In the first Leela of Chapter 24, Baba explains the importance of sharing food with others and offering it first to God and the Guru before consuming it ourselves. In the next Leela, we get a glimpse of Baba's wit and humour when He playfully tells Anna Chinchanekar that he is trying to kiss Mausibai while they were both massaging Baba in the Dwarka Mai. Mention is also made in the chapter of an incident where Baba reprimands a devotee for interfering with Mausibai's Seva.
The main story in Chapter 24 is about Dabholkar, who went to the Dwarka Mai on a Sunday and started massaging Baba's feet. Baba noticed some puffed grams stuck in the folds of Dabholkar's coat sleeve. Jokingly, Baba said, "He went to the bazaar and quietly ate the grams without sharing it with anybody." Baba then, using the story as an example, teaches us that before we have a meal, we ought to offer it first to Baba, then to others around us, and only then enjoy the meal ourselves. When the food is offered to Baba, it becomes Prasad and turns into Ambrosia. Whatever we are about to eat, be it stale or freshly prepared, delicious or not, or even if it be leftovers, if we are going to consume it or partake of it, we must first offer it to Baba so that it becomes Satvik.
Baba advises us that we should first remember Him before our senses, mind and intellect enjoy sensory objects. The senses can never remain without the objects. But if those objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment to them will naturally vanish. Similarly, all our thoughts regarding desire, anger, avarice, should first be offered and directed to the Sadguru, which helps in eradicating those thoughts. When we think that Baba is close by or present, then the question whether the object (that we are about to enjoy) is fit to be enjoyed or not will arise. In this way, the object that is not fit to be enjoyed will be shunned, and our vicious habits and vices will gradually disappear. Love for the Guru will grow and pure knowledge will sprout. When this knowledge grows, the bondage of body consciousness (that we are the body) will snap, and our intellect will be merged in spirit consciousness, leading to bliss and contentment.
Baba had a very endearing way of joking with His devotees without offending them, and everyone enjoyed this. He often called His devotees by pet names (mentioned in chapter 20). At other times, He phonetically prolonged the 'a' sound. As a result, the word used would mean something totally different. Some examples of this are given below.
One Ekadashi day, when Baba asked Kushabhau what he had eaten, he replied, "Nothing. It is Ekadashi today." Baba: “What does Ekadashi mean?” Kushabhau: “Upavas.” Baba: “What is Upavas?” Kushabhau: “It is like Rozas.” Baba: “What is a Roza?” Kushabhau: “It means eating nothing except Kandamul” (Kanda means tubers - usually sweet potatoes and potatoes, and Mul means root vegetables).
Baba then, punning upon the word 'Kand', called it Kaanda (onion). Baba said, "You were eating Kaanda? Here is Kaanda for you." So saying, Baba handed over a few onions to Kushabhau and asked him to eat them. Kushabhau said, "Baba, if you eat, I too will eat." They both ate some onions. Just then, a few visitors came there, and Baba, wanting to have fun, said, "Look at this Brahmin. He is eating onions on an Ekadashi day!"
Kushabhau said, "Baba ate it, and then made me also eat it." "No, no! See what I ate," said Baba and vomited. What Baba vomited was Kunda, i.e., sweet potatoes. Baba said, "See, it is not onion, but sweet potato." Kushabhau was astonished, and thought the production of sweet potatoes was his opportunity. He fell on the sweet potato and swallowed them. Baba kicked and beat him saying, "Why do you eat the vomit?" Kushabhau did not answer. In a moment, Baba's mood changed. He said, "I shall give you my blessings. Henceforth, you will have the power to produce this Udi (the Udi from my Dhuni Mai) by merely remembering me and holding forth your hands. Give this Udi freely. It will help people, and you will get Punya.”
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, Narasimha Swamiji.)
Gopalrao Booty of Nagpur was keen to help his friend, S.B. Dhumal, who wanted to go to England to do his studies in law. Booty offered to provide all the expenses of Dhumal’s journey and support his family during his absence. When all was settled between them, Shama went to ask Baba whether Dhumal can go to Vilayat (England). Baba asked, "What for?" Shama replied, "To study at the bar." Baba said, "His Vilayat is here only." Thus, Dhumal did not go to England, but his practice flourished in India itself.
(Reference: The Life of Sai Baba, Narasimha Swamiji.)
Baba had a unique relationship with Tatya Kote Patil. It was that of a doting uncle and his nephew. In the afternoon when the devotees had gone to their rooms, Baba played with him. Baba laughed heartily and played pranks. When Tatya, Mhalsapati, and Baba slept in th...
