In the Ramayana, we have the Lord's Assurance (Abhayam sarva bhoothebyo dadaamyethath vratham mama). "I shall be the refuge for all beings; I shall confer on them freedom from fear, this is My resolve". That is why we call the raised Palm with which Baba greets us as the 'Abhaya Hastha'. His picture or a packet of vibuthi from His hand or a talisman given by Him or His name repeated or remembered, has saved devotees from enemy troops (eight of them fled in fear when His picture was held before them by one devotee), from accidents, from fire and flood and bombs, indeed from all conceivable dangers. That is the manual gesture which many idols of the Lord have, in temples. That raised palm prevents evil forces from approaching us; it strikes terror into the enemy. It is a gesture of assurance of grace. Devotees love to pray before that picture, for Baba safeguards them from disease, disaster, despair, doubt and dishonour. The most fell disease from which Baba safeguards us is the disease of being caught up in the cycle of birth and death. In the Gita, the Lord has said, "Give up all your calculations and discriminations between what is wrong and right, what is good and bad. Surrender your judgement to Me; follow My will, My commands; I shall save you from downfall. Do not grieve".