Rao Bahadur S. B. Dhumal
A life shaped by complete trust in Baba’s protection and direction.
Sai BabaDevotee experienceVolume 3
The chapter
S. B. Dhumal first met Sai Baba in 1907, while practising as a pleader at Nasik. He soon came to regard every event in his life as directed by Baba. Baba once told him, “At every step of yours, I am taking care of you,” after explaining that he had spent the night thinking about Dhumal’s welfare.
Dhumal tested that assurance during a plague outbreak. He remained in an infected bungalow until Baba’s replies told him when to stay and when to move, even while neighbours and health officials thought his conduct foolish. Dead rats appeared in and around the property, yet Dhumal suffered no harm while following Baba’s instructions and avoiding the contaminated well.
Baba guided him in personal, spiritual and professional matters. He directed Dhumal to perform his late wife’s monthly ceremony at Shirdi and promised her sadgati. He advised him to keep his established practice rather than accept a new public appointment. In a difficult criminal appeal, Dhumal followed Baba’s prompting, argued the weakness of the evidence and secured an acquittal.
Other incidents show the same relationship: Baba’s help in freeing his servant Raghu and five others, the miraculous appearance of Dhumal’s signatures on official papers, Baba’s refusal to send him to England, and Baba’s presence near his head during a dangerous operation. Dhumal’s testimony is a sustained record of faith becoming practical reliance.
What this account invites us to reflect on
Dhumal’s devotion is not presented as occasional inspiration. He brings each decision—health, work, family duty and danger—to Baba, accepts correction and discovers protection through obedience.
Editorial note: This page is a concise paraphrase for web presentation and does not reproduce the complete chapter. Please consult the original PDF for the full account and wording.