Sai Our Divine Parent

Om Sri Sai Ram SAI – OUR DIVINE MOTHER, FATHER, GURU AND OMNIPRESENT GOD -I 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 traveled with Him can vouch for this. Kasturiji, His biographer, who had had the good fortune of traveling 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 traveling 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 center. 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 embarrassment, the next slice He handed over to me had the skin removed!” On another occasion Baba and a few others were traveling 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 traveling 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." 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 behavior." 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 traveled 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 Ashram 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. Swami Sadananda and Satchidananda accompanied him. Baba came near Kasturiji's cot and turned the pillow over to expose the snuffbox. 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. SAI MAHAVAKYAS The Proper Study of Mankind is Man Man is the basic unit of Mankind. So it follows that he should be the epitome of the ideals that mankind stands for. How can man epitomize mankind? By spontaneously revealing the divine qualities of Love, Compassion and forbearance in perfect harmony in his thought, word and deed. In other words he should be a perfect example of his species. Work is Worship, Duty is God Any work undertaken with dedication and selflessness ie, without any expectation of reward becomes worship when it is offered to the Lord as an offering. All work is God’s work. When one belongs to God how can his work belong to another? When one discharges his responsibility with a sense of commitment to one’s own Self – the God seated in every heart that performance becomes verily God. Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man Humanity has to be seen as a single race. Just as a beautiful garland is made up of flowers of various hues size and fragrance strung together the human race is also made up of men and women of different complexion and languages. Again, just as a garland is strung together by one thread, which is common to all flowers, the human beings also have the same Atma or life force as the core. This obviously means that a common binds all humans on the face of earth bond and therefore are brothers, east or west, black or white. This common factor called Atma has its origin in Brahma or Brahman or God. Hence, the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. Hands in Society Heads in the Forest Here hands stand for service and head for mind of the humans. Service to society is the bounden duty of everyone. And such service (Seva) has to be done selflessly, without expectation of any gain or reward. In other words, it has to be done with complete detachment. If the hands are to be engaged in Seva in a spirit of detachment and disinterestedness the mind should be completely free from desires. Freedom from desires means cultivation of Vairagya (detachment). Forest stands for Vairagya and head for the

mind, which has to be cleansed of desires that cause attachment and selfishness. When the mind is thus cleansed the individual can do any amount of Seva selflessly for the welfare of society. My Life is My Message Preaching is easy; but to practice the same is difficult. For this Bhagawan Baba refers to a Drill Master for example. While all other teachers only teach the Drill Master demonstrates also what he instructs the students. Man must put into practice what he professes himself first. Then only he has the right to advise others. Bhagawan Baba lives every syllable of what He preaches to His devotees from daybreak to dusk. So, such an ideal life becomes a practical lesson and therefore a deep-going Message to His followers who need only remember what He does throughout the day. Miracles are My visiting cards What is natural with the Miraculous is miracle for the ordinary. Man cannot easily identify or recognise Divinity as he is enveloped in Maya or ignorance. He has to be woken up and told of the Advent of an Avatar who has come for His upliftment. Hence just as many of us present our identity card or visiting card to a stranger the Lord has to draw our attention to the Superhuman Power of the Avatar so that we would listen to Him. It is like a call attention notice. Once the identity is established, He can convey His Message. But He has not to make any special effort for this, as what He does naturally and spontaneously will look miraculous to us. You cannot always oblige, but can speak obligingly This applies both to the material and the spiritual world. One cannot be in society without mutual help and societal obligations. But very often one may not able to extend help in solving the problems of a brother or a sister because of personal limitations. In such cases one must, without losing balance, explain the position in an understanding way so that the one in need will be able to appreciate it. Such a situation often occurs while undertaking Seva activities by the Sevadal. Where discipline does not permit you to comply with somebody’s seemingly genuine request, one has to convincingly explain the position in minimum words so that the other party will feel satisfied and properly attended. Soft, short and sensible talk satisfies everyone. Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray What is the use of spending long hours in prayers and meditation behind closed door when one’s neighbour is helplessly groaning in pain? Such prayers will certainly fail to be responded by the Lord. What is expected of a human being is to leave the prayers and rush to attend to the one in pain. It amounts to the God in you rushing to the help of the God in that person, since Manava Seva is Madhava Seva. That is how one should visualise God – the God in everyone. Wiping a tear or rendering help to alleviate the misery of a brother is much holier that reading the scriptures or repeating Vedic mantras, as the former is a selfless act while the latter is a selfish one. The end of education is character; the end of knowledge is wisdom When the knowledge acquired by reading and studying is analysed and pondered upon it develops into wisdom, granting an inner vision. The same knowledge can be converted into skill by its practical application. For example, values are understood and stored in memory as knowledge, but when applied in daily life it becomes a skill in the service to society. And the spontaneity of their application brings refinement in an individual resulting in good character, which really is the end of education. Money comes and goes, Morality comes and grows

Money is known for the evanescence. It appears and disappears like a cloud. It never stays with anyone for all times. Still it can easily ensnare man in its web, as without it one cannot exist. But enamored by its glow and the comfort it offers man thinks that it has come to stay. But like passing clouds it disappears leaving its possess or still under illusion as he tries to obtain it more and more by fair or unfair means. In direct contrast is morality. Once one begins to adhere to the moral principles they permeate his life in every field of activity. Every exercise of its application gives a boost to its luster and growth with the result morality becomes ingrained in its votary as a permanent asset. Help Ever Hurt Never This is the quintessence of the eighteen puranas authored by the great Vyasa. Every being is a spark of the Divine that accounts for the totality of this universe. Hence there is an unseen bond between human beings. So, helping another would mean helping oneself. It becomes the bounden duty of all to help each other. Conversely it is a sin to harm anyone. It amounts to harming oneself. ‘Paropakaraya Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam’, it is said. That is, it is meritorious to help others, but it is a sin to harm anyone. Under no circumstances one should think of harming another – in thought, word and deed. Hurt is not inflicted only bodily; it can be by harsh words as well. The wound caused by words cannot be healed, as it remains etched in the mind forever. Hence, one should never hurt another even if one cannot offer any help. Love All Serve All Only when one loves all, one can serve all, i.e., offer service without any discrimination. One who loves you is bound to be loved in return normally. But what is important and expected of us is to love the one who does not love us. This needs the awareness that there is a bond between all of us and the dislike is only superficial and momentary. All are embodiments of the same Atma and hence related inseparably. It is this awareness that underlies the urge to offer selfless service to one and all without any consideration of separateness based on any distinction. Offering help to another amounts to serving oneself. Because, by doing so one is only relieving oneself of the pain or discomfort that has afflicted him at the sight of the suffering of the other. In fact, only the body sheaths are different, the core is one and the same. Life is a Game Play It Victory and defeat are the duality natural with any game and life is no exception. But as one takes it in a spirit of sportsmanship in the case of a game, in life too, the ups and downs should be welcomed with equanimity. But the possibility of victory can be worked up in the case of the game of life by selecting better and more powerful teammates. In life the fight is between the good six and the evil six. No doubt the evil six, namely, lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and jealousy are highly skilled ones. But, the good six, namely, truth, righteousness, peace, love, non-violence and sacrifice always have an edge over the opponents because of their inherent virtue. So, life can be steered to success provided our teammates are the good or the desirable six. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava These Vedic injunctions virtually provide the pillars of Indian Culture. Bharat considers mother as the first God to be revered, as she is the one whose care and sacrifice are responsible for our birth and growth. It is on the lap of the mother that one learns the alphabets and the basics of one’s conduct. It is she who teaches the child to walk and talk and the fundamentals of social life. Naturally she deserves the first place of reverence and adoration. She tells the child of its father, who, as provider of wherewithal for the family, occupies only second place in the hierarchy of veneration. The father in turn takes the child

to the Guru or Preceptor who trains him in morals, ethics and the scriptures for a meaningful life. And it is the Guru who tells him about God and his relationship with the Almighty. So mother first, father next, preceptor later and God last and Ultimate - that is the order of reverence expected to be offered by everyone. Praying Hearts, Serving Hands Every human heart is a temple. And in the altar of the temple is seated the Lord, the source of Love Energy that sustains the individual. It is not love alone that is housed there. Compassion, patience and forbearance also find a place there. In fact, heart is the origin of these divine qualities that charge human feelings with a sense of sacrifice, prompted by which the hands go out into action of charity and help to alleviate the sufferings of our brethren. Wherever and whenever selfless service is offered a heart filled with compassion and love must be behind that service. And for the Lord seated therein their prayerful offerings are the unfading flowers of Love, Compassion, Forbearance and Sacrifice. Character is the Most Precious Gift of Education Bhagawan Baba repeatedly tell all His devotees in general and students in particular that ‘if wealth is lost nothing is lost; if health is lost something is lost; and if character is lost everything is lost.’ Character constitutes ninety per cent of a man’s personality whether it be in the field of social life or leadership. And it is the function of Education to bring refinement in an individual making all the facets of his personality shine providing him an impressive (not only physical) personality. Wherefrom can the shine come for a good personality? It is by the harmonious blend of the five human values that lie embedded in every individual. So the purpose of education is to bring out those sterling qualities that alone can gift good character – the hallmark of true education. Swami calls this process ‘edcuare’ i.e., an education that takes care of the innate basic qualities, which are divine in content but lying hidden in an individual. And that is the most precious gift of education. Example, Not Precept is the best Teaching Aid ‘Example is better than Precept’ is an old adage that conveys more than what it looks to imply. While discussing pedagogy, Bhagawan Baba often mentions the example of a Drill Master who not only instructs but physically demonstrates also. If the teacher is an ideal person, fifty per cent of teaching can be presumed to have been done. The young students whose eyes and ears are wide open, observes their teacher from all angles – how he looks, how he behaves, not only in the class but even outside. This total impression makes a strong background for teaching. If the teacher maintains lofty ideals, his exhortation goes deep into the hearts and minds of the young ones. He will be adored and emulated. And, that exactly is the purpose of teaching. It is not to doll out what is written in the book that a teacher is meant for. He has to set an example before the young ones. In other words he has to be the embodiment of virtues rendering his designation meaningful. On Himself "I have come not to disturb or destroy any faith. But to confirm, each one in his own faith, so that a Christian be a better Christian; a Muslim be a better Muslim; a Hindu be a better Hindu " In truth, you cannot understand the nature of My Reality either today, or even after a thousand years of steady austerity or ardent inquiry even if all mankind joins in that effort. But in a short time, you will become cognisant of the bliss showered by the Divine Principle, which has taken upon itself this sacred body and this sacred name. Your good fortune, which will provide you this chance, is greater than what was available for anchorites, monks, sages, saints and even personalities embodying facets of Divine Glory!

Since I move about with you, eat like you, and talk with you, you are deluded into the belief that this is but an instance of common humanity. Be warned against this mistake. I am also deluding you by My singing with you, talking with you, and engaging Myself in activities with you. But any moment, My Divinity may be revealed to you; you have to be ready, prepared for the moment. Since Divinity is enveloped by humanness you must endeavor to overcome the Maya (delusion) that hides it from your eyes. This is a human form in which every Divine entity, every Divine Principle, that is to say, all the Names and Forms ascribed by man to God, are manifest! Do not allow doubt to distract you; if you only install, in the altar of your heart, steady faith in My Divinity, you can win a Vision of My Reality. Instead, if you swing like the pendulum of a clock, one moment devotion, another moment, disbelief, you can never succeed in comprehending the Truth and win that Bliss. You are very fortunate that you have a chance to experience the bliss of the vision of the sarvadhaivathwa swaruupam (the embodiment of all forms of Divinity) now, in this life itself. Let Me draw your attention to another fact. On previous occasions when God incarnated on earth, the bliss of recognising Him in the incarnation was vouchsafed only after the physical embodiment had left the world, in spite of plenty of patent evidences of His Grace. And the loyalty and devotion they commanded from men arose through fear and awe, at their superhuman powers and skills, or at their imperial and penal authority. But ponder a moment on this Sathya Sai Manifestation; in this age of rampant materialism, aggressive disbelief and irreverence, what is it that brings to It the adoration of millions from all over the world? You will be convinced that the basic reason for this is the fact that this is the Supra-worldly Divinity in Human form. Again, how fortunate you are that you can witness all the countries of the world paying homage to Bharath; you can hear adoration to Sathya Sai's Name reverberating throughout the world, even while this body is existing-not at some future date, but when it is with you, before you. And again, you can witness very soon the restoration of Sanathana Dharma to its genuine and natural status, the Dharma laid down in the Vedas for the good of all the peoples of the world. The revival of Vedic Dharma is Sai Sankalpa (Sai's Will), not just drawing people towards Me, attracting them by the manifestation of My powers and potential. This is not a phenomenon of illusion. This phenomenon is the one that will uphold truth, uproot untruth, and in that victory make all of you exult in ecstasy. This is the Sai Sankalpam (Sai's Will). Source: http://www.sssbpt.org/home.htm SAI – OUR DIVINE MOTHER, FATHER, GURU AND OMNIPRESENT GOD -II MOST COMPASSIONATE ONE 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 Prashanthi Nilayam during Dasara celebrations. 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, the President of India commuted Kalpagiri’s death sentence, in response to a mercy petition, to life imprisonment. 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 Sambashan at Puttaparthi! The Sage Narada blessed Savitri 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. 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 Aarati. 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 apologized 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. 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 men folk 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 physicians, another of a young man to introduce him and speak of his capability and a woman to instill 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 Uma Maheswara'. 'I asked them to offer an Aarati 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 favors of Grace, most of us have not realized 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 close by 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. Bhagavatham was there, and Swami told him ' Ask him what happened in Madras? Bhagavatham 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." With Sai love, Sai brothers – ‘saidevotees_worldnet’ Source: http://www.sssbpt.org/home.htm