Leela-133

Shirdi Sai Baba's Leela's in my life led for Sai Prachar

Srikant Sharma, resident of Bangluru recalls that it was late 80s; he was suffering from severe asthma problem then and had to take three Deriphyllin Retard tablets every day to manage his breathing. He was working for private firm and financially he and his family were not strong.

In his office there was a colleague by the name Rajesh, who would greet everyone with a ‘Sai Ram’, and Srikant would be left wondering about his greeting, as he did not know about Sai Baba. One day Rajesh invited Srikant to come to Shirdi for Baba’s Darshan and said that all his (Srikant’s) problems will end. But since, the trip would incur an expense of Rs. 1500, and since, he did not have it, he gently refused. But, Rajesh and another friend Praveen were not ready to give up on Srikant and persuaded him to come, by saying, that you pay
the money later.

On June 7, 1989 Srikant reached Samadhi Mandir and took Baba’s Darshan. He felt a perceptible change in his mind and body. After having the Darshan, when they were returning, on June 11, 1989, a strange thing happened; at around 2 a.m. Srikant was breathless and gasping for breath. Praveen immediately put Baba’s sacred Udi in his mouth and asked him to chant Sai Taraka Mantra, ‘Om Sai, Shri Sai, Jay Jay Sai...’ After sometime he dozed off and slept peacefully. In the morning when he got up, he realized he had no difficulty in breathing and stopped taking his medicines. Whenever the breathing issue would arise, he would take the Udi and chant Sai’s Name. From that day till this day he did not touch those medicines, with Baba’s Blessings.

From that first Darshan of Baba, Srikant became an ardent devotee and started sharing His Leelas with everyone.

On July 20, 2009, Rajesh, who had formed Shri Dwarkamai Seva Trust at Rajaji Nagar, wanted to visit Shirdi to buy Sai Baba’s Moorti and Paduka. For this purpose he invited Srikant; but since, the latter was suffering from (suspected) case of viral fever and severe joint pain, addled with no money for travelling, he refused. But, Rajesh persuaded him saying, he will bear the cost of the travel and stay, and Srikant relented.

Then Rajesh invited another Sai devotee, Venugopal, who after seeking Baba’s permission by putting chit, agreed to come. Rajesh rushed to railway station, at that time he got waiting list ticket 137, 138 and 139 respectively for the onward journey by Karnatak Express and for the return journey he got the confirmed ticket from Pune on July 25, 2009 by Udyan Express.

On July 22, 2009, when Srikant reached the station at 5.45 p.m. the PNR was waiting list Nos.17, 18 and 19, meaning one can board the general compartment, but not get the sleeper berth. Srikant was disappointed on seeing the waiting list numbers and called Rajesh; but both Rajesh and Venugopal were in Rajaji Nagar Sai Baba temple to have Darshan before heading for Shirdi.

Rajesh told Srikant that they will reach the station in 15 minutes and not to worry too much. They arrived at the station and immediately checked with a ticket checker that their waiting list Nos. was 17, 18 and 19 and nothing could be done as the train was full. He told them to contact another ticket checker who was standing near the next coach.

Immediately, the trio rushed to another ticket checker and requested him for a sleeper berth; but he too refused to help; but he was kind enough to ask them to board S4 compartment and wait for him. They were happy to hear this and took their luggage and started moving towards S4 compartment. While moving Srikant once again went to the ticket checker and requested him to arrange for a sleeper berth for the three and told him that they are going to see Shirdi Sai Baba. The moment he heard this, the ticket checker told them to occupy seat Nos. 41, 42 and 43 in coach S4. The train started on time at 7.20 p.m. and the ticket checker never showed up! And those who came to inspect their tickets later did not find anything odd with the tickets!

All reached Shirdi and had good Darshan. On July 24, 2009 they went to a shop and purchased the idol of Dwarkamai Sai Baba and Sai Baba Paduka and got the Pooja done at Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai and Chavadi. They went back to their room at 2.30 p.m., where they found 15 missed calls on Rajesh’s mobile phone from his brothers, sisters and wife. Rajesh called up home and came to know that his mother was very critical and admitted to an Intensive Care Unit, and the doctors had given up hope, as she was ailing and nor responding to medicines.

The family had gathered in anticipation of her transition. Rajesh was asked to rush back; but found that the timing for the flight was possible only the next day at 1.30 p.m. Their train reservation too was for next day, now the only option was bus service. Rajesh left Shirdi by bus the very same day at 4 p.m. to reach Bengluru next day at around 11 a.m.

The moment he reached Bengluru, he rushed to the hospital, applied Sai Baba’s sacred Udi on his mother’s forehead and she was taken for ‘Endoscopy’. After some time, the results came, they were negative and the sugar which had shot up earlier, started responding to the medicine. She was discharged from the hospital on July 30, 2009 which was a Thursday.

These Leelas of Sai Baba with every passing year made Srikant take up Baba’s prachar as seva. He and his friend Munireddy with Baba’s Blessing started a free Sai Portal on September 28, 2009 on Vijayadashmi at exactly 2.30 p.m. at Baba’s Samadhi time.

On this website they flash news regularly from across the globe pertaining to Sai Baba and related activities. They have been able to quench the thirst of thousands of devotees with Sai Baba’s nectarine teachings.

His latest two offerings to the Sai world on Guru Pournima this year are - ‘Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Samagra Kaipidi’ and ‘Shri Shidi Sainatha Sagunopasana’ in Kannada.

As told by Srikant Sharma
No. 6/19, 3rd floor, 6th Cross,
7th main, N. S. Palya, BEM second stage,
Bangaluru - 560 076, Karnataka.
E-mail : srikanta68@gmail.com
mobile : (0)9501954008
Written in English by Shamshad Ali Baig

Source: Saileela Magazine

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