Further Lease
Many people in the world are aware that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the incarnation of the supreme intelligence and sovereign will, and that He has come on earth to restore righteousness and virtue through the reestablishment of the ancient principles of conduct and character, embodied in Sanathana Dharma [eternal path or code of conduct].
Many an individual has, by following His teachings, obtained Swami’s grace and became an example and an inspiration to others. Many great scholars, administrators, scientists, classical savants, sadhakas [spiritual aspirants], and sages have recognized Him as their guide, guardian, and God. God’s ways are known only to God. Even those who have studied all the scriptures and all the hagiological texts and testaments have to stand aghast at the manifestations of Bhagavan’s majesty.
As a doctor, I must admit that Baba’s handling of medical cases confound the latest and most profound of specialists and the capacities of the latest medications and surgical know-how. Only the Lord, who is the ultimate power behind all, knows the processes of creation, preservation, decline, deterioration, and destruction.
Let me write now about an instance that reveals His grace and the spontaneous flow of mercy. When I went to Prasanthi Nilayam one year to attend Swami’s birthday festivities, I was blessed with the opportunity of serving in the Sathya Sai Hospital. A 61-year-old man from Vijayawada had had a stroke seven years earlier and had not recovered the full use of his limbs since then. He was, however, tempted to attend the birthday festivities. On the 25th of November, he started to feel unwell. He was taken to the quadrangle in front of the mandir [Baba’s residence] and Baba came near him. He asked Baba for permission to leave for home, but Baba said, “Stay, I shall speak to you later.”
The reason for this command became clear very soon. Early in the morning on the 26th, this man lost consciousness. His blood pressure at the time was 190/110. He vomited, and his breathing was labored. Bhagavan gave him vibhuti [sacred ash] and this was put into the man’s mouth and smeared on his forehead. In a short time, he regained consciousness and felt better. On the 27th at 7:30 a.m. he was again taken to the quadrangle for Bhagavan’s darshan [sight of a divine person]. Baba glanced toward the man, and seeing that he was losing consciousness again, He came near him and applied some vibhuti again, saying, “Here, take this medicine. I shall see you later.” The patient was then taken to his room.
Within half an hour however, he became completely comatose. The blood pressure climbed again, he was frothing at the mouth and became short of breath. When Bhagavan was informed, He directed that the patient be admitted to the hospital; this was done immediately. At 10:30 a.m., a lumbar puncture was performed and some cerebrospinal fluid was withdrawn and examined. There was no trace of blood in the fluid. We inferred, therefore, that the patient had had a stroke again. During such dangerous moments, we could do nothing more than pray to Baba and apply the precious vibhuti on the patient’s body and on his tongue.
He was unconscious for about six hours. Then suddenly, the blood pressure, pulse, and respirations became normal again. He opened his eyes and looked at us and was able to answer questions. It was a tremendous transformation, happening under our very eyes. On the morning of the 28th, the patient gave us a gift of amazement and joy; he was turning his rosary and repeating, as was his wont, “Sairam …Sairam …Sairam.” It was a miracle that medical science will find impossible to explain.
Baba has declared in one of His discourses, “The doctor diagnoses a patient’s illness, prescribes remedies and treats him. The patient confides in him and trusts in his capacity to cure him. But both of them forget one important fact: that, between the doctor and the patient there is a power that is higher than both.” We doctors are but His instruments, as all men are. The more deeply we cultivate this faith and the more determined we are to become fit for the task, the greater will be the grace He showers on us. My prayer is that we may always deserve this privilege and this pleasure.
~Dr. K. Bhaskara Rao
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, Jan. 1969
