Parthi Updates

[Guest guest]

Interaction with Sri Peddi Reddy garu

Aum Sri Sai Ram He spent 43 years of his life doing Service in Prashanthi

Nilayam - shouldering the responsibility of running the South Indian canteen,

developing Planetarium infrastructure, taking care of our beloved Swami's

non-human devotee which transcends the human devotion - Sai Geetha. His life is

synonymous to the path of Karma-Yogin as declared by Bhagawan himself.

Brothers, This email is to share the beautiful and unique

experience/opportunity we had to converse with Sri Peddi Reddy garu in our

recent Sivarathri trip to Parthi. It was around 5 in the evening and the mood

of the group as usual was upbeat. The ambience was perfect with the lush green

fields as the backdrop; with birds giving the background music; under the cool

shade of the tall trees; the twilight illumining the scene to give just the

right effect, and not to forget our jumbo Sai Geetha popping in cartful of king

sized water melons into her mouth! We, more than 50 in number, finished our work

and were ready for some Satsang, Peddi Reddy garu was also there with us with

his hands slightly free from work- without a doubt the whole scene was

perfectly orchestrated by Swami Himself. We immediately grabbed the opportunity

to request him to share some of his experiences after entering the Sai realms.

The initially reluctant Karma Yogin later could not stop his immense love and

devotion for Swami pouring out in the form of the conversation. Peddi Reddy

garu first came to Parthi in 1956 along with handful of youth from Godavari

District. He instantly knew that the right place for him in this life is at the

Lotus feet, so he immediately resolved that he would be back after doing M.Sc

in Physics. When he returned to Parthi in 1963 Bhagawan handed over the

responsibility of running the canteen, which he accepted with utmost humility.

As time lapsed he was also made in- charge for constructing the Planetarium.

During this time, he used to wake up at 2:00 am and then work in the fields

till Darshan time at 6 am only to save couple of hundreds of Rupees, which were

used for other needy projects. Later his responsibility was extended as the

caretaker of Sai Geetha. The Masters degree holder in Physics now had to

master Agrarian and Veternararian skills also.The last time Swami gave him an

interview was around 25 years ago, when asked as to what keeps him going even

today his simple answer was that his incentive was not the physical proximity

with Bhagawan, or the conversation with Him to fulfill his personal needs, but

the sense of duty for the task which Swami has assigned him. The sense of

Urgency in his tone and action to serve Swami in this avatar left us

spellbound. Karma Yogin, as he is aptly referred to never stepped out of Parthi

in the last 30 years. Sai Geetha - The DevoteeSai Geetha was found as baby

elephant trapped in Bandhipur forests. The forest officer being Swami's

devotee, offered this lovely Child to swami. Could there have been a much safer

and delightful place for this innocent being! Early days of Sai Geetha in

Prashanthi Nilayam were beyond comprehension. Swami used to catch her trunk

and go around for the darshan. Everyday in the morning she used to go around

the Nilayam 108 times and then get ready to garland the Master Of the Worlds!

Its been told that it can sense Swami's presence even from five miles. As she

grew older, caretakers suggested swami to let it go to the forest as it was

mating phase of its life. Swami told them that it wouldn't get involved in any

such process as it was already deeply devoted to the Lord, but Swami finally

yielded to their request and let it go to the Bandhipur forests. Over three

months passed, swami visited the forest only to observe Sai Geetha isolating

itself from the rest of the elephants and apparently it also reduced its diet

as it could not consume the food in the forest, and it never got into the

mating. Inspite of this indelible demonstration of its Love for Bhagwan, Swami

wanted to give some more time for her in the forest. The moment she saw Swami

she ran behind His car for a long distance. When Swami returned after six

months nothing much changed! Indeed it is an example set up for the rest of the

world by the apparently less evolved being.Why did you not include his

name?About four years back, Swami decided to felicitate all the long standing

members who were serving in the Prashanthi Nilayam all these years. When

finally the list was prepared Peddi Reddy garu's name was missing. When it was

shown to Swami from among more than hundred names he precisely noticed the

absence of Peddi Reddy garu's name.

Immediately Swami enquired, " Why is Peddi Reddy's name not included? He is a

Karma Yogin. Include his name too". Well, this in itself was the best

recognition that Peddi Reddy garu could ever get! As a person his monthly

expenditure is not even in hundreds of rupees...a great learning for all of us.

It was under his guidance that for the first time our Hyderabad boys got the

opportunity to serve in the canteen. When the service was done, the following

day Swami distributed clothes to all the Sevadal members. Hyderabad boys missed

out this opportunity and Peddi Reddy garu felt sad for the boys. Next day in the

Darshan he sat beside the boys and when Swami was moving away he called out for

Swami and told that even Hyderabad boys had worked very hard. Listening to this

swami distributed clothes to the Hyderabad Group too. Here is a man who never

asked Bhagwan any personal benefits but was so enthusiastic to get the boys

blessed by Him...a great Leader he indeed is! It was already dark in the fields

and all the boys were listening very intently. The reality donned and it was

time for our dearest Peddi Reddy garu to go back to canteen and ensure that

everything is ready for the thousands of devotees waiting for Prasadam. We

thank Swami for giving us this wonderful opportunity to interact with such a

great soul. Jai Sai Ram

Posted on 12.04.2005 by mailsreepada77

With love and light

Deepak