The Gift

Jan 17, 2016

It is not that Shiva or someone like him manifested before my eyes. A quiet acceptance transpired rather mysteriously. Later the mind labeled it as "Shiva stormed into my life!" In the year 2013, just two days before Mother’s Day we experienced the sudden passing of our 32 year old son. This was followed by an avalanche of great emotional and physical challenges. At this point we became fully engaged in the lives of his three grieving children and their mother. Everything changed overnight.

All at once, two slipped vertebrae in my lower back caused severe sciatica and that necessitated a back surgery. This episode was followed by a freak accident in which one of the grandchildren fell and suffered a broken elbow.

The following month, we got the tragic news of the sudden passing of a young nephew. My father was hospitalized a month later and died soon after.

This was followed by a period of unpleasant tensions and courtroom drama. Through this ordeal the mind was numb. It was as if life had become a relentless, fierce hurricane. I was not living this life. Life was living me.

Within two years of this drama, one late night in October 2015 we found ourselves in the midst of a house fire that turned into a terrible inferno. We escaped miraculously with all three grandchildren and watched the house as it was swallowed up by enormous flames. The firefighters arrived too late because the Universe was fully cooperating to completely demolish the home where we had lived comfortably and securely for the past twelve years. A lifetime of memories were reduced to mere ashes in a matter of a few hours. This was surreal.

A couple of angels, disguised as dear friends, flew in at once and rescued us from our homelessness, picked up the pieces and completely supported us in their loving arms. What a timely blessing!

Through death and destruction I was introduced to Shiva, a Divine figure that I had secretly feared as well as admired as a child. I could not hide from Shiva anymore for He walked right into me! His awesome, rather fierce and deadly demeanor intrigued and resonated with something that cannot be put to pen.

The house fire revealed a rare miracle and proof of God’s Love that I experienced first hand. Almost every wall, every bit of heavy furniture, paintings, clothing and books was completely consumed by the fire except the Holy Guru Granth Sahib ji, the delicate wood palki, all the rumalas ( silk covers), all hand written journals, holy books. Items which I thought would never escape a fire of this magnitude. These remained untouched by the fire or water even though the entire roof was burnt down and flooded by fire hoses. A large painting of Guru Gobind Singh ji, a wall poster of Jesus Christ and some sentimental items lay in perfect condition in the midst of this smoldering heap of charred rubble. Seeing this miracle evaporated all sense of loss and anxiety. Everything that I had deeply cherished in that prayer room was intact even though the room was demolished. I was filled with a joy beyond words.

Throughout the events starting May10th, 2013, I felt shielded from grief and sorrow. There was considerable stress but no fear, depression or sense of any suffering. An invisible force kept us afloat through those years. Such is the Grace of God.

Soon after the fire my husband started refinishing our new place and to my delight brought home a beautiful statue of Shiva. How this happened, I will never know.

Then out of the blue I stumbled upon the Ribhu Gita, the rarest scripture of the highest order. It was clear that I need not look any further. This was Shiva's gift to me. This was the turning point.