My experiences with Sathya Sai Baba - 10

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My Experiences with Sathya Sai Baba – 10 (By GSV Ramu) His amazing rescue at Sabarimala ………………… In one of my earlier write up on my experiences with Swami, I shared that in my friend’s house in Coimbatore, Swami used to mysteriously “cut the cake ” kept in the box in front of his photograph on his birthdays. On one His birthdays, (could be 1996 or 97) in the cake box that I personally bought from the shop which I got it “taped” on all the sides, Swami materialized “yagnopaveetham” and four silver coins marked with “OM” on one side and the picture of Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala (Kerala) on the other side. When I saw those coins materialized in the cake box for me I took it as an indication from Swami for me to go to Sabarimala as at that time I was staying in Coimbatore. In the immediate April month, one of my friend Sai Prakash, then, a vice president in a reputed organization in Coimbatore asked me to join their group in their visit to Sabarimala. He made all arrangements including cars etc for the group of about 10 or so. We started the journey stopping by several temples in the different towns on the way like Palakkad, Chottanikkara etc and finally overnite stay at Pattanamitta. We started our hill trek to Sabarimala for Lord Ayyappa’s darshan by bare foot around 7am and being the first time for me and because of extra weight that I was, I found it very hard to climb the hill that too on bare foot. I really struggled to reach the top and by that time itself my foot was sore because of poking by small and sharp pebbles and it was indeed painful. Once atop, we had a very good darshan of Lord Ayyappa and somehow it was around 1pm that we started the climb-down. With so much summer heat and the ground also having been heated up I found it very painful to trek down. After walking small distance I had to search for a shade to avoid the heat and pain. After walking for ½ km, I was writhing in pain and the heat was unbearable. I was literally in tears and told my friend Sai Prakash that its too much and I can’t walk any more. A situation of can't go back or forward. Other team members have gone much much ahead. Then I prayed to Swami. “Swami you materialized the four silver coins in the cake box and indicated me to come to Sabarimala, and I did come. Now do something and take care of me. I can’t

walk anymore.” In the next few minutes I encountered an “old beggar” (must be around 65 years age) who spoke part Malayalam and part Tamil and offered his rubber slippers to me. I asked him where he was going and how he can walk without the slippers in this heat. He replied that he is used to this heat and he can manage. He said he will walk along with us and I can return the old rubber slippers once I reach the plains and he also requested us to give him a lift in our car and drop him in a village nearby on the way. We agreed. Now, I wore the slippers that he gave me and I was extremely happy and relieved - no more burning of the feet on the hot ground strewn with pebbles and stones.! That old man said he would tie a piece of cloth as a

protection to Sai prakash’s feet so that he too can walk comfortably . My friend refused and said he is ok as it is. Now with slippers on my job of climbing down has become easy. My friend Sai prakash was struggling by hopping and walking fast to avoid the heat and stones. The old man was following both of us making comments that I was happily walking now that slippers were on and that my friend is struggling. He reiterated that he advised him and he dint hear to have a cloth tied up and said “see he is suffering”. We soon reached down the hill. In the shade down we stopped by for drinking tender coconuts. This old man was sitting on the ground and sipping tender coconut water. Me and my friend finished drinking, paid off the vendor, and were just chatting and took small steps waiting for the old man to finish so that I can return the slippers and we can give him the promised lift. After few moments my friend told me “Lets go, hope now your “slipper-friend” has finished drinking the coconut water. We need to drop him too”. We just turned around - No old man, no beggar there !!!! No trace of that man. With the river behind and the steps to go up on one

side we ensured that he could not have walked away so easily that too old and limping. Both me and Sai prakash stood aghast. We were wondering where this old man had vanished?!!! Sai prakash was jolted. Both of us kept asking each other throughout the return journey, where’s the old man gone? Parts of that old man’s conversation now in retrospect is striking: 1)“This heat is nothing for Me. I can easily walk. I am used to this. 2) You have not taken my advise for having a cloth tied up to your feet. Don’t listen to My

advise and you are suffering now !!!!! I did not realise at that point in time in that stunning silence and confusion that it was Sri Sathya Sai Baba disguised as the old man who came in response to the cry of agony and pain from the heart saying " Swami, you gave me the coins in that cake box and indicated me to visit Sabarimala. Now it is for you to take care of my feet in this heat. Please do something" A prayer emanating from the heart in agony and pain – A clear proof that He answers or rather He rushes to our rescue.. “Swami is

Apathbandhava” ……….… Jai Sai Ram.