Chapter 24 - Historical Commentary - a podcast by Sai Babas Devotee Speaks

In the first Leela of Chapter 24, Baba explains the importance of sharing food with others and offering it first to God and the Guru before consuming it ourselves. In the next Leela, we get a glimpse of Baba's wit and humour when He playfully tells Anna Chinchanekar that he is trying to kiss Mausibai while they were both massaging Baba in the Dwarka Mai. Mention is also made in the chapter of an incident where Baba reprimands a devotee for interfering with Mausibai's Seva.

The main story in Chapter 24 is about Dabholkar, who went to the Dwarka Mai on a Sunday and started massaging Baba's feet. Baba noticed some puffed grams stuck in the folds of Dabholkar's coat sleeve. Jokingly, Baba said, "He went to the bazaar and quietly ate the grams without sharing it with anybody." Baba then, using the story as an example, teaches us that before we have a meal, we ought to offer it first to Baba, then to others around us, and only then enjoy the meal ourselves. When the food is offered to Baba, it becomes Prasad and turns into Ambrosia. Whatever we are about to eat, be it stale or freshly prepared, delicious or not, or even if it be leftovers, if we are going to consume it or partake of it, we must first offer it to Baba so that it becomes Satvik.

Baba advises us that we should first remember Him before our senses, mind and intellect enjoy sensory objects. The senses can never remain without the objects. But if those objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment to them will naturally vanish. Similarly, all our thoughts regarding desire, anger, avarice, should first be offered and directed to the Sadguru, which helps in eradicating those thoughts. When we think that Baba is close by or present, then the question whether the object (that we are about to enjoy) is fit to be enjoyed or not will arise. In this way, the object that is not fit to be enjoyed will be shunned, and our vicious habits and vices will gradually disappear. Love for the Guru will grow and pure knowledge will sprout. When this knowledge grows, the bondage of body consciousness (that we are the body) will snap, and our intellect will be merged in spirit consciousness, leading to bliss and contentment.

Baba had a very endearing way of joking with His devotees without offending them, and everyone enjoyed this. He often called His devotees by pet names (mentioned in chapter 20). At other times, He phonetically prolonged the 'a' sound. As a result, the word used would mean something totally different. Some examples of this are given below.

One Ekadashi day, when Baba asked Kushabhau what he had eaten, he replied, "Nothing. It is Ekadashi today." Baba: “What does Ekadashi mean?” Kushabhau: “Upavas.” Baba: “What is Upavas?” Kushabhau: “It is like Rozas.” Baba: “What is a Roza?” Kushabhau: “It means eating nothing except Kandamul” (Kanda means tubers - usually sweet potatoes and potatoes, and Mul means root vegetables).
Baba then, punning upon the word 'Kand', called it Kaanda (onion). Baba said, "You were eating Kaanda? Here is Kaanda for you." So saying, Baba handed over a few onions to Kushabhau and asked him to eat them. Kushabhau said, "Baba, if you eat, I too will eat." They both ate some onions. Just then, a few visitors came there, and Baba, wanting to have fun, said, "Look at this Brahmin. He is eating onions on an Ekadashi day!"

Kushabhau said, "Baba ate it, and then made me also eat it." "No, no! See what I ate," said Baba and vomited. What Baba vomited was Kunda, i.e., sweet potatoes. Baba said, "See, it is not onion, but sweet potato." Kushabhau was astonished, and thought the production of sweet potatoes was his opportunity. He fell on the sweet potato and swallowed them. Baba kicked and beat him saying, "Why do you eat the vomit?" Kushabhau did not answer. In a moment, Baba's mood changed. He said, "I shall give you my blessings. Henceforth, you will have the power to produce this Udi (the Udi from my Dhuni Mai) by merely remembering me and holding forth your hands. Give this Udi freely. It will help people, and you will get Punya.”
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, Narasimha Swamiji.)

Gopalrao Booty of Nagpur was keen to help his friend, S.B. Dhumal, who wanted to go to England to do his studies in law. Booty offered to provide all the expenses of Dhumal’s journey and support his family during his absence. When all was settled between them, Shama went to ask Baba whether Dhumal can go to Vilayat (England). Baba asked, "What for?" Shama replied, "To study at the bar." Baba said, "His Vilayat is here only." Thus, Dhumal did not go to England, but his practice flourished in India itself.
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, Narasimha Swamiji.)

Baba had a unique relationship with Tatya Kote Patil. It was that of a doting uncle and his nephew. In the afternoon when the devotees had gone to their rooms, Baba played with him. Baba laughed heartily and played pranks. When Tatya, Mhalsapati, and Baba slept in the Dwarka Mai, Baba would get up and put Mhalsapati's feet on Tatya's chest, and vice versa. When they woke up and saw this, they would ask Baba, "Who did this?" to which Baba would laugh heartily.
When Baba perceived a devotee was leaning towards pride of bodily strength, Baba asked the devotee to massage his body. Some of the devotees were Bayaji Kote, Shama, Tatya Kote, Madhu Fasle, Anna Chinchnekar, Mausibai, and Durgabai. Baba made them massage his body till they were drenched in perspiration, and they had no more strength left to lift their hand. Only then would he asked them to stop. Sometimes, he asked two of them to massage him.

Sometimes Baba played chess with Tatya. On the nights that Baba slept in the Chavadi, the villagers gathered and played chess. Radhakrishna Mai would send the chess board along with Baba's requirement for the night, and then they would play far into the night. Often, they were heard shouting and fighting.
Baba loved to wrestle. Tatya often arranged wrestling matches so that Baba could enjoy them. Tatya took liberties with Baba, who seemed to enjoy it. Tatya often removed Baba's headdress, and placed his Scindia Shahi Pagari on Baba's head, and his Uparna on Baba's shoulder. Tatya would then hand a mirror to Baba. Like an ordinary human being, Baba preened and made appreciative gestures. Baba repeatedly shrugged His shoulders and blinked His eyes in wonder. "Kotya, don't I look like this all the time? Isn't my lifestyle like this?" asked Baba. A little while later, Baba removed Tatya's turban and shawl, and wore His Kafni and headdress. Tatya and Baba also engaged in arm wrestling competitions. Baba would use His right hand, while Tatya had to use his left hand. Baba pressed Tatya's fingers, first gently and then a little harder. Tatya, not to be outdone, reciprocated by pressing even harder. Suddenly, Baba would cry out, "Arre Kotya, are you trying to fracture my fingers?" This was followed by peals of laughter. Occasionally, in the afternoons, Baba woudl dance in the Dwarka Mai. His dance was full of exaggerated movements, where He bent His legs, hands and neck in strange ways and rolled His eyes. At other times, He stuck His tongue out.
(Reference: Shirdiche Sai Baba, by Dr. K.B.Gavankar.)

On one occasion, Baba reprimands a devotee for interfering with the Seva of Mausibai who was zealously massaging Baba's abdomen. Baba can see deep into our hearts, and knows the intention with which we perform Seva to Him. He perceived Mausibai’s innocent childlike Bhakti and could not bear to have anyone interfere with it.

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