Dear Bhaktas,
I had the good fortune to visit Shirdi & Pandharpur, in the last few days, let me narrate the divine experiences given by God.
I went to Shirdi during Diwali. We had a very good & peaceful darshan. After that we went to Sakori, which is 5 km from Shirdi. This is the karma-bhumi of Sri Upasani Maharaj, who attained Self-Realisation from Sai baba. Very peaceful place. When we went there at night around 9 pm, very nice bhajans were being sung there. If you want to feel how Shirdi would have been before the crowds swelling there, then this is the place. Here on a tree there is the image of Swayambhu Ganesh. Also a temple of ek-mukhi Datta. This temple was built at the orders of Sadguru Upasani Maharaj. Also here Upasani Maharaj's disciple & successor, Mata Godavari is worshipped. After taking darshan of Shri Upasani Maharaj's Ashram & the Datta temple, when we came out, there was a old man standing there who started blessing us, by raising his hands up to his chest. He asked me, "Are you married?". I said "NO". He said, "Your marriage will soon happen". That old man was really divine, since he was not there moments earlier. I still keep wondering, whether what he referred to as "Marriage" really means a physical marriage or something higher like "self realization", since the words of the saints are always deep in meaning. You understand the import only with passage of time.
I also went to Pandharpur, the home of Krishna, who is known as Lord Vitthal here. Very nice experience here also. This is the place where Lord Krishna has embraced, played & sported with many saints. I went alone. I stood in the line for Full darshan, but it was very long & slow moving, so i left it & stood in line for Mukh darshan. It was too short. Within 10 minutes, i was in & as we were near Lord Vitthal, one priest who was standing on other side of the fence, asked the devotees whether they had anything to offer to Lord Vitthal. I had some money in my hand, which i wanted to put in the Daxina box, I gave that to him. He said "Let me see whether i can give you darshan from inside". He took me with him & gave me entry from inside & I could take full darshan of Lord Vitthal. I could stare at him from very close, i could touch his feet & also keep my forehead on his feet. The priests there gave me a Pitambar(sacred cloth) consecrated by Vitthal's touch & also lots of Prasad & garlands. i was very happy. What a stroke of Luck!!! All due to grace of Sai Krishna. He also said 2 things,
1. You will never feel scarcity of anything in life.
2. Also next time you come to Pandharpur, you will not be alone, but in couple.
They also gave me some coconuts, one wrapped in saffron cloth for hanging in the house & 2 others for using it in food on Wednesday. They also asked me to put Lord Vitthal's garlands in agricultural land.
I also got similar experience in Rukmini Mata temple, a full darshan. I got the sacred cloth of Rukmini mata & garlands & prasad.
During this trip to Pandharpur, i met an aged couple who were also going for Vitthal's darshan & in general for a pilgrimage to 4 holy places. We accompanied each other until Pandharpur. They also fed me. Since they decided to lodge overnight at Pandharpur, they preferred to stay in the Lodging & take Vitthal darshan next day early morning. Hence we were separated. After my Darshan, I got a call from them saying that they were missing me, I went to them, to show what i got from Vitthal & Rukmini, & they were very happy.
I had booked a train the same night to return home, but the seat did not get confirmed. Hence i was wondering how to get home, a distance of 396 km. But i accidentally met a person associated with a travel company, who said I have a seat in a volvo bus going to Mumbai. he said he was searching for someone to get this seat filled. Thus by Divine grace, i once again got lucky. the bus left in half an hour, & i had a comfortable journey back home.
Dear Bhaktas, i really felt divine love grace & protection in both these trips. What is written in the shastras about God & his fondness for his people is all very true!!!!! May Sai baba bless all of us.
Om Sai Ram
Topic: Visit to Shirdi & Pandharpur - Experience (Read 2551 times)