Fanatic Learns a Lesson

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IX. FANATIC LEARNS A LESSON

 

Sri Sai Baba had devotees belonging to all races, and Invariably

all felt quite at case in his presence. He advised people to

advance along path congenial to themselves; and invariably, he

dissuaded intolerance. Sometimes he pronounced or got some one to

pronounce fatia over Hindu offerings also. There was - as a rule -

no sharp distinction or antagonism between the devotion of Hindu

and Mohammedans to him. There were, however, some exceptions. One

of these, Judge Saheb mentions in his reminiscences.

"About 1916 two "Rohillas" came to Shirdi and became devoted to

Sri Sai Baba. The elder one was constantly with Baba and used to

read the Koran at night, especially sitting at the feet of

Baba".

Music in Mosque :

"He declared that Baba was Paygambar, (i.e. Prophet) and showed

great reverence. At times he said that though Baba was Paygambar,

he was still teaching heterodox doctrines. Baba's allowing the din

of noon day Arati with its music in the mosque, allowing himself

to be worshipped as God there and partaking of food offered to

idols were highly heterodox and the Kohilla mentioned his

objections to Baba. But Baba only smiled and said, "All that

(i.e., other Gods) is Allah". This was one of Baba's moods. In

some moods, he would say: "We are all the creatures of God-Allah".

In other moods, he would say: "I am God".

Taught a Lesson :

"This, of course, wasextreme heterodoxy in the Rohilla's view. So

one day he declared that, although Sri Sai Baba was Paygambar, yet

his doctrine was wrong and so he would make short work of Baba and

his doctrine. As Sri Sai Baba was going out walking, the Rohilla

came up from behind with a stout club in his right hand and

reached striking distance. Baba turned towards him and seizing his

left wrist cast a glance at him, beneath which the poor Rohilla

covered and sank like a lump of lead, powerless to lift bis club

or even to lift himself. Baba left him there and went away. IMF,

the man had to be raised up with some one's help. In a few days,

he took leave of Baba and left Shirdi".

"Of course, intolerance was not confined to this Muslim devotee.

There were some Hindu devotees, who exhibited the same trait but

Baba always discountenanced it".

 

 

(This is from the book"The Wonderous Saint Sai Baba" written by

Pujyasri B.V.Narasimaswami,founder President of All India Sai

Samaj, Chennai....this book can be read at www.saileelas.org)