 |
| Abhay Gautam receiving the Gold Medal from Sri Sathya Sai, Revered Chancellor at SSSIHL Convocation on November 22, 2007 |
How magnanimous is His love? Myriad people, multifarious relationships, yet the undercurrent of Love remains the same. A mother, a father, a friend, a Guru, a guide and God - many are the roles undertaken by our Lord. Let me share some of the facets of our divine Lord Sai which I have experienced during my association with Him.
Om Sri Sai Prema Moortaye Namah – Salutations to Sai, the Embodiment of Love
It was the summer holidays of 2004. Swami had slipped in the bathroom and had hurt his right arm. All were worried about Him. Swami had called us in and when we went to see Him, a guest also arrived. Swami lovingly enquired of the guest, “How are you? How is your health? How are your family members?” Oh! What a cascade of love! Swami made him comfortable and offered him refreshments. That is what His love is. Even though He was suffering physically, He was more concerned about His devotees. Who else in this world can do so? We pleaded with Swami to take some rest and requested Him to give Darshan from the balcony to avoid the strain of going downstairs. Despite all our requests, on 6th May, Eswaramma Day, He came down all the way and even delivered a discourse for an hour. For whom was all this done? Swami does all this for the sake of His devotees. He is concerned about the welfare of each and every devotee. Such is the magnanimity of our beloved Lord Sai. It is enough if we take a single step towards Him, He covers the rest of the distance.
Another incident which comes to my mind is that of a doctor serving at the Super Specialty Hospital. A mere three weeks after He had injured himself, Swami had blessed him by visiting his house on 31st May 2004. Swami had also allowed a few of us to accompany Him. We assembled in Trayee Mandir around 3.30 a.m. Swami lovingly enquired if we were all ready. As promised, Swami visited the doctor’s house during the ‘Brahma Muhurtam’. No physical discomfort, no obstacle matters to the Lord when it comes to giving joy to His devotees.
Om Sri Sai Sarvajnaya Namah – Salutations to Sai, the One who knows Everything
Let me share one of my very personal experiences, which revealed to me that nothing is hidden from the Lord. I used to suffer from acute back pain and the doctors could not diagnose the problem. The pain was so severe that it was difficult for me to squat on the floor for more than a few minutes. One day Swami called me for an interview and told me that I was suffering from a problem in the spinal cord. The compassionate and loving Lord materialised Vibhuti and told me to eat it. Like a loving mother, He rubbed the rest of the Vibhuti on my back. Till date, I have not experienced that severe back pain again. Not only did Swami reveal to me my unidentified problem, but He also cured it instantly and permanently. He is beyond the understanding of the human mind. He is omniscient, yet He conducts Himself as if He knows nothing and we get deluded till His revelation comes in a flash.
Om Sri Sai Asahaya Sahayaya Namah – Salutations to Sai, One who helps the Helpless
 |
| Sri Sathya Sai in Trayee Brindavan |
“Dikku Leni Variki Devude Dikku,” declares Bhagavan. When man is left with nothing and he turns to God, he is given everything. I remember this particular incident as I have learned an unforgettable lesson from it. One of my classmates, who hails from North-East India, approached me one day. He had to go home but did not have any money. Even today I clearly remember that I had a very meagre amount at that time in my bank account. So, I was not in a position to help him. I suggested to him to pray to Swami. In the evening, inside Trayee, I happened to sit right behind this boy. Swami came walking and all the while He was holding an envelope in His hand. He came closer and took the letter from this boy’s hand and silently slipped the envelope into his hand. This action of Swami went unnoticed by the people gathered there. After we returned to the hostel, this brother approached me and told me that Swami had given him the required amount of money to go home. I was curious to know if he had prayed physically to Swami for the money. He replied that he had not even as much as mentioned about the money to anyone. He had written a letter which Swami accepted in Trayee just before giving him the money. This is the fathomless depth of His Love. When we have no one to help us, remember, He is always there by our side.
Om Sri Sai Anatha Nathaya Namah – Salutations to Sai, the Parent of the Parentless
When destiny severs all the physical bonds of the body and there is no one there to care for you, God always stands by your side. We were overwhelmed to see our beloved Lord adopting orphans and depositing a sum of Rs.1 lakh for each of them and also providing them free accommodation and free education. It was in the year 2003 that Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam came into existence. Swami picked up those who were considered as a burden by the society and gave them a new life. Swami’s heart is like soft butter which melts even with the slightest warmth of love and devotion. He derives His happiness by wiping a tear from our eyes or bringing a smile to our lips. If we accept Him as our guide, our protector, our saviour and consider Him our own, then He will be the ‘Sanathana Sarathi’, the Eternal Charioteer for us, guiding us through this sojourn of life.
Om Sri Sai Anna Vastra Daya Namah – Salutations to Sai, the Provider of Food and Clothing
 |
| Sri Sathya Sai feeding thousands at the Hill View Stadium |
Food, clothing and shelter are the basic needs of every man. Even to progress spiritually, the body has to be guarded and kept properly. When there is not even a morsel of food to feed the body, can the In-dweller stay in peace? A woman had killed herself and her two children due to poverty and starvation. This incident touched the heart of our Lord and brought forth the concept of ‘GRAMA SEVA’. It all started in the year 2000. Bhagavan had sent us - His students, staff and some fortunate few to the remotest and the poorest of the villages. The compassionate Lord sent unlimited supply of food packets, clothes and stationery items for the poor and the needy. The Almighty Lord then gave all the credit of Grama Seva to His students. Lessons in humility can be learned only from the Lord Himself. The Grama Seva project is a worldwide phenomenon today carried out by His devotees inspired by His example.
Our Lord acts without any discrimination. All are His children and He is the Divine Mother. He is the embodiment of Pure Love. Bhagavan sent truckloads of relief material to help the people of Gujarat after the earthquake in 2001. For the victims of the disastrous Tsunami in December 2004, Bhagavan sent relief materials. When mankind suffers, can God reside peacefully? Though the Law of Nature took a huge toll, the Law of Love countered it generously.
Om Sri Sai Avatar Moortaye Namah – Salutations to Sai, the Divine Incarnation
Be assured that Swami is none other than Lord Sri Krishna manifested in human form. In an interview session, I posed my doubt to Swami. During the Dwapara Yuga when He had incarnated as Lord Krishna, He used to steal butter and eat it. Now when He has everything in plenty, He takes hardly any food. To this Swami humorously remarked that when He had come as Lord Krishna He overate and now in Kali Yuga He is digesting that food. It might have been a casual remark, but it holds the profound truth that our beloved Sai is none other than Lord Krishna Himself. He has reincarnated for the sake of His devotees to uproot Evil and uphold Dharma. Brethren, it is time we realized our good fortune of living in an age when God walks on earth. Our sole aspiration should be to acquire true devotion towards Him, and that can be granted by none other than our Lord Sai Himself. Let us all pray to Him that He continues to confer upon us His love, and bless us with true devotion.
- Abhay Gautam
Student (2002-2007), Department of Biosciences
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Currently, Co-Founder, Intellect Quest, Canada
Source: Sai Sparshan 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)
No comments:
Post a Comment