BABA — THE DIVINE GUARD

 
One of the stories of my father which proved Baba's protection for those who call out to Him sincerely has been related before as well. But I feel I also must describe it as the story is not only wonderful but also powerful.

My father would describe, "Earlier, I was doing some contract work in a forest area. Those days Indian forests were full of tigers. One day some of them were confronted by a tiger. They ran for their lives, but no one was hurt. They were all very scared. Few hundred workmen were working for me in the forest then.

The next day again some people saw the beast and this happened continuously for a few days. By now the workers were too scared to work and they protested. They said that they would work no longer and had almost begun to leave the work. I tried my best explaining all the Jim Corbett theories but nothing convinced them. I was now in a tight spot.

"In a spur of a moment I hit upon a new idea. I took a piece of cloth and made a flag of Meher Baba and hoisted it at the location site of ours where everyone was living. I gathered some courage and then collected all people and told them I had prayed to Meher Baba to see that tigers do not come to that area henceforth. 'If you see any tiger in spite of the flag being hoisted, then I will stop all work at whatever cost it might be to me.' The workmen agreed to my proposal.

"To everyone's surprise from that day no tiger ever came to that area. After a few weeks, one day suddenly one worker came running to the camp and he was petrified and panicking to everyone's horror. It appeared that he had seen the tiger. A doctor was called and he recovered after several days from his state of anxiety and delirium.

"All of us were very anxious to know what had transpired that fateful day. The worker then revealed the story that when he had reached the spot where the flag had been hoisted, he saw the giant form of Meher Baba near the flag. Meher Baba's hands and legs were very huge and He had taken gigantic proportions! Seeing this form of Baba the worker almost fainted. This explained his fear and anxiety. We were directly subjected to an experience of His protection."

Such stories of our lives not only assure us of His protection but also inspire many to place their faith on Him without a second thought on Baba. My father had by now won the trust of all his workers. Isn't this a bountiful blessing on all those who seek Him?