Baba's Behaviour and Leelalu (Con't)
Nanda Deepam
Nanda Deepam is the perpetual lamp in Lendi Bagh which was maintained by Baba and Abdul. Abdul was born in 1871 and came into Baba's fold in 1980. Baba was very close to Abdul and used to say to him "Mera Kabla Ala" or "My Crow has come". Abdul inturn was very devoted to Baba and was like to a "Hanuman" to Sai Baba, he was always next to Baba till His Mahasamadi. Nanda Deepam was just a pit ,during Baba's time, with nothing to protect it except some pieces of cloths tied around it and covered by zinc sheet. Abdul was dutied to maintain this lamp in his lifetime. Baba used to sit next to the lamp and order Abdul to bring him two pots of water. He used to pour out the water in all directions and only Adbul was allowed to stay with Him during this cermony. No one knew the reason why Baba performed this activity and also whether any incantation were spoken. The reason for such behavious of Baba is best known to Him and mere mortal may not be able to comprehend the meaning nor purpose of such leelas. In 1936, the lamp was covered by pillar to protect and maintain it.
Wheat Flour miracle
In 1910, there a peculiar incident which occured in Dwarkamai. One day, Baba started to make preparations to grind wheat in Dwarkamai. He normally used to depend on alms from the village for his food hence it was very strange for Him to prepare wheat flour. He starting taking the wheat and using the hand mill, started the process of making flour. The news of Sai baba grinding wheat spread across the village and everybody came running to the masjid to see for themselves this peculiar act of Baba. Though everyone was curious, none had the courage to question Baba on this actions. Few brave women of the village stepped forward, taking charge of the grinding from Baba and started to grind the wheat themselves. Though Baba was intially little annoyed by their action, He recongized the love and devotion behind their actions and let them perform their seva.As they were grinding, the women themselves starting thinking that Baba was a fakir who lived on alms from the village and He himself had no family to take care, hence He would not need the flour and was performing the grinding to distribute the flour to the villager or poor. Considering they are eligible for taking the flour to their home, the women after completing the grinding, started to divide the flour within themselves. Baba, who till now was smiling and keeping quite, become enraged and shouted on the women. Initially, the women were sacred but later ashamed of their actions, repented trying to take away the flour. After some time, Baba instructed them to throw the flour around the border of the village. The women dutifully obey His wishes and performed the tasks.
No one knew the purpose of throwing of the wheat flour and neither Baba provided any explaination. However, these were the times when the cholera epidemic was flaring in the region and it was noticed that after this activity, the cholera subsided in Shirdi and the people were safe. No one could link the relationship between Cholera and wheat flour - Whether there was any scientific evidences of wheat flour against the disease. It must be noted that the flour in itself may not have stopped the spread of disease but it was Baba who was putting a stop to the spread and this increase the belief in Baba further for all the villagers in Shirdi.
This story is also very interesting as this incident was the cause for Shri Govind Dabholkar alias Hemadpant to think about writing the Satcharita (Life history of Shri Sai Baba), which is now so precious to all His devotees.
Philosophy behind the grinding of Wheat
Further analysis can be done to the philosophy behind the grinding of wheat. Baba always used to grind wheat in the masjid. It can be speculated that wheat were the sins of His devotees, which he used to grind to remove them and cleanse His devotees. It was His way to take aways the sins, miseries and difficulties from His devotees. Another view would be the two stones were Karma (lower stone) and Bhakti or Devotion (upper stone). The handle would be considered as Dhyan or concentration. The whole purpose of grinding would be show that with proper attention or concentration on their Bhaki. As the stone rotates, a person would see a churn within themself when the hold on to the devotion and concentrate on the Lord or Baba. This would remove all their sins, miseries and difficulties or hardships in their life.Another interested story linked to the wheat as told in the Satcharitra is about an incident about Kabir. Once Kabir was walking with His guru, Nipatniranjan, when they came across a women, who was grinding wheat outside her house. Kabir felt that He was like the wheat, being crushed by wheel of worldly existences or Maya in this world. He wanted to know if there was a way to save Himself from the Maya which surrounded Him. His Guru provided a similar answer as Baba that he should hold fast the handle of knowledge and never wander far away from the center and churn within to find the truth, which would save Him from the Maya.
Story of Rohila
Once a Rohila (name unknown) came to Shirdi and lived for some time with Baba. He was much devoted to Baba and love Him immensely. Baba inturn showered similar love and affection towards Rohila. This can be understood via the following incident.Rohila was a very strong, abled person who was unrestrained and self willed meaning he would not heed to anyone other than Baba. He used to stay either in the Masjid or Chavadi and during the night recite the Koran so loud at top of his voice, whenever he wanted. This distrubed the others in the village hugely, who after a very hard days work, wanted nothing but a quiet night sleep. However, Baba was very happy with this and was never bothered by the loud recitation of Koran. Unable to directly confront Rohila (he being storng as bull), the villager sought the help of Baba and humbly requested Him to speak on their behalf to Rohila so they can have a peaceful night sleep. To their suprise, Baba turn around against them and shouted not to bother Rohila as he had a bad-tempered wife and the only way she was in control was through his recitation of Koran. Villagers were perplexed by Baba's response as Rohila was unmarried and had no wife. They understood later that the wife mentioned by Baba was evil thoughts - which would enter the mind of Rohila and only stayed out when he shouted the Koran verse. Villagers had no alternative but accept Baba decision. Baba told them that once Rohila was cured in due time, things would return to normal. This incident shows Baba love for His devotee and also His love for the prayers. He did not take the side of the villager but took Rohila's case to them and never stopped anyone from prayer. Though Rohila's voice was not soothing, He still allowed him to shout the verse as loudly as he could.