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Posted on : Feb 03, 2012

ORCHESTRATING A FASCINATING PLAY OF DIVINE COMPASSION

How Bhagawan mysteriously motivated the Sai Youth of Ambodola to reach out to the most neglected little ones of rural Odisha (in East India) and create an oasis of divine compassion

Part - 3

Sai Karunalayam Begins... Albeit in a Small Way

Divine Dream Turns into Reality

Now, returning to the dream of Trinath in 2006, once the youth heard about this, they were obviously excited because Baba was now sending them instructions directly. So they started planning and the following year on Yugadi Day (in March 2007) they had a detailed meeting to discuss the orphanage project.

Interestingly, on the same day and during the same time Bhagawan was delivering a discourse in Prasanthi Nilayam, during which He said, “Do not delay any good work that you wish to undertake. If your intention is good, I will see to it that you receive the required financial and other support.”

To add to this, when the then State President of the Sathya Sai Organisation, Odisha, Mr. H. K. Dash visited Ambodola in early 2007 he too readily granted permission and extended all support to begin this project.

The state president of Sai Organisation, Odisha visited Ambodola in 2007 and saw the various initiatives undertaken by the youth to improve the standard of life and living of the poor rural folk of that region.

Meanwhile in January 2007, Trinath left the teaching profession and joined Bajaj Allianz Insurance. He gave the company a business of 15 lakhs in just three months! As a reward he received an unexpected bonus of Rs. 50,000. Without a second thought, he contributed this amount to start the orphanage. With this money and the small piece of land acquired in 1999, a small extension was constructed behind the Sai Temple of Ambodola and thus was born ‘Sai Karunalaya’ (meaning, the House of Compassion of Sai).

This is the current Sai Karunalaya where 10 orphans are being tendered to with much love and care; it is an extension of the Sai Temple of Ambodola.

“We started with six children,” explained Mohan bhai, “We wanted Baba to select the children, so we did a draw of lots. All of them came from very sad backgrounds. For example, Jagadish had lost his father when he was an infant. His mother was working as a domestic help. One afternoon when he returned from school he found his mother had passed away in her sleep. His uncle then took him away to work in his hotel. When we saw him living in such a pitiable condition cleaning and wiping vessels in an unclean joint we immediately rescued him and brought him to Sai Karunalaya.”

Sai Jagadish, Sai Bhushan, Sai Santosh.... all these children now have Sai in their names as it is He who is looking after their every need.

Ask Jagadish how he feels now and he says, “The amount of love and care I have received from these Sai brothers is so much more than what even my parents had given me... Baba is now my father and mother. I am so happy here.”

The children went on an excursion to Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Odisha, and visited the city's famous parks and temples. On the right is Sai Jagadish narrating how happy he is now after being rescued from his unkind uncle.

“Like this, each boy here has a very sorry past,” explained Mohan bhai, “But they are all smiling now as we fill them with so much love.”

Though the mission had sort of begun, the youth were determined to have a separate and elaborate building which not only provided spacious accommodation to the orphans but also had a school, hostel, community centre, horticulture unit, old age home, and also a vocational training centre. They started working towards this dream and even identified an area, half a kilometre away from Ambodola, where this multi-functional complex could come up.

Prayer and play, studies and service - all these form important part of the daily curriculum of the Sai Karunalayam children. On the right is Trinath who has dedicated himself completely to take care of these children.

Bhagawan Love and Miracles Turn Things Around

In November 6 and 7, 2007 the Sai Youth of Odisha had the chance of presenting a two-day programme - a beautiful mix of drama, dance and songs – to Bhagawan. The Lord was so happy with their presentation that at the end of every performance He went down the stage, showered love on the children profusely, posed with them for photographs and returned only after blessing every artist.

The Sai youth and Bal Vikas children of Odisha presented colourful programmes for two days which won the heart of the lord in Nov 6-7, 2007.

The Sai Youth who had organised this pilgrimage took this opportunity to present to Bhagawan the map of the location of the proposed new complex. They had even paid some money as advance but had not yet registered the land because of paucity of resources. As Swami saw the plan they mentioned to Him about their need for funds to start this project. Bhagawan just looked at them and blessed the plan but did not say a word.

Mohan bhai showing the map of the proposed new Sai Karunalaya complex to Bhagawan and seeking His blessings in Nov 2007.

Having received Bhagawan’s love and grace in abundance and also His permission to carry on the work, the youth were convinced that it would now definitely materialise but they did not know when and how. They contacted the owner of the 4.67 acres of land and asked if it could be registered to the Sai Karunalaya Trust.

Not an easy person to deal with, the landlord demanded four lakhs for the land. With very little resources at their disposal, the youth tried to negotiate the price but it did not seem to go anywhere. As a last resort, one day they invited this important person to the Sai Temple, explained to him in detail their plan for the new complex and also took him to the temporary Karunalaya building which was home to six orphans. Impressed with the genuine service done by the youth, the man finally reduced the price by a lakh. And it was at this time that a senior member of the organisation came forward and offered two lakhs for this project. The youth tried to fill the gap with small contributions from themselves and other like-minded devotees.

The Sai Temple of Ambodola - the place where several manifestations of His grace have inspired the devoted folk of this village to love Him and serve Him dearly.

All of a sudden on November 23, 2008 the owner of the land demanded that the registration be completed that day itself. The youth were in fact busy with the Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan but the man was insistent. In fact, he said that if the land was not registered that particular day the deal might have to be cancelled. The registration had to be done at Bishamkatak, about 45 kms from Ambodola. Mohan bhai could not go as he was completely involved in the celebrations and with no option left, he sent a youth to the registration office. The saving grace was that the owner had relented to accept the money at Ambodola and not compulsorily at Bishamkatak.

Accordingly the registration process was duly completed and both the Sai youth and the owner returned to the Sai Temple at 2.30 in the afternoon. Now, the money had to be paid and the youth made the offering in front of Swami’s shrine on a plate. When the amount was counted, to the shock of everyone present, the figure was Rs. 5000 less! Mohan bhai was terribly perturbed.

Just then he remembered that a devotee from Rayagada, the nearby Sai Centre, had given him an envelope that morning saying the money could be used for the Karunalaya children. And when he fetched the cover and checked the amount, it was exactly Rs. 5000! His joy knew no bounds. He just thanked Swami over and over again and placed this amount on the plate.

The first major step in realising their dream had been taken. “It was Bhagawan who made it happen; He has been looking after us at every juncture,” said Mohan bhai, “He is the only Doer, we are mere instruments.”

- Bishu Prusty
Radio Sai Team