The Skies at His Command

The Skies at His Command

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.

The Skies at His Command – A Divine Reflection On Power, Grace, And Faith

The Skies at His Command is a beautiful spiritual theme that reminds devotees of the limitless power of the Divine over nature, time, and creation. The sky appears vast, free, and beyond human control. Clouds move, winds blow, rain falls, and storms rise according to laws that ordinary people cannot command. Yet for the Divine, all creation is part of one sacred will.

In spiritual understanding, nature is not separate from God. The earth, sky, sun, moon, stars, rain, wind, rivers, mountains, and oceans all move through divine order. Human beings may study nature through science and experience, but behind every law there is a deeper mystery. The devotee sees this mystery as the presence of God working silently through creation.

The Skies at His Command teaches that divine power is not displayed for pride or show. When saints, sages, or avatars reveal mastery over nature, it is always connected with compassion, protection, guidance, or awakening of faith. The purpose is not to create fear, but to remind humanity that God is supreme and that creation responds to divine will.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often taught that the universe is governed by divine intelligence. Nothing exists without purpose. Even the movement of clouds, the rhythm of seasons, and the rising of the sun point toward a higher order. When a devotee reflects on this, the heart becomes filled with wonder, humility, and gratitude.

The Skies at His Command also reminds us that human ego is small before the vastness of creation. A person may become proud of wealth, knowledge, position, or power, but one look at the endless sky can reduce pride. The sky teaches openness, patience, and surrender. It shows that human control is limited, while divine wisdom is infinite.

Nature often becomes a teacher in spiritual life. The clouds teach change, the rain teaches blessing, the sun teaches selfless giving, and the wind teaches unseen presence. The sky holds everything without complaint. In the same way, a devotee should learn to keep the heart broad, peaceful, and forgiving, even when life brings changing conditions.

The Skies at His Command becomes meaningful when it strengthens faith during difficult times. Sometimes life feels like a storm, with confusion, fear, delay, and uncertainty. But the devotee remembers that the same Lord who guides the heavens can also guide the human heart. No problem is too great for divine grace, and no sincere prayer is unheard.

This does not mean that a devotee should become careless or passive. Faith must be joined with right action. We should perform our duties sincerely, speak truthfully, serve others, and keep the mind pure. Surrender means trusting God after doing our best. The Lord’s command works through both grace and our sincere effort.

The Skies at His Command also inspires us to see miracles in everyday life. A sunrise after a dark night, rain after dry heat, a cool breeze during tiredness, and stars shining in silence are all reminders of divine beauty. People often search for extraordinary miracles, but creation itself is a daily miracle placed before our eyes.

When devotees remember Swami, they feel that His love is wider than the sky and deeper than the ocean. His grace protects, guides, corrects, and uplifts. Sometimes that grace comes as comfort. Sometimes it comes as strength. Sometimes it comes as a lesson. Whatever form it takes, it leads the soul toward growth and peace.

The true command of the Divine is not only over the skies outside, but also over the inner sky of the heart. The mind can become cloudy with anger, fear, jealousy, and doubt. Through prayer, bhajan, meditation, service, and remembrance of God, these clouds slowly clear. Then the light of peace begins to shine within.

Devotion becomes complete when wonder turns into transformation. If we admire divine power but continue to live with ego, harsh speech, and selfishness, we have not understood the message. The greatness of God should make us humble, loving, disciplined, and ready to serve. The best response to divine grace is noble conduct.

In the end, The Skies at His Command is a sacred reminder that all creation rests in the hands of the Divine. The same power that moves the clouds and lights the heavens also guides the sincere heart. When we live with faith, humility, gratitude, and service, life becomes peaceful, purposeful, and blessed with divine grace.

A Child Shall Lead Them