As Responsible Father

Sai as Father is a strict disciplinarian. He brooks no mercy for those who cross the limit He has prescribed whether it is in the Sai organisation or among general devotees.

"Following My instructions without demur is the best plan while engaged in service or seva; it is wrong to yield to lower craving or to follow one's own impetuosity…… I dislike flippant talk, frivolous prattle, casual conversation and even face to face grouping of men and women, at all times and, more specially during spiritual gatherings and occasions. You must be models of straight and courteous behaviour." Baba directs.

Many so-called 'close devotees' had to leave the Mandir at short notices whenever they crossed the Lakshman Rekha marked by Him. But He will never have any ill will towards them. All that He wants is to make them look inward and correct themselves for their own good. Kasturiji admits of a bad habit he had had of using frequently the expletive 'idiot' for expressing displeasure even without much of a provocation. Baba once admonished him rather harshly "Don't cause injury to anyone's self-respect, intentionally or unintentionally" and this practice was virtually erased.

As Father Sai He grooms His devotees far and near. During a halt at the residence of one of the devotees, a young man in the group asked the host for a glass of buttermilk. Baba unexpectedly entered the room detected the empty glass on the sill of the window. With patriarchal authority he pointed out the mistake as it must have caused inconvenience to the host and advised all to be satisfied with whatever was given or served and to keep our urges under check. He also gave tips on table manners and insisted on the need to desist from asking for second helpings.

In order to discourage and dissuade His devotees from carrying on with certain bad addictions that have assumed chronic proportions over a period of years Baba sometimes expresses His displeasure about it in general terms within their hearing as the first dose of treatment. If they do not give up such bad habits with such oblique references then He will directly deal with them.

Kasturiji was a snuff addict for three decades when he travelled with Baba to Rishikesh and other places of great spiritual importance. So he had stored enough of that stuff that would suffice for considerable period. One night while camping at the Aashram of Swami Sivananda, Baba came out of His cottage in the Ashram complex and straightaway walked into the dormitory where Kasturiji and five others were preparing for sleep. He was accompanied by Swami Sadananda and Satchidananda. Baba came near Kasturiji's cot and turned the pillow over to expose the snuff-box. Baba looked at him sternly and said only one word "Dirty". Kasturiji in great remorse and embarrassment took it and threw it away, and touching Baba's feet assured Him "No more Swami, I am giving it up from this moment". The immediate reward was a soft pat. The harshness or roughness of Baba intended to correct anyone at all times has an undercurrent of perpetual love which makes an everlasting impact on the corrected.