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ShriSathyaSaiSathcharithra-THAPOVANAM

THAPOVANAM

SRI SATHYA SAI SATHCHARITHRA

Sacred Life Story of

Bhagavan Shri Sathya Sai Baba

HOLY BOOK FOR DAILY RECITATION

THAPOVANAM

SRI SATHYA SAI SATHCHARITHRA

Sacred Life Story of

Bhagavan Shri Sathya Sai Baba

HOLY BOOK FOR DAILY RECITATION

Santrisri

JANDHYALA VENKATESWARA SASTRY Prashanti Nilayam

English Translation by : M S B Prasad

JANDHYALA B G TILAK

SreePuttaparthiNilayuduKaapaadununinnunepuduKarunaakarudaiCheypatiininnubroachunuYepattunaViduvakundaYelununinnun

- Baba

TheLordofPuttaparthiProtectsyoualways;theEver-MercifulHoldsyourhandinhelp,Neverleavesyouabandoned.

FOREWORD

HereisAnotherAnnaSahebDabholkarTheLorddeclaredthatHewouldincarnateagainandagainonearth for theresurrectionofDharma, therighteousness.Thebasicnatureandpurposeof the incarnationof theGod(avathar) on earth is beyond the comprehensionof humanmind. It is widely held that incarnations of God are ofvarious types: some are said to be complete incarnations,fulsomeincarnations(poornaavathar)oftheSupremeLord;some are said to be partial; and some others are meremanifestations of divinity. It is also held by many thatincarnations take the form that is appropriate to the timesand the context. Many believe that it is only in India theSupreme Lord Himself incarnates; and that in othercountries,Hismessengers,preachersofHisdivinity, saints,sages, and philosophers, partially imbibing His nature andcharacterareborn.ThepresentincarnationoftheSupremeLordintheformofBhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the most unique of allincarnations.Thefameandgloryoftheearlierincarnationsin India were known only to the Indians. But the wholeworld is familiar with the magnificence and splendour ofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.Henceitmaybeobservedthatthe mankind of the present Kali Yuga is luckier than theearliergenerations.Weshouldindeedfeelgreatlyfortunatethat we are the contemporaries of the Lord, Who walksamongst us,Who speaks to us,Who loves usmore than amotherandaboveall,Whotakescareofusallthetime.The story of the God incarnate, His nature, His life etc.,cannot be meaningfully and adequately comprehended byany one. It is beyond human capability to provide a full

account of the Supreme Lord or His incarnate. But anattempt can bemade to put together at least some part oftheunimaginablyvastandinfinitegloryoftheincarnationoftheSupremeLordandenjoyitoneself,andalsohelpothersin enjoying it.Thapovanam:SriSathyaSaiSatcharithra is agreat attempt of this kind. This is a holy book of dailyrecitationoftheSacredLifeStoryofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba. The author has explained the appropriateness of thetitle,Thapovanam.The author of the Satcharithra, the life-story of SaiBaba ofShirdi was Sri Anna Saheb Dabholkar. The author of thepresentSatcharithra is JandhyalaVenkateswaraSastry.ThepennameofSriDabholkarwasHemandPant.Thepennameof Sri Venkateswara Sastry is Santisri. Sathya Sai Baba ofthe present days is the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi.Then, Sri Anna Saheb Dabholkar and Sri JandhyalaVenkateswara Sastry should be one and the same. SriDabholkarlivedintheclosevicinityofSaiBabaofShirdiforseveral years; hewas lucky to enjoy the compassionof SaiBaba,andwithHispermissionheauthoredtheSatcharithra.In the same way, Sri Venkateswara Sastry is blessed tocontinue to live in the close proximity of Bhagavan SriSathyaSaiBaba for severalyearsand toenjoyHisdarshan(sight),Hissparshan(touch),shravanam(listeningtoHim),andsambhashan(conversationwithHim).SriVenkateswaraSastry is also fortunate to have been an eyewitness toinnumerable miracles andmarvels of Bhagavan Sri SathyaSai Baba and to have receivedHis love and compassion inabundance. Thapovanam is a fabulous result of the greatefforts he has made with the permission of the Lord. SriVenkateswara Sastry has indeed done a great service tohumanitybyprovidingthisuniqueholybook.IthasbeenagreattraditioninIndiatorecitedailysacredlifestoryoftheLordandHisincarnations.Itisconsideredaholyritual.ThisThapovanamispreparedmostsuitablyfordailyrecitation,likethegreatepicsandtheHolyScriptures,such

astheRamayana,theMahaBhagavatha,theBhagavadGitha,the Guru Charithra, and the Satcharithra of Sai Baba ofShirdi.ThereareeighteenchaptersintheThapovanam,justas inBhagavadGitha.TherecitationofThapovanamcanbestartedonanyThursdayof theweek,and followingadailyprogrammeforaweek, itcanbeconcludedonWednesday.The recitation can be restarted on the next day, i.e.,Thursday.Forthepilgrim,everysectionoftheThapovanamislikeanimportantstageonthebanksoftheholyriver,theGanges.

gIta g<gaedkm pITva punjRNMa n iv*Wae ,

GÍthāGangódakampÍthvāpunarjanmanavidyathé

SongaboutGitaMahatmyafromPadmaPuranabyVedaVyasaisthesayinginSanskrit.Nowitcanbesaid:

sa$ sTcirta<m&tm pITva sveR ya<tI pra<gtIm .

SaiSatcharitāmrutampÍthvāsarvéyāntiparāngathim

Santisri, the author of Thapovanam is a very distinguishedscholar and authored several splendidworks. The eminentscholardeservesbothcongratulationsandourgratitude,forhe provides us with a distinctive opportunity to enjoy thetaste of nectar that flows from the Sacred Life Story ofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.

Aist igir sm<Syat kJjlm isNxU paÇe

surtruvr zaoa leonI pÇm ^vIR ,

iloit yid g&hITva zarda svR kalm

tdip tv gu[ana< $z par< n yait.

asitagirisamamsyātkajjalamsindhupathrésurataruvarashākhālékhanÍ patramurvÍ|

likhatiyadigruhitvāshāradāsarvakālamtadapitavaguNānāMÍshapāramnayāthi||

This is the Sanskrit sloka hailing the glory of Lord Shiva.Similarly,noonecanpenthecompletestoryofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.Santisriproducedinasimplestyleandinashortform,amagnificentoneviz.Thapovanamthatprovidesa glimpse of the most glorious life story of Bhagavan. SriSathyaSaiBaba,dailyrecitationofwhichwillusherinpeaceandprosperity to thewholemankind. After all, though theauthor of Thapovanam is Santisri, the real author is theSupremeCreator,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaHimself.I feel it a privilege to have been given this opportunity towrite the foreword to this great sanctified work and I amgratefultoSantisriforthesame.

ySyaSit sd ¢Nt ivmzR ÉaGym!

ikNwSy suZkEScplEivRnaed E

YasyāstisadgranthavimarshabhāgyamKinthasyasushkaischapalairvinódai

1-8-117/2Chikatipalli. B.RamaRajuHyderabad500020 NationalResearchProfessor

PREFACE

My first darshan of Lord Sathya Sai Bhagavan is the mostmemorable event in my life. I felt something unique, andrather uniquely divine. His charming beauty, perfect calmandaffectionattractedmemost. In thevery first interviewHe asked me to give lectures daily on the Sri MahaBhagavathaforanhourintheMandirinPrasanthiNilayam.Iwastakenaback,feltalittlenervousandwashesitanttosay'yes.' "Why fear, when I am here," Swami said mostaffectionatelylookingatme.Yes,Hehasbeentherewithmeall the time. Otherwise, how could I give lectures on theMahaBhagavatha,whichIneverdidearlier,exceptteachingschool children? I could deliver lectures for two and halfyearscontinuously,thattoointheinsideMandiroftheholytemple of the Lord, Prasanthi Nilayam and to the greatlearned devotees. I noted that I was speaking, the MahaBhagavatha, but I also realised that it was He who wasspeakingthroughme.HewasthesourceofmylecturesandHewasalsothesubjectofmylectures.Asdayspassed,IslowlyrealisedthatHewasnotanordinarySwamiorevenagreat sage,but indeed theLordHimself. Irealised beyond doubt that He is Lord Siva, Goddess Sakti,LordRama,LordKrishna,infact,Heisall-in-one.HeisLordof Lords, and the embodiment of all religions and faiths. IfurtherrealisedthatHe'smyclosestfriend,myphilosopher,guide and everything to me. Ekam sat …. bahushyam. Hiswordsandactionsprovedit.TheproofisIcouldprepareHislifestory.IhavebeenonlyaninstrumentinthedivinehandsofSwamiinpenningHisSacredLifeStoryhere for thebenefitof themillionsoffellowdevoteesaroundtheworld.IhavetherareprivilegeofstayingintheverypresenceoftheLordforthe

last 18 years, daily having darshan of the most beautifulform of the Lord, sparshan of the soft and delicate LotusFeet of the Lord, shravanam of the Lord’s melodious andaffectionate voice, and also sambhashan with the blissfulLord.Hehasbeenwithmedayandnight,andhasgivenme,withimmensecompassionandboundlesslove,everythingIaskedforandeventhosethatIdidnotaskfor.Aboveall,Hegavemehealthandenergytoaccomplishthisgigantictask.How can I express my gratefulness to the ever-mercifulLord?ThisbookisofferedatHisLotusFeetasaverysmalltokenofmyhomagetoHim.

*******

My heartfelt homage to the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan SriSathya Sai Baba,my Lord. In His boundlessmercy, He isattractingtheentireuniversewithdivinelove,spreadingHishappiness and protection to all. No man can adequatelydescribethattenderloveandcompassion.ItisBabaHimselfwhokindlycreatedinmetheurgetowriteabookabouttheblessedlifeofSriSathyaSai,sothatitcouldservecountlessdevotees as a Parayana Grantham (i.e. a sacred book fordaily recitation, to be read from beginning to end as aspiritual and devotional exercise dedicated to the Lord).That is how this book has taken shape. The Upanishadsdeclarethatnotevenabladeofgrasscanmovewithoutthedivinewill.ThatIwasmadeinstrumentalinwritingthelifestory of Bhagavan is nothing but an indication of Hisimmenseloveandgrace.Baba is the manifestation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu,descended on earth from Vaikunttha. He Himself declaredthisinthepresenceofcountlessdevoteesmanyatime.Theword Vishnumeans, the Omnipresent. And Puttaparthi isverily that Vaikunttha on earth. It is the divine home ofPrasanthi (Supreme Peace), destroying sin granting

redemptionandconferringeternalbliss.Thisisvisible,eventothenakedeye.AsLordSriRamagaveshapetothecityofAyodhya,LordSriKrishnatothecityofDwarakaandSriSaiBabatoShirdi,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiwithHisDivineWill,shaped Puttaparthi and moulded it into a holy place ofspiritualglory.Due to Baba's unfathomable grace, I am blessed with thegood fortune of spending my days in His immediatepresence inPrasanthiNilayam. I consider thisasmyPunyaPhalam, thereward forspiritualmeritearnedduringmanypreviouslives.Therearethousandslikemewhohavesettleddown in thisplaceandareexperiencing theblissofseeing,touching and conversingwithHim.Besides this, thousandsmore flock here every day. On festive occasions, countlessdevoteescrowdintoeveryinchoftheavailablespace.Eachone of them can recount several exhilarating episodes ofBaba's grace. If one were to set about chronicling theirspiritual experiences, it would run into innumerablevolumes of immense size. Baba once said: "Let the hill ofAnjana (collyrium)bemixedinthewatersofall theoceansto prepare writing ink. Let quills be fashioned out of thebranches of the Kalpa Vriksha, the celestial wish-fulfillingtree.Letthewholeearthbemadeintoavastpileofwritingpaper. And let the Goddess of Learning, Saraswathi herselfbe the scribe to record, with all that vast material at herdisposal,theimmenserangeofSwami'sLeelas--thegamutofHispersonality,manifestation,sportanddivineplay.Evenso, thetaskshall foreverremainunfinished."Nevertheless,inallhumilityIfeelthatitisnotimpossible,atleastinsomemeasure, to reflect a mountain in a small mirror. I havethereforeventuredtodoso,i.e.,totrytodescribewithinthenarrow confines of this book, that Ultimate Reality who isOmnipresent, Sri Sathya Sai Parabrahma, the UniversalEternal Principle. In His graciousness too profound forwords, Baba blessed my efforts on the auspicious day of

Gurupoornima(20thJuly1997),byvouchsafing.HisDivinetouchtomymanuscript.In all humility, I appeal to every devotee - Invite Lord Saiintothetempleofyourmind;offertheflowerofyourheartatHisLotusFeet; letpunyaphalam, the fruitofgooddeedsand merit acquired dunng past lives be the offering(naivedyam}toHim.WashHisDivinefeetwithyourtearsoflove and pure joy. And may you attain salvation throughparayanamofthisholybook.PROCEDUREOFPARAYANAMIn Sanskrit Pār' means 'end'. Pārayanam comprisesdevotionalreadingofasacredbookfrombeginningtoend..Thecontentsofthebookaresoorderedthat itcanbereadthrough, in daily stages, in seven consecutive days. Thereadingmay be commenced on a Thursday and concludedon the following Wednesday. Every event and incidentdescribedherewilltakethedevoutreaderclosertospiritualrealisation. Completion of the reading with devotion anddedicationmakesone'sheartshinepure,brightandcrystalclear.At the commencement, the devotee is to have a bath andwearcleanclothes.Withapictureorphotoor imageofSriSathya Sai placed in front of him, the devotee should seathimselfandhumblypraytotheLordinarelaxedandsereneframeofmind,expressinggratitudetoHimforhavingbeengrantedanotherdayof life.Heshouldvisualise inmindthescene at Prasanthi Nilayam when Baba moves slowly andgraciously among the gathered devotees, nears thedecorated throne and takes His seatwith befitting dignity.Thatthroneshouldbedeemedbythedevoteeasthethroneof his/her own heart. It is useful to recall, for somemoments, the immense benefits conferred on humanity by

Bhagavan Sri Sai. This process will render the devotee’shearttenderandreceptive.Themoment that one's heart is thus prepared is themostsuitabletimeforcommencingtheparayanam.Theimageorrepresentation or replicas of Bhagavan’s Lotus Feet(Padukas) may be worshipped according to the proceduregiveninthefollowingpages(includingtheAshtotharaSathaNamavali, i.e., the108SacredNames).Aftercompleting thereadinginsevendailystagesfromThursdaytoWednesday,worship of Sri Sathya Sai on the following day (Thursday)bringstheparayanamprogrammetoitsconclusion.Pārayanam of this Sathcharithra will earn the grace ofBhagavan Sri Sathya Sai and also bring about a noticeableelevationinour innerbeing.Thatwouldbethefruitof thisspiritualeffort.Theritualanddisciplinedprocessofreadingthis book induces in us a glimpse of the inner self andcontemplationof theself,whicheventually leadsus toself-realisation.Simultaneously,weshouldconsciouslymakeupourmindtodiscardourevilqualitiesand,atthesametime,to add one or two good traits to whatever little stock wealreadypossess.Servicetotheneedy,sacrifice,compassion,patience,love,honestyandsincerity–thesearethequalitiesthatdeservetobeinculcatedassiduously.That,indeedistheworthy offering we could place at the Lotus Feet ofBhagavan.Ouraimshouldbetoreachastagewhenwecanunreservedly surrenderourselves toBaba.That is the finalculminationofhumanlifethespiritualgoal,andtheultimatefulfilment.Nothingelseexcelsit;itistheveryessenceofalltheexhortationsofthevedasandUpanishads.

*****This holy book has taken the present form with valuablecontributions of many Sai devotees. At home my wife hasbeenaconstantsourceofhelpandinspirationateverystage

ofmylife.MychildrenSuman,Tilak,SekharandJyothihavecontributed with valuable Inputs at various stages ofpreparationofthisbook.MysonDrSumanBabu,theauthorof the popular book, Sri Krishna-Sri Sathya Sai* edited theTelugu version which formed the basis for its translationintoEnglishandotherlanguages.ShriM.S.B.Prasadhasputin a lot of time and effort willingly and enthusiastically intranslating it into English. My son, Professor Tilak, ablysupplementedhis efforts. ProfessorB.Ramaraju, an ardentSaidevoteeandascholarofeminence,haskindlywrittenaniceforewordtothebook.LetSwami'sGracebeshoweredonall!I dedicate this humble offering to Bhagavan, the EternalProtectorofall:

IlayatyourLotusFeet,myLord,yourSatcharithraComposedbymeasParayanaGrantham;Bepleasedtoacceptthislittleflowergraciously,Andfulfiltherighteousdesireofeveryreader."HailthegloryofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba!

PRASANTH!NILAYAM 'Santisri'AndhraPradeshJandhyalaVenkateswaraSastry

*SriKrishna-SriSathyaSai*AbeautifulcomparativestudyofLordKrishnaand

CONTENTS

Foreword

PrefacePRAYER 21

SALPOOJA-SANKALPAM 23(PROCEDUREOFWORSHIPOFBHAGAVANSRISATHYASAIBABA) 23ARCHANA 25ASHTÓTHARASATHANAMAVALL 27SALEASWARAASHTAKAM 38SRISALASHTAKSHARIMANTHRAM 39ASUBMISSION 41

DAY1:THURSDAY 47

CHAPTER1-THAPOVANAM 47ENTERINGTHETHAPOVANAM 47PRANAVAM 51SUPRABATHAM 54NAGARASANKEERTHAN 58SANDARSHAN 60"EVENCELESTIALBEINGSWAITFORME" 64PEDDABOTTU'SEXPERIENCE 65RAJAREDDY'SVISION 66BHAJAN 68

CHAPTER2-SHIRDISAIPARTHISAI 71JODIADIPALLISOMAPPA 72PREMAKUTEERAM 73BABA,THESIVA-SAKTHI 75LIFESTORYOFLORDSHIRDISAI 79SHIRDISAI'SPROMISE 86BODIESARETWO,BUTDIVINITYISONE 89BABAISALLPERVASIVE 92"IKNOW,YOUDON'T" 93

DAY2:FRIDAY 96

CHAPTER3-SAMBHAVAMIYUGEYUGE(IINCARNATEAGAINANDAGAIN) 96PUTTAVARHADHANI 97EASWARAMMA 99SWAMI'SINCARNATION 100NOTCONCEPTION,BUTADVENT 103DIVINETOUCH 107THETEACHER'SCHAIR 109TIGER-HUNTERCHIDED 111

CHAPTER4-SAIBLOSSOMS 113PUSHPAGIRIFESTIVAL 114"IAMTHESERVITOROFALL" 115DODEEDSMATCHWORDS? 118THEMISSINGHORSE 120DIVINEPUPPETEERACTSTHEDANSEUSE 122THESTINGOFASCORPION 124THEBESTOWEROFKNOWLEDGE 125FORBEARANCE 127"IAMSAIBABA" 130THEGREATANNUNCIATION 133REFERENCESTOBHAGAVANSATHYASAIBABAINANCIENTTREATISES 135

DAY3:SATURDAY 140

CHAPTER5-RESURRECTIONOFDHARMA 140REVITALISATIONOFTEMPLES 141BADARINATH 141VARANASI 143SOMANATH 144DWARAKA 146SRISAILAM 147PANDHARPUR 148RESUSCITATIONOFVEDICDHARMA 149WHOELSEKNOWSTHERIGHTMUHOORTHAM 152THEYAJNAKALASAM 154AYUDHAPOOJA 155

CHAPTER6-THESUPREMEDIVINITY 159BABATRANSCENDSEVERYOTHERGOD 159ASSRIMAHAGANAPATHI 161ASSRISUBRAHMANYASWAMY 162ASLORDPARAMASIVA 164ASLORDSRIRAMA 169ASSRISHYAMSUNDAR 171ASGAUTAMBUDDHA 173ASJESUSCHRIST 174THEKABAINBABA'SPALM 175ASSRIDATTATREYA 176"MYHUMANFORMENCOMPASSESDIVINESAKTHISOFALLGODS" 177SWAMIPERVADESTHEUNIVERSE 178"NETHI,NETHI" 181

DAY4:SUNDAY 185

CHAPTER7-THEALL-POWERFUL-CREATOR,PRESERVER,DESTROYER 185CREATION(SRISHTI) 185ANTBECOMESBEADS 186PARROTFROMBETELLEAVES 186DIAMONDEAR-TOPSINCOOKIE 187MAINTENANCE(STHITHI) 188"YOUAREEMBODIMENTOFATHMA" 190

THESIMLAINCIDENT 192ULTIMATEDISSOLUTION(LAYAM) 193"CREATION,MAINTENANCEANDDISSOLUTIONAREINMYHAND" 195

CHAPTER8-THELORDOFTHECOSMOS 197ALLELEMENTSLIEINHISCONTROL 197RESCUEFROMFIRE 197RESCUEFROMFLOOD 198WATERTURNSINTOPETROL 199SUNSHINEINTHEHIMALAYAS 200

CHAPTER9-"WHYFEARWHENIAMHERE?" 202CHILDSAVEDFROMATRUCK 203GODISCLOSERTHANHUSBAND 205GODISCLOSERTHANMOTHER 207SUICIDEAVERTED 208HISBOUNDLESSCOMPASSION 209

CHAPTER10-THEMASTEROFTIMEOMKALASWAROOPAYANAMAH 211HEABRIDGESTIME 213HEELONGATESTIME 215"TIMEANDSPACEBINDMENOT" 216ANEKA-ROOPAROOPAYA 217(ASSUMINGNUMEROUSFORMS) 217THEINCOMPREHENDIBLE 220HEARRIVESUNNOTICED 221

DAY5:MONDAY 222

CHAPTER11-LOVINGMOTHERSAI 222LOVEOFATHOUSANDMOTHERS 222AGONYMOVESBHAGAVAN 223THEFLOWEROFLOVE 225"SHEDATEARFORME" 226FLUDRIVENAWAY 229SUPREMACYOFSPIRITUALLEARNING 230"MYCHILDRENAREMYENTIREPROPERTY" 232FROLICSOMEGOD 233TOLERANCE 234"BENEFITFROMCLOSENESSTOBABA" 235

CHAPTER12-THETEMPLESOFHEALING 237SUPERSPECIALITYHOSPITALS 237POTENCYOFPRASADAM 242WHOHASPERFORMEDTHESURGERY? 243WHYHOSPITAL,IFGODISHERE? 245TOEACH,ADIFFERENTTREATMENT 246

CHAPTER13-PARAMAMVICHITHRAMLEELAVIBHUTHIM 248VIBHUTHICANCELSCANCER 249'DONOPOLO' 250

TRIBALLEADERSURRENDERSTOHIM 250WONDROUSPOTENCYOFVIBHUTHI 252

DAY6:TUESDAY 256

CHAPTER14-DIVINEMIRACLESBEYONDBOUNDARIES 256THEETERNALSAVIOUR 256JOHNHISLOPANDTHEIMAGEOFJESUS 256INDRADEVI 260DRFRANKBARONOWSKI 266DRART-ONGJUMSAI 270"BEHAPPY;THATISTHEONLYTHINGIASKOFYOU" 274JAGADEESAN 278MALA,VIKSHEPA,AVARANA 279

DAY7:WEDNESDAY 283

CHAPTER15-"IAMAWAREOFTHEPAST,THEPRESENTANDFUTUREOFEVERYONE" 283EVILBEGETSEVIL 283"PICKINGUPTHEFOODTHROWNAWAYTHEN" 286OCEANOFMERCY 288NAMASMARANANDROOPADHYAN 290RELEASEFROMRETRIBUTION 291

CHAPTER16-SIGNIFICANCEOFNAMASMARAN 293

293THULASAMMA 294NAMASMARANMEANSSUMMONINGGOD 296NAMASMARANMEANSTELEPHONINGGOD 296MAYA,THETERRIBLEDOG 297EARNESTPRAYER 298"IAMEVERWAITINGFORYOU" 300"THEOPPRESSEDAREMYCHILDREN" 302GOATANDMIND 305

CHAPTER17-MANAVASEVAISMADHAVASEVA 307"TAKEONESTEPTOWARDSME;IWILLTAKEAHUNDREDTOWARDSYOU" 309HANUMANANDVIBHEESHANINDISCOURSE 310SERVICELEADSTOHEAVEN 312MAINTAINSPIRITUALITYTHROUGHOUTLIFE 314

CHAPTER18-DEARTOTHEDEPRIVEDANDNEARTOTHENEEDY 316ADVERSITYBRINGSGODCLOSER 316"ITOO,FEARHER!" 319NINETYPESOFBHAKTHI 321

CONCLUSION 325

BENEDICTION(PHALASHRUTHI) 325MANGALAARATI 328

APPROACHTODIVINITY

PRAYER

Omkāra Bindu Samyuktham,

Nithyam Dhyāyanthi Yóginah,

Kāmadam Mókshadam-Chaiva

Omkārāya Namó Namah.

Shukla-Ambara Dharam Vishnum,

Shashi Varnam Chatur-Bhujam,

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyāyèth,

Sarva Vighnó-pashānthayè.

Siva-Sakthe, Namas-Thubhyam

Varadè, Sai Roopini,

Kavyā -arambham Karishyāmi,

Siddhir Bhavathu Mè Sadā.

Deeksha-Ambara Dharam Sathyam,

Kārunya Rasa Sāgaram,

Sayiswaram-Aham Dhyāyè,

Sarva Mangala Siddhayè

Meaning[IndivisiblefromtheprimordialsoundofPranavam,Youareevermeditateduponbyyogis,Yougranteverydesire,andsalvationtoo,Oh,Omkar,IsaluteYouindeepesthumility.

Cladinwhiterobes,everpresenteverywhere,Shiningbrightasthemoon,witharmsfour,Oh,removerofeveryobstacle,andeveryperil,ImeditateonYourbenignform.

Oh,Siva-Sakthi,mysalutationstoYou,Blessme.Oh,MotherSai,AsIcommencethisholybook,MayYoubeeverwithme.

Eternaltruth,adornedinsacredgarments,Oceanofloveandmercy,ImeditateonSai-Easwara,LordSaiWhobestowsblissandhappinessonall.]

SAlPOOJA-SANKALPAM(ProcedureofWorshipofBhagavanSri

SathyaSaiBaba)

ApavithraahPavithróvāSarva-Avastha-AngathopiVā,

YasmarethPundarikāksham,SaBāhya-AbhyantharahSuchih.

AchamyaAspoonfulofwaterispouredintotherightpalm,whichisthentakentothelipsandsippedafterintoningthefirstofthefollowingnamesofSriMahaVishnu.Asimilarsipafterthesecondnameandthefinalsipafterthethirdnamefollows:

OmKeshavāyaSwāhā.OmNārāyanāyaSwāhā.OmMādhavāyaSwāhā.

Then,foldingbothpalmsinnamaskaram,thedevoteewillutterthefollowingnamesofLordSriMahaVishnu:Om Govindāya Namah. Om Vishnavè Namah.OmMadhusoodanāya Namah, Om Thrivikramāya Namah, OmVāmanāya Namah, Om Shridharāya Namah, OmHrushikèshāya Namah, Om Padmanābhāya Namah, OmDāmodarāya Namah, Om Sankarshanāya Namah, OmVāsudèvāya Namah, Om Pradyumnāya Namah, OmAniruddhāya Namah, Om Purushothamāya Namah, OmAdhokshajāya Namah, Om Nārasimhāya Namah, OmAchyuthāya Namah, Om Janārdanāya Namah, OmUpendrāya Namah, Om Harayè Namah, Om Shri K.rishnāyaNamah.

UthishthanthuBhoothaPishāchāh,EtheBhoomiBhārakāh,

EtheshāmAvirodhèna,BrahmaKarmaSamārabhè.

PrānāyāmOmBhooh,OmBhuvah,OmSuvah,OmMahah,OmJanah,Om

Thapah,OmSathyam,OmThathSavithurVarényamBhargó

DevasyaDhimahi,DhiyóYónahPrachódayāth,OmĀpóJyothi

Rasómrutham,BrahmaBhoorbhuvassuvaróm.

SankalpamMamaUpātthaDurithaKshayaDvārā,SriSāyiswaramUddishya,SriSāyiswaraPrithyartham,Subhe,Sóbhané,Muhoorthe,SriMahaVishnórājnayā,PravarthaMānasya,AdyaBrahmanah,DvithiyaParārthé,SvethaVarāhaKalpé,VaivaswathaManvantharé,Kaliyugé,PrathamaPādé,

[ThoseoutsideIndiamayomitthefollowingwordswithin

brackets:]

(JambooDvipé,BharathaVarshé,BharathaKhandé,Merór-DakshinaDigbhāgé,SriSailasyaEasanyaPradeshé,Krishna-kaveri-yór,MadhyaDesé,SriSathyaSaiMandiré,SamasthaDevathāSannidhow,Asmin,Varthamānené,Vyāvahārtka,ChāndraMānénaSamvathsaré....āyané...Rithow...Māsé...Pakshé...Thidhow...Vāsaré,SubhaNakshathré,SubhaYógé,SubhaKarané,ÉvamGunaVisheshanaVishishttāyām,ShubhaThithow,Asmingrāmé,Sarvéshām,BhakthaJanānāmChaSarvópadravaSānthyartham,SarvéJana-AbhiVruddhyarthamMama...Góthrasya)Sriman/Srimathi...(herenameofthedevoteeistobegiven),Nāmadhéyasya,DharmaPathnisaméthasya(togetherwithwife),SahaKutumbasya(togetherwithfamily),Saputhrakasya(togetherwithchildren),Sabāndhavasya(togetherwithrelatives),Saparivārasya(togetherwithothers).Kshéma,Sthairya,Dhairya,Vijaya,Abhaya,āyuh-ārógya,Aishvarya,

Abhivruddhyartham,Dharma,Artha,Kāma,Móksha,Chaturvidha,Phala,Purushārtha,Siddhyartham,Ishta,KāmaArtha,Phala,Siddhyartham,SriSathyaSāyiswaraPrithyartham,SriSathyaSaiDevathāPoojāmKarishyé.

ARCHANADhyānam(Meditation)

OmNamahPranavārthāyaMangalaPradaMoorthayé,PrasanthiNilayasthāya,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.

Āvāhanam(InvitationtotheLord)

EaswarāmbāSutha,Sreeman,āgachchaPrapithāmah,MahāVishnó,Māhadévah,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Simhāsanam(Throneisoffered)

Thrisathya,Nithya,Sath,Dharma,SanthiRathnaPradeepakah,Simhāsanam,Gruhāna!damSathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Pādyam(Waterisofferedforwashingfeet)

SathyaDevaParambrahma,SarvaDharmaPrabódhakaPādyamPrabhó,Gruhāna!dam,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Arghyam(Waterisofferedforwashinghands)

AbhraGangāJatāJoota,ParamānandaVigraha,Gruhāna-Arghyam,MayāDattham,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Āchamaneevam(Waterisofferedfordrinking)

Dévadéva,Jagannātha,Préma-AmruthaRasa-Ambudhi.GruhānaāchamanamDéva,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.

Snānam(Waterisofferedforbathing)

NānāRasa-Amruthaih,Theerthaih,SamgruhānaJagatha-Pathé,Snāpa-ishyāmiAhamBhakthyā,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.

Vasthram(Clothesareoffered)

Kāshāya-AmbaraDivyānga,SoundaryaRasaRanjitha,VasthramSweekuruLakésha,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.

Upaveetham(Sacredthreadisoffered)

YajnaBhókthā,YajnaKarthā,YajnaPriya,Yajushpathi,UpaveethamGruhāna!dam,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.

Gandham(SandalwoodPasteisoffered)

SriGandhamSeethalamSubhram,DehéThéLépayamiAham,SevanamSweekuruSreeman,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.Tulasee,Kunda,Mandāraih,Vakulaih,SathaPathrakaih,PoojayāmiGruhāna!dam,SathyaSāyinNamó.Namah.

Pushpam

(Flowersareoffered)

Tulasee,Kunda,Mandāraih,Vakulaih,SathaPathrakaih,PoojayāmiGruhāna!dam,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah.

ASHTÓTHARASATHANAMAVALl

(ThisistheworshipofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba,invokingHis108sacrednames.AttheendofeachlineendingwithNamah,afloweristobeofferedatHisLotusFeet.)

1. OmSriSathyaSaiBabāyaNamah(MyhumbleSalutationstoBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba)

2. OmSriSaiSathyaSwaroopāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoistheembodimentofTruth)

3. OmSriSaiSathyaDharmaParāyanāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhosolelyadherestoTruthandRighteousness)

4. OmSriSaiVaradāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoisthegiverofboons).

5. OmSriSaiSathPurushāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Onewhoexistseternally)

6. OmSriSaiSathyaGunāthmaneNamah(SalutationstoHim,Theonewhotranscendsallthethreegunas-Sathva,RajasandTamas)

7. OmSriSaiSadhuVardhanāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoincreasesthegoodnessofthepeopleoftheworld)

8. OmSriSaiSadhujanaPoshanāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Wholooksafterandsustainsgoodpeople)

9. OmSriSaiSarvajnāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoisomniscient)

10. OmSriSaiSarvaJanaPriyāyaNamah(SalutationstoHimWhoisdeartoall)

11. OmSriSaiSarvaSakthiMoorthayèNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoistheembodimentofallDivinePowers)

12. OmSriSaiSarvesāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoistheLordofall)

13. OmSriSaiSarvaSangaParithyāginèNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whohasgivenupallattachments)

14. OmSriSaiSarva-AntharyaaminèNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoisOmnipresent)15. OmSriSaiMahimāthmanèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoisagreatandglorioussoul)16. OmSriSaiMaheswaraSwaroopāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheembodimentofLord

Siva)17. OmSriSaiParthiGramaUdbhavāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,WhoisborninavillagecalledPuttaparthi)

18. OmSriSaiParthiKshethraNivāsineNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoresidesattheholyregionof

Parthi)19. OmSriSaiYasah-KāyaShirdiVāsineNamah

(SalutationstoHim,WhowasfamousinthepreviousincarnationasaresidentofShirdi)

20. OmSriSaiJodiAdipalliSomappāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoindeedisSomappaorthe

maleandthefemaleaspectsofLordSiva--Siva-Sakti)21. OmSriSaiBhāradwājaRishiGothrāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,WhoisborninthefamilylineageoftheGreatSaintBharadwaja)

22. OmSriSaiBhakthaVathsalāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoisveryaffectionatetoHis

devotees)23. OmSriSaiApāntharāthmanèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Who,astheuniversal

consciousness,dwellsintheheartofeverybeing)24. OmSriSaiAvatharaMoorthayèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoistheembodimentofall

Incarnations)25. OmSriSaiSarvaBhayaNivārinèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoremovesallfears)26. OmSriSaiāpasthambaSoothrāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoisborninthelineof

BrahmarshiApastamba)27. OmSriSaiAbhayaPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhogivesSecuritytoall)28. OmSriSaiRatnākaraVamshaodbhavāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoisbornintheDynastyof

Ratnakara)29. OmSriSaiShirdiSaiAbhedaSakthiavathārāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,WhosegloryisnotdifferentfromthatoftheShirdiAvathar)

30. OmSriSaiSankarāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoisLordSankara'sholiness

andauspiciousness)31. OmSriSaiShirdiSaiMoorthayeNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheIncarnationofShirdi

Sai)32. OmSriSaiDwārakāMāyiVāsinèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoistheresidentof DwarakaMayi)

33.OmSriSaiChithrāvathiThataPuttaparthiVihārineNamah

(SalutationstoHim,WholivesinPuttaparthionthebanksoftheriverChithravathi)

34.OmSriSaiSakthiPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whobestowsstrength)35.OmSriSaiSaranāgathaThrānāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whosavestheonewhoseeks

refugeinHim)36. OmSriSaiānandāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whoblissful)37. OmSriSaiānandadāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whograntsbliss)38. OmSriSaiārthaThrānaParāyanāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whoisdevotedsolelyinservingthoseindistress)

39. OmSriSaiAnāthaNāthāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoistheguardianorLordofthedestitutes)

40. OmSriSaiAsahāyaSahāyāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoisthehelperofthehelpless)

41. OmSriSaiLokaBāndhavāyaNamah(SalutationstoHimWhoisthekithandkinofthewholeworld)

42. OmSriSaiLokaRakshāParāyanāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoissolelydevotedinprotectingthewholeworld)

43. OmSriSaiLokaNāthāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoisthebelovedLordofthewholemankind)

44. OmSriSaiDinaJanaPoshanāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whonourishesandsustainsthepoorandthedestitues)

45. OmSriSaiMoorthiThrayaSwaroopāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoistheincarnationoftheholyTrinity:Brahma,VishnuandMaheswara)

46. OmSriSaiMukthiPradāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoconfersliberationfromignorance,miseryanddeath)

47. OmSriSaiKalushaVidhoorāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoremovesthefaultsandblemishesinallofus)

48. OmSriSaiKaruna-AkarāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoiscompassionate)

49. OmSriSaiSarva-AdhārāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoisthesupportofall)50. OmSriSaiSarva-HridayavasinèNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whoresidesintheheartofeveryone)

51. OmSriSaiPunyaPhalaPradāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoisthebestoweroffruitsofmerit)

52.OmSriSaiSarvaPāpaKshayaKarāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim.Whoisthedestroyerofallthesins)

53.OmSriSaiSarvaaRogaNivārinèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoremovesallthediseases)54.OmSriSaiSarvaBādhāHarāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whotakesawayallthesufferings)55.OmSriSaiAnanthaNuthaKarthruneNamah (SalutationstoHim,TheonewhoistheCreatorandwho

ispraisedendlessly)

56.OmSriSaiādiPurushryaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheprimevalPurusha,the

CreatorHimself)57.OmSriSaiādiSakthayeNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheprimevalCosmicenergy

--theSaktiaspectoftheCreator)58.OmSriSaiApuroopaSakthinèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whohasdelightfulandwonderful

powers)59.OmSriSaiAvyakthaRoopinNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoistheformofthe

unmanifested)60.OmSriSaiKāmaKrodhaDhwamsinèNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whodestroysdesireandanger)61.OmSriSaiKanaka-AmbaraDharinèNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhowearsaGoldenColoured

Robe)62.OmSriSaiAdbhuthaCharyāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whosedeedsareamazing)63.OmSriSatāpad-bāndhavāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Who,inourcalamities,comestoour

helplikeacloserelative)64.OmSriSaiPremāthmanèNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoseinnerrealityisonlyLove)65.OmSriSaiPremaMoorthayeNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheembodimentofLove)66.OmSriSaiPremaPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whobestowsloveonall)67.OmSriSaiPriyāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoendearshimselftoall)

68.OmSriSaiBhakthaPriyāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhoisthebelovedLordofalldevotees)

69.OmSriSaiBhakthaMandārāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WholiketheDivineMandaraTree

inHeavensdescribedinthePurānāsfulfillsoursacreddesires)

70.OmSriSaiBhakthaJanaHrudayaVihārāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whosportsandrevelsintheheartsofdevotees)

71.OmSriSaiBhakthaJanaHrudaya-AlayāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,WhomakestheheartofthedevoteesasacredabodeforHimself)

72.OmSriSaiBhakthaParādhināyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoisdependentonthedevotees)73.OmSriSaiBhakthiJnānaPradipāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whokindleswisdomanddevotion

inus)74.OmSriSaiBhakthiJnānaPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoconferswisdomanddevotion

onus)75.OmSriSaiSujnānaMargaDarsakāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whoshowsthepathofattainingrightknowledge)

76.OmSriSaiJnānaSwaroopāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoiswisdompersonified)77.OmSriSaiGithāBodhakāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheTeacheroftheGitha)78.OmSriSaiJnānaSiddhiDāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whograntstheachievementof

wisdom)

79.OmSriSaiSundaraRoopāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whohasacharmingform)80.OmSriSaiPunyaPurushāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheembodimentofPurity81.OmSriSaiPhalaPradāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whodispensesfruitsofmeritacquiredbygooddeedsoracts)

82.OmSriSaiPurushothamāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheSupremeperson)83.OmSriSaiPurānaPurushāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoisthemostancientSupreme

person)84.OmSriSaiAthithāyaNamah (SalutationstoHimWhosegloryistranscendant)85.OmSriSaiKāla-AthithāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whotranscendsthelimitsoftime)86.OmSriSaiSiddhiRoopāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoistheembodimentofall

accomplishments)87.OmSriSaiSiddhaSankalpāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whosewillisimmediatelyeffective)88.OmSriSaiārogyaPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whograntsusgoodhealth)89.OmSriSaiAnnaVasthraDāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoprovidesuswithfoodand clothing)90.OmSriSaiSamsāraDuhkhaKshayaKarāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whodestroysthesufferingsofthisworld)

91.OmSriSaiSarva-AbhishtaPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whofulfilsallourgooddesiresand

aspirations)

92. OmSriKalyānaGunāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim.Whosevirtuesarebeneficial)93. OmSriSaiKarmaDhwamsineNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhodestroysourKarmastogive

usliberationfromretributioninthislife)94. OmSriSaiSādhuMānasaShóbhithāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim,Whoshinesintheheartofgoodpeople)

95. OmSriSaiSarvaMathaSammathāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoacceptsallfaithsasequallytrue)

96. OmSriSaiSādhuMānasaParishodhakāyaNamah(SalutationstoHim,Whoisthecleanserofthemindsoftheaspirants)

97. OmSriSaiSādhaka-AnugrahaVata-VrikshaPrathishthāpakāyaNamah

(SalutationstoHim.WhohasplantedthebanyantreeasaboontotheSadhakas)

98. OmSriSaiSakalaSamshayaHarāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoremovesalldoubtsinusand

strengthensourfaith)99. OmSriSaiSakalaTathwaBódhakāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whogivestheessenceofall

knowledge)100.OmSriSaiYógiswarāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,WhoistheLordofallYogis)101.OmSriSaiYógindraVandithāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoisreveredbyallthemasters

ofYoga)102.OmSriSaiSarvaMangalaKarāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whograntsallauspiciousnessand

prosperity)

103.OmSriSaiSarvaSiddhiPradāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whograntsallaccomplishments

andskill)104.OmSriSaiāpannivārineNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoremovescalamities)105.OmSriSaiārthiHarāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whotakesawayphysicaland

mentalpains)106.OmSriSaiSanthaMoorthayeNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoisthepersonificationof

peace)107.OmSriSaiSulabhaPrasannāyaNamah (SalutationstoHim,Whoiseasytobepleased)108.OmSriSaiBhagavanSriSathyaBābāyaNamah (MyhumblesalutationstoLordSriSathyaSaiBaba)

Dhoopam(lightedjoss-sticksareshown)

Sugandha-AgaruSamyukthah,DhoopoyamPrathigruhyathām,āghréyaSarvaLokésha,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Deepam

(Lightedlampisshown)

JyothishāmPathayéThubhyam,SaiRāmāyaVishnavé,GruhānaDeepamMath-Datham,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Naivedyam

(foodofferingIsmade)

Parama-AnnamDivyamNavyam,Shat-RasopéthaManjulamGruhānaKrupayāDéva,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Thamboolam

(Betelleavesareoffered)

ThamālaPamaSougandhyam,PoogeePhalaSudhānvitham,ThāmboolamGruhyathāmDéva,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Neerajanam

(LightedcamphorIsshown)

ĀnandaGhanaKarpobram,Neerājanar"IdamPrabho,GruhānaIdamMayāDatham,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

ManthraPushpam

(Flowersareoffered)

Manthra-ArdhamMahimopétham,Suvarnam]nonaDayakam,ManthraPushpamGruhonaIdam,SathyaSāyinNamóNamah

Namaskāram(Salutationsareoffered)

PrāpthohamPrāpthaKarmóham,Prāptha-Athmā,PrāpthaSambhavah,ThrāhiMomKrupayāDéva,SathyaSayinNamaNamah

Arathi

(Lightedcamphortobeoffered)

SAlEASWARAASHTAKAM

EshwārombāSuthamSathyamNithyaMangalakārinamVenkavadhoothaSamprithamVandéSaiJagatGurum

ThulasiDalaSankāsamYogiManasaPoojithamSarayaMānavaSandésamVandéSaiJagatGurum

HariNilaJatāJootamPoornaChandraNibhāmanamBhaktaLokaChidābhāsamVandéSaiJagatGurum

ĀrthathrānaVrathādhāramVyómakésaVirājithamYasahChandraPrabhāVyómamVandéSaiJagatGurum

RathnakaraSamudbhoothamKāshāyāmbaraDhārinamĀnādakósaSanchāramVandéSaiJagatGurum

PrémāmruthaPayórāsimViswaKalyanaKārinamSānthiSathyaSamāhāramVandéSaiJagatGurum

PrashāntiNilayāvāsamBālaBhāskaraSannibhamĀsritha.JanaMandāramVandéSaiJagatGurum

ViswaVidyālayaVāapthamNigamāgamaSévithamSathyamSivamchaSoundaryamVandéSaiJagatGurum

SaiEswaraAshtakamPunyamNithyamMansiyahpatthethJanmāntharaKruthamPāpamVinasyathinaSamsayah

SRISAlASHTAKSHARIMANTHRAM

Om Shri Sāyishāya Namah

Omkārarōpāya,Shankāvidhōrāya

Paraméshwarāya,ThubhyamNamósthu

ShriRāmachandrāya,Shritajanakshémāya

Paramārthhadāya,ThubhyamNamósthu

SāyujyaVaradhāya,SatChidhānandhāya

ParaDhaivathāya,ThubhyamNamósthu

EashwariPuthrāya,VishwaPrakāshāya

Parthishwarāya,ThubhyamNamósthu

ShāradhāManónāthhāya,Jayakarāya

YajnaPurushāya,BhayadhaBhavānthakāya

NavaKishórāya,MandharaNagadhharāya~~

MahathAnanthāya,ThubhyamNamóNamósthu

Part II

DIVINE MIRACLES

ASUBMISSION

ThecosmosisfullofSai:thisistheSaiEra.ThisAge(KaliYuga)1belongstoSai.SriSathyaSaiBabaisundoubtedlytheGodincarnate.TheGloryofthispersonificationofLove(Prema)originatedinPuttaparthi.Gradually,itreached‘Dharmavaram'(Dharmameansrighteousness).thenonto‘Ananthapuram'(Ananthameansboundless)andspreadonwardsoverhillsandvalleys,fields,riversanddeserts.Innotime,itcrossedtheseasandoceansandengulfedtheentireworld.Asaconsequence,thetinyandinconspicuousvillageofPuttaparthi,hiddenamongsthillsallaround,hasacquiredgreatnameandfame,andtransformeditselfintotheabodeofdivinityandplaceofpilgrimage.

ApartfromIndia,theancientlandofYogaandspirituality,severalforeigncountriesandcontinents,namely-SriLanka.Africa,Australia,USA,SouthAmerica,Greece,NewZealand,Iceland,Russia,France,Japan,Switzerland,IranandChina,baskinthesplendideffulgenceofSriSathyaSai'sdivinity(DivineSakthi).BhagavanSai'ssoothingtouchispersonallyexperiencedbyeverydevoteecallingonHim-whereverthecallcomesfromwhateverbethenamebywhichthedevotee

1AccordingtoHinducosmogony,timeisdividedintofourYugas:Kritha,

Thretha,DwaparaandKali.Thetotalofthesefouris4.3millionyears,which

iscalledaMahayuga.ThefourYugasoccurincycles,oneMahayugafollowed

bythenext.ThecurrentYugaisKali.

addressesHim,andevenifthedevoteeistooseverelydistressedtocallonHiminspokenwords.Justaslittlechildrenruntotheirmother'swarmembrace,peopleeagerlyflocktohaveaglimpseoftheUniversalMotheratPuttaparthi.

BabaisthepersonificationofSupremeDivinity.WhenpeoplearefortunateenoughtoreachHispresencetheyfindHimintheimageoftheirfavouritedeity--tosomeHeappearsasLordSriRama,toothersasLordSriKrishna(SyamaSundara),asLordSriMahaVishnu,asLordGanapathi,asSriSubrahmanyaSwamy,asLordParamaSiva,asGoddessDurgaBhavani,asSriSaiofShirdi,asSriDattatreya,astheBuddha,asJesusChrist,andsoon.Everyoneexperiencesthedivinetouchaccordingtoone'sownpersonalpreference.Inthismanner,BabademonstratesthatHetranscendstheentirepantheonofdivineforms.ItiswellknownamongBaba'sdevoteesthattheuniversalcycleofSrishti(creation),Sthithi(maintenance)andLayam(ultimatemerger)liesentirelywithinHiscontrol.Heoncetoldadevotee:"'BhaIstandsforSrishti'GaforSthithiand'VaforLayam.Hewhoholdsthesethreeultimatepowers(Sakthis)isBhagavan.ThisindeedisthesubtlerealityofMyperson."SathyaSaiistrulyBhagavanembodyingHisboundlesspowersandencompassingtheentireuniverse.HehasincarnatedHimselfinhumanformamongstus.WecannevercomprehendSwami'sdivinityexceptbytakingrecoursetothepathsofdevotion(Bhakthi)devoutaction(Karma)andspiritualcomprehension(Jnān).Tofacilitate

individualprogressonthesespiritualpaths,SwamiHimselfhasbeenopenlyexplainingtheelementsofHisdivinity.OnonesuchoccasionBabasaid,"ItisnotforMysakebutforyoursakethatIammovingamidstyou,speakingwithyou,eatingwithyouandbehavingsoastobewithinyourcomprehension.Iamfreelymixingwithyoujustlikeanyoneofyou,sothatIgainyourconfidenceandtrust,loveandwillingobedience,soastoleadyoutowardsdivinity.Myobjectiveistoinfuseinyouthevirtueofspiritualinquisitiveness.Tobeginwith,trytounderstandtheinnerrealityofyourbeing;thereafteradvancetothestageofrealizationoftheSupremeTruth.Iamtheunderlyingforceoftheentirecosmos.Iamthesupremecauseofeverything.Iamtherealised(Jnāni),Iamalsotherealisation(Jnān)andIamtherealisable(Jneya)."Babahasdescendedontheearthtoleadhumanitytowardsspiritualismthroughlove.AllHiseffortsaredirectedtothismission.Heisimmenselypatient,forbearingandcompassionate.Hedeclared:"NootherincarnationeverbeforebehavedasIdo.Neverbeforehadanyavathargoneandmovedamongthecommonfolkoftheremotestvillage,awakenedpeopleimmersedindeepslumber,inspiredtheinactiveintoenergeticactivity,succouredtheafflicted,blessedmillionsofpeople,andledthemonthegloriousavenueofSathya(truth),Dharma(righteousness),Santhi(peace)andPrema(love).Iamtheocean;youaretheriversandwaves.You,inessence,areI;andIamyou!Youwillbeabletorealisethistruthwhenyoufinallyattaintheultimategoal."

“Howlongwouldyouremaintrappedinthismire?Developwingsandsoar",exhortsBaba.Onewingis,constantlyrememberingandrepeatedlychantingGod'sName(namasmaran);theotheris,servingtheafflicted.Bythesemeans,onecanshedtheburdenofretributionforthesinsofpreviouslivesandattainabsolutepurityuntouchedbydrossandtaint.ThatisBaba'sassurance."IamawareofeveryhardshipandhappinessofeachoneofyouforthesimplereasonthatIresideineachoneofyou.ThisSaiSakthi(energy)isflowingthrougheachindividualbeing,justlikeelectricityineverybulb.IneveryheartIshine.Iamthelifeforceineveryheart,"declaredBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabainthepresenceofhundredsofthousandsofdevoteesgatheredintheVallabhBhaiPatelStadiuminMumbai.TothosewhototallyreposefaithinHim,Babarespondsinfullmeasure;HeextendsprotectionbyHisconstantpresenceintheirhomes,behindthem,bytheirside,andwithinsightallthetime.ThisbookisthelifestoryofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.ItrecountssomeofthegloriouseventsofHisdivinelife.ItisasacredbookthatreflectsinasmallwaytheimmenseandboundlessspiritualityofBhagavan.Irequesteverydevoteetoutilisethisbookfordevotionalreading(parayanam)andtherebyearnthegraceandloveofBhagavanSriSathyaSai.ItwasBhagavanHimselfwhoblessedmeWithinspirationtowritethisbook.ItwasHewhomademewriteit,itwasHewhogaveshapetoit.Iwasonlyincidental,amereinstrumentinHisdivinehands.Inthismanner,Swamigraciouslyenabledmetosuccessfullyaccomplishthe

profoundtaskofunveilingandspreadingthegloryoftheSaiBabaAvathar.IconsiderthatIamexceptionallyfortunateinbeinggrantedthisprivilege.Everysingleincidentdescribedinthesepagesispowerfulenoughtolightthelampofloveandtodriveawaythedarknessofignorance.Accordingly,Isincerelybelievethatthisbookwillgoalongwayinhelpingdevoteestoachieveself-realisation.IhumblyprayattheLotusFeetofBhagavantoblessandprotectallhumanity.

Thapovanam The Sacred Life Story of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

HOLYBOOKFORDAILYRECITATION

DAY1:THURSDAY

CHAPTER1-THAPOVANAMYou cannot see Me, but I am the light you see by. You cannot hear Me, but I am the sound you hear by. You cannot know Me, but I am the truth you live by. - Baba

ENTERINGTHETHAPOVANAM

BeforeIcommencetheparayanamofthisbook,Thapovanam,IoffermymosthumblesalutationstotheLotusFeetofBhagavanSriSathyaSai,theLordoftheUniverse,theprotectoroftheafflictedandtheencapsulationofSath-Chith-AnandaParabrahma(theUniversalSupremeReality).

TherestandsabanyantreeonthemountainpathleadingfromPrashantiNilayamtotheUniversity.Itisnoordinarytree.ItistheDhyanaVriksham,theTreeofMeditation;anditistheThapoVriksham,theTreeofSpiritualAusterities.On29June1959,(ashadhaPoornima,i.e.,thefullmoondayofashadhamonth)Bhagavanmaterialisedathickcopperplateof15"x10"inscribedwithalphabeticallettersofgreatspiritualpotency(BeejaAksharas).HedepositeditintheearthataspotspeciallychosenonthehillbehindPrashantiNilayam,andoveritplantedthisbanyantree.Onthatsacredoccasion,Headdresseddevoteesanddeclared:"ThistreeistheBodhiTree,underwhichGautamaBuddhasat,meditatedandreceivedspiritualillumination.ThisistheTreeofEnlightenment(Jnan).LordKrishnaisknownasVataPathraSayi(reposingonabanyanleaf),becauseduringtheperiod

ofPralaya(ultimatemergerofallcreationintheInfinite),heassumedthemicrocosmicformofBalaKrishna(Krishna,theBaby)andreposedonabanyanleaf.ThisisthetreereferredtobySriKrishnaintheBhagavadGita.Ifaspirants(Sadhakas)meditateandundertakespiritualausteritieshere,theywillattainfulfillmentoftheirdesires,successin

theirefforts,andcontrolofsensesandsteadinessofmind."Withreferencetoplantingofthistree,oneofthelinesintheAshtotharaSathaNamavalireads:"Sadhaka-AnugrahaVata-VrikshaPrathishthapakayaNamah."

Thebanyanlivesforever.Itisimmortal(AmaraVriksham).Growingintoamightytreebyitself,itdropsinnumerableroot-likeextensionsfromitsbranchestotheearth,whichinturnbecomesfreshrootsandextendsthetreeinall

directions.Theprocessgoesonandon,providinganever-increasingareaofcoolshadeandsheltertopeople.IdonothesitatetoassertthatBhagavanislikewiseprovidingever-increasingzoneofprotectionandpeaceforthebenefitoftheentirehumanity.ThisThapoVrikshamiscertainlyKalpaVriksham(wish-fulfillingcelestialtree),identicalwithBhagavan.Thosewhoareinintensedistressandaretiredwiththeupsanddownsoflife,thosewhoareonspiritualquest,thosewhoardentlydesiresomethingpure,thosewhoareprogressingonthepathofspiritualenlightenment-allsuchpersonsgatheratthefeetofSriSathyaSaiandattaintranquility,supremepeaceandequanimity.TrulyisBabaHimselfaThapoVrikshamwhereallspiritualausteritiesachievefulfillment!PrashantiNilayamisverilytheThapovanam.

PhysicalconstructionofthecomplexofPrashantiNilayamhadnotyetcommencedthen.Oneday,Bhagavanwasstandingontherockygroundthere.OutofHismouthemergedpropheticwords:"BeforelongthisareaisgoingtobetransformedintoaShirdi,aTirupathiandaVaranasi.Thousandsofyogis,sanyasisandseekersoftruthanddivinegracewillrushtothisplaceforspiritualpeaceandsalvation.FromthisspotwilloriginatetheuniversalprogrammeofrevivalofSanathanaDharma(theEternalFaithofRighteousness).HundredsofthousandsofpeoplefromallcornersoftheworldwillvisitthisplaceeagerlysearchingforMe.AtthefarfringesofsuchcrowdswillstandmanymorecraningtheirneckstocatchatleastafleetingflashofatinybitofthisochrerobeIwear,theywillthanktheirstarsandfeelthatthepurposeoftheirliveshasbeenfulfilled."

WithinashorttimeafterSwamimadethisannouncement,

PrashantiNilayamtookshape.ThePrashantiMandirwithitsdistinctivestyleandbeauty,thetempletower,numerousmulti-storeyedbuildingsprovidingaccommodationtodevotees,theexquisitePoornaChandraAuditoriumandtheSaiKulwantHall-allsprangintoexistence.Verysoon,PrashantiNilayamwasdesignatedatownship.

InthewordsofBaba,"Thisisaplacewhereeveryhumanbeingcanexperiencespiritualpeaceparexcellence.Itisatemple,andatthesametime,achurch,andasynagogue-toeachaccordingtohisorherpreference.EveryoneisentitledtodrinkdeepattheunlimitedandbountifulfountainofloveofGod.Godhasincarnatedhereinhumanform.Here,everyonecanreachthehighestlevelsofspiritualattainment.MygoalistoconverteveryhumanheartintoaPrashantiNilayam.Itisonlyforachievingthis,thatthepresentAvatharofMinehasmaterialisedonearth."

Everydevoteeisfreetoavailthemselvesofthesebenignsurroundingstomeditatetohisheart'scontent,irrespectiveofthedeityheworships.Hewillsuffernodisturbance.Nowhereelseintheworldcouldsuchafacilitybefound.ThatiswhythisplaceisregardedasUniversalGardenofMeditation(ViswaThapovanam).Fulfillmentofspiritualausteritiesisattainedverymuchfasterhere.TheFormlessSupremeReality(NirakaraParabrahma)isseenhere,infleshandblood,inhumanform.Justsitinmeditation,GodHimselfcomestoyou;Hestandsrightinfrontofyou;Hesmilesgentlyatyou;Hespeaksendearingly,re-assuringly,toyou;Hetouchesyousoftly;Heblessesyou;HeshowersDivineBlissoneveryatomofyourbeing!

Itisonlyonthestrengthofgooddeedsandgoodfortune

accumulatedduringnumerouspastlivesthatoneisprivilegedtoenterthisThapovanam.ThatiswhyBhagavansays"

"WithoutMyWill,nobodycansetfootonthesoilofPuttaparthi.Noonecandosobychanceorbyaccident."Thisisliterallytrue.

HundredsandthousandsofvisitorsthrongtoPuttaparthiseekingrelieffromrestlessnessofmind.Theycomefromfarandnear,fromeverycontinentandcountry;theybelongtodifferentracesandreligions;andtheyspeaknumerouslanguages.Theygobackafterexperiencingindescribableblissandpeace.Theyarereceivingduerewardforthemerittheyhaveaccumulatedduringpreviouslivesthroughspiritualsadhana.NolessthanpersonalinteractionwithGodHimselfistheirsupremerewardatPuttaparthi.TheyrejoiceintheblessingsBhagavanSriSathyaSaishowersonthem.ThosewhoneverbeforepracticedanyspiritualausteritieswhatsoevergetinspiredonseeingBhagavanandbegintodoso.Thisisevidenteventoacasualobserver.

Becauseofmanysuchreasons,thisbookhasbeennamedThapovanam,thegardenofmeditation.Andtheever-mercifulBhagavanhasblessedthishumbleeffort.

PRANAVAM

ThepilgrimagecentreofPuttaparthiissurroundedbybeautifulhills,whichprovideasylvan,pleasantandpeacefulenvironment.Onefeelsasifgreatsagesandrishisareperformingmeditationthere.Behold,itisnowtheBrahmaMuhoortham(thepre-dawnperiod).Coolandrefreshingbreezesarewafting.Birdsareupandmakingsoftchirping

sounds.InthePrashantiNilayamprecincts,around4-40am,thegongstrikes12times.Thatsetsinmotiontheday'sactivitiesinthedivinecourt.Devoteesquietlymoveintotheforecourtandtaketheirseatsinperfectrows.At4-50am,thegongstrikesfivetimes.ThosewhoaresittingintheforecourtsmoothlymoveintotheHall.AftertheBhajanHallisfull,lightsareswitchedoffandthedoorsareclosed.

Itisnowexactly5am.Abellisrung.ThegathereddevoteesbeginrhythmicallyintoningtheOmkar(utteranceofOm),theUniversalSound,inperfectunisonandmeasuredtone.OmkariscreditedwiththepowerofattuningtheindividualAtma(Soul)withtheParam-Athma(SupremePrinciple).ThegreatrishisofyoregiftedOmkartotheworldasMahaManthra(thesublime,mostpotentmanthra).Itissaid,"OmIthiEka-AksharamBrahma"(Thissinglesyllabledword'Om'isitselftheDivinePrinciple).Itcomprisesthreesounds-A,UandM:AUM.Constantandsustainedincantation(Japam)

ofPranavamleadstoobliterationofmindandexperienceofsupremebliss.

RegardingtheprofoundsignificanceofOm(AUM),Babahasthistosay:"Thereisonlyonewordwhichisall-pervasivethroughouttheuniverse.ThatisOmkar;thatis,Pranavam.AllcreationisimbuedwithPranavam.ThemountainbrookssingPranavam.TheoceanssingPravanam.Why,eventheprocessofinhalationandexhalationisnothingbutPravanam.Thosewhoperformmanuallabour,likepalanquin-bearingorliftingweightsorwashingclothes,easetheirstrainandsoothetheirnervesbyrhythmicallyintoningPranavam.Thatbeingthecase,ifoneintonesPranavam,withfullunderstandingofitsmeaningandsignificance,andwithdevotion,oneissuretoexpiateallburdenofaccumulatedsinandattainreleasefromthecycleofbirthsanddeaths."

Justasalongtrainofcoachesmovesforwardwhenitislinkedtoarailwayengine,allmanthrasbecomepotentandfruitfulwhentheyareprefixedwithPranavam.EvenifjustPranavamaloneisintoned,itamountstohavingintonedtheessenceofalltheVedas.

Suchapotentandall-powerfulproviderofsupreme-bliss,theOmkar,nowechoes21timesinPrashantiNilayam.Thespiritualvibrationsthusgeneratedarecarriedonthewingsoftheearlymorningwavesofbreezecreatingspiritualpulsationsthroughouttheuniverse.

NextfollowstheSuprabatham(theceremonialwake-upoftheLord).TheversesareinSanskrit,themusicisrhythmicalandspeciallyattunedtotheearlymorningenvironment.

GenerallyladydevoteessittinginthemandirrecitetheSanskritstanzaswithdevotionandlove.

SUPRABATHAM

EaswarambaSuthahSreeman,PoorvaSandhyaPravarthathe,UtthishthaSathyaSayeesa,KarthavyamDaivam-ahnikam.

(Oh,sonofEaswaramba!Oh,resplendentmajesticOne!ThedawnisbreakingintheEast.ThedailytasksofDivinity,whichyouhaveundertaken,havetobeaccomplishedtherefore,awakeOLordSathyaSai!)

UtthishthoatthishthaPartheeshaUtthishthaJagatheePatheUtthishthaKaruna-poorna,LokaMangalaSiddhaye.(Awake,Awake,OhLordofParthi(PuttaparthiwhereHehasmanifestedHimselfandfromwhereHissplendourradiatesovertheentireWorld).Awake,OhLordofCompassion,sothattheWorldmayattainfortune(mangala)).

ChithravatheeThataVishalaSusanthaSoudhe,ThishtthanthiSevakaJanahThava-Darsanartham.AdithyaKanthih-AnubhathiSamasthaLokan,SriSathyaSaiBhagavanThavaSuprabatham.(Inthevastmansionsofullofpeace(PrashantiNilayam),onthebanksoftheriverChithravathi,thoseanxioustoserveTheearewaitingforThyDarshan.TheradianceoftheSunisspreading,illuminingalltheworlds.Oh,BhagavanSathyaSai,weprayforagloriousdaybreak,blessedbyThywakefulness.)

ThvannamaKeerthanaRathah,ThavaDivyaNamaGayanthi,BhakthiRasaPanaPrahrishtaChiththah,DathumKrupa-SahithaDarsanam-ashuthebhyah,SriSathyaSaiBhagavanThavaSuprabatham.(PersonswhoareengagedinsingingaloudThyNameandwhoarehappywhentheydosobecausethen,theytastethenectarofdevotion,havecome,andmayThybenigndarshanshowerThygraceonthem.Weprayforagloriousdaybreak,blessedbyThywakefulness.)

AdayaDivyaKusumaniManoharani,ShreePadaPoojanaVidhimBhavad-Anghrimoole

KartumMaha-Utsukathaya,PravishanthiBhakthah,SriSathyaSaiBhagavanThavaSuprabhatham.(Bringingholyflowersofcaptivatingcoloursandfragrance,forworshippingThyFeetintheformprescribedbythescriptures,Thydevoteesarecominginwithgreatyearningandenthusiasm.Weprayforagloriousdaybreak,blessedbyThywakefulness.)

DesantharagathaBudhahThavaDivyaMoorthim,Sandarshana-AbhirathiSam-YuthaChithaVruthya,VedokthaManthraPatthanenaLasanthyajasram,SriSathyaSaiBhagavanThavaSuprabatham(Learnedpersonsfromothercountries,movedbytheyearningtohaveThyDarshan,havecome;theyarehavinggreatdelightinrecitingconstantlythemanthrasoftheVedas.Weprayforagloriousdaybreak,blessedbyThywakefulness.)

ShruthvaThava-AdbhuthaCharithramAkhandaKeerthimVyapthaamDigantharaVishalaDharathale-Asmin,Jigy~aasuLokam-UpathishttathiChashrame-Asmin,SriSathyaSaiBhagavanThavaSuprabhatham(HearingThymarvelousstoryandThyFamethathasreachedthefarthesthorizons,earnestseekersofRealityhavecometothisplaceandarewaitingforYou.Weprayforagloriousdaybreak,blessedbyThywakefulness.)

SeethaSatheeSamaVisuddhaHrid-Ambujathah,Bahu-AnganaKara-GruheethaSupushpa-Harah,Sthunvanthidivyanuthibhih,phani-bhooshanamthvamSriSathyaSaiBhagavanThavaSuprabhatham

(WomendevoteesinpurityequaltoGoddessSeetha,andwithheartslikelotuses,whosepetalsareunattachedtotheworldinwhichtheylivebutaredrawntotheSun,viz,God,aresingingThyGlorythroughholyhymns,holdingexcellentflowergarlandsintheirhands.WeprayforagloriousDaybreak,blessedbyThywakefulness.)Suprabhatham-IdamPunyam,Ye'PatthanthiDineDine,TheVishanthiParam-Dhama,gyaanaVigyaanaSobhithah.MangalamGuruDevaaya,MangalamgyaanaDayine,MangalamParthivasaya,MangalamSathyaSayine.(WhoeverdailyrecitesthisWakeningHymnwillattaintheHighestAbode,resplendentwiththesupremeIntelligenceaswellasthesupremeWisdom.MaytheDivineGurubeauspicioustous;maytheBestowerofWisdombeauspicioustous;maytheLordwhomanifestedinParthibeauspicioustous;mayBhagavanSathyaSaiBababeauspicioustous.

Spirituallyspeaking,SuprabhathamisanappealtoHimto'awake'tothedevotee'syearning.Itisanappealalsotoone'sownconsciousnesstowakeuptothetruthofHisbeingone'sowninnermostreality.

ItmaysoundoddthathumanbeingssingtheawakeningupsongandbidgoodmorningtoBhagavanwhoiseverawakeandeveralert,andisthesupremewitnesstoeverythingintheuniverse.WhereistheneedforwakinguptheOnewhoknowsno'sleep'whatsoeverandiseverwakeful?Then,whatisallthisSuprabhathamfor,andforwhom?Therealpurposebehindthismusicalexerciseistoarouseabilitytodiscriminate(vivek)andalertnessinallofus,whohavewokenupfromthebosomofsleepthatholdsusinits

embracelikeamother!TheinnermeaningofSuprabhathamistoremindourselves,"Godresideswithineveryone'sheart",andalsototrimandnurturetheflameofawareness(Jnana-Agni)sothatitmayburnbrighterthanever.

Hereisarevealingincident.ItwastheholynightofSivaRathri(thenightmarkingthebirthofLordSivaintheformofLingam).AscholarnamedSriDeepalaPichchayyaSastrywassittingamongdevoteesdoingBhajaninPrashantiNilayam.Suddenlyhehadastrangethought:"IwouldliketoseethewonderfulgraceandbeautyofBhagavanSaiBabawhenHeisasleep."Atabout11pmthatverynightSwamisummonedSastryintotheInterviewRoomandbegantalkingtohim.Sastrydidnotnoticethepassageoftime.Itwasmorethananhour.Hefeltdrowsyandcouldnotholdbackhisyawnsanymore.Swamithenaskedhim,"Sastry,youwishedtoseeMeasleepbutyouyourselfaredozing?"SastrysuddenlysprangtowakefulnessandwonderedhowSwamiknewhisinnermostthoughtthathadcrossedhismindalittlewhileago.Babaassumedatoneofserenityandseriousnessandsaid,"Sastry,ifIweretosleep,wouldyoubewakingupagain?"Sastrywasstartled.Godisperpetuallywakefulandeternallyactive.Weshouldneveroverlookthissimpletruth.

NAGARASANKEERTHANAfterSuprabhatham,itisnowtimeforNagaraSankeerthan.Itcomprisesanactivityinwhichgroupsofdevoteesgoaroundthestreetssingingdevotionalsongs.Theysingwithardentdevotionanddedicationandtherhythmicmusic,oftenaccompaniedbysimplemusicalinstruments,inspiresholythoughtsnotonlyamongthesingers,butalsoothers.In

theearlyhoursoftheday,whenbirdsarechirpingtheirownmusicalsounds,whencoolandsoothingbreezesgentlywaftoverPrashantiNilayam,thelovelymusicofdevoteesastheygoaroundSwami'sMandirprovidesanunforgettableexperiencetooneandall.

NagaraSankeerthanbeginsattheentranceofPrashantiNilayamwiththeauspiciousdarshanofLordGaneshunderthespreadingpeepultree.DevoteesinorderlylinesgoaroundtheNilayamcomplexandcomebacktothepointwheretheystarted,i.e.,theGaneshtemple.

Attheageoften,SriSathyaSaiBaba,thenknownasSathyaNarayanaRajuorsimplySathyam,wouldgatheragroupofboysfromPuttaparthiforsingingbhajansongs.ThegroupcalledthemselvesSriPandurangaBhajanMandali.InspiredbytheenchantingpersonalityofSathyam,thegroupwoulddonappropriatecustom-madeuniformsand,withflagsintheirhands,goroundthevillage,streetbystreet,singing

bhajanstotheaccompanimentofcymbals.Theywouldsetatalllamp-standonthegroundandgoarounditinawidecirclesinginginrhythmandecstasy.Occasionally,infectiousdiseaseslikecholeraandsmallpoxusedtorageandravagevillagesallaroundPuttaparthi.ButhereinPuttaparthi,residentsnoticedeveryonewassafe,happyandhealthy.TheyfeltthatitwassolelyduetothedevotionalactivityofSathyam'sBhajanMandali.SoonresidentsofneighbouringvillagesbeganinvitingtheMandalitocomeoverandperformbhajans.Induecourse,theytoonoticedrelieffromdiseaseanduntimelydeath.ThetinydevotionalseedlingplantedbySathyaminthosefarofftimeshasblossomedtodayintotheSriSathyaSaiSevaSamithisandtheirNagaraSankeerthanBrindas(groups)carryingonbhajanactivitiesonamoreextensivescaleallovertheworld.

SANDARSHANNagaraSankeerthanisoveranditistimenowforSandarshan,i.e.,publicaudience,familiarlyknownasDarshanofBhagavan.Eagerdevoteesarenowenteringtheaudiencehallandtakingseatsinwell-orderedrows.Meanwhile,thetemplepriestsperformritualsofworshipofthetwodeities.LordGaneshandLordSubrahmanya,whosetemplesarelocateddirectlyattheentranceofPrashantiNilayamprecincts.Soonthedeitiesarebathedinholywater(abhishek),decoratedwithflowersandgarlands,worshippedandofferedarathi.ThemorninghoursresoundwithVedicmanthras.Noweveryoneissittinginwell-orderedrowsintheaudiencehallwaitingforthearrivalofBhagavan,thepersonificationoftheUltimateinhumanform,andthe

saviourofmankind.Amongtheeageraudiencearethosewhohavecomefromfarofflands,professdifferentfaithsandfollowdifferentmodesofworship.Butheretheyareallone;theyarekeenlywaitingforthesameidenticaleventthathappensregularlydayafterday,thearrivaloftheever-mercifulBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.

TwohourshavepassedbybutSwamihasnotarrivedyet.Hassomedevotee,indeepdistress,criedoutforSwamifromsomewhere?Themomenthecalledout,'OhSai!',theLordmusthaveappearedinfrontofhim,'Yes,Iamhere',providingimmediatesuccour.ButafterreceivingtheLord'sbounty,doesthegratefuldevoteeeasilyletHimgo?DoeshenotshedtearsofjoyanddoeshemisstherareopportunitytobathethefeetoftheLordwithfloodingtearsofgratitude?ThatmustbethereasonwhyBhagavanhasnotyetarrived.Otherwise,themostcompassionateSaiwillnevertakesolongandignoretheacheandanguishofthethousandsofdevoteeseagerlywaitingintheMandirforHisdarshan.

Ohbehold!WehearthesofttonesofaflutebeingplayedheraldingSwami'sarrival.ThousandsofheadsturninthesamedirectionassunflowersturntowardstheSun.Witheyespeeled,devoteestrytocatchaglimpseoftheLordattheearliestmoment.Dotheyseesomeflashofredthere?ThatplayofcolourmarksthedirectionfromwhichHecomesin.TheOneAbsoluteTruth(EkamSath)!Whataglorioussightitis!Cladineffulgentflame-huedgarments,mercyandcompassiontakenphysicalform,personificationofgrace,showeringgentlesmilesofindescribablecharm,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiisslowlymovinginandgoingalongtherowsofdevotees.WithonehandraisedinAbhayaMudra(thegestureofassuringprotection),Heissatiatingtheparchedheartsofdistresseddevotees.Heisreceivingnumerousletters,whichdevoteeshumblyholduptoHim.Tosome,HeisgrantingthecovetedprivilegeofofferingPadaNamaskar(salutationstoHisLotusFeet);someothersareblessedwithvibhuti(sacredash)manifestedfromnowherebyameremovementofHispalm.HeisblessingsomebyasofttouchorbyaraisingofHisopenpalm.Thesceneisbeyonddescription,asightfortheGods!Swamihasbeendescribedbyscholarsas"MounaVyakhyaPrakatithaParabrahmaThathwam",whichmaybetranslatedasSupremeDivinitymanifestedthroughsilence.Swamidoesnotspeakmuch,buteverydevoteefindsthatallhisdoubtsareclearedandmisgivingsdissolved;allhisworriesgetresolvedashesetshiseyesonSwami.Hiswholebeingisinundatedwithsanthi(peace),karuna(tendernessandcompassion)andprema(love).

Everypersonthereisthinkingalike."HowmanydaysandyearshaveIlongedforthismomentofdarshanofSwami!Theever-mercifulLordisnownearingme,infleshandblood.Heiscloseathand.Letmyeyesbesatiatedwiththisglorioussight.Letnotmytearsofjoycomeinthewayandobstructmyvision.MymindhasgonecrazyinlongingforHimforyearsandyears.Hereistheblessedmoment;theDivineBeautyiscloseby.Letmyeyesandmymindbefeasted.MybodyhaslostitssenseoftouchinwaitingsolongforHim.HerearetheLord'sLotusFeet.Nowthattheyarewithinreach,letmybodyreviveitselfbytouchingthoseDivineFeethereandnow.Ohno,mybodydoesnotmove!MytonguetoorefusestomoveandtalktoBhagavan.Allthese,myowneyes,myownmind,myownbody,evenmyowntonguearefailingmeatthiscrucialmoment!Tearsareobstructingmyvision,mytongueistied,mybodyisforgettingitselfbecauseofprofoundjoy."SuchisthepoweroftheSaipersonality.AmerelookattheLord,theever-merciful,issufficienttofilloneandallwithunparalleledpeaceandequanimity,andunruffled,sustained,innerhappiness.AswesetoureyesonBaba'sform,somethingHeHimselfhadsaidregardingthenatureofHisdivinityringsinourears."IWilled,"Heoncedeclared,"forMyownpleasure,tocreatethisvastuniverse.Beforethat,therewasnonetounderstandMe.Imerelywilled.That'sall.Mountainsrose;riversflowed;theearthbelowandtheskyabovetookform;oceansrolled;theSun,theMoon,deserts,everythingtookshapetodemonstrateMyexistence.Humans,animals,birds...alllivingbeingsbegantospeak,tohearandtomoveabout;Manwasaccordedprimacy.IequippedthehumanbrainwithMyown

discriminativewisdom(Vijnan)."Whatarevelation,whatprofundity!Reflectingonthesewordswillelevateustothehighestechelonsofspirituality.AfterfascinatingtheassembledgatheringbyHisaudience,BhagavanslowlywalkspastrowsofschoolchildrenseatedontheverandaoftheMandir.DespiteHisageinthepresentphysicalform,SwamimakesHimselfavailabletodevoteeseverymorningasregularlyastheSundoes.OftenwefeelquitedistressedatthetroublewegiveHim.Meanwhile,Swamiselectsafewpersonsforpersonalinterview,conductsthemonebyoneintotheinterviewroomandthen,withapleasingsmileonhislips,goesinHimself.Themorningdarshanisover.

"EVENCELESTIALBEINGSWAITFORME"MindsofdevoteesarefullwithexhilarationgeneratedbyDarshanofBhagavan.Eyesclosed,wemeditatedeeplyonthegloriousexperiencejustgrantedtousandthecaptivating,magnificentformofBhagavan.AndthesweetmemoryofamessageoncegivenbyBabacomestoourmind:"AfteravailingoftheblessingofseeingMe,retiretoaplaceofsolitudeandsilence.Keepyourmindsteadyandunruffled.Inthatstateofabsolutecalm,meditateonMyformandtherareprivilegeandgoodfortuneofhavingseenMeinperson.YouwillthenderivethebeneficialeffectofMyblessingsinfullmeasure.ThenyoumayenterintothestillnessandreceivethecompletionofMyblessings.MyenergygoesfromMetoYou,asImovepastyouduringpublicaudience.MyDivinePowerradiatesintoyourwholebeing.Ifyoubegintalkingimmediatelythereafterinsteadof

observingsilentmeditation,thepreciousenergyisdissipated,andreturnsbacktoMewithoutleavingitsbeneficialimpactonyou.WhomsoeverIlookuponundergoesachangeforthebetterandacquiresnewpotency,whichcontinuestogainstrengthdayafterday.Neverunder-estimatethebeneficialeffectsofhavingMydarshan.MywalkingamongyouisagiftyearnedforbytheGodsofthehighestheaven,andhereyouarereceivingthisgrace.Doubtnotthatyouhavecomebythisgodlyboonasarewardforthespiritualmeritofyourearlierlives.EvencelestialbeingswaitpatientlyforMydarshan.Ontheotherhand,thisrareprivilegeiswithinyourreachdayafterday.Neverforgetthatthisisallduetothemeritofyourpreviouslives.Theseblessingsyoureceivewillexpressthemselvesintheirperfecttime.Thentheywillblossomandbearfruit."Whatawonderfulassurance!"EvencelestialbeingswaitpatientlyforMydarshan."Thesewordsbringtousarecollectionofacoupleoffantasticevents.

PEDDABOTTU'SEXPERIENCETherewasanardentdevoteeofShriShirdiSaiBababyname,Smt.GaliSaradaDevi.ShehadspentseveralyearsincloseproximitytoHim.Morethan20yearsafterShirdiSaimergedintheInfinite,shehappenedtomeetSriSathyaSaiandHesummonedhertoPuttaparthi.Induecourse,shewasprovidedregularaccommodationinPrashantiNilayam.Bhagavanalsogaveherapetname,"PeddaBottu",asatermofendearment.Thewordmeans'BigBindi'assheusedtowearanunusuallylargemarkofvermilion(kumkum)onherforehead.Itsohappenedthatintheearlyhoursofonemorning,shewassittinginmeditationundertheThapoVrikshaminPuttaparthi.Itwasstilldark.Shehappenedto

openhereyesandsuddenlysawsomethingunbelievable;celestialwomenweremovingintheskyabovethePrashantiMandir.Theyradiatedbrilliantwhitelightastheytravelledoverthehillstowardstheeast.Beautifulinappearanceandbrightincomplexion,richlyadornedwithflowersandgarlands,theydidnotwalkonthegroundbutspedhighintheopensky.PeddaBottuguessedthattheywerenoordinaryhumanbeings.Shecouldalsohearmelodiousmusicalsounds.Astonishedatthevision,sherealizedthatthecelestialbeingswerereturningtotheirabodeafterhavinghadthedarshanofSriSathyaSaiParabrahma,theSupremeGod.PeddaBottuwasayoginiandwasthereforeblessedwiththissoul-stirringexperiencebyBhagavan.AfteralittlewhileshecamedownthehillandquietlyopenedthedoorsoftheBhajanHalltofindeveryonefastasleep.Butstrangelythesoundsofmusicwerestillgoingon.Sherealizedthatsomecelestialvisitorswerestillthere,entertainingBabawithmusicanddance.InthemorningwhenPeddaBottumetBaba,shementionedtoHim,"Swami,IsawthecelestialbeingsastheywerereturningaftermeetingYou!""Oh,didyou?"gentlysmiledSwami.

RAJAREDDY'SVISIONItwasVaikunthaEkadasi,adayofexceptionalsanctity.HolyscripturesdescribeitasthegloriousdayonwhichLordSriMahaVishnuvouchsafesdarshantodevoteesatthenortherngatewayofhiscelestialabode.AdevoteecalledRajaPeddywassleepingontheverandaonthefirstfloorofPrashantiNilayam.Ataboutmidnighthewokeup.HenoticedthroughtheslightlyopendoorsofSwami'srooma

verybrightillumination.Hewonderedwhysomuchlightwasthereatsuchanoddhour.Hedrewcloseandpeepedthroughthegapbetweenthedoors.HewasastonishedtofindseveralcelestialbeingstakingturnstopayhomagetotheLotusFeetofBhagavanSriSathyaSai.Theyemittedfantasticillumination.Swamiwasreclining,likeLordSriMahaVishnu,onthebedprovidedbyAdisesha,andwasgraciouslyacceptingtheirhomage.SevenfireswereburningbrightallaroundSwami'sbed.ThevisionstartledRajaPeddy.Hequietlydrewthedoorscloseandwentbacktohisbedontheveranda.Hecouldsleepnofurther.NextdayhementionedtoSwamiabouthisheavenlyexperienceandenquired,"Swami,whoareallthosepersons?"Swamiexplained,"Theyareallcelestialbeings(Devathas).TheyhavecomeforMydarshan.WhatyousawintheformofflamesaretheSaptharishis,thesevengreatrishis.AsIprotectyoubyMyblessings,youarestillalive.Otherwise,themomentyousetyoureyesonthatscene,youwouldhavebeenreducedtoashes!"SriSathyaSaiisreallythehumanformofParabrahma.OurhumblesalutationstoHim.ComingbacktotheproceedingsinPrashantiNilayam,inthesoutheasterncornerwithintheNilayam'sMandir,ceremonialworshipandbathinginholywater(Rudra-Abhishekam)oftheSalagram(representationofLordSiva)hasbynowbeencompleted.Similarly,worshipandritualchantingofthe108sacrednames(ShathaNamavaliAshtothara)ofSriSathyaSaiBhagavanaswellasGoddessLalithaDevihavebeenconcluded.DeitiesarerequiredtobeworshippedthroughPoojas.PoojasarereallythestepsleadingtotheworshipoftheSelf(AthmaPooja).EverydeityhelpsinspirituallyvitalisingtheAthma.Eachpoojahastobeperformedwithdevotionandproperrealizationthatitisbut

worshipoftheSupremeBeingenthronedinone'sowninnerself.Love,spiritualconsciousnessandawarenessoftheUniversalAbsolute-theseshouldbecomepartandparcelofadevotee'sdailylife.

BHAJAN

Itisnow9amandbhajanhascommencedintheMandir.Bhagavanhascomeinsidewithagentlesmileandgracedthedecoratedthrone.HemovesHishandsgracefullyinrhythmwiththesongsbeingsung.HehasahabitofmovingHisfingersasifHeiswritingsomethingintheair.AsHesmilesnowandthen,theaudiencegoesintoraptures.WhatdoesHewrite?WhydoesHesmileasHewrites?WhatwouldbethethoughtsthatgooninHismind?Thewholepictureseemssomystifying.

WeareremindedofwhatSwamioncesaid."YoumustallhavenoticedthatwhenIamseatedonthethroneintheBhajanHall,IsmileasthoughIrecognizedsomeone.ImoveMyfingersasifIwerewritingsomethingintheair.ThatisbecauseIactuallyspeakorcommunicatewithpersonsnotvisibletoyou.IalwayshelpthosewhopraytoMeforhelp.ButIdonotgivepublicitytothesematters.Doesafatheradvertisetheaffectionatehelphegivestohisownson?"ThepublicbhajanprogrammecomprisesdevotionalsongsrelatedtoLordGanesh,LordSriRama,LordSriKrishna,theBuddha,Jesus,SaiandAllah.Thesingerssingsoulfully,accompaniedbymusicplayedonvariousmusicalinstruments.Devoteestoojoinin.Inthevastgatheringthere,whoiscompletely,fullyandtotallyimmersedinthedevotionalemotiongeneratedbythesesongs?NoneelsebutBhagavan.WitnessingSwamisoimmersedindeepanandaisitselfamemorableandedifyingexperiencethatthefortunateonlookerwillsweetlycherishandrecallforever.SwamionceexhortedHisdevoteesaboutthespiritualsignificanceofbhajanthroughasimpelmetaphor."Whenyougatherunderatree,"Hesaid,"andmakealoudnoise,everybirdonthebranchesfliesaway.Humanlifeisjustlikethetreeonwhichseveralbirdsaresittingandproducingdistractingnoise.Thebirdsare:kama(desire,lust),krodha(anger),lobha(avarice,covetousness),moha(infatuation),mada(arrogance)andmathsarya(jealousy,envy).Togethertheymakeacacophonyofsoundsdisturbingyourpeaceandequanimity.IfyouloudlysingthenamesofRama,Krishna,Govinda,Narayanaandsoon,thoseevilbirdswillflyaway,leavingyourmindspureandheartsinperfectpeace."Letusgrasptheintrinsicworthofperformingbhajanso

beautifullyillustratedbyBaba.LetusturnourheartstowardsHim.Thebhajanisnowconcluded.ArathihasbeenofferedtoSwamiandHehasproceededintoHisinnerchamber.ThisistheaccountofthemorningactivitiesinPrashantiNilayam.LetusofferoursalutationstoBhagavanSaiBaba;letusruminateandmeditateonHisdivineform;letusrealizethatSwamihasretiredonlyintoourownhearts;andletusquietlyleavePrashantiNilayamandgohome.Letusgo.

AumSriSathyaSaiParabrahmaneNamahAumSanthih,Santhih,Santhih

EndofChapter1

AumSaieashwaraayaVidmaheySathyaDevaayaDheemahithannassarva(f)prachodayaat(u)||

CHAPTER2-SHIRDISAIPARTHISAI

Atfirst,nameandformareessential,thatisthereasonwhyAvatarscome,sothatGodcanbeloved,adored,worshipped,listenedtoandfollowed,andfinallyrealizedasnamelessandformless.-Baba

WhoisthisSathyaSaiBaba?IsthisSwami,whodisplaysinordinate,supra-humancaptivatingpowers,trulyGod?Isheanincarnation?Wedonotknowevenourownnaturefully.Weareincapableofunderstandingthetruenatureofevenourclosestassociates.HowcanwethencomprehendthecomplexityofthePrincipleandpersonalityofanincarnation?Oneunderstandsthenatureofthemoonatleasttosomeextent,althoughwehaveonlythemoonlighttogoby,andlampsasreferencepoints,canbeoflittleuse.Similarly,ifweventuretounderstandLordSai,wehaveto

fallbackontheonlymeasuringtoolsavailabletous,namely,theillustrativeincidentsprovidedbyBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaHimselfandalsoHisownMessages.

JODIADIPALLISOMAPPAItwas25thNovember1958.AfterwitnessingSwami'sbirthdayfestivitiesatPrashantiNilayamonthe23rd,VenkataramandhisfamilyleftbycarforBangalore.WhentheyreachedvillageBagepalliontheway,therewasacrisisastheirlittlegirl,GeethaSudha,wasfoundtohavestoppedbreathing.Thefamilyfeltthatshewasonthevergeofdying,ifnotalreadydead.Intheiragony,thefamilymemberslookedaroundforhelp.Anoldman,apparentlyafarmer,appearedfromnowhere.Hecamenearandtookthebabyinhisarms.Athistouch,miraculously,thegirlshowedsignsoflifeandcried.Theyweresurprisedtoseethegirl,whomtheythoughtdead,comebacktolifesosuddenly.Venkataram,thefatherofthelittlegirl,wasoverjoyedandasamarkofgratitudeofferedarupeetotheunknownbenefactor.Theoldmanpolitelyrefusedit.WhenVenkataramaskedforhisname,hesaidthathewasknownasJodiAdipalliSomappa.

Lateron,SwaminarratedthisincidenttoSriKasturi."Iwentthereintheformofanoldvillager,"Hesaid,"anditwasIwhogavelifebacktothedeadchild."SriKasturiwantedtoknowwhySwamihadthoughtofthatpeculiarnameandwhetheranysignificancewasattachedtoit.Swamiexplained,"Adipallimeansthepristinevillage,the'original'one,whichisnothingbutKailasam,LordSiva'sabode.Jodimeansacouple.Somappa(Sa+Uma)meansLordSivatogetherwithUma,Hisconsort."SriSathyaSaiBhagavan

thusrevealedHisrealidentity,thatHeisthepersonificationofLordSivaandGoddessSakti,Siva-Sakti.

Onanotheroccasion,SwamiaskedsomeonebythenameofKailasamwhatwouldhisnamemean.Hewassomewhattakenabackashedidnotknow.HestruggledinvainforawholeweeksearchingfortheanswertoSwami'squestion.ThenSwamiHimselfexplainedtohim,"Kailasamsignifiesthecleanest,purest,andflawlesscrystal.Itisalsoasymbolofthepurestuntaintedheart.LordSivachoseKailasamasHiscelestialresidence;andHealsoresidesinapureheart.

PREMAKUTEERAMTherestandsonthehighwayclosetoBagepalli,abuildingcalledPremaKuteeram,theCottageofLoveandinitsvicinitystandsthemarvelousstructurecelebratedasSarvaDharmaSthoopam,incorporatingthecardinalprinciplesofallthereligionsoftheworld.

ItwasknownasPremaKuteeramatthetimeitwasestablishedin1980.ItwasthenknownasSriSathyaSaiSevaSibiram(ServiceCamp).TheorganiserswereSaidevoteesandtheyusedtoserverefreshmentstopilgrimsontheirwaytoPrashantiNilayamtoattendthefestivitiesthere,andalsoontheirwayback.Byvirtueofitsdedicatedservice,theSibiramreceivedBaba'sspecialappreciationandblessings.On30November1980,SwamivisitedtheSibiramandtoldtheorganizers,"Myblessingsarealwaysavailableinplentytowhosoeverisdedicatedtodoinggood."InspiredbySwami'sblessings,theSibiramwideneditsactivitieswithrenewedvigour.Induecourse,theSarvaDharmaSamanvayaTrustalsocameintobeing.ItdevoteditselftotheestablishmentofaSevaSadan,OrphanageandanAged

Peoples'Home.

ItsohappenedthatMrsAnjaliDevi,thecelebratedTelugufilmactress,MsPSuseela,thewell-knownsingerandsomeotherswereontheirwaytoPuttaparthi.Theorganisersgreetedthemandrequestedthemtostopforawhileandacceptprasadam(refreshmentsblessedbytheLord)providedattheSibiram.Butfamedtravelersdidnotappreciatethenicegesture.Theymistookthehoststobetheusualrunofcinemafanswhowerealwayseagertorubtheirshoulderswithfilmfolk.Disdainingthekindlyoffer,theywentontheirway.WhentheywerewithSwamilater,Hegentlyadmonishedthem,"IampresentnotonlyinPrashantiNilayambutalsointheSevaSibiraminBagepalli."Thelessonwenthome.Ontheirreturnjourney,theymadeitapointtostopattheSibiram.Theyprofuselyapologizedtotheorganisersandhumblyacceptedprasadamfromtheirhandsbeforeresumingtheirjourney.

SwamiisknowntomoveaboutintheareaaroundBagepalliassumingvariousformsatwill.Nodoubt,Hedoesthisforthewellbeingoftheresidentsthere.

On7thJune1996,SwamiinauguratedtheAgedPeoples'HomethereandHeannounced,"ThisSibiramisPremaKuteeram,SriSathyaSaiPremaKuteeram."Eversinceithasbeenknownbythatname.ThesacredtouchofHisLotusFeethasoftensanctifiedthePremaKuteeram.On11thJune2000,BhagavanagainvisitedPremaKuteeramandtothepleasureofthedevotees,declaredopentherest-housefortheaged,thetempleforLordGaneshandthecowshed.

BABA,THESIVA-SAKTHI

Bhagavanwasoncewalkingonthesand-banksoftheriverChithravathiinthecompanyofHisdevotees.Hewassmilingenchantinglyandmovinggracefully.Thatattractedacameramanwhoreadiedhimselftotakeaphoto.Whenherequested,"Swami,justonepicture,please,"Swamitriedtoputhimoff,"No,Bangaru,no,"butthephotographeralreadyclickedhiscamera.Wheninduecoursethefilmwasdevelopedandprinted,thephotographshowedSwamias"ArdhaNareeswara"(thedivinedualformofLordSiva-onehalfasSivaandtheotherhalfasHisconsort,DeviParvathi)!

Around1945,whenDussehraprocessionsweretakenoutfromtheOldTempleinPuttaparthi,SwamiusedtobedressedupasArdhaNareeswara.Amongthosewhowitnessedtheexaltedformwerehisardentdevotees,KumarammaandSakamma,whousedtorecallthesplendidvisionquiteoften.

DuringtheThrethaYuga,therelivedagreatrishicalledMaharshiBharadwaja.HelovedVediclearninganddevotedahundredyearsofhislifetoit.Evenso,hecouldnotcompletehisstudies.

Realizingthis,therecouldbenoendtohisstudies,hesetaboutdoingThapas(spiritualausterities)inthenameofDevendra,theLordoftheDevathas.DevendrafinallyappearedbeforetheMaharshiandtoldhim,"YouwillneverbeabletoattainfullunderstandingoftheVedas.Giveupthisfruitlesspursuit.Instead,performtheSavithraYaga,whichwillbestowonyouthespiritualfulfillmentyouhopetoobtainthroughVedicstudies."MaharshiBharadwajaalsoreceivedthenecessaryproceduralinstructionsfromDevendra.

TheMaharshidesiredverymuchthatGoddessSakthishouldbepersonallypresentattheyajna.HewenttoKailasamforinvitingHerinperson.HefoundLordSivaandGoddessParvathidancingtogetherandtotallyengrossed.TherishicouldnotfindaconvenientmomenttomakehisrequesttoGoddessSakthi.Sevendayspassedashewaitedandwaited.HewashavingdarshanofonlyLordSiva,notofSakthi.Hefeltdisappointedandmiserable.Ontheeighthday,however,Sakthigavehimjustasidewardglance,smiledsoftly,thenturnedquicklyawayandresumedherdance.Sage

BharadwajamistookthatDeviSakthihaddelibratelyslightedhim.HeimmediatelyleftKailasamandheadedhome.

Whilecomingdownthehillonhiswayback,suddenlyhisleftlegandhandwentoutofcontrol,asiftheyweredead.Hisspeechwasgone.Oneeyewentblind.Apparently,hehadastrokeofparalysis.LordSivacametohisrescue.Hedrewnearandconsoledhimwithkindwords,"Don'tworry,mydearrishi.DeviSakthihastrulyblessedyouaswellasyourYaga."Withthesere-assuringwords,theLordsprinkledsomewaterfromHisKamandal(pitcher)ontothedisconcertedsage.Immediately,therishiregainedhisfaculties.BothLordSivaandGoddessSakthipromisedthattheywouldtogetherattendhisYagaandbadehimfarewell.

BharadwajasuccessfullycompletedhisYagainduecourse.BothLordSivaandDeviSakthiattendeditandblessedhim.Asatokenoftheirpleasure,LordSivapromisedtheRishi,"Bothofuswillincarnateinhumanforminyour'gothram'(Vamsam,dynasty)nolessthanthreetimes.Inthefirstincarnation,IwillbeSaiBabainShirdi.Inthesecond,bothofustogetherwillincarnateinPuttaparthiasSathyaSaiBaba.Finally,DeviSakthiwillincarnateasPremaSai."Hewentontosay,"Ohrishi,whenyoucametoKailasam,DeviSakthiignoredyouforeightdays.Inatonementthereof,whenbothofustakehumanforminyourdynasty,DeviSakthitoowillsufferinthesamewayasyouhadsufferedinKailasam.Whenthathappens,IwillsprinkleholywateronSakthiandmakeHerregainthefacultiesinthesamewayasIrestoredyoursinKailasam."

On29thJune1963,BhagavanSaiBabasufferedastrokedue

tothrombosisandtheleftsideofHisbodywasparalyzed.HundredsofdevoteeswhohadassembledinPrashantiNilayamwereagonizedonseeingthesufferingoftheMaster.Duringthatweek,Swamiwasincomaforthreedays.Hesurvivedfourheartattacks.Disconsolatedevoteescoulddonothingbutshedbittertearsinutterhelplessness.Afterafullweek,ontheGuruPoornimaday,6thJuly,BhagavanwasverycarefullybroughtdownfromhisupperfloorapartmenttotheBhajanHallonthegroundfloorinthearmsofSriKasturi,SriRajaReddyandSriKrishnappa.ItwasobviouslydifficulttoseatBabaasusualinhisthroneontheelevateddais.So,thesilverthronewasbroughtdownandplacedonthegroundclosetothedais.SoftcushionswerepositionedsoastoavoiddiscomforttoBaba,andHewasslowlyeasedintoit.Baba'slefthandwasstiff.Theleftlegwasequallyoutofcontrol.Hiseyestoowereunclear.OnfindingtheirbelovedLordinthatterriblestateofsuffering,thedevoteesbegantowailloudly.ThenSwamiwhisperedtoSriKasturiinbarelyintelligiblewords,"ThisillnessisnotMine.OnMyownvolition,IhavetakenoverthisillnessonMyself.NodiseasecaneverassailMe.Letnobodyworry.IcannotbearifMydevoteessuffer."SriKasturiusedthemicrophonetoannounceBaba'swordstothegathering.

Swamigesturedforwatertodrink.WhenatumblerofwaterwasheldtoHislips,HecouldnotholditproperlyandthefingersofHisrighthandslippedintothewater.Withthosefingers,Hesprinkledalittlewateronthelimplefthandandtheleftleg.HegentlystrokedHislefthandwithHisrighthand;andafterinafewmoments,strokedHisleftlegwithbothHishands.

Theastonishedassemblyofdevotees,nowdeliriouswithjoy

andecstasy,realizedthatSwamihadcuredHimself.TheyheardHimaddressingtheminthemicrophone,"PremaSwaroopulara(Oh,EmbodimentsofLove)!"HebegandeliveringHiscustomaryaddressontheauspiciousdayoftheGuruPoornima!

SwamispokeforanhourregalingtheaudiencewithHischaracteristiceloquence,lucidityandexquisitehumor.Herelatedtheeight-daysufferingofRishiBharadwaja,attheendofwhichLordSivamadehimwholebysprinklingholywateronhisparalyzedlimbs.SwamirecalledtheLord'spromisethatHeandHisconsortwouldincarnateontheearthasSiva-Sakthi,thatSakthi(representedbytheleftsideofthebody)wouldsufferforeightdays,attheendofwhichLordSiva(therightsideofthebody)wouldrestoreHertohealthbysprinklingholywater.

Inringingtones,Swamideclared,"IamSiva-Sakthi,borninthegothramofrishiBharadwajabyvirtueoftheboonconferredonhimbyLordSivaandGoddessSakthiintheThrethaYuga."

LIFESTORYOFLORDSHIRDISAIPeopleknewonlythelaterpartofSriShirdiSaiBaba'slife,i.e.,subsequenttoHisarrivalinShirdi.NodetailswereavailableregardingHisearlierlife.WhenwasHebornandwhere?WhowereHisparents?WhatwasHislifelikepriortoHisappearanceinShirdi?TheseremainedunknownuntilSriSathyaSaiBabarevealedtheminPrashantiNilayamon28thSeptember1990,thedateandmonthcoincidingwiththebirthdayofShirdiSaiBaba,asdeclaredbyBaba.Obviously,littleknownsecretsofanincarnationcanbebroughttolightbynoneelsebutanotherincarnation.The

lifestoryofShirdiSaiasdisclosedbySriSathyaSaiBabaisgivenhere.

InthevillageofPathrisituatedinthethenNizam'sdominionslivedadevoutcouplenamedGangabhavaandDevagiriAmma.TheladywasanardentdevoteeofGoddessGowri(consortofLordSiva,alsoknownasParvathi).HerhusbandwasadevoteeofLordSiva.Theyhadnochildren.Thismadethemallthemoredetachedfromworldlyconcerns.TheyspentalltheirtimeinworshipofLordSivaandDeviParvathi.Gangabhavapliedariverboatforaliving.Itwastherainyseasonandtheriverwasinflood.Fearingthathisboatmightbesweptawayifunattended,

Gangabhavatoldhiswifethathewouldgotothebanksoftheriverandstaythereovernightwithhisboatandtakecareofit.Shegavehimhiseveningmealat7pmandfinishedherownmealsoonafterheleft.

Atabout9pm,therewasaknockonthefrontdoor.Thinkingthatitwasherhusbandandwonderingwhatmadehimcomebacksosoon,sheanxiouslyopenedthedoor.Anoldmanwasstandingoutside.Hepromptlysteppedinandsaid,"OhLady,itisverycoldoutside.Willyoukindlygivemealittlespaceinsideforspendingthenighthere?"Hospitablebynature,sheproducedamattress,gaveittohimandshowedhimaplaceontheverandatosleepin.Sheretiredtoherownroom,closeditsdoorandwenttobed.Butnotlongafter,theoldmanknockedonthedooragain.Whensheopenedit,hesaid,"Ohkindlady,Iamfeelinghungry.MayIhavealittlericetoeat."Findingnothingworthwhileinherkitchenexceptsomemilledgrain,shepreparedalittlemealwithcurdsandgaveittohim.Shewentbacktoherroom,closedthedoorandpreparedtosleep.Afteralittlewhile,theoldmanonceagainknockedonthedoor.Whensheopenedit,hesaid,"DearLady,myfeetareaching.Willyoukindlymassagethemalittle?"

Shewasstartled.Shewentintoherpoojaroom,fellatthefeetofGoddessParvathiintearsandcried,"Oh,DivineMother,whatisthisterribletestyouareputtingmeto?WhatshouldIdonow?Kindlysavemefromthishumiliatingsituation."Inafewmoments,sheregainedhercomposure.Anideaflashedinhermind.Leavingbythereardoorofthehouse,shewentinsearchofsomebodywhocouldbeofservicetoherguestonpayment.Hereffortsborenofruitandshereturnedhomeindespair.

Suddenly,therewasaknockonthereardoor.Whenitwasopened,awomansteppedinandsaid,"Madam,itseemsyoucametomyhouseaskingforhelptoattendonanoldmanhere.Ihavecometooffermyservices."DevagiriAmmarejoicedthatherearnestprayershadbeenanswered.Shetookthewomanontotheveranda,leftherwiththeoldmanandwentbacktoherownroomclosingitsdoorbehindher.

Thatoldmanwhoaskedforsuchstrangeservicefromasaintlylady,andthewomanwhocameforwardtoservehimwerenoordinaryhumans.TheywereLordSivaandGoddessParvathi!Theybegantalkingwitheachother.LordSivasaid,"DeviParvathi,grantthisdevoutladywhateversheearnestlydesires."GoddessParvathireplied,"YouaretheSupremeLord.Youdoityourself."LordSivaanswered,"Ihavecomeheretotestherdevotion.Butyouhavecomehereinresponsetoherearnestprayers.Itwouldbeappropriateifyougrantedboonstoher."

Onceagain,therewasaknockonthebedroomdoor.Nowthattherewasanotherwomaninthehouse,DevagiriAmmaopenedthedoorwithoutanyhesitation.ShefoundLordSivaandherbelovedDeviGowristandinginfrontofherinresplendentglory.Herheartwasfullwithhappinessandjoy.Unabletobearthefloodofemotion,shefellattheirDivineFeet.GoddessGowrispoke,"Iamblessingyouwithaboywhowillbringglorytoyourvamsamandalsoagirlsothatyoumayderivepunyambygivingherawayinmarriage(Kanyadan)tosomeone."DevagiriAmmatouchedLordSiva'sfeet.Hesaid,"Mydearchild,Iampleasedwithyourdevotion.Imyselfwilltakebirthinhumanformasyourthirdchild."Theecstaticlady,soamplyblessed,witheyesbrimming,diddeepobeisancetoLordSivaandGoddess

Gowri.Whensheliftedherhead,theyhaddisappeared.

Shewasnowinraptures.Shewasnoweagerandimpatient.Whenwillthedaydawn?Whenwillherhusbandreturnhome?Howsooncouldsheshareherheavenlyexperiencewithhim?Shecouldsleepnomore.Atdaybreak,herhusbandcamehomeandheardfromhiswifeallthathadhappened.Buthewasinnomoodtobelieve.Hesaid,"DearDevagiri,youseemtohavelostyoursenses,youmustbedreaming;LordSivaandDeviParvathivisitingourhouseinperson!Givingyoudarshan!Whatnonsense!"Hetooktoridicule.Shetriedtoconvincehim,butherefusedtobeconvinced.

TimespedbyfastandDevagiriAmmabecamepregnant.Assheanticipated,amalebabytookbirth.Ayearlater,ababygirlwasborn.Gangabhavafoundthattwooftheeventswhichhiswifehadmentionedhadnowcometrue.HewasnowwillingtobelievethatLordSivaandGoddessParvathihadindeedgivendarshantohiswife.Hetoldhiswife,"Youweremostfortunate.Iwasnot."

Thethoughtgotfirmlyrootedinhismindandgrewwithtime.HewasdeterminedtosecuredarshanofLordSivaandDeviParvathi.Eventuallyhiswifewaspregnantagain,forthethirdtime.Thisfinalpieceofproofstrengthenedhisminddecisively.Maya

(illusion)gavewaytoenlightenment.Nowhebecamerestless.WhenshouldIgetawayfromthishouse?'WhenshouldIcommencethapas(spiritualpursuit)?HowsoonwouldIbeabletoobtaindarshanofLordSivaandDeviGowri?'Thesethoughtsweregnawingathisheart.Heundertookvowsofausterity.Meanwhile,ninemonths

passed.Hebecamemoreandmoreimpatient.Hecouldwaitnolonger.Hedecidedthathewouldimmediatelyretiretotheforeststocontinuehisspiritualpursuitvigorously.DevagiriAmmawasnotapersontodrawback.Shetooaccompaniedhimdespiteherdelicatecondition.Ontheway,shedeliveredamalebabyrightthereonthewayintheforestbeneathabanyantree.Thatwas28thSeptember1838.

DevagiriAmmaswaddledthenewborninfantcomfortablyinapieceofhersaree,coveredhimwithsoftleavesandlefthimwherehewasborn,andfollowedherhusband.ThatishownobodyknewanythingabouttheparentsofthatbabyuntilBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabarevealeditall,overacenturylater.

TherewasaSufiFakirintheneighbouringvillage.Hehadnosons.Hefoundthisabandonedbabyandtookhimhome.From1838to1842,thechildgrewupinthatFakir'shouse.AftertheFakirpassedaway,hiswifelookedaftertheboy.Hisbehaviourwasquiteabnormal.HewouldgotoHindutemplesandshout,"IamAllah"(IamGod)and"AllahMalikHai"(GodistheMaster).Hindususedtotroublehim.HewouldgointoMasjidsandcry,"RamaaloneisGod"and"SivaisAllah".Becauseofhisoddandunconventionalbehavior,peopleofbothfaithsusedtocomplaintothelateFakir'swife.Shefounditdifficulttosethimright.Sheknewaperson,Venkusabyname,whowasascholarandadevoutpersonreputedtobeanexaltedsoul.ShetooktheunrulyboytoVenkusaandlefthiminthegreatman'scare.From1842to1851,forninelongsyears,hewaslookedafterbyVenkusa,whotreatedhimwithgreataffectionandlove.Thatarousedjealousyandmaliceintheheartsoftheother

residentsinVenkusa'sashram.Oneday,theboyleftthatplaceandreachedShirdi,wherehestayedforacoupleofmonths.Thereafter,heleftShirditooandwanderedfromplacetoplaceforseveralyears.

Inthecourseofhistravels,hearrivedatavillagenamedDhoopkheda.Duringhisstaythere,itsohappenedthatamarriagewasfixedinthehouseholdofaresidentofthevillage,namedChandBhaiPatel,whosewife'syoungerbrotherwasthebridegroom.Accompanyingthebridegroom'sparty,theperipateticboywenttoShirdi.Itwastheyear1857andheremainedthereforgoodtillhispassingawayin1918.HebecameknownasSaiBaba.HisextraordinaryspiritualpowersweresoonnoticedandpeoplebeganflockingtoHim.Hereceivedthemwithkindnessandcompassion,patientlyhearingtheirproblemsandsufferingswithsympathyandlove,andgaveappropriatedirectionstoenablethemmentalstrengthandconfidenceandspiritualguidance.Gradually,Hisfamespreadfarandwide.

TheaboveaccountwasgivenbyBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.HealsodescribedthecloserelationshipbetweenShirdiSaiBabaandHisdevotees,suchasHariVinayakSathe,Kelkar,Shamaandothers.SriSathyaSaiBabasaid,"TowardstheendofShirdiSai'searthlylife,HetoldAbdullawhowasclosetoHim,nottogrieveatHispassingawaybecauseHewasgoingtoberebornandgivehimdarshanagain.WhenAbdullaenquiredhowsoonthatwouldbe,Babarepliedthatitwouldbejusteightyearslater;thefirstincarnationtookplaceinMaharashtra;andthesecondonewouldbeinMadrasPresidency.(MadrasPresidencyatthattimeincludedPuttaparthi,whichisinthepresentstateof

AndhraPradesh).AbdullafurtheraskedBabainwhatformhewouldappearinthecomingincarnation.BabarepliedthatHewouldbearthenameofSathyam.Evidently,whathewasreferringtoisthispresentincarnationofSriSathyaSai.ThetwobodiesarenodoubtdifferentbuttheirDivinityisoneandthesame,"saidSwami.

BhagavanconcludedtheabsorbingstoryofHispreviousincarnationbyexplaining:"ThepurposeofthefirstincarnationofShirdiSaiwastogiveintimationsofdivinity;thesecond,thepresentone,ofSathyaSai,isforgiftingofdivinity;andthethird,thecomingoneofPremaSai,willbeforteachingdivinity."

SHIRDISAI'SPROMISEInthepreviouschapter,webrieflyreadaboutSmt.GaliSaradaDevi,anardentdevoteeofShirdiSaiBaba.Marriedatanearlyage,shebegotsixmalechildren.Butnotevenonesurvivedbeyondthesixthyearofage.Immenselydistressed,shewenttoShirdiandbeggedSaiBabatograntspiritualpeacetoher.Hereceivedherwithsympathy,offeredhersolaceandfacilitatedherspiritualprogress.SheoftenbeggedHimtoinitiateherintosomepotentmanthrainordertohelpherinspiritualadvancement.Hewasputtingheroffsomehowortheother,appearingonoccasionstobeangrytoo.Sometimein1918,alittlebeforeShirdiSaimergedintheInfinite,sheheldHisfeetfirmlypleadingonceagainformanthra-updadesh.Apparentlyvexedwithherinsistence,SaiBabaturnedonherinangerandkickedherinthechest.Deeplyhurt,shelefthim,deniedherselffoodandsleptthatnightintheopengroundunderatreeoppositeDwarakamayi.

Lateinthenight,thecompassionateBabaapproachedherandgentlypacifiedherwithsoothingwords,"MydearchildGori,Iwilltellyousomething.LetusgototheLendigarden.HowcanIsleepsoundlywhenyouareindistressandarestarved?"Onreachingthegarden,HestretchedHishandupanduttering,"AllahMalikHai"(GodistheMaster),materializedacoupleofpurisandabitofkhoyatogowiththem.Whenshetriedtogoandfetchdrinkingwater,HestoppedherandmaterializedatinypotofwaterinthesamemannerasHehadproducedthefoodalittleearlier.Aftersheateandfeltrelaxed,Hespokeinapleasingtone,"Look,mychildGori,IwilltellyousomethingbutbeforethatyoushouldholdMyfeetandpromiseMethatyouwillnottell

thistoanyone."Aftershedidso,Hecontinued,"IwillberebornintheAndhraregionwiththissamenameofSaiBaba.YouwillthencometoMe,enjoyMyclosecompanyandattainhappiness.Youarenowwellpasttheneedforanymanthra.AfteryouseeMeinMysecondavathar,youmaytellthistootherswhenoccasionarises."SaradaDeviconsideredherselfmostfortunateandthatherlifewasblessed.Soonafterthisincident,ontheDussehraday(15thOctober1918),SriShirdiSaishedhismortalcoilat2:30pmandattainedMahaSamadhi.

Morethan20yearsspedby.Shewasnowrunninganorphanage.Shewastravellingfromplacetoplace,givingHarikathaperformancestoraisefunds.Duringhertravels,shehappenedtogotoUravakonda.Shehadheardalotabouta'miracleboy'calledSathyam.ShewenttoseehiminthehouseofSriSeshamaRaju,theboy'selderbrother,wheretheboywasthenstaying.SathyamnoticedherandinvitedhertositclosetoHim.Whenheaddressedherinapleasingtone,"Gori,"shewasstartledasthatwasthesamesweetandaffectionatewayShirdiSaialone,andnobodyelseusedtoaddressher.Sathyamadded,"YouowemeRs16.Doyouremember?"Shewasconfusedparticularlybecauseshewasseeinghimforthefirsttime.Hewenton,"YouhadcollectedRs40forsendingtoShirdi.ButyousentonlyRs24throughBalaram.So,don'tyouownmeRs16still?"Toreassureher,Hesaid,"IhaveremindedyouaboutthismerelytoprovetoyouthatIamShirdiBaba.Asyoucamein,youdidnotbothertooffermeevennamaskar(salutation)butjustsatdownassoonasyouentered."PoorSaradaDeviwasnowintears.ShefellonhisfeetandpressedthemtoherbosomjustasshewashabituatedtodoatShirdi.Sathyam

calmedherandsaid,"Ihadtoldyouthenbutyoudidnotpayheedtomyword.Youforgotitaltogetherbuynowyouhavereachedme.IamproceedingtoPuttaparthi.FollowmeandIwillletyouknoweverythingthere."Later,attheinstructionsofSriSathyaSai,shetookuppermanentresidenceinPrashantiNilayam.Asmentionedearlier,Babagaveherthenameof"PeddaBottu".ShelivedinBaba'sproximityinPrashantiNilayamtilltheendofherlife.

ShirdiBabawouldoftendisplaygreatanger.ButSathyaSaiBabaisalwaysapictureofsweetnessandpleasantness.Swamionceexplainedthenatureofthisattitudinaldifference,"Whenthemotherisbusycookinginthekitchen,shegetsirritatedandangryifherchildrendistractherbymakingevenalittledisturbance.Butwhenshelaterservesthecookedfoodtothem,sheisfullofaffection,loveandpatience.TheformeravatharatShirdiwasthestageofpreparingtastydishes;nowitisthestageofservingthosedishestoyouwithlove."

BODIESARETWO,BUTDIVINITYISONEOmShriSaiShirdiSaiAbhedaShaktiAvatharayaNamah

Asachild,MadhavSDikshithadseenShirdiSaiBababutspentthelastphaseofhislifewithBhagavanSathyaSaiBabaatBrindavaninWhiteFieldnearBangalore.Asaboy,hesufferedfromunbearablepainduetomigrane.HariSitaramDikshit,theelderbrotheroftheboy'sfather,tookhimtoShirdiBaba.ThisHariSitaramDiskshitwasgenerallyknownasKakasahedDikshit.BabarubbedsomeashestakenfromhisDhuni(fireplace)ontheforeheadoftheboyandbrusquelyorderedhimtogoaway.Theboywastakenabackatwhathefeltwasaslaponhisfaceandcurtdismissal.He

madeuphismindneveragaintogotoBaba.Buthisuncle,HSDikshit,assuredhimthatwhathemistookasaslapwas,ontheotherhand,Baba'sblessing.Besides,whatBabaorderedoutsocurtlytogoawaywasnottheboybuthismigrane!Headded,"EveryoneofusherehasbeenwaitingandwaitingforsomesuchsignofBaba'sgrace.IfonlyHewouldgiveasimilar'slap'toanybody,hewouldfeelimmenselyblessed!"Eversincethisincident,thevexatiousmigraineneverappearedagain.

Severalyearslater,havingheardthatShirdiBabahadtakenreincarnationasSathyaSaiBaba,MSDikshitwenttoPuttaparthialongwithsomeofhisfriends.Itwas23rdOctober1961,VijayaDashamiday.Speakingonthatoccasion,Swamisaid,"ThisDivinePowerleftthepreviousbodyintheyear1918.Atthattime,ItolddevoteesthatIwouldcomebackagainaftereightyears.WhileputtingdownonpaperwhatIhadstated,Kakasahed

DikshitrecordedinhisdiarythatIpromisedtocomeback'asaneightyearoldboy'.ThismistakeoccurredbecauseKakasahebDikshitdidnotmakehisnotingimmediatelyonhearingMe,buttookquiteawhiletodoso,thentoo,afteralongtime,sohereliedsolelyonhismemory."

MSDikshithappenedtobeatPuttaparthifortheSivaRathrifestivities.Adoubtaroseinhismind,"Whatisthis?ShirdiBabawasanunassumingpersonalitywearingsimpleclothes.CouldHehavetaken,onrebirth,theformofthedandyIseenowbeforeme?Hereheseemstobedressedmorelikeacinemaactor."AllthewhilehewaswatchingBhagavanonthedaisbathingShirdiSai'simagewithunendingstreamsofvibhutipouringoutofasmallvessel

heldabovetheheadoftheimage.HewatchedalsothemiracleofSivalingams(anellipticalsymboloftheSupremeBeing)emergingoutofBhagavan'smouth.TherefollowedadiscoursefromBhagavaninthecourseofwhichHesaid,"SomepersonspresentherearethinkingthatitisquiteoddthatIshouldwearsilkclotheslikeacinemaactorandthatIsportapeculiartypeofhairdo."Dikshitwasstartled,hehadnodoubtthatBabawassurelyreferringtohisowndoubtsandfeltdisturbed.

BabasummonedMSDikshitintotheinterviewroom.Therewasaphotographofhislateuncle,KakasahebDikshit,inhispocket.Swamisawthepictureandsaid,"Thisisyouruncle,HSDikshit'spicture.HewasmydevoteewhenIwasinShirdi.Doyoustillhaveanydoubtsinyourmind?"AlldoubtsinDikshit'smindvanished.Butasingleardentwishremainedunfulfilled!HehadverymuchdesiredtoserveasthedoorkeeperofShirdiBaba'sroom.Bhagavanknewthis.HefulfilledhisdesirebyassigningthesamejobtohiminBrindavan.Swamialsosaidtohim,"Yourtimehascometogotoheaven,butSwamihasdecidedtoincreaseyourlifebyeightyears."DikshitlivedinahouserightinfrontofthegateofBrindavan.Hediedeightyearslater.

The2ndofOctober1996wasared-letterday.Devoteesworshipped1008pairsofPadukas(replicasofBaba'ssandals)onthatdayinthegrandvenueofSaiKulwantHall.DrDJGadhiaspokeonthatoccasion.WhenBabaspokelater,HereferredtoDrGadhiaandsaid,"HeisthesonofMSDikshitandgrandsonofKakasahebDikshitwhohadlivedinShirdi.ThisDrGadhiadidnotseehimbutIsawhim.Hisfather,MSDikshit,broughtandshowedtomethediarieskeptbyKakasahebDikshit.Hehadrecordedthereinthat

whateverdifficultiesonemightfaceinlife,oneshouldnevergiveupSwami.Thisdoctor'sfather-MSDikshitstayedinBrindavanfor30years.ItwasIwhoencouragedthisGadhiatostudymedicineandsenthimtoManipal.Subsequently,IpressedhimtogotoLondon.Thus,theassociationofthispersonwithSaiBabacomesdownfromhisforefathers'times,long,longago.

"Thisiswhatappliestoeveryonehere.Otherwise,thereisnopossibilityatallofyourevercominghere.Youhaveenteredontothispathonlybyvirtueofthecumulativestockofgoodfortuneandpunyamacquiredoverseveralpreviouslives.TherearecroresofpeopleinIndia.Howmanyofthemareabletocomehere?Manypeopledohavethedesiretocome;yettheyareunabletofulfilltheirdesire.Itisamatterofdivineblessingthatyouhavebeenabletocometothisholyplace,"Swamisaid.

BABAISALLPERVASIVETidemannJohanessen,aNorwegianfromOslo,happenedtocometoPuttaparthi.Swamimateriliazedaringandpresentedittohimtowardofftheproblemshewasbesetwith.Afewyearslater,whiletravellinginBangladesh,helostthatringinarivernearChittagong.Amonthaftertheloss,whenTidemannarrivedinWhitefield,Bhagavancametohimandplacedthelostringinhishand.SwamitoldtheastoundedTidemann,"ThisringcameintoMyhandsbecauseIamthereinthatriver.Notonlyinthatriver,Iampresentineveryriver,everywhere."Swamiisallpervasive,omnipresent.

OncealadydevoteefromKanpurcametoseeShirdiSaiinDwarakaMayi.Shesalutedhimandsatdown.Babaasked

herwhetherthebirthdaycelebrationsofhersonhadgoneonwell.Shetoldhim,"Baba,wespentthatdayhappily.Weinvitedallourrelativesandfeastedthem.PriortothatwearrangedalltheeatablesinasilverplateasofferingstoYouandlefttheplateinthepoojaroom.Aslittlelater,wewantedtoservethatprasadamtotheguestsbutwefoundthattheplatehaddisappeared.OnlymyhusbandandI,andnoneelse,enteredthatpoojaroom.Howcoulditdisappear?Weallfeltunhappyatlosingit.Baba,whathadhappened?"

SaiBabareplied,"DoyourememberthatasyourplacedtheplatebeforeMeinthepoojaroom,youprayedtoMetocomepersonallyonthehappyoccasionofyourboy'sbirthdayandpartakeofthenaivedyam?Asyouhaddesired,Icamethereandatethemall.Notbeingsurewhetheryouwouldbelieveit,Ibroughtawaythesilverplatewithme.Hereitis!"HepushedHishandbehindthepillowonwhichHewasleaning,drewouttheplateandgaveittoher.Shewasimmenselysurprisedanddelighted.

AbdullawasregularlycleaningthatplaceinDwarakaMayithoroughly.Hewouldrearrangethecushionsandbedsheetsdailyasapartofhischores.Abdulladidnotturnuponthatparticulardayandsomeoneelsedidthejob.Noonehowever,hadfoundanyplatethereearlier.Howdiditsuddenlymakeitsappearancenow?WecanunderstandwhatBhagavanmeanswhenhesaysHeisomnipresent.

"IKNOW,YOUDON'T"SathyaSaiBabawasthentouringKerala.AttherequestofHisdevotees,HevisitedavillagenearTrivandrum,nowknownasThiruvananthapuraminKerala.InHisentouragewasDrSBhagavantham,thecelebratedscientist.Devotees

farandnear,attendedthemeetingheldthere.SwamipointedtoDrBhagavantham,whowasbyhisside,anoldladystandinginacornerofthehugegathering.HementionedthatHehadknownhereversinceherchildhood.DrBhagavantham,wonderedinhismind,"Babaismuchyounger.Thatwomanisevidentlymucholder.HowcoulditbethatherchildhoodisknowntoSwami?"HeaskedSwami,"Baba,Youarebut30yearsold.Thatoldwomanmustbeinherseventies.HowisitpossiblethatYouknowhereversinceshewasachild?"BabapromptlyclarifiedthatHehadknownherinHispreviousincarnation.

Alittlelater,DrBhagavanthamwentaroundamongthepeoplegathered.Hequeitelyapproachedtheoldwoman,engagedherinconverstationandenquired,"DidyouevervisitShirdi?"Shereplied,"WhenIwasalittlechild,myuncle,theyoungerbrotherofmyfather,tookmetoShirdiforBaba'sdarshan.BabagavemeapendantthatIstillweararoundmyneck.Hereitis."SheshowedittoDrBhagavantham,whosedoubtswerethencleared.

Whenwehearofthisincident,weareremindedofaverseintheBhagavadGitaatthebeginningofChapter4.LordSriKrishna,wereadthere,toldArjuna,"ItaughtthisimmortalYogalongagotoVivaswan(theSunGod).HeconveyedittoManu,whoimpartedittohisson,Ikshwaku.Now,again,IhaveimpartedthisancientYogatoyou."Arjunaqueried"OhKrishna,theSunGodisthereeversincethecreation.Hedatesbacktoremoteantiquity.Youbelongtothepresentage.HowisitpossiblethatyouhadtaughtthistotheSunGodsolongago?LordKrishnaexplained:

BahooniMeVyatheethaniJanmaniThavaChaArjuna,ThaniAhamVedaSarvani,NaThvamVetthaParanthapa.

BahUin me VytItain jNmain tv caRjun ,

taNyh< ved sRvai[ n Tv< veTw prNtp.

"HeyArjuna,youandIhavepassedthroughnumerousbirths.Ipossesstheawarenessofallthosebirths;butyoudonot."

EndofChapter2AumSaieashwaraayaVidmaheySathyaDevaayaDheemahi

thannassarva(f)prachodayaat(u)||

DAY2:FRIDAY

CHAPTER3-SAMBHAVAMIYUGEYUGE(IINCARNATEAGAINANDAGAIN)

YadaYadahiDharmasyaGlanirBhavathiBharathaAbhyutthanamadharmasyatadhathmanamsrujamyahamParithranayaSaddhoonamVinashayachaduskhruthamDharmaSansthapanarthayaSambhavamiYugeYuge

~SriMadBhagavadGita(Ch4,verse7.8)~

PUTTAVARHADHANI

ThepresentdayvillageofPuttaparthiwasknowninoldentimesasGollapalli(thevillageofcowherds).Thewholeareawaspopulatedwithcowherdsandtheircows.Oneday,acowherdofthevillagenoticedthatoneofhiscowshadreturnedfromgrazingfieldswithanemptyudder.Thiscontinuedtohappenforthenextseveraldays.Hedecidedtostalkherquietlytothefieldstofindoutwhomightbestealinghermilk.Thecowwentasusualtothewoodswiththekeeperwatchinghereverymovementwithpeeledeyes.Sheapproachedasnake-hilloutofwhichemergedawondrousserpent,wounditselfaroundthecow'shindlegsandfeditselffromtheudderwithouthurtingthecow.Thecowherdlosthistemper.Itdidnotoccurtohimthatthisserpentmightbesomethinguncommonordivine.Hepickedupaheavystoneandhurleditattheserpent.Bloodflowedoutandstainedthestone.Theserpentdied.Eversincethatincident,cowherdfamiliesofGollapalligraduallydeclinedinnumbersandserpent-hillsproliferatedallover.Peoplebelievedthatthedyingserpentcursedthevillagers,whichwastheroot-causeoftheirmisery.Astimepassed,GollapalliacquiredthedubiousdistinctionofbeingknownasPuttaVardhani(placewheresnake-hillsabound).

Thecontritevillagerstooktheblood-stainedstonewhichhadkilledtheserpent,nameditGopalaSwami(Krishna,thecowherd)andinstalleditinthevillageforregularworship.ThecharmingnameofKrishnaevokesthechildhoodpranksandamusingfrolicsofLordKrishnawhogrewupamongcowherds.Asaboy,heplayfullystolemilk,butterandcurdstofeedhimselfandhiscohortsandplaymates.ThevillagersworshippedthestoneasKrishna,thecowherd,asanactof

penitenceandatonement.Soonenough,thevillageprosperedandgrew,andcametobeknownasPuttaparthi.Duringthereignofthegreatruler,SriKrishnadevaRayaoftheVijayanagarEmpire,itearnedrenownasastrongholdofbravewarriorswholenttheirservicestotheroyalforces.Atemplewasbuiltandelaboratearrangementwereinitiatedforregularritualsofworshipinthetraditionalmanner,i.e.,offerofpooja,lightingofthesacredlamp,offerofincenseandnaivedyamtothedeity,andsoon.Theprosperityofthevillagegrewmoreandmore.AftertheadventofBhagavanSriSathyaSai,Heconfirmedthedivinityofthatdeity.AtHisinstance,bathingofthedeity(abhishekam)andapplicationofsandalwoodpasteallover,wereintroduced.Tothewondermentofthedevotees,thestonerevealedthedivineformofLordSriKrishnawithfluteinhand!

ThereisinPuttaparthiadistinguishedanddevoutfamilywiththefamilynameof'Ratnakara'.AgreatsaintcalledVenka-Avadhoothawasoneoftheirancestors.ThepaternalgrandfatherofSathyaSai,namedKondamaRaju,wasahighlyevolvedsoulandledalifeofdevotiontoGod.HecouldrecitefrommemorystoriesandversesfromthesacredepicsofSriMahaBhagavathandRamayana.Inspiredbyadream,hebuiltatempleforGoddessSathyabhamaDevi,theconsortofLordKrishna.ItisnowknowninPuttaparthiasSathyamma'stemple.LakshmammawasKondamaRaju'swife.Thesaintlycouplehadtwosons.InmemoryofVenka-Avadhootha,theywerenamedPeda(theelder)VenkamaRajuandChina(theyounger)VenkamaRaju.Bothofthem,liketheirfather,becameaccomplishedsingersofdevotionalversesandsongs.

EASWARAMMA

SomecloserelativesofKondamaRajuwereresidinginavillagecalledKolimikuntlaintheKoyalakuntlaThalukaofKurnoolDistrict.TheirfamilynamewasMeesraganda.SubbaRajuofthatfamilybuiltatempleforLordSivainhisvillage.Whilethetemplewasunderconstruction,SubbaRajuwasblessedwithafemalebaby,whowasnamedNamagiri.Whilereturningfromapilgrimage,KondamaRajuhappenedtovisitthatvillage.Hewasverymuchdistressedtofindthathisrelativeswereleadinguneasylivesduetothedepredationsofdacoitsactiveinthatregion.HeinvitedthemtocomeoverandtakepermanentresidenceinthevillageofKarnataNagapalliontheotherbankoftheriverChithravathi,rightoppositetoPuttaparthi,whichhesaid,wouldbeasafehaven.Asanaddedincentive,hegavehiswordthathewouldacceptNamagiriashisdaughter-in-law.

TheMeesaragandafamilysoonshiftedandsettleddowninKarnataNagapalliandtookupfarming.Asdivinelyordained,SubbaRaju'sdaughterwasweddedtoPedaVenkamaRaju.Notquitepleasedwiththenamehisdaughter-in-lawwasgivenbyherparents,KondamaRajuchangedittoEaswaramma(motherofLordEaswara,i.e.,LordSiva).Thatnameeventuallyprovednotonlyquiteappropriatebutalsoprophetic!Thedevoutcouplebegotason,SeshamaRaju,andtwodaughters,VenkammaandParvathamma.TothegreatdistressofLakshmamma,fourmiscarriagesfollowed.SheearnestlyprayedtoGodtoblessherfamilywithanotherchild.

SWAMI'SINCARNATION

Themomentofdivinefulfillmentwasabouttodawn.Theprayersofnumeroussaints,sagesandrenunciatesfortheincarnationofGodonearthwereabouttobeanswered.Theagonyofsufferinghumanitymovedtheever-mercifulSupremeDivinity.Easwarammawasagainpregnant,fortheeighthtime.Quitesignificantly,LordKrishnawasbornastheeighthchildofhismother,DevakiDevi.TheInscrutable,theIncomprehensible,theUniversalAbsolutewasnowabouttorevealHimself.Musicalinstrumentsinthehouse,likemridangam(percussioninstrument)andthanpura(stringedinstrument)usedtoproduce,oftheirownaccord,musicalsounds.Peopleweresurprisedandalsodelightedatthisextraordinaryoccurrence,butatthesametime,theywereconfusedandconcerned.PedaVenkamaRajuwentallthewaytothenearbytownofBukkapatnamtoconsultastrologers.Aftercarefullygoingthroughancienttexts,theyenquiredwhetheranyladyinthehousewaspregnant.Whenthereplywasaffirmative,theastrologerssaid,"Forthepleasureofthechildinthewomb,celestialmusiciansareprovidingentertainment.Whendivineincarnationsareabouttotakeplace,suchunusualincidentshappen!"TheyshowedrelevantpartsofastrologicaltreatiestoPedaVenkamaRajuinsupportoftheiropinion.

Itwas23rdNovember1926.AccordingtotheHindycalendar,itcorrespondedtoSomavar(Monday),Thadia(thethirdday)afterthefullmoon,Karthikamonth,Akshayayearandardrastar.HindusconsiderMondaysoftheKarthikamonthasfavouritedaysofLordSivaandperformspecialworship.From4amonthatday,Lakshmammawasdeeplyabsorbedintheworship(vratham)ofLordSri

SathyanarayanaSwami,beingperformedinthenearbyhouseofapurohit(Brahminpriest).Shewascalledseveraltimesasherdaughter-in-law'sdeliverywasimminent.Butsheignoredthecalls.Shedecidednottoreturnhomewithoutseeingthepoojathroughandreceivingthe'poojaprasadam'.Shesatthroughanddidindeedcarrytheprasadamhome.Shegaveprasadamtoherdaughter-in-law.Itwasnow5.06am.Coolbreezeswerewaftingsoftly.Littlebellsonthetopofthetemplepillar(dhwajasthambham)wereproducinggentleandmelodioussounds.Insidethehouse,musicalnotesfromtheinstrumentsspontaneouslyplayingontheirownweresoftlyreverberating.Atthatwondrousmoment,SriSathyaSai,thedivineincarnationwasborn.Hehadatinyblackmole(birthmark)onhisleftcheek.Hehadalsoanothermoleonhisbosom,liketheSrivatsaornamentadorningthebosomofLordMahaVishnu.OnhissolescouldbediscernedthesignsofSankha(theconch)andChakra(thecirculardisk)whichareinsigniaofdivinity.

Lakshmamma,Easwaramma'smother-in-law,placedthenewbornbabydelicatelyonpalmleaves,astraditiondemanded,inacornerofthedeliveryroom.Alittlelater,shenoticedaslightmovementofthebaby'sbedsheets.Whenshepickedupthebaby,shefoundtoherdismay,acoiledcobrabelowthebed!Trueenough,Puttaparthiknewnodearthofsnakes.Butitwasneverthelessquiteunusualforacoiledcobrapositioningitselfasabedforanewbornbabyrightinthedeliveryroom.Afterthefluttercausedbyitspresencecooleddown,thesnakewassearchedforbutitcouldnotbefound.ThereisabsolutelynodoubtthatthesnakewasnoneotherthanAdishesha,thedivineserpent

whoservesasabedforLordSriMahaVishnuinVaikuntha.ThisistheveryfirstdemonstrationofthedivinityofSriSathyaSai.

AsthebabywasbornimmediatelyafterhismotherhadpartakenoftheprasadamofLordSriSathyaNarayanaSwami,hewasgiventhenameofSathyaNarayana.Theoldman,KondamaRaju,wasimmenselydelightedwiththisname.ForhewasremindedoftheincidentintheSriMahaBhagavathwhenLordSriKrishnawasbornasthehumanincarnationofLordNarayana.LordBrahmapresentedhimselfbeforethechildandpaidhomagethus:

SathyaVratham,SathyaParam,ThriSathyam,SathyasyaYonim,NihitamchaSathye,SathwasyaSathyam,RithaSathyaNethram,Sathya-Athmakam,TvamSharanamPrasannah.

(OhLord,Youaretheembodimentoftruth.Infact,Youarethetruthitself;onlyYouaretheeternaltruth.TruthistheonlypathtoreachYou.Ohthepersonificationoftruth,IsurrendertoThee!)

Evenifonegoesbythenamegiventothelittlebaby,Sathyam,itisevidentthatheistrulyLordSriNarayanaandtheembodimentoftruth(Sathyam).

Theinner,profoundspiritualsignificanceoftheword"Sathya"hascomeoutinallitsstrikingappropriatenessinSwami'slife.RithamandSathyamarethetwobejeweledornamentsoftheearsofSruthiMatha(VedaMatha,theMotherGoddessoftheVedas).Whenwecontemplatedeeplyontheirmeaningandspiritualsignificance,evennowevernewbeautiesarerevealedtous.Sathyam(eternaltruth)and

Nithyam(knowingnobeginningorend)areworthmeditatingon.

NOTCONCEPTION,BUTADVENT

IntheSriMahaBhagavath,ithasbeenstatedthatLordNarayanaintendedtoincarnateonthisearthasSriKrishnaand"entered"thewombofDevakiDevi.AfterBhagavanSathyaSaiproclaimed,"IamthatKrishnaofyore,"adoubtaroseinthemindofalearnedscholarnamedSangubhatlaRamaSarma.Hewasthescholar-laureate(asthanaPandit)oftherulerofVenkatagiri,andhewasalearnedscholarofscripturesandsacredepics.Oneday,hehappenedtobewithSriSathyaSaiBabainthemandirwhenspiritualmatterswerebeingdiscussed.Heasked,"Swami,wasyourbirththroughnormalconception(pravasam)orbyadvent(pravesham)?"Everyonepresentwasintriguedandsomewhatsurprised,"Whatisthisoddquestionand,inany

case,whatisitsproperty?"theywondered.ButSwamicertainlyknewtheinnersubstanceandprofoundsignificanceofthequestion.HeturnedtowardsEaswaramma,themother,whowassittinginthefrontrow,andsaid,"TellRamaSharmawhathappenedonthatdaywhenyouwereliftingwaterfromthewell."

Easwarammathennarratedherexperience:"WhenIwasliftingwaterfromthewell",shesaid,"suddenlyIsawaballofbluishsparklinglightrollingdownfromthesky.ItenteredmybodyandIlostconsciousness.WhenIregainedmysenseswithministrationsofmymother-in-law,Itoldherwhathadhappened.Sheadvisedmenottobreatheawordaboutittoanyonebecausepeoplemightdrawallsortsofundesirableandfunnyinferences."

BhagavanSriSathyaSainowturnedtoRamaSarmaandsaid,"Doyounowunderstand,RamaSarma?Mybrithwasnotthroughconceptionbutbyadvent."

KondamaRajuusedtotakethisextraordinarychildintohispoojaroomandseathimthere.Ashewouldperformtheworship,hewouldnotethatthechild'spresencegavehimimmensetranquilityofmindandhecouldeffortlesslyconcentrateonGodinmeditation.Whynot?Itisperfectlyunderstandable.WhoeverenthronesBhagavaninhisheartisboundtoexperiencetranscendentalpeace,whichissomethingthateverydevoteeknowsfrompersonalexperience.

Thebabywasextremelyhandsome.Neighbouringwomenfolkusedtospendhoursandhoursplayingwithhim,caressinghimandembracinghim.Easwarammanever

botheredtoknowwhatcasteorcommunityorfaiththeybelongedto.Sheraisednoobjectionwhatsoever.Thebabytoolearnedtolovethemandlikedtheircompany.Hewouldoftenrunawayfromhismother'slaptothecompanyofothers.Hewasindeedrestlessexceptintheircompany.BhagavanSathyaSaioncedeclaredthatHewouldunfailinggotothosewhoyearnedforHimwholeheartedly.Whenwehearofhischildhoodpranksandplays,werealizethatevenasachild,hehadbeenpracticingwhatHedeclaredmuchlater,afterhegrewup.

ThehousenexttotheoneadjoiningKondamaRaju'sbelongedtoaKaranam(villagerevenueofficial).TheladyofthehousewasSubbamma.Whenevershetookthecharmingchildinherarms,hisfacewouldglowinhappiness;hewouldtitterwithdelightandshewouldexperiencesupremejoy.Shehadnochildrenofherown.Sheoftentookthischildtoherhome,asproudlyasifshewasbringinghomeprecioustreasures.Shesmotheredhimwithhermotherlylove.Subbamma'sfamilywasaBrahminfamilyandwasvegetarianinfoodhabits.AsSathyamalwaysinsistedongoingtoherhouseandfoundmuchhappinessthere,peopleusedtoobservethat,likehisgrandfather,KondamaRaju,littleSathyamwouldalsobeavegetarianandhence,hepreferredtospendmuchofhistimeintheenvironmentofSubbamma'shouse.Infact,SathyamwasnotashappyinhisownhouseashewasinsSubbamma's.SomeoftherelativesofKondamaRaju'sfamilyusedtocommentthatEaswarammawas'Devaki'(thenatalmotherofLordKrishna)whileSubbammawas'Yashoda'(hisfostermother).

AnotherunusualfeatureofSathyamwasthatheneverused

toaskforanyparticularthingtoeatnorforanyparticularpieceofclothing.ClothesusedtobebroughtfromtheneighbouringtownsofHindupuramandAnanthapuramforallchildreninthefamily.Thelittleoneswouldgatheraroundthemandeagerlysnatchuppiecestheypreferred.ButSathyamwouldcheerfullyacceptwhateverwasleftbehind.Heneverindicatedthathehadanychoiceofhisown;therewasnothingthathewouldparticularlyprefer.Ontheotherhand,whenhesawtheotherchildreninhappiness,Sathyam'sfacewouldbloomwithpleasureandsatisfaction."YourhappinessisMyfood,"Swamideclaredmanyyearslater.Thatsurely,musthaveheldtrueevenwhenSathyamwasamerechild.

Hewasfullofpity,compassion,loveandsympathyforanylivingbeingsubjectedtohardshipandgrief.Afewplayfulboysoncecollectedaboutadozenfrogsandwerecarryingtheminabasket.Theyplannedtohavefunbysubjectingthepoorcreaturestosomesortoftorture.Sathyamrequestedthattheybefreed.Theboysdidnotagree.Suddenly,Sathyamtransformedthemintopigeonsthroughhisdivinewill.Hetoldthemthattherewerenofrogsintheirbasket.Whentheydisbelievinglyopenedthelidtosee,thebirdsescapedintothesky.

Wecanreadaspiritualmeaningtoointhisincident.Fromthatdaytothisday,Bhagavanhasbeentransformingordinaryindividuals,whoareentrappedandlivinglikefrogsinthedeepmireofignorance(Ajnan),intostronghumanbeingswhoareboldandhappyandcapableofsoaringfreeinthespiritualfirmamentlikebirdsinskies.

Evenasalittleboy,Sathyamwasfondofnaturalbeauty.He

spentmuchtimecontemplatingnature.Mountainpeaks,starsandskygavehimprofoundhappinessashecontemplatedonthemspellbound.Atsuchtimes,heappearedsereneandserious,waybeyondhistenderage.ThewomenofPuttaparthiwhohadseenhimsolostinhisthoughtsusedtorefertohimas"BrahmaJnani"(onewhoattainedsupremerealization).Theymighthave,nodoubt,saidsoinmirthandfrolic;theycouldneversuspectthattheboytheyweremakingfunofwasindeedaBrahmaJnani.

DIVINETOUCH

EaswarammaandKaranamSubbammawouldoftensit,atduskinthefrontproticooftheirhousesoverlookingthestreet,andspendtimeinconversation.Rightinfrontoftheminthestreet,Sathyamwouldwearabandageacrosshiseyesandplayhideandseekwithhiscolleagues.Thatwasthetimewhencattleheadedhomefrompasture.Therewasalwaystheriskofunrulyanimalstramplingpassersby.Easwarammawouldnaturallyfeelapprehensiveaboutherdarlingchild'ssafety.ButSubbammawouldalwaysreassureher:"Calmyourselfandjustkeepwatching.Nothinguntowardwillhappen."TheblindfoldedSathyamwouldcatchholdofsomerogueanimal.Underhisgentletouch,theanimalwouldbecomedocile,loweritsheadandmoveawayharmlessly.Suchincidentsusedtoleaveonlookersbaffled.

ProbablybecauseSathyamwasbornundertheauspiciousinfluenceofthe'ardra'star,hisheartwouldmeltattheverysightofsuffering.(ardrainSanskritmeanscompassionate).Ifahungrypersonstoodathisdoor,Sathyamwouldruninside,bringsomefoodandplaceitaffectionatelyintotheoutstretchedhands.Theglowofhappinessintheeyesofthe

hungrypersonwouldfillSathyam'sheartwithsatisfaction.Heusedtobringtohishome,personsshiveringfromcoldandgavethemclothestocoverthemselves.Itwascustomaryforpeopletocarryfowlupsidedownbytheirlegs,boundtogetherandheadshangingdown,apositiontortoroustothepoorbirds.Bullocksweregoadedtomovefasterbytwistingtheirtailscruelly.Atthesightofsuchinsensatecruelty,Sathyamwouldsuffertheagonyofthepoorbirdsandanimalsinhimself.

AfterfinishingschoolinPuttaparthi,SathyamwenttothenearbytownofBukkapatnamandenrolledinthemiddleschool.ThelovingmotherwatchedwithbatedbreathasherlittlechildprepareddayafterdaytogotoBukkapatnam;hewashardlyoutofhiscradle,butnowhehadtowalkallthewaytotown!Sathyamwouldputonawhiteshirtandshorts,applyvibhutionhisforehead,andareddotofvermilliontolendaccenttoit.Withasmallbagcontininghissimplemid-daymealofcookedragi(acoarsegrain)inonehand,andabagofbooksintheother,hewouldbidhergoodbyeeverymorning.Thepoorlady'seyeswouldswimintears.Hewouldleavehomeatabout8.30amandreturnonlyatdusk.Howcouldsheenduretheagonyofhisabsenceuntilthen?Sadnesshauntedhereverymomentoftheday.

HisfellowpupilsatschoolwereenviousofSathyam.Hewasevidentlythecynosurebecauseofhisexcellentsenseofcleanlinessandimmaculateorderliness.Assoonastheboyssteppedoutofthevillage,theywouldcatchholdofSathyamandduckhimintheriverChithravathitomakehisspotlesswhiteclothesdirtierthantheirs.Theirdirtydeedaccomplished,theywouldfeelhappyandfulfilled.ButneverwouldSathyamcomplaintohisbelovedmotheragainstthem.

THETEACHER'SCHAIR

IntheschoolinBukkapatnam,ateacherbythenameofKondappawasdictating'notes'tohispupilswhowereassiduouslytakingthemdown.Sathyamalonewasnotdoingso,whichannoyedtheteacher.HowcouldheknowthatSathyam,theall-knowingandall-comprehending,hadnoneedfortakingdownanynotes?HeorderedSathyamtostanduponthebench,apunishmentusuallymetedouttodelinquentboys.Theboymeeklyobeyed.TimepassedandthebellstrucktomarktheendofthatclassandKondappahadtoleave.Thoughhetriedtogetoutofhischair,hecouldnotasitstucktohisbottom.TheteacherwhowastotakethenextclasswasMehboobKhan.Hecameinandunderstoodthesituation.HeaskedSathyamtogetdownandbeseated.AssoonasSathyamtookhisseat,Kondappawasautomaticallyreleasedfromhisownchair.Thiswasbutonesmallleela(playfulprank)ofSathyamthatwasplayedmerelytodemonstratethathewasnoordinaryrun-of-the-millschoolboy.NewsofthisepisodesoonspredinBukkapatnamandcausedsomeunresttoo.TheincidentprovesthatanincarnationofGodcannotbeboundbyman-madelimitations.Induecourse,KondapparecognizedSathyam'sdivinityandalsowroteandpublishedsomepoemsinhispraise.

Whenthestoryoftheteacher'schairreachedEaswaramma,shefearedforthefutureofherboy'seducation.ShecautionedSathyam,"Ifyoudonotstudyhardandsucceedinyourschooling,youwillhavenofuturebuttoekeoutalivingbytendingcattle."Well,canthewordofBhagavan'smotherevergowrong?Swamididnotworkhardathisstudiesinschool.But,asHisdivinemotherhadwarned,He

iscertainlytendingcattle!WhataretheanimalsnowinHiscare?AlllivingbeingsarenowunderHiscareandprotection!ThatiswhyHehasverilybecomePashupati(theLordofanimals,oneoftheattributesofLordSiva).Hissimple-mindedmotherhadneverdreamtthatherdarlingchild,soremissatschool,wouldeventuallytakeupsuchagloriousjob,thatofmindingtheuniverseasBhagavan.

TheendoftheyearsawSathyamappearingforthefinalexaminationsheldinthetownofPenugonda.Hecamefirst,andthepeopleofPenugondatookoutagrandprocessioninhonorofthisbrilliantboy.Inherheartofhearts,Easwarammawasdelightedatthesuccessofhercharmingboy,butshewasatthesametimeworriedthatthismightarousemorejealousyamongsttheotherboys.OftendidshewonderandfeelastonishedatsomeofthewordsutteredbySathyam,hisdecisionsandconclusions,thesharpnessofhisviewsandthemannerinwhichheexpoundedthem.

Subbamma'shusband,theKaranam,wassportingamoustachealltoooddandprominent,somewhatinthestyleofHitler,hisconductalsowasratherunusual.Sathyamcomposedsongsmakingfunofhimandorganizedhiscolleaguestosingtheminpublic.Easwarammawouldnotapproveofsuchmischievousactivities.SheentrustedthetaskofcorrectingSathyam,ofallpeople,toSubbamma!SubbammaadmonishedEaswaramma,"ThatlittleGuru(Master)knowshowtodistinguishbetweengoodandbad.Leaveittohimandlethimbe."

Withamerewaveofhishand,Sathyamwouldmaterializewhateverhiscompanionsaskedfor,beitafruitoraflowerorsweets.Whentheyaskedtoknowwherehewasgetting

themfrom,hemerelysaidthatsomecelestialbeingsweregivingthemtohim.Yes,therecanbenodoubtaboutwhatheclaimed.Swamiisthesuprememaster;itisbutnaturalthatheavenlybeingsshouldserveHimwithwhateverHedemands!

TIGER-HUNTERCHIDED

ItwasaroundnoononedaywhenadriverinuniformwasnoticedstridingintoPuttaparthi.Ashewalkedin,birdsonthebranchesoftreesraisedloudcriesoffearanddistress.SathyamwassittinginthefrontporticoofKaranamSubbamma'shouseconversingwithhisfriends.Asthedriversteppedupthere,thechildrenscatteredinfright.

ThemantoldSathyamthathismaster'sjeepgotstrandedontheotherbankoftheriverChithravathi.Themasterwasinahottemper.Havingheardthataboyofmiracleswasinthisvillage,hehadcomeheretoobtainsomevibhutiifitcouldgetthemasteroutofhisproblem.Sathyamagreedtofollowhimtothejeep.Themasterwasproudlystrokingthedeadbodyofatigress,evidentlyshotbyhimintheforest.Sathyamsaidtohim,"Whatharmhasthispooranimaldonetoyou?"Whyhaveyoukilleditfornoreason?Hertwolittlecubsaremissingtheirmotherandarefeelingmiserable.ItwasIwhomadeyourvehiclebreakdowntomakeyourealizethis.Gobacktothoselittlemotherlesscubs,rescuethemandentrustthemtothecareofaproperzoo.Nevershouldyoukillalivingbeingforyourownpleasureandenjoyment.Youmightshoot,butonlywithacamera,notwithagun.Thatwouldbringyounameandfame."Surprisingly,theengineofthevehiclesprangtolifewithameretouchofSathyam,anditwentbackthewayithad

PedaVenkamaRaju,Sathyam'sfather,wasinapanicsituationathome.FordefyinganEnglishman,thattoo,onewhowassportingagun,hislittlesonmightinvitetroublefromthepolice.Ontheotherhand,theEnglishmanfeltremorseful.Sometimelater,hebroughttheskinofthedeadtigressandofferedittoserveasafootrestforSathyam.EventodayitisthereinPrashantiNilayamnearSwami'sthroneservingSwamiasHisfootrest.

EachandeveryincidentofSwami'slifeservesasamirrorreflectingtheessentialityofSwami'sdivinepersonality.Swamiisthepersonificationofahimsa(principleofnon-violence).Embodimentofcompassionandpityforhelplesscreatures,HeisJesusChristandBhagavanBuddhapersonified.BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaistheteacherofteachers.

EndofChapter3AumSaieashwaraayaVidmaheySathyaDevaayadheemahi

CHAPTER4-SAIBLOSSOMS

ThisSaihascomeinordertoachievethesupremetaskofunitingtheentiremankindasonefamily,throughthebondofbrotherhood;ofaffirmingandillumingtheinnerrealityofeachbeinginordertorevealthedivinewhichisthebasisonwhichtheentirecosmosrests;andofinstructingalltorecognizethecommonDivineHeritagethatbindsmantoman,sothatmancanridhimselfoftheanimalandrisetothedivinewhichishisgoal.-Baba

SeshamaRajumarriedthesisterofPasumarthiVenkataRajuofKamalapuramintheCuddapahdistrict.Hewaskeenthathisyoungerbrother,Sathyam,shouldbegivenhighschool

education.SohebroughttheyoungstertoKamalapuramandputhiminthelocalhighschool.ButitsohappenedthatSeshamaRajuhadtohimselfleavetheplaceandgoelsewheretoundergoteachers'training.

PUSHPAGIRIFESTIVAL

SometimeafterSathyamgotadmittedintothehighschool,theannualfestivalatPushpagiri,atempletownnearby,wastobeheld.Thephysicaleducationinstructoroftheschoolorganizedascouttroopfordoingserviceduringthefestival.Sathyamenrolledhimselfinthetroopashefeltthatitwouldenablehimtodosocialworkandservice.Ashedidnothaveenoughmoneytospend,hedidnotjointheschoolgroupgoingtoPushpagiributwentthereseparatelybyhimself,walkingalltheway.Hecouldnotaffordtobuyfood.Sohejustfastedallthedayshewasthere.Henevermentionedthiseithertohisteacherortohiscompanions.Hecheerfullyparticipatedinallthesocialserviceactivitiesofhistroop.Ifanyoneaskedhimwhetherhehadhismeals,hewouldholdouthishandforthemtosmell.Hishandwouldsmellofsweetsmadeofpureghee.Hisfriendsbelievedthathemusthavetakensometastyfoodatsomeofhisrelatives'house.Thescoutmasterwouldallocatedutiesevenlytoalltheboysinhischarge,includingSathyam,thoughSathyamwasnotassturdyastheothers.Restoringmissingchildrentotheirparents,providingdrinkingwatertothepilgrims,lookingaftertheirmedicalrequirementsandrenderingfirstaid-theseweresomeoftheactivitiesSathyamwasengagedin.Byhisdedicationandassiduousness,Sathyamsetafineexampleasasocialworker.

Thescouttroop,ofwhichSathyamwasastarinthe

Pushpagirifestivities,wasundoubtedlytheprecursorofthepresentdaySriSathyaSaiSevaDalthatisrenderingyeomanservicestomankindthroughouttheworld.

Onsuccessfullycompletinghisteachers'trainingcourse,SeshamaRajuwasappointedasaTeluguteacherinUravakonda.Asateacher,hewasdescribingtothechildrenofhisclassthechildishpranksofBalaKrishnaandSriRama,buthecouldnotunderstandthemeaningoftheleelasbeingdisplayedinhisownhomebytheGodincarnate.Bothheandhisfathermistakenlyattributedthemtogoblinsandevilspirits.SeshamaRajufirmlybelievedthatifhislittlebrotherwereentrustedtohiscare,hewouldsoonsethimrightbyliberalusedoftherod.Withaheavyheart,poorEaswarammaagreedtosendherdarlingsontoUravakonda.

"IAMTHESERVITOROFALL"

SathyamwasadmittedingradeVIIIinthehighschoolinUravakonda.Helivedwithhisbrother,SeshamaRaju.Therewasnodrinkingwaterinthehouse.Ithadtobefetchedfromawellamileawayfromthetown.Tomeetdailyneeds,Sathyam,wouldbringwatereveryday,morningandevening,makingtwoorthreetripseachtime.Hewouldcarrytwolargecontainersoneachtrip,slungoneateachendofabamboopolebalancedonhisshoulders.TheneighbourssoondiscoveredSathyam'saffableandobligingnature.Theywouldaskhim,endearingly,tofetchsomewaterforthemtoo!Andtheladwouldcheerfullymeettheirrequirementsaswell.

SathyamreturnedtoPuttaparthifortheholidays.Easwarammapreparedtogiveherlittleboyanoilbath.

Whenshesetaboutapplyingoiltohisbody,shefoundcallusesonhisshoulders.Theskintoohaddarkened.Hetriedtoevadeheranxiousenquiriesbut,whenpressed,heexplainedwithadisarmingsmile,"Itisprobablyduetomybringingwaterforourelderbrother'shousehold."Eyesbrimming,thelovingmotherenquiredwhyheshouldhavetofetchwater.Sathyamreplied,"Howcantheyliveonbrackishwater?Thatapart,

Dearmother,isitnotafactthatIhavecomeonlytoservepeople?"Theanswerbroughtnosolacetothedistressedmother.

AnneMarieMarwaha,aladyemployedwiththeGermanEmbassyinNewDelhi,hadenjoyedthegoodfortuneoftastingthesweetnessofBhagavan'slove.OnoneofhervisitstoPuttaparthi,sheasked,"Swami,whatisthetruenatureofyourincarnation?Ifailtounderstandit."

Bhagavansoftlyreplied,"WhatshallIsay?Totellyouinanutshell,Iamtheservitorofall."Thereplytookherbystorm.Inatormentofpity,shesobbeduncontrollably.Shecried,"Whydoyousaylikethis,Baba?"Swamiexplained,"Dearchild,thatisbutthesimpletruth.EveryonegivesMeajobtodo.Whoeverdoeseveryone'serrandisindeedtheservitorofall.Isitnot?"

Bhagavan'swordsanddeeds-bethemofHischildhooddaysorofthepresentday,arethesame.Swamifetcheddrinkingwaterasachild.Eventoday,grownupasHeis,Heisstillfetchingfresh,wholesome,drinkingwater.Theonlydifferenceisthatanewnamehasnowbeengiventohislabours:SriSathyaSaiDrinkingWaterProject.Intheolden

days,neighboursrequestedhim,"Baba(dearboy),willyoubringsomedrinkingwaterforustoo?"Today,peoplefromneighbouringdistrictsareprayingtohim,"Baba,willyougivesomedrinkingwaterforustoo?"Bhagavananswers,withboundlessloveandaffection,"Yes,yes,certainly,certainly."SomeofthemhaveonlyheardofPuttaparthibutdonotknowwhereitis.Theyhavetoenquireandfindouthowtoreachthere.Intheirdistress,theymaketheirarduouswaytoBaba,totheirDivineMotherforsuccour.Andsureenough,thecompassionateMotherresponds,"MypoorchildrenhavecometoMepraying,notforsumptuousfeast,butforamerequaffofwater!"ThemotherlyassuranceofBhagavancomesforthspontaneously,"Surely,surely."Itisnotonemotherspeakingbutathousandmothers.Indeed,itistheloveofamillionmothers!

Swamiachievessingle-handedlywhatanentiregovernmentorawholenationcouldnotaccomplish.ThebeneficiariesareHisownchildren.Fortheirwelfare,Hehasspent,andisspending,hundredsofcroresofrupeesonadrinkingwaterproject.Peoplearegrateful;butcanthisimmensedebtofloveberepaidever?

TheSriSathyaSaiDrinkingWaterProjecthassofarcoveredabout750villagesand11towns.Itisconsideredtobeoneofthemarvelsoftheworld.Waterflowsthrough2500kmsofpipelineandquenchesthethirstofamillionpeopleintheRayalaSeemaregionofAndhraPradesh.Thenectar-likeloveofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaisvisibleineverymetreofthelongpipeline.

DODEEDSMATCHWORDS?

DuringhisschooldaysinUravakonda,Sathyamwasencouragedandinspiredtowriteashortplaydealingwithhumanvalues.Itwassignificantlytitled,"DoDeedsMatchWords?"Thedetailsofthatplaywrittenalongtimebackaretopicaleventoday.

Scene1oftheplayopenswithawomanwhoisreadingandinterpretingversesintheSriMahaBhagavathtoagroupofwomen.Inthecourseofherdiscourse,sheexhortsheraudiencenottowastecharityonable-bodiedbeggarsandtheindolent,buttohelponlythosewhoareinfirm,disabled,oldorhandicapped.Afterthegatheringdisperses,ablindmanapproachesherandbegsforhelp.Sheisannoyedanddriveshimaway.Amomentlater,aHaridas,wearingprominentcastemarksalloverhisbodyandsingingsongs,comesbeggingforalms.Heisplayingonastringedinstrumentasanaccompanimenttohissinging.Theladygiveshimsomericeaswellascash,bowstohisfeetandseekshisblessings.

Krishna,herson,isawitnesstowhathasgoneby.Heisperturbedandasksher,"Dearmother,whatdidyouteachyourfriendsduringyourreligiousdiscourse,andwhathaveyoudonejustnow?"Shegetswildandshoutsathim,"Shutup.Doesanybodydoashesays?"

Scene2showsthesameboywithhisfatherinthelatter'soffice.Hisfatherextolsthebenefitsofeducationandconcludeshisspeechsayingthatoneshouldobtaingoodeducationovercomingeveryobstacle.Apoorboystandingoutsideisoverhearingtheinspiringwordsthroughanopen

window.Hecomesinandsays,"Sir,thankstomonetaryassistancefromhigh-mindedpersonslikeyou,Imanagetopaymyschoolfees.ButnowIamshortofonerupeetopaythismonth'sfee.Kindlyhelpme."Thegentlemanrepliesthathedoesnothaveevenapaisawithhimandopenshispursetoshowthatitisempty.Afterthedisappointedstudentleaves,severalcolleaguesdescendonhimandaskforcontributionsforafunctionandrefreshmentstowelcomeanofficernewlypostedtotheoffice.Inhisopinion,hetellsthem;suchanimportantoccasiondeservestobecelebratedonabigscaleandgivestwentyrupeesashiscontribution.

Hisson,Krishna,amutewitnesstoallthis,askshisfather,"Daddy,youspokeatlengthandinglowingtermsaboutthevalueofeducationandtheimportanceofgettingeducatedatanycost.Butwhenthatpoorschoolboybeggedforjustasinglerupeeforthesakeofeducatinghimself,youturnedhimdown.Ontheotherhand,youhavereadilypartedwithtwentyrupeesforthesakeofanostentatiouswaste.Why?"Themanturnsonhimingreatannoyance,"Dodeedsofpeoplematchtheirwords?Shutupandgotoschool."

Inscene3,Krishnaisseensittinginhisclass.Histeacherentersinagreatflurry."Theinspectorofschoolsisvisitingustoday,"hetellstheclass."Wehavefinished23lessonssofar.Butiftheinspectorasksyou,tellhimthatwehavecompleted32.Iwillnowdothethirty-thirdlesson.Later,whentheinspectorcomeshere,IwillteachifafreshinhispresenceasifIamdoingifforthefirsttime.WhateverquestionsIputtoyounowwillberepeatedinhispresence,sothatyouwillimpresshimwithyourcorrectanswers."Krishnameetstheteacheralittlelaterwhenheisalone.Heaskshim,"Sir,thenewlessonyoutaughtustodayisabout

KingSathyaHarishchandra,whowasdedicatedtotruthirrespectiveofconsequences.Evenasyoutaughtusaboutsuchanobleperson,youdirectedustospeaklies.Isitproper?"Theteacherfliesintoarageandadmonisheshim,"Isthere,anyonewhoseactionsaccordwithhiswords?"

Inthefourthandfinalscene,Krishnaflingshisbooksasideandrefusestogotoschool.Unabletobringhimround,theparentssendforhisteacher.Inthepresenceofallthethree,theboysays,"Youareofcourseteachingmegoodlessons.ButyoudonotallowmetoactonthepreceptsIhearfromyou.Ofwhatuseareyourlessons?Idonotwanttolearnthem."Theeldersarespellboundbutseethepoint.Theyrelentandexpressregrets.

ThisisthesubstanceoftheshortplaywrittenbySathyamwhenhewasbarely12yearsofage.HealsodonnedKrishna'srolewhenitwasplayed.Heconveyed,throughthatrole,totheworldthathypocrisyshouldbeeschewed,andeveryoneshouldliveuptohisword.Fromthatdayrightuptothisday,Hehasbeenexhortingpeople,"Merewordsarenotenough.Youractionsshouldconformtowhatyouspeak."Thisringingmessagereverberatesthroughtheentireworldandguideseveryaspirant(sadhaka)towardsspiritualelevation.

THEMISSINGHORSE

WhenSathyamwasatschoolinUravakonda,apoorMuslimofthattownwasmakingalivingbyplyingahorse-carriage.Oneday,hishorsewentmissing.Failingtofindit,thepoormancametoSathyamforhelp.Theboydirectedhimtoawoodsituatedaboutamileandahalfawayfromthetown.

Hedidsoandfoundhishorsegrazingthere.Fromthenon,MuslimsofthetowndevelopedgreatloveandrespectforSathyam.NewsofSathyam'suncommonabilitiesspreadfarandwide.

Longbeforethis,ShirdiSaiBabaalsodisplayedasimilarmiraclewhenawell-to-doMuslimbythenameofChandBhaiPatilofDhoopkhedavillageintheAurangabadDistrictlosthismare.Disappointedandtiredafterafruitlesssearchforthemissingbeast,hewasdejectedlydragginghimselfhomewiththesaddleonhisback.ShirdiSaiBabasawhim,tookpityathisdespondencyanddirectedhimtosearchforhismareinthenearbychannel.ChandPatildidastoldandtohisgreatsurpriseanddelightfoundtheanimalthere.

Now,whatisthedeepermeaningofthesetwosimilarincidents?Thehorseormarerepresentsthehumanmindthatiseverunsteady.OnewhosucceedsincomprehendingthetruenatureofmindistrulyaChithaChor.AshwaistheSanskritwordforhorse,meaning,onethatisperpetuallyinmotion.WenormallytakeAshwatomeanahorse,butitisonlyitsbroadmeaning.Ahorseisalwaysinmotion,movingitsleg,tailoreareverymoment.Thus,'Ashwa'standsforthequalityofunsteadiness,thestateofbeingcontinuouslydisturbed,restless.TheSanskritword'AshwaMedha'(horsesacrifice)means"offeringofone'sunsteadymindtoGod."TheSanskritword,'Ashwathha'(peepultree),likewisereferstoatreethatisinperpetualmotion.Evenwhenthereislittlebreezeitsleaveskeepmoving.Thehumanmindalsokeepsonwaveringsimilarlybothduringsleepandwakefulness.

Babasaysthatahorse-sacrifice(ashwamedha)doesnot

meanthattheanimalshouldbephysicallykilledinfleshandbloodandofferedtoGod.ThetruemeaningisthatouranimalnatureshouldbegivenupasanofferingtoGod.

DIVINEPUPPETEERACTSTHEDANSEUSE

WhenSathyamwasatschoolinUravakonda,hisheadmasterarrangedabenefitprogrammeforraisingfundsfortheschool.Rishyendramani,acelebrateddancerofthosedays,wastodance.Publicitymaterialwasprintedandwidelydistributed.Butduetosomeunexpecteddevelopments,shecouldnotkeepherappointment.Lakshmipathi,theheadmaster,gotworriedandbecametense.Sathyamapproachedhimandtoldhimnottoworry.TheitemofdancethatRishyendramaniwastoperform,hesaid,hewouldhimselfdo.Theamazingitemthatmadeherjustlyfamouswasindeedverydifficulttoperform.Shewouldputabottlemadeofglassonherhead,positionaplatethereonandplacesomelightedoillampsintheplate.Shewouldthendanceand,whilecontinuingwithit,pickupahandkerchieffromthegroundwithherlips.Sathyamofferedtodosomethingmoreastounding."Sir,shepicksuponlyahandkerchiefwithherlips,"hesaid."Iwillpickupaneedlewithmyeyelids.ButpleaseannouncethattheperformingartisteisRishyendramaniherself."

Severalyearslater,Swamidescribedinhisownwordswhathappenedonthatday."IwasmadetowearasareetoobigforMe.Theorganizersprovidedapigtailofthesortwornbywomen.Asyouknow,whiledancing,thedancerflicksitfromsidetoside.Sotheymadeitthickandlong.LestitshouldfalloffwhileIdanced,theystronglytieditallover.Stringsofbellsadornedmyankles.Theyfoundajalopyto

carrymefrommymake-upplacetothevenueofthedanceprogramme.TherewasarunonticketsasnobodywantedtomissRishyendramani'sdance.

"Whenmusicalinstrumentsbeganplaying,Igentlyshookmyanklebellstoproducecaptivatingsounds.Theaudiencelostthemselvesinecstasy.Theheadmasterplacedabottleonthecrownofmyhead.Anotherteacherpositionedaplategingerlythereonandlightedthelamps.Whydidtheydoallthisinpublic?JusttosatisfythedoubterswhomightbethinkingthatIhadallthesethingsfixedfirmlyandsecurelyonmyhead.Itmustbeshowntotheirsatisfactionthattheywerealllooselypositioned.

"Musicwasbeingplayedformydance.Iwasmovingroundandroundonthestage.EvenasIdanced,Isuddenlybentdownandpickedupwithmyeyelids,aneedleplacedontheground.Theaudienceclappedandclappedindelightandapplause.TheDistrictCollector,anEnglishman,cametothestagetoawardamedaltome.HisnamewasHorsley.Hewantedtotouchmebeforegivingthemedal.Irefused.Hesaid,"Iamjustlikeabrothertoyou.Iwanttoplacethismedalaroundyourneck."Ireplied,"Iamjustlikeyoursister.Putitintomyhand."Fromthesideofthestage,theheadmasterwassignalingtomethathewastheCollectorandthatIshouldacceptwithoutfuss.ButasIwasstandingthereasRishyendramani,Irefusedtobetouchedbytheman.Meanwhile,therewereclapsandnoisesfromtheaudienceaskingtheCollectortohandoverthemedalandreturntohisseat.Hegaveittomeandwentbackdisappointed.

"ThePresidentofCuddapahDistrictBoardwasSmt.Rama

Subbammaduringthosedays.Shecametotheschoolonthenextday."ItisduetoRishyendramani,"shesaid,"thattheschoolcouldraisesomuchmoneyforconstructingitsbuilding.Wewanttohonourherandhavebroughtanexpensivesareeasagiftforher."ShecalledoutforRishyendramaniandrequestedhertocomeontothestage.Fromwherefromcouldshecome?Astheaudienceeagerlyawaitingthegreatdancer,Icamerunning.Iwaswearingshorts.Theguardstoppedme.Thenourheadmasterintervenedandtoldhim,"Yesterday'sRishyendramaniisreallythisboy.Lethimcomein."Everyonewaspuzzled,onseeingMe.Smt.RamaSubbammaliftedMeupintoherarms,kissedMeandsaid,"Mydearchild,youaresotenderinagebuthavebroughtgreathonourtous.IamproudthattherearetalentedpersonslikeYouinourcountry."ShewasallpraiseforMe.Eversince,sheshowedgreatloveforSwami.Wherevershewent,shewouldnarratetalesofSwami'sglory.ThisishowSwamigaveadanceprogrammethatdayinthehighschoolinUravakonda.

ThewholeuniverseisastagefortheSupremeBeing.Eversincethatday,BhagavanSriSathyaSaihasbeenassumingcountlessformsandfascinatingtheworldwithHismelodiousmusicanddivinedance.

THESTINGOFASCORPION

On8thMarch1940,amomentouseventtookplaceinUravakonda.Sathyamwasstungbyabigblackscorpion.Hisbodylostsensation;hesankintounconsciousness.Thenewsspreadlikewildfireandagitatedmanypeople.Inthatregion,astingofascorpionoftenmeantdeath.Sathyamwasadministeredseveralinjectionsandmedicinesbutnone

availed.Slowly,herecoveredinacoupleofdays,gotuponhisownandbegantomoveabout.Butheseemedtohaveundergoneatotaltransformation,bothmentallyandphysically.Itwasasthoughaspiritualsparkdormantinhisinnerbeingsuddenlycametolifeandbegantoglow.TheeffulgenceoftheSupremeBeingcomesonlyafterthedarkestperiod.TheLordofShirdiwasabouttounveilanddisplayinsharprelief,theimmensebodyofhisownspiritualpowersthroughthemediumofthisboy.Sathyamwasoftenseenlostinhisownthoughts;herecitedSanskritslokas,sangsongsandgavereligiousdiscourses.Hisbehaviourwasstrangeandinscrutable.SeshamaRajuandhisparentsweredeeplyconcernedandconfused.

Yearslater,somebodygaveaspeechinthepresenceofBaba.Hesaid,"Swamiwasstungbyascorpion.Thatisthereasonwhyheacquiredspiritualpowersfromthatday."Babawhospokeafterhim,stated,"ThepersonwhospokebeforeMesaidthatSwamiobtainedspiritualpowersbecauseofascorpionsting.Lethimbestungbyahundredscorpions.Letusseewhetheritwouldbringanyspiritualpowerstohim."ThereisnodoubtthattheincidentofthescorpionstingismerelyaturningpointinSwami'slife.ItcannotbethecauseofHisdivinepowers;itmerelymarksthestageofHisSankalpam(Will)tounveilHisdivinity.

THEBESTOWEROFKNOWLEDGE

GoingbacktothehappeningsinUravakonda,oneday,Sathyamappeareddeeplylostinhimself.Suddenly,hesaid,"NarayanaSastrynextdoorisrecitingthestanzasintheSriMahaBhagavathbutiscommittingmanymistakesinhisexposition.Sendforhim."Somepersonswenttothelearned

manandrequestedhimtocomeandseeSathyam.Disdainfully,Sastrysaid,"Ah,heisbutamereboy.Ishefindingfaultwithmylearning?Whatdoesheknow?"Hedidnotbothertocome.ButSathyaminsisted.Thistime,theintermediariescouldpersuadetheoldmantocomeintoSathyam'spresence.Theboyexplainedtohimalltheerrorshehadcommitted.Healsoputtohimsomequestionsonthepuranas(sacredscriptures).ThescholarlySastryadmittedhislapsesandacknowledgedthecorrectionsmadebySathyam.Astoundedattheyoungboy'sbrillianceanderudition,Sastryprostratedhimselfathisfeet.

Evennow,occasionally,BhagavanfindsscholarswhosequestfortheSupremeRealityconsistsmerelyofprofoundstudyofscriptures,sacredtextsandmanthras.Theydevotealotoftheirtimetoscholarlyexpositionoftheirdeeplearning.Butintheirsingle-mindeddedicationtolearning,theyfailtorecognizethattheverySupremeBeingtheyareaspiringtoreachthroughscholarship,theveryobjectoftheirstudies,ispresentrightinfrontoftheminhumanform.ScalesofintensivelearningpreventtheireyesfromvisualizingtheUltimateRealityinthepersonnearathand,infleshandblood.Lookingfar,theymisswhatiscloseby.Bhagavangrantssuchpersonsproperinsightwhattheyareinneedof.

Inthiscontext,itisrelevanttorecallaninterestingincidentthatrevealsBhagavan'sprofoundknowledgeofscriptures.AyajnawasperformedduringtheDussehrafestivitiessomeyearsback.Elaboratearrangementsweremadeandaspecialdaiswaserectedforthepurpose.EminentscholarsoftheVedasandotherscriptureswereinattendance.SomeofthemhadnofaithinBaba'sdivinity.Theyhadnotyet

acquiredsincereloveanddevotionforHim.Probablybecauseofthatcasualandirreverentattitude,alapseoccurred.Oneofthescholars,whowasrecitingasacredmanthra,committedamistakeinpronunciation.Insteadofcorrectinghimselfpromptly,thescholarwentaheadthinkingperhaps,thathislapsewentun-noticed.Bhagavanturnedtowardshim,lookedathimseriouslyforamomentandsternlysaid,"Sastry,chantitagainproperly!"Thescholartrembledasifhewaslashed.ThenSwamistartedrecitingthatmanthrawithimpeccableintonation.TheassembledscholarswereastonishedandjoinedSwamiinrecitingthemanthrawithproperintonation.

FORBEARANCE

AsSathyam'sfamespread,peoplefromfarandnearbeganflockingtoUravakondatomeettheamazingboy.Tongueswagged.Somesaidthathewasavictimofsomeevilspell(blackmagic);thathewaspossessedbyavilespirit;thathewascontrolledbyademon;andthatatantrikorwitchcraftmightcurehim.ThedistraughtSeshamaRajubroughtinaworshipperofGoddessSakthitohelp.Sathyamchastisedhim,"YouareworshipingMeeveryday.YouareseekingMyblessingsdaily.Sohowdareyounowcometogivemetreatment?BowtoMyfeetwithreverenceanddepartlikeagoodboy!"Thepoormangotfrightened,salutedSathyamandleft.

SathyamwasbroughtbackfromUravakondatoPuttaparthibyhisparents.Hewasshowntowell-knowndoctorsofBellaryandDharmavaram.Noneofthemcoulddiagnosehisproblem.Nowandthen,Sathyamwouldsuddenlycryout,"There!Devathas(celestialbeings)arecoming.OfferAarathi

(sacredlightingoflampsandcamphorasamarkofdevotion)."Suchutterancesusedtopuzzleanddistressmembersofhishousehold.TheyweretoldofareputedexorcistnearthetownofKadiriwhocoulddriveawayeventhevilestandthemostintractableevilspirit.PedaVenkamaRajudecidedtotakeSathyamtohim.Togetherwithhisdaughters,SeshamaRajuandSathyam,PedaVenkamaRajutravelledthereinabullockcart.Theexorcisthadadreadfulmienandfieryeyes.Hesubjectedthefourteen-year-oldboytocrudeproceduresandcruelcorporalpunishment.Hegashedthevictim'sshavenheadwitharazoratseveralplaces.Whilebloodflowedinstreams,hepouredlemonjuiceandonionjuiceintothewounds.Herubbedanointmentinhiseyes,whichisnotoriousforcausingunbearablesmarting.Hepoured101potsofwateronthebloodiedandburninghead.Theinhumantorture,whichSathyamsilentlyborewithfortitudeandforbearance,shockedhisunfortunateandhelplessfamilymembers.Theyfeltshakenandremorseful.

TheexorcistgrewwilderbecausehebelievedthatthedevilishspiritthatpossessedSathyamwasunyielding.Unabletobeartheirmentalagonyathavingsurrenderedtheirdearchildtosuchinhumantorture,thefamilybeggedthetormentortogivetheboysomerespite.Theypleadedthatafterherecoveredsomewhat,hewouldbebroughtbackforfurthertreatment.Sathyamwasthusrescuedfromfurthertortureatthehandsoftheexorcist.

Yearslater,aHaridaswasrenderingBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba'slifeinHisverypresence.AshereachedthisparticularepisodeofSwami'sbodilytortureatthehandsofaheartlessbrute,Swamiintervened,"Thosedetailsaretoopainfuleven

tohear.Skipoverthem,Bangaru!"Sometimelater,SriKasturiasked,"Swami,Youfounditsopainfuleventohearofthosesufferings.WhydidYouagreeatalltoundergosuchinhumantreatmentatthattime?"ThereplyofBhagavanSaiisveryrevealing.Heexplained,"Whateverbethesufferingthisbodyisputto,itwillnotaffectMe.Itranscendhappinessandsorrowofeverykind.IwantedtodemonstratetheseaspectsofMinetotheworld.ThatiswhyIenduredallthosetortureswithpatienceandforbearance.Iinvitedthatpunishmentwillingly,becauseMysufferingwouldconvincepeopleofMyspirituality;theywoulddeveloptrustandfaithinMeandsetfootintherewardingrealmofdevotiontoGod(Bhakti)."

TherewasalawyerinthetownofPenugondacalledKrishnamacharyulu.HecamedowntoPuttaparthitoseeSathyamandconcludedthathisconditionwasmuchmoreseriousthanhehadimagined.HeadvisedSathyam'selderstotakehimtothetempletownofGhatikachalam.HefeltthatdarshanofLordNarasimhaSwami(theman-lionavatharofLordSriMahaVishnu),thepresidingdeitythere,wouldcureSathyam.Onhearingthewordsofthelawyer,Sathyamsmiledandaskedhim,"Sir,IamthepresidingdeityatGhatikachalam.AreyouadvisingthatIshouldbetakenformyowndarshan?"

"IAMSAIBABA"

Itwasnow23rdMay1940.SathyamwassittinginthefrontporticoofhishomeinPuttaparthimaterializingsugarcandyandflowersanddistributingthemtooneandall.Thescenewasoneofmerrimentanddelight.SomewenttoPedaVenkamaRajuandinvitedhimtocomeandenjoythewonderfulspectacle.Thepoorfathercouldnottoleratewhathethoughtwashisson'scheaptrickeryorsleightofhand.HepickedupastoutstickandmarchedtoSathyamanddemanded,"Whoareyou?Tellme.Areyougodoranevilspirit?"Sathyamlookedathisfather.Hewasperfectlyserene.Calmlybutclearlyandfirmly,hesaid,"IamSai

Baba!IamofAapasthambaSoothraandofBharadwajasaGothra.Ihavecometorescueallofyou,smittenasyouarewithfearandlackofmentalequanimity.Yourancestor,Venka-Avadhootha,prayedtoMetotakebirthinyourfamily.Inresponsetohisprayers,Ihaveincarnated!"PedaVenkamaRajuwasthunder-struck.Hedidnotnoticethatthebigstickinhishandslippedtothefloor.

Whydidhisfather,PedaVenkamaRaju,becomesoovercomeandspeechlessinamoment?WhydidheundergosuchimmediatetransformationatthementionofthegreatAvadhootha'sname?

ThehouseofKondamaRaju,fatherofPedaVenkamaRaju,usedtobevisitedoftenbyagreatpersoncalledVenka-Avadhootha.Heworeaperpetualsmileonhisface.Hewasapictureofspiritualequanimityandbliss.Theclothesheworewouldwearoutandbereducedtoshredsonhisbodybuthenevercared.Ifheplacedhispalmonanyperson'shead,thatpersonwouldtasteprofoundspiritualexperience.Nobodyknewwherehestayed,whenhewouldcomeandwherehewouldgo.HewasaSanyasi(renunciate)ineverysenseoftheterm;hewasjustlikeapieceofwoodfloatingfreeinastreamofwater.Suchrealized,noblepersonswhohaveattainedsupremelevelsofrenunciationandnon-involvementareknownasAvadhoothas.Inthelearnedopinionofthosefamiliarwithsublimerealmsofknowledge,Venka-AvadhoothawasthesameasVenkusa,whohadfosteredShirdiSaiinhischildhood.TheAvadhoothausedtospendtimenowandthenwithKondamaRajudiscussingspiritualmatters.

Oneday,bothofthemsatconversinginabananaplantation.Allofasudden,Venka-Avadhoothafellsilent.KondamaRajuenquiredwhyhesoabruptlybecamesilent.Thereplywas,"KondamaRaju,MotherEarthisweeping.Don'tyouhearhersobs?"KondamaRajustaredindisbelief.Venka-Avadhoothawenton,"Verysoon,theSupremeBeing,willincarnateHimselfonearthinhumanform!Youaredestinedtowitnessthatincarnation!"Herepeatedthewordsacoupleoftimes.HeaskedKondamaRajutoplacehishandinhisownandassertthatheearnestlybelievedtheextraordinaryprediction.Sometimelater,Venka-Avadhoothalefthisphysicalbody.

Now,PedaVenkamaRajuheardhissonmentioningthegloriousnameofthegreatancestralsaint.Likeaflash,herememberedtheclosenessofthatdivinepersonwiththisfamily,andalsohisfantasticpredictionaboutthecomingincarnation!WhendetailsofwhathappenedreachedtheearsoftheagedKondamaRaju,hiseyesswamintearsofhappiness.Butthen,therewasasmallhitch.NoneofthemwhowerepresentthereandheardSathyamspeakknewwhoSaiBabawas.Whowashe?

PedaVenkamaRajuheardthatagovernmentofficialhadarrivedatPenugondaontransferinhisjobandalsothathedailyworshippedafakircalledSaiBaba.So,oneday,hetookhissontohim.Thatgentlemansawtheboyanddeclaredthathewassufferingfromsomebraindisorderandneededtobeadmittedintoahospitalforpropertreatment.Onhearinghisadvice,Sathyamaskedhim,"Whosebrainisill,yoursormine?YoudailyworshipthisverySaipresentrightbeforeyouinfleshandblood,butfailtorecognizeHimasyouhavenobrain."Heaskedhimtoholdhishands;and

wavinghishand,materializedheapsofVibhutiandpoureditintohishand.Healsothrewitallovertheterrifiedman'sresidence.

OnaThursday,oneofthepersonsgatheredaroundSathyamaskedforsomeproofthathewasSaiBaba.Sathyamaskedhimwhetherhedidindeedneedproof.Thenhecalledforjasmineflowers.Takingtheminhishands,heflungthemontothefloor.Totheastonishmentofeveryone,theflowersarrangedthemselvestoread"SaiBaba"intheTeluguscript.Alldoubtsmeltedaway.

THEGREATANNUNCIATION

ItwasnowMonday,20thOctober1940.SathyamwastheninUravakondahavingresumedhisinterruptedschooling.Hewasonhiswaytoschool,whensuddenly,heturnedback,returnedhome,flunghisbooksawayandcriedoutloudly,"Inolongerbelongtoyou.Maya(delusion)hasleftMe.MydevoteesareeagerlycallingMe."Onhearingtheseloudwords,hissister-in-lawlookedoutofherkitchenwindow.ShesawahaloofblindingluminescencearoundSathyam'shead."Iamleaving,"hetoldher,"theworkIhavecomehereforhastobeinitiated."Ashesaidthesewords,hisbrother,SeshamaRaju,andtheneighbour,NarayanaSastry,arrivedonthescene.Onseeingthesplendoroushalo,SastryfellatthefeetofSathyam.SeshamaRajustoodspeechlessandmotionless.

Gloriouswiththecrownofeffulgentlight,SathyamwalkedtoanearbylargegardenbelongingtoAnjaneyulu,anInspectorofExcise.Hesatonaboulderthere.Severaleagerdevoteessataroundhim.Sathyambegansingingabhajansong,thefirstinthevastbodyofbhajansongs,whicharenowresoundingallovertheworld!

"ManaseBhajareGuruCharanam,DustharaBhavaSagaraTharanam"

First,learnthatyouareinBhavaSagara(oceanofworldlylife);next,resolveonTharanam(crossingit);thenfixaGuruoranynameandformofGod,whichappealstoyou.Then,dwellonHisGlory;dobhajan,butdoitwithallyourmindandconcentration;singinpraiseoftheMaster'sLotusFeetwithallyourheart;itenablesyoutocrossthedifficult-to-crossoceanofthebirth-deathcycle.

Devoteesforgotthemselvesastheysangintunewithhim.Somelightedjosssticks.OthersgarlandedSathyam.Aphotographerturnedupandpreparedtophotographhim.AsmallrockstoodinfrontofSathyamintrudingintothepictureandthecameramandesiredittoberemoved.Sathyamsaid,"Letitbe.Goaheadandtakeyourphotograph."Whenthefilmwaseventuallydevelopedandprinted,thatsmallstonewasseentotheastonishmentofeveryone,asShirdiSaiBaba'sform.

REFERENCESTOBHAGAVANSATHYASAIBABAINANCIENTTREATISES

DrE.V.V.Sastry,amemberoftheAstrologicalResearchSocietyofIndia,studiedseveralNaditreatiseswrittenthousandsofyearsagobyvarioussages,anddiscoveredthereinmanystunningreferencestoBhagavanSathyaSaiBaba,whichhepublished.Someexcerptsaregivenhere.

Ø AgasthyaNadisays,"SathyaSaiBabawillhealdiseasesofpeoplewithlightningspeed.ByHismerewill,Hewillbestowhealth.ManyeducationalinstitutionswillbeestablishedbyHim,Hewillpublishnumerousbooksonspiritualsubjects.Hewilldevelopspiritualityinhumanity.ToestablishDharmaandtoresuscitateDharma,willconstitutetheprincipalfeaturesofHismission.InHisearlierincarnation,hewouldbeShirdiSaiBaba.Hewillbetheembodimentofkindnessandcompassion.HeistheFatheroftheUniverse!Hewillbeanall-mercifulAvatharofGod,preceptor,protectorandFatheroftheworld..."

Ø BudhaNadirecords,"BabawillbeeternallyimmersedinAnandam(Bliss)!"

Ø Shukra Nadi says, "His residence will be called PrashantiNilayam.ByemphasizingtheprinciplesofSathya,Dharma,Santhi and Prema. He will establish and spread peace allthroughtheworld.Healwaysdelightsinservinghumanity.Hewillpossessallpowersandsiddhis.ThepersonofdivineaspectswouldbepreviouslyShirdi-vasi(residentofShirdi).He is Sankalpa-Siddha (whatever He wills, happens)... HewillbeinNirvikalpaSamadhistate...HeisGodIncarnate!Hewillderiveimmensejoyintheserviceofmankind."

Ø SriChinnaduraiconsultedBrahmaNadiandfoundtherein-precisereferencestoBhagavanSriSathyaSai."InHislife,Thursdayswillbesacreddays.BythewayHewillliveandact,HewouldcreatetheillusionofbeingjustanordinaryindividualresidinginPuttaparthi.HewillbearthenameofNarayana.HewillbetheincarnationofSiva-Shakthi;andthere-incarnationofShirdiSai.BornonthebanksoftheriverChithravathiinatranquilenvironment,HewillbetheembodimentofSupremeEquanimity."

Ø InPadmaPuran,authoredbythegreatRishiParasara,itiswritten,"InthevillagenamedParthiwillbebornapersoncalledSathyam.Hewillbe5feet3incheshigh.HewillactlikeapowerfulmagnetcapableofdrawingtoHimselfthewholeworld."BabaHimselfinformeddevoteesthatPadmaPuranwastranslatedintoEnglishbyanEnglishmancalledWilson.BabaalsosaidthatthecompletecopyofJaiminiBharatham,whichcontainsclearreferencestoSathyaSai,isinthepossessionofsomespirituallyelevatedpersons.

Ø InVishnuPuran,itwasmentionedthatHewilldisplaygreatsuperhumanpowersinestablishingtheNewAgeofTruth.HisparentswillbedevoteesofLordVishnuandwillresideinavillageworshippingthecowherdformofSriKrishna.

Ø SriAurobindowasagreatYogi(MahaYogi)andagreatRishi(Maharshi).HewasimmersedinintensespiritualSadhana(practiceofausterities)andmeditation)athisashraminPondicherrybetween1923and1926.HewasprayingthatGodshouldtakebirthinthisworldforthespiritualelevationofmankind.On24thNovember,1926,heemergedoutofhisSamadhi(SpiritualTrance)andannounced,"Yesterday,GodincarnatedHimselfontheearth.WithHisboundlessdivinepowers,Hewilldirecthumanity'smindtowardshigher,noblergoals.Ineveryheart,Hewilllightaspirituallamp.HisGodlyvoicewillringintheearsofthewholeofhumanity."ItisclearfromthedateofincarnationmentionedbyMaharshiAurobindothathewasreferringtoSriSathyaSaionly.

Ø ProphetMohammed'sdiscourseswerepublishedin25volumes,sevencenturiesafterhisdeath.ThecollectionofthosevolumesisnamedTheOceanofLight.SeveralsymbolicfeaturesbywhichthecomingMasteroftheWorldcouldbeidentifiedhavebeenmentionedintheVolume13,MehediMoud,meaninginArabic'theGreatTeacherwhowaspromised'.Theyare:"HewillhaveverythickhaironHishead.Hisforeheadwillbebroad.HewillhaveabirthmarkonHischeek.Hisfacewillalwayslookclean-shaven.Hewillwearonlyapairofclothes.Hisdresswillbeofflamingredcolour.ThecolourofHisfacewilllooksometimeslikecopper,sometimesgolden,sometimes

brownish,andsometimeslikethemoon.Hisphysicalformwillbesmall.Hisfeetwillbedelicate,likethoseofayounggirl.RightfromthemomentofHisbirth,HewillcarryallknowledgeinHishead.Soalsotheentirecorpusoftheworld'sreligionsandpreceptswillbeinHimrightfromHisbirth.HecangrantwhateveronepraystoGodfor.AlltherichesoftheworldwilllieatHisfeet.Hewillgoamidsthisdevotees,moveamongthemandtouchtheirheadswithhispalm.Whosoeversetseyesonhimwillexperiencesupremebliss.Hewilltakeresidenceonahill.Hewilllivefor95years.Hewillfilltheworldwithpeaceandtranquility.ThisLordoftheWorldwillproduceHisownforms(symbols)outofHisownbodyandHismouth..."Inthismanner,asmanyas27referenceshavebeenmadewhichclearlyandunmistakablyapplytoBhagavanSriSathyaSai.

Ø Nostradamus,theFrenchfuturistofthe16thCentury,wroteabookcalled"Centuries"inwhichhewrote,thecomingruleroftheworldwillappearinAsia...ThetriplicityofwaterswillgivebirthtoHim.HewillconsiderThursdaysassacred.Allthecountriesoftheworldwillwonderat,andadmireHimforhisboundlesswisdomandpowers.Fromallpartsoftheworld,peoplewillcometohonourHim.

Ø TheBookofRevelationsintheBibledescribestheadventofthegreatMaster.AnangelappearsbeforeJohnandreveals,"...Beholdawhitehorse;andHethatsatuponitwascalledFaithfulandTrue...HiseyeswereasaflameoffireandonHisheadaremanycrowns...Hewasclothedwithavesturedippedinblood...andHisnameiscalledtheWordofGod...Outofhismouthgoethasharpsword..."

TheEmbodimentofCompassionandLove,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabahasbeensodescribedinnumerousreligioustreatises.

AhundredsalutationstoHisLotusFeet!

DAY3:SATURDAY

CHAPTER5-RESURRECTIONOFDHARMA

WheneverthereisalanguishingofDharma...IcreateMyselfforitispartofMyprimalresolutionorSankalpatoprotectthespiritualstructureoftheuniverse.IlayasideMyformlessessenceandassumeanameandaformsuitedtothepurposeforwhichIcome.Wheneverevilthreatstovanquishgood,Ihavetocomeandsaveitfromdecline.-Baba

REVITALISATIONOFTEMPLES

BADARINATH

Bhagavanhasoftenproclaimedthatoneoftheimportantpurposesofhisincarnationistherevitalizationofthedivinepotencyofdeitiesinancienttemples.Asapartoftheprogramme,on11thJune1961,BabasetoutonajourneytothefamousBadarinathtemplesituatedintheHimalayasinUttarPradesh.HewasaccompaniedbyHisparentsaswellasseveraldevotees.SriBoorgulaRamakrishnaRao,GovernorofUttarPradesh,joinedthepilgrimsatHardwar.Babaquippedwiththem,"NormallydevoteesgotoBadaritoseeLordNarayanathere.YouaregoingthereinthecompanyofLordNarayanatoseetheidolsinstalledinthetemple."BabadescribedthespiritualgloryoftheBadarinathtemplethus:"Thegreatascetic,AdiSankaracharya,prayedtoLordShivaandreceivedfromhimfiveLingams.He

installedthem,oneeachinBadari(inUttarPradesh),intheHimalayas,Puri(inOrissa),Sringeri(inKarnataka),Dwaraka(inGujarat)andChidambaram(inTamilNaidu)."

Asnearly200devoteeswatchedinfascinationintheBadarinathtemple,BabawavedHisopenhandandmaterializedaplateofgoldthatheldathousand-petalledgoldenlotus.Heplacedthegoldenlotusinanotherplatemadeofsilver.ByanothermovementofHishand,HeproducedaLingam.Heexplainedthatitwas"NethraLingam"installedunderneaththeidolofLordBadarinathbyAdiSankarahimself1200yearsago.Whiletheidolisvisibletovisitorsandworshippedbythemeveryday,theLingamlayconcealedeversinceitsinstallation.OnlynowwasitbroughttoviewbyBabaforworship.NethraminSanskritmeanseye.Truetoitsname,theNethraLingamclearlyshowedawideopeneye.Babaplaceditinthegoldenlotus.WithanotherwaveofHishand,HenowproducedavesselofsilverfilledwiththesacredwatersofGangothri,theplaceoforiginoftheholyriverGanga(theGanges).BabatouchedthebottomofthevesselwithHisfingerandwhenHewithdrewit,waterbegantofallontheNethraLingam(abhishekam).ThetouchofHisfingerapparentlymadeaholeinthebottomofthevessel.Whentheabhishekamwasover,SriSaiBabashookHishand;andgoldandsilverflowersflowedoutandcoveredtheNethraLingamasabhishekamofflowers.LordSivaisreputedtobeparticularlyfondofthummiflowers(thesearewhiteincolourandvery,verytiny,roughlyfivemillimeterslong).WhenthetemplepriestmentionedthistoBaba,Hematerializedaheapoffreshthummiflowers.TheNethraLingamwasnowworshippedwiththoseblossoms.BhagavanrevitalizedtheNethraLingamthroughthis

worshipand,withHismiraculouspowers,restoredittoitsoriginalinvisibleplacebeneaththeidolofLordBadarinath.

OnreturntoPuttaparthi,BabaaddressedthedevoteeswhocouldnotmakethetriptoBadarinath."Donotfeeldisappointed."Hetoldthem,"thatyoucouldnotundertakethepilgrimageandmissedoutonthespiritualrewardsthereof.LordSriNarayanaissurelyherebesideyou,withyou,rightinfrontofyou.HavethisNarayana'sdarshantoyourheart'scontent.WhydoyoucraveforthedarshanoftheidolformofNarayanasituatedatafaroffplace?WorshipthislivingformofNarayana,whoisrightbeforeyoureyesatthisveryplace,withdevotionanddedicationandattainspiritualbliss."

VARANASI

Thereisanotherancientplaceofworship,whichreceivedsimilargrace,andre-infusionofspiritualefficacyatthe

divinehandsofBhagavan.ThistimeitwasatriptoVaranasion2ndApril1961.Swami'sparentsandSriBoorgulaRamakrishnaRao,thenGovernorofUttarPradesh,andothersaccompaniedHim.OnnearingtheLingamofLordVisweswara(themasteroftheuniverse),BabaproducedKailasaVibhutiinHisusualwayandapplieditontheLingam'sfaceinthreebroadbands.HealsomaterializedsandalwoodpasteandusedittodecoratetheLingamwithabroadcirculardotinthecentreofthevibhutibands.ThenHecreatedagoldenornamentresplendentwiththreecirclesofglitteringdiamonds,rubiesandemeralds.Heplaceditinthemidstofthedotofsandalwoodpaste.Inthewinkofaneye,thepieceremainedstucktherefirmly.LordViswanatha,theLordofVaranasi,lookedallthemoreglorious!

SOMANATH

OntheinvitationoftheRajamatha(Maharani)ofJamnagar,BabavisitedtheSomanathtempleinGujarat.'Soma'means:SA+UMA,i.e.,LordSiva,togetherwithHisconsort,Uma,

alsoknownasParvathi.ItiswellknowninhistorythatKingMohammedofGhazniinvadedIndiaseveraltimes.Heransackedthisrichtempletimeandagainandcarriedawayhugehoardsofjewelleryofgoldanddiamonds.Onthelastraid,heuprootedthemajesticSivalingamandlootedthelargequantitiesofpreciousstonesembeddedunderneaththedeity.InplaceoftheoriginalLingamthusdesecrated,thetemplepriestsinstalledanewstoneLingam,andeversincecarriedontheprescribedsacredservicestothenewlyanointeddeity.DigvijayaSahed,theMaharajaofJamnagar,waskeentorestorethetempletoitspristineglory.Itentailedexpenseofenormouslabouraswellasresources.Despitetheseproblems,hepersistedwithhismissionandfinallycrownedthebeautyofthetemplebyerectingamightytower.NamedDigvijayaGopuram(templetower),itwasinauguratedbyBhagavanSaiBaba.Enteringthesanctumsanctorumofthetemple,Hematerializedgoldenbilvaleaves(bilvaleavesareconsideredtobeparticularlydeartoLordSiva)andshoweredthemonthefour-feethighLingamasabhishekam.ByHisDivineWill,HebroughtouttheLingamintoHishandsandshowedittothegathering.Itwasshimmeringbrightlikelightning.AfterrevitalizingitwithHisdivinetouch,HedidnotreturnittoitsearlierinvisibleabodeasHehaddoneinBadarinath.Instead,Hedeclared,"Fromnowon,thistempleshalleverremainfreefromanyattack.Nodespoilerfromanyquartershalllayhisevilhandonthistemple.Thereisnodangertoitanymore.IamthereforemakingthisLingamfreelyavailableforpublicdarshanandworshipbydevotees."Hethenmaterializedasilverpeetham(pedestal)andinstalledtheLingamthereon.

DWARAKA

Duringthattrip,BabaandtheattendantdevoteesreachedDwaraka,theabodeofLordKrishna.SwamimadeHiswayintothetempleprecinctsandsanctifiedthemwiththetouchofHisdivinefeet.Lord"SaiKrishna"ofthepresentagegavedarshantothethousandsofpeoplegathered.Hethenproceededtotheseashorefollowedbydevotees.AskingthemtositaroundHimonthesands,Hemadeasmallmoundofsand,insertedHishandintoitandpulledoutagoldenfigureofLordKrishna."ThiswondrousevenhasmadetheDwarakatemplerepletewithdivinepotency",declaredBhagavanSaiBaba.

SRISAILAM

AnotherancienttemplethatattainedspiritualrejuvenationatthedivinetouchofSriSathyaSaiBabaisthetempleofLordMallikarjuna(LordSiva)inSrisailaminAndhraPradesh.Bhagavanvisitedthistempleon5thJanuary1963.AsattheSomanathtemple,heretoo,Babaenteredthesanctumsanctorum,producedgoldenbilvaleavesandgoldenthummiflowersandshoweredthemonLordMallikarjunainabhishekam.

PANDHARPUR

On13thJune1965,BabavisitedPandharpurinMaharashtrawhereLordKrishnaisworshippedasPandurangaVitthal.AsHeenteredtheinnersanctumandhaddarshanofLordPandurangaandhisconsort,RukminiDevi,Hecreatedanopalgem-setnecklaceandadornedtheneckoftheGoddess.TheseareoccasionswhenBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabavisitedimportantplacesofworshipandrechargedandrevitalizedthespiritualpotencyofthepresidingdeities.Everytempleisafterall,thesacredabodeofSwamiHimself.HumanbodyisbuttheseatofGod;itisatempleinitself.ThepossessorofthehumanbodyistrulyGod.Everyhumanbeingshouldponderovertheinnermeaningandsignificanceoftheformandstructureofthetemple.

RESUSCITATIONOFVEDICDHARMAAfewmonthsafterreturningfromBadarinath,BhagavandecidedthatayajnashouldbeperformedatPrashantiNilayam.Athisinstructions,severalVedicscholarsfromnorthernIndiaandalsofromtheareaofKonaseemainAndhraPradeshgatheredatPuttaparthi.BabagavedirectionsfortheperformanceoftheYajnastrictlyinaccordancewithVedicstructures.Babaannounced,"AsapartofthemissionofMyincarnation,IamlayingthefoundationforthepropercareofthecowandtheBrahmin,forthesustenanceoftheVedasand,throughthem,fortheresuscitationofVedicDharmaitself."Theplannedyajna,forwhichhecticpreparationsweresoonunderwaywasnamed"VedaPurushaSapthahaJnanaYajna".Theproceedingswerespreadoversevendays(sapthaha)synchronisingwiththeDussehrafestivitiesinOctober1961.VedaPurusha,thepresidingdeity,wasBabaHimself.DistinguishedscholarsoftheVedasandtheVedicritualswereinchargeofthevariousactivities.VedaSamratBrahmaSriCherukumilliKamavadhanuluwastheover-allsupervisor(sarva-adhyaksha).AamnayaArthaVachaspathiBrahmaSriUppulooriGanapathiSastrywastopresideovertheseminarmeetingstobeheldonVedasandotherspiritualandtheologicalsubjects.EminentscholarsandGhanapatthis,SriBulusuAppanaSastry,SriKadiyalaSeetharamaSastry,SriKuppaBairagiSastry,ShriVemparalaSuryanarayanaSastry,ShriKompellaAmmannaSastryandShriHothaVenkataramaSastryparticipatedinthatgloriousritual.ItwastrulyagalaxyofthebrightesthueinthefirmamentofVedicdharma.Theproceedingscomprised

ParthivaSivalingaArchana,ManthraJapam,ParayanamoftheholytextsofRamayanam,SriMahaBhagavath,DeviBhagavatham,SreeBhashyamandothers;andalsoSuryaNamaskaramsandNavaGrahaJapams.ParayanamoftheRig,YajurandSamaVedaswasaveritablefeasttotheearsofthedevotees.Andtocrownitall,theAthiRudraYagawasperformedwithutmostattentiontotheminutestdetailoftheprescribedritual.Theentireseven-dayproceedingswereimmenselysatiatingandspirituallyrewardingtothevastconcourse.Ontheconcludingday,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabagaveadiscourse.Verysignificantly,Headdressedtheassembly:"AthmaSwaroopulara!(OhEmbodimentsoftheSelf!)"Hewenton,"ThepurposeofMyincarnationistoestablishdharmaandtherebysecurepeaceandequanimityandhappinesstoallpeopleineveryland.MySankalpknowsnogoingback.NobodycanresisttheonwardmarchofMymission.Itisboundtotriumph.Thisiscertain,absolutelycertain!"InMyearlierincarnation,IhadmadeitclearthatanyandeveryYajnaperformedforfulfillingnarrowpersonaldesiresdoesn'tresultintruewell-being;onlyJnanaYajna,whichaimsatpromotionofuniversalwell-being,isthebestYajna.Yajnastandsforsacrifice(thyaga).Thyagacanonlybeselflessness."TheVedasprescribethatYajnashouldbeperformedwithaviewtoobtaininggraceofthegods.Materialslikegheeandotherediblesaretobeoffered,astheVedaslaydown,to

godsthroughAgni,theGodofFire.Agnipassesthemontothegodstheyareintendedfor.Small-mindedpersonsmaywelldoubtthis,'Isittrue?Cansuchathingbepossible?'Wegotothelocalpostofficeandsendmoneytospecifiedindividuals.Themoneyisindeedreachingthem,betheyresidentsnearorfaraway.ThenwhydoubttheVedicassertion?Thegodsarepleasedandsatisfiedandgiveustimelyrain.Cropsflourishandgiveusfood.Foodgiveslifeandsustainsit.Thus,Yajnaisattheveryrootofuniversalwell-being."YajnaoriginatesinKarma.KarmatakesitsbirthfromBrahman.BrahmanisintheformofAksharaPurusha.PranavamistheveryformofthatAkshara.AndPranavamisattherootoftheVedas.ThatiswhyithasbeenlaiddownthataYajna,whichisperformedanddirectedinMynameandMyform,isthemostsuitableoneforhumans.Thosewhohavepartakenofthefruits(prasadam)ofthisYajnawillbeevercontentandhappyintheirworldlylife;andwhentheydepartthisworldattainmergerwiththeSupremeDivinityPrinciple.Thereisabsolutelynodoubtaboutit."Onadifferentoccasion,whilespeakingduringthecelebrationsofayajna,Bhagavansaid,"Agesago,peopleforgotthenobleprinciplesofsacrifice,selflessnessandlovingservice.Eviltendencieslikegreed,avariceandselfishnessflourished.TheVedasassumedtheformofablackdeerandranawayintothedensereachesofaforest.ThegreatrishisandVedicscholarswentinsearchofitbutalltheireffortsfailed.Theycouldretrieveonlyitsskin.Inremembranceofthatincident,whileperformingyajnaasprescribedintheVedas,therithwiks(priestsengagedinofferingoblationstotheaccompanimentofincantations)

eventodaydonblack-deerskinandsitonasimilarskinwhileofferingoblationstoAgni.Totheoutwardeye,itisjustapieceofskin(charmam).ButviewedfromtheangleofYajna,itissharmam,whichmeanshappinessandspiritualbliss.Thosewhotakeactivepartintheperformanceoftheyajnaexperienceblissthemselvesandalsospreadblisstothewholeworld."TheultimategoalofanyYajnaperformedinPrashantiNilayamissacrifice;inotherwords,spiritualblisswhichtakesshapeoutoftotalrenunciationofthefruitsofKarma.SuchYajnaisnotmeanttobenefitmerelyanysingleindividualorcountry.Itspurposeistobringaboutuniversalwell-being."AttheconclusionofeveryYajnaandafterthefinalriteofvaledictoryoffering(i.e.,PoomaAahuthi,offeringtoAgniwhatevermaterialsremainoutofwhathadbeeninitiallycollectedfortheYajna),Swamipersonallysprinkledtheholywatersoftheritualontothethousandsofpeoplepresentatthevenue,therebybestowingonthemspiritualabsolution.

WHOELSEKNOWSTHERIGHTMUHOORTHAM

ApartfromrenownedVedicscholarsandexpertsinVedicrituals,thoseproficientinchantingVedicmanthraswithproperintonationandaccuracy,wereinchargeoftheJnanaYajna.BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabafixedthemuhoortham(auspiciousmomentforcommencementoftheholyprogramme)as9.30amon1stOctober1961.Thescholarsmadetheirowncalculationswithreferencetotheplanetarypositionsandastronomyanddecidedthat7.30amwouldbethemostappropriatetimeforenteringtheYagaShala

(venuefortheyajnam)andcommencingtheproceedings.WhentheyplacedtheiropinionbeforeSwami,hesaid,"Ithink9.30amwouldbethemostauspiciousmoment.Giveitalittlemorethought."AmongthescholarsentrustedwiththetaskwereSriVaranasiSubrahmanyaSastry,SriCherukumilliKamavadhaniandSriKuppaBairagiSastry,whoweretheonlyonesawareoftheSaiSpirituality.Whateverthatmightbe,thescholarsinformedSwamiagainthat7.30amwouldbethemostappropriatetime.Swamiagreed.Didtheynoticeatwinkleinhiseyesandasmileonhislips?Ontheappointedday,therithwiksandVedicsavantshadtheirritualbathintheriverChithravathiandcompletedtheirsandhayavandanam,(morningprayerstotheSunGod)by6.30am.CladinthesilkclothespresentedbySwamiandholdingsilvervesselsfilledwithholywater,theystartedfortheYagashalaexactlyat7am,soastoreachtheyagashalaat7.30amsharp.Suddenly,theskiesopenedup.Therewastorrentialrainaccompaniedbythunderandlightning.Thedownpourcontinuedwithoutrespitetill9am.TheriverChithravathiwasinfloodandthegroupofpriestsgotstuckupthere.Althoughthemuhoorthamsetbythemhadbeenwashedawaybyrainsandflood,theywerehappytoacknowledgeSwami'sall-knowingwisdom.Theskieswereclearandeverythingbecamenormalby9am.AstheauspiciousmuhoorthamoriginallyfixedbyHimapproached,BhagavanSriSathyaSaimadeHiswaytotheYagashalaleadingahordeofrithwiksrecitingsacredVedichymns.Hundredsofdevoteeswereheartilysingingbhajansongs.Devotionalinstrumentalmusicappropriatetothe

splendidoccasionwasbeingplayed.Preciselyat9.30am,themuhoortham,whichhadbeenfinalizedbyHim,Babaenteredthevenueandsetinmotiontheproceedingsoftheweeklongyajna.

THEYAJNAKALASAMAdayortwobeforetheYajnawastocommence;SwamisummonedBrahmaSriSivaramaBairagiSastrywhowastoheadtheteamofrithwiks.Hetoldhim,"Theyajnashouldbeperformedwithstrictadherencetotheprescribedtenets.Asregardsmaterial,nothingshouldbewanting.Wellbeforetheyajnaistocommence,carefullyprepareacompletelistofitemsrequiredandgiveittoMe.Iwillseethateverythingisprovided.SriSastrymadeoutalonglistinconsultationwithhisfellowrithwiks.Whateverwaslistedwasprocuredandplacedattheirdisposal.Nevertheless,justaboutfiveminutesbeforeSwamiwasscheduledtoleavefortheyagashala,SriBairagiSastrysuddenlyrecollectedthatthemostimportantitem,theyajnakalasam(theprincipalvesselwhichoccupiesprideofplaceintheproceedings),hadbeeninadvertentlyomittedfromhislistofmaterials.ButwhowouldbringthisseriousmistaketoSwami'snoticeatthislatejuncture?AndhowtotellSwami?Hewasinunbearabletorment.Therewasnotimetolose.Hecollectedallcourage,decidedtotakeresponsibilityonhisownunfortunateshouldersandinformedSwami.HeprayedtoSwamitopardonhimforhisunpardonablelapse.Swamiwashisusualmercifulself.Withsoftwordsofreassurance,Hegentlyasked,"IhadaskedyoutopreparethelistcarefullywellbeforetheYajna.Youhaveonlyfiveminutesnow?"He

wentintoHisroomandwithinthreeminutesemergedwithasilverkalsaminHishand.Itdisplayedexquisitecraftsmanshipworthyofthegreatoccasionandwasadornedwithimagesofseveraldeities.SwamitoldtheastonishedSastry,"DuringMyincarnationasShirdiSai,IkeptitinthepalaceoftheChincholirulers.Itwaslyingthereinaroomfullofoldanddiscardedpieces.Ihavejustgonethere,searchedforitandbroughtithere,whichhastakenallthistime.Nowthatthisisconformingtothespecificationslaiddowninscriptures,goaheadandcommencetheproceedingsontime."Etchedonthatvesselweretheinitials"Sa.Ba."inHindiindicatingobviouslythatithadbelongedtoSaiBaba.Severalyearslater,whenhewasgivingaspeechinthepresenceofSwamiintheAuditorium,SriBairagiSastryrecountedthisengrossingincidentindetail.

AYUDHAPOOJA

Traditionally,ontheVijayaDasamidayduringtheDusseheracelebrations,weaponsofwarareworshipped.It

iscalledAyudhaPooja('Ayudhya'meansweapon).Babasays,"Thesixeviltendencieswhichenvelopman'snatureandactashindrancestohisspiritualprogress,viz.,kama(desire),krodha(anger),lobha(avarice,miserliness),moha(infactuation),mada(prideandarrogance)andmathsarya(jealousy),shouldalsobelikewiseworshipped."Buthere,thereisasubtledifference.TheirworshipconsistsofturningthemtowardsGodsothat,insteadofobstructingtheaspirant'sprogress,theywouldactuallyhelpit.Thus,theverytendencies,whichareordinarilyconsideredtobeevil,aremetamorphisedintogood.Howcanitbepossible?LetushearwhatBabasays:"Kamaisintense,compulsivedesire.DirectittowardsGod.ItthenchangesintoacravingtohavedarshanoftheLord,towinHisfavour,toobtainHisGrace.KamatakestheshapeofeagernesstoreachGod."Krodhameansanger.TurnittowardsGodandaskangrily,"WhyhasHenotcometome?HowlongshouldIkeepwaiting?WhatfaulthaveIcommitted?WhydoesHenotbestowHisGraceonme?"HolditallagainstHimandpersistwithyourimpatience.Yourangeristransformedintodetermination,apositivebeneficialtraitinyourlife."Lobhameansmiserliness.WhenyouturnittowardsGod,youbegintofeelintensepossessiveness.Youfeel,"Hebelongstomeandtomeonly.""HeismyLordandIbelongtononeelse,"yourmindcriesout;itintenselydesirestogetholdofGod,topossessHimtotallyandexclusively.LobhatransmutesitselfintointensecravingforGod;andhelpsonetoholdontoHimwithsingle-mindedpossessiveness.

"Mohameansinfatuation,lossofone'ssenseofdiscrimination.WhenitisdirectedtowardsGod,onefeelsthatonecannotlivewithoutGod;lifeinthisworldholdsnocharm,hasnomeaninganylongerwithoutthecompanyofGod.Thenthemindrefusestoheartoreason,caresfornoone;itturnscrazyinitslongingforGod.MohatransformsintoblindandcompulsivedevotiontoGod."Madameanspridecoupledwitharrogance.WhenyouturnittowardsGod,youfeel,"IhavethesupportandgraceofGod;Ihavegreatclout;nonecandaretocrossmypath;Ifearnothing;HowcanGoddesertme?"SuchthinkingchangesmadaintofaithandtrustinGod."Mathsaryameansjealousy.WhenitisdirectedtowardsGod,youwillfeel,'MyGod,myownLordisbeingenticedawaybysomebody;heisdistancingme'.Suchthoughtsmakeyouagitated,andyoufindthatyourmathsaryaissoontransformedintooverpoweringdesireforclosenesswithGod."Lionsinacircusdutifullyobeythering-master.Similarly,ifman'ssixeviltendenciesaresubordinatedtotheirMaster,theylosetheirnaturalwildnessandbecomesubdued.ThisisthetruemeaningandsignificanceofAyudhyaPooja."Someofthedevoteesbroughtpearls,coralsandgoldtobeofferedasoblationsintheYajnagundam(ceremonialfireinwhichritualofferingsaremadetoAgniduringyajna).Swamiexhortedthem,"MakeofferingsofyourGunasintheYajnagundam.Thosearethepreciouspearlsandjewelsyou

willdowelltogiveup."Whenperformingyajna,oneshouldaimatachievingahighergoalofelevatingone'ssoul.Thatreallyisthegloriousfruitionofthearduousprocessofyajna.

CHAPTER6-THESUPREMEDIVINITY

Thisisthehumanforminwhicheverydivineentity,everydivineprinciple,thatissay,allthenamesandformsascribedbymantoGodaremanifest...YouareveryfortunatethatyouhaveachancetoexperiencetheblissofthevisionoftheSarvaDevataSwaroopa,nowinthisverylife.-Baba

BABATRANSCENDSEVERYOTHERGODThegreatrishiGargawasalearnedscholarofastronomy.HewasalsotheholypriesttotheYadavadynasty.HewastheauthorofaSanskrittreatisecalledGargaSamhitha.Atthecommencementofthatwork,hedescribedthequalitiesandnatureofa"fullandcompleteincarnation(poornaavathar)":"YasminSarvaniThejamsiVileenayamTheSwaThejasi,ThamVadanthipareSakshathparipoornathamam

Swayam."ThatincarnationoftheSupreme,whichencompasseswithinitselfthedivinegloryofallthegods,isthefullandcompleteincarnation.BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabasatisfiesthisdescriptioninallrespects.PeddaBottu,ardentdevoteeofbothShirdiSaiandSathyaSai,wroteabookcalled'SriSathyaSaiVrathaKalpam'whichdescribestheprocedureofritualisticworshipofBhagavan.Shekeptthefinishedmanuscriptsafelyinherbox.Whensheopenedthebookoneday,shefoundthatnumerousmodificationsandalterationshadbeenmadeinitinredink.TheywereallintheunmistakablehandofBhagavanHimself.Wherevershehadusedthewords,"SarvaDevathaSwaroopa",whilereferringtoSwami(meaning,theembodiedformofallgods),theywerealteredtoread,"SarvaDevatha-atheethaSwaroopa"(meaningtheformthattranscendsallgods).Centuriesago,whentheTelugusaint-composerPothanawastranslatingtheepicSriMahaBhagavathamfromSanskrittoTelugu,LordSriRamahimself,itissaid,contributedtohistext.Inthesameway,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaamplifiedPeddaBottu'stextinHisownhand.Thereby,Heproclaimedtotheworld,inwriting,thatHetranscendseverygod.TociteHisownwords,"This,Myhumanform,embodiesalldharmas(faiths)anddivinepowers(sakthis)ofallgods.Neverdoubtthisatall.IfyouinstallthisdivineformofMineonthethroneofyourheart,withunshakablefaith,youwillbeabletohaveaglimpseofMypristineUniversalForm.Iwillprovethateveryform,everyattribute,whichmancherishesandworshipsaspertainingonlytoGod,belongstotheformofSaionly."

ASSRIMAHAGANAPATHI

SwamiAmrithananda,discipleofthecelebratedsaintofArunachalam,namely,SriRamanaMaharshi,travelledfromArunachalamtoPuttaparthiforBhagavanSriSai'sdarshan.Bhagavandrewclosetohimandinasweetvoiceaddressedhim,"Amritham!"SwamiAmrithanandawasthrilled.RamanaMaharshi,thegreatsaint,usedtoaddresshimexactlyinthesamemanner,withthesameaffectionandtouchofintimacy.SaiBaba'scall,hefelt,wasaleelawithspecialsignificance.Duringconversationwiththe85year-oldAmrithananda,Swamitoldhim,"Inyourseventhyear,youperformedGanapathiHomam(oblationsinholyfire)continuouslyfor45days.Asyoumadeofferingsinthehomagundam,yourecitedasacredmanthracontainingBeejaAksharas(sacredandspirituallychargedroot-letters,sounds),'Om','Sreem','Hreem','Kleem',and'Gleem',attherateofathousandtimeseveryday.Areyouawarewhatthescripturessayaboutthebeneficialresultofthatyaga?Itissaidthatifadevoteeperformsitontheprescribedlines,attheconclusionthereof,theelephant-headedLordMahaGanapathiemergesoutofthehomagundamresplendentinhisgoldencomplexionandgivesdivinedarshanandblessingstothedevotee.Didyoueverhavesuchadarshan?"Amrithanandareplied,"Iwasthenonlyaboyofsevenyears.CouldthedivinedarshanofMahaGanapathibeobtainedmerelythroughofferingsinthehomagundam?"SriSaiBabaassuredhim,"Itisonlybecauseoftheresultofthatrecitationofmanthraandofferingsmadethen,thatyouhavecomeintoMypresencenowatthisadvancedage.Youshallreceivethebenefitofthathomamrightnow.Scripturesnevergowrong."Amrithanandawasaskedtolooktowards

Swamiandashedidso,hesaw,intheplaceofBhagavan,MahaGanapathi'sgloriousformwithmarvelouscomplexion.

ASSRISUBRAHMANYASWAMY

LordSubrahmanyaSwamywasthefamilydeityoftheBhattfamilyofMysore.In1943,MrsBhattwasdiagnosedtobesufferingfromcancer.Doctorsadvisedasurgicaloperationbuthermother-in-lawdidnotagree.SheinsistedthatastheywereallardentdevoteesofLordSubrahmanya,theLordwouldsurelytakecareofthepatient.Forsixlongmonths,thefamilystucktotheirintenseandsteadyfaithandcontinuedwiththeirdailyworship.Butthepatient'sconditionwasworsening.Onenight,shehadadreaminwhichshesawagreatserpentmovingaroundherbed.Alarmed,shewokeuphermother-in-law.Lightswereswitchedonbutfoundnothing.Butaftersometime,thepatientagaindreamtofthesameserpent,which,inamoment,changedtoLordSubrahmanya.HepiercedherchestwithHistrident.Thusimpaled,shewastakentothetopofamountainpeak.ShefellatthefeetoftheLordwhoaskedherwhethershewishedtoremainthereortoreturntoherfamily.Sherepliedthatshewouldprefertogobacktoherhusbandandchildren.TheLordthentoldher,"Youarefullyhealed.Iwillalwaysbeprotectingyou."Shesawherselfbeingreturnedtothisworldbyanarrow,beautifulstairway.Thedreamwasvividandreassuring.Fromthatdayonwards,herhealthsteadilyimprovedandsoonbecamenormal.Evenwhilesheunfailinglydidherdailyworship,shefoundtimealsotoservethepoorandtheneedytothebestofherability.Twentyyearslater,thatladyandherhusbandwentto

PuttaparthiandhadthedarshanofSriSathyaSaiforthefirsttime.Swamigavethemaninterview.Hetoldher,"Ispoketoyoutwentyyearsago."Shewastakenabackandprotested,"No,Swami.ThisisthefirsttimeIamseeingyou."ButSwamitoldher,"No,IcametoyouwhenyouwereinMysore."HealsomentionedthenameofthestreetwheretheywerestayinginMysoreduringherillness.Shewondered.Thenameofthestreetwasofcoursecorrect.ButwhendidSwamicomethere?WhendidHespeaktoher?Shehadnorecollection.Then,shenoticedthestaircaseleadingfromtheinterviewroomtoSwami'sroomlocatedontheupperfloor.Shecountedthesteps.Theywereeighteeninnumber;theywerenarrowandbeautiful.Whendidsheseethembefore?Shesuddenlyrememberedtohaveseentheminherdreamtwodecadesago.Theywerethesamesteps,whichLordSubrahmanyahadreturnedherdowntothisworld.Inamoment,beforeshecouldrecoverfromherwonderment,SwamiwavedHishandandmaterializedabeautifulfigureofLordSubrahmanyaSwamy,adornedwithornamentsofserpentsandseatedonachariot.Heplacedthatimageinhergratefulhands.Sherealizedthattheever-mercifulSaiBabawasthesameasLordSubrahmanyaSwamywhowasworshippedattheirhomeeveryday.ShewashedBaba'sLotusFeetwithhercopioustearsofexquisitehappiness.LordSubrahmanyaSwamistandstodaybythesideofhiselderbrother,MahaGanapathi,inPrashantiNilayam.HisidolwasinstalledtherebyBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaon21stSeptember1997.

ASLORDPARAMASIVA

RamaRaju,thethenMunicipalChairmanofBellarydistrict,cametoUravakondatomeetSathyam.Inthosedays,SathyamwasalsocalledRaju.RamaRajutoldSeshamaRaju,"WewouldliketohaveyourRajuwithusinBellaryduringthenextschoolvacation.Youthinkyourbrotherisjustanordinaryboy.Youarewrong.Myheartismovedbyhispurityandtheglowinhisface.Icanseeadivineeffulgenceinhim.Pleasebringhimalongandstaywithusforsomedays."ThosewerethedayswhenSeshamaRajuwassomewhatworriedabouthisbrother'sunusualbehaviour.HefeltthatachangeofplacemighthelptoimproveSathyam'smentalhealth.HeacceptedRamaRaju'sinvitationandwenttoBellary.Oneday,heorganizedatriptoHampi(capitaloftheVijayanagarempireoftheyesteryears)toseethefamoustempleofLordViroopaksha(Siva).AllofthemwentintothetemplebutSathyamstayedout,pleadingsomediscomfortinhisstomachwhiletheothersenteredit.Whenthetemplepriestwasofferingarathitothepresidingdeity,thedevoteessawtheimageofSathyaminthesanctumsanctoruminplaceofthedeityofLordViroopaksha.SeshamaRajuwasangry.Hethought,'Sathyamsaidthathewouldnotenterthetemple;buthehassomehowsneakedinandtakentheplaceoftheLord.Thisisblasphemous.'HewentoutinangeronlytoseeSathyamstandingthereunderatree.SeshamaRajuwaspuzzled.WhilehestoodoutsidekeepinganeyeonSathyam,hedeputedanotherpersontogoinsideandverifythingsthere.HewassurprisedwhenhewastoldthatSathyamwasseenverymuchwithinthe

templeevenashestoodunderthetreeoutside.Asthesayinggoes,"AntharBahischaTath-SarvamVyapyaNarayanaSthithah."LordNarayanaisallpervasive,presentbothinsideandoutside,everywhereatthesametime.EveryoneinthegrouprealizedthatthisSathyaNarayanatoowasallpervasive,presenteverywhereatthesametime,bothinsideandoutsidethetemple!Itisalsonoteworthythatbythattime,BhagavanhadnotyetproclaimedHisavatharhood.ThegroupcameoutofthetempleingreatexultationandlookedatSathyam'sface.Buttheynoticednothingunusualinthatface,asifnothingextra-ordinaryhadhappened.

Itiswell-knownthatSwamiisthecreatorofvibhuthi.Heisseeneverydaymaterializinglargequantitiesofitanddistributingitamongdevotees.DuringfestivitiesofSivaRathri(markingLordSiva'smanifestationintheformofLingam),BabausedtoperformAbhishekam(ritualofpouring,ususallywater)onShirdiBaba'simageusing,insteadofwater,vibhuthiemanatingoutofanemptysilvervessel.Thevibhuthiwouldneverrunout!Aparticularoccasiondeservestobedescribed.IntheopengroundclosetoPrashantiMandir,inthecentreofadaiscalledSanthiVedika,araisedpedestalwassetup.Afour-feethighsilveridolofShirdiSaiwaspositionedonthepedestal.SriKasturistoodononesideoftheidolandheldanemptysilvervesselupsidedownalittleabovetheidol'shead.OntheothersidestoodBhagavanSriSathyaSaiandinsertedHisrighthandintothemouthoftheinvertedvesselinachurningmotion.Vibhuthipouredoutinhugequantitiesateveryturnofthedivinehand.Itfellovertheidollikeadeluge.Afteralittlewhile,SriSaiBabaremovedHisrighthand,insertedHislefthandandbroughtforthadownpourofvibhuthiasherotatedHishandinsidethevessel.Hetookturns,nowwiththerighthandandthenwiththeleftone.Theidolwassooncoveredfullywiththevibhuthi.Devoteeswentintorapturesofjoyandincessantclapping.ThenSriSathyaSaiwipedtheheadandfaceofShirdiSaiwithapieceofcloth.HematerializedwithawaveofHishandanemeraldandplaceditontheforeheadoftheidol.Itstuckthere.Itwasabreath-takingmiracle.Wehaveonlytoimmerseourselvesintheglorioussightofsuchmiracles,forgetourselvesandbecomeonewiththedivinity,thatwe

areblessedtowitness.OnthatSivaRathriday,devoteessawSivaLingammaterializinginBaba'sstomachandemergingoutofHismouth.SriSathyaSaiwasgivingHisnectarinediscourseanddevoteeswereinraptattention.Suddenly,Babastoppedspeakingandsatdown.Devoteesstartedsingingbhajansongsloudly.SriSaiwassweating.HewasfrequentlysippingwaterfromaglasstumblerplacedonHistable.SomemovementswerenoticednearHisstomach.Hewastwistingandturningasifinpain.Singingofbhajanscontinuedwithgreaterandgreaterenthusiasm.TheAthmaLingambegantomoveupwardsfromHisstomach,reachedthethroatandsuddenlyemergedoutofHismouth.BabaheldthebrilliantLingaminHisopenpalmsheldtogether,andhelditupsothatthethousandsofdevoteesassembledtherecouldseeit.AsthelargeLingamemergedoutofthemouth,thecornersofHismouthsplitandtherewerestainsofblood.BhagavanaddressedtheaudienceandexplainedthesignificanceofthematerializationoftheLingam,"Youcannotcomprehendthefullnatureofdivinity.Norcanyoumeasuredivinepower(Sakthi)anditsglory.Itisunreachableandunseen.ThisincidentofthematerializationofLingamisademonstration,broughtwithinthelimitedscopeofyourcomprehensionofthatdivinity,whichispresenthererightinyourmidst.Youareprivilegedtowitnessthismarvellousspectaclebecauseofdivinegraceandyourgoodfortune."InFebruary1974,ontheoccasionofSivaRathri,BhagavanmaterializedaLingamfromHismouthandmadea

sensationalpronouncement.Addressingthedevotees,Hesaid,"ThisistheAathmaLingamofteninches(dasha-angulam)asdescribedbySageKapiladevaintheVedasandtheUpanishads.Yourliveshaveattainedfulfillmentbecauseyouhaveseenthisdivineform.Youarereleasedfromthecycleofuniversalbirthanddeath.ThisLingammeasuresteninchesaround.YouseeatridentwithintheLingamintheformofaflame,whichchangesitscoloureverytenminutes!"

Aftermanylongyears,BhagavanagainmaterializedaSivaLingamnamedHiranyagarbhaLingamontheauspiciousdayofSivaRathriin1999.AgainonthedayoftheSivaRathriinthefollowingyear,BhagavanSathyaSaimaterializedfromHismouthagoldenSivaLingam-SwarnaLingam,andshowedittothethousandsofdevoteesassembledintheSaiKulwantHall,whowentintoraptureswithjoy.TheyfeltthattheywereimmenselyblessedbytheLord.

ASLORDSRIRAMA

In1972,trainingclassesinsummerwereabouttocommenceatBrindavan.Eighthundreddevotees,boysandgirls,selectedfromvariousregionsofthecountryassembledatWhitefield.Swami'smother,Easwaramma,obtainedHispermissiontojoinotherwomendevoteesatBrindavanforthethirtydaysoftraining.ShewasgivenaccommodationonthefloorbelowthatofSwami.Thetraineeswokeupdailyintheearlyhours.TheywentthroughtheincantationofOmkar(Pranavam),devotionalsongs,yogasanas,bhajans,servicetothepoorandotheractivities.Theparticipantswereveryenthusiasticandlively.ForEaswaramma,allthatwaslikeafestiveoccasioneverydayinthetempleofGoddessSaraswathi,theGoddessofLearning.Ontheeleventhdayofthetrainingcamp,Easwarammaexperiencedathrillingexperience.Thenextmorning,sherushedtoPeddaBottuwhowaswellknownalsoasShirdiMa.ShewasallexcitementasshetoldPeddaBottu,"ImustinformyouaboutawonderfulexperienceIhad.Butpromisemethatyouwouldnevertellanybodyaboutit."PeddaBottumovedclosertoherandconfidentiallyenquiredwhatitwasallabout.SaidEaswaramma,"OurSwamiistrulyGodHimself!Ihavenodoubtwhatsoever."PeddaBottuburstoutlaughing.Easwarammaaskedwhatwassofunnyaboutwhatshesaid.PeddaBottureassuredher,"No,no.Iamnotlaughingatyourwords.Iamonlyexpressingmyjoythatthis

facthascometoyourknowledgeatlonglast.Butleavethatalone,tellmehowyouhavecometothisrealization."Easwarammasaid,"YouknowIamhavinghighfeverforthelastfourdays.Lastnight,Swamicametome."PeddaBottuinterrupted,"Wasitinadream?""No",saidEaswaramma,"Iwasnotabletosleepandwasuncomfortablyrollingthissideandthatinbed.SwamicametomeinpersonandenquiredhowIwasfeeling.ItoldHimthatmybodywasachingallover.Now,howshouldItellyou,PeddaBottu,HeisnotourusualSwamiwhomyouandIseeeveryday.Inamoment,HebecameLordSriRama,withadazzlingcrownonHisheadandalongbowinHishand.Hestoodbymyside.IwassurprisedbutsalutedHim.Ialsotriedhardtogetupandsitonthebed,eventogetoutofit,butcouldnotdoso.Inafewmoments,LordSriRamabecameourfamiliarSwami.Hesmiledgentlyandgavemealittlevibhuthiprasadam.Hesaid,'Feverwilldisappear.Don'tworry,'andleft."PeddaBottuwashappyandelated.Shesaid,"Swamihascertainlyblessedyou.Whatamemorableexperience!"EaswarammawasinfullwakefulnessandconsciousnesswhenshesawSriSathyaSaiasLordSriRama.Sheisindeedexceptionallyfortunateandblessed.Assubsequenteventsindicate,thatdivineexperienceshehadwasprobablyapointertotheapproachingmergerofEaswaramma'ssoulwiththeSupremeBeing.Theverynextday,6thMay1972at6am,thetraineeshadjustreturnedaftercompletingnagarasankeerthan.SwamigavethemdarshanfromthebalconyofHisresidenceandwentintohaveabath.Meanwhile,Easwarammahadherbath,tookhermorningcupofcoffeeandsatdownintheinnerverandatorelax.Suddenly,sheturnedtowardsthebathroomandcried

outforSwami."Swami!Swami!",shecalledandcollapsed.Swamirespondedfrominsidethebathroom,"Iamcoming,coming!"Thatwasall.Shebreathedherlast.On6thMay1983,Swamispokeontheoccasionofthedeathanniversary(vardhanthi)ofEaswaramma.Referringtothespecialcharacteristicswhichdistinguishedthegreatlady,andthemannerofherdeath,Hesaid,"Usually,atsuchmomentsone'sminddwellsonornamentsofgoldorsimilarvaluables.ItisonlytoveryfewpersonsthatSwamicomestomindatthefinalmoment.Fromthefloordownbelow,shecriedouttoforme,'Swami!Swami!'Iresponded,'Iamcoming,coming!'Andsheleft.ThesituationisjustlikeMahaVishnurushingtoblessGajendrainresponsetohisdesperatecallfordivinesuccour.Asthetwolivewiresmeetlikeaflash,inamoment,oneattainssalvation.Atthecrucialmoment,Easwaramma'sdaughterandgranddaughter,VenkammaandShailaja,werebyherside.ButshedesperatelycriedoutonlyforSwami.Thisisanampleproofofherpietyandrighteousness,thepricelessrewardforhergreatsadhana(practiceofspiritualausterities).Hereisanexcellentexampleforemulation."

ASSRISHYAMSUNDAR

SwamiKarunyanandaspentseveralyearswithRamanaMaharshiinArunachalam.Forsomeyears,hewasalsowithMalayalaSwamiinGogarbhamnearTirupathi.In1927,hewasordainedintosannyas(renunciation)bySivanandaSwamiinHrishikesh.Hepracticedmanyspiritualausterities.Later,heestablishedtheGowthamiJeevaKarunyaSanghaminRajahmundryonthebanksoftheriverGodavariinAndhraPradesh,anddidgreatservicetothe

poorandtheneedy.Asaresultofhisspiritualattainmentsandhisservicestohumanity,hewasrewardedwiththegoodfortuneofremainingincloseproximitytoSriSathyaSai.OnceSriSathyaSaiBabaaskedKarunyanandatocomeandsleepinHisroom.Butbeingintheunfortunatehabitofsnoring,hehesitatedtoacceptBaba'sinvitation.SwamitoldhimnottoworryaboutitbuttocomeandsleepinHisroom.Karunyanandahassincestated,"BhagavanSriSathyaSaineversleeps.Heliesinbedonhisleftside.Hiseyesarealwayshalfopen.Heisfullyawareofwhatishappeningallaroundhim."BhagavanvouchsafedKarunyanandaanunforgettableexperiencethatnight.SwamiwaslyingonHisbed.Karunyanandaspreadhisbedonthefloorandslept.Aftersometime,hewokeupandsatandlookedtowardsSwami'sbed.Surprisingly,inplaceofSwami,hefoundBalaKrishna(Krishna,thechild)lyinginSwami'sbedemanatingacharmingbluishglow.Karunyanandalappedupthewonderfulvisioninastonishment.Unbelieving,herubbedhiseyesandlookedagaincarefully.Healsoassuredhimselfthathewaswideawakeandfullyinpossessionofhissenses.Therewasnoquestionofanydoubt.ItcertainlywasBalaKrishnalyingonBaba'sbed.Afterafewmoments,onceagainBabawasseenlyingthereinplaceofBalaKrishna!Karunyanandastatedlater,"WhatIwitnessedwascertainlynotimagination.Iwasfullyawake.ItwasBalaKrishnamostcertainly.IalsowitnessedBalaKrishnachangingintoSriSathyaSai.BhagavanSathyaSaidoesnotpubliclydisplayhisdivinity.PerhapshefeelsthatsuchdisplaysmightleadtounmanageablecrowdsconvergingonHimfromfarandwide."InSaiSruthi,Swami'sresidenceinKodaikanal,Swamispoke

toHisstudentsonceandrevealedadivinesecret.Hesaid,"LordSrimanNarayanahascomedowntothisearthinhumanformasSathyaSai.Pleaseunderstandandacceptthisfact.LikeLordSriRamaandLordSriKrishna,thistooisaPoornaAvathar.Greatsagesandspiritualpreceptorsweresentherefromtimetotimebythedivyasakthi.ButhereyouseetheveryincarnationoftheUniversalAbsoluteonearth."

ASGAUTAMBUDDHA

OnceaconferenceofscientiststookplaceinHyderabadinAndhraPradeshunderthechairmanshipofDrBalaKrishna.ProfHaikawa,aJapanesescientistwasamongthem.DrBalaKrishnainvitedhimtohishome.There,DrHaikawasawforthefirsttimeacolouredphotographofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.Hefeltimmediatelydrawntoit.Inthetemple-likehouse,thisattractivephotographstoodoutinallitsdecorations.Hethoughtthatthepicturemightbeofanhonouredancestorofthefamily.Duringtheirconversation,DrBalaKrishnadescribedthedivinityofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaandtoldhimthatBabawasGod-incarnate.ItsohappenedthatSwamiwasrightthereinHyderabadatthattime;andthetwoscientistswenttohaveHisdarshan.Swamikindlyinvitedbothofthemintotheinterviewroom.IntheproximityofSwami,ProfHaikawaexperiencedanintenseawarenessthathewasinthepresenceofadivinepersonality.Swamigentlysmiledathim,wavedHishand,producedahumanheartandshowedittohim.Hewasbewildered.Bhagavanaskedhimwhatitwas.DrHaikawarepliedthatitwasahumanheart."Doyouknowtowhomdiditbelong?,"askedSwami.Heanswered,"HowdoIknow?"Bhagavantoldhim,"Thisisyourownheart,atthe

timeofyourbirth!"DrHaikawawasstunned.Swamiexplained,"Thisisindeedyourownheart.Donotbesurprised.Assoonasyouwereborn,yourheartstoppedbeating.Youwereasgoodasdead.Yourbodyturnedblue.Yourfatherwasamanoffaithandaverydevoutperson.HeplacedyourbodyatMyfeetandprayedtoMe,'OhGod!Iearnestlyprayedtoyouforachild.Isthisthewayyourespondtomyprayers?Ofwhatuseisthisdeadbodytome?'Ithereforemendedyourheartandrestoredyoutolife."Asamatteroffact,theageoftheJapanesescientistwasmorethanBaba's.AnditwastoLordBuddhathathisfatherhadprayedseekingrevivaloflifeinhisdeadson'sbody.Thesecretofthatincidentwasknowntonooneexcepthisparents.DrHaikawarealizedthatLordBuddha,whohadlivedmanycenturiesago,hadnowreincarnatedintheformofSaiBhagavan.Duringtheconversation,SwamireferredinlighterveintoDrHaikawaas'Avakaya,'whichinTelugumeansmangopickle.

ASJESUSCHRIST

ARomanCatholiccouplefromAmericahappenedtohearaboutBhagavanandcamedowntoPuttaparthi.DuringpublicaudienceinPrashantiNilayam,theysawthegloriousformofSriSathyaSai.Theyfeltpowerfulspiritualwavesbeingradiatedtothem.Theyweresurprisedanddelightedastheyexperiencedanintenseglowofhappiness.ThemanwasoverwhelmedbyBaba'seyes,fullofkindness,andheartrepletewithlove.HewasconvincedthatJesushimselfhadcometoearthinSai'sformandtoldhiswifeasmuch.The

womandidnothoweverreactfavourably."Whatnonsense!"shesaid,"WeareRomanCatholics.ItisnotproperforyoutosaythatthisHinduisJesushimself.Idonotagreewithyouatallonthis."SheremainedsomewhatalooffromSriSathyaSai.Oneday,Swamiinvitedthecoupleintotheinterviewroom.Themanwasundoubtedlyingreatexhilaration.Hiswifewassomewhatcoldandsatalittleaside.Astheinterviewdrewtoaclose,themanaskedSwamipolitely,"Swami!MayItakeaphotograph?"Swamiagreedandthegentlemantookafewsnapswithhiscamera.Thefilmwasdevelopedandprintedontheirreturnhome.WhattheysawwasnotSathyaSaibutthelovingandcompassionatefigureofJesusChrist!Theywereastonished.ThewomanfeltextremelysorrythatshecouldnotrecognizeJesusChristwhenphysicallypresentinfrontofherintheformofSriSathyaSai.Needlesstosay,shebecameSwami'sdevoteefromthatmoment.AdevoteeaskedSwami,"Jesuspromisedtocomebackagain.AreyouthatJesus?"Swamiexplainedtohim,"Jesusdidnotsaythathewouldcomeback.WhatheactuallysaidwasthatGodwhohadsenthimtoearthHimselfwouldcome.Hepointedtoasheep.Thecryofasheepsounds,'Ba!Ba!'JesusindicatedthatGodwouldcometoearthwiththatname.Buthisfollowersdidnotcorrectlycomprehendwhathehadstated.ItisIwhosentJesustotheearth!"

THEKABAINBABA'SPALM

WhenProfessorSBashiruddin,aMuslim,visitedSriSaiBaba,Bhagavanmaterializedandpresentedtohimalocketonwhichwasinscribed"Allah"inArabic.AllahinArabic,

Sarva-antharyami,inSanskritandOmnipresent,inEnglish-theyallmeanthesame.OncesomeArabicvisitorsmetSriSaiBabainPrashantiNilayam.ItwasthesacreddayofBakrid.Swamiinvitedthemintotheinterviewroom.HeraisedHisopenpalm.ThevisitorssawinitavisionofthousandsofdevoutMuslimsprayingontheirkneesbeforetheholyKabainSaudiArabiaatthatverymoment.ThesearesomeoftheinstancestoestablishthatSriSathyaSaiisnotonlytheembodimentofallgods;heisthetranscendentalencapsulationofeverygod.ManypersonsbelongingtotheJewishfaithtestifytothisfactlikeDrSamuelSandweiss,whodeclared,"IamconvincedthatBabaistheincarnationofGod.WhateverdescriptionsaboutGodaregivenintheHindu,ChristianandJewishloreandliteraturearenotfictionalorimaginary.Theyarealltrue.TheyallproclaimthetruththatGodhasthesupremepowertoincarnateHimselfasandwhenneeded."

ASSRIDATTATREYA

OntheSivaRahtridayin1978,SaiBabawastravelingbycarfromOotytoBangalore.SeveraldevoteesandstudentswereaccompanyingHimincars.SmtRatanlalBhatia,whocookedBaba'smealseverydayinBangalore,wasalsoamongthem.SriSathyaSaistoppedthecaravanatsomeplaceandgotdownfromHiscar.AllofthemsatdowntorestandrelaxandBababegantospeaktothegatheringaboutsomespiritualmatters.Headdressedastudent,whoHeknewwasstillharbouringdoubtsandmisgivingsaboutBaba,"YouareholdingaPolaroidcamera.TakeMyphotographandyouwillseeMytrueidentity."Babastoodataparticularspot.Thestudenttookhisposition

withthecameraandwasabouttotakeasnap.Suddenly,SmtBhatiarushedforwardandtriedtostraightenthecreasesonBaba'sgarment.Swamisternlyorderedhertogoaway.AsHespokesomewhatcurtlyandloudly,thepoorladywasfrightened,turnedbackandstoodatadistance.Thestudentclickedhiscamera.Inafewmoments,thePolaroidpicturedevelopedinsharpcolours;itwasofthedivinecompositeformofLordDattatreya-withthreeheads:LordBrahma,LordMahaVishnuandLordMaheshwara.ThephotoalsoshowedfourdogsandacowstandingbythesideoftheLord.WhenthepicturewasshowntoSwami,hetoldSmtBhatia,"DoyounowrealizewhyIfirmlyorderedyoutogoawayatthemomentthisphotographwasbeingtaken?ExtremelypowerfulradiationswereemanatingfromMeatthattime.Youwouldnothavebeenabletowithstandtheirimpact."SathyaSaiistheSupremeBeing,theprimordialsourceofthecyclesofcreation(srishti),maintenance(sthithi)andultimateannihilation(layam).ThistruthhasbeendemonstratedbySathyaSaithroughthisincidentwhenHerevealedHimselftobethetranscendentaldivinitycombiningwithinHimselfLordBrahma,MahaVishnuandLordMaheshwara-thegreattrinity.

"MYHUMANFORMENCOMPASSESDIVINESAKTHISOFALLGODS"

SriSathyaSaiBabaoncedeclared,"AsIammovingamongyou,eatinglikeyouandconversingwithyou,youmaymistakeMeasacommonhumanbeing.Ifyoucommitthaterror,youwillgetintotroubleandgetenmeshedindelusion.Youmustalwaysbevigilantandavoidthatdanger.Thewebofmaya(delusion)ismyconcomitant.So,Imay

singalongwithyou,speakwithyou,participatetogetherwithyouinallactivities,andtherebycreateinyouthatmaya.Butatanymoment,ImaysuddenlyrevealMydivinity.Youmustkeepyourselfalert,everandalways,andbereadyforthatgreatmoment."This,Myhumanform,encompasseseveryfaith(Dharma)andeverydivinepotency(Sakthi)ofeverygod.Whatsoeverbethenames,formsandpowersthatmanattributestoGod,belongonlytoSathyaSaiandnoneelse.AndallprayersandofferingstoGodreachMeonly.Icandemonstrateitbeyonddoubt.Thatiswhyinallmydiscourses,IemphasizethatAllah,Jesus,Jehovah,Rama,Krishna,EaswaraandSaiareallnameswhichpertain,withoutanydifferencewhatsoever,onlytoMe."WhenGodcomesdowntoearthinhumanform,itisverydifficulttoseetherealityofGodintheoutwardform.Mancomparestheearthly,externalappearanceoftheavatharwithhisownbodyandmistakenlyconcludesthatthetwoareofthesamelevelandtype.Totellyouthetruth,eveniftheentirehumanitymakesconcertedeffortforathousandyearsthroughtheseverestausterities,itcannotcomprehendMytrueessentiality(nijatathwa).Ifyouwinthegraceofthisdivinepowerstandingrightbeforeyoubearingaholynameandform,youwillsoonachievesupremerealization.Youareexceptionallyfortunateinhavingthisrareopportunity.Itisfarmorepreciousthanwhateminentsages,renunciates,yogisandholymenhadevergot.Forgetnotthisfact."

SWAMIPERVADESTHEUNIVERSELailaandHomerYoungwereacouplelivinginCalifornia.

Homerusedtoworkintheestablishmentconcernedwithlaunchingofsatellites.In1972,LailajoinedagroupledbyIndraDeviofMexico,anardentdevoteeofSwami,andcametoPuttaparthitomeetSaiBaba.HomerdesiredthatPuttaparthishouldbephotographedfromspacerightatthetimehiswifewasinBaba'spresence.Severalphotographsweretakenbyasatellitefrom200milesabovetheearth.Becauseofthegreatdistance,nocleardetailsofhabitations,hillsorbuildingscouldbeseeninthephotographs,whichshowedonlyanumberofpatchesanddotsinblackandwhitethatmadenosense.WhenLailasawthemonreturnfromPuttaparthi,shefeltverymuchdisappointed.Beingmiddleclasspeople,shefelttheyshouldnothavewastedUS$60onthesepoorpictures.Severalyearswentby.SomeSaidevoteesontheirwaytoTecatetoattendtheweddingofIndraDevi'sdaughtervisitedtheHomers'home.HewasthenrunningaSaiBookCentre.TherewereseveralphotosofSaiindifferentposesintheCentre.Asthevisitorsshowedinterestandlikedsomeofthem,HomershowedthemthesatellitepicturesofPuttaparthitoo.Thevisitorswerecloselylookingatthosephotographs.Suddenly,aladycriedout,"HereisSaiBaba!"Curiosityaroused,theycouldalldiscerntheface,inprofile,ofSriSathyaSaicomposedbythenumerouspatchesanddots,whichhadearliermadenosensetoHomerandLaila.Theimagewasnowcrystalclear.Thecrown-likethickblackhaironthehead,theeyes,theshapeofthenoseand,wonderofwonders,eventhebirthmarkonthecheekoftheenchantingfaceofSwamicouldbeclearlyseen.Homermadehisowncalculations.Hetookintoaccountlongitudeandlatitudeandfoundthatthephotograph

coveredavastarea,40mileslongand20mileswide.Herealizedwithconsiderableastonishment,thatSwami'sformfilledsomucharea.Fromthedataavailable,HomerconcludedthatSwamiwaslookingatanextensiveareasurroundingPrashantiNilayam.

In1978,HomercametoPuttaparthitomeetBhagavanSriSathyaSai.HesawagreatcircularauraaroundSwami'shead.HetookseveralphotographsandshowedthemtoSwami.Bhagavansmiledsweetlyandsaid,asLordSriKrishnatoldArjuna,"Thesearetriflesinmyboundlessdivinemagnificence(AnanthaMahimas)."Thesephotographstakenon29thNovember1972havebeenplacedforexhibitionintheplanetoriuminPrashantiNilayam.

"NETHI,NETHI"

ThereisaSanskritsaying:"YathoVachoNivarthantheAprapyaManamaSaha;AanandambrahmanoVidwan,NaBibhethi,KrithashchaNethi."TheUniversalAbsoluteisbeyondthecomprehensionofthefivesensesaswellasmind.OnlyanardentdevoteecanrealizetheincomprehensibleUniversalSupremeRealityandachievetranscendentalbliss.Heisthenaboveandbeyondeverykindoffearandenjoysthestateofperpetualbliss.ThishighlyspiritualconceptwasclarifiedbyBhagavanBabawithasimpleandamusinganecdotedrawnfromRamayana:

"Sita,RamaandLakshmanareachedtheashramofRishiBharadwaja.Accordingtotheprevalentpractice,therishis

satinonegroupandtheirwivesandotherwomensatinanothergroup.Theydidnotsitinamixedgatheringaswedothesedays.Onreachingthere,SitatookherseatamongthewomenandRamaandLakshmanasatwiththerishis.Thetwobrothers,RamaandLakshmanawerewearingclothesofrenunciates(sanyasis).Duetothatandalsobecauseoftheirradiance,boththeprinceswerelookingassplendidastherishisthemselves.ItwasimpossibletorecognizeandidentifywhowasRamaandwhowasLakshmana.ButSitahadnotchangedmuchandwivesofrishiscouldimmediatelyrecognizeher.Theydrewclosetoherandaffectionatelyengagedherinconversationineasyinformality.Womenbynature,tendtobeinquisitiveandtalkative.Ontheotherside,rishiswerebusywiththeirmetaphysicaldiscourses.Here,womenwerebusywiththeirwhisperedconversation.TheyaskedSita,'DearSitaDevi,hasyourhusbandalsocome?'Shereplied,"yes.IhavecomealongwithHim.Heissittingtherewiththerishis.'Thewomenthenasked,'Ofthosetwosittingthere,whoisyourhusband?'WouldSitastandupinthatentiregatheringandpointoutherhusband?Shewasverymodestandnobleandalsoadedicatedwife(Pathivratha).Unabletogiveanoutrightreply,shesilentlysatwithherheadbowed.Buttheladieswouldnotleaveitthere.Theywentonaskingquerieslike:Ishethatpersonsittingalittlebehindoralittleahead?Orishethepersonwearingbeautifulrobes?Ishethatfaircomplexionedman?Theywentonshowingthispersonorthat,withonedescriptionoranother.ButSitawasverypatient.Wheneverapersonotherthanherhusbandwas

pointedat,sheshookherheadindenialuntil,whenRama'sturncame,shebecamesilentandmodestlybowedherhead!HergestureitselfsignifiedherconfirmationthatthepersonpointedatwasindeedLordSriRama."Inthesamemanner,theVedaswentonrepeating"Nethi,Nethi,Nethi"(Notthis.Notthis.Notthis...)whiletryingtodescribetheinneressentialityoftheUniversalAbsolute(ParabrahmaTathwa).WhentheVedasweretofinallydescribe'ThatUniversalAbsolute',theybecamemute,wordless!Thatiswhyitwasreferredtoas'MaunaVyakhyaPrakatithaParabrahmaTathwa-theessentialityoftheUniversalAbsolute,whichcanbedescribedonlybywordlessness,perfectsilence!"WhatacharminganecdoteBhagavanhaschosenandhowbeautifulwashisexposition!Insimplewordsandbyasweetandenchantinganecdote,BabaunravelledthemeaningoftheVedicwords,"Nethi,Nethi..."Healsoexplainedtheirspiritualsignificance.Ordinarily,thesewordsaresuperficiallyandliterallyexplainedas"Notthis.Notthis..."Butthereisanotherandmoresubtlewayofinterpretingthem.TheSupremeBeingisuniversallypervasive.ItisboundlessinmagnitudeandinfinitearethevariationsItdisplays.ItisimmutableandItisindestructible.So,whenthenatureofthatParabrahmaisconsidered,andinthatcontext"Nethi"isused,weshouldunderstandthewordas:"Notonlythis,notmerelythis,butthereisalotmoretoit!"Ifwelookforthedeepermeaningoftheword"Nethi",inthismanner,itsscopebecomesvastandvastandprofound.Theentireuniversecomprisingmoving(chara)andnon-

moving(achara)entitiesissuffusedwiththatUniversalBeing(Parabrahma).Itisomnipresent,thatis,thereisnoplaceorpointoftimeintheuniversewherethatUniversalBeingdoesnotexist.Therefore,whenwetrytoidentifythatSupremeRealitybylookingataparticularobject,thisandthatandthat,andquestionourselves,"Isitthis?Isitthat?"andsoon,theresponse,"Notthis.Notthis"doesnotsatisfyusadequately.Ontheotherhand,theanswer,"Notmerelythis.Notmerelythis,"fitsmoreperfectlytheUniversalRealitywetrytodescribe.Whenwetrytounderstandthecompassion,magnificenceanddistinctivenessofSathyaSaiParabrahma,wequestionourselves,"Isitthis?"Wesoonrealize,"Thisisnotall;thereismuchmoretoit."So,thatindeedisthecorrectanswer,thesatisfyinganswer.FortheVedicdictum,"Nethi,Nethi",therefore,thecorrectandfullysatisfyingansweris,"Notmerelythis;thereismuchmoretoit."ThesubtleexplanationgivenbyBhagavanSriSathyaSaiwillbestowenlightenmentoneventheenlightened.OurhomagetotheGreatestRepositoryofGyn~an.

DAY4:SUNDAY

CHAPTER7-THEALL-POWERFUL-CREATOR,PRESERVER,DESTROYER

IamtheAtmathatdwellsinalllivingbeings.Iamthebeginning,themiddleandtheendofallthings.AllthatyouseeinthecosmosthemovingandthestationaryobjectsisamanifestationoftheAtma.~Baba~

CREATION(SRISHTI)Toalteralivingbeingintoanon-livingentityandviceversaisoneofthesportivegestures(leelas)ofGodasdemonstratedseveraltimesbyBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.

ANTBECOMESBEADS

OntheholyoccasionsofFridaysinthemonthofSravan,marriedHinduwomencustomarilyperformGowripooja(worshipofGoddessParvathi).AHinducouplewishedtoavailofonesuchoccasiontoworshipalsotheLotusFeet(PadaPooja)ofSwami.TheyrequestedSwamiforpermission,whichwasreadilygranted.Theythengatheredallthematerialsneeded.Buttheycouldnotgetholdofblackbeads,whichareessentialforthepooja.Attheappointedhour,Swamiarrivedandtookhisseat.Intheirexcitement,thecoupletotallyoverlookedtheabsenceoftheall-importantbeadsandcommencedtheceremony.Suddenly,abigblackanycrawledoutofaflowerofferedatSwami'sfeet.Swamismiledindulgentlyandcommented,"What,areyouworshippingmewithblackants?"Andhepickedupthecrawlinginsectandplaceditinthelady'shand.Totheirwonderment,theantsuddenlychangedintotwoblackbeads!Sotheonlythingwantingfordueperformanceoftheworshipreachedtheirhandafterall!ThegratefuldevoteeswereastonishedatSwami'sabilitytocreatebyHismereWill.TheladywasimmenselypleasedthatBabaenabledhertocompletetheceremonysatisfactorilyinaccordancewiththeprescribedprocedure.Inthisinstance,Babaalteredalivingobjectintoanon-livingobject,withouttakingawaylife.ButthereisanotherbeautifulepisodewhereHechangedlifelessobjectsintoalivingbeing.

PARROTFROMBETELLEAVES

SwamiwasatthattimetouringAndhraPradesh.Hestayed

inadevotee'shouse.Aftermeals,asilverplatecontainingtenderbetelleaves,arecanutpowder,limeandotheringredientswasplacedbeforeHim.HeleisurelyremovedtheribsfromtheleavesasHepreparedthelatterforeating.AndHecarefullyarrangedtheribsintheplateintheshapeofaparrot.HewasallthewhiletalkingwithdevoteesgatheredaroundHimandhesuddenlyaskedthemaquestion,"WhatdoyouthinkGodisbusywith?"Theyanswered,"SrishtiiswhattheGodisbusywith."Swamipromptlytouchedtheparrot'sformontheplateinfrontofhim;itsuddenlycametolifeandflewoutvigorouslybeatingitswings.Thedevoteeswereastonishedatthewonderfulsight.Joininginthegeneralmerriment,Swamitoolaughedenchantingly.

DIAMONDEAR-TOPSINCOOKIE

IndulalShahonceinvitedBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabatodinnerinhishouseinBombay,nowknownasMumbai.Swamiwasseatedononesideofthediningtable.OppositehimsatShahandhisdaughter.MrsShahbroughtaplateoffreshlycookedhotvadas(savourycookiesmadewithsoakedblackgrampaste,deepfriedinoil)andplaceditbeforeSwami.HepickeduponeofthemandplaceditontheplateofShah'sdaughterandtoldhertobreakitintotwobeforeeating.Whenshedidso,shefoundadiamond-studdedear-topineachpiece.Allofthemwerethrilled.SwamiHimselfputthemoneeachonthegirl'sears.ItwasKodaiKanalinthefourthweekofAprilin1997.SeveraldevoteeswerediningwithSwami.SwamifinishedHismeal,andwasgoingroundthedevotees,talkingtotheminthedininghall.Hewentnearadevoteeandsaid,"Break

thepooris(puffedanddeep-friednanlikedish)beforeyoueat."ThepersondidassuggestedbySwamiandfound,tohissurprise,agoldenring.Swamisaid,"That'sforyou.Haveit."Everyonewaspleasantlysurprised.AnilKumarwasalsothereeatingpooris.Swamiaskedhimtoeatfast."Swami,whoknowswhathaveYouputinwhichpoori!"saidAnilKumar.Hefurtheradded,"SoIamcheckingeverypooriandameatingcarefully."EveryonehadaheartylaughatAnilKumar'swords.Ineverysuchevent,theissueisnotwhathasbeencreatedoutofwhat;itisSwami'sWillthatmatters.Thataloneisthecentralfactor,thecauseaswellastheeffect.Swamioncedeclared,"WhatIwill,happens;whatIorder,materializes."

MAINTENANCE(STHITHI)OnoneoccasioninThrayee,Swami'sresidenceatBrindavan,SwamiinvitedBrigadierSKBosetoaddresstheassembledstudentsandstaff.TheBrigadierspokemostlyaboutthelessonshehadlearntatthefeetofSwami,concludedhistalkandapproachedSwamitotouchHisfeet.Swamididnotallowhimtodosobutaskedhim,"WhydidyoumakenomentionofwhathappenedonthatDussehraday?"Brig.Bosereplied,"Swami,whatshouldIsayaboutit?IammerelyaninstrumentinYoursublimehands.Idonothaveanyindividualityofmyown.IamevergratefultoYou,Swami.Icannotdescribemyindebtednessadequatelyinwords."Afterthat,SwamigrantedhimtheprivilegeoftouchingHisfeet.AsBrig.Boseslowlymovedtohisseat,Swamitoldmembersofthestaff,"Thatday,Bosewasindeeddead.Ibroughthimbacktolife.HehasstillplentytodoforMe."

Twomonthsearlier,SwamihadentrustedtoBosetheworkoflayingatwelvefeet-wideconcretestriparoundtheMandir.HealsodirectedthatitshouldbecompletedbeforethebeginningoftheDussehrafestivities.Thejobtooktwenty-fivedaysattherateoftwelvehoursofdailylabour.Manyadevoteeparticipatedinthelabourofloveanddevotion.Afterfinishingthejobontime,BoseattendedeveryeveningdiscoursethatSwamideliverscustomarilyduringtheDussehracelebrationsspreadovertendays.Onthefinalday,VijayaDasami,Thursday,20October1988,hewassufferingfromhightemperature.Nevertheless,hemadehislabouredwaytothePoornaChandraAuditoriumandsatinachairclosetothedais.SwamicommencedHisdiscourse.Meanwhile,Bosebeganfeelinglossofbreath.Suddenly,hecollapsedinhischair.Butstrangely,eventhoughhiseyeswereclosed,hewasawareofwhatwashappeningaroundhim.Hesawahuge,goldencolouredbirdstandingthereandlookingatBosewitheyesfullofpity.Bosecouldnotimaginehowabirdsobigcouldmakeitswayintotheauditorium.ButhesawthatSwamiraisedbothHishandsandwavedthemasifHewasdrivingthebirdaway.Anditjustdisappeared.InthecourseofHisdiscourse,Swamiwasrecitingaverse.Heabruptlystoppedmidwaythroughtheverseandquicklycamedownfromthedais.HeseemedtobeholdingsomethinginHisclosedrightfist.AsHeliftedupBosebytheshoulderwiththelefthand,SwamipattedthebackofBose'sheadwiththerighthand.Probably,HewasholdingBose'slifeintherightfist,andwhilepattingonthebacksideofhishead,inductedlifeback

intohisbody.Boseopenedhiseyes.HewassurprisedtoseeSwamistandingcloseathandjustbyhisside,thattoo,ontheholyVijayaDasami.WantingtotouchSwami'sfeet,heextendedhishand.Swamitoldhimtogetupandstand.ButBosecontinuedtositofferingsalutationstoHim.Swamipattedonhisbacktogivehimstrength.Hetoldhim,"Standup.Comeontothedaisandtakeyourseatnearthedoor."Boseobeyed.ThenSwamiresumedHisinterrupteddiscourseandwentonspeakingforafullhour.ThelifelessfaceofBosesteadilyandgraduallyacquiredtheglowoflifewithinthathour.Abouttwomonthslater,thesportsdaywasbeingcelebratedintheHillViewStadium.Attheoutset,SwamihoistedtheGamesFlag.Bosewaspresentthereandwasthrilledtoseeonthatflagtheimageofthecelestialbird,Garuda,thevehicleofLordSriMahaVishnu.BoserememberedthatitwasthesamebirdthathadsatoverhimontheVijayaDasamidaywithitseyesfullofpityforhim.Bosecametoknow,muchlater,thataccordingtotheGarudaPuran,itisGarudathatcarriessaintlysoulstoHeaven(Brahmaloka).BrigBosewasreferringtothisepisodewhenhehumblypleadedwithSwamithatBhagavanhadrestoredhimtolifeandthatitwasbeyondhimtofindwordstodescribehisgratitudetoHim.

"YOUAREEMBODIMENTOFATHMA"

BabaonceelucidatedthenatureofAthmaanditsrelationshipwiththeconstituentsofthephysicalbody,likelimbs,organs,senses,mind,intellect,etc.Theessenceofwhathesaidisbrieflygivenbelow:

Mind(manas),consciousness(chitha,awareness),senses(indriyas)-allthesejointogethertogivefullshapetobody.ButAthmaisnotthecombinationofallthesethings.ThereisAthmainthebody;thereisAthmainthemind;andthereisAthmaintheconsciousnessandthesenses.AllthesefunctionunderthedirectionofAthma.Thiscanbeillustratedbyasimpleanalogy.Acarhassteering,clutch,brakesandseveralotherparts.Doeseachofthemfunctionontheirown?Whenonetravelsbycar,doesthehornblowonitsown?Doesthesteeringmovebyitself?Obviouslynot,thereisadriverbehindallthese.Likewise,

bodyisthevehicleandAthmathedriver.Thatdrivermakestheeyessee,earshearandmouthspeak.Itisonlyaslongasthedriverispresentthatthevariouspartsperformtheirallottedfunctions.Oncethedriverabandonsthebody,theverysameeyescannolongersee,thesameearscannothear,thesamehandscandonothing;thesamemouthcantalknomore.Alltheorgansandpartsbecomenon-functional.Earlieralltheseweremadetowork,tofunctionbyaMaster,theAthma.AslongasthatMasterremainsinit,thisbodyis'Sivam'(divine,auspicious);whenheleaves,itisbuta'savam'(corpse).Ifwedeeplyponderoverourtrueidentity,asSwamirepeatedlysuggests,wewillsoonrealizethatwearebutembodimentsoftheInnerSelf(Athma);andthattheparts,organsandotherconstituentsofthisearthlybodyaremerelyinstrumentsandbynomeansthatInnerSelf.

THESIMLAINCIDENT

Hereisyetanotherinstanceofthesupra-humandivinepowerofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba.Once,SriSathyaSaiwenttoSimlaalongwithsomeofhisdevotees.SwamiKarunyanandatoowasinthegroup.Thattripsawanunbelievableevent.ItwaseveningwhenthepartyarrivedattheirlodgingsinSimla.Atabout6.30pm,asdarkenssapproached,atwo-yearoldboydiedinahouseinthetown.Theparentsweregrief-stricken.seeingtheiragony,afriendadvisedthem,"SriSathyaSaiBabaisnowintown.Takeyourson'sdeadbodythere,placehimatHisfeetandbegformercy."ThedistraughtparentswrappedthedeadbodyinapieceofclothandtookittoBaba.Heart-

brokenwithgrief,themotherlaidthedeadchildatBaba'sfeetandwailed,"Swami,pleasebringhimbacktolife,wakehimuptolife!"Asthepoorwomanwascrying,theever-mercifulBhagavancastacompassionatelookatthedeadboy.Theboysuddenlycametolifeandbegancrying.Thetearsofgriefanddesperationoftheparentsturnedtotearsofjoy.TheywashedtheLotusFeetofBhagavanSriSaiwiththeircopioustears.ThedevoteestoowereoverjoyedandimmenselymovedatthismiraculoushappeningandhailedthegloryofBhagavanwithresoundingcriesofJaiSaiRam!JaiSaiRam!

ULTIMATEDISSOLUTION(LAYAM)KaranamSubbamawasablessedsoulwhocaredforSwamiwhenHewasachildandwasknownasSathyam,andlovedhimasifhewasherownson.Astheever-swellingcrowdsofdevoteesarrivedtohaveHisdarshan,theladycookedmealsandfedthem.ThroughendlessservicetoSwamiandHisdevotees,sheusedtofeelthatherlife'smissionwasfulfilled.WhenPrashantiNilayamwasbeingbuilt,Swamitoldheronedaythatshewouldliveforonlyonemoreyear.Thoughsomewhattakenaback,shepulledherselftogetheranddevotedherselfwithmoresincerityanddevotiontoSwami'sservice.Herhealthwasslowlydeteriorating.Kithandkinofhernatalhometookhertotheirvillagetolookafterher.ButshecouldscarcelyendureseparationfromherbelovedSwamiandreturnedverysoontoPuttaparthitodoasmuchserviceaspossibledespiteherpooranddeterioratinghealth.Timepassed.SomedevoteescametoPuttaparthitoinviteSwamitotheirplace.BeforeleavingPuttaparthi,Swamipromised

Subbammathatatthetimeofherdemise,HewouldmakeitapointtoreachherandplaceholyGangawatersinhermouth!Soonthereafter,Subbammapassedaway.SomeofthevillagersrecalledSwami'spromiseandtalkedaboutitmockinglythatSwamididnotkeepHispromiseofofferingholywatertoSubbammabeforeherdeath.Atthatmoment,BhagavanwasamongHisdevoteesinafaroffplacenearTirupathi.HesetoutforPuttaparthitellingthemthatHehadtogotoPuttaparthiurgently.OnHisarrival,HewasinformedthatSubbammahadbreathedherlastseveralhoursearlier.HefoundSubbamma'sbodyalreadywithantscrawlingallover.Heannounced,"Subbammaisnotdead.Sheisstillalive."Butthosearoundinsistedthatshehadstoppedbreathinglongago,thatshehadindeeddied,butthattheywereneverthelesskeepingthebodyonlyforSwami'sarrival.ButSwamireiteratedthatSubbammawasstillalive.Hecameclosetoherandcalledout,"LookSubbamma,IamyourSwami.Ihavecome!"Andtotheconsternationofeverybodyaround,Subbammaopenedhereyeswide.Tearstrickledoutofhereyes.Theonlookersweredumbstruck.SwamitenderlytouchedherlipswithHisfingers.AndthecoolwatersofthecelestialGangaflowedoutofHisdivinefingersontotheparchedlips!Shelappedthemupandswallowed.Herfacewasaglowwithindescribablesatisfactionandhappiness.ShetouchedSwami'shandssoftlyassheclosedhereyesforthelasttime.Swamiknowsperfectlytheexactmomentofeveryone'sdeath.Creation,maintenanceandultimatedissolutionarewithinSwami'sabsolutecontrol.ThatiswhyHeisGodHimself!

"CREATION,MAINTENANCEANDDISSOLUTIONAREINMYHAND"

SwamiwasonceconversingwithdevoteesinHisinterviewroom.HeshowedthemHispalmandaskedwhatwasthereinit.Somebodyansweredthattherewasnothingthere.ButBabasaidinallserenity,"Thisemptyhandholdseverything."WhenHecloseditandopeneditamomentlater,therewasalocustthere.Wonderofwonders,therewasalsoatinyleaftoserveastheinsect'sfood.Thelocustwasactuallyfeedingonit.Inalittlewhile,Swamiclosedhisfistandopenedittorevealthatnothingwasthere.Thedevoteespresentintheroomcouldnotbelievetheireyes.

Throughthisincident,Swamirevealedtoallofus,ignorantasweare,thatcreation,maintenanceanddissolutionlieinHiscontrol.Thisincidenttookplaceaboutthirtyyearsago.BhagavanexplainsHisdivinityinafewpregnantwords.Hedeclared,"'Bha'denotescreation;'Ga'denotesprotectionand'Va'denotesultimatedissolution.HewhoembodiesthesethreesupremepowersisBhagavan.HereinliesthesublimesecretofMyessentiality!"

AumSriSathyaSaiParabrahmaneNamah

AumSanthih,Santhih,SanthihEndofChapter7

AumSaieashwaraayaVidmaheySathyaDevaayaDheemahithannassarva(f)prachodayaat(u)||

CHAPTER8-THELORDOFTHECOSMOS

ThisplayisHis,theroleisHis,thelinesarewrittenbyHim,Hedirects,Hedesignsthedressanddecoration,thegestureandthetone,theentranceandexit.YouhavetoactthepartandreceiveHisapprobationwhenthecurtainfalls.~Baba~

ALLELEMENTSLIEINHISCONTROLThefiveelements(PanchaBhoothas:earth,water,light,air,andspace)areinthetotalcontrolofSriSathyaSaiBaba.Wewillbeabletoappreciatetheveracityofthisstatementfromafewincidents.

RESCUEFROMFIRE

Oneday,Babadevelopedahightemperatureallofasudden.Itwas104.5degF.Devoteeswereallperturbed.Buthappilyforthem,thetemperaturecamedownto99degFwithinfiveminutesorso.NoneofthosearoundHimcouldunderstandwhythetemperaturerosesoabruptlyandalsocamedown

equallyquickly.

Atabout9.30pm,anopen-airdinnerwasarrangedontheroofofSwami'sresidence.Thenightwascoolandpleasantandtherewasbeautifulmoonlight.Aseveryonewasenjoyingthemealinthefineatmosphereandtheprevailingmerriment,Babaturnedtoadevoteeandsaid,"Whenyoureturnhometomorrow,cautionyourmothertobeverycarefulwithfire.Atthesametime,assureherthatIwillalwaysbewithherandprotectherfromeveryhazard."EveryonewassomewhattakenabackbyBaba'swords.WhatmadeHimtalkoffireandfuturehazards?TheypressedBabatoletthemknowwhatthematterwas.Swamiexplained,"Hismotherwasprayinginherpoojaroom.Anumberoflightedoillampswerearoundher.Asshewasofferingprayers,hersareecaughtfirewithouthernoticingit.Ihadtogotoherhelpandputouttheflames."SomedevoteesobtainedSwami'spermissiontomakeatrunk-calltotheladytofindouthowshewasdoing.Theladyherselfansweredtheircallandconfirmedtheincident.Swamitoospoketoherandconsoledher,mentioningthatitwasHewhohaddousedtheflamesoutofcompassionforher.Butthelady,devoutasshewas,anxiouslyenquired,"Swami,whiletryingtosaveme,haveYouburntYourownhands?"Heassuredhersweetly,"No,notatall.TheflamescausedMenoharm.OnlyMytemperaturewentupalittlebutsoonsubsided.Donotworry."

RESCUEFROMFLOOD

DuringthedayswhenBabastayedintheoldtemple,oncetherewerefloodsintheriverChithravathi.Thelevelofthefloodwatersrosesteadilyandsoonitreachedthetemple

andsurroundedit.Thesituationwasquitegrimasthewaterthreatenedtoenterthetempleinafewminutesandinundateeverything.Atthatmoment,Babawalkedintothewatersandsaid,"That'senough.Gobacknow."Suddenly,thefloodbegantorecede.

Asdescribedearlierwhen,forthefirsttime,theweek-longVedaPurushaSapthahaJnanaYajnamwasperformed;devoteesthrongedthePrashantiNilayaminthousands.Justwhenthevaledictoryoffering(PoornaAahuthi)toAgni,theFire-God,wasabouttocommence,theskybecameovercast.Massivedarkcloudscoupledwiththunderandlightningthreatenedtobringaboutaheavydownpour.Thepresent-dayauditoriumhadnotyetbeenbuiltthen.Andthevastgatheringassembledundertheopenskyhadnoshelterwhatsoever.Ifitrained,thewholeprogrammewouldcometoastandstill.Noticingtheiranxiety,Babaassuredthem,"Don'tworry.Therewillbenorain."Inalittlewhile,thedarkcloudscleared.ThePoornaAahuthiwentonasscheduledandwasdulycompletedwithoutahitch.

WATERTURNSINTOPETROL

Once,whenBabawasgoingtoBangalorebycar,alittleaheadofthetownofChikkaballapur,thevehiclestalledasthepetrolranout.Therewasnofillingstationanywherenear.Babaaskedforwatertobebroughtfromthenearbypond.Whenitwasbroughtinacontainer,Hedippedhishandinthewaterandstirreditalittle.Hethenaskedthedrivertofillthepetroltankwiththewaterso'treated'.Theenginesparkedtolifeandthejourneywascompletedwithoutaproblem.

Onanotheroccasion,Baba,accompaniedbyagroupof

devotees,visitedAurangabadandEllorainMaharashtraandwasproceedingbycartoHyderabadinAndhraPradesh.Ontheway,thecarstoppedforwantoffuel.Atthattime,petroldealerswereonaState-wideagitationandwentonstrike,andtherewasnowaytoreplenishthetank.Bhagavanjustorderedthecar,"Run!"anditstartedtorun!AfterreachingHyderabad,BabatoldSriKasturi,"Kasturi,withoutasingledropoffuel,wehadtocover150miles.Whattotalkof

petrol,notevenwaterwasavailableonthewaythistimetofillthefueltank.Wesawnostreamnorpondontheroutewetravelledby."

SUNSHINEINTHEHIMALAYAS

WehavealreadyreadearlierthatinJune1961,BhagavantookHisparentsandsomedevoteesonapilgrimagetotheholyshrineofBadarinath.SriBoorgulaRamakrishnaRao,thethenGovernorofUttarPradesh,alsojoinedtheentourageandsawtoitthateveryfacilitywasprovidedto

thepilgrims.ThetripfromHrishikeshtoBadarinath,situatedinthehigherreachesoftheHimalayaswheresnowfallsarecommon,andbacktoHrishikeshwascompletedinjustsevendays.Allthroughthatperiod,thetravellersencounterednotasinglesnowfall.Ontheotherhand,therewaswelcomesunshine!ThehospitableSunmadetheweathercomfortableandenjoyable.Localinhabitantsnoticedthisunusualweatherandfelthappy.

Thephenomenonwasalsoobservedbyanumberofholypersonsengagedinspiritualpursuitsatthoselonelyandinhospitableheights.Theyguessed,quitecorrectly,thatahighlydistunguishedspiritualpersonmustbevisitingtheregion,andcausingbyhispresence,suchagreeablethroughun-seasonalweather!

AdevoteequestionedBhagavan,"Swami,youeatverylittle.Yourbodycomprisesthefiveelements(PanchaBhoothas).Then,fromwheredoesitderiveitspotency?"Babagaveaverypithyreply,"Thefiveelementsgivemenopotency.ItisIwhogivesthemtheirpotency."

CHAPTER9-"WHYFEARWHENIAMHERE?"

Godisneitherdistantnordistinctfromyou.~Baba~

DuringthetimewhenSriKasturitookuppermanentresidenceinPrashantiNilayam,Swamiusedtovisitthehomesofresidentswhowerethenonlyafew.ThusthoseresidentscouldoftensharetheblissfulcompanyofBhagavan.DuringonesuchvisittoKasturi'shome,SwamiaskedSmt.Kasturitosingasong.ShesangaKannadasongcomposedbyherself:

"NinnuNambiBande;EnnaKaiBidadiru,GhanaMahimaneSaiNatha!"

("MyfatherSai,IhavecometoYouinthefullestfaiththatyouwillprotectme.Pleasedonotletgooffmyhand.")

Aftershefinished,SwamirepliedtoherwithHisownsongcomposedinTamil,whichwashermothertongue:

"VirumbumMunneTharuVare,SaiBaba!VendumMunneTharu.Vare."

("Whyfear?Evenbeforeyouask,SaiBabashowersboons.Evenbeforeyoupray,Herunstoyoutogiveprotection.")

Howsweet,howsimpleandhowcaptivatingisGod'swonderfulanswertoHisdevotee'sprayer!Thisanswerismeantnotmerelytothatlady,SmtKasturi.Itismostcertainlyaddressedtoeachandeverysinglepersoninthewideworldwhoisafflicted,distressed,andsuffering!Morethanthat,itisaddressedtoeveryoneintheentireuniverse.

CHILDSAVEDFROMATRUCKThefollowingincidenthappenedin1955.ResidentialquartersfordevoteeswerecominguparoundSwami'sresidenceinPrashantiNilayam.Shankar,aneleven-yearoldboywasactivelyparticipatingintheconstructionactivity.Atruckloadedwithbricksarrivedandtheboywashelpinginunloadingthem.Afterthetruckwasemptied,hestoodatitsrearshakingdustoffhisbodyandclothes.Hedidnotnoticethatthedriverstartedtheengineandthevehiclewasmovingbackwards.Thedriver,unfortunately,didnotseeShankaranddrovethetruckveryfast.

Tohisuttershock,theboysuddenlyfoundhimselfpushedviolentlybythehugevehicle.Petrifiedwithfearandshock,helostallbodilycontrolandjustcollapsedwherehestood.Theinexorabledidcometopass;theheavytyreoftheenormousvehiclecrushedhistenderleg.TheonlythingShankarcoulddointhatawfulmomentbeforehebecame

unconsciouswastogiveoutaloudcry,"Swami!"Peoplenearbyrantohisrescue,pulledhimasideandwrappedatowelaroundthecrushedlimb.Totallyconfused,theydidnotknowwhattodonext.TheycouldonlyraisetheirheadsandlooktowardsSwami'sresidence.Totheirsurprise,theysawSwamistandinginthebalconyandlookingdirectlyintheirdirection.BeforetheyopenedtheirmouthstotellHimwhathadhappened,Swamitoldthemtotaketheboytothehospitaladjoininghisresidence.Theydidasdirected.

Afterwards,Shankar'sbrotherrantoSwami.Heloudlywailed,"Swami,myyoungerbrotherhaslosthisleg."Swamiconsoledhim,"Donotworry.Nothinghashappenedtohisleg."AsHeutteredthesweetwords,HepulledbackthesleeveofHisshirtandshowedHisopenpalm.Onthepalmcouldbedistinctlyseenthemarksofthetruck'sheavytyre.SwamitoldthedistraughtyoungmanthatHehadinsertedHisownpalmbetweenthetruck'styreandthelittleboy'slegsothatthehugeweightofthetruckwouldnotbearheavilyupontheleg.

WhendoctorsfoundthatnotasingleboneofShankar'slegwasdamaged,theywereastonishedandalsoverymuchrelieved.DuetoSwami'sdivineWillandimmensemercy,theboyrecoveredsoon.

Asimilarincidenthappenedin1999.InJanuary1999,theSportsDaywasbeingcelebratedintheHillViewStadiuminPrashantiNilayam.DespiteSwami'ssuggestionnottobeadventurous,studentsweredisplayingadventurousgymnasticskills.Itwasnowtheturnofanacrobaticeventingymnastics,inwhichstudentswereparticipatinginsomersaultonatruck.Nobodynoticedthatthenutsand

boltsoftheironbarsarrangedfortheeventgotloosened.Childrenhadcompletedtheirevensuccessfullyandtherewasahugeapplause.Butattheend,Swamididnotjointhestudentstoposeforaphotograph,whichHenormallydoes.Instead,HewentbacktothePoornaChandraHall,whereHeresides.HeshowedhisbodytoIndulalShahandtosomeofthestudentsthere.Therewasbloodallover.Swamiwasbleedingprofusely.Everyonewasastonishedandworried."Iliedbelowthetruckandsavedthestudents.Now,Ihavetowashtheblood.Thekidswererequestingmetojointhemandposeforthephotograph.Poorkids,theydonotknow,"SwamisaidinHisusualcalmandcompassionatevoice.

GODISCLOSERTHANHUSBANDKumarwasastudentintheSathyaSaiCollegeinPuttaparthi.Swamiallottedhisparentsgroundflooraccommodationintheeasternblockclosetohisownresidence.Attheeveningprayeroneday,Kumarsangabhajan,"SaiPithaAurMathaSai"("SaiisthefatherandSaiisthemother"),asSwamisatonhisthronequiteclosebyandnoddedHisheadintunewiththesong.Swami'seyeswereswimmingwithkindnessandcompassion.Nosoonerhadthefirststanzaofthesongended,thanSwamiabruptlygotupandhurriedout.TheboyfeltthathissingingwasnotprobablytoSwami'sliking.SwamiwalkedintotheresidenceofKumar'sparents.Devoteeswhowatchedthesceneweresurprised.Inrecenttimes,noonehadseenSwamithusleaveHisresidenceandproceedbeyonditsprecincts.

IntheresidenceofKumar'sparents,hismotherhadaheartattackandwasstrugglingforlife.Babahastenedintothehouse,gaveheraglassofwaterandmaterializedvibhuthi

forher.Afterafewwordsofsolaceandencouragementtothelady,HereturnedtothebhajanhallandresumedHisthrone;justthen,Kumar'sbhajansongwascomingtoaclose.Whenitwasover,SwamispoketoKumar,"DoyouknowwhyIhurriedout?YourmotherwasonthevergeofdyingandIwenttosaveher.Hereyouweresinging:'Youarethefather;Youarethemother'.HowcouldIsithereenjoyingyoursongwhenyourmotherwasinagonythere?Ihadtoreachherurgentlyandsaveher."

Thelady'shusbandwasallthetimepresentinthebhajanhallamongthedevotees.Hissontoowastheresinging.Allthesame,onlyGodcouldrescuethesufferinglady.God,undoubtedly,istheclosestandthemostintimateofone'skithandkin-closerthanevenhusband.

GODISCLOSERTHANMOTHERSwamiwastogiveadiscourseintheS.A.P.KalyanaMandapam(marriagehall)inMadras,nowknowsnasChennai.ThousandsofeagerdevoteesgatheredtohaveHisdarshanandtohearHisinspiringwords.Hisdivineformfilledthemwithbliss.AfterDarshan,SwamispokeinTelugu.ChithoorNagayya,thecelebratedactoranddevoteeofSwami,wasstandingbySwamiandtranslatingHisdiscourseintoTamil.Theaudiencewasspellbound.Theywereimbibingthehoney-sweetspeechavidlysavouringeverydropofit.TheyforgotthemselvesinhappinessathearingthedivinewordsoftheirbelovedBhagavan.Suddenly,asmallbaby,barelyayearoldandlyinginhismother'slap,begantowailloudly.Theaudiencewasdistracted.Theirengrossingspellofblisswasruined.Alleyesturnedtowardsthecryingbabywhowasthecauseofthedisturbance.Afewsecondspassed.EveryonesawSwamionthedaisgentlysmiling.Heextendedhisopenpalmtowardsthecryingchildinthe'abhaya'mode(agesturedenotingassuranceofprotection),butsuddenlycloseditintoatightfist!Thatverymoment,thechildfellsilent.Nonecouldgaugethereasonwhythebabysuddenlystartedwailingandwhyhe,equallysuddenly,stoppedcrying.SwamiextendedtheclosedfistnowtowardsNagayya,openeditandsaid,"Asmall25-paisecoingotstuckinthatlittlebaby'sthroatandIhaveremovedit.Hereitis!"SriNagayyawascompletelyovercomebyemotionsorsurpriseandhappinessandimmediatelyannounceditoverthemicrophone.Theenrapturedaudienceexplodedintowildapplause.Eventhoughthelittlebabywasrightinherownlap,thepoormotherdidnotknowwhathadgonewrongwithherchild.Itisobviousthat,morethaneven

one'sownmother,Godismuch,verymuch,closer.

SUICIDEAVERTEDAyoungmanwasemployedasanaccountantinafirminCalcutta,nowknownasKolkatta.HismotherwasSwami'sdevoteebuthedidnotshareherfaith.Itsohappenedthathewasaccusedofmisusingthefirm'smoney.Unabletobeartheinfamy,heeventhoughtofsuicide.HismotherwrotetoBabarequestingHispermissiontobringherunfortunatesontoPuttaparthi.ButnotknowinghowtosenditthroughposttoBaba,shekeptherletterbehindSwami'sphotographinherpoojaplace.

Meanwhile,theboywenttoabridgeontheriverGanges.Hethoughtthatdeathwouldbeeasyifhejumpedintotheriver.Justashewasabouttodoso,heheardavoice,"CometoPuttaparthi,cometoPuttaparthi."Hewassurprised."Puttaparthi,Puttaparthi"-thewordscontinuedtoringinhisears.Thereupon,heabandonedallthoughtofsuicide,wenttotherailwaystation,purchasedatickettoBangaloreandboardedatrain.Strangely,eventhenoisemadebytherunningwheelssoundedtohimlike"Puttaparthi,Puttaparthi."Whenthetrainmovedfast,thewordssoundedfast;whenthewheelswereslow,thewordstoowereslow!

OnarrivalatBangalore,hewenttothebookingcountertopurchaseaticketforhisonwardjourneytoPenukonda.ThemanatthecounterknewthatifanypersonaskedforatickettoPenukonda,hewouldmostprobablybeheadingforSwami'sdarshan.Soheaskedtheyoungman,"AreyougoingtohaveSaiBaba'sdarshan?"Whenheansweredintheaffirmative,hewasinformedthatBabawaspresentlyrightthereinBrindavaninWhitefieldinBangalore.Theyoung

manstoodthere,somewhathesitantly.Butthewords,"Puttaparthi,Puttaparthi,"onceagainbeganringinginhisears.So,heyieldedtothatcallandaskedforatickettoPenukonda!Inthosedays,toreachPuttaparthifromPenukonda,onehadtocoverseveralmilesonfoot.Evenastheyoungmanproceededonthearduouswayonfoot,thewords,"Puttaparthi,Puttaparthi,"neverceasedtoringinhisears.

HefinallyreachedPuttaparthiat8pmanddiscoveredthatjustanhourearlier,i.e.,at7pm,BabahadarrivedatPuttaparthi!Atthattime,summertrainingclasseswereabouttocommenceatBrindavaninBangalore.Inspiteofthat,nooneknewwhyBabahadsuddenlyreturnedtoPuttaparthi.Whendevoteesenquiredonthispoint,Babaexplained,"StudentswhowouldbearrivingatBrindavanforthesummerclasseshavetobefed.IhavecomeheretocollectriceandtakeittoBrindavan."

Nextmorning,duringthepublicaudience,Swamicameclosetotheyoungmanandaddressedhim,"Hey,Calcutta!Comein."Intheinterviewroom,Babareferredtotheaccusationagainsthiminhisofficeandtoldhimnottogetupsetaboutit.Heencouragedhimanddissuadedhimfromputtinganendtohislife.HealsotoldhimtostayinPuttaparthiforninedaysbeforereturningtoCalcutta.Induecourse,themanwentbacktohisjob.HewasthussavedbyBabainresponsetohismother'sprayer,whichshecouldnotevensendtohimbypost.

HISBOUNDLESSCOMPASSIONBhagavanSriSathyaSaiwasoncetravellingbycarfromBangaloretoPuttaparthi.OneofHisstudentswasdriving

thevehicle.OthercarswithgroupsofdevoteeswerefollowingSwami'scar.Thegroundwasstonyandrough,theterrainhilly,desolateandsilent.Alongcobrawascrossingthepath.ThestudentdriverofBaba'scarnoticeditfromadistance.Hecouldnot,however,makeuphismindwhethertostopthecartosavethecobraortorunoverit.HelookedbackintherearseatofthecarandfoundSwamiinyogamudra(deepcontemplation).Hethought,"Swamiisfastasleep.Ifthecarweretobesuddenlybroughttoahalt,Hissleepwouldbedisturbed."Therefore,hespedforwardandranoverthecobra.

AfterarrivingatPrashantiNilayam,thestudentalightedfromthedriver'sseat,ranandopenedthereardoorforSwami.SwamigotdownandproceededtowardstheverandahofHisresidence.Thestudentwasintriguedtofindawidesmearofmud,likeabroadstrip,onthebackofSwami'srobes.Hesaid,"Swami,yourgarmentsaresoiledontheback."Swami'sreplywas,"Alittlewhileago,Ihadtogobelowthecar'styreinordertosavethatpoorcobra!"

CHAPTER10-THEMASTEROFTIMEOMKALASWAROOPAYANAMAH

Pastispast,itcan'tberecalled;Future,youarenotsureof...Thegivenmomentisnow(Present)ThisPresentisOmnipresent~Baba~

Severalyearsago,aladycalledSakammalivedinPrashantiNilayam.Oneday,shequestionedBaba,"Swami,inthebattle

fieldatKurukshethra,theKauravasrangedenormousforcesfullyarmedandreadytofight.Insuchasituation,howwasitpossibleforBhagavanSriKrishnatorecitetoArjunatheBhagavadGitaconsistingofasmanyas700slokas?AsSriKrishnatookhisowntimeandArjunalistened,ignoringtheenemy'sthreat,howdidtheenemykeepquiet?"Swamididnotanswerherquestionthereandthen.

Thatevening,Swami,alongwithseveralofHisdevotees,wentasusualtospendtimeonthesandsofriverChithravathi.ThedevoteessataroundSwami.Sakammatoowasamongthem.SwamithrustHishandintothesandand,asthecuriousdevoteeswatchedwithwide-openeyes,Heslowlypulledoutafootlonggleamingwhiteivoryfigure.ItshowedLordSriKrishnasittingonachariotandexhortingArjunawithGita.Theimagewasextraordinaryminuteindetailandofexquisitecraftsmanship.Sakamma,inparticular,wasstaringatitwithopen-mouthedwonder.Swamiexplained,"Howmanydayswillordinarymortalstaketocarvethisbeautifulivoryimage?Howmanyhandswillberequiredtoaccomplishthisintricatecarving?Howmanyartistswouldberequiredtomaketheinitialdesignandtopreparedetailedplans?Butdoyouseehowithasmaterializedinallitssplendourjustinatrice,themomentSwamiWillsittobe?IfGodhastheWill,Hecandominatetimeandcontrolit.Whatwouldtakeseveralmonthsforman,Ihaveabridgedintojustamoment.Inlikemanner,itisalsopossibletoelongatetimebydivineWill.OnthedayIgavetheGitatoArjunainthebattlefield,Icreatedinhismindallthetimeneeded.Ialsoabridgedittoafewmomentsfortherestofthetroopsonthefield.

TimeiswithinthecompletecontrolofSriSathyaSai.Hecan

abridgeitandelongateitatHisDivineWill.

HEABRIDGESTIMEHereisaninstancewhereaperiodofseveralyearswereabridgedbySwamiintojustanhour.TherewasaChristianstudentinColombo,SriLanka.HecametoIndiaforcollegeeducationandgothimselfenrolledintheMadrasChristianCollege,Madras(Chennai).Oneday,hewenttotheSriRamakrishnaMission.HewasverymuchattractedbytheimageofGoddessKaliwhichSriRamakrishnaParamahamsahadworshipped.Gradually,hebecameadevoteeofGoddessKali.Hereceivedinitiation.HewouldmeditatedeepandlongontheDeviManthra.Eventually,hereachedthatstagewhenhewouldremainforhoursandhoursinsamadhi(spiritualtrance,astateinwhichthemeditatorsuspendsconnectionbetweenbodyandsoul).Afterwards,heevenconvertedtoHinduismandtooktosanyas(renunciation).

Sometimelater,hetravelledtoColombotovisithismother.ThepoorladymoanedingriefonseeinghersoninthegarbofaHinduSanyasi.Sheknewthathersonwouldneverthinkofmarriageandreconciledherselftoit.ButsheverymuchdesiredhersonatleasttogiveuphisHindumonk'sdressandadoptthatofaChristianFather.Thesondeclinedtodoso.HegaveuphismotheraswellaspossessionsandreturnedtoIndia,andinduecourse,reachedPuttaparthi.SwamiinvitedhimintotheInterviewRoom.Anhourpassed.Suddenly,therewasaloudcryfrominsidetheroom,"Oh,Mother!"Thiswassoloudthateveryonegatheredontheverandahoutsidecouldhearit.

Alittlelater,SwamiopenedthedooroftheroomandoutwalkedtheSakthidevoteebathedfromtoptotoeinholy

vibhuthi.Whattranspiredinsidetheinterviewroom?Itseemsthatafteradmittinghimintotheroom,Swamimaterializedabigforestanddirectedthemantowalkintoit.Thesanyasijustwalkedandwalkedandwalkedendlessly.Withoutstoppingforrest,hewalkedonandonamidsthugetreesforseveraldays.Hecoveredmilesandmilesandwalkedfordecadesanddecades!Thesuddenly,Swamiorderedhim,"Stop!Turnaroundandlookbehind!"Thesanyasistopped,turnedaroundandstoodtransfixed.Whatdidhesee?ThesameGoddessKali,whomhehadsoardentlyworshippedeversincechildhood,wasstandingrightinfrontofhiminallsplendour!

Forseveralyears,thissanyasihadbeenwishingthatheshouldremovehimselftoremoteforeststospendlongyearsthereinmeditation.Swamifulfilledthatdeepurgewithinthespanofanhour.Hehaddesiredtoperformpenanceformany,manyyears.ButSwamiabridgedthatalsotolessthananhour.Inaddition,BhagavanvouchsafedhimthedarshanofGoddessKalithathehadbeenyearningfor.Whenhismostardentwishwassobeautifullyfulfilled,thesanyasicouldnotholdhimselfbackbutcriedoutinecstasy,"Oh,Mother!"Onhearingthiscrywhichemergedoutoftheinnerrecessesofhisheart,Bhagavanrespondedinmelodiousvoice,"Mydearman,thereisnoneedforintensepenanceintheKaliYuga.Itissufficientifyourememberyourfavouritedeity'snameandincessantlyintoneitmentally.Onlythroughnamasmaranwillyouattainfulfillment."Sosaying,Swamimaterializedcopiousvibhuthi,poureditalloverthedelightedyoungsterandblessedhim.

HEELONGATESTIMEWenowcometotheincidentwhenBhagavanSaiBabaextendedatimespanofthirtydaystothirtyyears.LalBahadurSastrywasthePrimeMinisterofIndiathen.HispersonalassistantwasThyagaraj.Whenhehadsomehealthproblem,hewenttoBangaloreforamedicalcheck-up.Afterthoroughlyexamininghim,doctorsdiagnosedhimasacancerpatientanddeclaredhislifeexpectancytobejustthreemonths.Theyalsotoldhim,"Sir,ifyoudonotmind,wehaveasuggestion.Thereisonlyoneremedyforyourdisease,andthatistoprayattheLotusFeetofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaandrequestHimtosaveyou.Thereisnootherway.DrSBhagavantham,Baba'sdevotee,ispresentlyrighthereinthishospital.Swamiiscomingheretomorrowtovisithim.Youmayavailofthisexcellentopportunity.

ButThyagarajdeclinedtheadvice.Headded,"IamthepersonalassistanttothePrimeMinisterofIndia.IdonotneedtofallatthefeetofanyBaba.Icanaffordtogetpropermedicaltreatmentanywhere."Hefollowedhisowncounselandwenthereandthereformedicalhelp.Aftertwomonths,hereturnedtothesamehospitalandgothimselfexaminedonceagain.Sureenough,doctorsdeclaredthathewouldliveonlyforanothermonthorso.ThyagarajwasnowinadesperatehurrytoreachPuttaparthi.Ashewaitedfordarshan,Swamiapproachedhimandsaid,"Cancer?"PoorThyagarajburstintotearsandfellatSwami'sLotusFeet.Swamimaterializedvibhuthi,placeditinhishandandtoldhimtoeatit.Thiswasdoneforthreeconsecutivedays.Onthethirdday,BhagavanSriSathyaSaisaid,"Canceriscancelled!"Needlesstoadd,subsequentmedicaltestsconfirmednotraceofcanceronThyagaraj.

Thisincidenthappenedthirtyyearsago.ThyagarajservedintheofficeofSanathanaSarathiinPrashantiNilayamuntilrecently.Presently,heisdoingserviceinthecanteeninPrashantiNilayamsavouringtheunboundedbenevolenceofSwami.

TheextraordinarycaseofThyagarajdemonstratesBhagavanSai'scontrolandcommand.ThatiswhyintheSathyaSaiAshtottaraSahasraNamavali(the1008attributesandnamesbywhichHeisworshippedritualistically),wefindHimaddressedas:"KalayaNamah,KalaKalayaNamah,KalanthakayaNamah,KalaSwaroopayaNamah..."(SalutationstoHimwhoisTime;whoregulatesTime;whodestroysTime;whoistheveryEmbodimentofTime...).

"TIMEANDSPACEBINDMENOT"BabawasonceonavisittoVenkatagiriandwasabouttoreturntoPuttaparthi.Anoldlady,anordinaryresidentofPrashantiNilayam,wasatthattimeinhernativevillage,bythenameofVayalpadu,situatedontheVenkatagiri-Puttaparthiroad.So,shethoughtshewouldpraytoSwamitobreakthejourneyatVayalpaduandvisitherhome.SheascertainedthedayofSwami'sdeparturefromVenkatagiri.Onthatday,shestoodbytheroadwaitingpatientlyforSwami'scar.Shealsopersuadedothervillagerstokeepdayandnightvigilatthatspot.Butthecarmadenoappearance.ThenshecametoknowthatSwamihadmeanwhilereachedPrasanthiNilayam.Deeplydisappointed,shetooreturnedtoPuttaparthi.

ShefoundSwamiontheverandaofHisupperfloorresidencetalkingtosomepersonsontheground.Shepushedherselfforwardandwithoutstoppingforbreath,

askedloudly,"Swami,ourvillagersandIstoodonthewaysidenearVayalpaduwaitingforYou.Wekeptdayandnightvigil.WhendidYourcarpassbyourvillage?HowdidYouarrivehere?"Amusedatherexcitedmanner,Bababurstintolaughter.EverybodywaslookingupatSwami.Butsuddenly,theyheardHislaughterjustbytheirside.Swamiwasstandingbytheirsidestilllaughing;therewasnoSwamiintheverandahighabove!NonecouldunderstandhowandwhenSwamicamedownfromtheupperfloortotheground.Swamitoldtheoldlady,"LookyouhaveseenhowIhavecomedownfromtheupperfloortothegroundbelow.IfIcandothis,couldInot,togetherwithmycar,arrivehererightbyyourvillageunseenbyanyofyou?"

ANEKA-ROOPAROOPAYA

(ASSUMINGNUMEROUSFORMS)

BabawasinKodaikanalwithHisdevotees.Suddenly,He

jumpedoutofhisbed,stoodandshouted,"Don'tfire!"AsHesaidso,Hefellonthebed.Thebodystiffened.Apparently,HehadleftHisphysicalbody.Afteranhourorso,thebodymoved.BabaopenedHiseyes,dictatedanaddressinBhopalanddirectedthatanexpresstelegrambesenttherestating,"Don'tworry.Therevolveriswithme-Baba."SwamiSatchidanandapleaded,"Swami,thepost-officestaffwillnotacceptthetelegramifwementiontheword'revolver'inthemessage.Ifwechangeitto'instrument',theywillnotobject."Swamiagreedandthemodifiedtelegramwasdulydispatched.Butthedevoteescouldnotmakeheadortailofthemysteriousincident.

AletterarrivedfromBhopalfourdayslater.Babagaveittothedevotees.Onreadingit,theywerefilledwithsurpriseaswellashappiness.Whathasexactlyhappened?TherewasamilitaryofficerinBhopalwhohadservedintheSecondWorldWaranddistinguishedhimself.Despitethis,hewasnotgivenduepositioninthestatewidedevelopmentprogrammesunderwaybecausefresherswerebeingpreferredtooldhands.Frustrated,hedevelopedutterdistasteforlife.Addedtothis,hiswifehappenedtobeawayinherparentalhome.Therewasnoonewhocouldconsolehimandgivewisecounselandgethimoutofdepression.Underthesecircumstances,hedecidedtocommitsuicide.Hetest-firedhisrevolvertoseewhetheritwasfunctioningallright.Itperformedwell.Hereadiedtokillhimselfwiththesecondshot.Justashewasabouttopressthetrigger,there,infaroffKodaikanal,Swamisuddenlyshouted,"Don'tfire!"Atthatprecisemoment,inBhopal,thedooroftheofficer'sroomsuddenlyflewopen.Standingatthedoorwashisbosomfriendandoldcollege-mate.Hedidnotcome

alone;hiswifetoowaswithhim.Behindthemwastheporterwhowascarryingtheirluggage.

Assoonastheofficersawthem,heranintohisinnerroom,hidtherevolversomewhereandcameoutsmilingtowelcometheguests.Theguestamusedhisoldfriendofficerwithcheerfulconversation.Herecalledseveralhappyeventsintheircollegelife.Herelivedpleasantmemoriesofthecarefreecompanytheysharedwhileincollegemanylongyearsago.Hewasquitevocalandentertaining.Theladyalsojoinedinandaddedtotheirjoviality.Thewarmthandfriendlinessofthevisitorssoondroveawaytheofficer'smiseryandrestoredhismentalequanimity.

Thevisitorssoonnoticedthattheofficer'swifewasaway.So,theysaidthattheywishedtogotoanotherfriend'shouse.Theyalsoincidentallymentionedtheotherfriend'saddresswheretheywereplanningtoproceed.Theofficertriedtopersuadethemtostayonbuttheyexcusedthemselves.PromisingtocomeandstayontheirnextvisittoBhopal,theytookleaveoftheofficer.Theofficernowsearchedfortherevolverhurriedlyhiddenalittlewhileearlier.Itwasnotfounddespiteathoroughsearch.Suddenly,herememberedSathyaSaiBaba.Sometimeback,hehadgonetoPuttaparthiandhadSwami'sdarshan.HiswifewasadevoutfollowerofBaba.So,heconcludedthatthiswasallBaba'sleela.Lockinguphishouse,hewentinsearchofhiscollegefellowattheaddressgiventohim.Buthewastoldthatnovisitorhadcomethere.Justashereturnedtohishome,anexpresstelegramfromKodaikanalarrived.Itread,"Don'tworry.Theinstrumentiswithme-Baba."Onreadingit,theofficerwasovercomewithremorse.Toexpresshisgratitude,hewroteadetailed

lettertoBhagavan.ItisthroughthatletterthatBaba'sdevoteesalsolearnedaboutthefulldetailsoftheincident.

Itisworthytonotethattosaveadevotee,Bhagavanassumedthreehumanforms,theofficer'sfriendandhiswifeandtheporter,allofthemsimultaneously,atthesameeventwithprofoundsignificance.Italsoestablishes,yetagain,thattimeisunderSwami'scontrol.ThisisthemeaningoftheVedicdictum,'EkohamBahusyam'(theOnewilledtomanifestintomany).

THEINCOMPREHENDIBLEIthappenedaround1988.Therewereabout1400studentsinthehostelofSwami'sCollegeinBrindavanatWhiteFieldnearBangalore.BhagavanSriSathyaSaivisitedthehostelonenight.ThedelightedstudentsrespectfullystoodinHispresence.Suddenly,theeletricitywentoff.Inthedarkness,Swamimovedquietlytowardsaboyandwhisperedtohiminhisears,"Athul,Iwillgiveyousomething.Holdyourhand."TheboyextendedhisopenhandandSwamiplacedaladdooinit.Hefurtherwhisperedtotheboy,"Don'tshowittoanybody.Putyourhandbehindyou."Suddenly,theelectricitywasrestored.Bulbscamebacktolife.Athullookedaround.Surprisingly,allthe1400boysassembledtherewerekeepingtheirhandsbehindthem.Everyonewashavingaladdooinhishand.ThatisSwami!Wegetastonishedattheamazingleelas.Ourreasoningpowerabandonsus,tonguefailsus,mindrefusestofunction;nothingcanbeunderstood.Howcanwecommentupon,muchlessexplain,suchdisplaysofSwami'sdivinesport?Thatiswhyitissaid,

"YathoVachoNivarthantheAprapyaManasaSaha,"Meaning,

thattheUniversalAbsolutecannotbereachedorcomprehendedbythebodilysensesorbymind.

HEARRIVESUNNOTICEDMuddanahalliisasmalltownthatislocatedonthewayonroadsidefromPuttaparthitoBangalore.ThereisaSwami'sSchoolthere.InFebruary1993,theschoolwastocelebrateitsanniversary.TeachersandstudentsinvitedSwamitogracetheoccasionandSwamigaveHisconsent.Butonthegivenday,Hedidnotcomeeventhoughtheexpectantteachers,studentsandinviteeswaitedandwaitedlongforHim.Theculturalprogrammes,children'sdanceandotheritemsweregonethroughwithoutSwami'spresence.Induecourse,evenaseveryonewaitedeagerlyforSwami'sarrival,theentireprogrammewasover.Therewasacloudofdisappointmentcastingadarkshadowoverthecelebrations.

Later,thephotographstakenontheoccasionweredevelopedandprinted.Toeverybody'sastonishment,oneofthephotographstakenduringthedanceitemsshowedSwamistandingamongthedancingchildren!Notonlythat,Swamiwasseeninthatpicture,notatonesingleplace,butatfivedifferentplaceswearingadifferentdressateachplace!

DAY5:MONDAY

CHAPTER11-LOVINGMOTHERSAI

LoveisMyform,TruthisMybreathBlissisMyfood,MylifeisMymessageExpansionisMylife,NoreasontoloveNoseasonforlove,Nobirth,nodeath~Baba~

LOVEOFATHOUSANDMOTHERSBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabadevotesthree-fourthsofHisprecioustimetoHisstudents.Hefeelsthatthefutureofsocietyrestssolelyontheseinnocent,clear-heartedchildren.Heisallloveforthem.Hetellsthem,"LookatMewithinyourownselves.IlookatMyselfinyou.YouareMy

life,MybreathandMysoul.Youareall,everyoneofyou,Myform.WhenIloveyou,IloveMyownSelf.Whenyouloveyourselves,youarelovingonlyMe!"

AGONYMOVESBHAGAVANOnce,BhagavanwasinBrindavanwithHisstudents.Hesaid,"WhenIamhere,youaredistractedandarenotstudyingproperly.IfIgoawaytoPuttaparthi,youwilldevoteyourselvestostudies.IamleavingforPuttaparthiat8.30amtomorrow."ThestudentstouchedHisfeetandprayed,"Swami,pleaseSwami,stayhere.Wewillstudywell."ButSwamiinsistedonleaving,"YourparentsentrustedyoutoMycare.HowcanIseeyourunningaroundMewithoutstudying?Imustleavetomorrow."

ThenextdaywasMonday.Itwas8.30am.InfrontoftheThrayee,Baba'swhitecarwasready.Thedistressedstudentswerealsotherewithagonyintheirfaces.SwamicamedownfromHisresidenceintheupperfloor.Thestudentshumblyprayedandbegged,butdidnotsucceed.SwamitookHisseatinthecarandleft.

Withheartsheavy,thechildrenwentbacktotheirroomsinthehostel.TheirmindswerefullofSwami;whattheyreadcouldnotentertheirminds.TheabsenceofSwamirenderedtheentireenvironmentcolourless,lifeless,listless,darkandsilent.Everystudentquietlykepttohisownroom.Noword,nogreeting,noconversation,nopleasure,nothingbutgloom.Barelyfifteenminutespassedwhensuddenlyastudentshouted,"Swamiisback,Swamiisback!"Therestofthestudentsthoughtthathewasperhapsindelusion;morethantheothers,hemusthaveimaginedacararriving.Butafewcuriousfellowspeepedoutoftheirwindows.There,

Swami'scarwasreallyenteringtheAshramprecincts!Acoupleofstudentswereindeedrunningbehindit.Thatwasenough.Allthestudentsranlikedeeronwings.BythetimeSwamialightedfromHisvehicle,theystoodaroundit.Surpriseononesideanddelightontheotherwerechokingthem.AsSwamienteredandwentupthestaircase,studentsweremutelystandingbelow,staringateachother.Whathashappened?WhyhasSwamireturned?Nobodyknew.ThenSwamispoketothem,"AmerementionthatIamleaving,createssomuchcommotionanddisturbance!Everythinggetsupset!Inthemidstofallthechaos,Iforgottotakethekeys!SoIcamebacktotakethem."Whatisthis?CanSwamiforgetkeys?Theheartsofthechildrenwerefullwithemotionandimmeasurablehappiness.Notasingleeyeremaineddry.Silenceruledeverywhere.

Butthen,theyfearedthatSwamimightgetholdofHiskeysafterall,andgoaway.Onestudenthesitatinglyasked,"Swami,shallweputthingsbackinthecar?"Pretendingtoshowanger,whicheverybodycouldseewasnotthere,Swamisaid,"No.Iwillleaveintheevening."Butthestudents,cleverastheywere,didnotfailtoseethebubblingsmilebehindSwami'sshowofanger.Theyallcriedwithonevoice,"Swami,Swami,pleasestayhere,Swami."Swamiturnedtothemandsaid,"Look,yousincere,transparentdistresshasdraggedMeback.IfyouwantMetostayhere,youshouldworkhardonyourstudies,thenIassureyou,Iwillstayhere.Getbusynowwithyourstudies!"

SpiritualityconnotesagonizingforGod,intenseyearningforGodandundergoingsufferinganddistressinquestofGod-thesearetheessentialfeaturesofspirituality.

THEFLOWEROFLOVE

OnceSwamipaidavisittoDharmaKshetrainMumbai.TeachersandstudentsofBalaVikastheremadeexcellentarrangementtowelcomeHim.Studentssatinorderlyrows,eachofthemholdingarosetobeofferedtoSwami.Theirfaceswereglowinginhappyanticipation.Therewasasmallchildamongthem;hewastooyoungtobeadmittedtotheBalaVikasorganisation.Hewasneverthelessattendingclassesalongwithothermembers.Hehadalsolearnedseveralslokasbyheart.Ashewastooyoungtobeseatedinthefrontrow,theteachermadehimsitinarearrow.Hewasalsonotgivenarosetohold.Thelittleone'spainatbeingdiscriminatedshowedinhismoroseface.AshewaskeentopresentaflowertoSwamijustliketheothers,herequestedsomeofthemforarosebutreceivednone.

Swamiarrivedonthedot.HewalkedalongtherowsofboyswhowereholdingupflowerstoHim.HegentlytouchedeachflowerofferedtoHimandblessedeverystudent.Thelittle

childwaswatchingeachstepandeachgestureofSwamiasHeslowlymadeHiswayalong.Quietly,heslippedhimselfintothefrontrow.Swamiwasnownearinghim.Justatthatmoment,thechildchancedtoseeinfrontofhimatinyflowerofgrass.Hesnatcheditupandhelditinhishand.WhenSwamiarrivedrightinfrontofhim,heraisedhislittlehandsandmadehislovingbutuncommonofferingtoBhagavan.Swamismiledsweetly,acceptedthesimpleofferingfromthechildandsoftlypressedhistenderfingers.Inappreciationofthelittleone'sgesture,Swamipattedhimaffectionatelyandalsospokeafewwordstohim.WhileSwamimerelytouchedthefinerosesofferedbytheothers,HecarriedinHishandthehumblegrassflowerthelittlechildsolovinglyoffered.

Themeetingsthatfollowedlastedthreehours.Aftertheyended,Swamicameoutandblessedthosegatheredthere.ButthelittlegrassfloweroflovewasstillinBhagavan'shand,asfreshasitwasthreehoursback!BhagavanSriSathyaSainoticestheyearninganddistresslyingdeepintheheartofadevoteeandrespondstoit.

"SHEDATEARFORME"Thishappenedin1976.SwamiwasinBrindavan.Severalengineersweremovingallovertheplaceholdingsomeconstructionplansintheirhands.SriSathyaSaicameouttogivedarshantotheassembledgathering.TothestudentscrowdedaroundHim,Hesaid,"Mydearboys,Iamhavinganewhostelconstructedforyou.Itwillbeveryroomyandcomfortable.Itwillcomeupatalittledistanceawayatthebackofourcollegebuilding."

Speakingforallofthem,oneoftheboyssaid,"Swami,weare

quitecomfortablehere,quitesatisfiedandhappy.Wedonotwantanewhostel,Swami.ThisBrindavanisourhome."Swamiexplained,"Mydearboys,ifyouconsiderBrindavanasyourhome,that's

wellandgood.AndIamhappythatyouareadjustingyourselftoitandfeelingsatisfied.Allthesame,Iamunabletobearthesightofyoulittleboyscrampedforspace.ItisMydutytoensureyourcomfort.FoundationstoneforthenewhostelbuildingwillbelaidonthecomingThursday."Havingsaidthis,HemovedaheadtowardstheopenspacebeyondtheporticotoblessthosewaitingforHisdarshan.

Thefoundationstonelayingceremonywastotakeplacehardly48hourslater.Engineerswereverybusy.Butthestudentsremaineddissatisfied.Theydidnotknowwhattodo.WhenBabavisitedthehostelonthenextday,aboy,theyoungestofthemall,placedaletterinBaba'shand.Hereaditthroughandlovinglysmiledatthelittlefellow.ThenHesatonHisthroneandsentforthewarden.Whenhepresentedhimself,Swamigavethelettertohimandaskedittobereadaloud.Itreadasfollows:

"DearestSaiMother,

Our humblest salutation to Your Lotus Feet. Are Youdispleased with us? Are we disturbing the silence that ismostdeartoYou?Areweviolatingthecodeofdisciplineandbehavingwithoutduerestraint?Itmustbe.Otherwise,whywouldYoutrytosendusawayfromthebeautifulprecinctsof Brindavan?Why do You insist that a new hostel for usshouldbebuiltatafarofflocation?Brindavanisagraciousplace; it has brought Your sweet and protective love andcareveryclosetous.EvenGodswoulddesiretoenjoysuch

Withheart-feltloveandaffection,YourChild.

P.S. If You are determined, at any rate, to build the newhostel far away from Brindavan, kindly build also a newresidenceforYouandstayclosetous."

Asthewardenfinishedreading,therewasnotasingleboywithouttears.Inonevoice,theycried,"Swami,pleaseacceptourrequest."Bhagavan'sheartmeltedatthesight.HeimmediatelysentfortheChiefEngineerandconveyedthestudents'wish.Hedemurred,"Theseplanshaveallbeendrawnwithextremecare.Andnotmuchtimeisleftforlayingthefoundationstonetoo."ButtheboystoldHimwithonevoicethatonlyBrindavanshouldbetheirhome.Seeingthemoodoftheboys,SwamiindicatedtotheChiefEngineertohavetheplansredrawn.

FreshplansweremadelocatingthenewhostelwithintheBrindavanComplex.Onhearingtheexcitingnews,thechildrenwereinecstasy.Ontheappointedday,whenBhagavanSriSathyaSaiwasabouttolightthelampof'arathi',aboysaid,"Swami,Youaredoingsomuchforoursake.ButwehavenothingtooffertoYou."Swamireplied,"Happytearsaretricklingdownyourtendercheeks.ThatisallIwant.ShedatearforMe.WhatIdesiremostisonlyyourhappiness!"ThatnoblestructurewhichstandsnowintheBrindavanComplexisasweetmonument,enduringforalltimetoBaba'simmenseloveforchildren!

In1976,anumberofdeerfromtheadjoiningforestsofMudumalaistrayedintoBrindavan.AniceplaceoppositetotheThrayeewasprovidedforthem.Swamifedthemwith

applesandlookedafterthemwithlove.Oneday,asSwamiemergedoutoftheThrayeetogivedarshan,studentsrantohim.Atthesamemoment,inthegardenopposite,deertoowantedtobeclosetoSwamiandmoveduptoHimnearthewiremeshthatstoodaroundthegarden.

Babadrewtheattentionofadevoteestandingbytotheenchantingscenecomprisedofthelovingchildrenandtheequallylovingdeer.Hesaid,"Thesearetwo-leggeddear(deer);andthosearefour-leggeddeer(dear).Botharedeartome."

FLUDRIVENAWAYInfluenzaoncespreadlikewildfireintheHigherSecondarySchoolinPrashantiNilayam.Nearly200studentswereaffected.Aftertheeveningbhajanconcluded,SwamiaskedDrAlrejatopayavisittotheSchool.Thedoctorfoundabout200studentssufferingfromhightemperature,coughand

vomiting.Theinfectionseemedtobebeyondcontrol.Itwasthen8pm.Asthedoctormadehiswaybacktohisroom,hethoughtthatasSwami'sroomwouldbeclosedatthathour,hewouldreporttoHimnextmorning.At8.30pm,avolunteercametotellhimthatSwamiwaswaitingforhim.ThedoctorhurriedintoSwami'spresence.Babaaskedhim,"Iwaswaitingforyou.WhyhaveyounotcometoMeimmediately?"Thedoctorreplied,"Swami,bythetimeIreturned,itwas8pm.Ithoughtthatyourdoorwouldbeclosedbythathour.About200studentsaresufferingtherefromflu.Ifinditimpossibletoarrestitsspread.Iamafraid,atthisstage,nomedicinecanhelp.OnlyYoucansavethem!"

Nextmorning,Babavisitedtheschoolandthehospital.Hewalkedthrougheverysingleverandaandclassroom.HewentuptotheroofalsodespitethePrincipal'sprotestationsthatitwasnotproperlycleanedup.Swamithencalledforastainlesssteelbucketfilledwithwater.Hematerializedvibhuthiinimmensequantitiesandpoureditintothewater.Heaskedoneoftheteacherstocarrythebucketaroundandservethevibhuthiwatertoeveryteacherandeverystudent.Thediseasespreadnofurtherfromthenon.Withinaspaceoffourdays,everysinglepatientrecoveredfully.Swami'smedicaltreatmentisamazingandinscrutable.

SUPREMACYOFSPIRITUALLEARNINGWhatshouldwepraytoGodfor?Notforworldlywealthandenjoyment,notformaterialthingsandproperty,butforGodHimself!EveryblessingcomesbyitselfinthewakeofGod.ThelearningthatmakesmanyearnforGodisknownasspirituallearning.

SwamioncedescribedhowYashodhawentafterher

pranksterchild,Krishna.Yashodha,Hesaid,heldalumpofbutterinonehand.WhilesheshowedittoKrishnawithaviewtoenticinghim,shekepttheotherhandbehindherbackholdingastick.Whenthelittlechilddrewnearforbutter,shewouldgrasphimanddealacoupleofstrokeswiththestick.Thatwasherwayofputtinghererrantchildstraight.

BhagavanSriSathyaSai,reachesforusexactlyinthesamewaywithworldlylearninginHisopenhandbutholdsspirituallearningintheotherhiddenhand.BoysandgirlscomeeagerlyseekingadmissionintoHiseducationalinstitutions,collegesanduniversity.Swamireceivesthemandimpartsspirituallearningalongwithworldlylearning.Evenanordinaryindividualisgraduallyprocessedandrefinedinthismanner.Manbecomestrulywiseincourseoftime.Swami'sindescribablelovemakesitpossible.

InBaba'sseatsoflearning,childrenareeducatedfromkindergartenleveltopost-graduatelevelabsolutelyfreeofcharge.M.B.A,M.F.M,M.Tech.(Computers)courseshavealsobeenintroducedintheSriSathyaSaiInstituteofHigherLearning,adeemedUniversity.TheseareinadditiontonormalcoursesatBachelor'slevel(inArts,ScienceandCommerce)andMaster'slevelcoursesinArtsandSciences.Facilitiesareavailablefordoctoralstudiesaswell.Anumberofbig,neat,roomyandairybuildingshavebeenbuilt.Astate-of-the-artPlanetariumcostingcroresofrupeeshasbeeninstalled.InNovember2001,anewmusiccollegewasalsoopenedontheuniversitycampus.ThesearealltokensofBaba'sboundlessloveforchildren.Sidebysidewiththesesymbolsof'worldlylearning',Babaensuresthatthestudentsreceive'sprirituallearning'too.

"MYCHILDRENAREMYENTIREPROPERTY"On22ndNovember1981,thedaytheSriSathyaSaiInstituteofHigherLearningwasinaugurated,Swamiaddressedthestudents.Hesaid,"Studentsshouldbetherootsfromwhichwouldgrowtreesofpeaceandsecurityfortheworld.Mypurposeistowaterthoseroots.IamdedicatingMyselfineverywaytostudents.Ihaveimmensefaithinthem.YouaskanyonewhatpropertiesSaiBabaholdsinHisname.Youwillbetold,'Oh,Hehassomanybuildings,somuchlandandsoon.'Allthosepossessionsamounttonothing.MysolepropertyisnothingbutMychildren!"

Therearemanywhoareunabletounderstandthissimpletruth.Suchunfortunatepersonswhocannotimagineevenasinglemother'slovecannevergaugetheloveofathousandmothers.ThemostsublimequalityofSriSathyaSaiislimitlesspatience.Hesays,"CountlesspersonscriticizeMe.TherearemanywhocallMebyallsortsofnames.AllkindsofvilethingsarewrittenaboutMeinnewspapers.ThousandsofpamphletsarepublishedagainstMe.Ihaveonlyoneanswertoallofthem--Mysmile!

"Theseareallbutviciousreactionstowhatisindisputablygood.Stonesarehurledonlyatfruit-bearingtrees.Somepeopleareenviousandintolerantbynature.AsmoreandmoreSathyaSaiOrganizationsblossom,theirjealousytoogrowsbyleapsandbounds.Theyfabricatemorefalsestories,accusationsandgossip.Evenchildrenaredraggedintothesemaliciousactivities.

"Param-athmaSwaroopulara!(Oh,EmbodimentsofSupremeDivinity!),whattosayofthesesmall-mindedpersons,evenifthewholeworldunitesagainstMe,noharm

comestoMe.Myheartisalwayspure.Ihavenoselfishends.IhavenothingofMyown.ThisisMytruth.Onlycriminalsarebesetwithfear.Whyshouldaliondoingnowrong,beafraid?

"WhateverIdoisforthewelfareoftheworld(JagatKalyan),notforMyself.Iamawareofthisirresistibletruth,henceIameverinBliss,theunbrokenBliss!"

FROLICSOMEGODIn1983,studentsoftheSathyaSaiCollegearrangedascienceexhibitioninthekalyanamandapam(weddinghall)inBrindavan.SriGovindNarayan,thenGovernorofKarnataka,wasvisitingBrindavanforSwami'sdarshan.Bababroughthimalongtoseetheexhibition.Onshowwereseveralmodels,scientificdevicesandartifactsmadebystudents.Oneoftheitemswasapieceofalarmequipment.Arayoflightproceedsfromoneendtotheother;andifahandisplacedinbetween,analarmrings.AsSwamiwentroundandreachedthatequipment,thestudentwhohaddevisedit,toldhim,"Swami,pleaseputYourhandhereandthealarmrings."Swamididsobuttherewasnosound.Thestudentgotperplexed.Hesaid,"Justamoment,Swami.Somethingseemstohavegonewrong.Iwillsetitright."Hetinkeredwithitalittle,puthishandbetweenthetwoends,andsureenough,thealarmrang.Confidentnow,thestudentinvitedSwamitoinsertHishand.Hedidso,butagainthealarmdidnotring.Thestudentgotthoroughlyconfusedbynowandmumbledsomethingabouttheequipmentneedinganotherrepair.TheSwamitoldhim,"Itneedsnorepair.Iamnotthatkindofathiefforwhomyouhavedesignedthis;soquiterightly,thealarmdidnotring!"Hemovedon.Scienceisnot

capableofreachingSwami;Hetranscendsscience.

TOLERANCEManyyearsback,studentsinthePrimarySchoolinPuttaparthiusedtotaketheirdailymorningbathincoldwater.Swamifeltsadandthought,"ParentsofthesetenderyoungchildrenlefttheminMycarebecauseoftheirimmensetrustinMe.Poorfellows,theyhaveonlycoldwatertobatheineveryday."Thatthoughtsoonledtotheprovisionofsolarheaters,whichheatwaterusingSunrays.Innotime,theywereinstalledinthehostels.Students,teachersandthePrincipaloftheschoolwereverypleased.TheyprayedtoSwamitoinauguratethesolarheatingsystemandHeagreed.

Arrangementsforinaugurationweresooncompleted.Theequipmentwasconnectedtoatapbyarubbertube.WhenSwamiarrivesandturnsthattap,hotwaterwouldflowintoabucketplacedbelow.Theydidnothavetowaitlong;SwamiarrivedandHeturnedthetap.Unfortunately,therubbertubegotdetachedjustatthatmomentandtherewasaburstofhotwateronSwami'sfaceandHisgarments.Thesuddenandunforeseenmishapshockedeverybody.Therewasembarrassedsilenceallaround.Notahandmovedtocorrectthesituationastheonlookersstoodpetrified.Swamiunderstoodtheirmisery.Helaughedaloudtobreakthespellandsaid,"Look,theinauguralbathhasbeentakenbyMe!"Swami'slaughterandpleasantremarksbroughtrelieftoeveryone.Theirheartsbecamelightandtheycouldbreatheeasily.EveryonejoinedinSwami'slaughter.

Babaisever-merciful.Heknowsnoanger."MylifeisMymessage,"Hesays.Itisamessageoflove,compassionand

mercy.Thereisnoplaceforanger.

"BENEFITFROMCLOSENESSTOBABA"

OnceSwamiwasinKodaikanal.Sittinginhisroom,Hewaslookingoutatthecrowdswaitingoutsideforhisdarshan.SeveralstudentsweresittingatHisfeetaroundHim.Swamitoldthem,"Doyourealizehowfortunateyouare?ThousandsarewaitingoutsideforMe.Hereyouare,enjoyingtheprivilegeofservingatMyfeet.Butyoudonotknowhowfortunateandluckyyouare.IamgivingyouthisopportunitysothatyouwillbeclosetoMe.IfIfeellikeit,Icanwalkacrosstheskyfromonesidetotheother.IfonlyI

didthat,thewholeworldwouldbeatMyFeet.SeverallakhsofdevoteeswouldswarmtoMe.Butatthattime,notoneofyouwouldhavetheopportunityofbeingsoclosetoMe.ArmedguardswouldalwayssurroundMeformyprotection.Iassureyou,thosedaysarenotfaroff.BelieveMe,adaywillcome,whenyouwillbarelybeabletospotatinyredflashofMyrobes,fromalongdistance,thattoowithagreateffort.YouwillrealizeSwami'sglorywhenIwalkacrosstheskyfromoneendtotheother.So,asofnow,trytoderivebenefitfromeverysinglemomentofyourclosenesstoSwami."

Ononeoccassion,aprogrammeofsportswasorganizedintheHillViewStadium.Inauguratingthegames,Swamireleasedtwowhitepigeons.Asthegameswereunderway,Swamiandsomedistinguishedguestswatchedfromadais.Aftersometime,theynoticedthesamepigeons,earlierreleased,flyingintheskyacrossthedais.Swamiobserved,"Lookatthosebirds.Theyhavebeenwithusforalongtime.Therefore,theyhavebecomeincapableofadjustingthemselvestotheoutsideworldalthoughtheyhavebeensetfree."NodoubtSwamiwasthenreferringonlytothosetwopigeonsbutwhatHesaidthenappliestoallHisdearstudentsanddevotees.

CHAPTER12-THETEMPLESOFHEALING

YouwillunderstandMeonlythroughMywork,thatiswhysometimesinordertorevealwhoIam,IMyselfshowyouMy'visitingcard',somethingthatyoucallamiracle...Theyareneithermagicaltricksnorsiddhic(occult)powers,whichcancometoeverybodywiththeappropriatedisciplineandyogaexercises,butMypowerstoprotect,healandsavepeopleandmaterializeobjectsoriginateinGodandcanbeusedonlybyanAvatar.Theyareinnowaydesigned,disciplinedordeveloped,butflowfromcosmicpower.~Baba~

SUPERSPECIALITYHOSPITALSForthebenefitofthepoor,BhagavanestablishedinPuttaparthitheSathyaSaiGeneralHospitalin1956.Everyoneknowsthatthehospitalaswellasthedoctorstherearemereinstruments;therealdoctorisBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaHimself.TherearemanynumberofinstanceswhereBhagavanHimselftookoverandmiraculouslycuredpatientswhohadbeengivenuporcouldnotevenbediagnosedbydoctors.

ThenBhagavanwilledthataSuperSpecialityHospitalbeestablished,wheretreatmentcostingseverallakhsofrupeeselsewhere,wouldbegivenfreeofcharge;andthehospitalwouldbecomeanotherwonderoftheworld.ThedivineWillfructifiedinnotime.On22ndNovember1990,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabalaidthefoundationstoneandproclaimedthatexactlyoneyearlater,on22ndNovember1991,thehospitalwouldbeinaugurated.

TheSuperSpecialityHospitalwasdesignedbyaneminentarchitect,DrKeithCritchlow,DirectorofthePrinceofWalesInstituteofArchitectureinLondon.OnthesuggestionofIsaacTigrett,hecametoPrashantiNilayamandhadSwami'sdarshan.Swamigrantedaninterviewtohim,duringwhichHeexplainedtothearchitecttheintricaciesofdesigningthe

proposedhospital.ElaboratingwhatHehadvisualized,BhagavanpointedoutVasthu(theHinduscienceofarchitecture),planetaryandastrologicalaspectsthatneededtobeconsidered.TheengineerwasastoundedatthedepthandextentofSwami'stechnicalknowledge.HereturnedtoLondonandsetaboutdrawingupadesignaccordingtoSwami'sinstructions.Hewasnotsuccessful.Ontheadviceofafriend,heimaginedhimselftobeameretoolinBaba'shands;hesurrenderedhimselftotallytoBaba'smercy;heprayedearnestlytoBaba;andthenhestartedtheworkafresh.Hetookalongpieceofdrawingpaper.Fromoneendtotheother,inonesingleeffort,hedrewasketchofthehospital.Headdedonewardateachend,extendingoneithersideandbendingtowardsthemiddle,asthoughtwolovinghandswereextendedandthenclosedaroundtheobjectofthatlove,justasdirectedbySwami.Agroupofarchitectstookoveratthispoint.Theyworkedforthreemonths,seventeenhoursaday,fillingupeverydetailandcompletedallthedesignsandplans.TheysenttheentiresettotheconstructioncompanyinIndia,designatedbySwami.ButDrCritchlowhadhisowndoubts."EveninaverytechnicallyadvancedcountryliketheUSA,asuperspecialityhospitalofthiskindcannotbeconstructedinlessthansevenyears.HowthencanSwamibuildthishospitalinsixmonths?"hewondered.ArchitectsarrivedfromLondon.Theylaidthefoundationsanderectedconcretepillarsof3-4feetheight.WhenSwamiwenttoBangaloreinMay,thesearchitectsalsoleftthesiteandreturnedhome.On22ndMay1991,onhiswaytoKodaikanalfromBangalore,SwamitookCol.JogaRaoalong

andwenttothesitetoseehowfartheworkhadprogressed.Fromthatdaytothealreadyannounceddayofinauguration(viz.,22ndNovember1991),timeavailablewaspreciselysixmonths.Thestructurewastobeamajesticone;uptodatemedicalequipmentwastobeprocuredandinstalled;andathousandotherrequirementshadtobemetbeforethefacilitycouldbemadefunctional.Col.JogaRaosaid,"Swami,evenifweputthousandsofworkersonthisjobandmakethemworkdayandnight,canwecompletetheprojectby22ndNovember?Whataboutfunds...?"Swamiinterrupted,"Donotcreatewavesofdoubtandindecision.Swami'sWillisboundtobefulfilled."HethensummonedtheIndianengineer,Brig.Bose,andinstructedhim,"GettwothousandworkersthroughMessrsLarsen&Toubro,putthemonthejobandcompleteitontime."HeleftforKodaikanal.Brig.BosedidashewasinstructedbySwami.Helefttheentireburdenwhole-heartedlyonSwami'sdivineshoulders.Heengagedmorethantwothousandworkersdailyandensuredthatworkwentondayandnightwithoutintermission.Hiseffortsborerichfruit.Evenby15October1991,morethanamonthaheadoftheproclaimeddayofinauguration,themightybuildingwascompletedandhandedovertothemedicalexpertsforequipping.IsaacTigrettdonatedseveralitemsofmedicalequipment.TheGovernmentofIndiawaiveddutiesandtaxesandtransportedthemtoPuttaparthibyair.ToenablejetaircrafttoflytoPuttaparthidirectlyandunloadcargowithoutdelay,theSathyaSaiAerodromehadbeenupgradedanddesignatedasanInternationalAirportayearearlier.WithadonationofonecroreofrupeesfromJohnSinclairofthe

AmericanSaiFoundation,uptodateequipmentforcarryingoutbloodtestswasprocuredfromtheUSA.Itcanperform20differentkindsofbloodtestsinrespectof600patientsperhourandhanddowntheresultsforstudyandanalysisbydoctors.Itscomputercanstoretheresultspertainingtotenmillionpatientsandcandownloadanyinformationondemand.Finally,thegreatday,22ndNovember1991,arrived.InaccordancewiththedivineWillofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba,ontheveryfirstdayofinauguratingthehospital,asmanyasfouropenheartsurgerieswereperformed!Howwonderful!Whatamiracle!Thedayofinaugurationhadbeenannouncedinadvance,exactlyoneyearago.Sixmonthsback,therewereonlyuncultivatedagriculturalfieldsatthatspot.Withinaspanoffivemonthsandahalf,magnificientbuildingscameup;therarestandthemostmodernmedicalequipmentarriveddirectlyatthePuttaparthiairport;thehospitalwasdeclaredopenpreciselyonthedateannouncedayearpreviously;open-heartsurgerieswereperformedontheopeningdayitself.Isallthisbelievable?Expertsallovertheworldwereastonished.AnothersimilarSuperSpecialityHospitalhasbeenconstructedinBangalore.ThatisalsowiththeDivineSankalpaofBhagavanBaba.InNovember1999,anannouncementwasmadeaboutthehospitalandbyNovember2000,itwasreadyinfullswing.Inauguratingiton19thNovember2000,BhagavanSriSathyaSaistated:"Saiinstitutionsareeternal.Theywillservethepoorforever."

OnecannotbutstareamazinglyatBhagavanSriSathyaSai'sankalpaandhowHeexecutesit.Heoncedeclared,"MyWillisboundtobefulfilled.Evenifthefourteenworlds(CharhurdasaBhuvanams)jointogethertoopposeMe,theycannotpreventwhateverIWilltodo.NobodyhasthecapacitytocomprehendMydivinepower.NoneoftheGods,fromLordBrahmadownwards,cancomprehendit.Evenaten-millionthpartthereofismuchbeyondcomprehensionofthebrainiestman!"ThesesublimewordsofBhagavanshouldbecherishedbymankind.

POTENCYOFPRASADAMAcouplebroughttheirlittledaughter,sickwithhearttroubletoPuttaparthi.DoctorsattheSuperSpecialityHospitalfoundtwoorthreeholesinherheart.Asthecasewasconsideredanemergency,theydecidedtoperformopen-heartsurgerytheverynextmorning.Shewasimmediatelyadmitted.Thedistraughtfatherdecidedto

informBabaaboutthecrisisearlynextmorningandtoobtainHisblessings.Sohewentandsatintheaudiencehall.Theever-mercifulBabawasmovingamongthedevotees.Aboy,whosebirthdayhappenedtobeonthatday,broughttoffeesandofferedthemtoSwami.Babaacceptedthemandthrewhandfulsofthetoffeesamongtheseateddevotees.Onepiecelandedinthelapoftheheart-brokenfatheroftheheartpatient.HewasoverjoyedandaccepteditasSwami'sholyprasadam.Hetookittohisdaughterandmadehereatit.Alittlewhilelater,thepatientwasmovedinforoperation.ThedoctorstooklastminuteX-raysand,totheirconsternation,foundnotraceofanythingwrongwithherheart.Theydecidedthatsheneedednooperationanddischargedher.IsitpossibleforanybodytodescribeSwami'simmeasurableloveandmercyinwords?

WHOHASPERFORMEDTHESURGERY?AmansufferingfromanumberofailmentsgothisheartexaminedintheSuperSpecialityHospital.Hisconditionwasextremelydistressing.Doctorsfeltthathewasinnopositiontoundergothestrainofsurgicalinterventionandrefusedtodoanything.ThepatientbegantoprayferventlytoSwami.HeprayedtoBhagavanthatHeshouldsomehowgettheoperationdoneandrestorehimtonormalhealth.Bhagavanheardhisprayer.Hetalkedtothedoctorsandenquiredhowthisparticularpatientwasdoing.Theyexplainedthathewassufferingfromseveralcomplaintsandintheiropinion,wasnotafitcaseforoperation.Swamisaid,"Goaheadandperformtheoperation.Nothinguntowardwillhappen.Iwilloverseeit."Theoperationwasperformedand,totheutterdisbeliefofdoctors,itwassuccessful.Thedoctorsinformed

Himthattheoperationwasverysuccessfulandthatthepatientwasinanexcellentcondition.ItisausualpracticeattheSuperSpecialityHospitaltotakevideofilmsofoperationsperformedincomplicatedcases.Swamiaskedthedoctorstoviewoneofthosevideofilms.Theyweresurprisedwhentheydidso;theyfoundSwamiinseveralformsresemblingeachoneofthemaroundtheoperationtable.Relievedoftheirprideandego,theyrealizedthatitwasSwami,andSwamialone,whowasperformingoperationsandthattheywereonlyincidental,meretoolsinHisdivinehands.Withutterhumility,theybowedtotheLotusFeetofBhagavan.TheSuperSpecialityHospitalrapidlygrewfromstrengthtostrength.IthasDepartmentsofCardiology,CardiothoracicSurgery,Uro-nephrologyandOphthalmology.ThereisalsoaLithotripsyCentrespecializedinbreakingthestonesintheurinarytractwiththeuseofhigh-energywaves.Inthishospital,allkindsoftreatmentandsurgicaloperations,whichelsewherewouldcostlakhsofrupees,aredonetotallyfreeofcost.Itisacclaimedasoneofthewondersoftheworld!Speakingaboutthishospital,Swamisaid,"Herepatientsareevercheerful.Theirrelativesarealsohappyandcheerful.Doctorssmileastheyservethepatients.Nursescheerfullyattendtotheirduties.Thewholeplaceisfullofhappiness.SevaDalworkersarebusycleaningandpolishingthewardsandroomsspickandspan.Nofeesoranychargesofanykindareleviedinthishospital.Doctorselsewherewonderhowitispossibletoprovidemedicalfacilitiesofthishigh

ordertotallyfreeofcharge.Thereshouldbenooccasionforsuchwonderordoubt.Ajobdonewithapureheartsuffersnodearthoffunds."

WHYHOSPITAL,IFGODISHERE?TherearealwaysinveteratedoubterswhoquestionwhatistheneedforahospitalifGodincarnateisrightheretoattendtoeveryproblemofthedevotees.

BhagavanSriSathyaSaireferredtosuchdoubtsandsaid,"Somepeoplemightbequestioning:'SwamiiscapableofhealingthesickbyHismereWill;whythenisahospitalofthissizeandattendantparaphernalianeeded?'Letthemthinkalittlefurther.ThisoneisnottheonlyhospitalofMine.SupposethereisapersoninChennaiwhorunsaclinicorhospital.Hetreatshandicappedchildrenandhealsthem.HishealingcentretooisMine.Asamatteroffact,everysinglehospitalirrespectiveofwhereitstandsbelongstoMe.Iamoverseeingeveryoneofthem.Whygosofar?ThosewhopraytoMefromthebottomoftheirheartsseekingMyhelp,irrespectiveofwhotheyare,fromwhateverplacethey

pray,beithospitalorhomeoranyotherspot,irrespectiveofthelanguageinwhichtheypray,allofthemareMine.TheybelongtoMe.DonotconfineMetothefewacresoflandaroundPrashantiNilayam.WheneverapersonpraysearnestlyforPrashanti,thespotfromwherethepersonprayswillbecomeaPrashantiNilayam."Rememberanothersalientfact.Thishospitalhelpstoinculcatefaithinyou,toenableyoutorecognizedivinityandtocastawaydoubtsfromyourmind.Besideshealingthesick,ahospitalservesanotherpurposealso.Somepeoplehaveblindfaithinmedicinesandinjections.Itismydutytoprovidemedicalhelptosuchpersonsalso.TheirfaithinGodandHismercyisnotyetfirm.Ahospitalisdefinitelyneededtohelpthemtoo."

TOEACH,ADIFFERENTTREATMENT

Afewyearsago,DrSitaramayya,oneofthedoctorsinthehospitalinPrashantiNilayam,wasnotkeepinggoodhealthandwasbed-ridden.BhagavanBabawenttohisroomto

enquireabouthishealth.Hesatbyhisside,cutanapplyandfedhimwithHisownhandsandleft.SriKasturiwaswithSwamiallthewhile.Hethought,"Howblessedisthisdoctor?Evenillnesshasbroughthimsomuchgoodfortune!SwamiHimselfwalkedintohisroom,enquiredabouthim,cutafruitwithHisownhandsandfedhimpiecebypiece.HowmuchIwishIhadfallenill!"Sometimelater,SriKasturitoofellillwithpaininhisbackbone.Hecouldhardlymove.HehopedthatSwamimightvisithimtoo.ButSwamisentawordaskinghimtocometoHisroomimmediately.Painornopain,therewasnoquestionofdisregardingSwami'ssummons.So,SriKasturimadehiswaylaboriouslytoSwami'spresence.SwamigavehimabundleofNewYearcalendarsandorderedhim,"Takethesecalendarsanddistributethemyourself,oneforeachroom.Go."Withoutamurmur,SriKasturipickedupthebundle,wenttoeveryroomoneveryfloorofeverybuildinginPrashantiNilayamandcompletedthedistributionaccordingtoSwami'sinstructions.Seeinghisagony,somepersonsofferedtodotheworkforhimbuthedidnotagree.Theyrequestedtobeallowedatleasttocarrytheheavybundleforhimbuthedeclined.SriKasturilatersaid,"HowdotheyknowwhyIturneddowntheirkindlyoffer?"ThiswasSwami'streatmenttothepaininthebackboneofSriKasturi.

CHAPTER13-PARAMAMVICHITHRAMLEELAVIBHUTHIM

THEMIRACULOUSVIBHUTHIVibhuthi-"WhatImaterializeisamanifestationofDivinitywithapotentsignificanceaswellassymbolisation.ItissymbolicofthecosmicimmortalandinfinitenatureofallformsofGod.Atmaorthespiritiswhatisleftwheneverythingworldlyandtransienthasburntaway.Infirstplace,itissymbolicofthelife-deathcycleinwhicheverythingultimatelyreducesitselfasash.'Fordustthroughart,anduntodustshallthroughreturnest.'Ashordustisthefinalcondition.Itcanundergonofurtherchange.Inthespiritualcontext,itconstitutesawarningtotherecipienttogiveupdesires,burnallpassions,attachmentsandtemptationinthefiresofworship,whichmakesonepureinthought,wordanddeed.ItisasymbolofDivinity."~Baba~

VIBHUTHICANCELSCANCEROnceanadvocatearrivedatPrashantiNilayam.Hewasachronicsmoker.Cancerafflictedhisthroat.Doctorsadvisedsurgery,alongwithradiationandchemotherapy.HedesiredtoobtainSwami'spermissionbeforethecommencementofthetreatment.Onarrival,theever-mercifulBhagavaninvitedhimintotheinterviewroom.Askinghimtoholdhispalmstogethertoformabowl,Hematerializedandpouredalargequantityofvibhuthiintothemandaskedhimtoeatitall.Itwasdarkincolourandtastedlikebittergourd.Swamiaffectionatelycajoledandpersuadedandhelpedhimtofinishit.Aftertheinterview,themanwalkedoutandwentintothecanteenforacupofcoffee.Asheasatit,hiseyesfellonnearbypakodas(asavourydisk,crisplyfriedinoil).Unabletoresist,heateaplateful.Duetopaininhisthroat,hehadnotbeenabletoeatproperlyforalongtime,despitehiskeendesireandstrongtasteforfood.Butnow,henoticedthathecouldeatcomfortablyandrelishit.Hewassurprised.Withhisfinger,heprobedinsidehismouthatthecancer-affectedspot.Hefeltnopainatall.Herealizedthatthecancerhadgone.Hewasoverwhelmed.TearsfloodedhiseyesasherememberedBhagavan'smercy.WhenonthenextdaySwamicalledhimagainintotheinterviewroom,heexpressedhisgratitudetoSwamiandfellonHisfeet.HetoldSwamithathewasproficientinSindhiandbeggedtobepermittedtotranslateandpublishtheSindhieditionofSanathanaSarathi.Swamireplied,"ItisonlyforthatpurposethatIhavemadeyoucometoPuttaparthi."Fromthenon,theblessedpersonhasbeentranslatingandpublishingSanathanaSarathiinSindhi.

'DONOPOLO'

TRIBALLEADERSURRENDERSTOHIM

Beforeitsreconstitution,theregionnowcalledArunachalPradeshwasformerlyapartofAssam.Mostofitspeoplearetribals.TheyweredemandingaseparateStateforthemselves,andwerecarryingonguerrilawarfareagainsttheGovernmentofAssam.Thegovernmentmadeeveryefforttopleasethemandwinthemover.Itspentcroresofrupeesintheirterritoryondevelopmentprogrammes,hospitals,roads,schoolsandotherfacilities.Stillthetribalswerenotsatisfiedandcontinuedwiththeirseparatistdemand.Inthissituation,oneofthetriballeadersfellillwithanundiagnoseddisease.Thegovernmentgavehimplentyofmedicalassistance.ItgotmedicaltestscarriedoutinreputablehospitalsinCalcuttaandNewDelhi.Nothinghelped.Hewasnotabletoeatanythingatall.Whateverheusedtoeat,hewouldvomitit.Hisfriendsandrelativeslostallhope.SriRaja,HomeSecretaryinthestate,hadanideathatifthepatientcouldbetakentothedivinepresenceofBhagavanSaiBaba,itmighthelp.PermissionwassoughtfromtheGovernmentofIndia.Ultimately,agroupof29personsincludingtheailingtriballeadersetout,inthenameofall-Indiatour(BharatDarshan),andreachedPuttaparthi.Astheyseatedthemselvesintheaudiencehall,SwamiwenttothemdirectlyandaskedinHindi,"Whereareyoufrom?"TheSecretaryrepliedthattheywerefromAssam.Swami

saidinEnglish,"Goinside."Sotheyalltroopedintotheinterviewroom,walkingnodoubt,butalmostlikerunningintheirdelightandeagerness.Afterthepublicaudiencewasover,Swamicameintotheinterviewroom.Hematerializedvibhuthi,gaveittothetriballeaderanddirectedhimtoeatit.HesatonHisthroneandenquired,"Whatbringsyouhere?"TheSecretaryexplained,"Wehavecomeforyourdarshan.Thistriballeaderishavingsomestomachtrouble.Notreatmenthashelped.MedicaltestsconductedinCalcuttaandDelhifailedtoidentifythedisease.Heisunabletocontainanysolidfood.Asaresult,tribalpeopleofthatregionhavelostfaithinourmedicalsystemandproceduresandhospitals.Thismanisaprominenttriballeader.AndonlyYoucanhealhim."Swamiasssuredhim,"Don'tworry,hewillbefullycured."ThenSwamibegantotalktothetribalvisitorsintheirownlanguage.Hetalkedoftheirvillageandtheirenvironment.HementionedhowthevillagershadthoughtofbuildingatemplefortheSunGodandtheMoonGod.Ashetalked,Swamimaterializedanintricatelyengravedcircularcopperplate,nineinchesindiameter.Ononeside,theSunandontheother,theMoonwerecarved.HedrewtheirattentiontothedelicatecraftsmanshipoftheplateanddeclaredthatthetempleproposedtobebuiltwouldbecomeknownasDonoPolo(meaning,theSunandtheMoon,intheirtriballanguage).Hedirectedtheastonishedtribalstoinstallthiscopperplate(yanthra)inthetempleandtoworshipitregularly.HesaidthatworshipofGodisalwaysbeneficial.HeblessedthemwithvibhuthiprasadamandtheprivilegeoftouchingHisLotusFeet.ThetribalstookleaveofHimwithheartsoverflowingwithjoyandhappiness.

Theythenmadetheirwaytothecanteenforrefreshments.Theirleadersawsomewhitecircularpiecesoffoodandaskedthattheybeservedtohim.Thepiecesareknownasidli,ariceandblackgrampreparation.Hiscompanionswereafraidthatthissolidfoodmightcausevomitingorterriblestomach-acheasusual.However,sinceSwamihadgrantedhimdivineassurance,theyhesitatinglyallowedhimtoconsumeidli.Aplateofidlisandtheaccompanyingsaucewasfinishedbyhiminseconds.Relishingit,heconsumedanotherplateful.Whilehiscompanionswatchedinunbelievingastonishment,thismanwhohadnottastedanysolidfoodforseveralyears,ateidliafteridli,agood32ofthem!Thegroupfeltitwasmiraculousandenjoyedeverybitofit.Theleadertoldhisfriends,"Thisisnoordinaryman.Withalittlevibhuthi,hehascompletelycuredmewithinminutes,ofadiseaseIhadsufferedforyearsandyears.ThereisnodoubtthatheisGod-incarnate.Hetalkedofthetemple,DonoPolo,weareplanningtobuildforourfavouritedeitiesandcreatedthetwoimages.LetussurrendertoHimandstrictlyfolloweverywordofwhatHesaid."BhagavanSai'sdivinevibhuthihealedthetriballeaderinmoments.WhenwehearaboutthismagnificentepisodeandBhagavan'sloveandbenevolencesoreadilyandprofuselyshowered,wearemovedtobowourheadsinobeisancetoHim.

WONDROUSPOTENCYOFVIBHUTHIVibhuthi,thespecialtyofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba,notonlybestowsgoodhealthbutinawonderfulmannerfulfilsotherneedsalso.Pattersonwasaverysuccessful

businessmanofCanada.Hetravelsallovertheworldinconnectionwithhisbusiness.Ononeofsuchtravels,hecametoIndiaandmetDrBalaKrishna,sonofProfessorBhagavantham.DrBalaKrishnainvitedhimtohishome.Theresidencewasdecoratedlikeatemple.Inthemiddleofthepoojadais,therewasathroneonwhichabeautifulphotographofSwamiwasplaced.Pattersonwasquiteimpressedandenquiredwhosepictureitwas.

DrBalaKrishnatoldhimaboutBabaandHisdivinepowers,Hisloveandcompassion;andhowHeincarnatedinanswertotheprayersofdevoutandsaintlypersonsofeminence,forbringingaboutthedeliveranceofhumanity.AsPatterson

heardaboutBaba,hisinterestgrew.Healsofeltverypleased.HeaskedDrBalaKrishnaforsomethinglikeamementoortokensothatitwouldservetoremindhimconstantlyaboutSriSathyaSaiBaba.HeprobablyexpectedaphotographorpictureofSwami.ButDrBalaKrishnathoughtofsomethingmoreprecious.HefeltthatthebestmementoofSwamiwouldbeBaba'svibhuthi.So,hegavePattersonasmallpacketofit.Pattersonfeltsomewhatdismayedandasked,"Ashes?DoyougivemeashestoremindmeofthisgreatYogi?"BalaKrishnagentlyexplained,"Thesearenoordinaryashes.Itisdivinevibhuthi.Itispriceless,invaluable.IfyougetintosomeserioustroubleandyouthinkthatSwami'scompassionalonecansaveyou,putalittleofitinyourmouthandpraytoHim."PattersonreturnedbyairtoNewYorkviaLondon.Hewasgivenaseatamongwomenandchildren.Theyweremakingterribledisturbanceandnoise,andhefeltundulydisturbedandveryuncomfortable.AstheaircraftwasnearingLondon,hesuddenlyrememberedthepacketofvibhuthiandDrBalaKrishna'sdescriptionofitsvirtues.Heimmediatelyopenedthepacket,placedalittleoftheholypowderonhistongueandearnestlyprayedtoSriSathyaSai.HeaskedBabatoseethatheisprovidedamorecomfortableseatatleastonhisonwardjourneyfromLondontoNewYork.WhenhelandedinLondon,hewassurprisedtohearhisnameonthepublicannouncementsystem.Theannouncementmentionedhimbynameanddirectedhimtogototheairlineofficeimmediately.Whenhereachedthere,hewastoldthathewasallottedaseatintheFirstClassontheLondontoNewYorkflight.Hewasimmenselypleasedandofferedtopaytheextracharges.Theofficerondutytoldhim,toutter

surprise,thattheadditionalfarehadalreadybeenpaidonhisbehalf.Patterson'sheartleaped.JustbeconsumingalittleofBaba'svibhuthiandrememberingthenameofBaba,hecouldgetBaba'shelpinghadthousandsofmilesawayandhavehiswishfulfilled.HewasmovedbyBaba'smercyandlove.HowwondrousisthepotencyofBaba'svibhuthi!Itisnotonlytheholiestone,butalsoitcuresanyailment,howeverchronicitis,andithasthepotencytofulfillanydesireoftheardentdevotee.Whatamiraculousone.Let'sdailyuseitwithloveanddevotion.

ParamamPavithramBabaVibhuthimParamamVichithramLeelaVibhuthim

ParamarthaIshtarthaMokshaPradathamBabaVibhuthimIdamAshrayami

Ourhumblesthomagetothatembodimentofloveandcompassion.

DAY6:TUESDAY

CHAPTER14-DIVINEMIRACLESBEYONDBOUNDARIES

Whoeveryouare,youareMineIwillnotgiveyouupWhereveryouare,youarenearMeYoucannotgobeyondMyreach~Baba~

"Ipullthewiresofthispuppetshow.Whereveryoumaybe,rememberthatthestringattachedtoyourlegisinMyhand,"saidSriSaiBabaofShirdi.SriSathyaSaiBabaisdemonstratingthatHeisusingthestringstodrawpeopletoHisfeetlikedrawinglittlesparrows.

THEETERNALSAVIOUR

JOHNHISLOPANDTHEIMAGEOFJESUS

ThisisthestoryofDrJohnHislopofMexico.Eversincehissixteenthyear,hewasattractedtospiritualpursuits.Hewas

anearnestaspirant(sadhaka)whowasdeepluengagedinthesearchfortruth.HecameintocontactwitheminentpersonalitiesandspiritualthinkerslikeDrAnnieBesant,JiddhuKrishnamurthi,ParamahamsaYogananda,MaharshiMaheshYogi,SwamiSivanandaandexpertsintheBuddhistsystemofVipassana,andforyears,progressedinthepathofspiritualenquiryfollowingtheirguidance.Butattheendofitall,herealizedthatthesweetfountainofloveinhisWesternhearthadgonedryanditheldnownothingbutdreadfulemptiness.In1968,heheardforthefirsttimeaboutSriSathyaSaiBaba,camedowntoPuttaparthiandhadHisdarshan.AttheveryfirstsightofBaba,hesensedthatHewastherootofallspiritualwisdomandawareness.HeclearlyfeltthatGodHimselfhadenteredhisheartasloveandthatabidinglovewastrulyBaba.Asaresultofhiselevatingexperience,hecoulddeveloptherichinsightofviewingthewholeuniverseassuffusedwithlove.

OntheeveofSivaRathriin1973,BabatookHislopandsomeothersintotheBandipurforestinthedistrictofMysore.By

aboutnoon,theyreachedtheguesthouseintheforest.Atdusk,withthehelpofsomeforestdwellerswhoactedasguides,theywalkedalongdistanceuntiltheyreachedthesandsofamountainstream.Theysatinthesandbedoftheriverforrest.Swamipicketuptwosmallgreenbranchesofabush,placedoneacrosstheotherinHispalmandaskedHislopwhatitwas.Hislopsaiditwasthecross.Swamiclosedhispalmsoveritandgentlyblewthreetimesonit.WhenHeopenedHispalms,thecrossboretheimageofJesus!HegaveittoHislopandsaid,"ThisisexactlyhowJesusChristlookedatthemomenthegaveuplife.Itdoesnotlookatallasimaginedbypaintersorasdescribedbywriters.Hehadnofoodforeightdays.Hisstomachwasemptyanddrawninwards;hisbodybecamedryandhisribsbecameprominentlynoticeable."Hislopstaredatthecrossinspeechlesswonder.Babawenton,"ThiscrossisactuallymadeoutofthesamewoodoftheoriginalcrossonwhichJesuswascrucified.Ittookmesometimetosearchforandfindthat2000yearsoldwood.

Everybitoftheoriginalcrosshasdisintegratedandmergedwiththeconstituentelements.Ihad,therefore,togathertheseelements,andwhenIhadcollectedenoughtomakethiscross,Imaterializedit.TheimageofJesusasyouseeon

thiscrossisthesameastheoneatthetimeofhisdeath."Afterafewweeks,HislopandhiswifewentbacktoMexico.Astheimageonthecrosswasverytiny,thefacialfeaturesofJesuswerenotclearlyvisible.WalterWoolfe,oneofHislop'sfriends,tookseveralcolourphotographsoftheimageofJesus,partbypart,enlargedthemandmadealargerpictureoutofthem.Thefinishedpicturewasextraordinarilytouching,arousingboundlesskindnessandcompassion.Thephotographswereallarrangedonatablesoastorevealtheintricateandminutecarvingontheimage.ViewerswonderedatthecreativepowerofBhagavanSriSathyaSai.

Untilthatday,theskywasabsolutelyclearallalongtheMexicancoast.Butallofasudden,withoutanywarning,aterriblelightningflashedamidstdarkclouds.Strongwinds

gatheredspeedinafewmomentsandthreatenedtosmashthewindow-panes.Door-curtainswereflying.Inthemidstofthischaosthatdevelopedallofasudden,MrsHisloprecalled,"Itisnow5pmandto-dayisFriday,thesamedayandtimeofChrist'sdeathbycrucifixion.WhatishappeningnowbeforeourveryeyeshadbeendescribedintheBibletoo."SheproducedacopyoftheHolyBookandreadtherelevantsection,"AtthemomentJesusdiedonthecross,therewasagreatstormwiththunderandlightningfillingthesky.Thedecoratedhangingsofpicturesandphotographsonthewallintheroomflewaway."EveryonepresentthereinthehomeofHislopfeltdelightedatwitnessingaphenomenontoowonderfulfortheirimagination.Onthenextday,theSanDiegoTribunereportedtheheavystormthathadsuddenlyoccurredquiteunexpectedly.Hislopandhisfriendsfeltthattheremustbesomesortofrelationbetweenthesuddenrecurrenceoftheout-of-seasonstormthathadreportedlyoccurred2000yearsago,andthecross,materializedbyBhagavanSaiBaba.WhenDrPhanibandareportedthisincidenttoSwami,HeconfirmedthattheincidentshadactuallyoccurredandthattheyweretrulyrelatedasguessedbyHislopandhisfriends.

INDRADEVI

BornaRussian,IndraDevihadmasteredYogafromIndia.ShediscardedheroriginalRussianname,DrMrsKenauer,andassumedtheIndiannameofIndraDevi.SheusedtoteachYogainherashraminTecateinMexico.Whenshewas60yearsold,shehappenedtomeetHowardMurphetin

Madrasandheardfromhim,forthefirsttime,aboutSriSathyaSaiBaba.Shewasnotparticularlyimpressed.

Once,whileinMumbai,shehappenedtoseethetreatise,"BhriguSamhitha",whichwasinthepossessionofChayaSastryKanthilalPandya.Shelookedforandfoundwhatwaswrittenaboutherselfinthatbook.Sheread,"Becauseofthepunyamaccumulatedinyourearlierlives,youareabouttohavedarshanofsomeexaltedpersonage.Evenatthismoment,youareunderHisprotection."Theaccountfurtherclarified,"ExaltedpersonagemeansGod!"In1996,whenshewasinhersixty-sixthyear,shehadthedarshanofSriSathyaSaiforthefirsttime.Attheveryfirstsight,shedevelopedstrongfaithandbeliefinSwami'sdivinity.Swamigaveheraninterviewandaskedwhatshewoulddesiretohave.Shedidnotaskhimforworldlywealthorevensalvation.Shesimplyprayed,"Swami,pleaselightupthespirituallampinmyheart!"Swamimaterializedandgaveheralocketandvibhuthiand

assuredher,"Wheneveryouneedanything,askMe.Irrespectiveofthephysicaldistancebetweenus,Iwillhearyourprayer.Iwillalwaysbewithyou."ThereoccuredonceavastfireintheMexicanmountainsthatdestroyedthousandsofhousesandmanyacresofforest.ItwasfearedthattheconflagrationmightconsumetheSaiinstitutionsinMexicoandtheUSA.Unabletowithstanditsfury,manypeopleabandonedtheirhomesandpossessions,andfledfortheirlife.Travellingbycar,theyreachedthetopofamountainandtookrefugeinahouse.TheyspentfourhoursthereprayingtoSaiBaba.Thefireragedbelowthemallaroundthemountain.Afteritdieddownatlast,theyreturnedfearingtheworst.Totheirreliefandsurprise,theyfoundthattheSaiNilayamofIndraDeviwasunscathedeventhougheverythingarounditgotcompletegutted.TheunscathedNilayam,untouchedbyfirestoodinthePrayerHallremainedasbeautifulasever.TheyfeltthatBabahadpersonallystoodguardattheplaceandsafeguardedtheNilayam.Attheprecisetimethisdauntingfirewasraging,IndraDeviwasinChicagogivingadiscourseaboutBhagavanSriSaiBaba.Shesawtheravageandseverityofthefireontelevision.ShealsoreadinthenewspapersthatthefirehadoccurredquiteclosetoherSaiNilayam.Butshewasnotatallworried.Shethought,"ItbelongstoBhagavan.HewilldowithitasHewishes.IfitisHisWillthatitshouldburndown,soitwill!"Truetohersteadfastfaith,theinstitutionremainedabsolutelysafe.Afewdayslater,shereceivedaninvitationfromBabatocomeoverandinauguratetheWomen'sCollegeinAnantapur.Shecameallthewayfrom

Mexicoandparticipatedinthecelebrations.BeforesheleftforMexico,BhagavanmaterializedforheralocketbearingtheimageofGoddessLakshmi.Whilegivingittoher,Hesaid,"Thisisforyourhome.Thiswillprotectit.Hereafter,itwillneverbethreatenedbyhazardsoffire."WhenIndraDevicametoPuttaparthi,sheorganizedYogaclassesforthebenefitofschoolchildren.Babawaspleasedwithherservices.Hematerializedadiamond-studdedringforher.Shehadlongagogivenupwearinganyjewellery.Butshewouldwearthisring,shethought,provideditboreSwami'simage.Swamisensedherthought.Hetooktheringbackandgentlyblewonit.Immediatelyitchangeditsform.Now,itboreasmallstonewithSwami'simageonit.SwamiputitonherfingerHimselfandsaid,"Wheneveryouwish,youcanseeMeinthisring.Onlyyou,andnobodyelse,canthusseeMe.Whenyoulookintothisring,youwillfindMeexactlyasIhappentobeinIndiaatthatmoment,andyoucanseewhatIamdoing."IndraDeviwasonceinCalifornia.ShelookedintotheringandsawBabasittinginawhitecar.Sherecordedanoteinherdiary,"Swamiistravellingsomewhere."Onanotheroccasion,shefoundBabatalkingtodevoteesseatedinfrontofHiminasemi-circle.Thescene,shefelt,wasnotofPrashantiNilayam.Shenotedthatdetailtooinherdiary.Sometimelater,whenshecametoPrashantiNilayam,shecheckedupwithSriKasturiabouthertwovisions.HeconfirmedthatthefirstoneshowedSwamiwhileontour.IndraDeviquestioned,"ButSwami'scarisnotwhite?"SriKasturiclarifiedthatatthetimeofhervision,Swamihadindeedtravelledbyawhitecar.Thesecondvisionwasalso

explainedbySriKasturi.ithappenedinfaroffKerala.On21stNovember1970,inthecourseofthefourthAllIndiaConferenceoftheOfficeBearersofSriSathyaSaiSevaSamithisheldinPrashantiNilayam,IndraDevispokeinthepresenceofBhagavan.Inherspeech,shereferredtotheabovetwoincidents.SriKasturiquipped,"SoyouhavebeenspyingonBaba!"SaiBabaaswellastheentireaudienceburstintolaughter.IndraDevirenderedinvaluableservicetospreadSwami'smessageintheUSAthroughfilms,booksandlectures.Duringhercampaign,shefacedanunexpectedproblem.ThosewhoattendedhergatheringsbegantorequestforvibhuthimaterializedbySwami.OnhernextvisittoIndia,shementionedthistoSwami.Suddenly,abeautifulsilvercontainerwithalidmaterializedinSwami'shandasifsomeonehandeditovertoHimfromabove.Swamishowedittoherandsaid,"Thisisacontainerofinexhaustiblevibhuthi.Youmaydistributeanyamountofvibhuthifromthis;itwillneverrunout."Heemptiedtheentirequantityinitonapieceofpaperandgentlytappedit.Itgotfilledupagainwithfreshvibhuthi.AsHehandedoverthesilvercontainertoIndraDevi,Hedirectedhertousethevibhuthifromitforhealingthesick.Thereafter,wheneversickpersonscametoher,sheusedtotellthemaboutSwami'sgloryandgivethemsomequantityoftheholyashes.Thissimpletreatmentrestoredmanytosoundhealth.WhenIndraDevicametoPuttaparthifortheSivaRathrifestivitiesin1969,Swamiinvitedher,WalterCowan,hiswifeElsieCowanandsomeothersintotheinterviewroom.

Aftersomediscussiononspiritualmatters,Swamimaterializedabeautifulrosarycontaining108pearlsandshowedittothem.EveryonewasanxioustoseetowhomBabawouldpresentit.Babasaid,"Thisisnoordinaryrosary.Itisextremelypotent.Itcanhealeverychronicdisease.ThisisveryessentialfortheservicewhichIndraDeviisdoing."ThepreciousrosarywaspresentedbyBabatoIndraDevi.Shewasintearsofjoy."Swami,willithealanyandeverydisease?",sheasked.Babareplied,"ExceptthosecausedbyevilKarma(deeds)inheritedfromearlierlives,ithealseverydisease.EvenIwilldonothingforthosewhosufferfrominheritedKarma."AttendanceatthebhajansinIndraDevi'sYogaCentrebegantogrow.Manyofthemusedtopresshertoinitiatethemintosomesacredmanthra.Unabletocopywithsuchinsistence,shetookherproblemtoSwami.Headvisedher,"ThemostpotentofallmanthrasisOM.But,asyouknow,itcannotbegiventoanyandeveryperson.Whensomeoneasksforinitiationintomanthra,lookatMeinyourringandaskMe.Whatevermanthracomestoyourmindatthatmoment,givethattotheseeker.ItshallbecomethemanthracomingfromMe."Withthesewords,Hegrantedherthespiritualauthorityandcompetencetoinitiatedevoteesintoholymanthra.IndraDeviwasblessedthriceover.Firstly,shewasblessedtobeabletohaveSwami'sdarshananytimeofherchoice.Secondly,shewasblessedwiththepowertohealthesick.Andthirdly,andmostimportantly,shewasblessedwiththespiritualauthoritytoinitiateaspirantsintomanthra.Shecouldthuscontrolthephysicalwell-beingaswellasspiritualprogressofdevotees;andshehadalsotheadditional

privilegeofaccessingBhagavanatwillonher"spiritualinternet,"ifwemaysodescribeit!ItisworthyofnotthatSwamihasnotgrantedevenoneofthesethreeblessingstoanyotherperson!

DRFRANKBARONOWSKI

DrFrankBaronowskiwasaprofessorofphysicsintheUniversityofArizona,USA.Heacquiredspecialskillsinthekirlianphotography-bio-magneticfieldradiationphotography-forphotographingthemulti-colouredauraofilluminationthatenvelopseverylivingbeingincludinghumanswithaspecialcamera,knownasthekirliancamera.Thecolour,contrast,intensity,breadthanddepthaswellasbrightness,varyfrompersontoperson,andalsowiththebodilyhealthandintellectualandspirituallevelofthesubject.Whileitmaybeaboutafootdeepforordinary

persons,itcouldextendtoeventwofeetallaroundinthecaseofgreatthinkers,yogisandspirituallyevolvedpersons.Thisauracomprisesluminosityofinnumerableshadesofcolour.Whenthepersonisquitehealthyandcheerful,itwillbewhite.Whenheisinamoodofaffection,pityorcompassion,itwillbebluish.Whenthemoodisofintenselove,thecolourturnsrosy.Inangerandhatred,itbecomesred.Moreover,thisilluminationisnotordinarilyvisibletothenakedeye.Oneinamillionmighthavethegiftofseeingit.Butwiththekirliancamera,theauracanbeclearlyphotographed.Infact,eventhechangingmoodofthesubjectcanalsobeseeninsuchpictures.DrBaronowskiusedthekirliancamerafortakingphotographsofaurasofthousandsofworldleaders,kings,queens,holypersonsandreligiousheads.Hedidnotcomeacrossanypersonwithauraexceedingtwototwo-and-ahalffeetinbreadth.DrBaronowskihadreadsomebooksaboutBabainAmerica.HeheardaboutHisdivinity,buthedidnotformanyfirmfaithinHim.OntheChristmasdayof1977,hehappenedtovisitacertainhome.Membersofthatfamily,beingSaidevotees,werecelebratingChristmassingingSaibhajans.Notquiterelishingit,heremovedhimselftoaroomontheupperfloor,putoutthelightandwenttobed.OnatableintheroomwasstandingaphotographofSriSathyaSaiwithanunlightedcandleinfrontofit.Evenashewaslookingatit,therewasalittlecracklingsoundandthecandlesuddenlyburstintoflame.Nobodyhadcomein;noonelightedthecandle.Howdiditgetlighted?Hewassomewhatpuzzled;andheonceagainlookedatthephotographandsawSwamismilingathim!

Theverynextyear,thatis,in1978,DrBaronowskicametoIndiatoparticipateinaconferencebeingheldinBangalore.Hemadeuseofthatopportunitytotravelalloverthelandandtophotographwithhiskirliancamerahundredsofyogisandholypersons.Innocasedidtheauraexceedtwofeetinbreadth.Onemorning,hesawSwamiforthefirsttimeinWhitefieldearlyat5am.WhenheseteyesonBaba,hewasstunned.TheeffulgencearoundSwamiwasbeyondhiswildestimagination.Itextendedbeyondfortyfeet!Asdevoteeswentonsingingbhajans,itwasspreadingfurtherandfurther,envelopingthewholebuildingandthethousandsofdevoteesgatheredthere.ItwassobrightthatBaronowskilookedallaroundHimtocheckupwhetheritwascausedbythenumerousmercuryvapourlampsaround.AsSwamimoved,theshimmeringenvelopeofluminescencealsomoved,likealiving,vibrantsheath.HeconcludedthatitmustbeintegraltoSwamiandmustbeemanatingfromHimonly.Summerclasseswerebeingconductedatthattime.So,BaronowskicouldwatchSwamicontinuouslyforthreetofourdays.Oneday,Swamicalleduponhimtoaddressthegathering.Baronowskidescribedhisunparalleledexperience,"Iamascientist.IambasicallyaChristianbutmyfaithinthatreligionisnotparticularlyintense.Bymeansofthiskirliancamera,Iinvestigated15,000eminentpersonsineverywalkoflifeallovertheworld.ButhereIhavediscoveredsomethingInevermetwithanywhereelse.TheilluminationradiatedbyBabaisofaspectacularrosycolour,

whichischaracteristicofthemostintense,thedeepest,andthemostselflesslove!WhatisalsouniqueisthatHisauraspreadsandsubmergesnotmerelythisaudiencehallbutfarbeyond,asfarasIcansee,likeafloodoflight.Itisengulfingeverything.Thisrosyluminescenceisalsodisplayingsilverandgoldstreaks,intenselybrightandperfectlyclear.Hereisafantasticspectacle,whichIhaveneverencounteredtillnow.Swamiisthefullembodimentoflove(SampoornaPrema-Moorthi).WhenSwamicomesnearusandtouchesus,thateffulgenceisflowingintousalso;wearegettingimmersedinthatmightystreamofetherealglow.Swamiisthewalkingpersonificationoflove!AsIamspeakinghere,youwillnoticethatmybodyisshivering.Don'tyousee?Butthisshiverisnotbecauseoffear.Thesupra-humanaurathatsurroundsHiminindescribablegloryissomovingthatmybodyisshiveringuncontrollably!"SwamimaterializedadiamondringandgaveittoDrBaronowski.Healsogavehimthemuchsoughtafterinterview.Swamispokeabouthismonths-oldgrandsonandtoldhim,"ThedayyoureturntoAmericaandreachhome,yourgrandsonwillbesubjecttoasurgery.Don'tworry;theoperationwillbesuccessful.Thebabywillberestoredtocompletehealth."SwamitoldallthisonHisown.DrBaronowskimadenomentionofthebabyatall.However,hedidnotpaymuchheedtoBaba'swordsaboutthechild.Hewasawarethatdoctorshadsaidthattheoperationcouldbeperformedyearslaterafterthebabygrewup.Hewasthereforesurprisedtolearnonreachinghomethatthebabyhadindeedbeenoperateduponthatveryday.ThedoctorwhoperformedtheoperationwasanIndian.DrBaronowskitoldhimallthathehadexperiencedinPuttaparthiand

showedhimthediamondringpresentedbySwami.AsSwamihadassuredhim,thebabysoongotwell.DrBaronowskiwassurprisedatSwami'ssarvajnathwa,(totalawarenessofpast,presentandfuture).Infact,DrBaronowskiwasthediscipleofUlfMessing,aRussianphilosopher.Ulfgotinterestedinspiritualaspectsoflifeevenataveryyoungageandattheageof15,hebeganhissearchforspiritualknowledge.Intheprocess,hecametoIndiain1936andwastravellingonatraintoAnanthapur.AttheKamalapurrailwaystation,hewasamazedtoseetheyoungSathyaSaiBaba,whowasbarelytenyearsold.ButUlfnotedtheunfathomableauraaroundtheboy,andexclaimed,"whatadivinepersonalityheis!"UlffollowedyoungSathyamtohishome,butcouldnotmeethim.OnhisreturntoRussia,Ulfsetupatrainingcentretotrainyoungpeopleintheuseofkirliancamera,andbeforehisdeath,askedoneofhisstudents,DrBaronowskitogotoIndiaandstudySaiBaba.DrBaronowskiwasamplyblessed.HewasgiventheunusualopportunitytoinvestigateSwami'sdivinepowerwithhisscientificequipment.Andfullyconvincedbywhathefound,heproclaimedthesametothewholeworldwiththedeepestconviction.

DRART-ONGJUMSAI

Itwasaround1945.TheSecondWorldWarhadnotendedyet.BhagavanSriSathyaSaimaterializedHimselfinfrontofahouseinBangkok.Hecalledtheladyofthehouse,gavehersomevibhuthiandtoldhertosprinkleitallovertheroofofherhouseanddisappeared.Hespokeinherownlanguage.Shesawthatthepowdergiventoherlookedlikewhitesand.

ShedidnothoweverdisregardHiswordsandsprinkleditallovertheroofofherhouse.Withinafewminutes,anairraidtookplace.Allhousesintheneighbourhood,excepther's,weredestroyedwithbombsbombardingallover.Art-ongJumsaiNaAyudhyawasayoungboyinthefamily.Induecourse,Art-ongbecameastudentofscience.HeobtainedadoctoratedegreefromtheImperialCollegeofScienceandTechnology.HeworkedasanadvisertosomeMinistersinhiscountry.Herosehighintheprofessionalechelon.

In1971,NASAoftheUSAadvertisedforthepostofascientistinconnectionwithitsprojectofsendinganunmannedspacevehicletoexploreMars.Art-ongappliedandgotthejob.Theprojectwastolandavehiclesafelyonthesurfaceoftheplanet,overcomingallodds,andtocollectmaterialfromtheplanet'ssurfaceforinvestigationinNASA.Art-ongwasgiventhetaskofplanninganddesigningtheequipmentneeded.

ArrangementsweremadetobuildamodelofMarsinthelaboratorywithsimilarcharacteristics,amodeloftherocketandthesurface-landerandtocarryoutinvestigations.FundsrequiredfortheentireprojectweretobeprovidedbyNASA.Inafewmonths,Art-ongwasabletodeveloptheneededequipmentthatwastobetestedinthelaboratory.But,ashadearlierbeenfeared,thelandingunitburnedoffassoonasitenteredtheMartianatmosphere.Aftersomemoremonths,Art-ongbuiltanotherbutthattoometthesamefate.Itwentonforseveraltimes.Thewholeprojectseemeddoomed.Enormousoutlaysofmoneywenttowaste.PoorArt-ongdidnotknowwhattodo.Hefeltterriblydepressed.Finally,hecouldmakeasuccessfulone.Itsuccessfullycompletedlaboratorytestswithoutanyhitch.Alife-sizerocket,whichwasnamedViking,wasreadiedandinduecourselaunched.ItwassuccessfulandsamplesofmaterialsfromtheMartiansurfacecouldbeobtained.Art-ongrealizedthatmorethanhisownefforts;itwasan"invisiblehand"thathelpedhiminhissuccess.Followingthis,heabandonedthepursuitofscienceandbusiedhimselfwiththesearchforGod.Togetherwithhismother,hecametoIndiaandarrivedinWhitefield.BhagavanaskedArt-ongtoworkintheSathyaSaiOrganizationsandspreadspiritualeducationlinkedtohumanvalues.Soonenough,somedramaticeventshappened.Art-ongwastotallyengrossedinSwami'sactivities.HehadnotimetolookafterhisownfactoryinBangkok.Oneday,thesecurityguardwassleepinginhisroomatitsentrance.Hehadboltedthedoorfrominside.But,despitethat,BhagavanSriSathya

Saienteredtheroom,wokehimupandbadehimtoattendtohisdutyproperly.HespokeintheThailanguage.Theguardwhounderstoodhisinstructionswellenough,couldnotimaginehowthisstrangercouldentertheroomeventhoughitsdoorhadbeenboltedfrominside.Nextdaytoo,thesamethinghappened.Whentheheadofthefactory,Art-ong,arrived,thesecurityguardtoldhimeverythingthathappened,apologisedforhislapseandaddedthatthewholeincidentwasquitebafflingandinexplicable.HethennoticedthedecoratedphotographofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiinArt-ong'sroom.Hetoldhismasterthatitwasthissamepersonwhoenteredtheguardroominthenightandalertedhim.Afewdayslater,Art-ongarrivedatPrashantiNilayam.Bhagavanwasgivingadiscourseontheneedforlinkingeducationalsystemswithhumanvalues.InthemiddleofHisdiscourse,HeinvitedArt-ongtothedaisandtospeak.Inhistalk,Art-ongdescribedhisgreatexperiencesandhowSwamihasbeenkindtohimwithHislovingcareandaffection.Fromthatdayonwards,DrArt-ongJumsai,thedistinguishedscientist,hasbeenfulfillinghimselfthroughservingthedivinemissionofBhagavan,disseminatingthenectar-sweetspiritualpreceptsofSwamiintheWest,withreneweddedicationandwithstrongerfaith.In1998,DrArt-ongstartedtheInstituteofSathyaSaiEducationinBangkoktopropagatetheideasofSriSathyaSaiEducationinHumanValues.TheInstitutehasorganizedaninternationalconferenceinSeptember2000on'StrengtheningValuesEducation'inPrashantiNilayam,inwhich650educatorsfromasmanyas78countriesoftheworldparticipated.

Swamiblessedseveralparticipantsnotonlywithvaluablediamondringsbutalsowithseveralinspiringaddresses.

"BEHAPPY;THATISTHEONLYTHINGIASKOFYOU"

JohnSinclairwasamultimillionairebelongingtotheStateofConnecticutintheUSA.Atonestageofhislife,hewascaughtinamazeofbusinessproblemsthatdestroyedhismentalpeace.Onenight,ashesatinhisroom,heprayedtoGod,"Idonotknowwhereyouareandwhatyoulooklike.Ionlyknowonething,thatis,thatyoudoexist!Pleasehelpme."Heprayedmostearnestlyandintotalsurrender.Fromthenon,hebegantonoticethatGod'sinvisiblehandwasprotectinghim.Oneday,hefelthenoticedsomeonewalkingthroughtheinnerhallinhishomebetween2amand3am.Hestaredsteadily.Thepersonstoodunmoving.JohnSinclairdidnotunderstandwhohewasandwhatwashetherefor.Buthecouldrecognizethatheexperiencedsomevaguesenseofhappinessandjoythatwasindescribable.Inasimilarmanner,hehadthesamevisiononanothernight.Hewassurethatitwasnodream;itwasstarklyreal.SinclairwenttotheSpiritualCentre(adhyathmicKendra)inNewYorkandmentionedhisrecentexperiencestosomeonethere.Thepersonsaid,"Justaminute,please;"wentinsideandreturnedwithasmallpacketofvibhuthiinhishandandashegaveittoSinclair,uttered,"SaiRam."HealsospokeatlengthaboutBhagavanSriSathyaSaiandassuredhimthatitwasSwamiwhohadgivendarshantohim.Sinclairwasdeeplytouched.HewasbutamerebusinessmaninfaroffAmerica;hisknowledgeofanythingspiritualwasnextto

nothing;hehadnotreadevenasinglebookaboutSriSathyaSaiBaba;yettheLordhadvisitedhishomeinpersonandgranteddarshantoaninsignificantpersonlikehim!Inhismind,hefellattheLotusFeetofSwamiatthatmoment.HisheartbeganyearningforBhagavan'sgrace,andforBhagavan'slove.Verysoon,itgrewandassumedunbearableintensity.AsaconsequenceofthatunbearableyearningtoBabaandalsoBaba'scompassion,SinclairsetoffforPrashantiNilayam.Onarrival,Swamiinvitedhimintotheinterviewroomandsaid,"Icametwicetoyou!"SinclairstaredatSwamiinbewilderment.Swamicontinued,"Ihavedonealotforyou.Ihavegivenplentytoyou.Eventhenyouhavenopeace.Whydon'tyoudosomethingforSwami?"WhenheheardSwami'swords,SinclairwaspreparedtogivewhateverSwamiaskedfor.Hesaid,"SurelySwami,mostcertainly."Swamismilinglytoldhim,"Behappyalways.ThatistheonlythingIaskofyou!"SinclairwasstunnedtohearwhatSwamidesiredofhim-nothingbuthisownwell-being!SpeakinginthemagnificentPoornaChandraAuditoriumontheauspiciousGuruPoornimadayin1993,Sinclairsaid,"WhenIwasayoungboybeingbroughtupasaChristian,IusedtofeelmiserablethatIwasborntwothousandyearsafterthedepartureofJesusChrist.Someonehastrulyheardmycryofagony.HereissittingthatveryGodwhohadsentJesustous!"Sinclairalsorecountedacoupleofmiraculousincidents."AfewmonthsbeforemyarrivalinPrashantiNilayam,Ihadtomakeabusinesstriptoanotherplace.ItoldmywifethatI

wouldpilotmyhelicoptermyself.Shetriedtodissuademe,'yourmindisverymuchdistractednowadaysbecauseofyourbusinessproblems.Whydon'tyouengageaprofessionalpilot?SathyaSaiBabaistoobusytositwithyouallthetimetoprotectyou,asifHeweretoprotectyouonlyallthetime.Hehasgotfartoomanypeopletolookafter.WhydoyouwasteHisprecioustime?'Itoldher,'IamaqualifiedA-Classpilot.Whydoyoudoubtmyflyingskills?'Ipilotedmyownhelicopter.Butasfearedbymywife,theengineofthehelicopterfailedontheway.Thehydraulicsystemgaveway.IlostcontrolofthecraftandIknewthatdeathwascertain.IpulledoutSwami'sphotofrommypocketandlookedatit.Thenextmoment,IfoundSwamirightinthehelicopter.Hepiloteditskillfullyandlandeditsafelyontheflankofahill.Heopenedthesidedoor,pulledmeoutcarefully,pushedthehelicopterawayanddisappeared.ThatishowBhagavanhasbeensavingme,timeaftertime,drawingmecloserandclosertoHisLotusFeet."Iwillnowdescribetoyouamoreastonishingincident.ThatwomanwhoissittinginthefrontrowhereinthisgatheringisMarleneSinclair.Sheisanexperthorserider.Sheacquiredafinehorseandrodeitandalsotraineditforcompetitions.Once,shewasridingfastintheridingcourseandtriedtoclearahighwall.Unfortunately,thelegsofthehorsehitagainstthewall.Thatgirlwasthrownoffhersaddleandherheaddashedagainsttheground.Andthe1800-poundheavyhorselandedonher."Ittookafull45minutesbeforethegirlwasadmittedintheemergencywardofahospital.Igotthemessageonphone

andrushedthere.ItookoutthesmallpacketofvibhuthifrommypocketandasIappliedittothewoundsonherface,Isaid,"ThisisjustliketheHolyWaterofChristianity."Ialsoputalittlequantityinhermouth.WhenIwenttoseeheronthenextday,therewasnotasinglewoundonherface.Threemonthslater,shehasfullyrecoveredandresumedriding.Butthestorydoesnotendhere."Intheinterviewroom,SwamilookedatMarleneandasked,'DidInotrescueyoufromparalysis?'Shesaid,'Yes,Swami,yes,Youdid.'Aftertheinterview,IaskedMarlene,"WhatisitthatSwamiaskedyou,andwhatdidyouanswerHim?'Shethentoldme,"Onthatdayofmyaccident,Ilostaneye.Whenthehorselandedheavilyonme,Iwasparalysedononeside.AsIlayintherainhelpless,apersonstoodbymysidewatchingme;whenIwasbeingtakenbyambulancetothehospital,hewasbymysideinthevehicle;intheemergencywardtoo,hewasbymysideallthetime;healsokeptvigilconstantlyonmethroughoutthenightatthehospital.ThatpersonisnoneelsebutthisSaiBaba!Hemademyeyeallright;andhehealedmyparalysis,too.Onlythendidhemoveoutofthehospital.'Eventhoughthisincidenthappenedseveralyearsago,IdidnotknowaboutitalluntiltheconversationbeganbetweenBabaandherintheinterviewroom.ThisisanexcellentinstancetoshowthatSwamiismuchmoreintimatethanevenone'smotherandfather."MySwami,Ihavefullfaithinyou.Itotallysurrendermyselfatyourfeet!"concludedSinclair.

JAGADEESAN

HewasworkingasDeputyDirector-GeneralintheIndustrialDevelopmentAuthority,GovernmentofMalaysia.WheneverhespokeaboutSwami,heusedtobecontemptuous,maliciousandvile-tonguedincriticisingHim.HisnameisJagadeesan.Once,itsohappenedthatJagadeesanwenttothehomeofhismother-in-law.HesawSwami'sphotographinherroom.HewasvirulentinhiscondemnationofSwami.Fortwolonghours,heriledandrantedandfinallysaidtothepicture,"Ifyoureallypossessallthosedivinepowersasclaimedbythesepeople,showmeproofthereof.OnlythenwillIbelievethesefairytales."HedidnotrealizethathehadliterallythrownachallengetoBhagavanBaba.Nosoonerhadhesaidthesewords,thenvibhuthiappearedonthatphotograph,thepicturethathadprovokedhisire.Hefeltasiflightninghadstruckhim.Herealizedthatinthisworldofscientificthought,therewassomethingtranscendingscience,somethingincomprehensibletoscience.Fourmonthslater,JagadeesanvisitedIndiaandtravelledtoPrashantiNilayam.Intheaudiencehall,Swaminearedhimandgentlymovedhislovinglips,"Malaysia?"SurprisedandwonderinghowSwamiknewthathecamefromMalaysia,heanswered,"Yes,Sir."Swamiinvitedhimintotheinterviewroom.Jagadeesanwasnow32,butsomehowfeltasifhewasaboyofsevensittingwithhisfather.ThefatherlyaffectionandloveofSwamimeltedhisheart.Copioustearsfloweddownhischeeks.HehadbelievedinSwamionlyforamerefourmonthsnow.Earliertothat,hehadnothingbututtercontemptforHim.Hisvilenessduringthatdarkperiodwashangingheavyinhisheartandhecouldnolongerhidehis

misery.Hedecidedtomakeacleanbreastofit."Swami,"hecried,"pleaseforgiveme.Tillfourmonthsago,Ihadneverbelievedinyou."Bhagavanshookhisindexfingerfromlefttorightandagaintoleft,andsmilinglysaid,"Ha!Ha!Youwerenotamerenon-believer,youstronglyopposed;youwereastrongopposition!"Jagadeesancollapsedingriefandshame;hefellatBaba'sLotusFeetandbeganliterallyweeping.Swamiheldhisshoulderandslowlyraisedhim."Don'tcry,Bangaru,don'tcry.Swamiknowseverything!"Nowadays,atSwami'ssuggestion,heisfunctioningastheCentralCoordinatorfortheSathyaSaiOrganizationsintheEastandfulfillinghisdestinyintheserviceoftheSaiSpiritualMission.

MALA,VIKSHEPA,AVARANA

InoneofHisdiscourses,Swamipointedoutthatmanisgiftedwithintelligenceanddiscernment.Yet,heisnotabletorecognizehisTrueSelf.Thereasonforthis,saidSwami,isthecumulativeeffectofthedeeds(karma)doneinpreviouslives.Becauseofgooddeeds,(Sath-Karma),onetakesbirthasahumanbeing.However,ifinthishumanbirth,apersonindulgesindoingevil,likeadultery,thievery,untruthfulnessandsoon,theconsequencestoowillbeevil.Theseareofthreetypesofevilnature:Mala,Vikshepaandavarana.TheseobscurethespiritualvisionofmanandpreventhimfromrecognizingthegloriousformofhisownTrueSElf(Swa-SwaroopaJnan).SwamithenproceededtoelaboratewhatMala,Vikshepaandavaranamean.

Malaisthecumulativeeffectoftheevildeedsdoneduringpreviouslives.Asaninstanceinpointhereisastory.Adiamondmerchantwasgoingonabusinesstrip.Hetravelledonhorse-backandasherodefast,hisbagcontainingdiamondsdroppedonthegroundunnoticed.Twofriendstravellingbehindhimfoundit.Atthesightofthepreciousdiamonds,avaricetookholdoftheirminds.Eachwantedtograbitforhimself.Whiletheyoungeronekeptwatchoverthebag,theotherwentsearchingforfood.Ontheway,hegotanotherviciousidea-toeliminatehisfriendaltogether.Accordingly,hemixedpoisoninthefoodmeantforhisfriend.Hecamebackandtoldthewaitingfriend,"Dearyoungerbrother,haveyourmealfirstandwhileyoueat,Iwillkeepwatchonthegems."Theyoungeronehadhisownplans.Astheelderonebentover,theyoungerbrotherdealtasavageblowonhisneckwithaheavysword.Jubilantthathewasnowthesolemasterofthegems,heatehisfoodwithrelish.Butasithadbeencontaminated,hetoodiedofpoison.Althoughthetwofriendsdidgetholdofthepreciousdiamonds,theycouldnotderiveanybenefittherefrom.Itis'Mala'thatledthemtoevilconduct.Therootcauseof'Mala'isevilthoughtandevildeed,whichcanbedestroyedonlythroughincessantlyrememberingandthinkingofGod.Thereisnootherway.NextisVikshepa,whichmeanslackofsteadinessofmind.RamakrishnaParamahamsawasservingaspriestinthemajestictempleofGoddessKaliinDakshineshwar.ThattemplehadbeenbuiltbyapiousladycalledRaniRasamani.ShevisitedthetempleonedayandaskedRamakrishnatosingasonginpraiseofDevi.Whilehesang,devoteesincludingRasamaniweremovingtheirheadsintunewith

thesong.ParamahamsasuddenlystoppedsingingandgavearesoundingslaponRasamani'scheek.Hescoldedher,"Yourbodyishere,butyourmindiselsewhere-onpropertylitigationintheHighCourtinCalcutta."Shewasnobleanddevout.Soshetookherchastisementinproperspirit,asadeservedpunishmentforherunsteadinessofmind,i.e.,Vikshepa.TodistancemindfromVikshepa,thereisonlyoneway-relentlesspracticeofconcentrationandsingle-mindedness.Nowcomesavarana.Iamastudent;Iamateacher;IamaBrahmin;IamaKshathriya;Iamawoman;Iamaman;andsoon.Inthismanner,apersonfallsintodelusion""Iamthisbody."Ignorance(Ajnan)ofthiskindisavarana.Ifyoumeditatedeeplyandwithdiscernment(Vivek),youwillsoonrealizethatyouareneitherastudent,norateacher,noraBrahmin,noraKshathriya,norafemale,noramale.TheReality,theTruthis:YouaretheEmbodimentofAthma.Torecognizethisrealityistogetoveravarana.Apregnanttigresswascrossingariver,whenshesuddenlygavebirthtoacub.Themotherwassweptawaybytherushingwatersbutthecubreacheddrygroundsomewheredown-streamandjoinedaherdofsheep.Mixingwiththesheepdayafterday,inthecourseoftime,ittotallyforgotitstrueidentityofatiger.Itategrassasthesheepdid.Itbleatedlikethesheep.Itcompletelylostconsciousnessofitsnaturalandinherentstrengthandcapability.Sometimelater,atigerattackedtheherdandnoticedthetigercubinthemidstoftheherdandwassurprisedtoseeitbehavingjustlikeasheep.Thetigercaughtholdofthecubanddraggedittothewaterpool.Itpointedtothecub'simagein

thewater,"Look,youarenotasheep;youareatiger.Recognizeyourtrueidentity."Onlythencouldthecublearnthetruth.TheonlywaytoremoveavaranaisthroughtotalsurrendertoGod(Daivarpana).Inhisdiscourses,Swamiaddressesusas"Divya-Athma-Swaroopulara!"(EmbodimentsoftheDivineAthma).Heisthus,timeandagain,remindingusofourtrueidentity.Heisconstantlyexhortingtoeachoneofus:"Youarenotmerelyabodyoffleshandblood;youaretheEmbodimentofAthma."Werealizethatmala,vikshepaandavaranacanbegotridofbyconstantlyhavingSwami'snamedanceonourtongues;i.e.,bychantingHisnameallthetime;firmlyseatingSwamionthealtarofourheart;andleadingspiritual,pureliveswiththespiritualenlightenmentSwamiisblessinguswith.HumblehomagetotheLotusFeetofBhagavanSriSathyaSai.

DAY7:WEDNESDAY

CHAPTER15-"IAMAWAREOFTHEPAST,THEPRESENTANDFUTUREOF

EVERYONE""YoumaythinkthatitisamarvellousphenomenonthattheSupremeBeingshouldcomedowntoearthinhumanform.ButifyouareinMyposition,youwillnotbesowonder-struck.Iamfullyawareofthepast,thepresentandthefutureofeveryoneofyou.ThatiswhyIdonotgetoverwhelmedwithpity.NotthatIdonothavecompassionandlove.Myheartiscertainlynotmadeofstone.Butifyoushutthedoorofyourheart,howcanthewavesofMysweetlovepenetratebeyond?Youshedtearsandsay,"Swami,Iamblind.IyearntoseeYourdivineform.Doesn'tmydistressmeltYourheart?"Whenyouseeablindperson'smisery,youheartsaremoved.Doesnotmyhearttoofeelpity?ButasIknowtheentirebackgroundincludingthedistressedperson'searlierlives,Myresponseisnaturallydifferent.IfyoutoocometoknowofthingsthatareknowntoMe,yourreactiontothatperson'sagonywillalsobedifferent.Whatonereapsinthislifeisbutthefruitsoftheseedsthathehimselfhadsowedinpreviouslives.So,Iallowhimtoundergowhathederivedfromhisearlierevildeeds.Ofcourse,performanceofextenuatinglygooddeedswillmitigatethesufferingtosomeextent.Iamnotthecauseofeitheryourhappinessormisery.Youhaveyourselffashionedthesetwomanaclesthatweighyoudown."~Baba~

EVILBEGETSEVILOnce,ahusbandandwifeaccompaniedbytheirtwochildren

cametoPrashantiNilayam.Theparentsaswellasthechildrenwereveryhandsomeandthewholefamilymadea

pictureofbeauty.TheyeagerlydesiredtomeetBhagavanpersonally.TheysayColJogaRaointhatconnectionandrequestedhimsomehowtomakeitpossible.Impressedbythegoodlooksofthecouple,ColJogaRaofeltthatitwouldbeveryniceifBabacouldgivethemaninterview.So,heintercededwithBabaontheirbehalf,mentioningalsothateveryoneinthefamilywasveryhandsome.Swamisaid,"Youarespeakingsohighlyaboutthebeautyoftheparentsandtheirchildren.Thatisallright.Butdoyouknowthatboththelittleonesareblind?"ColJogaRaowastakenaback.Swamihadnotseenthefamilyyet.JogaRaohimselfdidnotnoticeandcouldnotimaginethatthetwolovelychildrenweresightless.Whenhemetthosepeopleagain,heenquiredabouttheirchildren'slackofeyesight.Hewasdistressedwhenhewastoldtheuglytruth.TheladyonceagainentreatedColJogaRaotoplead,ontheirbehalf,withSwamitoblessherchildrenwithsight.Movedbytheirpleasant

manner,JogaRaoraisedthematteronceagainwithSwami.Hegotnoreply.Thenextday,Swamicameoutofhisplacewiththeday'snewspaperinhand.HegaveittoColJogaRaoandaskedhimtoreadaparticularitem.Theitemreferstoanewsstory.InBukkapatnam,twochildren'seyeswereblindedbytheirstepmother.Afterreadingtheshockingnews,ColJogaRaostaredatSwami."Whatwouldyoudoifyouweretodealwiththisincident?",askedSwami.ColJogaRaoansweredinstantly,"Iwillturntheheartlessmotherblind."ThenSwamisoftlytoldhim,"ButGoddoesnotdoso.Ontheotherhand,Hemakesherchildrenblind....Asforthesetwolittleones,leavethemtoMe.Theywillcertainlybehappy.Butwhatabouttheirmother...?"BabamovedawayfromtheplaceleavingColJogaRaostunned.Thisbriefconversationwasallthathappened.ButColJogaRaorealizedinhismindthatthepuzzleofauniversalmysteryhadbeenunravelledinaflash.WhathadheaskedofSwamiinfavourofthecouple?WhatdidSwamimeanbydrawinghisnoticetothisday'snews-item?AndwhatistheprofoundsignificanceofSwami'sconversationwithhim?Evidently,Swamididnotwishtorevealanythingdirectlytotheunfortunatemotherandaddtohermentalanguish.Italladdeduptothis:everypersonwouldhavetosufferretributionforpastsins.BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabasays,"Godisjustlikeapostman,whotakesoutofhisbagletterafterletterandhandseachoneattheappropriateaddress.Membersinonehousereadtheirletterandburstoutinjoy.Another

householdsuffersmiserywithwhatitreceived.Asforthepostman,heisleastconcernedwiththecontentsofthelettershedelivers.Hisroleismerelytotransmiteachlettertothecorrectaddressee.Godtoodoesthesame!"

"PICKINGUPTHEFOODTHROWNAWAYTHEN"

AccompaniedbySwamiKarunyananda,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaoncewenttoDharmakshethrainMumbai.HestayedinhisapartmentontheupperfloorwhileKarunyanandawasgivenaroomsituatedonthegroundfloorrightbeneathBaba'sroom.SomeprominentpersonsofMumbaiwerecomingtomeetBhagavan.Thestaircasetheyusedwasadjoiningthegroundfloorroom;andtoavoidbeingdisturbed,Karunyanandaboltedhisdoorfrominside.Ashelookedoutfromhiswindow,hesawaverydisturbingscene.Justoutsidethecompoundwall,somechildrenwerevyingwithstraydogstograbcrumbsoffoodfromdiscardedleaf-plates.Thescenefilledhimwithsurpriseaswellasdistress.ThisistheagewhenGodHimselfhasincarnatedonthisearthandismoving,infleshandblood,amonghumanbeings.What'smore,onthatveryday,Hewaspresentrightinthatverybuilding.Isitnotironicalthathumanbeingsweretofightwithstreetdogsforsnatchingafewdiscardedcrumbsoffood?Justasthesethoughtspassedthroughhisminds,therewasagentletouchonhisshoulder.HeturnedroundandfoundSriSathyaSaismilingandlookingintohiseyes.Karunyanandawasflusteredandsaid,"Swami,Iboltedmydoorfrominside.Howcouldyouentertheroom?"Babacountered,"IfIwanttocomein,canboltsstandinmyway?I

havecometotakeyouformeals."ThenKarunyanandatoldBabaaboutwhatwasagitatinghismind."Swami,Iamtroubledbyasmalldoubt.YouareGodincarnateandrightnowpresentherebodily.Andjustlookthere,behindthewall,childrenarefightingwithstreetdogsforpickingupmeancrumbsoffoodfromthegarbage.Howcome,Swami?"Bhagavanexplainedpatiently,"Theydisdainfullyatefromtablesheavilyladenwitheverykindofrichfood,peckingalittlefromthisandalittlefromthatplate.Theythrewawaymuchmorethantheyeverate,contemptuouslydiscardingpreciousfood.Inthisbirth,theyarepickingupwhattheyhadearliersorecklesslywastedandconsignedtothegarbageheap!"Subsequently,ontheoccasionoftheWorldConferenceofSathyaSaiOrganizationsthattookplaceinPrashantiNilayam,SwamiKarunyanandaaddressedtheaudience.Swamiwaspresentonthedais.Inhisspeech,Karunyanandareferredtotheaboveincidentcausingconsiderablesurpriseallaround.InHisdiscoursethatfollowed,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaclarified,"Twobirdsaresittingonabranchofatree.Oneiseatingthetree'sfruit.Theotherisjustwatchinglikeamerewitness.ThisincidentwasmentionedinoneoftheUpanishads.Theinnermeaningofthisis:thetreeisthebody;thefruitsareworldlyhappinessandsorrow;thefruit-eateristheSoul;thewitnessistheSupremeBeing(Paramathma).Thebirdsarenodoubtappearingastwodistinctentitiesbutactuallytheyaretrulythesame.ThespiritualessenceofmanistheSupremePrinciple's'ReflectionorShadowVision.'InBaba'sownwords:

"Paramathma'sAbhasa-RoopamisJeevathma").Evenso,experiencinghappinessandsorrowisthelotofJeevathma;theydonottouchParamathma.Paramathmaisonlyawitness."ThesewordsofBhagavanBabaelaboratetheinnermeaningofthebeautifulUpanishadicparadeoftwobirdsonatree.

OCEANOFMERCY

Despiteallthathasbeenstatedearlieraboutpastdeedsengenderingeitherretributionorrewardinthepresentlife,itisafactthatifBhagavanWillstoshowermercyandcompassion,Hiskindnessknowsnolimits.Itissospontaneousthatitispointlesstosearchforitscause.Inthiscontext,itisrelevanttorefertowhatSwamirecountedon4thJuly1996.Itwasaheart-warmingtaleandmovedeverysinglepersoninthegathering."Theboywhospokeherefirst,"saidSwami,hailsfromSimla

inHimachalPradesh.HisyoungerbrotheralsoisstudyinginthePrimarySchoolhere.Abouttenyearsago,whenIwasinBrindavan,theirmotherwasbroughttoMeonastretcherallthewayfromHimachalPradesh.Iputmyarmsaroundtheboysanddrewthemclose.Itoldtheirmother,'TheseareMychildren.Fromnowon,youneednotworryaboutthematall.'ShetoogaveherwordtoSwami"'SaiMatha,IamentrustingmysonstoYou.'Andshebreathedherlast.IbroughttheboyshereandenrolledtheminthePrimarySchool.Fromthatdayrightuptothisday,theynevershedatear.Theirmotherpassedaway;theirfathercomesbutrarely.EverybodyleftthemtoSwami'scare;afterallSwamiHimselfislookingafterthem.ThatisexactlywhatSaranagathimeans,totalsurrender.Iseetheseboysmorningandeveningeverydayandenquireabouttheirwelfare.Theyneverexperience,evenforamoment,themiseryoflosingtheirmother."Oneday,theladywardenofthehostelbroughttheyoungerboytoMesayingthathewasgrievingforhismother,weepingforherandrefusingtoeat.Hewasthenfiveyearsoldandwasinthefirststandard.Itookhimtotheinterviewroom,putaringonhisfinger,didthisandthattoamusehimuntilheforgothisgriefandbecamecheerful.Eversince,heisalwaysseensmilingandlaughing!Children'sheartsarepureandclearlikecrystal.Thisshowshowmuchcourageandstrengthlovecanbestowonthelovedones."Couldtheseboyshavebeensocontentandcheerfulanywhereelse?TheyaresofullofhappinessandjoybecausetheyarewithSwami.Swami'sloveisnotonemother'slovebutistheloveofathousandmothers.Ipersonallylookafter

everysingledetail.Unabletounderstandthis,youworry,"Swamihasnotlookedatmeortalkedtome."DespiteinnumerableresponsibilitiesthatIshoulder,Ifindtimetolookafterandenquireabouteverysinglechild.Theboywhohasspokenalittleearliersaid,asyouhaveallheard,'IlostonlyasinglemotherbutIhavegainedthemotherlyloveofathousandmothers.'Thatiswhywhencommencinghistalk,headdressedSwami,'MyMotherSai'.Itissuchardentfaiththatprotectsthemandblessesthemwithcompletesuccessintheirlives."

NAMASMARANANDROOPADHYANForeightlongyears,aforeigndevoteeatPrashantiNilayamhadbeenconfinedtoawheelchairforhehadlostuseofhislegs.Nevertheless,apleasantsmilewasalwayslightingupthebraveman'sface.Priortohisaffliction,heusedtoexerciseandactivelyparticipateinsportsandgames.Butfateforcedhimintothisdependenceonthewheelchair.Onceseveralvisitorsfromhisnativelandweresittingtogetherintheaudiencehall.Swamiinvitedallofthemintotheinterviewroom.Sincethishandicappedpersonwastieddowntohiswheel-chairandwasalsoatadifferentplace,hecouldnotmoveinalongwiththegroup,whohadrushedintotheinterviewroom.Hetoowasfromthesamecountry.ShouldnotSwamihavecalledhimaswell?HewaswonderingandeagerlylookingtowardsSwami.Meanwhile,Swamihadalreadypassedhimbyandwentaheadalittlefurther;butsuddenly,Heturnedbackandcalledouttohim,"Oh,youalsogoinside."Hewasthrilledandbeganpropellinghischairtowardstheroom.Theever-compassionateBhagavanorderedhim,"Notlikethat.Getupandgowalking!"Thepoormanwasshocked.Hestopped

neverthelessandtriedpainfullytogetoutofhischair.Laboriously,hefreedhimself,stumbledalittlebutsoonpulledhimselftogether.Hebrokedown.Unabletocontrolhisspasmsofweeping,hethrewhimselfattheLotusFeetofSwami.Eightyearsofthapasandsufferingwasthuscrownedwithgloriousfulfillment.

RELEASEFROMRETRIBUTIONSwamisaidononeoccasion,"Youmaybethinkingthatonewillhavetosufferinthisbirthfortheevildeedsdoneinpastlives;andthatnoamountofGod'scompassioncanexemptyoufromit.ButIamgivingyoumywordthatyouneednothavetoundergotheconsequencesofpreviouskarma."Hence,Heisworshipped,'Sarvapapakshayakarayanamah.'Trueenough.Lookatallthosewhoaresufferingfromdisease,andhavegatheredinPuttaparthi,sittingandwaitingforBaba.TheyhavetotallysurrenderedthemselvesatSwami'sLotusFeet.HavingleftalltheircaresinthehandsofSwami,theydonotseemtobesufferingatall.Iftheyweresomewhereelse,theintensityoftheirillnesswouldhavemadethemmiserable.Theywouldhavebeenexperiencingtheagonyofhell.Here,astheywaitlookingforwardtothesupremehappinessofhavingSwami'sdarshan,theysuffernot;theyarelostinanticipation.Andduringdarshan,theyaretransportedtoheavenlybliss.Theyforgetthemselves,losttotheirplansandaches.Afterdarshanisover,theyreliveintheirwonderfulexperience;ruminationaddstothatpleasureandprolongsit.TheymeditateontheformofSwami.Conversingwithothers,sharingofexperiencesandrecollectingthesweetnessofSwami'swords,deedsandleelas-theirtimeliterallyflies.Then,theybeginlooking

forwardtothenextday'sdarshanwithhope,anticipation,expectationandimagination.DevoteesneverknowpassageofhoursinPrashantiNilayam.Whendotheyfindtimetoexperienceretribution?Theyareshieldedandinsulatedfromsufferingandsorrowjustasapatientunderanesthesiaisprotectedfrompain.Theperiodofsufferingretributionpassesoffsmoothlywithhearing(sravan),remembering(smaran),contemplating(manan),meditating(chinthan),viewing(darshan)andtouching(sparshan)-inotherwords,infillingone'sbodyandsoulwithSwami,Hisdivinityandglory!EntryintoPrashantiNilayam,bothphysicallyandmetaphorically,isnothingbutPariharam,thatis,remedyforandrelieffromsorrowofeverykind.

CHAPTER16-SIGNIFICANCEOFNAMASMARAN

HarenamaHarenamaHarenamaAivaKevalamKalownastheivanastheivagathiranyatha"ChantingoftheLord'snameistheonlywaytoliberationintheKaliAge.God'snameonlywillredeemus.Anymightytaskcanbeachievedbychantingthedivinename."~Baba~NamasmaranmeansrememberingorchantingGod'snamerepeatedly.ItisoneofthespiritualpracticesenjoinedonanaspirantendeavouringtoreachGod.TheimportanceSwamiattachestoitisillustratedbyanincident.Adevoteeasked,‘Swami,weoftenhearabouttotalsurrender(saranagathi).Howisonetoaccomplishit’Swami

answeredsoftly.‘Bangaru,saranagathiisbeyondyou;whydoyoubotheraboutit?Resorttonamasmaran.GodHimselfwillbeatyourbeckandcall.Swamionceexplainedthespecialsignificanceofnamasmaran,â€œItisthemostsublimeofallthespiritualpractices.Itconsistsofjapam(chantingofGod’snamerepeatedly);itisthemostinfalliblepenance(thapas).KuchelacouldattainLordSriKrishna’sgraceonlythroughnamasmaran.Whenyoudonamasmaran,intonethenamewithfervour,deepdevotionandlove.Itbestowsonyouimmensebenefit.InthisKaliYuga,namasmaranisenoughtoearnsalvationandreleasefromtheotherwiseunbrokencycleofbirthanddeath.Namasmaranistheoneandonlydivinemedicinecapableofcuringyouoflackofmentalequanimity,avariceandotherillswhichtormentyou.Itgivesyouabidingpeaceandcontentment.ThenameyouchoosecanbeanyoneofthethousandsofnamesofGod.Or,itcanbeanyoneofthenamesnowincommonuseinanyreligion,countryorregionoftheworld,orinanysectionofdevotees.Selectanynameanddevoteatleastfiveminuteseverydayfornamasmaran;makeitapartofyourdailyroutine.Itwillgiveyouimmensebenefit.

THULASAMMAAlongtimeago,adevoteecalledThulasammawasresidinginPrashantiNilayam.Oncewhileshewasgoingtohernativeplacebyautorickshaw,thevehicledashedagainstawaysidetreeandoverturnedatadesertedplace.Shewasseriously

woundedinherwrist.Whilefallingdownfromtheautorickshaw,sheloudlycried,‘Sairam!]Withinmomentsofaccident,acararrivedatthatlonelyspot.ThedriverpickedupbothThulasammaandtheauto-driverandtookthemtohishouse.Theladywasawarethatherwoundwasseriousenough.But,asshecametoknowlater,shehadbeenrescuedfromamoreterriblefate.Duringinterrogation,theauto-driverrevealedsomestartlingdetails.Whenhenoticedexpensivegoldornamentsonherbody,hewastemptedtorobthem.Thatwaswhyhedrovetothatisolatedspotandintentionallycrashedintothetree.HeexpectedThulasammatobecomeunconsciousandhewouldbeabletogetawaywithherornaments.Butatthemomentofimpact,shesuddenlycriedout,‘SaiRam’Thatnamasmaranhadtheeffectofchanginghismind.Hewassurprisedthatjustatthemomentofherterribleordeal,shecouldutterGod’snamesofervently.Hefeltthatshemustbeverynobleandpiousandthatheshouldnotrobsuchalady.Moreover,althoughnormallythespotwasmostofthetimeunfrequented,surprisinglyonthatspecificdaysomebodycameinacaratthecrucialmomentandruinedhisplan.Theauto-driverwasdisturbedatthiscoincidence.Wasitdivineintercession?Thepoorfellowshudderedattheverythought.ThedriverconfessedallthistoThulasamma,narratedeverydetailoftheincidentandexpressedsincereremorse.Hedidnotstopthere.Fromthattimeonwards,hebecamefriendlyandveryclosetoher.Hewouldvisitheroftenandenquireaboutherwelfare.Hebecame,asitwere,anintimatefriendinfact,awell-meaningrelative.Thisepisodehighlightsthe

powerofnamasmaran.

NAMASMARANMEANSSUMMONINGGODPeddaBottu,thegreatdevoteeofBhagavanSathyaSaiBaba,ofwhomwereadaboutearlier,oftenaskedHim,â€œSwami,whatismeditation(dhyan)andhowtodoit?Swamiusedtoputheroff.Hewouldmerelysay,don’tbotheraboutDhyan.Youaredoingnamasmaran.Thatisgoodenough.OnenightshewassleepingunderatreeoppositeSwami’sresidence.Asitbegantodrizzle,sheremovedherselffromthereandpreparedtosleepintheverandahoutsideSwami’sroom.Asshewasmakingherbed,shesaidtoherself,asamatterofhabit,‘OmSriSaiRam.’Swamicameoutandpulledherup,â€œyoustupid,won’tyouallowMetosleep?PeddaBotusaid,Swami,whostoppedYoufromsleeping?Swamiretorted,‘WhenyouaresummoningMe,howcanIgotobedandsleep?’Thepoorladyexplained,‘Iaminthehabitofdoingnamasmarananduttered,‘OmSriSaiRam,’withinmyself.;Ididnotintendtocallyou.’Bhagavancalledher,‘Whatdoesthatjapammean?ItamountstocallingMe.NamasmaranisnodifferentfromsummoningtheGod.’

NAMASMARANMEANSTELEPHONINGGODMoorthy,SriKasturi'sson,wasdoingresearchinGeology.Inthatconnection,hehadtotourforestareasinAssam.Ononeoccasion,whenhewasalone,awildbearnoticedhimandbeganclosinginonhim.Moorthyfledforhislifebuttheanimalcontinuedtochasehim.Asheranoversomerocksinhisdesperateflighttosafety,hetrippedandfelldownbutcontinuedtocryloudly,"Baba,Baba."WithinmomentsamotortruckappearedtherefromnowhereandMoorthyfoundsafetybygettingintoit.Afterafewmonths,he

happenedtobeinPrashantiNilayam.Swamitoldhim,"Ireceivedyourphonecallanddespatchedatruck.Diditreachyouintime?"

MAYA,THETERRIBLEDOGBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaoncedescribedthepowerofMayainametaphoricalway.Hesaid,â€œGodistheMasterofmaya(delusion;illusion;ignorance).MayaislikeaterribledogstandingguardattheentranceoftheGodâ€TMshomeanddoesnotallowoutsiderstocomenearHim.IfyouareearnestaboutreachingGod,thereareonlytwoways.ThefirstcourseistoputontheformoftheMaster.Thenthedogdoesnotharmyouatall.Thisisknownassaroopya,thatis,assumingGod’sform.Butyoushouldnotmaketheslightestmistake;otherwisethedogwillnotspareyou.ThesecondcourseistocryoutfortheMasterinaloudvoice.Hewillhearyourcry.Hecomestoyou,receivesyouwithopenarmsand,holdingyourhand,leadsyouinsidewithoverflowingkindness.Thisiscalledsameepyathatis,beinginclosestcompanywithGod.Thedogwillnotdoanyharmtoyou,asyouarewithhisMaster.BeingGod’spetdog,mayaobeysHim.IfHeWillsitnottogiveyoutrouble,youwillnotbetouched;youwillknownofear.WhatasimpleandbeautifulparableBhagavanSriSathyaSaihasgivenus!HehasrevealedhowHe,ofHisownviolation,surrenderstoHisdevotee.Howeasyisthesecondcourse!ThedevoteehasonlytocallGodmostearnestly,withallhisheart,withagonyinhisvoice,withyearningsuffusinghiswholebeing.Thisisnamasmaran.MillionsofSaidevoteeshavefoundthroughpersonalexperiencethatGodresponds

tonamasmaranandpresentsHimselfbeforeHisdevoteewithboundlessmercyandcompassion.Baba’sexhortationisthatincessantnamasmaranofadeitysoelevatesthedevoteethatheattainstheformofthatdeity.BhagavansaysthatincessantsmaranofLordSriRama’snamebyhisbrotherBharatha,resultedinRamayana,inthelatterlookinglikeSriRamatoall.AsimilarthinghappenedwithUddhavainSriMahaBhagavatwhodiduninterruptedsmaranofLordSriKrishna’sname.

EARNESTPRAYER"Whenyoudonamasmaran,fillitwithgreatlonging,anguishandloveforGod.GodalwayslooksmainlyfortheintensityinHisdevotee'sprayer,"saidBabaandillustratedthestatementwiththefollowingcharmingstory."AdiSankarawasthenalittlechild.TheirfamilydeitywasGoddessRajaRajeswari.Sankara'sfatherusedtoworshiptheDevieveryday.Oneday,hehadtogoouttosomeplaceonbusiness.Therefore,heentrustedthetaskofDeviworshiptothelittleboy."Thechildperformedworshipasusualandrituallyofferedmilktothedeity.Hewaitedandwaitedinexpectation.HehadalwaysbelievedthatDeviwasactuallydrinkingthemilkofferedbyhisfathereveryday.SohewaitedforDevitotakemilk.Butitdidnothappen.Ingreatanguishandwithtearsflowingdownhischeeks,thelittleboyearnestlypleaded,"Whatisthematter,myMother?Won'tYouacceptmilkofferedbyme?Won'tYoublessmewithYourgrace?"ThemotherlyheartoftheSupremeMothermeltedin

compassionandpityonseeingtheagonyinthetenderchild'sheart!Andshegulpeddownthewholeofthemilkthatthelittledevoteeoffered."SankaraknowsthatthemilkwhichhisfatherdailyofferstoDeviwastreatedasholy;andafterpooja,hisfatherwouldgivealittleofthatas'theertham'(liquidprasadam)toeverymemberofthefamily.Butonthisday,notadropremainedforsuchdistribution.TheGoddesshastakenallinasinglegulp.Hefearedthatothermembersofthefamilywouldsuspecthimofhavingswallowedtheentirequantityofmilk.Overcomebyshameanddesperation,Sankarawept.Movedbyhisdistressagain,theMercifulDevifilledthecontainerfullwithmilk.Shedidnotpourmilkfromherhand;themilkthatshegavecamedirectlyfromtheDivineMother'sbreasts.Sankara'sagonisedprayerwasthusamplyfulfilledbytheMother."Anexactlysimilarincidenthappenedveryrecently,whichSwaminarratedasfollows"'Aperson,whoisnowhereamongyou,suddenlycriedout,'Swami!'inanexcitedandloudvoice.Isensesthedistress,faithandyearninginthatcry.Whathappenedwasthatthesareeofhiswifehadcaughtfire.Flamesraged.Stunnedbyterror,shecouldnotrememberMe.ThehusbandwashelplessanddesperateandcriedoutforMe.Theirplaceis200milesawayfromhere.ThemomentIheardthecall,Iwasthereandputouttheflamesbeforemuchharmcouldbedone.WhatdrewMetherewasthedeepanguishinthatcry."

"IAMEVERWAITINGFORYOU"

Oneday,duringSwami'spublicaudience,adevoteewascontinuouslycallingHimingreatanguish,"Swami,Swami!"Swaminoticedhimandinvitedhimintotheinterviewroom.HewaslongingforSwami'slove,forSwami'sdivineproximityandforanopportunityofconversingwithSwami.Swamienteredtheroom,closedthedoorandwasboltingit.Thedevoteecouldnotholdhimselfanylonger.Heblurtedout,"Swami,Ihavebeenwaitingforyouforthelastthreeweeks.Forthreelongweeks,Swami!"Swamiturnedaroundandsaidaffectionately,"Bangaru,doyouknowforhowmanyyearsIhavebeenwaitingforyou?"Themanwas

thunder-struck!Bhagavan?Actuallywaiting?Forhim?Hewasoverwhelmedatthethought.UnabletobeartheimpactofthefloodofBaba'slove,hestartedweeping.Yes,itisafactthatSwamiiswaitingeverymomentforeachoneofus,wondering,"Whenwillhecome,when?"Hesays,"Wheneveryoucometome,Bangaru,youwillfindMeawaitingyourarrival."Butthedevoteesexcusethemselves,"Swami,Icannotcomejustnow.Iamdeeplyentangledinmanythings.Ifindmyselfenslaved.Iamunabletocomeatpresent,Swami."Bhagavanisindulgent.HereassuresHisdevotees,"Don'tworryatall,Bangaru.Itdoesnotmatterwhenyouwillbeabletocome.Takeyourowntime.ButsofarasIamconcerned,Iwillalwaysbeawaitingyou."Thatarrivalmaytakeseverallifetimesorbirthseven!SeveraldevoteespleadforapersonalinterviewwithSwami."Swami,Swami,interviewplease,"theycryout.Heanswers,"Wait,wait."Itdoesnotmeanmerelythattheyshouldawaittheirturn;italsomeansthattheyaretoo'weighty',tooheavy!Theyhavetolongformanymoredays,orevenmanymoreyearsinsomecases;theyhavetosuffertheagonyofnotbeingcalledtohispresence.Aftertheyundergosomethapas.Aftersomepenance,Swamiinvitesthemforinterview.Thatistosay,theseekershouldfirst'loseweight';throughausterity,self-mortification,incessantnamasmaran,andmeditationonSwami;hehastounburdenhimselfoftheloadofevilslikeattachmentandhatred(Raga-dvesha)whichareweighinghimdown.Whenthedevoteeprepareshimselfinthismanner,whentheburdenof'weight'isshedandhebecomes'light',SwamiwouldcertainlyinvitehimtocomeclosetoHim.

SwamiHimselfexplainedthisinadifferentmanner.Hesaid,"Themoreyoucomeclosetome,themoreyouearnmylove,youbecomemorelikelyto'burn'."Whatwillbeburntareourevils,defectsandimpurities.Suchaburningleadstospiritualpurification,torefinement.AstheprocessofburningisaccompaniedbySwami'slove,whichactsashield,theaspirantisabletowithstandthefieryordeal.

"THEOPPRESSEDAREMYCHILDREN"WhenSriKasturiwasPrincipalofacollegeinDavangere,Karnataka,hehadanattendantcalledAnanthappa.ThatmanhadgreatdevotionforSwami.Hewouldgatherpoojamaterialslikeflowers,fruit,josssticksandcamphor,neededforthebhajansinhismaster'shome.Toensurethattheywereofthebestquality,hewouldscouttheentiremarket,shopbyshop.StandinginfrontofSwami'spictureinthehouse,hewouldimplorehimmostpitiablytoletaflowerdropintohishand.HewouldbealoneinfrontofSwami'spictureconversingwithHim.WhenafadedgarlandremovedfromSwami'simagewasgiventohim,hewouldtreatitasholyprasadam.Oneday,Swamigaveoneofhisphotographs,alargeone,toSriKasturiandtoldhim,"TakethistoDavangereandplaceitinAnanthappa'stemple."Ananthappa'shumbleshantytrulybecameatemplebyBaba'sword!Vibhuthiwasdroppingoutofthatphotographandcountlesspeoplecameseekingit.Once,SwamiremarkedalsothatAnanthappawaslikeVibheeshanainSriLanka(inRamayana).ThehusbandofAnanthappa'syoungerdaughterwasworkingintheDepartmentofRailwaysinMysore.The

couplestayedinanobscurehouseinBangalore.Thatfellowwasofasuspiciousnature;hedoubtedevenhiswife'schastity.Heharassedherincessantly.Shewasconfinedtoaroomlikeaprisoner.Nobodycouldinterveneandbringhimtothepathofreason.Unabletoputupwithsuchpersecution,thepoorwomanimploredherhusbandtotakehertoSriSathyaSaiBabainPuttaparthi.IfBabadeclaredhertobechaste,shesaid,herhusbandshouldletherbeinpeace;otherwise,shewouldendherlifeinPuttaparthiitself.Ananthappa,hiswife,theirdaughterandson-in-lawtravelledtoPuttaparthi.Swamiwasallkindness.HeinvitedthemintotheinterviewroomandtoldAnanthappa'sson-in-law,"YourwifeisillustriousandaspureasSita,wifeofLordSriRama.SheislikeGoddessParvathi,consortofLordSiva."Hetriedtoreasonwithhim.ButthefellowdidnotrelishSwami'swordsandbecameabusive.Swamithrewhimoutandclosedthedooronhim.HeadvisedAnanthappanottoworry.Healsoassuredhimthatthemanwouldsurelymendhiswayssoonandliveinhappinesswithhiswife.Onthewayback,theyreachedPenugondalateinthenight.TheysatintherailwaystationawaitingthemidnighttrainfromGuntakal.Ananthappa'sson-in-lawwentblabberingandrubbishingholymenandmendicants.Ananthappawasdistressedbecausethemanhadnotobviouslychangedhisevilways.Thetrainsteamedinatmidnight.TheboyhelpedAnanthappa,hiswifeanddaughterintoathirdclasscoachofthetrainandboardedafirstclasscoachhimself.Hecouldtravelinafirstclasscoach,ashewasarailwayemployee.

Atabout1am,i.e.,anhouraftermidnight,thetrainstoppedatastationcalledThondiBhavi.Suddenly,Ananthappa'sson-in-lawbeganscreaminginpainandmoaningloudly.Hearingthedisturbingnoise,theguardcameintothecoach.Railwaystaffinthestationalsogatheredtofindoutwhat'shappened,andwhattheproblemwas.Thefellowwasfoundrubbinghischeeks.Terror-stricken,hewasfurtivelylookingallaround.Theguardaskedhim,"Whoenteredthiscompartmentandslappedyourcheeks?"Weepingandmoaning,hegotdownfromthetrain,wentandsatintheStationMaster'sroomandtoldhimwhathadhappened."About6milesaheadofThondiBhavistation,"hesaid,"lightsinthecompartmentweresuddenlyswitchedon.Igotupandsatonmyberth.TherewasreddishilluminationasifSaiBabahadfilledthewholespace.Babastartedslappingmycheeks.HewasalloverthespacearoundmeandIwasreceivingslapsfromeverydirection.Ashebeatonmycheeks,hewassaying,"YourefusetobelieveMe,whenIsaythatyourwifeisinnocentandchaste?Willyoustopharassingherornot?SheisMychild.Notonlyshe,alltheoppressedareMychildren.WillyouobeyMe?"Willyou?"Asthetrainapproachedthisstation,thereddishilluminationdisappeared.Normalbrightlighttookitsplace."Afterthisincident,therewasradicaltransformationinthecouple'slives.Theystartedlivingamicablyincompleteharmonyandlove.Afterafewmonths,BhagavanBabawasconversingwithsomedevotees.HesaidthatShirdiSaiBabawouldoften

displayangerbutthispresentavatharwasoneoflove.SriKasturimeeklyinterjected,"Swami,inthispresentavathar,didYounotbeatanyone?"Babareplied,"Iamnowthepersonificationoflove!"ButSriKasturipersisted,"Inthisavathar,haven'tYoubeatenanybodyelse?"TothatSwamisaid,"AreyoureferringtoAnanthappa'sson-in-law?WhatIdidtohimwasonlyoutofloveforhim."SriKasturisaid,"Swami'sloveandgracewereamplyshoweredonthatpoor,simplegirl."Theever-compassionateBabaadded,"Yes,onthatson-in-lawtoo!"

GOATANDMINDAkingcalledseveralvillagerstogetherandgiftedeachofthem,agoatwithanorderthateveryanimalshouldbewellfedbyitskeeper.Butheimposedjustasinglecondition.Whenthegoatswerebroughtbacktohimwhenordered,theyshouldnotbeeatinggreenleavesatall.Infact,theyshoulddisplaytotaldistasteforleaves.Asanincentivetothevillagers,heannouncedarewardoftenthousandrupeestothevillagerswhowouldsuccessfullytendthegoatsasdirected.Thevillagersthoughtthatifagoatwasfullyfed,andifitsstomachwasfull,itcouldtakenothingmore;itwouldrefuseevengreenleaves.Sotheymadeitahabittofeedtheanimalssofullythattheywouldnotwishtotouchanything.Agirl,however,followedadifferentmethodoftraininghergoat.Sheplacedgreenleavesbeforethegoatandwhentheanimalwasabouttofeedonthem,shegaveabeatingonitsmouthwithastick.Repetitionofthisprocedurehadtheeffectofdeterringtheanimalfromtouchinggreenleavesevenwhentheywereplacedrightbeforeit,althoughits

stomachwasnotfull.Sometimelater,thekingorderedthevillagerstopresentthegoatsforinspection.Hefoundthatthegoatsstartedeatingleavesassoonastheywereplacedbeforethem.Buttherewasonegoatthatwasnotevenlookingattheleaves.Instead,itwaslookingatthestickitskeeperheld.Thekingwasdelightedandpromptlypresentedtenthousandrupeestothegirlwhosuccessfullytrainedthatparticulargoatinthemannerorderedbyhim.Controlofmindalsorequiressimilarhardtrainingandseverediscipline.Arjuna,eminentthathewas,admitted"ChanchalamHiManahKrishna!PramadeeBalavath-Dridham."OhKrishna,mindisunsteadyandfickle,confusing,strongandinflexible.HeprayedtoKrishnatoenlightenhimofhowtosubdueandcontrolsuchadifficultandunrulymind.Thereisnodoubtthattheonlywaytoconquerthemindistopracticearduousandrelentlessspiritualdiscipline(sadhana).

CHAPTER17-MANAVASEVAISMADHAVASEVA

(SERVICETOMANISSERVICETOGOD)Serviceisthemostdifficultoftheninestepstoinnerreality...ItisbasicallyactionarisingoutoftheyearningtowinthegraceofGod...Itisthemostimportantsteptoeraseego...Throughservicealonecanmanattainmasteryof...senses,thepassionsandpredilections,andthroughthat,reachdivinityitself.Ihavecometoteachyoutheproperattitudeofservice-forloveexpressesasservice,andGodislove...ServicetomanleadstothediscoveryofmanasGod.~Baba~

SwamiaddressedahugegatheringofHisdevoteeswhowereanxiouslyplanningtocelebrateBhagavan'ssixtiethbirthdayonagrandscale.Hesaid,"Spiritualityhasno

meaningtoapersonsufferingfromhunger.Tothehunger-stricken,bringGodintheformoffood;tothedistressedanddistracted,intheformofpeace;tothesick,asmedicine;andtotheafflicted,aremedyfortheaffliction.Onlythuscanspiritualityenterone'sheart.Anythingdoneotherwiseproducesagnosticsandatheistsinsteadofbelievers.BeforeyoucelebrateMysixtiethbirthday,adoptatleastsixthousandvillagesandtransformthemintoidealvillages.Thespiritualbenefitderivingfromjapa(silentrepetitionofamanthra),thapas(penance),yajna(oblation)andyaga(religioussacrifice)willaccruefromdivinelovealone.Andofallthemeanstoattaindivinelove,seva(servicetomankind)isunrivalled."YoumustgrasptheessentialityofMypremathathwa(love).WhateverSaidoes,orthinks,orsays,orsees,itisentirelyforyoursakeandnotforSai'ssake.IhavenohappinessofMyown;yourhappinessisMyhappiness.Ihavenodesireswhatsoever.YoumaythinkSaiisdoingthisordoingthat.NothingisforMyself.Everythingisforyou.Believeitornot,notapaisaisbeingspentforMe.Whateverisbeingdoneisforsociety.Forfifty-sixyearsnow,notevenapaisahasbeenspentforgettingasingleshirtmadeforMe.IwearonlythoseclothesthatlovingdevoteesoffertoMe.TheshirtIamwearingatthismomenthasbeengivenbyastudent-Radhakrishna.ThethoughtthatIwantsomethingforMyselfneveroccurredtoMe,nordoesitoccurnow.SuchathoughtwillnevercometoMymindinfuturetoo.WhateverIWill,itisforthewelfareoftheworld.Understandthisclearly.Developenthusiasminthevariousprogrammesandactivitiesandactivelyparticipateinsocialservice.

"ItisimportantthatyoucarryoutSwami'sidealsandactivitiesmoreparticularlyinvillagesthanintowns.Minimiseyourownexpensesandutilisemaximumamountsonprovidingfacilitiesneededbyvillagers.Iffacilitiesareadequatelyprovidedineveryvillage,Bharatiyatathwa(Indianethos)andBharatiyasamskrithi(Indianculture)willeffectivelyreachoneandall."Oh,EmbodimentsofDivineSelf!(Divya-athmaSwaroo-pulara!)YoumaynotbeabletoseebutIseeeverythingasscenesmovingbeforemyeyes.TheverysamepersonswhoaretodayunabletounderstandSwami'sthathwaaredestinedtoexperienceit,intears,sometimeinfuture.TheSaitathwaorSaiphilosophyisveryshortlygoingtospreadthroughouttheworld.SwamiisHimselfholdingitbacktightly.Butonceitisletloose,itpermeatestheentireworldlikeanirresistibleforce.TheworldwillbetransformedintoPrashantiNilayam.RealizetheessentialityofSwamiandcomeforwardtoimplementSwami'sideals.Youwillgetnosuchopportunitieslater.YouwillnotfinditpossibletogetsoclosetoSwami.Millionsandmillionsofpeoplewillrushhere.Thosedaysarecomingverysoon.Sofromthisdayonwards,trytoearnSwami'sloveandcompassionandfulfillyourlivesbytakingupsuitableactivitiesintheserviceofthemankind."

"TAKEONESTEPTOWARDSME;IWILLTAKEAHUNDREDTOWARDSYOU"

ThiswasthetimewhenthereweresevereproblemsinBosniaandhundredsandthousandsofrefugeeswereshelteredinspeciallybuiltcamps,whowerewaitingreturnofpeace.ABosnianwoman,anardentdevoteeofBaba,feltit

herdutytodosomeservicetotheunfortunaterefugees.Shecarriedbasketsofbreadandpacketsofbiscuitsinhervanoveralongdistanceanddistributedtheminthecamps.ShealsogaveeachofthemapacketofvibhuthiandaphotographofSwami.Whileeating,theywerelookingatSwami'sphotographandtalkingamongthemselvesintheirownlanguage.Shecouldnotfollowwhattheytalkedtoeachother.Shewasinquisitivetoknowinparticular,whattheysaidwhilelookingatSwami'simage.Shethereforesoughthelpfromthedriverofhervan.Hewenttothemandreturnedafterawhile.Hetoldherwhattheyweresayingtoeachother."Thisman(inthepicture)hasbeengivingusbreadandbiscuitseveryday.Buttoday,apparentlyhegavethemtoherandaskedhertodistributethem."Shewasverymuchsurprisedtohearthesewords.InameetingheldduringthesummertrainingclassesinBrindavanin1996,thatBosnianwomanwaspermittedbySwamitospeak.Shenarratedtheaboveincidentandadded,"Ifwetakeonestepforwardfordoinggood,Swamiwillbethereaheadofusallthetime."

HANUMANANDVIBHEESHANINDISCOURSEVanarasofRamayanwerebornasmonkeys.Nevertheless,theyservedGodashumbleservants,andgainedrelieffromthecycleofbirthanddeath,havingbeenblessedwiththegoodfortuneofseeingGodintheirmidst.Humanbeingsarebynomeansinferiortovanaras.WhythendotheynotdevotetheirlivestoworshipofGodandmeditation?Itisnotenoughtoremember(smaran)God.Oneshouldenter,heartandsoulintodivineactivity.Hanumanand

Vibheeshanbecamegoodfriends.Oneday,VibheeshanapproachedHanumaningreatdistressandsaid,'Hanuman,howfortunateyouare!Everyday,youdosmaranofLordRamaandhavefullyearnedLordRama'sgrace.NodoubtItoohavebeendoingsmaranofSriRamaforalongtime.ButIamnotblessedwiththeopportunityofseeingLordSriRama(darshan)'.

Hanumanexplainedtheposition,'YouarenodoubtdoingsmaranofSriRama.ButdidyoueverparticipateinSriRama'sactivities?HowcanyouearnSriRama'sgracewithoutdoingthat?ItisnowafulltenmonthssinceDeviSitahasbeeninLanka.Didyoueverconsoleherandtrytoalleviatehersuffering?Didyoumeetherandhaveherdarshanevenonce?Didyoueverthinkofsomewaytorelieveheragony?Ifyouhaddoneanyofthese,itwouldhaveamountedtoservicetoLordRama.Youhavefailedtoavailofthefineopportunitythathascomeyourway.Asforme,IhavededicatedmylifetoSriRama,chantingSriRama's

namewithmymouthanddoingLordRama'sworkwithmyhands."WhiledescribingtheabovediscoursebetweenthetwodevoteesofLordRama,BhagavanSathyaSaiconcluded,"Therefore,ourconductshouldalwaysbe:Raminheart;kam(work,service)inhand-DilMeRam;HathMeKam."Lifededicatedtothesetwoprinciplesistrulyfulfilled(sarthak).BhagavanBabaoncesaid,"Youarenotdoingserviceforothers.YouaredoingitforyourselvestotheGodinyou,theGodwhoisequallypresentinothers."

SERVICELEADSTOHEAVENBhagavanSriSathyaSaiattachesimmensevaluetowillingandselflessservice.Infact,Hedeclaredthatitisthemostsupremeofallspiritualefforts(sadhana).Hesaid:"ManydistressedpersonsflocktoPrashantiNilayamhavinglosttheirpeaceofmindduetovariousproblems.Amongthemaresomepersonswhoarebodilyandmentallyill.Myjobistotreateveryone.Whilethedoctorfinishestheprincipaltreatment,nurses,compoundersandattenderstakeoveranddotherestofthejob.Inthesameway,Iamprovidingyou,volunteers,andopportunitiesforservice."NaKarmana,NaPrajaya,Dhanena,ThyagenaikenaAmruthathwaManashuh""Neitherspiritualdeedsasordainedbyscriptures,notbegettingworthyoffspring,norearningwealthwillconferrelieffromthecycleofbirthanddeath.Sacrificealonecanbringimmortality(amrithathwa).Thisisthetruth

proclaimedbytheVedas.Mentalreadinesstodosacrifice(thyagabuddhi)coupledwithabsoluteselflessnessshouldmarkone'sservice.ThatistheonlyhighwaytoreachParamaPada(God'sabode).

"Service(seva)occupiesthemostexaltedpositionamongallkindsofsadhana.GodHimselfhasincarnatedinhumanformtoservemankindthroughresuscitationofdharma,andHeisundertakingnumerousprogrammesofservice.Insuchasituation,ifmantoocomesforwardtodedicatehimselftoselflessservice,therecanbenodoubtthatGod'sgracewillbeassured."ItisnotnecessarythatserviceshouldbeconfinedonlytotheprecinctsofPrashantiNilayam.Servethesuffering,thepoorandtheneedywhereveryoufindthem-inyourvillage,ortheplacetowhichyougoonpilgrimage,oranywhereelse,andatanytime.Normally,waterbyitselfcostsnothing.Butcombinedwithmilk,thesamewatergainsinvalue.Inthesamemanner,ifyouaddabitofyourservicetoanyoftheholyactivitiesofSwami,yourcontributionacquiresgreaterweightandsignificance."OnceLordSriKrishnaaskedhispoet-saintdevotee,

Suradas,whatwouldhedesiretohave.AndHequicklyadded,"Leaveit.WillyouagreetobeMyservitor?'Suradashumblyreplied,'Krishna,ifIbecomeYourservant,itmaygenerateegoinme.Moreover,whatservicecanIdotoYou?Thereareinnumerablepersonswhopossessthenecessarydevotion,ability,competenceandalsofacilitiesfordoingservicetoYou.However,anynumberofYourlowlyservitorsaretherewhothemselvesneedsuccourandhelp.Blessmewiththegoodfortuneofservingsuchunfortunatepersons.""IfyouwouldliketopleaseMeandsatisfyMe,youneedonlytoseeMeineverylivingbeing;servealllivingbeingsasyouwouldserveMeandworshipMe.Thataloneisthemostappropriateprocedureofworship.ThataloneistheholypaththatbringsyoutoMe."

MAINTAINSPIRITUALITYTHROUGHOUTLIFE

SpeakingtostudentsinKodaikanal,BhagavanBabaoncenarratedadelightfulparable,whichwasasamusingasitwasprofound."Onceallvegetablesintheworldenteredintoadisputeaboutwhichofthemwasthegreatest.Unabletocometoanagreement,theyprayedtoLordBrahma,LordSriMahaVishnuandLordMaheshwaratointercedeanddecide.Respondingtotheirprayers,thethreeGodscamedowntoearth.Theyheardeveryvegetablewithallthesympathy,patienceandunderstandingthatthesensitiveissuedeserved.Finally,theydecidedthataparticularvegetablewasthegreatest.Whatisthat?Thehumbleonion!"Allothervegetableswereastounded.Eachofthem

possessedadmirablequalities.HowtheseGodscoulddecidethatonionwasthegreatest?Sensingtheirgrievance,theGodsspokeup.Theysaid,'Thereisnodoubtthatallofyoupossesscommendablequalities.Butonionhasoneadditionalandspecialtraitwhichnoneofyoucanboastof.Thatis:toretainthesamesmellunchangedthroughoutlife!Thatiswhywehavedecidedinitsfavour.Beliketheonion.Whetheryouarehappyorunhappy,comfortableorsuffering,neverabandonyourtraitofbeingdevotedtoGod."Thisexplanationsatisfiedalltheaggrievedvegetables."Softlystrokinghisbeard,LordBrahmawishedthewinner,'AslongasIexist,mayyoupossessabeardlikeme.'Ifyoulookcloselyatanonion,youwillfindathinbeardadorningit.LordVishnublessedtheonion,'Cutvertically,youwilldisplayoneofmyinsignia,thesankha(conch,shell).Cuthorizontally,youwillrevealanotherofmyinsignia,thechakra(disk).'Cutanonionandyouwillnoticethis.LordSivablessedit,'Iwillgiveyouaguarantee.Anyonetryingtoharmyouiscondemnedtoshedtears.'Thistooiswellwithintheexperienceofeverybody!"Thissimpletaleofthehumblevegetableconveysaprofoundtruth.Apersonwhopossessesstaunch,unwaveringdevotiontoGodissupreme.Hewillberighteous.HewillbeblessedwithGod'sgrace.Nobodycancauseharmtohim.

CHAPTER18-DEARTOTHEDEPRIVEDANDNEARTOTHENEEDY

Difficultiesarecreatedtoincreasetheyearningandtosiftthesinceredevoteefromtherest.~Baba~

ADVERSITYBRINGSGODCLOSERInSriMahaBharath,thePandavascompletedtheirexileintheforestsandsafelyreturnedhome.KunthiDevi,theirmother,wasoverjoyed.Ingratitude,shebowedandofferedsalutationstoLordKrishna.Hesaid,"Mydearaunt,isthere

anythingmoreyouwant?Iwillgrantit."Sheansweredhumbly,"Oh,LordKrishna,itwasonlybecausemysonswereundergoingunbearablehardshipsintheforestsandlivingonrootsandtubers,Youwereconstantlywiththemandguardingthem.Similarly,IcanearnYoursupportandprotection,YoursweetandintimateloveandYourproximity-onlywhenIhavebeenindifficulties.So,Ipraytoyoutograntmeonlyhardshipsallthetime."AsimilarincidentconnectedtoSriSathyaSai'slifeisworthrecalling.Swamidecidedthatinoneparticularyear,summerclasseswouldbeheldinOotyandtookallthestudentsthere.WhentheclassesendedandjustbeforesettingoutforBangalore,Hetoldthem,"AsyouhavecomeallthewaytoOoty,goforsight-seeing;lookaroundandenjoyallthebeautyinGod'screation."ThestudentsinsistedthatSwamishouldaccompanythem.Otherwise,theysaid,theytoowouldnotgo.TheirideawastogetthemselvesphotographedalongwithSwamiinthescenicsurroundings.SwamiagreedandarrangedbustransporttogotoDodabetta,afinespotsituated8,000feetabovesealevel.HetoldtheboystogoaheadandarrangetotakephotographsandthatHewouldjointhemtheresoon.Sometimeaftertheyleft,SwamileftNandanaVanamforDodabettabycar.AfterHisdeparture,twoyoungmencametoNandanaVanamtoseeHim.OnlearningthatSwamiwasonHiswaytoDodabetta,theytooleftforDodabettaonmotorcycle.IntheiranxietytoreachandinfactovertakeSwami'scar,theydroveathighspeed.PersonstravellingwithSwamiinHiscarwondered,"Whoaretheseboys?Theyaredrivingtoofast.Theymustberowdies."Babacorrected

them,"No,no.Youshouldnotrushtoconclusionswithoutknowingthefacts.TheyareeagertohaveMydarshan."Ataturnontheroad,theyoungmenonthemotorcyclecametooclosetoSwami'scaratahighspeed.Theylostcontrolandfelldown.ImmediatelySwamihadhiscarstopped.Hewenttothemandwipedthedustanddirtofftheirbodiesandgentlyreprimandedthem,"Mydearboys,areyouhurt?Whyareyoudrivingathighspeed?Youshouldnotdosuchrashthings.IfyouwantedtoseeSwami,youcouldhavecometoNandanaVanam."Theboysreplied,"Swami,weverymuchwantedtoseeYou.Nowthatwemetwiththismishap,wehavegotnotonlyYourdarshanbutalsoYoursparshan(touch)andsambhashantoo(conversation).Ifwehadnotfallenofflikethis,Youwouldnothavecomesoclosetous;YouwouldnothavepattedusonourheadssoaffectionatelyandYouwouldnothavetalkedtouswithsuchsweetintimacy.So,Swami,evenifYougiveusanyamountofhardshipandadversity,grantusalsoYourdarshan,sparshanandsambhashan.Inordertoreceivetheblissofthiskind,wewillbepreparedtoundergoanyamountofsuffering."Afternarratingthistouchingtaleofloveandcompassion,BhagavanBabasaid,"Goddoesnotbestowasmuchclosenessandlovewhenyouarecomfortableandenjoyinglifeaswhenyouareintroubleandsufferingthepangsofadversity.InGod'sviewofthings,bothsufferingandhappinessareequal.ThosewholoveGodwithalltheirheartandsoulwillhavenodesires.Thereareanynumberofpeoplewhoareruinedforlackofsincerefaith;butthereisnotasinglebelieverabandonedbyGod.None,nonewhatsoever!"

"ITOO,FEARHER!"Oncemorning,womendevoteeswereenteringtheaudiencehallinPrashantiNilayamtohavedarshanofSwami.Theywereobservingduesilenceandwerealsowalkinginorderlylines.Butaladyvolunteerattheentrancewascurtandrudeinhermannersandwasusingsomewhatimpolitewordswhiletryingtohustletheminside.Manywomenfeltbadaboutherbehaviour.Oneofthemwasverymuchupset.WhileshecametoPrashantiNilayamtoattainmentaltranquility,shethought,thisinsensatevolunteerwascausingmoreunrestinhermind.ShedecidedtoinformSwamiaccordingly.Tohergoodfortune,BhagavanBabagaveaninterviewtoheralongwithsomewomendevotees.ShecouldhaveutilizedthatsublimeopportunitytoraiseherpersonalissueswithSwami.Instead,shechosetoventilatehergrievanceattheinappropriateconductofthevolunteerattheentrance.Assoonasshesetfootintheinterviewroom,sheburstout,"Swami,didyounoticethatladyvolunteeronthewomen'ssidewhoistalkingtoomuchandusingharshwords?Sheisdisturbingourpeaceofmindeveninthisholyplace.WhydidYouhavethatvolunteerpostedondutyattheentrance,Swami?"AsHeheardthistirade,SwamiwhowasseatedonHisthrone,bentslightlyforwardandsaidtoher,"Bangaru,Iwillletyouknowasecret.Itoofearher!"ThedevoteewassurprisedbutdelightedandwentintopealsoflaughteronhearingBaba'swell-keptsecret!Thewholeroomwasfilledwithlaughter.

HereisameaningfulspirituallessongivenbyBhagavanSriSathyaSaitoHisdevotees.Hedidnotdismissthatvolunteerinangerforherroughconduct.Atthesametime,withasimplesoothingword,HesweptawaythegrievanceofthisgenuinelyhurtdevoteeandpacifiedherwithHishumourandlove.BabathusexhortsallHisdevotees,"Ifyoutoofaceanyproblemordifficultyinlifeandgetupset,recallMysweetwordsandjovialconversationanddelightinthem.Therebyyouwillbeabletoforgetyourgrieforhurtmoreeasily."Oftendidthatdevoteereceiveroughtreatmentagainatthehandsofthesamevolunteerattheentranceoftheaudiencehall.Butshecouldbearitwithequanimitybysimplyrecallingthesweet,disarmingandfrolicsomewordsofSwamiandhappilylaughingwithinherself.Wheneveryouaretroubledbylife'sproblems,recollect

Swami'sdivinediscourses,exhortations,parablesandtales.Yourtroubleswillbesweptawaylikedarkcloudsdrivenawaybywind.ThisincarnationinhumanformoftheEternalUniversalSupremeReality,thepersonificationofTruth,AwarenessandBliss,theembodimentofunboundedcompassion,BhagavanSriSathyaSaiisshoweringdivinebliss(ananda)onhumanityandenablingmankindtoeasilycrossthedifficult-to-crossoceanofbirthanddeath.

NINETYPESOFBHAKTHI

AccordingtoSriMahaBhagavatha,sravan(hearing),keerthan(singingpraises),smaran(remembering),padasevan(touchingfeet),vandana(salutation),archana(worshipping),dasya(serving),sakhya(friendship)andAthmanivedan(surrender)aretheninetypesofdevotiontoGod.ThesearelikestepsthatleadbystagestoreachandmergewithGod.

Letusconsideranillustrationthatholdsamirror,asitwere,totheexperienceofhundredsofthousandsofdevoteesvisitingPrashantiNilayam.Firstofall,wehearquitealotaboutBhagavanSriSathyaSai.WehearthatSriSathyaSaistaysintheholyplaceofPuttaparthiintheAnantapurDistrict,thatHegivespublicaudiencemorningandeveningeverydayintheaudiencehallinPrashantiNilayam,thatHeisclothedinalongrobeofredcolour,thatHewearsadistinctivecrownofblackhair,andthatHepresentsamagnetic,divinevisiontotheonlooker.WealsohearthattheverysightofBhagavangivesindescribablehappinessandthatHecanrelieveeverysufferingbyameretouchorword.WehearthatHecanmaterializeanyandeverythingbyameremovementofHisdivinehandandthatHecancureanydiseasebyHismereWill.Wehearhundredsofsuchexperiencesfromallsides.Thisisthefirststage:sravan(hearing).Backhome,thewholehouseholdwillgathertogetherandexchangenotesandexperiences."Haveyouheardthis?...Haveyoualsoheardaboutthismiracle?...Thiswonder?...SriSathyaSaiBabaisGod-incarnate,theysay,....Heisanoceanofmercy.Heistheembodimentofcompassionandlove.Werecountinstancesofeverysuchattributeand,intheprocess,wesingHispraises.Thisisthesecondstage:keerthan.WeareledtoastrongdesiretovisitPuttaparthisomedayandhaveSwami'sdarshan.ThemindfillswithSwami.WerememberSwami'sdivineleelasandmahimas(signsofdivinity)andwearesuffusedwithwonderment,andanticipationaswellasintensepleasure.WedreamofSwamiwhileasleep;wethinkofSwamiwhenawake.Thisisthe

thirdstage:smaran.Then,ononeblessedday,wereachPuttaparthi.Wegointotheaudiencehallfordarshan.Swamimovesslowlytowardsus,radiatingflamecolouredillumination,andstopsrightinfrontofus.Weforgetourselvesinimmensehappiness.WesaluteHiminagestureofobeisanceatHisLotusFeetandtouchoureyeswithourhands,soblessed.Thisthenisthefourthstage:padasevan(touchingfeet).Swamigraciouslyinvitesusintotheinterviewroom.Beamingwithpleasure,wetroopintotheroomandsitatHisLotusFeet.HesitsonHisthroneveryclosetous.WelookatHiminunbelievinglywonderandrejoiceatourgoodfortune.Thisisthefifthstage:vandana(salutation).WeplaceflowersattheLotusFeetofBhagavanSriSathyaSai.Bhagavantellsus,"Bangaru,Idonowanttheseflowersthatfadeinnotime.WhatIwantistheotherflower,yourheart!"WhenwehearSwami'smellifluousvoice,athousandmusicalinstrumentssinginourinnerconsciousness.Thisisthesixthstage:archana(worship).Then,Bhagavancastshiscool,refreshinglooksatusandaskssmilingenchantingly,"Bangaru,whatdoyouwant?"Wereply,"Swami,ifyouarekindenoughtoallowit,wewillstayhereservingyou."Heenquires,"Whatwillyoudohere?"Wesay,"Wewilldowhateveryouorder,Swami."Thisistheseventhstage:dasya(serving).Aftersomeconversation,webecomemoreself-assured,andbolder.Wedevelopsomecloseness,friendshipwithSwami.

Wetellhimaboutourproblems.Swamiassuresus,"Bangaru,WhyfearwhenIamhere?Iaminyourhome;Iamalwayswithyou;Iameverbyyourside;;youwillfindmewithinsightwheneveryouneedMe.Iwillprotectyouatalltimes."Thisclosecompanionshipgivesusalotofself-confidenceandcourage.Thisistheeighthstage:sakhya(friendship).Aftersomedays,Bhagavanagainsasksus,"Whatdoyouwant?"Wehavereachedwhereweareabletoreply,"Swami,Ineednothing.IamcompletelyYours.UsemeasYourinstrument.Iammerelyincidental,ameretoolinYourhands."Thisistheninthstage:Athmanivedan(surrender).BhagavanSriSathyaSaisays,"First,Iwillgiveyouwhateveryouaskfor.Later,ImakeyouaskforwhatIhavecometogiveyou."

CONCLUSIONTheSacredLifeStoryofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBaba,LordoftheUniverse,IncarnationoftheUniversalAbsolute,embodimentofboundlessmercy,succouroftheafflictedisnowcomplete.No,No,itnevercomplete.Itiscontinuing,itisunending…MaythepersonificationofTruth,AwarenessandBlissconvereveryblessingontalltheworlds.AsIpraytoHimwithallmyheartandsoul,IrespectfullyofferthisDivyaPusthakam(HolyBook),Thapovanam,whichreflectsSwami’sdivineglory,atHisdivineLotusFeet.

BENEDICTION(PHALASHRUTHI)

Parayanamofthisholybookbringsthebeatific,divineformofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabatothereader'smindwiththeabundantgraceofBhagavan.Hisdivinenamedanceson

histongueandlips.Babasaidonce,"Thegardenerordersthelabourertodig.Thelabourerjustobeysanddigson.Itisforthegardenertodecidehowmuchofthematerialshouldgotoeachplant.Similarly,Myorderisthatyouperformnamasmaranandroopadhyan(mentalrepetitionofthenameandmeditationoftheform).Yougoonwithyourtask;itisMyjobtoseewhereandhowmuchtoallocatethefruitsthereof."LetusconcentrateonimplementingBaba'scommandinearnest.ItisforHimtorescueusfromthecrushingwheelsofthecycleofbirthanddeath.Swami'ssupremedivinity,Swami'sboundlesscompassionandSwami'sunfathomablelove,displayedtimeandagain,inincidentafterincident,overwhelmuswithastonishment,yearningandalsosupremehappiness.Wesoondevelopasenseofnon-attachment(vairagyabhava)aswerealizethateverythingliesinthehandsoftheall-controllingBabaandthatwearemerelytoysinHisdivinehands.Itfreesusfromthebondsofworrythatbesetourlives.Induecourse,itleadsustorealizationofSelf(athmasakshathkar).Itisanestablishedfactthatthechokingmeshofdeedsofpastlives(karmabandhan)istornasideifwesinginpraiseofBhagavanwithfull-throatedardour(keerthan),ifweincessantlymeditateonSwamiandifwedounremittingservicetoSwamiandinHisname.SriSathyaSaiBhagavantranscendseveryothergod.Therefore,peopleprofessinganyfaithandreligion,peoplefromanystate,country,orland,indeedtheentirehumanity,mayreadthisHolyBook.Swamisays,"IfyouareaChristian,beagoodChristian;ifaMuslim,beagoodMuslim...Ihavecomenottodivertyoufromyourfaithbuttobuildupstrong

faithinyourownreligion."SaiFaithisnothingbutharmonisationofallfaithsandtostresstheinterconnectionofthebasicsofallmajorreligionsoftheworld(sarvamathadharmasammathamisSaimatham).Accordingly,devotionalreadingofthissacredbookstrengthensaperson'sbeliefindivinityandfaithinhisownreligion.Thereby,hewillbeinspiredtoadheretotherightpath,thepathofdivinity.AfterreadingaboutSriSathyaSai'sdivinity,peoplefromhundredsofcountriespray,"Swami,kindlygiveustoo,theexhilaratingexperienceofwitnessinginstancesofyourdivinity."TheyreceiveBaba'sblessingsinamplemeasure;theyforgetthemselvesastheyareshoweredwithBhagavan'scompassionandlove.ThisisafascinatingprocessgoingoneverymomentallovertheworldinthisageofKaliYuga.Thisisanopensecret,adivinesecret,knowntoeveryone!OnemaymastertheVedasandtheUpanishads.Buttounderstandbhakthiisnoeasytask.ThisLifeStoryofBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabaisaVedaabouttheVedaPurusha,theDivine,towhomallVedasarededicated.ReadingofthisVedamakesitalltheeasiertounderstandtheessentialityofbhakthi,whichisloveofGod.WhoeverreadsorlistenstotheLifeStorymorningandeveningwithunyieldingdevotionwillattaineverythingbeneficialinlifeandalsowillgetrelievedfromthecycleofbirthanddeathsquiteeasily.Thatbeingthecase,itgoeswithoutsayingthatworldlyproblemsonefacesinlifeareresolvedautomaticallybythegraceofBhagavan.ThereisabsolutelynoroomfordoubtthatBhagavanSriSathyaSaiBabawillshoweronHisdevotees’compassionandloveandblessthemwithearthly

happinessandspiritualananda.Babasays,"HowcanIfailtorememberonewhoalwaysremembersMe?"Healsosaid,"JanmakarmachaMeDivyani"[MylifeandMyworkaredivine.]LetusreadtheSacredLifeStoryofBhagavanagainandagain;letusrememberHimoverandoveragain;letourdevotioninviteBhagavan'sfavour;letuswitnessthegloriousspectacleoftheentireworldsuffusedwithBhagavan'slove.Letusattainimmortality!SaiEaswarasrayomarthyoSathyaDharmaParayanahPapaVyadhiVisuddhathmaYathiSathyaSanathanamJaiSaiRam!HailtheGloryofLordSai!OmSriSathyaSaiParabrahmaneNamahOmSanthih,Santhih,Santhih

MANGALAARATI

AumJaiJagadeeshahare…SamasthaLokaHSukhinoBhavantuX3EndofThapovanam:SriSathyaSaiSathcharithraThisisacompleteandexactsoft-copyoftheThapovanambookwithmorepicturesinPDFFormat.bySis.SudhaRamReferences:CompilationbySaisisterAdelineTheRadioSaiThapovanamBookLoveAllServeAllv JAISAIRAMvHelpEverHurtNever

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