Baba got us our house (Rashmi Panigraha)
My father's grandfather was a devotee of Shirdi Baba and kept a picture of Baba in his room. On that wall, there were pictures of various deities. I used to visit that house often. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I saw Baba’s picture and felt like He was talking to me. All those deities, and I connected with this one in particular! That was the beginning of my ‘relationship’ with Baba.
The years passed, life changed. I graduated, found a job in Bhubaneshwar (Orissa). In the following years there were many ups and downs in my life. When I changed jobs, I discovered there was a Baba temple near the office, so I started visiting it regularly. My brother was living with me at this time and was an ardent devotee of Baba. I just accompanied him, but did it regularly. I went along and prayed for mundane things. My own deep devotion developed much later in life.
I moved to the U.S after my marriage. A few years later we were hoping to start our family. My sister-in-law lived in Milpitas, close to Baba’s temple. I visited her often, and went to the temple. One morning I thought I might have conceived, but was not sure. I arrived and stood in line for darshan & arati. When I touched Baba’s feet in the main hall and stood up, I suddenly felt like my stomach was bloated. I will never forget that moment! It is so vivid all these years later! And then I ‘Knew’. I was sure that I was pregnant.
It was so early in my pregnancy that the home pregnancy tests came out negative - but I refused to believe it! That sensation of bloating, and the feeling inside me was strong! When I took the test again - it came out positive! I was certain that my pregnancy would go fine. In the delivery room, I took Baba’s idol and kept it close. It was a prolonged labor over 24 hrs, filled with anxiety and lots of tension. My baby’s heartbeat was erratic and she almost went into distress. I was so exhausted, that I lost consciousness briefly, but was still able to deliver naturally. Our daughter was born, healthy! And I gave Thanks to Baba for his blessing!
Life went on. In 2013, we were house hunting. We had viewed lots of houses, but when I walked into that particular house, I felt it was my ‘Home’. With the housing market as hot as it is, we were not sure if our offer on the house would be accepted. The bidding war was pretty intense. I brought Baba’s udi, wrapped it in paper and left in the garage. Then I said a prayer and left it to Him to decide if we would move there. And the next day our offer went through, even though there were other bids way higher than ours! Again, I gave Thanks! We moved to Milpitas close to Baba’s temple. It was another example of my faith in Baba playing out in my life.
After a month or so in our new home, at 3 or 4 am early in the morning there was a tap on the window. I suddenly woke from a deep sleep. At the window there was a little bird, stunned from hitting the glass. Then I realized it was dead. I was scared and believed that bird was a messenger. I had a premonition that death was coming. At times like this, I turn to Sai Prashnavali for answers, and it has never failed me. When I asked the question - the answer came immediately. “Something is coming and it is related to your brother”. I asked the question again and the second message was “A child will be born and everything will be fine”. My brother was 5 years younger than me. So I couldn’t imagine anything happening to him. The feeling of coming danger persisted. And I kept on praying to Baba.
In 2016, my brother started his first job and soon after that he contracted a strange infection which made him seriously ill. He was critical for three days in the ICU, and on Mother’s Day he passed away. Growing up he always joked that he had, not one, but three mothers in his life - my mother, my sister and me. The fact that he died on Mother’s Day shattered us all. I totally lost faith in God. I attended my brother’s funeral and returned to my life in Milpitas. I visited the temple as always, but not with total devotion. My mind was very disturbed. And I forgot the second message from the Prashnavali about a child that would be born again.
One of my cousins who was close to my brother had a dream soon after. My brother came to her in the dream and told her that he is coming back in November. When she found out she was pregnant and that her due date was in November - we were not surprised. Later we found out that a couple of our relatives also saw similar messages about my brother returning. She delivered a healthy baby in November!
In the days following his death, I missed my brother’s hugs a lot. One day I prayed to Baba for a hug. When I checked Prashnavali the answer was, “Your wish will be fulfilled”. That morning I went to the temple and asked Baba, “So, how will you give me a hug”? My sister-in-law who never attends darshan at that time of day, happened to be there. She came up to me and hugged me.
I started a job after a long break, and on the first day before going to work, I went to the temple. I was anxious and had not slept well. I asked Baba, “Please give me Your blessing by placing Your hands on my head”, then I walked out. An older devotee I meet often at the temple, came right up to me, touched me on my head and wished me that day!
I love the picture of Baba in Dwarakamai! It is my favorite image of all that I have seen. But it is very difficult to find. My parents had searched for that picture in India but failed. I asked Baba for help standing in front of that image. While I was cleaning house a few days later I found something on the top shelf of a cupboard. I did not see it while cleaning and knocked it to the ground. When I picked it up it was that exact picture from Dwarakamai! I was overjoyed and immediately framed it.
While preparing for an exam at work, I was telling Baba, that it was my wish to put together a book with all the miracles that I had experienced. I even mentioned the thought to a friend who is a writer. Through the Prashnavali Baba responded, “Someone will help you”. And here I am telling my story, as part of this wonderful project!
Baba is so Alive! He is ‘Present’ in every part of my life! He shows his presence through little signs and actions, and through other people who are part of my life all the time!
Jai Sai Ram!