The Great Promise of The Great Sadguru Sai

Sri sachidhanandha sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki jai,

Dear Sai devotees,

Baba lives for ever as he promised to bless his devotees even from his Samadhi. He said he would answer their prayers from his grave. A beautiful life­like portrait of Baba drawn by a famous artist now adorns Shirdi. His Samadhi is visited by thousands of people. Baba lives in the hearts of all who think of him.

Baba has left his mortal body. His kind and wonderful acts are not forgotten. They are called leelas (loving acts). Such leelas are experienced by devotees even today. Baba comes to their help whenever they think of him. Even the utterance of his name is good for them. For, the word 'Sai’ means ‘God with us'. If this is understood, Baba stands always by one's side. He is bound by the golden ties of love. Baba used to say that he would draw to himself a devotee even if he is beyond seven seas. He would draw him like a sparrow with a thread tied to its foot. The thread of love binds the devotees to him. He said he would answer their prayers from his grave. He said there would be no want in his devotees' homes.

Sai Baba's wonderful deeds became known more fully after his passing away. He answers the call of devotees from his samadhi. Many persons who had not heard of Baba before, now pray to him. Their prayers are answered. They get Baba's guidance. They are helped in difficulties. Their doubts get cleared. They are enabled to follow a noble path in their lives. They look up on all with love. Baba used to say that we should see him (Baba) in all creatures. If we keep this in mind, we will not hate anyone. Baba thus taught love to all. Baba helped people to lead a divine life. He also helped to repair many shrines in Shirdi and roundabout. In Shirdi any fakir or sanyasi can have food and shelter. He helped fakirs with money to go to holy places.

Baba said, "By the touch of your previous life, you have come to me. Understand this. Don't think low of anyone who comes to you. Don't think ill of him or despise him. Show kindness to him. Feed the hungry. Give water to the thirsty. Give clothes to the naked. God will like your charitable acts and kind nature. Don't drive away those who come and ask you for help. If others slander you, be patient. Don't try to avenge. Be persuasive. This is the way to live peacefully and happily. Even if the world turns upside down, control your mind. Don't give up dharma."

The Call of the Saint is heard today from his Samadhi. His unseen presence is always with us and ready to help. His leelas are a source of strength to us. REALLY HE IS WITH US NOW .............

DHAKSHINA

Once two gentlemen came from Goa for taking darshan of Sai Baba, and prostrated themselves before him.
Though both came together, Baba asked only one them to give Him Rs.15/- as Dakshina which was paid willingly.
The other man voluntarily offered Rs. 35/-. This sum was rejected by Baba to the astonishment of all. Shama,
who was present, asked Baba, "What is this? Both came together, one's Dakshina you accept, the other, though
voluntarly paid, you refuse. Why this distinction? Baba replied, "Shama, you know nothing. I take nothing from
anybody. The Masjidmayi (The presiding Deity of the Masjid) calls for the debt, the donor pays it and becomes
free. Have I any home, property or family to look after? I require nothing. I am ever free.
Debt, enmity and murder have to be atoned for, there is not escape". Baba then continued in His characteristic
way as follows:-
As first he was poor and took a vow to his God that he would pay his first month's salary if he got an
appointment. He got one on Rs.15/- p.m. Then he steadily got promotions, from Rs.15/- he got Rs. 30, 60, 100,
200 and ultimately Rs.700/- per month. But in his prosperity he forgot clean the vow he took. The force of his
karma has driven him here and I asked that amount (Rs.15/-) from him as Dakshina.
Another story, While wandering by the sea-side I came to a huge mansion and sat on its verandah. The owner
gave me a good reception and fed me sumptuously. He showed me a neat and clean place near a cupboard for
sleeping. I slept there. While I was sound asleep, the man removed a literite slab and broke the wall entered in
and scissored off all the money from my pocket. When I woke up, I found that Rs.30,000/- were stolen.
I was greatly distressed and sat weeping and moaning. The money was in currency notes and I thought that the
Brahmin had stolen it. I lost all interest in food and drink and sat for a fortnight on the verandah, bemoaning my
loss. After the fortnight was over, a passing fakir saw me crying, and made enquiries regarding the cause of my
sorrow. I told him everything. He said, "If you act according to my bidding, you will recover your money; go to a
fakir, I shall give his whereabouts, surrender yourself to him, he will get back your money; in the meanwhile give
up your favourite food till you recover your money." I followed the fakir's advice and got my money. Then I left
the Wada and went to the sea-shore. There was a steamer, but I could not get into it as it was crowded. There a
good-natured peon interceded for me and I got in luckily. That brought me to another shore, where I caught a
train and came to the Masjidmayi.
The story finished and Baba asked Shama to take the guests and arrange for their feeding. Then Shama took
them home and fed them.
At dinner, Shama said to the guests that Baba's story was rather mysterious, as He had never gone to the sea-
side, never had any money (Rs.30,000/-), never travelled, never lost any money and never recovered it, and
enquired whether they understood it and caught its significance. The guests were deeply moved and were
shedding tears. In a choking voice they said that Baba was omniscient, infinite, the One (Para Brahma) without a
second. The story He gave out is exactly our story, What He spoke has already taken place in our case. How He
knew this, is a wonder of wonders! We shall give all the details after the meals.
Then after the meals while they were chewing betel-leaves,the guests began to tell their stories. One of them said:-
"A hill-station on the ghats is my native place. I went to Goa to earn my living by securing a job. I took a vow to
God Datta that if I got any service, I would offer Him my first month's salary. By His grace I got an appointment
of Rs.15/- and then I got promotions as described by Baba. I did forget all about my vow. Baba has just reminded
me of it in this way and recovered Rs. 15/- from me. It is not Dakshina as one may think it to be, but a
repayment of an old debt and fulfillment of long forgotten vow".