The last years

I will be 84 this 20th Sept (2021). I feel great, and am satisfied considering the blessings God has showered on us. I cannot count the blessings Sai, our Lord, has showered on us. But still, there is a black dot in the final stage, with Rema falling ill due to some bad fate in the form of quadriplegia. But even here, He showed mercy by giving her the strength to face all problems associated with that problem. Sai gave her such strength that she never felt it as a bad fate at all, and faced all the pain and discomfort without complaint. Usually she cannot bear discomfort at all - it is a wonder how and from where she got this immense tolerance - no doubt from our dear Sai. Oh God! We are truly blessed, Baba!

So far, God has always looked after me throughout my life in all adverse circumstances, even in my professional surgical experience. I have enumerated a few in my previous writings.

We never dreamt that a world catastrophe like Corona will strike like a typhoon like in the present times. Oh! What a miserable tragedy for all humans! One advantage is that we all learned to live in isolation. It is more than one year since this virus has erupted and there no sign of its decline. Of course, vaccination is a great relief, both psychologically and health-wise. We had no difficulty in getting vaccinated with the first dose, but the second dose of vaccination is delayed all over India. One can not blame the central government for that.

Our country is now lucky and blessed to have a very effective, non-corrupt, honest and sincere government headed by Narendra Modi whom I can compare to Bhishmacharya of Mahabharatha. The entire world praises him and accepts his leadership. This has never happened in our post-independent India. We have never seen a Prime Minister so strong in decisions. He has changed the entire Economic system for brighter India. We are all lucky to be part of this great National change, especially for us who are in our last few years of life.

When the leader is good, the whole nation follows, and that is happening in India. People have become more culture-conscious which in turn will instil human values, and that will make India the leader of the world. Even Communists show changes for the good and their violent attitude is changing. I can see from my personal experience that India is definitely prospering since 2014. It was lagging behind in spite of good financial genius turned Prime Minister of the last regime. I think under the leadership of Modiji India will definitely gallop into the future, ahead of all the other countries in the world. I remember our Swami (Sathya Sai) declaring during his 60th birthday that Bharath will lead the world like the engine of a train. He further said that among Pandavas, Yudhishtira was the head and all the others obeyed him; similarly in the present world setup, India will command respect and others will obey India, comparing Arjuna , Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva to US, Russia and others.

We are specially blessed to be Indians in the present circumstances. See how the gigantic Rama temple in Ayodhya came into being and was inaugurated by none other than the Prime Minister himself. In Kerala, we dedicate the month of Karkitakam (which incidentally starts today) by regular reading of Adhyathma Ramayanam. I started seeing Ramayan by Ramanand Sagar and sent the link to all my friends. I am enjoying seeing it and so thought that all should enjoy.

I don't know how long I can continue doing good to others, but I can continue this good work as long as I can work using my mental faculties. With my limited mental faculties, at least this I should do, like the squirrel story of Ramayan in building the Rama sethu.

I consider Modiji another Bhishmacharya because of his stern determination and NISHTHAS which no one else among the modern-day politicians have. He works more than 18 hours a day, does Yogasanas, tries to do maximum good to whoever needs his help. His good governance is what we all call RAMA RAJYAM. The whole world is at his feet now. I doubt if there is anyone of his stature anywhere else in this world. Modi's dedication to work is to be admired and followed by other politicians and leaders. The examples of his dedication and strength of character are the record-breaking large bridges in many places including the Himalayas, the developments in Railways, Electricity and Petrochemicals. Wherever his attention is drawn, there will be development there. There is no end to his good works. 

Another reason why we are progressing unlike other countries is the presence of Amrithanandamayi Devi who is like our Swami - an avathaarini truly. She has done yeoman service to our country and also to the whole world - completely selfless and without any desire for profitability - large fully functional hospitals with latest equipment, charging only minimum rates, and that too after proper verification. She has been called for speaking in UN and applauded by the whole world. Wherever she goes, she gets a very warm reception by all sections of society.

Man passes through various stages of development - Baalakathwam, Yuvathwam, Garhastyam and finally Sanyasam. This excellent classification of Man's life is described in Aadi Sankarachariara's Viveka Choodamani. I am in the last stage of that classification. I am able to live up to that by putting in practice ceiling on desires. We try to live with bare minimum needs here in Prasanthi Nilayam, with Swami's blessings. I'm not fussy over food as before, I'm not driving my car (was crazy about driving before) never encashed money for unnecessary expenses, managing with two sets of clothes for months on end, not fussy over not getting hot water for bath. My sadhanas continue, both morning and evening. So, in effect, we are able to continue this Sanyasa jeevitham in principle.