Sadguru Sai Baba’s Boundless Glory

There is a saying in Marathi which says ‘‘It is futile to search for the origin of a river or a Rishi.’’ Because, it is impossible to find the starting point of a river as well as a Sadguru.

‘Sadguru’ is Chaitanya Tatva which is Anant, Abadhit, Anirvachaneeya, Shuddha Satvatmak and Brahmaroop. He is the Dehadhari Avataar (mortal form) of Bhagavant on this earth. However, he is not a mere human being like you and me. He is a Sarvabhaum Shakti which is Adbhut, Avyakta and Adnyat.

The efforts have been on to find out the Mool (origin) of Shri Sai Baba when He was Dehadhari and they are continuing even now.

The reason behind this, is the ‘peculiar nature’ of human beings. If they are have doubt or are curious about something, they try to go to the bottom of the matter. But unfortunately they do not succeed every time. In fact, in matters of Parmarth such efforts become all the more difficult.

However, a common man like you and me is not interested in going very deep in Paramarthik matters. If we hear about that a person has conducted ‘a research’ on some matter, we tend to blindly believe him to the core. The convenient escape route, generally, is ‘‘what is the harm in believing it ?’’. In reality, many of us – who fold hands before a divine being – are merely concerned about getting our wishes fulfilled. Otherwise, we move about unconcerned about the erstwhile life of that divinity.

Asa Ha Avatar Vilakshan (An amazing Incarnation)

What happened in the case of Shri Sai Baba was nothing different. From the day He first made His appearance in Shirdi, people of that time started asking – Who is He, Where from He has come, Is He a Hindu or a Muslim, Who and where are His parents, Who is His Guru ?

They went to the extent of asking questions about Baba’s birth to those devotees of Khandoba who went into a trance before the Deity. But, at that time also, Baba avoided the question by directing the people to the place pointed out by Khandoba and mysteriously saying that ‘‘This is the holy place of my Guru.’’

Even ardent devotees - right from Bayjabai Kote Patil (whom Baba used to call ‘Mami’) and Mhalsapati to a learned researcher of that time Prof. Narke - pursued the issue. But, no one succeeded in their pursuit. Baba also did not unveil the secrets. He gave different answers to different people. Many times He just mumbled something in response to the questions posed to Him. Many times He behaved in a contradictory manner – because of which people got confused.

Ultimately, most of the people gave up their search and agreed that He was ‘Ayonij’ – without mortal birth. Those who differed from this view could not convince substantiate their stand. Kakasaheb Dixit – who is considered to be Atyuttam Shishya (finest disciple) of Shri Sai Baba – has also agreed in Shri Sai Satcharita that Baba was Ayonij. He writes -

‘‘It cannot be positively confirmed whether Maharaj was of Brahmin or Muslim origin. Many devotees may find it difficult to believe that He was Ayonij. However, the writer believes so.’’

While this is the belief of Kakasaheb Dixit, Hemadpant has also concurred with these thoughts.

In the 1951-52 issue of Shri Saileela, its then editor Dr. K. B. Gavhankar has published similar thoughts of many prominent and learned personalities. They include (1) Shri Balasaheb Rege, B.A., LL.B., Ex-judge, Indore High Court (2) Prof. G. G. Narke, M.A., M.Sc., Professor – Engineering College, Pune (3) Advocate Dadasaheb Khaparde, Amravati (4) Shri Das Ganu Maharaj (5) Shri G. R. alias Annasaheb Dabholkar. They have concurred that ‘‘Shri Baba is Parmatma Himself.’’

A disciple who was very close to Baba was Shri Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). He and many other devotees referred Baba as ‘Dev’. The then editor of Shri Saileela – Dr. Gavhankar - states -

‘‘We had attended last year’s Death Anniversary (September 1952). We were fortunate enough to meet Smt. Laxmibai. She was the privileged lady to whom Baba gave 5 + 4 = 9 (indicating Navavidha Bhakti) rupee coins at the time of leaving His mortal body. We touched those nine coins. The lady had become quite advanced in age. However, her constitution was very strong. We experienced that her speech was clear and lucid. She narrated, how she was giving Bhakari and milk to Baba. Our friend from Thane Shri Vaidya asked her sarcastically, ‘While putting the Doodh-Bhakar in His mouth, Baba used to utter the name of which God ?’ The lady promptly retorted, ‘He Himself was a God. Which God’s name a God will utter ?’ Therefore, you should consider Baba as ‘Poorna Brahma, Sanatan, Swayam Jyoti, Niranjan, Sakshat Bhagvan’.

In the circulars issued by the Sai Sansthan Committee it avers at the end that ‘Shri Sai is the Sarvashreshtha Parmatma’.

The incident relating to Baba’s appearance in court may also be kept in mind. He was giving evidence in the magistrate’s court at Dhule. He was asked His caste or family background. Baba replied, ‘Parvardigar(Allah or Ishwar)!’’

Baba’s birth, Birthplace and Parents

No one has clear answers to questions like – Where and when Baba was born, Who were His parents, What was His Vansh ? Many devotees posed a lot of questions to Baba about these matters. But, they never got any clear and straight answers. If the disciples pestered too much, Baba finished the matter by retorting in one word ‘Nasatya’. Therefore, till His mortal end, no one had an iota of information about His religion, caste etc.

Now, let us go little deeper with the help of Shri Sai Satcharita and other available information. Whether Baba’s Avataar was Hindu or Muslim is indeed a very baffling question. Anyone will realize that it should be left a question and one should not try to seek its answers. This itself will be a homage to that great soul.

Arrival in Shirdi

As is well-known, Baba first arrived in Shirdi along with a marriage party. That party belonged to Chandbhai Patel who was a Muslim and held the post of Patil of Dhupkheda.

Attire

Baba wore a Muslim cap and Kafni – a dress worn by Muslims of that time. He also carried Satka and Chillum – articles carried by Muslims of that time. Seeing His attire and the things carried by Him, Chandbhai thought that He an Avalia – a sage and invited Him to his house.

It is said that when Baba first arrived in Shirdi, He wore a saffron or white Kafni. Later on Kashiram Shimpi (tailor) stitched a green coloured Kafni and cap for Him. However, most probably Baba may not have worn these for long. For most of the time, Baba wore a white Kafni and tied a dhoti around His head. His this attire continued in later days also. However, the green Kafni and cap were found bundled in a cloth after Baba left His mortal body. (Reference : Shri Saileela, Year 1, Issue 1, and ‘Baba – was He a Hindu or Muslim’ an article by Shri Balasaheb Deo)

“AAO SAI”

In Shirdi, there lived a Muslim named Aminbhai. In his farm there was a Khale - an open ground used for threshing the crop. It was in this Khale that Baba put His camp when He first came to Shirdi. Later on this Khale was bought by Mhalsapati.

Mhalsapati was the Pujari of Shirdi’s Khandoba temple. He and his friends had lot of respect for saintly people. They had decided to greet the visiting Gosavis as ‘‘Namo Narayan’’, Bairagis as ‘‘Jay Ram’’ and Muslim Fakirs as ‘‘Jay Sai’’.

After His arrival in Shirdi, Sai Baba entered Khandoba temple and as per his practice, Mhalsapati greeted Him in Yavani language with ‘‘Aao Sai’’.  From that time, everyone began calling Him ‘Sai Baba’. In spite of best efforts, no one knew Sai Baba’s earlier name. The Khandoba temple and Mhalsapati were both Hindu.

Stay (Vastavya)

After coming to Shirdi, Sai Baba stayed in Takiya (a place where Muslim Fakirs stay) for the first three years. Thereafter, Baba selected a dilapidated and run down Masjid. Mhalsapati and his friends made arrangements for His stay. Baba gave a Hindu name to this Muslim Masjid – ‘Dwaravati’ or ‘Dwarkamai’. He used to also call it affectionately ‘‘Maazi Mashid Aai’’.

After Baba arrived in Shirdi, it was Aminbhai – a Muslim – started providing Him food. In the later period, Bayjabai Kote Patil looked after Him with the affection of a mother.

 From certain practices followed by Baba, His behaviour appeared to be that of a Muslim Fakir – His attire, His selection of a Masjid for His stay, His going around with a Katora and asking for alms, His keeping of a beard and His lack of a Shendi (a bunch of long strands of hair at the back head).

On the other hand, His certain other practices, gave indication of His being a Hindu – His keeping of a grinding stone in the Masjid, His use of Ghanta (bell) and Shankha (conch shell), His homage to fire, His Pooja of Agnihotri and Atithis.

Hindus follow a practice of placing their Deities facing east – west. Muslims from Eastern Nations perform Namaz facing west while those belonging to Western Nations do so facing east. However, Baba sat facing south. Thus, He contradicted the practices of both the Hindus and Muslims.

Piercing of ears and Sunta

In the beginning, Baba was considered to be a Mad Fakir. However, several prominent people of that time (such as Dasganu Maharaj, Prof. Narke, Hemadpant, Chandorkar, Balasaheb Deo, Purandare and others) unanimously agree that the ears of this Fakir had been pierced according to Hindu religion. Muslims do not pierce their ears.

However, contradictory reports exist about, whether Sunta had been performed on Baba. Purandare, Chandorkar, Dasganu Maharaj, Balasaheb Deo state that Sunta had not been performed. However, Hemadpant writes clearly in Shri Sai Satcharita ‘‘Hindu Mhanata Sunta Praman’’ – if one says Baba was Hindu then unlike a Hindu, His Sunta had been performed.

Prof. Narke states in an article –

“In the year 1916 on the day of Dassera, Baba displayed His Apoorva Leela at the time of evening. He removed the cloth tied around His head, His Kafni and His loin cloth. He threw them in the Dhuni (holy fire). He took the Roop of Narasimha and roared, ‘‘Now decide, whether I am a Muslim or a Hindu !’’ He radiated even more than the fire before Him. At that time, myself, Chandorkar, Bhagoji, Tatya and others present, taxed our eyes and tried to look at Him closely. However, our eyes were dazzled with the radiance and we could not see anything.”

We get further evidence of this incident in Adhyay 42 of Shri Sai Satcharita.

The question had lingered for long in the minds of His devotees and they had felt that Baba should Himself clarify the doubt. However, Baba baffled them with His Alaukik Leela and allowed the secret to remain a secret only. He acted as if He is doing it only to provide answer to His devotees doubt.

He thus indicated that Dassera is the right Muhurat to cross over to the other side. Only two years after this, He laid down His mortal body on the Dassera Day.

Before Mahanirvan

In this discussion about, whether Baba was a Muslim or Hindu, it is necessary to take into consideration certain other events.

About four months prior to His Mahanirvan, Baba called Appa Bhill of Shirdi and told him ‘‘Bring 4 chicken. Guests are expected.’’ He brought the chicken. Baba cooked them with His own hands. He also prepared Chapatis. After sometime, Bade Baba’s son Kasim arrived there. He gave him Rs. 250 and the food cooked by Him and said, ‘‘Go to Aurangabad ! Meet Shamsuddin Miya there ! Perform Maulu and Kawwali ! Then go to Banne Miya ! Put garland of Shevanti around his neck ! Tell him, ‘‘Nine days. Ninth date. Allah Miya will take away His Dhuni. It is His wish.’’

As told by Baba, Kasim met Shamsuddin Miya. A program of Maulu and Kawwali was performed. Then this group (Kasim, his servant and Imambhai Chhotekhan of Vaijapur) went to Banne Miya.

Janab Banne Miya was a respected Sufi saint of Biyabani tradition. He had settled down at Khultabad near Werool, Aurangabad. He was fortunate to spend some time in the midst of Shri Baba. When the group neared Banne Miya, he was standing with one hand raised in the air. There were some Arabs who were standing around him. They requested the group not to go near him. However, after waiting for an hour, the group gathered courage, went near Banne Miya and conveyed Baba’s message. Imam Bhai writes, ‘‘Hearing the message, Banne Miya stared at the sky and tears welled in his eyes.’’ He further adds, Four months thereafter, Baba laid down His mortal body. According to Muslim calendar, that was the ninth day of the ninth month and the night was Kattal Ki Raat. (Sai Baba & His Devotees’ Experiences - by Narasimha Swami).

If you look back at the Shake 1840 Hindu calendar, we find that, when Baba left His Sthool Deh it was the Pratham Maas (first month) of Dakshinayan (southern phase of sun’s journey). At that time, Dashmi (first ten days) had passed and it was Ekadashi (11th day) and it was the day of Dassera. It was the ninth day of Nav Ratra, a day of Durga Saptami Pooja of Bengali folks. It was also the Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Gautam Buddha.

Thus it was a holy day of many religions.

After Nirvan – a dispute : Was He a Muslim Peer or a Hindu Sant ?

On 15th October 1918, Baba told the people around Him to go and have their lunch. He then laid down His mortal body while He was sitting. The major dilemma before everyone now was – what next ? Muslims said, Baba is Muslim. So, according to our religion, He should be buried as per our religion.

Bade Baba, Ameer Shakkar, Maulawis and other Muslims from Shirdi held on to the body of Baba. In their eyes, He was a ‘Mahan Aulia Peer’. Ameer Shakkar used to very proudly declare, ‘‘Sandal cannot be taken out without a great Peer.’’ Therefore, they intended keeping Baba’s Samadhi under their control and build His Kabar (tomb) in a large place.

On the other hand, devotees like Kakasaheb Dixit averred that ‘‘Baba is a great saint. In case of such personalities, the question of religion – Hindu or Muslim – does not arise. Further, His last words were ‘Take me to the Wada’. Therefore, His further arrangements must be befitting His greatness.’’ The issue went up to the district collector. However, the Muslims conceded that they were in a minority as far as this issue was concerned. Till now Muslims and Hindus had lived harmoniously. Hence, Muslims should not be adamant now. It will spoil the atmosphere in the society. The Muslims thought wisely and joined the Hindu devotees. The love and affection continues between these communities till today in Baba’s Darbar.

(Contd.)

Saisha

– Translated from original Marathi into

English by Sudhir

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