72 Hours Samadhi
In 1858, Shri Sai Baba came to Shirdi with the marraiage procession of Chand Patil's newphew. He had never travelled outside Shirdi beyond Rahata after 1958. From the days of the "Pagal Fakir" to Sadguru Samarth, the journey was long. Not all the history of Shri Sai Baba was documented and His early history was not very known except for some of His leelas as mentioned in the earlier chapters. During the first 20 years in Shirdi, Baba spent lot of time with other Saints or sometimes like to wrestle with local wrestlers or playing with Kids. Slowly His fame spread across the nearby villages and more and more devotees started to flow into Shirdi. Mhalsapati, who was His follower from the time Baba set foot in Shirdi, continued to worship Him and consider Him as His Guru and Paramātmā.
In 1986, Baba suddenly got a very severe case of Asthma. It was plaguing Him for some time and it was also a cause of worry for His devotees. One day at 10pm, Baba called onto Mhalsapati to Dwarkamai and informed him that to cure His current predicament, He will be taking a Samadhi for three days. Baba said "Protect my body for three days. If I return, it will be all right, if I do not, bury My body in that open land (pointing to it) and fix two flags there as a mark!” Before Mhalsapati could comprehend the meaning of Baba's message, Baba fell down onto Mhalsapati. His breathing has stopped and there was no pulse to be found. In all sense, it seemed that Baba was no longer alive and has passed away. Mhalsapati was a true Baba devotee, He laid down Baba's body keeping His Head on his own lap. He believed Baba's word that He would return in three days.
The news of Baba's state spread like wild fire in the village and all came to Dwarkamai to see the truth for themselves. They were shocked to the scene in Dwarkamai, where Baba was lying on the ground with his head on lap of Mhalsapati. Mhalsapati was clamly chanting Baba's name. After the initial shock, few got the doctor to check up Baba in order to see if He can be revived. The doctor checked and declared Baba's passing. There were few arguments on the next plan of action and many felt that they have to bury Baba as per His wishes in Dwarkamai. However, Mhalsapati was firm and didn't let anyone near Baba or take Him away. Few of other devotees, who had their belief in Baba and Mhalsapati, stepped forward to protect Baba's physical form from others.
The entire village waited patiently for 72 hours for Baba's return. After 3 days, in the early hours of 3 am, Baba showed small signs of life. His breathing slowly returned and there was some movement in the hands and legs of Baba. Slowly He opened His eyes and smiled at all around Him. Everyone's joy had no bounds and they were overwhelmed with the turn of events. Mhalsapati had sat in the same place for entire duration and it can be said that Baba had given the strength to Mhalsapati to endure the entire situation. Mhalsapati neither felt any need for food or water or any need to relive himself for the entire three days. One should be grateful to Mhalsapati's services to all future generation in protecting the physical form of Baba so that one can continue to feel and see His Leelas in Shirdi for another 32 years till His final samadhi. Mhalsapati had alway been a faithful devotee but also carved the journey of Baba. He was the one who named Him "Sai", also help release Baba from the clutches of Javhar Ali and his role in 72 hours samadhi was just another proof of his devotion and love for Baba.
The entire episode of 72 hour samadhi fermented the greatness and the divinity of Shri Sai Baba. It greatly increase the belief of His devotee and proved to them that He is no ordinary saint but a incarnaton of Almightly Himself. It would be foolish to belief that Shri Sai Baba was limited to his 5 feet body and this incident proved the point that he was no other than Para Brahman (Formless Almighty) taken a form (Saguna Brahman) to bless all mankind and show the path to Paramātmā by having Sharada and Saburi.