We were having a discussion in the Western Canteen during lunch yesterday, and the subject of darshan came up, and people told their favourite darshan stories. I suppose all of us have our favourite darshan stories which we tell again and again. The human story is nothing but the story of God. But now, God is actually here in a human form with superhuman powers, to lead us to the paths of blessedness. Swami uses a metaphor, just as a bird flying over the ocean sooner or later has to find a ships mast to rest, so too, sooner or later, we have to find the path to peace.
We tell our darshan stories because they are precious moments for us, when we are taken in the Lord’s glance, seen, blessed, and transformed, as HE tells us. We tell our darshan stories for they are moments we recall when we were in the very presence of God, and whenever we remember those moments, God is with us again. That is the significance of what Swami told in His Divine Discourse on New Year’s Day, “If you recall me, you will have me, you will ALWAYS have me, nothing can come between us, he told, again and again.
The skies are grey, heavy with rain clouds. I predicted rain yesterday, and some Prashanti Nilayam regulars pooh-poohed the idea. Well, light rain is falling now, as I write. The breeze is cool, the climate is pleasant both day and night (although the sun has a bit of a bite in it… I notice I can go out in the sun here in Prashanti Nilayam, but not at home; there is a hole in the ozone layer over home, and I can feel the sunlight eating into my skin). Not here, not at the abode of highest peace, although.
What is it that makes us sit patiently and wait, wait, wait, for so long, just to have the vision of Sai? Why do people line up, and wait patiently for hours? What is it about darshan that makes it so longed for within us? These are the thoughts that roamed through my mind as I waited for car darshan this morning.
Swami came about 9.30am, just as he told on the inner level; the car was garlanded, and the roof bedecked with more garlands and rose buds. The skies were grey, there was a cool breeze. Rows of seva dal ran beside the car, security before and behind. Car came closer. Swami is looking out the window at the crowds, his eyes roaming over the collected devotees, villagers, shopkeepers, beggars, schoolchildren, they were all standing with hands joined in pranams. Swami’s eyes move back and forth, he is looking at everybody, his hand slightly raised, giving blessing, blessing, blessing, yes, our eyes made contact for one brief moment, and for one moment, is it in time?, is it out of time?, there is only Sai and I, the heart’s longing to be seen and known in the heart of God. Silence, just for that brief, timeless moment, looking into infinity and beyond, beholding those liquid eyes, yes, a moment of Love when the mind stops.
The crowds surge closer to the car, everyone has their hands joined in pranams, Swami is glancing here and there, blessing, blessing. The car moves along Main Road slowly. Villagers turn and smile, “Abhayahasta!” they exclaim with smiles. Abhayahasta, blessing!!!, they exclaim, “very good car darshan” the locals are saying. There is Love everywhere, there are smiles all over. Bliss billows down Main Road, Prashanti Nilayam as Swami’s car proceeds towards Hillview Stadium, ever so slowly.
Alack, we waited again and again, for Swami to return. He returned to the ashram by the back gate … he has done this on quite a few occasions.
Tags: car-darshan, darshan, Prashanti Nilayuam, Sathya Sai Baba
Tags: car-darshan, darshan, Prashanti Nilayuam, Sathya Sai Baba