Chapter 12 - Historical Commentary - a podcast by Sai Babas Devotee Speaks

In chapter 12, these are the Leelas about Kaka Mahajani, Dhumal and Mrs. Nimonkar about the stretch of time that they may, or may not, stay in Shirdi. Baba is Rajadhiraj, and it is totally dependent on Him, how long you may stay in His kingdom, and not upon the will of the devotee. Baba is all-knowing, and He can see the future and will always do what is good for His devotee.

Then, there is the story of the orthodox Brahmin, Moolay Shastri, who was devoted to Gholap Swami. However, he thought that the Dwarka Mai was Ongal, or unchaste and polluted. And to his utter astonishment, Baba appears as Gholap Swami himself. There is also the story of the doctor who refused to bow to a Muslim Sai Baba. However, he was the first to rush to the Dwarka Mai and prostrate at Baba's feet, as he sees his beloved deity, Lord Shri Ram. So in this chapter, I will give information about Moolay Shastri and Gholap Swami, and finally about Baba's unique way of feeding fruits to His devotees.

Staying in Shirdi

Baba was seated on the throne. In 1951, Subramanyam took leave for a month and went on a pilgrimage starting with Tirupati and from Daund, he arrived at Shirdi. He was utterly disappointed at what he saw. He had expected Shirdi to be like heaven on earth. His visit was to last for three days. But, on the very first day, he thought of returning home after visiting the holy sites. He marveled at the devotees who worshipped Baba like their personal God, while he felt that they were mere edifices and photographs. Then, he met a family from Andhra Pradesh, who spoke kindly to him and asked the purpose of his visit. There was an elderly lady with them, who had the power of soothsaying and had told many devotees what experience they would have during their stay in Shirdi. She also had the rare privilege of seeing Baba, instead of the idols seated on the throne, during Aarti.

She said that Baba looked like a king dressed in velvet with a crown and jewels. Then, the lady rushed towards Subramanyam and spoke in Hindi, instead of his mother tongue. She told him he was to stay in Shirdi for three months, and if he left prior to that, the outcome would bring him immense misery. She also assured him that Baba told her that He would take care of all his needs, and that he would have numerous spiritual experiences. Now, Subramanyam was in a dilemma as he still was not sure that Baba really wanted him to stay for such a long period in Shirdi. He was concerned about the food arrangement and the room to stay in. But, when Baba wanted him to stay, would He not provide for him? That day, Subramanyam was meditating in the Dwarka Mai, when he received the same message from Baba, who asked him to extend his stay at Shirdi for the next three months.

Subramanyam was concerned that he would lose his job because of his extended stay, and he knew how difficult it was to get it back. He applied to the office for an extension of leave, and was informed that his services would be terminated soon. Desperately, he went to the Samadhi Mandir, and started circumambulating it, praying that Baba should give him some concrete sign that he was to stay. As he was circumambulating the Samadhi, it struck him that he should place chits before Baba, and thus would get a definitive reply.

Then, a lady from Chennai joined him, and Subramanyam thought he would ask her to pick up one of the chits after they had completed 108 rounds. While they were circumambulating the Samadhi, he asked her if she would pick up a chit for him, and she readily agreed. The gentle lady suddenly went to the centre of the temple, and stood there laughing hilariously, clapping her hands in utter bliss. Subramanyam was terrified at the sudden transformation, and a large crowd had gathered there to watch her. A young military deserter, from Rayalaseema region, got bewildered, and taking some Udi, he rubbed it on her forehead, thus breaking her trance. The lady then burst out saying, "Why did you do this? I had the rare opportunity of being with Baba. I beheld Baba in dazzling, radiant colours on the Samadhi. And both of us were playing there. He also told me that the chits were regarding Subramanyam's stay in Shirdi, and that he was not granted the permission to leave until his period of three months was completed." Thus, he got his answers specifically from the lady from Chennai, who didn't know the purpose of his placing chits on the Samadhi. Thus, Subrahmanyam finally decided to stay in Shirdi as he had received confirmation from Baba. This Leela was taken from Sai The Mother, Anusuya the Amma.


This is the life story of Prahalad Ramchandra Moolay Shastri. It was to meet Booty that Moolay Shastri came to Shirdi, and Baba gave Moolay Shastri a marvelous experience that changed his life. The Leela of Moolay Shastri is described in Sri Sai Satcharita, chapter 12. Prahalad was born around 1879. He was a learned man, proficient in palmistry and astrology. He hailed from Nasik, and his ancestors were gifted vast acres of land near Vazapur. That was seven generations before Prahalad.

Orthodox in his behaviour, Moolay Shastri strictly adhered to the ritual of Sovala, i.e., after having a bath and donning silk clothes, one cannot touch anything or anybody, as it would detract from a sanctified state. When he went to the Dwarka Mai to meet Booty, he went to the sanctum sanctorum and took Baba's Darshan. He was astounded to see Baba's feet and the markings on his sole. His professional curiosity was aroused. He could not contain himself. He asked Baba to allow him to read his palm. Baba asked him to sit down. In the Sai Satcharita, chapter 12, it is stated that the Dwaja Vajra (Thunderbolt) and Ankush (Goad) symbols are clearly seen on Baba's sole. Baba asked him to sit down and later placed four bananas in his outstretched hand. In His characteristic humorous fashion, Baba told a devotee to bring ochre dye as he would don a saffron robe. Moolay Shastri then returned to his room, and with proper ritual, sat for meditation and prayer. In the meantime, Baba sent Booty to get Dakshina from him. Perturbed and disgusted, he went to the Dwarka Mai, and lo, his Guru was seated there instead of Baba!

Moolay Shastri was married to Venubai, and he had a son and a daughter. However, he was restless and wandered about hither and thither. He was affluent, as royalty would consult him about auspicious dates and time to conduct business deals, and paid him handsomely. He smoked a Chillum, and was very rigid with his rituals. Baba, however, changed all that. And before he left Shirdi, Baba gave him a Pothi, a handwritten book, much like the laws of Manu, on how to conduct oneself regarding family life. Unfortunately, the first few pages are missing, so one does not know the title, or the author's name. This Pothi is handwritten by different people. Interestingly, the book was tailor-made for him and his lifestyle. It lays down rules and regulations as to how one should behave in the Grihastha (householder) and laws about the different stages of life, including Sanyas. Later, Moolay Shastri settled down in Vazapur, and led a peaceful, contented life. His descendants still continue the family tradition of making horoscopes and astrological predictions. This information was given to Sada by his descendants.


Adveyndra Saraswati, alias Gholap Swami

Right from infancy, Dundiraj Gholap had a preference for the quiet and solitude. His father, however, taught him palmistry and astrology. According to his father's wish, he got married and had a son, named Ramchandra. Dundiraj, however, roamed about here and there and was totally detached from his family. But his wife was a responsible lady. She saw to it that Ramchandra was educated and later left him with Nathu Appa. Nathu Appa was well versed in palmistry, astrology, the Vedas, and the Hindu law. Under this tutelage, Ramchandra gained deep knowledge of all of these. Because of his proficiency, the Royalty and the rich businessmen often consulted him. Thus, he was affluent and quite famous, and people flocked to him. Once his father saw his behaviour and realised that Ramchandra was very fond of wealth, name and fame. He called him aside and gave him some Updesh. After that meeting, Ramchandra's father became his Paramarthik Guru, and slowly his detachment for materialistic things, name and fame disappeared. At Tilbandeshwar Temple, he started doing Maha Rudra Puja, Suryopasana, Sandhya and Agni Seva, along with his Brahminical duties. He continued the practice of astrology and palmistry. He wrote various religious books. Upon his father's insistence, he got married and had a daughter and two sons. His wife died after some time. Then he took up Agni Seva and married twice. However, both his wives died, so he gave up Agni Seva and took up Sanyas, and was known as Adveyndra Saraswati, alias Gholap Swami or Baba Swami. Finally, he met Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, who became his Guru.

Gholap Swami spent some very fruitful time in Akkalkot, and he progressed spiritually very rapidly. Then, he returned to Nasik, and brought Padukas of Swami Samarth with him. He worshipped them and did Seva of Swami Samarth. In 1887, Ashada Trayodashi, he took Samadhi. His Samadhi is in Nasik along with the Padukas. This information was got from the Gholap Swami Mandir, Nasik.



Baba's unique way of feeding fruit to His devotees.

Baba often bought bananas, mangoes and various fruit from the vendors that passed by the Dwarka Mai. He took out the money from his pocket and called the vendor and made the purchase. His ways were mysterious. He checked the fruit for blemishes, and then like an ordinary human being, he higgled and haggled and brought the price down. But when he paid, he often gave twice or thrice the amount agreed upon. The vendors knew that Baba's purchase of their fruit was a blessing for their future. And they made it a practice to pass by the Dwarka Mai, calling out loudly. Oftentimes, Baba fed the devotees with morsels of fruit, like a mother sparrow feeding her chicks. He had a unique way of doing this. He would take the mango in His hand and squeeze it gently and roll it between His palms, and then give it to the devotee, who, when he sucked it, caught the pulp and juice and only the seed was left behind. He peeled bananas and broke it into small pieces, and holding the devotee below the chin, put morsels into his mouth. This he did by putting all five fingers in the mouth. Baba once told Dr. Gawankar that the right hand is God's hand. The thumb is Dharti, i.e., Mother Earth, and the index finger is the Sadguru. The middle finger is Brahma, the ring finger is Vishnu, and the little finger is Mahesh, i.e., the Trinity. When having a meal, say 'Govinda', i.e., take the name of Lord Krishna, then eat placing all five fingers in the mouth. If any of the fingers are not inserted into the mouth, then Govinda will fall.

These instructions could be analysed with reference to Baba's verdict that the index finger is the Sadguru. The index finger is used for pointing or showing the direction. The Sadguru always directs His children on the right path, both mundane life and, most importantly, in the spiritual life, i.e., the inner journey. The first three fingers represent the Trinity, which have to be given respect. The inner meaning could be that Baba is directing us to understand that one can make the inner journey only when one knows the soul, the Chetna, the Parabrahma, who is the sole creator, protector and destroyer. The thumb, being the Dharti, is the source of food, which is the source of the Jeevatma.

On consolidating these concepts, one gets a clear picture as to why Baba said that all five fingers ought to be put in the mouth. If any one finger is left out, Govinda will fall, i.e., Govinda is the food, or the Jeevatma will fall. Shloka 14 of the Bhagwad Gita states that all beings subsist on food grains, which are produced from rain, and rain is produced by the performance of Yajna, or sacrifice, and Yajna is born of prescribed duties. Know that the prescribed action has its origin in Brahma, and Brahma comes into being from the indestructible infinite Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently, the all-pervading, infinite transcendence is eternally present in acts of sacrifice.

It may be given to understand that Anna, or food, is Parabrahma, and one should not allow it to fall, as the fall indicates the falling of Govinda, symbolically, the fall of the Jeevatma. The fall of the Jeevatma means that we are getting caught in the slush of the Bhav Sagar, thus bringing about one's own downfall. This was taken from Shirdiche Sai Baba, written by Dr. K.B. Gawankar.


Jyotindra Tarkhad and the Watermelon.

Jyotindra Tarkhad once visited Shirdi during the summer vacation. He went to the Dwarka Mai in the afternoon and Baba made him sit close to him. It was very hot, and many devotees had come to worship Baba. Just then, a vendor brought a basket of watermelons, and Baba bought the whole basket. Then He took one melon, cut it and distributed it to the devotees, but omitted giving Jyotindra a piece. At that time, a well-dressed gentleman, with two servants in attendance, came to the Dwarka Mai. He had severe diabetes and was advised by someone to go to Baba for a cure. Baba took a slice of melon and separated the pulp from the rind, and gave the pulp to Jyotindra, and the rind to the gentleman. The gentleman was offended by this and said, "I am not a cow or a goat to eat the rind," and he left in a huff. Thus, he lost a permanent cure for his diabetes. Baba turned to Jyotindra, and said, "Bhau, you eat the rind as the gentleman finds it very offensive to eat." Jyotindra immediately ate the rind, and he was filled with astonishment as it was infinitely sweet. It was softer than the pulp of a banana. In fact, he had never tasted anything like it before. Jyotindra did not suffer from diabetes until the age of 72, when he passed away. This Leela was taken from the Life Experiences of the Tarkhad Family, written by Virendra Tarkhad.


Rege and Bananas

Rege and Baba had deep Rinanubandhik ties, and Rege came for Baba's Darshan at a very young age. On one of his visits, he was sitting with Baba in the Dwarka Mai, when a devotee brought a special variety of banana, which had a red peel. Rege was delighted to see them as he was very fond of them. He knew that Baba would distribute them to everyone, and Rege would also get a piece. Actually, the appealing red peel was what attracted him. Baba read his thoughts. He peeled the banana and gave the pulp to the other devotees, but excluded Rege. Then he gave the peel to Rege, saying, "Khao, khao." Rege knew that Baba loved him deeply, and that there was a lesson in it. He gulped the skin like a bull. Baba gave him two more peels, and he swallowed them with relish. Then, Baba said, "Arre, I have not given you a piece of the banana? Here, have some." Baba peeled a banana and held it at his mouth, so Rege bit off a piece. Then, Baba took a bite from it, and the two of them finished eating it. Rege was thrilled to eat Baba's Uchista, as it was a blessing. And so he also realised that Baba was teaching him not to be attracted by the external appearances. This Leela was taken from The Life of Sai Baba, written by Narasimha Swamiji.

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