As Redeemer

Redeemer's is perhaps the greatest role an Avatar plays. And it is a significant trait of an Avatar. Ravana and Vali were redeemed by Lord Rama, Kamsa and Sishupala were redeemed by Lord Krishna, as they all died at the hands of the Lord. These instances were conspicuous because of the enormity of their sins. But, in Kaliyuga similar sins committed under the cover of sophistication, known only to Sai and the doer, are not dealt with by death penalty, but by corrective sufferings and misery, both physical and mental. For, nothing can escape the eyes of the all knowing Sai. The corrective measure may often be an extra dose of compassion and love, in the powerful current of which sins are washed off and a clean ground for better future is made ready through self-examination and repentance.

This is what had happened to Kalpagiri, a murderer who could successfully hoodwink the Police for 4 years by donning the ochre robes of a Sanyasi, but, certainly could not escape the eyes of Baba. On coming to Puttaparthi on the last leg of his 'pilgrimage', the all knowing Lord called him in and advised him to immediately present himself before the police accepting the crime and its due punishment after discarding the robe of a Sanyasi. He assured him that He would save him from death and that Himself would put a roasary around his neck when he returned to him after serving the term of his imprisonment. Kalpagiri lost no time and, with the 4 vibhuti Packets and the railway fare Baba had graciously given him he boarded the train. Having surrendered to police, it did not take much time for a death sentence. As he went with some amount of mental satisfaction to his solitary cell, the glory of the Lord also accompanied him. He made friends with his co-prisoners to whom he narrated the thrill of Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan he had experienced at Puttaparthi. This fanned the spark of their faith in the Almighty and kindled a New Hope of another clean life of peace and contentment beyond the prison walls.

As predicted, Kalpagiri's death sentence, in response to a mercy petition, was commuted to life imprisonment by the President of India. This benedictory gesture of Baba prompted the prisoners to write to Him opening their hearts. And prompt came the response from Lord 'Sai', the redeemer. A prisoner wrote:

"We are sinners, certainly, but, our lives have become full of hope, through some stray acts of merit which we chanced to do, in some past birth. For we have rendered ourselves fit to receive Your Grace. Really, if there are any who can be declared fortunate in the world, we are the ones. We are truly proud of this. That the stream of Your Mercy has started flowing towards these mean men who have injured society and who are suffering punishment, is no ordinary event. We pray that You should grant us Your Darshan and Your Blessings. You have written to us out of the vastness of Your Mercy, that You will elevate us with Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan at Puttaparthi! The Sage Narada blessed Savithri on whose head the blow of widowhood had descended, with the statement, 'May, you have Being - with - husband status long' and she was able to win her husband back from the dominion of Death. We too have learned from Kalpagiri, whose death sentence was cancelled, that your word will come true. It knows no defeat".

Daily prayers and pooja before the portrait of Bhagawan Baba became a routine with the prisoners changing their very life style. There was only one aim:

Darshan of Lord Sai to redeem themselves. And Sai's compassion knows no bounds. A step in the right direction is always responded with hundred from Him.

'Baba often warns against the sin of thought, word and deed. Our minds entertain sinful thoughts in association with common undesirable traits of lust anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, hatred and impatience. Our tongue is prone to commit the sins of uttering falsehood, slander, backbiting and gossip. Our body is to be weaned off from committing the sins of killing, stealing, adultery, eating meat and drinking intoxicants. Baba assures us that such care taken by us in this direction will certainly ensure purity, i.e., of thought, word and deed which alone is the real thapas securing human values of Truth, Righteous conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence.