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Posted on: Apr 10, 2014
WHEN YOU SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
THE LORD WAITS TO SERVE YOU WITH ALL HIS HEART!
Part 02
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| Decorations to welcome the Lord coming in the golden chariot to every home |
The Ever Enthusiastic Mitu
I took a sip when the young, muscular Mitu stepped in.
His mother immediately introduced me.
“So Mitu, what were you busy with?” I casually held Mitu's hand and gently pulled him to sit beside me on the bench; my left arm was warmly wrapped around his shoulder.
“Right from morning I have been helping everyone prepare for this evening's festival. See, in front of every house they have placed a sacred coconut, a lamp and made floral decorations. I had told all of them to finish their day's work in time and be ready for this moment in the night. Additionally I had many responsibilities in the nearby Sai temple too.”
Getting the clue, I asked, “Since when have you been associated with the Sai Organisation? And how did this happen?”
“Right from my childhood, I had an affiliation for the Divine. I used to spend all my free time serving in the temples, be it decorating the idols or doing the dishes. If there was any work to be done, regardless of whether it is a shrine of Lord Shiva or Lord Jagannath, I was always up for it.”
“But what motivated you to do all this? Did you want any specific desire of yours fulfilled? Why were you doing all this for the Lord?” I sought more insights into this facet of his personality.
“To be frank, I never asked God for anything. I did it because I liked it. I did with all my heart... somehow there was always this pull from the Lord and I enjoyed the work - that's all I can say. I do not know how else to explain...” Mitu was really at a loss to articulate his love for the Lord.
“Okay, but how did you get involved with the Sai Organisation?”
“Well, one day in 2000 a friend asked me to attend Sai Bhajans. I was reluctant because I loved Lord Shiva and Jagannath, and was not keen about another God. Still, unwilling to disappoint him I went to the Balipatna Sai Samithi (Puri district).
But once I was there I fell in love with the ambience. The bhajans and the final arathi captivated me. What also impressed me the most was the discipline of the people there; there was so much order and decorum, and everything was done with such sincere devotion. I was deeply touched. That was the beginning. I started attending the activities of the Sai Organisation regularly. The Sai brothers and sisters loved me and I enjoyed being there. All this happened 13 years ago.”
“Nice, so with time your relationship with the Organisation only grew...” I wanted him to continue on the same line of thought and share more details.
Vibhuti, Prayers and Divine Grace Bring Back Mitu's Father
“Yes, after a year or so of my joining the Organisation, suddenly my father became seriously ill. He had a long history of diabetes and this had led to many serious complications. Being a small-time vegetable vendor bringing up a family of three children, he had no savings. I loved my father but we had no money to take him anywhere for treatment. We tried herbs and local remedies but they were of little help. In fact his condition became so bad that the people of the village thought his last moments had arrived and even poured the sacred nirmalya water (from the holy shrine of Jagannath Puri) into his mouth, praying for his smooth release.
"But once my Sai brothers heard about this they immediately rushed and arranged a vehicle to take my father to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneshwar. The doctors there diagnosed that he not only had diabetic-related maladies but had also contracted tuberculosis. His treatment began and this entailed huge expenses in insulin and other costly drugs, but everything was taken care of by my Sai brothers.
"Every day I used to make my father take copious doses of vibhuti and I prayed to Baba. After about 75 days of hospitalisation, thanks to Bhagawan's grace, he did recover. But many expensive medicines still had to be taken daily that amounted to more than Rs. 1,000 every month. Again the convenor of our samithi came to our rescue and assured me that he would settle the monthly bills with the medical store. Not only this, given that my father was no more in a condition to earn for the family, he even gave me a job in his rice factory. I was 20 years old then. That is how Baba took care of everyone in our family.”
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| The young and dynamic Mitu, ever ready for Sai Work |
“This is so heartening to hear! Indeed Swami is looking after you... Is your father fine now?” I asked eagerly.
The Second Tragedy Leading to a Catastrophe
“Yes, he is but at times he does have a few problems. Actually after the treatment in 2001 he was doing well for nine years but towards the end of 2010 he developed a boil on his foot. My Sai brothers this time took him to a hospital in Puri. My father was admitted there. I stayed with him and served him night and day. This continued for a month.
"In fact I used to take care of not only my father but also others in the ward. There was another old man who was very pleased with whatever I was able to do for him, so much so that when his adopted son came a few days later, the old man told him, ‘If ever you want to do anything for me, do it for this boy. He has served me so well!’
"I have always loved helping others right from my childhood. I would never say no to anybody if it was within my capacity.
"My father was operated upon in March 2011. I remember that day clearly. At 3 p.m. his surgery was done. But by 3.30 p.m. my health became serious.”
“Oh! What happened to you?” The story had taken some unexpected turn.
“I do not know; maybe it was the strain of the past 30 days. I guess less sleep and inadequate nutrition had taken their toll on my body. I had diarrhoea, started vomiting, and became extremely weak. All the Sai brothers who had come to see my father took me to another hospital in Puri. The adopted son of that old man too came there. I was treated for six days. My health showed signs of improvement and at this point the hospital directed us to continue the treatment at home. So I was discharged. Yet again, all the expenses were borne by brothers from the Sai family.
"Unfortunately within three days of returning home my health suddenly became critical. I was not able to pass urine, the pain in the abdomen was severe, breathing was difficult and my whole body was aching. It was almost as if I had no energy within and there was this unceasing suffering.
"The Sai brothers came to my rescue one more time. They now took me to a hospital in Pipli (40 km from Puri) but since my condition was serious they were advised to shift me to Bhubaneshwar. With oxygen masks on I was on the road to Bhubaneshwar but once there the doctors suggested that I be immediately carried to the famous Cuttack Medical College. The physicians there examined me and said, ‘The operation to save his life is too risky. One of his kidneys has collapsed and the other one is on the verge of giving away. It is better you take him to a private hospital’. So finally I was brought to Shanthi Hospital in Cuttack.”
“You had to undergo so much of running around in that night when your condition was so serious!” I was alarmed at what he had to go through that day.
“Yes, we were on the road right from the afternoon. It was a nightmarish ordeal. I was constantly chanting Swami's name and doing Sai Gayathri. The pain was unbearable. In fact when we left Cuttack Medical College I had no more strength left in me, I had lost consciousness. The last words I remember saying to those around me were ‘I am departing now...please take care of my parents and siblings, and love them as you love me.’ I knew I was dying.
"Later I came to know that the doctors in Shanthi Hospital agreed to admit me on a condition: ‘We will observe him for 72 hours. If by any chance he regains consciousness, then there may be some hope. Else the family should prepare for the worst, and most important, no one should hold the hospital responsible for his demise.’
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| This chariot is going to each village in every district of the state of Odisha |
"My Sai brothers signed on this agreement and I lay there motionless for two full days. My entire village was praying for me. Everyone loved me and my helping nature. So many mothers had begun their religious vows and fasts pleading with the Lord for my cure. The youth of my locality joined to collect funds to pay for my hospital stay; they went door to door seeking help and support. Along with all the help that came from the Sai brothers and sisters, they managed to pool Rs. 1,65,000! This consisted of contributions which were as low as Re. 1 and Rs. 5.
"The doctors and the hospital staff were surprised to see so many visiting the hospital to enquire about me who they were told was a poor village boy. Later they gathered that all the visitors were Sai devotees.
"I of course had no clue of anything around me at that time. My hands and legs were tied. There were tubes running through my nose and mouth. My vital organs were failing. Medically the hospital had given up. They were just waiting for the stipulated 72 hours to pass to declare me dead. The nurses had even told my family and friends to save whatever money they had collected to use it for my funeral.
"Nevertheless, my Sai brothers and sisters continued their special bhajans for me with greater vigour and fervour. They had a strong feeling that Baba would definitely come to my rescue. And He did! Baba came to me!”
Sai Steps in to Save His Beloved
“Wow! Baba came to you? When? How?” I wanted more clarity. “Did you see Him? How did He look?”
“As the 72 hours were about to end, that evening I saw Baba in the ICU standing on my right side.”
“And then?” I was impatient now to get the details.
“I was crying and told Baba, ‘I am dying... please save me Baba.’ And Swami very lovingly wiped my tears and said, ‘I am there with you... nothing will happen to you, I will take care of you.’ He said this, wiped my tears again and repeated, ‘I am there with you... nothing will happen to you.’ He then continued to assure and comfort me by gently moving His hand over my back, my shoulders, my head and my face. I could feel His soft energising touch and hear His words, 'I am there with you... I am there with you.’ This probably continued for five minutes. And then Baba quietly walked away. At that instant I opened my eyes and wanted to tell this to my family and the samithi convenor.
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"But there were tubes in my mouth and my hands were tied. So with great difficulty I knocked the bed with the ring of Baba I always had on my finger. Hearing the sound a nurse came near. She was startled! A body they thought was dying was now moving!
"She immediately alerted the physician. The doctor too was obviously shocked. He came and saw that not only was I alive but was also eager to communicate something. So he called in the samithi convenor and then asked me if I was able to recognise him. I was desperate to share what Baba told me and was unable to speak because of the tubes in my mouth. They finally released my hands and I indicated that I wanted to at least write.
"So the nurse gave me her notepad and I immediately wrote ‘Baba had come!’ In fact the moment they removed the tubes from my mouth I started singing bhajans; I longed to sing Sai bhajans.
"From then on my organs slowly started regaining their vitality and I became almost normal in seven days. However since both my kidneys had been affected I was advised to undergo regular dialysis. Generally this procedure takes about 30 minutes and to keep the patient's mind engaged there is a TV monitor playing movies in this room.
"When they took me into this I asked if some devotional videos could be shown instead and they obliged. They were in fact surprised and happy; no one had made such a request before.
"After about 10 days in the hospital I returned home. My weight had come down from 69 to 34 kilos. But that was not a problem at all. The major issue was complying with the doctor's advice during discharge: ‘You have very weak kidneys. You will have to come to the hospital once in eight days for dialysis.’
"This thought kept bothering me all through. At the end of eight days when I was being taken to the hospital for my first dialysis after discharge, I was extremely despondent. I started fighting with Baba. This is because each dialysis session cost Rs. 2,000 and I did not want to be an eternal burden on someone. All the Sai brothers and friends had done more than enough when my eyes were closed, but now I was conscious and I did not want to bother anyone anymore. But they pressurized me to go to the hospital and as I was on the way I took a mental vow. I told Baba: ‘Swami, when you know I cannot afford this every week why did you bring me back? If I really have to incur another Rs. 2,000 today for dialysis, I will not return home; I cannot be a burden on my family.’ I had settled the issue with Baba.
"That day before starting dialysis they did the usual initial blood and urine tests, and when the results showed up, it left everyone at Shanthi Hospital amazed! My kidneys were functioning normally! I was not even charged for the doctor's fees, as it turned out that Dr. Rekha who saw me that day was a Sai devotee!”
“That is simply surreal. Yours is truly a miraculous story of love!” I said, taking a deep breath as the thriller of a tale concluded. Or at least that is what I thought.
A Surrender Like That!
“Well, every day of my life is a miracle. After this I survived from two snake bites; my mother had a successful cataract surgery even though we did not have a single penny with us; my brother was fortunately saved in a cycle accident and has now got a small job; my sister had chest pain and dental woes which have been cured without her going to the hospital... It is Baba alone who is looking after us. To tell you the truth, since I recovered in April 2011 I have no job. The doctors advised me against working in the rice factory as before. So now I spend all my time doing Sai work either in the samithi here or wherever I am called.”
And then pointing to himself he continued, “This shirt that I am wearing was not bought by me...” He stood up and pointed to the rope behind us on which hung a couple more shirts, “I have ten shirts now but I did not buy even one of them! Swami takes care of all my needs.”
“But do you not feel that you should do something to earn for your living? Are you not apprehensive from where your next meal will come from if your pockets are always empty?” I asked.
“Absolutely not. I have had so many experiences in my life. Now I know beyond doubt that Baba will take care. We chant ‘Om Sri Sai Anna Vastra Daya Namah’ (Sai, You are the One who sustains us with food and clothes). I have seen the manifestation of this divine promise in my life. Baba will do whatever is needed for me at the right time.
(Fortunately Mitu's brother has got a job now and is able to provide some support to the family)
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| Each one of Mitu's family has a moving tale of Divine grace and protection |
"I have decided to dedicate this life only to His work. Nothing else is priority or as important – apart from taking care after my parents of course. I was always devoted to my mother and father but after coming into Baba's fold this has intensified. I want to spend all my time serving them and doing His work. Till my end I will never stop serving Sai. He is the breath of my life. Indeed He is my life and my everything. I am happy with whatever He has given me in this birth and I want to make best use of it by serving others. I know for sure He will give me a better birth next time.”
The exuberance to do His work and the complete submission to His will was marvellous and moving.
It was hard for me to somehow subdue my emotions and stop my eyes from overflowing. That night I had learnt the greatest lesson of surrender from a simplest person on earth. In modern parlance, Mitu was perennially broke, yet he had everything including peace and happiness. Often we come across people who have everything, yet whose lives seem broken and listless.
A molehill of material wealth with a mountain of faith is far greater and rewarding than a mountain of material wealth with a molehill of faith. Faith can build or rebuild any mountain anytime but with no faith even a mountain could anytime be reduced to a molehill.
Also when you serve the Lord with all your heart, the Lord too waits to serve you with all His heart! Mitu's life in an obscure village in underdeveloped Odisha stands as a testimony to this. God knows how many such Mitus are hidden in how many corners across the globe!
Of all the days I was in Odisha how did I happen to visit only Bajpayee village? And of all the houses in that hamlet, why was I prompted to greet Mitu's mother? Well, that is the fantabulous play of the Cosmic Director. Let us submit to this Omniwill and pray that we live every moment in full realisation that He is the only Doer.
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- Bishu Prusty (Team Radio Sai)
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