His Story - 9

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used to reply “You do not know. But, I know. There is great divine power in

you.” It is not possible for every one to develop such noble feelings. It is

only by accumulated merit from the previous births that such noble feelings

develops develop in people. Our English Teacher in Bukkapatnam, Sri Mahboob

Khan was also transferred to Uravakonda. There used to be good Teachers in the

Uravakonda High School in those days. One such Teacher was Sri Perraju. Sri

Tammiraju was our Telugu Teacher. All these Teachers had great love and

affection towards Swami. In those days, They were not much aware of Swami’s

divinity, but due to their accumulated merit over their previous births they

used to raise hands and offer salutations to Me even without their knowledge,

the moment they saw Me. But, they used

to withdraw their hands, the moment they realized that it was after all their

own student. I always used to teach My fellow students in the school good

things like “Do not abuse any one; respect elders.” Once, the School Day was

to be celebrated during a particular year. In that context, the teachers came

to Me and requested “Raju! you have a melodious tone. You can sing well. You

please sing some songs on the school day.” They also pressurized Me to put up a

drama on the occasion. In deference to their wishes, I wrote a drama entitled

“Cheppinatlu chesthara?” (“Will you act according to your words?”) and acted in

the main role. You might be aware of Smt. Kadapa Rama Subbamma. She was the

first lady to become a District Board President in those days. She was invited

to

the prize distribution ceremony to give away the prizes to the winners. The

entry to that day’s programme was by tickets. This idea was conceived to help

mobilize funds for the school building. The organizers of the function put up

an advertisement in the newspapers that Rishyendramani, a famous dancer of the

times would give a performance on the occasion. But, unfortunately she could

not make it to the programme for some reason. In the meanwhile, Lakshmipathi,

the Headmaster was in great tension, for, he invited the District Collector to

preside over the function. In those days, the Collector was greatly respected,

like the governor of a state. Similarly, the people used to fear the police

very much, in those days. The situation then was like that. The Head Master

undergoing great tension thinking, ‘Oh! The Collector had come. The District

Board President had also come. But, there is no trace at all of Rishyendramani,

the dancer!” I observed the situation and went near him slowly

and requested him in a pleasing voice “Sir! If you don’t mistake Me, I have a

proposal for your consideration. I will Myself perform that dance item to be

performed by Rishyendramani. You don’t get upset, Relax.” The particular dance

item Rishyendramani used to perform was like this. She used to keep a bottle

over her head and a plate thereon in which some wick lamps are kept burning.

With this load on her head, she used to dance. As a climax to her dance

programme, she used to lie down on the floor and lift a handkerchief kept

there, with her teeth. During the entire programme of her dance, no disturbance

is caused to either the bottle or the wick lamps in the plate kept thereon, over

her head. This particular dance item was the chief attraction of her dance

performance. I told the Headmaster that while Rishyendramani can lift only

handkerchief on the ground with her teeth, I would lift a needle kept on the

ground with her teeth, I would lift a needle kept on the ground with my

eye-lids. I also told him, “You may give an announcement accordingly; but tell

them that Rishyendramani herself had come and is giving this performance.” So

saying, I started preparing for giving the dance performance. The make-up man

brought a big silk Sari and wrapped it round Me. My hair was arranged with a

long plait and decorated with ornaments that are to be worn by a traditional

dancer. The jingle bells were tied to My legs. The make-up man ensured that all

this decoration remained in-tact during My dance performance. They, then made Me

seated in a rickety old car and brought Me to the venue of the dance programme.

People came in large numbers purchasing tickets, thinking that Rishyendramani

herself had come. The programme commenced, I came on the stage, for giving

performance. Some of the audience started alerting their friends in the side

seats, who were dozing. Whereever you see, the name of Rishyendramani was on

the lips of every body. When Rishyendramani’s name was

actually announced, I made a pleasant sound with the ankle bells from behind the

screen signifying her arrival. Everyone felt very happy on hearing that sound.

As I come on the stage slowly dancing, the audience were lost in ecstasy. The

Headmaster placed a bottle on My head with a plateful of wick lamps over it and

lit the lamps in full vies of the audience, lest they may think that the bottle

with the plate containing the wick lamps over it was glued to My head earlier,

behind the stage. The accompanying musical instruments started playing. I was

dancing vigorously. My movements were so fast that the audience completely lost

themselves in joy. The moment of climax of the programme had arrived. I danced

and finally bent on stage and lifted the needle planted in the soil, with My

eye-lids. The audience clapped their hands loudly and gave Me a standing

ovation. After the end of the programme, the District Collector who was the

chief guest for the day’s programme wanted to present a medal to Me. He

actually wanted to hang it round My neck. He was a Britisher, by name Hasley.

But, I was then in the role of Rishyendramani, the female dancer. Hence, I told

the organizers of the programme that I cannot allow a male officer touch Me. Is

it not a fact that I had to act as Rishyendramani only until the function was

over! I told the Collector “You should not touch Me. Please hand over that

medal to Me.” The Collector and Myself argued over the matter for a few

minutes. He requested Me “you may consider me as your own brother and allow me

to decorate the medal round your neck.” But, I was firm in My stand. I replied

“consider Me as your sister and handover the medal

to me.” The Headmaster then started prompting from behind the screen “He is a

District Collector. Don’t go against his wish. Accept his request.” Several

others also tried to persuade Me in this regard. But, I did not budge even an

inch, since My behaviour had to be in conformity with the role I was playing

then. Finally, the Collector handed over the medal to me and left the stage.

When I retired to the dressing room, there accumulated several envelops

addressed to Rishyendramani, some of which contained even money. Some others

wrote some nonsensical letters and put them in envelopes. The prize

distribution ceremony was held the next day, which was presided over by Smt.

Rama Subbamma, the then District Board President. She distributed the prizes to

all the participants.

Thereafter she spoke for sometime. In her speech, she said “Smt. Rishyendramani

had done great help to our boys and girls. Because of her dance programme

today, we have been able to raise enough funds for constructing our school

building shortly. Hence, I request her to kindly come on the dais and receive

our felicitations.” She bought a beautiful silk sari for giving as presentation

to her. She called out “Smt. Rishyendramani!” People were anxiously waiting to

see from which side Rishyendramani would come. In the meanwhile I ran towards

the stage, wearing a knicker and shirt. The Police people tried to push Me

away, saying “Rishyendramani is coming; keep yourself aside and give her way.”

On the other hand, the Headmaster was calling Me to come on the dais. With

great difficulty, I could manage to reach the dais. The Headmaster made an

announcement “This is the boy who acted as Rishyendramani yesterday.” Rama

Subbamma could not contain her joy and lifted Me up and kissed Me. She

said “My dear young boy! What a great honour you have brought to this school! I

am extremely happy to know that there are people in this country of Bharath who

have such a great talent at such a young age. I am really proud of you.” From

that day onwards, she developed great love for Swami. Whereever she went, she

used to describe the greatness of Swami to one and all. The people who attended

the dance programme the previous night thought that it was only the famous

dancer Rishyendramani that gave the programme. But, the next day they came to

know that Rishyendramani did not come at all and this was the boy who gave the

performance dressed as Rishyendramani. They were very much surprised and

appreciative that this young lad could give such an outstanding performance, as

if it was Rishyendramani herself that was dancing. On account of this

performance, the school in Uravakonda earned a great name. Wherever one can

see, the people were discussing about this incident only.

--- 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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