Sai Surendranath
1984, Prasanthi Nilayam
Sathya is My Prachar
It was the early 1980s, our glorious students days at Parthi. It was fascinating to watch Swami walking amongst devotees and students, drenching them with His immense love. One day, Swami called a few of us to the interview room. As Swami was conversing about various topics, He suddenly looked at me and said that we were all very lucky to be very close to Him. But a day would come when He would become government property, with police security and it would be very difficult to talk to Him or give a letter or even go close to Him. The words have come true!
On another day in the same interview room, Swami told me that our past good Karmas are keeping us physically near to Him; there would come a time when His Darshan would become difficult; in fact, devotees would feel fortunate and blessed to have a glimpse of His robe or His hair at a distance. In both these situations, I imagined the size of the crowd that devotees would feel happy and satisfied to see Him at a distance. Four years later, this came true when Swami was on the wheelchair; Darshan was not easy and as the years roll by during the closing years of the Era of the Sai Avatar. Even Darshan timing became uncertain and crowds had to wait patiently to see the Lord. Devotees, including students, felt happy when they had a glimpse of the Lord from the closed car and what could be seen was only His robe and hair. His name is Sathya Sai. His words never fail.
Dharma is My Aachar
We students often had interactive sessions that were both an enlightening as well as humbling experience with our Lord Sai. One day I got the opportunity to perform Pada Seva. During the course of the session, He jokingly showed His swollen leg. I summed up courage and said, “Swami, why do You have to go through this pain and suffering? Swami can cure Himself. You made people walk, cured many diseases, cancelled cancer, brought the dead back to life. Please Swami, we feel very sad and upset to see you like this.” Swami very beautifully answered saying, “I don’t feel the pain, I don’t attach Myself with this body. I created nature and nature follows its rule. How can I violate the rule? The traffic police says keep left and he too follows. He is not an exception. What is the difference between you and Me if I use nature for My convenience?” When we asked Swami what we could do for Him, He said only your prayers are His cure, Our Love is His solace and comfort. Even in the worst of the conditions, Swami follows Dharma.
Shanthi is My Swabhav
Yet on another day, our Divine Sai exhibited that He is Shantha Swaroopa. One evening, Swami came late for Darshan and entered the Bhajan hall. I could sense that something was not right. As Swami was talking to a student behind, a boy in front slowly sneaked to take Padnamaskar. Swami very gently moved back, but this boy still wanted to try. Swami sternly looked at him and said “No.” Realising the gravity of the situation I quietly gestured him not to disturb – and Swami noticed that. After talking to the boy, Swami stood in front of me showing His lotus feet and asked me to offer Namaskar. To my shock, Swami’s feet were very hot. I also noticed two red lines on them. Sadly I looked at Him. He said, “I am having high temperature from yesterday.” When asked about those red lines Swami very casually explained those are the nail marks from the ladies when they try grabbing a quick Namaskar and jokingly added saying sometimes we can even spot Kumkum powder, lipstick marks too on His feet! Everyone in that hall had a hearty laugh. “Though it hurts, I don’t tell them anything as they are very sensitive. They come all the way and patiently wait for My Darshan. I reciprocate their pure Love and devotion.”
Prema is My Swaroop
I am sure every devotee, without any exception, must have experienced this aspect of Swami. Their lives have been touched, transformed and translated by this pure love. Let me narrate in short how His love engulfed and made me what I am today. With Swami’s immense blessings I was one of the students from Brindavan campus brought by Swami to join the Parthi campus. One day, during my first year, the warden called me and said, “There is a message from Swami to you. Swami instructed me to inform you that from today onwards you should not ask even one paisa from your parents. He will take care of all your needs. In case you need anything, you must ask Swami only. Swami is your mother and father and you are His son. Tomorrow, you sit in front and take swami’s blessings.” I was surprised to hear such a wonderful message from Swami. The next day, Swami blessed me. From then on Swami paid my college and hostel fees. He would, without forgetting, send pocket money regularly for my monthly expenditure give me a pair of clothes along with stitching charges during Gurupoornima, Dussehra and His birthday. I am one among the many whom Swami is mercifully and lovingly, as the Divine Mother, taking care of me and my family till date.
Words are inadequate to explain His love. It needs to be experienced and cherished at every moment. He is indeed Premaswaroopa. Aptly, our Lord is indeed Sarva Dharma Swaroopa Sai.
Brother Sai Surendranath is based in Prashanti Nilayam and is part of the commerce department at the Higher Secondary School. He is also part of the bhajan group as a percussionist.