XXXVII. When the Faithless Grow Penitent

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XXXVII. WHEN THE FAITHLESS GROW PENITENT

SRI SAI BABA'S WAY,..

 

Some 40 years ago, two friends were discussing their prospects for the Law

Examination.

One said that he was sure to pass, though he had not prepared for it because

Sri Sai Baba had assured him. The other, Sapatnekar, simply laughed at his

friend's confidence and jeered at him and at Baba.

When the results came, the friends name was in the pass list. Sapatnekar was

surprised, but still, "That must be a fluke", he thought. He had no faith

in, nor regard for Baba.

Then Sapatnekar settled at Akkalkote and practised as a lawyer. Ten years

passed. And then he lost his only son and it broke his heart. He sought

relief and peace of mind by pilgrimage and study of Vedanta. No peace came

to him however. Then he remembered that he had treated Sri Sai Baba's name

and powers with contempt and feared that perhaps the bereavement was a

punishment. Any how it would be good

to go and see Baba at Sbirdi and he started. When he went and prostrated

before Baba, the latter uttered the chilling words "Chal Hat", i.e.,

"Getaway'. This was repeated a second time arid even a third. He left

Shirdi, thoroughly mortified.

A year passed and then he was preparing for a pilgrimage to Kasi. Just then

his wife saw a fakir in her dream, who told her: "Come to ine. Why do you

make vain efforts?" This showed them that Baba had relenisd and was more

favourably disposed. Sapatnekar then came to Shirdi and fell at Baba's feet.

His wife who saw Baba then for the first time noticed that Baba's was the

exact figure that came to her in the dream. Baba, however, still utiered

"ChalHat" when he fell at His feet. This time he was more penitent and

persevering. He admitted to himself that he did not deserve any better

treatment and resolved to see Baba later in the day in the absence of a

crowd, to beg pardon for his past contempt. This he did and then Baba kindly

stroked his head. Baba strengthened his faith by addressing a shepherdess

that had come there, in his characteristic fashion. Baba narrated the

various vicissitudes of Sapatnekar's life,—never mentioning his name

however. His heart was heaving with wonder and joy. None else could know all

that Sai then knew and spoke out.

Then the Gift :

Then Baba still addressing the shepherdess pointed to Sapatnekar and said,

"This man blames me and charges me with killing his son. Now, I will bring

that very child back to his wife's womb".

With these words, Baba placed his blessing hand over Sapatnekar's head and

added : "Place entire faith in my words. Your object will be quickly

attained". Sapatnekar again glowed with joy and his faith grew in intensity.

At parting Baba gave him a coconut and directed him lo place it in the fold

of his wife's upper cloth and go away rejoicing.

He did so and in 12 month's time, a son was born to him. Baba's words, he

then realised, were never nature, never unfulfilled.

 

(This is from the book"The Wonderous Saint Sai Baba" written by Pujyasri

V.Narasimaswami,founder President of All India Sai Samaj,

Chennai...........This book can be read from www.saileelas.org)