joined the Elphinstone Collegein Bombay. He was a favourite student of Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandar-kar who wasthe Professor of Sanskrit. Ganesh had studied Sanskrit extensively in atraditional manner under a shastri during his childhood at Akola and had,therefore, an excellent grounding in the subject. Moreover, he was avoracious reader of the Sanskrit literature, and before joining theElphinstone College had already poured over Bana's Kadambari andBhavabhuti's Uttararama-Charita, So he found the Sanskrit taught in theCollege a child's play. He also enjoyed reading English literature.Professor Wordsworth who taught him English was the grandson of WilliamWordsworth, the famous nature-poet of the English language. Under these twoprofessors he acquired a sound knowledge of these two languages. In fact hisknowledge of Sanskrit was so good that he was selected unanimously to debatein Sanskrit with Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, whenthe latter visited the Elphinstone College. No wonder that Ganesh wascomplimented by the Swami himself on his high standard of performance.
(Source Shirdi Diary)http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Satsang "SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
Dadasaheb as Ganesh came to be known in his later life became first a juniorfellow and then a senior fellow in the Elphinstone College and in thesecapacities assisted in teaching Sanskrit and English. It may be stated herethat Dadasaheb was a born linguist for he was at home in other languageslike Gujarathi and was an orator of no mean order in all these languages.Following graduation, Dadasaheb majored in law in 1884 and soon commencedhis legal practice. After an early stint of service as a mu nsiff between188 5 to 1889, he returned to the bar and soon established a name as aleading lawyer. From 1890, he started participating in public life aridbecame the President of the District Council in 1890. By 1897, when theannual session of the Indian National Congress was held in Amraoti, he hadbecome a prominent figure in the national life and was elected as theChairman of the Reception Committee. We will now go back a little in timeand see how and when Dadasaheb started maintaining his diary of daily eventsand how many such diaries of his are available.
A pocket diary of 1879 of Dadasaheb has been found. Though there are someimportant entries in it, many of its pages are blank and there are onlystray sentences on some pages. However from the year 1894 upto 1938fortyfive diaries maintained by Dadasaheb Khaparde in his own hand areavailable. Thus in all forty-six diaries are extant which are lodged in theNational Archives. It appears that no diary prior to 1879 or between 1880 to1893 was kept by him. Of the diaries of 1894 to 1938, excepting the one of1938 which is a "National Diary" of Indian make, four are "Collins Diaries"and the remaining "Lates Diaries" made abroad. During the first world war"Lates diaries" were not to be had and so those of another make were pressedinto service. Each diary is 12.5" long and 8" broad with one page for eachday and weighs 4 Ibs. and 26 tolas.
Dadasaheb carried his diary with him in travel. It was his regular habit torecord entries pertaining to the day in the diary before retiring to sleepat night and he observed this rule meticulously. There are many entrieswhich show that he wrote the record of the day at midnight, or even aftermidnight at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. in the waiting-room of railway stations beforegoing to bed. As he found it inconvenient in later years to record the day'sevents before lying down to rest at night, he began to record the previousday's everus the next morning. So references to his dreams, visions andsound sleep are found in these diaries. Whether the event was trivial orimportant, an entry about it is to be found in his daily record. The namesof hisvisitors, the gist of their conversation and dialogues with importantentities, in question and answer form, in detail, are faithfully entered inbold, neat and legible hand writing without any erasing or overwriting pageafter page. Even when he was indisposed, he did not fail to write his diary.Only on the day of his demise i.e. 1st July 1938 and the day before he didnot make any entries, the last entry being of 29th June, 1938.
(Source Shirdi Diary)http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
A pocket diary of 1879 of Dadasaheb has been found. Though there are someimportant entries in it, many of its pages are blank and there are onlystray sentences on some pages. However from the year 1894 upto 1938fortyfive diaries maintained by Dadasaheb Khaparde in his own hand areavailable. Thus in all forty-six diaries are extant which are lodged in theNational Archives. It appears that no diary prior to 1879 or between 1880 to1893 was kept by him. Of the diaries of 1894 to 1938, excepting the one of1938 which is a "National Diary" of Indian make, four are "Collins Diaries"and the remaining "Lates Diaries" made abroad. During the first world war"Lates diaries" were not to be had and so those of another make were pressedinto service. Each diary is 12.5" long and 8" broad with one page for eachday and weighs 4 Ibs. and 26 tolas.
Dadasaheb carried his diary with him in travel. It was his regular habit torecord entries pertaining to the day in the diary before retiring to sleepat night and he observed this rule meticulously. There are many entrieswhich show that he wrote the record of the day at midnight, or even aftermidnight at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. in the waiting-room of railway stations beforegoing to bed. As he found it inconvenient in later years to record the day'sevents before lying down to rest at night, he began to record the previousday's everus the next morning. So references to his dreams, visions andsound sleep are found in these diaries. Whether the event was trivial orimportant, an entry about it is to be found in his daily record. The namesof hisvisitors, the gist of their conversation and dialogues with importantentities, in question and answer form, in detail, are faithfully entered inbold, neat and legible hand writing without any erasing or overwriting pageafter page. Even when he was indisposed, he did not fail to write his diary.Only on the day of his demise i.e. 1st July 1938 and the day before he didnot make any entries, the last entry being of 29th June, 1938.
(Source Shirdi Diary)http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Satsang "SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
Dadasaheb Khaparde visited Shirdi in all five times during Sai Baba's lifetime. The chronological dates of his visit to Shirdi and the period of hisstay there are as given below:First Visit - From 5th December, 1910 to 12th December 1910.Second Visit - From 6th December, 1911 to 15th March, 1912.Third Visit - From 29th December, 1915 to 31st December, 1915.Fourth Visit - On 19th May, 1917 in the company of Lokamanya Tilak.Fifth Visit - A short visit of unspecified number of days in March, 1918.
Let us now consider each visit separately and see what information isavailable in the biography of Dadasaheb Khaparde in addition to what isalready published so far in earlier volumes of Shri SaiLeelain 1924-25.First visit in December, 1910Dadasaheb Khaparde arrived in Bombay from Pune and with his eldest sonBalakrishna went to Shirdi on 5th December. He stayed there for seven daysand on getting permission from Sai Baba to depart on 12th December, arrivedin Akola on 13th December. Normally, he travelled by the first class in dayswhen there were three to four classes of railway travel. However, on thisoccasion as he did not have sufficient money on his person, he travelled bythe second class and reached Amraoti on 19th December via Akola. It isrecorded that he walked down from Amraoti railway station to his residence!That a person of Dadasaheb's standing should even have no money to hire avehicle to go to his residence may cause great surprise, Dadasaheb's annualincome by way of legal practice at one time was of the order of rupees90,000 to 95,000 when there was no income-tax legislation and living wascheap. Yet the state of affairs described above was inevitable in thecircumstances as Dadasaheb lived beyond his means.
At one time, he had seven horses including two Australian-bred; twocarriages, one state and the other ordinary, with staff to look after them.He was generous to a fault and gave shelter to a number of families. He keptan open house and his house was always full of guests on whom he spentlavishly for their comfort and entertainment including nautch parties! Nowthe reader can appreciate why he had to foot the distance from the railwaystation to his residence. The account of this visit as reported in Shri SaiLeela appears to be complete on comparison with the narration in thebiography.
Second visit in December, 1911
The second visit of Dadasaheb Khaparde to Shirdi was the longest, his stayextending to hundred days. This is significant and needs examination in somedetail for inspite of the desire of Dadasaheb and his wife to return toAmraoti time and again, Sai Baba detained them in Shirdi and would not letthem go. And since Dadasaheb had implicit faith in his Sadguru, Dadasahebdutifully obeyed the orders of Sai Baba believing and knowing full well thatBaba's decision was in his interest.Now what could have been the reason for Sai Baba keeping Dadasaheb for sucha long time in
Shirdi? The readers are aware that Dadasaheb Khaparde was a prominent aideand supporter of Lokamanya Tilak. Tilak had been arrested on 24th June, 1908and tried on the charge of sedition. His trial began on 13th July, 1908, andhe was convicted and sentenced to six years' imprisonment on 22nd July,1908. Within a few days thereafter, i.e. on 15th August 1908, Dadasahebsailed for England to prefer an appeal to the Privy Council against thejudgment of the Bombay High Court convicting Lokamanya. He reached Dover on31st August, 1908 and immediately proceeded to London. As planned he filed apetition in the Privy Council but the Privy Council refused leave to appealagainst the Bombay High Court's judgment. The next move of Khaparde toappeal to the House of Lords failed for lack of support. A memorial sent toLord Morley, the Secretary of State for India also proved to be of no avail.All attempts having proved futile, Khaparde sailed for India via Rangoon on15th September 1910 after a stay of over two years in England. He 'had leftno stone unturned to get the judgment against Tilak reversed. He had gone athis own expense to England to campaign for his leader's release. HisHerculean labour in England brings out not only his qualities of loyalty anddevotion to his leader but also selflessness and the price he was preparedto pay in terms of energy, time and expense for a cause he believed to bejust. Dadasaheb's mother passed away on 27th September, 1910 while he was onthe high seas. Khaparde reached Rangoon on 16.10.1910 and met Tilak inMandalay Jail on 22.10.1910. Having reached Calcutta on 27.10.1910, hereturned home on 5.11.1910 after an absence of two years, two months andtwenty-two days.
(Source Shirdi Diary)http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Let us now consider each visit separately and see what information isavailable in the biography of Dadasaheb Khaparde in addition to what isalready published so far in earlier volumes of Shri SaiLeelain 1924-25.First visit in December, 1910Dadasaheb Khaparde arrived in Bombay from Pune and with his eldest sonBalakrishna went to Shirdi on 5th December. He stayed there for seven daysand on getting permission from Sai Baba to depart on 12th December, arrivedin Akola on 13th December. Normally, he travelled by the first class in dayswhen there were three to four classes of railway travel. However, on thisoccasion as he did not have sufficient money on his person, he travelled bythe second class and reached Amraoti on 19th December via Akola. It isrecorded that he walked down from Amraoti railway station to his residence!That a person of Dadasaheb's standing should even have no money to hire avehicle to go to his residence may cause great surprise, Dadasaheb's annualincome by way of legal practice at one time was of the order of rupees90,000 to 95,000 when there was no income-tax legislation and living wascheap. Yet the state of affairs described above was inevitable in thecircumstances as Dadasaheb lived beyond his means.
At one time, he had seven horses including two Australian-bred; twocarriages, one state and the other ordinary, with staff to look after them.He was generous to a fault and gave shelter to a number of families. He keptan open house and his house was always full of guests on whom he spentlavishly for their comfort and entertainment including nautch parties! Nowthe reader can appreciate why he had to foot the distance from the railwaystation to his residence. The account of this visit as reported in Shri SaiLeela appears to be complete on comparison with the narration in thebiography.
Second visit in December, 1911
The second visit of Dadasaheb Khaparde to Shirdi was the longest, his stayextending to hundred days. This is significant and needs examination in somedetail for inspite of the desire of Dadasaheb and his wife to return toAmraoti time and again, Sai Baba detained them in Shirdi and would not letthem go. And since Dadasaheb had implicit faith in his Sadguru, Dadasahebdutifully obeyed the orders of Sai Baba believing and knowing full well thatBaba's decision was in his interest.Now what could have been the reason for Sai Baba keeping Dadasaheb for sucha long time in
Shirdi? The readers are aware that Dadasaheb Khaparde was a prominent aideand supporter of Lokamanya Tilak. Tilak had been arrested on 24th June, 1908and tried on the charge of sedition. His trial began on 13th July, 1908, andhe was convicted and sentenced to six years' imprisonment on 22nd July,1908. Within a few days thereafter, i.e. on 15th August 1908, Dadasahebsailed for England to prefer an appeal to the Privy Council against thejudgment of the Bombay High Court convicting Lokamanya. He reached Dover on31st August, 1908 and immediately proceeded to London. As planned he filed apetition in the Privy Council but the Privy Council refused leave to appealagainst the Bombay High Court's judgment. The next move of Khaparde toappeal to the House of Lords failed for lack of support. A memorial sent toLord Morley, the Secretary of State for India also proved to be of no avail.All attempts having proved futile, Khaparde sailed for India via Rangoon on15th September 1910 after a stay of over two years in England. He 'had leftno stone unturned to get the judgment against Tilak reversed. He had gone athis own expense to England to campaign for his leader's release. HisHerculean labour in England brings out not only his qualities of loyalty anddevotion to his leader but also selflessness and the price he was preparedto pay in terms of energy, time and expense for a cause he believed to bejust. Dadasaheb's mother passed away on 27th September, 1910 while he was onthe high seas. Khaparde reached Rangoon on 16.10.1910 and met Tilak inMandalay Jail on 22.10.1910. Having reached Calcutta on 27.10.1910, hereturned home on 5.11.1910 after an absence of two years, two months andtwenty-two days.
(Source Shirdi Diary)http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Satsang "SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
Dadasaheb Khaparde visited Shirdi in all five times during Sai Baba's life
time. The chronological dates of his visit to Shirdi and the period of his
stay there are as given below:
First Visit - >From 5th December, 1910 to 12th December 1910.
Second Visit - From 6th December, 1911 to 15th March, 1912.
Third Visit - From 29th December, 1915 to 31st December, 1915.
Fourth Visit - On 19th May, 1917 in the company of Lokamanya Tilak.
Fifth Visit - A short visit of unspecified number of days in March, 1918.
Let us now consider each visit separately and see what information is
available in the biography of Dadasaheb Khaparde in addition to what is
already published so far in earlier volumes of Shri SaiLeelain 1924-25.
First visit in December, 1910
Dadasaheb Khaparde arrived in Bombay from Pune and with his eldest son
Balakrishna went to Shirdi on 5th December. He stayed there for seven days
and on getting permission from Sai Baba to depart on 12th December, arrived
in Akola on 13th December. Normally, he travelled by the first class in days
when there were three to four classes of railway travel. However, on this
occasion as he did not have sufficient money on his person, he travelled by
the second class and reached Amraoti on 19th December via Akola. It is
recorded that he walked down from Amraoti railway station to his residence!
That a person of Dadasaheb's standing should even have no money to hire a
vehicle to go to his residence may cause great surprise, Dadasaheb's annual
income by way of legal practice at one time was of the order of rupees
90,000 to 95,000 when there was no income-tax legislation and living was
cheap. Yet the state of affairs described above was inevitable in the
circumstances as Dadasaheb lived beyond his means.
At one time, he had seven horses including two Australian-bred; two
carriages, one state and the other ordinary, with staff to look after them.
He was generous to a fault and gave shelter to a number of families. He
kept an open house and his house was always full of guests on whom he
spent lavishly for their comfort and entertainment including nautch parties!
Now the reader can appreciate why he had to foot the distance from the
railway station to his residence. The account of this visit as reported in
Shri Sai Leela appears to be complete on comparison with the narration
in the biography.
Second visit in December, 1911
The second visit of Dadasaheb Khaparde to Shirdi was the longest, his stay
extending to hundred days. This is significant and needs examination in
some detail for inspite of the desire of Dadasaheb and his wife to return to
Amraoti time and again, Sai Baba detained them in Shirdi and would not let
them go. And since Dadasaheb had implicit faith in his Sadguru, Dadasaheb
dutifully obeyed the orders of Sai Baba believing and knowing full well that
Baba's decision was in his interest.
Now what could have been the reason for Sai Baba keeping Dadasaheb for
such a long time in
Shirdi? The readers are aware that Dadasaheb Khaparde was a prominent
aide and supporter of Lokamanya Tilak. Tilak had been arrested on 24th
June, 1908 and tried on the charge of sedition. His trial began on 13th July,
1908, and he was convicted and sentenced to six years' imprisonment on
22nd July, 1908. Within a few days thereafter, i.e. on 15th August 1908,
Dadasaheb sailed for England to prefer an appeal to the Privy Council against
the judgment of the Bombay High Court convicting Lokamanya. He reached
Dover on 31st August, 1908 and immediately proceeded to London. As
planned he filed a petition in the Privy Council but the Privy Council refused
leave to appeal against the Bombay High Court's judgment. The next move
of Khaparde to appeal to the House of Lords failed for lack of support. A
memorial sent to Lord Morley, the Secretary of State for India also proved to
be of no avail.
All attempts having proved futile, Khaparde sailed for India via Rangoon on
15th September 1910 after a stay of over two years in England. He 'had left
no stone unturned to get the judgment against Tilak reversed. He had gone
at his own expense to England to campaign for his leader's release. His
Herculean labour in England brings out not only his qualities of loyalty and
devotion to his leader but also selflessness and the price he was prepared
to pay in terms of energy, time and expense for a cause he believed to be
just. Dadasaheb's mother passed away on 27th September, 1910 while he
was on the high seas. Khaparde reached Rangoon on 16.10.1910 and met
Tilak in Mandalay Jail on 22.10.1910. Having reached Calcutta on 27.10.1910,
he returned home on 5.11.1910 after an absence of two years, two months and
twenty-two days.
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
time. The chronological dates of his visit to Shirdi and the period of his
stay there are as given below:
First Visit - >From 5th December, 1910 to 12th December 1910.
Second Visit - From 6th December, 1911 to 15th March, 1912.
Third Visit - From 29th December, 1915 to 31st December, 1915.
Fourth Visit - On 19th May, 1917 in the company of Lokamanya Tilak.
Fifth Visit - A short visit of unspecified number of days in March, 1918.
Let us now consider each visit separately and see what information is
available in the biography of Dadasaheb Khaparde in addition to what is
already published so far in earlier volumes of Shri SaiLeelain 1924-25.
First visit in December, 1910
Dadasaheb Khaparde arrived in Bombay from Pune and with his eldest son
Balakrishna went to Shirdi on 5th December. He stayed there for seven days
and on getting permission from Sai Baba to depart on 12th December, arrived
in Akola on 13th December. Normally, he travelled by the first class in days
when there were three to four classes of railway travel. However, on this
occasion as he did not have sufficient money on his person, he travelled by
the second class and reached Amraoti on 19th December via Akola. It is
recorded that he walked down from Amraoti railway station to his residence!
That a person of Dadasaheb's standing should even have no money to hire a
vehicle to go to his residence may cause great surprise, Dadasaheb's annual
income by way of legal practice at one time was of the order of rupees
90,000 to 95,000 when there was no income-tax legislation and living was
cheap. Yet the state of affairs described above was inevitable in the
circumstances as Dadasaheb lived beyond his means.
At one time, he had seven horses including two Australian-bred; two
carriages, one state and the other ordinary, with staff to look after them.
He was generous to a fault and gave shelter to a number of families. He
kept an open house and his house was always full of guests on whom he
spent lavishly for their comfort and entertainment including nautch parties!
Now the reader can appreciate why he had to foot the distance from the
railway station to his residence. The account of this visit as reported in
Shri Sai Leela appears to be complete on comparison with the narration
in the biography.
Second visit in December, 1911
The second visit of Dadasaheb Khaparde to Shirdi was the longest, his stay
extending to hundred days. This is significant and needs examination in
some detail for inspite of the desire of Dadasaheb and his wife to return to
Amraoti time and again, Sai Baba detained them in Shirdi and would not let
them go. And since Dadasaheb had implicit faith in his Sadguru, Dadasaheb
dutifully obeyed the orders of Sai Baba believing and knowing full well that
Baba's decision was in his interest.
Now what could have been the reason for Sai Baba keeping Dadasaheb for
such a long time in
Shirdi? The readers are aware that Dadasaheb Khaparde was a prominent
aide and supporter of Lokamanya Tilak. Tilak had been arrested on 24th
June, 1908 and tried on the charge of sedition. His trial began on 13th July,
1908, and he was convicted and sentenced to six years' imprisonment on
22nd July, 1908. Within a few days thereafter, i.e. on 15th August 1908,
Dadasaheb sailed for England to prefer an appeal to the Privy Council against
the judgment of the Bombay High Court convicting Lokamanya. He reached
Dover on 31st August, 1908 and immediately proceeded to London. As
planned he filed a petition in the Privy Council but the Privy Council refused
leave to appeal against the Bombay High Court's judgment. The next move
of Khaparde to appeal to the House of Lords failed for lack of support. A
memorial sent to Lord Morley, the Secretary of State for India also proved to
be of no avail.
All attempts having proved futile, Khaparde sailed for India via Rangoon on
15th September 1910 after a stay of over two years in England. He 'had left
no stone unturned to get the judgment against Tilak reversed. He had gone
at his own expense to England to campaign for his leader's release. His
Herculean labour in England brings out not only his qualities of loyalty and
devotion to his leader but also selflessness and the price he was prepared
to pay in terms of energy, time and expense for a cause he believed to be
just. Dadasaheb's mother passed away on 27th September, 1910 while he
was on the high seas. Khaparde reached Rangoon on 16.10.1910 and met
Tilak in Mandalay Jail on 22.10.1910. Having reached Calcutta on 27.10.1910,
he returned home on 5.11.1910 after an absence of two years, two months and
twenty-two days.
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Satsang "SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
"SHIRDI DIARY' DADASAHEB KHAPARDE
By V.B. Kher
Since August 1985, the "Shirdi Diary" of the Hon'ble Mr, Ganesh
Shrikrishna Khaparde is being featured in the issues of Shri Sai Leela
month after month. The "extracts" of Shirdi Diary reproduced therein
first appeared in Shri Sai Leela in 1924-25. I deliberately refer to what was
published as "extracts" for I am not sure that the whole of Shirdi Diary has
yet seen the light of the day. When the Shirdi Diary was first serialized in
Shri Sai Leela, G.S. Khaparde the right hand man of the late Lokamanya
Tilak had retired from the centre of political activity to its periphery, with
the rise on the political firmament of Mahatma Gandhi who had cast a
spell on the Indian National Congress and the masses. Sai Baba the Sadguru
and spiritual mentor of Khaparde had also passed away and Khaparde was in
semi-retirement. He had ample time to look back on his life and think of his
interests which he could not pursue in the midst of his hectic political life
as an activist and a leader. So it was with his permission and knowledge that
the Shirdi Diary made its appearance in the issues of earlier years of Shri Sai
Leela i.e. 1924-25. The reader may rightly raise the question on what basis
I make this assertion. And he would be justified in doing so. I have to answer
this query and place material available at my disposal before the reader.
Fortunately for all of us Balkrishna alias Babasaheb Khaparde, the eldest
son of G.S. Khaparde authored a biography of his father. The biography is
written in Marathi and was first published in 1962. In the preface, the
author has stated candidly at the outset that the book is "not a biography
but edited material gathered from Dadasaheb Khaparde's diaries for the
purpose of the biography".
The hero of the biography was born on 27th August, 1854 on the day of
Ganesh Chaturthi and was therefore named after the Lord of the Ganas.
We shall now touch upon the early life of Ganesh only in passing. His father
Shrikrishna Narhar alias Bapusaheb who had experienced poverty in his
childhood had by his enterprise and dint of hard work risen to the position
of a Tahasildar (Mam-ledar) in the British Raj in the Province of C.P. fr Berar.
Ganesh had his primary and secondary education in Nagpur and Amraoti.
He failed twice in Matriculation because he was more interested in study of
subjects and books other than those prescribed in the curriculum. Besides, he
was weak in mathematics. After matriculating in 1872, he joined the Elphinstone
College in Bombay. He was a favourite student of Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandar-kar
who was the Professor of Sanskrit. Ganesh had studied Sanskrit extensively in
a traditional manner under a shastri during his childhood at Akola and had,
therefore, an excellent grounding in the subject. Moreover, he was a voracious
reader of the Sanskrit literature, and before joining the Elphinstone College
had already poured over Bana's Kadambari and Bhavabhuti's Uttararama
-Charita, So he found the Sanskrit taught in the College a child's play. He also
enjoyed reading English literature. Professor Wordsworth who taught him
English was the grandson of William Wordsworth, the famous nature-poet
of the English language. Under these two professors he acquired a sound
knowledge of these two languages. In fact his knowledge of Sanskrit was so
good that he was selected unanimously to debate in Sanskrit with Swami
Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, when the latter visited the
Elphinstone College. No wonder that Ganesh was complimented by the
Swami himself on his high standard of performance.
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
By V.B. Kher
Since August 1985, the "Shirdi Diary" of the Hon'ble Mr, Ganesh
Shrikrishna Khaparde is being featured in the issues of Shri Sai Leela
month after month. The "extracts" of Shirdi Diary reproduced therein
first appeared in Shri Sai Leela in 1924-25. I deliberately refer to what was
published as "extracts" for I am not sure that the whole of Shirdi Diary has
yet seen the light of the day. When the Shirdi Diary was first serialized in
Shri Sai Leela, G.S. Khaparde the right hand man of the late Lokamanya
Tilak had retired from the centre of political activity to its periphery, with
the rise on the political firmament of Mahatma Gandhi who had cast a
spell on the Indian National Congress and the masses. Sai Baba the Sadguru
and spiritual mentor of Khaparde had also passed away and Khaparde was in
semi-retirement. He had ample time to look back on his life and think of his
interests which he could not pursue in the midst of his hectic political life
as an activist and a leader. So it was with his permission and knowledge that
the Shirdi Diary made its appearance in the issues of earlier years of Shri Sai
Leela i.e. 1924-25. The reader may rightly raise the question on what basis
I make this assertion. And he would be justified in doing so. I have to answer
this query and place material available at my disposal before the reader.
Fortunately for all of us Balkrishna alias Babasaheb Khaparde, the eldest
son of G.S. Khaparde authored a biography of his father. The biography is
written in Marathi and was first published in 1962. In the preface, the
author has stated candidly at the outset that the book is "not a biography
but edited material gathered from Dadasaheb Khaparde's diaries for the
purpose of the biography".
The hero of the biography was born on 27th August, 1854 on the day of
Ganesh Chaturthi and was therefore named after the Lord of the Ganas.
We shall now touch upon the early life of Ganesh only in passing. His father
Shrikrishna Narhar alias Bapusaheb who had experienced poverty in his
childhood had by his enterprise and dint of hard work risen to the position
of a Tahasildar (Mam-ledar) in the British Raj in the Province of C.P. fr Berar.
Ganesh had his primary and secondary education in Nagpur and Amraoti.
He failed twice in Matriculation because he was more interested in study of
subjects and books other than those prescribed in the curriculum. Besides, he
was weak in mathematics. After matriculating in 1872, he joined the Elphinstone
College in Bombay. He was a favourite student of Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandar-kar
who was the Professor of Sanskrit. Ganesh had studied Sanskrit extensively in
a traditional manner under a shastri during his childhood at Akola and had,
therefore, an excellent grounding in the subject. Moreover, he was a voracious
reader of the Sanskrit literature, and before joining the Elphinstone College
had already poured over Bana's Kadambari and Bhavabhuti's Uttararama
-Charita, So he found the Sanskrit taught in the College a child's play. He also
enjoyed reading English literature. Professor Wordsworth who taught him
English was the grandson of William Wordsworth, the famous nature-poet
of the English language. Under these two professors he acquired a sound
knowledge of these two languages. In fact his knowledge of Sanskrit was so
good that he was selected unanimously to debate in Sanskrit with Swami
Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, when the latter visited the
Elphinstone College. No wonder that Ganesh was complimented by the
Swami himself on his high standard of performance.
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Satsang MRS. LAXMIBAI GANESH KHAPARDE by By V.B. Kher
Dadasaheb was in England for over two years and even after his
return home was under the surveillance of the Government. Hence
Sai Baba had detained him in Shirdi for a period of about three and
half months in 1911-12. Laxmibai was also at Shirdi with Dadasaheb
and we learn from Shri Sai-Sat-Charita that though Khaparde stayed
at that time for four months in Shirdi, his spouse stayed back in Shirdi
after Dadasaheb was given permission by Baba to leave and in all spent
seven months in Shirdi. So it took a long time for her to understand and
appreciate the new situation and she was naturally unhappy at thai time.
The hindsight of Dadasheb in relation to Baba's order on 1-2-1912 to
Dikshit to give two hundred rupees to Mrs. Khaparde which Khaparde
interpreted in 1923-24 to mean a life of poverty and patience can be
understood and appreciated only in this context.
Laxmibai was robust and healthy but her health began declining from
the beginning of the year 1928- Periodic attacks of fever and asthama
harassed herand she was affected by inflammation of the knees with the
result that she could not walk. There is an entry in Dadasaheb's diary' of
30-4-1928 that she had headache and high fever. The deterioration in
her health thereafter was fast and medicines ceased to act. She must have
had a premonition of events to come. She suggested that a group photograph
of the family should be taken. This was done on llth July, 1928. Thereafter a
touching scene took place which is best described in Dadasaheb's words.
The following is a translation of the extract from Dadasaheb's biography in
Marathi.
"While I was doing my Sandhya just before luncheon, my wife came and
worshipped me in the same way in which an idol is worshipped. I was
puzzled and asked her why she was doing this today when she had not done
anything of the kind all these years. She said, 'I wjsh to depart from the world
with a peaceful mind.' I think she has been unwell for the last few days and
has given up all hope of survival. I "asked her to trust in God and to submit to
His will."
The above incident did not become known to the sons and their wives until
they had read the description in the diary. After the above incident
Laxmibai was confined to bed and within eight days thereof i.e. on 20th July
1928 she passed away quietly and happily after having the darshan of her
Sadguru Sai Baba. The description of her end is best given in the words of
Dadasaheb recorded in the diary for that day.
"Went downstairs to see my wife. She apparently had a bad night, but
appeared calm and collected. At the suggestion of my eldest son all the
family bathed early and had something to eat which they could and we all
watched by her bedside. I spent the whole time practically near her bed.
We removed her from the room in which she was to the chowk and lay her
in front of the room alloted to our family deities. Her breathing became
harder and harder but she was cool and calm and passed on at about
3-15 p.m. I-felt overcome and could not control myself for some time. At last
I got over it...... Everybody said she was very fortunate in passing away during
my life time...... After we returned from the funeral I heard from my sons that
my wife distributed her ornaments, clothes among her daughters-in-law and
their children a few weeks ago and told that she had discharged all her
assets and blessed them to be happy..... She had the darshan of her Guru......
So I think she had a fairly correct idea of passing on. She never asked for
medicine and showed no anxiety to be cured. She passed away very
happily and I have no doubt she is very very happy now."
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
return home was under the surveillance of the Government. Hence
Sai Baba had detained him in Shirdi for a period of about three and
half months in 1911-12. Laxmibai was also at Shirdi with Dadasaheb
and we learn from Shri Sai-Sat-Charita that though Khaparde stayed
at that time for four months in Shirdi, his spouse stayed back in Shirdi
after Dadasaheb was given permission by Baba to leave and in all spent
seven months in Shirdi. So it took a long time for her to understand and
appreciate the new situation and she was naturally unhappy at thai time.
The hindsight of Dadasheb in relation to Baba's order on 1-2-1912 to
Dikshit to give two hundred rupees to Mrs. Khaparde which Khaparde
interpreted in 1923-24 to mean a life of poverty and patience can be
understood and appreciated only in this context.
Laxmibai was robust and healthy but her health began declining from
the beginning of the year 1928- Periodic attacks of fever and asthama
harassed herand she was affected by inflammation of the knees with the
result that she could not walk. There is an entry in Dadasaheb's diary' of
30-4-1928 that she had headache and high fever. The deterioration in
her health thereafter was fast and medicines ceased to act. She must have
had a premonition of events to come. She suggested that a group photograph
of the family should be taken. This was done on llth July, 1928. Thereafter a
touching scene took place which is best described in Dadasaheb's words.
The following is a translation of the extract from Dadasaheb's biography in
Marathi.
"While I was doing my Sandhya just before luncheon, my wife came and
worshipped me in the same way in which an idol is worshipped. I was
puzzled and asked her why she was doing this today when she had not done
anything of the kind all these years. She said, 'I wjsh to depart from the world
with a peaceful mind.' I think she has been unwell for the last few days and
has given up all hope of survival. I "asked her to trust in God and to submit to
His will."
The above incident did not become known to the sons and their wives until
they had read the description in the diary. After the above incident
Laxmibai was confined to bed and within eight days thereof i.e. on 20th July
1928 she passed away quietly and happily after having the darshan of her
Sadguru Sai Baba. The description of her end is best given in the words of
Dadasaheb recorded in the diary for that day.
"Went downstairs to see my wife. She apparently had a bad night, but
appeared calm and collected. At the suggestion of my eldest son all the
family bathed early and had something to eat which they could and we all
watched by her bedside. I spent the whole time practically near her bed.
We removed her from the room in which she was to the chowk and lay her
in front of the room alloted to our family deities. Her breathing became
harder and harder but she was cool and calm and passed on at about
3-15 p.m. I-felt overcome and could not control myself for some time. At last
I got over it...... Everybody said she was very fortunate in passing away during
my life time...... After we returned from the funeral I heard from my sons that
my wife distributed her ornaments, clothes among her daughters-in-law and
their children a few weeks ago and told that she had discharged all her
assets and blessed them to be happy..... She had the darshan of her Guru......
So I think she had a fairly correct idea of passing on. She never asked for
medicine and showed no anxiety to be cured. She passed away very
happily and I have no doubt she is very very happy now."
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Satsang MRS. LAXMIBAI GANESH KHAPARDE by V.B.Kher
The reference in Shirdi Diary to the above incident is found in
the entry dated 4-3-1912 and is briefly worded as follows: "My
wife was late in going to worship Sayin Saheb but he very kindly
desisted from his meal and let her worship him."
In his articles in the early issues of Shri Sai Leela Swami Sai-
Sharananand referring to this incident observed as follows: "Baba's
touch was experienced by devotees when He gave Udi or allowed
them to touch His feet or press His legs. Even here, he did not touch
or allow every one to touch in the some way. When He desired to
instruct anyone, He allowed the devotee to touch according to his
faith or feeling (bhawa) and sometimes even objected. When He
wanted to instruct the wife of the Hon'ble Mr. G.S.Khaparde to do
japa of the mantra, 'Rajaram' notwithstanding the rule prohibiting
the entry of women into the Musjid in the afternoon, He not only
permitted her to come up but accepted and took the naivedya
(offering) brought by her and stretched out His legs for her to press
and simultaneously pressed her hands and whispered to her, 'go
on repeating Rajaram, Rajaram'. Swami Sai Sharanand's comment
on the above incident shows in what high esteem Baba held
Mrs. Laxmibai Ganesh Khaparde.
Now let us turn to the account in canto seven of Shri Sai-Sat-Charita
as to how Sai Baba relieved Laxmibai Khaparde's anxiety on account
of her son's illness.
"How many wonderful leelas of Baba shall I narrate to the reader!
Once there was an outbreak of plague and now listen as to what
miracle happened. Dadasaheb Khaparde's lad was staying (in Shirdi)
along with his mother and both were enjoying bliss in the company of
Shri Sai. The lad developed high fever and his mother became restless
with anxiety. She wanted to return to her hometown Amraoti and
came to take Baba's permission to leave. .During His evening stroll
when Baba came near the Wada, the lady held Baba's feet and narrated
her woe. Women are known to be soft hearted. The boy was struck
down with plague and was shivering. Baba said to her softly. The sky
is overcast. The clouds will burst and pour down rain and the sky will be
clear. Why fear?' So saying, he raised his kafni upto the waist, showed
all the four buboes each of the size of an egg on his body and added,
'Look, I have to take upon myself your suffering.' Seeing this divine and
strange spectacle the people were dumb-founded to witness how saints
have to suffer sorrows for the sake of their devotees. Their minds are
softer than wax and outwardly like butter. They love their devotees
without any expectation and regard them as their kith and kin."
Reference to this incident occurs in Shirdi Diary in entries dated 8-1-1912,
17-1-1912, 18-1-1912, 20-1-1912, 6-2-1912 and 8-2-12 which have been
collected together below:
"8-1-1912 - During the mid-day service after the Arti, Savin Maharaj
exhibited sudden and great anger and abused violently. It appears as if
plague is likely to reappear here and Sayin Maharaj is endeavouring to
prevent its reappearance.
17-1-1912 - Balwant also felt sad and said that he wished to leave Shirdi.
18-1-1912-P.S.I forgot to mention that during the torrent of hard words
that Sayin Baba poured out to-day he said that he had saved my son
Balwant and then often repeated the phrase 'Fakir wishes to kill
Dadasaheb (meaning me) but I would not permit it'.
20-1-1912 - Bhishma and my son are unwell....There was no Bhajan as
Bhishma is indisposed and my son Balwant is slightly worse.
6-2-1912 - When my wife spoke about going, Sayin Baba said that I did
not ask for the permission personally.
8-2-1912 - Balvant for the first time in these three weeks ventured out as
far as the Musjid and put his head on the feet of Sayin Maharaj. He has
improved so far."
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
(to be contd...)
the entry dated 4-3-1912 and is briefly worded as follows: "My
wife was late in going to worship Sayin Saheb but he very kindly
desisted from his meal and let her worship him."
In his articles in the early issues of Shri Sai Leela Swami Sai-
Sharananand referring to this incident observed as follows: "Baba's
touch was experienced by devotees when He gave Udi or allowed
them to touch His feet or press His legs. Even here, he did not touch
or allow every one to touch in the some way. When He desired to
instruct anyone, He allowed the devotee to touch according to his
faith or feeling (bhawa) and sometimes even objected. When He
wanted to instruct the wife of the Hon'ble Mr. G.S.Khaparde to do
japa of the mantra, 'Rajaram' notwithstanding the rule prohibiting
the entry of women into the Musjid in the afternoon, He not only
permitted her to come up but accepted and took the naivedya
(offering) brought by her and stretched out His legs for her to press
and simultaneously pressed her hands and whispered to her, 'go
on repeating Rajaram, Rajaram'. Swami Sai Sharanand's comment
on the above incident shows in what high esteem Baba held
Mrs. Laxmibai Ganesh Khaparde.
Now let us turn to the account in canto seven of Shri Sai-Sat-Charita
as to how Sai Baba relieved Laxmibai Khaparde's anxiety on account
of her son's illness.
"How many wonderful leelas of Baba shall I narrate to the reader!
Once there was an outbreak of plague and now listen as to what
miracle happened. Dadasaheb Khaparde's lad was staying (in Shirdi)
along with his mother and both were enjoying bliss in the company of
Shri Sai. The lad developed high fever and his mother became restless
with anxiety. She wanted to return to her hometown Amraoti and
came to take Baba's permission to leave. .During His evening stroll
when Baba came near the Wada, the lady held Baba's feet and narrated
her woe. Women are known to be soft hearted. The boy was struck
down with plague and was shivering. Baba said to her softly. The sky
is overcast. The clouds will burst and pour down rain and the sky will be
clear. Why fear?' So saying, he raised his kafni upto the waist, showed
all the four buboes each of the size of an egg on his body and added,
'Look, I have to take upon myself your suffering.' Seeing this divine and
strange spectacle the people were dumb-founded to witness how saints
have to suffer sorrows for the sake of their devotees. Their minds are
softer than wax and outwardly like butter. They love their devotees
without any expectation and regard them as their kith and kin."
Reference to this incident occurs in Shirdi Diary in entries dated 8-1-1912,
17-1-1912, 18-1-1912, 20-1-1912, 6-2-1912 and 8-2-12 which have been
collected together below:
"8-1-1912 - During the mid-day service after the Arti, Savin Maharaj
exhibited sudden and great anger and abused violently. It appears as if
plague is likely to reappear here and Sayin Maharaj is endeavouring to
prevent its reappearance.
17-1-1912 - Balwant also felt sad and said that he wished to leave Shirdi.
18-1-1912-P.S.I forgot to mention that during the torrent of hard words
that Sayin Baba poured out to-day he said that he had saved my son
Balwant and then often repeated the phrase 'Fakir wishes to kill
Dadasaheb (meaning me) but I would not permit it'.
20-1-1912 - Bhishma and my son are unwell....There was no Bhajan as
Bhishma is indisposed and my son Balwant is slightly worse.
6-2-1912 - When my wife spoke about going, Sayin Baba said that I did
not ask for the permission personally.
8-2-1912 - Balvant for the first time in these three weeks ventured out as
far as the Musjid and put his head on the feet of Sayin Maharaj. He has
improved so far."
(Source Shirdi Diary)
http://www.saileelas.org/books/dairy.htm
(to be contd...)
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Satsang MRS. LAXMIBAI GANESH KHAPARDE by V.B.Kher
MRS. LAXMIBAI GANESH KHAPARDE
By V.B. Kher
Mrs. Laxmibai Ganesh Khaparde- was a devotee favoured by
Shri Sai Baba and initialed by him. The story of her rinanubandha
with Sai and her initiation at his hands is narrated in verses
139-69 of twenty-seventh canto of Shri Sai-Sat-Charita. Similarly
in verses 100 to 110 of seventh-canto the story of how Baba took
upon himself the karmic suffering of her son's infection of plague
and relieved her of all anxiety is told. We shall first narrate the
stories and then examine the references in the Shirdi Diary to
these and other incidents not touched upon in Shri Sai-Sat-Charita.
Then we shall trace an outline of her life story till her end which the
reader will find very moving. Her end was not only peaceful but she
was blessed with darshan by her Sadguru Saibaba. What higher joy
can a devotee of Sai expect? So now let us begin with her story of
rinanubandha and initiation.
"Once Dadasaheb came to Shirdi with his family and was absorbed
in the love of Baba. Khaparde was no ordinary person. He was very
learned, yet before Baba he bowed in veneration. Well versed in
English education, he enjoyed a high reputation in the Supreme
Legislative Council and the Council of State as a debater and
moved the Legislature with his eloquence. However, before Sai he
assumed silence. Baba had many devotees but no devotees except
Khaparde, Gopalrao Buti and Lax-man Krishna Nulkar remained
silent before Baba. Others spoke to Baba, some engaged in
controversies, spoke whatever came to their mind. But these three
observed total restraint. Leave aside speaking, they always assented
to what Baba said. Indescribable was their humility and their
courtesy in listening. Khaparde who expounded on the subject
matter of Vidyaranya's Panchadashi with great mastery fell silent
as soon as he came to the Musjid. Whatever may be the splendour
of speech, before pure and radiant Brahman incarnate Sai, it would
just be eclipsed.
Khaparde stayed in Shirdi for four months and his wife for seven
months and both of them became increasingly happy. His wife had
great faith in Sai and she herself would bring Naivedya in the
Musjid. She would not touch food until Baba accepted the Naivedya
and partook of it. Only thereafter she would have her meal. It so
happened once that seeing her firm devotion Baba who loved His
bhaktas dearly showed her the way. Various are the ways of gurus
for imparting instruction, but Baba's was quite distinct. He showered
grace so effortlessly that it would sink into the innermost recesses.
Once Mrs. Khaparde brought the Naivedya of a dishful of Shira-puri,
rice, dal, payasam, sandge, papad and koshimbir. As soon as her
Naivedya came, Baba eagerly got up from his seat and rolled up his
sleeves. He took his seat at the usual place of meals, pulled the dish
towards him and removed the covering with a view to commence
eating. Many were the naivedyas, and some more sumptuous than
the present one, which used to be received from other devotees but
they would remain untouched by Baba for a long time. Then why
was this lady's favoured? This is the behavior of a worldly person but
how could such considerations even touch a saint's mind? Therefore,
Madhavrao Deshpande looked askance at Baba and wanted to know
how He could make such distinctions. Madhavrao said, 'You ignore
all naivedyas, even hurl away naivedya in silver dishes but it is strange
that as soon as this lady's naivedya came you started eating. Why does
her naivedya taste so sweet to you is the great puzzle for us, Oh
Gurudeva! What is this mystery of your favouring some?' Baba replied,
'How shall I describe the excellence of this food? In one of her previous
births she was a very fat cow yielding much milk and belonged to a
merchant. Thereafter 1 lost sight of her (for some time) and in Wrth
which followed she was born to a gardener, then to a Kshatriya and
thereafter became the wife of a merchant. Later she was born in a
Brahmin family and has been sighted after a long time. Let me partake
of the food served with love happily and give her satisfaction'. So saying,
he ate heartily, washed his hands and mouth, belched contentedly and
resumed his seat. The lady then bowed to Sai and began his charan-seva.
Taking this opportunity Baba talked to her of her welfare. Baba pressed
her hands with which she was doing charan seva. Shama then observing
the service of each other by God and His devotee, said humorously,
'What a leela we witness, oh God! Seeing the mutuality of faith we are
filled with wonder.' Seeing her spirit of service Baba was pleased and
whisperd to her softly, 'Say Rajaram, Rajaram. Do this japa regularly and
constantly and you will find self-fulfilment. Your mind will be calmed
and you will derive immense benefit'. So power-packed were those words
that they pierced the heart and in a moment imparted spiritual strength.
Thus merciful Shri Samarth Sainath, the protector of the humble, satisfied
the desires of his devotees and ensured their welfare."
(Source Shirdi Dairy)
(to be contd....)
By V.B. Kher
Mrs. Laxmibai Ganesh Khaparde- was a devotee favoured by
Shri Sai Baba and initialed by him. The story of her rinanubandha
with Sai and her initiation at his hands is narrated in verses
139-69 of twenty-seventh canto of Shri Sai-Sat-Charita. Similarly
in verses 100 to 110 of seventh-canto the story of how Baba took
upon himself the karmic suffering of her son's infection of plague
and relieved her of all anxiety is told. We shall first narrate the
stories and then examine the references in the Shirdi Diary to
these and other incidents not touched upon in Shri Sai-Sat-Charita.
Then we shall trace an outline of her life story till her end which the
reader will find very moving. Her end was not only peaceful but she
was blessed with darshan by her Sadguru Saibaba. What higher joy
can a devotee of Sai expect? So now let us begin with her story of
rinanubandha and initiation.
"Once Dadasaheb came to Shirdi with his family and was absorbed
in the love of Baba. Khaparde was no ordinary person. He was very
learned, yet before Baba he bowed in veneration. Well versed in
English education, he enjoyed a high reputation in the Supreme
Legislative Council and the Council of State as a debater and
moved the Legislature with his eloquence. However, before Sai he
assumed silence. Baba had many devotees but no devotees except
Khaparde, Gopalrao Buti and Lax-man Krishna Nulkar remained
silent before Baba. Others spoke to Baba, some engaged in
controversies, spoke whatever came to their mind. But these three
observed total restraint. Leave aside speaking, they always assented
to what Baba said. Indescribable was their humility and their
courtesy in listening. Khaparde who expounded on the subject
matter of Vidyaranya's Panchadashi with great mastery fell silent
as soon as he came to the Musjid. Whatever may be the splendour
of speech, before pure and radiant Brahman incarnate Sai, it would
just be eclipsed.
Khaparde stayed in Shirdi for four months and his wife for seven
months and both of them became increasingly happy. His wife had
great faith in Sai and she herself would bring Naivedya in the
Musjid. She would not touch food until Baba accepted the Naivedya
and partook of it. Only thereafter she would have her meal. It so
happened once that seeing her firm devotion Baba who loved His
bhaktas dearly showed her the way. Various are the ways of gurus
for imparting instruction, but Baba's was quite distinct. He showered
grace so effortlessly that it would sink into the innermost recesses.
Once Mrs. Khaparde brought the Naivedya of a dishful of Shira-puri,
rice, dal, payasam, sandge, papad and koshimbir. As soon as her
Naivedya came, Baba eagerly got up from his seat and rolled up his
sleeves. He took his seat at the usual place of meals, pulled the dish
towards him and removed the covering with a view to commence
eating. Many were the naivedyas, and some more sumptuous than
the present one, which used to be received from other devotees but
they would remain untouched by Baba for a long time. Then why
was this lady's favoured? This is the behavior of a worldly person but
how could such considerations even touch a saint's mind? Therefore,
Madhavrao Deshpande looked askance at Baba and wanted to know
how He could make such distinctions. Madhavrao said, 'You ignore
all naivedyas, even hurl away naivedya in silver dishes but it is strange
that as soon as this lady's naivedya came you started eating. Why does
her naivedya taste so sweet to you is the great puzzle for us, Oh
Gurudeva! What is this mystery of your favouring some?' Baba replied,
'How shall I describe the excellence of this food? In one of her previous
births she was a very fat cow yielding much milk and belonged to a
merchant. Thereafter 1 lost sight of her (for some time) and in Wrth
which followed she was born to a gardener, then to a Kshatriya and
thereafter became the wife of a merchant. Later she was born in a
Brahmin family and has been sighted after a long time. Let me partake
of the food served with love happily and give her satisfaction'. So saying,
he ate heartily, washed his hands and mouth, belched contentedly and
resumed his seat. The lady then bowed to Sai and began his charan-seva.
Taking this opportunity Baba talked to her of her welfare. Baba pressed
her hands with which she was doing charan seva. Shama then observing
the service of each other by God and His devotee, said humorously,
'What a leela we witness, oh God! Seeing the mutuality of faith we are
filled with wonder.' Seeing her spirit of service Baba was pleased and
whisperd to her softly, 'Say Rajaram, Rajaram. Do this japa regularly and
constantly and you will find self-fulfilment. Your mind will be calmed
and you will derive immense benefit'. So power-packed were those words
that they pierced the heart and in a moment imparted spiritual strength.
Thus merciful Shri Samarth Sainath, the protector of the humble, satisfied
the desires of his devotees and ensured their welfare."
(Source Shirdi Dairy)
(to be contd....)
Friday, February 16, 2007
Satsang What did Sri Saibaba say about fasting?
What did Sri Saibaba say about fasting?
Sri Saibaba has given us the middle path to follow on the
path of emancipation. did not advocate the over indulgence
in either the senses or in asceticism.
Let us see what Sri Saibaba had said about fasting on
Thursdays or any other holy days.
M.W. Pradhan, a devotee of Sri Saibaba had organized the
birthday party of his son in Shama’s house at Shirdi and invited
all devotees of Sri Saibaba to lunch. That day happened to be a
Thursday. Bala Bhate apologized to Pradhan that he was unable
to eat on that day as he had a wow to fast on Thursdays and
went to the Masjid. As Baba saw Bhate he asked, “Have you
gone to Pradhan’s party and had your food?”
Bhate: “Baba, today is a Thursday”.
Baba: “So what?”
Bhate: “I do not eat on Thursdays. It is my wow”.
Baba: “To please whom have you made this wow”?
Bhate: “I have made this wow in your name for your grace”.
Baba: “I am telling you this myself. Leave off this fasting and
go have your food with Pradhan”.
From the above it is clear that Baba didn’t agree to do fasting
to please him on Thursdays. Now, let us see what Sri Saibaba
said about fasting on holy days such as Ekadasi, Maha Sivaratri
and such days.
Tatya Kote Patil was one of the closest and most intimate
devotees of Sri Saibaba. He had the great good fortune of
sleeping along with Baba in the Masjid for fourteen years.
Those who had seen the love and intimacy between Baba and
Tatya Kote Patil felt that Baba loved Tatya more than his life
even. Tatya in his reminiscences says thus, “I used to fast
regularly on Ekadasi, Maha Sivaratri and other such hold days.
Baba’s opinion was that fasting had no usefulness in either the
mundane worldly life or the spiritual life. I would try my best
to fast on these holy days but Baba would some how or the
other break my fast and made me eat something. On one
Sivaratri I said, ‘Baba, please let me fast at least on this day.
Please don’t make me eat anything.’
Baba said, “Eat man, eat, what Sivaratri are you talking about?”
Dada Kelkar who by standing by also told me to do as Baba
says and not to disobey him. I did not raise any further objection
to Baba and have never fasted on any day since then.”
Thus Sri Saibaba showed us in many incidents that there is
no meaning in doing fasting.
(Source: Sai Bhakti Sadhana Rahasyam,)
Sri Saibaba has given us the middle path to follow on the
path of emancipation. did not advocate the over indulgence
in either the senses or in asceticism.
Let us see what Sri Saibaba had said about fasting on
Thursdays or any other holy days.
M.W. Pradhan, a devotee of Sri Saibaba had organized the
birthday party of his son in Shama’s house at Shirdi and invited
all devotees of Sri Saibaba to lunch. That day happened to be a
Thursday. Bala Bhate apologized to Pradhan that he was unable
to eat on that day as he had a wow to fast on Thursdays and
went to the Masjid. As Baba saw Bhate he asked, “Have you
gone to Pradhan’s party and had your food?”
Bhate: “Baba, today is a Thursday”.
Baba: “So what?”
Bhate: “I do not eat on Thursdays. It is my wow”.
Baba: “To please whom have you made this wow”?
Bhate: “I have made this wow in your name for your grace”.
Baba: “I am telling you this myself. Leave off this fasting and
go have your food with Pradhan”.
From the above it is clear that Baba didn’t agree to do fasting
to please him on Thursdays. Now, let us see what Sri Saibaba
said about fasting on holy days such as Ekadasi, Maha Sivaratri
and such days.
Tatya Kote Patil was one of the closest and most intimate
devotees of Sri Saibaba. He had the great good fortune of
sleeping along with Baba in the Masjid for fourteen years.
Those who had seen the love and intimacy between Baba and
Tatya Kote Patil felt that Baba loved Tatya more than his life
even. Tatya in his reminiscences says thus, “I used to fast
regularly on Ekadasi, Maha Sivaratri and other such hold days.
Baba’s opinion was that fasting had no usefulness in either the
mundane worldly life or the spiritual life. I would try my best
to fast on these holy days but Baba would some how or the
other break my fast and made me eat something. On one
Sivaratri I said, ‘Baba, please let me fast at least on this day.
Please don’t make me eat anything.’
Baba said, “Eat man, eat, what Sivaratri are you talking about?”
Dada Kelkar who by standing by also told me to do as Baba
says and not to disobey him. I did not raise any further objection
to Baba and have never fasted on any day since then.”
Thus Sri Saibaba showed us in many incidents that there is
no meaning in doing fasting.
(Source: Sai Bhakti Sadhana Rahasyam,)
Satsang Sri Sai Amrit Vani
Sri Sai Amrit Vani
15th Feb 2007
Jai Sai Ram
Strange are the Leelas of Baba. For
the last two weeks, HE has not blessed even with a
pinch of Udi, as our house was in ‘Sootak’ and after
the Hawan was performed and Pandit/priests were fed,
Udi started oozing from the photos and the statue.
During these days it was all stand still and HIS
presence was also not felt by anybody during the
recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani. We are so used to
HIS presence that we missed HIM more than our uncle
who expired and was the cause of the ‘Sootak’. We
missed HIS Leelas. Now it is all normal with HIS
normal Leelas.
Today (16/2/07) is Shiv Ratri and as in
previous years Udi is oozing from the hands of Shivji
and Sindoor is falling from the hand of Parvati Maa
from the combined photo of Shiv –Parvati.
Following devotees, participated in
absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani by
reciting Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places on 15th
Feb 2007. The list is sorted as per their email ids.
However Mrs. Gupta prayed for all the devotees.
We include only those devotees in the list, who
themselves recite or read Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their
places. The names of the devotees “for prayer”, are
prayed for, but not included in the list. Kindly
mention clearly, against each devotee’s name that
he/she will recite or read or listen to Sri Sai Amrit
Vani, or only for prayers. Please also give the name
of the place.
We could see the following Leelas this
Thursday the 15th Feb 2007 .
1. Udi started appearing and oozing from the two
photos on the wall from Monday, Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’, and figure of Trishool were
formed with Udi on one photo. On Tuesday Udi started
oozing from the main photo in the mandir. Hindi words
‘RAM’ ‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’ alog with other figures were
also formed on the photo in the mandir and Udi started
oozing and falling from the Statue from Tuesday
morning itself . It was our younger son’s birthday
also. Who is Chandigarh. Udi starts oozing on the
birthdays of any member of the family. So it was the
combined occasion on Tuesday.
2. There was lot of Water from the Charans this week
also. This water was collected in the Thali. The
taste of water was similar to gulab jal and kewara.
After Sai Amrit Vani, this water was given to the
needy devotees and again the Thali was filled with
water. This water was taken out of Thali 3-4 time
throughout the day and was given to devotees till
evening. Devotees even bring bottles to take the water
home.
3. Lap of Mrs. Gupta was filled with Udi during the
prayers. Udi was there between the falls of the Sari.
4. Udi also appeared on many other devotees.
5. On Thursday as soon as Bhog was offered, it was
duly accepted by Baba and after the Sri Sai Amrit
Vani we noticed that the box, which was placed
before HIM was partially empty with eaten and
partially remained pieces of items in the box, Part
of Bhog was on the lips of many photos and statue of
Baba. These parts of the remains in the box were
given to the devotees who offered that item of bhog to
Baba. Figures were formed on Burfees Kalakand and
many other sweets
6. Presence of Baba during the recitation of Sai Amrit
Vani was very strong.
7. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
8. The Charnamrit, the water in which Baba took the
bath in the morning was also sweet as if some honey
has been mixed into it.
9. Many papers and Statues, of devotees kept in the
mandir room, were blessed with lots of Udi as soon as
they were placed there. I am appending a photo of
statues of Baba blessed on this day.
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Amrit Vani started at 11:04 AM. Noon
Aartee started at 12:00 Hrs. followed by brief
Meditation and the prayer, Prayan of one Chapter
from Sai Satcharitra. Mrs. Gupta offered prayers and
thanks to Baba. Finally distribution of Prasad, Udi
and the water from the Charans.
Following listed devotees participated in
the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani ( in absentia)
and have either recited or read or listened Sri Sai
Amrit Vani at their places. Other devotees were also
prayed for but their names have not been listed.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 22nd Feb, again
will be held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi.
Devotees interested in attending it in person may
contact on phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or
9312494767 only after 11 AM (IST) on any day except
Thursdays but no calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They
should NOT bring any bhog with them and be in time.
Kids are also not allowed in the hall. No disturbance
is tolerated during the Sri Sai Amrit Vani .
Sri Sai Sandhya is being held on 24th Feb,
2007 in the Central Park of Sidhartha Extension, New
Delhi. From 5 PM onwards followed by Bhandara.
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now available in Tamil
script also besides in Devnagri, English and Telgu, in
the file section of the yahoogroup. Links of Audio MP3
files are given in the link section of the home page
of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To go to home page of
yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 .
Audio Mp3 file has also been made available in the
publication section of http://saimemorial.com , the site of
Sai Memorial Temple of Baba of Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer that
you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
akg_vg@bol.net.in
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
15th Feb 2007
Jai Sai Ram
Strange are the Leelas of Baba. For
the last two weeks, HE has not blessed even with a
pinch of Udi, as our house was in ‘Sootak’ and after
the Hawan was performed and Pandit/priests were fed,
Udi started oozing from the photos and the statue.
During these days it was all stand still and HIS
presence was also not felt by anybody during the
recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani. We are so used to
HIS presence that we missed HIM more than our uncle
who expired and was the cause of the ‘Sootak’. We
missed HIS Leelas. Now it is all normal with HIS
normal Leelas.
Today (16/2/07) is Shiv Ratri and as in
previous years Udi is oozing from the hands of Shivji
and Sindoor is falling from the hand of Parvati Maa
from the combined photo of Shiv –Parvati.
Following devotees, participated in
absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani by
reciting Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places on 15th
Feb 2007. The list is sorted as per their email ids.
However Mrs. Gupta prayed for all the devotees.
We include only those devotees in the list, who
themselves recite or read Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their
places. The names of the devotees “for prayer”, are
prayed for, but not included in the list. Kindly
mention clearly, against each devotee’s name that
he/she will recite or read or listen to Sri Sai Amrit
Vani, or only for prayers. Please also give the name
of the place.
We could see the following Leelas this
Thursday the 15th Feb 2007 .
1. Udi started appearing and oozing from the two
photos on the wall from Monday, Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’, and figure of Trishool were
formed with Udi on one photo. On Tuesday Udi started
oozing from the main photo in the mandir. Hindi words
‘RAM’ ‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’ alog with other figures were
also formed on the photo in the mandir and Udi started
oozing and falling from the Statue from Tuesday
morning itself . It was our younger son’s birthday
also. Who is Chandigarh. Udi starts oozing on the
birthdays of any member of the family. So it was the
combined occasion on Tuesday.
2. There was lot of Water from the Charans this week
also. This water was collected in the Thali. The
taste of water was similar to gulab jal and kewara.
After Sai Amrit Vani, this water was given to the
needy devotees and again the Thali was filled with
water. This water was taken out of Thali 3-4 time
throughout the day and was given to devotees till
evening. Devotees even bring bottles to take the water
home.
3. Lap of Mrs. Gupta was filled with Udi during the
prayers. Udi was there between the falls of the Sari.
4. Udi also appeared on many other devotees.
5. On Thursday as soon as Bhog was offered, it was
duly accepted by Baba and after the Sri Sai Amrit
Vani we noticed that the box, which was placed
before HIM was partially empty with eaten and
partially remained pieces of items in the box, Part
of Bhog was on the lips of many photos and statue of
Baba. These parts of the remains in the box were
given to the devotees who offered that item of bhog to
Baba. Figures were formed on Burfees Kalakand and
many other sweets
6. Presence of Baba during the recitation of Sai Amrit
Vani was very strong.
7. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
8. The Charnamrit, the water in which Baba took the
bath in the morning was also sweet as if some honey
has been mixed into it.
9. Many papers and Statues, of devotees kept in the
mandir room, were blessed with lots of Udi as soon as
they were placed there. I am appending a photo of
statues of Baba blessed on this day.
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Amrit Vani started at 11:04 AM. Noon
Aartee started at 12:00 Hrs. followed by brief
Meditation and the prayer, Prayan of one Chapter
from Sai Satcharitra. Mrs. Gupta offered prayers and
thanks to Baba. Finally distribution of Prasad, Udi
and the water from the Charans.
Following listed devotees participated in
the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani ( in absentia)
and have either recited or read or listened Sri Sai
Amrit Vani at their places. Other devotees were also
prayed for but their names have not been listed.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 22nd Feb, again
will be held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi.
Devotees interested in attending it in person may
contact on phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or
9312494767 only after 11 AM (IST) on any day except
Thursdays but no calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They
should NOT bring any bhog with them and be in time.
Kids are also not allowed in the hall. No disturbance
is tolerated during the Sri Sai Amrit Vani .
Sri Sai Sandhya is being held on 24th Feb,
2007 in the Central Park of Sidhartha Extension, New
Delhi. From 5 PM onwards followed by Bhandara.
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now available in Tamil
script also besides in Devnagri, English and Telgu, in
the file section of the yahoogroup. Links of Audio MP3
files are given in the link section of the home page
of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To go to home page of
yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 .
Audio Mp3 file has also been made available in the
publication section of http://saimemorial.com , the site of
Sai Memorial Temple of Baba of Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer that
you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
akg_vg@bol.net.in
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Sri Sai Amrit Vani
Sri Sai Amrit Vani
8st Feb 2007
Devotees may forward this
letter to other Sai devotees.
Jai Sai Ram
First of all I would Thank all those
devotees, who have sent their condolence messages for
the demise of my Chacha Ji (uncle). On 9th Feb Hawan
was performed for the ‘Sudhi’ . As we were busy in
these activities, I could not check the internet
regularly.
This Thursday also our house was in
the ‘Sootak’ and there was no Leela of Baba at
Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi on 8th Feb. We
expected this thing and already communicated to the
members of the group that Sri Sai Amrit Vani will not
be held at Sidhartha Extension on this Thursday also.
Last Thursday also Sri Sai Amrit Vani was not held.
Very few dovotees attended the recitation of Sri Sai
Amrit Vani, only about 25 or so, as the message was
already given. Simply Audio of Sri Sai Amrit Vani was
played on the Cassette player and we all recited along
with it without the books.
There was no Bhog, no Pooja, no body was allowed to
enter the mandir room.
This Thursday the 8st Feb 2007, we missed
the following Leelas of Baba, which usually happen on
Thursdays.
1. No oozing of Udi or Honey from any photo on the
walls or photo or Statue in the Mandir. No formation
of any word or figures of OM, Ram and Sham
2. No water from the Charans of Baba this week.
3. There was no Pooja done, no Aggarbatti, no diya, No
books. Only recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani was done
with the help of Cassette.
4. There was no Udi in the Lap of Mrs. Gupta or any
devotees present there.
5. There was no Bhog offered to Baba.
6. No Documents, No photos , No Sai Satcharitras were
kept in the mandir room. In fact no one was allowed to
entered the mandir.
7. No Prayan of Sai Satcharitra was done.
Last three times, when our grand daughters
were born, Udi stopped oozing from that time and
started only at the time when the Hawan started.
Because it was the birth celebration. At present even
after the Hawan Udi has not started oozing from any
photo or statue. Perhaps it may start on Sunday or
Monday. You may very well guess Leelas of Baba.
However following devotees, participated
in absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani.
The list is sorted as per their email id’s. We include
only those devotees in the list, who themselves recite
or read Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places. The names
of the devotees “for prayer”, are prayed for, but not
included in the list. Kindly mention clearly, against
each devotee’s name that he/she will recite or read or
listen to Sri Sai Amrit Vani, or only for prayers, If
no mention is made in the letter, then it will be
presumed that the names are only for prayer and will
not be included in the list. Please also give the
name of the place.
Sri Sai Bajan Sandhya has been arranged on
24th Feb in the evening at Sidhartha Extension, New
Delhi.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 15th Feb, will be held in
Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi. Devotees interested in
attending it in person may contact on phone nos.
26346942, 9810714688 or 9312494767 only after 11 AM
(IST) on any day except Thursdays and no calls on
Thursdays PLEASE. They should NOT bring any bhog with
them and be in time. Kids are also not allowed in the
hall and mobiles should be put on silent mode..
Scripts of Sri Sai Amrit Vani are available
in Tamil, Telgu also, besides in Devnagri (Hindi) and
English, in the file section of the yahoogroup. Links
of Audio MP3 files are given in the link section of
the home page of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To go to
home page of yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 .
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer that
you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
8st Feb 2007
Devotees may forward this
letter to other Sai devotees.
Jai Sai Ram
First of all I would Thank all those
devotees, who have sent their condolence messages for
the demise of my Chacha Ji (uncle). On 9th Feb Hawan
was performed for the ‘Sudhi’ . As we were busy in
these activities, I could not check the internet
regularly.
This Thursday also our house was in
the ‘Sootak’ and there was no Leela of Baba at
Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi on 8th Feb. We
expected this thing and already communicated to the
members of the group that Sri Sai Amrit Vani will not
be held at Sidhartha Extension on this Thursday also.
Last Thursday also Sri Sai Amrit Vani was not held.
Very few dovotees attended the recitation of Sri Sai
Amrit Vani, only about 25 or so, as the message was
already given. Simply Audio of Sri Sai Amrit Vani was
played on the Cassette player and we all recited along
with it without the books.
There was no Bhog, no Pooja, no body was allowed to
enter the mandir room.
This Thursday the 8st Feb 2007, we missed
the following Leelas of Baba, which usually happen on
Thursdays.
1. No oozing of Udi or Honey from any photo on the
walls or photo or Statue in the Mandir. No formation
of any word or figures of OM, Ram and Sham
2. No water from the Charans of Baba this week.
3. There was no Pooja done, no Aggarbatti, no diya, No
books. Only recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani was done
with the help of Cassette.
4. There was no Udi in the Lap of Mrs. Gupta or any
devotees present there.
5. There was no Bhog offered to Baba.
6. No Documents, No photos , No Sai Satcharitras were
kept in the mandir room. In fact no one was allowed to
entered the mandir.
7. No Prayan of Sai Satcharitra was done.
Last three times, when our grand daughters
were born, Udi stopped oozing from that time and
started only at the time when the Hawan started.
Because it was the birth celebration. At present even
after the Hawan Udi has not started oozing from any
photo or statue. Perhaps it may start on Sunday or
Monday. You may very well guess Leelas of Baba.
However following devotees, participated
in absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani.
The list is sorted as per their email id’s. We include
only those devotees in the list, who themselves recite
or read Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their places. The names
of the devotees “for prayer”, are prayed for, but not
included in the list. Kindly mention clearly, against
each devotee’s name that he/she will recite or read or
listen to Sri Sai Amrit Vani, or only for prayers, If
no mention is made in the letter, then it will be
presumed that the names are only for prayer and will
not be included in the list. Please also give the
name of the place.
Sri Sai Bajan Sandhya has been arranged on
24th Feb in the evening at Sidhartha Extension, New
Delhi.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 15th Feb, will be held in
Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi. Devotees interested in
attending it in person may contact on phone nos.
26346942, 9810714688 or 9312494767 only after 11 AM
(IST) on any day except Thursdays and no calls on
Thursdays PLEASE. They should NOT bring any bhog with
them and be in time. Kids are also not allowed in the
hall and mobiles should be put on silent mode..
Scripts of Sri Sai Amrit Vani are available
in Tamil, Telgu also, besides in Devnagri (Hindi) and
English, in the file section of the yahoogroup. Links
of Audio MP3 files are given in the link section of
the home page of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To go to
home page of yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 .
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani will be
in addition to any other pooja or sewa or prayer that
you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Satsang When was the regular custom of performing Sej arati commenced?
When was the regular custom of performing Sej arati commenced?
The exact date/month in which the regular custom of performing
aratis commenced is not clear. Sri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 4 states
that the Night (Sej) arati commenced on December 10th 1910. In
the same book in Chapter 37 it is stated that from December 10th
1909 devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the
Chavadi! In the said context in Chapter 4 it is also recorded that
two more incidents took place on that day, i.e. on December 10th
1910. One is Sri G.S. Khaparde permission from Baba to leave
Shirdi and the other was the laying of the foundation stone of
Dixit Wada.
But according to the Diary of Sri G.S. Khaparde, the actual
permission to leave Shirdi was granted to him on December 12th
1910. On his first visit to Shirdi, Sri Khaparde stayed for about
eight days, i.e. from December 5th 1910 to December 12th 1910.
There is no mention of any arati ~ in any of the entries made on
those days in his Diary ~ whether Morning, Midday, or Night
~ or anything about the foundation laying ceremony of the
Dixit Wada! Sri Khaparde who did not elide to note down even
seemingly insignificant happenings, would not have passed
over recording such an important event as the commencement
of Sej Arati ~ if it took place on December 10th 1910(Sri Khaparde
who keenly referred to the Chavadi procession held on 6th and 8th,
did not even mention anything about it on 10th, as if nothing worthy
of mention occurred on that day!). On the authority of Sri Sai
Satcharitra, (but with a slight modification of the date by a margin
of two days) if the commencement of Sej Arati was to coincide with
the leave-taking or departure of Sri G.S. Khaparde, then it should
be on December 12th 1910(Sri Khaparde left Shirdi on that day by
evening, he could not have recorded the event).
(Source: Arati Saibaba)
The exact date/month in which the regular custom of performing
aratis commenced is not clear. Sri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 4 states
that the Night (Sej) arati commenced on December 10th 1910. In
the same book in Chapter 37 it is stated that from December 10th
1909 devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the
Chavadi! In the said context in Chapter 4 it is also recorded that
two more incidents took place on that day, i.e. on December 10th
1910. One is Sri G.S. Khaparde permission from Baba to leave
Shirdi and the other was the laying of the foundation stone of
Dixit Wada.
But according to the Diary of Sri G.S. Khaparde, the actual
permission to leave Shirdi was granted to him on December 12th
1910. On his first visit to Shirdi, Sri Khaparde stayed for about
eight days, i.e. from December 5th 1910 to December 12th 1910.
There is no mention of any arati ~ in any of the entries made on
those days in his Diary ~ whether Morning, Midday, or Night
~ or anything about the foundation laying ceremony of the
Dixit Wada! Sri Khaparde who did not elide to note down even
seemingly insignificant happenings, would not have passed
over recording such an important event as the commencement
of Sej Arati ~ if it took place on December 10th 1910(Sri Khaparde
who keenly referred to the Chavadi procession held on 6th and 8th,
did not even mention anything about it on 10th, as if nothing worthy
of mention occurred on that day!). On the authority of Sri Sai
Satcharitra, (but with a slight modification of the date by a margin
of two days) if the commencement of Sej Arati was to coincide with
the leave-taking or departure of Sri G.S. Khaparde, then it should
be on December 12th 1910(Sri Khaparde left Shirdi on that day by
evening, he could not have recorded the event).
(Source: Arati Saibaba)
Monday, February 12, 2007
Satsang In which temple Sri Saibaba's sacred tooth was kept? - Part 3
Among those who visited the temple was Sri Nanasaheb Awasthe,
who had had the darshan and blessings of Sri Saibaba while he was
alive. An organization for the development of the temple, called
“Sri Sai Dasa Mandali,” was started in 1950. The members repaired
the temple and also built an 800 square-foot hall in the front part of
it. Guru Purnima, Sri Ramanavami and Baba’s mahasamadhi
(Vijayadasami) festivals are celebrated there with great fervor.
We will now come to a great leela of Saibaba relating to this temple.
On 12 July 1961, the Pansher dam flooded and its water overflowed
the dam crests. Large parts of Pune were submerged, many houses
were destroyed and many people lost all that they had. As Shivaji
Nagar, where the Sri Saibaba’ s temple is located, is a low-lying area,
water was flowing twenty to twenty-five feet above the temple tower.
The water subsided after a few days and the rehabilatory work was
started. The temple was totally engulfed in mud and to remove it and
to restore the temple to its former glory was a daunting and costly task.
However, the devotees finished it cheerfully in a few days. They were
rewarded for their labor with a glorious sight. Sri Saibaba’s photo, which
had been worshipped daily before the flood, was undamaged and was
looking as new as ever! There was no trace of damage from the water
or mud. No-one could believe that the photo had been under water for
several days. The audumber tree beside the temple was also fine and
did not even sag as a result of the flood. Everyone believed by this
wonderful leela of Sri Saibaba that his effulgent grace was on the temple.
Later the devotees got a beautiful marble statue of Saibaba installed in
the temple in the same place where the Baba’s photograph had been.
Baba’s tooth now lies under the padukas at the feet of the marble statue.
The photo of Baba, which withstood the flood, is also kept in the temple,
and devotees pay homage to it daily.
Courtesy of Sri Sai Leela Magazine April 1977
who had had the darshan and blessings of Sri Saibaba while he was
alive. An organization for the development of the temple, called
“Sri Sai Dasa Mandali,” was started in 1950. The members repaired
the temple and also built an 800 square-foot hall in the front part of
it. Guru Purnima, Sri Ramanavami and Baba’s mahasamadhi
(Vijayadasami) festivals are celebrated there with great fervor.
We will now come to a great leela of Saibaba relating to this temple.
On 12 July 1961, the Pansher dam flooded and its water overflowed
the dam crests. Large parts of Pune were submerged, many houses
were destroyed and many people lost all that they had. As Shivaji
Nagar, where the Sri Saibaba’ s temple is located, is a low-lying area,
water was flowing twenty to twenty-five feet above the temple tower.
The water subsided after a few days and the rehabilatory work was
started. The temple was totally engulfed in mud and to remove it and
to restore the temple to its former glory was a daunting and costly task.
However, the devotees finished it cheerfully in a few days. They were
rewarded for their labor with a glorious sight. Sri Saibaba’s photo, which
had been worshipped daily before the flood, was undamaged and was
looking as new as ever! There was no trace of damage from the water
or mud. No-one could believe that the photo had been under water for
several days. The audumber tree beside the temple was also fine and
did not even sag as a result of the flood. Everyone believed by this
wonderful leela of Sri Saibaba that his effulgent grace was on the temple.
Later the devotees got a beautiful marble statue of Saibaba installed in
the temple in the same place where the Baba’s photograph had been.
Baba’s tooth now lies under the padukas at the feet of the marble statue.
The photo of Baba, which withstood the flood, is also kept in the temple,
and devotees pay homage to it daily.
Courtesy of Sri Sai Leela Magazine April 1977
Satsang In which temple Sri Saibaba's sacred tooth was kept? - Part 2
Kasibai of Shirdi was married to a man from Nifad village, but
unfortunately her husband died within a few months of the
marriage. She was already pregnant by this time and gave birth
to a male child who was named Madhav. Kasibai came back to
Shirdi from Nifad when Madhav was one year old and started
living with her father. She used to eke out her living as an
agricultural laborer but as she had to work in the fields from
morning to evening, looking after Madhav became a problem.
At last she found a solution. She would take Madhav with her
to the mosque in the morning, leave him with Sri Saibaba, and
then go off to the fields. In the evening she would come back,
salute Baba, and take Madhav home. Four years passed in this
way. From the time he turned five, Baba gave a rupee to Madhav
every day and Madhav in turn did small chores for him.
Kasibai came one day to the mosque and asked Sri Saibaba,
“Why are you only giving one rupee to my son each day - even
though he is doing so many chores for you - while you are giving
fifteen, thirty and fifty rupees to others?” Sri Saibaba replied,
“Kasibai! I know that I am giving less to your son but you should
know that while I may stop giving money to the others after a
while, I will continue to look after Madhav. I am the sole refuge
and the head of the family for all such as you who are orphans.”
Kasibai did not understand the full import of Baba’s utterance
and said, “The head of my family was my husband and he is dead.”
Baba was annoyed and started shouting at her. Kasibai got scared
and ran from the mosque and after that stopped coming for a
time. Baba relented a couple of days later and called for her. She
came along with her son Madhav. She was still afraid of Baba and
stood silently on the threshold of the mosque. Saibaba talked to
her with kindness and calmed her down. One of his teeth had
been loose for some time and he pulled it out and wrapped it in
a piece of cloth with some udi and told Kasibai, “Keep this
talisman with you. You will have good fortune always.” Kasibai
went away happily with the talisman.
Ever since the mother and son received the tooth from Baba they
never lacked for anything and everyone started calling the lad
Madhav Rao in a respectful manner. He would tie the talisman
to his biceps and was careful to treat it reverentially. After Kasibai
passed away, he went to Nifad and settled there. Once, when
Madhav was seriously ill, Baba appeared to him in a dream and
ordered him, “Give the talisman to a man called Nikham who will
come to your house today.” Baba also appeared to Nikham in a
dream and ordered him “to go to Nifad and take the talisman from
Madhav”. Nikham obeyed him. He kept the talisman for many
years and then presented it to the Sri Saibaba temple at Shivaji
Nagar. In this way the sacred tooth of Sri Saibaba came from him
to Kasibai and from her to Madhav Rao and from Madhav Rao to
Nikham and back again to Baba from Nikham. So Baba’s tooth
came back to him after many travels. The authorities of the temple
kept the tooth under Baba’s padukas (footprints), which were kept
under the photo of Saibaba. Devotees feel that they are in the divine
and immediate presence of Sri Saibaba because the sacred relic of
Baba is kept in the temple.
(to be contd...)
Courtesy of Sri Sai Leela Magazine April 1977
unfortunately her husband died within a few months of the
marriage. She was already pregnant by this time and gave birth
to a male child who was named Madhav. Kasibai came back to
Shirdi from Nifad when Madhav was one year old and started
living with her father. She used to eke out her living as an
agricultural laborer but as she had to work in the fields from
morning to evening, looking after Madhav became a problem.
At last she found a solution. She would take Madhav with her
to the mosque in the morning, leave him with Sri Saibaba, and
then go off to the fields. In the evening she would come back,
salute Baba, and take Madhav home. Four years passed in this
way. From the time he turned five, Baba gave a rupee to Madhav
every day and Madhav in turn did small chores for him.
Kasibai came one day to the mosque and asked Sri Saibaba,
“Why are you only giving one rupee to my son each day - even
though he is doing so many chores for you - while you are giving
fifteen, thirty and fifty rupees to others?” Sri Saibaba replied,
“Kasibai! I know that I am giving less to your son but you should
know that while I may stop giving money to the others after a
while, I will continue to look after Madhav. I am the sole refuge
and the head of the family for all such as you who are orphans.”
Kasibai did not understand the full import of Baba’s utterance
and said, “The head of my family was my husband and he is dead.”
Baba was annoyed and started shouting at her. Kasibai got scared
and ran from the mosque and after that stopped coming for a
time. Baba relented a couple of days later and called for her. She
came along with her son Madhav. She was still afraid of Baba and
stood silently on the threshold of the mosque. Saibaba talked to
her with kindness and calmed her down. One of his teeth had
been loose for some time and he pulled it out and wrapped it in
a piece of cloth with some udi and told Kasibai, “Keep this
talisman with you. You will have good fortune always.” Kasibai
went away happily with the talisman.
Ever since the mother and son received the tooth from Baba they
never lacked for anything and everyone started calling the lad
Madhav Rao in a respectful manner. He would tie the talisman
to his biceps and was careful to treat it reverentially. After Kasibai
passed away, he went to Nifad and settled there. Once, when
Madhav was seriously ill, Baba appeared to him in a dream and
ordered him, “Give the talisman to a man called Nikham who will
come to your house today.” Baba also appeared to Nikham in a
dream and ordered him “to go to Nifad and take the talisman from
Madhav”. Nikham obeyed him. He kept the talisman for many
years and then presented it to the Sri Saibaba temple at Shivaji
Nagar. In this way the sacred tooth of Sri Saibaba came from him
to Kasibai and from her to Madhav Rao and from Madhav Rao to
Nikham and back again to Baba from Nikham. So Baba’s tooth
came back to him after many travels. The authorities of the temple
kept the tooth under Baba’s padukas (footprints), which were kept
under the photo of Saibaba. Devotees feel that they are in the divine
and immediate presence of Sri Saibaba because the sacred relic of
Baba is kept in the temple.
(to be contd...)
Courtesy of Sri Sai Leela Magazine April 1977
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