Shri Sai Baba said Feeding the hungry pleases me. Know this well

Once Sai Baba was sitting in the evening in the holy Dwarkamai. Laxmibai a devotee, who would regularly send Shri Sai, very lovingly jowar bhakhri and vegetables every day at appointed time, approached.

Tatya Patil and few others were present there too. Laxmibai paid obeisance  to Sai Baba. He said to her, “Laxmi, I am feeling very hungry”.

“Baba, I will go this instance and get some bhakhri for You”

She hurried to her home, baked some fresh bhakhri. along with it she brought vegetables etc., and placed the prepared dish before Shri Sai.

Sai Baba picked up the dish and placed it before a hungry dog. Laxmi  at once asked, “Baba, what is this you have done? So hastily that i went and prepared bhakhri with love, – and is this all it’s fruit? It is the dog that You gave true enjoyment. You were feeling hungry, but is this any way to appease this hunger? Not a morsel did you put in your mouth and here am I fretting in vain!”

Then Baba said to her, “Why do you feel sad, needlessly? Know that the satiety of this dog is my own satiety. Does this dog not have life? All living creatures experience the same hunger. Though he is dumb and I am vocal, is there any difference in the hunger? Know that those who give food to the one suffering the pangs of hunger are really putting it in my mouth. And this is true everywhere.


This wonderful story of Shri Sai is taken from Shri Sai SatCharitra  The life and teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba translated by Indira Kher. Chapter 42 Nirayan of Shri Sainath.

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Govind Raghunath Dabholkar – Verse by verse translation in English by Indira Kher.
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