Funny side up! Sathya Sai and the Artist whose poetry book was eaten by a cow!

Whenever I get time, I listen to the Samarpan series of talks on YouTube. I find it inspiring to listen to many devotees and former students share their experiences. One of my favourite speakers is Dr. U. Suma Rao, whose talks are funny and personal, in a way that I enjoy. [Do Read: Love's Journey, Swami's Blessings]

                                          [Image: Radio Sai on FB]

A candid devotee that she is, Dr. Suma Rao says she felt that she was the next Picasso! She is an artist and a talented one too, so she felt that an art career at JJ School of Arts was her true calling. Her father arranged a meeting for her with the Vice Chancellor of JJ Arts who said, "You will never be a fine artist because you draw with your mind. Forget pure art. You may opt for something else." When she got a chance to speak with Swami later, she again expressed her desire to study at JJ School of Arts. Swami said to her, "No!"

"If you surrender, God can interfere in your life but not otherwise. God gives opportunities but does not allow identification with them." is a beautiful insight that Dr. Suma Rao shares from her direct experiences.

A funny instance is when she told Swami, "The cow ate my book of poetry." She says lightheartedly that it was a very hungry cow! She was devastated and pulled the poetry book out of its mouth but half of the book remained in the cow's mouth! The other half of the book remained with her. Dr. Suma says, "Swami looked at me, walked ahead and said 'I saw'. I knew He saw into my heart and was definitely not about the cow."You see, the thing about Swami is that you can tell Him anything! 

As a child, my sister had been blessed to spend a month at Prashanti Nilayam representing Africa under the tutelage of the famous Genoveva Kanu. After two interviews with Swami, my sister had told us: "He is so funny, not at all the strict person we all seem to think He is. He cracks jokes, plays pranks and becomes like a child....he is never serious, like in his photos."

                        [Image; Samarpan Talk Series on YouTube]

Dr. Suma Rao says that though Swami said 'No' to her ambition to pursue art in JJ School, her life was completely dedicated to art - the only difference was that it was with Swami, which is the greatest blessing for a devotee! In Dr. Suma's words, "When God becomes the focal point, our commitment increases. For us, when Swami becames our Centre, life becomes an excuse to reach God. Our focal point shifts and a certain degree of commitment begins and God begins His chiseling." 

Dr. Suma Rao adds that the same Vice Chancellor of JJ School of Arts visited Prashanti Nilayam years later. When he saw her art works, he praised her saying, "You are a fine artist!" Also, he didn't recognize she was the same student that he had earlier rejected. 

"Spirituality is the surrender of one's ego to the Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge that is the Universe. Whether we like it or not, He will take us through this long journey," Dr. Suma Rao sums it up. 

Once, Swami's feedback on her Christmas art work was painful to digest when he told her: "So much planning you can do but you can't take care of a little detail. Krishna and Arjuna are on each other's feet, are they getting married? Krishna's stomach was okay but you chiselled it and made it narrower. "All night, she worked on rectifying the errors that Swami pointed out. READ: The Amazing Tale of Peddabottu! 

Swami always watches the tiniest details.  She says,"Art has to come from the heart, Swami always reminds us." She also says, "He made God relatable to me. He is anything but judgmental. He is joy, he is funny, he used to play pranks and was always full of love. You could tell Him anything."

Do watch Dr. Suma Rao's video talk here. It's funny and really heartwarming! 

If you liked reading this post, please do read this one too: A Dad's Advice to the Daughter He loves

Comments

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being born

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v

Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi: Get it right or let it go

Most people do not understand the importance of chanting the Gayatri mantra because they are not aware of its power. It is only when I began to read Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings that I learned how sacred and powerful the chanting of the Gayatri mantra is. The Vedas represent the breath of God. The Gayatri mantra is the very basis of the Vedas. Try not to undertake chanting the Gayatri mantra as a light endeavor or as a hobby. It has to be chanted with faith, discipline and purity of mind and body. Be steady with your sadhana if you want to reap the spiritual dividend associated with the Gayatri mantra and never once hesitate once you decide to do it. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra is referred to as Pancha Mukhi, the Goddess with five faces that represent the five pranas or life forces. Here's more on it. . Also read: The Power of OM Chant the Gayatri Mantra correctly: Pause Five Times Here are some important thi

Malayalam film Sara 's on Amazon Prime is a bold take on a woman's right to abortion

Sara's Malayalam movie review: Malayalam cinema is known for breaking stereotypes even when its male audience may find it clearly unpalatable. One of the recent Malayalam films this year that I really found thought provoking is 'Sara's' on Amazon Prime despite the fact that it has many sketchy areas in its narrative and I do not support Sara's personal choices. [READ: Prithviraj starrer Mumbai Police breaks stereotypes!] Sara's Malayalam Movie Review: To have a child or not should be a woman's decision 'Sara's' is a film that urges Malayalis to give a 'woman' more independence about deciding whether she is ready to marry, and if she is, if she wants to have a child and if that choice comes under scrutiny, the final choice should be hers alone - it is her body, her life - not the guy's. This is something I personally believe in - a woman should never be forced to do anything against her will by anyone. No matter how you view it, a man

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: Meaning, Benefit of Chanting and Who can Chant the Mantra

Mahadmrityunjaya Mantra: Benefit of chanting this mantra There are very few mantras that are as powerful as the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Do read my post: Does Mahamrityunajaya mantra really work? Mahamrityunjaya mantra is believed to have the power to remove all sufferings, diseases and bestow the one who chants it with good health and long life. It is also believed that constant contemplation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra can help spiritual aspirants to overcome the cycle of birth and death. What got me fascinated about this mantra is something personal. I learned this mantra from my father but it is my maternal grandmother who chanted it all the time and repeatedly told me of its tremendous power to protect. However, I did not chant this mantra regularly. At the age of two, my son was taught some mantras by my mother who explained what it means to him and he became very enthusiastic about chanting the mantras. Following this, my mother taught him the Maha Mrityun

Petals!

Search This Blog