Satsang BABA'S BLESSINGS

BABA'S BLESSINGS
Again as a result of inner urge, I had to visit Shirdi in 1966. But this time, I went with my family and the families of my both the brothers. We were all sixteen in number. Yet our journey and sojourn at Shirdi and Pandharpur were quite pleasant and exhilarating.
Since we went with families, we carried all articles with us for preparation of food. We spent two days at Shirdi. Thereafter my brother suggested that we may visit Pandharpur. Before leaving for Pandharpur, when we estimated our requirements of food provisions, we found some rice and other articles in surplus. In that area scarcity of rice was so much that it was a problem for people to secure rice even for important festivals. Having come to know about such a situation, I offered, as a token of courtesy, surplus rice of 3 Kgs. to an attendant in the ''Maha-samadhi Mandir"; but very politely he refused to accept. Here is an example of a high sense of honesty and integrity, which employees of the Samsthan imbibed with the grace of Baba.
We reached Pandharpur. I had an inspiration of Vitthal as a result of many stories I read and bhajans I heard about ardent devotees of Vitthal. While we entered the temple, a "Pandya" approached us and guided us as to what we should do to perform Pooja of Vitthal. We purchased all Pooja material. The Pandya took us to main diety, "Vitthal", where another Pandya was already conducting Pooja by some other devotees. The moment our Pandya started conducting our Pooja, the other Pandya discontinued the Pooja and picked up a quarrel with our Pandya. There was exchange of words between both the Pandyas in utter disregard to Vitthal. Such a behaviour of the Pandyas disturbed serene mental atmosphere of the devotees present in front of the deity. All this quarrel was, I was told, about the "Dakshina" to be shared by them. After Pooja, I, along with other members, left Pandharpur with a confused mind.
After 1966, for about eight years till 1974, I could not visit Shirdi, although I often tried in vain to have the darshan of Baba. For this, I do not find any explicable reasons except that I had, all the while, to encounter several vicissitudes of life. With the blessings of Baba I had to sail through good and bad weather. The sense of gratitude compels me to confess that Baba always saved me whenever I was to be caught in a whirlpool. Instance of perilous sickness of ray lone son, who had meritorious academic career, is to the point. My son, who passed M. Tech in 1st division, suddenly took ill in the 3rd week of October 1972. A band of renowned medical specialists, who spared no pains to treat him, lost every hope and became rather frustrated, as it was swift deterioration in his condition. It was at about 2 a.m. when one of the doctors at last gave tongue to their helplessness. Then I had nothing in this world except the grace of Baba, to invoke as a last resort. Believe me, from the very moment the signs of improvement started appearing to the utter astonishment all the doctors.
(To be contd...)
M. Ganga Reddy HYDERABAD-500027
(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine September 1975). Sai Leela Magazines can be read at www.saileelas.org
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