Shri sai satcharitra - Chapter 11 - Part IV

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Baba's Control over the Elements

We shall close this Chapter after describing two incidents showing Baba's control over the elements. (1) Once at evening time, there was a terrible storm at Shirdi. The sky was overcast with thick black clouds. The winds began to blow forcibly; the clouds roared and the lighting began to flash, and the rains began to descend in torrents. In a short time, the whole place was flooded with water, All the creatures, birds, beasts and men got terribly frightened; and they all flocked to the Masjid for shelter.

There are many local deities in Shirdi, but none of them came to their help. So they all prayed to Baba - their God, Who was fond of their devotion, to intercede and quell the storm. Baba was much moved. He came out and standing at the edge of the Masjid, addressed the storm in a loud and thunderous voice - "Stop, stop your fury and the calm." In a few minutes the rains subsided, the winds ceased to blow, and the storm came to a stop. Then the moon rose in the sky, and the people then went back home well-pleased.

On another occasion at noon the fire in the Dhuni began to burn brightly, its flames were seen to be reaching the rafters above. The people who were sitting in the Masjid did not know what to do. They dared not to ask Baba to pour water or do anything to quench the flames. But Baba soon came to realize, what was happening. He took up His Satka (short stick) and dashed it against a pillar in front, saying - "Get down, be calm." At each stroke of the Satka, the flames began to lower and slow down; and in a few minutes the Dhuni became calm and normal.

This is our Sai, an Incarnation of God. He will bless any man who will prostrate and surrender himself to Him. He, who will read the stories of this Chapter daily with faith and devotion, will soon be free from all calamities; not only this, but always attached and devoted to Sai, he will get very soon God-vision: all his desires will be fulfilled and being ultimately desireless, he will attain the Supreme. Amen!

Sai Ram. Baba's control over the elements is well known. Such incidents are given to increase the disciples' sraddha in Baba. As a Yogi (One with God), Baba had all the Divine Powers at His hand. He could have stopped the rain without raising His voice in the least. A thought from Him is enough. However, Baba knew that a little demonstration is more impressive for the simple village folk and for those disciples who are still in need of stronger faith, and fickle minded that we are, Baba kept renewing our Faith in Him by these periodic demonstrations of Divine Powers.

The second story about Baba controlling the fire in the Dhuni is also another demonstration of the Divine power to impress and to show that a Yogi is one with all elements. Such stories serve only one purpose and that is to impress upon the human mind that there is a Higher Power (call it God, Allah, Ishwar anything).The key is union with that Higher Power. The paths are many. The goal is one.

This is our Sai, an Incarnation of God. He will bless any man who will prostrate and surrender himself to Him. He, who will read the stories of this Chapter daily with faith and devotion, will soon be free from all calamities; not only this, but always attached and devoted to Sai, he will get very soon God-vision: all his desires will be fulfilled and being ultimately desireless, he will attain the Supreme. Amen! Sai Ram. We too join this prayer of the author and add our own Tathasthu (May it be so) to the author's prayer. Sai Ram.