SAI BABA’S FIRST ADVENT IN SHIRDI
Mission of the Saints - Shirdi a Holy Tirth - Personality of Sai Baba - Dictum of Goulibuva
- Appearance of Vithal - Kshirsagar’s Story - Das Ganu’s Bath in Prayag - Immaculate
Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi - Three Wadas.
In the last chapter, I described the circumstances, which led me to write Sai-Sat-Charita.
Let me now describe the first advent of Sai Baba in Shirdi.
Mission of the Saints
Lord Krishna says in Bhagvadgita (Chapter IV, 7-8) that "Whenever there is a decay of
Dharma (righteousness) and an ascendancy of unrighteousness, I manifest Myself; and
for the protection of the virtuous, the destruction of the vicious and for the establishment
of righteousness, I manifest Myself in age after age".
This is the mission of Lord, and the Sages and Saints, Who are His representatives and
who appear here at proper times, help in their own way to fulfil that mission. For
instance, when the twice born, i.e. the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas
neglect their duties and when the Shudras try to usurp the rights of the higher classes,
when spiritual preceptors are not respected but humiliated, when nobody cares for
religious instructions, when every body thinks himself very learned, when people begin
to partake of forbidden foods and intoxicating drinks, when under the cloak of religion,
people indulge in malpractices, when people belonging to different sects fight amongst
themselves, when Brahmins fail to do Sandhya adoration, and the orthodox their
religious practices, when Yogis neglect their meditation, when people begin to think that
wealth, progeny, wife are their sole concern, and thus turn away from the true path of
salvation, then do Saints appear and try to set matters right by their words and action.
They serve us as beacon-lights, and show us the right path, and the right way for us to
follow. In this way, many saints, viz. Nivritti, Jnanadev, Muktabai, Namdev, Gora,
Gonayi, Ekanath, Tukaram, Narahari, Narsi Bhai, Sajan Kasai, Sawata, Ramdas, and
various others did appear at various times to show the right path to the people, and so
presently came Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi.
Shirdi - A Holy Tirth
The banks of the Godavari river, in the Ahmednagar District, are very fortunate for they
gave birth and refuge to many a Saint, prominent amongst them being Jnaneshwar.
Shirdi also falls in the Kopargaon Taluka of the Ahmednagar District. After crossing the
Godavari River at Kopargaon, one gets the way to Shirdi. When you go three Koss (9
miles), you come to Nimgaon, from whence; Shirdi is visible. Shirdi is as famous and
well known as other holy places like Gangapur, Narsinhwadi, Audumbar on the banks of
Krishna River. As the devotee Damaji flourished in and blessed Mangalvedha (near
Pandharpur) as Samarth Ramdas at Sajjangad, as Shri Narasimha Saraswati at
Saraswatiwadi, so Sainath flourished at Shirdi and blessed it.
Personality of Sai Baba
It is on account of Sai Baba that Shirdi grew into importance. Let us see what sort of a
personage Sai Baba was. He conquered this Samsar (worldly existence), which is very
difficult and hard to cross. Peace or mental calm was His ornament, and He was the
repository of wisdom. He was the home of Vaishnava devotees, most liberal (like Karna)
amongst liberals, the quint-essence of all essences. He had no love for perishable
things, and was always engrossed in self-realization, which was His sole concern. He
felt no pleasure in the things of this world or of the world beyond. His Antarang (heart)
was as clear as a mirror, and His speech always rained nectar. The rich or poor people
were the same to Him. He did not know or care for honour or dishonour. He was the
Lord of all beings. He spoke freely and mixed with all people, saw the actings and
dances of Nautchgirls and heard Gajjal songs. Still, He swerved not an inch from
Samadhi (mental equilibrium). The name of Allah was always on His lips. While the
world awoke, He slept; and while the world slept, He was vigilant. His abdomen (Inside)
was as calm as the deep sea. His Ashram could not be determined, nor His actions
could be definitely determined, and though He sat (lived) in one place, He knew all the
transactions of the world. His Darbar was imposing. He told daily hundreds of stories;
still He swerved not an inch from His vow of silence. He always leaned against the wall
in the Masjid or walked morning, noon and evening towards Lendi (Nala) and Chavadi;
still He at all times abided in the Self. Though a Siddha, He acted like a Sadhaka. He
was meek, humble and egoless, and pleased all. Such was Sai Baba, and as Sai Baba’s
Feet treaded the soil of Shirdi, it attained extraordinary importance. As jnaneshwar
elevated Alandi, Ekanath did to Paithan, so Sai Baba raised Shirdi. Blessed are the
grass-leaves and stones of Shirdi, for they could easily kiss the Holy Feet of Sai Baba,
and take their dust on their head. Shirdi became to us, devotees, another Pandharpur,
Jagannath, Dwarka, Banaras (Kashi) and Rameshwar, Badrikedar, Nasik,
Tryambakeshwar, Ujjain, and Maha Kaleshwar or Mahabaleshwar Gokarn. Contact of
Sai Baba in Shirdi was like our Veda and Tantra; it quieted our Samsara (world
consciousness) and rendered self-realization easy. The darshana of shri Sai was our
Yoga-Sadhana, and talk with Him removed our sins. Shampooing His Legs was our bath
in Triveni Prayag, and drinking the holy water of His Feet destroyed our desires. To us,
His commands were Vedas, and accepting (eating) His Udi (sacred ashes) and Prasad
was all purifying. He was our Shri Krishna and Shri Rama who gave us solace and He
was our Para Brahma (Absolute Reality). He was Himself beyond the Pair of dwandwas
(opposite), never dejected nor elated. He was always engrossed in His Self as
‘Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.’ Shirdi was His centre; but His field of action extended
far wide, to Punjab, Calcutta, North India, Gujarat, Dacca (Now in Bangladesh) and
Konkan. Thus the fame of Sai Baba spread, far, and wide, and people from all parts
came to take His darshana and be blessed. By mere darshan, minds of people, whether,
pure or impure, would become at once quiet. They got here the same sort of
unparalleled joy that devotees get at Pandharpur by seeing Vithal Rakhumai. This is not
an exaggeration. Consider what a devotee says in this respect.
Dictum of Goulibuva
An old devotee by name Goulibuva, aged about 95 years, was a Varkari of Pandhari. He
stayed 8 months at Pandharpur and four months - Ashadha to Kartik (July - November)
on the banks of the Ganges. He had an ass with him for carrying his luggage, and a
disciple, as his companion. Every year he made his Vari or trip to Pandharpur and came
to Shirdi to see Sai Baba, Whom he loved most. He used to stare at Baba and say, "This
is Pandharinath Vithal incarnate, the merciful Lord of the poor and helpless." This
Goulibuva was an old devotee of Vithoba, and had made many a trip to Pandhari; and
he testified that Sai Baba was real Pandharinath.
Vithal Himself Appeared
Sai Baba was very fond of remembering and singing God’s name. He always uttered
Allah Malik (God is Lord) and in His presence made others sing God’s name
continuously, day and night, for 7 days. This is called Namasaptaha. Once He asked
Das Ganu Maharaj to do the Namasaptaha. He replied that he would do it, provided he
was assured that Vithal would appear at the end of the 7th day. Then Baba, placing His
hand on his breast assured him that certainly Vithal would appear, but that the devotee
must be ‘earnest and devout’. The Dankapuri (Takore) of Takurnath, the Pandhari of
Vithal, the Dwarka of Ranchhod (Krishna) is here (Shirdi). One need not go far out to
see Dwarka. Will Vithal come here from some outside place? He is here. Only when the
devotee is bursting with love and devotion, Vithal will manifest Himself here (Shirdi).
After the Saptaha was over, Vithal did manifest Himself in the following manner.
Kakasaheb Dixit was, as usual, sitting in meditation after the bath, and he saw Vithal in a
vision. When he went at noon for Baba’s darshana, Baba asked him point-blank - "Did
Vithal Patil come? Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly,
otherwise, he will escape, if you be a little inattentive." This happened in the morning and
at noon there was another Vithal darshana. One hawker from outside came there for
selling 25 or 30 pictures of Vithoba. This picture exactly tallied with the figure that
appeared in Kakasaheb’s vision. On seeing this and remembering Baba’s words,
Kakasaheb Dixit was much surprised and delighted. He bought one picture of Vithoba,
and placed it in his shrine for worship.
Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar’s Story
How fond was Baba for Vithal worship was illustrated in Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar’s story.
The father of Bhagwantrao was a devotee of Vithoba, and used to make Varis (annual
trips) to Pandharpur. He also had an image of Vithoba at home, which he worshipped.
After his death, the son stopped everything - the Vari, the worship and shraddha
ceremony etc. When Bhagwantrao came to Shirdi, Baba on remembering his father, at
once said - "His father was my friend, so I dragged him (the son) here. He never offered
naivaidya (offering of food) and so he starved Vithal and Me. So I brought him here. I
shall remonstrate him now and set him to worship."
Das Ganu’s Bath in Prayag
The Hindus think that a bath in the holy Tirth of Prayag, where the Ganga and Yamuna
meet, is very meritorious and thousands of pilgrims go there, at periodical times, to have
the sacred bath there. Once, Das Ganu thought that he should go to Prayag for a bath,
and came to Baba to get His permission for doing so. Baba replied to him - "It is not
necessary to go so long. Our Prayag is here, believe me." Then wonder of wonders!
When Das Ganu placed his head on Baba’s Feet, out came or flowed streams, of Ganga
- Yamuna water, from both the toes of Baba. Seeing this miracle, Das Ganu was
overwhelmed with feelings of love and adoration and was full of tears. Inwardly, he felt
inspired, and his speech burst forth into a song in praise of Baba and His Leelas.
Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi
Nobody knew the parents, birth or birthplace of Sai Baba. Many inquiries were made,
many questions were put to Baba and others regarding these items, but no satisfactory
answer or information has yet been obtained. Practically we know nothing about these
matters. Namdev and Kabir were not born like ordinary mortals. They were found as
infants in mother-of-pearls, Namdev being found on the bank Bhimrathi River by
Gonayee, and Kabir on the bank Bhagirathi River by Tamal. Similar was the case with
Sai Baba. He first manifested Himself as a young lad of sixteen under a Neem tree in
Shirdi, for the sake of Bhaktas. Even then He seemed to be full with the knowledge of
Brahman. He had no desire for worldly objects even in dream. He kicked out Maya; and
Mukti (deliverance) was serving at His feet. One old woman of Shirdi, the mother of
Nana Chopdar, described Him thus. This young lad, fair, smart and very handsome, was
first seen under the Neem tree, seated in an Asan. The people of the village were
wonder-struck to see such a young lad practising hard penance, not minding heat and
cold. By day he associated with none, by night he was afraid of nobody. People were
wondering and asking, whence this young chap had turned up. His form and features
were so beautiful that a mere look endeared Him to all. He went to nobody’s door,
always sat near the Neem tree. Outwardly he looked very young; but by His action he
was really a Great Soul. He was the embodiment of dispassion and was an enigma to
all. One day it so happened, that God Khandoba possessed the body of some devotee
and people began to ask Him, "Deva (God), you please enquire what blessed father’s
son is this lad and whence did He come". God Khandoba asked them to bring a pickaxe
and dig in a particular place. When it was dug, bricks were found underneath a flat
stone. When the stone was removed, a corridor led to a cellar where cow-mouth-shaped
structures, wooden boards, necklaces were seen. Khandoba said - "This lad practiced
penance here for 12 years." Then the people began to question the lad about this. He
put them off the scent by telling them that it was His Guru’s place, His holy Watan and
requested them to guard it well. The people then closed the corridor as before. As
Ashwattha and Audumbar trees are held sacred, Baba regarded this Neem tree equally
sacred and loved it most. Mhalasapati and other Shirdi devotees regard this site as the
resting place (Samadhi-Sthana) of Baba’s Guru and prostrate before it.
Three Wadas
(1) The site with the Neem tree and surrounding space was bought by Mr. Hari Vinayak
Sathe, and on this site a big building styled Sathe’s Wada was erected. This Wada was
the sole resting place for pilgrims, who flocked there. A Par (platform) was built round
the neem tree and lofts with steps were constructed. Under the steps, there is a niche
facing south and devotees sit on the Par (platform) facing north. It is believed, that he
who burns incense there, on Thursday and Friday evenings will, by God’s grace, be
happy. This Wada was old and dilapidated and wanted repairs. The Sansthan has made
the necessary repairs, additions and alterations now. (2) Then after some years another
Wada, Dixit’s Wada was constructed. Kakasaheb Dixit, Solicitor of Bombay, had gone to
England. He had injured his leg by an accident there. The injury could not be got rid of
by any means. Nanasaheb Chandorkar advised him to try Sai Baba. So he saw Sai
Baba in 1909 A.D., and requested Him to cure rather the lameness of his mind than that
of his leg. He was so much pleased with the darshana of Sai Baba that he decided to
reside in Shirdi. So he built a Wada for himself and other devotees. The foundation of
this building was laid on 10-12-1910. On this day, two other important events took place.
(1) Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde was given permission to return home, and (2) the night Arti
in Chavadi was commenced. The Wada was complete and was inhabited on the Rama-
Navami day in 1911 A.D., with due rites and formalities. (3) Then another Wada or
palatial mansion was put up by the famous millionaire, Mr. Booty, of Nagpur. Lots of
money was spent on this building, but the entire amount was well utilized, as Sai Baba’s
body is resting in this Wada, which is now called the Samadhi Mandir. The site of this
Mandir had formerly a garden, which was watered and looked after by Baba. Three
Wadas thus sprang up, where there was none formerly. Of these, Sathe’s Wada was
most useful to all, in the early days.
The story of the garden, attended to by Sai Baba with the help of Vaman Tatya, the
temporary absence of Sai Baba from Shirdi, and His coming again to Shirdi with the
marriage-party of Chand Patil, the company of Devidas, Jankidas and Gangagir, Baba’s
wrestling match with Mohdin Tamboli, residence in Masjid, love of Mr. Dengale and other
devotees; and other incidents will be described in the next Chapter.
Bow to Sri Sai - Peace be to all
