Wherever my devotee sings my name, I install myself there.

Always pining to get close to Swami. The rest got conferred.

 Inspirational story

In most of the inspirational movies based on the hard-work and focused efforts of an individual, the scenes of the actual working are shown very briefly. Let me elaborate. The flow of any inspiring individual’s story if presented like this -

• The failures and problems of the individual are shown in great depth and detail. This is done to ensure that the audience begin to completely identify with the protagonist.
• The ‘inspiration’ which triggers the protagonist - a statement, a sight, a person etc - is also shown in great detail.
• The hard-work that the protagonist puts in achieving the goal is usually shown very briefly and fast. A song or music sequence follows at the end of which the protagonist has translated his/her inspiration into concrete reality.
• The culmination again is shown in great detail so that the audience experience the joys and highs of the protagonist with whom it had sympathized with in the beginning.

That shall be the format in this narrative too. While Aravind Sai’s inability in singing was presented as a complete article so that the readers can feel his pain and longing, the hard-work that he put in over the years will be summarized in a few statements! (If you have not read that part, it is highly recommended that you read the article entitled - Talent-Search : The experience of a student who achieved talent by loving God). Though it does not do real justice to the effort he made, this much will suffice to say that Aravind Sai put in a lot of hard work for the next 3-4 years! And the motivation behind those efforts was not for becoming an excellent singer, but for being Swami’s singer!

The Easwaramma Burrakatha

Every year, the trio got an opportunity to put up a Burrakatha  in Swami’s presence - in 2004, 2005 and 2006. As the academic year for 2006-2007 came to an end, Aravind Sai felt that this being his last year as an undergraduate student, he should put in all his efforts for a final grand Burrakatha. And so it was that the trio prepared for a Burrakatha on the divine Mother, Easwaramma.

The month of March dawned. Known for the famous ‘ides of March’, it brought along trepidation in Aravind Sai’s heart. Will they get a chance this year to perform for Swami? Far from his desire of singing on a daily basis, his annual singing for his Lord too seemed in danger as the final day of the academic year drew close. He even went around the idol of Mother Easwaramma at the Smt. Easwaramma School, praying to her to tell her ‘son’ to bless them with an opportunity. His heart almost cried with great pining for that opportunity.

The Mother worked a miracle overnight it seemed! The next day, the 18th of March, 2007, Swami asked for the trio out of the blue! Aravind Sai joined the other two boys in getting dressed and soon, found himself on stage with Swami by the side. It was such a heart-rending experience for Aravind Sai. He was so lost in singing the stories of Easwaramma and Karnam Subbamma (another lady in the village of Puttaparthi who cared for Swami as His own mother). The trio related many well-known and little-known stories about these two mothers and it was a treat for those that understood Telugu. For those that couldn’t, the music itself was enthralling. 

Before one of the Burrakatha sessions in the bhajan hall. Swami checks the costumes.

Sitting in the audience that day, I felt that Swami would shower these boys with blessings and grace galore. However, as the Burrakatha ended, I was almost shocked. Swami simply turned and went into the interview room. He did not even look at the trio, forget blessing them with namaskar or a chance to speak to Him. Aravind Sai was deeply disappointed. He felt that his efforts had not been good enough and cried. The accolades that poured in from all his teachers and classmates were of no use at all. His ears were deaf to them. His heart ached for his Swami had not seemed happy.

Little did he realize then that many times a pin-drop silence is greater appreciation that a thunderous applause. 

God’s delays are never His denials

Two days after that day was the beginning of the New Year according to the Indian calendar. It was the Ugadi day on the 20th of March. As always, Baba delivered His divine benediction via a discourse on that day. The coming new year was the year of Sarvajith. (Incidentally, Swami named the child of champion Indian cricketer, V.V.S Laxman as Sarvajith in this year. The cricketer’s experiences are also an amazing read.)

That day, the discourse almost seemed centered on Swami’s life- His childhood mainly. Aravind Sai was seated in the audience. He had goosebumps and multiple chills running down his spine as Swami began to almost repeat entire dialogues from their Burrakatha, two days ago! Swami relived the stories of Easwaramma and Subamma! Once again, Aravind Sai had tears in his eyes. How he had misunderstood his Swami! What a blessing and tribute it was for the Burrakatha that Swami was almost repeating it from memory. He was thrilled that their performance seemed etched in Swami’s heart! You can read that entire discourse by clicking on this link - Ugadi discourse on 20th of March, 2007.

The ultimate gift from Sai to Aravind Sai (and the other two boys also) came as the final few sentences of the discourse. Swami said,

“Yesterday, three boys sang a nice Burra Katha about Easwaramma. They rendered it well. There was a wonderful description about Subbamma too in that Burra Katha. I am very happy about it. In fact, it was such a unique story. No one has written such a story so far. “

After that, He called out for the three boys and honored them publicly in front of a capacity crowd in Sai Kulwant Hall. Then, He gifted them with white safari cloth pieces and blessed them with padanamaskar. The only language the boys spoke that day was that of love and they spoke it through the medium of their tears. Definitely, God’s delays are not His denials and His timing is the best ever!

The start of a new chapter

From that day onwards, it was a kind of upward spiral for Aravind Sai. His singing abilities seemed to have jumped up notches and he began to get chances to sing bhajans in the divine presence of Baba. After his undergraduate studies, he joined the Sathya Sai Institute for his post-graduation in Masters of Art (Economics). Two years, two Burrakathas and several bhajans later, it was once again the end of his final academic year.

For those that love God and pine for Him, there is nothing like the ‘End’, it is forever one ‘beginning’ after another! Aravind Sai was blessed by Swami to enrol for the MBA course in the Institute! So, even in 2009, he continued to be a student. 2009 happened to be a landmark year. As the trio prepared for their ‘annual’ Burrakatha, Swami called and spoke to them. In a jovial manner, He told them,

“There are so many people sitting in the hall. When you sing ensure that their ears do not bleed. Sing well to bring joy to all the devotees. The person sitting in the first row and the one sitting in the last row must experience bliss equally with your performance. The joy in the devotees’ heart is what will reflect on my face!”

That was a revelation - the way to please God is to make others happy; the way to love God is to love all and serve all!

“Swami, you are the one who does everything...”, the lads replied.

“That is true. But you are the instruments right? Your efforts too count.”

Swami blessed the trio and that evening was another wonderful performance. The smile on Swami’s face told them that everyone in the hall had indeed been filled with joy to the brim of their hearts.

That was also the year when Swami took him along with the other two lads, Prabhakar and Raghuram, to Kodaikanal. In Kodaikanal, Aravind Sai got the bounty of his life as Swami asked the trio to perform different Burrakathas, one after another, on successive days! And Swami was full of praises for them. He almost sang their praises making them realize that they definitely did not deserve all this.

And that is God. At times, one feels that He does not give what one deserves. But there are also times when one is convinced that He showers much more than one ever thought one deserved. He who showers without reason is allowed to withhold without reason too. It is best that we realize this and trust in His wisdom for, as Aravind Sai said,

“Swami’s timing is amazing. Today, when I look back at my life, I realize that everything happened at the perfect time and circumstances. It just could not have been planned better. I know that though I pined for Him, He didn’t give me what I desired when I wanted it. But I also know that He gave me what I desired, when I most needed it!”

Always giving what one needs...

After one Burrakatha in Kodaikanal, the overwhelmed trio broke down,

“Swami, intha prema pondhataaniki memu arhulamo kaado koodaa maaku teliyadu" (Swami we don't know whether we deserve this much love which you are showering on us).

Swami replied (and this is a statement for all of us to keep in mind)

“Icchinappudu teesukondi, lenappudu icchinavanni choosi anandinchandi!" (When I am giving, receive it. When it is not there, remember and cherish all that has been given and be blissful.)  

HERE IS THE CATCH.

When Swami said , “lenappudu icchinavanni choosi anandinchandi”, it also translates as “When I am not there, remember and cherish all that has been given and be blissful.”

It is only Swami who can strike two birds in a single stone!

“And that is why I am sharing this brother”, Aravind Sai said, “because I realize today the greater import of His statement. We should all live this way, constantly sharing His stories and experiences. I am sure that they number into millions and billions! Swami’s instructions are that we relive those memories/experiences and feel blissful.

Aravind Sai’s dream achieved

It started off as a journey to become Swami’s singer but Aravind Sai has realized today that singing is just a medium. The ultimate journey is to achieve Swami/God Himself. For that, singing is a means but so is playing, dancing, studying, sweeping, serving food and any of the millions of activities and actions. The most important point to be kept in mind is to simply love God while constantly putting in efforts because God confers everything. God’s grace is such that once obtained, it makes one lose interest and taste for anything else.

“As long as I strived to sing, I seemed to be struggling. Once Swami was pleased and He blessed me, I just wanted His love and grace. I no longer strived to sing but got so many opportunities to sing! Is it not paradoxical - the minute I stopped trying to be His singer and chose Him, I became His singer!”

Gone were his difficulties to sing on pitch. Chances to sing in the divine presence were showered on a daily basis. In fact, for several years till Swami’s Mahasamadhi, Aravind Sai sat in the first row, singing bhajans for Swami on a daily basis. 

Even to this day, the trio comes together once a year and does a Burrakatha in His presence.

 

A final message

One thing that amazes me about Aravind Sai is that even to this day he continues to sing with the same enthusiasm and energy, even in Swami’s physical absence. In fact, the trio, even to this day, sing their annual Burrakatha in Sai Kulwant hall. I asked him what was the secret behind this enthusiasm. He replied with a sweet experience.

In 2009, Swami asked Aravind Sai to get his dental clips removed.

“Aaa mulla kanchani eppudu teesthaavu, adhi teesthe chaala baaguntaavu “ (Remove those fences and then you will look nice!”)

And so, he had to get an appointment in Anantapur (a nearby town) to visit the dentist. The day he had to go, he told Swami,

“Swami, I am sad...”

“Why are you sad?”

“Because today I will not be able to sing for you Swami.”

“What time will you be returning?”

“By 5:30 Swami...”

“And when is the bhajan session?”

“Swami, that is at 5:00pm.”

Swami smiled at him and then told him.

“Wherever you are at 5:00pm, close your eyes, think of me and sing. I promise you that I will be sitting there and listening to you.”

That is what Lord Narayana promised Narada too,

“Mad bhaktha yatra gayanti, tatra tishtami” (I am present wherever my devotee sings my name.)

Swami has modified the same,

“Mad Bhakta Yatra gayanti, tatra sthapayami” ( Wherever my devotee sings my name, I install myself there.)

“And so, everytime I sing, I know that He is listening. How can I not give my best and have enthusiasm?” Aravind Sai concludes. 

For all readers:

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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....

continued in another post entitled: Wherever my devotee sings my name, I install myself there.