Blissful Smile…

Blissful Smile…

How Bhagawan often goes an extra mile to bring an extra smile on His devotee’s face… Sri N.V.N. Somayajulu shares an incident depicting His special touch of grace, fulfilling an earnest desire of one of His devotees.

It happened in 1979. One year after arriving in Switzerland, my wife met by chance a Sai devotee in a super market. She recognised my wife as a Sai devotee by seeing Baba’s locket in her chain. She became friendly and later introduced us to another lady devotee, living at a distance of about 30 km from Berne. In a few months time, a housewife of a family living in the same building as ours started showing interest in Baba.

One day my wife and I were going round shopping and found three small photo frames, oval in shape and made of brass. They were of the size 7 x 4 cm and had a little design on them. An idea occurred to my wife that it would be nice to present the three frames with Baba’s pictures to those three ladies on the occasion of Diwali. Incidentally only three of these photo frames were available in that shop. We took the frames home and realized, then only that they were too small to contain any picture of Baba, we had at home, even with necessary alterations.

Around this time, interesting thing used to happen at the dressing table in our home. We kept a bunch of vibhuti packets in one of the drawers of the table. One vibhuti packet used to appear now and then on the top of the dressing table. I would keep it back inside, thinking that my wife might have by mistake kept it on the table. My wife would also notice the same thing from time to time and would keep the packet back inside the drawer supposing that I might have kept it, by mistake, on the table. We came to know from each other of this phenomenon only later.

After having failed to procure picture of Baba of the requisite size, as Diwali was fast approaching, I decided to make use of the picture on the vibhuti packets, lying in the drawer of the dressing table. Those pictures were of ordinary quality.

So, on one sunday morning, I went to the dressing table to take out the vibhuti packets from the drawer. But I saw on the table itself a vibhuti packet green in colour. As the packet carried a picture of Baba on it, I opened it to empty the vibhuti and to later cut out the picture. But, then what a surprise! I found three small colour pictures of Baba inside the packet. The pictures were nicely painted on a glazed paper and at the bottom of the pictures were printed the words “Blissful Smile”. I was so much shocked that I took a few minutes to call my wife to explain the incident. She was of course equally surprised at the event and told me about the phenomenon of one vibhuti packet appearing on the table now and then, which I explained earlier. To satisfy our curiosity we opened all the vibhuti packets lying in the drawer to see if they also contained any picture of Baba. There were none. As the three pictures were obviously meant for the three devotees mentioned above, we fixed the three pictures in the three frames and presented them in time for Diwali.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

The Blissful Smile of Sri Sathya Sai

A smile has the power to brighten a day, comfort a troubled heart, and create a connection that words often cannot express. Among all expressions of human emotion, a genuine smile is one of the most beautiful and uplifting. When that smile reflects divine love and compassion, its impact becomes even more profound. The concept of Blissful Smile represents more than a simple facial expression; it symbolizes inner peace, unconditional love, spiritual fulfillment, and the joy that arises from communion with the Divine.

Throughout spiritual history, devotees have often described the radiant smiles of saints, sages, and divine incarnations as sources of inspiration and comfort. Such smiles carry an extraordinary power because they arise from a state of complete harmony and selfless love. They reassure those who are suffering, encourage those who are discouraged, and remind seekers of the ever-present grace of God. A blissful smile becomes a silent message that everything is ultimately guided by divine wisdom and compassion.

The beauty of a Blissful Smile lies in its ability to communicate without words. It transcends language, culture, and background, touching hearts directly. A loving smile can dissolve fear, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of belonging. For many devotees, a single smile from a spiritual master becomes a cherished memory that remains alive for years, continuing to provide strength and inspiration long after the moment has passed.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s smile is often remembered by devotees as a reflection of divine love. Those who had the privilege of being in His presence frequently spoke of the peace and happiness they experienced when receiving His loving glance and gentle smile. It was not merely an outward expression but a manifestation of boundless compassion that reached the deepest levels of the heart. Many felt that His smile conveyed understanding, acceptance, and reassurance beyond anything words could offer.

The message contained within a Blissful Smile also points toward an important spiritual truth. True happiness does not depend on external possessions, achievements, or circumstances. Lasting joy arises from within when the mind is calm, the heart is pure, and one’s life is aligned with spiritual values. A person who has discovered inner peace naturally radiates positivity and warmth, often through a simple smile that reflects their inner state.

Another lesson associated with a blissful smile is the importance of spreading happiness to others. In a world where many people face stress, uncertainty, and emotional burdens, a kind smile can become an act of service. It costs nothing, yet it has the potential to uplift someone’s spirit and bring comfort during difficult times. By sharing kindness and positivity, individuals contribute to creating a more compassionate and harmonious society.

The significance of Blissful Smile extends beyond personal happiness. It reflects a heart free from hatred, jealousy, and negativity. When individuals cultivate qualities such as love, forgiveness, gratitude, and compassion, their inner joy naturally shines outward. Such a smile becomes an expression of spiritual maturity and a reminder of the divine presence within.

Spiritual teachings often emphasize that joy is one of the natural qualities of the soul. Beneath the layers of worry, attachment, and ego lies an inner source of peace that remains untouched by external events. Through prayer, meditation, devotion, and selfless service, individuals gradually reconnect with this source of happiness. As spiritual awareness deepens, the face begins to reflect the tranquility and contentment experienced within.

The theme of Blissful Smile also encourages devotees to maintain faith during life’s challenges. Difficulties are inevitable, but they need not rob individuals of their inner peace. A smile born from faith demonstrates trust in divine guidance and confidence that every experience carries a purpose. Such an attitude helps people face challenges with courage and optimism rather than fear and despair.

Ultimately, a blissful smile is a reflection of divine love expressed through the human heart. It represents the joy that comes from living in harmony with spiritual values and recognizing the presence of God in all aspects of life. Whether seen in the face of a saint, a spiritual teacher, or an ordinary individual filled with compassion, such a smile has the power to transform lives. The message of Blissful Smile reminds us that true happiness begins within and that sharing that happiness with others is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to the world.

Three Bags Full!!!