Swami…My Best Friend

How often we talk about absolute surrender, and how seldom we come across such noble souls who live the life of complete surrender, knowing and experiencing Him to be the ‘Be All n’ End All’ of everything?!? Ms Rani Java, daughter of Mr C.L. Java, founder of the famed ‘Joy Ice Cream’, is such a living example of ‘absolute surrender’ that, every moment she lives her life in complete dedication to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. The following story has its root in an article published in Sanathana Sarathi, by Ms Rani Java. 

Ms Rani Java was born as a perfectly healthy child, having a wonderful time until the age of four, when, as destiny would have it, the monster called polio paralysed her on the right side, leaving the child almost immovable. Bhagawan had visited Mumbai in 1960, and the little one had her first-ever darshan of ‘Baba’ in her uncle’s house, during the same trip. As a child, she felt a magical, magnetic pull towards Him. She was seated in the corner of a hall, almost immovable, but Bhagawan found His way unto her, amusing the little one with His bounty of love. He spared His priceless time with her, engaging the child with His natural affection.

Having paralysed completely, her father wanted her to get operated. Her father, Mr Java was more of a British style person, wealthy and influential and thus arranged a specialised doctor from Switzerland for the specified task. But, the little girl was firm and resolute, and never wanted to ‘go under the knife’, instead, she longed to meet her ‘Baba.’ She would lovingly address Him as ‘Baba’ those days. The father remained reluctant, but her mother stood by her, firm and resolute, finally bringing her to Prasanthi Nilayam.

Talking about her entry into Swami’s Feet in Prasanthi Nilayam, Rani Java says: “I am very grateful to my servant, who was such a great soul. We met Swami at Chitravathi, and…” Yes, this great soul literally’ threw this little girl at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet! The little one started crying. That was the cry of the little soul in Presence Of The Supreme Soul!!! Cosmic Love He Is With The Love Of Infinite Mothers, Bhagawan instantly grabbed her from His Lotus Feet, materialised some magical sweets, and appeased the agonising child in His own inimitable style.

He then turned towards the servant and asked him: “Why did you throw her on My Feet?” His reply was straight from his heart: “Swami, she is ‘absolutely’ lifeless; it is better if she gives up her life at Your Divine Feet. She is disabled. What will she do? She is a burden on society, on family, on everyone.” Speaking about this incident, Rani Java opens up, expressing her immense gratitude to this noble soul. ‘I am thankful to him as this brought me to Swami’s love and care. I was indeed lifeless; even to go to the washroom, the doctor had to come; I could do nothing because the right side was completely paralysed.’

Bhagawan’s response was something unique: “No, No…” saying so, He instantly patted the little one with great affection. Later, when her mother sought out Bhagwan’s blessing for the operation, Swami was firm, saying, “No, she can’t be operated; today they will cut her leg; tomorrow her right hand, then her left hand and her left leg, and then she will be living only with a limb. Don’t worry, don’t do the operation.”

Saying so, Bhagawan asked the mother to call up Mr Java (in those days, telephone service was an exclusive post office facility) informing that they would not be travelling to Bombay (Mumbai) for the operation. Upon hearing this update, Mr Java was upset and thus furious, as the doctor from Switzerland had already arrived in Mumbai, waiting. Till the time the doctor did not leave the Indian soil, Bhagawan made sure that the mother and daughter were ‘safe’ in ‘His custody.’ Once the doctor left, Swami permitted them to travel back to Mumbai.