The Significance of Baba Seeking Alms

In spite of having great powers to turn a pauper into a prince, Baba led a simple life of a Fakir. He used to beg food from five chosen homes in Shirdi in a very systematic manner. Baba suggests that in order to destroy one's ego, ascetics must live a simple life by begging alms. He used to carry with Him a Zoli (rectangular piece of cloth) and a tin-pot. On His way to begging, Baba would affectionately call every one in those houses, like 'mother', 'sister' or 'daughter'. After receiving their offerings in the Zoli and liquids in the tin-pot, He would keep them in an earthen pot in the Masjid. Several dumb creatures like dogs, cats and crows used to eat that food. Baba would not stop them, but would eat only the left-overs.

Baba used to accept alms as "Bhiksha" for conferring blessings on those who offered to Him alms. He clarified that people should offer food to the sadhus and ascetics to get absolved from five deadly sins. When the house-wives separate chaff from the grain by beating, grinding, rolling the stones to soften the cereals, washing dishes, cleaning with a broom and lighting the fire for cooking, several insects perish in the process. So, His acceptance of alms from the women of the house was merely to cleanse their sins. How fortunate are those house-wives who could offer food as Bhiksha, to Baba, the Great Giver.