As Animal Lover

Sai is a Compassionate Father of all, be it human, animal or plant. Sai's love and compassion for animals equal that for human beings. After all, all is His creation. Once Baba was camping at Horsley Hills, which was about 3800 ft. above sea level. The camp was amid the hills and was accessible only by jeep. So food and drinking water had to be brought through the villagers who stayed at the foot of the hills. However, there was one buffalo at the residence, which assisted them to carry drinking water in large skin bags slung across its back on either side. When it was time for departure Baba kept others waiting for a minute and went back as if He had forgotten something. Baba promptly went to that buffalo patted him with His sweet 'Bangaroo' and thanked for the service he had done for Swami. Every Word and Deed of His are examples for His devotees. He exhorts: 'cultivate My Samatwa', equal love towards all, then only there is meaning in worshipping 'My Name and Form'.

There lived a lame dog 'Kuttan' in a village in the Nilagiri Hills. In 1962 Baba visited this village called Bikatti. The organisers had leashed him at a distance so that he did not disturb the movements of Baba. Seeing Baba, the dog strained himself to come forward. Baba stopped, patted him with great affection and asked the volunteers 'Bangaroo leave him alone, he is a pure Atma'. So Kuttan had a free time following Baba everywhere including the kitchen where Baba, after blessing the food, asked the men to feed Kuttan first. Kuttan finished his meals and walked upto the dais to stand by the side of Baba's chair observing the rest of the proceedings silently. The villagers were being served food down below. After a while he rested his head on the footstool of Baba and breathed his last. So Kuttan had earned enough merit to merge at the Lotus Feet of the Lord for which each one of us craves.

There is another wonderful incident that took place in far off Gauhati in 1972 which speaks not only of His compassion towards animals but also His omnipresence and unlimited love for His creation. The story came to be known to others only when a group of sixty devotees arrived at Prashanthi Nilayam after a tiresome journey of seven days in a special railway bogie to pay homage to the Lord on His birthday on 23rd November. The merciful Lord granted them a special audience in the Bhajan hall besides addressing them briefly. This was followed by a gift of 'Vibhuti Prasadam' by Himself to all with two additional packets to a girl among the group with the words 'This is for your cat'. The group was pleasantly surprised at this compassionate gesture of Bhagawan but it brought tears of gratitude and devotion in the eyes of the recipient of that Grace Lakhi, as it was for her pet Minkie.

Minkie the kitten was saved from drowning in a city drain on a rainy day by Lakhi and was brought home much to the disgust of her elder sister, a staff nurse in the local hospital and a cat hater. Minkie grew in strength and size under the special care of Lakhi and so did the hatred of the elder sister for this unwanted unwelcome guest. One day unfortunately the elder sister's stand was justified when Minkie took away a good bite of fish from the kitchen meant for some guests. The sister was furious at this and showered a rain of unpleasant words on Lakhi who, in turn, to give vent to her hurt feelings, resorted to caning of Minki with a big stick till the poor creature yelled in pain bitterly. Suddenly there was a big noise as some sixteen garlanded pictures of Bhagawan fell on the floor with a thud. Thinking that an earthquake only had caused this noise all the guests ran outside the house for safety. What surprised the elder Sister more was that, only Baba's pictures fell on the ground. She immediately realised her fault and appealed to Lakhi to stop beating the cat. Both the sisters were in tears and the cat, now on the table, shook her coat in relief only to sprinkle fragrant vibhuti all over there.

Six months had elapsed since this incident. But the all knowing Lord chose this pleasant occasion to not only confirm their experience but also to teach them a lesson that He loved the entire creation alike.