Sai Mandir USA - Shri Sai Satcharita
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SHRI SAI SATCHARITAORTHE WONDERFUL LIFE AND TEACHINGSOFSHRI SAI BABAAdapted from the original Marathi book by HemadpantbyNagesh Vasudev Gunaji, B.A., L.L.B.227, Thalakwadi, Belgaum.changes to the current versionto make a easy reading experienceto American devotees.This book is available for free to all devotees.
Published byKashinath Sitaram Pathak, Court Receiver, Shri Sai BabaSansthan, Shirdi, ‘Sai Niketan’, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road,Dadar, Bombay 400 014.This book will be available for sale at the following places:(1) Court Receiver, Shri Sai Sansthan, Shirdi,P.O. Shirdi, (Dist. Ahmednagar).(2) Shri Kashinath Sitaram Pathak, Court Receiver,Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi,“Sai Niketan”, 804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road,Dadar, Bombay 400 014.Copyright reserved by the SansthanPrinted by N.D. Rege, at Mohan Printery, 425-A Mogul Lane,Mahim, Bombay 400 016 and Published by Shri Kashinath SitaramPathak, Court Receiver, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, “Sai Niketan”,804-B, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Bombay 400 014.
DEDICATION“Whosoever offers to me, with love or devotion,a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, thatoffering of love of the pure and self-controlled manis willingly and readily accepted by me.”Lord Shri Krishnain Bhagavad Gita, IX - 26ToShri Sai BabaThe AntaryaminThis work with myself
Editor :Laura KellerNew York, USA
SHRI SAI SATCHARITACONTENTSPreface by the authorPreface to the second editionPreface by Shri N.A. Savant for the Sansthan CommitteePrologue(1) The Book and its Author(2) Who is Sai Baba?Life History of Shri Sai BabaCHAPTER12345PageThe wondrous Saint grinding wheat - Salutations - thestory of grinding wheat and its philosophical significance2Object of writing the work - Incapacity and boldness inthe undertaking - Hot discussion - Conferring significantand prophetic title of Hemadpant - Necessity of a guru6Sai Baba’s sanction and promise - Assignment of workto the devotees - Baba’s stories as beacon light - Hismotherly love - Rohilla’s story - His sweet and nectarlike words12Mission of the saints - Shirdi, a holy tirth - Personality ofSai Baba - Dictum of Goulibuva - Appearance ofVitthal - Kshirasagar’s story - Das Ganu’s bath in Prayag Immaculate conception of Sai Baba and His first adventin Shirdi - Three wadas18Baba’sreturn with Chand Patil’s marriage party - Welcomedand addressed as “Sai” - Contact with other saints His dress and daily routine - The story of the padukas Wrestling bout with Mohdin and the change in life - Turningwater into oil - Pseudo Guru Javhar Ali26
6789Efficacy of the touch of the guru’s hand - Rama-NavamiFestival - Its origin and transformation - Repairs to theMasjid34Wonderful Incarnation - Behavior of Sai Baba - Hisyogic practices - His all pervasiveness and mercy Leper devotee’s service - Master Khaparde’s plague case Going to Pandharpur42Importance of human birth - Sai Baba’s begging food Bayajabai’s service - His Dormitory - His affection forKhushalchand50Effect of compliance and non-compliance with Baba’sorders at the time of taking leave - A few instances Mendicancy and its necessity - Devotees’ (Tarkhadfamily’s) experiences - Baba fed sumptuously - How?5610 Sai Baba’s mode of life - His sleeping board - His stayin Shirdi - His teachings - His humility - The easiestpath6211 Sai as sagun Brahma - Dr. Pandit’s worship - HajiSiddik Falke - Control over the elements6812 Sai Leelas - Experiences of (1) Kaka Mahajani(2) Dhumal Pleader (3) Mrs. Nimonkar (4) Moolay Shastri(5) A doctor7213 More Sai Leelas - Diseases cured (1) Bhimaji Patil(2) Bala Shimpi (3) Bapusaheb Booty (4) Alandi Swami(5) Kaka Mahajani (6) Dattopant of Harda7614 Ruttonji Wadia of Nanded - Saint Moulisaheb Dakshina-mimansa8215 Naradiya Kirtan Paddhati - Mr. Cholkar’s sugarless tea Two lizards88
16-17 Quick Brahma Jnana9218-19 How Hemadpant was accepted and blessed - Stories ofMr. Sathe and Mrs. Deshmukh - Encouraging of goodthoughts to fruition - Variety in Upadesh - Teachingsregarding slander and remuneration of labor9820 Das Ganu’s problem solved by Kaka’s maid servant11021 Stories of (1) V.H. Thakur (2) Anantrao Patankar and(3) Pandharpur Pleader11622 Rescues from serpent bites (1) Balasaheb Mirikar(2) Bapusaheb Booty (3) Amir Shakkar (4) Hemadpant Baba’s opinion regarding killing of serpents12223 Yoga and onion - Shama cured of snake bite - Choleraordinance broken - Ordeal of Guru bhakti12824 Baba’s wit and humor - Chanak leela - (1) Hemadpant(2) Sudama - (3) Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai13425 Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar (1) Speculations and(2) Amra leela14026 Stories of (1) Bhakta Pant (2) Harischandra Pitale(3) Gopal Ambadekar14627 Favor shown by giving Bhagwat and Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam Dixit’s Vitthal vision - Gita Rahasya Khapardes15228 Sparrows drawn to Shirdi (1) Lakamichand (2) Burhanporelady - (3) Megha15829 Stories of (1) Madrasi Bhajani Mela (2) Tendulkars (fatherand son) (3) Dr. Captain Hate (4) Waman Narvekar16630 Drawn to Shirdi (1) Kakaji Vaidya of Vani (2) PanjabiRamlal of Bombay172
31 The passing away in Baba’s presence of (1) SannyasiVijayanand (2) Balaram Mankar (3) Noolkar (4) Meghaand (5) Tiger17832 In quest of Guru and God - Fasting disapproved18433 Greatness of Udi, Scorpion sting and plague cases cured Jamner miracle - Narayanrao’s sickness - BalabuvaSutar - Appasaheb Kulkarni - Haribhau Karnik19034 Greatness of Udi (continued) - Doctor’s nephew - Dr.Pillay - Shama’s sister-in-law - Irani girl - Hardagentleman - Bombay lady19835 Tested and found not wanting - Kaka Mahajani’s friendand master - Bandra insomnia case - Bala Patil Newaskar20436 Wonderful stories of (1) Two Goa gentlemen and (2)Mrs. Aurangabadkar21037 Chavadi procession21638 Baba’s handi - Disrespect of shrine - Kala or HodgepodgeCup of buttermilk22039 (chapter 50 from original book included herein) Baba’sknowledge of Sanskrit - His interpretation of a verse from theBhagavad Gita - Construction of the samadhi mandir22640 Stories of Baba (1) A sannyasi and two others attendingMrs. Deo’s Udyapan ceremony (2) Baba’s visit to Hemadpant’shouse in the form of His picture23441 Story of Baba’s picture - Stealing the rags and reading ofJnaneshwari23842 Baba’s passing away - Previous indication - Avertingdeaths of Ramchandra Dada Patil and Tatya Kote Patil Charity to Laxmibai Shinde - Baba’s last moment24443-44 Baba’s passing away (continued) - Preparation of samadhimandir - Breaking of the brick - Baba’s 72 hours’ samadhi Jog’s sannyas - Baba’s nectar-like words25045 Kakasaheb’s doubt and Anandrao’s vision - Baba’s woodenplank bedstead256
46 Baba’s Gaya trip - Story of two goats26047 Baba’s reminiscences - Story of Veerbhadrappa andChenbassappa (snake and frog)26448 Warding off devotees’ calamities - Stories of (1) Mr.Shevade and (2) Mr. Sapatnekar27049 Stories of (1) Hari Kanoba (2) Somadeva Swami and(3) Nanasaheb Chandorkar27650 Stories of (1) Kakasaheb Dixit (2) Shri Tembye Swamiand (3) Balaram Dhurandhar282Epilogue.288ARATI.291
List of Illustrations1234567891011Shri Sai Baba - ShirdiNagesh V. Gunaji - Author of Shri Sai Satcharita in EnglishLate Shri Govindrao R. Dabholkar - Author of Shri Sai Satcharitain MarathiShri Sai Baba - In MasjidShri Sai Baba - On his way to Lendi from MasjidShri Sai Baba - Standing near Dwarkamai WallShri Sai Baba - Begging AlmsChavadi of Shri Sai BabaShri Sai Baba’s resting place in Lendi baugNawalkar Wada: The sacred Neem tree and GurupadukasthanMahasamadhi of Shri Sai Baba
PREFACE(By the author)Many years ago I heard about Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi and His miraclesfrom some of my friends, but, unfortunately for me, He did not draw me toHim while He was living.Some thirteen or fourteen years after Hismahasamadhi, I went to visit my noble and worthy friend, the late Mr. K.G.Deshpande, Bar-at-Law in Baroda, in his temporary residence on CharniRoad, Girgaum, Bombay. There, I happened to see for the first time, Shri SaiBaba. His small portrait was kept in the household shrine for worship. Then,four or five years later, I, along with my friend, the late Mr. K.G. Ajrekar whowas a government pleader, saw the book Shri Sai Satcharita written inMarathi (ovi-verse) by Mr. Govind Raghunath (Annasaheb) Dabholkar, aliasHemadpant.I also saw some stray publications of ‘Shri Sai Leela’, amagazine written in Marathi. As I perused the book and magazines carefully,I felt a very great love and devotion for Sai Baba, who then captured me.In 1936 I went to Bombay for some private work and had intended togo to the holy place (tirth) of Shirdi on my way home, but finding that I did nothave sufficient money for the pilgrimage, I changed my mind. With what littlemoney I had, I purchased (1) Shri Sai Satcharita (Marathi), (2) Shri Sai Babaof Shirdi - a glimpse of Indian Spirituality (English) by R.B.M.W. Pradhan, (3)two Marathi pamphlets named ‘Sainath Sagunopasana’ and ‘Sai Leela Kirtan- anka’ ( a special edition of ‘Sai Leela’ magazine) and lastly, I purchased
some pictures of Sai Baba. Thus, I brought “the real Sai Baba” home withme. Since then, He has been staying with me and guiding me in all possibleways.In 1941, I made a pilgrimage to Shirdi and took darshan of Shri SaiBaba from His big picture in the Dwarkamai (masjid). I also took His darshanin the Samadhi Mandir, as well as in the Chavadi,and in His guru’s samadhiunder the neem tree and in the Lendi baug etc. After my return, I began towrite articles in simple Marathi prose in the ‘Sai Leela’ magazine describingBaba’s leelas under the caption “Shri Sai Gathamrita”. Seven articles havealready been published and others are to follow.Knowing my short comings very well, I had no intention to writeanything in English about Shri Sai Baba, but it seems that He has forced thisvery thing on me in this wise. Mr. S.N. Kharkar, the then editor of ‘Shri SaiLeela’ magazine, wrote me a letter dated December 8, 1943 stating, “In theEnglish section of each issue of ‘Sai Leela’, in the absence of competentcontributors coming forward at present, the South Indian devotees desirethat if in each issue a purport of each chapter of the Sai Satcharita is given inEnglish, it may be greatly appreciated by the South Indian subscribers asthey have an ardent desire to know and possess the teachings contained inthe book, which, being in Marathi, is a sealed one to them. I, for one, lookupon you as the only bhakta who can take up this work and help in Baba’s
service.”I could not help but comply with Mr. Kharkar’s request and thereforerendered a few chapters of the book in English. I then sent them to him forperusal and approval. He, and the Sai Sansthan Committee, approved of myrendering and asked me to go on with the work. I sent the chapters as theywere ready, and they began to appear in the English section of ‘Sai Leela’magazine. Up to this point, seven chapters have been published therein. ‘SaiLeela’ is now a quarterly magazine, and if one chapter were to be publishedevery third month, it would take many years for the completion of the wholework of Shri Sai Satcharita, which contains more than fifty chapters. SaiBaba, therefore, in His mysterious way, suggested to me to finish the worksoon and helped me to accomplish it in the last chaturmas (monsoon).As I worked from day to day, I found that I sometimes stumbled uponmany difficulties, but they were solved quickly by Baba’s grace. Thus, thewhole work was completed within three or four months. I am very glad tomention here that my spiritual friends, Dr. V. H. Date , M.A., Ph.D., of theLingaraj College, Belgaum and Mr. D. L. Nirokhekar, B.A., L.L.B., and M.B.E.of Nasik, have read through the whole manuscript carefully, and very willinglyassisted me in this service of Sai Baba, as well as some of my other friendswho offered their suggestions and encouragement. I am very grateful to themand pray that:
May Shri Sai Baba bless them all.I should mention here in passing that I belong to the same communityand the same gotra (Bharadwaj) to which Hemadpant belonged, and I alsobear the same pet name as he, the only difference being that he was calledAnnasaheb, while I am merely Anna.*****Lastly, I conclude this brief preface with a short prayer:May Sai Baba bless us, one and all, and lead us on the path of Self-realization.Amen.Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to allThalakwadi, Belgaum,Dated 12/12/1944N.V. Gunaji
Post ScriptSince the foregoing lines were written, I am very sorry to state that RaoSaheb Yashwant Janardan Galvankar, B.A., residing in “Sai Prasad”, Bandra, asuburb of Bombay, passed away early in September, 1945. He was the son-in-lawof Mr. Annasaheb Dabholkar, alias Hemadpant - the author of Sai Satcharita - andhe worked as Senior Superintendent, Home Department, Secretariat, in Bombay.After his retirement from service, he devoted himself heart and soul to the service ofShri Sai Baba. He was one of the working and prominent members of Shri SaiBaba’s Sansthan Committee and took great interest in its deliberations and work.Latterly, he was also the editor of ‘Sai Leela’ magazine and published in it the abovementioned seven chapters, plus two more, thus, nine chapters in all of the presentwork (English Sai Satcharita).Mr. Galvankar was a very well read man with a special liking for, and greatinterest in, the literature of the sages and saints. He reviewed this work verycarefully and frequently wrote to me that the rendering was correct and excellent, asit conveyed the exact meaning and sentiment of the original author. He stronglywished, and tried his best, to publish this work as soon as possible, but owing to thescarcity of paper and paper control regulations, the publication had to bepostponed.I feel very sorry that he did not survive to see the book published. Before he
passed away, he was ardently doing Sai Baba’s work and I do not know why he wascalled away so soon. Perhaps, Sai Baba wanted him for some other work of His.As we know, Baba’s ways are mysterious and inscrutable, and we have to submit towhat He decrees. May He help him and lead him onward on the path, granting himpeace, happiness and Self-realization.Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to allN.V. Gunaji
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITIONI am glad to state that the first edition of Shri Sai Satcharita sold out in the course ofa few years and that a new edition is in demand. The book was very much appreciated bythe public, as will be seen from the few extracts of the reviews given below:1.) Mr. R.K. Koustubham wrote on January 6, 1948 from GandhinagaramCoconada, “Your valuable book, Shri Sai Satcharita, is to me - who could not read Marathi- like the Bible to the Christians and the Gita to the Hindus. You have done a good serviceto all who could not read the original.”2.) Shri G.C. Kesavelu wrote on October 8, 1947 from Nandyal Dt. Kurnaul, “Ongoing through your book, Shri Sai Satcharita, which I bought from Sai Sansthan, I see youredition is very good and the best in the market. May God Sai bless you.”3.) Shri K.M. Talgeri, M.S., wrote on November 13, 1948 from 26 Atul Grove, NewDelhi, “Sjt. Gunaji has done a good service to humanity by bringing out Shri Sai Satcharitaat a time when the world is torn by hatred and fear and man is eschewing moral andspiritual values. Such an authentic chronicle of a jivanmukta’s life and teachings has comenot a day too soon. It is a silent challenge to the unrepentent rationalist. It is a call to thedoubter to have faith in faith. The book is of enduring value.”4.) Shri B. Krishnarao, Superintendent Engineer, P.W.D. (Retd.), wrote on July 15,1947 from Bangalore, “Not having had the good fortune to have come in personal contactwith the sage, the records of His sayings and doings are a revelation of the godliness ofShri Sai Baba to all of us. Shri Gunaji has done a unique service in carrying out the light ofbhakti to the rest of India and particularly to South India.”A graduate friend of mine, who is a student of philosophy, said to me after readingShri Sai Satcharita, “Mr. Gunaji, though you have stated that this is an adaptation of theoriginal Marathi book of the same name, I think that your version in English has added so
many insights to the excellent Marathi book that your version may be treated as unique andoriginal. In support of this statement, the following passages may be noted.(1) Many devotees do not recognize the real worth of Shri Sai Baba, and to enablethem to get the correct and right appreciation of Shri Sai Baba, the portion in theintroductory part, “Who is SAI BABA” has been included and the doctrine of theImmanence of God and the Antaryamin(Inner Controller and Ruler) has been mentioned.(2) A very beautiful and philosophic significance, which is acceptable and agreeableto all, has been given to the story of grinding wheat in the first chapter. The significance ismost appropriate and deserves consideration by all.(3) Chapter II. Towards the end of this chapter, the point of the necessity of a guruhas been dwelt upon and settled here from other sources, as Hemadpant left no note, normemo in his original work about this matter.(4) Chapter IV. A very nice and appropriate definition of Baba’s Dwarkamai hasbeen given here in the footnote (p.18).(5) Chapter V. A complete version of the story of the padukas under the neem treehas been given (p. 24).(6) Chapter VII p. 39. Definite evidence of (1) Mhalasapati, an intimate Shirdidevotee of Baba and (2) Mrs. Kashibai Kanitkar, the famous learned woman of Poona,has been adduced here to prove that Sai Baba was a pure Brahmin by birth.(7) Chapter VIII, p.45. The special value of the human body has been well treatedhere.(8) Chapter IX, p.56.The moral of Shri Sai Baba’s leelas viz. “See God in all
beings” is well pointed here.(9) Chapter XIV, p.80. The subject of dakshina is dealt with fully.(10) Chapter XVI. The subject of Brahma jnana is very nicely and coherentlytreated.(11) Chapter XVIII and XIX. The story of Hemadpant, how he was accepted andblessed, and Baba’s way of bestowing grace and blessings on the devotees.(12) Chapter XX. The gist or essence of the Ishavasya Upanishad is well explainedhere.(13) Chapter XXXII. In this chapter Hemadpant has given the story of Baba’s questof a guru and God. That story - how Baba was suspended topsy-turvy for a long time in awell – is unintelligible. An attempt has been made here by Baba’s grace to explain thestory. (See footnote, p. 176) which seems plausible.These passages are sufficient. The discerning reader may find many more, but thatis not necessary.An attempt has been made here (in the 2nd edition) to improve the get-up of thebook and add to its usefulness and to remove the many printer’s devils that had crept intothe first edition. It is for the reader to see how far it is successful.Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to allThwalakwadi, BelgaumDated: Jan 14, 1954N.V. Gunaji
PREFACE(By the Sansthan Committee)“A written word is the choicest of relics.”ThoreauWe feel the greatest pleasure in offering the Sai Satcharita in the English garb to thedevotees of Shri Sai Baba and to the public in general.Ever since the mahasamadhi of Sai Baba in 1918, and ever since the sanctioning ofthe plan for the management of the Shirdi Sansthan of Sai Baba by the District Court ofAhmednagar in 1921, the committee, formed under the plan, has been functioning anddoing the management of all aspects of the Sansthan, including the arrangement for theworship of the shrine and the celebration of the annual festival etc. Reports are beingpublished month by month and year by year in the columns of ‘Sai Leela’ magazine, whichis published by the Sansthan.We think, however, that the main estate of the Sansthan consists,
1 Shri Sai Baba - Shirdi 2 Nagesh V. Gunaji - Author of Shri Sai Satcharita in English 3 Late Shri Govindrao R. Dabholkar - Author of Shri Sai Satcharita in Marathi 4 Shri Sai Baba - In Masjid 5 Shri Sai Baba - On his way to Lendi from Masjid 6 Shri Sai Baba - Standing near Dwarkamai Wall 7 Shri Sai Baba - Begging Alms
Dr. K. V. Srinivasan, Vice Chairman Shri R. K. Dalmia Shri Manojkumar Patodia Ms. Preeti M. Sheth Shri Arun Todi Shri Umang Patodia Shri D. L. Sharma Shri Ketan Manek Shri Tushar Ruparelia Shri Prakash Shah Shri K. Hari Thiagarajan Shri Aditya Krishna Pathy Ms. Mridula Ramesh Shri M. Sivakkannan Shri Vijaykumar Agarwal (from 26.09.2017)
6. The glory of Shri Sai is spreading in the world, far and wide, in such a way that detailed information about Shri Sai Baba is available through many web sites on Internet and through Shri Sai Satcharitra. 7. The foremost duty of Sai devotees is therefore to read Shri Sai Satcharitra and absorb it into their beings completely.
Dr. Pdi Malhotra Epediti Lead & Statio Cmmander (C H S) 2. Shri C. Panneer Selvam IIG 3. Shri P. Radhe Syam IMD 4. Shri Kuldeep Wali IMD 5. Shri Uttam Chand SASE 6. Shri A. Nageswara Rao NGRI 7. Shri Anand Prakash Yadav DIPAS 8. Shri Ritesh Yadav NPL 9. Dr. Binod Kumar Singh ITBP 10. Shri Som Dutt DEAL 11. Shri Som Prakash Parandiyal DEAL 12 .
Lt. Col O.P. Bharti (Shri M. Sankara Subramanian) 13 CONCERT, Chennai Shri S. Sai Nath (Shri Mohan Mahadevan) 14 Cummins India Ltd , Pune Shri Jugal K Mittal (Shri Tushar Kadam) 15 Eaton Industrial System Pvt Ltd Shri Hemang Raval Shri K V Rao 16 Fleet guard filters (P) Ltd., Pune Shri Anand G Diwan (Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaikuntam)
Shri Sai Dharma Nirmal Chintanaya Namah Shri Sai Kuryat Mangalam.3 Shri Sai shows the righteous path Shri Sai endows the devotion worth . Baba would show reverence. In 1909, Bab a’s devotee Tatyasaheb Nulkar visited Shirdi with his mother and mother-in-law. The day being Guru Poornima, Tatyasaheb offered Pooja to Baba a s his Guru.
6. Shri Raju Khiani, Shri Shantubhai Jina, Dr Ramesh Patel, Shri Sripati, Shri Nikhil Saksena, Shri Jayesh Mehta, Shri Krish Gaunder, Shri Rakesh Patel, Shri Shashank Ramakrishna for making of the retaining wall, clearing and concrete area for Navgrah and help in
1. shri bhanjibhai k. patel president 2. shri rameshcandra g. desai immediate past president 3. shri niranjanbhai m. patel vice president 4. shri kantilal s. patel secretary 5. shri amrutbhai l. patel treasurer 6. shri ketanbhai n. shah joint secretary-i 7. shri nareshbhai r. shah joint secretary-ii 8. shri harisinh t. solanki member 9.
course. The course was advertised as a training for social and philanthropic work. Birmingham was the first UK University to give aspiring social workers full status as students. From its founding in 1900 University staff had been actively involved in social welfare and philanthropic work in the City of Birmingham. Through research into the employment and housing conditions of poor people in .
