I don’t precisely recall the month, but the year was 1971. I had travelled from Delhi for Swami’s Darshan and would be returning there. I was sitting in the portico of the Mandir at about 2 pm alone on the day of my return journey.

My train was at 9 pm. The Sai Kulwant hall had not come into being, and there was sand all around. There was only one entrance to the Mandir from the East Prasanthi side. There was no restriction then relating to sitting outside the bhajan hall.

A big red car then entered through the gate. I thought to myself – ‘Bhagawan, You Are for the rich only; no one bothers about us.’ Two or three people lifted a young girl from the car and seated her on the ground. She was a beautiful girl affected by polio.

I immediately prayed, ‘Lord, I need no car or polio.’ the gentlemen carried her near to where I was sitting ans Swami blessed her from the porch above and dropped an envelope filled with Vibhuti on their hands.

A flash thought came to me, again. ‘Swami, You will give Vibhuti to such people only.’ Those people went away after receiving Vibhuti, but I continued sitting there.

Most unexpected, one Sevadal brother came and extended a packet of Vibhuti similar to that given to the girl saying that Swami had sent it for me.

I prostrated Swami right there and begged forgiveness for my crass ignorance. The biggest lesson that I learnt from this incident is that He belongs to all. No one should have any doubt about that.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Prasanthi Nilayam…. the Abode of Peace. That heart leaps at the very mention of the Name. How we long to be there! We greet with joy those who are just returning from there, hoping that some of the lustre and grace of the Sai drenched devotees may rub off on us.

To me, Prasanthi Nilayam means, simply, Home. It is my Mother’s Place. When Mother calls, i go to Her. She knows what is needed. She gives it, namely Her Ananda in plenty. One returns from Mother rested and restored, and refreshed in body and spirit always. Many of the trees in the Nilayam can be recognised in mediaeval paintings, depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s career on earth. Near the Mandir, on the west side is a beautiful tall tree, which blooms around early Dasara and waft the lovely fragrance into Mother’s Room. This tree can be noticed in many of the Rajasthan miniatures painted by mediaeval artiste devotees as well as the Deccani and Early Mughal painters. The neem, the coco nut, the tamarind, the banana, the rose, the jasmine and mogra bushes all offer their beauty and their scent for us to admire and offer gratitude to the Mother.

Mother’s Darshan in the morning! A flash of red, the graceful Form arrives, closer and finally, a deep look and a compassionate smile, —can any mother on earth, cause such an ecstatic flutter in all hearts? Mother is loving, yet, detached—every movement, gesture, flash, smile has a meaning and a lesson. Only Mother knows the agony of each of us each step, especially to those of us who have already taken the wrong ones. If Mother smiles, all is well; the heart is light and filled with joy.

But, let her turn away or look over us into the beyond, then, gloom descends. “What have I done, now?”…a great deal of interpretation and interrogation, in the quiet of the room. And, soon, the answer comes. A prayer for forgiveness, a promise not to repeat the mistake, and a renewed dedication, to please the Mother and the Mother only—regardless of what others may say or think. Please her, with each little thought, word and deed—and, Peace reigns again.

Mother smiles, at the afternoon Darshan. Ah! I was right! Even the slightest deviation from the path towards the ideal is noted by Sai Mata, for, She is Omnipresent. She is everywhere, in us, with us, beside us and behind us. A poem written in the room to Her, reaches Her as soon as line is formed in the mind. A wish, a thought, all is known and if only you trust in Her, she keeps the lines straight and true. She is the world’s greatest teacher of the art of Positive Thinking. As soon as you grasp the Universal Laws of Love, Service and Compassion, as taught by Her, Mother takes you closer. She is helpful; you make less mistakes. Sai is pure Bliss. Mother, i love Thee.

Since at Mother’s House, I am care free of kitchen chores. Mother has a lovely Dining Hall, with many varieties of delicious and nutritious dishes, very lovingly prepared by devoted hands. Out of sheer happiness, I had all four meals on the first day—breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. But, it was really too much. I restrained myself to one meal a day, with some banana and curds, now and then. Mother spoils us thoroughly with Her Love. She knows that we must relish the stay with Her, away from kitchen chores. She is such a practical Avatar.

The Gokulam Milk is the world’s most blessed milk. It is rich, sweet and sustaining. Behind the Hill Is a Tree, behind the Meditation Tree, and this is the place I go to, in the early dawn. Just before sunrise, the hills are purple and the dark green forests and fields oblige us to give a glimpse—a silvery glimpse—of the river, Chitravati. The golden sky is streaked with pink and orange. Oh! How Mother would enjoy a morning walk in the cool crisp air listening to the tinkling of the cow bells, as She used to do for years in the past and as Krishna in Brindavan! I am wrong in believing that this is not being done now. She must be with me now, as I watch these skies and fields, for, how can I visualise the beauty if She did not reveal it to me? She has taken upon Herself the heavy burden of saving Mankind. Multitudes are following Her whenever She goes or stays. Mother is busy with prayers from all around the globe; She has to watch every child of Hers while it sleeps. The child may forget the world, but, the Mother cannot forget the child.

The day of departure arrives. The tears well up, the hand quivers, as Sai Mata comes for a last look and smile. Ma! Ma! I am going, today…. “Accha!”…. She is off. In a trice, teaching us the higher Truth, the Reality, that She is in every atom of the Universe, and that we cannot go to any place where She is NOT.

Prasanthi Nilayam…leaving Mother is so hard. The last glimpse of Mother, among Her, children…. and the last cry…”Mother! Call me again soon!”

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

We all know that communication can be verbal and non-verbal. There are behavioural scientists who analyse the non-verbal communication of individuals for their living. For Sai devotees worldwide, we use this term often while describing how Swami saw us during Darshan. We typically would say, “I locked my eyes with Swami when He came for Darshan.” This expression has a very deep meaning for each one of us. I have used this expression several times too. Well, what does this expression really mean for me?

Our mind travels at a speed that is unimaginable to calculate. At one second, we would be at our home, and the next second we would be floating in our dream world while parallelly browsing something on Google. Is it humanly possible to calculate the speed at which our mind travelled in this one second? Probably not… It would be safe to conclude that most of us would be thinking of a thing and at the same time doing something totally irrelevant.

God gave us this powerful mind as a gift whereby we could use it for doing unimaginable (irony) things at the same point in time. But, this acts as a double-edged sword too, wherein we never live in the present moment. We are lost either thinking about our past or busy planning for our future which we would like to control. Though we would like to think otherwise, I bet it doesn’t work that way most of the time. But there are fleeting moments in one’s life when they truly live in the present moment wherein everything in their inner sphere is aligned.

Though I am not astute in this area of study, giving it my best shot, I would think these moments can be classified broadly under two scenarios. One would be when we are in a crisis (in the true sense of the word), and the other when we are in bliss.

During the last three decades, I had been blessed with the opportunity to have Swami’s Darshan many times. To be true to myself, I don’t think I made good of the opportunity to be in bliss during every Darshan due to the vagaries of the mind. However, there have been several moments when I was truly in bliss. I still recall the first time when I got to lock eyes with Bhagawan.

This happened in Brindavan during my first year of college in 1994. One fine morning, we had all assembled for Swami’s Darshan. My mind was very calm, not thinking about anything at all. As I sat in Sai Ramesh Hall waiting for Swami to come out, no thought crossed my mind. I wasn’t thinking about the happenings in my life or looking at what was going on around me. I sat still without any expression on my face.

The Darshan music started and all heads turned to see Swami coming out of the Trayee Brindavan. Swami with His inimitable charisma walked among the devotees spreading His Divine Love. That day my focus was only on Swami and not on anything else. I did not care to see who spoke to Swami or what the people around me were whispering. My eyes were steadily looking at Him however far He went in the Darshan hall. I saw Him go all the way behind to the last row facing the morning sun and then He walked on the gents’ side. He stopped occasionally to pick up a letter and gently swayed to the Darshan music that filled the air.

As Swami came towards the first block on the students’ side where I sat, He paused for a few moments as if He was searching for someone on purpose. I did not get to sit in the first row that morning and was somewhere in the middle of the block. But that did not bother me. I seemed to be contented where ever I was. I had a letter in my hand to give to Swami. Usually, when we have a letter, our mind would race to ensure we somehow get Swami’s attention to hand over the letter. I am no exception to that too.

That day, with no thoughts running through my zipping mind, I just held the letter as if it was an extension of my hand. Swami looked at me, and at that very moment, I spoke to Him with my eyes. I did not have anything to ask Him. I did not have any petitions to put across or any desire to express. I just wanted to enjoy Him, plain and simple. I thanked Him and said that I love Him. It was an intent look I can never forget. When I close my eyes today, I can still recall those piercing but loving eyes that keep looking at me and through me as if I was transparent. He gently smiled after giving that look and stretched His hand to take the letter. I kneeled down without taking my eyes off His beautiful glow and delivered the letter. He gave a gentle tug as He took the letter from my hand and then blinked His eyes.

I sat down with my eyes still looking at Him. I was in bliss. I truly locked my eyes with Swami. After that, Swami walked back to the Trayee Brindavan. The moment the Darshan music stopped, it was an indication for us that Swami had gone back into the Trayee. When I opened my eyes, my mind was back on its superhighway, zipping through what was happening around me. This particular Darshan has been very special for the bliss I got to enjoy for those moments. I was ‘at the moment’ in the true sense of the phrase.

A few days later, one of the photographers gave me a photo of that particular moment when Swami took the letter from my hand. Every time I see that photo, I am instantly reminded of that beautiful day.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Man has plumbed the depths in an effort to satisfy his earthly desires. But there is no end to that search, and it merely leads him along an endless road towards nowhere. The further he goes, the more he experiences those desires until he finds himself on the edge of an abyss.

But, eventually, a tiny ray of light appears, an invitation from the Divinity to look elsewhere for a solution to the cravings of the apparently uncontrollable mind. The light comes from within, for it is within man that Divinity resides. Man is himself, Divine.

Look within for the solution to all your problems; there is no solution in the outside world. The world is simply a playground where you play out the game of life, the game of God.

How can you realise your own innate Divinity? By blending your whole life, and every thought and action with The Will of The Lord. It is that constant dialogue with the Lord that will help you to concentrate your mind on the Divine and divert your attention from the vicissitudes of the world and all that goes on in that world.

Live in the world, yes, but do not become part of it.

Once you turn to God, your life becomes one of attunement with the Divine, and you see everything in a different light. Even your enemies can be seen for what they really are, aspects of the Divine, for that Divinity exists within all mankind.

As you turn towards the Divine, everything in life takes on a new dimension. Problems of the past can be seen for what they are, passing clouds travelling across the sky, obscuring the light for a short time. Those problems are purely temporal, but the light is always there, the shining light of the universe. It is the light of God that is the very source of all creation.

The Lord said, “Let there be light”, and there was light. Let that light shine through you so that you yourself become a beacon of light and rise to the highest level of consciousness where you and God are one. That is God-Consciousness.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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There was another time when I gave a ride in my car to someone who was going in the same direction as I. Back then, I had an Ambassador car that I would drive to the local towns to shop for electrical or plumbing supplies because nothing was available in Puttaparthi. At that time, there weren’t many people with cars in Puttaparthi, and transportation choices were limited. So if someone asked for a ride, I wanted to be a good samaritan by helping them out.

On one such trip to Anantapur, the local bank manager asked if he could go along, and I agreed right away. As we were nearing Brahmanapalli, we could see there were a lot of people milling around, and usually that was a sign of Swami’s car in the vicinity, so we pulled over to the side of the road. Swami had gone to Whitefield, so we thought He was returning that day.

When Swami’s car drove by, He saw me, and His face bloomed into a huge smile, and He raised His hand in Abhayahasta. I was thrilled by the unexpected blessings, and went onto Anantapur in a sky-high state of mind.

The next morning, I was called into the Trust office by Kutumba Rao garu and Chiranjivi Rao garu. Once I stepped inside, they closed the door and locked it. And then they turned to me and asked if I went anywhere the previous day, and how I travelled, and who I travelled with. I told them I went to Anantapur by car, and had the bank manager with me. They asked if the bank manager was a friend or family member, and I replied, “No”.

Then Kutumba Rao garu said, “Listen, Swami doesn’t like these sorts of casual acquaintances when you don’t know who you’re associating with. Since this is your first time, He didn’t want to upset you by telling you directly, so He sent me to relay this message. Please be very careful in the future how you make your acquaintances.” I had no idea something so simple as giving a car ride could be such a huge mistake.

I realised later that even the actions we perform so casually have consequences. The mistake was not about giving a ride, but about making decisions unconsciously. I recognised that we must be conscious and mindful of our every decision and action we take. Because according to Swami, after all that is said and done, everything else is impermanent, except truth and reputation.

Asthiram Jeevanam Loke,

Asthiram Youvnam Dhanam,

Asthiram Daaraa Puthraadi,

Sathyam Keerthi Dwayam Sthiram.

- Sri Sathya Sai

Life in the world is impermanent,

Youth and wealth are impermanent,

Wife and children are impermanent,

Only the two – Truth and Reputation are permanent.

- Sri Sathya Sai

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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This is a story about (Beloved Bhagawan Sri) Krishna…. In a way, the story was not completed until November, 1975.

A number of years ago, I was in Bhagawan’s car. He was in the rear seat with two persons, one on each side of Him. I was in the front seat, with the driver. We were on our way to Puttaparthi.

Driving in the car with Swami is a fascinating experience. Not only is there the thrill of being close to the Divine Lord HimSelf, but, sometimes He will give you the opportunity to ask questions. Sometimes, He engages in animated conversation in Telugu with the companions. Sometimes, He indulges in jokes with one or other of them. Sometimes, He remains silent, making the characteristic gesture with His Hand that seems to indicate that He is giving attention to something quite unknown to us. And, very often, He sings bhajans, with everyone in the car joining in the chorus (except me, who has a musical voice, akin to the crow). The net result of all this enthralling activity is that my neck is constantly being twisted in order to see what is going on in the back seat.

Swami understands my plight, but, does not advise me to desist; He allows me the liberty to turn round. Of course, I do not stare all the time. I look only so long as I dare and then I resume my posture, turning to the front again. So, my looking at Swami is intermittently back and forth.

At some point in the journey, maybe about half way, Swami was talking and I turned to look. My breathing stopped and I was transfixed! I could not credit my eyes. His devotees see Swami’s Face as beautiful indeed, although the chief impression I receive from His feature is that of Power and Majesty.

What transfixed my movement and stopped my breathing was Swami’s Face… The Swami I know was not there! Instead, there was a Face of the most extraordinary beauty, quite different of shape and cast from the features of our Beloved Sai. The charm was so great, so poignant that my heart seemed to twist, almost as though it were in pain. Never in life, nor in photos, nor in painting by great artists have I seen a Face of such exquisite beauty. It was beyond imagination and concept, totally out of experience.

And His colour was blue. Not just blue, not the blue with which artists paint Krishna but, a deep blue, like the velvet blue that sometimes can be seen in a dark sky, like a blue that I have at times seen from the deck of a ship thousands of miles from shore on the Pacific Ocean. I do not know how else to describe it.

I could not remove my eyes from Swami. At length, I caught myself and turned away. But, at once, I looked again, and the same beauty surely not of the world, was still there. This continued for at least fifteen minutes. The two men sitting with Swami were beginning to look at me with somewhat puzzled expressions for, my staring was different from what they had become used to.

After a few miles, Vittala Rao (on Swami’s left) asked me, “Hislop! What were you staring at Swami like that?”

Instead of answering, I directed a question to Swami, “Swami! What was that blue colour?” Swami replied, “Oh! That? Whenever there is something of unfathomable depth, it appears to be deep blue.”

That was the end of the conversation. Naturally the thought had come to mind that may be this was Lord Krishna, but, neither then, nor at any time in connection with this experience did I ever say the Name of Krishna to Swami.

There the matter rested until November 1975. It was before people started to arrive in multitudes for the Birthday. Swami’s schedule was still somewhat free and He was taking me with Him in the jeep and so on… and probably, that was why I got invited into the Interview. An army man and his wife had come from Assam. They were devotees, but this was their first time to actually see Swami. Often people wait for months for interview, but this family was called as soon as they arrived. I was seated on the verandah of the Mandir and saw them go into Swami’s room. No sooner had they entered than Swami motioned to me.

There was the mother and father, the son and daughter. Swami spoke to them most lovingly. He knew everything about their lives and it was very evident that He was an intimate member of that household.

After a while, Swami asked me, “Hislop! Tell them some experiences.” I complied and after mentioning some incidents, I told the same story just now related in these pages, but, not even then, did I mention the Krishna Name. The man was deeply impressed and words broke from His lips, “Oh! That had to be Lord Krishna.”

Swami smiled and said, “Yes, that was Krishna; not the Krishna pictured by artists and imagined by writers. I showed Hislop the real Krishna.” The man said, “Oh! How I want to see Krishna.” Swami smiled again and said, “Wait; wait.”

There is a sequel to this story. About a month later, in December, at Brindavan, I was talking with Swami and I brought forward the names of some famous saints and gurus of the past and Swami said some things about them. Then the idea struck me that, wonderful though it must have been to know those great personages and learn from them, the present day was the first time since Krishna lived that one could have God Himself as Guru. So I started to say, “Swami! In the thousands of years of time, since Krishna….”

Swami interrupted me before I could say another word and exclaimed “Time since Krishna…? I Am Krishna. Where is Time?” I folded my hands and bent low to Him and said, “Well, Swami. This is the best of all times, to be born!”

Swami replied, “Yes; the most fortunate of all times. Even more fortunate to be born now, than during the Krishna Avatar.”

Once before, within my hearing, Swami declared HimSelf as Lord Krishna. This story has been told in detail elsewhere. It happened in Dharmakshetra, at Bombay (Mumbai), and came about as part of the extra ordinary drama of `the weeping saris’ to which a few of us in the room with Swami were the fascinated witnesses. I had exclaimed that this had to be the re-enactment, this very day, of the drama of the mountain that had occurred in the Avatars of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. Bhagawan replied, “Yes, It Is The Self-Same Rama and The Self-Same Krishna Who is here this very day.”

In the light of what has been recited in the preceding pages by me, a direct witness and participant, we need never look back with even the slightest tinge of envy to those fortunate people who lived during those wonderful days of the Krishna Avatar. This very day, and every day that we look at our Beloved Sai, we are, gazing directly at Sri Krishna.

Let us treasure His Divine Presence. In ages to come, the rich experience of our days will be told and retold as the wondrous story of the Sai Avatar.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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The present population of the world is approximately 600 crores. But, the principle of `I’ is one and the same in everyone. Each one refers to himself or herself as `I’. How can one know these 600 crore people? Once you recognise the principle of ‘I’, you would have recognised all. Here you find many bulbs glowing; the same current flows through all of them. Similarly, the principle of `I’ is the same in all. Instead of questioning, “Who are you?” question yourself, “Who Am I?” Know yourself first, then you will know all.

What is the cause of conflicts and restlessness in this world? Lack of recognition of the principle of Oneness is mainly responsible for this. If someone were to criticise you, do not get agitated. Remember that the same Atmic principle is present in both of you. The one who accuses and the one who is accused are not two different entities. There will be no scope for agitation if you understand this truth. Peace and serenity will reign supreme in the world once this principle of oneness is recognised. Likewise, God and devotee are not separate from each other. The one who worships and the one who is worshipped are one and the same.

The devotee worshipping God actually means worshipping himself. Ekatma Sarvabhuthantaratma (the same Atma is present in everyone). This principle of Oneness is Brahma. Viewing this Oneness as many is bhrama or bhranthi (illusion). It is this bhrama that is responsible for the restlessness in the world. True spiritual practice lies in cultivating the spirit of Oneness. There is no greater sadhana than this. Whatever sadhana one undertakes, one should do it with Love. Then there will be no scope for anger and jealousy.

In order to understand the Vedic dicta, Easwara Sarvabhuthanam (God dwells in all beings), Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (all this is verily Brahman), one should inculcate noble qualities. Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaikena Amrutathwamanasu (neither wealth nor progeny nor good deeds can confer immortality; it can be attained only through sacrifice). People respect you as long as you occupy exalted positions in society. But nobody follows you when you lose your position and power. The Vedas address human beings as Amrutasya Puthra. You should live up to that title. You are Amrutasya Puthra (sons of immortality), not Anrutasya Puthra (sons of falsehood).

There is Chinmaya (awareness) in Mrinmaya (physical body). That Awareness is true wisdom. The Vedas refer to this as Prajnanam Brahma (constant integrated awareness). It is this Constant Integrated Awareness that makes the body, the mind and the intellect function.

All the four Mahavakyas, namely, Prajnanam Brahma, Ayamatma Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi and Tattwamasi speak of this Constant Integrated Awareness. Understand the Truth that you are God. You may think that you are separate from Swami. But in fact, I and you are not separate. ‘I Am yours, you are Mine,’ `You and I Are one’.

Understand this Truth and act accordingly. “Abheda Darshanam Jnanam” (experience of Oneness is True Wisdom). There is only one without a second. If you go on adding the number 1 to itself, the value increases. On the other hand, even if crores of `I’s are added to `I’, it still remains ‘I’. That ‘I’ is Divinity. Once you understand this Truth, you will realise that all are Embodiments Of Divinity. The essence of Vedanta is contained in these four Mahavakyas.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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In 1975 I was serving as a Sevadal volunteer in Dharmakshetra at Mumbai. During Swami’s visit, Swami brought with Him an octogenarian devotee called Thirumalachar, who was the author of Sri Sathya Sai Suprabhatam. I was informed that Swami had chosen me to serve Sri Thirumalachar and came to know that Thirumalachar was the Raja Guru of Venkatagiri Maharaja, and he is the one who introduced Venkatagiri Maharaja to Swami.

Thirumalachar was a great Yogi and an adept in Kundalini Yoga. Pleased with my service, one day, he promised to teach me Kundalini Yoga, the intricate yoga mudras, the whole nine yards. Most unexpectedly, Bhagawan walked in while Thirumalachar was saying this. Teasing him Swami said: “Thirumalachar, have you become a Guru? Who are you to teach him Yoga?” Swami looked at me and said, “No, Kundalini Yoga for you.”

Thirumalachar got afraid and chased me away, saying never to ask him spiritual questions again. Years later, Swami asked me, “Do you remember Thirumalachar? He used to remember you all the time. Yesterday he merged in Me.” Many years later, Swami gave me the following message saying He was teaching me the real essence of the Kundalini Yoga, not the Hatha Yoga interpretation.

The power of Divinity lies hidden within everyone at the base of the spine, coiled like a serpent in everlasting wait for the awakening moment. She is the Mother of all bliss and the Power of all powers.

Whether one believes or not, with a little effort in observation, anyone can feel the movement of Prana in the body, the precursor to the arousal of Kundalini. One may call it tingling or goosebumps or simply strange vibes; it is all the same, the movement of Prana from head to toe.

The human body houses seventy-two thousand nerves interconnected in a giant network and energy management system, which can put to shame any modern energy plant, self-monitoring, self-cleaning, self-controlled, and self-renewable God energy.

The journey starts at the base of the spine and is rooted for the crown of the head; in between, there are five service stations, knots of nerves and muscles called plexus, chakras like the transformer of an energy plant. Each chakra routes the energy to a higher, subtler, and high-frequency plane.

Each centre is a chakra or a wheel in motion, with energy swirls at the macrocosmic and the microcosmic levels. What is outside in the cosmos is reflected within the body at these spiritual energy centres.

The Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spine is the foundation where the Kundalini is coiled up. The Swadishtana Chakra the natural resting place, which facilitates the fulfilment of desires, primarily sensual, the confluence of the creative forces.

The Manipuraka Chakra at the navel region is the city of jewels, the treasure chest of human accomplishment.

The turbocharged energy for the next ascendency, the Anahata Chakra, is the home of Pranava, AUM, the origin of the origin-less sound.

Next is the Visuddha Chakra at the throat, the centre of purity of thought, word, and deed.

The Jneya Chakra (Ajna Chakra) in between the eyebrows is the command centre of the other lower centres. It is the doorway to the dawn of wisdom operated by the key, the command of the Guru.

And finally, the summit of all accomplishments is the Sahasrara Chakra, the thousand-petalled lotus radiating the magnificence of the cosmic energy symbolising the merger of the individual soul with the Universal Soul.

In the spiritual journey of man, these seven centres are also recognised as the centres of Self-Confidence (Muladhara Chakra), Self-Satisfaction (Swadishtana Chakra), Self-Reliance (Manipuraka Chakra), Self-Sacrifice (Anahata Chakra), Self-Enquiry (Visuddha Chakra), Self-Surrender (Jneya Chakra) and then finally Self-Realisation (Sahasrara Chakra).

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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My mind goes back to the first Christmas that I spent in our Lord’s Divine presence. It was in 1977 in Whitefield. It was one of the most special days of my life as we spent almost the entire day with our beloved Lord. But to relate the story properly I have to go back a few months. At the time I was living in the United States and I had come to Prasanthi for a visit. Swami called me and a small group of Americans for interviews,  twice  in Whitefield. After the second day, Swami called Dr Hislop to come and talk with us about the changes in the Sai international Organisation.

Dr Hislop explained how things were changing globally and more and more people were learning about (Sri) Sathya Sai Baba. He said that Swami had asked all countries outside India to make their centres and practise more in accordance to the country in question. In other words bhajans should be sung in local languages as well as Sanskrit and Hindi. A group of us around New York got together and tried to make English bhajans, mostly translating the original bhajans into English. One day I was driving my car and a song came into my head in its entirety. It was “You are Lord of the Universe”.  When I got home I sang it to my husband and he said it was OK but the last verse was wrong- “Mother of the Universe, Father of the Universe, the Light of mankind (Sri Sathya) Sai Baba.” He explained that (Sri Sathya) Sai Baba was a man, therefore it should be “Father of the Universe, Mother of the Universe…” So I changed it!

Later that year I was in India.  Swami was to perform the marriage of one of my dearest friends on Christmas Day 1977. The marriage took place in Swami’s house in Brindavan. At the end of the beautiful ceremony Swami said: “It is an Indian tradition – wedding song.” There was silence because no one knew any wedding song. Then Swami said: “Happy song? English song?” Swami looked at Faith and she glanced over to me. Swami then looked at me, waiting for me to sing at the same time someone nudged me and said: “Loraine, you sing.” I thought that this was my chance to sing this new song “Lord of the Universe”, so I started to sing. It was a total disaster because no one had ever heard this song before and the rhythm was off and it sounded awful. Swami told everyone to be quiet and then He looked at me and said “sing”, so I sung and Swami sang with me! We got to the last verse and I sang “Father of the Universe, Mother of the Universe” and Swami sang “Mother of the Universe, Father of the Universe.” He looked at me as if to say – “you got it wrong!!” He also said: “Mother Always Comes First!”

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Let me start with a story that happened when I was a 11th grade student in Swami’s higher secondary school. It was summer vacation time and Swami was in Brindavan. Many may already know that the lotus shaped building that Swami stayed in is called ‘Trayee’. Most afternoons, after bhajans, Swami would spend time with the boys in what were aptly named, Trayee sessions. In one such session, Swami posed a question that still gives me goose bumps when I think of it: ‘Who Am I?” He asked, lovingly challenging us on an unknowable question!

The boys started providing various answers. “You are Love walking on two legs”, said one. Another added, “You are the love of a 100 mothers.” Not to be outdone – and focusing the power of zeroes, another brother piped in, ‘You are the love of a 1000 mothers!” Swami kept shaking His head saying ‘no’.

“You do not understand the love of one mother, how can you ever comprehend the love of a 1000! Dunapota” said Swami – The Eternal Mother.

I had stayed quite through all this. Presumably the youngest in the room, I was quite intimidated by the occasion and the difficult question. But wait a minute! Something suddenly struck me and I blurted out, “Swami, you are our conscience!” In response, I got the most dazzling smile – one that could melt Mt. Everest. I will translate what He said next.

“See, it has taken a young, innocent boy to finally figure it out.” I looked around me to see who He was referring to as I hardly considered myself innocent. But He carried on to pump my inner balloon of ego a bit more with more praises and I would not dare repeat. In any case, I was by then in cloud nine and extremely full of myself. But the Divine Teacher wanted to teach us something and I was merely the sacrificial lamb at the altar of profound truth. The balloon was completely burst when He used words that I try and remind myself of everyday. “If you really believe that I Am your conscience, why then do you behave so naughty?”

My dear sisters, brothers, elders and children – these are immortal words of high wisdom from Bhagawan. We may or may not remember this message, but it is a fundamental truth. To only speak of myself, I fail so much in this tenet on a daily basis.

Let me illustrate this with another story. When I was a student at Parthi, I had the habit of writing poems almost on a daily basis. On one beautiful autumn afternoon in Sai Kulwant Hall, I was in full flow and words were flowing out of me in beautiful alliterations, if I can say so myself. As I was putting finishing touches on this perceived masterpiece, Swami walked out of the interview room. He walked towards what we called the old students’ block, lovingly speaking with several people. I was seated right by one of the entrances to the bhajan hall. Suddenly I felt the urge to give the poem to Swami. After all, it was for Him.

He came up to me and saw the sheet of folded paper in my hand and asked (in Telugu) “What is this?” . “Swami, it is a poem,” I replied handing it over to Him. “Aa? Love letter?” He asked questioningly while taking, and unfolding the paper. “No Swami, it is a poem,” I repeated lamely while He read on. After a few seconds, He looked up and said, “See, I told you; it is a love letter; you used the word love at least six times.” Amused, I kept my mouth shut. How can He ever be wrong? Swami then folded up the paper and putting it into my shirt pocket. He gently tapped on my chest and said, “Pretty words, but it has to come from inside; else, they are just empty words!”

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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