Faith and Patience do Wonders!
Give up all anxiety. The moment you put your foot in Shirdi, your sufferings have ended. You may sink neck deep in the sea of obstacles, you may have sunk deep into the pit of sorrow and suffering, but know that he who climbs the steps of this Mosque will enjoy the greatest happiness. The Fakir of this place is very kind, He will eradicate your disease and pain. He who has compassion for all, will look after you very lovingly,”
Above were Baba’s assurance to to Bhimaji Patil of Narayangaon when he was suffering from pulmonary T.B. (Sai Satcharitra, Ch.13).
In Thajanpur Chebedi near Sinner, Nasik district lived Lakshman Baji Avare. In 1910 he suffered from terrible pain in both his eyes. The eyes watered constantly, and finally he lost his sight and became blind. All sorts of remedies and medicines were tried but of no avail. A friend of the family advised them to go to Shirdi and have Baba’s darshan, and assured them of a permanent cure. One Thursday they came to Shirdi and had Baba’s darshan. Baba looked at Lakshman kindly and said “Allah Achchha Karega” (Allah will do good) and gave them Udi. After returning home, they noticed that the watering and pain had subsided. So the family made weekly trips to Shirdi (every Thursday), and took Baba’s darshan for six months.
Some of the villagers advised Lakshman’s mother to take her son to JJ. Hospital, Bombay for treatment. On the day of their departure to Bombay, Lakshman had a burning sensation all over his body. Regardless, the family left for Bombay. There a British ophthalmologist examined him and told that he would not regain sight as his eyes were badly damaged.
With a heavy heart the family returned to their village. Lakshman however, determined that whether he recovered his sight or not he would stay in Shirdi and remain devoted to Baba. The family came and stayed in Shirdi for some time, then the mother returned to her village leaving Lakshman behind. Lakshman had unwavering faith in Baba. Every morning, he washed his eyes with the water that Baba used to wash His face with. This he did for one month and then suddenly, his sight got restored, but not fully. One evening he took Baba’s darshan in the Chavadi. Baba gently clapped His hands on Lakshman’s chest and Lo! He could see clearly again. Overwhelmed with gratitude Lakshman stayed in Shirdi till Baba’s Mahasamadhi.
As a token of gratitude for his recovery, Lakshman used to pump water from the well when asked by Radhakrishna Mai and used to do all the work that she asked him to do willingly, as a service to Sai Nath!
SHARAN MAJA ALLA ANI VAYA GELA, DAKHAVA DAKHAVA AISA KONI
[SHOW ME. DO SHOW ME ANY ONE WHO HAS SOUGHT SHELTER AND REFUGE IN ME AND WAS CAST BY THE WAYSIDE OR ABANDONED]
(From Eleven Assurances of Sai Baba)
As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat:
Karma taankara aloukika || Shakti prayoganti aneka
Kathina byaadhira shamana || Mrutaku debaara jeebana
Sarbapraaneera manobhaaba || Jaanibaa taankara swabhaaba
Duraru shabdara shrabana || Dura ghatanaara darshana
[Their activities are miraculous. They can use different powers to cure incurable diseases and (even) give back life to the dead. They can spontaneously read the mind of every living being. They can hear from a distance (clair audience) and see from a distance (clairvoyance).]
Sources:
1. Ambrosia in Shirdi – Part-I (Baba’s Leelas before 1918)
2. Shri Guru Bhagavat Vol.2 by Dr. C B Satpathy