“Sai, What can i do in a place where i can’t have your darshan”

Every chapter i write in this book stirs wave of love towards sainath maharaj in me and i have few drops of tears covering my eyes . Sai always used to say

“Break the teli’s wall” – Break the wall between you and me so that we can see each other happily.”

Sai, now the only thing that seperates me and you are the transparent tears covering my eyes . I wish by the time i complete writing this chapter both me and the readers will wash your holy feets, the Guru paadhuka with the tears of love on you.

sairam friends,

This chapter is to help Shirdi Sai Baba devotees who are old , who are busy with work, who live abroad or in far away places in india and who has health , official or financial difficulties in going to shirdi to fulfill their desire to have darshan of Samadhi mandhir and the holy Dwarakamai. In 2010 , atleast 50,000 sai devotees come for Sai darshan every single day and the crowd increases more than 2 lakh on special occations.

Does that mean Sai is giving darshan to only those who visit shirdi ?

We all know sai is omnipresent. A saint with Astama siddhi who lives in every life, every place, every house where pure hearted sai children lives and believe me , his antarmavitva , the fact that sai lives in our own atman is proved by some sacred dreams experienced by sai devotees.

This chapter “Sai, what can i do in a place where i can’t have your darshan” is to satisfy sai devotees who are depressed and worried that they can’t go shirdi, for those who miss their local saibaba temple and those who’s family situation is such that not all in family believe in sai baba , so they can’t go shirdi .

Believe me, Sai will give you darshan if only you realize how truly he is present in your own village, town or city and in your own atman ( in your soul as conciousness ).

Cotinued from what i wrote in Shirdi in the note book :

Writing infront of Goddess Mahalakshmi :

3 :2:2009

Evening – 6.45

I am now sitting infront of Goddess Mahalakshmi devi in shirdi. Mahalakshmi temple is located just 10 minutes walk from dwarakamai . This is the temple where the statue of Ashta Lakshmi is now blessing you, the reader with all Aishwaryam – Good health, Wealth, Good career and prosperity in life. I believe Goddess Mahalakshmi as a goddess who protects her devotees than usual idea about Mahalakshmi that she blesses us with wealth.

Chanting Mahalakshmi Ashtothram for your welfare :

Mahalakshmi , Show grace on this Sai Child who is reading this holy experience . I now chant the Mahalakshmi Astothram to bless you. I looked at the eyes of Mahalakshmi , Ashta Lakshmi, Durga Devi chanting in mind Mahalakshmi Ashtothram.

Dear Sai devotee, please try to close your eyes for few seconds and imagine now you are present in the holy shirdi, in the sacred Mahalakshmi temple and her divine grace is on you. Is she present in your heart ? Yes she is . She is the mother who comes immediately to those who sing her glory with devotion.

How beautiful is Goddess Mahalakshmi today :

I was deeply engrossed in the divine grace of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Today she was sending fragrance of her blessings in a beautiful Sandal wood colour saree, a flower garland and orange border. The priest Atma Ram gave me prasad and asked if i got a good place to write book. I said ” i am going to write in Sivanesan swamiji samadhi and also i am writing where ever i go , what ever i go because i want the sai children who read this book to image that they themselves are in Shirdi. We all wish to go to holy placed but our situation wont let us travel. We simply can’t complain that Sai Baba is not calling me to Shirdi.

Sai knows your situation and when the time comes for you , you will be in Shirdi. At present feel mentally that you are already in Sai’ Kingdom while you read this Book.

Think Sai . Think Dwarakamai and you are already with Sai :

If you think you are in shirdi with pure devotion on Sai, Sai immediately pulls you into his sacred Dwarakamai even if you are miles away from Shirdi.

The reason i write this is that lakhs of people visit holy places but their mind will be in their own problems, sufferings and desires . Whats use of coming to Shirdi if our mind is not on Sai ? Thats why i request Sai devotees planning a pilgrimage to Shirdi, to chant “Sairam , Sairam, Sairam ” or any mantra they like, Do aarti, sing bhajans and do anything that makes them remember Sai and Sai alone.

Now , what i request the reader is “reverse the situation “.

Imagine that you are now in Shirdi, in late 18th century having Darshan of Sai in his holy Dwarakamai

Though you are not in Shirdi, mentally , deeply chant in mind any mantra of Sai or any simple Naam smaran like “Aum Sri Sai Ram” , Close your eyes imagining that you are living during Sai baba’s life time in late 18th century , you are now in SaiBaba’s Dwarakamai . Take the five wick lamp and do panch Aarti for Sai baba, Offer Sai what ever you like ,Jasmine garland, Roses, Garland of 108 White lotus . Simply do this imagination that “You are Now in the sacred Dwarakamai where Sai lived , moved and blessed thousands of his devotees for over 60 years in shirdi ”

Now imagine that you are sitting infront of his sacred Fire ( Dhuni ) and feel the warmth of Sai’s Light.

Let the light of Sai fill your mind and Destroy the darskness in your life

Dear Sai, we know you live in ourself as you are “Antaryami” – The one who is seated in ourself. Please bless the reader ,who is remembering you, who is missing your Shirdi Samadhi mandhir and Dwarakamai Darshan or probably who feels he is not able to spend enough time for daily pooja due to his/her work and family responsibilities.

Sai, bless this Sai child with Good health, Good career, Peace and prosperity.

Now the priest of Mahalakshmi temple Atma Ram is sitting near me asking

“Show me what you are writing ? ” and he peeped to read my Note book. Atma Ram’s eyes fell on the words

“Let the light of Sai fill your mind “.

May be this is what Sai is doing to you this moment. He knows you are reading this Book to know more about Sai or may be to fulfull your wish . What ever way you read, the light if Sai has entered in your life.

Sai has blessed you friends :

The Smoke, dirt and dust of sufferings which was hiding the light in you is now washed away. You are now able to see the light of Sai. For those who have the habit of lighting lamps , i humbly request you to light 2 lamps or atleast a candle ( if only you can’t get lamps ) and celebrate this holy moment.

Say this to Sai …Looking at Shirdi Sai baba photo in your house or Sai Statue …

“Sai, you have a form , you lived in Shirdi and now you made me realize that you live in every life and in me too. Please forgive me for my ignorance all these years and bless me to see your light.

The light of Sai is Love :

The light of Guru is not as you think a bright light as if crores of sun emits brilliant rays. May be thats the Light of God. But the Light of Guru is very easy to realize . Its not the combination of crores of Sun.

The Light of Sai is simply the love you have on your mother and the love your mother has on you.

The Sai’s Light is a combination of crores of Mother’s Love. Sai is your Guru for several past births and its your punya that in this birth we are in close connection with Sai.

Now lets see the incident which happened in Shirdi Sai baba’s life time :

Sai baba blessed Balaram Mankar to stay in Machindragad away from Shirdi and proved Sai lives not only in Shirdi :

What will a man who lost his wife and who is desireless do ? . Balaram Mankar is such a man who decided to take sanyas by devoting his life time in the holy feets of Sai Baba. He gave all the responsibilities to his son and Sai also accepted Balaram Mankar’s single minded devotion.

Balaram Mankar was serving Sai happily living in Shirdi having darshan of Sai Baba everyday and doing all works that he can. Once Sai called him and said

“You have lived in shirdi for long. Take this 12 rupees for expense. Now go to Macchindar Gad , Do penance and stay determined to achieve Happiness ”

Balaram obyed Sai baba’s commands and prostated in his holy feets . But Balaram was pained how he will be leading a life without darshan on his sweet Guru.

Balaram asked Sai baba

“What should i do in a place where i cannot have your darshan ? ”

When i am in shirdi, every single day, i get your darshan, drink your holy tirth and meditate on you day and night. But what will do when i am asked to do penance miles away from shirdi.

Later Balaram himself felt ashamed for he is doubting his Guru’s orders. So he assured Sai , that he will do go to Macchindra Gad , lead a saintly life there remembering the holy feets of Sai , every day meditate on Sai and Sai alone and live there remembering his great Guru Sainath.

Sai baba again said ” Do not doubt my words. Go to Machindra Gad immediately and practice meditation thrice a day and after sometime you will have heavenly bliss”

Balaram departed to Machindra Gad and stated his simple saintly life there everyday remembering Sai . He did meditation on Sai thrice everyday.

Once while doing meditation deeply remember Sainath, Balaram saw Sai Baba right infront of him. He was surprised as he was not in samadhi state and was about to wake up from meditation.

Balaram immediately asked “Sai , why did you send me here ?”

Sai baba told Balaram , ” While you were in shirdi, many ideas and waves of thoughts emerged in you. 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 it.

Now you see and determine for yourself whether the person you see here is the same as you saw in shirdi.

It is for this reason that i sent you here ”

Balaram realized the truth that Sai is not only in Shirdi and its not necessary for a Sai devotee to worry that they are not able to go to shirdi or have darshan in Shirdi.

Friends, Hope you realized the reason i wrote this chapter.

Sai will surely call you to Shirdi or when you miss your daily pooja sai will bless you with time to show devotion etc but at times when you are really in pain , try remember Sai deeply in yourself, in your own town and your own pooja place in house or the most sacred place – in your self – “Your Atman” Where Sai lives as he is your Antaryami.

“Sai lives in the walls of your heart. Close your eyes and see the Sai in you”

A small incident which happened to my Sai friend who came all the way from U.S with her husband and children with a desire to go shirdi and who’s inlaws who were not Sai devotees cancelled her shirdi trip was worried how Sai baba din’t blessed her with a desire to go Shirdi.

This made me and all my sai friends worry a lot and we continued to pray Sai must fulfill her desire to go Shirdi before she leaves India.

At times it seems Sai Baba is not helping us but may be its his way of telling the world what he really is . He is verily in you. His Shirdi is your body and his dwarakamai your Soul.

Readers after this chapter close your eyes for few minutes and chant surrendring your body, mind and soul in the holy feets of Sai baba.

Sairam….Sairam…Sairam…

Chant atleast for few seconds

Sai….Sai…Sai..

Saaayeee Raaaam….Saaayeee ..Saaayeee..Saaayeeeeee

You will realize the Sai who lived in Shirdi with a human body is in the form of light in you and every life in this universe. Today you have lit the lamp of love on Sai.

Now wash the holy feets of Sadhguru with tears of devotion. If you are a sai devotee like me , as ordinary as me , as emotional as me, then surely you will shed tears .

Can you shed tears if Shirdi is some miles away and if Sai lives only in Shirdi.

When i am in coimbatore, Coimbatore is my Shirdi,

If you are in New York, New york is your Shirdi.

All thats required is 2 minutes.

Close your eyes, Chant his holy name and See the Sai in you.

With tears of Love and Affection on Sai Datta.

Venkat

Next Chapter

Chapter 11 –

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Saibaba takes birth when you realize Sai’s love on you

A holy river called SAI :

Imagination with devotion can take you any where. People have many different stories about birth of sai baba , some even has proofs and some has just faith and some stories of saibaba’s birth are made for selfish reasons by false gurus. Let us be clear about this. When Sai lived , he never showed interest in revealing his place of birth , parents and childhood. Today if you deeply meditate and ask sai in your mind about his past , the answer will be ” It doesn’t matter ”

A saints life is like a river nourishing the lives of all who comes across him in his journey towards samadhi. The origin of river ( saint ) is not important. we have to humbly accept Sai from the time sai was seen sitting under the neem tree in shirdi as a young lad instead of doing research about his birth and parents. Every incident in saibaba’s life time is a Gem of Knowledge and wisdom . If we dive deep in the ocean of Sai stories , we will surely be able to discover Gems.

Datta Incarnation – A fakir who became a Samartha Sadguru :

I whole heartedly feel the birth of Sai is very much related to holy scriptures as Sai is a incarnation of Shree Guru Dattatreya.Datta’s first Incarnation Shree Paadha Shree Vallabha has assured that he is not restricted to one country and people from all countries will be devoted to him. Similarly to prove his assurance, Datta would have incarnated as Sai uniting people of all religions. A muslim fakir who lives in masjid gave darshan to a Lord Rama devotee as Ram, to a shiva devotee as shiva swaropa and Hanuman bhakta as Maruti.How beautiful is this Incarnation of Sai.

May be Sai is a ordinary person who became a sadguru after self realization. All we know is the love of Sai for his devotees, let him be a incarnation of God or a Fakir who humbly calls himself as “Servant of God“.

We have got a jewel in our heart friend. Let us be happy that we are gifted in this life time to get such a caring, loving and affectionate Sadguru. It is ok to have your own belief about the birth of Sai. When i wanted to write about sai baba’s birth for this book i faced the below incident in our house.

Birth of the light under a Neem Tree :

Sai is so pure that to me he is a light, a Jyothi ,a luminance of love who’s birth itself is for our welfare and peace.

We live in a colony of more than 400 houses. In march 2009, the authorities did a project of reconstructing the sewage canal infront of all the houses. There is a Neem tree infront of our house for over three decades which i consider as Sai’s presence with us, a natural blessings as sai was first found as a young lad sitting under the Neem tree in shirdi.

Our Neem tree is close to this sewage canal near the road . so we don’t have rights to protect it and if the reconstruction of the sewage canal is done for our house , then surely the Neem tree roots will be cut , even to the extent of cutting the tree itself. My parents said theres no chance that we can request the authorities for not cutting the Neem tree and i was upset about it.

Holy bath for Lord Ganesha , Shirdi sai baba and Dattatreya :

Sai made me do a Pooja by doing holy bath for Sai Statue, Dattatreya and Lord Ganesha. After having the holy water as prasad i poured some of this in the platform infront of our house near the Neem Tree.. I had a belief that certainly sai and Lord Datta will help us save the Neem tree.

Next day morning i got a news that since our house is in the corner and we never use the sewage for all these years, we can request the authorities that we don’t need reconstruction of the same. That night while coming back from Sai baba temple, as i was around 50 meters away from our house, i had a sudden feeling as if someone is standing near the Neem Tree infront of our house.

I was shocked and looked again keenly to see no one in the darkness. I realized its just my imagination as i am worried about the Neem tree being cut any day.This probably was sai’s way of assuring me that he will safe guard the Holy Neem tree as it was my intense desire to have it for life time.

Sai’s assurance came true :

After a weeks time, i saw a old lady ( labour ) already started to dig the mud and started her work to reconstruct the sewege canal infront of our house. A aunty and another uncle joined me to talk to the old women for not digging infront of our house.
I requested her to wait for a day as my parents are out of station and we are not using the canal for years as our wastage water is used as resource for the coconut trees inside our house.

The lady agreed to my request and started her work in the near by house. Next day my father clearly told the authorities that we are not using the sewege canal for years and since our house is in the corner , we don’t need it reconstructed. By sai grace thus our Neem tree was saved. Every day the dried Neem tree leaves fall inside our compound like a blessing of Sai, Every breath we take comes from the air crossing the Neem tree, We are comforted with its shadow.

Sai, How powerful is your presence in our house. Let every sai devotee who reads this remember that if they plant the seed of good thoughts in their mind everyday, that itself will grow as a Neem Tree and you will be present in their mind and house. You will make your devotees house as your Dwarakamai.

Friend. Let us cultivate the habit of doing Naam smaran ( chanting of Gods name ) Sai Sai Sai or any holy mantra you like. This way our mind gets purified and we only think Good. The moment good thoughts arises in mind, thats the real Birth of Sai baba of shirdi in our life.

Sweet Saint who appeared meditating under the Neem Tree :

The reason i wanted to share this incident is that according to me, Sai’s story starts from the time the people of shirdi first saw him sitting as a young lad under a Neem tree which is now called as “Gurusthan”. Sai never minded the heat and cold of the village and meditated for hours sitting under the Neem Tree. So practically birth of Sai in shirdi is under the holy Neem Tree.

Sai , you are our Light, you showed us the path of light and i celebrate this chapter on behalf of the “Birth of a Light under the Neem Tree”. A light called Sai who came to destroy our darkness of ignorance and gift us with the Light of wisdom and Love.

Incidents during Sai Baba’s life time :

Friend. Now let us understand how beautifully sai has conveyed he is Datta Avatar through the following leela he did during his life time.

1.Divine Leela of Sai experienced by devotee Balwant Kohojkar :

Balwant Kohojkar went to shirdi in 1911 and Sai welcomed him with parental affection patting him on the back. He stayed there for seven days . It was Datta Jayanthi ,the sacred day when mother Anusuya gave birth to Lord Dattatreya. It was a bright evening in shirdi , Sai children in dwarakamai were having darshan of our Sai. At this time Sai suddenly holded his stomach saying ” I am having labour pain. I can’t bear it , I am about to be delivered”

By these words we understand Sai identifies himself with Anusuya , Mother of Dattatreya.

Anusuya on this holy day had sympathetic labour pain.When we deeply think about baba’s words it is clear that sai, having a loving heart of mother wanted to take the pain of his mother to himself and he himself is being born as he says ” i am about to be delivered”. Mother Anusuya and her new born Son Datta, both were represented by this leela of Sai.

Sai gives darshan as new born Datta :

The sun was about to set and the birds were flying back to their nest. Sai drove out all the people from Dwarakamai and after sometime called them back. Balwant Kohojkar was one amoung the first few devotees to enter Dwarakamai as soon as sai asked them to come inside. Balwant was surprised to see a small child instead of Baba. The child was having three faces and charming giving him darshan of infant Datta for few seconds. As soon as they realized this leela of Sai, immediately the little Datta was gone and Sai was sitting there with his kafni as if nothing happened.

The handful of devotees who saw this vivid darshan of new born Datta on the day of Datta Jayanthi firmly believed that Sai is Datta avatar. A samartha sadguru incarnation of Dattreya.

Oh Sai, how beautiful it would have been to Balwant and few devotees who saw you as a 3 faced little baby datta. How much we would like to adore you as our child, feed you and take care of you. Instead it is always you who take care of us like mother and father, give us shelter, provide us knowledge, a job , food, good relationships and all peace and protection.

Sai, atleast for one day in a year on Datta Jayanthi, let me and the readers of this book worship you and think about you as a child who needs our motherly love.

Sai always loves us but our mind is always in wordly affairs :

Sometimes i feel Sai has given so much love to me than i could ever think of giving him back. Let us have a opportunity to show our love on you Sai, Let us serve you, let us press your legs,give you holy bath , apply sandal paste to you and offer nice food and sweets as naivaidya to you. Sai, bless us today to love you like a child who needs a mothers love.

Friend. Let us now continue with other experiences i had which is worth sharing

Its one o clock in night of wednesday 11:03:2008. I feel hunger in my stomach irrespective of nice feast in friends house. My parents are coming back towards coimbatore in train and so i am all alone in home listening to the holy Mantra

“Dhigambara dhigambara shree paadha vallabha dhigambara”

Few hours back while speaking with my friend, he told me a incident which happened in hospital. It seems a women has given birth to a new born baby girl. Her mother in law made a quarrel for as its not a male child , took the baby girl and ran in the corridor of the hospital, while the childs mother was running behind her new born baby holding her stomach with tears. Her husband too was beating her without showing any sympathy to a women who has given birth to a baby just few hours back.

The moment i heard this incident, i told my friend that i wish to write about harmony among husband and wife.

Sacred kumkum for poor pregnant women in pain :

Friend, I would like to share another incident which happened in the second week of Feb 2007. My uncle Mr.Siva subramaniam was admited in a hospital due to severe back ache. So i had gone to chennai with my father to take care of him.

It was around 7 in the evening. To relax myself i walked towards the entrance of hospital. I saw 3 women running holding a pregnant lady.She was shouting in pain and other ladies were scolding her saying ” how can you do this…how can you do this to your baby ?”

The pregnant lady was taken out of the hospital and a man said ” you wait , i will get auto and come”.The old women and another 2 ladies near her were crying to her saying ” you did this to a small baby just few months old in your stomach..Its easy for you to do, if your husbands family come what will i say them”

It seems the hospital people have denied to admit them in hospital because it might involve them into police enquiry. ( it happens in india ) .I heared someone saying “In husband and wife quarrel , this pregnant lady mixed Acid in milk and drank it.” I was shocked to core and saw the lady was not able to bear the pain the acid has given all through her food canal.

Being soft at heart, i can’t bear what i see infront of my eyes . At times we come across such situations that we might think its better to keep away and watch as we can’t help it. For sai devotees, we have a powerful way of helping others even by standing at a distance. We can whole heartedly pray for them. To me, Its not enough to pray to Sai, we need to let them know that God will bless them. Immediately , I searched for saibaba’s udi in my shirt and pant pockets. I was disappointed that i din’t had sai udi with me.

I also felt if its right to give such spiritual things in this time of emergency. I realized what will happen to the baby in her stomach if the women is crying so much in pain.

By this time the auto had already come and she was taken in by her mother and relatives..I had kept some Kumkum in a paper which i got from Marundheeswarar shiva temple that morning…I tore the paper into two halve, dropped some kumkum in that paper and ran to auto..I just extended my hands to the old women and said apply this to her, she asked whats this .I said its swami Kumkum..she took it and auto left the place.

I was feeling very painful from that time .Can’t even imagine domestic problems can lead to such instant wrong decisions..Now it was worst image in my life to see the a very very poor family of 3 ladies around this pregnant women who druk acid mixing with Milk.

On thursday after i went to mylapore Sai Baba temple, i went to a hotel and then had to use the toilet.They had washed the toilet with acid and i cant even bear the smell of acid on air…I immediately felt baba wants me to pray for that lady i saw the previous day.

Friend, I don’t know her name, caste or creed, all i know is a pregnant women because of family problems with a husband who is torchuring her has taken a foolish decision and suffering and all i did was one step to make her remember Gods presence with her.

Lessons i learnt from above incident :

1. We call our present time as “Kaliyuga” because its a time when people naturally get bad desires, needs, wrong relationships and desires. Infact in january 2009, i got a dream from saint shree pada shree vallabha that kali has entered a new phase and its going to stir bad emotions and desires in all lifes. Nothing happens in this world with out the will of God. It is God who allows kali as kaala purusha has to do his duty when time comes… So when people get unwanted desires, God will protect those who trust him and follow the path of righteousness.

Harmony between husband and wife is possible only when they both lead a life of righteousness. If either one or both had unwanted disires, habits, needs, greediness or inhuman attitude, then sufferings starts.

2. There are husbands who beat women and there are some who keep quiet and do all torchure internally. Ofcourse there are wives too who hurts their husband for many personal issues, especially monetary issues.

3. There are youngsters who fall in love with someone beliving sai has helped them in meeting the person and eventually suffer in the relationship. The worst part about sai devotion is blaming sai for our own desires.

4.The world works due to desire. Only because of desire, we act. Its not wrong to have desires but since we have the supreme guidance of Sadguru, we have to first offer our desires in his holy feets. Let sai decide our life instead of us believing that sai has choosen someone on whom we get attracted.

5. When Sai asks for Dakshina he also means to say ” offer your ego, lust,greediness, pride,anger and all bad thoughts and habits to me” . Our uncontrolable desires are sometimes the reason for problems in family life.

6. Another beautiful aspect of sai is that it is not always necessary to have Udi ( holy ash of shirdi ) with us. When ever we are in trouble, we can use any edible powder , kumkum, sacred ash of any other temple instead of udi. All we have to do is to pray sai in mind to bless us with his udi powers and apply it.

Now let us see how Sai helped in harmony of Husband and wife relationship :

1. Baba is calling you urgently :

Rao Bahadur Hari Vinayak Sathe affectionately called by Baba as “Saheb” was once having a quarrel with his wife. The issue was
his father in law bought 20 acres of land near by shirdi which he wanted to see. But his father in law did not want to accompany him and placing obstacles for him to visit the land. His reason was if his relatives comes to know about the land they mind ask for a share in it. So only for sathe’s welfare his father in law asked him not to visit the land.

Sathe did not mind his father in laws request and asked him wife to go with him to see the land. Tatya patel’s cart was ordered for the visit. Mean while his father in law asked his daughter not to go with her husband. So Sathes wife declined to accompany him in the last minute.

By this time the cart has come and sathe was in extreme anger towards his wife as she disobeyed his orders. He seized the whip from the cartman and was about to beat her with the whip used to ride the horse.

To his surprise, exactly when he lifted the whip to beat his wife, Megha rushed in to the wada and said that Baba wanted to see him urgently. So he droped the whip and went with Megha towards dwarakamai.

As soon as he neared dwarakamai, Sai asked him ” What is the matter ? what happened ? ” Sathe being close to sai realized Sai knew by his omnipresence that he was about to beat his wife cruely. Sathe felt ashamed of his behaviour towards his wife. Then Baba justified sathe that his father in law and wife were right by the following words . ” Your land is there. Where is the necessity to
go and see it ?” Meaning his wife has only done good to him and sai is there to protect his land and he need not worry about visiting it.

2. Why did Saheb sell my daughter’s jewel :

Sai took care of Sathe’s family affairs all his life. Afte sathe was retired from his job, he had few financial problems.His circumstances were declining. So he sold a Jewel of his wife. When his father in law met Sai Baba in dwarakamai, Sai asked ” Why does that fool of a saheb sell my daughters jewel ? ”

Friend. From these words of sai, i felt sai doesn’t want us to take our own decisions when financial or family problems come. Let us have shradha and saburi on sai, wait for Sai’s direction and then take steps in all issues. How caring must be our Sai if he is worried when Sathe sold his wifes Jewel. Is there a saint who will worry when a devotee sold his wife’s jewel . Oh sai, when i realize your care even for little issues in your devotees life, i feel touched. When i see the photo of Sai with rays coming from his palm in my room while writing this chapter, i feel the reader also must be filled by this ray of Blessing from Sai.

Sai , you are the real jewel in our heart. You are our only treasure.
All i have is you Sai.

When ever i took a wrong step in life, you have given me failure . Though i was depressed and upset due to by set backs in career and personal life, i am happy today as you pulled me to do your work. To serve your children. Millions of Sai devotees are suffering with lots of problems in career, health, studies and family life. Let them realize that you are sitting silently in their own hearts like a jewel. Thier bad thoughts and actions are covering this jewel called “SAI”. The moment they realized that Sai will grow as a Neem tree in their heart and house if they cultivate good thoughts and actions, then that moment Sai is born in that person.

This is the real birth of Sai. The day when every single devotee has a personal experience to realize that Sai loves him and cares for him. A saint always cares for us and protects us but we also have to realize a saints love on us. The moment you realize How much Sai loves you, with tears you will experience the birth of Sai in yourself.

The saint who is born in us and lives in us :

Sai. You are born not once but every day, every minute in the hearts of your children like us. We know you love us sai. You are born in ourself and live in ourself. You are our Antaryami , the sweet saint living in the walls of our heart.

Next Chapter

Chapter 10 –  Sai , What can i do in a place where i can’t have your darshan

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Athithi Devo Bhava – Saibaba takes care of his guests in shirdi

I woke up next morning listening to the distant sound of Vishnu Sahasranamam sung in the Samadhi Mandhir of Sai baba. “Shree Guru ” Sir was sleeping down on the floor . He could hardly stretch his legs in the little matchbox room.

I was upset since i had no dream from Sai to write the book. This chapter explains how Shirdi Sai baba takes care of each and everyone who comes to shirdi like his own guests. Yes we are his children and when we go to shirdi with pure devotion, Sai has his own way of protecting and comforting us.

3 :02 : 2009 – Starting to write the book somewhere outside dwarakamai

Its 12.40 Indian standard time according to what my mobile shows. I sit some where outside Dwarakamai and listening to afternoon Aarti . Behind me is “Shree Guru ‘ Sir reading a book about Sai baba and infront of me few laborers digging the platform. We were actually sitting on the steel ladder which leads to a hotel.

As you know , it was my wish that Sai must appear in dream and clearly guide me to write this book . As a ordinary Sai devotee i am ignorant of many good aspects about sai baba and his life. My language is so poor to the extent that i write with grammer and spelling mistakes. The most important fact being i first have to know if Sai Baba approves my service of writing a book. Thats why i requested sai to appear in dream and guide me.

Sai Baba din’t appear in dream – I was upset :

This morning i woke up at 4. A.M realizing that i din’t got any dream yet. I slept again hugging a book of Sai requesting sai to guide me in a dream indicating his approval to write the book. I can also express to all Sai devotees that this book is so special to saibaba that it was written by his dream vision.

I tried to sleep again hoping to be blessed with a dream. Ha ha … I was sleeping and i know i am sleeping which means that i tried to sleep only expecting to have a dream of Sainath. How foolish i am to expect things from Saint who knows what to do and what not to.

I was deeply hurt that sai baba has not blessed me in dream. Soon i heared Kakad aarti started followed by Vishnu sahasranamam which can be heared from this little out house of size 10 feet by 5 feet where Shree Guru sir stays for rent . Finally i woke up at 7.45 A.M really upset that sai baba doesn’t want me to write a Book. Probably Sai thinks that trace of my pride that i am writing the book for Sai and ego that “I” am writing the book is there in me. I even realized Sai knows this book will be a big failure and no sai devotee will be interested in reading it or even if some one reads, they might find it too childish or showing off of my devotion.

Bucket of Sai Ganga – Bathing in Cold water :

I wanted to spread some good message about Sai baba and also generally for welfare of the world. Vow …Here comes the first lesson Sai taught me. Shree Guru sir lives in shirdi for over 20 years from 1986 .He is a simple human being and all his life he has been a pure sai servant of Saibaba. What i like about him is his simplicity. He doesn’t show off his knowledge about Sai .Takes every Sai devotee and sai leela as a surprise . These qualities makes him someone adorable.

He stays in a small out house which has a attached bath room. When ever i go he used to sleep on the chill cement floor and allow me to sleep on his cart. He says

“Athithi devo bhava – Guest is God and must be treated with love and respect “

Its a part of indian culture which is why some kings gave respect to the British authorities even when they harmed many indians.

In the small room he worships tiny statue of Sai , a Ayyapa , Mahalakshmi , Hanuman and ofcourse our sweet Lord Ganesha and my family god Murugan.

When i stay in this small 10 x 5 feet room i learnt simplicity which actually is comfort for me compared to the expensive hotels around shirdi. Even when i started to Shirdi from Mumbai, i told my friend Ashish ” I have to take bath in cold water ”

This path ( spiritual ) is not easy :

The first mug of cold water made me shiver and all i could do is to call my Sai. Baba………..Saiiiiiiiiii…Baba……saaayeeeeeeee…Yes..i was shouting, screaming and singing and experiencing the first lesson sai taught me .

“If you have to grow in spirituality don’t go behind comforts and sense objects “

No one goes to Sai seeking self realization but thats what Saints do. They bless you with materialistic benefits , hook you in the path of devotion and gradually help you lead a spiritual life and also do your responsibility for family and society.

The Sai who gave me good parents, sweet sister , sisters baby who’s close to me and wonderful sai devotees as friends can give me Hot water if he wants to. He din’t because he knows “Venkat” Came here to get what Sai wants to give him.

I told Sai as the Cold water made me shiver.

“Baba…you want to make me happy. The fear i have before i poured the first mug of cold water on my body is the fear any one has to face problems in life. Once we pour the first mug of cold water accepting it as Sai Baba’s gift for us, we get used to it.

The second…third …mugs of cold water makes us shiver but as they call it as reflex action for any sai devotee his names comes to mind ” baba…..Sai…baba….Sairammmmm” . I was really happy for this single bucket of cold water made me learn life as if its a bath in Holy Ganga river.

The reason lesson is that Sai baba wants to give everything we desire. Some times we have a habit of complaining Sai no matter what happens. Let us tell our discomfort to Sai but try to see positively the benefits of accepting what ever happens in life as Sai Baba’s way of taking us one steap ahead towards God…Towards better thoughts and habits . Sai is making you a better person.

When problems come to us we ask “Why only me Sai ? ” Why God is giving this pains only to me. I only do good to others but why God cant give me peace. While taking bath in cold water i remembered after my stay in Shirdi, i can take bath in warm water but what about Shree Guru Sir ? . He has accepted to bath in the cold water for years to come irrespective of his old age and health issues.

A Saint cannot harm you as his heart melts like wax when you totally surrender to his Holy feet :

The most important lesson from the bucket of Sai Ganga is that , Sai never goes harm to anyone. It is me who choosed to stay in Shree guru sir’s small out house leaving aside the comforts hotels can offer me. Similarly we face pains in life due to our bad actions in previous births and due to our ancestors sins.

Even when a sai devotee does mistakes , Sai only gives him another chance. So let us not misunderstand that Sai is giving us pains . Each one is blessed by Sai baba whole heartedly according to their faith and devotion. Some of us complain Sai when our prayers are not answered . Let us remember there are many good souls who continue to be devoted to Sai baba even they are not provided basic comforts.

The simple way to express is

” A saints heart is like a wax, Sai also is in pain when you face sufferings in life.”

Just that your friend or neighbour might have did some good actions in past births that they are enjoying comforts . But when you suffering being a sai devotee , remember you are in the lap of our Sai Mother and Sai himself is allowing the laws of Karma to wash away your sins.

Have shradha ( Faith ) and Saburi ( Patience ). Surely Sai will bring good health , good career and good relationships, harmony in family , profits in business and peace unlimited.

Learn in Shirdi – Apply for Life time :

Do good where ever you go. Not only in your shirdi pilgrimage.

Flash Back : Lets now move 20 years back . Shree Guru Sir told me that when he first came to shirdi in 1986 , he used to sleep in the streets and have food in Sakori by walking in afternoon a distance of 7 Kilo meters. Other times he has food in shirdi itself. Once when it was raining heavily , Shree Guru sir was shivering and standing in the corner of a street opposite to Dwarakamai . The God of Rain would have tested if there is one Good soul in Shirdi infront of the divine Saints Dwarakamai to help Shree Guru Sir.

Looking at him shivering a person who owns a Shop called him inside the shop and gave him a Cup of Tea . Shree Guru Sir says me ” I will never forget that man all my life. Even today when devotees goes to shirdi, he takes them to this shop to show his gratitude .

I would like to mention this incident for you to realize a beautiful message.

Sai Lived in Shirdi and still living in your own heart as conciousness. I have seen many good devotees of many Gods doing Anna dhan ( offering of Food ) , Give clothes to poor etc only in such pilgrime spots . Doing Good deeds in Shirdi is O.K but any temple and sacred places must be considered as a school of wisdom and we have to learn and apply it where ever we go.

Doing good deeds in Shirdi, Being Good in Shirdi, going back to home, business and being selfish , hurting others is like a student behaving Good in school but behaving rude outside the school.

Further , It is clear that every one had sufferings based on their past births bad deeds no matter where they live. Sai devotees might desire to stay in shirdi for long to make their life peaceful , Some even invest in busing a house in Shirdi but see the example of Shree Guru sir and many like him who has to face problems though they live in Shirdi for years.

Shirdi is for Sai like Kashi is for Lord Shiva :

Where ever we are , what ever we do let us only think Good and do good as per our ability. There can be hundreds of Shirdi Sai baba temple but Shirdi is to Sai like Kashi is for lord Shiva. We have to be a humble child of Sai , come here when ever we have interest and ability to face expenses. When ever you go shirdi and any pilgrimage , learn good things though little experiences and try to practice it for life time.

Om Sri Sai ram

How i wrote this chapter carrying the Note book with me :

I started to write this chapter literally sitting on a iron stair case at a hotel situated between Dwarakamai and Hanuman mandhir. In between i went to a cybercafe where i wrote few words to my sai friends. I took a walk in the Hot Sun at 3 in the afternoon towards Sivanesan swamiji Samadhi and continued to write more. My Sai friend kashyap and Anil ji gave me Tea. I Lit agarbathi in Sivanesan swamiji samadhi . The brand name of Agarbathi is “Kashi ” .

Let us now bow to Sri Sai Baba as Sai to me is Para Brahma Lord Shiva himself. Let me now chant holy “Datta Stavam” praying for Sai child reading this Book .

Sai , This moment please bless your child with good health , prosperity and peace.

After reciting this Datta Stavam written by Saint Vasudevananda Saraswati , i would like to say that you are blessed now. Feel that there’s Shirdi Sai Baba in yourself , Mentally visualize that you have now entered Dwarakamai….

Sai Baba is still living. Sai is affectionately Giving you Udi ( sacred ash ) keeping his holy palm on your head and blessing you, You have closed your eyes and can see Sai as the God of you love the most. Keep chanting Sai…Sai…Sai…

Let the name Sai vibrate in you. Where ever you go Sai follows you .

You are blessed “Silently” :

By the time you turn to next chapter , you are already in Shirdi and entered Sai baba’s holy Dwarakamai and Got Udi from his own hands. Now look into your palm. You can’t see Udi because many times Saibaba’s blessings to you have remained invisible. Now you are blessed invisibly. This is a Saint who works wonders in life of his children. “Silently”.

Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki jai

Next Chapter

Chapter 9 – Saibaba takes birth when you realize Sai’s love on you

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

First day in Shirdi – Darshan, Dwarakamai and Dream

The bus reached shirdi early in the morning . As soon as the devotees got down the bus there were 2 men repeatedly marketing to their best

” To take bath in hot water – 25 , Dormitary per day with lock and keys only 250 Rs.”

The best part is – Free drop and pick up from the main samadhi mandhir temple complex.

I walked away from business of bathing towards the temple complex. I took a turn towards the main road and realized the cold sacred air of shirdi getting into me. Sai made me shiver . Ha ha. ” I am in shirdi and walking on the land where my God, My Guru walked.”

Who ever touched the shirdi Soil , his sufferings will come to an end

Many saibaba devotees come to shirdi especially because they believe in the above assurance of sai.I bent down, took a pinch of the holy sand and applied on my forehead . I heared myself saying deeply ‘Saaayeee”.

A sai friend who lives in Shirdi – Lets call him “Shree Guru”

I have a elderly sai friend ,a saintly friend whose name i don’t want to reveal as i don’t want to disturb his simple life. So lets name him”Shree Guru” in this book. Where ever i write “Shree Guru” , it refers to my elderly sai friend who lives in shirdi for over 20 years.

He asked me to directly come in auto to his small out house a room which only has a small wooden cart, a self where he kept few divine books of saibaba and other Gods , a place to keep Sai photos and light lamps with attached toilet and bathroom. This out house also doesnt have a concrete roof and measures less than 10 by 4 feet.

Since he is in his late 50′s and can’t carry much weight this outhouse offers him best comfort as theres this attached bathroom and he don’t have to carry water. Trust me saibaba has given him a place to stay in shirdi which is smaller than varanda of many of our houses and he lives there with satisfaction with a heart to invite a guest ( me ) to his little palace.

I shall write about how hard it is to take bath in cold water in his room in next chapter. Though i reached shirdi early, he asked me to lay down few minutes and then after getting ready and his regular parayan and pooja , we started to walk towards Saibaba’s Samadhi Mandhir.

Bowing to Sun God Surya standing in the corner of Busy Shirdi road:

On the way, i noticed a shop which was closed and the shutter reads ” INTERNET – Email – 40 Rs per hour ” . I don’t have net on my mobile and have to check mails from sai devotees who come to starsai.com . Shree guru said “They started this recently, you can come later “.Probably sai wants me not to get into my Internet Maya so soon.

We had tea made by a friend of Shree Guru in his road side tea shop. The morning sun was shining , Buses, cars, autos , devotees and other people of shirdi walking here and there . The sound from the distant samadhi mandhir set the mood for the divine first day in Shirdi.I can’t stop myself from my usual habit to bow to Sun God surya Deva , Shree Guru waited on the platform untill i finished my prayer . Sometimes i also call him “Sai Surya ”

On the way from his room, there’s a very small

Darshan of Sacred Saibaba Samadhi Mandhir :

How was the Darshan ? If you go shirdi, every one asks this and the usual answer will be “Crowded” . Yes it has to be crowded because who is the saint of Shirdi. Its our Sai. Where there is Sweet , Ants go there”. Where else can the wreched and the miserable go in this entire world other than the samadhi of the greatest saint on earth.

Where else can men, women and children go other than the saint who assures them “I will be active even after my samadhi, My bones will be discussing your welfare ” .

I too had a good peaceful Darshan of saibaba in samadhi mandhir. Trust me, irrespective of crowd and other issues, if we deeply remembering Sai Sai and Sai alone leaving all our needs and desires aside, our samadhi mandhir darshan will be wonderful. Some sai devotees worry that they din’t got a good darshan or that they were not able to attend aarti in samadhi mandhir. Please remember what ever happens in Shirdi, Keep your mind active with Sai thoughts alone.

Dwarakamai in Shirdi and You :

The place where Sai Baba lived all his life in Shirdi. The holy Masjid called Dwarakamai. How can i describe its beauty. Every brick of Dwarakamai are like the cells in the body of Saibaba. The wooden Pillar in dwarakamai are his arms and legs . The Holy Dhuni – The sacred fire which was always burnt by saibaba is where i see the Soul of Saibaba. To me dwarakamai is where sai lives even today and crores of years to come. One is the dwarakamai in Shirdi and other is the Dwarakamai in the heart of Every Sai devotee. Yes there are crores of Dwarakamai moving around this world . Its in you. Deep in you.

There’s a dwarakamai, there’s a place where Sai lives in you. The only Guru who lives inside his devotee. You don’t have to come all the way to shirdi to see his sacred Dwarakamai. Close your eyes and Call him 10 minutes chanting “Sai Sai Sai” . He will show you that dwarakamai exists in you and he lives in you.

First Disappointment in Shirdi :

I shall tell you later how i was disappointed when the old 7 KG laptop i carried all the way from mumbai din’t work. It was over 8 P.M , somewhere in the shops near temple complex, i got a Note book to write .The note book i got in the shop had a photograph of Tea Cups. Hence i was inspired to write that this book is like tea made by sai himself, Tea of Sai leela.

Expecting a Dream from Saibaba to write this book :

The entire first day in shirdi went with out writing a single word for the book i wished to write. I was thinking if saibaba has approved my desire to write book because without saibaba’s assurance and approval we must not start any work.

It was 2.2.2010 , I was very tired , had a tomato oothapam in a small hotel with shree Guru. We reached his little out house . Since there was only one cart , he offered me to sleep over the cart and he himself slept down on the floor. I told him , its ok i shall sleep on the floor but he is always firm . You are my guest . If i make you sleep on floor , then Sai will be angry with me .He added

“Atithi devo bhava – Treat Guests like God ”

I took the note , Opened its first page and wrote

“Today i came shirdi and stayed in Shree Guru’s little out house. I will write this book if Sai comes in dream and Blesses me with his words and voice …. “

Next Chapter

Chapter 8 – Athithi Devo Bhava – Sai baba takes care of his guests in Shirdi

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Life of a Jobless creature :

Mumbai – January 31 2009 . Morning 6.30 A.M.
The greatest gift someone who just lost job can get is the feeling that he can sleep as long as he wants. No more hurry to run for the local trains. I woke up little late with memories about my students .

During this 8 month stay in Mumbai, i used to ask my close friend and room mate Ashish how many days should we suffer in this local trains, crowd n all mechanical life of mumbai…i wish to go somewhere else…

Ashish always replies …”its your karma ( bad deeds of previous birth )..you have to wash away your karma like other mumbaiates”…ofcourse this applies for anyone who stays any where in the world.

Yesterday when i just knew that i lost the job Ashish called me from the room….i told him that they asked me to go.when i came back to room i saw a spiritual book with a paper over which Ashish had written

” Venkat..your karma is over now .You can leave mumbai….take this as Saibaba’s decision for you and start a new life…be happy ” – Ashish.

It was saturday 31st january 2009. I had some dream as if i go to few temples of Goddess saraswathi.
i tried to remember what exactly i dreamt…soon the memories about my life as a teacher started coming….few good students, the way they express themselves. my parents feelings. some painful feeling of insulted by the owners of the institute.I started worrying about students and the first words i uttered looking at the book of saint shree paadha shree vallabha is

” Bless all of my students with out any problem.They are gold”

Everybody has problems :

I walked out with Aashish to have tea in the little shop run by a old Gujrati man who just lost his job too. The person who owns the place gave the contract to another guy to run the shop.The old man was still roaming around in the little tea shop as he had given tea on montly basis for many customers around whos payment is pending.

In the most powerful economic city of India – Mumbai, there are people who make such Payment pending deals even for Tea. Probably thats what runs my Great Nation. Theres some understanding…Some adjustment…Some friendly deals. Is there a Little tea shop in United States of America where i can keep such monthly accounts ?

I want to write this story about the tea shop owner as i want the reader to be aware that this book is not created just because i had time to write a book. Everybody has problems. I cannot go and solve others problem when i am ignorant to solve my own. Suddenly people loose job…loose money in business….or had to repay huge debt. All i have is show the way. The way to Saibaba of Shirdi. Will this Saibaba solve your problems ? Here is the answer …

Does all the flowers in Mango tree becomes a fruit ?

Once when Hamadpant was sitting in Dwarakamai , he wanted to clarify if Saibaba will really solve everyones problem and will everyone who comes to saibaba be benefitted by him ?

To this Saibaba replied ” Look at the Mango tree with lots of flowers.How beautiful it will be if all these flowers becomes fruit but do they ? . Similarly though huge crowds of devotees comes to me only very few have patience , faith and pure devotion on me with unconditional love and someday they get benefitted. ”

If you remember SAI , Sai will guard you like a eye lid guards eye :

Dear Sai friend, I hope you also show such unconditional love on shirdi saibaba no matter wha happens in life. Let him not answer our prayers or let him take time to do good to us but remember Saibaba is guarding us each and every moment .Like the very famous saibaba quote “”If you look to me , I look to you” . Similarly Saibaba also guards you and protects you and your family when ever you remember Sai Sai Sai with good thoughts, habits and total faith.

Coming back to tell the incidents which happened after i lost job…After having tea , me and my friend Ashish walked towards Hanuman Mandhir which is situated in a small road adjacent to the railway station.

The Old women who sells the orange powder, green leaves garland,udbathi and oil offering for Lord Hanuman sitting in the corner of subway has good memory. …when i went to get these offerings ..she said ” today you are late” with a smile…..i told Ashish …she doesn’t know i lost the job.I went to hanuman with the same love and happiness for he always smiles invitingly as we approach the mandhir.The first 10 rupees i spent everyday during my stay in Mumbai is to buy some flowers and other offerings.

God gave us Saints who cares even for our little emotions and desires :

Today when the women asked why i am late i did felt a bit painful which only Hanuman knew or probably he don’t because some human emotions are ignored even by Gods. Thats why God gave us the Gift of Saints . We Sai devotees are really gifted to get the greatest Saint on earth.Who cares for little emotions, Tears,smiles,cries and desires.

Every single drop of Devotion you show on him, Sai returns to you with love thats as big as the ocean.

When i boarded the train at 9.03 A.M, little did i know that i will see a poster which has a sai photo in the corner. Usually i do some chantings when ever i travel..Today i was chanting looking at Saibaba and planning few things i wish to do in future. Ofcourse i could feel holy padhukas of Saibaba in my heart while i continued to chant.

Only yesterday i was discussing with the students few hours before i was terminated that if anyone else is in my place they won’t be so calm having known that they are going to loose the job any moment. I don’t worry about it because I want to write the book i was planning for days to help Sai devotees and i will accept this setback as Saibaba’s gift.

Today i went to Andheri to drop my check n to meet my student Anant to handover his project to him, i asked him to come to Andheri Ganesha mandhir. before he came i was worshiping lord ganesha, shiva, mahalakshmi and came around dattatreya for few times…..Datta pradhishana ( coming around Statue,Temple ) is very auspicious ..

Greeting with a sweet “Sairam” :

When Anant came, we were sitting under the tree..he was saying “it would have not happened’…i said , i am going shirdi n will start to work on the book…i simply forced him to go n see all Gods n come.Most of my Students who don’t even have regular habit of worshipping also started telling “SaiRam sir” to me when ever they wanted to greet me in the class. May be its not trendy like “Hi”…Hello” “Whatz up” but its expression of love between two sai devotees that they have one Faith. One God. One Saint.

After a while Anant and me sat under the tree in the Ganesha temple . I asked him what would you like to read in a book about saibaba.In my mind i was praying all angels to guide me through him…

he said…everyone shows how sai lived, his blessings to people but i would like to know how it ended meaning what happened when saibaba took samadhi ?

Sai sparked my heart with this beautiful concept….yes…everyone starts with beginning of how Saibaba came to Shirdi but this holy book …let it start with the end..The end of sai saga in flesh and blood and the biginning of sai saga for centuries to come after he took samadhi.

A flower from Sai – blessings to write the book :

I told Anant it is a good concept to write because even i lost this job and now i am able to take time n write the sai book which means theres something beautiful in failures, pains and sufferings that it leads us towards light. The moment i thought about the events which happened during saibaba’s samadhi on the holy vijayadhasami day in the year 1918, a flower from the tree fell down between my hands in the bag. I showed him the little flower ….” see…the flower has fallen.”….Anant smiled nodding his head.

On my way back to room when i got down the Local train another student Rajeev called up and asked me not to leave Mumbai as i decided to settle down back in my hometown coimbatore. I told him am going to stay in shirdi for 10 days to write a book.He said “Sir You write about your life”

I thought about the worries my parents would have experienced when i told them i lost the Job. I want to prepare them for this day. For over a month i was telling them about situation in office. Even for loosing a job we worry so much , Imagine how close devotees of saibaba who lived in shirdi and far away places would have reacted painfully hearing the news of Saibaba’s Samadhi .

For a Saint its Samadhi – The eternal destiny from where they will live, protect and care for us forever but for ordinary human being its taken as death as they cannot touch the holy feets of sai any more, they cannot do holy bath to his feets and they cannot see the glorious powerful eyes of Saibaba.

How beautiful were those days . Oh Sai, even when i write this i have tears in my eyes .How beautiful it would have been if you were living and i came to your dwarakamai to say “Baba , I lost my Job …Now show me a way ” .How great it would be if i hear you saying “Venkat, you serve me Now” as you asked to Hamadpant to serve . Me and the friend who is reading this are not gifted to see you, touch you and listen to you but we can feel you Sai. We can Feel your presence in us, Our family and our House.

The end of Saibaba’s Life time in Shirdi :

Lets go back to october 15th 1918 – Afternoon 2.15 P.M

Imagine the pain the people in Shirdi would have felt when Saibaba had his samadhi. What did they do when they got the news ? What did they speak to each other ? What messages did saibaba conveyed through dreams to his close devotees ? Is there a way to Console a Child who lost his mother Sainath ?

We all are his children and Saibaba lives forever . When the stories of Saibaba are so sacred and lively how much these devotees would have cried when Sai took his MahaSamadhi. There could be incidents where some would have rolled themselves in Mud and cried to core…Some devotees would have hugged each other to console themseves with tears. Some would have touched the Holy feets of Sainath and asked him to Come back to life.

Sai knew we ignorant devotees might think that he is Gone forever. So is Sai still living ? We all know Saibaba is ever living infact more vibrant and active after his Samadhi. Such Sai devotees will be happy to read the below beautiful leela of shirdi saibaba related to his maha samadhi .

1.The Saint who begged for food also needs some money for his last rites and ceremony :

How sweet is my Saibaba. I write this with tears . A little ball of tear about to flow is there in the corner of my eyes.What makes me go emotional at times when i write about Sai is the greatness of our Guru. Friend, We all feel shy and embarrassed even to ask for little favour from our close friend or relatives. We have ego and other prestiege issue.

Look at our Guru Saibaba. Every Single day untill his last few days Saibaba went to 5 houses in shirdi begging alms. Sai used to ask at times with affection and at times shouting at them if they make it late to come out side and give him what they cooked.When saibaba became very sick, he assigned his close devotees to beg for alms on his behalf.

Saibaba has his samadhi on october 15th 1918. His close devotees arranged for ceremony in shirdi and there was some need of money as huge crowd gathered in shirdi. Sai knew this can be done only if all his close devotees share the money their saved.One such close bhakta of saibaba has the below experience

“Give me all the money you stored in your box “

W.Pradhan is a high court pleader who had doubts on Saibaba.. When his family members along with a group first went to Shirdi , he told his wife “Who can say, if he is really a genuine saint ? ” . Later when the party returned from shirdi and gave their experiences abour saibaba he understood that Sai really is a great Saint , went to Shirdi and continued to be his devotee forever.

On october 19th 1918 , Pradhan got a dream. Saibaba appeared and gave 3 rupees. Pradhan was feeling bad to accept the money as he felt money given in dream is not auspicious. Saibaba said ” Receive, Receive it and give me all the money you stored in your box”.

Pradhan woke up and sent all the money he stored in his Box to shirdi for ceremony during Saibaba’s samadhi.

Friend, People used to say they must save some money for their last period in life.Look at this great saint. Sai never stored any thing for himself .Even for his last rites Sai affectionately came in the dream of Pradhan and asked him to send the money for ceremony in shirdi.

The same night Saibaba came in Pradhan’s sister and asked her to Send a Yellow pitambar ” ( shawl ) to be offered to his Samadhi. Pradhan accepted the 3 rupees from Saibaba in the dream .May be this is a gift Sai meant to give to each and everyone of his Devotees like us. The gift of Sai himself.

Sadhguru Sainath , the greatest of all Avatars of Lord Dattatreya will live with us forever.

2. Sai appeared as Serpant to Bhikubai :

Bhikubhai is another close devotee of Saibaba. On the day of Saibaba’s Samadhi, she was weeping at about 10 P.M in her house saying “Baba, i cannot see you again”..Later when she came out side her front door and saw a Snake.She had a feeling that Sai is giving her darshan in the form of a serpant. Bhikubai said “Sai, i cannot recognize you in this serpant body. I know only your Form as Sai Baba.”

Friend, we also would have experienced the presence of Saibaba through such little leela of sainath. In coimbatore Saibaba appeared as Snake on january 7th 1943 which came to be known as Nagasai Mandhir. There are incidents when we are worried , sai gives us darshan through a Photo or a sticker or even a surprise gift of a Saibaba statue from our friend or prasad from shirdi. Though we cannot see the form of saibaba as Bhikubhai worried about, let us accept such leela from our sainath as his real presence to bless us.

Sairam friend, I hope the above leela of saibaba related to his mahasamadhi made you feel the presence of Sainath now and forever. in your life. I plan to stay in little room of GG ( GG is one of my friend , in his early 50′s living in shirdi for over 20 years and helping sai devotees who comes to shirdi . Since i don’t want him to get any disturbance through me, and since it wont be good to highlight a sai sevak in the book about saibaba , i better dont reveal his real name and call him GG in this book )

Staying in the little room of GG is not so easy. Its already a very small room with just one bed , 2 feets of open space and a attached bathroom. GG sir got permission from his house owner that a boy wants to stay with him as he wish to write a book about Saibaba and they agreed. . I am taking my laptop to shirdi.my sisters old laptop is too heavy but its worth taking it everyday out in shirdi where ever i go. I hope sai himself write the book…

May be its childish expression of my love for Sai but i really wish to keep some gems of wisdom in the book.

I wrote a message to my Sai friends as below

“Tommorow evening at 7.30 i will start from mumbai to shirdi.so on monday morning ( 02 :02:2009 ) i will be in shirdi .
please pray sai to bless my parents as they were worried about me…not because i lost job but because they feel i must not be upset…just to check if i ate on time my appa called up….probably they know i would have forgotten to have my breakfast only after they called i remembered n had my food.

There are parents who show faces on their children if they can’t get job in campus interview…i am 30…i was jobless for years…i got job after years…i lost the job in 7 month and here are parents who wants to know if i ate on time and reminding me to book the ticket to shirdi and making sure if i will call them everyday during my stay at shirdi.

I always could see saibabas holy feets in my mind when i chant Sai Dattatreya mantra..today somehow i felt my parents holy feets too. I am selfish too. I will pray for my parents good health and long life in shirdi for they must be there always to help me see the light of sai.

Will try to access internet in shirdi friends…if not call me to see whats going on and yes your chanting for 108 days to serve sai children purely is working wonders..i lost my job to write a book to increase faith , devotion and love on sai when many sai children looses something.

sai bless you with peace friends

I am always in job. Sai gives me some work or i do sai’s work as a little servant ! He he he.

Venkat
always in the holy feets of shirdi saibaba”

That was the message i sent to few of my sai friends the day before i started to Shirdi. I had mentioned about their 108 days prayers by chanting “Sai Si Sai”. Yes these are wonderful Sai friends from around the world who organized t chant “SAI SAI SAI” 108 times everyday for 108 days and prayed saibaba to bless me to serve him .

If there is a gift Sai could give in this life time, its the people whom i met through www.StarSai.com , ofcourse there are many who write to me and forget me. Some stick to me and encourage me to serve the greatest saint on earth.Thats why i again like to mention ” I am always in job. Sai gives me some work or i do sai’s work as a little servant ! ”

Come with me to Shirdi, Sai will take you ( the reader – My friend ) along with me and make you feel you are really in Shirdi….

Next Chapter

Chapter 6 – Everything i do , I do it for you

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Lost my job not my faith :

Mumbai – January 30 2009 . Evening 6.30 P.M.

I was sitting all alone in the film school where i taught video editing softwares to wonderful students. The newly joined staff opened the door and said “………………….. Sir is calling you “. Soon i found myself sitting in front of the man who appointed me in job months back ( oh ya, i don’t call any one as my Boss as Sai is my God,Guru,Boss and love ). He said ” We would like that you discontinue from service as of today, here’s your cheque”

Probably its my nature by sai grace to bless anyone even if they hurt me .As a reflex action the words that followed were “God Bless you” . The man gave a artificial smile .I regretted later for blessings must go only to the one who deserves it. I took the check with me , came back to the class where i used to teach editing and was getting ready to pack. Just then this man ( so called boss ) stoor neat the door of editing class and said ” Ashvin will check the lab if everything is in place and you can give the keys to him”. ( so make sure i don’t steal something and run. Ha Ha )

This was not a shock to me as i know this mans doubting nature. When Anuj came down to check with another editor , he said with a big laughter “We also have to go through the same if we are terminated ” .

( Irrespective of the pains i faced since i was thrown away from job , its important to respect people who give us work.Further the goal of this book is to spread love and sai devotion.Hence i don’t want to tell name of the Film school and the staff names are imaginary )

Pray to Allah, Jesus or Shiva. It goes to one God who is formless and nameless :

As i got ready to move out of the institute i wanted to tell to all the other staff who gave me a wonderful time with their friendship in the past few month. I went to meet john and deepak who were christain by religion and human by nature.

I told john ” I am leaving. Forever. They terminated me” . john can’t believe i got terminated irrespective of my hardwork etc etc. I said i took it positively. They wanted to do a prayer for me. He is truly good in such prayers keeping his palm on my head. Every time i heared the name “Oh lord Jesus”, i remembered my Saint Shirdi Saibaba. The fact that i Love all Hindu Gods and spread the greatness of hinduism deep in me made me feel are my Gods angry with me for the prayers i allowed these sweet christain friends to do ? ” .

I realized their love for me is pure and so where ever there is Love, there is God

The names of God vary, the form and methods of worship differ.So i accepted their prayers to Jesus humbly and inturn thanked Jesus and prayed to Saibaba to bless them with good life.

Many times in the last few month john used to say that its in Bible that only those who follow the path of jesus will get salvation. Personally i feel here Jesus has stressed “Guru devotion” to trust ones master with unity in mind as all Hindu saints has preached. I told john that i respect your God and any Guru and saint of this world .What i hated about these people is they make use of poverty , health issues, financial problems of many Hindus to convert them as Christians.

john asked you mean like Mahatma Gandhiji said

” I like your christ not your christians as they are so unlike your christ “.

I told him the universal truth that God is one . Who ever we pray with faith and follow them with love, we are going to get salvation. john answered smartly “But there can be only one truth and its in Bible “.

I was silent because shirdi saibaba has said

” If some one hurts you or speaks about something that is different from your opinion, give a word or two and humbly move away from that place”.

Why did i write about this incident in this book ? I myself have gone through this phase in 1999 when one of my uncle used to invite me for his Prayer gathering to jesus at his house. I innocently served the devotees who come there. Later i realized his intention has always been making people convert to chritianity rather than accepting that God is one and each has their own way of being spiritual.

Thank God the lover of Shiva and Vishnu ( venkat ) was resuced and thrown back back to the feet of his own God :

In such prayer meetings of my uncle , i had few prayers to fulfill by desires to get job as i just graduated from my college. Thank God none of my wishes came true and gradually i realized my mistake. A man has to accept and love his father.

There can respect others but religion is like ones own father. If you are born as a Hindu be a Hindu. If you are born as Christian or muslim or Zorastrian continue to follow your religion.Religion is just a path to reach God. To me my Shiva is my father , Vishnu is my father and Ganesha is my father. Can i ignore them and run to any others ?. How can you say you did good to yourself when you ignore your own father and accept others ? .

Sai Means “Saibaba of Shirdi”

Saibaba , How sweet is the name . Sai, why did i love you and why in this birth. Am i in love with you in several previous births or due to the good deeds of my parents you pulled me to your dwarakamai in this birth.

For reasons millions of Shirdi Saibaba knows this kaliyug made it essential to add the name of the village you lived for over 60 years silently serving humanity . When ever i write a article in starsai.com , i always mentioned it clearly ” Shirdi” Saibaba. Oh friend, you see in kaliyug false gurus posing as enlighted souls are not rare.

Remember where ever i mentined “Sai” in this book and my entire life time , i mean the sweet old saint with eyes of compassion, smile that makes you feel blissfull and the turban on head that makes you feel your Sai is there to make you the King of your kingdom “.

The word Sai means “Saibaba of Shirdi ” and the Holy name Sai personally means to me as “Saints of all Saints, the unified name to generally show our respect and love to all good Saints ever born in this universe.” You can be a devotee of Ramakrishna in north india or Ramalinga in south india..This book is not only for spreading the greatness of Shirdi Saibaba but also to express the great qualities of all Saints.

Leela of Shirdi Saibaba i like to express :

Friend ( many places in the book the reader is affectionately called as “Friend by me ) . I wish to help children of God live in peace and let others live in peace. Even in serving shirdi saibaba , we have to be careful.

We must never ask any friend or family member by force to worship sai. We must never say anyone as ignorant when they speak low of Sainath. If some one asks what your God or Sai did for all your devotion , don’t try to start a arguement . Silently leave the place and live in peace.

Now listen to this Leela which happened during Saibaba’s Life time :

Once a Devotee heared about Fame of Saibaba. Sai being a Fakir was known to be a muslim saint . Though Sai never ever mentioned about his caste and creed sai was basically seen as a Mohamadein Fakir as he used to live in a old Masjid. Once being his mahasamadhi , Sai removed his kafni , throwed it in to his dhuni ( sacred fire ) and shouted at the village people ” Now see for yourself, which religion i belong to ? ” . The message is Sai is God incarnate and God has no form , name and ofcourse no Religion.

We all know the name “Sai” itself came as Mahalsapathi , the priest of kandoba temple invited the fakir “ayo saayee” ( welcome sai ) . The life of Saibaba of shirdi is so beautifully sculptured by unknown mystry than the known facts. Yes the beauty of this Great guru of ours is that he belongs to “Religion of Love’.

Where ever there is love, affection , harmony and humanity, Sai exists there.

This devotee wanted to impress Saibaba and converted himself to Islam. When he stepped inside Dwarakamai , Sai shouted at him and its said that Sai went to the extent of Slapping him back. The devotee was not able to understand the reason for Saibaba’s anger . Sai asked ” Are you not Ashamed to change your father ( religion ) ? .

Even if a Islam devotee has converted to Hinduism or any other religion , Sai would have reacted the same way. Friend, Lets us now think about the “Slap” the poor innocent devotee Got. Though Sai would have given him abundance of love later on , like a mother Sai tried to give us all a clear message. Sai never preached any thing ever. Not even once did sai did a mass preaching to his devotees. Sai lived his life so pure that the incidents in Saibabas life time are our lessongs.

The “Slap” is toall of us who ignored spiritual path in life.

The “Slap” is to all of us who went behind pride of being highly educated

The “Slap ” is to all us who went behind women and men with lust in the name of Love.

The “Slap” is to all of us who has become mechanically inhuman and selfish.

The Slap is to bring us back to the “Path of Light”.

Friend. Though the first leela of Sai itself is expressed through Saibaba’s anger, why not his Slap, be assured your parayan ( devoted reading ) of “Sai Aathma Jayam” will help you realize the core of Sai devotion and the fruit you can enjoy chanting Sai Sai Sai .This book is like a river of stories in my life, the incidents i come across and uniting it with the leelas which happened during Saibaba’s life time.

Coming back to the day i Lost my Job :

I came down stairs of the institute with my bag inside which i always carry some spiritual books of Datta parampara , especially Saint Shree paadha shree vallabha and Shirdi Saibaba. The watchman smiled at me but took my bag “Sorry, i was asked to check your bag “. I smiled to this old man who gave me his ashirwad. Leaving all ego , i touched his feet, the lesson i learnt in Maharastra. Theres so much Guru Bhakti here, I have few students, who bowed to me , at times even touched my feet, gave me Sai photo on the holy day of Guru purnima.” .

I din’t feel bad for working to a man who will doubt if i will steal something from his institute. I felt more happy for the wonderful students i got who call me even now with doubts and a small email ” Sir, Got your email from Starsai.com , we miss you ”

If a person as ordinary as me who after all taught some video editing softwares is respected by these students, then imagine the greatness of Saibaba. What should we all do for such a Guru who will think about our welfare day and night.

Be happy friend. You are with the right Guru :

Worried why you are not able to live the life you desired and upset with Saibaba for being silent ?. Fine. Its human nature to expect but please don’t ever do the mistake of forgetting sai devotion in hard times.It takes time or it might never happen as you wish. Sai is only a witness of what happens in your life .Only when you offer your mind , soul ( aathman ) itself in the holy feets of sainath and show pure devotion for years, you will be able to realize the power of this great shirdi saibaba.

So lets all as Sai devotees be very happy that no matter what happens in our life , atleast our good deeds in past birth and good heart of our parents took us to the feets of right Guru ” Shirdi Saibaba”.

Is there a Saint who will “Slap” his devotee to correct him ? In Sai you see love.So much love that it breaks the difference between the Guru and a devotee. I will be happy to be slapped by Sai rather than going to some false saint promising a great future. I have my Saibaba. The saint who pulls me to him birth after birth. The Saint who’s avatar itself has helped in getting independance to our Nation. Mother India.

Sabka Maalik Ek : Communal Harmony during British rule in india

The words “Allah Malik” was always in Saibaba’s Lips. Allah meaning God , Sai always stressed the importance of unity amoung religion. If you closely read history during in the middle of 18th century , the Britishers learnt the hatred between Hindus and Islam people and stired communal voilance and disharmony amoung themselves. When indians are fighting against themselves , the britishers enjoyed to strengthen their rule.

Though we all can never see the name of “Shirdi Saibaba” in the history of Indian Independance , subconciously Saibaba’s presence has really served to mentally wash the difference Hindus and Muslims had amounst themselves. There are few Muslim saints who came to Shirdi with a attitude that Hindus are their enemies. Gradually Sai made even such saadhus to accept Hindus as their friends .

Sai through his simple way of life has influenced thousands of Hindus and Muslims to live in harmony. Once when asked when India will get freedom Sai has said when a purticular number of king rules england,India will get freedom. Who can change the words of Saint ? . It happened as Sai assured.

Friend , Let us all remember that Mahatma Gandhiji also followed communal harmony, he has read all holy books of other religion and a great example for chanting Gods name. “Ram Ram Ram” was always in his lips. The man who changed the fate of this country did it with love on God . Lets us all realize the greatness of chanting Gods name. Which ever religion you belong to, keep chanting your favourite Guru , Gods name doing your day to day duty with honesty.

Mother , I am not Going away. Think of me and I am there :

Hope i din’t bored you with the this chapter friend. Just because i have a Hinduism touch to all my articles doesn’t mean i am away from saibaba’s important priciple of accepting all God and religion as One.I hope all sai children realize this fact and live in Unity. I want to help you realize the greatness in living with Love on each other and harmony.Further i tried to help many parents who are worried as their son or daughter has suddenly turned to different religion. Now listen to one fo Saibaba’s beautiful Assurances

Once when Mrs. R.A.Tarkad was worried about Saibab’s end ( Maha Samadhi ), Sai told her ” Mother , I am not Going away. Think of me and I am there. I shall be active even from my tomb ”

There’s One Master for All :

Sai has never taken credit to himself for what he did for his devotees. Sai has always termed himself as “Servant of God” and lived up to his words begging alms , wearing torn clothes and giving away all the dakshina (offering of money ) he got in a day to other devotees in need. Today millions of shirdi saibaba devotees around the world has a general respect for people from different faith. What a great saint we have got friend. I have tears in my eyes when i look at saibaba’s phtoo near me and say “Sabka Maalik Ek”

Oh Sai, when i have a Guru who revealed the great spiritual truth that “God is One” in a simple manner that everyone can understand , why should i worry that i lost my Job. I am human.I do worry and have the same pain that any one would have.Probably its the Sai in me who is pulling me to his seva. The “Venkat ” in me is worried, the “sai” in me is happy because , Sai knows i realy wish to use this time to help many of his children who are suffering with various problems in life. To make them realize “This is Sai, your Guru who is ever in need of your love, when ever you are facing failures in life, convert your depression and worries as “Devotion”. Show Love on Sai”

The Sai in you needs Love.

I had my last taste of sandwich in road side shop in shirdi. It was dark and i took the bus with memories of the beautiful days i had with my students. Sai show me some light …

Next Chapter

Chapter 5 – Maha Samadhi of Shirdi Sai Baba

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

The God in Marble Statue is called Saibaba

All through my childhood i have prayed Lord Murugan as he’s Known as God of Tamils. It was sometime in 1993 when my friend Kanna’s Father Rajaram uncle took us to a saibaba temple . I had very little memory of that day. It was just a year since we settled in coimbatore and this uncle was telling about a temple which has a Statue of Saibaba in Marble.

A Saint So pure that he is made of White Marble :

Today all tamilians are aware of these white Marble statues as many saibaba temples are built in south . Years back most of the south indians has seen God and Goddess only in Dark Granite Stone.Even the ancient kings and sculptures who constructed big temples across tamilnadu has created Gods Statues only in Granite. I was eager to see this Saint so pure that hes made of Marble.

The day when Saibaba pulled a Sparrow called Venkat to him :

Rajaram uncle,Venkat and Kanna are the sparrows called by Saibaba . I wonder how many births i have been related to my sweet sai but in this birth i know him and saw him close on that beautiful evening in 1993 when i was 14 years old.

To me it was just another temple where if i pray God, God will give me success in exams and Lots of Money. I knew nothing much about Sai nor there were anyone who told me about his life.

Todays generation has much more than me. Today all saibaba temples has shops which sells the book about life of Saibaba written by Hamadpant – Sri Sai satcharitra , hundreds of sai websites offer information about Saibaba but 16 years back it was only my personal faith which made me love Saibaba .

A Humble prayer with demands :

I dint know about sai leela, I dint know what are miracles.There was no one to teach me saibaba’s life and his greatness. All i believed was this saint Sai Baba is powerful. I never knew saibaba is living in my own heart as a antaryami. I thought saibaba as a saint seperate from me and demanded him for all that i want with humble prayers.

Ha ha..It was humble prayer with demands.

Baba, bless me to pass in exams :

What else a boy in 9th grade would have prayed for ? The indian education system has helped me realize God alone can help me pass my exams and here comes a Saint to help me. The temple Rajaram uncle took me first is the Nagasai Mandhir in coimbatore. Those are not the days when one will be curious to know why its called Nagasai mandhir

A candle for 50 paisa was my regular offering to NagaSai :

When ever i go into the temple which introduced shirdi saibaba to me, i ask the shop keeper . “Anna oru candle kudunga” and keep 50 paisa.

The usual answer from the man who still runs the shop will be “Eduthuko kannu”.

“Take it dear” . ( He wants to show he trusts me that i wont take more than one candle )

Very few people used to come to Saibaba temple those days. I will light the candle with sincere prayers to saibaba that i must somehow pass my exams.

Yes i did pass my exams , my 10th grade and then my higher secondary. When i was doing my graduation in Visual communication i continued to come to this Saibaba temple every thursday. Today Nagasai mandhir is crowded with thousands of devotees on thursdays. In 1993 -99 all i have seen was little less than 200 devotees . The prasad they give will be tasty and it is even today.

Distributing Coconut bun to people who take alms on the day i started earning :

It was 1999 september when i got my first assignment in photography in chennai. I was paid 500 rupees. I called my mother and asked her to distribute Sweet Coconut bun to the people who sit out side Nagasai mandhir and my mom did that. Theres a reason i want to share this to you friends.

I was not at all successful in my career, i faced failures as i was into filmmaking . I was hurt, insulted and finally came back to coimbatore in 2003 leaving all my dreams to be a filmmaker . In 2004 some divine thoughts in me and inspiration of saibaba made me create www.StarSai.com which today gives me a meaning to live. Through StarSai.com i have been able to write all that i believe will help sai devotees making it a shirdi saibaba temple of Humanity.

To sai devotees who write me asking why saibaba has never helped them this is my answer. My life itself is the answer. Had i got success in my career from 1999 to 2009, I would have not got the gift of creating StarSai which is going to serve Sai Children for a life time. This i know is the plan sai has for me.

There are sai devotees who write me like this

“I have suffered for years and decided to live in shirdi. Is there a ashram any where ? “

Trust me there are ashrams every where but is that what saibaba wants you to do ?. Staying in Shirdi or Ashrams is not at all what sai wants from you. What Saibaba wants from you is to remain in your same life with complete faith that saibaba surely will protect you. So hold on friend.

When what you ask from Sai is not got , it means Sai is giving you what he wants to. His treasure of wisdom. Your devotion has impressed him so much that he keeps you one step ahead of devotees who are adamant that saibaba has to do what they asked for.

I shall pray Sainath , the god who lives in us to bless you with proper guidance.

Now lets see the beautiful Story of Lala Lakshmichandin 1910

Lala Lakshmichands dream of a Old man with beard surrounded by devotees :

I would like to describe one of the sparrow who was pulled to Shirdi through a dream during saibaba’s life time in shirdi. Lala Lakshmichand was working in Shri Venkateswara press in mumbai.

In 1910, Lakshmichand had a dream as if a old man is standing and he is surrounded by lots of devotees. Lakshmichand was curious to know who this old man in dream might be. He had no cue.

Few days later , his friend Dattatreya Manjunath who was a Sai devotee arranged kirtan of Das Ganu Maharaj. Lakshmichand found a portrait of Old man who’s features tallied with that of the dream he had. Since Das Ganu maharaj dedicated his life for spreading the greatness of Sai Baba by doing kirtans all over maharastra and Bombay presidency , He used to keep a portrait of Saibaba in the place where he does kirtan.

Though Das Ganu’s kirtan will be about Ramayan, Saints etc, his mission was to spread the fame of Das Ganu . Today we know about Saibaba because of Das Ganu maharaj and Narasimha swamiji.

Anyway, Lala Lakshmichand learnt that the old man in portrait is a great saint Sai Baba who lives in Shirdi. Das Ganu was doing kirtan about life of Saint Tukaram and combined with the sight of Saibaba’s picture made a impression in Lakshmichand who decided to go to Shirdi.

God helps when you are in search of SadGuru :

Like how Saibaba made Rajaram uncle take me to Nagasai mandhir in coimbatore, Saibaba has his own way of pulling good souls to him , each in a different way.

Surprisingly the same night Lakshmichand was asked by his friend Sankarrao if hes willing join him to go Shirdi and take Saibaba’s Darshan. Lakshmichand was over joyed and at once they started their journey.

Bhajans in train and Doubt in mind :

Lala Lakshmichand borrowed 15 Rupees from his cousin for his expenses and started in train. They did wonderful bhajans in praise of Gods remembering the greatness of Saibaba. At the same they are after all humans. They had some doubts about saibaba, if he really is a great saint and if they have taken right decision to have Saibaba’s darshan.

The passengers in the train assured that Sai Baba of shirdi is a great Mahan and satisfied them.

The Character i love the most in Sai Satcharitra :

When Lakshmichand reached Kopergoan , he wanted to get some Guava fruits as an offering to Sai Baba. His mind was filled with the beauty of scenic village and forgot to buy them. They took a Tonga to shirdi when Lakshmichand remembered his wish to offer Guava fruits. The moment this thought emerged in him, he saw a Old women selling Guava fruits . They bought some fruits from the old women . When the women learnt they are going to have darshan of Sai Baba, she said

“Take rest of the Guavas and offer them on my behalf to Sai Baba”

Lakshmichand took loads of Guava fruits and reached Shirdi.

Friends, i love this Old Women’s devotion on Sai Baba. Though we never know about this old lady and about her experiences with Sai, we can feel her deep faith on sainath. Today millions of devotees come to Shirdi, Build Sai Baba temples and proudly say i have done this and that . What Sai Baba looks is not your offering . Its in the love and true devotion behind this offering which actually goes to Sai’s Eye.

The Old women has to work all day to earn her living Guava fruits but the moment she hears Lakshmichand is going to shirdi , She offered rest of the fruits to be offered to Sai. I really love this incident.

A Simple Leela of Saibaba :

Recently in november 2009, when i had been to Palani Hills to worship lord Murugan , My mother asked me to donate food to poor. It was already evening, so i was walking in the road looking for someone to give packet of Biscuts.

I saw 2 old women selling guava fruits and remembered the incident from Sai Satcharitra. I asked her to give me just 2 Guava fruits for 10 rupees. She said why 2 , i will give you 5 and gave all the guava fruits she had. I then gave her the biscut packets. I came to Nagasai Mandhir and offered all the Guava fruits in the holy Dhuni of Saibaba.

Lakshmichand reaches Shirdi :

Oh friend did i took you away from where we started. We are now going in the Tonga with Lakshmichand and its 1910. Lakshmichand and his friends were very much pleased about their experiences. They saluted the flags above Dwarakamai , took Pooja tali in hand and went inside the Masjid.

They worshiped Saibaba happily . Lakshmichand was moved with devotion , fell under saibaba’s feet and Saibaba spoke

“Cunning fellow he does bhajan on the way and enquires from others , Why ask others ? Everything we should see with out own eyes. Where is the necessity to question others ? Just think for yourself whether your dream is true or not ? Where was the necessity of the darshan by taking a loan from marwari ? Is the hearts desire now satisfied ? ”

Oh my God. Can you imagine if you doubt Sai Baba and went for his darshan and face the same words as above. Lakshmichand was in the same embarrassing situation. He was also wonderstruck at SaiBaba’s omniscience . He never knew how can saibaba know all that happened miles away from him.

Lakshmichand lived in shirdi few more days and became a staunch devotee of Sai Baba.

Can Sparrows have doubt :

I humbly request this to all sai children around the world who are in pain . You dint came to Sai Baba with your own will and wish. It is Sai who pulled you to him. You are his Sparrow and like Lakshmichand Saibaba loves you also. Sai is not living now to directly question your doubts on him. Hence i write this. Please never ever Doubt Sai Baba. Even in the worst situation be true to Sai Baba and Sai Baba will hold your arms , raise you and bless you with peace.

Friend. Hope you loved this chapter about how Sai Baba pulls a devotee to him . Now imagine how you first came to know about Shirdi Sai Baba, imagine you were living during Sai Baba’s time in 1910 and going in a Tonga to Shirdi.

You are entering Dwarakamai now.

Don’t forget to tell Baba about the devotion of the Poor old women who offered all the Guava fruits for him.

Sai, I have tears in my eyes when i imagine myself under your feets.

Om Sri Sainathaya namaha

Next Chapter

Chapter 4 – Sabka Maalik Ek

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Education is the greatest blessing

I used to be too soft and get scared for every little thing all through my life. When i was a kid , i used to feel that School is a jail where we are locked with no freedom. Though i was good in studies ,i did not had interest in it and it resulted it me being called as a “Average student”.

My elder sister Indra was brilliant and used to get good name from her teachers.In india when the child starts to speak relatives will ask what you wanted to be ? My sister used to say ” i wanted to be a Doctor”. I don’t remember what was my answer.

Blessings of Goddess Saraswati for good education

Why i love my mother’s Dosa :

During the first 10 years as a joint family in grandmothers house , though i don’t want to reveal, its truth that having tasty food was like a summer rain for me.Only once in a week, i used to have Dosa which i liked the most. Probably my grandma and aunt showed hatred on us because my fathers salary was mostly gone in getting medicines for my mother.

Though a loving grandma with whom i shared wonderful days, who bought up all her children with lots of pains and struggles , i wonder why she had this partiality in food matters.

Once My grandmother and aunt showed partiality in not giving me tasty foods asking me to go away when they were cooking and gave it to other cousin who came for holiday to our house. I was standing innocently near the door holding a empty vessel in hand expecting crunchy snacks.

My mother was not able to bear this scene and beat me with sticks. These are the sticks kept to burn for heating water and had lots of sharp ends. Any mother can’t bear her children being hurted. Unable to question them, my mother used to shout at me and indra to be obidient. Probably i took this beatings and shouts easily but my sister din’t which i learn years later.

It was around 1986 when my father was transferred to Pollachi, a small town near coimbatore.After 10 years of both good and little bad times with grandparents and aunt, we came to our big beautiful quarters in pollachi.

It was biggining of tasty days in my life as my mother used to make Dosa everyday. Especially the crunchy ones. When we don’t get some thing in life easily and later when we get it everyday, it becomes our favourite. Even now thats why i love my mothers dosa.
Anyway,everyone had both good and bad qualities and i did enjoyed my grand parents company as they were affectionate.

How much i hated going to school :

Me and my sister studied in the same school. Sometimes when i hate school, i used to act as if i got stomach ache. he he…. as soon as Auto comes to pick up to school. My mother will ask angrily “Are you going or not, auto driver is calling” . I will act as if i am really tired and say “Naan pogala” – I am not going.

God alone knows how i will be miraculously cured with in 2 hours.That day will be special for me. I will go to the Garden in our quarters , Dig the mud with a iron plate with handle ( man vetti in tamil ), come back to our flat in first floor, fully turn the water pipe to flow down.Then i run again to the garden. I made a small cement bridge so that the water from our bathroom which flows down doesn’t enter the sewage canal and crossed through the little cement bridge flowing to my beautiful little Garden.

I planted all kinds of plants like Hibiscus, Tulsi, Tomato, Marudhani used to keep mehandi on my sisters palm. Every day as soon as i return from school, i will become a farmer for this garden. He he. I used to sweat and work so hard doing this gardening.

My mother used to shout at me that am wasting all the water in the tank for my gardening. I had no other choice because my father scolded me once for playing cricket with friends. So i was not like other boys going outside home campus. I used to remain in house always with my Mom and apply amruthanjan ( ointment ) to her when ever she gets head ache. Little did i know that i will become headache for my parents because of my lack of interest in education.

Its my sisters turn to make me realize the powers of prayers :

1987. This was the time when my sister indra was upset psychologically along with health issues. She was in 6th grade and myself in 4th. We used to be in the same school. My sister was very weak , had health issues and also imagine things which doesn’t exist. Probably she want’s us all to give attention to her for all the depression we faced as children in grandparents house.Now its Indra’s time to make us all realize shes most imporant and needs to be cared for.

During this time the school teachers were deciding Indra must be discontinued from school as she took leave for over 3 month. Every single day was a suffering for me and parents. My sister used to demand things from my mom, say that she’s hates them .I used to sit with her in a room and give her food with tears in eyes. My mother, sitting in the edge of the door will be watching us with prayers. Once my father got angry, came with handful of holy ash of lord Murugan and sprayed on her face saying ” May be a ghost has come in to you, we are God’s children, Go away…Go away”

Looking at this my sister used to shout and scream and i used to stare at all this drama with fear. We were just coming out of my mothers health issues and suddenly indra started getting health problems and such behaviours. Some of our relatives used to comment on my sister

“This is a dull girl, she won’t study”.

Even during this time my mother was determined in making indra comeout of her depression and start to go back to school normally.

God is One :

During this time i would like to express that though our family follows Hinduism ,my father believes that God is one . So everyweek atleast once we used to go to church, everyday we will go to Maari Amman temple, Lord Murugan temple. Indra was very pityful wearing the holy threads from all temples all over her hand. We also went to Muslim darga where they gave a holy taayath to wear as a blessings of Allah. My mother used to sit looking at the Goddess Maari amman with sister for hours to bless her with pure thoughts, good health and education. Indra used to recite all the holy mantras which my mother taught her.

I will never forget the day when the head of school, called me and asked for our house address.It was a christian institution. Next day 2 sisters came to observe whats going on and why indra is not attending school for over 3 month. They told my mother if indra doesn’t join back in the school within a week, they won’t let her continue studies for that year. To add oil in the fire, another neighbour aunty came to our house and told the school head ” Indra is normal only, shes acting as if she’s sick to escape from going to school. Her mother is giving too much affection believing her action”

On hearing this my sister started screaming and ran to another room with tears. My mother got angry on that aunty. With determination told the school head, ” indra will surely attend school from this week.”

A mothers determination :

Apart from our religious steps, we also took her to Dr.Mohan, a very soft spoken person who motivated indra and helped her become normal. Doctor adviced that since Indra is weak, every two hours, its good to have little food and health drinks. Indra joined back to school. Not alone. Every day my mother used to do all the household works and come with us in the same auto to school.

She used to sit under the tree shadows with a bag reading some novels waiting for indra to come every 2 hour to have health drinks and some snaks. She will come back to classes and come again for lunch to the tree shadows. Again after couple of hours indra has some food .Then my mother used to go back to house before we reach there.

Amma sits in the shadows of trees in the corner of school ground for hours, determined to make sure her daughter doesn’t stop schooling as the others were commenting. My mother had a feeling that since she’s not educated she had to face sufferings in life. So was determined to make my sister study irrespective of her health issues. My mothers dedication and determination did payed back.The teachers were surprised that she got good marks than the kids who attended the schools regularly.

Me on the other hand , though attended school regularly as usual performed average.

Anyway.

The reason i wanted to tell the difference in me and my sister is that i was ignorant and din’t really understood that education is so important. I just thought a graduation will do and stopped it. My sister was very hardworking, ambitious , did her post graduation, went to Germany in 2001 for doing her Phd .

Five years later in august 2005 when my sister got her Phd, the days when my mother used to wait for us in the shadows of school trees came to my mind.

Even today when i write this chapter while speaking to amma about old memories, she reminded me that Indra was really having nervous problem.She was not able to write holding the pen. One of her best muslim friend Kousy used to give my mother all the notes given in the class and my mom used to copy it and indra would read it.

I can’t believe my mother has come with indra to school for all 4 years from 6th grade to 10th grade taking food, health drinks and waiting under the shadows of the tree. While indra was safe inside the concrete building, i wonder what my mother did when it was too hot , too cold or when it rained. Probably the seasons kept changing. Not my mothers determination to make her daughter “Someone”.

I saw this school after years while passing by bus. The huge tree was cut. I couldn’t control tears flowing remembering the determination of a mother who made a ordinary girl as a research scholar .Sometimes i used to think i also would have demanded attention by doing some action….he he.

I wonder if i will ever be a filmmaker :

When i was doing my graduation in visual communication, i wanted to be a cinematographer, a filmmaker and always dreamt big and was popular amoung students as good photographer , very ambitious guy. Being ambitious is not enough.

One must never expect big things to happen just by prayers. When i was in final year i used to make some promos and wanted to get assignment in music channels. Four month after my graduation was over from may to september 1999, every single day, i used to email someone in such media people to help me get a opportunity to shoot videos for the concepts i had. During this time, i used to cry to Sai Baba that my dreams are not fulfilled.

I used to go to the Sai Baba temple in coimbatore “Nagasai mandhir” , light 2-3 candles praying sai to bless me with a great assignment as soon as possible. The “as soon as possible prayers” mostly never gets answered …ha ha… though i smile now when i write this as a 20 year old guy in 1999 , i can’t bear the pain.

Finally, on september 16th 1999, i went to Chennai to persue my interest in media. I had failures, depression, setbacks in all possible ways. Though i was learning filmmaking through a film editor and worked in few movies, my mind was still restless as people who dream big don’t know that to climb up the hill one has to walk step by step. When i earned some money, i asked my mother to give a coconut bread to all the people sitting outside nagasai mandhir.

My expectations were growing where us life was same as before.My father used to send money for my expenses in chennai . I did achieved something in my own way, probably in learning screen writing and writing one. At this time my sister indra went to Germany for her phd.

Reading 108 holy names of sai – Sai ashtothram gave my sister the gift of education :

It was just a week since my sister has reached Germany to do her phd. It was shock to learn she was treated badly by the lady whos supposed to guide her in the university.My sister had to face some torchures. My parents were in deep pain. I was in chennai and went to Mylapore saibaba temple to read Sai ashtothram for 108 times.

By grace of sai baba, a friend helped her to quit this place and move to another city. If it is me, i would have got dejected and returned back to india the same week. But Indra won’t give up. Its the will power of my sister that she acted as if shes leaving to india but moved to another city where with the help of her friend and some professors she was able to start doing her Phd. Though anyone would appreciate indra’s ability to cope up with situation, the gift of my sisters education came from the holy feets of shirdi saibaba.

My sisters favour :

My sister used to scold me for being in depression always and asked me to continue education but i always denied. I regret it to this day. My sister got me camera’s , computer’s , helped me do some course. By this time in 2005 , i was deeply into Sai devotion. I used to come around dhuni ( sacred fire ) in Nagasai mandhir for hours togather and dedicate my prayers to nature goddess.I really din’t even imagine to do anything related to filmmaking.

Let my ignorance be a lesson to everyone who reads this book :

Years later in 2008, when i became a faculty in a film school in mumbai, i used to advice each and every batch i start ” Don’t stop your education. Keep learning.” I don’t want anyone to pass through what i had to, in pain, depression, set backs, insults and what not. There’s only one benefit i got by not being highly educated. Sai pulled me to do his work. This sacred work for sai, i wish to continue for rest of my life .My sai service includes spreading the value of education among all families around the world.

If you are wondering why i had to write my personal stories in the sacred book of sai, that is saibaba’s ways too. Sai tried to convey lessons to his devotees through beautiful incidents in his life. I honestly feel, when you read this chapter , you will struggle somehow to be highly educated and also educate your children. Sai himself is against getting big loan or spending huge money for education but try your best to be educated somehow . Learn anything that you can afford but don’t stop the process of learning.

Now a days many youngsters are focused more in earning money soon. Some parents also expect their children to earn soon rather than supporting them atleast when they are financially able to support in their childrens education.

Education is the greatest Blessing

Now let us see the beautiful leela’s of our great Saint Shirdi Sai baba in how he helped his devotees education and career during his life time.

Sai Baba’s respect to his Guru :

Many sai devotees doesn’t see Sai as a fakir or saint. They see Sai as an incarnation of the God they are devoted to. Some have seen Sai as Hanuman, some as Lord Shiva and some as Rama. Though it is true that Sai is God himself, Sai has conveyed his respect and love for his Guru beautifully by the following incident.

Once during a festival of Lord Khandoba, few people started to shiver as if possessed by spirit. It is usual for people to reach this high state of devotion when they believe that God enters their soul for few minutes to answer his devotees. So the people of shirdi asked them about Sai Baba’s parents and from where sai came ?.

The man pointed a place near Neem tree and said ” Dig at this place and you will come to know”. They removed a stone and found that a path leads to a underground cell . When they went inside the cell they found four lighted lamps, a wodden stool and a gomuki which is worn in hands while counting chantings of gods name with beads ( japa mala ).

When asked to Sai baba about this, his only reply was that it was his Guru’s place and he was learning from his Guru for 12 years. Sai also asked them to clear the crowd, close it back and protect it as a sacred place.

Friend, we can now understand by all this that Sai has really lived inside this underground cell for years before he started his journey to help us all. Why should a incarnation of God have a Guru. In sai satcharita sai has also mentioned that about his Guru’s greatness. That his guru is the most affectionate and caring. The meaning of Guru is “GU” stands of ignorance and “Ru” stands for the light which destroys the ignorance.

Let us now hear the beautiful words uttered by saibaba

” My guru never expected any other thing from me. He never neglected me, but protected me at all times. I lived with him and was sometime away from him still i never felt the absence of his love. He always protected me by his glance.”

Like Sai is the Guru of this entire universe, let us also learn from Sai baba the sweetness in respecting our teachers. Who ever teaches us must be bowed to and respected for life time.

Devotion of children studying in shirdi school :

Saibaba had a special love for children. Trust me sai answers prayers of children if they put very little hardwork along with their innocent faith on sai baba. In 1913, a new head master Daji Vaman Chitambar was responsible for the childrens education in the primary school. Though i haven’t confirmed, there is a school in shirdi situated just few feets from saibaba’s dwarakamai. The children had so much faith in sai baba that they doesn’t seem to concentrate in studies. The head master was concerned about his own reputation as be believed the children were lazy and the results in exams will be very bad. They used to have so much innocent faith that sai baba would help them do well in exams. The head master once even made a complaint about saibaba spoiling the children to Kaka sahed dixit.

Finally on the day of exam , all the children went to sai baba’s dwarakamai and took his udi with faith. The head master Mr.Daji vaman and the educational inspector were much disturbed wondering how can saibaba’s blessings help the children if they are not concentrating in studies.

When the results were announced the head master was surprised to see all the students have passed. This is the first time in his career that the students performed well and gave cent percent result.

Thus sai convinced Daji vaman who became a staunch devotee of our Sai. Friend, by this we understand that these children did concentrate in studies though they seem to trust only their faith on sai. Ofcourse the reality is sai blessings has made these children spend enough time for education. How wonderful is this leela of Sai to convery a message to make you and your children be confident. Work hard and be devoted to sai. Let sai bless you with good education.

“The job of a teacher which you gave me ”

Friend. the below leela of sai is very touching for me because when i got job as a faculty for few month, i realized it was given as a gift from sai.

There was a devotee by name Govid Dhondo Pansare in sholapur. He vowed to have darshan of Sai baba if he passed the vernacular final examination. Only if he passed this exam, he can get a job as a teacher in primary school. Govid’s devotion on sai worked wonders as he passed the exam and also got job. When Govind went to shirdi, he bowed to sainath in dwarakamai.
Sai asked him ” What do you do ? ”

Govid replied humbly ,” The job of a teacher which you gave me”.

Friend. Now let us offer our prayers to all the children, young and old people for good education and career. Let them ever chant Sai Sai Sai, the name sai itself has the “Blessings of Goddess of all arts – Maha Saraswathi” in it. I bow to shri sainath to bless each and everyone who read this chapter to spread the value of education.

Let us also involve in little good deeds as follows

1. If you can afford, help just one poor child for education every year all through your life.

2. If you can’t afford that much, simply when ever you get chance give the gift of educational products like books, notes, pen etc to your friends and relatives children. Ofcourse for people in countries like india, you can come across few poor kids in village areas and provide them clothes ,note books and pen every year.

3. Its ok if you can’t do it regularly but when ever someone requests you for guidance in education , help them with proper advice. Even your words of motivation is a good deed.

I offer this prayer to Sainath.

Sai, Let us all realize what ever we learn and do, comes from you. so let us never have any ego for our success in education and career. Sai is the guru of all gurus. Let us all ever be in your holy feets as ordinary as you expect us to be and live in equality. Let there be no difference between the highly educated and others who din’t have opportunity to learn much. Sai bless everyone with a life of contentment.

Friend. Hope you like this tea of education. The ingridiants are Motivation, hardwork,concentration in studies, activeness and Devotion on Sai. If you sincerely pray sai baba for above qualities surely sai will gradually help you to grow in life.

Om shri sainathaya namaha

Next Chapter

Chapter 3 – The God in Marble Statue is called SaiBaba

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Sai Mother

God is listening to you because he did for me.

When you suffer extremely in life, when you prayed God or a Saint and in the end face difficulties, its natural to ask “Is God really there, why i suffer so much being so good ? ” . This is the first cup of tea. A story about how God saved my mother as a proof that God answers every good prayers . Sometimes , God fails but in my life, God has been so kind because he gave me and my sister the gift of worlds greatest Mother.

Lord Ganesha pooja

Flash back : 1984 when i was 6 years old and my sister indra 7

Those are the days we won’t care for date and time. If its working day in school, then it means all world is being unkind to me .If its a holiday, then happiness starts as soon as i wake up.

One such happy day in 1984, my father is took us to pateeswaran temple ( lord shiva ) from our grandparents house. Me and my sister are supposed to hold our parents palm when ever we cross the road. I wonder if today’s parents insist this to their children. Little act of caring in relationships is fast disappearing.

Pateeswaran shiva temple in coimbatore is built by ancient kings. our attraction is the Elephant standing near a pillar, if we keep 10 paise coin in its trunk , he will touch our little head and bless us. My father gives us the coins to take blessings .we bend our head fearing the touch of the big Ganesha.I also remember a wooden statue of Lord Hanuman , the entire room will be filled with many papers over which the devotees has written “Sri rama Jayam”.

Though not matured to understand life, me and my sister indra were not enjoying this purticular visit to shiva temple. Amma ( mom ) was sick . She had a surgery without much recovery and was not able to eat any solid food for months togather. If she sneezes in our house, strangers standing in a bus stop beyond 2 street could hear the sound. Her stomach used to pain more due to such contineous sneeze.

Guidance of a old women to Lord Ganesha devotion :

A old women selling grocery items carrying it in a basket from house to house, looking at my mothers condition requested her to go to a small Ganesha temple situated 3 kilo meters from our grand parents house every evening , come around it 108 times so that Lord Ganapathy will show us a way.

Every evening me, my amma, grandmother and sister used to walk slowly holding amma’s palm and walk 3 kilometers to the little ganesha temple, we will do holy bath for lord ganapathy with a jar of water. Our grandma asks us to pluck little green grass from mother earth to offer to Ganesha.

After doing this simple pooja, we come around the temple with lots of exitement…1…2…3…4..5…6…i used to do this pradhikshana ( coming around Gods statue ) fastly and imagine that the more i come around Ganapathy , the more he will bless me to get good marks in school and also save our Amma.

Finally 108 pradhikshana is done, i used to come around extra rounds to please Ganesha.Probably Ganesha did count my extra rounds of little venkat who never has interest in studies. I got less marks in school but a better gift of mother.

Ganesha blessed us showing the right way :

Worshipping Ganesha will break the obstacles which help us grow in life. Here our obstacle was which doctor or a saint will save my Amma.

Once when my sister was suffering from skin alergy due to insect bite. My mother took her to Mani iyer a priest of Murugan temple who gave her solution and it also worked well. My mother never thought about seeking his guidance when she herself was ill, naturally we humans believe in medical ways to cure disease. My father used to spend all his salary for purchasing medicines for amma which led him to face problems in home.

Finally, after months of suffering, my mother decided to take a spiritual guidance and decided to meet Mani iyer. Only those who’s sins has vanished and who has done lots of good deeds in their past birth gets a opportunity to meet a saint. Similarly though my mother knows him earlier, only now we all came to pateeswaran temple to seek his guidance for herself.

Mani iyer will be guiding hundreds of devotees sitting behind the Lord Murugan sannidhi . So our present visit to Pateeswaran shiva temple is not to play with elephants but to meet Mani iyer and get his blessings. Many middle class and poor devotees were already waiting to see him for guidance. When our turn came, he gave a pinch of viboodhi ( holy ash ) to my mother and asked her how it tastes. She said it tastes as if she ate tamarind seeds.

He said, someone has kept blackmagic to my mother and requested us to visit another holy person who is a expect in removing such evil blackmagic so that Mani iyer can give some siddha medicines for better health. First the evil has to be out of the body so that treatment can be given.

The next day my parents left us in house, took the early morning 5 o clock bus to meet man who is expert in removing blackmagic.The man looked very scary ( fat and dark ) as per my moms description . He had said that the effect of blackmagic is too extreme that it has mixed in my mothers blood and now nothing can be done.My father has asked what will happen. His answer made my parents get shocked and they were in deep pain. That man added, Mani iyer is guru for all of us. So again take your wife to him and tell him the situation.

Meeting the saint again and Ganesha temple near river bank :

My parents directly came back to Pateeswaran temple and explained their hopeless situation to Mani iyer. He has a very sarcastic and commanding way of telling the people who come to him seeking guidance. He told my mother ” go to the Ganesha temple situated under the tree near the river bank, do pradhikshana 108 times and come back.”

Already my mother was not even able to walk..she was so weak for months not able to have any solid food. My father holded her hand , took her to little Ganesha temple near river bank and helped her come around it 108 times.

Friends,when we do pradikshana, it means that though God is truth, we come around in a world of maya. So we say God that i am leading this worldly life keeping you as center. Further, the holy vibrations of the sacred statue and temple makes our body and mind to shed our sins and inspires good thoughts and actions.

In the holy feets of Lord Murugan ( Karthikeya ) :

They came back to the murugan Sannidhi of Pateeshwaran temple and met Mani iyer. In his comanding tone, he asked my father to get 9 lemons and come. Then he kept some powder siddha medicine folding inside a paper , along with 9 lemons and kept it under the holy feets of Lord Murugan in that temple, did pooja and gave it to my parents telling ” There is nothing in my hands, if this Lord Murugan wills, he will bless you to be a mother of these children and bring them up” .

Hugging us with tears :

Me and indra know that our mother is seriously sick by that evening. Even now i could see my mother hugging her two little children with tears flowing from her eyes begging god “Saami, indha pillaigalukku amma irukanum, idhungalukaavudhu enna kaapaathu” – “God ,my children needs the love of a mother, save me so that i will bring them up with affection”. Me and indra started crying and we can understand and i remember telling my mother ” Amma, saami kaapathuvaaru”. Amma, God will save you.

If there is Good , theres also Evil – Spiritual ways for health issues is important :

There are some people who doubt black magic etc but i have seen few suffer worst pains in life since human beings uses evil forces to spoil others life, business and reputation. If you find anyone suffering with health issues with out the doctor able to cure the disease,please turn to spiritual side . Dont trust people blindly who climbs to take off the black magic demanding huge sum. There are very few people who does this sacred work of helping the effected people come out of pain.

Personally, i request sai devotees to keep a glass of water everyday in front of shirdi saibaba photo or statue in their house, light 9 lamps everyday , read one chapter in sai satcharita , chant sai sai sai for 10 minutes and have the water as prasad. This may not be the solution but this will increase your devotion in sai and sai will show you a way.

I would have not believed in such evil forces had i not seen my own mother suffer. Now all my mother has to do is to trust the guidance of Mani iyer, have faith in Lord Murugan ( karthikeya ) and do as per his instructions. Every day she makes juice from one lemon, mix the siddha powder in it and must drink it. My mom used to tell that it was so bitter that she can’t even drink it. The vomit and stomach ache increased as the days passed on . On the 5th day my grandma told my mom to stop this siddha lemon medicine as it has aggrevated her pain. My mother told her “This is my final attempt to save myself. I have faith in lord Murugan. Let me take it for 9 days as instructed” .

Having solid food after 8 months of stomach ache and sufferings :

On the 9th day Mani iyer asked her to crush one lemon over her head while taking bath. My mom was not even able to walk by this time. Its the 9th day of Lord Murugans blessed medicine. My grandma crushed the lemon over my mothers head . Even now my mother tells us that she really felt as if some evil force is leaving her body. Then she did prayers and for first time in 8 months , she had one idly ( rice cake ) fully. She was satisfied.

My parents took us and went to see Mani iyer. My mother continued the siddha medicines given by Mani iyer for few months. Though my mother was saved from worst effects of black magic, since it was too late for us to take her from medical treatments to spiritual ways, it was not a complete cure. My mother often gets sick but Lord Murugan ,MariAmman and Sai whom my mother worships cures her every now and then

A Guru resting in the holy feets of Lord Murugan :

When ever we face any difficulties in life, my parents used to take us to Mani iyer and he gives us a solution. He has served thousands and thousands of poor, middle class and rich people all over tamil nadu with his spiritual knowledge in the name of Lord Murugan. He also gave a blessing to our family by conducting my sisters wedding as he always used to assure from her childhood. In january 2006, mani iyer passed away .May be he was only a priest of Murugan temple ,his powers and way of life was like that of a saint. so to me he had his samadhi. During his last times, he has told his sons that they need not worry about spending for his last rites. Everything will be provided.

When Mani iyer passed away, people from all cast and creed came to his house and donated vegetables, milk and all items used for the final rites for over a weeks time. A priest, saint and a good atma earns love of people whom they serve. Only when they are gone we realize their value. Many who lived during saibabas life time had a similar feeling.

Mani iyer has gifted a framed photo of his to my father which is kept in my parents room for worship. Though our house is surrounded by shirdi sai baba photos and statues, i bow to Mani iyer when ever i feel like. He is a wonderful devotee of Lord Murugan and i believe now he rests in the holy feets of Lord Murugan.

Ten paise to Lord Ganesha :

The above story happened between march 1984 to october 1984 when my mother got seriously ill not even able to have solid food once. When my mother was admitted in hopital, my father takes me to a Ganesha temple. I ask him ten paise to offer as dakshina to Lord Ganesha everyday. I keep it to lord ganesha and say ” saami ammava kaapathu”. God save my mother .

Probably it is this faith on God which started from offering of ten paise which has led me today to have a heart to serve children of God. Its my karma that God was not able to make me highly educated or be in a big career but it is by the grace of Lord Murugan and shree Guru that i got mothers love.

This incident helps us learn few beautiful things in life :

1. God will show us a way if he cant solve the problem immediately.
2. God will help us through ordinary people

The old women selling house hold items first guided my mother to do pradhishana of ganesha temple 108 times.

3. Only good deeds of past and present life will lead us to a Pure hearted Guru
It is important to do good deeds in this life as the right Guru who has knowledge to guide us will pull us towards him.
4.God will help us through a Guru

Though we have faith in God, it requires a Guru, a saint and a great priest of Murugan temple like Mani iyer to show us the right path.

5. God will help us to the extent allowed by laws of karma.

God helped my mother save her life but she did suffer with illness all her life.
I am satisfied that God does protect her every now and then.

6. Offering Dakshina ( monetary gifts ) to god need not be big sum as god looks at your devotion.

I offered only 10 paise coin which doesnt even exist now to lord ganesha everyday praying to Save my mom.
It is not money ,It is my devotion which Ganesha accepted and blessed me with love of mother.
Friends,Now we shall recollect few incidents during sai babas life time[/color]

Sai and Mother :

Friend, this book is expression of my love for shirdi saibaba.To have a human touch , i have tried to integrate the wisdom i gained through sufferings in life with the stories of shirdi saibaba and how Sai helped us . This chapter is dedicated to all Mothers on earth. So we shall read few incidents how sai helped women and Mothers during his life time.

1.Aalaas Kaay – “Have you Come”

This is a welcome message for the readers of this book. The leela is expressed by a devotee who lived during saibaba’ life time called Shridhar Narayan Kharkar. His son, Givind was hungering and thirsting to have the joy of visiting saibaba’s samadhi and dwarakamai at shirdi. In 1934, he went to shirdi with his fathers family friends.

Saibaba’s eyes and voice :

We can now imagine how serene and beautiful shirdi would have been in those years with no crowd. Govid climbed the steps of dwarakamai and looked at the Oil painting of Saibaba done by Jayakar. This painting is so vivid that Baba’s eyes from the portrait seems to pierce in to you , where ever you may stand, it seems sai looks into you. It is one of the great quality of Sai.

His eyes emits invisible rays of power and penetration. You feel this is a great saint who knows all about you, your past , present and future and he reads every thought of yours and reveals nothing unless required.

Govid was looking at this beautiful painting of saibaba in dwarakamai as if he is hungry and our sai mother is feeding him the divine nector through his eyes. Govind looked deeply in to the face of Sai and closed his eyes. In few seconds , He heared a clear voice
” Aaalaas Kaay ” meaning ” Have you come” .

He opened his eyes wondering who would have welcomed him and found himself alone in Dwarakamai. The leela of Sai are motherly and affectionate. Sai invites every single devotee to his dwarakamai with pure love of a mother. Friends, see how beautifully our sai has showed his parental affection on Govind. Similarly, i pray our great Saint Sai to invite you ( the reader ) to the dwarakamai of this book. Every word in this book , i wrote sitting in front of saibaba’s portrait and at times remembering sai with heart and soul .

Accept our saibaba’s invitation to read many more beautiful sai leela in the Dwarakamai of this book. Where ever you are , what ever you do, when ever you remember sai whole heartedly, that place becomes dwarakamai. Sai rests there where there is pure love . This moment close your eyes, take a deep breath, bring in your mind the form of Shirdi Sai and listen the voice of sai inviting you ” Have you come” .

2.”How is it you are neglecting my mother ? “

Chandrabai has seen sai since 1898, 20 years before his Samadhi. She has seen Baba filling his lamps with water instead of oil. Saibaba was sitting under the neem tree when she first had his darshan.

Every day Sai used to give her udi with his own hand .She preserved it with utmost care as it has great virtue and potency. Those days there were no places to stay in Shirdi. When ever she went to shirdi, she was put up in the house of some villagers. By this we understand it is good to have a guest in house who come for pilgrimage.

Now listen to a beautiful incident during her life time.

Chandrabai’s husband Mr.Borkar has never seen sai baba but even to him Sai showed great kindness. In 1909, Borkar was doing a contruction work in Pandharpur. While he was there, Chandrabai went to shirdi and served Sai. One day saibaba told her “You better go to Pandharpur and i will go with you”. Sai also said that he had no difficulty to travel and she must start immediately.

Chandrabai reached Pandharpur but to her disappointment she realized her husband was not there and gone away to Bombay. She was in great sarrow since she had very little money and 2 companions. With her little money she reached Kurdwadi, sat in the railway station very sadly. Suddenly a Fakir appeared before her and asked her why she is sad. She told him about the problem in finding her husband .

The fakir told “your husband is in Dhond , go there at once with your 2 companions” .

The surprising fact was the fakir not only guided them but also gave them 3 tickets to Dhond and went away. She boarded the train to dhond with her friends.

While this was happening with chandrabai, In Dhond railway station Mr.Borkar was having tea sinking in to a half dozed condition.

A Fakir appeared before him and said ” How is it that you are neglecting my mother ? She is coming by the train in carriage no. such and such “

]and also gave him the carriage number in which his wife is travelling.

Borkar was shocked and got up in angry mood. Immediately the Fakir disappeared. When the train arrived both husband and wife were surprised to see each other and reached home safe. He told chandrabai that a Fakir appeared before him asking why he neglects his mother and asked her to show Sai Baba’s photo. Borkar thus learnt how kind is his wife’s Guru , even to a person who dint worshiped him, he appeared in person and helped his family in the time of need.

Friends…. How affectionate is our Sai towards all his devotees . Sai has no difference between rich or poor, man or women. Sai perceives every women who comes to him as a mother. If sai with all rights asks chandrabai’s husband ” how is it that you neglect my MOTHER ? ” then realize how much he cares for us when our family members or friends hurts us. Sai is ocean of mercy. This is a beautiful leela since our sai mother calls his devotee as his own Mother.

3. Bai, whats your heart’s wish ?

Friend. See how caring are the words of our Sai ma. Every word uttered by sai is a blessing . Chandrabai did not had a child for years. In 1918 when she was aged 48, she has not conceived at all. She desired to have a child though every doctor ruled out the possibility of having a child in this age.

Once in 1918 when she went to shirdi , Sai knowing her desire asked her

Saibaba – Bai, what is your hearts wish ?

Chandrabai – Baba, you know everything . What is there for me to tell you ?

Friend, this is how we must pray to sai. See how sweet were the words of Sai and his devotee. Both had faith and love on each other. Sai caringly asked whats your desire, chandrabai instead of telling she wish to become a mother, simply says baba that he knows everything being her Antaryami.

Three years later, Chandrabai was diagonised with internal tumour and proposed to remove it by operation.Chandrabai said to Dr.Purandre that she will wait for 10 months and decide. The Doctor said when she is 51, long continued absense of conception, its impossible have a child. To chandrabai the words of sai will never become untrue. Baba used to say

“To keep My words I would sacrifice my life, I would never be untrue to My words.”

Chandrabai did got the gift of child by sai grace . A son was born to her 3 years and 2 days after Baba has Maha samadhi.

Oh friend. Did you see the firm faith of Chandrabai, even when she had tumour she din’t want to go for operation instead wait another 10 months as she has so much trust in saibabas words. When sai affectionately asked her ” Bai , whats your heart’s wish ? ” , it shows his concern on chandrabai whos only desire was to become a mother.

Let us also understand that Sai wishes to fulfill few of our hearts wishes but we must face the obstacles and bear the pains on our way towards success. I wish Sai asks the reader ” Bai, Whats your heart’s wish ?”

4. Sai understands the heart of a mother :

Nanasaheb Nimonkar and his wife used to serve sai from sun rise to late in the evening. Every morning after taking bath , they take the pooja plate and go towards Dwarakamai. They do Kakad Arti for Sai and then do all seva for sai and those who come to see him.

Once when Nana’s elder son in Belapur was not feeling well, the wife wanted to go there and stay there for 4 days as it was time of pola festival..But Nimonkar asked her to go Belapur and come back immediately….the lady was in pain as she cant talk against him. As those days women cant even imagine to go against her husband. She was in sarrow as she needs to take care of her son in fever with permission of her husband to go to Belapur.

when she saw baba near Sathe wada and fell in his feet to get ashirwad..Baba immediately said “Go now..go soon, take care of your son, enjoy pola festival and come back leisurely after 4 days”.

Even without requesting Sai to speak to her husband to let her go for long period, sai himself learnt her motherly heart and asked her to come back leisurely. When Sai himself gave this commands , Nimonkar was not able to go againt it and let her go. This made Nimonkar’s wife soooooo touched and gave her unimaginable joy.

What we have to note here is , the women never asked baba to convince her husband to allow her to come back leisurely. Saints heart is such that they care for us even when we never expect it from them. This incident is a powerful example of how sai will help in little issues concerning a Mother trying to express her love towards her children. Sai understands the heart of every Mother. Who else can, if not Sai. Our mother of several births.

Sai saved my mother, even before i know him. :

Now we shall revert to the story of my mother.

Those days when i was a kid , i never knew of shirdi sai baba. I came to know of shirdi saibaba only in 1993 . All i know was Lord Ganesha and Murugan will surely save my Amma. When i think deeply, i realized Sai did showed his presence through another saint – the priest of Murugan Temple Mani iyer who guided us . Sai has expressed the greatest secret of all time. “All saints are one and they work in unision” . Heres a sweet leela which happened in Saibabas life time.

Listen to this story from Shree Sai Satcharita

Saint’s works in Unison :

In 1917 Haribhau Karnik of Dahanu 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.

Even before Shirdi Sai baba came in to my life, in this birth, i believe Sai saved my mother by guiding us through the priest of Murugan Temple.

Art of Motherly Love :

Friend, I would like to write more about Saibabas love and respect for Women devotees and also his Motherly love on all of us. The essence of all these beautiful leelas of Sai is that we must give respect to our mother and father. Let us always be affectionate with them, help them in fulfilling their responsibilities and even if theres a misunderstanding , let us bow to them with affection and let them understand our situation. Sai never preached anything . Sai’s ways are unique.

Sai taught us the “Art of love” towards our parents, siblings and friends. The Art of Motherly Love.

Sai,you saved my mother who made me and will still make thousands of Tea which i drink to my hearts content every single day in my life. Hope you ( reader ) felt the taste of first cup of tea in the dwarakamai of our House.

Welcome for more…

Sai . You are my heart. You are my soul.

Sai Leela : Friend. The day i wrote this chapter on 10:03:2009,i called my father from Nagasai mandhir . It was a sweet surprise to me as on this holy full moon day they had Darshan of Lord Murugan in Thiruchendur Murugan temple.

My mother always used to tell that her mother ( my grandma ) went to Thiruchendur Murugan temple praying that she must be blessed with a Baby Girl ( daughter ) and then my mom was born.I am really happy that the day i wrote how Lord Murugan saved my mother , she actually had darshan of Lord Murugan.

Now i have got Lotus to be offered to Lord Dattatreya . I shall start the pooja with prayers for all good souls who reads this book.

Next Chapter

Chapter 2 – Education is the Greatest Blessing

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love

Sitting in our own house , having tasty food , tea and all comforts and starting to write a Holy book might look like an easy task. I have tried to write a book for devotees of Shirdi Sai baba for a long time but i was haunted by laziness and a feeling that what am i going to write because i got all that i need.

Food.
Shelter
comfort.

Now. I am hungry.

I am able to start this holy work the greatest Saint of Saints Sai gave me because i am hungry. I purposely delayed to have my lunch though my mother has made tasty food. When you get what you want, your devotion to God is full but when you are hungry even for a second if you feel that you are doing fasting for God, then it has a slight ego associated with this devotion. Further our body which is like a temple must be taken care so that we can show devotion to god.

So please have food , be relaxed, offer your worries and depression in the holy feets of sadguru saibaba and then start to read this book.

The reason i want to write the first page of this book when i am hungry is because Hunger is the first pain every life gets.

This Holy book of Sai is for sai devotees in pain.

For a mother who is worried about her children,
For a father whos worried about his family and work
For a student worried about his studies and career.
For someone in to relationship pains that it hurts like a insect in fire.
For a sai devotee suffering in mental and physical issues.
and
For every atman which is in search of the truth,struggling and searching the truth where it doesn’t exist because the truth is not out.

Its inside. Its called Sai.

a sweet truth called Sai.

This holy book is like having a tea when you are hungry, the writer is also one among you . He can’t give solution to your various sufferings in life. When you are hungry ( meaning various sufferings in life ) this book will be like a Tea to ease your hunger untill you get tasty Food.( Gift of Sai )

Join with many children of Shirdi Sai baba and have this tea made by Sai.
When your time comes,Sai will bless you with tasty Food meaning solutions to your problems blessing you whole heartedly.

In hunger i feel Sai.
In pain i write this book.

Let the reading of this book be a blessing to you , your family and friends.
With tears in eyes, i thank Sai for choosing me and destroying myself in me in his sacred fire ( dhuni ) to make me realize the truth.

Theres only one truth .There is Sai Atma. Every life is Sai Atma, every river , ocean, mountain,trees,plants and crores and crores of universe put togather is Sai Atma. I write this when drops of tears emerges from my right eye and flows down on my face. I feel the light of Sai. The light of sai is Love.
His intense deep pure motherly and fatherly love on every devotee who clings to his holy feets make me cry.

If there is a love which can make you shed tears, its love of a saint towards his devotee.Forgive me if you find it as a book containing more of my stories than sai stories. Imagine that you have come to our house in pain. As a ordinary sai devotee , i am trying to console you telling few incidents in my life and how God helped us so that your faith in God becomes strong.

This book is Tea made of Faith and love. Tea made by Mother Sai.

Come ! Have some tea , in our house…

C.Venkat Raman

Next Chapter

Chapter 1 – Sai Mother

Contents page – Shirdi Sai Baba Book of Love