The Miracle of Sacred Ashes from Shirdi - by Shri Anil Pandit

[Guest guest]

THE MIRACLE OF SACRED ASHES FROM SHIRDI

By : Shri Anil Pandit B. Sc., Indore

 

I am a devotee of Shri Sai Baba for the last about 13 years. I always

worship him. During this period I have had many miraculous experiences, of

which some were published in Marathi issue of Shri Sai Leela in the past.

But, what we experienced in April, 1972 has left us wondering about the

miraculous powers of Shri Sai Baba and the sacred Ashes from Shirdi. I would

like to give an account of the experience for the information of Sai

Devotees.

 

The daughter of my elder son, by name Bhavana, whom we used to call

Sanjeevani, as a nick-name, fell sick all of a sudden in April, 1972. It was

summer season and our family doctor opined that it may be a case of mild

sun-stroke or the sickness may be due to very hot climate. The fever was

constant and she was not taking any food. Her belly was distended but

unfortunately our family doctor did not appreciate its seriousness. He

continued his treatment according to his primary diagnosis. The girl however

continued to be worse day by day. Her eyes were drawn in, and the

peritonitis was such that it was painful by touch. We at last decided to

transfer her to a bigger hospital in Indore. It was Sunday night when we

shifted the little girl to the hospital. The chief medico was having his

holiday. We put a pinch of ashes from Shirdi upon her forehead before taking

her to the hospital. Next day, the chief medico examined her and diagnosed

the case as of Typhoid with intestinal perforation. He said that peritonitis

was due to perforation of the intestinal wall. He said that the cases of

this type are so severe that generally operation is resorted to, but the

patient was too delicate for it. Glucose Saline and Infusion were advised.

We were all in a very anxious mood. The family people were very much afraid

for the life of the young one. The treatment from the hospital started.

Before this thing happened, I was continuously reading the Marathi Sai

Sat-Charitra daily. I had by that time, finished the 8th Canto and had come

to the 9th. I have faith in Shri Sai Baba. I appealed to Him : " O ! Baba,

What is this new calamity be fallen us ! It is only You who can take us out

of this ! "

 

I had been to Shirdi earlier in the month of March and had brought some

photographs of Shri Sai Baba from the Sansthan office. The Ashirwad pose in

that picture is such that we feel Baba is looking at us and assuring us not

to worry and promising that everything will be all right. I felt that I

should take that photo to the hospital. I took it and also took some

quantity of Ashes with me. I put the photo under the pillow of the girl

Bhavana and besmirched her body with the Ashes. Emotions were so deep at

that time, that I could not help crying. In front of many family persons

present at that time, I uttered 'O ! Baba ! If this little girl Bhavana is

not cured in this sickness, I will not read your Charitra further. " My

complete surrender to Him and appeal was really-similar to Shama and who

said that he would break a coconut on His Head if some lady could not get a

child !

 

In the meanwhile, I continued to read the book 'Sai Sat-Cha ritra.' Every

Thursday, the Aarti and worship was also continued. Bhavna, to the surprise

of the doctors, survived that ailment without operation. That was a feat on

the part of the patient - nay, it was the miraculous powers of Sai Baba and

the sacred Ashes. Gradually her fever came down and peritonitis subsided,

and within a period of 2-3 weeks, she was allowed to return home.

 

Really, I feel, the miracle of Faith on Sai Baba is extra-ordinary, but we

fail to take advantage of the great Grace available. The grace of Isa or

Sai-as you may call it. Sai Baba is no less than God the Protector Incarnate

!

(Adopted from Marathi from July, 1973 issue)

 

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine April 1974)

this magazine can be read at www.saileelas.org