In
2007, we went to Prasanthi Nilayam after the morning darshan of the lord (Suprabatham).
It was around 6:30AM and instead of going back to my room I started to walk
around the ashrams ground. With frequent Sai Ram’s to each person I met. I saw an
elderly man sitting outside a building in a wheelchair wearing a white kurtha/pajama
with glowing vibrant eyes. As usual I greeted "Sai Ram" and I got the
same reply. A conversation started I asked him several questions just to get to
know him a little more than a casual conversation. He had a pocket radio which
he was listening to, and had a strict schedule that he followed.
As
time was around 7:30AM he asked me “can you cut my nails on my foot as well as
my hands?” I told him “my hands shake so I will not be able to do that but I
will get someone else.” He got angry and
said “if you cannot do it then you can leave!” I wanted to help. As he could not speak
English well enough to convince someone to help him I opted that I will find someone
as people were strolling by. Some could not understand English because they
were foreigners.
There were people who came from
all parts of the world and others could not understand Hindi as there are a
plethora of languages in India. Some, even if they understood, were not willing
to assist until finally I got a man who was willing to do the seva but Mr. Bansilal
was very adamant. He had specific protocols with the way it should be done and
if you disagreed he asked you to leave. So the man agreed with Mr. Bansilal and
continued the way he wanted him to do it. He had a colorful box which contained
all of his grooming tools along with a few other odds and ends. The box was clearly
very old but I could not make out the picture as it had rusted over the years.
Every day after my morning
darshan I would meet up with Mr. Bansilal and would talk and listen to how old
he was when he met Swami. He said when he met Swami he was in his twenties and Swami
was around 15 years old or so. They had a very long connection. He had a colorful
and beautiful picture of Swami and that also piqued my interest every time I
would meet him. It did not matter as what the conversation was he would cut you
off to adhere to his schedule and would ask you to come at a later time, which may
or may not be convenient. As the primary reason for the visit we came was to
have darshan of Swami (Sai Baba). There was something which was propelling me every
day to get to know him a little more and I would go to great lengths to achieve
that.
I would run from darshan to come to the
building or shed as they referred to it. This was a place where quite a lot of people
reside in a 4ft/6ft space, live out of a suitcase or bag with belongings that
they call their own. Some people’s space was decorated by a few pictures and
curtains and some spaces with cardboard partitions. You got to meet with a
variety of people from all walks of life. Many did not talk with anyone and kept
aloof. Some would keep the space very traditional according to the state they
were from. It was a sight to see. Since I was young, I
have always been curious
about people, intrigued by the way they live, and how well I connect ed so well with
seniors. I told Mr. Bansilal that I wanted his grooming box and would replace it
with a brand new stainless steel box which would be great as it would not rust
and would be more hygienic.
He was not ready to part with that box which
had been in his possession for many years. So it took a little more convincing
than expected. I told him that I would buy him several pairs of kurtha pajamas to
wear as well. Still nothing. But finally one day he gave in. He wanted only
100% cotton and no mix of any materials. That was not easy to find as nowadays
there is a mix of cotton and polyester in almost all materials. I went to the
market in between the darshan schedule and purchased his size which was quite an
odd size. Not the standard size. The following day when I met him and gave it
to him he did not like the style. So again to the market, the principle of
exchange in stores does not happen due to the enormous population. So I
purchased another and gave the first batch to the homeless people outside. Maybe
that was also a part of the divine play.
Finally, he kept two sets of pajamas
and reluctantly took the steel box and I emptied his contents into the new box.
I had informed my wife that I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Bansilal and she
too wanted to meet him. He agreed and showed his house (space) to my wife with
such pleasure and wanted us to have something to drink before leaving.
At that time he said this past
life connection where you came from the United States to meet me, to take back
this box which I was holding for such a long time, for me to give it back to
you. It was very emotional but I had to take it. My wife asked "why do you
want this box" it is dirty, smelly, and rusted beyond belief and with one
touch it would fall apart. I have no words to express why. All I knew was I had
to. With that we told him we had to return home to the United States and if
destiny permits we will meet again.
In October 2010 we were in Prasanthi
Nilayam again and I was frantically searching for Mr. Bansilal as he was quite
old and we all think of the worst first when we do not connect. We were in the
ashram for 3 days and were hoping to see him at least once. The last day
finally I saw a young man escorting a wheelchair and took a peek. Low and
behold it was in fact Mr. Bansilal himself. “Sai Ram! Do you recognize me?” He said “you are the guy who bought me two
sets of kurtha pajamas and took the box!” My happiness knew no boundaries at that point
in time and I was thoroughly thrilled to see him as I knew that was the last
time I would be seeing him. I offered my pranams to him and bid farewell. In
the year 2012 I had gone to India again but that time I could not see Mr. Bansilal.
MAY
HIS SOUL MERGE WITH THE DIVINE MASTER AND REST IN PEACE.
Thank
you Swami for connecting me to this divine soul, that which he was holding for
such a long time only to give me.
Sai
Ram. Love All Serve All.
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