PATH OF THE PILGRIM: Richard Selby: Sai Towers Publishing; 3/497, Main Road, Prasanti Nilayam-513134. Rs. 120.

THE AUTHOR of this book is a psychology teacher in a school in East Los Angeles in the U.S. Introduced to the cult of Sri Satya Sai Baba in 1997, he made his first trip to Prasanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi; during his stay for a few days, he was fortunate to secure an interview with the Baba. From then on, he came under the spell of the master.

A few months later, he came again, on a second pilgrimage, so to say. To him, as to many thousands of sincere devotees, Sai Baba is a living God, an ``avatar'', in whom they see both a presence and a power, exercising a unique influence on their lives.

The author's second trip and six-day stay are described in this book in vivid detail. He could only have the routine darshan on all days, twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, after a many-hour wait in each session. He could not get an interview. He could not even draw the master's attention to merely present to him, a letter, seeking blessings, in which some hundred students of his had signed.

In fact, once when he tried to get up and thrust himself to an advantageous proximity to present this letter, the Swami mildly rebuked him, saying, ``Sit down, you coconut-head!'' He was first disturbed over this awkward fate, under the gaze of thousands of eyes. He was subsequently reassured by knowledgeable observers that the experience should be treated as an achievement, since the Swami would not talk like that to anyone but his student.

Disappointment depressed this devotee, but he was regaled by many real-life experiences of devotees he was told during the stay.

One would merit a brief notice: a rich man, a vagabond, was saved by a saffron-clad person in a drowning accident, though he could not recognise his saviour.

On casual contact with some admirer of the Baba, this rich man became surprised on seeing Baba's photo; he came to the Swami and offered to present all his riches; the Swami recognised the man, told him that he himself came and saved him, when no one else came to his rescue, but that his money would not be acceptable at that moment, because it was tainted. The man gave away all his money to the poor, turned a new leaf and became a good devotee from then on.

The author is convinced that ``no one goes to Prasanti Nilayam, unless Sai Baba wants him there.'' In fact this is the refrain that pulsates through the whole of this little book. For that matter, this is the acme of real philosophy. One bows to God's will. One cannot question how and why, but only submit to God's dispensation.

Written in simple language of a lay devotee, this book cannot be put aside without reading it at a stretch. It will be good inspiration to ardent devotees of Sri Satya Sai Baba.

V. N. VEDANTA DESIKAN