In 1925, Sri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji, one of the 40 Important Devotees of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba & the Founder of All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai met Jagatguru H. H. Narasimha Bharati and sought his advice. The Acharya directed him to enter Vanaprastha (dweller in the woods, which means post house holder's life) and begin his quest for a Sadguru in Ramanasraman at Tiruvannamalai.
Ramana Maharishi had composed hymns on the Lord of Arunachala (Lord Shiva). Sri. B.V.Narasimha Swamiji stayed in Tiruvannamalai for 3 years. After getting Sri Ramana Maharishi's blessings and permission, Narasimha Swamiji went to Pandharpur to worship Lord Vitthal.
He wrote the biography of Ramana Maharishi, the sage of Arunachala, with the title 'Self Realisation'. Till then, Ramana Maharishi's value was appreciated and profiled by a limited circle. Swamiji's quick and intellectual perception, his deep debt of gratitude to Maharishi resulted in the publication of 'Self Realisation', through which he made Ramana Maharishi known everywhere to a larger number of people with religious pursuits. Ramana Maharishi attained Mahasamadhi on 14th April, 1950.
In Pandharpur, Narasimha Swamiji cultivated devotion; but his aim was to find out a Sadguru. He made enquiries and came to know, that in Khedgaon (a place 34 miles from Poona) Sadguru Narayan Maharaj was living. Sri. B.V.Narasimha Swamiji approached him in his Ashram for guidance.
Narasimha Swamiji asked the Maharaj, where he could find the Kohinoor, the richest gem. The Maharaj directed him to go west wards. Narasimha Swamiji went to Meherbad, a place near Ahmednagar and stayed with Meher Baba for sometime. Meher Baba was considered to be a perfect master, who had toured round the world.
He was previously known as Meherwan, born in 1894 in a Zorastrain family in Poona. Sri Meher Baba was a pupil of Sri Upasani Baba of Sakori. Following the advice of Meher Baba's disciples, Narasimha Swamiji proceeded to meet Sri Upasani Baba.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji was in pursuit of the Bhakti - Marg. Sri Upasani Baba advised him to stick to the Bhakti - Marg and not fritter away his powers in metaphysical speculation. He also advised him to develop his knowledge through Japa, Bhajan and Parayan etc. and lead the life of a holy Ascetic.
Upasani Baba's teachings and methods were against Narasimha Swamiji's opinions and expectations about correct religious life. So, he left Sri Upasani Baba in 1933 resolving never to go back.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji began his pilgrimage with a visit to the Siddharudha Mutt in Hubli. Here, he met a Sadaka. That Sadaka was eager to go to some place and settle down to a religious life. Narasimha Swamiji promised to help him. This commitment made Swamiji to take him on a pilgrim from Hubli to Pandharpur, Khedgaon.
The Hubli Sadaka thought that the only safe place for him was Sakori. Being informed, that Sri Upasani Baba was not in Sakori, Sri Narasimha Swamiji agreed to take the Sadaka to Sakori intending to proceed to Dwarka immediately avoiding a meeting with Upasani Baba.
Reaching Sakori to his great astonishment he came to know, that Sri Upasani Baba was there. He paid his respects and bowed to him. The Sadaka told Swamiji that he was not allowed to stay in Upasani Baba's Ashram. He requested Swamiji to speak on his behalf. Upasani Baba agreed to allow that Sadaka to stay with him in Sakori, if Narasimha Swamiji was prepared to stay with him in doing the Sadhana, following his path without proceeding further on pilgrimage.
Narasimha Swamiji had heard from Upasani Baba about Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi (Shirdi is close to Sakori, six and a half kms. from Sakori). He wrote in his book "The Sage of Sakori", how much Sai Baba had helped Sri Upasani Baba.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji bagan to collect information about Sri Sai Baba. He discovered, thai Sri Sai Baba was really Sri Ram or Sri Krishna, born for the welfare of mankind and he found in Sai, The Trinity.
Upasani Baba's reputation was so great that Mahatma Gandhi had approached him in 1927 with a view to secure his blessings for national welfare. Swamiji reasoned, if Sri Upasani Baba, the disciple, was so great, his Master, Sri Sai Baba must be much greater, still it did not occur to him to pay a visit to Sri Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi till the destined hour arrived.
With the permission and blessings of Sri Upasani Baba, Narasimha Swamiji set out for Shirdi to get the Blessings of Sadguru Sri Sai Baba.
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