Month: January 2022

In 1998, when Sai had visited Nairobi, one devotee on seeing the itinerary commented that only a day for the safari is very less. He said that the visitors usually devote 4 to 5 days and only then they are able to see some animals. But Sai carried on with the program as per their schedule.
The surprising thing that happened was, as soon as they reached there one cheetah appeared, climbed on the bonnet of Sai’s car and sat there, staring at everyone inside. Sai gestured to all inside, to simply sit quietly. After about 4 to 5 minutes, it climbed down the bonnet and alongwith 2 more cheetahs went round the vehicle and left!
Other devotees who were in different vehicles took snaps and recorded the same on video. When they returned back to Nairobi and narrated the whole incident to that same devotee, he just wouldn’t believe it! He saw the video several times and said that we are here since 20 years and have gone for the safari many times but never have we had such an experience! He bowed to Sai and said that such a thing is possible only with you and you alone can show us such miracles!

Once Sai had gone to Gangotri with many devotees. After they reached the hotel, He realized that all rooms don’t have attached bathrooms. Sai himself allotted the rooms, ensuring that the devotees with families got rooms with attached bathrooms. The big thing was that He took a room without a bathroom. All the devotees felt disheartened on this and requested Sai to take a room with an attached bathroom and assured Him that they will adjust amongst themselves mutually. 

Sai did not agree to this and said, “This is not right. You have ladies along with you, why should they step out of the room for a bath, etc. I am alone, I can easily go out for a bath, tie a towel around and rush back to my room for dressing up!”

Sai thinks so much for the comfort of His devotees and is so down to earth, humble and large-hearted! And above all, He explains all this with a chuckling humor and convinces us with His unmatchable charm!

In 1996, when Sai went to USA, He had visited a devotee’s house for bhandara and were to spend the night there along with some devotees. Many people had come there for Sai’s darshan. Accordingly, it became quite late in the night and Sai saw that the host was quite busy with the guests. Sai quietly completed the ritual of putting Guru Granth Sahib to rest for the night, set up mattresses and pillows of the devotees who were to stay there and no one came to know about it! He gestured to all devotees indicating that the program is over and that they should settle for the night. 

When the lady of the house saw this, she was dumbfounded and she fell on His feet asking for pardon. Sai blessed her and with ease told her, “Looking after guests properly is a very important aspect of our Sindhi culture. I am one with you, your own, so do not worry!”

This is what our Sai is, He loves all His devotees so much and considers us one with Him and His own!

When Sai visited Denmark in 1996, one devotee residing there came to meet Sai early in the morning and showed inclination to accompany Sai wherever they go. Sai advised him, “You have left your country and your family and have come here to earn. Better go and attend to your work, as it will be inappropriate to leave it because of me.” Although that devotee followed Sai’s advice and went to his office, but he completed his day’s work and came back to meet Sai at the railway station. This is a true devotee’s love and longing for Sai’s darshan.
In the same way, whenever any devotee comes to meet Him at the airport or railway station, Sai always advises them, not to leave their work and come. He is always concerned about their time and money. Sai gives a lot of importance to work and often says WORK IS WORSHIP!

Sai has His own way of following His set of principles! In Florida once, when the bill was to be settled after having dinner in a restaurant with the group of devotees, they realised that it was already paid by one devotee from New York, an amount of $3,200. That devotee’s brother too was with Sai in that group. Sai immediately gave the whole amount to him and asked him to keep the account clear. Sai said, keep me away from all such obligatory favours. He never prefers to take anyone’s obligation, so that He does not have to return any favours by bowing in front of them.
He never even prefers to ask for a car from anyone, be it His own brother, as He says what if someday He is asked for a car and for some reason He is unable to give!
His policy has always been..PAY AND SMILE! He never troubles anyone for anything for Himself, always keeps free of such obligations and favours!