Queridos todos, Sai Ram.
Van dos traducciones que hicimos con Ricardo Gutierrez de experiencias de un exalumno de Baba de Alike, de nombre Preetham, publicadas en un blog. El cuenta sus contactos maravillosos con Swami en cuerpo sutil, durante sus visitas a Muddenahalli.
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Cuando lo que solía ser un monólogo se convirtió endiálogo.
Publicado el 1 de mayo de 2015.
Era un muy auspiciosa mañana de Ugadi, el 21 de marzo de 2015; íbamos en auto hacia Sathya Sai Vihar, Alike, donde pasé seis memorables años de mi escolaridad. Durante dos semanas yo había esperado ansiosamente este día. Swami iba a visitar el campus para colocar la piedra fundamental del bloque PU. Yo estaba emocionado ante la perspectiva de “verlo”. Había oído que la Fundación Sri Sathya Sai Saraswati, recientemente establecida bajo la guía divina, financiaba el proyecto. Alike no veía desde hacía mucho tiempo un proyecto tan grande, y yo estaba naturalmente emocionado ante la perspectiva de que se le diera un lavado de cara a mi escuela. Siempre hay una sensación de alegría al ver que alcanza nuevas alturas la escuela que le ha hecho a uno ser lo que es.
Nuestro auto pasó por el arco en Padibagilu, y mi madre me hizo recordar la canción que cantaba mi hermano menor (cuando niño), al llegar a Alike, cuando venían a verme los domingos, hace casi 20 años, mientras yo estudiaba allí:“ANNA SHALE BANTHU … ANNA SHALE BANTHU …”
Había una atmósfera festiva cuando llegamos al lugar del encueno.Sin embargo, como la gente, excepto los activos en los medios sociales, prácticamente no conocía el fenómeno de la forma “sutil”, no me pareció que estuvieran allí para tener el Darshan de Swami como tal. De todos modos, lamultitud era enorme, la estimé en no menos de 5.000 personas.
Para entonces la caravana de Swami había partido de “SAI NIVAS”, Su residencia en Alike, y avanzaba lentamente hacia el lugar. Mi corazón latía aceleradamente. Dado que se trataba de mi tercer encuentro con Swami en forma sutil, ya me había acostumbrado a las costumbres y la etiqueta. Al acercarse el Mercedes blanco de Swami, el sentimiento era inefable; la misma alegría que yo solía tener corriendo tras el Toyota Porte.
Después de la ceremonia de colocación de la piedra fundamental, Swami se dirigió al sitio del encuentro público. Todo el tiempo yo observaba atentamente el lenguaje corporal del hermano Madhusudan Naidu y Sri B. N. Narasimha Murthy, ya que sólo había transcurrido una semana desde el“desenmascaramiento” en TV9. Quería ver si ellos estaban temerosos, nerviosos o petrificados al enfrentar al público. No hubo ningún signo de esto, en absoluto. De hecho, el hermano Madhusudan estaba tranquilo; Narasimha Murthy Sir rebosaba confianza.
Sobre el estrado, el hermano Madhusudan se sentó en el suelo detrás de la silla de Swami, como lo haría cualquier muchacho de .llos que asistían a Swami en Su forma. Cuando llegó el momento del Discurso Divino, el hermano Madhusudanse puso de pie frente al micrófono para comunicar el mensaje de Swami. Y el Discurso fue pura gracia líquida, el típico ingenio de Swami, humor, ejemplos, anécdotas y una oratoria brillante. Swami incluso declaró que próximamente encargaría un auditorio para el campus, cuando se hubiera completado la construcción del bloque preuniversitario.
Después del programa, Swami se trasladó a la residencia, y yo fui corriendojunto al auto, el ejercicio que más amaba durante los días físicos de Swami. Esto me dio una euforia como no hay otra.
Después de una magnífica comida, el sofocante clima había cansado a mis padres, pero vacilaban en preguntarme si podíamos partir; sin embargo, dieron un sutil indicio. Yo le había impedido a mi madre que invitara al programa a su vecina, no devota de Sai, porque no quería ningún tipo de distracciones del propósito principal de nuestra presencia allí, que era Swami.
Para entonces el campus parecía desierto, casi todos se habían retirado. Traté deaveriguar por intermedio de varias personas cuál era el siguiente programa, pero nadie lo sabía. Llamamos a un amigo de la familia, quien pensábamos que lo sabría, y no contestó la llamada, lo cual significaba que había llegado el momento de partir. Viajamos unos 5 ó 6 kilómetros alejándonos de Alike, y entonces llegó una llamada del mismo amigo de la familia. Al preguntarle, me enteré de que tendría lugar una reunión de ex alumnos a las 4 de la tarde, y Swami hablaría a los asistentes. Di una cerrada vuelta “en U”, y llegamos a la Sala Principal de Oración con más de 20 minutos de anticipación.
Cuando entré había muy pocas personas sentadas. Podía haberme sentado en primera fila, pero preferí hacerlo en la tercera, al borde de la alfombra roja por donde Swami vendría caminando. Estaba un poco nervioso ante la perspectivade estar frente a Swami. A mi lado se sentó mi hermano. Para el momento en que llegó Swami, el salón estaba lleno, con unos 300 asistentes. El hermano Madhusudan trataba de caminar por el borde, para no pisar la alfombra roja puesta para Swami. Cuando Él llegó cerca de mí, miró a mi hermano y : “¿Hermano?” Respondí “¡Sí!” ¡ESA FUE LA PRIMERA VEZ QUE ÉL ME HABLÓ ¡Se me había deparado una agradable conmoción
Comenzó el programa. Agradecí a Swami por tenerme de nuevo (en marcha) y por hablarme. Un orador reiteraba lo que transcurría en mi cabeza: NADIE PUEDE ESTAR AQUÍ SIN SU VOLUNTAD. ¿Quién puede dar fe de esta afirmación mejor que yo, que conduje 6 kilómetros alejándome de Alike, sólo para retornar y que Él me hablara? El encuentro concluyó con un Discurso Divino y el Arathi.
Swami comenzó a regresar por la alfombra roja. Para lucir presentable, se qué rápidamente mi transpirado rostro con el pañuelo, que ya estaba mojado, gracias al húmedo clima. Él llegó hasta mí y llamó: “Preetham”. Ante la mirada del vicepresidente de DELL (sentado en diagonal frente a mí), también ex alumno de la institución de Alike, ¡SWAMI ME HABLÓ DE NUEVO . Me puse de rodillas. Él me preguntó: “¿Qué haces?”, “¿Dónde está tu padre?”, “¿Cómo está su salud?” Y luego dijo: “Ven a Muddenahalli el domingo. ¡Trae también a tu padre!”. Le pregunté: “¿Cualquier domingo?”. Él dijo: “¡Este domingo!”. ¡Yo estaba en el séptimo cielo
Todos nosotros compramos ropa nueva; yo me conseguí una kurta blanca para “la entrevista” de nuestras vidas. Llegamos a Muddenahalli el sagrado día de Rama Navami, sábado 28 de marzo. Swami había dispuesto en SAI DHAM un hermoso hogar, con cocina, salón y dormitorio, para nuestra estadía dentro del campus Muddenahalli.
Rápidamente nos refrescamos para los actos vespertinos de Rama Navami, programados en el auditorio. Yo y mi hermano Uttam Sai nos ubicamos estratégicamente, de modo tal que Swami supiera que estábamos allí, al pasar en auto hacia el auditorio. Muddenahalli es el Prashanti Nilayam de la década del 60, con una concurrencia limitada, por el momento. Swami nos miró e indicó por señas: “¡Mañana!”. Después de una conmovedora delicia musical en el auditorio, Swami salió para subir al auto. Me miró, y nuevamente dijo:“¡Vengan mañana!”.
Llegó el día D, domingo 29 de marzo de 2015. Ansiosos, emocionados ynerviosos, estuvimos en la puerta de Anandam a las tres de la tarde, esperandoa que se nos “llamara” adentro. A las cuatro, los “hermanos de Alike” (el nombre que Swami usó para mí y mi hermano) fuimos llamados al interior, para que esperáramos en el salón de cantos de Anandam. El salón se fue llenando, mientras esperábamos con gran expectación. Sin embargo, una pregunta persistía en mi mente, mientras esperaba. ¿Por qué Swami me había llamado a mí, ENTRE TODOS? El adicto a los medios sociales que soy, también pensaba cómo sería mi publicación en Facebook, después de mi “entrevista”. ¿A quién agradecer esta bendición? Luego me pareció correcto dedicársela a mi abuelo y mis padres. Fueron sus buenas acciones las que me llevaron a Swami, y me mantuvieron fascinado todos estos años, a pesar de los altibajos de la vida. Mientras el reloj corría, yo esperaba pacientemente el gran momento, hasta quea eso de las 5:35 p. m. un muchacho bajó las escaleras de Anandam, preguntando por los “hermanos de Alike”. Ambos nos precipitamos a las escaleras, mientras mis padres nos seguían, junto con nuestra empleada doméstica, que ha estado con nosotros durante casi cinco décadas. La emoción que yo sentía era incomparable, casi surrealista. El primer piso de Anandam tiene la opulencia de un palacio, y la vibración es tan intensa que temí terminar viendo a mi Swami allí mismo, en carne y hueso. Llegamos al cuarto de entrevistas, donde el hermano Madhusudan esperaba para recibirnos; la simplicidad del Muchacho Sai es digna de mención.
Mi primera entrevista fue cuando yo estaba en sexto grado, en el año 1993,como estudiante en Alike. Swami había llamado a los muchachos de mi clase para una entrevista grupal. Swami había materializado el diamante Kohinoor, y sentimos una gran emoción al ver el espectáculo. Sin embargo, en esa ocasión no me habló. De hecho, nunca me habló, a pesar de que tuvimos numerosos momentos de mirarnos a los ojos, Padanamaskars, etc. En el año 2002 tuve la gran oportunidad de servirle en Trayee Brindavan como“muchacho Trayee”. Nuestra tarea era mantener limpios los terrenos de Trayee,y extender la alfombra azul para Swami cuando Él salía para el Darshan de la mañana y la tarde. Una semana de hermoso Darshan a escasa distancia, durante el cual Él nos miraba, sonreía y bendecía. Él me había obsequiado tela para un traje safari, junto con 200 rupias y una bendición poniendo Su mano sobre mi cabeza: el tesoro de toda una vida. Esa semana me cambió la vida para siempre. Aunque yo había nacido en una familia devota, la verdadera adicción a Swami comenzó después de esa semana en Trayee.
Allí estábamos, para nuestra primera entrevista familiar. El hermano Madhusudan nos pidió a los cinco que nos sentáramos en el suelo, y él también se sentó en el suelo con nosotros. El piso estaba cubierto por una gruesa alfombra de lana. Una majestuosa silla adornaba el cuarto, donde Swami estaba sentado en Su forma sutil. El entorno era el de un palacio real, con las paredes de cierto tinte turquesa y los muebles de estilo victoriano. El hermano Madhusudan, el comunicador, nos hizo saber que Swami estaba sentado en la silla, vistiendo túnica ocre, y espléndido. El hermano Madhusudhan mantenía la mirada en la silla, mientras comunicaba las palabras de Swami. Lo primero que Le pregunté fue por qué me había llamado a mí ENTRE TODOS, cuando abajo había tantos sentados, que esperaban por Él, y que habían hecho mucho servicio. Y Swami respondió: “Lo que te ha traído aquí fueron las buenas acciones y el servicio que tu abuelo hizo para Mí, viajando por todo el estado”. Exactamente lo que yo había pensado mientras estaba sentado abajo, esperando para la entrevista. ¡Eso me asombró Él reveló algunos asuntos privados de nosotros, que yo nunca había compartido con nadie, y el comunicador no podía conocer de manera alguna. Esto significó que en mí ya no puede tener ningún impacto la lógica de“Swami no se comunica a través de mediums”.
Swami es mucho más de lo que uno puede comprender en base a lo que Él dice. Uno no puede tomar selectivamente Sus palabras para sostener una idea preconcebida acerca de Él. Siempre tuvo un mensaje a la medida de cada persona. No se Le puede hacer coincidir con nuestro prejuicio. La FE en Swami estaba basada puramente en experiencias personales, pero para evaluar la forma sutil, tomamos el camino de la lógica. ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Conciousness) proclama que Sathya Sai Baba no es “Bhagavan”, porque no se hace mención de Él en el Bhagavatam. Uno sabe que ellos no están bien informados, porque uno ha experimentado Su divinidad. Pero luego usamos esa misma lógica para juzgar la veracidad de la “Forma Sutil”. Tenemos demasiado miedo de ir a ver por nosotros mismos. Hay muchas calumnias en contra de Muddenahalli. La mayoría de los críticos están estupefactos: “¿Cómo pudo Swami aposentarse en Muddenahalli sin el permiso de ellos?” Este episodio ha hecho que los habitualmente sobrios “devotos Sai” se pongan agresivos. No reaccionaron cuando la BBC hizo falsos cargos contra Bhagavan, ni cuando se lanzaron absurdas acusaciones contra la Fundación Central Sri Sathya Sai y su querido Satyajit. Aquellos que no quisieron pelear la BATALLA DE DIOS están alzados en armas. Habiendo dicho esto, tanto los partidarios como los detractores de Muddenahalli hacen lo que hacen por amor a Swami. Roguemos que Él nos dé claridad.
Fueron unos 20 ó 25 minutos de “diálogo” con Bhagavan. Nos llamó Rama y Lakshmana, y después preguntó jovialmente cuál de los dos es Rama y cuál Lakshmana. Luego dijo que nos conocía desde hacía largo tiempo, y que no éramos nuevos para Él. Le comuniqué mi deseo de conducir Su auto y llevarlo a dar un paseo, para lo cual me aseguró que alguna vez me daría la oportunidad. Me pidió que fuera a Alike en la siguiente ocasión en que Él estuviera allí. A mi vez, invité a Swami a visitar nuestro hogar en Mangalore, a lo cual accedió. Al final de la entrevista Él dijo también que yo podía ir a Muddenahalli toda vez que estuviera libre. Swami materializó una cadena de oro con un pendiente grabado con su hermoso rostro, para mí y para mi hermano; luego les dijo a mis padres que no se preocuparan por nada, y les aseguró que nos seguiría llamando de la misma manera, para guiarnos. Le pregunté si podíamos tomarnos una fotografía, y Swami replicó: “No puedes verme, ¿a qué dispararías?” :) Tal vez sabía que yo iba a difundir rápidamente la foto en Facebook. De esta manera, lo que solía ser un monólogo se convirtió en diálogo.
Me gustaría entregarme a Él, y rogarle que nos mantenga en Su redil para siempre. No hay nada que me interese más que Él.
Jai Sai Ram. Con amor y luz,
Preetham Sai P V
La historia de nuestra reunión, después de haberla puesto por escrito, entregadaa Bhagavan el 26 de abril de 2015, antes de publicarla en internet.
Traducción: Ricardo Gutiérrez
Lluvias de Verano al pie de las colinas Nandi – Una exposición Publicado el 19 de junio de 2015.
Estar en la Presencia Divina es algo que todos ansiamos. Fue otra oportunidad más otorgada por Bhagavan en la forma de un ‘Curso de Verano de Cultura y Espiritualidad Indias (CVCEI)’, para estar con Él y ser Él. El curso tuvo lugar en Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, enclavado en el entorno sereno con vista a las pintorescas colinas Nandigiri, Skandagiri, Brahmagiri, Hemagiri y Chandragiri. El sagrado lugar descrito por Bhagavan Mismo como ‘Tapo Bhumi’ (Tierra de ascetismo), enriquecido por 20 Visitas Divinas en la forma física, se vuelve aun más especial ahora que ha sido elegido por Él para continuar Su Misión en laforma sutil. El CVCEI es una iniciativa iniciada a principios de los años 70 porBhagavan con el objetivo de exponer a los jóvenes indios a la rica cultura y laherencia espiritual de Bharat.
Nosotros (mi hermano y yo) llegamos al campus al atardecer y fuimos recibidospor los voluntarios con una sonrisa. Después de las formalidades de inscripción,cuando estábamos por trasladarnos al alojamiento que se nos había asignado,un voluntario se acercó a preguntarnos si habíamos comido algo y, cuando ledijimos que acabábamos de llegar, sacó unas barritas de copos de maíz de su cajón y nos pidió que las tomáramos si teníamos hambre. Impresionados por elamable gesto, nos trasladamos al edificio donde se nos proporcionóalojamiento. Otro voluntario trató de ayudarnos a cargar el equipaje hastanuestra habitación. Tuve una experiencia directa del principio de ‘Atiti DevoBhava’ (El huésped es Dios), enseñado por Bhagavan Mismo, puesto en prácticaaquí por estos amorosos voluntarios, la mayoría de ellos profesionales deinformática de primer nivel que trabajan en Bangalore.
El campus estaba hermosamente decorado como una novia esperando a suDivino Purusha. Debido a un compromiso sumido previamente, no pude asistira la sesión inaugural el 29 de mayo de 2015. El Curso de Verano fueinaugurado por Sri S. M. Krishna, ex primer ministro de Karnataka y ex ministrode Asuntos Exteriores de la Unión, en la Presencia Divina. Siendo un fervientedevoto de Bhagavan, fue un placer tenerlo
para la inauguración. También tuvimos a Swami Nikhileswarananda, presidentede la ‘Ramakrishna Math and Mission’ (Misión Ramakrishna) de Vadodara.
Cuando amaneció el segundo día con una imponente vista de las colinas querodean el lugar, salí de debajo del acogedor edredón para tomar una duchacaliente. Todo había sido meticulosamente planeado y arreglado por el equipoorganizador. Un sabroso desayuno que se adaptaba a todos los paladaresestaba listo después del Nagar Sankirtan (cantos en procesión al amanecer).Teníamos alrededor de 1300 delegados de todo el país y algunos incluso depaíses del sudeste asiático. Era la hora de la sesión matutina. Los oradoresinvitados eran Swami Hamsananda, de la Misión Chinmaya y Dinesh Ghodke,del Arte de Vivir.
Swami llegó alrededor de las 11.15 de la mañana. Hizo algunas importantesdeclaraciones durante el Discurso con respecto a los enormes proyectos deservicio que Él estaba asumiendo.
♡ Proyecto de Agua Potable para el árido distrito de Chikballapur ♡ Ceremonia de bendición del terreno para un nuevo hospital de Super especialidades enNoida, cerca de Delhi en noviembre de este año
♡ Hospital Memorial Sri Sathya Sai Sarla en Muddenahalli
♡ Una universidad de música en Muddenahalli
♡ Un hospital general en Kolkata en los próximos 2 años
♡ Un hospital de super especialidades en Kolkata en los próximos 5 años
♡ Un autobús médico con un mini quirófano en Kolkata para el próximonoviembre
♡ Una pequeña furgoneta médica para que los jóvenes de Muddenahalli realicen campamentos médicos
Sobrecogedor, debo decir. ¡Misteriosos son sus caminos
En la tarde, me encontré con los hermanos Vijay Sai (V. S.), Sai Keshav y V. Kumar.El hermano V. S. nos pidió a mí y a un amigo en común que le preguntáramos ala persona a cargo de los bhajans si podíamos cantar en la Presencia Divina.Rápidamente hablamos con el encargado y se nos pidió que nos sentáramos enel frente al día siguiente. Swami tenía un plan. Él es un Maestro Estratega. Swamitenía una razón para hacerme sentar en el frente al día siguiente.
La sesión interactiva estuvo a cargo de los hermanos V. S., Sri Ram (S. R.) yNatesh Shetty. Fue un típico programa de capacitación empresarial intercaladocon Swami y Sus enseñanzas. Fue programado con buen criterio en el espaciode la tarde, cuando uno está demasiado lleno para charlas espirituales despuésde una abundante comida. Implicaba correr de aquí para allá, saludando adesconocidos, apreciando sus buenas cualidades, etc. Se nos mostró unafotografía de un hombre y se nos pidió que comentáramos qué transmitía surostro. Él se veía como un hombre arrogante. Luego se nos pidió quecerráramos los ojos y oráramos por él, que le enviáramos amor. Posteriormente, cuando
miramos el mismo rostro, tuvimos una opinión completamente diferente de loque transmitía su expresión facial. Éste fue un ejercicio para hacernoscomprender que todo está en nuestra mente, es decir, que el mundo essimplemente un reflejo de lo que somos. Fue un buen aprendizaje.
Había llegado la hora de algo de entretenimiento en la forma de música,después de un largo día. Los exalumnos de Swami estaban listos para ofrecerun programa musical que cautivara al Señor y transportara al público a unmundo completamente distinto. Se seleccionaron las mejores canciones dedistintos idiomas. Una sentida interpretación del hermano Sai Keshav, “HariAum Namah Shivaya” tuvo el poder de conmover los corazones. "ToreduJeevisabahude Hari Ninna Charanagala", por el hermano Vijay Sai, transmitió suincapacidad de vivir alejado de los Divinos Pies de Loto. La interpretaciónbengalí “Ekla Chalo Re” fue melodiosa. La interpretación en marati abhang"Bhaktha Jana Vatsale" me enloqueció. También hubo canciones en telugu, tamil y malayalam. Para llegar al punto culminante de una tarde impregnada deamor por el Señor, Prasanna, de Bhopal, cantó la canción "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar", que fue regocijante. Es en momentos como éstos que desearía quetuviéramos la libertad de danzar sin ninguna inhibición. ¡Fue demasiadadescarga de adrenalina para una tarde Se dice que éste es el muchacho quedesempeñará un papel fundamental cuando Swami establezca la Universidadde música en Muddenahalli. Una hermosa tarde llena de canciones y danza (¡enmi corazón ) había llegado a su fin. Swami bendijo a todos los músicos conregalos, como muestra de aprecio.
Luego Swami comenzó a regresar a Su residencia y yo corrí junto al auto. Comono había podido asistir a la sesión inaugural, no había recibido el reloj distribuido a los delegados (hombres). Se habían distribuido saris a lasdelegadas. ¡A quién más pedirle el reloj sino a Bhagavan! Mientras corría junto al auto, le pedí: “¡Swami, no recibí el reloj!”.
Inmediatamente, Bhagavan le indicó al hermano VS, que se encontraba justoallí, que me consiguiera un reloj. Lo obtuve de manos del equipo organizador.
El 31 de mayo de 2015, el día final del Curso de Verano, fui llamado por lapersona a cargo de los bhajans para que me sentara en el lugar reservado a loscantantes. Me sentía emocionado ya que estaba sentado justo frente al sillónde Swami, a pocos metros de distancia. Se nos hizo saber que Swami acababade salir de Prem Deep y llegaría pronto al auditorio. Cuando comenzaba eltercer bhajan, Swami entró al auditorio. Mi corazón latía cada vez más rápido. Él hizo señas de que detuvieran el bhajan y comenzaran con los programas.
Luego tuvimos una charla llena de humor a cargo del hermano VS con respectoa sus hábitos alimenticios, ¡que resultó doblemente graciosa pues al estarsentado frente a Bhagavan pude oír Sus comentarios en vivo Él nos contó queun día Swami le robó un laddu (dulce) de su plato cuando él había cerrado susojos para recitar el ‘Brahmarpanam’ (oración de bendición de los alimentos). Unlado muy travieso de Bhagavan nos fue
revelado a todos. Más tarde tuvimos una charla informal a cargo de KunalGanjawal, quien compartió su historia personal usando frases coloquiales que son únicas en Mumbai y la industria de Bollywood. Era el momento de la pausa de 20 minutos antes de que comenzara la sesión siguiente. Fue entoncescuando comprendí por qué me habían hecho sentar adelante, en el lugar reservado a los cantantes.
Swami se levantó del sillón para dirigirse por detrás del escenario hacia Suhabitación. Él no tenía nada en Sus manos unos pocos segundos antes y alinstante siguiente vi dos bolsas de terciopelo de regalo. Se acercó a mí y mepreguntó: “¿Dónde está tu hermano?”. Le dije: “¡Está sentado afuera, Swami!”.Él me dijo: “¡Tengo relojes para ustedes!”. No podía creer lo que mis oídos oíany lo que mis ojos veían. Le mostré el reloj que estaba usando, que ya me habíasido dado por el equipo organizador el día anterior, siguiendo instrucciones deSwami. Él me dijo: “Está bien, tómalo”, y continuó caminando luego deentregarme dos hermosos relojes dentro de dos bolsas de terciopeloseparadas. El reloj anterior, distribuido por el equipo organizador, no entrabaen la mano de mi hermano y él estaba un poco decepcionado. La parte másdulce fue cuando Swami se dirigió hacia Su residencia durante la pausa para elalmuerzo. Le dijo a mi hermano, que estaba sentado afuera: “Le he dadorelojes a tu hermano. Recógelo”. El amor de Swami es incondicional. ¿Qué es loque Él no sabe? ¿Qué necesidad tiene Él de complacernos, convencernos yhacernos sentir especiales?
"Con gusto les doy lo que quieren, para que puedan algún día querer lo que hevenido a darles".
Espero que estos pequeños y dulces momentos nos hagan querer lo que Élrealmente ha venido a dar.
Durante todos estos años, yo solía correr junto a Su auto (una vez incluso sobreel camino caliente y recientemente asfaltado, en el verano de Puttaparti)ansiando Su atención, una sonrisa o aunque fuera una mirada, pero los tiemposde Dios son perfectos; nunca temprano, nunca tarde. Se requiere un poco depaciencia y mucha fe, pero la espera vale la pena.
En la tarde tuvimos una sesión interactiva, a cargo de los hermanos VS y SR. Senos hizo sentar por regiones y se nos pidió que discutiéramos qué servicioasumiríamos al regresar a nuestras ciudades y su tiempo de implementación.Comprendí la gravedad de la situación cuando cierto ruido hecho por losdelegados presentes en el auditorio hizo que el hermano SR dijera con voz detrueno: “Aquellos que no están interesados serán escoltados fuera delauditorio. ¡Perdón por ser terminante, pero estamos aquí porque realmentequeremos hacer algo por Swami!”.
Al anochecer, tuvimos el Discurso Divino seguido de una sesión de preguntas yrespuestas durante la ceremonia de despedida. Reuní el valor suficiente parapreguntarle a Swami: “¿Es Prema más elevado o es Dharma?”. Swami replicóbromeando: “¡Parece
que este muchacho necesita un Curso de Verano más!”. ¡Y el público estalló enrisas Él explicó: “He estado diciendo todo este tiempo que Prema es Dharma yque Dharma es Prema. No hay diferencia”. Luego agregó: “Hablamos acerca delDharma hindú, el Dharma cristiano y el Dharma islámico. Sólo es AMOR, AMOR,AMOR. No hagan diferencias”.
Luego tuvimos un hermoso programa musical a cargo de Kunal Gajawala. ¡Fuedivertido ver el rostro de Swami cuando se cantaron algunas canciones de amorde Bollywood
Con esto había concluido el CVCEI pero no mi sed por Él. Corrí junto al auto mientras Swami regresaba a Prem Deep. Él me miró y dijo: “Escribe”. No leentendí bien. Le pregunté: “¿Swami?”. Él dijo: “La experiencia”. Como unorgulloso padre, después de la exitosa finalización del Curso de Verano, Élquería que yo compartiera la dicha que había experimentado con otros que nohabían podido asistir por diversas razones.
Cuando regresaba a mi habitación empapado en el Amor de Swami, llovíacopiosamente y continuó haciéndolo por más de una hora, la primera lluviadespués de haber llegado a Muddenahalli: las Lluvias de Verano al pie de lascolinas Nandi.
Al día siguiente, mientras terminábamos nuestro desayuno en el patio decomidas y preparábamos el equipaje para dejar la habitación, preguntándonoscómo llegaríamos a Chikballapur al no haber transporte público desde allí, unvoluntario amigable se ofreció a llevarnos a Chikballapur en su Honda City. Así,regresamos después de otra estadía bienaventurada con un corazón lleno degratitud.
Durante mi primera entrevista el 20 de marzo de 2015, después de pedirnos quele hiciéramos Padanamaskar y de darnos paquetes de Vibhuti, Swami habíaprometido que continuaría llamándonos para guiarnos, ¡y Swami estabacumpliendo Su promesa
Pueden leer mi hub anterior sobre la experiencia de mi entrevista aquí: http://preethamsai9.hubpages.com/hub/When-what-used-to-be-a-Monologue-became-a- Dialogue
Esto es lo más importante que nos llevamos del CVCEI: La forma física enPuttaparti era una puesta en escena La forma sutil en Muddenahalli es otrapuesta en escena. No vengan a Muddenahalli nuevamente para apegarse a unanueva forma. TOMEN CONCIENCIA DE QUE DIOS ESTÁ DENTRO DE USTEDES.
Todo lo escrito más arriba ha sido escrito por Él. Yo soy sólo un ‘médium’.
¡Swami Quisiera regresar a Ti cada vez improvisando poco a poco, para que undía no tenga que regresar nuevamente.
Jai Sai Ram Con Amor y Luz,
Preetham Sai P V
Traducción: Mercedes Wesley
When, what used to be a Monologue became a Dialogue
It was the most auspicious Ugadi morning, the 21st March 2015; we were driving to Sathya Sai Vihar, Alike where I spent 6 memorable years of my schooling. I was eagerly waiting for this day for almost 2 weeks. Swami was visiting the campus to lay the foundation stone for PU block. I was thrilled and excited to "see" Him. I had heard that Sri Sathya Sai Saraswathi Trust, the newly established under the Divine Guidance was funding the project. Alike had not seen such a big project being taken up for a long time now and I was naturally excited about the prospect of my school getting a face lift. It is always a joyful feeling to see the school that has made you what you are now, scaling new heights.
Our car had entered the arch at Padibagilu and mom reminded me the song my younger brother would sing (as a kid) as they reached Alike when they came to see me on Sundays almost 20 yrs back when I was studying there "ANNA SHALE BANTHU.. ANNA SHALE BANTHU..”
It was festive atmosphere there as we reached the venue. But since people hardly knew anything about the 'subtle' form phenomenon except for those who are active on social media, I didn't feel they were there to have Swami's Darshan as such. But nevertheless, the crowd was huge. As per my estimate, it should be not less than 5000.
It was festive atmosphere there as we reached the venue. But since people hardly knew anything about the 'subtle' form phenomenon except for those who are active on social media, I didn't feel they were there to have Swami's Darshan as such. But nevertheless, the crowd was huge. As per my estimate, it should be not less than 5000.
Swami's cavalcade had by then started from 'SAI NIVAS', His residence in Alike and was inching towards the venue. My heart was racing. Since this was my third encounter with the Divinity in subtle form, I had gotten used to the customs and etiquette. As Swami's white Mercedes got closer, the feeling was inexpressible, the same joy I had running behind the silver Toyota Porte.
After the foundation stone laying ceremony, Swami moved to the public meeting venue. All the while I was closely watching the body language of Bro Madhusudan Naidu and Sri B N Narasimha Murthy, since it was just a week after the TV9 "expose". I wanted to see if they were scared, nervous, petrified to face the public. There was absolutely no sign of any of these. In fact, Bro Madhusudan was peaceful; Narasimha Murthy Sir was brimming with confidence.
On the dais, Bro Madhusudan sat on the floor behind Swami's chair like any "form boy" would do. When it was time for the Divine Discourse, Bro Madhusudan was at the mike to communicate Swami's message. And the Discourse was sheer liquid grace, typical Swami wit, humour, examples, anecdotes, a brilliant oratory. Swami even declared He would next commission an auditorium for the campus after the completion of PU block construction.
On the dais, Bro Madhusudan sat on the floor behind Swami's chair like any "form boy" would do. When it was time for the Divine Discourse, Bro Madhusudan was at the mike to communicate Swami's message. And the Discourse was sheer liquid grace, typical Swami wit, humour, examples, anecdotes, a brilliant oratory. Swami even declared He would next commission an auditorium for the campus after the completion of PU block construction.
After the programme Swami moved to the residence and I was running with the car, the exercise I loved doing the most even during Swami's physical days. It gave me a high like nothing else.
After a sumptuous meal, the sultry weather had made my parents very tired but they were hesitant to tell me if we could leave, but gave a subtle hint. I had barred my mom from getting her non-devotee neighbour friend to the programme because I didn't want any sort of distraction from the main purpose that we were here for, which is Swami.
By then the campus looked deserted and most of them had left. I tried asking a few people what the next programme was and none had a clue. We called a family friend (who we thought would know) and he wasn't answering the call, which meant it was time to leave. We drove about 5 to 6 kms away from Alike and then we got a call from the same family friend. When we enquired, I got to know there was going to be an Alumni Meet at 4 PM and Swami would address the gathering. I took a sharp U turn and reached the Main Prayer Hall at least 20 mins in advance.
After a sumptuous meal, the sultry weather had made my parents very tired but they were hesitant to tell me if we could leave, but gave a subtle hint. I had barred my mom from getting her non-devotee neighbour friend to the programme because I didn't want any sort of distraction from the main purpose that we were here for, which is Swami.
By then the campus looked deserted and most of them had left. I tried asking a few people what the next programme was and none had a clue. We called a family friend (who we thought would know) and he wasn't answering the call, which meant it was time to leave. We drove about 5 to 6 kms away from Alike and then we got a call from the same family friend. When we enquired, I got to know there was going to be an Alumni Meet at 4 PM and Swami would address the gathering. I took a sharp U turn and reached the Main Prayer Hall at least 20 mins in advance.
As I entered, there were hardly a few people seated. I could have sat in the front row but then I chose to sit in the 3rd row at the edge of the red carpet where Swami would come walking. I was a bit nervous to face Swami. My brother was seated next to me. By the time Swami arrived, the hall was full, about 300 in attendance. Bro Madhusudan was trying to walk at the edge so he wouldn't have to walk on the red carpet put for Swami. When He came close to me, He looked at my brother and asked me, "Brother?" And I said, "Yes!" That was THE FIRST TIME HE HAD EVER SPOKEN TO ME! I was in for a pleasant shock!
The programme began. I thanked Swami for getting me back (on track!) and speaking to me. A speaker reiterated what was going on in my mind. NONE CAN BE HERE WITHOUT HIS WILL. Who can vouch for this statement better than me who almost drove 6 kms from Alike only to return to be spoken to by Him?! The meet concluded with a Divine Discourse and Arathi.
Swami started walking back on the red carpet. I quickly wiped my sweaty face with the already wet hanky, thanks to the humid weather, to look presentable. He came to me and called out, "Preetham". As the Vice President of DELL (who is sitting diagonally opposite to me) also an alumnus of Alike institution looks on, SWAMI TALKS TO ME YET AGAIN! I'm standing on my knees. He asks me, "What are you doing?" "Where is your father?" "How is his health?". And then says, "Come to Muddenahalli on Sunday. Bring your father also!" I ask Him, "Any Sunday?" He says, "This Sunday! ". I was on cloud nine!
The programme began. I thanked Swami for getting me back (on track!) and speaking to me. A speaker reiterated what was going on in my mind. NONE CAN BE HERE WITHOUT HIS WILL. Who can vouch for this statement better than me who almost drove 6 kms from Alike only to return to be spoken to by Him?! The meet concluded with a Divine Discourse and Arathi.
Swami started walking back on the red carpet. I quickly wiped my sweaty face with the already wet hanky, thanks to the humid weather, to look presentable. He came to me and called out, "Preetham". As the Vice President of DELL (who is sitting diagonally opposite to me) also an alumnus of Alike institution looks on, SWAMI TALKS TO ME YET AGAIN! I'm standing on my knees. He asks me, "What are you doing?" "Where is your father?" "How is his health?". And then says, "Come to Muddenahalli on Sunday. Bring your father also!" I ask Him, "Any Sunday?" He says, "This Sunday! ". I was on cloud nine!
All of us bought new pairs of clothes; I got a white Kurta for "the interview" of our lives! We reached Muddenahalli on the sacred Rama Navami, Saturday, the 28th of March. Swami had arranged a beautiful 1BHK home at SAI DHAM for our stay inside the Muddenahalli campus. We quickly freshened up for the evening Rama Navami functions scheduled at the auditorium. I with my brother Uttam Sai positioned ourselves strategically in such a way that Swami knew as He drove to the auditorium that we were there. Muddenahalli is the Prasanthi Nilayam of 60's, limited crowd as of now. Swami looks at us and signals, "Tomorrow!" After a soul-stirring musical treat in the auditorium Swami comes out to get into the car. He looks at me and again says "Come Tomorrow!”
The D Day was here, Sunday, the 29th March 2015. Anxious, excited & nervous, we were at the Anandam gate by 3 PM waiting to be "called" in. By 4 PM the "Alike Brothers" (the name Swami used for me and my brother) were asked to go inside and wait in the Anandam Bhajan Hall. The hall was filling up as we waited with bated breath. But the question kept lingering in my mind as I waited. Why did Swami call me OUT OF ALL! The social media addict that I am I was also thinking what my fb post should be after the "interview"! Who do I thank for the blessing? And then I felt it right to dedicate it to my grandfather and my parents. It was their good deeds which brought me to Swami and kept me engrossed for all these years in spite of all the ups and downs in life. As the clock was ticking, I was waiting for the big moment with patience and then came a boy at around 5:35 PM down from the Anandam stairs looking for ''Alike Brothers". We both rushed up the stairs, as my parents followed along with our domestic help who has been with us for almost 5 decades. The excitement I felt was incomparable, almost surreal. The first floor of Anandam had the opulence of a palace, the vibration so intense that I feared I would end up seeing My Swami right there in flesh. We reached the interview room where Bro Madhusudan was waiting to receive us; the simplicity of the Sai Boy is worth noting.
My first interview was when I was in the 6th grade, in the year 1993, as a student in Alike, Swami had called our class boys for a group interview. Swami had materialized Kohinoor diamond and we were thrilled to see the spectacle. But He had never spoken to me then. In fact, He never spoke to me as such though we have had our numerous eye-to-eye moments, Padanamaskars etc. In the year 2002, I had one of the greatest opportunities to serve Him in Trayee Brindavan as a 'Trayee Boy'. Our task was to keep the Trayee lawns clean, roll out the blue carpet for Swami when He came out for Darshan morning and evening. One week of beautiful darshan from very close range, where He would look at us, smile & bless. He had given me a White Safari suit piece with Rs. 200 and a blessing by keeping his hand on my head, a treasure of a lifetime. That one week changed my life forever. Even though I was born in a devotee family, the real addiction for Swami started after this week in Trayee.
My first interview was when I was in the 6th grade, in the year 1993, as a student in Alike, Swami had called our class boys for a group interview. Swami had materialized Kohinoor diamond and we were thrilled to see the spectacle. But He had never spoken to me then. In fact, He never spoke to me as such though we have had our numerous eye-to-eye moments, Padanamaskars etc. In the year 2002, I had one of the greatest opportunities to serve Him in Trayee Brindavan as a 'Trayee Boy'. Our task was to keep the Trayee lawns clean, roll out the blue carpet for Swami when He came out for Darshan morning and evening. One week of beautiful darshan from very close range, where He would look at us, smile & bless. He had given me a White Safari suit piece with Rs. 200 and a blessing by keeping his hand on my head, a treasure of a lifetime. That one week changed my life forever. Even though I was born in a devotee family, the real addiction for Swami started after this week in Trayee.
There we were at our first family interview. Bro Madhusudan asked all the five of us to sit on the floor and he sat on the floor too with us. The floor had beautiful thick woolen carpet covering. A majestic chair adorned the room where Swami was seated in the subtle form. The setting was of a royal palace with walls swept in real turquoise, Victorian style furniture. Bro Madhusudan, the communicator made us aware Swami was seated on the chair in ochre robe, splendiferous. Bro Madhusudan kept looking at the chair as he communicated Swami's words. The first I ask Him was why He had called me OUT OF ALL when there were so many sitting and waiting for Him down who have done a lot of service. And Swami responds. It was the good deeds, the service that your grandfather had done to Me travelling all over the state, that had brought you here. Exactly what I was thinking when I was sitting down waiting for the interview. That stunned me! He revealed few private matters with us which I had never shared with anyone and by no way the communicator would have known. This meant no amount of "Swami does not communicate through mediums" logic could make an impact on me anymore.
Swami is much more than what you understand of what He speaks. You can't selectively pick His words to support your preconceived idea of Him. He always had a customized message to every individual. You can't force Him to fit in to your prejudice. The FAITH in Swami was purely based on personal experiences, but to assess the subtle form, we go the logic way. ISKCON claims Sathya Sai Baba isn't 'Bhagawan' because there is no mention of Him in the Bhagavatam. You know they are clueless because you have experienced His Divinity. But then we use the same logic to decide the veracity of the 'Subtle Form'. We are too scared to go and find out. There is a lot of mudslinging going on against Muddenahalli. Most critics are astounded, how could Swami go and settle down in Muddenahalli without their permission? This episode has made the usually sober 'Sai Devotees', aggressive. They did not react when BBC made false charges against Bhagawan or when wild allegations were hurled against Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and His beloved Satyajit. The ones who did not want to fight GOD'S BATTLE are up in arms. Having said that, both for and against Muddenahalli folks are doing whatever they are doing for the love of Swami. Let us pray He gives us clarity.
It was about 20 to 25 mins of 'Dialogue' with Bhagawan. He called us Rama and Lakshmana and then further asked in a jovial manner who is Rama and who is Lakshmana among us. And He then said, he knew us for a very long time and we were not new to Him. I shared with Him my desire to drive His car and take Him for a drive to which He assured He would give me an opportunity someday. He asked me to come to Alike next time He was there, in return, I invited Swami to visit our home in Mangalore to which He agreed. In the end of the interview, He also said I could come to Muddenahalli whenever I was free. Swami materialized a gold chain with a pendant engraved with his beautiful face for myself and my brother and then assured my parents not to worry about anything since we were completely under His Grace. He also assured He would keep calling us like this to guide us. I asked Him if we could get a photograph and Swami retorts, you can't see Me, what will you click? :) May be He knew, I would Tom Tom the photograph on Facebook. Thus, what used to be a monologue had become a dialogue.
I would like to submit myself to Him and pray He keeps us in His fold forever. There is nothing that interests me more than Him.
Jai Sai Ram
With Love and Light,
Preetham Sai P V
Swami is much more than what you understand of what He speaks. You can't selectively pick His words to support your preconceived idea of Him. He always had a customized message to every individual. You can't force Him to fit in to your prejudice. The FAITH in Swami was purely based on personal experiences, but to assess the subtle form, we go the logic way. ISKCON claims Sathya Sai Baba isn't 'Bhagawan' because there is no mention of Him in the Bhagavatam. You know they are clueless because you have experienced His Divinity. But then we use the same logic to decide the veracity of the 'Subtle Form'. We are too scared to go and find out. There is a lot of mudslinging going on against Muddenahalli. Most critics are astounded, how could Swami go and settle down in Muddenahalli without their permission? This episode has made the usually sober 'Sai Devotees', aggressive. They did not react when BBC made false charges against Bhagawan or when wild allegations were hurled against Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and His beloved Satyajit. The ones who did not want to fight GOD'S BATTLE are up in arms. Having said that, both for and against Muddenahalli folks are doing whatever they are doing for the love of Swami. Let us pray He gives us clarity.
It was about 20 to 25 mins of 'Dialogue' with Bhagawan. He called us Rama and Lakshmana and then further asked in a jovial manner who is Rama and who is Lakshmana among us. And He then said, he knew us for a very long time and we were not new to Him. I shared with Him my desire to drive His car and take Him for a drive to which He assured He would give me an opportunity someday. He asked me to come to Alike next time He was there, in return, I invited Swami to visit our home in Mangalore to which He agreed. In the end of the interview, He also said I could come to Muddenahalli whenever I was free. Swami materialized a gold chain with a pendant engraved with his beautiful face for myself and my brother and then assured my parents not to worry about anything since we were completely under His Grace. He also assured He would keep calling us like this to guide us. I asked Him if we could get a photograph and Swami retorts, you can't see Me, what will you click? :) May be He knew, I would Tom Tom the photograph on Facebook. Thus, what used to be a monologue had become a dialogue.
I would like to submit myself to Him and pray He keeps us in His fold forever. There is nothing that interests me more than Him.
Jai Sai Ram
With Love and Light,
Preetham Sai P V
Summer Showers in the Foothills of Nandi Hills - An Exposition
To be in the Divine midst is something that we all crave for. It was yet another opportunity bestowed by Bhagawan in the form of 'Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality (SCICS)', to be with Him and Be Him. The course was held at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, nestled in the serene setting overlooking the picturesque Nandigiri, Skandagiri, Brahmagiri, Hemagiri and Chandragiri hills. The holy place described by Bhagawan Himself as 'Tapo Bhoomi', only got enriched by 29 Divine Visits in the physical form and now this place being chosen by Him to continue His Mission in the subtle form makes it even more special. SCICS is an initiative started in the early 70's by Bhagawan with an objective to expose Indian youth to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Bharat.
We (my brother and I) reached the campus by evening when we were welcomed by volunteers with a smile. After the registration formalities, when we were about to move to the accommodation that was allotted to us, a volunteer comes to inquire if we had something to eat and on being told that we had just arrived, he pulls a Cornflakes Mixture packet from his drawer and asks us to grab it, if hungry. Impressed by the kind gesture, we moved to the building where we were provided with accommodation. Another volunteer tried to help us carry our baggage to our room. I got a first-hand experience of the principle of ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ as taught by Bhagawan Himself being put into practice here by these loving volunteers most of them being top-notch IT professionals working in Bangalore.
The campus was beautifully decorated, like a bride waiting for her Divine Purusha. Due to some prior personal engagement, I couldn't attend the inaugural session on 29th May 2015. Summer Course was inaugurated by Sri SM Krishna, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and former Union External Affairs Minister in the Divine Presence. He being an ardent devotee of Bhagawan, it was a pleasure having him for the inauguration. We also had Swami Nikhileswarananda, Head, The Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Vadodara.
As the second day dawned with a breath taking view of the hills around, I was out of the cosy quilt, for a hot shower. Everything was meticulously planned and arranged by the organising team. A tasty breakfast was ready that suited every palate after Nagar Sankirtan. We had around 1300 delegates from across the country and few even from South-east Asian countries. And it was time for the Morning session. The guest speakers were Swami Hamsananda from Chinmaya Mission and Dinesh Ghodke from Art of Living.
At around 11:15 AM, Swami arrived. He made some important declarations during the course of Discourse regarding huge service projects that He was taking up.
♡ Drinking Water Project for the parched district of Chikballapur
♡ Ground breaking ceremony for a new Super speciality hospital in Noida near Delhi in November this year
♡ Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital in Muddenahalli
♡ A Music College in Muddenahalli
♡ A general hospital in Kolkata in the next 2 years
♡ A super specialty hospital in Kolkata in the next 5 years
♡ A Medical bus with mini operation theatre in Kolkata by this November
♡ A small medical van for Muddenahalli youths to undertake Medical camp
Mind boggling, I must say. Mysterious are His ways!
♡ Drinking Water Project for the parched district of Chikballapur
♡ Ground breaking ceremony for a new Super speciality hospital in Noida near Delhi in November this year
♡ Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital in Muddenahalli
♡ A Music College in Muddenahalli
♡ A general hospital in Kolkata in the next 2 years
♡ A super specialty hospital in Kolkata in the next 5 years
♡ A Medical bus with mini operation theatre in Kolkata by this November
♡ A small medical van for Muddenahalli youths to undertake Medical camp
Mind boggling, I must say. Mysterious are His ways!
In the afternoon, I met Bro Vijay Sai (VS), Bro Sai Keshav and Bro V Kumar. Bro VS asked me and a friend of ours to ask the Bhajan in-charge if we could sing in the Divine Presence. We promptly spoke to the in-charge and were asked to come and sit in the front on the next day. Swami had a plan. He is a Master Strategist. Swami had a reason to make me sit in the front on the next day.
Interactive session was conducted by Bro VS, Bro Sri Ram (SR) and Natesh Shetty. It was a typical corporate training programme interspersed with Swami and His teachings. It was thoughtfully placed in the afternoon slot when you are too full for spiritual talks after a heavy meal. It involved running around, greeting strangers, appreciating their good qualities etc. We were shown a picture of a man and asked to comment what his face conveyed. He looked like an arrogant man. And then we were asked to close our eyes and pray for him, to send love. Now when we looked at the same face, we had a completely different opinion of what his facial expression conveyed. This was an exercise to drive home the point that everything is in our mind i.e. the world is just a reflection of what we are. It was a good learning.
Interactive session was conducted by Bro VS, Bro Sri Ram (SR) and Natesh Shetty. It was a typical corporate training programme interspersed with Swami and His teachings. It was thoughtfully placed in the afternoon slot when you are too full for spiritual talks after a heavy meal. It involved running around, greeting strangers, appreciating their good qualities etc. We were shown a picture of a man and asked to comment what his face conveyed. He looked like an arrogant man. And then we were asked to close our eyes and pray for him, to send love. Now when we looked at the same face, we had a completely different opinion of what his facial expression conveyed. This was an exercise to drive home the point that everything is in our mind i.e. the world is just a reflection of what we are. It was a good learning.
It was time for some entertainment in the form of music after a long day. We had Swami's Old students ready with a music programme to enthral the Lord and transport the audience to a different world all together. The best songs were selected from different languages. A soul-stirring rendition by Bro Sai Keshav "Hari Aum Namah Shivaya" had the power to move hearts. "Toredu Jeevisabahude Hari Ninna Charanagala" by Bro Vijay Sai conveyed his inability to live away from the Divine Lotus Feet. The Bengali rendition "Ekla Chalo Re" was melodious. The Marathi Abhang "Bhaktha Jana Vatsale" made me go crazy. There were Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam songs too. To draw the climax to an evening infused with the love for the Lord, Prasanna from Bhopal sang the song "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar" which was exhilarating. It is at times like these I wish we had the freedom to dance without any inhibition. It was too much of an adrenaline rush for one evening! This is the boy, it is said, will play a major role when Swami sets up a music College in Muddenahalli. A beautiful evening filled with song and dance (in my heart!!) had drawn to a close. Swami blessed all the musicians with gifts, a token of appreciation.
Swami then started back to His residence and I was running with the car. Since, I couldn't attend the inaugural session I had missed the watch that was distributed to delegates (men). Sarees were distributed to women delegates. Who else to ask for the watch from, but Bhagawan! I asked, as I ran with the car, "I didn't get the watch, Swami!" Immediately, Bhagawan instructed Bro VS who was right there to get me a watch. And I got it from the organising team.
On 31st May 2015, the final day of Summer Course, I was called in by the Bhajan in-charge to be seated in the singers’ enclosure. I was thrilled as I was sitting right in front of Swami's chair just a few feet away. It was made known to us that Swami had just left Prem Deep and would arrive at the auditorium. As the 3rd Bhajan started, Swami entered the auditorium. My heart was beating faster. He signalled to stop the Bhajan and start with the programmes.
We then had a very humorous talk by Bro VS regarding his eating habits and it was doubly funny since I sat right in front of Bhagawan I could hear His live commentary! He shared how Swami once stole a laddoo from his plate when he had closed his eyes for 'Brahmarpanam'. A very naughty side of Bhagawan was revealed to all of us. Later we had an informal talk by Kunal Ganjawal sharing his personal story using colloquial phrases which are unique to Mumbai and Bollywood industry. It was time for 20 minutes break before the next session commenced. That's when I realized why I was made to sit in the singers’ enclosure right in the front.
Swami gets up from the chair to walk backstage towards His room. He had nothing in His hands few seconds before and the next moment I see two velvet gift pouches. He comes close to me and asks, "Where is your brother?" I said, "He is sitting outside, Swami!". He says, "I have got watches for you!" I couldn't believe my ears and eyes. I show Him the watch that I was wearing which was already given by the organising team previous day on Swami's instruction. He says, "It’s okay, take it" and walks past me, handing over two beautiful watches packed in two separate velvet pouches. The earlier watch that was distributed by the organizing team wasn't fitting my brother’s hand and he was a bit disappointed. The sweetest part is when Swami leaves for His residence during the lunch break; He tells my brother who was seated outside, "I have given watches with your brother. Collect it". Swami's love is unconditional. What is it that He doesn't know? What is the need for Him to please, convince and make us feel special?
"I readily give you what you want, so that one day you may want what I have come to give you."
I hope these sweet little moments will make us want what He has actually come to give.
For all these years, I used to run with His car (once even on the freshly laid hot asphalted road in the Puttaparthi summer) craving for His attention, a smile or even a gaze but God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and a lot of faith, but it's worth the wait.
"I readily give you what you want, so that one day you may want what I have come to give you."
I hope these sweet little moments will make us want what He has actually come to give.
For all these years, I used to run with His car (once even on the freshly laid hot asphalted road in the Puttaparthi summer) craving for His attention, a smile or even a gaze but God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and a lot of faith, but it's worth the wait.
In the afternoon, we had an interactive session conducted by Bro VS and Bro SR. We were made to sit region wise and asked to discuss, what service we would take up going back to our cities and its time bound implementation. I understood the gravity of the situation when some noise made by delegates in the auditorium made Bro SR thunder. “Those who are not interested would be escorted out of the auditorium. Sorry for being blunt but we are here because we really want to do something for Swami!”.
In the evening, we had the Divine Discourse followed by a Q&A session during the Valedictory ceremony. I mustered up the courage to ask Swami, "Is Prema higher or Dharma?" Swami quips, "Looks like this boy needs one more Summer Course!" And the audience bursts into laughter! He explains, "I have been saying all this while, Prema is Dharma and Dharma is Prema. There is no difference". He adds, "We talk of Hindu Dharma, Christian Dharma, and Islam Dharma. It is only LOVE LOVE LOVE. Do not differentiate”.
We then had a beautiful music programme by Kunal Ganjawala. It was fun watching Swami's face when some Bollywood Love songs were being sung!!
In the evening, we had the Divine Discourse followed by a Q&A session during the Valedictory ceremony. I mustered up the courage to ask Swami, "Is Prema higher or Dharma?" Swami quips, "Looks like this boy needs one more Summer Course!" And the audience bursts into laughter! He explains, "I have been saying all this while, Prema is Dharma and Dharma is Prema. There is no difference". He adds, "We talk of Hindu Dharma, Christian Dharma, and Islam Dharma. It is only LOVE LOVE LOVE. Do not differentiate”.
We then had a beautiful music programme by Kunal Ganjawala. It was fun watching Swami's face when some Bollywood Love songs were being sung!!
With that the SCICS had concluded but not my thirst for Him. I was running with the car as Swami was returning to Prem Deep. He looks at me and says, "Write". I didn’t quite get it. I ask Him, "Swami?". He says, "Experience". Like a proud father, after the successful completion of Summer Course, He wanted me to share the joy that I had experienced, with others too who were not able to attend for various reasons.
As I was returning to my room getting soaked and drenched in Swami's Love, it poured heavily and continued for over an hour, the first rain after we landed in Muddenahalli -- Summer Showers in the foothills of Nandi Hills.
As I was returning to my room getting soaked and drenched in Swami's Love, it poured heavily and continued for over an hour, the first rain after we landed in Muddenahalli -- Summer Showers in the foothills of Nandi Hills.
Next day, as we finish our breakfast at the Food Court and get ready with the luggage to vacate, wondering how to reach Chikballapur with no public transport in place, a friendly volunteer offers to drop us to Chikballapur in his Honda City. Thus, we returned after yet another blissful sojourn with a heart full of gratitude.
During my first interview on 29th March 2015, after Swami had asked us to take Padanamaskar and gave us Vibhuthi packets, He had promised, He would keep calling us to guide us and Swami was keeping up His promise!
You may read my earlier hub about my interview experience here... http://preethamsai9.hubpages.com/hub/When-what-used-to-be-a-Monologue-became-a-Dialogue
The biggest take away from the SCICS - The physical form at Puttaparthi was a drama. The subtle form at Muddenahalli is another drama. Don't come to Muddenahalli again to get attached to a new form. REALIZE GOD IS WITHIN YOU.
During my first interview on 29th March 2015, after Swami had asked us to take Padanamaskar and gave us Vibhuthi packets, He had promised, He would keep calling us to guide us and Swami was keeping up His promise!
You may read my earlier hub about my interview experience here... http://preethamsai9.hubpages.com/hub/When-what-used-to-be-a-Monologue-became-a-Dialogue
The biggest take away from the SCICS - The physical form at Puttaparthi was a drama. The subtle form at Muddenahalli is another drama. Don't come to Muddenahalli again to get attached to a new form. REALIZE GOD IS WITHIN YOU.
Whatever written above is His writing, I am, but just a 'medium'.
Swami! I would like to come back to you every time improvising a little by little, so that one day; I may not have to go back again.
Jai Sai Ram
With Love and Light,
Preetham Sai P V
With Love and Light,
Preetham Sai P V
