In The Vision of Sai

[Guest guest]

In The Vision of Sai

By Shyamala A.K. Bhombore

We were at Shirdi on the 20th October 1988, to participate in the 'punya

thithi' festival of Sai Maharaj. We stayed on in the Samadhi Mandir to enjoy

Sai-bliss and take part in all the programmes going on. In the early hours

of 21st morning we had to leave Shirdi for Bombay. At 3 a.m. we took leave

of Sai Baba and left for the bus stand to catch the bus to Manmad, to catch

the Panchavati Express for Bombay.

 

We had a dilemma as we started for the bus stand. We had five packages to be

carried and at those early hours on the main road, we could not locate any

porter too. I did not know what to do except cry for Sai's help.

 

Sai-grace is open to all those who knock at his door. Soon we could see a

middle aged man dressed in white coming towards us. We took him for a porter

and sought his help to carry our baggages. He bluntly refused to do so as he

is not a coolly but a flower vendor.

 

I virtually pleaded with him to help us out of this predicament at least by

locating a porter for us and we moved towards the bus stand. Even before we

had moved a few yards, he had a change of heart and asked us to hand him all

the luggages. He carried them on his head and shoulders and moved towards

the Bus Station. We were half way through and saw a bus coming out of the

stand. Our good friend stopped the bus and asked us to get in saying that it

was bound for Manmad. He helped us keeping the luggage inside the bus too.

He refused to accept any money for the benevolent services he rendered us.

 

He took leave of us with a smile and assured us that our journey would

be pleasant. Indeed it was Sai Baba who gave his darshan to us and

blessed us.