Sathya Sai baba: December 2008

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

FROM PUTTAPARTHI...THE SINDHI ADVOCATE !!!

Once an advocate, who was a chronic smoker arrived at PRASANTHI NILAYAM. Due to his habit, Cancer had afflicted his throat. Doctors advised surgery along with radiation and chemotherapy. This advocate wanted SWAMI's permission before beginning the treatment.

The ever merciful BHAGAVAN invited him into the interview room & asked him to hold his palms together to form a bowl.

Then SWAMI materialized and poured a large quantity of VIBHUTHI into them & asked him to eat it all!!! It was dark in color & tasted like bitter gourd! SWAMI affectionately cajoled & persuaded him to finish it.

After the interview, the advocate went into the canteen to have a cup of coffee. When he was there, his eyes fell on nearby 'PAKODAS' (A savory crisply fried in oil) & unable to resist, he ate a plateful.

For a long time, due to the pain in his throat, he had not been able to eat properly despite his strong taste for food. But now he was able to comfortably eat, taste & relish the food!!! When he probed with his finger inside his mouth at the cancer affected spot, he FELT NO PAIN AT ALL!!!

He realized that the cancer had gone & was totally overwhelmed. Tears flooded his eyes as he remembered SWAMI's mercy.

When he was again called for interview the next day by SWAMI, the advocate fell on his feet & expressed his gratitude to BHAGAVAN. He told SWAMI that he was proficient in SINDHI Language & begged to be permitted to translate & publish the SINDHI edition of SANATHANA SARATHI, the monthly magazine from Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust from PRASANTHI NILAYAM.

SWAMI replied, "It's only for that purpose that I've made you come to PUTTAPARTHI!!!"

From then on the blessed person has been translating & publishing SANATHANA SARATHI in SINDHI!

PS: Your mission has begun. Only those whom I have called can serve me. I have prepared you for this work over many incarnations. I have drawn you to me. As you perform your silent work, I will embrace you to my heart & henceforth your soul shall be lifted up & your eyes will reveal my presence within. Your example will be that of ANGELS!!! – SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

See photos of the Inaugural issue of the
Sanathana Sarathi in February 1958 and the back cover in the first issue - an enigmatic Sai

REF: SRI SATHYA SAI SATHCHARITHRA - TAPOVANAM

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FROM PUTTAPARTHI...EQ AND MAHABHARATHA !!!

Mr. Bala Ramchandran, an alumnus of SBMAF(Sri Sathya Sai University) currently serving as Manager, Learning & Development, South India, HDFC Bank, Chennai, takes a page out of his corporate diary:

"During the recent annual appraisal (2007-2008), one day, my boss called me to his chamber and confided this to me: 'Whenever I suggest something, even when your opinion on that is different from mine, you listen and initially seem to accept. And then, at a later date, you come out with your point of view. And in almost all cases, I seem to finally go by your suggestion. Can you tell me how you do that?'

"I then explained to him that this was one of the many values I learnt from my stay at Puttaparthi. Sri Sathya Sai Baba always taught us that 'You may not always oblige, but can speak obligingly'. Additionally, He advised us to be calm under any situation, and first obey our seniors before anything else.

After mentioning this, to illustrate my point better, I went on to relate the story from the Epic Mahabharatha which Baba often narrates in this context. The Mahabharata, by the way, is as important to businessmen as to spiritual seekers, because in it is contained profound lessons about holistic life and living. In any case, this is what I narrated to my boss.

"On one occasion, Balarama, the brother of Krishna, is furious with Arjuna and decides to kill him. And on this mission, he asks Krishna to accompany him. Even though Krishna is very close to Arjuna, at that juncture he calmly agrees to Balarama's proposal and accompanies him. (See photos)

"After they have gone halfway, sensing that Balarama's fury has subsided noticeably, Krishna, slowly tells Balarama, 'Brother, you are right. Ajuna clearly deserves to be punished. However, there is a technical constraint here.'

Balarama, who is now more receptive than before, is inquisitive and wants to know the reason. Then Krishna continues, 'No doubt, Arjuna should be punished. But, since he has married our sister Subhadra, if we take away his life, she would become a widow.'

"Balarama now realises his folly, and then turns to Krishna and says, 'I never thought of this. Turn the chariot, let's go back'.

"This is a classic example of good emotional quotient – to maintain composure at all times and understand the emotions of the other person and react most appropriately at the right time, just like Krishna did.

My boss was so impressed with this that he asked me to share this anecdote with all my colleagues in the Training Department. As expected, it stuck a deep chord with them too, as they understood the significant import conveyed by the incident.

PS: VIBUTHI sent to GURGAON (HARYANA), HYDERABAD AND MAURITIUS against fresh requests.

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...EVIL BEGETS EVIL !!!

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was once in Dharmakshetra in Mumbai accompanied by Swami Karunyananda. (See photos) While SWAMI stayed in his apartment on the upper floor, Swami Karunyananda was given a room situated on the ground floor right beneath Baba's room.

Swami Karunyananda bolted his room door from inside & was looking out from his window when he saw a very disturbing scene.

Just outside the compound wall, some children were vying with stray dogs to grab crumbs of food from discarded leaf – plates!!! This scene filled him with surprise as well as distress. "Is it so ironical that human beings were competing with dogs to eat the discarded food when GOD in HUMAN FORM was present at that moment in that very building!!!", he thought.

As these thoughts were passing through his mind, there was a gentle touch on his shoulder. He turned around & found Sathya Sai Baba smiling & looking into his eyes!

Swami Karunyananda was flustered & said, "How could you enter my room when I had bolted the door from inside?"

Baba countered, "If I want to come in, can mere bolts come in my way? I've come to take you for meals."

"Swami, I'm troubled by a small doubt. You are GOD incarnate & present here right now in this body. And just look there behind that wall where some children are fighting with stray dogs to pick up crumbs of food from the garbage. How is it, SWAMI?"

BHAGAVAN explained patiently, "They had spent their earlier lives in ease & luxury. They disdainfully ate from tables heavily laden with every kind of rich food, pecking a little from this & a little from that plate. They threw away much more than they ever ate, discarding precious food. Hence in this birth they're picking up what they had earlier so recklessly wasted & consigned to the garbage dump!!!"

Swami Karunyananda later referred to this incident during his speech on the occasion of the World Conference of Sathya Sai Organizations at Prasanthi Nilayam, when SWAMI was also present on the dias.

REF: SRI SATHYA SAI SATHCHARITHRA by 'Santisri' JANDHYALA VENKATESWARA SASTRY.

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL !!!

In 1975, a miracle happened. One night, I (Mr. Siva Rama Krishnaiah Principal of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School) returned from service, and we, my wife and I, were in our room when suddenly, Swami came into our room!

Yes, physically! He tried to wake me up but I wasn't opening my eyes (I came to know of this later). But my wife woke up. Swami, then, sat on the bed! He spoke of a few things and then asked my wife to go to the library and check a particular newspaper. He also told her that in it there was an advertisement. After this, He just disappeared.

Startled, my wife woke me up saying, "Swami came! Swami came!"

"Are you mad?" I asked her.

"Go to the mirror and check yourself!" she replied.

When I looked myself in the mirror, there was Vibhuti on my forehead which Swami had placed. In fact, both of us were having Vibhuti marks on our foreheads! Now, I had to believe this.

So, I went to the library and checked the newspaper Swami had mentioned. In one corner of this daily, I saw the 'Wanted' column, and there I saw an advertisement from a college seeking 3 chemistry teachers. It was from a big and reputed college in Guntur by name 'The Hindu College'. This college had a long tradition; it was started in 1885! I applied for the post.

Within 15-20 days from then, I saw so many changes happening in that college and so fast! The D.E.O (District Education Officer) of the college was transferred and the new person in charge happened to be my father-in-law's friend!

I was called for an interview. I was a little nervous as I was fresh graduate, without any work experience. But when I went into the interview room, I mustered some courage since the interview panel members were already known to me.

They asked me a few questions and I could answer all of them satisfactorily. Though I performed very well, getting selected was not going to be easy. There were 3 teachers who had retired from the college at that moment which had created 3 vacancies. But they had one son each, and all 3 of them had done M. Sc. in Chemistry! Each one of them had applied for the job; hence I was the 4^th candidate. Somehow, by God's grace, 1 person among them was overlooked and I was given the job!!!

Swami was guiding us all the time. Even before my marriage, when my in-laws were looking for a boy for their daughter, they were considering 4 or 5 matches for her among which I was also one. When they took all the profiles to Swami, He chose me among them saying, "This boy is very good. I will look after him. You give your daughter to this boy."

Yes! He was guiding me. Swami granted me the job in the Hindu college, only for me to gain a couple of years of experience.

I worked there for 4 years and returned to Swami in 1979. At that time, they were looking for a teacher who could work for the junior college in Puttaparthi. They wanted someone who could teach in Telugu too. I was told later that Swami showed my application to Dr. Bhagavantham and said, "Why don't you call this boy?"

That is how I was called to Puttaparthi. I came and when I sat in Darshan line, Swami came straight to me and said, "How are you? Take the demo class, I will see."

I said, "OK, Swami", and took Namaskar. I actually had never thought Swami would come to me!

I went to take the demo class. 3 other lecturers were seated in that class. I started the lecture in English and then changed to Telugu. While I was lecturing in Telugu, Swami came in and sat in the last bench!

I looked at Him, and He said, "Carry on!"

I started writing chemical equations on the board.

Swami then asked one of the boys, "What would happen if you consume more calcium?" The boy could not answer, and so He passed the question to me. Actually, I could not hear the question properly and communicated to Him the same.

Swami then answered the question Himself saying, "If you take more calcium than needed, you will loose your teeth." Then looking at me, He said, "Good! Write big letters on the board so that they would be visible even to the people sitting at the back" and went away!

I finished my lecture, came out of the class and was standing on the steps. Swami suddenly came there and said, "Oh, you are here! Take Namaskaram. Perform well."

With that, I knew I was in. That was the initiation; that was how I came here and joined the Junior college in 1979!!!

PS: Mr. Siva Rama Krishnaiah went on to become the Principal of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam. In 2003, he was conferred with the "Best Teacher" award by the Central Board of Secondary Education of the Government of India. He has been very fortunate to be an instrument in the divine hands in shaping the school for the last 25 years. (See his photos with SWAMI)

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...A SPECIAL STORY !!!

Krishna was a very poor boy. He lived in the village with his mother. His father was dead. When Krishna was 5 years old, his mother sent him to school. The road seemed very long. Krishna thought he had lost his way. He went on and on, till he saw the other village boys going to school. He joined them, and at last reached school.

He had a happy time at school. When lessons were over, he played games with the other boys. It was almost dark when he set out for home. It was a long way back to home. It grew darker and darker. Krishna was very much afraid. He did not know what to do. So he began to run, and he did not rest till he was in his mother's arms.

Next morning Krishna told his mother that he did not want to go to school. "But," said his mother, "You had a happy time at school yesterday, my child, and learnt many beautiful things! You said you loved your lessons. Why do you not wish to go to school today?"

"I love school and my lessons, mother," replied, "but I am afraid to go alone through the woods, they are thick and dark."

So she said to Krishna: "You don't know, my child, their lives in these woods another son of mine who is always there near the path. Whenever you are afraid, call out Him, O, BABA, BABA, come with me to school!' He will come at once and take care of you, and then you will not be afraid.

So Krishna set out like a brave boy. But he had not gone very far when he began to feel afraid. So he called out, "O BABA, BABA, come and play with me!" A Boy appeared out of the tree, took the child's hand, and led him to school. When they came near the school, He parted from him, saying: "Call Me again on your way back home."

Every day, Krishna, while going to and coming back from school, would call BABA. They would play together all the way & Krishna came to love Him as he had never loved anyone before. His mother was not in the least surprised. She knew it was SWAMI who came to her son's help every day.

One day the school master said:" Tomorrow I want to give a feast. All of you, my boys, must bring something." So Krishna said to his mother that night, "Mother, our noble teacher is going to give a feast tomorrow. What should I take to him?"

So she said to him, "My boy, I am too poor to give you anything for your teacher. But, while going to school in the morning, ask BABA to give you something." So in the morning Krishna told BABA, "O BABA, my teacher is going to give a feast today. All the boys will be bringing something. Will you, give me something for my Master?"

Here is a little bowl of milk. That's all I can give you, Krishna. But you must give it to your teacher.' said BABA. Krishna went to his master's house & waited behind a crowd of boys who were handing over what they had brought.

The teacher took the small bowl of milk from his hands and went to empty it into a big pan. But great was his wonder when the little bowl filled up again. Again he tried to empty it, and again the little bowl was full. And so he went on emptying it again and again, but still the little bowl was full!!!

The teacher asked him, "From where did you get this milk?" Krishna replied, "From my friend BABA, who lives in the woods."

"Who is He?" asked the teacher.

"One who comes and plays with me on my way to school," replied Krishna.

"Can you show me HIM in the woods?"

"Yes, if you come along with me, Sir."

So in the evening the teacher and Krishna went together to the place. When they got there, Krishna called: "O, BABA, BABA" but no one appeared. Krishna did not know what to do. He called and called, but there was no answer. At last the boy, full of grief, cried, "O BABA, if you do not appear, they will think I'm not telling the truth."

Then a voice was heard from the deep woods, which seemed to say, "No, my little friend, I cannot show my face to your master. He still has a long way to go & he has to wait."

PS: You have to remove the desire for sense-objects and then go before the Lord, devoid of kaama (desire) and krodha (anger). You have to destroy your ego and surrender to the Lord. You will be accepted unto Him then & not before. BABA

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...THAT CHARACTER !!!

DIANA BASKIN in her book, 'Divine memories of Sathya Sai Baba' (Published by SSBPT) writes, "Upon my return from PUTTAPARTHI, I spoke most enthusiastically about SWAMI to my Husband, JOEL. I showed him pictures & when I told him of the materializations I had witnessed, Joel was sure that they were tricks. Having worked on stage with magicians & knowing well how illusions are created, he felt he could easily prove to me that they were all tricks."

Joel always referred to BABA as 'That character'!!! When his friends came to visit, he would tell me to remove that character's picture!

After the birth of our daughter CHRISTINA, Joel's business crumbled. He tried desperately to save it but failed. His friends also slowly dropped away. I showed him a book on SAI BABA by Arnold Schulman. This aroused Joel's interest since Arnold was a playwright.

When his friends asked him what he would ask 'that character' to materialize for him, Joel replied, "RAINBOW!!!" He felt that only a rainbow would prove that BABA is genuine!

Finally when all of us came to PRASANTHI NILAYAM, Joel was appalled at the primitive living conditions & grumbled endlessly while we unloaded the luggage. My mother had been in the Ashram 1 month before & we came well supplied from BANGALORE with food, mattresses & everything else.

Smoking was not allowed inside & hence I took Joel to the hills behind our room, outside the boundaries, to have a smoke. Suddenly Joel looked up in the sky & exclaimed full of wonder & surprise, "Look, look at the rainbow!!!"

"That's what I wanted to ask SWAMI to make for me!" Joel answered a bit shaken. This was a very peculiar Rainbow as it wasn't curved but went straight up in the sky & started dissolving slowly from the bottom up while we were looking at it! Joel looked all around the sky & noticed that there were no clouds! It was a perfectly CLEAR DAY!!!

When we returned to our room, Professor Kasturi greeted us with the wonderful news that SAI BABA had called us for an interview the following morning. In the morning we waited in the interview room for BABA to come downstairs. Joel was standing at the foot of the stairs.

As BABA came down & reached the bottom, he turned to Joel with a big smile and said, "Well, character, how did you like my rainbow?" as he slapped Joel affectionately on the back!!!

Joel stood speechless, as if frozen, while tears came to his eyes & rolled down his cheeks. Tears & shame overcame me as well. There is no difference for BABA in making a ring or a rainbow. His manifestations cannot be labeled as big or small. They're all based on our misconceptions.

PS: DIANA BASKIN tells a superb story about day to day life in Sathya Sai Baba's household. (Late 60s & early 70s) No other western person has been privileged to have such a priceless experience. – JOHN HISLOP

The great lesson of VIBUTHI Prasadam is that every desire & need should be reduced to ASHES. – SWAMI

Vibuthi has been sent to SRILANKA & HARYANA (INDIA) against fresh requests.

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...TWO & A HALF YEAR OLD WITH SWAMI !!!

Mr Howard Murphet writes, "At Prasanthinilayam in 1967 I met Mr. Russi C.Patel, a Parsi of Bombay, and his wife. From them I learnt the story of their little daughter, Ketu."

At the age of 2.5 years Ketu, could not speak, walk or even stand. She had been given various kinds of medical treatment, including modern drugs and physiotherapy. But nothing seemed to have any effect. The source of the trouble was mystery. Some thought it was a matter of mental retardation; others said that it was some kind of unknown deep seated nerve trouble."

This was the state of affairs in Feb 1965 when Mr. Patel decided to go to Parthi and see Sai Baba. His wife, who was a very orthodox Parsi, was not in favor of the idea, thinking it a waste of time and money.

Sivaratri festival was on when Mr. Patel arrived at the ashram and huge crowds were there. Several times he wrote a note, intending to hand over the note to Baba as the latter passed through the crowd near him, but each time, when he saw the little figure with the luminous face, full of light of understanding, he decided that it was not necessary and tore it up. "When Baba wants me He will call me up" Patel told his friends.

But the days passed and Baba never called him. Streams of people were going in to see SWAMI but not Patel. Then one morning, a few days after the creation of Sivalingam, it was announced that there would be no personal interviews. However Baba came over to the balcony and gave blessings to all the devotees before they went home. Mr. Patel felt the great compassion pour onto the crowd and into his own heart.

Yet in the train on the homeward journey his faith and spirits sank to a low level. He thought of the time he spent there and the chances of speaking to Baba he missed. He thought of his poor little daughter still unable to stand or utter a single word. He imagined his wife's reproaches about the time and money he had wasted. He arrived at the door of his house very depressed.

When he opened the door, the first sight his gaze met was little Ketu, who could not even stand when he had left, walking down halfway to meet him, calling out "Daddy, Daddy". He picked her up and embraced her, and then he embraced his wife, while both of them wept with joy over the miracle that had somehow taken place!!!

On checking the facts with his wife Mr. Patel found that Ketu had first begun to walk and speak on the day before he arrived home - just after Sai Baba had given his blessings from the balcony to the assembled devotees!!!

Some time afterwards Mr. Patel took his wife and daughter to see Baba when SWAMI was on a visit to Bombay. In the midst of the many thousands that crowd around Him in that metropolis, Sai Baba saw them, and in the words of Mr. Patel, " greeted the little girl as if she was an old friend returned after a long absence" He took her on His knee, materialized some vibhuthi, and put it in her mouth. After that her speech improved greatly and she began using longer words!!!

All this narration underlines the basic concept that He is not in Parthi alone and He does understand our problems without them being physically expressed. A sincere prayer would certainly move Him to make wonders.

From 'Man of Miracles' written by Howard Murphet

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...PHOTOGRAPHER SHOT WITH LOVE !!!

It was in 1989 that Kumaran Ganesan saw Swami for the 1st time. That was the beginning of his photography career when he had been to Abbotsbury, Chennai, to take photographs of Swami, during His Chennai visit. Though Kumaran had the opportunity to take photographs of Swami from very close quarters for 2 days, he confesses that at that time he did not feel any attachment to Swami.

"The same year, I got another opportunity. I was working for Sudhir Ramachandran, a very renowned photographer and also a devotee of Swami." Kumaran recollects with obvious pride.

Kumaran accompanied Sudhir and his family to Kodai Kanal, where Swami was residing at that time. On the last day of their stay in Kodai, for reasons he finds difficult to explain, Kumaran felt an urge to have darshan.

But since it was very crowded and also quiet late, Sudhir suggested Kumaran to go to a particular spot near the lake, from where he could see Swami, as His car would normally pass by that way. Kumaran promptly went and waited at the spot. When Swami's car passed by him very slowly, he bowed down reverently and offered his salutations, hands folded. "Swami looked at me eye to eye and showed His abhayahastha (hands raised in blessing) and I instantly fell in Love with Him," says Kumaran.

In the earlier years, the professional opportunities that Kumaran got were few and far between. But with his new-found pillar of support in Bhagavan, nothing seemed too difficult to handle. Once, when he prayed to Swami for guidance, concerned by the thin volumes of his business, Bhagavan came in his dream and said, "Have patience. You will get your chances."

Years ago, his studio was situated in Millers Road, Bangalore. So, at the time when Kumaran was contemplating moving out of his office to a new place, there was a new office in Bangalore's Infantry Road that was readily available. The owner of this place gave Kumaran 1 month to decide and finalize the place. But, Kumaran was confused and could not take a decision. Both, he and his wife, prayed to Swami for guidance. Bhagavan came in his wife's dream and said, "Shift to the new premises. You will get all good results."

Kumaran was very happy and relieved to hear that. After a while, fear and confusion prevailed over him again. Swami this time around came in Kumaran's dream and said, "I am with you. Why do you worry? You are going to work with clients like IBM. Shift your studio to the new place."

On receiving this assurance from the Lord, he went to the landlord to give the advance and finalize the Infantry Road Office. Later, when the owner Mr. V. Krishnamurthy said, "Pay the advance to my son, Sai", Kumaran interacted with his son, & came to know that the landlord and his family were long time devotees of Swami!!!

"Then Mr. Krishnamurthy took me inside and also shared another very interesting story. In the 1960's, there was a bungalow on this same piece of land, where Swami had stayed during his visits to Bangalore!!!"

Needless to say, Kumaran relocated his studio to the new place to re-launch his career and from then onwards professional life has only been on the rise. "I got a lot of new clients, of course, including IBM!" Kumaran exults. "Revenues also increased multifold."

"Sometimes, I used to compare myself with fellow professionals, to find that some of them were doing better than me," says Kumaran. And SWAMI clarified in yet another dream, "The person you are comparing with, is better than you work wise. And moreover, he has the need to work harder since he has the need for that extra money."

4 years into the marriage, the Kumarans did not have an issue. Hence, they kept praying to Swami: One night, the Lord came in Kumaran's dream and said, "Your time has not yet come. I will give - not 1, but 2 children."

They now have 2 beautiful sons and every time they see the cheerful duo, they see Swami's infinite Love.

Kumaran Ganesan is a leading advertisement photographer based in Bangalore, with his wife and two sons, & his life is a testimonial of how Swami's love transforms lives.

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_06/01SEP08/07-Kumaran.htm

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...ALL IS SWEET THAT ENDS SWEET !!!

"Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and omniscient" is something I had grown up hearing, ever since I joined Swami's school. In open-mouthed wonder, my little mind (Ms. Priya Mani came under Bhagavan Baba's fold as a young girl of 11 years) would try to fathom these stupendous attributes of God.

I am reminded of a 'sweet' experience, that takes me back to my 10^th grade, when I was sitting for darshan in the 1^st line with a couple of students. It was a rain-kissed Onam morning and we were seated for special festival blessings. Given the crowds and the program, it seemed highly unlikely that Swami would even come our way.

Each of us must have been praying to Swami; in a moment of desperation, I decided to bribe Him with the lure of a much-loved sweetmeat. "Please, Swami, please," I pleaded, "If You bless us today, I will give up eating Gulabjamuns for ever." As our good fortune would have it, Swami did come our way and did bless us!

2 years sped by. We were in our 12^th grade diligently preparing for our approaching Board examinations. It was the dry and dismal month of March with Swami away at Brindavan. One night, Swami appeared in my dream. I saw Swami seated on a chair in our school lobby, and we students were seated on the floor facing Him.

With an ever so slight gesture of the index finger, Swami pointed to one of the students, asking "What is your favorite sweet?" The student replied, "Swami, sohanpapadi." Swami then posed the same question to another student, to which the response came 'Badurshahi'. Swami then asked me, "What is your favorite sweet?" I replied, "Swami, Gulabjamun."

The Lord then remarked to the gentleman seated beside Him, "Do you know how foolish some people are? They try to please me by giving up sweets!!!"

I woke up delighted and thrilled beyond words. Later on, during the day, we were greeted in the dormitory with joyous shouts that Swami had sent prasadam (sweets) for us from Brindavan and that we should go downstairs to collect the same. It was Sohanpapadi! "Wow! What a coincidence. Well, well, all's sweet that ends sweet."

But Swami was in no mood for endings. The next day, He sent prasadam again. This time, it was Badurshahi! This set me thinking. Part 1 and 2 of my dream had found fulfillment. And I was wondering how Bhagavan was going to execute Part 3. Would He dispatch barrelfuls of rosy gulabjamuns to school tomorrow from far-away Brindavan? Inconceivable by all standards of reason!

Yet, I waited in anticipation for the next day. I did not have to wait for too long. For the very next afternoon, as we were plodding away with our books, our Headmistress Aunty walked in with a huge bowl of gulabjamuns she had prepared exclusively for us, the 10th and 12th grade students. She said we had been slogging too hard, so she had decided to sweeten our labors with a savory surprise!

This incident taught me 2 lessons. One, God defies all definitions of possibility and probability. When He decides to do something, he will find the ways and means to do it. Time and space cannot limit Him and His will. It is we who need to keep our minds and hearts open to receive that Will and Grace. Two, Swami does not desire our paltry offerings by way of giving up a much-desired food item.

He doesn't even need them. What can we really give Him that belongs to Him already? We can only offer ourselves to Him, heart and soul.

More importantly, Swami was gently reminding me as ever that He was privy to my every thought, word and deed; that 'Forgetting' was a word that simply did not exist in the Divine Dictionary!

That I would 'get' and 'forget', but He only 'gave' and 'forgave'.

Ms. Priya Mani, an alumna of the Sri Sathya Sai University, Anantapur Campus, joined the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School for her 6^th grade. She later went on to complete her graduation and post graduation in English Language and Literature from the Anantapur Campus, securing a Gold medal in both the courses in the years 2002 and 2004 respectively. She currently lives in Dubai and works as a freelance writer. (See photos of Priya with SWAMI)

PS: VIBHUTHI sent to NEW DELHI, DUBAI, SINGAPORE & CALIFORNIA (USA) against latest requests.

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...HOW DOES SWAMI KNOW EVERYTHING !!!

Swami often teaches us through His devotees. I (Venkatesh Prasad) would like to share with you one such incident that occurred at Trayee Brindavan. This happened during a darshan session.

It so happened that on that day there was a devotee from Puttaparthi whom Swami lovingly called His 'Hanuman', sitting next to me. This devotee had, in Swami's own words, achieved a different plane of living. The relationship between him and Swami was totally different. This devotee, during the strict silence that generally pervades before Bhagavan's arrival, asked me a question, "How does Swami know everything?"

At that point I did not want to answer this question because I did not want to talk as it was darshan time. Also, I knew that such discussions could potentially last a long time! I realized that I would be creating trouble for myself entering into such a conversation sitting right outside Swami's main door. So, I tried to avoid the topic, but he would not let me go!

Therefore, without turning my head towards his side, I said, "Swami is antaryami (All-knowing one)." He immediately said, "That is what Swami says in His discourses, but now you tell me how Swami knows everything?" I had only one thought running through my head: stop this conversation. Again I replied tersely, "Swami is God."

He gave me the same response, "That is what Swami says in His discourses, but how does Swami knows everything?" The question-answer volley was heading in a direction in which I did not want to go.

So, with all humility I asked him, "Uncle, why don't you tell me how Swami knows everything." I thought by making him talk I might escape. But, what followed after that was one of the greatest blessings that Swami has showered on me. What he told me is perhaps the greatest truth.

He said, "I will tell you how Swami knows everything. When an ant bites your feet or hand, how do you know?"

I said, "It is my hand and my leg, so I know."

"Very true!" He said, "Have you seen in Hindu households a picture of a standing Vishnu with twenty arms, twenty heads, a cow in His stomach and so on? That is the Viraat Swaroop (cosmic form) of Vishnu."

"Yes, I have seen that."

"Through the art, the artist wanted to communicate the cosmic form of the Lord. If you notice, all living forms are present in His body, in fact, the entire universe. Everything is contained in Him.

Everything is Him, He is everything. Now, just as you come to know of the sensation when an ant bites your hand or leg, the Lord knows whatever happens in this universe and the universes beyond, because everything is sustained in Him. They are part of the Lord. That is how Swami is Antaryami and how He knows everything."

I cannot describe the profound impact that simple explanation made on me. It was a very lucid, crystal clear explanation of how Swami is omnipresent. I wondered in total amazement at how many years this uncle would have struggled and prayed to the Lord to arrive at this state of mind, and here he was putting everything in one small, sweet easily swallow-able capsule.

With that the devotee stopped talking and as if on this cue, Swami opened the door, walked towards us and then stood right in front of us. I had a wonderful padanamaskar. The devotee too prostrated at His feet.

From that day on I always had the thought that I am not alone. He is always with me. There was never an occasion after that where I found making decisions tough, for I am in Swami and whatever happens is His will! (See photo)

As told by Mr. Venkatesh Prasad, an alumnus of the Sri Sathya Sai University, Prashanti Nilayam. He joined the university in 1987 and passed out in 1992 after completing his B.Com and MBA. Venkatesh currently lives in Bangalore and works as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in a co...

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...ONE OF THE FINEST EXPERIENCE !!!

It was 1 week before SWAMI's proposed visit to CHENNAI (Several years ago) & I found that I had to make an urgent business trip to CHICAGO just for 1 meeting. In those days, BHAGAVAN was staying in the old Brindavan building in BANGALORE & I had to go & take his permission for the trip.

So when I went to take his permission, BHAGAVAN graciously said, "Yes, you can go & come back. Anyway I'm coming to Chennai only after a few days." I was to leave that night from Chennai. I waited there with my folded hands & SWAMI asked me to stop at a particular place during my return journey & meet a particular person. I said, "Yes SWAMI, I'll do that".

There were no further instructions!!! I was thunderstruck since I was going to travel 1000s of miles to meet a person without knowing why I was going there & what I was supposed to tell him. Anyway I thought BHAGAVAN would sort out everything & flew that night to CHICAGO.

After finishing my official meeting in Chicago, I called this person (Name withheld) whom SWAMI had asked me to meet & said, "I'm coming to your city to see you".

He sounded a bit curt on the phone & said, "Why are you coming?"

I said, "I'll tell you when I get there!" He sounded curt once again but I said, "SAIRAM" & told him that I was coming by such & such flight. It was a 14 hours flight with a stopover for re-fuelling & I simply had no idea why BHAGAVAN had asked me to meet him!!!

I was quite tired when I came out of the customs area & this particular gentleman was waiting for me. He appeared to be very wealthy & quite aristocratic. He said, "SAIRAM" & we went to the parking lot where he had his Rolls Royce parked. There was 'dead silence' during the car trip & we reached his palatial house at about 2.30AM in the morning.

He straight away took me to his drawing room, shut the doors, sat facing me & asked, "Now, why have you come?" I told him, "I came because SWAMI asked me to meet you & I've no other message!!!"

He said, "What man, you've come such a long distance without any message & without knowing why you're supposed to see me. Are you sure or are you hiding something?"

He repeatedly quizzed me & grilled me but I told him that I had absolutely no idea why I was asked to come & see him!!!

Then he relapsed into dead silence & was lost in thought for about 15 minutes!!! Suddenly he bent forward, reached towards his right shoe, withdrew something from his socks & I saw a glinting blue steel revolver!!!

To my shock, he said, "This is a fully loaded revolver & just tonight I was going to shoot myself!!!" Then he told me how he had got into enormous debts in his business & that he just wanted to end his life! He also said, "BHAGAVAN knew what I was going to do & that's probably why he sent you to meet me!!!" I told him that SWAMI was coming to Chennai in a few days & he said he would be there!

Later in Chennai, first SWAMI never looked at him & later when we thought he's not going to see this person at all, suddenly he called him into the interview room & asked me also to come in! Then BHAGAVAN started really to castigate this person & I was feeling very embarrassed to translate some of SWAMI's words!!!

SWAMI then got very angry with me & said, "YOU'RE JUST A LOUD SPEAKER. YOUR ROLE IS TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT I'M TELLING YOU TO SAY. NO EDITING WHATSOEVER." Then I exactly followed SWAMI's instructions & this man started weeping like a baby.

Finally SWAMI in all his mercy said, "Past is past, forget the past. Everything will be alright for you."

This man had a lot of properties that could not be sold due to the crash in the prices that took place at that time. But then buyers came mysteriously from somewhere & he was finally able to raise enough funds to meet all his obligations!!!

BHAGAVAN'S ways are mysterious. How, where & when he would come to protect you, you don't know!!! BHAGAVAN knows the PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE of every devotee under his care & even though this gentleman had not come to BHAGAVAN for quite some time, SWAMI remembered him & saved him!!! "I WILL NOT LET YOU GO" is what SWAMI SAYS.(Recent photo attached)

PS: Excerpts from an interview with Sri V. SRINIVASAN, ALL INDIA PRESIDENT, SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANIZATIONS broadcast on 6th OCT '02 & on 10th APRIL '03 on RADIO SAI GLOBAL HARMONY.

Fwd: FROM PUTTAPARTHI...EVEN A BLADE OF GRASS CAN'T MOVE !!!

This is about an experience that happened at PRASANTHI NILAYAM several years ago.

BHAGAVAN was going into the rows of devotees & he selected an Indian lady for interview who was sitting with a fairly 'grown up' child but she was sobbing inconsolably. It turned out that this child was not able to walk & must have been 10 years old.

I was standing at a little distance away from BHAGAVAN. This was in the olden days before the SAI KULWANT HALL was built.

When SWAMI selected this lady for interview, she just couldn't get up as she tried to 'lift' the child who was quite a weight! As she was struggling, I thought I would rush forward to help. As I tried to come forward, I saw SWAMI visibly angry & asked me to get back! I got taken aback & I moved away.

Then SWAMI turned to this child & said: "WALK"!!!

LO & Behold!!! The child started WALKING though not in a perfect fashion. This fairly grown up kid, who was on his mothers' lap, who had not been able to walk for several years NOW WALKED TO THE INTERVIEW ROOM!!!

The whole gathering burst into a loud applause & tears started flowing from my eyes. This is an experience that stands so vividly even today in front of my eyes.

Shows that SWAMY can do anything at any time but sometimes does not do so instantly. He has his own time table! He didn't even wait for an interview. He didn't wait for the vibhuthi to be materialized. He just COMMANDED the child to WALK in ENGLISH & the child started walking. It was truly a moving experience.

PS: These are excerpts from an interview with Sri V. SRINIVASAN, ALL INDIA PRESIDENT, SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANIZATIONS broadcast on 6th OCT '02 & on 10th APRIL '03 on RADIO SAI GLOBAL HARMONY.

VIBHUTHI being sent to CHENNAI (INDIA), MARYLAND & TEXAS in USA as per the last requests received by us.

There are no shortcuts in the spiritual field. As a matter of fact, the path of devotion is even more difficult than that of knowledge. The ego has to be fully curbed. The faith that 'Not even a blade of grass can shake in the wind without His being aware of it" has to be implanted in the mind.

Devotion is not an activity to be undertaken at leisure time. Erase sensual desires; clear the heart of all blemish. Then, the Lord will be reflected therein as a mirror.

- Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 5, Ch 16, 26-Mar-65

Sathya Sai baba