Baba's Ashta Maha Siddhis

Jai Sainath

Hari Kanoba of Bombay, heard about Baba's Leelas and His compassion for the devotees through his relatives and friends. He wanted to test Baba himself and came to Shirdi as a tamasha seeker. He was wearing a jari bordered turban and had a new pair of slippers. Leaving the chappals in a corner near the courtyard of the Masjid, he made a reverential bow to Baba, took udi and prasad from Baba. And when he returned to the corner to take his chappals he found them missing. He searched hither and tither in vain and returned to his lodgings much dejected.

After his meals, he came out to wash his hands when a boy was coming towards his lodge. He had a stick in his hand with a pair of chappals hanging on either side and was crying loudly "Harika Beta-Jhari Ka Pheta". He was yelling-that Baba wanted him to yell like that and if anyone claims the chappals, Baba wanted him to assure whether his name was Harika (Kanoba) son of Hari and also had a jari bordered turban on his head. Hari Kanoba showed his jari bordered turban claimed the chappals as his own, saying that he was Kanoba son of Hari. It was however a mystery to Kanoba as to how Baba was able to guess his name as that was his first visit to Shirdi and had not told anyone. He came with the sole object of testing Baba and this incident opened his eyes and made him realise that Baba was a Satpurush.

Moolay Sastri of Nasik, an orthodox Agnihotri, well versed in the sastras, came to Shirdi to meet Mr. Bapusaheb Booty, the millionaire of Nagpur. After meeting him he went to the Masjid along with others out of curiosity to see Baba. Thinking himself to be very orthodox he remained at the entrance of the Masjid and joining his hands threw flowers at Baba. All of a sudden he saw before him his late Guru Golap and not Baba. He was dumb-founded. He pinched himself to know whether it was a dream. His doubts about Baba vanished, and he rushed towards Baba and fell at His feet. When he rose up he saw Baba calm and composed and asked for Dakshina. The blissful form of Baba raptured Moolay Sastri and his eyes welled with tears. He realised the greatness of Baba and with reverence he bowed, received prasad and paid Dakshina.

A Mamlatdar with his doctor friend came to Shirdi. The doctor said that his deity was Rama and so he would not bow to Baba. But when the Doctor entered the Masjid, he saw his Deity Rama sitting there. Forgetting his resolve, he rushed forth and prostrated before Baba. When he stood up and looked he saw Baba smiling at him. "Is this a dream!" the Doctor said, "Baba is a Yoga Sampanna.

Next day the Doctor made a vow that he would be on fast and resolved not to go to the Masjid unless Baba called him. Three days passed and there was no call from the Masjid. On the fourth day a friend of his from Kandesh arrived and with him the Doctor also went to the Masjid for dharsan. Baba asked him whether anybody had gone to his place to call him. Hearing this the Doctor was surprised at Baba's omniscience and was visibly moved. The same night he was blessed by Baba and he experienced supreme Bliss. His devotion to Baba increased manifold.

A Sadhak of Yoga came to Shirdi with Nana Chandorkar. Though he had studied all yogas, he had no practical experience and hence had a restless mind. He thought Baba will find him a solution. But when he entered the Masjid, he saw Baba eating stale bread with onion. Baba said, "Ohl Nana, he who has the power to digest onion should eat and none else." Hearing this, the Yogi was wonderstruck and prostrated at Baba's feet with a pure mind. He earnestly requested Baba to solve his difficulties and Baba guided him.

Kaka Mahajani a devout baktha of Sai, once came with his master, Thakkar to Shirdi. Thakkar took with him another friend, since Kaka usually stayed for three or four days in Shirdi. Kaka had bought two seers of raisins with seed to be given to Baba. At the Masjid Mr. Thakkar met Balasaheb a friend of his and asked him why he had come there. The friend replied "For Dharsan". Mr. Thakkar again asked whether any miracles will take place for which the friend replied that it was not his attitude; but the earnest desires of devotees were fulfilled by Baba.

Kaka prostrated before Baba and offered the raisins. Baba ordered for the distribution of the raisins. Thakkar got some, but he did not like them as they were with seeds which his doctor had advised not to take. He thought if Baba was a saint why he was ignorant of his dislike for the raisins with seeds. Reading his mind, Baba again gave him some raisins and asked him to eat. With a disturbed mind he ate it; but to his surprise he found them to be seedless. That was a miracle which Thakkar wanted. He asked Kaka who was nearby as to what raisins he got to which the reply was "Raisins with seeds". Yet another miracle. Thakkar again thought that if Baba was a real Saint, the raisins should now be given to Kaka first. Reading this thought also, Baba ordered that the raisins should now be distributed from Kaka. The doubting Thomas Tharkad horripulated and was wonder struck at Baba's Omniscience. After the noon Arthi. Thakkar took leave of Baba and desired that Kaka also should accompany him. Baba read this thought also and asked Kaka to leave Shirdi with his master.

Sai Bandhus, The Fakir of Shirdi is the Man of Power. Though He left His mortal coil nearly seven decades ago, He is still with us and helps those who pin their unalloyed faith in Him, according to His promises. He says "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 to Me, I Look To you. There will never be any dearth or scarcity regarding food and clothes in My devotee's house. It is my special characteristic that I always look to and provide for the welfare of those devotees who worship me whole heartedly with their minds fixed on me,"

How many of us follow this Golden Path' Baba is ever watchful over us. Every act of ours, dubious or otherwise/ whether done in darkness or light scrupulous or unscrupulous, does not escape His attention. He acts slowly but surely and rewards or punishes according to one's own deeds It is upto us to mend ourselves and act with the Fear of Sai in our heart and treading the path of truth and sincerity and render selfless service devoid of all egoism.

SAI SEWAK

MagaSai Vihar,

Madras-4.