Sai Mahabhakte Radhakrishna Mai's original name was Sundari Bai Kshirsagar. She was born in Devgaon village in Ahmed Nagar District of Maharashtra. In 1899 A.D. Sundari Bai Kshirasagar turned 17 years of age and she got married to one Shri.Dahitankar and was hence called by the name "Sundari Bai Dahitankar". Due to fate, the husband of Sundaribai Kshirsagar passed away on the eighth day of the marriage. This brought about great misery in Sundaribai Kshirsagar. She was broken and shaken from the very roots of the being. As the time passed it did not heal the mental and emotional conditions she was going through. She was sent to her maternal uncle’s house in Pandharpur so that the change in outer environment might bring about a healing change in her conditions. Her Maternal Uncle was a Lawyer by profession. There Radhakrishna Mai spent her time studying religious texts, praying and singing religious songs. In the afternoons when there was less crowd, she went to Vittal Mandir and worshipped Lord Vittal.

She also became a devotee of Sai Baba and worshipped Him from the bottom of her heart. Once she had overeaten and her stomach got extremely bloated. She suffered from severe cholic pain. At that time, she remembered Sai Baba and cried out "Sai Baba, Sai Baba" and lo! the pain subsided at once.

Few days later, she had a life transforming dream. One early morning in the year 1902 A.D, she became totally detached from this materialistic world. She she woke up, took off all the jewellary she was wearing and threw it away. She decided to leave home. Her reltives tried to stop her, tried to convince her so that she changed her mind. However, Radhakrishna Mai was adamant. The feeling of Vairagya, dispassion towards worldly life had taken over her strongly.

Radhakrishna Mai left her maternal uncle's home permanently and decided to go on Char Dham Yatra. She undertook this Yatra without monetary help from anyone. She left home with only the clothes that she was wearing. On many days she was not able to get any food and had to go hungry for a long period of time. During such times, she used to eat Cow Dung and pacify her hunger and her mind. She refrained from touching money and hence she did not have any money. She did not possess anything either.

If any person came forward to do charity, Radhakrishna Mai used to ask him to buy a ticket for her onward journey. Perhaps, Lord Vittal wanted Radhakrishna Mai to undergo this difficult penance and complete her pilgrimage. For five years she roamed about all over India, under tough conditions and successfully completed the Char Dham Yatra.

At last after many pilgrimages and meeting many holy people she came to Shirdi and started singing Tukaram's abhangs before Baba.

One evening, in 1907 Sai Baba was sitting in Dwarkamai, with his hand leaning on the wooden rest. The sun was moving slowly towards the setting point. The cattle were moving towards their shade after grazing in the nearby fields. At that time, at near distant was a building called Chavadi. The building was in a dilapidated condition. More than that all the sides were open. One could see the horizon from the Masjid Mai or Dwaraka Mai. Around the Dwarka Mai there was no fencing of any kind. At that time Sai Baba’s eyes saw at a distance, a figure, clad in white clothes, moving towards Dwarkamai.

Sai Baba kept on gazing in that direction, as if waiting for someone. As the figure came closer and closer one could see that it was a female, in white clothes. A cloth bag was hanging on the back of her shoulder. In one hand was an ektara, a musical instrument similar to guitar, with just one string. And in other hand was kartaal yet another musical instrument. On her forehead was a tilak according to Madhva Sampradaya, a long line with black colore and on both the hands were bangles made of Tulsi beads. Also the neck was decorated with Tulsi garland. The dark hair was hanging from her head, reaching below her knees. As she came nearer to Dwarkamai, all the eyes fell on her. Though the clothes she wore were not very tidy, one could see the charm in her face, which would demand respect at once.

Reaching near Dwarkamai the lady unburdened her shoulder by putting the cloth bag on the land of Shirdi. She also put off the musical instruments from her hands. Without climbing up the stairs of Dwarka Mai, the lady bowed down, touched her head on the sacred land of Shirdi and then joining both her hands, she did Namaskar to Sri Sai Baba, who was sitting in Masjidmai. From her cloth bag she took out a beautiful idol of Radha Krishna. ( Krishna symbolizes God and Radha the lover of God, the name of Radha (lover of God) is taken before the name of God in Hindu tradition, signifying the importance of God lover, such lovers of God are rare, who craves for Only God’s Love). The beautiful metallic idol was of brass, of about 9 inches in size, she gathered two bricks from around, placed them together, covered them with a vastra (piece of neat cloth), placed the idol over it and sat with the Kartaal in her hand.
           
Along with the music she began to sing with a pain in her heart. The high pitch voice was singing and calling for God. Saying that the name of Ram is in my mind, how do I please Ram (God) O Sai, I am weak with the karmas, how do I sing the glory of God O Sai. She sung a Bhajan by Mira Bai, the notes she sang seemed to become one with Krishna (Mira Bai’s love for God was God in form of Krishna). All the notes seemed to be merging and melting in Krishna, such was the love and pain flowing through her heart for God, while she was singing. People of Shirdi, attracted by the music and pitiful and melodious songs, sung in a high pitch, began to gather near Dwarka Mai. As the bhajans were sung, the people were wrapped by the magic of it. They forgot time; they forgot their daily hassles of life. The hearts of the listeners were experiencing something which they could not understand nor could they explain. The earthen lamps lit with oil, began to get dim, yet nobody’s mind and heart was getting ready to mend them, such was the environment created. The bhajans continued till midnight. Sai Baba did not leave his Asan (seat), people forgot sleep. Even the beloved devotees of Sai Baba, Tatya Patil and Mahalsapati were rapt in the environment.

At last the throat of lady (Radhakrishna Mai) took rest; the hands stopped playing on the instruments. The lady went into Samadhi. Still the listeners were in the effect of music.

After some time, the lady came back from Samadhi. Sai Baba while giving blessings said, “Go! The school (situated between Masjid Mai and Chavadi) is vacant, and stay there.” After the arrival of Sundaribai Kshirsagar in Shirdi, because of her devotion towards Radha Krishna, people of Shirdi started calling her as Radhakrishna Mai. Shirdi Sai Baba used to call her Radhakrishni, sometimes Sai Baba would even call her as Avdasa. Gradually the original name Sundaribai Kshirsagar was erased from people’s mind and Radhakrishna Mai was how she was popularly known as and called by the people of Shirdi and the visitors of Shirdi. Radhakrishna Mai always used to wear thick clothes, the clothes used to be stark clean. The hair on the head used to be free and untied, sometimes were tied in knots. In her kutir (small thatched home) would be bed covered with a clean bedsheet and a mosquito net over it. On the small platform for devotion and prayers was a clean gadi (small mattress), on which was placed the nine inch beautiful idol of Radha Krishna, made of brass. On both sides of the idol were beautiful pictures of Sai Baba, on which the garland of flowers were adorned, and on both the sides were placed pillows with hand stitched design.

Sai Baba asked her to stay in Shala (School) situated between Dwarkamai and Chavadi. In fact, it is situated opposite to Chavadi to be exact. Accordingly, she stayed in that very place. Radhakrishna Mai had mentally accepted Eknath Maharaj as her guru for spiritual knowledge and upliftment. Eknath Maharaj was taught by his guru Janardhan Swami to grow a Tulasi Brindavan and to perform daily worship of the Tulasi, along with Vishnu, without fail. Mai took this teaching as her decree, and grew a beautiful garden around her home. It was abundant in Tulasi plants. It was Baba who called her home the "Shala" and "Brindavan", and hence the villagers also followed the same and caller Mai's house as Shala. Mai's Shala was adjacent to Vamanrao Gondkar's home as mentioned in the leela of Sai Baba climbing the ladder, crossing the roof of Mai's house and descending from the other side.

Every morning in the land of Shirdi blessed by Sai Baba, when the sun was about to rise, the light was slowly dispersing the darkness of the night. A melodious and bold voice would pierce the silence of that dawn. The sweet and painful voice would call for God. The voice and the song would make the people of Shirdi feel the necessity of calling to the God. The voice was that of Radhakrishna Mai.

Radhakrishna Mai had come and settled in vibrant land of Shirdi, the blessed land on which Sai Baba moved and talked in his physical form, much before other notable devotees like Kakasaheb Dixit, Annasaheb Dabolkar, Bapu Saheb Buti, Sagun Meru Naik, Ramchandra Atmaram Tarkhad, Dr. Chidambar Pillay, Saint Upasni Maharaj and Sri Sai Sharananand Maharaj.

Radhakrishna Mai never went in front of Baba without a Ghunghat. Also, she never ascended the three steps of the Dwarakamai in Baba's presence. This was a mark of respect that she had towards Sai Baba. She felt that Baba was her husband in her previous life.

One of the picture was of Sai Baba sitting on the stone, the other photo was of Sai Baba sitting on the floor. There was one small additional picture in which Sai Baba was standing leaning on a wall, his hand pulling up a little of his kafni (dress). Visitors of Shirdi used to visit the Kutir of Radhakrishna Mai to have the darshan of these pictures. Also Sai Baba used to send most of the visitors to the Kutir, asking them, did you visit the Shala? (School), which meant the kutir of Radhakrishna Mai.

Two books were always seen in the Kutir, one was printed in Nirnay Sagar press in Mumbai which contained Marathi Abhangs, composed by Saint Tukaram. The other was a book by poet Jaydev called Geet Govind, also in Marathi.

Radhakrishna Mai used to prepare morning breakfast for Sai Baba, other than that she did not have to worry about cooking. In the afternoon she would eat whatever Sai Baba used to send her as prasad to eat. In the evening prominent devotees of Sai Baba like Bapusaheb Buti would bring their food and everybody used to partake the food brought by everyone. Thus Radhakrishna Mai spent most of her time in devotion, singing devotional songs with ektara (a single string musical instrument). The melody could be herd in the Dwarkamai.

Radhakrishna Mai's home was the Shala or the school where she prepared those who were directed to go to her home - by teaching them how to condut themselves in Baba's darbar. The manner in which you should put forth your requirements and requests. How you should pray to Him. The way to follow His instructions unconditionally. How to cherish and love the Sadguru from the bottom of your heart. The way to surrender all your possessions - both materialistic and spiritual. And how to prepare yourself for the rough tests given by Baba. Sai asked numerous devotees to go to Mai's home to read religious texts daily. Some devotees were advised to read the Bhagavad Gita, and others to read the Jnaneshwari. Everyeday there was regular reading of Bhavarth Ramayana, Das Bodh, Tukaram's Gatha and other spiritual texts. However, Baba laid special emphasis on Ekanath Bhagawat. This text was Baba's favorite. He lovingly called it the Brindavan Pothi. Baba wanted the devotee who was reading Ekanath Bhagawat to study it, understand it, and meditate upon it. Thus, the devotee would ultimately inculcate its doctrine in his life by following its tenets. In Mai's Shala, all these texts were read and studied on a regular basis. As Mai considered Ekanath Maharaj as her Guru, his Bhavarth was read every single day and following the reading, discourses were held. Mai never failed to ask the devotees to adopt the teachings in their daily life. This could be the reason why Baba called Mai's hallowed home "Shala" or "Brindavan". Like Nidhivan in Brindavan, Mai's home was a medium for the Atma to meet the beloved Paramatma. Therefore, Baba most aptly called it Brindavan. Ekanath Maharaj, through his text, broadened the spiritual horizons of the common man and brought Jnaneshwari's spiritual ethics into the daily lives of His followers. Mai, in her Shala, practiced them in her daily routine and set a splendid example for the devotees. Ekanath Maharaj repeatedly told His followers to live their worldly lives using their wisdom and ethical conscience. Using Eknath's adage as her motto, Mai taught the devotees how to render selfless service to the Sadguru. The two pillars of this service were the path of Viveka and Vairagya, along with ethical conscience and wisdom. "The human body is perishable, while the atma is immortal. Keeping this truth constantly in the mind, you should utilise every moment, every action, and every part of your body in the worship of the Sadguru. Remember Him with every ingoing breath, and render any and every service that you possibly can to the Sadguru". This was what Mai said and taught in her Shala. "This humand is full of viciousness, and you have to overcome it with the aid of truth, non-violence, seva, and the reading of spiritual texts. The other tools are singing devotional songs (bhajans and kirtan), hearing and participating in spiritual discourses, meditation, mental adoration of the Sadguru, and silence of speech and the mind" she would say. Mai emphasised the importance and value of Naam-Jap, as was seen when she did Naam-jap with Rege. She treated all the devotees who were sent to her like her very own children. However, she was rather strict about their code of condut and behaviour in Baba's presence. She emphatically proclaimed "Baba is Parabrahma, and because He is in Human form, you would maintain proper etiquette in His presence".

Mai taught the devotees how they should stand before Baba, and what to ask and what not to ask Him. One should have a dress code, and dress appropriately. All this, Mai taught the devotees according to her conviction. "You are visiting the darbar of Rajadhiraja. Never forget this. Hence, you should wear a cap or a turban, and your head should always be covered".

Thus, with her tirelss efforts this emperial court of Baba, or Sansthan was born. In this manner, Mai moulded the devotees who were sent to her, and indeed each of them ascended to the next step in their spiritual journey.

The devotees were diverse and wide ranging. Someone was not as adept in their pactice of Navavidha Bhakti as the next devotee. Nevertheless, Mai patiently coached each one until they were well on the way to gain their gooal of self realisation. And Baba was ever vigilant of the devotee's progress.

The two major impediments in spiritual advancement are Kanchana and Kamini (Wealth and Women), and both are God's creation. First, Baba put the devotees through both these difficult tests by asking them for exorbitant amounts as Dakshina. Then, Baba sent the devotees to the exquisitely beautiful Radhakrishna Mai who was indeed Baba's Maya. Thus, the devotee had to pass this litmus test.

If by chance the devotee was faltering, Baba appeared before him and repriminded him. Thus, by sending the devotee to Mai's shala, Baba was putting them through a severe test. Those who passed these tests were well on their spiritual path to achieve their goal. Baba guided each of His devotees in this unique way so that they could progress to the next stage. If a devotee hindered another devotee from performing seva in his own way, Baba would not tolerate it.

The word "Yoga" comes from the root word "Yuj" which means to "Join". This was the path where the Jiva embraced the Shiva. And Mai's Shala was the beatific place where on a daily basis the path to self realisation was followed in a relaxed and loving atmosphere.

Laxman Noolkar, Vishwanath Noolkar, Bapusaheb Jog, Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Kaka Saheb Dixit, Dr.Pillai, Swami Sai Sharananad (Vamanrao Patel), Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare, Balasaheb Bhate, Hari Vinayak Sathe, The Tharkad family, Gopalrao Buti's family, Annasaheb Dabholkar, Moreshwar Pradhan, M.B.Rege, Sadhu Bhaiya Naik and Chotu Bhaiya Naik, Kaka Avasthi, Kaka Mahajani and many more were some of the esteemed devotees who were enrolled in Mai's Theological Shala. How fortunate must be thse devotees to have been coached in Mai's Shala under the watchful Supervision of Sai Baba! (ref: Sainathane Sharane written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

Shri.Hari Sitaram Dixit (Kaka Dixit) who was one of the most intimate devotees of Shri Sai Baba, in his foreward for Shri Sai Samartha Charitra writes as below:

Shirdi soon took on the trappings of a Sansthan. Aartis were done of Maharaj and at the time of the Aarti, whisks, parasols and other insignia of royalty were used. When Maharaj went to the Chavadi, musical instruments, horse, palkhi, chopdar, singers of bhajans, flags and banners and all such paraphernalia accompanied Him. The Chavadi was decorated with mirrors, lamps, chandeliers and photographs. The masjid's and the Chavadi's floorings were laid with tiles etc. All the credit for this goes to Sundaribai Kishirsagar alias Radhakrishna Mai. It would not be out of place to say that she was the guru of loving Bhakti. She did not have wealth, but surrendering her body and mind to Maharaj, she had obtained from different devotees of Maharaj different items and thus well established the Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan. By ill luck her life ended early, that is when she was only 35. She was in Shirdi only for 8 to 9 years. But in that short time she achieved what might have perhaps taken another 25 years or more. It was indeed due to this lady, that Maharaj's night Aartis and the Kakad Aartis in the early morning hours started in the Chavadi. Maharaj did not even allow His puja in the earlier times. The first pooja was allowed to be done by Mhalsapati. After quite a while, Nimgaon's Sitaram Dengle came to do pooja but Maharaj got angry with him, allowing His pooja in the end. Sometime later, Nanasaheb Chandorkar's younger son Mahadev alias Bapu was allowed to do pooja satisfactorily, and thereafter, all got general permission to do pooja. But at that time, Maharaj did not allow His Aartis to be done. After some time, the privilage of doing the first Aarti was received by Tatyasaheb Noolkar. Being the Civil Judge at Pandharpur, he had become ill and came to Shirdi on leave with the desire that he should leave his job and spend the rest of his life at Maharaj's feet and in the end, that is what happened.

Radhakrishna Mai served in all possible ways Twice in the day, she swept and cleared the path on which Maharaj walked. Consequently, she herself removed all the dirt there. Before her, this work had been started by Balaji Patil Nevaskar. He was free from all worldly attachment and had left all the worldly ties and had come to Shirdi to live. Many people came to dissuade him and take him but he did not leave Shirdi. He swept the route and smeared the Masjid with Cow-dung. He took Maharaj's darshan from afar. He did not go close to Him. He drank only the water of the washings of Maharaj's feet, or the water which had been used for Maharaj's bath (water which had fallen on His body) or the water which Maharaj had partially drunk. Similarly, he would place before Maharaj the harvest from his fields and take only what Maharaj would give him. Usually, Maharaj of course returned everything. After living in Shirdi for two years, Maharaj gave Balaji Patil Nevaskar leave to go to his home and accordingly, he left. Nevertheless, he came frequently for darshan and offered his harvest to Maharaj. After some years he passed away.

Not only did Radhakrishna Mai render all kinds of services to Maharaj, but got several of Maharaj's devotees to to all kinds of services. She did various kinds of chores and got all involved in them and the devotees did the work with love and eagerness. Men of all status, and also women, were included in that. To carry away earth and stones, sweeping roads, making mud and carrying it, digging trenches and filling them, splitting wood, dusting lamps and chandeliers, washing and painting the Masjid, making flowers from paper, holdings whisks, peacock feather fans, ornamental umbrellas, flags, stitching flags - all these were done by people of higher status and even ladies coming from noble families were pleased to have got the opportunithy to render service to Sai Baba.

Mai was totally devoted to Sai Baba and she wanted Baba to have all the grandeur of Lord Vittal. The congregational worship was started by her, along with the splendour of the Umbrella and Chowrie. When Baba went and slept in the Chavadi on alternate days, the lalkari of the chopdars, the bhajans, along with musical instruments, the horse, the Taj and the flags, the procession was all due to the efforts of none other than Radha Krishna Mai. She was responsible for the congregational worship of Sai Baba. It was only because of Radhakrishna Mai's efforts, Baba's Fakiri turned into a Raja-Yoga.

Through her dedication and hard work, Radhakrishna Mai gave shape to the present day Shri Sai Baba Sansthan. Now the devotees can behold the splendour of Baba's Palkhi and Rath Yatra on all Thursday's and festival and days as also all the ceremonial worship of Sai Baba.

Sai Baba was very fond of Paan. Dr.Gawankar states that Sai Baba loved Paan and chewed it all the time. Daily Radhakrishna Mai sent Govind Paan for Baba. Govind is the shape of the Vida. The ingredients are placed inside the Paan and the shape is conical, so that it is easy to put into the mouth and chew. One Kondaji Lalbhai Sheikh, a muslim devotee residing at Rakshi village, Shevgaon Taluk of Ahmed Nagar District provided Baba with hundreds of Paan Vidas. Baba would often throw a vida at some devotee and make him eat it. Simultaneously, Baba also ate a vida and drank some water after that. After the arrival of Radhakrishna Mai in Shirdi, she provided Paan vida for Baba. She sent Tambul to Him after lunch. Sai Baba after having it, drank water. This ritual is still being carried out by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan (ref: foreward - Shri Sai Samartha Charitra).

When Baba went and slept in Chavadi on alternate days, Radhakrishna Mai used to light the lantern in the Dwarakamai. In the evening, after having a bath, she wore a snow-white saree, covered her face, and went to the Dwarakamai. There, she lit a latern that had five wicks, and placed it on the steps leading into the sanctum sanctorum. The white saree she wore was treasured by her as it was bought and given to her by Baba. Every day, Baba sent her food from His Bhiksha as prasad. It was one roti and some vegetable dish. On this, she survived (ref: Radhakrishna Mai, A Tribute by Vinny Chitluri).

On his very first darshan, Sai Baba told Purandare to go to "Shala". Then Dixit explained to Purandare that "Shala" was the residence of Radhakrishna Mayi. Accordingly, Purandare went to her house. Radhakrishna Mayi did not open the door. Instead she enquired from within as to who had come and what he wanted etc.... To which Purandare replied. However, Radhakrishna Mayi did not let Purandared inside her house. After waiting for about ten minutes, Purandare went back to the Dwarakamai Masjid. Baba asked Purandare whethere he had visited "Shala". Purandare informed Baba that he had been kept outside and not allowed by Radhakrishna Mayi. But, Baba ordered Purandare to visit her again. Purandare obeyed Baba's orders and went again. This time Radhakrisha Mayi opened the door, fell at Purandare's feet, held them and started crying. Seeing this Purandare was totally puzzled, as he had not known her nature. But from that day onwards, Radhakrishna Mayi loved Purandare till her last breath with a deep motherly affection. Thus, Radhakrishna Mayi was everything to Purandare. From that day onwards, Purandare spent every minute of his time at Shirdi in service of Sai Baba in accordance with the directions given by Radhakrishna Mayi. She made Purandare work hard all day long for Baba mostly at her residence, sometimes at Masjid and elsewhere. Purandare says : "Radhakrishna Mayi was a personality of a strange sort. She would sing charminglyu and with deep emotion. Suddenly she would break into laughter or melt into tears and either continue slowly with choked voice or stop the song altogether by her sobs" (ref: Devotees Experiences of Shri Sai Baba by Shri.Narasimha Swamiji).

Once Purandare's family decided to go to Shirdi in Christmas vacation to get the child blessed by Baba. But all the other members of the family had made the programme of going to their native place. All including Purandare went to the station and purchased the tickets. There were twenty minutes for the arrival of train. Suddenly, Kaka changed his mind and decided to go to Shirdi. His mother-in-law requested him to escort them (wife and infant) upto the town and then go wherver he wanted. But Kaka was firm on his decision. He took the train to Kopargaon. He was eager to see Baba that he asked his family to go to their native town and that he was not accompanying them.

When he reached Kopargaon Railway Station, he was informed by Hasan Tongawala that Radhakrishna Mayi was very sick and Baba also had fallen ill. He reached Shirdi at nine in the morning. He directly went to Dwarakamai. He saw many devotees were sitting around Baba. Kaka went up the stairs. On seeing him Baba said, "Come, Bhau, I am glad to see you here. I am not well and very much troubled. Now do not leave Me. Stay here. Last 3/4 days I have been waiting for you. I have told Kaka Dixit too, to stay at Radhakrishna Mayi's place. You also go there but do not go away from Me".

Accordingly, Purandare Kaka went to see Radhakrishna Mayi. Her condition was worse than Baba. Baba had gone very weak; still His daily routine was unchanged. He could not walk unless 2-3 people supported Him. But He used to go for alms as usual. Seeing His condition Kaka was in tears. He said, "Baba, I will carry You on my Back". Baba said in consoling tone, "Do not cry. I will be allright in a few days. It is Allah-Miyan's Will, so He has made Me suffer. I accept whatever He has given. Stop crying and go. Good times and bad times come in rotation. What is there to be scared off?".

Kaka then asked about the medicine for Radhakrishna Mayi. Baba only said that she would improve. Next day Kaka again went to Baba as per condition grew worse. Baba then prepared some medicine and gave it to Kaka. Though Baba was not able to walk, he climbed up and came to Radhakrishna Mayi's house. Then he started shouting "Help Me, help Me. I cannot get out of here". Tatya Patil was there. He said, "I will help You, What will You give me in return?". Baba replied, "Ten rupees". "But why at all did you go up?" asked Tatya. Then Baba said, "Because some people aggressively came to Me. They wanted to kill Me. So I climbed up in fear". After this event, Radhakrishna Mayi came out of her illness (ref: Chapter 19 Holy Sai Satcharita and Shirdiche Sai Baba by Dr.Keshav Bhagawan Gawankar).

Baba told Meghashyam Balawant Rege to go and be with Ramakrishni, also known as Ayi who was a real mother to him. She loved him as if he was her own son. Baba sent her one roti to her as prasad, and he sent two rotis on the days when Rege was at Shirdi. This Ayi had dedicated her love and all to Baba. She lived only for Sai Baba, and her delight was to do everything he wanted or what was needed for his sansthan. So, she had plenty of work to get done for Baba, and people like Rege, Purandare and others were constantly given this Dasya Seva by her, for Baba. But Seva was not the only item or step for his religious improvement. Being fairly advanced, Ayi had developed certain powers in addition to her bhakti. Her concentration had evidently produced results. Her concentration was helped very much by her command of music. She had a good voice and could play the sitar. Rege also had a good voice and was versed in music. They would compare notes and they agreed that, for their spiritual progress, secrecy about their efforts was necessary. So, they would compare notes and made resolutions and kept them secret. In accordance with Kabir’s motto, ‘Jinne Kamaya Unne Chupaya’ what one has gained, he conceals, they both agreed that songs and hymns were very good for increasing bhava. Yet for actual manolaya, they attracted too much attention of the outside public and, therefore did not suit them. So, they determined that the proper step for manolaya, was Japa. And what Japa should they make? She said that many used the name of Ram, Vittal and that so far as she was concerned Sai was her God. So, Sai was quite sufficient for her. Rege naturally adopted the same. so, they went on making Sai nama japa and, luckily for Rege, Baba asked him soon afterwards what he had been doing in the morning. He answered Japa.

Baba: Japa of what name?
Rege: of my God.
Baba: What is your God?
Rege: You know it.
Baba: That is all right.

So, Sai Nama Japa was approved from the very beginning by Sai Baba also. Japa is a sadhana. What is the sadhya or goal then? For this again, they gained light from Baba. The goal was patent from everything that Baba said and did. The goal was that through laya to reach God, especially in the form of the loving Guru-God; and intense and passionate love was alike the sadhana and sadhya. For love at its perfection is Bliss and Bliss is God. Baba’s wonderful love stamped its impress upon both Ayi and him. Their sadhya and sadhana were love (ref: Life of Shri Sai Baba by Shri.Narasimha Swamiji).

One evening at around 4 pm, Dixit and Vamanrao Patel set out towards Dwarakamai. Dixit took the path in front of the Maruti Mandir while Vamanrao walked in front of Butiwada. At that time Butiwada was being constructed and a huge stone accidentally fell on Vamanrao's head and bounced off his shoulder. He immediately sat down and soon lost consciousness. When he regained consciousness, his head and shoulder hurt a little. A short while after his injury, Sai Baba sent a mixture of Udi paste through a devotee who applied it carefully on Vamanrao's head and shoulder. The Udi mixture formed a tight seal over the injured area and the pain abated. A few days later, without any other treatment, the wound healed completely. Sai Baba advised Vamanrao to keep quiet, and he obyed Baba's orders. That day at dusk, Radhakrishna Mai gave Vamanrao her woollen blaket to use. Mai came and glanced at him compassionately twice during the night. She said "Vamanrao, now it is clear why Baba was asking about you repeatedly before you arrived. He was in a terrible rage and even hit some of the devotees who came to meet Him. He was obviously preventing death and calamity from affecting you".

Vamanrao says, "A few days later, Mai sat in front of me and taught me Apana Vayu Pranayama. It is the perfect breathing exercise that controls the gastrointestinal tract to release and expel toxic substances. During that session, our life forces became one. For about ten minutes, Mai intwined her life force with mine till they became one, and bestowed a part of her life force on me, thus giving me a new lease of life" (ref: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Volume 65, October 1986 written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

Vamanrao says, "My room at Shirdi was adjacent to Radhakrishna Mai's home. Once I was reading aloud to her an epic about various saints. The life of one of the saints had a tremendous effect on her. She could not hold back her tears, and soon she was sobbing uncontrollably. It was dark in the room at that time, and suddenly a beam of light akin to lightening flashed in front of her. Following this, she became calm and fell asleep.

Mai was an avid reader and she borrowed books from me and other devotees and studied them thoroughly. Her favourite book was Tukaram's Gatha, and she sang abhangs from it in a sweet, melodious voice. She said that when she first arrived in Shirdi, she often sang these abhangs before Baba. He was very fond of them. She knew a vast number of abhangs related to saints, and on compassion and peace. She sang many of them to the devotees while reading and explaining Tukaram's Gatha.

One evening, Vamanrao Narvekar brought Eknathi Bhagawat along with him. Radhakrishna Mai gave a long discourse on the shloka, "Kayena Vaacha Manasendriyairva" (the total surrender of my body, speech, mind, senses, intellect, and my innate being, I offer to You, Lord Narayana). She said, 'the essence of the Gita lies in this shloka; remember this always'.

Gita Govinda written by Jayadev was another favourite book of hers. She would sing the same verse in different ragas. In the evening, she would sing these verses, and Dr.Pillai would play the sitar in accompaniment. I was fortunate to sit before her while she read Ramdas Swami's Das Bodh aloud, and then she explained it in great detail. Another book that she liked was Ramakrishna Bodhamrit that I would read aloud to her.

After a few days, Bapusaheb Jog came and said, 'Reading all these great books before Mai will not give you any knowledge. What you need to do is to carefully listen to what she says.' So I stopped reading aloud.

Mai told me, "This book is an excellent instrument for breaking the cycle of karma. It teaches us how to be content with life in whatever situation we are.' Mai thus gave us the key to her treasury through this shloka on how to reach one's Sadguru" (ref: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Volume 64, March 12, 1986 written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

Mai told Vamanrao about the dedicated, self-sacrificing service of Balaji Patil Nevaskar. Mai says: "When I came to Shirdi, Nevaskar who was a zealous devotee of Baba, swept and cleaned the path that Baba took to Lendi Baug. Nevaskar diligently woke up every morning at the crack of dawn to sweep and clean the area in front of the Chavadi, the Dwarakamai, and the path that Baba took to Lendi Baug. Gradually, I started helping him, and soon took over this chore from him. After Nevaskar passed away, I contentedly did that job, no matter how much excreta or garbage was strewn here and there". This is an apt example of Dasya Bhakti, i.e., to happily do any menial service for your Sadguru. It is said that Mai swept the street backwards to avoid stepping on the area that she had just swept. Such was her sensitity! "I did my chores quietly and rarely went in front of Baba. Once, I had a high fever and was extremely ill, so I went to my room and lay down. At that time, Baba came into my room and applied Udi on my forehead and said, "You work too hard. Don't do so much work. Now take some rest". That very instant, I felt better and soon recovered completely". (ref: Sainathane Sharane by Swami Sai Sharananand)

During his numerous visits to Shirdi, Vamanrao had many enlightening experiences. Once, he went to Radhakrishna Mai's residence in the evening. She had a green chilli that she asked him to eat. He ate it and was surprised to find that it was not pungent or hot. Mai had cast a spell through that chilli on him, but he could not decipher what its goal was. Following this, he started seeing strange objects, and objects that were actually present in the room he could not see. She asked him to fetch a towel that was hanging on a peg. He approached the peg but the towel was invisible to him. She then went to the peg and put the towel in his hand, saying, "See, here is the towel!". Vamanrao learned a valuable lesson from this. He states: "I realised that service to the Guru is impossible without His grace". In 1916, Vamanrao was burning the midnight oil as he had to appear in an examination to graduate as a solicitor. While he was studying, he was so plagued with worry and anxiety that he lost appetite. As a result, he became extremely weak. A short while later Mai said, "Baba has taken His seat and the devotees have offered Him watermelon, sweet muskmelon and delectable savouries. If you go and stand next to Dhuni Mai, Baba will put my share of the offerings in your Jholi. Go and bring them to me". She swiftly made a jholi out of a piece of cloth and slung it on his shoulder. Vamanrao obeyed her. When returned from the Dwarakamai, Radhakrishna Mai was having lunch. She beckoned to him to be seated next to her and gave him a portion of her lunch. He ate the food but found it extremely spicy and pungent. The next day at lunch time, Mai fed him by putting each morsel into his mouth. While doing so, she mentioned every ingredient that was in it and further broke it down, recounting its calories, and the quantity of protein, carbohydrates and minerals in it. She also told him what effet it produced in the body upon ingestion. She said, "Mai put forty-two morsels in my mouth and following that, my loss of appetite vanished". One day, Mai placed a banana next to his plate at lunch. Vamanrao felt that it was rotten in several places. When he was eating, he found a pellet of goat's excreta in the very first morsel of food. He took it and placed it aside. As the rest of the food was good, he ate it. He realised that yogis teach their disciples in a similar manner as to what should and should not be eaten, and what food is beneficial for them. The next day, Baba had prepared some chutney out of peanuts, dessicated coconut and some spices. He had sent some to Mai who, upon receiving it offered it to Vamanrao, saying, "Have some chutney; Baba has prepared it and you will not get this opportunity again". He ate some as Mai had requested, but found it very spicy. The chillies in the chutney caused him diarrhoea. When he went to meet Baba, Baba said, "When you eat what is not your share, it falls out of this body thus". Vamanrao understood the valuable lesson of the importance of eating food mindfully (ref: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Vol. 65, No.8, October 1986).

Radhakrishna Mai had dedicated her life to her Sadguru. She worked from morning to night without complaining. However, along with a heart of gold she also had a sharp tongue - she was quick-tempered and quite often flew into a rage.

Baba had sent Vamanrao to Radhakrishna Mai so that he could participate and render some service to Him. Vamanrao kept this in mind and readily did all the chores that Mai gave him.

Mai used to wash Baba's silver utensils early in the morning so that they woul be ready for His breakfast. Instead of cleaning the utensils with mud, Mai cleaned them with fresh cow dung. She showed Vamanrao how it ought to be done, and then gave this chore to him. Vamanrao would go out and fetch fresh cow dung and clean the utensils till they shone.

Early morning at around 8 am., Baba went to Lendi Baug and returned about an hour later. Mai asked Vamanrao to come to her home when Baba had gone to Lendi Baug. The moment Baba was on His way to Lendi Baug, Vamanrao would be at her door. Oftentimes Mai's door was closed, so Vamanrao would be delayed in going to the Dwarakamai.

Mai and Vamanrao straightened and neatly arranged Baba's gaadi. Although Vamanrao helped Mai with the chore, she would often shout at him. As a result, there was a break in this service and it made Vamanrao very unhappy. Sometimes for some reason and at other times for no reason, Mai would shout at him and would hurl abuses at him but this did not deter him from coming and continuing his service.

Vamanrao was determined that there should not be a gap in his service, so no matter what happened he completed the chores. He also realised that it was not easy to render service to the Guru. One had to be humble, and along the way, accept every hardship.

Once some devotees offered Baba numerous green flags. They were beautiful silk flags that were mounted on short posts. Mai was delighted. She dug holes in the ground on either side of the street and stood the flags in them. This was done from the corner next to the Gurusthan along the route that Baba took while going to Lendi Baug. Mai started this ritual and after a few days she asked Vamanrao to continue doing it. Every morning, the flags had to be placed in the holes just prior to Baba's visit to Lendi Baug. Upon His return, the flags were removed. Since the timing of their removal coincided with the time that Baba held His darbar, Vamanrao refrained from going to collect the flags and attended the darbar instead. That day during the assembly, Baba did not say anything to him. Instead He asked him to leave the darbar. Thus it was evident that Mai had started this ritual with Baba's consent. Mai did not speak to Baba, yet they had telepathic communication and worked in unison. Thereafter, Vamanrao continued his flag duty. Vamanrao says, "I understood that the hoisting of the flags on either side of the street was undertaken by Mai after she had received consent and approval from Baba. Thus, my neglecting to do this chore and running to attend Baba's assembly was a mistake that I had committed. After that, even the thought of attending Baba's assembly did not cross my mind. I have often wondered if Mai was an angel".

In the evenings Baba wouldd go for a walk and return to the Dwarakamai. Upon His return, He would wash His feet and then sit in His usual place. Tatya Kote had received a large quantity of guggul incense from someone, which he used to light after Baba was seated comfortably. Guggul is the fragrant dried resin produced by trees that are native to Tibet. The resin is sprinkled on burning coal that is kept in a container and fragrant smoke emits. Mai took over this ritual and handed it over to Vamanrao who was more than happy to render yet another service for his Sadguru. Then Mai for some reason had a fight with Vamanrao and did not allow him to continue this service. She sent some other devotee instead. Two days later, Baba forbade that devotee from performing this ritual. That evening, Mai told Vamanrao that she had made a mistake in disallowing him from doing this chore. Thereafter Vamanrao continued to light the incense before Baba. This ritual is carried out even today. Prior to Baba's Aarti, a staff member goes to the Dwarakamai and brings a golden container laden with some burning coal from the Dhuni Mai. Then the priest sprinkles loban over it and places it before Baba's idol. After the Aarti is completed, the coal is returned to Dhuni Mai (ref: Sainathane Sharane written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

Radhakrishna Mai's favourite place was the Dwarakamai. Prior to every festival, along with other devotees Mai would clean and apply a thick coat of mud in all the cracks and crevices of the Dwarakamai. After that, a mixture of find mud and cow dung would be applied with a cloth to the entire wall. All the walls were thus painted with this slurry. The floors were then washed, and a coating of cow dung is applied. This tradition is carried out even today prior to all major festivals, but now a commercial paint is used. Following this, Mai would repair and fill the cracks in the walls of the sabha mandap, and the same procedure that was used for the sanctum sanctorum was carried out. This labour intensive work was also done every alternate day when Baba slept in the Chavadi. Vamanrao had the good fortune of helping Mai with this chore. One one occasion, Mai decided to do this job while Baba had gone to Lendi Baug. She brought a container of the mixture and kept it in the Sabha Mandap where Baba's stone is now kept. The application was completed and Mai sat down. Her back was towards the container, while Vamanrao stood facing it. A short while later a few kids came along and taking the cloth, they played ball with it. They spilled some mixture from the container. Vamanrao did not respond, nor did he prevent the kids from playing with the cloth. His mind was elsewhere. When Mai heard the kids she turned around and saw the scene. In her rage, she slapped Vamanrao twice and said, "Can't you see the kids playing with the cloth and spilling the mixture?". Vamanrao was quiet. Later, when he went to her room, she apologetically comforted him, for she must have felt bad about it (ref: Sainathane Sharane written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

Radhakrishna Mai was the master of all trades. There was nothing she did not know or was unable to do. She would collect wax from all the burnt candles and melt it together, and then pour the hot wax into a mould after carefully placing a wick in it. Thus she made new candles. Once, someone sent a parcel to Shirdi and there were small pieces of coloured paper in it. Mai collected the scraps of paper and made beautiful small flowers from them. She taught Vamanrao this art and aksed him to make the flowers in his free time. When all the flowers were ready, they were strung together and Mai decorated the Chavadi with these garlands. When Jowar was harvested and dried, she would bring huge bundles of it. Then for hours together she would sit and thresh them by hand. The grain thus collected was soaked for a few hours and fed to Shyam karan, Baba's favourite horse. Full of admiration for Mai, Vamanrao states: "Mai taught me everything that she did. When I returned from Bombay, the curtains of the Chavadi were being stitched by Mai. She asked me to join her and taught me the art of making curtains. Mai also taught me carpentary and showed me how to chisel and smoothen wood. But what impressed me most was the hard work that she did. Every evening she would draw water from the well situated near the Shani Mandir. Then she would fill a pot and a bucket and carry both of them simultaneously. I went to help her once or twice. This was really a hard chore for a strong and hefty man to do but Mai did it without batting an eyelid. Whenever any of my family members visited Shirdi, she wouldn't allow me to do this work. Once, I stealthly went and brought water but as soon as she saw it she poured it on the floor. Thereafter she would go alone to the well at midnight and fetch water. This water she used for herself and to fill Baba's water pot in the Dwarakamai. I was not adept at doing all these things and I sometimes damaged a few items. Once, while cleaning the shelf on which she had kept a few glass jars, I inadvertantly broke one. I asked Vamanrao Narvekar to replace the jar at my expense. He, however, told Mai about it and she forbade him from doing so. I admired Mai for everything that she did and I consider it my good fortune to be guided by her (ref: Sainathane Sharane written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

One day, Mai asked Vamanrao to give her some money. She said, "Vamanya, I need Rs.250/-. If you give me that amount, I can build a Deepamala near the entrance of the Dwarakamai". At that time Vamanrao did not have the money so he was unable to give it to her. Later, after Mai passed away, Vamanrao went to Shirdi and asked Baba to give him permission to build the Deepamala but Baba said, "It is not necessary now". Hearing Baba's words, Vamanrao felt remorse and sadness because of his inability to give Mai the required funds at that time. In utter despair he thought, "If I had the money at that time, this wonderful task would have been accomplished when Mai was alive, and now Baba says there is no need for the Deepamala. Mai must have wanted it to be built with Baba's consent and approval". Vamanrao realised that Mai's words and thoughts were identical to Baba's words, and there was not an iota of difference between them. Later, he felt that Baba may have declined to give His permission for building the Deepamala as Baba took Samadhi exactly a year after that. However, Vamanrao was unable to get Baba's consent and so the row of lamps was never built (ref: Sainathane Sharane written by Swami Sai Sharananand).

Insight on Radhakrishna Mai by Dr.Vinny Chitluri - Video Courtesy: Shri.Nikhil Kripalani

More details can be had from Shri.M.B.Rege’s letter dated 3rd September 1968 on Radhakrishna Mai written to one Mr.Sridhar and got published in Sai Sudha Magazine, Golden Jubilee Issue – June 1990, All India Sai Samaj (Regd), Chennai.

Shri M.B.Rege came to Shirdi for the first time in December 1910 consequent on a vision in which he saw his  Kula Devi Shanta Durga of Kareta (Goa) with Shri Maha Vishnu and his Master. In the dream, Shri Maha Vishnu said that the three were in fact one and that Shri Sai Baba would be his saviour.

Shri.Rege narrates further details in his own words as below:

In my first visit, the master asked me to go to mother Radhakrishna whom He described as His mother and mine. My association with her and I owe my spiritual life to her – left no doubt in my mind that she was the Yoga Maya like the Yogini, who gave Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa his training in ‘Tantra’. Mother Ramakrishna, whom the master always referred to as Ramakrishni, was to me an ideal of the Madhura Bhakti of the Gopis. All her belongings in the world were a durrie (cotton mat) a blanket, a pair of dhotis, Eknath Maharaja’s Bhagwat, abhangas of Sri Thukaram and a lota. She had an idol of Lord Krishna – she called it ‘Chahabi’ and occasional singing of Bhajans in which she would get unconscious in a deep trance.

The devotee I met at Shirdi had views of their own regarding Bhakti and each one or a group thought that His or its own way was the right one; and very often there was intolerance of other views. Mother Radhakrishna’s view was that the master should, like the idols at Thirupati, Mathura or Dwaraka and Pandarpur, have good clothes, ornaments, Palki, Rath, etc. Other devotees of note like Sri Dasganu Maharaj, Sri Dabolkar thought that Baba was a Fakir and ostentation was against His creed. Indeed when once velvet chhava (overcoat) was being put on Baba, one of such devotees, when Baba in his own way refused to have it put on, said ‘Fix some nails to fix it’. The last scandal completely alienated such persons and since the sketches of Baba were mostly written by them, a reference to the mother in them, cannot be expected.

Sri Dasganu was a great devotee; and we find in his ‘Kirtanas’, references to the love of Gopies; but he probably thought that what was proper for Lord Sri Krishna was not so for a fakir. Being confined to the residence and company of the mother, I was a persona non-grata and was far from Dasganu Maharaj until after the Master’s Mahasamadhi. He then came to Indore and stayed with me. Then with tears in his eyes he said,’Baba saheb, you were very fortunate in living with a devotee of the highest order in Madhura Bhakti. I do kirtans of Mirabai, Janabai, Kanhopatra, and gopis, and tears flow from my eyes but I could not appreciate the Madhura Bhakti of Radhakrishna Ayee in real life’, and referring to mother’s sad end, he said there were instance in the Puranas of birth without sexual relations.

In 1911, I thought of practicing Yoga. I invoked my Master and wanted no other Guru. Relying on the story of Ekalavya who got Shastra and Astra Vidya from a mud image of Dronacharya, I began Asana and Pranayama, sitting before the picture of my Master. I could control my breath and stop five or six beats of my heart in about a year’s time. Once in 1912, talking of Yoga and control and functions of the body, the mother told me that she had succeeded by Rajayoga in stopping her monthly periods!

Mother Radhakrishna was of ordinary build, about 5 feet high, but had an iron will and the strength of a giant. She used to fetch water from a well about a furlong away in large pots, which she picked alone with her hands, when a strong man would need the help of another for the purpose. She once gave me a blow on my chest and said, “You are a ‘samsari’. Is this hollow”, she then asserted that she was much stronger than me. I replied that I was only a child. She then suggested a trial of strength, and insisted on it in spite of me. The road leading to Rahata used to be deserted in the afternoon and she said we should run with the other on the back. I told her to get on my back and I would run first. I ran about two furlongs and the mother said she was satisfied and I may stop. She then made me get on her back and ran much more than two furlongs, and asked whether she was not stronger, and when I said it was doubtless so, she asked me to get off her back. I said I was happy on the back of my mother and would not leave it. She threatened to throw me off and I replied that the world would stare if a fond mother did so. Eventually I got a promise from her that she would carry me on Her back on the spiritual path. It appears to me that this was pre-ordained by the Master, as, when we return to mother’s residence, I was called by Baba and asked what we were doing. When I told him about our race and mother’s promise, the Master said ‘She will take you on her back and so will I’. But then he directed me to give up the practice of Yoga. ‘Do Bhakti’, He said, ‘nothing is more necessary. Only let your Heart, Head, and hand be in tune’. (He pointed to the head, heart, and hand, said, ‘let these be one’)

Mother Radhakrishna hated publicity. A gentleman from Mumbai took some snap shots of her without her knowledge; but some one spoke of it as the gentleman was leaving Shirdi in a tonga. She ran after the tonga for about a mile, wrested the camera and smashed it. Tatya Koti Patil, an intimate devotee of Baba, told me of this in her presence.

In December 1914, the late Sri P.R. Avasthi went with me to Shirdi. He had taken ‘Guru Mantra’ from a woman saint in his young days and did not know whether she was living or dead. Sri H.S. Dixit was his friend and wanted him to go for darshan of Baba; but Sri Avasthi thought that it would be ‘Guru droha’ (faithlessness towards his Guru).  When he came to know of my association with the Master, he spoke of his state of mind. He was then the District Judge, Indore, and I was Civil Judge under him. I told him that Baba was a Superb Guru – one with God – and he agreed to accompany me provided I took on the responsibility. We went and Baba asked me who was this ‘Pissat’ (crazy man) with me. Sri Avasthi was excited.  Next day the mother tied four mogra flowers together and handing them to me said, ‘Take this to the Master and ask Him to unravel it.’ Baba smelt the flowers and returned them with a message for mother Radhakrishna that she should do it. In the mean while Sri Avasthi had a brain wave. He made a small ball (pindam) of rice out of the Naivedya offering unknown to us and decided that if Baba accepted the Pindam, he would conclude that his Guru was no more and taking Baba as Guru would not be Guru droha. I was with him when he went to the Masjid with Naivedyam and the Pinda in his hand under the plate. Baba said ‘Give it to me’. He took the pindam, smelt it and said ‘It has reached its place’. We returned to mother’s house and from the door, Sri Avasthi rushed to her and fell at her feet singing spontaneous verses for about half an hour unconscious of things around him. The mother was also in a trance. Later Sri Avasthi told me that in place of mother Radhakrishna he had seen his first Guru.

In 1914, I was doubtful about my ability to attend the Guru Poornima. The food was used to be cooked in mother’s house, but she said that if I was not there, it had better be cooked elsewhere. On the Guru Poornma day, she got an extra quota from Baba’s ‘Bhiksha’. She then announced that I was coming and the cooking started. I reached at about 9 a.m. They wanted a stone to pound the spices (masala). The step leading to the house was considered good and mother and I moved it with some difficulty. Just as it was in the door frame, a devotee Sri Purandare came up and wanted to help. The stone turned and it might have crushed my hand but the mother pulled it towards herself and the index finger of her right hand was crushed into two. You can imagine her agony; but as if nothing had happened, she soaked a rag in oil and wrapping the bleeding finger, went on to help in cooking. Only after all was over, she called me and said she was feeling the pain and would like to go to the jungle and cry. We went and for half an hour she did cry. Then we came back for our normal work. What control over the body and indifference to pleasure and pain in the service of the Master!

In my last letter I recollect having mentioned the incident of Baba coming from the Lendi when, after washing the floor of the Masjid, the mother was in a trance, and Baba stroked her on her back and asked her not to worry.

Two months after mother passed away, I went to Shirdi and not knowing where I should stay, went straight to the Masjid. Baba told me to go to Dixit Wada. Sri Madhavrao Deshpande and many others came and offered a sort of condolence. ‘This should not have happened in Shirdi’, they said. I replied that I did not desire to discuss the matter. She was my mother and I said, even if she be in the wrong, I would remain quiet comforted by Lord Sri Krishna’s view in the Bhagavad Gita –

Api chet Suduracharo Bhajate mam Anany Bhak
Sadhu reva sa mantavyah samyag Vyavassito hi Sah. (Chapter 9-30).

(This means, “Even the most wicked, if he concentrates on or worship Me the Lord, then he must be deemed a sadhu or a good person”.)

While this talk was going on, a message came from the Masjid asking all sitting with me in the wada to come over. We went and Baba asked Sri Deshpande what they were talking about. Baba further asked what I had said, and when the information was given, the merciful Master said, ‘What do these fools know? She was your mother and mine. She wanted to be freed from her karma and you know I gave her my assurance. One night she came saying she would not wait and, lifting up my kafanii, got in here (pointing to His Heart). You will see her here when you desire’. My Divine mother is now merged in the Master. Let people in their own way imagine what they will. I cannot forget what I owe to Her.

I have tried to give you my first hand impressions of her. Of the devotees, Sri Mahlsapathi, Sri H.S. Dixit had great reverence for her, and I feel I am in good company. I trust you will have a fair idea of the greatness of my mother - (ref: Letter of M.B.Rege)

(Source:  Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita - Foreward by Late Shri.Hari Sitaram Dixit, Late Shri.M.B.Rege’s letter dated 3rd September 1968 about Radhakrishna Mai published by  Sai Sudha Magazine, Golden Jubilee Issue – June 1990, All India Sai Samaj, www.shirdisaitrust.org, Radhakrishna Mai - A Tribute by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, Shirdiche Saibaba by Dr.Keshav Bhagawan Gawankar, Life of Saibaba and Devotee's Experiences of Saibaba by Shri.B.V.Narasimha Swamiji, Sainathane Sharane by Swami Sai Sharananand. Video Courtesy: Shri.Nikhil Kripalani, Saibaba Devotee Speaks)