Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jun27/book.htm

How to receive Sri Satya Sai Baba’s Grace compiled and edited by Satya Pal Ruhela. Diamond Pocket Books, New Delhi. Pages 312. Rs 100.

It is said that one is closest to God when one is in pain or peril. Basically selfish, human beings turn to Him only in moments of crisis. We devise various ways of reaching Him, by going on pilgrimages, distributing alms, chasing godmen or praying at home.

Once upon a time Sri Satya Sai Baba was a rage among the nation’s elite. Politicians, intellectuals, scientists, Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals led the pack in having the Baba’s darshan. Then things changed, and the Baba is now a recluse. Spiritualism, politics and materialism can be a high octane explosive mix.

The author has compiled the experiences of various devotees of the Baba. Needless to say, they are all in his praise. It always makes one wonder about the divine experiencess that these people are able to have, or the miracles they behold. I too was once a Baba devotee. All that I could witness was the petty politicking for the posts of treasurer, president, etc. of local committees. Perhaps I am still in my tamasic stage of existence.

Anyway this book is a reasonably readable fare for those who believe that an external agent can help one attain moksha.

Poet Politician Atal Behari Vajpayee by Chandrika Prashad Sharma. Vikas Paperbacks Publications, New Delhi. Pages 261. Rs 195.