Chapter 21 - Historical Commentary - a podcast by Sai Babas Devotee Speaks

Chapter 21 highlights the importance of the Navavidha Bhakti, or nine modes of devotion. By way of a parable narrated to a devotee, who went to Baba seeking peace of mind, Baba speaks about the importance of practising the Navavidha Bhakti in order to attain a peaceful and steady mind. Devotees' experiences and practices described in this Chapter teach us about these different types of devotion that we can adopt in our lives.

A tip that can be useful to all of us can be found in the story of a devotee named V. H. Thakur, who once met the Kannada saint, Appa. Giving Thakur a copy of the “Vichar Sagar”, Appa told him that he would one day meet Sai Baba and receive His blessings. Later, when Thakur met Baba, Baba tells him that merely reading a spiritual text is not sufficient: "To achieve your goal on the spiritual path, you must read it mindfully, understand it, and then inculcate its teachings into your daily life." We can do the same when we read Baba's Charita.

(A little about the book Vichar Sagar - Nishal Das (1791-1863), the author of Vichar Sagar, was a very prominent Vedanta scholar, whose work was written in Brij Bhasha (Hindi) and later translated into Marathi. The book is about the metaphysics of the Upanishads, and the philosophy of the Advaita Vedanta and the non-dualistic approach mentioned in the Vedas. Many Hindu theological colleges use this book in their curriculum.)

Another story is about Anantrao Patankar, a resident of Pune, who went to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan. After prostrating at Baba's feet, he said, "I have studied the Vedas, the Vedanta and the Upanishads, and listened to all the Purans. Yet my mind is restless. Without peace of mind, this knowledge is futile. I have heard how easily you give peace of mind to many people by your mere glance and playful words. So please take pity on me and bless me." Baba then narrated to him the parable of the mare who passed nine lumps of dung before a merchant, who swiftly collected the lumps. Later, Dada Kelkar explained the meaning of the parable to Patankar. The mare is God's grace, and the nine lumps of manure are the nine modes of Bhakti that Lord Shri Ram explained to Shabari.

The following are the nine modes of Bhakti (Navavidha Bhakti):

1) Shravanam – listening to the attributes, excellence and wondrous achievements of saints.
2) Kirtanam - recitation
3) Smaranam – recalling and meditating upon the names and perfection of the Lord.
4) Pada Sevanam - washing and kneading of the feet.
5) Archanam – ritualistic worship
6) Vandanam - adoration,
7) Dasya – service (including menial work)
8) Sakiya - cultivating fellowship
9) Atmanivedan - surrendering of oneself.

The names of the devotees who were known to practise each of the above types of Bhakti are:

1) Shravanam - Bala Bhate, Khaparde, Bheeshma, Upasani, Shama, Ram Maruti, and several other devotees
2) Kirtanam - Dabholkar, Gavankar, Das Ganu, Moreshwar Pradhan, Bheeshma, Adkan, B. V. Deo, and the Tendulkar family
3) Smaranam - Shama, Mahali, Megha and Nachane
4) Pada Sevanam - Laxmibai Khaparde, Mrs. Pradhan, Abdullah, Tatya, Bhagoji, Butti, Khaparde, Bheeshma, Dabholkar, Nimonkar, Bala Bhate, and Dhumal
5) Archanam - Dr. Pandit, Moola Shastri, Jyotindra Tarkhad and Nachne
6) Vandanam - Sapatnekar
7) Dasya - Abdullah, Nivaskar, Radhakrishna Mai, Mhalsapati, Bayaja Mai, and Nanavalli.
8) Sakiya - Shama, Chandrabai Borkar, Bade Baba, Dr. Pillai, and Jyotindra Tarkhad
9) Atmanivedan - Dikshit, Swami Saisharnanand, Radhakrishna Mai, and Megha


Many of these devotees practised more than one mode of Bhakti. Baba laid a great deal of emphasis on Shravanam, and everyday in Shirdi, there were regular readings of Jnaneshwari, Bhavartha Ramayan, Guru Charita, and Eknath Bhagwat. Baba often sent a devotee to get Dakshina from Jog or Dikshit, and the devotee would get the answer to his doubt upon hearing the chapter being read that day. All of Baba's devotees, like Chandorkar, Dikshit and Khaparde, have graduated from the class of Shravanam. Because Baba favoured this type of Bhakti, devotees never failed to attend the readings by Dikshit and Khaparde.

SHRAVANAM

The following are two incidents highlighting the significance of Shravanam, as encouraged by Baba.
In the first incident, a devotee named Pansare visited Shirdi, where he soon became friends with Jog. Jog would ask Pansare to sit and listen to him while he read the Jnaneshwari. But, Pansare, not paying any heed, would go and sit in the Dwarka Mai. One day, Baba sternly said, "You don't listen to the Jnaneshwari being read by Jog, nor do you read it yourself. And as soon as you wake up, you come here. Now go and sit with Jog." Pansare had no choice but to obey Baba.

The second incident is about a non-believer who ended up doing a Parayan of the Charita. This is the story of Ramchandra Deshmukh, a resident of Shirdi, who did not believe in Baba. Once, his daughter fell ill, and was admitted to the Gondkar Hospital with a relentlessly high fever. Her blood and urine tests confirmed the diagnosis as typhoid. She was administered the appropriate antibiotics, and the best possible care was given to her. Deshmukh was, however, displeased as her recovery was slow, and she had to remain in the hospital for 45 days. His wife, who was an ardent devotee of Baba, gave the child Udi mixed in water and the child regained her health. This was the turning point in Deshmukh's life and he became a devotee. The very next day, Deshmukh bought a copy of the Marathi Charita and started doing Parayan. The moment he started reading it, a big frog appeared and sat in front of him. Every day, the frog appeared just as he began reading, and listened intently to him as he read the chapters assigned for the day. Upon completion of the chapters, the frog would scamper away. On the seventh day, Deshmukh completed the Parayan and the frog sat listening, after which the frog disappeared, never to be seen again.
(Reference: Ambrosia in Shirdi, by Ramalinga Swami)

KIRTANAM

Das Ganu was a police constable who became a Kirtankar by Baba’s grace. Chapter 15 of Shri Sai Satcharita describes how Das Ganu was established in the Naradeeya Kirtan Paddhati. Baba admonished Das Ganu for his elaborate attire and outward show. The only prerequisite, He said, was purity of heart and soul and an intense passion for Bhakti.

Das Ganu had a wonderful metallic tinkling voice, and because of his Kirtans, Baba’s fame spread throughout Maharashtra. He had a ritual that he followed. He would first take Baba’s permission, then at the place of Kirtan, he would keep Baba’s photograph on a stool, offer prayers and only then start his Kirtan.
On one of his visits to Shirdi, he was invited to a village nearby. He went to take permission, when Baba said, “Ganya, take Bhau with you.” Baba addressed Das Ganu as ‘Ganya’, and Jyotindra Tarkhad as ‘Bhau’. Das Ganu had no problem in taking Bhau with him, but he did not want to break Bhau’s daily routine of lighting lanterns in the Dwarka Mai and doing Baba’s Seva. But, Baba told Ganu not to worry about that, as someone else would light the lanterns. Baba insisted that he should take Bhau along with him.

The village was about 8 to 10 kilometres from Shirdi. Because there was no transportation, they had to walk to the village. When they finally reached their destination, it was getting dark. They hung lanterns in the four corners of the place, Das Ganu then placed Baba’s photograph on the stool, did Pooja, and started the Kirtan.

The huge crowd, that had gathered there, was immersed in the Kirtan. Suddenly, there was a commotion as some well-built Bhils carrying a dead body on a bier arrived on the scene. The leader of the group came up to Das Ganu and, in a threatening voice, asked him to stop the noise. He then pointed to Baba’s photograph and asked, “Who is this?” Das Ganu, deeply consumed by his devotion, waxed lyrical about the divinity and greatness of Baba. The leader then said, “If your God is so great, then He can surely bring the dead back to life again.” The leader then threatened to kill all of them if the dead man was not resurrected.

Das Ganu politely asked them to be seated. He then turned to Bhau and asked him his opinion. Knowing that this was Baba’s Leela, Bhau told Das Ganu to continue with the Kirtan, saying, “Ganu Maharaj, sing ‘Sai, rehem nazar karna bacchon ka palan karna’ and leave the rest at Baba’s feet. He will surely protect us.” Das Ganu started singing again, and soon he was immersed and oblivious of his surroundings. He was dancing with joy and devotion. Bhau was looking intently at the dead person. After some time, the dead man struggled and set himself free from the bier and sat up. Bhau then went to Das Ganu and said, “Maharaj, stop the Kirtan for a while. Baba has done our work. That man is alive. Now there is no danger to our lives.” The leader of the group came to Das Ganu and asked him about Baba. He then promised Ganu that he and his relatives would definitely visit Shirdi.

Upon their return, Bhau and Das Ganu went to the Dwarka Mai and fell at Baba’s feet. Baba said, “Arre Ganya, if my Bhau had not accompanied you yesterday, you know what would have happened to you.” They replied, “Baba, all this was your Leela. Nevertheless, please look after us and save us from these adverse situations, and continue to shower your blessings on us.”
(Reference: Shri Sai Swanubhav Tarkhadanche)

SMARANAM

One night, Shantaram Nachne, S.M. Phanse, and a few others, were travelling by bullock cart in a dense jungle that was notorious for being infested with tigers. Suddenly, the bulls of the cart took fright and started moving backwards. Had the bulls dragged the cart sideways, they would have surely fallen into the ravine, as it was a hilly pass with a steep slope on one side of the narrow road. Phanse and Nachne then spotted the gleaming eyes of a tiger crouched on the road. Phanse wished to save the cart from being pushed to the ravine, so he asked Nachne to hold the reins of the bulls so he could get down and place big stones to stop the cart from rolling. As Nachne held the reins, he roared, "Hail, Sai Baba, run Sai Baba, come Sai Baba, come to our help.” The others also began to shout, and the tiger got frightened by the volume of the sound and ran away. Their faith in Baba and the courage that Baba gave Nachne saved the situation.
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, by Narasimha Swamiji)

PADA SEVANAM

This incident happened in Mrs. Pradhan's life. Mrs. Pradhan had a dream that Baba visited her home in Santacruz, and that she did Pada Pooja with turmeric and saffron. When she mentioned this to Chandorkar, he interpreted it to mean that Baba wanted her to do regular Pada Pooja at home. So he asked her to go to Shirdi with a pair of silver Padukas. Accordingly, she went and placed the silver Padukas at Baba's outstretched legs and took them away and brought them home. Baba then said to Chandorkar, "Nana, see this mother has cut off and carried away my feet." This reveals His appreciation of Paduka worship. And ever since then, Baba's Paduka has been worshipped at Pradhan's home.
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, by Narasimha Swamiji)

ARCHANAM

It was during Shantaram Nachne's visit to Shirdi in 1913, when Baba said, "We should not trust mad men". Since there were other devotees present, Shantaram did not think that the remark applied to him.
The following year, however, Shantaram realised Baba’s words to be a forewarning to him. While he was doing Pooja to Baba's photo and other gods, there was a man standing at the door of the kitchen, some distance away from the Pooja room. The man, Ramkrishna Balwant Phanse, was actually deranged, but Shantaram did not consider him to be harmless. When the Pooja was in progress, Ramkrishna suddenly darted into the Pooja room, and grabbed Shantaram's neck and tried to bite his throat, saying, "I will drink your blood." Shantaram was taken aback, but he quickly thrust an Udharni (spoon) into the open mouth of the man right into his throat. Ramkrishna, however, bit Shantaram's hand and fingers, which were in his mouth. When, with the other hand, Shantaram tried to extricate the injured hand, his mother and others rushed and pulled Ramkrishna away. Meanwhile, Shantaram lost consciousness. After some time, he recovered, but Ramkrishna’s nails had dug into the flesh of his neck, and left injuries there. He had been badly strangled, but luckily escaped death.

The injuries on his fingers gradually healed. The same year, when Shantaram went to Baba, Baba addressed Anna Chinchnekar, and pointing to Shantaram, said, "Anna, if I had delayed one instance, this man would have indeed perished. The madman had seized with his hands even his throat, but I extricated him. If I do not save my own children, who else will?"
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, by Narasimha Swamiji.)

VANDANAM

When Sapatnekar and his wife went to Shirdi, Baba was returning from Lendi Baug at that time. His wife was stunned as He was the same Fakir that she had seen in her dream. She said, "Later in the day, when we went to have Baba's Darshan in the Dwarka Mai, my husband went forward with flowers and fruit offerings. Again, Baba said, "Chal hutt!" But, when my turn came, Baba allowed me to place my head at His feet, and made me sit near Him. He then put His palm in a container of Udi and with a little force, placed the palm on my forehead and blessed me. He said, 'Take one, two, three or four. How many do you want?' He was referring to my barren state. Baba fulfilled His promise, as I eventually had eight sons and one daughter.

My husband was filled with remorse and repentance for having doubted Baba, so he decided to stay on at Shirdi until Baba forgave him and blessed him. One day, when he saw Baba seated alone in the Dwarka Mai, he ran and clasped His feet, and begged for forgiveness. Baba placed His hand on his head and made him sit close by. He prostrated at Baba's feet, and then prostrated again. Baba said, "One Namaskaar done with devotion will reach me. You don't have to prostrate again and again.”

Later, a shepherdess came and started massaging Baba's feet. Referring to Sapatnekar, Baba said to the shepherdess, 'This gentleman thinks I killed his son. Do I kill people's sons? Now, I shall bring a son in his wife's womb.' Filled with joy, my husband again fell at Baba's feet, with tears gushing down his cheeks. He ran to where we were staying and excitedly narrated what had happened."
(Reference: Shri Sai Leela magazine, volume 65, number 4, July 1986.)

DASYA

Radhakrishna Mai once told Vamanrao (Swami Sharanand) about Bajai Patil Nevasakar’s sacrifice for Baba. Nevasakar, a zealous devotee of Baba, swept and cleaned the path that Baba took to Lendi Baug. Diligently, Nevasakar woke up at the crack of dawn and swept and cleaned the area in front of the Chavadi, the Dwarka Mai and the route that Baba took to Lendi Baug. The villagers used to throw their garbage along the side of the street, and they used the roadside as their toilets. Nevasakar performed this job meekly and cheerfully. Indeed, he had reached that blissful state of devotion where ‘I, me and mine’ did not exist, and he saw and perceived Baba in each and every thing.

Mai said, “Gradually, I started helping him and soon took over this chore from him. After the Nevasakar passed away, I contentedly did the job, no matter how much excreta or garbage was thrown here and there.” It is said that Mai swept the street backwards, so she wouldn't step on the area that she had just swept. Nevasakar was a true devotee, and he set an example for all of us to learn from, and emulate in our lives. He was an affluent farmer, and lived with his wife and children on his farm. Every year, after harvest time, Nevasakar brought the entire yield to the Dwarka Mai and placed it before Baba. Whatever Baba gave him, he and his family survived on that. As far as clothing was concerned, he asked Baba and followed his advice. Later, he gave up eating food, so Baba began sending him His Bhakri, which he ate as it was Baba's Prasad. He only drank the holy water that Baba's feet were washed with, and the water that flowed from Baba's body while he had a bath. Nevasakar passed away peacefully, uttering Om, and remembering Baba at that time.
(Reference: Shri Sainathe Sharnane, written by Swami Sai Sharnanand and translated into Marathi by B.V. Kher)

SAKIYA

A devotee named Keshav Pradhan had such immense faith in Baba that if a scorpion or other poisonous insects were found in his house, or courtyard, he fearlessly took them and place them before Baba's idol, and said, "Why are you troubling me so much needlessly? Why do you put these poisonous creatures after me?" He was sure that Baba would fulfil his wishes, and therefore, his wishes became adamant and stubborn demands. Pradhan got up early in the morning and after worshipping Baba, he stood in front of the idol and pestered Baba. One day, he stood in front of the idol and said, "Baba, you have come here to stay. Don't you think that there should be a beautiful flower garden so I can offer flowers to you? Every day I do your Pooja with but a few flowers. I do not like this at all. So why can't you provide me with beautiful fragrant flowers?" Then he got saplings of Jui and Jai and planted them and looked after them with a great deal of love. The result was that after four or five years, there were so many flowers that even the neighbours and villagers started helping themselves to the flowers. One day, he stood before Baba and said, "Baba, you know that the river is far away. I need fresh water to do your Pooja. Does it please you that I have to go so far and fetch it? Now, don't you think that water should be nearby?" Having said this, he set about digging a small well near the temple. And Baba saw to it that he got one big vessel full of water every day.
(This information was narrated by his descendant, Sheetal Pradhan.)

ATMANIVEDAN

Khaparde, in his Shirdi Diary entry dated 19.1.1912, wrote about the passing away of Megha: “This was a very sad day. I woke up very early, and after finishing my prayer, discovered that there was still about an hour left for daybreak. So I lay down and was awoken by Bapusaheb Jog for Kakad Aarti. Kaka Dikshit then told me that Megha had died at 4 a.m. The Kakad Aarti was done, but Sai Maharaj did not show His face clearly, nor did He appear to open His eyes. He did not throw glances spreading His grace. After we returned, arrangements were made for the cremation of Megha's body. Sai Baba came just as the body was being brought out, and loudly mourned his death. His voice was so touching that it brought tears to every eye. He followed the body up to the bend in the main road, and then went His usual way. When Megha's body was consigned to flames, Sai Baba could be seen waving His hands and swaying as if bidding adieu to His beloved devotee. There was a good supply of dry fuel, so the flames soon rose very high. Dikshit, Bapusaheb Jog, Upsasani, Dada Kelkar, and all of us who were there considered Megha lucky and praised him, for his body was seen and touched by Sai Maharaj on the head, heart, shoulders and feet.
(Reference: Shirdi Diary, by Mr. G. S. Khaparde)

There are other Leelas of Baba that illustrate the importance of the Shravanam and Kirtanam modes of worship. One such example can be found in the story of
Asavari Vaikul, a renowned Lavani singer who resided in Mumbai. Lavani is the traditional song and dance of Maharashtra. Although Asavari was known as the ‘Empress of Lavani,’ she gave several performances where she sang devotional songs of Baba. Her performance left the devotees gathered there spellbound, as she sang from her soul and was quite oblivious of her surroundings. Asavari was blessed with a melodious voice, and her ardent devotion to Baba was evident from her rendition.

One day, after her programme, Asavari returned home, prostrated before Baba’s picture, and went to bed. In the wee hours of the morning, she dreamt of Baba. Asavari found herself in the Dwarka Mai and Baba was seated in His usual place next to the railing. He was wearing a white Kafni, and a white cloth was tied around His head. His forehead was marked with a sandalwood Tripundra (three horizontal lines of Lord Shiva). He was sitting in His Dwarka Mai pose and His Chillum and Satka lay on the floor next to Him. He was looking intently at Dhuni Mai. Asavari climbed the steps and stood there for a moment. Baba turned His head and looked at her. He was all alone. Baba smiled and said, “My child, come in.” Asavari went and sat at His feet with glee. Baba stroked her head and said, “My child, keep singing my songs with devotion as you do. Sing them for your entire life. Allah will bless you.” Asavari was overwhelmed by what Baba said, and she had a lump in her throat. She knew not what to say. Baba was looking at her with empathy, and Asavari started sobbing. Those were tears of happiness. Baba pulled her close to Him as if she was a small child, and stroked her head. Then He said, “Why do you cry? What do you want from me?” Asavari was silent for a long time. Finally, she said, “Baba, let me be content and happy. I don’t want anything else.” In a pleasant voice, Baba replied, “Allah Malik. Allah Malik.” Instantaneously, Baba disappeared. Asavari screamed, “Baba!” and woke up. She looked at Baba’s picture on the wall in front of her and mentally thanked Him.

Asavari recalls, “Baba approved of my singing His devotional songs, and doing Kirtan. In fact, He stressed the importance of the first stage of Navavidha Bhakti, that is, ‘Bhajan, Kirtan and Chintan’. He did not give importance to other modes of devotion. I am certain that by doing this, we will receive hundredfold blessings from Him. Thus, He gave me the key to His treasury. This is the reason it is written in the Shri Sai Satcharita, chapter 3, ovi 12, that ‘whoever listens to my Charita, narrates my Charita, and sings my Charita with love and devotion, will never be forsaken by me. He who sings my praises, my Leelas, and describes my divinity, I will stand behind him, by the side of him and surround him on all four sides with my grace'.”
(Reference: Shri Sai Leela magazine, vol. 63, November 1984.)

The number ‘nine’ has a profound significance, both in the astrological and spiritual sense. Astrologically, there are nine Navgrahas, or nine planets, Navratna, or nine gems that have an influence, and Navdaniya, or nine grains that appease the planets. The human body has Navdwar, or nine orifices. Spiritually, we celebrate Navratri, or the nine days of festival of NavDurga, or nine goddesses. There are NavNaths, or nine sages of the Nath Sampradaya, and Nav Narayan, or nine names of Lord Vishnu. But, most importantly, for us Baba devotees, Baba stressed the importance of Navavidha Bhakti, or the nine modes of devotion. In Chapter 12 of the Shripada Shrivallabh Charita, it is mentioned that when the number nine is multiplied by any digit, the sum total will always be nine. The number ‘nine’, thus, signifies the changeless Supreme Self, or the divine Lord Sainath.

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