Loving Baba Sometimes Tests Us – Sai Devotee Sachin

Shirdi Sai Baba Devotee Sachin from India says: Sometimes I wish that I could go back in time and see Babaji through my eyes. This is a wish, hidden in the heart of every Sai Babaji’s devotee. Whenever I used to read Sai Satcharitra, my mind used to go back in that time. I used to wonder, how the heaven “Dwarkamai” looked at that time. My eyes want to see that people flocking around Babaji to have His one glimpse, a glimpse that ended misfortunes of countless people, a glimpse that turned many sinners to the path of divinity and finally lead to their salvation. No doubt that Babaji is with us every time, but still the urge to see Babaji in body can never die.

Babaji always use to say, that whenever I appear in anybody’s dream, then it is because of some reason or some message which He wants to give to His devotee, otherwise He would never appear in dream. But we are ignorant persons, who don’t take it seriously especially when it is against our will or pleasure. Same thing happened with me. I knew this thing very well that whenever Babaji appears in dream and tell us something, we should follow that. I had been drinking occasionally. Sometimes I used to take beer, sometimes whisky with my friends as this was our so called part of life. I knew very well that Babaji was against drinking. But as it was against my will, I used to think that, “Thodi bahut peene se kuch nahi hota – meaning there is no harm in having some liquor”. Then this occasional habit started becoming regular as we used to live away from home. We used to have one or two beers every alternate days or sometimes for 2-3 consecutive days.

One day when I was watching Babaji’s serial on star plus. There was an episode in which a person used to drink a lot and also forces Tatya (Bayjabai’s son) to drink. Then how Babaji opposed that and how He came in dreams of that person and sat on his chest until he said “No” to drinks. I saw the serial which impacted me, but this was not enough. Again after a week or so, I started drinking with my friends. Weeks passed like that. The habit was becoming a routine.

Then one night when I was sleeping, Babaji appeared in my dream. I could not clearly recall the dream but it was related to my drinking habit and Babaji was giving some instructions. When I woke up, I recalled my dream. Now look at my ignorance, I thought that it was just a dream(against my thinking) and I did not take it seriously. Again I did not leave my drinking habit. After some days, again I had the same dream. This time I could say that, it was a warning from Babaji. He was standing in front of me and was saying some words to me. I could see myself in the dream carrying a bottle of beer!!! Again I woke up and gave a thought to my dream. But still it was not enough for the sinner like me. Few days passed and my brother (gaurav), came to Pune. We had a get together and drank again !!! That night I fell sick. That night became the worst night for me. My fever rose to 102-103 degrees. There was no doctor at that time. It was 3 a.m., I was lying down near Babaji’s photo. I prayed to Him and asked for forgiveness. My condition became pathetic. I was vomiting continuously and the heat from my body was terrifying me. I kept on praying Babaji. I could not sleep that night. Next day we were having a plan to go to Shirdi as my brother came from Punjab and we wanted to have Babaji’s darshan. I took Babaji’s name and started the journey with fever. When we reached Shirdi, I could not concentrate on Babaji because of my fever. We were standing in the queue for Samadhi mandir and I was becoming restless as the time was passing. I prayed to Babaji and asked for forgiveness. But there was no change in my condition.

Finally we came back to Pune the next day. There I saw a doctor, who was also Sai devotee. In his clinic I could see Babaji’s photos. I asked for forgiveness there as well. Finally with the very first dose of medicine, my condition started becoming better and within 2 days I recovered. Then I took a pledge, that I will not drink from now. But still that was not enough for a fool like me.

After a month, I started it again. This time it become a daily routine. Finally Babaji had to take a harsh step. Then one day in the evening, something went so bad in my personal life (Not mentioning here). I was with my friend (Varun) who is also Sai devotee. I started feeling that all has happened because I dis-obeyed Babaji. I told everything to my friend. I was so ashamed to ask for even forgiveness now. But he assured me that Babaji is so merciful and he will surely forgive you but don’t do it again. He asked me to accompany him to Babaji’s mandir. We went to temple. There was nobody in the temple. I fell at Babaji’s feet and asked for the forgiveness again and look at my Din Dayaalu, the most merciful lord, He forgive me. While going home from temple, I got a call from home and everything that went wrong was fine now. That was a lesson that I learnt. I have left drinking and it has been 8 months that I have not even touched it. I know that by Babaji’s grace I will continue to do the same. I pray to Babaji to slowly and slowly remove all the bad things that have put their hold on us. OM SAIRAM

Sai brother Sachin had also copied this incident to some of his friends and collegues. The following has been said by his friend (or probably collegue, I am not sure about it, but he too is Baba’s devotee), “Let us thank Shama (Sachin Shama) for sharing such a personal experience with us. Really, Baba always sends indication to do away with the bad habits. This incidence is an eye-opener for many of us. Thanks a lot for sharing such an experience. Om Sairam!!! Satish Saurav

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