His Story - 8

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written by Me for the propagation of the medicines sold in his shop. He enquired

in the village about Me. “I understand that there is a young boy in the village,

by name Raju. It seems he writes beautiful poetry. Where does he live?” All

people directed him to Subbamma’s house. He approached Subbamma and enquired

“Mother! Do you know anything about that boy Raju?” She gave a very good

account of Me saying “Dear Son! I know him very well. He is a boy of good

qualities, good habits and good behaviour. He teaches good things to the

people.” On that day, she invited him for lunch in her house. During lunch, he

sat alongside Me. He was not very much impressed by My stature. He was not

convinced of My capacity to write good poetry. He confessed “Raju! you seem to

be very young. How can you undertake propaganda for my medicines? I am

doubtful.”

I replied “if you are doubtful of My talents, you need not come to Me. Please

leave Me alone. You can go to some one in whom you have confidence and get your

work done.” So saying, I sent him away. Later, when I was sent to Kamalapuram

for higher education, he approached Me again saying “Raju! I heard that you

write very good poetry. Look! If you can write a good piece of poetry for me, I

will get a pair of shirt and knicker stitched for you. I told him bluntly “Do

not speak such words. Am I waiting for your charity? If you put forward such

proposals, I will not talk to you even.” Then, he aplogised to Me. I also

yielded a bit and told him “Subbanna! I have nothing to do with the business of

give and take. Hence, keep your business tactics aside. You tell Me the name of

your medicine, its salient features and efficacy. I will compose an appropriate

song for that medicine.” He stated that a new Ayurvedic medicine by name “Bala

Bhaskara” has been received in his shop and requested Me to compose a song for

propagating that medicine. He also explained what are the different kinds of

diseases which the medicine can cure and said “I will gather a few children who

can learn that song and go about in the villages singing that song. That will be

a good advertisement for the medicine.” Accordingly I composed the following

song: “There it is! There it is! Oh! children Come! Come! There is the

medicine Bala Bhaskara; Be it an upset stomach or a swollen leg; Be it a joint

pain or flatulence; Be it any ailment, known or unknown; Take this Bala

Bhaskara for an instant cure! If you wish to know where it is available, There

is the shop of Kotte Subbanna; It is in that shop you can pick it up. Come here

boys! come here It is an excellent tonic Prepared by the famous physician

Gopalacharya himself, come here boys! come here.” (Telugu Song) When he

heard this song, Subbanna was lost in joy completely. He ran to his house

immediately and brought a basketful of laddus and tried to offer me. But, I

politely refused them saying “Don’t bring them to Me. You distribute all of

them to the boys.” I don’t touch sweets at all! Ever since My birth, I never

touched a sweet. I have plenty of sweetness in Myself. My mind is sweet, My

speech is sweet and My love is sweet. Then, where is the necessity for all

these sweets? I distributed all the sweets brought by Subbanna, to the

children. Thus, ever since My childhood I have been helping everybody and

providing joy and happiness to one and all. In fact, that has been My main

task. Kotte Subbanna made the young boys sing this song in every street and

every village nearby. Thus, vigorous

propaganda was conducted, due to which the entire stock of ‘Bala Bhaskara’ in

his shop was sold out in no time. He was extremely happy. He brought tow pairs

of shirt and knicker for Me to express his happiness and gratitude, which I

flatly refused saying “Subbanna! Are you giving these clothes to Me in return

for the song I wrote for you? The Lord who receives offerings from the devotees

(Lord Venkateswara) is in Tirupathi. I am not that Lord. I don’t accept the

articles brought by you.” He felt very unhappy and said that he will not take

them back to his house. Thereupon, I told him “O.k. That is good. Then give

them to the beggars outside.” Thus, My nature has always been to give to

others, not to take from others. My hand always gives to others, does not

accept anything from others. But, I am stretching My hand and asking you for

only one thing, that is pure and unsullied love. Even that love is not your

property. That is the property of God. Hence, I am asking for My own

property. You are, at present, misusing this invaluable property of love. You

are expending this sacred and invaluable property in sundry pursuits. That is

why, you are encountering sorrow. When you dedicate this pure and unsullied

love to God, you will be the happiest person in this world. Once the stock of

Ayurvedic medicine Bala Bhaskara was completely sold out and Subbanna received

good profit, the other shopkeepers came to know about it and started making a

bee line to Me with requests to compose songs for propagation of the products

stocked in their shops. I obliged two or three shopkeepers by writing songs for

their products. In the meanwhile, Seshama Ray came to know about it. He grew

angry and chided Me saying “Since there is vacation for the school now, you go

away to Puttaparthi. You are indulging in unnecessary activities, remaining

here. Don’t stay here.” He sent Me back to Puttaparthi. But, I did not stop

writing poetry. One day, some boys came to Me and requested “Sathya! we are

putting up a playlet. You please write the story, dialogues and songs for that

playlet and help us.” Then, I told them “O.k! you give Me two boys.” I composed

some songs and taught them to those boys. In those days, the ladies started

putting a small dot of kumkum on their forehead instead of a big one as per the

practice and also started wearing thin gold chains instead of a necklace of gold

coins. On observing such odd fashions, I composed the following song: “How

times have changed, my dear boys! How times have changed…. Face powder has made

its appearance and Turmeric has disappeared How times have changed, my dear

boys! How times have changed… Necklaces of gold coins have disappeared and

Gold Chains came instead How times have changed, My dear boys! How times have

changed… The wrist watches made their entry then, for the first time. The

Karanam (Headman) of the village used to tie one wrist watch to his left hand

and wear costly dhotis and go about displaying vanity. If any one wore a wrist

watch in those days, he was considered to be a great man. Deriding such

vain-glorious practices, I wrote the following song: People wear some

glittering white badge to the left hand

With leather belt tied to it. What fashion is this, Oh! Dear; What fashion is

this? Disgusting appearances they are; What fashion is this? Long mustache is

trimmed and shaved; Few hairs are kept under the nose, instead; What fashion is

this, Oh! Dear! What fashion is this? In those days,

people used to wear small insect like mustache under their nose. They are called

Hitler mustache. It was considered to be a fashion in those days. When the boys

sang this song for two days consecutively the Karanam shaved off his mustache

immediately. Thus, I started reforming the elders in the village. I used to

observe their weaknesses, compose appropriate songs deriding their behaviour

and make the young boys sing those satirical compositions in front of their

houses. I tried to bring certain transformation in them. Some of them, however

did not take them sportively and attempted to beat the children. Then, the

children used to tell My name, as the person who trained them to sing such

songs. All of them used to come to our house and complain against Me, to the

Griham Abbayi. The Griham Abbayi never beat me or scolded me. He did beat all

other children in the house, for example, Janakiramaiah, Kistappa, Venkamma and

Parvathamma, but not Me. He used to counsel Me endearingly “My

dear son! why should we have to take the affairs of all the people in the

village, on our head? You please don’t write those songs.” I, however, used to

pretend as if I knew nothing about it, saying “I don’t know who wrote those

songs. I am innocent.” I used to write such songs and dramas and teach the

children good things with a view to dissuade them from being enamoured of

fashions and inculcate in them our ancient noble ideas. Once Subbamma came to

Me and expressed her anguish that her husband was taking to bad ways and getting

spoiled. She asked Me “Raju! you are teaching so many good things to so many

people. My husband is taking to bad ways. Why don’t you try to correct him? I

told her “I will certainly correct him and bring him back to senses. I will

compose some

songs and using strong words and make the children sing them in front of your

house. But, you should not feel bad about it.” She was afraid that he may get

angry. I assured her “Don’t worry! One’s anger is one’s own enemy. I will not

be affected by his anger.” Subbamma’s husband used to sit near the Tulasi

Brindavan in front of his house, every day evening. I composed a song, set it

to good tune and taught the same to a group of children. I told them to sing

that song in chorus in front of Karanam’s house. The children were afraid that

he may take them to task for their audacity. I, however, assured them “I will

be behind you, protecting you always. You don’t be afraid.” The name of the

Karanam was Narayana Rao. He took to bad ways. He cannot be corrected by soft

words. It is only by making use of strong language against him that he can be

corrected. Hence, I composed the following song and prompted the children to

sing the song in front of his house. “Don’t seek the company of women of

loose character; Surely you will fall down. Your caste people will not allow

you into their homes; Your relatives will neck you out, if they see you;

0in 0in 0pt">Your friends will beat you with chappals, If they see you in the

company of such women.” I wrote the song with such strong words and

indirectly warned him to stop his nonsense. When the children were going on the

street and singing this song particularly in front of his house, the Karanam

grew very angry. He immediately got up and went inside the house. Thereafter,

he sent word through a servant to the children to see him. The children were

very much afraid that he may punish them severely. He

asked them “who wrote this song for you?” They replied “Raju wrote this poem and

asked us to sing in your presence.” He also knew that it was My handiwork and

none else can dare do it. He called Me the next day and handed over plenty of

mango fruits and requested “Raju! Please do not teach such songs to the

children.” Thereupon, I requested him “Karanam Sir! you are an elderly person.

You also promise that you will not indulge in such activities.” He promised

that he will not do such things hereafter. I reciprocated his gesture with a

promise that I will also not embarrass him by writing such songs. Subbamma

came to know of this incident. She felt very happy. While I was going that

side, she came running and fell at My feet, poor lady! She complimented Me for

My courage,

saying “Sathya! you are certainly not an ordinary child. Your physical stature

is small, but there is infinite power in you. I have not come across anyone who

can oppose the misdeeds of elders with such courage and forthrightness. Later,

she told Griham Abbayi “Venkappa! you are deluding yourself by considering your

son as an ordinary school – going lad. This boy has immense potential in him. In

course of time, he will set an ideal for the entire world. Don’t fall a prey to

the Maya (illusion) under the influence of filial love. You send him to My

house.” Griham Abbayi replied firmly “I don’t like to give away My son in

adoption to others. I will bring up My child with whatever I have. I don’t send

him to others’ houses.” Thus, I used to bring about transformation in the

elders, though I was a child Myself. I used to spend a free and uninhibited

life, with courage and confidence; for, I had no

faults in Me. Why should one have fear, when he is faultless? I have no fear at

all! I used to move forward with courage and confidence. In those days,

Kameswari the mother of Panchangam Ramappa used to gather some elderly ladies

round her and teach spiritual matters. I also used to attend those sessions.

She used to read a number of books on philosophy. Though she was not able to

understand the intricacies of the subjects contained therein, she used to

explain to those ladies to the extent she could understand. She was no doubt

making a sincere effort, poor lady! For example she used to discuss in those

classes, such intricate spiritual topics as the following: “Without coming

under the veil of forgetfulness, Always in the waking, dream and deep-sleep

states, One should constantly be aware of The Soham manthra that would enable

Roman">you to realize the Atma Thatwa. By the grace of Sadguru, Oh! Man!

cultivate the sense of discrimination”. (Telugu poem) She used to make an

effort to teach such highly philosophical subjects to totally

illiterate women. In those days, very few women had education. Hence, they used

to attend the sathsanga conducted by such learned elders. I was waiting for an

opportunity to approach the elderly lady conducting that sathsanga. One day I

was able to contact her. I requested her with all humility and respect “Dear

grandmother! How can those poor illiterate ladies understand such highly

philosophical concepts couched in such high language? It would be better if you

can kindly explain to them in a simple language that they can understand, giving

out the meanings of those technical terms.” With a view to inculcate a spiritual

bent of mind in the village folk, I established such fora even at that time. I

have been explaining the significance and impact of the sathsanga to the

people, since then.

0pt"> Once, a political leader by name Narayana Reddy came to Me from

Bukkapatnam and requested, “My dear! I understand that you write good poetry.

If you can write some good poems on our National heroes, we will publish them

in the Newspapers.” That day, they organized a political meeting. I composed

the following poem and sang it on the stage, placing a rubber doll in a cradle

and rocking it gently: Do not cry, my child, do not cry. If you cry, you will

not be called a valiant son of Bharat. Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep. Did

you get scared because the terrible Hitler has invaded the invincible Russia?

Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep. Do not cry,

my child, do not cry. For the Red Army is marching under Stalin. They will put

an end to Hitler. All the countrymen shall unite and fight to win freedom; Go

to sleep, my child, go to sleep. (Telugu Song) Thus, I composed a song

picturising a scene as if an infant was crying and the mother was consoling him

with an assurance that everything will be alright and there is nothing to worry

about the fate of the country. I sang this song in an inspiring tone for about

half-an-hour, keeping in view the freedom fighters. All the audience were happy

and their joy knew no bounds. They wondered “How could this young boy know about

Hitler, Stalin and Russian heroes? These are all foreign names which none of

these people, even elders know.” Some police people (Britishers) also attended

that meeting. When I was singing that song, they heard it with rapt

attention. They could not, however, understand the meaning of the song. It was a

song composed in the Telugu language. Nevertheless, they enjoyed the song

appreciating Me “This boy is singing well. He is a small kid.” When all the

audience in the meeting clapped their hands, they also did it. The meeting thus

ended most successfully. Thereafter, this song was printed in a pamphlet and

distributed to the people in all the villages. The organizers of the meeting

brought me gifts of shirts, knickers and towels as a token of their

appreciation and gratitude. But, I distributed those items to the children

around, even before their eyes. I told them “I did not write this song

anticipating these gifts in return. I wrote it only to inspire you.” I sent

them away. Thereafter, several leaders of other political parties approached Me

for writing songs about the activities undertaken by their parties. I told them

frankly, “There will be misunderstandings between the parties on account of My

writings such songs. I am sorry, I cannot write any more songs for political

parties. In fact, I have nothing to do with any political party. All parties

are Mine! All people are Mine! I belong to everyone!” By now, people started

coming to Me in groups and groups. In the meanwhile, Seshama Raju had returned

to Puttaparthi for vacation. He was also a Poet. He was undergoing teacher

training then. He observed that everyone in Puttaparthi was discussing about

the poetic talents of the young Raju. He became jealous of Me, once again. He

thought “This boy should not be allowed to continue here”, and took Me away to

Uravakonda, a nearby town, alongwith him, to admit Me in the High School there.

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

divine discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

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