The Skies at his Command

Sri Sathya Sai The Skies at his Command

Om Sri Sai Rama

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sri Indulal Shah, formerly the Chairman of the International Sathya Sai Organization, recounts his first Darshan of Bhagawan in his book “Sixteen Spiritual Summers”:

In the summer of 1965, which, to me, was the first of my sixteen spiritual summers, I was in Bangalore once to visit a friend. During an informal conversation one morning, my host asked me whether I would like to see Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who was to address a meeting at Malleswaram, in the heart of Bangalore city, the same evening.

I had heard about Sri Sathya Sai Baba and also read about Him in some Bombay newspapers, but had never seen Him before. I had, till then, no particular urge to read either His biography or discourses. My immediate response to the question from my host, therefore, was somewhat casual and uncertain.

However, on second thoughts, I felt that I should attend the meeting and so, later in the day, accompanied by my wife, Sarla, I went to Malleswaram where a mammoth gathering was listening to Baba with rapt attention. We sat in a remote corner of the big maidan (ground). I was swayed by a nameless feeling, a strange inquisitiveness or curiosity, as though I was adventuring into the unknown.

Then suddenly, the sky became rather dark with thick clouds fast gathering overhead. The large crowd became visibly restless, as people feared an impending rain. We ourselves were in a quandary and my host hastened to take us back to his car.

Just then, we saw Sri Sathya Sai raising His hand and saying something aloud to the crowd in the local South Indian language which, however, I could not grasp.

My friend said that He was asking the crowd to sit down and that He was assuring them that it would not rain. As He said this, we saw that the rain clouds started disappearing and the gathering darkness was giving way to bright sunshine. I remained spell-bound!

I could not believe that anyone could disperse moisture-laden heavy clouds by a mere wave of the hand. And yet, our eyes were a witness to this strange phenomenon, the likes of which I had read about only in Puranic (Hindu legends) stories.

The clouds are sent away in Mumbai

While the previous incident happened in Bangalore, Sri Indulal Shah was a fortunate witness to a similar and equally astounding event, but this time it in Mumbai (then Bombay) and the year, 1967.

This time, it was in Dharmakshetra in Bombay. The month was July, the monsoon time in Bombay, and Baba was paying a visit to Maharashtra State. The Bombay Samithi had arranged a public meeting of devotees in honour of Baba at Dharmakshetra.

I remember that it was a Sunday evening. In Bombay, in the month of July, a heavy downpour can be expected any time. That being a Sunday, a large crowd was expected to attend, regardless of the possibility of rain. The Samithi had taken all precautions to provide shelter to the devotees from showers. The large pandal at Dharmakshetra was packed with people to the full. The meeting was to commence at 6 p.m.

But at about 5.15 p.m., the sky was overcast and we feared that the rains would lash down any time. We were anxious to save the devotees from getting drenched in heavy rains. Some of the office-bearers felt that we should request Bhagavan Baba to start the meeting a little early, say at 5.30 p.m. I felt that Baba might not accede to this as there was ‘Rahu Kal’ (inauspicious time) upto 6 p.m., but my colleagues insisted that there was nothing like ‘Rahu Kal’ for Bhagawan.

Accordingly, I went up to Bhagavan and prayed: “Baba, could we start the meeting a little early?”

“Why?” asked Baba in a tone, which, by itself, was an answer to the question. But we did not understand this then, as our mind was also clouded like the overcast sky that evening.

I pleaded: ‘Bhagavan, it is likely to rain, the meeting may be disrupted, the devotees may suffer’.

In answer to this Baba smiled and that benign smile remains imprinted in my mind even to this day – as bewitching as the smile that we see in the picture of Lord Krishna.

He then held my hand and took me to the nearby window where I saw that a drizzle had already started. Those who have seen Dharmakshetra know that Baba lives in a lotus-shaped mandir on top of a hillock and that the windows from His room open out westward. So, we could see through them the entire crowd gathered below and the dark expanse of the cloudy sky above.

Standing near the window, Baba said: ‘Yes, yes, it will rain, and it will rain very heavily’.

This statement put me out completely. I could see from the window, devotees holding open umbrellas in an effort to protect themselves from the impending showers. I was searching for words to pray to Baba.

Meanwhile, Bhagawan raised His hand through the window and, in a moment, we saw the drizzle stopped and clouds dispersed in the sky!

In that moment of anxiety, the full import of what Baba had done did not strike me. Baba said that the meeting should commence as scheduled and I rushed out to convey Baba’s decision to my colleagues outside.

The meeting started at 6 p.m. and, by then, the sky had brightened enough to dispel all our fears about the rains. It was during the meeting that I realised what a great blunder I had made in praying to Baba to commence the proceedings a little early. During those few minutes, I had forgotten that Baba is God and that He had absolute command over ‘Prakriti’ (nature).

When the meeting concluded and my colleagues were saying happily that the meeting went off very well, I shed some tears of joy and rushed to see Baba and fell at His Lotus Feet.

Baba, then, smiled and said: ‘You forgot’.

When the heart is full, words are few. I had no words to convey my gratitude. I was in an ecstatic thrill. That was an unforgettable moment and I cherish the thought that it was Bhagawan Himself who reminded me that I had forgotten that He is God!

This incident is a conclusive proof that Baba is Omnipotent, that He can control nature and that He is an Avatar, God come in human form to bless all mankind.

Reference: “Sixteen Spiritual Summers” by Sri Indulal Shah. Page: 1-2 and 16-18. Published by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam in 1980.

The Skies at his Command

There are some people who do not simply chase dreams; they rise toward them with quiet confidence, steady courage, and an unbreakable belief in their own purpose. The Skies at his Command is not just a phrase; it represents the journey of a person who refuses to remain limited by fear, doubt, or circumstances. It tells the story of someone who looks upward, not with hesitation, but with the determination to take control of his destiny.

From an early stage, he understood that success would never arrive by accident. Every achievement would demand patience, discipline, and countless sacrifices. While others saw the sky as something distant and unreachable, he saw it as a challenge waiting to be accepted. His ambition was not built on arrogance, but on a deep desire to prove that human potential becomes powerful when it is guided by focus and hard work.

The Skies at his Command reflects a mindset where obstacles are treated as lessons rather than endings. Every failure becomes a teacher, every delay becomes preparation, and every criticism becomes fuel. Such a person does not allow temporary setbacks to define his future. Instead, he learns, adjusts, and rises again with greater strength. This attitude is what separates ordinary dreamers from those who actually turn their dreams into reality.

The sky has always symbolized freedom, courage, and limitless possibility. To command the skies means to command one’s fear, emotions, and direction in life. It means having the strength to fly above negativity and the wisdom to stay grounded even after reaching great heights. True success is not only about reaching the top; it is about remaining humble, responsible, and aware of the journey that made the achievement possible.

In many ways, The Skies at his Command is a celebration of leadership. A true leader does not wait for perfect conditions. He creates his own path even when the road is unclear. He takes responsibility for his choices and inspires others through action rather than empty words. His confidence comes from preparation, and his courage comes from knowing that growth always begins outside the comfort zone.

Behind every powerful journey, there is usually a silent struggle. Long nights, unanswered questions, moments of loneliness, and pressure from the world often become part of the process. Yet he continues moving forward because his vision is stronger than his fear. He knows that every great flight begins with trust: trust in effort, trust in time, and trust in oneself. This inner belief becomes the wind beneath his wings.

The Skies at his Command also teaches that greatness is never instant. It is shaped slowly through persistence. Just as a pilot must understand direction, balance, and control before flying with confidence, a person must learn self-discipline before achieving meaningful success. Talent may open the door, but consistency keeps it open. Without dedication, even the brightest dreams can fade away.

What makes this journey truly inspiring is not perfection, but progress. He may stumble, doubt himself, or face moments when the destination feels far away, yet he does not quit. He understands that the sky rewards those who keep rising. Every step, no matter how small, brings him closer to the life he once imagined. This is the beauty of determination: it turns distance into direction.

In a world filled with distractions, The Skies at his Command reminds us of the power of focus. Many people dream, but only a few stay committed when the excitement disappears. Real ambition is tested when nobody is watching, when results are slow, and when giving up seems easier than continuing. His strength lies in choosing discipline again and again, even when motivation is missing.

This phrase also carries emotional depth. It speaks about control, not over the world, but over oneself. A person who commands his skies understands that life will always bring storms. He cannot stop every difficulty, but he can decide how to respond. He can choose courage over fear, action over complaint, and hope over defeat. That choice becomes his greatest power.

The Skies at his Command is ultimately a symbol of victory earned through resilience. It is about rising above limits, believing in a larger purpose, and refusing to let circumstances decide the future. It encourages every reader to look beyond what is visible and trust what is possible. The sky may seem endless, but so is human potential when guided by passion and perseverance.

At its heart, this message is simple yet powerful: greatness belongs to those who dare to rise. No dream is too high when the spirit is strong, no path is too difficult when the mind is clear, and no sky is too far when the heart is determined. The Skies at his Command stands as a reminder that destiny does not belong to those who wait for permission. It belongs to those who take flight with courage, purpose, and unwavering faith in themselves.