Soaking In Sai Bliss

Sai Darshan - An Experience Like No Other

 

This week in Parthi has been like a sweet dream. I sit in the coveted veranda outside the interview room, where Swami floated on the hem of His robe. Yes! I never felt that He walked; He just floated. How each one would vie for a glimpse of Him from behind each pillar as he moved gracefully from one love-struck devotee to the other. We would see Him smiling, nodding, writing in the air, listening to those who dared to speak and doing a Heart-to-heart with those whose words would not escape their lips but whose emotions were so potent that they manifested as tears overflowing from the eyes, or gulped into the throat. One look from Him could wash away mountains of misery, worry, anger, misgivings and much more.

 

If He would just look once … the Universe would stand still; time would stop ticking because that moment was everything!

 

 

Sitting outside the window of the interview room brought back memories of the most blissful moments of my life. Swami had once asked my husband Sanjay, “What do you want?” Sanjay had said, “Swami please put your feet on my head.” Swami had nodded and Sanjay had bent down to place his head on the floor in front of Swami, while Swami sat on His chair in the interview room. Then the Lord in His infinite mercy rested the toes of both His feet on Sanjay’s head. Instinctively, I too placed my head next to my husband’s in prostration to Swami. Swami lifted His left foot and rested it on my bent head. That is the most beautiful memory I have of the Lord!

 

A Gesture of Love Accepted

 

As a teenager, I remember Swami gave an interview to my parents and siblings. Painting has always been my hobby. In those days I had painted some brass planters and done découpage on them. I had brought the best one for Swami. It was a black pot with pink and red roses on it. In those times there were no restrictions on carrying things while coming for Darshan. My mother carried a box of homemade sweets. When we were in the interview room with Swami, He was talking to my parents about various things. I was too tongue-tied to say anything about the gift I was carrying, wrapped in a polythene bag.

 

Then He said, "Achha dikhao, tumhara work kaisa hai. (OK, show Me. Let Me see your work!)" Just like a father, He took it from me and examined it all around carefully.

 

He said, "Thoda aur improve karo. Thoda aur neat karo.” (You should improve a little more. You should do it a little more neetly.)

 

I could not utter a word. I was too overwhelmed by His divine persona! I just nodded with folded hands, trying hard to swallow the lump in my throat and squeeze my eyes that were unable to contain that flood of emotions despite valiant efforts at my end. And Swami said laughing, “Washer-less taps!”

 

Yes! Swami, Your washer-less taps are still washer-less because the emotions You evoke in me are too hard to handle even today. Incidentally, the planter that Swami graciously accepted lay on the shelf in the corner of His interview room, filled with packets of Vibhuti for a long time till it got replaced by a basket. He honoured this shy and naïve teenager by accepting a gift that was far from perfect.

 

 

The Enchanting Prasanthi Bhajans

 

How I yearn to see You again Swami! I regret deeply, not having come more often, while you still walked this blessed land of Parthi. Perhaps the Prem Sai Avatar has descended or will do so soon, but I wonder if He would evoke the same love and emotions in my heart as You did. I love You, Swami!

 

Sitting here, listening to Your boys sing bhajans for You, I marvel at how sweetly these youth can outpour their devotion to you. This is perhaps the only organisation where the glory of all religions is sung with equal fervour. The Media and social media expose everyone to what is happening in the world. These boys too would be aware of all that there is out there… but they remain here to sing for their beloved Lord in this heavenly hamlet. They are oblivious to the glitter and glamour of the world.

 

They are so perfect with their Bhava, Raga and Tala (feeling, melody and rhythm) that they can make one experience bliss! It is said that the word Bharata can be split into Bha+Ra+Ta; which stands for Bhava, Raga and Tala. It is here that the essence of the real Bharata can be savoured. It is here in Parthi that one can still the mind and drown himself in this ocean of Bhava, Raga and Tala.

 

 

I come here to soak in Sai-bliss; just like people from the cold countries go to sunbathe, I come here to soak in this aura; this pure and divine aura that I don’t find elsewhere. I come here to charge my battery just like I charge my phone every morning. Thank You Swami for having me here for Guru Purnima! And thank You for allowing me to offer seva in my own minuscule way at Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini. This seva sanctifies my time and my thoughts. Please keep me connected always, for You are my only refuge. You are the only one who understands me inside out.

 

Thank You for being what You are! Whatever I am is only because of your love and grace!