Shri Sai Baba - Journey back to Shirdi

After leaving Selu, Shri Sai Baba's first came to Shirdi was in 1854 as a 16 year young man and was first seen meditating without any food under the Neem tree. People from the village, were in awe of the divinity of the young lad. Few of them felt a close connection with Him like Mhalsapati, Bayyajibai. He stayed in Shirdi for 3 years and then disappered as suddenly as he had appeared.

Baba's Return to Shirdi

There was a well-to-do muslim man in the village of Dhoop (in Aurangbad district) named Chand Patil. During one of his trip to the city, he lost his favourite mare. For two months, he had his servents to search the whole area but there was no luck. He was very disappointment and couldn't bear the loss. One day, he decided to search for the mare by himself and followed the trail into the forest where he had lost it. After searching for days in vain, he reached near a mango tree, when he heard his name called out. Initially, not finding anyone, he felt scared and felt that some demon had approached him. His eyes feel on a young Fakir sitting under the tree, who was wearing a kafni, carrying a Satka and Chillim in his hand. The Fakir spoke as a mother speaks to scared child that He was no demon and just a simple Fakir. Though Chand was scared but somehow the voice of the Fakir had somehow calming effect on him. The Fakir asked him to come near Him and have a smoke and rest with Him as he looked tired. Chand sat down and told his predictment. The fakir suggested him to search for his horse in a nearby nala (brook). As stated by the fakir,the horse was soon found.

On finding the horse, Chand Patil immediately understood that the Fakir was no ordinary man. He took his horse to the fakir and sought his blessing. The Fakir again suggested that they smoke the Chillam (Pipe). Chand stated that they didn't have either fire or water, which were needed to smoke the Chillam. The fakir, immediately used his Satka to strike the ground and there was small fire. He used His satka again on the ground again and water started to flow out. The Fakir used them to light the Chillam and pass the Chillam to Chand. They smoked for some time and Chand was still in awe of the entire incident, which had taken place in front of him. Chand knew this was no ordinary Fakir and invited the Fakir to come with him to his house, where he can meet his family and accept their hospitality. Fakir smiled and said "I am but a simple Fakir, What would I do at your house. I will not be able to come today but will come tomorrow"

Chand returned to his house with his horse. All his family were happy to see his endeavour was successful. He narrated his experience and about the Fakir, who was no ordinary person. As promised, the Fakir came to visit Chand Patel's house. All in the village came to see the Fakir and they sought the extraordinary person's blessing. The Fakir stayed with Chand for some time.

After some time, the newphew of Chand Patil marriage was fixed in a nearby village called Shirdi. Chand Patil had no children of his own but was close to his nephew. It was agreed that they will go to Shirdi with the marriage procession. Chand requested the Fakir to accompy them and bless the newly wed after the marriage. Fakir, knowning that His destiny was also in Shirdi, agreed to be part of the marriage procession to Shirdi. After all the arrangement were made, the procession started to Shirdi with all dance and pomp.

Naming of Sai Baba

The marriage procession reached Shirdi and stopped at the Bayanan tree at the outskrits of the village. There was a temple of Kandoba nearby, the Fakir moved toward the temple to pray to the Lord. The priest of Kandoba temple was Mhalsapati Chimnaji Nagare. Looking at the fakir, Mhalsapati was very impressed and felt he was looking at a pious person. He immediately said "YA SAI" (in Marati meaning Welcome Sai). The people nearby heard this and felt the Fakir name was SAI and thereby started calling the Fakir - Sai. The word "SAI" means a person who has attained Siddhi. Mhalsapati spoke of the words spontaneously as if the name came naturally to him. He had no control or thought of uttering the words and it was as if they words were being spoke by some divinity within him. It was similar to the manner in which Sri Rama was named by Sage Vasishtha. While naming the four princes, he just closed his eye and let the divinity in Him say the words and thus came Rama, which meant a pleasing and unwavering person. Both "Sai" & "Rama" are easy to utter and any person will be able to speak the words with ease. It is said, a devotee don't need to utter mantra or do yagnas but just uttering the god name continuously brings them to the righteous path. Thus, "Om Sri SaiRam" become a mantra in itself and everyone today chants it to attain enlightenment.

As Sai neared the temple and was about to enter the temple, Mhalsapati felt little distrust as Sai was dressed as a muslim. There was a genral mistrust that muslim destory the hindu idol and temple. Hence asked Baba to not enter the temple as a muslim was not welcomed in a hindu temple. He suggested that a muslim should visit a masjid to pray to God. Baba just smiled and spoke calmly that "GOD is ONE - Sabka Malik Ek Hai" and that Hindus and Muslim were just word created by humans to divide the ONE GOD. Just like one cannot divide the Air around them, God cannot be divided and He is all around us. Baba further asked Mhalsapati to see GOD in all the people around him and in all things around him. Baba asked whether Khandoba was not everywhere and if so, whether he was not in Baba also as well as in Mhalsapati. Baba further enlighted Mhalsapati that Temple or Masjid were not built by GOD but people like him. However, not wanting to hurt Mhalsapati's feeling, Baba didn't enter the temple and started to leave.

Mhalsapati was in awe with the wisdom and argument shown by Baba. He immediately knew that this was no ordinary man but a Great Soul / Saint, who has blessed them by coming to their village. It looked like to Mhalsapati that Khandoba had come as Baba to open his eye for his misapprehension. He prostrated himself at Baba's feet. He apolozied for his harsh words and requested Baba to stay in his village. Baba moved by the love showed by Mhalsapati agreed to reside in the village.

Abode at Dwarkamai

Initially, Baba didn't stay at one place and used to roam around in the village and forest in the outskirts of the village. He was not considered a saint & He used to called Pagal Fakir (Mad Fakir) by the villager. There were only few, who knew the greatness of Baba from the start. One was Mhalsapati, who worshipped Baba from the start. There was one more, who felt very close to Baba from the start, namely Bayajabai Kote Patil. Every Day, Bayyajibai made it her duty to bring the food for Baba. She used to set out at noon and search for Baba to feed Him. Some days, she had to roam for hours and hours before she would locate Baba in the forest or some other part of the village or in the outskirts. She never went back without finding and giving Him the food. Baba sometimes ate the food himself and at times, He used to feed animals or distribute it with other, who were hungry. He felt all beings were representing the Almighty GOD and feeding any being meant feeding HIM.

Out of compassion for Bayajabai, Baba stopped roaming into the forest and started staying within the limit of Shirdi. He moved into a masjid (which was in ruins) and called it - Dwarkamai. Baba said that Dwarkamai was like a mother and would accept any person into its fold and protect them.

*OM SRI SAI NADHAYA NAMAHA*