Munim and 2 ½ lakhs

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Munim and 2 ½ lakhs

 

“All kinds of people come here, Vani, Teli, Varul, Kulkarni

and Tamboli do come here”, said Baba to Ramchandra A. Tarkhad. It was

Dassera holidays, 1915. At about 2:30 in the afternoon, when Mhatara

and his friend were doing charan-seva to Baba, Baba called Tarkhad

‘Mhatara’. The second or Junior Munim (Manager) of his firm came for

Baba’s darshan. Both Tarkhad and the Munim looked at each other, aghast.

“Why are you anxious? Be calm and look at every act unfolding before

you, unruffled and with detachment.” The Munim was in a desperate state.

He looked starved, unshaven and unkept. Anxiety was written all over his

face. He bowed at Baba’s feet, then touched Tarkhad’s feet. Baba,

turning to Dixit, said, “Kaka, take this man to your wada, and after a

meal, let him come for darshan.” Kaka did as he was asked.

 

Tarkhad’s mind was racing around in circles. He thought,

“What am I to do? This man has gambled away 2 ½ lakhs of money of the

cotton speculation and sales. The Managing Director of the firm has put

out a police warrant for him. There is a price money for anyone who

finds him. I cannot betray my Manager, but he has sought refuge in Baba.

My allegiance is to my Manager, but my faith and devotion lies with

Baba.” Again, Baba said, “Why are you so anxious?”

 

Meanwhile, the other devotees began questioning Tarkhad as

to who that particular devotee was. He vaguely replied that he knew him

from Bombay. But, they were not satisfied. “What will I say when I meet

my Managing Director?” he thought. “Should I tell him that he came to

Shirdi.” Baba reassured him again. The Munim had a bath, and dined at

Dixit Wada. Then the two of them came to the Dwarkamai. Baba expertly

sent Dixit and Tarkhad to do some chore, and spoke to the Munim alone.

“Leave Shirdi at once and go to the Manager and tell him what you have

done and beg his pardon”, said Baba. The Munim followed Baba’s advice,

and went to Bombay after an absence of five months. Strangely, the

manager asked the police to be lenient with the culprit. Baba had

changed the mind and infused compassion into him. When Tarkhad reached

Bombay, he told the Manager what had happened, while he was at Shirdi.

The Manager wasn’t upset with Tarkhad and assured him that everything

would be alright. The Munim had after all sought refuge in Baba.

(Source Sai Leela Magazine)