Every incarnation has an end. The supreme power that manifests itself in a physical form has to follow certain temporal rules and Sadguru Sai Baba’s mortal form came to an end on Vijayadashami day, a Tuesday, the 15th day of October 1918. The day was also significant for other reasons; Moharram and Buddha Jayanthi, two important occasions for the people of Islamic and Buddhist faith, were observed on the same day. The day resulted in an enormous grief for the followers of Sai Baba who had the divine fortune of living with Him for several years. These included Bhagoji Shinde, Mhalsapathi, Madhavrao Deshpande, Nana Chandorkar, Booty, Laxmi Bhai, and Tatya. Sai Baba’s mortal remains were placed in Booty’s bhavan, which was initially constructed for as a temple for Muralidhar, and Sai Krishna has Himself become Murlidhar.

Significance of Maha Samadhi
During His last moments, Sai Baba in His own characteristic way demonstrated the virtues of devotion, sacrifice and faith. His emphasis on devotion came through His charity to Laxmi Bhai, a devout soul who was with the Sadguru when the end came. Sai Baba gave Laxmi Bhai, nine coins symbolizing nine forms of devotion, Shravana (hearing) , Keerthana (praying), Smarana (remembering), Padasevana (resorting to His feet), Archana (worship), Namaskara (bowing), Dasya (service), Sakhyatha (friendship), and Atmanivedana (surrender of the self). Sai Baba always mentioned that if any of the above is faithfully followed, Lord Hari will be pleased.

It is also shown that Sai Baba has sacrificed His life for Ramachandra Dada and Tatya Patil two devotees who fell ill at the same time as Baba’s passing away. While Ramachandra Dada got well a few days prior to Vijayadashami, Tatya’s condition grew worse and as Vijayadashami dawned, Tatya’s pulse became weaker and he was expected to pass away very shortly. Truly inscrutable His ways are, Tatya became all right but Sadguru Sainath’s physical form came to an end. By averting the death of His devotees, Sai has proved that it is the duty of the Lord to protect the devout even if it includes sacrificing life. The virtue of sacrifice is stressed similarly in the life of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for His followers.

Shri Hemadpanth wrote in Sai Satcharitra (Ch. 42) ...
...next morning (16th October 1918) Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur in his dream and said to him - "The Masjid collapsed, all the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I left the place. I therefore came to inform you here, please go there quickly and cover me with ‘Bhakkal’ flowers." Das Ganu got the information also from Shirdi letters. So he came to Shirdi with his disciples and started bhajan and kirtan and sang Lord’s name, all through the day before Baba’s samadhi. Himself weaving a beautiful garland of flowers studded with Lord Hari’s name he placed it on Baba’s samadhi and gave a mass feeding in Baba’s name. ..

Sagun form is the most convenient form of worship since human being can relate to an existing physical entity. However, Sai Baba always said that God exists everywhere and in every being. To emphasize this fact, Sainath appeared in the dreams of Das Ganu and directed to His devotees to have faith in His words and see Him even after His physical end. The words of Sainath is so true that even today, His presence is felt in Shirdi and seven seas across by anyone who has faith. Thus, Mahasamadhi is the day for the devotees of Sainath to remember His teachings on virtues of devotion, sacrifice, and faith.
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(Dedicated to the Children of the World)
Contribution by Havovi Medora, Bombay, India

Chapter 5

The Unique Saint

Baba’s fame spread far and wide. Everywhere people were talking about the ‘Unique Saint of Shirdi’. The stories told by people who sat with Baba and witnessed his work are endless. Here are a few.

One especially endearing story is about a poor man called Cholkar. He needed a good position in his firm to better himself in life. He vowed that if he got the position he sought he would go to Shirdi, fall at Baba’s feet and offer sweets by way of thanks. It so happened that Cholkar got that coveted job, but for a poor man to gather enough money for a journey to Shirdi was not easy. So he promised himself that he would not take sugar in his tea and save that money to help him collect the amount needed for his trip. Finally, he did save enough money to go to Shirdi. He fulfilled his vow and, as he got up to leave the masjid, Baba said loudly to Jog, his host, "Give Cholkar cups of tea saturated with sugar." Cholkar was astonished and his eyes brimmed with tears. How did Baba know of his vow not to take sugar? He fell at Baba’s feet. Baba, of course, knew full well of Cholkar’s secret vow. Another story is of Kakaji Vaidya, who experienced so many calamities that he lost his peace of mind and became restless. He prayed to his goddess, Sapta Shringi, and asked for her help. She appeared to him in a dream and told him to go see Baba. When Kakaji arrived in Shirdi, no sooner did he see Sai Baba that his mind lost its restlessness and became calm and composed. He surrendered himself completely to Baba and lived happily for the rest of his days.

At another time, a European gentleman was negotiating business with an Indian merchant. The merchant wished to visit Shirdi before concluding the deal. The European mocked his belief in Sai Baba and told him to believe in Jesus Christ instead. The Indian respected all faiths, but he wanted Sai’s blessings. Out of sheer curiosity, the European decided to accompany the merchant to Shirdi. When they entered the masjid, the Indian went forward to pay his respects and receive Sai’s blessings. To everybody’s amazement, the European gave a loud shout and fell to the floor unconscious. The crowd became very concerned and rushed the European to a nearby hospital. Days later, when he recovered his senses, the merchant asked what had happened. The European said, "As I stood looking at him, Sai Baba became Jesus Christ before my eyes!" So a man who came to mock stayed to pray.

There were many others like the mocking European. A swami once came to Shirdi to seek Baba’s blessings. He was disturbed to see flags, palanquins, horses and other finery belonging to Baba. He proclaimed that he did not approve of saints like Sai Baba who hankered after material wealth. His friends told him not to think this way, for all this was gifted to Baba by his devotees. When the swami saw Baba, he pretended to be awed. He rolled in the dust at Baba’s feet. Baba got angry and shouted, "You go back home and leave us with all these humbug things!" The swami was amazed to see how Baba had read his crooked thoughts and he felt ashamed. He sat staring at Baba comforting so many, embracing, looking kindly upon the multitude coming and going. He got firm faith in Baba and became a staunch devotee ever after.

Chapter 6

Baba’s Love for Everyone

Once, when Baba sat with his devotees, he got up and started looking for Ramgirbuva who was going on a long journey. Baba asked him to rest in Jamner and give some udi to Nanasaheb who lived in that town. Ramgirbuva said he had only enough money to go as far as Jalgaon, and from there Jamner was a considerable distance. Baba smiled and said he should not worry, as all would be provided to him. Ramgirbuva was puzzled but took the udi and embarked on his journey.

When he reached Jalgaon, he had hardly any money left. Then he heard a man calling out his name. A liveried peon came up and told him that Nanasaheb had sent a carriage and horses for him. The man took Ramgirbuva swiftly to Nanasaheb’s home where Mainitai, his daughter, was giving birth to her child. Her condition was serious and her family was worried. They were staunch believers in Baba, so they prayed to him.

When Ramgirbuva reached the mansion, much to their surprise, he gave them the udi. The udi was mixed in water and given to Mainitai to drink. Soon thereafter, the crisis passed and a healthy baby delivery was born. Ramgirbuva thanked Nanasaheb for the peon and horse carriage that enabled him deliver the udi in time. Nanasaheb was confused, for he had not sent any peon or carriage - he had not even known of Ramgirbuva’s arrival. Ramgirbuva thought he jested and took him to the balcony to show him the carriage, but there was none in sight!

Baba loved all his devotees. He knew of their trials and tribulations saw that they did not suffer any harm. Baba was always there to make things better. "If you spread your palms before me with devotion, I am immediately with you day and night. Go where you will all over the wide world and I am with you. Always worship me who is seated in your heart as well as in all the hearts of all human beings. Blessed and fortunate indeed is he who knows me thus."

One day Baba was seated with some devotees near his dhuni. All of a sudden, he pushed his entire arm into the burning fire. His devotees pulled him back in alarm. Somebody asked why he did this and Baba said, "The wife of a blacksmith at some distant place was working the bellows of a furnace. Her husband called out to her and, forgetting she had a child in her lap, she hastily stood up and the child fell into the furnace. I thrust my hand into the furnace to save the child."

Baba did not mind his hand getting burned; he was pleased to have saved the life of a small child. Doctors were called in to treat Baba’s arm, but he sent them away. Baba turned to Bhagoji, a devotee who was a leper, and permitted only him to apply pure ghee (clarified butter) to his scalded arm. Bhagoji had been through an advanced stage of leprosy where his skin had shrunk and his body was decayed. Yet, he did all of Baba’s service including holding an umbrella over Baba’s head when he walked in the hot sun. Baba treated him like any normal devotee and never recoiled from his touch or gaze. Baba’s love for his devotees was ever flowing.

One day, a devotee sitting near Baba complained about the loud chattering of a lizard up on the rafters. Baba smiled and said the lizard was chattering happily as her sister from Aurangabad was coming to meet with her. The devotee thought Baba was teasing him. But just then, a man came on horseback from Aurangabad. He took out a bag of oats for his horse to eat while he did Baba’s darshan. From within that bag a lizard emerged and darted straight towards the one perched on the rafters. Baba told the devotee to observe the two lizards as they embraced and chatted excitedly to one another. The devotee was amazed. How did Baba know about a lizard and of her sister who was coming from Aurangabad? It showed the all-pervasive, all-knowing power of Sai Baba.
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Experiences of Devotees

Nalini Mosali, South Carolina, USA

I have to tell about one of my latest experiences! I had lost my admission letter, which was very much necessary for registration of courses in my school! the next morning was the last day to register my courses & I had faintly remembered that I had shown the letter to somebody but I did not remember who it was! I tried at all my friends’ places but without success. Then, I realized as usual that my human efforts are unsuccessful and I sincerely prayed to Baba that "Oh Baba! My father, you know that every moment I remember you! Why cause me this trouble? You know how important that letter is for me! Kindly help me in finding it!" thus saying I went to bed having full faith in Baba as I know He is my best friend! That night, I dreamt of finding my letter at one of my friend's places just beside the telephone! Next morning I went to their place with full faith in Baba, I just went directly towards the telephone and placed my hand on a folded piece of paper, which was undoubtedly the admission letter I was searching for! my friend was shocked as he searched for it many times before at the same place! That was a miraculous experience! I have nothing to say other than I LOVE YOU MY BABA!
Thank you for allowing me to tell about my divine experience!
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Devotees say...

Zarir Rusi Medhora, Ontario, Canada

My name is Zarir Rusi Medhora and am a parsi from Bombay. I am a believer of Sai Baba and have been to Shirdi many times. When I heard about your site I couldn't resist the temptation and couldn't believe that someone would be so grateful to bring Shirdi right into our homes, abroad. I am really grateful to you and the internet for this. Thank you

Gopal Seethepalli, USA

The Bajayabai story you posted in Sai Vichaar is very good . However, when a devotee is asking for blessing to save his mother it would be better if you posted stories from Sri Sai Satcharitha , where Baba cured many incurable patients and how he saved his devotees from jaws of death. These stories give some confidence to bhatas who are under going mental agony as their mothers or near relatives are in bad health ...etc. Thanks.
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Sai Activities

The Gurupoornima celebrations of Shirdi Sai Baba web site organization for the year 1998 have come to an end with the conclusion of the essay writing activity. The results of essay evaluation will be announced on Baba's punyatithi day. The winners will be informed by e-mail and the results will be posted on the web site by Monday October 5, 1998.

Sai Centeres all over the world will be celebrating Baba's punyatithi celebrations on occasion of Baba's Mahasamadhi which falls on Dassera Day. Organizers are requested to forward the event details to be posted on the web site by contacting the web site administrator.
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