Fare Well Series 1

Reason fails to explain WHY. Why does a mother love her child so much as to bear the pain of his kicking for nine months? Why does God love his creation so much as to tolerate its quest for self destruction? Love alone can pierce the barriers of hate, of vices that cloud our vision of God.

A few decades ago, one of the devotees asked Swami, “Swami, there is a danger of global warming; studies have shown that the world will be in peril after 50 years.” Swami replied, “I know. God is allowing man to destroy himself so that one day; he will fall down on his knees and turn towards God.”

Well, lets not get into these sad stories, they never please anyone. And as I say this, Swami passes by the portico in chair giving us a wide smile, testifying the view. After all, He has come to lift us out of sorrow. The last few weeks have been “yellow”fied (Swami’s colour of signifying heaven or Vaikuntha). Though I admit I don’t see yellow everywhere, the mood that I observe in my hostel and mandir say it all.

The Sivaratri festival was an amazing spectacle; I’m too late at discussing that. But what I found so special this time was reminiscence of good old times, when He was physically more close to His children, interacting with us frequently. A couple of weeks ago, our class, the final year post graduate students, put up a gratitude programme before Swami. We call it gratitude programme and not a farewell since Swami has rebuked us on many occasions against coining that word. For a Sai student, there is no “farewell”. He remains a Sai student forever. The bond with our Mother shall never leave us.

It was afternoon and all of us had assembled in Kulwant hall. Swami arrived by 5 pm, but immediately went to the interview room. We were getting restless, as usual. But soon after, He returned to the portico and asked “Where is Krishna and Sudama”. There were a couple of short skits, one of them being the story about Krishna and his friend Sudama. The programme began, with short speeches interspersed between songs. Swami was very happy, smiling and moving his fingers to the tune of the song.

After the programme, He decided to get up and come down towards us. All of us rushed forward and surrounded Swami. We had many requests to make and perhaps confused Swami. While some asked, “can we have group photographs?” some said, “Swami, please come to hostel” and others, “Swami please talk to us”. He was smiling and nodding all the while, giving his hand to all of us. One boy said, “Swami, you can come to hostel on Sunday afternoon, stay till evening and then return back.” Swami turned to him, “who are you to decide my schedule?”

It was a very memorable day indeed. He promised us that He’d speak to us soon. Listening to the Sivaratri discourse, I am convinced that the discourse was meant primarily for us.

We have little doubt that that festival had been physically taxing for Swami. But then, we are all descendants of the doubting Thomas and Swami loves to defy our logic and expectations. Right from the festival day, He has been coming out in chair, taking at least two rounds inside Kulwant hall, accepting letters from many. He’s fitter and more enthusiastic than any Indian cricketer was Down Under. Inspite of the apparent physical strain, He’d sit in portico, give interviews, talk to boys and occasionally ask, “are you happy?” Perhaps He is charging our batteries, as we near the end of our term and prepare to return to our hometown. May the batteries be utilized to charge others with the love of Sai. And may all Fare Well in this Garden of our Lord.