THE LIGHT OF FAITH (SHRADDHA) (December 1983)

[Guest guest]

THE LIGHT OF FAITH (SHRADDHA) (December 1983)

“Shraddha” or “Faith” or “Belief” is one of the two biggest principles

preached by Shri “Sai” the “Navigator” of my “Ship of Life”

My very first visit to Shirdi was a sudden impulse. I was not aware before,

that such a heaven as the “Sai Temple” where one realizes the bliss of true

happiness, to true satisfaction, did exist on this earth.

My grandmother was a believer in Shri Sai. She used to describe the

lighting of lamps by Shri Sai from not oil but water. But like an

intelligent man, who finds something ridiculous in almost everything, I then

thought that the miracle, which she described, was only one of her

imagination.

My first visit to Shirdi in 1977 the event of which, I am now going to put

forward before the readers, turned me into a strong believer of Shri Sai.

It being my first visit to Shirdi, I was completely unaware of the

whereabouts of the place. However enquiring here and there I did reach

Shirdi. And Lo ! When I gazed upon the Lord and His Magnificance I was

awe stricken and amazed. ‘Seeing is believing’ and I was convinced by His

very first glimpse that He was indeed Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent

as He was described.

Step by Step one goes ahead. My next visit to Dwarkamai then convinced me

that ‘deeds speak louder than words’.

Seeing people light lamps at the Dwarkamai, raised an urge in my heart also

to do the same. But I had no oil and neither was I Shri Sai to light lamps

from water. Tears stood into my eyes and I crept quietly to a corner and

gave way to them. I cried very bitterly.

Just then an old man came upto me and asked, “Beti, diya jalana chahti ho?”

I nodded and he commanded, “Chalo mere sath”. I followed him to a shop

behind Dwarkamai, where he told the shopkeeper to give me a bottle of oil

for Re 1/-. The shopkeeper without saying anything, took the rupee from him

and gave me a bottle of oil, asking me, to return the bottle after the

purpose was served.

I returned happily back to Dwarkamai with HIM. He guided me and with

trembling hands and tearful eyes, I lighted lamps all around Dwarkamai. I

was happy and turned around to thank him. But Lo! He was nowhere to be

found. I gazed from the picture of Sai and was wonderstruck to see a faint

image of the same old man smiling upon me and I understood. “The sea

refuses no river”. “Look upon me and I shall look upon you !’ “Wish and I

shall grant” He had said. Yes readers, my Baba had found me and I had found

Him.

In all the excitement I had completely forgotten my handbag !

The very thought that I had lost it sent shivers to my heart. It contained

all my money, my return tickets and my costly camera. My husband started

scolding me and blamed me for my carelessness and negligence. I started

crying and immediately ran and bowed at His stone and wept. I then heard a

‘hiss’ as if someone was calling me, I looked up and Lo ! Again I saw the

old man in His picture, this time pointing towards the “Dhuni”. “A dwarf

sees further than a giant when he has the gaint’s shoulders to mount on”.

Light had dawned on me ! While lighting the lamps I had left my purse near

Baba’s Matka. I hurriedly climbed the steps of Dwarkamai and looked there.

Imagine the joy and surprise I experienced, when I saw it lying just where

I left it, Inspite of the heavy rush in Dwarkamai it was still there left

untouched. My Sai had guarded it for me ! I picked it up and immediately

ran to His stone and bowed and thanked him. I vowed there and then to

remain His forever. I asked Him to bless me. The more we have the more we

want’.

Readers ! Small that I am, I may not have been successful in conveying the

various feelings and thoughts that had arisen in me through this experience.

But then, not the fruit of an experience but the experience itself is the

end, I had reached the ultimate goal. The ultimate good Sai is beauty and

the ultimate goal His worship, the cherishing of all that is beautiful.

Leelas ! Leelas and Leelas

A thousand have I experienced. My father ! My Lord ! My Sai ! has

blessed me with scores of them. Little by little, bit by bit, I shall put

forward before you some of them as He commands me, for as I have told you

before Who am I but a means to an end !

Mrs. H.K. Chhapgar

Thane – 400 606.

 

 

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

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