Experience of Joel Riordan, a movie personality in the United States of America
This miracle aptly shows Swami’s Omnipresence in the Universe. Joel Jordan who was a strict nonbeliever of Swami challenged his wife who was a dedicated devotee of Swami. Joel believed that his wife, Diana, is often going to India and staying there for long times to lead an ashram life and worship an illusionist named Sathya Sai Baba. After many arguments he said, I also will come to see that “character” and give him a challenge. I will ask Him to create something only God can create. I will accept Him if He creates a rainbow for me. Remember that Joel was in the USA when he thought about his challenge!
Joel Riordan, a Hollywood film producer, writer, and director, has an interesting story about how Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba changed his skeptic mind and sowed the seeds of faith in his heart. When Joel visited Prasanthi Nilayam along with his wife, Diana, who was a sincere devotee of Swami, he came with the intention to ‘expose’ Sathya Sai Baba whom he sarcastically called ‘character’. He did not like his wife worshipping Swami and often contested the miracles of Swami.
Joel was planning to ask Swami to create a rainbow which he thought is an impossible task, that only God can do. He told Diana that he will believe Swami only if he could create for him a rainbow in the sky.
In Puttaparthi, Joel and Diana were seated on a rock and both of them saw a very distinct rainbow in the sky, and Diana reminded Joel about his challenge to Swami. Joel was confused, and perhaps felt guilty for calling Swami, “character”
Later in the day, Swami called both of them to His interview room. Swami’s first words knocked Joel out: “Well, character, how did you like your rainbow?”
Joel was dumbfounded to answer. Joel states “ He knew my name for Him, and what I was going to ask for, and had put that odd rainbow in the sky! It all blew my mind.”
This story displays that
- Swami knew the thoughts of Joel Jordan though he was in the US at the time the thought of a rainbow came to Joel’s mind,
2 The all-compassionate Swami had no bad feelings toward Joel for calling Him “character.” This is an inherent quality of Divine Advents. Divine Advents take a human form only to help those who are ready to accept and follow the path taught by the Advent.
Swami also knew “in advance” that Joel had many good deeds done in his previous life and this particular miracle will change his mind and attitude, and will help Joel to spiritually advance. All miracles Swami performs have a similar Mission, to transform us to gain better spiritual heights.
A Divine declaration of Swami is “ I call only those who have been collecting many merits and seeking Moksha in their previous lives.”
