I AM WAITING FOR YOU

[Guest guest]

WELCOME I AM WAITING FOR YOU

"Baba said to him, that he also was waiting for him" –Sri Sai Satcharitra, ch. L

Sri R.S. Chitnis of Delhi visits the ancient Hanuman temple in New Delhi, every

Saturday evening. After pooja and Prasad, he occupied a particular place on the

platform in the hall, facing the idol of Sri Hanuman and recites Sri Bheemrupi

stotra of Swami Ramdas in Marathi. Sri Hanuman Chalisa in Hindi and Sri

Vadvanal stotra in Sanskrit. He has been doing this from many years. He has

always found his favourite place for doing the above.

It was Saturday and it happened to be 26th January, thousands of people had

poured into Delhi from near and far. He feared that he might not get his usual

place at Hanuman temple because of the influx of people and yet he secretly

felt that Baba should reserve that seat for him. His worst fears became true.

The entire temple was crowded with devotees and his favourite place was also

occupied by not less than three to four people.

He had no option but to join the long queue to offer garlands to Sri Hanuman.

After a time which seemed ages, he found himself at the head of the queue,

offered garlands took Prasad and bowed before the lord and come out into the

hall.

He took a furtive glance at his favourite seat, even in this situation, hoping

against hope that it might be vacant. Lo! The place occupied by three to four

persons earlier, was occupied by a single person. The man was tall, and sturdy,

had a green "achken" with a matching belt embroidered with zari, wore spotlessly

white churidhar pyjamas, had a white turban with golden and red stripes. He had

two trays near his feet, one filled with pooja articles, and the other with

fruits and flowers. Sri Chitnis noticed that the man was intently looking at

him and suddenly he said "Welcome Sir, I am waiting for you (in Hindi). Looking

up, Sri Chitnis found that the man was addressing him and none else. Putting

away the two trays, the man beckoned Sri Chitnis to occupy the seat on the

platform".

Sri Chitnis forgetting the elementary courtesy to thank the man eagerly occupied

his favourite seat and began to read the stotras. A few minutes later, it dawned

to him that he has failed to thank the benefactor. He immediately rose from the

seat and looked around for the good man.

He was nowhere. He approached the priest who was known to him and who was also

sitting a few places away. Nobody would miss to see the person with the

distinctive dress, thought Sri Chitnis. The priest, who was sitting there for

quite a long time, had not seen such a person as described by Sri Chitnis. But

the person holding the seat for Sri Chitnis had beckoned him, "Welcome Sir, I

am waiting for you…!" Who could he be other than Sai Baba who fulfils even the

smallest wish of His devotees?

(from the book ‘The Eternal Sai’)

Thought for the day

The test of character is:--

Do you have the courage to stand up for truth even though the heavens fall? Can

you smile in trouble?

Can you say "NO" when evil tempts?

 

Vote for the stars of 's next ad campaign!