|| Hari Om ||
Our family has been under the Bapu fold for the last 12-13 years. My family and I have experienced Bapu’s grace on numerous occasions. Bapu has become a part of the family. Before undertaking any task or before going out we would always remember Him.
On 4th October 2010, I had an unforgettable experience. We have a wholesale business in Khadki near Pune. We deal in bananas. That evening, at around 7 p.m., I went to Pune with my friend to make a payment. After making the payment, I started my journey back home. Suddenly, it started raining very heavily. We halted on the way hoping for the rain to subside but it kept raining incessantly for the next one and a half hours.
At around 9.30 pm the rain subsided and we started our journey again. We reached Shivaji Nagar but the road was flooded with water. So, instead of joining the Mumbai-Pune expressway directly we tried to take a shortcut via the Range Hill route, onto the expressway. But, the water levels were increasing constantly so we thought we could make a dash to the expressway before it would rise further.
I was riding the bike and my friend was sitting behind me. As we entered a lane suddenly a wall of water came rushing towards us. It came so swiftly that we did not have the time to turn around. My friend managed to escape as he was sitting behind me. Since I was riding the bike it was difficult for me to get out and I began drifting with the flow of the water. The water started flowing over my head. Luckily, I could swim and I tried to hold on to the edge of the stream but I was stuck in the mud and that is when I lost all hope.
I was certain that death was approaching. I had a photo of Bapu in my pocket and suddenly, I shouted "Bapu, Save me!". And to my astonishment I found a thorny branch of a tree and I was floating in the water holding onto that branch. I stayed in that position for a long time. It was nearly 11 p.m. now and the water showed no signs of receding.
And then due to a sudden gush of water the branch slipped out of my hand and I thought everything was over. But, my Bapu was with me. He had heard my cry for help. Inspite of the heavy rush of water I had not moved from my place. I mustered the courage to get out of water. By Bapu’s grace I managed. In that dark jungle the thorns were hurting yet I ran for life till I reached the Mariaaee gate Truly, had Bapu not been there I would not have been alive to write this.
Meanwhile, my friend had informed my parents that I had not been able to survive. My parents were shocked. But, my parents had faith in Bapu and they knew that no harm would come to me. My father left for Pune to look for me. Suddenly, he got a call on his mobile saying that his son was safe. I do not know who made the phone call and how it was made. My parents were so overjoyed hearing this news that they washed Bapu’s feet with their tears of joy.
After having come so close to death thereafter my entire life was totally filled with Bapu.
“Agadh mahima, tumcha Bapu tribhuvanat pasarnar|
Dhavun aala sankat samayee amhi nahi visarnar ||”
Your eminence is beyond words and beyond reason too.
The universe will know.
You came at the moment of deep trouble
when I needed you the most
I shall never forget that Bapu
|| Hari Om ||
