One Bhimaji Patil of Narayanagaon, Taluka Junnar, Dist. Poona, suffered in the year 1909 A.D. from a severe and chronic chest-disease which ultimately developed into Tuberculosis. He tried all sorts of remedies, but to no effect. Losing all hopes, he ultimately prayed to God – “Oh Lord Narayana, help me now”.
It is a well known fact that, when our circumstances are well off, we do not remember God, but when calamities and adversities overtake us, we are reminded of Him, So Bhimaji now turned to God. It occurred to him that he should consult Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, a great devotee of Baba, in this respect. So he wrote to him a letter, giving all details of his malady, and asking for his opinion. In reply, Mr. Nanasaheb wrote to him that there was only one remedy left, and that was to have recourse to Baba’s Feet.
Relying on Mr. Nanasaheb’s advice, he made preparations for going to Shirdi. He was brought to Shirdi and taken to the Masjid, and placed before Baba. Mr. Nanasaheb and Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) were then present. Baba pointed out that the disease was due to the previous evil karma. Baba at first was not inclined to interfere. But the patient cried out in despair that he was helpless, and sought refuge in Him, as He was his last hope, and prayed for mercy. Then Baba’s heart melted and He said, “Stay, cast off your anxiety; your sufferings have come to an end. However, oppressed and troubled one may be as soon as he steps into the Masjid, he is on the pathway to happiness. The Fakir here is very kind and He will cure the disease, and protect all with love and kindness.”
The patient vomitted blood every five minutes, but there was no vomiting in the presence of Baba. From the time, Baba uttered the words of hope and mercy, the malady took a favourable turn.
Baba asked him to stay in Bhimabai’s house, which was not a comfortable and hygienic place, but Baba’s order had to be obeyed. While he was staying there, Baba cured him over two dreams.
In the first dream, he saw himself as a boy suffering from severe pain of a flogging, which he received for not reciting his ‘Swami-poetry’ lesson before his class-master.
In the second dream, some one caused him intense pain, and torture, by rolling a stone up and down over his chest. With the pain thus suffered in dream, his cure was complete, and he went home.
Later, he often came to Shirdi, gratefully remembering what Baba did for him, and prostrated before Him. Baba did not expect anything from devotees, but grateful remembrance, unchanging faith and devotion. People in the Maharashtra, always celebrate Satya-Narayana Puja in their homes every fortnight or month. But it was this Bhimaji Patil, who started a new Sai Satya-vrata Puja, instead of Satya-Narayana-vrata Puja, in his house, when he returned to his village.
source: http://www.geocities.ws/rebirth_stories/rebirth_saibaba.html
