Narhari’s Stay in Shirdi: Baba’s Predictions This leela is quite mystical and I can hardly find the words to describe it, because Baba predicts many things there. On the 19th day of Narhari’s stay with Baba, this episode took place. That entire day Baba was in a pleasant mood and at night he sent everyone away from the Dwarka Mai. Then he asked Narhari to go to sleep, and only get up when he asked him to. Sometimes during the night Baba woke Narhari and asked him to listen to him with utmost attention. Baba took a heap of Udi from his Dhuni and spread it in front of him, and drew a picture of a hand on it, with some line. Unequivocally Baba spoke, “This is the imprint of the right palm of a person. There are lines that form a fish next to the mount of Venus, that is, the fleshy portion at the base of the thumb. A straight line goes from it to the web between the index finger and the middle finger. Did you understand what I just showed you?” Narhari shook his head negatively. Baba admonished him, and explained it again. “You ass, this is the identity of that person. So look at it carefully and keep rehearsing it in yourmind till it becomes a part of you. This person is a friend of mine, and he will meet you when you are about to die. My friend will meet you in a hospital which is near an ocean. After checking his hand thoroughly, give him what I am going to give you now, without fail. Don’t forget. Now listen to me carefully and attentively. This young man does not believe in God or the Supreme, so he will not be convinced by what you say. So tell him that he will be involved in a fight on the third day from that date and on the 4th day he will miss his lunch and remain hungry till night fall. If these two conditions are fulfilled, then give him what I will give you now.” In this manner Baba predicted Narhari’s death and his own passing away or Maha Samadhi, and this is given below. It is exceedingly difficult for me to write this part of the story; and how it all finally came to pass, hence I will write it in Baba’s words as he spoke, to the best of my ability. I hope the readers will forgive me. Baba continued, “This boy will be born 20 years after I leave my mortal body. On his right palm you will see the lines that I showed you, this is his identification. He will meet you just prior to your death, and will perform your last rites. The last rites are very important because when a person dies, he is relieved of his burden of sorrows; and passes on to a period of happiness. He is very pure at that time because he takes nothing with him from this life. Even his body is burned to ashes, and even that is left here. Hereafter, you are going to practise palmistry, and you will attain knowledge of it. You will gain only that much of knowledge that will enable you to get food and clothes till the day you die. This is because of my blessings; you will never go hungry.” Baba embraced Narhari and held him close to his heart, and stroked his head, and asked him to sit calmly for a while. Hurriedly Baba went off somewhere and returned after some time. He washed his feet and started circumambulating Dhuni Mai, for a total of 7 times. Then he tore the cloth that he had tied around his head into two, and laid it on a heap of Udi. Thereafter he stood on the cloth for a short while. Thus an imprint of the soles of his feet got etched on it. He neatly folded it and enclosed it in the other piece of hisSirvesh (cloth tied around his head). He tied it securely and handed it to Narhari, who was to give it to that young man whom Baba called his dear friend. Baba asked Narhari to tell that young man that Baba wanted him to prepare two sets of his padukas from that imprint. One set was for his devotees to have darshan of, while the other set was for Abhishek (holy bath). “These padukas will uplift my devotees, and fulfil their desires. According to their faith and the good deeds of their past lives they will be benefitted exponentially. The tirth (holy water) from theabhishek of my padukas is ambrosia; it will relieve unusual diseases, infertility, difficult labour and deliveries, and sanctify any place.” Then Baba said a mantra in Narhari’s left ear and asked him to say it in the right ear of that young man. “This mantra should to be conscientiously recited, once only at 1 a.m. at night for a period of 30 years. Only upon the completion of recitation of this mantra for 30 years, my padukas will be sanctified and will be ‘alive’ and potent. Thereafter they can be used for the benefit of my devotees. In that day and age civilization and society will be at its lowest. People will be measured by the wealth, that is money that they possess, and not by their humane qualities. There will be a population explosion and people will be like ants. People will not have empathy towards each other, and only ‘money will talk’. Human beings will be recognised by the amount of money they possess, so to reassure my devotees, my padukas will be there as their refuge. Thus when the time is right give this bundle to my friend, he will definitely follow through, I assure you, as I am positive that he will. Narhari remember this well, do not ever repeat this mantra before anyone or tell anyone about it. While you are with me in Shirdi you will remember it, but once you leave here it will fade away. However, when you have to speak it in his right ear it will come back in your memory, and you will speak it clearly.” By early next morning, Narhari couldn’t remember a word of the mantra. Time was drawing near for Narhari to bid farewell to Baba, as Baba had decided that he would leave on the 21st day. On the 20th day Narhari tried in vain to remember the mantra. Then Baba made him sit close to him and said, “I told you that you will forget the mantra till the appropriate time. This is God’s wish, don’t worry about it. Let God do his work; this is his divine play, and we are unable to understand it. We are servants of God, and if we live the way he has planned it, we will be happy. We are all beggars as we ask him for numerous things. However, he knows what to give to whom, when to give it, and how much to give. I go for bhiksha every day and will do so till I pass away. This is to show devotees where they stand and how they stand in this drama of life. But if they help the less fortunate, and render some service to the downtrodden, this is true devotion to God. To wipe other people’s tears, to talk to them lovingly, this is true service for the Guru. This is what my Guru taught me and this was the key to his treasury that he gave to me. And that I am handing over to you, this is a mantra for life.” On the last day, that is the 21st day, Narhari was exceedingly sad to leave Baba. Then Baba hugged him and said, “There always is happiness and sorrow in the journey of life. Whatever difficult situation you are faced with, if you tackle it calmly with courage you will overcome it. Keeping Shraddha and Saburi by your side, think over the situation or incident, and then you will definitely choose the right path. This is how every devotee of mine should live in this world and I want you to tell every devotee you meet, as this is the teaching of my Guru: that is, Shraddha and Saburi.” Narhari had to leave Shirdi that day as Baba had asked him to. There was a tongawaiting for the devotees going to Kopergaon. Baba brought him to the tonga and asked him to sit in it. Just prior to that Baba placed his hand on Narhari’s head, caressed his face and blessed him. Baba also gave him 16 rupees and said, “Keep this Lakshmi with you and you will not lack food and money for expenditure.” And there ended Narhari’s 21 golden days with Baba. Five years later, Baba took Maha Samadhi, and Narhari was unable to visit Shirdi during that time. Narhari talked to everyone about Shraddha and Saburi and how to live life, as that is what Baba told him on the last day of his stay. Thereafter many people came to meet him and brought clothes, food items, groceries and fruits. Narhari felt awkward about it but this was Baba’s blessing and he accepted it graciously Ref.: Tey Soneri 21 Divas, written by Narhari Vasudev Raikar