Shirdi Sai: Miracles Without Boarders

Sree Sainathayanamaha.

The experiences of Shirdi Saibaba devotees prove that Sai is everywhere. He shower His blessings equally on all, irrespective of their stay in India or America or anywhere in the worild. Below are detailed experiences of 3 devotees in Houston,TX (USA). These happened at different times and collectively presented. The first Leela ( Miracle 1.): The Power of Sai Satcharitra – A Devotee’s Experience in America Sai Satcharitra itself proclaims: “Hearing Sai’s divine leelas kindles devotion and purifies the mind. Sins are washed away. Narrating Sai’s leelas to others awakens new insights. Whoever performs the Satcharitra Parayan with devotion and complete faith, completing it in seven days, all their calamities vanish. Wealth comes to those who seek it; business prospers; poverty dissolves; diseases disappear. The wavering mind gains steadiness. One who surrenders fully merges into the Supreme, just as a river loses its identity in the ocean.” A devotee known to the author in Houston (Texas) once shared her profound experience. She barely knew about Shirdi Sai Baba. Upon hearing of Him during a casual meeting, and yearning to overcome her difficulties, she borrowed an English copy of Sai Satcharitra. Although advised to begin the parayan on a Thursday, she was unable to wait. She began on Saturday and, filled with eagerness, completed the entire reading in three days instead of seven. As she read the final pages, the home phone began ringing. She refused to get up until the last word was completed. When she finally answered the call — the miracle unfolded: It was a job offer. After months of unemployment and despair, this sudden blessing arrived exactly at the moment she completed the sacred parayan. She joyously declared it was due entirely to Baba’s grace. Thereafter she became a steadfast devotee and began worship and satsangs in her home. This incident occurred 16 years ago, yet remains a shining example of how time, place, and distance hold no power over Baba’s grace. Where there is faith and surrender, Baba’s blessings surely follow.

The second Leela (Miracle 2.): The God Who Gives What One Sincerely Asks — A Devotee’s Experiences in America Sai Satcharitra, Chapter 15 says: “If you stretch your hands towards Me in devotion, I am ever near you. Though My body appears at one place, I know all your actions across the oceans. My true dwelling is in your heart. Worship Me within. Blessed indeed are those who recognize this truth.” Although Baba attained Mahasamadhi a century ago, His eternal leelas still vibrate throughout the universe. A devotee, Shri Suri Kakaji of Houston, narrates: In 1977 he moved from Gujarat to Houston and regularly visited the ISKCON temple. A friend once invited him to his home for a satsang. Along with various deities, there was also a small photo of Shirdi Sai Baba. Kakaji asked his friend if he could obtain a Baba photo. His friend replied, “I have none left, but if you truly desire it, Baba Himself will give it to you.” Kakaji searched every Indian store in Houston — not a single Baba photo was available. He returned home slightly disappointed. A few days later, a stranger knocked on his door. The man said he urgently needed some money and offered a pendant in exchange. When Kakaji looked closely — it was a locket with Shirdi Sai Baba’s picture. He was astonished. The man asked for exactly twenty dollars in Gujarati, received it, and disappeared. Kakaji never saw him again — not before, not after — for over forty years. He now believes firmly that the visitor was no ordinary man — but Baba Himself come to fulfill his longing. Another miracle occurred during a Durga Puja held at his home. Before the puja, Kakaji placed a small slip of paper in the shrine politely inviting Baba to attend. After the puja, as guests were leaving, Kakaji suddenly saw Baba appear like a flash of light entering the puja room. Thrilled, he shouted for everyone. But by the time others arrived, there was no one there. All the rooms were closed. No one else had seen Him. How did Baba enter? How did He vanish? Such mysteries belong only to Sai — the merciful One who comes uninvited to bless His devotees.

The third Leela (Miracle 3.): **The Sai Who Connects Continents (A Miracle Linking Houston, Bangalore, and Shirdi)** Here is a Leela that shows Baba’s universal presence — how He effortlessly connects people across oceans. This happened in 2002. In Houston, Texas, there is a beautiful Shirdi Sai Temple on Hillcroft Road. At that time, the temple website was being developed. They wished to include photographs of Shirdi — the Samadhi Mandir and other sacred places. A close friend of mine, a Sai devotee and temple volunteer, was travelling to Bangalore and then planned to visit Shirdi. So I emailed him from Houston requesting him to take photographs for the website when he visited Shirdi. After receiving the email, he happened to visit a bookshop in Bangalore. There he saw a book titled “Shirdi Darshanam.” Feeling it would be helpful, he bought it. Soon after, he travelled to Shirdi with his family. The journey was smooth. They attended the Samadhi Mandir aarati. After the aarati, they thought of visiting all the important places in Shirdi. Aarati had just ended, and they were walking out when an elderly gentleman appeared before them. “Come, come… let us go,” he said kindly. He did not ask where they wanted to go, nor did they tell him. He simply walked ahead. They followed behind. He took them — without missing a single place — to every holy spot in Shirdi. With great patience, he explained the significance of each location. My friend took excellent photos with his camera. This guided tour lasted about an hour. Thinking the gentleman was a tourist guide, my friend turned to thank him and offer some money. But the gentleman was nowhere to be seen. He searched everywhere in confusion and awe — but no trace. Only one thought struck him: “Was that Baba Himself?” Deep satisfaction remained for having taken such beautiful pictures, but even deeper regret for not recognizing Baba in that form. Those photos were later uploaded to the Houston temple website. Another astonishing fact: Shortly after this event, photography around the Samadhi Mandir premises was completely prohibited. The Leela had occurred exactly at the last possible moment.

May Shirdi Saibaba continue to bless all places and our life with peace protection, and miraculous love, beyond space and time. OmSai SriSai JaiJaiSai!

🎵 BHAJAN TITLE: “Sai Leelas in Houston” [Alapana – Tanpura only, slow, meditative] Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Ram… [Chorus – Short & Powerful] Sai… Sai… Sainatha… Compassion flowing beyond time and land… Sai… Sai… Sainatha… Every heart is Your sacred Shirdi land… [Verse 1 – Miracle 1: Power of Sai Satcharitra] In a foreign land Your light was glowing bright, When devotion was kindled, darkness turned to light. As Satcharitra reading reached its final line, Blessings came flowing, perfectly divine. Three days of surrender, seven lives made pure, Sins were washed away, faith became secure. The final word ended, the phone softly rang, A job was the blessing that from Sai sprang. Tears turned to joy, despair melted away, Hope bloomed again by Baba’s grace that day. Sai showed the path, so gentle and true, Surrender alone leads the soul to You. [Chorus – Repeat] Sai… Sai… Sainatha… Compassion flowing beyond time and land… [Verse 2 – Miracle 2: Sai Gives What is Asked] A heart longed for Baba, a picture so dear, Sai came Himself in a form so near. For just twenty dollars He gave His grace, In a locket He offered His divine face. Never before seen, never seen again, Only Sai could walk like an ordinary man. In Durga Puja light He appeared in a flash, A divine spark of mercy, then vanished like ash. A moment of vision, a blessing so rare, Sai comes uninvited, to show that He cares. He fulfills our prayers in ways unknown, For His compassion is endlessly shown. [Chorus – Short] Sai… Sai… Sainatha… You grant every wish of a devoted heart… [Verse 3 – Miracle 3: Sai Connecting Continents] When Houston prayed, Bangalore felt the call, In Shirdi Your presence united them all. “Come, come,” You whispered and gently led, Through every holy place Your blessings spread. Like a guide You walked with divine embrace, Showing sacred Shirdi, place by place. When thanks were offered, You vanished from sight, Leaving only wonder and inner light. Before photos were banned, You blessed that time, Every moment arranged by a will divine. Across the oceans, Your leelas flow, You connect all worlds, this we now know. [Bridge – Soft & Emotional] The path You walk becomes our way, The words You speak become our prayer. Shirdi is not just a distant land, Where faith exists, You always stand. [Final Chorus – Slightly Extended] Sai… Sai… Sainatha… Compassion flowing beyond time and land… Sai… Sai… Sainatha… Every heart is Your sacred Shirdi land… Sai… Sai… Sainatha… You guide our lives with Your loving hand… [Ending – Slow Fade] Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Ram… Om Sai Sri Sai… Jai Jai Sai…