Swami’s Divine Will or Sankalpa can transform even the hardest of hearts. It has brought millions of erring people into the path of morality. Here is an example of Bhagavan’s Will which helped in bringing water to the starving people of a village.
In Bodupatti – a village near Palani in South India – resided a teacher by name Alagu Sundaram. He was an atheist, and was very much against idol-worship. His mother fell ill, and was admitted in a hospital. She had to be given blood and as members of the Sai organization used to donate blood, the doctors advised him to approach them for this purpose. The teacher was in a dilemma, whether to approach or not. At last, he approached a member, who gladly donated blood and thus his mother was saved by Swami’s grace. He got immediately transformed and started believing in God. He attended Swami’s Bhajans also. This was the first step in the Divine plan that benefitted the teacher. Next it was the turn of the villagers, to get the benefit.
In this village, there was not enough water even for drinking. People had to walk for miles to fetch a pot of water. They petitioned to the government and the government started digging bore-wells in the year 1986. Even after digging for 150 to 200 feet there was absolutely no trace of water and so they gave up digging bore-wells.
After the teacher came into Swami’s fold, the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation adopted that village in the year 1987 and in this regard they organized a function in the village. A speaker in that function narrated the following story.
“Once upon a time, this Bhoomi (earth) was very wealthy, green and the people were very happy. God Indra was not able to bear this sight and went to Varuna (Lord of rain) and asked him to stop the rain. But Varuna replied that it was not in his hand, that only if Lord Vishnu blew His conch, he would send the rain. Then Indra went to Vishnu and requested Him not to blow His conch, and Vishnu agreed to it. So there was no rain for more than ten years on the earth. Everybody started doing some work other than agriculture as there was no rain. But one man used to plough his land everyday whether there was water available or not. The people used to ridicule him, but he replied that if he did not plough for a long time he may forget the art of ploughing. Hearing this statement, Lord Vishnu realised that if He did not blow the conch for a long time, He may also forget to blow the conch. So, he immediately took His conch and blew it, oblivious of Indra’s request. Immediately Varuna sent the rains.” Thus completing the story he said, “Now, that the Sathya Sai Seva Organisation has come, we hope we will get water.”
To the surprise of the villagers, the unseen hand of Swami started working in that village. The next day the Government machinery entered the village along with the rigs and started the drilling work. But the villagers were again doomed, when the drilling machine developed trouble. And to their amazement and wonder, another rig came and they started digging. At a particular place, by the Grace of Swami, water started gushing out at a depth of fifty feet itself. The villagers became very happy and immediately informed this news to the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation and also arranged a Bhajan at that spot. The water was carried from that well and Abhishekam was performed in all the temples of the village. The water, being sweet, is now used by villagers for drinking and for other purposes.
Thus, Swami’s Grace, like the water, is available in plenty and it is left for us to use our faith to tap that unending flow of Divine Love.
- Ramachandran
Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam
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