Sai Mahabhakta Late Shri.Bhikaji Hari Risbood's information is published in Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Volume 59, No. 9, December 1989 published by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan.

The magnitude of Baba's grace on Bhikaji Hari Risbood can be gauged from Baba's words: "Arre! Anna, I will come to stay in your home. This interesting leela is narrated by Bhikaji's grandson, Anil Narayan Risbood, who resides in Girgaon, Mumbai.

He relates: "My grandfather was a Vaid (Indian Shaman) and resided in Pean (District Raigad). As his financial condition was precarious, he often went to Mumbai to treat patients. He would usually go once a month and stay there for a week or so. On his visits to Mumbai, he heard about Baba's divinity, so in 1916 he decided to visit Shirdi, meet Baba and disclose his poverty stricken plight. Upon reaching Shirdi, he went to the Dwarka Mai to meet Baba, but at that time Baba was in a frightful rage. Bhikaji decided that he would prostrate before Baba later, when he had calmed down. So he returned to the dharmashala (pilgrim's inn), had his meal and went to sleep. A short while later, he dreamt of Baba, who said, "Have you come here to sleep? Or have you come here to meet me?" Bhikaji answered, “Deva! When I came to meet you, you were in a rage and I got frightened, so I left." Baba replied, "Did I call out your name and say anything to you?"

At that moment, Bhikaji woke up and immediately went to meet Baba, and prostrated before him. A few moments later, Baba spoke these amazing words: "Arre! Anna I will come to stay in your home, as your son. Remember this Anna, I should be named Shri Pada." At that time Bhikaji's wife was about 6 months pregnant. Satisfied, he returned home the next day.

Bhikaji's wife indeed delivered a baby boy, on a Thursday, around 7 a.m. When his wife was delivering the baby, Bhikaji was standing at the entrance of his home. Just then, a fakir passed by on the street. The fakir was attentively looking at his home, but Bhikaji didn't pay much attention to him. As Baba had predicted, a son was born, who was named Shri Pada. The child however had a unique birth mark on his neck. It looked like a three strand necklace; and in the centre, like a pendant, there was as a mark shaped like a Tulsi leaf.

Shri Pada grew up to be a charming lad. When he was about 5 years old his parents decided to perform his thread ceremony. That night Baba appeared in Bhikaji's dream and repeatedly said, "Now I am leaving, and I don't want anything from you." Bhikaji replied, "Did I come to invite you to my home? Then how does the question of your coming or going arise?" Probably Baba didn't approve of the idea of performing the thread ceremony as he is an avatar of Lord Dattatreya. The topic of performing Shri Pada's thread ceremony again arose when he was 8 years old, and his father decided to perform it sometime later.

One day, Shri Pada went into the forest; a thorn pierced his foot, and he developed Tetanus. The doctors treated him but without much improvement. That Thursday, very early in the morning, Bhikaji had a vivid dream wherein Baba said, "I am leaving now. I cannot stay any longer. Allah will bless you." Bhikaji jumped out of bed and went and stood at the entrance of his home. At that moment a fakir passed by, gazing intently at his home. He suddenly remembered that when Shri Pada was born this same fakir had walked by his home. Bhikaji ran to where Shri Pada was sleeping, but alas, he had passed away. The incomprehensible coincidence was that Shri Pada came into this world, and subsequently left it on a Thursday, the same at 7 a.m. At the time of his birth and passing away fakir walked by their home looking at the house with intense concentration. That fakir was never seen again by anyone, anywhere, thereafter.

Anil Narayan Risbood says, "Baba came to our home in the form of Shri Pada, and sanctified our house. And ever since he has been showering his grace and mercy on us."

(Source: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Volume 59, No. 9, December 1989)