Baba Takes Ill

Shirdi Sai Baba expired on October 15, 1918. It was the day of Vijayadasami or Dussehra. Baba was feeling physically weak. But Baba managed to get up and sit. As usual, some devotees had come to get his darshan. As some were about to enter the mosque, Shama stopped them, saying that Baba was not well, and asked them to have darshan from outside. But Baba asked all his devotees to enter and have his pada darshan which the devotees did. Baba put his hand on their heads, gave them his blessings as well as udi prasad. For some strange reason, even the devotees who were very close to him and were always with him could be seen taking turns to fall at his feet. Baba gave them some words of advice, according to their needs. They would never have guessed that they were Baba’s last words to them while he remained in his physical body. 

Tatya’s Condition Worsens

Baba then asked Laxman Mama, one of his devotees who was an astrologer, to do God’s Naamasmarana for a while. It was eleven in the morning. Tatya, meanwhile, was vomiting blood often and became unconscious. His pulse became weak. Ramachander Patil and Bala Shimpe were afraid that Tatya would die that day as Baba had predicted. They brought Shama so that he could see Tatya’s condition. Fearing that Tatya would die soon, Shama ran to Baba. He described Tatya’s condition to Baba and begged him to visit Tatya’s house at once and save him. Baba told Shama not to worry and assured him that Tatya would escape death when Ekadashi set in that day. But Shama again implored him to go and see Tatya. Baba told Shama, “All of you have only the bond of friendship with Tatya. But I have the responsibility for his welfare as well. I gave my word to his mother, Baija bhai, when she died, that I would look after Tatya like my own self. The service that mother rendered and the word I gave her cannot be forgotten. So do not worry in the least. To save Tatya, I don’t have to go there at all, and I can do it sitting right here.” On hearing his words, Shama became calm. 

Baba Takes Different Forms

It was noon by then, and preparations were afoot for noon aarti. It seemed as if some divine light had entered Baba. Aarti began, and something strange happened. All through the aarti, Baba’s facial features kept changing every moment. Those who looked at him felt peaceful and wanted to look at him continuously. During that entire period, Baba appeared in different forms to the devotees who were there.
 
He appeared as Vittal, Maruti, Dattatreya, and Rama, and to Muslim devotees as Mecca and Medina. In the case of a Christian devotee, he appeared as Jesus. For Booty, he took the form of Sri Krishna playing the flute in the Wada he had built. One devotee had brought his small son to initiate him into education by Baba, as it was Vijayadashami day. Baba appeared to him as Vighneshwara, wrote ‘Om’ in Sanskrit, showed it to the boy, and gave him his blessings. In this manner, Baba showed his divine form to the devotees according to their thoughts during the aarti period.

Tatya Recovers Miraculously

When aarti got over, it was one hour past noon. Shirdi Sai Baba told all his devotees to leave quickly. Filled with joy for having received Baba’s divine darshan, they all left. Suddenly Baba began to cough badly and vomited blood. At that moment, Tatya showed signs of recovery, and his pulse normalized. A new strength filled his body. He could stand up and walk too. He cried in sheer joy. He could not comprehend from where this new energy was coming. The onlookers were also amazed. Then he remembered Baba. Assuming that Baba had given him a new lease of life, he ran to the mosque.

Baba’s Last Moments

Baba leaned on Baija Appaji Patil and whispered something to him. He also warned him not to disclose it to others, or he would die. His last words fell on Tatya’s ears. Baba was coughing badly. Each time he coughed, blood came out of his mouth and spilled all over Dwarakamayi. Baba had told his devotees not to feel afraid and sent them to have their lunch. But some of them refused to leave his side. Lakshmi Bhai, Laxman, Appaji, Bhagoji, and Bala Shimpe were seated near Baba. On seeing Tatya, Baba told Shama to take him to his house. It was two o clock in the afternoon. Baba then told the others to go and have their meals.

Last Act of Charity

Lakshmi Bai Shinde and Bayyaji alone remained with him. She was seated near Baba’s feet. Baba took out Rs.5 and Rs. 4 coins from his pocket and gave them to Lakshmi bai. It was his last act of charity when alive. Baba went on to explain the significance of the 9 rupees. According to him, they represented the 9 qualities – Nava Vidha Bhakti – that a devotee should possess. They are:

Absence of egoism

Absence of jealousy

Untiring service 

Absence of worldly desires

Peaceful nature

Complete faith in guru

Desire to know the truth

Absence of envy

Absence of boasting and criticizing others

The Raja Yogi’s Samadhi

Unless a devotee had these nine qualities, he would not be able to reach God. Thus Baba was teaching his devotee an important lesson even in his last moments. Baba’s Mahasamadhi Dashami then ended, and Ekadashi arrived. It was 2.30 in the afternoon. Baba told Bayyaji that he was taking leave of this world. He wanted his body to be kept in Booty Wada. He also assured him that he would always protect all his devotees from there, even if he were no longer alive. So saying, he leaned against Bayyaji. In this manner, he left the world, giving charity and knowledge to his followers. This is how the Raja Yogi attained samadhi.

Shirdi Sai Baba Mahasamadhi Day is observed with great piety and devotion by all his followers. It is on October 15, 2021.