RAO SAHEB YESHWANT JANARDAN GALWANKAR

17TH OCTOBER, 1936.

RAO SAHEB YESHWANT JANARDAN GALWANKAR, B.A., Brahmin, Landholder and Superintendent, Home department, Secretar­iat, Bombay, aged 51, living at Turner Road, Bandra (Bombay 20), says:

I visited Sai Baba in 1911 first. I went because my father-in-law. Mr. Dabholkar and other relations, went to Baba. I had heard of his saintliness but was not very serious personally to benefit by the visit either temporally or spiritu­ally. I went thus four or five times. But gradually my interest increased. He appeared in my dream and asked for Rs. 2 dakshina. When I woke up, I resolved to send it and I sent Rs. 2 M.O to Baba at Shirdi. In that dream, he gave me two valuable directions, first,i.e., behave with probity and integrity: secondly, be chaste, be sexually pure. I have followed these directions with great care and zeal. Then on one occasion, it was perhaps 1917, when I went to Shirdi, he placed his palm over my head and that had a strange effect on me. I forgot myself and all surroundings and passed into as ecstatic condition. Then, it seems, Baba was telling others present (as I was told afterwards) that I was a soul characterized by integrity and purity, that I went through certain forms, states and conditions in my previous births (which he described), that he placed me in my present mother's womb in this birth and that I had still retained my integrity and purity.

I went to him during my Christmas or other vacations. He never made me overstay my leave. I have full faith in him. He has, however, given me neither Adwaitic self-realisation nor any other teaching on ethical or religious matters- except what I have stated already. I have, however, heard him say at one of my visits to Shirdi, i.e., I am not (confined) within this body of 3 1/2 cubits- height, I am everywhere. See me in every place." I believe that all my studies are directed by him, and I go on studying Gita, Bhagavata, Le., Eka-dashaskandha of Ekanath. But I was not directed by him to study them, in the way in which he directed Jog, H.S.Dixit, etc., I am sorry I made so little use of him, to get into contact with him before he attained Mahasamadhi. I was much younger and, therefore, not so serious-minded then as I am now. I found also few among those who approached him, fit enough to take to self-realisation. Hardly any soared so high. Even up to other spiritual and levels few soared.

As for dakshinas, when I went to him first, I started from my lodgings to go to his Mosque. But on the way I recollected that he would ask for dakshina. So I went back and took Rs.2, in order that I might pay it to him. When I was with him at the Mosque, he asked me for dakshina. I paid him the Rs.2, and he did not ask me for more. I was glad to note his Antarjnana of my intention and preparation to pay him Rs.2, and his kindness in accepting that amount. Baba has been kind to me. I am perfectly content to continue in the state in which I am placed.

(Some years back) In 1921. perhaps, I started with my family to Prayag and Kashi. At Prayag, I was taken to all holy spots. At Bharadwajashrama, my heart was touched and I prayed to Sai Baba to give me the sight of some Sant. I had told my guide also, that besides seeing holy spots, I was anxious to see holy Sants. Within a few minutes after we left Bharadwaja's Ashram, the guide stopped our Tongas and pointed to a venerable Saint, "Whose beard descending swept his aged breast." The guide stated that rarely, once in some years or so, that Saint would visit Prayag, that his Saintliness was widely known, that he would not allow people to ap­proach him and that he would accept no money. Seeing him, so soon after my prayer for the sight of a Saint, my heart was all aglow and I went near enough to him, despite my guide's protests. The Sant far from being angry, welcomed me with arms raised by way of blessing and said "Come, child." My wife, mother and other ladies also approached despite my guide's objections. They too were well received and blessed by him. Then I bethought myself what gifts I should give. I had no flower, fruit or eatable with me. I found three annas in my pocket and gave it to him. Much to the surprise of my guide and contrary to his custom, he received the annas, looked at the coins with a pleased countenance and pocketed them. I felt that it was Sai Baba that gave me this welcome and accepted dakshina.

Since I got ecstasy by Baba's blessing, I began to pay more attention to Adhyatma, le., spiritual side of my exis­tence. Then came the second stage in 1932. I had a dream then. Baba came to me in that dream and asked me, "What do you want?" I replied. "I want to get Prem,i.e., Love, that and that alone". Baba blessed me with Prem and disap­peared. Ever since then, I have had spells of Prem gushing through me - sometimes while I meditate, sometimes while I am reading, etc.

OM SAI RAM!