heritageshirdi

Baba allowed his devotees to serve him in their own way and did not like any other persons interfering. To quote an instance, Mavsibai (Venubai Kanoji) was kneading Baba’s abdomen. Seeing the fury and force used by her, all other devotees felt nervous and anxious. They said, “oh mother, be more considerate and moderate, otherwise you will break Baba’s arteries.

He got enraged and his eyes became red like a live charcoal. None dared to stand before or face Baba. Then he took hold of one end of the satka with both hands and pressed in the hollow of his abdomen. The other end he fixed to the post and began to press his abdomen against it. The satka, which was about two or three feet in length seemed all to go in to the abdomen and the people feared that the abdomen would be ruptured in a short time.

The post was fixed and immovable and Baba began to go closer and closer to fit it and clasped the post firmly. Every moment the rupture was expected, and they were all dismayed, did not know what to do, and stood dumb with wonder and fear. Baba suffered this ordeal for the sake of his bhaktha. The other devotees wanted only to give a hint to Mavsibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any trouble or pain to Baba. This they did with good intention, but Baba did not tolerate even this. They were surprised to see that their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this catastrophe; they could do nothing but to wait and see. Fortunately, Baba’s rage soon cooled down. He left the satka and resumed his seat.

Baba was very considerate towards his devotees and was against one devotee teasing another. One day Baba said his stomach was aching. Mavusi brought a red-hot brick, placed it on Baba’s abdomen, above his kafni, and retained it there for ten minutes. Then after removing it, she began to press Baba’s sides with her hands with great violence not able to endure such sight fearing she may hurt Baba one devotee asked Mavusi to be gentle. Baba unable to tolerate interference in his devotee’s seva asked him to get away from there, which the devotee did.

From this incident onward, devotees learnt a lesson that they should not meddle with anybody but allow him to serve Baba as he chooses, as he was capable to gauge the merits and significance of service rendered unto him.

“Look up to me and I will look after you. Not in vain is my promise that I shall ever lighten your burden”.