By Eugen Linic, Croatia
How Baba takes care of us—and how each of us receives exactly what suits our own nature at the perfect time.
Everything began in April 2025. I was struggling to stop smoking when a lady from Croatia, who lived in my town, came to visit. She mentioned a course to become a priest and told me she had applied. I said, “Great,” but felt no interest. At that time, I truly thought it was not for me.
At the end of April, on the 31st, I went to help with some roofing and other jobs at the Mohanji Peace Center (MCP) in Croatia. I planned to stay six days. On the very first day, I finished a pack of cigarettes—my last one around 5 p.m.—and I said to myself, This is the last cigarette. I had another pack in the car, but I threw the empty one away and thought, “I don’t want to smoke anymore.”
I went into Baba’s temple, looked into his eyes, and spoke aloud, because no one else was there. “Baba, I know you are always holding my hand. Please don’t let me forget your presence. Help me stay aware that you are supporting me. I know it will be easy to avoid smoking while I am here, in this temple and on this sacred property. But when I go home, back to friends and my old lifestyle, the pull will be strong. Please help me stay firm. Smoking affects my spiritual life; it keeps me from rising early and doing my sadhana.”
From that day, every morning and evening, I prayed to Baba, confirming that he was with me and listening. During my stay, I attended every aarti except the noon one, as I was working at the time. A few days later, on a Sunday, while we were having a late lunch, Leah, the priest at the MCP, asked, “Eugen, would you like to do the abhishekam with me tonight?”
They perform abhishekam in the evening, not morning. I paused in silence for several seconds. I thought this was a privilege. Only priests touch Baba for abhishekam. Why is she asking me? But another voice inside said, Go with the flow.
Sai Baba at the MPC, Croatia
I agreed. Soon we began. Using a wet cloth, I gently wiped Baba’s head and ears. I have two daughters, and when they were little, I always cleaned behind their ears during bath times. As I cleaned behind Baba’s left ear, a deep connection arose—like mother and child, except he was the mother, and I, the child. A warm, solar flame surrounded me. My mind went completely still. For those few minutes, nothing existed except Baba and the simple act of washing and drying him.
After dinner, Leah asked, “Eugen, do you know there is a priest course going on?” I remembered Branka telling me last month that it was surely too late to apply. Leah insisted it wasn’t. She guided me to contact Nikolina. I sent a short email immediately: Hello, my name is Eugen. I would like to apply for the priest training if it’s not too late. She replied immediately, saying it wasn’t too late and to send an email to the Croatia board. I don’t usually postpone what I can do today for tomorrow, and what I can do now, so I sent the email immediately, just writing one sentence: “Hello, my name is Eugen. I would like to apply for the priest training if it’s not too late.”
I checked twice every day, and there was no reply for seven or eight days. I thought, okay, I tried, I did my best, and it’s okay for me. Then, on the ninth day, Eni called me and said she had spoken with Nikolina and was adding me to the group for the priest training.
Even then, part of me resisted. Another part said, ‘Go with the flow.’ We began with two days of Zoom sessions. Soon, I was asked to join the first in-person group of four. I told myself, whether I feel ready or not, do it now. Otherwise, you might never do it.
The training in Slovenia lasted five days because Murali had to leave for India that weekend. Finally, only three of us were able to attend. Learning the mantras and rituals were not hard; the real challenge lay within my mind, my ego, my attitude. Accepting new rules, surrendering to higher consciousness, learning deeper humility and gratitude.
Sai Baba, MPC, Slovenia
Often, the mind would say, ‘This is enough.’ Then Murali would ask for something more, and I would argue inside. After one aarti, for example, when we had given vibhuti and water, Murali said, “Now we bow to Baba again.” My mind protested: I have done that so many times already. Later, I realised: gratitude and humility are never too much.
Training ended on Friday; we planned to leave on Saturday after dropping Murali in Gratz, from where he would catch a bus to Vienna for his flight to India. That morning, as we worked in the garden, Nikolina mentioned a phone that was ringing constantly. At first, I ignored it, but then I felt Baba nudging me to take a look. Nine missed calls from Leah! She asked if I could urgently come to Croatia MCP for the noon aarti—Leah was in Serbia, and Vimala was in the hospital. Before I could speak to Murali, he came up to me and said, “My flight is cancelled!” Everything aligned. We drove to Croatia and arrived just in time.
Normally, a priest completes 30 supervised days before serving alone, but Baba had other plans. After only a week, Eni called: “Eugen, can you go to Scotland for priest duty—for three months?” I immediately said yes, and only afterwards thought, Three months? So far away! How will I manage?
Shirdi Sai, MCB, Scotland
I was nervous—new place, new people, fear of forgetting a mantra. Suyog, the priest, guided me for four days before he left for a family emergency. For three weeks, all went well. Then one day, during aarti, I didn’t feel the same devotion or bhaav. Looking at Baba, I thought, ‘This is not right. What is happening?’
Two days later, when everyone had left and I was dressing small Baba, I spoke aloud: “I’m sorry, Baba. Something is wrong. I don’t know what to do. Please help me. I want to give my best, but I am struggling.”
Later, while cleaning the cabinet of murtis, I found a card that read: “I do not want your devotion; I want your transformation.”
That was Baba’s direct message to me. I bowed in gratitude. Indeed, Baba guides and cares for me every step of the way, offering endless opportunities to serve him and to be transformed in his pure and beautiful presence—my love and gratitude to Mohanji for bringing Baba into my life.
After I settled into my priestly duties at the MCB in Scotland, towards the end, it was Pitru Paksha. It was September 19th, and I had paid for the Pitru Paksha ritual for my ancestors in India. I received an email the previous day about the event, saying it would take place on the 19th and to get up early, place my intention and sankalpa, and chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra.
So I did that. I chanted the Mahamrityunjaya mantra for my ancestors on both my mother’s and father’s sides, and I made a sankalpa for their liberation and their passage into the light.
Later, after the morning arati, I went to my room. I had a very light breakfast—I could hardly eat because I was so excited—just a little something. Then I went back near the temple where I do my homa practice.
Inside the temple, I asked Ganesh to clear any obstacles so the homa would have its full effect. I asked Sathya Sai Baba for his blessing. I asked Shirdi Sai Baba to be with me. I asked Mohanji to guide me and to bring all the deities and divine beings who needed to be present.
When I began the homa, even before I lit the fire, I felt so good, looking at Mohanji’s picture and feeling that he was with me. It was a beautiful feeling. While preparing the homa, I placed another sankalpa: that this fire might burn away and reduce my ancestors’ karmic weight and earthly attachments so they can cross easily into the light and be one with the Source—both for my father’s side and my mother’s side.
As I continued preparing, before starting the fire, a little bird came close on my left side, only about a meter away. It had a red chest, a tiny bird like a sparrow, and it just stood there looking at me. It moved a few steps to the left and right, but continued to watch me. I thought, “Wow, that must be my ancestors, taking the form of a bird to thank me for what I’m doing.” I felt so good, knowing I was doing the right thing.
A minute later, another small bird appeared, black and white, coming from my right side, and it was also very close, looking at me. I thought, “This one is from my father’s side, and the other is from my mother’s side.”
I felt so happy. When I finally started the homa, I didn’t notice when the birds left because I was focused on the fire, but the feeling stayed with me—so light, so beautiful. It was an amazing experience.
A lot more can be shared, but for now, I am content basking in the grace of Mohanji and Sai Baba. When I look back at the whole set of events, I see a thread linking everything to Mohanji, the bestower of love, compassion and grace. He stood by me as he always does and guided me to what I needed for my highest good. Thank you, Baba, Mohanji, and all the people who helped me to serve Baba as a priest under Mohanji’s guidance.
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|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 9th October 2025
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