I met at the ashram. By that time, he and his family had long been devotees of Sathya Sai Baba and had visited India several times. In America, in his homestead, Robin decided to make a meditation hall. When friends who were also devotees of Sathya Sai Baba came to him, they practiced meditations and mantras together.
Many helpers worked on their large country estate, including one elderly woman from Mexico, who had worked for the household for several months. She worked as a maid and knew nothing about Sathya Sai Baba. The woman believed that Sathya Sai Baba was the best friend of the owner of the house, because his photographs hung in almost every room.
One day, the elderly maid, asked Robin, the owner of the house, some strange questions. She wanted to know how long their Indian friend would be visiting them for, and if she should prepare a room for him.
Robin did not understand the meaning of these strange questions, because there were no guests in the house, especially from India. After some questioning, Robin realized that an amazing incident had taken place.
The maid said that very morning she met Sathya Sai Baba in the dining room. It was early morning when she entered the dining room and saw Sathya Sai Baba sitting at the table. She immediately recognized him because she had seen his photographs many times.
The elderly maid talked with Sathya Sai Baba for about half an hour, during which time she treated him to breakfast and answered some of his questions. Robin was shocked and quickly realized Sathya Sai Baba had materialized in their house that morning.
Robin immediately ran to the dining room, assuming he was still there, but he no longer was. Evidence of his presence was an unfinished cup of tea and an empty plate after breakfast. Stunned, Robin knelt down and bowed in front of the chair where Sathya Sai Baba had been sitting a few minutes ago.
During a conversation with the maid, Sathya Sai Baba asked how her daughter was doing. The woman was surprised how the Indian friend of the owner knew about the problems in her daughter's personal life. Sathya Sai Baba stated the problems would end soon, and that everything would be fine, and her daughter would be very happy.
After that, Robin and his relatives decided they should go to India as soon as possible to meet Sathya Sai Baba. Naturally, they took their maid with them, paying for her trip.
Robin confessed to me this miracle was an important lesson for him, personally. Even though he had been a devotee of Sathya Sai Baba for several years by then, he still retained an arrogant attitude toward people who were of lower social status. He had little interest in the lives of his workers and did not consider them equal to himself.
Sathya Sai Baba appeared in front of the Mexican maid, whom Robin arrogantly treated as if she were an ordinary servant. This incident showed how necessary it is to respect all people, regardless of their social status. Sathya Sai Baba appeared not in front of the owner of the house, but in front of what seemed to be an ordinary maid.
To be honest, I am not sure what her name is, although I meet met her in the ashram, I think her name is Isabelle. Of course, it was clear this was actually a great blessing not only for Isabelle, but for everyone.
I met Robin and his family at the ashram and I was just as interested to meet Isabelle, who was lucky enough to see the materialization of Sathya Sai Baba, and even treat him to breakfast.
In truth, the ways of the Lord are inscrutable. The greatest miracle of Sathya Sai Baba is the spiritual transformation of people. Sometimes it happens in the most unusual way.
50. In ancient times, Shiva promised that he would incarnate as Sai Baba
The great sage Bharadwaja lived in ancient times. He devoted many years to the study of Vedic philosophy. Bharadwaja felt that a mere study of philosophy would not be able to help him gain true wisdom, and so he decided to start practicing meditation and yoga.
The gods regularly appeared before the sage and gave him spiritual instructions. Finally, Bharadwaja decided to perform Homa, the fire ritual. He wanted Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti to personally attend the ceremony. Bharadvaja went to the sacred mountain Kailash in order to personally invite Shiva and Shakti.
Approaching the sacred mountain, the sage saw that Shiva and Shakti were dancing enthusiastically and were completely absorbed in circling in the dance. The sage could not find a convenient moment to interrupt the dance of the Gods and invite them to his ceremony.
Seven days passed, and Bharadvaja was still waiting. He could only get a look at Lord Shiva, while the Goddess Shakti, in her beautiful dance, constantly hid her face from him. On the eighth day, the Goddess only allowed him a glimpse of herself. She smiled softly, and then quickly turned away and continued her divine dance.
The sage Bharadvaja thought that the Goddess was offended by him. He sadly left the sacred mountain Kailash and headed home to the ashram. While the sage was descending the mountainside, he suddenly felt as if his left leg and arm were paralyzed while his left eye became instantly blind.
Suddenly, Shiva appeared. He approached the sage and consoled him with kind words: "do not worry, Goddess Shakti blesses you. I will also come to your ceremony." Having said these words, the Lord sprinkled holy water from the jar of Kamandalu on the left side of the body of the sage, and he was immediately healed.
Sage Bharadwaja successfully completed his ceremony in due course. Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti were present during the entire ritual of worship. This was a joyful event for the sage because he not only worshipped Shiva and Shakti, but also had the opportunity to enjoy their direct presence.
As a token of his pleasure, Lord Shiva made
