HIs Story - 16

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cheeks apologetically, he continued “No, No, Swami! I will myself come to the

Mandir to have Swami’s darshan. This will be a good exercise for me.” He also

said “I am repeating your own words told to me earlier.” (He was referring to

Swami’s reply to him when he proposed that Swami may take lunch in the

Bukkapatnam school itself, instead of rushing to Puttaparthi and again getting

back during the lunch hour). He was by then 112 years old. Even in that advance

age, he had his eyes, ears, legs and hands in good condition. He was able to

come by walk from the Old Mandir to he New Mandir, even without the support of

a walking stick. I used to warn him “there may be cattle coming in your way.

Why don’t you bring one stick alongwith you?” He used to reply “Why do I need a

stick Swami? My God-given legs are in good condition.” He had great devotion

towards Swami. He used to say “Swami! you are God, verily. No one except you

and I know this

truth.” I used to take pan regularly in those days. Right from early morning

till I went to bed, I used to chew betel leaves and nut, with a little lime

added to it. He also had the same habit. One day, I informed him “I put the

betel leaves, nut powder and lime there.” He protested “Swami! why do I need

powdered nut? I am not an old person.” So saying, he took the betel leaves and

nuts and chewed them making good sound. His teeth were so strong even in that

advance age. His vision was in good condition. He could walk with ease, any

distance. The old people in those days used to be so strong. What could be the

reason? They used to make proper use of their body and senses. They used to

live with a purpose “I must perform my duty, having been born as a human

being.” Kondama Raju used to come to the Prasanthi Mandir, early in the

morning. I used to sleep on the sand in front of the Mandir. Since I knew that

he was coming to have My darshan, I used to cover Myself with a bed sheet,

fully covering My face also. That was to ensure that he does not know I was

awake. He used to slowly lift the bed sheet over My feet, perform Padanamaskar

(prostrations on My feet) and silently leave that place. He used to feel a

little embarrassment on such occasions that if anybody sees him then, they may

think that this elderly gentleman of ripe old age is prostrating before the

grandson, who is very young. Every human being is prone to such feeling,

because of

which he may not be able to express himself properly. The moment he left, I used

to get up. “One can wake up a person fast asleep, How can one wake up the one

that pretends to sleep? Why delay Oh! Krishna! Enough, enough of your pranks.”

(Telugu poem) So sang the gopikas about Lord Krishna, in the Dwapara yuga.

Once, Kondama Raju asked Me “Swami! How long do I leave? When do I leave this

body?” I told him that I would give him darshan before he departs from this

world. He was a good singer. If he starts singing

about the incident of Lakshmana falling unconscious in the Rama-Ravana war, the

entire village used to flock round him. One evening, I went into the village of

Puttaparthi. He was, at that time, sitting on a cot and singing some songs. When

I reached that place, he immediately got down from the cot and fell on My feet

exclaiming “Swami! you came!”, unable to control his joy. He pleaded with Me

“Swami! you are not an ordinary child. I know you are Lord Easwara, verily. You

have taken birth in our lineage in order to help us cross the ocean of samsara.

I have a small desire. Wayback in Tretha Yuga, King Dasaratha desired to leave

his mortal coil after drinking a few drops of sanctified waster from the hands

of Srirama. But, he could not get his wish fulfilled. On the other hand, it was

Jatayu, the bird who fought with Ravana when he was abducting Sita that could

get this prapthi (blessing). I sincerely, pray to you to kindly shower such a

blessing on Me also. Before I leave this body, you must pour a few drops of

water into my mouth with your divine hands.” I gave him a word that it shall

happen accordingly. Kondma Raju had a great liking for ‘obbatlu’ (a kind of

pancake). On the day before he died, he requested Easwaramma, his

daughter-in-law to prepare them. Accordingly, she prepared some obbatlu and

gave Me also a few of them. I told her “I will not partake sweets”. Kondama

Raju insisted that I partake at least one obbattu. He prayed “Swami! My end is

nearing. This body is 112 years old. Before I leave this

body, I must put a piece of this preparation in your mouth with My own hands.

People say Yasoda fed child Krishna with her own hands, Kausalya fed child Rama

with her own hands, etc. Today, I think I have such good fortune. Hence, please

permit Me to put a piece of this sweetmeat in your mouth with My hands. He,

infact, put one piece. And lo! Surpisingly, it was neither in My mouth nor in

his hands! Easwaramma, who was observing this scene, enquired Kondama Raju “Oh!

Father-in-law! Where did you loose that piece of obbatlu?” He replied :Can any

one describe fully the divine pranks of Swami? They are not one or two. They

are infinite.” I used to have a ‘Morris Tourer’ small car in those days,

which I was driving Myself. I used to go around

in that car, not only in this village but to far off places like Madras. When I

was driving that car with great speed, people standing on the road side used to

wonder at My speed. One day Kondama Raju called Easwaramma and said “See whether

Swami is coming towards Sathyabhama Temple” Easwaramma came out and saw and

confirmed “Yes; Swami is coming in His Car.” Kondama Raju then told her

“Easwaramma! My end is not nearing. I will be no more. That is why God is

coming here to keep up His word.” Poor lady! Easwaramma enquired innocently in

the worldly sense “What! Father-in-law! Where is God? How does He come?”

Kondama Raju then pointed towards Me and said “you innocent woman! Are you

under the illusion that ‘Sathya’ is still your own son? Look! God is coming”.

Easwaramma also knew about My Divinity. She also

witnessed the super-human powers of Swami, several times. Yet, she was deluded

to think that I was her young ‘sathya’, out of her motherly love. Yasoda also

used to be like that. Inspite of witnessing the fourteen Lokas (worlds) in the

mouth of Krishna, she wondered whether it was “a dream or an illusion created

by Lord Vishnu.” Kondama Raju then called Easwaramma and said “Easwaramma!

God Himself is coming to take me away with Him. He is coming here to keep up

His word given to me long ago. Please bring some water in a tumbler. He will

pour a few drops in My mouth. Then, I will depart from this world peacefully”.

Easwaramma enquired “You don’t have fever or any other disease. You are hale

and

healthy. How do you say you will die peacefully?” Kondama Raju replied “Death

knows no reason or season. It will happen according to God’s will. Therefore,

please bring some water.” Easwaramma then brought some water in a tumbler as

requested by him, since she did not like to enter into an argument with him

over the issue. Kondama Raju asked her to put a basil leaf in that water. He

knew fully well that Swami was coming there only “to see him off.” That was a

fact known only to two people – Swami and himself. He was awaiting for My

arrival, holding the tumbler in his hand. As soon as I arrived there, he said

“Swami! I am ready.” I told him “I am also ready.” Kondama Raju sat down on the

floor and asked Me to sit on the cot. He put his head on My knees and prayed

“Swami!

I have a submission. Kindly listen.” Easwaramma was listening to our

conversation. She was wondering “What a strange sight! How this elderly

gentleman is giving so much respect to his young grandson!” But, she kept her

thoughts to herself. Kondama Raju expressed his feelings thus: “Swami! you came

here today to fulfill your promise given to Me some twenty years ago. The sky

may break and fall down. The seas may go dry. But, your promise will never go

waste.” I just smiled at his words. He then requested Me “Swami! Please do not

divert my thoughts with your enchanting smile. Take this glass and drink a

portion of the water therein and pour the balance quantity in my mouth with

your divine hands.” He also said “King Dasaratha had four sons after performing

the Puthrakamesti Yaga (a sacrificial ritual performed with a desire to beget a

son). Lord Narayana himself was born to him as Sri Rama and

Aadisesha (The serpent upon whose coils Lord Narayana reclined) as Lakshmana and

His conch and wheel as Bharatha and Sathrughna. Inspite of begetting such great

sons, none of them was available by the side of king Dasaratha to pour a few

drops of water in his mouth, during his last moments. Swami! you are born in

our Rathnakara lineage. It is our great fortune that the Lord Himself took

birth in our lineage with the Bharadwaja Gothra and Aapasthamba Suthra. Please,

therefore, fulfil my last request. Let me not die with disappointment like that

Dasaratha.” He prayed thus. I told him “I came here exactly for that purpose.”

So saying, I lifted the tumbler and was about to pour the water contained

therein, in Kondama Raju’s mouth. He protested “No, No, Swami! you please drink

the water first and then pour the remaining quantity in my mouth.” Accordingly,

I drank a little water from the tumbler and thereafter poured the balance in

his mouth. Kondama Raju felt immensely happy and

contented. He could not contain his feelings. He expressed “Swami! What a great

fortune it is to drink water from your divine hands and then leave the mortal

coil! Not all people can get this great fortune. Even a person of the stature

of King Dasaratha could not get this unique opportunity. But, I could get it, I

am so fortunate. My life has become sanctified.” Expressing his feelings thus,

he breathed his last with an everlasting smile on his face. Thus, all the

members of that family died peacefully and effortlessly. Their lives are a

perfect example for the adage that good begets good. Because of their noble

feelings, everything in their life went on smoothly and ultimately they

attained a noble and sacred end. I would advise that you may also constantly

contemplate upon God till your last breath, in keeping with the saying “Sarvada

Sarvakaleshu Sarvathra Hari chinthanam” (Everywhere, at all times and under all

circumstances contemplate

on God). When you do this, you will also attain a noble end, when time comes.

Kondama Raju used to run a small pan shop, where sundry articles like beedies

(country cigars) betel leaves and nuts were being sold. Before he died, one day

he called on Me and gave Me some money and requested “Swami! I never did any

injustice to anybody not did I deceive anybody. But, it is possible that I

might have forgotten to return an anna or a paisa to somebody, by mistake.

Since you have chosen to incarnate in our Ratnakara lineage, our entire lineage

is sanctified. I do not want to die in debt to someone. Please, therefore,

arrange to convert this money into small coins and scatter it on my dead body

during my funeral procession. By so doing, I will be redeemed of any debt that

may

still be remaining.” I told him “why should you have to give Me money for that

purpose? I can get it done with the money available with Me.” But, he insisted

“No; Swami! My debt has to be cleared with My own money.” Thus, all the members

of that family were men of great sacrifice. It is only because of their virtue

of sacrifice, they could win the grace of God. God’s grace is the only wealth

that a man should aspire for. If only that grace is available, everything else

would automatically follow. --- 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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