Sai Leela is the pseudonym of an American devotee who underwent treatment at our Plastic Surgery department. This is a her story in her own words. 

For last 15 years I have had a great privilege of living in Puttaparthi, the home of our most beloved Lord and the Avatar of this age, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Coming and going, on short or long journeys, I would pass the beautiful Super Specialty Hospital, glowing in sunlight or lit up in the night. Always I would be swept up in its embrace, feeling, “Yes I am back home in this safe and sacred place”. This landmark, living breathing evidence of Swami‘s love and compassion in action, watched over the town and served all the souls who came in need of healing in body and spirit.Little did I know that I would one day have a first-hand opportunity to experience it .  

On 21st April, I was celebrating the Ramnavami festival when the back of my pants caught fire from the deepam on the altar. I was terribly burnt up the entire length of the leg. Immediately my family rushed me to the General Hospital where, after several days of treatment, it was apparent that I would need much more extensive care. Drowning in a haze of pain, there was nothing to do but completely surrender to Swami. He had called me here years ago, told me directly, “You belong to me.” I had served Him faithfully with all my breath and so it was up to Him to take care now.

But how and where? Covid was raging. Hospitals everywhere were overwhelmed. I could have been sent anywhere, but after a negative Covid test I was taken by ambulance to the Super Specialty Hospital where, even in the midst of the Covid crisis, the doors swung open for me and Swami’s Temple of Healing swept me into its loving embrace.

At this most fearful juncture of my life the kind doctor assured me, with a confidence that comes from years of serving Swami, that I should not worry anymore. The burn would be looked after. The side complications that had developed would also be managed. I would be alright. And I knew I would be. I was in Swami’s temple now.

I was so deeply grateful. On some level, in spite of the pain and fear, I understood that that this injury must be the effect of some previous karma; I also realized that Swami would hold and carry me through it. His dedicated doctors, nurses and other medical staff would look after me. I knew I still belonged to Him. He was watching and so the hospital became the temple where I worshipped our Lord.

Each morning I was awakened to the sounds of Omkar, Suprabhatham and other prayers. The days were spent listening to Sai Bhajans. The whole atmosphere was surcharged with the vibration of Swami‘s pure presence so that even though we miss His physical darshan His subtle darshan is alive through His Work. It flows through the halls and the staff; it is available for everyone who enters -- free of charge. Because of course Swami has never charged for His love and the Super Specialty Hospital is the Avatar’s love made manifest.

All I needed –  food, medicine, surgery and daily care – was freely given. I will never be able to fully express the gratitude I feel for the grace that Swami bestowed upon me. He held me in His Heart and brought me to be healed in His hospital during this most testing time of my life -- and one of the most challenging times in the history of the Global human family. 

The physical healing still continues for me but I am getting through it. So too we must be confident that Bhagavan will carry us all through these dark Kali Yuga days. We must only surrender to Him, pray and follow our dharma as it is given uniquely to each one of us.

I offer my most humble pranams to the Divine Lotus Feet of my Beloved Eternal Sai and to the feet of the hospital staff who serve so selflessly and with such faith. With Sai’s Grace, as long as it is needed on Earth, the Sri Sathya Sai Institutes of Higher Medical Sciences will continue to play their role as Temples of Healing for humanity, uniting body and spirit and leading those who come to wholeness.

In Sai Service,

Sai Leela