In chapter 43 & 44 of Shri Sai Satcharitra, Shri Hemadpant had written about the following incident, "Thirty two years before this, i.e., in 1886 A.D., Baba made an attempt to cross the border line. On a Margashirsha Pournima (Full moon) day, Baba suffered from a severe attack of asthma. To get rid of it Baba decided to take His prana high up and go into samadhi. He said to Bhagat Mhalasapti - "Protect My body for three days. If I return, it will be alright; if I do not, bury My body in that open land (pointing to it) and fix two flags there as a mark." Saying this, Baba fell down at about 10 P.M. His breathing stopped, as well as His pulse. It seemed as if His prana left the body. All the people including the villagers came there and wanted to hold an inquest and bury the body in the place pointed by Baba. But Mhalasapati prevented this. With Baba's body on his lap he sat full three days guarding it. After three days passed, Baba showed signs of life at 3 A.M. His breathing commenced, the abdomen began to move. His eyes opened and stretching His limbs, Baba returned to consciousness (life) again.

Last year an experience was shared by Lorriane Walshe-Ryan and her friend Roshni ji on Devotee Experiences with Shirdi Sai Baba Blog. It described how Lord Sai Baba gave Lorraine ji His permission to continue with her third book. The second book's work is in progress. It contains experiences of devotees and it is being edited now. I guess readers must be knowing that she has written "I Am Always With You" book earlier. It is worth reading book for those who wish to know what relation prevails between Lord Sai Baba and His devotees. Every one of us share a unique and divine relation with Him. No matter of what age is our devotion, the relation matters. My belief is (gradually it is becoming stronger day by day) that since we were holding hands of Lord Sai Baba in our previous uncountable births, we are holding Them today and will be holding Them in future births too. Thus our relation is shared from past many births and will continue to be.

Happy Diwali to all Dear Sai Readers!

I found this interesting and suitable Deepawali quote for you all

The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightning shine? All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the supreme Deepavali.

This Diwali Shirdi Sai Baba Life Teachings and Stories team brings Shirdi Sai Baba Diwali Wallpapers and Screensaver for Download. The pictures were exclusively designed for us. I am really thankful for contributors. I hope you like it and looking forward for your comments below. Lord Sai Baba lighted lamps with water on Diwali day, so emphasis is given to lighting lamps in pictures.

Writing on blogs is always a joyful act for me but today i have my eyes moist to write this blog post. Readers of the blog are familiar to legendary author Shri Suresh Chandra Gupta. His books were eye-opener in real sense. What actually is "devotion" has been defined by him. How and in what way a person, after treading on path of devotion has to act, can be learnt from his writings. In fact his contribution to Shirdi Sai Baba's awareness is commandable since he was the most instrumental person in construction of Shirdi Sai Baba temple of Lodhi Road in New Delhi, which is considered as first and foremost temple of Lord Shirdi Sai Baba in northern India. I have read and heard from many devotees that they found their real God/Guru in that temple.

A devotee visiting Shirdi is excited and eager to meet Lord Sai Baba but at the same time, he is worried about good accommodation facility which would fit his wallet with basic amenities. Also an insurity prevails whether he would get good darshan at Samadhi Mandir, Dwarakamai, Chavadi and various other places due to ever increasing crowd at Shirdi. Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi do provide accommodation facilities at nominal rates, but procedure to get one is very lengthy. Though we are provided with online darshan of Samadhi Mandir, we have to stand in long queues for getting actual darshan.

Now we dont have to worry about any such queues as we can get online darshan passes and accommodation booked before leaving our homes straight away from our computer screens with launch of Sai Tech Project Online Booking System!

Sai Tech Project Details:

The Rs 22-crore 'Sai Tech Project' was inaugurated on July 15, 2011 by Maharashtra Speaker Dilip Valse Patil and state Agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, chairman of Shirdi Saibaba Trust Jayant Sasane told reporters.

Devotees of Sai Baba can now book online slots for darshan, reserve rooms and pay donations, thanks to a hi-tech project being developed by Pune-based Cognizant Technology Solutions, chairman of the temple trust said.

With last post m and n we completed a topic named "Sai Bhakti as advocated in ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra" from Part 4 of Chapter 5 - Sai Bhakti the incredible book Fragrance Of Sai Bhakti written by Shri. Suresh Chandra Gupta ji from Delhi, thus concluding whole chapter. Chapter 6 i.e. Sutras of Sai Bhakti has already been posted at the beginning, so now an annexure is being taken up here on "Briefs on Persons who lived with Sai Baba
and whose names appears in this book". One who wish to read Chapter 6 (and of course all other chapters) can browse the links given towards the end of this post. With this annexure we are completed with "Fragrance of Sai Bhakti" as written by Shri Suresh Chandra Gupta ji who wishes that devotee readers should share their valuable comments about the book. I have personally liked it much and hope the same is for you. I wish we get more such books from the author in future also.

Briefs on Persons who lived with Sai Baba and whose names appears in this book

1. Baija Bai Kote Patil (बायजा बाई कोते पाटिल ) - Baija Bai had extreme love and devotion towards Baba and she used to prepare food and take it to Baba. Baija Bai, wife of Appa Kote Patil and mother of Tatya Kote Patil used to refer to Shri Sainath as her brother. She had taken a vow that until Sai Baba had his food she won’t take food. Such was her devotion to Sai Baba that she would carry food in a basket and went looking for him to feed him.

2. Tatya Kote Patil (तात्या कोते पाटिल ) - Tatya Kote Patil had a unique relationship with Baba and was under his protection from the age of seven. As a child, Tatya addressed Baba as ‘Mama’ (Uncle or Mother’s brother). They would play and romp together, with Tatya climbing on Baba’s back and sitting in his lap. Being so close to Baba afforded him privileges that few had. Only he and Mahalsapati were allowed to sleep with Baba in the mosque and this he did for 14 years until his father died and family responsibilities compelled him to go home.

3. Mahalsapati (म्हलसापति ) - Mahalsapati was the priest of the Khandoba Temple on the edge of the village of Shirdi. When Sai Baba first arrived in Shirdi, it was he who hailed the young Fakir in the words, ‘Aao Sai!’ (Welcome Saint), thus giving him the beloved name of Sai. Sai Baba used to call Mahalsapati as‘Bhagat’.

4. MadhavRao Deshpande alias Shama (माधवराव देशपांडे /शामा ) - Shama was among Baba’s most intimate devotees. He was regarded as the ‘Nandi’ of Baba and acted like his personal secretary. Baba once told Shama that they had been together for 72 generations. His parents had moved to Shirdi from Nimon (five kilometres away) when he was only two. He became a school teacher in a room next door to the mosque.

Two points m and n from a topic named "Sai Bhakti as advocated in ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra" from Part 4 of Chapter 5 - Sai Bhakti the incredible book Fragrance Of Sai Bhakti written by Shri. Suresh Chandra Gupta ji from Delhi were posted. With three more points, we are concluding this chapter.

Part 8 - Sai Bhakti

Sai Bhakti as advocated in ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra’

• (o) Baba’s ways of Teaching

To some he prescribed the Adhyatma Ramayan; to some the recitation of Dñyaneshwari; to some he suggested reciting the Harivarda and to some to read Gurucharitra.

He would keep some near him; ask some to go to Khandoba’s temple; to some he keenly suggested to study and memorise the Vishnu Sahasranama.

To some he suggested the Ram Vijaya; to some meditation; to some the power of the name of the Lord; to some he suggested the Chandogya Upanishad and Gita Rahasya and told them that through faith only they could understand the essence of all.

His ways of teaching were exceptional. Some were taught in a particular way, some in a different way. To some he taught directly and appeared in the dreams of others.

Many people from different castes came for his darshan and help. He even appeared in dreams to those who were fond of liquor.

He would sit on their chest pressing with his hands and feet and making them take a solemn vow never to drink again.

Like the pictures that are drawn by an astrologer on the walls of a house where a wedding is to take place he would write the mantra “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu” etc. in a dream vision on the walls of the house of another devotee.

If a person tried to practise the yogic aasana and also the difficult Hatha Yoga without Baba’s knowledge, Baba would come to know about it because of his extra-sensory powers and then he would rightly penalise.

He would catch hold of someone, whom he did not even know, and send a message: “Can you not sit quietly, and patiently eat your bread?” - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 19, Ovi 222-230)

To some he would give an ultimatum and tell him that: “I am a very strict person by nature. I will tell you mildly only once or twice and if inspite of that you don’t listen, at the end it will be very difficult for you. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 232)

I will try to tell once, to tell twice, but if a person does not care to listen to my words, even if he be my kith and kin, I will not hesitate to tear him apart and throw him away”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 232)

i) On Enjoyment of Senses

“Before the mind, the intellect and other senses enjoy their objects, remember me first so that they become an offering to me, slowly.

“The senses can never remain without their objects; but if these objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment for them will naturally vanish.

“If you desire anything, desire me only! If you are angry vent your anger on me only! Offer me your pride and obstinacy. Be devoted only to me.

0“Whenever desire, anger, pride arise strongly make me the object towards which to direct them.

“In this way, one by one, the Lord will help you in eradicating all the ‘Vrittis’. The Lord (Govinda) will certainly calm the strong waves of these three venomous qualities.

“In fact, this disturbed mental state would be absorbed in my form or would become one with me. A state of peace will be yours at my feet”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 24, Ovi 46-51)

“Such a person (ignorant and confused) is not fit for Self-knowledge. False knowledge will overpower him. For him there is nothing in this world and in the next. For ever and everywhere, he is miserable.

“There is no point in establishing one’s own school of thought. And there is no need to refute the thinking of others also. There is no need to debate and prove someone wrong. These are baseless efforts”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 2, Ovi 87-88)

A disciple should be modest, able, free from envy, unselfish or disinterested, always ready to serve the Guru, eager to have spiritual knowledge and of steadfast temperament.

He should have no hatred, nor engage in loquaciousness. These are the qualities required to please the Gururaya. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 42, Ovi 124-125)

One whose conduct is always correct and good, who eats just enough to sustain his body, and is not attached to home or wife - such a person is blessed and a sage. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 37, Ovi 90)

ii) On Fasting

“Food and the one who eats it are the embodiments of Vishnu. Fasting, austerities, unsullied food, going without any food or water - Why indulge in this? What is the need for us to practice fasting and austerities?” - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 32, Ovi 142-143)

You do not need ceremonies to complete the rituals, you do not need fasting to torture the body; you do not need to visit the tirthas. It is sufficient to listen to the story. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 182)

iii) Food to Hungry

“Oh mother! You fed me to-day, because of which I am full upto my throat. I was overcome with hunger and you satisfied me.

“You must act like this always. Truly only this will prove useful, ultimately. Sitting in the Masjid, I do not ever speak an untruth. This is the universal truth.

“Know that this is the kindness which I preach. Give food to the hungry first and then eat yourself. Remember this clearly in your mind”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 9, Ovi 120-122)

“When you sat down for your meals, you suddenly saw a dog come to the door, which was suffering from extreme hunger. I am one with that dog.

“Similarly, I am one with that pig bespattered with mud, which was also hungry and miserable”.

When she heard Baba’s words, the lady was very much surprised. Dogs, pigs, cats which wander - Are they one with Baba?

Sometimes I am a dog, sometimes a pig, sometimes I am a cow, sometimes a cat, sometimes an ant, a fly or fish. I move about in different forms.

“That person who sees me in all the creatures, you must understand is my beloved one.

Give up the belief in the two-fold nature, and worship me in this manner”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 9, Ovi 126-130)

“Why do you fret unnecessarily? Satisfying the hunger of this dog is the same as giving me appeasement. Bear this in mind.

“Isn’t this dog a living creature? All beings experience the same hunger. Though it is dumb and I can speak, is there any difference in the hunger that both experience?

“He who feeds those distressed by hunger really serves me with food. Know this and regard it as an axiomatic truth”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 42, Ovi 103-105)

iv) Dancing

He (Baba) behaved ordinarily with all people, witnessed the dance and frolic of the Muralis, listened to the songs and ghazals, swaying to them (with great relish) but his inner state of samadhi was absolutely undisturbed. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 4, Ovi 49)

Before moving into the Masjid, Baba stayed at the takia. He stayed there long, peacefully and untroubled by anyone.

Here, tying jingling bells around his feet, he would dance gracefully and sing melodiously with devotion to the accompaniment of a tambourine. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 5, Ovi 99-100)

v) Advice to Kirtankars

Where are you going so dressed up? Baba asked Das Ganu. He replied: “I am going to perform kirtan”.

Baba said to him, further: “Why have you taken so much trouble over dressing up? Why do you have long coat, uparna and pheta? We do not need all these things.

“Take them off in front of me. Why burden your body with them?” As per his orders, he took them off and laid them at his feet. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 15, Ovi 24-26)

vi) Reading of Books

Mere reading is a waste of time till the meaning is not experienced, for which the blessings of a Guru, who has the knowledge of the Brahman, is required. Mere bookish knowledge is futile. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 21, Ovi 73)

In last post, three more points j to l from a topic named "Sai Bhakti as advocated in ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra’" from Part 4 of Chapter 5 - Sai Bhakti the incredible book Fragrance Of Sai Bhakti written by Shri. Suresh Chandra Gupta ji from Delhi were discussed. Below are two more such points which are equally interesting.

Part 7 - Sai Bhakti

Sai Bhakti as advocated in ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra’

• (m) Baba’s Assurances

“Without some special bonds of past lives no one comes to us. May it be a dog, a pig or a fly. So do not repulse anybody. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 81)

“How will anyone be longing for worldly pleasures, who thinks of my name, worships me, studies me, whose holy readings are of me, who meditates on me and who continuously thinks of me? - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 16)

“I am under my devotees’ obligations. I am always beside them (standing close). I am always hungry for love. I am at their beck and call”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 11, Ovi 76)


Hold on to the good company of the Guru and the virtuous. Disentangle from the worldly ties. Definitely herein is your fulfillment. Have no doubts. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 10, Ovi 134)

“He, who constantly remembers me after completely surrendering to me, I owe him a debt which I will repay by uplifting him.

“I am in bondage to him who does not eat or drink anything without offering it to me first and who constantly meditates upon me. I act according to his wishes.

“I constantly care for him who only longs for me and for him no one is equal to me. I act according to his wishes.

“He who has turned away from mother, father, kinsmen, friends and relatives, wife and son alone is attached to my feet”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 44, Ovi 151-154)

“He who abandons all pride, is ever grateful to Him (God), and places all his burden on Him (God), will achieve his objective”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 34, Ovi 131)

“None can come here unless I bring him”, was what Baba said.

“Unless I so desire who can cross his threshold? Who will get ‘darshan’ by his own volition or come to Shirdi?” - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 35, Ovi 153-154)

“If anyone has given me one rupee as ‘dakshina’, I have to give ten times more in return, accurately.

“I never take anything from anyone gratis. I do not ask all and sundry. I only take dakshina from those to whom the Fakir points out. “The Fakir asks from only those to whom He is indebted.” - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 35, Ovi 129-131)

He will keep his hand of re-assurance on your head; will ward off bad omens; burn up heaps of all sins and anoint the forehead with ‘Udi’. - Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 144)

“In the home of my devotees, food and clothing will never be lacking”. This is an assurance given by Shri Sai and the devotees were aware of this.

“Those who whole-heartedly worship me and lovingly always serve me, I look after their well-being. This I know to be my motto.”

This is also the affirmation of the Bhagvat Gita. Sai says to accept this as universal truth: “There will never be shortage of food and clothing. Therefore do not hanker after them.” - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 6, Ovi 33-35)

“Even when I pass away, believe in my words. From my tomb my bones will give you assurance.

“Not only I, but my tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who surrender themselves whole heartedly to me.

“Do not worry that I shall be hidden from your eyes. You will hear my bones speak and discuss your welfare.

“Always remember me only. Believe in me heart and soul. Pray without selfish motives and you will attain your welfare”. - Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 25, Ovi 105-108)