Shirdi Sai Baba Stories,Leelas and Teachings.: For 2 Thousand years we have had a close relationship.

Dear readers,

This big "sparrow "was pulled by Baba in 1911.Nana saheb and Ram Maruti were instrumental for Anandrao Trimbak Karnik's visit to Shirdi.

Karnik knew both of them from long as Nana and they were childhood friends and went to same school. Later Nana moved away to pursue higher studies. In 1911 Nana went toKarniks home to renew their old friendship. As always Nana spoke about Baba, narrating His leelas in great details and about His divinity.

Here the first seed was sowed. Das Ganu would come to Nana’s residence to perform Bhajans and Ram maruti attended the bhajan programme and danced and jumped in bliss.

Karnik and his sons started attending the bhajans.At the end of 1911 Karnik had completed his fasts for pradosh (Udyapan).It also happened to be an evening of the bhajan, He eagerly went to Nana's home. There he met Ram Maruti and asked him if he would give him Anugraha and Mantra updesh.Unhesitatingly, Ram maruti pointed at Baba's photograph and asked him to take refuge at Baba's feet.

A few days earlier his eldest son expressed his desire to go to Shirdi.So taking Ram Maruti’s advice they took off to Shirdi.

Before leaving Kalyan, he had mentally decided upon two things.First to offer Baba Sava Rupya (one and quarter rupees) as dakshina, as he firmly believed that it was the dakshina of Shri Satya Narayana;s Mahapuja and secondly that if Baba of his own accord did not ask for dakshina he would return home.

After their journey at Kopergaon they met Ram Maruti with a lot of his disciples setting off to Shirdi.The group hired the only bullock cart that was available and proceeded to Shirdi .Karnik and his son were thus stranded or this they thought. However they had mentally decided to go to Shirdi, come what May .A short while later, a Tonga turned up and offered to take them to Shirdi and charged them very reasonable fair.

They went to Dwarkamayi, took darshan and attended the aarti with great joy.Baba however called his son to Him and asked him for dakshina and Prasad. His wife had prepared this Prasad with great love and devotion that Baba would accept.Karnik did charanseva, but Baba did not even glance at him, or so it seemed to him. He gave his son aashirwad and applied udi repeatedly on his forehead. Then ,Baba ordered everyone to go to the wada and sit there peacefully .Karnik was in dilemma ,as Baba had not asked for dakshina,so he thought was he to return home? Then Baba looked directly at him and said" Do not leave Shirdi without my permission .Now, go to the Wada."

Now Karnik was in real dilemma. He had to return home as his son had to attend office next day, So they went to meet Baba again, but Baba wasn't there. On their third attempt, they saw Baba was there. However, he called his son into the Sanctum Sanctorum and asked Karnik to wait in the Sabha Mandap."Bhokrutva konas chuktas naahi te bhogtlech pahije" (meaning in english) -Sufferings does not allude anyone and it has to be borne ".

His son was in a very weakened state, following a long illness at that time.Then, in an angry tone, He said,"Sinchayala itka divas khayaala ghaatle aani malkat kapde dhonaas malaa saangitle,tar nahe mhantto Maajha maala te dhutlech payaje,parantu lookachi maja paaha"-(meaning in english) -Sinchya -an abuse was given food for so many days .And told to wash the dirty clothes. But he said "No"and that he should wash his own clothes, but look at the fun people are having ".

Then, Baba beckoned Karnik to come near .Karnik went forward eagerly and embraced Baba's feet, covering them with kisses.Baba suddenly said," Will you give me dakshina?" Karnik looked at his son, who gave him "sava rupaya "which Karnik placed in Baba's hands.Baba,on receiving the dakshina,danced with joy and love and started singing ,"Hyane tar sava rupaya dila ,rupaya sava dila,Shri Ram Parvardigar"(meaning in english ) - He gave me Sava rupaya .Look ,rupaya sava he gave me ).Baba said ,"This is your own home and only I am here. Do come frequently Okay."

So happy was Karnik that there and then, he started repeating Baba's words so that he could remember them by heart. After receiving permission, he indeed wrote them down.Enroute, he pondered over Baba's words. Being poor, it was not feasible for him to visit Shirdi frequently .So, what did Baba mean? Than it dawned upon him that the message was to go to Nana, as there was no difference between Nana and Baba.

On reaching kalyan, he went straight to Nana's home and told him about everything that took place in Shirdi .Nana agreed with his interpretation. And asked him to learn Ram Raksha Stotra.Thence Karnik went daily to Chandorkar's home for satsang.

A month later his second son visited Shirdi along with his father. During aarti, Karnik, his son and Ram Maruti stood together, Baba looked at Karnik and said" For two thousand years, we have had a close relationship. From the very beginning, he was fond of joking.”

After aarti they went for Baba's darshan .Karnik however sat at a distance from Baba, who lovingly said,"Being a long time friend, why this distance.”Saying this, Baba beckoned him to come near and hugged him like a mother would. He than applied udi and placed His hand on Karniks head." give me six rupees dakshina,"said Baba.

Karnik asked his son who at once gave the amount .Baba then said,"The son who gives the money immediately ,Allah will bless him ." Then turning to Karnik, Baba said"Do not hesitate to ask me for anything you need." Then karnik asked his son for dakshina and depleted him of all his money .At that juncture, a young solicitor came for darshan and seeing karnik asked Baba to bless his aged father.

"My grace is not partial, I bestow it on everyone equally, for not a leaf moves without my grace." Karnik heard these words and felt it was Baba's first lesson .On reaching Kalayan he related everything to Nana. Jai Sai Ram.

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