Lotus evening

[Guest guest]

Thursday evening Darshan our Lord enjoyed an excellent drama put on by the Sai Youth of Orissa. The message of putting into action Swami's teachings and His emphasis on selfless service

was well enacted in this soul touching performance. Tears actually

welled up in my eyes as I watched it. Our beloved Bhagavan took photos

with the youth. After which prasadam was distributed and araathi taken.

Swami then retired to His residence.

 

After the presentation I had dinner with Mr. R. Padmanaban, Swami's

former photographer and author of the famous book, "Love is my Form,"

which depicts in great detail the early years of Bhagavan Sai Baba

and the dedicated devotees who were a part of this blessed time period.

Mr. P. once again shared some wonderful Sai experiences.

 

Mr. Padmanaban is calm, unassuming man. There is a quiet radiance that

flashes from his eyes as he speaks about our Lord. He shared one unique

story that with his permission I will relate:

 

There was a man Mr. Ponnappan from Mr. P's birthplace, Coimbatore who

had a very strong influence on him in his youth. This man was an ardent

Sai devotee and Mr. Padmanaban related if it were not for this great

soul, he would not have continued to be in the Sai movement.

 

Apparently Mr. P's family were not yet Sai devotees and so he had to

keep his love and growing faith in Swami a secret. He kept all his Sai

materials and books at this dear friend's place and together they

participated in Sai Seva activities. Mr. P's friend was totally

dedicated to Swami, he was involved in almost every wing of the Sai

organization.

 

There was one thing that bothered Padmanaban, it was that Swami had

never uttered a word to his friend. Mr. P said he repeatedly asked his

friend to allow him to intercede on his behalf with Sai Avatar. His

friend shook his head and said "no, when the time is right He will

speak to me."

 

In 1989 Swami was in Kodaikanal and Mr. Padmanaban was-in charge of the

administration. His friend was a Seva Dal and was standing near the

bhajan hall. One day after darshan Swami was getting ready to go for a

ride. When he was about to get into the car Mr. P drew courage to tell

Swami about Ponnappan and requested Swami to speak to his friend. Swami

responded, "Why should I speak to him?"Padmanaban replied, " because he

is a good man and a good devotee." Swami looked at Padmanaban and said,

"how do you know he is good?" Padmanaban related how dedicated this man

was to Baba. Swami didn't say anything, got in His car and drove off.

Padmanaban didn't understand anything from Swami's face as he got into

the car immediately. He was bit worried also. After an hour our Lord

came back, stopped His car and went over to Mr. P's friend spoke to him

and allowed him to take Padnamaskar and walked back to His residence.

When he came closer he ignored P. P. thanked Swami mentally for

fulfilling his genuine prayer.

The

next day, Swami needed a car and a driver for a short drive to visit a

devotee who lived behind his residence, he left it to Padmnaban to

arrange this. Mr. P asked his friend to drive a car he had found. When

Swami came, P. opened the back door for Swami, but divine Baba instead

came in the front of the car and sat next to this man.What a sublime narration, who can fathom the ways of the Lord, He is

sweetness beyond any nectar we can imagine. His infinite mercy is

indescribable.Mr. P shared some more wonderful experiences which I will include in my publication.Sending you all Parthi blessings and Lovesonya ki