Sai Satcharitra-Let us all read it together, a little everyday

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(2) Balaram Mankar

There was a house-holder devotee of Baba by name Balaram Mankar. When his wife

passed away, he got dejected and entrusting his household to his son, left his

home and came to Shirdi and lived with Baba. Being pleased with his devotion,

Baba wanted to give a good turn to his life and He did this in this wise. He

gave him Rs. 12/- and asked him to go and live in Macchindragad (District

Satara). Mankar was first unwilling to go and stay away from Baba, but Baba

convinced him that he was giving the best course for him and asked him to

practise mediation thrice a day on the Gad. Believing in Baba's words, Mankar

came to the Gad. He was much pleased with the lovely sight, pure water, healthy

air and the surroundings of the place, and began to practice assiduously the

meditations as recommended by Baba. After some days he got a revelation.

Generally Bhaktas get revelation in their Samadhi or trance

states, but in Mankar's case he got it, when he came down to his ordinary

consciousness from his trance. Baba appeared to him in person. Not only that

Mankar saw Him, but he also asked Him why he was sent there. Baba replied - "In

Shirdi many thoughts and ideas began to rise in your mind and I sent you here to

rest your unsteady mind. You thought that I was in Shirdi with a body composed

of the five elements and three and a half cubits in length, and not outside of

it. Now you see and determine for yourself whether the person you see here now

is the same you saw at Shirdi. It is for this reason that I sent you here."

Then after the period was over, Mankar left the Gada and proceeded to his

native place Bandra. He wanted to travel by rail from Poona to Dadar, but when

he went to the booking office to get a ticket, he found it very much crowded.

He could not get his ticket soon, when, a villager with a langoti (piece of

cloth) on his waist and kambali on his shoulder turned up and

said - "Where are your going?To Dadar." replied Mankar. Then he said -

"Please take this Dadar ticket of mine; as I have some urgent business here, I

have cancelled my Dadar trip." Mankar was very glad to receive the ticket and

was just taking out money from his pocket, when the rustic disappeared in the

crowd. Mankar tried to find him out in the crowd, but it was in vain. He waited

for him till the train left the station but found no trace of him. This was the

second revelation Mankar got in a strange form. Then Mankar after visiting his

home, again returned to Shirdi and remained there at Baba's feet, always

following His biddings and advice. In the end, he was very fortunate to leave

this world in the presence, and with the blessings of Baba."Gurur Brahma Gurur

VishnuGurur Devoh Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri Gurur Veh

Namah"May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our

families

and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck,

success and happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa Hdebu7366

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