COMPILED BY:SAI BHAKT VINNY
Leela 68
Baba wanted peace and harmony amongst His devotees, whether they were Hindus, Muslims, Parsees or any other caste or religion. Once the Muslims were offering 'namaz' in Dwarkamai. Simultaneously, the Hindus were performing Bhajans, accompanied with musical instruments. The Muslims complained to Baba about this, saying that it was a hindrance to their worship. Baba, however, said, "Those who pray sincerely with concentration will not find any hindrance. So those who want to do 'namaz' devotedly may do so, and the rest may leave."
Baba was extremely fair with his devotees and wouldn't allow anyone to interfere with the others' spiritual endeavours. In Sai Satcharitra Ch.3, a Rohilla came to Shirdi and recited 'kalmas' from the Koran at top of his voice, day and night. This disturbed the villagers. So they complained to Baba. However, Baba said, "Do not harass the Rohilla. Let him shout on the top of his voice. He brings me great pleasure." Baba's dealings with His devotes was strict and fair. He wasn't concerned to what caste, community, creed or religion they belonged to; neither did their socio-economic or social status affect Him. All He wanted was zeal, love, devotion and total surrender to the almighty.
Leela 69
A devotee from Dewas (Madhya Pradesh) came to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan. He stayed in Dixit Wada and dined in Sagun Meru's hotel. He longed for Baba to dine with him. So he reserved a plate of food everyday.
Then he went and invited Baba to dine with him for lunch and dinner. But Baba just laughed. One night, at 10:30 p.m., just as Sagun Meru was about to close the hotel, a Nath Panthi entered the hotel and said, " There is a plate of food reserved for me. Can I have it?" Sagun Meru at once made Him sit comfortably, and offered the food to Him. He ate heartily and asked to see the person, who, had so thoughtfully reserved the food. Sagun Meru ran to Dixit Wada at once. But the devotee was fast asleep. Try as he may, he couldn't awaken him. He returned and told the Nath Panthi about it. "Always feed the hungry", He said and then left.
Everyone heard about this the next day. Shama asked Baba if He had dined at Sagun Meru's. " Yes .I had gone to the hotel yesterday and dined to My heart's content", said Baba. Thus it was known that Baba went in other roopas (forms) to dine in Shirdi also.
"Today, as everyday, I went to Bandra, but there was no rice, no gruel, nothing to eat or drink; and hungry, I had to return," said Baba to Mrs.Tarkhad (Sai Satcharitra Ch. 9).
Baba often went as an athiti, and dined, in the homes of various devotees, at different places. Sometimes, He told the devotee that he would come for lunch and this He did, but as a sadhu, fakir or an athiti (as any living creature). It was up to the devotee to recognize Him in that form and also to recognize Him in every form.
Upasani was staying at Khandoba Mandir, Shirdi as per Baba's orders. Everyday, he cooked a meal and took it to Dwarkamai and offered it to Baba. One day, while he was cooking, he noticed a black dog watching him, prepare the food, with great eagerness. Upasani thought that it was absurd to give food to the dog, before offering it to Baba. The dog, however, followed him for quite a distance and then disappeared. Upon reaching the Dwarkamai, he offered the naivedya, and Baba said, "Why did you come all the way in this heat? I was there, watching and waiting for you to offer Me the food." Upasani was astonished to hear these words. Baba refused to accept the prasad.
The next day, a sickly Shudra (low caste) was leaning against the wall watching him. He feared the "Drishti-Dosha" (evil eye) of a Shudra watching a Brahmin cook. So, he said, "Go away," and the man left. Again, Baba refused to accept the prasad. Upasani asked Him if He could have been the sickly beggar. Baba said, "I'm in everything and beyond." (Ref: Life of Sai Baba Vol.3)
In Sai Satcharitra Ch. 40, Deo invited Baba to his home for the udyapan (concluding ceremony of a religious observance) ceremony and Baba agreed, saying that He would come with two others. On that day, a Bengali sanyasi and his two companions came and dined. Although Deo was very courteous and looked after them graciously, he failed to recognize Baba. He later wrote to Baba saying that he was disappointed at the breach of promise, as Baba did not attend the udyapan ceremony. Baba said, "Tell him, if he did not recognize Me, why did he invite Me ? Yet, I lunched at the function to My heart's satisfaction. I will even give up My life for My devotee . But the words from My mouth will never be untrue."
