Story of the week - The Accident

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The Accident

Students are tender hearted, full of noble feelings and love for Swami. They

planned various programmes to please Me. I was very well aware of the impending

danger. But the students were not receptive to My words. I felt there was no

point in advising them in such a situation. Only when they face the

consequences of disobeying My command do they realise the value of My words.

Until this moment nobody is aware of exactly what happened on the 11th morning.

They said that the sports meet was a grand success. I am also happy when you are

successful. The students performed extremely well. Each contributed to the

success of this event based on his or her capacities and capabilities. That

morning as I entered the stadium, I spotted two lorries. Immediately I could

visualise the danger lurking in the future. I saw the lorries with huge

scaffoldings placed over them. The boys planned to perform a few acrobatic

feats on them. I knew that one of the ropes was not fitted properly and was

about to give in. If that were to happen the boy would suffer a major head

injury and his spinal column would break. I willed that the boy should be saved

and decided to take the future accident upon Myself.

Prior to this, one boy suffered a spinal injury and had been admitted to the

Manipal Hospital in Bangalore. I willed that such an untoward incident should

not recur. Once the spinal column breaks it is impossible to set it right.

Immediately I arranged for an ambulance to shift the boy to the hospital in

Bangalore and gave ten thousand rupees to defray the immediate expenditure. I

also ensured that our doctor accompanied him. The parents shed tears of

gratitude when they came to know of the love showered by Swami on their son.

The doctor said that the boy would not be able to sit or lie down as his spinal

column was badly damaged. I said to him, "Do not entertain any misgivings. Do as

I say!" By the time the boy reached the hospital he could miraculously sit up!

He entered the hospital and sat down on the bed. He regained sensation in all

his limbs which were numb till then. No danger whatsoever. He was protected

because of My infinite mercy and boundless grace. All students

should be safe and secure. I have repeatedly declared that students are My

property. I consider students welfare as My welfare, and their happiness, My

happiness. I never think of My happiness and My comfort. My only concern was

that the students should not be disappointed or put to any inconvenience. A day

prior to that I had instructed four boys to surround the chariot and keep a

vigil. They are also full of love and devotion for Swami. But I noticed that

none of them were present at that spot. Nobody is to be blamed. No one does

this deliberately. Swami is the very life-breath of the students.

I asked for the chariot to be stopped. A senior devotee was driving the chariot,

with all sincerity, love and devotion. He stopped the vehicle in accordance with

My command. Just when I was about to speak to the Vice-Chancellor, the driver

accidentally put his foot on the clutch instead of applying the brake. That

resulted in a jerk and I fell down in the chariot. I suffered injuries on My

head and arm and My spinal column was badly damaged. What the boys had to face,

I took it upon Myself. Many men and women were seated in the gallery, but I took

care that none should notice My injuries. I pretended as though nothing had

happened. The Vice-Chancellor was worried thinking that Swami was unable to get

up. I knew that any further delay would cause anxiety in the minds of devotees.

So I immediately got up, forgetting the excruciating pain and started blessing

the devotees, waving My hands. The pain was intense, and the cut on My arm so

deep that it appeared to have been caused by a

knife. But the sleeve on the robe covering My hand was intact. This incident

gives you a glimpse of the infinite power of Divinity.

I found Myself in an awkward situation. I had to walk to the dais without My

injuries being noticed. So I willed that no one should notice My injuries, lest

they become anxious. I walked up to the dais and took My seat. But in the

meanwhile the dhoti below My robe was drenched in blood. Concerned that the

devotees may get to know of this, I discreetly walked into the bathroom. The

available towels were insufficient to wipe the oozing blood. I did not want to

leave the blood stained towels in the bathroom, lest some one notice them.

Though there was excruciating pain, I washed the towels Myself with soap,

squeezed them and put them up for drying. Under no circumstances do I reveal My

suffering, pain and fatigue. Some boys were curious to know why I went to the

bathroom repeatedly. I replied, "Why are you concerned? It is my job." Usually

I go to the bathroom only twice a day, morning and evening. Since the injury

was bleeding profusely, I had to go to the bathroom five or six times

in that short duration. Just then two students came and prayed that the

institute flag could be hoisted. When I got down from the chair it felt as if I

had an electric shock. Reflecting on the incident I feel like laughing to

Myself. I could not stand firmly on the ground. I thought I should not be

deluded by the attachment to the body and walked forward smilingly to hoist the

flag. Then I lighted the lamp. I again found Myself in an embarrassing

situation. I could not sit in any posture comfortably. When I exhort all

devotees to give up body attachment, I should set an example Myself. Speaking

to Myself in this manner, I conducted myself accordingly.

The Primary School children performed extremely well and desired to have a

photograph with Me. Acceding to their prayers I walked up to them and posed for

a photograph, as I did not want to disappoint them. Subsequently I had to walk

up to the playing field five more times to have photographs taken with the

remaining students. In this manner I detached Myself from the body. My body was

numb. There was no sensation whatsoever. My head was reeling. I resolved to make

the students happy no matter what happened to the body. I decided to keep this

to Myself. Concerned that the bloodstains may be visible while returning to the

dais from the playground, I ascended the steps leading directly to My seat. Is

it possible for human beings to conceal such a major injury from the public

gaze for such a long time amidst such a huge gathering? No. I was seated on the

chair for five long hours. I am relating all this so that students and devotees

may comprehend the nature of Divinity. Anyone in My

predicament would not have been able to sit in the chair even for a second. It

would have been impossible even to put a step forward. It was as though

electric shocks were piercing My body. The electric current gives shock: but

when I am the current Myself, where is the question of Myself being subjected

to shock? With this feeling I sat through the whole proceedings and returned to

the Mandir.

The Central Trust members followed Me, but they were not aware of what had

happened to Me. The senior devotee apologized for his slip. Then I told him,

"Why do you worry about the past? Past is past. I am happy. Do not worry about

Me." All of them had their lunch. After lunch My back started bleeding again.

The students were waiting outside for photographs, again I went into the

bathroom to wipe the blood. Noticing this, Indulal Shah cried out, "Swami what

is this?" I told him lovingly, "Indulal Shah, whatever had to happen to the

body has happened." Saying so, I showed him My injury. All of them cried out in

agony. They noticed blood all over. I told them that I would not reveal anything

in future if they expressed their sorrow like this. No one knew about the injury

until I reached the Mandir. Likewise, I take upon Myself the untold suffering of

students and devotees many a time to protect them. No one is responsible for

this mishap. You may find fault with one individual or the

other, but no one is responsible for this. Whatever had to happen, happened. That's all.

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Prize distribution for Sports & Cultural Meet, Prashanthi Nilayam,

January 14, 1999http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1037.html

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