7th Saying It is my duty to look after the welfare of the devotees who surrender and take refuge in me

[Guest guest]

Depending upon the intensity of devotion and impatience of the devotee

for God's darshan, God will grant him Darshan. If our faith and devotion

are strong and sincere, God will fulfill our desires. The same God

invites us and makes all arrangements for our welcome. Kakaji was soon

welcomed by Baba.

 

One day a guest came to Kakaji's house and offered to take him to

Shirdi. He was Baba's closest devotee, Shyama. Let us see how Shyama was

brought to the house of Vaidya. When Shyama was unwell during the

childhood, his mother offered to send him to the temple of Saptasringi,

if he was alright. He became alright. Later on there was a skin disease

on her chest. She suffered a lot. Then she promised to offer a silver

breast to the Goddess, if she was rid of the skin problem.

 

But unfortunately, she could not fulfill the promises and then she

passed away. Years rolled by. Those days, a great astrologer went to

Shirdi and stayed there for one month. He predicted the future of many

people like Booty. His predictions were quite satisfactory. Shyama's

brother Bapaji consulted him about the suffering of their family. He

wanted to know the cause of their difficulties. The great astrologer

described the unfulfilled promises of Shyama's mother to the Goddess and

also said that the Goddess was angry with Shyama. Bapaji quickly

reported the matter to Shyama. Then Shyama remembered the past and

decided not to delay the duty anymore. Immediately, he went to a

goldsmith and got the offerings made to fulfill the vows.

 

He went to the mosque, fell at the feet of Baba and requested him to

make the offerings acceptable to the Goddess, Saptasringi. Baba told him

to go to Vani and make the offerings personally. Receiving Baba's

blessings, Shyama went to Vani. Somehow, he was able to find out the

residence of the temple priest and explained to him the purpose of his

visit. It was then that kakaji told about his desire to see Baba at

Shirdi. It was a strange and welcome in coincidence.

 

Kakaji asked Shyama about Shirdi and Baba. They were happy to meet each

other. They exchanged courtesies, embraced each other, became very close

to each other. They forgot everything in mutual love. They reveled in

telling about the greatness of Baba of Shirdi and Saptasringi at Vani.

Both are great and divine. After fulfilling the vows at the temple, both

of them proceeded to Shirdi. There Kakaji went to the mosque, saw Baba

and fell at his feet. His eyes were full of tears. His mind was lulled

to silence and he became peaceful as foretold by the Goddess

Saptasringi. He was able to see Baba and get rid of his sufferings. He

was able to get Baba's grace. Kakaji thought, " What a wonder! What a

divine energy! Baba never spoke a word. He was just silent. By his very

looks, I am able to get peace. All my problems are instantly solved by

his grace. I am able to feel bliss in my heart. I think this is the

bliss of Sai Darshan. " Kakaji meditated on Baba's feet. He could not

speak a word! His happiness was boundless.

 

He offered himself to Baba in total self-surrender. He forgot all his

sorrows and sufferings. He enjoyed pure bliss. He stayed there for 12

days and after receiving the blessings of Baba, he returned to his

place. It was Baba who provided an opportunity to Kakaji for

self-surrender and self-realization.

 

(to be contd..)

(Source Eleven Holy Sayings of Shirdi Sai Baba by Pujya Shri Ananda Sai

Swamy)