Born in a traditional Hindu family in Fiji, I was brought up worshipping many gods and goddesses. In the late 1960s, someone gave my parents a picture of Swami, telling them He was God living in India. At that time, from my perspective, India was a place on a different planet, and a living God made no sense. But my parents developed faith in Him, which meant no more meat on Thursdays! There was also a new lamp to be lit on our altar, but that was about it. We had no special bhajans, nor any information about Sai Baba or His teachings, just the mandatory penance on Thursday to abstain from eating meat!
This was how things were for many years until I grew up and got married. One day, someone told us that there was a Sai Center not far from the Lautoka Sugar Mills where I worked. This was in the early 1980s, and my wife decided to go for bhajans. I had to take her there since she did not drive. I chauffeured her on one condition that I would not have to attend the bhajans. I would use this time to enjoy the local kava (a traditional drink made from the root of the piper methysticum plant, which has a mildly sedative and relaxing effect without being intoxicating) with my friends.
On September 19, 1987, we moved to New Zealand. It was this “New Sai-land” that made me strongly feel the spiritual vacuum in life! Just at that time, someone introduced us to the Mt. Eden Sai Center. We started by attending the bhajans at the center, which slowly became a weekly affair. But again, that was about it. We did not participate in any of the other organization’s activities.
The ‘Forced’ Travel to Puttaparthi
The very first book I read was the popular book titled Sai Baba the Holy Man and the Psychiatrist, which inspired me very much. My wife decided it was time to visit the lotus feet of Bhagawan Baba. Once again, I had no intention of going on the trip, especially as there was also a requirement that anyone traveling with the group to visit Baba needed to be a vegetarian six months before arriving. It was difficult for me to do that. My wife followed the instructions of ‘Mother Madeleine,’ who was revered as a senior devotee and very dear to the Lord. She is among the very first founders of the Sathya Sai Organization in New Zealand. She served as the General Secretary of the SSSIO New Zealand and was the author of the New Zealand Newsletter.
Even though I told my wife to go and see Baba on her own and then share her stories upon returning, she booked two tickets and paid the deposit for the trip! I resisted and insisted that I would decide later. But the idea of sending her that far alone did not seem right, especially since my cousin and his family also was going. I eventually rushed to Mother Madeleine and confirmed my travel. Our flight was on December 25, 1994. It was Christmas Day, and my cousin and I took advantage of drinking on the flight.
Though I had turned a deaf ear to be a vegetarian for six months before the trip, out of respect for Baba, I became a vegetarian a few days before arriving at the ashram.
Swami Always Responds
In those days, accommodation at the ashram was limited, but a room on the third floor of a round building was allotted to us. I was missing my drinks and non-vegetarian food and was upset with my wife for forcing me into this situation. It was the eighteenth day of our stay, and I was very frustrated. I mentally challenged Swami, “I have been touching your feet in the picture for so long, but if you are truly God, I want to touch your feet physically. Can You make that happen and show me?”
Out of the blue, that very day, I had the number one token in the lucky draw for darshan and sat in the first line, facing north. Our beloved Lord came walking, stood right in front of me, and slightly lifted His robe, revealing His feet while collecting the letters. As He stood so close, I grabbed the opportunity to take padanamaskar (touch the feet of the Master)! I wasted no time in touching His divine feet.
My real journey to Sai began that day because tears spontaneously poured from my eyes. It was tears of joy, which I shed all the way back to the room as I shared the experience with my wife! At last, I had realized who He is from personal experience.
The Transformation
It was time to leave for home, and during my final darshan, the eye-to-eye contact bestowed by my beloved Bhagawan is still imprinted indelibly on my mind in the form of Lord Krishna. It was never my intention to become a vegetarian, but on the return flight from Singapore to Auckland, I heard a very strong voice from within saying, “That’s it. Stop!” I told my wife that I was becoming a vegetarian and would no longer eat meat or consume alcoholic drinks!
On our second trip to Bangalore (Whitefield), during an interview, I had the blessed opportunity to massage His feet for the entire duration of the interview. I could feel His blessings as He was enjoying it, and I massaged His legs. During our second interview in Puttaparthi, I had a book in my hand called Prema Dhara, a collection of Swami’s letters to His students. While He was talking to us, I quietly presented the book to Him for blessings. He very lovingly autographed it, “With Love–Baba.” This book is so precious to me now. He also talked with my wife and me. After that, many trips followed to His lotus feet, year after year.
Sai’s Omnipresence
I have enjoyed, and am still enjoying, participating in selfless service. Bhagawan has always guided me, and I have been part of the Fiji medical camps for several years. In 2011, I was responsible for organizing the logistics of the camp. Two days before our departure to Fiji, I heard Bhagawan say in my dream, “Make sure everything is organized properly.” I understood it was time to return to the drawing board, listing and checking every item. But everything had already been done. All local flights had been arranged, and all medicines had been sent to Fiji for transport to the destination island. I had coordinated with my counterpart in Fiji via emails and phone calls, and things seemed organized and in place.
Only upon arrival at the second island in Fiji did we realize that some of the medicines had not reached the island and were still stuck on the mainland. The very first thing that came to my mind was Swami’s caution in my dream. Sometimes we take things lightly. My beloved Lord has been giving me so many messages from the early age of 14, yet I had gotten caught up in just His physical form.
Sai’s Omniscience
In 2013, having served 25 years in a company, I found myself at a crossroads. The company was not doing well, and discussions were already underway for downsizing. As a result, I was given a golden handshake (retirement offer). Though I was not happy to leave, I received a sizable severance package and accepted it as His will.
I spent the next three years searching for work, constantly moving from one company to another. It was a challenging time with much uncertainty. But at least, I had a job. Then I received news from a former colleague that the company I had worked for had gone into receivership (financial difficulty). The department I worked in was dismantled, and employees were left with minimal severance pay.
That is when I had a profound realization that what initially seemed like a difficult and uncertain phase in my life was, in fact, a divine blessing. Swami had ensured that I left at the right time, before the roof fell, securing my rightful pay before the company’s downturn.
We often believe we are the doer, but there is a higher power that knows our future and guides us accordingly. This experience reaffirmed my faith in Swami’s divine play and His infinite wisdom. I now see that every challenge, every decision, and every unexpected turn is part of a larger plan–one that is always for our highest good, ordained by God.
Through this journey, I have learned to trust, surrender, and remain ever grateful for His guiding hand throughout my life. By His divine grace, I am fully engaged in seva through various SSSIO initiatives, including the preschool, medical camps, and Sai library, as well as other responsibilities that keep me fully engaged in divine works. I feel great fulfillment in these service opportunities, as it has always been my heartfelt wish to retire early and dedicate my life entirely to seva. Swami has given me the golden opportunity to do it until my last breath.
Mr. Krishna Samy
New Zealand
Mr. Krishna Samy holds a New Zealand School Certificate and did his apprenticeship at the Lautoka Sugar Mill in Fiji. He worked in a foundry in New Zealand as a plant maintenance engineer for 25 years. Mr. Samy served in the SSSIO, New Zealand, in various capacities, including service coordinator at the center, regional, and national levels. He has been involved with the Sai medical mission in Fiji for the past 18 years and also served in medical camps in the Philippines, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.