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)