This episode described below is also a proof Baba’s words of the utter
catastrophy of events that could occur in case we do not follow his command.
Baba on his return from Brindavan to Puttparthy on 12th December had announced
to the students that the Sports Meet (which were held every year in January
11th) should not be held that year (1999). He announced the same at Vrindavan
too before coming to Puttaparthy.
Students did not listen and prayed very fervently for the Sports Meet,
which they felt was the only opportunity to do something for Baba and dedicate
it to him.
Even though Baba had ordered the sports meet not to be held and a
notification from the Vice-Chancellor’s office to this effect had already been
issued, students still persisted with their regular practices hoping that Baba
would somehow still agree. Many days passed this way with students praying hard
within the mind and also sending greetings and requests to Baba to take back
his order of not holding the sports meet. Baba took none of them. Some
greetings were sent back to hostel with Baba’s message of not raising the issue
again.
But students still persisted....Baba later agreed.
January 14th arrived and the students arrayed themselves to display
before Baba all they had practiced for 45 days. Baba’s caravan arrived with
Baba seated on a seat with a steel covering. As Baba’s caravan reached the
ladies section, Baba’s car halted for a while and Baba stood up to wave to the
people assembled. As he stood waving to the crowd, Baba’s car moved a little
bit to the front. Baba lost his balance and fell back on the steel covered
seat. Baba’s hands, spinal cord and head rammed against the steel covering
which sent shock waves amongst everyone. Baba sat on his seat in that position
for a few moments.
Our (students) hearts missed a beat. Did Baba get hurt?.....If that had
really happened, we students would never be able to forgive ourselves for it
was on our persistent request that this cancelled Sports Meet was revived. But
did we want it at the cost of our dear Lord getting hurt? That surely was
unacceptable .. to anyone.
A few moments later to everyone’s relief Baba got up and started waving
to everyone again. The car stopped and the Vice - Chancellor received Baba, who
got down and accepted the floral tributes. Baba walked without any apparent
problems on the ramp and occupied his seat.
The program commenced as scheduled with the primary school children
performing first, our sisters of Anantpur next followed by the brothers of
Vrindavan and Parthi. After each performance Baba came down the ramp and gave
group photographs and climbed up the ramp again. After the program, Baba left
waving to everyone saying he was immensely happy.
As Baba went away to the Prasanthi Ashram, news reached the students that
Baba was giving group photographs. All students rushed to the mandir expecting
to be in time before Baba went back into his apartment. As Baba came out of the
interview room with Mr. Indulal Shah (Chief convener of Sri Satya Sai Seva
Organisations ), Mr. Srinivasan (central trust members) and others, He blessed
everyone , gave group photographs to a everyone and left the Prashanthi darshan
hall.
Two days later, before the brothers of Brindavan left, Shri.
Narasimhamoorthy was called in for an interview. During the interview, he
noticed bandages on Baba’s hand and cried out “Baba, What is this?” Baba
brushed aside his question but on being persistently being asked, Baba revealed
the truth, which when announced by Shri. Narasimhamoorthy the next day stunned
everyone.
The following are the excerpts of the speech delivered by Shri.
Narasimhamoorthy, the Warden of Sri Sathya Sai Hostel, Brindavan who was crying
continuously as he gave his speech:
As Baba was speaking to Mr. Indulal Shah, Mr. Srinivasan and others in
the interview room, Mr. Indulal Shah noticed blood oozing out of Baba’s sleeve.
A shocked Indulal Shah got up to ask Baba about it, but was quitened by Baba
who said “Don’t tell anydody about this outside. The children will get scared.”
Baba later told Mr. Indulal Shah, Mr. Srinivasan and Shri.
Narasimhamoorthy that the year 1999 was the year of Pramadi (an year of
torments) .One of the boys performing a dangerous stunt was going to fall from
a height that very day.
Baba knew this right from the start and to avoid this ordered the sports
meet not be conducted, which as readers know was not adhered to.(Later Baba
disclosed in the discourse following Shri. Narasimhamoorthy’s speech that --
“You were not ready to listen to me. You all were praying so hard. Even after
repeatedly telling you not to go ahead with the program, when you were so
insistent, then I had no other alternative but to let you perform. But there
was no way I could let my own children get hurt. So I transferred his Karmic
effect on me. I can bear it but you cannot. If he would have fell from that
height, his hands would have smashed on the ground , his spinal cord would have
split and head smashed to pulp. When Baba fell on the steel casing , Baba’s
hands, spinal cord and head rammed against it. That was my way of taking up his
injury”).
Baba started bleeding profusely. His back was soaked in blood. His head
too had been hit. But Baba let no one know of this. Baba’s maya covered the
visibility of blood from the scores of VIP’s between whom Baba was sitting. For
five hours Baba bore the ordeal. Inspite of the piercing pain Baba came down to
give group photographs and climbed the stairs again. Even when Baba’s robe
became wet due to blood coming out continuously, Baba went into the temporary
toilet and washed the blood off the robe. Knowing fully well that, if the
student, who was attending to Baba that day saw the blood stains on the towel
and the make -shift toilet floor, would get alarmed Baba even washed the towel
he had used with soap and also swept the floor.
For 3 days Baba bore the injuries. Not one of us knew of this until Shri.
Narasimhamoorthy was allowed to tell it in course of his speech. Shri.
Narasimhamoorthy cried, the students cried and the devotees wailed.
Later when students apologised, Baba said “Are, Protecting you is my
responsibility ra (ra is a word frequently used in telugu towards someone you
love). You are my children. Can I ever let you high and dry?”
Source: http://www.geocities.com/sai_ram108/mira8.htm
Om Sai Ram
