Many things that Swami does and teaches may not have made immediate sense to all. There are indeed those blessed few who realize the import of each word of His and each action as it is done. But the vast majority of us, simply do not get it then. But the Lord always continues to labour so that we, his loved ones can grow.
I revisited my diary to the 10th of August 2009. I have termed it there as "The half drama by Gujarat". When I read it, there was one poignant thought that struck me. Before sharing that thought, I share the happenings of that day as recorded in my diary. Here goes..... Swami always stresses, "Love my uncertainty." We always take that statement with a pinch of salt though He did not intend it that way! When His uncertainty brings unexpected gifts, we rejoice. But when that same nature seems to take away something from us, we hate it! It is time to evolve to "accepting" His uncertainty and then to "loving" it- ALWAYS that is! It turned out to be a different kind of session in the mandir today - a session like which has happened very rarely before. It began at around 2:00pm when the youth from Gujarat were told to be prepared with their programme in case Swami permits it at the "last" minute. Again, with the Lord, there is nothing like the "last" minute. It is always at the "right" minute irrespective of the position of that minute in time! At about 5:40 pm, when bhajans were in fulls swing, came the message that the Gujarat youth must be ready to put up their presentation. Quickly, the marble blocks were evacuated and a backdrop was brought into position. Soon, Swami arrived for darshan. These days, the darshan timings seem to be moving more and more towards late evening rather than the afternoon. Swami completed the darshan rounds and moved to the portico where the lecturers and teachers from the department of Chemistry of the Sathya Sai University sat to seek blessings for a conference that was to commence the next day. Swami blessed them and soon arrived on the stage. He sat listening to the bhajans. The bhajans went on and Swami too seemed happy listening to them. After a while, He began to search for the priest with the Aarthi. Mistaking that as a signal, the state president for Gujarat came ahead and requested Swami for permission to start the programme. In fact, the youth on the ladies side began to sing too. Swami asked for Aarthi to begin! And so it was that the songs were ended even before they began! Aarthi was done and Swami blessed laddoo prasadam to be distributed to all. He even threw a laddoo to one of the students in the front. There was a strange glow on Swami's face. He was so happy. All of a sudden, He called a little boy who had come with a tray of goodies on the occasion of his birthday. As the boy moved up the stage, Swami spoke to him. Then, patting him on his cheeks, Swami materialized a golden chain. Swami was so very happy and joyous as He put the chain around the neck of the little boy. The boy bent down, kissed His feet and returned to his place with all joy. Now that was a piece of "uncertainty" that all enjoyed. Swami then sat watching all those assembled as the prasadam distribution went on. All the members from Gujarat had mixed feelings it seemed. Swami was so happy and it was such a joy to see Him. But the programme had been cancelled! So, how could one smile when a sorrow seemed to emanate alongside it too? Swami watched the faces all around. Calling the State president He said, "Start your drama." Immediately a row of youth made a beeline to make offerings. It was already past 6:30 pm and thankfully it was realized that it was unfair to keep Swami waiting by delaying the drama any further. The presentation entitled, "Sai Apadbandavay Namah" began immediately. The skit was based on the actual experiences of Sai Missionaries, the Youth who were engaged in Sri Sathya Sai Village Integration Programme, popularly known as SSSVIP at a village, Paikhed, 65kms from Valsad. An emergency situation arises in Paikhed when an epidemic strikes amidst heavy rains. Ddespite all that, the youth organise relief. Other instances shown were when a youth member risks his life to save those of a village child and the instance when more than 2500 bricks are found in perfectly good condition when a need for them arises to complete a construction in the same village. 15 minutes into the drama, Swami said, "Drama over." He gave a gentle smile and slowly moved towards the car. He then retired to Yajur mandir and the time was past 7pm. The foolish wept that Swami left midway but the wise celebrated yet another instance of god's infinite Love where He had atleast part of a programme that "karmically" maybe never existed! Mysterious and uncertain indeed are the ways of God, but His ways and methods are always PERFECT. And now, coming to the thought that struck me. On that day, I have written that His ways and methods are always PERFECT. But still, on the 24th of April, 2011, I stared blankly into nothingness wondering, "Why did He do this? Why did He suddenly leave 'midway'? Why did He retire this way? What have we done wrong?" We have done the same wrong that the Gujarat youth did on that day - being ignorant of the Truth that He is always Perfect - nothing more, nothing less. It is not a time to condemn ourselves that we failed Him and forced Him to take over our sins and karmas. It is a time to silently remind ourselves that whether we understand it or not, He did the Perfect thing! GOD HAS A PLAN AND THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO KNOW. OUR LIFE IS HIS MESSAGE Sai Ram
