|| Aum Sai Ram || Aum Sai Para Brahmanaa Namah ||
Mule Shastri of Nasik
“An orthodox Agnihotri Brahmin of Nasik, Mule Shastri, who had studied the six Shastras and was well-versed in astrology and palmistry, once came to Shirdi to see Mr. Bapusaheb Buti, the famous millionaire of Nagpur. After seeing him, he and others went to see Baba in the Masjid. Baba bought various fruits and other things from vendors with His own money and distributed them to the people present in the Masjid. Baba used to press the mango on all sides so skilfully that when any person received it from Baba and sucked it, he got all the pulp at once in his mouth and could throw away the seed. Plantains were peeled off by Baba and the pulp was distributed to the devotees, while the skins were retained by Baba for Himself.
Mule Shastri, as a palmist, wanted to examine Baba’s plam and asked Him to extend His hand. Baba ignored his request and gave four plantains to him. Then, they all returned to the Wada and Mule Shastri bathed, wore fresh clothes, and started his routine duties, viz. Agnihotra etc. Then, Baba as usual started for Lendi and said, “Take some Geru (i.e. a red miry substance, used to dye clothes in saffron-colour), we shall today don saffron-coloured cloth.” None understood what Baba meant.
Then after some time when Baba returned, and preparations for the noon-Arati were being made. Bapusaheb Jog asked Mule Shastri, whether he would accompany him for the Arti. He replied that he would see Baba in the afternoon. Baba sat on his seat, was worshipped by the devotees and Arti commenced. Then, Baba said, “Get some Dakshina from the new (Nasik) Brahmin.” Buti himself went to get the Dakshina and when he gave Baba’s message to Mule Shastri, he was sorely perplexed. He thought in his mind thus, “I am a pure Agnihotri Brahmin, why should I pay Dakshina? Baba may be a great Saint. I am not His dependent.” But, since a great Saint, like Sai Baba was asking for Dakshina through a millionaire like Buti, he could not refuse. So, leaving his routine unfinished, he started with Buti to the Masjid.
Thinking himself holy and sacred, and the Masjid otherwise, he remained at a distance, and joining his palms threw flowers at Baba from there. Then lo! all of a sudden, he saw no Baba, but saw his late Guru Gholap Swami there. He was wonder-struck. Could this be a dream? No, it was not, as he was wide awake, but how could his late Guru Gholap be there? He was speechless for some time. He pinched himself and thought again, but could not reconcile to the fact of his late Guru Gholap being in the Masjid.
Ultimately, leaving aside all doubt, he went up, fell at his Guru’s feet and then, stood there with folded hands. Other people sang Baba’s Arati, while Mule Shastri chanted loudly his Guru’s name. Then, casting off all pride of caste and sacredness, he fell at his Guru’s feet and closed his eyes. When he got up and opened his eyes, he saw Baba asking for Dakshina. Seeing Baba’s blissful form, and His inconceivable power, Mule Shastri forgot himself. He was extremely pleased, his eyes were full of tears of joy. He again saluted Baba and gave the Dakshina. He said that his doubt was removed and he saw his own Guru.
On seeing this wonderful Leela of Baba all the people, including Mule Shastri, were much moved, and they realized the meaning of Baba’s words, “Bring Geru, we shall don saffron-coloured clothes.” Such is the wonderful Leela of Baba.”
– SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA (Chapter XII)
|| Aum Sai Sharnam || May Peace Be To All ||
|| AUM SAI SHARNAM || 
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