CHILD’S WELFARE IS SAI MOTHER’S CARE

[Guest guest]

CHILD’S WELFARE IS SAI MOTHER’S CARE.

It was in 1912 that S. B. Dhumal underwent an operation under chloroform. It was

risky but before the chloroform began to operate he saw Baba seated on a chair

near his head and he took courage. Baba is there to look after me, he thought.

The operation was a perfect success.

In some private matters such as when he attended to the health of his

brother’s wife at Poona, Baba decided for him in a most mysterious way.

He started from Nasik to go to Poona, where the sick lady was, with Rs. 80 in

his pocket to cover expenses of the journey and contingent expenditure. But as

Shirdi being en route, he stopped there. Baba took from him, as dakshina, all

the eighty Rupees and kept him for three days with him. Then, when he asked for

leave, Baba said, "We will see." After the third day, a telegram came from Poona

saying that the lady had died. It is only after this that Baba gave him leave to

go. It was clear that Baba could foresee the end of the lady and the uselessness

of Dhumal’s visit. Anyhow, that was the year in which Baba passed away and

Dhumal had the precious opportunity of spending three days with him.

After Baba passed away, Dhumal accepted the Revenue Membership of the Dewar

State, and was also the Karbari of Sarguna State from 1932-33. When he was in

the Sarguna State, the Chief of the State visited him and walked into his room,

where he was dining at a table. Dhumal then apologised for his inability to

leave the table and accord proper reception, but the Chief had walked into the

next room from where Dhumal sat, saw Baba’s portrait hanging on the wall,

came back to the room, and announced at once, "Your pay is increased by Rs. 50."

Dhumal had never asked for it. This grant within a fortnight of his appointment,

and without any effort on his part, must have been only by Baba’s

influence.

Mantiche Chitta Lekurache Hita

that is, the child’s welfare is the mother’s care.

Dhumal was casting chits after Baba’s Mahasamadhi to ascertain

Baba’s orders. When Baba was in the flesh, he had got a coloured painted

picture of Baba, and as he was passing by Dwarakamayee carrying the picture,

Baba asked him, "What is it?" Dhumal said, "You are here." Baba asked for it,

took it, kept it for a while, gazed at it in the front and at the back, and

returned it to him saying "Keep it". This was the very thing, which he was

anxious to get – a portrait of Baba for worship, blessed by having been

in his hands. That is the very picture in which Baba is standing in a pensive

or meditative mood, indicative of his words, "Bhav, I had no sleep all night

due to thinking of you." Baba gave him many coins, each time taking dakshina of

Rs. 2/- and returning it, saying,

Japoon Teva Konala Devunnako Kars Karun Nako

that is, Preserve these carefully. Do not give it to anyone nor spend it.

Written by: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji

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