JOIN USMany people who know I am a devotee of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba ridicule me. They insist that he was nothing more than a magician. They consider those who still take comfort at his Abode of Peace, Prasanthi Nilayam long after he left his body in 2011 must be deluded.
Because Swami taught me not to re-act to such statements in an unkind manner, I just keep quiet. This, of course, is difficult for me because it is as if someone is insulting my own mother.
I do get comfort knowing that God treats sinners and the sinless equally—with love; and sometimes it’s Tough Love. People who do not reform or transform fall into a hell of their own making. I have seen this happen to many as they fall from their high horses into poverty, sickness, and loss of reputation. But it is when we are down and out, the Ego flat as a chapatti, that wonderful changes in our lives often come about. This is why a spiritual guide can be most helpful.
However, Puttaparthi Swami often referred to himself as God. He pointed out that we are all incarnations of God but we do not know we are. About himself he said, “This incarnation is different, in that it has to deal with the crisis which is world-wide and world shaking. Intellectual conceit has grown so wild that men have become foolish enough to ask ‘What and where is God’?
“Immorality has put on the garb of morality and is entering man in to the morass of sin. Truth is condemned as a trap, justice is jeered at; saints are harassed as social enemies. Hence this incarnation has come to uphold the true and suppress the false.”
Though charismatic and forgiving, nurturing and protective, our Sai Ma often showed his Shiva side. He could give you a look that would make you shake with fear. I was very careful in Darshan not to ask for ridiculous things. Once, I asked if he could help me with a love relationship problem and his look was so fierce I understood that no relationship was as important as the relationship I have with God. Like an exasperated mother, he finally shouted, “Wait!” I’m still waiting. But I have learned to laugh at my plethora of desires.
He also said, “I behave like you, moving, singing, laughing, journeying, but watch out for the blow I inflict ALL OF A SUDDEN to chastise and to warn. I shall scorch the wrongdoer for his wrong, and soothe the virtuous for his righteousness. Justice shall be meted out to all.”
So, I hold to the truth of his words. The world of cheats and evildoers, betrayers and bandits is out there. But in an instant that world could all be blown to smithereens. Or, those we thought most wicked could transform and become our heroes. I am wishing for it.