I visited Shirdi for the
first time sometimes in 2004 along with my son, who was then
working as a senior officer in a leading multinational company
at Bombay. The visit was very inspirational and by Baba's
graceful blessings I could lay hand on an Urdu version of Sai
satcharitra named 'Sab ka Malik Ek'. Repeated study of the book
gave so much confidence and realization that I could observe and
feel Baba's blessings pouring day in and day out in all our
living activities. This automatically resulted in changing my
life style creating full faith in Bhagwan Shri Sai Baba and his
teachings viewed through his lilas. My visits to Shirdi became
frequent and Baba's 11 vachans were being realized and felt
quite often.
In one of our visit to
Shirdi, we five members started from Bombay as usual by our car
early morning at 5.00 am, with intention to return back by night
as my son had an important meeting next day. While we had
travelled half way a few miles before Nasik, the car developed
some problem and stopped. Although it was almost a new car, our
expert driver could not start it and we were waiting to take a
decision to go back as my son's next day meeting was crucial. My
prayer to Baba as usual was, 'Tera Bhana Mitha lagee'. The
moment I uttered the prayer, a big eight seater car stopped near
me. Apart from driver it had one person (a Sai Bhagat or Sai
himself) sitting on the front seat. He just enquired what the
problem was. I told him, the car had developed some problem. He
immediately responded that he was going to Shirdi and could
accommodate five of us easily. We thanked him and immediately
accepted the graceful offer leaving instructions to driver to
have the car repaired and if so done in an hour's time come to
Shirdi or leave for Bombay if repairs take longer time.
On our way to Shirdi he
told us that he stays at Dubai and visits Shirdi every year. He
added that he had been to Shri Satya Sai Baba before visiting
Shirdi. We continued on talking about Sai, when we thought of
having Brunch in a good restaurant. He agreed and we had the
privilege to have lunch with Him. In spite of our best
intentions and efforts he did not allow us to pay the Bill. He
asked us whether we had any problem for darshan at smadhi mandir.
We informed that we had requested someone for arranging VIP
passes. On reaching at Shirdi near reception office he told us
look for the person for our passes and if we do not get, to tell
him for assistance.
After contacting person
concerned for arranging our passes, we came back within five
minutes to thank him and take his visiting card which he
promised to deliver on reaching Shirdi, we could neither find
the car nor the person. We made frantic efforts to locate him
and his car at nearby parks, but failed. On the contrary we met
our own Driver with our car. He added that after half an hour
when he tried again car started without any effort and after
taking lunch on way he has reached just now. 'Is this all a
chance or Baba's blessings' depends on how much you are devoted
to Him. He says 'bhar tumahara mujh par hoga wachan na mera
khali hoga'. This incident had happened about six or seven years
back but my mind enjoys His affectionate touch even today. I had
the grace of shaking hand and taking lunch with Him-a superb
blessing. Not adding much, I very humbly confess that that even
at the age of 80 years, I hardly pass a day when I do not notice
his perpetual blessings and have developed a habit of thanking
him for showering his blessings at us at every step. Satguru Sai
Nath Maharaj ki jai.
