HE HAS COME - THE LORD SATHYA SAI BABA I

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

Om Sai JHai Sai Jai Jai Sai

 

HE HAS COME - THE LORD SATHYA SAI BABA I

 

This book is dedicated with love, gratitude and thanks, at the Lotus

Feet of Our Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Who has so graciously blessed

this book.

 

"Above all, whatever anyone may say or do, you should not give up

your devotion to God. Without the love of God, this cosmos is an

empty void. Love is God, God is Love. Develop this Divine Love.

Cherish it in your hearts at all times and in all situations. Do not

give it up whatever troubles or difficulties you may be faced with.

That love will be with you, in you and beside you and protect you. Do

not blame God if difficulties confront you. Regard even these

difficulties as gifts from God intended for your good. Life is a

succession of good and bad. If you take in your stride these ups and

downs of life with firm faith in God, the Divine will take good care

of you. Always remember the Lord's name."

 

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This book is about God, and the regular appearances He makes amongst

us, whenever there is discord upon the Earth; He comes to help and

uplift mankind. God manifests in a human form so that we may identify

with Him, and relate to His teachings. In the past He manifested as

Rama, as Krishna, as Buddha, Zoroastra, Jesus, Mohammad, and many

others. Indeed, as all the great deities revered by the major

religions today.

 

Now, we have Him with us once again upon the Earth, this time in the

triple incarnations of Sai. Let me tell you about Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

"I have come to light the lamp of Love in your hearts, to see that it

shines day by day with added lustre. I have not come to speak on

behalf of any exclusive religion. I have not come on any mission of

publicity for any sect or creed or cause; nor have I come to collect

followers for any doctrine. I have no plan to attract disciples or

devotees into My fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this

unitary faith, this spiritual principle, this path of Love, this

virtue of Love, this duty of Love, this obligation to Love."

 

These are the words of a twentieth century phenomenon, an exceptional

spiritual teacher, called Sri Sathya Sai Baba. There are those who

may have heard of Him as an educator, healer, spiritual leader and

social worker. Indeed He is all these, and more.

 

Those who follow Sai Baba are not members of a cult or sect, but

people of all walks of life, all races, all cultures and religions,

who thirst and wish to drink from a deeper spiritual pool. They seek

the underlying path of Unity and Divinity, within themselves, in

others, and in their everyday lives.

 

Sai Baba has said:

 

"There is only one religion, the religion of Love,

There is only one language, the language of the Heart,

There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity,

There is only one God, and He is Omnipresent".

 

Sathya Sai Baba was born on Tuesday, November 23rd, 1926 at 5.03 am,

in the remote south Indian village of Puttaparthi, formally called

Gollapalli, meaning the home of the cowherd, some 110 miles from

Bangalore, on the banks of the Chitravathi River. The family name was

Raju and His father, Venkappa (1885-1963) and His mother Eswaramma,

(1890-1972) called their son, their fourth child, Sathyanarayan;

Sathya meaning "Truth" and Narayana meaning "God who dwells in all

beings". On the occasion of Sathya`s birth, it is recorded that all

the musical instruments in their small home, played by themselves, as

if heralding the coming of a great Spirit into the world. His father

and mother were a pious couple, and content in their humble role in

life. They had three children before Sathya was born; two daughters,

Venka and Parvata and a son, Seshama, and later another son called

Janakiramayya. The main recreation Venkappa allowed himself was

taking part in epic roles in the village stage

plays, like his father before him. Kondamma Raju, Sathya's

grandfather, was a most pious soul, a master of music, actor and

strict vegetarian. Being vegetarian must have accounted for his

longevity, as he lived to be 110 years old!

 

Sathyanarayana, soon proved that He was uniquely Divine in His nature

and attainments. At an early age He demonstrated compassion, and

would distance Himself from places where animals were killed or

tortured, or where fish were trapped or caught. He avoided kitchens

or the vessels used for cooking flesh or fowl. Should a bird be

selected for cooking, young Sathya would run to the bird and clasp it

to Him and showered it with love in the hope the elders would spare

the bird's life.

 

On occasions such as these He would run to a neighbor's house, whom

He knew to be devout people and vegetarians, and take food from them,

instead of remaining at home where meat was consumed. Also, He was a

pacifist by nature and would never retaliate or complain when

playmates would mistreat Him. He never seemed to suffer pain or

discomfiture at their hands and was always honest and truthful at His

home or school. Even at the tender age of three He would rush to help

a beggar at the door asking His mother or sisters to give Him grain

or flour for the waiting beggar. This, at times, caused

understandable irritation in the home, especially at the endless

procession of outstretched hands and cries for alms. The household

elders, on occasions, would shout the beggars away before young

Sathya could bring the requested relief aid. This would distress Him

and He would cry long and hard until their hearts would melt with

pity for Him, and they would call the dismissed beggars back. At

times, however, His mother reproved Him for His "misplaced charity",

and with scolding fingers would warn Him that He would go without His

meals should He continue to feed the beggars. Undaunted by the

warning, He fed the poor hungry wretch first at the door and would

leave His meal untouched. Nothing would persuade young Sathya to

return to His meal. On such occasions He never seemed hungry and

looked as if He had already eaten! In answer to His parent's

questions He replied that He had already been fed by "a mysterious

old man", of whom nobody had seen nor heard, fed Him milk-rice. While

Sathya was well-known in the village for His compassion to those in

need, in later years would go to His grandfather's kitchen and assist

in the preparation of the vegetarian meals; even at such an early age

of six or seven, He was a very good cook!

 

When He was seven or eight, He was composing spiritual songs which

were performed at local religious festivals. Upon starting school, He

earned the price of His books, and other school items, by

composing "advertising songs" for the local store-keeper and they

were sung as He and His friends strolled through the village

extolling the excellence of the store.

 

A year or two later He demonstrated His creative powers by

materializing objects, out of thin air, for His school friends.

Candy, pencils, rubbers, fruits, were just a few of the many items He

produced, to the wonderment of all present. On one such occasion He

asked His friends to pick any one of a variety of fruits, which they

would like, from a nearby non-fruit producing tree. Even fruit that

were not indigenous to India, or those out of season, would be found

hanging from its branches. Whatever Sathya willed became a fact.

Such "miracles" cannot be explained by science and transcend physical

laws.

 

At about the age of eight the young Sathya was accepted into the

Higher Elementary School at Bukkapatnam, about two and a half miles

from Puttaparthi, a distance he had to trudge in rain or sunshine,

over stony ground and sometimes when the season dictated it, having

to wade across water, neck-deep, with schoolbooks balanced on His

head. One teacher recalled Sathya as being "very obedient and simple.

He never spoke more than the minimum necessary." Proceeding to school

earlier than most He would arrange an image or holy picture with

flowers He had with Him, and would conduct Pooja (worship) and

Aarathi (offering a flame to one's guru or deity), and also

distributing Prasadam (blessed food, or anything received with

devotion to God). The boys would gather around Him excitedly to see

Him "taking" things from His empty school bag. When asked about it,

He said that a certain "Grama Saskthi" obeyed His will and gave Him

whatever He wanted.

 

In early 1997 Sathya Sai Baba made reference to an occurrence in His

youth which He had not hitherto mentioned. He said; "I was eight

years old at the time. I was in Puttaparthi. A lot of young boys of

My age used to gather around Me. Some older boys also used to join

us. I used to teach them reading and writing as well as singing. They

were not in the habit of taking daily baths. I insisted that they

should bathe and remain clean when they come for the classes. I used

to take them to a pool in the vicinity of a Hanuman temple in the

village. I advised them that after taking a bath and wearing clean

clothes, they should go to the Hanuman temple with the image of

Hanuman enshrined in their hearts and the name of Sri Rama on their

lips. One day, the boys insisted that I should also go with them to

the temple. I completed one round around the temple and stood still.

The boys tried to pull Me for a second round. Despite their combined

efforts I could not be moved from where I stood. The

boys were puzzled. Then I told them: 'I am unable to move because

Hanuman has come out of the temple and is holding Me, saying Sri Rama

cannot go around Hanuman. Hanuman will go round Sri Rama. At that

moment the boys had a vision of Hanuman standing in front of Sri

Rama. Where Rama is, Hanuman stands by.

 

Sathya was studying at the High School for a year, and a few months

into His second year class, when the call for which He was incarnated

amongst mankind, could no longer be ignored by Him. It was becoming

more and more difficult for Him to hide His majesty while at home or

at school activities.

 

While on a picnic with His brother Seshama Raju, and friends amongst

the ruins of the ancient Viruupaaksha at Hampi, one holy sage, who

was seated outside the temple, said of Him, "This boy, believe me, is

Divine." While the party went into the temple, Sathya remained

outside, seeming more interested in the grandeur and structure of the

temple. Nobody pressed Him to join them as they entered and observed

the priest doing Aarathi before the Lingam. As the priest waved the

Aarathi flame in a circular movement, the camphor flame of which lit

up the interior, they were startled to see Sathya standing erect and

smiling in the place of the Lingam! This was so startling and

unexpected that His brother rushed outside to see if Sathya had

indeed managed to enter without their seeing Him, only to find Him

leaning against a wall, where they had left Him. This amazing

incident seemed to proceed them to the town. The next day, Thursday,

Sathya, now assuming the role of Sai Baba, cured a chronic

tuberculosis patient by His touch and had him get up and walk a

mile! (Up to the year 1977, on the annual festival of

Mahashivaratri, -the darkest night of the year,- Sai Baba brought

forth, through His mouth, a lingam, in the presence of hundreds of

thousands of devotees. Ellipsoid in shape and denoted as the symbol

of the Cosmos in its original abstract form: Spirit and matter of

which the entire Universe is founded. He has said of the lingam: "It

is the symbol of emergence of the five primordial elements. The

lingam is the essence of all attributes and names. It is the formless

with form, the nameless with name, the primal emergent from the

Divine.")

 

On another occasion Sathya left His physical body to go in aid of a

devotee who was in great distress. Those who were present

misunderstood what had happened, assuming He had fainted, suffered a

snake bite or a scorpion sting. Doctors, quacks and sorcerers, tried

to diagnose and treat the condition which would happen again and

again in the future, but remained totally puzzled.

 

On the fateful day of May 23rd, 1940, while Sathya was scattering

gifts to the outstretched hands of those who came to Him, He

declared, for the first time, that He was Sai Baba, the saint of

Shirdi, come again, to save and uplift humanity from the calamity

fast coming upon mankind. He also declared Thursday as His day for

worship and asked all those close to Him to worship Him henceforth as

Sathya Sai Baba.

 

He announced that He was, in fact, the reincarnation of Sai Baba of

Shirdi the revered saint who was born in Pathri, in the Aurangabad

district, on September 27th, 1838. He was called "Babu" at birth, and

in 1872, He settled in the town of Shirdi, where He caused a stir by

worshipping one night in a Muslim mosque, and crossing over to

worship at the Hindu temple the following night. In doing this He was

demonstrating to both communities the unity of all religions. Much

has been written of this noble saint who displayed a strength and

strictness in His teachings. On October 15th. 1918, at 3.30am. and

aged 80 years, Shirdi Baba, by which He is known, attained Samadhi

(merging with the Absolute), having been born on a Muslim holy day in

Ramzan, and leaving His body on a Hindu holy day in Vijayadasami,

with the words, "Allah is removing the lamp that He lighted. Bury Me

and go!" Forty years after His demise, Baba is reported to have

appeared to a Roman Catholic nun, who was leaving the

convent, with the Pope's absolution. She was penniless and

despondent, when Shirdi Sai Baba appeared to her suddenly in her

cloistered room, assuring her of a bright future in Calcutta! (The

author has been unable to ascertain if the nun referred to was indeed

Mother Teresa of Calcutta.)

 

Prior to His death He announced that He would reincarnate eight years

later, in southern India, thus commencing the second of a triple

incarnation, as Sathya Sai Baba.

 

It is now known that the third and final Sai incarnation, will be

eight years after the present Sai departs His body in 2022, aged 96

years. He will then be called Prema Sai,

 

(Prema means Love), and will be born in the Mandya District, in the

village of Gunaparthi, on the banks of the river Cauvery, Karnataka.

 

Incidentally, many Sai devotees have wondered who would take over the

running of the ashrams when Sathya Sai departs His body. The answer

to this question goes all the way back to the great spiritual teacher

of Adwaita-Vedanta, Parahamsa Ramakrishna. One of his star pupils, by

the name of Narendra, had been given the new name of Vivekananda by

Ramakrishna. Vivekananda died at the age of 39, in 1902, and was

reborn in Kuttipuram, Sri Lanka. In this new form he has visited

Sathya Sai many times. Swami said to him, "I have been waiting for

you for 85 years"; meaning while in His Shirdi Sai body. Baba asked

him to take over the ashram when He departs in 2022.

 

"I am no longer your Sathya," He stated to a small gathering of His

school friends outside the His brother Seshama's home, where He

stayed while attending the school. "I am Sai," He said, casting aside

His books. His sister-in-law, upon hearing excited voices, peered

outside and was almost blinded by the light of a halo that surrounded

Baba's head. She shrieked and covered her eyes. Addressing her Baba

said, "I don't belong to you; Maya (illusion) has gone; My Bhaktas

(devotees) are calling Me; I have My work; I can't stay any longer."

Saying this He turned and left in spite of her pleadings. Baba's

brother who was a teacher at the school, hurried home on being told

what was happening, and Baba said to him, "Give up all your efforts

to 'cure' Me; I am Sai; I do not consider Myself related to you." A

neighbor also witnessed the blinding halo around Baba's head and fell

at His feet

 

Baba's brother always felt a responsibility for Sathya, and was

perplexed by this announcement from his fourteen year old brother,

talking of Work, Maya, Bhaktas and the Philosophy of Beginning!

Seshama insisted that Baba stay in the house until their parents

arrived at Uravakonda, but Baba refused to re-enter the house,

instead went and sat on a rock in the garden of a friend. Many people

came from near and far with offerings of flowers and fruit, and

singing together the bhajan (devotional song) that Sai Baba taught

them. The first prayer He taught was the Call, which is still sung

today by devotees around the world.

 

Maanasa bhajare gurucharanam

 

Dusthara bhavasaagara tharanam

 

"Meditate in thy mind on the Feet of the Guru; that can take you

across the difficult sea of Samsara."

 

Baba was sadly missed by His school friends, who felt that their guru

was now beyond them, thinking that His company was hereafter only for

those He showers His Grace upon. Many came to the little garden to

worship Him, others to learn and, sadly, even to laugh!

 

Three days of Bhajan singing and worship passed, and a photographer

arrived to photograph the young "phenomenon"; he wanted the young

Baba to remove a large stone that was in front of Him. Baba paid him

no heed, but when the photo was processed, the stone had become the

image of Sai Baba of Shirdi!

 

One evening, while those gathered sang Bhajans, Baba suddenly

said, "O, Maya has come!", indicating the arrival of His mother from

His home village of Puttaparthi. Eswaramma pleaded with Him to return

home with her, and wept at His retort, "Who belongs to whom?" She

failed to shake His resolve. "It is all Maya," He repeated over and

over. Later He asked the mother to serve Him some food, which she

duly did, and these dishes were rolled up into a number of balls.

Handing Him three of these, and eating them, Baba stated, "Yes. Now

Maya* has left. There is no need to worry." A few days later He left

with His parents for home.

 

Sathya Sai Baba's father, Peddavenkapa Raju, remained doubtful of his

Son's proclaimed Divinity, so the first thing Baba did was to give

His parents a vision of Sai Baba of Shirdi. After that, miracles of

various kinds were a daily occurrence, and devotees started pouring

into the tiny village. A prayer hall was now needed to accommodate

the visitors, and this was built in 1944 and became known as Paatha

Mandir, the Old Temple, later to be converted into a memorial to

Peddavenkapa Raju. So isolated was the village of Puttaparthi, that

when the Recruiting Officer came there in his jeep, for Baba's

Darshan, that it was the first time a self-propelled vehicle was seen

by the villagers!

 

CHAPTER TWO

 

Nothing could have prepared the people of little Puttaparthi for all

that was now to happen. The next fifty years would see a glorious

expansion of this village, not just a physical one but also a

spiritual explosion.

 

This was now the beginning of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's mission.

 

A mission that has never before been equaled in the annals of

history. This event parallels a similar event that occurred, in the

Middle East, two-thousand years ago, involving another young man, who

also proclaimed a mission of universal importance. His name was

Jesus. Both young men being born into humble households in unknown

villages. Whereas Sai Baba is presently widely known through the

world, aided by books, and the media in general, Jesus' mission,

which lasted only three years, was known only within the East

Mediterranean area. However, both taught the same Divine principals;

Peace, Love, Unity. The worshipping of the one God; love your

neighbor as yourself; the equality of all religions; reminding man of

his Divine origin,-are some of the similar teachings of both these

men of God.

 

Within six years the Mandir would be outgrown with the large number

of devotees converging on Puttaparthi each day, making it inadequate

for its purpose. A beautiful new Mandir was inaugurated, by Sathya

Sai Baba, on the fringe of the village, which was named Prashanthi

Nilayam - the Abode of Supreme Peace!

 

This Abode gradually drew to itself, like a magnet, people of all

nations, and religions. Baba's fame not only spread throughout India,

but eventually far beyond its shores. His teachings touched a chord

in the hearts of spiritual seekers everywhere, and His miracles of

materializations and healings, attracted the attention of the

curious. To the latter He would invite with the words, "Come, test,

enquire, taste, experience."

 

Sathya Sai Baba teaches that the basic nature of mankind is Divine,

and that the purpose of life is to realise that Divinity within us.

This is achieved through leading a moral life, rendering selfless

service to those in need and developing love and respect for all

forms of life. He encourages us to practice the fundamental

principles that form the basis of all the world's major religions:

TRUTH, RIGHT CONDUCT, PEACE, LOVE, and NON-VIOLENCE. These are human

qualities which should be practiced in our daily lives, inspiring

others with our example.

 

Sai Baba has stated that He has not come to establish a new religion,

or cult, or to direct people towards any particular religion. Indeed,

He encourages those attracted to His teachings "to continue

worshipping along lines already familiar to you". He further

states, "Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish, and let

the glory of God be sung in all languages and in a variety of tunes.

That should be the ideal. Respect the differences between the faiths

and recognise them as valid as long as they do not extinguish the

flame of unity. If each person lives the ideals propounded by the

founders of his religion, unaffected by greed or hate, then the world

will be a happy and peaceful habitation for man." He also

stated, "All religions are facets of the same Truth."

 

At the commencement of His mission, Baba said that in His life, the

first 16 years would be marked by Leelas (play), the next 16 years,

by miracles. The rest of His earthly life by Upadesam, (imparting

spiritual knowledge). That is not to say that the first two would by

absent in the latter stage.

 

This combination of merriment and miracles was well illustrated with

an incident that took place on a journey He took with a party of

devotees, by bullock carts, to Uravakonda. While He occasionally left

His followers for moments of solitude in the hills and dales, He was

prone to practical jokes and fun from time to time. Baba Himself

recounts this particular event, even today, with great humour. It was

night, and Baba and a group of young men were walking behind the

bullock carts in the moonlight. Unnoticed, He moved a few yards away

from the group, hastening to the cart in the lead position. There He

appeared as a young girl of sixteen, tearfully requesting a lift

because her feet were sore, and that she was traveling to visit her

husband, an in-patient, at the Dharmavaram Hospital. The ladies in

the cart took pity on the unfortunate "girl" and allowed her onboard.

After about a mile or so, Baba's absence was discovered, and the

convoy of carts were brought to a halt, while a

search ensued. They found Him just a few yards ahead of the leading

cart. Some of the older men dared to rebuke Him for His playfulness,

in a strange place in the dark of night! Resuming their journey only

to discover that the "girl" was now missing. Where had "she" gone?

Perhaps, being anxious to be at "her" husband's bedside, "she" ran

ahead when the carts stopped. Some of the younger men ran to search

the road ahead, only to report that the road was empty for at least

two miles. Believing Baba would know the whereabouts of any missing

person, they asked Him. Not realizing then, that the "girl" stood

before them on the form of the Great Actor, Sai Baba!

 

The early devotees of Sai Baba were blessed indeed. They witnessed so

many wonderful miracles; they cannot contain themselves today in

describing those earlier miracles they were privileged to witness. Be

it materializing golden idols from the sandy banks of the Chitravathi

river, to challenging His followers to a race to the top of the

nearby hill, only for them to discover Him calling to them from the

top, before they had started! Or looking up from the sands, and

seeing a huge form of Shirdi Sai Baba, illuminated by a mysterious

effulgence; some saw Baba's face inside the full-moon; or the great

ball of fire, like a sun, piercing the New Moon disc, making it

impossible to keep the eyes open. Some devotees fainted with shock.

 

>From the time of His birth, Sai Baba has manifested a Divine Light,

or aura, around Himself, especially around the head. This would be

similar to those rays of light depicted by artists around the head of

Jesus, and other saintly beings. These rays of light have been seen

in a variety of colors, by those present at Darshan. One expert in

the science of biomagnetic field radiation, -the science that studies

the aura phenomenon, Dr. Frank G. Baranowski, of the University of

Arizona, has given over 9,000 lectures on the subject around the

world. His is aided with the use of Kirlian photography, which

records auric emanations being given off by human and inanimate

objects. Dr. Baranowski has suggested that scientists have

photographed five different types of auras; physical, psychical,

moral, spiritual and intellectual, and all are affected by the

various emotional states of a person, turning into various hues as

the emotions change. While not a devotee of Sathya Sai Baba he did

travel

to see Him in India, and while he has seen many auras of saintly

people, as well as those of Queens, and Presidents, he said that he

never seen such an aura that emanated from Baba. To quote him, "The

aura that Swami (Baba) projected was not that of a man! The white was

more than twice the size of any man's; the blue was practically

limitless; and then there were gold and silver bands beyond even

these, right up to the horizon. There is no scientific explanation

for this phenomenon…I am a Christian, born a Roman Catholic. The

scientific community in my country finds it difficult to accept a

god. It is not scientific, they assert. I am risking my reputation

when I make this statement: two days ago…I looked into His Eyes. They

have a glow inside them. It was clear to me that I had looked into

the Face of Divinity!"

 

Referring to His healing powers, Baba said, "The miracles belong to

the boundless power of God…As an Avatar, this power is intrinsic,

inherent, total and natural to My Will and Decision…This healing

phenomenon has a dual aspect. I can cure, save, even resurrect

people, provided they are in a spiritually receptive condition. It is

like the positive and negative currents of electricity. My capacity

to heal can be compared to the current. Your devotion to Me is the

negative current. Once the two come together, the devotion provides

what is called the miracle of healing."

 

The reference to Avatars (which means an incarnation of God into

physical form, or God in man), requires some explanation and how they

differ from sages, saints, etc.

 

The key difference between a saint and an Avatar is that the Avatar

is born with the innate knowledge of His Divinity and the full powers

He brings with Him, while the saint, sage or yogi must undergo

various spiritual disciplines to attain the "siddhis" or spiritual

powers. There have been only one Poorna (total) Avatars, before

Sathya Sai Baba; the Lord Krishna, 5,000 years ago. Also, the Poorna

Avatar is recognised by the full compliments of sixteen attributes,

or Divine facets, while Rama, who lived 11,000 years ago, had only

twelve but acquired three during His lifetime. This is not intended

to down-grade great spiritual Beings like Jesus Christ, or any of the

many spiritual Teachers throughout the ages.

 

Saints and sages, as stated, acquire certain powers by the practice

of a type of Yoga, called siddhis, requiring rigorous discipline and

spiritual exercises over many years. These "gifts" are acquired as a

by-product of their sincere God-ward quests, which are psychic powers

like clairvoyance, healing, teleportation, and so forth.

 

Being fully aware of our past, present and future, Sai Baba is

conscious of the Karmic Debts from past lives, and may postpone a

healing to allow the individual to learn the necessary lessons to

bring balance back into his/her life before healing can take place.

As He explains. "I have to calculate the potentialities, the

retribution they deserve the use or misuse they will make of

additional faculties and capabilities…You might say that the Karma of

previous births has to be consumed in this life, and that no amount

of Grace can save you from that. Evidently, someone has taught you to

believe so. But I assure you, you need not suffer from Karma like

that…Grace is like the morphine; the pain is not felt though you go

through it."

 

Sathya Sai Baba concludes by saying, "My miracles are My calling

cards, I give the people what they want so that they will give Me

what I want; their love of God." So there is a purpose behind His

miraculous acts; that they will stay and listen to His teachings.

 

It was in the early 1980's that Sathya Sai Baba called a small group

of devotees together. They were special devotees. Highly evolved

individuals who had been seeking to go deeper into their spiritual

quests.

 

Baba instructed them to go to the sacred Himalayan Mountains near the

Holy Shrine of Badrinath, to worship and "practice the highest form

of meditation that leads to trance and connects you with the Atmic

Principle."

 

Most of the group of eleven were in their 30's and had come from

exceedingly wealthy backgrounds. They were totally into the spiritual

life, and as per Baba's instructions, they made arrangements for

their family and heirs, as they were giving up all worldly

possessions and attachments. Two who had been called to this new

state, were already advanced in age and in their spirituality.

 

Sathya Sai Baba gave them a gift of a large urn, or vessel, called

the "Akshaya Patra", which means the "never-declining, and ever-full"

vessel. (Swami was born in the Hindu year called "Akshaya", and He

too is "never-declining and ever-full.") The urn was so-called

because it spontaneously manifested all manner of food, fruits, milk,

Prasadam, etc., to sustain His chosen eleven! As Jesus said, "Seek ye

first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all things will be added unto you!"

 

Upon giving them the vessel, Swami told them, "Whenever I notice that

you are hungry, the necessary food required by you will automatically

appear in the container under My Divine Will."

 

Sai Baba has appeared physically to them, initially every month, to

give them personal Guidance and Direction. He now visits about every

six months or so, and all His visits are clear examples of His

Omnipresence; being seen by His devotees in the south of India, while

also being in the Gufa Cave in northern India! It has been, after

all, prophesied that the Avatar of this Age will "roam all over the

Earth, adored by spiritual people."

 

It is said that these Cave devotees, are frequently visited by saints

and sages who live their lives roaming through the Himalayas. Some

are reportedly hundreds of years old, while at least one is close to

1000 years old! They come to partake of the vessel's Prasadam and all

have made reference to the great blessings this group of eleven have

with Swami's personal spiritual guidance whenever they need it, while

these sages bemoan the fact that they themselves are not permitted

close proximity to Swami.

 

As one sage said, "Those who have the good luck of having Darshan of

God Incarnate, receiving His Grace and getting their daily food from

the Prasadam Patra given by Him, are really fortunate. So far as we

(the sages) are concerned, the Avatar does not allow us even His

(physical) proximity."

 

Another sage has said, also, "Yes, Lord Shiva has descended on Earth

in the form of Sai Baba, but what is surprising is that the Avatar is

not allowing us, -the Siddhas (God-realised souls), anywhere near

Him."

 

How fortunate some of His devotees are to be able to have His

Darshan, and have private interviews, while saints and sages are kept

at a distance!

 

Finally, when Devaraha Baba, who is reportedly 450 years old, was

asked about Sai Baba, he replied, "He is Parabraham Incarnate, (the

Universal Absolute: God)… It is not proper to tell such things unless

they are specially asked for. There has to be a real seeker first.

Besides, there is another important reason. The Lord Incarnate has

strictly forbidden the Siddhas to mention this fact to anyone. As

such we cannot even discuss this matter amongst ourselves. This

mystery about the Incarnation of Bhagawan Sainath (meaning 'Blessed

Lord Sai'), can be discussed briefly only in the company of the

highly realised Sadhaks (saints), who are really inquisitive…The time

is not far off when seers, sages and saints, from all over the

country, will assemble in Puttaparthi to receive the blessings of the

Lord Incarnate." Of this, Sai Baba has said, "The time has not yet

come."

 

Sathya Sai Baba's fame was beginning to spread far and wide, by the

stories of His miracles, acts which science cannot explain and which

transcend physical laws. Thousands are wonderstruck upon seeing Him

materializing objects, and the creation of Vibhutti, the sacred ash.

With the circular movement of His hand Baba produces an ash, grey in

colour and scented, which is considered sacred. This flows from His

palm or from between His fingers and is a spiritual and physical aid

for those to whom He presents it. It is a healing agent. Or changing

the forms of objects like rings and medallions, from one metal into

another, by simply blowing on it! All these are done, He says, "By an

act of will." He is known to have healed the sick, of all serious

conditions. He has protected from harm those who have called for His

help, no matter how distant they may be from Him. He has appeared in

physical form in several places at the same time, even to those who

had never heard of Him at the time,

only to be told of the incidents by Him, many years later. There

are, also, many documented cases of Him raising people from the dead.

 

However, He has said, "You have come to get from Me tinsel and trash,

the petty cures and promotions, worldly joys and comforts. Very few

of you desire to get from Me the thing I have come to give you,

namely Liberation itself!"

 

It can surely be said that His greatest miracles are the

transformation of people who come to Him, with doubts and

apprehensions, and who leave with love in their hearts, peace in

their minds, and a resolve to lead a more useful and spiritual life.

 

Sai Baba recently related the story of a Muslim classmate who sadly

fell into evil ways as the result of becoming a morphia addict. He

underwent a tremendous transformation as a result of his faith in

Sai. This young Muslim boy was fond of Sai Baba and would call

Him 'Raju', like the other classmates. When Baba left school, the boy

continued his studies and later worked in an insurance company. But

his wife died, and he slipped into depression, turning to morphia

injections to ease the pain of his loss. In time, he had to sell his

property to help feed his addiction and the whole family became

utterly destitute. It was at this lowest point that a miracle

occurred. He happened to be passing a house where a Sai group of

devotees were singing Bhajans, and it brought back the memory of his

boyhood friend Raju. He thought that perhaps Sathya Sai would deliver

him from utter ruin, and pledged to Baba to abstain from injections

for three days, with faith and hope that Sai would rid him of

his addiction. He struggled for two days in extreme agony and on the

third fell into a deep sleep at midnight. He awoke in the morning to

acclaim that Baba had visited him and that he felt good and released

from his ailments, both mental and physical. "My God has saved me.

Sai Baba is my God." From that moment his life changed. His

circumstances improved, and this Muslim openly proclaimed: "I see my

Allah in Sai. He is my omnipotent God."

 

Baba has, however, cautioned people against placing too much

importance to miracles, when He stated, "Do not give importance to

miracles. Do not exaggerate their significance. The greatness of My

power does not reside in these miracles, it consists only in My Love.

It is true, I can change heaven into earth, and earth into heaven.

But Divine Power does not fritter itself thus to reveal itself. It is

only for the sake of love that Divinity descends as an Avatar. All

the ostensible miracles are only droplets of that Ocean of Love. Do

not be dazzled by the droplets. Recognise the ocean and come to dip

yourselves therein."

 

On another occasion Baba said, "It is foolish for people to think

that I am just a man of miracles and no more. The kind of feeling

which an elephant gets when a mosquito lands on its body is exactly

like what miracles are for Me. These miracles have an insignificant

place in my totality. Sometimes I feel like laughing at the ignorance

of people when they attach importance to My miracles. People talk of

only such small things and forget the much bigger aspects in Me."

 

St. Thomas Aquinas said, "Only God can perform miracles," underlining

the Divine origin of miracles, equally Jesus did not attribute much

importance to His "signs."

 

Baba has demonstrated His power over the natural forces on many

occasions. Heavy rain miraculously dispersed, over a Darshan

gathering of several thousand people, allowing the sun to shine upon

them, while rain continued its downpour outside the ashram area. This

was Swami's way of caring for His flock. On another occasion

producing a vertical rainbow for a unbelieving American! And

retreating the flood waters of the Chitravathi river, which

threatened to flood the village of Puttaparthi, and countless other

delightful miracles documented over the years by His biographers.

 

These extraordinary incidences occur with regularity, and are

witnessed daily by many thousands of devotees present at the

gatherings. The writer witnessed two healings while staying in

Prashanthi Nilayam, and materializations. Anybody may see and verify

such incidents, for themselves, by direct observation.

 

Possession of a materialized gift from Baba, be it a ring, necklace,

watch, or any precious object He might present one with, it acts as a

talisman and can speed up rescue in the event of an accident,

although, He states, this is not necessarily so.

 

"One does not have to have a feeling that Swami will protect and

bestow His grace only through such talisman," Baba said. "That is not

correct, either. The meaning is that if the wearer of this talisman

is in difficulties or danger, then this talisman immediately flashes

and in one flash brings the news to Me. Similarly in a split second

it flashes My grace back to the wearer, which will avert the danger

or disaster to the wearer. There is a Divine Secret which exists in

the talisman and that is the reason for wearing them."

 

Before a large gathering, at a Christmas Day discourse in 1996, Sai

Baba spoke of Jesus and His mission two thousand years ago. "Scholars

started investigating the validity of the statement made by Jesus

Christ, 'I and My Father are One.' They collected all knowledge that

existed prior to 1,530 years. All that was compiled in one book in

England. Russians made it into a small tiny book. This is that

book. "With that He materialized a small leather-bound book with

threads as page markers, and held it between His thumb and

forefinger, for the congregation to see. "This is the book, the

Bible. These are the pages in it. You find the cross there on the

book. This also proved the procedure to establish synthesis of all

religions. Some of the details of Christ's life found here are not

recorded in the Bible. This is the true story of Jesus. It is not

given to everybody to know His divinity. To know His divinity we

should develop divine thoughts. Here you find the book mark thread.

Every

thread marks the text of a particular religion.

The most important Sloka of Bhagawat Gita is present here in this

book mark. The essence of all religions is one. Surrender is the main

duty of everyone. Surrender means the feeling of oneness, 'I and God

are One.' Why? The reason is, who that is present in you is present

in me. Only bodies are different. Bulbs are different in wattage and

colours. But the current is one. This book contains that important

dictum of oneness that runs through all religions."

 

When those present wanted to inspect the tiny Bible close-up, they

found it had been teleported back from whence it came, only a few

moments earlier, to its hiding place in Southern Russia.

 

CONTINUED …

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!