Origins and First Appearance
Nobody knew the parents, birth or birthplace of Sai Baba. Many
inquiries were made, many questions were put to Baba and others
regarding these details, but no convincing answer or information has yet
been obtained. Practically we know nothing about these matters. When
asked about HIS relatives and other details HE gave only one answer:
'From very long.'
Note: These words uttered by SAI BABA have been actually heard by the
daughter-in-law of Mrs Bayaja Patal. She was a witness to the dialogue
between Mrs Bayaja Patal and BABA who came for Bhiksha at Mrs Bayaja's
place.
He first manifested Himself as a young lad of sixteen under a Neem
tree in Shirdi for the sake of Bhaktas. Even then He seemed to be full
with the knowledge of a Brahman (the only one Universal force or energy
governing all matters). He had no desire for worldly objects and
pleasures even in dream. He renounced Maya (delusion) and Mukti
(deliverance) was at His feet. With His blessings many souls attained
liberation by HIS mystic plays and without any 'formal' teaching or
philosophical discussion. For all the seekersHE uttered only three
words- 'ALLAH ACHCHA KAREGA' by way of HIS blessings. Everything will be
fine by the GRACE OF GOD.
One old woman of Shirdi described Him as follows:
This young lad, fair, smart and very handsome was first seen under
the Neem tree seated in an ‘asana’ (a Yoga posture). The people of the
village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practicing hard
penance, not minding heat and cold. By day he associated with none, by
night he was afraid of nobody. People were wondering and asking, when
this young chap had turned up. His form and features were so beautiful
that a mere look endeared Him to all. He went to nobody’s door, always
sat near the Neem tree. Outwardly he looked very young; but by His
action he appeared to be really a Great Soul. He was the embodiment of
dispassion and was an enigma to all. Nobody knew HIS where about and HIS
mysterious behavior (Leelas).
It is said that one day, God Khandoba at Shirdi possessed the body
of some devotee and people began to ask Him, "Deva (God), you please
enquire what blessed father’s son is this lad and when did He come".
God Khandoba asked them to bring a pickaxe and dig at a particular
place. When it was dug, bricks were found underneath a flat stone. When
the stone was removed, a corridor led to a cellar where cow-mouth-shaped
structures, wooden boards, necklaces were seen.
Khandoba said, "This lad practiced penance here for 12 years." When
the people began to question the lad about this, He put them off by
telling them that it was His Guru’s place, His holy ‘Watan’
(inheritance) and requested them to guard it well. The young Baba thus
stayed on in Shirdi for a period of three years. Then, all of a sudden,
He disappeared. After some time, He reappeared in the Nizam State near
Aurangabad and eventually again returned to Shirdi with the marriage
party of one Chand Patil, when He was twenty years old.
Return to Shirdi
There lived in the Aurangabad District (Nizam State), in a village
called Dhoop, a well-to-do Mohammedan gentleman by the name Chand
Patil. While he was making a trip to Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For
two long months, he made a diligent search but could get no trace of
the lost mare. After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad
with the saddle on his back. After travelling four Koss (haifa mile)
and a half, he came, on the way, to a mango tree under the foot of
which sat a fakir (queer fellow). He had a cap on His head, wore Kafni
(long robe) and had a "Satka" (short stick) under His armpit and He was
preparing to smoke a Chillim (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by the
way, He called out to him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a
little. The Fakir asked him about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that
it was of his mare, which was lost. The queer fellow or Fakir asked him
to make a search in the Nala(small stream) close by. He went and the
wonder of wonders! he found out the mare. He thought that this Fakir
was not an ordinary man, but an Avalia (a great saint). A queer
personality. He returned to the Fakir with the mare. The Chillim was
ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting; (1) fire to light
the pipe, and (2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which
smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly
into the ground and out came a live burning coal, which He put on the
pipe. Then He dashed the Satka on the ground from whence water began to
ooze. The chhapi was wetted with that water, was then wrung out and
wrapped round the pipe. Thus everything being complete, the Fakir
smoked the Chillim and then gave it also to Chand Patil. On seeing all
this, Chand Patil was wonderstruck. He requested the Fakir to come to
his home and accept his hospitality. Next day He went to the Patil’s
house and stayed there for some time. The Patil was a village officer
of Dhoop. His wife’s brother’s son was to be married and the bride was
from Shirdi. So Patil made preparations to start for Shirdi for the
marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The marriage
went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the
Fakir alone stayed in Shirdi and remained there forever.