Everyone in his or her life needs a holyman, mine happens to be an Avatar, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The very idea of writing a book about Bhagawan seemed superfluous and overwhelming when I first considered this concept. Superfluous, because there are already so many excellent and exceptional books written about Him, and overwhelming because of the sheer enormity of the subject. Then, I slowly realized that the encounters and experiences that I have had with Bhagawan have been unique and exceptional in every aspect...
... Bhagawan has endowed us all with special skills, some apparent and others dormant. In addition. He has a master plan for each of us to utilize our unique skills. All my life I have realized that my brains are more in my hands than in my head. Although surgery has been my foremost professional interest, photography has always fascinated me...
... When I asked for His permission to photograph the event, with a lovely smile He replied, “Manchidi Bangaru” (“It is okay, my precious one”). When I finally got all the pictures printed, I put them together in a special album. During my next visit I felt very happy and elated when Bhagawan slowly and approvingly looked through the entire album.
This encouraging encounter gave me a strong urge to present a visual journal of my personal experiences with Bhagawan. Over time, however, I decided to write about them and share my feelings about Bhagawan with other devotees – to divulge more than just what the photographs could show.
After much deliberation and soul searching, I mustered enough courage to ask Bhagawan for His permission to write this book. His gentle reply was, “You have time in your busy schedule ?” With tears rolling down my cheeks and excitement choking my voice, dumbfounded, I could only nod my head vigorously... I was computer illiterate with no typing background or skills. With the Divine Hand guiding me, however, I have accomplished the almost impossible task of writing this book.
Whenever dharma declines and adharma raises its head, then I make Myself born.
For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of dharma, I am born from age to age.
–Bhagavath Gita
In this Avatar, Sai will take good care of the virtuous but will not punish the wicked.
The later will be transformed and helped to become good human beings worthy of the Grace of the Lord.
–Sai Baba