How Sai Baba protects you in your journey living in you as Antaryami?
I was deeply thinking about people who leave their adult children and happily go on a pilgrimage to far away places after the Nepal flood incident. So, I wrote this article – Don’t get married and have children if you are so much spiritually inclined.
Everyday, after the Saibaba temple is closed here in Coimbatore, I either go to Saibaba colony if my Mother has asked me to buy some stuff or I drive home. Sometimes, I have a small chit-chat with my friends standing outside temple for 10 to 15 minutes. Most of these conversations these days are on my political views as I wish to see Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister of India.
Sometimes, we argue a lot but I leave in 10 minutes to continue the next day. Last night, I told them that it’s not right to take people to Kailash saying “It will bless them with Mukti” and eventually, when they are lost, only the adult children are in pain searching for their dear parents who might never be back.
Almost no one agreed with my views but I kept telling them, “Well, if you think, you suddenly got your wisdom eyes opened to go on a spiritual trip, then, what will happen to these 22-30 year old Son and Daughter if you do not come back? Why should your children suffer because of your desire to travel far away places?
Did you teach them detachment?
Will they not be spending rest of their life in deep pain that they lost their dear Mom and Dad to water.
I told them, Parents should not go to risky places if they believe they still have responsibilities towards their children.
Eventually, these guys were fed up with my argument and said parents also have their own free-will to travel as they wish and can’t be controlled.
I told them, then, don’t get married and have children if you cannot sacrifice your desire for your children.
As usual, these guys were either calm or didn’t agree with me. So, I started back home.
I came home, made the street dog Pasi remain inside our home until she had milk and let her sleep on my Lap. I keep telling her when my Sister Indra comes from US in December, Pasi should keep herself clean and I will apply perfume on her.
For some reason, I was deeply worried and sat infront of Saibaba in my room. Later, I remembered the priest had given me flowers and took it out from my bag. Usually, the priests give me garland which I offer to a Goddess in our home. I was happy to see a beautiful Yellow Rose and Jasmine. So, I gave it to my Amma to keep in fridge to give our maid Shanta Akka.
A yellow rose from Sai made me feel better!
This morning, I wanted to prove how Shirdi Saibaba and ancient saints were able to protect their devotees during their travel. I am presenting it as below. Only ancient saints are “Antaryami”.
Example: I can become a fake guru preaching some stuff. I can write books, make videos and create a community for myself. But I cannot live inside the soul of everyone whom I have impressed to follow me. None of the modern false saints can have the quality of “Antaryami”- The one who lives in yourself.
How Shirdi Sai Baba helped devotees during their travel?
Imagine Shirdi back in 1880 to 1918.
Travel during Sai Baba’s lifetime was considerably more difficult and uncertain than it is today. Devotees visiting Shirdi travelled by train to stations such as Kopargaon or Manmad and completed parts of their journey in tongas, bullock carts or on foot.
Roads were unpredictable, medical assistance was limited and even a frightened horse could place a traveller’s life in danger.
Yet devotees who came to Shirdi believed that their journeys remained under Sai Baba’s watchful care. Before leaving, they would visit Dwarakamai, bow before Baba and ask for his permission.
Sometimes Baba allowed them to depart immediately. Sometimes he told them to wait, eat before leaving, travel the following morning or take another devotee with them. His instructions occasionally appeared unnecessary or inconvenient. Only later would devotees understand the danger, delay or unseen circumstance behind his words.
The Shri Sai Satcharitra contains several incidents in which Baba foresaw travel-related dangers, protected devotees from accidents and arranged help at exactly the required moment.
Why devotees asked Baba’s permission before leaving Shirdi
Asking Baba’s permission was an important feature of a pilgrimage to Shirdi during his lifetime.
Chapter 9 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra begins with an explanation of what happened when devotees obeyed—or disregarded—Baba’s instructions at the time of departure:
“Those who obeyed Baba’s orders at the time of taking leave, fared well.”
The chapter adds that those who disregarded his directions sometimes experienced mishaps.
A devotee did not merely tell Baba that he was leaving. He approached Dwarakamai, bowed before him and waited for his consent. Baba might give permission immediately, ask the devotee to remain in Shirdi or provide an apparently minor instruction concerning the journey.
The Satcharitra explains:
“Baba gave certain suggestions or hints, when Bhaktas went to bid good-bye and take leave.”
These instructions were not always understandable at that moment. A traveler might be anxious about catching a train or reaching home on time, while Baba appeared unconcerned about the schedule. Nevertheless, his knowledge extended beyond the traveler’s immediate plans.
Sai Baba knew the timings of trains
The Shri Sai Satcharitra records an extraordinary fact about Baba’s knowledge of railway schedules.
Baba occasionally visited the nearby villages of Rahata and Nimgaon, but he did not undertake distant journeys. According to Chapter 8, he had neither seen nor travelled in a railway train.
Nevertheless:
“Still, He knew exactly the timing of arrival and departure of all trains.”
This statement is especially significant when we understand how devotees travelled from Shirdi.
A person leaving Shirdi normally had to travel to a nearby railway station by tonga or another form of road transport. The traveler naturally calculated when to leave according to the train timetable. Baba, however, sometimes asked a devotee to remain longer, eat a meal or delay the journey.
His instructions may have seemed likely to make the devotee miss the train. But devotees who trusted Baba reportedly reached the station at the appropriate time or discovered that the delay had protected them from another difficulty.
Tatya Kote Patil disregards Baba’s warning
One of the clearest travel-related warnings concerns Tatya Kote Patil, among Baba’s closest devotees.
Tatya was preparing to travel by tonga to the market at Kopargaon. In his hurry, he went to Dwarakamai, saluted Baba and announced his departure.
Baba cautioned him:
“Don’t make haste, stop a little.”
Baba initially advised Tatya not to leave the village. When he saw that Tatya remained determined to go, Baba told him to take Shama—Madhavrao Deshpande—with him.
Tatya disregarded both instructions. He left immediately without Shama.
One of the two horses pulling his tonga was active and restless. After the tonga passed Sawli Vihir, the horse began running uncontrollably, injured its waist and fell.
Tatya was not seriously hurt. Nevertheless, the accident immediately reminded him of Baba’s warning.
The Satcharitra records that Tatya disregarded Baba’s advice on another occasion while travelling to Kolhar. His tonga met with a similar accident.
These incidents reveal two aspects of Baba’s protection. Baba warned Tatya before the danger arose, but even after Tatya disregarded the warning, he escaped without serious harm.
Baba’s love did not disappear because a devotee acted impulsively. The accident became both a warning and a lesson in trusting the Guru’s guidance.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 9
The European visitor who left Shirdi in haste
Chapter 9 recounts another tonga accident, this time involving a European visitor from Bombay.
The gentleman arrived in Shirdi with a letter of introduction from Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He wished to enter the mosque, kneel before Baba and kiss his hand. However, Baba did not allow him to climb into Dwarakamai. He was asked to remain in the courtyard and take darshan from there.
The visitor was dissatisfied. He decided to leave Shirdi immediately and approached Baba to say goodbye.
Baba advised him:
“Go the next day and do not hurry.”
Other people in Shirdi also encouraged the visitor to follow Baba’s direction. But he ignored their requests and departed in a tonga.
The journey initially proceeded normally. After the tonga passed Sawli Vihir, a bicycle appeared in front of the horses. The frightened horses bolted, causing the tonga to overturn.
The visitor fell and was dragged for some distance. He was rescued but had to receive treatment at the hospital in Kopargaon.
Unlike Tatya, this visitor was injured. Therefore, the incident should not be described as Baba completely saving him from the accident. It is primarily a story about a danger foreseen by Baba and a warning that was disregarded.
The Satcharitra draws a direct lesson from these incidents:
“Those who obeyed them were safe and happy.”
The story is not meant to portray Baba as punishing the visitor. Baba attempted to protect him by asking him to wait. His impatience prevented him from receiving the full benefit of that protection.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 9
Baba sends Shama to protect Balasaheb Mirikar
Balasaheb Mirikar, the Mamlatdar of Kopargaon, was travelling on official duty to Chitali. On his way, he visited Shirdi and went to Dwarakamai for Baba’s darshan.
During their conversation, Baba asked Mirikar whether he knew Dwarakamai. Baba explained that Dwarakamai was a compassionate mother who protected her children from danger.
Baba then made a movement with his hand resembling the raised hood of a snake. He referred to a “long gentleman” and asked what harm a serpent could cause to the children of Dwarakamai while she protected them.
Mirikar could not understand the meaning of these words.
Before Mirikar departed, Baba asked Shama to accompany him. Shama prepared to go, but Mirikar initially felt that the journey might inconvenience him. Shama returned to Baba, who told him that they should follow what was best for them.
Mirikar reconsidered and asked Shama to come. After receiving Baba’s permission, they travelled together by tonga and reached Chitali.
They waited in a Maruti temple because the officials they expected had not arrived. Mirikar sat on a mat reading a newspaper. A portion of his upper cloth lay across his waist.
Unknown to him, a snake was sitting on the cloth.
When the snake began moving, a nearby peon heard a rustling sound. He brought a lantern and saw the snake. Mirikar began trembling, but the people around him remained cautious. The snake slowly moved away from his waist before it was killed.
Only then did everyone understand Baba’s earlier reference to the “long gentleman.”
Baba had not merely predicted the danger. By sending Shama with Mirikar, he ensured that his devotee would not face the frightening situation alone.
The Satcharitra describes the outcome simply:
“Thus this calamity, which was predicted by Baba, was averted.”
This is one of the most striking examples of Baba’s protection during a devotee’s journey. The danger was real and physically close, but Baba’s warning, blessing and decision to send Shama ensured Mirikar’s safety.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 22
Bhausaheb Dhumal’s journey is unexpectedly delayed
Sai Baba’s travel guidance did not always concern an accident. Sometimes he delayed a journey because he knew that travelling immediately would serve no purpose.
Bhausaheb Dhumal, a lawyer, was travelling to Niphad to appear in a court case. On the way, he stopped in Shirdi for Baba’s darshan. He intended to continue to Niphad immediately.
Baba, however, did not give him permission to proceed. He made Dhumal remain in Shirdi for approximately a week.
Dhumal may naturally have worried about his legal responsibilities. But while he was waiting in Shirdi, the magistrate at Niphad developed severe abdominal pain and the hearing was postponed.
Baba then allowed Dhumal to leave and attend to the case.
The proceedings continued for several months and were heard by four magistrates. Ultimately, Dhumal won the case and his client was acquitted.
Baba’s delay had not harmed Dhumal’s professional duty. It saved him from an unnecessary journey and allowed him to remain in Shirdi until his presence was genuinely required.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 12
Kaka Mahajani is ordered to return early
The opposite happened in the case of Kaka Mahajani.
Kaka travelled from Bombay to Shirdi intending to remain for about a week and enjoy the Gokulashtami celebrations.
After Kaka took darshan, Baba asked him when he intended to return home. Kaka replied that he would leave whenever Baba ordered him to do so.
Baba said:
“Go tomorrow.”
This must have been disappointing. Kaka had travelled to Shirdi expecting to remain for the festival, yet Baba asked him to return almost immediately.
Kaka obeyed.
When he reached his office in Bombay, he discovered that his employer had been anxiously waiting for him. The office manager had suddenly become ill, making Kaka’s presence essential.
A letter asking him to return had been sent to Shirdi. However, because Kaka obeyed Baba promptly, he reached Bombay before the redirected letter could reach him.
Baba knew that Kaka was required at his workplace even before Kaka received the message.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 12
Baba settles Mrs. Nimonkar’s travel difficulty
Mr. and Mrs. Nimonkar were staying in Shirdi and spending much of their time serving Baba.
Their son became ill in Belapur. Mrs. Nimonkar wanted to visit him and remain there for a few days. Her husband, however, wanted her to return to Shirdi the following day.
Mrs. Nimonkar did not know what to do.
As she prepared to leave, she approached Baba near Sathe Wada, bowed at his feet and requested permission for her journey. Her husband was present.
Baba told her:
“Go, go quickly, be calm and unperturbed.”
He then instructed her to remain comfortably in Belapur for four days, meet her relatives and return to Shirdi afterward.
Baba’s words removed her anxiety. She could visit her sick son without feeling pressured to make an immediate return journey. Her husband also received a clear answer in Baba’s presence.
This gentle incident shows that Baba’s permission was not always connected with spectacular danger. Sometimes his guidance brought peace to a devotee troubled by competing responsibilities.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 12
Baba prevents Shama from travelling at night
Another incident concerned Shama’s sister-in-law, who was seriously ill with plague.
Shama became anxious and asked Baba for permission to travel to his brother’s home immediately. It was already night.
Baba stopped him:
“Don’t go there at this late hour.”
Baba instructed Shama to send Udi to the patient, travel there the following morning and return without delay.
Shama trusted him. The Udi was sent ahead, mixed with water and given to his sister-in-law. Some was also applied to the swellings caused by the illness.
When Shama arrived the following morning, he was surprised to see the woman recovering and preparing tea.
Baba had protected Shama from an unnecessary nighttime journey while simultaneously helping the patient before he could reach her.
The incident teaches that urgent emotion does not always require impulsive action. Baba first calmed the devotee, sent the necessary assistance and then permitted the journey at a safer time.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 33
The miraculous journey carrying Udi to Jamner
Among the most extraordinary travel accounts in the Shri Sai Satcharitra is the journey of Ramgir Bua, whom Baba affectionately called Bapugir Bua.
Nanasaheb Chandorkar was in Jamner, where his daughter Mainatai was experiencing a dangerously difficult childbirth. The family performed religious observances and prayed for help, but her condition remained serious.
At Shirdi, Baba called Bapugir Bua, who was preparing to travel toward his home in Khandesh. Baba instructed him to stop at Jamner and deliver Udi and a copy of Baba’s arati to Nanasaheb.
Bapugir Bua faced a practical problem. He had only two rupees. That amount was barely sufficient for the train journey to Jalgaon. He had no money to travel the remaining distance to Jamner.
He explained his difficulty to Baba.
Baba replied:
“God will give.”
Trusting Baba’s assurance, Bapugir Bua began his journey. After paying his railway fare, he was left with almost no money.
He reached Jalgaon during the early hours of the morning. Jamner was still many miles away, and he did not know how he would complete the journey.
Then he heard a uniformed man calling for “Bapugir Bua from Shirdi.”
The man told him that Nanasaheb had sent a tonga. Bapugir entered the carriage and was taken toward Jamner. During the journey, he was also provided with refreshments.
Upon reaching Jamner, Bapugir stepped away briefly. When he returned, the driver, horses and tonga had disappeared.
He found Nanasaheb and delivered Baba’s Udi and arati. Nanasaheb was astonished by Bapugir’s account because he had not sent any carriage to Jalgaon.
The Udi was given to Mainatai and the arati was sung. Her crisis passed and the delivery was completed safely.
Who, then, had arranged the tonga? Who knew Bapugir’s name and waited for him at the station?
For devotees, the answer was unmistakable. Baba had taken responsibility for the journey after saying, “God will give.”
Baba remained physically in Shirdi, yet every requirement of the traveller was arranged: the train journey, the unknown onward transport, food along the way and arrival at precisely the time the Udi was needed.
Source: Shri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 33
What these travel stories teach Sai devotees
These incidents are not merely stories about catching trains, surviving tonga accidents or reaching distant towns.
They reveal several recurring aspects of Baba’s relationship with his devotees.
1. Baba saw dangers that devotees could not see
Tatya did not know that his horse would bolt. The European visitor did not anticipate the bicycle that would frighten the horses. Mirikar did not know that a snake would rest upon his clothing.
Baba’s warnings preceded each danger.
2. Baba’s delays had a purpose
Dhumal wanted to continue to Niphad, but the court hearing was postponed. Shama wanted to travel at night, but the patient received Baba’s Udi and began recovering before he arrived.
What appeared to be a delay was actually protection.
3. Baba sometimes made devotees leave earlier than planned
Kaka Mahajani wanted to remain in Shirdi for a festival. Baba sent him home because his employer urgently required him.
Remaining near the Guru physically was not always the highest form of obedience. Sometimes serving one’s responsibilities was Baba’s command.
4. Baba arranged help beyond ordinary possibilities
Bapugir Bua had neither the money nor the transport required to reach Jamner. Once Baba entrusted him with the mission, the necessary help appeared along the way.
The devotee was expected to begin with faith. Baba arranged what lay beyond the devotee’s capacity.
5. Baba protected but also taught
Tatya escaped serious injury, but the accident reminded him of Baba’s warning. Baba’s protection did not encourage carelessness. It taught devotees to replace haste and overconfidence with patience and trust.
Does asking Baba’s permission apply to devotees today?
During Baba’s physical lifetime, devotees could stand before him in Dwarakamai and ask him directly whether they should leave.
Today, devotees may express the same spirit by praying before beginning an important journey. They may ask Baba for guidance, apply or carry Udi, remember his name and travel responsibly.
However, these stories should not be used to encourage superstition or anxiety. A devotee need not repeatedly seek signs, open the Satcharitra randomly until a preferred answer appears or become frightened that an accident will occur without a supernatural confirmation.
Baba taught both faith and patience. In modern travel, faith should accompany practical responsibility:
- maintain the vehicle properly;
- wear seat belts and helmets;
- avoid speeding;
- do not drive while tired;
- check weather and road conditions;
- follow railway and airline safety instructions;
- and postpone travel when circumstances are genuinely unsafe.
- If using a public transport, ensure your safety during journey.
Prayer does not replace responsible behaviour. It gives the traveller patience, clarity and the awareness that haste should never overrule safety.
Sai Baba’s assurance remains with every sincere traveller
The travel incidents in the Shri Sai Satcharitra show that Baba’s protection took many forms.
Sometimes it appeared as a direct warning. Sometimes it came as a delay, an unexpected companion, a change of plan or mysterious assistance at a distant railway station.
Devotees did not always understand Baba’s words immediately. The reason became clear only after the journey unfolded.
Tatya learned why Baba told him not to hurry. Mirikar discovered why Shama had been sent with him. Dhumal understood why he was detained in Shirdi. Kaka Mahajani discovered why he had been ordered home. Bapugir Bua experienced how Baba provided help when human resources appeared insufficient.
The lasting message is not that devotees will never face difficulty. Even Baba’s close devotees encountered accidents, illness, fear and uncertainty. The message is that the Guru knew their path, warned them against haste and provided the help necessary for their welfare.
Before beginning a journey, a devotee may remember Baba with a simple prayer:
Sai, guide me on the right path. Remove haste and fear from my mind. Help me act responsibly, protect everyone travelling with me and bring us safely to our destination.
Wherever the journey may lead, remembrance of Sai can make the traveler feel that Dwarakamai’s compassionate protection is never far away.
Om Sai Ram.
Venkat
