Sathya Sai Baba -- Puttaparthi
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The Ratnakaram Raju
Family
The Raju family of Puttaparthi was noted for its piety since the
days of the renowned sage, Venkavadhootha, a saintly ancestor who
was looked upon as a Guru in hundreds of villages around. Not only
did the family build and endow the Gopalaswami Temple (dedicated to
Lord Krishna), but Sri Ratnakaram Kondama Raju, the grandfather of
Bhagawan's physical frame, dedicated a temple to Sathyabhama,
consort of Lord Krishna, a deity to whom this type of homage is
seldom offered in any part of India. Peasants by vocation, they
were known for their musical and dramatic talent and were much
involved in the propagation of the sacred scriptures through
village plays and musicals. Consequently, the family was given the
name ‘Bhat Raju’ (Bhat – priest).
Sri Kondama Raju was a pious soul who lived out his hundred and ten
years of earthly existence in the unceasing contemplation of the
Lord. His wife Srilakshmamma predeceased him by twenty
years.
They had two sons who were both named after Sage Venkavadhootha -
Pedda Venkama Raju and Chinna Venkama Raju. Pedda Venkama Raju, the
elder son, was married to Easwaramma, daughter of Sri Meesaraganda
Subba Raju of Kolimigundla of Kurnool district. Pedda Venkama Raju
and Easwaramma were blessed with a son and two daughters in that
order, Seshama Raju, Venkamma, and
Parvathamma.
Some years passed and Easwaramma longed for another son. She prayed
to the village gods, performed Sathyanarayana Puja and observed a
number of rigorous vows. One day, an extraordinary incident
occurred that heralded the descent of the divine into her womb.
Easwaramma had gone to the village well to draw water. There, she
noticed a strange bluish glow that transformed itself into a
luminous orb. The ball of light then glided towards her and entered
her being. Shortly thereafter, to the joy of her family, Easwaramma
found herself in the family way.
Divine
Portents
After a while, mysterious indications of the impending incarnation
occurred in Pedda Venkama's house. For example, there was the twang
of the tambura! Since the brothers and the father were all
interested in the village operas, there was a big tambura (a string
instrument) and a maddala (drum). As the birth of the son for whom
Mother Easwaramma prayed, announced itself as imminent, the house
was awakened at midnight, and sometimes even later, by the tambura
twanging automatically, and the maddala beating rhythmically as if
an expert Hand was playing on it! One Shastri (Vedic scholar), whom
Pedda Venkama Raju approached for an explanation, said that it was
an auspicious occurrence: it meant the presence of a Shakthi, a
beneficent Power, conferring harmony, spiritual elevation and
joy.
The
Advent
23rd of November, 1926, the Hindu year of Akshaya, meaning, the
Never-declining, the Ever-full. It was the time of sunrise and the
villagers were chanting the names of Lord Shiva, remembering that
the day was still Karthika Somavara, a Monday of the Holy Month of
Karthika, devoted to the puja (worship) of Shiva. That day was made
even more auspicious for Shiva worship, because the ascendant star
was Ardra (the star of Shiva). On this day, when these rare and
propitious signs came together, the people thronged the temples of
the Lord to offer special pujas and pray for His
benediction.
The Mother had also just finished her Sathyanarayana Puja in
accordance with her vows, for, even while she was going through the
final rituals, the pangs forewarned her. When Easwaramma announced
the pangs, word was sent to the mother-in-law, Lakshmamma, the
pious lady of the house; but, it became known that she had gone to
the house of the priest to perform the Puja of Sathya Narayana; the
messenger discovered her there and urged her to return; but she was
so confident of the Grace of Lord Sathyanarayana, so steadfast in
her devotion, so disciplined in her religious adherence, that she
refused to be hustled!
She sent word that she would bring with her the sacred offerings
after the Puja and that on no account would she allow her prayers
to be interrupted! She finished the entire ritual with full
concentration, came home and gave her daughter-in-law the flowers
and the sacred water. Easwaramma partook of the blessings of the
Lord. Next moment, the Lord was born and the Sun rose above the
horizon!
The Divine Child
A very significant event occurred soon after the birth of the
child, which revealed the divinity of the baby. One day, it was
noticed that the bed of clothes on which the baby was lying was
being moved up and down in a peculiar way by something underneath.
They watched with bated breath and when they looked under the bed
they found a cobra underneath! The snake was playing the role of
Sesha to the Seshasai! [Sesha, according to Hindu belief, is the
serpent on whose bed of coil Lord Vishnu rests.]
The baby was named Sathyanarayana because there seemed to be a
significant relationship between the worship to that God and the
realisation of the mother's cherished desire. When the Namakaranam
(Naming Ceremony) was performed and the name was whispered in the
ear; it seems the baby smiled, for the suggestion to give that name
must have emanated unobtrusively from Itself! The embodiment and
exponent of Truth could not give Himself a more appropriate
name.
The little “Brahmajnani”
Little Sathya soon became the pet of the entire village of
Puttaparthi and the farmers and cowherds vied with each other in
fondling it and feeding it and playing with its lovely silken
curls. Its charming smile attracted every one. Like a lighted lamp,
Sathya moved about the house and laughter tinkled in the street
when He lisped His sweet vocabulary of sounds.
The villagers soon started referring to Him as “Brahmajnani”, the
knower and proponent of Brahman or Godhood. Even at a young age,
Sathya was known for His extraordinary love and compassion towards
creation and aversion towards harming any creature. His heart
melted at human suffering. Whenever a beggar appeared at the door
and raised his cry, Sathya abandoned His play and rushed in, to
force His sisters to dole out grain or food. The elders in the
house tried to dissuade Him saying, "Look here! You may give him
food; but, mind you, you will have to starve." That did not daunt
the child; He used to run inside and bring food to the hungry man
at the door; and stay away from dinner or lunch, himself. Nothing
and nobody could persuade Him to come to His plate, which was left
untouched!
While others in the family relished non-vegetarian food, little
Sathya would advise them to desist from such cruel habits. Whenever
such food was cooked in the household, the boy used to run to the
Karnam's (village chief) house, and partake of the food offered by
Subbamma, the aged lady residing there, for they were Brahmins and
vegetarians.
So distinct was His behaviour that a wag once nicknamed Him "the
Brahmin child"! Yes, it was a fitting description. Little did that
wag know that, while in the previous body, this child, so laughed
at now, had declared at Shirdi, "This Brahmin can bring lakhs of
men on the White path and take them to their
destination!"
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