Biography of a Living Legend

Drop by drop it becomes an ocean, penny plus penny add on to wealth. Sai says, when necessary spend a lakh, but wherever possible save a penny too!
Thousands of pilgrims who visit Pushkar during the Kartik month, are provided free meals on behalf of our Darbar every year. Although the expenses run into lakhs, Sai always purchases grains, vegetables, fruits, etc from wholesellers, so that not a single penny is spent extra. Sai says, money is to be spent wisely, not squandered foolishly. It should be saved, not wasted. Even during the everyday Kirtan at Darbar, if any fan or light is on which is not required, Sai takes care to ask someone to put it off, at times He himself goes and puts it off.
Once a huge lot of tomatoes had been bought and the sevadharis were separating the good and the bad. When Sai happened to pass from there, He noticed one good tomato in the bad lot. He immediately pointed it out and smilingly said that my attention instantly gets drawn to something that is wrong, whether it is during reciting verses from the Bani or while writing or even during seva.
He says that as I have to look after everything, I am always alert and do not allow anything wrong to escape my eyes!

Sai always says that if one has the money, he must use it for his happiness and if not, he must not imitate or copy others. If one has the money and does not spend or if he does not have and borrows to spend, both are wrong. A wealthy person is recognised by his looks and personality, not by his show off etc. Many own cars today, but they have been purchased on loans. We must spend only from what we have and not add a liability by borrowing.
Nowadays even sisters want to copy each other. One feels that if the other is wealthy, why not me? But that is as per our karma, our deeds. One sister feels that parents gave Rs 2 lakhs to the elder one, I should also get the same, even if they are in debt.

To be really happy, one must spend as per what one has. If one has Rs 1,000, he must enjoy the pleasure of that 1000, instead of thinking of Rs 10,000 and foregoing that too.
We are often unhappy because we want what others have and hence we are unable to enjoy even what we have been gifted by the Lord. Sai also says, spread your legs as per the length of the blanket. If you are shopping and have Rs 1,000 with you, refrain from even looking at things costing more than Rs 800. By doing this, you are able to control your mind’s instability.

This way Sai wants us to have everlasting happiness by being always content from whatever we have!

In 2009, Sai had visited Mumbai just before the festival of Diwali. All the devotees celebrated this occasion in Darbar Sahib with a lot of pomp and splendour. When He arrived from the airport, just a little distance from Darbar Sahib, hundreds of devotees moved along dancing and singing with Sai’s car. There were crackers being burnt and there were cries of Jay Jaykar all around.
Darbar Sahib too was echoing with songs of praises for their Guru, with colourful flowers and garlands all around. Sai always celebrates Diwali at Ajmer, and although it was just few days in advance, this rare occasion lit up the face of all devotees whether young or old. Even Sai’s face was visibly glowing with His aura all around!
Again in 2010, Sai happened to visit Mumbai just a week before Diwali. All devotees sought His permission to celebrate the same like last year. Sai did not agree to this and said that it was done once, it cannot be repeated again and again. He further explained that devotees might want to do what the other is doing and this can result in unnecessary expenditure.
By avoiding repetition, Sai not only made the earlier year’s celebration an exclusive and memorable one, but also gave the message of avoiding wasteful expenditure.
Our Sai too is so exclusive, one and only one of His type!

Baba Gobinddas Sahib’s Varsi is celebrated not only in Ajmer, but also at Mumbai, Surat, Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad and all the expenses are borne by Darbar Sahib. Some devotees once requested Sai to allow them to share the same amongst themselves. Sai explained to them that this can create differences and disharmony among them, as someone might contribute Rs 500, someone else Rs 100. As circumstances vary for all, it can result in feelings of unnecessary competition and devotion and love will be lost. Sai further added that Darbar Sahib belongs to you all and as you all know, receipt book system is non prevelant here and there is no show-off or publicity. All devotees are equal and same in every way.
Earlier many devotees would donate certain items in the name of their elders. Even operations during medical camps were sponsored by them. Sai disapproved this as it would give rise to feelings of copying and imitating others. He sought permission from Baba Gobinddas Sahib and put a stop to all this. Sai asked everyone to simply put whatever they wished in Darbar Sahib’s golak and everything would then be done from that money itself. For the same reason, Sai does not accept anything separately for bhandara to be on behalf of anyone and advises them too to put their offerings in the common golak!

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!

Sai says, “A Saint should never be a burden on His disciples, nor trouble them for anything.”
“Also, as per dharma, He should never ask for anything from them. If He asks, not only is He responsible and accountable for it, but also He is degrading Himself from the principles of dharma. Whatever is given as an offering and without asking, should be accepted gracefully. A Saint actually is a ‘giver’, so how can He ask for anything from His disciples. In fact, they go to Him and ask for so many things. He always thinks good and does good for everyone.”
Even when someone calls up Sai during late hours of the night, He wakes up and advices them and gives them blessings! When someone asked as to why He does not switch off the phone before sleeping, He says that consoling and advising His disciples is more important for Him than sleep.
Our Sai are so principled and also so concerned about His disciples!

Once, a Saint while speaking to Sai, was complaining about his sewadharis. He said nowadays they do not even help to carry his luggage. Sai smilingly said, “They are our sewadharis, they are not our coolies. We should always learn to do our own chores and not expect that someone else will come to provide us our daily meals. We must always help ourselves and learn to be self sufficient in every way.”
Sai also says we should not keep any expectations from our own children, because if they are not fulfilled we feel distressed.
Expectations are a major cause of our misery !

When Sai has to take an early morning flight from Jaipur, He prefers to take an autorickshaw from Darbar Sahib to the railway station, then a train till Jaipur and a taxi from the station to airport.
Sai does not inform devotees of Jaipur, as He does not want to trouble them early in the morning especially during the cold weather and spoil their full day and time. Although the devotees readily and happily wish to receive Him, Sai does not inform them.
Sai cares so much for the comfort and well-being of His devotees.