Power of Baba's Udi

The Udi is not a ordinary ash. It is the ash from the dhuni which Baba had lit by his yogic power. Hence the Udi has all the powers of Baba. It has banished the agonies and cured incurable diseases of innumerable persons. Here are a few real instances.

A certain doctor's nephew had bone-cancer. The doctor tried all remedies, including surgical operation, but in vain. With acute pain, the boy cried pitiably. At last the doctor brought the boy to Baba and threw all burden on him. Daily Baba placed a blessing glance on the wound and applied Udi on it. Within a week, the boy was completely cured.

Another doctor had a guinea-worm in his leg, which was terribly swollen and caused intense pain. He approached Baba with a request to release him from his mortal coil and thus end his agony for good. Baba daily applied Udi to his leg and also administered it orally. One day, an attendant inadvertently stepped on the doctor's affected leg with the result that the wound burst open and the guinea-wom was driven out. The doctor was soon cured.

There are countless instances of this kind. But following deserves mentioning:-

Nanasaheb Chandorkar, one of the earliest devotees of Baba, was a mamlatdar at Jamner, about 24 miles from Jalgaon in Khandesh. One can go upto Jalgaon by railway and then take a tonga. Nanasabeb's daughter, Maina had come to Jamner for delivery. For forty-eight hours, she was in labour and her very life was in danger. Nanasaheb was appealing to Baba to come to her succour. Sai Baba as if 'heard' it in Shirdi. Ramgir, a resident bhakta, was then inspired to go to his village in Khandesh. He came to ask for Baba's permission. Baba said, "Yes. Start immediately. But first go to Nanasaheb at Jamner, givehim Udi and Arati, and then proceed home". Baba gave him a packet of Udi from the dhuni with his own hands and the Arati on a piece of paper to be recited at Maina's bedside. Ramgir took the two things, but, in a tone of anxiety, he asked, "Baba, I have only two rupees with me. With this much. I can barely go to Jalgaon. But how could I make a detour to Jamner and then to my place ?" "You need not to worry," Said Baba, "You only go to Jalgaon. Everything will be arranged thereafter."

With firm faith in Baba, Ramgir started. He had to pay Rs. 1-14-0 for railwav ticket and only two annas were left with him. About midnight the train reached Jalgaon and Ramgir got down. Just then a sepahi in Khaki uniform approached him and said "Sir, you are Ramgir from Shirdi, I hope". Ramgir said he was. "Then come along," said the sepahi, Nanasaheb has sent me with a tonga for you." Ramgir thought that as Baba had hinted he must have sent a word to Nanasaheb and asked him to make these arrangements. The sepahi gave him a few snacks, which he said, were sent bv Nanasaheb. Then the tonga started and by dawn, it arrived at Jamner. The sepahi, pointing to a distant 'building, said, "That is Nanasaheb's office." Ramgir alighted there to ease himself and went behind a bush. But as he came out, what did he find ? Nothing, no horses, no carriage, no sepahi. All had disappeared. Dumbfounded, he went to Nanasaheb's office and, obtaining Nanasabeb's address, went there. Saluting Nanasaheb, he said, "Baba has sent me here from Shirdi and has given you these things." A thrill went through Nanasaheb on hearing this. He said, 'Oh Baba, Baba! What should I say to you ? I called your name here and hearing my call in Shirdi, you at once ran here in the form of these things. A million pranams to you ! "

Nanasaheb applied the Udi to his daughter and put a little in her mouth too. Then he sat by her bedside, reciting the arati. And would you believe it ? In half an hour, Maina delivered safely. Ramgir was waiting outside. Nanasabeb came out and thanked him profoundly. Eagerly Ramgir asked, "Nana, your tonga brought me to Jamner all right. But then as I got down to ease myself, it suddenly vanished. Where is that tonga ?" "Which tonga ?" asked the puzzled Nana. "Your tonga which you had sent for me to Jalgaon Station. Your sepahi met me there, gave me your delicious snacks and brought me here with great speed."

With tears of gratitude, Nanasaheb said, "Ramgir, I had not the faintest idea that you were coming. So how could I have sent the tonga ? This is all no doubt done by Baba. How unbounded is your kripa, Oh mother Sai !"

Later, Nanasaheb himself related this whole incident to the people assembled at Shirdi. It therefore bears a stamp of authority.

Friends this is how our Sai Ma is, who takes care of all their kids.

Importance of Sai Satcharitra

• This is the first and foremost book based on the life-story of Shri Sai Baba, which was originally composed in Marathi verse form. The writing of the book started in the lifetime of Baba with his blessings.
• The Hindi translation of this book is in simple Hindi language, which can be understood even by a common man.
• The divine truth imparted by this book is even greater than the knowledge contained in the Vedas and Geeta, because all the characters and events in it are real and authentic as also recorded in details by many devotees.
• Because of the expression in simple Hindi it is easy even for every one to comprehend it. Today there are very few people who can understand Sanskrit language properly and absorb the meaning and substance easily.
• The spiritual essence contained in all the religious scriptures like Vedas, Geeta, Yoga Vashisht is found in the life-story of Shri Sainath.
• The concepts on God and spirituality are explained in such a simple yet comprehensive manner in 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' that no additional book, or commentary etc. is required to understand it. It has a natural flow of which the readers starts feeling as if they had been closely associated with its events in their past life.
• I may mention here that the glory of Shri Sai is spreading in the world, far and wide, in such an amazing way that detailed information at the web sites on Internet about Shri Sai and 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' is available for interested readers.
• The foremost duty of a Sai devotee is therefore to read 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' and absorb it by heart if possible. The more they read this book, the more it will bring them closer to Baba and all their doubts and apprehensions will be cleared.
• It also has been experienced that during crisis if any devotee is searching for an answer, if he randomly opens of 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' praying Baba sincerely and with faith his answer can be found in that open page.
• Many people have got their desired benefits after reading 'Shri Sai Satcharitra' for a week in a parayana form.
  

About Shirdi

Shirdi is a small town located in the state of Maharashtra in western India. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world's map of pilgrimage. Places of Interest Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, according to the legends, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba.

The Samadhi of Baba is built with white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations. The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees. The assembly hall also houses a showcase having various items used by the sage. The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint. The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers. Situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir is Dwarkamai, a mosque. This was the place where the sage stayed until the end of his life. Main attraction of the site is the oil paintings of the sage. The place from where Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of a Bal Yogi (child ascetic) is known as Gurusthan. A temple has been constructed on this site.

There is also a small shrine in Gurusthan. At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him. There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Photos and various items that were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba are there in the cottage. There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Bal yogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived. There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar that are worth visiting.

At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Bagh. This garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah (a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree.

Other sites to visit are Datta Mandir and Khandoba Mandir. Sites nearby situated around 5 km from Shirdi is Sakori. The place is home to the Upasini Maharaj. Shanisinghnapur is 70 km from Shirdi. A temple devoted to Shani is located here.

Fairs and festivals - The most important festivals and events that are celebrated in Shirdi are Guru Poornima, Dussehra, and Ram Navami. These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.

Where to stay - Shirdi has accommodation available to every income group, starting from budget to high-end. STD facilities are available in most of the hotels.

What to eat - The administrative body of Shirdi temple runs a prasadalaya to provide lunch and dinner to the devotees. Nearly one thousand devotees can take Baba's prasad at the same time. The kitchen of the prasadalaya is equipped with modern cooking machineries and is free of pollution. Food-packets are available to the devotees from 8:00 in the morning to 12:00 noon. There is a canteen service available to the devotees day and night.

How to reach - Nearest airports are Mumbai (260 km), Pune (185 km), and Aurangabad (125 km). Flights for all the major cities in India and abroad can be taken from Mumbai. The nearest railway station is Manmad (60 km) on the central railway, which is connected to many parts of the country with express trains. Most of the trains touching Nasik Road railway station also touch Manmad. Shirdi has railway reservation office for trains from Manmad. Taxis and buses are easily available at Manmad railway station for transfer to Shirdi. Regular taxi service also operates between Manmad railway station and bus stand. State Transport Corporation and private operators run coaches to Shirdi from Mumbai.

First ever temple of Sai Baba

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba has become a part of the mainstream of Indian spiritual and temporal life within a short period of attaining maha samadhi. We can now see Sai temples not only in the big cities but also in small towns and villages of India, and more and more temples are being built all over the world. The first ever Sai Baba's temple was built in 1916 at Bhivpuri (small town in India) which was before Baba took his maha samadhi.

Bhivpuri Road is a small railway station which comes before Karjat on the train route from Mumbai to Pune. If one gets out at this station and looks right towards the fields, a temple spire is clearly visible. This is the Sai temple at Bhivpuri. It is a short walk across the fields to the temple.

This temple has a very interesting history. The story behind its construction reveals the astonishing manner in which Baba pulls his devotees to him. It is unbelievable but nevertheless true that the founder of the temple, the late Sri Keshav Ramachandra Pradhan, was initially an atheist. Sri Pradhan was working for a Parsee gentleman of Mumbai as a pedhi (a collector of debts owed to his employer). He lived in Bhivpuri and would commute to Mumbai to work. In the course of his job he would frequently go to Manmad, Nasik and Kopergaon. Pradhan had a close friend who was a devotee of Sai Baba. He would often go to Shirdi and return after having darshan of (seeing) Sri Sai Baba. Once, Pradhan visited his friend when he was about to leave for Shirdi. He asked Pradhan to accompany him and to have Baba’s darshan. Pradhan, who had no belief in God, initially refused to go with him. Finally, however, he gave in to his friend’s persuasion and agreed to go, but not to set foot inside the mosque where Baba lived. His friend accepted the compromise and they set out for Shirdi together.

The friends reached Shirdi and stayed in the wada. As it was time for the noon arati, Pradhan’s friend went to the mosque but Pradhan stayed in the wada. The bell rang from the mosque for the arati and Pradhan could hear it from his room. The deep gongs of the bell stirred him as never before. He was enchanted by the sound and unknowingly started walking to the mosque from where this heavenly sound was issuing forth.

He reached the mosque and sat in a corner. Looking at Baba, he was immersed in a state of bliss. After the arati was over the other devotees took udhi from Baba and left the mosque. Pradhan was still in a state of bliss and was unaware of everything but Baba. Sai Baba then called Pradhan to draw near and asked him for dakshina. Pradhan had Rs 2500 in his pocket. This was the amount he had collected for his employer from the various debtors. He took out the entire cash from his pocket and, placing it all in Baba’s hands, returned to his room still in the same state of bliss. A little later, Pradhan came to realise that he had given the entire amount to Baba and was surprised that he could do such a thing with his employer’s money. His friend told him not to worry as Baba would take care to see that Pradhan would not get into any trouble because of this.

Pradhan started back via Kopergaon from Shirdi in a horse-cart. It was only after he reached Kopergaon that he realised that he had no money, even for the hire of the cart. He requested the cart man to take his ring, sell it and return the remaining cash after taking his fare. While this was going on a well-dressed gentleman, unknown to Pradhan, arrived. After inquiring about the matter he not only paid the cart man but also bought a ticket to Mumbai for Pradhan and left as mysteriously as he came.

Pradhan reached Bhivpuri. He did not know how he could face his employer and tell him that he had used all the money which he had collected. To gain time, he sent word to his employer that he was sick and would come to work once he had recovered. The employer sent word back granting leave till Pradhan was well enough to return to work. He also wanted to know why Pradhan had sent double the money he had collected and what he was to do with the excess? Pradhan saw Baba’s hand in this and was thrilled to the core of his being by the kindness shown to him by Baba. He was electrified that Baba had showered his grace on him to such an extent in the very first darshan. He became a staunch devotee of Baba and would often go to Shirdi to visit Baba and take his blessings. Pradhan would plead with Baba to come to Bhivpuri whenever he went to Shirdi.

Once, in 1916, Baba gave his statue to Pradhan and said, “Go to Bhivpuri. Build a temple for me there. Keep this statue in the temple and worship it. You need not come to Shirdi any more.” Pradhan returned to Bhivpuri but did not follow Baba’s instructions. When he next came to Shirdi Baba said, “When I have come to your house, why have you come here? Bhivpuri is your Shirdi. Go there and do as I told you.”

In a few days Pradhan built a small temple near his house at Bhivpuri and ceremoniously installed the statue of Baba; regular worship was started. This temple is located in a place which is green with trees and beautiful to the eye. In the silence of the night the sound of the temple doors opening would sometimes be heard. Baba’s form would be seen coming out of the temple and resting under a tree in the front yard. The sound of the temple doors closing would be heard again at three in the morning. All these leelas were experienced not only by Pradhan and his family but also by their guests who stayed overnight. Pradhan had no doubt that Bhivpuri was indeed his Shirdi and he became an even more ardent devotee of Baba. The temple was developed to include an inner chamber, a big hall in the forecourt, a verandah and guestrooms for the use of visiting devotees.

Sri V V Gupte, Pradhan’s son-in-law, took an active part in conducting the various affairs of the temple and helped further develop it. Sri Gupte had first visited Shirdi in 1936 and experienced bliss at the sight of Baba’s samadhi. He prayed fervently to Baba to make the temple at Bhivpuri as glorious and awesome as the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi. Baba answered his prayers and the Bhivpuri temple became famous with more and more devotees visiting it.

Pradhan passed away in 1939 and responsibility for the temple fell on Gupte’s shoulders. He started an organization for running the temple called the “Sri Sadguru Sainathuni Seva Sanstha”. The rush of visitors increased and the existing facilities became insufficient. Funds were inadequate to do all that was necessary to meet the huge influx of devotees. Finally, Baba’s help was sought. A devotee called Narayan Purohit started the formal reading of Sai Baba’s life. On the fourth day Baba came to him in a dream and said, “Where is my dhuni? How can this be Shirdi without a dhuni? How can my temple be complete without a dhuni?”

As he had the dream twice, Purohit informed Gupte and it was decided forthwith to build a dhuni as instructed by Baba. Sri Valvalkar, the grandson of Sri Hemadpant (author of Sri Sai Satcharitra – Baba's life story and leelas), first lit the dhuni on the Ramanavami day of 1949 and since then Baba's devotees have been started increasing day by day (OM SAI RAM). Ramanavami and Baba’s samadhi festivals are celebrated here with great fervour and glory.

Shirdi Sai Baba's Videos

Shirdi Sai Baba's Kakad Aarti

Sai Baba's Birth Story

On account of the passage of time and circumstances, no one knew the exact dates of Baba's birth and passing. In this context, the mystery relating to Baba's birth should be noted. One devotee wrote a poem in which he offered his "salutations to the one born in Pathri, who lived in Dwarakamayi and who was the protector of devotees." There are some findings on Babaji’s birth but nobody knows whether they are true or just assumptions. Babaji’s birth is still a mystery. Following are some findings:-
In the former Nizam's [Maharaj] dominion, there was a remote village called Pathri. In that village there were a couple named Gangabhavadya and Devagiriamma. They were worshipers of Shiv and Parvathi. They had no offspring for a long time. They intensified their prayers. Gangabhavadya used to ply boats near the village for a living. One night, when it was raining heavily, Gangabhavadya left his house to take care of the boats, telling his wife that he would not be returning in the night. After the husband had an early meal and left, Devagiriamma ate and went to bed.
At 9 p.m. there was a knock at the door. Devagiriamma opened the door, wondering if her husband had returned. A very old man entered the house. He pleaded, "It is very cold outside. Please permit me, mother, to stay inside." As a pious woman, she allowed him to stay in the inside verandah and went in after bolting the inner door. She opened the door. The old man said, "I am feeling hungry; give me some food." Finding that there was no food, the woman mixed some flour with curd and gave it to him. Another knock sounded after some time. When she opened the door, the old man said, "My legs are aching, Mother, will you massage them?"
Devagiriamma went inside, sat in the prayer room and prayed, "O Mother Parvati! Why are you testing me like this? What should I do? Should I serve him or refuse?"
Going out of the house by the backdoor, she went in search of someone who could be engaged to render this service. No one was available. Again there was a knock by the old man. At the same time, a woman knocked at the backdoor. She said, "It appears you came to my house and sought some help? I was away at the time. Please let me know what service I should render you?"
Feeling happy that Goddess Parvathi herself had sent the woman in response to her prayers, Devagiriamma sent the newcomer to the verandah to serve the old man and closed the door. The old man and the new woman were none other than Parameswara (Shiva) and Parwathi, the Divine couple.
Parameswara told Parvathi, "Fulfill the cherished desires of this lady." Parwathi Iswara replied, "You are Supreme. Please shower your Grace on her yourself." Lord Shiva said, "I came to test her. You came in answer to her prayers. Hence you must bless her."
There was a knock at the door again. This time Devagiriamma promptly opened the door. Parvathi and Parameswara appeared before her in their divine form. Unable to contain her joy, Devagiriamma fell at their feet. Parvathi then blessed her, "I grant you a son to maintain the lineage and a daughter for kanyadan (a girl to be offered in marraige)." Devagiriamma fell at the feet of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva said, "I am immensely pleased with your devotion. I shall take birth as your third child." When Devagiriamma got up, the Divine couple had vanished. Feeling ecstatic by this experience, Devagiriamma eagerly awaited the return of her husband in the morning to relate to him the whole story.
When the husband came home in the morning she related to him all that had happened during the previous night. The husband said, "Devagiri! What is this fanciful tale! It is all a dream. Parvathi and Parameswara appearing before you and giving darshan! It is pure fantasy!" Gangabhavadya dismissed the whole episode as incredible and fanciful.
As the years passed, Devagiriamma became pregnant and a son was born. A year later a daughter was born. Gangabhavadya was now convinced that the birth of the two children was the result of the blessings conferred by Parvathi and Parameswara. He told his wife, "You had the good fortune (to be blessed by the Divine couple). I did not have that luck."
When Devagiriamma conceived again, Gangabhavadya began to feel an urge to give up hearth and home and go in search of the Divine couple. He announced to his wife that he was leaving for the forest to do penance. The devoted wife that she was, Devagiriamma decided to follow him, though she was in the ninth month of her pregnancy. After proceeding some distance, she developed labor pains. She delivered a boy. Wrapping the babe in a piece of cloth, she left the child by the roadside and followed her husband.
Because of these circumstances, no one knew who the parents of the child were. The Fakir who found the child brought him home and took care of him. Baba's life-story is known only from the time of his arrival in Shirdi.

Whatever is the story behind Babaji's birth doesn't matter.The only truth is that Babaji is our sole care taker and parent. We are fortunate to have Babaji with us.

Hey Sainath always stay with us and bless us with your guidance.

Never ever leave your kids. Forgive our sins and show us the right path.

Sacchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai...

Shri Sai Baba ke Gyarah Vachan

Hindi

1. Jo shirdi me aayega, aapad dur bhagayega
2. Chade samadi ke sede per, paer tale dukh ke pede per
3. Tayag shareer chala jayoga, bhagt heytu doda ayonga
4. Mann me rakhna drrid vishvas, kare samadi puri aas
5. Mujeh sada jevit hi jano, anubhav karo satay pehchano
6. Meri sharan aa khali jaye, ho to koi mujhko batlaye
7. Jaisa bahav raha jis janka, vaisa roop hua Sai Mann ka
8. Bhaar tumara mujh per hoga, vachan na mera jutha hoga
9. Aa sahayta loo bharpur, jo manga veh nahi hai dur
10. Mujhme leen vachan mann kaya, uska reen na kabhi chukaya
11. Dhaney-dhaney woh bhagt ananey, mere sharan tej jese na anney.

English

1. Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi soil, his sufferings will come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness, as soon as they climb steps of my samadhi.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb.
6. My mortal remains would speak from tt ihe tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.
8. If you look to me, I look to you.
9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no wann the house of my devotees.

For Babaji

I AM JUST A CHILD

I am just a child,
I am so tired of running wild,
Baba, I am so glad that we could meet,
And that I can get shelter, at your feet.

Your words of wisdom, ever so gently flow,
Like candle light in darkness, glows,
They soothe every part, of my aching heart,
Oh Baba, may we never, ever, grow apart.

As I close my eyes & happily dream,
Of how the glorious future should be,
In frame after frame I can clearly see,
Baba, it has to be only about you & me.

Bliss flows, as you gently hold my hand,
Beside me, so tall & heavenly you stand,
Slowly I look up at you, my eyes in awe,
I see such kindness, I never, ever, saw.

Hand in hand, we travel among the stars,
So many planets, I see, afar,
We travel through deserts & springs,
Oh what happiness, mother nature, brings

When I look at images of my life gone by,
I see all my mistakes & realise why,
So cruel, hurt & lonely I had been,
For such divine beauty, I had never seen.

Now that Baba, you are with me,
I can understand & really see,
That the beauty of life is just to BE,
To accept & enjoy all that happens to me.

And now Baba, I really really pray,
That in this birth, you have come to stay,
Pls. be with me always, never go away,
For that would be my dying day.

For I am just a child,
I am so tired of running wild,
Baba, I am so glad that we could meet,
And that I can get shelter at your feet.

Sacchidanand Satguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai....

Sai Baba says

"My empire spreads all over the country of faith. I am the Sovereign Majesty ruling with the wheel of love, living in a divine abode"

"Do not have attachment to money, land and property. This will put you in a chain of downfall and suffering. Selflessness, sacrificies , service and self-abandoment enriches the human soul. Lust, greed and desire cause his downfall. You must learn to imbibe these divine virtues from your childhood."

"Sweet behaviour with others wins the divine grace."

"Anger is a deadly enemy. It burns all our shubh(good) karmas (deeds)."

"Do not enter in purposeless wordy philosophies, do not study Purana, do not follow the strains of blind devotion, do not rush afer penance or recitations of Japa. The only which you should resort to is he surrender at my feet which will carry you to the desired goal. Fix your eyes on my feet, merge your mind my remembrance,m and immerse your mind, intellect in my contemplation. Your body, mind, intellect and existing should lose its identity and mingel in my form absolutely."

"If you always say "Sai", "Sai", I shall take you over the seven seas."

"If one meditates on me, repeats my name and sings about my deeds, he is transformed and his bad karma (deeds) gets destroyed. I stay by his side always."

"Our true guru is God alone. He transcends all Gunas (good qualities). He is beyond all forms. He is the only one who can dispel (drive out) the darkness of ignorance and light the lamp of supereme wisdom."

"Arrogance and conceit bring about the fall of man spiritually."

"Watch the present, and the future will take care of itself."

"Surrendering body, mind, intellect and ego to the Guru is supreme bhakti, dedication to guru and God is real surrender. Then God or Guru takes his seat in your heart and drives the chair of your body and soul to the city of Moksha (heaven) and Ananda (happiness)."

"It is better to serve than to rule."

"I am the bond slave of my devotee. I love devotion. He who withdraws his heart from the world and loves me in my true lover and he merges in me like a river in the sea"

"I always think of him, who remembers me. I run and manifest myself to him, who lovingly calls me"

"The phenomenal world is an illusion. How long will you keep on chasing the shadows?"

"Trust in the Guru fully. This is the only Sadhana (Meditation). Guru is all the Gods"

"If you spread your palms wih devoion before me, I am immediately with you day and night. Though I am here bodily, still I know, what you do beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode (home) is in your heart and I am within you. Worship me always, who is seated in your heart, as well as in the hearts of all beings. Blessed and fortunate indeed is he, who knows me thus."

"(To chand patil) always remember Allah Maliq. All is Allah. Nothing is without God; Myself, yourself and your mare also. Your mare is grazing behind these cactus shrubs. Go and fetch here" - This when chand patil was looking for his mare in forest for long number of hours.

"My master told me to give bounteously to all that ask. No one asks with wisdom. My treasury is open. No one brings carts to take away the real treasures. I say: dig and search, but no one wants to take any pains. Be the true sons of the divine mother and fully stock yourself. What is to become of us? This body will return to earth and the air we breathe will melt into air. This oppotunity will not return"

"Be child-like. An innocent child-like nature is most pleasing to God"

"If you daily hear his leelas (stories of Sai), you will always see him. Day and night you will remmember him in your mind, When you asimilate Sai in this way, you mind will lose its fickleness and if you go on in this manner, it will finally be merged in pure consciousness"

"You are all well, under the neem tree, feeling its cool shade and spending your life happily. But here I am experiencing all your difficulties and troubles"

"The entire world is permeated by the Lord. Nothing is void without God. The Paramatman (God) enjoys the proprietary power as the master of the universe through the jiva, he being"

Baba’s Mercy

On Diwali day in the year 1910, Baba was sitting opposite the ‘Dhuni’. He was adding firewood in the Dhuni every now and then. Suddenly, he thrust his hand into the burning Dhuni. The hand burnt, Shama and others who saw this, came running and pushed back Baba, who lose consciousness by then. He appeared to be somewhere else. After sometime, he came to his original state and told the devotees, "A blacksmith’s wife living very far off is my devotee. She was working the bellows. When her husband called her, forgetting the child in her lap she got up to ran to her husband. The child fell into the burning furnace. I immediately thrust my hand into the furnace and saved it. I am not feeling for my burnt hand. But I am happy that the child of my devotee is saved." How Baba could save a child so far away by putting his hand in the Dhuni at Shirdi is beyond our imagination. That is why we call these actions of Sai Baba as miracles. Sai Baba is a very competent Guru who is capable of doing any work in any manner. I prostrate before Sai Baba for having given me his blessings to write the Life History of such a Samartha Sadguru. Those who read these stories of Sai Baba are also blessed. Those whose sins are forgiven can only show interest in Baba’s stories. This is the Truth.

Baba's real stories

The Story of the Two Lizards

One day, while Sai Baba was seated in Dwarakamai, a lizard on the wall made a noise. A devotee sitting opposite to Sai Baba, asked him why the lizard was making such a noise. Sai Baba replied that the lizard’s sister was expected to come from Aurangabad shortly, and so out of joy, it was making the noise. The devotee kept quiet.

Just then a devotee came on horse from Aurangabad to see Sai Baba. He wanted to feed the horse, and taking out the bag which was with him he shook it. A lizard fell from the bag and rapidly climbed the wall. Sai Baba told the devotees who had questioned Sai Baba earlier, to watch the lizards carefully. The lizard from Aurangabad met her sister and kissed. They played out of joy, going round and round. People sitting before Sai Baba were very much surprised Where is Aurangabad? Where is Shirdi? If the lizards were sisters, how did they happen to be at such distances. How did Sai Baba know that the lizard was coming from Aurangabad? Did he know the mind of animals and also their language? Such doubts arose in the devotees and they simply stared at Sai Baba with surprise.

Sai Baba, who read the minds of the devotees said, "Not only about these lizards, but what is happening in every atom in this world, I know. Without my permission, the leaves on the tree also will not flutter. God is all powerful. All should follow the rules of this creation. Even I cannot go against them. God is the creator of all Universe. Allah Malik hai."

Sai Baba’s Assurance to Bayaja Bai
Bayaja Bai whom Sai Baba addressed as Mai (Mother), became physically weak due to old age. She was not in a condition even to get up from bed. Sai Baba ordered Tatya to remain at the bedside of his mother and do service to her. Now and then he would send Tatya’s close associates like Shama also to be with Tatya. Bayaja Bai was nearing her end . She wanted to see Sai Baba once. Immediately, Sai Baba appeared near her head. His appearance at this last moment gave her divine bliss. Some unexplained joy came to her. She felt that her Atma (soul) was happily going towards heaven. Perhaps, this feeling was due to the complete divine darshan Sai Baba gave her. She wanted to say something but words did not come out of her. She took her son Tatya’s hand and put it on Sai Baba’s hand. Having understood her thoughts, Sai Baba assured her that he would look after Tatya from that moment more than his life. She knew that his words were God’s words. After hearing those words from Sai Baba, her Atma left her body and merged in the universe.

Stealing of Rags
B.V. Dev had a desire to read Jnaneshwari. The translation of the Bhagawad Gita into Marathi my Jnanadev is called Jnaneshwari in Maharashtra. This is considered as a very sacred book and many people in Maharashtra do Parayana of this book regularly . But whenever Dev started to do Parayana some obstacles came and he had to stop in the middle. The main reason for this was that he could not fully understand the inner meanings. He went to Shirdi determined to sit before Sai Baba and complete the Parayana. Sai Baba asked him twenty five rupees as dakshina. Dev gave the amount to Sai Baba but did not ask him about the Parayana of Jnaneshwari. He went to Sathe Wada and asked a devotee named Balakram Mankar about Sai Baba’s leelas. When he was narrating some to Dev the following day, Sai Baba called Dev and with angry eyes began scolding him.

He said, "Though you are an old man with grey hairs, you have not stopped stealing. I will kill you with an axe!" Dev shivered. He did not understand anything. Sai Baba asked for twenty-five rupees as dakshina. Dev brought the amount and gave it to Sai Baba. This time Sai Baba calmed down and told him, "When I am ready to cover you with a zari shawl, why do you steal rags? You read the Jnaneshwari. Sit before me and read it." Immediately, Dev started reading the Jnaneshwari and finished without any obstacles for the first time. When Sai Baba had threated to kill him with an axe, the wavering of his mind stopped and he could now concentrate and read the book completely. To ask Balakram about the leelas of Sai Baba amounted to stealing of rags. Sai Baba personally showed his greatness, stopping the wanderings of his mind, making him read the Jnaneshwari, without any obstacles and increasing his concentration- it was like covering him with a zari shawl.

The important thing that we learn from what Sai Baba said is, we should not waste our time and money by running after pseudo Gurus for consultations and advices. "I will give my advice or help, the moment it is sought" is one of the promises of Sai Baba. This assurance is true and valid even now. You must directly ask Sai Baba and have the zari shawl but should not attempt to steal the rags by going to pseudo Gurus.

Sadashiv Tarkhad
Sadashiv worked as a manager in a factory in Bombay. After the factory was closed, he did not have any means of livelihood and so he came to Sai Baba. At that time, Tatya Patil and others were going to Ahmednagar to see a cinema, with the permission of Sai Baba. Sai Baba asked them to take Tarkhad also along with them for the cinema and from there to proceed to Poona. Tarkhad who was unemployed was surprised at being sent to the cinema. But he knew that none should go against Sai Baba’s orders. So he went to the cinema with the others. When he reached Poona, he found that a factory owner who was trying to secure the services of a person as manager, had heard about him and sent a telegram to his Bombay address, and was waiting for his arrival. So, he got the job immediately. Every advice of Sai Baba was based on one’s future.

God is one

Sai Baba is a follower of GOD who had been sent on earth to give direction to direction less, to give support to support less and to give love to love less people all around the world. For him no one is poor and no one is rich. He always respect and followed one religion that is "mankind". My personal believe is that baba remains within all of us and always ready to help us whenever we need him. And he will stand besides you in every circumstances.

There is a kabir doha for this "Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag. Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag" which means "Like seed contains the oil, fire in flint stone. Your temple seats the Divine, realize if you can"