HisStory - 5

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circum-ambulation in a temple.” Accordingly Myself and the group of children

around Me used to visit the Anjaneya Temple as early as 4 o’ clock in the

morning. There used to be big lake behind the Anjaneya Swami Temple. We used to

take our early morning bath in that lake. However, the small children could not

get up from bed so early. Hence, I used to lift them up, take them to the lake

and bathe them, personally. After taking bath we used to go to the temple.

Once, all of us went to the temple. I told the children, “You perform

circumambulation to Anjaneya Swami and come back. I will stay here”. They went

accordingly. However, they discussed among themselves, “Why not

Raju also come along with us? He taught us so many things. Without Him, we

cannot undertake any work. Hence, He should lead us and we must follow.” Having

made such a resolve, they came running to Me and said “Raju! you must accompany

us.” I told them, “I will come. But first you go and finish your

circumambulation and come.” However, they were very insistent that I should

accompany them. They firmly told Me, “unless you come, we will not go.” I told

them “I have pain in My legs.” They then informed Me “We will lift you and

carry you physically.” Thus, when they were pressurizing Me so lovingly, I

could not say no. I, therefore, started doing circumambulation to the Anjaneya

Temple, alongwith them. Believe it or not! A big monkey suddenly appeared from

nowhere and stood infront of Me, obstructing My way. The children around

Me wondered “We did not see such a big monkey in this village, so far! From

where did it come!” They tried their best to drive it away; but it die not

move. Who is that monkey! It was Hanuman, the servant of Lord Rama, verily!

They did not realize this Truth. Hanuman himself had come in the form of that

monkey and prayed “Swami! I am the one who had to do circumambulation to you.

You should not do it for me.” Accordingly, I informed the children “Hanuman did

not like My circumambulation to him. Hence, I will give it up.” From that day

onwards, a lot of transformation had taken place in the children. They

experienced divine feelings. While returning home, they informed everybody:

“Today, when Raju was performing circumambulation in the Hanuman Temple

alongwith us, a big monkey appeared from nowhere and stood in front of Him,

preventing him from doing circumambulation.”

During the full-moon nights, we used to go to the chitravati river. All of us

children used to spend time happily on the chitravati sands right from 6 o’

clock in the evening till late in the night. The elders used to join us. They

used to play Kabaddi and some other games. I used to encourage the children

“you must go and play. If the body is to be healthy, there must be sufficient

exercise for it.” But, the children were reluctant to leave Me. They used to

insist “Raju! we are interested only in Bhajans. If you sing, we will follow

you.” Sometimes, they used to request Me to compose new songs. I used to

compose a number of songs. They used to be surprised of My Poetic skills

saying, “Raju! How did you acquire these poetic skills?” They used to sing

songs composed by Me and feel very happy. They used to praise Me very much

saying, “Raju! You compose beautiful songs and set them to good tunes.” I used

to tell them, “If you have any wishes

to be fulfilled, tell Me. But don’t praise Me like this.” In those days,

several children used to follow Me, for example Kesanna, Ranganna, Subbanna,

Ramanna etc. Those children were very much dear to Me. They also used to love

Me very much. The Love and innocence cannot be described in words. A boy of

seven years used to place My head on his lap and put Me to sleep saying “Raju!

you are very much tired. Take rest for some time.” After some time, he used to

say “Raju! since you had placed your head on my thigh and slept, all the pain

that was there earlier had disappeared. I experienced some inexplicable joy”.

Thereafter, the other children also used to crave for that privilege. They

chalked out a method by which all children would get such an opportunity.

According to

that, I was expected to place My head on each one’s thigh and relax to a count

of 50 numbers each time. Thus, I used to provide joy to one and all. There

used to be an elderly gentleman of 70 years in those days in that village. He

used to walk upto the Sathyabhama Temple, then wash his feet and sit on the

pial, relaxing. One day, while I was walking in front of him, he called Me

saying “Raju! come, come!” I went near him and enquired what he wanted. He

replied “Raju! I am bulky. I have a plumpy thigh. Please sit on my thigh for

sometime.” I enquired what benefit he would derive by My sitting on his thigh.

He replied “I cannot describe that benefit in words.

It is infinite and miraculous. Not only that, Raju! you are like a brilliant

light for Puttaparthi. In the years to come, your name and fame will spread to

the entire world.” His word has come true in letter and spirit. The name and

fame of Raju as well as that of Puttaparthi have spread far and wide not only

in the country of Bharat, but to the entire world. In those days, it was very

difficult to reach Puttaparthi, even by walk. Such a remote village f

Puttaparthi has earned a prominent place in the world map now. Subbarayudu, of

course, forecast this metamorphosis even in those days. Poor man! He had no

children. He hugged Me very affectionately and said “Raju! How fortunate I am

to have taken you on my lap and made you sit there for sometime. A time will

come when

the entire world will crave for your benevolent look even for a fraction of a

second. He also told Me “myself and your father are not on talking terms with

each other. Your father does not like me to talk to you even. Hence, please do

not reveal to him, what had transpired between us”. I, however, replied “There

is nothing wrong. I will tell him the truth. He is a good man.” As soon as I

returned to the house, Griham Abbayi questioned Me “Why do you talk to that

Subbarayudu? I enquired, “Why I should not talk to him?” He replied “He is my

enemy.” I told him “May be he is an enemy to you, but no to Me. Hence, I talked

to him. I see nothing wrong in it.” Then, with folded hands I requested him

“Look! you are an elderly person. You should not hate anybody. Remove hatred

and

develop our village with unity among all the villagers.” Then, he enquired “What

is that Subbarayudu talking to you?” I replied “He is stating that on account of

My divinity this village of Puttaparthi will shine as a beacon light to the

entire world.” On hearing this reply, Griham Abbayi became very angry. Seething

with anger, he questioned “What is that divinity in you that these people extoll

so much?” Then I brought some flowers. Holding them with both My hand, I threw

them on the ground, saying “Do you know who I am?” Miraculously, the flowers

arranged themselves as “Sri Sathya Sai Baba” in Telegu letters. From that

moment onwards, Griham Abbayi conducted himself very carefully in his relations

with Me. Thus, I used to teach good things to both children as well as elders,

right from My childhood.

0pt"> --- From the book “His Story: As told by Himself” (A Compilation from

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

.