|| Hari Om ||
I first heard about Bapu in 2008. Initially, I had several doubts in my mind. Questions like who is this Bapu and how could people accept Him as God; were something I kept pondering upon. I started reading various experiences in Krupasindhu and also stated reading the Dainik Pratyaksha along with other publications for five to six months. Eventually, I started writing the Ram Naam notebook.
Also, a devotee of Bapu asked me to read the Sai Sat Charitra. I started reading it and although I did not understand much I used to enjoy reading it. Once, my neighbour informed me about the examinations on Sai Sat Charitra which were conducted. I decided to appear for level 1. I appeared for the exam and 108% Bapu got the paper written from me. Later, I found out that I had passed with a distinction in the exam and I had to go to Mumbai to collect the paper.
I was extremely happy and excited. I thought this would be an opportunity to seek the blessing of Bapu. Although, I did not have any relatives in Mumbai nor did I make any arrangements for my accommodation, the time had come for me to go.
On the Thursday, as I saw Bapu, I was lost completely. Tears of joy started flowing from my eyes. And when Bapu gave me His blessings, those tears stopped and I completely surrendered to Him. It is true that the accumulated merit of previous births helps a person to do the devotion of a Sadguru in the present birth.
Two years passed. I kept giving successive examinations. I also had several experiences. But, there was opposition to Bapu from my family. But, I was told by the Pramukh Sevak of the Pune Upasana Centre that a person can only be drawn to Bapu’s fold if Bapu wishes so. And as I was given this opportunity by Bapu, I did not want to leave it. Truly, Bapu is very compassionate. Although, we make mistakes and commit sins, He takes care of us.
Once, I had a heated argument with my husband. He said,” I wear this Bapu’s locket around my neck! What is the use of it?”. I retorted, “Try recollecting all the incidents when you were saved by His grace from various problems”. I was extremely angry that my husband did not have faith in Bapu.
A few days passed. Suddenly, there were increased incidents of Swine Flu in Pune. On 7th April 2010, my husband had high fever. He himself went to the doctor and got a few medicines. But, they did not have any effect. I applied the sacred ash (Udi) to him. I was sure that the Udi, which was blessed by Bapu would help cure my husband.
Two days passed and the fever would not subside. My husband was certain that he was suffering from swine flu. He would not let my daughter or me come near to avoid spreading the infection. But, I refused to believe him. Next day in the morning he went to the government hospital to get himself check for swine flu. The doctor examined him and said that it was not the case and wrote down a few medicines.
But, my husband still did not belive the doctor. He came back home, took the car and said that he would be going to the doctor.
He went to the Naidu hospital. The doctors examined him cursorily and gave him tablets of Tamiflu. He came back and my other family members decided to take my husband to a private hospital. There the doctors examined him completely and started their treatment for his fever.
Meanwhile, I was unable to focus on my daily chores. I picked up my daughter from school in the afternoon and started chanting the Ghorkashodharan Stotra. While I was chanting, the phone rang continuously but I did not pick it up. Later in the evening I found over the phone that one of my husband’s business-associate’s wife passed away due to swine flu. My husband was stunned on hearing this because he had stayed at the couple’s house a few days back on 31st March. The couple also had a young daughter, who was suffering from fever, and with whom my husband had played.
On 10th April, my sister-in-law informed my brother-in-law hat my husband’s reports were positive for swine flu. Also, my husband had a history of diabetes. I was stunned to hear it. Tears started flowing from my eyes. But, I remembered Bapu. I immediately called Suchit Dada and informed Him of everything.
Dada said, “Do not worry. Nothing will happen to your husband. Bapu is there and you will get all the support from Bapu’s family”.
I was encouraged on hearing Dada’s words. I took a small box of the sacred ash (udi), Bapu’s photo and a Ram Naam notebook to leave for Pune. I also started chanting the Ghorkashodharan Stotra. Then, my brother, daughter, my brother-in-law and I let for Pune to meet my husband.
By the time we reached Naidu hospital my husband had not yet arrived. As soon as he did, he looked weary and tired and his face was covered with a napkin. I gave the Udi and Bapu’s photo to one of his friend and asked him to give it to my husband. Then, the doctor checked all of us for any infection. Luckily, all our tests were negative. Then, I do not know what prompted me to do it, but I told my husband that I had spoken to Dada and everything will be fine and that he would return back home in three days.
The doctors started their treatment. My husband was extremely worried. I assued him that Bapu would make evrytihn alright. Yet, his fear would not subside. I started chanting the Ghorkashtodharan Stotra,the Ram Raksha, the Datta Maalaa Mantra, etc. and I fell asleep while chanting. I was awakened at 3.15 am, which happened to be the Brahma Moorta, I started chanting again. I finished all the chanting and went to sleep after that. I woke up in the morning and sat on the stairs in the hospital after my breakfast at 9.30 am.
All my family members were praying. Everyone was worried. But I recollected Bapu’s words. “My children, no matter how big your problems are, your Father is much bigger than those problems. Never forget this”. I prayed to Bapu asking Him to forgive my husband for his past mistakes. I knew that if I chanted Bapu’s name with love He would surely intervene and save my husband. Only He can make the impossible possible.
My husband’s sugar levels were rising. Simultaneously, I started coughing and vomiting in the hospital. Later, I was admitted to the same hospital as y husband. I was 108% sure that all my reports would be normal as my Bapu was with me.
But, I was feeling weak. The doctors had kept me on saline. All my reports were normal except for my T2C levels which were high. Also, the results of my swab sample had yet to come.
My husband was extremely tensed and worried so my brother-in-law and sister-in-law went to the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital to visit Dr. Pallavi who was an acquaintance of our family. They told the doctor all the details about my husband. They also mentioned to the doctor that my husband would worry a lot about his illness due to which his sugar levels would remain high. The doctor said that the medicine would be effective only if the sugar levels are normal. She asked them to admit my husband and me to the Dinanath Mangeshkar hospital.
On the 13th of April both, my husband and I, were admitted to the Dinanath Mangeshkar hospital. Both of us were kept in the same ward. I would continue chanting. Also, it was during this period that Bapu made available the Gurukshetram Mantra. I started chanting the Mantra as well. Probably, Bapu wanted me to chant it front of my husband!
On Thursday the 15th, we were told by the doctor that both of us were fine and ready to go back home. The doctor asked us to come back to the hospital after a week for a routine checkup.
In this entire process, I could feel Bapu’s presence right throughout. My husband had the H1N1 virus from the 1st of April and it was detected on 11th April. In that period, he did not suffer a lot of pain and nothing happened to any of those who came in contact with them. Also, he had a history of diabetes yet he was cured within four days. This miracle can only be attributed to Bapu. It is true that the prayers and the chanting of various mantras help form a protective cover around a person.
My husband who had never written the Ram Naam notebook actually wrote three pages when he was in the hospital! My husband would now worship the Shrimad Purushartha and the Matruvaatsalyavindaanam. I used to read them daily. It is only because of this that Bapu gave us the strength to brave such an adversity.
It was during this time that my daughter had her final examinations. Bapu ensured that she did not miss her exams. She managed to return back to Khed, with her uncle, to appear for them.
Also, at the Upasana centre in Khed all the devotees had been chanting for us. They would call me periodically to say rods of encouragement. Bapu accepted their prayers as well.
But, it was not only this. Later on, we found out that after getting cured from swine flu my husband started showing symptoms of dengue and chikunguniya. Yet, nothing adverse happened to him and Bapu got us out of this situation as well.
During this period, I had experienced the entire Ghorkashtodharan Stotra. I got to experience Bapu’s vow, “I will never forsake you”. It is true that the Sadguru is greater than any problem that the devotee faces.
O Bapuraya, I am forver indebted to you. My only prayer at Your Feet is that keep me immersed in your devotion and service.
I have never seen Swami Samartha neither have I seen Sai Ram, I have just heard their tales. Yet, I can say that I have seen Bapu and got to experience Him. For me, Bapu is my Sai, Swami, Ram and Krishna.
A few months later, my husband and I visited the Gurukshetram. And when the time is appropriate I am sure he will be able to seek the blessings of Bapu. Truly, Bapu not only takes care of those who surrender to Him but also of those who do not believe in Him.
|| Hari Om ||
