The powerful attraction between goodness and Godliness - a college professor's experience with Sri Sathya Sai PART 1

God always stays with Good because 'Good' without 'God' is a big 0 (zero)!

Goodness and Godliness

The divine perspective is often beyond human comprehension. Divine logic seems so illogical and completely un-understandable. On the face of it, it appears as though God has different rules for different people. However, a little experience will show that God’s differing treatment to different devotees is akin to a doctor’s differing treatment to different patients. Ailments vary though the symptoms seem the same. As Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, my dear Swami, puts it, the doctor advises dietary restrictions for a patient, a few tablets for another and an appendicitis surgery for the third though all three came to him with the same stomach pain. And so, it would be best that the devotee simply accepts with faith what the Lord does and simply enjoy His beautiful leelas (Divine play).

However, one rule definitely applies to even God - He is always attracted to goodness. In fact, when it came to the question of marriage, a student held Swami’s feet and said that he wasn’t interested in marriage. Swami told him that marriage would do him good.

“Then Swami, let the girl whom I marry be a Sai-devotee. Otherwise, I don’t want marriage.”

“Your parents will find a good girl. If the girl is good, that is enough. Get married to her”, advised Swami.

“But Swami! If she doesn’t accept you, how can I accept her. I definitely want a devotee girl”, the student insisted.

“Don’t worry about that. Just ensure that the girl is a good girl. Her ‘goodness’ will naturally get attracted to my ‘Godliness’. Have no doubt in that.”

That student indeed got married to a good girl who had no clue about Swami.

“Today, I feel that she is a better devotee of God compared to me”, the student admits!

Godliness and Goodness always attract each other, reinforce each other and sustain each other. And that is Swami’s word. Swami’s attraction to goodness holds true even if that goodness is wrapped up and covered in multiple sheaths of ignorance and imprudence, impatience and impudence.  He delves into the depths of the heart and installs Himself there even if He finds the tiniest grain of goodness therein. And that has been the life-journey of Dr. Gangadhar Shastry, currently the joint-director of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He has been a lecturer in history and political science for nearly 35 years now and the story of his introduction to Swami is as fascinating as it is interesting and inspiring.

And without wasting another sentence in introduction, I shall dive into this gripping story, in exactly the same manner as I heard it from him.

An unsought blessing

Gangadhar Shastry was another Indian youth in the prime of his energies and abilities in the early 1970s. He was a good sportsman, a good academic, an excellent chess player and a huge Marxist at heart. He always felt deeply for the working classes and always wanted to do something to improve their lot. However, he had his list of negatives too. He was a chain smoker with an angry temperament. Any disagreement would lead him into fistfights which he often won, literally pummelling his opposition into submission. He was also outspoken and frank which led him to speak many times even to the elders in their face. It also made it tough for him to get a job on completion of the Master’s degree in political science.

It was indeed a day of rejoicing for his worried parents when he finally landed a 2-year contractual job as lecturer in the Andhra Loyola College at Vijaywada. Gangadhar packed his bags the college campus in Vijaywada. The two years breezed by and soon, it was the 31st of March, 1979, a day when college holidays were declared and he was discharged with a summer salary in hand. It was at this time that his parents decided to hitch him to the queen of his life, Ms. Rani (name translates into queen). Gangadhar felt that this was cruelty on his parents part, thrusting on him the responsibilities of marriage when he was losing his job! He had no idea that his Lord, Bhagawan Baba, had taken the first few steps into his life. Rani’s family were devout followers of Baba.

Immediately following the wedding, Gangadhar started his job hunt with renewed fervour. Two months later, he seemed to have made no progress. That was when his eyes fell upon an ad in the THE HINDU newspaper. It stated that the newly inaugurated Sathya Sai Arts and Science college was looking out for lecturers in several subjects, including political science. Gangadhar’s wife and inlaws told him to apply immediately. Knowing that this college had something to do with the ‘Swami’ of his wife’s family, Gangadhar felt that it would not be a good idea to apply. In fact, after his marriage, he had been forced to accompany his wife to many ‘bhajan sessions’. Of course, he did not enter the bhajan halls. He would sit out and enjoy his smoke. But, he did not like being forced to do something which he did not want.

Unless Swami wills, one cannot come to Him. That has been the experience of many including a disciple of Swami Sivananda. At the same time, when Swami decides to enter someone’s life, nothing can stop Him. That too has been the experience of many including a Christian lawyer from Pune. The 6 brothers in law that Gangadhar had, plotted against him and booked his ticket to Bangalore via the train, Sarkar Express which ran from Kakinada to Madras (present day Chennai) and passed through Bangalore (present day Bengaluru). They took him with them to their hometown Tanaku in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh and readied him for what they considered would be the most important journey of his life.

That was when the a cyclone swept the state in early May, killing 700 people, 3 lakh animals and damaging 7 lakh homes. The railway lines were affected badly and Gangadhar convinced everyone at his in-laws place that he should not be attending the job interview at Bangalore since there was no way to travel there. 3 days before the date of journey, the Indian Railways announced that normal train service would resume. The in-laws’ plan came back on track and soon Gangadhar found himself in a crammed railway compartment, on his way to Whitefield, Bangalore.

The college building in Brindavan, Whitefield, Bangalore.

Taken by surprise

The mere sight of the college building and premises took Gangadhar’s breath away. He marvelled at the size and cleanliness of the place. Dr. Suri Bhagawantham, former scientific adviser to Govt. of India conducted the job interview for Gangadhar and was mightily impressed with his subject knowledge and language skills. Gangadhar feared that he might actually get the job! In middle of the formalities, his urge for a puff made him leave the campus. He returned after a coffee and two cigarettes. As soon as he came, the other candidates accosted him and told him,

“You are indeed unlucky. You missed a great chance...”

“And pray what was that?” asked a curious Gangadhar.

“Swami had just walked in here. He spoke to all the candidates. It was simply wonderful.”

Gangadhar felt that the people were making much ado about nothing. He didn’t feel deprived in any way. That was when he noticed that he was the only moustached candidate. All others were clean shaven. That observation also struck him as funny. As the interviews concluded, all the candidates were invited for a sumptuous meal. Again, Gangadhar was shocked. He had attended several interviews after which not even water had been offered. Here, a banquet was being offered! He enquired into the reason for the hospitality. He was told that was the command of “Swami”. He was touched by this “Swami” whom he had not yet seen.

As they sat down for lunch, the food prayer (Brahmaarpanam) began. The students of the college dressed in impeccable whites were serving all the candidates with great love and reverence. All this added to Gangadhar’s awe of the place.

“There is definitely something magical about this place”, he thought.

Even as he was walking out after lunch, a person dressed in whites came to him and told him that a 15-day summer course in Indian Culture and Spirituality was on in the college premises. Swami would be addressing the students and front seats had been reserved for the interviewed candidates. But Gangadhar was not interested in attending the ‘spiritual summer course’.

“What is the need for it? Let me go home instead”, he thought not realizing that in the future he would be addressing several such summer courses at Brindavan!

Dr. Gangadhar Shastry addressing the students during the Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality

“No thank you. I have my train reservations for Tanaku where my wife and in-laws await me”, said Gangadhar, politely declining the offer. He went to his room, packed up his bag, returned the keys of the room and began to move towards the railway station.

First darshan

Suddenly, the road became crowded and people gathered in front of the building. There was a hush and everyone was whispering that Swami was coming. Gangadhar’s escort told him,

“Sir, why don’t you have one darshan before you leave? Swami seems to be coming all the way to grant you this blessing.”

Gangadhar nodded and stood still. He kept his bag on the ground and waited for Swami to arrive. The beautiful red Benz car drove into the portico of the college auditorium. The door opened and the little figure of Swami stepped out. The crowd went mad in excitement. Swami walked out and raised his hands in blessings to all of them.

Without realizing, Gangadhar too folded his hands in respect and salutation. When he realized that, he did not feel the least embarrassed. Folding one’s hands seemed to be the natural thing to do in Swami’s presence. Swami then walked into the college building and disappeared from sight. A thought crossed Gangadhar’s mind,

“Ok Swami. I have seen you now. If all goes well, we shall maybe meet again. Otherwise, accept my heartfelt goodbye. It was a nice experience seeing you and your place.”

With that, he went to the railway station, boarded the train and returned home. The journey was complete. Gangadhar had no idea that the journey was just beginning.

A 25-year old Gangadhar with his 55-year old Swami. Swami accepted his moustache and the smoking habit
for the sake of the goodness in his heart. The story of transformation is indeed a lovely one.

...to be continued in part 2 which is posted at the link below: The powerful attraction between goodness and Godliness - PART 2

If you liked this, you might also enjoy the following complete stories:

1. God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

2. Sometimes things go horribly wrong before going right. 

For all readers:

(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Another blog which I maintain with more than 200 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com You may visit that at your leisure. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".

Also, use the Tweet and FB buttons below here liberally to share with your friends and family! Thank you)

God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called - Part 2

The story so far...

Nitin Kanade has had a wonderful transformation journey; from being dead-against being a student at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, he now pines to be a part of that hallowed community. But, the universe seemed to have conspired against him and played a cruel joke because of which he is forced to leave the college.

Dear reader, I would request you to come to this part after having traveled the journey with our protagonist in the first part.

God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called - Part 1

Part 2 continues from now on...

Not a man who expressed his anger, the warden told him with restraint,

“Swami has come here for the practice session of the music programme. Only music boys are allowed into the prayer hall. I cannot tell you to go to college for you are no longer a student there. But I cannot allow you into the prayer hall. So, if you want to have darshan, stand here itself and maybe you will be able to see Baba from the window.”

Nitin understood clearly the meaning of the saying, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” That little window in the prayer-cum-dining hall of the hostel would be his only window of opportunity to continue as a student. The senior-boys hostel in Puttaparthi has a large quadrangle with lawns at its centre. On the west side of the quadrangle is the prayer hall. Nitin stood on the east side of the lawns, quite a distance away from his Swami. He positioned himself strategically so that he could see Swami through the window. His eyes focused on that little orange-robed figure and his heart broadcast prayers.

If you look to me, I look to you

Nitin seemed to be on a ‘learning’ spree, getting greater clarity on the workings of the Lord. Within a short while, he realized the meaning of yet another of Baba’s statements,

“If you look to me, I look to you.”

Even as he watched Swami from the window, he saw that Swami was looking directly at him. His heart rejoiced and basked under that loving glance. He felt very special - Swami had come for the music practice but was looking at him! That gave him courage to slowly inch his way towards the prayer hall. Within a few minutes, he was inside and sitting along with the sick students who had rushed from their dorm beds to the prayer hall. When the Lord arrives, illnesses are all forgotten! In such times, those very illnesses seem to become blessings for they literally take you closer to God!

Swami sat through the entire practice session, making corrections and changes in the songs. At the end of the practice, as He got up to leave, He began to speak to some of the boys. Out of the blue, He asked Nitin,

“Boy, why are you here?”

The question was asked suddenly and so the answer was spontaneous and factual.

“Swami, I have been asked to leave the college. Since I cannot attend classes, I came to the hostel.”

Swami’s reply was emphatic.

“How can that be? I have called you and given you admission.” Patting him on his shoulder, Swami continued, “Go to college and attend classes.”

And He walked out of the prayer hall.

With thankfulness, Nitin remembered the words of his teacher, Sai Giridhar. Things had indeed changed in an instant. But it was not going to be ‘happily ever after’ so fast for Nitin.

Twists of fate arrive only to amplify God’s love for us

Ten days elapsed and Nitin continued attending classes in the college. Just when he was thinking that the matter had been settled, the vice-chancellor, Sampath sir, arrived to his classroom and summoned him. Walking with him in the corridor, he told him that there was no way he could be permitted to continue studying a course which included Chemistry when he had failed in that very subject.

“But Swami told me to attend classes in college...” whimpered Nitin.

“He told you to attend classes. Did He tell you to attend BSc classes?”, asked Sampath sir.

Nitin’s reply was a blank stare as the vice-chancellor continued,

“Go to the BCom classes. Consider yourself as a student of the commerce stream from now on.”

And so, Nitin shifted classes and streams to become a student of the BCom course of the Institute. But he was still far away from peace of mind as the registrar called him to his office and gave him a piece of his mind!

“What audacity do you have to sit in classes like this when you have flunked your high-schooling? University is only for those who have cleared high-school. These are rules which we cannot flout. I promise you it will not be a pleasant sight for anyone if I see you in class tomorrow. Now you may leave.”

“But Swami...”

“No ifs and buts here. You may leave.”

Nitin had to simply leave the office room and head to the hostel. He was in a deep dilemma. Whom should he obey? Swami or the university authorities? He knew that the registrar was absolutely right in what he was doing - his duty. But Nitin could not imagine a life without Swami. That evening, during darshan something unexpected happened.

Swami commands Nitin to become a
participating Marathi poet in the Kavi Sammelan
during Guru Poornima.

Swami walked up to him and told him,

“There is going to be a kavi sammelan (poets’ meet) for Guru Poornima. I want you to be one of the poets. Compose a poem in Marathi.”

Being ‘raw’ and ‘unseasoned’ in responding to Swami, Nitin shot back,

“Impossible Swami! I don’t know Marathi well and I cannot compose poetry in any language. This is something I cannot do.”

“This is something you have to do and you will do”, said Swami with such a stern look that Nitin cowered. He felt that it would not be wise to get into the bad books of Swami when he was already in the bad books of all the college authorities.

“Yes.... Swami....”, he replied and received a lovely smile from his Lord.

All the student-poets participating in the kavi sammelan were exempted from classes to allow for composition and practice. Nitin knew that he did not qualify in any way to be a poet, that too a Marathi one. But Swami had called him and chosen him. It was yet another reinforcement that Swami’s call in itself is a qualification. Needless to say, within a few days, Nitin was ready with his poem and began to practice for its punchy delivery. The punch came with its best impact on the D-Day, Gurupoornima Day 1989, when Nitin recited his Marathi poem to the audience in Swami’s divine presence. It was an unforgettable experience for him.

Pleasure, an interval between two pains

With the conclusion of the Guru Poornima festivities, the focus shifted back to Nitin’s problem of attending classes. On the very first day itself, he was forewarned by the registrar against trying to attend classes. The explanation that Swami had asked him to did not work and it was obvious that Swami had not spoken anything about Nitin to any of the authorities. Swami had not done anything ‘out of the legal framework’ to support Nitin and yet, He had always told him to attend classes. Between the authorities and Swami, Nitin felt like the blade of grass amidst two fighting elephants! What was he to do?

He was summoned to the principal’s office, two days after Guru Poornima.

“Boy, you have to leave. There is no choice”, said Mahajan sir.

A crestfallen Nitin walked out of the office and into the hostel. He began to pack his bags because the orders had now been issued to evict him from the hostel too. With no other choice when he walked out, he was accosted by Mr. Sanjay Sahni, one of his teachers in commerce. Sahni sir told him,

“Nitin, Swami has told you many times that you should attend class and be in college. Whatever may happen, do not leave Puttaparthi without telling Swami first.”

Nitin agreed to this piece of wisdom. But that also was not going to be easy.

With his seat in college gone, he had also lost his opportunity to sit with the students in the mandir for darshan sessions. He moved over to the area allocated for the alumni or ex-students as they are called. During these days when he literally had no succour other than Swami, his Lord chose to ignore him completely. Now, he was completely at his wits’ end. He seemed stuck between the devil and a really deep sea. Weeks rolled by and the last ounce of hope in Nitin seemed to dry up. The mid-semester examinations of the Institute were conducted and Nitin was not allowed to sit for them. Since these carry 40% weight of the total marks, there was no way Nitin could complete his course by missing them. He began to bid goodbye to one year of studies at least. That was when, again the unexpected happened. (Where God is concerned, the unexpected always seems to happen. Isn't that why He asks us to love His uncertainty?)

One fine day (the day has become ‘fine’ in retrospect for NItin!) in August 1989, Swami walked up to Nitin and beckoned to him. Startled, Nitin rushed to Swami and knelt before him.

“When is the supplementary examination?” Swami asked.

The Supplementary Board Exam in India gives a second chance to students who have failed to clear certain subjects in the first go. The supplementary exam for Chemistry was due in 3 days and Nitin ‘informed’ Swami about it.

“Can you reach in time for the exam?”

“Swami, they will be held in Delhi and I will be able to make it if I can catch today evening’s train from Dharmavaram.”

“Go immediately then. Take padanamaskar. You have my blessings”, Swami said, giving him a sweet smile.

Nitin could not believe it. Even if he cleared the Chemistry paper via the supplementary exam, what could he do about the missed mid-semester exams of the University? He did not have much time to think and so he rushed to get a bus which would take him to Dharmavaram. There, he jumped into the ‘unreserved’ general compartment and readied himself for the arduous 2.5 day journey.

Managing some sitting space, he opened his Chemistry textbook to study and prepare for the impending examination when the train experienced a sudden jerk. Moments later, he was flying through the compartment as his train bogie ran off the tracks. What a time to get into an accident! Chemistry somehow seemed to be a specialist in derailing Nitin always!

By God’s grace, Nitin escaped without a scratch on his body but his mind was in a state of shock. Though delayed by 8 hours, he managed to get on to another train and reach Delhi just hours before the examination! He has no idea of how he wrote the exam during the afternoon. Having done that, he took the same night’s train back to Dharmavaram and hoped for Swami to work a miracle for him.

He returned and immediately Swami told him to attend classes again. The smile on his face did not last long as the registrar personally walked into his class and kicked him out! This divine ‘football’ went on and Nitin, in a span of a week, was in and out of classes 4 times! Now the case against him was stronger - he had not cleared the mid-semester exams. Nitin felt that the inevitable had been delayed enough by Swami. There was no more hope now.

Receiving a certificate from Swami after the Summer Course in Indian Culture
and Spirituality.

The called gets qualified

When the Lord decides to get a work done, He does so in matter of moments. As Nitin, the football, was being kicked from pillar to post, Swami decided that it was time for him to rush into his goal! That happened during another darshan session, in the course of another unexpected twist.

Swami called the registrar, K.Chakravarthi, and began asking him about certain University rules. In the course of the discussion, He asked,

“Tell me, is there a provision for a supplementary mid-semester examination?”

“Yes Swami, there is?”

“Who is eligible to write that?”

“Swami, those who have not been able to clear the actual mid-semester examination.”

“What if someone was absent for the exam?”

“Swami, if the absence is justified, then the candidate could sit for the supplementary exam.”

“What about this boy then”, said Swami and pointed straight to Nitin who was sitting with the students.

Nitin had missed the mid-semester because he had been preparing for the supplementary exam in Chemistry without which he was ineligible for University examination. He had cleared the Chemistry ‘acid-test’ and now had a justified reason for writing the mid-semester exams which he had previously missed.

“He is eligible for the supplementary exam Swami”, said Chakravarthi sir.

“Then, let him write it and if found eligible, let him be taken into the college.”

Nitin completed BCom with honours from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and later went on to get his MCom degree as well. During those student days, he got hundreds of opportunities with his Lord and Master, his Swami. He learnt lessons for life and won the friendship of the ONLY friend in the Universe - God. He went on to serve in the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences till 2005 after which Swami guided him to his current job. His two little girls embody every bit of his love and devotion to Swami as they listen with rapt attention to all the stories their father has to tell. In fact, they have no taste for videogames, movies or the television. They do not own a television at home too. All that time, they spend playing with their parents and listening to stories and experiences with Swami.

Qualification does not matter when it comes to God. Qualifications are results achieved and conferred by mortals. God does not seek results. He only seeks efforts - efforts to be near Him, and dear to Him. And if only one makes those efforts, God will crown those very efforts with His love and blessings - the greatest qualifications that one can ever seek.

Coming back to the quote - God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called -  what more can one say. Isn’t Nitin’s story evidence enough?

It was 'happily ever after' in the real sense for Nitin now...

If you enjoyed reading this, you will definitely enjoy the following:

1. Sometimes things have to go horribly wrong before going right.

2. How I got my job and career at Radiosai.

3. Faith and self-confidence - Story of the little bird

4. Misfortune becomes a blessing in disguise when God is your good luck talisman

For all readers:

(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Another blog which I maintain with more than 200 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com You may visit that at your leisure. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".

Also, use the Tweet and FB buttons below here liberally to share with your friends and family! Thank you)