Day - 19: “Om Shri Sai Bhaktavana Samarthyaya Namaha.”

Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala – Meaning, Meditation and Miracle 

 

Day - 19:  “Om Shri Sai Bhaktavana Samarthyaya Namaha.”

            

Meaning: 

Humble salutation to the one who has the power to protect His devotees. 

Meditation: 

In all religions devotion and faith (Bhakthi) has been exalted as the way to happiness both during life and the life after death. Bhakthi can give peace to the disturbed mind. Bhakthi can boost the self confidence. Bhakthi can contribute to determination. Bhakthi can increase one’s capacity to sacrifice and can make one to sacrifice many things or even anything.

Bhakthi makes one to be truly devoted to the form of God one worships. The true devotee dedicates everything he experiences to the God to whom he is devoted to. He thus loses his “I” and realizes that He is guided by God. He realizes that he never walks alone. He is led by God or carried and cared by God as a mother takes care of the child.

Many of Baba’s devotees have experienced this protective nature of God. Baba took care of devotees even for small matters. On many occasions, Baba did not permit them to leave Shirdi, when they asked permission to go. On a few other occasions, He asked them to leave immediately for some reason. But in both the cases those who followed His instructions realized later that it was for their good, and Baba saved them from some unhappy events or for doing something which should have been done by them.

 Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar, Watandar of Nimon and Honorary magistrate, was staying at Shirdi with his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Nimonkar were spending most of their time in the Masjid with Baba and serving Him. It so happened, that their son fell ill at Belapur and the mother decided, with Baba’s consent, to go to Belapur and see her son and the other relatives, and stay there for a few days, but Mr. Nanasaheb asked her to return the next day. The lady was in a fix and did not know, what to do, but her God Sai came to her help. While leaving Shirdi, she went to Baba, Who was standing in front of Sathe’s wada, with Nanasaheb and others, and prostrated at His feet and asked His permission to go. Baba said to her, “Go go quickly, be calm and unperturbed. Stay comfortably at Belapur for four days! See all your relatives and then return to Shirdi”. How opportune were Baba’s decree.( Shri Sai Satcharita,Ch-12).

Once, Kaka Mahajani went to Shirdi from Mumbai. He wanted to stay there for one week for enjoying  the ‘Gokul Ashtami’ festival. As soon as he took Baba’s darshan Baba asked him, “When are you returning home?” He was rather surprised at this question, but he had to give an answer. He said that he would go home, when He ordered him to do so. Then, Baba said,” Go tomorrow!”. Baba’s word was law and had to be obeyed. Kaka Mahajani, therefore, left Shirdi, immediately. When he went to his office in Mumbai, he found his employer anxiously waiting for him. His Munim, i.e., the manager, suddenly fell ill, hence, Kaka’s presence was absolutely necessary. He had sent a letter to Kaka at Shirdi, which was redirected to him at Mumbai.( Shri Sai Satcharita,Ch-12).

He continuously watches His devotees and takes care of them with utmost love and care.

He protects His devotees. He is Bhaktavana Samarthyaya.