Love of the Divine Everybody experiences the love of one mother in this world. But we see here that the students of Sai experience the love of a thousand mothers. She shapes our destiny. Her compassion and love toward us cannot be repaid. A few of the Divine miracles of such a Compassionate One are given below. In the year 1995, I came here as a Seva Dal. When we were given padanamaskar [touching the Lord’s feet] I asked Bhagavan for admission to His school in the coming year. When I came the next year, Bhagavan told that the admissions were over. One year passed, and after that I joined in Bhagavan’s institution in Alike [a village in Kannada District]. This institution runs under Bhagavan’s direct supervision. There is a short story behind how the family was introduced to the Sai Organization in Kerala. My maternal grandfather was good at singing, and very often he sang in the temples. Once a member of Sai Samiti approached him and requested him to sing in the Samiti bhajans (devotional song). Initially he hesitated, but later he agreed. As he was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, he planned to sing a Shiva bhajan. Soon after he began singing, a snake appeared on Bhagavan’s photo and remained there throughout the bhajan session. After this miracle, my grandfather joined the Sai Organization. When he came to Puttaparthi for darshan, Bhagavan called him for an interview and told him that He would look after his whole family. His daughter and sons are very well settled. My grandfather was a Sanskrit scholar. Slowly he was drawn to Bhagavan when he heard the miracles and experiences of the devotees. Our home deity is Lord Muruga. After gaining firm faith in Bhagavan, my grandfather became a good devotee of Bhagavan. Thus, his practice became to worship Lord Muruga first and then Bhagavan. When he came to Parthi for the first time, he was fortunate enough to be called for an interview. Bhagavan noticed a photo of Lord Muruga in my grandfather’s pocket. Bhagavan took a close look at the photo. A few moments later Bhagavan blew at it, and to my grandfather’s surprise he found that a portrait of Bhagavan appeared behind Lord Muruga’s photo! Then Bhagavan explained to him that He and Lord Muruga are one and the same. When I was young, my parents had a wish that my ‘Vidyarambham’ (beginning of study) must be done by Bhagavan Himself. So we all went to Prasanthi Nilayam. When Bhagavan came near us, I caught His pada (feet). To release grasp of my hands, Bhagavan held me with both hands and lifted me. He then called me a “Bangaru.” Then He caught my hand and made me write “AUM” on the slate. I have preserved the slate since then. My father works in a bank as a senior manager. When I was studying in third standard my father was posted in a place called Kannur. But my brother, mother, and I stayed back. Since he was staying there, he started to attend the Sai Samiti. At my father’s home, from the photo of Bhagavan Vibhuti started coming out! It was a continuous flow. After two years he got transferred to a place called Trishur. So, we also shifted our residence to Trishur. He had applied for a car loan. In a few months, the money was sanctioned. So he started taking classes at the driving school. But in a dream Bhagavan came and blessed him by teaching him how to drive. This happened regularly. In this way Bhagavan blessed him. My brother, who is now in the Whitefield (Brindavan) campus of the Institute, had a wonderful experience with Bhagavan. When he was in fifth standard, our State President asked my parents if they would like him to sing in the presence of Bhagavan. Later he was joined by two other boys. They learnt a Telugu song and sang it in front of Bhagavan. Bhagavan was pleased and blessed them. My brother asked Bhagavan if he could get admission in His Institute. Bhagavan said, “Yes” and blessed him. Once Bhagavan graciously allowed our district Bal Vikas students to present a cultural program. I was fortunate to be a part of the acting team of the drama called ‘Sai Avatar’. During the stage rehearsal sessions, the drama was shortened from around 30 minutes to 20 minutes. We were not happy with this, but we carried on. On the day of the program, we were all dressed in our costumes and were taken to Poornachandra Auditorium. We were asked to cut short the time further. After a while we were informed that there wouldn’t be any drama. I broke down. Suddenly, Bhagavan came there and saw me so. He signaled me to be calm and referred to me as “chinna (small) Shastry.” We all got padanamaskar. So Bhagavan has His own way of blessing His devotees. Bhagavan’s miracles are mysterious and have a definite reason for them. He never leaves our prayers unanswered. Thus, He alone is the embodiment of love. He works for the welfare of humanity. We are fortunate to have come to His Lotus Feet. Our virtues blossom only because of Him. He alone can lead us to the light of wisdom. My cousin lives in Bombay at Dombivli [a suburb]. He had a serious internal problem near his kidney. My father went to attend the operation. He gave the book ‘Shirdi Sai Satcharita’ to my cousin’s mother. On the day of operation, my father was sitting outside the operation theatre and doing Namasmarana [chanting the Name]. A sadhu [mendicant] dressed like Shirdi Sai Baba came there at the very moment the operation started. He sat there until the operation was finished. Prior to this incident, my father had a similar dream. Thus, the operation was a success. Another way Bhagavan showered His blessings on us. Bhagavan likes people who have good thoughts. He blesses everyone at the appropriate time. He teaches us by setting examples. He loves everyone in this world. He has no enemies or friends, after all we have all

What I Have Learnt from Sri Sathya Sai Usually, it is very difficult to learn new things, especially for older people. But anyone who tries to learn a new way of life sincerely at the lotus feet of Mother Sai can do so easily. The first and the most important lesson I have learnt in Swami’s school is the observance of silence. It is a very important discipline stressed by Bhagavan. Swami says, “It is only in the depths of silence that the voice of God can be heard.” It means that when we are in the innermost depths of silence and cannot hear even the slightest external sound, we can hear the Lord who is all pervading. He is always calling us, but we are not able to hear Him because we are not tuned to Him. Another important lesson I have learnt at the lotus feet of Mother Sai is to always chant the Lord’s name or sing His glory. As Swami says, we should think of Lord Ganesha before we start any work because He removes all the obstacles. Ganesha is none other than our Sai Ganesha. Before I commence any work, I always think of Swami. It is always a unique experience to stay in the presence of Bhagavan who is Divinity in human form. Whatever He does is dharma and whatever He speaks is truth. His life is His message. He speaks through His actions and whatever He says in words, He puts into action. This is the glory of the Sai Avatar. He is the very embodiment of all the Holy scriptures and texts. What a good fortune that we are in the presence of this great Avatar! When I think of all the days that I have spent in the divine valley of Puttaparthi, many little but significant things come to my mind. I still remember a small yet profound incident that took place during the Dasara festival of 1987. During those nine days, Bhagavan blessed everyone by giving His discourses. One particular day, an elderly gentleman gave a speech that preceded Bhagavan’s discourse. He gave his speech and then sat down on the stage near Bhagavan. Bhagavan rose up and His sweet voice filled the auditorium. After the discourse, as the elderly devotee got up, his shawl slipped down. Bhagavan Himself bent down, picked up the shawl and placed it on the devotee’s shoulder. Swami then held his hand, helped him to get up and lead him off the stage. This simple yet significant act of our sweet Lord Sai taught me a great lesson in humility. We are staying in the presence of the Lord of Lords who is so humble that He stooped down to pick up His devotee’s shawl. This one deed transformed me and gave me a glimpse of the multifaceted personality that Bhagavan is. Bhagavan is always humble. He is the Lord of the Universe and the indweller of our hearts, but He remains humble. If only humility is practiced by the people, ego and enmity would vanish. Ego is the cause for our self-destruction. Ego kills our good qualities. In Bhagavan, there is no trace of ego. He is ever humble. It is said that God is bigger than the biggest and smaller than the smallest. But God is also greater than the greatest and the humblest. ~YS Vijay Sarathy Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi NilayamSource: Sai Nandana 1995 (70th Birthday Offering)

Chaksho Suryo Ajayata Dr. T. Ravi Kumar came to Swami’s fold as a boy in the year 1969. In 1981 Swami appointed him as a faculty member in His Brindavan College. Later, when Bhagavan’s University came into being, Swami blessed him to be one of the earliest research scholars at the Department of Chemistry at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Divine Chancellor in the year 1990. Currently, in addition to being an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, he is the warden of the hostel at the Brindavan Campus. “…. and when we showed the cast to Swami, He said, ‘Ask Ravi to act the role of the blind beggar boy.’ How lucky you are to be remembered by Swami even in your absence! “It was my senior describing to me the events of the past few days. I had come to Parthi from Anantapur to spend my weekend, as was my wont. I was doing my Masters in Chemistry at the PG [Post Graduate] center at Anantapur, and the alumni of the Brindavan Sri Sathya Sai College had decided to stage a play depicting the life of Jesus Christ entitled, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’. During darshan the next day, Swami told me that he had selected me for the role of the ‘blind boy’ in the drama. He asked us to go to Poornachandra Auditorium and rehearse with Christopher St. John, an actor from Hollywood, who was Swami’s devotee. “I will give darshan to devotees and come there,” He said. My scene was being rehearsed. Jesus asks the blind beggar who prays that sight be bestowed on him, “Boy, do you have the faith that I have the power to do so?” “Yes Lord, I have faith in You.” Jesus rubs on the boy’s eyes and bestows eyesight. Just at that moment, Swami entered the stage. He smiled at us and remarked, “Sai Baba came, and Ravi got back his eyesight.” The next day, again we went for practice. Even as we were practicing, we heard applause outside. Bhagavan was giving darshan to devotees. We continued with our rehearsal. Again at exactly the same juncture, Swami arrived and remarked, “Sai Baba came, and Ravi got back his eyesight.” After the scene ended, I went and sat near Swami. Swami asked me, “Did you hear people clapping during darshan? Do you know why? I gave eyesight to an 18-year-old girl who had been born blind. I gave her eyesight just as Jesus gives it to you in the drama. I shall give you also.” I laughed and took Swami’s remark rather casually. This was toward the end of November 1980. I completed my M.Sc. and Bhagavan blessed me with the wonderful chance to join as a lecturer in Brindavan College in 1981. In 1982, He asked me to move over to Prasanthi Nilayam campus where I could continue to teach and do my research side by side. It was July 1985. I had enrolled for Ph.D. and was doing my experimental work. One afternoon when I was in the lab, the lunch gong sounded. A fellow researcher asked, “Are you coming for lunch?” I said, “Not immediately. I’ll just finish this experiment that I am doing.” I was trying to detect steroids by thin layer chromatography. It was necessary to prepare the Leibermann Burchard spray reagent for this purpose. To prepare this reagent, one has to mix acetic anhydride with concentrated sulphuric acid. As I was doing this, there was a sudden explosion and the next thing I knew, the chemicals had splashed into both my eyes. I shouted ‘Sai Ram’. Hearing this, a few students who had just left the lab came back running. They asked me what had happened. I could only tell them to take me to the nearest tap. The burning sensation was terrible. The nearest tap was dry, and so were the ones in the vicinity. (I found out later that the water line had been closed as some plumbing work was in progress for the new library building coming up alongside.) By the time we found a tap that yielded water, the anhydride-sulphuric acid mixture must have been in the eye for 1½ to 2 minutes. We washed the eye repeatedly. I noted with rising panic that I could not see anything. “Let’s quickly go to the doctor”, said my colleague. There was a general hospital nearby. The route, of course, was much longer than it is today. One had to go up the University road and turn left. As we went in, the nurse who was there said, “Oh! What a time to come! Our (only!) eye doctor, Dr. Wansa (from Sri Lanka), has gone to get her visa extended.” My heart sank as the nurse examined my eyes and tut-tutted, “I suggest you go to Bangalore”. It was afternoon darshan. I had to be led by the hand as I could not see. Everything was so silent and then it was that the boy next to me whispered, “Swami has come out for darshan (there was no darshan music those days). He has turned to the left…. the ladies side…He is near the Dashavataram gate…gents side…East Prasanthi…He is now approaching us….” I could hear the rustle of silk as the Lord passed by me. I thought, ‘Oh! How unlucky I am to be unable to see the Beloved Face…’ I heard Swami’s loving, soothing voice, “Take this prasadam for three days—three times a day. Everything will be fine. I shall protect you. Start today.” He placed three packets of vibhuti prasadam in my palm. It was the third night after the accident…. I had consumed the last ‘dose’ of vibhuti. As the night prayer ended, I was plunged in thought. I could not control my tears as I recalled all my hopes and aspirations. Having been brought up by Swami as I had lost my mother when I was 4½ years old, I always looked forward to the day when I could finish my studies and in some little way be of service

Sri Sathya Sai: The Omniscient One Denny George Melkey was a student from 2002-2009 at Swami’s University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Someone once said, “The cause for all misery in the world is misunderstanding.” Misunderstanding leads to hatred. Is there anyone on the earth who is all knowing and has correct understanding of each and every aspect of the world so that there remains no hatred in him? If there, he would be the ocean of love and compassion without a speck of hatred in him. God has incarnated to lift man from the abysmal depths into which he has fallen. Bhagavan is the omniscient One who is the Master of the past, present, and the future. In the interviews granted by Him, He discloses the innermost thoughts of the person instantly. “It is not”, He says, “that I first enter your mind, and probe it, then come out and tell you what you are thinking or feeling. Actually, I am always residing in your mind and so I am fully aware of all that goes on all times. There is nothing hidden from Me.” Innumerable numbers of devotees have experienced this supernatural phenomenon. They have been wonderstruck and have received an answer to their problems as well as His spiritual guidance on how to improve their character and morality. He says, “People come to Me with prayers of all sorts. What I wish to give them is the boon of liberation. If I confine myself wholly to giving it, no one will turn up here! Therefore, I have to start at their level, granting all their boons initially so as to ultimately equip them to desire what I desire to give them.” The frail 5 feet, 3 inch embodied being answers the devotees unasked, “I know, I know.” Achyut Prasad Sharma, a retired Additional Commissioner of Assam, during an interview wanted to ask a question about his son, Manas Pratik. Even before he could finish his sentence, Baba told him, “You are worried about your son, who had meningitis. He is fully cured. There will be no adverse aftereffects.” Sharma then wanted to enquire about his younger brother, who had become an alcoholic. Before he could put the question Swami interjected, “I know your brother. He drinks a lot. Doesn’t he?” He did not say anything further on the subject. Sharma’s brother died soon thereafter. Then Sharma wanted to ask about the welfare of his children whom he had left behind at Guwahati in the care of his relatives. Baba said, “You have three children, no? Don’t worry. Swami will take care of them.” On another occasion, during an interview, He told Mamuni, the younger daughter of Sharma, who had appeared for her high school leaving certificate examination. “You have not done well in one paper. Don’t worry. All will be well.” On the next day she received the news that she had passed in first division. Swami takes by complete surprise several of the first-time visitors to Prasanthi Nilayam. He picks them from a crowd of thousands in the darshan lines and correctly informs about their country or place of origin. He told Anthony Y. Boafar, Assistant Headmaster of Achitoma School, a reputed school in Ghana, “You are from Ghana.” My father, George Melkay, was a member of the Seva Dal from Kerala. He was on duty at Prasanthi Nilayam for two weeks in the month of January 1994. He was suffering from heart disease, and the doctors advised him to undergo surgery. Then he enquired at the Super Specialty Hospital, he was informed that as there was a long waiting list of patients, it would take at least three years for his turn to undergo surgery. So, he wanted to seek the blessings of Swami and waited for the final day of the visit when Swami gives special darshan and blessings to the volunteers returning home. When Swami came near, he stood on his knees and told Swami in Malayalam, “Swami, I am in deep trouble. I don’t know what to do.” Before he could say anything further, the all-knowing Swami assured him. “Are you afraid? Don’t fear at all. The surgery will be done here.” Within three weeks he was called to the hospital by telegram and the operation was performed successfully. Now he is as healthy as before and has come closer to Bhagavan. This incident led our family to turn toward Swami and made us receive His grace. Swami knows everything. Everything that takes place in this world is according to His Divine sankalpa (will). He says all that happens is for the good of everybody. We must be able to see good in each and everything. If we feel that something that occurs to us is bad, it is just a mistake in our vision. Let us pray to Him to help us rise to His expectations. Source: Sai Nandana 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)

Some Experiences with Divinity Icould not believe that He was what He claimed to be. It was the 22nd day of October, 1983. I was sitting in the darshan line. The day was bright and sunny. A cool breeze blew sometimes, shaking the leaves of the coconut trees and it seemed that the leaves of the Neem [Azadirachta indica] trees were dancing with joy as it was the time for having the Lord’s darshan. It was a unique opportunity and a wonderful experience to sit on the sands in front of the beautiful Prasanthi Mandir amidst many devotees who hailed from various parts of India and many foreign countries. I had never seen such an assemblage of men and women from different parts of the world sitting quietly for hours, some even closing their eyes and meditating and waiting to have a glimpse of an Indian-born God. I, too, was very eager to see Him and was waiting for His arrival. After some time, there was a sudden stir amongst the devotees. I looked around and saw that all eyes were riveted on a door from which He was expected to appear. To the joy of everyone, a short figure clad in a red robe appeared and first headed toward the lady devotees, and then slowly came gliding toward us. There was pin drop silence. All eyes were fixed on Him. He talked a little here and there, took letters from some, smiled at others, looked sternly at some, and simply ignored some. Some devotees were crying, some smiling, some trying to touch His feet, some trying to attract His attention toward them, but most of them longed to get a slight glance from Him. I was looking at Him and the devotees with wonder. The short figure with curly hair, peaceful countenance, and gracious movements, was a wonderful phenomenon. I looked at Him and could not believe that He was God, the Lord of the Universe. I thought, “Oh! He is a great Yogi, a great sadhaka [a person who follows certain spiritual practices]; see how weak He has become by doing strict sadhana [spiritual practice].” My heart was filled with love for this figure. Also, a sense of respect came into my being for such a great soul. He went past without looking at me, turned toward the mandir [temple], reached the portico, and disappeared. All devotees started getting up from their places after darshan. I was now engrossed in the thought as to who this figure really was? What was it that I had seen just then? Could God be a man, a little man? If He were God, then why didn’t He talk to me? Why didn’t He enquire into the purpose of my visit? Many such questions arose in my mind and vanished. Who could answer these questions? I had my own conception of God from my childhood days. I had read many stories of Shiva, Parvati, and other Gods and Goddesses and had a firm conviction that God is the greatest of all. He is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. His darshan can put an end to all sorrows and sufferings. If by chance in the journey of life we were to come across God, He would bless us with His abhayahasta [protection-affording hand-pose]. After that our lives would be full of ananda [bliss] and we would become Divine, too. But here I was not getting this sort of experience, and so I started doubting from the very first day. Strange are the ways of the Lord. We do not understand the mystery of His workmanship. He works on us in different ways. He cuts, grinds, and polishes us. Has He not said, “Man is a diamond; he must shine”? I really did not know what it meant. I was in the process of being cut and crushed in His hands. Little did I realize that the next day would bring quite a different experience for me. The next day, luckily I got the first line for darshan. He came with His enchanting smile. He came close to me and stood in front of me. I hesitantly touched His Lotus feet with both my hands. To my utter surprise, my hands received an electric shock, and I was in bliss. He did not look at me but passed on. During the evening darshan, I came with a long letter in which I had poured my heart out. As He came closer, I saw His half-smiling face in full majesty. I extended the letter toward Him. He took it with one hand and blessed me with the other. Suddenly a flash of light emerged from His palm and entered my eyes. Ah! What a wonderful experience! I had received what I wanted from my Lord—the abhayahasta. How could I now deny His omniscience? This act of the Lord was the answer to many of my questions. Now I started contemplating on the mystery of the Lord’s creation and His mysterious nature. I read a lot about Him and made up my mind not to leave this place if possible. Many months passed in His presence. I had many experiences. Swami would come in my dreams and give me advice or predict some future incidents. Many a time I used to ask questions in front of Swami’s picture, and He in person would answer during darshan. Swami, in one of my dreams, gave me an interview. He walked for a long time, and I narrated all the misfortunes I had in my life. Swami listened to everything with rapt attention but did not comment on it. He simply looked at me compassionately. In another dream, Swami called me near Him and said, “You shall continue your studies”. I was unable to believe that I would become a student again, and so asked, “Will I Swami?” He said, “Yes, Yes, certainly. You shall continue your studies.” And needless to say after a long lapse of almost five years I became a student again and started renewing friendship with my old friends (books), with new zeal and growing interest. The following