The Big Wave

[Guest guest]

The Big Wave

 

I positively believe that Shirdi Sai Baba has me in His

care. Furthermore, He must have planned my life long ago. " You saw me

before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to

breathe " . (Psalm 130 : 16).

 

When the January 1985 issue of 'Shri Sai Leela' reached my

hands I was happy to learn that the much awaited 'Annual Gathering'

would be held on the 27th and 28th January 1985. The situation at home

was so critical that I was doubtful whether I would be able to

participate in this annual meet.

 

My wife, Sai-mathi Subbalakshmi had just undergone a major

surgery on the Uterus. She was on the recovery stage. In order to

assist the family of my brother-in-law at Madras, who was hospitalized

due to a stomach-disorder, my second son, Chi. Shankar had gone over

there. If I too go away to Shirdi to attend the Sai Leela meet, there

was no male member to assist my wife and daughters. Even in this

dilemma, I knew Sainath has a plan for my life. At that moment I did

not know but I was sure that He would take me to attend the Sai Lela

meet at Shirdi. " Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men

fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their

strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and

not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. "

 

As I made arrangements to go to Shirdi on the 25th afternoon

by Bangalore-Miraj-Bombay Mahalakshmi Express, my mind was musing over

the sweet and greatly musical verse of the Bhavatham (II: 2 :37), which

proclaims the passage of man from wrethchedness to blessedness as

follows: " Those who fill their ears with, and drink the nectar of, words

relating to the blessed Lord, who is realised by saints as their own

self, purify their hearts which have been made impure by sense

attractions, and reach the presence of Lotus Feet. "

 

My three daughters were looking at me pathetically on the

day of my departure to Shirdi i.e. on the 25th January 1985. I prayed

to Sai Baba with all my heart and left home after giving 'Udhi' to all

my family members and assuring that our guardian, angel, Shirdi Sai Baba

will look after everybody and there was nothing to fear. I asked them

to trust in Sainath's grace:

 

" Trust in the Lord with all Thine heart and

Lean not unto Thine own understanding.

In all Thy ways acknowledge Him and

He shall direct Thy paths " (Prov. 3 : 5-6)

 

My last daughter Chi.Radhika accompanies me to the Railway

Station to 'see me off' to Shirdi. We boarded the city bus at

Vijayanagar terminus of Hubli and when the bus was about to cross the

junction at Ashoknagar extension a gentleman riding a Scooter from the

side-road dashed against the bus in which we were traveling. Being the

peak-hour, the city bus was overcrowded. It stopped with a jolt. The

passengers trembled with fear and some fell down.

 

With my chanting of Sainam incessantly, I was least

perturbed and stood like a mountain by Sai grace. I prayed for the

welfare of everybody.

 

If you include in your prayers a plea to be allowed to help

others, amazing things may happen to you. They did to me The Scooterist

was thrown off in the opposite direction (not below the wheels of the

bus). His Scooter was completely damaged and the bus too was damaged a

bit. Neither the Scooterist nor the bus passengers were injured.

 

The fundamental truth that flashed across my mind was that a

Sai-devotee with his prayers to the Lord cannot only have himself but

also other brothers and sisters who are with him. " He does not believe

who does not live according to his belief (Thomas Fuller 17320 " .

 

I was really happy that Lord Sainath saved one and all.

Jesus said : " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and

all these things shall be added unto you " . (Matthew 6 : 33). That is

the answer for me. It is the answer for everyone.

 

I know that whatever happens Sainath's hand is in it. And

even if I do not know why, I can rest assured that He has good reason.

I do not know all things that I should know yet, but I do not know that

if I keep close to Him and try to do His will, I will keep finding

answer during the rest of the days of my life. My only principle would

be : " Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul, dream deep, for

every dream precedes the goal. "

 

When I narrated this soul-elevating experience at the Sai

Leela meet on the 28th Jan. 1985, I could see several Sai-bandhus

shedding tears of gratitude to our Mother Sai.

 

Dear Sai brothers and Sai sisters:

" Build a little fence of trust around you today,

Fill the space with loving deeds and therein say,

Look not through the sheltering bars upon tomorraow,

Sainath will help thee. Bear what comes of joy and sorrow " .

 

 

R.Radhakrishnan

Hubli 580 032 (Karnataka)

(Source Shri Sai Leela July 1985)