|| Hari Om ||
It was 11th July 2006, the day of Guru Pournima, the Day when the Guru bestows His blessings on His disciples. For me, Bapu's blessings came as a new lease of life. Only Bapu can ward off all the troubles of a bhakta and He ensures that He is always there with the bhakta from the beginning till the end.
The Guru Pournima was held at Kandivali and my daughter and I were involved as volunteers. Our shift got over at 3 pm. That is when we went to seek the blessings of Bapu in the main hall. Bapu was sitting along with Nandaai and the Aniruddha Chalisaa had just started. We started chanting the Aniruddha Chalisaa. All the while I had the impression that Bapu and Nandaai were looking at me. In hindsight, I think that they were aware of the troubles I was going to face and had prepared me for it.
We finished the pradakshina where the Sai Ram mantra was being chanted. Finally, we left and reached Kandivali station at 5.30 pm to catch a train to Dadar. On that day, bus transportation services were arranged for bhaktas from Kandivali to Thane. Yet, we had decided to take the train. It was only later that we realized that we had made a big mistake.
As the train reached Santacruz station, we heard a huge blast. All the people started staring out of the train. A huge crowd had gathered on the platform. Somebody told us that there was a bomb blast. A man, who was walking towards us, told people that a bomb blast had occurred in a train which was travelling in the opposite direction as ours. He had seen pools of blood and limbs lying all over. The man was trembling with fear. We were in the first class ladies compartment. Had the blast occurred a minute later, we would not have survived. I thanked Bapu from my heart.
All the train services had been halted and a huge crowd had enveloped the station. We decided to take a taxi to Dadar. I called up a bhakta who was to leave for the Guru Pournima function and asked him not to come. He asked me to come to Kurla in a rickshaw. Then, I tried calling some of my friends who were present at the Guru Poornima festival, but I could not get through as mobile phones had been jammed. I then wondered how I was able to make a call to the gentleman mentioned earlier.
We came out on the road outside Santacruz station. The police were asking all the rickshaws, taxis and buses to stop. My tension was mounting. But, I kept chanting Bapu’s name. Suddenly, the police informed everyone that another blast had occurred. Out of the blue, a rickshaw pulled over in front of us and the driver asked us to get in. As we sat in a policeman halted us and asked us to get down. But, another policeman came and allowed us to carry on.
As the rickshaw started moving along the station, I heard another blast. I could hear people scream. The rickshaw driver said that this was the 4th blast. I was overwrought with fear and I kept chanting Bapu’s name. As the rickshaw started moving we saw a crowd with people carrying glass bottles. One person from the crowd pulled a stick in front of the rickshaw and asked us to get down. But, another group came forth and asked the rickshaw to continue as we were ladies. Had we got down from the rickshaw we would not have had any place to go to. I tried calling the nearby AADM office but could not get through.
As we reached the next station, we heard another blast. Now, I was utterly distraught and confused. I did not know what was going on. But, our rickshaw continued to move ahead. We knew it was Bapu who was protecting us throughout.
Once we reached Kurla, we found out that together we just had 300 rupees. We decided that if the driver asks for more we would part with one of our mobile phones. But, to our pleasant surprise he asked for 200 rupees. We again thanked Bapu.
Kurla station was very quiet. We caught the Dadar train. All the passengers were tense and worried. We found out that the first blast had occurred at Santacruz station followed by seven other blasts. Our Bapu had ensured that we reached home safely. I stared at Bapu’s photograph for 10 minutes. I did not know how to express my gratitude to Him. Tears were streaming down my eyes.
Now I realized why Bapu and Nandaai were looking at me while chanting the Aniruddha Chalisaa. Also, the advice that the gentleman gave that we come to Kurla, had helped. I did not understand how we were able to communicate despite the fact that all the mobile networks were jammed.
Later, we found out that while we were travelling Bapu had reassured all His bhaktas and said that there was no reason to worry. They would reach home safely.
|| Hari Om ||
