DWARKAMAI (MASJID MAI) OF SAYEEN

SHREE SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI!!!

In this post I will try my level best to describe the Divine Mother of Shirdi, Sayeen's earthly abode, Dwarkamai. It still stands in Shirdi with all its fame and Masjesty, reflecting the old, golden days when Sayeen resided there in His physical form, walking and talking along with other mortals who were blessed enough to enjoy His divine company. However, the Masjid has been renovated and Her surrounding has undergone drastic changes. Never the less, SHe still blesses all the devotees who visit Her, on their visit to Shirdi.

Dwarkamai, or Masjida-Mai, as Baba would call Her, was actually a very old, dilapidated mosque, even before Sayeen decided to dwell there. This masjid stood a bit away from the then village center and other local folks houses. When Sayeen first came to Shirdi in 1854, this mosque had already half collapsed and had one missing wall and no roof. This building is made of rock bricks. Who would have imagined that this abandoned mosque would later serve a purpose of housing the greatest Avadhuta and the Divine Incarnate in a country under British Rule. The only house close by was that of a Nandaram Marwadi, who became a great Sai devotee in future, and the village school where Madhavrao Deshapnde, the closest devotee of Baba taught and lived. However, as known, God makes all the arrangements for His Incarnations to fulfill their duties easily. The mosque would have been very meritorious to be act as the Kailash of Lord Shiva who came to Shirdi to set things right.

It is stated in Satcharitra that Sayeen was ready to dwell under the Neem tree one can see now in Gurusthan forever, but close devotees like Mhalsapathy, Baija Bai, and others persuaded Him to stay under a solid roof for better security reasons (which He needed none). But even they are not at fault, afterall, who had heard of a young lad of 18 live under a tree during all seasons. However, Baba gave in to the requests of His devotees and began living in the dilapidated mosque. He named it Dwarkamai and made it the Shrine of All religions. It became the Harmandir-Sahib, the Dwarka, the Madina and Jerusalem for all who visited Him. Accordingly, He gave His Divine Darshan to all from here, as the four-arm Vishnu to some, as Jesus to some, as Nanak to some and as Mohammed to some, while as the old Fakir to others. Whomever the devotee loved as his favourite deity (Ishta Devata), or as his guru, he found that person, that incarnation in Him. All at the same time. All these wonderful leelas (divine acts) of His were witnessed silently by Dwarkamai.

The Divine Mother gained a physical form after Baba lit the sacred, ever-burning Dhuni, which blesses all of us with His holy Ash (Vibhuti/Udi). Sayeen great cared for Dhuni greatly and fed Her often, before taking food. He also took care to keep Her ever-burning, feeding here logs and other foods at the right times. He sat facing east, resting His back on the wall, as He stared and meditated upon Dhuni, conversing with Her about various topics, and called Her “Dhuni Maa”. Everyday, He took handfuls of Her Udi and distributed it to one and all after Aartis or while a devotee was taking leave, or after giving Darshan. The power within this ash will be discussed in details in next articles, but Sayeen has stated that Dhuni Maa can burn any problem or ailment, and even our karmas of our past lives, thus giving us salvation.

Sayeen has said many times that Dwarka Mai is a very kind mother and will give refuge to all those who take shelter in Her. She will protect Her children from any danger of this world or the next. He has even said that a devotee who asks protection from Her, Masjida Mai will even same him from death.

Sayeen has stated the importance of Dwarkamai many times, in many ways. Some of His nectar-like words are stated here.

“Let me see how death comes and gets you when you are in the care of Masjida Mai.” And

“This is not a mosque. It is Masjida Mai, the Divine Mother. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you want, so cast aside all fears.” And

“I do not take dakshina from one and all. I take dakshina only from those who have forgotten due debts, to free them of it. These people are pointed out to Me by Dwarkamai. I cannot take anything from any person the Masjida Mai doesn’t want to.”
And
"Any person in trouble, if he climbs the three steps of Dwarkamai, his sorrows will end."

It was also in this holy masjid that Baba celebrated all festivals from Ram Navami to Dussera to Eid. People suffering from various worldly troubles found solutions, who had lost all hope of life, found reasons and ways to live. People who had bothering pasts, made peace for a better future. Petty debts threatening to chain a person to samsara (cycle of life) were paid off. Diseases of all kinds, curable and incurable, met their ends here, being destroyed by the mere glance of the Fakir. Unfairly accused people had justice done. All this took place within the walls of the Masjid.  In this way, the patched up masjid became the very universe of Sayeen, who lived, talked, ate, danced, played, taught and slept here. Shyama (Madhavrao Deshapande) first bore witness to Baba’s divinity through the window of his school, which gave clear view into the mosque. Baba’s meditation and yogic practices were also within this mosque.

And lastly, His Samadhi was also here.

Today, if you go to Dwarkamai, you will find place as vast, with a huge photo of Baba, His used utensils, His rock, and an elevated platform atop 3 steps with Baba’s handmade portrait, and a covered Dhuni Maa. This elevated platform is the original Masjid, the lower portion was the front yard. Also, devotees can stay in Dwarkamai at night, helping the Sansthan employees to sweep and clean the place.  

This is the poorest quality and the shortest summary of Dwarkamai that you would probably find in the vast ocean of internet. But I sum it up here. You can read more on Masjida Mai in Satcharitra authored by Hemadpant.  

OM SAI! SHREE SAI!! JAI JAI SAI!!!