Sri Santaram Balwant Nachne, Dahanukar
A railway officer’s encounters with Baba’s foreknowledge, guidance and personal revelation.
Sai BabaDevotee experienceVolume 3
The chapter
In 1909, Santaram Balwant Nachne met a sadhu who asked for bendi bhaji. The sadhu then told him that an operation he feared would succeed. Nachne later recognised that the assurance had been fulfilled, and the encounter became one of the signs by which he understood Baba’s hidden guidance.
Nachne’s household also came under Baba’s influence through Das Ganu’s kirtans and regular worship. As a railway station master, he had occasions to observe Baba’s knowledge of events outside Shirdi. When he doubted whether Baba could know the details of a Mamlatdar’s conduct, Baba disclosed the matter without having been told.
On another occasion Baba directed the arrangements of an Ekadashi meal, arati, betel and dakshina in a way that revealed his knowledge of the devotee’s circumstances. Nachne’s experiences did not remain general impressions; they were tied to particular instructions, journeys and conversations.
He eventually understood that the sadhu who had spoken about the operation was Baba himself. Baba also guided him regarding an examination and a transfer, showing Nachne how decisions in his official life could be placed before the Guru. The chapter follows the gradual change from surprise at Baba’s knowledge to personal surrender before Baba’s direction.
What this account invites us to reflect on
Nachne’s faith is formed by remembered incidents: the sadhu’s prediction, Baba’s knowledge of a distant official matter, the carefully directed worship and the guidance about work. Each event makes the unseen relationship more concrete.
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.