Shirdi Sai Satcharitra Chapter 7 - English Audiobook
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This chapter covers the following:
The Wonderful Incarnation
Sai Baba’s Behavior
His Yogic Practices
His All-pervasiveness
The Leper Devotee’s Service
Master Khaparde’s Plague
And Going to Pandharpur
The Wonderful Incarnation
Sai Baba knew every Yogic practice possible. He was well-versed in six processes which included Dhauti (Stomach-cleaning by a moistened piece of linen 3″ in breadth and 22 1/2″ in length), Khandayoga (separating His limbs and joining them again) and Samadhi. If you thought that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Muslim. If you thought He looked like a Muslim, He appeared to be a pious Hindu. No one really knew whether He was a Hindu or a Muslim. He celebrated the Hindu festival of Rama-Navami with all due formalities and at the same time permitted the Sandal procession of the Muslims. He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival and gave good prizes to winners. When it was time for the Gokul Ashtami, He got the Gopal-Kala ceremony duly performed. And during the Eid festival, He allowed Muslims to say their prayers in His Masjid. Once, during the Moharum festival, a few Muslims proposed constructing a Tajiya or Tabut in the Masjid, keeping it there for a few days and afterwards taking it in procession through the village. Sai Baba allowed keeping the Tabut for four days and on the fifth day had it removed without the least compunction. If we were to say that He was a Muslim, His ears were pierced according to the Hindu custom at that time; If you think He was a Hindu, He advocated the practice of circumcision (though according to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who observed Him closely, Baba was not circumcised). If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid; If Muslim, He always had the Dhuni (sacred fire) burning there. He also allowed the following things which are contrary to Muslim religion− blowing of the conch, ringing of bells, oblation to the fire, Bhajan and worship of Baba’s Feet with water. If you think that He was a Muslim, the best of Brahmins, forgetting their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His Feet. Those who went to find out about his origins were dumbfounded and were captured by his darshana. Thus, no one could discern whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Muslim. This is not surprising, for he who completely surrenders himself to the Lord and gets rid of his egoism and body-consciousness, thus becomes one with Him. Therefore, he has nothing to do with any question of religion. Sai Baba was such a being and saw no difference between religions or between beings. He ate meat and fish with Fakirs, but did not grumble when dogs tried to eat from his dish.
Sai Baba was such a unique and wonderful incarnation; On account of the merits in my past birth, I had the good fortune to sit at His Feet and enjoy His divine company. The joy and delight I derived therefrom was incomparable. In fact, Sai Baba was pure divine bliss and Consciousness. I cannot sufficiently describe His greatness and uniqueness. He who took delight at Baba’s Feet was established in His own self. Many Sanyasis, Sadhakas and all sorts of men aspiring for salvation came to Sai Baba. He always walked, talked and laughed with them and always said the words, “Allah Malik” (God is the sole owner). He never liked discussion or arguments. He was always calm and controlled; though irritable at times, he always preached the Vedanta and nobody knew till the end Who Baba was. Princes and poor people were treated alike by Him. He knew everyone’s deepest secrets and when He gave expression to them, everyone was surprised. He was the repository of all knowledge and yet He feigned ignorance. He also disliked honor. Such were the characteristics of Sai Baba. Though He had a human body, His deeds testified to His divine nature. Everyone considered Him the Lord God in Shirdi.
Sai Baba’s Behaviour
The fool that I am, I cannot describe Baba’s miracles; He got almost all the temples in Shirdi repaired; Through Tatya Patil, the temples of Shani, Ganapati, Shankar-Parvati, the Village Deity and Maruti were put in order. His charity was also remarkable. The money He used to collect as Dakshina was distributed freely; 20 rupees to some and 15 or even 50 to others every day...........
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
