Pedda Reddy - Sai Geetha's CareTaker

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saibabanews , satya narayana

<satya_saibabanews909 wrote:

 

Sairam brothers,

 

Following is an incident narrated by one of the brothers during

Parthi Seva who had the chance to speak to Pedda Reddy garu, the

caretaker of Planetarium and Sai Geeta. He asked many questions from

him the answers of which we should all follow in our lives.

 

Here it goes...........

 

" During our seva, we had an opportunity to clear some land within

the institute compound, next to the new bldg, so that they can till

that land for Sai Geeta's fodder.

 

So, we worked there all day. We also had to cut harvest for her. I

felt like a farmer.

 

We enjoyed it. In the evening, we sat with Pedda Reddy garu, the

caretaker of Planetarium and Sai Geeta. He told us some really

startling things.

 

We asked him:

 

Q: Uncle, tell us how u first came to Swami.

 

A: I did my M.Tech in Physics(!!!) and came to Parthi for the first

time. I saw Swami and was instantly convinced that He is God. I do

not know why.

 

After that, I came to Parthi and started staying here. My parents

passed away when I was studying and my siblings were taking care of

me. In 1965, I was called for an interview by Swami. He told me in my

first interview that I would never get married and that I would stay

here for the rest of my life.

 

Q: What happened then? Did you come here immediately?

A: Yes, I stayed here. I thought that even if I get a watchman's

job here, it is worth it when I am doing it for the Lord. Swami gave

me a job as a teacher.

 

Q: How did you happen to become the caretaker of Sai Geeta then?

A: Swami told me to teach. As I was staying here, he said that

since you stay close to where Sai Geeta is, do take care of her also.

That is how I came to look after Sai Geeta. After sometime, the

planetarium came up and Swami told me to take care of it. He told me

to leave the teaching and take care of planetarium, Sai Geeta and the

canteen. He gave me a room in East Prashanti. Sri Kutumb Rao was

incharge of the Ashram those days. Swami told him to give me a room.

 

Q: Tell us about Sai Geeta's early days.

A: Sai Geeta was very close to Swami those days. Everyday her duty

would be to wait outside the Mandir in the morning and she would be

ready with a garland. As soon as Swami would come out of the

interview room, she would garland Him. Swami too was extremely

affectionate towards her and would keep feeding her with delicious

fruits etc.

In fact, Swami would hold her trunk in His armpit and take her to

the interview room. One day, she did not fit and that was the last

time she went in.

Swami would grant her interview for more than an hour each day. I

wonder what He would speak to her.

 

Q: Uncle, did you never feel that you are so qualified and Swami

has given you such a menial job?

A: No. I was ready to be a watchman, remember? So, this is better

than that. Moreover, how does it matter what job you do. I just

decided to stay here. My needs are minimal. My monthly expense is

only Rs. 45 (!!!)

That too is only for my soap, brush and paste. Once in a while,

when Swami gives clothes, I get them stitched. Thats all. Swami has

given me free food in the canteen. So, I dont need to spend more.

 

Q: Uncle, have you never eaten outside the canteen?

A: No. In the last 30 years, I have never eaten anywhere else. I

dont go anywhere even when Swami is not here. I have not moved out

of Parthi for the last 26 years.(!!!) What need can I have? Every

need is taken care of by Swami. I am blessed with good health. I am

67 years old now. I have never had any health problem so far.

 

Q: Uncle, its quite incredible. You have not moved out of Parthi!!

Didnt you ever go to Brindavan either?

A: No. I dont even know how it looks.

 

Q: Did you never feel neglected? Did you never feel that Swami is

not giving you importance?

A: No. The only important person here is Swami. All others are only

in the delusion that they are `important'. You must first understand

this.

You will feel neglected only if you have an expectation. If there

is no expectation, there is no disappointment.

 

Q: When was the last time Swami called you for an interview?

A: Swami has called me only 4 times. The last time He called me for

an interview was in 1990(!!!).

 

Q: Did Swami never speak to you after that??

A: Yes, He does speak whenever I bring Sai Geeta to Mandir. I dont

even come for Darshan on other days. He enquires about her health.

Sometimes, if He comes to Sai Geeta's compound, He speaks. During His

75th birthday celebs, all the Ashram authorities were felicitated. My

name was not in the list. He included my name and blessed me with

clothes and money.

 

Q: Uncle, are you paid for this job?

A: No. What made you think so?

 

Q: How do you manage then?

A: I told you, I dont have to spend for food. Apart from that,

Swami gives stitching charges with clothes once a year. That

suffices. (!!!!!)

 

Q: What about haircut?

A: I cut my own hair. (!!!!!)

 

Q: Uncle, this is true ceiling on desires.

A: It is not so difficult. I am not giving up anything actually. I

never had anything to give up. I still eat everyday. I still bathe

everyday. What else could I possibly need? But there is one thing I

would like to tell you. You should not spend unnecessarily. Spend

where it is required but not unnecessarily.

 

Q: Uncle, dont you ever feel that there are people who do not

practice even half of what you do and are very close to Swami

physically whereas you are so far away doing something which is not

in sync with educational qualification?

A: I do not even know who are close physically to Swami. That keeps

changing. This does not change. Why to compare? With whom to compare?

I have never even expected to be spoken to by Swami. So, why should I

think of all that. I should do my work and offer it to Swami. Let Him

do what He wants to.

 

Q: Uncle, were there any situations where you got into trouble with

Ashram authorities?

A: Haha. Why do you ask? Anyway, there was a time when they wanted

to dismantle the Planetarium. The then AIP, I think his name was

Satyanarayana- came to me and took my signature saying that it was

Swami's command. Later, Swami called me and asked me about it. After

I told him what happened, He said, " Promise me that you will never

put a signature on anything again " . I did that and came away. I dont

know what happened after that.

 

Q: You are really great uncle. You have taught us so many valuable

lessons of life today.

A: No no. Its very easy to be like this. You boys are the true

heroes. You have your offices, studies etc. Still, your love for

Swami makes you come and and do Seva for Him. This is what Swami

wants. "

 

Source: saibabanews/message/17311