Ambrosia in Shirdi Part-1-Baba's Leelas before 1918

[Guest guest]

Leela 100

Inscrutable are the nuances and ways of Baba for when He showers His grace, the

impossible and unimaginable is possible. Baba rarely left Shirdi in the

physical body, except to go to Rahata, Nigoj and Rui. In this Leela, He goes to

stay in Ukrool village near Bhivpuri road. Keshav R.Pradhan was a hard­core

atheist. But, his dearest friend was an ardent devotee of Keshew Rao R. Pradhan

Baba. Pradhan worked for a pedhi of a Parsi. gentleman at Bombay. His job

entailed him to go Manmand, Nasik and Koparrgaon for bill collections. His

friend who frequently visited Shirdi urged him to go to Shirdi either during

his tour of duty or to accompany him. But all his requests fell on deaf ears.

After much cajoling and even coercion, Pradhan finally agreed to accompany his

friend. Before he made the trip, he told his friend emphatically and clearly

that he wouldn't step into the Masjid. After he was quite sure that

his friend agreed, only then did he accompany him.

Upon reaching Shirdi, they took a room on rent and stayed there. Soon, it was

time for the Noon Arati and his friend went to Dwarakamai, leaving Pradhan in

the room. At 12.00 noon, the Arati started and the peels of ringing bells

filled the air and charged the atmosphere with spiritual energy. Pradhan heard

the bells ring in his room. He got restless and soon it turned into a hypnotic

spell as he stood up, swaying to their beat.

Before he realized it, he was walking in that direction and soon entered the

Dwarakamai and stood among the rest of the devotees. When the arati was over,

the devotees went to Baba, one by one. Pradhan, however, sat in a corner and

looked at Baba with intense concentration and try as he may, he couldn't take

his eyes of Baba's divine form. He sat there and gazed at Baba, bewitched.Soon,

the Dwarakamai was empty and Baba beckoned to him. Still in a daze, he went and

sat in front of Baba. With a smile, Baba put out His hand and asked for

Dakshina. Pradhan thrust his hand into his pocket and handed over Rs.2,500/-,

the entire sum, that he had collected for the pedhi. Then, in the same dazed

state, he returned to his room. When he came to his normal

state, he was mortified at what he had done. Thinking about the money, he

realized that he hadn't enough money to return home, let alone repay his

employer. Nonetheless, he started for Kopargaon by tonga. As he had no money

with him, he took of his gold ring and offered it to the tonga driver. He

requested him to sell the ring and take the fare from it. Suddenly, a

well-dressed gentleman appeared on the scene and paid the fare. He proceeded to

buy the ticket to Bombay and expertly made all the arrangements for a

comfortable journey. He then seated Pradhan in the compartment and disappeared

in the crowd. Pradhan was speechless and wondered at the kindness of the

gentleman.

He reached home, but was in a lot of turmoil about the repayment of the money to

his employer. He wasn't affluent and kept wondering as to how he would repay the

money and what explanation he could give. So, he decided to call 'in sick'. He

sent word to his employer that he was unable to attend work due to an illness

and he may be absent for a long period. The employer, however, granted him the

leave, and told him to return only after he was fully recovered. He also told

him not to worry as he had received double the amount of money from the

customers. Pradhan was astounded to hear this and it dawned on him that the

kind gentleman, and the recovery of the money was Baba's Leela. At that moment,

the atheist turned into an ardent devotee.

This event had such a profound effect on him that he started visiting Shirdi as

often as he could. After darshan he would ask Baba to come to Ukrool (Bhivpuri

road) at each and every visit. Once in 1916 he visited Shirdi after darshan he

requested Baba to come to Bhivpuri. Baba picked up one of His replicas given to

Him by a devotee and handing it over to Pradhan said "Go back to Bhivpuri. Erect

a temple and place this replica in it. Start all the functons there and don't

come to this place again for that is your Shirdi".

Pradhan brought the replica to Bhivpuri but did not follow Baba's orders. When

he visited Shirdi, Baba said "When I have come to your house why do you come

here? Bhivpuri is your Shirdi now". After a few day he erected a small temple

and intalled the rep­lica with all the rituals and daily pooja with offerings

were performed. So also, all the festivals. The temple was built adjacent to

his house and was. serene, beauti­ful with abundant trees and luscious

greenery. In front of the temple and to the left was a huge ancient peepal tree

next to a banyan tree. Once at mid-night, Pradhan heard the temple doors open.

He and his family went to see who it was, every one was surprised at what they

saw. Baba entered the temple and closed the door be­hind Him. At 3.00 A.M.the

door was opened and Baba left. He narrated this wonderful

experience to all his friends and relatives who also came to behold this won­derful event.

Pradhan passed away in 1939. But before this, he left the management of the

temple to his sons and son-in-law, A.V. Gupta who was an ardent devotee of

Baba. The temple soon became famous in the neighbouring villages and in Bombay

and other places. As devotees used to flock there and an expansion plan was

under­taken. This plan was halted for a while because of lack of funds. So a

devotee, Narayan Purohit started doing Parayan of the Satcharitra to find a

solution. On the fourth day, Baba appeared in his dream and said "Where is My

dhuni? There is no dhuni here how can this be Shirdi?" When Baba orders some

thing he finds a solution. The dhuni was lit by A.R. Walawalkar the grand-son

of Hemadpant. The total expenses was borne by Kumar Sen Samarth.

Arial">

This is a 'must visit' temple. Because it has many notable features."Gurur

Brahma Gurur VishnuGurur Devoh Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri

Gurur Veh Namah"May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and

our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength

, goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa

Hdebu7366

Start your day with - make it your home page