Sai Satcharitra for kids and for everyday reading Chapters 1-12

Sai Satcharitra for kids and for everyday reading

Introduction: 

Shri Sai Baba lived in Shirdi, which is in Maharashtra, India, between 1858 and 1918. Devotees believe that Baba is an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, and lived a life of purity and love. Baba delivered spiritual teachings to his visitors, recommending the reading of sacred Hindu texts and the Qur'an. He did not believe in any one religion, but in one God and the goodness of people. Baba advised his followers to lead moral lives, help others, love every living being without discrimination. Most importantly, Baba taught people to develop two important features of character: faith (shraddha) and patience (saburi). 

Shri Sai Satcharitra is collection of stories and miracles (leelas) that have been witnessed by devotees of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba during his lifetime. They were written down by one of Baba’s devotees, Hemadpant, so that future generations would understand His love and teachings. 

Chapter 1: 

Around the year 1910, Shirdi was plagued by the epidemic of Cholera. The people of Shirdi asked Baba for help, claiming that they did not know what to do to help their loved ones. After hearing many such requests, Baba awoke one morning, washed his hands and face, and started to grind wheat using a hand mill. The villagers were confused as to how this practice would help their sick families, but still helped Baba with His task. Finally, when all the wheat was ground into flour, Baba told the villagers to take scatter the flour around the village borders. When the villagers asked why, Baba smiled knowingly and told them that the Cholera would subside. Baba’s devotees believed that it was not wheat, but the disease, that had been ground and thrown away from the village. Shirdi was no longer plagued by Cholera within a few months, and the villagers lived well. 

Chapter 2: 

Hemadpant, the author of Shri Sai Satcharitra, did not think that he was worthy enough to write such a historic piece of work on Baba. He considered the momentous life of Sai Baba, and believed that he would not be able to achieve his goal of telling the world the stories of His grace, love, and teachings. 

Hempadpant believed that the only reason he was brave enough to start his work was because he had faith in his Guru. He argued that a guru could not make a lazy man do work. When Hemadpant posed the question to Baba, He replied that a guru is like a guide: no matter how dangerous or tough a path is, a guide will be able to lead one to one’s destination without approaching any harm. People have been able to attain self-realization and the virtues necessary for progress by submitting to their Gurus through faith and patience (shraddha and saburi).  

Hemadpant looked to his Guru, Shri Sai Baba, before starting his work. He took a trip to see Baba in Shirdi, and obtained a darshan from Him, where he was able to surrender himself, his doubts, and his ambitions at His feet. With this act, his thoughts and ideas were changed, allowing him to start his work without any worries and with the blessings of the Lord. 

Chapter 3:

A story in which Baba’s love is shown is in the story of Rohilla. Rohilla, a tall and strong man, came to Shirdi in search of Baba. He stayed in Shirdi and cried out the Lord’s name throughout the night, which disturbed the people of the village. The villagers came to Baba, asking him to help them with this problem. Baba ignored the pleas of the people, and told them that Rohilla’s wife was a bad woman, and that his cries at night were keeping her away from the village. In reality, Baba knew that Rohilla had no wife. He prayed loudly to keep his mind away from any bad thoughts (durbuddhi), keeping his mind and heart pure. Sai Baba supported Rohilla because he chanted the Lord’s name, showing his love for God and His teachings.   

The purpose of a lighthouse is to lead boats to safety, avoiding any rocks or dangers along the shoreline.  The stories of the miracles (leelas) performed by Sai Baba serve a similar purpose in the lives of His devotees. Stories of Baba’s love and caring will guide people along the right path, helping them to lead better lives. Baba’s love is all-encompassing, and is evident at all times.

Chapter 4:

Shri Sai Baba had many devotees who loved Him. He believed that all people had goodness inside them, and that chanting the Lord’s name would help to bring that to the fore. The following tales are about Baba’s followers and their love and devotion to Him. 

Goulibuva was a great devotee of Sai Baba. Although he was quite old, close to 95, he made many religious journeys to obtain darshan from the Lord. He believed that Baba was the Lord on earth, calling Him “Pandharinath Vithal.” Goulibuva was devoted to Baba and chanted His name, praising the Lord who helped the poor and helpless until his death. 

Ganapat Dattatrya Sahasra Budde, whom people affectionately called Das Ganu Maharaj, was a great poet and musician. Sai Baba and His devotees frequently sang praises of the Lord. When this chanting continued at once for seven days at a time, it was called Namah Sapta. One day, Baba asked Das Ganu Maharaj to chant the Namah Sapta. Ganu Maharaj replied that he would only do it if the Lord (whom he called “Vithal”) appeared to him on the seventh day. Baba told him that it would surely happen if Ganu Maharaj’s prayers were honest and devout. As it turned out, Vithal appeared to Ganu Maharaj in Shirdi after the seven days’ prayer. 

Das Ganu Maharaj, like many Hindus, believed in the purity of holy water (theertham). When Ganu Maharaj came to ask Baba for his permission to go on a holy journey to visit the Ganges, Baba replied that it was not necessary, and that all he had to do was to believe in the Lord. When Das Ganu Maharaj placed his head at Baba’s feet, streams of the holy waters of the Ganges and Yamuna flowed onto his head. Ganu Maharaj was overcome with love for his Lord, and immediately sang the praises of Baba. 

Similarly, a man named Kaka Dixit, another devotee of Baba, was meditating when he saw a vision of Vittoba. When Kaka Dixit went to Baba for a darshan later that day, Baba told him to remain pious, and that the vision would come true soon enough. That afternoon, as Kaka Dixit was returning to his home, he saw merchant selling pictures of Vittoba. Kaka Dixit, bought a picture of the Lord and placed it in his shrine.

Nana Saheb Chandorkar, an employee in the civil court, had heard many tales of Baba’s love and mercy. After his department exams, Chandorkar prayed to Baba, promising that he would come to Shirdi and distribute sweets in His name if he passed. Chandorkar passed his exams, but did not have the money to make the trip to Shirdi. To fulfill his promise, he stopped putting sugar in his tea, saving money to make the trip to see Baba. When he was finally able to get Baba’s darshan, Chandorkar felt that his life had been made better with His blessings. 

Chapter 5:

Shri Sai Baba was only in Shirdi for a few years before suddenly disappearing. His devotees were baffled that He had left them on their own, but knew that if they were devout, He would return to them. Baba returned to Shirdi in quite an amusing way.  

Chand Patil, a wealthy man who lived in Nizam, lost his horse while on a trip to Aurangabad. While on his way home, Patil came across a queer man sitting under a mango tree. He wore a Kafni (a long robe) and a cap on His head, which made Him look like a Fakir (a Muslim saint). The man called out to Chand Patil, and asked him what his problems were. Patil told him that he had lost his horse, and had not found him after months of searching. The Fakir told Patil to search in the dam close to where they were sitting, where Patil found his horse. 

Chand Patil returned to the Fakir with his horse, where the two men started to smoke a chillim (pipe). Patil realized that there was no fire to light the lamp nor was there any water to wet the pipe with. Patil watched with amazement as the Fakir struck the chillim on the ground, starting a flame. When the men had finished smoking the chillim, He struck it against the ground again, magically soaking it with water. Once the two men had rested, Chand Patil invited the Fakir to his home so that he could be a part of his nephew’s marriage celebrations. The Fakir accepted Patil’s hospitality, and went to his home the next day, where He was again invited to attend the marriage of Patil’s nephew in Shirdi. 

Chand Patil’s whole family and the Fakir went to Shirdi for the marriage, but when the Fakir stepped off the carts onto the ground, a villager, Mahalaspati, cheered “Ya sai,” which meant “Welcome, Sai.” After that day, the Fakir was known as Sai Baba, and remained in Shirdi from then on. 

Sai Baba had no home or earthly possessions, but started to live in an old mosque in the middle of Shirdi to serve the people of the village. 

Baba used to borrow oil from local shopkeepers, called the Banias, to light the mosque throughout the night. After some time, the Banias decided that they would no longer supply Baba with oil. Baba was not worried by this, and returned to the mosque with his tumrel (tin pot). He added water to the few drops of oil in the tumrel, drank it, and returned it to the container. He then used this water to fill all the lamps, and lit them. The lamps burned throughout the night, bringing shame to the Banias, who then apologized to Baba and repented for their mistake. 

Chapter 6:

Gopalrao Gund, a great devotee of Sai Baba, was blessed with a baby boy. He wanted to celebrate the occasion with a grand festival on the day of Rama Navami. Gopalrao Gund asked Baba for advice, who granted His permission for the celebration. Unfortunately, there was a scarcity of water in the village, and the remaining water was salty. Upon hearing this news, Baba dropped flowers into the well, making the water sweet. After the celebration, Gopalrao Gund and his friend, Nanasaheb Nimonkar, added two embroidered flags to the top of Baba’s mosque. This act is still performed in Shirdi on days of celebration.

The festival of Rama Navami has since been a grand celebration in Shirdi. Each year, more devotees became involved in the process, adding songs, music, and traditions to the celebrations. Sai Baba was happy when His followers started becoming involved in the festival because people were willing put aside their differences and work together to make the celebrations successful. 

Chapter 7:

Shri Sai Baba was a good and tolerant Guru. He believed that as long as people were pure of heart and pious in their beliefs, God would be good to them. He did not like to differentiate between religions or sects, and liked to participate in any functions that praised the Lord. Hindus, Christians, and Muslims prostrated before Baba, asking for his blessings. He treated all people in the same manner, and let his love flow through each person that received his darshan. 

Sai Baba was proficient in many forms of Yoga, and liked to use His practices to help the people that believed in Him. 

While Baba was sitting near the dhuni (holy fire) in His mosque one day, He reached for a log to push into the fire. But instead of a log, He pushed His arm into the fire, which burned and scorched immediately. Baba’s followers came running towards Him, and dragged him away from the fire, asking Him why He had done such a thing. Baba replied that He had sensed that the wife of a blacksmith was near a fire in her home. She had been in a hurry and slipped near the fire, dropping her child into the furnace. Baba thrust his hand into the dhuni to save the child. His followers were amazed as to see the love and mercy of the Lord. 

Leela, the wife of one of Baba’s devotees, was worried for the health of her son, who was suffering with the Bubonic Plague. She went to Baba, and told Him that she was scared that her son may not be able to survive the disease. Baba told her that illness would pass, just as the clouds in the sky would move away, revealing the sun behind them. Saying this, He lifted up His kafni, showing her the bubbles of pus on His chest. Baba smiled and said that He suffered for His devotees, and that their difficulties were His. Baba suffered for all that believed in Him because He believed in their devotion and the love that they showed for Him.  

Chapter 8:

The author describes how taking birth in a human form is double-edged sword. Humans can make the best of the situation or ruin the opportunity by squandering in vices. The virtues of forgiveness, charity, and benevolence will help people move towards becoming more pure and, in turn, more in tune with God. By submitting oneself to a guru, the path to enlightenment seems clearer. Sai Baba’s devotees were known for being humble and pious due to their love for Him. Baba, in turn, showed love to anyone in whom He saw God. 

One such example is Tatya Kote’s mother, Bayajabai, who was known for her service to Baba. She would spend time everyday searching for Baba in the forest where He did penance. Though she was poor, Bayajabai would bring Baba food and vegetables everyday and feed Him throughout his stay in the forest. Baba was immensely pleased by her faith and service and helped both Bayajabai and her son when they needed His help. 

Chapter 9:

Although many devotees came to visit Shirdi to obtain Sai Baba’s blessings, people believed that they could not enter or leave the village of God until He gave them permission. Sometimes, He would give hints or suggestions, and other times, His hints would be less overt. Devotees who followed Baba’s word were rewarded, while those who did not usually fell into problems. 

Once, Baba’s devotee, Tatya Kote, came to Baba in a rush and told Him that he was going to Kopargtaon Bazaar. Baba told him not to rush, and to wait a while before leaving. Not listening to His words, Tatya Kote immediately left the village on his bullock cart. Soon, one of the horses steering the cart sprained its leg, and fell down. Tatya returned to the village and acknowledged his mistake in not listening to Baba’s advice. 

Another instance of this was seen when a wealthy European man arrived in Shirdi to obtain Baba’s blessings. He wanted to be treated differently than the other devotees, and wanted special permission to kneel before Baba and kiss His hand. Baba did not like this, and prevented his entry into the mosque on every attempt. Baba told the man to sit with the other devotees, to which the man got angry and threatened to leave Shirdi. Baba told the man to stay another night in Shirdi, and that He would meet him the next day. The European man left the village anyway, meeting with an accident on the way. After seeing the problems that fell upon people who didn’t listen to Baba’s words, everyone that entered the village was careful to ask for Baba’s permission and blessings before journeying into and out of Shirdi.

Chapter 10:

None knows the exact birth-date of Sai Baba or how He came to be in Shirdi, but it could be approximated by His stay in Shirdi. Since Baba was sixteen when He first came to Shirdi, and twenty when He reappeared in the village to stay forever, it can be assumed that Baba was born in 1838. He was approximately 80 years old when He ascended to the celestial plane. Throughout His time on Earth, Shirdi Baba always preached one message to his devotees. He said that all Gods were one, and that there was no difference between religions because they all believed in God and a Supreme Being. Baba used to read scriptures from all the religions, and pray to both Allah and the Hindu Gods. He saw Divinity in all people, animals, and beings. One such story is described in the tale of Nanavalli.

Nanavalli was a quiet man who lived in Shirdi, and worked for Baba at his Masjid. One day, he came to Baba and had a strange request that Baba get off His seat as he wanted to sit on it. Baba was not angry at all, and got up from His seat to let Nanavalli sit in it. Nanavalli sat in Baba’s feet and then fell at Baba’s feet. He passed away that day after serving Baba his whole life. 

Chapter 11:

Dr Pandit was a friend of Tatyasaheb Noolkar and also a devotee of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. He came to Baba’s Mosque, and after darshan, decided to stay with Him and His devotees in Shirdi. One day, Dr Pandit reached for Baba’s puja plate, and applied sandalwood paste on Babas forehead. To everyone’s surprise,  Baba did not say anything, and allowed Dr Pandit to do so. Baba later told the other devotees that He allowed Dr Pandit to put sandal paste on His head because Dr Pandit’s heart was pure. It was an act of devoutness to his Guru, so Baba was happy about it. 

The story of Sidik Falke is one that shows Babas grace and will. Sidik Falke was a Muslim man who had made pilgrimages to Mecca, Medina, and Shirdi. He lived in Shirdi, and sat facing Baba’s mosque every day. Baba did not allow him inside the mosque for nine months, for which Falke felt very bad. Falke asked other devotees to help him enter Baba’s heart. Shama, one of Baba’s most beloved devotees, tried to help Falke by acting as a go-between for Falke and Baba. Baba asked Falke difficult questions, for which Falke always assented. Finally, Baba went to Falke with anger and told him that he did not need Baba’s blessing as he already prayed to Allah. Falke lowered his head and gave himself to Baba freely, for which Baba was then happy and accepted him as his devotee. Baba saw that Falke was not religiously swayed or biased. He was happy to pray to all Gods and treat all religion as one. 

Chapter 12:

Babas devotee, Kaka Mahajani, once went to Shirdi from Bombay for the Gokul Ashtami festival. He wanted to stay there for a week, when Baba called him near and asked when he would be returning home. He was surprised at this question, but he answered saying that he wished to leave Shirdi in a week’s time. Baba told him to leave the next day, which he followed. When he returned to Bombay, it turned out that his employer was waiting for him and that his job was in jeopardy. Baba had forseen this and told him to leave Shirdi immediately so that he could reach Bombay in time to save his job.

Another story in which Baba’s word changed a man’s life was in the instance of Moolay Shastri, a Brahmin from Nasik. Moolay Shastri went for Baba’s darshan in His mosque with the magistrate of the town and a few friends. Moolay Shastri did not enter the masjid because he did not think that it was a pure or sacred place. But when he started to throw flowers at Baba’s feet, the image before him transformed into his Guru, whom Moolay Shastri trusted and loved. He was taken aback, and thought he was dreaming, but the image did not change. Then, Moolay Shastri bowed in front of Baba and sang the aarti with His other devotees, leaving all doubts at Baba’s feet.

(To be continued ….)

Read Full version of Shri Sai Satcharitra as published by the Shirdi Sai Sansthan in English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Sindi

Reference:

http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/shri%20saisatcharitra.html