I would not claim myself to be an ardent devotee of Satya Sai Baba. Perhaps I am not an ardent devotee of any one God, but am definitely a believer of a larger force (GOD) that makes things happen.
There were questions asked about him, his miracles and what not. I am not here to give defense on anything of that kind. With all kinds of stories on either side of the balance, in the case of Satya Sai Baba, my own feelings were of belief. That he was indeed a great Soul who did good for his devotees, and has influenced and done amazing work. And I would like to stay with that conviction.
I have few memories of Satya Sai Baba, mostly from childhood times:
1. Inspired by an aunt who used to have Satya Sai Baba bhajans at her place every week, we decided to have similar bhajans at our place too. We got this really long photo frame of his, about 4-5 feet in height. The living room was cleared (furniture moved out) and that is where we had the bhajans in the evening.
Next day morning, my mother was clearing up things. She went to the kitchen (next room) and then came back to the hall, where the photo frame was still there. And the frame had vibhuti on it, in the shape of Aum! Yes, in our own house. I was a kid, but the memory lingers.
2. Memories of Puttaparthi have been good. A very peaceful place. We have gone few times, including once or twice during some event, when very large number of people gather. The system worked. Orderly queues. Volunteers who served with a smile. If you get up early and go, you get a good front seat. Which is how it should be. The food there, simple and served by volunteers, with a smile.
3. On one such occasion, we were waiting with many others and getting his blessings as he walked past. And he was pointing to folks randomly, to pick them for a personal interview, as it used to be called. And WE GOT PICKED. I can still remember the excitement that me and my parents felt. I was very young then too, so it is hazy memory, but cannot forget that we felt like we were going to have a personal chat with GOD. We were in a room with him, and he asked me something about what I was doing. And I remember, I mumbled something out, in my excitement. It was a great feeling then.
4. Going to Dharmakshetra in Mumbai has also been a pleasure. A very peaceful temple, quiet, very serene. You can truly forget the worries of day to day life, here. To visit here when Baba is visiting, especially for the early morning bhajans, to get a glimpse of him, was a privilege. The youth brigade and the other volunteers who did selfless work, always impressed. The bhajans were also great to be part of.
5. I remember the last visit to Puttaparthi, in 1995, just before my brother was to head out to the US. We went to seek his blessings. It was a quick visit. But I was again impressed by the town itself, and how it was an epitome of peace. The amazing hospital there, that charges nothing at all.
All in all, have fundamentally good memories and a good feel about Satya Sai Baba, and what he has created.
I guess the true test will be now. After him. Whether the guiding principles are sustainable amongst the trustees and the various folks involved, and we see a smooth transition to maintain the high standards that he lived by.
Whatever happens, I will still carry only me pleasant memories of HIM.
Om Sai Ram..
Random Musings 