I was travelling from Corona, a suburb of Los Angles, to work in Azusa, last April. My vehicle was in the extreme left lane when a truck came in, side-swept me and then abruptly halted. Before I could press on the brake, I had slammed on to the truck. I was too stunned to react. When I gathered my wits, I moved my car to the right, towards the curb so that I could exchange insurance details with the driver of the other vehicle and report the accident to the police. I saw the other driver move to the right and thought he was going to stop for the exchange of information. Instead, he took off!
Once the shock subsided, I realized I was not badly hurt and only in slight pain. I thanked Guruji, and called 911 (for the police). An officer — young, very fair in complexion, and with a clean-shaven head (resembling Guruji) — came almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for my call. He inquired about my wellbeing, but I was incoherent and it took me a moment to respond. I did not have any other factual information than that it was a white truck.
The officer slowly and patiently put together what had happened and wrote a report that would favour me in any investigation. A tow truck arrived and the car was put on the truck bed. I realized I had not taken any pictures of the car so I took a couple and sent it to my friends and relatives, letting them know I was all right.
As soon as I sent out the photograph, I began getting messages from
sangat and friends. A close family member pointed out Guruji's blessings: The front of the car was destroyed, but the number plate, bearing '7 Guru Ji', was intact and did not have a single scratch. A white plate, the base of the number-carrying plate, had been tucked into the car's bonnet, as if someone had placed it there for me. How could the base of the number plate pop out and land in a pocket on the bonnet? I remain mystified.
A month later I was with the sangat, narrating this
satsang and sharing the picture of the damaged car when the devotees spotted a man in the driver's seat in the photograph. I told them no one could be in the car legally while the car was being pulled up on the tow truck. Upon enlarging the photo, we noticed that Guruji was on the driving seat, with a scarf around His shoulder. We were mesmerized at this
darshan and said "
koti shukrana".
Thanks to His grace, the accident did not cause me problems. For one, I did not incur any financial loss. Since the driver had run away from the scene, the accident was considered his fault. I got more in tax credit than I had paid for the car, and the insurance settlement was quick and more than reasonable. As Guruji used to say, He clears up 90 per cent of our karma, but we have to bear 10 per cent of it.
I feel fully blessed as I realize that I am under His protection and will be in His debt forever. Please keep all your sangat and me in your divine protection, Guruji, and take care of everyone always.
Arun K Arora, devotee, Corona, California
June 2020