A reprint of a beautiful portrait of Sri Sai Baba on canvas.
Shri M. Radhakrishna Rao, an artist from Mumbai, had made a sketch portrait of Sai Baba on 7th June 1914, as he was completely enamoured of Baba’s luminous Roopa (form).
Kaka Saheb Dixit, Kaka Mahajani, and every devotee who saw the portrait liked it very much. However, they knew very well that Baba would be extremely angry upon seeing it. Hence, they decided to keep the portrait in the Dwarakamai and covered it with a white cloth. They decided to show it to Baba when he was in a good mood.
One day, after the noon Aarti, Baba was smiling, and so Shama said, “Deva, an artist from Mumbai has made your sketch. We would like you to see it.” Even before he could finish speaking, Baba roared, “Where is the portrait? Bring it before me. Why are you making my portrait? Bring it at once!”
The devotees obeyed his orders, brought the portrait, and placed it before Baba. Rolling his eyes, Baba picked up his Satka (baton) and lunged towards the portrait, and was about to strike it. But suddenly, he became calm. Shama said, “Deva, what is to be done with the portrait?”
The devotees stood transfixed, waiting. Baba looked in all four directions and at every devotee who was present there. Chottu Bhaya was standing just next to Baba. Baba turned towards him and said softly, “Take this portrait with you, and everything of yours will become gold.”
The drawing is 2½ by 3½ inches in dimension. Chottu Bhaya Parulkar took the portrait home and venerated it.
Photo courtesy - Sada Ghode
Article - SaiAmrithadhara
