Names are Many but God is One

Here is an example which reveals the fact that Swami's love extends to even those people who are not aware of the Sri Sathya Sai form.

It was the latter half of July 1957 and Swami was on a visit to Rishikesh with His devotees.  The party was returning to the Ashram of Swami Sivananda and had gone to Vasishta Guha on the way, when Swami suddenly went into a trance.  On such occasions, some of the activities of His subtle body elsewhere would be reflected in the gross body lying like a log.  The devotees saw His palms assuming the posture of protecting something.  After some time, He got up.  The devotees enquired as to what had happened.

Swami called one Mr. Subramanyam from the group.  He asked him, "What did you see in the river outside Vasishta Guha?".  He said that he saw a body being washed away in the Ganga near the Vasishta Guha.  The person looked like a Yogi sitting in the Lotus posture.  The flood was carrying him away in that posture.  Then Swami interrupted him and said that the Yogi was sitting on the bank of the Ganga on an earthen mound, lost in meditation.  Ganga in spate, eroded the soil and he was carried away by the water.  He did not regain external consciousness even then.  By the virtue of the breath control, he continued to float and did not get drowned.  A little later, he became aware of the situation.  Out of fear, he shouted from his innermost depth "O God" and lost the power of breath control.

At that moment, Swami went to save him.  He covered the Yogi's chest with His palms to protect it from the furious floods.  Swami took him down about 30 miles and landed him ashore near a farmer's house close to Sivananda Nagar.  Then Swami provided bread and some hot drink to revive the Yogi.

The Yogi did not know Sathya Sai.  He called on God and God in the form of Sathya Sai answered.  What does this mean?  The old drama was enacted afresh.  It was like Lord Vishnu responding to the cry of the elephant king (Gajendra Moksha episode of Bhagavatha).

Swami Himself has explained, "It is not necessary that one should worship the form of Sai only.  Whatever the form the devotee may worship, the prayer sent by him reaches Bhagawan.  It is enough if one adheres to right conduct (dharma) and truth (Satya) and has love (Prema) towards all.  He need not even believe in God.  Though the devotee may not call on any divine name, I shall rush to him in danger and save him from harm."

(From the book "Mother Sai's Miracles of Love")