COMPILED BY:SAI BHAKT VINNY
Leela 57
Bhimaji Patil of Narayangaon, Pune district was suffering a great deal with pulmonary tuberculosis. He tried all kinds of medicines; both hakims and vaids treated him. Then he prayed to various gods and goddesses who were propitiated, but of no avail. Even exorcising the evil spirits was tried. But the disease was relentless. Then Nana told him of the compassionate Sai. So, he went to Shirdi. Seeing him, Baba said, " The moment you put your foot in Shirdi, your sufferings have ended. The Fakir of this place is very kind. He will eradicate your disease and pain." (Sai Satcharitra Ch.13) It was Baba's word and it had to be followed to the letter.
Here is another Leela about pulmonary tuberculosis. Malanbai, the daughter of D.R.Joshi Devgaonkar suffered enormously from pulmonary tuberculosis. All sorts of treatments, remedies and poultices were tried, but nothing worked. Malanbai could not bear the pain and coughing bouts anymore. So, she insisted on being taken to Shirdi. Baba upon seeing her let off a volley of abuses and asked her to lie on a blanket and take nothing, but water by mouth. She stayed in Dixit Wada for a week, carefully following Baba's orders. Early one morning, she stopped breathing and died. Her family were moaning her loss and making preparations for her cremation. That morning, Baba did not leave the Chawdi, although it was past 8:00 a.m. It seemed that Baba was in one of His 'rage fits'. He shouted and shouted for no apparent reason. Hitting the floor with His 'satka', It looked as if He was driving away, some unseen object. Still shouting, He strode to Dixit Wada and paused a moment, shaking his 'satka' vigorously. Then just as suddenly, as He flared up, He calmed down and went away. The family was oblivious of Baba's actions, but as they were getting ready to bathe the body, they noticed the girl breathing. She opened her eyes and looked around frightened. She told the family what took place. " A demon-like black person was carrying me away, I was terrified and couldn't do anything. So, I called out to Baba to help me. He at once came and beat the black man quite badly. Then, He snatched me from his hand and carried me to the Chawdi." She gave a vivid description of the Chawdi, although she had not seen it. The family, hearing all this, shed tears of joy. Was it any wonder that Baba sat in the Masjid facing south? South, the dreaded direction, from which Yamraaj comes. But everyday and all day long, He sat, facing Yama. Not a moment was He without His 'satka',the 'magical wand', with which He could drive away the Yamdoot, or save Amir Shakkar from being bitten by the serpent (Sai Satcharitra Ch 22).With every stroke of the 'satka', He could quell the blazing 'Dhuni' when the flames roared and leapt to the ceiling (Sai Satcharitra Ch. 11).
Chandbhai Patil had lost his mare and though he searched diligently for her, he could not find her. Disappointed, he was returning back to Dhoopkheda, with his saddle. Under a mango tree, sat an Avalia, who called out to him and said, "Come here, smoke this chillum, then go. Rest a while." The loving tone and the benevolent presence drew Chandbhai Patil. He went to the Avalia who was getting ready to smoke His chillum. Two things were wanting; the coal to light the tobacco and water to wet the cloth. The Avalia struck the ground with His 'chimta' and out came a live coal. Then, taking His 'satka', He struck the ground and a stream of water flowed out (Sai Satcharitra Ch 5). This was Baba's first 'satka' Leela to the outside world. Though He had been using His 'satka' before and is still doing so.
Once, Mausibai was kneading Baba's stomach vigorously. When another devotee asked her to be gentler, hearing this, Baba got up and striking the 'satka' on the ground, rolled His eyes around. Then holding one end of the satka with both His hands thrust it into His stomach. The other end, He pushed against the pillar in front of Him. It seemed that the 'satka' was fast disappearing into His stomach. A little later, He calmed down and resumed His seat. The devotee learnt a valuable lesson of not interfering with anyone's seva to Baba. Baba Himself knew the depth of love and devotion that each devotee had for Him, and allowed seva accordingly (Sai Satcharitra Ch 24). This 'satka' Baba kept with Him at all times. Even today, His 'satka' is venerated and taken in procession in the 'palki' and 'rath' on Thursday and other holidays.
