Bhagawan has often said “Universe is the University” and to the fortunate, blessed ones, His Divine Lotus feet is the Universe. ‘Living with God is true education’, and at the Lotus Feet, there are many priceless and eternal lessons which a student can learn. To be seated physically at His Lotus Feet is a chance of many lifetimes. Bhagawan would grant several opportunities, different occasions, locations, and times, and the desire to be as close to His Feet, receive the blessings and if possible even perform Padaseva was always in our hearts.

One such opportunity was when Bhagawan would visit the Institute Auditorium at Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagawan had come to the College Auditorium to see a drama practice session. Swami involved Himself at the minutest levels and would personally visit the practice sessions in the university. Roles, Dialogues, sometimes scenes themselves would take a new dimension under His Direct guidance.

For two consecutive days, I had the good fortune to be right at His lotus feet and looking straight into Swami’s face. The joy of being so close to Him is so overwhelming. I don’t recollect anything about the rama, the plot or the dialogues. The only thing I remember is His Divine Countenance and the lesson He taught me through that proximity.

On the first day, when watching a particular scene in the drama, I noticed Swami’s eyes full of tears as though He was experiencing the pain and sorrow of the characters on stage. Seeing Swami’s response, I assumed He was impressed with the script, moved by the acting and depiction of the characters. Well, perhaps the actors were really doing a great job! How would I know? I was looking at Swami, not the Stage!

Swami was coming to see the same scene today as well. I was at His feet, feasting my eyes on Him and then noticed that His eyes were welling up with tears and often He was dabbing them with the handkerchiefs that rested on the arms of the revolving chair… He was totally emotionally involved in the scene, despite watching it for the second time. In fact, I later learned that He had seen it a couple of times earlier as well.

It really puzzled me that despite knowing what was going to happen on stage, why did Bhagawan get emotional every time? Once we know what to expect, we generally do not react! Normally an emotional scene doesn’t evoke a strong feeling if one is watching it the second or the third time. But Swami was watching the same scene perhaps for the umpteenth time but was still in tears. I was wondering how Swami could feel the same emotions again and again.

Time passed, the scene ended and Swami’s expressions returned to – dare one say – normal? Swami reached out to a Handkerchief and wiped his mouth gently, smiled and rose. That meant He was to return to the Mandir. In that moment, Swami gently turned towards me, looked into my eyes, and said in Telugu,

“You are wondering how is it that Swami is feeling so much emotion watching a mere Drama scene aren’t you? You are thinking that it is just a drama and why is Swami crying?”

He paused and then uttered a Truth that stays with me forever, “…For Swami, that drama (daily life)” He gently waved his hand,“…And this drama (the one that is happening in the auditorium)”, He gestured to the stage “…are the same”. With a beatific Divine Glow bathing Him, He gently glided towards the waiting car outside the Auditorium.

I sat transfixed for a while decoding what Swami had said. What I understood was whenever we approach Swami with our worldly issues, problems, joys or achievements, He displays the same feelings with the same involvement as the involvement He displayed, while watching a drama on stage. He sees no difference between what we see as ‘real life’ and ‘on stage’. Life is a game; play it. It is just a play, like the one on the stage. Except that the world is His stage, and He is the Divine Director. The Master who pervades the universe is the universe itself. Vishwam Vishnu Swaroopam. I learned this secret of the Universe at the Feet of our Lord, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Dinkar Kadam BA, Prasanthi Nilayam (graduated in 1991). Currently Trainer – Executive Coach, Leadership , Sales Training, Hyderabad Area, India.