Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji's captivating smile, compassionate
look and positive thinking make immediate impact on even
strangers who go to him. All visitors, devotees, people with
an open mind and those with prejudices, who meet him derive
the same experience: quietude and tranquillity. Even without
mentioning their personal problems, they feel light at heart,
the depressing load of their nagging troubles being removed
from them inexplicably.
Swamiji shuns publicity and ostentation. He instructs his
devotees not to make much of their spiritual experiences
through his grace. It is a very common occurrence in the
Sai Mandir for people (even strangers) to mention to him
that Swamiji appeared in their dreams to give them
'manthropadesa' or some wholesome advice. He stops them
and disarmingly says, "It is all the Lord's play." He
commands recitation of Sahasranamam to one all and all
for peace, plenty and prosperity.
Swamiji is always a generous giver and rarely a taker.
Whatever edible is offered by visitors, he at once distributes
it to all those present and occasionally takes a bit of it if the
devotees insist, taking it as Narayana 'prasadam'. His intake
of food is minimum and he says that "distribution of food to
others and group recitation of Sahasranamam keep my
stomach full and satisfied."
The Swamiji obeys his master - Baba - implicitly and
immediately. That is why his plans of visits and tours are
changed in the last minute. Entraining at the City Railway
Station for Chennai and detraining at Cantonment cancelling
the journey, Swamiji comes back to the ashram baffling his
devotees. This has happened many a time. The same is the
case in regard to air travels also. All this is just because he
gets a message or signal from the Saint of Shirdi. The
Swamiji does not make any discrimination among the
numerous devotees or visitors from all walks of life and
different social strata, who go to him. I foolishly asked him
about 20 years back whether the Swamiji was not partial in
bestowing his attention on those who went to him.
He replied with an affectionate smile, "Partiality is only in
your mind. I am impartial. Each one gets what he deserves,
depending on his sincerity and the legitimacy of his desire.
He must be receptive also. When I sometimes try to pass
on my grace to some individuals, it comes back to me failing
to register itself. When I am given a few good seeds to raise
healthy, big trees, how can I sow them in concrete soil? I
must ensure that the soil is also fertile. So each gets what
he should."
Sai Baba has said on some occasions, "When I can grant
oceans of bliss, he (the seeker) comes with a small pot
upside down. What can he carry from me?"
Some three years back, when I entered the Swamiji's cottage
one evening, he was intently listening to an American professor
of philosophy, who was enthusiastically narrating the miracles
of some saints. I intervened to say that I had the privilege of
knowing the greatest saint, who was capable of all miracles
but cast them away as obstacles to spiritual progress. He
was the greatest because he had refrained from using his
abundant Siddhis.
The curious American professor asked me to name him so
that he could meet him. I just pointed at the Swamiji, who
laughed out.
The Swamiji, "my mentor and benefactor," the "Karuna
Sagara" (ocean of compassion) has relieved innumerable
people, of all castes and communities, of their sufferings,
fulfilled their wishes, ensured their material and spiritual well
being, effecting revolutionary transformations through his
potent, unfailing and benevolents weapon: Love. His love
is universal, extending to birds and animals, including wild
one's. There were many such occasions when these
recipients had responded to the Swamiji's call in their own
characteristic way. The devotees had witnessed every one
of these phenomena.
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