Road to Sai Baba

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Road to Sai Baba

By U. Sangamesan

 

"I took a piece of plastic clay

And idly fashioned it one day,

And as my fingers pressed it still,

It moved and yielded to my will.

I came again when days were passed;

The bit of clay was hard at last,

The form I gave it still it bore,

But I could change that form no more.

I took a piece of living clay

And touched it gently day by day.

And molded with my power and art

A young child's soft and yielding heart

I came again when years were gone;

It was a mind I looked upon;

That early impress still he wore,

And I could change that form no more."

 

It was October 1943.1 was in my early twenties and was passing through a

turmoil in life. I had problems from all sides - physical, domestic,

official etc., I had lost my peace of mind. I had resorted to traditional

forms of worship and nothing concrete had come out of it. At times I felt

like running away from life and even on a few occasions thoughts of

committing suicide had entered my mind. It was at this juncture, I was drawn

towards Sai Baba through Sri Narasimha Swamiji.

One evening I went to Mylapore and sat on the steps of the tank adjoining

Kapaleeswarar's temple. I sat quiet for a long time and my mind was debating

as to whether I should run away from my family or ends my life. The time was

already 8 '0' clock and as I got up. I saw a board 'All India Sai Samaj'

just opposite the tank.

 

I had heard of Sai Baba but did not know the existence of a Samaj. I

approached the building. It was Dr. Nanjunda Rao's residence. I went upto

the gate. I saw there a saintly person with a half grey beard talking to

another person. I saw the picture of Sai Baba in a wooden enclosure. I stood

there for a while.

 

On seeing me the person who was talking to the saintly person came out and

introduced himself as 'K. Radhakrishna' and asked me to come in. He pointed

out to the saintly personality as Sri Narasimha Swamiji, President of All

India Sai Samaj. I had heard his name as the one who spearheaded Sai prachar

and was immensely happy to meet him. I prostrated before Sri Narasimha

Swamiji. He blessed me with the words: "May Sri Sai Baba protect you and

your family". The very blessings of Swamiji were a turning point in my life.

I narrated my tale of woes to him. Swamiji asked me to worship Sai Baba with

total surrender and promised me that He would take care of everything. As

foretold by Swamiji, I came out of my problems shortly thereafter and peace

of mind dawned on me. I became a regular visitor to All India Sai Swamiji

and also a 'Sai Sevak' in Sai Prachar of Sri Narasimha Swamiji.

 

Sri K. Radhakrishna who later on blossomed himself to a great saint Sri

Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji affectionately recalled the above incident

whenever I met him at Bangalore and once wrote on the flyleaf of my copy of

Sai Satcharitra as follows:

"Got any rivers you think are uncross able?

Got any mountains you can't tunnel through?

Sai Baba specializes in things thought impossible.''

 

Once we grasp this great truth, the exhilaration and adventure that Sai

Baba brings into our lives makes anything else seem pale stuff. For

everyone's problem, I always quote : "Take heart - these are the very

adventures in which Sai Baba delights.

 

Saipadananda Magazine July 1995

Source: http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct95.htm