Raisins, ash raise eyebrows

Sai Baba in Media: Source http://www.thepost.co.za
Raisins, ash raise eyebrows
April 19, 2006

By Yogas Nair

Golden raisins falling out of a Lord Hanuman statue, sweet honey oozing from his chest and grey ash scattered on Sai Baba pictures.
These were some of the mysterious sights that greeted a Phoenix crystal healer and businesswoman when she arrived at her clothing factory on the morning of Hanuman Jayanthi (Hanuman's birthday) on Thursday.

Lorraine Govender, 25, of Brookdale, said she had first experienced Baba's leelas (miracles) two years ago at her factory in Grey Street, Durban.

Said Govender: "When I first opened my factory in 2004 I had a God lamp and a brass water container. The brass vessel often filled with coconut water, and, at times, had bits of coconut in it."
She said she was not a Sai believer at the time and sought advice from learned priests.

"I was told by a staunch Sai devotee to buy a picture of Sai Baba and place it in my prayer place, at work. Soon thereafter, ashes began to materialise."

She said the picture of Sai Baba had also "shed tears" which "tasted salty". "I was overwhelmed by everything that was happening. However, I accepted it as a blessing and reaffirmed my faith in God."

She said during auspicious days such as Ganesha Pooja and Shivarathri, kungoo (scared red ash), turmeric, sugar candy and coloured strings, appeared on deities of Lord Ganesha and Shiva.

Govender said after she moved premises this year to the Teachers' Centre, Albert Street, the miracles continued to happen.

Pregnant with her second child, Govender, who does crystal healing using candles, coloured crystal and incense oil to "heal people", said she was not a "fake" and did not believe in "using black magic".

"God will punish me if I con people. I allow people to worship at my shrine at work and pray for them. It is seva - service to God."
She said she did not charge a fee and that the miracles and crystal healing were not a "money-making scheme".

"I want to help people. It's not about making money. My clothing business brings in sufficient income for my security guard husband Devendran, son Sashin, and me, to survive on."


I visited Govender at her factory yesterday (Tuesday) and was greeted by mounds of unscented ashes around Baba's photographs. Honey was "oozing" out of a Hanuman statue and raisins appeared scattered around it. A deity of Lord Shiva also appeared to materialise a blue crystal.

"The crystals started appearing very recently and I am hoping someone will tell me what it is," Govender said.

She said she collected about 5kg of ashes a week and donated it to local temples. I did express my sceptiscism to Govender about her claims and she suggested she would clear the ash, lock the shrine and give me the key.

Said Govender: "You open the shrine in the morning and see what you find."

Machinist Fathima Adam, 36, of Westham, said she was a staunch Muslim and did not believe in miracles.

"I am not a believer. However, on Thursday I saw the raisins and honey falling out of the statue. It was an emotional moment which left me baffled."

Govender said her shrine was open for anyone to see. She can be contacted at 084 454 6013.

President of the Sathya Sai Central Council of South Africa Dr Reggie Reddy said these leelas happened "all the time" and confirmed the omni-presence of Baba. He said the "miracles" happened for specific people and should not be for public consumption.

"It is a guiding light and inspiration for Lorraine and her family. It should not become a public spectacle."

According to Shri Sathya Sai Baba his leelas are evidence of his divinity.

Said Sai Baba: "It is neither magic nor siddhi power. I seek no return and do not cheat people by transferring objects, but I create them. I do not do so because of any need or desire of exhibition of my powers. For me this is a kind of calling card to convince people of my love for them and secure their devotion in return. Since love is formless, I do materialisation as evidence of my love." ref: www.saibabaofindia.com
 

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