Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/90

In connection with a job search, I once met an elderly and well educated person. I showed him a copy of a book that I wrote. He looked at the second page where it was noted that the book was dedicated to "Bhagawan, Amma and Nana". He asked me who the "Bhagawan" was. I have stated that the Bhagawan is Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The scholar quickly and unhesitatingly remarked that Baba might be a great saint, but certainly not Bhagawan (God). After a while I collected the copy of my book and left the company of the scholar.

I left the scholar, but, I could not leave my thoughts. The scholar's remark was all the time in my mind. Apparently his contention was that Swami could not be God. A response came to my mind. He who can say that Swami is not God must have to prove that he has known God. Suppose I see a metal and say that it is not gold, it is implied that I know gold. Similarly if some one says that Swami is not God, then it is implicit that he can recognize God. Indeed, the individual ought to be knowing God thoroughly well, otherwise, he can not distinguish God from others who are not. So, I have decided that if some one says that my Swami is not God, I will simply ask him: "How do you know?"

Frankly, the fact that I have discovered that question has pleased me for a while only. After all just as I can ask: "How do you know Swami is not God?" I may be easily subjected to the counter question "How do you know He is God?" Naturally it is very desirable to know the answer to this question rather than to learn to raise the previous one.

Until I progress in my sadhana and become closer and closer to Him so that I can see Him in absolute unmanifest as well as relatively manifest Swami, I can not really know the answer to the question: "How do you know Swami is God?" But, though it is not needed to begin my sadhana, simply to enjoy the bliss that Swami gives me, I ought to have some answer, more down to earth of course, to the said question. Also it is not palatable to my ego to evade the answer to the question by saying that sadhana alone will give the answer (though this is the true answer). Hence I came to a conclusion. Until one can identify through sadhana the manifestation of The Absolute in the form of Swami, one needs some transient working proof to cultivate the faith that Swami is God, and to be guided by this faith on the path of sadhana. Most Sai devotees, I believe, have used the following characteristics of Swami as the proof of His divinity and to say that He is God.

The Supernatural phenomena associated with Him (only God can do them).
His emphasis on all religions (only one absolute God or His real manifestation can emphasize this.)
His pure love (He gives and gives and forgives, never asking anything in return except love. One has to shed a thousand tears and beg Him to accept even a small gift which He does only to please His devotee).
The transformation He brings about in human behaviour (only God can correct people since He does this out of love) etc. etc. etc .......

It is important to recognise why the above characteristics are noticed as the proof that Swami is God. I think it is because none of us wish to consider anything less than the above as characterizing God. This is so because the ego in us does not permit us to see God in everyone and everywhere. We direly need a personal God because we like to be corrected, questioned, patted and loved by someone much higher than the average human beings. For all these reasons we see Swami as God. Clearly this is not the real proof. Real proof can be obtained only through sadhana and only when it can be realized that the absolute has indeed manifested as Swami and also when it is realized that the absolute is also manifest in all creation.

Thanks to Swami, I have learnt one thing. Every time I meet people who say that Swami is not God I have learnt to respect them and not to argue with them. For, what I know is no superior to what they think they know. I cannot prove and they cannot disprove. If my faith gives me joy and bliss, they too get something out of their faith.

For common people like me, the nice distinctions between yogi, saint, sage, incarnation and Absolute God are totally irrelevant. All of them are Divine just as one's mother, father and teacher are. Twameva Sarvam Mama Sai Deva.

Chinese New Year 2013

The year of the Snake was welcomed with vibrating prayers and bhajans on Chap Goh Meh, 24th February, 2013 at NED centre, Penang.  Chinese new year songs were also sung by the whole congregation at the end of the session.

After arathi, the God of Prosperity (Chai Sern Yeh) made his grand entrance and paid his respects to our beloved Swami.  Then, he distributed angpows and oranges to everyone.  There were a total of 130 people present for this year's event.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Click below to see more pictures :

Chinese New Year 2013

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/89

When Sri Sathya Sai Baba, at the tender age of fourteen was finally brought to Puttaparthi, after months of fruitless treatment by specialists in medicine and magic, devotees flocked around Him and gained His grace, every day, in ever increasing number. Baba was all the while declaring that He was Shirdi Sai Baba and no other; He was distributing to all the Udi He got by a mere wave of His hands; He was inspiring, curing, consoling, strengthening and blessing every one, as He was doing in the previous Shirdi manifestation also. When a few doubters of the continuity and identity between the two Babas approached Him one day, He lifted His palms and holding them up to their faces, said, “Look”. They looked and got Karathalamalaka proof! One palm was a shining picture of Sri Sathya Sai Baba (!) and the other was a shining picture of Shirdi Sai Baba (!) both equal in size and splendour!

This was long ago at Puttaparthi, with Baba concretely in front of the questioners. Now, listen to Sri. C. H. of New Delhi, “It was exactly three months ago. I was returning on my cycle from my office in Old Delhi to my residence in New Delhi. I had been to Puttaparthi only once and I was so fascinated by Baba that I felt eager to visit the place again. But, I must say that I could not quite understand why a village boy from Andhra should call Himself ‘Baba’ and relate a peculiar story about Himself that He was ‘Shirdi Baba’ in His previous birth. Strangely enough that day, while coming along that road, this doubt was distracting me. Suddenly, I was alerted by some one on cycle who pulled up along side of the road and accosted me thus: “Well, have you finished office?” He was an old but hefty person dressed in white, with a kerchief round his head. I said “Yes,” automatically; He asked me “Then, can you come with me for a few minutes to that tomb over there; I wish to talk to you.” So, we directed our cycles to that ruined tomb, riding two abreast for a furlong or two. We got down and sat on the grass, with our backs against the wall.

It was the old man who began the conversation. “My friend, you have planned to go to South… is it not? Do not cancel it or postpone it,” he said. I was astounded. It nearly took my breath away. I thought I must tell him about my doubts, the absurdity of Shirdi Baba being born again etc. So, without further enquiry, I poured out my heart to that old man. He evidently relished my story, for his eyes gleamed and there was a merry laugh hovering around his lips. When I had finished, he stared at me full in the face and holding both his palms spread in front of me, commanded, “Look.” I looked and (would you believe it?) one palm was a portrait of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the other palm was a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba! When I had recovered from the exhilaration, He told me “Do not neglect this great opportunity, my boy.” We both rode back and the old man turned in the direction from which He had come (!) and …… even as I was looking at Him and His cycle…… melted into thin air.”

The same Karathalamalaka proof, eighteen years later! Baba materialising Himself 1500 miles away, to direct the steps of a devotee who was hesitating at the crossroads! The continuity and the identity are as indisputable as the Berry in the Palm!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/88

Madam Indira Gandhi once requested Brahmanand Panda to run for election, to become a Member of Parliament. Do you know what Panda said? “Madam, to be a Sai devotee is far...far greater than being a Member of Parliament.” This is transformation!

In another example, a former Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Parthasarathy, was invited to give a talk. Do you know what he said? “People introduce me as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. I am sorry, but I have not come here in that capacity. On the day when Swami told me that I would be the President of the Sathya Sai Organisation, I was more joyful than when I was nominated as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court.” That is transformation!

As long as we crave for power, name, and fame and such, it is not transformation. When my head is full of information, it is not transformation. The spiritual journey confers an experience that leads to a phenomenal inner change without our knowledge.

So, what is true transformation? True transformation is egolessness, absence of jealousy, absence of pride, not craving for power, and no arrogance.

There are some people, who say, “Anil Kumar, after coming to Swami, I stopped eating brinjal curry.” That is not transformation!

Somebody said, “Anil Kumar, I have undergone transformation, because I stopped eating bitter gourd.” I said, “You don't like it anyway, so that is not transformation!”

Some people also say, “Once a month, I don't take food on a Thursday.” I tell them, “Not eating once a month is still not enough. It is not transformation.”

Others say, “Thursday is Baba's day, so I don't eat. Saturday is Venkateshwara’s day (or Tuesday, Hanuman’s day), so I don't eat.”

I say, “Please stop eating. That will be your day — the final day!” Such statements are not transformations. Giving up an item at the breakfast table or at the dining table is not transformation.

Baba said in a poem: When you have had a fight with your wife, you don't want to eat that night in order to express your anger. But, then you cannot say the next morning, “I have been fasting.” Fighting with your wife is not religious transformation!

By playing cards on Sivaratri, all night long, you cannot say that you have been vigilant. Whom are you cheating?

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 3/87

Baduma Kasim Valekar, an old lady of 60 was admitted as an in-patient on 30th Oct 61 in my Nursing Home, seriously ill with acute double pneumonia and I treated her for three days, 30th, 31st and 1st Nov ‘61 during which she registered some improvement. But, on the fourth day, about midnight, her condition suddenly turned precarious and I was hastily summoned to her side. She was in great distress, her heart was sinking and I gave her a Coramin injection. That did not improve matters and I tried an additional internal dose of Coramin too. Her condition continued to worsen and I could see no sign of hope. I returned with a heavy heart to my house about 1 a.m.

Baba was my Only Refuge. I took bath at that late hour, and entered the Puja Room. I performed the Astothra Puja to Baba and prayed, “I have tried all drugs and cures known to me; now, I am helpless. I do not know any more. The responsibility is yours now; save her, O’ Baba. Save me and my reputation.” I then went to bed, but, I could not sleep on account of anxiety. The picture of grief around the sick bed haunted me. I hurried before dawn to the Nursing Home and what a surprise!... when I found Baduma sitting up on the cot! I gave her the Vibhuti that Baba had given me when I took leave of Him at Puttaparthi and asked her what had happened at night. Had anyone come? I asked. She replied that she did not remember much, but, someone came and placed His hand on her cheek just below the ear, and also stroked the head. She said, “I felt great relief.” She said that the person had a heavy load of curly hair! He had sat on the cot by her side for some time and disappeared.

I was overcome by surprise and thankfulness. I ran into my room and bringing with me the picture of Baba, I asked her, “Is this The Person Who came?” “THE SAME,” she cried.

Needless to say, “Baduma recovered quickly...”

“Oh! What a blessed soul is that lady! She had the good fortune of being treated by the Loving All- merciful Hand of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba!”