The Handi of the Soul: How Baba Cooks Us from Tamas to Nirvana

In the sacred verses of the Sai Satcharitra, specifically Chapter 38, we witness a mesmerizing sight: Sai Baba acting as the Divine Chef. He stands before a massive Handi (clay pot), cooking food with his own hands to feed the masses. He serves vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, meeting every soul at the level of their desire. But hidden within the smoke and the bubbling broth is a profound mystery.

The text describes Baba physically moving the faggots of wood up and down to control the intensity of the flames—Indaney he swaye khalvar. Why such attention to the fire? Just as a cook raises the flame high to cook raw meat or hard pulses and lowers it to a gentle simmer when the dish is nearly done, Baba is cooking us.

This human body is the Handi. When we are raw, filled with Tamas (inertia, ignorance, and impurity), Baba increases the heat of life. We experience this heat as pain, struggle, and taap (suffering). It is not punishment; it is the necessary fire to cook the raw ego. As the soul softens and enters Rajas (action/passion), the flame is reduced. Finally, when only Satva (purity) remains, the fire becomes a gentle warmth, leading to the nectar of Samadhi.

This progression was beautifully mirrored in Baba’s interactions with Laxmibai Shinde in Chapter 42. In his final days, he asked her first for dry bread, which he fed to a dog—symbolizing the shedding of animalistic Tamas. Later, he asked for bread soaked in milk—softer, representing Rajas. Finally, he asked for Kheer—sweet, requiring no chewing, symbolizing the state of Satva and ultimate absorption. Through these simple meals, Baba was guiding a devotee’s journey from hard penance to the sweet, effortless state of liberation.