Statement of Sri Sankar Rao, D. Balvalli, Vakola, Santacruz, P.O., Bombay. (Sai Sudha Jan 1945)

[Guest guest]

Statement of Sri Sankar Rao, D. Balvalli, Vakola, Santacruz, P.O., Bombay.

 

I was not a Bhaktha of Baba till recently. I had and have my Guru

Brahmananda Saraswati (whose life sketch is found in the number of Kalyan

kalpataru) and my Istha Devata Datta. My attention to Sai Baba was drawn

notably by my sister requesting me to escort her to Shirdi in 1936. I first

declined. Then in a few hours as I gazed on the figure of Datta at worship,

it changed to Baba’s figure. I cleared it and again at it. Again it was

transformed. This was done thrice. I had not seen Baba’s figure and so I did

not recognize it at the above transformation till I went to Dr.Thakkar’s

place and found there the figure at my pooja. I inquired and learnt that it

was Sai Baba. So I changed my mind regarding the escorting of my sister. I

went and told her I would escort her to Shirdi. Again and again I visited

Shirdi. Sai Baba’s pull was so great that in 6 months I came here nine

times. I came and read Sapthaha of Guru Charitra. After doing that, I slept

in front of the Samadhi Mandir, i.e. in the front verandah. At midnight, I

heard the footfall of shod person. I woke and found it was Baba walking on

to my bedside, standing and gazing at me. He had come from the Dwaraka Mayi

side. I was captured by his wonderful love and power in 1936. I had not seen

him in the flesh. Recently I consented to be on the executive committee.

Suddenly, by Baba’s order Mr.Kharkar resigned by Baba’s will I had to take

up this Secretaryship, though I have other honorary but exacting duties in a

Bombay Bank etc.,

 

II. An old Madrasi lady of 60 years was here on the 4th day of Punyatithi of

1943. Her son had been appointed for her service. In great agony of soul

she resolved to seek Baba’s help. She went to a Railway booking clerk and

demanded a ticket for Shirdi, in ignorance of the fact that Shirdi is not on

the Railway line. The booking clerk a Sai Bhakta then gave her a ticket to

Kopergaon. Without knowing any language but Tamil, she arrived here and

occupied a room next to the Samadhi. At 8 P.M. in the dark, she moved on,

not knowing that the steps behind the Samadhi had no parapet wall, at that

time. She fell down on the stone pavement near the well. She was badly

bruised. Her knees and forehead were bleeding. She ran up to me and told me

in Tamil that “She fell down from the steps” I offered to send for tincture

iodine. She said “No”. She added that when she fell in the dark, a male with

a lit lantern stood by her side and gently passed his hands over the hurt

body. She looked up and saw it was Sri Sai Baba himself. He told her that

she would be alright. She felt no pain and went to bed. Next morning, she

declared that Baba had appeared to her sleep and assured her that he would

take every care of her boy and that she need not entertain any fears.

(N.B. On enquiry we find this lady is Kamal Ammal of Matunga)