Thapovanam - Day 3 : Saturday (Chapter 5 & 6)

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DAY 3 : SATURDAY (Chapter 5 & 6)

 

 

RESURRECTION OF DHARMA

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

Whenever

there is a languishing of Dharma... I create Myself for it is part of

My primal resolution or Sankalpa to protect the spiritual structure of

the universe. I lay aside My formless essence and assume a name and a

form suited to the purpose for which I come. Whenever evil threats to

vanquish good, I have to come and save it from decline.

 

~ Baba ~

 

 

 

REVITALISATION OF TEMPLES

 

BADARINATH

 

 

 

Bhagavan

has often proclaimed that one of the important purposes of his

incarnation is the revitalization of the divine potency of deities in

ancient temples. As a part of the programme, on 11th June 1961, Baba

set out on a journey to the famous Badarinath temple situated in the

Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh. He was accompanied by His parents as well

as several devotees. Sri Boorgula Ramakrishna Rao, Governor of Uttar

Pradesh, joined the pilgrims at Hardwar. Baba quipped with them,

"Normally devotees go to Badari to see Lord Narayana there. You are

going there in the company of Lord Narayana to see the idols installed

in the temple." Baba described the spiritual glory of the Badarinath

temple thus : "The great ascetic, Adi Sankaracharya, prayed to Lord

Shiva and received from him five Lingams. He installed them, one each

in Badari (in Uttar Pradesh), in the Himalayas, Puri (in Orissa),

Sringeri (in Karnataka), Dwaraka (in Gujarat) and Chidambaram (in Tamil

Naidu)."

 

As

nearly 200 devotees watched in fascination in the Badarinath temple,

Baba waved His open hand and materialized a plate of gold that held a

thousand-petalled golden lotus. He placed the golden lotus in another

plate made of silver. By another movement of His hand, He produced a

Lingam. He explained that it was "Nethra Lingam" installed

underneath the idol of Lord Badarinath by Adi Sankara himself 1200

years ago. While the idol is visible to visitors and worshipped by

them every day, the Lingam lay concealed ever since its installation.

Only now was it brought to view by Baba for worship. Nethram

in Sanskrit means eye. True to its name, the Nethra Lingam clearly

showed a wide open eye. Baba placed it in the golden lotus. With

another wave of His hand, He now produced a vessel of silver filled

with the sacred waters of Gangothri, the place of origin of the holy

river Ganga (the Ganges). Baba touched the bottom of the vessel with

His finger and when He withdrew it, water began to fall on the Nethra

Lingam (abhishekam). The touch of His finger apparently made a

hole in the bottom of the vessel. When the abhishekam was over, Sri

Sai Baba shook His hand; and gold and silver flowers flowed out and

covered the Nethra Lingam as abhishekam of flowers. Lord Siva is

reputed to be particularly fond of thummi flowers (these are

white in colour and very, very tiny, roughly five millimeters long).

When the temple priest mentioned this to Baba, He materialized a heap

of fresh thummi flowers. The Nethra Lingam was now worshipped with

those blossoms. Bhagavan revitalized the Nethra Lingam through this

worship and, with His miraculous powers, restored it to its original

invisible place beneath the idol of Lord Badarinath.

 

On

return to Puttaparthi, Baba addressed the devotees who could not make

the trip to Badarinath. "Do not feel disappointed." He told them,

"that you could not undertake the pilgrimage and missed out on the

spiritual rewards thereof. Lord Sri Narayana is surely here beside

you, with you, right in front of you. Have this Narayana's darshan to

your heart's content. Why do you crave for the darshan of the idol

form of Narayana situated at a far off place? Worship this living form

of Narayana, who is right before your eyes at this very place, with

devotion and dedication and attain spiritual bliss."

 

 

VARANASI

 

 

 

There

is another ancient place of worship, which received similar grace, and

re-infusion of spiritual efficacy at the divine hands of Bhagavan.

This time it was a trip to Varanasi on 2nd April 1961. Swami's parents

and Sri Boorgula Ramakrishna Rao, then Governor of Uttar Pradesh, and

others accompanied Him. On nearing the Lingam of Lord Visweswara (the

master of the universe), Baba produced Kailasa Vibhuti in His usual way

and applied it on the Lingam's face in three broad bands. He also

materialized sandalwood paste and used it to decorate the Lingam with a

broad circular dot in the centre of the vibhuti bands. Then He created

a golden ornament resplendent with three circles of glittering

diamonds, rubies and emeralds. He placed it in the midst of the dot of

sandalwood paste. In the wink of an eye, the piece remained stuck

there firmly. Lord Viswanatha, the Lord of Varanasi, looked all the

more glorious!

 

 

SOMANATH

 

 

 

On the invitation of the Rajamatha (Maharani) of Jamnagar, Baba visited the Somanath temple in Gujarat. 'Soma'

means : SA + UMA, i.e., Lord Siva, together with His consort, Uma, also

known as Parvathi. It is well known in history that King Mohammed of

Ghazni invaded India several times. He ransacked this rich temple time

and again and carried away huge hoards of jewellery of gold and

diamonds. On the last raid, he uprooted the majestic Siva lingam and

looted the large quantities of precious stones embedded underneath the

deity. In place of the original Lingam thus desecrated, the temple

priests installed a new stone Lingam, and ever since carried on the

prescribed sacred services to the newly anointed deity.

 

Digvijaya

Sahed, the Maharaja of Jamnagar, was keen to restore the temple to its

pristine glory. It entailed expense of enormous labour as well as

resources. Despite these problems, he persisted with his mission and

finally crowned the beauty of the temple by erecting a mighty tower.

Named Digvijaya Gopuram (temple tower), it was inaugurated by Bhagavan

Sai Baba. Entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, He

materialized golden bilva leaves (bilva leaves are considered to be

particularly dear to Lord Siva) and showered them on the four-feet high

Lingam as abhishekam. By His Divine Will, He brought out the Lingam

into His hands and showed it to the gathering. It was shimmering

bright like lightning. After revitalizing it with His divine touch, He

did not return it to its earlier invisible abode as He had done in

Badarinath. Instead, He declared, "From now on, this temple shall ever

remain free from any attack. No despoiler from any quarter shall lay

his evil hand on this temple. There is no danger to it anymore. I am

therefore making this Lingam freely available for public darshan and

worship by devotees." He then materialized a silver peetham (pedestal) and installed the Lingam thereon.

 

 

DWARAKA

 

 

 

During

that trip, Baba and the attendant devotees reached Dwaraka, the abode

of Lord Krishna. Swami made His way into the temple precincts and

sanctified them with the touch of His divine feet. Lord "Sai Krishna"

of the present age gave darshan to the thousands of people gathered.

He then proceeded to the seashore followed by devotees. Asking them to

sit around Him on the sands, He made a small mound of sand, inserted

His hand into it and pulled out a golden figure of Lord Krishna. "This

wondrous even has made the Dwaraka temple replete with divine potency",

declared Bhagavan Sai Baba.

 

 

SRISAILAM

 

 

 

Another

ancient temple that attained spiritual rejuvenation at the divine touch

of Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the temple of Lord Mallikarjuna (Lord Siva)

in Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Bhagavan visited this temple on 5th

January 1963. As at the Somanath temple, here too, Baba entered the

sanctum sanctorum, produced golden bilva leaves and golden thummi

flowers and showered them on Lord Mallikarjuna in abhishekam.

 

 

PANDHARPUR

 

 

 

On

13th June 1965, Baba visited Pandharpur in Maharashtra where Lord

Krishna is worshipped as Panduranga Vitthal. As He entered the inner

sanctum and had darshan of Lord Panduranga and his consort, Rukmini

Devi, He created an opal gem-set necklace and adorned the neck of the

Goddess.

 

These

are occasions when Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba visited important

places of worship and recharged and revitalized the spiritual potency

of the presiding deities. Every temple is after all, the sacred abode

of Swami Himself. Human body is but the seat of God; it is a temple in

itself. The possessor of the human body is truly God. Every human

being should ponder over the inner meaning and significance of the form

and structure of the temple.

 

 

RESUSCITATION OF VEDIC DHARMA

 

A

few months after returning from Badarinath, Bhagavan decided that a

yajna should be performed at Prashanti Nilayam. At his instructions,

several Vedic scholars from northern India and also from the area of

Konaseema in Andhra Pradesh gathered at Puttaparthi. Baba gave

directions for the performance of the Yajna strictly in accordance with

Vedic structures. Baba announced, "As a part of the mission of My

incarnation, I am laying the foundation for the proper care of the cow

and the Brahmin, for the sustenance of the Vedas and, through them, for

the resuscitation of Vedic Dharma itself."

 

The planned yajna, for which hectic preparations were soon under way was named "Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yajna". The proceedings were spread over seven days (sapthaha)

synchronising with the Dussehra festivities in October 1961. Veda

Purusha, the presiding deity, was Baba Himself. Distinguished scholars

of the Vedas and the Vedic rituals were in charge of the various

activities. Veda Samrat Brahma Sri Cherukumilli Kamavadhanulu was the

over-all supervisor (sarva-adhyaksha). Aamnaya Artha Vachaspathi Brahma

Sri Uppuloori Ganapathi Sastry was to preside over the seminar meetings

to be held on Vedas and other spiritual and theological subjects.

Eminent scholars and Ghanapatthis, Sri Bulusu Appana Sastry, Sri

Kadiyala Seetharama Sastry, Sri Kuppa Bairagi Sastry, Shri Vemparala

Suryanarayana Sastry, Shri Kompella Ammanna Sastry and Shri Hotha

Venkatarama Sastry participated in that glorious ritual. It was truly

a galaxy of the brightest hue in the firmament of Vedic dharma. The

proceedings comprised Parthiva Sivalinga Archana, Manthra Japam, Parayanam of the holy texts of Ramayanam, Sri Maha Bhagavath, Devi Bhagavatham, Sree Bhashyam and others; and also Surya Namaskarams and Nava Graha Japams.

Parayanam of the Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas was a veritable feast to the

ears of the devotees. And to crown it all, the Athi Rudra Yaga was

performed with utmost attention to the minutest detail of the

prescribed ritual.

 

The entire seven-day proceedings were immensely satiating and spiritually rewarding to the vast concourse.

 

On the concluding day, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave a discourse. Very significantly, He addressed the assembly : "Athma Swaroopulara!

(Oh Embodiments of the Self!)" He went on, "The purpose of My

incarnation is to establish dharma and thereby secure peace and

equanimity and happiness to all people in every land. My Sankalp knows

no going back. Nobody can resist the onward march of My mission. It

is bound to triumph. This is certain, absolutely certain!

 

"In

My earlier incarnation, I had made it clear that any and every Yajna

performed for fulfilling narrow personal desires doesn't result in true

well-being; only Jnana Yajna, which aims at promotion of universal

well-being, is the best Yajna. Yajna stands for sacrifice (thyaga).

Thyaga can only be selflessness.

 

"The

Vedas prescribe that Yajna should be performed with a view to obtaining

grace of the gods. Materials like ghee and other edibles are to be

offered, as the Vedas lay down, to gods through Agni, the God

of Fire. Agni passes them on to the gods they are intended for.

Small-minded persons may well doubt this, 'Is it true? Can such a

thing be possible?' We go to the local post office and send money to

specified individuals. The money is indeed reaching them, be they

residents near or far away. Then why doubt the Vedic assertion? The

gods are pleased and satisfied and give us timely rain. Crops flourish

and give us food. Food gives life and sustains it. Thus, Yajna is at

the very root of universal well-being.

 

"Yajna originates in Karma. Karma takes its birth from Brahman. Brahman is in the form of Akshara Purusha. Pranavam is the very form of that Akshara. And Pranavam

is at the root of the Vedas. That is why it has been laid down that a

Yajna, which is performed and directed in My name and My form, is the

most suitable one for humans. Those who have partaken of the fruits

(prasadam) of this Yajna will be ever content and happy in their

worldly life; and when they depart this world attain merger with the

Supreme Divinity Principle. There is absolutely no doubt about it."

 

On

a different occasion, while speaking during the celebrations of a

yajna, Bhagavan said, "Ages ago, people forgot the noble principles of

sacrifice, selflessness and loving service. Evil tendencies like

greed, avarice and selfishness flourished. The Vedas assumed the form

of a black deer and ran away into the dense reaches of a forest. The

great rishis and Vedic scholars went in search of it but all their

efforts failed. They could retrieve only its skin. In remembrance of

that incident, while performing yajna as prescribed in the Vedas, the rithwiks

(priests engaged in offering oblations to the accompaniment of

incantations) even today don black-deer skin and sit on a similar skin

while offering oblations to Agni. To the outward eye, it is just a

piece of skin (charmam). But viewed from the angle of Yajna, it is

sharmam, which means happiness and spiritual bliss. Those who take

active part in the performance of the yajna experience bliss themselves

and also spread bliss to the whole world.

 

"The

ultimate goal of any Yajna performed in Prashanti Nilayam is sacrifice;

in other words, spiritual bliss which takes shape out of total

renunciation of the fruits of Karma. Such Yajna is not meant to

benefit merely any single individual or country. Its purpose is to

bring about universal well-being."

 

At

the conclusion of every Yajna and after the final rite of valedictory

offering (i.e., Pooma Aahuthi, offering to Agni whatever materials

remain out of what had been initially collected for the Yajna), Swami

personally sprinkled the holy waters of the ritual onto the thousands

of people present at the venue, thereby bestowing on them spiritual

absolution.

 

 

WHO ELSE KNOWS

THE RIGHT MUHOORTHAM

 

Apart

from renowned Vedic scholars and experts in Vedic rituals, those

proficient in chanting Vedic manthras with proper intonation and

accuracy, were in charge of the Jnana Yajna. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba fixed the muhoortham (auspicious moment for commencement of the

holy programme) as 9.30am on 1st October 1961. The scholars made their

own calculations with reference to the planetary positions and

astronomy and decided that 7.30 am would be the most appropriate time

for entering the Yaga Shala (venue for the yajnam) and

commencing the proceedings. When they placed their opinion before

Swami, he said, "I think 9.30am would be the most auspicious moment.

Give it a little more thought." Among the scholars entrusted with the

task were Sri Varanasi Subrahmanya Sastry, Sri Cherukumilli Kamavadhani

and Sri Kuppa Bairagi Sastry, who were the only ones aware of the Sai

Spirituality. Whatever that might be, the scholars informed Swami

again that 7.30am would be the most appropriate time. Swami agreed.

Did they notice a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his lips?

 

On

the appointed day, the rithwiks and Vedic savants had their ritual bath

in the river Chithravathi and completed their sandhaya vandanam,

(morning prayers to the Sun God) by 6.30am. Clad in the silk clothes

presented by Swami and holding silver vessels filled with holy water,

they started for the Yaga shala exactly at 7am, so as to reach the yaga

shala at 7.30am sharp. Suddenly, the skies opened up. There was

torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. The downpour

continued without respite till 9am. The river Chithravathi was in

flood and the group of priests got stuck up there. Although the

muhoortham set by them had been washed away by rains and flood, they

were happy to acknowledge Swami's all-knowing wisdom. The skies were

clear and everything became normal by 9am.

 

As

the auspicious muhoortham originally fixed by Him approached, Bhagavan

Sri Sathya Sai made His way to the Yaga shala leading a horde of

rithwiks reciting sacred Vedic hymns. Hundreds of devotees were

heartily singing bhajan songs. Devotional instrumental music

appropriate to the splendid occasion was being played. Precisely at

9.30am, the muhoortham, which had been finalized by Him, Baba entered

the venue and set in motion the proceedings of the weeklong yajna.

 

 

THE YAJNA KALASAM

A

day or two before the Yajna was to commence, Swami summoned Brahma Sri

Sivarama Bairagi Sastry who was to head the team of rithwiks. He told

him, "The yajna should be performed with strict adherence to the

prescribed tenets. As regards material, nothing should be wanting.

Well before the yajna is to commence, carefully prepare a complete list

of items required and give it to Me. I will see that everything is

provided. Sri Sastry made out a long list in consultation with his

fellow rithwiks. Whatever was listed was procured and placed at their

disposal.

 

Nevertheless,

just about five minutes before Swami was scheduled to leave for the

yaga shala, Sri Bairagi Sastry suddenly recollected that the most

important item, the yajna kalasam (the principal vessel which

occupies pride of place in the proceedings), had been inadvertently

omitted from his list of materials. But who would bring this serious

mistake to Swami's notice at this late juncture? And how to tell

Swami? He was in unbearable torment. There was no time to lose. He

collected all courage, decided to take responsibility on his own

unfortunate shoulders and informed Swami. He prayed to Swami to pardon

him for his unpardonable lapse.

 

Swami

was his usual merciful self. With soft words of reassurance, He gently

asked,"I had asked you to prepare the list carefully well before the

Yajna. You have only five minutes now?" He went into His room and

within three minutes emerged with a silver kalsam in His hand. It

displayed exquisite craftsmanship worthy of the great occasion and was

adorned with images of several deities. Swami told the astonished

Sastry, "During My incarnation as Shirdi Sai, I kept it in the palace

of the Chincholi rulers. It was lying there in a room full of old and

discarded pieces. I have just gone there, searched for it and brought

it here, which has taken all this time. Now that this is conforming to

the specifications laid down in scriptures, go ahead and commence the

proceedings on time." Etched on that vessel were the initials "Sa.

Ba." in Hindi indicating obviously that it had belonged to Sai Baba.

Several years later, when he was giving a speech in the presence of

Swami in the Auditorium, Sri Bairagi Sastry recounted this engrossing

incident in detail.

 

 

AYUDHA POOJA

 

 

Traditionally, on the Vijaya Dasami day during the Dussehera celebrations, weapons of war are worshipped. It is called Ayudha Pooja ('Ayudhya'

means weapon). Baba says, "The six evil tendencies which envelop man's

nature and act as hindrances to his spiritual progress, viz., kama (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (avarice, miserliness), moha (infactuation), mada (pride and arrogance) and mathsarya

(jealousy), should also be likewise worshipped." But here, there is a

subtle difference. Their worship consists of turning them towards God

so that, instead of obstructing the aspirant's progress, they would

actually help it. Thus, the very tendencies which are ordinarily

considered to be evil are metamorphised into good. How can it be

possible? Let us hear what Baba says :

 

"Kama

is intense, compulsive desire. Direct it towards God. It then changes

into a craving to have darshan of the Lord, to win His favour, to

obtain His Grace. Kama takes the shape of eagerness to reach God.

 

"Krodha

means anger. Turn it towards God and ask angrily, "Why has He not come

to me? How long should I keep waiting? What fault have I committed?

Why does He not bestow His Grace on me?" Hold it all against Him and

persist with your impatience. Your anger is transformed into

determination, a positive beneficial trait in your life.

 

"Lobha

means miserliness. When you turn it towards God, you begin to feel

intense possessiveness. You feel, "He belongs to me and to me only."

"He is my Lord and I belong to none else," your mind cries out; it

intensely desires to get hold of God, to possess Him totally and

exclusively. Lobha transmutes itself into intense craving for God; and

helps one to hold on to Him with single-minded possessiveness.

 

"Moha

means infatuation, loss of one's sense of discrimination. When it is

directed towards God, one feels that one cannot live without God; life

in this world holds no charm, has no meaning any longer without the

company of God. Then the mind refuses to hear to reason, cares for no

one; it turns crazy in its longing for God. Moha transforms into blind

and compulsive devotion to God.

 

"Mada

means pride coupled with arrogance. When you turn it towards God, you

feel, "I have the support and grace of God; I have great clout; none

can dare to cross my path; I fear nothing; How can God desert me?"

Such thinking changes mada into faith and trust in God.

 

"Mathsarya

means jealousy. When it is directed towards God, you will feel, 'My

God, my own Lord is being enticed away by somebody; he is distancing

me'. Such thoughts make you agitated, and you find that your mathsarya

is soon transformed into overpowering desire for closeness with God.

 

"Lions

in a circus dutifully obey the ring-master. Similarly, if man's six

evil tendencies are subordinated to their Master, they lose their

natural wildness and become subdued. This is the true meaning and

significance of Ayudhya Pooja."

 

Some of the devotees brought pearls, corals and gold to be offered as oblations in the Yajnagundam (ceremonial fire in which ritual offerings are made to Agni during yajna). Swami exhorted them, "Make offerings of your Gunas in the Yajnagundam.

Those are the precious pearls and jewels you will do well to give up."

When performing yajna, one should aim at achieving a higher goal of

elevating one's soul. That really is the glorious fruition of the

arduous process of yajna.

 

 

Om Sri Sathya Sai Parabrahmane NamahSanthih, Santhih, Santhih

End of Chapter 5***********

DAY 3 : (Contd.)

 

 

THE SUPREME DIVINITY

 

Chapter 6

 

 

 

 

This

is the human form in which every divine entity, every divine principle,

that is say, all the names and forms ascribed by man to God are

manifest... You are very fortunate that you have a chance to experience

the bliss of the vision of the Sarva Devata Swaroopa, now in this very

life.

 

~ Baba ~

 

 

BABA TRANSCENDS EVERY OTHER GOD

 

The

great rishi Garga was a learned scholar of astronomy. He was also the

holy priest to the Yadava dynasty. He was the author of a Sanskrit

treatise called Garga Samhitha. At the commencement of that

work, he described the qualities and nature of a "full and complete

incarnation (poorna avathar)" :

 

"Yasmin Sarvani Thejamsi Vileenayam The Swa Thejasi,

Tham Vadanthi pare Sakshath pari poornathamam Swayam."

 

That

incarnation of the Supreme, which encompasses within itself the divine

glory of all the gods, is the full and complete incarnation. Bhagavan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba satisfies this description in all respects.

 

Pedda Bottu, ardent devotee of both Shirdi Sai and Sathya Sai, wrote a book called 'Sri Sathya Sai Vratha Kalpam'

which describes the procedure of ritualistic worship of Bhagavan. She

kept the finished manuscript safely in her box. When she opened the

book one day, she found that numerous modifications and alterations had

been made in it in red ink. They were all in the unmistakable hand of

Bhagavan Himself. Wherever she had used the words, "Sarva Devatha

Swaroopa", while referring to Swami (meaning, the embodied form of all

gods), they were altered to read, "Sarva Devatha-atheetha Swaroopa"

(meaning the form that transcends all gods). Centuries ago, when the

Telugu saint-composer Pothana was translating the epic Sri Maha

Bhagavatham from Sanskrit to Telugu, Lord Sri Rama himself, it is said,

contributed to his text. In the same way, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

amplified Pedda Bottu's text in His own hand. Thereby, He proclaimed

to the world, in writing, that He transcends every god.

 

To

cite His own words, "This, My human form, embodies all dharmas (faiths)

and divine powers (sakthis) of all gods. Never doubt this at all. If

you install this divine form of Mine on the throne of your heart, with

unshakable faith, you will be able to have a glimpse of My pristine

Universal Form. I will prove that every form, every attribute, which

man cherishes and worships as pertaining only to God, belongs to the

form of Sai only."

 

 

AS SRI MAHA GANAPATHI

 

Swami

Amrithananda, disciple of the celebrated saint of Arunachalam, namely,

Sri Ramana Maharshi, travelled from Arunachalam to Puttaparthi for

Bhagavan Sri Sai's darshan. Bhagavan drew close to him and in a sweet

voice addressed him, "Amritham!" Swami Amrithananda was thrilled.

Ramana Maharshi, the great saint, used to address him exactly in the

same manner, with the same affection and touch of intimacy. Sai Baba's

call, he felt, was a leela with special significance. During

conversation with the 85 year-old Amrithananda, Swami told him, "In

your seventh year, you performed Ganapathi Homam (oblations in holy

fire) continuously for 45 days. As you made offerings in the homa

gundam, you recited a sacred manthra containing Beeja Aksharas (sacred and spiritually charged root-letters, sounds), 'Om', 'Sreem', 'Hreem', 'Kleem', and 'Gleem',

at the rate of a thousand times every day. Are you aware what the

scriptures say about the beneficial result of that yaga? It is said

that if a devotee performs it on the prescribed lines, at the

conclusion thereof, the elephant-headed Lord Maha Ganapathi emerges out

of the homa gundam resplendent in his golden complexion and gives

divine darshan and blessings to the devotee. Did you ever have such a

darshan?"

 

Amrithananda

replied, "I was then only a boy of seven years. Could the divine

darshan of Maha Ganapathi be obtained merely through offerings in the

homa gundam?" Sri Sai Baba assured him, "It is only because of the

result of that recitation of manthra and offerings made then, that you

have come into My presence now at this advanced age. You shall receive

the benefit of that homam right now. Scriptures never go wrong."

Amrithananda was asked to look towards Swami and as he did so, he saw,

in the place of Bhagavan, Maha Ganapathi's glorious form with marvelous

complexion.

 

 

AS SRI SUBRAHMANYA SWAMY

 

Lord

Subrahmanya Swamy was the family deity of the Bhatt family of Mysore.

In 1943, Mrs Bhatt was diagnosed to be suffering from cancer. Doctors

advised a surgical operation but her mother-in-law did not agree. She

insisted that as they were all ardent devotees of Lord Subrahmanya, the

Lord would surely take care of the patient. For six long months, the

family stuck to their intense and steady faith and continued with their

daily worship. But the patient's condition was worsening. One night,

she had a dream in which she saw a great serpent moving around her

bed. Alarmed, she woke up her mother-in-law. Lights were switched on

but found nothing. But after some time, the patient again dreamt of

the same serpent, which, in a moment, changed to Lord Subrahmanya. He

pierced her chest with His trident. Thus impaled, she was taken to the

top of a mountain peak. She fell at the feet of the Lord who asked her

whether she wished to remain there or to return to her family. She

replied that she would prefer to go back to her husband and children.

The Lord then told her, "You are fully healed. I will always be

protecting you." She saw herself being returned to this world by a

narrow, beautiful stairway. The dream was vivid and reassuring. From

that day onwards, her health steadily improved and soon became normal.

Even while she unfailingly did her daily worship, she found time also

to serve the poor and the needy to the best of her ability.

 

Twenty

years later, that lady and her husband went to Puttaparthi and had the

darshan of Sri Sathya Sai for the first time. Swami gave them an

interview. He told her, "I spoke to you twenty years ago." She was

taken aback and protested, "No, Swami. This is the first time I am

seeing you." But Swami told her, "No, I came to you when you were in

Mysore." He also mentioned the name of the street where they were

staying in Mysore during her illness. She wondered. The name of the

street was of course correct. But when did Swami come there? When did

He speak to her? She had no recollection. Then, she noticed the

staircase leading from the interview room to Swami's room located on

the upper floor. She counted the steps. They were eighteen in number;

they were narrow and beautiful. When did she see them before? She

suddenly remembered to have seen them in her dream two decades ago.

They were the same steps, which Lord Subrahmanya had returned her down

to this world. In a moment, before she could recover from her

wonderment, Swami waved His hand and materialized a beautiful figure of

Lord Subrahmanya Swamy, adorned with ornaments of serpents and seated

on a chariot. He placed that image in her grateful hands. She

realized that the ever-merciful Sai Baba was the same as Lord

Subrahmanya Swamy who was worshipped at their home every day. She

washed Baba's Lotus Feet with her copious tears of exquisite happiness.

 

Lord

Subrahmanya Swami stands today by the side of his elder brother, Maha

Ganapathi, in Prashanti Nilayam. His idol was installed there by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 21st September 1997.

 

 

AS LORD PARAMA SIVA

 

Rama Raju, the then Municipal Chairman of Bellary district, came to

Uravakonda to meet Sathyam. In those days, Sathyam was also called

Raju. Rama Raju told Seshama Raju, "We would like to have your Raju

with us in Bellary during the next school vacation. You think your

brother is just an ordinary boy. You are wrong. My heart is moved by

his purity and the glow in his face. I can see a divine effulgence in

him. Please bring him along and stay with us for some days." Those

were the days when Seshama Raju was somewhat worried about his

brother's unusual behaviour. He felt that a change of place might help

to improve Sathyam's mental health. He accepted Rama Raju's invitation

and went to Bellary.

 

One

day, he organized a trip to Hampi (capital of the Vijayanagar empire of

the yesteryears) to see the famous temple of Lord Viroopaksha (Siva).

All of them went into the temple but Sathyam stayed out, pleading some

discomfort in his stomach while the others entered it. When the temple

priest was offering arathi to the presiding deity, the devotees saw the

image of Sathyam in the sanctum sanctorum in place of the deity of Lord

Viroopaksha. Seshama Raju was angry. He thought, 'Sathyam said that

he would not enter the temple; but he has somehow sneaked in and taken

the place of the Lord. This is blasphemous.' He went out in anger

only to see Sathyam standing there under a tree. Seshama Raju was

puzzled. While he stood outside keeping an eye on Sathyam, he deputed

another person to go inside and verify things there. He was surprised

when he was told that Sathyam was seen very much within the temple even

as he stood under the tree outside. As the saying goes,

 

"Anthar Bahischa Tath-Sarvam Vyapya Narayana Stthithah."

 

Lord

Narayana is all pervasive, present both inside and outside, everywhere

at the same time. Everyone in the group realized that this Sathya

Narayana too was all pervasive, present everywhere at the same time,

both inside and outside the temple! It is also noteworthy that by that

time, Bhagavan had not yet proclaimed His avatharhood. The group came

out of the temple in great exultation and looked at Sathyam's face.

But they noticed nothing unusual in that face, as if nothing

extra-ordinary had happened.

 

It

is well-known that Swami is the creator of vibhuthi. He is seen every

day materializing large quantities of it and distributing it among

devotees. During festivities of Siva Rathri (marking Lord Siva's

manifestation in the form of Lingam), Baba used to perform Abhishekam

(ritual of pouring, ususally water) on Shirdi Baba's image using,

instead of water, vibhuthi emanating out of an empty silver vessel.

The vibhuthi would never run out!

 

 

 

 

A

particular occasion deserves to be described. In the open ground close

to Prashanti Mandir, in the centre of a dais called Santhi Vedika, a

raised pedestal was set up. A four-feet high silver idol of Shirdi Sai

was positioned on the pedestal. Sri Kasturi stood on one side of the

idol and held an empty silver vessel upside down a little above the

idol's head. On the other side stood Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai and

inserted His right hand into the mouth of the inverted vessel in a

churning motion. Vibhuthi poured out in huge quantities at every turn

of the divine hand. It fell over the idol like a deluge. After a

little while, Sri Sai Baba removed His right hand, inserted His left

hand and brought forth a downpour of vibhuthi as he rotated His hand

inside the vessel. He took turns, now with the right hand and then

with the left one. The idol was soon covered fully with the vibhuthi.

Devotees went into raptures of joy and incessant clapping.

 

Then

Sri Sathya Sai wiped the head and face of Shirdi Sai with a piece of

cloth. He materialized with a wave of His hand an emerald and placed

it on the forehead of the idol. It stuck there. It was a

breath-taking miracle. We have only to immerse ourselves in the

glorious sight of such miracles, forget ourselves and become one with

the divinity, that we are blessed to witness.

 

On

that Siva Rathri day, devotees saw Siva Lingam materializing in Baba's

stomach and emerging out of His mouth. Sri Sathya Sai was giving His

nectarine discourse and devotees were in rapt attention. Suddenly,

Baba stopped speaking and sat down. Devotees started singing bhajan

songs loudly. Sri Sai was sweating. He was frequently sipping water

from a glass tumbler placed on His table. Some movements were noticed

near His stomach. He was twisting and turning as if in pain. Singing

of bhajans continued with greater and greater enthusiasm. The Athma

Lingam began to move upwards from His stomach, reached the throat and

suddenly emerged out of His mouth. Baba held the brilliant Lingam in

His open palms held together, and held it up so that the thousands of

devotees assembled there could see it. As the large Lingam emerged out

of the mouth, the corners of His mouth split and there were stains of

blood.

 

Bhagavan

addressed the audience and explained the significance of the

materialization of the Lingam, "You cannot comprehend the full nature

of divinity. Nor can you measure divine power (Sakthi) and its

glory. It is unreachable and unseen. This incident of the

materialization of Lingam is a demonstration, brought within the

limited scope of your comprehension of that divinity, which is present

here right in your midst. You are privileged to witness this

marvellous spectacle because of divine grace and your good fortune."

 

In

February 1974, on the occasion of Siva Rathri, Bhagavan materialized a

Lingam from His mouth and made a sensational pronouncement. Addressing

the devotees, He said, "This is the Aathma Lingam of ten inches (dasha-angulam)

as described by Sage Kapiladeva in the Vedas and the Upanishads. Your

lives have attained fulfillment because you have seen this divine

form. You are released from the cycle of universal birth and death.

This Lingam measures ten inches around. You see a trident within the

Lingam in the form of a flame, which changes its colour every ten

minutes!"

 

 

 

After

many long years, Bhagavan again materialized a Siva Lingam named

Hiranyagarbha Lingam on the auspicious day of Siva Rathri in 1999.

Again on the day of the Siva Rathri in the following year, Bhagavan

Sathya Sai materialized from His mouth a golden Siva Lingam - Swarna

Lingam, and showed it to the thousands of devotees assembled in the Sai

Kulwant Hall, who went into raptures with joy. They felt that they

were immensely blessed by the Lord.

 

 

AS LORD SRI RAMA

 

In

1972, training classes in summer were about to commence at Brindavan.

Eight hundred devotees, boys and girls, selected from various regions

of the country assembled at Whitefield. Swami's mother, Easwaramma,

obtained His permission to join other women devotees at Brindavan for

the thirty days of training. She was given accommodation on the floor

below that of Swami.

 

The trainees woke up daily in the early hours. They went through the incantation of Omkar (Pranavam),

devotional songs, yogasanas, bhajans, service to the poor and other

activities. The participants were very enthusiastic and lively. For

Easwaramma, all that was like a festive occasion every day in the

temple of Goddess Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning.

 

On

the eleventh day of the training camp, Easwaramma experienced a

thrilling experience. The next morning, she rushed to Pedda Bottu who

was well known also as Shirdi Ma. She was all excitement as she told

Pedda Bottu, "I must inform you about a wonderful experience I had.

But promise me that you would never tell anybody about it." Pedda

Bottu moved closer to her and confidentially enquired what it was all

about. Said Easwaramma, "Our Swami is truly God Himself! I have no

doubt whatsoever." Pedda Bottu burst out laughing. Easwaramma asked

what was so funny about what she said. Pedda Bottu reassured her, "No,

no. I am not laughing at your words. I am only expressing my joy that

this fact has come to your knowledge at long last. But leave that

alone, tell me how you have come to this realization." Easwaramma

said, "You know I am having high fever for the last four days. Last

night, Swami came to me." Pedda Bottu interrupted, "Was it in a

dream?" "No", said Easwaramma, "I was not able to sleep and was

uncomfortably rolling this side and that in bed. Swami came to me in

person and enquired how I was feeling. I told Him that my body was

aching all over. Now, how should I tell you, Pedda Bottu, He is not

our usual Swami whom you and I see every day. In a moment, He became

Lord Sri Rama, with a dazzling crown on His head and a long bow in His

hand. He stood by my side. I was surprised but saluted Him. I also

tried hard to get up and sit on the bed, even to get out of it, but

could not do so. In a few moments, Lord Sri Rama became our familiar

Swami. He smiled gently and gave me a little vibhuthi prasadam. He

said, 'Fever will disappear. Don't worry,' and left." Pedda Bottu was

happy and elated. She said, "Swami has certainly blessed you. What a

memorable experience!" Easwaramma was in full wakefulness and

consciousness when she saw Sri Sathya Sai as Lord Sri Rama. She is

indeed exceptionally fortunate and blessed.

 

As

subsequent events indicate, that divine experience she had was probably

a pointer to the approaching merger of Easwaramma's soul with the

Supreme Being. The very next day, 6th May 1972 at 6am, the trainees

had just returned after completing nagara sankeerthan. Swami

gave them darshan from the balcony of His residence and went in to have

a bath. Meanwhile, Easwaramma had her bath, took her morning cup of

coffee and sat down in the inner veranda to relax. Suddenly, she

turned towards the bathroom and cried out for Swami. "Swami! Swami!",

she called and collapsed. Swami responded from inside the bathroom, "I

am coming, coming!" That was all. She breathed her last.

 

On

6th May 1983, Swami spoke on the occasion of the death anniversary

(vardhanthi) of Easwaramma. Referring to the special characteristics

which distinguished the great lady, and the manner of her death, He

said, "Usually, at such moments one's mind dwells on ornaments of gold

or similar valuables. It is only to very few persons that Swami comes

to mind at the final moment. From the floor down below, she cried out

to for me, 'Swami! Swami!' I responded, 'I am coming, coming!' And

she left. The situation is just like Maha Vishnu rushing to bless

Gajendra in response to his desperate call for divine succour. As the

two live wires meet like a flash, in a moment, one attains salvation.

At the crucial moment, Easwaramma's daughter and grand daughter,

Venkamma and Shailaja, were by her side. But she desperately cried out

only for Swami. This is an ample proof of her piety and righteousness,

the priceless reward for her great sadhana (practice of spiritual

austerities). Here is an excellent example for emulation."

 

 

AS SRI SHYAM SUNDAR

 

Swami

Karunyananda spent several years with Ramana Maharshi in Arunachalam.

For some years, he was also with Malayala Swami in Gogarbham near

Tirupathi. In 1927, he was ordained into sannyas (renunciation) by

Sivananda Swami in Hrishikesh. He practiced many spiritual

austerities. Later, he established the Gowthami Jeeva Karunya Sangham

in Rajahmundry on the banks of the river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh,

and did great service to the poor and the needy. As a result of his

spiritual attainments and his services to humanity, he was rewarded

with the good fortune of remaining in close proximity to Sri Sathya Sai.

 

Once

Sri Sathya Sai Baba asked Karunyananda to come and sleep in His room.

But being in the unfortunate habit of snoring, he hesitated to accept

Baba's invitation. Swami told him not to worry about it but to come

and sleep in His room.

 

Karunyananda

has since stated, "Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai never sleeps. He lies in

bed on his left side. His eyes are always half open. He is fully

aware of what is happening all around him." Bhagavan vouchsafed

Karunyananda an unforgettable experience that night. Swami was lying

on His bed. Karunyananda spread his bed on the floor and slept. After

some time, he woke up and sat and looked towards Swami's bed.

Surprisingly, in place of Swami, he found Bala Krishna (Krishna, the

child) lying in Swami's bed emanating a charming bluish glow.

Karunyananda lapped up the wonderful vision in astonishment.

Unbelieving, he rubbed his eyes and looked again carefully. He also

assured himself that he was wide awake and fully in possession of his

senses. There was no question of any doubt. It certainly was Bala

Krishna lying on Baba's bed. After a few moments, once again Baba was

seen lying there in place of Bala Krishna!

 

Karunyananda

stated later, "What I witnessed was certainly not imagination. I was

fully awake. It was Bala Krishna most certainly. I also witnessed

Bala Krishna changing into Sri Sathya Sai. Bhagavan Sathya Sai does

not publicly display his divinity. Perhaps he feels that such displays

might lead to unmanageable crowds converging on Him from far and wide."

 

In Sai Sruthi,

Swami's residence in Kodaikanal, Swami spoke to His students once and

revealed a divine secret. He said, "Lord Sriman Narayana has come down

to this earth in human form as Sathya Sai. Please understand and

accept this fact. Like Lord Sri Rama and Lord Sri Krishna, this too is

a Poorna Avathar. Great sages and spiritual preceptors were sent here

from time to time by the divya sakthi. But here you see the very incarnation of the Universal Absolute on earth."

 

 

AS GAUTAM BUDDHA

 

Once

a conference of scientists took place in Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh

under the chairmanship of Dr Bala Krishna. Prof Haikawa, a Japanese

scientist was among them. Dr Bala Krishna invited him to his home.

There, Dr Haikawa saw for the first time a coloured photograph of

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He felt immediately drawn to it. In the

temple-like house, this attractive photograph stood out in all its

decorations. He thought that the picture might be of an honoured

ancestor of the family. During their conversation, Dr Bala Krishna

described the divinity of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and told him

that Baba was God-incarnate.

 

It

so happened that Swami was right there in Hyderabad at that time; and

the two scientists went to have His darshan. Swami kindly invited both

of them into the interview room. In the proximity of Swami, Prof

Haikawa experienced an intense awareness that he was in the presence of

a divine personality. Swami gently smiled at him, waved His hand,

produced a human heart and showed it to him. He was bewildered.

Bhagavan asked him what it was. Dr Haikawa replied that it was a human

heart. "Do you know to whom did it belong?," asked Swami. He

answered, "How do I know?" Bhagavan told him, "This is your own heart,

at the time of your birth!"

 

Dr

Haikawa was stunned. Swami explained, "This is indeed your own heart.

Do not be surprised. As soon as you were born, your heart stopped

beating. You were as good as dead. Your body turned blue. Your

father was a man of faith and a very devout person. He placed your

body at My feet and prayed to Me, 'Oh God! I earnestly prayed to you

for a child. Is this the way you respond to my prayers? Of what use

is this dead body to me?' I therefore mended your heart and restored

you to life."

 

As

a matter of fact, the age of the Japanese scientist was more than

Baba's. And it was to Lord Buddha that his father had prayed seeking

revival of life in his dead son's body. The secret of that incident

was known to no one except his parents. Dr Haikawa realized that Lord

Buddha, who had lived many centuries ago, had now reincarnated in the

form of Sai Bhagavan. During the conversation, Swami referred in

lighter vein to Dr Haikawa as 'Avakaya,' which in Telugu means mango

pickle.

 

 

AS JESUS CHRIST

 

A

Roman Catholic couple from America happened to hear about Bhagavan and

came down to Puttaparthi. During public audience in Prashanti Nilayam,

they saw the glorious form of Sri Sathya Sai. They felt powerful

spiritual waves being radiated to them. They were surprised and

delighted as they experienced an intense glow of happiness. The man

was overwhelmed by Baba's eyes, full of kindness, and heart replete

with love. He was convinced that Jesus himself had come to earth in

Sai's form and told his wife as much. The woman did not however react

favourably. "What nonsense!" she said, "We are Roman Catholics. It is

not proper for you to say that this Hindu is Jesus himself. I do not

agree with you at all on this." She remained somewhat aloof from Sri

Sathya Sai.

 

One

day, Swami invited the couple into the interview room. The man was

undoubtedly in great exhilaration. His wife was somewhat cold and sat

a little aside. As the interview drew to a close, the man asked Swami

politely, "Swami! May I take a photograph?" Swami agreed and the

gentleman took a few snaps with his camera. The film was developed and

printed on their return home. What they saw was not Sathya Sai but the

loving and compassionate figure of Jesus Christ! They were

astonished. The woman felt extremely sorry that she could not

recognize Jesus Christ when physically present in front of her in the

form of Sri Sathya Sai. Needless to say, she became Swami's devotee

from that moment.

 

A

devotee asked Swami, "Jesus promised to come back again. Are you that

Jesus?" Swami explained to him, "Jesus did not say that he would come

back. What he actually said was that God who had sent him to earth

Himself would come. He pointed to a sheep. The cry of a sheep sounds,

'Ba! Ba!' Jesus indicated that God would come to earth with that

name. But his followers did not correctly comprehend what he had

stated. It is I who sent Jesus to the earth!"

 

 

THE KABA IN BABA'S PALM

 

When

Professor S Bashiruddin, a Muslim, visited Sri Sai Baba, Bhagavan

materialized and presented to him a locket on which was inscribed

"Allah" in Arabic. Allah in Arabic, Sarva-antharyami, in

Sanskrit and Omnipresent, in English - they all mean the same. Once

some Arabic visitors met Sri Sai Baba in Prashanti Nilayam. It was the

sacred day of Bakrid. Swami invited them into the interview room. He

raised His open palm. The visitors saw in it a vision of thousands of

devout Muslims praying on their knees before the holy Kaba in Saudi

Arabia at that very moment.

 

These

are some of the instances to establish that Sri Sathya Sai is not only

the embodiment of all gods; he is the transcendental encapsulation of

every god. Many persons belonging to the Jewish faith testify to this

fact like Dr Samuel Sandweiss, who declared, "I am convinced that Baba

is the incarnation of God. Whatever descriptions about God are given

in the Hindu, Christian and Jewish lore and literature are not

fictional or imaginary. They are all true. They all proclaim the

truth that God has the supreme power to incarnate Himself as and when

needed."

 

 

AS SRI DATTATREYA

 

On

the Siva Rahtri day in 1978, Sai Baba was traveling by car from Ooty to

Bangalore. Several devotees and students were accompanying Him in

cars. Smt Ratanlal Bhatia, who cooked Baba's meals every day in

Bangalore, was also among them. Sri Sathya Sai stopped the caravan at

some place and got down from His car. All of them sat down to rest and

relax and Baba began to speak to the gathering about some spiritual

matters. He addressed a student, who He knew was still harbouring

doubts and misgivings about Baba, "You are holding a Polaroid camera.

Take My photograph and you will see My true identity."

 

Baba

stood at a particular spot. The student took his position with the

camera and was about to take a snap. Suddenly, Smt Bhatia rushed

forward and tried to straighten the creases on Baba's garment. Swami

sternly ordered her to go away. As He spoke somewhat curtly and

loudly, the poor lady was frightened, turned back and stood at a

distance. The student clicked his camera. In a few moments, the

Polaroid picture developed in sharp colours; it was of the divine

composite form of Lord Dattatreya - with three heads : Lord Brahma,

Lord Maha Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara. The photo also showed four dogs

and a cow standing by the side of the Lord. When the picture was shown

to Swami, he told Smt Bhatia, "Do you now realize why I firmly ordered

you to go away at the moment this photograph was being taken?

Extremely powerful radiations were emanating from Me at that time. You

would not have been able to withstand their impact." Sathya Sai is the

Supreme Being, the primordial source of the cycles of creation (srishti), maintenance (sthithi) and ultimate annihilation (layam).

This truth has been demonstrated by Sathya Sai through this incident

when He revealed Himself to be the transcendental divinity combining

within Himself Lord Brahma, Maha Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara - the great

trinity.

 

 

"MY HUMAN FORM ENCOMPASSES DIVINE SAKTHIS OF ALL GODS"

 

Sri

Sathya Sai Baba once declared, "As I am moving among you, eating like

you and conversing with you, you may mistake Me as a common human

being. If you commit that error, you will get into trouble and get

enmeshed in delusion. You must always be vigilant and avoid that

danger. The web of maya (delusion) is my concomitant. So, I

may sing along with you, speak with you, participate together with you

in all activities, and thereby create in you that maya. But at any

moment, I may suddenly reveal My divinity. You must keep yourself

alert, ever and always, and be ready for that great moment.

 

"This,

My human form, encompasses every faith (Dharma) and every divine

potency (Sakthi) of every god. Whatsoever be the names, forms and

powers that man attributes to God, belong only to Sathya Sai and none

else. And all prayers and offerings to God reach Me only. I can

demonstrate it beyond doubt. That is why in all my discourses, I

emphasize that Allah, Jesus, Jehovah, Rama, Krishna, Easwara and Sai

are all names which pertain, without any difference whatsoever, only to

Me.

 

"When

God comes down to earth in human form, it is very difficult to see the

reality of God in the outward form. Man compares the earthly, external

appearance of the avathar with his own body and mistakenly concludes

that the two are of the same level and type. To tell you the truth,

even if the entire humanity makes concerted effort for a thousand years

through the severest austerities, it cannot comprehend My true

essentiality (nija tathwa). If you win the grace of this divine

power standing right before you bearing a holy name and form, you will

soon achieve supreme realization. You are exceptionally fortunate in

having this rare opportunity. It is far more precious than what

eminent sages, renunciates, yogis and holy men had ever got. Forget

not this fact."

 

 

SWAMI PERVADES THE UNIVERSE

 

Laila

and Homer Young were a couple living in California. Homer used to work

in the establishment concerned with launching of satellites. In 1972,

Laila joined a group led by Indra Devi of Mexico, an ardent devotee of

Swami, and came to Puttaparthi to meet Sai Baba. Homer desired that

Puttaparthi should be photographed from space right at the time his

wife was in Baba's presence. Several photographs were taken by a

satellite from 200 miles above the earth. Because of the great

distance, no clear details of habitations, hills or buildings could be

seen in the photographs, which showed only a number of patches and dots

in black and white that made no sense. When Laila saw them on return

from Puttaparthi, she felt very much disappointed. Being middle class

people, she felt they should not have wasted US$60 on these poor

pictures.

 

Several

years went by. Some Sai devotees on their way to Tecate to attend the

wedding of Indra Devi's daughter visited the Homers' home. He was then

running a Sai Book Centre. There were several photos of Sai in

different poses in the Centre. As the visitors showed interest and

liked some of them, Homer showed them the satellite pictures of

Puttaparthi too. The visitors were closely looking at those

photographs. Suddenly, a lady cried out, "Here is Sai Baba!"

Curiosity aroused, they could all discern the face, in profile, of Sri

Sathya Sai composed by the numerous patches and dots, which had earlier

made no sense to Homer and Laila. The image was now crystal clear.

The crown-like thick black hair on the head, the eyes, the shape of the

nose and, wonder of wonders, even the birthmark on the cheek of the

enchanting face of Swami could be clearly seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homer

made his own calculations. He took into account longitude and latitude

and found that the photograph covered a vast area, 40 miles long and 20

miles wide. He realized with considerable astonishment, that Swami's

form filled so much area. From the data available, Homer concluded

that Swami was looking at an extensive area surrounding Prashanti

Nilayam.

 

In

1978, Homer came to Puttaparthi to meet Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai. He

saw a great circular aura around Swami's head. He took several

photographs and showed them to Swami. Bhagavan smiled sweetly and

said, as Lord Sri Krishna told Arjuna, "These are trifles in my

boundless divine magnificence (Anantha Mahimas)." These photographs taken on 29th November 1972 have been placed for exhibition in the planetorium in Prashanti Nilayam.

 

 

"NETHI, NETHI"

 

There is a Sanskrit saying :

 

"Yatho Vacho Nivarthanthe Aprapya Manama Saha;

Aanandam brahmano Vidwan, Na Bibhethi, Krithashcha Nethi."

 

The

Universal Absolute is beyond the comprehension of the five senses as

well as mind. Only an ardent devotee can realize the incomprehensible

Universal Supreme Reality and achieve transcendental bliss. He is then

above and beyond every kind of fear and enjoys the state of perpetual

bliss.

 

This highly spiritual concept was clarified by Bhagavan Baba with a simple and amusing anecdote drawn from Ramayana :

 

 

 

 

"Sita,

Rama and Lakshmana reached the ashram of Rishi Bharadwaja. According

to the prevalent practice, the rishis sat in one group and their wives

and other women sat in another group. They did not sit in a mixed

gathering as we do these days. On reaching there, Sita took her seat

among the women and Rama and Lakshmana sat with the rishis. The two

brothers, Rama and Lakshmana were wearing clothes of renunciates (sanyasis).

Due to that and also because of their radiance, both the princes were

looking as splendid as the rishis themselves. It was impossible to

recognize and identify who was Rama and who was Lakshmana. But Sita

had not changed much and wives of rishis could immediately recognize

her. They drew close to her and affectionately engaged her in

conversation in easy informality. Women by nature, tend to be

inquisitive and talkative. On the other side, rishis were busy with

their metaphysical discourses. Here, women were busy with their

whispered conversation. They asked Sita, 'Dear Sita Devi, has your

husband also come?' She replied, "yes. I have come along with Him.

He is sitting there with the rishis.' The women then asked, 'Of those

two sitting there, who is your husband?' Would Sita stand up in that

entire gathering and point out her husband? She was very modest and

noble and also a dedicated wife (Pathivratha). Unable to give

an outright reply, she silently sat with her head bowed. But the

ladies would not leave it there. They went on asking queries like : Is

he that person sitting a little behind or a little ahead? Or is he the

person wearing beautiful robes? Is he that fair complexioned man?

They went on showing this person or that, with one description or

another. But Sita was very patient. Whenever a person other than her

husband was pointed at, she shook her head in denial until, when Rama's

turn came, she became silent and modestly bowed her head! Her gesture

itself signified her confirmation that the person pointed at was indeed

Lord Sri Rama.

 

"In the same manner, the Vedas went on repeating "Nethi, Nethi, Nethi"

(Not this. Not this. Not this...) while trying to describe the inner

essentiality of the Universal Absolute (Parabrahma Tathwa). When the

Vedas were to finally describe 'That Universal Absolute', they became

mute, wordless! That is why it was referred to as 'Mauna Vyakhya

Prakatitha Parabrahma Tathwa - the essentiality of the Universal

Absolute, which can be described only by wordlessness, perfect silence!"

 

What

a charming anecdote Bhagavan has chosen and how beautiful was his

exposition! In simple words and by a sweet and enchanting anecdote,

Baba unravelled the meaning of the Vedic words, "Nethi, Nethi..." He also explained their spiritual significance.

 

Ordinarily,

these words are superficially and literally explained as "Not this.

Not this..." But there is another and more subtle way of interpreting

them. The Supreme Being is universally pervasive. It is boundless in

magnitude and infinite are the variations It displays. It is immutable

and It is indestructible. So, when the nature of that Parabrahma is

considered, and in that context "Nethi" is used, we should

understand the word as : "Not only this, not merely this, but there is

a lot more to it!" If we look for the deeper meaning of the word "Nethi", in this manner, its scope becomes vast and vast and profound.

 

The entire universe comprising moving (chara) and non-moving (achara) entities is suffused with that Universal Being (Parabrahma).

It is omnipresent, that is, there is no place or point of time in the

universe where that Universal Being does not exist. Therefore, when we

try to identify that Supreme Reality by looking at a particular object,

this and that and that, and question ourselves, "Is it this? Is it

that?" and so on, the response, "Not this. Not this" does not satisfy

us adequately. On the other hand, the answer, "Not merely this. Not

merely this," fits more perfectly the Universal Reality we try to

describe.

 

When

we try to understand the compassion, magnificence and distinctiveness

of Sathya Sai Parabrahma, we question ourselves, "Is it this?" We soon

realize, "This is not all; there is much more to it." So, that indeed

is the correct answer, the satisfying answer. For the Vedic dictum,

"Nethi, Nethi", therefore, the correct and fully satisfying answer is,

"Not merely this; there is much more to it." The subtle explanation

given by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai will bestow enlightenment on even the

enlightened.

 

 

Our homage to the Greatest Repository of Jnan.

 

 

Om Sri Sathya Sai Parabrahmane Namah

Santhih, Santhih, Santhih

 

 

End of Chapter 6

 

(From : 'Thapovanam' Sri Sathya Sai Sathcharithra by "Santisri" Jandhyala Venkateswara Sastry)

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