Taste the Sweetness of the Song
This letter written by an Indian physician more than three decades ago reveals the healing aspects of the vibhuti [sacred ash] manifested by Bhagavan Baba. The thrilling anecdote underscores similar experiences of thousands of devotees worldwide.
This letter is prompted by Bhagavan’s will; it relates His glory. I am a house surgeon, working in the pediatric section of our hospital. Eight days back, a child afflicted with diphtheria associated with myocarditis was admitted to this ward. As the child had severe respiratory distress, an emergency procedure to create an opening in the trachea had to be done.
Unfortunately, the child relapsed into severe distress that evening. The mucus that was obstructing the respiratory system had to be suctioned out. However, the suction did not work. So, my colleague, who is an ENT [ear, nose, and throat] specialist, and I rushed the child to the operating theatre where a suction device was available.
Everything seemed to go well initially. But, quite suddenly, the child had a cardiac arrest and stopped respiring.
Life-saving adrenaline was the only answer. Regrettably, the syringe could not be spotted. At the same time, compounding the problem, the suction device failed to function.
The child was completely flaccid, showing no sign of life.
In dismay, thinking of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, I took a little vibhuti, which I always carry with me, and started to apply it on the chest of the baby. The moment I applied the vibhuti, something miraculous happened. The child took a big gasp. My friend was most pleasantly and gratefully surprised. Soon, the heart started pumping and the child opened its eyes. I could not but gasp in wonder. Tears flowed from our eyes in gratitude to Bhagavan—the mother of all—who had saved the child and given joy to the parents.
I must mention here certain events that occurred earlier in the day, as I was getting ready to go to the hospital. I had put on the shirt that I had worn in the morning, as I was already late for work. But, just when I crossed the threshold, I felt compelled to take that shirt off and put on another. The desire to change was overwhelming. I didn’t know why. “Funny,” I thought to myself, and put it on as I rushed to the hospital.
Trivial things can shift the balance in favor of life, when death calls aloud. The shirt on the hanger which I was compelled to put on had the vibhuti from Bhagavan in it! I realize now that every incident in one’s life, however insignificant or accidental, has a deep meaning.
Lord Hari [Bhagavan Baba] has said in the Sandeha Nivarini [a book clearing the spiritual doubts of devotees]: “Can even a leaf move without My will?”
The next time I sing Paramam pavitram Baba vibhutim, (the song that describes the soul-liberating, wonder-working, miraculously produced sacred ash), Paramartha ishtartha moksha pradartham [the holy ash that grants whatever we seek and liberation], it will not be a mere song, a mere repetition of the lines. I will dwell delightedly on the pavitram [pure], and vichitram [amazing] aspects of the vibhuti to contemplate again on the glory of this miracle I witnessed in the operating room that day.
~M. Jagesh Kamath, M. B. B. S.,
Mangalore, 11-12-72
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, January 1973
