It was 1962 and Shri Nathji was still at Allahabad. Their came a time in February 1962 when an astrological combination of stars known as the Ashta Graihi threatened the country. It was said to be an astronomical calamity. Leading astrologers of India had gathered together to predict a most formidable grouping of stars that boded no good for the country. Astrological calculations showed the unfortunate combination, depicting a disaster not only for the country but for the whole world.
People in India–especially those who believed in astrology–were in a state of panic.
Mrs. Gangabai Bhutt sent a telegram to Shri Nathji one day before the predicted doom. It was an unusually long telegram, in Hindi:
Jis tarah graih se Gajendra ko chhurraakar uski praan rakshaa ki thhee uss samai ussi tarah iss asht graihi roopi graih se bhee apne bhakton ki rakshaa keejiye.
Translated into English, it meant:
Even as you had at one time released Gajendra from the evil influence of the stars and saved his life, so please save your devotees from this disaster of the Ashta Graihi.
At the time people in various parts of the country were performing pooja, paath, havans and yagnaas, indulging in an orgy of religious rites to ward off the evil effects of the ill fated configuration of stars.
Shri Nathji received Mrs. Bhutt’s telegram. It was not only the devotees who were his concern but rather the entire people of the world.
On the fateful day, people waited breathlessly, praying to God. What terrible fate had the stars in store for them? What impending doom lurked in the future?