|| Aum Sai Ram || Aum Sai Para Brahmanaa Namah ||
Leper Devotee’s Service
“On hearing the news of Baba’s hand being burnt, from (Shama) Madhavrao Deshpande, Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, accompanied by the famous doctor Parmanand of Mumbai with his medical outfit; consisting of ointments, lint and bandages etc. rushed to Shirdi and requested Baba to allow Dr. Parmanand to examine the arm and dress the wound, caused by the burn. This was refused. Since that day the burnt arm was dressed by Bhagoji Shinde, a leper devotee. His treatment consisted in massaging the burnt part with Ghee and then, placing a leaf over it and bandaging it tightly.
Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar solicited Baba many a time to unfasten the bandages, get the wound examined and dressed and treated by Dr. Parmanand, with the object that it may heal fast. Dr. Parmanand himself made similar requests but Baba postponed it by saying that Allah was His Doctor and did not allow His arm to be examined. Dr. Paramanand’s medicines were not exposed to the air of Shirdi as they remained intact, but he had the good fortune of getting a darshan of Baba.
Bhagoji was allowed to treat the hand daily. After some days, the arm healed and all were happy. Still we do not know whether any trace of pain was left or not. Every morning, Bhagoji went through his programme of untying the bandages, massaging the arm with ghee and tightly bandaging it again. This went on till Sai Baba’s Samadhi (death). Sai Baba, a perfect Siddha, as He was did not really want this treatment, but out of love for His devotee, He allowed the ‘Upasana’ – service of Bhagoji to go on uninterrupted all along. When Baba started for Lendi, Bhagoji held an umbrella over Him and accompanied Him. Every morning when Baba sat near the post close to the Dhuni, Bhagoji was present and started his service. Bhagoji was a sinner in his past brith. He was suffering from leprosy, his fingers had shrunk, his body was full of pus and smelling badly. Though outwardly he seemed so unfortunate, he was really very lucky and happy, for he was the premier servant of Baba, and got the benefit of His company.”
– SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA (Chapter VII)
|| Aum Sai Sharnam || May Peace Be To All ||
|| AUM SAI SHARNAM || 
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