DIVINE GRACE TO ABDUL RAHIM RANGARI

[Guest guest]

DIVINE GRACE TO ABDUL RAHIM RANGARI

Abdul Rahim Shamsuddin Rangari lived at Thana and went to see Baba in 1913. His

wife was suffering from some disease. Her throat and cheek were swollen and she

could not eat. Medical help gave no relief. So, he went on the advice of a local

pleader to Baba for the cure of his wife. When the journey began, she was unable

to eat anything at all. But as they went on to Igatpuri, she was able to take

tea and at Nasik something more. Her condition had greatly improved by the time

she approached Shirdi. At Shirdi they went into the Mosque and bowed to Baba.

Baba asked him, ‘Why are you coming? What have you come for?’ He

said, ‘My wife had a swelling in the throat.’ Baba said, ‘Ask

her to come up. Then the lady went up the steps and bowed to Baba.’ Baba

touched her head and said, ‘Khuda Acha karega,’ that is, God will

bless. Then Rangari gave Rs. 1-4-0 and Baba accepted it and gave him udhi.

After staying there for two hours, and finding that her swelling was fast

subsiding.

Rangari and his wife left without Baba’s permission. But he had to pay

penalty for it. The Tonga by which he went broke in the middle of the journey

at 10 o’clock in the night. There were no conveyances available there.

He, his wife and child, could not walk up the many miles that would take them

to any village. It was a lonely road and the weather also was very inclement.

So, he was repenting going away without Baba’s permission, and he did not

know what to do. He was wondering what would happen. At midnight, he heard the

rumble of a carriage, and a voice crying out, ‘Thanawala,

Thanawala’. that was the voice of the driver, and the Tonga came nearer.

Rangari said, ‘I am the Thanawala.’ The ‘tongawala’

said, ‘Baba has sent me to you.’ Baba knew of the cart breakage,

and so he said, ‘Baba has sent me to fetch you.’ It was 2 a.m. when

they reached Shirdi. Baba said, ‘You went away without permission. So, you

have fared in this way.’ Rangari begged pardon, and Baba said,

‘Wait. in the morning.’ Baba after returning from his bhiksha, gave

some bread and vegetables solid food. Then Baba said, ‘You may go.’

He looked for a Tonga, and could not find any, and came back to Baba. Baba

said, ‘You go now; see there is a Tonga.’ He turned and looked, and

found a Tonga. How suddenly it happened to be there, he could not say.

He found Baba smeared with Sandal paste over his face and hands and said,

‘This is against Muslim custom.’ But Baba said, ‘Jaisa Desh,

Taisa Vesh,’ which means, ‘While in Rome, do as the Romans

do.’ Baba also said, "Instead of worshipping their own God, they are

worshipping me. Why should I object and displease them? I myself am a devotee

of God’. Then Baba spoke to him about music. The night previous to his

arrival, there was plenty of music and Baba said that he was completely

absorbed. Rangari then said, ‘One who loves God would weep, laugh or

dance as the songs in praise of God go on.’ Baba said, ‘Just so,

have you got your Guru?’ Rangari said, ‘Yes. Habi Balishah Chisti

Nizami is my Guru’. Baba said, ‘That is why you understand.’

That Chishti Guru was always accompanied by music whenever he went out, and

music was used as help to trance.

Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji

(Vasuki Mahal Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Trust, Coimbatore-641025, India)