Ambrosia in Shirdi Part-1-Baba's Leelas before 1918

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Leela 2

Rama Krishna G. Kothari was born in 1908. He was a Pathari Prabhu by caste. His

parents first visited Shirdi in 1911. On that visit, they saw Baba standing

near the railing (Kathada) of Dwarakamai, distributing Udi to the Bhaktas. They

were filled with devotion, and were overwhelmed with the love, to see this

beau­tiful sight. Upon their return home, they started wor­shipping a

photograph of Baba (it was a print of Jaykar's painting). They also started

doing Bhajans and called the Bhajan Mandali (group) ‘Sai Laj'.

In 1913 his father was seriously sick with pneu­monia. Dr. Naik was treating

him, but was skeptical of his recovery. He told the family that the chances of

recovery were slim, and he would succumb to the disease. Hearing this his

mother prayed to Baba and vowed that if her husband survived, she would do

'Padyatra' (walk) to Shirdi and thank Baba.

The Bhajan Mandali also came to his home to per­form the Bhajans (hymns), the

whole night. At nightfall the disease took a serious turn, the doctor was

sum­moned at 10.00 P.M. He gave the patient an injection and medicines but told

the wife that at about 12.00 P.M. her husband would die. The relatives on

hearing this, read the Bhagwat Gita to the patient. Simultaneously Baba's

Bhajans continued. At about 11.00 P.M. the patient started to suffocate, and

had great difficulty in breathing. The distort wife seeing his condition wailed

and cried saying 'Baba save my husband'. The crisis lasted till 1.00 A.M. when

the doctor was called again. He again gave the patient an injection, but

assured them that the crisis was over.

The Bhajans continued till 4.00 A.M. when the Bhajan Mandali and the relatives

assured the wife that her husband had survived. So she better get ready, for

the 'Padyatra' (pilgrimage by foot) as per her vow. From that time the patient

steadily recovered, and was ambu­lant in a few moments. So the family and the

Bhajan Mandali started for Shirdi. At Kopargaon, the family hired five bullock

carts to take them to Shirdi. But the wife would not sit in the cart. She just

walked, behind the carts although her legs were swollen and bruised.

A short distance from Shirdi there was a stony, and thorny path. So she went and

rested under a tree. She noticed a man with a white beard in a shepherd's dress.

He approached her and said, "Your vow has been accepted by Baba so mother, go

the rest of the distance by bullock cart".

The lady heard the loving tone in the voice but she adhered to her vow, and

trudged the rest of the way. When she reached Dwarkamai, Baba was seated with

His devotees when Baba said to Nana Saheb, "/ met this lady on the way and told

her to ride in the cart, but she would not listen. See how swollen and bruised

her legs are! But they will be alright by the evening." True to His word the

swelling and the bruises vanished by evening.

They stayed at Shirdi for a few days and returned home with Baba's blessings and Udi.

Source-Ambrosia in Shirdi - Part I (Baba's Leelas Before 1918) by Dr.Vinni

Chittluri @ www.saileelas.org"Gurur Brahma Gurur VishnuGurur Devoh

Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"May the

Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove

our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and

happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa Hdebu7366

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