Sai Krishna

This is a story about Krishna. In a way, however, the story was not completed until November 1975.

A number of years ago I was in Bhagavan’s car. He was in the rear seat with two persons, one on each side of Him. I was in the front seat, with the driver. We were on our way to Puttaparthi.

Driving in the car with Swami is a fascinating experience. Not only is there the thrill of being close to the Divine Lord Himself but, sometimes He will give you the opportunity to ask questions. Sometimes, He engages in animated conversation in Telugu [Indian language] with the companions. Sometimes, He indulges in jokes with one or other of them. Sometimes, He remains silent making the characteristic gesture with His hand that seems to indicate that He is giving attention to something quite unknown to us. And, very often, He sings bhajans [devotional songs], with everyone in the car joining in the chorus (except me, who has a musical voice akin to the crow).

The net result of all this enthralling activity is that my neck is constantly being twisted in order to see what is going on in the back seat. Swami understands my plight, but, does not advise me to desist; He allows me the liberty to turn round. Of course, I do not stare all the time. I look only so long as I dare and then I resume my posture, turning to the front again. So, my looking at Swami is intermittently back and forth.

At some point in the journey, maybe about half‑way, Swami was talking and I turned to look. My breathing stopped and I was transfixed! I could not believe my eyes. His devotees see Swami’s face as beautiful indeed, although the chief impression I receive from His feature is that of power and majesty.

What transfixed my movement and stopped my breathing was Swami’s face. The Swami I know was not there! Instead, there was a face of the most extraordinary beauty, quite different of shape and cast from the features of our beloved Sai. The charm was so great, so poignant that my heart seemed to twist, almost as though it were in pain. Never in life, nor in photos, nor in painting by great artists have I seen a face of such exquisite beauty. It was beyond imagination and concept, totally out of experience.

And His color was blue. Not just blue, not the blue with which artists paint Krishna but, a deep blue, like the velvet blue that sometimes can be seen in a dark sky, like a blue that I haveattimes seen from the deck of a ship thousands of miles from shore on the Pacific Ocean. I do not know how else to describe it.

I could not remove my eyes from Swami. At length, I caught myself and turned away. But, at once, I looked again, and the same beauty surely not of the world, was still there. This continued for at least fifteen minutes. The two men sitting with Swami were beginning to look at me with somewhat puzzled expressions for, my staring was different from what they had become used to.

After a few miles, Vittala Rao (on Swami’s left) asked me, “Hislop! What were you staring at Swami like that?”

Instead of answering, I directed a question to Swami, “Swami! What was that blue color?” Swami replied, “Oh! That? Whenever there is something of unfathomable depth, it appears to be deep blue.”

That was the end of the conversation. Naturally the thought had come to mind that maybe this was Lord Krishna, but neither then, nor at any time in connection with this experience did I ever say the name of Krishna to Swami.

There the matter rested until November 1975. It was before people started to arrive in multitudes for Swami’s birthday. Swami’s schedule was still somewhat free and He was taking me with Him in the jeep and so on… and probably that was why I got invited into an interview. An army man and his wife had come from Assam [northern part of India]. They were devotees, but this was their first time to actually see Swami. Often people wait for months for an interview but this family was called in as soon as they arrived. I was seated on the verandah of the mandir [temple] and saw them go into Swami’s room. Swami motioned to me to go in also.

The family was made up of the mother, father, son, and daughter. Swami spoke to them most lovingly. He knew everything about their lives and it was very evident that He was an intimate member of that household.

After a while, Swami asked me, “Hislop! Tell them some experiences.” I complied and after mentioning some incidents, I told the same story just now related in these pages, but, not even then, did I mention the Krishna name. The man was deeply impressed and words broke from his lips, “Oh! That had to be Lord Krishna”

Swami smiled and said, “Yes, that was Krishna; not the Krishna pictured by artists and imagined by writers. I showed Hislop the real Krishna.” The man said, “Oh! How I want to see Krishna.” Swami smiled again and said, “Wait; wait.”

There is a sequel to this story. About a month later, in December, at Brindavan [in Bangalore], I was talking with Swami and I brought forward the names of some famous saints and gurus of the past and Swami said some things about them. Then the idea struck me that, wonderful though it must have been to know those great personages and learn from them, the present day was the first time since Krishna lived that one could have God Himself as guru. So I started to say, “Swami! In the thousands of years of time, since Krishna….”

Swami interrupted me before I could say another word and exclaimed “Time since Krishna…? I am Krishna. Where is time?”I folded my hands and bent low to Him and said, “Well, Swami, this is the best of all times to be born!”

Swami replied, “Yes; the most fortunate of all times. Indeed, it is even more fortunate to be born now than during the Krishna avatar.”

Once before, within my hearing, Swami declared Himself as Lord Krishna. This story has been told in detail elsewhere. It happened in Dharmakshetra, at Bombay, and came about as part of the extra‑ordinary drama of `the weeping saris’ to which a few of us in the room with Swami were the fascinated witnesses. [The incident relates to some sarees that were to be returned as they were not needed by Swami. The sarees had become wet as they had “wept” on being rejected by Swami.] I had exclaimed that this had to be the re‑enactment this very day of the drama of the mountain that had occurred in the avatars of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. [These episodes relate to two separate events in the lives of Lord Rama and Krishna when some mountains were left behind as they were not needed by the avatars.] Bhagavan replied, “Yes; it is the self -same Rama and the self‑same Krishna who is here this very day.”

In the light of what has been recited in the preceding pages by me, a direct witness andparticipant, we need never look back with even the slightest tinge of envy to those fortunate people who lived during those wonderful days of the Krishna avatar. This very day, and every day that we look at our beloved Sai, we are, gazing directly at Sri Krishna.

Let us treasure His Divine presence. In ages to come, the rich experience of our days will be told and retold as the wondrous story of the Sai avatar.

~John Hislop
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, July 1977

Sai Krishna

The divine presence of Sai Krishna inspires countless devotees to walk the path of faith, devotion, and righteousness. The name itself brings together the compassion of Sai and the enchanting wisdom of Lord Krishna, creating a spiritual connection that touches the hearts of seekers across generations. For many devotees, Sai Krishna represents the eternal guide who removes doubts, strengthens faith, and fills life with divine grace.

Throughout spiritual history, saints and divine incarnations have appeared to remind humanity of the importance of truth, love, and selfless service. The teachings associated with Sai Krishna encourage devotees to cultivate purity in thought, word, and action. A sincere heart devoted to God experiences peace even during difficult circumstances. Faith becomes a powerful force that transforms challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth.

The life and teachings connected with Sai Krishna reveal that God resides within every living being. When a person learns to see divinity in others, feelings of anger, jealousy, and hatred gradually disappear. Instead, compassion and understanding take their place. This transformation is not achieved overnight but through consistent prayer, meditation, and acts of kindness. Such practices help devotees establish a deeper relationship with the Divine.

The message of Sai Krishna emphasizes the importance of surrendering the ego. Human beings often become attached to worldly achievements, possessions, and recognition. While these things may provide temporary satisfaction, true happiness comes from realizing one’s spiritual nature. By offering all actions to God and performing duties with sincerity, devotees experience inner freedom and lasting contentment.

Many spiritual seekers find inspiration in stories of divine intervention and miracles. These accounts strengthen devotion and remind people that God’s grace is always present. The blessings of Sai Krishna are believed to guide devotees through moments of uncertainty, helping them overcome obstacles and move forward with confidence. Such experiences deepen faith and encourage individuals to trust the divine plan unfolding in their lives.

Prayer occupies a special place in the spiritual journey. Through prayer, devotees communicate their hopes, fears, gratitude, and aspirations to the Divine. The practice of remembering Sai Krishna with love and sincerity creates a sense of closeness that comforts the heart. Whether offered in a temple, at home, or silently within the mind, prayer becomes a bridge between the devotee and God.

The teachings shared by spiritual traditions often highlight the value of selfless service. Serving others without expecting rewards is considered a sacred act. Inspired by Sai Krishna, many devotees engage in charitable activities, support those in need, and contribute to the welfare of society. Such acts reflect divine love in action and help create harmony within communities.

Meditation is another powerful practice that helps seekers experience inner peace. By turning attention inward and focusing on the divine name, the restless mind gradually becomes calm. In moments of silence, devotees may feel the presence of Sai Krishna guiding them toward wisdom and clarity. Meditation not only reduces stress but also nurtures spiritual awareness and self-understanding.

The wisdom associated with Lord Krishna teaches that every individual has a unique purpose in life. Duties should be performed with dedication while remaining detached from the results. This principle encourages balance and resilience. Through faith in God, devotees learn to face success and failure with equal composure. Such spiritual maturity enables them to navigate life’s journey with confidence and grace.

Modern life often presents distractions that pull attention away from spiritual values. In such circumstances, devotional practices become especially important. Reading sacred literature, chanting divine names, and participating in spiritual gatherings help maintain a connection with higher ideals. Resources like Devotional India provide inspiration for devotees seeking meaningful ways to strengthen their faith and deepen their understanding of spiritual teachings.

The path of devotion is open to everyone regardless of age, background, or social status. God responds to genuine love and sincerity rather than external qualifications. The message of unity found in spiritual teachings reminds humanity that all beings are part of one divine family. This understanding promotes tolerance, respect, and harmony among people from different walks of life.

Another important lesson highlighted through Sai Krishna is the value of gratitude. Appreciating the blessings already present in life creates a positive outlook and strengthens faith. Gratitude helps devotees recognize divine grace in both joyful and challenging experiences. Every moment becomes an opportunity to learn, grow, and move closer to God.

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey that requires patience and perseverance. There may be periods of doubt or difficulty, but sincere devotion provides strength to continue. The divine guidance of Sai Krishna inspires seekers to remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth and self-realization. Through faith, prayer, service, and meditation, the heart gradually becomes a dwelling place for divine love.

Many devotees turn to platforms such as Devotional India to explore inspiring stories, prayers, and spiritual reflections that nurture devotion. These resources help individuals remain connected to timeless teachings and encourage regular spiritual practice. By remembering God daily, devotees experience greater peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

In conclusion, Sai Krishna symbolizes divine love, wisdom, and compassion. The teachings associated with this sacred name encourage faith, humility, selfless service, and devotion. By embracing these values, individuals can transform their lives and discover the inner peace that comes from a close relationship with God. Spiritual resources like Devotional India continue to inspire seekers on this sacred journey, reminding them that divine grace is always available to those who seek it with a sincere heart.