My journey with Guruji began in August 2015. I came to know of Him from a colleague who would always talk in office about Guruji, His miracles and her experiences during her visit to Bade Mandir. She vetted my curiosity and I visited Bade Mandir for the first time in November 2015. The ambience and the sheer positivity of those sacred grounds captured my heart. I just didn't want to leave the Mandir after
langar prasad.
After my first visit, I thought to myself that I should visit Bade Mandir soon and with my husband, who is a devotee of Lord Shiva. At home, I narrated how much I had liked the Mandir and asked my husband if he would like to visit with me. He said yes immediately.
We went, even though I wasn't sure of the route after Chhatarpur. My husband kept asking if we were headed in the right direction and I confidently replied in the affirmative, but I was worried that I would make a fool of myself in his eyes if I got both of us lost. I prayed to Guruji - and with His grace we reached the Mandir without any hassles. While returning, I kept thanking Guruji for calling us to Bade Mandir and blessing us.
While my faith in Guruji was getting stronger with every visit, I had hit upon a doubt: If something unfortunate happened, would Guruji listen to me? That question was soon answered.
We live in an independent house and keep two large dogs for safety. Around January of 2016, we were renovating our house, and many labourers were working inside. Inevitably, the dogs did not get as much attention as they would have and due to the carelessness of a labourer, one of our dogs went missing one evening. We didn't realize that the dog wasn't at home till 10 at night, by which time it was too late to mount a proper search. Nevertheless my family and I searched frantically, but couldn't find her anywhere. The family got over the lack of the dog, but I couldn't since I am very attached to my dogs. I sobbed the whole night and prayed to Guruji: "Wherever she is, keep her safe," I repeated mentally. My dogs have never stayed without me and I knew the strays wouldn't let her stay peacefully. I asked Guruji for helping me find my dog. I woke up at 6 in the morning. While others sipped their morning tea, I left to search.
I combed the surroundings, going around a hundred houses, calling out my pet's name and asking everyone and anyone if they had seen a lost dog. I even went to a nearby temple to see if she was hiding there. I was about to give up and told myself: "Guruji, I don't think I will be able to find my dog." At that moment, I heard an inner voice saying that you would find her in the next five minutes; don't give up! I jumped with joy and was filled with strength.
And indeed it was so: I actually found my dog in the next five minutes in a nearby farmhouse. The kind people of the farmhouse had seen her roaming lost on the road and taken her in. They had even kept her warm (as it was winters) and given her food. I was extremely happy and couldn't help saying a big thank you to Guruji. (After all, one facet of Lord Shiva is known as Pashupati, the Lord of the Animals.) I pray every day just to be in His
sharan and under His lotus feet.
A devotee
October 2016