(Originally given under the name Chinna Kistna Rajasaheb Bahadur B.A., LL.B.)
Saraswath, aged about 50, Interior of India 11th June, 1936.
Baba does not prescribe one uniform spiritual exercise or practice for all. He suits himself to the stage, circumstances and conditions of each. "If you are a Rama Bhakta, keep to Rama. If you want only Allah, keep to Allah," is his advice. He is always impartial. Sometimes he pronounced or got some one to pronounce 'fatiah' over Hindu offerings also. There was as a rule no sharp distinction or antagonism between Hindus' devotion to him, and Mohammedans' devotion to him. There were, however, some exceptions. One I will mention. There were two "Rohillas" about 1916 who came to Shirdi and became devoted to Sai Baba. The elder one was constantly with Baba and used to read the Koran, at night especially, sitting at the feet of Baba. He declared that Baba was Paygambar (i.e., God) and showed him great reverence. At times he said that Baba (though he was Paygambar) was still teaching heterodox doctrine. Baba's allowing the din of noon-day Arati with its music in the mosque, allowing himself to be worshipped as God there, and partaking of food offered to idols were heterodox; and this Rohilla mentioned his objections to Baba. But Baba only smiled and said "All that (i.e., other Gods) is Allah". This was one of Baba's moods. In some moods, he would say "We are all the creations of God 'Allah'." In other moods he would say "I am God." This, of course, was extreme heterodoxy in this Rohilla's view. So this Rohilla one day declared that, although Sai Baba was Paygambar, yet his doctrine was wrong and so he (the Rohilla) would make short work of him and his doctrine. One day, as Sai Baba was going out walking, the Rohilla came up from behind, with a stout club in his right hand and reached striking distance. Baba turned towards him and touching or seizing his left wrist cast a glance at him beneath which the poor Rohilla cowered and sank like a lump of lead, powerless to lift his club or even to lift himself. Baba left him there and went away. Later the man had to be raised up with some one's help. In a few days the man took leave of Baba and left Shirdi for good, never to return.
The other Rohilla was not intolerant but was rendering humble service in the Samasthan.
As for intolerance, that was not confined to this Muslim devotee. There were some Hindu devotees who exhibited this feature. But Baba invariably discountenanced it, in every case.
It is neither necessary nor possible nor desirable to narrate all the experiences I had with Baba or in reference to Baba. Baba's kindness and provision for my welfare knew no limits. His methods of help were various and depended on the nature of the devotee concerned and the attendant circumstances. In my case, I had experience of all forms of his help. The first method of help is this: (1) When we are in difficulties or when Baba wants us to take a particular course, the inspiration comes to us that, that course should be adopted and we have also the feeling that the inspiration comes from Baba. If I am wanted at a very extraordinary time to go to Baba for private and solitary communion, the call within is enough to indicate it. This first method relates to inspirations when we are awake. (2) The second method is to give the suggestion or indication or idea, in dreams, or trances - sometimes through Baba's personal appearance. This, of course, is the most impressive and unmistakable method. (3) A third method is where Baba directs us to go to some third person for a solution or hint. Sometimes it happens that the third person is totally unfit even to understand the difficulty or the solution. Yet the solution is given by that man without knowing what the problem is and what the solution is and how he is benefitting us. He is a mere peg to hang the solution on. Baba has helped me in all these and other ways and given me valuable training alike when he was in the body and after he left it. I regard Sri Sai Baba as the same spirit as Sri Ramakrishna Pramahamsa and one instance of the help he has given me recently through this perception of identity may be mentioned.