Once, there was a long line of visitors in Shirdi. Despite the scorching heat and humidity, they were anxiously waiting to have a glimpse of Baba. The line had both rich and well-to-do individuals who wanted to shower expensive gifts on Baba. Many had brought with them expensive food items, but little did they know that Baba cares only for our love. He does not look at the price of our offerings.
In that line, all the way toward the end, was an elderly lady with worn-out rags. Her emaciated form gave the appearance that she had not eaten for a long time. She had no shoes on her and she was supporting herself with the help of a makeshift wooden cane. No one noticed the lady as the line extended far away from Dwarakamai.
Does anyone need to inform Baba, though? Everyone was bewildered as Baba suddenly got up from His seat and ran toward the end of the line. Everyone was wondering: What happened? Why did Baba rush like that, leaving all of us standing here?
He crossed the entire line and reached the last person who was waiting there. It was that old lady! Baba held her hands with much love and personally took her to His seat. He sat there and looked at this devotee with much grace.
The lady’s eyes were filled with tears. Baba had left all these great people and had sought out someone so poor and destitute. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Yet, she was overjoyed to have the opportunity to look at Baba’s beautiful form. Suddenly, Baba asked her, “Mother! I am starving. Didn’t you bring something for me to eat? Please, mother, give it to Me immediately.”
She was flabbergasted. How did Baba know she had brought something for Him to eat? At the same time, she was very nervous as she wasn’t expecting Baba to ask her this question. In her wrinkled hands, she was holding half a piece of bread and a stale onion. She burst into tears and said, “Lord, I had brought one piece of bread and an onion for you when I came, but I was unable to bear the heat and exhaustion and I did not want to pass out before seeing you, so I ate half of the bread and half onion, while I saved the other half for you. I did not tell you because so many devotees had come with the tastiest of dishes. I was embarrassed to offer you a stale piece of bread an onion — and that too one I had already eaten.”
Baba would not have it any other way. He said, “Mother, please feed Me as I am very hungry and I am anxious to eat that delicious bread you saved for Me. What harm is there if I eat from your hands, mother.”
Her joy knew no bounds as she fed the Lord with extreme devotion. As Baba was eating from her hands, the devotees were remembering the story of Lord Rama and Shabari.
Such is our Baba. He looks only at the depth of our feelings. Rich, poor; good, bad … none of that maters to Baba. He craves for our love, and nothing else.
Baba is the Master of the Universe and whenever He does something, it is always very simple, loving, and inspirational. In His own unique way, He establishes conciliation between two individuals even if they were at war with one another just a few moments back. Basically, Baba’s message is very simple: He wants us to love and serve everyone without any form of discrimination. Love and serve everyone! That is all He wants us to do. The rest He will handle.
We are humans, though, and differences inevitably crop up between individuals and even an avatar has to handle such issues. Talk about conflict resolution. Baba resolves conflicts in a witty, gentle, and yet masterful manner. Doing so, He brings out beautiful moral lessons for all to follow. We are presenting four real-life examples wherein Baba tactfully diffused conflicts among His children.
Treat women with respect, love them as receptacles of the Divine Mother’s energy
Once, mavsibai, an elderly lady in Shirdi, and Anna, a senior male were both massaging Baba as a form of seva. The lady was on the right side of the Lord, while Anna was on the left. As it so happened while shampooing Baba’s hands, they were both in close proximity and mavsibai, being humorous by nature, made a casual remark: “Oh, this Anna is a lewd (bad) fellow, he wants to kiss me. Even being so old with grey hair he feels no shame in kissing me.” This remark enraged Anna and he started screaming at the elderly lady. Baba did not lose the opportunity to pacify both of them and said, “Oh Anna, why are you unnecessarily raising this hue and cry? I do not understand what harm or impropriety is there, when the mother is kissed?”
Not only did Baba pacify both parties, He also brought out a beautiful lesson. It is only right to treat women with respect and adoration. If men learn to view women as their own mothers and treat them with respect, many of the modern world’s problems will be eliminated.
Do not have attachment to things; attach yourself only to God
Ramadasi was a follower of the saint Ramadas and Baba. During his visit to Shirdi, he would often sit in one place and read holy books. Despite his practices, his mind was constantly agitated and he was very attached to his earthly possessions. Baba wanted to set him right and benefit both him and others and so once Baba devised a strange play. As the Ramadasi sat to read his scriptures in Baba’s presence, Baba said that He was having intense stomach pain and therefore the Ramadasi should go to the market and fetch a certain herb (Senna Pods). The Ramadasi rushed to get the medicine. As he left, Baba took one of the books on Vishnu Sahasranam and granted them to Shama, another devotee of Baba. When Ramadasi returned, he learnt about what had transpired and flew into a rage. He took Shama to task and blamed him for using Baba as an instrument to acquire one of his favorite books. Nothing appeared to pacify him when Baba spoke calmly: “Oh Ramadasi, what is the matter with you? Why are you so turbulent? Is not Shama our boy? Why do you scold him unnecessarily. How is it that you are so quarrelsome? Can you not speak soft and sweet words? You read daily these sacred books and still your mind is impure and your passions uncontrolled. What sort of a Ramadasi you are! You ought to be indifferent to all things. Is it not strange that you should covet this book so strongly? A true Ramadasi should have no ‘mamata’ (attachment) but have ‘samata’ (equality) towards all. You are now quarreling with the boy Shama for a mere book. Go, take your seat, books can be had in plenty for money, but not men; think well and be considerate. What worth is your book? Shama had no concern with it. I took it up Myself and gave it to him. You know it by heart. I thought Shama might read it and profit thereby, and so I gave to it him.”
Baba’s words had a magical effect and the Ramadasi calmed down instantly.
Not only did Baba benefit Shama by granting him a very precious scripture, He also taught the Ramadasi to be detached, calm, and devoted. How remarkable were Baba’s methods of correcting His beloved children.
Learn to get along
When we go to a holy place, we often forget the very reason why we went there. Our purpose should be to focus on God, but inevitably we get entangled in human follies. The same happened to a lady in Puttaparthi. As she was seated in the darshan line, she was treated rudely by one of the volunteers at the ashram. The volunteer was simply trying to manage the large crowd but this devotee was sensitive and took the admonishment to heart. She wanted to react but didn’t know what to do. Fortunately, she was called for an interview that day and as soon as she was in Baba’s presence, she wanted to complain about that rude volunteer’s behavior.
Voila! What an opportunity! She decided to let it all out, forgetting completely that she was in God’s presence. What a precious chance to seek liberation, but instead she decided to express how she was treated rudely. So, when she got the opportunity, she rushed to Baba and told Him everything about the volunteer. Baba was very calm. On one hand was a daughter who was visiting Him and on the other hand was a volunteer who was residing in the ashram. Could the Lord take sides? Nay! So, what could He do to pacify both His daughters. Baba handled the situation in His own unique way and whispered in the lady’s ears, “I too am afraid of her.” What could the complainant do? She burst into laughter and realized her folly.
We are all different as human beings. Each has their own personality. When possible, we must learn to get along with each other. If not possible, then simply avoid the other person’s presence. Why quarrel and upset ourselves?
Don’t speak bad about others
We often forget that there is God in everyone. As it so happened, two brothers developed differences between each other and their dislike turned into intense hatred toward each other. On one occasion, one of the brothers spoke the most horrible things about his brethren. Baba, who was passing that way, pointed to a pig and said, “Behold how, with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart’s content. After performing many deeds of merit, you are born a man, and if you act like this, will Shirdi help you in any way?”
It is true. Whenever someone speaks ill about us, they eat away our karmas with their own tongue. Why should we get the same bad karma by talking ill about others. Leave others to their own means and let us focus on the Lord Himself. He will surely liberate us.
By The Editor, Sai Sandesh, Om Sai Mandir – Sai Mandir in Queens, Flushing, NY
It is said that a caterpillar constantly meditates on its own beautiful butterfly form and through incessant meditation it soon metamorphosis into a mind-bewitching butterfly. The Guru Charita says that when a disciple constantly serves his guru with one-pointed concentration with no thought but that of the guru, the disciple soon transforms into a divine guru himself. He develops the guru’s noble qualities, devotion, and powers through such incessant meditation. One may not realize but our future is determined by what we think constantly. Ever seen two people who love each other dearly. It could be a parent-child relationship or a sibling or a friend … if these individuals love each other dearly, they will behave in almost like fashion. It is a fact that if we constantly think about something, we become that very object.
This is exactly what Lord Krishna has declared in the Bhagvad Gita. The Lord said that whatever one meditates on at the last hour of his life, one goes to that object (and therefore becomes that). For this reason, it is important to constantly meditate on God and chant His name ceaselessly.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the guru or Swami Vivekananda, demonstrated this truth through his own life. The sage was so perfect in his meditation and his thoughts were so powerful, they would bear instant fruit. Once, he meditated constantly on Lord Rama and considered himself to be Hanuman, the eternal slave of Lord Rama. Through constant meditation on the relationship — he being Hanuman and God being Rama, the sage soon grew a physical tail and resembled the mighty Hanuman. Not only his mind, his body, too, became the very being he was meditating on. Our thoughts are that powerful even though we may be oblivious to their inherent energy and potency.
On another occasion, a disciple came to the Paramahamsa to learn meditation. The guru asked him, “What do you like the most in this world?” The disciple said, “My buffalo.” Ramakrishna then said, “Fine, go and meditate on your buffalo constantly.” The surrender of the disciple was so great, he did not question the guru at all and went to his room and meditated on the buffalo day and night. After a year, the Paramahamsa wanted to see how far his disciple had progressed and went to his room. As it was locked, he asked from outside. “Is somebody inside?” asked the guru. “Yes,” came the response. The guru then asked, “Who are you?” Pat came the response, “I am the buffalo!”
It is said that if you leave a lion cub with sheep, it will soon start behaving like a sheep. It is a guru who removes this ignorance and takes the lion to the water to show its own reflection in the water. It is then that the lion realizes that he is indeed the king of the jungle and not a sheep. Our nature is like that. We constantly think that we are weak, powerless beings who are destined to perish. It is only a divine guru like Baba who can shows us our true self and make us realize that we are the immortal, all-powerful atma (soul) and not the weak physical beings that we consider ourselves to be.
Constantly contemplate on God and his noble qualities and you will soon transform into your own divine nature. Consider the example of Mother Radha. She constantly meditated on Krishna day and night. Her meditation was so deep that if one were to ask her “Who are you?” She would say, “I am Lord Krishna!” Indeed, the Mother had completely merged her mind with Krishna and had become His Divine self.
Once, a student of Swami was seated at His feet. Although fortunate to be a student in the Lord’s educational institution, he was young and had been influenced by the ways and claims of modern education. He had heard that without God’s will even a leaf will not move. This is an ancient adage, but he wanted concrete proof of the same and so he put forward a question to Swami. The essence of his conversation was as follows:
“Swami, you say that not even a leaf will move without God’s permission. Here, I place a pen on the floor. Move it and prove this Supreme Will to me.” Baba has His own ways of teaching all of us, His children, and could He lose the opportunity to give a real life experience to one of His beloved students. Nay. Swami responded in His own way and told the child to lift the pen. He did so effortlessly. Swami then said “Ok, place it back.” The student obeyed and put the pen back on the floor.
Baba then looked at him and said, “Now lift the pen.” Much to the student’s astonishment, his arm simply did not move. He could not move his arm at all, let alone lift the pen. He had tears in his eyes as he feared that he would remain in the frozen state for a long time. With tear-filled eyes, he looked at the Lord, who was all compassion and love. The Lord said, “Ok, now lift the pen again!” Much to the young man’s delight, he could effortlessly move his arm and lift the pen.
A similar incidence occurred in the 90′s. A great saint-devotee of Baba, Late Dr. Rao, used to reside in Hyderabad, India. Due to a stroke, one of his hands had become paralyzed and it was very difficult for him to manage his daily chores with just one hand. Yet, with implicit surrender in Baba, he used to carry on with his routine duties without complaining. Even with that ailment, he would pray for all the Sai devotees who would rush to him for guidance and succor. Whenever he would pray to Baba for someone’s benefit, that person would definitely receive divine grace. Such was his relationship with Baba. Whenever he would sit in his meditation room, the Lord would appear in His physical form and converse with this saint-child of His. Despite his close proximity to the Lord, Raoji never requested Baba to heal him and instead continued praying for the benefit of all mankind.
One day, his family asked Raoji to pray to Baba to heal his hand and cure the paralysis. He was reluctant but upon repeated entreaties by his family, he finally conceded. That day, when he sat for prayers, the Lord appeared as usual. After the prayers, Raoji reluctantly told Sai about his paralyzed hand and conveyed the prayers of his family members. Did the Lord not know? Of course, He knew. Baba looked in the other direction as if He had not heard anything and continued conversing like the mischievous baby Krishna of yore. Raoji thought that Baba did not want to grant his request and so he kept quiet out of much respect toward Baba. Baba then suddenly said, “Look at my picture there. It is covered with dust. Go and clean it first and then continue your prayers.”
Raoji was in his late sixties and so he slowly got up and went toward the picture. He picked a piece of cloth and swiped the picture clean. It was then that he realized that he had cleaned the picture with his paralyzed hand. Baba had healed him instantly and the order to clean the picture was just a naughty play of the Lord.
Sometimes, we understand what God’s will is and yet like a naughty child, we want to have it our own way. If it is not to our benefit, the Lord will not allow us to do it. The story of Upasani Baba is a case in point. Upasani came to Lord Sai when he was forty one years old. He was in awe of Baba, but did not desire to live in Shirdi. Baba, on the other hand, wanted him to stay in Shirdi and progress spiritually under Baba’s direct guidance. Upasani wouldn’t listen, though, and left Shirdi. Baba then said, “Okay, go. I will do what needs to be done. You will be back in eight days.”
Upasani, however, had no intention to come back. He started walking away from Shirdi and continued walking for eight days. On the eighth day, he met some individuals who asked him to join them on their visit to Shirdi. By then, Upasani, had forgotten about his intention to stay away from Shirdi and he joined them. When he touched Baba’s feet, the latter joked “See, he came back in eight days.” Upasani was surprised because despite walking for eight days, he was still within the vicinity of Shirdi. How could that be possible. He thought he had walked so many miles. How did he not reach farther? It was then that he realized that it was Baba’s will that did not let him go far.
Such is the power of Baba. With His will, even the impossible becomes possible. One may ask, “What is the role of free will in our lives? What about God’s will? Are they both separate?”
These are difficult questions that only the Lord can answer best. We surmise, however, with our own understanding. It is very true that the Supreme Will moves the universe and the overall direction of our lives, but at the same time there is free will too. Let us explain our understanding further. When the owner of a pet ties a leash around the neck of the dog and takes it for a walk, the owner constantly controls the direction the dog has to walk in, yet, the dog has free will to play around within the length of the leash. He can step on the grass, tease other dogs on the road, play in the dust a little, and have some fun. But, despite this freedom, it is the owner who decides the overall direction in which the pet has to walk (in our case, toward God). This is analogous to the Supreme Will.
Finally, we do have complete free will with our reactions. If an event occurs in our life, we are hundred percent free to react to the event with happiness or sorrow. This reaction is of our own making and determines our future karma. If we accept the Lord’s will in every event in our lives, we transform our reaction into unconditional surrender and no further karma accrues. We are then completely free and on the road to unlimited, eternal bliss.
Perhaps, the first temple in the world dedicated to the two most recent avatars of Lord Sai, Om Sai Mandir is a unique and divinely-inspired temple of the Lord where individuals from all faiths and beliefs gather to worship the Supreme Lord Sai. Om Sai Mandir or Flushing Sai Baba Temple, as it is commonly known, was established in Flushing, Queens, New York (NY) in 2003 with the singular purpose of serving Sai devotees in a spirit of unity, love, and selflessness. Since its inception, the temple has remained open for devotees seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Temple Timings, Address, and Daily Schedule and Activities
Om Sai Mandir, 4511 Smart Street, Flushing, NY 11355, Phone: 1.718.461.0454
The temple is open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions.
Daily Schedule and Activities
Our daily schedule includes four aratis (Kakad Arati – 8 AM, Madhyana Arti – 12 PM, Dhoop Arati – 6 PM, and Shej Arati – 8 PM) just as they are observed in Shirdi. Additionally, Sathya Sai Baba’s arati is performed twice every day. In the morning after Kakad Arati and in the afternoon after Madhyan Arati.
Additionally, Rudra Abhishekam and Sarva Devata Abhishekam is performed at 9 AM daily. Vedic prayers such as Rudram, Sri Suktam, Durga Suktam, and Purusha Suktam are chanted during the abhishekam. Hanuman Chalisa is chanted 108 times every Saturday and Maha Mrityunjaya Jap is performed 1008 times every Monday. Sai Naam Jap is chanted every Sunday (1008 times). Vishnu Sahasranam and Lalitha Sahasranam are chanted daily as well.
Apart from the intense prayer schedule, the temple participates in numerous programs and activities focused on teaching bhajans to the children, serving the elderly (senior citizens), feeding the poor (annadanam), and various other service projects that are taken from time-to-time. Individuals with reading difficulties and language problems are provided translation services and assistance with filling various forms.
If you are on Facebook, Google, Twitter or other social media sites, please do like us and join us. We host daily satsanghs and provide a wealth of information on Baba’s teachings, sayings, stories, and messages.
Temple Information
Thousands of individuals visit Sai mandir, Sai Baba temple in Flushing, every single year, including devotees from all five boroughs (Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Bronx) and also from states outside of New York, including far-off states. The visitors come not only from the tristate area, but also from various countries. The mandir is fortunate to have a following from practically all continents in the world. It is Shirdi Sai Baba and Shree Sathya Sai Baba’s divine presence and grace that attracts everyone, no matter how far the distance. In fact, we have had several devotees who said that they just felt drawn to the temple. Some claimed to have been directed by none other than Sai either through dreams or through friends and well-wishers.
Followers of Saibaba know that He has emphatically declared in the Sai Satcharita that I draw my followers to Me, just as sparrows are drawn with a string tied to their feet. We, at Baba’s temple, have been fortunate enough to witness these words in action and can confirm that Baba does indeed carry out His work Himself, without the need for any agency or instrument. It is Swami’s supreme will that accomplishes the welfare of his followers the world over.
Directions to Om Sai Mandir
Driving Directions and Route from Manhattan (New York City)
Drive to Long Island Expressway, LIE, (I-495 East) and take Exit 24 (Kissena Boulevard). Once you take the exit, make a left into Kissena and drive north for about one mile and then turn right into 45th Avenue. Keep going for about four blocks and make a right into Smart Street. We are the second building on your left.
Route from Long Island
Om Sai Mandir is just as easily accessible from Long Island. Again take I-495 West and get off at Exit 24 (Kissena Blvd). Turn right into Kissena and go north for about a mile. Turn right into 45th Avenue and drive for about four blocks. Turn into Smart Street and drive to 45-11 Smart Street.
For out-of-state devotees, you can reach LIE through all major highways, including The Belt Parkway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), Grand Central, and others. Once on Long Island Expressway, follow the directions provided above to reach Saibaba Temple in Flushing.
You can also use public transportation, which provides frequent service in the vicinity of the mandir. For directions through public transportation, kindly visit our directions page.
Brief History and Structure
Our founders, Dr. Gangadhar Rao Chalasani and his wife, felt a strong need to have a place of worship that would be dedicated to followers of both Shirdi Sai Baba and Sathya Sai Baba. Given the fact that the Sai movement is growing manifold, it was necessary to have a common ground so followers of Baba could learn about the teachings of both Sai avatars in one place. Our founders started the temple (as a non-profit organization) without much fanfare and in the simplest manner. As such, the institution is a product of love, dedication, and sacrifice for which we remain eternally grateful to the founders, who have decided to shun any form of limelight from the very beginning of the organization’s journey.
What is most unique about the institution is the fact that all of its programs and activities are coordinated by a dedicated group of volunteers, who serve at the temple seven days a week. This taskforce of tireless, young Sai-lovers form the very core of the strength and their presence ensures that all of the temple’s resources are allocated exclusively for the functioning of the temple and its various programs and not a single cent is spent on manpower.
The organizational structure is one of love and humility. Every person who serves here works without the lure for titles and accolades. Sai is everything from the head of the mandir to the one who orchestrates the entire show. The volunteers and the founders prefer to serve as humble instruments, nay servants, of the Lord and exist for the sole purpose of selfless service.
Blessings of Baba, Sages, and Saints
Since its inception, many saints of the highest order (such as Shree Vishvayogi Viswamjee, Shree Bhawati Siddhar, and others) have visited the temple and showered their blessings on devotees. Each one of them has unequivocally attested to the fact that they could feel Baba’s divine presence at the mandir in abundance. In fact, the temple’s inception was entirely coordinated by the Lord Himself and we will post these experiences on our blog shortly.
Miracles of Baba at the Mandir
Baba performed the most inexplicable miracles in both Shirdi and Sathya Sai avatars. He never placed much importance on the miracles, though, and performed them for the sole purpose of benefiting devotees. Baba has performed countless miracles at Om Sai Mandir as well. Many of these are not shared due to respect for the concerned devotees’ privacy, but we were fortunate enough to record some of the miracles on video and the same can be viewed on our YouTube channel. You can also read about Baba’s honey miracle that occurred recently. Baba has also cured many devotees of various ailments (including cancer, Glaucoma, and others) and has benefited them in more ways than we can humanly describe.
We do not crave for miracles, but when Swami does perform them, we feel overjoyed, grateful, and reassured of His constant divine presence. Our attitude toward these miracles is that of a witness filled with reverence, gratitude, and awe. Only Sai is the doer, not us.
Newsletter, Outreach, and Information about Sai
It is imperative that our beloved Lord’s teachings and stories be preserved for future generations and it is our humble endeavor to share His teachings (again as an instrument) through the temple’s newsletter, blog, and various one-on-one and group-based educational interactions. The past newsletters can be viewed here and to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, please visit the subscribe page.
The mandir’s blog has many informative articles and can be accessed through any Internet-enabled device. Furthermore, extensive information is posted on a daily basis through our various social media outreach initiatives on Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, and YouTube. Be sure to like us on your favorite social media channels.
Information for Out-of-State Devotees
If you are visiting New York (NYC) for the purpose of having darshan at Om Sai Mandir, there are plenty of amenities in the close proximity of the mandir. In addition to the prasad served at the temple, there are plenty of restaurants and fast food joints in the close vicinity of the temple. From the Ganesh Temple’s canteen to other fast food and fine dining establishments (and we have a variety, from Chinese to Italian and everything in between), food is never a problem in Flushing. If you need to make living arrangements during your stay in New York, the Flushing YMCA offers reasonably-priced accommodations. There are also many hotels and motels in the area, should you desire to follow that route. We are not affiliated with any of these organizations, so devotees should perform their own diligence before narrowing down their lodging and eating arrangements.
Rest assured, we are just a phone call or e-mail away, so please do not hesitate to call the temple if you have any questions.
Baba has repeatedly assured us that He holds the power to transform earth into sky and sky into earth. He has also stated emphatically that He can uplift entire mankind in the wink of an eye, but that if He were to do so, we would fall back quickly and that slow and steady progress under His protection is the proper path for humanity.
Shirdi is a unique place where people from all religious get together and offer their respects to Baba. There are no religious barriers and Baba welcomes everyone.
When Baba assumed His divine form in Shirdi, there were religious factions that often tried to incite differences between Hindus and Muslims. It is Baba’s unique charisma that worshippers from ALL religions adored Baba with absolute faith in His divinity. Each religious group, though, had their own way of approaching Baba. As is the Hindu custom, Baba was worshipped by His Hindu followers and this irked a Pathan who was then residing in Shirdi. Baba loved everyone equally and allowed each individual to worship Him according to their own faith and belief. In His mind there was no religious barrier — all were His own children.
Baba loved this Pathan, too, but he was not aware of the intensity of Baba’s love for him. One night, when everyone was sleeping in Dwarakamai, the Pathan rushed to Baba and said “These Hindus are spoiling you. I want to cut their throats while they are asleep.” Baba understood the Pathan’s heart and said that no one was to be blamed and that if the Pathan wished, He (Baba) should be killed first as He was the cause of everything. The Pathan was not convinced but somehow relented and went back to sleep.
Nevertheless, the misunderstanding still remained in his mind and he made repeated attempts to assasinate many followers of Baba. Of course, he failed in all of them because of Baba’s protection. Baba wanted to protect not only those whom the Pathan wanted to kill, but He also wanted to protect the Pathan from the sin of violence.
As it so happened, the Pathan could not hold his anger any longer and one day he decided to kill Baba and then His followers. As Baba was making His daily rounds in Shirdi, the Pathan sneaked in and lifted a weapon to hit Baba’s head from behind. Little did the Pathan know that Baba has eyes everywhere and that whether one perpetrates wrong from front or back, Baba is aware of everything. When a child is about to commit a major mistake, what can a mother do? She must stop him and correct him. No sooner did the Pathan lift the weapon, Baba turned around and with his little finger, He merely touched the Pathan’s wrist lightly. It wasn’t even a tap … just a light touch.
It was as if a thunderbolt of lightning had hit Pathan and he fell to his knees. The local villagers had to lift him up and help him to his quarters. After some time, the Pathan revived and was repentant of his act. Needless to say, he was transformed and remained humble thereafter.
Baba never cared for His life (for He was aware of His divinity), but in this manner He had saved the local villagers from death and He also saved the Pathan from committing a senseless act.
When Baba was in His eighties, a man in Shirdi used to carry Him around with his strong arms. He would gently lift Sai and place Him wherever Baba chose to be seated. As such, he became very proud of his strength and felt that the Lord needed the service of his mighty arms. He fancied that he was strong like Bhima from Mahabharata and went by that name as well.
One day, Baba decided to transform Bhima and as he tried to lift the Lord, he simply could not move Baba, let alone transport Him. Baba’s body had become exponentially heavy and no matter what he tried, Bhima could not move Baba by even a fraction of a millimeter. Bhima stood perplexed. What had happened to his strength? Did the Lord become heavier than He was a few moments back?
The Lord of Shirdi wore a mischievous smile all along but on seeing the helpless condition of His servant, compassion dawned on the Lord and He asked Bhima to try again. On this attempt, Baba became light as a feather and Bhima could easily transport Him.
It was then that the strongman understood that Baba was the Lord of all Siddhis (supernatural powers) and that at His will He could become heavier and lighter. All along Baba was simply giving him an opportunity to serve the Lord.
Baba gives all of us an opportunity to serve Him based on our innate talents, preferences, desires, and previous karmas. Such opportunities are signs of grace and we must serve the Lord humbly knowing fully well that we are but mere instruments.
A Hispanic mother-daughter duo visit Om Sai Mandir every week. They never miss a single week, no matter how the weather may be. With immense faith in Baba, they come and pay their respects at the mandir and are always curious to learn about Baba and implement His teachings. Their humility and devotion are admirable.
Last week, the mother was diagnosed with Glaucoma of the eye. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, it can cause pain and annoyance to the patient and since the mother is in her seventies, it would have been one more condition to manage.
After she was diagnosed she came to Om Sai Mandir and prayed to Baba from the bottom of her heart. In her simple, child-like prayer, she asked Baba to look at her eyes and she, in turn, looked at Baba’s. It was very simple. No complicated rituals were performed. A simple heartfelt prayer was offered to Baba.
A strange miracle happened with that small interaction. She visited her doctor yesterday and the surprised doctor told her that “she was all clear!” No Glaucoma, no eye problem … nothing. She is all clean.
Baba can cure any disease, He can perform what no one can. What is impossible for the creator who made this human form? Nothing! God can do what no one else can.
It is very difficult to recognize an avatar. My father’s friend had misunderstood Swami and he had developed intense hatred as a result of his ignorance. Baba has His own ways, though, and it so happened that circumstances forced him to visit Puttaparthi.
As he was seated in the darshan line, he was “mentally” cursing Baba with the choicest of words. Due to the long wait in the darshan line, he was very hungry as well. He was very discrete and had not told anyone about his hatred for Swami. No one knew that he was hungry as well.
There were thousands of people seated in the ashram that day, but Swami came straight to this gentleman and looked at him with intense love. My father’s friend was surprised because he considered himself to be a true hater of Baba, and not a devotee. Baba looked at him with motherly love and said, “My child, you don’t like Me, isn’t it? It’s okay; everyone is My child. I love everyone. I love you.” Then Swami raised His divine hand and a cup of warm milk materialized in His hand. He told my father’s friend to drink the milk. “You are hungry, My child. Drink the milk.” On saying these words, Swami walked away peacefully.
Strange enough, my father’s friend drank every drop of the milk with great relish. Now, He had truly experienced Swami’s love and was surprised as to how Baba could read his thoughts and know that he was hungry as well.
He was so overpowered by Baba’s love that he became a true devotee of Baba thereafter and even started a Sai center.
We may not be able to understand God and His ways, but He knows all of us and loves us dearly.
No, that’s not His number. It is even easier than that.
Once, Peda Bottu, a devotee of Baba who had the good fortune to live with Shirdi and Sathya Sai Baba was sitting at the verandah in Prashanti Nilayam.
It was her habit to chant Baba’s name constantly. One night, as she was going to bed, she started chanting (mentally) “Om Shri Sai Ram, Om Shri Sai Ram …”
Suddenly, the door opened and Baba came out at that odd hour. She was shocked to see Baba. Baba immediately came to her and said, “Why did you telephone Me?” Peda Bottu was shocked as she did not have a phone. Baba then explained to her that chanting God’s name equals to calling upon Him. If you chant sincerely, He MUST come. He has no choice. That is exactly what happened to Peda Bottu.
What are you waiting for? Let us mass-call Baba’s heart line. There is plenty of bandwidth for ALL of us. His lines are never jammed — always open and awaiting devotees’ calls 24/7. And what’s better? He personally answers EVERY call — instantly!
