CHAPTER-5

5.


The Re-appearance of Sree Sai


I bow down to Sree Ganesh
I bow down to Sree Saraswati
I bow down to the *XU.


I bow down to the Family Deity
I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra
I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

1.
Now to continue the story from the previous chapter... Baba
disappeared from Shirdi and reappeared with Chand Patil.
Listen to how all this happened.
2.
How Baba created and tended the garden by himself watering
it ; of the gathering of Gangagir and other saints.
Listening to this narration will be sanctifying.
3.
Later on, Baba who had disappeared for some time, how this
gem of a person returned to Shirdi in the Barat1 of a Muslim.
4.
Before that, Devidas had taken up residence at Shirdi and
later Jankidas, the ascetic, also came there.
5.
How all this happened, I will recount in detail. Listeners,
listen to it attentively and with respect.
6.
In a small village called Dhoop, in the district of
Aurangabad, there was a fortunate Muslim, whose name was
Chand Patil.
7.
While he was travelling to Aurangabad, he lost one of his
mares and there was no trace of her for two months. He lost
all hope.
8.
Patil became completely despondent and was greatly
distressed by the loss of the mare. Carrying the saddle on
his back, he began his return journey.
9.
Leaving Aurangabad four and half kos2 behind, he came across,
on the way a mango tree, underneath which he saw this gem.
10.
Wearing a cap on his head and a kafni on his body, a wooden
stick under his arm, crushing tobacco and preparing it for
filling his chillum for a smoke – when a strange thing
happened.
11.
As Chand Patil was passing by, he heard the fakir calling
out to him: “Come along here, have a smoke and then proceed
further. Sit for a while in the shade”.

12.
The fakir asked him what was the saddle for and Patil
answered that he had lost his mare. Then he told him “Go and
search for it near the stream”. The horse was found
immediately.
13.
Chand Patil was wonderstruck and thought to himself that he
had met an ‘aulia’3 ‘There is no limit to his powers. He
cannot be called an ordinary being’.
14.
Afterwards Patil returned with the mare to the original
place. The fakir made him sit next to him. He then picked up
in his hands a pair of tongs.
15.
Then he thrust it into the soil there, took out a burning
coal and put it on his ‘chillum’4 which was in his hands.
Then he picked up his ‘satka’5.
16.
Next, there was no water around to wet the ‘chappi’6 for his
chillum, so he beat the ‘satka’ on the ground and water
began to spring.
17.
The ‘chappi’ was soaked in the water and then squeezed dry.
He wound it around the ‘chillum’. He smoked it himself and
made Patil smoke too. Patil was dazed.
18.
He made a request to the fakir to sanctify his house by his
presence; and the fakir, who had manifested himself only for
such divine leelas, obliged him.
19.
He went to the village the next day, stayed with Patil for
some time; and, then, returned to Shirdi.
20.
This Chand Patil, ‘Karbhari’, was the headman of the
village. A marriage was arranged with a girl from Shirdi,
for his wife’s nephew.
21.
It was fortunate that an alliance with the bride from Shirdi
was fixed for the nephew of Chandbhai’s wife, who had become
of a marriageable age.
22.
Along with carts and horses the marriage procession started
for Shirdi. Out of love for Chandbhai, Baba also joined in
the procession.
23.
The marriage was over and the marriage party returned. Only
Baba stayed behind and stayed on for good. Thus Shirdi
became blessed.
24.
Sai, the Eternal, the Ancient One was, neither Hindu nor
Muslim. He had no caste, nor family, nor ‘gotra’. Know him
to be the Self-Realised Soul.
25.
People called him “Sai, Sai”. How was this name given to
him? “Welcome Sai”, is the reverence, with which he was
welcomed and that is how this name remained.

26.
Near Khandoba’s temple, in Mhalsapati’s threshing ground,
when Baba alighted with the marriage party, on that day, he
was given this name.
27.
Originally, the threshing ground belonged to
Mhalsapati. Later on, it belonged to
Aminbhai. When the marriage procession came,
it was here that it halted under the banyan
tree.


28.
The bullocks were unyoked at the threshing
ground, in the extensive open space in front of
Khandoba’s temple. Baba, along with the
marriage guests, alighted there.
Mhalsapati
29.
When the youthful fakir got down from the cart,
and was first seen by Bhagat (Mhalsapati), he went forward
to him saying “Welcome Sai”. Since then he has been called
by that name.
30.
Later on from that time, everybody called him “Sai, Sai”.
And that became his proper name.
31.
He smoked his chillum there, resided in the Masjid, enjoyed
the company of Devidas, and felt happy in Shirdi.
32.
Sometimes he would sit in the Chavadi, sometimes in Devidas’
company, sometimes in the Maruti temple, absorbed completely
in the Self.
33.
This Devidas was already living in Shirdi before Baba came
there. Later came the Sage Jankidas of the Mahanubhav sect8.
34.
With that Jankidas, Maharaj would sit and chat; or, Jankidas
would come where Maharaj used to sit.
35.
Both were fond of each other and would meet regularly. Their
kinship developed and pleased everybody greatly.
36.
Similarly, a very famous Vaishnava householder-saint, called
Gangagir, who hailed from Puntambe was a frequent visitor to
Shirdi.
37.
Great was Gangagir’s surprise in the early days when he
would see Sai carrying water from the well, in earthen
pitchers, in both his hands.
38.
When he first set eyes on Sai, Buva openly proclaimed “It is
the good fortune of Shirdi that this precious gem has
associated itself with Shirdi.
39.
Although he is carrying water on his shoulders to-day, he is
not an ordinary person. Blessed is the soil of Shirdi on
which he has set his foot”.
40.
Similarly, another well-known saint, named Anandnath, had
predicted for him that he would perform miraculous deeds.
41.
This famous Anandnath had established a math in Yeola.
He came to Shirdi once, along with some of the dwellers of
Shirdi.9

42.
Anandnath, who was the disciple of the great saint of
Akkalkot when he saw Sai, exclaimed: “This is indeed a
diamond, a real diamond.
43.
Though to-day he is lying on the garbage heap (i.e.
neglected), it is not just a flint but a diamond”. These
were the words of Anandnath when Baba was a youngster.
44.
“Mark my words carefully. Later on you will recall them”.
After prophesying thus, he returned to Yeola.
45.
Those were the days of his youth, when Sai did not shave his
head but grew his hair long and dressed like a wrestler.
46.
Whenever Baba would go to Rahata, he would bring saplings of
marigold and jasmine. He planted them in barren land and
regularly watered them.
47.
Waman Tatya, a devotee, regularly supplied two unbaked
earthen pots to Baba to water the plants with his own hands.
48.
Baba would carry the water on his shoulders from the tank
near the well; and, at sunset would keep the pots at the
base of the neem tree.
49.
No sooner were they kept on the ground they would break on
the spot; and early next morning, Tatya would bring new ones
for him.
50.
An oven-baked pot is more durable. But Baba required only
the unbaked and new. So without undergoing the trouble of
baking, the potter would sell the pots.
51.
For three years this continued and the wilderness was
transformed into a garden. This is the place on which stands
the wada to-day which provides the devotees, a place for
close association with him.10
52.
Here11, under the neem tree, a devotee named Bhai12 installed
the Padukas of Akkalkot Swami, for worship by devotees.
53.
Swami Samartha of Akkalkot was the chosen deity of Bhai, who
worshipped his portrait regularly with devotion.
54.
He thought of going to Akkalkot to have the darshan of the
padukas and to offer worship to them with his heart and
soul.
55.
He got ready to start from Bombay the next day. But that
decision remained unfulfilled and instead he left for
Shirdi.
56.
One day before his departure he saw a vision. Akkalkot Swami
commanded him: “At present Shirdi is my abode. You go
there”. Padukas
57.
Obeying the command with reverence, Bhai left Bombay. He
lived in Shirdi for six months and was at peace and happy

58. Bhai was full of devotion. So, to commemorate the vision he
installed the Swami’s padukas under the neem tree.
59.
In ‘Shake’ 1834,13 in the bright half of the
month of Shravan, on an auspicious day, the
padukas were installed under the neem tree
with the singing of bhajans and with great
devotion.
Padukas

60.
At the auspicious mahurat,14 the installation
ceremony was done by Dada Kelkar, while the
rites and rituals were performed by Upasani15 according to
the Shastras.



61.
For the future, arrangements were entrusted
to a Brahmin named Dixit16 who would perform
the puja and a devotee by the name Sagun17
looked after the management. This is the
story of the padukas.
62.
Such are the unaffected saints, who are truly
incarnations of God, and appear on earth for
the salvation and benefit of mankind.
63.
Some days later, a strange thing happened. Listeners who
listen with respect, will marvel about it.
64.
There was a seller of beetle-leaves by the name of
Mohideenbhai. A dispute arose between him and Baba which
flared up into a wrestling bout.
65.
Both were skilled wrestlers but destiny prevails over
strength. Mohideen proved stronger. Baba being weaker lost.
66.
After this, he took a decision. Baba completely changed his
attire. He put on a kafni and tied a loin cloth. He also
wrapped a piece of cloth around his head.
67.
He used a gunny bag or sack for his seat and also as his
bedding. He wore torn and worn-out rags and was content with
them.
68.
Sai would always say: “Poverty is better than Kingship, far
better than riches. The Lord is the befriender of the poor”.
69.
Gangagir also passed through the same phase. He was very
fond of gymnastics. Once while engaged in a wrestling bout,
he also had a similar feeling of dispassion.
70.
At the opportune moment he heard the words of a realised
person: “One must realise that the body should be serving
God and should wear out in the service of God”.
71.
While still engaged in wrestling, he heard these words of
grace. Because of them, he discarded the worldly life and
sought the path of spirituality.
Sagun Meru Naik



72.
Near Puntambe, on an island in the middle of the river,
stands Buva’s math, where some of his disciples also stayed
to serve him.
73.
Enough about him. Later on, Sainath only answered questions
put to him and would never talk to anybody on his own.
74.
During the day, he would sit under the neem tree; and,
sometimes, under the shade of a protruding branch of the
Babul tree by the side of a stream, near the outskirts of
the village.
75.
Sometimes he would wander about at his pleasure during the
day, or in the afternoon or in the early evening, near
Nimgaon, a mile or so away.
76.
The famous family of Trimbak Dengle had the Jahagirdari19 of
Nimgaon. Babasaheb Dengle from that family was dearly loved
by Baba.
77.
Whenever Baba took a round of Nimgaon, he would go to his
home and with great affection spend the day talking with
him.
78.
He had a younger brother whose name was Nanasaheb. He had no
son so he was very dejected.
79.
There was no possibility of a child from his first wife.
Therefore, he married for the second time. Still fate could
not be altered. One cannot fathom destiny!
80.
Later Babasaheb sent him for Sai darshan. And with Sai’s
blessings, he received the ‘prasad’ in the form of a son.
81.
As time went by, multitudes thronged to have the darshan
of Sai. Sai’s fame increased and the news reached
Ahmednagar.
82.
There, Nana20 moved in the Government circles and was
influential with the officials among whom was Chidambar
Keshav, the Secretary to the District Collector,
83.
to whom he sent a letter, saying that the great Sai is
worthy of darshan; and that he should have darshan bringing
along with him his wife, son and family friends.
84.
One after another, thus many people started pouring into
Shirdi. As Baba’s fame spread, so also his circle of
devotees
increased.
85.
Although he was not in need of company, he was surrounded by
devotees during the day. But after sunset he would retire in
the dilapidated Masjid.
86.
With chillum, tobacco and a tumbler, he always kept a
‘satka’ near him. He wore a ‘kafni’ reaching upto his ankles
and a white piece of cloth round his head.

87.
He would tie around his head a white cloth, which was
washed, and artistically twisted behind his left ear, like
matted locks of hair.
88.
Dressed thus, he would go at times without a bath for eight
days at a stretch and walked bare-footed. He only sat on the
gunny bag cloth.
89.
His seat was always a piece of sacking. He did not know what
a bolster was! How could there be any proper bedding or
grandeur?
90.
During those days that old sack-cloth was his favourite
seat. It always remained there for all the twenty-four
hours.
91.
That was the only seat and the bed. He wore a ‘kaupin’21 tied
at the waist and had no other garment. Only the ‘dhuni’ was
there to ward off the cold.
92.
Baba would sit cross-legged, facing South, with his left arm
resting on the railing in the Masjid, gazing intently into
the dhuni in front of him.
93.
Along with ego and passion, all kinds of desires were
offered as oblation; and, also, worldly aspirations were
thrown into the dhuni; by different ways and means.
94.
In this manner, he fed the log of the pride of knowledge in
the brightly burning fire and also repeated “Allah Malik”,
thus keeping the banner of the Lord’s name flying high.
95.
And how big was that Masjid? The whole place was the size of
two rooms22 in which he sat, lived, slept and received all
visitors.
96.
The mattress and the cushion are a recent feature when
devotees began gathering around him. In the early days one
could not go near him without fear.
97.
It was from 1912 that the change came over. The renovation
of the Masjid actually started since then.
98.
There were knee-deep pits in the flooring of the Masjid. But
because of the faith of the devotees the flooring was paved
with Shahabadi (hewn) stones one night.
99.
Before moving into the Masjid, Baba stayed at the takia23. He
stayed there long, peacefully and untroubled by anyone.
100. Here, tying jingling bells around his feet, he would dance
gracefully and sing melodiously with devotion to the
accompaniment of a tambourine.
101. In the early days, the great Sai was very fond of burning
oil lamps. Therefore, he himself used to go to the
shopkeepers and ask for oil.

102. Carrying a tumbler-like container in his hand, he begged for
oil from the shops of the grocers and oil-mongers. After
bringing it he would fill the earthern oil lamps.
103. He burnt the lamps brightly in the temples and the Masjid.
This continued for sometime.
104. Out of love for the worship of the light, he even celebrated
Deepavali with illumination. He would make twisted wicks
from rags and would burn the lamps in the Masjid.
105. He brought the oil, daily, free of charge. Therefore, the
oil-mongers conspired against him to put an end to this
nuisance.
106. Later, when Baba went to ask for oil as usual, and when all
refused, look what a wonder took place.
107. Baba went back without a word and put the dry wicks in the
earthern lamps. What could he do without the oil? The
grocers watched that fun!
108. Baba picked up a pot, which was on the parapet of the
Masjid, in which there was little oil, not enough even to
light the evening lamp.
109. Then he put water into the oil and Baba drank it. Thus
having offered it to Brahman, he took pure water.
110. Then he poured the water in the lamp and soaked the dry
wicks completely; struck the matchsticks and lit the lamps
for all to see.
111. Seeing the lamps burning with water, the grocers were
dumbfounded. They felt disgusted with themselves that they
had lied to Baba.
112. Even though there was not a drop of oil, the lamps burnt
throughout the night. People started commenting that the
shopkeepers had now lost Sai’s grace.
113. The grocers felt repentant for having harassed Baba (causing
him anguish without any reason) and having committed the sin
of uttering lies. They thought how great is Baba’s power!
114. Baba never thought of this. He was never angry or hated any
person. He had no friends or foes, and all creatures were
equal for him.
115. So be it. We will continue with the former episode –
Mohideen’s victory in the wrestling bout. Further, the life
story is very interesting. Please listen attentively.
116. Five years after the wrestling bout, a fakir called Jawahar
Ali of Ahmednagar came to reside in Rahata along with his
disciple.
117. Finding an open place near the temple of Veerabhadra, the
fakir camped there. This fakir was very fortunate.

118. If he were not fortunate how could he have acquired a
delightful disciple like Sai, whose fame had already spread?
119. There were many kinds of people in the village. Amongst them
were also quite a few Marathas. Out of them was one Bhagu
Sadaphal, who became his servitor.
120. The fakir was a great scholar. He knew the Quran Sharif24
like the palm of his hand. Many selfish people, genuine
devotees and those desirous of ‘parmartha’,25 all alike,
started worshipping him.
121. He started the construction of Idgah26. After some time he
was charged with having defiled Veerabhadra.
122. Later the construction of the Idgah was stopped. The fakir
was driven out of the village. He then came to Shirdi and
stayed at the Masjid with Baba.
123. The fakir was a very sweet-tongued person. The whole village
started worshipping him. The way he behaved with Baba, the
people said that he had hypnotised Baba and bewitched him.
124.“Be my disciple”, so said the fakir. Baba being of a
sporting nature agreed to it. The fakir was pleased and took
Baba along with him.
125. He got an obedient disciple like Baba. Jawahar Ali became
the Guru. Both of them together decided to stay on in
Rahata.
126. The Guru was not aware of the accomplishments of the
disciple. But the disciple knew the shortcomings of the
Guru. But, he never showed any disrespect and fulfilled the
duties of a disciple.
127. He did not consider the propriety or impropriety of the
Guru’s orders, but carried them out meticulously. He did
even the menial duties for the Guru such as carrying water.
128. And so continued the service of the Guru. The visits to
Shirdi became occasional. When this happened, I will tell
you what followed.
129. This went on awhile. He started residing in Rahata only.
People thought he had left Shirdi and had completely gone
under the fakir’s control.
130. People thought that Jawahar Ali had captured Sai with his
own yogic powers. But Sai’s attitude was different. He
wanted to destroy the bodily pride.
131. People will conjecture ‘Where was there any pride in Sai?’
But this behaviour was for the sake of the people, to set an
example and this is exactly the purpose of his ‘avatar’.
132. There were many loving devotees of Baba in Shirdi, who were
greatly attached to Baba, and they thought it improper to
stay away from Baba.
133. But Sai had completely surrendered to him (Jawahar Ali); and
the villagers were grieved over the situation. They began to
seriously consider how to get him back.

134. As gold and its glitter or the lamp and its light, so is the
state of complete unity between the Guru and his disciple.
135. The group of devotees from Shirdi went to Rahata near the
Idgah to try their utmost to convince Baba to return along
with them.
136.But Baba told them to the contrary. “The fakir is very hot-
tempered. Do not cross swords with him. He will never leave
me.
137. You better leave from here. He will come back any moment
from the village. He will abuse you. His wrath is terrible.
138. As soon as he returns he will get red hot with rage. His
rage is awful. Oh, you go, go away immediately. Set on your
way to Shirdi”.
139. Now what turn will take place? Baba has given an opposite
viewpoint. Just then the fakir returned unexpectedly and
asked them thus:
140.“Have you come for the lad? What were you talking about
here? You have a design to take him back to Shirdi? But
don’t take the trouble”.
141. Even though he spoke so in the beginning, he yielded to the
pressure of the villagers and said why not take me along and
we will take the lad with us.
142. So the fakir also went along with them. He could not leave
Baba and Baba also could not part from him. No one could
understand how this happened.
143. Sai was the Incarnation of the Supreme Brahman. But Jawahar
Ali was a fake. Devidas tested him and the cat was out of
the bag in Shirdi.
144. Devidas had a good physique, lustrous eyes and attractive
looks. He was ten or eleven years old when he first came to
Shirdi.
145. At that tender age, with a loin-cloth round his waist, he
came as a pilgrim and stayed in the Maruti temple.
146. Appa Bhil, Mhalsapati were his regular visitors. Kashiram27
and others would give him alms. Thus his fame spread.
147. Twelve years before Baba came with the marriage party,
Devidas had come and settled in Shirdi.
148. Appa Bhil was taught to write on the slate and made to learn
the Venkatesh Stotra. Everybody was also made to learn it by
heart. These lessons were taken regularly.
149. Devidas was very learned. Tatyaba28 regarded him as his Guru.
Kashinath and others became his foremost disciples and
worshipped him.
150. The fakir (Jawahar Ali) was brought before Devidas and a
debate regarding the shastras took place. The Bairagi

(Devidas) won over the fakir and the fakir was driven away
from there.


151. After he escaped from there, he stayed at Vaijapur. Later,
he returned after many years and bowed down to Sainath.
152. The misconcept was cleared up that ‘I am the Guru and Sai
the chela’29. Baba accepted him as before, since he had
repented and was purified.
153. Such were the inscrutable ways of Baba. Till the time the
fakir’s illusion vanished, when it was destined to, Sai
played upto it.
154. Sainath honoured the concept of the teacher and student
relationship by practising it himself. He let him cherish
his status as a teacher and accepted his own status as a
student.
155. We should belong to somebody or somebody should belong to
oneself. Anything different from this is not right. Without
this the worldly ocean cannot be crossed.
156. This is the only lesson learnt from his behaviour. It is
rare to find such confidence, intrepidity and courage. One
who can follow this example, he will attain the acme of
humility.
157. In such matters, ingenuity and intelligence are of no use.
One who wants to achieve his own good should behave without
pride.
158. He who has burnt away his bodily pride is the person who
alone has used his body for its proper purpose. To achieve
the ultimate good, he may then become anybody’s follower or
disciple.
159. The young and the old were amazed to see this dispassionate
state of mind in a boy so young and fair. All the people
adored him and marvelled at him.
160.
The actions of a realised person happen according to his
past karma but they are not a burden to him. He does not
become the actual doer.
161. Just as the sun cannot stay in darkness, so the man of
enlightenment cannot remain in a state of duality. For him
the whole universe is the incarnation of his own self. He
dwells in unity (advaita).
162. This story of Guru and his disciple’s behaviour was narrated
by Mhalsapati, a great devotee of Sainath. I have narrated
it from beginning to end, as I heard it from him.
163. Let us end the narration now. The next one is more profound.
It will be narrated in the proper sequence. Please listen
with attention.
164. What was the earlier condition of the Masjid; with what
difficulty it was paved; and, whether Sai was a Hindu or a
Muslim – no one knows this for a certainty.
165. In the next chapter will come a detailed narration in its
proper order, of Baba’s yogic practices such as ‘dhotipoti’30

and ‘khandyoga’khandyoga’31 and his taking upon himself the karmic
sufferings of the devotees.


166. Hemad surrenders to Sai. This narration of his life story is
due to his grace only; and listening to this meritious and
holy tale will remove the ignorance.
May there be well-being. This is the end of the fifth chapter
“The Re-appearance of Sree Sai” of Sree Sai Samartha Satcharita
written by the devotee Hemadpant, impelled by Saints and virtuous
people.


This is offered to Sree Sadguru Sainath.
May there be auspiciousness!


Notes:


1.
Marriage party going in procession to the groom’s or
bride’s residence.
2.
Nine miles.
3.
Sage.
4.
The bowl of a hukka in which tobacco is placed.
5.
Baton – it is the practice of ascetics to carry such a
baton, especially if they belong to the Navanaths group.
6.
Strip of cloth.
7.
Kindred.
8.
Very strict, rigid and learned.
9.
Who had gone to Yeola, for Anandnath’s darshan. They
were Madhavrao Balwant Deshpande, Nandram Shivram
Marwadi and Bhagchand Marwadi. It is said that Anandnath
Maharaj unexpectedly and forcibly joined them on their
bullock cart, going to Shirdi. This Anandnath originally
hailed from South Konkan District, and belonged to the
Kudaldeshkar Gowda brahmin sect. He had lived for a
fairly long time in Bombay also.
10.
Butti’s wada, which is the Samadhi mandir.
11.
Closeby.
12.
Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar.
13.
AD 1912.
14.
Hour – chosen astrologically.
15.
Kashinath Govind Upasani Maharaj of Sakori.
16.
Govind Kamlakar Dixit.
17.
Sagun Meru Naik.
18. Detailed story is given in Sai Leela Volume II, Number
I, Page 25.
19. An assignment by Government, of lands or revenues. This
may be for maintenance of troops for public service or
for the support of an individual or family.
20.
Chandorkar.
21.
Langoti or loin cloth.
22. Size of the rooms was not larger than the space between
two columns or cross-beams.
23. Place for fakirs to stay. To-day, (1944), devotees wait
in that area before participating in the Abhishek.

24. The holy book of the Muslims.
25. Spiritual knowledge.
26. Wall to mark off a place of prayer.
27. Shimpi, the tailor.
28. Tatya Ganpat (Patil) Kote.
29. Disciple.
30. Cleaning of internal organs.
31. Severing and re-assembling organs of the body at will.
. The fakir asked Chandbhai Patil what was the saddle for and he answered that he had
lost his mare. Then he told him “Go and search for it near the stream”. The horse was
found immediately



Khandoba Mandir, Shirdi



When the youthful fakir got down from the cart, and was first seen by Bhagat
(Mhalsapati), he went forward to him saying “Welcome Sai”. Since then he has been
called by that name. (Ch.5, ovi 29)