Shree Sai Baba of Shirdi by Rao Bahadur M. W Pradhan

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Once an astrologer who had heard about Sai Baba as a Saint of a very high order, came to Shirdi with the avowed object of placing a complete book on astrology into the hands of and receiving back the same as prasad from, Sai Baba. Because the astrologer sincerely believed that such a ‘prasad’ from Sai Baba would make him a very proficient astrologer and thus enable him to make a fortune. But knowing as Sai Baba did, the past, the present and the future of everything in this world, when implored to give that book to the astrologer, gave the book instead, to Bapusaheb Buti (the well-known multi-millionare of C. P.) who was sitting close by. Now, this Bapusaheb was devoted to Sai Baba, not for asking for any wealth (which he had in plenty), not for any worldly wish etc. Still Sai Baba thrust that book into Bapusaheb’s hand and said, “Bapusaheb take this.” Of course Bapusaheb took it, and the astrologer was disappointed. But what happened? Bapusaheb who never cared to to read anything, skipped over the book now and then only for a short time simply because Sai Baba had given the book to him and as he was taking some interest in astrology as some pastime hobby. But after going through some of the pages of this book, Bapusaheb Buti became such a proficient astrologer that he was carrying in his head the ‘Kundalis’ of several of the Bhaktas of Sai Baba and was able to say with precision, everyday, what Bhakta would do what act during the course of that day. One of the innumerable instances of Bapusaheb Buti’s precise foretelling is as under

There was some election meeting at a place. The election was to begin at 8 a.m., Bapusaheb told his friend, who was one of the six candidates contesting the election, that if the election was over before 8.30 a.m. there was no chance of success. If it dragged on till 9 a.m. the chances of success would be 50%. But should the election go on till 9.30 a.m., that friend would defeat all and win the election. Bapusaheb also assured his friend that with some efforts the latter would be able to drag on the election on some pretext or other till 9.30 a.m. and that he would come out successful.

The friend attended the election, and found to his great astonishment that everything happened as predicted by Bapusaheb and came out successful in the manner foretold by Bapusaheb.

Now what does the above ‘Leela’ of Sai Baba teach. It teaches:-

That Sai Baba knew that it was not the destiny of the astrologer to be proficient in astrology as he had aimed at.
That he wanted to show what any person who was the recipient of such a ‘prasad’ would be capable of.
That Sai Baba wanted to teach his ‘Bhaktas’ that a person’s proficiency in any art or science is utilised best when given gratis to humanity than for any love of lucre.

And the above is an instance out of the innumerable which manifestion of Sai Baba’s Omniscience and All-pervasiveness.

A thoughtful reader going carefully through the above brief sketch of Sai Baba will naturally ask himself: “What have I learnt from the aforesaid sketch?”

Istly. He will find that Sai Baba every now and then gave evidence that sitting as he was within the four corners of the masjid, he did know the past, the present and the future of all the world over.

2ndly. Appearing as he did to be in his human body at Shirdi, he was and is still every now and then making his entity felt by his devotees all the world over by working wonders, either through his ‘Udi’ or by giving hints through dreams, or by promptly responding to the invocations of his devotees from far distant places. In some instances hopeless cases of physical ailments were speedily and miraculously cured, and in others, dangers to life and property and various other calamities were quickly averted, so also many a distracted mind was restored to perfect equilibrium in no time.

3rdly. Although Sai Baba has cast off his material body, his response to his devotees is just the same as it was when Sai Baba was a living entity.

There are admittedly wonders or miracles which can only be worked or shown by a Divine Entity, that is, an Entity whose Self Realisation had been so perfect that he had completely merged himself in the ‘Atman’ pervading the entire universe.

Therefore, is there Bhakta of Sai Baba who will not find it a heavenly bliss to sing the songs of this Saint of saints, the Sai Baba of Shirdi?

Moreshwar W. Pradhan
Sai Pradhan Baug,
Santacruz.
25th December, 1932

End of the Book