Dear Reader,
In a historic discourse on the 17th of May 1968 in Mumbai, the most populous metropolitan city of India, Bhagawan announced: “This is a human form in which every divine entity, every divine principle, that is to say, all the names and forms ascribed by man to God, are manifest…You are very fortunate that you have a chance to experience the bliss of the vision of the Sarvadaivathwa swaroopam [the form that is all forms of the Gods] now, in this life itself.”
God comes down in human form once in a millennium and those who are His contemporaries are truly blessed, but imagine the great good fortune of the soul God selects as the Mother of His Incarnation. It happens only to one individual in an entire age, such as Kausalya in the days of Rama, Devaki during Tretha Yuga, Mary in more recent times, and Easwaramma during the Sai Avatar.
Swami once said, “It is because Kausalya bore Him in the womb that Rama shone forth as God…It is because Putlibai fostered him that Gandhiji became famous as Mahatma; it is because the chaste Easwaramma brought Him up with love and affection that Sathyanarayana [Swami’s childhood name] earned name and fame.”
The Mother was a confluence of those noble virtues for which Indian women have been revered for centuries and an outstanding example of purity and love for the lord just like the Divine Mothers of yore. Every devotee craves for God’s love but in some very special cases the Lord craves for the love of an individual. Easwaramma was one such blessed soul. Did Easwaramma know from the beginning that she was mothering the Master of Creation? Did she undergo similar agonies and ecstasies like Yashoda did? What is that which gave her mind-numbing nightmares yet also carried her spirit to realms of ecstasy? And finally, what is it we should emulate from her glorious character and integrate into our lives? You will find answers to these and much more in our cover story.
You will also learn how the Incarnation slowly and subtlety chiseled her being through a soothing smile, a piercing look, a cutting remark or an intriguing interaction until bit by bit all traces of maternal attachment fell away leaving her shimmering like a radiant star in the ever-expanding galaxy of the Sai family, steering fellow devotees to His feet. This month's cover story is a tribute to Easwaramma's life as we not only honor her passing but celebrate the purity she attained through her selfless love for God and His Manifestations.
Selfless love: That has been the main thrust of Sai's message, be it during Birthday, Christmas or Shivarathri, whether in Mumbai, Chennai or Puttaparthi. We take heart in watching Sai devotees from every corner of the globe transforming their lives and becoming willing instruments of His message and love. Dear reader, did you know that more than 4500 cataract surgeries have been performed by Sai sevaks in some of the most inaccessible regions of Africa? This has been going on for over a year in six African nations. When you read our report in this month's Sai Seva section, it will surely be an eye opener for you as well.
Similarly, Sai devotees from New Zealand recently conducted a series of medical camps in some of the poorest and remote villages in the islands of Fiji. A village elder said, “We pray that you come next year too,” while a school headmaster proclaimed, “You bring us God’s love…please come again,” and a Sai volunteer remarked, “The unity and love here is incredible.” The Sai volunteers went to serve and uplift others but were themselves spiritually and psychologically rejuvenated and deeply moved by the love and grace supporting their efforts. We are certain when you read this that you will be moved as well.
Recently we began a series of articles on Latin America with Mexico being the focus country in the last issue. This time you will read about Sai's influence extending all the way to El Salvador and how the small Central American nation and its capital San Salvador are being transformed into "Sai Salvador." This country was named after the Spanish word for “the Savior” and now Sai has become the refuge for this earthquake prone and volcano ridden land whose political history has been equally chaotic.
Sathya Sai’s love flows exactly at the right time to the person who is in need. Distance is immaterial and His methodology is unique for every individual. When fate struck Agnes in the form of a serious cardiac ailment, her husband Godfrey, a humble farmer in Kisamula village of Uganda, did his best but was unable to find adequate medical care for her. However, just when all hope seemed lost, Sathya Sai entered their lives and now they once again communicate through smiles. How did it all happen? Read this inspiring story in the Healing Touch section.
Finally, as we leave you to explore the rest of the journal, this month's photo album contains a choice selection of marvelous pictures of Swami seated on enthralling thrones looking majestic and merciful, magnificent and compassionate. As you enjoy these images, may you open the doors of your heart so that it is suffused with His love and becomes another Prashanti Nilayam, an abode of the highest peace.
Let us install Him in our every thought, word and deed. Let us become Him.
In Sai Service
Heart2Heart Team.
