Grace Abounding
It has only been a few years since I heard of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I came to know of Him through my son, who is employed at a place near Puttaparthi. Though I had occasion to hear about His mahimas [divine play], I was not tempted to put faith in them. On March 1, 1965, my son attended the Shivaratri festival, and he sent me a description of the akhanda-vibhuti-abhishekam [endless ablution with holy ash] and the lingodbhavam [emergence of the lingam]; he also sent me prasadam [blessed food]. This induced me to go over to Prasanthi Nilayam in May, but unluckily Baba was not present there.
My son attended the Gurupoornima festival on July 27, 1965, and during the interview, Baba told him, “Your mother has three stones in the bladder. They give her great pain, I shall give you medicine, send it to her,” and He gave him ten packets of vibhuti [sacred ash]. My son kept two for himself and sent the remaining eight. The moment she [my wife] took the parcel from the postman, the bells in the Chandramouliswara temple near my residence rang by themselves! So, she was overjoyed and she started taking the vibhuti with great confidence.
During the past six years she had undergone treatment in many hospitals with no benefit at all. She had swellings as big as cucumbers and unbearable pain. When the eight packets were finished, the pain ceased and the swelling subsided. There was some sign of one of the three stones and we attributed it to the fact that two of the ten packets were held back.
Meanwhile, I went to Prasanthi Nilayam in August and Baba was all kindness to me. He created vibhuti for me and blessed me. I realized that He was the Lord Himself. I placed His picture in the shrine and started to worship. The day after Dasara [ten-day festival], when we were all engaged in bhajan, the unhealed third swelling started giving my wife excruciating pain. We were helpless but we continued the recitation of Sai nama [name]. Just then a little boy of ten years appeared, and approaching her he hit her abdomen with his tiny palm three times, repeating `Baba, Baba!’ We did not see him ever again. She was completely cured after this.
Later, I developed a diabetic carbuncle. It was operated upon and I came home from the hospital. But soon two new ones started to grow, I suffered. My kith and kin were worried for my life and they wanted to move me back to the hospital. I resisted and after they left at 11 p. m. Baba appeared at my bedside at 1 a.m.! He stroked my back saying, “Do not go anywhere, do not fear, it is all over.” At the same time, He appeared before my wife and gave her the same assurance. I fell into deep sleep and when I awoke, the boils had disappeared without even a trace. We were thrilled at this divine grace.
Every Thursday, we recite the 108 names of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and do Special puja [ritual worship]. On January 1, 1966, while we were so engaged a small packet of vibhuti fell from nowhere in front of Baba’s picture! I picked it up and pressed it on my eyes, opened it, and placed small quantities on the tongues of all who were present there. It was extraordinarily sweet and fragrant. For hours, our tongues felt the heavenly taste.
Baba saves and blesses those who pray to Him. He has come to rescue those who call on the Lord with a sincere heart. He is the Lord Himself.
~Kopparapu Gapalakrishnamurthi
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, Dec.1966
