LIFE HISTORY OF SHIRDI SAI BABA - Ch. XXXII to XXXIV

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Om Sri Sai Ram

LIFE HISTORY OF SHIRDI SAI BABA

By Ammula Sambasiva Rao

English Translation by Thota Bhaskara Rao

Chapter XXXII

Sugunameru Naik

Naik owned a shop at Shirdi. The devotees who came to Shirdi visited his shop

for making purchases. One day, when a devotee named Madhuradas went to the

shop, he found Naik and some others talking ill of a lady devotee who came to

see Baba. Madhuradas also joined them in the evil talk. When he came to

Dwarakamayi, Baba said to him, "What is Naik telling? One must utilise the time

given by God in a beneficial way and should not indulge in criticizing others.

All kinds of devotees come here, both good and bad. Why should you discuss

about their character and others?"

Who is God?

One day a person from Kopergaon came to Baba and sought answers for his doubts.

Baba wanted to know his doubts. Then the person asked, "Who is God? How will He

be? Where will He be? How to see God?" Baba understood the mentality of the

person and did not reply to him. Instead he called a devotee and asked him to

go to the Marwari Chagchand and told him that Baba wanted a loan of Rs.100. The

devotee went to the Marwari and came back empty-handed saying that the Marwari

told him he had no money and sent his salutations. Then Baba sent for Nana

Chandorkar and asked for Rs.100. Since he had no money, Nana sent a written

request to the same Marwari Chagchand for a loan of Rs.100. Nana received the

amount immediately through the messenger. This he gave it to Baba. The person

who questioned Baba about God, asked Das Ganu as to why Baba, without answering

his questions was trying for a loan of Rs.100. Das

Ganu told him that Baba was doing all that for his sake. The Marwari, while he

declined to give loan to Baba, gave it readily to Nana Chandorkar. Similarly,

if one wants to know about God, he should have the capacity to understand.

Otherwise, he cannot understand whatever is said about God.

Samsara (Worldly Life) is Fearful

One’s closeness to Baba was the result of good deeds over many births, and such

a person was Nana Chandorkar. He learnt many things from Baba. He found his

Samsara (Worldly life) to be like a fearful ocean. The samsara appeared to him

like an obstacle for spiritual progress. He learnt this truth by practical

experience. In the year 1918, one day when Baba was alone, Nana Chandorkar said

to him, "Baba, I am finding the samsara very fearful. My mind is not interested

in the worldly affairs. Somehow give me salvation from these attachments. "On

hearing this Baba smiled and said, "There is truth in what you said. But the

remaining is untruth and meaningless. You are under the impression that by

taking to forests, one can escape from the trials and tribulations of the

samsara. But this is not correct. It is only an illusion, because wherever you

go, your body and mind are with you only. They will never

leave you but will be giving you some kind of happiness. Our past actions are

the basis for our present troubles and happiness. They should be faced

courageously and with tact, and you should lead a family life in the proper

way. By getting away from samsara, one cannot attain happiness. Everyone who

proceeds in the spiritual way will have to face all these problems, and to

think of Vairagya (renunciation), as a solution, is not correct." This is the

message of Sai Baba.

Pandharpur Lawyer

There was a lawyer Deshpande, at Pandharpur. The Sub-judge of this place was

Noolkar, who was suffering from ill health. He stayed at Shirdi for some days

to get Baba’s blessings. There was some discussion that one should take proper

medicines for ill health instead of going to fakirs. Deshpande partook in the

discussions and he too blamed Sai Baba. He came to Shirdi many years after this

incident. After touching the feet of Baba, he sat in a corner of Dwarakamayi.

Baba turned towards him and said, "People are cunning. They fall at the feet and

give Dakshina, but abuse behind his back." Deshpande understood to whom Baba

intended his words. He was surprised as to how Baba could know about this,

which had happened some years before at Pandharpur, which was 300 miles from

Shirdi. He wondered at the omniscience of Baba. From that day, he resolved not

to talk ill of others and not to participate in such discussions. In this way

Baba’s Darshan had put him in the right path.

Periods of Deeksha (Vow)

Baba used to give Deeksha to the devotees who came to him. The Deekshas were

prescribed by Baba depending on the stages of the devotees, and during this

period he moulded them. Baba prescribed Brahmacharya Deeksha (celibacy) to

Tatya, Hari Seetharam Dixit and Kaka Dixit were given nine months period of

Vanaprastha (away from wife and children) at Shirdi. Baba prescribed four years

Deeksha period to Upasani Baba who left Shirdi without completing the Deeksha

period. Similarly, Baba used to prescribe Deeksha periods for some to do

Parayana of holy books, and to some to do Nama Sankeertan (chanting of Names).

The devotees were very much benefited by the Deeksha periods prescribed by

Baba.

Khaparde’ Son - Plague

Khaparde’s wife with her son stayed at Shirdi for some days. While there the boy

had an attack of bubonic plague. She feared very much for his life. She talked

to Dixit and Shama and wanted to take her son to a good doctor. But there was

no allopathic doctor at Shirdi. She wanted to take him to their native place

Amaravathi, but lacked courage to take him on such a long distance. She was

weeping bitterly fearing what would happen to her son. Shama, consoling her,

said that there was nothing to fear when Sai Baba was there and advised her to

take her son to Baba and put him at his feet.

That evening while Baba was on his way to Lendi Bagh, she ran towards him and

fell at his feet, washing them with her tears. She became speechless because of

her suffering and could not even get up. Noticing her condition, Baba lifted her

up and said, "Mother, the sky is overcast with dark clouds. But shortly the

clouds will disperse and the sky will become clear." So saying he lifted his

Kafni (shirt) and showed four egg-sized buboes. He told her how he would suffer

for his real devotees. Who is more to us than Baba who takes on him the

sufferings of his devotees? In two days, the boy regained complete health.

Breaking of Baba’s Brick

Baba looked after the brick given by his Guru Venkusa more than his life. While

sleeping he kept it under his head. While sitting he put the brick beside him

and put one hand on it. He used to say that the brick was a form of his Guru.

It was the month of August in 1918. One Thursday, Abdul who used to clean the

lanterns and keep the mosque tidy, took the brick in his hand. It fell down and

broke into two pieces. Baba, who came afterwards, saw it and bemoaned its loss.

He cried, "It is not the brick that is broken but my fate is broken into

pieces. This way my life’s companion all these years. With it I always

meditated on the self and it is equal to my life. It has left me today."

Through this incident also Baba indirectly indicated his impending ‘Nirvana’.

Shamshuddin Miya

Even prior to the above incident, in June 1918, Baba made some arrangements,

according to Muslim customs, which are done previous to the death of a person.

He sent Rs.250 to Shamshuddin Miya, a Muslim fakir at Aurangabad through

Khasim, son of Bade Baba of Shirdi, and also sent a garland for arranging Moul,

Qawali and Nyas. He then sent the following message. "On ninth day of the ninth

month Allah would be taking away the lamp he lit. This is the grace of Allah."

Next day when Khasim reached Aurangabad and met Shamshuddin, without his

telling him, Shamshuddin told the contents of Baba’s message As per Baba’s wish

he arranged in the name of Baba recitation about Paigambar, drums were played

for Muslim saints. He spent all the money sent by Baba by arranging feeding of

all who were present. Next day Khasim and Shamshuddin went to the great Muslim

saint, Banne Mia, and found him standing in a

peculiar position. When anyone went near him, he got angry and scolded and hit

them. Everyone was cautioned not to go near him But Shamshuddin without fear

went near him and after putting the garland sent by Baba around his neck,

conveyed the message sent by him. On hearing the message Banne Miya wept, since

Baba would be leaving his mortal body. The Ninth day of the ninth month in Urdu

and Arabic calendars were equivalent to 15 October 1918 Ekadashi.

To Die at Will

As all the above actions of Baba were in secrecy no one had any idea that he

would leave his body soon. Therefore all the routine things went on as usual.

Baba took good care in not creating any kind of suspicion in his devotees about

it. Only Dwarakamayi, Gurudhan and Venkusa who were in an invisible form knew

about Baba’s ‘Nirvana’ . The devotees were worshipping Baba as usual.

The month of September came. The local merchants and those who came from outside

Shirdi, were praying to Baba for more profits in their business. Baba was pained

at the desire for money of such devotees. In the nights, Baba used to discuss

with Gurudhan, Dwarakamayi and Venkusa the selfish desires of such devotees and

the way they were pestering him. Since Sai Baba had no negative answers or

actions in response to his devotees’ prayers, he had to fulfill their desires

atleast to a certain extent, even though the recipients did not deserve it. If

this went on like this, it would be against the laws of creation. Therefore,

they decided that the only solution to this was that Baba should leave his

body. Even taking into consideration the 83 years age of the body, it was time

for leaving the body. Though Baba would leave his body, his power would be

there. It was decided to spread Sai Philosophy and

to remove the Ajnana (nescience) and blind beliefs in the people and make the

people lead peaceful and happy lives.

Towards this goal, they decided to fill this world with love for the next 500

years. They decided that Sai Baba might take another form according to the need

and orders of God. Since Baba had the ability to lay down his life at his will,

he was setting the time for his leaving the human body. The day was the 28th

September. The noon Aarti was going on. One group of merchants from Bombay

entered Dwarakamayi. Baba felt pained on seeing them. The merchants came here

after hoarding essential food grains in godowns with a prayer to Baba to see

that they got double the rates. They brought with them large amounts of money

to give Baba as Dakshina. Having understood the purpose of their visit, Baba

told those who were there that there would not be any Darshan after Aarti was

over. The merchants approached Shama and Nana Chandorkar and pleaded with them

for arranging an interview with Baba, as they had to

return to Bombay urgently. Shama innocently took them inside Dwarakamayi,

convincing Baba. Seeing the situation, Baba understood that the time had come

for him to leave the body. From that day Baba increased the temperature of his

body, which appeared as if he had fever. Unable to bear the mental suffering

caused to him by the devotees, Baba wanted to lay down his life at will. He

stopped taking food, thereby shrinking his body and to making his death appears

like a natural one. Usually death comes due to ill health, accidents or old age.

But Sai Baba had to leave the body only for the sake of his devotees. In this

way he who worked throughout his lifetime for his devotees, had to leave the

mortal body at his will, for the sake of devotees only.

"Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi"

Chapter XXXIII

In the previous chapter we learnt how Baba suffered on account of the

selfishness of some devotees, without his close devotees also not knowing about

this. Disciples should not go against the wishes of their Guru, even in small

matters. Sometimes they may do something out of love for their Guru, even

though the Guru tells them not do it. By doing such things, they should know

that they are making the Guru suffer. Unfaithfulness to one’s Guru is the same

as unfaithfulness to God, since Guru is God.

Tatya’s health deteriorated from the end of July. Ramachander Patil was very

much worried about this and was always looking after him. Knowing that Tatya’s

death was coming closer, Patil satisfied the tastes of Tatya. Poor Tatya did

not know about his impending death! Though he was suffering form ill health, he

was cheerful. But Patil was suffering mentally. The month of August was gone and

September came. By the end of September Tatya was bedridden. He could not even

walk up to Dwarakamayi. The tuberculosis from which Tatya was suffering

advanced and everyone thought that he would not survive. But Tatya never

bothered about his health. He was a single person, a bachelor. With his

association with Baba, he lost his attachment to his body and thus he had no

fear of death. He was always thinking about changing Baba’s dress and arranging

his bed in the nights in his absence.

Reading of Sacred Books

On the first of October, a Brahmin devotee, Vaje, came to Baba and saluted him

with folded hands. Baba, while blessing him with udi prasad noticed a book in

his hands and asked him what book it was. Vaje said it was Rama Vijayam written

by the poet Sreedhar. Baba took it and turned the inner pages several times.

After that he asked Vaje to read the book aloud, seated near him. Vaje took

Baba’s orders as a great boon and commenced reading immediately. Now and then

in the middle Baba would explain clearly certain matters contained in the book,

for the benefit of the devotees who were there. This went on daily in the

mornings and evenings. It was the practice to read sacred books before a person

who would die soon. Baba kept this also a secret. The book was completely read

by Vaje three times in a period of 14 days. Tatya’s ailment was becoming

serious day by day. He was vomiting blood. Everyone

thought that his days are counted.

On 8 October 1918, Baba became very weak. He sat leaning on the wall of the

mosque. Aarti and worship were done as usual. As he was very weak, the devotees

were not allowed to go near him and Shama and Nana Chandorkar ensured this. Some

people with a tiger in the cart were going round places and earning money. They

came to Shirdi and brought the tiger near to Dwarakamayi. The tiger was

suffering from some disease and was weak. On seeing Baba, it stretched its two

front legs and lay down. It appeared as if the tiger was saluting Baba. Baba

looked into the eyes of the tiger for a long time. The tiger also looked at

Baba and shed tears. Seeing Baba thus it breathed its last. There must have

been a tie-up in one of its previous births with Baba. Thus Baba helped the

tiger to merge with God.

Last Days

Even though Baba became very weak, he gave necessary directions to the devotees.

He had taken a human form only to help the devotees. He never did anything for

himself. His life’s aim was to provide peace and happiness to all mankind. He

worked towards this end, day and night. Even in the middle of the night, he was

in solitary meditation and saved many devotees at far and near places. The

devotees who noticed Baba’s ill-health and the shrinking of his body due to

poor intake of food, thought this to be a strange act but they never thought

that his life was ebbing. Bhagoji Shinde, Mahalasapati, Abdul, Nana Chandorkar,

Shama, Lakshmi Bai, Bhate, Dixit and others were looking after Baba day and

night. We a view not to cause anxiety to his devotees, he would go up to Lendi

Bagh and Booty Wada now and then. The Chavadi procession also was held as

usual. Shama’s uncle Laxman Mama cooperated with Jog in

giving Aarti. Booty and Dixit sat along with Baba and took food. In the absence

of Baba, they were not able to relish their food. Baba as usual went out for

alms to five houses and after collecting the food, put some in the Dhuni and

fed the animals and birds with the remaining food.

Baba’s body looked very weak. The eyes, which were shining like fire, were

sunken. Even then there was no change in his concentrated looks. He gave proper

advice and udi prasad to the devotees who came to him. Das Ganu, with the

permission of Baba, had gone to Pandharpur to fulfill certain engagements. From

13 October, Baba stopped going to Lendi Bagh and also for alms. He sat in

Dwarakamayi and gave courage to the devotees. He had been unwell once in 1916

and recovered. The devotees thought that Baba would recover this time also. But

the close associates of Baba were very much worried over his not taking any

food. Hence, they stayed in the mosque throughout the night looking after him.

On the night of 14 October, even though he was seriously ill, he got up and

made loud noise and hit the floor with his sataka. Everyone woke up at the

sound. Then Baba explained his action by saying that thieves

had come to Khaparde’s house at Amaravathi and he drove them away. In his last

hours also, Baba was thinking about his devotees only and not about himself.

Final Day

The day was Tuesday, the 15th of October 1918. It was the last day for Baba’s

physical body. The sun had risen as usual. That day was Vijayadashami

(Dushera). Baba became bodily very weak. For ordinary persons, it would have

been difficult even to get up and sit. But, Baba got up as usual and sat in his

place. Devotees came for his Darshan as usual. Shama stopped some devotees from

coming inside the mosque, as Baba was unwell and advised them to have Darshan

from outside. But Baba did not agree to this and asked all the devotees to come

inside and have his Pada Darshan from outside. But Baba did not agree to this

and asked all the devotees to come inside and have his Pada Darshan. The

devotees did so. Baba put his Abhaya Hastha on their heads, blessed them and

gave them udi prasad. For unknown reasons, even the close devotees of Baba who

were always

with him, fell at his feet one after another. Baba gave them necessary advice as

per their need. They took them as usual advice which Baba used to give, but

failed to think that they were Baba’s last ones to them while in physical body.

Baba asked Laxman Mama, who was an astrologer and devotee , to do God’s

Naamasmarana for some time.

The time was eleven in the morning. Tatya vomited blood frequently and went into

unconscious state. His pulse also became weak. Ramachander Patil and Bala Shimpe

feared that Tatya would die that day as per Baba’s prediction. They brought

Shama and showed him the condition of Tatya. Thinking that Tatya would die in a

few moments, Shama came running to Baba. He explained the condition of Tatya to

Baba and prayed him to come to Tatya’s house immediately and save him. Baba

consoling Shama told him not to worry and assured him that Tatya would escape

death as soon as Ekadashi set in that day. But Shama again requested Baba to

come once and see Tatya. Then Baba told Shama, "All of you have the tie of

friendship only with Tatya. But for me there is also the responsibility for his

welfare. I gave word to his mother Baija Bai at the time of her death, that I

would look after Tatya equal to my life. The

service rendered by that mother and the word given by me to her cannot be

forgotten. So you do not worry at all. To save Tatya, I need not go there, and

I can do it sitting here," After hearing this Shama calmed down.

The time was noon. Preparations were being made for noon Aarti. It appeared as

if some divine light entered Baba. Aarti was started. Throughout the Aarti

Baba’s facial features were changing every moment. Those who looked at him had

peace of mind and felt like looking at him continuously. During that period

Baba appeared in different forms to the devotees present there. He appeared in

the forms of Maruthi, Vittal, Dattatreya, Rama and to Muslim devotees as Mecca

and Medina. For one Christian devotee, he appeared as Jesus. For Booty he

appeared as Sri Krishna playing the flute in the Wada built by him. One devotee

brought his little son for initiating him to education by Baba, that being

Vijayadashami day. To him Baba appeared as Vigneshwara and writing the Sanskrit

alphabet ‘OM’ showed it to the boy and blessed him. In this manner Baba, during

Aarti time that day, had shown his divine form to the

devotees as per their thoughts.

Aarti was over. The time was one hour past noon. Baba ordered all the devotees

to go away quickly. With joy at Baba’s divine Darshan, all of them went away to

their houses and Wadas. Suddenly Baba had a severe cough and he vomited blood.

There, Tatya recovered and his pulse came to normal. Some new strength entered

his body. He stood up and could walk also. He cried out of joy. He could not

understand from where he got this new energy all of a sudden. The onlookers

were also surprised. Before he recovered from his surprise, he remembered Baba.

Thinking that Baba had given him another lease of life, he went running to the

mosque.

By that time Baba leaned on Baija Appaji Patil and was telling him something

secretly. Saying this, he warned him not to reveal this to others, otherwise,

he would die. Tatya heard these last words. Baba was getting severe cough and

was heaving. Whenever he coughed, blood poured out through his mouth and fell

all over Dwarakamayi. Beforehand Baba had asked his devotees to be without fear

and sent them for their meals. But a few devotees refused to leave Baba. Lakshmi

Bai, Bhagoji, Appaji, Laxman, Bala Shimpe were sitting near Baba. When Tatya

saluted Baba, he asked Shama to take Tatya and leave him in his house. Shama

returned after leaving Tatya in his house. The time was two o’ clock in the

afternoon. Baba sent away the others also for meals.

Charity of Nine Rupees

Lakshmi Bai Shinde and Bayyaji were the only ones remaining. She was near Baba’s

feet. Baba put his right hand in his shirt pocket twice, took out Rs.5 and Rs.4

and gave them as charity to Lakshmi Bai. Baba explained the significance of

these nine rupees as the nine qualities a devotee should have (1) Absence of

egoism (2) Absence of jealousy (3) Untiring service (4) Absence of worldly

desires (5) Complete faith in Guru (6) Peaceful nature (7) Desire to know the

truth (8) Absence of envy, and (9) Absence of self-boasting and finding faults

in others. Unless a devotee improved these nine qualities, he could not have

true devotion to reach God. Thus Baba taught to Lakshmi Bai even in his last

moments.

Baba’s Mahasamadhi

Dashami ended and Ekadashi came. The time was 2.30 in the afternoon. Baba told

Bayyaji that he was leaving this world and his body was to be kept in Booty

Wada, assuring him that from there, he would be protecting his devotees at all

times. So saying, Baba leaned on the body of Bayyaji. He did not fall on the

floor, or his bed. He breathed his last giving charity and teaching Jnana to

his children. This is the way the king of yogis - Yogi raja - attained Samadhi.

Lord Shiva who is capable of commanding death, and who was born as human,

invited death. The divine light which came out of the body of Baba, joined

Gurudhan, Dwarakamayi and Venkusa, who were already in the form of divine

lights (Jyothis) and all the four Jyothis combined into one as Sai’s divine

power. It again divided into four parts. One part went to Gurusthan. The second

part when to Chavadi and settled there. The third part merged

in Dwarakamayi, and the fourth part went into Booty Wada. These four powers

represent the four Vedas. These are the proofs of Sai Power, which can command,

and control the whole world. The Sivasakthi from Kailas came and stayed in

Shirdi. In this way Shirdi became a holy place. The body of Sai who exhibited

supernatural powers and saved several devotees, was lying in Dwarakamayi.

The physical body of Sai Baba, lying in Dwarakamayi, cannot be seen again. So

let us imagine ourselves to be in Dwarakamayi and touch the holy feet of Sai

Baba and make our life meaningful.

"Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi"

Chapter XXXIV

The news of Baba’s Samadhi spread throughout Shirdi and the neighboring villages

in minutes. People came along with women and children to Dwarakamayi. They wept

uncontrollably as Sai Baba, who was God to them, was no more. They became

speechless when they saw the lifeless body of Sai Baba, and felt as if the

entire world had come to standstill. There was not a single family either in

Shirdi or the neighboring places, which had not experienced Baba’s Leelas and

greatness. They cried loudly, recollecting the good things Baba had done to

them. Some fell down unconscious after seeing Baba’s body. Some were seen

weeping and running in the streets. There is none who did not shed tears. They

now understood the ‘Seemollanghan’ incident of two years back and how Baba had

taken on himself Tatya’s death and give his life to him. Several people were

recollecting Baba’s strange actions and words. Some said

that Baba had indicated that he would be born again after eight years, in Madras

State. Some imagined that what Baba had told Appaji secretly must be about his

future birth. Since he had warned Appaji not to reveal anything to others, he

kept silent in spite of so many people questioning him.

After a few hours, the question as to what to do with Baba’s mortal remains

arose. Some Muslims requested that the body of Sai Baba may be kept in Samadhi,

outside the mosque in the open space. Khushal Chand and Amir Shakkar also

supported this. But the village Munsiff, Ramachander Patil took a firm decision

that Baba’s Samadhi should be in Booty Wada and nowhere else. This way two

groups formed in Shirdi and began arguing over the matter. By Tuesday evening,

the Sub-Inspector of Police from Rahata, Chakranarayan, came to Shirdi. When he

searched Baba’s body he found seven rupees in his pocket. The whole night

discussions and arguments went on regarding the location of the Samadhi.

In the early hours before daybreak on Wednesday the 16th , Baba appeared to Das

Ganu in his dream and told him that the mosque came down, and the merchants

were angry with him, so he left his body. He asked him to proceed immediately

to Shirdi and cover his body with jasmine flowers.

Das Ganu, along with his disciples, started for Shirdi immediately. Pradhan’s

wife at Bombay had a dream on the night of 15th. She dreamt of Baba’s life was

leaving his body and she cried that Baba was dying. Baba told her in the dream

that one should not say dying in the case of saints, but say "attained

Samadhi".

He again appeared in her dream on the 16th night and requested her to give him

all the money she had in her box. Next day she sent all the money in her box to

Shirdi for utilising for the last rites of Baba. The same night Baba appeared in

the dream of Pradhan’s sister and asked her to send silk clothes to put on his

Samadhi. She sent the clothes to Shirdi. In the early hours of Wednesday, Baba

appeared in the dream to Laxman Mama Joshi and said, "Bapu Saheb, Jog is

thinking that I am dead. I only left my body and I am alive. Get up and give

Kakad Aarti." Laxman Mama, who had full faith in Baba, went to the mosque

taking with him the Puja items required for Kakad Aarti. Even though the police

and village servants tried to prevent him from entering the mosque, he forcibly

entered inside and gave Kakad Aarti to Baba’s body. Seeing his determination

none could stop him. Bapu Saheb Jog gave the noon

arathi. This was the last Aarti given in Dwarakamayi.

On Wednesday morning the Tahsildar of Kopergaon Taluk came and gathered the

views of both the groups regarding the place of Samadhi and asked them to

express their views in writing along with their signatures. The majority wanted

that Baba should be laid to rest in Booty Wada. Even then, the Tahsildar had no

courage to take a decision, but wanted to act according to the orders of the

District Collector, Ahmednagar. But in the meantime, the other group reconciled

to the situation and agreed for the Samadhi inside Booty Wada.

In the evening of Wednesday at about 4 o’ clock they wanted to bathe the body of

Baba. When they tried to remove the Kafni (long shirt) the hands bent as usual.

In ordinary cases the limbs cannot be bent as they stiffen. Baba’s body was

laid on a big table before Dwarakamayi, and potfuls of water were poured on the

body with devotion. After that they spread a white cloth on the body. The put

flowers, sandal and Akshatas (rice) over the cloth. For the last time everyone

had the Darshan of Baba’s body to their hearts content. A grave, 6 feet in

length was dug in Booty Wada’s underground structure, enough for keeping his

body. The body was taken into Booty Wada in procession to the sounds of various

musical instruments. First, the broken brick of Baba was broken into smaller

pieces and put in the grave, over that soft beds were spread. Dixit, Booty,

Shama and Mahalasapati slowly lifted the body. The

thought that in a few moments the body would be hidden from their view, gripped

the devotees present there and all of them burst into tears. There was complete

silence except for snifflings. Due to sadness, the devotees felt weak and all of

them together could not lift Baba’s body. A few of them got into the grave and

from below caught the body and it was slowly lowered . The head side went down

first . Someone cried aloud that Baba was going away. The devotees surrounding

the grave tried to catch a glimpse of the body for the last time. The entire

body was lowered and rested on the soft beds. Rose water and perfumes were

sprayed on the body. When they started putting earth on the body, the people

wept and rolled on the floor, crying. Even God, if He is born on this earth,

has to be buried under the earth. This is a fact.

Samadhi Temple

Booty’s life was blessed. The Wada built by him became Baba’s Samadhi. At five

o’ clock in the evening, after the Samadhi, Bapu Saheb Jog and Laxman Mama gave

Sandhya Aarti in Booty temple for the first time on 16 October 1918. From that

day onwards till date, four Aarti are given to Baba daily. Nanavalli, who was

like Baba’s life, watched the Samadhi from a distance. He stopped taking food

from that day and died on the 13th day.

Das Ganu, after reaching Shirdi on Thursday morning, did sankeertan for two days

near the Samadhi of Baba. In the name of Baba, he fed a large number of people.

Baba Saheb Bhate and Upasani Baba of Sakori Ashram performed the last rites of

Baba. Where Booty wanted to install the idol of Sri Krishna, Baba’s Samadhi

came up. This way Baba became Muralidhar. The Booty temple with Baba’s Samadhi

in it had become the holiest of the boly places, giving millions of devotees

peace and happiness.

"Om Shanti! Shanti! Shantihi"

To be continued…

Source: http://www.saibaba.org

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