SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM [36]

[Guest guest]

Ganesha Mantra: AUM Gung Ganapathaye Namah

Ganesh Gayatri

Tat purushaaya vidmahe

Vakratundaaya dheemahi

Tanno dhanti prachodayaat

 

SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM

The Life Stories of the Two Avatars of the Age – [36]

SHRI SAI SATCHARITA

The Life of the Divine Avatar Sai Baba of Shirdi

By Hemadpant

CHAPTER XXXVI

Wonderful Stories of (1) Two Goa Gentleman - (2) Mrs. Aurangabadkar

This Chapter relates the wonderful stories of two gentlemen from Goa and Mrs.

Aurangabadkar of Sholapur.

TWO GENTLEMEN

Once two gentlemen came from Goa for taking darshan of Sai Baba, and prostrated

themselves before him. Though both came together, Baba asked only one them to

give Him Rs.15/- as Dakshina which was paid willingly. The other man

voluntarily offered Rs. 35/-. This sum was rejected by Baba to the astonishment

of all. Shama, who was present, asked Baba, "What is this? Both came together,

one's Dakshina you accept, the other, though voluntarly paid, you refuse. Why

this distinction? Baba replied, "Shama, you know nothing. I take nothing from

anybody. The Masjidmayi (The presiding Deity

of the Masjid) calls for the debt, the donor pays it and becomes free. Have I

any home, property or family to look after? I require nothing. I am ever free.

Debt, enmity and murder have to be atoned for, there is not escape". Baba then

continued in His characteristic way as follows:-

As first he was poor and took a vow to his God that he would pay his first

month's salary if he got an appointment. He got one on Rs.15/- p.m. Then he

steadily got promotions, from Rs.15/- he got Rs. 30, 60, 100, 200 and

ultimately Rs.700/- per month. But in his prosperity he forgot clean the vow he

took. The force of his karma has driven him here and I asked that amount

(Rs.15/-) from him as Dakshina.

Another story, while wandering by the sea-side I came to a huge mansion and sat

on its verandah. The owner gave me a good reception and fed me sumptuously. He

showed me a neat and clean place near a cupboard for sleeping. I slept there.

While I was sound asleep, the man removed a literite slab and broke the wall

entered in and scissored off all the money from my pocket. When I woke up, I

found that Rs.30,000/- were stolen. I was greatly distressed and sat weeping

and moaning. The money was in currency notes and I thought that the Brahmin had

stolen it. I lost all interest in food and drink and sat for a fortnight on the

verandah, bemoaning my loss. After the fortnight was over, a passing fakir saw

me crying, and made enquiries regarding the cause of my sorrow. I told him

everything. He

said, "If you act according to my bidding, you will recover your money; go to a

fakir, I shall give his whereabouts, surrender yourself to him, he will get

back your money; in the meanwhile give up your favourite food till you recover

your money." I followed the fakir's advice and got my money. Then I left the

Wada and went to the sea-shore. There was a steamer, but I could not get into

it as it was crowded. There a good-natured peon interceded for me and I got in

luckily. That brought me to another shore, where I caught a train and came to

the Masjidmayi.

The story finished and Baba asked Shama to take the guests and arrange for their

feeding. Then Shama took them home and fed them. At dinner, Shama said to the

guests that Baba's story was rather mysterious, as He had never gone to the

sea-side, never had any money (Rs.30,000/-), never travelled, never lost any

money and never recovered it, and enquired whether they understood it and

caught its significance. The guests were deeply moved and were shedding tears.

In a choking voice they said that Baba was omniscient, infinite, the One (Para

Brahma) without a second. The story He gave

out is exactly our story, What He spoke has already taken place in our case. How

He knew this, is a wonder of wonders! We shall give all the details after the

meals.

Then after the meals while they were chewing betel-leaves,the guests began to

tell their stories. One of them said:-

"A hill-station on the ghats is my native place. I went to Goa to earn my living

by securing a job. I took a vow to God Datta that if I got any service, I would

offer Him my first month's salary. By His grace I got an appointment of Rs.15/-

and then I got promotions as described by Baba. I did forget all about my vow.

Baba has just reminded me of it in this way and recovered Rs. 15/- from me. It

is not Dakshina as one may think it to be, but a repayment of an old debt and

fulfillment of long forgotten vow".

MORAL

Baba never, in fact, actually begged any money, nor allowed His Bhaktas to beg.

He regarded money as a danger or bar to spiritual progress and did not allow

His Bhaktas to fall into its clutches. Bhagat Mhalsapati, is an instance on tis

point. He was very poor and could hardly make both ends meet. Baba never allowed

him to make any money, nor gave him anything from the Dakshina amount. Once a

kind and liberal merchant named Hansaraj gave a large amount of money to

Mhalsapati in Baba's presence, but Baba did not allow him to accept it.

Then the second guest began his tale. "My Brahmin (cook) was serving me

faithfully for 35 years. Unfortunately he fell into bad ways, his mind changed

and he robbed me of my treasure. By removing a laterite slab from my wall where

my cup-board is fixed, he came in while we were all asleep and carried away all

my accumulated wealth, Rs. 30,000/- in currency notes. I know not how Baba

mentioned the exact amount. I sat crying day and night. My enquiries came to

nothing. I spent a fortnight in great anxiety. As I sat on the verandah, sad

and dejected, a passing fakir noted my condition and enquired of its cause, and

I told him all about it. He told me that an Avalia by name Sai lives in Shirdi,

Kopergaon Taluka. Make vow to Him and give up any food that you like best and

say to Him mentally

that 'I have given up eating that food till I take your darshan'. Then I took

the vow and gave up eating rice and s0aid, "Baba, I will eat it after

recovering my property and after taking your darshan".

Fifteen days passed after this. The Brahmin, of his own accord, came to me,

returned my money and apologized, saying, "I went mad and acted thus; I now

place my head on your feet, please forgive me". Thus everything ended well. The

fakir that met me and helped me, was not seen again. An intensive desire to see

Sai Baba, whom the fakir pointed out to me, arose in my mind. I thought that

the fakir who came all the way to my house was no other than Sai Baba. Would

He, who saw me and helped me to get my lost money ever covet to get Rs.35/-? On

the contrary without expecting anything from us, He always tries His best to

lead us on the path of spiritual progress.

I was overjoyed when I recovered my stolen property and being infatuated, I

forgot all about my vow. Then when I was at Colaba, one night I saw Sai Baba in

my dream. This reminded me of my promised visit to Shirdi. I went to Goa and

from there wanted to start for Shirdi, by taking a steamer to Bombay, en route.

But when I came to the harbour, I found

that the steamer was crowded and there was no place. The captain did not allow

me, but on the intercession of a peon, who was stranger to me, I was allowed to

get into the steamer which brought me to Bombay. From there, I got in the train

and came here. Surely I think that Baba is all-pervading and all-knowing. What

are we and where is our home? How great our good fortune that Baba got backs

our money and drew us here to Himself? You Shirdi folk must be infinitely

superior and more fortunate than we; for Baba has played, laughed, talked and

lived with you for so many years. I think that your store of good merits must

be infinite, for it attracted Baba into Shirdi. Sai is our Datta. He ordered

the vow. He gave me a seat in the steamer and brought me here

and thus gave proof of His omniscience and omnipotence".

MRS. AURANGABADKAR

A lady from Sholapur, wife of Sakharam Aurangabadkar had no issue during the

long period of 27 years. She had made a number of vows of Gods and Goddesses

for an issue, but was not successful. She then became almost hopeless. To make

a last attempt in this matter, she came to Shirdi with her step-son Vishwanath

and stayed there for two months, serving Baba. Whenever she went to the Masjid,

she found it full and Baba surrounded by devotees. She wanted to see Baba alone,

fall at His feet and open her heart and pray for an issue, but she got no

suitable

opportunity. Ultimately she requested Shama to intercede with Baba for her when

He was alone. Shama said to her that Baba's Darbar was open, still he would try

for her and that the Lord might bless her. He asked her to sit ready with a

cocoa-nut and joss-sticks on the open courtyard at the time of Baba's meals and

that when he beckoned to her, she should come up. One day after dinner, Shama

was rubbing Baba's wet hands with a towel when the latter pinched Shama's

cheek. Shama feigning anger said, "Deva, is it proper for you to pinch me like

this? We don't want such a mischievous God who pinches us thus. Are we Your

dependents, is this the fruit of our intimacy?" Baba replied, "Oh Shama, during

the 72 generations that you were with me, I never pinched you till now and now

you resent my touching you". Shama, "We want a God that will give us ever

kisses and sweets to eat; we do not want any respect from You, or heaven,

balloon etc. Let our faith unto Your Feet be ever wide-awake".

Baba, "Yes, I have indeed come for that. I have been feeding and nursing you and

have got love and affection for you".

Then Baba went up and took his seat. Shama beckoned to the lady. She came up,

bowed and presented the cocoa-nut and joss-sticks. Baba shook the cocoa-nut

which was dry. The Kernal within rolled and made a noise. Baba said, "Shama,

this is rolling, see what it says". Shama, "The woman prays that a child might

be similarly rolling and quickening in the womb. So give her the cocoa-nut with

Your blessings".

Baba, "Will the coconut give her any issue? How people are foolish and fancy such things!"

Shama, "I know the power of Your word and blessing. Your word will give her a

string or series of children. You are wrangling and not giving real blessing".

The parley went on for a while. Baba repeatedly ordering to break the coconut

and Shama pleading for the gift of the unbroken fruit to the lady. Finally Baba

yielded and said, "She will have an issue". "When?" asked Shama. "In 12 months"

was the reply. The cocoa-nut was therefore broken into two part, one was eaten

by the two, the other was given to the lady.

The Shama turned up to the lady and said, "Dear madam, you are a witness to my

words. If within 12 months you do not get any issue, I will break a cocoa-nut

against this Deva's head and drive him out of this Masjid. If I fail in this, I

will not call myself Madhav. You will soon realize what I say".

She delivered a son in one year's time and the son was brought to Baba in his

fifth month. Both husband and wife, prostrated themselves before Baba and the

grateful father (Mr. Aurangabadkar) paid a sum of Rs.500/- which was spent in

constructing a shed for Baba's house "Shyamakarna".

BOW TO SHRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL

*****

SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM - PART III [2]

The Life of the Divine Avatar Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - [1969-1972]

N. Kasturi M.A., B.L.

THE AWAKENING CONTINENT

"I have resolved to enfold the people of the world in the fostering care of

Universal Love as laid down in the Vedas. For the world is My mansion and the

Continents are the halls therein. I have come to inscribe a golden chapter in

the history of humanity, wherein falsehood will fail, truth will triumph, and

virtue will reign. Character will confer power then, not knowledge or inventive

skill or wealth. Wisdom will be enthroned in the Councils of Nations."

"Do not be misled. It is not my purpose to strike men dumb by the display of

miraculous might! I have come to confer the boon of blessedness, the

benediction of bliss, as the reward for genuine spiritual endeavor, and to lead

mankind into Liberty, Light and Love."

With those words, Baba concluded His revelation of Himself and His Mission on

Earth, which thrilled the 1700 delegates privileged to listen to Him.

On the last day of June, barely fifty days after this announcement, Baba

emplaned the Boeing leaving for East Africa from Bombay. This was His first

voyage beyond the confines of India, that is to say, accomplished physically,

announced in advance, and undertaken with members of His entourage.

He was going to the infant Republics of a continent that was just emerging into

the dawn. He was to confer courage and consolation, to knit hearts and quicken

the circulation of Love! Baba always rushes to where aspiration calls, or

anxiety gasps.

The citizens of Bombay at a mammoth public meeting convened at Dharmakshetra

bade Him farewell on the 29th of June. Later, at the airport, crowds spilled

over the terrace, pushed through to the tarmac area in thousands and used every

atom of enthusiasm to cheer Him as the plane took off!

Flying at 590 miles an hour at altitudes of over 35,000 feet, Baba was busy in

the Boeing, granting the passengers, (many of whom had boarded the flight on

purpose) signs of Grace, such as autographing a book or photograph,

materializing a handful of curative ash, or furnishing illuminating answers to

solve personal problems of every kind.

Bob Raymer of Los Angeles, a member of the party, saw Baba keep both His feet

pressed on the slanting back of the empty seat just ahead of Him; he did not

miss the chance; he clicked twice and got two pictures of the Lotus Feet, which

millions adore. At this Baba pulled out one of the cards from the pocket behind

His seat and wrote an affectionate admonition, sending it to "Bob, Boeing 707!"

Bob responded with apology cum adoration, through another picture card; "The sky

is blue, the ocean too; our wish has come true, we are flying with You!"

In fact, the sky was not always blue. It was mostly murky, what with the huge

concourse of slow-moving monsoon clouds on their way to India. The sea mirrored

the sky; there was an occasional zigzag of silver ripple upon its surface. One

felt as if the plane hung in mid-air, while sea and land were pulled away from

underneath by an unseen hand. Soon, gleaming streaks of rocks and boulders and

blotches of greenery were visible as far as the eye could see. But fluffs of

cloud soon hid the ground.

normal">Mount Kenya was announced! We saw only its jagged crown of blue, over the sea of milk.

In a moment, that sea was over us! Below us, scintillating in, and reflecting

the sun, was a quilt of red and brown roofs, Nairobi! The clock showed four

minutes to twelve, while our watches insisted it was already 2.24 p.m.

Baba at the door was greeted - "Nandalala! Yadu Nandalala!" spontaneously from

the yearning hearts of thousands perched on all available vantage points. While

we of the party waded past the counters and through the corridors, filling

forms, and having certificates stamped and signed, climbing over the routine

hurdles, Baba was whisked away in floral automobile by Dr. C. G. Patel into the

gathering from which the welcoming Bhajan had emanated.

"It was a feast for the eye and ear - the scene where they showered flowers, and

waved lights, when they sang melodiously and from the depths of their hearts,"

Baba said, "I was reminded of the days when Jayadeva and Gouranga sang the

Glory," He wrote.

We had to proceed to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda - the State known as the 'Pearl of

Africa.' The road was 407 miles long. The cars sped on, encouraged by the fine

unbending road through miles of delightful scenery.

The motto of the State of Kenya (through which we passed until night enveloped

us), is 'Marambee': "Let's pull together," and this spirit was evidenced all

along the route in wheat-fields, cattle plantations and groups of village-folk

on the way side, brimming with vitality. They were merrily dancing along with

leafy boughs in their grasp, which they shook vigorously at the sky.

The tedium of dreary hours of travel was made less monotonous by the beautiful

avenues of trees through which we passed. Their restful green together with the

coolness of air as we climbed higher and higher, was comforting. The rains that

come upon this land all the months of the year have mothered a succession of

gurgling streams and fresh water lakes.

We had a glimpse of the Rift Valley about which I had read when teaching

Anthropology in my college at Mysore. Two thousand feet below us it gaped, with

sheer escarpments for its banks! We saw the soda lake, Nakuru, and the town

bearing its name. A sizeable gathering of eager Africans and Indians awaited

Baba there; they were rewarded with Darshan. Baba moved among them, and

discovering a few who needed Vibuthi, He created it and blessed them.

>From Malaba, on the border of Uganda, an impressive pilot car preceded the car

of Baba, as a sign and symbol of His being welcomed by the rulers of that

State. The cars drove on to Jinja, where the Nile emerges out of the womb of

Lake

Victoria, and, channeled through turbines, flows on the North to fulfill its vow

of a 3500-mile pilgrimage to the Mediterranean Sea.

Kampala was reached at 1-30 a.m., hardly the hour for a hearty welcome by a

cheering throng. But Baba is a category by Himself. Wildly waving banners of

silken welcome stretched across the streets; every few yards a floral arch

(someone of the party counted exactly 108) beamed with lights as Baba passed

through. Outside Dr. Patel's bungalow, 2000 people continued their Bhajan,

singing with unabated ardor in the hope that Baba would give them the coveted

Darsan. And Baba did not disappoint them. Alighting, He walked slowly amidst

them, feasting the eye and delighting the heart. Their restraint and reverence

were exemplary.

Never had Kampala yearned so excruciatingly for daybreak as on that night! For

the city knew that Baba had arrived and would be granting Darshan when the sun

rose. Baba came out early next morning; He stood facing the unprecedented

massive gathering. He moved, lithe and lovely, along the passage between the

barricaded blocks of people, showering upon everyone His supreme compassion.

When He saw a sad face, or heard a groan of distress, He stood for a moment,

waved His hand gently, and created for the person the Divine Cure. He went up

to the lines of standing Africans on the margins of the assembly; He held many

by the hand and brought them Himself into the shade among the others so that

they may sit in comfort, listening to the community singing of the Bhajans. We

felt that those were the devotees who prevailed upon Baba to fly across the sea

and give health and happiness by personal ministration.

"I have no need to see places. I am everywhere, always!" Baba told us. "You may

drive around. I have my work, work for which I have come." But Dr. Patel

persuaded Him to visit the Hindu temple, the Bahai House of Worship and the

television tower hill. While driving down, He summoned the six-foot police

constable acting as motorcycle escort, and created for him a charming locket

with the picture of Christ, to be worn around the neck. He knew the man was a

Christian.

Baba has come to fulfill, not to destroy or to disturb, man's faith in God. His

love brooks no barriers, no boundaries, no walls separating 'ism from ism.'

During the Bhajans, He selected the sick and the disabled, the deaf and the

dumb, the blind and the maimed, and, taking them into the bungalow, He spoke to

each one with love and tenderness. He spoke in Swahili, in English or Hindi, and

gave each some token of Grace - holy ash, talismans, lockets with His own

portrait or the picture of Christ or some sacred design. Everyone who came out

of the room had a smile on the face, a twinkle in the eye, a ray of sunshine in

the heart, and firmness in the step. A person who was stone deaf when he went

in, came out wonder-struck at the amazing world of sound. A polio-affected boy

came prancing outside; a

patient who was wheeled into the 'Room of Hope' walked out, his hands on the

shoulders of his companions, while a volunteer pushed the empty chair out of

the gate.

The third day of July was a memorable one. First, the flight to Ngorongoro

Crater. It is the largest concentration of wild life in Africa. Reaching the

Entebbe International Airport by car, Baba, with some members of the party

boarded a twin-engined aircraft at 9 a.m., while three of us having full faith

in Him, brushed aside the fear aroused by overzealous friends who warned that a

single engine plane was not the craft that one would choose to fly over a

jungle, teeming with wild life!

We followed Baba in that frail super-wagon, piloted by a veteran British who

oozed confidence all the time. For an hour and a half we flew over the immense

inland sea of fresh water - Lake Victoria -, which the Nile attempts in vain to

drain. We could see hundreds of gazelles, zebras, and wild beasts while our

vehicle flew slowly over the Serengeti National Park. The Crater is a huge

circular plain, over 127 square miles of grassland, bush and forest, sheltering

large masses of wild life. A few Masai Manyattas, stock full of fat cattle were

to be found in this fantastic milieu.

As we drove from the airstrip, to the Crater Lodge, a family of wild elephants

received us with the gentle flapping of broad ears and an array of ivory tusks

gleaming in the pre-noon sun. Landrovers took us into thick shoals of wild

buffaloes, zebras and gnus. Soon we entered the haunts of the Simba (lion).

>From within the safety of the cars we admired a heavyweight male yawning on a

mound, and very nearly ran over a pair of fat females having their siesta

amidst the grass! We came upon more such families, and soon they endeared

themselves to us. Baba had come to bless them, we felt. Rising up almost from

nowhere, a stately dowager lioness walked majestically towards a group of sleek

giraffes. This onset of danger was communicated to the long-necked fraternity by

some birds, and they, in their turn,

alerted the buffalo, zebra and gnu! In a few seconds, they disappeared into the

distance and the distinguished lady stood, sniffing the empty air!

Baba drew our attention to this demonstration of mutual service. He said man is

highlighting the advantages of competition and the struggle for survival, but

the beast is teaching him cooperation and service as the ideal means for

survival.

We took off from the Crater at four o'clock in the afternoon, and when we neared

Lake Natron, the planes flew

perilously over a newly formed volcano, emitting incense to the God of Fire! Our

'mini' wagon hovered a while, awaiting a signal from the airport over the

Nairobi National Park giving us a bird's eye-view of giraffes and ostriches,

before landing at Embakasi.

Baba's car crawled through the crowded roads of Nairobi to the park where He was

to address His first public meeting in Africa. The rush of listeners was without

parallel in the annals of Kenya, for no visitor until now had such universal

appeal. People loyal to a single faith, or to all faiths, skeptics and

Sadhakas, scientists and spiritualists, men, and women from all walks of life

were there, filled with eagerness to see Him and hear Him, and if possible, to

be accepted by Him. Baba builds His shrine in every heart with the brick of

Truth and the mortar of Love.

His discourse stressed that each human being, in fact each being, was "a spark

of the Divine Effulgence, a wave of the Divine Glory." He advised all to see

beneath the skin, within the physical, mental, and even intellectual

encasements. "This habitation of flesh and bone, of fear and feeling, of doubt

and desire, is the residence of the One Indivisible, All-pervading God." Baba

knows that this vision is the strongest basis and the surest means for ensuring

racial and regional harmony.

Baba returned to His residence and blessed the enormous gathering that surged

around it. Later, He sat before the television set, which some members of His

Party were seeing for the first time. The Programme that was then on led to a

discourse by Baba on the evil sown by that medium. Baba said that it blunted

the higher impulses and activated the lower. "The aim of the sponsors is to

bring more and more people before the receivers; so standards get more and more

vulgarized and this valuable instrument of education is reduced into televisham

(tele-poison!)," He said. Baba is a relentless opponent of films, comic strips,

and horror serials that sow the seeds of sensualism, anarchy, greed and

bloodthirstiness in virgin minds.

Nairobi is the only City in the world which has a suburb owned and inhabited by

Lions! It awakens every day to the full and free roar of these regal cats. On

the 5th of July, early in the day, we went into the National Park and proceeded

to the Hippo Pool. There was a busy school of these monsters, and also a few

crocodiles basking quite near. This led Baba to point out to us how the beast

is wiser than man in the art of living. "We slaughter our own kind, for the

greater glory of ourselves!" He said.

While driving back from the pool, we saw two magnificently maned lions, and

three well-groomed lionesses basking indolently in the sun. They did not wince

at all when a dozen cameras clicked. Instead, they preened themselves like

stars surrounded by fans! We also watched many ostriches, and giraffes hurrying

in uncouth haste to some mysterious rendezvous.

After lunch, Dr. Patel took Baba and the party in cars to Nanyuki, 6400 feet

above sea level - a town where, if you have the poetry in you, you can

experience the thrill of having one foot in the Southern Hemisphere, and the

other in the Northern, for the Equator passes through the place! In fact, a

hotel here boasts that the Line passes through its veranda.

The road to Nanyuki showed us coffee and sisal plantations; thatched huts of the

Kikuyu peeped furtively at our cars. In Secret Valley, we stayed at 'Tree Tops,'

built on high stilts, from where at night, under an artificial moon, we could

see leopards mauling meat, bisons licking salt, and elephants, gazelles and

other beasts showing themselves off and generally enjoying themselves.

It was Thursday; so, Baba turned us away from elephantine fantasies, and the

antics of animals. He took us, instead, into the jungle of our own minds and

described how the wild beasts sheltering there could be trapped. He told us

about the discipline that can quieten and domesticate them. Suddenly, with a

circular gesture, He created a jewel with the imprint of His portrait, and

placed it in the hands of the person sitting by His side. Here! Wear it! For

many years you have longed for this. Then turning to us He said, "Oh, each of

you wants something, don't you?" And the hand waved again. There was a golden

vessel in His Hand now. When He unscrewed the lid, it was full to the brim -

Divine Ambrosia! Fragrant beyond imagination - thick, sweet liquid Grace!

Next morning, on the road back to Nairobi, Baba alighted at Nanyuki and many

other towns and villages, where crowds were waiting for Him. He wondered, "Who

has informed these people that I would be passing this way?" They must have

sensed it through His compassion; that was the only explanation we could offer.

About noon, Baba and others boarded

the waiting aircraft, and flying over the Rift Valley, the famous Kenya

Highlands, and the inland Port of Kisumu

normal"> on Lake Victoria, reached Entebbe.

Baba's Presence at Kampala was utilized by many for receiving blessings and

counsel. The High Commissioner of India, Shri K.P.R. Singh, the Chief of Staff

of the Uganda Army, General Idi Amin, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Onama, the

Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Ojira, the Minister of Internal

Affairs, Mr. Bataringaya, the Inspector of Police, Mr. Oryema, and other

African leaders met Him at Dr. Patel's residence and obtained a glimpse of the

Glory of Baba. During His stay He addressed gatherings of lions and Rotarians,

doctors, businessmen, and members

and workers of service organizations. He replied with His natural gentleness,

sweetness and sense of humor, even intimate personal questions from those who

participated. Towards the close of each of the meetings, He moved among the

participants creating and distributing to those around Him portraits in enamel

or gold, of Christ for the Christians, Guru Nanak for the Sikhs, Zarathustra

for the Parsis, and of Himself for those who yearned for them. He spoke

lovingly and for long to a group of students from Makrere University and

stood amidst them, when they wanted a photograph with Him.

During the group meetings, a variety of questions were asked. "If there is a

God, why cannot we see Him?" Baba replied, "Why should you seek to see God? You

are God. There is nothing that is not He. Experience Him that way.How can we

be happy always?" Baba said, "Derive joy from within. You are the Atma, the

eternal spring of Ananda. Love all; no one will then hate you or envy you." He

said to the doctors: "Jealousy is the professional disease of doctors and

lawyers! Be glad when another doctor earns a good reputation or remuneration;

honor the affirmations you made at the Convocation where you took your degree."

 

On the 7th, Baba addressed the first public meeting at Kampala. He told the

multiracial, multi-creedal gathering, "Just as the same bloodstream circulates

in all the limbs of the one body, the One Divine Principle activates the entire

Universe. Do not get too involved in the turmoil of living and ignore the

kinship in God that you have with all beings around you. Do not overemphasize

individual variations, but fix your attention on the universal kinship. Ignore

the beads, contemplate upon the unifying eternal ever-present thread." This was

a heartening message, and it was

received with enthusiastic approval by Muslims, Christians, Bahais, Hindus and Parsis alike.

On the 8th of July, Baba addressed another vast gathering at Kampala. He said,

"Here in Kampala, I shall pinpoint the basic requisites for a good, contented

and happy life." He elaborated the discipline essential for it, like Dhyana and

Prema, meditation and love. "Love is Power; Love is Bliss; Love is Light; Love

is God,"

Baba said.

These discourses bound Baba close to the hearts of the Africans. People

recognized in Him a friend, a guide, a leader and a light. But word had spread

that Baba was leaving on the 10th for India, since that was the day of Guru

Poornima. So that evening when Baba moved among the thousands, seated in the

Pandal, rows of Africans knelt, handing notes and letters to Him, some with

tearful pleas. Looking through a window of Dr. Patel's bungalow at the faces

filled with adoration, I could not suppress my tears. I was overcome by a

delightful sense of

gratitude for the opportunity Baba gave me to witness this spontaneous surge of

devotion in a new continent. I was awakened from my reverie a by light tap on

my back from Baba who enquired, "Why the tears?" The notes and letters were

filled with sorrow, for the Africans had learnt that Baba planned to leave for

Bombay on the 10th. "Father, do not leave us so soon!" was the plaint in every

prayer.

India was informed by cable that the return was postponed.

The full moon day, when spiritual aspirants dedicate themselves anew at the Feet

of the Master, was on the 10th. Baba had told Bombay that He would reach that

city by plane at 9-45 p.m. leaving Kampala at 11

a.m., so that both Africa and Asia would have the thrill of His Darshan on the

same day! But, yielding to the yearning of the Africans, He decided to spend

the whole day at Kampala, granting devotees in other continents other

evidences of His Omnipresence.

More than 25,000 persons gathered that morning for the Bhajan. The Africans

joined the chorus led by a Tanzanian, Mr. Zoodoo. For over two hours, Baba

walked slowly among the lines of lonely, love-seeking eager hearts, giving each

person a handful of sweets and a packet of Vibuthi. To the amazement of the

recipients, most of them discovered inside the packet, lying ensconced in the

midst of the holy ash, enamel or metal portraits of Christ, the Cross, Krishna

or Sai Baba Himself. The "Uganda Argus" published an article, announcing that

Baba had brought

the message of Unity and Service, to the peoples of that continent. Baba's

discourses as well as activities were also televised and broadcast, so that the

entire population could share the inspiration of the Gospel.

On the evening of the tenth day of July, Baba talked to about 200 young men and

women, who served as volunteers at the Bhajan gatherings and at public

meetings. The constables on duty as well as the chauffeur of the pilot car were

also rewarded by His Grace. Baba appreciated the spirit of service and the

intelligence of the youth of Kampala. He spoke about them later at Bombay on

His return. "They had no previous experience in controlling and guiding such

vast congregations; they had no training; they were their own guides, but they

behaved with exemplary patience and alertness. They worked tirelessly, round

the clock, with smart team work," He said.

On the 11th, besides the Bhajan sessions, for which, as days passed, more and

more people from far and near flowed into the capital, Baba met groups of

Sadhakas and active workers in service organizations, from the far flung States

of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Later, Baba visited Dr. Patel's clinic and also

the residences of many ardent devotees. Wherever he went, throngs of people,

eager to win one more glimpse of the Radiance, rushed in and stood at the gates

or on the pavements for hours.

On the 12th, Baba proceeded to the Murchison Falls National Park, one of the

most beautiful and fauna-stocked regions of

East Africa. The straight road, leaping over the shoulders of a series of hills,

tempted the person who was at the wheel of our car to race and overtakes every

car that moved in front. We were catapulting so fast, that a sudden turn of the

road found the car rolling madly over and over, finally coming to rest on its

jammed wheels in agonized silence.

Baba's car had gone on beyond Masindi, which was some 30 miles distant. He said

to the people in His car, "The second car has trouble. They will resume their

journey in a taxi!"

We four were thrown against roof and floor, receiving knocks, bumps, hits and

cuts, we did not know where! The man at the wheel fell out; the friend on his

left struggled to open the stuck door with his uninjured left arm. The cushion

from the back seat was on my head, wedged between it and the caved-in top! I

found myself sitting astride on the chest of my companion, with blood trickling

on his shirt from a long gash upon my forehead, caused by my glasses getting

broken there when I knocked myself against I do not know what!

The third car came up in utter bewilderment, and friends gently pulled us out.

There was a hospital right where the car had presented us with this surprise

item - "Kasturi Falls" - not included in the original Programme! I went in

there on my own, despite the bleeding gash, the black eye, the cut on the left

leg, the huge lump on the right! I was

the man who was worst hit, thank Baba! The entry, as made by the African doctor

on the hospital O. P. Form (which I still have, though it is clearly printed

thereon 'This Form is the property of the Hospital') is dated 12-7-1968.

Name: Kasturi. O.P. No. 11112/68. Diagnosis: Minor cuts. (Baba's Grace!)

Treatment: Surgical Toilet. Inj. Anti-Toxoid 1500."

I lived to laugh at myself for so helplessly bouncing inside a speed-intoxicated

car, and landing on my neighbor's chest! Speed goeth before a fall! Baba always

advises, "Start early; drive slowly; reach safely!"

The fatal corner in front of that hospital I shall remember until memory lapses.

The name of the place is as potent as a charm; its charisma is remarkable.

Repeating that name might avert future automobile misadventures for me.

Nakkasongola! That is the word for the place. It is a thaumaturgical

polysyllable! I wish some day to plant a stone on that spot inscribed - "Here

four men called out Sairam! They were saved."

We packed ourselves thick in the third car and reached Masindi. From there, we

hired a taxi and moved on towards Baba. When we neared the Park, we saw the

welcome poster: "Elephants have the right of way!" It meant that we could see

some herds during the day.

We found a pair of gigantic bisons eyeing us rather wickedly, munching roadside

grass. Our cars were ferried across the wide green Nile, and passing between

two live Tembos (Swahili, for elephant) with sharp white tusks about five feet

long, we rushed into Pra Safari Lodge; Baba came forward to pat us and pet us,

while listening to our description of the accident of which He already knew.

Oh! It was worth all the panic and pandemonium inside the car! No mortal mother

could have been more compassionate towards her injured child. The curative

Vibuthi was ready. He applied it Himself on the cuts. He used His own

handkerchief as a bandage for my eyes. He created ointments and tablets out of

nowhere. He pressed, or rubbed the spots of pain gently. He drew us near with

affectionate consolation. He gave us the strength to dismiss the picture from

our minds. I thanked Nakkasongola and the person who drove our car, for this

unique gift of Divine Tenderness.

Within minutes we went for a motorboat ride up the Nile, for over fifteen miles,

towards the Murchison Falls, and back. The boat passed

through 'schools' of hippos lying close together, showing just their eyes, ear

tips and occasionally their noses, above the water! Some of them were on land,

with red, barrel-like hippo lets behind them peeping through the thick papyrus

reeds. There were crocodiles too, with open jaws, but the vicious tail and

voracious jaw did not frighten the juicy Hippos in the least.

We saw crocodiles in the water and hundreds on the shore, perhaps even

thousands, for the shore seemed alive with crocodiles from one end to the

other. Winston Churchill, who had plodded, through these jungles and boated

along this stretch of the Nile in his youth, fired a shot from his gun at one

of the sleeping saurians. "At the sound of the shot," wrote Churchill, "the

whole of the bank of the river, which before was a long brown line of mud,

rushed madly into the Nile. At least a thousand of these crocodiles had been

awakened and astonished by that single shot." Baba noticed many plovers

hopping about the crocodile area, a few daring even to perch inside the horrible

teethy traps! He said, "Look at the mutual service that bird and beast are

rendering to each other!" Yes, the plovers are the only species of the birds

that are tolerated and even welcomed by the crocodiles; they eat the parasites

off their scales and pick the decaying bits of food from between those deadly

teeth!

Returning to Pra Safari, and re-crossing the Nile, our cars took us through

elephant-land to the Nile above the falls. Herds of thirty or forty elephants

looked from a distance like flocks of sheep grazing on the downs, but when we

neared them, the sight filled us with awe and amazement. A bull stood a few

yards away from the car wherein Baba was, and to give him a good Darsan, Baba

stood on the footboard! It appeared as if he was highly grateful, for, he stood

there gazing a few minutes, filling his little eyes with the loveliness, then

turning back, quickly joined the herd.

We could hear the loud incessant hum of the falls at many a turn of the road; as

we neared, it became a thunderous roar, and suddenly - there were the falls!

Small groups of Africans were dancing on the riverbank in wild ecstasy. The

Africans are seldom still. They trip it as they go to the tune of some lilt.

The Murchison Falls are furious and fascinating. The Nile comes foaming and

rapid, down a continuous stairway until the bed contracts suddenly into a gap

in the rock, barely six yards wide; through this strangling portal the

tremendous river is shot in one single jet, down a depth of 160 feet, into a

chasm of terror and beauty. Baba was happy

that we could see the sublime scene. Bob Raymer got a series of lovely pictures

of Baba before these waters. Returning to Masindi through a road rendered

slushy with a thick shower of rain, we had to slacken speed to avoid skidding.

Elephants crossing the highway were another cause of delay.

>From Masindi we proceeded to Kikondo, 80 miles away, where a Bhajan Mandir, in

authentic Afro-architectural style built by a devotee, was to be inaugurated.

It was a large estate, growing paddy, sugarcane and bananas. The Mandir was

full of squatting African laborers, who venerated Baba as the God-man from the

East. Baba sat on the special seat arranged for Him, but soon He was among the

Kisans, creating and distributing sweets and curatives.

He told the gathering of Africans and Indians that man alone among the animals

had strayed from his allotted tasks; the rest struck to their Dharma, whatever

the obstacle. The tiger will never stop to eating grass; the elephant can never

be tempted to have a meal of fish or flesh. But man, the crown of creation, is

groveling in the mire of bestiality and, withal, proud of it.

Kampala was reached at 1 p.m. The lateness of the hour only whetted the appetite

for Darshan of the thousands who were waiting there, busy with Bhajans, Baba

gave them the much coveted gift, walking among them and standing on the

decorated dais long enough to satisfy them.

The 13th of July was a day of growing gloom, though everyone had the chance of

Darshan, Sparshan, Sambashan (seeing, touching the holy feet, and listening).

>From Mwaza, Daressalam, Mombasa and Eldoret people came to persuade Baba to

visit their places. The Mayor of Kampala pleaded for a short extension of the

stay. Baba is always

everywhere. He reveals His Presence to all who call on Him, or even to many who

are unaware that God is amidst them for their sake. So, for Baba there is no

going or coming, no arriving or leaving. Still, the physical presence wins such

indelible loyalty that one feels an orphan without it.

On the 14th, hours before dawn, half of Kampala was at Dr. Patel's door. Streams

of cars and planes, brought people from Jinja, Mbale, Kakira, Kabale, Ikaye, and

Kapila where Sathya Sai Seva Samithis and Bhajan Mandalis were active. "I have

no desire to stun or shock people into submission or adulation; I have come to

install Truth and Love in human hearts," Baba declared. Therefore, thousands

prayed that He should stay on, or if that was not possible, at least come again

very soon.

When He got into the car, even the hefty constables on duty, keeping back the

surging rows of citizens, wiped the tears streaming from their eyes! Baba

patted their backs, but that only sharpened the pang! The road to Entebbe was

choked with cars, trucks, scooters and cycles. The East African Airways Plane

which was to take Baba to Nairobi

(where the Air India International Boeing was waiting) developed a small trouble

while moving on the runway; so Kampala got a bonus of two more hours with Baba

on its soil! The motto of the State of Uganda is "For God, and my country." And

Baba blessed

the people who bore it.

Nairobi was reached at 2.30 p.m. and the thousands who acclaimed the plane were

rewarded by a quick Darshan, since the delay prompted the airport officers to

set the Boeing on its way immediately. We flew over Ethiopia and Somaliland,

ferried across the

FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Red Sea at a height of over two miles and a half, and landed at

Aden at 5.15 p.m. Bombay was 1910 miles away and two hours and forty minutes

ahead!

Though Baba did not disembark and though the date of the flight had been

postponed while at Kampala, we were surprised to find a long line of devotees

and admirers (Indians and Arabs) filing into the aircraft and touching the

Lotus Feet. Baba spoke to them with sweet affection; He created holy healing

Ash for their sake.

At 12.45 a.m., Indian Standard Time, the plane, which had the unique good

fortune of carrying the most precious cargo that the world offers in this age,

touched ground at Santa Cruz, starting off a chorus of Jais from over ten

thousand quickly pounding hearts.

On the 15th, Baba addressed a mammoth gathering at Dharmakshetra, which was

presided over by Dr. K.M. Munshi. Dr. Munshi could not suppress his tears of

joy and gratitude, when he said, "I was pained to see around me the quick

decline of faith in God and earnestness in religion, and I was on the brink of

despair when I contemplated the future of this ancient land. But, as I look

upon Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and witness the transformation He is

effecting in the hearts of millions, I am heartened and happy." Baba declared

that racial conflicts and animosities spring from sheer ignorance of the basic

brotherhood of man.

He related the heart-rending story of Karna, the eldest of the Pandavas. His

mother cast her first-born into the Ganges; it floated downstream and was

rescued by a charioteer who fostered the child as his own. He took him to the

court of the Kaurava cousins, who had vowed eternal vengeance on the Pandavas.

Karna grew up as the very right hand of the Kaurava group. The Pandavas hated

him and fought him, determined to destroy him, no matter what the cost. They

succeeded at last. It was only then that they learnt that Karna was their

eldest brother born of the same womb! O how they lamented,

repented and cursed themselves!

All men are brothers; they owe love, service and reverence to one another; but

they are not aware of this Truth, and so they hate, they fight, they kill, they

poison themselves by revenge. "Triumph over another is only another name for

self-humiliation," Baba said.

"It was this Truth, this Unity, often misunderstood as diversity when seen

through ego glasses, that was propagated by Me in East Africa," declared Baba.

"The people whom I met there and those who listened to my discourses and talks

had a glimpse of the Reality upon which the waves of joy and grief, of gain and

loss, of travail and triumph, alternately rise and fall."

"Many of them told me that the vision of the Indian Sages alone can save them

and fill the heart with Peace. The splendor of the genuine culture of India

will spread in this manner from continent to continent, from country to

country, from community to community, continuously in the days to come. That is

my Task. That is my Will," He said.

Months later, a Muganda teacher wrote from Africa, "Baba! Redeem me, deliver me

from grief! One of my best friends was fortunate to touch the hem of your robe,

while you walked near him. He directed me to pray to You and to save myself from

sorrow." An aspirant from Mukono wrote, "O Lord! Give me the strength to forgive

those who harm me; make me forget the injury I receive from them." A Roman

Catholic from Sierra Leone writes, "Many of His sayings I have inscribed in a

little notebook and I often refer to it when I am in need of consolation or

guidance. Some day, if it is His will, I may have the good fortune to come to

Prashanthi Nilayam. Or perhaps it may never be - but I shall continue, in my

own way to try to cultivate an ever-increasing awareness of God."

These are intimations of the wonderful transmutation of urges, the sublimation

of impulses, inclinations and attitudes, the touch of His Robe, or the touching

of His Feet - a chance perusal of a book by Him, or about Him - a word or two

from Him, or the grateful acceptance of a glance from His Eye can bring about

in man.

May the Light of His Love illumine our hearts too, and may the whole world shine

in that eternal effulgence.

CONTINUED…

With Sai love from Sai brother M. Palaniswamy

/

 

Mail - You care about security. So do we.