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Swami had a minor injury – How
should Sai devotees respond?
Dear Sisters,
Brothers and Children of the Sai Family.
Sai Ram
This year is
Swami's 77th year in this present body, and Swami has
said that He would have this body till the 96th year.
Swami is the Lord of the Universe in human form. We are very
fortunate to be devotees of Bhagavan Sai. He is our Guru, God and
our Charioteer, constantly guiding us in our life sojourn and we
adore Him for our lives are intertwined with His.
Although Sai has
come in human form, His power is not limited. Quoting from Swami's
discourse:
"My power is
immeasurable, My Truth is inexplicable, unfathomable. I am beyond
the reach of the most intensive inquiry and the most meticulous
measurement. There is nothing I do not see; nowhere I do not know
the way; no problem I cannot solve. My sufficiency is
unconditional. I am the totality – all of it."
Last week,
suddenly we were shocked to learn that Swami had a "minor
accidental fall". The "news bulletin" sent by Bro Goldstein,
Chairman, Prasanthi Council, is as follows:
"Our
Beloved Bhagavan Baba had a small accident in which He fell and
sustained an injury to His hip. Subsequently, He underwent a
minor surgical procedure and is responding extremely well. The
attending physicians are surprised and delighted at the speed of
Swami's recovery. Let all the world be reassured and
rejoice. Our Dearest Swami is well and soon we will have His
Darshan once again."
Swami had taken
upon Himself, illnesses of devotees before. He usually takes the
devotees' bodily sufferings Himself, and subsequently cures
Himself by the wave of His hand.
Similarly, in
this case too, Swami could have taken Himself the illness of a
deserving devotee, but we do not know how Swami, the Great Divine
Director of Plays, wrote the script and directed this recent play.
We will hear from Swami Himself, the details of this play script
when Swami gives His next discourse.
Instead of
pondering over this "news item", let us recollect instances where
Swami took the illnesses of devotees and demonstrated His great
compassion for them. In this context, all of us here also have
experiences to narrate how Swami cured our health problems
miraculously. But let us look at one or two well-documented ones.
One
well-documented episode by Prof Kasturi in "Sathyam, Sivam,
Sundaram" part II, Chapter 5 is entitled "This Sivasakthi". In
four pages, Kasturi graphically described the eight days during
which Swami's body visibly suffered, and the tears and gloom on
devotees' faces on those eight long days. Swami with His
expressions, had refused medical treatment from some of the
eminent doctors in India who were called in by the devotees.
Quoting
Kasturi's writings:
Swami had an
attack of cerebral thrombosis and He was in bed for eight days,
from 29th June to 6th July 1963. His left
hand, left leg and eyes were affected, and His right hand was also
slightly paralysed. 6th July was Guru Poornima day and
the devotees were in gloom. Swami was brought down from His room
by a few devotees, and He was placed on the Silver Chair in the
Prayer Hall. Swami asked Kasturi to announce the following
message:
"This is not
Swami's illness; this is an illness Swami has taken in order to
save one. Swami has no illness, nor will He get ill at any time.
You must be all happy; that alone will make Swami happy. Your joy
is Swami's food."
Then Bhagavan sprinkled a little water with His right hand on the
striken left hand and left leg. After a little massage with his
right hand of the affected parts, Bhagavan doffed off the disease
in a trice. He started to speak and the devotees, who up to now
were in gloom, were choked up with emotions of relief and
happiness.
Swami spoke:
"For those who
have no refuge, God is the refuge. That is exactly the reason
why I had to take on the disease that one helpless Bhaktha was
to suffer from. He would not have survived it, nor could he have
come through the four heart attacks I took on. My dharma is
Bhaktharakshana (meaning saving of devotees). Of course, this is
not the first time I have taken on the illness of those I want
to save. Even in my previous body at Shirdi, I had this
responsibility. This is my Leela. My nature. It is part of the
task for which I have come."
"I have been
keeping back from you all these years one secret about Me. The
time has come when I can reveal it to you. This is a sacred day.
I am Siva-Sakthi, born in the gothra of Bharadwaja, according to
a boon won by that sage from Siva and Sakthi…."
"This is
perhaps the longest period I kept the devotees wandering and
worried. This was because the devotee had to be saved from the
heart attacks which had to come for eight days, and there were
other reasons too."
Thus, Swami
demonstrated His infinite compassion and Thyaga in saving His
devotee.
Next, let
us look at the discourse given by Swami on 14th Jan
1999, which was printed in the Feb 1999 issue of the Sanathana
Sarathi.
This episode gives an account of how Swami averted injuries to the
students who did stunts during the sports meet on 11th
January 1999 at Puttaparthi, and took the injuries on Himself.
In this ‘drama Swami enacted', Swami had a fall when the
chariot suddenly stopped, and had deep cuts on His body. Swami
said that He willed that no one should see His injury at the
Stadium. But Swami did not ‘will' that He should have no pain.
He took on the suffering associated with this serious
injury. Someone had to suffer the consequences of the
devotees' karma and Swami chose to absorb this.
Swami said, "Likewise, I take
upon Myself the untold suffering of students and devotees at
various points in time, in order to protect them..." "So whatever
happened on that day was entirely due to My will. I am narrating
this episode only to affirm the fact that I go to any extent to
protect My devotees who obey My commands."
Please read the full episode critically from the Sanathana Sarathi
or from Sathya Sai Speaks. You will note that Swami is the
scriptwriter for the accidental overturning of the chariot, and
the scriptwriter for the deep cuts on His body without His dress
being torn. Swami is demonstrating His Compassion, His Thyaga for
His devotees who obey His commands.
Next we look at
the amazing incident that took place around 1968. The details are
given in the book, "Sri Krishna, Sri Sathya Sai" by Dr J Suman
Babu, page 149:
One devotee
Sanyasi Raju, clerk in the State Bank of India, Anakapalli, came
to see Swami with his wife and daughter. His daughter used to
suffer from epileptic fits. So they brought her to Swami, with the
faith that Swami would cure her.
Sanyasi Raju had
Swami's Darshan and talked to Swami about his daughter's ailment.
Swami listened and said "wait, wait". Sanyasi Raju had applied
only for a fortnight's leave from his bank workplace, but Swami
apparently did not pay heed to his plea, but asked him to "wait".
Leaving everything to Bhagavan, he stayed on with his family.
Swami went on repeating the words "wait, wait" even after one
month. Sanyasi Raju resigned himself to the thought of losing his
job, as he did not wish to defy Swami. After waiting for two
months, Swami called them for an interview, and created vibhuthi
for the girl and cured her illness completely.
After receiving
Swami's blessings, Sanyasi Raju went home and then to the bank
workplace the next day morning. He was astonished to see no
adverse reactions from his colleagues as to his unexpected
re-appearance. He went to his usual table, which was still not
occupied by anyone else. Suddenly the peon gave a message that the
manager wanted to see him. When he went to see the manager,
thinking of the worst, the manager just handed him an envelope
without speaking any words. He went to his table, preparing for
the worst and opened the letter. He was pleasantly shocked to see
that he had got a promotion. He told the truth to his friends, but
the friends told him that he had been seen working without
absence, and was rewarded for recovering huge amounts of bad debt
from some merchants for the bank. Then he realized how fortunate
he was, as Swami had come in his form and had worked to give him a
promotion.
From this
episode, we can see that Swami can go to any extent to save His
devotees. Moreover, Swami's Leelas are such that, what we see on
the surface may not be the absolute Truth.
All devotees
would love to meet Swami in His room and massage His Lotus Feet.
But only a very few are blessed to do this devotional worship.
Swami does not need any assistants in any work. However, if they
are chosen by Swami, then they are blessed indeed by merits earned
in their previous lives.
In the current
situation when Swami appears to suffer from an ailment, what can
we devotees do?
We can only
pray to Swami, to "will" to be His normal self.
And just as important, we should take this opportunity to reflect
on the countless times He has come to our aid, and be grateful for
His love and grace. He is our refuge in distress, and when the
distress is caused by His own play, this is the only prayer that
we can offer in times like this. Let us not give our ears to any
mental fabrication from others on this, but have total Faith in
Swami as our Charioteer in our lives. Let us remember what Swami
has urged us to do:
"I require from
each of you no other gift, no more valuable offering than the
Heart that I have endowed you with. Give Me that Heart, as pure as
when I gave it to you, full of nectar of Love, I filled it with."
Dear Sisters and
Brothers, let us offer to Swami, our Divine Father & Mother, our
unalloyed Love with full Devotion at all times. This is the only
gift that can be called ours, which we should offer to Swami, for
His infinite Love, Compassion and Support for us in our lives.
Jai Sai Ram
from
Sri Sathya Sai
Society, Singapore
(Any comments on
this article may be directed to:
tharma@starhub.net.sg)
This article was lovingly shared by
Dr K Tharmaratnam
Further a lovely reminder from Reet
Accidents and
infinite power of Divinity
Light and Love to
all
There is Swami's story-telling (in a little short kind) about
accidents and infinite power of Divinity; year 1999.
Students are tender hearted, full of noble feelings and love
for Swami. They planned various programmes to please Me. I was
very well aware of the impending danger. But the students were not
receptive to My words. I felt there was no point in advising them
in such a situation. Only when they face the consequences of
disobeying My command do they realise the value of My words.
They said that the sports meet was a grand success. I am also
happy when you are successful. That morning as I entered the
stadium, I spotted two lorries. Immediately I could visualise the
danger lurking in the future. I saw the lorries with huge
scaffoldings placed over them. The boys planned to perform a few
acrobatic feats on them. I knew that one of the ropes was not
fitted properly and was about to give in. If that were to happen
the boy would suffer a major head injury and his spinal column
would break. I willed that the boy should be saved and decided to
take the future accident upon Myself.
Prior to this, one boy suffered a spinal injury and had been
admitted to the Manipal Hospital in Bangalore. I willed that such
an untoward incident should not recur. Once the spinal column
breaks it is impossible to set it right. Immediately I arranged
for an ambulance to shift the boy to the hospital in Bangalore and
gave ten thousand rupees to defray the immediate expenditure. I
also ensured that our doctor accompanied him. The doctor said that
the boy would not be able to sit or lie down as his spinal column
was badly damaged. I said to him, "Do not entertain any
misgivings. Do as I say!" By the time the boy reached the hospital
he could miraculously sit up! He entered the hospital and sat down
on the bed. He regained sensation in all his limbs which were numb
till then. No danger whatsoever. He was protected. I consider
students welfare as My welfare, and their happiness, My happiness.
My only concern was that the students should not be disappointed
or put to any inconvenience.
A day prior to that I had instructed four boys to surround
the chariot and keep a vigil. But I noticed that none of them were
present at that spot. Nobody is to be blamed. No one does this
deliberately.
I asked for the chariot to be stopped. A senior devotee was
driving the chariot, with all sincerity, love and devotion. He
stopped the vehicle in accordance with My command. Just when I was
about to speak to the Vice-Chancellor, the driver accidentally put
his foot on the clutch instead of applying the brake. That
resulted in a jerk and I fell down in the chariot. I suffered
injuries on My head and arm and My spinal column was badly
damaged. What the boys had to face, I took it upon Myself. Many
men and women were seated in the gallery, but I took care that
none should notice My injuries. I pretended as though nothing had
happened. The Vice-Chancellor was worried thinking that Swami was
unable to get up. I knew that any further delay would cause
anxiety in the minds of devotees. So I immediately got up,
forgetting the excruciating pain and started blessing the
devotees, waving My hands. The pain was intense, and the cut on My
arm so deep that it appeared to have been caused by a knife. But
the sleeve on the robe covering My hand was intact. This incident
gives you a glimpse of the infinite power of Divinity.
I found Myself in an awkward situation. I had to walk to the
dais without My injuries being noticed. So I willed that no one
should notice My injuries, lest they become anxious. I walked up
to the dais and took My seat. But in the meanwhile the dhoti below
My robe was drenched in blood. Concerned that the devotees may get
to know of this, I discreetly walked into the bathroom. The
available towels were insufficient to wipe the oozing blood. I did
not want to leave the blood stained towels in the bathroom, lest
some one notice them. Though there was excruciating pain, I washed
the towels Myself with soap, squeezed them and put them up for
drying. Under no circumstances do I reveal My suffering, pain and
fatigue. Some boys were curious to know why I went to the bathroom
repeatedly. I replied, "Why are you concerned? It is my job."
Usually I go to the bathroom only twice a day, morning and
evening. Since the injury was bleeding profusely, I had to go to
the bathroom five or six times in that short duration. Just then
two students came and prayed that the institute flag could be
hoisted. When I got down from the chair it felt as if I had an
electric shock. Reflecting on the incident I feel like laughing to
Myself. I could not stand firmly on the ground. I thought I should
not be deluded by the attachment to the body and walked forward
smilingly to hoist the flag. Then I lighted the lamp. I again
found Myself in an embarrassing situation. I could not sit in any
posture comfortably. When I exhort all devotees to give up body
attachment, I should set an example Myself. Speaking to Myself in
this manner, I conducted myself accordingly.
The Primary School children performed extremely well and
desired to have a photograph with Me. Acceding to their prayers I
walked up to them and posed for a photograph, as I did not want to
disappoint them. In this manner I detached Myself from the body.
My body was numb. There was no sensation whatsoever. My head was
reeling. I resolved to make the students happy no matter what
happened to the body. I decided to keep this to Myself. Concerned
that the bloodstains may be visible while returning to the dais
from the playground, I ascended the steps leading directly to My
seat. Is it possible for human beings to conceal such a major
injury from the public gaze for such a long time amidst such a
huge gathering? No. I was seated on the chair for five long hours.
I am relating all this so that students and devotees may
comprehend the nature of Divinity. Anyone in My predicament would
not have been able to sit in the chair even for a second. It would
have been impossible even to put a step forward. It was as though
electric shocks were piercing My body. The electric current gives
shock: but when I am the current Myself, where is the question of
Myself being subjected to shock? With this feeling I sat through
the whole proceedings.
The Central Trust members followed Me, but they were not
aware of what had happened to Me. The senior devotee apologized
for his slip. Then I told him, "Why do you worry about the past?
Past is past. I am happy. Do not worry about Me." All of them had
their lunch. After lunch My back started bleeding again. The
students were waiting outside for photographs, again I went into
the bathroom to wipe the blood. Noticing this, Indulal Shah cried
out, "Swami what is this?" I told him lovingly, "Indulal Shah,
whatever had to happen to the body has happened." Saying so, I
showed him My injury. All of them cried out in agony. They noticed
blood all over. I told them that I would not reveal anything in
future if they expressed their sorrow like this. No one knew about
the injury until I reached the Mandir. Likewise, I take upon
Myself the untold suffering of students and devotees many a time
to protect them. No one is responsible for this mishap. You may
find fault with one individual or the other, but no one is
responsible for this. Whatever had to happen, happened.
The complete story:
Sourced from
http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1037.htm
Prize distribution for Sports and Cultural Meet, Prashanthi
Nilayam, January 14, 1999.
Namaste - Reet
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