20. DEPART1NG SOUL THE MEETING POINT

 

A Shirdi devotee, about to stage his exit from mortaldom, has gifted to posterity an event that confirms the oneness of the two Sais. The happening of the incident around the year 1963-1964 when Baba was at Madras is inexplicable on any ground, except the identity of the two Sais. It so happened that Parthi Sai had told the devotees that at a particular time and on a particular day a close devotee of Shirdi Baba would be discarding his mortal form. Baba told them that He would have to go and give him His promised darshans at the last moment. The devotees entertained fears about that day; a feeling of anxiety loomed large with a few; yet others hoped and were happy that this incident would enable them to witness Baba graciously fulfilling His promise given to a devotee, whilst in His previous Body. Every moment that ticked, the devotees were heard talking of this. They expectantly watched every second the arrival of the momentous hour. The day did arrive at last. At the said hour despite the precautionary measures taken by the devotees. Baba was in the bathroom. He had not come out for a long time which made the bhaktas peep in through the window. They found that Baba was away from His Body on the usual transcorporeal journey. The door was broken open and those present carefully tended the Body, keeping a close watch on the signs of life, namely the pulse and heart-beat.

 

At this Divine moment a large quantity of vibhuti sprang forth in a stream f rom the right toe. At that time Baba uttered some words in Hindi and Marathi. Soon thereafter Baba returned into His present abode and spoke to the bhaktas, telling them how He had blessed the disciple with the promised vision of Shirdi Sai, giving him 'udi' which He had always been giving to him as his Guru.