Shri Sai Satcharitra-Chapter 38-Part VI

Continued From The Fifth Part

Kala (hodge-podge)

To revert to the distribution of the naivedya. - After the arati was over and after Shirdi Saibaba sent away all the people with Udi and blessings, He went inside and sat with his back to the Nimbar for meals, with two rows of the Bhaktas, one on each side. The Bhaktas who brought naivedya thrust inside their dishes containing a variety of food such as Puris, Mande, Polis, Basundi, Sanza, fine rice etc., and kept waiting outside for prasad consecrated by Baba. All the foods were mixed in a hotch-potch and placed before Baba. He offered it all to God and consecrated it. Then portions of the same were given to the persons waiting outside and the rest was served to the inner party with Baba at the centre.

Sai Ram. Baba was indicating that we need to go beyond the duality of taste, smell, appearance etc. just as all water drops emerge from the sea and fall back in to the sea. To a query from Sri Bapusaheb Jog, Sai tells him that in due course of time, he will give up his lust and sense of taste and will be blessed by Him. See Chapter 43 and 44, Jog's Sanyas. Sai Ram.

The Bhaktas sitting in two rows then dined to their hearts' content. Baba asked Shama and Nanasaheb Nimonkar daily to serve the consecrated food to all the persons sitting inside and look to their individual needs and comforts. This they did very carefully and willingly. Every morsel of the food thus partaken gave them nutrition and satisfaction. Such sweet, lovely and consecrated food it was! Ever auspicious and ever holy!

Cup of Butter-Milk

Once Hemadpant had eaten his full in this company, when Baba offered him a cup of butter-milk. Its white appearance pleased him, but he was afraid that there was no space inside for it. He, however, took a sip which proved very tasty. Seeing his faltering attitude, Baba said - "Drink it all, you won't get any such opportunity hereafter." He drank it off then, but found that Baba's words were prophetic, for He passed away soon.

Now, readers, we have certainly to thank Hemadpant. He drank the cup of butter-milk, but has supplied us with sufficient quantity of nectar in the form of Baba's Leelas. Let us drink cups and cups of this nectar and be satisfied and happy.

Sai Ram. And Sai is making this servant of His to add a little salt and sugar to the buttermilk to make it tastier so that we can enjoy the same better! I bow to Sai.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

About the author

S.V. Swamy

Swarna.Venkateswara Swamy, (also known as Venkateswara Swamy Swarna, S.V.Swamy or simply Swamy) is a physicist and a metallurgist by education. He considers Sai Baba of Shirdi as his Sadguru but respects all Gurus. He is an avid reader, a book reviewer and an editor. He has an abiding interest in holistic health systems..