Hadshi-Mumbai Diaries - Travelling with the Lord 3

Ready for take-off! Swami also has the seat belt buckled on!

Source: aravindb1982

It was at this point I realized that the memory chip of my cell phone was not in there! Perhaps it had fallen off when I had accidentally dropped my cell phone on the tarmac. Frantically I rushed out of the plane with R. Imagine my delight when, within a minute of searching, I found the tiny card!

How I had become aware of the truant chip is an interesting episode in itself. Sitting in the flight, I had noticed that on the display of my mobile, there was some other image instead of the usual photo of Swami. I tried to restore that picture on the screen as the wallpaper but was unable to do it as I could not find the photo. It then became evident to me that the memory chip had gone missing. Well, this is the advantage of keeping God as your “screen saver” - your problems get sorted automatically!

Swami arrived and, through the huge vestibule lift, boarded the aircraft. I was right in the front with CG who was shooting the video while I was taking pictures. I actually moved close to the window of Swami’s seat in the executive class. After St had Swami seated, I moved out. Swami seemed to be in very good spirits and excited about the trip like a child. This was a side of Swami that I was privileged to see – a facet so human and intimate! The members of cabin crew now began to take padanamaskar, one after another, and I went to a prime position to take their photos. Finally, when everyone had got their opportunity, I asked Swami whether I could take a picture of Him, and taking the absence of resistance as permission, I went ahead and clicked twice. Oh! How lovely He looked!

The announcement was, “In case of a drop in cabin pressure, masks will descend. Please put them on first before helping others… In case of an emergency landing on water, the seat below will act as a flotation device.” And I thought to myself – What reason could there be to worry when The One who provided the air to all beings and who kept everyone afloat on the Bhavasaagara (the Ocean of Life) was with us! It is such a different feeling boarding an aircraft knowing that Swami is with you!

As we taxied down the runway, we saw hundreds of people wave to us from the road. Not “us” but to Swami! But just like the cows in the painting alongside Lord Sri Krishna also get a part of the adoration due to the Lord, we too received the devotees’ loving gaze! Soon we were airborne! Up in the skies with Swami! The very thought excited me. I have travelled many a times by flight. But never was I so thrilled.

It was now past 8:40 a.m. We were cruising comfortably towards Pune. The refreshments arrived presently, but all the while, my concentration was at the front end of the aircraft where the Goal of my life was seated. He was being ‘entertained’ by small talk from the All India President (AIP) of the Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Sri V. Srinivasan and Mr. B, a long-standing devotee. Unable to hold back any longer, I went ahead and took a few pictures from behind Swami. Returning to my place, I saw that the breakfast had been served. As I munched on my food, I noticed that the members of the cabin crew were making the best possible use of their flight time to get photographs with Swami, taking pictures with cell phone cameras!

I felt it would be better to capture these invaluable moments on a professional camera. Calling CG, I went ahead and got into the seat beside R and started clicking pictures. Meanwhile, GV Sir (that is the popular name for Prof. G. Venkataraman, an eminent scientist and currently the Director of the Radio Sai studios) got up and moved to the front. He told the AIP and the people in the seats behind to shut the windows (and I am sure mentally told himself, “There! I have taken care of the problem of backlight.”) and took a picture. Sensing the opportune moment and also utilizing the better settings, I too moved forward and took photos of Swami with the entire cabin. It was another nice frame.

At the Pune military airport, there was a plethora of dignitaries to welcome Swami. I prominently saw Mr. Shivraj Patil. The elder Jadhav, Mr. Uttamrao, was literally held hostage at the back exit of the plane due to security reasons. CG and I were also held up, but then I told the security personnel, “See, all those important persons will want a photo with Swami. So please let us go there.” He reluctantly permitted one of us to go. I asked CG to go, since a video camera captures more than a photograph. If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine a moving picture!

CG went away along with the divine convoy, taking pictures of Swami! Meanwhile, I was at the plane’s rear with the Jadhavs. This actually proved to be a blessing for me for I joined them in their Audi to proceed to their Residence (‘R’ in upper case because this is where the Lord stayed) where Swami was going. The younger Jadhav was already at home. All the other boys, in the meanwhile, were being transported to Hadshi in a luxury bus.

Mr. Uttamrao told me, “It will be impossible to get into the gate there. So here, take this badge. It is a ‘Family’ badge and now you are part of us.” With Swami, the entire world becomes your family in no time. That is His magic!