How did the Leper Devotee serve Baba ?

Answer 1

Leper Devotee’s Service

On hearing the news of Baba’s hand being burnt from (Shama) Madhavrao Deshpande, Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, accompanied by the famous Doctor Parmanand of Bombay with his medical outfit consisting of ointments, lint and bandage etc. rushed to Shirdi, and requested Baba to allow Dr. Parmanand to examine the arm, and dress the wound caused by the burn. This was refused. Ever since the burn, the arm was dressed by the leper devotee, Bhagoji Shinde. His treatment consisted in massaging the burnt part with ghee and then placing a leaf over it and bandaging it tightly with Pattis (bandages). Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar solicited Baba many a time to unfasten the Pattis and get the wound examined and dressed and treated by Dr. Parmanand, with the object that it may be speedily healed. Dr. Parmanand himself made similar requests, but Baba postponed saying that Allah was His Doctor; and did not allow His arm to be examined. Dr. Paramanand’s medicines were not exposed to their air of Shirdi, as they remained intact, but he had the good fortune of getting a darshana of Baba. Bhagoji was allowed to treat the hand daily. After some days, the arm healed and all were happy. Still, we do not know whether any trace of pain was left or not. Every morning, Bhagoji went throught his programme of loosening the Pattis, massaging he arm with ghee and tightly bandaging it again. This went on till Sai Baba’s Samadhi (death). Sai Baba, a perfect Siddha, as He was, did not really want this treatment, but out of love to His devotee, He allowed the ‘Upasana’ - service of Bhagoji to go on un-interrupted all along. When Baba started for Lendi, Bhagoji held an umbrella over Him and accompanied Him. Every morning, when Baba sat near the post close to the Dhuni, Bhagoji was present and started his service. Bhagoji was a sinner in his past brith. He was suffering from leprosy, his fingers had shrunk, his body was full of pus and smelling badly. Though outwardly he seemed so unfortunate, he was really very lucky and happy, for he was the premier servant of Baba, and got the benefit of His company. -

Answer 2

You have not told what Baba... If I can take it by its literal meaning, as the universal Father (which could encompass whatever Baba form you had meant - as the Divine permeates everything and is more resplendent in evolved souls and bleak in sinful ones)... then there are so many leper devlotees... which is "the leper" you mean, dear?

The nationalist leper Subramania Siva of Tamilnadu served the Baba through his matchless patriotism...

The spiritual propagator Sengaalipuram Anantharama Dikshithar who was also afflicted by the deadly disease served Sri Baba (as Guruvayoorappan) through his matchless discourses on the hoary scriptures... and got cured as well..

Late Sri Alagappa Chettiar, the great philanthropist, served the Baba through his selfless service to the society and individuals..

There are lot more instances - many undocumented and forgotten - where the people with the disease you mention have served the Lord (Baba)... which one of them do you mean...?

Excerpts from Sai Sath Charitha has been quoted by a friend nicely... I know you would have expected that only... but why do you put the question so vaguely...? why not educate your viewers who that blessed Lord Baba was...?

Not just those suffering fron leprosy, but any number of physical, racial, material, or other deficiecies are serving the Great One all over the world... Blessed are those souls whose love and service sublimate our ambience... Sai Ram..

Answer 3

Which Baba?

Namaskar,
Rani