Baba's Leela

 If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am immediately with you, day and night. Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as, in the hearts of all beings, Blessed and fortunate, indeed, is he who knows Me thus.

Baba said to Shri Cholkar (Sai Satcharita Ch.15)

Baba’s words are true for each and every devotee even now; as they were then. This is such a Leela where Baba literally went beyond the seven seas to rescue a devotee. It was during World War 1; Capt. Jahangir F. Daruwala was at sea, with his fleet of ships. To his utter dismay he realized that all but three of his ships were hit by the enemy and were sinking fast. Soon these three ships with the passengers, and himself would meet the same fate. Being a good Captain he hoped to ferry the remaining ships to safety.

He had Baba’s photograph in his pocket. He promptly took it out and earnestly prayed to Baba to come to their rescue. Just as he has praying, Baba sitting in  Dwarkamai shouted “Haq, haq”. The devotees surrounding Baba, were astonished to see Baba completely drenched, from head to toe. The water flowed in torrents, and Dwarkamai soon became a pool of water. The devotees simply removed buckets and buckets of water from the Dwarkamai for about an hour. Then they gave Baba dry clothes to wear.

As Baba was silent about the cause of him being drenched, one of the devotees drank the water as tirth (holy water) and found it extremely salty. He wondered at that, but kept quiet. At the same time, at the sea, Capt. Daruwala saw Baba in person, pull and tow his ships to safety. On the third day after this incident Baba received a telegram from the Captain, thanking Him for the rescue operation. Immediately on his return he came to Shirdi and fell at Baba’s feet. He thanked Baba for answering his prayers so swiftly and saving the lives of his crew and the passengers. Capt. Daruwala was an ardent devotee of Baba and he took a great deal of interest in Baba’s affairs. He donated Rs.2,200/- in two installments for the repair of the Sabha Mandap. As a small ‘thank you’ gesture.

Source: Ambrosia in Shirdi-Part 1 (2002)