Book Notes
Sai Smaran
(Recollections of Sai)
Dr D.J. Gadhia
(Sai Charan Dasanu Das)
Dr Gadhia, well known to many devotees in the United Kingdom, called himself “the servant of all devotees, at the Lotus Feet of the Lord Sai.” Thus was his humility, and his service rendered to humanity as a devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Background and Reading recommendation
Dr Gadhia was related to Kakasaheb, H.S. Dixit, who wrote Sri Sai Satcharita, the devotional narrative of the life of Shirdi Sai Baba. That narrative is often read as a saptaha, that is, within seven days, and an offering made afterwards for seeking a boon or blessing from Shirdi Sai. Dr Gadhia suggests readers do the same with this book also.
With 50 chapters and a hefty 375 pages, cram packed with stories from the life Dr Gadhia and his directions and guidance from Sri Sathya Sai Baba, as well as numerous excerpts from the discourses and teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, readers will definitely have to plan their reading time to complete this saptaha, this discipline of sacred reading within seven days. What follows is gleaned from the reading of this reviewer over a period of seven days.
Day 1, Chapters 1 - 7
In the Preface, Dr Gadhia relates a dream where Baba visited him at his flat in Chitravathi Road. In that dream, Baba told him, “Gadhia, it is high time you wrote your book! Write short chapters as in Sathya Sai Speaks, but a long chapter after three or four small ones will be quite all-right”. Thus, this book was born. The first chapter gives the significance of daily prayers and devotion to God. This is well written, with full explanation of the nine forms of devotion, which is linked to purity, which produces integrity. Significance of the Gayathri Mantra as the fullness of the Vedas is also covered. I liked the introduction of the question of the difference between faith and confidence.
Faith in God is trust that He [Baba] is God, and that he is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. Confidence means trust in the Word, Will and Work of God. If I say something, there is a reason; if I do something, it is with reason. You should have this implicit trust — that there is always a reason for what I say, will and do.
Day 2, Chapters 8 - 15
Gadhia was a medical student in India; his home was Kampala, Uganda, East Africa. He was studying in Gujurat and afterwards, he was in Mangalore. He started the first Sathya Sai Study Circles in Mangalore and spread study circles over India, East Africa and many other countries. On page 94, he cites Swami on the ideal Sai Devotee:
The world will respond to the ideal life of a Sai devotee. The world is yearning for such a life and will, of its own accord, adopt such a life when it comes into view. They will respond, and they will follow such a life ... The Centre members must carefully work to become truly human before they venture to instruct the world.
A little further on in Chapter 13, Gadhia is writing about Prashanti Vidwan Mahasabha: All religions are equally great and true. They are different pathways leading to the same goal. They all emphasise the Brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God. All religions preach that man should love his fellow beings and all living creatures. All religions exhort their people to be good, do good and see good. Therefore we should treat all religions as friendly partners in the supreme task of nourishing the moral and spiritual life of mankind. When the different religions begin to fertilise one another, they will be nourishing the soul with inner unity, which the world is seeking. Let us have the richness of the various traditions. Let us be the heirs of the heritage of the whole of humanity and not merely of a particular religion or a particular nation.
Day 3, Chapters 16-22
Chapter 16 gives a small account of Baba's visit to East Africa. Dr Gadhia remained in India; Baba visited Gadhia's family in Kampala and was in the house for 11 minutes. Back in India, Baba told Gadhia to get his father to obtain a one way ticket to London, from Bombay. Gadhia arrived in Bombay and had days to spare before his trip to London. He approached the Govt. official in charge of Shirdi, and obtained permission to give programs about Sathya Sai Baba at Shirdi; for seven days in the evening, Gadhia gave talks and showed film about Baba in the main hall in Shirdi.
Swami Krishnadas Baba was a tapasya in Himalayas; Baba called him internally to Prashanti and sent him to Chaul in Maharastra state to do seva. He lived in a temple atop 500 steps and never left the temple; Baba gave him akashyapatra (never depleted) of vibhuti and four meals daily. On Thursdays, Swami Krishnadas would distribute vibhuti. When Gadhia arrived some years later, Swami Krishnadas descended the steps and excitedly asked, "Which one is Gadhia?" Thus, Gadhia followed instructions and gave a program and study circle about Baba at the foot of the Temple in Chaul, Maharashtra. Years later, when Gadhia visited with his wife, Nanda, Swami Krishnadas Baba gave a message to Gadhia, that he would take the message of Sathya Sai Baba to the whole world.
Every reference to events concerning himself, Gadhia calls himself "this Das", meaning Dasanu Das, this servant of the devotees at the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Every reference to Sathya Sai Baba in this book is to "Beloved Swami". Every reference, on every page wherever, it appears.
Day 4, Chapters 23-30
Dr Gadhia visited Babri, Rajkot and Bhavnagar with Swami. He often sat in the car ahead of Swami. In Bhavnagar, kirtans were being sung in a ragged fashion. Kasturi and Indulal Shah asked Gadhia to lead bhajans. After a short while of disciplined bhajans, Baba came out and addressed the crowd. Gadhia always provides an excerpt of Baba's talks at every event he attends. He attended the First All-India Conference at Madras, and it was at the First World Conference that Baba told Gadhia, Listen carefully. Henceforth, there will not be any need for you to have passes. You come directly; inform the head volunteer - Swami will take you immediately to attend any conferences.
Day 5, Chapters 30-38
Many people, family, friends, workplace acquaintances, would ask Gadhia why he followed after Sathya Sai Baba. Gadhia would answer, I am sorry to say that this is your ignorance. Sathya Sai Baba is the avatar of the Lord in this yuga, and if you wish to know more about him, then read this book. He would hand them a copy of Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Vol. 1, and upon their request, often take them to Prashanti Nilayam, when he had any leave from his workplace. Baba would come to the balcony and call out, "Has Gadhia come? Bring him and his group!" Gadhia was the instrument for many people to come to Swami.
Baba sent Gadhia to Africa. Gadhia went and became Chief Medical Officer at H.H. Aga Khan Dispensary. He would gather groups to discuss Swami's greatness, and give talks, lead bhajans. From 1971-79 he opened the Aum Sri Sathya Sai Dispensary in Arusha, Tanzania. There were a great many miracles associated with his work. Gadhia also attended the Summer School in Whitefield, in 1978. All these narratives are accompanied with excerpts from Swami's talks at these events Gadhia attended.
Day 6, Chapters 39-45
Gadhia was invited to Holland to open a Sathya Sai Centre at Dotchinem, (Netherlands). He was collected at Amsterdam airport. They arrived on Easwaramma Day and proceeded directly to a Balvikas program in Rotterdam. At midnight, they proceeded to the home of his host. His host forgot to fill the car with petrol. After half an hour, the host was driving, and visibly worried. Upon enquiry, he blurted out the source of his worry. Gadhia prayed sincerely to Baba. The car travelled to the host's house without petrol. In the morning, the car would not start.
Swami Brahmadevji of the Vedic University was invited as the main speaker at a 3 day program, but was doubtful of the divinity of Sai Baba. Gadhia was invited to speak daily; he spoke on the attributes of Swami as Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, that Swami is Brahma Purusha, Veda Purusha, Agni Purusha, and gave example of Swami igniting fire, and extinguishing fire at a distance when His devotees were engulfed in flames. There was a havan during the program. Swami manifested himself at the start of the havan in the flames, and Swami Brahmadevji was one of the three who saw Baba. However, vibhuti manifested on the heads of all present. Swami Brahmadevji repented his criticism of Baba.
Day 7, Chapters 46-50
At this time, Gadhia is resident in Leicester, in the UK, and is travelling world-wide, giving programs on Baba; he inaugurated the Prashanti Bhavan in Trinidad, gave programs in the US, Australia, all these places. At all events, Gadhia is promoting devotion, larksharchana (repetition of the Divine Name, 100,000 times in group chanting, and the glory of Sathya Sai Baba.
There are many who write of their spiritual journey, circumstances in life, and their experiences of Sathya Sai Baba. Gadhia is not of this mould, although he does write of these things. This book opens with prayers, and in every chapter, illuminates the purpose of the Divine Incarnation, and fruits of sincere, heart-felt prayers to Baba. Gadhia always refers to himself as "this Das", and Swami is always "Beloved Swami". Gadhia will present and promote the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the lynchpin of all the events that occurred in his life. Whilst this is a devotee narrative, this is a unique blend of devotion, discourse of Sathya Sai Baba, and application of faith and devotion to every compartment of human life.
There are those who have observed acutely that they have never seen Sathya Sai Baba display fear; he is the embodiment of fearlessness. Indeed, he teaches one and all, "Why fear when I am here". Gadhia is that unique devotee who also displayed and gave example of fearlessness. A most unique exemplar, lamp, guide and signpost for the men and women of this day and age, always pointing beyond to the Goal of life, coming under the Lotus Feet of Sathya Sai Baba and attaining divine grace and protection.
For International readers, this book is available from the Sri Sathya Sai
Books and Publications website
For Australian residents, $3 plus postage and packaging, from Sai Books, 24 Kenilworth Ave, Wonga Park, 3115,
(Margaret and Randall McDonald), phone (03) 9722 1740
email books [at] saiaustralia.org.au