His Story - 1

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normal">Sathyanarayana Vratha ( a religious vow to propitiate Lord

Sathyanarayana), with great faith and devotion. In keeping with that ancient

tradition, the mother of this body, Easwaramma also used to worship Lord

Sathyanarayana and listen to the divine story at the end of the ritual, in the

company of Subbamma, her neighbour. One one particular occasion, it was very

late in the afternoon by the time the Vratha was completed in the house of

Subbamma. Easwaramma did not partake of her food till then nor did the other

members of the family. All the members of the family were frustrated and

resented the strict discipline accompanying the performance of the ritual,

saying “why should there be so many rules governing the performance of this

Sathyanarayana Vratha?” Easwaramma’s husband, Pedda Venkamma Raju denounced her

insistence on the observance of these rules, strictly. But, Easwaramma was not

yielding. She firmly and politely replied “you may take your food, if you are

hungry. I am not hungry. I will take my food only after completion of the

vratha and partaking of the Sathyanarayana Prasadam (sanctified offering made

to Lord Sathyanarayana)”. In the meanwhile, subbamma had completed the Vratha

and brought the Prasadam for Easwaramma to partake of the same. It is only

after partaking for the prasadam that her pregnancy survived. It is said “Yad

bhavam thad bhavathi” (As you think, so you will become). The Sthithi (status)

and gathi (destiny) of a

human being will be in accordance with his thoughts and resolutions. Easwaramma

was an illiterate. She did not learn even a single alphabet. Nevertheless, she

used to have unflinching faith and devotion towards God. One day in the seventh

month of her pregnancy, Subbamma came to her house and said “Easwaramma! your

pregnancy survived only after you partook of the Sathyanarayana Vratha

Prasadam. Hence, you name your child to be born as Sathyanarayana.” The mother

of Pedda Venkama Raju and mother-in-law of Easwaramma also agreed for this

suggestion, with great faith and devotion to Lord Sathyanarayana. A unique

incident had happened before Easwaramma delivered a baby. Puttaparthi was a

small hamlet tucked in a remote corner of

Ananthapur District, in those days. It had no modern conveniences like roads and

water supply. There used to be a well in the midst of four houses, from which

people used to draw water with the help of a small bucket, for their daily

requirements. One day, Easwaramma was fetching water from that well. Suddenly,

there was a flash of brilliant light in the sky. The wind blew and the cluster

of divine light entered into the womb of Easwaramma. Subbamma, who just came

out of her house, had also witnessed that scene. She told Easwaramma “I saw a

brilliant light entering your womb.” I did not reveal this fact to anybody so

far. I am revealing this truth for the first time, so that people may realize

that the nature of the Avathar will be so great and immaculate. Pedda Venkama

Raju was walking in front of the house of Subbamma, the previous day. Subbamma

called him into her house and told him “Venkama Raju! you please name your son

to be born as “Sathyanarayana.” But, he did not give much thought to her

suggestion, thinking that it was a foolish sentiment of the ladies. The next

day, Easwaramma gave birth to a son at an auspicious moment early in the

morning. It is natural for a child to cry, the moment it is born. But, this

child did not cry. Observing this strange phenomenon, the ladies around got

panicky that this child appeared to be a still-born child. Easwaramma too on

hearing these words was very much afraid. She just pinched the child so that he

may cry if he is not a still-born child. Instead, the child delighted the people

around with an enchanting smile. What a great surprise! A new born child, not

even an hour since he was born; he was displaying an enchanting smile! In the

meanwhile, Karnam Subbamma

arrived on the scene and told Easwaramma “I heard that you delivered a male

child. I have come to see him.” Subbamma was a Brahmin lady. The Brahmin ladies

in those days were observing the orthodox customs and traditions very strictly.

Hence, Easwaramma put her new-born baby on a cloth and kept him on the floor

slightly at a distance. In the meanwhile, the mother-in-law came there and

advised her “What Easwaramma! Subbamma came here with a lot of expectation to

caress the child lovingly and you are keeping him at a distance! You put him in

her hands.” Easwaramma replied “Dear mother-in-law! I am afraid that she may be

hesitant to touch a new born baby. That is why I kept him at a distance.” In

fact, Subbamma was not a lady to entertain such differences. The boy was

growing beautifully day by day, like the moon in the brighter fortnight of a

month. However, his behaviour used to be rather strange. He was not talking to

anybody. He was a mithabhashi (one of few words) and mithahari (moderate in

in-take of food). The mother Easwaramma was surprised at his stange behaviour.

Children usually will be craving for food. Whenever they come across an

eatable, they stretch their hand. But, this particular child was not at all

interested in food. Another characteristic of his was that he never used to

allow non-vegetarian food to come anywhere near him. Also, he never used to

visit the houses of non-vegetarians. Easwaramma could decipher from his

behaviour that he shuns non-vegetarian food, since he was a divine child. The

elder sister Venkamma was supporting her mother in all such matters. Both of

them together were looking after this divine child very lovingly,

constantly singing the glory of God. The child was growing in such a sacred

environment. --- From the book “His Story: As told by Himself” (A Compilation

from the divine discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) To be continued...

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