Power of dress code of swamis Sevadals

Loving Sairam.... About wearing of white dress by members of Sai Organisation,  I wd like to narrate one of my experiences to all.

       It was one of the the summer time of the month of May,  when many of the Sevadals of TN, on completion of their seva at Puttaparthi, we're returning back. There cannot b a better opportunity for us, as the straight train to Chennai was available on that date.  It was therefore a very big group of sevadals, who were returning. But on reaching the SSPN station, an utter disappoint was in store for us,  as it was announced that the train was,.OMG, two hours late.Though dejected, all of us started sitting in the Rly. platform, in groups and exchanged our experiences about the seva performed,  about our Swamy,  about our concerned notable Samithi activities etc.  It was extremely fascinating and we could not believe that two hours spent,  just like a moment. Then came another announcement that there was further delay of another 30 minutes for our train. 

    On hearing this all of us decided to have dinner,  in the platform itself,  as it was too late and all feeling hungry. It was memorable that there was a nice barter in exchanging eatables between us. All were having a small proportions of food brought by us

The climax comes only now.  As the train arrived we all boarded checked up our sleepers and settled in no time. As I was(and others too) very tired due to excessive heat of the summer time,  and late arrival of train etc, went into deep slumber very quickly. The train journey, went on and on, and I woke up somewhere near Jolarpet,  when the co-passeger,  a general public,  next to me,  narrated, what transpired during previous night when I was asleep.On hearing,  tears rolled down my cheeks for a while, as I thought of Swamy. This was the story. 

      The TTR came to verify the tickets and as the co-passenger was about to wake me,  the TTR quickly stopped him from waking me. He told the passenger..... 

    "Sir, I understand that he is the devotee of Baba as is evident from the white dress, and returning back to Chennai,  on completing his seva duty.  He looks very tired. I am sure that he will b having a valid ticket with him... So I don't disturb him now"

       I was astounded on hearing this and went to tears..

     Swamy swiftly modified his Tharaka Manthra from MY LIFE is my message to YOUR LIFE is my message. 

It was a realisation by me on that day

Jai Sri Sairam 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Story of Shankara, the calf with Swami on his back

My father, Sanmarg Krishna Shet, and I had gone to Brindavan in September of 1970. Needing to speak with Swami, he sought an interview. Being invited for one, we were waiting near the "bungalow" as Swami's residence was called prior to Trayee. It was at around 3pm when Sri Ram Brahmam, caretaker of Brindavan and a great devotee of Swami, stopped by and spoke to us. There was a cow, by name 'Yagnamatha' munching on some grass, in a corner. Pointing to it, he said, we use the milk from this cow for Swami. But the milk is drying off. My father then sought his opinion, if he could give a cow to Swami from some that we had at home. Why don't you ask Swami, as you'll be speaking to Him shortly anyway, he replied. When my father did ask Swami during the interview about offering a cow, He said "Okay, bring the cow over and I will start Gokulam".

In the first week of December 1970, the calf was born, and sheltered in our home. To see Swami's imprint on its back, many people came home. After a few days, we decided to take the cow and calf to Brindavan in the last week of December. My parents sat in front of the lorry(truck) along with the driver, while I sat in the back along with the cow & calf amongst the bales of hay. The lorry was part of a regular service to transport roof tiles, everyday. Such an experienced driver lost his way while driving overnight, and we reached town of Pavagad in the morning, instead of reaching Bangalore/Brindavan. By the time he found his way back to Brindavan, it was 1pm in the afternoon.

While we were busy trying to find our way back from the detour, Swami was making arrangements for us. At around noon, anticipating the comfort of the cow, He got a truck to dump some mud, to create a ramp for it to get down from the truck. There was a poornakumba by sumangalis who also had turmeric, kumkum, flowers, fruits & arathi; ready for a royal reception. No one knew why they are standing or to whom the reception was. They were just following instructions from Swami.

When we entered the gates of Brindavan, Swami was waiting to receive us. They asked that the truck be parked, with the back near the mound of mud. Placing a plank from the back of the truck to the heap of mud, the cow and the calf were brought down. Pointing to where I was standing, He joked "place the plank on his head", to bring a smile after a long exhausting journey.

The sumangalis welcomed with purnakumbha, puja was performed with turmeric, kumkum and flowers and with arathi. Swami asked, does the cow eat banana? and fed them bananas. Do they eat apple, he asked, and fed them apples. The cows look like poor brahmins, he commented on their sleek physique. My father pointed out Swami's silhouette on the calf's back to Swami. I reside in all living beings, He replied. We learned later that the calf was named Shankara.

We were then treated to an unforgettable honour. Swami invited all of us to have food with Him. "Where are they?" Swami asked me, referring to the driver and cleaner of the truck. I ran out and brought them for lunch to Swami's residence. Swami was served at the table, while the five of us sat on the floor. It was a delicious feast with Basundi, bananas and many dishes. After the food, we were called into the interview room. I cannot forget the Basundi lunch even now! After talking with all of us in the interview room, He materialized 2 pendants. He gave them to the driver and cleaner. He asked the driver to stop drinking alcohol and materialized vibhuti as well for him.

In 1976, Swami took my father in his red car to show him the gokulam. It's grown a lot since then. A chance talk with Sri Ram Brahmam prompted this small offer to Swami. Swami not only accepted it, but involved Himself, spent so much time making these arrangements and blessed us all profusely. We are forever grateful to Him.

- Balachandra Rayker.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba appearing in Hyderabad Hospital