Sai is the only resort! - Contributed by Rathnashikamani

[Guest guest]

Sai is the only resort!

 

Though I had devotion to God in my childhood, I was strayed from it

during my college days and stepped the atheistic bandwagon outwardly.

My subconscious was theistic, although I was acting atheistic and I

was confused in that state. Though I used to imagine the non-

existence of God, I was admiring the Creation and its unfathomable

wonders. In a way, the atheistic thoughts were the hurdles, which

later intensified my devotion in God.

 

Books give knowledge but it is our own inclination and thinking what

makes us spiritual. From the time immemorial, there are many people

who are just spiritual even though they would not have read books.

Education is not important in spiritual path. It is the belief of

God's existence that matters to lead a spiritual life. Books may

strengthen or weaken that belief and it varies how we choose the kind

of books.

 

It may just occur to be or not to be spiritual which may or may not

be attributable to any reading habit. I believe that this phenomenon

is predestined or rather is a manifestation of grace of God. Similar

thing happened to me by the grace of Sri Saibaba - the Generator

Organizer Destroyer (God).

 

Few years back, it so happened that one night at bedtime, I was

browsing through a Telugu book titled " Sai Leelamrithamu " (by Sri

Ekkirala Bharadwaja) which was to be returned to my friend long after

it was read by my mother-in-law. Later I understood that it was

Baba's will to reveal Himself to me, the confused and the ignorant,

who has been wayward in the unfilled quest for knowledge. Treating

like any other pastime paperback, I read Sai Leelamritham in between

and I was immersed in it. I took up reading it from beginning and I

even felt I was present at the Chavadi procession and was witnessing

how Baba starts off after adjusting the Holy fire (Dhuni). Tears ran

down as I experienced Baba going to Chavadi and the way He stood and

walked as Mahalsapathi carried Him by hand.

 

A new grand world was opened up for me and I was blessed to read

various books on Sadgurus. Sri G.Venugopal, a great devotee of Sri

Ekkirala Bharadwaja, lent me all these books on Sri Saibaba, Gajanan

Maharaj, Swami Samartha, Jnaneswar Maharaj, Dhuniwala Dada, Sri

Venkaih Swamy, etc. The essence of all the reading has been only one

thing that God pervades all. And I strongly felt All is Saibaba and

He is Sakalasadhu and Sakaladevata.

 

I also felt Saibaba is akin to Jesus when I read the incident of

Baba's departure from the body and returning after three days. That

time I was residing nearby the Church, and when the Church bells rang

I felt Baba being worshipped. My heart and soul have been filled with

Baba only, and I was musing over the all-pervading nature of His

divine nature. Few days after casual reading of Sai Leelamrithamu and

Sai Satcharithra, one morning just before going to office, I was

resting in the bed and had a catnap. It was a surprise. I was blessed

by Baba in my dream. I saw Baba sitting as in Dwarakamayee photo,

leaning against a bolster. I cannot express that bliss of seeing Baba

sitting right in front of me. I can all say is He was so real, bright

and peace personified. I prostrated resting my head downwards at His

lotus feet. Soon He moved His right hand pivoted on His raised right

knee and showed Abhaya Mudra similar to the mudra of lord Balaji or

like goddess Lakshmi showering the gold coins. Though I kept my face

downwards I was clearly seeing Baba and His Abhaya Hastham, and lo!

In Baba's palm, the numerous gods appeared in a quick succession of

slideshow so bright and colorful. It was not once but thrice I was

shown the quick slideshow of all gods in the Abhaya Hastham of Baba.

Thus I was blessed to realize that various gods are not separate as I

assumed to be earlier but all God is One only and Saibaba is One of

all that is God.

 

This blessing of Baba confirmed that Baba is the ultimate destiny for the

Theists and Atheists as the song goes in Telugu: " Aasthilulaku Saiye sharanam,

Naasthikulaku Saiye sharanam " (atheists or theists, Sai is the only resort) sung

by Sri K.J. Yesudass. From then onwards, I realized that Baba is Omnigod and

different gods are not separate but One Almighty manifesting differently

according to our own thoughts.

 

One more such dream I would narrate here. Baba has been showing His presence in

and around me and everywhere. Three years ago, I was suffering from high fever.

I generally do not like to visit Hospital. So I remained at home taking bed rest

and not taking solid foods. I thought I knew some homeopathy and tried some

globules carefully referring to the Materia Medica. Three days, I would pray to

Baba and swallow those round pills once every night. But nothing happened and

the fever continued. On the third day, when I woke up at midnight, I did not see

any improvement and I assumed it to be a typhus fever as was already hinted by

neighbors. Then, I swallowed one more Homeo remedy, after briefing my condition

to Baba in my mind (Does not Baba know if I do not tell? He knows. But that is

the way I acted then). I lay in bed chanting 'Om Sri Sainathaya Namah'. I was

doing it casually only and thought Baba's will would be done always.

 

All on a sudden, I was greatly shuddered and I saw Baba with His Abhaya hastha

as seen in the popular bust size photo. I felt that vibration shaking me with

great energy as if that energy entered me as Baba appeared. It happened thrice

as Baba appeared bust size in the air like a reflection swaying on water.

Suddenly I woke up and surprised to find myself without any inkling of fever or

fatigue. I narrated this incident to my 12 year old son who was also suffering

from high fever for the previous two days. I suggested him to chant the name of

Saibaba. He did it in the same night and woke up without fever. He said he saw

Saibaba's holy feet in his dream and when he woke up early in the morning, the

fever was gone.

 

The above happening confirmed that if we just emulate such proven practices, it

is sure that we also get the same results. That is the wonder of Naama Japam.

The name in itself is Baba. All seen and unseen are Baba. He is the wire puller

of all that happens. He guides and protects all. Though I was not seriously

following the rituals but casually reading the spiritual books and chanting the

divine name, I am blessed. Bow to Sri Saibaba for He is God

 

Contributed by Rathnashikamani

Hyderabad