Sai Darshan
In the fall of 2000, I traveled with Shankaracharya to India on pilgrimage. We were visiting Maharastra holy places and stopped during Deepavali at Shirdi, home of Sai Baba. Sai Baba is the Christ-like figure of India, whose photos are seen everywhere. Although he died in 1918, he is still spiritually active. Countless miracles and appearances continue to be attributed to him.
We entered Sai Baba's mahasamadhi (tomb), where thousands go daily for blessings. As we approached his beautiful, life-like murti (statue), the thought arose in my mind of taking a picture for our ashram. Since taking photos is not permitted in many temples, I asked Sai if it would be ok, but the line of people was moving swiftly and we were pushed on through. Shankaracharya later told me that he had asked for blessings for the spiritual work he is doing in the West, and for the purification of all karmas (effects) that might be obstructing it.
After leaving the temple, we sat nearby on the steps, taking in the atmosphere. An unusual-looking sadhu approached us from behind. He was wearing shiny, colorful clothing and carrying a fire poker. During our entire trip, we hadn't seen anyone who looked like he did. He walked by, then stopped and posed, asking if I wanted to take his photo. This seemed like a very odd question for a renunciate, so I hesitated. At that point, he threw up his arms and walked briskly toward the temple. Instantly, Shankaracharya began to feel an intense heat on his neck. He felt as if his whole body had been bitten by thousands of scorpions. Because the pain was becoming excruciating, we left to go back to our room. Shankaracharya said, "I think that was Sai." He told me that when the sadhu had raised his arms he heard the word, "Sai." (Keep in mind that I had asked Sai for his photo and Shankaracharya had asked for the purification of all karmas for his work in the West.)
We returned to our room, where Shankaracharya had to lie down, due to the intense pain (which would last for days). Soon he said, "We have to go back." He felt we'd seen Sai and didn't recognize him, and that Sai, knowing the effort required, might come again. So we went back to the temple and sat in the same place for quite some time. But still no Sai. Shankaracharya said, "Well, he knows that we have tried. Let's go in for darshan (viewing of the image), pay our respects, and go."
After darshan, as we neared the edge of the temple complex, I was astounded to see Sai emerge from the darkness. I exclaimed, "There he is!" Shankaracharya ran and offered his salutations to Sai, who appeared to be quite pleased with him. Sai asked for some rupees (money), and Shankaracharya enthusiastically gave what he had. (In Sai's leelas (his play) the amount of rupees is always significant to the boons he bestows.) Sai blessed him by touching his third eye. I was hoping he would touch me, then he called me over and touched my third eye as well. Shankaracharya asked, "Can we take your photo?" He posed again, and I quickly took it, then he darted towards his shrine. He seemed rushed, probably because people were beginning to gather.
Interestingly enough, we didn't see anyone dressed anything like Sai in the temple, or in all of India, for that matter. He had appeared for this photo in the fluorescent colors auspicious to the Divine Mother (our tradition). It seemed he didn't want the hordes of people to recognize him, yet his appearance as a sadhu was still quite similar to his original earthly form. All glories to Sai! May you be blessed by this photo!
Anandamayi
http://www.sadhanaashram.org/experiences.htmlSai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM.
dipika duggal
Topic: Anandamayi 's experience at Shirdi. (Read 1523 times)