Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 8 - Part IX

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Khushalchand of Rahata

Baba loved Ganpat Kote Patil of Shirdi. He equally loved Chandrabhan Seth Marwadi of Rahata. After the demise of the Seth, Baba loved his nephew Khushalchand equally or even perhaps more, and watched his welfare, day and night. Sometimes in a bullock cart, at other times in a tanga with intimate friends, Baba went to Rahata. People of that village came out, with band and music, and received Baba at the Ves or gate of the village and prostrated before Him. Then He was taken into the village with great pomp and ceremony. Khushalchand took Baba to his house, seated Him on a comfortable seat and gave Him a good lunch. Then they talked freely and merrily for some time, after which Baba returned to Shirdi, giving delight and blessing to all.

Shirdi is midway between and equidistant from Rahata on one side (south) and Nimgaon on the other (north). Baba never went beyond these places during His lifetime. He never saw any railway train nor traveled by it. Still, He knew exactly the timing of arrival and departure of all trains. Devotees who acted according to Baba's instructions (re : their departure)which were given by him at the time of taking His leave fared well, while those who disregarded them suffered many a mishap and accident. More about this and other matters will be told in the next Chapter.

NOTE: An incident, given in the footnote at the end of this Chapter, showing Baba's love for Khusalchand how He asked one afternoon Kakasaheb Dixit to go to Rahata and fetch Khushalchand to Him, and at the same time appeared before Khushalchand in his noon-nap dream asking him to come to Shirdi, is not given here as it is described in the body of the book (Sai-Charita) later on (Chapter 30).

Sai Ram. Baba loved every one, but showed especially a little extra love to some people, who were His spiritual companions from many lives. Ganpat Kote Patil and Chandrabhan Seth Marwadi of Rahata, and his nephew Khushalchand were among such privileged few, who received Baba's love openly.

Shri Hemadpant introduces the all-pervading knowledge of Sai by giving a small incident as a footnote, which is dealt in more detail in a later chapter. And also paved the way for the stories of the next chapter, where Baba gave clear indications to His devotees about when to leave or when not to leave. Sai Ram.

Baba did not depend on the physical sight or the rational, logical, intellectual part of the mind. Since He was one with all, He knew what was going on everywhere. He gave many examples of such Oneness, which people took to be some special mystical powers. Sai Ram.