Dattatreya Vithal Vaidya

My father Vithal N.Vaidya is a retired Railway employee living at Karchi and has long been a devotee of Sai Baba. But, he has a dislike for expressing to other his own experiences relating to Baba. My father’s first visit to Shirdi Baba was when I was very young - indeed so young that I have hardly any recollection of that visit. My sister Chabu, a small child then, had suddenly an attack of fever on the day fixed for starting to Shirdi and he had to take the children with him. Our relations, therefore, opposed his idea of starting. But, his strong faith in Baba made him stick to his first idea and he was prepared to go and did start with the sick child. By the time we reached Kalyan, the child was alrightfever had disappeared. Thus, his faith in Baba was justified and strengthened. He went and took darshan. He was anxious to return in proper time and asked Baba for leave. But Baba detained him for several hours beyond the proper time for starting in spite of his informing Baba that he must proceed at once to join duty on tomorrow. Some 4 hours or so after the proper time, Baba gave him leave. But my father thought it was useless to start then for Kopergaon station, as there would be no train available. But Baba having given leave, he was told that it was not right for him to continue at Shirdi and that he should start at once. He started and when he reached the station, he was surprised to discover that the train by which he wanted to go to Bombay was 5 hours late and had not arrived. It came soon after he went and he reached Bombay in due time.

My father fell ill at Thana in 1933-1934, severe type of pneumonia it was. Dr. Chipkar was despairing of his recovery. He had fever for 21 days and the temperature was yet high.

My father was, however, even during his illness, praying to Sai Baba. On the 21st day at 9p.m. my father had actual vision of Baba - though none of us at his bedside could see Baba. My father cried “Baba has come and wants bread and onions”. As we did not see Baba, we thought our father delirious and that really there was no reason to fetch bread and onions. Then my father was angry with us and asked us all to clear out. We left the sick room and stood outside, but quite near to hear what passed in the room. We could hear Baba talking with my father. Then we heard Baba addressing some 2 persons present there and asked them to go away. They however, protested and wanted to take away my father with them. Baba objected and asked them to clear away and forcibly struck the earth with his little staff. And evidently these two persons went away. We heard no more of their voices.

Baba left the sick room telling my father to drink plenty i.e. one lotaful of cold water. Then my father called for me and for drinking water. As the doctor had forbidden cold drink, we hesitated but at the insistence of my father, my mother who had faith in Baba gave him water. He drank 2 or 3 cups full of cold water. He perspired and the temperature was rapidly coming down a fact which we ran up at once to report to the doctor. Doctor came up at once and wondered at the sudden fall of temperature, and its being brought about by cold water being taken. He gave some injection and next morning he declared that my father was beyond danger. Thus, the crisis of my father’s life was tided over by Baba’s appearance and help. On some previous, critical occasions we heard our father say Baba is come and wants bread and onion.

Last year (i.e. 1935) my sister Chabu had to be married. My father was anxious about it and was inquiring for a suitable match. One match was almost settled but suddenly fell through; that made my father still more anxious. As usual, he was praying to Sai Baba. One night he had a dream. There he was told that a letter from Pandharpur side would come and following that would settle matters and that he need not be anxious. Within 15 days of the dream, one Dingre of Pandharpur wrote a letter to him proposing a marriage with one Mr.Dixit of Pandharpur. Very soon, that marriage was settled and celebrated.