Spring Sting

This intriguing story was narrated at the Active Workers Conference at Leicester in spring 1995. It is another example of Sai humor designed and executed with great care, for the spiritual advancement of those involved.

Swami usually leaves Prasanthi Nilayam after Sivarathri. In this particular year, Swami was still at Puttaparthi. In fact, He hadn’t seen the students of the Brindavan Campus for many months. The students were feeling the pangs of separation so badly that they wrote several letters, sent delegations, intensified their sadhana, and prayed hard for Swami’s darshan at Brindavan. When a delegation of students went to Puttaparthi in mid March, He promised to come the following week. But, He didn’t. The students were upset. However, they continued to plead. Near the end of March, Swami sent word to the students at Brindavan that He was coming the following day. The students’ happiness knew no bounds and they prepared to receive Sai in a grand manner.

Swami did arrive as promised. The students lined the roads to have a glimpse of the Premaswarupa [embodiment of love]. Yet, not even a glance was cast on the students. Swami went straight to Trayee Brindavan breaking the usual routine of addressing the students on the day of His arrival.

Naturally, the students were very upset. However, later in the day, a message came from Swami that He would speak to them the following day and He would tell them something so significant that they should prepare themselves accordingly and wear their best clothes. The students were consoled by this message.

The following morning, they got up very early and smartened themselves with enthusiasm to be in the loving Lord’s company. They went early to the darshan area and waited. Swami came very slowly from Trayee Brindavan and walked with His head down, avoiding any looks at the students. The students tried to attract His attention in many ways and failed. After darshan, Swami walked back without any contact with the students.

By now most of the students were very upset. Some started to blame others, while many blamed themselves. They gave much thought to their personal sadhana and tried to pinpoint any mishaps that might have prompted Swami’s “workshop treatment.” They decided that in the afternoon they would try their utmost to establish normal communication with Swami. Afternoon darshan came and went. Despite the students’ fervent attempts to attract Swami’s attention, He walked back quietly with His head down—as in the morning. Nevertheless, the students were determined to stop Him this time. They ran behind Him and surrounded Him in front of Trayee Brindavan. Even then Swami didn’t look at them.

Some students started weeping, others asked for His pardon, and some asked, “What have we done?” Swami lifted His head, looked at all of them waiting expectantly for the nectarine words… “April Fool!” He said mischievously and walked off!

In this situation, Swami used His acute sense of humor to make the students review their personal sadhana, with excellent results!

Source: Sai Humor, p. 71