God cannot be a memory; He Is The Living Presence! We keep hearing devotees asserting with ‘thumping clarity’ claiming that ‘the chair is not empty’. How many of us can feel Him and how many of us can see Him, in the Now, even when His physical form is not amidst us? The truth is that the Throne of Bhagawan at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam is ever Full With His Mighty Presence!!! As part of the Prasanthi Vidhwan Mahasabha in Oct 2011, Dr (Ms) PL Rani from the Dept. of English Language & Literature at the Anantapur Campus of SSSIHL, addressed the Prasanthi assembly on 1st Oct 2011, …and she began her address with a ‘revealing’ preface. Narrating her beautiful, revealing dream the same morning, Dr Rani that evening concluded by asserting that, ‘God cannot be a memory; He Is a Living Presence’.  Read on… I have had to make amendments to my talk overnight. I am compelled to add an unplanned preface to my talk due to a very small but significant episode that occurred this morning. It seems divinely ordained that I share it with all of you, due to the larger implications and universal message. Last night, after a particularly tiring day, I was planning this talk in my mind and putting my thoughts in order. At that point, there were two conflicting feelings that were filling my mind. On one side was the sense of gratitude, responsibility, and loving duty that I owe to Swami, which is the motivation for this talk; and on the other hand lurked a tinge of sadness that this time, compared to every other time I have had an opportunity to be here. There is a ‘shade of difference’. I felt that it was very clever of me to think of the phrase ‘shade of difference’ because to me the shade of difference was the change from the vibrant orange to the sparkling white marble. Bhagawan, in His most inimitable manner, decided to disprove it to me. I am not a person who gets frequent dreams of Swami or who works on a practical level based on some dreams. I haven’t had one for so many months and I definitely haven’t had any after April, in particular. But suddenly when I woke up this morning, I woke up with a pleasant feeling and I quickly recalled that I had had a beautiful message. In my dream, the scene was of those three painful days right here in the Mandir, when the Immortal One had decided to leave the mortal coil. In my mind, I was deciding that I was not going to see this because I can’t bear to see the lost luster on His face. My curiosity got the better of me and after a little while, I began to peep from a distance. I got a little closer and I saw that it was the same beautiful, effulgent, brilliant familiar face of Swami and I felt so relieved and satisfied. Just then Swami’s eyelids opened so vividly and in a fit of panic and fear, I sprang backward. It is unusual that someone springs backward on seeing Swami. He then raised His palm and beckoned me, making me even more frightened. When He beckoned me the third time, I went near, and He placed His palm on mine, and the immediate tangible sensation that I felt was the warmth of His Hand.

Revealing Light A self-ignited passion for conquering higher realms of consciousness led her finally to The Master Supreme, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, with Whose blessings she got meticulously engaged in a search for her Inner Truth. As she traverses the path today, living in Prasanthi Nilayam, she is confident that The Road is Ahead… The Light is On…, and her journey is proceeding. … A tribute to the blessed womanhood on the blessed Ladies’ Day! This article is by Smt Sudha Chakravarthi, sourced from a private publication titled ‘The Lotus Path – Walking With Sai’, released in Prasanthi Nilayam some years ago (2007) during the occasion of Ladies’ Day.  I completed my formal education to my satisfaction. Then, with the eagerness of my youth, I thought I should raise myself to what could be considered a higher level of consciousness. Interesting as the subject of Politics, Economics and History were, they gave me no sense of completeness. I therefore took up the study of religion and metaphysics. I was blessed to meet philosophers, priests and intellectuals to make my search fruitful. However, sacred texts alone gave me an insight into the weightier issues of life. Religious studies were very close to my heart. During the course of my study I found the concept of maya, more popularly known as illusion, intriguing. The great Vaishnavite saint Sri Ramanuja called maya as “Shell Silver” which was not silver at all. Metaphor of rope and snake is only too familiar to anyone studying Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada. The Jains named it “the whirling peacock feathers” and the Buddhists called it the “firecycle”, i.e. a coconut cup filled with fire, when spun. After considerable study of maya, I ought to have been satisfied, but my efforts at unravelling this concept pushed me to exploring forms of reality. I played then with the Bhakti cult. Markata Nyaya and Marjaraka Nyana sounded interesting. Do I cling to my mother philosophy and let her leap to various concepts or do I let my mother concept pick me up and take me wherever she wanted. I found both satisfying. I continued my studies. It was at this time that the most sacred day of my life till then dawned. I came to Puttaparthi, and the minute I saw Swami, all my faculties sang in joy “This is IT”. Repeatedly, I felt that I was in the presence of Dakshinamurthi where unasked questions were answered in silence. The “divine greed” prompted me to seek more and more darshan, sparshan and sambhashan. Then with the smooth flow of time, new meanings, interpretations and answers were downloaded into my brain. Seshadri Swami of Arunachalam, when asked by a seeker, “Who am I”? told thus: “Collect a handful of stones, each representing a quality or state such as joy, sorrow, happiness, grief, greed, anger, relationship and so on. Ask yourself whether each or any of them represents you. Discard each of them if you find that it does not represent you. When you find that none of them represents you, and you are left with nothing, knew then that it is you.” Similar question was put to Ramana Rishi (Maharshi), and he replied, “You are, when you take away what you are not.” This greatly puzzled me. My search for answers to such questions continued even through the study of Christian mysticism. Readings of Meister Eckhart left a strong impression on me. His statement – “If I am to know God directly, I must become completely God and God I, so that God and this I become one I”, was constantly in my mind. I felt that there must be a way by which I can raise the human I to the Divine I, so that I can get my view of the world but the ‘God’s Eye’ view of the world. “Who am I?” was the question which did not seem to be the foundation of God realisation. I keenly absorbed Swami’s discourses with as much joy and concentration as the private interviews He granted. I tried not to miss even subtle nuances in His discourses. I felt the ancient acharyas must have decided to shed some light on me. Hence, in a discourse, Bhagawan said, “We are all God. The difference between you and Me is that I have ‘realised’ what I AM and you have not yet.” The directness and simplicity of the pronouncement had a sudden impact. Was this a nanosecond of Brahmanubhava, satori, enlightenment or what? All I can say is that I felt a strange peace descend upon me, and left me with the constant feeling that my God, Lord, Acharya, soul’s Companion has given meaning to my Eternal Atma.

God’s Address A true devotee with conviction in the deep heart will repeat most optimistically that ‘He has seen God and He lives in Prasanthi Nilayam’. The same devotee when he climbs ladders of higher spiritual realms will vouch that ‘God Is Everywhere’. Is anyone interested in knowing The Address Of God? Once in Prasanthi Nilayam Bhagawan engaged His students in this topic, finally validating His OmniPresence. Read on Dr PV Shankar from the United States dwelling on the same. Extracted from his preface for the recently released book ‘Sai Antarvani’. One evening in Prasanthi Nilayam, Beloved Bhagawan asked the students – “Is there anyone here interested to know God’s Address?” Many hands went up. Swami pointed to a boy who did not raise his hands – “Hey, aren’t you interested?” “Swami, I am already in the Abode of God that is You”, the boy replied. “But just this morning you fought with your roommate in the hostel? You also felt sad and bitter that your best friend deceived you? Does God’s Abode resemble such chaos and sadness?” Then in general, He addressed the students – “You should not resort to sycophancy by trying to please Me with flowery words. I Am not impressed by your calling Me God which I already Am. Life is meant to realise your Innate Divinity.” Then He magnanimously said – “I will give you the address of God – “Yatcha Kinchit Jagat Sarvam, Drishyate Sruyate Pi Va, Antar Bahischa Tat Sarvam, Vyapya Narayana Stithah”, meaning Narayana manifests in all that is seen or heard in the world both inside and outside. Sathya Narayana permeates all the directions, above, below, inside, outside of you.” Omnipresence is God’s personal signature or Swabha̅va. Narayana is not a name given to a Hindu God by a segment of humanity. It refers to One Who leads mankind or Nara on a flight or ayana towards its own True Self. Being deeply embedded beneath the layers of the Antahkarana consisting of Manas, Buddhi, Chitta and Ahankara – the internal organs of mind, intellect, memory and ego, man is unaware of the perennial fount of bliss which is his innate nature and seeks it outside of him in sensual gratification. Bhagawan often teaches in the simplest of terms that when the nayana or eyes well up with the nara or waters of sublime devotion, we attain Narayana. God’s Omnipresence transcends time and space and He manifests anywhere anytime in any form whenever humanity prays to Him fervently. His Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan meaning Vision, Touch and Speech are not limited to the physical sphere alone. He penetrates the subconscious and grants spiritual instructions to deserving people in their dream. He shows Himself in high mountains to ascetics absorbed in deep meditation. Unlike mortals who someday die and are quickly forgotten, He vividly lives in the thoughts and imagination of devotees – even those who have never ever seen Him in person, ages after He discarded His physical form. Isn’t this testimony that He rules Time beyond birth and death? And in these myriad planes of existence, He continues to guide mankind through Upadeshas and Anubhutis, spiritual discourses and experiences. As I look back in time, I see a definitive pattern in my spiritual evolution. I began my search for God looking for Him outside of me and my roving mind led me away from myself till I was lost in the labyrinthine crowded corridors of life. At such times, He drew me physically so close to Him that I could smell His Divine fragrance and even touch His silken hair. Endearingly, He led me into personal discourses that had been preludes to what was to follow in the course of time. But when my search for Him turned inward, especially after He left His physical form and left me with no option other than ‘look within’, His discourses assumed a totally esoteric dimension mostly in the form of inner promptings. I am being trained by Him to still my thoughts to be able to listen to His Voice from within – His Antar Vani in the stillness of my Being. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the Indweller of my heart and I do not see Him as different from myself. I am He and that is more fel

God Is The Only Real Friend Can fleeting connections on the face of the planet, be it within the family circle or beyond, be termed as ‘Relationships’? Deluded he is, man often claims to such connections, claiming them to be real. How often he gets it wrong, that sooner or later a gentle tap comes from the Greater Heaven, telling him that, ‘He and He Alone Is The Real Friend, and None Else’. In the case of Ms Vibha, she was infinitely  blessed to hear the same from The Lord Supreme, Who chose to educate her with the message in person. Read on an interesting episode as narrated by Ms Vibha Gajjar from Nasik, alumna at SSSIHL, from the batch of 1978-81. This article is extracted from the 95th Birthday release, Sai Samipyam, by the 1978-81 batch of alumnae at SSSIHL, Anantapur Campus. “Every child born into the world brings a message from God that he is not yet discouraged with man”. – Rabindranath Tagore. After graduation, I did my B. Ed and worked as a teacher in Swami’s Primary school. I was thrilled and grateful to be back; it was like a homecoming. To be again near Swami’s physical presence and have His Darshans, one could ask for nothing more. Being a teacher at Swami’s Institution was a different experience altogether. Swami loved His students of Primary School, and it was a treat to watch Him interact with them. God is Love, and I was one of the lucky recipients of His Love. During that time, Swami had graciously agreed to perform the wedding of a friend of mine in the interview room. Swami had asked him to give Him the number of guests that would be attending. My friend graciously included me in that list. On the day of the wedding, everyone was ushered in, with Swami coming in last as usual. All were seated, and Swami too sat in His chair. He surveyed the room, looking at everyone who had come in. When His ‘gaze’ fell on me, He immediately asked, “Tum idhar kya karta hai?” (What are you doing here?) I was taken aback, caught unawares. My heart sank. “Kya rishta hai?” (How are you related?). I feebly muttered, “Friend, Swami.”

A Christmas Story Of Transformation It’s Christmas time again!!! With the joyful arrival of the holy Christmas comes the fondest memories of the ‘Father-Son Duo’ of The Holy Divine Father and the ‘Prince Of Love n’ Peace’, Jesus Christ. Over 2000 years after the epochal arrival of the Son on to the planet, as we celebrate the occasion once again, let’s now ‘listen’ to an exciting tale of transformation happened in the physical presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai at Dharmakshetra in Mumbai, on a Holy Christmas Day. The article is sourced from Bhavan’s Journal, November 1975 issue, a fortnightly devoted to life, literature and culture. The author of the article Sri S Ramakrishnan was the Founder editor of the Bhavan’s Journal. A merchant-prince from Gujarat who had made his fortune by his untiring industry in East Africa once came and met me in the Bhavan a few years ago. The man who exuded opulence from almost every pore of his body, I expected, would also be brimming with inner joy, but, alas, this was not to be. He did laugh during our conversation, but the laughter sounded hollow and in fact it was only an echo of his deep grief within. I enquired of him whether there was anything worrying him secretly. He opened up and said: “Yes, it is my young son, eldest son…” He could not talk easily, such was his anguish. Slowly I gathered that he was sorely distressed because his son who was in England for higher studies had been nearly “seduced” into leaving Hinduism and embracing Christianity. All the persuasive efforts of the father and the even more worried mother had fallen flat on the youngster for whom Hinduism, with its “maze of thousands of gods, and goddesses” held very little attraction and appeared irrational and anachronistic. The gentleman sought my help in infusing his son with faith in Hinduism. I explained to him that our ancients had enjoined to look upon one’s children as equals after they attain the age of 16. Hence, any compulsion was likely to harden the heart of the impetus and misguided youngster in pursuing his own decision. I also stressed the futility of brow-beating or imposing a decision on a confused and bewildered, though sincere, soul. I told him that the best way to “teach” was to follow the way of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita: expound and explain the pros and cons of the issue and, then tell the son, as the Lord told Arjuna: “I have explained everything to you. Now you decide what you think best.”

Sarvam Brahma Mayam Long ago, when Adi Sankaracharya walked the Earth, he first declared, “Brahma Sathyam Jagat Mithya”, meaning, Brahman is the ever-unchanging, everlasting, eternal principle, and the world is an illusion that keeps changing. Here, ‘mithya’ doesn’t mean untruth; it means that which is unreal. Wherefrom this unreality comes into existence? The Upanishadic metaphor of ‘a rope and a snake’ clearly reveals that the ‘illusion of the snake’ comes into being because of the ‘reality of the rope’, that is symbolic of Brahman. In the timeless symphony of The Supreme Divine, Bhagavad Gita, The Lord expounds the dictum revealing The Eternal Truth as “Ekatma Sarva Bhutantaratma”, meaning One Atma dwells in every being.  Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai time and again during His sojourn on Earth reminded the world around of this Eternal Principle of Oneness. One such occasion was on 30th July 1996, when He burst forth into singing a poetic prelude for a Divine discourse, exhorting and emphasising on the Oneness of Brahman. Man today is caught in the trap of illusory existence, and he keeps counting on the ‘unreal’. Ringing in a new and promising 2021, let’s now focus on this Song Celestial of modern times, diving and drowning into ParaBrahma Sri Sathya Sai.

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same Some years ago, a devotee from Qatar, upon his return journey from Prasanthi Nilayam, had a transit halt for some hours in Dharmakshetra, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s Abode in Mumbai. Sharing his Christmas experience at ‘Prasanthi’, the devotee said then, “We had a fabulous Christmas in Bhagawan’s Presence, and the Day started with 21 Omkars.” Yes, Prasanthi Nilayam denotes The Abode Of Supreme Peace, and in this Abode Of Supreme Peace, all that one can expect is an everlasting echo of the message of Unity In Diversity, Oneness. How the Supreme Master walked the earth propagated His message of Oneness in His most inimitable style? Read on an experience of (Late) Sri S Ramakrishnan, Founder Editor of Bhavan’s Journal, the official bimonthly of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai). The article originally appeared in the Nov 1975 issue of Bhavan’s Journal, devoted to life, literature, and culture. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was established by Kulapati KM Munshi in the year 1938. In 1971, a dear and respected elder, a distinguished educationist and philosopher, a former Director of the Bhavan’s Delhi Kendra, and myself went on a pilgrimage to Puttaparthi. We left Bangalore by car about 3 a.m. so as to reach Puttaparthi by 6 a.m. During the three hour, 100-mile drive, we discussed, among other things, about the advisability or otherwise of accepting a donation offered by a philanthropist for conducting research in Bhavan on Vishishtaadvaita. The Bhavan has always firmly stood against fanning differences – denominational, religious, regional or linguistic. It is pledged to foster harmony, unity. In view of the unbridled fanatic zeal of some of the overzealous followers of the great messiahs, there was a natural anxiety on our part as to whether the acceptance of the donation was likely to unconsciously carry with it the seed of some futile controversy on some abstract aspects of something or other. However, long before we reached Prasanthi Nilayam at Puttaparthi, we unanimously came to the conclusion to recommend acceptance of the offer to the Bhavan’s Executive Committee. Thereafter, we discussed many other matters and by the time we reached Puttaparthi, we had forgotten all about the donation offer. We reached Puttaparthi at about 6 a.m. As usual, there were large crowds of devotees, from far and near. When our request to have an audience was submitted to Baba, he told the messenger that “they left Bangalore at 3 a.m. They have not even taken water this morning. First give them breakfast and then let them see me.” When we were duly ushered into Baba’s holy presence, we prostrated before him. He affectionately patted us and bade us to sit. After solicitous enquiries about the Bhavan, with a broad grin, he said, “Some people think that Advaitins and Visishtaadvaitins – followers of Adi Shankara and followers of Ramanuja – cannot work together, isn’t it? This is absolutely wrong.”

Reading without Practising is Useless Blessing the Book Trust of Prasanthi Nilayam on August 24, 2007, Bhagawan delivered an exhilarating Divine discourse, outlining the roles and responsibilities for the publishing house, publishing good books taking Eternal Truths to the masses, to the devoted ones. Excerpts from the discourse wherein Bhagawan speaking on the importance of practice. What the world needs today is service. You should love everybody. Love All, Serve All. This is what you are supposed to do. Whatever work you may do, do it with the feeling that you are doing the work of God. There is no place in this world where God is not present. He is all-pervasive. Never doubt that God is here and not there. He is everywhere. God is in you, with you, above you, below you and around you. Whatever happens is only due to the Will of God, and not merely by your own efforts. (Bhagawan showing His handkerchief) Here you see a cloth. It may appear to be a cloth, but in reality it is not so; it is a bundle of threads. Further, the threads are made out of cotton. So, first cotton, next thread and then cloth. Similarly, you are not one person but three: the one you think you are, the one others think you are and the one you really are. With regard to a book also, there are three persons involved in it: the one who writes it, the one who prints it and the one who reads it. Merely bringing out of books is not important. It is more important that you should bring out good books which broaden the vision of the people in the wide world. We should not be narrow-minded; we should develop broad feelings. We should publish books which are essential for everybody. Money is not important; morality is important. Money comes and goes, morality comes and grows. We should develop morality. Many books are written, many people read them, but it is all useless if nothing is put into practice. We should put into practice at least one principle given in the books we read. There may be many items of food in the plate, but our hunger is not satiated by merely repeating the names of those items. Take at least one item and eat it. A large number of books have been written on Swami. But, are you putting into practice even one principle contained in them? No. What is the use of reading books if you do not put anything into practice? If you read ten teachings in a book, put at least one of them into practice. Only then will you derive the necessary strength and capability from your reading.

Timeless Message For True Truth Aspirants… The day man leaves everything unto Him, in absolute surrender, he is sure to witness a major miracle, wherein He will take over, carrying the devotee in His Arms, helping him to complete the drama of life, back unto the Source . A beautiful piece of ‘awakening-writing’ by Sri SD Khera with His priceless promises. Many times have I passed through the gate of death; many wombs have I danced through. Many times have I laid myself down in sleep; and many times have I risen up. At last, O Gracious Lord, you have touched my eyelids and my heart has blossomed into the region whence You have come. Let me arise and go forth with Thee. I am enamoured and overcome with Thy Love. Beholding Thy beauty, listening to Thy words, inhaling the Fragrance of Thy Presence, I yearn to begin my real life. When I prayed to Baba thus, He said, with a smile, “You are choked with the dust you have yourself raised! Yours is a self-imposed bondage. Steeped in the consciousness of your body, you are heavy with mortal adhesions. You have built your house on a bridge! Remember, you are a pilgrim on the march. Your first duty to yourself is to abandon! Abandon all your plans, even the best ones. Abandon all the theories you cherish; the doctrines you hold dear; the systems of knowledge which have cluttered your brain; the preferences you have accumulated; the pursuit of fame, fortune, scholarship, superiority; these are all material objective. Enter the objective world, after becoming aware of the Atma; then, you will realise that all is the play of Atma. You ran to and fro, over the world, away from your Self, seeking substance in shadows, and earned only war and conflict, tears and groans. Who cast those shadows? This question did not arise in your muddled mind. One phantasm followed another, one transitory gain or loss followed another, and the days rolled relentlessly by. Now, bewildered and disgusted, finding no rest and peace, you cry for help in utter anguish. Give up even thought, He told me. For, thought is alien to your reality. It is vain to tarry at the intellectual level, for, systems and philosophies however cleverly erected, plans and purposes, proofs and arguments can please and satisfy only for a time; they contradict and destroy each other, in the end. Seek, but do not get entangled. Be like the fly, which cleans its legs of the honey or slime in which it is caught; remove every particle, attractive or disgusting, which sullies the brightness of the soul and impairs its freedom.” He said, “Leave all to Me, absolutely. Carry on the duties of the place assigned to you. Do not forsake the past; give your best, out of Love, to Me and to all in whom I Am. He said, “Though you appear to all who look on, as engaged in worldly pursuits, in worldly plans and occupations, know that you are busy only with Me and My task. You are instruments, in My Hands. I Am operating all mortals as the machinist operates the machine. I dwell in every heart. All you have been and seen and done and thought, not you, but I, have seen and been and wrought! Pilgrim, pilgrimage and road, was but Myself! You arrived at Myself!” Baba called, “Come, all lost Atma‘s, to your centre, draw! O! Rays that have wandered into the wide darkness! Return! Subside back into the Sun.” I am a ray, a spark, a wave, He taught me. Baba said, “The entire universe is as unreal as a dream; sleep causes dreams; Maya is the sleep that has caused this appearance of Creation on the Reality of the One, the ParamAtma.” Baba assured me, “Be established in the ONE. You are Poorna, Full; you can have no wants. Act ever in the consciousness of innate Divinity. The Atmic Vision destroys all desires for objective joys.” O’ Gracious Mother!…In Thy vast Eternal Compassion…Heal us, Thy foolish children, Who heed Thee not; but, turn their backs on Thee… and scratch and scramble… in ash heaps and dust bins…for tricks and trivial tools…that can break the bonds…and confer salvation and freedom.

That’s My Job; I Will Do That.” How gritty are you in the face of problems upsetting the rhythm of your day-to-day life? … and what is your Faith Quotient, that could help in times of adversities? …a beautiful narration of a personal experience by Smt Karunamba Ramamurthy in the book Sri Sathya Sai Anandadai is a lesson for you and me, lesson on Faith and Surrender. “On September 29, 1961, Shankara and myself went to Puttaparthi. My mind was in turmoil. We had lost a case pertaining to some property in a prime location in Mysore city, in a lower court, which meant a huge financial loss to us. I rushed to my mother who had put up in the old mandir and apprised her of our predicament. Her reaction was predictably calm. With faith in Swami, which did not falter even for a moment, she said, “We may be at an apparent loss, but Swami does everything for our good.” We waited near the Interview Room to have darshan. Bhajan was in progress. Many were in the verandah for the interview. After quite some time, Swami came out. Seeing us, Swami told all the old devotees, ‘Go and attend the bhajan. I will have to see the new comers now. You can do only Padanamaskar now.” We did Padanamaskar and went to the bhajans. On the next day, we waited near the Interview Room before the commencement of bhajans. Swami called us. We went in. Both of us did Padanamaskar. He asked, “What happened?” I said, “Swami, we lost,” and gave Him the details. Swami asked us to appeal to the higher court. I said that it would cost more and we could not afford that much money. Swami placed His hand on my head and said, “Swami is there. He will look after everything.” Later, He recited a sloka and said, “Do you know what Lakshmana prayed Rama? He prayed, ‘Rama, just as You use Adisesha as Your bed in Your manifestation as Vishnu, please keep me in Your proximity forever. Did he lack anything – wealth, kingdom, parents and wife? Still he left all those things and asked for Rama’s proximity. Similarly, you must yearn for Him alone. You will somehow, be carried through all other tribulations.” I said, “Swami, always keep us in Your mind. Shall we try again, Swami? It either makes or mars our future security.” Swami advised us to appeal in the higher court. All of us did Padanamaskar and left. We appealed in the higher court and lost again. Out grief knew no bounds. Terribly shaken, we came to Puttaparthi again. The next day was Monday and we sat outside the Interview Room.  After calling a few persons, Swami called us. We had gone there only to do Padanamaskar, but had the good chance of talking to Him. Swami came towards me and said, “Money, money, worries about money. Do you know what you should worry about? You should worry that you have not yet realised God.” I said, “Swami, I too worry about it.” Swami said, “Then why worry about this so much? As long as the purse was with you, you had to worry about it. Now that you have given it to Me, it is My duty to look after you. Should you worry still?” I said, “We should not, Swami. We worry about repaying all the accumulated debts. We just do not see any way out.” Swami explained, “You are afraid because your faith in Me has reduced. If you had complete faith in Me, you would not have developed fear. Do you know what is Atmarpana? Whatever may happen, you should relentlessly follow Him. He will do something or the other for you. He will somehow make everything all right. He (pointing Himself) can do anything. What did Ramadasa and others do? Only this much, isn’t it? Whatever punishment they underwent, they were relentlessly thinking of Rama.” I said, “Even Ramadasa and others found fault with You when they had to go through unbearable adversities. What of lesser mortals like us, Swami? You are aware of the huge loss we sustained in the court case which was decided against us.” Swami, hearing this laughed loudly. I asked, Swami, if You are really present in our hearts, how do we get such problems and worries?” He said, “Why? Didn’t Ramadasa and others face similar problems?” I said, “Swami, they could have committed some mistakes when You were not present in their hearts. We are sure we have not done anything wrong to deserve this fate.” Swami said, “When you take this human form, committing some mistakes is inevitable. But you should not think of those. Think of Him always.” Swami said, “It is a pity that you have lost heart for such a trivial issue.” I said, “We are afraid of repaying the loans,” picking up the thread of the earlier conversations of the court case. Swami consoled, “Keep yourself calm. You will get the money to repay the loans. Is there a sky without clouds?… a rose without thorns?… a man without worries? I said, “Swami, the thorn is not in contact with the rose. It is present, but exists separately. Please grace us so that thorns in us do not hurt others.” Swami said, “That is My job; I will do that.”