AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI-PART 12

EXCERPTS INHERITED FROM THE BOOK ," AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI",
COMPILED BY : SAI BHAKT VINNY

Leela 29

Baba had an endearing way of calling his Bhaktas (devotees) by pet names. Some of them are given be­low.

1) Madhava Rao Deshpande-Bhatacha Shamya

2) Tatya Patil-Kothyacha Ghodmukhya

3) Dr. Pillai-Andhoji Filial

4) Pilaji Gurav-Guravacha

5) Hari Seetharam alias Kakasaheb Dixit-Langada Kaka

6) Dabholkar-Hemadpant

7) Dadasaheb Kapharde-Bapusaheb Tapusan Dada

8) Sagun Mehru Naik-Takki (Deceiver)

9) Bapusaheb Buti-Buttya

10) Bapusaheb Dhumal-Bhau

11) Madhu Fasle-Ardha Gandhu

12) Radhakrishna Mai-Avadasa (Moodevi)

13) Balasaheb Dev-Chindi Chor

14) Abdul Baba-Halalkar

While the female devotees He usually called as 'Mai' or 'Ayi’ (mother). 'Tai' (sister) or with respect Bai' or 'Mousi'

(aunty).

He had a very strict code of conduct with the la­dies. They could not enter the Dwarkamai at night or while He was

resting. He pulled His Kafni down to His heels whenever a woman was present. Shampoo­ing His feet was allowed only

below the knee.

AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI-PART 11

EXCERPTS INHERITED FROM THE BOOK ,"AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI",
COMPILED BY : SAI BHAKT VINNY

Leela 28

Balaji Patil Newaskar quitely went about doing Baba's seva. He swept and cleaned the streets that Baba walked on daily. When it was harvest time he brought the whole harvest to Dwarkamai and offered it to Baba. He and his family happily lived on whatever Baba gave them. In Satcharita the wonderful Leela of how his fam­ily fed thrice the number of guests, is given. It was Bala's annual Shradha ceremony. His daughter-in-law diligently cooked food enough for the estimated num­ber of guests. While she was serving them, she real­ized that thrice the number of guests had arrived. With Baba's grace and a little Udi, the last guest was fed to satiety with plenty of food remaining. (Sai Satcharitra Ch. 35).

This is a similar Leela whereby Baba's grace not three­fold but a multitude of guests were fed with food re­maining.

When Purandare once visited Shirdi, he stayed with Bala Shimpi. Baba told him that He would come to dine with him, along with two other Fakirs. With great joy, Purandhare asked Baba what he should prepare. "Make rice, sheera, bhaji, two vegetable curries and masala khichidi," said Baba. After the Noon Arati, upon his returning home he saw that every thing was ready. Then four to five Fakirs came and had their meals. While leaving, they informed him that many more would soon arrive. Later, a batch of twenty Fa­kirs arrived. Satiated, they too left. Then another ten Fakirs came. They too were well fed and food still re­mained. Then Purandare went to Baba with betel leaves and dakshina and invited Him for meals. Baba smiled and said, "/ have eaten a lot and I am satiated and satisfied." Then Baba asked Purandare to have his meals along with Bala Shimpi. All of them, Purandare's family and Bala dinned together and still food was abun­dant.

Purandare partook the food as Baba's Prasad. He also carried the food to Bombay and distributed it to his friends and relatives and told everyone this wonderful Leela.

AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI-PART 10

EXCERPTS INHERITED FROM THE BOOK," AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI",
COMPILED BY : SAI BHAKT VINNY

Leela 26

In the early days, the Bhills often waylaid the trains. In 1914, Ganpath D. Kadam and his family were trav­elling by train to Shirdi. Just after they passed Nasik, a gang of Bhills jumped into their compartment, with the intent to attack and rob the passengers. At that time, Kadam was reading a book of holy songs. The gang stood by his side for five minutes or so. Thinking that they were interested in the book, Kadam started read­ing it loudly. After a while the Bhills left one by one. Kadam looked up from his book and saw a Fakir seated opposite him. When he looked again, the Fakir had disappeared just as the Bhills left. When Kadam reached Shirdi, Baba said, "Well, have you come safe and well guarded?" Kadam at once fell at Baba's feet and thanked Him for guarding him and his family. He also realized that the Bhills took to their heels fearing the Fakir,

Leela 27

Although he attended Das Ganu's Kirtan and Pravachan unlike Cholkar (Sai SatCharitra 12). He did not have faith in Baba. He thought that Baba was a Muslim. In 1910, this Ramachandra V.Pathankar, a Retd. Clerk of Alibaugh was in distress. His monthly earnings of Rs.30/- did not suffice to meet his family expenses. There was a certain photograph of Akkalkot Swami at Balkrishna Buva's Mutt, Dadar that attracted him. He visited that Mutt often, as he was devoted to Swami Samarth.

One day Ghansham Gupta, a close friend of his, asked him to accompany him to Shirdi. He assured Pathankar that all his expenses for the trip would be borne by him. Pathankar was reluctant at first, and then he agreed to accompany Ghansham, on the condition that he wouldn't give any Dakshina to Baba. If he did, it would be no more than one rupee. Ghansham agreed to this and both of them went to Shirdi.

At that time, there was only one hotel in Shirdi. Unfortunately, Pathankar found a few worms in the dal when he was having lunch. He started shouting at the top of his voice. "Did I come all the way to Shirdi to eat worms?" he said. Then, both the friends went for Baba's darshan. Baba, on seeing Pathankar, flew into a rage and drove him away. Pathankar was upset and de­cided to leave Shirdi, without Baba's consent. The other devotees consoled him and asked him not to do so.

Latter both the friends went for Baba's darshan again. Baba had calmed down and looking at Pathankar, He said, "Do people come here to eat worms?" On hearing this vital question, Pathankar fell at Baba's feet. He realized that Baba was omnipresent. Then, Baba gave him darshan as Akkalkot Swamy, the very same roop that he worshipped at Balkrishna Buva's Mutt.

Pathankar was overwhelmed and realized that Baba was not different from Swami Samarth. He gave Baba one rupee Dakshina. But, Baba asked for Dakshina again. He gladly gave another rupee. Then, Baba gave him permission to leave. Upon returning home, he got another job, which gave him a better salary, and he could live comfortably.

Baba took two rupees Dakshina and gave back a hundred.