Two Coins, Two Hearts: The Mirror of Motives

In the sacred courts of Shirdi, a profound drama unfolded centering on two devotees and two silver coins. Captain Hate, a devotee residing in Gwalior, sent a single rupee to Sai Baba through a friend. Though he spoke no words of request, his heart held a silent, pure prayer: 'If Baba touches this with His holy hands, sanctifies it, and returns it to me, it will be a supreme blessing.'

When the friend arrived in Shirdi and offered the rupee, Baba immediately tuned into the unspoken sentiment. He received the coin with joy, tossed it, played with it, and examined it from every angle. He declared, "With pure sentiment Captain Hate has sent Me this rupee; I have understood his sentiment." He accepted the love, noting that He had no need for the money itself.

Witnessing this tender exchange was Vaman Narvekar, who lived near Shirdi. Seeing the grace bestowed upon the Captain's coin, a calculated thought arose in his mind. He did not see a blessing; he saw a business opportunity. 'If I get a rupee touched by Baba's hand and keep it in my worship abode, wealth will flourish in my house,' he reasoned. 'Why do we lack such intelligence?'

Driven by the desire for material abundance rather than spiritual closeness, Vaman decided to mimic the act. He offered a special coin adorned with the images of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. To an outsider, it looked like the highest form of devotion. But Baba, who reads the script of the soul, saw the transaction brewing within. He took the coin, passed it to Shyama, and then pocketed it.

Anxious that his investment was disappearing, Vaman urged Shyama to get the coin back. When Shyama relayed the request, Baba set a staggering condition: "Tell him to give Me 25 rupees in exchange. Then I will return this rupee to him."

Vaman did not have the money, but his greed whispered that if he secured that one magical coin, it might yield "25 lakhs" in the future. He scrambled to borrow the heavy sum of 25 rupees and presented it to Baba. But the Master of Shirdi, looking not at the currency but at the cure needed for His devotee, took the 25 rupees and refused to return the coin. "Even if he settles a heap of money in front of Me," Baba declared, "I won't give him this rupee."