SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM [47]

[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 – [47]

SHRI SAI SATCHARITA

The Life of the Divine Avatar Sai Baba of Shirdi

By Hemadpant

CHAPTER XLVII

BABA'S REMINISCENCE

Story of Veerbhadrappa and Chenbassappa (Snake and frog)

The last Chapter described Baba's reminiscences about two goats. This one

describes more such reminiscence and relates the story of Veerbhadrappa and

Chenbassappa.

PRELIMINARY

Blessed is the face of Sai. If we cast a glance at Him for a moment, He destroys

the sorrow of many past births and confers great Bliss on us; and if He looks at

us with grace, our bondage of Karma is immediately snapped away and we are led

to happiness. The river Ganges washes away the dirt and sins of all people, who

go to her for a bath; but she intently longs for the Saints to come to her; and

bless her with their feet and remove all the dirt (sins) accumulated in her.

She knows, for certain, that the holy feet of the Saints can only remove this

accumulation. Sai is the crest-jewel of the Saints, and now hear from Him the

following purifying story.

THE SNAKE AND THE FROG

Sai Baba said-One morning, after taking My breakfast, I strolled along, till I

came to a small river bank. As I was tired, I rested there, washed My hands and

Feet and had a bath and felt refreshed. There was a footpath and a cart track,

sheltered by shady trees. The breeze was also blowing gently. As I was

preparing to smoke chillum (pipe), I heard the croaking of a frog. I was

striking the flint and lighting the fire, when a traveler turned up, sat by My

side, bowed to Me and politely invited Me to his house, for meals and rest. He

lit up the pipe and handed it over to Me. The croaking was heard again, and he

wanted to know what it was. I told him that a frog was in trouble, and was

tasting the bitter fruit of its own Karma. We have to reap now the fruit, of

what we sow (do) in our past life, and there

is no use in crying about it. Then he smoked and handed over the pipe to Me, and

said that he would go there in person and see for himself. I told him, that a

frog was caught by a big snake and was crying. Both were very wicked in their

past life; and were now reaping the fruit of their actions in these bodies. He

went out, and found, that a huge black serpent was holding a big frog in its

mouth.

He turned to Me and said that in about 10 or 12 minutes the frog would be eaten

up by the snake. I said, No, this couldn’t be. I am its father (protector), and

I am here now. How shall I allow the snake to eat it up, am I here for nothing?

Just see how I release it. After smoking again, we walked on to the place. He

was afraid and asked Me not to proceed further, as the snake might attack us.

Not minding him, I went ahead and addressed the creatures thus: - Oh

Veerbhadrappa, has not your enemy Bassappa yet repented though he has been born

as a frog, and you too, though born as a serpent, still maintain bitter enmity

against him? Be ashamed of yourself, give up your hatred now and rest in peace.

On hearing these words, the snake left the frog quickly and dived into the river

and disappeared. The frog also

jumped away, and hid itself in the bushes.

The traveler was much surprised; he said that he could not understand how the

snake dropped the frog and disappeared at the words uttered. Who was

Veerbhadrappa? And who was Bassappa and what was the cause of their enmity? I

returned with him to the foot of the tree, and after sharing again a few puffs

of smoke with him I explained the whole mystery to him as follows: -

There was ancient holy place sanctified by a temple of Mahadev about 4 or 5

miles from My place. The temple was old and dilapidated. The residents of the

place collected funds for its repairs. After a large amount was collected,

arrangement for worship was made and plans with estimates for repairs were

prepared. A rich local man was appointed the treasurer and the whole work was

entrusted to him. He was to keep regular accounts, and be honest in all his

dealings. He was a first class miser and spent very little for the repairs,

which consequently made very little progress. He spent all the funds, swallowed

some amount himself; and spent nothing from his pocket. He had a sweet tongue,

and was very clever in offering plausible explanations, regarding the poor and

tardy progress of the work. The people again

went to him and said that unless he lent his helping hand and tried his best,

the work would not be complete. They requested him to work out the scheme and

again collected subscriptions, and sent the amount to him. He received it, but

sat as quiet as before, without making any progress. After some days, God

(Mahadev) appeared in his wife's dream and said to her – You get up, build the

dome of the temple, I will give you a hundred fold of what you spend. She told

this vision to her husband. He was afraid that it would involve him in some

expenses; and therefore, laughed it out, saying that it was a mere dream, a

thing not to be relied and acted upon, or else why did not God appear to

himself in the dream and tell him about it? Was he far off from her? This looks

like a bad dream, having its object of creating ill feeling between husband and

wife. She had to remain quiet.

God does not like big subscriptions and donations collected against the wishes

of the donors, but He likes even trifling amounts given with love, devotion and

appreciation. Some days after, God again appeared in her dream and said-Do not

bother yourself about your husband, and the collections with him. Don't press

him to spend any amount for the temple. What I want is, feeling and devotion.

So give, if you like, anything of your own. She consulted her husband about

this vision and decided to give God her ornaments given by her father. The

miser felt disconcerted and decided to cheat even God in this item. He

undervalued the ornaments at Rs.1,000/- and bought them himself and in lieu of

the amount gave a field to God, as endowment or security. The wife agreed to

this. The field or land was not his own, it

belonged to one poor woman named Dubaki who mortgaged it to him for Rs.200/-.

She was not able to redeem it for long. So the cunning miser cheated all, his

wife, Dubaki and even God. The land was sterile, uncultivated and worth nothing

and yielded nothing, even in best seasons.

Thus ended this transaction and the land were given in the possession of the

poor priest who was pleased with the endowment. Sometime later on, strange

things happened. There was a terrific storm and heavy downpour of rain;

lightning struck the house of the miser, when he, the rich miser, and his wife

both died. Dubaki also breathed her last.

In the next life, the rich miser was born at Matura in the Brahmin family and

was named Veerbhadrappa. His devout wife was born as the daughter of the priest

of the temple, and was named Gouri. The woman Dubaki (the mortgagor) was born as

a male in the family of the Gurav (attendant) of the temple and was named

Chenbassappa. The priest was a friend of Mine, He often came to Me, chatted and

smoked with Me. His daughter Gouri was also devoted to Me. She was growing fast

and her father was seeking a good husband for her. I told him not to worry

about this, as the bridegroom himself would come seeking her. Then there came a

poor boy named Veerbhadrappa of their caste, wandering and begging his bread to

the priest's house. With My consent Gouri was given in marriage to him. He was

also at first devoted to Me,

as I recommended his marriage with Gouri. Even in this new life he was hankering

after money; and asked me to help him to get it, as he was leading a married

man's life.

Strange things happened. There was a sudden rise in prices. By Gouri's good

luck, there was a great demand for land and the endowment land was sold for one

Lakh of rupees (100 times the worth of her ornaments). Half the amount was paid

in cash and the remaining was to be paid in 25 installments or Rs. 2,000/-

each. All agreed to this transaction, but began to quarrel over the money. They

came to Me for consultation. I told them that the property belonged to God and

was vested in the priest, and that Gouri was his sole heiress and proprietress

and no amount should be spent without her consent and that her husband had no

right whatsoever to the amount. On hearing My opinion, Veerbhadrappa was angry

with Me and said, that I wanted to establish Gouri's claim and embezzle her

property. On hearing his words, I

remembered God and kept quiet. Veerbhadrappa scolded his wife (Gouri) and she

came to Me at Noon and requested Me not to mind the words of other and not to

discard her, as she was My daughter. As she thus sought My protection, I gave

her a pledge, that I would cross seven seas to help her. Then that night Gouri

had a vision. Mahadev appeared in her dream and said- The whole money is yours,

do not give anything to anybody, spend some amount for temple purposes in

consultation with Chenbassappa and if you want to use it for some other

purpose, consult Baba in the Masjid (Myself). Gouri told Me the vision; and I

gave her the proper advice in the matter. I told her to take the principal or

capital amount to herself, give half the amount of interest to Chenbassappa and

that Veerbhadrappa had nothing to do in the matter. While I was thus talking,

both Veerbhadrappa and Chenbassappa came there quarreling. I tried My best to

appease them and told them God's vision to Gouri. Veerbhadrappa

got wild and angry and threatened to kill Chenbassappa cutting him to pieces.

The latter timid, he caught My Feet and sought My refuge. After some time

Veerbhadrappa died and was born as a snake and Chenbassappa died and was born

as a frog. On hearing the croaking of Chenbassappa and remembering My pledge, I

came here, saved him and kept My word. God runs to His devotees for help in

times of danger. He saved Chenbassappa (the frog) by sending Me here. All this

is God's Leelas or sport.

THE MORAL

The moral of the story is that one has to reap what one sows, and there is no

escape unless one suffers and squares up one's old debts and dealing with

others, and that greed for money drags the greedy man to the lowest level and

ultimately brings destruction for him and for others.

BOW TO SHRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL

*****

SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM - PART III [11]

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

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

SO KIND! SO KIND!

Two conferences were held in Prashanthi Nilayam, during 1970 - the Sevadal

Conference in October during the Dasara celebrations, and the All India

conference of Office Bearers of the Units of the Sathya Sai Seva Organizations

in November, during the Birthday celebrations. Both contributed much to

stabilize and spread the Mission and Message of Baba. Just as all rivers

automatically incline towards the ocean, likewise all individuals for their

self-improvement, should voluntarily cooperate with each other, breaking the

shackles of individuality and reaching the goal of spiritual unity: this is the

plan of action designed by Baba for the individual to merge in the Universal. He

considers the lone seeker, avoiding fellowmen and involvement in society, as a

poor Sadhaka. A single drop of water

gets evaporated soon. It cannot reach the sea from which the rays of the sun

raised it, unless it moves with its kith and kin, joining a rivulet, entering a

stream, falling into a river, and flowing on. Baba says, "Do not consider

society a trap or a trick or a tantalizing contraption. Premayoga, Path of Love

insists upon service to fellow-beings as the best Sadhana."

Service is the natural expression of a person who has realized that I and He are

One, that there is no distinction between That and This, Creator and Creation,

Energy and Matter. This Unity of all in the One, is the philosophical basis for

the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would be done by."

"Prema, Love is My distinctive mark, not the creation of material objects, or

the granting of health and happiness by exercise of Will. You consider what you

label 'Miracles' as the sign of the Divine. But, the Prema that welcomes you

all, that rushes Me to the presence of those who seek God, of those who suffer

from handicaps on the pilgrim route, where they are, is the real Sign, fill

every act with Love. Let no one suffer the slightest pain, as a result of your

thought, word or deed. Let this be your Sadhana, for, you are all; you injure

yourself when you injure another. You are Sai and all others too are Sai. How

can the hand pluck out the eye of the body to which it belongs? I have come to

light the Lamp of Love in your hearts so that you can, with that Light, see Sai

in everyone."

Inaugurating the Conference of the All India Sri Sathya Sai Sevadal, Baba said:

"Feel that everyone is Thryambakam, three-eyed, manifesting as Will-Work-Wisdom,

Doer-Duty-Deed, Strength-Sweetness-Light. Feel the God in them, and offer

whatever service you can, with discriminating skill, with no fear of compulsion

and no thought of compensation. You need wear no uniform, nor parade a badge. A

person in distress need not plead for help. Since it is your nature to give and

forgive, look into his eyes with compassion and lend him the hand of a brother.

Love is borne in the womb of Seva; Love grows through Seva; God is Love: Love

is God. This is the truth I have come to teach. Scatter the seeds of Love in

dreary hearts and these will sprout into blossoms of Love, which will fill the

air with fragrance; when drops of Love are rained, river of Love will murmur

ecstatically through the vales;

and, every child, bird, beast and pebble will sing the song of Love."

The 700 young men and women who heard Him that day were spellbound by the

Love-charged message of Baba.

An American Sadhaka summarizing the mood declared, "Let us become dedicated

workers imbued with the Sai Spirit. Let us become practitioners of Yoga, the

union of the Individual with the Divine." Reports were read before the

Conference of the work being done by the Service Units in various districts,

and the Convenors of Subcommittees placed their recommendations for

consideration. Sri Nakul Sen, I.C.S., reminded the Dals of the spiritual ideal

of Seva.

Baba insisted that every Sevadal member must have a good grounding in Dhyana and

an unquenchable avidity for Japam. "Without being at peace with yourselves, you

can not be at peace with others. And, is not peace the greatest of gifts, the

most precious of possessions?" He asked. Baba said that the Subcommittees have

listed a variety of items of service which the Dal can take up - the donation

of blood, literacy classes, slum clearings, cleaning the premises of temples,

Bhajans in jails, classes in remand homes, visits to inpatient wards in

hospitals, first-aid, fire fighting, assisting passengers alighting from trains

in pilgrim centers, etc. "Each such activity must be undertaken with the

conviction that you are serving Sai in all Forms."

Perhaps, at this stage, it is best to quote from a letter written by Hilda

Charlton, "Baba told me - walk this earth, with your head held high, your

spirits soaring, your heart open to Love. Believe in yourself and in God within

you. Then all will go well. Wherever you look, I am there. Wherever you walk, I

am there. Whomsoever you contact, I am in that person. I am in each. From each,

I will respond. You cannot see Me in one place, and miss Me in another! For, I

fill all space. You cannot escape Me, or do anything in secret, for there are

no secrets with Me or from Me. Live in perfect accordance with My laws, and

wonders will ensue!" This was the clarion that echoed in every young heart,

during the Conference.

The 700 stayed on for Dasara and so had a practical course of instruction from

the Master Himself. During the evening gatherings, He spoke about the Self, its

Unity, and the Identity of all Selves.

"Today, every school boy knows about the sun, the moon, the stars and even the

outermost regions of space. But not even the most encyclopaedic scholar knows

the answer to the very elementary query: "Who or what am I? I is the most

frequently used word, it recurs many times in conversation, I saw, I went, I

heard, I have a cold, I am a pilot, I am angry, I hate it, I am tall - who is

this I that has these attributes, these possessions? The Upanishads declare

that the I is not the personalized individual; it is not limited to the body

which it inhabits or operates. It is the most universal of categories, the

eternal absolute, the Paramatma, It is the Omnipresent Universal Consciousness,

the Sath-Chith-Ananda."

Baba spoke another day in great detail about Sath-Chith-Ananda.

"There are three desires or urges which every 'I' has to fulfill:

1. I must live. This is the prompting from the core Immortality, Sath.

2. I must know. This is the reminiscence of the omniscience of which the 'I' is a spark.

3. I must be happy. This is the evidence of the Ananda which is innate in the individual."

The day after Vijayadashami, when the devotees were leaving, Baba told them:

"I eat as you do, move about as you do, I talk in your language, and behave as

you can understand, for your sake, not for My sake. I direct you towards the

Divine, winning your confidence, your love, your loyalty, by being among you,

as one of you. My aim is to transmute you into spiritual aspirants so as to

enable you to know your true being, becoming aware of the Truth of the

Universe, which is but a projection of your own Truth. I am the inner spring in

all that moves and exists. I am the energy, the power that propels and impels. I

am the knower, the known and the knowledge. But, I do not display capriciously

or confound you. I am an example, and inspiration, an instruction. My Life is a

commentary on this message."

Birthday Celebrations, 1970! Baba directed the Office Bearers of the Sai Seva

Organizations to assist devotees organize efficiently Bala Vikas, Sevadal,

Mahila Vibhag, Study circles, Bhajan groups and Nagarsankirtan.

Baba said:

"This Organization has spread far and wide. About 3.000 persons participated in

the Conference, although only the Presidents and the Secretaries were invited,

and no proxy attendance was permitted. Select your path after mature

deliberation, then adhere to it to reach the goal. The Sathya Sai Organization

is established to translate the principles of Love and Non-Violence into daily

practice. It also promotes inquiry into four basic problems!

The Body, what is it? Deham. (The Body)

Am I it? Naham. (No)

Then, who am I? (Koham)

And finally, Is This That? Are This and That separate and distinct?

The correct answer given by the sages is Soham. (That is I) I am That.

Instead of identifying yourself with the perishable body and the fleeting mind,

know yourself to be a witness of the passing show."

All religions recommend Love and Non-Violence, and encourage this inquiry. The

Sai Organization has to work with persons of all faiths.

"If you have love in you, you will be welcomed by all men everywhere. I have

come for ensuring Lokasangraha - (promotion of the Welfare and Happiness of the

entire world) and so, when you live in concord, then there will be no discord,

and your activity will certainly please Me."

On the final day of the Conference, Baba had with Him a list of questions from

the delegates. He spent about two hours elaborating the answers. What is the

nature of the mind? How did creation come into being? How can service to others

become Sadhana? What name is best for Japam? Which Yoga can take us quickest to

God? Are classes in meditation necessary? How far can a Muslim Office-Bearer

share in Bhajans? Baba said that no person should act against his conviction;

that would be hypocrisy, which is a sin against God.

Allow the wind of doubt or the sum of despair to affect the pot of Ananda you

have filled, and it will evaporate quickly. But keep the pot in the water of

good company and good deeds; it can be preserved undiminished forever. Ananda

too grows when you dwell on it in silence and recapitulate the circumstances,

which yielded it – Baba

Premayoga would lead man Godwards. No one can train another in meditation, or

claim so to train! It is a function of the mind. God is one, without a second.

He does not change, He is not affected, when the Name by which you adore Him is

changed. Service removes the veil of the illusion of manifoldness. Sleep causes

dreams; Maya, the deluding power of the Divine, causes the apparent

multiplicity. The mind is a bundle of desires that has formed itself around the

ego. Resolve to achieve success in the Sadhana of Japam and Dhyanam, Bhajan and

service. Be an example to others in these matters, that is the way to inspire

and lead.

With a rambling, rampant ego, you have to keep your mind balanced. You should

not yield to emotion or passion. The attachment to the senses and the sensory

world must be transmuted into attachment to the Lord, so that the sweetness of

Bliss may fill the heart.

"The conviction that I am everyone and watching everything must keep you on the

straight path of Sadhana through service and study. I would like every active

member of these Organizations to bubble with joy at the work already achieved

and with enthusiasm for the work ahead. Love, respect, tolerance, mutual

cooperation, forbearance - these must flow from the hearts of all towards all.

You are all limbs of one body - the Sai Body."

No wonder the devotees from across the seas were caught in the mood of divine

adoration, and sang in chorus during the Dasara Festival:

Sai Baba! Sai Baba! So kind! So kind!

He is our mother, sister and brother

All in One!

He is the Earth, Air and Water

Moon and Sun

Sai Baba, Sai Baba

So kind, So kind!

He is the all we shall ever be

That we have ever been

We are here today and tomorrow

So that He can help us see!

Sai Baba! Sai Baba! So kind! So Kind!!

Bhajan by devotees: Dhimita Dhimita Dhim Dhim

Sadhana, according to Baba, helps to discover the Inner Reality of our being;

which appears to be encased in subtle and gross elements. Although we are under

the spell of these elements, the Avatar is beyond them and controls them. Our

descent commences when we identify ourselves with these elements, and believe

in the obvious frivolity of difference. These elements have to be pierced,

through Viveka (discrimination), Vairagya (detachment), and Vichara (enquiry)

in order to lift ourselves from the plane of animality. Sometimes this process

lands us into the most deep-rooted falsehood, the Ego (the Ahamkara) which is

the last hurdle keeping us away from the awareness of God. With a mind

withdrawn from without, and steadied in silence, it can be conquered.

Whatever talent a person has, should be dedicated to the service of the rest of

humanity, indeed, of all living beings. Therein lies fulfillment. Dedicate

your talents to the service of all beings - Baba

Soon after the birthday festival was over, Baba went to Bangalore, and stayed at

Brindavan. What happened in the month of December is an epic in itself.

THE MIRACULOUS APPENDIX

"Dear Sri Kasturi! Your telegram canceling your promised visit to Ceylon has

helped to render our faith in Baba firmer than before!" This was not a

particularly polite reply to receive from a Secretary of Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Samithi. Baba had permitted me to accept an invitation to visit Ceylon, on a

Sai pilgrimage, meeting devotees in villages and towns, to share experience and

delight. My passage was booked by rail and plane; so with my bag and portmanteau

I went to Whitefield to take leave of Baba and to receive His blessings. The

mail train of Madras, from where I had to emplane was leaving Bangalore within

an hour. When I touched the Lotus Feet, Baba asked me, "Where are you going?" I

said that I was on my way to Ceylon. He said, "Why Ceylon? Send them a telegram

canceling your visit and come with Me to

Goa tomorrow."

That was the telegram, which placed the faith of Sai devotees in Ceylon upon an

unshakeable basis! Later, Sri Thyagarajiah, the Secretary, set my mind at rest,

explaining the cryptic comment. Dr. Nallainathan, the President of the Samithi,

had read out my first letter accepting the ten-day schedule, before a large

gathering of devotees and when he finished, he did a very un-Nallainathan-like

thing. He heard himself say, "Of course, Mr. Kasturi has very kindly agreed to

come and be with us for ten days. But listen, he may not come at all! There is

many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip. At the very last moment, we may get a

telegram, canceling his visit." Six days later the telegram arrived! And Ceylon

knew that it was Baba who had persuaded Dr. Nallainathan to utter those words

that day, for He shapes the

future, recasting His projected plan. When we cannot predict about our own

selves, how can we predict about Baba? He says that no one knows what He is

going to do in the next five minutes; therefore we must learn to remain

content, witnessing the Divine play.

At noon the next day, I accompanied Baba on a circuitous journey to Goa. The

three cars moved towards Jog Falls. The party included three lady devotees from

the United States, June Schuyler, who describes herself as a simple, middle-aged

teacher of young children; Indra Devi, celebrated as the 'First Lady of Yoga in

America,' and Mrs. Rajagopalan, an Italian living in the United States with her

Indian husband. As usual, while leaving Brindavan, devotees lined up on both

sides of the road, anxious to get a glimpse of Baba and to see the Hand that

waves out of the window, until a turn makes it impossible to fill the eye with

it.

The afternoon was quiet and bright. "As the cars entered the tranquility of the

vast countryside," writes June, "my mind was jumbled with a feeling of

incredulousness! For many years, peace of any kind seemed an unlikely prospect

for me. God was my only hope; and now, wonder of wonders, I was happy, with the

Lord lifting my burdens off my mind."

On the way Baba signaled the cars to turn towards a lane off the main road, so

that we could drink coffee and consume some snacks. He Himself opened the tins

and cans, containers and flasks, and served snacks and coffee to all. The

chauffeurs too, joined the party and they were also served snacks and coffee to

all. A few tillers of the soil who had taken up positions to stand and stare

received extra attention from the Master.

When we resumed the journey, Baba's car seemed to grumble a bit, but mild and

gentle pushing to take to the road persuaded it. It had to be persuaded again

thrice during the next fifteen miles: Jog falls were still a hundred miles

away! At 8.00 p.m. the car stopped and refused to budge, despite inducements or

threats. It had, indeed, to be led back in Tiptur for attention at a local

workshop. Then Baba decided to go back to Brindavan. Baba was quite

unconcerned; He did not speak about it with any feeling of disappointment.

Among the eight attributes of Divinity, Vairagya, absence of attachment, is

one.

June writes, "A star fell; Baba who misses nothing saw it fall. He commented on

it. I was grateful that I too had seen that bright thing falling where the Lord

had come. While in the car, His glorious voice filled the night, for He was

singing, drawing stars down to earth! Dinner was ready at midnight when we

reached Brindavan. Baba's affection made Him appear anxious about our hunger.

He took particular care to see that all were fed and sent to sleep, before He

retired for the night. We felt that we were tiring Him even more, drawing His

attention upon ourselves. Do that purely the Love It showers sustain precious

Body? We wondered." June writes, "I lay down with a feeling of anxiety. I

feared that Baba might go now ahead of us, by plane to Goa. I was anxious not

to miss the happy sojourn. I was sorry we had

to return as a result of the breakdown of the car. Many things were battling in

my brain that Sunday morning when I awoke, I pondered over them. Why had the

Lord, Who produces all manner of things by the exercise of His Will, not

repaired His car? He could have anticipated and never allowed it to happen! The

question had great importance to me, since I was convinced that spiritual power

has the mastery over matter. Perhaps Baba had willed the breakdown and the

return, in order to provoke this question in me, so that I might seek answer.

Every word, every act of Baba is a lesson. Here was a lesson - I wasn't sure

for whom.

We knew even before we started that Baba was not keen on Jog Falls. He had

ridiculed the name as 'Joke Falls' and even as 'Joke False'! He said, the

route, if Jog Falls is included in the tour, will be lengthened too far. He

will have to pass through many villages on the road, after nightfall. The

villagers, would, He argued, be very sad when they learn that Baba had passed

that way without their getting Darshan. Someone told us that Baba had

questioned the driver who had supervised the 'servicing' of the 'historic car'

about the quality and extent of the servicing. "He must have known that it will

give a poor performance," he said.

Of course, if He had willed it, the car would have gone on to Jog; He willed a

Joke instead! A day later we all left in two cars for Goa. On the way Baba

spoke long on spiritual matters. Alighting en route for breakfast, He gave us

sweet, ripe, wild berries plucked by Him from the trees around saying,

"Berries, such as I used to eat and pick with My comrades at Gokul on the banks

of the Yamuna!"

The cars cooperated wonderfully, and we reached the grounds of the Karnatak

University at Dharwar, and entered the bungalow of the Vice-chancellor, Dr.

Adke at 2 p.m. There we found about 500 people singing Bhajans under a

shamiana. They had learnt about the arrival of the Lord! After lunch, Baba sat

among them, silent, for a few joy-filled minutes!

June writes, "Those University Deans and Dons looking at Baba with devout

childlike expressions, twanged the chords of my heart." Suddenly someone asked

a question and broke the silence. For an hour thereafter, Baba related to them

parables and tales from legends and folklore.

"God is ever to respond, whenever there is a call for help. Yes, you seek the

Grace of God, but can you get it, when you do not respond to the call of the

distressed... God waits on the doorstep, like sunlight, eager to slip through

the narrowest slit, and spread light where there was darkness, warmth, where

there was biting cold. So too, you must wait for the chance to brighten and

lighten the lives of others, deprived of cheer and charity... Awaken the people

to the Glory of the Creator through Nagarsankirtan," He said.

June writes, on the occasional bursts of laughter, which shook the room. "I

felt, this is no dull sober God. When I think of Baba, I picture Jesus, with

the same sense of humor. Baba was speaking in an Indian language which I do not

understand; yet in some mysterious way I too was receiving illumination."

It was a Fiat 1500 in which Baba, Mr. N.D.M. Appah, Chairman, Mysore State

Electricity Board, and myself were traveling. The road was stony and rough, so

the drive was full of jerks and bumps - this caused Baba to reprimand the

driver for not being circumspect enough. "You do not know how much pain I get

in the abdomen when it bumps," He said. We wondered why Baba who withstood

worse roads better, was insisting on slow driving that day.

The last rays of sunshine cast long and slanting streaks through the tall

heavily crowned trees of the Western Ghats, which we were climbing. When we

were on top, the sun went down into the sea! There is a certain grandeur,

albeit pathetic, in this daily drama - the inevitability of a sunset; its

noiselessness and the panic it creates when you foolishly fear that it may not

come up again. The forces of darkness quickly overwhelming the earth sometimes

give one an eerie sensation of despair. But, we soon remember that the wise

earth manages to keep one half of her lit and warm; and so, we sleep in hope

and happy dreams!

When the cars reached Goa, it was night. The stars came forth; they came with

us, every yard of the road, keeping pace. When the border of Goa State was

reached, Lt. Governor, Sri Nakul Sen, the host, received Baba and let us into a

rest house, where china gleamed in the shelves by the wall and geraniums

glistened on the window sills. We had coffee; from then on Baba sat in the

state car, with the head of the state.

Hurrying around the rambling roads, towards Panjim Town, the cars finally

arrived at Coba Raj Nivas, the Palace of the Governors-general of the

"Portuguese Possessions in India and the Far East" for many centuries, but now,

the official residence of the Lt. Governor. The time was 9.15 p.m. We had

motored 385 miles, since morning, over good and bad roads, but Baba looked

lithe and lily-like when He hastened up the red-carpeted flight of steps, 28 in

all, to the flower-decked apartments, set aside for His stay. Very soon, Baba

presided over the dining table to which we were led by the Lt. Governor. He

watched with amusement the contingent of waiters, and the beautiful chinaware,

which the Portuguese had brought from Macao.

Though Mrs. Sen made bold to remind Him of His duty to Himself, He did not eat

anything. He appeared to be anxious to send every one to bed. "Go, go! You are

all very much exhausted," He insisted. I protested that traveling with Him can

never exhaust anyone, but He repeated that I was really in immediate need of

rest. When we rose Mrs. Sen was informed by Baba that coffee need be ready for

Him only at 8 a.m. the next day! She knew that at Prashanthi Nilayam, He had

His coffee at 6 or 6.30 p.m. but despite appeals for revising the order, Baba

gave instructions that it was to be brought only at 8 o' clock.

Baba was alone in the suite reserved for Him. Nakul Sen pleaded for permission

to be within call, but Baba sent Him away to his own room. We from Bangalore

were in rooms on the ground floor.

About what occurred that night, Baba wrote later to Dr. S. Bhagavantham, in a

letter I carried to him on the 12th, "On the night of the seventh, strange

events happened. I could not lie in bed, I could not sit upon it, nor turn,

from one side to another. Nor could I speak or call. I did not like to cause

anxiety or trouble to anyone. So I kept silent, pretending that all was well

with me!

Next morning when the Sens grew aware of the truth it became clear, why He had

abstained from dinner, and postponed the coffee hour, wanting only to hurry

away to bed! I knew why He had come away from Dharwar, and why He had taken the

driver to task. Obviously, He had been 'ill' when He started out from Dharwar!

Mrs. Sen felt that Cabo Raj Nivas was an 'unlucky' place since He had fallen

'ill' there, but Baba immediately corrected her. "No, it is a house of good

luck! I brought the 'illness' with Me to Cabo, so that I could get rid of it

here."

By daybreak on the 8th, Baba appeared to be in great pain and Nakul Sen called

in doctors from the Medical College at Goa, and some leading physicians of the

City. Soon an imposing medical team surrounded the sick bed; their report read

as follows, "History of pain, right lower quadrant of the abdomen since 3 p.m.

on the 7th December. To begin with, the pain was all over the abdomen,

progressive in intensity; towards the night, it localized in the umbilical

region, and the right lower quadrant. Had difficulty in extending the right

lower limb. Pain is exaggerated by movement. 8th December morning, had nausea

and fever." No one could be definite about the illness; there were too many

experts and Baba was amused at the clash of their conclusions.

The American ladies were sent to visit the ancient Churches of Goa, redolent

with history, and vibrant with spiritual power. The Sens were aghast at the

turn of events for, among other reasons, the local Sathya Sai Seva Samithi had

announced, that He would deliver a discourse at the large Maidan in the heart

of the city, at 5 p.m. that evening.

June Schuyler writes, "Back at Cabo, we ate lunch, without Baba. It was a gloomy

affair. Each person was wondering why He did not come; I did not know that some

among them knew, and were too full of distress to speak. It is very strange for

Baba not to come out of His room; at Prashanthi Nilayam, or wherever He is, He

gives of Himself, plentifully at all times, from early morning till late

evening. I knew that Baba was scheduled to go out into the city to address a

public meeting. We had passed the very Maidan on our way to a Church, and

noticed people streaming in, hours before the time announced for its

commencement. I took heart because we would see Him then. Perhaps we would go

with Him to the meeting! At ten minutes to five we gathered on the porch,

dressed in our very best; my heart beat loud and

rapid, as a clock ticked on, for the time was drawing near when we would see Him

for the first time that day... My thoughts went back to the time when I first

heard about Baba. A friend urged me to revere Him. I replied, "How can I,

belonging to Jesus? I am sure about Jesus. If Baba is one with Jesus, it is to

Him I pray. If He is not I won't have anything to do with Him." And, I added,

"If Baba is all that you feel He is, I am sure He won't hold this against me!"

The electrifying moment when I beheld Him for the first time came to my mind. I

remembered the flood of awe and joy that overwhelmed me. His first comment when

He saw me, assured me that He knew, and approved of my feelings about Jesus...

that He was, certainly One with Him. My mind returned to the present; I watched

Baba's door, intently."

Meanwhile, pain, nausea and fever kept Baba in bed all day. Information came

that 20.000 people crowded the Maidan, awaiting Baba; and half the number had

come from far off villages. Baba endeavored to rise and don fresh clothes to

keep the appointment, and not disappoint thousands of people. But Cabo Raj

Nivas had no lift; for reaching the Maidan, Baba would have had to get down 28

steps and walk up some distance in order to give Darshan to the people. And

then, climb the 28th steps up!

Baba directed me to tell the assembly to disperse quietly, and to assure them

that He will be addressing them in a few days at the same place. I was to tell

them that He had taken over the illness of a devotee, for I had witnessed such

instances of healing and saving, in the past years.

June writes, "Baba's door opened!... Mr. Kasturi came out! Why Mr. Kasturi? Why

not Baba? We sat sadly, watching a large blood-red sun sinking into the Indian

Ocean."

The gathering heard my announcement with amazement and admiration, for they had

heard many stories of Baba and His miracles, but this mystery of taking on an

illness and saving a devotee from its consequences was something they had never

heard, nor imagined as possible. Could such compassion exist? How does Baba

assume the illness, and how does He rid Himself of it? How has He done it in

the past? Many came up behind me to find the answers, and I could tell them of

the great Guru Poornima Miracle, when Baba took upon Himself the cerebral

thrombosis and heart attacks of a devotee, and after undergoing them for eight

long days, rejected them before 4.000 people, becoming in a moment, His fresh,

free and full Self. I could tell them that rescuing the good was as much the

mission of the Avatar as

chastisement of the wicked. He atones for the Karmic debt of the devotees when

they plead sincerely for grace, I said. That is the measure of His Divine

Compassion.

At 8 o'clock that night, the doctors reported, "Lying supine in bed, with legs

drawn up. On examination, the right side of the abdomen not moving with

respiration; abdomen tender on the right side, and the lower flank..., point of

maximum tenderness in lower flank..., no rebound tenderness... guarding present

over right lower quadrant, with rigidity of flank. Temperature 100o F; pulse

100 M; respiration 16m. Total blood count 22.000; neutrophils 88%. A diagnosis

of acute paracolic appendicitis was made. Unwillingness for surgical

intervention."

Pressmen approached the doctors, anxious to report the reason for the

postponement of the announced public meeting, alarmed at the news of the

illness of the world-renowned Personality. The doctors told them that Baba was

suffering from an acute attack of appendicitis. This news was flashed all over

India and spread through the early morning editions and the papers issued from

Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore and Madurai. Telegrams and telephone

calls poured in from all over the country, praying and pleading, and denying -

disbelieving, hoping, weeping and wailing. There were many offers to accept the

'illness' from Baba; some devotees said they would fast until Baba was free from

the illness. Devotees having firm faith in His Divinity were convinced that just

as the illness had been taken on

miraculously, it will be thrown off miraculously, too.

The doctors told us Baba must be suffering excruciating pain, but He said, "If I

have to acknowledge that it is paining Me, how would I have taken it on Myself?

I have taken it on with Love and Love knows no pain!" June writes, "Mrs. Sen

confided in me that she has been praying all day to Baba asking that she be

allowed to share the pain. We all caught this idea and trooped into Baba's room

with the same request. He sent us back, saying, "I do not feel any pain, and

even if I do, I am never in the habit of distributing pain as Prasadam."

Indra Devi had with her a container with an idol of Ganesha on the lid given to

her by Baba. It had Vibuthi in it, and Baba had declared whilst placing it in

her hand, "Give this to people who suffer; it will alleviate the misery. The

Vibuthi will never be exhausted. "She now offered some of it to Baba; He sent

her away, saying, "That would be selfish. I want only your Love. The gift of

Love, not the thing I gave you for the sake of others,O Baba!" June implored

silently, "You are so sweet, so completely good. The rest of us deserve this

pain, but You, do not, please take this condition away from your precious

Body."

June writes, "Finally, hesitantly, I prayed to Jesus, "If Baba will not heal

Himself, won't You heal Him?" but I realized that this prayer was one without

an answer, for Jesus and Baba were One! I fell back on metaphysics. Recognition

of the Truth might cast out the illness. It was easy to behold the Christ in the

Christ Himself! "Baba! You are the Light, and in the Light there is no

darkness." I said this silently over and over again. I knew this statement was

absolutely true, but, I also knew that, on the physical plane, Baba had allowed

Maya free play for the sake of someone who had surrendered to Him. He would not

let my feeble metaphysical falterings influence a step that He had determined

upon. I was afraid my approach was quite wrong."

The doctors filed in and out of Baba's room. Indira Devi sat in the Cabo Shrine

applying the curative Vibuthi Baba had given her, on the right flank of the

Abdomen of a large sized picture of Baba, praying that He may soon heal

Himself! Mrs. Sen alternated between confidence and concern.

June writes, "Mr. Kasturi oozed quiet confidence. He was certain that this was

another miracle of miracles; that Baba was suffering for the sake of another;

that He would concentrate into a few hours the suffering that the devotee was

destined to suffer for weeks; that we would soon behold the end of another

Divine Leela. We warmed ourselves often, in the warmth of His optimism. Mr. Sen

too was certain that Baba would confront the doctors with another astounding and

confounding miracle!

Suddenly it flashed on me that Mr. Kasturi was asked to cancel his engagements

in Ceylon and join us on our journey to Goa, precisely for this reason. To

spread assurance, whenever doubt raised its fearful hood! His role was to laugh

the serpent off, and to restore courage. Tell us about the time when Baba took

on the paralytic stroke, we begged, and Mr. Kasturi with genuine enthusiasm,

plunged into that story of the eight appalling days and nights, the sudden

doffing of the fell symptoms, the final triumph! The infinite compassion - the

infinite power!"

The devotees came out of Baba's room. They looked solemn and serious, as if

weighed by an insoluble problem. June writes, "I had once asked Baba a

question, and I remembered His answer. 'Baba, why did Jesus allow Himself to be

crucified?' "Because the Great Ones never use spiritual power for themselves."

Ah! Baba had not set the car right on Saturday night because it was not

imperative for the good of some one other than Baba.Baba! Baba!," I

exclaimed, "I adore you; I utterly love you. Imperfect as I am, I give my heart

to you completely!"

Precisely at this very moment I became aware that Mr. Nakul Sen was motioning to

Mrs. Rajagopalan, Indra Devi and myself to step inside the doorway of Baba's

room. I could not believe it was true. We crossed the threshold half expectant,

fixing our eyes on the bedstead where the Master was suffering for His dear

devotee. He was not there! He was standing before us, feeble and frail, with

eyes full of love and mercy - charming in spite of it all.

He drew back the orange robe, and permitted us to touch those precious feet. The

lovely feet were warm because of the fever. The beloved face was pale and etched

with pain. The cheeks had been hollowed for want of sleep and refreshment. But

He stood there for our sake. "Do not worry," He said tenderly, in a soft,

soothing voice, "It is a little upset, that is all," indicating the right side

of the body.

"Swami! accept what the doctors prescribe," We prayed. "What do the doctors

know? What can they prescribe? I only want your Love," He said, quietly, almost

wishfully. He stepped out of the room into the adjacent drawing room where

several others anxiously waited. He stood for a few minutes, looking languidly,

lovingly, at them all, reassuring the timid and charging them with courage. Then

He returned to the bed. None of us knew that the appendix was very near bursting

point, and the doctors had said that He must not rise from his bed at any cost."

 

Later in Bombay, on Christmas Day, Baba referred to the "illness He had taken on

at Goa" and the suffering it caused to many.

"The other day, a serious illness came upon this body in Goa. Many who are

devoted to Me were plunged into anxiety and despair when they learnt of it.

Illness can never afflict this Body. It cannot even approach it! If it should

come sometime - believe this - it belongs to someone; not Myself. And it goes

just as it came, of My free Will. I have no contact with it; I am not affected

by it."

The fact is that when a devotee prays for relief, Baba bestows upon him His

Grace directly or indirectly. At times, the devotee is unable to apprehend an

impending illness. The All-knowing Baba at that stage intercedes between the

devotee and the illness, as Lord Shiva did in the case of Markandeya.

On 9th December, the doctors decided to put tubes down the nose to relieve the

hiccough, which was complicating matters, for taking the gas out of the

stomach. They talked also of the urgent need that had arisen to puncture the

lump and syringe off the pus from the abscess. It must indeed have given a

terrible gash of pain for Baba, every time the hiccough pulled the muscle tight

and affected the lump round the inflamed appendix! But eventually the doctors

left Cabo Raj Nivas with their tubes and bottles, as Baba refused to accept

their proposals.

On the 10th, a Bhajan meeting had been announced at Government House, and word

had gone round indicating that Baba would attend the meeting! Baba too said,

"Yes! Arrange it." The doctors could not believe their ears. They did not

foresee any possibility of a public appearance that day. There was doubt,

wonder and amazement in the minds of various people, a few of them believing

that whatever He says will come to pass. At teatime Mrs. Sen looked rather

serious, as time was running out and already people were streaming towards the

meeting place. Goa, which had been previously shocked by the news of the

agonizing illness, was now jolted by the impact of such good news.

Baba's condition may be described in His own words:

"The doctors were unanimous that an immediate operation was necessary, or they

would not be held responsible for what might happen. They said the inflamed

appendix had burst, and the pus had entered the blood - a situation that is

fatal for all mortals!"

Baba had to move across His own room, across the drawing room, walk along the

veranda, ascend a low step, get across to the doorstep of the hall which He had

selected for Bhajan, traverse its length, reach the dais, climb two low steps -

and finally sit upon the chair placed there. A total distance of 200 feet! A

floral carpet stretched all this length.

Sri Nakul Sen spoke later during the Bhajan sessions. "The doctors became

panicky, and I could feel that they were absolutely against what Bhagawan had

said to me. My sixth sense somehow assured me that Bhagawan was showing one of

His Leelas in Goa and that through His Sankalpa He would get rid of this

trouble as quickly as He had assumed it."

Dr. Varma, the chief of team of doctors came at about 4 p.m. and finding a

floral carpet covering a distance of 200 feet, protested that it was too long a

walk. He suggested some short cuts through other doors and passages making the

journey a distance of only 40 feet. He said, "The dais itself will have to go;

let the chair be on the floor, for He cannot get up the steps however low they

may be - and please, have the dais on the near side, not at the farthermost end

of the hall."

At 5 p.m. Baba was led into the bathroom, and twenty minutes later He came out

of it, clean-shaven, wearing a new robe! Fresh as a new blossomed rose.

When the doctors examined Him again, they could not locate any abscess, nor

could they find any trace of big lump of flesh near it. The whole area of the

appendix was as soft and as normal as it could be.

"Lo and behold," said Nakul Sen, in the speech he delivered as soon as Baba sat

on the dais at 6 p.m., "Bhagawan walked from His bedroom to the dais, a

distance of about 200 feet without any aid. He sat down erect on an office

chair."

June writes about that historic moment of ecstasy: "Bhajan began, and my heart

was pounding a joyous tune of expectancy. Love for Baba filled the hall. Ah!

There He was, moving majestically down the hall, although He had required the

assistance of two men all day. He now moved as if nothing had ever happened.

His steps were as sure and graceful as ever. The cheeks, which had been hollow

when I last saw them, were completely filled out. His Love flooded the hall. It

was overpowering. He swung into the room, and when He saw someone leaning

against the wall, with a sick child the Hand began the familiar circular motion

to create the cure.

Baba's eyes, which plumb the depths, His eyes which pour out love and

compassion, His eyes which flash when he speaks of cruelty, falsehood,

hypocrisy and injustice, eyes which can be full of quips, were as eloquent as

ever. He took His place on the divan in front of the gathering and began

keeping rhythm with the Bhajan being sung, with His head and hand. Mrs.

Rajagopal whispered in my ear, "Look! Those eyes are more beautiful than ever.

There is an ethereal expression, not of this world in them; a look of radiant

joy and adoration."

"Baba's eyes caressed the gathering, which was watching Him without even a wink,

apprehensive that the cure He had effected on Himself, might be only partial or

temporary."

Mr. Nakul Sen was full of gratitude and wonder! While welcoming Baba, and

introducing the gathering to Him as convention demanded, he said, "Bhagawan

lives in the inner recesses of the hearts of His devotees; there is nothing He

would not do for them. He has simultaneously appeared in this Form at different

places, to help His devotees in distress, or to save them from impending

calamities, of which He alone has the precognition! Through His Sankalpa or

Will, He has assumed the illness of His devotees and suffered it from them,

because they would have succumbed to it, if left alone."

We have witnessed this now, a Leela which has greatly perplexed the medical

experts of Goa. It leaves no doubt in our minds that there is nothing on this

earth, which is beyond Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. His Leela is Adbhut -

unprecedented; it is Romancha Kari - exhilarating; it is Madhumaya - sweet in

memory; Mangalamayi - promoting the happiness and welfare of mankind;

Manoharini - overpowering the mind and turning it to truth, beauty and

goodness. It gives Ananda!"

The governor also spoke in some detail about Goa and associations it had with

Rama and Krishna and their careers on earth. He spoke of the legends that

enrich the holiness of the two rivers, Mandavi and Aghanasini that enter the

sea right in front of Cabo Raj Nivas.

Nakul Sen concluded his descriptions of the ancient glories of Goa and its

sacred contacts with Shiva, Rama, Krishna, and Parashurama, the Divine Avatars,

with these words: "No wonder the Lord decided to visit this ancient and sacred

land again, in the form which He has assumed now, with the name of Sathya Sai

Baba; He has loved Goa in His previous incarnations and Goa continues to be

dear to Him even now."

Baba spoke for over forty minutes with His usual emphasis and elan. The

gathering listened spellbound, for it was a message of triumph, benevolence,

and benediction.

The illness that had vanished an hour ago was still uppermost in the minds of

all, and so, Baba spoke of the significance of its 'entrance and exit' and its

place in the scheme of the Avatar's Activities.

"There are many who doubt the existence of God or deny Him, or dismiss the idea

of God as a silly outworn superstition. To make them discard their conceit, the

Divine, out of Its Innate Grace, reveals Its superhuman glory. The doubters

receive the reply without asking, the door is opened without even a knock; for

those who deny will not knock at all. The 'superstition' will be illumined into

divine status by a concrete experience, an indisputable fact. The human body

generates diseases as a result of faulty food or frivolous habits, or foolish

rashness or fanatic emotions. The illness that was witnessed by you during the

last two days was quite different. That was an illness taken over by Me,

voluntarily put on, in order to save a victim who could not have survived it!

His continued existence, in good health is

desirable for the task dear to Me. Pouring Grace on the devout is one of the

functions of the Avatar. The appendix was inflamed; it turned into an abscess,

which the doctors could cure only by removal... He could not have survived it,

I know. I have come with this Body in order to save 'other bodies' from pain.

This Body is ever free from pain. Disease can never affect it.

I had to go to the rescue of a person who had surrendered to Me - even his

judgment. I took over his illness and went through it. It shall not recur again

in him. You refer to this incident as a miracle, but remember, each one is a

miracle! Every breath is a proof of the Providence of God. Each event is the

consequence of Divine Omnipotence. Wherever you find truth, beauty, goodness,

justice, wisdom, compassion - God is present, and active. An atheist denies

God, with the very breath that God has given him! He closes the eyes that God

has opened in Him, and declares that there he could see no God. Therefore, such

amazing events have to be accomplished and made known to man everywhere, so that

mankind can be saved from over-fond involvement with the world, and lovingly

drawn towards the Master of the

World."

For us, who adore Baba, and for all mankind who are deriving the benefit of this

Advent (whether they acknowledge it or not) it was a great day, the 10th

December. Baba was here with His majesty, magnificence and munificence, not

only unimpaired, but enhanced, as a result of the world becoming aware of the

deeper aspects of His mission.

Baba sang a few Bhajans and returned to His room. The completeness of the

restoration can be gauged from one interesting incident. Baba had asked two

young men from Brindavan to join Him at Bombay. We telephoned them on the 9th

asking them to come to Goa itself, they rang back a few hours later to tell us

that the Indian Airlines strike had spread to Bangalore as well. So they were

told to proceed to Goa by car. They reached Goa at 6.30 p.m. on the 10th!

Hearing Baba's voice over the loudspeaker, they entered the garden of Cabo Raj

Nivas, ran up the steps and entered the hall. They heard Baba saying, "Now I

shall tell you about the illness which agitated the whole country and caused

great anxiety in the minds of millions, for they feared I was hospitalized and

operated upon!" That was the first

intimation to them of the illness that had come and gone.

We, the Sens and the doctors in His room surrounded thereafter Baba. The doctors

asked Him some spiritual complexities, and He clarified them. While talking of

Dattatreya, the God who represents the Trinity, the Trimurti so imposingly

sculptured at Elephanta, Baba waved His palm, as He announced that He was

Dattatreya, and lo, there was in His hand a picture of the three-headed God,

the Trinity in Unity but, wonder of wonders, the picture Baba created showed

the same head thrice, on the right, center and left, Baba Himself, as Brahma,

Vishnu and Shiva! It was a picture, which we were privileged to see, for the

first time in our lives!

On the 11th, Baba called the doctors to His presence, created gifts of Grace for

them and blessed them. Each one received a momento of the event. Every evening

thereafter Bhajan sessions were held at the Raj Nivas, attended by devotees who

came from long distances. The promised meeting in the heart of the city was

arranged on the 18th evening; the gathering was twice the size of the one that

was sent away disappointed on the 8th; for there were many thousands who wanted

to take the Darshan of a Baba who could take on and throw off illness, in order

to save a devotee. Sri Nakul Sen presided; he spoke of the wide range of tasks

on which the Formless Divine Principle had come 'with Form' as Bhagawan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba. Baba spoke about Yoga, and all activity as Ud-Yoga, that is

to say, the higher Yoga of putting Yoga into practice.

The devotees in Bombay were getting restless, awaiting Baba's arrival. The

strike of the pilots and the ground staff of the Airlines rendered them

desperate; attempts to persuade Baba to sail by steamer failed, as it meant,

spending long hours cooped up in the vessel! At last a privately owned plane

was chartered to transport Baba and a few of us from Goa to Bombay, on 21st

December.

CONTINUED…

With Sai love from Sai brother M. Palaniswamy

/