Thana, 13th September, 1936
A cashier in an office was in trouble last year about Rs.3,500 which was not accounted for. A friend advised him to go to me and he came. That cashier disliked Baba, as Baba was 'Mohamedan'. But when he came to me, I told him that his sole sanctuary was the Sai Mandir at Shirdi, and that he should go there and make a heartfelt apology and appeal for help. He went there, got a photo of Baba and with the help of Sagun Naik placed it at the Samadhi, prayed there and came back with the photo. Things then began to brighten up. He was allowed eight days time to pay up the Rs.3,500. He went up, got money and paid it. The matter was closed. There was neither dismissal nor prosecution. Similar help was rendered by Baba in another case. Mr.V.C. Chitnis after his dismissal from service came to me. I told him to cast his burden on Sai Baba and make an appeal at the Shirdi Mandir for help. He went to Shirdi and later he was reinstated in service.
I shall mention what help Baba gave to members of my family, for Sadgati, i.e., at or after death.
My parents were devotees of Sai Baba. My mother was aged seventy in 1926 when she died. She kept Sai Baba's photo to the last in front of her. As the end was nearing, she asked me to read Vishnu Sahasranama aloud by her side, and I did. Then with "Ram Ram" on her lips, she passed away.
My second wife passed away in 1929 and I was anxious to do everything necessary to secure Sadgati for her soul. So I wished to take her bones and ashes to Nasik and dispose of them there with proper ceremonies. But I was beset with difficulties. My father was ill. I had, amidst my feeling of bitter loss at her departure, to make sure of the funds needed and the steps necessary, of which I had no idea. I took a sum of Rs.80 and leaving a child of three years at home, started by train for Nasik. At Victoria Terminus, I found I had a fellow passenger who took enormous trouble for me and extended his sympathy and help even before the train started.
He: Where are you going?
I: Nasik
He: Why do you carry no bed? The nights are chill.
I: I find no necessity. I am in no mood to mind these things. It is eight days since my wife died leaving a three-year old son to be taken care of by me.
He asked me to wait. He called out a friend and got a blanket and a bedsheet for me.
I: How can you get these things so quickly?
He: Our quarters are very near. It is the Bombay Arts School. Have this Cigar please.
I: (accepting the cigar) What is your name? May I know who you are?
He: I am a peon in that school. My name is Ganapathy Shankar - you may go to sleep now. Have no anxiety. I am also going to Nasik. I shall wake you up when we reach.
I: What takes you to Nasik?
G.S: Simply to see Nasik. My Saheb is gone to Simla and I get this chance of seeing Nasik.
Then I lay down.
G.S.: "Do take good care of your money; or if you like, I will keep it for you, if you give it to me, in this steel trunk of mine.
Then I handed over my 80 rupees to him and went to sleep. At Ghoti Station, near Nasik, he woke me up. We washed ourselves and took tea. He paid for me also. At Nasik Road Station, we got into the bus. Then.
G.S: Do not go to Bhatji, i.e., a priest yourself. I will settle everything for you. Do not trouble yourself.