Though I be no more in flesh and blood, I shall ever protect My devotees. --SAIBABA
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SHRI SAI SATHCHARITHA
"Sada Nimbarvrikshasya mooladhiwasat,
Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam
Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham"
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Chapter 42
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Averting Death of Ramachandra and Tatya Patil
Some time after this, Ramachandra Patil became scriously
ill. He suffered a lot. He tried all remedies, but finding no relief, despaired
of his life and was waiting for the last moment. The one midnight Baba suddenly
stood near his pillow. Patil held His Feet and said - "I have lost all hopes of
life, please tell me definitely when I shall die." Merciful Baba said - "Don't
be anxious, your hundi (death-warrant) has been withdrawn and you will soon
recover, but Iam afraid of Tatya Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashami of
Shaka 1840 (1918 A.D.). Do not divulge this to anybody, nor to him, for he will
be terribly frightened." Ramachandra Dada got well, but he felt nervous about
Tatya's life, for he knew that Baba's word was unalterable, and that Tatya would
breathe his last within two years. He kept this hint secret, told it to none but
one Bala Shimpi (a tailor). Only these two persons - Ramachandra Dada and Bala
Shimpi were in fear and suspense regarding Tatya's life.
Ramachandra Dada soon left his bed and was on his legs. Time passed quickly.
The month of Bhadrapad of Shaka 1840 (1918 A.D.) was ending and Ashwin was in
sight. True to Baba's word, Tatya fell sick and was bed-ridden; and so he could
not come for Baba's darshana. Baba was also down with fever. Tatya had full
faith in Baba and Baba in Lord Hari, who was His Protector. Tatya's illness
began to grow from bad to worse and he could not move at all but always
remembered Baba. The predicament of Baba began to grow equally worse. The day
predicted, i.e., Vijayadashami was impending and both Ramachandra Dada and Bala
Shimpi were terribly frightened about Tatya and with their bodies trembling and
perspiring with fear, thought that as predicted by Baba, Tatya's end was nigh.
Vijayadashami dawned and Tatya's pulse began to beat very slow and he was
expected to pass away shortly. But a curious thing happened. Tatya remained, his
death was averted and Baba passed away in his stead. It seemed as if there was
an exchange. People said that Baba gave up His life for Tatya; why He did so? He
alone knows as His ways are inscrutable. It seems, however, that in this
incident, Baba gave a hint of His passing away, substituting Tatya's name for
His.
Next morning (16th October) 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 leave 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 the 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.
Charity to Laxmibai
Dasara or Vijayadashami is regarded by all the Hindus as
the most auspicious time and it is befitting that Baba should choose this time
for His crossing the border-line. He was ailing some days before this, but He
was ever conscious internally. Just before the last movement He sat up erect
without anybody's aid, and looked better. People thought that the danger had
passed off and He was geeting well. He knew that He was to pass away soon and
therefore, He wanted to give some money as charity to Laxmibai Shinde.
Baba Pervading All Creatures
This Laxmibai Shinde was a good and well-to-do woman.
She was working in the Masjid day and night. Except Bhagat Mhalasapati, Tatya
and Laxmibai, none was allowed to step in the Masjid at night. Once while Baba
was sitting in the Masjid with Tatya in the evening, Laxmibai came and saluted
Baba. The latter said to her - "Oh Laxmi, Iam very hungry." Off she went saying
- "Baba, wait a bit, I return immediately with bread." She did return with bread
and vegetables and placed the same before Baba. He took it up and gave it to a
dog. Laxmibai then asked - "What is this, Baba, I ran in haste, prepared bread
with my own hands for You and You threw it to a dog without eating a morsel of
it; You gave me trouble unnecessarily." Baba replied - "Why do you grieve for
nothing? The appeasement of the dog's hunger is the same as Mine. The dog has
got a soul; the creatures may be different, but the hunger of all is the same,
though some speak and others are dumb. Know for certain, that he who feeds the
hungry, really serves Me with food. Regard this as an exiomatic Truth." This is
a ordinary incident but Baba thereby propounded a great spiritual truth and
showed its practical application in daily life without hurting anybody's
feelings. From this time onward Laxmibai began to offer Him daily bread and milk
with love and devotion. Baba accepted and ate it appreciatingly. He took a part
of this and sent the remainder with Laxmibai to Radha-Krishna-Mai who always
relished and ate Baba's remnant prasad. This bread-story should not be
considered as a digression; it shows, how Sai Baba pervaded all the creatures
and transcended them. He is omnipresent, birthless, deathless and immortal.
Baba remembered Laxmibai's service. How could He forget her? Just before
leaving the body, He put His hand in His pocket and gave her once Rs.5/- and
again Rs.4/-, in all Rs.9/-. This figure (9) is indicative of the nine types of
devotion described in chapter 21 or it may be the Dakshina offered at the time
of Seemollanghan. Laxmibai was a well-to-do woman and so she was not in want of
any money. So Baba might have suggested to her and brought prominently to her
notice the nine characteristics of a good disciple mentioned in the 6th verse of
chapter ten, skandha eleven of the Bhagwat, wherein first five and then four
characteristics are mentioned in the first and second couplets.* Baba followed
the order, first paid Rs.5/- and then Rs.4/- in all Rs.9/-. Not only nine, but
many times nine rupees passed through Laxmibai's hand, but Baba's this gift of
Nine, she will ever remember.
Being so watchful and conscious, Baba also took other precautions in His last
moment. In order that He should not be embroiled or entangled with love and
affection for His devotees, He ordered them all to clear off. Kakasaheb Dixit,
Bapusaheb Booty and others were in the Masjid anxiously waiting upon Baba, but
He asked them to go to the Wada and return after meals. They could not leave
Baba's presence, nor could they disobey Him. So with heavy hearts and heavy feet
they went to the Wada. They knew that Baba's case was very serious and that they
could not forget Him. They sat for meals, but their mind was elsewhere, it was
with Baba. Before they finished, news came to them of Baba's leaving the mortal
coil. Leaving their dishes, they ran to the Masjid and found that Baba rested
finally on Bayaji's lap. He did not fall down on the ground nor did He lie on
His bed, but sitting quietly on His seat and doing charity with His own hand
threw off the mortal coil. Saints embody themselves and come into this world
with a definite mission and after that is fulfilled they pass away as quietly
and easily as they came.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all