“I was kneeling down and praying. It was about
seven o’clock in the evening. Ours is a traditional Catholic family. I
bolted the door from inside so that no one could disturb me. I felt as
though someone placed his hand on my shoulder. Slowly I opened my eyes and
looked back. I noticed Sri
Sathya Sai Baba clad in his orange-red robe
lovingly looking at me with a smile on his face. This most certainly is
the second advent of Christ. He is indeed the Cosmic Christ born again to
fulfill his promise to humanity. I am a reputed cardiac surgeon from
Italy. I have won a lot of honours and recognition. My church may think of
me what it pleases, but my conviction does not change. I affirm that
Sri
Sathya Sai Baba and Christ are one and the same.” Bhagavan was presiding
over the meeting. As I recollect these words of the eminent and
experienced cardiologist from abroad, I can picture vividly the excitement
and reverberating applause in the meeting hall. Where do you think this
statement was made? These were his concluding remarks at an International
Seminar on Cardiothoracic Surgery. This foreign expert was sharing his
experiences with fellow participants. Those words are still ringing in my
ears. Because of my thirty odd years of close association and teaching
experience in the Andhra Christian College, the Italian surgeon’s words
left me stunned. This was the first time for me to hear a Catholic, and a
distinguished doctor at that, make such a statement.
It gradually began
to dawn on me that thousands of Catholics from all over the world hold the
same firm belief. What Dr. Frank G. Baronowski, of Arizona University, once said at a Summer
Spiritual Training Course at the Brindavan campus near Bangalore still
lingers in my mind. This happened some thirty years ago, I think. Those
were the days when Kirlian photography was a novelty, with the excitement
of ascertaining an individual’s personality by means of the aura round his
head. Kirlian photography made it possible to clearly
identify not only traits such as jealousy, hatred and enmity, but also
serenity, patience, and love. Dr. Baronowskihad taken Kirlian photos
of many great godmen in India. Finally he had the good fortune of taking a
photograph of Bhagavan Baba. His words on this occasion had a lasting
impression on the audience. As Sri Kasturi records, “Towards the end of
the course, on the eighth day, the trainees had the singular good fortune
of listening to a talk given by Dr. Frank G. Baronowski of Arizona
University, on the uniqueness of Bhagavan'saura. This speech equipped them
with faith in the divinity of Baba - a precious possession that would
fortify them throughout their lives. Dr. Baronowskisaid,"I was not brought up in any
belief, though I am a Christian by birth and a Roman Catholic. The
scientific community in my country finds it difficult to accept God. "It
is not scientific," they assert. The aura that Swami projects is not that
of a man. The white was more than twice the size of any man's, the blue
was practically limitless and then there were gold and silver bands beyond
even these, far beyond the building, right up to the horizon! I am risking
my reputation when I make this statement. Two days ago, right outside this
hall, I looked into His eyes. They had a glow in them. It was clear to me
that I had looked into the face of Divinity. If ever I can use the phrase,
'I have seen Love walking on two feet', it is here”.
Spiritual aspirants
realise through personal experience that in whatever form or by whatever
name one may pray to God, that prayer goes directly to our Swami. God is
one. He is the bestower of all boons; he is the embodiment of all Gods in
all forms. He is Sri Sathya Sai. It is for this reason that it is said,
“‘Allah,’ chant the Mohammedans, ‘Jehovah,”
the Christians,
“Lotus-eyed Lord,’ chant the Vaishnavaites, ‘Sambho,’
the Saivaites.
Know that the Supreme Spirit alone thus
worshipped wholeheartedly, Bestows on all the boons of long life, health,
and wealth.”
Christ is the shepherd, Baba the
cowherd. Both were born in humble, rustic households. At Christ’s birth, a
star shone bright in the firmament; guided by the star, wise men carrying
precious gifts came from the four directions for the darsan of the child
Christ, knelt before him and extolled his glory. Christ is also known as “Yesu.”
“Yesu” signifies the oneness of divinity. The name “Yesu” signifies
experiencing the one divine spirit present in everyone. The birth of
Christ, Baba says, denotes truly the birth of love in our hearts. That
alone is true Christmas. The inner key to the observance of the festival
of Christmas is indeed offering grateful adoration with devotion,
diligence, and humility. The wise ones experienced the Light emanating
from the child Christ, and then the Christ in the Light, and finally
realised the Light as the Lord God.
Lord Yesu was born to Virgin Mary.
As the Gospel of Matthew points out, “Behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this
was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring
forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew: 1:19-23). That is
why our saviour is Jesus himself. He is verily the Emmanuel, our companion
and refuge from the woes of the world.
Answering the prayer of
Venkavadhuta, the protector of the world, Bhagavan Baba incarnated for
uplifting Dharma and is moving about as the companion of devotees, and
watching over them even as the eyelid does the eye. Baba is the embodiment
of the divinity which chose to incarnate by means of “entry” into the womb
of Holy Mother Easwaramma. When someone asked, “Swami! Is your birth the
result of ‘delivery’ or ‘entry?’ Baba replied, “Assuredly ‘entry’.” When
he subsequently remarked, garbhaduhkha
mokintayu kāncakunḍa puţţucunḍu svēcchagā puḍami sāyi“Without even an iota of pain during
birth,Sai incarnates on earth of his
own will,” Baba underscored this aspect of the incarnation.
At a very
tender age Baba declared, “My devotees are waiting for me.” So had Jesus
too: “From that time Jesus began
to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”
(Matthew, 4:17). After the Declaration of his Avatarhood, Baba’s fame
began spreading far and wide. Many began arriving from neighbouring
districts, seeking remedies for disease, relief from worry and distress,
and release from possession by evil spirits and insanity, they prayed to
him, got rid of their suffering, and became happy. And so had Jesus
ministered to the sick and the afflicted: “And Jesus went about all
Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease
among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought
unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and
torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were
lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there
followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis,
and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan”(Matthew,
4:23-25). Baba says, “The tree is known by the fruit.” The simplicity,
humility, and obedience of devotees proclaim the greatness of Baba. Jesus
counsels: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew, 4:16).
The purpose of Bhagavan Baba’s
avatar is the revival of Veda and Dharma, not the establishing of a new
religion. Our scriptures are manuals for practice, and should not end up
with our recording them or committing them to memory. Sai is for dharma,
not for a religion. Christ observes: “Think not that I am
come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to
fulfil” (Matthew, 5:17).
We should turn to a
fact within the experience of a number of people. Hadn’t we noticed a
number of times during the Dasara celebrations, a period when multitudes
of devotees gather, that they suffered no inconvenience at all, that
there was no rain in the Nilayam, while it was pouring in Puttaparthi and
the surrounding villages? Why should we be anxious when we have our Swami
who can command Varuna, the rain God? Many will certainly remember the
miracle that took place during the very recent Ati Rudra MahaYajnam. They
say that a gentle shower at the time of Purnahuti is an auspicious sign of
divine blessing. So, the other day it rained at Purnahuti, didn’t it?
Indeed the five elements of Nature have to conduct themselves according to
Swami’s will.
We remember the words
of Baba, while still a child, to his elder sister Venkamma. When the
monsoon clouds were menacingly dark, and threatened to interrupt the
construction of her house, hadn’t he assured her that the rains won’t
come? Hadn’t the clouds scattered suddenly? “Once when Jesus was
travelling in a boat along with some people, the sea grew turbulent, and
the surging waves threatened to engulf them. Then Jesus calmed the waters,
and rid them of their terror: “But the men marvelled, saying, What manner
of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew,
8:27).
This happened at least more than
fifty years ago. Bhagavan Baba used to tour the East Godavari district.
That year the Godavari overflowed the banks. All around there was a
horrifying flood It seems Swami promised to Seashagiri Rao, a high ranking
official, that he would attend the housewarming ceremony. The Godavari had
to be crossed to reach that house. The Collector had issued orders banning
all travel as the river had been rising fast and overflowing right up to
the bridge. What could Seshagiri Rao who had jurisdiction over three
states do? His wife was a very ardent devotee of Swami. She was absolutely
certain that Swami would come. Swami too got ready to go. Meanwhile, the
Chief Engineer approached Swami and said, “Swami! Crossing the Godavari
is out of question. We have to give an undertaking to the collector
stating that whatever may happen, we alone are responsible. Swami replied,
“Go, give it.” The engineer said, “Pardon me, Swami! I am a government
servant and am forbidden from giving such an undertaking.” It seems, Swami
immediately said, “Go and state there, ‘Nothing will happen,’ and bring it
here.” As Swami said, nothing untoward happened. When Swami reached
Mittipadu at the appointed hour, it seems the housewife was ready with
coconuts and the hārati plate. The Controller of Creation is none other
than the Creator himself, isn’t it?
“And Jesus arose, and followed him,
and so did his disciples. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an
issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his
garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I
shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said,
Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the
woman was made whole from that hour.” (Matthew, 9:19-22).
Professor Banerjee from the Calcutta
University was once travelling with his family by train to Parthi for
Baba’s darśan. In the compartment, his was a window seat. But,
unfortunately at one railway station, the iron window shutter slipped and
fell on his finger. The finger got crushed. He reached Parthi in
excruciating pain. Just then Bhagavan set out for granting darśan and was
passing before the row where Banerjee sat down. In spite of his yearning
for pādanamaskār, to reverentially touch Baba’s feet, he could not so much
as stretch his hand. Baba was almost walking past him. Unable to restrain
himself any longer, summoning all his courage, the professor stretched his
hands. He could touch only Swami’s robe. Imagine what happened next! The
pain vanished and he suffered no more. The mere touch of Swami’s robe has
such miraculous powers
I have a friend, Murthy, a lecturer. Through a Sai devotee he got hold of
a kerchief of Swami and kept it safely, and whenever time permitted, he
used to press it reverentially to his eyes. One day he had unbearable
stomach ache. Suddenly, as though prompted by Bhagavan, he remembered the
handkerchief. Placing it over his stomach, he began chanting the name,
“Sai Ram.” The pain disappeared completely. Such is the power of Swami’s
kerchief.
During the recent Dasara
celebrations, I met someone I know for quite some time, a lady devotee
from Prakasam district. What makes me remember her so distinctly is the
remarkable experience she had. One of her hands was weak, and shorter than
the other. The other hand is quite normal. Some years ago when she came to
Parthi for Bhagavan’s darśan, her good fortune was such that Baba stood
right in front of her. Yearning to touch both the feet and deeply grieving
over her handicap, she somehow managed to hold on to one foot. How are we
to gauge Baba’s compassion? Without any effort on her part, the weak,
shrivelled hand began to stretch on its own. She could offer namaskār with
both the hands. That is the wondrous impact of touching the divine feet.
That year Easwaramma Day was
celebrated in Kodaikanal. Arrangements were made for Narayanaseva and the
gift of clothes. I had some doubts about the venue. The thought flashed in
my mind, “Ah! How many will be able to come all this distance and to the
top of the hill!” Food was cooked and ready. After Baba gave his
permission, they began serving food. Hundreds of people turned up. When I
walked into the kitchen, a student there whispered into my ear, “Sir! The
food we cooked is exhausted. Please bring this to the kind attention of
Bhagavan.” Picking up some courage, I approached Swami slowly and said in
a low tone, “All the food is exhausted, Swami!” Looking at me sternly,
Baba said, “What do you say? None can utter the word, ‘exhausted.’ Go,
bring the food and serve” I myself am the direct witness. What do you say!
Finally, when we went into the kitchen, the large vessel which was empty
was filled with ready cooked food. Serving was resumed for the people
sitting there in row after row. Baba then remarked, “What! You said, ‘Food
is exhausted.’ ‘No’ and ‘not’ should not arise. You should say, ‘enough,’
but never ‘exhausted.’
Dr. Amarendra was an eminent
writer and speaker in English and Telugu. I should relate some miracles he
witnessed and shared with me: “This happened in the Brindavan campus, near
Bangalore about 1972, I think. Baba conducted group Upanayanams. It was a
grand affair. Baba himself performed Brahmōpadēśam, gave with his own
hands yajñōpavītam to each of the bachelors, and blessed the parents seated on
either side. He gave an excellent discourse on the Gayatri mantra. The
pavilion was very crowded, and many had to remain outside. I watched the
proceedings from the sidelines, peeping through some corner. At the close
of the function, a festive lunch was arranged for the bachelors and the
parents.” Subsequently Dr Amarendra spoke of that day’s experience in a
meeting, “After the programme of group Upanayanams was over, Baba was
coming towards the meeting hall, and said to me, “Amarendra! Have you
noticed this! They expected a thousand people will come, but two thousand
turned up here. They cooked food for a thousand. From where, do you
suppose, had the food come! From above I passed on basket after basket of
food.” Bhagavan’s hand is indeed nectarine, the bestower of boons! The
food appeared on the scene mysteriously.
The parallel with Jesus’ feeding
the multitudes is indeed very striking: “And they departed into a desert
place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew
him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came
together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was
moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a
shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now
far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place,
and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the
country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for
they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to
eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of
bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye?
go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he
commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And
they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken
the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed,
and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them;
and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and
were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of
the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand
men (Mark, 6:32-44).
I happened to participate in the Birthday
celebrations of Baba in the estate of Venkatagiri, Nellore district. This
must have taken place some thirty or thirty five years ago. I should
narrate this because this is my personal experience. There I met a revenue
official. His name, I think, is Rajagopal. He reported this to me with a
good deal of enthusiasm. It seems Swami promised to pay a visit to his
home. Accordingly Swami came in a car along with the Raja of Venkatagiri,
and asking him to remain in the car, proceeded by foot to Rajagopal’s
tiled house. Swami sat down in a chair. Rajagopal had a son, an infant
only a few months old, stricken with the skin disease, sobhi.
It seems Swami touched the baby, picked him up, and took
him into his lap. That is all. On top of it, the baby dirtied Bhagavan’s
robe. Swami’s touch cured the terrible skin disease. When the father of
the baby visited Puttaparthi, Swami seems to have remarked, “Though you
have forgotten, Swami has not. Your boy is now working, isn’t he?”
Is speaking of Swami a small
affair? Certainly there are ever so many occasions like these. Krishna
Rao was the manager of the Sai Baba Fancy Shop in Guntur, His experience
too took place some forty years ago. As he is a close friend of mine, I am
describing this incident. From a long time he was suffering from migraine.
Once when he came to Puttaparthi, he saw Swami going in a car towards
Gokulam, and began running after it. Swami, it seems, got down and touched
his face. He did not have migraine again. The suffering of so many years
disappeared in an instant.
Here is an account of one of the
miraculous cures which Christ brought about. “And it came to pass, as he
went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and
Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men
that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices,
and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said
unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that,
as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was
healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on
his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke,
17:11-16).
Nandivelugu is a village in the
Guntur district. In that village there lived an old blind merchant, a
devotee of Baba. He came to Puttaparthi along with his family and his
sister. Swami gave them an interview and offered spiritual instruction. He
advised the young son to look after his father and cautioned him to keep
away from politics. Finally, Swami placed his divine hands on the two eyes
of the old man. Immediately he regained eyesight. The old man looked all
around the interview room and expressed his gratitude to Bhagavan with the
eyes shedding tears copiously. He could enjoy at once both eyesight and
Baba’s compassionate glance too.
Here is an account of how Christ
granted eyesight to a blind man. “And they came to Jericho: and as he went
out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when
he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say,
Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he
should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of
David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be
called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort,
rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to
Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should
do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my
sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee
whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the
way. (Mark, 10:46-52).
Walter Cowan is an eminent
devotee of Bhagavan Baba. Together with his wife, Elsie, he started in
Tustin, California, a Library and a Bookstall of Sathya Sai Literature,
and rendered pioneering service to the cause of disseminating Sai
literature. This may well be called the biggest of Sai Centres in the
West. Devotees are familiar with how the Cowans attended the
International Sathya Sai Conference and how Walter died of a heart attack.
Subsequently, Walter Cowan wrote and published an account of his
experiences after death. This account has become immensely popular. He
mentioned in that article the details of his death, of his entry into a
hall with his subtle body, and of his earlier lives read out by some
auditor-like official, like the Chitragupta in the Indian tradition. He
understood that he had had gone through several lofty births. Cowan
reported in the article that Baba entered the hall in the meanwhile and
ordered his release, he re-entered the physical body and became alive once
again. It seems Baba subsequently remarked, “I should send back those who
have come to attend my Birthday celebrations very happy, should I not?
Cowan has still to attend to some other business. That is why he had to be
brought back to life.”
Everyone knows how Kuppam Radhakrishnaiah
was similarly brought back to life. After Radhakrishnaiah was pronounced
dead, the people in the ashram began preparations to move the dead body.
We know how Baba stopped them and brought him back to life. Similarly
Brigadier Bose died in the Poornachandra Hall, and Swami brought him back
to life. Thousands of people gathered there during the Dasara celebrations
witnessed this amazing miracle with their own eyes. You would have heard
about how after the doctors ran towards Brigadier Bose, examined him, and
pronounced him dead, Swami poured life into him.
In the Holy Bible, there is an
account of Christ’s bringing Lazarus back to life (John, 11:1-47) When
word of Lazarus’s illness reached Jesus, he responds, “This sickness is
not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be
glorified thereby. … Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in
the grave four days already. … And when he thus had spoken, he cried with
a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound
hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a
napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (11:1-4, 17,
43, 44).
The miracles of Christ and the
marvels of Baba are so designed as to exhibit the nature of divinity and
to offer ample proofs of the nature of divine Love. “Jesus sacrificed his
life, shed his blood, and filled the hearts of men with pity and
compassion.” Jesus is the very image of Absolute Love. Stopping the cruel
sacrifice of animals and birds in the temple he had noticed in the temple
in Jerusalem, he became the enemy of priests and publicans. Utterly devoid
of selfishness, giving up all earthly comforts, Jesus granted us his
teachings through his life, and himself bore the cross for the sake of
humanity. The birth of Jesus Christ is a holy day for the entire world. In
the wholly spiritual environment of Prasanthi Nilayam, Christmas is indeed
the festival celebrating Divine Love. The gigantic statue of Christ in the
Hillview Stadium and the full length image of Christ the shepherd in the
Poornachandra Auditorium cast a spell on us and immerse us in the
contemplation of God.
Long long ago Yesu was also
called “Isa.” Notice how continuous repetition of this name produces the
name, “Sai.” We need to understand that the Iswaratva, the principle of
Lordship, present in both “Isa” and “Sai” is one and the same. Jesus
prayed, “Abba, Father all things are possible unto thee; take away this
cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.(Mark,
14:36) Again, with constant repetition, “Abba” sounds like “Baba.”
According to Peter Phipps, in the verses, “Sanctify them through thy
truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17), and “The lip of
truth shall be established for ever: (Proverbs, 12:19), the meaning of
Baba’s name, “Sathya” (Truth), is highlighted (Sathya Sai Baba and
Christianity, p.294). In the article, “Sathya Sai and Jesus,” he stresses
that the oneness of Jesus, the Son of God and the Father in Heaven, God
points to Sathya Sai Baba himself. Rev. Phipps says that as a result of
intense prayer and the worship of Christ over several years, he could
obtain the darśan of Sathya Sai.
Ron Laing contributed articles on
Christianity to spiritual journals in England. In his writings Baba
figures as Cosmic Christ. The native American visionary, Lame Deer, seems
to refer obliquely to Baba in prophesying, “There is a Light Man coming,
bringing a new light. It will happen before this century is over. The man
who has the power will do good things, too-stop all atomic power, stop
wars." Some explained the reference to Jesus as “Isa” as follows: “I”
stands for Mother, “Sa” for Divinity. Thus, Jesus is viewed also as the
Divine Mother. In the very name of the holy city of Jerusalem, “Jeru’
means ‘place,” and “salem,” ‘peace.’ According to others, this Jerusalem
will flourish in the Golden Age as the international spiritual centre, wherein the reign of God will be
established, and the hopes and aspirations of prophets will be fulfilled. That Jerusalem, the City of Abiding Peace, is our Prasanthi
Nilayam. The protector of this world and the Lord of the Universe is Sri
Sathya Sai.
Lord Yesu started as the
Messenger of God, exhibiting the mode of dvaita, became known as the Son
of God, that of viśishţādvaita, until finally he revealed himself
declaring, “I and my Father are one” (John, 10:30),” that of advaita,
revealing the essence of aham brahmāsmi. Besides the progression from
dvaita to advaita through viśishţādvaita, notable is the symbolism of the
cross, with the vertical line standing for the ego, and the horizontal for
its cancellation or negation. All these thoughts are derived from Bhagavan
Baba. We have to note the vastness of the synthesis involved. The divine
sayings of Yesu and Sai, full of charming comparisons and apt
illustrations, are accessible to every man. Jesus proclaimed, “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall
he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father (John, 10:12). The father announced by Jesus is the present
incarnation of Sri Sathya Sai. Peter Phipps continues, “Even as John
announced the coming of Jesus as Christ, in the same way Jesus too
announced the future avatar, Sathya Sai. “Believe me that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake”
(John, 14:11). The identity of Christ and God is obvious. The word
“Father” figures 26 times in the Gospel of John. Thus, there is the
emergence of the concept of that father as the Parabrahma, the Supreme
Spirit, Sri Sathya Sai.
Christmas is a festival that illuminates the
entire world. Let us hope and pray for Peace in that illumination. Baba
once questioned, “If only the mind is righteous, which religion can be
called evil?” and added, “Names and forms may differ, but Narayana
is One.” Let us extol Christ, worship Sai, and achieve salvation.
Christmas, the festival which unites people of all faiths and countries in
the spirit of friendship and goodwill, is celebrated in Prasanthi Nilayam
with love, devotion, and faith. Nowhere have I enjoyed the enchanting
melodies of Christmas carols more than in Puttaparthi, with the band of
the students of Sri Sathya Sai University, playing on a number of
instruments.
Sai devotees believe in the unity
of all faiths. The well educated need to conduct research in the field of
Comparative Religion, and illustrate the oneness of all faiths in the Sai
path through apt references to Sai’s sayings. May the dissemination of
such knowledge promote the understanding of the uniqueness of the Sai
avatar, its glory and message of Peace. Praying to Sai on this auspicious
Christmas for his blessings, I offer my salutations to the Compassionate
Sai. Sai Ram!
(Translation: Padma and Ramesh Dutta
Thippavajjala)
photography made it possible to clearly
identify not only traits such as jealousy, hatred and enmity, but also
serenity, patience, and love. 
Here is an account of one of the
miraculous cures which Christ brought about. “And it came to pass, as he
went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and
Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men
that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices,
and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said
unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that,
as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was
healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on
his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke,
17:11-16).
Here is an account of how Christ
granted eyesight to a blind man. “And they came to Jericho: and as he went
out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when
he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say,
Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he
should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of
David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be
called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort,
rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to
Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should
do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my
sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee
whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the
way. (Mark, 10:46-52).
Walter Cowan is an eminent
devotee of Bhagavan Baba. Together with his wife, Elsie, he started in
Tustin, California, a Library and a Bookstall of Sathya Sai Literature,
and rendered pioneering service to the cause of disseminating Sai
literature. This may well be called the biggest of Sai Centres in the
West. Devotees are familiar with how the Cowans attended the
International Sathya Sai Conference and how Walter died of a heart attack.
Subsequently, Walter Cowan wrote and published an account of his
experiences after death. This account has become immensely popular. He
mentioned in that article the details of his death, of his entry into a
hall with his subtle body, and of his earlier lives read out by some
auditor-like official, like the Chitragupta in the Indian tradition. He
understood that he had had gone through several lofty births. Cowan
reported in the article that Baba entered the hall in the meanwhile and
ordered his release, he re-entered the physical body and became alive once
again. It seems Baba subsequently remarked, “I should send back those who
have come to attend my Birthday celebrations very happy, should I not?
Cowan has still to attend to some other business. That is why he had to be
brought back to life.” 
In the Holy Bible, there is an
account of Christ’s bringing Lazarus back to life (John, 11:1-47) When
word of Lazarus’s illness reached Jesus, he responds, “This sickness is
not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be
glorified thereby. … Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in
the grave four days already. … And when he thus had spoken, he cried with
a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound
hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a
napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (11:1-4, 17,
43, 44). 
