Beloved Maa

Sai is infinite love. Sathya is what He teaches, Dharma is what He lives, Shanti is the mark of His personality, Prema is His very nature. Love of Sai has no words, and love of Sai for Maa is a relation filled with the eternal fragrance of Purity. 7th January 2000 was one of the most auspicious and memorable days in history, when Swami gave a direct shaakshaatkaar gift to Maa on her birthday.

It was around 5:00 PM in the evening when, as usual, one of the devotees went into the Satyadeep Sai Universe to keep milk as prasad for Swami. As she entered the premises, she was astonished to see scattered vibhuti covering the whole premises of this Universe. She saw that in front of each sacred idol — Bhagwan Ganesh, Shirdi Sai Baba, Lord Hanuman, Lord Durga Maa, Lord Radha-Krishna, and Lord Shankar-Parvati — a holy coconut (nariyal) and a lingam had also been placed.

Bhagwan Sai Baba always says that whatever man does, its impact always befalls him. Good actions yield good results; bad actions yield bad results. 'Man is born in karma, man is grown in karma, man dies in karma. Karma is a guiding force in the life of human beings. It is only karmas that bring pleasure and pain in this world. Your entire life is dependent on your karmas.' Such were the pure karmas and devotion of Maa that she was blessed with such an unforgettable experience of Lord Swami.

For many days, Maa carried a persistent feeling in her heart to bring a beautiful, royal Singhasan for beloved Swami for the bhajan hall. Maa, along with her friend Dr. Nilima Aren, travelled to Delhi to purchase one, though both were unfamiliar with where to find such a throne. Someone suggested going to Kirti Nagar, Delhi. However, Kirti Nagar was an enormous wooden furniture market, making locating an authentic sacred Singhasan a daunting challenge.

In 1998, Maa travelled to Puttaparthi for the sacred darshan of Swami. At around 4:00 AM in the morning, while Maa was sitting in deep dhyana as usual, Swami suddenly granted her saakshaat darshan and instructed her to open her arms.

As soon as Maa held out her arms, Swami showered an abundance of coins into her hands. Seeing this unexpected shower, Maa asked: "Swami, I never asked You to give me money or coins." Swami lovingly replied: "A big responsibility is going to come your way; you need not worry, My blessings are with you always."

In October 1996, the grand 1008 Paduka Utsav was organized at Prashanti Nilayam from 1st to 4th October. When Maa was in Prashanti Nilayam, Bhagwan Baba awakened an intense, unyielding longing in her heart to procure sacred Padukas for Swami and have them sanctified directly by His divine hands.

It was during the busy festive season of Diwali, and despite searching tirelessly across jewelers, every silver ornament was available except Padukas. In earnest prayer, Maa beseeched Swami for guidance. The very next morning during meditation, an unmistakable sweet celestial voice resonated: "You will get Padukas from Nathdwara."

On 24th October 1998, Bhagwan Swami showed an astonishing creation to beloved Maa that is beyond human imagination — a realm in this universe so exquisitely designed that it can only be described as "Heaven on Earth", the holy abode known as VAIKUNTH. Bhagwan appeared before Maa and said: "Today I will take you to have darshan of Vaikunth." Hearing this, Maa was filled with profound joy and anticipation.

Swami guided her into a beautifully designed realm where water stretched in every direction. Floating above that water was a circular bed embedded with radiant diamonds, rotating gently in rhythmic circular motions. Seated upon it was Swami in His resplendent Sai-Krishna Swaroop — a fabulous, indescribable divine form that can only be imagined with a pure heart.

Swami's leelas are unpredictable. In whatever form one prays to Him, He manifests, being the formless Supreme Reality. Maa always used to pray: "Swami, please allow me to hold your bhajans at my home on any day You choose." Swami graciously granted Wednesday as the blessed day for weekly bhajans.

It was a Tuesday afternoon in October. Maa was cleaning the area where the first bhajan was to be held the following day. When physical fatigue overtook her, she rested her back against the wall. Suddenly, she heard a sweet voice: "Got tired?" Looking upward to her utter surprise, Brahmand Nayak Bhagwan Shri Sai Baba was standing before her! Swami smiled: "You always cry all day long that Swami Pada Namaskar Nahi Deta. Today, have My Pada Namaskar as much as you want!"

The leelas of Swami are far beyond human expectation. This sacred manifestation occurred when Maa was at the tender age of seventeen. As was her daily spiritual discipline, Maa was sitting in deep meditation early in the morning.

To her utter astonishment, the physical walls dissolved, and an immense silver door embedded with sparkling diamonds slowly swung open before her. From within that radiant celestial gateway, Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba descended in glorious grace.

Swami's leelas and cosmic manifestations are beyond all human expectation. One such extraordinary materialisation occurred during the divine ceremonies of the sanctum.

Swami instructed Maa to bring a sacred conch (Shankh) and flute it during the solemn offering of aarti. When Maa blew the conch with deep devotion, a stunning miracle occurred before the eyes of all gathered: a heavy shower of pristine sea shells rained down from empty space throughout the hall!