Sri Narayan Ashram, Sannyasi of Wai
From Das Ganu’s kirtan to sannyasa: a devotee’s experience of Baba’s silent teaching.
Sai BabaDevotee experienceVolume 3
The chapter
In 1910 Mr. Toser, later known as Sri Narayan Ashram, heard Das Ganu Maharaj’s kirtan and asked whether Sai Baba was still living. Das Ganu told him that Baba was at Shirdi. Within five days Toser went there and fell at Baba’s feet. His attachment was immediate: he visited Shirdi nine times in six months and continued to return in later years.
Until 1918 Toser remained under Baba’s influence. Afterwards he believed Baba had placed him in the spiritual care of Vasudevananda Saraswathi of Gurudeswara near Nanded. In 1931 he received sannyasa diksha at Kasi from Vedasrama Swamy. He did not describe this as Baba ordering him to renounce; he said the movement toward sannyasa arose within him through the influences and “stepping stones” Baba had provided.
Narayan Ashram explains that Baba dealt differently with different people. Sometimes Baba touched a devotee’s head, sometimes pressed it, patted the back or worked inwardly without touch or speech. Toser’s own decisive experience came when Baba conveyed, without words, that differences between souls were unreal and that the one reality beneath them was Divine.
He also experienced long periods of inner bliss, both in the Masjid and while sitting away in Sathe Wada. For him physical distance did not end Baba’s influence. He regarded the Guru as a medium who gives the first push, after which the disciple must rise through his own effort. This continuing bliss and the recognition of unity led him to describe Baba as Satchitananda.
What this account invites us to reflect on
Narayan Ashram’s story is told through actual stages—hearing Das Ganu, reaching Shirdi, receiving an inward experience, coming under other spiritual guidance and taking sannyasa. Baba’s teaching works through direct contact, silence and the freedom to continue the work oneself.
Editorial note: This page is a concise paraphrase for web presentation and does not reproduce the complete chapter. Please consult the original PDF for the full account and wording.