Shri Sai Leela April 1983

Blessings of Shri Sai are Highly Powerful
Blessings of Shri Sai are highly powerful
To devotees sincere and always faithful.
Attained Mahasamadhi on 15th October 1918 wilfully
And still fulfills the devotees' needs just and rightful.
Supernatural events play around the devotees unmindful
To those who surrender to Him heart and soul wishful.
Devotees throng at His shrine at Shirdi in housefull
To offer prayers and flowers in person in utmost cheerful
They forget all their grief at His holy feet unmindful
And they go back to their homes with His permission blissful
A dynamic grace pervades the shrine still to one and all
And Baba's magnificent idol looks alive sitting in the hall
Bizarre methods Baba adopted at times to protect even the sinful
By his supernatural commands and to turn them devout and truthful
The saint of Shirdi will be ever living to the devotees faithful
I looking after their needs day and night even and kindful
Blessings of Shri Sai are highly powerful
To devotees sincere and always faithful

P. J. Reddy
Hyderabad - 500020

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A Dream Coming True

My pen dances with joy to narrate briefly the highlights of the 9th annual gathering of the contributors to Shri Sat Leela, which was held at Shirdi on 30th and 31st January 1983. This gathering was unique in many respects, in as much as there were several new features to make it attractive and eventful, with effervescent, effective, educative and eloquent speeches, most of them centering round the two Taraka Mantras -Shraddha and Saburi and our dictum - Allah Malik Hai.
The very venue itself set in ideal and attractive hall of the Shanti Nivas, proclaimed the uniqueness of the things that were in store. Perhaps this being the 9th one, the significance of No. 9 revealed itself fully by His Grace, for Baba was fond of the number 9. He emphasised on the 9 (Navavidha) Bhaktis. He gave Sow. Laksbmibai 9 rupees and His intimate dasas were also 9 viz. - Sarva Sree Shama, Oasganu, Mhalsapati, Tatya, Nana, Sathe, Butti, Dixit and Dabholkar, who had surrendered themselves at His holy feet. The number 9 is magical and wonderful indeed as there are Nava Grahas; the 9 wonders of the world; the Nava Pashanas etc., and so it is no wonder that the 9th gathering had many unexpected and blissful things in store for the Sai Bandhus.
English, which was more or less a taboo in the previous gatherings forced its way out in the welcome speech itself by Shri Kakresaheb, who used the words "9th Annual Gathering', while the entire speech was in Marathi. I mused and waited for more pleasant surprises
Since Mr. V. Sunder, delegate from Calcutta wanted to leave early, he was allowed to read his article in English about his recent visit to Shirdi (Another score for me). Shri Kesava Rao, President and Shri Viswanathan, Secretary of the All India Sai Samai, Madras, special invitees to the gathering (this is their first visit to the gathering) were introduced to the Sammelan by Executive Editor Dr. S. D. Parchure in English and both of them addressed the delegates in English, about the propagation of Sai cult by H. H. Narasimha Swamijee and Saipadananda Radha Krishna Swamiji and the activities of the Samaj. (Yet another surprise).
Prof. Gunderao Patwari, by his eloquent and electrified speech in Hindi, pleaded on my behalf for a session in English. Mr. Anil K. Rasal of Bombay made a fervent appeal in English; so also Mr. N. Machandar Das of Warangal and Mrs. Sarojini of Calcutta and Dr. B. G. Das of Kanpur, followed suit, and Messrs. Vijay Hazare, Bipin Swadia and several delegates spoke in Marathi. Then I too had my chance, with the result English was given a rightful share in the proceedings, and my heart throbbed in ecstacy.
I had, a month back, sent in my suggestions to have (1) a few hours to be allotted for the English knowing delegates and (2) to allot a few pages for children in both magazines, so that the young ones can imbibe the teachings from the treasures of our hoary past. My second suggestion too, without my airing it, had, by His Grace, come to fruition through the eversmiling Shri Bipin Swadia, His daughter gave an exquisite dance recital centering round Sai Mahima, which was well received & acclaimed.
Yes! The "Saburj” on my part had paid rich dividends without asking for it. Some say : "Knock - The Door Shall Open; Ask - Thou Shall Be Given". We need neither "Knock'' nor "ask". Baba says: "Think Of Me Always. Look To Me. I Shall Be Your Slave". The English and Hindi knowing delegates were all revelling themselves in the Sai Grace unexpectedly showered on them.
Another striking feature was the adorning of the main dais by the five "Chinthamanis" who were cut and shaped to lustre by Baba Himself- Dr. Kapadi. the presiding deity of the 9th gathering and Shri Rasane, Sow Sarojini Mulye, Shri Gajanan Chitambar and Shri Dabholkar, the Presidents of the previous gatherings, who have had the unique opportunity to be fondled and blessed by Sadguru Sai in their childhood. We the delegates had 'the good fortune to see at one time these noble souls and receive their bountiful blessings.
The fame of Sai was spread by Das Ganu by his keertans in the North and by H. H, Narasimha Swamiji and Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji by their unceasing preaching’s in the South of Bharat. While leaving Shirdi on 1st February, Shri Vijay Hazare showed me a letter received from a Sai Bandhu in Switzerland. Already Sai Bandhus from U. K. are making periodical visits to Shirdi. So my prediction in my report about the 8th gathering is going to come true. Do not be surprised if a gathering of Sai Bandbus is held either in London or in Switzerland in the near future.
Be ready to start at any moment as my dream is coming true by His grace !

R. S Ramakrishnao
Madras 600004