Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/25

There were two brothers, Jnanadeva and Bhaktideva. Both were going on a journey. On the way, they felt thirsty. Bhaktideva asked Jnanadeva, "I am thirsty but I cannot see water anywhere." Jnanadeva said: "Let us see whether there is any well nearby." After going some distance, they noticed an old well with water deep at the bottom. Jnanadeva declared: "Jnanaath-eva-thu-kaivalyam" (Through Wisdom anything can be accomplished). He immediately assumed the form of a bird, flew down to the water in the well, quenched his thirst and came up. Jnanadeva had the ability to assume any form because of the supreme knowledge of the Self. Bhaktideva could not get down into the well. He sat near the well and prayed to God with intense love. After sometime, the water in the well rose to the level of his feet. Noting the wetness of his feet, he opened his eyes and saw that the water in the well had overflowed. Jnana requires a change in one's form. Bhakti needs no such change. Intense loving devotion will suffice. What the devotee needs will come running to him. There is nothing greater than devotion. Bhaktideva wrote a letter to Jnanadeva. It was a blank piece of paper which he sent in a cover. When Jnanadeva opened the letter, he found there was no writing on it. Jnanadeva then started writing his reply in page after page. He could not come to the end of his writing. His entire life was spent on enquiry and investigation. There was no time for doing anything practical. The life of most scientists is spent this way: continuous experimentation, with no experience. This sort of endless pre-occupation with enquiry is of no use. Devotion is easier than Jnana marga (the path of Knowledge). Through devotion, constant chanting of the name and loving remembrance of God, anything can be accomplished.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/24

You say that you have been reading the various Sai books, but do not understand what Sadhana is, or what to do in Sadhana.

Swami tells us that Sadhana is the process of getting what we want, and it has three aspects. First, there is "vritti", which means attraction to that which we want. Without this longing for what we want, Sadhana cannot get under way. But this "vritti" is not enough. The second factor of Sadhana is confidence in oneself. We need self confidence, that we have the ability to get what we want. However, longing for that which we want and confidence that we have the strength and talent to get it is still not enough. The third factor is action. Without action nothing happens. We have to actually gain what we want and make it ours.

Baba tells us that this triple Sadhana is as effective for worldly ends as for spiritual life. In other words, that which is the object of your longing and your action, you will get if you are brave and have strong confidence in yourself.

The awesome power implicit in this triple Sadhana is a secret, unknown to the general public but revealed to devotees who study Lord Sathya Sai Baba. Triple Sadhana is a Divine guarantee, so to speak, that by the intense application of Sadhana to your life, you will get what you want. This being so, it is of the greatest importance to discriminate between your many desires before you engage in the Sadhana that will get what you want.

What is worth wanting? What is worthy of Sadhana? Surely it is only that which will truly and fully satisfy your desire.

What is desire? Desire is God, expressed as a vital force of your life. Who are you? You are the highest; in your inner most being your potential is Divine. Will the low satisfy the highest? No! No value that is lesser than the Divine will truly and fully satisfy, desire. Only God is worth wanting. Only the Highest is worthy to be the object of Sadhana. No beauty short of Him, no treasure short of Him, no power short of His; nothing that is lesser than He, will totally and finally satisfy and bring to an end the torment of unrequited desire. Lord Sathya Sai is the eternal Beloved in each person's heart, and desire will not be fulfilled so long as there is separation between the Beloved and oneself.

You are a Sai devotee, and thus you already have in your daily life the first two aspects of Sadhana. That is, you have sacred love for Him and are mightily attracted to Him. And your spiritual search is the evidence that you have the strength and confidence to do Sadhana. What you are puzzled about is the action aspect of Sadhana.

Why are you puzzled even while studying the Sai books? If I may venture to guess, there are too many impressions coming all at once about what to do: Mentioned in the books are a number of different activities and each one is called "Sadhana". In this context Swami has given us a very important principle which merits your best attention.

Swami points out that a box may contain a hundred or more matches, each one of which is potential fire. But He asks us to consider that only one small feeble match is needed to start a huge forest fire that consumes everything in its path; even green and wet wood is burnt to ashes. There is no need to strike a hundred matches to start a big fire. A skilful and careful striking of one match will start a fire.

By this example Swami is telling us to do one Sadhana action and do it with the whole heart and mind. And, that is enough; the rest will inevitably follow.

For your Sadhana action, why not take the action of which Swami speaks most often. In this context He declares that sacred love is the Royal Highway td God. You already love and long for Sathya Sai; what is the action that corresponds to that sacred love? Well, by virtue of His Divine Grace, Swami even tells us this.

He Whom we love, we wish to behold and be with, all the time. So all the time have Lord Sathya Sai, the Beloved, as your Guide, Protector, Constant Companion ever loving and affectionate, despite your human faults, call upon Him to bestow His Grace and be with you always. He assures us that He hears and ever responds if you repeat His Name with sacred love and visualize His Form in your mind.

This is the action to complete Sai Sadhana, the repetition of the Sai Name with love and reverence, "Sai Ram, Sai Ram, Sai Ram,” and the visualization of the Sai Form—this Sadhana action from the working hour to the sleeping hour. When duty calls during the day and you must concentrate on your work, then in your mind address the Lord and tell Him that you are dedicating every moment of the work to His glory—then go ahead with full confidence and do your work. Swami says that dedication of your work and the result of your work to Him is tantamount to the repetition of His Name, and in this way the Name continues in mind and heart from the working hour to the sleeping hour.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/23

Madhav Dikshit was an accountant working for a firm in Mangalore and regularly had his lunch at the lodge. We often used to meet in this place and have interesting conversations about life in Shirdi and the final days of Shirdi Sai Baba. I told him about the valuable information that Shirdi Baba had given to his uncle before His ‘Maha Samadhi’, viz. I will leave My body soon and will come again as a boy of eight years of age. I further explained to him that Dabholkar wrote all these details in the Marathi version of the book Sri Sai Satcharita on the second page. Madhav Dikshit was fully aware of all these details, but what he did not know was that Shirdi Baba had already incarnated in the form of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He could not believe it as he said that he was constanly in touch with the devotees in Shirdi and they were not aware of this fact!

I requested him to accompany me to Puttaparthi and told him of my experience with Beloved Swami, which he listened with interest. On my next visit to Puttaparthi during my holidays, Dikshit and his wife as well as some other devotees came along, making a group of twelve. After travelling about eight hours via Bangalore, we arrived in Puttaparthi just as Baba was coming out of the interview room. As soon as He saw me, He asked: "Have you brought Dikshit with you? He stayed with Swami for eight years, is it not so?" Madhav Dikshit was surprised and replied, “Yes Swami, You are exactly right.”

He took us into the interview room and materialised Vibhuti and distributed it to all. Everyone was very happy to receive this Divine Vibhuti and also to see it being materialised! Swami put some questions to Dikshit in front of us, which we were not aware of at the time: "Do you get any more headaches after I slapped you on your forehead at Shirdi?" Madhav Dikshit was stunned; tears streamed down his cheeks and he fell at Swami’s Feet - performing sashtang pranam at His most Divine Lotus Feet. Baba said: "This is not enough, further proof will be given during the personal interview!"

In the personal interview with Madhav Dikshit, Swami gave all the details of the incidents that happened in Shirdi.

But the most important revelation was about Kakasaheb Dikshit. Beloved Swami said: Kaka was a lazy fellow. Shirdi Baba did not say that He would appear as a boy of eight, but that He would come after eight years. Kaka did not record these details straightaway and did not remember the imporatant facts correctly. Swami revealed the minutest details about what happened with Madhav when he was in Shirdi, which convinced him beyond any doubt that Sathya Sai Baba is the incarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/22

Once a devotee asked Bhagawan: “Swami, what is Tripura Rahasyam?” Bhagawan smiled and said, “Let Me tell you a story.” He continued, “Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara once had a doubt. Now if we have a doubt we can go to our teacher, if great Masters have a doubt they approach Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara… but if these Lords themselves have a doubt Whom will they approach? Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara approached the Shakti or Tripura Devi Who created them, the Shakti that manifested them. Mother Tripura Devi humbly submitted and said, "Even I do not have answer to Your questions". “But I do know where You can find an answer to this question of Yours. So She took Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara of that Brahmanda (universe) to a location. It had a huge gateway and She flung it open and in there they saw a long hallway.” Swami then said, “On the both sides of the hallway there were thousands of thrones and the four legs of the thrones were Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara and Tripura Devi. These three Gods Who had this doubt in their minds were stunned to see thousands of Brahmas, Vishnus, Maheshwaras and Tripura Devis. They thought they were alone but then they were more inquisitive to see Whom were they prostrating to. At the end of the hallway they saw a beautiful Lotus Feet and when they craned their neck to see Who that personality was, they saw Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is The Cosmic Avatar, He is the Adi Purusha Who manifested Himself to become Shakti and that Shakti in turn manifested into many Tripura Devis and each one initiated a creation. Even science recognizes today that there could be several universes in parallel. There are many Brahmandas (universes) and the Adi Purusha (Primordial Being) Who manifested the Adi Shakti to initiate creation, the Power Who willed to manifest into many Brahmandas Itself came here on this beautiful Earth as a Cosmic Visitor.” Such is the beautiful Form of our Lord Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai!!!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/21

I went to Whitefield on 30th of June 1979 to meet the Principal "Sri Sathya Sai Arts, Science and Commerce College." I reached there at about 11 A.M. and went to the Principal's office, but found that he had gone out and would come only on Monday. The day I went to see the Principal was Saturday. Then I went to bus station to catch the bus for Bangalore. When I went to bus station I found that the next bus would come at 12.30 P.M. So I went inside the Ashram because I was in very severe tension, and wanted a quiet place. So I went and sat behind the closed Information Office. As I was sitting I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I looked back and saw clearly Baba standing behind me with an evergreen smile on His face. I neglected Him, because I thought I was dreaming. I could not believe it, because Baba was at Puttaparthi at that time. I again felt someone's hand on my shoulder. This time as I looked behind Baba said, "Tum Bahut Pareshan Hota Hai, Utho, Utho," (You are you worrying so much? Get up, Get up.) I could not believe my eyes but, stood, because it was Baba's order. I was fully taken aback. I became nervous too. Baba then said, "Admission Ke Liye Aya Hai? Abhi Tum Vapas Ghar Jao! Jab Swami Tum Ko Bulayega Tab Tum Ayega. Swami Tum Ko Puttaparthi Me Hi Bulayega. Abhi Tum Vapas Apne Ghar Jao." (You have come for admission. You go back home. Come only when Swami calls you. Swami will call you at Puttaparthi itself. You go back to your home) Then I said that I wanted to get admission now only. Hearing this Baba said, "Abhi Swami Tum Ko Nahi Bulayega. Abhi Vapas Ghar Jao. Jab Swami Bulayega Tum Aana." (Swami will not call you just now. Return home. When Swami calls you, only then come). I again asked the same thing and Swami again gave me the same answer. Then I asked why He called me from Lucknow. He said, "Tum Ko Jis Kam Se Swami Ne Bulaya Tha, Woh Kam Pura Ho Gaya Hai. Ab Tum Ghar Jao." (The work for which Swami had called you has been completed. Now, you return home). He further said, "Tumhari Ma Ko Kabhi Kabhi Pet Me Taklif Hoti Hai." (Your mother suffers from stomach pain off and on). I said that I did not know. He said, "Accha, Accha." (Yes, Yes). Saying this He produced Kum Kum and told me to give it to my mother. Then He asked me, "Aaj Swami Ke Charan Nahi Chuyega." (Today, would you not touch the Lotus Feet of Swami.) I fell down at His Lotus Feet at once and when I got up, Swami had disappeared. If there had been no Kum Kum in my hand I would have thought it as a dream, but my hand was full of Kum Kum. So I had to believe it. After that I went back to Bangalore and Lucknow. My mother who was very ill has become normal. Afterwards, Swami did call me f or admission in the newly started College at Puttaparthi.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/20

Once it happened that Krishna, Balarama and Satyaki who were quite little boys at that time, scarce four or five years old, strayed into a thick jungle, all alone. Darkness fell, and there was no way of reaching Gokulam! Of course, as you must have guessed already, it was a stratagem of Krishna. Even at that age, He would do nothing without a deep purpose behind it and the purpose would invariably be teaching someone some good lesson. They decided to spend the night, just where they were. Krishna put fright into them with His descriptions of ghosts, ghouls, and demons roaming in search of human prey. He proposed that two of them sleep for three hours at a stretch while the other one keeps watch. It was Krishna’s duty to keep awake and be on the look out from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Satyaki was to be vigilant from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Balarama was to start his part of the duty at 1:00 a.m. and keep on till 4:00 a.m. Satyaki sat up at ten and Balarama and Krishna laid themselves on beds of dried leaves and slept soundly. Meanwhile a demon did actually present himself before the little Satyaki. He fell upon the boy, who resisted heroically, dealing and receiving hammer strokes with fists with a good deal of clawing and biting in between. The demon had to retreat at last, leaving Satyaki badly mauled, but happy. The two brothers were sound asleep. They had not been disturbed in the least by noise of the encounter. Satyaki had met blow with blow, and dealt injury for injury. At 1:00, he awakened Balarama and stretched his body on the heap of leaves, as if nothing had happened. The demon invited Balarama, too, for combat and had to retreat humiliated, because Balarama too was as fierce as he, and his blows were even more terrible than Satyaki’s. Balarama too curled himself into the bed at 4:00 a.m. after awakening Krishna Who was to keep watch in Brahmamuhurta, the auspicious hour when Gods are to be propitiated, that is, until dawn. The demon came roaring like a wounded tiger, and advanced furiously at the little Divine Boy. Krishna turned His sweet charming face at him, and rewarded him with a lovely smile. That smile disarmed the demon. The longer he came under its influence, the weaker became his vengeance and venom. At last, the demon became as docile as a lamb. When the other two awoke, they were surprised at the victory that Krishna had won by the weapon of Love. You cannot destroy anger by anger, cruelty by cruelty, hatred by hatred. Anger can be subdued only by forbearance. Cruelty can be overcome only by non-violence. Hatred yields only to charity and compassion.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/19

That evening Baba presented Himself much earlier than usual, at a quarter to four. No sooner had He finished His stroll among the two or three thousand people gathered and started back toward the temple than a heavy rain began to fall. People began scurrying for cover, and Elsie Cowan was knocked to the ground. "I feared being trampled," she said later. "Then in the blurred confusion of that moment I looked up and saw a flash of orange and there was Baba smiling peacefully and being all protective. He helped me up and brought me to shelter and I was thrilled with this sense of protection.”

Baba invited Helen Vreeland—a devotee from Santa Barbara, California—along with Elsie and I in for an interview. There was one other person present, an English speaking woman in her late forties who appeared to be from the Middle East. Obviously in quite a bit of distress, she told Baba that she had two children and pleaded with Him for help. She felt unloved and unhappy and worried about the care of the children because of a serious physical illness she had. "I know, I know," Baba said sympathetically. "Feeling unloved is not unusual, it's general now in this world—one must be strong.”

He spoke about the importance of character, perseverance and faith. "Emotions come and go: pain is the place between two pleasures, pleasure is the place between two pains—transient, always changing. These come and go like waves in the ocean, like a breeze, and one shouldn't pay much attention to them. Remember, you are the Unchanging, Infinite, Immortal." Everybody is saying, "I want peace"; He continued… Peace is like a letter in an envelope. The 'I' of 'I want peace' is the front part of the envelope and the `want' is the back. The `peace' itself is the letter inside. Throw away the envelope of 'I' and `want' and keep the precious letter of Peace.” He mentioned a number of familiar saying which took on new and deeper meaning. Gesturing expansively from His heart He seemed too full of the bliss He naturally and spontaneously radiated to us. "Most routes to God are circuitous," He sai d; "like Japa (recitation of the name of God with the aid of a Japamala, similar to use of the rosary) meditation and bhajans. But the direct path is Love. "Start the day With Love, spend the day With Love, end the day With Love: That's the way to God, that is the quickest path.” As He said this, He gestured to the suffering woman and to all of us as if He were in the heavens soaring in space.

"But, Baba, I am ill. I hurt." was her response.

He nodded softly and gently. "I know: your left side, it cramps; there are glands there."

She was surprised. "Yes, Baba, glands. Yes, it is cramping hard.”

"I know, I know,” He repeated in His soothing voice. "You don't sleep well at night, worrying this way and that. Your insides are in turmoil; sometimes you pass blood."

"That is right. Baba, that is right.” She began to calm and soften with this experience of Baba's omnipresence and omniscience.

"Yes, these eyes are x rays," He said, smiling. He continued to describe her condition, mentioning specific symptoms which she acknowledged. She kept pleading asking anxiously whether she would recover. "Surely, you will be all right." He answered emphatically. "Don't worry about the body. You are the I that is behind the body, you are Eternal."

"But my children, Baba, my health," she persisted. He produced the curative Vibhuti for her and told her to take a little in water at bedtime for three or four nights and she would sleep soundly; her side would start getting better and she would be well again.

It was during this interview that I began to see Baba less in the role of controlling great forces and being able to change history from afar, but more simply, as a manifestation of Pure Love. One might speculate that Baba's purpose in America is to usher in a spiritual awakening in the West, or to help the chaotic political, social, or economic conditions, or perhaps to do something about the tinder box in the Middle East, or as part of some great design; but when we ask Baba, He smiles sweetly and says, "I am only proposing to do this for Elsie and Walter and to bring happiness."

Baba produced some more Vibhuti for us, and Helen looked filled to the brim with love for Him. "You have given me everything, Baba," She said. Hesitantly she asked Baba if she could lay her head on His Feet. He consented and stood up. Helen knelt, her face filled with a soft radiant glow, a mist of loving tears in her eyes and slowly and gently pressed her cheek to Baba's Feet. She rested there a moment… her eyes closed, floating in a state of peace from this contact with the Divine. Baba stood quietly, smiling, recognizing the genuineness of Helen's feeling and pleased to grant this heart felt request. The moment was touching, full of devotion and love.

Elsie gave Baba letters from American devotees and showed Him enlarged photographs of the Christ on the cross which He had manifested for Jack Hislop. Talking business, she asked Baba if she could sell the picture and how much she should charge. He smiled. "No, no, I Am not interested in the money; don't talk about money with Me. Do your duty—it is your business...money comes and goes, morality comes and grows." Again, such sayings take on a deeper meaning in Baba's presence. It is apparent that He really means it when He says that He is not interested in money and does not want to talk about it, that it is a source of a great deal of conflict from which He intends to stay entirely free. At the same time, He understands and accepts its significance in the lives of His devotees. Suddenly He referred to the late Walter Cowan, who is ever with Him, as He has declared.

"Walter and I paid you a visit this morning," he said to Elsie.

"Yes, yes, at six o'clock. I felt so filled."

"No...five minutes to six," He corrected her, smiling lovingly, looking again as if He were floating in heaven. Here is an older woman weakened physically, having difficulty seeing and moving about, yet driven with devotion and love—always moving towards Baba. And, she had a vision of Walter and Baba at 6 in the morning. No wonder. She also urged us on, further and faster towards God come as Sai Baba.

Baba helped her up. I recalled a friend telling me before I had met Baba: "He is capable of filling your cup until you simply cannot hold more, and He still continues to give.”

The woman with the illness rose to thank Baba. He smiled lovingly at her and began to stir the air with that marvellously acquisitive hand of His. Soon, there it was: a magnificent ring. This was the final touch. She fell into a swoon at Baba's feet, crying "Thank You, thank You." Her change from the agonizing fear at the beginning of the interview to this intense radiance of devotion and love was so overwhelming that my own heart seemed a reservoir of vicarious and personal joy, and I struggled to keep its gates from bursting. Never had I felt this exquisite experience so deeply. Baba showed me in an instant what years of psychiatry could not: the means for igniting this love. Such deep love is born out of the devotional yearning for the journey to The Divine.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/18

I must confess that, with the logic I know and the training I have, I cannot accept that Baba is like you and me and that, He can transcend the laws of physics and chemistry. I have therefore to declare that He is a Phenomenon that, He is Transcendental, that He is Divine. This is the only way I can get out of the dilemma. One evening, in a remote village, some one came to me at a public meeting which Baba was addressing, and asked me to speak a few words about Him. I was bewildered; I had seen many wonders and I was still asking questions and searching for answer! Still, I did go on the stage. I remember saying what Baba reminded me of the Bhagavatha incident, when the mother of Krishna (who knew very well that He was an Incarnation of God and had experienced many leelas and mahimas) asked herself, "Is all this a dream or the deluding strategy of God, or is this the very nature of Divinity?" I quoted the relevant verse from the Bhagavatha of Pothana (in Telugu). I continued, "If the great Mother who gave birth to Lord Krishna is in such desperation, you judge the confusion I am floundering in!" Today, I have resolved that confusion. I do not ask silly questions. I do not try to find out what law He is breaking and how. When a scientist finds that something happens which cannot be explained or grasped by the laws known already, he just accepts that something that is a not yet known phenomenon. This is how science has grown. So, since what I have seen (and what I am seeing and what shall see hereafter) do not come under any of the known laws of science, I simply enunciate the law that Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba transcends the laws of science and that becomes a law of science. The scientists put up a lot of show when they are in their laboratories; they talk only reason, they declare they have discovered this new fact, this new law etc. But, every time we have added a little to what we know already, we have also become alive to many other facts which we do not know anything about! While man is adding to his knowledge, he is also adding to his ignorance. The rate at which man is adding to his knowledge is slower than the rate at which he is adding to his ignorance. What is the net result? As time goes on and on, what we know is becoming a smaller and smaller fraction of what exists around and inside us. But, acquiring knowledge is not an end in itself. It is only a pathway to wisdom. And, wisdom - the experience of reality - can be ours, if we sit at the Feet of Baba. I am one of those who believe that whatever we can borrow from the rest of the world, the advanced nations, we should borrow. You can borrow money, you can borrow food, you can borrow technological know-how, you can borrow experts - but, you cannot borrow character. We cannot borrow what is proclaimed in our scriptures and traditions as the very core of character, belief in the Supreme Being that guides us and guards us from within us. In fact, as Bhagawan has told us, every one of us is God Himself. We can realise in ourselves the highest realisation, the realisation of Reality. This is what gives meaning to life for every one of us.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/16

Once Radha saw Krishna going in the hot Sun. She was immensely agonized and ran after Him. She asked Him, “Oh Kanhaiya! Why are You going in the hot Sun? See how Your body is drenched with sweat! Your face has become reddish and the tender Feet of Yours have turned red.” She anxiously wiped His face with the edge of her sari and adjusted His locks. She started massaging His Lotus Feet softly. She requested Him that He should not put His tender Feet to such a plight and He should walk on her palms, which she will alternately shift. Radha is the life force of Krishna and Krishna is her very breath. He was moved with the concern she had for Him and His heart melted like butter. He caught hold of both her hands and looked into her eyes with overflowing love. She was excited when He agreed to comply with her request. She laid her palms on the ground and Krishna went step by step on them. Having taken only a few steps she sudde nly stopped Him and requested for Him to wait for a while. She went to the nearby pomegranate tree and rubbed its flowers into her palms. She thought that her hard palms would hurt His Feet and by doing this it would not hurt her endearing Lord’s Feet.

The heart of Krishna melted like ice noticing her great concern for Him. He was very much moved and was thrilled by her love. He tenderly caught hold of her hands and asked her as to why she was so fond of Him? Would not her tender palms get hurt by the hot ground below? Would this not bring grief to Him? The purity of their hearts and the intense love for each other made the hot Sun to become cool. The bewildered Sun God stood with folded hands. Quietness reigned the entire nature wondering if there is any parallel to such immortal love! Can their love be ever defined in words? They were the icons of love in the empire of love. Where there is Krishna there is Radha and where there is love they are but inevitable!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/15

After the death of Ravana on the battlefield, Lakshmana asked Rama, "Brother! Our brother Bharata has been ruling the Kingdom of Ayodhya very well, for 14 years. That kingdom, though poor, is happy under his rule. Now, Lanka has come into our hands. This seems heaven when compared to Ayodhya. I pray that you assume rulership over Lanka and reform the Rakshasas." Rama smiled at this suggestion. He replied, "Does any son give up his mother because her features are ugly? My motherland may be poor but it is my mother. Can I adopt a woman as mother, if she is more charming than my own? However rich and prosperous this Lanka is, I do not wish to be here." Rama held up the ideal of a patriot eager to serve His native land.

I shall relate an example in which I Am Myself the subject. Forty years ago, a rich lady named Sakamma (famed as a big coffee planter and manufacturer of Sakamma Coffee) used to come to Puttaparthi from Bangalore. In those days, journey to this isolated hamlet was a very difficult venture. Those who came by car had to negotiate mud tracks and park the cars on the right bank of the river and trudge across. On one occasion, Sakamma came with two maternal uncles of the Maharaja of Mysore, and prayed, "Swami! This place is very inaccessible. Devotees are undergoing much trouble. We shall purchase a few acres of land in Bangalore City and spend a few lakhs to build a fine spacious Mandir for you there. Swami must agree and must move over to that city." I told her, "Sakamma! What is the greatness in promising water to those who come to the River Ganga? The greatness consists in promising water to those who come to the desert . Listen! This is the place where ‘This Body’ was born. You may build the Mandir as you plan anywhere. I shall come there and be there for some days. However, I shall not forsake this place." Now, this tiny hamlet which was difficult to reach has become the centre of even a University. Can mere man transform it so? Through Whom has this village gained every modern convenience needed for a happy life?

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/14

Following a dream of Sai Baba asking me to once again visit Prasanthi Nilayam, my parents and I arrived in Puttaparthi and we immediately started to settle in our rooms...

A kind gentleman had helped me to get my luggage into the residence and then left.

The room was perfect I felt, simple and clean. However, I needed to move my suitcase as I did not like the spot it was placed in. There was a beautiful little black Beatle type of insect slowly walking around which gave me so much joy, and I was concerned that the bag may hurt it when I tried to access my clothes.

Naturally, I went to move the suitcase, but as I did, I put my leg down on the floor and felt something underneath my knee...

I had unfortunately placed my knee over the beautiful insect and severely hurt it with my weight. The Divine child was struggling to move and blood was pouring out of it. My heart shattered! How can this be? I was trying to be careful, due to this beautiful insect's life being so tiny and fragile and all along my thoughts were constantly on Baba, yet this lovely insect had been severely hurt by my own body. ...As I was reflecting on this, feeling hurt and sad for the creature, the insect stopped struggling for life, it stopped moving its legs and passed away...

My heart melted just as quickly as its life did. My immediate response was an emotional prayer to our Divine Father, Sathya Sai Baba: "Father how is it that You have brought me here and how is it that in Your Divine presence such a dramatic event of taking a life has happened, when Your love and Your devotee's love is all around us? Father, contemplating on the pain this Divine child must have felt is heartbreaking! Please Father, do something at Your Will."

As soon as I finished praying, the blood that had poured out of the insect started to go back into it! It was like witnessing a video in reverse! Not one bit of blood was left on the floor! As this was happening, the semi-squashed body of the insect was being filled up, like inflating a flat tyre back to its full shape! Within about 15 seconds the insect was back to its healthy form and running around in full glory!

Praise Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba! Pure Love! All are One! As Father said to Son: "Be alike to all, My son!"

Witnessing this miracle also immediately took away my disheartenment and instead joy was replaced within my heart. I remembered how Sai Baba had said "I remove tears of sorrow and replace them with tears of joy!” - Indeed, You do, Father!

The next morning, I got out of bed, and the insect was following me around. Whichever direction I went in, it followed me. - If I sat or stood still, it started to walk in small circles and then sit in one place, looking directly at me. I asked it: "What do you want my friend"? And then with strong intuition, I thought it probably wanted darshan of Baba (as I had been carrying a photograph of Sai Baba in my hand and looking at it). So, I showed the picture of Sai Baba to the insect. After a pause of holding the picture to it for about 5 seconds it turned around and sprinted away in a gush of joyful excitement!

God is for ALL creatures!!!

"There is no human being without love. Even beasts, birds, animals and insects have love. This love is experienced in even in the smallest of creatures. We should have deep conviction that God is present in every being in the form of the Atma – consciousness." - Sri Sathya Sai

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/13

The incident that I write about may be small but, it is, I believe, significant for me and for all young men faced with similar situations. On 27, 28 and 29 March 1980, a college in Lucknow had arranged a festival called "Bonanza 80.” I had also been deputed to represent my University in the Fancy Dress Competition. I was aware that it would be a tough job, for nine teams were competing, including I. I. T. from Delhi and Kanpur. I slogged hard and perfected my item. Originally, only one entry was allotted to each institution, but, later, two were allowed to participate. So, another student joined our team. The programme for the bonanza indicated that he had to go first on the stage and I had to follow him. But, when he was called, he was not ready with his fancy dress and so, I was sent first on the stage by the person in charge of the programme. Pardon me, for telling you the fact. My performance brought the roof down; the applause of appreciation was so thunderous. The photographers clicked again and again. Reporters surrounded me when I came down and plied me with questions. Next day, the papers praised my item very much. But, the name below the photograph was not mine! Since my team mate's name appeared first in the schedule that was distributed, though my item was the first, the name beneath the photograph was that of the student who performed after me! The distribution of prizes was to take place that evening, during the concluding function of the Bonanza. I was very much upset. I was told by the college authorities that my entering the stage first had led to the confusion. I found that the other person was put down as the prize winner. His name was so announced on the Notice Board. I received a shock at all this blunder. On my way back from the college, I came across the other fellow! He was on top of the world, literally jumping with joy! At this, I thought twice... what would Baba like me to do. I wondered... can I make this fellow sad? No, I decided. The prize for me can be only a nine days' wonder. But for him, it promises to be tremendous encouragement and coveted honour. I have earned the distinction of winning a prize, whenever I appear on the stage. So, it was a very difficult decision but I am glad I made it. I must confess that had I not met Sathya Sai Baba at Brindavan, Whitefield, and listened to Him during the Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality, I would never have decided so. He was the inspiration that led me to think, "Which is the prize you should seek—your companion's happiness, or, the thing the Organiser’s give?" and to arrive at the conclusion, "Give up and Gain.”

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/12

It was on December 8, 1979, that I came to know from a Bangalore daily that there as a discourse by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Lalbagh. I remember that day as the most precious one in my life, as on that day I had an opportunity to get the darshan of Bhagawan, which marked a great transformation in my life. I used to suffer from severe "migraine" attacks, which continued despite all the treatment that I sought from specialists in medicine. One specialist in nervous disorders, a former Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research, told me that there was no permanent remedy for this ailment. As an engineer with serious responsibilities, I found that the recurring “migraine headache" would not allow me to attend to my daily duties properly and often I was confined to bed. My wife used to pray to several deities. Finally, we decided to go to Kerala, our native place. There, I consulted my brother, who is an Assistant Surgeon in the Kerala State Health Department and also Medical Officer in charge of the Public Health Centre, Manantoddy. After a thorough check-up, he prescribed some medicine, which was to be taken before the "attack". But, the very next day, when I was driving with my family to Cape Comorin, the "attack" came and the prescribed tablet was of no avail. I took a number of tablets, but the pain did not subside. The excess of medicine caused a stomach upset. The relief came in the midnight after vomiting. After returning home, my brother was surprised to learn that the tablets had not given immediate relief. My brother-in-law, who is a Senior Assistant Surgeon in the Kerala Government, prescribed a tranquiliser, which also proved ineffective. My father-in-law, who is an I. A. S. officer in the Kerala Service, was worried about my condition and wanted to take me to some specialist in Trivandrum, but this was overruled by my brother-in-law as I had already consulted the best specialists. After returning to Bangalore, the attacks continued and my neighbours and friends sympathised with me that I was unable to attend to my factory duties. It was at this juncture that I saw in the newspapers an announcement about Baba's discourse at Lalbagh. Having heard about Baba's superhuman healing powers, my wife and I decided to go to Lalbagh to have darshan of Bhagawan and have a trial. We were quite lucky to have a close glimpse of Bhagawan and we heard His discourse from a distance. Before the discourse was over we came to the passage through which Baba was to leave the meeting. My wife was worried about my headache and prayed that if Bhagawan Baba had healing powers I should not get the headache on that day. After the discourse Bhagawan's car came and we were both lucky to get a close glimpse of Bhagawan and felt happy that Bhagawan looked at us. After returning home, my wife suggested to me that if the headache did not recur for the next three days, I should get her a picture of Baba. The days passed and there was no headache. I had to yield to her request. I got a picture of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and she started doing Puja praying to Him to relieve me of my migraine attack permanently. As an atheist till that time, I started thinking whether Baba was that powerful and whether the stories about previous Avatars were true and whether Baba was an Avatar. The days rolled on and the migraine attack never recurred again. I started thinking deeply about God and Baba and used to stand in front of the picture which my wife was worshipping. Then I started going through the books written about Bhagawan Baba and the teachings of Bhagawan and I started slowly believing in God. Now it is more than a year and the migraine attack has not affected me and all my friends and relations have felt happy over the change brought about by Bhagawan. Now they all believe in Bhagawan as an Avatar. Myself and my wife worship Him as our family God and are trying to practise Bhagavan Baba's principles in our day-to-day life. By curing my migraine attack by His one Divine darshan, Bhagawan Baba has drawn me into the spiritual path and made me believe in God. Now I believe in the previous Avatars, Rama, Krishna, and the various deities like Muruga, Ganapati etc. Nowadays we perform Puja and sing bhajans daily twice in our house and very often feel Bhagawan's omnipresence.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/11

A few years ago in the Sanathana Sarathi i wrote about 'experiencing' Sai Baba from afar. Like many people at that time I had only read of Him and relied upon other folks' experiences to give me knowledge of the Avatar of the New Age. However, this state of affairs was soon to change. In November 1981 my daughter became seriously ill and for no apparent reason that the doctors could discover, she started having epileptic fits which became impossible to control. The tissue over her brain began to swell and one very black Monday permission was sought from me to agree to a surgeon operating upon her brain in an attempt to find the cause of her trouble. Very reluctantly I agreed to this but, at the same time, felt impelled to embark upon the almost impossible mission of speaking to Sai Baba on the telephone. Of course i should have known that pleas for help over the Sai telegraph are received by Him instantaneously and it was not necessary for me to spend seven hours trying to get through to Puttaparthi via British Telecom. However, i did manage it, only to be told that i must send a telegram instead! The next day when i contacted the hospital i was told that although the surgeon had been ready to perform the operation, a further examination of the swelling revealed that it had stabilised and indeed appeared to be shrinking. Needless to say it continued to shrivel and, as ‘predicted’ by Swami, Clare left hospital after a five-week stay. Some four weeks before this incident i had dreamt of following Sai Baba across a narrow footbridge, only just catching my daughter by the hand as she began falling into a flowing river which ran beneath the bridge. You will appreciate, therefore, what a tremendous sense of excitement and anticipation i felt, on setting out on a visit to India to see for myself that Embodiment Of Divinity In Human Form Who had already manifested His power to me. Imagine God's first beautiful day, with a clear blue sky and a sun reaching high ready to warm all under its rays and birds using the soft breeze to carry their songs of joy at the imminent approach of their Lord of Creation. Anticipation turned the atmosphere electric and all human heads turned as one when, as if from nowhere, Sai Baba appeared, drifting along like a cloud through a sky filled with human longing for His touch. He was here at last and i was seeing Him! When you have yearned for something for so long it is almost too difficult to grasp when the reality occurs, but nothing can ever erase for me that first moment of seeing Swami in the flesh. Going to see Sai Baba in India is probably the wish of most devotees and like so many i saw the trip as the zenith in my life. It has made me realise that i was turning a very important corner and being led down another street where life and all its works were just beginning. Certainly that road Sri Sathya Sai Baba shows us all is a main highway and major route to the Celestial City. Like others i came back from my trip filled with new resolve and strengthened with spiritual energy and know now that when i wrote before of Baba's grace in allowing me to experience Him from afar, i must now recognise that greater blessing He has bestowed upon me in allowing me to experience Him in human form.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/10

You must have read in “Sathyam Sivam Sundaram" the thrilling story of Baba's visit to Hampi Hospet etc at the age of 14 and on His return, the epoch-making announcement, that He belonged to His devotees and that His work beckoned Him. You must have read of the First Bhajan in the garden of the Excise Inspector's bungalow, which I too attended. I was excited and thrilled beyond words for I did not consider that Sathya was my `student'; He was my Guru, my Guide. I shall now share with you some of the experiences that the members of my family had experienced 23 years ago. (the article dates back to June 1963) Baba was present at the Uravakonda Bhajan sessions, every Thursday evening, when hundreds used to gather to take His blessings. Once when He went to Puttaparthi from there, He took me, my wife and my son as far as Anantapur and we were with Him there for two days, after which He left for the village, and we returned. We used to worship Baba, installing Him, in imagination, on the Pita (Seat Of Divine) which Baba had asked us to place in the shrine room. One day, while my wife was immersed in bhajan, with tears of joy streaming down her face, a big sized bumble-bee zoomed in circular sweeps and dropped on her head, while flying through the window, a roll of paper! We found that it was a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba! Surely, it was a gift from Sathya Sai!... for our shrine. Another day during the bhajan, Baba called the wife of Kasibhatla Sriramamurthy to the dais and told her, "I have just kept a picture in your shrine room for Puja; why is it you have no Picture there? Go and worship It." She was surprised that this `little boy' knew the details of the room so well and that Baba had shown them His grace. Immediately, she hurried home with three other women; they opened the lock and went in; the doors and windows were all closed for fear of monkeys; they threw them open one by one. Yes; there was a picture on the floor of the shrine, a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba! Even more wonderful is another incident which I clearly recall. Baba was then at Puttaparthi, far away from Uravakonda. We were engaged in bhajan, as usual in our little house; it was a rather a hurried bhajan, for it was a working day for the school and we teachers could not afford to go late! A monkey leaped on to the window and held fast the iron bars and grinned. We tried to shoo him off; he threw a tiny bundle of cloth into the room, and waited to note our reactions. Baba, the Divine Boy, had taught us to live in an age of miracles. So, I took the bundle and with shivering hands, untied the knot and lo!... There was a laddu (!) in it. Have you ever heard of a monkey delivering a packet of 'laddu', unopened? And, lo! there was also a letter... from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba... in His own lovely handwriting!! "I sent you a picture with a bee. I am glad you are worshipping it sincerely. Well, I Am sending you now some Prasadam. Share it with all and be happy." Must I add that I could not attend school that day? The joy was so over-powering. His grace was so overwhelming.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/9

Q: Swami! i wish to settle down here, at Puttaparthi, which is my Real Home.

A: The repose of the wave is in the Ocean, which is its support and sustenance. Your home is neither America nor India, neither New York nor Puttaparthi; nor, any place of pilgrimage, sanctified by saints. What matters is, not what you do, but, how; not where you are, but, how you are. As for this being your home, rest assured that I will protect you, no matter where you are. You cannot be separate from Me; you are not separate from Me.

Q: You are my Guru, Swami.

A: I Am with you and within you; here and now, there and ever. From within, I dissolve your doubts, allay your fears, stop your anguish. Is that not your experience?

Q: I am unworthy of all this compassion.

A: You say so, because the way of the world is to reward worthiness and deny even attention to those it judges unworthy. But, I know of no such limitation or distinction. Sunshine falls on all; it disinfects all, warms all, illumines all. I know you want a tangible Sadhana, suited to the equipment you now possess.

Q: I am tired of this unending round of joys and sorrows.

A: But, you have lived with them all these years and all these lives, too. Why do you talk of certain happenings as joys and certain others, as sorrows? Today's joy may well be tomorrow's sorrow; what is joy for you may well be another's sorrow. Do not judge happenings as good or bad, pleasurable or painful. What right have you to judge? Submit to the test—whether it is light or hard. Be glad, be thankful that you are tested and toughened and cleansed. Your inner consciousness must be like the sky, where no trail is left by the flight of birds or planes or rockets.

Q: What Sadhana is best for me, Swami?

A: Be like the log of wood that is tossed about by waves; but, be aware of your being on the lap of the Ocean. Be delighted that wind and water are playing with you; do not want it to be different; do not want anything; be fully content.

Q: But, Swami, I must reach the shore…

A: It is a shoreless Ocean, this Ocean of Bliss and Grace. Give up trying to go anywhere. Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached, they say. But there is nowhere to go; the goal is in you, realisable as soon as you arise and awake, as soon as you know you are the wave on the Ocean, of the Ocean.

Q: Then, I need make no effort?

A: You have to; it is a challenge to all men. Relinquish the search in the outer world; seek within, the core of happiness. Take refuge in your own Truth, in the Atma. Go to the centre of the cyclone, where calm prevails.

Q: But, that will deprive me of You…

A: I Am The Truth, the Core of your being. Bring Me, your deepest wounds, your unhealed scars, all that oppresses your being, all that hinders your progress. Look upon Me, as with form and as formless.

Q: I adore the Form and the Name.

A: The image your mind has made is of Me, in this Form and with this Name. But, this is a tiny fraction of My Reality. Your problem is `division’, this Form as different from other Forms, this Name as distinct from other Names. But, Truth is One, without a second. It admits of no partial allegiance, no part-time devotion, no half-hearted dedication.

Q: I wish to teach the West the vision of the East.

A: Let all else happen as it will. Do not try to change the ways of others. People are unteachable through words. If God wills that they learn by example, they will. But, at their own rate, in their own time. So, be an example; that is enough.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/8

Once a dog came to Sri Rama bleeding from blows. Lakshmana was sent to inquire why it had to receive such blows. The dog said: "I was beaten by a brahmin with a stick." The brahmin was questioned. He said that the dog always was annoying him by coming across his path. Rama asked the dog: "Well, how do you want to punish the brahmin?" The dog said: "Make him a manager of a temple." Rama replied with wonder: "That would be a reward not a punishment." The dog said: "No, I was a manager of a temple in my previous birth. It was impossible not to mishandle or misuse or misappropriate some fraction of God's money. When he is that manager, he too will get like me this canine birth and perhaps get beaten too in his subsequent birth." In fact, not only the dog or the brahmin, but every one of (us) are lining off the property of God, for does not all this belong to Him? What do we do in return for all benefits we derive from the property of the Lord? We should not simply eat and sit quiet. We have to render service to the poor and the helpless in a manner suitable to us. * * * It was darshan time in Prasanthi Nilayam on 25th February 1990. Bhagawan was slowly walking in front of the lines of ladies. There was hushed silence. Suddenly an old Gorkha lady stood up in the back row. Oblivious to all the raised eyebrows and raised hands to make her sit down, she walked slowly towards Bhagawan as if she had all the time in the world. Swami, knowing the devotion of the old lady, paused with a flicker of a smile. She approached Him, as if she had a prior appointment. Slowly she bent down to offer a Padanamaskar and without hurry got up. Without even looking at Bhagawan she turned round in slow motion, while thousands of devotees watched in wonder and surprise. Without any sign of emotion, with steady and unhurried steps, she walked back to her place and sat down. Watching her I recalled how during World War II Rifleman Agam Bahadur Rai had won a Victoria Cross. He got out of his trench, walked unhurriedly to within 35 yards of a fire spitting Japanese tank, took a deliberate aim with his anti-tank rifle and blew it up. And then equally slowly he turned around and walked back to his trench. He had been taught that 35 yards was the best range for a guaranteed destruction of a tank! A Gorkha does what he feels is his dharma.

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/7

On October 23, 1963, I developed a small ulcer on the underside of my tongue, at the tip, on the right half. It spread rapidly backwards causing severe pain, shooting terribly into the right ear and the right eye. The ulcer spread quickly to the gums round my teeth, both in the upper and the lower jaws on the right side. The inside of the cheek was also ulcerated. There were blisters on the right cheek, the outer side. Within 4 days, I was shouting on account of the unbearable pain. My condition became so serious that I had to be admitted in the Bala Ram Hospital on the 27th, as an emergent case. The doctors diagnosed it as a case of Herpes Zoster, involving the second and third division of the trigeminal nerve. Medicines were administered orally and through intramuscular injections. All the while, I was praying to Bhagawan, Who had blessed me when He had come to Lucknow. He is My Lord, My Saviour. On October 29th, I became so desperate with the excruciating agony that I prayed to Baba with great anguish at about 9 pm either to relieve my pain or end the agony forever. At about 12 midnight, when I was in a half-dazed condition, I suddenly felt that Baba came to my bedside and drew a sharp knife across my tongue. No body had come in, we had bolted all doors before retiring. But, still, I saw Him clearly and the knife was drawn. I felt a sudden relief from the pain. It had gone completely! The doctors were surprised that the pain had vanished and the ulcer was well on the way to cure. Baba had responded to my prayer; He had operated over my tongue! And…not a drop of blood! He gave me relief and a fresh lease of life, to keep on praying to Him. Pray to Him ever, dear friends, for His grace!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/6

It was summer. Some Sai devotees had assembled near the leprosy asylum for seva. The bhajans started. Students of the Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School had also gathered there. After bhajan, fruits were distributed to the inmates.

It was really a sad sight to see the patients in the asylum. I wondered what karmic law had brought on this dreaded disease to the afflicted persons. As I was thinking about these things, an elderly gentleman, leader of the Seva Samiti, came and said: "Why don't you, being Swami's students, come and talk to them?" I didn't have enough courage to go in. I looked around and noted that even other friends were hesitant. We had to give in as the elders said, "Don't worry, we won't go into the interior. Just speak to them for some time."

A small boy came closer. The old gentleman told him: "See, they are Baba's students." His eyes glowed with admiration. We boys moved back a little. Suddenly, he said: "Don't be afraid. I won't touch you." We were `touched' by this statement. Then he started speaking in Marathi. He was aged 12 and the disease was in its early stages. He said that he saw Baba in a dream and described how Baba comes out for darshan, the Prasanthi Mandir, and the college buildings. He had never seen Baba! He said Baba often came in his dreams. He said: "You are so close to Swami, please pray for my healing." This brought tears in our eyes. We said, "Surely we will pray for you."

Then suddenly the elderly devotee said: "If anybody has the Vibhuti given by Swami, why don't you give it to him?" While going home for the vacation, Swami gives us Vibhuti prasadam and some of us had Vibhuti packets readily in our pockets. Immediately we gave the lad some packets.

Back at Prasanthi Nilayam after the vacation, we resumed our studies. One day I received a letter from the Samiti leader saying that the boy whom we had met at the asylum had refused to take any medicine and was only applying the Vibhuti given to him, and praying to Swami. The Hospital authorities were a bit apprehensive about this and rather displeased with the Sai devotees for interfering with the treatment they were giving to the boy.

After two weeks, the doctors examined the boy. There was no trace of leprosy. He was healed!

Sai Spiritual Showers - Issue 4/4

Just knowing that we are watched over every minute, every moment, and with the ceaseless sound of the Aum booming deep within reminding us to “Have no fear, for I Am near,” takes from life anxiety and worry and leaves us to do His Work as His True Instrument.

During Sivaratri in 1966, Bhagawan bestowed many blessings upon this devotee. He not only found him employment in a wondrous way but also appeared before him during meditation. I had hardly closed my eyes. He came through the entrance door and stood, saying, “I have just been to Africa” and so saying He joyfully and with flowing hair sat on the rug. One knew in an instant that it was Baba; in a few moments, which seemed like an age, He was away.

Again on November 30, 1966, during the blissful depths of meditation this devotee found himself looking into the bright sunshine at Puttaparthi. Standing close and at first only showing His colourful robe, one knew that instant of Baba’s Presence. Then He moved His hand as if to take something from the fold of His robe. Bending low and with a happy and joyful smile He held in that precious Hand an envelope which He shook vigorously at my eye level. He knew that in a sitting position He would have to bend low for me to see what was happening. From His action it was deduced that the Bhagawan had taken care of some important thing and that the envelope which appeared to contain something bulky like a Rudraksha symbolised this Good Deed. With the deepening yearning to visit His Grace at Prasanthi Nilayam this instant transportation remedied the wish in a flash.

A few days after this miraculous event another devotee from Los Angeles arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam to be greeted, by Baba, with "California? Charles Penn." Upon leaving a week or so later Sai Baba handed the devotee a letter with the parting words "For Charles Penn, with My Love."

Sharing with you the contents of that letter is now a great pleasure. The letter dated December 9, 1966, read in part...

"I Am very happy that everyone (at Pacific Palisades, Calif.) is sincerely striving to achieve spiritual progress. I know how earnest you all are; that earnestness will certainly be rewarded.

"Know that I Am always with you, prompting you and guiding you. I know also that you are aware of this. Live always in that CONSTANT PRESENCE. Love and Truth are the two wings that take an individual forward. They will inspire you to serve all righteously and lovingly, just as you would serve the Lord. This is the highest form of Practical Spirituality.

"Be writing to Me, about yourself and friends. I have been getting letters from most of them. My blessings are ever with them.
                                                                                                                                       With Blessings - SAI BABA"