SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM [42]

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

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 – [42]

SHRI SAI SATCHARITA

The Life of the Divine Avatar Sai Baba of Shirdi

By Hemadpant

CHAPTER XLI

Story of the Picture - Stealing the Rags and Reading of Jnaneshwari

As stated in the last chapter, we continue here the story of the picture.

Nine years after the occurrence of the incident depicted in the last chapter,

Ali Mohamed saw Hemadpant and related to him the following story.

One day while wandering in the streets of Bombay he bought the picture from a

street-hawker; then he framed and set it on a wall in his house at Bandra

(suburb of Bombay). As he loved Baba, he daily took Darshan of it. Three months

before he gave the picture to Hemadpant, he was suffering from an abscess or

swelling on his leg for

which an operation was performed and he was convalescing in the house of his

brother-in-law, Mr. Noor-Mohamed Peerbhoy in Bombay. For three months his house

in Bandra was closed; and nobody was living there. Only the pictures of the

famous Baba Abdul Rahiman, Moulanasaheb Mohamed Hussein, Baba Sai, Baba Tajudin

and other saints (living) were there. The wheel of time did not even spare

these. He was lying sick and suffering in Bombay. Why should the pictures

suffer there (in Bandra)? It seems that they have also their ins and

outs (births and deaths). All the pictures met their fate, but how Sai Baba's

picture escaped it, nobody had been able to explain to me up till now. It shows

the all-pervasiveness, omnipresence of Sai and His inscrutable power.

He got a small picture of Saint Baba Abdul Rahiman from Mohamed Hussein

Thariyatopan many years ago. He gave it to his brother-in-law, Noor Mohamed

Peerbhoy and it was lying on his table for eight years. Once the latter saw it,

took it to a photographer and got it enlarged to life-size and distributed

copies of the same amongst his relations and friends, including Ali Mohamed who

fixed it up in his Bandra house. Noor Mohamed was a disciple of Saint Abdul

Rahiman and when he went to present the picture to his Guru in an open Darbar

held by him, the Guru got wild and ran to beat him, and drove him out. He felt

very sorry and dejected. He thought that he lost so much of his money, and

incurred his Guru's displeasure and anger. As his Guru did not like

image-worship, he took the enlarged

picture with him to the Apollo Bunder and, after hiring a boat, went in it and

drowned it in the sea. He requested the friends and relations to return their

copies and after getting them (6 in all) back, had them thrown by a fisherman

in the Bandra sea. At this time Ali Mohamed was in his brother-in-law's house.

He was told by him that his suffering would come to an end if he would soon

drown the pictures of the saints in the sea. Hearing this, Ali Mohamed sent his

Mehta (Manager) to his Bandra house and got all the pictures of the saints in

his house thrown into the sea.

When Ali Mohamed returned home after two months, he was surprised to find Baba's

picture on the wall as before. He did not understand how his Mehta took away all

the pictures except this. He immediately took it out and kept it in his

cupboard, fearing that if his brother-in-law saw it, he would do away with it.

While he was thanking how it should be disposed of, and who would keep it and

guard it well, Sai Baba Himself as it were, suggested to him that he should see

and consult Moulana Ismu Mujavar and abide by his opinion. He saw the Moulana

and told him everything. After mature consideration they both decided that the

picture should be presented to Annasaheb (Hemadpant) and that he would protect

it well. Then they both went to Hemadpant and presented the picture in the nick

of time.

This story shows how Baba knew all the past, present and future, and how

skillfully He pulled the wires and fulfilled desired of His devotees. The

following story shows that Baba liked very much those persons who took real

interest in matters spiritual and that He removed all their difficulties and

made them happy.

STEALING THE RAGS AND READING OF JNANESHWARI

Mr. B.V. Deo who was Mamalatdar of Dahanu (Thana District) wished for a long

time to read Jnaneshwari - (the well-known Marathi commentary on the

Bhagawad-Gita by Jnaneshwar), along with other scriptures. He could read daily

one chapter of the Bhagawad-Gita and some portion of other books; but when he

took Jnaneshwari in hand, some difficulties cropped up and he was precluded

from reading it. He took three months' leave, went to Shirdi and thence to his

home at Pound for rest. He could read there other books but when he opened

Jnaneshwari, some evil or stray thoughts came crowding in his mind and stopped

him in the effort. Try however he might; he was not able to read even a few

lines of the book with ease. So he resolved in his mind that when Baba would

create love for the book and would

order him to read it, he would begin and not till then. Then in the month of

February 1914 he went with his family to Shirdi. There Jog asked him whether he

daily read Jnaneshwari. Deo said that he was desirous of reading it, but he was

not successful and that only when Baba would order him to read it, he would

commence. Jog then advised him to take a copy of the book and present it to

Baba and to start the reading after it was consecrated and returned by Him. Deo

then replied that he did not want to resort to this device, as Baba knows his

heart. Would He not know his desire and satisfy it by giving him a clear order

to read?

Deo then saw Baba and offered one rupee as Dakshina. Baba asked for Rs. 20/-

which he gave. At night, he saw one Balakram and enquired how he secured Baba's

devotion and grace. Balakram told him that he would communicate everything next

day after Arti. When Deo went for Darshan next day, Baba asked for Rs.20/-,

which he gave willingly. As the Masjid was crowded, Deo went aside and sat in a

corner. Baba asked him to come close and sit with a calm mind, which Deo did.

Then after the noon-Arti was over and after the men dispersed, Deo saw again

Balakram and asked him his previous history, what Baba told him and how he was

taught meditation. Balakram was going to reply when Baba sent one Chandru, a

leper devotee to call Deo to Him. When Deo went to Baba, the latter asked him

when and with

whom and what he was talking. He said that he talked with Balakram and heard

from him His fame. Then Baba asked again Rs.25/- as Dakshina which Deo gladly

gave. Then Baba took him inside and sitting near the post charged him saying –

“You stole away My rags without My knowledge." Deo denied all knowledge of the

rags, but Baba asked him to make a search. He searched but found none. Then

Baba got angry and said – “There is nobody here, you are the only thief, so

grey-haired and old, you came here for stealing." After this Baba lost His

temper, got terribly wild, gave all sorts of abuses and scoldings. Deo remained

silent and watching, and thought that he might get a beating also. After about

an hour or so, Baba asked him to go to the Wada. He returned to the Wada and

told Jog and Balakram all that had happened. Then in the after-noon Baba sent

for all and Deo also, and said that His words might have pained the old man

(Deo) but as he committed the theft, He could not but speak out.

Then Baba asked again for Rs. 12/- Deo collected the amount, paid it and

prostrated himself before Him. Then Baba said to him – “What are you doing?"

“Nothing" replied Deo. Then Baba – “Go on daily reading the Pothi

(Jnaneshwari), go and sit in the Wada, read something regularly every day and

while reading, explain the portion read, to all with love and devotion. I am

sitting here ready to give you the whole gold-embroidered Shella (valuable

cloth), then why go to others to steal rags, and why should you get into the

habit of stealing?"

Deo was much pleased to hear the words of Baba, for He asked him to start

reading Pothi (Jnaneshwari). He thought that he got what he wanted and that he

could read the book with ease thenceforth. He again prostrated himself before

Baba and said that he surrendered himself to Him and that he should be treated

as a child and be helped in his reading. He realized then what Baba meant by

'stealing the rags'. What he asked Balakram constituted the 'rags' and Baba did

not like his behavior in this respect. As He was ready to answer any question,

He did not like him to ask others and make unnecessary enquiries and therefore

He harassed and scolded him. Deo thought that He really did not 'harass and

scold' him but taught that He was ready to fulfill his desires, and there was

no use asking others

in vain. Deo took these scoldings as flowers and blessings and went home satisfied and contented.

The matter did not end here. Baba did not stop with only issuing an order to

read. Within a year He went to Deo and enquired about his progress. On 2nd

April 1914, on Thursday morn, Baba gave him a dream-vision. He sat on the upper

floor and asked him whether he understood the Pothi. “No" answered Deo. Baba –

“Then when are you going to understand?" Deo burst into tears and said, “Unless

You shower Your grace, the reading is mere worry and the understanding is still

more difficult. I say this definitely." Baba – “While reading you make haste,

read it

before Me, in My presence." Deo - “What shall I read?" Baba – “Read Adhyatma

(spiritualism)." Deo went to bring the book when he opened his eyes and was

awakened. We leave the readers to imagine what ineffable joy and bliss Deo felt

after this vision.

BOW TO SHRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL

*****

SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM - PART III [7]

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

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

THE SHIRDI FEET

The Bhajan continued constantly during Maha Shivarathri, the Divine Night. The

next morning Baba spoke on the significance of the vigil of the fast, and on

the value and auspiciousness of Bhajan. Then, He Himself distributed the

consecrated food with which the fast is to be broken. The morning marks the

close of the celebrations. But the crowd of over 25.000 persons does not depart

so soon, as they wait for the chance to touch the Lotus Feet and to get a share

of the Holy Ash, which had been miraculously created for Abhishekam (surprise

gift) on the Sacred Day.

So, Baba goes through the meandering lines of squatting men and women, slowly

and smilingly, giving each one a packet or two of the curative ash! He

autographs a portrait of His here and there when some ardent seeker stands up

to get that sign of Grace; He touches at the big packets of Vibhuthi which

devotees desire to take home, charged with curative potency by that contact; He

pronounces the welcome word, 'Santhosham' or 'Accha' or 'Very Happy', so that

they could move away, satisfied that they have had Darshan, Sparshan and

Sambashan (seeing Him, touching Him and listening to His Voice).

Many have traveled in crowded trains, from long distances into a State, which

speaks a different language, and undergone huge expenses, and gone through

physical strain. But these, as well as the sun and the cold, the open sheds and

the tree shades where they had to spend the days at Puttaparthi, were forgotten

of or even welcomed, when Baba looked at them or smiled at them or patted them

or gave them the precious lump of food or the coveted pinch of Vibhuthi.

Others stay on, hoping that Baba will call them for a private talk! They spend

the whole day, sitting in front of the Nilayam, in lines facing each other, for

the off chance that Baba might come any moment and call them in for a private

interview.

Baba is considerate. He spends more hours than usual in a task of ministration.

He selects at first the patently ill - the paralytics, the polio-affected, the

arthritis patients who sit on chairs, the wheelchair occupants, those with

crutches, artificial limbs, plasters and bandages, and those suffering from

chronic illness. He also selects the old, the blind, the defective and the

feeble minded. This takes at least two or three days, and so, one evening, Baba

usually announces that those who have urgent work in their own places either in

offices or factories or commercial establishments or farms need not wait for

His formal permission to go, but can take the announcement itself as permission

with blessings. Since He is traveling home with each of them and remaining with

each of them and working with

each of them in farm or factory, they need not feel that they are going away or

that Baba is not by their side.

This announcement persuades a large number to leave; but many wait on! "They are

all my people; My Kith and Kin, come for Me," Baba acknowledges. From early dawn

till deep into night, Baba is busy for more than ten or twelve days, curing,

consoling and counseling, either individually or as families or in groups from

each town or state, so that the gathering gradually melts and leaves in high

spirits, light, full of courage and joy, with a confident gait and a firmer

step.

The number of visitors gets lessened in about a week, and after bestowing His

blessings upon them all, Baba leaves for Brindavan, Whitefield, and 12 miles

away from Bangalore.

The summer months of March and April He spends there, so that devotees may not

suffer the piercing sun at Puttaparthi. Brindavan is a cool comforting garden,

with an imposing bungalow situated at one end, within an inner gate. Devotees

gather here too, and engage themselves in Bhajan under a vast shady tree. Baba

comes out of the bungalow - a beam of charming sunshine - whenever He realizes

that people have been waiting too long, and slowly moves among the lines of

adoring, anxious, avid aspirants for Grace. He sheds benediction and joy on

all. From dawn to dusk, here too, Baba gives His time and energy to those who

seek health, happiness, and wholesome spiritual guidance from Him.

Dharmakshetra was established in Bombay, on May 12th, 1968. It is the center

where Sanathana Dharma, as well as its offshoots and progeny, Buddha-Dharma,

Jain-Dharma, Islam-Dharma, Zoroastrian-Dharma and Christ-Dharma are respected,

and their followers find friendship and fellow-feeling amongst each other. It

has also proved to be a source of joy to the devotees in Bombay as Baba visits

Bombay during the second week of May every year, when the City celebrates its

epochal event, conferring the boon of further spiritual

advice.

Baba arrived in Bombay on the 8th May, and until the 12th, He was the cynosure

of all eyes, the Figure on whom all affixed their minds, the subject of

conversation in thousands of homes. The Bhajan Sessions at Dharmakshetra were

thrilling experiences for tens of thousands of eager participants, both in the

morning and evening hours. Baba met sizeable groups of teachers and principals

one evening, Rotarians and Lions another day, and Sadhaks another evening.

To the Sadhaks, He spoke of such matters as how to hold and roll the rosary, the

significance of the number 108, the chanting of Soham as a continuous psychic

discipline, and the verity inherent in variety. To the Rotarians, He spoke of

the utter ridiculousness of imitating the culture of America, a malady that is

fast spreading its maleficence in India, rich in her own invaluable traditions.

"Some people hear through American ears, see through American eyes, and think

through the American brains that they have transplanted into themselves," He

said. History, climate, vegetation, language, neighboring cultures, alien

influences and foes - all shape and mould the cultural trends of a people.

Indiscriminate adoration and imitation tend to destroy individual and social

peace, He warned. To the teachers, He spoke of the spacious mansion of religion

erected by the sages to provide peace, prosperity and contentment. He exhorted

them to study the basic principles of religion and apply them in their own

lives. "A teacher must be an example of happiness and joy chiseled by

attachment to God and detachment from worldly greed. Then alone can he be a

person worthy of his job," He said.

Dharmakshetra is a Jnana Vahini ('stream of spiritual wisdom'; for further

reading, in brick and mortar! The entrance door of the Sathyadeep, the Prayer

Hall, has embossed on it in polished brass, the symbols sacred to every

religion: the Pranava (OHM), the Cross, the Crescent and Star, the Conch, the

Wheel, the Flame, the mystic letter Sri and the Chalice. It proclaims, "Every

religion is a lamp that illuminates the path of truth; every religion traverses

the region (Kshetra) of Dharma (Righteousness);" that is the message with which

man is greeted here. As you enter, there shines facing you, the lamp, in answer

to man's eternal prayer: Thamaso maa Jyothirgamaya: From darkness, lead me unto

Light. And on both sides of the lamp, held aloft by the

hands of devotion drawn as a fresco on the wall, we have symbols of the five

elements, the components of the Universe, the primordial substance of Brahman.

* Prithvi, Earth, cognizable through all five senses, having smell, taste, form,

touch, and sound; * Ap, Water, cognizable through four senses, having no

inherent smell;* Tejas, Fire, cognizable through three senses, having no taste;

* Vayu, Atmosphere, cognizable through two senses, having no form; and* Akash,

Ether or Sky, cognizable only through one sense, having only sound.

On the other side, we have symbols of Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema and Ahimsa,

resp. the Jnana-mudra, the Oil Lamp, the Lotus, the Moon and the Palms folded in

Prayer. In the Prayer Hall, half way up the ridge, Baba has got painted the Atma

Ramayana and the Atma Mahabharata, reinterpreting the great epics into lessons

on the fundamental steps in the Sadhana for self-realization.

His discourse, therefore, on the Anniversary of the Inauguration Day was on the

message that the Building trumpets forth: "The human body is the Kshetra: it

has to be transmuted into the Dharmakshetra! When the owner of the body

discards desire, passion, injurious impulse, and pernicious propulsions, then

the body is Dharmakshetra."

On the 15th, Baba flew to Ahmedabad, the biggest city in the Gujarat State; the

chief justice of the High Court, Gujarat State, had arranged a reception, at

which the governor, the chief minister and other ministers had come; they got a

chance to know Baba's universal outlook, and His emphasis on the fundamental

unity of all faiths. In the evening Baba addressed a mammoth gathering for over

an hour.

"Yoga and Thyaaga are two chief instruments of spiritual progress. By Thyaaga

(detachment) you escape from pathetic entanglement with the objective world; by

Yoga (self-control) you attach yourself to the Divine Principle that is immanent

in the universe, in truth, beauty and goodness wherever found," He said.

"I bless you that you succeed in the Sadhana in which you are engaged; if you

are not practicing any now, I advise you to take up the simple preliminary step

of Namasmarana, reciting or singing the Name. Also, reverence towards parents,

teachers, elders and service to the poor, the sick, the deserted, the

distressed, the defectives. See in every one, God, in that disguise, come, to

accept the offering of Love you place at their Feet," Baba declared.

Gujarat, already resounding with the sweetness and purity of Sai Bhajan in every

village and town, received a great big spurt by this visit.

On the 14th of June, during a meeting at the residence of the Minister for

Agriculture, Sri P.K. Sawant, when the members of the Maharashtra Branch of the

Prashanthi Vidwanmahasabha had gathered to solve from Baba many dilemmas

encountered during Sadhana and study, the Editor of 'Nava Kaal', a Gujarati

newspaper, was also present. His paper was then running a series of articles on

'Miracles' and he desired to ask Baba about them and publish His answers. Baba

graciously permitted him even encouraged him by His replies. "I know the

background of your questions," He said, with a smile, in

order to put him at ease.

We must be thankful to the Editor, as well as to Sri P.K. Sawant, Sri T.S.

Bharde, speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, and others at that

meeting who prodded Baba through appropriate questions, so that we have from

Baba an authentic analysis of the meaning and significance of these 'miracles.'

Many amateur Sadhaks and half-baked monks declare that miracles are sacrileges

on God and they provoke divine anger and invoke divine punishment. One such

person, when asked specifically about the 'miracles' of Baba replied in

writing, "I do abhor the performance of miracles, be it Christ, Krishna

10pt"> or Sai Baba.This opinion is shared by all the sensitive beings," he

wrote, implying that those who do not share his abhorrence, like Suka, for

example, are not 'great' Rishis. He continues his purblind pronouncement: "An

integrated human being has a lot of power over the cosmic happenings, but, to

interfere with the law of the divine is a sin."

Dr. S. Bhagavantham, D.Sc., F.N.I., Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of

Defence, spoke of this 'interference with the law', at a meeting in Madras, in

April 1967. He said, "Professor Gokak read a poem before you at yesterday's

session wherein he described Baba and His activities: He 'comes like a storm,'

He 'pours kindness like a shower of rain.' All that was very nice; I liked

them. But, towards the end, he trespassed upon my field. He said, 'Baba defies

the laws of physics and chemistry.'

"Having learnt physics and chemistry for many years during my youth and having

practiced physics and chemistry for many years later and taught them and learnt

them while teaching, for a number of decades, I cannot understand any individual

like you and me, or even like the best of men on this planet defying the laws of

physics and chemistry and getting away with it!"

Perhaps, it is this line of argument that made the person who 'abhorred

miracles,' to write further, "There are historical moments when we have to

interfere with the divine law, and for this, according to the law of the

cosmos, the individual suffers." 'You cannot get away with it,' as Dr.

Bhagavantham said!

The man who abhors miracles is a popular exponent of Krishna's teachings. But,

that does not hinder him from writing. "Krishna died of an arrow wound and

Christ died in great agony on the Cross." So, the author seems to say, "Sathya

Sai Baba! Beware!"

Let us now listen to what Dr. Bhagavantham has to say. Does he accuse Baba of

'interfering' and warn Him of 'dire punishment,' as the arrow-killed Krishna in

vengeance for the Govardhanagiri miracle and the Cross, for the loaves and fish,

or the cures and visions? No. He is wiser than the monk.

Dr. Bhagavantham says, "Baba went on breaking one law after another! I have

asked His permission to tell you one or two of these happenings, for they are

essential to establish my bona fides. I was an eye witness to a surgical

operation which He performed. When it was over, He turned to my son who was

present, and asked, "Have you got a length of bandage?" as if He who produced

from nowhere the knife and the needle could not produce the bandage cloth! My

son replied, "Yes! Father is the head of this Institute of Science; there is a

dispensary here; I can telephone to the doctor, and get a bandage strip in two

minutes." Bhagawan replied, "Oh! Two minutes is too long! Don't worry." Then,

He waved His hand, and the bandage was ready for use!

With due respect to the expertise of Professor Gokak in the use of the English

language, I would have preferred him to say, instead of 'He defies the laws of

physics and chemistry,' 'He transcends the laws of physics and chemistry'. Now,

arguing further, with my training in the laboratory, and in logic, I cannot

accept that He is like you and me and yet, He is transcending the laws of

physics and chemistry. No, how can it be? The fact is, He is a Phenomenon... He

is Transcendental... He is Divine."

"This is a well-known feature of science. Science develops from stage to stage.

Skeletons of discarded theories mark the road along which science progresses. A

law is enunciated to explain known phenomena; when something comes up,

inexplicable by known laws, the scientist takes that experience too; and that

becomes another law. Since what I have seen of Baba, and what I am seeing, and

what I no doubt will see, does not come under the known laws of science, I

simply enunciate the law, "Bhagawan transcends the laws of science," and this

becomes another law of science."

Baba Himself has referred in some of His discourses to the alleged 'sin' of

breaking the laws of science. Addressing the All-India Conference of the office

bearers of the units of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Baba said,

"Some elders try to confuse you. Krishna showed many wonders, with an amazing

disregard of the laws of nature and so, according to them; He had to meet death

from the arrow of a hunter! Jesus, they say suffered crucifixion, for, He too

manifested many miracles! Their argument is that, since I am defying the laws

of nature, I too will suffer likewise! They hope to create panic and spread

alarm. But, these are the prattling of weakness, ignorance and envy. They

cannot understand this Glory, nor do they desire to tolerate it!"

On Christmas Day, 1970, He declared at Bombay,

"There are many who cannot bear to tolerate the splendor that emanates from Me,

the Divinity expressed in and through every act of Mine. These people label

them as acts of mesmerism, miracles or feats of magic! Their vocabulary is

small. Their experience is limited. They hope by these words to cast a slur.

Let Me tell you this: "Mine is no mesmerism, miracle or magic! Mine is genuine

divine power. Small minds and limited intellects cannot comprehend them. They

have no strength or stamina to grasp the magnificence and the majesty. God can

do anything. He has all power in the palm of His hand. My body, like all other

bodies, is a temporary habitation but My power is eternal, all-pervasive,

ever-dominant."

Sri Bharde who was in the group present when the Editor of 'Nava Kaal'

interviewed Baba on this subject of miracles, had himself written a few weeks

earlier in the same paper, "I have not so far seen any person who does miracles

as naturally, as spontaneously as Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He stood before the idol

of Rukmini at the famous shrine of Pandharpur, and waved His Hand saying, "The

most important jewel is not found on the idol!" as He said so, a necklace of

gold, the auspicious jewel, appeared concretized! That jewel which He then

placed round the neck of the idol is still there!

Sri Bharde asked Baba that day "Is your power to create things, inexhaustible?"

Baba answered, "It is limitless. It is as the ocean, inexhaustible. Every one

wherever he is, whoever it be, can take from it whatever he needs, to his

heart's content." At this, Hon'ble P.K. Sawant was emboldened to put in a

query. "If it is inexhaustible, and limitless, why is it not used to cure the

poverty and misery of mankind?"

At this, Baba laughed outright, records the 'Nava Kaal': "You equate poverty and

misery with the non-possession of things! Sovereigns can command all things that

confer happiness and joy; but are they content? Are they having mental peace? My

task is to confer mental equanimity. I do not give things to people in order to

make them richer: I give, in order to foster devotion and faith in them."

Yes! A very rich business man told me, while showing a diamond ring created by

Baba and placed by Him on his ring finger, (it fits exactly) "Mr. Kasturi

whenever my eyes fall upon this ring and this big-sized diamond, I am reminded

of the pregnant words with which Baba put it on my finger". "This is not a

diamond; this is an Upadesh, a constant warning for you: Die Mind! Let the mind

with all its likes and dislikes disappear, leaving you in peace."

Baba told Sawant, "A sick person comes to Me. I give him something I create,

Vibuthi or some other article. He becomes conscious of divine power. He

acquires mental peace, that cures, that comforts, that consummates his wish. It

is not that I give these things only to those devoted to Me; I give, whenever it

is necessary to turn the afflicted towards God."

The Editor asked, "What is the power which works these miracles?" Baba answered,

"It is wrong to call them miracles or Chamatkars or to say that Chamatkars are

done in order to earn Namaskaras! It is only Nidarsan (evidence) not Pradarsan

(exhibition). It is just like a play, sport - My natural behaviour. It is a

sign, which helps to turn into faith, devotion, inquiry and realization of

their own Atma. As the intention or the will arises in the mind, the thing is

made! It is ready when I want it. The moment it is willed, the thing comes to

hand or happens where I will it to happen."

The Editor asked, "It is said that by miracles, things that are already

somewhere are transported. Are they transported or created?"

This is a question that many have longed to ask. Dr. K.M. Munshi, the founder of

the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, a famous lawyer, statesman, and writer says, "Baba

happened to perceive that my right hand was slightly trembling, as it always

did on account of Parkinsonism. He rose from His seat, held my fingers, covered

them with his own fingers, and rubbed them with sacred ashes, which came out of

His hand. Then, He waved His hand with a sweeping gesture and materialized a

ring, which He slipped on to the little finger of my right hand. I immediately

perceived that the stiffness of the fingers had considerably disappeared; so

had the slight trembling in the right arm and leg! When we bade Him goodbye, He

again created sacred ashes and rubbed them over the right hand. Bringing a ring

by apport did not

surprise me; however, the sacred ash applied and produced by Baba must have

weighed a pound a day, and could not have been stored somewhere else. If so, it

is not apport, but something more."

Dr. Munshi did not know that the Vibuthi created is more than a pound a day on

busy days when grace flows profusely; it is also of many grades of smoothness,

of many colors from white to dark brown, of many tastes, sucrose to bitter, and

of many smells from rose to camphor and iodine! You cannot have all these

varieties stored in such quantity, somewhere, and produced when willed!

And, what exactly is apport? It is a word that only means, 'mysterious'. By

using it, one can feel content that the miracle has been explained and

understood! Howard Murphet, in his book, "Sai Baba, the Man of Miracles,"

writes, "The theory behind apports is that the object which is already in

existence somewhere is dematerialized and brought in that state by psychic

force to the place where it is rematerialized!" Very facile, indeed! As if that

explanation is clear and convincing enough!

I believe it is easier to produce a thing ab initio, rather than go to the

botheration of dematerializing, transporting through long distance by psychic

force exercised upon the dematerialized substance and again, rematerialize it!

All in a trice, quicker than the speed of light!

Therefore, Baba answered the question of the Editor thus:

"They are all created newly. Transporting means, they should come from somewhere

else, isn't it? That would be deceit. Things are created at the very moment I

will them. I give also things that are found nowhere. This Power it is

impossible to comprehend."

I know many occasions when He created such new materials, like Sri Ramakrishna's

portrait with Baba's own picture at the four corners and in the center; the

miniature portrait of the Guru of the father and grandfather of Dr. Gokak, a

Pantji of North Karnataka, created for him as soon as Baba saw his photograph

in the shrine room of Dr. Gokak.

The Editor asked further questions too. "From when have you begun to give these

signs of divine power?" The answer was, "From childhood.At school, I used to

create chocolates, marbles, and other articles for the children around me." To

make things clear, the Editor ventured to ask, "At what age did you acquire

this divine Power?" Baba said, "From My very Birth," And, after a pause, He

added with emphasis, "From before that," for, was He not at Shirdi as Sai Baba

in the years before He incarnated in the Raju family at Puttaparthi? And was He

not Krishna

long before that?

Naturally, the Editor was struck with wonder. He exclaimed, "That is to say...?"

And Baba continued:

"That is to say, I resolved upon My Birth. I decided who should be My Mother.

Mere humans can choose only who is to be wife or husband: the Mother was chosen

by the Son in the Rama incarnation and in the Krishna incarnation. Then too, the

task for which the birth was decided upon was, conferring Prema (Love) on all,

and through that Prema, foster righteous living."

"My acts are evidences of Divine Shakti, signs and signals of Divinity. I am

granting things out of Prema. My Prema will never diminish. I have no desire of

any kind. I talk of Love, I guide you along the Path of Love, I am Love."

Returning to Bangalore and Brindavan (Whitefield), Baba was busy with the Arts

and Science College affiliated to

the Bangalore University. The College was inaugurated on the 9th day of June

1969. On the 18th, a gathering of poets met at Brindavan from all parts of

Mysore, men who had attained renown as inspirers and interpreters of the

Kannada-speaking region. Dr. D.R. Bendre, a fiery mystic emitting more

light than heat, echoing in verse the tears and tragedies that soften the hearts

of man, was there. He translated White-field as Panduranga, Pandu meaning White

and Ranga meaning Field! That line sent a thrill among the thousands who heard

him. Dr. V.K. Gokak who stands in the front rank of Kannada poets, and is a

great name in English poetry too, was persuaded to read his poems. There were

Dr. R.S. Mugali, a doyen of classical studies and romantic poetry; Professor G.

P. Rajarathnam, an ardent student of Buddhism and Jainism, a popular poet

delineating the feelings and aspirations of the common man; Professor R.G.

Kulkarni, saturated with Aurobindo Integral Yoga, Dr. G.S. Sivarudrappa, mystic

and Sadhak, following the footsteps of the medieval saints of Karnataka but,

nevertheless in touch with the heartbeats of Tagore and Gandhiji and Sri K.L.

Sivappa, a warbler of the woods, free and bold, sweet and strong.

When they had finished reading their poems, Baba sang a beautiful poem composed

by Him on the Tandava Dance of Siva. It had all the rhythm, power and cosmic

sublimity that words can limn, about that sempiternal Lila which swings worlds

in space. Baba is the 'Kavimkaveenaam,' the Poet of Poets, an appellation

ascribed to God in the Vedas.

In the last week of June, Baba visited Madras. Devotees in their thousands

flocked wherever He went and drank in the nectar of His discourses. Baba in His

teens had mysteriously appeared at the bedside of a certain Loganatha Mudaliar

in Madras and cured him of a brain malady brought about by black magic. "You

are God," he said, holding

on to the Feet of Baba. He decided to build a temple for Baba on his land at

Guindy, a suburb of Madras, but, he had a dream wherein he was instructed to

install, instead, the idol of Shirdi Sai Baba, the previous Body of Baba,

therein. Baba too wrote to him, confirming the dream. So, the temple was built

and in 1948 Baba Himself installed the idol! Howard Murphet, who visited the

temple and saw the idol in 1968, writes, "Like Michelangelo's marble Moses in a

little church in Rome, it gave me personally the immediate

impression that It was alive."

On the day of installation, the Mudaliars had the unique privilege and pleasure

of washing the Feet of Baba and placing flowers upon them. They prayed that

they may be given an impression of the soles on a piece of silk, that they had

brought for the purpose. Baba agreed and they applied sandal paste mixed with

turmeric powder on the soles, and asked that he stand upon the silk cloth. Baba

said, "Why My Feet? This day, I have installed here the Old Baba. I shall give

you the Feet of the Old Baba Himself!"... and, then He stood on the silk cloth.

When He stepped aside, the impression left was not of the slender, soft, rather

teenage Feet of Baba, but the long heavy ponderous Feet that walked the lanes

of Shirdi, 32 years ago!

Baba visited that temple, and addressed a large gathering of people there. "This

is a temple," He said, "where I have installed twenty one years ago, the idol of

My Shirdi Form. The word Vishnu is used for God, since it means, 'present

everywhere at all times'. When people are told about an Idol of God, who is

Vishnu, they laugh and condemn it as a foolish superstition. But, when it is

desired to drink the ambrosia that is God, don't you require a spoon, a cup, or

glass? The idol is a contrivance by which you can consume the Bliss. The cup can

be of any shape or size or design; it is just a container of the Joy "Raso vai

sah" - God is Ambrosia. He is sweet, sustaining, strength-giving. You can

imbibe Him through a cup designed as Nataraja, or Durga, or

Krishna, or Ganesa, or Linga, or Christ or Sai Baba. Many of you yearn for a cup

shaped like this idol, designed as Sai Baba; so, I allowed you to have this

idol, here. This is the Sai Form, which sat and taught at Dwarakamayi Mosque at

Shirdi."

On the Guru Poornima, 29th July, Baba sent a message to the Samithis all over

India and to devotees overseas where He quoted the prayer of Prahlada as an

example to be adopted. "Grant me, O Lord, the adoration of Thy Lotus Feet, the

comradeship of those who adore Thy Lotus Feet, and give me Compassion, deep,

vast, unlimited towards all beings in all the world."

"Start the day with Love, live the day with Love, fill the day with Love, spend

the day with Love, end the day with Love, this is the way to God," He wrote.

During the discourse that He gave that evening at the Prashanthi Nilayam, He

warned against institutionalizing religion, and compartmentalizing society. 'It

is good to be born in a church, but it is not good to die in it,' He declared.

"One must travel beyond the limits set by mind and reason and reach the

boundless expanse of the Absolute and the Eternal Atma," He advises.

The birthday of Sri Krishna was celebrated in the presence of 'Sai' Krishna, at

the Prashanthi Nilayam. Baba has incarnated in order to revitalize Dharma, and

this is done through a variety of means and methods. As a matter of fact, every

minute of Baba is being spent in correcting some misconception or other that has

led man astray or curing some optical defect, which dulls or diverts the vision

of man away from the Truth.

Krishna is the most misunderstood of the Avatars of God, thanks to the innate

lasciviousness of ordinary man and the acrobatics of erotic poets, who have

disregarded even patent facts in order to paint the luridness they coveted.

Baba takes hold of every chance to inject sense into pundit, poet and Sadhaka,

so that the mind of modern man may become as pure and as saturated in the

Divine, as the simple cowherd maids of Gokul, "Krishna is in you" He said, "He

is 'Sarva Bhutha Anthar Atma', the Inner Core of all beings. If He is not in

you, how can you exist as an entity?" Baba asked.

"He is in you as power, strength, love, happiness, enthusiasm, passion and

compassion. Go into the deeper esoteric meaning of all the parables and

metaphors. Brindavan is the jungle of Life; individual beings are the 'go', the

cattle He tended, Go-Kula is the herd of Jivis, Krishna is the Divine Principle

that shines in every being, craving for the purity that is churned in the full

of good thoughts and feelings. He guides and goads, He blesses and showers

benedictions."

The Vedas describe the Divine as the streak of lightning, flashing through the

thick blue clouds! In Telugu streak is known as 'Geetha'. That Gita activates,

illumines, and spreads splendor and wisdom. Since Baba has declared often that

He is the indweller in all, listeners saw before them the Krishna Principle

Itself embodied in the Sai Form, and bearing the Sai Name. It was an

exhilarating realization.

Hilda Charlton of New York expresses it as follows:

>From out Thy lips doth blow the mighty windsThat sway the trees in dancing

rhythmsAnd yet again Thou art the very treesWhose swaying boughs whisper the

ancient Om.

Thou art the beginning and the end of allAnd, even before the beginning, Thou

wertThou art the ever-ending ever-beginning lifeThou art the Light, the

LoveAnd, I am Thine Own, Thyself!

Quotes from the Bhagavad Gita

Chapter 4 - 7Whenever and wherever it is sure that one weakens in righteousness

and a predominance of injustice does manifest, o descendant of Bharata, at that

time I do manifest Myself.

Chapter 4 - 9Anyone who knows as such of my divine birth(s) and activities will

never, after leaving his body, take birth again, but will attain Me, O Arjuna.

Chapter 9 - 4[As said:] By the Unmanifest of Me this entire cosmic manifestation

is pervaded, all living entities are in Me and I am not in them.

Chapter 9 - 11The foolish look down upon My having assumed the human form, not

knowing of My transcendental nature and that I am the Great Lord of all.

CONTINUED…

With Sai love from Sai brother M. Palaniswamy

/

 

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