Daily Readings
Sai Satcharita Chapter 13-15
Sai Satcharita Chapter 13-16
Shri Sai Satcharitra for Kids
Chapter 13:
Baba’s always spoke in short phrases, but his messages were filled with meaning. He once spoke about the power of maya, magical power, and the power it had on the people on the world as well as Himself. He told people that if one always chanted His name, saying “Sai, Sai,” He would help them in their time of need. Baba would always be present where there was devotion. This section describes some of the maya that Baba has bestowed upon His devotees.
Bhimaji Patil, a man from Narayanagaon in Poona, had very poor health, and suffered due to his illnesses. Although he had tried many medicines and treatments, nothing seemed to lessen his pain, until he finally thought to call on God for help. Bhimaji took a trip to Shirdi, and bowed before Baba’s feet, who said that his illness was due to his bad karma, or wrongdoings in his past life, and did not want to help him at first. When Bhimaji cried out in pain and asked Baba for mercy, His heart melted, and He told Bhimaji to stay in His mosque with Him. Baba cured Bhimaji, for which he was incredibly grateful, and started conducting a new puja, Sai Satya Vrata Puja, in his home every month.
Baba cured many other devotees of their diseases with strange recipes, which could be attributed to clearing their karma. Bala Ganapat Shimpi, who suffered from Malaria, was told by Baba to give rice and curd to a black dog in front of the Laxmi temple, which cured him of his horrible disease. Bapusaheb Booty, who suffered from dysentery, and vomited profusely due to the illness. Unable to treat his disease, he went before Baba in Shirdi, and Baba told him that “the vomiting must stop.” His disease immediately stopped showing symptoms, and he felt better. A swami from Alandi once had severe pain in his ear, which would not go away even when operated on by doctors. The man came to see Baba in his mosque, who told the man that God would help him. A week later, the man wrote a letter to Baba saying that his pain had disappeared due to Baba’s words. In another instance of Baba’s words healing the sick was the time that Kaka Mahajani had severe diarrhea, and could not complete his work at Baba’s masjid. Baba gave Kaka some peanuts that He also shared with him, and said that everything would be okay. As always, Baba’s words were true! These are just a few of the people and sicknesses that Baba was able to ameliorate with His words, touch and blessings.
Chapter 14:
Ruttonji Shapurji Wadia, a trader who lived in Nanded, was a very rich man who was also very charitable, but was not happy because he did not have any children. After speaking with his friend, Dasganu, who was also Baba’s devotee, Ruttonji decided to go to Shirdi to seek Baba’s blessings and ask for a son. When he was able to obtain Baba’s darshan, he was very happy and respectfully gave Him a garland of flowers and a basket of fruits. He explained his problem to Baba, who told him that his problems would soon go away. Ruttonji was very happy, and asked Him what he could give as a dakshina, or gift. Baba told him that He only wanted the Rs. 5 that was remaining from the Rs. 3140 that he had already given Him. Ruttonji was surprised to hear this, since he had never been to Shirdi before, and he had not given any other dakshina to Baba. He gave the Rs. 5 to Baba, received His blessings, and soon returned home. When Ruttonji came home, it dawned on him that he had once received a Muslim saint in his house, and arranged for his stay, which cost exactly Rs.3410. With this incident, Ruttonji realized that Baba knew all that was going on, and was not a “normal” human being. He was soon blessed with a son, followed by three more. This story brings about the importance of dakshina, a gift or offering made in front of God at the time of a visit or a temple, mosque, or any religious place. Baba believed that the offering of dakshina made people humble, and gave them a lesson in charity. By giving away a small amount of money, Baba taught His devotees lessons of Renunciation and Purification to better their souls and their karma.
Chapter 15:
Baba’s fame grew mostly by word of mouth from His devotees, but the tales of his leelas and mayas were spread by Dasganu’s kirtans, which were stories set to the tune of a song. Dasganu traveled far and wide, singing the praises of Baba.
It was one of Dasganu’s kirtanas that brought a man, Mr. Cholkar from Thana, to Baba. The man was very poor, and worked in the Civil Courts in Thana. After hearing Dasganu’s kirtana, Mr. Cholkar prayed in his mind to Baba, promising to go to Shirdi to see Him if he passed his civil exams. As the time passed, Mr. Cholkar passed his exams, but being a poor man, he couldn’t afford to make the trip to Shirdi. In order to save money for his trip, Mr. Cholkar stopped putting sugar in his food and tea. After some time, he was able to save enough money to make the trip to Shirdi, prostrate before Baba, and distribute sweets in His name. Before he left the mosque, Baba told one of His devotees to give Mr. Cholkar some tea with lots of sugar. Mr. Cholkar was very happy hearing this, realized that Baba knew of the sacrifices he had made to reach Shirdi and to see Him. Baba instilled devotion in Mr. Cholkar this way.
There is another story in which Baba instilled devotion in people. One day, when Baba was sitting in the Masjid with a devotee, a lizard made a noise. The devotee asked Baba whether this was a good or bad omen, to which Baba replied that the lizard was happy because its sister was coming to visit from out of town. The devotee was confused, but sat silently when a man from out of town appeared on horseback. When the man got down from his horse to feed it, a lizard came out of his bag and climbed on the wall. The two lizards sat together on the wall and were overjoyed. Baba glanced at the lizards, and the devotee was sure of his all-knowing presence.