Yesterday morning,while surfing channels I came across the news that Sri Sathya Sai Baba passed away at 7:40 a.m. It took some time for me to register the fact,but somewhere I was mentally prepared to accept it. He was suffering from last few days and was on ventilation.At the age of 86 it's hard to recover,I believe. It's shocking,but not unexpected. After all,Baba was a mortal human being. I believe in his message on love and humanity,but I don't consider him as God. He was a divine person with a great heart, that's all.
For some times I kept on watching the clips and news. Many celebs from Kolkata mourned,few went back to the memories associated with Baba. Some expressed indifference. Most of them seemed to believe that he had supernatural powers. I kept on watching with mixed feelings. Many other channels were also showing the same news. Once it became boring ,I switched off the TV.
My hubby asked from the other room, what are all these about. I told him the news. His first expression was,"Oh,is that it? So are we going to get a leave tomorrow?" Well,it's nothing but regarding a off-day for him! No doubt,he is the least-bothered person about anything happening around him,so why to ask him anything about it? I had to buy some medicines,so I went downstairs leaving him behind.
I found most of the shops closed. Quite uncommon for a Sunday. What happened? I found a neighbor there and asked him about it. He told today all shops are closed as they are mourning. Oh,that's why.... These people are devotees,or they just want to show some respect. Well,that's nice. At least somebody is behaving accordingly!
No chance to get medicines,so I decided to return. On my way,I met another lady from the same block. Her face was red from crying. She told me that they have arranged for some special prayer for Sai Baba in the complex. If I want,I also can join. I expressed my inability, I don't believe in attending such kind of prayers. I didn't want to offend her,but she seemed annoyed. Well,you can't pressurize anybody in such things. She was carrying some flowers and other things to offer at that ceremony,I assumed that it's going to be a big event .
Children use to play in the corridor of my apartment,it has become a Sunday ritual for them. Today they were silent. I asked them the reason. One boy told me, the aunty from next door told them not to make any noise,as her family was mourning too. They seemed annoyed as they were missing their Sunday fun. They had to be satisfied playing some indoor games today.
The biggest problem was,we were out of drinking water. We had to call the local bakery, but that was closed too. We had to make several requests after which they delivered the water can. Can anybody's death deprive somebody from their drinking water too? yes,it can. I realized it yesterday.
Sai Baba was a great educator,I believe. But his death was a natural and inevitable one. No mortal can overpower the death,it's going to occur. Baba was no different. He lived a long and fruitful life. He enlightened the hearts of millions by his teachings and blessings. His humanitarian face is well-recognized. Isn't it better to live such a life? After hid sad demise also he will be there in the heart of devotees as a great example of divinity and humanity,that is the most expected thing in the life of any person. Leave the controversies behind,why don't we consider the best part of something other than highlighting the evils? If we can take the good part of this divine person and try to reflect his teachings in our lives,we too can live a wonderful life. Nothing else will be needed. I kept on thinking all these while returning.
When I was back,I was astonished to think all the different impacts on a single event. Our mind is indeed a wonder,no doubt! We are made in such way that we can end up with different findings from a similar incident. It depends on our prior experiences and our mind setup,based on which we generate the process of thinking. Let Baba's soul rest in peace,from my side,I pay my respect to him. It was really remarkable that he left such an impact on his devotees and common people also, during his lifetime, even after his death. Hari Aum!
