Sai Accepts the Challenge (May 1975)

[Guest guest]

Gopicband is a famous man of letters in Telugu. His father was too well

known as an athiest and he continued to walk in the foot prints of his

father. In 1954, he was working as Director of Publicity in the Government

of Andhra at Kurnool His wife was admitted to the Govt. Hospital for

confinement and it was found to be a case of hard labour. Three days passed

and there was no relief. Gopichand spent restless days and sleepless nights.

On the third day, he chanced to pass by the side of the Sai Baba Mandir

constructed on the bank of Thungabhadra. In his deep anguish and distressed

state, he addressed Sai, "people say you are God, you possess vast powers

and that you come to the rescue of the distressed If this is true, then come

to my aid now and see that my wife has a safe and painless delivery. Then I

will believe in your Omnipotence". So thinking he wended his way to the

hospital.

 

By the time he reached the hospital he found that his wife had an easy and

safe delivery. She gave birth to a male child. A little later, when he met

his wife in the confinement room, she told him that an old man with a beard

and angarkha and a satka came and sat on her bed and said "My dear child,

don't worry, I have come to give you relief. You will have a painless

delivery here and now". "So saying he applied Udi on my forehead & made me

drink water mixed with Udi. No sooner did I drink the water than I delivered

this child. I have no pains now. I am now safe and alright." Gopichand asked

the time when the old man came to her. She told him of the time, Gopichand

was then convinced that Sai appeared before his wife immediately after he

threw the challenge mentally and was convinced of the Omnipotence of Lord

Sai. He mentally bowed and thanked Sai for the timely succour given to his

wife. The great-ful father named that child as Sai Baba. All those who knew

him felt the shock of this tremendous transformation. Gopichand passed away

a few years back, his son, Sai Baba is now a grown up young man.

The spiritual history of India is replete with such conversions and

transformation. No body knows when the grace of the Lord descends on man and

effects the transformation. Without His grace, no spiritual progress can be

achieved. It is because of everflowing grace of Sainath that we have become

His devotees. Let us, therefore, strive hard to merit his grace and progress

further on the spiritual path till the goal of self-realisation is reached.

 

Let me conclude with what Hemadpant says in his '*Sai Satcharita". "Baba's

speech established its efficacy or greatness while he was living in the

flesh, but wonder of wonders, it did the same even after his passing. Baba

said, "Believe me, though I pass away, my bones in my tomb will give you

hope and confidence. Not only myself but my tomb would be speaking, moving

and communicating with those who would surrender themselves wholeheartedly

to me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent from you. You will hear my

bones speaking and discussing your welfare. But remember me always, believe

in me heart and soul and then you will be most benefitted".

P. V. Satyanarayan Sastry B. A.

Retired Tahsildar, GUNTUR 1 (A. P.)

 

(Source Sri Sai Leela Magazine (May 1975)