PUBLISHED BY SHRI SAI BABA SANSTHAN SHIRDI. Legend of Sai Baba's Life & Leelas

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1 PUBLISHED BY SHRI SAI BABA SANSTHAN SHIRDI Legend of Sai Baba's Life & Leelas Each saint or prophet, in his time has manifested some particular aspect of Godliness; But hardly has there been one so richly endowed, as Shri Sai Baba, in presenting to the human consciousness the versatility of God, if we may so express it, Shri Sai Baba has satisfied the exacting human instinct in men of expecting perfection in those whom they seek to adore. Not only in one particular aspect is this perfection sought, but in manifold spheres,.such as the intellectual, the aesthetic and the spiritual. Man is a complex being, and paradoxical in his complexity. Full of imperfections himself, and poorly endowed, he, nevertheless, looks up to the Divine, with a compelling anticipation, for a harmonious fulfilment. An Incarnation who could appeal to the varied imagination of the people was a necessity that Sai Baba fulfilled. Here, at last, was a saint who could appeal to the moral, the artistic and the intellectual instincts of humanity. Though a historical chronicle of a great man's life is accepted as an authoritative account, an artistic presentation has its own place and purpose. The entire legend of Shri Sai Baba's life and Leelas is indeed an epic which can be effectively projected through the medium of art, so as to satisfy our instinct for visual perception. Beauty and Truth are abstract sublimations, nevertheless they are not independent of man's perceptive imagination. When the world of beautiful ideas and ideals is presented to us through visual art, their appeal is often enhanced. Thus by presenting a pictorial word story of this great incarnation of Love, we feel that his lovely life and Leelas will become more intense, alive and enduring. Shri Sai Baba's life was not one of ascetic monotony; it was a life rich in variety, a dynamic manifestation in creative activity of all that he stood for. As such, Baba's Leelas lend themselves beautifully to this kind of presentation. Pictures repainted by Shri Pednekar whose imagination has captured the many moods of Shri Baba's doings, these drawings are not to be appraised as work of art. They are just a dedicated outpouring through the brush, of a devoted Bhakta, and a labour of love. These illustrations together with the commentaries attached to each, will I am sure, lift the bhakta to the transcendental symbolism of a rich spiritual experience. Sangita, 53-A, Hill Road, Bombay th Sept., 1968 Layout & Presentation in Acrobat by Balbir S. Sidhu - Singapore 1

2 Mani Sahukar Within a very short time of Sai Baba s arrival at Shirdi, the villagers pointing ot him called him Sai which being interpreted in God with us. These simple folk also hailed him as an Avatar of the age. Thus, in a moment was resurrected the immortal Saint of Shirdi -- Shri Sai Baba, the great apostle of love In the very beginning, Sai Baba was in the habit of going to a few houses in the neighbourhood to beg for food. At times Baba would scold a grudging housewife by saying Mother you have so many Chapaties, so much rice and this or that vegetable in your pots, why refuse a bit of food to a fakir! This gentle chastisement and the accuracy of the strange fakir s pronouncement would remove the veil of maya from these women who would then rush to put their all at his feet, as an offering of love. The hunger of a Guru s heart for the love of his bhaktas is not sufficiently recognized. Here is one such instance of a devotee s burning love for the master. Baijabai daily sought out Baba in the forest where he lived in the early days, in order to bring him food which she lovingly prepared for him. Baba raises his hand in a gesture of blessing and his eyes light up with gratitude. The Guru has his needs and longings too, and this is an alluring facet of the Guru Bhakta relationship. Layout & Presentation in Acrobat by Balbir S. Sidhu - Singapore 2

3 There is an interesting story of one of Baba s many miracles. Chandpatil was once riding through the forest when suddenly he felt an acute urge to smoke. To his great dismay he found that he did not have the wherewithal to ignite a fire to light his Chelum with. Seeing Sai Baba seated under a tree, the rider approached him for a match. Baba had no matches, but just for thrusting the tongs nearly, he produced a flame. The rider witnessing the miracle, realizes and recognises Baba s divine stature and kneels to the Saint in Service is the badge of God s kingdom. Radha Krishna Mai, a lady of good family voluntarily assumed the duty of sweeping the ashram compound daily. This was her way of showing her adoration for her Master Sai Baba. Shri Sai Baba was very found of children. He used to spend part of his day in playing, chit chatting or humouring with them. Sai Baba often cooked a hotch-potch of vegetables, rice and spices all mixed together in this magic earthen pot. The food that Baba made seemed to grow in abundance and there was always enough for everyone. Verily, the touch of a sat-purusha unlocks the storehouse of the Goddess Annapoorna s unlimited resources. Layout & Presentation in Acrobat by Balbir S. Sidhu - Singapore 3

4 Sai Baba abandons himself to the mood of divine ecstasy through music. Like the lord of dancers Nataraja, Baba too loses himself in the Cosmic dance, symbolizing the primal rhythmic energy of life. Here Sai Baba is seen sitting on the steps of the famous Dwara Mayee mosque at Shirdi, absorbed in the divine thralldom of music. Baba s appreciation of talent, and the warm encouragement he gave to those who had talent were priceless gifts from his immeasurable divinity. Sai Baba knowledge of the Shastras, the Geeta, the Quran and other scriptures was phenomenal. He was indeed Wisdom incarnate! Without studying or reading books, Baba possessed a rare proficiency in all scriptures, and he could quote from verse and line to show where a particular truth lay embedded, to the sheer amazement of the Pandits who went to him elucidation. They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick Sai Baba s profound love and compassion for suffering humanity are manifested here, as he gently tends a lepers sores. Layout & Presentation in Acrobat by Balbir S. Sidhu - Singapore 4

5 SAI BABA IN DARBAR IN DWARKAMAI Sai Baba distributing the holy udhi the panacea for all troubles to his bhaktas. Udhi is the ash that drops from the holy fire kindled by Baba a hundred years ago. The great master was wont to use this ash for healing the sick, thus investing the udhi with great power by this gesture. Even now the sick and the unhappy alike are healed if they take this divine medicine with faith. The Saint of Shirdi had green fingers, for all that he sowed and planted would blossom forth into fruit and flower. Here the divine gardener is seen tending and watering the plants in the Lendi Gardens. All the pictures with the Sansthan are repainted by Shri Pendekar. Sai Baba is going in procession from the Dwarka Mayee to the Chavadi, according by this veteran devotees, Bhaktas thus escorted Baba to his destination with all the ceremonial honours due to a king for, was he not in fact the king of kings? Layout & Presentation in Acrobat by Balbir S. Sidhu - Singapore 5

6 The 15 th of October 1918 was a sorrowful and fateful day for the little village of Shirdi, for in the heavy hours of the noon, the beloved Master suddenly breathed his last. Quietly and unobtrusively, Baba, gave up his body, and let his head fall gently on the shoulders of a near disciple. The great Avtar s glorious period of Messiahship, his self allotted labour of love, came to an abrupt end. All the magic light seemed to have died out that erstwhile had given to thousands of seekers courage, hope and inspiration in a moment all the chambers of the ashram seemed emptied of delight and a strange desolation filled each heart. But not for long.. for, resurrection ever keeps pace with and outlives the forces of death and destruction. The great Avtar of Love and Compassion gave up his body so that his spirit may be resurrected in the hearts of thousands of his ever growing Bhaktas. Layout & Presentation in Acrobat by Balbir S. Sidhu - Singapore 6