Sai “Pitha” Aur “Matha” Sai

 

Kumar was a student in the Sathya Sai College in Puttaparthi.  Swami allotted his parents ground floor accommodation in the eastern block close to his own residence.  At the evening prayer one day, Kumar sang a bhajan, "Sai Pitha Aur Matha Sai" ("Sai is the father and Sai is the mother"), as Swami sat on his throne quite close by and nodded His head in tune with the song.  Swami's eyes were swimming with kindness and compassion.  No sooner had the first stanza of the song ended, than Swami abruptly got up and hurried out.  The boy felt that his singing was not probably to Swami's liking.  Swami walked into the residence of Kumar's parents.  Devotees who watched the scene were surprised.  In recent times, no one had seen Swami thus leave His residence and proceed beyond its precincts.

In the residence of Kumar's parents, his mother had a heart attack and was struggling for life.  Baba hastened into the house, gave her a glass of water and materialized vibhuthi for her.  After a few words of solace and encouragement to the lady, He returned to the bhajan hall and resumed His throne; just then, Kumar's bhajan song was coming to a close.  When it was over, Swami spoke to Kumar, "Do you know why I hurried out?  Your mother was on the verge of dying and I went to save her.  Here you were singing : 'You are the father; You are the mother'.  How could I sit here enjoying your song when your mother was in agony there?  I had to reach her urgently and save her."

The lady's husband was all the time present in the bhajan hall among the devotees.  His son too was there singing.  All the same, only God could rescue the suffering lady.  God, undoubtedly, is the closest and the most intimate of one's kith and kin - closer than even husband.