WONDEROUS SAINT SRI SAIBABA-PART 37

BY PUJYA SRI NARASIMHASWAMY JI


WHEN THE FAITHLESS GROW PENITENT
SRI SAI BABA'S WAY ...

Some 40 years ago, two friends were discussing their prospects for the Law Examination.
One said that he was sure to pass, though he had not prepared for it because Sri Sai Baba had assured him. The other, Sapatnekar, simply laughed at his friend's confidence and jeered at him and at Baba.
When the results came, the friends name was in the pass list. Sapatnekar was surprised, but still, "That must be a fluke", he thought. He had no faith in, nor regard for Baba.

Then Sapatnekar settled at Akkalkot and practised as a lawyer. Ten years passed. And then he lost his only son and it broke his heart. He sought relief and peace of mind by pilgrimage and study of Vedanta. No peace came to him however. Then he remembered that he had treated Sri Sai Baba's name and powers with contempt and feared that perhaps the bereavement was a punishment. Any how it would be good to go and see Baba at Shirdi and he started. When he went and prostrated before Baba, the latter uttered the chilling words "Chal Hat", i.e., "Getaway'. This was repeated a second time arid even a third. He left Shirdi, thoroughly mortified.

A year passed and then he was preparing for a pilgrimage to Kasi. Just then his wife saw a fakir in her dream, who told her: "Come to me. Why do you make vain efforts?" This showed them that Baba had realised and was more favourably disposed. Sapatnekar then came to Shirdi and fell at Baba's feet. His wife who saw Baba then for the first time noticed that Baba's was the exact figure that came to her in the dream. Baba, however, still uttered "Chal Hat" when he fell at His feet. This time he was more penitent and persevering. He admitted to himself that he did not deserve any better treatment and resolved to see Baba later in the day in the absence of a crowd, to beg pardon for his past contempt. This he did and then Baba kindly stroked his head. Baba strengthened his faith by addressing a shepherdess that had come there, in his characteristic fashion. Baba narrated the various vicissitudes of Sapatnekar's life,never mentioning his name however. His heart was heaving with wonder and joy. None else could know all that Sai then knew and spoke out.

Then the Gift :
Then Baba still addressing the shepherdess pointed to Sapatnekar and said, "This man blames me and charges me with killing his son. Now, I will bring that very child back to his wife's womb".
With these words, Baba placed his blessing hand over Sapatnekar's head and added : "Place entire faith in my words. Your object will be quickly attained". Sapatnekar again glowed with joy and his faith grew in intensity.
At parting Baba gave him a coconut and directed him , place it in the fold of his wife's upper cloth and go away rejoicing.
He did so and in 12 month's time, a son was born to him. Baba's words, he then realised, were never nature, never unfulfilled.