Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter XXVI-Part III

Then Mr. Pitale came with his wife to see Baba and prostrated himself before Him very humbly and respectfully and sat shampooing His legs and mentally thanking Baba for His help. Baba then smilingly said - "Are not all your thoughts, doubts and apprehensions calmed down now? Hari (Lord) will protect him, who has got faith and patience". Mr. Pitale was a rich and well-to-do gentleman. He distributed sweet-meat on a large scale and gave Baba excellent fruits and pan (betel-leaves). Mrs. Pitale was a very Sattwik lady, simple, loving and faithful. She used to sit near the post staring at Baba with tears of joy flowing down from her eyes. Seeing her of an amicable and loving nature, Baba was much pleased with her.

Like Gods, Saints are always dependent on their devotees who surrender and worship them with their heart and soul. After passing some happy days in Baba's company, the Pitale family came to the Masjid to take Baba's leave to depart. Baba gave them Udi and blessings and called Mr. Pitale close by and said to him Bapu, I had given you before, Rs. two, now I give you Rs. three; keep these in your shrine for worship and you will be benefited." Mr. Pitale accepted these as Prasad, prostrated himself again before Baba and prayed for His blessings. A thought arose in his mind, that as that was his first trip to Shirdi, he could not understand what Baba meant, when He said that He had given Rs.2 previously. He was curious to have this mystery solves, but Baba kept silent.

Sai Ram. Baba always had His own methods of solving such questions and doubts. When He willed it, nobody could ask or answer such questions. Sai Ram.

When Mr. Pitale returned to Bombay, he narrated to his old mother all that had happened at Shirdi and the mystery about Baba's giving him Rs.2 formerly. The mother also did not understand the mystery, but, thinking seriously about that, she was reminded of an old incident, which solved the mystery.

Mr. Pitale's mother then told thus : "As you now went to Sai Baba with your son, so had your father done when he took you to Akkalkot, for the darshana of the Maharaj there many years ago. That Maharaj was also a Siddha, perfect Yogi, omniscient and liberal. Your father was pure, devout and his worship was accepted. He then gave your father Rs.2 for being kept in the shrine and worshipped. Your father worshipped them accordingly till his death, but thereafter the worship was neglected and the rupees were lost. After some years the memory of these two rupees also disappeared and now, as you are very fortunate, the Akkalkotkar Maharaj has appeared to you in the form of Sai Baba just to remind you to your duties and worship, and to ward off all dangers. Now beware henceforth, let go all doubts and bad thoughts, follow your ancestors and behave well; go on worshipping the family gods and the rupees, appraise properly and take pride in the blessing of the saints. Sai Samartha has kindly revived the spirit of Bhakti in you, cultivate it it your benefit."

Hearing the remarks of the mother, Mr. Pitale was very much delighted. He came to know, and was convinced about the all-prevasiveness of Baba and the significance of His darshan. From that time he became very careful about his behaviour.

Sai Ram. In an earlier chapter, when Ruttonji Wadia went to Shirdi and Baba told him that He had already received Rs. 3 and 14 Annas from him, he could not understand immediately. But then Sri Dasganu could understand after some thinking and by Sai's grace that He was one with the Mouli Saheb (Porter Saint). Similarly here too, Pitale's mother could recollect the earlier visit of Pitale's father to Sri Akkalkot Maharaj and we also read other stories of Oneness of Sai with Akkalkot Swami Samartha. Sai Ram.