Divinity is considered among many things, as a perennial witness to the play of Creation. Change is that one element which keeps that Divinity from seeing the same mundane existence in life. Change is the one factor, which makes each day distinct and different. If not for change, life would be a monotonous series of events that we undertake. As it is often said ‘Change is the only constant’, does change impact everything, Divinity included? If so, how much change does change bring?
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| Sri Sathya Sai with Students during Darshan at Prasanthi Nilayam |
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba had an ‘apparently’ monotonous routine. There was no change, day in and day out. Whether He was in Puttaparthi or Whitefield or even that one momentous occasion when He visited East Africa, every single day was all about giving Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan. Touching the lives of mortal beings and making them walk the path to God, was what He did for 70 long years. Yet, what made it interesting was that each day was different from the next. The events that unfurled were unique because of the experiences they gave. Has all of that changed now?
The students of His Institute today would probably not know the simple thrill of going to the Hostel stores and buying cloves. One would have to carefully pick each one, break the bulb off the stem, pack them into a box and wait for the next day with bated breath. Would a student celebrating his/her birthday know the arduous yet thrilling task of finding ‘Akshata’ grains and putting them into a cup? Even more joyful was the task of finding them landing there. There are formal letters, informal letters, and then there are letters to the Lord. Spontaneous words, prayerful outpouring of words, a note of thanksgiving, another for an apology and yet another, just as a ‘pass’, to get nearer and dearer to Him.
How can I explain the rising heartbeat and the inexplicable sense of anticipation when seated in the Sai Kulwant Hall? Life would change, but in all of a fleeting moment. You would either feel invisible or you would be the cynosure of nearly a few thousand pairs of eyes. A look, or even half a glance and the biggest of troubles could flee away. A smile that would part way for a word or two and your week would fly away.
A touch of those feet would make you feel invincible. One cannot but feel the inadequacy of language, when you have said so many words, yet your heart yearns to say that you have not expressed it all. Have the winds of change done away with all this for eternity? Can we turn back the wheels of time to show these students, those days again? Life for a student has been consumed by that design of the Divine change or so I thought. In my limited experience as a friend to the students, I have recently heard some touching tales, from the boys, how Bhagavan continues to comfort, guide and shower His love upon them.
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| Siddhartha with Sri Sathya Sai in Kodaikanal, 2009 |
A student shared with me, how Swami had instructed him in a dream that this boy should compete throughout the year in the various cultural events that are organized as part of the Sports and Cultural Calendar. Another student told me regarding how he was counselled on multiple occasions by Bhagavan on matters pertaining to his family. Yet, another shared how Swami had told him what course he has to study further. When I hear these experiences, I see the same excitement in the boys that I had seen in the eyes of the students in the years gone by. It is quite very obvious to see that Bhagavan continues to plant and nourish that ‘heart to heart’, unique relationship with the students. Like the fire that manifests in different forms, the bond of love which Swami has for each of His students, has but different hues. The flame continues to burn, unabated.
Dare I say that the life for a student here has changed? Nay. There are some territories that ‘change’ does not rule, it seems. The bond which Bhagavan shares with His students is one such.
Dr. Siddhartha Raju
Student (2006-2009), Department of Management Studies
Currently, Faculty Member, Department of English,
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam
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