THE BRICK

[Guest guest]

THE

BRICK

Ever since Baba came to

stay in the Dwarakamai, He had a brick with Him. This

brick was His constant companion. With great affection and care He looked after it. Though an

inanimate object Baba loved it and called it His ‘life long

companion’ Baba in His characteristic way referred to it as

“her’. Although she was an earthen brick she was well backed and

sturdy. She was one foot long, 9”inches wide and 3”inches in depth

Baba would support His hand on her while he sat in solitude in the Dwarakamai. When He slept, He used her as a pillow.

Mhalsapathy and Kashiram Shimpy would worship

her, after performing “Mangal Snan”. Then carefully place her against the pillar

adjacent to the Dhuni Maa.

At night they would wrap her in a clean cloth and give her to Baba to use as a

pillow. Though Mhalsapathy and Kashiram

were constantly with Baba it did not occur to them to ask Baba about the

significance of this brick?

Madhu Fasle

who used to sweep and clean the Dwarakamai

was very careful when handling the brick. Every day he would and her by placing

her near Dhuni Maa. Later

he would wrap her in a clean cloth; and place her underneath the cupboard. This

cupboard had Baba’s clothes beneath which was a cemented parapet, thus

the brick would be safely stored away. Baba loved this brick more than His life

and never forgot her. Many an hour He spent with her, in Self-absorption,

oblivious of His surroundings.

One day when Baba had gone out a young Sevkari while sweeping the Dwarakamai,

accidentally dropped her, and she broke into 2 pieces. Frightened of the

consequences he placed the two pieces one upon the other, against the Dhuni Maa and left. When Baba

returned He asked Mhalsapathy for His brick. Mhalsapathy lifted her and one of the broken pieces fell to

the ground.

Seeing this Baba was distraught and started crying like a

human being.” It’s not the brick, but My

fortune that is broken. She was My constant companion!

Now that she has gone I too will leave.” Mhalsapathy

tried to comfort Baba by saying “Baba I will bind her together with a

gold wire”

“O! Bhagat this brick is

more valuable than many gold bricks! Now that My “Sangani”

(companion) is broken I cannot remain here.” Thereafter Baba’s

health stared detoriating and on the 5th

day He took Maha Samadhi. Mention of this incident is

made in Sai Satcharita #

44. The Lord Vithal of

Pandarpur Stood on a brick while the Parabhrama of Shirdi used a brick

for His pillow.

 

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)