Letters from India

50. Rama Navami and back to Whitefield - April 1986

Rama Navami and back to Whitefield

April 25, 1986

Whitefield, Karnataka

Dear Family,

All is fine – all is well. :-) Being in the Presence of Bhagavan – ahhh! All I can say is, God gives you what you want, if you want it enough. Sometimes it takes more time, sometimes less, but the Lord must give! I guess I'm just lucky that it’s my karma to stay here. Perhaps I'm reaping the benefits of the penance of one of my ancestors, or something like that. :-)

Someone (Indian) who had come one day only, had a letter for Sai, but He hadn’t taken it. So she had asked me to give it to Him. So once I offered it, but even though I was in front row, He walked far and didn’t take it, but He did look at it. The next morning, I again offered the letter and He again looked at it, but didn’t take. In the evening, Swami placed me in first row, and this time, took the letter. First He walked past me, too far for me to offer the letter. Then He paused at the girl next to me and took her letter – I held out mine and He quickly snatched it.

On the 16th morning, He came out a little late so the sun was already blazing, even though it was only 8 AM. He cut two entire sections of the ladies, and only went by one section, but walked several feet out the whole way, wouldn’t take letters or grant padnamaskar.

As He cut the sections, the sun was shining in His face, like when it’s dark and you shine a flashlight into someone’s face. He was smiling and pointed to the sun – as if saying, “How can I give proper Darshan when it’s so sunny out??” He lovingly said, “Manchi, manchi” to someone offering a letter, as if to console them (He didn’t take the letter).

In the evening, He gave a beautiful Darshan. He was wearing a dark red/orange/pinkish robe, it looks so different on Him when we’re used to the orange always. Then during bhajans, He came around for Darshan again. First He stood on the verandah like He does, with His robe falling off one step, making Him look 3 inches taller, and looking and starting at all of us. Usually He looks powerful and the Absolute God, but this day because He had the red robe on, He looked like the Divine Mother, all Love and Beauty. The robe goes so well with His dark coloring – I couldn’t help thinking He looked like a strawberry ice cream cone. :-) (Maybe because it’s been so hot – He’s cool. Sweet and beautiful!)

The 18th was Rama’s Birthday. He gave a long morning Darshan, then came out again for bhajans as they sang all Rama songs. The energy was very high. After morning bhajans, Swami had lunch served to all: yellow rice and a liquid sweet drink. I was in like the 5th row for morning Darshan, and when He came by, He gave me a long, piercing stare – as if He wanted to call me for interview!

In the evening, there was to be a discourse in the Mandir. I had been waiting, meditating and doing sadhana on the back verandah of the Mandir since 10:30 AM. You save your place all day, for a good view in the evening. Only teachers and students are allowed in for these Mandir discourses. At about 4:30 PM, they said if we make lines, maybe one or two lines could fit in. They always say this – but no one ever gets in. Swami sends orders that only the students are allowed in – and unless He gives commands otherwise, even if there’s room inside (there was space left for about 40 ladies for Ugadi, which remained empty during the discourse), the volunteers cannot permit people (i.e., the public) inside. But, I had a strong feeling to go in the lines, so I left my precious place on the verandah (losing it) and joined the lines.

At 5:10 PM, the Mandir volunteers excused the lines and said, “No room, no room.” A group of us gathered outside the open door, we saw that there was plenty of room inside! In front of us, were a group of wives of the college lecturers, who also weren’t allowed in! I prayed to Swami to send word to fill the Mandir. A few minutes later, an office man came and said, “Swami said to fill the Mandir.” The few of us who were there, dashed into the quiet Mandir, filling it! But not for long – there was so much commotion that they stopped entrance. Only 20 or so of us got in! Only four or five foreigners – yes, including me! Swami’s Grace. :-) Thank you Sai Rama! :-)