What I Have Learnt from Sri Sathya Sai
Usually, it is very difficult to learn new things, especially for older people. But anyone who tries to learn a new way of life sincerely at the lotus feet of Mother Sai can do so easily.
The first and the most important lesson I have learnt in Swami’s school is the observance of silence. It is a very important discipline stressed by Bhagavan. Swami says, “It is only in the depths of silence that the voice of God can be heard.” It means that when we are in the innermost depths of silence and cannot hear even the slightest external sound, we can hear the Lord who is all pervading. He is always calling us, but we are not able to hear Him because we are not tuned to Him.
Another important lesson I have learnt at the lotus feet of Mother Sai is to always chant the Lord’s name or sing His glory. As Swami says, we should think of Lord Ganesha before we start any work because He removes all the obstacles. Ganesha is none other than our Sai Ganesha. Before I commence any work, I always think of Swami.
It is always a unique experience to stay in the presence of Bhagavan who is Divinity in human form. Whatever He does is dharma and whatever He speaks is truth. His life is His message. He speaks through His actions and whatever He says in words, He puts into action. This is the glory of the Sai Avatar. He is the very embodiment of all the Holy scriptures and texts. What a good fortune that we are in the presence of this great Avatar!
When I think of all the days that I have spent in the divine valley of Puttaparthi, many little but significant things come to my mind. I still remember a small yet profound incident that took place during the Dasara festival of 1987. During those nine days, Bhagavan blessed everyone by giving His discourses. One particular day, an elderly gentleman gave a speech that preceded Bhagavan’s discourse. He gave his speech and then sat down on the stage near Bhagavan. Bhagavan rose up and His sweet voice filled the auditorium. After the discourse, as the elderly devotee got up, his shawl slipped down. Bhagavan Himself bent down, picked up the shawl and placed it on the devotee’s shoulder. Swami then held his hand, helped him to get up and lead him off the stage. This simple yet significant act of our sweet Lord Sai taught me a great lesson in humility. We are staying in the presence of the Lord of Lords who is so humble that He stooped down to pick up His devotee’s shawl. This one deed transformed me and gave me a glimpse of the multifaceted personality that Bhagavan is.
Bhagavan is always humble. He is the Lord of the Universe and the indweller of our hearts, but He remains humble. If only humility is practiced by the people, ego and enmity would vanish. Ego is the cause for our self-destruction. Ego kills our good qualities. In Bhagavan, there is no trace of ego. He is ever humble. It is said that God is bigger than the biggest and smaller than the smallest. But God is also greater than the greatest and the humblest.
~YS Vijay Sarathy Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam
Source: Sai Nandana 1995 (70th Birthday Offering)
