LIVE EXPRIENCES OF THE TARKHAD FAMILY WITH SHRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI

[Guest guest]

Other Episodes from Sai Satcharitra

"Om Shri Sainathaya Namaha."

Dear readers, I once again feel that the episodes in this chapter are mainly for

those people who have gone through Sai Satcharitra. Of course others will also

find it undoubtedly interesting enough. There are many instances as depicted in

Sai Satcharitra when my father was present (there) in Shirdi, and he had

narrated them to us from time to time which I am going to put forward to you

all. I am sure many devotees who were present there at that time must have

experienced the same. However, I consider myself to be lucky, to hear them

directly from my father, and as they were stored in my hard disc, I now blow it

up before you, for your personal knowledge. I sincerely hope you will pardon me

in case I falter anywhere.

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"Granting Mukti (salvation) to Tiger"

This incident took place in the year 1918. My father used to distinctly

recollect this because that happened to be his last visit to Shirdi when Baba

was alive. After this incident I think a week later Baba took Maha Samadhi. On

that day, as usual Baba's Darbar in Dwarkamai was on and suddenly outside

Dwarkamai there was a big commotion. All were anxious to know what was

happening there. Four Darveshis (fakir) were carrying a full-grown Tiger who

was tied up in chains; in a bullock cart. They had brought the bullock cart

near the entrance of Dwarkamai and parked it. One of the Darveshis entered the

Dwarkamai and pleaded to Mr. Madhavrao Deshpande (close devotee of Baba)

stating that the Tiger is their source of income. They carry the Tiger from

place to place and

exhibit his show to people and the earnings are spent on their livelihood

including that of the Tiger. But the Tiger had taken ill and while passing

through Shirdi they had learnt that a great Saint SaiBaba is lived there. They

also learnt that SaiBaba possessed miraculous powers and was able to cure

living beings simply by his divine looks. They therefore, thought of showing

the ailing Tiger to Baba provided the permission was granted to them. On

checking with Baba, he granted the permission to bring the Tiger inside

Dwarkamai. Darveshis took all precautions and brought the Tiger, who was

walking slowly. He came close to the steps of the platform where Baba would

normally be sitting. He looked at Baba and then put both his front paws forward

and bent himself as though he was bowing and offering Namaskar to Baba and then

suddenly gave a big roar. The sound of the roar was so loud and terrifying that

it almost shook entire Dwarkamai. On giving that loud roar the Tiger fell flat

on

the ground and was motionless. The four Darveshi rushed forward to check the

Tiger and they realized that it was dead. They declared to Baba that the Tiger

was dead and now what should they do with its dead body. Baba advised them to

bury the dead Tiger outside Lord Shiva's Temple near the statue of Nandi

(bull). All the people of Shirdi had gathered to witness the burial ceremony of

the dead Tiger. My father who had witnessed the entire episode live and in great

detail felt that there was some kind of exchange between Baba and the Tiger and

only after that the Tiger had passed away. My father waited for the right

opportunity to enquire with him as to what exactly transpired between him and

the Tiger. Baba then smiled and told my father "Hey Bhau that Tiger was in deep

agony and he was requesting me to relieve him out of that agonizing pain as he

could not bear it anymore. I felt pity on his miserable condition and hence I

prayed to the Lord to grant him salvation. My Lord is very

kind and he responded to my prayers and granted him salvation. That Tiger is

free for ever from this cycle of birth and rebirth." My father was totally

astonished to hear this explanation from Baba. My father told Baba that till

then he had seen him showering blessings on human beings but for the first time

he had witnessed him showering blessings on a wild animal like the Tiger. Of

course this last visit to Shirdi was unprecedented for my father which I will

narrate in the next chapter

Control over Rain God

In Sai Satcharitra there is an incident, when there was an unprecedented

rainfall in Shirdi. My father was also present over there. He was one of those

lucky ones who had seen the battle between two superpowers. He use to always

say that SaiBaba had acquired the ASTHASIDDHIS" (the eight superhuman powers)

and he used to Practice them whenever he was called upon to overcome the crisis

aced by his devotees. Of course the nature's superpower would aspect him and

respond favorably to his SOS call because SaiBaba Himself was the Incarnation

of God on this Planet Earth.

Those were the rainy days and since afternoon it was raining. As the evening

approached the rains were getting heavier. Dark clouds had gathered in the sky.

Gusty winds started blowing. There were clear signs of a thunderstorm

approaching. The skies were getting lit with flashes of lightening followed by

sounds of thunder. The storm was very active and entire Shirdi village was

getting lashed with severe rains. Water was getting accumulated everywhere and

all villagers along with their cattle started gathering in Dwarkamai as they

had never come across such a severe downpour and thunderstorm. My father could

not be an exception. He also came to Dwarkamai. He was reminded of the incident

in the Bhagwat Gita when Lord Krishna had to lift the entire Govardhan Mountain

and

give shelter to all living beings and offer them reprieve from the unprecedented

fury of the nature. That was the day in Shirdi when the natives needed someone

like "Govardhangiri" who could only rescue them from that grave situation. Of

course all were worried and waiting for Baba"s blessings to fall upon them.

There were no signs of storm clearing and soon Baba's patience was over. He got

up from his seat, picked up his "SATKA"(small baton) in his hand and came down

to the gate of Dwarkamai. He stood there in the open, a severe lightening had

flashed in the sky and Baba hit the ground with the Satka and roared loudly

saying please go away from here (JATES Kl NAI? To be precise in Marathi). The

intensity of that roar was so high in decibels that the entire place started

trembling as though a tremor had hit Shirdi. Once again a severe stroke of

lightening and Baba's hitting the ground with Satka asking for the rain God to

move away from Shirdi. This happened thrice. It was a clear

battle between the two Giants and soon the storm was coming to terms with Baba

requests of reprieve. The lightening stopped, the rains receded and the winds

slowed down. In about an hour's time everything was peaceful once again. The

skies were clear and Baba asked everyone to return to their homes. My father

resorted to his evening duty of lighting the Petromax Lamps. He was itching for

the right moment so that he could ask Baba about the battle. Then came the

moment and he asked Baba whether he is also in a position to rule over the

nature. Baba~7eplied saying "Bhau whenever my devotees are in distress I pray

to the Lord of the Universe to shower his mercy upon them. The Lord comes to my

rescue extends his help to me." Of course my father could not forget the sign'

when Baba was standing in the middle of the rains and roaring back to the Rain

God to move away from Shirdi. Baba was looking like the Lord himself in a

hostile mood.

 

BY

VIRENDRA JYOTINDRA TARDHAD

==========================

 

 

With Baba Nothing is Impossible

Baba guide us all

Sairam

Manisha

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