Munim and 2 ½ lakhs

[Guest guest]

Munim and 2 ½ lakhs

 

            “All kinds of people

come here, Vani, Teli, Varul, Kulkarni and Tamboli do come here”, said Baba to Ramchandra A. Tarkhad. It was Dassera holidays, 1915. 

At about 2:30

in the afternoon, when Mhatara and his friend were

doing charan-seva to Baba, Baba called Tarkhad ‘Mhatara’.

The second or Junior Munim (Manager) of his firm came

for Baba’s darshan. Both Tarkhad

and the Munim looked at each other, aghast. “Why are you anxious? Be calm and look at

every act unfolding before you, unruffled and with detachment.” The

Munim was in a desperate state. He looked starved,

unshaven and unkept. Anxiety was written all over his

face. He bowed at Baba’s feet, then touched Tarkhad’s feet. Baba, turning to Dixit,

said, “Kaka, take this man to your  wada,

and after a meal, let him come for darshan.” Kaka

did as he was asked.

 

            Tarkhad’s mind was racing

around in circles. He thought, “What am I to do? This man has gambled

away 2 ½ lakhs of money of the cotton speculation and

sales. The Managing Director of the firm has put out a police warrant for him.

There is a price money for anyone who finds him. I

cannot betray my Manager, but he has sought refuge in Baba. My allegiance is to

my Manager, but my faith and devotion lies with Baba.” Again, Baba said, “Why are you so anxious?”

 

            Meanwhile, the other devotees began questioning Tarkhad as to who that particular devotee was. He vaguely

replied that he knew him from Bombay.

But, they were not satisfied. “What will I say when I meet my Managing?” he thought. “Should I tell him that he came to Shirdi.”

Baba reassured him again. The Munim had a bath, and

dined at Dixit Wada. Then the two of them came to the

Dwarkamai. Baba expertly sent Dixit

and Tarkhad to do some chore, and spoke to the Munim alone. “Leave Shirdi at once and go to the Manager and tell him what you

have done and beg his pardon”, said Baba. The Munim followed Baba’s advice, and went to Bombay

after an absence of five months. Strangely, the manager asked the police to be

lenient with the culprit. Baba had changed the mind and infused compassion into

him. When Tarkhad reached Bombay,

he told the Manager what had happened, while he was at Shirdi.

The Manager wasn’t upset with Tarkhad and

assured him that everything would be alright. The Munim

had after all sought refuge in Baba.

(Source Sai Leela Magazine)