SRI SATHYA SAI VRATHA KALPAM – Part IV (Procedure of Worship of Sri Sathya Sai)

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Om Sri Sai Ram

SRI SATHYA SAI VRATHA KALPAM – Part IV(Procedure of Worship of Sri Sathya Sai)

ByPedda Bottu

Translated from Telugu bySAI BANGARU CENTRE

DIVINE MESSAGE

Sri Sathya Sai Vrata Kalpam is a very admirable effort and this would be a treat

for the devotees. In times to come, it would be a Bible for the devotees for

Thursdays, especially for those who know English only.

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

PRAYER

Om Sri Sai, Ganesaaya NamahOm Sri Sai, Brahmadevaaya NamahOm Sri Sai,

Vishnudevaaya NamahOm Sri Sai, Maheswaraaya NamahOm Sri Sai, Dattatreyaaya

Namah

SARVA DEVATHAATHEETHA SWAROOPA SRI SATHYA SAI VRATHA KATHA

Chapter 2

MAHIMA KAANDA (Swami's Divine Deeds)

>From the time Sri Bala Bhagawan took up residence in Karanam Subbamma's house

crowds of people from nearby villages, desirous of his Darshan, began

converging on that house. They were worshipping him with intense faith and

devotion. After participating in the Bhajans they were returning home with

their hearts overflowing with happiness and satisfaction. Subbamma too was

feeling overjoyed at her good fortune of witnessing these glorious

developments. She was fully conscious that all that was happening around her

was solely due to Sri Bala Sai's personal benediction. In gratitude, she

willingly and happily placed her expansive house at the free disposal of Baba's

devotees. She was also making arrangements for feeding them too. She was

convinced that nothing in life was more precious than serving the devotees who

continued to arrive in ceaseless flow. Ever since his arrival at her house, Sri

Bhagawan was holding regular Bhajans morning and evening. As the gatherings

swelled by the day it soon became difficult to accommodate them within the

house. Crowds spilled into the street outside. To meet the situation, Subbamma

got a huge pandal erected for holding Bhajans. Outstation arrivals from

Bangalore and Anantapur were bringing their own tents. Even so the space

available proved to be still insufficient. Further it became evident that a

large kitchen was also urgently needed for providing meals to the

ever-increasing visitors. Quite often, it so happened that the quantity of food

prepared would appear to be insufficient. When such doubts arose, the matter was

taken to Sri Baba. He would simply send for two coconuts, knock one against the

other thereby producing four equal pieces, collect the water and sprinkle it on

the vessels holding cooked food and order it to be served. Irrespective of the

number of guests the quantities were proving to be sufficient to feed everyone

of them. Those who witnessed such miraculous incidents would conclude that only

the fantastic spiritual powers of Sri Baba could make them possible.

Sometime later, the Old Temple was constructed and Sri Baba moved there. As for

Subbamma, even as she grew old in course of time, she continued to serve the

devotees with unfailing dedication.

It was noticed that now and then Bala Bhagawan was going somewhere without

telling anyone. On such occasions, Subbamma, accompanied by a handful of

persons, would go in search of him. The group would go over every hill and cave

and grove and along the Chitravathi in every possible direction. Finally, they

would chance upon him, sitting all alone, in deep contemplation. They would beg

and persuade him to return home. Subbamma's motherly affection for Sri Baba was

boundless. As he was thus making himself scarce quite often, devotees

constantly feared that he might some day abandon them altogether and disappear

for good. As the cosmic purpose for which he had taken incarnation was quite

beyond their comprehension, they were feeling distraught and uncertain about

what the future

held.

Be it remembered that it is an inherent and absolutely natural function of Sri

Bala Baba's Avatar to give happiness and enjoyment to his devotees, through

displays of his immense divine powers (Mahimas) by performing supra-natural

deeds. Quite often, he would take his devotees to the Chitravathi sandbanks and

hold evening Bhajans there. On one such occasion he revealed that for the first

sixteen years of his life he would display his Leelas, for the next sixteen his

Mahimas, and the rest of his life would be devoted to activities like discourse

and Upadesh (exhortations). In the sands of the river, at evening times, Sri

Bala Bhagawan was frequently exhibiting his supra-natural miracles (Mahimas)

and divine visions. Several of those who were fortunate to witness those

astonishing incidents are happily still with

us. One day he took his devotees to the top of a hill lying to the right of the

pathway leading to the river. He seated himself under a tamarind tree, which

has since become celebrated as Kalpa Vriksha (wish-fulfilling tree), and told

them that he would give them whatever fruit they desired. He went on plucking

fruit after fruit from the branches of that tree as his eager devotees asked

for mango, orange, jamoon, guava or blackberry. Such was the measure of his

immense divine powers. On another occasion, leaving his devotees in the river

sands, he went up the nearby hill all by himself. From high up, he called to

those down below and told them to look at him. As they did so, they saw a

brilliant circle of light around his head. Occasionally, a divine effulgence,

blindingly bright, would be seen on his forehead. In a moment, it would vanish

and he would be seen with the serene visage of Sri Shirdi Baba. On moonlit

nights, the divine face of Sri Baba would be seen on the disc of the

moon in the sky. Once he repaired to the far bank of the river and entered a

grove of trees. He got a swing made of stout ropes fixed to the branch of a

tree and was swinging himself merrily back and forth. The devotees sat on the

ground enjoying the spectacle. Suddenly he asked them to look at him intently.

As they watched with eyes wide open, in a moment they saw the vision of

Balagopal of Brindavan gently swinging back and forth in a beautiful

flower-bedecked swing. A few devotees would sometimes go into a swoon because

they were not strong enough to face such Mahimas, magnificent displays of

awesome divine powers. On such occasions, Sri Baba would materialize akshathas

by a wave of his hand, sprinkle them on the unconscious devotees and revive

them. Once some devotees arrived from Kamalapuram and while they were with Sri

Baba he enquired whether they would wish to hear the divine music of Sri

Krishna's flute. He then asked them to place their heads close to his chest and

listen

carefully. They were astonished to hear the enchanting musical notes of flute

emanating from his bosom. Sri Sai Bhagawan is none else but Sri Parabrahmah

Satchidananda Moorthy himself. To each one of his devotees according to his

individual wish, Sri Baba was providing everything in order to make all of them

happy and pleased. Such was his innate love and kindness towards his devotees.

Meanwhile, Sai Bhagawan’s name and fame were spreading far and wide in many

countries. People were hearing wonderful stories about him that Shirdi Baba had

reincarnated in Puttaparthi; that he was displaying astonishing Leelas and

Mahimas; that he was healing every kind of disease; and that he was relieving

suffering of every description. Thousands of devotees were making their way to

Puttaparthi to have his Darshan. He was receiving one and all with open arms

with overflowing love and kindness; he was patiently lending ear to every tale

of suffering and woe; he was offering relief from every agony; and sending

everyone of them back happy and pleased. He would busy himself day and night.

Dedicated and enthusiastic, he was immersing himself in his mission of mercy

and love of his devotees. Some of his closest

associates tried to prevail on him to take things easy, to be content with

merely giving spiritual lessons and not to wear himself out physically, to

allow himself adequate relaxation and rest. He would heed no such advice. He

explained, "Why are all these persons rushing to me if not to seek relief from

their problems and sorrows? Of what use is mere bodha (preaching) to a person

beset with baadha (suffering)? I should first relieve them of their agony. Once

they attain bodily comfort and happiness, they will turn into devotees and

undertake Bhajans". This too, he would further add, was part and parcel of his

scheme of things, his programme of action. From every nook and corner,

countless persons were reaching Sri Baba seeking relief from chronic diseases

of every description, bodily ailments and disabilities and, most importantly,

possession by evil spirits. With immense pity and kindness he would heartily

receive them and send them back home fully healed and happy. Several

devotees were begging him to visit their towns or villages. Just to please them,

Sai Bhagawan would go there. Out of love and gratitude they were cheerfully

receiving him in their homes happy at their good fortune at playing host and

worshipping him to their hearts' content. Once he met a devotee who was

chronically ill with gastric ulcer, which had been troubling him for a long

time. With his usual wave of hand he materialized all the needed surgical

instruments for operating on him and fully relieved him of his chronic ailment.

That devotee thus received not only sound health but also heavenly bliss at the

hands of Sri Baba himself. As Sri Baba went on displaying his Mahimas, people

went on swarming to him in ever increasing numbers and received his

benediction.

Sri Sathya Sai Bhagawan was always assuring devotees, "Why fear, when I am here?

Wherever I may be at any moment, I will unfailingly be looking after your

welfare". Once he was walking in the company of his devotees on the seashore

near the seaside town of Machilipatnam. Leaving the others behind he entered

the waters and proceeded forth walking into deeper waters. Suddenly everyone

heard some loud report and looked intently towards the distant sea. There in

the midst of far off waters all of them saw a clear vision of Seshasayee (Lord

Vishnu) reclining on the bed formed by the celestial serpent, Adisesha. The

vision was sharp and clear and lasted but a minute. The next moment the

devotees found Sri Sai Bhagawan standing by their side. They were all

overjoyed; they realised that they had the rarest privilege of

witnessing, with their own physical eye, a cosmic Truth. Sri Sai Bhagawan moving

among them in flesh and blood was no way distinct from Sri Maha Vishnu

(Srimannarayana) reclining on his bed of Adisesha, of whom they had a vision

just a while ago.

Those who completely and unreservedly surrender themselves to Sri Sai Bhagawan,

who sincerely yearn for his protection, worship him with genuine devotion and

faith and seek refuge in him are defended and protected by him. Even those who

are not quite aware of the divine significance of Sri Sai's Avatar, those who

have not even seen him, those who have not even heard his name - all those will

nevertheless receive his love and kindness and blessings. Once Sri Bhagawan was

on a long journey traveling in his car. As he was passing through a sparsely

peopled area he noticed a young woman walking along the road with a small

bundle on her head and a child at her hip. Apparently she was going to her

village on foot. Sri Bhagawan ordered the car to be stopped and called the

woman to come near. He gave her some money and

some eatables. He told her, "The festival of Deepavali is approaching, celebrate

it in good style and enjoy yourself". Then he enquired whether she had ever

heard the name of Puttaparthi Sai Baba. She replied that she had heard the name

but never saw him. With gentle smile lighting up his face, Sri Baba told her, "I

am myself that Puttaparthi Sai Baba", and resumed his journey. What more

convincing proof is needed to establish that Paramatma looks upon every being

with a perfect sense of equality, with even measure of love and compassion - a

truth which the Vedas have been proclaiming for ages.

Sri Sai Bhagawan is an unfathomable ocean of love and compassion and his Mahimas

know no end. It is impossible for anybody to enumerate them. This Avathar has

come down to earth only for the cosmic purpose of resurrecting and restoring

dharma to its pristine position of pre-eminence, to establish Truth and to save

mankind. Sai Bhagawan’s Avatar is the embodiment of Truth and he is always at

the beck and call of his eager devotees. If a devotee as much as recalls his

name, he presents himself at once before him and blesses him. There was an

interesting event worthy of record here. Once some devotees decided not to go

to Puttaparthi for Sri Bhagawan’s birthday celebrations but to observe the

great day in their own place. Elaborate arrangements were made; pictures of Sri

Baba were decorated with large flower

garlands and made ready for Pooja. Worship was duly completed and the devotees

were performing Bhajan. At the same hour, thousands of devotees congregated at

Puttaparthi for the usual birthday celebrations. Sri Sai was happily moving

among them and speaking with them. But, simultaneously, without anyone noticing

it, he transported himself to that far off place where his devotees were

performing Bhajan. On one of the flowers on the right side of the garland

decorating his picture in the Pooja, he appeared in miniature form. Wearing red

clothes and mounting a white horse, he was seen by one and all. The horse was

about an inch tall and his body was about an inch high. He was seen with his

hand raised in benediction. The vision lasted for about three minutes.

Photographs were taken which still exist. The devotees at Puttaparthi never

knew that Sri Sai had been away from them even for a minute. And those who were

doing Bhajan at a place far removed from Puttaparthi had never expected

that Sri Sai would present himself at their celebrations. But once they beheld,

most unexpectedly, the image of Sri Sai in their flower garland their rapturous

joy knew no bounds.

This is but a single instance of Sri Sai's abounding love and affection.

Devotees alone can fully enjoy the bliss of such Mahimas.

The above incident had an interesting sequel. About four days after the birthday

celebrations devotees from that village went to Puttaparthi to have Sri Sai's

Darshan. As soon as he noticed them, he beckoned them to him and smiling softly

said, "You were so good to pray to me with such intense devotion. I therefore

hastened to you on a white horse and appeared before you". The devotees were

delighted to hear those words and told each other that Sri Sai himself stated

what they themselves wanted to tell him in person and had traveled all the way

to Puttaparthi. They bowed to his feet in reverence and went their way.

Common people may think that here is an instance of Sri Sai's immense Mahimas.

But it is but quite a natural and essential part of Sri Sai Bhagawan’s agenda

of providing happiness and mental pleasure to His devotees. Appearing before

those who are facing dangerous situations and rescuing them; assuming various

forms for saving numberless devotees caught in diverse difficulties - such

Mahimas are only a few incidents in the scenes featured in his cosmic stage

play. They are manifestations of his inherent, characteristic principle of

compassion and love. They are inextricable part and parcel of the cosmic

purpose behind his Avatar. In the earlier Avatars, he was overcoming evil

forces and dealing out commensurate punishment to them. In the present Avatar

there is no question of any code of punishment. The dominant

and primary principle is now to transform and correct the evil doers by gentle

persuasion and turn them to the path of virtue and piety. What we are beholding

before us is Prema Avatar. Sri Sai is the encapsulation, personification of

love, pity and kindness. His creed is to save those who are suffering, who are

oppressed. It is our extra-ordinary fortune to be able to see and feel Bhagawan

moving among us, with us, in flesh and blood. May all the people the world over

perform Sri Sathya Sai Vratham with abiding devotion and obtain fulfillment of

their hearts' desires through His divine grace and blessing.

End of Chapter 2

Pooja will be performed again. A coconut or fruit will be offered as naiveidya.

After Aarti the recitation of the Katha will be resumed

TO BE CONTINUED…

With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Divine Lord Sai

Sai brother, M. Palaniswamy

/

 

 

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