Sai-My Saviour and Protector

SRI SAI RAM

Samartha Sadguru Sai of Shirdi is my Saviour, who by His unbounded Mercy, rescued my life from the jaws of certain death, that looked a distinct probability for months at a stretch, following a ghastly road accident in New Delhi on 1-12-1984. It is a Truth that is being experienced by me every moment of my existence. . ,

Although disability in the form of a shortened left leg with more or less irreparable damage has been caused to it, Sai has, by his Leela, put me back on the road both spiritually and materially. His helping hand is realised by me every moment I was on the busy roads of Madras, which enable me to earn my livelihood with honour, dignity and ease too. I am indebted to all those kindly souls who unhesitatingly (in fact willingly and smilingly) transport me in their vehicles, be they owners of cars or two wheelers. I feel convinced they are all messengers of our Dear Sai who help a Sai brother in need.

I was involved in a road accident at New Delhi on 1-12-1984 in the lonely Delhi Cantonment area when riding on a two wheeler. In normal parlance, it could be termed a God-forsaken place but in retrospect, I would like to record it as the place where 'SAT was present and kept vigil. All I could remember at that time were the presence of a Military van and a fellow two wheeler rider picking up my 'Visiting Card' after which I became unconscious. The injury to my fractured Fenner Bone (Thigh of left leg) was minimal while a head injury internal and serious was the main culprit in my condition deteriorating fast at the AllMS where I had been admitted, hours after rendering of First aid at a Military Hospital near the Accident Spot.

I was then transferred to K.J. Hospital, Madras. Four months of tortuous hospitalization at Delhi, weakening of systems and the untreated head injury had caused such emaciation in my body that the K J. Hospital authorities declared on 23-3-85 to my Father-in-law (When I was brought in a stretcher) that only a bundle of bones was brought instead of a patient in some health was even clearly heard by me. They were right in their assessment as almost everyone visiting me felt the same way and the weak-willed stayed away after the first visit, fearing the 'Inevitable'.

The outer world what appeared as an unconscious and semi-comatic patient lying in a hospital bed, visions of Sai Baba, Ramana Maharishi, Kanchi Sankaracharya (Sr), Tajuddin, Gajanan Maharaj used to be experienced before my mind, Baba eye. The frequent visions used to assume the form of my own physical body taking rounds as in Giri - Pradakshana done at Thiruvannamalai, which is considered sacred. I am not aware of that there are such hills around Shirdi. The most regular vision was one of this humble self standing in the Sannidhanam (Sanctum-Sanctorum) of Shirdi Samsthan. In restrospect I cannot recall of having been frightened by the darkness of death, while actually it was all 'Ecstasy' inwardly whenever I was under the influence of such spells. I also remember to be always taking about Baba, Ramana, etc to my visiting well-wishers although my physical strength and voice was at its lowest ebb - almost whisper. Those noble souls who were co-satsanghas used to be present by my bed side frequently, helping with donation of blood and other acts of selfless service. The 3 years proceeding my accident were almost entirely devoted to sat-sangh. When I was so to say 'Drenched' in it, be that Bhajan sessions at various devotees' places, Sai Temple, Ramana Kendra or learning Thiruppugazh.

I would like to record here that I am in total agreement with the learned (Late) E. Bharadwaja, the great Sai devotee that visits to saintly souls are preordained and they have beneficial effects in the spiritual advancement of any soul. In my humble life, I was blessed to see the physical form of Paramacharya Sankaracharya, Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi, Mahar Baba, Gajram Maharaja Temple at Shegaon and the holy shrines of Tajjudin Baba (Nagpur) and a number of muslim saints in and around Nagpur. While I lay hospitalised in Delhi and Madras, the feeling of having visited (mentally) Bharadwaja's Vidyanagar Sai Temple was drilled into my consciousness. In Bharadwaja's books on Baba his reference to Blessings of parents has been given due importance.

After about 2 years of the accident, Sai saw that his child could gain mobility and become physically fit to continue his material and spiritual work.

My account will be incomplete without the reference to Sakshatkara experiences when Baba manifested Himself to me in my place of work in 1981 (in Madras) and cautioning me that I should not feel depressed at any time and that Blessings of Shirdi Baba will ever be attending on me. On this occasion he came as a white robed Sanyasi (without beard) of medium height offering me "Vibhuthi Prasatham" conversing in chaste Hindi, a language I am very familiar with having lived in central North India for considerable periods of my life. His visit and stay for over 10-15 minutes was witnessed by at least half a dozen people including my younger son who was then only 9 years of age.

About a month prior to the accident, i.e. in Nov. 4 when I was proceeding one early morning (on a pathway in a public park in Janakpuri area in Delhi), I could spot an unusually tall figure long robed, sporting a beard, counting beads with his fingers. I instantly felt the presence of my Master and saluted to him which he acknowledged.

His assurance and helping hand blessed me to survive and He provided with substance and meaningful life now. It is rightly said that darkness is followed by light and that light when switched on by Baba results in external glow blessed by Eternal Love. It is his Blessings that this piece of writing planned long back is being completed on a Thursday.

JAI SAIRAM JAI SAIRAM JAI SAIRAM

Glory Be to our Lord and Peace be to all.

(Sai Premi) R. VENKATRAMAN

Madras