Statement of Sri Sankar Rao, D. Balvalli, Vakola, Santacruz, P.O., Bombay.

[Guest guest]

Statement of Sri Sankar Rao, D. Balvalli, Vakola, Santacruz, P.O.,

Bombay.

 

I was not a Bhaktha of Baba till recently. I had and have my Guru

Brahmananda Saraswati (whose life sketch is found in the number of

Kalyan kalpataru) and my Istha Devata Datta. My attention to Sai Baba

was drawn notably by my sister requesting me to escort her to Shirdi in 1936. I

first declined. Then in a few hours as I gazed on the figure of Datta at

worship, it changed to Baba's figure. I cleared it and again at it. Again it was

transformed. This was done thrice. I had not seen Baba's figure and so I did not

recognize it at the above transformation till I went to Dr.Thakkar's place and

found there the figure at my pooja. I inquired and learnt that it was Sai Baba.

So I changed my mind regarding the escorting of my sister. I went and told her I

would escort her to Shirdi. Again and again I visited Shirdi. Sai Baba's pull

was so great that in 6 months I came here nine times. I came and read Sapthaha

of Guru Charitra. After doing that, I slept in front of the Samadhi Mandir, i.e.

in the front verandah. At midnight, I heard the footfall of shod person. I woke

and found it was Baba walking on to my bedside, standing and gazing at me. He

had come from the Dwaraka Mayi side. I was captured by his wonderful love and

power in 1936. I had not seen him in the flesh. Recently I consented to be on

the executive committee. Suddenly, by Baba's order Dr.Kharkar resigned by Baba's

will I had to take up this Secretaryship, though I have other honorary but

exacting duties in a Bombay Bank etc.,

 

II. An old Madrasi lady of 60 years was here on the 4th day of Punyatithi of

1943. Her son had been appointed for her service. In

great agony of soul she resolved to seek Baba's help. She went to a

Railway booking clerk and demanded a ticket for Shirdi, in ignorance of the fact

that Shirdi is not on the Railway line. The booking clerk a Sai Bhakta then gave

her a ticket to Kopergaon. Without knowing any language but Tamil, she arrived

here and occupied a room next to the Samadhi. At 8 P.M. in the dark, she moved

on, not knowing that the steps behind the Samadhi had no parapet wall, at that

time. She fell down on the stone pavement near the well. She was badly bruised.

Her knees and forehead were bleeding. She ran up to me and told me in Tamil that

" She fell down from the steps " I offered to send for tincture iodine. She said

" No " . She added that when she fell in the dark, a male with a lit lantern stood

by her side and gently passed his hands over the hurt body. She looked up and

saw it was Sri Sai Baba himself. He told her that she would be alright. She felt

no pain and went to bed. Next morning, she declared that Baba had appeared to

her sleep and assured her that he would take every care of her boy and that she

need not entertain any fears.

 

(N.B. On enquiry we find this lady is Kamal Ammal of Matunga)

(Source Sai Sudha Jan 1945)