Biography of a Living Legend

Every incident with Sai which we recollect, we realise there is lesson in it. In 2006 during the London visit, when Sai were eating pizza at Pizza Hut with all of us, we knew that He does not like pizza, yet for everyone’s happiness, He had agreed and were enjoying the same. When someone asked Sai as to how He was enjoying something which really speaking He does not prefer, Sai said, “When the Lord has sent us to such a nice air-conditioned place with such good service, what more can we desire or ask from Him?”
While talking to Sai or going around with Him, everything that He says has a deep-rooted message for us, He is always teaching us the Art of Living!

In 1998, when Sai went to Sri Lanka, it so happened once that while going around it became so late that it surpassed the lunch time and meals were not available anywhere. An extremely devoted disciple, Shri Ramesh Bhambhani tried his level best to organize something in a decent place, but couldn’t find any. Finally he found a very simple udipi restaurant, where he took Sai reluctantly, as there was no other option. The place was not at all clean, the simple wooden furniture was old and pieces of newspaper were given for wiping hands etc. The surprising thing was that even in such a place, Sai were having His meal so happily with everyone without any sign of unease, unwillingness or dislike!
One devotee mustered up the courage to ask Sai as to how He could enjoy his meal so happily even in such an atmosphere?
Sai replied, “Wherever the Lord sends us, we must accept and be blissfully happy there, whether it’s a 5 star hotel or a simple dharamshala! We should always be grateful and happy in all situations!”

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!

In Miami once, a devotee invited Sai to his house and organized a bhandara, and also called some of his relatives and friends. At the airport, Sai suggested that the group do some sightseeing. The devotee requested that there were around 300 guests waiting for His darshan. Sai asked him to go and start the bhandara and told him that He would follow in an hour or hour and a half. When Sai reached his house, there were only 3 remaining. The devotee told Sai with folded hands that others waited for a long time and then had to leave.
Sai smilingly told him that don’t worry, they had basically come in response to your invitation, others who really were keen to meet me, they are still there!
What our Sai wants is only pure love and devotion, nothing else!

In 1996, when Sai visited USA, one devotee came and asked as to why Sai does not do katha kirtan here, as all other Saints do it happily and earn a good amount of dollars before leaving.
Sai just smiled and said, “I have not come here to earn dollars or make money. It is purely a pleasure trip! I have come to see places, to see the wonders of mother nature and it was your love that brought me here!”
After that trip, whenever anyone requests Sai to visit there, He simply says, “Once I came there for going around, I do not want to do it again and again. Two types of people go there, one, who want to earn in dollars, others who have relatives there, whom they want to visit. I do not want to earn dollars, rest if anyone is keen to meet me, they can always come here!”

Sai is very firm in following certain principles and when on a pleasure trip, He never does _katha_ or _kirtan._ He says that when all others who accompany Him, leave their businesses and shops or jobs behind, how can He keep His office open on such trips!
Once during a trip to Canada in 1996, one devotee requested that you please visit our house and do _katha kirtan_ there. Sai said, “I have come here only on a pleasure trip.” When she still insisted, Sai said, “If you want to listen to _katha kirtan_, you come to Ajmer. A well never goes to the thirsty, it is always the thirsty who goes to the well to quench his thirst! On the spiritual path too if you have that thirst and that devotion within, you can fulfill it with your effort.”
She further asked that how then did Lord Krishna provide that knowledge to Arjun? Sai simply said, in this today’s world, can you find anyone like Arjun? She then became quiet and could not say anything!