Month: June 2020

Sai always takes care of His devotees in such a way that, love and unity between them remains everlasting, leaving no room for jealousy or bitterness of any kind or even the temptation to copy what the other is doing.
Especially for this very reason, Sai earlier did not allow His birthday to be celebrated, as He felt that all would think of buying a gift for Him. Then, if someone is unable to buy, he would feel dejected or the devotees also might imitate or compete with each other in buying gifts, thereby unnecessarily upsetting their minds!
But now, due to insistence of devotees and for their sake, Sai has agreed to celebrate His birthday!

Once there was an occassion of bhajan-kirtan at a devotee’s place in Mumbai. The number of devotees who turned up were in large numbers. After the programme, Sai was served food in a thali and food packed in boxes was distributed to the devotees. On the way back, Sai felt that although He had eaten, He was not feeling fully satiated. He said, I feel some of my devotees have not eaten!
One devotee in the car confirmed that as the number of people were more, and the boxes were less, some devotees were returning without having eaten. Sai immediately called up Darbar Sahib and made arrangements for their food.
This clearly shows His love and concern for His devotees, so much so that, if at any point of time they have not eaten, He ‘ feels ‘ their hunger, He feels that He has not eaten properly and provides for them immediately!

May 17th 

In Darbar Sahib, once an aged lady came and bowed to Sai. She took out Rs 10 and gave to Sai as an offering, which Sai refused to accept.

Eyes filled with tears, she requestingly told Sai that I have collected this amount penny by penny. Please have mercy on me and bless me by  accepting this small offering. Sai said, “I know everything and hence I am not accepting.” But as she repeatedly kept insisting, Sai took one rupee, returned Rs 9 to her and said, “This rupee of yours is equivalent to a lakh for me.” She was too overwhelmed at Sai’s such compassion for her. 

After she left, Sai said, “It is a sin to accept a poor devotee’s offering, which they have collected with so much effort and this adversely affects our own karmas.”

 

May 24th 

Once a devotee invited Sai for his daughter’s marriage. Sai explained to him that if I come, along with me my devotees too would come and this would result in extra expenses. Instead, you utilise that money for your daughter’s benefit.

A similar instance had occurred at the time of Guru Ramdas Sahib, the fourth Guru in succession to Guru Nanak Sahib. A relative of His invited Him for his daughter’s marriage. He knew that if He goes, many devotees too would accompany Him and that will result in unnecessary expenses for the girl’s side. Accordingly, He decided to send Shri Arjundev, His son.

In the same way, our Sai too rightly guided the devotee, this is His greatness, His grace!

 

May 31st

Many devotees often request Sai to visit their house and also have bhandara there.  Sai first thinks and assesses as to how well off and affording the devotee is, then accepts the invitation. For others, Sai does not prefer that they should be burdened with extra expenditure, with that closeness He advises them to bring from home a plate of cooked meal and mix it with the Darbar bhandara. This way, Sai says, not only would He have it, but even other devotees will eat the same.

Sai also say that if it is difficult to cook or health does not permit, the devotee can also add a bowl of flour or rice or ghee, etc in Darbar’s store and same way it would reach Sai and other devotees too!

Even in Ajmer, Sai never goes to the house of a disciple, devotee or a friend. He asks them to prepare whatever they wish and bring it to Darbar, where all can share and eat together!

There cannot be a better example of concern for devotees and righteousness of action!

 

Jun 7th

A Sindhi Sant Samelan was organised in 2007 at Haridwar. When the bhandara was laid for the Saints, Sai realised that it had not been laid for the devotees.

When Sai asked the organisers, one Saint amongst them replied that first we bigger Saints, then other Saints will eat and then it will be laid for the devotees.

Sai disapprovingly said, “If the bhandara is not laid at the same time for all, I shall not eat here, rather go to a nearest five star to have my meal. Bhandara should be laid for all Saints and devotees at the same time. Who are they, they are our sevadharis who work so hard in organising these events, how can they eat in the end?”

At that instant, Sai organised the bhandara for the devotees under His personal supervision, and then He sat along with them to eat.

Such high principles are quoted by many, but we know that our Sai is one of them, who actually follows it practically!