By S.Narayan
With Swami's Grace, after releasing the book “Sai Thy Kingdom Come” I have been receiving overwhelming number of wonderful feedbacks. It is a really amazing feeling to know that I am not alone in this line of thought. In fact, now I feel that a large part of Sai devotees really have faith that Swami will return in the same form as Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Even though minimal, I have also received some dismissive feedbacks. A few have vouched bluntly against Swami’s return claiming that they already know Swami will come back only as Prema Sai. In the grand scheme of things, even the major points in their argument against His return are so miniscule compared to the act of return itself. As an old saying goes, if an elephant can easily pass through the needle’s eye, why worry about its tail getting stuck in it? Even the devotees who do not believe in His return shouldn’t discount that possibility since with Swami anything is possible. Anyways, I feel obliged to answer some questions regarding the book.
Have I unlocked the mystery? I certainly do not claim so. But my faith says He will return and if you look close enough, the writing is on the wall too. My conviction apart, the book advocates a very strong possibility. And the clues lie in Swami’s own words. I have not said anything new about Swami in the book that the Sai devotees do not know already. However the Sai literature is a vast ocean and it is very difficult to see all His relevant statements in one place. This book is a humble venture into putting together those bits and pieces into a definite shape. We have heard the story of seven blind men who spoke of the elephant (I can’t seem to get past this big guy!) as a pillar, a fan, a rope or a wall, because they contacted but a part and could not comprehend the entire animal. Alternatively, if an eighth blind had tried to talk to the other seven and put together the information received, probably the picture would have looked atleast a little more closer to the elephant than that of a pillar or a rope. So I believe that information is indeed beneficial if only it is used in the right manner.
Some point to Swami’s discourses where He says “body is not permanent” as a sign that He would not come back. But my counter is that He was anyways going to come back as Prema Sai, wasn’t He? That body is also not going to be permanent? That doesn’t mean He will not come back as Prema Sai, would it?
But what I really cannot accept is when people ask, "Swami has already given us everything, so does it matter whether He returns?". Well what about the rest of the world who missed His beautiful form and a chance to see it? Especially since Swami's earlier statements point to such a golden chance that is available for the whole world and not just 1% of the population as it is now? Don't we care about the rest of the world? My faith in Swami does not depend on His return. But I do care about the world and I really saw in Swami's words, such a world-scale transformation that He would bring about while still in His body. So I care and pray for that to happen.
Some others say, we need to go beyond the attachment to His body. I agree. In my belief, that is exactly the reason why Swami has forced His temporary disappearance on us. We should all try to get over the attachment to His body and go beyond that to realize Him in each and everything. We know that Swami will go out of His way to guide a sincere sadhaka and what more do we need than to have the Lord Himself as our teacher and guide? I am certain that no one would stop their inner journey and everything else in order to wait for the return of the Lord. Rather, the book was written so that all of us can intensify our sadhana and prepare ourselves for the ensuing Golden Age. Because that is what He has urged us to do.
How can we be ready? Only by intensifying our sadhana. The impetus that I receive by thinking of His return itself gives me unimaginable power within to wake up and tread towards that goal. Then how can I not share that with others? How can I not have published this book?
For more about His imminent return, please read the book "Sai Thy Kingdom Come" at www.saikingdom.com
With Swami's Grace, after releasing the book “Sai Thy Kingdom Come” I have been receiving overwhelming number of wonderful feedbacks. It is a really amazing feeling to know that I am not alone in this line of thought. In fact, now I feel that a large part of Sai devotees really have faith that Swami will return in the same form as Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Even though minimal, I have also received some dismissive feedbacks. A few have vouched bluntly against Swami’s return claiming that they already know Swami will come back only as Prema Sai. In the grand scheme of things, even the major points in their argument against His return are so miniscule compared to the act of return itself. As an old saying goes, if an elephant can easily pass through the needle’s eye, why worry about its tail getting stuck in it? Even the devotees who do not believe in His return shouldn’t discount that possibility since with Swami anything is possible. Anyways, I feel obliged to answer some questions regarding the book.
Have I unlocked the mystery? I certainly do not claim so. But my faith says He will return and if you look close enough, the writing is on the wall too. My conviction apart, the book advocates a very strong possibility. And the clues lie in Swami’s own words. I have not said anything new about Swami in the book that the Sai devotees do not know already. However the Sai literature is a vast ocean and it is very difficult to see all His relevant statements in one place. This book is a humble venture into putting together those bits and pieces into a definite shape. We have heard the story of seven blind men who spoke of the elephant (I can’t seem to get past this big guy!) as a pillar, a fan, a rope or a wall, because they contacted but a part and could not comprehend the entire animal. Alternatively, if an eighth blind had tried to talk to the other seven and put together the information received, probably the picture would have looked atleast a little more closer to the elephant than that of a pillar or a rope. So I believe that information is indeed beneficial if only it is used in the right manner.
Some point to Swami’s discourses where He says “body is not permanent” as a sign that He would not come back. But my counter is that He was anyways going to come back as Prema Sai, wasn’t He? That body is also not going to be permanent? That doesn’t mean He will not come back as Prema Sai, would it?
But what I really cannot accept is when people ask, "Swami has already given us everything, so does it matter whether He returns?". Well what about the rest of the world who missed His beautiful form and a chance to see it? Especially since Swami's earlier statements point to such a golden chance that is available for the whole world and not just 1% of the population as it is now? Don't we care about the rest of the world? My faith in Swami does not depend on His return. But I do care about the world and I really saw in Swami's words, such a world-scale transformation that He would bring about while still in His body. So I care and pray for that to happen.
Some others say, we need to go beyond the attachment to His body. I agree. In my belief, that is exactly the reason why Swami has forced His temporary disappearance on us. We should all try to get over the attachment to His body and go beyond that to realize Him in each and everything. We know that Swami will go out of His way to guide a sincere sadhaka and what more do we need than to have the Lord Himself as our teacher and guide? I am certain that no one would stop their inner journey and everything else in order to wait for the return of the Lord. Rather, the book was written so that all of us can intensify our sadhana and prepare ourselves for the ensuing Golden Age. Because that is what He has urged us to do.
The day of awakening is not so far away and when it comes there will be a revelation of the true power of God, a manifestation of the omnipresence of the Lord. This will be the signal for a great move forward and the weeding out of those who are not ready to accept the challenge of the moment…It will be like a new age, the age of love, harmony and co-operation replacing the age of war, fighting, hatred, jealousy, greed and all those negative aspects of life. Everyone should prepare NOW for this change, for I promise you that it will come, and only those who are ready will survive…I have given the warning, I have given My message a thousand times and no one who hears My words can claim ignorance. Do not delay action to put right your own life style and to change it to the way of God. There is no other way.
- Sai Messages for you and me, Lucas Ralli, Vol 1, Part 2
How can we be ready? Only by intensifying our sadhana. The impetus that I receive by thinking of His return itself gives me unimaginable power within to wake up and tread towards that goal. Then how can I not share that with others? How can I not have published this book?
For more about His imminent return, please read the book "Sai Thy Kingdom Come" at www.saikingdom.com
As devotees, maybe we can train ourselves to go beyond the physical form, see him in everything and know in our hearts that HE can transform even without a physical form. However, the rest of the world that He has said will get transformed doesn't have the same luxury - of reliving and cherishing moments with the Avatar and using those as a strength going forward. For the rest of the world to be transformed, He will come again.
ReplyDeleteYou are right - it is not what Swami has given ME or for MY sake that I wish He comes again. It is for the world to see him and feel the same bliss and joy and rejoice in his Truth, Love, Divinity and Beauty.
Very true...
ReplyDeleteSo so true bro.......and I anticipate this too.
ReplyDeleteA devotee can ask him/herself: "How would Swami like to be His devotee reaction upon receiving the news about the possibility of His return?"
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe it depends on HOW are these news arriving, and from WHERE.
In this case, this book is a research one, and the author is a devotee, so the answer is "from the research of a devotee".
Maybe if I heard someone merely speaking about the subject of Swami's return without further justification, I wouldn't take it seriously. But I have READ the book. And this is my first point: many are creating opinions about the book without reading it. This is ridiculous, specially when you just READ THE BOOK, because then we see that the book is more a REPORT than a "guessing" or "wishing" or "inventing" things. The author has just collected information and glued them with a perspective in mind: Swami's return.
Will it happen or not? I don't know. Let me only repeat my opening question: "How would Swami like to be His devotee reaction upon receiving the news about the possibility of His return?"
Think deeply about this question. And consider: have you read the book? No? So, don't create opinions about a book if you have not read it. Yes? So, if you admire the research, you are like me and a lot of others. If you didn't like, then let me ask again: "How would Swami like to be His devotee reaction upon receiving the news about the possibility of His return?"
Well, I don't know the answer, but I feel that He wouldn't appreciate talking ill about it, or denying to the limitless God this possibility. I am not saying He will return. I am just saying that, in my opinion, to rant about this book denotes a weak devotion.
I have seen several arguments in favour and against the book, and I sincerely feel all the arguments against it to be weak and flawed. I think it is not correct to say that He will return or that He will not return. Nobody knows. So, to attack the book saying it is wrong and that it is not possible, considering all the "clues" studied, is like saying "I know Swami's Will, and I can set a limit on what He can do or what He can't". It is very important to bold the word POSSIBILITY, because the author never claims it WILL happen, it only claims it is HIS BELIEF. At least, we should RESPECT it.
I admit I can be wrong. This is just my opinion, that I KNOW all true devotees will consider with LOVE, even disagreeing with it.
Thanks!
If it doesn't come to be, then none of our lives will be any different than they are now. However, if it does come to be, no one's life will be the same.
ReplyDeleteDear Sri Narayan I fully agree with you and your humble way of saying "it is my belief and the possibility of Swami return". From my personal point of view no one has the authority to deny what you say, because the Lord can do whatever He likes...even reappearing not only in one body, but in many bodies. We should always remember as Sai devotees that He is God...and God does whatever has to be done according to His will. God is above the law of nature, so He decides if to stay in the law or to go beyond it.
ReplyDeleteOm Sri Sai Ram
Salvatore
Sairam dear Salvatore, Thank you for your inspiring comments that really echo my own thoughts on the subject.
DeleteSairam all, Thank you for all the support and the wonderful comments.
ReplyDelete