The Silent but Steady Presence of Sai in my Life
After its spellbinding presentation in the Sai Kulwant Hall on the birthday evening, a dedicated group—of 126 musicians from 16 countries—did an encore in the Indian capital, New Delhi. The symphony was a unique blend of Western and Indian classical music composed by the German composer Mr. Michael Herting and conducted by Dr. Michael Koehler.
One of the chief guests that day was Dr. Najma A. Heptulla,a five-time member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, from 1986-2012. She was also the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha for sixteen years. In May 2014 she became the Minister of Minority Affairs, Government of India. Following is the edited transcript of her speech before the performance of the Global Sai Symphony.
My respects and tributes to Baba on His 90th birthday. Let me share with you my experience of how I came into Baba’s fold.
This happened 50 years ago when I lived in Bhopal. My would-be husband, living then in Mumbai, wanted to marry me, but we belonged to two different sects of the Muslim community. In those days this was a problem as we were not allowed to marry.
At that time one of my husband’s South Indian friends told him about Sai Baba and took him to Puttaparthi. That was December 1965 and Puttaparthi was very different then.
Fortunately Baba called him for an interview and blessed him saying, “Coming December, 1966, you will get married.” We got married as Baba had foretold and in December 1966 I came to Mumbai with my husband.
I noticed that my husband’s dress pockets always had this peculiar ash. I wondered what it was (only later did I come to know that it was vibhuti [sacred ash]). So, one day I asked him, “What are these little packets that you always carry in your pocket?”
Then he told me the whole story of his meeting with Baba and how our marriage came about. Until then I had no clue of any of this. I had not even heard of Baba but now I had a strong desire to go and see this person with whose blessings we were married. Meanwhile I got elected to the Parliament in 1980.
I kept telling my husband, “Let’s go to Puttaparthi and pay our respects to Baba. I want to meet Him.” But somehow it did not happen then.
Many years later I met Captain Sharma, a pilot who had flown Baba in planes before. I noticed the green ring on his finger and exclaimed, “Oh, so you’re a devotee of Baba! I want to go there, but somehow it never happens.” Mr. Sharma said, “I’m going there next week.” I immediately wrote a letter to Baba and asked him to give it to Baba on my behalf.
The next week again I was on a flight from Mumbai to Delhi and Mr. Sharma came to see me. He took out the letter I had given him and returned it to me. Surprised, I said, “Why are you giving it back to me? You didn’t give it to Baba?” He said, “I didn’t have to give it to Him. I was sitting outside His room and He came straight to me. Even before I could say anything to Him, He said, ‘Tell that lady to come. Baba’s house is her house too. She is welcome anytime.’” After this I told my husband, “Next week we must go!” And we went immediately to Puttaparthi.
Before I proceed, let me tell you something interesting about my husband’s first trip. He had travelled from Mumbai to Puttaparthi in a car. It was a Morris Minor Tiger, a small black car. After the interview with Baba, when he was getting up, the keys of this car fell out of his pocket. Baba instantly picked them up and placed them in my husband’s hands and blessed him.
After our marriage we travelled over 5000 kilometers [3,106 miles] in this very car. We almost did a ‘Bharat Yatra’, a mini tour of India. We went all over Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and so on. During this entire trip this car never stopped, had a flat tire, or gave any problem whatsoever. By the blessings of Baba I still have this car!
The Rings of Blessings
Many interesting things happened in our lives. When we went to Puttaparthi as a couple for the first time, we were accommodated in the round guesthouse. I harbored a wish that I did not share with anyone, not even my husband. I thought, “If Baba calls me today I must get a green ring. I will not leave until I receive Baba’s green ring.” I actually removed the ring I was currently wearing on my ring finger, waiting for the new gift from Baba.
As luck would have it Baba called us for an interview. When we were inside, He gave us vibhuti. Then Baba did create a green ring for me! Instantly I gave my hand from which I had removed the other ring. But Baba said, “No, no, give me the other hand. You have already removed a ring from there and kept it in the cupboard. Give me the other hand!” I shared this only to tell you how He knows us completely and how He cares for us.
Let me narrate another instance. On the occasion of Diwali [festival of lights], Mr. Kulwant Rai, a great devotee of Baba, had come to my house. He was like a brother to me. I saw a multi-colored nine-gem ring on his finger.
“What happened to your green ring?” I asked him. He said, “Baba changed it.” Again I thought in my heart “I, too, should get a ring like this one from Baba.” But I didnot tell anybody. Next time when I was in Baba’s presence, He said, “Give me the ring.” So I placed the green ring on His palm and Baba instantly changed it into a multi-colored Navaratna [nine gems] ring!
There is something more about this Navaratna ring. I used to wear it all the time, but one day I noticed that the pearl had fallen off. I was very dejected. I took off the ring and kept it in the cupboard. Many years later I saw that the pearl was back as before in the Navaratna ring! I am a Ph. D. in science but I was totally flabbergasted by this and truly I have no explanation for it. But I have experienced it all.
Let me narrate another episode. I resigned from the Deputy Chairmanship of Rajya Sabha to become the General Secretary of my party. Later I resigned from this position too and was just a Member of Parliament. At that time, October 1988, Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, a devotee of Baba, was the Vice President of India and the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Around that time I went to see Baba in Whitefield. He introduced me to some people and said, “She’s a member of Parliament. Her name is Najma Heptulla. She works with Shankar Dayal Sharma as his deputy.”
I thought, “Perhaps Baba has forgotten that I am no longer the Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha.” But I decided to keep quiet. I thought, “Why should I correct Him? He is always right.” Interestingly, in the same year, in December, I was re-elected as the Deputy Chairperson and I remained in that position till 2004 when I resigned.
This is how I have experienced Baba in my life and I am sure that all of you must have many more stories to narrate about Him. He could read our minds. One day when we were in His interview room in Puttaparthi, He suddenly said to me, “See! So many Muslims are here!” There were eight of us. Apart from my husband and I, there were two ladies and a child from Iran, and another couple with their son from Trinidad and Tobago—who were all Muslim. He knew everything.
To me, Baba’s greatest contribution is in the fields of education and health care. Through His message ‘Love all, serve all,’ He gave us a path to follow.
Today I feel extremely humble standing before all of you. So many of you have devoted your lives for the service of the people in memory of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This is the grand finale of the year-long celebration of His 90th birthday. Let’s make a pledge today that from now onward each one of us will devote ourselves to the service of the people, in the service of mankind, spreading love and affection.
I wish Baba was here today. And I am sure He is here, His spirit is here. I congratulate the 126 artistes and musicians from 16 countries who are here to pay their tributes in memory of Baba. I also congratulate all His hundreds and thousands of devotees all over the world who are working in His name in the service of mankind with love. Thank you very much.
Source: Radio Sai Team
(http://radiosai.org)
