Babas passing away

January 22, 2009

Baba had told Uddhavesa Bua some months back no to be " paying

fortnightly visits " and bade him final farewell. In Dasara time, Baba

was unwell, for a number of days, as also Tatya Patil. In the earlier

part he went and begged food in the accustomed places supporting his

body on some others. During the last two or three days, he was not able

to go out.

On the 15 October 1918, i.e., Dasara day, after Arati was over:

Baba: You Kaka (H S Dixit), Buty, etc., go for your meal.

And then they left. After they left, Baba sat upon His bed, reclined on

Bayyaji's lap and said, " I am going. Carry me to the Wada. All the

Brahmins will be living near me. " and then breathed his last. Nana

Nimonkar poured water into His mouth; but the water came out. It was

about 3 p.m. The day was no doubt Vijaya Dasami, but Ekadasi had begun

at that time.

In anticipation of His passing away, He gave gifts (dana) in the morning

of that dasami. He sat up and paid from his pocket first Rs.5/- and then

Rs. 4/- to Lakshmi Bai Scindhe who was daily preparing and giving Him

food and daily receiving Rs. 4/- from Him. A few days before Baba passed

away, He sent Rs. 200 for feeding fakirs and the chanting of prayers

with drum beating, at a holy place. He sent word to another Moslem saint

in these terms, " The light of Allah lit, He is taking away. " That saint

received the intimation with tears.

Rama Viyaya had been read during the 14 days of Baba's illness, i.e., on

the 9th, 10th, 11th day of Dasara within Baba's hearing, as Hhad said

that " Mrityunjaya would be pleased thereby. "

On the night of Dasara, Baba appeared in the dream of Lakshman mama and

said, " Get up quick and do my Kakada Arati. Jog thinks that I am dead

and he will not come. "

And Lakshman did the morning Arati in spite of the protest of the

Maulvis. Jog resumed the noon arati on the 16th October 1918.

(Source Sai Baba Charters and Sayings)

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