Sai—The Super Magnet
S. Srikarthik joined as a student in the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School at Prasanthi Nilayam. A talented singer, he is presently [2005] studying in the third year B. Com. (Honors) class. He hails from Andhra Pradesh.
A magnet attracts ferromagnetic objects, which possess qualities or tendencies to be attracted. Our beloved Lord Sai is like a magnet who attracts His devotees. For the last 80 years He has been showering bountiful love on all those who need it. Many miracles in which Swami protects His dear ones and many personal transformations have been experienced.
Swami not only takes care of the worldly requirements of His devotees, but He also helps them develope spiritual awareness so they are able to realize and discriminate between good and bad. My relative, Sri Kameshwara Sharma, saw Swami’s photograph for the first time in 1981. He did not have faith in Swami. His friend, a devotee, often talked to him of various miracles that Swami performed, and explained to him the significance of each. But Mr. Sharma did not pay heed to his friend’s experiences with Swami.
Eventually, Mr. Sharma got married, and after a few years a daughter was born. The child used to fall sick very often, and this became a cause of perpetual worry for Mr. Sharma. He and his wife tried all types of medication, but to no avail. At that time, Mr. Sharma happened to meet his old friend who was a devotee of Swami, and he suddenly decided to visit Puttaparthi to have Swami’s darshan. However, he mentally challenged Swami that if his child got cured, he would believe in Swami’s divinity and accept Him as God.
Though they missed their bus three times he and his wife were determined to go to Puttaparthi. They finally got there and had a good darshan of Swami; their child, sick till then, recovered miraculously. She became healthy and cheerful, much to the joy of her parents. Mr. Sharma was in ecstasy and surrendered himself wholeheartedly to Swami.
Swami, who is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, not only waits for His devotees, but also recognizes their good deeds and acknowledges them. In the year 1994, a group of doctors who were involved in Sri Sathya Sai medical camps in villages came to Puttaparthi to have Bhagavan’s darshan and seek His blessings.
One among them was Dr. Shridhar, who was visiting Puttaparthi for the first time. He did not believe in Swami, but came to Puttaparthi as a member of the group. During darshan, Swami came straight to this group of doctors and addressed Dr. Shridhar by name. He also mentioned a few cases the doctor had attended and said, “You are a good doctor. Swami is very happy with you.” So saying, Swami materialized a ring and put it on Dr. Shridhar’s finger. This incident not only gave the doctor a hint of Swami’s omnipresence, but it also enabled him to develop faith in Swami.
Swami not only grants us His physical proximity but He slowly becomes the indweller of our hearts. As we sincerely pray to Him with a pure heart, He fulfils our wishes. I am reminded of a personal experience. Having seen so many of my brothers interacting with Swami, I also felt the desire to talk to Swami and ask Him what to do after completing 12th class [grade]. One day I got a chance to sit in the first row. I was determined to ask Swami and was thrilled at the thought of it. While giving darshan, Swami came near me but suddenly I was too frightened to get up and speak to Him. Even though He stood very close to me, I could not gather the courage to speak to Him. Swami then slowly moved away to the interview room.
I prayed to Swami that if He accepted a letter from me, I would ask Him a question; otherwise I would wait. As I completed the letter, Swami came out of the interview room and approached me with a smile on His face. I offered the letter, and He took it from my hand but did not move from there. I gathered all my courage and asked Swami my question. He spoke very lovingly and commanded me to do B. Com. (Honors). He also said that if I did B. Com. (Honors) it would later enable me to study for an MBA [Master of Business Administration] or MFM [Master of Financial Management].
Swami is all-pervasive, and His love is unconditional. He knows the innermost desires of our heart. I used to see Swami materializing vibhuti [sacred ash] and giving it to many people who approached Him with problems. I also wanted to get vibhuti from Him but I could not think of a problem to place before Him. So I used to pray to Him to give me vibhuti as prasadam [blessed food, gift from God].
One afternoon, Swami was sitting in the verandah when He suddenly called three of us. As we were trying to give our letters, He pushed back mine and accepted it at the very end. He enquired about my home and stared at me for sometime. He looked at me and said, “There is some problem in your place, but do not worry, I am there.” I was extremely surprised, and then worried. Looking at my anxious face, Swami spoke with loving assurance, “Parents are happy, do not worry.” I took the vibhuti that He had materialized for me, but I did not know how to pack it. I sat down with the vibhuti in my hand. Swami got up and while proceeding toward the interview room, He looked at me and said, “Dunnapotha [buffalo]! You did not pack it.” So saying, He made a little packet of the vibhuti and said, “Send it home by post.” I slowly realized that my deepest desire was fulfilled.
In these ways Swami draws us closer to Him. With the love of a thousand mothers, He takes care of every little thing that we may require. In times of difficulty, He comes to our rescue and protects us. The only thing He expects from us is that we must “Love all and Serve all.” He says, “Give your love to others as I give you Mine, and it will make everyone happy.” Swami, I pray to you to give us that faith and love so that we can be worthy instruments in Your hands.
~S. Srikarthik
Source: Hridaya Brindavan, 2005
