It is often said in the Sathya Sai circles that if we do Swami’s work, He will do our work. Over the years, I have experienced the profound truth of this simple assurance. My life has taken many unexpected turns and faced uncertainties and tests. Yet, each time I placed my faith in Swami and sincerely performed His work, He helped me in ways that were both miraculous and profoundly personal.
Over time, these experiences have taught me, and continue to teach me, to fully surrender to Swami without any expectation of results.
Early Steps in Seva
I came into Swami’s fold through service, which has now become a natural expression of my love for Him. Whether it was participating in bhajans, engaging in youth activities, or helping with community service projects, I always felt this was my offering to Swami. I never felt that I was making a sacrifice. For me, it is always a privilege to do His work.
As the years passed, my professional responsibilities increased. Balancing my career with seva was not always easy. Yet I discovered that when I gave Swami’s work priority, everything else fell into place beautifully. I never missed out on any service opportunities in spite of my increasing workload, although at times it seemed impossible.
Little did I know that Swami would put this principle to the test, not just once, but multiple times, in ways I could never have foreseen.
The First Challenge
My first challenge occurred when I lost my job. It came as a shock. The future looked bleak and uncertain, considering my personal responsibilities and obligations. For a few days, my mind wrestled with many questions: ‘What will happen now? How will we manage?’
But then, I remembered Swami’s reassuring words, “Why fear when I am here?” I held on firmly to His loving words and feet. After all, isn’t the Avatar’s life His message? For me, His words are verily Him! I decided that rather than allowing fear of the unknown to consume me, I would continue my seva wholeheartedly. During bhajan sessions, I sang with even greater enthusiasm and gusto. During service activities, I gave it my all. I prayed, not for a job, but for the strength to do His work steadfastly.
Within a few months, a new opportunity arose, and my life was back on track.
The Second Challenge
A couple of years later, I lost my job again. Once again, uncertainty stared me in the face. This time, it felt like a more severe test. I thought, ‘was the first experience just a coincidence?’ ‘could I still hold on to my faith?’
Again, I resorted to focusing on doing Swami’s work. Instead of worrying, I immersed myself in seva with all my heart and soul. I remember organizing many service activities during this period with renewed vigor. I was always available for any opportunity to serve, thanking Swami for everything. In fact, every time I get an opportunity to serve, I tell myself that Swami is thinking of me! I found peace in forgetting myself in His service.
On Swami’s birthday, while the entire world was celebrating the advent of the Avatar, Swami gave me another reason to rejoice! I received a new job offer—one that was not only more rewarding with higher pay, but also better aligned with my interests. I felt as if Swami was assuring me, “See, if you do My work, I will take care of you.”
The timing was so perfect and convenient for me that I had no doubt that this was His blessing. Swami had given me a perfect birthday gift.
The Third Test
A few years went by. Life moved on. And then, it happened again. I lost my job for a third time. By now, I should have gotten used to it, but each experience was different, and it affected me in a unique way. Deep inside, I knew that if I kept doing Swami’s work, He would take care of me. So, I continued participating in bhajans and service, though with a heavy heart.
Over time, I received many job offers and had to reject them as none of them were right for me. Then, unexpectedly, a role opened up that was perfectly suited to my skills, location, and family needs. It was so perfect that I could never imagine that such a happy and satisfying work environment existed, even in my wildest dreams! Most importantly, it offered me a hybrid work model, which allowed me to carry on with Swami’s mission, continuing to offer my time, effort, and resources unconditionally!
Looking back, I realized that Swami had been holding me back only to give me the best. When God says ‘yes’ to you, He grants you what you want. When He says ‘no’ to you, He gives you something better. But when He makes you ‘wait’, He gives the best! That lesson was imprinted in my heart through the experience of the three unique challenges in my life.
His Orange Glove
As I continued to participate in service activities, many incidents occurred, one of which is shared below. To me, these were signs of Swami’s omnipresence and love.
When I was serving as the National Service Coordinator of the SSSIO Australia, I was responsible for organizing ‘Working Bees’–opportunities for devotees to serve at the Sathya Sai School. Young adults and senior devotees came together from various parts of the country to participate in different tasks at the school–gardening, cleaning windows, etc. Later, this evolved into more specialized work, including constructing a roof, paving paths, painting classrooms, and more.
These “Working Bees” also gave volunteers an opportunity to connect with school staff, students, and parents–providing a chance to witness Swami’s vision of Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) in action. Many people, including myself, felt Swami’s presence deeply during these activities.
It was truly a collective effort. Based on personal experience, I always emphasize that ‘WE’ = Wisdom of the seniors + Energy of the young adults.
Building on the momentum of past ‘Working Bees,’ more volunteers attended the 2019 service activities. We enjoyed a wonderful weekend. One Sunday afternoon, after completing the tasks, a few of us stayed back to lock up the school. As I expressed gratitude to Swami for being with us throughout, He clearly showed that He was indeed with us!
We found a pair of gardening gloves abandoned next to the steps. The color of the glove was orange, distinctly the color of Swami’s robe–not a shade lighter, not a shade darker! It was the exact orange color of His robe! Thinking someone had lost it, I checked with everyone, but no one claimed it. I even went through the entire list of volunteers. Nobody wore gloves like that. That’s when it hit me: the gloves were Swami’s way of saying, “I was here, working along with you.”
What was more meaningful to me was the realization that when we talk with Swami, we often expect a token or a sign–maybe a flower falling, vibhuti on a photo, or a dream about Him. Swami responds in many different ways. He is omnipresent, omnipotent, and all-knowing. If we compartmentalize our expectations, we might miss His very real and tangible presence right in front of us.
Reflections
As I share these experiences, I cannot help but marvel at Swami’s unseen hand. Each time, He allows a storm to rise in my life–it is not to shake my faith, rather to strengthen it. Each time, He closes one door only to open another one, leading to better outcomes.
Through these events, I have learned three simple truths:
Seva is the anchor. When everything else feels uncertain, immersing ourselves in Swami’s work brings peace, clarity, and strength.
Faith bestows Divine grace. The mind may worry, but the heart that trusts in Swami will always be at peace.
His timing is perfect. What appears to be a delay is often Swami’s way of arranging something far more beneficial than we could ever imagine.
Swami says, “If you take one step toward Me, I will take a hundred toward you.” I have experienced this as reality. Each time I chose to take a step toward Him, He came running a hundred steps to take care of me.
A Message for Fellow Devotees
In today’s world, facing professional and personal challenges is inevitable. Jobs are uncertain, economies fluctuate, and responsibilities weigh heavily on us. But if there is one assurance I can offer from my own journey, it is this: Swami never abandons those who faithfully serve Him in all sincerity.
He may test. He may stretch. But His tests are never to break us; they are designed to make us stronger, more rooted in faith. When we dedicate ourselves to His mission–whether in the Sai Organization, in bhajans, or in simple acts of service–He makes sure that our worldly needs are met in ways we cannot even imagine. Looking back, I see my challenges not as setbacks, but as blessings. They were Swami’s way of teaching me unwavering faith. They were lessons in surrender. They were proof that He is our Eternal Companion.
Today, when I share this story with younger devotees, I tell them, “Do Swami’s work wholeheartedly and leave the rest to Him. He knows what you need better than you do.” Life has shown me that worldly roles may come and go. Jobs may start and end. But the work we do for Swami–whether big or small–transforms us, protects us, and draws us closer to Him forever.
Truly, if we do Swami’s work, He will unfailingly look after ours. Swami has gone ‘nowhere.’ He is ‘NOW HERE!’
Mr. Vignesh Shanmugam
Australia
Mr. Vignesh Shanmugam hails from Malaysia, where he was an active SSE student and part of the Young Adult program. He migrated to Australia in 2006 and is the National Council President of SSSIO, Australia & PNG. He has held several positions in SSSIO, including National Service Coordinator, Humanitarian Relief Coordinator, and Chair of the National IT & Media Committee for SSSIO Australia & PNG. Professionally, Vignesh has held senior positions in several multinational organizations. He is currently the Director for North America, Asia Pacific, and Japan, leading the Restaurants Customer Success division at Oracle.