Fun With Sai Chairman One day when Robert was in Baba’s house with the students in Brindavan, Swami was in another room and called “America.” He came to the door to get Robert. Swami had a man there and they were looking at a table with attached chairs. Swami said to Robert, “Sit down. What do you think?” Robert Wiggled around a little and said, “Swami, too small for Westerners.” Swami replied, “I think so too!” The man standing there said, “I’ll make the seats 2 inches larger.” “Yes,” replied Swami, “Westerners you know Suprabottoms!” It was a great play on the Sanskrit word Suprabhatham. They were the tables and chairs for the new canteen in Prasanthi

No Trouble ADanish man traveled alone to seek Swami’s darshan while his wife stayed home to take care of the household. The husband was blessed with several interviews and phoned his wife to share his joy. But back home, the heating system had broken down, the washing machine had stopped working, and other calamities had occurred. The wife was very annoyed and in her mind blamed Swami. She cried out, “Why do you give him so much attention, Swami, and give me only trouble?” At that very moment the husband was again called for an interview. Swami said, “Your wife has quite a temper.” The husband, who knew nothing about the wife’s trouble at home, answered, “No, Swami, she is very sweet.” Swami insisted, “But she has a very hot temper.” The husband replied, “But, Swami, I have no trouble with her.” Then Swami said, “No, you may not have trouble with her.”

Fun With Sai Consumed Iwill recount a delightful little story which Professor Kasturitold me and my late husband when he did us the honor of spending a couple of hours with us in our Bangalore hotel in 1980. Many years ago he was with Baba at Benares and was consumed by the desire to receive a mantra [sacred verbal formula] from Swami. Having mentioned this to Baba, he bathed himself in the sacred waters of the Ganges and fasted all morning in order to receive it. But the morning hours passed. Noon came. But no mantra! He confessed that by this time he shed tears of disappointment. Then, horror of horrors, lunchtime came, and he was seated right next to Swami.“Kasturi, why aren’t you eating?” asked Baba, assuming innocence. “The mantra…” began the miserable Kasturi, swallowing a sob. “What is the purpose of a mantra?” Swami asked. “To get closer to the Lord,” Kasturi replied. Baba looked down at Kasturi’s arm and then at his own. They were almost touching. “Well,” He smiled in His divinely down‑to–earth way, “How much closer do you want to get?”

Fun With Sai Acid Test A story which Bhagavan has often repeated is the one that demonstrates the futility of scholarship and literary attainments without practical knowledge. Once there was a learned pundit [scholar] who had mastered all the vedas and sastras [Hindu scriptures]. He set out one day for a neighboring village which he could reach only by crossing a river. He boarded a boat, and to pass time he asked the boatman some questions. “Can you tell the time by looking at a watch?” was the first question. The simple illiterate boatman replied in the negative. At this, the arrogant pundit laughed derisively, and told the boatman that one quarter of his life was as good as wasted. The next query was whether the boatman could read a newspaper, which is a common practice now. The boatman confessed his illiteracy and the proud pundit mockingly told him that half of his life was lost in the river. The third query the scholar put to him was whether he could sing a song. The boatman gave a negative reply. The pundit told the simple boatman derogatively that three-fourths of his life was lost. Just then the sky was overcast with dark clouds, and a terrific wind began to blow. A fierce storm broke out and the boat was being thrown here and there by the swirling waters of the river. The boatman at this juncture took the turn of questioning the pundit. He asked him, “Sir, can you swim?” The pundit replied in the negative. The boatman exclaimed, “If you can’t swim, the whole of your life will be wasted.” The hapless pundit was swept away by the current when the boat sank. The unlettered boatman, who could swim like a fish, crossed the river and reached the other bank safely. There are innumerable instances of this type, where Bhagavan Baba brings home to the people very great truths through stories filled with wit and subtle humor, making the listeners not only laugh at the jokes, but also learn valuable lessons from them.

Surprise There is always a hint of the Divine child in this most glorious and unique Sai phenomenon. I am constantly haunted by a delightful incident recounted by Professor Kasturi in his memoirs, Loving God. Some many years ago, there were only about fifty residents at Prasanthi Nilayam, living in a small cluster of tenements near the Mandir; and every afternoon at 4 o’clock the young Baba visited them, though never in the same order. One day, Kasturi—then a retired professor—stood waiting at his window, anxiously watching for Baba to emerge from the front door of another dwelling. Suddenly, from behind him, he felt hands cover his eyes, and the words, “Guess who?” Kasturi writes, “My reply was a cascade of tears.” Baba had left the other house by the back door and managed to creep round unseen to enter Kasturi’s house, also from the back, to surprise him! Lessons, too, are often taught with loving humor. I remember the lady who was using her japamala [holy beads] when Swami came along. He stopped, took the rosary into His own hands and with a pious expression repeated, “Rama – Rama – Rama – I must do the laundry today – Rama…” Then He returned the rosary to her with a smile. No further words were necessary!

Surprise There is always a hint of the Divine child in this most glorious and unique Sai phenomenon. I am constantly haunted by a delightful incident recounted by Professor Kasturi in his memoirs, Loving God. Some many years ago, there were only about fifty residents at Prasanthi Nilayam, living in a small cluster of tenements near the Mandir; and every afternoon at 4 o’clock the young Baba visited them, though never in the same order. One day, Kasturi—then a retired professor—stood waiting at his window, anxiously watching for Baba to emerge from the front door of another dwelling. Suddenly, from behind him, he felt hands cover his eyes, and the words, “Guess who?” Kasturi writes, “My reply was a cascade of tears.” Baba had left the other house by the back door and managed to creep round unseen to enter Kasturi’s house, also from the back, to surprise him! Lessons, too, are often taught with loving humor. I remember the lady who was using her japamala [holy beads] when Swami came along. He stopped, took the rosary into His own hands and with a pious expression repeated, “Rama – Rama – Rama – I must do the laundry today – Rama…” Then He returned the rosary to her with a smile. No further words were necessary!

Fun With Sai Splendor The contrasts can be mind-bending. Some years ago, when Baba visited the Himalayas with a party of chosen disciples, they all behaved like excited boys in the unfamiliar snow. Baba threw snowballs at them and enjoyed the improvised toboggans on which they careered down the slopes. Yet, on another day, He blessed a venerable sage in his cave retreat by granting him a sight of His cosmic form, which left the old man in a state of unimaginable ecstasy. On a different occasion, a great sage had stayed for a long time at Prasanthi Nilayam. Afterwards he wrote, “At the last moment of leave-taking, His transformation into Krishna in dazzling splendor, blinding my sight, is a face never to be forgotten in my life.” Consumed This is a little story which Professor Kasturi told a couple from England in 1980. Many years ago Kasturi was with Baba at Benaras and was consumed by the desire to receive a mantra [sacred verbal formula] from Swami. Having mentioned this to Baba, he bathed himself in the sacred waters of the Ganges and fasted all morning in order to receive it. But the morning hours passed. Noon came. But no mantra! He confessed that by this time he shed tears of disappointment. Then, horror of horrors, lunchtime came and he was seated right next to Swami. “Kasturi, why aren’t you eating?” asked Baba, assuming innocence. “The mantra…” began the miserable Kasturi, swallowing a sob. “What is the purpose of a mantra?” Swami asked. “To get closer to the Lord,” Kasturi replied. Baba looked down at Kasturi’s arm and then at His own. They were almost touching. “Well,” He smiled in His divinely down-to–earth way, “How much closer do you want to get?” Long Wait A young man from the United States received an unexpected lesson in patience, not to say humility. Apparently, he was under the impression that having made the journey to Puttaparthi, he would or should be accorded an interview right away. He was oblivious of the fact that many people have waited months, even years, or have never had an interview at all. When, after three weeks, he was blessed with an interview, he told Baba he had had to wait for three weeks. Smilingly, the Avatar [descent of God on earth] replied, “But I have had to wait several thousand years for you!”

Spring Sting This intriguing story was narrated at the Active Workers Conference at Leicester in spring 1995. It is another example of Sai humor designed and executed with great care, for the spiritual advancement of those involved. Swami usually leaves Prasanthi Nilayam after Sivarathri. In this particular year, Swami was still at Puttaparthi. In fact, He hadn’t seen the students of the Brindavan Campus for many months. The students were feeling the pangs of separation so badly that they wrote several letters, sent delegations, intensified their sadhana, and prayed hard for Swami’s darshan at Brindavan. When a delegation of students went to Puttaparthi in mid March, He promised to come the following week. But, He didn’t. The students were upset. However, they continued to plead. Near the end of March, Swami sent word to the students at Brindavan that He was coming the following day. The students’ happiness knew no bounds and they prepared to receive Sai in a grand manner. Swami did arrive as promised. The students lined the roads to have a glimpse of the Premaswarupa [embodiment of love]. Yet, not even a glance was cast on the students. Swami went straight to Trayee Brindavan breaking the usual routine of addressing the students on the day of His arrival. Naturally, the students were very upset. However, later in the day, a message came from Swami that He would speak to them the following day and He would tell them something so significant that they should prepare themselves accordingly and wear their best clothes. The students were consoled by this message. The following morning, they got up very early and smartened themselves with enthusiasm to be in the loving Lord’s company. They went early to the darshan area and waited. Swami came very slowly from Trayee Brindavan and walked with His head down, avoiding any looks at the students. The students tried to attract His attention in many ways and failed. After darshan, Swami walked back without any contact with the students. By now most of the students were very upset. Some started to blame others, while many blamed themselves. They gave much thought to their personal sadhana and tried to pinpoint any mishaps that might have prompted Swami’s “workshop treatment.” They decided that in the afternoon they would try their utmost to establish normal communication with Swami. Afternoon darshan came and went. Despite the students’ fervent attempts to attract Swami’s attention, He walked back quietly with His head down—as in the morning. Nevertheless, the students were determined to stop Him this time. They ran behind Him and surrounded Him in front of Trayee Brindavan. Even then Swami didn’t look at them. Some students started weeping, others asked for His pardon, and some asked, “What have we done?” Swami lifted His head, looked at all of them waiting expectantly for the nectarine words… “April Fool!” He said mischievously and walked off! In this situation, Swami used His acute sense of humor to make the students review their personal sadhana, with excellent results!

Fun With Sai Deprived Area An Italian devotee was kissing Baba’s feet so enthusiastically that He said, “Hey! Leave some for Me!” Playing with… A devotee suggested to Baba that He had the power to solve all India’s financial problems by transforming the Indian ocean into oil. Baba replied, “If I did, someone like you would probably toss a lighted match into it.” Aim Higher I overheard a follower say to Swami at darshan “I missed You.” Quickly Swami shot back “How many times?” Self Reliant “How can we help you, Swami?” asked an eager devotee. “I don’t need any help. I am strong.” said Baba, cheerfully lifting up His tiny fist. Just a wink in His eye A childless lady came to Baba and begged Him to give her a child. He told her her problems were over, but she wanted to be completely sure and kept saying, “Oh please, Baba give me a child.” Baba winked broadly at the others in the room and said, “What, now?” and slapped one of the men on the back. Second Chance “How do you spell ‘wife’?” Baba asked a devotee in the interview room. “W-I-F-E—Worry Invited For Ever!” teased Baba. Then, seeing the downcast expression of the wife, He gently corrected himself. “No—Wisdom Invited For Ever” Any Doubts During an interview, Baba manifested a ring for a doubting scientist, and sent it round the room for inspection by all present. Then He transformed it into another, huge ring—about two inches across, and sent it around the room for a second time. Then He said kindly, “You would like it smaller, wouldn’t you?”—changed it back into a wearable size, and sent it back around. (This was a thrice-repeated and witnessed scientific experiment the devotee had to accept). On Form A male devotee once asked, “Swami, You have the power to choose any kind of body. You could have been six feet tall, with big muscles. Why didn’t You?” Baba looked hurt and protested mildly, “The ladies like this Form…” Hidden Message At a discussion, Sai Baba asked the question. “Do you know why a committee does not function?” He also provided the answer, “The very name COMMITTEE suggests only one thing: Come To Tea!”

Tale of Two Tents This is how Baba introduced the Gita during a discourse in Puttaparthi some years ago. Once there was a King who had a large empire. He was very sad because he was under the control of his wives. He thought that, if he was successful in keeping his wives under control, he would also be successful as a king. One day, he summoned all the people in his kingdom to his palace, after erecting two huge marquees. Then the Prime Minister announced, “Those who are successful in keeping their wives under control should go to the marquee on the right. Those who are under the control of their wives should go to the marquee on the left.” The King was relieved to see all his subjects entering the left marquee! He thought, “Well, I am not the only one!” Then, suddenly, he saw someone entering the right marquee. The king was happy that at least there was someone who was successful in keeping his wife under control. So, the King called him and said, “I congratulate you. Tell me the secret of keeping your wife under control. How did you do it?” That subject said, “My Worship, I can’t tell you that. My wife ordered me to go to this side.” Baba explained that every human being is under the control of five wives, which are our five senses. The human body is the chariot and Krishna is seated as the charioteer in our hearts. Our five senses are the organs that we must control in order to reach our destination. This is the essence of the Gita in a nutshell.