|| Hari Om ||
When doctors fail in their efforts to save the patient, it is the Sadguru who comes to our rescue. We ordinary men are entangled clutches of destiny. It is none other than our Sadgururaya who saves us from the clutches of fate. I would like to narrate one such instance from my life.
My son Atul works with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) also referred to as ST. It was all well until February 11, the day that we can never forget in our life. It was around 1.30 pm when two employees from ST came home with the news that Atul had met with an accident while on duty. A jack had fallen on his leg and Atul was badly hurt. My daughter-in-law and I immediately rushed to the government hospital in Shahapur. When we reached the hospital we saw that our son was lying on the stretcher outside the hospital and his health was critical. It was than we realised that it was not a leg injury but a fatal head injury.
My heart sank. I was only chanting Bapu’s jap. The doctors at the hospital clearly told us to shift Atul to a better equipped hospital at Thane. Immediately, some 7-8 employees from ST accompanied us and we managed to take Atul to the Thane hospital. On reaching the Thane hospital, the doctors advised us to take Atul to either KEM hospital or Sion hospital.
Fortunately, one of our relatives pursuing a degree in medicine was present at the hospital. Doctors performed several tests on Atul including CT Scan, X-ray, MRI and ECG. This went on for over an hour and a half. By then his blood pressure had started dipping. The doctors clearly told me, “Your son’s condition is very critical. He stands only 5% survival chances. He can succumb to death even while the operation is in progress. Please do not expect any kind of miracle in his case.”
I was completely shattered on hearing this. Bapu was my only hope. I prayed to Bapu, “Bapu, You are the ‘Doer’ and You are the ‘Saviour’. Besides you are a Doctor. Bapu, You do the surgery! Will You Bapu?” Then I turned to the doctors and told them to do what they think is best for my son.
Atul's condition was serious and becoming an increasing cause for concern. He was gasping for breath. So he was immediately put on oxygen. Doctors said that they would do the operation only when his breathing was normal.
In the meanwhile, Atul’s father reached the hospital. On seeing his condition, he literally collapsed. I gathered all the courage and tried to console and pacify him. I told him to have faith in Bapu and that Bapu was definitely with us. Nothing wrong could have happened to our Atul.
The Sadguru stands by His bhaktas but also gives some sign of His presence that very moment. There was a photograph of Sai baba in the hospital. I looked at Baba’s photo and got great assurance that the Sadguru was there and everything was going to be just fine.
At night around 11 pm Atul was taken to the operation theatre. He was brought out of the theatre at about 1.30 am. The doctor who operated on Atul told us that they managed to remove a 200 ml blood clot from his brain. The operation was successful but further investigation was necessary. Doctors said that another CT scan needs to be done to rule out the possibility of another blood clot.
We were worried but I continued to chant Bapu’s jap. And my Bapuraya was also giving me the courage to face the situation.
On the third day – Saturday at around 12 mid-night doctors said that they would do a CT scan on Atul. I was scared. My son-in-law, daughter, friends and relatives were there to console me and give me courage.
On the fourth day, at around noon, the doctor came for his daily round. Suddenly my daughter screamed and called out to me. I was petrified. I rushed in her direction. The doctor said, “We have managed to save your son however, as he had sustained a major blow on the right side of his head. His left hand and left leg are completely paralysed. In all probability he will have to live with it. He is not completely out of danger. Only when he starts breathing on his own can we say that he is out of danger.”
I was numb. I was worried for my daughter-in-law, my 8-year old grandson and 6-year old granddaughter. At the same time I had unflinching faith in my Bapu. If Bapu can bring him back from the clutches of death, my son will be back on his feet someday. I prayed to Bapu. Atul had to be well, for the sake of his children.
Meanwhile, all those who came to meet me in the hospital offered support in some way or the other. Atul’s colleagues from the ST depot chanted the ‘Mahamrityunjay Jap’ on the occasion of Mahashivratri for Atul’s speedy recovery and well-being. They also brought the udi and applied it on Atul’s forehead. We were also incessantly chanting Bapu’s jap.
One day while my daughter and I were sitting on a bench outside the ward, a 20-22 year old boy, fairly handsome came to me and asked me if he could sit on the bench besides us. I shifted and offered him place on the bench. As he sat, he took his mobile out of his pocket and played ‘Ramraksha’ on his mobile. I was surprised as the rhythm of the Ramraksha was the same as we chant it at the upasana centre. Bapu had once again indicated that He is with us every moment. I was overwhelmed; I had no words to express my gratitude towards Bapu. I thanked Bapu and told my daughter, “Look! Bapu has given us a positive indication that Atul will be completely cured.”
In the meanwhile, during my brief conversation with the young boy, I told him about Atul. The boy carefully and attentively listened to what I had to say. And then as he was about to leave, he raised his right hand and assured me. He said, “Don’t worry. Your son will be perfectly alright, fit and fine.” I felt as if Bapu was speaking to me and giving me the assurance in the form of that young boy. You never know in what form your Sadguru will come.
About a fortnight after this incident, doctors told us that he had started responding well to medication and that he was recovering very fast. Bapu had given him a new lease of life. And now Atul is back on his feet, hale and hearty. Only and only because of my Bapuraya's love and grace.
Bapuraya I sincerely pray to You to shower your blessings on all your bhaktas and stand by them as You stood by me.
|| Hari Om ||
