18. THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF YOGI SADANANDA BHARTHIAR

 

Yogi Sadananda Bharthiar of Madras, a famous mystic poet of Tamil Nadu has to his credit over half a century of intense yogic practices and is renowned for having observed 'mauna-vratam' (vow of silence_for it is in such depth of silence that the voice of God is clearly heard)' for over two decades in continuity.

 

While expressing his personal experiences before a spiritual conference he said, "There is not an iota of doubt in the identity, similarity, oneness in mission and message of both the incarnations of the Sais. I have come in contact with Sri Shirdi Sai 8aba, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Meher Baba and others and as a result of this sadhana I have been allowed the good fortune of being in the presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba '" He went on to say that he had once visited Shirdi with the stalwarts of the struggle for independence, namely Lokmanya Tilak and Karandikar. At that time Shirdi Baba had told them that Swarajya won by the bandook (gun) would be of no avail, for what is won by force will be lost of force. He advised that Swarajya must be won by and for spiritual progress and prema (love). It is well known that Sri Sathya Sai Baba also emphati­cally stresses on prema or love springing from sympathy and understanding in human dealings and life in general.