The Lord of Puttaparthi Will Protect You

All your education, all your positions of authority, 
all your acts of charity and service 
have little value without the four qualities of 
Satya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema (truth, righteousness, peace and love).
(Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Love!

The mansion of human life rests on the four pillars of truth, righteousness, love and peace. The safety and security of life depend on these four values. Since ancient times, the culture of Bharat has been able to sustain itself as it is built on the bedrock of these values. Our ancestors led their lives strictly adhering to these eternal values. Bereft of these values, the mansion of life will collapse in a moment. Humanity continues to exist only because man is practicing these four values at least to some extent.

Parents Shape The Character Of Their Children

Man’s life is greatly influenced by the qualities of his parents. The loving care of Jijabai made Shivaji a great warrior. Rama’s divinity blossomed because of the noble qualities of his mother, Kaushalya. Lava and Kusha could become powerful and famous because of their noble and virtuous mother Sita. Similarly, our ancient sages and seers sanctified their lives because of the noble influence of their parents. Today people neglect their parents and fail to recognize their influence on their lives. They forget that they owe their exalted position in life only to their parents.

Gandhi became a Mahatma because of his pious mother Putlibai. She used to observe a fast and would wait for the cooing of the cuckoo before partaking of her food. However, on one day, she had to wait for a long time for the call of the cuckoo without taking food. The young Gandhi could not bear to see his mother fast for such a long time. Hence, he went out of the house and imitated the cooing of the cuckoo. Then he came inside and said, “Mother, now that the cuckoo has made its call, please take your food.” She at once recognized that her son was telling a lie. Unable to contain her grief, she slapped Gandhi on his cheeks and lamented, “Oh! What sin have I committed that such a liar should be born to me!” She was shedding tears as she spoke. Gandhi repented and prayed for her forgiveness. He took a vow that he would never utter a lie thenceforth. In this manner, our elders developed virtues and attained an exalted position only because of their mothers. Today the country is facing hardship because people have no regard for truth and are indulging in falsehood in their thoughts, words and deeds. The welfare of a nation depends on the teachings that its mothers impart to their children. When parents tread the path of truth, children would naturally emulate them.

The Advent Of The Avatar

In olden days, it was a common practice among the women of Bharat to perform the sacred ritual of Satyanarayana Vratam on every full moon day. Likewise, Easwaramma (mother of this body) used to perform Satyanarayana Vratam every full moon day in the company of Karanam Subbamma who was her neighbour. Karanam Subbamma would often tell Easwaramma, “You are performing Satyanarayana Vratam. With the blessings of Lord Narayana, you will give birth to a son. I want you to name him Sathyanarayana.” On a particular full moon day, Easwaramma did not have food till very late in the afternoon as she was participating in the Satyanarayana Vratam being performed in Subbamma’s house. The family members including her husband Pedda Venkama Raju were very much upset to see her remain without food for such a long time. Pedda Venkama Raju argued that there was no need to observe such severe austerities. But Easwaramma was determined. She told them not to wait for her, saying, “I am not at all hungry. Satyanarayana Vratam is more important for me than food.” After completing the ritual of Satyanarayana Vratam, Subbamma brought prasadam (blessed food) for Easwaramma. Only after partaking of the prasadam did Easwaramma have her food that day. Women in those days used to perform such rituals with all sincerity and devotion. Yad bhavam tad bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result). Some people have faith in scriptural injunctions and adhere to them with earnestness, whereas some others ignore them. Easwaramma was the one who followed the injunctions strictly. Only after performing the Vratam and partaking of the prasadam would she commence her household chores. She had no formal education. But she had unflinching faith in God. During the seventh month of her pregnancy, one day Subbamma told her, “Easwaramma, the child in your womb is safe only due to the grace of Lord Sathyanarayana.” She extracted a promise from her that the child would be named Sathyanarayana. The mother of Pedda Venkama Raju was also a great devotee of the Lord.

Before the birth of the child, a very significant incident took place. Puttaparthi was then a tiny hamlet. In the centre of the village, there was a well from which people would draw water. One day, Easwaramma went to fetch water from the well. All of a sudden, she saw a luminous white light emerging like lightning along with a gust of breeze from the sky and entering her womb. Subbamma who came out of her house at that time saw the light entering the womb of Easwaramma. Till this day, I have not revealed this to anyone. I am disclosing this today so that you may understand the significance associated with the Advent of the Avatar. A day before the Advent, Pedda Venkama Raju was passing in front of Subbamma’s house. She called him inside and told him, “Venkama Raju, tomorrow when the child is born, name him Sathyanarayana.” But he did not take her advice seriously thinking that it was her imagination.

Early in the morning, at an auspicious moment, the child was born. It is natural for any child to cry when it is born. But this child did not cry at all. The midwife and the people in the household were anxious that the child might be stillborn. Easwaramma too was very much worried. Without anybody noticing her, she pinched the child to make it cry. On the contrary, to her utter surprise, the baby started smiling. Everyone was mystified to see the newborn baby smiling. Just then Subbamma entered the house and said, “Easwaramma, I heard that you have given birth to a male child at an auspicious moment. Can I have a glimpse of the child?” Easwaramma wrapped the child in a cloth and placed it in front of Subbamma. In those days, orthodox Brahmanas would maintain distance from others. If they happened to touch them inadvertently, they would at once have a bath. Though Subbamma was a Brahmana, she had no such narrow feelings. She was, in fact, an ideal for others. Watching Easwaramma place the baby at a distance from Subbamma, Easwaramma’s mother-in-law also told Easwaramma to let Subbamma hold the child in her arms as she had come with so much love for the child. Subbamma had already told Easwaramma to name the child Sathyanarayana. People of olden times liked to name their children after the names of God.

Early Manifestations Of Divinity

Mother Easwaramma brought up the child with love and care. Days rolled by and the child grew up to be a boy. He was mitabhashi and mitahari (moderate in speech and eating). Easwaramma was mystified by the strange behaviour of her son. Usually, children are fond of eating. Some of them eat non-vegetarian food like fish or meat. But her son was totally averse to non-vegetarian food. He would not even visit the houses where non-vegetarian food was cooked. Seeing his noble qualities, Easwaramma realised that the child was not an ordinary one, but one of Divine nature. Her eldest daughter Venkamma also recognised the Divine nature of the child. Together, they brought up the child with love and care. They would sing devotional songs as lullabies. The child was brought up in such a noble environment.

The power of motherhood is indescribable. It is the righteous conduct, deep devotion and strict adherence to moral values of the mothers that contribute to the greatness of their children. Never criticise or ridicule your parents even if they are illiterate. Always revere your mother. She may be illiterate. Her greatness does not depend on literacy or bookish learning. It was illiterate Easwaramma who brought great name and fame to Puttaparthi. But it is a matter of regret that people tend to forget Easwaramma, while her son is being extolled. Where is Sai without Easwaramma? Therefore, one should uphold the glory of the mother. One should never neglect one’s parents. This is the message of Sathya Sai Baba.

At this time, some differences arose between the sons of Kondama Raju. The four brothers – Pedda Venkama Raju, Chinna Venkama Raju, Venkatarama Raju and Venkata Subba Raju – decided to live separately. Kondama Raju divided the property equally among them. Pedda Venkama Raju then asked, “Father, whom are you going to stay with?” Kondama Raju replied, “I will not stay with anyone. I do not want any property for myself. Give me Sathya. That is enough. He will look after me.” In those days, nobody used to call Me by the full name Sathyanarayana. Everyone used to address Me as Sathya. From then onwards, I stayed with Kondama Raju and served him.

The name given to Easwaramma by her parents was Namagiriamma. Having recognised My divinity, Kondama Raju suggested to Pedda Venkama Raju to change her name to Easwaramma, meaning mother of God. One day, Kondama Raju called Venkamma and told her, “Venkamma, our people are living in ignorance; they are unable to recognise the divinity of Sathya. He is verily God Himself. He is never hungry, never thirsty. He has transcended hunger and sleep.” In the middle of the night, Kondama Raju would quietly come near Me and try to listen to the sound of My breathing. Sometimes, he did not notice any breathing, yet he would hear the sound of Soham coming from Me. People started pouring into Kondama Raju’s house to see Me. If anyone questioned them, they would reply, “The grandson of Kondama Raju is endowed with Divine powers. He appears in our dreams and solves our problems.”

Once Seshama Raju came to Puttaparthi during holidays. He did not like so many people visiting the house of Kondama Raju. At that time, he was thoroughly sceptical. He argued with Kondama Raju and told him not to allow anybody to come to his house. In those days, the educated were highly respected in the villages. Seshama Raju had just completed teachers’ training. Hence, people in the village respected him as he was considered highly educated. He told Kondama Raju, “Grandfather, do not allow anybody to come to this boy. He does not have any Divine power. Some madness has overtaken him. Perhaps, he is suffering from hysteria.” In this manner, he spoke derisively about Me. He persuaded Pedda Venkama Raju, the father of this body, and took Me to Uravakonda. I became famous in Uravakonda also.

As people were coming in large numbers, it was not possible for Seshama Raju to keep Me with him. Hence, he wrote a letter to Pedda Venkama Raju to come and take Me away to Puttaparthi. In those days, Puttaparthi was such a remote village that it took several days for letters to reach. However, Pedda Venkama Raju received the letter in Bukkapatnam where he had gone to make purchases in the market. The letter said, “Father, it is not possible for us to keep Sathya with us any longer. Please come and take him home at once.” Pedda Venkama Raju came to Uravakonda from Bukkapatnam straightaway. He did not have sufficient money in his pocket. He took bus fare from Seshama Raju and brought Me to Bukkapatnam by bus. From there, we had to walk all the way to Puttaparthi, as there was no transport facility. In fact, the name of Puttaparthi was hardly known beyond the nearby localities.

At that time, many exorcists were supposed to possess a cure for madness and evil spirits. Instead of recognising My divinity, people thought that some evil spirits were haunting Me. So, I was taken to an exorcist in Kadiri who was considered to be an expert in driving away evil spirits. I was put in a cart and transported to Kadiri. Venkamma accompanied Me. At no time would she remain parted from Me. This so-called exorcist of Kadiri was a thorough drunkard. He asserted that I was possessed by some powerful spirit and boasted that he would rid Me of the evil. He beat Me severely, and My body was full of scars. As if that was not enough, he applied poisonous collyrium to My eyes, which caused severe burning in them. I submitted Myself to all this torture without demur. In the evening, I asked Venkamma to put the juice of cow dung in My eyes. With this treatment, My eyes became clear again. Many types of tortures were inflicted on Me, but I cured Myself with the help of Venkamma. Finally, the exorcist shaved My head and made deep cuts on it with a sharp knife. Blood started oozing from these wounds. After this, he started rubbing lemon juice into the wounds. Many pots of water were then poured on My head from a height of 10 feet. It was a terribly painful operation. Venkamma could not bear the sight of this torture. Quietly, she called the Cartman in the darkness of night and took Me back home to Puttaparthi.

Casting Off Worldly Ties

Seshama Raju, the elder brother of this body, did not understand My divinity. He thought, I was wasting time in Puttaparthi. So, he took Me to Uravakonda and admitted Me in the school again. The then Municipal Chairman of Bellary, Rama Raju was a friend of Seshama Raju. He took us to the Virupaksha temple in Hampi during holidays. I was reluctant to enter the temple. Hence, Seshama Raju instructed Me to keep a watch over their belongings as they went inside to have darshan of the deity. I readily agreed and remained outside. At that time, the priest was offering arati to the deity. To their utter astonishment, they found Me standing inside the sanctum sanctorum in place of Lord Virupaksha. Seshama Raju could not believe his eyes. In fact, he was very angry, thinking that I had entered the temple unnoticed. He thought it was improper on My part to have entered the sanctum sanctorum. He at once came out of the temple only to find Me there! He again went inside and found Me there also! Still, he was having doubts. At that time, his friend Rama Raju noticed a brilliant aura around My face. He revealed this only to his wife and not to anybody else including Seshama Raju. In fact, Seshama Raju was full of doubts.

The vacation was over, and we were returning to Uravakonda. Rama Raju brought a pair of knickers and shirt for Me as a parting gift. But I refused to accept them. In those days, wearing a collar pin was considered a fashion. Hence, Rama Raju presented a gold collar pin to Me with the prayer that I should remember him always. Wearing a collar pin was very common among the children hailing from rich families. The collar pin dropped on the way while I was proceeding to the school in Uravakonda. It could not be traced. I at once returned home and discarded the books. I declared:

Know that I am Sai in reality,
Cast off your worldly relationships,
Give up your efforts to restrain Me,
The worldly attachments can no longer bind Me,
None, however great he may be, can deter Me.
(Telugu poem)

Seshama Raju was not at home when I sang this poem. Later on, when his wife told him about it, he laughed and brushed it aside saying, "I would have got it composed by somebody." Being a poet himself, he thought it was impossible for a young boy like Me to compose such excellent poetry.

Excise Inspector Anjaneyulu had a great love for Me. Even his children were highly devoted to Me. When Anjaneyulu came to know about the happenings, he at once came in his car and took Me to his house. He went on questioning, “My dear, did your brother or sister-in-law scold you or did they beat you? Why have you left home?” I sang a song:

The link with the world
has gone in the form of the pin;
the pilgrimage to Hampi also served its purpose.
Baba left home saying
that Maya could not bind Him any longer.
(Telugu song)

I said, “The worldly attachment is like a small pin which I gave up. Hence, I have left the house. I will no longer stay there.” I did not enter the house of Anjaneyulu either. There was a big rock in front of his house. I sat there and did not speak to anybody. Everyone was stupefied beyond words to see the change that had taken place in Me. In the evening, Seshama Raju who was on his way back home from school tried to take Me with him. But I was firm in My decision not to go home. Then Anjaneyulu persuaded him saying, “Do not compel Sathya to go with you. Let him remain here for some time. I will bring him to you myself afterwards.”

I remained there for some time. Many people came to Me and put all sorts of questions like “Are You a ghost or a demon? Who are you?” I told them, I was neither a ghost nor a demon, “Know that I am Sai Baba in reality.” They asked Me, “How are we to believe that you are Sai Baba? Can you prove your claim?” In fact, in those days nobody had even heard the name of Sai Baba. I took some flowers in My hand and threw them on the floor. People were wonderstruck to see that the flowers arranged themselves as Sai Baba in Telugu letters. Somebody brought a camera and took My photograph when I was sitting on the rock. There was a small stone in front of Me. When the photograph was developed, the stone appeared like Shirdi Sai Baba. Many copies were made of the photograph and distributed to all. The rock on which I sat that day is still there even today. Anjanaiah, State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Andhra Pradesh, has built a beautiful Mandir with a spacious hall at that place.

Gradually, My fame spread far and wide. People from various villages and cities started flocking to Me. People possessed by evil spirits were brought to Me in bullock-carts. They believed that I could drive away the evil spirits. People who were mentally retarded were also brought to Me. True to their faith, the evil spirits were driven away, and the patients were cured of their mental ailments. Then they started believing in My divinity.

Every day morning and evening, Venkamma used to come to Me. She used to ask Me many questions. Sometimes she would ask, “Sathya, do you get dreams? Does anyone appear before you and talk to you?” However, I would not say anything to her. She had developed immense faith in Shirdi Sai Baba. One day, she prayed, “Sathya, please give me a photograph of Sai Baba.” I at once materialized a photograph of Sai Baba and gave her. Nobody could say what would come out of My hand. She kept the photograph with her till her last breath.

Singular Devotion Of Subbamma

When I came from Uravakonda to Puttaparthi after declaring My Avatarhood, My fame had already spread far and wide. There was such a rush of people that there was hardly any space to accommodate them. Then Pedda Venkama Raju told the people to come to the house only on Thursdays. But people did not like this as they wanted immediate cure of their suffering. Then Subbamma called Venkama Raju and told him that it was not possible to accommodate the surging crowds in his house; she offered to take Me to her house and meet all My needs and also of the visitors.

As Subbamma was a Brahmana and Swami belonged to the Raju caste, the Brahmanas of Puttaparthi took objection to Subbamma’s proposal and decided to boycott Subbamma. She was not worried by the proposed boycott as she had no children, and had no inclination to go about visiting anybody. “I shall never forsake Sathya”, she said. In the village, there were a few houses of Harijans. These Harijans loved Swami and would invite Swami to their house. I used to visit their houses. Subbamma also accompanied Me. She would not bear separation from Me even for a moment. She looked after Me as her own son. All the Brahmanas of the village were completely inimical to Subbamma and even her own mother and brother turned against her. On the path of spirituality, such impediments do arise, and she was quite aware of the situation. She declared that she was unconcerned about the enmity of anybody. She was quite firm in her resolve to hold on to Me. Soon, even her house started overflowing with visitors. So, once Venkama Raju approached Subbamma and said, “Why should you undergo this kind of ordeal on account of my son? Let us put him in a separate house.” Then Subbamma gave some land between the Sathyabhama Temple and Venugopal Swami Temple. A small room was constructed there. They used to lock Me up in the room. But, in spite of the locked room, I used to get out and sit on the top of the hill. These kinds of wonders were of daily occurrence.

Meanwhile, those who were opposed to Subbamma on caste grounds decided to get rid of Swami by poisoning Him. I was very fond of vadas (Indian savoury) in those days. So, these people made some vadas and mixed poison in some of them. Subbamma was warning Me all the time against visiting those houses. But I used to go to all places despite her objection. On this occasion, I visited this house and ate the poisoned vadas. The sequel to this event is already known.

Another attempt of this kind was made when some of them set fire to the house in which I used to stay. It had a thatched roof. At night some miscreants set fire to the house. As flames were rising high, people were worried as to what would have happened to Me inside. Suddenly, there was heavy rain which poured down just above the house and put out the fire. There was not a drop of rain anywhere else. Venkamma, Subbamma and Easwaramma came there weeping. The roof was completely burnt, and only the walls were standing. They found Me totally unharmed. Then Subbamma took Me away to her house. After several such trials and tests, people developed faith in Sai Baba. In Penukonda, another person started claiming miraculous powers, saying that he was a devotee of Sai Baba. Several others started imitating My dress and hairstyle and started calling themselves Sai Baba. But you cannot cheat the people for long. The people ultimately came to know the truth.

The Glory Of Puttaparthi

When I started going to Bengaluru, Easwaramma and Venkamma entreated Me that I should not leave Puttaparthi. I promised them that I would never leave Puttaparthi and would stay there forever. At that time, people of many royal families started coming to Puttaparthi. Those days Chitravathi flowed for the most of the year. Their devotion was so great that they crossed the river by improvising temporary causeways of wooden planks. As the number of My followers increased, the opposition of the local miscreants melted away. After I promised Easwaramma, I never abandoned Puttaparthi. The whole world may come here, but I shall not leave Puttaparthi. Generally, Avatars stay at their place of birth. If you uproot a plant from its place and plant it elsewhere, how long will it survive? A tree grows strong where it is planted first. So, Sri Sathya Sai Baba retained his roots in Puttaparthi and made Puttaparthi a place of pilgrimage.

Puttaparthi has come to assume a glorious name in the world. ‘Putta’ means anthill. As the place abounded in anthills, it got this name Puttaparthi. What is the origin of the name of this village Puttaparthi? There is a strange story associated with it. Near the Patamandiram, there is a Venugopal Swami Temple. A snake lived in an anthill near it. Every day the cowherds would take their cows for grazing to the outskirts of the village. One of the cows would go to the anthill, and the snake would drink milk from its udder. Every day the cow would return home with empty udder. The cowherds found out the reason behind this and planned to kill the snake. One day as the snake was drinking milk from the cow, they hit it with a stone. The snake pronounced a curse on them that cows and cowherds would no longer be able to live in the village. That is why, the cowherds left this village and built their houses near Gokulam. You can see this yourself even today. The stone with which the cowherds tried to kill the snake is now being worshipped in the Venugopal Swami Temple.

Today I narrated at length all this to tell you the significance of Sai Baba and Puttaparthi. Puttaparthi has a great history behind it. Many eminent and affluent people visited this place. In those days, the Maharaja of Mysore and his mother used to come here quite frequently. Many such eminent personalities recognized the greatness of Puttaparthi and revered it.

The Lord of Puttaparthi will protect you always,
He is the embodiment of compassion,
He will hold your hand and take you across the ocean of life,
He will never forsake you under any circumstances.
(Telugu poem)

Embodiment of Love!

You are really fortunate, for you can enjoy the Divine proximity of Sai. It is the result of the merits earned by you in your previous births. It is your great good fortune that you are singing, talking and walking with Him. You are with Sai and Sai is with you. As I often say, “You and I are one.” So, develop unwavering faith in God.

Students!

Having come to Puttaparthi and studied here, you should make every effort to uphold the prestige of Puttaparthi. I want to tell you another small thing. Usually, students like to spend their vacation at home. But here the students do not like to go home even during the vacation. Only very few of them go home. Even after completing their postgraduation, many students stay here. What is the reason for this? Here is the greatest Divine magnet. God attracts one and all. His power is beyond all limits. In the years to come, you will experience the power of this magnet more and more.

(Pointing to Dr Anjaneyulu, Swami said) He has constructed a Mandir at Uravakonda. The Mandir enshrines the rock on which I sat when I gave My first teaching to humankind. He did his M.Sc. PhD and was doing a job. Later on, he resigned and dedicated himself to the service of Swami. At present, he is the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Andhra Pradesh. (Pointing to an elderly devotee) He is the father-in-law of Dr Anjanaiah. He also stays at Uravakonda. He has kept aside 100 acres of land for Swami. He is growing various types of fruits there and sending them to Puttaparthi. At present, he has completed 100 years of his life.

I want to tell you another important thing. Here in Prasanthi Nilayam, all the devotees who dedicate their lives to Swami live for a full 100 years. Kasturi came here and lived a full life. Similar was the case with Pujari Kistappa. All of you might have heard of Kamavadhani. He was a great Vedic scholar. He came and stayed here for 30 years. Never did he leave Puttaparthi. One day after performing Rama Kalyanam here in the Mandir, he told Me, “Swami, I am going to my room. I will have a sacred bath and come back.” I told him, “You don’t need to come back. After the bath, have your food and sleep peacefully.” He went home and had a bath. As instructed by Swami, he had his food and rested. He died peacefully in his sleep. The name of Sai was always in his mind. He never had any illness. There was another devotee by name Surayya. He was a bachelor. He had no desires. Prior to coming here, he was working for the Raja of Venkatagiri. One day, he expressed his desire to the Raja that he wanted to go to Puttaparthi. The Raja was very happy and made all arrangements for his coming here. He stayed here for more than 30 years and served Swami. He too lived for 100 years and died peacefully in his sleep.

(Swami called Sri Gopal Rao to the dais and said) Many of you might have heard of Gopal Rao. He is also approaching 100 years. Even at an advanced age, he used to go to the canteen regularly and serve water to the devotees. When he was the Chairman of Andhra Bank, there was a major strike. Many prominent people were arrested. Indira Gandhi sent him a telegram. That day I happened to go to his house for lunch. I told him, “Gopal Rao, do not yield to political pressure. What you have chosen is the path of truth. Do not budge from it.” He obeyed My command. Nobody could touch him. He served in the Andhra Bank for 40 years. At present, he is living in Prasanthi Nilayam happily doing Nama-smarana. You know Dr. Padmanabhan of Bengaluru. His uncle Seshagiri Rao came here at the age of 63 after his retirement. He also lived for 100 years and had a peaceful death. All these devotees led a happy and healthy life. At no point of time did they seek the service of others. I told Gopal Rao that he would lead a healthy life and would not be dependent on anybody. In this manner, many devotees led a long and peaceful life in Divine proximity. The physical body is bound to perish one day or the other. But, one should not become dependent on others.

[Divine Birthday, 23-11-2003, Prasanthi Nilayam]