The invisible link between death and rebirth contains within itself numerous esoteric features. It is in this nether world of subtle body spirits that bhuta, preta, pitar, and other such entities reside. Many of these invisible souls, in specific circumstances, cooperate with their loved ones and even keep trying to bring the deviant among them to the right path. One such incident is from Stromberg, Germany. According to ‘Strange Happenings,’ a book written by Paul Bannister, at midnight of June 1961, James Callaghan was returning to his home in a fully inebriated condition. Suddenly, a voice from behind called – “Stop.” It was a
female voice. The whole effect of alcohol vanished when Callaghan realized that it was the voice of his mother who had died a few years ago. The invisible mother’s words were
resounding – “Son, you have wasted your whole property on alcohol. You do not realize how much I am pained by your such acts even after my death.”
Callaghan instantly resolved that he would give up drinking from that day but to experience the physical presence of his mother, he said – “If you are really my mother, please prove it by touching me. I promise to give up all bad habits.” As soon as he had uttered these words, Callaghan felt the loving hand of mother on his head and also caressing his back as if
assuring him – ‘Son, I am always with you.” Not only this, but a palm imprint visibly emerged where the mother had put her hand!
How a chronic alcoholic like Callaghan turned a leaf was a matter of surprise for everyone. When he narrated the event to people, they laughed it away. But when he showed the palm imprint on his shirt, a few of them, of course, used to become awestruck. The scientists say that such an impression could not be made in any known natural way. That particular shirt is still on display in London Museum.
Incorporeal souls have often been found helping those who were once dear to them during the souls’ earthly lifetime. Sometimes these bodiless spirits also leave visual proof of their ethereal existence in the course of some ongoing work of public or national interest.
One such event is of 1965. Then, war was going on between India and Pakistan. On 13th November, a small detachment of Indian troops was carefully moving forward in the valleys
of Jammu & Kashmir guided by maps and directions received on wireless. But the course ahead was getting more and more obscure and risky. To go back now was even more dangerous because the nearest Indian post was 15 miles away. Moreover, there was increasing apprehension of a clash with Pakistan’s army men at any time.
Snowfall had made the path indistinct and blocked. Just then, they could hear someone approaching from behind the trees and bushes. Soon the soldiers saw a lieutenant standing before them. He told them that the path ahead was very treacherous, and the soldiers were
utterly unfamiliar with the terrain. He asked them to follow in his wake. The soldiers noticed a round burn mark on his shirt’s backside. When enquired about it, the lieutenant explained that a part of his back had burnt in Pakistani artillery fire.
Switching the trend of conversation, he started talking about how occasionally and in emergencies, even the departed souls come to the aid of their dear ones. They kept conversing on this subject until the post came into eyesight at a distance. The lieutenant pointed towards the post but expressed his inability to himself go there. After treading for
a short distance, only 10-15 meters ahead, the soldiers turned back to look but were in for a big surprise. The lieutenant was nowhere to be seen. Less than a minute had passed. There was no possibility of his having gone any substantial distance in such a short time. A few soldiers moved around and tried to find him out, but they could not.
After reaching the post, they narrated the whole story to the commander there. The reply they got in return was that the lieutenant had died from artillery hit on his back yesterday,
and his funeral had also been performed. It was apparent that the helpful lieutenant in his subtle incorporeal form had guided the unit of soldiers to safety. History is replete with
such extraordinary and incomprehensible events.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2021 Sept-Oct