A Tribute To Those Mothers

Aum Sairam

Women have held extraordinary roles in all religious and spiritual
traditions. The sacrifice and burden that mothers bear is the
cornerstone of humanity. With this in mind, I am honored to have the
opportunity to call to memory, four extraordinary women who loved Sri
Sai Baba of Shirdi very deeply. With folded hands, my mind offers
fragrant flowers of love and gratitude to Bayajabai, Lakshmibai, Hazrat
Babajan, and Godavari Maa.

Bayajabai is the mother of Tatya Kote, a close devotee of Sri Sai Baba.
During Sri Sai Baba's youth, he went into deep states of meditative
Samadhi. He would seat himself somewhere in the surrounding area of
Shirdi. Bayajabai loved Sri Sai Baba deeply and would roam about in
search of Him, in order to bring Him nourishment. At times, due to His
deep Samadhi states; in fear of His health, she would cradle Him, and
hand feed Him like a baby. With folded hands, I offer her fragrant
flowers of love and gratitude.

Lakshmibai was a close personal attendant of Sri Sai Baba, who was one
of the few devotees, allowed to perform seva in the masjid during the
evening. Before Sri Sai Baba's passing, He handed her nine rupees.
These rupees are said to represent the nine forms of bhakti [love and
devotion] she attained through serving Him. With folded hands, I offer
her fragrant flowers of love and gratitude.

Hazrat Babajan of Pune was a fully enlightened spiritual Master who
lived during Sri Sai Baba's time. She and Sri Sai Baba loved each other
deeply. She referred to Sri Sai Baba as her brother and acknowledged
Him as the one with the key. Her motherly kiss on the forehead of Meher
Baba, catapulted him into a state of God-intoxicated madness for nine
months. With folded hands, I offer her fragrant flowers of love and gratitude.

Godavari Maa was the heir to Upasani's ashram in Sakori. Although she
was just a young woman when brought to serve Shri Upasani Maharaj, she
became a cornerstone of grace and love for all devotees of Sri Sai Baba
of Shirdi. With folded hands, I offer her fragrant flowers of love and
gratitude to Sri Mahadevi, residing in all women, and in all creation.

Allah Malik