A BRIEF LIFE SKETCH OF GURUDEV H. H. NARASIMHA SWAMIJI

[Guest guest]

SRI NARASIMHA SWAMIJI'S SAI-PRACHAR

 

Sri B.V. Narasimha Swamiji felt, how important it was to spread the

spiritual life and message of Baba throughout our country. So, he looked for

the biography on Baba. He got Dasganu Maharaja's 'Sai Leelamrit' in Marathi,

'Glimpses of Spirituality' by Raobahadur M.W. Pradhan and also 'Sai

Satcharita' in verse in Marathi, written by Annasaheb Dabholkar.

 

His first publication 'Who is Sai Baba' was released in 1939. His next work

'Wondrous Saint' has been translated into Telugu, Hindi, Bengali and

Gujrathi. 'Charters and Sayings by Narasimha Swamiji' came out next with a

foreword by Baba's ankita child justice M. B. Rege. The author's next work

was 'Gospel of Sri Sai Baba', which had been translated into Tamil, Telugu,

Hindi and Malyalam. Swamiji composed hymns in Sanskrit, entitled 'Sri

Sainath Smaranam', which was translated into Tamil and .English. In 1944,

Swamiji wrote a play in seven acts in Tamil, entitled 'Sri Sai Charita

Natakam'. Swamiji also wrote 'Sri Sai Harikalha' to popularise Sai-movement

through kalakshepam (musical discourse).

 

Sri Narasimha Swamiji commenced his great task of writing a detailed

biography of Sri Sai Baba in English. The first two volumes were published

in March, 1943 and July, 1956 respectively. Although the manuscripts were

ready for volume III and volume IV, these two came out as posthumous works

in 1957 and 1969. 'Glimpses of Sai Baba' by Narasimha Swamiji was published

in 1945. In addition to these, he published many other books on Sai Baba,

many of which have been translated into many Indian languages, like Tamil,

Telugu, Marathi etc.

 

It became necessary to formulate a systematic way of conducting Sai

worship. So, Swamiji wrote 'Sri Sainath Pooja Vidhi' and 'Sai Sahasranamam'

in addition to the ashtotaram, already in use and practice. This is

published in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Canareese.

 

CONVENTIONS : Swamiji thought of holding an All India Sai Devotees'

convention. It became necessary for a conference to be held, in which the

devotees from all Sai Samajas can participate. This conference held annually

or once in two or three years, would discuss problems and measures to

strengthen and expand Sai-movcmcnt. The president of the All India Sai Samaj

was elected the president of the reception committee. The First All India

Sai Devotees' convention was organised for four days from 16lh May to 19th

May, 1946 at P. S. High School, Mylapore, Madras. Two hundred delegates and

a large number of local devotees attended the convention. Proceedings opened

daily with archana and pooja to" Sri Sainath Maharaj. Sri Martand, son of

late Sri Mhalsapali attended the convention. Poojya Sri Narasimha Swamiji,

founded president, All India Sai Samaj and many others, like Sri Kesavaiahji

of Shenoy Nagar, Madras and Martand spoke on various aspects of Baba, His

teachings etc., in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Delegates discussed activities

and problems of their upasamajas and samajas. Delegates and many

participants of the convention narrated their experiences as Sai devotees.

The cultural programme of the convention included devotional music, Sai

Harikatha in Tamil and Telugu drama, depicting the life of Baba.

 

Bow to Sri Sai Peace be to all

to be contd...

- Sai Mani R. Jayamani

Madras, Tamil Nadu.

(As appeared in Shri Sai Leela May – June 1993)

 

Source : http://saileelas.org/articles.htm