Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 42

Chapter – 42

Baba’s Passing Away, Previous Indication - Averting Deaths of Ramachandra Dada Patil and Tatya Kote Patil - Charity to Laxmibai Shinde - Last Moment

This chapter describes the passing away of Sai Baba.

Preliminary

The stories given in the previous chapter have shown that the light of the guru’s grace removes our fear of the mundane existence, opens the path of salvation, and turns our misery into happiness. If we always remember the feet of the satguru, our troubles come to an end, death loses its sting, and the misery of this mundane existence is obliterated. Therefore, those who care for their welfare should carefully listen to these stories of Sai Samarth, which will purify their minds.

Previous Indication

The readers up until now have learned the stories of Baba’s life. Let them now read most attentively about Baba’s passing away. Baba got a slight attack of fever on September 28, 1918. The fever only lasted for two or three days, but afterward, Baba gave up His food and thereby grew weaker and weaker. On the 17th day, i.e. Tuesday, October 15, 1918, Baba left his mortal coil at about 2:30 p.m. (Vide Professor G.G. Narke’s letter to Dadasaheb Khaparde dated November 5, 1918, published in ‘Sai Leela’ magazine, page 78, first year). Two years prior to this, i.e. in 1916, Baba gave an indication of His passing away, but no one understood it at that time.  It was as follows:

On the Vijayadashami (Dasara) day, Baba went into a wild rage in the evening when people were returning from Seemollanghan (crossing the border or limits of the village). After taking off His headdress, kafni and langota etc., He tore them and threw them in the dhuni right in front of everyone present. Fed by this offering, the fire in the dhuni began to burn brighter and Baba shone brighter still. There He stood, stark naked. With His burning red eyes He shouted, “You fellows, now have a look and finally decide whether I am a Moslem or a Hindu.” Everyone was trembling with fear and no one dared approach Baba. After some time, Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, went boldly near Him and succeeded in tying a langota (waist band) around His waist while saying, “Baba, what is all this? Today is the Seemollanghan, i.e. Dasara Holiday.” Baba, striking the ground with His satka said, “This is My Seemollanghan (crossing the border).”

Baba did not cool down till 11:00 p.m. and the people doubted whether the Chavadi procession would ever take place that night. After an hour, Baba resumed His normal condition and, dressing Himself as usual, attended the Chavadi procession as described before. By this incident, Baba gave a suggestion that Dasara was the proper time for Him to cross the border of life, but none understood its meaning. Baba also gave another indication as follows:

Averting Deaths of Ramachandra and Tatya Patil

Sometime after this, Ramchandra Patil became seriously ill. He suffered greatly. He tried all sorts of remedies, but finding no relief, despaired of his life and prepared himself for his last moment. Then one midnight, Baba suddenly stood near his pillow. Patil held His feet and said, “I have lost all hope of life. Please tell me definitely when I shall die.” Merciful Baba said, “Don’t be anxious. Your hundi (death warrant) has been withdrawn and you will soon recover, but I am afraid for Tatya Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashami of shaka 1840. (1918 A.D.) Do not divulge this to anyone, nor to him, for he will be terribly frightened.”

Ramachandra Dada Patil recovered, but he felt nervous about Tatya’s life, for he knew that Baba’s word was unalterable and that Tatya would breathe his last within two years. He kept this hint secret, telling no one except Bala Shimpi, the tailor. Only these two men, Ramachandra Dada Patil and Bala Shimpi, were in fear and suspense regarding Tatya’s life. Ramachandra Dada soon left his bed and was back on his feet again. Time passed quickly. The month of Bhadrapad of shaka 1840 (1918) was ending and Ashwin was in sight. True to Baba’s word, Tatya fell sick and was bed ridden, so he could not come for Baba’s darshan. Baba was also down with fever. Tatya had full faith in Baba and Baba in Lord Hari, who was His protector. Tatya’s illness began to grow from bad to worse and he could not move at all, but he always remembered Baba. The predicament of Baba began to grow equally worse. The day which had been predicted by Baba for Tatya Patil’s passing, i.e. Vijayadashami, was impending and both Ramachandra Dada and Bala Shimpi were terribly frightened about Tatya. With their bodies trembling and perspiring with fear, they thought that as predicted by Baba, Tatya’s end was nigh. Vijayadashami dawned and Tatya’s pulse began to beat very slow. He was expected to pass away shortly, but a curious thing happened. Tatya remained, his death was averted, and Baba passed away instead. It seemed as if there was an exchange. People said that Baba gave up His life for Tatya. Why did Baba do this? He alone knows, as His ways are inscrutable. It seems, however, that in this incident, Baba gave a hint of His passing away, substituting Tatya’s name for His.

The next morning, October 16th, Baba appeared in a dream to Das Ganu at Pandharpur and said to him, “The masjid collapsed. All the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I left the place. I came here to inform you. Please go to Shirdi quickly and cover Me with ample flowers.” Das Ganu also learned of Baba’s passing from some letters from Shirdi. Thus, Das Ganu and his disciples went to Shirdi to do bhajan and kirtan, singing the Lord’s name throughout the day in front of Baba’s samadhi. Das Ganu wove a beautiful garland of flowers studded with Lord Hari’s name and placed it on Baba’s samadhi. A mass feast was given in Baba’s name.

Charity to Laxmibai

Dasara or Vijayadashami is regarded by all Hindus as the most auspicious time of the year and it is befitting that Baba should choose this time for His crossing over from the physical world. He was ailing for two weeks before that, but He was ever conscious internally. Just before the last moment, He sat up erect, without anyone’s aid, and looked better. People thought the danger had passed and He was getting well, but Baba knew He was to pass away soon and therefore He wanted to give some money as charity to Laxmibai Shinde.

Baba Pervading All Creatures

Laxmibai Shinde was a good and well-to-do woman who worked in the masjid day and night. Only Bhagat Mhalasapati, Tatya and Laxmibai were allowed to step into the masjid at night. Once, while Baba was sitting in the masjid with Tatya in the evening, Laxmibai came and greeted Baba. Baba said to her, “Oh Laxmi, I am very hungry.” Off she went, saying, “Baba, wait a bit. I will return immediately with bread.” She returned with bread and vegetables and placed them before Baba. He picked up the freshly prepared food and gave it to a dog. Laxmibai then asked, “What is this, Baba? I ran in haste, prepared bread with my own hands for You, and You threw it to a dog without eating even a morsel of it? You gave me trouble unnecessarily.” Baba replied, “Why are you complaining for nothing? The appeasement of the dog’s hunger is the same as Mine. The dog has a soul. Creatures may be different, but the hunger of all is the same. Though some speak and others do not, know for certain that he who feeds the hungry really serves Me with food. Regard this as an axiomatic truth.” This is a trifling incident, but Baba thereby propounded a great spiritual truth by showing the example of this practical application in daily life, which did not hurt anyone’s feelings. From that time onward, Laxmibai began to offer Baba bread and milk with love and devotion every day. Baba accepted this with appreciation and ate it. Having taken some food for Himself, He gave the remainder to Laxmibai, requesting that she give it to Radha Krishna Mai, who always relished and ate Baba’s remnant prasad. This story should not be considered as a digression. It shows how Sai Baba pervaded all the creatures and transcended them. He is omnipresent, birthless, deathless, and immortal.

Baba remembered Laxmibai’s service. How could He forget her? Just before leaving His body, Baba put His hand in His pocket and gave her Rs. 5/ and then Rs. 4/, thus, in all, nine rupees. This figure (9) is indicative of the nine types of devotion described in chapter 21 or it may represent the dakshina offered at the time of Seemollanghan. Laxmibai was a well-to-do woman and so she was not in want of any money, so perhaps Baba might have suggested to her symbolically through the nine rupees, the nine characteristics of a good disciple mentioned in the 6th verse of chapter ten, skandha eleven of the Bhagavad Gita, wherein first five, and then four characteristics are mentioned in the first and second couplets. Baba followed the order, by first paying Rs. 5/ and then Rs. 4/, nine rupees in all. Not only nine, but many times nine rupees passed through Laxmibai’s hand, but Baba’s gift of nine rupees at the time of His passing was something she would always remember.

Baba, being watchful and conscious in His last moments, also took other precautions. In order not to be entangled with love and affection for His devotees, Baba ordered them to all clear out. Kakasaheb Dixit, Bapusaheb Booty and others were in the masjid anxiously waiting upon Baba, but He asked them to go to the wada and to return after their meal. They did not want to leave Baba’s presence, but they could not disobey Him. So, with heavy hearts and heavy feet, they all went to the wada. They knew Baba’s case was very serious and that they could not forget Him. They sat for meals, but their mind was elsewhere, it was with Baba. Before they finished their meals, news came to them of Baba’s leaving the mortal coil. Leaving their dishes, they ran to the masjid and found Baba’s body resting on Bayaji’s lap. He did not fall down on the ground, nor did He lie on His bed, but sitting quietly on His seat and doing charity with His own hands, He threw off the mortal coil. Saints embody themselves and come into this world with a definite mission. After that mission is fulfilled, they pass away as quietly and easily as they came.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all