A Cold Fig On A
Hot Afternoon by Swami!
Since then I have seen so many of these materialisations, some
of them quite exotic. Once, a few years ago, we were all seated
in the afternoon on the lower porch in the Sai Kulwant Hall.
It was a hot afternoon. A few of us were around Swami, and
seated in the Hall were thousands. Suddenly in the middle of
causal conversations, Swami materialised a fig fruit in full
view of the huge gathering. He then passed the fig around to us
and when I received it I found it was cold, as if it had just
been taken out of a deep freeze! Imagine getting a
cold fig on a hot summer afternoon. Later Swami made it into
pieces and distributed the fruit, and I got a piece too! Hmmmm,
it was delicious!!
I
shall conclude with the story of another such materialisation,
which was remarkable in its own way. This happened during the
period when I was the Vice-Chancellor. Those days, after
Darshan was over, Swami would invariably call me and a few
others connected with the Institute into the Interview room to
spend some time with Him. That day, the Warden of our Hostel
here was also present. As a small but intensely loving gesture,
the Warden had brought with him in a silver vessel, some shelled
groundnuts or peanuts as they say in America.
Amazing Billet
From A Peanut!
The Warden offered it to Swami who first refused but later
pooped one nut into His mouth. He then started giving us one nut
at a time. He did one round, then another and then started on
the third. Everyone put out his hand to receive the Prasadam
from Swami and when my
turn
came I did the same. But what fell
into my hand was not a piece of groundnut but an enamel billet
with some art work on it. I gave Swami a puzzled look and He
said, "See what it is."
I
took it near the window of the Interview room and tried to see
what was on the billet but could not see clearly since I did not
have my glasses on. Swami then made some teasing remarks and
said, "This billet shows the Cosmic
Form of the Lord. Embedded in it are the forms of Shirdi Baba
and Swami. I have left some space for Prema Sai also. Shall I
include Prema Sai also?" We remained silent, stunned
by the experience. He then smiled and said, "No I shall not
include Prema Sai because you faithless fellows would desert Me
and go after Him!" We all laughed.
Swami then took the billet, held it near His mouth and started
blowing on it. I thought He was going to make it disappear;
instead, it became a full-fledged ring, shining brilliantly!
Swami held it high showing the ring to all of us, even as we
were dumbstruck. He said, "A goldsmith
would take fifteen days to make a ring, but I have done it in
less than fifteen seconds!" He then asked me to
stretch my right hand. I simply could not believe myself.
In
this world where there were so many wonderful devotees, Swami
was giving this extra-ordinary ring to me of all persons. But
then that is God. As Ramakrishna Paramahamsa once said, "Nobody
can say who will receive God's Grace. There may be very eligible
people, but the Lord, for reasons best known to Him, may choose
someone far less deserving." Very true indeed, as I can say from
personal experience.
Well, what do you think? Do you agree with the many things I
have said? Whether you agree or disagree, I would be happy to
know your reactions. I can be easily reached via our
Heart2Heart e-journal.
Jai Sai Ram!
Prof. G.Venkataraman