Blessed Devotee who Experienced Baba's Miracle before 1918
Baba Picture Miracles
Vasudev Sadashiv Joshi of Sitaram Co. and his friend Chidambar Rao K. Gadge went to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan. They stayed in Sathe Wada and attended the Aarti that was conducted there. In the early days, there was Aarti in the Gurusthan also.
While the Aarti was in progress, Joshi saw Narsimha Murthy in the photograph instead of Baba. He was delighted; but wonder of wonders, it happened for three consecutive days. On the day of their departure, Baba gave them Udi and Prasad. They thought that the Prasad would not suffice for distribution, when they returned to their village. Baba, knowing their thought, gave them eight annas and asked them to buy Prasad from any shop in Shirdi, as any Prasad bought in Shirdi was His Prasad.
On another visit, Baba distributed 'burfi' for Prasad. They found it extremely delicious. So they thought they would buy some more. Baba told them that there were three baskets of prasad, so they could take three mounds from that. Happily they returned home with Baba's Udi and the 'burfi' Prasad.
Some days later, Joshi gave Rs.10/- to his friend and asked him to give it to Baba as dakshina. He also made another request and that was to take a photograph of Baba and bring it back with him. Joshi wished to do ritualistic Puja to Baba. So, he wanted the photograph. Gadge left with Rs.10/- and went to the Dwarkamai, prostrated before Baba and gave Him Joshi's dakshina. He was silent, as he had not the courage to request permission for the photograph. Baba, too, was silent for a long time. Then just before his departure, Baba Himself asked Gadge to take His photograph. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he 'with consent photo' took two photographs of Baba, one sitting and the other standing. Baba told him that the photographs should not be sold for a profit. He then gave him permission to leave with Udi and Prasad.
In Sai Satcharitra Ch.33 the story of Balabua Sutar is given. He was a famous kirtankar residing in Bombay. Once, he went to Shirdi and took Baba's darshan. Baba said, ", "I have known him for the last four years." Balabua wondered at this, for it was his first visit to Shirdi. How could Baba have known him since four years? Why four years? He racked his brains, and then he remembered that four years ago, he made obeisance to Baba's photograph and the omniscient Baba mentioned it. He also got a valuable lesson that bowing to Baba's photograph was bowing to Baba in person. This lesson, he treasured forever.
Leela- 52 in Ambrosia in Shirdi - Part-I
