DEVOTEES' EXPERIENCES OF SRI SAI BABA BY H.H.NARASIMHASWAMIJI - PARTS II

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that is so why should I not be given that work", I thought to myself, but said

nothing. It was then Darshan time and I had no time to undress. I went in my

full suit, boot, trousers, coat and hat, to Baba's Masjid. Baba was being asked

three times permission to send Vaman Rao with begging bowl. Suddenly he pointed

to me and said "Let this man go and beg for food with that bowl to-day". I went

in full suit that day and begged. Later for four months I went begging at noon

for Baba's sake i.e., for food for Baba in my ordinary costume. People could

not understand why I was chosen for this office. But since I had that desire,

Baba as my innermost soul, my Antaryami noticed it and gave me the opportunity

of serving him in that way. This honour of begging for food on his behalf at

noon time was reserved by Baba for very few. It was in 1917 that the

announcement was made that a Professor of Geology for the College of

Engineering at Poona was wanted. I asked Baba if I should apply for the post.

He said "yes' and I went to Poona to see all people concerned. It was a hard

and uphill work, as the applicants for the post were many and were supported by

various influential persons. After I

left Shirdi. Baba inquired of the men there Where is Narke gone?" They told him

" He has gone to Poona, to try for the appointmentAllah will bless" was

Baba's re­mark. He then asked whether I had any children and was informed that

several were born but none survived (they died after a very short life). "Allah

will bless" was again his re­mark. I secured the appointment in 1918 and was

made permanent in 1919; and children born to me since then are not short lived.

I have four sons now. All these are evidently secured by Baba's grace.

Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">So much can be easily said of Sai Baba by

all - mere observers from outside. But he who judged of Baba by the outside

alone would be greatly mistaken in his estimate. Baba was, of course, adapting

himself to the capacity of people that resorted to him for help and protection.

Most of them were superficial people- seeking mostly some material gain or

advantage; and to them he did not reveal his inner nature. But when anyone

capable of diving deeper came to him he revealed more of himself and his

powers. I was keenly observing him from the first and he noticed it and

encouraged my habit of observing and judging - complimenting me as "Hushiar" or

clever". On occasions he told me "what a 'Dubya', Le., sluggard you are" -

evidently referring to my failure to penetrate beneath the surface of things on

those occasions. Baba was not the man to stifle legitimate inquiry. Everything

he did or said was full of significance; mostly I could understand

them. To one deeply observing him; the startling fact came out into greater and

greater prominence that Baba was living and operating in other worlds also,

besides this world and in an invisible body. Remarks made by him openly would

be treated as meaningless ranting by those who did not know him. His language

also was highly cryptic - full of symbology, parable, allegory and metaphor.

Literal interpretations of them would be made by superficial people - who would

then conclude that Baba was a worldly man amongst worldly men and a very

avaricious man at that. For instance, a man came to Baba and watched him for a

time;

and I asked him what impression he formed of Baba. His answer was "I never saw

any saint talking of money all the hours of the day" and he felt disappointed.

This man did not know that "Paisa" - money, was used by Baba to denote Punya

Apvrva or merit, very often. But on a careful observation and analysis of his

talks, one must conclude that his nature, powers and func­tions were very great

and that the way in which people would benefit by His guidance and help would

also be peculiar.

--- to be Contd Devotees can be read this book from the Book Section

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