23. SAINERGY AT SANDUR!

 

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai had visited the State of Sandur in 1947 for the first time. Ever since that visit the head of the State, Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Ghorpade and the people have been the recipients of Baba' s oceanic compassion and protective grace. In 1949 when the Maharaja had to give up the rulership of his state, he was very disappointed and depressed. He came to Puttaparthi to seek guidance. At that time Baba had encouraged him and assuring him, said that the Maharaja had nothing to despair as he would establish an estate even bigger than Sandur. True! This did happen. On 9th March ,1974, Baba visited Sandur for the second time with a party which included Indra Devi, the famous Russian born American who runs a Yoga Ashram ‘SAI NILAYAM~ at Tecate, Mexico and has as many publlcations on yoga to her credit and who is acclaimed in America as the Lady of Yoga. She has this to say, "We all with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba drove to Srl Sal Mandir, buiSt 15 years ago, by an unknown man who had come to Sandur State. His attire was akin to that of Shirdi Sai and He resembled Him in the built Of the body as well as style of living. He asked the Maharaja for a piece of land to construct a temple. The Maharaja happily consented. The stranger with his own hands sculptured the idol of Shirdi Sai for installation in the temple which he himself had built. He did not allow anyone to have a look at the idol . When it was ready and installed in the Mandir, it was facial resemblance and physical similiarity to the man who carved it. Before the people of Sandur could comment on the mysterious person, his incredible mission and its success, he disappeared. No one has seen him ever since. No one has knows where the money for building the temple came from, for the strange had never asked anyone for any contribution nor did he recruit any help. When Bhagavan came into the temple and looked at the statue He spoke one Word ‘MIRACLE’ echoing the feeling that rose in the minds of all who stood around Him". His miracle indeed, it must have been! This all has been published in 'Sanathana Sarathi' of May 1974.

 

What a novel and noble introduction of His devotees (the people of Sandur) to His previous Sariram!