Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 4 - Part III

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After the Saptaha was over, Vithal did manifest Himself in the following manner. Kakasaheb Dixit was, as usual, sitting in meditation after the bath, and he saw Vithal in a vision. When he went at noon for Baba's darshana, Baba asked him point-blank - "Did Vithal Patil come? Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly, otherwise, he will escape, if you be a little inattentive." This happened in the morning and at noon there was another Vithal darshana. One hawker from outside, came there for selling 25 or 30 pictures of Vithoba. This picture exactly tallied with the figure, that appeared in Kakasaheb's vision. On seeing this and remembering Baba's words, Kakasaheb Dixit was much surprised and delighted. He bought one picture of Vithoba, and placed it in his shrine for worship.

Das Ganu Maharaj did the Saptah (Seven days of non-stop chanting of God's name), but Vitthal appeared to Sri Kakasaheb Dixit. Strange? Yes and No. Vitthal appeared to those who were ready to see Him. Baba asked him point-blank, "Did Vitthal Patil come? Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly, otherwise, He will escape, if you are a little inattentive." Vitthal is tied by Shraddha (Attention-devotion). Pure minds are able to hold attention on God always. Impure minds are distracted by worldly thoughts and desires. How to purify the mind? Remember Him and His name often, even mechanically. Remember Him when worldly desires trouble you. Dear Sai Bandhu, don't think I am preaching to you. I am reiterating this for my benefit since Iam also still troubled by the worldly desires and keep forgetting Him. So, let us say with all our might: Sai Natha Maharaj ki Jai!!!"

If that was Baba's kindness to a devotee who had a lot of Shraddha, Faith in Him, let us now see how Baba helped another person, who had strayed from the path of devotion. Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's story below is a real gem. The father of Bhagwantrao was a devotee of Vithoba. After his death, the son stopped everything - the Vari, annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, the worship and even Shraaddha ceremony (his duty to his departed father and other Pitru Devatas). Baba willed and pulled Bhagwantrao to Shirdi.

Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's Story
How fond was Baba for Vithal worship was illustrated in Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's story. The father of Bhagwantrao was a devotee of Vithoba, and used to make Varis (annual trips) to Pandharpur. He also had an image of Vithoba at home, which he worshipped. After his death, the son stopped everything - the Vari, the worship and shraddha ceremony etc. When Bhagwantrao came to Shirdi, Baba on remembering his father, at once said - "His father was my friend, so I dragged him (the son) here. He never offered naivaidya (offering of food) and so he starved Vithal and Me. So I brought him here. I shall remonstrate him now and set him to worship."

Sai Ram. What a great kindness! Baba remembered Bhagwantrao's father's friendship and service and helped the son by pulling him on to the right path! Deva Yagna and Pitru Yagna are among the daily Yagnas, which are to be performed in atonement of the Pancha Sunas (five sins) incurred by a householder in the act of preparation of food, cleaning the house etc. This is described in the later chapters. Baba indicated that He was one with Vitthal by saying that 'he (Bhaganwantrao) never offered Naivaidya and so, starved Vitthal and Me.' In fact, by starving Vitthal and Baba, Bhagwantrao starved himself spiritually and Baba, who is Sarvantaryami, took pity on Bhagwantrao and pulled his body and mind to Shirdi. Shraadddha ceremony (I have used double a, to indicate the pronunciation and differentiate it from Shraddha, Faith. For Hindus, offering annual oblations and food to forefathers is a very important duty. And since it is to be performed with a lot of Faith, Shraddha, it is called Shraaddha (annual ceremony). Bhagwantrao out of Ashrarddha (lack of faith, carelessness), slipped in his duty as a son.

The above incident and a few more (Bayajabai's service in chapter 8, Pitale's in Chapter 26 etc.) clearly indicate that the Satkarmas (good actions) performed by parents help the children, in addition to the parents of course. So, if any of you are worried about your children, spouses etc., please do Parayana (regular reading) of Sri Sai Satcharitra and Sri Guru Charitra. Sai will be pleased and will help you and the person for whom you have prayed. I have experienced this and invite you to please satisfy yourself by your own experience. Sai Ram.

Das Ganu's Bath in Prayag

The Hindus think that a bath in the holy Tirth of Prayag, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet, is very meritorious and thousands of pilgrims go there, at periodical times, to have the sacred bath there. Once, Das Ganu thought that he should go to Prayag for a bath, and came to Baba to get His permission for doing so. Baba replied to him - "It is not necessary to go so long. Our Prayag is here, believe me." Then wonder of wonders! When Das Ganu placed his head on Baba's Feet, out came or flowed streams, of Ganga - Yamuna water, from both the toes of Baba. Seeing this miracle, Das Ganu was overwhelmed with feelings of love and adoration and was full of tears. Inwardly, he felt inspired, and his speech burst forth into a song in praise of Baba and His Leelas.

The above helps us take a spiritual bath of purification in the Spiritual Spring of Ganga and yamuna that sprang from the toes of Baba's feet and that story which sprang from the pen of Shri Hemadpant. Baba assured him that "It is not necessary to go so far. Our Prayag is here, (if you) believe Me!" Where there is Faith, there purity is present and faith washes away all our sins.

Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi

Nobody knew the parents, birth or birth-place of Sai Baba. Many enquiries were made, many questions were put to Baba and others regarding these items, but no satisfactory answer or information has yet been obtained. Practically we know nothing about these matters. Namdev and Kabir were not born like ordinary mortals. They were found as infants in mother-of-pearls, Namdev being found on the bank Bhimrathi river by Gonayee, and Kabir on the bank Bhagirathi river by Tamal. Similar was the case with Sai Baba.