The Infinite Grace

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The Infinite Grace

 

I grew up in my aunt's house in a village since I was 2

years old. There I used to watch my niece perform Aarti with a child's

curiosity. When she reached 16 she was married. Her first delivery was

a difficult one. In villages in those only the barber's wife did the

mid-wifery and she said that my nece has to be taken to Hispital as her

acute labour pains continued unabated. The nearest town was 6 miles

away and the available conveyance was by bullock-cart and the road was

bumpy, uneven and katcha. Not a recommendable proposition. So all were

worried. Meantime hearing our conversation, amidst her labour pains,

she said that Baba will protect her. So saying she cried aloud " Baba,

Baba, Baba " . At the doorway of the room where she was lying, there

appeared a hand in abhaya mudra and soon after she delivered a baby

without any difficulty. This happened in 1939 on an evening at about

6.45. That was my first conscious introduction to Baba's leelas. Later

in the company of my mother, who used to observe a vow on Thursdays and

perform Aarti, my faith in the Almighty was developed and sealed.

 

I used to write songs in praise of the Lord whenever I was

in distress and sing them. I have composed so far more than 4000 songs.

I was and I am worshipping Balaji of Tirupathi, our family diety and

also Lord Subrahmanya, Goddess Mahalakshmi and Rajarajeswari Devi. I

observe a vow on Saturdays and Krithiga days. I have Baba's photo in my

pooja room. A day before Krithiga I used to have dream when a big cobra

used to come and dance on my chest. This was just a reminder to me that

the next day was Krithiga, the day of Lord Subrahmanya. I started my

Saturday vow when I was in an acute difficult situation. I took a vow

that I will write 108 songs - one each day - on Lord Balaji and my

troubles must be over before I complete 108. Graciously enough my

trouble was over soon after.

 

Once I was virtually on death-bed because of severe

jaundice. I was then just 32 years old with a yound wife and two kids.

I left hope of my life as the doctors numbered my days. My people were

all weeping by my bed-side when my old mainservant came and said to my

wife, " Take a vow to deposit your mangala-sutra in Balaji's Hundi, if he

became alright " . Hearing this, I gathered all my feeble strength and

shouted at her stating that I have no more belief in Balaji, who could

not help my recovery. At this the maid servant became unconscious

suddenly and Balaji possed her and said " Dear child I have been

protecting you from long (instances were quoted here). Why do you lose

confidence in me now? You will be cured by a doctor who will come today

from south. Apologise for your words " . My maid servant did not know

any of the incidents in my life; but she quoted them all correct. Later

the doctor came as prophesied, cured me and I bear witness to this.

 

When I was in India I used to attend bhajans on Thursdays.

I went to Mbeya in Tanzania and there I used to conduct bhajans on

Monday in temple and Thursdays in my house regularly. Recently in Oman

I had occasion to meet one gentleman named Saibaba whose office is next

to mine. When he was introduced to me I nearly picked up a quarrel with

him questioning how he can have his name as " Saibaba " . Now he is a very

good friend of mine and he took me to Dr.Homi Kaikobad's house, where I

was since then attending Sai Satsangh and Aarti regularly.

 

A couple of months back I had a dream. I was on the last

step of a staircase in a Railway station. An old lady in mid - 50's was

sitting in a wheel-chair. She was wearing a red saree, red blouse, red

kumkum, and her jewels were shining most radiantly. Next to her an old

man, in torn clothes, was also standing with a rickshaw who asked me,

" My son, tell me where you want to go? I will take you. This lady also

follows me in her wheel-chair " . I was then worried about my job

opportunities and was praying to Goddess Rajarajeshwari and Baba to show

me a right place. The result was the dream. It was a symbolic

assurance of help which I got quickly later! I always get answers in my

dreams, and my dreams come true.

 

I am a Tamil Brahmin and Civil Engineer. My family is in

Madras. I am 50 years old now and have one son and 4 daughters. Three

of them are married all within a range of 45 days. It is all His grace.

I always find His hand and guidance and feel his presence in everything.

I do not see any difference between Lord Venkateshwara (Venkusa?) and

Shirdi Baba. I don't know why but Dr. Homi took a special liking for me

and I am grateful to hi. He was the leading light in Sai devotion in

Muscat. I am nothing when compared to his revelations. He is utterly a

Sai Diwana with Sai perpetually on his lips and in his heart. He always

had an irresistible urge to meet the echoes of his inner call.

Answering this call, one day he suddenly left Muscat, God knows where,

without a word to anybody, in search of the Greater Self, throwing away

a flourishing practice, his many-sided popularity, his ever-widening

circle of friends and well-wishers. I am sure he left to find a place

of solitude in some unknown and obscure corner of the world where,

without any disturbance from devotees or patients, he can pursue this

spiritual urge which became a magnificent obsession for him. But the

imprint that he left in Muscat is too deep to be erased or forgotten.

We miss him like the Gopis of Vrindavana in the absence of their

Krishna, the Eternal Flute Player.

 

 

 

M.R.Kannan

Ruwi-Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

(Article based on a letter received by

Shri K.Navin Chander from Hyderabad)

(Source Shri Sai Leela July 1985)