Om Shri SatChitAanand Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
We will continue to read experiences of Chota Khan with Shirdi Sai Baba. Until now we have read how he was sent to Baba by a Muslim saint, initially he got help from Baba and about his three visits to Shirdi.
Sai Baba warns Chota Khan
Imam Chota Khan then narrated more of his experiences with Shirdi Sai Baba. Let us go through them. On his later visit to Shirdi, Baba did not permit him to return. It was a well-known fact that the devotees who listened to Baba about their departure from Shirdi always were thankful to Baba because later on they realised it was for their own welfare. Those who were impatient and did not listen to Baba but their own logic found themselves facing some sort of difficulties. Here we will read how Chota Khan made similar mistake of not listening to the All-Knowing Baba but followed his own logic.
When he went for the permission to leave Shirdi, Sai Baba said, “People should not go. If they go there will be storms, balls of fire and immense difficulties.” Imam Chota Khan did not grasp that the message was meant for him and left Shirdi in a hurry. He went on running and walking at a pace of about 5 miles an hour. He reached Vari.
about 17km, in 2 hours at 5.30 pm, it was about sunset time. From there he reached the bank of river Surala. The Patil of the village there, warned him not to proceed as the weather was cloudy and he will have to suffer.
He replied that his village was at short distance of 4 miles from there and so he will not stop. 3 miles he covered and he noticed a huge storm. A lightening struck on a huge Pipal tree in front of him. The tree was split into two and was ablaze with a fire. He was dazed by the fire and turned his back towards tree.
Imam Chota Khan witnesses a Miracle
There was a wonderful and blessed vision awaiting him. He saw Sai Baba of Shirdi was standing there with two tawny dogs. He bowed to Baba and Baba disappeared after giving this assuring vision that He was with him during this testing times. He continued his journey. There was a river near his village. He started crossing the river without knowing the depth of it. All the time he found that the river was knee deep. After crossing the river when he looked back, he was amazed by what he saw. He saw that the river was in full flood, water overflowing the banks. The depth of water should have been around 20 ft. This was the miracle he saw. With the help and grace of caring Baba he reached his home safely. He remembered the statement of Baba about the storm and ball of fire.