When Sri Sathya Sai Baba, at the
tender age of fourteen was finally brought to Puttaparthi, after months
of fruitless treatment by specialists in medicine and magic, devotees
flocked around Him and gained His grace, every day, in ever increasing
number. Baba was all the while declaring that He was Shirdi Sai Baba and
no other; He was distributing to all the Udi He got by a mere wave of
His hands; He was inspiring, curing, consoling, strengthening and
blessing every one, as He was doing in the previous Shirdi manifestation
also. When a few doubters of the continuity and identity between the
two Babas approached Him one day, He lifted His palms and holding them
up to their faces, said, “Look”. They looked and got Karathalamalaka
proof! One palm was a shining picture of Sri Sathya Sai Baba (!) and the
other was a shining picture of Shirdi Sai Baba (!) both equal in size
and splendour!
This was
long ago at Puttaparthi, with Baba concretely in front of the
questioners. Now, listen to Sri. C. H. of New Delhi, “It was exactly
three months ago. I was returning on my cycle from my office in Old
Delhi to my residence in New Delhi. I had been to Puttaparthi only once
and I was so fascinated by Baba that I felt eager to visit the place
again. But, I must say that I could not quite understand why a village
boy from Andhra should call Himself ‘Baba’ and relate a peculiar story
about Himself that He was ‘Shirdi Baba’ in His previous birth. Strangely
enough that day, while coming along that road, this doubt was
distracting me. Suddenly, I was alerted by some one on cycle who pulled
up along side of the road and accosted me thus: “Well, have you finished
office?” He was an old but hefty person dressed in white, with a
kerchief round his head. I said “Yes,” automatically;
He asked me “Then, can you come with me for a few minutes to that tomb
over there; I wish to talk to you.” So, we directed our cycles to that
ruined tomb, riding two abreast for a furlong or two. We got down and
sat on the grass, with our backs against the wall.
It was
the old man who began the conversation. “My friend, you have planned to
go to South… is it not? Do not cancel it or postpone it,” he said. I
was astounded. It nearly took my breath away. I thought I must tell him
about my doubts, the absurdity of Shirdi Baba being born again etc. So,
without further enquiry, I poured out my heart to that old man. He
evidently relished my story, for his eyes gleamed and there was a merry
laugh hovering around his lips. When I had finished, he stared at me
full in the face and holding both his palms spread in front of me,
commanded, “Look.” I looked and (would you believe it?) one palm was a
portrait of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the other palm was a picture of
Shirdi Sai Baba! When I had recovered from the exhilaration, He told me
“Do not neglect this great opportunity, my boy.” We both rode back and
the old man turned in the direction from which He had
come (!) and …… even as I was looking at Him and His cycle…… melted
into thin air.”
The same
Karathalamalaka proof, eighteen years later! Baba materialising Himself
1500 miles away, to direct the steps of a devotee who was hesitating at
the crossroads! The continuity and the identity are as indisputable as
the Berry in the Palm!
