DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE By Dr. Y.V.B. Sarma, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat

[Guest guest]

DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE

 

It is a true incident that happened in 1993. I was working as scientist at

National Institute of Oceanography in Goa. My parents are great devotees of Lord

Saibaba. We too, all our brothers and sisters used to perform ‘bhajan’ at

home on every Thursday. My father died in 1991 while I was in USA. He used to

wear several golden rings on his fingers. One of the rings had the image of Lord

Saibaba. After my father’s death, his rings were given to all my brothers. My

younger brother got the ring with Lord Saibaba’s impression. After his

marriage in 1993, my younger brother along with his wife and our mother came to

Goa in November, 1993. Another brother and his family also joined us for a

family get-together. One day evening we all went to ‘Mirmar’ beach close to

our house. All of us were playing with water and having fun, splashing water at

one another. It was nearly 7 PM and already very dark as there was no light near

the waterline. Suddenly my

younger brother screamed and said that the ring bearing Lord Saibaba’s image

had fallen off his finger. He did not know when and where it happened, but was

sure that he was wearing it when we came to the beach. My mother, particularly,

was extremely saddened and was in tears. Understandably so, as that ring has

sentimental value for two reasons: firstly, it belonged to my father and

secondly it had the image of Lord Saibaba, our Guru. All of us were equally

upset by its loss. We decided to search as far as we could. All of us were

praying to our Lord Saibaba and began searching in the darkness and bewildering

expanse of sand. No one had any idea about how to find it. My elder brother

started searching in the water on the foreshore where waves rush up and down. My

younger brother was searching a little upward in the wet sand area. I was

searching further landward in the dry sand area. As we began searching, a few

vendors and tourists in that region

came and asked what we were searching for. We did not tell them anything, I was

afraid that in case the ring fell on the surface of the dry sand, it might

either go deeper due to walking of so many people or someone might quietly pick

it up and go. First I requested every one to leave saying that we were playing.

After all the outsiders had gone, I was frisking the sand, layer by layer with

my feet while looking down anxiously. All of us were deeply and sincerely

praying to Lord Saibaba for help. Since it was dark, there was no way one could

see it. Our mother was quietly sitting at one place and reciting Lord

Saibaba’s name (nama japam) with complete devotion. Our anxiety was growing as

the search continued for over an hour and none was able to find the ring. I was

talking to myself: “Baba we trust you and earnestly seek your help. Please

come and help us. We by ourselves are not capableâ€.

 

Behold! Miracle of miracles, suddenly I felt something hard hitting my toe.

Since it was beach and dry sand, many small shells were also there. But this

time I bent forward and picked up the object. It was the same ring. My happiness

knew no bounds. I screamed very loud to announce the finding. I was extremely

overwhelmed with joy and could not even speak properly. My brothers,

sisters-in-law, my wife and children all came running to me. Our happiness was

absolutely indescribable. The tears were rolling down our cheeks, all of us were

praising our Guru Lord Saibaba and his mercy. Undoubtedly it is our Guru Lord

Saibaba who gave the ring back to us. Can anyone imagine finding a ring in such

a vast expanse of sand in total darkness, particularly when we had no idea where

it fell off the finger?

 

That is why I call it miracle, nothing less. It shows that Lord Saibaba is

listening to our prayers and ever ready to help us. This incident proves that He

(Lord Saibaba) cares about us. This incident further proves the word our Guru

said “Go whereever you want I know what you are doing as I live in your heart.

If you seek my help, it shall be given. All I want is your gratitude and

devotionâ€. We bow to our Guru, Lord Saibaba with all humility and gratitude.

 

Dr. Y.V.B. Sarma, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat