Meeting Along with Babasaheb Tarkhad
How Babasaheb Tarkhad followed his family to Shirdi, recognized Sai Baba in a train-compartment encounter, and began a new life of devotion.
RecognitionDevotionGrace6 min read
The chapter
After their first darshan, Jyotindra and his mother remained in Shirdi for about a week at Baba’s suggestion. They learned from Madhavrao Deshpande that devotees normally sought Baba’s permission before leaving, and they promised to return with Babasaheb Tarkhad.
Babasaheb was initially a committed Prarthana Samajist, but conversations with friends who were Sai devotees gradually opened the way for a family visit. Travelling by night train toward Manmad, he gave a silver one-rupee coin to a Fakir who entered their compartment after Nashik Road.
When the family reached Dwarkamai the next morning, Baba addressed Babasaheb as “Mhatarya” and asked whether he recognized Him. Baba then produced the same one-rupee coin and revealed that the Fakir from the train was Baba Himself.
The recognition transformed Babasaheb. He began to seek Baba’s guidance, sent cloth for Kafanis, helped illuminate Dwarkamai with Petromax lamps, and worshipped the returned coin. The chapter remembers this meeting as the moment when all three members of the Tarkhad family came into close contact with Sai Baba.
What this account invites us to reflect on
The story presents devotion as a gradual opening of the heart. Babasaheb’s first impression of the Fakir was corrected by recognition at Dwarkamai, and the returned coin became a lasting reminder of Baba’s presence and compassion.
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.