Balaram Mankar

[Guest guest]

Balaram Mankar

Balaram Mankar was indeed fortunate to have resorted to Baba's feet.

After his wife died he gave all his wordily possessions to his son and

came to Shirdi. After some time Baba gave him Rs 12 and asked him to go

to Machindergad [a fort near Satana] and do penance.

The 12 Rs is symbolic there off 'that mans earthly and heavenly

environment in 12 year cycles push him on his natural path to achieve

emancipation.' Balaram though saddened at the thought of leaving Sai

Baba and Shirdi obeyed Baba's command. He went to Machindergad and

mediated there. One day sitting in yogic posture he got Shatshatkar. He

asked Baba why He had sent him there. Baba told him that it was to calm

his restlessness and doubting mind and show His omnipresence.

After a period of penance he decided go home to Dadar via Poona.

At Poona station he went to get his ticket when a Kunabi [peasant]

approached him and gave Mankar his ticket saying 'I was to go to Dadar

but I suddenly remembered that I have some important business to attend

to. Hence I cannot go.'

Mankar was very happy to get the ticket so effortlessly! Having thanked

the peasant he got out the money to pay him. But the peasant merged in

the crowd and was not to be seen. This was yet another leela of Baba's

Omnipresence.

Balaram then returned to Shirdi and spent his time doing Baba's Seva and

incessantly chanting Baba's name. Baba gave this small photograph of His

to his family. Mankar after ceaselessly doing Baba's seva, breathed his

last in Shirdi.

 

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)