Raising the Dead
In Kailash, the Mina family was celebrating the marriage of their daughter, Vija Rams. Suddenly, during the joyous festivities, a girl called Kheti Bai fell ill and died. Her family was fortunate that Sri Devpuriji was staying in the village at this time.
Believing in his Divine powers, they carried her to him in the hope of being blessed by his compassion. Laying her at his feet they begged for his mercy.
Sri Devpuriji looked at the girl.
"She is not dead. I tell you that she will be restored to good health and become a loving and pious mother. Now, my daughter, wake up from your meditation!"
Kheti Bai opened her eyes and smiled at her benefactor.
She lives today with her husband in Sri Madhopur village in the Sikar district of Rajasthan.
A similar miracle happened in nearby Jalunda village to the noble family of Rajput Sri Balu Singhji. One evening Balu Singhji's son died and the mourning family carried his dead body to the ashram of Sri Devpuriji to plead for his mercy.
It was after midnight when they reached the ashram and Sri Devpuriji angrily shouted at them, "This is no cemetery, go away! You are miserable and selfish and come only when you have problems!"
But all knew that Sri Devpuriji's words were only a test of their devotion and patiently they waited for his mood to become calm. Their belief was rewarded, for some time later Sri Devpuriji came out of the ashram. He instructed them to bring wood from three different villages and light a fire. When they had done as he instructed, he took the blanket covering the boy and tore it in half. He placed one piece over the child and handed the other to the mother.
"Take this cloth and tie it around a branch of that tree over there."
The mother ran and with trembling hands tied a knot around a branch. As she pulled the ends of the cloth tight the child opened his eyes and began to breathe.
How should I describe such a Divine personality who stands beyond all earthly matters? How can the human mind pass judgement in the face of this reality? I can only see the realized One, the Omnipotent himself in Sri Devpuriji. Call him a Saint, a yogi, a Master or God, but is not that one who gives life Master over everything?
Many people still living today, have been witness to Sri Devpuriji raising animals from death. I would like to recount two such instances here.
In the village of Kachras near Khatu, one man's beautiful black sheep died and he was preparing to dispose of it when Sri Devpuriji came into the village.
"Where do you carry this sheep?" he shouted from afar.
"It is dead and we take it to be skinned," was the reply.
"No, no, it’s not dead!" Sri Devpuriji said. "It is only ill, bring it to me and I will heal it."
When the sheep had been taken to him, he ordered them to fetch some water which he then sprinkled over the dead animal. Immediately it opened its eyes and stood up. To the great surprise of all, the creature was obviously in good health.
Sri Devpuriji asked the owner of the sheep if he could keep it and of course, the man considered himself fortunate for the opportunity of making a gift to the Saint. For the remainder of its life the sheep stayed with Sri Devpuriji, providing him her milk and following him wherever he went.
Sri Devpuriji later told some close devotees that this particular sheep had been the wife of a rich man in a former incarnation. Spoiled by a luxurious life, she had not followed Guru vakya (she had disobeyed the instructions of her Master). The karmic consequence of such conduct was that she was reborn as a sheep. Due to other good karmas however, she had the fortune to live with her Divine Master.
While I was busy writing this book a stranger came to me and offered to put the treasure of his experience at my disposal. He told me that previously he had been a hunter, earning a living by killing birds. This is his story:
"One day I was on my way home with a basket full of dead birds when suddenly, I saw Sri Devpuriji approaching me. I was afraid that he would wish to know what was inside the basket and so I tried to hide it, but could find no place where it could be concealed.
"The Omnipotent protector and liberator of all souls caught sight of me and just as I feared, he asked, 'What do you have in your basket'?
"I broke out in a sweat for it finally dawned on me the terrible burden and responsibility of having destroyed the lives of all those little birds."
Perhaps it should be explained here that in India all sadhus and Saints teach that one should live a life of peace, humility and respect for one’s fellow beings and all other creatures. This prohibits the taking of any life. Ahimsa, the principle of non-violence and non-injury, is the highest precept. If this principle is violated, then shame and remorse are necessary consequences. No argument can be found for a person to defend such actions.
The hunter continued his story.
"I stammered out an answer that the basket contained food for my children, as they needed something to eat.
"With unsparing severity Sri Devpuriji rebuked me: 'And what about these birds and their children that wait for them? Now they will starve to death. Give me the basket'!
"I gave him the basket and as he opened it, all the little birds flew away."
I thanked the former hunter for openly confessing his story and asked what effect this miracle had on him.
"It completely transformed my life," he confided. "I never hunted again."
Next Chapter: A Well for the Farmers of Jalunda
Previous Chapter: Control of the Elements
