Sathyam Sivam Sundaram - Part I

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pass that the material sheath which the Lord once again willed to wear was

formed. Mysterious intimations of the impending great incarnation disturbed the

even tenor of Pedda Venkapa's life! For example, there was the unusual twang of

the stringed tambura in the night. Because the brothers and the father were all

extremely interested in the village operas on the legendary histories of India,

and since plays were very often rehearsed at home, there was a large

Style'"> tambura hanging on a nail on the wall and a maddala, or drum, on the

floor beneath. These two were silent only when the family retired for the

night. But as the birth of a son for whom Sri Easwaramma prayed announced

itself as imminent, the household was awakened at midnight and sometimes early

in the morning by the tambura twanging melodiously and rhythmically and the

maddala softly beating, as though they were in

expert hands! Various theories were advanced by the wise men of the village to

explain this phenomenon, but they only added to the mystery.

Seeking an answer, Pedda Venkapa hurried to Bukkapatnam where there was a

Sastri, an authority on signs of this nature and on whose interpretation he

could place faith. He was told that it was an auspicious occurrence; the

unbidden music meant the presence of a beneficent power, conferring harmony,

melody, order,

symmetry, spiritual elevation, and joy. On the twenty-third day of November, in

the year 1926, the son was born. The villagers were chanting the names of Siva,

the cosmic rhythm personified, in remembrance that the day was a Monday of the

Holy Month of Karthika devoted to the worship of Siva. That day was even more

auspicious because the ascendant star was Ardra, and on such rare occasions

when the month, the day, and the star coincide, special worship is performed in

the temples of the Lord. The year was Akshaya, the "Never declining,

the Ever-full!" While the mother was going through the final rituals

of her Satyanarayana adoration in accordance with her vows, the birth pangs

forewarned her. When she revealed this, messengers were sent to inform the

mother-in-law, Lakshamma, the pious old lady of the house. However, she had

gone to the house of the priest to perform her own Satyanarayana Prayers. The

messengers went there and urged her to return. She was so

confident of the Grace of Satyanarayana, so steadfast in her devotion, so

disciplined in her religious adherence, that she refused to be hurried! She

sent word that she would bring with her to her daughter-in-law, Easwaramma, the

sacred offerings after the worship, and that on no account would she interrupt

her prayers. She finished the entire ritual with full concentration, came home,

gave Easwaramma the flowers which had previously been placed on the idol and the

sacred waters with which it was washed. Easwaramma partook of the blessings of

the Lord, wore the flowers in her hair, and sipped the water. In the next

moment the Lord was born. And the sun rose above the horizon!

11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Bookman Old Style'"> Sai Baba has said that one

special point to be noted about this manifestation is that the incarnation has

not been transplanted away from the place where the body was born, for He had

chosen that very place as the center of His alleviatory Mission. Puttaparthi

was doubly blessed that November morn, for the Lord had chosen that happy

village not only for His Birth but also for His Habitation. Indeed the

village, which bears the name "Ant Hill Prosperity", gave the child an

appropriate welcome. A snake was found in the lying-in room! The women did not

notice it for some time, but suddenly they saw that the baby, lying on a bed of

clothes, was being moved gently up and down in a peculiar way be something

underneath the bed. They watched with baited breath for a few moments, and when

at last they searched, they found a cobra under the bed! The baby was charming

beyond description. Little wonder, for even in the cradle He had all the

Style'">Yogic spiritual powers which Sage Patanjali, author of Sanskrit Yogic

Scriptures, says come with rare souls and accompany the birth of an Avatara, a

Divine Incarnation. Sai Baba has declared that He knew even prior to His Birth

where He would be born. He has also said that He was born with all the

miraculous powers which He is manifesting one by one out of His Divine Will, as

and when He feels each can be so announced. As a baby, He must have had a halo

of splendor around His head, a smile which reflected an other-world beauty, and

a heavenly power to captivate the heart.

Style'"> Some years ago Sai Baba told the author, "I do not sleep at

night; I remember then the events of my past appearances, and I laugh within

myself as memories pass across." It can therefore be surmised that the little

lilies of laughter and red rosebuds of joy which lit up the cradle of the baby

bloomed from the reminiscence of previous arrivals and adventures! (The

Jasmine Bud To Be Continued…) SaiRam