Vibhuti in the wound…

As the song, the Vibhuti Mantra declares, Paramam Pavitram Baba Vibhutim….Paramam Vichitram Leela Vibhutim… Vibhuti of Bhagawan can be miraculous if one takes refuge in it…if one takes it with faith… Sergeant DS Kadam of the Indian Army had a miraculous personal story of Bhagawan’s Vibhuti… Prof N Kasturi presented the story in the Aug 1970 issue of Sanathana Sarathi.

Sergeant D. S. Kadam, aged 34, was in the Ordnance Section of the Indian Army. On the 18th October, 1968, he sustained a gunshot injury at very close range, on his left leg, just below the knee cap. The tibia and fibula bones were fractured, the leg was badly crushed. Two thirds of the tibia, about 6 inches splintered and was thrown out. He was admitted to the Military Hospital at Ambala Cantonment and was operated upon eight times, by skilled specialists. Mr Kadam writes, “The surgeons took out 300 pellets and pieces of broken bones from the wound. Despite the best medical care, the formation of pus continued for about a year.

One morning, while another inpatient in the same ward was being taken to the operation theatre, he placed with me a photograph of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and a copy of the book, “Sathyam Sivam Sundaram”, for safe custody! I kept them on the little table near my bed.

While I was preparing to take my lunch, my eyes fell on the photograph of Baba, and I saw a few large dots of Vibhuti (Ash) on it. I did not believe my eyes. I had no faith in Mahatmas and Sadhus; I rubbed the Vibhuti off, thinking that it was ash that had some how fallen on it, from somewhere. I turned towards the thaali, for my lunch, when I found that the Vibhuti had reappeared, in greater quantity than before. I felt that Baba must be a remarkable Person to create Vibhuti on His portrait, like that. So, after lunch, I started reading the book about Him.

The impression this book left on my mind and heart was that Sri Sathya Sai Baba is not a Mahatma or Sadhu; He is a super human Power, GOD come in human Form: Meanwhile, the photo and the book were given back to the owner, when he came back from the operation theatre. And, I started meditating and praying to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, from my bed in the hospital.

The surgeon told me that he was unable to control the formation of pus in the wound; there was no remedy, other than amputation, to save the infection from spreading throughout the leg and body. I could not sleep that night. I lost all hope of recovery.

The very next morning, a gentleman came to me with another Sai devotee. He gave me two packets of holy Vibhuti, which were given to him a year ago, by Bhagawan Himself. He advised me to apply the Vibhuti over the bandage. One packet I used on the bandage. But, I felt an urge, in the night, to pour the Vibhuti from the other packet into the wound itself, without caring for the consequences. I knew I will have to suffer at the hands of the military surgeons. In the morning, when the bandage was removed, there was no trace of pus, or blood or bad odour from the wound! The Surgeon was surprised to see the highly improved condition of the wound, an improvement which was beyond imagination! Since then, I applied only Vibhuti in the wound. The Vibhuti was given by that friend.

The surgeon told me that he was confident the wound will be healed dry, very soon. But, he said, the leg will not be able to hold the weight of the body. After a week, I started walking, with the help of crutches! Another week I could walk with the help of a walking stick!

On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, I came to have darshan of Bhagawan at Prasanthi Nilayam. I was blessed. I touched His Lotus Feet. I can now dispense with the stick too!

I cannot explain in words my wonder, gratitude and faith, about Bhagawan’s grace.”

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II