Shirdi Sai Satcharitra Chapter 9 - English Audiobook

Shirdi Sai Satcharitra Chapter 9 - English Audiobook
Read Sai Satcharitra Chapter 9: http://www.shirdibooks.com/sai-satcha...
This Chapter covers the following:
Effect of Compliance and Non-compliance with Baba's Orders
The Necessity of Mendicancy
The Tarkhad Family's Experiences  
How Baba was fed sumptuously
At the end of the last chapter, it was briefly stated that devotees who obeyed Baba’s orders at the time of taking leave, fared well; while those who disobeyed them, suffered many a mishap. This statement will be amplified and illustrated with a few striking instances.

The Special Characteristic of a Shirdi Pilgrimage

One special feature of a pilgrimage to Shirdi was that no one could leave Shirdi without Baba’s permission; and if he did, he invited untold sufferings. But if anyone was asked to leave Shirdi, he could stay there no longer. Baba gave certain hints when devotees went to bid him goodbye. These suggestions had to be followed. If they were not followed or were departed from, accidents were sure to befall those who acted contrary to Baba’s directions. A few instances are given below.

Tatya Kote Patil

Tatya Kote was once going in a tanga(horse-drawn cart) to the Kopargaon bazar. He came hastily to the Masjid, greeted Baba and said that he was going to the Kopargaon bazar. Baba said, “Don’t hurry; wait a little, forget the bazar and don’t leave the village”. On seeing his anxiety to go, Baba asked him to take Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande). Disregarding Baba’s directions, Tatya Kote immediately drove off in his tanga. Of the two horses that pulled the tanga, one was very active and restless; After passing a well, it began to run rashly, sprained its waist and fell. Tatya was not badly hurt, but was reminded of Mother Sai’s directions. On another occasion, while proceeding to Kolhar village, he disregarded Baba’s directions again and drove in a tanga which met with a similar accident.

The European Gentleman

A European gentleman from Bombay once came to Shirdi with an introductory note from Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had some objective in mind and was comfortably accommodated in a tent. He wanted to kneel before Baba and kiss His hand. Therefore, he tried thrice to step into the Masjid, but Baba prevented him from doing so. He was asked to sit in the open courtyard below and receive Baba’s darshan from there. Not pleased with the reception he got, he wanted to leave Shirdi at once and came to bid goodbye. Baba asked him to go the next day and not to hurry. People also requested him to abide by Baba’s directions. Refusing to listen to this, he left Shirdi in a tanga; The horses ran all right at first, but upon passing a well, a bicycle crossed their path. The horses saw the bicycle, were frightened and ran faster. The tanga overturned and the gentleman fell and was dragged some distance. He was immediately rescued, but had to be admitted to the Kopargaon hospital for the treatment of his injuries. Because of such experiences, everyone learnt the lesson that those who disobeyed Baba’s instructions met with accidents in one way or the other, and those who obeyed them were safe and happy.

The Necessity of Mendicancy

Now we return to the question of mendicancy. A question may arise in the minds of some— ‘If Baba was such a great personage−God in fact− why should He have recourse to the begging bowl all His life?’ This question may be considered and addressed from two standpoints:

(1) Who has the right to live by the begging-bowl?: Our religious scriptures say that those persons who get rid of the three main Desires− for progeny, wealth and for fame− and accept Sannyas are fit to live by begging. They cannot make cooking arrangements and dine at home. The duty of feeding them rests on the shoulders of householders. Sai Baba was not a householder. He was a celibate Sannyasi. His firm conviction was that the universe was His home and He was the Lord Vasudev−the Supporter of the universe and the Imperishable Brahman. So He had the right to have recourse to the begging-bowl........

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all