Our friends are Baba’s messengers (Kanta Khiatani)

Jai Sai Ram!

My first darshan of Baba was in the late 1960s,  at a neighbor’s house in Ludhiana, when I saw His portrait. I did not think much of it at that time. I moved to the S. F Bay area  in 1976 and since there were no temples, people used to gather for Poojas in each others’ homes.

In the late 1980s, I attended a Pooja and met an old school friend there. I found out that they had moved from the East coast recently, were Sai bhakts and held Satsangs at their home regularly. One day she brought me a copy of the Sai Satcharita. I started reading it simply because this was my friend who had given it to me. But as I read it, I felt more and more connected to Baba. I did not engage in the vrat, or follow any ritual. Just kept reading the book. 

 In 1996, during a trip to India, my husband and I made an impromptu plan to visit Shirdi. We had no intentions when we arrived in India. But then, the trip and the darshan were both wonderful - our first visit to Baba. I felt like He had attracted us to Shirdi like a magnet! Since that time, we go to Shirdi whenever He calls us. 

 In 2011, I was a regular visitor to the Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple in San Jose, and I met Renuji there. To me, she is like Baba’s messenger. She told me about the Shirdi Temple and I started attended aratis, participating in Seva etc. That same year I had some serious health issues, and firmly believe that I was able to pull through only because of Baba’s blessings. I don’t follow any of the rituals very strictly, but feel His presence just through seva. 

I cannot recount any specific events that have shown me Baba’s Grace. He is a constant presence in my life. I feel His Grace, in each and every moment!

 Jai SaiRam!