AT EVERY STEP OF YOURS, I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU

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AT EVERY STEP OF YOURS, I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU

>From 1907 onwards S. B. Dhumal paid repeated visits to Baba and got into contact

with him in every conceivable matter. When asked about his experiences, he said,

"It is difficult for me to sort out in what matter I am having experiences.

Every act of mine, every event in my life, is moulded and directed by Him." He

says the one memorable statement of Baba which is the basis of his contact

– was Baba’s telling him, "At every step of yours, I am taking care

of you". Baba added, "If I did not, what will become of you, God knows". The

occasion for that statement was very interesting.

S. B. Dhumal was sleeping in his own quarters at Shirdi and in the morning, when

he went to see Baba, the later remarked, "Bhav, the whole of last night I had no

sleep." Dhumal asked, "Why so Baba?" Baba said, "I was thinking and thinking of

you all night." S. B. Dhumal was for one thing a young man, full-blooded, with

a good practice with plenty of funds and, was a widower without children.

Therefore, the thoughts of a person in such a position would run riot and

easily lead him astray so as to injure both body and soul. Baba had to look

after his thoughts and control them. So, Baba said, "If I do not do so, God

knows what will happen to you".

Dhumal had certain physical ailments, which also rendered a bachelor’s

life very necessary and important from the point of view of his welfare. After

his wife’s death in 1909, his father-in-law, Rao Bahadur Kinkhede, wanted

him to marry again and noting that unless Baba gave permission, Dhumal would

never agree, he went to Baba. As he approached Baba, Baba’s eyes sparkled

with anger showing how determined Baba was to repel the idea of marriage. So, he

came back and reported that Baba was distinctly against any marriage for S. B.

Dhumal.

Baba’s love for Dhumal was very great and covered both his temporal and

spiritual welfare. Numerous instances throughout his life bear out this

proposition. In point of fact, his contact with Baba was right through all the

hours of the day and night and all the days of the year. Dhumal says, "There is

no incident or event in my life which I do not connect with Baba, however

trivial it may appear to be. I firmly believe that everything in my life is

swayed by Baba.’

Dhumal adds that he does not care whether the outside world believes it or not.

However, noting that B. V. N. Swami was not a disbeliever, he narrated to him

many instances of his life, showing how Baba dealt with him and also gave some

hints which may be useful for an earnest reader in trying to get more out of

Baba. The best way of understanding Baba is to experience him oneself, he says.

"Where is Baba gone? He is still alive and active." This, S. B. Dhumal said in

October 1936 and added, "Baba is more active, if that were possible, than he

was before Mahasamadhi." Anyone in downright earnest can get in touch with him

today and at once. But if one will not do that, but wants only second-hand,

third-hand or fifth-hand experience, one will get poor stuff.

Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji

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