Nana Saheb Chandorkar was the cause of all my relations going to Baba and therefore the cause of my going also. It was the first week of May 1910. A group of my brothers and other relations were chatting with Mr.Chandorkar. Then my brother Rama Rao asked: "Is there any one nowadays of the type of Akkalkote Maharaj?"

N.C. : Do you want to see one?

R.R. : Yes.

N.C. : In that case, go to Shirdi. In Sai Baba of Shirdi you have one.

R.R. : This is the first time we hear of Shirdi. Where is it and how do we get to it?

N.C. : It is in Kopergaon Taluk, Ahmednagar District. You have to go to Kopergaon Station (on Dhond Manmad Line) and take a tonga. Shirdi is 11 miles off the station.

Mr. Chandorkar gave such a vivid and glowing account of Baba's power, personality, kindness and greatness that all his hearers were aglow with the desire to rush at once or as early as possible to Shirdi and have darsan (sight) of Baba. These relations and friends of mine, forming a group of about 10 or 14 people started the very next day to Shirdi. They wanted me to be with the party. But I had been out and they left word with my wife and went away. I was that day with my mother who told me of their trip to see Baba; but I, in my ignorance, said to her "Who can say, if He is really genuine saint?"

When the party returned from Shirdi, I took a loan from my brother of two things that they had brought, a copy of Baba's picture and Chapter 31 of Bhakta Lilamrita of Das Ganu, describing Baba's life and the miracles he wrote, promising to return them the same day. I took them home, showed them to my wife, and began to read aloud that Chapter 31 to her. The effect was deep and electric. All the doubt that I had expressed to my mother vanished. I was converted. From that moment I got a firm belief that Baba was a true and great saint if ever there was one. My wife's faith was even greater. I told her that the book and the picture had to be returned that day. But she could not think of parting with Baba and that too on a Thursday. So at her insistence I kept them on, even the next day and the third. Then as they were called for by my brother, I had to return them on the fourth day.

Now we were burning with a desire to go to Baba. But circumstances seemed to be adverse to any such adventure. My sister-in-law, who had been recently widowed, appeared to be in advanced pregnancy and had no son. We all fervently hoped she would have a son and I, as the only male member in the house, could not leave the town as the delivery might take place any day.

But my wife and sister were very anxious that I should not lose the chance of seeing Baba early. So I started about a fortnight after the first party returned from Shirdi by the end of May 1910. By the kindness of Mr. Chandorkar, his two sons Babu and Bapu became my companions. At starting I had provided myself with three or four gold sovereigns (guineas, as they were called) and some notes. I got a note changed with the object that I might be able to give silver rupees when Baba should ask for dakshina. I had 20 Rupees in cash and the rest in notes. Thus provided, I went to Shirdi. After a good reception at Kopergaon from the Mamlatdar and a good bath at the Godavari, we reached Shirdi. There at that very moment of our arrival, Baba was standing at the Lendi, as though he was waiting for us. So we at once got down and bowed to Him. We put up at the Sathewada and there had the company of Rao Bahadur Sathe, Mr. Noolkar, 1st Class Sub-Judge & C. Soon after, I took all the flowers, garlands, & fruits I had brought to the Masjid to garland Baba and gave Him all the presents. When I looked quietly into His face and eyes, I felt confirmed in my impression that Baba is a really great saint and said within myself “Thank God. I came". This deep impression was quite opportune. Baba at once proceeded to put my faith to the test.

Baba asked me for a Dakshina. Instead of giving Him silver as I had intended when I changed the notes at Kalyan, I gave Him gold. I put a sovereign in His hand. Baba received it, turned it in His palms now with St.George's figure upwards, again with the written side upwards. He did so thrice and asked Noolkar each time, "What is this?" Noolkar replied "Baba, this is a guinea". Baba then asked him "What is it worth?" and he replied "It is worth fifteen rupees". Then Baba returned the coin to me saying "I do not want this. Keep it and give me fifteen rupees". I put the coin into my purse. But Noolkar was anxious that I should not mix up the coin touched and returned by Baba, with other coins and asked me to keep it apart as a sacred possession. Of course I did so. I then gave Baba fifteen silver rupees. Then Baba took the fifteen, counted them over and over and professed to find only ten rupees in what I gave and said "here is only Rs.10. Give me 5 more". This was really testing my faith in Him. A lawyer accustomed to combat and criticise would naturally defend himself against the aspersion that he gave only ten when asserting that he paid a larger sum. But my faith had come up to the mark. I meekly accepted Baba's declaration and without any inclination to dispute Baba's words gladly gave Hirn the other 5 rupees in my pocket. Baba was obviously aware that the 20 rupees in my pocket was intended for Him and expressly got to be paid to Him and under colour of wrong calculation was carrying out my intention to place that sum at His feet. After I gave Him the 20 rupees on that occasion He did not ask for more, though I had a lot more in notes with me. Then I left Him.

When I went to Him next, He was giving udhi to a number of devotees crowding round Him. He caught sight of me as I stood at a distance, beckoned to me to draw near, addressed me as Bhavu (as He did ever afterwards) and said "It will be alright in 2 or 4 days". Then He gave me udhi and I left the mosque. Persons who were present and wondered at such deep interest of Baba in me and His regard for me, like Mr.Noolkar and Mrs.Jog, came to me. Noolkar embraced me. Mrs.Jog wanted to know from me what sacred reading I went on with (to find out how I should deserve the marked treatment accorded to me by Baba). Baba, every one knew, did not care for mere wealth, gold or family position. I humbly admitted to Mrs.Jog that I could boast of little sacred study, Pothi etc.

I thought I would return by the next day. But when leave was asked, Baba declined it in His characteristic fashion by saying, "Go tomorrow". He did so on succeeding days and kept me there for eight days. I was arranging for a special dinner or Biksha to Baba the next day and requested Him to inform me who were to be invited and what the menu was to be. Of course, Puranpoli was to be the crown of the dinner and for guests, He said I was to invite Babu (the nephew of Dada Kelkar), who was Baba's favourite and Baba. He said 'I also will come' before I invited Him. The next day, the dinner was prepared as directed and plates were served. Babu was invited and sat at one plate. Another was served and set apart for Baba. A crow came and lifted a puranpoli off the plate and carried it away. All hailed it with delight as evidence that Baba was going in the form to take away His own.

The afternoon, Baba touched His limbs on one side and said. "On this side of my body, there is excruciating pain". But He added "It will be alright in 2 or 4 days". Baba really appeared healthy, in spite of those words and what He meant to convey by His words escaped our powers of understanding at that time.

On a Thursday, during that period Baba was preparing food in "Handi" (i.e., pot) to feed large numbers. He drove away every one from the Masjid and was alone with His handi. At that time, to the great surprise and alarm of the spectators, myself and the two sons of Chandorkar went in. Baba. far from being angry, received us very well, as though He had intended the expulsion of others for the very purpose of granting us a wholly private interview. Then after a little while Baba appeared to be singing out something. At least I thought it to be so. But I found that when He repeated the words for the third time, they were

‘Kayare apala kayahumanave sri rama jayaram jaya jaya ram’

At once, on hearing these words I was overcome with emotion and I placed my head on Baba's feet and tears flowed freely. These words were the guru mantra that I had received from my family guru Haribua (whose grandfather Atmaram Bua who has a temple built for his worship Thakurdwar Bombay, was the guru of my great grandfather). And Baba was so kindly reviving my interest in and regard for that guru mantra in this fashion for my benefit. Baba was attending to my spiritual benefit without any question from me and His loving interest in me was too deep for me to return and too great to acknowledge except through tears of gratitude and joy. At the "handi", I noticed with wonder that when the contents of the cauldron were boiling, Baba used His own bare palm and not a spoon nor a ladle to stir the contents thoroughly to secure even and uniform consistency in the food or Siro. His hand was not scalded or swollen by such use. Thence suddenly at noon, He took us three to the lendi, a very unusual hour for Him to visit the lendi; and there He dug into the earth small hollows, gave me some corn and made me sow that corn in those hollows. Then after turning up some earth to cover the seeds, He made me water the patches sown; and then we returned to the mosque. It is that lendi garden which 7 or 8 years later (i.e., immediately after He passed away) I have purchased.

After detaining us for a week, Baba gave us permission to go away. At that time Babu Chandorkar placed a plate under Baba's feet and pouring water on them collected the water to be used at home. That was a departure in the traditions of Shirdi. Till then only udhi was allowed to be taken away, and Pada-Tirtha was immediately used up at the Arathi or at any rate at Shirdi. I took my cue from Babu and took Baba's Padatirtha home for the use of my mother and others. On our way, at Manmad we had only 3rd class tickets; and under the Railway rules then obtaining, we could only board a later train but not the Punjab Mail. But by a happy thought we rushed in and contrary to the rules, got into that mail and reached home 4 or 5 hours earlier than if we had conformed to the rules. These 4 or 5 hours I discovered were specially valuable and it was obviously Baba's grace that enabled us to be so early. As soon as I reached home, I learnt that my mother had an attack of Paralysis. She was having the attack of hemiplegia in our house at Bombay, when Baba was saying "My side is giving me excruciating pain". Doctors had been brought in. My sister and other relations were discussing if I should be informed at Shirdi about the event. Mr.Chandorkar who was then present, remarked, it seems, that it was needless and that everything would be safe for my mother so long as I stayed with Baba and that Baba would Himself send me back, if and when there was need. On the night when we were starting from Shirdi the attendant doctor noting the high temperature, the constricted state of the bowels and her restlessness declared that her condition was critical and that if however the bowels should move in the course of the night the situation would be more hopeful. It was that very night about 4.30 or 5 a.m. I reached my mother's place. At once I gave her Baba's Udhi and Tirtha. She then got somnolent and sometime later, her bowels moved and consequently her temperature fell. The doctor came and found that there was improvement and that things had taken a favourable turn. Quite obviously our timely dismissal from Shirdi, with Baba's Tirtha and Udhi, our timely catching the Punjab Mail and arrival on the critical night were all seen or foreseen and willed by Baba and the favourable turn was what He intended and foretold when He said to me at Shirdi "In 2 or 4 days it will be alright". Truly, Sai moves in mysterious way. His wonders to perform. My mother recovered full health soon and lived four years thereafter. Two years before her death, she went to Shirdi and had Baba's darsan and blessing.

Without exception all members of my family go to Baba and get His blessing. I shall mention how my wife and sister got to Baba and how my wife got a special blessing from Baba.

One night. Das Ganu Maharaj performed his splendid Kirtan (always in praise of Baba, whatever the main and express theme of his Kirtan may be) at my mother's place. Then I invited him and Mr.Chandorkar and all the friends then present to go over to Santa Cruz for rest. They all came with the entire musical accompaniments and set. It was suggested that they should proceed with a fresh Kirtan here at my house. That went on from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. the most impressionable hours of the night. My wife listening to the Kirtan got a burning desire to visit Shirdi. Baba came to her in a dream she told me; and this she considered as a sufficient indication that she should be taken to Shirdi. "But what of my wife or sister-in-law, who still seemed to be in advanced pregnancy?" I thought over it. My wife and sister-in-law were prepared to take the risk of labour pains enroute. I engaged a special second class railway car, paying the price of 12 tickets and arranged that the same car should be taken on via Manmad to Kopergaon and taken off to a lay-by there. We all started and throughout the journey there was not the least trouble. When we were nearing Kopergaon, my wife said that Mr.Chandorkar would perhaps be at the station to receive us. I replied that it was impossible, though I had intimated our starting to him. Yet strangely that very thing happened.

Mr.Chandorkar had gone to Shirdi on account of his ill health. He was getting fever every alternate day and the day of our arrival was the day on which he would get fever in the usual course. Yet he got my letter and asked Baba for permission to receive us at Kopergaon. Baba gave it readily. When H.S.Dixit objected and went to Baba mentioning the alternate day's fever as a reason why he should go to Kopergaon instead of Chandorkar, Baba gruffly sent him back and said that Chandorkar, and Chandorkar alone, should go. Mr.Chandorkar came and made grand and excellent arrangements for our reception and for the comfort of the ladies and all our holy baths at Godavari; and we all reached Shirdi safe. Mr.Chandorkar was not a whit the worse for his journey and was free from fever. His fever then left him for good.

On the day we reached Shirdi, Baba said to Madhava Rao Deshpande, pointing to my wife, “This is the mother of my Babu". Mr.Chandorkar thought it must refer obviously to my sister-in-law who was believed to be pregnant and asked Baba, pointing to my sister-in-law. "This is the lady, is it not?" Baba replied "No. It is this" and He again pointed to my wife.

Exactly twelve months from that date my wife was delivered of a male child and we have named that son "Babu" (the name used by Baba). At the "Christening" , Das Ganu, Mr.Chandorkar and all were present and it was a grand and joyous occasion reminding us of Baba's kindness and greatness.

At my first visit there was severe storm and rain for quarter of an hour when I was with Baba at the masjid. I then thought that if the rains beat like that streams would swell and getting back to my place at Bombay would be difficult and Baba would not grant me early leave to go away. Baba then looked at the sky and said,

"Oh God! Enough, stop the rain. My children have to go back home. Let them go back without difficulty". As He spoke, the rains became gentler and feebler. I felt that Baba knew my innermost thoughts. Then He gave me leave to go and I caught the Punjab Mail and took Udhi and Tirtha to my mother as stated above. Ill (IV] 359. The night after my return my sister-in-law dreamt that a fakir robed in a Kupani and wearing a towel on his head was in our house. This I felt was proving what Baba said "I will accompany you home". Baba is in our house.

19th October, 1936

Santa Cruz

Baba's kindness to my family was, I repeat, very great. When my wife begot "Babu", she resolved to make Baba, her father-in-law's household God. It is our custom for a lady that begets a child, when she goes to her husband's house, to fill up one end of her cloth with some wheat, coconut and fruits, tie them into a knot and unburden herself of these before her father-in-law or his Gods, i.e., domestic images. My wife tied up these articles and carried these, as also Babu when he was four months old, to Sai Baba at Shirdi. Baba readily received the articles on a plate and took up Babu in His arms. He then endearingly addressed Babu thus, "Babu, where had you been? Were you vexed with, or weary of me?". To mark the joyous arrival of Babu at Shirdi, Baba pulled out two rupees from His own pocket, got burfi (sweets) for that amount and distributed it exactly, as they do, on the occasion of a son’s birth. This was in 1912.

On this occasion, Baba pointed to the village wall stone arch and said "Whoever rebuilds this, will get blessings. My wife asked him for permission to rebuild it and gave it. Then I paid Rs.600 to N.Chandorkar to rebuild it. On this occasion, Baba said "Babu’s bungalow is beautiful and ready". I guessed that Baba meant that I should buy the Bungalow I now live in. So within two months, I got a lease of it and occupied it and in six months thereafter I bought it. Baba's words thus were fulfilled by my purchase and Babu had a beautiful bungalow in 1913.

Babu was again taken to Baba for his first birthday and again commemorated it, by buying Rs.2 worth of sweets (Burfi) and distributing it to all. On this occasion, Baba asked very significantly about Babu "Has he no brother and no sister?" My wife, with some degree of bashfulness answered "You gave us this Babu only". In fact, we had a daughter at that time. Baba's words were construed as a blessing that we would get one more son and one more daughter. That is exactly what happened. To commemorate Babu's first birthday at Shirdi, a grand dinner was prepared at Madhav Rao Deshpande's residence and all were invited. That was a Thursday. Bala Saheb Bhate excused himself from attending it on the ground that on a Thursday his rule was to avoid dining out. But when he went to Baba that day, Sai Baba asked him;

Have you dined at Bhao's (i.e., Pradhan's) place?

Baba, today is Thursday.

SB : What if?

BB : I do not dine out on Thursdays. That is my rule.

SB : To please whom do you observe this rule?

BB : To please you.

SB :Then I tell you to go and dine at Bhao's.

Though it was 4 p.m. Balasaheb Bhate came up to me, told me what Baba had said and dined with us.

Next my wife had a dream here at Santa Cruz of Baba's appearing before her and receiving Pada Pooja from her, Mr. N.G.Chandorkar interpreted it to mean, that Baba wanted her to start regular Pada Pooja of Baba at home and so bade her go to Shirdi with two silver Padukas. She did so. When she went up to Baba, the latter who was sitting with legs folded stretched out His legs of His own accord and said "Place the Padukas on these and do Pooja". Then my wife placed each of Padukas on each foot of Baba and worshiped them. Baba then said to Nana Saheb "See. Mother has cut off and carried away my feet" and Himself picked up the two Padukas and handed them over to my wife. Ever since that date, she is daily worshipping these Padukas.

Ever since my first visit, I was having my dinner at the Mosque with Baba. Baba with His own hand stuffed all food into our plates and cups in such large quantity. Instead of throwing away such valuable prasad I asked my niece to come up and take away about three fourth of what was served to me and that sufficed to feed my family. Yet what I ate warded off all hunger or appetite for a night meal. Baba almost invariably gave desert (i.e.,fruits etc) at the end of the meal. But when I went with Baba, Babu noticed that Baba did not care for cooked food and served mangoes and fruits first, so that Babu might have a full meal. When other children were born, I would take the three children with me including Babu, to the Mosque to dine with Baba.

My last visit to Baba was in May, 1913. I had taken with me Rs.3800 and overstayed my intended period, on account of Baba's insistence. Baba's unuttered but evident practice with those whom he loved was to deplete their resources. "I take away the wealth of those I love". So when I returned from Shirdi after the month's stay, my money was reduced to minus Rs.1200. In fact, I had borrowed that sum from an acquaintance, a Veterinary Doctor of Poona and returned it to him after coming home.

An incident relating to Babu's illness as an infant ought chronologically to be placed before this. When Babu was 3 or 4 years old, he had serious illness. We had Madhava Bhat, a learned and pious (and on the whole well-to-do) Telugu priest at home, who was greatly attached to the family and carried on Mantra Japa and Pooja in our house for our benefit. He noticed Babu's serious illness with concern. He had first no sympathy with our worship of Baba. He fancied that Babu's illness was due to our worshipping a Moslem Saint viz Sai Baba but he dared not give utterance to his thought. One night he had a dream. He saw a figure (which from the photo we had, he recongnised to be Sai Baba) sitting on the top of the staircase, holding a batton (Sota) in one hand. That figure (Baba) told him "What do you mean? I am the Lord of this house". The priest kept this dream to himself for a time (He had asked us to go and make a vow to Datta for the child's cure but he had been told that Baba was Datta himself).

Later Babu's condition was much worse than before. The priest noted with concern. He ran up at once to Baba's photo and loudly prayed thus "if the child should improve sufficiently by 4 p.m. so as to be brought downstairs, then I will agree that you are Datta". Within a short time of this prayer, the child's temperature was getting lower and by 4 p.m. he wanted to be carried down for amusement and his mother took him downstairs. Madhav Bhat was converted and felt that Sai Baba was really Datta. And he vowed he would pay him a dakshlna of Rs. 120 and paid it. The Pandit wanted to get a son and vowed he would pay Rs. 108 if he got one. He got one and then paid Rs. 108 to Baba. But at that very time, the Pandit vowed he would pay Rs. 1.008 if my (i.e._,Pradhan's) ambition should be achieved. When Mr.Deshpande referred to the gift of Rs.108 as large, Baba belittled it and said, "He is giving me much more" evidently referring to the vow of Rs. 1 ,008.

Baba gave some words of advice to my wife (l)e.g, "If anyone talks ten words at us, let us reply with one word ..... if we reply at all". (2) Do not quarrel or vie with any one not to be outdone. Early during the 32 days of my last stay with Baba. 1918, all of us escorted Him with umbrella and all paraphernalia to the lendi. We all left Him there and retreated. But me alone He recalled to Himself and put His palm over my head and said "Bhav, will you do what I ask you to do?" I said "yes”. Then he said "Pay me Rs. 100. Bring it in a bag and deliver it to me at the Masjid quietly". In this way He made me give Him all the sums I brought and the extra sums I borrowed. Then He made some signs which were not clear. They seemed to mean "Even if the heavens tumbledown on you, do not fear. I am with you". Baba at my first visit said that for the previous six years, He had been smoking the chilm that I had given Him. I could not make out His meaning.

Sri Buty's second marriage took place at Shirdi in 1916 and I was present.

When we left Shirdi Baba said, that He would accompany us. Physically and with a visible body He did not accompany us. But our journey was pleasant and free from danger. That indicated that He accompanied us with His invisible body and warded off all danger and trouble. After Baba blessed me and passed away, I had the following benefits. I was appointed 2nd Class Magistrate of South Salsette for 1920-1926 and am a J.P. since 1926. I was elected for Thana as a member of the Bombay Legislative Council and sat during 1921-1923. I was made a Rao Bahadur in 1927.

III

mrs. M.W. pradhan's account of experience : All my children took ill of measles. The doctor despaired of young Babu. All were hopeless. I prayed to Sri Sai Baba. He appeared and said "Why weep? The child is alright. Give him at 6 or 6.30 a.m. a good feed." The child began to play in the morning. The doctor came and saw it with surprise and said "Give him no food". But the child ate everything and digested it.

One night at 11 p.m. Baba appeared to me as I slept and said 'Are you sleeping? Get up. Your boy will have convulsions’. I got up. I looked at the boy. He had no fever or convulsions. But 'Forewarned is forearmed!' So, I got ready hot-water, fire, eaude cologne etc. About 2 a.m. the boy woke up and had convulsions- all our children have convulsions occasionally. I got everything ready. In half an hour, the fit passed off. Baba saved us from sorrow and danger by his forewarning. He did so often.

Baba appeared in my dream and told me to place turmeric and saffron on His foot. I worshipped them in the dream. I told N.G.C. of the dream and he said, take silver padukas to Shirdi, place them before Baba and get them for worship. So I did, Baba Himself stretched out both legs and asked me to place each Paduka on each foot and worship. I did so. He handed them over to me, telling N.G.C:

I feared once Baba would shout and get angry at the Masjid. That day Baba did no such thing and said "See, I did not shout against anyone, is it not so?" Once, at pooja at the Mosque, Baba knew of my baby crying in our wada, and In the middle of the pooja sent me away saying "Go home". I went and pacified the child and returned. "Now"; said Baba "do your pooja".

Once the doctor said that typhoid convalescent baby should not be taken to Shirdi. But we did take him. He was ill in the train. I feared that people would laugh at me for my madness. The child had to lie down and could not even sit up. As soon as we went to Baba, the child stood up before Baba: and Baba said, 'People will not laugh now' He knew of course our thoughts in the train.

On 16-10-1918, i.e., the night after Baba's departure, I saw His body in a dying condition in my dream and said 'Baba is dying'. Baba replied 'People do not talk of saints as dying, but as taking Samadhi.' His body was still. People were mourning. Such was the dream I felt sad. I woke at 12.30 midnight. In the morning we got from Anna Chinch-inikar a card that Baba passed away at 3 p.m. on Dusserah 15-10-1918.

On the 19th night I dreamed that Baba came and gave me 3 rupees, and that I felt distressed, as dream receipts of rupees are not auspicious. Baba said “Receive. Receive it and give me all the money you have stored up in your box”. I woke up and sent up all that money for the ceremonies. The same night, Baba appeared in my sister-in-law's dream and asked her to send a yellow 'Pitambar' to be placed on the Samadhi. That also was done.

I was in an advanced stage of pregnancy at Santa cruz. A mid-wife and nurse attended on me. Four days of difficult labour made the nurse despair of my case and she went and told my sister that Mr. Pradhan must send for a doctor at once. But my sister began at once to pray before Baba’s portrait with the nurse by her side. As she prayed, the child was delivered at once without anyone's help. I wondered and the nurse wondered how great were Baba's power and mercy.

Pradhan's account of experiences about the change in Telungi Sastri.

We had a Telungi Sastri, Madhav Bhatji of advanced age, a Karmata, worshipping Sankara night and day with 'Rudrabisheka* etc..' In 1912 or so, our child Babu was one year old and got ill. Bhatji thought it might be due to worshipping a Mussalman at home and thus rousing the ire of Shiva. One night Babu was very ill and we wanted to rouseup the Bhatji. But just then he himself came up and sat before Baba's picture and he prayed "If the dream or vision I got be true, let the child's temperature go down In 5 minutes and let him pay from tomorrow and let the doctor declare that he is alright; then I will agree that you are a Siddha, I will bow down and in 15 days go to Shirdi and pay Rs. 108 Dakshina." His dream, he said was this "A Moslem clad as in Baba's picture, with Sota (i.e.,a small club) in hand, came near my cot and roused me and then went up the steps of the storey saying What do you know? This house is mine. This child I have given. You think you make the child Improve. The boy mine and so at once. I will show it to you. He went up, I woke up and so at once came up and prayed. If he cures Babu at once, I will take Baba for a Shiddha Purusha and worship Him." In one hour Babu's fever stopped and he became active. His coughing etc, also ceased. So the Brahmin fell prostrated before Baba and later went to Shirdi. Then Baba looking at him said. ‘This man calls me dog, cat and Moslem.’ At once Bhatji recognised His Antarsakshitwa and bowed at His feet. Baba said to Shama, 'How often does this Bhat worship me everyday! Then Bhat prayed (1) that he should be blessed with a son and that he would pay Rs. 108 (2) that if his master should attain his ambition he would pay ten times more. When he went in the afternoon Baba asked him dakshina. Shama said he had paid it In the morning. Baba said " He gave me very little in the morning. He Is to give ample dakshina.* Bhatji said that Baba knew his inmost thoughts. In one year Bhat got a son and he paid Rs. 108 to Baba. Then he put up Baba's picture for worship in Datta temple, which his brother constructed in his own village.

IV

rao bahadur hari vinayak sathe, Retired Deputy Collector, Deccani, Brahmin, Aged 81 (born 1855), Residing at 108. Shukrawar Peth, Poona says:

I had a daughter by my first wife. I then became a widower before my forty-fourth year. Many friends and acquaintances were pressing me to get married, e.g. Mr. Brave., Mamlatdar of Kopargaon. I was declining to take the extraordinary step of marrying at about fifty, though I was no doubt anxious to have son to continue my line. But what guarantee or probability was there of one getting a son so late in life? So I told my importunate friends that I would wed if and only if a great Saint should so advise me.

On or about April 1904 I went with Mr. Brave to see Sai Baba at the Mosque. Then after a short time, I took leave of Baba and had got down the steps of the Mosque. The Mr. Brave told Baba "Saheb (that is how Baba called me or referred to me always) has no son". Then Baba replied:-

If he marries then God will give him a son". I heard these words myself and Brave and other began to press me again to marry. But the question of the choice of a bride would take time. I went back to Ahmednagar which was then my headquarters. About the end of that year, I learnt that an able astrologer had arrived at Poona. I consulted that man and found that his reading of the facts about my past and my daughter's past were really correct. He said that my horoscope showed that I was to have male progeny after my fiftieth year. That further strengthened my idea of marrying.

In a few months, I was transferred to Ahmedabad. When I was there. Dada Kelkar (i.e.,Ganesh Damodar Kelkar) wrote to me that he had a daughter of marriageable age and wanted to know if a bridegroom could be found there. As none could be found there, perhaps the writer of the letter might have sent it as a feeler to sound my views and see if I would offer myself as the bridegroom. I thought that the letter might be prompted by Sai Baba's unseen influence and I wrote to O.K. that no bridegroom could be found or expected at that distant place and that if he meant the offer to be for myself he should consider my age, my prospects etc. He wrote that he had considered the pros and cons and would be glad to have me for his son-in-law. Then I wrote to him that in that case, he should take the girl with him from his village and go to Shirdi and request Baba to say if he approved of the match as unless Baba approved of the choice, I would not marry her. D.K. was then hostile to Baba in his views and suggested other alternatives viz: consulting a Brahmin Saint at Wye (who was his brother-in-law); he was afraid that Baba might not approve of the proposal of my marriage with his daughter and it would have to be dropped. But I insisted that he should go and find if Baba approved. So, after all d:k. had to go to Shiridi with his girl and await with Madhav Rao's aid, Baba's orders. When D.K. went to Baba, Baba at once told him "Send the girl to Ahmedabad" i.e., to me. Baba's approval was communicated to me and then I married D.K's daughter in 1905 i.e. in my fiftieth year. I have a son and some daughters by that marriage.

Sathe Wada

Near Baba's favourite margosa tree there were the remnants of the old village wall. Baba told me "Pull down the village wall and build". I took this to be an order that I should rebuild the village wall. Then I said to myself, I am not a prince or ruler to put up a huge village wall or restore it, and I kept quiet. Finally I found that Baba's suggestion was far more modest and was only for building residential quarters there and for including the village wall, in the construction. So I bought the land there and using the remnants of the village wall built up a Wada enclosing or surrounding the Margosa tree. Baba told me that the Tomb close to that tree over which now a part of the building has been erected (leaving only a small niche for worshipping it) was that of His Guru. He gave me His Guru's name. It ended with "Shah" or "Sa". I have forgotten the rest of the name. It might be "Venkusa".

I went and resided at Shirdi for sometime. Baba's Arati and Pooja on ordinary days were started but for some time there was no celebration of Guru Purnima by special worship of Baba on that day. Baba himself sent for my father-in-law and said "Do you not know that this is Guru Poornlma? Bring your worship material and do your Guru Puja. Then we had Guru Pooja on that day and this practice of celebrating Guru Poornima by all the devotees worshipping Baba then begun, has continued upto-date.

Baba never called me "Hariba" etc. He always called me and referred to me as "Saheb". The account in the Santkathamrit that in the presence of myself and some others Baba went into a long disquisition on the nature of God and Sadhana Chatushtaya, defining Vtveka-Vairagya, Sa-madlshatka and mumukshutwa. Brahma Satchidanand etc..is not correct. Baba never talked of such subjects in my presence. I do not know if he addressed others on those matters.

The account given in Bhaktililamrit, chapter 31, verses 219-236 regarding my marriage etc., are very inaccurate. These were not written after consulting me and they were not shown to me even after being written. The correct account is what I have given above.

Baba was indeed the cause of my marriage and of the great change in me since 1905 and he is the controller of my fortunes and destiny ever since. I place my entire trust in Him and seek His guidance and protection in all matters temporal, religious, official and domestic. When I built a wada at Shirdi and lived or made my father-in-law live there with my family i.e., between 1906-1916 we incurred the jealousy, resentment and hostility of various people amongst whom we had to live. We could not have got on as we did despite all that, without Baba's perpetual and vigilant care for us. His active interference helped me miraculously in numerous instances. I will give a few examples.

About 1909 or 1910 I was on a committee along with the Revenue Commissioner Mr. Curtis and the Collector; and we were to meet at Manmad on a particular date and move from there to other camps. On the previous day I was at Shirdi and I wanted to take formal permission of Sai Baba to leave Shirdi, expecting that it would be granted as a matter of course. My father-in-law went and asked Baba to leave. Baba refused leave and my father-in-law came and told me of the refusal; but I told him that I could not trifle with such important official engagements except at the risk of being turned out of Government Service. He again went to Baba to make further representations and intercede on my behalf. But Baba did not grant leave. He on the other hand told my father-in-law to prevent my starting by actually confining me in my room.

Even on the days following the particular date, I was not allowed to go. After three days, I was made to start for Manmad. When I reached that station, I found the other members of the Committee had not gone to Manmad on the appointed date that the original programme had been altered and that the committee's meeting had been postponed. I had ordered, on the faith of the old programme, my tent and articles to be sent from Manmad to the other fixed camps. By a strange inadvertence on the part of the Railway authorities my articles had not been sent away from Manmad. If they had been sent, great inconvenience would have been caused to me to hunt them up and re transport them. So by detention at Shirdi I lost absolutely nothing except my peace of mind, and I was saved a lot of unnecessary trouble and enabled to spend more time with my family and with Sai Baba. Of course Sai Baba knew all things and arranged all things. But in my ignorance, I felt my position at Shirdi to be very delicate and risk. Such instances strengthen one's faith and reliance on Baba.

In my official career, I was getting dissatisfied at not getting the promotion I deserved. My disgust I revealed to Baba and told Him that I would even resign service on that account. But Baba forbade my resignation of service and said that I would get promotion. Sometime later, I was promoted over the head of some seniors in service and posted to Kolhapur as Ag. Superintendent of Land Records. I got an increase of Rs. 100 in pay and eventually a higher pension than those seniors.

About pension also, there was some trouble. The pension department at first treated my last permanent place as the Deputy Collectorship and ignored my sub-protem higher post. So they cut off Rs. 50 from the pension which I expected as due to me. I appealed in due course and I went to Sai Baba and told Him that I would forego the whole pension rather accept it with the curtailment of Rs. 50 He said that I would get the Rs. 50 also that Allah would help me. So I put my case in appeal before the Revenue Commissioner Mr. Curtis and with his note, I got the proper pension without any curtailment. Sai Baba controls minds and moulds events.

MEGHA

Megha was a very simple yet very devout brahmin whom I found living at Viramgaon, when I was Deputy Collector there. He would simply repeat Namashivaya always. But he did not know Gayatri much less the whole sandhya mantra. I got interested in his welfare, and got him taught Sandhya and Gayatri. I sent him to Broach to worship Siva there, and paid him Rs. 8 for his fare and expenses. He would worship Siva standing on one leg only all the time. Then I told him that Shirdi Sai Baba was in realty the embodied form of God Siva and made him start for Shirdi. At the Broach Railway Station he learnt that Sai Baba was a moslem and His extremely orthodox and simple rnind was highly perturbed at the prospect of bowing to a Moslem and he prayed to me at the station not to send him to Shirdi. I however insisted and gave him a letter to my father-in-law at Shirdi to introduce him to Baba. When he went to Shirdi mosque Baba was indignant and would not allow him to go into the mosque. Kick out that rascal, He cried at the very sight of him and He was also angry that I should have sent him a man with such hopelessly crude ideas. Megha then went to Trimbak and worshipped at 'Gangadhwar’ for a year or a year and a half. Then again he came to Shirdi. This time at the intercession of my father-in-law he was allowed to go the mosque and stay at Shirdi.

Sai Baba's help to Megha was not through any oral instruction. He worked upon Megha internally i.e., mentally. Megha was considerably changed and benefited. When he died (in 1912) at Shirdi after continuous service of Baba doing regular daily Arati service, (noon and evening) Baba passed His hands over his corpse and said ‘This was a true devotee of mine’. Baba ordered that, at His own expense, the usual funeral dinner to Brahmins should be given and Bhao Saheb Dixit carried this order out.

Leaving Shirdi

In the durbar of Sri Sai Baba and when He issued out in solemn pomp, I carried the mace before Him. Many were jealous of me on account of the distinction I enjoyed. These and the villagers leagued together and used Nana Wali to molest me and drive me away from Shirdi. Once as I was carrying the mace before Baba, Nana Wali came up and scratched the back of my head with the sharp point of broken glass. In self-defence, I had to seize him and press him down on a pile of logs tying on the roadside. Sai Baba cried out "Saheb, do not do so". I noticed how the wind was blowing at Shirdi and kept careful watch. One day, as I intended to go to the Mosque to offer Naivedya to Baba very early (as I had to proceed on a particular trip) my Father-in-law rushed in and adjured me to desist from going to the Mosque, as Nana Wali was standing at the entrance, hatched in hand, with deadly intention, and as he would make short work of me. So without taking any leave, I went away and left Shirdi for good. Evidently Sai Baba did not want me to reside there at Shirdi any longer. As Sai Baba did not protect me from the attack of Nana Wali, some people called upon me to give up my faith in Baba. But I pointed out that the same argument could be used against Vittal of Pandharpur Gangadhar Shastri, the lawyer of Gaekwad, was a Vittal Bhakta and sought help and refuge in the Temple of Vithal. But there right in the Temple itself, before the face of Vittal he was murdered by his enemy. I find that leaving Shirdi and settling here at Poona ultimately have been for my good. Sai Baba is protecting me here as He did at Shirdi.

Once about 1916 or so, in pitching a tent for me, at Kothrud (a suburb of Poona) certain Mangs (untouchables) went and put it up under a sacred Audumbar tree, touching it and tying ropes to it. I did not know it then. Finding that I was having mishaps thereafter I enquired into the cause and learnt of that regrettable incident. I prayed to Sai Baba to help me and He advised me in a dream to get a Brahmin first to perform the purification ceremony of that tree and next to instal Datta Paduka there. I have done both and I am maintaining a Pujari and conducting Pooja through him of the Paduka (at Kothrud) twice every day.

rao bahadur h.v.sathe (continued on 6-8-1936 and 28-8-1936).

Baba expressed my nature aptly by saying i.e., Saheb is quite simple and unsophisticated. And as that was His view, He never beat or abused me, though He beat and abused others. Only-once He threatened to beat me, and I knew that I was then at fault. It was a Dhanur Masa celebration at my Shirdi lodgings and living away from my father-in-law as we were not on the best terms I then invited others for the ceremony but not my father-in-law . I went however to invite Baba. Then He cried "Fetch that stick," I stood quiet. His mood changed at once and He said " Never mind. I will come." There was another fault committed by me that day which also would account for Baba's displeasure. That day I had gone to a Marwadi to intercede in one of his affairs or disputes. Baba did not like that.

When I had boasted that I was the only devotee of Baba who had not got a beating at His hands, Madhav Rao Deshphande communicated this to Baba in my presence and asked Him the reason. Baba said "Why should I beat him? There is his father-in-law to beat him" Baba evidently conveyed thereby the idea that I was being constantly "Fined" by my father-in-law's excessive demands and collections of money from me. Baba's help to me on the spiritual side was often to keep me off from vanity, pomp or sin in thought or action. Here are some instances.

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At the time, when in the Wada (i.e., Sathe wada), the foundation stone was laid, there was no previous intimation of the date to me. It was however on a Poornima day. Myself and Bere started the previous day to go to Shirdi without previously intimating our intention to go there. At Kopergaon which we reached in the evening, Bere induced me to halt for the night as Baba could not easily be visited, by us at night. Next morning we went to Shirdi. Baba was then coming from the Lendi. There was a crowd of 80 to 90 spectators waiting to see him. We also went and prostrated. Baba told me "You have come just in time. The foundation stone is to be laid". I fancied that I must go through the pompous ceremony in high style. I took up a hatchet to dig up a bit of the foundation and stone. Baba stopped me at once and said "Why do you go there? What have we to do with all this? The masons and other workmen will do it." So no formal ceremony of laying the foundation stone was gone through. My father-in-law told me that he knew the previous day that I was arriving at Shirdi on the Poornima day and so fixed up that date for laying of the foundation stone. When asked how he knew of it, he said that Baba was saying the previous day "Saheb is coming tomorrow. The washer-woman told me of this as Saheb's tent had come to her for washing". In fact there was no tent sent and no washerwoman could have got intimation of our arrival. Bere's stopping me at Kopergaon was useful.

That night (unknown to me though it was ) was the tenth night of the death of an agnatic relation of my father-in-law and his house was under pollution and resounding with wailing and there was none even to cook and offer unpolluted food for me then, had I gone.

On one occassion Baba, who was ever watchful over his childrens’ actions in sight or out of sight, saved me from plunging headlong into passion and headstrong cruelty. The facts are these. My father-in-law wanted me to buy some 20 acres of agricultural land at or near Shirdi and I sent him 1200 Rupees and the land was purchased. One day when I was there, I desired to go and see the land. My father-in-law would not accompany me and was placing obstacles in the way of my visiting the land. His reason was that his brother's son (Babu) had left a widow, who was living with him and she would come to know of the land and claim a share therein. I however insisted that we should go and ordered Tatya Patel's cart to be brought up and wanted my wife to go with me. She had first consented to go but finally under Instructions from her father, she declined to accompany me. I was wroth. I seized the whip from the cartman and was intending to chastise her for her disobedience to my orders. Lo! suddenly; Megha rushed into my Wada and said that Baba wanted me urgently to proceed at once to the Mosque to see him. I went up. Baba asked me "What is the matter? What is it that has happened? I saw that he knew everything and felt ashamed of myself. Then Baba added evidently to explain and justify the conduct and attitude of my wife and father-in-law. “Tour land is there. Where is the necessity to go and see it?" How watchful He was over my conduct and welfare ! Another instance of His watchfulness over my conscience and morals was this. I was once proposing to visit for the first time the residence of a female devotee of Baba out of mere curiosity. Just before the visit, Baba asked me if I had gone to such and a place. I did not understand the names of places and missed the point of His question. Baba then dropped the subject. I then went to her lodgings and was engaged in some conversation. Very soon evil thoughts began to invade my brain. Suddenly Baba appeared in front of that house and pushed open the door which had been closed but not bolted. He made some ironical signs to me to convey the idea, "What an excellent thing you are now launching into!" and disappeared. His timely interference before any evil was definitely lodged in my mind or could take shape in action saved the situation. Consciences asserted itself; tendencies to evil were definitely checked and I retreated from the place at once and never visited it again. Some time thereafter I learnt that the place I visited was locally known by the very name mentioned by Baba in His question that day.

Baba's help to me came in family affairs, official matters, dealings with Saints, other spiritual matters etc.

Family affairs:

Baba said in 1904 just before my second marriage that God would bless me with a son if I married and he approved of the match in 1905. Then my father-in-law Dada Kelkar (or Damodar Kelkar) became deeply devoted to him and made Shirdi his permanent residence. I built the Wada here at Baba's bidding in 1908 or so; and my father-in-law with my wife and family ( and I also sometimes) lived there though its chief use was for the visitors that came to Baba. There was no other lodging (except the village Chavadi) available for respectable visitors. The foundation stone laying has already been mentioned. When the construction was to go on, the walls had to be raised and soms of the branches of the Neem tree (under which Baba had practised His early Sadhana or penance) had to be loped off. As the tree was held sacred by all, none dared to cut the branches and Baba was approached. He then said "Cut off so much as interferes with the construction. Even if our own foetus lies athwart the womb, we must cut it." But even with His permission, the workmen feared to cut it as it seemed so sacrilegious. Then Baba Himself came and cut off the obstruction. Later the steps for going upstairs and a niche over Baba's Guru's Tomb were put up. Baba made me spend monies in this and in other matters also so as to help on religion and charity e.g., when Das Ganu had his "Lives of the Saints" ready for printing Baba made me pay Rs. 75 towards the expenses.

The first two children bom of this second marriage were girls. My father-in-law and mother-in-law then approached Baba with the prayer that the promised son should be bom and asked him "When are we to have a grandson." Baba then answered "I am requesting Allah. He will comply with my request" A year or two later (i.e., in 1913) my son was born. That boy is with me here (by Baba's grace) hale and hearty and the prop of my age.

I have already stated how Baba directed me to behave in relation to my father-in-law and wife. I shall mention his kindly interest in one more family affair of mine. Sometime after I retired my financial circumstances were declining. On one occasion, I sold a jewel of my wife. Baba then addressed my father-in-law and said "Why does that fool of a Saheb sell my daughter's Jewel?".

Baba was greatly attracted to Dada Kelkar's (i.e., my father-in-law's ) nephew - Babu. He was a measurer under my assistant. Limaye ( I was then Assistant Superintendent of Revenue Survey of Kopergaon and Yeola). But instead of paying due attention to his official work, he would go and stay at Shirdi, doing service to Baba. My assistant complained to me that my brother-in-law (Babu) was always going away to Shirdi and neglecting his work. I communicated this to Kelkar and he said "What is to be done? He is guided and ordered by Baba." In fact, Baba knowing evidently what was happening to Babu very shortly, made light of his service and said "Blast the service. Let him serve Me." Babu was always attending on Baba and rendering as much service as he could; and Baba would always see that Babu got the choicest delicacies when ever they were available. So Limaye let him do as he liked. Babu's end was drawing near in 1910. He ate mangoes (which were always pouring in upon Baba since 1910) rather too freely. Baba warned Kelkar and told him to have some care of his nephew's health. He said, Babu contracted fever and as he was nearing death, Baba asked Kelkar. Is he alive?" In a few days Babu passed away (1910) aged only 22 leaving an issueless widow.

In religious and temporal affairs I never took any serious step without consulting Baba, (either through my father-in-law or otherwise.)

Religious matters

Baba never gave Upadesa or initiation to anyone. So I did not apply to him for initiation. But on several occasions I was invited to get Upadesh from others, e.g., Upasani Baba who offered to explain Panchadasi to me (in 1915 or 1917) after his return to Shirdi form Kharagpur and Miraj. People from Kharagpur and Nagpur were going to him to get Upade-sha. The question was whether I also should go to him for that purpose. There was a lady, Athabai of Sangola, who had given Upadesha to my first wife. There was also the Ganapatl Upasaka and Yogi of Moregaon named Vinayak Phatak Maharaj. These offered me Upadesha. In each of these cases, I referred the question to Baba (personally to Baba in the first case and through my father-in-law in the latter case) and Baba gave a negative reply.

Though there was no formal initiation by Baba He wished me to look to Him alone with undeviating attention and He was quite powerful enough and willing to look after my interests temporal and spiritual.

Baba in the early days of my moving with Him at times favoured the extension of His worship and at times did not. He made me and my father-in-law start the group congregational worship of Baba as Guru by all the devotees on Guru Poornima day as I have stated already. But when I tried to do Puja to him as Mahadeva or Siva on "Shivaratri" midnight, He did not favour the proposal. When He was first asked for permission that day He said, "No" Then we (i.e., myself and Megha) thought over it, took some Bilwa leaves and wished to do silent Pooja at the steps of the Mosque at midnight (which is the time observed in all Siva Temples). When we went there, Tatya from inside the Mosque waved his hand warning us off. But as Baba seemed to be asleep we dared to put some sandal and Bel on the steps in silence. Baba at once got up and hurled wild abuse without naming any one as the object of His abuse. The whole village was roused and they flocked to the Mosque and blamed us for trying to steal a march over the rest of the devotees and in defiance of Baba's wishes to obtain clandestine Punya by midnight worship at the steps of the mosque. Though Baba did not want me to take Upadesha from others He yet desired that I should show

due respect and hospitality to Sants (saints). In fact, He made one Sant go to me.

Kaka Maharaj of Dhopeshwar (near Rajapur) was a well-known Sant. Some 25 years ago, he visited Poona and lodged with one Devle. He was besieged by a crowd of devotees inviting him to their place for meal & c; and I also made the same request. He regretted his inability to comply with my request. This was in the morning. Later at about noon of the same day, when I was at my office, I was surprised to learn that the maharaj had sent word to say that he would visit my house and so I sent him my tonga and went home to receive him. When I met him, I asked him how he happened to change his mind so suddenly since morning. Pointing to Sai Baba's portrait on my wall the maharaj a replied "He would not allow me to rest till I came and saw you".

Shortly before this maharaj passed away, He had given leave to my son-in-law's brother Hari Gangadhar Josi (pleader, Thana) and another to go to Sai Baba and pay their respects. They started to Shirdi after Kaka maharaj passed away. When they arrived at the mosque Baba was in a towering passion, in one of his Fits of rage that seemed so ungovernable. But as soon as Baba saw these two arrivals standing outside the mosque He ordered them to be brought to Him. When they went up He had sufficiently cooled down and they took darshan without any trepidation or uneasiness. Later Baba started out for Bhiksha. Then He said to them "You have killed that old man (i.e., Kaka maharaj and come here, eh?" Though He had not been told of the maharaj’s permission or his death he knew the facts and thus revealed to them at once His knowledge of the facts and his fellow-feelig with that Maharaj.

(As you find from Vaman Rao Patel's Guru Smriti) Baba showed a bit of his chamatkar to my son-in-law Mr. Joshi. at Shirdi. When the latter asked for l/dhi, Baba told him that he would get it later and in point of fact as Joshi travelled by train, a fellow-passenger gave him Udhi given by Baba.

Dakshina Bhiksha Samstha

In December 1915, I got a call from Baba, when I was at Poona and at His bidding I helped in forming the above Society. I was made the President of it. We ran the Journal "Sainath Prabha" as its organ. This was not read to Baba previously or submitted for His approval.

It had a short career and was a failure. Hardly any copies are traceable. Parts 1 and 2 which alone are now available give some account of the state of affairs that prevailed at Shirdi Samsthan in!915 to 1917 or 1918. The attempt to control monetary matters led to increase bitterness against me, resulting in Nanawali's action that drove me away from Shirdi and even led to issue of legal notices, sometime after the formation of the Sabha (say some 11 months) Radhakrishna Ay died. She had been in charge of all stores used for purpose of Sai Samsthan. When she died as she was an intestate Brahmin widow without heirs the Police came and took possession of all the properties in her custody. Then we had on behalf of the Sabha to apply for the return of all the articles for the Samsthan from the Kopergaon 1st Class Magistrate. On the strength of local Mahajars also he passed orders (M.E.R23 N2 1916) handing over Samsthan properties to the Samsthan i.e., Sabha on behalf of the Samsthan; yet internally bickering continued. Some misguided devotees made use of the loss of a few silver appendages to the samasthan horse trappings (worth very little after all) to issue a lawyer notice to me in January 1918. I consulted Baba and He told me to give a reply and I gave it in the terms mentioned by Baba Himself. Baba told me that He would protect me and that no proceedings would be taken. That proved to be true and no proceedings were taken against me or the sabha. I do not know what has become of Mr. Sunder Rao Narayan who was the Editor and soul of "Sai Nath Prabha" It is he who signs his "apothegms" and his "vision" in Part I under the Worn de plume "Ramagir"..

Baba and other sants; His Antarjnana.

When I was at Shirdi one day Baba was at the Mosque. The time for His moving on to Lendi had arrived and yet He was not inclined to move out. He lay stretched beside the Mosque wall. When He had thus delayed His visit to Lendi by one hour, we asked Him "It is high time for you to go the Lendi. Why do you not go ?" Then Baba answered 'Hallo! My Gajanan is gone.' Someone wrote that day from Shirdi to Shegaon to ascertain how Gajanan Maharaj the famous Saint of that place was doing. The answer came that he expired on the very day when Baba apprised us of the sad event.

Baba's prophecy

Sometime in 1917, Baba said "Tilak is coining here". As there seemed to be nothing to induce Lokamanya to visit him, I thought Baba was referring to Tilak Maharaj le._tVaman Maharak Tilak. In fact, however, Lokamanya visited him soon after (i.e., on 19-5-1917).

Baba's activities

Though Baba either out of humility or out of policy ascribed all beneficent things done for His visitors and devotees, to God He disclosed in many cases His own authorship by His words, e.g.

(1) About my pension He said (in pungent slang) that He would force the Authorities to pay me my full pension.

(2) Another Instance comes to my mind now. Daji Hari Lele (Dt. Inspector of Land Records at Nasik) was proceeding to Shirdi to see Baba. On the way he went to the Library at Kopergaon and saw the Gazette. Therein he discovered that he had been promoted ibrm Rs. 125 to Rs. 150. Then he came to Shirdi and bowed to Baba. Baba told him "Bring me Rs. 15 " The man said he had no money, Baba retorted "It is only yesterday I gave you. Rs. 25. Go and bring the money." Lele then came to my wada, informed me of all the facts and borrowed the money to pay Baba.

Baba's talks (Goshties):

(1) Baba said once that as a boy He was weaving shawls, that His father was once so pleased with His handiwork that he gave Him a pecuniary present of some Rs. 5 or so.

(2) Once Baba said that He was 'eating food’ (i.e., living) at the East Coast i.e., Coromandal Coast.

(3) Once He said "Pshaw What of Akbar! I have protected him in his infancy. He stood in fear of me."

(4) The brahmin of Paithan (evidently referring to Eknath) I knew. Brahmins of such excellent sort are not now-a-days seen.

(5) Chanbal Patel came to me and asked me about his horse. He said "Where did you drive my horse?" I replied. "Why do you charge me? Go and see: Your horse is grazing by the hedge,"

This was all that issued from the mouth of Baba. I used my imagination and built stories on these and wrote my "Sai Katha Karandaka”. It was written without previous intimation to or obtaining the approval of Baba. Baba's utterances were short. He abruptly stopped many of His stories.

V

June 1936, Poona.

das ganu maharaj, i.e., Gaiipatrao Dattatreya Sahasra-buddhe. Brahmin, Kirtankar, aged about 78, residing generally at Nanded. (Nizam's State) says:

I have known Sri Sai Baba for a long time and I have given some account of Him in my books (1) Bhakti Saramrita Ch. 26,65,66 and 67 (1925) (2) Bhakta Lilamrita Ch.31 (1906) and Ch 32 and 33 and (3) Santakatamrita Ch 57 Ch 31 of No.2 and Ch. 57 of No.3 were published in Baba's lifetime.

Some facts i.e., autobiographical reminiscences came from Baba's own mouth. But they were very few. Besides, I had not spent much time with Baba. I rarely saw Him. When I was at Shirdi, Baba did not allow me to stay long at the masjid. He made me go away to the Vittal temple where I stayed to write lives of saints, or to spend my time in repetition of Vishnu Sahasranama etc. I made some inquiries about Baba also before writing these works. Some facts were within my personal knowledge. I was in active (police) service as a Havildar. I had however my literary and histrionic learnings. I took great interest in Tamashas (village plays) and took part in them. I composed poems impromptu, in lavani and other metres. While I was in service and Nana Saheb Chandorkar was D.C. or Collector's chitnis, he took me to Sai Baba. Even from the outset Sai Baba foresaw my future and wanted to save me from my own ways and choice of profession and pastime. He told Nana Saheb even in my presence. This man is fond of Tamashas, and of his service. Let him give it all up". He told me the same and Nana Saheb also. But I liked my pastimes and service. Gradually I gave up taking part in Tamashas i.e., Village plays. As for service, I could not think of giving it up. Each time I was advised to give up service, I said "I will see." Baba then said that only by sheer compulsion i.e., by being impaled. I could be made to quit service. So for about 10 years, Baba went on dinning into me directly and indirectly, that I should give up service, I shall mention later how in 1903 I was reduced to giving up service after several disasters in which Baba's grace saved me from punishment, disgrace, trouble of various sorts, and even death. First I shall narrate how some facts about Baba's antecedents were revealed at an examination of Baba as a witness. There was a thief charged with theft etc., of jewels in the Dhulia Tahsildar Magistrate's Court. The accused pleaded that Sai Baba of Shirdi had given him the jewels and cited Baba as a witness. Summons came. Baba refused to receive it and had it thrown into His dhuni (fire). Anyhow the report was sent the summons had been served on Baba. But Baba did not go to Dhulia for the trial. So a warrant was issued by the Dhulia Court for producing Sai Baba to give evidence-at Dhulia. The warrant came to Ganapatramji, the Chief Constable of Kopergaon. He brought the warrant to Baba and informed him of its contents and requested Baba to go with him to Dhulia. Of course he had not the courage to arrest Baba. Baba was defiant. He cursed and swore and asked the constable to throw the warrant into some foul place. The constable was perplexed. I was there and told him to consult Baba's devotee Nana Saheb Chandorkar then Dep. Collector at Ahmednagar. N.S.C, was consulted and he said that if Sai Baba and the devotees disliked his going to Dhulia, the people should get a Mahazar prepared and get numerous signatures to it and send it up to Dhulia. This was done. The Mahazar stated that Sai Baba of Shirdi was an extraordinary person, worshipped as God by vast numbers of devotees, that the enforcement of ordinary Court's process against Him was neither proper nor desirable in view of the consequences that might follow etc., and that if His evidence was necessary, a Commissioner might be sent to Shirdi to take His evidence, the Dhulia Court then sent a Commission. One Nana Joshi, 1st Class Magistrate, Assistant Collector came down to Shirdi to take the evidence of Baba. Three hours before his arrival Baba had sent for chairs and a table and improvised a Court at the Mosque. The Commissioner came and began Sai Baba's examination: and an extraordinary examination it was.

Commr : What is your name?

Baba: They call me Sai Baba.

C: Your father's name?

B: Also Sai Baba.

C: Your Guru's name?

B: Venkusa.