The Infinite Grace

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The Infinite Grace

 

I

grew up in my aunt’s house in a village since I was 2 years old. There I used to watch my niece perform Aarti

with a child’s curiosity. When she

reached 16 she was married. Her first

delivery was a difficult one. In

villages in those only the barber’s wife did the mid-wifery

and she said that my nece has to be taken to Hispital as her acute labour

pains continued unabated. The nearest

town was 6 miles away and the available conveyance was by bullock-cart and the

road was bumpy, uneven and katcha. Not a recommendable proposition. So all were worried. Meantime hearing our conversation, amidst her

labour pains, she said that Baba will protect

her. So saying she

cried aloud “Baba, Baba, Baba”. At the doorway of the room where she was

lying, there appeared a hand in abhaya mudra and soon after she delivered a baby without any

difficulty. This happened in 1939 on an

evening at about 6.45. That was my first

conscious introduction to Baba’s leelas. Later in the company of my mother, who used

to observe a vow on Thursdays and perform Aarti, my faith in the Almighty was

developed and sealed.

 

I

used to write songs in praise of the Lord whenever I was in distress and sing

them. I have composed so far more than

4000 songs. I was and I am worshipping

Balaji of Tirupathi, our family diety

and also Lord Subrahmanya, Goddess Mahalakshmi and Rajarajeswari Devi. I observe a

vow on Saturdays and Krithiga days. I have Baba’s photo in my pooja

room. A day before Krithiga

I used to have dream when a big cobra used to come and dance on my chest. This was just a reminder to me that the next

day was Krithiga, the day of Lord Subrahmanya. I started my Saturday vow when I was in an

acute difficult situation. I took a vow

that I will write 108 songs - one each day - on Lord Balaji and my troubles

must be over before I complete 108.

Graciously enough my trouble was over soon after.

 

Once

I was virtually on death-bed because of severe jaundice. I was then just 32 years old with a yound wife and two kids.

I left hope of my life as the doctors numbered my days. My people were all weeping by my bed-side

when my old mainservant came and said to my wife,

“Take a vow to deposit your mangala-sutra in Balaji’s Hundi, if he

became alright”. Hearing this, I

gathered all my feeble strength and shouted at her stating that I have no more

belief in Balaji, who could not help my recovery. At this the maid servant became unconscious

suddenly and Balaji possed her and said “Dear

child I have been protecting you from long (instances were quoted here). Why do you lose confidence in me now? You will be cured by a doctor who will come

today from south. Apologise

for your words”. My maid servant

did not know any of the incidents in my life; but she quoted them all

correct. Later the doctor came as

prophesied, cured me and I bear witness to this.

 

When

I was in India I used to attend bhajans on Thursdays.

I went to Mbeya in Tanzania and there I used to conduct bhajans on Monday in temple and Thursdays in my house

regularly. Recently in Oman I had occasion to meet one

gentleman named Saibaba whose office is next to

mine. When he was introduced to me I

nearly picked up a quarrel with him questioning how he can have his name as

“Saibaba”. Now he is a very good friend of mine and he

took me to Dr.Homi Kaikobad’s

house, where I was since then attending Sai Satsangh

and Aarti regularly.

 

A

couple of months back I had a dream. I

was on the last step of a staircase in a Railway station. An old lady in mid - 50’s was sitting

in a wheel-chair. She was wearing a red saree, red blouse, red kumkum,

and her jewels were shining most radiantly.

Next to her an old man, in torn clothes, was also standing with a

rickshaw who asked me, “My son, tell me where you want to go? I will take you. This lady also follows me in her

wheel-chair”. I was then worried

about my job opportunities and was praying to Goddess Rajarajeshwari

and Baba to show me a right place. The

result was the dream. It was a symbolic

assurance of help which I got quickly later!

I always get answers in my dreams, and my dreams come true.

 

I

am a Tamil Brahmin and Civil Engineer.

My family is in Madras.

I am 50 years old now and have one son and 4 daughters. Three of them are married all within a range

of 45 days. It is all His grace. I always find His hand and guidance and feel

his presence in everything. I do not see

any difference between Lord Venkateshwara (Venkusa?) and Shirdi Baba.

I don’t know why but Dr. Homi took a

special liking for me and I am grateful to hi.

He was the leading light in Sai devotion in Muscat.

I am nothing when compared to his revelations. He is utterly a Sai Diwana

with Sai perpetually on his lips and in his heart. He always had an irresistible urge to meet

the echoes of his inner call. Answering

this call, one day he suddenly left Muscat, God knows where, without a word to

anybody, in search of the Greater Self, throwing away a flourishing practice,

his many-sided popularity, his ever-widening circle of friends and

well-wishers. I am sure he left to find

a place of solitude in some unknown and obscure corner of the world where,

without any disturbance from devotees or patients, he can pursue this spiritual

urge which became a magnificent obsession for him. But the imprint that he left in Muscat is too deep to be erased or

forgotten. We miss him like the Gopis of Vrindavana in the

absence of their Krishna, the Eternal Flute Player.

 

 

 

M.R.Kannan

Ruwi-Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

(Article based on a

letter received by

Shri K.Navin Chander from Hyderabad)

(Source Shri Sai Leela July 1985)