Navavidha Bhakti in Shri Sai Satcharita – 7
Seventh Step – Dasya Bhakt
- Bhagoji Shinde
- It was always Bhagoji who served Him. It was only Bhagoji who would massage the hand. Then, after some time the hand healed and everyone was happy. ll90ll In this way, although the hand was completely cured, one doesn't know what was in Baba's mind in allowing Bhagoji, every morning, early in the day, to carry out the ceremony of tying the bandages. ll91ll Although there was no pain, regularly and for no reason, with the help of ghee a massage was done and the hand was cared for till death. ll92ll These services were for the sake of Bhagoji. Siddha Sai never needed them. He made Bhagoji render regular service with love, as a devotee should. ll93ll Because of the sins of his previous birth, Bhagoji was suffering from leprosy. But, it was his good fortune that he came in touch with Sai. ll94ll Whenever Baba started on His round to Lendi, Bhagoji held the umbrella over Baba's head. Though his body was covered with black leprosy sores, he was the foremost in his service. ll95ll Whenever, early in the morning, Baba was seated restfully against the pillar, near the dhuni it was his good fortune to be there to serve Him. ll96ll He would remove the bandage, massage the respective muscles, apply ghee to those parts, and thus be fortunate to serve Him. ll97ll His fingers had become stumps because of leprosy and his whole body emanated a nauseating smell. Thus, the one with such a great misfortune, derived four-fold happines from his services. ll99ll Bhagoji Shinde was a great sinner in his past lives. His whole body was bleeding with sores. He was greatly affected by this deadly disease. But, he was a matchless devotee of Baba. ll98ll – C. 7
- Radhakrishnamai
- The tradition of the service was continued after him by Radhakrishnabai. She was excellent in this work. ll177ll By caste a Brahmin, respected by all, she never in her innocent heart had the wicked thought that this was a lowly task. ll178ll Getting up early in the morning, taking the broom in her hand, she would sweep all the paths used by Baba. Blessed was her service ! ll179ll Her work was clean and quick, who else would be able to compete with her ? After some time, Abdul came forward. ll180ll - C. 35
- Abdul Baba
- Baba said : "Nana is mad. Remove the bandage, otherwise you will die. Now a crow will come and peck. Then you will get well." ll73ll Enough. While this conversation was in progress, Abdul came up immediately, to pour oil in the lamps. See what happened all of a sudden. ll74ll Abdulla was concentrating on his work and had his attention on the lamps. Thereby, he did not notice Pillai. Something unusual happened ! ll76ll What could Abdulla do ? What is destined to happen will happen. Unknowingly his foot fell on the leg which Pillai had stretched out. ll77ll "Did he not already come ? He is the same one who trod on your leg. He is the crow who pecked and ran away. He squeezed out the worms." ll84ll What crow ! It had only been a figure of speech ! Whatever had to happen was got done in front of all. He fulfilled the prediction. ll85ll – C. 34
- Balaji Patil Nevaskar
- Balaji Patil Nevaskar was a great devotee. He rendered excellent and disinterested service and wore away his body for Baba. ll175ll Nevaskar's regular task was to sweep all the passages and streets in Shirdi through which Baba passed in His daily routine, including the round to the Lendi. ll176ll That Patil (Nevaskar) was very fortunate. Though he lived in the world, he was not attached to it. How unselfish he was ! Listen to that part of the story. ll181ll After harvesting, He brought all the grain to the Masjid and making a pile of it in the open space, he offered it at Baba's feet. ll182ll Firmly believing that Baba was the owner of everything, he lived on whatever Baba gave to him out of it, taking that much only back home. ll183ll Bala drank only the water that came from the channel after Maharaj had his bath or washed His hands and feet. ll184ll - C. 35
- Balaram Mankar
- A householder, named Balaram Mankar, was a great devotee of Baba. ll65ll But, later, his wife died and there was an interruption in the performance of his duties as a householder. He lost peace of mind; but he progressed towards the highest bliss. ll66ll Because of the accumulation of good deeds in the previous births, he got attached to Sai's feet. He developed unfailing faith there and was completely detached from his worldly ties. ll67ll Breaking all his ties with hopes, desires, children and family, Mankar due to his uncommon fate, left the worldly existence. ll68ll The main obstacle in entering the gate of spirituality is the desire to earn a livelihood and care for others. He placed this burden on his son and locked himself away from worldly concerns (and went to Shirdi). ll69ll The devotee Balakaramaji stayed in Shirdi, buzzing around the dust particles at the lotus feet of Sai, constantly humming the name of Sai. ll115ll – C. 31
