Darshan
Divine Experiences of Devotees of Baba from Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
by Loaknath Dubie
paperback, 221 pages, Rs 150/-
This book was published to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Sathya Sai Organisation in Trinidad and Tobago. (Trinidad and Tobago -in the Carribean- is a former Spanish foundation which thereafter became a British Colony. Independence from the United Kingdom was obtained in 1962 and links to the British Monarchy were severed by Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.) It is sometimes called the West Indies.
Published in 2004, This book contains accounts of the spiritual journeys of some thirty-seven devotees - many of these accounts are of pilgrimages to Prashanti Nilayam and interactions with Sathya Sai Baba in the interview room. All accounts involve members of families, husbands and wives, children and grandparents.
The table of contents seems somewhat odd on first glance; all it has is people's names. The names come alive over reading the many chapters, as the story of the Sathya Sai Satshangh unfolds, with many people attending Satsanghs (gatherings of devotees, devotions, talks, singing of songs) and people seek to know more about Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
There were doubters, dissenters and disbelievers, all of whom brought their doubts to Baba. One person told, "Baba will not have enough time to see you!". Subsequently, on entering the interview room, Baba is asking "Who is this person who says, Baba does not have enough time to see you, Baba does not have enough time to see you?"
One devotee, who attended the 60th Birthday Celebrations in Prashanti Nilayam, tells of the miles and miles of tents in the Ashram area, and of his first three experiences of Baba; he witnesses Baba banish rain, he witnesses Baba announce that all who were present that day, were with him at the coronation of Lord Rama at Ayodhya, and again, he witnesses Baba banish rain, bring the sun, and then bring clouds and cooling relief to devotees at Hillview Stadium.
Howard Murphet's book Sai Baba - Man of Miracles, stands out as a remarkable starting point for many who became devotees. Howard was a man who spoke carefully, ponderously, and wrote with a seekers questions, along with his own answers and evaluations of the miracles that he had witnessed before his eyes. This in turn provided an preliminary sort of orientation to what was going to happen in the ashram when these pilgrims from Trinidad and Tobago arrived.
Again and again, the extremely personal narratives of interview room experiences of Baba bring forth boundless, eternal love, so much of love, so much of care and concern, so much of Eternal Mother and Father Swami. The interviews capture Swami's mode of speaking, fast, Don't cry, who has questions, materialisations, and the limitless care and concern conferred by Baba on the pilgrims of Trinidad and Tobago.
This is a well written book. In some chapters, it appears that there is repetition, but this is really skilful composition and editing. Each story opens with a highlight, and then introduces the devotee to the reader by way of telling their story of encounter with Baba through his devotees in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a very thoughtful way to bring thirty-seven stories together in such a way to sustain the reader's interest.
Reading these stories often brings about recall, reflection and consideration of our own experiences of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. There is a freshness about these narratives which gives self-understanding and seeking of the inherent divinity within. One narrative spoke of a daughter who had a "quarrel" with Baba, a sort of divine, inner quarrel (about her father's death). We all have one or other quarrels at some time or another as we go on the journey towards love. Yet, Baba's love is patient, modest and full of humility ~ for he is ever waiting, ever ready to enclose us within that embrace of Love.
To "seekers" who have just begun their spiritual quest, this book will prove to be fascinating since so much of what it contains attests to the Divinity of Sri Sathya Sai Baba-the One who knows and sees all and who has control over the past, present and future. All the experiences contained in this book underscore the essence of Baba's mission which is Love. "Love is my message", says Baba. Obtain from the Ashram Bookshop or Online Order. Link