AN ATHEIST TURNS DEVOTEE (November 1985)

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AN ATHEIST TURNS DEVOTEE (November 1985)

As I believed that Sai is solely responsible for doing all the good things

or bad, (which also finally lead to good), so have I experienced, it in

life. These experiences in my life made me turn into a devotee from an

atheist. Unlike other things of the world Sai leelas are in-extinguishable

and do not have any limitations and boundaries. The recent experiences in my

life make me think that Sai cares, for each and everyone who comes to Him in

good faith, whether he is a devotee or not. Really I also experienced the

truth of His words "If you look upto me I look after you", "Cast all your

burden on me and I shall bear it".

 

It was from my early childhood that I saw the photo of an oldman being

garlanded, in most of my relatives houses, and on asking, came to know that

it was of the Shirdi Sai Baba. Towards the end of 1981, I unexpectedly got a

chance to visit Shirdi in the company of my mother because of her long

standing desire to go there. She had considered Sai Baba as her Guru and

also benefactor. She became a staunch devotee only due to a sudden and

unbelievable arrival of the photo of Shri Shirdi Saibaba followed by Shri

Sai Satcharitra. After finishing the first reading of the book, she felt so

peaceful and overjoyed that she automatically started worshipping Him as her

Guru and Saviour.

 

In the following year I got married. This was the first proposal for me

which came from a middle class family, and my mother entrusted the matter to

the decision of Shri Sai Baba and waited patiently for His guidance. In the

meantime she completed one parayana of Shri Sai Satcharita. She thought that

if the proposal moved further smoothly without our intervetion then she

would accept it, thinking that it had Baba's blessings. Thus keeping full

belief in Him,, she accepted the proposal which progressed smoothly without

any initiative on our part. Everyone gave his consert, but it was a tough

thing for my father to okay it as he had some other plans, for my future.

But my mother was able to convince my father about the suitability of the

match and he too gave his consert. Sai's miracle did not stop here. The

cermony was carried out with great pomp and solemnity. As it was a suddenly

settled marriage, it was difficult for us to find the necessary money. This

difficulty was also taken over by Sai, as money came pouring in from our

Income source and some we had to borrow. Now this borrowed money was repayed

within a short time. The real miracle had yet to come. Immediately after my

marriage my husband fell ill, without any symptoms. The illness was so

severe that his healthy body was reduced to skin and bone. We were all

perturbed and lost our mental peace as usually the newly married bride is

blamed for all the bad times her family has tp go through. My mother shed

tears and prayed to Lord Sai, to save us from any disaster and promised to

send us to Shirdi on the recovery of her son-in-low. He miraculously

recovered and we visited Shirdi in fulfilment of my mother's vow. Later we

came to know that it was truly a miracle which saved him. From that day

onward I completely surrendered myself to His feet and started worshipping

Him wholeheartedly.

 

I always pray to Lord Sai that he should always keep His devotees at His

feet and shower His blessings on them and also see that they slip not from

the path of devotion.

 

Mrs. Anuradha

 

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

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