Navavidha Bhakti in Shri Sai Satcharita - 9
Nineth Step – Atmanivedan Bhakti
Bhagat Mhalsapati Sonar
A devotee like Mhalsapati, who was always attached at Sai's feet, and could hardly make both ends meet, even he was not allowed to make any money. ll61ll Sai Himself distributed to people, many times, the monies that had come as dakshina; but He did not give a farthing to him who was always in difficulties. ll62ll Mhalsapati too was a man of self respect. Though Sai was so generous, he never extended his hand to ask Him for it. ll63ll Though his financial situation was dire, but he was very, very detached. He bore the difficulties of poverty always content with the little he had. ll64ll He was not a worshipper of money. He only yearned for spirituality. He had surrendered to Sai with body and mind, unselfishly and with a loving heart. ll70ll Hansraj entreated Sai; but Sai did not touch a farthing and said : "Even My devotees are not lured by money and you will not find them fall prey to the pomp and show of mony." ll71ll With all humility, Mhalsapati returned it and said : "Without Sai's permission, I cannot accept it." ll69ll – C. 36
On Margashirsh Poornima day (thirty-two years before the Samadhi) Baba had an attack of asthma and He became very uneasy. In order to bear this bodily pain, Baba raised His prana high up and went into Samadhi. ll64ll Then looking at Mhalsapati, He point blank said to him : "Do not neglect Me for three days." ll67ll Then Mhalsapati remained alert day and night and took care of Sai. He sat wide awake near Him. ll72ll – C. 44
ll Novelty of Nine ll
· It was on the second of November 1909 that Dixit met Sai for the first time and had a meritorious and purifying darshan. ll157ll On the nineth of December, he took Baba's permission and considered that very day to be an auspicious one, for laying the foundation stone. ll161ll – C. 4
· Even if he (i.e. Bhajani) had not been available, Kaka would have performed the kirtan, because he knew by heart the composition about Ramnavami composed by Das Ganu. ll96ll – C. 6
· That old Haji stayed in the Chavadi facing the north. For the first nine months Baba was displeased with him and was not ready to meet him. ll79ll – C. 11
· They met after nine years. Their joy knew no bounds. The doctor also went after him unconsciously, into the Masjid. ll169ll – C. 12
· Amir Shakkar lived at the Chavadi for nine months. Just as one climbed the steps into the Chavadi, right in front, he spread out his bedding in the middle of the room. ll125ll
· Amir was asked to live there for nine months and was prohibited from coming for darshan even in the Masjid. ll127ll - C. 22
· On Margashirsh Poornima day (thirty-two years before the Samadhi) Baba had an attack of asthma and He became very uneasy. In order to bear this bodily pain, Baba raised His prana high up and went into Samadhi. ll64ll Then looking at Mhalsapati, He point blank said to him : "Do not neglect Me for three days." ll67ll Then Mhalsapati remained alert day and night and took care of Sai. He sat wide awake near Him. ll72ll – C. 44
· It was on the second of November 1909 that Dixit met Sai for the first time and had a meritorious and purifying darshan. ll157ll On the nineth of December, he took Baba's permission and considered that very day to be an auspicious one, for laying the foundation stone. ll161ll - C. 4
Shree Saileela, July-Aug 2004
