To face unafraid, the plans that we've made
In the first week of June, for the first time, Bhagawan Baba visited a Sri Sathya Sai Hospital as a patient, rather than a visitor. His seventy-eight year old body underwent hip and eye surgeries at the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital in Whitefield. Devotees around the world prayed for His health, held bhajans for His recovery, and overlooked their personal matters. Devotees from Region X - Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma - did the same, yet there was one issue that troubled our minds: whether or not to proceed with our journey to see the Lord. Though doubts floated in the air, none found a permanent residence in any devotee's heart. Darshan or not, rain or shine, we would not abandon our much anticipated journey to India.

The pilgrimage started much before the fifteenth of June. Some devotees had been dreaming of such a journey for years. A few devotees had been seeking Swami's approval for years. Bal Vikas children, young adults, and adults had been practicing their play, music program, and bhajans, respectively, for months. Organizers had been calling India confirming room accommodations, stage props, musical instruments, and uniform saris for weeks. Speakers advised us, experienced travelers prepared us, families held bhajans. And though the change of venue asked for much unexpected, last-minute work, Whitefield presented itself as a cozy, cool 14-day miniature heaven and haven for the nearly 300 Region X pilgrims.

In the lane, Sai is glistening

Soon after our arrival, Bhagawan sent us our first surprise: welcome prasad. Aware of our arrival, Swami welcomed us into His ashram in many ways, the most obvious being the prasad he sent us. Overjoyed, we made sure devotees on the trip and those in America would get a taste of the Divine gift.

Ever since Swami's hip injury, public darshans had been put on hiatus. Nevertheless, we kept ourselves busy and disciplined, we had no expectations, and, above all, we prayed for Bhagawan's health. The two weeks were filled with more and more activities - practices, seva, meetings, meditation, and mantras By the second week, Bhagawan sent two speakers: Whitefield University Warden Narsimha Murthy and Prashanti Council member Dr. Venkataraman. These charismatic, eloquent, yet humble speakers addressed our region multiple times weaving their personal experiences with a wide range of topics including prema, dharma, spiritual transformation and seva.

Bhagawan's love glistened more and more each day. On the first Thursday, men from the region were blessed with Bhagawan's surprise darshan from the window of His residence, Trayee Brindavan. Though only a few ladies caught a glimpse of the bright orange robe, our child-like disappointment quickly disappeared. Three days later, all the ladies from the region were allowed within the gates of Swami's residence. After the Whitefield students sang bhajans inside the residence, Swami spoke a few Telugu words through the microphone saying that He would soon see His devotees in Sai Ramesh Hall and that would bring Him happiness. (I wondered who would exceed in happiness - the devotees or Swami.) As our hopes for presenting the Bal Vikas play were exponentially rising, Swami suddenly appeared from his window, giving darshan for what seemed like an eternity. With indescribable Love, He gazed at us and gently extended His arm through the bars of the window to wave and bless everyone. Before leaving the gates, Swami had made sure that all devotees within the gates received mysore-pak and apples as prasad. Faith can move mountains.

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight

The previous night was filled with activity. The ashram transformed to celebrate Bhagawan's much anticipated darshan. What would have taken weeks in India and days in the U.S., was accomplished in one night in Whitefield. Flag-banners outlined ashram sidewalks, an arch with colorful flowers reading "Welcome Swami" hung over the hall's entrance and a freshly-built ramp accommodating Bhagawan's golf-cart rested at the feet of Sai Ramesh Hall.
Even in Swami's physical condition, His compassion and love for devotees drove him to give the first formal darshan in three weeks and to intensely watch our Bal Vikas drama, "There Is Only One Religion." As Bhagawan entered Sai Ramesh Hall after darshan, the young adults and their instruments began singing "We will love you more and more each day." As Bhagawan walked within the hall and gazed at the young adults and others, the audience joined us in "Sai Hamara." As He took His seat, we continued with "Satsangatve."

Two boys formally invited Swami to watch the drama by presenting an invitation. One of the boys was wearing a golden Jesus pendant. Later, he informed us that when Bhagawan blessed the pendant, the boy saw a bright light emanating from Swami's palm to the figure of Jesus on his pendant. The drama entitled "There is Only One Religion" began and Baba intensely watched every action, every actor, every face, everything. Though devotees were worried about Swami's comfort due to his recent operations, Bhagawan sat through the entire drama. After the flawless play, Baba asked one of the Region X leaders who the best actor was. Speechless and sincerely without an answer, the devotee responded saying that all were good actors. Baba then materialized a mini-pile of vibhuti and blew the vibhuti on all the children. As aarti was going on, Swami got back into the golf cart. While departing, He blessed the Bal Vikas binder presentation. Around aarti time, Swami had materialized a gold chain for the young girl.

He sings a love song as we go along

One day before our departure, Bhagawan sent us our last surprise: farewell prasad. In the middle of a group meeting, I caught sight of some Whitefield students approaching our group with four shopping bags. The unusual behavior caught the attention of most members of the meeting. Our leader then announced that Bhagawan had sent us a few things: four packets of vibhuti, som papadi, and a calendar card PER PERSON. He had even sent a sort of farewell card with his picture on both sides and his signature "With love and blessings to all." The love of God is that of 1000 mothers. Before the twentieth of June, I accepted this statement as a fact. After this date, this fact transformed into a living reality.