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Sri Sathya Sai Baba Avatar |
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General Index
Sai Satcharitha
The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Monday Reading – Day 5
Index
Chapter XXXI
The Passing Away In Baba's
Presence of - (1) Sannyasi Vijayanand - (2) Balaram Mankar - (3)
Noolkar - (4) Megha - and (5) The Tiger.
Chapter XXXII
In Quest of Guru and God -
Fasting Disapproved.
Chapter XXXIII
Greatness of Udi
S corpion Sting and Plague Cases Cured -
Jamner Miracle - Narayanarao's Sickness - Balabuva sutar -
Appasaheb Kulkarni - Haribhau Karnik.
Chapter XXXIV
Greatness of Udi (continued)
(1) Doctor's Nephew - (2) Dr. Pillay - (3) Shama's
Siste-in-Law - (4) Irani Girl - (5) Harda Gentleman - (6) Bombay
Lady.
Chapter XXXV
Tested And Never Found
Wanting
Kaka Mahajani's Friend and Master - Bandra
Insomnia Case - Bala Patil Newaskar.
Chapter XXXVI
Wonderful Stories of
(1) Two Goa Gentleman - (2) Mrs. Aurangabadkar.
Chapter XXXVII
Chavadi Procession
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXI
T he Passing Away In Baba's Presence of -
(1) Sannyasi Vijayanand - (2) Balaram Mankar - (3) Noolkar - (4)
Megha - and (5) The Tiger.
In this Chapter Hemadpant describes the passing
away of certain persons and a tiger in Baba's presence.
Preliminary
T he last wish or thought that a man has at
the hour of death, determines his future course. Shri Krishna has
said in Gita (VIII-5-6) that "he who remembers Me in his last
moments, comes verily to Me, and he that meditates otherwise at
that time goes to what he looks for." We cannot be certain that we
can entertain a particular good thought at our last moment, for,
more often than not, we are more likely to be frightened and
terrified by many causes. Hence constant practice is necessary for
enabling us to fix our mind on any desired good thought at any or
the last moment. All Saints, therefore, recommended us to always
remember God and chant His name always, so that we may not be
puzzled when the time for departure comes. The devotees on their
part surrender themselves completely to the Saints, fully
believing that the all-knowing Saints would guide and help them in
their last moments. A few such cases will be noted here.
(1) Vijayanand
A Madrasi Sannyasi named Vijayanand started
on a pilgrimage to Manasa-Sarovar. En route, hearing Baba's fame,
he halted at Shirdi. There he met one Somadevaji Swami of Hardwar
and enquired of him about the particulars of the Manasa-Sarovar
trip. The Swami told him that the Sarovar was 500 miles above the
Gangotri and described to him the difficulties of the journey,
viz. plenty of snow and the change of dialect every 50 koss and
the suspicious nature of the people of Bhutan who give a lost of
trouble to the pilgrims on the way. Hearing this, the Sannyasi was
dejected and cancelled the trip. Then when he went to Baba and
prostrated himself before Him, Baba got enraged and said, "Drive
out this useless Sannyasi, his company is of no use". The Sannyasi
did not know Baba's nature. He felt discomforted, but sat there
watching things that were going on. It was the morning Darbar and
the Masjid was overcrowded. Baba was being worshipped in various
ways. Some were washing His Feet, some taking the Tirth (holy
water) from His toe and drinking it heartily and some touching
their eyes with it, some were applying sandal-paste, and some
scents to His body. And all were doing these things forgetting the
distinction of caste and creed. Though Baba got enraged with him,
he was filled with affection for Baba and he did not like to leave
the place.
He stayed in Shirdi for two days when he got a
letter from Madras stating that his mother was very ill. He felt
very dejected and wanted to be by his mother's side; but he could
not leave without Baba's permission. So he saw Baba with the
letter in hand and asked for His permission to return home. The
omniscient Baba knowing the future said to him - "If you so loved
your mother, why did you take Sannayasa? Fondness or attachment
ill becomes an ochre garb. Go and sit quiet at your lodging, wait
with patience for a few days. In the Wada there are many robbers,
bolt your doors, be very vigilant, the thieves will carry
everything. Wealth and prosperity are transient and the body is
subject to decay and death. Knowing this, do your duty, leaving
all attachment to the things of this world and next. He who does
this and surrenders himself to the Feet of Hari (Lord) will get
free from all troubles and attain bliss. The Lord runs and helps
him who remembers and meditates on Him with love and affection.
Your store of past merits is considerable, so you have come here.
Now attend to what I say and realise the end of your life. Being
desireless, begin from tomorrow the study of Bhagwat. Do three
'saptahas' i.e. three reading during three weeks, conscientiously.
The Lord will be pleased with you and destroy your sorrows, your
illusions will vanish and you will get peace." Seeing that his end
was approaching, Baba prescribed that remedy and made him read
'Ramavijaya' which pleases the God of death. Next morning after
bathing and other purifying rites he commenced to read Bhagwat in
a secluded part in the Lendi garden. He completed two readings and
thereafter felt much exhausted. He returned to the Wada and stayed
in his lodging for two days and on the third day he breathed his
last on Fakir (Bade) Baba's lap. Baba asked the people to preserve
the body for a day for a good reason. The police afterwards came
and on making proper enquiries gave permission for the disposal of
the body. It was buried in a proper place with due rites. In this
way Baba helped the Sannyasi and ensured him Sadgati (salvation).
(2) Balaram Mankar
T here was a house-holder devotee of Baba by
name Balaram Mankar. When his wife passed away, he got dejected
and entrusting his household to his son, left his home and came to
Shirdi and lived with Baba. Being pleased with his devotion, Baba
wanted to give a good turn to his life and He did this in this
wise. He gave him Rs. 12/- and asked him to go and live in
Macchindragad (District Satara). Mankar was first unwilling to go
and stay away from Baba, but Baba convinced him that he was giving
the best course for him and asked him to practise mediation thrice
a day on the Gad. Believing in Baba's words, Mankar came to the
Gad. He was much pleased with the lovely sight, pure water,
healthy air and the surroundings of the place, and began to
practice assiduously the meditations as recommended by Baba. After
some days he got a revelation. Generally Bhaktas get revelation in
their Samadhi or trance states, but in Mankar's case he got it,
when he came down to his ordinary consciousness from his trance.
Baba appeared to him in person. Not only that Mankar saw Him, but
he also asked Him why he was sent there. Baba replied - "In Shirdi
many thoughts and ideas began to rise in your mind and I sent you
here to rest your unsteady mind. You thought that I was in Shirdi
with a body composed of the five elements and three and a half
cubits in length, and not outside of it. Now you see and determine
for yourself whether the person you see here now is the same you
saw at Shirdi. It is for this reason that I sent you here." Then
after the period was over, Mankar left the Gada and proceeded to
his native place Bandra. He wanted to travel by rail from Poona to
Dadar, but when he went to the booking office to get a ticket, he
found it very much crowded. He could not get his ticket soon,
when, a villager with a langoti (piece of cloth) on his waist and
kambali on his shoulder turned up and said - "Where are your
going?" "To Dadar." replied Mankar. Then he said - "Please take
this Dadar ticket of mine; as I have some urgent business here, I
have cancelled my Dadar trip." Mankar was very glad to receive the
ticket and was just taking out money from his pocket, when the
rustic disappeared in the crowd. Mankar tried to find him out in
the crowd, but it was in vain. He waited for him till the train
left the station but found no trace of him. This was the second
revelation Mankar got in a strange form. Then Mankar after
visiting his home, again returned to Shirdi and remained there at
Baba's feet, always following His biddings and advice. In the end,
he was very fortunate to leave this world in the presence, and
with the blessings of Baba.
(3) Tatyasaheb Noolkar
H emadpant gives no particulars regarding
Tatyasaheb Noolkar, except the bare mention of the fact that he up
his ghost in Shirdi. A brief summary of his account that appeared
in the Sai Leela magazine is given here.
Tatyasaheb was a Sub-Judge at Pandharpur in 1909,
when Nanasaheb Chandorkar was Mamalatdar there. Both met often and
exchanged talks. Tatyasaheb did not believe in saints, while
Nanasaheb loved them. Nanasaheb often told him the Leelas of Sai
Baba and pressed him to go to Shirdi and see Baba. He finally
agreed to go to Shirdi on two conditions:- (1) he must get a
Brahmin cook, and (2) must get good Nagpur oranges for the
presentation. Both these conditions were providentially fulfilled.
A Brahmin came to Nanasaheb for service and he was sent to
Tatyasaheb and a fruit parcel containing 100 beautiful oranges was
received by Tatyasaheb, the consigner being not known. As the
conditions were fulfilled, Tatyasaheb had to go to Shirdi. At
first Baba was much enraged with him. But by and by Tatyasaheb got
such experiences that he was convinced that Baba was God
incarnate. So he was enamoured of Baba and stayed there till his
death. As his end was approaching, sacred literature was read out
to him and at the last hour Baba's Pada-tirth was brought and
given to him for drinking. Baba on hearing of his death, said,
"Oh, Tatya went ahead of us, he won't be reborn."
(4) Megha
T he story of Megha has been already
described in Chapter 28. When Megha died, all the villagers
followed the funeral procession. Baba also accompanied them and
showered flowers on Megha's body. After the obsequies were
performed, tears flowed from Baba's eyes and like an ordinary
mortal, Baba showed Himself overcome with grief and sorrow. Then
covering the body with flowers and crying like a near relation,
Baba returned to the Masjid.
Many Saints have been seen giving Sadgati to men,
but Baba's greatness is unique. Even a cruel animal like a tiger
came to Baba's feet for being saved. It is this story which will
be narrated now.
(5) Tiger
S even days before Baba passed away, a
wonderful incident occured at Shirdi. There came a country-cart
and stopped in front of the Masjid. A tiger was on the cart,
fastened with iron chains, with its fierce face turned to the
rear. It was suffering from some pain or agony. Its keepers -
three Derveshis - were taking it from place to place and making
money by exhibiting it. It was the means of their subsistence.
They tried all sorts of remedies to cure it from the malady it was
suffering from, but all was in vain. Then they heard of Baba's
fame and came to Him with the animal. They got it down the chains
in their hands and made it stand at the door. It was naturally
fierce, besides, disease ridden. So it was restless. The people
began to look at it with fear and amazement. The Derveshies went
in, told Baba everything about the animal and with His consent,
brought it before Him. As it approached the steps, it was taken
aback on account of the lustre of Baba and hung its head down.
When both saw each other, it got on the step and looked at Baba
with affection. Immediately it moved the tuft of its tail and
dashed it thrice against the ground and then fell down senseless.
On seeing it dead the Derveshis were first much dejected and full
of sorrow, but on mature thought they came to their senses. They
considered that as the animal was diseased and nearing its end, it
was very meritorious on its part that it should meet its death at
the feet and in the presence of Baba. It was their debtor, and
when the debt was paid off it was free and met its end at Sai's
Feet. When any creatures bow down their heads at saints' feet and
meet death, they are saved; and unless they have got a good store
of merit on their account, How could they get such a happy end?
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXII
I n Quest of Guru and God - Fasting
Disapproved.
I n this Chapter Hemadpant describes two
things:- (1) How Baba met His Guru in the woods, and through him
God; and (2) How Baba made one Mrs. Ghokhale, who had made up her
mind to fast for three days, eat Puran-Polis.
Preliminary
I n the beginning, Hemadpant describes the
samsara (visible world) by the allegory of Ashvattha (Banyan) tree
which has, in the phraseology of the Geeta, roots above and
branches below. Its branches are spread downwards and upwards and
are nourished by the gunas (qualities), and its sprouts are the
objects of the senses. Its roots, leading to actions, are extended
downwards to this world of men. Its form cannot be known in this
world, nor its end, its beginning nor its support. Cutting this
Ashvattha tree of strong roots with the sharp weapon of
non-attachment, one should seek the path beyond, treading which
there is no return.
For traversing this path, the help of a good guide
(Guru) is absolutely necessary. However learned a man may be, or
however deep his study of Vedas and Vedangas (sacred literature)
may be, he cannot go to his destination safely. If the guide be
there to help him and show him the right way, he would avoid the
pitfalls and the wild beasts on the journey, and everything will
be smooth-sailing.
Baba's experience in this matter, the story which
He gave out Himself, is really wonderful, which, when attended to,
will give you faith, devotion and salvation.
The Quest
O nce four of us were studying religious
scriptures and other books and, being thus enlightened, we began
to discuss the nature of the Brahman. One of us said that we
should raise the self by the Self and not depend on others. To
this the second replied that he who controls his mind is blessed;
we should be free from thoughts and ideas and there is nothing in
the world without us. The third said that the world (phenomenon)
is always changing, the formless is eternal; so we should
discriminate between the Unreal and the Real. And the fourth (Baba
Himself) urged that bookish knowledge is worthless and added, "Let
us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five
pranas (life) to the Guru's feet. Guru is God, all pervading. To
get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary."
Discussing in this wise, we four learned men began
to ramble through the woods in the quest of God. The three wanted
to make the quest with their free and unaided intellect. On the
way a Vanjari (a man who trades in certain things, such as grain
etc. by carrying them on bullock) met us and asked us, "It is hot
now, where and how far are you going?". "To search the woods", we
replied. He enquired, "On what quest are you bound?" We gave him
an ambiguous and evasive reply. Seeing us rambling aimlessly, he
was moved and said, "Without knowing the woods fully, you should
not wander at random. If you want to walk through forests and
jungles, you should take a guide with you. Why do you exert
youselves unnecessarily at this sultry noon-time? You may not give
out to me your secret quest; still you can sit down, eat bread,
drink water, take rest and then go. Be always patient at heart."
Though he spoke so tenderly, we discarded his request and marched
on. We thought that we were self-contained men and needed nobody's
help. The woods were vast and trackless, the trees therein grew so
close and tall, that the sun's rays could not penetrate through
them; so we lost our way and wandered here and there for a long
time. Ultimately through sheer good luck, we came back to the
place from were we started. The Vanjari met us again and said,
"Relying on your own cleverness you missed your way; a guide is
always necessary to show us the right way in small or great
matters; and no quest can be successfully carried out on an empty
stomach. Unless God wills it, no one meets us on the way. Do not
discard offers of food; served dish should not be thrust away.
Offers of bread and food should be regarded as auspicious signs of
success." Saying this he again offered us food and asked us to be
calm and patient. Again we did not like this good hospitality and
discarded his offer and went away. Without doing any quest and
without taking any food, the three began to move out. So obstinate
were they. I was hungry and thirsty and I was moved with the
Vanjari's extraordinary love; we thought ourselves very learned
but were quite strangers to pity and kindness. The Vanjari was a
quite illiterate and unqualified fellow and belonged to a low
caste. Still he had love in his heart and asked us to eat the
bread. In this way he who loves others disinterestedly is really
enlightened and I thought acceptance of his hospitality was the
best beginning of getting knowledge. So very respectfully I
accepted the loaf of bread offered, ate it and drank water.
Then to! The Guru at once came and stood before
us, "What was the dispute about?" He asked and I told him
everything that had happened. Then he said, "Would you like to
come with me? I will show you what you want; but he alone, who
believes in what I say, will be successful." The others did not
agree to what he said and left him; but I bowed to him reverently
and accepted his dictum. Then he took me to a well, tied my feet
with a rope and hung me - head downwards and feet up - from a tree
near the well. I was suspended three feet above the water, which I
could not reach with My hands, nor which could go into my mouth.
Suspending me in this manner he went away, no one knew where.
After 10 or 12 ghatakas (4 or 5 hours) he returned and taking me
out quickly asked me how I fared. "In Bliss supreme, I was. How
can a fool like me describe the joy I experienced?" I replied. On
hearing my answer the Guru was much pleased with me, drew me near
him and stroking my body with his hand kept me with him. He took
care of me as tenderly as a mother-bird does of her young ones. He
put me into his school; how beautiful it was! There I forgot my
parents, all my attachment was snapped and I was liberated easily.
I thought that I should embrace his neck and remain staring at him
always. If his image were not fixed in my pupils, I would like
better to be blind. Such was the school! No one, who entered it
once, could return empty-handed. My Guru became my all-in-all, my
home and property, mother and father, everything. All my senses
left their places and concentrated themselves in my eyes, and my
sight was centred on him. Thus was my Guru, the sole object of my
meditation and I was conscious of none else. While meditating on
him my mind and intellect were stunned and I had thus to keep
quiet and bow to him in silence.
There are other schools where you see an
altogether different spectacle. The disciples go there to seek
knowledge and spend their money, time and labour; but ultimately
they have to repent. The Guru there boasts of his secret knowledge
and his straight-forwardness. He makes a show of his sacredness
and holiness, but he is not tender at heart. He speaks a lot and
sings his own glory; but his own words do not touch the disciples'
hearts and they are not convinced. So far as Self-realization is
concerned, he has none. How can such schools be of any use to the
disciples and how can they be benefited? The master (Guru)
mentioned above was of different type. By his grace, realization
flashed upon me of itself, without effort or study. I had not to
seek anything, but everything became clear to me as broad
day-light. The Guru alone knows how the topsy-turvy Suspension,
'with head down and feet up' can give happiness!
Among the four, one was a Karmatha (Ritualistic)
who only knew how to observe, and abstain from, certain rites; the
second was a Jnani, who was puffed up with pride of knowledge and
the third was a Bhakta who surrendered himself completely to God,
believing that he was the sole Doer. When they were discussing and
arguing, the question of God turned up, and they, depending on
their unaided knowledge, went in search of Him. Sai, who was
Discrimination and Dispassion incarnate, was one of the four.
Being Himself Brahman Incarnate, some may ask, "Why did He mix
with them and act foolishly?" He did this for attaining the good
of the public, and setting them an example to follow. Though an
incarnation Himself, He respected a low Vanjari, by accpeting his
food with the firm belief that "Food is Brahman" and showed how
those who rejected Vanjari's hospitable offer suffered and how it
was impossible to get Jnana without a Guru. The Shruti (Taittiriya
Upanishad) exhorts us to honour and worship mother, father and
preceptor, and to study (learn and teach) the sacred scriptures.
These are the means of purifying our minds and unless this
purification is effected, self-realization is not possible.
Neither the senses, nor the mind and intellect reach the Self.
Modes of proof, such as Perception and Inference will not help us
in the matter. It is the grace of the Guru that counts. The
objects of our life such as Dharma, Artha and Kama are attainable
with our effort, but the fourth object, Moksha (liberation) can
only he had with the help of the Guru.
In the Darbar of Shri Sai, many personalities
appear and play their part; astrologers come and give out their
predicitions; princes, noblemen, ordinary and poor men, Sannyasis,
Yogis songsters and others come for darshan. Even a mahar comes
and, making a Johar (his salutation), says this Sai is the
Mai-Baap (True parents), Who will do away with our rounds of
births and deaths. So many others such as Jugglers, Gondhalis, the
blind and the lame, Nath-panthis, dancers and other players come
and are given suitable reception. Biding his own time, the Vanjari
also appeared, and played the part assigned to him. Let us now
revert to the other story.
Fasting and Mrs. Gokhale
B aba never fasted Himself, nor did He allow
others to do so. The mind of the faster is never at ease, then how
could he attain his Paramartha (goal of life)? God is not attained
on an empty stomach; first the soul has to be appeased. If there
is no moisture of food in the stomach and nutrition, with what
eyes should we see God, with what tongue should we describe His
greatness and with what ears should we hear the same? In short,
when all our organs get their proper nutrition and are sound, we
can practise devotion and other sadhanas to attain God. Therefore,
neither fasting nor overeating is good. Moderation in diet is
really wholesome both to the body and mind.
One Mrs. Gokhale came to Shirdi with an
introductory letter from Mrs. Kashibai Kanitkar (a devotee of
Baba) to Dada Kelkar. She came to Baba with a determination to sit
at Baba's Feet observing a three days fast. The day previous, Baba
said to Dada Kelkar, that He would not allow his children to
starve during the Shimga, i.e., Holi holidays, and that if they
had to starve, why was He there? Next day when the woman went with
Dada Kelkar and sat at Baba's Feet, Baba at once said to her,
"Where is the necessity of fasting? Go to Dadabhat's house,
prepare the dish of Puran POlis (wheat rotis with gram-flour and
jaggery), feed his children and yourself too." Shimga holidays
were on. Mrs. Kelkar was then in her menses and there was nobody
to cook in Dadabhat's house. So Baba's advice was very timely.
Then Mrs. Gokhale had to go to Dadabhat's house and prepare the
dish as directed. She cooked that day, fed others and herself.
What a good story and how beautiful its import!
Baba's Sircar
B aba gave a story of his boyhood as
follows:- "When I was a youngester, I was in search of bread and
went to Beedgaum. There I got embroidery work. I worked hard,
sparing no pains. The employer was very much pleased with Me.
Three other boys worked before Me. The first got Rs. 50/- the
second Rs. 100/- and the third Rs. 150/-. And I was given twice
the whole of this amount, viz. Rs. 600/-. After seeing my
cleverness, the employer loved me, praised me and honoured me with
a full dress, a turban for the head and a shell a for the body,
etc. I kept this dress intact withoutusing it. I thought that what
a man might give does not last long and it is always imperfect.
But what My Sircar (God) gives, lasts to the end of time. No other
gift from any man can be compared to His. My Sircar says "Take,
take," but everybody comes to me and says 'Give, give.' Nobody
attends carefully to the meaning of what I say. My Sircar's
treasury (spiritual wealth) is full, it is overflowing. I say,
"Dig out and take away this wealth in cartloads, the blessed son
of a true mother should fill himself with this wealth. The skill
of my Fakir, the Leela of my Bhagwan, the aptitude of my Sircar is
quite unique. What about Me? Body (earth) will mix with earth,
breath with air. This time won't come again. I go somewhere, sit
somewhere; the hard Maya troubles Me much, still I feel always
anxiety for My men. He who does anything (spiritual endeavour)
will reap its fruit and he who remembers these words of Mine will
get invaluable happiness."
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Back to Index
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXIII
G reatness of Udi
S corpion Sting and Plague Cases Cured -
Jamner Miracle - Narayanarao's Sickness - Balabuva sutar -
Appasaheb Kulkarni - Haribhau Karnik.
I n the last Chapter we described the
greatness of the Guru; now in this we will describe the greatness
of Udi.
Preliminary
Let us bow now before the great saints. Their
merciful glances will destroy mountains of sins and do away with
all the evil taints of our character. Their casual talk gives us
good teachings and confers on us imperishable happiness. Their
minds do not know any difference such as 'This is ours and that is
yours.' Such differentiation never arises in their minds. Their
debts (obligations) will never be repaid by us in this birth as
well as in many future births.
Udi
I t is well-known that Baba took Dakshina
from all, and out of the amount thus collected, He spent a lot on
charity and purchased fuel with the balance left with Him. This
fuel He threw in the Dhuni - the sacred fire, which he kept ever
burning. The ash from this fire was called Udi and it was freely
distributed to the devotees at the time of their departure from
Shirdi.
What did Baba teach or hint by this Udi? Baba
taught by His Udi that all the visible phenomena in the universe
are as transient as the ash. Our bodies composed of wood or matter
of the five elements, will fall down, after all their enjoyments
are over, and be reduced to ashes. In order to remind the devotees
of the fact that their bodies will be reduced to ashes, Baba
distributed Udi to them. Baba also taught by the Udi that the
Brahman is the only Reality and the universe is ephemeral and that
no one in this world, be he a son, father or wife, is really ours.
We come here (in this world) alone and we have to go out alone. It
was found and is even now found out, that the Udi cured many
physical and mental maladies, but Baba wanted to din into the
devotee's ears the principles of discrimination between the Unreal
and the Real, non-attachment for the Unreal, by His Udi and
Dakshina. The former (Udi) taught us discrimination and the latter
(Dakshina) taught us non-attachment. Unless we have these two
things, it is not possible for us to cross over the sea of the
mundane existence. So Baba asked for and took Dakshina, and while
the devotees took leave, He gave Udi as Prasad, besmeared some of
it on the Bhaktas' foreheads and placed His boon-conferring hand
on their heads. When Baba was in a cheerful mood, He used to sing
merrily. One such song was about Udi. The burden of the Udi song
was this,"Oh, playful Rama, come, come, and bring with you sacks
of Udi." Baba used to sing in very clear and sweet tones.
So much about the spiritual implication of Udi. It
had also its material significance. It conferred health,
prosperity, freedom from anxiety, and many other worldly gains. So
the Udi has helped us to gain both our ends - material as well as
spiritual. We shall now begin with the stories about the Udi.
Scorpion-Sting
N arayan Motiram Jani of Nasik was a devotee
of Baba. He was serving under another devotee of Baba, by name
Ramachandra Vaman Modak. Once he went to Shirdi with his mother
and saw Baba. Then Baba Himself told her that he (her son) should
serve no more, but start independent business. Some days after,
this prophecy turned true. Narayan Jani left service and started a
boarding house 'Anandashram' which thrived well. Once a friend of
this Narayanrao was stung by a scorpion and the pain caused by it,
was servere and unbearable. Udi is most efficacious in such cases;
it is to be applied on the seat of pain, and so Narayanrao
searched for it, but found none. Then he stood before Baba's
picture and invoked Baba's aid, chanted Baba's name and taking out
a pinch of the ashes of the joss-stick burning in front of Baba's
picture and thinking it to be Baba's Udi, applied it on the seat
of pain and the sting. As soon as he took out his fingers, the
pain vanished and both the person were moved and felt delighted.
Bubonic Plague Case
O nce a devotee in Bandra came to know that
his daughter, who was staying in another place was down with
bubonic plague. He had no Udi with him; so he sent word to
Nanasaheb Chandorkar to send the same. Nanasaheb got this message
on a road near the Thana Railway Station when he was travelling
with his wife to Kalyan. He had no Udi with him at that time. He,
therefore, took up some earth from the road, meditated upon Sai
Baba, invoked His aid and applied it on the forehead of his wife.
The devotee saw all this and when he went to his daughter's house
he was very glad to learn that his daughter, who was suffering for
three days, began to improve from the very moment Nanasaheb
invoked Baba's aid near the Thana Railway Station.
The Jamner Miracle
A bout 1904-05 Nanasaheb Chandorkar was
Mamlatdar at Jamner, in the Khandesh District, which is more that
100 miles distant from Shirdi. His daughter Mainatai was pregnant
and was about to deliver. He case was very serious and she was
suffering from labour pains for the last two or three days.
Nanasaheb tried all remedies but they proved in vain; he then
remembered Baba and invoked His aid. There in Shirdi, one
Ramgirbuva, whom Baba called Bapugirbuva, wanted at this time to
go to his native place in Khandesh. Baba called him and told him
to take a little rest and stop at Jamner on his way home and give
the Udi and Arati to Nanasaheb. Ramgirbuva said that he had only
two rupees with him and that amount was barely sufficient for the
railway fare upto Jalgaon and it was not possible for him to go
from jalgaon to Jamner, a distance of about 30 miles. Baba assured
him that he need not worry, as everything would be provided for
him. Then Baba asked Shama to write the well-known Arati composed
by Madhav Adkar (a translation of this is given at the end of this
work) and give a copy of it with Udi to Ramgirbuva to be delivered
to Nanasaheb. Then relying on Baba's words, Ramgirbuva left Shirdi
and reached Jalgaon at about 2-45 a.m. He had only two annas left
with him and was in a hard plight. To his great relief he heard
somebody calling out "Who is Bapugirbuva of Shirdi?" He went to
him and told him that he was the person Bapugirbuva. Then the
peon, professing to be sent by Nanasaheb, took him out to an
excellent tanga with a good pair of horses. They both drove in it.
The tanga ran fast and early in the morning they came to a
brooklet. The drive took the horses for watering them and the peon
asked Ramgirbuva to partake of some eatables. On seeing the beard,
moustache and the livery of the peon, Rangirbuva suspected him to
be a Moslem and was unwilling to take any refreshments from him,
but the peon satisfied him by saying that he was a Hindu, a
Kshatriya of Garhwal and that Nanasaheb had sent these
refreshments and that there should be no difficulty, nor any doubt
about acceptance. Then both of them took the refreshments and
started again. They reached Jamner at dawn. Ramgirbuva alighted to
attend a call of nature (passing urine) and returned within a few
minutes, but found that there was no tanga, no driver and no peon.
He was dumbfounded. Then he went to the neighbouring Katcheri and
making enquiries, learnt that the Mamlatdar was at home. He went
to Nanasaheb's house, and announced himself and gave to Nanasaheb,
Baba's Udi and Arati. At this time, Mainatai's case was most
serious and all were in deep anxiety about her. Nanasaheb called
out his wife and asked her to give the Udi, mixed with water, to
their daughter to drink, and sing Baba's Arati. He throught that
Baba's help was most opportune. In a few minutes came the news
that the delivery was safe and that the crisis had passed away.
When Ramgirbuva thanked Nanasaheb for the peon, tanga and the
refreshments etc. the latter was greatly surprised as he had sent
none to the station, and was not aware of any person coming from
Shirdi.
Mr. B.V. Deo of Thana, Retired Mamlatdar, made
enquiries about this matter with Bapurao Chandorkar, son of
Nanasaheb and Ramgirbuva of Shirdi and after satisfying himself
wrote an elaborate article - part prose and part poetry - in Shri
Sai Leela magazine (Vol. 13 Nos. 11, 12 and 13). Brother B.V.
Narsimhswami has also taken down the statements of (1) Mainatai
(No. V page 14) and (2) Bapusaheb Chandorkar (No. XX page 50) and
(3) Ramgirbuva (No. XXVII, Page 83) dated Ist June 1936, 16th
September 1936 and Ist December 1936 respectively and published
them in his "Devotees' Experiences, Part III." The following is
quoted from Ramgirbuva's statement.
"One day Baba called me to him and gave me a
packet of Udi and a copy of Baba's Arati. I had to go to Khandesh
at the time. Baba directed me to go to Jamner and told me to
deliver the Arati and Udi to Nanasaheb Chandorkar, at Jamner. I
said to Baba that all I had was Rs. 2, and asked Him how that
could take me by train from Kopergaon to Jalgaon and next by cart
from Jalgaon to Jamner. Baba said,"God will give." That was Friday
and I started at once. I reached Manmad at 7-30 p.m. and Jalgaon
at 2-45 a.m. At that time plague regulations were enforced and I
had much trouble. I was to discover what I should do to get to
Jamner. At about 3 a.m. a peon in boots, turban and well equipped
with other details of good dress came to me and took me to a tanga
and drove me on. I was in terror. On the way at Bhaghoor, I took
refreshments. We reached Jamner early in the morning and by the
time I attended my call of nature the tanga and its driver had
disappeared (page 83)."
Narayanarao
B hakta Narayanrao (father's name and
surname are not given) had the good fortune to see Baba twice
during the Latter's lifetime. Three years after the passing away
of Baba in 1918, he wanted to come to Shirdi, but he could not
come. Within a year of Baba's Mahasamadhi he fell sick and
suffered much. All ordinary remedies gave him no relief. So he
meditated on Baba day and night. One night he had a vision in his
dream. Baba coming to him through a cellar, comforted him saying,
"Don't be anxious, you will be improving from tommorrow, and
within a week you will be on your legs." Narayanrao got perfectly
well within the time mentioned in the vision. Now the point for
consideration is this:- Was Baba living because he had the body,
and was He dead because He left it? No, Baba is ever alive, for He
transcends both life and death. He who loved Him once
whole-heartedly gets response from Him at any time and at any
place. He is always by our side and will take any form and appear
before the devout Bhakta and satisfy him.
Appasaheb Kulkarni
I n 1917 the chance of one Appasaheb
Kulkarni came. He was transferred to Thana and began to worship
Baba's picture presented to him by Balasaheb Bhate. In real
earnest he did the worship. He offered flowers, sandal-paste, and
naivedya daily to Baba in the picture and longed intently to see
Him. In this connection it may be remarked that seeing Baba's
picture earnestly is equivalent to seeing Him in person. The
following story illustrates this statement.
Balabuva Sutar
A Saint of Bombay named Balabuva Sutar, who
on account of his piety, devotion and bhajan, was called "Modern
Tukaram", came to Shirdi for the first time in 1917. When be bowed
before Baba, the latter said "I know this man since four years".
Balabuva wondered and thought, how could that be, as that was his
first trip to Shirdi. But thinking about it seriously he
recollected that he had prostrated himself four years ago before
Baba's portrait at Bombay and was convinced about the significance
of Baba's words. He said to himself,"How omniscient and
all-pervading are the Saints and how kind are they to their
Bhaktas! I merely bowed to His photo, this fact was noticed by
Baba and in due time He made me realize that seeing His photo is
equivalent to seeing Him in person!"
Appasaheb Kulkarni
T o return to Appasaheb's story. While he
was in Thana, he had to go on tour to Bhivandi and was not
expected to return within a week. In his absence, the following
wonderful thing took place on the third day. At noon a fakir
turned up at Appasaheb's house. His features resembled exactly
those of Baba's photo. Mrs. Kulkarni and the children all asked
him whether he was Sai Baba of Shirdi. He said 'No', but that he
was an obedient servant of His and came there at His order to
enquire after the health of the family. Then he asked for
Dakshina. The lady gave him a rupee. He gave her a small packet of
Udi, and asked her to keep this in the shrine along with the photo
for worship. Then he left the house and went away. Now hear the
wonderful Leela of Sai.
Appasaheb could not proceed with his tour as his
horse fell sick at Bhivandi. He returned home that afternoon and
learnt from his wife about fakir's visit. He smarted in his mind
as he did not get the darshan of the fakir and he did not like
that only one rupee was paid as Dakshina. He said that had he been
present, he would have offered not less than rupees ten. Then he
immediately started in quest of the fakir and searched for him in
the Masjid and other places, without taking any food. His search
was in vain. He then returned home and took his food. The reader
may remember here Baba's dictum in Chapter 32 that God's quest
should not be made on an empty belly. Appasaheb got a lesson, here
about this. Then after meals he went out for a walk with a friend
Mr. Chitre. Going some distance they saw a man approaching them
rapidly. Appasaheb though that he must be the fakir that came to
his house at noon, as his features tallied with those of baba in
the photo. The fakir immediately put forth his hand and asked for
Dakshina. Appasaheb gave him a rupee. He demanded again and again
and so Appasaheb gave him two more. Still he was not satisfied.
Then he borrowed Rs. three from Mr. Chitre and gave them to him.
He wanted still more. Appasaheb asked him to accompany him to his
home. Then they all returned home and Appasaheb then gave him
again three rupees, in all nine. He looked unsatisfied and
demanded again. Then he told him that he had a currency of Rs.
ten. The fakir asked for the same and took it and returned the
nine rupees in cash and went away. Appasaheb had said that he
would pay Rs. ten and that sum was taken from him and nine rupees,
consecrated by Baba's touch, were returned to him. The figure 9 is
significant. It denotes the nine types of devotion (vide Chapter
21). It may also be noted here that Baba gave Rs. nine to one
Laxmibai Shinde at His last moment.
Appasaheb examined the Udi-packet and found that
it contained some flower-petals and Akshata. Then some time
afterwards he got hair from Baba when he saw Him at Shirdi. He put
the Udi-packet and the hair in a talisman and always wore it on
his arm. Appasaheb realized the power of the Udi. Though he was
very clever he got Rs. 40/- as pay in the beginning, but after he
secured Baba's photo and His Udi, he got many times forty rupees
per month and also got much power and influence; and along with
these temporal benefits, his spiritual progress was also rapid. So
those who are fortune enough to get Baba's Udi should, after bath,
apply it on the forehead and take some little of it mixed with
water in the mouth as holy Tirth.
Haribhau Karnik
I n 1917 Haribhau Karnik of Dahanu (Thana
District) came to Shirdi on the Guru-pournima day (in the month of
Ashadha) and worshipped Baba with all formality. He offered
clothes and Dakshina, and after taking Baba's leave through
Sharma, got down the steps of the Masjid. Then he thought that he
should offer one more rupee to Baba and was just turning to get up
when Shama informed him by signs that as he had got Baba's leave,
he should go and not return. So he started home. On his way, when
he went into the temple of Kala Rama at Nasik for darshan, the
Saint Narsing Maharaj who used to sit just inside the big door of
the temple, left his Bhaktas there came to Haribhau, caught his
wrist and said,"Give me my one rupee". Karnik was surprised. He
paid the rupee most willingly and thought that Sai Baba recovered
the rupee, which he intended in his mind to give, through saint
Narsing Maharaj. This shows how the saints work in unison.
This story illustrates the fact that all saints
are one and shows how they work in unison.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXIV
G reatness of Udi (continued)
(1) Doctor's Nephew - (2) Dr. Pillay - (3) Shama's
Siste-in-Law - (4) Irani Girl - (5) Harda Gentleman - (6) Bombay
Lady.
This Chapter continues the subject "Greatness of
Udi" and describes cases in which the application of Udi was most
efficacious.
Doctor's Nephew
A t Malegaon (Dt. Nasik) there lived a
doctor (qualified and degree-holder). His nephew suffered from an
incurable disease - Tubercular bone-abcess. The doctor himself and
his brothers, the medical practitioners, tried all sorts of
remedies and even an operation. There was no relief and there was
no end to the little boy's suffering. Friends and relations
advised the parents of the boy to seek divine aid and recommended
them to try Sai Baba, who was known to have cured such incurable
cases by His mere glance. The parents, therefore, came to Shirdi.
They prostrated themselves before Baba, placed the boy before Him
and pleaded humbly and respectfully, and implored Him to save
their son. The merciful Baba comforted them saying "Those who
resort to this Masjid shall never suffer anything in this life and
to the end of time. Be now care-free. Apply Udi on the abcess and
within one week he will recover. Believe in God. This is no
Masjid, but Dwarawati. He who steps here will soon get health and
happiness and his sufferings will come to an end". The boy was
made to sit before Baba, Who moved his hands on the affected part
and cast His loving glances on him. The patient was pleased and
with the application of the Udi, he began to recover, and was all
right after some days. The parents then left Shirdi with their
son, thanking Baba for the cure, which was effected by Udi and
Baba's gracious looks.
After knowing this, the doctor, the uncle of the
boy became wonder-struck and desired to see Baba while he was on
his way to Bombay for some business; but at Malegaon and Manmad
somebody spoke to him against Baba and poisoned his ears. He
therefore, dropped the idea of visiting Shirdi and went to Bombay
direct. He wanted to spend the rest of his leave at Alibag, but at
Bombay he heard three successive nights, a voice crying out,"Still
you disbelieve me?". Then the doctor changed his mind and resolved
to go to Shirdi. He had to attend in Bombay to a case of
Infectious Fever, which showed no signs of abatement soon. So he
thought that his Shirdi trip would be postponed. He however
proposed a test in his mind and said,"If the patient gets all
right today, I start for Shirdi tomorrow." The wonder is that
exactly at the time when the determination was taken, the fever
began to abate and the temperature became normal. Then he went to
Shirdi as per his determination, took Baba's darshan and
prostrated himself before Him. Baba gave him such experiences that
he became His devotee. He stayed there for four days and returned
home with Baba's Udi and blessings. Within a fortnight he was
transferred on promotion to Bijapur. His nephew's case gave him an
opportunity for seeing Baba and this visit engendered in him a
neverfailing love for the Saint's feet.
Dr. Pillay
O ne Dr. Pillay was an intimate Bhakta of
Baba. He was much liked by Baba, Who always called him Bhau
(brother). Baba talked with him off and on and consulted him in
all matters and wanted him always at His side. This Pillay
suffered once very badly from guinea-worms. He said to Kakasaheb
Dixit, "The pain is most excruciating and unbearable. I prefer
death to it. This pain, I know, is for repaying past Karma, but go
to Baba and tell Him to stop the pain and transfer the working of
my past Karma to ten future births of mine." Mr. Dixit went to
Baba and told Him his request. Then Baba, being moved by his
request, said to Dixit,"Tell him to be fearless. Why should he
suffer for ten births? In ten days he can work out the sufferings
and consequences of his past Karma. While I am here to give him
temporal and spiritual welfare, why should he pray for death?
Bring him here on somebody's back and let us work and finish his
sufferings once for all".
The doctor was brought in that condition and was
seated on Baba's right side,where Fakir Baba always sat. Baba gave
him His bolster and said,"Lie calmly here and be at ease. The true
remedy is, that the result of past actions has to be suffered and
got over. Our Karma is the cause of our happiness and sorrow;
therefore put up with whatever comes to you. Allah (God) is the
sole Dispenser and Protector, always think of Him. He will take
care of you. Surrender to His feet with body, mind, wealth and
speech, i.e. completely and then see what He does." Dr. Pillay
said in return that Nanasaheb had put a bandage over the leg, but
he found no relief. "Nana is a fool" replied Baba. "Take off that
bandage or else you will die. Now a crow will come and peck you,
and then you will recover."
While this conversation was going on, one Abdul,
who always cleaned the Masjid and trimmed the lamps, turned up.
While he was attending to his work of training, his foot
accidentally fell upon the stretched leg of Dr. Pillay. The leg
was already swollen and when Abdul's foot fell upon it and pressed
it, all the seven guinea-worms were squeezed out at once. The pain
was unbearable and Dr. Pillay bawled out loudly. After some time,
he calmed down and began to sing and cry alternately. Then Pillay
enquired when the crow was coming and peeking. Baba said, "Did you
not see the crow? He won't come again. Abdul was the crow. Now go
and rest yourself in the Wada and you will be soon allright."
By application of the Udi and by taking it in the
stomach with water, and without taking any other treatment or
medicine, the disease was completely cured in ten days as
predicted by Baba.
Sharma's Sister-in-law
S hama's younger brother Bapaji was staying
near Sawool well. Once his wife was attacked with Bubonic plague.
She had high fever and two bubos in her groins. Bapaji rushed to
Shama at Shirdi and asked him to come and help. Shama was
frightened, but according to his wont, he went to Baba, prostrated
himself before Him, invoked His aid, and requested Him to cure the
case. He also asked His permission to go to his brother's house.
Then Baba said, "Don't go there at this late hour (night), send
her Udi. Why care for the fever and bubos? God is our father and
master; she will be alright easily. Do not go now, but go there in
the morning and return immediately."
Shama had full faith in Baba's Udi. It was sent
with Bapaji. It was applied on the bubos and some of it was mixed
with water and was given to the patient for drinking. No sooner
was it taken in, than perspiration set in profusely, the fever
abated and the patient had a good sleep. Next morning Bapaji was
surprised to see his wife alright and refreshed with no fever and
bubos. When Shama went there next morning with Baba's permission
he was also surprised to see her at the hearth and preparing tea.
On questioning his brother, he learnt that Baba's Udi cured her
completely in one night. Then Shama realized the significance of
Baba's words. "Go there in the morning and return immediately.
After taking tea, Sharma returned and after
saluting Baba said,"Deva, what is this play of Yours? You first
raise a storm and make us restless and then calm it down and ease
us". Baba replied "You see mysterious is the path of action.
Though I do nothing, they hold Me resonsible for the actions which
take place on account of Adrista (destiny). I am only their
witness. The Lord is the sole Doer and Inspirer. He is also most
merciful. Neither I am God nor Lord. I am His obedient servant and
remember Him often. He, who casts aside his egoism, thanks Him and
he, who trusts Him entirely, will have his shackles removed and
will obtain liberation".
Irani's Daughter
N ow read the experience of an Irani
gentleman. His young daughter got fits every hour. When the
convulsion came she lost her power of speech, her limbs got shrunk
and contracted and she fell down senseless. No remedy gave her any
relief. Some friend recommended Baba's Udi to her father and asked
him to get it from Kakasaheb Dixit at Vile Parle (suburb of
Bombay). Then the Irani gentleman got the Udi and gave it mixed
with water to his daughter daily for drinking. In the beginning
the convulsions, which were coming on hourly, came every seven
hours and after a few days the daughter recovered completely.
Harda Gentleman
A n old gentleman of Harda (C.P) was
suffering from a stone in his bladder. Such stones are generally
removed by surgical operations and people recomended him to
undergo one. He was old and weak, lacked strength of mind and
could not think of submitting himself to surgical treatment. His
suffering was soon to end in another way. The Inamdar (City
Officer) of that town happened to come there at this time. He was
a devotee of Baba and had always a stock of Udi with him. On the
recommendation of friends, his son got some Udi from and mixing it
with water, gave it to his old father to drink. Within five
minutes the Udi was assimilated, the stone was dissolved and came
out through his urine and old man was soon relieved.
Bombay Lady
A woman of the Kayastha Prabhu caste in
Bombay always suffered terrible pain at her delivery. She was very
much frightened each time she became pregnant and did not know
what to do. Shri Rama-Maruti of Kalyan, who was a devotee of Baba
advised her husband to take her to Shirdi for a painless delivery.
When she next became pregnant, both husband and wife came to
Shirdi, stayed there for some months and worshipped Baba and got
all the benefit of His company. After some time the hour of
delivery came and as usual there was obstruction in the passage
from the womb. She began to suffer labour pains, did not know what
to do, but began to pray to Baba for relief. In the meantime, some
neighbouring women turned up and after invoking Baba's aid, gave
her Udi-mixture to drink. In five minutes, the woman delivered
safely and painlessly. The issue was still-born according to its
fate; but the mother who got rid of the anxiety and pain, thanked
Baba for the safe delivery and ever remained grateful to Him.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace to be all
Back to Index
Sri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXV
T ested And Never Found Wanting
Kaka Mahajani's Friend and Master - Bandra
Insomnia Case - Bala Patil Newaskar.
This Chapter also continues the subject of the
importance of the Udi; it also gives two cases in which Baba was
tested and not found wanting. These cases will be taken up first.
Preliminary
I n spiritual matters or endeavours,
sectarianism is the greatest bar to our progress. Those, who
believe the God is without form, are heard saying that to believe
the God is with the form is an illusion and that the Saints are
only human beings. Then why should they bend their heads before
them and offer Dakshina? Persons belonging to other sects will
also raise objections and say, "Why should they bow and offer
allegiance to other Saints, leaving their Sadgurus?" Similar
objections regarding Sai Baba were heard before and are heard even
now. Some said that when they went to Shirdi, Baba asked for
Dakshina from them. Is it good that Saints should collect money in
this fashion? If they do so, where is their Sainthood? But there
are many instances where men went to Shirdi to scoff; but remained
there to pray. Two such instances are given below.
Kaka Mahajani's Friend
A friend of Kaka Mahajani was a worshipper
of God without form and was averse to idolatry. Out of curiosity
he agreed to go to Shirdi with Kaka Mahajani on two conditions,
viz., (1) that he would neither bow to Baba, (2) nor pay Him any
Dakshina. Kaka agreed to these conditions and they both left
Bombay on a Saturday night and reached Shirdi the next morning. As
soon as they put their feet on the steps of the Masjid, Baba,
looking at the friend from a little distance, addressed him in
sweet words as follows, "Oh, welcome sir". The tone that uttered
these words was a very peculiar one. It exactly resembled the tone
of the friend's father. It reminded him of his departed father and
sent a thrill of joy through his body. What an enchanting power
the tone had! Being surprised the friend said, "This is no doubt
the voice of my father". Then he at once up and, forgetting his
resolution, placed his head upon Baba's Feet.
Then Baba asked for Dakshina twice, once in the
morning and again at noon at the time of their taking leave; but
He asked it from Kaka only and not from the friend. The latter
whispered to Kaka, "Baba asked for Dakshina from you twice. I am
with you, why does He omit me?" You ask Baba Himself" was Kaka's
reply. Baba asked Kaka what his friend was whispering, then the
friend asked Baba himself whether he should pay any Dakshina. Baba
replied, "You had no mind to pay, so you were not asked; but if
you want to pay now you may." Then the friend paid Rs.17 as
Dakshina, the same amount that Kaka paid. Baba then addressed him
a few words of advice, "You do away, destroy the Teli's wall
(sense of difference) between us, so that we can see and meet each
other face to face". Then Baba allowed them to depart. Thought the
weather was cloudy and threatening, Baba assured them of their
safe journey and both of them reached Bombay safely. When he
reached home and opened the door and windows of his house, he
found two sparrows fallen dead on the ground and one just flying
out through a window. He thought that if he had left the windows
open, two sparrows would have been saved, but thought again, that
they had met their lot and that Baba had sent him back soon just
to save the third sparrow.
Kaka Mahajani's Master
K aka was the Manager in the firm of Thakkar
Dharmasey Jethabhai, a solicitor of Bombay. Both the Master and
the Manager were on intimate terms. Mr. Thakkar knew that Kaka was
often going to Shirdi, staying there for some days and returning,
when Baba permitted him. Out of curiosity and just to test Baba,
Mr. Thakkar decided to go to Shirdi with Kaka during Shimga
holidays. As Kaka's return was uncertain, he took another man with
him as an associate. The three started together and Kaka bought
two seers of raisins (dried grapes with seed) on the way for
presentation to Baba. They reached Shirdi in due time, and went to
the Masjid for darshan. Then Babasaheb Tarkhad was there, Mr.
Thakkar asked him why he came there. "For darshan", Tarkhad
replied. Mr. Thakkar asked if miracles took place there. Tarkhad
replied that it (to see miracles) was not his attitude, but the
earnest intentions of the Bhaktas were satisfied here. Then Kaka
prostrated himself before Baba and offered the raisins to Him.
Baba ordered them to be distributed. Mr. Thakkar got a few of
them. He did not like the raisins and he was advised by his doctor
not to eat them without washing and cleaning them. So he was in a
fix. He did not like to eat them, nor could he reject them. To
keep up formalities, he put them into his mouth, but did not know
what to do with the seeds. He could not spit them out on the floor
of the Masjid, so he pocketed them against his wish. He then said
in his mind that if Baba was a Saint, how could He be ignorant of
his dislike for the raisins and could He force them on him. When
this thought arose in his mind Baba again gave him some more
raisins. He could not eat them, but held them in his hand. Then
Baba asked him to eat them up. He obeyed and found, to his
surprise, that they were all seedless. He wanted to see miracles
and here was one. He knew that Baba read his thought; and as per
his wish converted raisins (with seeds) into seedless grapes. What
a wonderful power! Again to test further he asked Tarkhad, who was
sitting by and who also got some raisins, "What kind of grapes you
got?" He replied "They variety with seeds." Mr. Thakkar was still
more surprised to hear this. Then to confirm his growing faith
Thakkar thought in his mind that if Baba was a real Saint, the
raisins should be now given to Kaka first. Reading this thought
also, Baba ordered that distribution should be commenced from
Kaka. These proofs were sufficient for Thakkar.
Then Shama introduced Mr. Thakkar as the master of
Kaka, upon which Baba said, "How could he be his master? He has
got a different Master altogether". Kaka appreciated this reply.
Forgetting his resolve, Thakkar saluted Baba and returned to the
Wada.
After the noon-Arati was over, they all went to
the Masjid for taking Baba's leave for their departure. Sharma
spoke for them. Baba then spoke as follows.
"There was a fickle-minded gentleman. He had
health and wealth and was free from both physical and mental
afflictions, but he took on him needless anxieties and burdens and
wandered hither and thither, thus losing his peace of mind.
Sometimes he dropped the burdens and at other times carried them
again. His mind knew no steadiness. Seeing his state, I took pity
on him and said, "Now please keep your faith on any one place
(point) you like, why roam like this? Stick quietly to one place.
Thakkar at once came to know that, that was an
exact description of himself. He wished that Kaka should also
return with him but no one expected that Kaka would be allowed to
leave Shirdi so soon. Baba read also this thought to his and
permitted Kaka to return with his master. Thakkar got one more
proof of Baba's capacity to read another's mind.
Then Baba asked Kaka for Rs. 15/- as Dakshina and
received it. To Kaka He said, "If I take one rupee as Dakshina
from anybody I have to return it tenfold to him. I never take
anything gratis. I never ask any one indiscriminately. I only ask
and take from him whom the Fakir (My Guru) points out. If any one
is indebted formerly to the Fakir money is received from him. The
donor gives, i.e. sows his seeds, only to reap a rich harvest in
future. Wealth should be the means to work out Dharma. If it is
used for personal enjoyment, it is wasted. Unless you have given
it before, you do not get it now. So the best way to receive is to
give. The giving of Dakshina advances Vairagya (Non-attachment)
and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. Give one and receive tenfold".
On hearing these words Mr. Thakkar himself gave
Rs.15/- in Baba's hand, forgetting his resolve not to do so. He
thought he did well in coming to Shirdi as all his doubts were
solved and he learnt so much.
Baba's skill in handling such cases was unique.
Though He did all those things He was totally non-attached to
them. Whether anybody saluted Him or not, or whether anybody gave
Him Dakshina or not, it was the same to Him. None He disrespected.
He felt no pleasure because He was worshipped and no pain because
He was disregarded. He transcended the pairs of opposites, viz.
pleasure and pain, etc.
Insomnia Case
A Kayastha Prabhu gentleman of Bandra
suffered from Insomnia for long. As soon as he laid himself down
for sleep, his departed father appeared to him in his dream, and
abused and scolded him severely. This broke his sleep and made him
restless the whole night. Every night this went on and the man did
not know what to do. One day he consulted a devotee of Baba in
this respect. He recommended the Udi as the only infallible remedy
he knew. He gave him some Udi and asked him to apply a little of
it to his forehead before going to bed and keep the Udi-packet
under the pillow. He tried this remedy and found, to his great
surprise and joy, that he got sound sleep and that there was no
disturbance of any kind. He continued the remedy and always
remembered Sai. Then he got a picture of Sai Baba which he hung on
the wall near his pillow and started worshipping it daily and on
Thursdays, offering garland, naivedya etc. Then he got on well and
forgot altogether his past trouble.
Balaji Patil Newaskar
T his man was a great devotee of Baba. He
rendered most excellent and disinterested service. Every day he
swept and kept clean all the passages and streets in Shirdi
through which Baba passed in His daily routine. This work was,
after him, equally well-done by another female devotee named
Rahda-Krishna-Mai, and after her by Abdoola. When Balaji reaped
his corn every year, he brought the whole quantity and presented
it to Baba. He returned with what Baba gave him and maintained
himself and his family with it. This course was followed by him
for many years and after him by his son.
Power and Efficacy of Udi
O nce it happened that at Balaji's death
anniversary day, a certain number of guests were invited and the
dinner was prepared for them. But at the dinner-time it was found
that thrice the number of people invited had turned up. Mrs.
Newaskar was in a fix. She thought that the food would not suffice
for the people assembled and that if it fell short, the honour of
the family would be at stake. Her mother-in-law comforted her by
saying, "Don't be afraid, it is not ours, but Sai's food; cover
every vessel with cloth, putting some Udi in it, and serve from
the same without opening it : Sai will save us from ignominy." She
did as she was advised and it was found to their surprise and joy
that not only did the food suffice for all, but plenty of it
remained after serving. "As one feels intently, so he realizes
accordingly" was proved in this case.
Sai Appearing as Serpent
O nce Raghu Patil of Shirdi went to Balaji
Patil at Newase. That evening he found that a serpent entered the
cowshed hissing. All the cattle were afraid and began to move. The
immates of the house were frightened, but Balaji thought that it
was Sai Who appreared in his house as a serpent. Without being
afraid in the least he brought a cup of milk and placing it before
the serpent said, "Baba, why do you miss and make noise? Do you
want to frighten us? Take this cup of milk and drink it with a
calm mind". Saying this, he sat close by unperturbed. The other
members were frightened and did not know what to do. In a short
time the serpent disappeared. Nobody knew where it went. It was
not found though a search was made in the cowshed.
Balaji had two wives and some children. They
sometimes went to Shirdi from Newase for taking Baba's darshana.
Then Baba bought saris and other clothes which were given to them
with His blessings.
Bow to Shri Sai - peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXVI
W onderful Stories of
(1) Two Goa Gentleman - (2) Mrs. Aurangabadkar.
This Chapter relates the wonderful stories of two
gentlemen from Goa and Mrs. Aurangabadkar of Sholapur.
Two Gentlemen
O nce two gentlemen came from Goa for taking
darshan of Sai Baba, and prostrated themselves before him. Though
both came together, Baba asked only one them to give Him Rs.15/-
as Dakshina which was paid willingly. The other man voluntarily
offered Rs. 35/-. This sum was rejected by Baba to the
astonishment of all. Shama, who was present, asked Baba, "What is
this? Both came together, one's Dakshina you accept, the other,
though voluntarly paid, you refuse. Why this distinction? Baba
replied, "Shama, you know nothing. I take nothing from anybody.
The Masjidmayi (The presiding Deity of the Masjid) calls for the
debt, the donor pays it and becomes free. Have I any home,
property or family to look after? I require nothing. I am ever
free. Debt, enmity and murder have to be atoned for, there is not
escape". Baba then continued in His characteristic way as
follows:-
As first he was poor and took a vow to his God
that he would pay his first month's salary if he got an
appointment. He got one on Rs.15/- p.m. Then he steadily got
promotions, from Rs.15/- he got Rs. 30, 60, 100, 200 and
ultimately Rs.700/- per month. But in his prosperity he forgot
clean the vow he took. The force of his karma has driven him here
and I asked that amount (Rs.15/-) from him as Dakshina.
Another story, While wandering by the sea-side I
came to a huge mansion and sat on its verandah. The owner gave me
a good reception and fed me sumptuously. He showed me a neat and
clean place near a cupboard for sleeping. I slept there. While I
was sound asleep, the man removed a literite slab and broke the
wall entered in and scissored off all the money from my pocket.
When I woke up, I found that Rs.30,000/- were stolen. I was
greatly distressed and sat weeping and moaning. The money was in
currency notes and I thought that the Brahmin had stolen it. I
lost all interest in food and drink and sat for a fortnight on the
verandah, bemoaning my loss. After the fortnight was over, a
passing fakir saw me crying, and made enquiries regarding the
cause of my sorrow. I told him everything. He said, "If you act
according to my bidding, you will recover your money; go to a
fakir, I shall give his whereabouts, surrender yourself to him, he
will get back your money; in the meanwhile give up your favourite
food till you recover your money." I followed the fakir's advice
and got my money. Then I left the Wada and went to the sea-shore.
There was a steamer, but I could not get into it as it was
crowded. There a good-natured peon interceded for me and I got in
luckily. That brought me to another shore, where I caught a train
and came to the Masjidmayi.
The story finished and Baba asked Shama to take
the guests and arrange for their feeding. Then Shama took them
home and fed them. At dinner, Shama said to the guests that Baba's
story was rather mysterious, as He had never gone to the sea-side,
never had any money (Rs.30,000/-), never travelled, never lost any
money and never recovered it, and enquired whether they understood
it and caught its significance. The guests were deeply moved and
were shedding tears. In a choking voice they said that Baba was
omniscient, infinite, the One (Para Brahma) without a second. The
story He gave out is exactly our story, What He spoke has already
taken place in our case. How He knew this, is a wonder of wonders!
We shall give all the details after the meals.
Then after the meals while they were chewing
betel-leaves,the guests began to tell their stories. One of them
said:-
"A hill-station on the ghats is my native place. I
went to Goa to earn my living by securing a job. I took a vow to
God Datta that if I got any service, I would offer Him my first
month's salary. By His grace I got an appointment of Rs.15/- and
then I got promotions as described by Baba. I did forget all about
my vow. Baba has just reminded me of it in this way and recovered
Rs. 15/- from me. It is not Dakshina as one may think it to be,
but a repayment of an old debt and fulfillment of long forgotten
vow".
Moral
B aba never, in fact, actually begged any
money, nor allowed His Bhaktas to beg. He regarded money as a
danger or bar to spiritual progress and did not allow His Bhaktas
to fall into its clutches. Bhagat Mhalsapati, is an instance on
tis point. He was very poor and could hardly make both ends meet.
Baba never allowed him to make any money, nor gave him anything
from the Dakshina amount. Once a kind and liberal merchant named
Hansaraj gave a large amount of money to Mhalsapati in Baba's
presence, but Baba did not allow him to accept it.
Then the second guest began his tale. "My Brahmin
(cook) was serving me faithfully for 35 years. Unfortunately he
fell into bad ways, his mind changed and he robbed me of my
treasure. By removing a laterite slab from my wall where my
cup-board is fixed, he came in while we were all asleep and
carried away all my accumulated wealth, Rs. 30,000/- in currency
notes. I know not how Baba mentioned the exact amount. I sat
crying day and night. My enquiries came to nothing. I spent a
fortnight in great anxiety. As I sat on the verandah, sad and
dejected, a passing fakir noted my condition and enquired of its
cause, and I told him all about it. He told me that an Avalia by
name Sai lives in Shirdi, Kopergaon Taluka. Make vow to Him and
give up any food that you like best and say to Him mentally that
'I have given up eating that food till I take your darshan'. Then
I took the vow and gave up eating rice and s0aid, "Baba, I will
eat it after recovering my property and after taking your
darshan".
Fifteen days passed after this. The Brahmin, of
his own accord, came to me, returned my money and apologized,
saying, "I went mad and acted thus; I now place my head on your
feet, please forgive me". Thus everything ended well. The fakir
that met me and helped me, was not seen again. An intensive desire
to see Sai Baba, whom the fakir pointed out to me, arose in my
mind. I thought that the fakir who came all the way to my house
was no other than Sai Baba. Would He, who saw me and helped me to
get my lost money ever covet to get Rs.35/-? On the contrary
without expecting anything from us, He always tries His best to
lead us on the path of spiritual progress.
I was overjoyed when I recovered my stolen
property and being infatuated, I forgot all about my vow. Then
when I was at Colaba, one night I saw Sai Baba in my dream. This
reminded me of my promised visit to Shirdi. I went to Goa and from
there wanted to start for Shirdi, by taking a steamer to Bombay,
en route. But when I came to the harbour, I found that the steamer
was crowded and there was no place. The captain did not allow me,
but on the intercession of a peon, who was stranger to me, I was
allowed to get into the steamer which brought me to Bombay. From
there, I got in the train and came here. Surely I think that Baba
is all-pervading and all-knowing. What are we and where is our
home? How great our good fortune that Baba got back our money and
drew us here to Himself? You Shirdi folk must be infinitely
superior and more fortunate than we; for Baba has played, laughed,
talked and lived with you for so many years. I think that your
store of good merits must be infinite, for it attracted Baba into
Shirdi. Sai is our Datta. He ordered the vow. He gave me a seat in
the steamer and brought me here and thus gave proof of His
omniscience and omnipotence".
Mrs. Aurangabadkar
A lady from Sholapur, wife of Sakharam
Aurangabadkar had no issue during the long period of 27 years. She
had made a number of vows of Gods and Goddesses for an issue, but
was not successful. She then became almost hopeless. To make a
last attempt in this matter, she came to Shirdi with her step-son
Vishwanath and stayed there for two months, serving Baba. Whenever
she went to the Masjid, she found it full and Baba surrounded by
devotees. She wanted to see Baba alone, fall at His feet and open
her heart and pray for an issue, but she got no suitable
opportunity. Ultimately she requested Shama to intercede with Baba
for her when He was alone. Shama said to her that Baba's Darbar
was open, still he would try for her and that the Lord might bless
her. He asked her to sit ready with a cocoa-nut and joss-sticks on
the open courtyard at the time of Baba's meals and that when he
beckoned to her, she should come up. One day after dinner, Shama
was rubbing Baba's wet hands with a towel when the latter pinched
Shama's cheek. Shama feigning anger said, "Deva, is it proper for
you to pinch me like this? We don't want such a mischievous God
who pinches us thus. Are we Your dependents, is this the fruit of
our intimacy?" Baba replied, "Oh Shama, during the 72 generations
that you were with me, I never pinched you till now and now you
resent my touching you". Shama, "We want a God that will give us
ever kisses and sweets to eat; we do not want any respect from
You, or heaven, balloon etc. Let our faith unto Your Feet be ever
wide-awake". Baba, "Yes, I have indeed come for that. I have been
feeding and nursing you and have got love and affection for you".
Then Baba went up and took his seat. Shama
beckoned to the lady. She came up, bowed and presented the
cocoa-nut and joss-sticks. Baba shook the cocoa-nut which was dry.
The Kernal within rolled and made a noise. Baba said, "Shama, this
is rolling, see what it says". Shama, "The woman prays that a
child might be similarly rolling and quickening in the womb. So
give her the cocoa-nut with Your blessings".
Baba, "Will the coconut give her any issue? How
people are foolish and fancy such things!"
Shama, "I know the power of Your word and
blessing. Your word will give her a string or series of children.
You are wrangling and not giving real blessing".
The parley went on for a while. Baba repeatedly
ordering to break the coconut and Shama pleading for the gift of
the unbroken fruit to the lady. Finally Baba yielded and said,
"She will have an issue". "When?" asked Shama. "In 12 months" was
the reply. The cocoa-nut was therefore broken into two part, one
was eaten by the two, the other was given to the lady.
The Shama turned up to the lady and said, "Dear
madam, you are a witness to my words. If within 12 months you do
not get any issue, I will break a cocoa-nut against this Deva's
head and drive him out of this Masjid. If I fail in this, I will
not call myself Madhav. You will soon realize what I say".
She delivered a son in one year's time and the son
was brought to Baba in his fifth month. Both husband and wife,
prostrated themselves before Baba and the grateful father (Mr.
Aurangabadkar) paid a sum of Rs.500/- which was spent in
constructing a shed for Baba's house "Shyamakarna".
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XXXVII
Chavadi Procession
I n this chapter Hemadpant after making some
preliminary observations on some points of Vedanta, describes the
Chavadi procession.
Preliminary
B lessed is Sai's life, blessed is His daily
routine. His ways and actions are indescribable. Sometimes He was
intoxicated with Brahmanand (divine joy), and at other times
content with Self knowledge. Doing so many things sometimes, He
was unconcerned with them. Though He seemed at times quite
actionless (doing nothing) He was not idle or dozing; He always
abided in His own Self. Though He looked calm and quiet as the
placid sea, He was deep and unfathomable. Who can describe His
ineffable nature? He regarded men as brothers, women as sisters
and mothers. He was a perfect and perpetual celibate as everybody
knows. May the understanding (knowledge), we got in His company,
last long unto death. Let us ever serve Him with whole-hearted
devotion to His feet. Let us see Him (God) in all beings and let
us ever love His name.
Hemadpant, after making some lengthy dissertations
on some topics of Vedanta, which he himself considers as a
digression, goes on to describe the Chavadi procession.
Chavadi Procession
B aba's dormitory has been already
described. One day He slept in the Masjid and on the next, in the
Chavadi (a small building containing a room or two near the
Masjid). This alternate sleeping in both these buildings went on
till Baba's Mahasamadhi. From 10th December 1909 devotees began to
offer regular worship to Baba in the Chavadi. This we will now
describe with His grace. When the turn of retiring to the Chavadi
came, people flocked to the Masjid and made bhajan in the mandap
(courtyard) for a few hours. Behind them was a beautiful Ratha
(small car), to the right a Tulsi-vrindavan and in front Baba, and
between these the devotees fond of bhajan. Men and women who had a
liking for the bhajan came in time. Some took Tal, Chiplis and
Kartal, Mridang, Khanjiri and Ghol (all musical instruments) in
their hands and conducted the bhajan. Sai Baba was the Magnet Who
drew all the devotees to Him there. Outside in the open, some
trimmed their divatyas, (torches), some decorated the palanquin,
some stood with cane-sticks in their hands and uttered cries of
victory to Baba. The corner was decorated with buntings. Round
about the Masjid, rows of burning lamps shed their light. Baba's
horse 'Shyamakarna' stood fully decorated outside. Then Tatya
Patil came with a party of men to Baba and asked Him to be ready.
Baba sat quiet in his place till Tatya came and helped Him to get
up by putting his arm under Baba's arm-pit. Tatya called Baba by
the name of Mama. Really their relationship was extremely
intimate. Baba wore on his body the usual kafni, took His satka
(short stick) under His arm-pit and after taking His chilim
(tobacco-pipe) and tobacco and placing a cloth over His shoulder
became ready to start. Then Tatya threw a golden-embroidered
beautiful Shela (Shawl) over His body. After this Baba, moving a
little the bundle of fuel-sticks lying behind with His right toe
and then extinguishing the burning lamp with His right hand,
started for the Chavadi. Then all sorts of muscial instruments,
tashe, band and horns and mridang, gave out their different
sounds; and fire-works exhibited their different and various
coloured views. Men and women singing Baba's name started walking,
making bhajan to the accompaniment of mridang and veena. Some
danced with joy and some carried various flags and standards. The
Bhaldars announced Baba's name when He came on the steps of the
Masjid. On the two sides of Baba stood persons, who held chavaris
and others who fanned Baba. On the way were spread folds of cloth
on which Baba walked on, being supported by devotees' hands.
Tatyaba held the left hand and Mhalasapati the right and Bapusaheb
Jog held the chhatra (umbrella) over His head. In this fashion
Baba marched on to the Chavadi. The fully decorated red horse,
named Shyamakarna led the way and behind him were all the
carriers, waiters, musical players and the crowd of devotees.
Hari-nama (the name of the Lord) chanted to the accompaniment of
music rent the skies as also the name of Sai. In this manner the
procession reached the corner when all the persons that joined
this party seemed well-pleased and delighted.
On coming to this corner Baba stood facing the
Chavadi and shone with a peculiar lustre. It seemed, as if the
face of Baba glittered like dawn, or like the glory of the rising
sun. Baba stood there with a concentrated mind, facing the north,
as if He was calling somebody. All the instruments played their
music while Baba moved His right arm up and down for some time.
Kakasaheb Dixit at this time came forward with a silver plate
containing flowers besmeared with gulal (red powder) and threw
them on Baba's body off and on. The musical instruments played
their best at this juncture and Baba's face beamed with steady and
added radiance and beauty, and all the persons drank this lustre
to their hearts' content. Words fail to describe the scene and
splendour of this occasion. Some times Mhalasapati began to dance
being possessed or obsessed by some deity, but all were surprised
to see that Baba's concentration was not in the least disturbed.
With a lantern in his hand Tatya Patil walked on Baba's left side
and Bhagat Mhalasapati on the right, holding with his hand the hem
of Baba's garment. What a beautiful procession and what an
expression of devotion! To witness this, men and women, poor and
rich, flocked together there. Baba walked very slow. Bhaktas
followed on both sides with love and devotion. With joy pervading
the whole atmosphere of the place, the procession reached the
Chavadi. That scene and those days are gone now. Nobody can see
them now or in the future; still remembering and visualising that
scene and sight, we can bring solace and comfort to our minds.
The Chavadi was also fully decorated with a good
white ceiling, mirrors and many sorts of lamps. On reaching it
Tatya went ahead and spread an asan and placing a bolster made
Baba sit there and made Him wear good angaraksha (coat). Then the
devotees worshipped Him in various ways. They put on His head a
mugut (crown) with a tuft above, placed garlands of flowers and
jewels round His neck and marking His forehead with musk-mixed
vertical lines and a dot (as Vaishnava devotees do) they started
at Him for long to their hearts' content. They changed His
head-dress now and then and held it aloft on the head, fearing
that Baba might throw it away. Baba knew the heart of them all and
meekly submitted to all their methods without objection. With
these decorations He looked wonderfully beautiful.
Nanasaheb Nimonkar held the Chhatra (umbrella)
with its beautiful pendants which moved in a circle with its
supporting stick. Bapusaheb Jog washed the feet of Baba in a
silver dish and offered 'arghya' and worship with due formalities,
then besmeared His arms with sandal paste, and offered tambul
(betel-leaves). Baba sat on the asan (gadi), while Tatya and
others kept standing and falling at His feet. When Baba sat on the
gadi supporting Himself against the bolster, devotees on both
sides waved chamars and fans. Shama then prepared the chillim and
handed it over to Tatyaba who drew a flame out of it by his breath
and then gave it to Baba. After Baba had His smoke, it was given
to Bhagat Mhalasapati and then it was passed round to all. Blessed
was the inanimate chillim. It had first to undergo many ordeals of
penance, such as being treated by pot-makers, dried in the open
sun and burnt in fire and then it had the good fortune to get the
contact of Baba's hand and His kiss. After this function was over,
devotees put garlands of flowers on His neck and gave Him
nose-gays and bunches of flowers for smelling. Baba who was
dispassion or non-attachment incarnate, cared a fig for all these
necklaces of jewels, and garlands of flowers and other
decorations; but out of real love to His devotees, He allowed them
to have their own way and to please themselves. Finally Bapusaheb
Jog waved the arati over Baba, observing all formalities, the
musical instruments playing thier auspicious tunes. When this
arati was over, the devotees returned home one by one saluting
Baba and taking His leave. When Tatya Patil, after offering
chillim, attar (scent) and rose-water, rose to depart, Baba said
to him lovingly - "Guard Me, go if you like, but return
sometimes at night and enquire after Me." Replying in the
affirmative Tatyaba left the Chhavadi and went home. Then Baba
Himself prepared His bed. He arranged 50 or 60 white chadders one
upon another and thus making His bed, went to rest.
We shall also now take rest and close this chapter
with a request to the readers that they should remember Sai Baba
and His Chavadi procession daily before they retire and go to bed.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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