Multifaced Sai

[Guest guest]

MULTIFACED DIVINE SAI

As Student

As a student he taught the world what a student ought to be. The transparency of

his friendship attracted them so close to him that they found it difficult to

live without him. He was intelligent, diligent, obedient, punctual and highly

respectful to his teachers. At the age of six he earned the name of Brahmajnani

for his erudition in the scriptural texts and at eight he became the 'Guru' of

his classmates. Baba mentions with a little regret only one instance in his

student career wherein he had to give a glimpse of his divinity to his own

teacher when the latter asked him to stand up on the bench for no fault of his

which counteracted to keep the teacher glued to the chair till he was made to

get down.

Even as a child He was only a giver and never a taker. He fulfilled every wish

of every friend, be it for pencil or sweets or peppermints. His Pandari Bhajan

group which conducted regular bhajans and drama troupe whom He had himself

trained to present skits and one - Act plays speaks for his histrionic talents

and organising ability even at that tender age. He taught them how to live

within their means by his own example. Ostentation was alien to him. He did all

the household chores, without demur even when they were far beyond his health

and age. He was easily the first to catch the eye of his teacher for any work

of importance in the school. At home, being the darling of grandfather Kondama

Raju, he, at the age of eight and nine, volunteered to cook tasty meals for

both. His father used to send for dishes prepared by Sathya as they excelled in

taste and flavour. Even neighbours asked for his pepper rasam.

Young Sai Ram was an ideal son too. Though he had broken the chain of attachment

with which the parents had bound him, he never failed to look after their needs.

Like any other mother, mother Easwaramma also had nurtured a desire for seeing

the top Hindu shrines of India though she never ventured to express the same,

for she had already begun to realise who her son was. But the all-knowing Lord

decided to take her on a pilgrimage (for her) to Ayodhya, Kasi and Prayag in

1960. This was closely followed by another to Badrinath in June 1961 which was

'indeed the acme of her ambition.'

Mother bore the strain of that arduous journey with pleasure, as Badrinath was a

fairyland for her as was for the rest. Kasturiji says: "Mother spent hours in

sitting inside the temple beside the idol, with a small group of her companions

wondering at the inexhaustible grandeur into which she had come. Swami brought

out the Linga He had willed to emerge from its receptacle under the stone idol

of Narayana in the holy shrine of Badrinath.This was gifted by Shiva at

Kailas to Sankaracharya who planted it here before he installed the Narayana",

Swami told the mother. "Why have you brought it out now?" queried the mother

innocently. "To charge it with the power to bless, to answer prayers, to grant

boons" replied Swami. Needless to say that the father also enjoyed the whole

episode.

In much later years Swami, like a dutiful son, enquired of His mother whether

She had any desire to be fulfilled. She told: "Swami, our Puttaparthi is a

small village. As there is no school in this village, the children are forced

to walk long distances to attend schools in the neighbouring villages. I know

that you are the ocean of compassion. Please construct a small school in this

village". She gave a piece of land of her own behind her house for this

purpose. Swami got a school constructed there, which was inaugurated with a

grand function. The mother was very happy. When asked for the next desire

mother Easwaramma hesitatingly said, " … if it gives you happiness, please

construct a small hospital." As per her wish Swami got the hospital constructed

and was inaugurated on a grand scale. When insisted the mother said She had yet

another small desire: "You know that the river Chitravati is in spate during

the rainy season. But, in summer it dries to a trickle and people do not have

drinking water. So please see that some wells are dug in this village". Swami

told her "I would not stop with these small wells and that I would provide

drinking water to the entire Rayalseema region…. She had never put me to

trouble anytime. Whenever she asked Me for something, She would come back and

enquire if she had given any trouble…… She used to be very much worried

whenever any Minister came for My Darshan. The situation in those days was such

that even a policeman with a red cap was enough to frighten the villagers…. This

was only the result of her sacred love for Me. That is the greatness of mother's

love." What a sacred relation! A dutiful son and a loving mother!

As Reformer

Sai is a great reformer. His one look, a word or a smile can bring tremendous

change in a person. It is of such remarkable and lasting effect that the

recipient of such a treat sheds one of his acquired bad qualities instantly

paving way for cleansing himself further. A very senior army officer could not

do away with his habit of drinking and eating meat in spite of his best efforts

even after retirement. His wife was terribly upset over this as it posed a grave

threat to his health, considering his age though he looked stout and healthy.

Once he met with an accident fracturing his leg. He was in traction in the

hospital. But this did not deter him from drinking like a fish with a good load

of meat soon after dusk-fall. To those who visited he unhesitatingly lamented

over his own bad habit which he could not get rid of. He loved to hear the

stories of Baba, but could not resist the habit just after that. This went on

for a few weeks even after discharge from the hospital.

One morning, surprisingly, he phoned to a friend devotee to say that he and his

wife were leaving for Bangalore for Darshan. Though his friend couldnot

believe, he expressed happiness. They reached Whitefield and got some meagre

accommodation outside Brindavan campus (Baba's residence). The facilities were

poor and nights were sleepless owing to the swarming mosquitoes. However they

had darshan of Swami for two consecutive days. Because of inconveniences caused

due to an uncomfortable stay and the bleak chances of an interview they decided

to return. So they came back to the Bangalore city railway station, deposited

the luggage in the cloakroom and went to the bazaar to purchase a few saris and

other items, keeping aside a minimum amount for return journey. But when they

came back, to their utter disappointment, they saw a board at the station that

'all trains are cancelled' owing to some disturbance enroute. The question

before them was where to stay? They moved to

a hotel about 150 yards away from the station for the next 3 or 4 days' stay.

The next morning, being free, they decided to go to Whitefield for Baba's

Darshan. Baba just passed by his side and Brigadier Khanna asked for an

interview so that he could seek the blessings of Baba for (1) expanding his

business which he had organised after his retirement (2) for giving up the

habit of drinking and (3) for good health. Baba smiled at him, patted thrice on

his back saying 'Santosham, Santosham, Santosham'. After moving a few steps to

one side Baba again walked towards the Brigadier. Without missing the chance he

asked: 'Baba, shall we leave?' Baba just looked and smiled at him as if to say

'you were leaving the other day also, what happened?'

So the Brigadier stayed for another four days, everyday going to Whitefield for

Darshan in the morning and returning to the Hotel at Bangalore in the evening.

On the last day he again asked Baba for permission to go and Baba said 'yes'.

When Baba went to the ladies side He was just before Mrs. Khanna but she could

not say anything. Baba again came and stood just before her, but she forgot to

touch His feet, as she was overjoyed at His very presence.

Meanwhile Brigadier Khanna had another personal problem to solve. Having spent

the extra money he had had with him his purse was getting exhausted with the

prolonged stay. Sitting at the Darshan line he was just pondering as to what to

do. Someone just pulled him from behind. He was Lt. Col. Krishnaswamy, ENT

Specialist and an old friend. 'Do you remember me?' he asked. The Brigadier

scratched his head to recollect him after 27 years. Presenting his current

problem the Brigadier asked for the telephone numbers of two of his old friends

for encashing a cheque. The Col. immediately gave the numbers and the Brig.

promptly noted them in his diary. He turned to put back the diary in his pocket

and thank him for the help, but the man was not traceable. He sent his eyes up

to the gate, but there was none in that direction. With the telephone numbers

in hand he rang up Brigadier Naik, Commandant of Land Army who sent a jeep to

take him to his office. He collected sufficient money for his next three days

stay and return journey.

On the 4th day they boarded a train for Hyderabad where they stayed for the

night. The last problem was accommodation in the train for Bhopal. A porter

approached him and asked whether he needed accommodation in the train. He

straightaway took him and Mrs. Khanna to the TTE and got him two berths - 32

and 33. The porter accompanied them to the bogie to show the seats, but

declined to accept the money offered. Brigadier Khanna could only gratefully

thank Baba for all the arrangements done for him unasked. But a much greater

surprise was in store for him. The chicken and drinks he had had before going

to Bangalore were the last, for he never felt the urge anymore.

Baba often helps his devotees with love to reduce their ego and pride to a

portable size even in the first encounter. A District and Sessions Judge of one

of the districts in Kerala narrated his own personal experiences in 1972. He

never objected to his wife being a devotee of Bhagawan Baba or for her

occasional visits to Puttaparthi. But he had always warned her against inviting

him to accompany her. This went on for quite some time. She has all the time

been praying ardently to the Lord to bring him on the track so that the

blessings showered by Him could be full and complete.

Once she decided to request him to drive her to Puttaparthi in their car. After

initial protests he agreed to go with her on the condition that she would not,

under any circumstances, ask him to go inside for meeting Baba. She readily

agreed. The car went upto the gate, the wife entered the campus, but the judge

remained inside the car. He sat like that for quite some time observing

hundreds of people going in but none coming out. After a long wait he felt an

insatiable urge to peep in. But then he cautioned himself and remained in his

seat. But the prompting from inside was so powerful that he walked towards the

gate and, peeping inside, was surprised to see a big crowd of a few thousands

sitting and waiting for Baba silently. The perfect silence which is very

unusual in such vast gatherings surprised him most. Though he wanted to

withdraw, he could not as he was virtually glued to the ground. Suddenly there

was a mild hustle and Baba emerged in red robe from a distance. The Judge

became curious. And as Baba slowly walked among the crowd, wading across, he

suddenly noticed that He was advancing in his direction. A thought flashed

across his mind ' if Baba were to come near me, I shall have to bend to look at

him downward as Baba was too short for a six foot tall man like me'. In the

meantime Baba reached near the spot. And placing both his hands on the judge's

shoulders Baba smiled at him. The judge says, "I had to look up to see Baba's

face as He appeared to be quite tall, and his slender looking hands were so

heavy that my shoulders were being crushed under their weight. I fell at his

feet".

As Most Compassionate

An incident that happened in Brindavan gives a closer vision of the

Compassionate One in action. It was narrated by the Warden of Brindavan Hostel,

Sri Narasimha Murthy in the course of a revealing talk delivered in the presence

of Bhagawan on 14th October 1999. The second day of Vedapurusha Saptaha Yagna to

a huge audience in the Sai Kulwant Hall of Prashanti Nilayam during Dasara

celeberations.

There was one Ramayya in Brindavan Hostel, working as a scavenger for more than

twenty years. His daughter's marriage was to take place shortly. So he sought

permission from Mr. Murthy to stand at a vantage position with a wedding card,

a few flowers, etc., to draw Swami's attention and Divine Blessings. It was a

Monday. Swami just touched the flowers and moved ahead on his usual Darshan

round at about 7.30am. and returned to the Ashram. Ramayya waited there only.

At 9.15 Swami came straight to him - only for him - and, handing over two

costly sarees to Ramayya, He said: "Ask your daughter to select one of them.

Don't feel hurt that I did not come and talk to you earlier. It was Rahukalam

(inauspicious time 7.30 to 9 am being Monday); not good to talk about

marriage.." When Prof. Murthy quietly submitted "Swami, any one saree Swami

could select and give," Swami replied "You do not know the nature of women."

When Mr. Murthy again said in a hushed tone that it was too costly a saree for

them, Swami, in great compassion said: "It is only once in a life time these

poor people can have such a saree."

His compassion is unlimited. It flows to the rich and the poor alike. He treats

all with equal love and concern, for all are His children for whose welfare and

betterment He has come.

As predicted, Kalpagiri's death sentence, in response to a mercy petition, was

commuted to life imprisonment by the President of India. This benedictory

gesture of Baba prompted the prisoners to write to Him opening their hearts.

And prompt came the response from Lord 'Sai', the redeemer. A prisoner wrote:

"We are sinners, certainly, but, our lives have become full of hope, through

some stray acts of merit which we chanced to do, in some past birth. For we

have rendered ourselves fit to receive Your Grace. Really, if there are any who

can be declared fortunate in the world, we are the ones. We are truly proud of

this. That the stream of Your Mercy has started flowing towards these mean men

who have injured society and who are suffering punishment, is no ordinary

event. We pray that You should grant us Your Darshan and Your Blessings. You

have written to us out of the vastness of Your Mercy, that You will elevate us

with Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan at Puttaparthi! The Sage Narada blessed

Savithri on whose head the blow of widowhood had descended, with the statement,

'May, you have Being - with - husband status long' and she was able to win her

husband back from the dominion of Death. We too have learned from Kalpagiri,

whose death sentence was cancelled, that your word will come true. It knows no

defeat".

Daily prayers and pooja before the portrait of Bhagawan Baba became a routine

with the prisoners changing their very life style. There was only one aim:

Darshan of Lord Sai to redeem themselves. And Sai's compassion knows no bounds.

A step in the right direction is always responded with hundred from Him.

'Baba often warns against the sin of thought, word and deed. Our minds entertain

sinful thoughts in association with common undesirable traits of lust anger,

greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, hatred and impatience. Our tongue is prone

to commit the sins of uttering falsehood, slander, backbiting and gossip. Our

body is to be weaned off from committing the sins of killing, stealing,

adultery, eating meat and drinking intoxicants. Baba assures us that such care

taken by us in this direction will certainly ensure purity, i.e., of thought,

word and deed which alone is the real thapas securing human values of Truth,

Righteous conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence.

As Redeemer

Redeemer's is perhaps the greatest role an Avatar plays. And it is a significant

trait of an Avatar. Ravana and Vali were redeemed by Lord Rama, Kamsa and

Sishupala were redeemed by Lord Krishna, as they all died at the hands of the

Lord. These instances were conspicuous because of the enormity of their sins.

But, in Kaliyuga similar sins committed under the cover of sophistication,

known only to Sai and the doer, are not dealt with by death penalty, but by

corrective sufferings and misery, both physical and mental. For, nothing can

escape the eyes of the all knowing Sai. The corrective measure may often be an

extra dose of compassion and love, in the powerful current of which sins are

washed off and a clean ground for better future is made ready through

self-examination and repentance.

This is what had happened to Kalpagiri, a murderer who could successfully

hoodwink the Police for 4 years by donning the ochre robes of a Sanyasi, but,

certainly could not escape the eyes of Baba. On coming to Puttaparthi on the

last leg of his 'pilgrimage', the all knowing Lord called him in and advised

him to immediately present himself before the police accepting the crime and

its due punishment after discarding the robe of a Sanyasi. He assured him that

He would save him from death and that Himself would put a roasary around his

neck when he returned to him after serving the term of his imprisonment.

Kalpagiri lost no time and, with the 4 vibhuti Packets and the railway fare

Baba had graciously given him he boarded the train. Having surrendered to

police, it did not take much time for a death sentence. As he went with some

amount of mental satisfaction to his solitary cell, the glory of the Lord also

accompanied him. He made friends with his co-prisoners to whom he narrated the

thrill of Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan he had experienced at Puttaparthi.

This fanned the spark of their faith in the Almighty and kindled a New Hope of

another clean life of peace and contentment beyond the prison walls.

As predicted, Kalpagiri's death sentence, in response to a mercy petition, was

commuted to life imprisonment by the President of India. This benedictory

gesture of Baba prompted the prisoners to write to Him opening their hearts.

And prompt came the response from Lord 'Sai', the redeemer. A prisoner wrote:

"We are sinners, certainly, but, our lives have become full of hope, through

some stray acts of merit which we chanced to do, in some past birth. For we

have rendered ourselves fit to receive Your Grace. Really, if there are any who

can be declared fortunate in the world, we are the ones. We are truly proud of

this. That the stream of Your Mercy has started flowing towards these mean men

who have injured society and who are suffering punishment, is no ordinary

event. We pray that You should grant us Your Darshan and Your Blessings. You

have written to us out of the vastness of Your Mercy, that You will elevate us

with Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan at Puttaparthi! The Sage Narada blessed

Savithri on whose head the blow of widowhood had descended, with the statement,

'May, you have Being - with - husband status long' and she was able to win her

husband back from the dominion of Death. We too have learned from Kalpagiri,

whose death sentence was cancelled, that your word will come true. It knows no

defeat".

Daily prayers and pooja before the portrait of Bhagawan Baba became a routine

with the prisoners changing their very life style. There was only one aim:

Darshan of Lord Sai to redeem themselves. And Sai's compassion knows no bounds.

A step in the right direction is always responded with hundred from Him.

'Baba often warns against the sin of thought, word and deed. Our minds entertain

sinful thoughts in association with common undesirable traits of lust anger,

greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, hatred and impatience. Our tongue is prone

to commit the sins of uttering falsehood, slander, backbiting and gossip. Our

body is to be weaned off from committing the sins of killing, stealing,

adultery, eating meat and drinking intoxicants. Baba assures us that such care

taken by us in this direction will certainly ensure purity, i.e., of thought,

word and deed which alone is the real thapas securing human values of Truth,

Righteous conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence.

As Educator

Baba is a great Educator and World Teacher. Revealing His identity He declared

on Mahashivaratri day of 1970:

Na ham manushyoNa cha deva yakshahNa Brahmachari na grahi vanasthaNa Brahmana

Kshatriya Vaishya SudraAham SathyabodhakahSathyam Sivam Sundaram

That is, I am not a human being nor a god or a superman. I am neither a

brahmachari, a householder nor a vanaprastha; nor am I a Brahmin, Kshatriya,

Vaisya nor a Sudra. I am the Teacher of Truth; I am Truth, Goodness and Beauty.

The teacher of Truth can be Truth alone. And Bhagawan is Truth personified. This

Truth is the core of every being. Its nature is Truth, Goodness and Beauty.

Truth is eternal and immutable. Hence man is basically divine and his nature of

truth, goodness and beauty has to be maintained at all costs. This is the lesson

He wants to teach the whole world.

Baba often reminds us that it is the presence of this Truth, the Atma in us that

gives us a feeling of permanency. So is the case with the other two aspects. If

anyone dares to say to another that he is not good or he is bad, at-once he

rises in revolt. If one is called a liar something hidden in him immediately

revolts. Because these are not in his original nature, for he is atma pure and

eternal.

Man is endowed with a very powerful instrument, the mind, which is supposed to

take guidance from the intellect as it possesses the power of discrimination.

But, though powerful, because of its fickle nature the mind remains in the

clutches of senses which drag it to every wanted and unwanted object through

various desires of their tastes. So the power of the mind goes to bind man to

his desires and their fulfilment instead of helping him to reach the realms of

the atma through the sense of discrimination provided by the intellect. The

result is that man is badly afflicted in his race for fulfilling the desires.

Baba therefore advises to lead a spiritual life providing satvic food for all

the sense organs so that the mind remains pollution free. Such a mind can take

us to the realm of the spirit which alone is the source of Bliss.

The very first lesson that Baba had taught the world was to 'meditate in the

mind on the feet of the Guru that can take one across the turbulent sea of

samsara'. In other words constant remembrance of the Lord who alone is the best

Guru can ward off all miseries in life. Baba always exhorts His devotees,

especially students, to keep good company, i.e. satsangh. 'Sat' means eternal

and therefore constant company of the 'Sat' or the Self which is eternal is

implied. He tells us of Adi Sankara's famous sloka in his Bhaja Govindam

Satsangatwe nissangatwamNissangatwe nirmohatwamNirmohatwe nischalitatvamNischalitatve jiwanmuktih

 

In other words He advises us to have 'Sarvada, Sarvakaleshu, Sarvatra

Harichintanam' so that the link between the Atma and the Paramatma which is the

source, remains continous and constant. It is this inseparable, irrevocable and

immutable relationship that is implied in the pithy remark of Bhagawan Baba

that 'I am God, you are also God'. The realisation of this relationship and its

practical application in day to day life is the lesson He has come to teach us.

That is why while laying down the objective of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Organisation emphasis has been given to 'Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of

Man' and to bring out this awareness by awakening the divinity in man

As Loving Mother

Sai the Mother is all Love. Here she knows only to forget and forgive, to tend,

uplift and correct. The rod is spared to give a love-lash. And in that flood of

Love pure all dirt and filth inside and outside are washed off. When it comes to

attending Her children she is meticulously careful. They miss nothing. The way

Baba looks after the students whom He claims as the 'only property of His' will

abash even the loving earthly mother. His looks and smile virtually stroke them

with tender affection. Basking in that shine of Love and enlightenment they

also respond almost in the same measure, if not equal, for who can equal Him in

anything? He sits like a proud mother to hear His children reciting vedas or

delivering a lecture. None is in ecstasy more than Him to listen to the

brilliant academic performance of His children.

This love of His has the same warmth when it is doled out to the elders as well,

for whose mother He is not? Those who have travelled with Him can vouch for

this. Kasturiji, His biographer, who had had the good fortune of travelling

with Him many times says in his autobiography, 'Loving God' that Baba would

Himself fill the cups with coffee from the thermos kept in the car and serve

His devotees travelling with Him whenever the car halted for a break. So is the

case with lunch. And like a loving mother He would insist on their having more

of certain delicious items except where a certain item is harmful for a devotee

owing to certain chronic ailments.

Let us listen to a full description of this from Kasturiji himself from his Loving God.

"When He wills a journey by road He loads the car with hampers heavy with

breakfast, lunch or dinner, besides snacks and fruits in plenty. He scans the

countryside to spot a sheltered nook encircled by blossoms and He finds one

soon. The carpet is spread, jugs of water are brought, hampers are opened,

baskets are emptied, plates and cups are handed out. Mother Sai squats in the

centre. With exclamations of appreciation, He places each item of food on the

plates held before Him by us - the children. Devotees dare not say 'Enough' or

'No' on the basis of their digestive efficiency, allergic alarm, dietary

prejudices, etc. They relish whatever comes from the Divine Hand and consume

the quantity He grants. So, Baba decides the measure and the menu for each. He

prohibits, persuades and recommends. "You have a touch of diabetes", " you are

over eighty", "This pickle is popular in your state", He comments as He fills

the plates…Bhagawan too shares the breakfast or lunch with us; He loves to

watch us enjoying the food He gives. Even while inside the car, He takes out

one by one luscious apples from the bag He keeps near Him, slicing them with

care, He tempts us to eat in plenty. Once …. the skin could not be chewed and

swallowed by me since I had a set of artificial teeth unused to tough tasks. I

dared not to spit the stuff through the window for fear the denture would

follow the skin. Swami recognised the embarassment, the next slice He handed

over to me had the skin removed!".

On another occasion Baba and a few others were travelling by car from

Trichinopoly to Bangalore via Palamaner. On reaching the Forest Rest House at

Palamaner at 10 in the night the party had to be satisfied with food from a

hotel which had not yet closed luckily. But there was nothing to protect them

from biting cold. Kasturiji says, "We were able to persuade Him to use a shawl

which the engineer-devotee was parading his torso at Trichinopoly. Sleep stole

into our eyes in the silence. When I woke at dawn from my bare reed-mat, I

found the shawl keeping me warm from head to foot. Baba, the mother, had

tiptoed during my sleep and gently spread it over me. Baba found me in tears.

How else could I express my good fortune and my gratitude at the lesson He

taught us?"

When Swami visited Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) in 1982 a plane was chartered for His

return journey to Bangalore via Jamnagar. A retired Wing Commander of Indian Air

Force was requested by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva organisation of Madhya Pradesh to

pilot the aircraft. There were seven others in the plane other than Bhagawan and

the pilot. During the flight Bhagawan took seat in the cockpit and, peeling an

orange Himself, started giving petal after petal to the Pilot with great love.

But the pilot after one or two politely declined more in the usual way of

courtesy, for he did not realise the stature of the Giver at that time - an

action he repented for with moistened eyes thereafter. Bhagawan also graciously

created a gold ring with nine precious gems studded on it as a memento for him

-a priceless possession for anyone.

When sick or injured, His loving care has a feather touch. During the African

tour of 1969 the car in which Kasturiji and Raja Reddy were travelling met with

a small accident and Kasturiji was injured with minor wounds. In his inimitable

style he says:

"The East Africa tour enabled me to secure two priceless gifts of Grace. The

first was a car accident in which I received a few injuries which drew on me

for full seven days the shower of tender affection from Sai, the Mother. I had

long cherished a desire to be nursed through an illness by Swami. The African

continent conferred that boon on me."

It is not that He showers His motherly affection only on the devotees around

Him. Time, space and distance cannot come in the way of His compassion or

motherly concern. The author of Anyatha Saranam Nasti narrates an incident:

"One night He was lying on his bed and was talking to us, when He suddenly fell

down. His body looked like a small bundle that was twisted and tangled. After

some time …. He was in great pain … He was still in some world … He opened His

eyes and asked a devotee to massage His body. Baba then said :"A lady was in

labour. I just made a trip to America. The baby in the womb was in breach

position and could not come out. I entered the womb, turned the baby into the

correct position, blessed the child and the mother after delivery and now I

have come back."

As Responsible Father

Sai as Father is a strict disciplinarian. He brooks no mercy for those who cross

the limit He has prescribed whether it is in the Sai organisation or among

general devotees.

"Following My instructions without demur is the best plan while engaged in

service or seva; it is wrong to yield to lower craving or to follow one's own

impetuosity…… I dislike flippant talk, frivolous prattle, casual conversation

and even face to face grouping of men and women, at all times and, more

specially during spiritual gatherings and occasions. You must be models of

straight and courteous behaviour." Baba directs.

Many so-called 'close devotees' had to leave the Mandir at short notices

whenever they crossed the Lakshman Rekha marked by Him. But He will never have

any ill will towards them. All that He wants is to make them look inward and

correct themselves for their own good. Kasturiji admits of a bad habit he had

had of using frequently the expletive 'idiot' for expressing displeasure even

without much of a provocation. Baba once admonished him rather harshly "Don't

cause injury to anyone's self-respect, intentionally or unintentionally" and

this practice was virtually erased.

As Father Sai He grooms His devotees far and near. During a halt at the

residence of one of the devotees, a young man in the group asked the host for a

glass of buttermilk. Baba unexpectedly entered the room detected the empty glass

on the sill of the window. With patriarchal authority he pointed out the mistake

as it must have caused inconvenience to the host and advised all to be satisfied

with whatever was given or served and to keep our urges under check. He also

gave tips on table manners and insisted on the need to desist from asking for

second helpings.

In order to discourage and dissuade His devotees from carrying on with certain

bad addictions that have assumed chronic proportions over a period of years

Baba sometimes expresses His displeasure about it in general terms within their

hearing as the first dose of treatment. If they do not give up such bad habits

with such oblique references then He will directly deal with them.

Kasturiji was a snuff addict for three decades when he travelled with Baba to

Rishikesh and other places of great spiritual importance. So he had stored

enough of that stuff that would suffice for considerable period. One night

while camping at the Aashram of Swami Sivananda, Baba came out of His cottage

in the Ashram complex and straightaway walked into the dormitory where

Kasturiji and five others were preparing for sleep. He was accompanied by Swami

Sadananda and Satchidananda. Baba came near Kasturiji's cot and turned the

pillow over to expose the snuff-box. Baba looked at him sternly and said only

one word "Dirty". Kasturiji in great remorse and embarrassment took it and

threw it away, and touching Baba's feet assured Him "No more Swami, I am giving

it up from this moment". The immediate reward was a soft pat. The harshness or

roughness of Baba intended to correct anyone at all times has an undercurrent

of perpetual love which makes an everlasting impact on the corrected.

As Architect

Baba, being the Cosmic Architect is matchless in the field of Architecture.

After performing the 'Bhoomipooja' (consecration of the site) for the

Administrative Building of the University on 8th October 1981 Baba reached the

Poornachandra Hall to announce that a beautiful building would take shape

within one year. He materialised the design of the proposed building, an

architectural marvel, and handed over the same to Col. Joga Rao who was

supposed to see the same executed in time.

Take the case of Superspeciality Hospital which has been modelled after the

Buckingham Palace by a World famous Architect. But then the building, a jewel

of architectural beauty, has been perfected by a spiritual touch by the Divine

Architect Himself who guided for its finer features.

This has been the case with the several buildings of educational institutions of

Sai which have more of a look of a temple than mere structures of brick and

mortar. The divine touch which makes each building a piece of attraction is

solely His, whether it is college buildings of three campuses or their hostels.

In February 1969 four tribal leaders from NEFA came to Prashanthi Nilayam. They

were accompanied by Shri Boken Ette, Political Assistant, an Architect and a

Deputy Secretary of NEFA. They were called for an interview in the afternoon

alongwith some foreigners and a few from Goa - in all 22. After making them

feel at home with Him, Baba called one by one for personal interview and told

the leaders regarding the difference of opinion that existed among them as to

what should be installed in the proposed temple. Baba at once created a disc of

panchaloha - an alloy of five metals (gold, silver, brass, copper and iron) with

the Sun and the Moon embossed on it with the instruction: 'The disc should be

installed in the temple and should be worshipped on every Sunday and every

Full-Moon day. Light a perpetual oil lamp at the altar.' He also advised them

to desist from making animal sacrifice. Then the Divine Architect, advising on

the plan of the temple, drew an outline, drawing a circle in front of the

central shrine for the tribal dances, much to the satisfaction of the tribal

leaders and to the great surprise of the Architect. Thus Baba solved their

difference of opinion lovingly.

Dharmakshetra of Bombay, an international centre for Sri Sathya Sai activities

was formally inaugurated by Bhagawan on the 12th of May 1968. This magnificent

round structure is a piece of architectural grandeur and was completed in 108

days. The theme of the structure being 'nine' the brahma sankhya (Brahma

Number), the lotus shaped building has 18 petals to enclose the apartments

where Bhagawan would stay. The pillar steps and trellis squares are all in the

multiples of nine.

As Scientist

Baba is not only an Architect but a Scientist and a Doctor too. The Scientist

that Baba is, is summarised in His own words in answer to questions from two

Parapsychologists from New York, namely Erlender Haraldsson and Karlis Osis.

"…..The scope of Science is limited, because it does not go beyond the manifest

world. Science deals with experiments, whereas spirituality deals with

experience and inner vision. I can see matter where the best microscope can

find none.

Even the best doctor needs the help of an X-ray film and results of clinical

tests of blood, urine and stool to diagnose a complicated disease. But I need

none. I can give you the correct diagnosis straightaway."

One day Baba was walking with Dr. Y.J. Rao Professor of Geology. Picking up a

fist-sized granite He asked the Professor what it contained. Dr. Rao gave a

perfect scientific analysis of its contents. When asked by Baba to go further

deep into its composition the Professor explained in much greater details

coming to the level of atoms, electrons, protons, mesons and all chemical

formulae associated with that structure. Baba said "No, deeper still." Rao was

at the end of his wits Baba then took the rock in his hands and blew on it, and

it became an attractive idol of Lord Krishna playing His flute in the thribhanga

pose. Baba told him 'See, God is in this rock. You Geologists have to be

conscious of that; nothing exists without God, apart from God'. It was a lesson

from the Super Scientist who wields the power of creation, preservation and

dissolution.

Dr. S. Bhagavantam who was the Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defence,

Government of India said that Bhagawan Baba transcended the Laws of Science. He

did not break them as someone else put it. Truly the laws of science are also

His! Bhagavantam has recorded and had also made public statements to

substantiate this transcendental nature of Baba. He once said: "I was an

eyewitness 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 needles 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 hands and the bandage was ready for

use!

"I cannot expect 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 that, He is a

phenomenon…. He is transcendental…. He is Divine."

As Sankalpa Siddha

Sai is Sankalpa Siddha, i.e., His willing is fulfilling. Once He wrote to a

devotee 'Sai Sankalpa is Vajrasankalpa (The Will of Sai is irresistible like

the thunderbolt)'. It can never miss its aim. The story of Schulman is a

revealing example.

Arnold Schulman, a Jew by birth and one of the top scriptwriters of the cinema

world of Hollywood reached India in 1972, met Baba at Whitefield and returned

to America. But 'one day' he later said, 'for no reason I could discover, I

realised that I had somehow developed a compulsion of my own, which I could not

suppress or shake off or overcome or rationalise; I wanted to write a book about

Baba' The next thought that came to his mind was there 'would be anyone wanting

to publish this book if written?' However, when he casually asked Macmillan

Publishers they readily agreed. So he yielded to the pressure from his own

mind. He wrote a detailed letter to Dr. Gokak asking for: - (1) A stay with

Baba for at least one month so that he can observe Him from close angles (2)

Permission to move with Baba wherever He went and (3) Permission to tape and

photograph everything he wanted besides meeting Baba's close devotees and

recording their statements. Dr. Gokak conveyed these demands to Baba and

replied him accordingly also saying that Baba would be leaving for a weeklong

tour of some villages and he could profitably join Him for the purpose.

Schulman made arrangements immediately. He got the visa just 2 hours before his

start. He also had to cancel an agreement for writing a script for an

attractive sum of 1,50,000 dollars. He travelled 10,000 miles in 35 hours to

reach Bangalore. He met Dr. Gokak and he was supposed to be at Whitefield at 4

pm. for next day's journey with Baba. At dinnertime Dr. Gokak tried to impress

upon him that Sri Sathya Sai Baba was God and many other wonderful stories

about Him which Schulman could not digest. On the other hand he only wondered

how a highly educated and cultured man of Gokak's stature could be so gullible.

 

In the night after reading the book 'Man of Miracles' by Howard Murphet given by

Dr Gokak, Schulman retired to sleep. But at midnight he began to suffer from

high temperature and an upset stomach. He had loose motions till 3 am. All the

woollen blankets he had with him could not relieve him from shivering. He

consumed a few tablets and other medicines with him but to no relief. While he

was half asleep at 3am he saw Baba standing by his bedside. Baba stirred

something in a glass of water and gave it to him. He drank that mixture and

slept comfortably. When he woke up in the morning he was as fresh as ever

without a trace of his last night's suffering. He thought it was all a dream

possibly because of his reading Murphet's book. Moreover a completely locked

room from inside could not have let in anyone. But he was startled to see the

glass on the table - the same glass! He tried to forget this episode and

prepare for the day's work.

As planned he alongwith Dr. Gokak reached Whitefield at 4 pm. only to learn that

Baba had already left. Dr. Gokak pointed out that this was how Baba sometimes

sported with His devotees (of course with purpose) to the utter disgust of

Schulman. He controlled his anger and said 'It is for this farce that I came

all the way from Hollywood after cancelling an offer to write a script for

1,50,000 dollars? Is it becoming of a man who claims He is God?' Dr. Gokak said

that it was all His Sankalpa and the reason for this could be understood only

later. Schulman returned to his hotel.

Baba returned to Whitefield after one week. Dr. Gokak and Schulman met Baba

there. He asked Schulman about his illness and narrated the events that took

place in the night - how He gave him medicine, etc. 'When you could not contain

the food of a star hotel how could you have eaten the unfamiliar village food?'

Baba asked. 'You would not have perhaps returned to America at all! So I

deliberately avoided taking you with Me. You thought of going back to States.

But without My Sankalpa you could not have done that. I brought you here for my

work. You cannot go without completing it. Go to Puttaparthi. I shall be

following you. There you can stay with Me for any number of days.'

This talk encouraged Schulman and he reached Puttaparthi. He got a room, which

was bare - without any furnishing. The food was not at all agreeable. A

question rose in his mind 'Am I not a big fool to have come all the way here

against my own will? It is His divine power or magical power?' After two days

Baba reached Prashanthi Nilayam and Schulman's food and living conditions were

improved.

In the interview that followed Baba told him. 'I did not call you here to write

a book for my publicity. I wanted you. I wanted to bring a change - a spiritual

change in your life. It is not for nothing that I cured your wife's tumour and

looked after your family till now', 'If it is so then please give me proof!'

said Schulman.

'Very happy', said Baba. Then Baba created Vibhuti, opened his shirt and applied

it on his chest. Schulman experienced an indescribable feeling. He was

electrified.

'You write only what you have seen and got convinced', said Baba. Schulman

stayed for three months attending all interviews and witnessing all wonders

directly. He was convinced that Baba was an incarnation of Divinity.

Just before his departure Baba materialized for him a 16 precious stone studded

ring with Baba's image in the centre. Schulman wondered how he could secure

passage for this ring at the customs. 'I shall take care of it' assured Baba.

At Los Angeles he told the customs officials that he was prepared to pay

anything for the ring as it was a gift from a Mahatma of India. But after

examination the Customs officials found it was a cheap ornament and returned

without charging any duty. But when Schulman passed the ring to the hands of

the famous jewellers of Commonwealth Appraiser Corporation they valued it at

125 dollars! Schulman remembered Baba's words that He would take care of it at

the customs.

Baba's grace did not stop here. On return Schulman got immersed in his work. One

day he lost an important file, which meant a loss of thousands of dollars. All

efforts to trace it could not bear fruits. In utter disappointment he prayed to

Baba. In the night he had a dream in which Baba showed the file in the thick of

some written off files in the cabin. He woke up and when the cabinet was opened

the file was there! He and his Secretary had earlier searched the same cabinet

several times. A grateful Schulman published his book 'Baba'.

Even inanimate things respond to His Vajrasankalpa. Gayanapatu Saraswathi Bai, a

well-known singer, arrived during the Dasara festival for a concert. The

seventy-year-old lady enthralled the audience with her god-gifted talents. Baba

presented her a Banares Saree when she was about to leave. But later He told

Kasturiji and others present there that Saraswati Bai always wore 18 cubit long

sarees as that alone suited the style of her wear and the one gifted by Baba was

only 12 cubits. Baba pretending a bit of disappointment tried some other sarees,

which were also of the same length. But a few days later Kasturiji received a

letter written by the Musician from Madras expressing her amazement at a

miracle that had happened. Since she found that the saree was 12 cubit long she

decided to wear it only at the time of Pooja in her shrine, i.e., to say in

privacy as it was a precious gift from Swami. But when she started actually

wearing it the saree was 18 cubit long with a few extra inches! Baba had willed

its growth to that size!

As Sarvadevata Swaroopa

Sai is Sarvadevataswaroopa (Form of all forms of Godhead) and Sarvadharmapriya

(Loved by all faiths). In 1968, addressing the World Conference of Sri Sathya

Sai Seva Organisation at Bombay Baba declared: "This human form is one in which

every Divine Entity, every Divine principle, that is to say all the Names and

forms ascribed by man to God, are manifest…. Fortunate are you, that now in

this very life, you have a chance to experience the Bliss of the Sarvadaivathwa

Swaroopam (the form of God in all forms)"

Baba has substantiated this declaration by manifesting Himself as the many

godheads on different occasions as adored by each. So he assumed the form of

Ganesha, Vishnu, Devi and the like, fulfilling their lives' sadhana.

A railway employee at Perampur was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. On a

Ganesh Chaturthi Day, he did his usual pooja in the early morning and prayed to

his Lord from the bottom of his heart to accept the offerings at least that day

and bless him. But that day also he was disappointed as there was no response.

After the pooja he started taking breakfast as he had to go to office as usual.

Then he heard a knock at the door. The young man opened the door and there he

saw a middle aged graceful man with golden bangles, a heavy build and a

protruding belly. He smilingly asked for something to eat. The young man

immediately served food to his guest and both of them had breakfast together.

The visitor took leave of his host with great satisfaction and delight. Several

years passed. One Thursday night in 1962, at about 8 this devotee was reading

Sanathana Sarathi (a monthly magazine) in rapt attention. Seeing the movement

of an orange robe right in front of him he got up in great surprise and

exclaimed Swami! Baba was standing before him. He did padanamaskar. And Baba

lovingly and softly told him 'Yes, I am your Baba. I know that your chosen form

is Lord Ganesha and that, that form has taken roots in your heart. Be firm in

that faith. All those flowers you have offered to your Lord have fallen on My

Feet only. Bangaroo (Gold) I am Mahaganapathi only. I am the Form of all Forms.

It was I, this Sai who had come in answer to your burning prayers to accept the

food you had offered with such devotion twentyfive years ago.' The youngman's

joy had no bounds. Baba was just 11 years old when He took breakfast with His

devotee as Lord Ganesha.

In a similar incident Baba gave Vighneswara darshan (Vision of lord Ganesha) to

85 year old Swami Amritananda , a disciple of Ramana Maharishi, for the

Ganapathi homam done by him continuously for 41 days at the age of seven! Baba

is eternal. That is why He rewarded Amritananda Swami with the direct vision of

Lord Ganesha as ordained in the Sastras (scriptures) after 78 years. He is

Sarvadevatha Swarupa (the Form of all Forms).

As Sarvadharmapriya

Baba is Sarvadharmapriya (Loved by all Faiths). He does not want His devotees to

form any cult. All that He advises is to follow their respective faiths

faithfully. Hindus must become better Hindus, Christians better Christians,

Muslims better Muslims and the like. This will foster love and brotherhood

among different communities and ultimately there will be only one religion for

the whole humanity, i.e., the Religion of Love. So Sai loves all; and all love

Sai. He is everybody's and everybody is His.

While giving gifts to His devotees also Baba does it without disturbing their

faith. During His East Africa tour Baba created for a pilot a Holy Cross which

moistened his eyes. In 1973 Baba quietly proceeded with some select devotees to

Bandipur forest in Karnataka State on Shivarathri Day. As he alighted from the

Van and walked towards a quiet spot on the Kakkarahalla stream He broke a stalk

of jungle grass about an inch and a half long, and another about half its length

and bound them together in the shape of a cross with stalk skin itself. Holding

the grass cross before His face He blew on it. It instantly became a wooden

cross with a silver icon of Jesus on it. Giving the cross as a precious gift to

Dr. John Hislop who had accompanied Him Baba said: 'this is the wood of the

cross on which Jesus was crucified. This is the correct image of Jesus on the

cross.' Hislop received it kneeling and with tears in his eyes.

An enlarged photograph of this gift clearly showed marks of sweat on the brow

and signs of froth at the corners of the mouth suggesting the pain he had

heroically borne.

Baba then moved with the group to the bank of the stream. Sitting there He drew

a translucent lingam, five inches long and four inches across seated on an

eight inch high base from the heaped sand followed by icons of Shirdi Baba,

Lakshmi and Durga one by one much to the delight of devotees present. So it

became a Sarvadharma Shivarathri.

In 1978 the Muslim festival of Holy Ramzan and Id was celebrated at the Mosque,

Bhagawan had built for them in Puttaparthi. Prof. Bashiruddin of the Usmania

University while expressing gratitude of Muslims of that region, told the vast

gathering how the impact of Bhagawan's teachings had made him a more

understanding practitioner of the message of the Holy Koran. Janab Fakhruddin,

Convener of the village Muslim community offered thanks to Bhagawan for this

'gift of love'.

On another occasion Baba created a silver locket with Allah inscribed on it in

Arabic for Prof. Bashiruddin. On Bakrid day He showed on His Palm a group of

Arab pilgrims at Prashanthi Nilayam the scene of fellow-Muslims kneeling that

very moment at the holy Kaaba in Arabia.

Buddhists have built in Ceylon and Malaysia Sai prayer halls and centres of

service. Baba also performs the Navajyoti rite initiating Parsi boys into their

spiritual exercises. Dr. Samuel Sandweiss's homage that 'I believe Baba to be an

incarnation of God…..' speaks for the adoration from Jews.

…as an Animal LoverSai is a Compassionate Father of all, be it human, animal or

plant. Sai's love and compassion for animals equal that for human beings. After

all, all is His creation. Once Baba was camping at Horsley Hills, which was

about 3800 ft. above sea level. The camp was amid the hills and was accessible

only by jeep. So food and drinking water had to be brought through the

villagers who stayed at the foot of the hills. However, there was one buffalo

at the residence, which assisted them to carry drinking water in large skin

bags slung across its back on either side. When it was time for departure Baba

kept others waiting for a minute and went back as if He had forgotten

something. Baba promptly went to that buffalo patted him with His sweet

'Bangaroo' and thanked for the service he had done for Swami. Every Word and

Deed of His are examples for His devotees. He exhorts: 'cultivate My Samatwa',

equal love towards all, then only there is meaning in worshipping 'My Name and

Form'.

There lived a lame dog 'Kuttan' in a village in the Nilagiri Hills. In 1962 Baba

visited this village called Bikatti. The organisers had leashed him at a

distance so that he did not disturb the movements of Baba. Seeing Baba, the dog

strained himself to come forward. Baba stopped, patted him with great affection

and asked the volunteers 'Bangaroo leave him alone, he is a pure Atma'. So

Kuttan had a free time following Baba everywhere including the kitchen where

Baba, after blessing the food, asked the men to feed Kuttan first. Kuttan

finished his meals and walked upto the dais to stand by the side of Baba's

chair observing the rest of the proceedings silently. The villagers were being

served food down below. After a while he rested his head on the footstool of

Baba and breathed his last. So Kuttan had earned enough merit to merge at the

Lotus Feet of the Lord for which each one of us craves.

There is another wonderful incident that took place in far off Gauhati in 1972

which speaks not only of His compassion towards animals but also His

omnipresence and unlimited love for His creation. The story came to be known to

others only when a group of sixty devotees arrived at Prashanthi Nilayam after a

tiresome journey of seven days in a special railway bogie to pay homage to the

Lord on His birthday on 23rd November. The merciful Lord granted them a special

audience in the Bhajan hall besides addressing them briefly. This was followed

by a gift of 'Vibhuti Prasadam' by Himself to all with two additional packets

to a girl among the group with the words 'This is for your cat'. The group was

pleasantly surprised at this compassionate gesture of Bhagawan but it brought

tears of gratitude and devotion in the eyes of the recipient of that Grace

Lakhi, as it was for her pet Minkie.

Minkie the kitten was saved from drowning in a city drain on a rainy day by

Lakhi and was brought home much to the disgust of her elder sister, a staff

nurse in the local hospital and a cat hater. Minkie grew in strength and size

under the special care of Lakhi and so did the hatred of the elder sister for

this unwanted unwelcome guest. One day unfortunately the elder sister's stand

was justified when Minkie took away a good bite of fish from the kitchen meant

for some guests. The sister was furious at this and showered a rain of

unpleasant words on Lakhi who, in turn, to give vent to her hurt feelings,

resorted to caning of Minki with a big stick till the poor creature yelled in

pain bitterly. Suddenly there was a big noise as some sixteen garlanded

pictures of Bhagawan fell on the floor with a thud. Thinking that an earthquake

only had caused this noise all the guests ran outside the house for safety. What

surprised the elder Sister more was that, only Baba's pictures fell on the

ground. She immediately realised her fault and appealed to Lakhi to stop

beating the cat. Both the sisters were in tears and the cat, now on the table,

shook her coat in relief only to sprinkle fragrant vibhuti all over there.

Six months had elapsed since this incident. But the all knowing Lord chose this

pleasant occasion to not only confirm their experience but also to teach them a

lesson that He loved the entire creation alike.

…as HealerSai is a great healer of body and mind. Countless incurable diseases

have been cured by His mere touch, word, look, will or curative ash all over

the world. This aspect of His personality can also be an instrument to reform

or transform an individual. But mostly He is the only hope for the hapless.

Maria, a young lady of 22, the mother of three children, was among a group of 12

who left Caracas in Venezuela in August 1990 to have 'Darshan' of the Avatar.

She was suffering from a deadly disease 'Lupus' and even at the hospital she

had pinned her hopes on the Grace of the Divine Master alone though her open

expression of this fact received little attention from the doctors attending on

her. On the other hand they considered it a part of her agony. But Maria could

ill afford such a long travel as her financial position was very bad. Her

husband was a Traffic Officer in some Airline but hardly could buy a ticket for

her trip. All the same she had been praying to Baba for His Darshan and sparshan

(touch) which alone could cure her. The Lord heard her prayer. One of the group

members volunteered to take care of not only the to and fro tickets but also

all incidental expenses. Maria was more than happy. The only wish she nurtured

was to live for some-more years to see her children grow a little more.

On reaching Prashanthi Nilayam the group was called in for interview. Baba

pointing at her face said: "Her blood is poisoned." He waved His hand to create

a silver coloured locket with His face imprinted on one side and 'OM' on the

reverse. She was asked to wear that. Baba also created vibhuti for her to eat.

But even after several days there was no improvement in her condition. Her skin

only showed that the disease had aggravated. Her limbs were swollen. The

locket, however, became black. One evening she had slight temperature and when

consulted at the Nilayam Hospital the doctors advised her to be shifted to a

Bangalore Hospital if the condition still worsened. All the same they gave her

some medicine. The group members had a feeling that Baba had only blessed for

her departure by giving her a locket and vibhuti. So they all anxiously waited

for Swami's verdict that night. Her fever subsided and her condition improved

in the subsequent three days. In the meantime Baba left for Whitefield and all

of them followed.

The group was again called for an interview. They had only one week's stay left.

At the interview, looking intently at her face Baba said: 'She is better No?'

And to the amazement of all, Baba's face became very dark for a few seconds.

And on return to Venezuela her doctors were surprised to see that she was

completely cured and was absolutely normal. The Divine Healer had absorbed that

dreadful disease and granted His devotee a healthy and long life.

Dr T. Ravi Kumar, Member of the Science Faculty of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of

Higher Learning, Prashanthi Nilayam gave an account of his thrilling experience

in the presence of Beloved Bhagawan.

It was 1985. Ravi Kumar was nearing completion of his research for His Ph.D. in

Chemistry. He was doing an experiment with some deadly acids, mainly Sulphuric

Acid. The laboratory was almost empty. There was suddenly an explosion from the

instruments and it splashed acid into his eyes. With excruciating pain he ran

from tap to tap only to realise that there was no water as some plumbing was

going on in the line. At last he got a trickle from a distant tap and he asked

his friends to continuously pour water into his burning eyes. When there was no

relief they rushed him to hospital where his eyes were washed well, but the

doctor was not readily available. So they rushed him to the doctor of doctors

in the temple. Swami came out and in all His mercy created Vibhuti and gave him

alongwith a few packets for three days - three times a day. When they came to

the Doctor he said that it was a hopeless case and that nothing could be done

except seeking Divine intervention. Three days passed; there was relief from

pain but no vision. Praying inwardly he sat terribly disappointed. A student

came to hand over a book and Ravi Kumar greeted him by name. With great

surprise the student said: 'Sir, that means you can see now. Tell me the colour

of my shirt and my trousers' and Ravi Kumar responded correctly. There was great

relief among teachers and students alike. Ravi Kumar, with some of them,

immediately rushed to Swami to express their gratitude. Raising Ravi Kumar from

His Lotus Feet Swami said: 'You are allright, be careful next time, wear specs'.

This cryptic remark was enigmatic.

In due course it was all forgotten. After five years Ravi Kumar was again

engaged in another dangerous experiment this time with Chromic acid. And while

he was observing a reaction after removing the specs, it spilled and splashed

acid right into both his eyes. The pain was unbearable even after pouring water

continuously for 45 minutes. He was rushed to the doctor who proclaimed that the

case was hopeless as both the retinae were completely burnt leaving no hope for

sight ever. There was darkness inside and outside. He rushed to Swami, fell at

His feet and cried. The Compassionate One again consoled him with great

affection and His everpowerful Vibhuti played its role once again. He took

vibhuti as instructed and went to the doctor after a few days. The doctor could

not believe and asked him 'Are you the same Ravi Kumar?' When he explained to

the doctor what had happened, the doctor said: 'He alone can do this; both your

retinae are in order'.

Not only the body, He heals the injured hearts too. There was one family highly

devoted to their family deity Lord Venkateswara of Thirupathi. The father died

suddenly and the mother and her three children - one son and two daughters

spent their days in great sorrow but they religiously continued to send a

certain measure of 'ghee' (clarified butter) for the Akhand Jyoti

(uninterrupted flame) of Thirupathi, a practice that was started long ago by

the father. Once, as usual, the son went to the temple with the offering of

ghee and while taking a bath in the temple tank, slipped into the deep waters

and was drowned. With the address they could collect from his pocket the temple

authorities informed the mother. The mother was inconsolable. Yet they contained

their grief and reinforcing their faith in the Lord they made arrangements to

proceed to Thirupathi for the son's funeral. That night Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba, about whom they had never heard, appeared in their

dream (all the three) and consoled them saying 'There is a place called

Puttaparthi; Go and have Darshan of Baba there. You will get peace.' At

Thirupathi the mother wept bitterly before the Lord and as the family came out

in unbearable grief an old Fakir (a mendicant) dressed like Shirdi Baba whom

they had never seen or heard of, met them and offered them to accompany them

upto Puttaparthi. The mother accepted the great help though the daughters were

not very happy about it. As soon as they reached the gates of Prashanthi

Nilayam, the Fakir promptly disappeared. Entering Prashanthi Nilayam, they got

information that Baba was not there and nobody could specifically say when He

was expected back. So they decided to stay till His return. After a few days

one of the girls spotted Swami's car and was pleasantly surprised to see the

same figure that had appeared in her dream. She called her mother and sister

and all the three prostrated before the Lord and virtually unloaded all their

miseries at His Lotus Feet. The mother could not control her tears and her sobs

became unbearable for her. She wept aloud. The merciful Lord consoled her with

loving compassion and opening up His palm He asked her to see the last scene of

her son's tragedy. And like a cinema screen it presented every detail of the

incident, ultimately the boy presently offering pooja at the feet of Lord

Venkateswara. The mother stopped crying as if she compromised with the

situation. This was followed by another scene wherein the benevolent Fakir

escorted the mother and two daughters to the Presence. Baba advised the mother

never to cry on this count as her son is happy at the Feet of the Lord. The

mother was completely consoled and peace descended on her aching heart.

Prashanthi Nilayam, the abode of the Lord, sheltered them in all respects. The

divine only can heal the wounds of the heart.

As Sevak

Sai assumes the role of a Sevak to be a friend in need even without a specific

prayerful request. Once there was a Bal Vikas Teachers' conference at Satya

Deep (Swami's residence in Dharmakshetra) Bombay. After the commencement of the

meeting Baba asked the organisers of the meeting to invite the group of Bhajan

singers from below the hill also to join. While hurrying up the steep climb

many of them were short of breath, and especially an elderly lady in the group

was gasping. Baba made her sit down under the fan comfortably leaning on the

wall. Then he "disappeared for a moment, only to reappear with a glass of water

which He gave the lady to drink". That is how He demonstrates 'Seva' for His

devotees to emulate.

He is ever alert to attend to the needs of His devotees. Once Baba, while in the

midst of His students asked them who did they think He really was? Each student

replied as he conceived of Him, Parampita, Avatar, Sarvadevata Swarup, Mother,

father and so on. But Baba dismissed all the answers as incorrect and asserted

'I am the servant of My devotees'. Yes, He has proved innumerable times

reminding His role in the Krishnavtar as the used leaf plate lifter in the

Rajasuya Yagna of Yudhishtir and the Sevak-escort who carried the sandals of

Draupadi in the dead of night to the camp of Bheeshma to extract a boon from

him to save the righteous pandavas from doom. The Sai Krishna, the same 'Sevak'

is at the beck and call of His dear devotees even today! And by becoming a Sevak

and a friend in deed He transforms the beneficiary also into a sevak par

excellence.

There was an Indian devotee who worked with Tata Chemicals for some time and

later went to England (London) in 1960 and established a factory to manufacture

plastic utensils. His daughter and wife attended Bhajans at the nearby Sai

centre. They reported the wonder they had seen there, i.e., the emergence of

Vibhuti and honey from the photographs of Bhagawan. But he never believed it.

On the other hand he warned them against spreading such false stories.

After a few days the organisation was to conduct a Laksharchana at the centre.

They approached him for manufacturing 25,000 plastic plates in three days. He

did not have the mould for such a big quantity of plates. With the mould he had

had it would have taken at least a fortnight. So he refused to accept the order.

But he felt someone was exerting pressure from his inside saying "They are my

devotees, you accept the order, I will help you." And he agreed, but was

confused. Anyway he went to the store to see how best he could do it. To his

great astonishment he saw the mould and material required for 25,000 plates

ready there. In that wonderment he remembered the inner voice that had assured

him help earlier. He now did not object to his wife and daughter going for

bhajans, though himself would not.

Following this incident this gentleman got many work orders in succession. So he

planned to start another unit in a bigger scale by purchasing a nearby godown

also. But necessary finance was not available.

To his surprise his Bank Manager, just after two days, offered to advance

necessary funds. But what surprised him more was how the Bank manager knew

about the project when he had not discussed it with anyone about developing and

expanding his factory. With the Bank assistance now available he started the

work. This wonder had completely changed him and all his doubts about Bhagawan

Baba were cleared. Now he needed the services of a crane to shift a 7-ton

machine (moulding machine) to the new site. All the contractors whom he had

approached for this purpose flatly refused, as they were all preoccupied with

urgent work at least for a month. Even after one month they would charge 300

pounds for this work! Closure of the factory for one month would mean heavy

loss. Vadgama was in a fix. Shortly after that an Englishman with a

crane-fitted lorry approached him offering his services: "I shall shift the new

machine to your factory." He completed the work in just two hours. When asked

how much was to be paid he said at first that no payment was necessary. On

repeated insistence he said "only 75 pounds." The gentleman immediately paid

and the man left the scene happily. This incident was too big for him to

swallow. He just

couldn't believe. He was wondering at the Power of Baba as the lorry man disappeared.

The new factory was inaugurated with Sai Bhajan. As the Aarthi started vibhuti

started pouring down from all the pictures. Our gentleman was completely

transformed. He wanted to have Swami's Darshan - the God who has done so much

for him. He reached India in April 1991. On Darshan line in Whitefield Baba

came to him, gave 'vibhuti' and Padanamaskar. But he was not satisfied with

that. He prayed for an interview. He was restless. And Baba went ahead. But

suddenly He came back and spoke to him in English: " I know everything. Did I

not give you the mould and material for 25,000 plates? Did I not arrange for

finance for your new factory? Did I not avoid the possible financial loss by

erecting the new 7-ton machine in the factory? The 75 pounds you had paid me as

wages is kept in the shelf of your machine. Go and take it." He was spellbound.

He had only tears in his eyes to express his happiness and gratitude. As soon

as he reached London he examined the shelf and sure got the 75 pounds there.

In November 1993 he reached Prashanthi Nilayam at the time of inauguration of

the Super-specialty Hospital along with all machines and men to establish a

factory for the manufacture of plates, cups and spoons for all the canteens and

dining hall there. The Factory was in Shed No.8.

To a question, how could he get so much of enthusiasm and determination to come

to India and complete the project from the thick of his busy schedule of

running a factory at London?" he said "It is Swami's Sankalpa and inspiration

alone. I have been made just an instrument. Perhaps he moulded me through a

series of wonders for this purpose. I am a completely happy and satisfied man.

I will do anything for the Lord". When Bhagawan's 70th birthday was celebrated

in 1995 the entire lot of plastic plates etc sufficient to feed 25 lakhs of

people for 11 days were manufactured by the factory of this gentleman at

Puttaparthi by his skilled men specially brought from London.

When it comes to 'Seva' in villages, His urge for uplifting the villagers is almost insatiable.

"When the villages grow, the states grow and the nation on the whole prospers.

The progress of the nation is based upon the progress of villages," He exhorts.

He asks the students and the youth in general to visit the villages, identify

their problems and serve them with utmost sincerity. Baba has a word of advice

for the 'Sevaks' in rural areas:

"Of all the methods of 'Seva', Service to the long neglected rural population is

best. Dedicate your skills, your energies to the betterment of the brothers and

sisters dwelling in villages".

He identifies for His Workers the areas deserving special attention in 'Grama

Seva' (Village Service) when He says that they have 'no medical and educational

facilities, no drinking water, no sanitary arrangements, no food to eat. The

workers have to 'realise Divinity' by providing these essential requirements to

the villagers, for ' Grama Seva is Rama Seva (Service to village is service to

God)

As Humorist

As a humorist Sai is matchless. His subtle humour, which is often earthly in

texture, deludes us to believe that He is of the earth and is with us on the

same plane. It will not, all the same, hurt or offend anyone. He is at home

with the boys of His College with whom He cracks jokes to often convey a lesson

in spirituality, morals or ethics.

One day Swami on His way to the Hostel plucked a Tulsi leaf and placed it in the

palm of a student and said: 'Keep it safe. Don't show it to anybody'. He just

obeyed. But the warden insisted to see it. When the boy opened the handkerchief

in which it was tied he found a gold coin. So he said 'Keep it safe, don't show

it to anybody'. But his friends pestered and he had to yield. When they opened

the handkerchief it was only a Tulsi leaf. The boy was greatly disappointed.

Seeing his disappointment Swami called him and asked for the leaf. He blew at

it and lo! The gold coin appeared and Swami blessed him to keep the same with

him as His gift. Nothing is beyond His Power. His sankalpa is enough. It can

change earth into sky and sky into earth. This incident, though humorous, was

but a glimpse of His omnipotence. The students get such revelations often which

cement their faith in their protector and patron.

Once Baba was to reach Bangalore a few days after the Shivarathri festival at

Puttaparthi, as was His wont. But even after a week or ten days He did not

move. Students at Bangalore were disappointed at the delay and they started

imagining about possible reasons. But towards the end of March news reached

them that Swami was shortly expected there. Their joy had no bounds. The usual

preparations were carried out briskly for receiving the Lord. Baba came. The

students sang and did Aarathi. He received it with no smile or talk. The

students were flabbergasted. Each one started a vigorous and thorough search of

his heart. None could find any reason. Swami gave darshan to the devotees and

returned to His residence with head down as if to avoid the students standing

in a row on either side. Their prayer for reason was unanswered. There was

gloom in the campus. They apologised for any error unknowingly committed. No

effect. Prayer turned into sobs and tears. The next day He gave darshan and

returned as usual. But this time the students were determined and they

encircled Him and cried for Pardon. Nothing happened. He looked only downward.

A few seconds passed in grave silence. Then He like a great actor just mumbled

"April Fool". There was a spurt of radiant laughter, which was shared with love

by Swami as well. What a drama! The Divine actor cum director wanted to open the

floodgates of joy to His ever loved dearest children, His 'only property'.

Once, looking at the overgrown hair of a young man in the hippie style sitting

before Him in the interview room Baba asked, ' Why are you carrying this hair?

Why don't you crop them off? The young man replied: 'Yes Baba, You may kindly

cut one strand and the rest I shall do' Baba replied 'I am Baba, not Barber'.

A devotee once told Swami: 'Swami, there is one way to wipe off the poverty of

India'. 'What is that' Swami enquired. 'If you can by your divine power convert

the water of Indian Ocean into petrol, that is enough', said the devotee. Swami

said 'But….' The devotee enquired ' Why but, Swami?' Swami quipped: 'Then, if

someone throws a lighted matchstick into it?.

Once with a mischievous smile Swami asked Allen Drucker: 'Drucker have I gone

fat?' 'No' Swami 'No' replied Drucker. But placing his hand on His abdomen Baba

repeated the question. 'See why this is so enlarged'. Drucker repeated his 'no'.

Then swami slowly whispered in the ear of Drucker 'I am carrying Prema Sai'.

Judy Warner was waiting for Darshan with the typed script of her book in hand

for Swami's blessings. Bhagawan came and stood before her. When she showed the

manuscript He touched the same and enquired 'What is the name of the book?'.

She replied 'Transformation of the heart'. 'Transformation of the spiritual

heart or physical heart?' Swami asked. 'Swami, Spiritual Heart' she said.

'Good. The only change for the other heart is Bypass surgery'.

An incident of 1959 which Kasturiji has narrated in his Loving God is

interesting and revealing. Kasturiji was called to the Presence through a

messenger. Baba told him that He needed a photograph of Kasturiji to be passed

on to the editor of a newspaper having a circulation of 30,000. Kasturiji was

enticed by the prospect of high publicity and, as directed, he rushed to get

ready for the event that was to bring name and fame to him. He returned 'shaved

and starched' in minutes to be positioned and photographed by Baba Himself.

Looking at him through the lens Baba further inflated his ego by admiring

Kasturiji's 'photogenic face'. And with a 'Ready' He clicked, only to drive out

a cotton mouse tucked inside the camera which drew a shrill shriek from a

frightened Kasturiji who had already reached the corner of the room thinking it

was a real rat. Baba had a hearty laugh and Kasturiji followed. Reprimanding for

being so gullible Baba advised him to aspire for lasting fame through dedicated

service to God than through newspapers, which became waste paper the next day.

Swami's humour is only a medium to convey a great lesson, a correction to weed

out a flaw, and a gentle push on the path of spiritual progress.

As Life Giver

Sai the Life giver is a shining facet of His personality. Sai can effortlessly,

by His mere will, raise anyone from the dead, avert an impending death or

prolong the life of anyone He chooses. He can do undo or change the course of

action at will, which proclaims His omnipotence.

Sai devotees are quite familiar with the name of Karanam Subbamma, the foster

mother of Baba. In his childhood days he spent most of his time in the spacious

house of Subbamma, almost next door to His house, under her loving care. Perhaps

this Yashodamayee of Swami had greater opportunity to shower her affection on

Bala Sai than mother Easwaramma. Baba had assured her that at the time of her

death He would be present to give her Tulsi water, a traditional action of

filial gratitude. The foster mother was extremely happy and contented on

bagging the coveted boon. It was when the construction of Prashanthi Nilayam

was nearing completion that Subbamma breathed her last. But Swami was away from

Puttaparthi. Her relatives and close neighbours wondered why Baba did not

fulfill His promise to her. Since Swami's coming was of remote possibility they

decided to cremate her without waiting any further. But the all knowing Lord had

already started for Puttaparthi after telling His devotees around Him about this

incident. On reaching Puttaparthi Swami straightaway went to Subbamma's house.

He called her by name and Subbamma opened her eyes and started shedding tears

of joy on seeing Swami, her dearest. Swami told her 'Look Subbamma I have

come'. He immediately created Tulsi water and poured slowly into her mouth. She

took it with gratitude and held His hand in great affection before closing her

eyes forever.

Dr. Michael Goldstein is a living example of His Grace, for the Divine

intervened to avert a shooting to prolong his life. Dr. John Hislop, a long

time devotee of Baba narrates an incident in his 'Seeking Divinity". One day

when Dr. Goldstein was at Prashanthi Nilayam Baba took him for a round in His

car. When the slow moving car reached Gokulam and turned to return Baba with a

grim face told Goldstein that he was seeing Him for the last time. Upset by

this statement, that too from the Divine Master, Goldstein pleaded that, that

should not be and he must be blessed to attend the forthcoming birthday

celebrations. A seemingly thoughtful Baba, after a pause of a few seconds said,

'Yes, You may come'. The incident that followed confirmed that Goldstein was

brought back from the mouth of Death.

Dr. Goldstein and his wife boarded a flight for their return journey. At Karachi

Airport a few hijackers armed with sophisticated weapons took all the passengers

as hostages. One of them put a gun on the airhostess at the entrance and another

aimed his gun at Mrs. Goldstein who was by her side. Mrs. Goldstein started

repeating 'Sai Ram' with folded hands as if in prayer almost loudly. The gunman

suddenly turned his attention to the other passengers inside. Goldstein who was

unhurt and was standing near the next exit door which opened abruptly, started

helping the panic stricken passengers one by one by pushing them out and thus

saving them from the flying bullets of the hijackers. In that commotion it was

not known how many have been killed or injured till the commandos brought the

situation under control.

Goldstein returned to California and, after a few months reached Prashanthi

Nilayam, his heart still pulsating with gratitude to the Lord. And when Swami

came and stood before him Goldstein acknowledged the same with his overflowing

eyes. Baba told him that, that day when He told Goldstein that he was seeing

Swami for the last time He was actually seeing Goldstein being killed in that

terrorist attack. He saw Goldstein being murdered by them . Then he told

Goldstein 'I changed the picture'

God alone can change the course of an already destined action as He alone is the

Master of creation, preservation and dissolution. And so He willed to change the

whole sequence of events.

The twentieth line of Ashtottara Shata Namavali of Bhagawan (108 appellations)

reads as Jodi Adipalli Somappaya Namah. There is an interesting story behind

this appellation. The story has undergone many cuttings and clippings and

additions as usual, as it happened elsewhere. But I had the privilege of

hearing it directly from Kasturiji, an excellent storyteller, with the warmth

it deserved.

After the Birthday Celebrations in Prashanthi Nilayam a group of devotees left

for Bangalore on 26th November 1958. The group had several ladies in it. But

while getting adjusted in two cars all the ladies with a two year old child got

into one and all gents in the other. Not only that; the car with the gents

started first and went ahead of the other. After a few miles of journey at an

isolated area the child suddenly developed fits and the breathlessness that

followed resulted in asphyxia and finally the child collapsed. The ladies began

to wail bitterly. The first car had gone much ahead. There was none on the

roadside. The child became blue and stiff. No speeding vehicles that passed at

intervals would stop. The women could only cry helplessly. In minutes there

came an elderly villager accompanied by a young man and a woman. The villager

enquired the reason for their wailing. When he was shown the dead child the

young man said that the elderly man with him was a

physician and had the experience of reviving such lost cases. The lady asked

other ladies to unhesitatingly hand over the child to the physician. The ladies

agreed and the physician laid the child on his lap. He asked if they had vibhuti

with them. A vibhuti packet was placed in his hand. He applied the vibhuti on

the child and, opening the clenched teeth, somehow inserted a pinch into the

mouth of the child. The child opened her eyes suddenly and began to cry aloud.

The ladies began to laugh happily. Meanwhile the menfolk reached the spot as

they could not see the second car. The child's father gave one rupee to the

physician, which was politely declined. He was then offered a musambi (a citrus

fruit) which he waved around the child to ward off evil eye and threw away as

soon as they left.It became rotten! But before leaving they did ask the

physician's name. He replied 'Jodi Adipalli Somappa'.

At Prashanthi Nilayam Baba was to come out of His room in the afternoon.

Kasturiji was waiting to receive routine instructions. As soon as Baba came out

He told Kasturiji with a drawn face 'Kasturi that child of ……… died on the way

to Bangalore'. Kasturiji was a bit shocked as the child had on the previous day

attracted the attention of everyone as a sprightly little girl, running and

jumping and hopping happily. 'No Swami, that should not have happened' said

Kasturiji in glum. Swami said 'Do you think I would allow it to happen?.'

Kasturiji immediately pulled out his small handbook and pen and was in

readiness as he knew he was getting some hot stuff for his pen. And Baba

narrated every detail. He had to assume three forms, one of the physician,

another of an young man to introduce him and speak of his capability and a

woman to instil courage in the ladies and ask for the child as they were all

women. He asked for vibhuti which He only had given them, for, they

would have recognised Him if He were to create Vibhuti then and there. And to

the child He appeared in His original form, which frightened the child to cry

much to the relief and joy of the women. Kasturiji noted down all the points

carefully and asked for the explanation of the name He had given to Himself.

Swami said, 'Jodi means pair, Adipalli means first village i.e., Kailas

belonging to the pair and Somappa means with Uma (Sa+Uma) or Umamaheswara'. 'I

asked them to offer an Arathi to their 'Ishtadevata' on reaching home, they did

it for Lord Venkateswara, ignoring My picture, little knowing that I am Lord

Venkateswara Himself'. On the third day Kasturiji got a letter from the child's

father wherein he ticked all the points correctly.

Even after seeing, experiencing and receiving several favours of Grace, most of

us have not realised that He is Sarvadevata Swarupa and that prayers offered to

any name or form will reach Him and Him alone.

Let us take the case of Kuppam Radhakrishnayya, head of a family all members of

which were highly devoted to Swami. Radhakrishnayya had a chronic stomach

ailment which medical care could not cure. All the same, the family, especially

the wife had pinned her faith to Baba and Baba alone.

Once on 5th August 1953 with unbearable pain, which lasted for two days, he

rushed to Swami's room and fell at His feet for merger in Swami's Lotus Feet.

But Swami consoled him and sent him back. The whole of the next day he could

not pass urine and his condition became miserable with a stomach that had

bloated to the bursting point. His pulse became very weak and breathing became

irregular. His condition became worse at 6 o' clock. His body became black and

the nails blue. All pleadings from his near and dear ones to immediately shift

him to a big hospital for a last attempt to save his life were rejected by his

wife who left everything to Swami's will and waited for his intercession. At 4

am close relatives around him began to wail. His daughter went upstairs to

Swami (the family was given a room closeby in the Nilayam by Swami for their

stay) to report and bring Him to the patient thrice. But Swami was preoccupied

with some personal work. At last He came to the room where all near-ones were

virtually bidding farewell to Radhakrishnayya. Entering the room Swami asked

everyone to go out. Nobody knew what had happened inside, but moments later

Radhakrishnayya was found sitting on his bed and smilingly enquiring from

everyone as to what had happened to him. Turning to his wife Swami reminded her

of a past conversation in which Swami had assured her to save the life of her

husband. He said 'You have forgotten…. But I have not forgotten that

conversation. Today I have given the gift of Mangalyam to you by the gift of

life to your husband'.

But Baba had already confided to Kasturiji about this saying that 'His children

are still young. He did not even write a will. He has yet to perform marriage

of his children. That is why I saw to it that he was brought back. The extra

years of life I have given him I shall deduct from his next birth'.

The Omnipotent Almighty that He is, life or death is a mere sport for Him. But

one must deserve such a grace.

The mind-boggling experience of Walter and Elsie Cowan immediately after the All

India Conference at Abbotsbury, Madras in December 1971 loudly proclaims that He

alone has the power to give life to anyone as the Supreme God. I had the chance

of seeing the couple at the conference as they were being guided to the dais to

be seated at a vantage position. After the conference was over the Cowans stayed

at Connemara Hotel at Madras. It was there that he became seriously ill with an

attack of pneumonia and died. On their return to America Elsie Cowan described

the event at a limited gathering thus: "We have come from India, my husband and

I, brimful of the most astounding news that can happen to anyone. It is so

fantastic that many of you may doubt it, because hardly any of us realise the

great importance and the tremendous powers of this Great High God, who not only

walks the earth but also cares for all the planes from earth to eternity. Walter

died at Madras. Sai Baba

resurrected him."

Kasturiji tells the story: "Cowan died and his body was kept in the mortuary"

"Mrs. Cowan came to Swami, who was in a conference. It was for that conference

that Mr. and Mrs. Cowan had come to Madras. I was there when Mrs. Cowan came to

Swami and told Him about Cowan's death. Swami said, 'Chey! Chey! Papam. It

should not have happened. Now this old lady will have to take that old man's

dead body to America. Coming all the way from America to take back his dead

body there! No, No. He told her 'I will come to Hospital at 11 O'clock. You may

go'. Instead of 11, He went at 10 am an hour early. He could not remain in his

place unless the injustice was corrected. That is the extent of His compassion.

He went and rised up Walter Cowan, the present Lazarus! Later Cowan came to

Bangalore when Swami was in Whitefield. I was there. They were received by

Swami and were brought to Swami's bungalow in a procession with Sai Gita, the

elephant in the lead and college students playing the band.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cowan were made bride and bridegroom once more and a second

marriage was celebrated. Dr. Bhagavantam was there, and Swami told him ' Ask

him what happened in Madras? Bhagavantam asked him 'Tell what happened at

Madras' and Cowan started telling "I died at 5 O' clock…. Never a man says, I

died!"

Dr. Hislop and his wife were the first to rush to the Hotel room where Cowans

were staying as soon as they got the news. Mrs. Cowan told them 'Yes, During

the night, Walter died. I went down the hall and got Mrs. Ratanlal to come and

help me'. They lifted Cowan to the bed, called for an ambulance and Walter was

taken to a Nursing Home…. Mrs. Ratanlal and Mrs. Cowan went to Swami's house to

tell what had happened. Then Swami said ' Do not worry, I will go to the Nursing

Home at 10 O'clock in the morning'. When Mrs. Cowan arrived in the nursing Home,

she found that Swami and Mrs. Ratanlal had been there an hour before and that

Cowan was alive".

Let us hear from Mrs. Ratanlal as to what had happened when Swami arrived in the

Hospital at 10 am. 'Swami and I arrived at the Nursing Home. We went into the

room where Walter's corpse was lying covered with a sheet - cold as a fish.

Dead as dead could be. Swami stood beside the body and raising His hand, He

struck Cowan across the abdomen saying, 'Rise up, Cowan'. Then He did it once

again 'Rise up Cowan'. Cowan did not rise. Then a third time 'Rise up, Cowan'

Cowan started to move, sat up and was alive once again.'Hislop adds "Now,

Walter Cowan's part of the story was that he died. In the ambulance on the way

to the Nursing Home, his body was bouncing around. He felt himself apart from

his body looking down at it. Then he said Swami came and took him away, way up

in the sky where there was a building. The headman in this building was the

accountant who is inside each of us, recording every thing that happens, and he

was reading Cowan's history. So by and large,

Swami said ' Release this man to me, I have use for him'. Then Walter was told,

Go down into your body Cowan'. Cowan did not want to go back to his body, but

he had to. After Swami had revived Walter, his wife transferred him to a

Hospital.

"Now the same day all this was happening at the same exact time, Swami was in an

auditorium, on the stage, giving talk to a large group of Sevadal ladies. He was

presenting each of the ladies with a beautiful sari. An Indian chap and I were

on the stage with Swami, sitting up against the wall, and we were watching

Swami every second of that address. We can both testify that Swami never left

that stage, even for a moment.

But as soon as the talk was over, Swami said, Come let us get into the car and

go". As we were getting in the car He said, "While I was talking, Mrs. Cowan

called to me. Cowan had died again, so I went to the hospital and took care of

matters."

"We were off to have lunch with a devotee. There was this other chap and myself

and Baba in the car, we went to the home of the devotee where we were to have

lunch. When we arrived Swami turned to me and said, ' Hislop I am afraid you

cannot join for lunch. I want you to take this vibhuti to the hospital, rub

some on Cowan's chest and put some in his mouth. I just gave him life again, he

needs this… If you just walk upto the corner, you will find Mrs. Hislop in a

taxi around the corner…' Together we went to the hospital and Mrs. Cowan said

'Walter died again. I called on Swami, He came and gave Walter life again'. I

gave Cowan the vibhuti and left."

As Omnipresent

Omnipresence is perhaps the most striking characteristic of Baba. He makes His

presence known at chosen places and draws the devotees to be there in large

numbers. Manifestation of Vibhuti on different objects and photographs is a

regular phenomenon. Such manifestations of Divine Power were available for the

doubting Thomases at many places at the same time, the difference being in the

substance thus produced, which could be honey or haldi (turmeric) powder as

well.

Baba calls them His visiting cards. Apart from being a sign of His presence it

also assures the members of the chosen house protection and Divine Grace. A

side effect, certainly more impressive, is the change that it brings in the way

of life of the family members. They are but slowly and surely tuned to a

spiritual life, which was hitherto difficult to practise.

These manifestations which we call miracles or 'chamatkars' are, as Baba puts

it, designed only to bring 'Samskar' or refinement in the individual and from

Samskar to 'Sakshatkar' or the awareness of Divine in all and from Sakshatkar

to Paropakar - Service to Society - which is the ultimate aim. In short these

are the basics for the transformation of the individual, the family and the

society - the human society at large. So the first and foremost benefit derived

from the manifestations that speak for His omnipresence is the welfare of human

society.

Strange are the ways in which Baba makes His Presence known.

Dr V.K. Gokak, formerly Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University, a Professor of

English of high repute for more than four decades, Chairman of the prestigious

National Jnan Peeth and later First Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute

of Higher Learning (Deemed University) was an ardent devotee of Baba. Once Dr

Gokak was asked to go to USA and some other countries in response to an

invitation from the organisational units there to speak to the devotees. When

he was about to leave, he came to prostrate before Baba and seek His blessings.

Baba promptly blessed with the words "I will be with you". Dr. Gokak happily

proceeded. But later he was amazed to see that throughout the plane journeys

the seat adjacent to his was invariably vacant. At first he thought it was a

matter of chance, but when it occurred regularly he began to ponder over that

only to remember Swami's words "I will be with you". Sai's words never go

waste. They are meaningful and always true.

In the same tour he was about to address a large gathering in one of the big

cities of USA. Orator that he was, the crowd was expecting a heavy downpour of

his resonant voice in meaningful words, but nothing came out for a minute or

two. Dr Gokak could not believe such a situation he was in for the first time

in his life. Suddenly he remembered Swami and mentally prayed to Him. And to

his great surprise he found Swami sitting in the front row with smiling

benediction. And then there was a torrential flow from the Professor providing

a treat to the audience. When Swami says, "I will be with you" we are also

bound to be constantly aware of His company.

In the same lecture tour, speaking at another Centre to a vast gathering of

seekers and sceptics Dr Gokak narrated how Baba had taken the paralytic strokes

and heart attacks that would have been fatal for His devotees upon Himself and

was miserably afflicted. He described in his grand style how the students

sitting below the parapet wall slowly dragged inch by inch Baba's feet to the

edge of the balcony not allowing the devotees to see the pathetic sight of His

body's affliction in such a graphic manner that it not only compelled the

audience to shed tears but also soothed an invalid old lady who got to her feet

instantly. Such is the Glory of the lord who has come to wipe out the tears of

millions.

In this context it is necessary to have Baba's own explanation on Miracles. The

Maharashtra Branch of the Prashanthi Vidwan Mahasabha had gathered at the

residence of the then Minister of Agriculture Shri P.K.Sawant on the 14th of

June 1968 to take advantage of the Presence and to get some of their doubts

clarified. Some newsmen also had joined the assembly including the Editor of

'Navkaal', a Matathi newspaper. About miracles Baba came out with an

appropriate answer: "It is wrong to call them miracles or chamatkars. Or to say

that chamatkars are done to earn namaskars! It is only Nidarsan (evidence) not

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

It is sign which helps to turn into faith, devotion, inquiry and realisation of

their own Atma. As the intention or 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 Omnipresent Sai has separate methods of offering consolation and protection

to each of His devotees. Alf Tideman Johanessan of Oslo, Norway was the Head of

a big shipping agency at Bombay Harbour. His opponents became jealous of his

prosperity and they did everything against him including black magic. A Parsi

priest and another friend took him to the Shrine of Shirdi to seek refuge. In

February 1966 a desperate Alf sitting at the tomb was gently patted by a short

man in blue shirt and whispered in his ear about Sri Sathya Sai Baba asserting

He is God on earth. He gave Alf a small locket studded with the portrait of

Baba saying 'this is Sathya Sai Baba, you can see Him at Bombay on March 14th.

The man just went away. His enquiry about Baba did not bring him any

information. It was only after one week that the local Sathya Sai Seva Samiti

received information regarding Baba's visit to Bombay. Baba reached Bombay

after the midnight on 13th March and Alf secured His

Darshan on 14th morning at Gwalior Palace. And in the interview that followed

Baba related to him all his personal problems Himself and told him "From now

on. I shall be your guide on all matters."

In 1983 Shri V.K. Narasimhan, Editor, Sanathana Sarathi was directed by Baba to

attend an international conference organised by Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Organisation of Italy scheduled for 30-31st October, 1983. It was only on 24th

that Shri Narasimhan was informed that he should board the plane on 28th from

Bangalore. On 27th Baba called him and asked him to proceed to Bangalore for

the journey on 28th. And he started for Bangalore after doing 'Padanamaskar' to

Swami. His papers were not ready till then, but he got them just before three

hours of his flight. He hurriedly went to Whitefield, packed his luggage and

reached the Airport to board the plane, which landed him safely at Rome. On

29th Dr Pawan of Australia who was producing a magazine on behalf of the Sri

Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of Australia sought the opinion of Sri Narasimhan

on the manuscript. When Shri Narasimhan looked for his specs (for the first

time after he started) only did he realise that it was left behind at

Whitefield at the time of last minute packing. It was a shock for him. He had

no option but to pray wholeheartedly and fervently for Baba's help to save him

from the situation which was more grave because of the conference next day for

which purpose alone he reached Italy. His intense prayer was promptly

responded. Just as he completed the prayer the specs fell from above between

him and Dr Pawn on the sofa they were sitting on, much to the great surprise

and relief of both - the same specs with black frame which Narasimhan left

behind at Whitefield. When returned to Prashanthi Nilayam Swami told him "I

only had delivered your specs in no time from Bangalore to Rome." Baba is

beyond Time and Space. He is omnipresent.

A devotee used to worship Baba in his shrine reciting everyday the 108 Names and

on Thursdays the 1008 Names. As he completed this ritual he would prostrate head

long before Baba's picture imagining His Lotus Feet in his clasp. And he

remained in ecstasy for a few minutes in this pose, his eyes filled with tears

of joy. Sometime later when he visited Prashanthi Nilayam Baba granted him an

interview and lovingly told him " Look at my feet and see the width of space I

require to place both feet comfortably on the ground. When you clasp my feet

after your daily prayers your palms do not open wide enough; I have to keep my

feet cramped between them everytime you call me. Keep them a bit wider." His

reply was a cascade of tears. What more proof is required for the Lord's

omnipresence?

With Sai love from Sai brothers - ''

Source and courtesy: http://www.sssbpt.org/

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.