How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-36

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-36

Chapter 46 of Sri Sai satcharita

E-mail ID : saibanisa@yahoo.com

Sairam,

Hemadri Pant narrated interesting Sri Sai Leelas (Miracles) in this chapter. Shyama, who witnessed and experienced those Leelas, was indeed very fortunate. I am not anywhere near in devotion compared to Shyama, but Sri Sai has also made me experience what HE made Shyama experience in those days. I am going to narrate the experience given to me by Sri Sai. Hemadri Pant writes in this chapter thus – “Once Baba accepts anyone as HIS devotee, then HE will be with the devotee by day and night. HE will follow the devotee at his home or abroad. Let the devotee go to any place of his choice, Baba will reach that place before the devotee reaches and remains present there in some unimaginable form”. This aspect was proven in those days in the episode of Shyama’s pilgrimage to Gaya.

I prayed to Sri Sai in 1990 for a similar experience. My prayers did not go in vain. I was told in 1991 that the authorities, in the organization where I work, have decided to send me to Korea. Sri Sai entered my mind on that day and told me “ I will reach Korea before you and await your arrival there”. What a nice imagination! I spent the day with a thought that how nice it would be if such a thing actually takes place and then forgot about the matter. I reached a big hotel, in the city of Chang Wan in Korea, at 6 PM on 06-5-1991 and a room was allotted to me. I unlocked the room, entered it and switched on a table lamp. I noticed a flying insect, which went around the table lamp three times and flew out through the open door used by me to enter the room. My mind was filled with joy at the thought that Sri Sai, in the form of flying insect, reached Korea before me and blessed me on my arrival there. I bowed and prayed to Sri Sai.

Some people may say that this incident is coincidental. I will now narrate another incident that took place in the same room, for asserting that the earlier incident was not coincidental. My return journey to India was scheduled for 18 -5-1991. I woke up early on that day at 5 AM and switched on the table lamp for reading early morning Harati of Sri Sai. Surprise of surprises, the very same flying insect, seen by me on 6 May 91 evening, was there, it went round the table lamp three times and flew out of the open window. This gave me an impression that Sri Sai is returning to India before me. In those days Sri Sai told Shyama and others with him at that time – “As the pilgrimage to Kasi and Prayag gets over, I will be at Gaya before Shyama reaches there”. In my case Sri Sai reached the city of Chang Wan in Korea before my arrival and also returned to India before me. I can never forget this experience of mine in my life. This one incident is enough for me to explain Omnipresence of Sri Sai.

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-35

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-35

Chapter-45 of Sri Sai satcharita

E-mail ID : saibanisa@yahoo.com

Sairam,

Let us recall from Shri Sai Satcharitra as to how Sai blessed two students and granted them success in their examinations. Babu Tendulkar believed the predictions by astrologers and got disheartened. He preferred not to write the examinations in Medicine. Similarly Shevade who was also taking Law examinations were equally graced and blessed by Baba to come out successfully in their tasks. I would like to humbly submit my similar experiences.

It dates back to the month of October 1990 when I was set out to go for a departmental promotion scheduled to be held in Madras (presently the city of Chennai). As a matter of habit, I was nervous. On the dawn of the day I was sitting on the lawns of the GuestHouse and going through the ritual of reading the Sai Satcharitra. The day's chapter turned out to be 45th one where in Kaka Sahib expresses doubt and Baba answers to Anand Rao in vision "go now, fear not, feel no anxiety, and you will attain your welfare". I could simultaneously hear a cuckoo singing. I took it as a good omen and blessings from Sainath. I faced the interview courageously and could come out successfully with flying colors. Happily I returned back to Hyderabad.

Again during the same month of October 1997 I moved out to Bombay for promotion to the next higher grade. I was relatively less qualified compared to all others in the fray. Sai must bless me this time also, otherwise it is simply impossible. After a shower in the morning, I sat down for the normal parayana of Satcharitra. By strange coincidence I was to read the same chapter i.e 45th one. Repetition of what is sited in the above lines - Kaka Sahib's doubt and Anand Rao's vision - Baba's unfailing words of assurance. Ofcourse this time it was not cuckoo but a pigeon's call. I am once again blessed and I leave it for any body to guess the outcome.

Repeat of 1990 in 1997 under identical situations and to be blessed on both the occasions is humanly not possible but for the divine intervention of Sainath. Recapture of these incidents rejuvenate my faith in Shirdi Sai Baba. I am sure every one can undergo his/her own experiences in his fold.

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-34

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-34

Chapter 45 of Sri Sai satcharita

E-mail ID : saibanisa@yahoo.com

Sairam,

Hemadri Pant revealed a few details and aspects of Sri Sai in this chapter. Each Sai Bandhu (Devotee) must Remember words from this chapter – “ We must have complete faith in our own strength or power instead of depending on others”. I have taken these words as the words said by Sri Sai and I am living placing complete faith in Sri Sai. When we say that we have faith in Sri Sai, it implies that we have faith in ourselves. I will consider myself as lucky if this life continues on these lines. Sri Sai’s blessings mentioned in this chapter are applicable to my life and are unforgettable. The blessing is

‘Go now, you will be safe, there is no reason for being afraid or anxious”. This blessing literally applies to my life. I went on work related, to my office, to Madras in 1990 in connection with my promotion. The interview for the promotion was scheduled for early morning next day. I meditated on Sri Sai previous night and slept. I woke up early that morning and did my daily devotional reading of Sri Sai Satcharitra. It was chapter 45 on that day. My mind was restless, while I was doing the daily devotional reading. A new enthusiasm crept into me the moment I read Sri Sai’s blessing in this chapter. I went for the interview with that enthusiasm and achieved success. I chanted Sri Sai’s name and meditated on it while sitting in the garden for a short while before proceeding inside for the interview. At that time I noticed a white coloured Koel (bird) perched on a tree, located across the place where I was sitting, and chirping / singing it’s typical sound Coo. This sight greatly astonished me, as the Koel’s body was white in colour whereas the head was black in colour. I had never seen such a strange bird in my life till then. A thought occurred to me that Sri Sai has appeared in the form of white Koel for giving confidence to me.

This aspect is beautifully amplified by Sri Hemadri Pant thus – Meditation on Guru’s name, while keeping only HIS form in mind, and chanting the name will make it possible to see HIM in all animate things such as animals, insects etc. This will give us everlasting happiness”. At the time when I was struggling with under-confidence, Sri Sai appeared in the form of a bird in front of me and bestowed confidence to me. Hemadri Pant says in this chapter –“ There are many realized souls in this world, but our Guru is the real father. Others may impart many good discourses but we must never forget our Guru’s words”. One must never forget these words. We cannot reach our destination in life when we forget these words and stray from our path. Whenever you have a difference of opinion with your peers try and recall Sri Sai’s words from this chapter –“ Whatever, good or bad, belongs to us it stays with us. Whatever belongs to others that will remain with them”. What a profound statement is this! Remember this statement and keep contemplating on it.

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-33

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-33

Baba’s Passing Away--Chapter 43 &44 of Sri Sai satcharita

E-mail ID : saibanisa@yahoo.com

Sairam,

Sri Hemadri Pant wrote about Sri Sai attaining Mahasamadhi (soul leaving his mortal coil or body) in detail in Chapters 43 and 44. In last issue I had written about the incident wherein by Sri Sai’s grace my uncle Sri Upadhyayula Pereswara Somayajulu garu, who inspite of being on his death bed, was able to be present during Gruhapravesham of his new house and was taken into that house. Sri Sai temporarily took away the death warrant (issued by fate) so that the auspicious Gruhapravesham ceremony could be held without any hindrance.

If Sri Sai had not temporarily put away my uncle’s moment of death, my uncle would have passed away with a longing for entering the house built by him. He would then have to be born again for fulfillment of his wish to enter that house. Sri Sai knew the situation and hence ensured that my uncle’s ardent wish was fulfilled, thus paved the way for his passing away peacefully. Now I will write about these aspects. My uncle Sri Somayujulu garu, while lying on a stretcher, was full of enthusiasm on that day 29 Jan 92, he called by name each relative present on that occasion, talked to them and requested them to have lunch before they return to their homes. He called his sister and asked her to sing a devotional song very dear to him “Neevindedi Konda paina Nenundedi Nela paina (You reside on a hill I reside on earth)” and bowed to Sri Venkateswara Swami (Lord Venkateswara who resides on 7 hills). All relatives and guests finished having their lunch that afternoon and my uncle bade goodbye to them by asking them to return to their homes. He called me to his side and asked me to recite the afternoon Harathi of Sri Sai.

I was feeling sad at my uncle’s condition, still as told I recited and performed the afternoon Harathi to Sri Sai. He called me with love, took off his spectacles and put them on my face as a memento. He called his wife and my aunt and told her that after he passed away she should remove the ring from his finger and give the same to me. I was not able to see his suffering and prayed to God to relieve my uncle from his misery. I asked God for a sign to indicate whether HE has heard my plea or not, closed my eyes and opened Sri Sai Satcharithra randomly. It opened on a page in Chapter 26 with Sri Sai’s message – “You cannot escape the consequences of good and bad actions in your last birth. If you have not fully washed away your past sins by undergoing suffering and commit suicide for escaping such suffering, it is not going to help you. You will have to be born again to undergo the balance of the suffering. Why do you not accept the suffering as long as it lasts, caused by past sins of yours, before dying? Why not wipe away the sins of past lives? Let the consequences of past sins are wiped away permanently.” I understood this message, but I was not able to witness my uncle’s suffering and I returned to my home bathed and gave the night Harathi to Sri Sai.

At that time I saw a very grotesque black insect, with wings having an impression of human skull. This indicated that Sri Sai is going to grant liberation to Sri Somayajulu garu on Ekadashi day (an auspicious 11th day of moon in a 15 day cycle), such a conviction occurred in my mind. I could not sleep well that night.

I woke up on 30 Jan 92 Thursday, bathed, did the daily devotional reading and prayed for a message from Sri Sai. He gave the message from Chapter 27 “ Chant the name Raja Ram, if you do so you will attain your life’s aim and your mind will be at peace.” Immediately thereafter I went to my uncle Sri Somayajulu garu’s place, I was told that his condition deteriorated during the night and he was admitted in Gandhi hospital. I hastened to Gandhi hospital. He was fighting a war with his death. He was devoid of any energy and was speaking very faintly. I understood the situation, I asked for a few Tulasi (Basil) leaves and a glass of water. I sat near his head and recited the noon Harathi of Sri Sai.

I offered sugar to Sri Sai and put that consecrated sugar in my uncle’s mouth. He sucked the dissolved sugar in his mouth. Last moments of his life commenced from that time. I was uttering Raja Ram and Sai Ram in his ears and he was slowly repeating these names. Doctors put him on oxygen by 1 PM. The monitor near his head was indicating that his pulse rate at that time was180 per minute. Doctors were making all efforts to save his life. Then giving up hope they stepped aside. I continued to chant Raja Ram and Sai ram in his ears and he was repeating Ram with extreme difficulty. I poured Tulasi water in his mouth at 1:15 PM, he took one gulp, and I poured again Tulasi water in his mouth for the second time but this time the water flowed out of his mouth. He breathed his last breath at 1:20 PM and I could hear ah! sound loudly at that time. I understood that he passed away and is no longer amongst us. I could not with hold my sorrow and cried loudly. Doctors came and told me that I should not cry loudly in the ward. What do they know the agony and suffering in my mind? My Sai has left me and gone away. All relatives came and asked me about the time of my uncle’s passing away. I told them that he passed away at 1:20 PM on 30 Jan 92 Thursday. One of the relatives commented “ Somayajulu passed away on Ekadashi day just as Bhismacharya, how lucky was he?” Yes he started his fight with death on Dasami day, left the physical body on Ekadashi and merged with Sri Sai.

I consider this as his spiritual victory. In those days, Sri Sai attained Mahasamadhi on 15 October 1918 at 2:30 PM after completion of noon Harathi.

Sri Sai took his last sip of Tulasi water from Nanasaheb Nimonkar on a Dasami / Ekadashi day. Sai in my life, my uncle Sri Somayajulu garu took his last sip of Tulasi water from my hands on Ekadashi day. Sri Sai answered my prayers, kept his word and fulfilled my wish for experiencing the emotions felt by HIS devotees at the time of HIS Mahasamadhi in this way at the time of passing away of my Sai Sri Somayujulu garu. When mortal remains of my uncle Sri Somayajulu garu were placed on the funeral pyre at sunset time on 30 Jan 92, I remembered what Sri Hemadri Pant said in this chapter “The body made out of 5 elements will decay, the soul which is inside the body is the TRUTH, that soul is SAI”. Theday when all of us realize that Sri Sai is in you, in me and in everyone else, there will be no dearth of happiness and peace in this world.

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-32

How I See Sri Sai Satcharita -by Saibanisa-32

Chapter 42 of Sri Sai satcharita

E-mail ID : saibanisa@yahoo.com

Sairam,

I cannot express in words the relationship that exists between this chapter and my life. I have read with reverence Sri Sai Satcharitra many times. Whenever I did devotional reading of chapters 42, 43 and 44, I was transported to 1918 and used to contemplate on Baba’s attaining Mahasamadhi (soul departing from the physical body). Once when I was in such state on contemplation, a thought occurred in my mind – whether it would be possible for me to see, now at this present time, the scene of Baba’s attainment of Mahasamadhi in 1918? I prayed to Sri Sai thus – “Sainath you have attained Mahasamadhi in the year 1918. Even now your soul is moving amongst your devotees (Sai Bandhus) and is filling the void created by your not being physically present Among’st us. Can you please make it possible for me to experience at this present time that feelingexperienced by your devotees in 1918 when you attained Mahasamadhi?” thus I pleaded to my father Sri Sai. A conviction, that Sri Sai definitely satisfies the wishes of HIS devotees, took roots in me. That conviction of mine attained a form to become apparent in the month of January 1992. I am about to write the details of that experience, so please read on with devotion.

My recourse to Sai, who fed me, educated me and who was husband of my aunt (mother’s younger sister) was Sri Upadhyayula Pereswara Somayajulu garu. He became a believer of Sri Sainath in 1991 and undertook devotional reading of Sri Sai Satcharitra. He expressed a desire to go on a pilgrimage to Shirdi. He could not accompany me on the pilgrimage to Shirdi during December 1991 due to unavoidable circumstances. He became a grand father on 12 January 1992, and the newborn male baby was christened Sai Shankar. Days passed by peacefully. The sea is also calm and serene just before arrival of a storm. He became unwell, was suffering and expressed a desire on 23 January 1992 – Thursday – to see me. I went to see him at 10 AM on next day 24 January 1992. He embraced me with tears in his eyes and conveyed that he cannot explain and express the pain he was suffering from. We took him to a doctor in the evening. The doctor advised that he be admitted in a big hospital. We immediately took him to a reputed nursing home and admitted him there. A team of specialists examined him, and we were told that his condition is critical and sinking.

We were advised to intimate by telegram all relatives about the critical status of his health. A week earlier than this day an auspicious date, for Gruhapravesham (a religious house warming ceremony) of his newly constructed house, was fixed for 12 February 1992. He was suffering like the legendary Bhishmacharya (of the epic Mahabharatha), on the deathbed in the nursing home. Would it be possible for him to take part in the religious ceremony of Gruhapravesham of the newly built house, at an expense of Rs. 3 lakhs? Such a thought occurred in my mind. In the past when Sri Sai was unwell, Sri Gopal Mukund Booty and other devotees also harbored similar thoughts on whether or not Sri Sai will enter and sanctify the newly built Wada (stone masonry building) at an expense of Rs. 1 lakh by Sri Booty. Not knowing what I should do in such a situation I did Namasmarana (devotional chanting of Lord’s name). Thinking that it would be better if there was another auspicious day before 12 February 1992, I discussed the issue with his brothers and went to a priest’s house, which is situated close by to the nursing home. The priest called me to enter his Puja room (a room with altar where prayers are offered). I felt the feeling of being invited by the benign smile on the face of Sri Sainath’s portrait placed in the altar, and I considered that as a good omen. An oil lamp was lit in front of the idol of Sri Sainath in the altar; the light from that lamp lit a ray of hope in my heart. That priest fixed an auspicious time as 9:49 AM on 29 Jan 92 Dasami (10th day of moon in a 15 day waxing / waning period) for Gruhapravesam. I did shashtanga namaskar (An act of obeisance to the almighty by stretching oneself fully in prone position on the floor, to Sri Sai in the altar and walked out courageously.

I told all relatives that the auspicious moment for Gruhapravesham of the newly constructed house will now take place at 9:49 AM on 29 January 1992. I have also conveyed this piece of news to my ailing uncle. He expressed a doubt whether he would stay alive till that date. He was 73 years old, had no children of his own but had borne the expenses for feeding and educating many children of his relatives and extended family. I am one amongst those children who benefited from his generosity. These virtuous acts of his will make him go through the Gruhapravesham ritual of his newly built house on 29 Jan 92, as the revised auspicious moment for the occasion was fixed in Sri Sai’s presence. The Doctor was expressing no hope for the patient to take part in the ritual on this revised auspicious moment. We left the responsibility, for what and how the event is going to take place on Sri Sainath. 9th principle, out of 11 principles pronounced by Sri Sainath, is “ You transfer your burdens on to me and I will bear them.” The present situation is a test for Sri Sai, and also is a test for the faith held by Sai devotees. He, my uncle, stopped eating food from 23 Jan 92, was not in a position to eat anything. By the grace of Sri Sai he drank a glass of buttermilk on 27 Jan19 92. He was meditating on Sri Sai’s name and was eagerly waiting for the auspicious moment of 29 Jan19 92 to arrive. 27th Jan19 92 night went off peacefully. He commenced his fight with death with new vigor on 28 Jan 1992. All the relatives were apprehensive about the Gruhapravesham taking place due to his physical condition, hence were visiting him in the nursing home and going back. The doctors gave him a sedative to relieve him of the unbearable pain being suffered by him. He woke up with a charming smile on his face on 29 Jan19 92. Although there was a smile on his face, the expressions on the faces of doctors present there reflected anxiety indicating hopeless situation. There was still a period of 2 hours for the auspicious moment of Gruhapravesham. I was getting a feeling that the ray of hope in me was flickering and was about to be extinguished by wind. Patient’s eyes were reflecting his desire to be present at the Gruhapravesham of his newly built house.

I went to the priest’s house and saw the peaceful cum gentle smile on the face of Sri Sainath in the picture. HIS devotees are being thrown about here and there in a storm. What is the significance of the gentle smile on Sri Sai’s face? An unexpected courage surged within me. I narrated the situation to the priest. He referred to the almanac and said that Dasami (10th day of 15 days moon phase) commences from 9 AM and hence the Gruhapravesham ceremony can be performed soon after that. I returned immediately to the Nursing home, sanctified the patient by giving him a vibhuthi bath (an act of rubbing / smearing the body with sacred ash), made the patient to wear new clothes, brought an ambulance at 8:30 AM to take him to his newly constructed house. The doctors were not agreeing to the patient being moved in such a manner. I prayed to Sri Sai. This is a test put by Sri Sai. I gathered courage and took the patient to the newly constructed house. All relatives were eagerly waiting for the arrival of Sri Somayajulu garu. All eyes were focused on the patient being brought out lying on a stretcher from the ambulance, but the eyes of the patient were focused on his new house. I was silently chanting Sri Sai’s name every moment, the clock struck 9 in the morning, musicians started playing Sannayi / Shehnai (a wind instrument), the patient cannot walk, he is lying on a stretcher, his wife and my aunt was standing by his side with a pumpkin in her hands, the priest was standing next to her. All of us entered the new house together accompanied by priest chanting mantras and musicians playing Sannayi. I understood then the significance of the benign smile radiating from Sri Sainath’s portrait. We were all mentally disturbed and anxious to a great extent about what was going to happen but Sri Sainath smilingly accepted as well as took over the burden of Gruhapravesham and made HIS 9th principle come true. In other words Sri Sainath kept HIS word and ensured that the Gruhapravesham ceremony took place smoothly. Is not this a Sri Sai Leela (miracle)? Is not this a proof and witness to the 11 principles enunciated by HIM? Pause and think about what you have read so far. Develop faith and trust only in HIM. I will continue writing about the subsequent events in next issue (16-10-2010 The love of mother ShirdiSai)