The Sacred Swipe: Sai Baba's Astonishing ATM Card Miracle

Have you heard of the many wondrous 'Sai Baba Miracles'? Stories of His omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience often challenge our imaginations. But what happens when He allows you to move beyond stories and actually lets you experience His divine presence? They say that real learning is experiential, and that's precisely what happened to me.

Timeless Moments with Swami: A Journey Back to 2008

In September 2012, I was in the final year of my B.Com (Hons) program at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Brindavan Campus. This revered educational institution, directly founded by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, is a modern-day Gurukula that not only imparts secular knowledge but also shapes individuals holistically. Picture this: no electronic gadgets, no mobile phones, no iPods, and no iPads. Our connection with the outside world was limited to the old-school STD booth or an ITC prepaid card! Stepping outside the campus was an absolute no-no, even on weekends, ensuring we remained cocooned from distractions. Living within these confines, our sustenance and maintenance were a non-issue. I vividly recall managing my monthly expenses with less than 500 Rupees.

In this unique setting, the students entrusted their bank passbooks to a teacher who went out to withdraw money on our behalf. However, I had an alternative. I had an ATM debit card linked to a joint account with my mother. I generally entrusted this card and my PIN to a teacher who would withdraw cash when he left the campus.

One day, I urgently needed Rs. 500 and asked the teacher for a temporary loan. I handed him my card and wrote my PIN on a slip of paper and asked him to withdraw money from my card for repayment. After withdrawing the money, he handed me the cash along with the card, and I carelessly kept the card inside my pocket, along with the slip containing the PIN.

Little did I know that this small oversight would send my heart racing with anxiety later that day. It was during a Banking Seminar at college that the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I had just given my card and PIN to the Dhobi for laundry, and with my mother in Puttaparthi registering a house, the joint account was loaded with cash. It felt like a potential windfall for the Dhobi, and the dread of the repercussions of my carelessness weighed heavily on me. With this anxiety, I rushed back to the dormitory after my college hours.

In the dormitory, I confided in my roommate, pouring out my despair and remorse to Swami. "Swami, I know I shouldn't have been so careless. But this is my mother’s hard-earned money. She's buying a house so close to You in Puttaparthi. Give me any punishment; I am willing to accept it, but please don't allow..." My voice trailed off as despair took over.

Before I could finish my sentence, a sudden 'clack' echoed through the room, and something landed on my foot. Bewildered, I looked down, and to my astonishment, it was MY LOST ATM CARD, complete with the receipt wrapped around it! It had fallen from nowhere, just as I had kept it in my track pant pocket after my teacher had handed it back to me.

My roommate and I were left speechless, our hearts abundant gratitude. Overwhelmed, I prostrated at the altar, tears streaming down my face, not knowing how to thank Swami. This was Adi Shankara's "Aparokshanubhuti" - the direct experience of Truth. A defining moment in my life.

Upon reflection, what's truly fascinating is this: if Swami had chosen to teach me a lesson by making me lose the debit card, it would have caused immense anxiety for my mother, who was purchasing a house so close to Swami in Puttaparthi. Yet, if He had teleported the card into my cupboard before I reached the hostel, I would not have learned my lesson. Sai Baba, often referred to as Divine Mother and Father, acted as a father wanting to correct me. But because Swami embodies both Shiva and Shakti, He couldn't be the stern taskmaster forever. The Shakti element, the Divine Mother's compassion, ensured that my family faced no financial difficulties. This love defines Bhagavan.

Preserving the Lost ATM Card that Found Its Way Back through Divine Grace.

In prayer, I called out to Swami with unwavering faith, as I had been taught to do during moments of distress. He, in turn, was eager to confirm His presence in my life. His miracles are not just tales; they are living experiences of love, care, and divine guidance.