Baba's Blessings - M.Ganga Reddy (September 1975)

[Guest guest]

BABA'S BLESSINGS (September 1975)

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 af 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 "Daksina" to be shared by

them. After Pooja, I, along with other members, left Pandharpur with a

confused mind.

 

To be contd...

 

 

The experiences of Devotees as published in Shri Sai Leela Magazine, can be

read at www.saileelas.org/magazines/SAILEELA/exp.htm