Thursday 20 June 2013

Talent-Search : The experience of a student who achieved talent by loving God


That is what we generally think! Swami gave a new definition altogether!

It was a very special evening. The students and staff of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions had gathered at the lotus feet of their Master, God and guide, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the Trayee Brindavan premises. They were grateful to be enjoying this privilege of being a part of a Trayee Session. Swami, as Baba is reverentially and lovingly called, was seated on the jhoola (indoor swing) and all the students were seated at His feet. A talk was in progress.


The speaker was Sri Sanjay Sahni and he was talking about how one should make use of one’s skills and talents for God. In the process, he made a very interesting revelation. He said,
“On one occasion, a speaker said in Swami’s presence that talent is a gift of God. Swami immediately corrected him saying that talent was not merely a ‘gift’ of God. Talent is God!”


Even as Sri Sahni made the statement, Swami, seated on the jhoola, smiled and nodded.


In Mathematics, one of the basic rules that we learn is called the symmetric property of equality. This is represented by a simple statement -
If a=b, then b=a.
It is so simple that one often wonders whether there is any need for it to be stated. There is a reason why this basic Mathematical principle was evoked. When it is said that ‘Talent is God’, it automatically means that ‘God is talent’. And that has been the discovery in life for Aravind Sai! From here on, we shall journey along with him, down memory lane and rediscover what he discovered...

Burning aspiration in the heart

Aravind Sai began his narrative by stating, “Brother, people may consider me as talented today. But let me make it clear, I was nothing. If at all there is anything which I can say that I have, it is love for Swami. That is what I hold most dear in my heart. Swami has conferred everything upon me. All credit to Him.”

Even as I heard that, I remembered the mathematical principle. So, even if one is ‘not talented’, one’s love for God is sufficient to create talent! I was all the more eager to hear his story. It turned out to be a very unique and insightful one indeed.

Aravind Sai joined the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for his undergraduate studies for the academic year 2004. When he joined, he had one burning aspiration in his heart - to sing for Swami in His presence. That is what drove him to do most of the things that he did. And so, all the boys having their bath or in their morning ablutions were treated to free public singing as Aravind Sai took bath. The corridors in the hostel which he walked constantly resonated with bhajans which he sang. Everyone in his class knew that he was on his way to become a singer just like his elder brother, Sai Krishna, had. But there was one thing that they did not know -

Aravind Sai did not have the ability to sing on pitch! He could surely reel out a bhajan, but introduce a harmonium and a specific pitch, he was not sure of singing on key. While most singers get this ability by instinct, it was all a mystery for Aravind Sai. Thus, his burning aspirations could never materialize into something concrete for he lacked the ‘basic ability’ any singer should possess.

It is no surprise that he failed the auditions to get into the coveted Mandir Bhajan Group.

God steps in

Months passed this way and Aravind Sai continued singing in the corridors and bathrooms. It was not that he was ‘determined’ and ‘practicing’. It was just his passion being expressed. One day, he got a break. His classmate, Prabhakar, blessed with a sweet voice and an excellent music sense, came to him with a proposal,

“There is a Burrakatha  (click on that to learn what Burrakatha is) teacher who has come to train students. The warden says that Swami likes Burrakatha and has encouraged it a lot in the past. Three students are needed for this traditional art form. I am enrolling. Why don’t you also come along? If it works out well, we can sing and dance in Swami’s presence.”

The last statement were music to Aravind Sai ears.
“But, I may not be able to sing...”
All of a sudden, Aravind Sai thought that he better keep quiet about his ‘key-catching’ inability.
“What?” Prabhakar asked, “you won't be able to sing? Why?”
“...because I have just woken up”, he said with a smile, “let me get ready and then let us go and enroll.”

That was how Prabhakar got selected as the main singer for the Burrakatha while Aravind Sai got the role of the Hasyaka (a co-performer who cracks jokes throughout the performance). A third student, Raghuram, became the lead narrator. While the main singer and Hasyaka were expected to be good singers, the narrator just had be good at speaking.

The team practiced day and night for 2 months after which the teacher informed the warden that the team was ready to perform in front of Swami.

Mission Impossible?

Aravind Sai had made up in sincerity and effort what he lacked in talent and ability. Nobody even noticed that he was unable to sing exactly on key. He overcame that disability by simply memorizing the scale along with the tunes to be sung!

The three students decked up in the costume and, with their hearts beating hard, waited in the mandir for Swami’s arrival during darshan (sighting of the Master/Divine one). Swami arrived; everyone had darshan. But that was about it! Though He saw the three lads dressed in costumes, He did not show even the slightest interest in them. After the Aarthi was taken, Swami left and the boys returned to the hostel, crestfallen.

“Success does not lie in not falling but bouncing every time you fall down.”
Deriving inspiration from that quote, the lads prepared for another show. But when Swami did not pay attention or make any inquiries for 5 such occasions, they got completely disheartened. They went to the warden and said,

“Sir, maybe we are not good enough. Or maybe, we are not good boys. That is why we are not getting this opportunity to sing and perform in front of Swami. You should look out for replacements.”

The warden who was well-versed with Swami’s methods, said,
“Don’t give up! Every effort you put in has been noted by Swami I am sure. Continue your efforts. Redouble them if necessary.”

The next two months saw the boys do just that. Aravind Sai began to put those efforts in everything he did - studies, sports and even ‘mundane’ activities like eating, sleeping, bathing - doing them perfectly as an offering to his Swami. Such was the joy in just putting effort, that Aravind Sai began to get an excited anticipation that something nice was about to happen.

The shower of blessings

And it did happen! On the 4th of November, 2004, Swami Himself asked for the Burrakatha boys and blessed the trio to perform on stage. The performance was based on Swami’s life and teachings. The continuous efforts of the boys over the last few months showed and it turned out to be a performance brilliant beyond anybody’s expectations. Everyone was thrilled and overjoyed, the boys included.

As Aravind Sai narrated this, I remembered a powerful message that Swami had given to a bhajan composer and singer,
“When you want to sing a bhajan, the first 25 times you do it, all your attention will be on the notes and beats. Practicing it 25 times frees you from that. The next 25 times you practice, you can sing confidently but you have to work on developing the bhava or feeling. At the end of 75 times of practice, your singing will be effortless and, as you sing, you will see your beloved Lord in your mind’s eye. After another 25 times of practice, when you sing, not only you but everyone in the audience will also be able to see the Lord in the mind’s eye.”
That sums up everything about the importance of practice for a bhajan singer right? One must practice a bhajan for at least a 100 times before singing it in public. Do we do that?

As the trio completed their performance, Swami called them and spoke to them. He granted padanamaskar (chance to touch the feet in reverence) and a group picture with Him. Then, He told them to change into ‘normal’ clothes and come back for the bhajans. As they left, Swami too moved into the interview room. On His way, He told a few people,
“See! How beautifully they are able to summarize my teachings in just a few minutes! That is the ability of my boys!”

Aravind Sai is seen to Swami's immediate right. This was a photograph chance that Baba gave the three
Burrakatha artistes and their support music team. 


The beginning of a journey

Even as Aravind Sai was about to change into his whites, a call came for the trio.
“Swami is calling you three to the interview room.”

They rushed. Swami was waiting for them with a broad smile. He gave them white safari pieces and told them that He was very happy. It was such a joyful session lasting almost half an hour. During that session, Aravind Sai made bold to ask,
“Swami, can I sing for you.”
“That is what you did right?”
“Swami, I want to sing bhajans for you...”
“Are you not singing now?”
“No Swami...”
“Then, sing a bhajan today. Go, change and quickly come to the front in the bhajan hall. I will definitely listen to your bhajan today.”

An excited Aravind Sai was in the bhajan hall moments later, excitedly planning out his bhajan-singing debut in front of Swami. A few minutes later Swami arrived. During the bhajans, Swami indicated to him to sing.

While Aravind Sai had definitely practiced a lot for the Burrakatha, the same cannot be said about bhajans. And so, as was his problem, he wasn’t able to catch the key. He just started off a bhajan on some key. The expert harmonium player quickly made the necessary changes to ensure that Aravind’s singing was on key. Swami just smiled and blessed the boy.

But deep inside, Aravind Sai realized how hopelessly equipped he was to be Swami’s bhajan singer. He walked courageously to the teacher-in-charge of the bhajan group and told him,
“Sir! I will never sing in front of Swami like this. Let me practice.”
“Swami allowed you to sing yesterday. That is why you sang. He has given us guidelines about bhajan singers. I will never allow you to sing again, unless Swami specifically asks again”, was the reply.
For the reader, this might seem like the end of Aravind Sai. But Aravind Sai knew that this was just the beginning - the beginning of his long journey into becoming Swami’s bhajan singer.

Watch out! Lots more to come....



Thursday 13 June 2013

Blessing two 'birds' with one 'stone' - an experience with Sri Sathya Sai

Swami's 'time-management'

When the Lord descends to the earth with a limited human lifespan, it is obvious that He faces a drought of time to do the millions of acts that He has decided to do. I mean, when we find that we do not have enough time to do our little activities, that what to speak of God on earth? I have often wondered how my Lord and Master, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba found time to do so many things in a day and His physical lifetime. No wonder that He slept for only a few hours, reading the thousands of letters He received by the light of the bathroom through the night! But still, that much time is not sufficient right?

It was while thinking on these lines that I arrived at another method by which He ‘saved’ time and ‘accomplished more’ - multitasking! However, when it comes to Swami, ‘multitasking’ assumes a slightly different meaning. Of course, it refers to Him doing several tasks at once. That can be seen in the way He conducts programmes in His presence - Dusshera, Ugadi, Deepavali etc. But multitasking here also refers to a special ability that only God possesses - to achieve multiple ends with a single act at will!

Let me clarify. A single word or action from Swami means different things for different people. Thus, He achieves what can be called “hitting two (more) birds with a single stone.” I use that idiom due to the lack of a better comparison. What I actually mean is that He strikes multiple hearts with the same words or actions! And here, I will recollect one such sweet incident in my life.

Flashback

In order to hide the identity of the other devotee involved in this incident, I shall not quote names, dates and exact events. So, the ambiguity in the article is on purpose! This much I shall say that the event happened after 2005.

So here was this devotee with whom I developed a casual acquaintance. This happened because the devotee was a friend of my parents and when I got introduced, I couldn't help but make the acquaintance. Slowly, the acquaintance grew by repeated meetings. During these meetings, I would share so many experiences with Swami. In fact, Swami would be the only subject of talk during many meetings. It went on well like this for a while.

Then came a terrible misunderstanding!

That resulted in both of us going our ways. I do not blame the devotee for what happened because a misunderstanding is a fault on both sides. However, there was one thing that I did not like. The devotee began to say and propagate that whatever I had spoken during our meetings were all imaginary - stories that I had cooked up!

“He simply speaks as though he is close to Swami. That is all imaginary. He lies.”

That accusation hurt me.
(It hurt my ego rather because nobody can actually ever hurt us unless we allow ourselves to get hurt. Similarly, nobody can make us happy unless we allow ourselves to become happy. It is like Swami’s example of a dog chewing on a dry bone. A piece of the bone broke away and pricked its gums which started bleeding. Tasting the blood, the dog thought that the bone was a source of great joy! The blood, the source of joy, actually was arising from itself! What is true for happiness, is true for sorrow too. The cause is within and not outside.)

Now, this is the story behind the story am about to narrate.

Mixed feelings in the darshan lines

Always fostering the good and discouraging
the bad - with Love!
One day, as I sat in the front lines for darshan in the Sai Kulwant Hall at Prasanthi Nilayam, my eyes rolled over the huge sections of devotees who had been seated for darshan. As I cast this cursory glance, I noticed the devotee (with whom I had a fallout) also seated there, in the first line among the other devotees. With a tray of items on the lap, it was evident that this devotee had procured the first line to seek Swami’s blessings.

Immediately negative thoughts arose in me. I remembered the critical comments and my heart recollected the past pain. However, subduing my animal side, I prayed to Swami,
“Swami, please bless the devotee with all your bounty and grace.”

Immediately after this noble thought, came a mean thought,
“Swami, today, please speak to me! Let that devotee witness me then. That should remove any doubt that you are close to me.”

I suddenly sat up shocked. I could not believe that I had made such a prayer. I realized how ‘cheap’ I was being. Quickly, I made amends,
“Swami! That was a stupid prayer. Forget it. Just bless the devotee. I am sorry I allowed such a thought to come into my head.”

The multitasking Lord

As Baba arrived for darshan, somehow my eyes remained riveted on this devotee only. Swami indeed blessed the devotee profusely and I was happy. Somehow, I felt that Swami would have forgiven me since He had responded to my prayer!

Soon, the darshan round was complete and Swami came on stage. The University students had planned a music programme to be put up that evening in case Swami allowed. Swami indeed inquired,
“What programme today?”
Three main singers got up and went on stage with a rose in hand. The plan was that they would offer the roses to Swami and tell Him about the proposed programme. I noticed that another main singer had been left behind. He has not risen from his seat in time and now, was feeling that since the others were already on stage, it was too late to go. The other students seated around him prodded him to go up. Swami also happened to observe this whole scene. He was watching as to what would be the response of this boy.

The boy was in an embarrassing situation and the whole world seemed to be waiting for his response. deciding that it was better to be late than never, the singer finally rose and walked up to the stage. All the while, Swami was continuously watching the boy. So were all of us!

As he offered the rose to Swami, Swami smiled. He held the rose and, turning to me, said something. I could not catch what He said. Sensing that, Swami again repeated what He said. Again, I did not understand. This happened for a couple more times and I slightly rose on my knees in an attempt to get His words into my hearing range. Swami, with His eyes, encouraged me to move closer to Him. Having got that signal, I just got up and rushed to Him. I can never forget the statement He made that day.

He showed the rose and said,
“Idi show kosamu ra.” (This is for show.)

He looked deep into my eyes, into my innermost being. And then, he just smiled.

"Idi Show Kosamu Ra" - The 'descent' of the Lord is for 'ascent' of man! 
Two birds

In an instant, it flashed in me. Swami was doing this for my “show-off” reasons! I quickly glanced away from Swami and saw that the devotee was seeing me! I looked at Swami and He was smiling. I just nodded to Swami saying that I understood. Swami now looked at the singer, smiled at him and sent him back to his place. Then, He sent me back to mine.

What can I say? I was just overwhelmed at His omniscience and His love. I just sat there, joy bubbling and coursing through my being.

After the evening session, I met the ‘hesitant’ singer. He told me,
“See, I was not wanting to get up and go to Swami in that manner. But peer pressure made me go to Him. That is why Swami took my rose and said that I was doing it all for show! I realize my fault.”

I could not help but feel amazed at how Swami had struck two birds with a single stone! :)

Tuesday 11 June 2013

The greatest VVS Laxman innings I witnessed off the cricket field...


The Sivam center at Hyderabad.
A VVS special at Shivam grounds VVS Laxman today is one of the stars in the galaxy that Indian cricket is and a very special one at that too. In fact, Ian Chappell, another great cricketer, termed him as ‘Very Very Special’ Laxman. The name has stuck since then and VVS has indeed demonstrated why he has been very, very special (or VVS) for Indian cricket. Laxman is retired now but still is hugely popular for his exploits on the cricket field. In fact, he is credited to have played one of the top 5 all-time knocks in cricketing history - the epochal 281 against the mighty Australians while following on in a Test Match. The result? It became the third game in the 200-year sport where a team which was following on went on to win a match.


While cricket enthusiasts will revel in these stats, the other readers will surely be simply nodding out of courtesy, waiting for something which they have begun to expect of these posts that I make about my Master and Lord, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. (By the way, in India, Cricket is almost a religion and great cricketers are considered Gods!) And it is with great joy and pride that I write what I witnessed on the 9th of June, 2013, during a magnificent children’s music programme organized at Sivam, Hyderabad.


A side-view of the stage during the children's performance on the 9th of June, 2013. Photo courtesy- Sai Kiran Boppanna
One of the guests for that event was VVS and he minced no words in revealing what made him Very Very Special. In fact, his name itself proclaims that truth because the ‘S’ in his initials does not stand actually for ‘Special’. It stands for ‘Sai’. The actual name is Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman and he got that name because his parents are devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The experiences that changed Laxman into a staunch devotee of Baba are indeed ‘very very special’ and interesting! Those were the stories that he narrated on that very very special evening.


An evening of music and color

The evening came as the culmination of a 5-day residential summer course conducted for children of the age group 10-15 in Hyderabad district. The summer course introduced them to a healthy, practical and correct way of leading life, placing emphasis on human values and Swami’s teachings. And for this, the members of the Hyderabad wing of Sri Sathya Sai organizations had toiled day and night, living with the children and lovingly guiding them. It would not be an exaggeration to say that these teachers and volunteers epitomized Swami's love and divine energy. As part of the valedictory for this summer course, a group of over 50 talented kids had toiled hard for about 2 months to prepare for a musical extravaganza.


As VVS Laxman later admitted publicly,
“This has been a thrilling experience for me. After Swami left the physical, it is for the first time I felt His presence in my heart and in front of my eyes! You children are indeed blessed. My son, Sarvajith was asking me how children could do so many things in just 5 days. I told him that where Swami is concerned, nothing is impossible. My wife Shailaja never accompanies me to the public functions where I am called. But for this event, she insisted on coming. I am thankful to the organizers for giving me this opportunity.”

As the programme transitioned from instrumental numbers to group vocals, the stage needed rearrangement and the microphone levels had to be set. It was in this gap that Laxman was invited to the stage to share a ‘few words’. And it was in this short interval that I witnessed him play a ‘gem on an innings’!

The jubilant participants of the music programme and the 5-day summer course just before the curtains came down. Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna
A different kind of pitch - a different kind of debut


As he stood on stage, VVS could not help but recollect his journey with Sai. It lasted 15 minutes but at the end of it, he got an ovation like he had received often after scoring those marvellous centuries on the cricket pitch. I felt so overwhelmed. I walked to him and said,
“Sairam! I had once the chance of interviewing you at Prasanthi Nilayam”
He remembered immediately, “Ah yes! How are you?”
“I am fine thank you. What you spoke now was simply awesome. You said that you are sharing with your Sai family here. Can I share the same with the Sai family worldwide?”
“Of course! Why not? I stand by every word I said”, he smiled.

And so here is the content of his brief but brilliant innings on stage.

Though his parents had been devotees of Bhagawan Baba, VVS got his first taste of Swami in late 1997. That was the time when the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup cricket match was being planned at the Sri Sathya Sai Hillview Stadium. Before the actual match between international players comprising a World XI against the international players of India XI, a trial match was to be held to judge the readiness of the pitch and the ground. That match was between the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh state cricket teams. VVS Laxman had just made international debut and was invited to play the ‘test’ match as a member of the Andhra Pradesh team.

His agreement was conditional,
“I will play only if I get close darshan of Baba and an interview.”
Little did he know that nobody can ever promise on Baba’s behalf.
“If you really wish that, Baba will make it happen”, was the assurance given.

Laxman did come to Puttaparthi for the first time in 1997. He played in the stadium there and even scored a half-century of runs. All the players were seated in Sai Kulwant Hall for darshan when Swami arrived and invited them all inside. The first question He asked got VVS stumped,
“Who is Laxman?”
The cricketer presented himself and was just in a daze. His mind went blank.

Laxman continues to wax eloquent in an extempore speech. Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna
“There were so many of us cricketers in that room but none of us spoke. We were just staring at Swami, transfixed. That is natural; after all He is God”, Laxman admitted in the speech.
Laxman was going through a very tough phase in his career. He had just got the team India cap a few months before. His position in the team was more on an experimental basis and he had been shuffled in the batting order from being the 7th to being the opener. He had also batted at number 3 and number 5. He had been trying very hard but success had eluded him. Thus, he was facing heavy criticism. He had hoped to get some solace from his worries during the trip. Just seeing Swami made him light and happy. He seemed to have forgotten all his worries!

But Swami did not forget it. He lovingly held Laxman’s hand and said,
“I know that there are lot of worries in your mind. But don’t worry. They are just passing clouds.”

Laxman admitted,
“I knew that He knew exactly what I was going through. That was my first experience with Baba the God! After that, I know that He has been with me through and through. There is no doubt that all the things that I have achieved after that have been Baba’s wish. I am blessed to have experienced Swami so many times in my career.”
"There are many cricketers whose lives are centered
around Swami."
Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna

Lost in admiration of another classy innings by VVS.
Photo courtesy: Sai Kiran Boppanna

.
Baba is an integral part of the cricketer’s lives

“It is not only me”, Laxman continued extempore on the stage,”many cricketers have their lives centered around Swami. Starting from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar who has had so many personal experiences with Swami to the greatest Sachin Tendulkar, their faith in Swami is firm. Even to this day, Sachin keeps a small altar with Baba ‘s picture and daily lights a lamp in front of it. On the field we discuss only cricket, but off it, we all talk about Swami so many times. It is our satsang.”

Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid are looked upon as Gods themselves by Indian cricketers and cricket fans alike. Little wonder that those that have not yet had the privilege of getting acquainted with Swami also begin to talk about Him! The way Swami touches lives is inscrutable.
“Someday, we should get even Sachin Tendulkar’s story”, I thought to myself.


Laxman continued to share how his life had been filled with Swami’s love and grace.
“My wife Shailaja was not a devotee when we got married. But today, her devotion and faith in Baba are stronger than mine. She even insisted that Swami alone should name our children. We went to Puttaparthi and waited for days because we wanted Swami to name the children. Swami did not disappoint us. He named the elder one as Sarvajith (one who conquers all) and the younger one as Achintya (the one beyond thoughts).”
VVS Laxman and his wife Shailaja with Baba
as He names their child, Sarvajith.
Photo courtesy: Nitin Acharya

(As I heard this, I remembered my classmate Achintya who was actually staying with Swami for a few months during that same period. His experiences with Swami are captured in an article entitled:

“My children are blessed to have seen Swami and been named by Him. All of you assembled here are also blessed to be Baba’s children. What else can I say but thank everyone for this opportunity”, concluded a moved Laxman as his wife silently wiped a few tears that rolled down her cheeks.

The gentle giant of a man who has made bowlers around the world shudder at his sight returned to the ‘pavilion’ after another ‘classic knock’. Everyone was lost in admiration for him and devotion for Swami. The grandeur and glory of Baba which we take so much for granted hits us hard when people of Laxman’s stature - he is an Arjuna awardee, a Padma Shri and the Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2002) - submit humbly to Him with gratitude and love.


The secret behind VVS being very very special is Swami as Laxman himself admits. 
I remember the words of the feared fast-bowler, Brett Lee, speaking about great batsmen,

“If you get Dravid, great. If you get Sachin, brilliant. But if you get Laxman, it's a miracle.”

In this respect, I would like to say,
“Mr. Brett Lee! Bhagawan Baba has got Laxman - not once but repeatedly. It is not surprising because miracles are visiting cards for Baba!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I also had the privilege of interviewing Laxman as part of my duties for Radiosai. you can download that 52-minute audio clip from here -


Other similar articles you might enjoy











Who Is Sathya Sai Baba?

"Who is Mr.Swami?" An interesting thing happened some years ago. As I was furiously plodding away at the keyboard, reliving my bea...