वाॅट्स ऐप ग्रुप में शामिल होने के लिये

हमारे वाॅट्स ऐप ग्रुप में शामिल होने के लिये हमें आपके फोन नंबर और नाम के साथ 9810617373 पर मैसेज भेज सकते हैं ।

खापर्डे डायरी - शिरडी

ॐ श्री साँई राम जी 

29 दिसम्बर , 1911

मुझे उठने में थोड़ी देर हुई और फिर श्री नाटेकर , जिन्हें हम 'हंस ' और स्वामी कहते हैं , के साथ मैं बात चीत करने के लिए बैठ गया | मैं पूजा वगैरह समय पर समाप्त नहीं कर पाया और साईं महाराज के बाहर जाते हुए दर्शन भी नहीं कर पाया | जब वे मस्जिद लौटे तब मैंने उनके दर्शन किए| हंस मेरे साथ थे | साईं महाराज बहुत अच्छे भाव में थे और उन्होंने एक कहानी शुरू की जो कि बहुत बहुत प्रेरक थी लेकिन दुर्भाग्य वश त्रिम्बक राव जिसे हम मारुति कहते है , ने अत्यंत मुर्खता वश बीच में ही टोक दिया और साईं महाराज ने उसके बाद विषय बदल दिया | उन्होंने कहा कि एक नौजवान था , जो भूखा था और वह लगभग हर लिहाज से जरूरतमंद था | वह नौजवान आदमी इधर- उधर घुमने के बाद साईं साहेब के पिता के घर गया और जहां उसका बहुत अच्छी तरह सत्कार हुआ और उसे जो भी चाहिए था वह दिया गया | लड़के ने वहां कुछ समय बिताया , मोटा हो गया , कुछ चीजे जमा कर ली , गहने चुराए , और इन सब का एक बंडल बना कर जहां से आया था वहीं लौट जाना चाहा | वास्तव में वः साईं साहेब के पिता के घर में ही पैदा हुआ था और वही का था लेकिन इस बात को नहीं जानता था | इस लड़के ने बंडल गली के एक कोने में डाल दिया लेकिन इससे पहले कि वे बाहर निकले , देख लिया गया | इसी लिए उसे देर करनी पडी | इस बीच में चोर उसके बंडल से गहने ले गए | ठीक निकलने से पहले उसने उन्हें गायब पाया इसी किए वह घर में ही रुक गया और कुछ और गहने इकठ्ठे किए और फिर चल पडा , लेकिन रास्ते में लोगो ने उसे उन चीज़ों को चुराने के संदेह में कैद कर लिया | इस मोड़ पर आकर कहानी का विषय बदल गया और वह अचानक ही रुक गयी |

मध्यान्ह आरती से लौटने के बाद मैंने हंस से मेरे साथ भोजन लेने का आग्रह किया और उसने मेरा निमंत्रण स्वीकार कर लिया | वह सीधा साधा बहुत ही भला आदमी हैं , और खाना खाने के बाद उसने हमें हिमालय में अपने भ्रमण के बारे में बता या , वह किस तरह मानसरोवर पहुचाँ , किस तरह उसने वहां एक उपनिषद का गायन सुना , किस तरह वहपद चिन्हों के पीछे गया , किस तरह वह एक गुफा में पहुचाँ , एक महात्मा को देखा , किस तरह उस महात्मा ने उसी दिन बंबई में हुई तिलक ही सना के बारे में बात की , किस पतः उस महात्मा ने उसे अपने भाई { बड़े सहपाठी } से मिलवाया , किस तरह आखिरकार वह अपने गुरु से मिला और ' क्रतार्थ ' हुआ | बाद में हम साईं बाबा के पास गए और मस्जिद में उनके दर्शन किए | उन्होंने आज दोपहर मेरे पास सन्देश भेजा कि मुझे यहाँ और दो महीने रुकना पडेगा | दोपहर में उन्होंने अपने सन्देश की पुष्टि की और फिर कहाँ कि उनकी ' उदी ' में महत अध्यात्मिक गुण है | उन्होंने मेरी पत्नी से कहाँ कि गवर्नर एक सरकारी नौकर के साथ आया और साईं महाराज की उससे अनबन हुई और उसे उन्होंने बाहर निकाल दिया और आखिरकार गवर्नर के साथ समझोता कर लिया| भाषा अत्यंत संकेतात्मक है इसीलिए उसकी व्याख्या करना कठिन है| शाम को हम शेज आरती में उपस्थित हुए और उसके बाद भीष्म के भजन और दीक्षित की रामायण हुई |


!! जय साईं राम !!

Sai Baba's Devotees

ॐ सांई राम

Sai Baba's Devotees

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi had a great impressionable personality which hypnotized those who came near him. With his miraculous power and simple teachings he had a host of ardent devotees who carried forward his teachings and philosophy to a wide gamut of society. Here we will discuss some of the most prominent devotees of Saibaba of Shirdi.

Abdul Baba

Abdul Baba came to Shirdi in around 1890. He came here after a fakir who was inspired in his dream by Saibaba to bring Abdul Baba to Shirdi. On his coming to Shirdi, Saibaba greeted him by saying "My crow has come". A dedicated worker Abdul Baba took care of Baba's mosque and lit the lamps in Lendi. Baba took care of his welfare, and often had him reading aloud passages from the Koran.

Bayajabai Kote Patil 
Bayajabai was Tatya's mother and the family had a close association with Baba, who he took as his sister. She had taken a vow that until Saibaba had her food she won't take food. Such was her devotion to Saibaba that she would carry food in a basket and went looking for him to feed him.

Bhagoji Shinde 
Bhagoji Shinde suffered from leprosy and yet he was among the closest to Saibaba. He accompanied Saibaba to Lendi garden carrying a parasol to give him shade. Once Saibaba got hurt while thrusting his hands into dhuni, Bhagoji was the one who bandaged the wound and dressed him long after it had healed.

Das Ganu Maharaj 

Dasganu was originally in police service and it was during this time that Nana Chandorkar took him to see Sai Baba. From the very first, Baba tried to get Das Ganu to quit the service, but he always found an excuse.

Baba rarely allowed him into the mosque but rather sent him to the Vittal Temple where he stayed and wrote about the lives of saints and composed kirtans (devotional songs) which he sang with great feeling.
After he finally gave up his work, Baba advised him to settle in Nanded, which he did, and he became well known for beauty of his kirtans which inspired many to seek Baba's darshan

Annasaheb Dabholkar

Most popularly known for being the author of the work The Sri Sai Satcharitra, Annasaheb Dabholkar was called Hemadpant by Saibaba after a well known poet of 13th Century. His work is a great insight into the life and philosophy of Saibaba.

Hari Sitaram Dixit 

Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb Dixit was a prominent solicitor another of Saibaba's ardent devotees. Saibaba used to call him affectionately Langda Kaka and removed fear complex from his mind. Kaka Dixit was known for his obedience to Baba's orders.

Dadasaheb Khaparde 

Hon'ble Mr. Ganesh Shrikrishna alias Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, an ardent devotee of Saibaba and was instrumental in bringing Loka Manya Tilak, the great freedom stalwart to Shirdi for Baba's darshan.

Laxmibai Shinde 

Laxmibai Shinde was well-to-do woman, who worked in the masjid day and night. Except Bhagat Mhalasapati, Tatya and Laxmibai, none was allowed to step in the Masjid at night.

Bhagat Mahalsapati 

Mahalsapati was the one who owes the name of Saibaba as we know it today. He uttered 'Ya Sai,' when Baba made His first appearance at the Khandoba temple along with the marriage party of Chandbhai. Saibaba used to call Mahalsapati 'Sonarda,' and later on 'Bhagat' i.e. close disciple.

Tatya Kote Patil

Tatya Kote Patil's family was one who loved Saibaba for Himself and not for what they got from His divinity. Tatya was the first amongst the devotees who had all the love of Saibaba.

Nanasaheb Chandorkar 

Nana Chandorkar was among the most prominent devotees. A Deput Collector by profession, he had the distinction of being one of the very few disciples that Baba directly called to his side.

MadhavRao Deshpande 

MadhavRao Deshpande was another of Saibaba's ardent disciples who was quite close of Saibaba.

Assurances of Saibaba

ॐ सांई राम

Assurances of Saibaba

Shri Saibaba of Shirdi inspires unflinching faith and conviction from the Sai devotees. His simple and straightforward messages strike an immediate chord with people of any faith. Saibaba has imparted eleven assurances to the mankind inspiring confidence among His disciples.

Here are the eleven assurances that Shri Sai Baba disseminated to the world:

• Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi's soil, his sufferings would come to an end.
• The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness, as soon as they climb the steps of my Mosque.
• I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
• My tomb shall bless and speak the needs of my devotees.
• I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.
• My mortal remains would speak from my tomb.
• I am ever living to help and guide all, who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.
• If you look at me I look at you.
• If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
• If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
• There shall be no want in the house of my devotees.

ॐ सांई राम

Sai Baba's Mission

The spiritual guru and redeemer of mankind, Sai Baba of Shirdi has been one of the greatest influencing gurus of the Modern times. As among the most popular Indian saints with an ever growing following of devotees, Sai Baba inspires an unflinching faith on his devotees with his clear cut mission to provide not only a spiritual awakening, but also saving the mankind from suffering and ignorance.

 

Forsaking the worldly pleasure in his tender years Sai Baba came to Shirdi with a mission that sprang from the source of His free and redeemed spirit. His mission was self-allotted and that was to awaken the mankind to his true self and divine nature. He wanted to lead them to salvation by saving them from delusion and ignorance. Such is His benevolence that Sai Baba stands there eternally extending His helping hand to give solace to His children who are suffering and leading a wretched life devoid of any hope.

With the whole world under benevolence Sai Baba inspires an undying hope among the mankind. Thus, it is His sacred mission to awaken, elevate, transform and comfort His children. These may be the tangible missions of Sai Baba that ensure harmony all around. However, He had several bigger missions as well that encompassed the whole of universe and its administration including creation, sustenance and destruction. Ultimately, the mission of Sai Baba was to evolve human beings to the state of godliness, i.e., realizing the spiritual body in the mankind leading to their complete redemption and salvation. His powerful assurance 'Why fear when I am hear' has been the great source of strength among the ever growing number of Sai Baba's devotees.

Sai Baba's Teachings

ॐ सांई राम

Sai Baba's Teachings

Sai Baba of Shirdi is the epitome of reverence a guiding force who generates supreme faith and confidence among his devotees looking for salvation and in quest of coming out of the drudgery of living. As a divine mother he is saturated with love for those who seek him. With his mission of making people about the divine consciousness and transcending the limits of mortal body, his teachings are guiding his devotees to the path of salvation. People are blessed who follow his teachings.

Among the teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi there are the cardinal principles of Sai Path called 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi'. Sai Baba looks for these two qualities in his devotees. Here are the teachings and philosophies of Sai Baba of Shirdi.

'Shraddha' is a Sanskrit word, which roughly means faith with love and reverence. Such faith or trust is generated out of conviction, which may not be the result of any rational belief or intellectual wisdom, but a spiritual inspiration. According to Sai Baba of Shirdi, steadfast love in God is the gateway to eternity. Baba's teaching, both direct and indirect explicate the significance of 'Shraddha'. Baba reiterates the spiritual guidance of Shri Krishna to Arjun - "Whosoever offer to Me with love or devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, that offering of pure love is readily accepted by Me".

Saburi

'Saburi'; means patience and perseverance. Saburi is a quality needed throughout the path to reach the goal. This quality must be ingrained in a seeker from day one, least he looses his stride and leaves the path half way

Purity

For Sai Baba it was not the purity of the body but inner purity that mattered. No amount of physical and external cleansing would serve any purpose if the man remained impure in mind and heart. Therefore, Baba cautioned His devotees not to make austerity as an end itself, lest they should indulge in physical mortification.

Compassion

Himself an epitome of compassion and love, Sai Baba taught compassion among his disciples. Baba often told His devotees, 'Never turn away anybody from your door, be it a human being or animal'.

Complete Surrender to the Guru

Sai Baba put Guru on a high pedestal of reverence. For Him Guru was the profound base of the path of devotion. Pointing to his physical frame, "This body is my house. I am not here. My Guru (Master) has taken me away". He asked for complete surrender to the 'Guru'.

Sai Baba's Teachings through 'Udi' and 'Dakshina'

Udi

Udi or the sacred ash was produced from the perpetual fire called 'dhuni' lit by Sai Baba in Dwarkamai at Shirdi. Explaining the meaning of life He would refer to Udi and taught that like Udi all the visible phenomena in the world are transient. Through this example Sai Baba wished to make his devotees understand the sense of discrimination between the unreal and the real. Udi taught the devotees discrimination or vivek.

Dakshina

Sai Baba would demand 'Dakshina' or alms from those who visited him. This explained the sense of non-attachment to worldly things. Hence Dakshina taught the devotees non-attachment or Vairagya.

हमारी बाबा जी के श्री चरणों में अरदास है कि वह अपनी कृपा दृष्टि हम सभी पर बरसाने कि कृपा करें|
ॐ साईं राम

श्री साई सच्चरित्र - अध्याय 24

ॐ सांई राम

आप सभी को शिर्डी के साँई बाबा ग्रुप की ओर से साईं-वार की हार्दिक शुभ कामनाएं , हम प्रत्येक साईं-वार के दिन आप के समक्ष बाबा जी की जीवनी पर आधारित श्री साईं सच्चित्र का एक अध्याय प्रस्तुत करने के लिए श्री साईं जी से अनुमति चाहते है |

हमें आशा है की हमारा यह कदम घर घर तक श्री साईं सच्चित्र का सन्देश पंहुचा कर हमें सुख और शान्ति का अनुभव करवाएगा, किसी भी प्रकार की त्रुटी के लिए हम सर्वप्रथम श्री साईं जी के कमल चरणों में क्षमा याचना अर्पण करते है।

श्री साई सच्चरित्र - अध्याय 24
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श्री साई बाबा का हास्य विनोद, चने की लीला (हेमाडपंत), सुदामा की कथा, अण्णा चिंचणीकर और मौसीबाई की कथा ।
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प्रारम्भ
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अगले अध्याय में अमुक-अमुक विषयों का वर्णन होगा, ऐसा कहना एक प्रकार का अहंकार ही है । जब तक अहंकार गुरुचरणों में अर्पित न कर दिया जाये, तब तक सत्यस्वरुप की प्राप्ति संभव नहीं । यदि हम निरभिमान हो जाये तो सफलता प्रापात होना निश्चित ही है ।

श्री साईबाबा की भक्ति करने से ऐहिक तथा आध्यात्मिक दोनों पदार्थों की प्राप्ति होती है और हम अपनी मूल प्रकृति में स्थिरता प्राप्त कर शांति और सुख के अधिकारी बन जाते है । अतः मुमुक्षुओं को चाहिये कि वे आदरसहित श्री साईबाबा की लीलाओं का श्रवण कर उनका मनन करें । यदि वे इसी प्रकारा प्रयत्न करते रहेंगे तो उन्हें अपने जीवन-ध्येय तथा परमानंद की सहज ही प्राप्ति हो जायेगी । प्रायः सभी लोगों को हास्य प्रिय होता है, परन्तु हास्य का पात्र स्वयं कोई नहीं बनना चाहता । इस विषय में बाबा की पद्घति भी विचित्र थी । जब वह भावनापूर्ण होती तो अति मनोरंजक तथा शिक्षाप्रद होती थी । इसीलिये भक्तों को यदि स्वयं हास्य का पात्र बनना भी पड़ता था तो उन्हें उसमें कोई आपत्ति न होती थी । श्री हेमाडपंत भी ऐसा एक अपना ही उदाहरण प्रस्तुत करते है ।

चना लीला
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शिरडी में बाजार प्रति रविवार को लगता है । निकटवर्ती ग्रामों से लोग आकर वहाँ रास्तों पर दुकानें लगाते और सौदा बेचते है । मध्याहृ के समय मसजिद लोगों से ठसाठस भर जाया करती थी, परन्तु इतवार के दिन तो लोगों की इतनी अधिक भीड़ होती कि प्रायः दम ही घुटने लगता था । ऐसे ही एक रविवार के दिन श्री. हेमाडपंत बाबा की चरण-सेवा कर रहे थे । शामा बाबा के बाई ओर व वामनराव बाबा के दाहिनी ओर थे । इस अवसर पर श्रीमान् बूटीसाहेब और काकसाहेब दीक्षित भी वहाँ उपस्थित थे । तब शामा ने हँसकर अण्णासाहेब से कहा कि देखो, तुम्हारे कोट की बाँह पर कुछ चने लगे हुए-से प्रतीत होते है । ऐसा कहकर शामा ने उनकी बाँह स्पर्श की, जहाँ कुछ चने के दाने मिले । जब हेमाडपंत ने अपनी बाईं कुहनी सीधी की तो चने के कुछ दाने लुढ़क कर नीचे भी गिर पड़े, जो उपस्थित लोगों ने बीनकर उठाये । भक्तों को तो हास्य का विषय मिल गया और सभी आश्चर्यचकित होकर भाँति-भाँति के अनुमान लगाने लगे, परन्तु कोई भी यह न जान सका कि ये चने के दाने वहाँ आये कहाँ से और इतने समय तक उसमें कैसे रहे । इसका संतोषप्रद उत्तर किसी के पास न था, परन्तु इस रहस्य का भेद जानने को प्रत्येक उत्सुक था । तब बाबा कहने लगे कि इन महाशय-अण्णासाहेब को एकांत में खाने की बुरी आदत है । आज बाजार का दिन है और ये चने चबाते हुए ही यहाँ आये है । मैं तो इनकी आदतों से भली भाँति परिचित हूँ और ये चने मेरे कथन की सत्यता के प्रमाणँ है । इसमें आश्चर्य की बात ही क्या है । हेमाडपंत बोले कि बाबा, मुझे कभी भी एकांत में खाने की आदत नहीं है, फिर इस प्रकार मुझ पर दोशारोपण क्यों करते है । अभी तक मैंने शिरडी के बाजार के दर्शन भी नहीं किये तथा आज के दिन तो मैं भूल कर भी बाजार नहीं गया । फिर आप ही बताइये कि मैं ये चने भला कैसे खरीदता और जब मैंने खरीदे ही नही, तब उनके खाने की बात तो दूर की ही है । भोजन के समय भी जो मेरे निकट होते है, उन्हें उनका उचित भाग दिये बिना मैं कभी ग्रहण नहीं करता । बाबा-तुम्हारा कथन सत्य है । परन्तु जब तुम्हारे समीप ही कोई न हो तो तुम या हम कर ही क्या सकते है । अच्छा, बताओ, क्या भोजन करने से पूर्व तुम्हें कभी मेरी स्मृति भी आती है । क्या मैं सदैव तुम्हारे साथ नहीं हूँ । फिर क्या तुम पहले मुझे ही अर्पण कर भोजन किया करते हो ।

शिक्षा
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इस घटना द्घारा बाबा क्या शिक्षा प्रदान कर रहे है, थोड़ा इस ओर ध्यान देने की आवश्यकता है । इसका सारांश यह है कि इन्द्रियाँ, मन और बुद्घि द्घारा पदार्थों का रसास्वादन करने के पूर्व बाबा का स्मरण करना चाहिए । उनका स्मरण ही अर्पण की एक विधि है । इन्द्रियाँ विषय पदार्थों की चिन्ता किये बिना कभी नहीं रह सकती । इन पदार्थों को उपभोग से पूर्व ईश्वरार्पण कर देने से उनका आसक्ति स्वभावतः नष्ट हो जाती है । इसी प्रकार समस्त इच्छाये, क्रोध और तृष्णा आदि कुप्रवृत्तियों को प्रथम ईश्वरार्पण कर गुरु की ओर मोड़ देना चाहिये । यदि इसका नित्याभ्यास किया जाय तो परमेश्वर तुम्हे कुवृत्तियों के दमन में सहायक होंगे । विषय के रसास्वादन के पूर्व वहाँ बाबा की उपस्थिति का ध्यान अवश्य रखना चाहिये । तब विषय उपभोग के उपयुक्त है या नही, यह प्रश्न उपस्थित हो जायेगा और ततब अनुचित विषय का त्याग करना ही पड़ेगा । इस प्रकार कुप्रवृत्तियाँ दूर हो जायेंगी और आचरण में सुधार होगा । इसके फलस्वरुप गुरुप्रेम में वृद्घि होकर सुदृ ज्ञान की प्राप्ति होगी । जब इस प्रकारा ज्ञान की वृद्घि होती है तो दैहिक बुद्घि नष्ट हो चैतन्यघन में लीन हो जाती है । वस्तुतः गुरु और ईश्वर में कोई पृथकत्व नहीं है और जो भिन्न समझता है, वह तो निरा अज्ञानी है तथा उसे ईश्वर-दर्शन होना भी दुर्लभ है । इसलिये समस्त भेदभाव को भूल कर, गुरु और ईश्वर को अभिन्न समझना चाहिये । इस प्रकार गुरु सेवा करने से ईश्वर-कृपा प्राप्त होना निश्चित ही है और तभी वे हमारा चित्त शुदृ कर हमें आत्मानुभूति प्रदान करेंगे । सारांश यह है कि ईश्वर और गुरु को पहले अर्पण किये बिना हमें किसी भी इन्द्रयग्राहृ विषय की रसास्वादन न करना चाहिए । इस प्रकार अभ्यास करने से भक्ति में उत्तरोततर वृद्घि होगी । फिर भी श्री साईबाबा की मनोहर सगुण मूर्ति सदैव आँखों के सम्मुखे रहेगी, जिससे भक्ति, वैराग्य और मोक्ष की प्राप्ति शीघ्र हो जायेगी । ध्यान प्रगाढ़ होने से क्षुधा और संसार के अस्तित्व की विस्मृति हो जायेगी और सांसारिक विषयों का आकर्षण स्वतः नष्ट होकर चित्त को सुख और शांति प्राप्त होगी ।

सुदामा की कथा
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उपयुक्त घटना का वर्णन करते-करते हेमाडपंत को इसी प्रकार की सुदामा की कथा याद आई, जो ऊपर वर्णित नियमों की पुष्टि करती है ।

श्री कृष्ण अपने ज्येष्ठ भ्राता बलराम तथा अपने एक सहपाठी सुदामा के साथ सांदीपनी ऋषि के आश्रम में रहकर विघाध्ययन किया करते थे । एक बार कृष्ण और बलराम लकड़ियाँ लाने के लिये बन गये । सांदीपनि ऋषि की पत्नी ने सुदामा को भी उसी कार्य के निमित्त वन भेजा तथा तीनों विघार्थियों को खाने को कुछ चने भी उन्होंने सुदामा के द्घारा भेजे । जब कृष्ण और सुदामा की भेंट हुई तो कृष्ण ने कहा, दादा, मुझे थोड़ा जल दीजिये, प्यास अधिक लग रही है । सुदामा ने कहा, भूखे पेट जल पीना हानिकारक होता है, इसलिये पहले कुछ देर विश्राम कर लो । सुदामा ने चने के संबंध में न कोई चर्चा की और न कृष्ण को उनका भाग ही दिया । कृष्ण थके हुए तो थे ही, इसलिए सुदामा की गोद में अपना सिर रखते ही वे प्रगाढ़ निद्रा में निमग्न हो गये । तभी सुदामा ने अवसर पाकर चने चबाना प्रारम्भ कर दिया । इसी बीच में अचानक कृष्ण पूछ बैठे कि दादा, तुम क्या खा रहे हो और यह कड़कड़ की ध्वनि कैसी हो रही है । सुदामा ने उत्तर दिया कि यहाँ खाने को है ही क्या । मैं तो शीत से काँप रहा हूँ और इसलिये मेरे दाँत कड़कड़ बज रहे है । देखो तो, मैं अच्छी तरह से विष्णु सहस्त्रनाम भी उच्चारण नहीं कर पा रहा हूँ । यह सुनकर अन्तर्यामी कृष्ण ने कहा कि दादा, मैंने अभी स्वपन में देखा कि एक व्यक्ति दूसरे की वस्तुएँ खा रहा है । जब उससे इस विषय में प्रश्न किया गया तो उसने उत्तर दिया कि मैं खाक (धूल) खा रहा हूँ । तब प्रश्नकर्ता ने कहा, ऐसा ही हो (एवमस्तु) दादा, यह तो केवल स्वपन था, मुझे तो ज्ञात है कि तुम मेरे बिना अन्न का दाना भी ग्रहण नहीं करते, परन्तु श्रम के वशीभूत होकर मैंने तुम से ऐसा प्रश्न किया था । यदि सुदामा किंचित मात्र भी कृष्ण की सर्वज्ञता से परिचित होते तो वे इस भाँति आचरण कभी न करते । अतः उन्हें इसका फल भोगना ही पड़ा । श्रीकृष्ण के लँगोटिया मित्र होत हए भी सुदामा को अपना शेएष जीवन दरिद्रता में व्यतीत करना पड़ा, परन्तु केवल एक ही मुट्ठी रुखे चावल (पोहा), जो उनकी स्त्री सुशीला ने अत्यन्त परिश्रम से उपार्जित किए थे, भेंट करने पर श्रीकृष्ण जी बहुत प्रसन्न हो गये और उन्हें उसके बदले में सुवर्णनगरी प्रदान कर दी । जो दूसरों को दिये बिना एकांत में खाते है, उन्हें इस कथा को सदैव स्मरण रखना चाहिए । श्रुति भी इस मत का प्रतिपादन करती है कि प्रथम ईश्वर को ही अर्पण करें तथा उच्छिष्ट हो जाने के उपरांत ही उसे ग्रहण करें । यही शिक्षा बाबा ने हास्य के रुप में दी है ।

अण्णा चिंचणीकर और मौसीबाई
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अब श्री. हेमाडपंत एक दूसरी हास्यपूर्ण कथा का वर्णन करते है, जिसमें बाबा ने शान्ति-स्थापन का कार्य किया है । दामोदर घनश्याम बाबारे, उपनाम अण्णा चिंचणीकर बाबा के भक्त थे । वे सरल, सुदृढ़ और निर्भीक प्रकृति के व्यक्ति थे । वे निडरतापूर्वक स्पष्ट भाषण करते और व्यवहार में सदैव नगद नारायण-से थे । यघपि व्यावहारिक दृष्टि से वे रुखे और असहिष्णु प्रतीत होते थे, परन्तु अन्तःकरण से कपटहीन और व्यवहार-कुशल थे । इसी कारण उन्हें बाबा विशेष प्रेम करते थे । सभी भक्त अपनी-अपनी इच्छानुसार बाबा के अंग-अंग को दबा रहे थे । बाबा का हाथे कठड़े पर रखा हुआ था । दूसरी ओर एक वृदृ विधवा उनकी सेवा कर रही थी, जिनका नाम वेणुबाई कौजलगी था । बाबा उन्हें माँ शब्द से सम्बोधित करते तथा अन्य लोग उन्हे मौसीबाई कहते थे । वे एक शुदृ हृदय की वृदृ महिला थी । वे उस समय दोनों हाथों की अँगुलियाँ मिलाकर बाबा के शरीर को मसल रही थी । जब वे बलपूर्वक उनका पेट दबाती तो पेट और पीठ का प्रायः एकीकरण हो जाता था । बाबा भी इस दबाव के कारण यहाँ-वहाँ सरक रहे थे । अण्णा दूसरी ओर सेवा में व्यस्त थे । मौसीबाई का सिर हाथों की परिचालन क्रिया के साथ नीचे-ऊपर हो रहा था । जब इस प्रकार दोनों सेवा में जुटे थे तो अनायास ही मौसीबाई विनोदी प्रकृति की होने के कारण ताना देकर बोली कि यह अण्णा बहुत बुरा व्यक्ति है और यह मेरा चुंबन करना चाहता है । इसके केश तो पक गये है, परन्तु मेरा चुंबन करने में इसे तनिक भी लज्जा नहीं आती है । यतह सुनकर अण्णा क्रोधित होकर बोले, तुम कहती हो कि मैं एक वृदृ और बुरा व्यक्ति हूँ । क्या मैं मूर्ख हूँ । तुम खुद ही छेड़खानी करके मुझसे झगड़ा कर रही हो । वहाँ उपस्थित सब लोग इस विवाद का आनन्द ले रहे थे । बाबा का स्नेह तो दोनों पर था, इसलिये उन्होंने कुशलतापूर्वक विवाद का निपटारा कर दिया । वे प्रेमपूर्वक बोले, अरे अण्णा, व्यर्थ ही क्यों झगड़ रहे हो । मेरी समझ में नहीं आता कि माँ का चुंबन करने में दोष या हानि ही क्या हैं । बाबा के शब्दों को सुनकर दोनों शान्त हो गये और सब उपस्थित लोग जी भरकर ठहाका मारकर बाबा के विनोद का आनन्द लेने लगे ।

बाबा की भक्त-परायणता

बाबा भक्तों को उनकी इच्छानुसार ही सेवा करने दिया करते थे और इस विषय में किसी प्रकार का हस्तक्षेप उन्हें सहन न था । एक अन्य अवसर पर मौसीबाई बाबा का पेट बलपूर्वक मसल रही थी, जिसे देख कर दर्शकगण व्यग्र होकर मौसीबाई से कहने लगे कि माँ । कृपा कर धीरे-धीरे ही पेट दबाओ । इस प्रकार मसलने से तो बाबा की अंतड़ियाँ और ना़ड़ियाँ ही टूट जायेंगी । वे इतना कह भी न पाये थे कि बाबा अपने आसन से तुरन्त उठ बैठे और अंगारे के समान लाल आँखें कर क्रोधित हो गये । साहस किसे था, जो उन्हें रोके । उन्होंने दोनों हाथों से सटके का एक छोर पकड़ नाभि में लगाया और दूसरा छोर जमीन पर रख उसे पेट से धक्का देने लगे । सटका (सोटा) लगभग 2 या 3 फुट लम्बा था । अब ऐसा प्रतीत होने लगा कि वह पेट में छिद्र कर प्रवेश कर जायेगा । लोग शोकित एवं भयभीत हो उठे कि अब पेट फटने ही वाला है । बाबा अपने स्थान पर दृढ़ हो, उसके अत्यन्त समीप होते जा रहे थे और प्रतिक्षण पेट फटने की आशंका हो रही थी । सभी किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ हो रहे थे । वे आश्चर्यचकित और भयभीत हो ऐसे खड़े थे, मानो गूँगोंका समुदाय हो । यथार्थ में भक्तगण का संकेत मौसीबाई को केवल इतना ही था कि वे सहज रीति से सेवा-शुश्रूषा करें । किसी की इच्छा बाबा को कष्ट पहुँचाने की न थी । भक्तों ने तो यह कार्य केवल सद्भभावना से प्रेरित होकर ही किया था । परन्तु बाबा तो अपने कार्य में किसी का हस्तक्षेप कणमात्र भी न होने देना चाहते थे । भक्तों को तो आश्चर्य हो रहा था कि शुभ भावना से प्रेरित कार्य दुर्गति से परिणत हो गया और वे केवल दर्शक बने रहने के अतिररिक्त कर ही क्या सकते थे । भाग्यवश बाबा का क्रोध शान्त हो गया और सटका छोड़कर वे पुनः आसन पर विराजमान हो गये । इस घटना से भक्तों ने शिक्षा ग्रहण की कि अब दूसरों के कार्य में कभी भी हस्तक्षेप न करेंगे और सबको उनकी इच्छानुसार ही बाबा की सेवा करने देंगे । केवल बाबा ही सेवा का मूल्य आँकने में समर्थ थे ।

।। श्री सद्रगुरु साईनाथार्पणमस्तु । शुभं भवतु ।।

Shirdi Darshan

ॐ सांई राम

Shirdi - Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir (Booty Wada)

The Mandir is built with stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by late Balaji Vasant.

This statue was installed on 7th October 1954. Above the statue is an open, silver umbrella. The front of the Mandir has an assembly hall where about 600 devotees can be accomadated. Here is the show-case where various things handled by Baba are kept. On the first floor of the Mandir are pictures depicting the life of Baba.

The routine of the temple starts at 5 o'clock in the morning with Bhoopali, a morning song, and closes at 10 o'clock in the night after Shejarati is sung. Only on three occasions the temple is kept open overnight .ie. on Gurupoornima, Dassera, and Ramnavami. Every Thursday and on each fesitival, a Palakhi with Baba's photo is taken out from the temple.

Dwarkamai

Shri Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage procession. He stayed at Dwarkamai till the very end of his life. Dwarkamai is situated on the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before Baba's arrival in Shridhi, Dwarkamai was an old mosque in a dilapidated condition. Baba turned it into Dwarkamai and proved that God is one.

The first level of Dwarkamai has a portrait of Baba and a big stone on which Baba used to sit. This level has two rooms. One contains the chariot and the second a palkhi. Just in front of the room where the chariot is kept is a small temple. A saffron flag flies over it. The second level of Dwarkamai has a square stool made of stone, which Baba used for taking a bath. The main attraction of this place is the oil painting of Shri Sai Baba sitting in a carved wooden shrine. This level also has the grinding stone and the wooden vessel called Kolamba in which Baba used to keep the Bhiksha brought from the village.

Gurusthan

Sai Baba first came to Shridhi in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted seated under a Neem tree. This place came to be known as Gurusthan. The renovation of Gurusthan was made on 30th September, 1941. The present temple was built after this period. There is a small shrine in Gurusthan. On a elevated platform of this shrine a big portrait of Baba is placed. On the side is a marble statue of Baba. In front of the portrait is a Shivling and the Nandi. Photos of twelve Jyotirlingas are kept in the temple. The branches of the Neem tree have come out through the roof of the temple.

Chavadi

At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him. There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. The Lendi Baug was looked after by Abdul Baba. There are photos and various things which were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba in the cottage.There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Balyogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived. There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar to be visited.

Lendi Bagh

At some distance from Gurusthan there is the Lendi Baug. This Baug was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a Nalla (a drain) which used to previously flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a Neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the Neem tree and kept a Deep lit in that pit. One octangular Deepgriha called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place.

It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the Deepgriha is a Peepal tree and on the other side is a Neem tree. Some distance away is a Datta Mandir below an Audumbar tree. In the Mandir there is a statue of Datta built in marble stone. The statue of Datta was installed on 6th December, 1976. Just behind the Datta Mandir is a Samadhi of the horse, Shyamsundar which belonged to Baba and which used to bow to him. Lendi Bagh also has a well dug by Baba with the cooperation of his devotees. At the entrance of the Bagh are the Samadhi's of ardent Sai devotees Tatya Kote Patil, Bhau Maharaj Kumbhar, Nanavalli and Abdul Baba.

Khandoba Mandir

This temple is situated on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed by Poojari Mhalsapati, of this temple, saying "Aao Sai", when Baba stepped in Shridi. In this temple there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai. How to get there Shirdi is located approximately 296 Kilometers from Mumbai (Bombay) City in India.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Kopargaon 19 kilometers on Manmad-Daund section of Central Railways.One could take a Central Railway train from Mumbai (Bombay) V.T. station to Manmad station and then take a bus to Shirdi. State transport buses are available from Manmad to Shirdi. By Road :Well connected to Mumbai, Nasik. By Air : Programmes and Their Timeings : Kakad Arati 5:15 a.m. Holy Bath of Shri Sai Baba 6:00 a.m. Darshan Begins 7:00 a.m. Satyanarayana Pooja 9:00 a.m. Abhishek 9:00 a.m. Noon Arati 12:00 Noon Pravachan or Pujan 4:00 p.m. Dhuparati Sunset Bhajan, Keertan, Vocal Music, etc 9:00 p.m. Shejarati 10:00 p.m Important instructions to devotees arriving in Shirdi For proper guidance and assistance to the devotees, Reception centers have been opened opposite the S.T. Bus stand.

On arrival to Shirdi, devotees should immediately get in touch with the above mention Reception centers of the Sansthan and should thereafter proceed to the Enquiry Office for booking their accommodation which is made available after registration of name and other particulars. Occupied room(s) should be locked before going out. If the accommodation provided is in the common hall, luggage should always be left in charge of a member of the party to safeguard it from anti-social elements.A locker is available at nominal charge and against a deposit, which may be booked at the enquiry office, and used for keeping luggage or any other valuables.

Care should be taken not to leave any belongings behind in the toilets and the bathrooms. As the Samadhi Mandir is over-crowded at the time of Arati, devotees should safeguard their ornaments and purses from pick-pockets and mind their children. Devotees should note that all religious functions and Poojas in the Sansthan premises are to be arranged and performed through the office of the Sansthan. Necessary payments for these are to be made at the office against a receipt. Boxes have been provided by the Sansthan in the Mandir itself to receive the devotees' offerings by way of Dakshina and Hundis. Offering to Shri Sai Baba in cash or kind should always be made at the office against a receipt. Devotees should bear in mind that Baba left no heirs or disciples and should guard themselves against such deception practiced by impostors.

As all the necessary assistance and guidance is readily available to the devotees at the Reception center of the Sansthan, assistance from unauthorized guides at the S.T. stand, if taken by the devotees, will be at their own risk. Devotees are warned against practitioners of black magic professing allegiance to Shri Sai Baba, and also against those circulating chain-letters, asking the receiver to send a certain number of copies of the letter to his friends. Literature about Shri Sai Baba containing authentic information has been published by the Sansthan and is readily available at book shops near the Samadhi Mandir.

A complaint/suggestion book is always kept in the office for the use by the devotees, in which they are requested to write clearly their complaints/suggestions along with their full name(s) and addresses. The Sansthan authorities take due note of such complaints/suggestions. Donations should always be sent by Money Orders, Postal Orders, Crossed and A/c. Payee Cheques or Drafts to ensure safe delivery of the same.

Do not send cash or currency notes in postal envelopes. As the various dealers and vendors of Pooja articles are not connected with the Sansthan, devotees should first fix the price before buying these articles to avoid any trouble thereafter. All donations for oil for the Nanda-deep and for firewood for Dhuni in the Dwarkamai are to be given in the Accounts office only. Further details regarding these can be obtained from the Temple-in-charge. Devotees desirous of feeding the poor can arrange to do so against cash payment to be made to the Prasadalaya itself or the account office. Coupons are not accepted for this purpose. Devotees desirous of distributing alms to beggars can do so only in the beggars' shed, near Prasadalaya with the help of the Security officer.

Devotees making correspondence should give their complete and correct addresses. Devotees are requested to avail of the facilities at the Tea canteen and Prasadalaya run by the Sansthan where tea and meals are served at subsidized rates. Medical facilities are available at the well-equipped Sainath Hospital run by the Shirdi Sansthan. The Sansthan has not appointed any representative for the purpose of collecting donations in cash or otherwise. Devotees are informed that no donations either in cash or otherwise should be given to anybody personally. This is to avoid deceit as well as to prevent devotees from being cheated by unscrupulous elements.

Source : Publications of the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi .

ॐ सांई राम

The Difference

I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task;
"Why doesn't God help me?"
I wondered.

He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys in the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knok."

I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray

The Peace Prayer For World Peace

Adorable Presence!
Thou Who art within and without, above and below and all around, Thou Who art interpenetrating the very cells of our beings, Thou Who art the Eye of our eyes, the Ear of our ears, the Heart of our hearts, the Mind of our minds, the Breath of our breaths, the Life of our lives and the Soul of our souls, Bless us, Dear God, to be aware of Thy Presence, now and here. This is all that we ask of Thee.

May all of us be aware of Thy Presence in the East and the West, in the North and the South! May Peace and Goodwill abide among individuals as well as communities and nations! This is our earnest Prayer.

A Winner's Creed

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a person's faith;
It's all in the state of mind.

Life's battles don't always go
to the stronger or faster hand;
They go to the one who trusts in God
And always thinks "I can."

If wealth is lost,
nothing is lost;
If health is lost,
something is lost;
If character is lost,
everything is lost.

ॐ सांई राम

True Nobility

Who does his task from day to day
And meets whatever comes his way,
Believing God has willed it so,
Has found real greatness here below.
Who guards his post, no matter where,
Believing God must need him there,
Although but lowly toil it be,
Has risen to nobility.
For great and low there's but one test
'Tis that each man shall do his best.
Who works with all the strength he can
Shall never die in debt to man.

The Oyster

There once was an Oyster whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand was inside his shell
Just one little grain, but it gave him great pain!
For oysters have feelings, though they all seem so plain.
Now did he berate the working so fate.
Which had led him to such a deplorable state?
Did he curse out the government - call for an election,
And cry that the sea "should have given protection?"
No! He said to himself as he lay on the shelf,
"Since I cannot remove it, I'll try to improve it."
The years rolled along, as the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate destiny - stew!
And the small grain of sand that had bothered him so,
Was a beautiful pearl, all richly aglow!
The tale has a moral, for isn't it grand.
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand?
What couldn't I do if I'd only begin,
With all those things that "get under my skin!"

At Day's End

"Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
The day is almost over and its toiling is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word to you?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast.
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Did you waste the day, or lose it?
Was it well or sorely spent?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does, the man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say, you have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?'