26. Inscrutable are the ways of the Lord, the end of the story of Vasudevan
Vasudevan’s relatives were able to convince him to go to the ashram. The trip was organized within about six months while the young man remained in his wheelchair and needed constant help. The journey from Chennai to the ashram was relatively close and relatives were able to arrange everything necessary.
When Vasudevan arrived at the ashram, he was very worried because he did not know how his meeting with Sathya Sai Baba would go. If a photograph of the Avatar had such strong energetic power, what would be expected at a direct meeting?
Sathya Sai Baba slowly approached the young man and looked at him intently. He called him by name and also said he knew he had come from the city of Chennai. Vasudevan was surprised as this was their first meeting. Since the young man was unknown to anyone, it was simply impossible to assume a forgery. After that, Sathya Sai Baba invited the young man to a private conversation in his room.
Being alone, Sathya Sai Baba immediately told Vasudevan about all the details of his medical history. He also told the astonished young man he knew well how his health gradually deteriorated each time he prayed near the photo. After that, Sathya Sai Baba repeated word for word all the harsh words and accusations that the young man had made in the house of his mother-in-law in front of the photograph.
Vasudevan was completely shocked by everything and wept with shame and joy. He felt the colossal, divine love emanating from Sathya Sai Baba.
After listening to this amazing story, I decided to ask Mr. Subba Rao what happened to the young man after that. Mr. Subba Rao smiled and said it would be easy enough to find out because Vasudevan was going to visit the ashram again in a week.
My meeting with Vasudevan actually took place exactly one week later in Mr. Subba Rao’s room. Vasudevan no longer showed any signs of paralysis. After his first visit to the ashram, he was healed and moved to the USA with his wife.
I was interested to know Vasudevan’s opinion about all the events that happened to him. For example, I was curious to know his thoughts on why, instead of healing him instantly, Sathya Sai Baba subjected him to quite severe trials in the beginning.
Vasudevan said he was able to realize the greatness of the divine plan of Sathya Sai Baba. We, ordinary people, perceive life within the framework of duality, the essence of which is the constant change of happiness and suffering. We are constantly striving to avoid suffering and to find happiness. But happiness is just as fleeting and impermanent as suffering.
When we ask the Avatar for help, it would be naive to assume he will fulfill our whims in accordance with how our ignorant ego would like them to be achieved. The Avatar views our life from the point of view of the divine evolution which the soul of each person goes through.
If it would be more beneficial for a person to pass tests that will lead him to deep spiritual insights, then this is exactly what will happen according to the Avatar’s plan. Blessings of the Avatar are aimed at spiritual growth and not at the satisfaction of momentary desires.
Sometimes trials are more beneficial for spiritual development than simply solving trivial problems. Awareness, insight, and spiritual growth are what is truly important for the soul. It may seem more important to us to gain fleeting luck, but God, who is in the depths of the spiritual heart, leads everyone along the path of self-knowledge.
Sathya Sai Baba often said, «I give my devotees what they want so that later they will be spiritually transformed and ready to accept from me what I really want to give them.»
What amazing deep words! Sathya Sai Baba sometimes joked that people came to him and asked for simple material things, not realizing that all of “this” is not permanent.
He also joked that people couldn’t understand that he was like a «heavenly wish-granting tree.» Human fantasies are sometimes too primitive. People asked the Avatar for trifles, while the «cosmic tree of wish fulfillment» can fulfill all desires and bestow beyond what can hardly be imagined.
Sathya Sai Baba sadly joked that often people came to him and asked for only «one cup of coffee, maximum two,» even though he could give them the eternal bliss of divine consciousness.