101 reasons why you are my best friend

These were the contents of a huge greeting card that I gave the best friend of my life! That is a lovely story in itself and you can read it at:

And the best friend award goes to...

And here goes the 101 reasons why I tell my best friend that He is my best friend!

1. I can't spell friendship without you

2. You’re the most beautiful flower in the garden of my life.

3. You can easily tell a lie for my convenience.

4. You understand when I’m too busy.

5. You know me better than my siblings.

6. You don't necessarily support my decisions.

7. You go an extra mile when I need help.

8. You tolerate my bad moods and still speak to me when you are in one of your own such one.

9. At others expense, you make a great laughing partner.

10. You walk in when others walk out.

11. I can speak my heart out to you.

12. You openly discuss a disastrous date/crush.

13. You fall for the same junk as I do.

14. You help me to choose the right thing for my heartthrob.

15. I can throw my tantrums on you.

16. I can rely on you to post my letters.

17. I know I needn't look my best when you’re around

18. I can discuss my creepy fantasies with you.

19. You motivate me to exercise.

20. You’ve got sense of humor.

21. You hand me your handkerchief when I’ve conveniently forgotten mine

Where to find Sri Sathya Sai Baba?

The life-changing day

The 24th of April, 2011, changed life for millions of people around the globe. It was the day when Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba took Mahasamadhi ( For those considered as Spiritual Masters, the term 'death' is never used for they are beyond birth and death. The term Mahasamadhi literally means 'Great Samadhi'. 'Samadhi' refers to the realized conscious departure from the physical frame.) Needless to say, it was an earth-shattering event for me. I seemed lost and the world seemed to come to a standstill. Considering everything in life as temporary and transient, I had held on to my God and Master. But now, He Himself was gone! What was I to hold on to now?

The earliest unveiled form of the Mahasamadhi structure of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. 

I had always delighted in my work at Radiosai, spreading Swami's message of love and selfless service. But now, I was not able to do any of my work. I was known as a person who kept cracking jokes and making people laugh. There is nothing that satisfies me more than to know that I have been the reason for someone's laughter, someone's joy. Now, I no longer felt the need to make people laugh and happy - how could I when I myself was poverty-stricken in that respect? There were no smiles on my face nor was there any joy left in my heart. The pain was so much when I saw my Master lying in state for the 'funeral' that I did not even have the guts to go again to the Sai Kulwant hall where the mortal remains of beloved Swami had been buried.

The days passed agonizingly slowly. I don't remember much about those days except the fact that I just kept breathing on when I wanted to actually let go of everything and allow my breath to travel with Swami's. However, I remember one incident that Swami seemed to have especially planned to kick me out of my stupid stupor and kick-start my life again. 

An impulse that overruled a decision

It had been just a couple of months since I had been engaged to Pooja. It now became clear that Swami would not be present for my wedding. In fact, I realized that He would not be there for any of my life-events from now on. I wasn't ready to accept that. In an attempt to forget the Mahasamadhi, I decided that I would not go anymore to the Sai Kulwant Hall, the temple where I had spent hours daily for more than a decade! Later in the day, when I mentioned this to my fiancée, she did not seem surprised but she told me that Swami would miss me if I did not go there. 

"I don't think so Pooja. I will meet Swami daily in my workplace for, thankfully by His grace, my work involves seeing Him, hearing Him and writing about Him."

"Your wish. It is your journey to Him. I can only pray and pray hard for you... Pray for me too okay?"

I realized that, lost in my sorrow, I had forgotten that it was equally sorrowful for Pooja too to have lost her Swami.

"Yes! Absolutely. I shall pray for you. Let us pray for each other..."