Shirdi Diary Of GS Kharpade: The Day When Baba Was Sad As Megha Passed Away

19-1-12

This was a very sad day. I got up very early and after finishing my prayer discovered that it yet wanted and hour or so to daybreak. So I lay down and was aroused for Kakad Aarti by Bapusaheb Jog. Dixit Kaka told me that Megha died about 4 a.m.

The Kakad Arti was done, but Sai Maharaj did not show his face clear and did not appear to open his eyes. He never threw glances spreading grace. After we returned arrangements were made for the cremation of Megha'a body. Sai Baba came just as the body was being brought out and loudly

lamented his death. His voice was so touching that it brought tears to every eye. He followed the body up to the bend in the made road near the and then went his usual way. Megha's body taken under the Bada tree and consigned to village was flames there.

Sai Baba could be distinctly heard lamenting his death even at that distance and he waving his hands and swaying as if in Aarti to goodbye. There was a good supply of dry fuel and flames soon rose very high. Dixit Kaka, myself, Bapusaheb Jog, Upasani, Dada Kelkar and all else here were there and praised the lot of Megha that his body was seen and touched by Sai Baba on the head, heart, and shoulders, and feet. After finishing the ceremonies we ought to have sat praying, but Bapusaheb Jog came and I sat talking with him.

When later on I went to see Sai Baba he asked me how I spent the afternoon. I was very sorry to confess that I had wasted it in talking. This was a lesson to me. I remember how Sai Baba foretold his death three days ago.

"This is the last Aarti of Megha"; how Megha felt that he had completed his service and was passing away, how he shed tears to think that he could not see Sathe whom he regarded as his Guru, and how he directed the cows of Sai Baba should be let loose.

He never expressed any other wish. We all admired his life of extreme devotion and I was sorry that I did not rest in prayer but listened to was seen say meaningless talk. Bhishma and my son Balvant are not well, so there was no Bhajan. Dixit Kaka read Ramayan at night. Gupte, his brother and their families left this morning for Bombay.