How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-23

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-23

E-mail ID : saibanisa@yahoo.com

Chapter 33 of Sri Sai satcharita

Sairam

Sri Hemadri Pant described in this chapter the Mahima (supernatural power) of Udi (sacred ash) from Dhuni (eternal fireplace) at Dwarakamayi (Sri Sai's residence). You can understand the supernatural power of Udi when you read with devotion Sri Sai Satcharitra. I have adopted the ritual of applying regularly Udi on my forehead in my daily life. During my visit to Korea in May 1991, General Manager of a Korean company called SAMMI asked me a question. That question was - What is the significance of the two marks, one vermilion and the other white, on your forehead? I have met many Indians, some with a vermilion mark, some with a white mark and some with no mark on their foreheads. But I have not come across anyone with both vermilion and white marks before meeting you and hence my curiosity and the question. Why should anyone wear both the marks on the forehead and can you please enlighten me on this? I was lost in thought for a while on what should be my response to these questions. Then I recollected Sri Sai's words from this chapter - All the things we see in this world are not permanent, similar to Ash. Our body made out of five elements, after enjoying material comforts will ultimately disintegrate into Ash (concept similar to From Dust to Dust)-. I replied immediately - the vermilion mark on my forehead represents the spirit or life force that is within my body. Soon after the spirit or the life force leaves my body i.e. when I die, the body will be cremated and inevitably turn into ash. The white mark of ash on my forehead is for reminding me this eternal truth. Thus the vermilion and white marks on my forehead represent the cycle of life (birth) and death which are certain-. The

Korean gentleman was greatly astonished at my reply, and he immediately made a note of the same in his diary. I derived immense happiness at being able to tell the significance of Udi, as narrated by Sri Sai to Sri Hemadri Pant in those days, to foreigners in Korea during 1991.