The Below wonderful incident was sent by mail to me by a very Dear Sai Brother :
Let me share with you a simple experience, a personal experience. A bishop came
from France. He was on a trip to India and had the good intention of travelling
all along the length and breadth of this country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
However, having come here to this ashram, he cancelled his trips to every other
place and stayed here for one full month!
Swami gave him such wonderful treatment. He was dining with the bishop: He had
breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea with him! The car was even sent to him so
that he could drive straight into the Poornachandra Hall. So people were
talking about this bishop, who was given such extraordinary hospitality and
such unbelievable levels of reception. People said that the bishop was
following Him as His disciple.
I had a curiosity to look at that bishop. I wanted to look at him, but there
was no chance to see him as our teaching staff had to go to college to teach.
The bishop only came at 8:30 am, by which time we were leaving, so there was no
chance to see him then. Even in the evening when we came at 5 o’clock, he was
already seated in the front. So still we had no chance to see him. However, I
was very keen to see him somehow!
Finally, one Sunday, Swami called a few foreigners in for a group interview.
The doors were closed. Then I thought, ‘This is the right time to see the
bishop!’ (Laughter) So I walked all along the veranda in order to see the
bishop.
He had the complexion of a mango fruit, such a golden complexion, with a white
beard, a white gown, and a black belt, typical of any bishop. (As I am from a
Christian College, I know the attire of a bishop.) He was sitting there, so I
just watched. I had gone to the front to watch the bishop closely, to see how
he looked. To me, he looked like a picture of William Shakespeare or
Rabindranath Tagore. His face showed solemnity and silence. With such serenity
on his face, naturally everybody lifted both their hands in offering their
humble salutations. That kind of effulgence and brilliance I noted on his face.
While I was watching him, I saw his disciple also, who was quite tall and
wearing a black gown. He had a pointed nose, and was quite handsome, with a
long mop of hair. I thought that he would do well if he were to the play the
role of Jesus Christ in a film on Christ and His teachings. He was also pucca
(correct) and very nice to look at.
While I was watching, suddenly the doors of the interview room opened and Baba
came out! He asked me straight away, “Who are you looking at?” (Laughter)
I told Him, “Swami, I have come here to see the bishop.”
Then Baba said, “When bishop has come to see Me, you have come to see the
bishop!” (Laughter) So that was the situation. “How can I help you?” He
continued. “How can I help you?” (Laughter)
Then after some time, He granted an interview to the bishop and his disciple,
and also to the Queen of Belgium and her close lady friend. All four of them
were given an interview together. Then Swami said, “You also come, so that you
can see the bishop for a long time!” (Laughter)
OUR LIFE IS HIS MESSAGE
Sai Ram
