Sai Baba: He knows best

By S.R. Narayanaswamy

The 74th birthday of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba will be celebrated on November 23, by over 1500 Sathya Sai Organizations comprising many millions of devotees in 137 countries.

To his devotees Baba reaches back to an earlier birth of his as Shirdi Sai Baba, a saint who lived in the 20th Century in a Hindu - Moslem Community in Maharashtra..

Sathya Sai Baba's mission is to make man realize the divinity that is within himself. Baba has taken upon himself the task of bringing humanity back to the path of spirituality, to the Dharmic way of life.

Most of us go to Puttarpathi Sri Sathya Sai Baba's residence. Why does he call some and why not me, we wonder when seeing those summoned before him. Bhagavan talks to some, why not to me? He materializes Vibhuti for some, not for me.

Professor Anil Kumar, a devotee of Bhagavan in one of his talks to the Study Circle Group on Sundays in Prasanthi Nilayam has given me a beautiful explanation.

There are many answers to such questions. The first is that Bhagavan is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient and therefore he knows who, when and why to call. All this is decided even before the Darshan. Secondly Bhagavan's calling of people for interview depends on many factors. One reason is the urgent need of the hour. If a person has to undergo an operation or a person's relative is seriously ill, then that person has to have an interview.

There is a second reason too. There are certain serious Sadhakas or spiritual aspirants who follow Yogic practices or meditation, who need a new direction from Bhagavan. They too may be called.

Those who still doubt his divinity or those who are wavering also need an interview. Bhagavan would reveal to them very personal facts.

During one interview, Bhagavan told a couple that while they were with him, their son had taken out the car and was driving carelessly in the city. "You will have to spend about Rs. 20,000/- because he will damage the car and meet with an accident," he said. They pleaded, "Oh Bhagavan - What is to be done? Will he be all right?"

"Don't worry I will take care of him, but be prepared for damages," said Bhagavan. What was about to take place, was revealed by Bhagavan in the interview room. It convinced them of his divinity. It made them firmly believe that Bhagavan is fully aware of the past, present and future.

Again there are some people who are actively involved in public service activities. Service is what catches the attention of Bhagavan. Bhagavan calls a top official or a minister because when such a person is reformed, the area of reformation would spread to a wider circle, so that whole organizations would improve.

Bhagavan calls people for an interview so that it will help them. Professor Kumar states that for seven years he had no interview, did not even get a glance from him. Bhagavan would never come to the line that Anil Kumar sat.

Had he been called then, his faith would not have been deep-rooted as it is now. The more he was ignored, the more he cried within for an interview. So Bhagavan calls people when the time is right.

Now we may ask, he is called, why not me? We all have certain choices and preferences.

Those who have already decided everything may not be called for an interview.

Those who feel Bhagavan is with them, all the time either in dreams or at home, spiritually by thought word and deed, will also not get an interview, because they are spiritually aware.

Bhagavan says, "There are two types of patients. One the out-patient and the other - the in-patient. In the outpatient section the patient may be examined, given a few tablets and sent home. Another may be serious, so he has to be admitted as an in-patient. Thus those who have a number of interviews are those who have long ailments and are in-patients. They need prolonged medical treatment or even surgery. When we are healthy we do not need any treatment."

Bhagavan gave another example. "Four boys came to a doctor with stomachaches. The first was given some mixture and sent home. The second was given some tablets and sent home too. The third was serious, he could hardly walk. The doctor gave him injections and sent him home. The fourth was very serious and the boy said that he may even die from the excruciating pain. The doctor examined him and found he had appendicitis. This boy had to be admitted to the hospital for an operation.

Although all had stomachaches each had to be given a different treatment. So the first cannot say, "Doctor you have operated on that boy - why not on me? The doctor knows best. Let us have such confidence - Bhagavan knows best."

Jai Sai Ram

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