SMT. PARVATIBAI SAPATNEKAR

[Guest guest]

My husband was very unhappy. Everybody else was enjoying Baba's blessings

but not he — for him it was only "Chal hat", He started thinking and

suddenly he felt that it may be the result of his earlier doubt and wrong

notion about Baba, So he decided not to leave Shirdi unless and until he

received Baba's blessings and lo in a few days he got the opportunity. He

once saw Baba sitting alone in the Masjid. Immediately he ran and held

Baba's feet firmly all the while tears rolling out of his eyes. Baba placed

His hand on his head and made him sit next to Him. Meantime a shepherdess

arrived and started rubbing Baba's feet as usual. Baba also started

conversing with her and my husband was surprised to hear the contents. It

was all about his own story. Baba was saying, "This gentleman says I have

killed his son. Do I kill other people's sons ? Alright, now I shall bring a

son in his wife's womb". My husband was full of joy and after bowing down to

Baba again and again, hurried to the place we were staying.

 

On meeting us he narrated the incident to us and asked me to get ready for

the Arati (waving of lights) quickly. He also asked me to prepare

'Puran-poli' (sweet chapaties) as naivedya, but the priest told us to

prepare halwa. After the Arati all the naivedya (prasad) thalies were placed

before Baba. Our thali was quite in rear of others, but to our great

satisfaction Baba bent forward, and picked and ate handful of halwa from our

thali only.

 

Next day was Thursday and we waited to see the Chavadi procession.

('Chhabina' was the word used by Smt. Sapatnekar). How beautiful it was

Devotees were walking ahead, dancing and singing 'Bhajans' to the tune of

cymbals and drums. Baba was following. Chhatra (decorated umbrella), Chamar

(Chowrie or fly-whisker) and a palanquin. But Baba never sat in the

palanquin. If devotees lifted Him and put Him inside, Baba disappeared and

was seen walking at the back again. Baba Himself also used to dance. Once

this foot forward and then the other — like an expert.  What a pretty sight!

I still can visualise it. And lo! On Baba's face I actually saw the same

shine on on Pandurang's face at Pandharpur.

 

Next day we were leaving Shirdi. While going to see Shri Sai Baba, my

husband said to me, ''I shall offer one rupee as dakshina to Baba. If asked

again I shall give one more rupee. But if He asks for more I shall have to

sell my gold ring and your bangles also". To our great surprise, when my

husband placed one rupee on Baba's hand. He asked for one more only and

said, "I shall not ask for more since you will have to sell your ring and

wife's bangles." Hearing this my husband's doubts about Baba still lurking

in his mind were cleared and he was convinced about Baba's divinity.

 

 

(to be contd....)

Lt  Col. M. B. Nimbalkar (Retd)

Pune

PUNE411 001.

 

Sri Satchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj ki Jai !!!

 

Baba Bless us all