Baba’s leelas while I was producing a play (Mona Vijaykar)
I thank Asha for this opportunity to share my personal experiences with you, Baba’s devotees. OM Sai RAM!
Sai Baba’s Leelas have been described by devotees but I never really understood what that meant until I personally recognized them as an adult. To skeptics, my stories might seem bizarre but Baba’s Leelas are a very deep and profound inner awakening, which cannot be and need not be explained.
My earliest introduction to Baba was, as in any Maharashtrian household, through His familiar photo, seated upon the rock, his one leg lifted and resting on the other. That hint of a smile and the kindness in his eyes always seemed to be addressing me. The sweet memory of my parents standing behind me in my childhood, as we sang to Baba every night will remain with me forever. “Shumbham Karoti Kalyanam ..Aarogyam Dhana Samapada…Shatrubuddhi Vinashaya ,,,Deepadjyoti Namostute! “
As the years passed, I had forgotten Baba through college and career. In 1991 I was riding high in the US, having published The Vee Family series of children’s books. It was my effort to help build the self-esteem of young Indian Americans, while Baba was planning to ‘re-appear’ in my life! I had placed an ad for my books in the Hinduism Today newspaper. Alongside, I noticed an advertisement for gold plated murtis. Browsing through the many Hindu deities, I thought, “Perhaps I should order Baba’s murti from these guys”, but soon forgot to follow up on the idea. The next day I received a call from a gentleman, who introduced himself as the owner of the gold plated murti business. Interestingly enough, he was a Parsi from India, married to a Parsi from Pakistan. He informed me that they wanted to send me a complimentary murti …of Baba’s (!!!) as his wife had a dream about Baba and me!!
Baba’s tiny gold plated murti arrived with a dash of orange paint for his shawl. I found a nice spot in the window sill above my 6-year old’s study table. Both my boys would pray to the Murti diligently every night. Two years later, another Leela!
In 1993 I had just finished staging a musical, ‘Indosaurus in Step’, which I had written and directed, to showcase the many unknown talents of young Indian Americans and was basking in the fame that came with it. While I was enjoying the bouquets, Baba was preparing to knock me into consciousness with some brickbats!
It was the height of summer in 1993. I was used to being home alone with all our doors and windows ajar, never afraid of the dark and was quite proud of the fact. On the 4th of July, while the country celebrated Independence, I was wholly unaware that my pride and independence was soon going to be severely tested by Baba! I had made a deal with the kids that I would sleep in their room on Monday nights. Before turning in, I quickly said a little prayer to Baba and begged His forgiveness on behalf of the boys, who had, by now, become delinquent with their daily prayers. Those days, I would sleep like a log and nothing could possibly wake me up. However, that night, at 2.30am, a strange sound penetrated my deep sleep. It was the sound of the window grating against the sill. I turned and opened my eyes to see a man with a buzz cut perched in the window, attempting to slide it open. The window was miraculously blocked by Baba’s tiny murti!! I also know deep within that it was Baba who woke me up that night and did not allow my voice to gag as I screamed “Chor!” The man disappeared into the darkness, possibly wondering what it was that I was yelling! Of course the entire incident left me shaken up and afraid of being alone. I realize now, after much Dhyaan, that Baba wanted me to become fearless with (Shraddha) faith.
Soon afterwards, my husband’s job took us to Bengaluru, where I found the opportunity to reproduce ‘Indosaurus in Step’, as a tribute to my motherland for 50 years of independence. Baba, my Sadguru, was determined to up the lesson in humility. Finding 45 children and a practice venue was a mild challenge compared to funding the production. I was not inclined to asking my husband to sponsor this venture although he had assured me that he would be happy to help. It was the beginning of a long, demoralizing journey. I would go from shop to shop on Brigade Road, Commercial street asking for Rs. 100 to sponsor this unique children’s musical. But people would only be willing to invest in rock concerts and fashion shows, which explains the dearth of quality children’s entertainment in India. I had been warned by my husband to resist the temptation to approach other CEOs in the city although their wives did not hesitate to ask him for various sponsorships. After having left no pebble turned, I was brought down to my knees. My aunt, also a Baba bhakt, confided in me that she would seek Baba’s help whenever she felt hopeless. I did just that. “It was your idea…now you see to its fruition!” I pleaded. As I emerged from the mandir I found a friend eagerly waiting to inform me about a possible sponsor.
This man, Vijay was a little reluctant at first but seeing my disappointment he promised to grant us a lakh of rupees on the condition that we donate to Baba’s charity!!! I couldn’t believe my ears. “I just spoke to him!” I exclaimed. Once it was determined that the production would benefit a Sai Baba trust, funding simply poured in, tickets sold fast, transport magically arrived for the props to be carried to the hall and before we knew it, 45 little actors waited with excitement for the curtain to raise at Guru Nanak Hall. Thanks to Baba’s krupa, we made enough profit to gift hearing aids to 15 children and donate generously to an old age home. I knew that I was merely an instrument to serve Baba’s purpose…Baba’s Leelas are unbelievable and infinite! OM Sai Ram!