Mystical Dogs and Mohanji’s Birthday in Shirdi 2013

Mohanji’s arrived on this physical plane on 23 Feb. Every year, Mohanji would like to visit Shirdi. Last two years, because of his extremely busy schedules, it was not possible for him to physically reach there. But, this year, right after Mahakumbh, via Shani and Dattatreya temple, Mohanji reached Shirdi on 22nd Feb 2013.

Mohanji, Deepali, Yamini, Bindu, Shreya, Aparna, and Amita traveled together from Pune to Shirdi on 22^nd morning. Darsan at Shani Shinganpur was a different experience. Shani Shingnapur is  temple of Shani, the Saturn, one of the Navagrahas. It is said that, the grace of Lord Shani is is so powerful here that, no one is allowed to have doors to house and shops. If someone tries to steal anything, some punishment will happen to thief before he/she crosses the boundaries of the village.

Another town Devgad, has Datta Mandir complex. All decided to have lunch under a tree. The sumptuous lunch was prepared by Deepali’s sister Dr. Mrs. Jyothi. The touch of love and devotion was so obvious in her preparations. While we assembled to eat, four dogs came from nowhere and partook in the meal. One dog was brown colored, one white, one black, beige and white and last one was lame and off-white colored.

And as Mohanji washed his hands after food at the tap, a lame dog came running from a distance and started lapping up the water!. He drank the water that Mohanji used to wash his hands!  After drinking water, he went straight to a temple nearby and came back and sat near us. Mohanji told Deepali to give him some food.

He said “He will not eat until food reaches his mouth. This is a saint.” Just like Mohanji said, when Bindu and Deepali took the food to him, he consumed it, as if doing us a favor. Mohanji called him Ashtavakra as his body was crooked. When the dog was satisfied with food, he politely pushed the plate away. This was a beautiful experience. A saint in a dog’s body who needs no food and will have it only if delivered at mouth’s reach and eating it only for us, was indeed a new experience for all of us. His respect for Mohanji was so obvious as he drank all the water that touched Mohanji’s hands, as he washed his hands after the meal. All of us know the significance of Dogs in the Datta Tradition. Four dogs – four vedas are always around Datta and Datta Gurus.

This incidence reminded the four dogs who protected the Kailash group who traveled with Mohanji in 2012. All in the Kailsh group could not walk together during 3 days of Kailash parikrama. They were scattered. But, at the end of Parikrama, everyone realized that these 4 dogs were always with everyone! Amazing! Dogs are always depicted in any picture of Lord Dattatreya. They represent 4 vedas. Recently, when Shashank in Gurgaon, was doing food seva, also had 4 dogs who remained there watching peacefully the whole food seva happening.

Everyone met Annette, Hein and Biljana Vozarevic who had arrived from Bangalore at the Hotel in Shirdi. It was wonderful to meet all these beautiful people which comprises of Mohanji’s family. Mohanji is the common thread that was holding everyone together and the love and family-ship was too obvious. Later that night, Shashank and Rajni joined from Delhi. On 23^rd, Rajesh and Nandita from Gurgaon, and Lata, Ganesh, Lata’s sister and her son joined from from US. It was great to celebrate Mohanji’s birthday together on 23^rd in Shirdi. Shashank has already written his experience in Shirdi in this blog http://mohanjichronicles.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/mohanji-birthday-new-birth-for-all-of-us/

On 22^nd evening Mohanji had darsan of Baba. Everyone attended the night arathi on 22^nd and morning and the evening arathi on 23^rd. The lunch at the Sai’s Prasad hall was excellent. We also visited Sakuri – the abode of Upasani Maharaj as well as Khandooba temple. Those who have read Shirdi Sai Satcharitra, surely know about Upasani Maharaj and Khandooba temple. Thus, we had a fulfilling trip and an excellent birthday of Mohanji.

We left for Dattatapovan, Mohanji’s ashram on 24^th. After having darshan at Ranjangaon Ganapati, one of the Ashtavinayakas, everyone arrived at the ashram post midday. It was indeed a dream come true for Deepali to see Mohanji entering the ashram, entering his home, and making it his abode. Our own Nilkanth, Muthu, Anurag, Suresh and team had made the place well to receive Mohanji. You will see in some of these pics, how much they did in such a short span of time. Their dedication is unparalleled. They worked hard, day and night without complaints and sleep. What could be said about them? They are true soldiers of our rich tradition and they understand Mohanji as to who he is!