What best should I…, Oh Lord!

Offer Thee, Oh my Beloved?

Seeking an urgent reprieve,

When at a time the humanity is tottering,

Caught up in a pandemic pandemonium,

With an unseen guest playing global havoc,

Our newfound guest on planet earth,

Acting and enacting as a great leveller,

What best should I, my Lord?

What best should I?

Is it any Mantra with Yantra following any Tantra?

Or,

Is it an act of charity helping the needy?

Citing ‘Love-All – Serve-All’?

Should I jump in the fray seeking nothing?

Holding aloft the Sai banner, ‘Help-Ever – Hurt-Never’?

What should I do! O! my Lord?

Serving my planet, serving my fellow men?

Quelling this SOS cries that,

Turns  louder and louder, louder as time pass by?

Should I chant the Rudram aloud?

Loud and clear,

To catch the devil by its neck?

To squeeze ‘him’ out of life?

Or,

Should I sit and sing,

Loud and aloud,

Thy Love Elixir,

Elixir of Sai bhajans?

Singing paeans at Beloved Thee!

Serenading my Lord Supreme!

What if my Lord! If I lock myself down?

Locking my inner foes,

The Arishadvargas,

Six-packed inner foe of,

Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya,

Only to smart pick up,

Picking up in ‘practice diligent’,

Practising Thy precept,

Following Thy dictum,

Loving All, Serving All,

Helping Ever, Hurting Never.

Praying from deep within,

Seeking nothing, but,

Goodness for all!

Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!

Peace n’ Harmony for Worlds-Many, Worlds-All?

What should I, my Lord!?!

To win an urgent reprieve!?!

Who is this newfound guest, My Lord!

Is she a demoness?

Or,

A great leveller?

An instrument at Thy Hand?

Here to lead the humans,

The human, back to his roots?

Reinstating righteousness,

Righteousness on a firm footing!?!

With my anguished rhyming ruling the roost,

With my wits almost come to its dead end,

Do I hear an answer?

A Whisper from my deep within?

A Whispering Voice sans any noise,

Calling me, inviting me,

To dive deep, dive within,

Seeking The Source n’ The Force Within,

‘Sarva Karana Karanam’

Seeking The True Truth!

In silence, In SaiLence!

For,

There is no greater healing,

Whispers The Voice,

Than Knowing The True Truth!

The Truth Of Quintessential Sai!

The Truth Of Quintessential Sai Within!

The Truth Of Existence!!

The Truth Of Oneness!!!

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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On the 27th April 2011, after what was called, the most disheartening episode, having watched the physical frame being interned in the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam, we had a report published on this very website, that read as below:

Puttaparthi that sung lullabies to infant Sathya, that fondled and nurtured Little Sathya to Sri Sathya Sai and that received the abundance of His love and care over and over again during the past eight-and-a-half-decade finally earned a day to grieve, though the day would be marked in the annals of Divine History as the most significant one when the Supreme Avatar of all time, all yugas, was ‘laid to rest’. …This is definitely not of ‘her’ (Puttaparthi) choice, but as fate would have it, a grieving Puttaparthi had to accept this ‘present’ as well, as she has been over the past eight-and-a-half-decade in abundance, receving His Love Infinite.  

It was a Divine Script that was written by Him alone and executed in His own inimitable fashion. For all the glory, happiness and bliss that she has received over and over again, when the final moment arrived, to bid farewell to the Soul of entire creation and beyond, she grieved and so were millions upon millions around the world. Bhagawan Who had ‘left’ His mortal coil on the 24th April 2011 was ‘laid to rest’ in Sai Kulwant Hall this morning in the presence of a massive assemblage of devotees, also attended by a host of political luminaries. (end of the report)

Back to the same day, 24th April, after nine long years, today, the world of Sai fraternity is commemorating ‘Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam’ in a different fashion. Amid an almost world-wide lockdown owing to the pandemic coronavirus, today when the fraternity of Sai devotees is focusing on the Antaranga Sai, the Inner Sai, it is wise to give a thought on the most mysterious, yet most profound of the Divine drama staged by Bhagawan during March – April 2011. By staging this drama of hospitalisation and subsequent physical exit, Bhagawan had then demonstrated to the world around the most selfless lesson of ‘transcending from the finite to the infinite’ attaching nothing to the temporal physical frame. From the finite to Infinite, from akara, sakara to nirakara… Bhagawan had it in a practical demonstration, telling the world around in full and unambiguous terms of The True Truth of His ‘Avataric’ existence. Did He really stop there… then, did His voice stop forever from then for the world of devotees? No… No… Never! He was as vocal as He was, as active as He was… for He Is… ever in the Now, Nithyanoothanam!!! Ever Fresh In The Now!!!

The world around devotees have been experiencing His Presence in myriad fashion, helping themselves in conscious evolution. Today, back to the same day of 24th April, what do we have to offer for our Aradhya Sai? Every single devotee has his or her level of conscious evolution and thus the choicest path. Bhagawan had once mentioned to a devotee that He Is so close to the devotee that there is no room or place for a path in between . What does it indicate? It shows a pointer to the True Truth that He Is. The Beingness, The Consciousness, The Existence of each one of us.

Knowing this Truth in essence, today in the Now, while feasting ourselves in a commemorative mood celebrating the Aradhana Within, Soulful Aradhana To Araadhya Sai, let us give Him our Ultimate Pledge, The Pledge that is leaving no trace of our egotistic existence. Let’s today offer our twin demons of our egotistic existence,  Ahamkaram and Mamakaram, the two devils of ‘me’ and ‘mine’, offering unto him our 13 vices or inner foes as mentioned in the ancient scriptures, along with the last traces of three virtues of Iccha, Bhakti and Shraddha to nullify our complete existence, leaving ourselves completely unto Him, in total, absolute surrender.

Did  He not remind us time and again that He Is The Indweller in each one of us? If it is so, then where is the question of our ‘mundane’ existence, the existence of the devilish, demonic ego, when He Is The very base of our existence?

Two thousand years after the proclaimed Son Of The Lord, Lord Jesus The Christ, today, let’s affirm with complete dedication and surrender to Him that, “i am not, You Alone Sai, SadhGuru Sai Alone!”

This act of surrender is the Best Act Of Gratitude, Gratitude For The Master Supreme, Who had 95 years ago descended only to help lift each one of us to the same status, unto Him, Him Alone!

Let this be the intense affirmation on this day, for our Beloved Sai as the ChidagniKunda, The Infinite Power-Packed Consciousness Within, as He Is ever waiting with arms wide open, for that infinitely priceless Eternal Embrace, The Embrace Of Oneness Unto SadhGuru Sri Sathya Sai!

Are We Ready, Are We Ready To Shun our egotistic existence with this Best Act Of Gratitude? This should be the question we should introspectively ask ourselves, on this very Day. 

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Long before the music explodes
and the lights come alive
all eyes are trained on the Way.

Eyes of the old and the young,
of women, men and children,
of the parched and the flourishing,
of the curious and the yearning,
look one way, Your Way.

And the music bursts into the
chandeliered hall
announcing Your imminent arrival.

Necks crane, hips rise and
eyes blossom wider.

And You waft in
like a breeze upon a lily pond
causing ripples of bliss!

There is a hush,
moments of stalled movement,
expectation of the unexpected,
a readiness to be engulfed
into the depths of Your
sparkling Eyes!

All expand and shrink!
The breath quickens,
hearts palpitate in the agony of ecstasy.

You walk, looking, ignoring,
smiling, serene,
overflowing with compassion,
chastising and at rare moments, laughing!
Laughing with Your Eyes too.

Your Hands wave and circle.
Suddenly You startle the wind
by writing in it, who knows
what fate you rewrote!

You walked amidst us
Oh Beloved Lord!
for a thousand full moons.

Even now I hear Your gentle Footfall and
look up to catch a glimpse and
You disappear in a jiffy.
I feel Your velvety Hand holding mine
with the Love of a thousand mothers!

You walk with me all the way.
For, The Dharshan never ceases.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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In 1979, I picked up a magazine and opened it at random. My eyes fell on an article about Sai Baba and this was my first introduction to our beloved Baba.

For many years I had been searching for the truth and an acceptable philosophy of life and here I found the answer overnight in the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I was even more fortunate as I also found that I could link up in meditation with my new master and receive messages from him.

I was so fascinated that I wanted to go to India immediately to see this wonderful holy man. But, one of the earliest messages said quite clearly, “Not now, later.” However, in the summer of 1980, I received another message which said, “I will speak to you in Bombay.” That seemed more encouraging. The following January I set off for India with three friends and spent three weeks in Bangalore, visiting Brindavan twice a day to see Baba. Our return home via Bombay coincided with a short visit to Baba to that city and, on the very last day, we were granted a private interview at Dharmakshetra in Bombay. Swami duly spoke to us in Bombay, as He had said in the message, and our interview lasted more than half-an-hour, an unbelievable experience.

In October 1981, we were back again in India and, by this time, I was receiving much longer messages. At a private interview I decided to ask Swami for confirmation that the messages were definitely from Him. His answer was, “Yes, where do you think they come from, the sky?” I also asked if I could share some of these beautiful messages with others and His reply was “You must, you must.”

On our latest visit, I asked Swami if I could publish some of the messages in a book so that everyone could share them, and He gave His blessings.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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With fiery tremor, my heart sighs His Name
Silent, scarcely with breath, in profound rapture,
He appears …All the sweetness of the World
in One tiny Form!
Graceful as a dancer, He approaches.

No… My Lord!
Look not into my eyes
for, I am unprepared
for such Beatitude.
Today,
I’m too full.
You’ve filled my being,
with your Divine Presence.

Ah. But, near me, He stands, He­—
around Whom my very Soul revolves.
His Feet press the rose petals strewn
in tribute along His Path.
Tears of joy trace rivulets
down my cheeks;
suppressed sobs
knock at my lungs.
I gaze
at His Face;
every caress of my gaze
a fervent prayer
“Sathya Sai Baba”
“Sathya Sai Baba.”
What prayer, more sublime, could I utter?

Small is His Form,
yet, mighty in manner is this
unassuming Lord.
Serenely He walks,
among the adoring, the doubtful,
the sincere, the sceptic, bestowing
His Grace, like sunlight, on all.

Upturned faces—
demanding, imploring, weeping, expectant,
complacent, desperate,
from all direction, they come,
across the globe, to see, to earn, to learn.
What?
Most do not know; some think they know;
who knows?

This Radiant Font of Goodness and Beauty
is God in human form.
This is He, surely, of Whom all scriptures speak.
He moves among the people; tender as a mother’s is that Face,
He pinches the chubby cheek of a child; He holds an old man’s hand,
sacred ashes appear in His palm to heal the old woman there.
Each heart is known to Him
Every wish finds its answer through Him.
In Him, all journeys end; all destinations merge!
And, PEACE IS KNOWN.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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With the spirit of Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana on… how crucially important it is to take up the revised Cosmic MahaMantra, Born Of Bhagawan, as a way of life… before moving forward.  A beautiful presentation on the Cosmic ‘Liberatory’ Theme called ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ by ‘The Prasanthi Reporter’. (Script, Concept and Voice by ‘Mother Sai Poet’ Sri Jullie Chaudhuri for The Prasanthi Reporter.)

Dear Sisters and Brothers…Loving Loving  Sai Ram…Peace of the soul and Harmony for all! We are here to hear and connect to a distinctly selfless mantra. Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu.

As we have all seen, heard, read and witnessed our Beloved Bhagawan’s teachings and the examples set by Him, the welfare of all beings is what He stresses on…Consequently, on 31^st August 2008, Bhagawan modified ‘Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu’ which interprets as – May all the beings in this world be happy and peaceful… to now be intoned as – Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu…that it may exude peace for all the beings in all the worlds.

Is it not imperative then   that we chant this mantra for Universal peace?

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As we keep chanting this, the mantra becomes ‘us’ – universal seva. The bonus is that along with peace, this revives a feeling of brotherhood, camaraderie and the chorus of kindred oneness.

Beings of light did spring forth from the silence deep within the Lord’s heart and so we are all connected and never apart…for those beings are us all…

Many are the challenges faced by the individual, the society, and the world, and this is having serious repercussions on and is a constant  threat to Mother Earth…a threat that is gathering enormous momentum…

We need to come together and help heal the world…

Thus, ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’, which is a Universal Prayer beyond boundaries of personal beliefs, will benefit all – from unseen beings to those seen…from mortals to animals to plants and trees…to marine life to birds to rivers, mountains and rocks…all the planets, all the lokaas…to every speck in the cosmos.

It has such a magnified effect, that not only will it encompass Mother Earth, but will also take in the whole Universe into its fold – an embrace of Cosmic proportions – A Cosmic Embrace…

‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ engulfs the elements five – Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth and brings about a balance ever so harmonious.

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Beloved Mother Sai, You always exhort us to adhere to Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. And through this chant, You, Beloved One, are teaching us to link Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and thereby…evolve into Ahimsa.

Oh! Mother Sai, You are the Creator and the welfare of Your Creation is what pleases You the most.
Accept our prayer, Dearest One, that we may make this chant –‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ – our very breath and feel deeply for all living beings.

Let our lives be Your message…and Your compassion our mission…through this chant, which is luminous in nature, prolific in its reach and propitious, wholesome and divine in character.

You, Sweet Mother Sai, have always stressed that we chant ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’, accordingly, we now desire to make it our way of life, as it will make us go away from the ‘I’ to ‘We’ and finally into ‘You’…Oh Cherished Mother Sai.

To those of you listening to these lines just now, you are at the right place at the right time…for it is vitally essential that we chant this mantra for Universal Peace – both individually and collectively.

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And we have to start now.

Sit where you are, chant ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ and embrace the Cosmos, all sentient and insentient beings…without moving an inch.

The vibrations released by chanting it together will reach the Lord’s Heart and His bliss will reach us all, for what pleases Him is that we unite and live together in peace and harmony.

Let us help heal the world that our children will inherit…

‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’…will help you reach the real you…

Your life can then be a fragrant offering at the Lotus Feet of Beloved Mother Sai…
Dear Listener…we present variations of this mantra for all the beings in samastha lokahs…may your being resonate with each variation…may peace resound in the cosmos within you, may there be harmony around you…and may tranquillity surround you…for you are the Universe…and the Universe is You! 

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II 

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Subsequently, the Year 2020 took off and was having a smooth, comfortable ride in the first couple of months, not before the early signs of a looming threat, from a so-called disastrous coronavirus, started gaining substantial ground. The virus that had originated in a Chinese city soon started spreading over, finally ‘forcing’ and ‘enforcing’ itself to become a disastrous pandemic, something which neither the current generation nor any of the recent, preceding generations have ever witnessed or experienced.

The coronavirus that is not visible to the human eyes started dictating the human machinery and mechanism, asking the most intelligent species on the planet to dance to its dictating tunes, and the result was a virtual ‘global lockdown’, with a leading share of human populace opting to stay indoors, practising ‘social distancing’.

For the fraternity of Sri Sathya Sai devotees, the whole happening was something similar to the mysterious March-April episode of 2011, with Bhagawan enacting one of His most mysterious Divine Sports, literally inviting the devotees and humanity at large to LOVE HIS UNCERTAINTY.

Hearts many, individually and in unison, sacrosanct Prasanthi Nilayam, both inside and outside that included the streets in hallowed Puttaparthi, and the fraternity the world over joined in unison then, praying, pleading, beseeching and entreating Him, to bail HimSelf out of His ‘own’ Divine script. Finally came the jolt on the 24 April 2011 morning, with Beloved Bhagawan moving on from His physical frame, leaving the whole of creation into a mystery loop, forcing and enforcing to LOVE HIS UNCERTAINTY.

Come March this year, when the humanity is back in the trails of suffering from a traumatic pandemic that is demanding a global toll, leaving it into the hands of an uncertain future, how do we go about, moving on, surviving the scare? …and thus reverting to our opening prayer during the commencement of the year, to help to illumine, elevating and resurrecting humanity?

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The answer for the above is clear and distinct… that we need to develop in our trust and faith in our Beloved Bhagawan that, if alone one believes Him, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai to be The God Supreme Incarnate, or be it in any Name or Form, then, he or she has no room for anymore worries. He should then move on eschewing all concerns, worries and fear, embracing courage and wisdom, listening to His constant Divine Whisper of Divine Assurance that comes with crystal clarity – ‘Why Fear When I Am Here’, moving on practising His precept. This becomes his essential act of gratitude to The Supreme Source n’ Force, That came down as Personification of Love Supreme – Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.

When he moves on in this path, he will soon realise that any so-called threat or disaster that looms large over him, at an individual, societal, national or global level, is nothing but a blessing in disguise, a loud warning from The Cosmic Creator for him and the humanity at large to race back to the original roots, leaving behind the lost ways, practising loving discipline coupled with diligent devotion.

When almost the whole of humanity is currently under a quarantine period of lockdown, devotees in God should, at this specified point in time, be able to take it from a positivist’s perspective, knowing that he is being quarantined from the murky and mushy world around, leaving his infamous ‘arishadvargas’ or the six vices, under complete lockdown. The six six-fold beasts that man has to eschew before claiming his original ‘Divine’ stardom are: are kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (attachment), Madha (pride), and matsarya (jealousy); the negative characteristics of which prevent man from attaining moksha or liberation. …And once man re-emerges out of this quarantined lockdown, he is coming afresh with a new birth, as a resplendent persona, as an empowered being, now in pursuit of his final stardom, The True Truth!

Is not this the ‘right’ time for him to remind himself of his true origin of ‘Amritasya Putra’, as reminded by Bhagawan quite often, that, he is by his true source, the son of immortality, having originated from the Supreme Divinity. Bhagawan’s first ever message of ‘Manasa Bhajare…’ serves a pointer to this True Truth of man, asking him to worship the SadhGuru within, Who Is none other than The True Divine Self within, the foremost of all the Gurus. The light of this SadhGuru within lights up the whole of the universe, creation at large and it is with the light of his own Self that man is able to see, view, experience the creation around, including his own self.

So, pandemic or any so-called disastrous event, for the fraternity of ‘Amritasya Putra’ nothing should ever matter, for he is ever bound to his True Truth…as is the river that long travels only to merge in the mighty ocean, leaving no trace of individuality. Where life becomes a game, that he is bound to play with sporting spirit, let him be armed with courage and wisdom, surging on, meeting up with the challenge that life presents in various formats. Rightly Bhagawan taught us that, Life Is A Game – Play It…and Life Is A Challenge, Meet It. When he does this in diligent fashion, he will be guided to the advanced realm to Realise The Dream Of Life vide the tool of Love!!!

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Back to the starting point, our wishful, hopeful prayer on the NY eve, lovingly penned by Sri Jullie Chaudhuri, let’s, in the wake of this global pandemic coronavirus episode, remind ourselves once again without fail… reminding us rhyming with the below given thought- provoking lines…

Oh! 2020…as with everything and each atom…

Your Source too is The Cosmic Heart,

Thus, what messages do you hold in store?

Will each human being know his core…

…to be Divine and Godly?

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Let the above poetic quest be our joint quest from within, today and in the eternal now…the quest from every single heart, asking himself or herself, reminding the self to Become n’ Be!

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Listen to the audio file here: A Passionate Prayer To Beloved Bhagawan

Om Sri SaiRam! Om Sri Sai Vaidyo Narayana Hari! Om Sri Sai Sathya Sai Dhanwandhariye Namaha! 

Our Most Beloved Swami, The Avatar Of All Ages, The Supreme Lord Of The Universe Is The Divine Doctor, The Divine Healer, The Doctor Of All Doctors!!!

In the wake of this illness, this contagious infection called coronavirus, that which is spread almost all the countries in this globe, all through, it is a very tough situation for all of us to handle, emotionally as well as physically at times, and it can put a lot of stress into our day to day life as well. But let’s pray and believe with conviction that our Swami has the Ultimate Power and He has the Supreme Control over all of His creation.

It is His creation over which He has the Ultimate Powers and Control and our Bhagawan Is filled with Love… He Is made up of Love. And to the Supreme Compassionate Bhagawan, may we pray to Him with Love, with Devotion, with utmost Faith and Trust and with complete Surrender that, may His Love, may His Compassion, may His Light spread all over the globe, all through this universe removing wiping off and eradicating this so called coronavirus and any other contagious infection, illnesses, sicknesses, sorrow, poverty all that is capable of inflicting pain to the human race and to any other species. May we all pray in Oneness, as One, in complete total Trust, Faith and Surrender at His Lotus Feet.

May we ask our Beloved Swami to completely heal everyone, all those who are already afflicted by this infection and may He help prevent the further spread of this infection to anyone who is not affected yet.

Let them experience complete, total safety and freedom from this and any other contagious disease or infection.

Let us have our Faith and Trust in our Beloved Bhagawan reassured, and His compassion knows no bounds, that we all know.

Lets pray to Him in unison that our Beloved Bhagawan spreads… let’s meditate upon and visualise that our Swami’s Light and Love spreads to every nook and corner of this globe, to every nation, into every continent and to every corner of all of nature, all of creation helping heal, clear all the negativity… all that is contagious,  all the pollutants all the negatives.

May His Light and Love, may His Compassion, Supreme Compassion remove, eradicate  and wipe off from the face of earth all negatives in any form and fill it with His ‘positive’ Love, His Supreme Compassion, His energising Love and Light. May we all pray to our Swami to help all of creation, not only the mankind, but all the species that may we all live in health, happiness and joy.’

May we all experience total complete healing at the body, mind and Atmic level and may we all say with gratitude choking us, choking our voices, may we all say, Thank You to our Beloved Swami, ‘ Thank You Swami, Love You Swami for all what You have been doing to us; help us always stay in Faith and Trust and in Total… Complete Surrender at Your Divine Lotus Feet.’

Listen to the audio file here: A Passionate Prayer To Beloved Bhagawan

II Jai SaiRam II

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Truly, all that He speaks become Truth, for He Is verily Truth in human form… Who can fathom the mysterious mystery of The Master Supreme, Who plays His cards at an all-encompassing… supra-conscious level, far…far…way far…beyond any human imagination??? For an earnest seeker, every single moment with Him is a revealing moment… revealing His endless mystery… that is often done in His most inimitable style. A flashback into a beautiful December evening in 1995, with Swami and His students, wherein the last but one batch of Masters in English Literature students at SSSIHL, Prasanthi Nilayam, had this profound Sai-tale of experience.

“Name the book, SAI VANI”, Swami told the students on 28th of December, 1995. But that is not the complete story. The students had assembled in the Mandir that evening with a photograph of Bhagawan and the list of contents of the book. They had sent a letter to Swami that afternoon regarding the book. On seeing the boys carrying the paraphernalia in a tray, Bhagawan gave a curious and mischievous smile.

The occasional glances and smiles continued till some of the boys started wondering if Swami would come near them at all.

At last, Swami came, asking, “What is that?”

The students told about the book and pleaded Swami to suggest a name.

“Peru Enduku?” (Why Name?) Then Swami asked, “Did you think of any name?”

“No, Swami”, the boys replied in a chorus, “You have to give the name”

Graciously, Swami said, “Sai Vani Pettandi” (Name it Sai Vani). “Please write it with Your Own Hands Swami”, pleaded the students.

“No, No” said Bhagawan and moved away. He would have gone a few steps before He paused. Sensing that Swami may agree to bless the book by writing down the name, a few students went up to Swami and gave Him the photograph and the list of contents.

Swami gently wrote: “Sathya Vani”, and after a moment’s pause, He said, “Oh I have written ‘Sathya Vani’ instead of ‘Sai Vani’. Well, Sai Vani is better. Name the book Sai Vani”…. and thus the christening of the book left a mirthful impression on the students assembled there.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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It was at the morning darshan that Swami lovingly called a few devotees for a lifetime experience of Divine interview. After the interview, Swami opened the door and was standing near the interview room. I had come for the Divine Darshan just three days before with my daughter, who had come with me for the first time. My wife had decided to stay back at home in London.

Swami looked at me and enquired about some details about the UK group, which was to come after a few months for Parthi Yatra as per His Divine plan. He then said, “Puppet, come to residence at 3.00 p.m.” I was overjoyed and said, “Yes, Baba”.

At about 2.40 p.m., I was all ready to leave for Divine Abode. My daughter asked, “Dad, why so early”? I said, “Baba has called me. I will be back after the evening session”. She said, “Fine. I will wait for you. We will have dinner together”. I said, “That is great”. I reached the Divine Abode and sent word to Beloved Swami.

Very promptly, the person returned and said, Swami says, you should wait. Time was 3.15 p.m. As usual, Swami went to Sai Kulwant Hall for blessing the devotees with Divine Darshan and bhajan session. He returned at around 6.40 p.m. and went inside His Abode. I was now full of hope and joy and looking forward to go in and talk to Him.

At around 7.50 p.m., some officials who normally used to be with Swami to receive instructions and also have his Prasadam (dinner) came out from the front door. I was all the time, waiting near the adjacent building. One of the officials saw me and said, “Puppet, you are still here”? I said, “Yes, sir; I am waiting to be called in”. That was it.

There were sevadal boys at the gate, and one or two security staff moving about. It was getting dark and I was looking at the watch every few minutes and also praying in my mind, “Swami, please call Puppet, I am waiting”. At about 8.15 p.m., one of the senior boys came out with a chair and said, “Puppet sir, you better sit and wait”. (Swami had instructed me to wait and not sit). Time now was almost 9.00 p.m., mind you, I was standing there from 3.00 p.m. I was tired, thirsty, and also thinking about my daughter who was waiting. I was moving about from the gate of Divine Abode to the main entrance of residence, pacing up and down and praying.

Time now was 10.00 p.m., and suddenly the side door of the residence opened, and the same boy came out. I said, “Sai Ram”. He said, “You are still here? Swami has already gone upstairs and now there is no chance, you better go”.

I did not know what to say; I was completely dazed. Slowly, somehow, I climbed three long flight of stairs of W9 building and reached W9/D7. The door was open, the dinner was laid out on the dining table and my daughter was fast asleep on the chair.

Suddenly, she woke up when I came out of washroom and asked, “What is the time”? I said, “It is almost 10.15 p.m”. She said, “You took very long time! What did Baba say”? “I never met Him today”, I said. She said, “What? You did not meet Him! Then, where were you from 3.00 p.m.”? “I was waiting,” I said. She just could not believe me. “Let us eat, I am hungry. You too must be,” I said. “Yes, you can say that later”, she said. I could not sleep well. I was tired and disappointed.

Next morning, I left very early and was in the verandah by 6.30 a.m. (during those days, Swami used to come early.) Swami came around 6.55 a.m., and after giving Darshan, went inside the interview room. I was sitting at my usual place, right in front of the interview room, but there was no eye contact with Swami.

After bhajan, Swami returned to His Abode and I was back in W9/D7. My daughter came in after a while and asked, “So, what did Baba say”? I looked at her and said, “Nothing”. She promptly remarked, “He did not say a word about yesterday? Ah! Just cannot believe that. He should have at least said something”. I said, “He Is God Almighty. He need not say anything”. She said, “But He could have asked you to go back if He was busy”. I said, “I waited as per His instructions”.

In the afternoon, Swami came around 4.00 p.m. and as soon as He came in the verandah, He called me. I followed Him in the interview room and He shut the door. I sat down at His Lotus Feet. There was complete silence. After a while, He opened His eyes and said, “Puppet, waiting at the doorstep of God is not mere waiting; it is Sadhana”. I kept on looking at Him, He did the same. After a few seconds, He very lovingly said, “Go”!!!

Now whenever I stand in line outside any temple or in Sai Kulwant Hall, I remember His Divine teaching: Wait With Faith; It Is Sadhana.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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