Day -72. “Om Shri Sai Asahaaya Sahaayaya Namaha.”

          Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

             Day -72. “Om Shri Sai Asahaaya Sahaayaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

 Humble salutation to Him, who is the helper of the helpless. (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation: 

“ Hey Pithamahe Bhishma,Hey King Dhruthrashtra, Hey Guru Dhronacharya,HeyGuru Krupacharya, Hey Kings of the 56 nations, hey Arjun, Hey Bhim, Hey Scholars, Hey Maharaths who are in this court, is there no one to help me? Is there no one to speak the voice of justice? Is there no one to come forward to the helpless?” Draupathi  challenged,appealed, argued and cried. Dutchadhan got up, ordered by Duryodhana, to disrobe her . Even the good knowledgeable in the crowd, including the Vidhur kept silent. The Gauravas laughed. “That is your fate, daughter of Panchala, you are helpless. Dutchadhan, disrobe her” insisted Duryodhan. Draupathi closed her eyes. Nothing filled her mind except Lord Krishna, lips chanting Hare Krishna,Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna. In a rare event defying all Physical laws the power of Brahmam was shown to all.  God  came to her rescue, as always to anyone who feels helpless and abandoned, and calls from the heart. 

The last day for paying admission fees, the last few grains in the rice pot, the last minute for payment of Surgeon’s fees, the last bus to reach the dying at a distance, the last minute  rescue from the rising waters,- many of us have seen, heard or experienced miracles happening to the helpless and surrendering to God and crying for His help. Help comes from somewhere, some form, or some person to the helpless and makes an impossible thing to happen defying physical laws, norms, conventions, rationales and traditions. At that point the self experiences the Brahmam, God, or Guru and recognises and feels immensely happy and experiences the power of infinite. It happens in every one’s life, but many go un noticed, unreported! When the Self abandons all hopes, feels helpless, and appeals the Brahmam, God or Guru brings in that help, in a form that could not be imagined. 

One Bhimaji Patil of Narayanagaon, Taluk Junnar, distt. Poona, suffered in the year 1909 from a severe and chronic chest- disease, which ultimately developed into tuberculosis. He tried all sorts of pathies (remedies) but to no effect. Losing all hopes, he ultimately prayed God,” Oh Lord Narayan, help me now!” It is well- known fact that, when our circumstances are well, we do not remember God but when calamities and adversities overtake us, we are reminded of Him. Bhimaji now turned to God. It occurred to him that, he should consult Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, a great devotee of Baba, in this respect, so, he wrote to him a letter, giving all details of his malady and asking for his opinion. In reply, Mr. Nanasaheb wrote to him that, there was only one remedy left, and that was to take recourse to Baba’s feet. Relying on Mr. Nanasaheb‘s advise, he made preparations for going to Shirdi. He was brought to Shirdi and taken to the Masjid and placed before Baba. Mr. Nanasaheb and Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) were present there. Baba pointed out that, the disease was due to the previous evil Karma and was not disposed to interfere. But the patient cried out in despair that, he was helpless and sought refuge in Him, as He was his last hope and prayed for mercy. Baba’s heart melted and He said,” Stay, cast off your anxiety, your sufferings have come to an end. However, oppressed and troubled one may be, as soon as he steps in the Masjid, he is on the pathway  to happiness. The Fakir here is very kind and He will cure the disease and protect all with love and kindness”. The patient used to vomit blood every five minutes, but there was no vomiting in the presence of Baba. From the time, Baba uttered the words of mercy, the malady took a favourable turn. Baba asked him to stay in Bhimaji’s house, which was not a convenient and fit place but Baba’s order had it be obeyed. While he was staying there, Baba cured him by two dreams. In the first dream, he saw himself as a boy, suffering  the severe pain of a flogging, which he received for not reciting his poetry lesson before his class-master. In the second dream, someone caused him intense pain by rolling a stone up and down over his chest. With the pain, thus suffered in dream, his cure was complete and he went home. He then, often came to Shirdi, gratefully remembering what Baba did for him and prostrated before Him. Baba also did not expect anything from devotees but remembrance, unswerving faith and devotion. (Shri Sai Satcharita Ch:13) 

Having no place to go, the helpless come to Him as the last resort. He accepts their prayers. The miracles do happen, tears are wiped off.  He is Asahaaya Sahaayaya.