Baba’s Love for His devotees
Shri Sai Satcharita is full of anecdotes illustrating the filial love of Baba towards his devotees. Few instances are given below.
After noon Arati was over, Sai Baba came out of the Masjid and standing on its edge, distributed Udi to the devotees with very kind and loving looks. The devotees also got up with equal fervor, clasped His feet, and standing and staring at Him, enjoyed the shower of Udi. Baba passed handfuls of Udi into the palms of the devotees and marked their foreheads with Udi with His own fingers. The love He bore for them in His heart was boundless. Then He address devotees as “Oh, Bhau, go and have lunch. You Anna, go to your lodgings. You Bapu, enjoy your dishes”. (Chapter 20)
One noon, Mrs. Khaparde brought a dish of delicacies to the masjid. Baba, who usually waited for hours before His noon meal, got up at once and went to His dining seat. He then removed the cover from Mrs. Khaparde’s dish and began to partake the delicacies with great interest. Mrs. Khaparde was faithful and devout and was loved deeply by Baba. Seeing her steady and firm devotion, Baba wanted to exhibit it to others. When enquired by Shama as to why Baba displayed so much interest in the dish prepared by Mrs. Khaparde, Baba, after giving an account of Mrs. Khaparde’s past few births, replied: “I see her after a very long time. Let me take some sweet morsels of love from her dish.” Baba ate her dish heartily, washed His mouth and hands, gave out some belches as a mark of satisfaction, and resumed His seat. Mrs. Khaparde then bowed and began to massage Baba’s legs. As she was caring for his legs, Baba began to talk with her and knead her arms. Seeing this reciprocal service, Shama said, “It is a wonderful sight to see God and His devotee serving each other!” Being pleased with her sincere service, Baba asked Mrs. Khaparde to always chant ‘Rajaram, Rajaram’, and said, “If you do this, your life’s object will be gained, your mind will attain peace and you will be immensely benefitted.” (Chapter 27)
Captain Hate was a great devotee of Baba. Once Baba told him in a dream: “Did you forget Me?” Hate then immediately held Baba’s feet and said: “If a child forgets its mother, how could it be saved?” Once Captain Hate sent Rs.1 to Baba through a devotee. When the devotee gave the money to Baba, Baba took it in His hand and stared at it. He held it in front, tossed it with right thumb and played with it. Then he said to the devotee who brought the coin “Return this to its owner with the Prasad of Udi. Tell him that I want nothing from him, ask him to live in peace and contentment” (Captain Hate had sent it with a hope Baba would return the coin with His blessings. Though the devotee who brought the coin said nothing, Mother Baba knew everything and granted Hate’s wish. Hate was much pleased and realized that Baba always encouraged good thoughts and as he wished intently, Baba fulfilled the same) (Chapter 29)
As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat:
Baahya saathe antarsangati || Uttarita kare bhakati
Nathile bi baahya sangati || Mile sadaa antarsangati
Shudha bhakata jaae jahin || Sadgurunku paae tahin
Laage jenhe sabu sthaanare || Shri Guru achhanti paakhare
[External companionship along with internal companionship evolves the devotional fervor in the devotee. Even when external companionship is absent, the internal companionship continues to exist. That is how the pure devotee experiences the Guru, wherever he may be.]
Sources:
1. Shri Sai Satcharita
2. Shri Guru Bhagavat Vol.2 by Dr. C B Satpathy