Follow us:

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 - 4

The Grand Plan Gets Baba's Copious Blessings

 

The youth were now more convinced than ever that this project would definitely see the light of the day, it did not matter if they did not have even a single extra rupee in their pockets. Plans were soon made for the construction of the multi-functional complex.

“I wanted to show this plan to Swami and get His blessings during the Guru Poornima celebrations in 2009,” says Mr. Raja, the Zonal Youth Coordinator of Ambodola. “But unfortunately the plan was not yet ready as the engineer concerned had delayed in making the drawings. And then something interesting happened. Just a couple of days before Guru Poornima, Swami appeared in the dream of this engineer and questioned him as to why he had not done the work and then directed him to complete it soon. This man was startled and within two days the designs were ready. I brought them with me to Prasanthi Nilayam in June 2009. I still remember that unforgettable morning. Bhajans had started as usual at 9 a.m. but Swami had not still arrived and there was little hope of His coming. But He did come!

Even as prayers and efforts were on to build the new Karunalayam, the youth in parallel were busy serving in the neighbouring tribal hamlets of Ambodola.

“It was three days after the Guru Poornima festival. As Baba crossed the area where old students generally sit I raised myself and presented to Him the plan. Bhagawan gladly looked at it and not only blessed it but also took it along with Him. In fact later I learnt that during the entire bhajan session that morning Swami’s attention was only on that plan; He kept looking at it again and again, and had it with Him all through till aarti. When I heard this, my heart leapt with joy.”

He Directs the Story That is Played Out in Many Parts

Now was the time for more detailed plans. It inspired many more youth to join this project. In parallel, the youth also started preparing for their next pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam which was scheduled just a couple of months away, in August 2009. And for this, they had thought of something beautiful – to take all the Sai Karunalaya children too to Baba’s presence. Not only that, these students would also present before Baba a play! And guess what this drama was about?

Yes! It was the story of Sai Karunalaya! Isn’t that amazing! A drama staged by Baba’s students in 2004 inspires the Sai Youth of Ambodola to re-enact the play in 2006 and then Baba mysteriously instructs them to make the ‘play a reality’, they do exactly as He directs, and now they come to present before Him a drama based on this real-life divine drama! How much more inspiring can it get!

Mr. Raja and Trinath offering their prayer to Swami and seeking His blessings to start their drama in August 2009.

The Sai youth and children of Ambodola did present their play on August 27, 2009. The drama was as close to reality as possible; not only the names of the characters, even most of the actors were the same. So Trinath, the inspired Sai Youth, was the hero of this play as well. And so were the children of Sai Karunalaya.

The drama forcefully brought out how money was not everything in life and that what one needs is a heart full of compassion. If one has this, the rest would be taken care of by the Lord. Interestingly, this presentation was witnessed by the top officials and entrepreneurs of India’s financial world which included the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, the Chairman of HDFC Bank, the Executive Director of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, and a host of other CEOs and Country Heads of multi-national banks. They were present in Prasanthi Nilayam at the time to participate in the “Ethics and the World of Finance” conference organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.

Snapshots of the drama "Kingdom of Heaven - Here and Now"

Towards the end of the drama, as ‘Sai Karunalaya’ is born, all the actors dedicate the orphanage to Baba and then dance to the tunes of a song which proclaims Swami as the ‘Captain’ of their lives. They declare: “Baba does not have a bank account of His own but millionaires consider it their great privilege if they get a chance to serve Him.” The audience bursts in applause and Swami too is extremely pleased.

Infact immediately Mr. Raja and Mohan bhai go up to the stage and Baba is so happy to bless them. With a lot of interest, Baba also sees the pictures of the Sai Karunalaya children engaged in various activities like playing, studying, praying and so on. Swami now starts enquiring more about the project. He asks:

“How many children are currently there?”

“Ten, Swami.”

“Where are these children studying?”

“Swami, they go to a nearby school.”

Immediately Baba asks again, “You do not have a school?”

“No, Swami.”

Swami interacting with a tiny tot of Sai Karunalaya after the completion of their drama in August 2009.

Then emphatically He says: “I will build one for you. I will do everything. Whenever you need anything, I will make the arrangements. I will look after everything.”

The youth were in tears hearing the divine assurance even as they were drenched in the bliss of His divine proximity. They blurted out:

“Swami, when You are with us, we can achieve anything, we can take up any project, however mighty it might be.”

Now it was Swami who was overwhelmed, and He instantly clasped the hands of the youth tight.

What an exchange of Pure Love it was! Everyone who was watching these endearing moments between the Lord and His dear instruments gazed in amazement and joy.

That was not the end of it. Swami continued further and asked:

“How many more children do you want to add?”

“We want to have 40-50, Swami,” they responded enthusiastically.

Following the drama, the little children did bhajans - Swami's gaze was fixed on these innocent faces as they sang their heart out for Him.

“No, have 20. You may increase later,” said Swami and added that He Himself would guide them about the plan and in fact, do everything.

Then, as the Lord was talking to these two senior youth, suddenly He beckoned the protagonist, Trinath to the stage. The current Sai Karunalaya had come into being because this gem of a Sai youth had willingly given away a huge sum to start the project; the Lord had chosen to come in the dream of this dedicated youngster and inspired him to make the ‘dream a reality’.

Now, when Bhagawan called Trinath to Him, it was another dream come true for this firebrand devotee who two years ago had given up his lucrative job of a Manager in SBI Life Insurance so that he could devote his entire time and energy doing only His work.

“What is the use of this job if it takes away so much of my time leaving me with very little opportunity to do Swami’s work?” he had questioned himself. “I will manage with whatever resources I have and dedicate myself completely in bringing up these children who are truly Sai’s children.” With this determined thought he had involved himself completely with Sai Karunalaya since 2007.

When Baba looked at Trinath, His eyes oozing with love, this Sai soldier could no longer hold his emotions. He just clasped and kissed His hand even as His face was wet with tears streaming down his cheeks. He then lay prostrate at the Divine feet and it took a while for the others to convince Trinath to rise and return to his place. Baba too indicated him to go down as the Lord Himself now wanted to alight from the stage.

Swami filled the cups of their hearts with joy after their soulful performance

Beaming, Baba gave Himself to every participant of the play. He spoke to some, lovingly caressed a few others, patted the cheeks of the little ones... the exchange of love went on till everyone had the chance of touching His feet and receiving His blessings in some form or the other. Only after all were satisfied and brimming with joy, Swami finally posed for a group photograph. And what a picture it was! The Lord raising both His hands in blessing as the entire group is around Him, bound to Him by His love.

The most cherished moment for the Ambodola Sai family.

Quite fascinatingly, the next morning as the entire group was reliving those priceless moments of divine proximity sitting together in Hall No. 12, suddenly a devotee dropped in and handed over an envelope. In there was a good amount of money. “I saw your play last evening; you are all so blessed. Please accept this humble contribution and use it for these children,” he said and silently walked away. The Lord had already started working!

- Bishu Prusty
Radio Sai Team