Sai Baba taking sufferings up on Himself

Om Shri Sadguru SaiNathatya Namaha!


Sai Baba taking pain upon Himself for the sake of His devotees welfare

In G.S. Khaparde's diary, it is mentioned that Sai Baba once pointed out His body and said that His body got emaciated, His digestion impaired, His food reduced to bare bread and water(due to looking after worries of innumerable devotees), and yet in spite of these He must go on doing His duty, whatever the consequences.  Such is the Eternal love and Compassion of SadGuru Sai Baba.

In Shri Sai SatCharitra Chapter 7 we can read two examples of Sai Baba suffering for the sake of His devotees. In the first incident Compassionate Baba was sitting near the Dhuni, the sacred fire in revered Dwarkamai, which burns 24 x 7 since He lighted it. A close devotee of Sai Baba Shama, noted that the Protector Sai thrust His hand in the sacred fire of Dhuni. The hand got scorched. Shama immediately pulled back the Merciful Baba. He asked the Holy One, "Deva for what have you done this?"

The Preserver Baba said, "Oh, Shama, you know, a child slipped from it's mother's arms suddenly, and felt into smith's forge!  Hearing her husbands call, the wife of the smith began to blow the bellows vigorously, out of fear, while holding her child in her armpit all the while. While doing so unintentionally she lost her attention from the child for a while. The restless, over-active child slipped from there."

"But Shama, No sooner did she fall, than I picked her up. And as I picking her up, this is what has happened! Let the hand be scorched, but at least the child's life is saved!"

Shama wrote a letter to one of the prominent devotees of Sai Baba, Chandorkar. On hearing the news Nanasaheb Chandorkar rushed with a doctor. But the Unique Baba never cared to show the wounds of hand to the medical doctor. He said, "Allah is our Vaidya"

Sai Baba taking the plague disease on himself

Another incident described in the same chapter of Shri Sai SatCharitra is of the son of G. S. Khaparde. G. S. Khaparde and his wife were having a long stay in Shirdi, according to the wishes of Preventer Sai Baba. Sai Baba wanted to prevent a danger on this family, thus made them stay in holy Shirdi for about two months . We will see this story later.

The little son of Khaparde was sick, burning with fever. This made the mother's heart broken and her head became restless. Her home was in Amravati, and she wished to go there. On finding a suitable opportunity, when Baba came for his evening round near Wada. She clasped the Compassionate One's feet and told about her son's condition. Moreover she said there was the fear of dreaded plague.

Gently the Holy One said, "The sky is overcast, but it will rain, bringing forth harvest and the clouds will melt away.

"Why be afraid?"  So saying, He lifted His Kafni up to the waist and showed inflamed buboes to everyone. The size of hen's egg, four buboes could be seen spread in four directions.

"See I have to take upon myself all your sufferings", said Baba.

Two another such incidents of taking the sufferings of disease in short

Mrs. Tarabai Sadashiv Tarkhad of poona, was suffering from a long-standing disease of eye. Her eyes were in constant pain and watered.  Doctors had failed to cure or even diagnose the disease.

She made a Shirdi visit, and sat in front of  the SadGuru Baba Sai. The Responsive One gave a divine glance in her eyes. Instantly the lady's eyes were restored to normal. The Restorer's eyes were seen watering, and the pain of many years, had to be dissolved in the infinite Bliss.

One Mr. Noverkar was suffering from high fever. He sent his son to Shirdi with Rs.500 as an offering to Sai. As soon as Baba received the sum, His limbs began to shiver and body was in fever for few moments.

Baba explained, "I have to bear the burden of my devotees." 

The task of Sadguru is very difficult and beyond our imagination. They have that Great High Powers to do so. This was not the only way the Merciful took up on and still takes away  the sufferings of innumerable devotees. There are more. We will see them here on this blog in days to come.

Om Sai Ram.

Vaidya = In Sanskrit it means "one who knows" and in Ayurveda it means physician.

How do you go to Shirdi? - The Sacred place.

Om Shri SaiNathaya Namaha!

How do you go to Shirdi? Obviously the question asked is not about the physical or gross means like  do you go by air plane, train, road, walking etc.  It is about our mental attitude. So this article also implies to how you go to any local temple of Sai Baba or the temple sacred space in your home.
As it appeared on Sai Baba says blog, Sai Baba himself once said People do ask for abundance of wealth and prosperity, or for the cure of disease, removal of difficulties, or for fame, honour, power and authority. It is happiness they always ask for.
Shri Sai SatCharitra Chapter 16 verse 40.

So, the above given reasons are the chief reasons for most of us to get attracted to Shirdi or Shri Sai Baba. We mostly go there with reasons of our own.  The reasons we think would would bring about happiness or do away with problems and troubles. Or we might think certain spiritual activity would give us a spiritual push and we might go there with that idea. So basically our ideas rules. We try to push our ideas on Baba Sai.

So mostly, either we go with some demand in our heart and mind. Or we might go with ideas like I will do Naamsmaran, do Sai Satcharitra parayan, attend Sai Baba arati in Samadhi Temple, do pradakshina, do meditation. And all these activities are really very good and helpful and Guru Sai Baba have always asked us to spend more time in such activities.

And there is another way also. We go there for the love of Baba Sai and that place itself. Love rules. We just go there, without any desire. .

Worldly or spiritual. We go empty. We might have lots of things running around inside us, few or many desires knocking hard within our self, if that is the case we just present our present state to the divine grace of Baba. We can I say, Baba I have come to you. I don't know what is best for me. I surrender myself to you and I love you. Whatever within me, good or bad, I offer it to You. I will sit here and love you. Or engage my self in the activities like Naamsmaran, Sai SatCharitra Parayan, doing seva. But all the rest I completely leave to you. I have full faith in You, so will leave the results to You.

If we go with go with one of the many spiritually helpful activities, again we might get stuck. If we just go there and let it happen. Humbly we go to Shirdi. There we let Baba decide what we should do. Because while we are there, Sai Baba is the doer. He does work on us. We are not the doer. The all knowing and all powerful will decide how,when and where to give you.

I have seen many devotees. They think I should and must get a chance to attend arati standing or sitting near Samadhi. Or i must read this much. As if, not doing so will lead to failure in getting Baba's grace and favor.

Actually it's opposite. If we go there without our ideas. Worldly or Spiritual. We are able to receive more.

We can leave the workings and results on the all knowing, all powerful, who has the knowledge of most secrets, the divine light and a perfect guide, our Sadguru Shri Sai Baba.

Om Shri SadChitAnand Sadguru SaiNath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Bow at your holy feet.

Since the gross information is also helpful to most devotees, a detailed post/article has already been written earlier Travelling Shirdi pilgrimage and Places to Visit in Shirdi.

Kiss of Sai Baba while sitting in sacred Dwakamai, the holy land Shirdi

Om Sadguru Shri Sainathaya Namaha !

I would have never dreamt of writing a blog post with this title on this blog. But i have to do it, after getting a comment on the last post  Intense love is all that Sadguru wants on the facebook and replying to the comment. Experiences of devotees with Shirdi Sai Baba,  where they feel Shri Sai’s presence always fascinates me.

In last post it is mentioned that a contemporary devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, Mahali who had deep spiritual love for her Sadguru Sai Baba, had a dream vision in which Sai kissed her cheek before giving her the message.

Now the comment on the facebook from a Sai Baba devotee, Neeraja Nimmagadda, where the last post was linked. It goes, “Jai Sairam! My life too changed from 2004, when I came to know about Sai Deva for the very first time! For me He is more than 200% true and alive! Without Him, I am nothing. Thank U Alpesh for this soul touching leela!!!! Baba too came in my dream and kissed my ear! I felt the kiss immediately and could still feel His old lips on my ear after waking up too....Love U Sai Deva...”

Reading this comment i remembered Sai Baba’s kiss to me. Not in dream but in vision. In February of this year, i was lucky to spend about 6 days in Shirdi. It was really a great stay. Might blog about the same, if Sai wishes. On the last night of stay, i was in the sacred place Dwarkamai during the night kakad aarti. I sat near the wall where Shri Sai used to stand leaning against the wall, and we can see padukas on the floor and the place where the great  old sage used to put His divine elbow on the wall, while lovingly chatting with the devotees and the residents of Shirdi. Inquiring about their well being and other daily cores of their lives.

As, always the moments of sitting in the compound of the Masjid (Dwarkamai), where Sai Baba spent most of His time while in flesh and blood, were really pleasing. His loving presence, so alive fills the body, heart and soul.

I always like to mentally and heartily communicate with Baba in Masjid, wherever i might be. Normally before sleeping is the best time for me to comunicate with Baba. When the mind and heart are at peace. When the heart and mind is agitated, mentally i do pradakshina of either Baba’s Samadhi, it is not possible these days physically. But, nobody can stop me doing it mentally :). Or pradakshina of Gurusthan.


So, with my eyes closed. My senses filled with Sai’s presence, i was mentally sitting in the Masjid (Dwarkamai) right in front of my divine, beloved Baba. Initially, it was like some martial art style meditation. I was sitting right in front of my Sadguru Sai, with my body erect, happily lost in the divine energy that prevailed within and without.

Then, perhaps my mind and body got a little tired. No! it was the heart that was tired. The heart wanted the full glory of love with Baba. The heart said, enough of this meditation. Love is most important while with guru. So, everything was relaxed. The communication of Baba with my heart-full love, then begun . Out of the blue Baba began dancing and whirling. He went behind me and after few moments, He kissed my right cheek.  

I could actually feel amazing feeling on the spot where my cheek was kissed. Not only that, the vibrations from that spot where Baba kissed, ran like electricity to my heart, brain and throughout the body. For me nobody is greater than my SadGuru Sai Baba. Nobody more loving and more compassionate. Nobody can give what Baba gives.

As this is written the heart dances with joy with the chant of His holy name . And the face beaming with happiness which cannot be described. The whole thing is living again as this is written. :) :) :) What can i do? other than bowing to Sai with deep gratitude flowing from the joyful, love filled heart?

Readers, who have any experience of getting kissed by Baba either in dream or vision, please share your experience in the comments.

Om Shri SatChitAnand Sadguru SaiNath Maharaj Ki Jai !

Related articles

• Sai Baba's earlier years in Shirdi (shirdisaibabastories.com)
• Attraction towards Sai's clothes (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• The honor of the house is revealed by the dweller. (babasaiofshirdi.org)
• Sit quiet and calm with me - Sai Baba (babasaiofshirdi.org)

Chanting Sai Baba Name – Naamsmaran

Aum Sai Ram,

Let us offer pranam (bow with reverence and surrender) to Sadguru Sai Baba with deep love and gratitude.

With His great fondness for Chanting of God's name, Baba repeated 'Allah Malik', ceaselessly and would often make his devotees hold a 'Naam-Saptah (a week long chanting of the Name), in front of him which would go on day and night, continuously a week. - Sri Sai SatCharitra Chapter 4 - verse 82

Those devotees, reading Sai SatCharitra and other stories of Sai Baba must be aware of the importance given to Naamsmaran or Namasmaran, (chanting and/or remembrance of God's name),  also if we read blog post Sai Baba's youthful love of art and music we know how fond, Baba was of devotional songs.

Today i was reading the newly arrived Sai Leela magazine.

There is a very good short story related with Naamsmaran (remembering chanting and singing of divine Names and chants). Let's start with this short story of Sai Baba.

As advised by Nanasaheb Chandorkar (One of the  Contemporary devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba.), his wife used to do Naam-Jap regularly. Once when She was sitting near Shri Sai Baba in Shirdi, He said, "My mother you grind a lot of grains, but the outcome is useless."

Sai Baba was referring to the chanting or remembrance of God's name in a mechanical way. When the name is chanted, sung or remembered, it should have the feeling of love, bhava, with it. When we call our near and dear ones, there is an element of love in that, when we call a complete stranger on the road it is different than a mother calls her little child. So the name of God, chanted or remembered, without any love or feeling is of less use.

When we chant the name of Sai Baba let it be, a call for His divine love, Let us call Him from the very depth of our heart seeking His presence, His love and His grace. The yearning for Him, should be there. 

Baba jokingly used to say to Nana, "Nana, amongst all these people, there is not even a single swan? There are just crows!"

Lets read a quote from Shri Sai SatCharitra, the gift to us, which is overflowing with divine grace of Sai Baba.



In Shri Sai SatCharitra Chapter 3, Hemadpant sent a request to Sai Baba, through Shama for collecting and writing His divine stories.

Below is a quote from what Sai Baba said in reply to the request.

"Shri Hari (God) is the sport of His own devotees (i.e. He dances to their tunes), hungering to the simple and guileless (devotees), and enslaved, altogether, by love. But to Hypocrites He remains unattainable always. "

Sai Baba gives us the way to enslave God in our heart. That way is love.
When no cunning desires are left the love of God is captured. Our mind is basically cunning and we should always stay at guard watching it. It constantly seeks everything, in name of God. It poses itself I am loving God, when there is a horde of desires on attack, one after another. So honesty with the self is most important.

Meher Baba says about Hypocrisy " Hypocrisy is the unforgivable sin, even God cannot forgive it. He is willing to, but He can't get through, because we wrap ourselves in these veils of hypocrisy and posing."

Few more quotes of Shri Sai Baba on NaamSmaran or chanting and remembrance of Sai Baba Name, from Shri Sai SatCharitra chapter 3.

“Moreover, one thing I tell you Shama (Madhavrao Despande), I grant all the wishes of him who chants my name with love and faith, which, in turn, enhances his devotion to me.”

“Repetition of the name “Sai, Sai” will burn down the sins, resulting from the evil desires of Kaliyug. A mere prostration prostration before me is enough to destroy the past sins of speech and hearing.”

So, love for God is most important, or seeking to get ourselves filled with love of God. We seek what we don't have. We should seek for something that we are not aware of, a state of being overflowing with joy and bliss. Some state of being where insecurity and fear cannot attack, which makes us free from the burnings within us.

So when we chant Baba's name it should be with love and yearning for His love. When devotee calls for God's love He comes running to Him.

Was just reading an example by Ramakrishna Paramhamsha, which fits here well. He says that mother of 5 or 6 children does her work, when all children are busy with their games and toys. But as soon as a child cries for mother, she leaves all work and rush towards the child.

So, it's useless if child is busy playing with the toys and keep repeating mother's name. The mother will come running when the actual call or cry is made for her.

This yearning and love also applies to worship of Sai Baba. It would be as meaningless, if the rituals are done mechanically. Love, Love and Love for Baba, is the right path.

Om SadchitAnand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai.
O' Baba let our minds always seek for your divine love alone.

Sai Baba’s brick

Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki jai.

 The brick that was closely connected with Sai Baba

There is a mention of a brick in Shri Sai Satcharitra  . The brick was very dear to Sai Baba and He mourned and cried when the brick was broken. He said that his physical presence was associated with the brick, and as the brick was broken, He too will have to leave this physical.

The brick was His constant companion and was dear to Him since he first came to Shirdi. Sai Baba took care of the brick with great love, affection and respect. Baba in His characteristic way referred the brick as “Her”. Although the brick was earthen she was baked well and was sturdy. The size of the brick was 1 foot in length, 9 inches wide and 3 inches in depth.

Sai Baba while sitting alone in Dwarkamai in noon, would support His hand on this holy brick. At night He would support his head on the brick, using her as pillow.

Mhalsapati and Kashiram Shimpy use to worship Her and perform Mangal snan (holy bath). After the mangal snan they would carefully place her against the pillar adjacent to Dhuni Maa to dry. At night they would wrap her with a clean cloth and gave her to Sai Baba to place his head on Her.

The mention of the brick in Holy script Shri Sai SatCharitra

The mention of the brick is make in Shri Sai SatCharitra chapter number 44, Nirayan (leaving the physical body) of Shri SaiNath.
Some excerpts from the same are given below.

For years there used to be an old brick of Baba’s, on which he rested his head, while sitting in yogasan. Every night in Solitude, Baba used to take support of this brick and spend the time peacefully submerged in the divine self. This practice had continued unhindered for years.
One day while Baba was not in the mosque (Dwarkamai), a young boy was sweeping it. He lifted the brick just a little to sweep underneath it. As it was destined the brick slept from his hand and broke into two pieces.

What Sai Baba said about the brick (mentioned in Sai SatCharitra)

When Sai Baba heard about this, His eyes were full of tears, He was filled with regrets. His heart was torn apart with grief and His throat chocked with emotions.  He said, “It is not the brick but the fortune that has broken.”
“The brick, in the company of which, I go into state of Self-absorption, and which was dearer to me as life itself – that companion of mine is broken and I too, cannot remain without it.
“The brick, my companion of lifetime, has gone, leaving me behind.”

Mention of brick in Bhakti SarAmrit written by Das Ganu Maharaj

Das Ganu Maharaj was a Sai Baba devotee who was instrumental in spreading the grace of Baba through his kirtans and Naamsmaran (chanting of God’s or Saint’s name). He also have written few books about Shri Sai and saints. He composed many bhajans dedicated to his Sadguru Shri Sai Baba.

Bhakti SarAmrit written in 1925 A.D., a book written on Sai Baba’s life stories. Das Ganu in an interview taken by Shri Narasimha Swamiji had told that, some facts i.e. autobiographical reminiscences came from Sai’s own mouth. These were few. He had made some inquires about Baba before writing this work and some facts were written from his personal knowledge, while he spent time with Baba.

In the book it is mentioned that Chandodkar was surprised at the Sai’s love for brick. He also felt that Baba should use a more comfortable pillow, and not the hard brick covered with cloth. So with folded hands, he told, “Baba do not place your head on this brick, I will furnish you with a pillow.”

What Sai Baba said about the brick (mentioned in Bhakti SantAmrit by Das Ganu).

Sainath Maharaj replied to this plea of Nana Chandodkar,
He said, “Nana, the worth of the brick cannot be measured, even if you make lakh of pillows. This brick is my Guru’s gift to me. My dear man, the value of her is greater than that of universe. This brick is the object of my meditation and also my meditation. This brick is my visible life. If it is broken, this body of mine will also die.

Then Baba relates the story behind the brick of how, it was hurled at Him with the intention of killing Him. His Guru suspended the brick in air for one and a half hour. Since the force of brick was destined to hit a head taking the life away from that body, the Sadguru offered His head to the force of the brick. To this Baba said, “This shows, that the saints always suffer, to relive others from their sufferings. They have powers within themselves, but will not manifest their powers.”

“My Sadguru gifted me with this brick.” said Sai Baba. “As my Guru’s feet (charan) touched this brick, i use her as a pillow.” He whose head is at Guru’s feet, His shadow or darkness is also precious. So i place my head at Guru’s feet.”

Sai Baba continued, “Every morning Nana, you and others come and fall at my feet. I dedicate those prostrations to my Guru’s grace. Therefore it is proper for me, to place my head on this brick.”

Where is the broken brick now?

The above question used to come to my mind while my frequent visits to sacred Shirdi, soon after my first experiences in Shirdi. As most of the places in this holy land, gave me good unknown experiences within. There was (and is) a deep love with Sai Baba, Shirdi and things associated with Baba.

Today most of the things that Shri Sai used can be seen in the museum in Shirdi. I had searched for the sacred brick every time i visited Shirdi, until i found that the broken brick was placed as pillow of our dear Baba in the Samadhi.

A deep sense of grief touches my heart as i wrote the above line, and tears are almost there in the eyes. Baba i love you.Tears flows as i write this. I cannot imagine the grief of those who laughed and talked with him, at that moment. Om Shri Sai you are always with us.

What's The Meaning of "Om Sai Ram"?

Today after the morning meditations and worship, i felt like working a little on the computer and check out things like cleaning up emails and some other stuffs.

I noticed a question in reply to the subscription mail of Shirdi Sai Baba videos blog. To the mail first was a thanks giving reply to the mail sent through subscription.

"

I don't know who you are, but , thanks, so mush, I am so Thankful with you,

My name is Sergio Gonzalez from Costa Rica.

You don't know how I was looking for this song,"

It was for the chant Om Sai Namo Namaha
Shri Sai Namo Namaha
Jai Jai Sai Namo Namaha
Sadguru Sai Namo Namaha

ॐ साई नमो नमः
श्री साई नमो नमः
जय जय साई नमो नमः
सद्गुरु साई नमो नमः

Next today is the question "What's The Meaning of "Om Sai Ram"?"

I started writing the reply and thought of posting the reply on this blog.

As far as i am aware we should not be looking for the meaning of mantras. We should chant the mantras that we feel we are attracted to. Mantras are chanted to kindle the spiritual energies within us. They make a positive effect on our mind and heart and brings us nearer to soul. So if when we feel a soothing and deep effect, or if we feel the spirit within us is evoked or when the hairs of our body stands on their end, or we feel any of the 8 kind of Spiritual ecstasy,  we should repeat that mantra more and more. It is more important to quench our thirst by drinking water than to know more about water. Reading a lot about water, knowing it's chemical formula like H2O will not satisfy the thirst. It is ok if after satisfying our thirst by drinking water we may try to find the meaning of what water is, still drinking of the water is always of more importance than finding it's meaning or gathering much information of the water.

Sai Baba used to ask devotees to do Naam Saptah. Any divine name of God or mantra would be chanted continuously for a week. By this Sai Baba also indicated that the effect of chants gather more spiritual energy when it is being done on continuous basis. The dynamo of the mind should churn more and more chants to create that energy just as a dynamo has to be spin more to create more electric energy. Hence Shraddha and Saburi. We cannot expect to light our house after an hour of dynamo spinning.

Now coming to the meaning of Om Sai Ram. Om has been given many meaning yet it is beyond all meanings.The rishis and sages who went deep within their self experienced this sound Aum ॐ and it has great spiritual significance. Again it has to be experienced. We can experience it. Just sit with your body relaxed and straight, mind also relaxed after taking a slow deep breath chant Om, and you will feel the effect it creates on mind and body. Every day if the chant is repeated it reveals it new meanings.

Sai is the name of God given to Sai Baba of Shirdi. In Sacred Text Shri Sai SatChritra Chapter 3. In Sai Baba's saying one can note that Sai Baba said that even the chanting of name Sai with Shradha (Faith) will burn away the sins (the sanskaric effect one reaps of hurting other beings) of speech and deeds.

Ram. Ram again is a spiritual name with great powers. Many devotees has felt and still feels the power of name Ram (Raam). So this manta Om Sai Ram combines the power of three powerful chants.

About the chanting of the mantras one thing comes to my mind what Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsha said about it. In the book Gospel of Sri Ramakrihsna it is recorded while His talks with one devotee that The chanting of Mantra has great effect and leads one to the God Sat Chit Anand. It bears fruit even if the effects does not show immediately. It is like a seed that will germinate, the tree will grow and bear flowers and fruits. However the effect is more powerful when one has his mind on the mantra and God. The unconscious repetition of the mantra while the mind is engaged in the worldly affairs has little effect.

 Also see : Chanting Sai Baba Name – Naamsmaran

Other similar post on Sadguru Sai Baba that you might like to read :

8 types of Spiritual ecstasy
Sai Baba shows Trilok (Three divine worlds) to Shama
The honor of the house is revealed by the dweller.
Don't look down or talk down of any Saint or SadGuru
When others are present, we keep off the children
God or Guru (Sai Baba )grace
The Vanity
Dev Baba - A spiritual Devotee of Sai Baba
The essence of Sai Baba’s teachings
Male and Female spiritual Energy
Sai Baba of Shirdi a Unique Spiritual Sadguru