In chapter 12, these are the Leelas about Kaka Mahajani, Dhumal and Mrs. Nimonkar about the stretch of time that they may, or may not, stay in Shirdi. Baba is Rajadhiraj, and it is totally dependent on Him, how long you may stay in His kingdom, and not upon the will of the devotee. Baba is all-knowing, and He can see the future and will always do what is good for His devotee.
Then, there is the story of the orthodox Brahmin, Moolay Shastri, who was devoted to Gholap Swami. However, he thought that the Dwarka Mai was Ongal, or unchaste and polluted. And to his utter astonishment, Baba appears as Gholap Swami himself. There is also the story of the doctor who refused to bow to a Muslim Sai Baba. However, he was the first to rush to the Dwarka Mai and prostrate at Baba's feet, as he sees his beloved deity, Lord Shri Ram. So in this chapter, I will give information about Moolay Shastri and Gholap Swami, and finally about Baba's unique way of feeding fruits to His devotees.
Staying in Shirdi
Baba was seated on the throne. In 1951, Subramanyam took leave for a month and went on a pilgrimage starting with Tirupati and from Daund, he arrived at Shirdi. He was utterly disappointed at what he saw. He had expected Shirdi to be like heaven on earth. His visit was to last for three days. But, on the very first day, he thought of returning home after visiting the holy sites. He marveled at the devotees who worshipped Baba like their personal God, while he felt that they were mere edifices and photographs. Then, he met a family from Andhra Pradesh, who spoke kindly to him and asked the purpose of his visit. There was an elderly lady with them, who had the power of soothsaying and had told many devotees what experience they would have during their stay in Shirdi. She also had the rare privilege of seeing Baba, instead of the idols seated on the throne, during Aarti.
She said that Baba looked like a king dressed in velvet with a crown and jewels. Then, the lady rushed towards Subramanyam and spoke in Hindi, instead of his mother tongue. She told him he was to stay in Shirdi for three months, and if he left prior to that, the outcome would bring him immense misery. She also assured him that Baba told her that He would take care of all his needs, and that he would have numerous spiritual experiences. Now, Subramanyam was in a dilemma as he still was not sure that Baba really wanted him to stay for such a long period in Shirdi. He was concerned about the food arrangement and the room to stay in. But, when Baba wanted him to stay, would He not provide for him? That day, Subramanyam was meditating in the Dwarka Mai, when he received the same message from Baba, who asked him to extend his stay at Shirdi for the next three months.
Subramanyam was concerned that he would lose his job because of his extended stay, and he knew how difficult it was to get it back. He applied to the office for an extension of leave, and was informed that his services would be terminated soon. Desperately, he went to the Samadhi Mandir, and started circumambulating it, praying that Baba should give him some concrete sign that he was to stay. As he was circumambulating the Samadhi, it struck him that he should place chits before Baba, and thus would get a definitive reply.
Then, a lady from Chennai joined him, and Subramanyam thought he would ask her to pick up one of the chits after they had completed 108 rounds. While they were circumambulating the Samadhi, he asked her if she would pick up a chit for him, and she readily agreed. The gentle lady suddenly went to the centre of the temple, and stood there laughing hilariously, clapping her hands in utter bliss. Subramanyam was terrified at the sudden transformation, and a large crowd had gathered there to watch her. A young military deserter, from Rayalaseema region, got bewildered, and taking some Udi, he rubbed it on her forehead, thus breaking her trance. The lady then burst out saying, "Why did you do this? I had the rare opportunity of being with Baba. I beheld Baba in dazzling, radiant colours on the Samadhi. And both of us were playing there. He also told me that the chits were regarding Subramanyam's stay in Shirdi, and that he was not granted the permission to leave until his period of three months was completed." Thus, he got his answers specifically from the lady from Chennai, who didn't know the purpose of his placing chits on the Samadhi. Thus, Subrahmanyam finally decided to stay in Shirdi as he had received confirmation from Baba. This Leela was taken from Sai The Mother, Anusuya the Amma.
This is the life story of Prahalad Ramchandra Moolay Shastri. It was to meet Booty that Moolay Shastri came to Shirdi, and Baba gave Moolay Shastri a marvelous experience that changed his life. The Leela of Moolay Shastri is described in Sri Sai Satcharita, chapter 12. Prahalad was born around 1879. He was a learned man, proficient in palmistry and astrology. He hailed from Na...
