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 capable”.

 

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

devotion”. We bow to our Guru, Lord Saibaba with all humility and gratitude.

 

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

 

http://www.heritageofshirdisai.org/newsletter/Vol41.htm