Amazing Transformation and Divine Miracle
This is the story of Swami’s magnificent grace played out in the tiny village of Melakavatti, 10 kilometers from Ooty in Tamil Nadu, India. Three hundred families live in this picturesque valley surrounded by cloud-capped, mist-laden hills, amidst panoramic views of nature at its best.
The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization of Nilgiris selected this village for their three-year service program to honor Bhagavan’s 80th birthday. Little did they know that it was the Divine Hand that led them to this spot where Swami’s miracle was about to unfold.
A paralyzed lady uncared for
In January 2003, the members of the Ooty samiti [organization] inaugurated the seva [service] activities with nagarsankirtan [going around the village singing devotional songs]. They then visit-ed every house in the village and handed out Swami’s picture, a laddu [Indian sweet], and vibhuti [sacred ash] as prasad [blessed food]. At the end of one lane as they entered a run-down, dilapidated house, they were shocked to see an older woman lying on a piece of sack cloth on a damp floor. Wherever they turned, they encountered signs of abject poverty and neglect. The villagers described the unfortunate woman’s life story, which explained the pitiful state they found her in.
She had been orphaned at a very early age and was extremely poor. The little plot of land that she had inherited was the only source of the meager income that kept her going. With no relatives to arrange her marriage, as is the norm in villages in India, she remained alone. To add to her misfortune, at the age of 30, she suddenly lost the use of both her arms and legs.
The Divine Sai seva begins
The District President and other members of the Organization were deeply touched and immediately resolved to adopt her and take care of her needs. A cot, mattress, and blankets were bought and she was moved from the cold floor and made comfortable. Every day one member would bring food and stay with her the entire day so that she would want for nothing. That was how the divine seva began.
The villagers’ hearts awaken
As months rolled by, the collective conscience of the village was awakened. The villagers were ashamed that volunteers from the Sathya Sai Baba Organization were coming from distant Ooty, traveling many miles, to take care of the elderly, paralyzed lady who was so callously neglected while living in their midst. They started feeling that it was their duty to start taking care of their needy neighbor. Gradually, their minds and hearts were transformed, as kindness and compassion replaced their selfish ways.
Soon a meeting of the village chiefs was convened, and the village folk discussed how the selfless service that they were witnessing never wavered. It left them inspired and they insisted that hereafter they would share in the responsibility of caring for their neighbor whom they had thus far forsaken. Thirty people came forward to care for her. All the days of the month were thus covered and each family had a specific date marked on a piece of paper, which was kept near Bhagavan’s picture in their puja [prayer] room as an offering at the feet of Lord Sai.
The service continued, with the samiti members always available to assist when the need arose. The eagerness to love and serve spread, and soon everyone in the village wanted to do something!
The seva ideal spreads
They began to renovate her house by cementing the floor, painting the walls, and repairing the roof. It began to look new and gleaming because of the love and service pouring from generous hearts. They began cooking food for her in the renovated kitchen, and the poor woman was able to enjoy hot food, a blessing in Ooty’s cold climate.
A healthy competition began between the villagers, so much so that each month lots had to be drawn to assign 30 families for performing seva to the paralyzed lady. The dark, dismal house was transformed into a shining center for all activities in Melakavatti. The village that was earlier divided by selfishness, clashes of ego, and apathy was now bound by love of service. With unity came purity; surely divinity could not be far behind.
The lady’s house…the center of the village
In September 2004, the samitis in the Nilgiris District planned to hold bhajans [devotional singing] in 80 villages. When it was Melakavatti’s turn, all the residents requested in one voice that the bhajan take place in that lady’s house, which had become the focal point of all their activities.
A well-decorated shamiana [temporary tent] was erected in front of the house and bhajans started in the evening. All the villagers participated with great enthusiasm and devotional fervor. The bhajan singers from Ooty were totally immersed in singing praises of the Lord who had brought the village together.
The unexpected divine miracle!
At that golden moment something momentous, something miraculous, something totally unexpected, began to happen. That 50-year-old lady who had no sensation in her hands and legs and had been confined to her bed for 20 years, suddenly, without any help, raised herself up to sit on the bed. Slowly, she put her feet down and stood up! She moved her hands and walked toward where bhajans were being sung in front of Bhagavan’s picture.
The whole village was immersed in song and did not realize that a miracle was taking place inside the house. When they saw the woman standing at her front door, raising her hands in praise of the Lord and dancing in ecstasy, the singers, samiti members, and villagers were wonder-struck. They thought, “Sai Bhagavan! How is it possible for this lady who has not moved for 20 years to dance to the rhythm of the bhajans except by Your Grace? You are, indeed, present here and have transformed this village with Your limitless grace, mercy, and compassion.”
The lady explained to the amazed gathering that Swami had appeared in her dream the previous night and had lovingly massaged her hands and legs to remove her paralysis.
The amazing transformation in the village
Today, the 300 families are closely knit into one Sai family. Unity, which led to purity, has expanded into divinity. The village chief, a lifelong alcoholic, vowed never to drink again in that pure village where God’s presence was tangible!
Lo and behold! The paralyzed walks!
The addict renounces liquor!
Unity prevails in a village divided, where now pure hearts are temples where Bhagavan is enthroned!
What other proof does one need to recognize the presence of the all-compassionate Lord?
A little footnote to the above is that the name of the lady is Subbi short for Subbamma!
One look at that blessed woman’s face, and all are filled with joy and peace.
Where the Lord has taken residence is surely a place filled with ananda [bliss] and everlasting peace.
Source: Heart2Heart
The e-journal of radiosai.org
