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

[Guest guest]

The first All India Sai Devotees' convention set the pattern for other

conventions, held in later years. Eight conventions were held in Swamiji's

life time in the following places : I. Madras (1946), II. Coimbatore (1947),

III. Madurai (1949), IV. Calcutta (1950), V. Dharwar (1951), VI. Poona

(1952), VII. Bombay (1953) and VIII. Baroda (1954).

 

Narasimha Swamiji's age and declining health prevented him from attending

subsequent conventions held far away from Madras. Close associates of

Swamiji in Sai-service, such as Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji,

(President of Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore) and Sri Kesavaiahji (Later on

the founder President of Sri Sai Baba Bhakta Samajam, Shenoy Nagar, Madras)

were deputed to preside over the conventions. Publishing convention

souvenirs of large size came into practice.

 

SAI SUDHA: In 1940, Sri Narasimha Swamiji started the 'Sai Sudha' monthly

with English, Tamil, Sanskrit and Telugu sections. Swamiji published

'Devotees Experiences' in three parts in English and Tamil and also his tour

programmes in advance.

 

After his lecture tours, local devotees and organisers sent reports of his

work for publication. In the midst of his lecture tours and other work

connected with Sai literature, Swamiji attended to his daily duties. He

promptly replied all the letters addressed to him and did all correspondence

himself. He granted interviews, presided over committee meetings, and annual

general body meetings and directed the daily activities at head quarters.

 

Swamiji inaugurated the three annual festivals, namely, Sri Ramanavami,

Gurupoornima and Baba's Mahasamadhi day on the pattern of Shirdi.

Laksharchana, Bhajans, devotional music, spiritual discourses and

poor-feeding formed the main programmes of these festivals. At All India Sai

Samaj Sri Ramanavami and Mahasamadhi day were celebrated for ten days

organising devotional music programmes and religious discourses. Calendars

containing Baba's pictures, lockets and slides were made and sold at nominal

price. Free distribution of post card size Baba's photo was also done by

Swamiji along with Baba's Udi-prasad. On 15th May, 1954, Sai Free Dispensary

was opened by Swamiji' at the All India Sai Samaj for the benefit of the

slum dwellers, library and Sai Vidyalaya were opened after Swamiji's period

to fulfil his long cherished desire.

 

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