DIVINE GRACE – FOOD TO HUNGRY

DIVINE GRACE – FOOD TO HUNGRY

Nana was convinced that Baba had superhuman power, superhuman love, and made superhuman provision of needs for those who were attached to him and whom he loved. So, he found that Baba was really a Deva (God), and that Baba was pre-eminently fitted to take charge now of Nana's life, of his comfort, and of all his concerns, temporal and spiritual. Thus convinced, Nana was perfectly prepared to take the plunge, of Prapatti to the Gurudeva, to surrender himself unhesitatingly to the directions of Baba, being perfectly assured that no harm would result thereby, and on the other hand much good –nay every good – would result therefrom.

Having provided for the thirst of Nana in one place, Baba marvellously provided for his hunger in another place. In Padmalaya forest, there is a Ganapati temple. It is ten miles away from the nearest Railway Station and the access to it is through ten miles of forest. Nana had made arrangements for all this, but trains have got a queer way of being late, and in this case, his train being many hours late, all the arrangements were upset and there was no convenience and no assistance forthcoming. Nana's arrival at the railway station was evening time, very near dusk. But he would not be thwarted. He determined to push along with his companions to the temple, come that way. In the absence of any convenience, Nana had to dare and dared the risk and trouble of walking ten miles to reach the Ganapati temple. So he trudged on. But when he was about half way or more than half way, it was already 9.00 p.m. and the Pujari of the temple would usually lock it up by 9 or 10 p.m. and retire to his cottage at some distance for his night's rest. So, Nana doubted whether he would get into temple at all. Further, having walkedwearily six or seven miles, he felt the pangs of hunger.

Naturally he remembered Baba. He prayed, `Baba, I am not asking for much. I am not over-greedy, I will be quite satisfied if, at the close of this journey, I can get one cup of tea to quench my hunger'. Then he and his companions trudged on. It was nearly 11 p.m. when they reached the temple. Instead of the temple being closed (as it would usually be) the Pujari was on the watch, and on seeing persons at a great distance (that is, Nana's party) coming, shouted, `Is Nana coming?' It would be highly impertinent on the part of any priest to call a Deputy Collector by his pet name, as though he was his chum. But here there was no feeling of resentment, but one of gratification on the part of Nana and his friends when they heard the voice `Is Nana coming?' They approached and said, `Yes, How do you know that Nana is coming?' Then the priest said, `I had an ethereal message from Sri Sai Baba in which he said, `My Nana is coming weary, thirsty, and hungry. Keep for him one cup of tea'. The priest said, `Here is tea ready for you all'. He then gave Nana his cup. This again proved that Baba's eye of supervision was not merely on hills and but also in forests to look after the safety, comfort and health of his beloved devotees.

Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji