Sri Sathya Sai Baba - An Apostle of Love
- Article in The Tribune,Chandigarh written by Ashok Kumar Yadav an IAS
officer from Haryana
Tears started rolling spontaneously when I sat in my mandir after the
inevitable had happened. Sri Sathya Sai Baba had departed from this world after
battling multi-organ dysfunction for about a month.
It immediately transported me to my first encounter with Him in Justice
PN Bhagwati's house, way back in 1982 while I was pursuing L.L.M. Baba came,
peeped in my eyes, lifted me by hand and deposited me into a sofa, while
uttering, "Sit here, sir".
I could understand the intrinsic meaning of the prophetic monologue only
after result of state civil services was declared. I had topped. I immediately
booked myself for Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of highest peace, where Baba
lived throughout His life. On reaching, I realised that I was just one among
thousands. Each devotee had some unique experience to cherish.
In 1989, I was deputed as a guide to an official delegation led by deputy
chairman of the Planning Board. Three vice-chancellors, one of whom
subsequently rose to be the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and one IAS
officer were members of the team. My wife and two other women were, however,
not part of delegation.
Acting smart, I positioned myself on knees strategically in front of the
door from where Baba was to emerge for morning darshan, so that I could seek
His prior permission for the women. Baba appeared but turned rather abruptly
towards women's enclosures. It was frustrating. I had been deprived of an
opportunity. Baba had, however, some other plan. Lo and behold, He went
straight to my wife for inviting them as if He knew them and their seating
plans. What an emotional over-run it was!
In 170 countries in the world today, Baba is hailed as an apostle of
love, "Love all - Serve all" and "Hands that serve are holier than the lips
that pray" epitomise His core philosophy.
True to His declaration "My Life is My Message", He stirred and inspired
millions of His followers to turn role-model ambassadors in His "Dharma
sthapana" movement. He declared that "I have come not to disturb or destroy any
faith, but to make the Christian a better Christian, the Muslim a better Muslim
and the Hindu a better Hindu".
Baba was an inexhaustible reservoir of pure love who tried to kindle the
"lamp of love" in every heart. Prof. Baranowski, a regression therapist and
bio-magnetic specialist from Arizona University, who captured radiations of
various hues, flowing from Baba's persona, with "Kirlin" camera, declared Him
as "Love" walking on two feet.
Baba inspired His followers to reach out to the poorest of the poor and
wipe every tear from every eye as idealised by Mahatma Gandhi. This concept has
been described as "spiritual socialism" by critic-turned-believer RK Karanjia
in his book "God Lives in India". Baba re-defined the psychology of human
personality; chemistry of human rhythm; physics of gravitational force of love;
sociology of inter-human contours and philosophy of life.
It is irrelevant to debate whether Baba was God or not. There is no need
either. Nobody would, however, be able to ever counter what Baba did for
redeeming the mankind was surely godly.
OUR LIFE IS HIS MESSAGE
Sai Ram
