Shri Sai Sat Charitra - Chapter 14 - Part II

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Ruttonji always brooded on this matter and said in his mind, "Would God be ever pleased to grant me a son?" He thus looked morose, had no relish for his food. Day and night, he was enveloped with anxiety whether he would ever be blessed with a son. He had a great regard for Dasganu Maharaj. He saw him and opened his heart before him. Dasganu advised him to go to Shirdi, take Baba's darshan, fall at His Feet and seek His blessing and pray for an issue.

Ruttonji liked the idea, and decided to go to Shirdi. After some days he went to Shirdi, took Baba's darshan and fell at His Feet. Then opening a basket, he took out a beautiful garland of flowers and placed it around Baba's neck and offered Him a basket of fruits. With great respect he then sat near Baba, and prayed to Him saying- "Many persons who find themselves in difficult situations come to You, and You relieve them immediately. Hearing this, I have sought anxiously Your Feet; please, therefore, do not disappoint me."

Sai Baba then asked him for Dakshina of Rs. five which Ruttonji intended to give, but added, that He has already received Rs. 3-14-0 from him, and that he should pay the balance only. Hearing this, Ruttonji was rather puzzled. He could not make out what Baba meant. That was the first time, he thought, that he went to Shirdi and how was it that Baba said that He had formerly got Rs. 3-14-0 from him?

Ruttonji could not solve the riddle. But he sat at Baba's Feet and gave the balance of the Dakshina asked for, explained to Baba fully, as to why he came and sought His help, and prayed that Baba should bless him with a son. Baba was moved and told him not to be worried, and that his bad days had ended. He then gave him Udi, placed His hand on his head and blessed him saying that Allah (God) would satisfy his heart's desire.

Sai Ram. When the time is ripe, and one's karma is about to be resolved, one meets great Saints or their devotees and get good advice, which they follow. In this case too, Sri Ruttonji's time has come and thus he was inspired to take the advice of Sri Dasganu Maharaj, who was a great devotee of Sai. Hence he could follow the advice and visit Shirdi.

The decimal system was still not introduced at that time and a Rupee was subdivided into 16 annas and each anna was further divided into 4 kanis. So, Baba told him to give the balance, viz. 1 - 2 - 0 since He had already received Rs. 3 - 14 - 0 from Sri Ruttonji. Let us see how He received that amount before that devotee ever came to Shirdi. This story is wonderful and gives us beautiful spiritual gems as we shall shortly see. Sai Ram.