My Shirdi Trip and Sai Baba’s Miracles – Sai Devotee Sai Varun

Dear Sai Readers, i am back with a very touching experience of Sai Brother Sai Varun ji in Shirdi. I was really overwhelmed to read comments and mails asking about my well being since i was absent for one week from blog work. Few changes in life are unavoidable and they might result in avoiding other things in life which are indeed our need. Writing, sharing information on blogs is in a way my need, my devotion, but sometimes Lord Sai Baba tests us and take us away from this need. I apologise the inconvenience caused to you due to my absence, but believe me it was unavoidable and i had to look inside other matters which are so called of worldly nature. I would try to be regular in my postings in future, but i would not promise you because many times promises are made only to be broken and i do not want to make fake promises. Dear Sai Readers, this time i really want your prayers to be in track with blog work and social life. Kindly do pray for me.

Sai Brother Sai Varun from India says: Om Sai Ram, This is my second experience that I am writing on this blog, you can read the first one here Baba brings you back to him.

Miracles happen every moment. It is just that we take note of only the big ones. The below experience which I am going to share is one of those times when you need to take time off your worldly matters to understand what just happened with you. I will narrate this experience as it is without any edits and will also include the thoughts that immediately came in my mind at each and every step.

This particular experience that I am going to narrate is about my recent trip to Shirdi. I was planning to visit Shirdi since June, but I was not able to make up my mind. Finally in August, some of my friends expressed their interest in visiting Shirdi. We decided to move ahead with tickets etc. We were in Bangalore and there were no direct flights to Nasik or Aurangabad from here. So we decided to travel via Train or else Bus if we do not get tickets. It was 5th August when we finalized this and the travel date was 17th August. We checked the train tickets. Waiting list was large on train. There were little chances of it getting confirmed. Still my sister in law booked the tickets in 2nd AC. I was hoping to book the tickets in tatkal quota 2 days before 17th (i.e. 15th August). I was praying to Baba that if He wants only, than I can make it to Shirdi. On 14th there was a house party and I slept at 3:00 AM. Now to book tickets, one needs to wake up at 8:00 AM and do it; else the quota finishes in 20 minutes past 8:00 AM. I was hopeful that if Baba wants, I will surely get the tickets. I woke up at 8:05 AM and rushed to open the website and book tickets. To my surprise all the seats of quota were still there. I thanked Baba and proceeded with booking. I needed to book 4 tickets. Everything went fine, but the payment did not go through and it got declined. I tried again and this time it was 10 seats left. The same error happened again and I could not book the tickets. I got little worried and prayed to Baba. Thus being hopeful I felt like trying one last time. This time it was 4 seats left. I was constantly praying to Baba and this time I was able to book tickets. I was elated and as soon as I booked the tickets I got this SMS: “Shirdi Chalo Shirdi Chalo, Baba Ne Bulaya Hai, Ye Sandesha Baba Ne Aapke Liye Shirdi Se Bhijwaya Hai.”

Dear Sai Devotees, this is going to be a very long one. Please bear with me and have patience while reading. Baba had planned Himself for me this time and starting from beginning till end, I could not understand anything except SAI.

We had to catch the train at 7:00 PM from Bangalore station. We booked the cab and wanted to reach there at 5:00 PM. At 4:50 PM, I checked with cab customer care and they told me that cab is unavailable and they had sent an SMS which might have not delivered due to network congestion. I again thought is it that Baba does not want me to come. I tried booking another cabs and all the cabs were available after 1 hour only. Luckily I managed to get one cab immediately, but he took 30 minutes to reach us due to traffic. We left for station approx. 40 minutes late from planned time. Thus we decided to go to Cantt Station, which is nearer. To worsen things it started raining heavily and due to which water logged on roads. All this resulted in heavy traffic on road. Again the clouds of doubts appeared, but this time I was confident that I will surely make it to station and Shirdi. We reached Station just 10 minutes before but we reached.

We entered the station and were waiting for train. We saw a bakery shop on platform and felt like eating. I went to buy something and there I saw a man with a walking stick asking me for food. Strangely he asked me for none but for food. I made him eat something and took my stuff and left. We boarded the train and sat on our seats. I am skipping some small incidents here during our journey due to comparatively low relevance. We reached Kopargaon around 1:00 PM. I took taxi from there and left for Shirdi. We reached Shirdi around 2:30 PM and took a hotel just opposite Dwarkamai. Strangely I was not in hurry to have Darshan of Baba. Instead I was feeling to visit Chawadi first, then Dwarakamai & then Samadhi Mandir. I was also praying to Baba that please give me Darshan nicely not like last time just for few seconds. We got freshen up and came to Chawadi and then Dwarkamai. We sat there for like 10-20 minutes. We were feeling hungry and it was already 5:30 PM. We ate some food and I did not wanted to go to Samadhi Mandir right now as Evening Aarati was about to start and there was lots of people in all the halls. I prayed to Baba that I wanted to attend Aarati, but not in such hurry with so much crowd. Thus we decided to go after 7:00 PM.

We entered the temple at approx. 7:30 PM and joined the queue in the first hall. The first hall had only some people, but I guessed the second hall should have been full. The queue was moving slowly. Suddenly when it was my turn to enter the second hall, the guard asked me to stop and closed the gate. I was surprised as to what it was, but how could I guess Baba wanted me to welcome in a good way. Another guard came after 5 minutes and let me through and directly to stairs skipping the second hall. I felt astonished. We reached the main hall and were eager to see a glimpse of Baba. There I saw Him shining like Sun with a glory that of ‘Rising Sun embarking its strength to wither away all the darkness’. I cannot express the joy I felt. I thanked Baba for calling me to Shirdi and prayed Him again to give me Darshan nicely. I wanted to see Him till my soul is filled with His presence. We reached near to Idol and could see that people were not allowed to have Darshan for more than 5 seconds. Some were even given 2 seconds. There were 3-4 guards and they were pushing people aside. I was worried that I will not be able to see Baba for long. As soon as I reached the Idol, one guard holds my hand. I thought he will pull me away and I will have to go. But Baba had something else planned for me. That guard looked me in the eyes, gave a very good smile and told me to have Darshan for as long as I want, I was overwhelmed. I looked at Baba with contentment and thanked Him. That guard gave me Prasad and flowers from Baba’s Samadhi. He also asked me to have Darshan again at the Samadhi. I took it with grace. I again got Prasad. He told me to stand in corner and have Darshan till I want. I stood there for 15 minutes talking to my Baba. Than a Lady guard came and asked me to have Darshan again and gave me garlands from Baba’s Idol. My joy knew no bounds as If I have got what I aspired for. I was spellbound and speechless. I again stood there for 5 more minutes looking at Baba and Baba looking at me with love as if He was telling me, I listen to you and this is the proof. Now do you have any doubts? Do you think here ends my roller coaster ride?

Not yet, my friends were waiting for me outside the hall and were surprised to see me as if they were excited to know what just happened. But I was in another world. We went to Gurustan and were looking for Neem Leaves. We could not find any. One guard from nowhere took notice of this and called me. He asked me very politely “You are searching for Neem Leaves”. I replied in Positive. He told me, “Please take 101 rounds of Gurusthan and you will get it. Everyone who does it gets it for sure”. We decided to do this. The guard disappeared somewhere. As soon as I completed my 25 rounds the very same guard called me and gave me 2 Neem leaves and told me “Make sure to complete the 101 rounds”. I expressed gratitude and continued. In between My friend’s wife asked me “Are these leaves really sweet”. I replied “Let me check”. I ate both the leaves and yes they were sweet.

As soon as I completed my 50th round, Guard came again and this time with a smile he gave me one more Neem leave and said “You might have eaten the last 2 leaves, please keep this one in mini wallet you carry”. Here I must tell you all, I don’t carry a full wallet me all the time. I generally carry a small Credit card holder with some cash. I asked him how you know I have a mini wallet. He smiled and asked me to continue. I was totally in different state of mind unable to understand anything. I was chanting Sai Ram continuously and taking my rounds. I was wondering what was happening with me, is this for real or these guards do this trick to some chosen people. But then suddenly he came to me. Everything happens is controlled by SAI. So this must be inspired by him only. I was again called by the guard after 75th round. This time what happened gave me all the answers as If SAI was listening to my thoughts and wanted to answer me one by one. He gave me one red and transparent bead’s necklace and said these words, “You have been asking Sai to be your Guru for long. Today Sai becomes you GURU and also you wanted to attend Aarti. Please attend Aarti here at Gurusthan and wear this after Aarti finishes after placing it on Sai’s feet at Gurusthan. This was given to me for you by Sai Himself”. Just as he finished the Aarti started. I had been wishing Baba from long to be my Guru and guide me through this worldly affair and not to forget my wish to attend Aarti when I reached Shirdi.

I had tears in my eyes and this led me a world beyond my imagination and understanding. I continued my rounds and as soon as I completed the rounds the Aarti also finished. I wore the Mala “Necklace” as he suggested. I went to thank him for all this. Instead of listening to me he asked me to wait so that he could bring the Aarti Prasad. He gave me the Prasad and told me you can share it with your friends. After this I thanked him whole heartedly and left for my hotel. I needed a lot of time to digest all this.

Later after dinner, we all went to Dwarakamai and sat their reading Shri Sai Satcharitra. I wanted to keep my Satcharitra and Bhagwat Gita in Dwarakamai and then start reading. I had deep desire to attend Kakad Aarti on Thursday morning in Samadhi Mandir, but standing in the first row. My friend, who joined us from Delhi, had this desire to attend Aarti at Dwarakamai only. I agreed to her. Since I could not take the VIP pass, without pass, there are very little chances to make it as the people started to join the queue at 11:30 PM for 4:30 AM hours Aarti. I did not want to go and join the queue now at 10:00 PM for 2 reasons. One, I wanted to sit in Dwarakamai, read the books, meditate on Sai to understand everything that happened. Second, I had a feeling that people are less that day and would make it if we go at 3:00 AM also. I wanted to start reading Bhagwat Gita there. I read some pages and then started my Satcharitra there. At Around 2:45 AM, my friend felt asleep. Suddenly she wanted to go to hotel and sleep. I left her at hotel room and wandering what to do now. Since she wanted to attend Aarti at Dwarakamai and I wanted to attend at Mandir. I don’t know what entered me and I wanted to go and check if I can still join the queue and maybe I will be able to attend the Aarti. I started walking towards the gate. From far away only, I could notice that all the halls were full and joining the queue will not attend me the Aarti. Disappointed I thought of going to Gurusthan and started walking towards the Gate, which is on Main Road. I had no clue, which gate will let me in as all the gates were closed. When I reached the gate, I found some people sitting there and 3 Guards were standing. I requested to one of guards that I want to go and sit at Gurusthan. He smiled and replied, “Please join this line at the end. This is for VIP Pass holders. When we open gate for them, we will let you in”. I joined the queue as he suggested. It sounds Easy, isn’t it?

I waited there for approx. 30 minutes. After that a senior guard came and he instructed the queue to start moving. He also asked everybody standing in queue to raise their VIP Passes in Air. He was shouting at the top of his voice and appeared to very strict. I got worried, but my faith kept me moving. There were 3 people in front of me who also did not have the pass. When asked they told the guard that there name is written inside. He made them stand separately. When he asked me, I also told him that my name is written and I was also made to stand with them. When everybody in that line went inside, he turned to us. Firstly he asked those 3 people about where their name is written. They replied something and he let them in. Then he asked me about it and I replied P.R.O. I don’t know how it clicked me to say this, may be since I have worked in Newspaper Group. He looked at me and let me in. I was speechless. Instantly I thought may be, Baba will complete my wish of attending the Kakad Aarti standing in VIP position. I went inside with VIP pass holders. When I reached the Mandir area, there I found one more queue and again they were checking passes. This time when those 3 people were asked they were matched again their names in list. But how can I be matched, when there was no name written. I thought may be I am supposed to be at Gurusthan and that’s what I wished for some time back. I went to Gurusthan and collected all the Neem Leaves. There were around 50 of them. I was happy to get My Baba’s treasure. Then I sat there and meditating and thinking about Baba. It was cleaning time and when the sevak’s started cleaning, I stood up and went near the wall which had window. When I leaned again the window, my hand touched something. I saw it was Sai Satcharitra. There was one Saint near me. I asked him if this book belongs to him. To which he replied if you have got it, it must be for you. I thought of reading it sitting at Gurusthan. As soon as I opened it, I found a Baba’s photo and on the very same chapter, which I was supposed to read for today’s Reading. I recalled Baba’s SMS which I got some days back, telling me to read Pothi in front of Him. I read few chapters. As soon as I finished, the same guard, who met with me at Gurusthan, came as if he just got up from sleep. After seeing me there, he smiled and said “Aap aarti attend karne aaye ho?” (“Are you here to attend Aarti?”). I replied in positive. Then he said with a smile, “Baba is everywhere. Don’t think that He is only inside. Attend Aarti here”. I replied that, “I have very strong desire to attend Aarti in Samadhi Mandir standing in the very first position”. He replied, “If Baba wishes, you will go inside”. I was quiet for a moment and then he told me pointing in a direction where some people were standing and said, “Please go and stand there. That is for VVIP’s who are guests of Mandir Committee. If Baba wishes, you will be allowed to go inside. I went and stood there.

There the guards asked me if my name was written. I replied in negative. To which they told me that they can’t let me in. Still I requested them to please let me in and they showed their helplessness. Suddenly those 3 Guards and the guard that sent me there talked something in Marathi and the gate opened. I was spellbound. I went inside from “Mukh Dwar” looking at Baba from very close and stood just in the first place. Baba is Great.

I noticed there that the first place is reserved for Committee and their guests. After 10 feet, rows are reserved for VIP guests. From 20 feet after, rows were for VIP category ends and starts the general category rows. If I had been in general queue, how could I be in the first place?

Baba is here and He listens to everything you say. I attended the Aarti and Mangal Snan and delighted. I went back to my hotel room at around 6:00 AM. My joy knew no bounds. I can still feel the same joy while writing this. My Koti Koti Pranam to Sai Sadguru.

I woke up at 11:00 AM and everybody was ready to go to Chauhan Baba. I quickly took shower etc and got ready. I was damn hungry, but I skipped taking anything as everybody was ready to leave. I thought in my mind, my Sai will give me something to eat and told the same to my friend, who had skipped breakfast too. As I promised to be honest, I had very weird thoughts before going to Chauhan Baba as I am very afraid to meet anyone like this. I try to stay away from people who could tell future etc. or say something that can create nuisance in your mind. My friend, who was taking me there, had introduced Chauhan Baba very nicely, but still I had my cup full of doubts. We reached Chauhan Baba after 12:20 PM or so. When we went inside, I saw a very simple man sitting on Chair and people sitting on floor listening to him patiently. I was somewhat relieved. Chauhan Baba looked at me and continued talking to people. After having Darshan of Sai Baba, We also sat among people. I saw Chauhan Baba talking like Sai Baba to people, giving them solution, faith and cure. As I was hungry and due to less sleep, I was bit restless. Suddenly two people came and went to Chauhan Baba with a packet in hand and announced happily that with His blessings, marriage has been fixed and he offered sweets to Chauhan Baba. Baba took the box in hand and returned by saying that please distribute half to each one of people as they are hungry. It clicked me. He gave one half a piece of milk cake, I ate it instantly. But I was still hungry. My bhabhi offered me her piece, which I and my friend ate. Suddenly, Chauhan Baba pointed at me and told the person to give me more as I was hungry. He also asked me if you are hungry why you don’t say it. Then he started telling people about me. He praised me saying that, “Ye bahut acha hain, kanoon ka paaka hain, Sabko dene k baad hi khata hain, Iska ghar bi bahut acha hain” (“He is very nice guy. He eats after offering to others. His house is also good”). I joined my hands and was listening patiently. He continued talking to other people. After some time, He told everyone to go as it has been long He was sitting here and was tired. He stood up and was talking to Pujari. I felt like giving Chauhan Baba some money. I took Rs. 500 and started walking toward Him. Just as I reached Him, He stumbled and was about to fall. I hold His hand. Baba looked me in the eye. Baba holds my hand. I offered Baba Rs. 500, but Baba did not leave and started talking to me.

Baba – Tum toh pehli baar aaye ho mere pass (“You came here first time”).

Me – Ji Baba

Baba – kiske saath aaye ho (“Who is accompanying with you?”).

Me – I pointed at my friend.

Baba – Tum to aana nahi chahte thay, darr rahe thay (“You didn’t want to come. Were you afraid?”).

Me – I was silent

Baba – Kya karte ho? (“What you do?”)

Me – I told Baba about my profession etc.

Baba – Bahut acha, Sai ne bheja hain tumhe mere paas aaj, Main bahut kush hun. (“Very nice. Sai sent you here. I am very happy.”)

Me – I bowed my head and was listening.

Baba – Tum to ek ladki ko pasand karte ho na? (“You like a girl?”)

Me – Ji Baba, par uski to kahin aur shadi fix ho gayi hain (“Yes Baba. But her marriage has been fixed.”)

Baba – (He looked me in the eye) kyun darte ho, wahi hogi tumhari shadi. (“Why you afraid? You marriage will be with her only.”)

Me – I was speechless. (This was the girl I was with her for last 10 years. She is my life and I cannot even think of living a moment without her. I was in dire pain after she chose to go with someone else. I am yet to get her back, but I have full faith in Sai that His words will be true soon.)

Baba started walking with me. He reached the stairs holding my hand and stopped.

Baba – Koi aur bhi hain tumhare saath? (“Who else is with you?”)

Me – Ji Baba, My Partner in company, his wife and Mother in Law

Baba – Apne partner ko bulao. (“Call your partner”)

Me – I called my friend near to us.

Baba to my partner – Iska sahara kabhi mat chodna, (“Never leave your friend.”)

My Friend – Ji Baba

His mother-in-law – Kabhi ye (me) hi chod de toh? (“If he leaves us, then”)

Baba – Tabhi toh keh raha hun, Iska sahara kabhi mat chodna, Yeh Bahut acha hain. (“That’s why, I am saying. Don’t leave him ever.”)

Baba – Yeh Darta hain hi ki jis se iski shadi hogi who kaise hogi? (“He afraid and thinks that how he will get married with that girl.”)

Me – I surprised as I had this fear in my mind from long.

Baba – woh pehle se hi baba ki beti hogi (“That girl will be Sai Daughter.”)

Baba started walking towards His home holding my hand, talking to me.

Baba – Sai Baba ke darshan kiye ? (“Did you have Sai Baba’s Darshan”)

Me – Ji baba, Bada mazaa aaya, Khub ache darshan kiye or bina VIP pass k Sabse aage khade hokar aarti bhi attend ki, Baba ne bahut pyar kiya. (“Yes Baba, I enjoyed Baba’s Darshan in the first row without any VIP passes. Baba loved me very much.”)

Baba – dekha mere Sai ko! (“See my Sai”)

Baba took me to His worship place

Baba – dekh le ji bhar ka Sai ko, Yeh woh photo ho jo Baba Agni mein prakat hue thay, Dekh kitni Umar jyada ho gayi mere sai ki, kaun kehta hain woh chale gaye hai (“You can have Sai Darshan as much as you want. This is the same photo when Sai Baba appeared from fire. See He looks so much old in this photo. Who says that He has gone.”).

Baba took some Prasad from Sai’s feet and gave me. He asked me to worship as much I want and told me that He will come back. While entering the room, I hear Him saying to People.

Baba – Aaj main bahut khush hun, yeh jo aaya hain mere pass, aaj sabko dunga. (Today, I am very happy because he came here. Today, I will give everyone.”)

I can’t describe the feelings I had at that moment. From last 2 years, since complications have started in my life, I had been living in pain. Today I was getting such a special treatment, which I never expected. Baba came back to me and gave me 3 stones (Which can be worn in ring).

Baba- Tumhara bada bhai hain, tum uske liye pareshan ho, yeh lo ek ki tum aur ek apne bhaiya ko left hand ki first finger main ring bana ke pehne ko dena, sab acha ho jayega (“You have elder brother and you are worried about him. One stone is for you and another stone is for your brother. You can put this stone in ring and wear this on first finger of left hand. Everything will be good.”).

He again gave me solutions to some deep thoughts I had. I had tears in my eyes and was silently listening to Him.

Baba – Yeh stone bahut precious hain, main har kisi ko nahi deta, aaj tum aaye ho toh main bahut khush hun, isliye tumhe 3 diye hain. Ab tum baba k darshan karo. (“These stones are so precious. I don’t give to everyone. Since you came here and I am happy, I gave you three stones. Now, you can have Baba’s Darshan.”)

Baba walks outside the room to meet all the people who was standing there. After having Darshan, I also joined the people outside. Baba holds my hand and says to everyone, “Yeh bahut acha hain, tumhe pata hain Sai ko bhi 500 Rs diye jaate hain aur isne bhi mujhe 500 Rs hi diye” (“He is very good man. Do you know, we give Sai Rs. 500 and he also gave me Rs. 500.”). I requested him for leave. He blessed me and gave me permission to leave. I touched His feet and took leave from that room.

It was beyond my mind capacity to digest or understand. I went on the grass and sat there for 5 minutes. Then I saw my friends coming out and joined them. But my state of mind did not change. I was lost somewhere. I got all the answers, but still I could not understand a word. We left from there and had our lunch and reached our hotel room around 5:00 PM.

We relaxed in our room for some time and then again started for Samadhi Mandir to have Darshan. This time again, Baba showered His grace on me. We attended the Aarti standing in the main hall and also saw Baba’s Palki. I had His Darshan for 10 minutes. After Darshan, we went for Dinner and then sat in Dwarakamai reading Satcharitra. This time, I wanted to attend Aarti in Dwarakamai. We were reading with devotion and there a cat came, who sat near us also touched me with her feet and wanted to sit in lap of Bhabhi’s mother.

Again my friend felt sleepy around 3:00 AM and I left her in her room and went to my room and took bath and went to Dwarakamai to do my daily Prayers etc. I did it and attended Aarti. Aarti in Dwarakamai was peaceful like divine. After this I, Bhabhi and her mother went for some tea and breakfast around 6:00 AM and then went back to our Hotel room. I had my train at 9:00 AM. So I did my packing etc. and went again to have Darshan of My Sai. I requested Him to give me Darshan like last time. Again My Sai showered grace. I had very nice Darshan, got Coconut and flowers from priest. I was contented after all this. I came back in my room and left for my train at around 8:00 AM.

I don’t know how to write this ending as I never wanted it to end. So I am leaving it like this. May Baba bless you all.

With Warm Regards,
Sai Varun

© Devotees Experiences with Shirdi Sai Baba