sai_pranam

The wait in the verandah seemed to be very very long for me. Swami belongs to every body and He gives His time to everybody. In our concern with self, we become impatient of Swami's concern and time for others. I sat through, praying mentally and reverently. Swami entered the verandah, walked through the devotees and students, and reached us. With His benign smile, He spoke a few kind words to the others who has assembled there, on His call for interview.

This time, Swami had selected a group of Australian devotees and a Lady devotee from Thailand whom Swami introduced to us as the Maharani (Queen) of Thailand. When Swami directed us to go inside the Interview room, we could see the Lady walking very reverently, her face almost touching her knees. Swami pointed out this to us and remarked what a devotion this Lady had got towards Swami. Swami's remark touched us deeply. Blessed indeed are such souls and it is also Swami's way of making us learn to intensify our own devotion.

After ushering in all of us into the interview room, Swami closed the door, bolted them from inside, and looked at us to see whether everybody was seated comfortably. Swami the switched on the fan and occupied His seat. Even though the room was over crowded Swami insisted on ladies and gents sitting apart. One gentleman from Australia, when asked to mover further away from the nearest lady, mentioned that she was his wife. Swami sharply said that such wife and daughter relationships would be true in their individual homes. But in the Ashram the rules are very strict and should be followed as such.

Swami then materialized Vibhuthi and distributed the same only to the ladies. I was sitting at His Lotus Feet and my wife was sitting at the far end of the end room near exit door. Swami called her to come and sit near to Him. Bhagavan then announced abruptly to all assembled devotees that this couple (meaning us) would be wedded again in His presence on the eventful occasion of my sixtieth year birthday. This announcement took me by surprise. At the same time, the Divine Mercy overwhelmed me. I could feel the warmth of His love overflowing on us. I could utter nothing.

During the course of general talks on various spiritual matters, my wife prayed to Swami for a clarification. She told Him that Bhagavan had blessed her through many Divine dreams during which Swami had told her that he would always be with her. Though she believed in Swami's assurances in the dream, she had never had such experience of His presence. Swami smiled at her and said that he would explain this matter to her shortly.

Swami then turned to an Australian devotee and enquired where from he had come. He replied that they were from Australia. Swami asked him the reason for his visit to Prashanthi Nilayam. Pat came the reply, "Swami, we have to come here to see God!". Swami, "Oh! Is that so? Then you do not have God in Australia?" The devotee could not say anything and felt cornered. Some how another devotee took up courage and expressed that "Swami, there is God in our country also, but we have intense desire to see God in Human form, who is none other than Baba Himself."

Baba was much pleased with this reply. Swami advised that we should love God without any conditions or reservations in mind, because God is one who is our ever lasting friend, relation, and everything to you during all our births. This intense love towards God should be continuous and constant feeling and we would then develop a feeling to be with Swami as much as possible. In far away places, when devotees think of Swami, they should pray to Him or sing of His glory, whenever they feel lonely. They could also reach out for sathsang, company of other Sai devotees, which would to some extent satisfy their longing to see Swami.

Swami continued, "There are some devotees who reply that Swami is always in their heart and they need not go to Him very often. This shows their lack of enthusiasm. What does this reply indicate? Here is kerchief, and I am holding this inside my Hands. This means my hands are bigger than the kerchief and it can hold on the same inside the hand. Likewise, when somebody claims that Swami is in his heart, then it means that he is much bigger the Swami. This is not correct. Sure, Swami is in your heart. But he is also in front of you, behind you, around you and all over the place. He is omnipresent."

"There could be some compelling reasons for the inability of the devotee to come to Me. One reason could be lack of enthusiasm. Then it could also be due to the pressure of your work from which you could not escape and come to Swami. Then there could also be another reason, that is, lack of resources. But, if only, you have the enthusiasm and intense desire to be with Swami, then the other two obstacles could be overcome by His Grace!"

Swami suddenly reverted to the topic of our 60th birthday. He told us, "When you enter the 60th year of your existence, you are entering into a new phase of your life. By the previous wedding during your youthful days, you were allowed to enter Grihasthasrama, the family life. But when you put your knots today on this 60th birthday, you are coming out of all the pleasures of your family life and you should from no onwards proceed into the spiritual life. The wife and husband could only be supporting each other in their spiritual journey form now on wards. Thus, if you live for another decade, at the age of 70, you will be like Saptha Rishies who leads only holy life. You should soon be at the 80th birthday. What does it mean? By living like Saptha Rishies for over 10 years, you become as powerful as ASHTA DIK PALAKAS. They are the protectors of the eight sides of the world. You become one among them. Soon you will be arriving at the 90th year ,and you will be like the NAVAGRAHAS. (The nine planets in the universe). By then there will not be any effect on you, buy the transitory movements of the nine planets; what is more, your very presence will protect others also from such effects. When you enter the 100th year, you would have lived a full divine life, you are free from all your previous karmas, and you will be liberated."

Swami instantly waved His Divine Hands, and materialized a beautiful black pearl necklace, which was to be the Mangala Soothra for our wedding. He showed it to me and enquired whether this Mangala Soothra was as per our traditions. I replied in negative, since the one, which we tie, is Mangala Soothra fitted in a yellow coloured thick twine, or a gold chain. Swami said that he had made it since my wife had wanted it this way. I did not know her secret desire and hence told Swami that anything Swami gives would be a blessing and that Swami knows what is good for us. Swami showed the wonderful black pearl necklace to everybody. Finally Baba told my wife to look at the small gold pendant hanging in the chain and also a wonderful Ruby stone placed at the center of the pendent. Swami told us that this is how AMBAL (Divine mother) wears Thirumangalyam. It was so cute and beautiful, and wonderful to receive such a Grace from Swami.

Swami then directed me to get up and then deposit the necklace on the neck of my wife. He showed me the special hook provided therein, and asked to hook it up properly. While I was abiding by His directions, Swami kept His Divine Hands on my wife wife's head and chanted the Mantra, "Sathamanam Bhavathi, Sathaaya Purusha….."! .I was choked with emotion and literally in tears and somehow went through the process. When I tried to fall at His Lotus Feet, He commanded me to sit down, saying, "It is not yet over!"

Swami again waved His Divine Hands, materialized a very beautiful Ring with a large emerald stone, and handed over the same to wife. Swami Himself was holding my fingers and asked my wife to insert the ring. It was a perfect fit! Swami said that it would be a perfect fit into my finger. Swami further said that He was blessing me with an Emerald ring, to give me peace, which I needed very much at that time. My wife and myself got up and offered Pranams together at His Lotus Feet. Swami sprinkled the Akshatha, on our heads and assured us that His blessings will be with us all the time. I did not feel like getting up from His Feet. Swami patted on my head and also on my back and asked us to get up.

I have no words to put in the feelings, which we experienced by this extraordinary Grace and the kindness showered by Bhagavan. The Divine Love of Bhagavan surcharged the entire interview room and the occupant devotees. But, Swami looked unaffected, in usual poise, as if nothing had happened. The captivating Divine smile lingered in our minds and could never be erased. The blissful events are enshrined deeply in our hearts.

Swami later on attended to other devotees, materializing Divine gifts to some of them and giving them spiritual advices. Swami then got up, and directed the group of Australian devotees to go into the inner room for private interview. We waited in the front room basking ourselves in the blissful recollections from Divine Baba. The emotional feelings continued and we were unable to come out of it. We felt very small in the Divine presence and nervous as well… Swami opened the door of the inner room after a while and he allowed the Australian devotees to come out one by one.

Sai Ram