Sri Sai Satya Vratha Stories
||Sri Dattaswaroopa Sainaadhaaya Namaha||
In the highly spiritual land of India, many Yogis, Sadhus and Avatar Purushas walked the earth in human form fulfilling their missions. The crown jewel among those is Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. Sri Sai is the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, who himself is the unified divine form of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.
Story 1 – Sai’s Appearance in Shiridi
During the year 1854, in a small village of Maharashtra by the name Shirdi, the local shepherds located a 14-year old teenage boy deeply immersed in meditation under a Neem tree. That boy did not speak to anyone, did not ask anyone for food, nor did he reply to anyone’s questions. He appeared to be unaware of the heat, the cold, the rain and the shine and continued in his silent meditation with his eyes shut. The shepherds made fun of that boy thinking that he was crazy and started calling Him Bala Fakir. Some even threw stones at him. None of this ridicule bothered the boy, as he appeared to have ignored the surroundings totally engaged in his meditation. .
The local people got used to seeing the boy under the Neem tree. After some time, he began to talk to the people passing by. Once he gave sight to a blind man by simply touching the blind man on his forehead. Also, he cured a problem of a man with limping legs by his mere touch. Yet another person suffering from leprosy was cured instantly with his blessings.
Suddenly the news of this magical healer [ Hakeem, Bhishak ] spread in the village like wild fire and people started coming by the dozens to visit this boy. Mental, physical and financial troubles were being solved through his words or by his touch.
The young Fakir never took anything in exchange for His miracles, villagers used to offer him various fruits and food preparations. He used to take small portions of the offering and used to distribute the rest to the people gathered around him. The villagers started to wonder about him and began to enquire about his past and where he came from; they were pleasantly surprised by his behavior of giving everything and expecting nothing in return. As the young Fakir noticed the increasing curiosity of the local villagers, one day he suddenly disappeared from Shirdi. No one knew where he went. The villagers felt emptiness in their lives. They were eager to see him back in their midst.
Samardha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!
||Om Shiridivaasaaya Vidmahe Sachchidaanadaaya Dheemahi Tanno Sai Prachchodayaat||
Story 2 – Sai’s Appearance Back in Shirdi
This story tells how Sai Baba returned to Shirdi after His disappearance and how he has been named as Sai.
There lived a Mohammedan gentleman by name Chand Patil in a village called Dhoop in Aurangabad District (Nizam State) he is the village-officer of Dhoop. While he was making a trip to Aurangabad he lost his mare, he made a diligent search but could get no trace of it. After being disappointed, while returning back on the way a fakir called him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a little, fakir wore Kafni (long robe) and had a “Satka” (short stick ) under His arm-pit had a cap on his head. Fakir asked him about his disappointment and Chand Patil told about his lost mare and fakir asked him to look near that Nala close by. Chand Patil found his mare and wondered that this fakir is not an ordinary man, but an Avalia (a great saint). Two things were wanting for the Chilim to be ready for being smoked (1) fire to light the pipe, and (2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live burning coal, which He put on the pipe. Then He dashed the Satka on the ground, from whence water began to ooze, Fakir smoked the Chilim and then gave it also to Chand Patil. Chand Patil was wonderstruck by fakir’s miracles and requested the Fakir to come to his home and invited him to take part in wedding of one of his nephew, the young Fakir returned to Shiridi with a wedding procession. The marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the Fakir alone stayed in Shirdi, and remained there forever.
How the Fakir Got the Name Sai
When the marriage – party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot of a Banyan tree in Bhagata Mhalsapati’s field near Khandoba’s temple. The carts were loosened in the open court-yard of Khandoba’s temple, and the members of the party descended one by one, the priest – Mahalsapati – at the Khandoba (Shiva) temple recognized the Fakir and invited him by addressing “Come on, Sai!”
Some years later, a muslim devotee started calling him Baba and thus he became known as Sai Baba. Shirdi became his home for approximately 60 years until his leaving the human body (Maha Samaadhi) on Vijaya Dasami, Tuesday, October 15, 1918. As Sai devotees know, he is everywhere and in everything – he used to show his presence all over without bounds of time or distance – even though he physically never left the general area of Shirdi.
Story 3 – ——————–
Duryodhana knew the greatness of Lord Krishna. But he listened to his uncle Shakuni and never followed Lord Krishna’s advices. Baba visited the Khandoba temple at the outskirts of the village, got impressed with the serene climate surroundings and wanted to stay there. But the temple priest Mahalsapati, and other village elders objected saying Baba cannot stay in a temple as he donned a kafni and resembled a Moslem. Instead they showed HIM an old dilapidated masjid for staying. Little did they know that GOD is ONE and HE that is called Allah Ellahi by Muslims is the same as Seshasayee for the Hindus who is the same as Issah Messaih by Christians and Guru Nanak by Sikhs. He had Dhuni, sacred fire lit all the time, and Tulsi, sacred plant in the Masjid. Not many months it was the same Mahalsapati and other Hindus who invited BABA to the temple and said that the whole place has been purified by his presence. The muslims did not like Hindus worshipping Sai Baba in the masjid and objected to the same.
Saving Mahalsapati
One day Mahalsapati gathered to do pooja to his favourite GOD Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, while the Muslims were objecting to Hindus worship of Baba in Masjid. Any amount of force – brutal force can be withstood but not devotion. Mahalsapati kept on chanting “Saibaba, Saibaba” and did not feel the pain on his body. But it was BABA, in the masjid who was crying out “Abba.. Abba..” and moving from one side to other in HIS sleep. Upon lifting his kafni and seeing HIS back, they saw that HE had the mark of beatings on HIS back. In some places, the skin was split and filled with blood stains.
BABA is not a person residing in Shirdi, but HE was one residing in all the creatures in the Universe. HE also said that if you are respecting an individual then you are respecting me and if you are hurting someone then it is like hurting me.
Samardha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!
||Om Shiridivaasaaya Vidmahe Sachchidaanadaaya Dheemahi Tanno Sai Prachchodayaat||
Story 4 – Baba’s blessings on his devotees
In Nanded(Nizam state) there lived a rich and prosperous Parsi mill-contractor and trader by name Ruttonji Shapurji Wadia, he was liberal and charitable, gave food and clothing to the poor and helped all in various ways yet unhappy and miserable as he had no issue, male or female, for a long time. He always brooded and worried day and night on this matter and said in his mind, “Would God be ever pleased to grant me a son?” and opened his heart before Dasganu Mahajat. Dasganu advised him to go to Shirdi, take Baba’s darshan, fall at His Feet and seek His blessing and pray for issue. Ruttonji liked the idea and went to Shirdi, took Baba’s darshana and fell at His Feet, he took out a beautiful garland of flowers and placed it around Baba’s neck and offered Him a basket of fruits. With great respect he then sat near Baba, and prayed to Him saying- “Many persons who find themselves in difficult situations come to You, and You relieve them immediately. Hearing this, I have sought anxiously Your Feet; please, therefore, do not disappoint me.” Sai Baba then asked him for Dakshina of Rs. five which Ruttonji intended to give, but added, that He has already received Rs. 3-14-0 from him, and that he should pay the balance only. Hearing this, Ruttonji was rather puzzled. He could not make out what Baba meant. That was the first time, he thought, that he went to Shirdi and how was it that Baba said that He had formerly got Rs. 3-14-0 from him? He could not solve the riddle. But he sat at Baba’s Feet and gave the balance of the Dakshina asked for, explained to Baba fully, as to why he came and sought His help, and prayed that Baba should bless him with a son. Baba was moved and told him not to be worried, and that time his bad days had ended. He then gave him Udi, placed His hand on his head and blessed him saying that Allah (God) would satisfy his heart’s desire.
Then after taking Baba’s leave, Ruttonji returned to Nanded and told Dasganu everything that took place at Shirdi but there was one thing which he could not understand. Baba said to him that he had got Rs.3-14-0 before. Please explain as to what Baba meant by this remark. He said to Dasganu, “I never went to Shirdi before, and how cold I give Him the sum to which Baba referred?” To Dasganu also, it was a puzzle, after some time it struck him that when Ruttonji decided to go the Shirdi he received a Mohammedan Saint, by name Moulisaheb at his house and gave a small party in his honour. Dasganu got from Ruttonji the yadi or memo of expenses of this reception, and everybody was wonderstruck to see, that the expenses amounted to exactly Rs.3-14-0, nothing more, nothing less. They all came to know, that Baba was omniscient that thought He lived in Shirdi, He knew what happened outside far away from Shirdi. In fact He knew the past, present and future, and could identify Himself heart and soul with anybody. In this particular instance how could He know the reception given to Moulisaheb, and the amount spent therefore, unless He could identify Himself with him, and be One with him? Ruttonji was satisfied with this explanation and his faith in Baba was confirmed and increased. In due time afterwards, he was blessed with a son and his joy knew no bounds.
Mr.Shevade
Mr. Sapatneker of Akkalkot (Sholapur District) was studying for law and co-student Mr.Shevade met him, when other fellow students compared notes of their study and found Mr.Shevade least prepared of all for the examination, and therefore they derided him,but he said that though he was not prepared, he is confident that he will get through the final examination by Sai Baba’s grace. Mr.Sapatnekar was surprised at this remark and asked him who this Sai Baba was whom he extolled so high. He replied – “There lives in a Masjid in Shirdi a fakir. He is a great Sat-purusha who is unique. Unless there is a great store of merits on one’s account, one can’t see Him. I fully believe in Him, and what He says will be never untrue. He has assured me that I will definitely pass the examination.” Mr.Sapatneker laughed at his friend’s confidence and jeered at him and Baba.
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Samardha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!
||Om Shiridivaasaaya Vidmahe Sachchidaanadaaya Dheemahi Tanno Sai Prachchodayaat||
Story 5 – Introduction of Sai Satya-Vrata Puja
One Bhimaji Patil of Narayanagaon, Taluka Junnar, Dist. Poona, suffered in the year 1909 A.D. from a severe and chronic chest-disease which ultimately developed into Tuberculosis. He tried all sorts of pathos (remedies), but to no effect. Losing all hopes, he ultimately prayed to God – “Oh Lord Narayana, help me now”. It is a well known fact that, when our circumstances are well off, we do not remember God, but when calamities and adversities overtake us, we are reminded of Him, So Bhimaji now turned to God. It occurred to him that he should consult Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, a great devotee of Baba, in this respect. So he wrote to him a letter, giving all details of his malady, and asking for his opinion. In reply, Mr. Nanasaheb wrote to him that there was only one remedy left, and that was to have recourse to Baba’s Feet. Relying on Mr. Nanasaheb’s advice, he was brought to Shirdi and taken to the Masjid, and placed before Baba. Mr. Nanasaheb and Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) were then present. Baba pointed out that the disease was due to the previous evil karma, and was not at first disposed to interfere. But the patient cried out in despair that he was helpless, and sought refuge in Him, as He was his last hope, and prayed for mercy. Then Baba’s heart melted and He said, “Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come to an end. However, oppressed and troubled one may be as soon as he steps into the Masjid, he is on the pathway to happiness. The Fakir here is very kind and he will cure the disease, and protect all with love and kindness.” The patient vomited blood every five minutes, but there was no vomiting in the presence of Baba. From the time, Baba uttered the words of hope and mercy; the malady took a favorable turn. Baba asked him to stay in Bhimabai’s house, which was not a convenient and healthy place, but Baba’s order had to be obeyed. While he was staying there, Baba cured him by two dreams. In the first dream, he saw himself as a boy suffering the severe pain of a flogging, which he received for not reciting his ‘Swami-poetry’ lesson before his class-master. In the second dream, some one caused him intense pain, and torture, by rolling a stone up and down over his chest. With the pain thus suffered in dream, his cure was complete, and he went home. He then often came to Shirdi, gratefully remembering what Baba did for him, and prostrated before Him. Baba also did not expect anything from devotees, but grateful remembrance, unchanging faith and devotion. People in the Maharashtra, always celebrate Satya-Narayana Puja in their homes every fortnight or month. But it was this Bhimaji Patil, who started a new Sai Satya-vrata Puja, instead of Satya-Narayana-vrata Puja, in his house, when he returned to his village.
Dear devoted listeners, bow to you all!! Let us never forget Sai Baba and his stories. The more frequently we read and listen to these stories all our sins will be destroyed, all our desires will be satisfied and we will get interested in spiritual life. By Performing this Puja – Sai will be pleased and he will remove our ignorance, miseries and poverty and will give us knowledge, wealth and prosperity and fulfils all our wishes and makes us attain the goal of life and protects us from all evil.
Samardha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!
||Om Shiridivaasaaya Vidmahe Sachchidaanadaaya Dheemahi Tanno Sai Prachchodayaat||
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all
