EL DESPERTAR SAI: THE DIVINE STORY OF SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI 41-46

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SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI
PART - 41
(Continued from the previous issue)

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EPISODE 22

ACT XV - SCENE 1

Kondama’s house

SATHYA: Venkamma, enough. The pain will go off by itself.

SUBBAMMA: Boy, is it paining much? That wicked fellow tortured the poor innocent child and even shaved the head.

EASWARAMMA: Subbamma! I pleaded that Sathya should not be taken to that witch doctor; but no one listened to my words! That evil man has even slashed the scalp. How much my dear boy would have suffered! I don’t know how He was able to bear it all.

SISTER: We were under the impression that he would merely chant some incantations and set things right. We did not even dream that he would inflict torture like this.

KONDAMA RAJU: If, instead of treating, he inflicted torture like this, he cannot be a native doctor; rather, he must be the devil itself!

SISTER: Grandpa, all his methods were brutal. That’s why, we quietly escaped without anyone’s knowledge and came away. If we had not, he would have caused even greater harm to Sathyam.

FATHER: Seshama had at least that much sense!

SUBBAMMA: Easwaramma, right away stop all these crazy treatments. Sathyam is the boon of Lord Sathya Narayana. That God will be the support of Sathyam and protect Him. I will now take your leave, Easwaramma. ….Sathyam I will be back later.

SATHYA: Alright Subbamma. ……[To sister who is trying to apply balm] No, Venkamma, it would heal on its own.

SISTER: Sathyam, don’t say that! Unless some medicine is applied, it cannot heal on its own.

EASWARAMMA: My dear boy, don’t say no; allow the medicine to be applied.

SATHYA: No!

KONDAMA: Sathyam my boy, as Your Mother says, if the medicine is applied, the healing would be quicker. After that, You can play with Your friends and sing, or else both of us can go for a walk to the Chitravathi river, OK?

SATHYA: OK, grandpa.

SCENE 2

Kondama’s house. Mother combing hair.

KONDAMA RAJU: Look! There is hair on the head! Boy, has the pain subsided completely?

SATHYA: Grandpa, pain can come down only if it was present in the first place!

KONDAMA: Yes, You know not what pain is! Before Your endurance, all pains vanish!

SATHYA: Grandpa, if one has the strength of mind, no pain can come near.

FATHER: Easwari, it appears that Sathyam wants to return to Uravakonda and complete the studies.

EASWARAMMA: Please no! I don’t care if Sathyam does not study. For me it is enough if He is with us. I want Him to be in good health, that is all.

FATHER: Easwari, I fully understand your feelings and the anguish. But now that Sathyam’s health has improved, we must give thought to His future.

SISTER: Well Sathyam, do You insist on going back to Uravakonda?

SATHYA: Sister, I insist on going back, and nothing can change My decision.

KONDAMA: Alright, let it be according to His wish.

SCENE 3

Seshama’s house in Uravakonda.

RAMA RAJU: Seshama Raju!

SESHAMA: Oh, it is you! Please come, come in.

RAMA RAJU: Greetings.

SESHAMA: Sit down.

ALL: Greetings.

SESHAMA: What brings all the elders here? What is the matter?

RAMA RAJU: Seshama Raju, Sathyam may be your brother but to all of us, He is Divine. Everyone is full of praise for the various miracles.

SESHAMA: My brother Sathyam is a young lad. At times, perhaps His behaviour is a bit queer.

MAN: How can you speak so light-heartedly? Being your brother, to you He may seem strange but to all of us, He is God!

LAKSHMI NARAYANA: We have come to reverentially invite Sathyam and also His family, to visit Hampi.

RAMA RAJU: We believe that if Sathyam visits our place, it would be sanctified and become prosperous.

MAN: Kindly accept our invitation and bring Sathyam.

RAMA RAJU: Enjoy the beauty of the sculptures of Hampi and have the Darshan of Virupaksha. Also come to Hospet and accept our hospitality.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, shall we go to Hampi and have the Darshan of Virupaksha?

SATHYA: As you wish.

SESHAMA: It is not my wish; the elders have all come to invite You and I cannot say yes unless You agree.

SATHYA: I have already told you – as you wish.

SUSEELA: Please! Can You come inside for a minute?

SESHAMA: Excuse me, I’ll be back in a minute.

RAMA RAJU: Boy, You must definitely come. Please don’t deny our wish. Everyone in our town is eagerly looking forward to receiving You.

SUSEELA: I believe a change of place and a visit to the temples can do a lot of good to Sathya. Please accept their request and do not say no.

SESHAMA: OK.

SESHAMA [to visitors]: How can I say no when you are inviting us with such great affection? We consider it our good fortune to be able to have the Darshan of Virupaksha. We will definitely come.

ALL: We are very happy. We will now take our leave and hope to see you soon.

SESHAMA: Very good, gentlemen.

SCENE 4

Hampi.

SESHAMA: Brother, look there!

RAMA RAJU: That’s Hampi, a wondrous city famous for its sculptures. They say that at one time, diamonds and other precious stones used to be sold here in heaps!

SESHAMA: Yes.

MAN: Seshama Raju, this is the Hall of Thousand Pillars.

SESHAMA: Is this the one?

ELDER: Yes, if you strike the pillar here, the seven musical notes can be heard.

RAMA RAJU: Not merely that. In the days of the Raya Dynasty, this hall reverberated to dance and music by great performers.

SESHAMA: All those glories belong to the past. Those days are gone and so also the kingdoms.

SATHYA: Even so, they have been enshrined in history, and in the beauty of these sculptures.

SESHAMA: My word! These sculptures are beautiful and pulsate with life! ….This is the thousand-pillared hall, and they say that if the structure is struck here, seven notes can be heard.

MAN: Look at this wonder in stone; it is a chariot and looks beautiful even after exposure for hundreds of years. Every inch of this town, Hampi is beautiful!

SATHYA: You seem to be interested only in Creation and not the Creator!

SESHAMA: Look, these sculptures are so beautiful, and absolutely unaffected by exposure to weather and rain for so many centuries.

SATHYA: The sculptures are beautiful no doubt, but much greater are those who gave life to stone.

SESHAMA: Yes that is true; the Kings of the Vijayanagaram Empire have produced another creation.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, don’t you like the beauty of the sculptures of Hampi?

SATHYA: Brother, to me all sculptures are beautiful. Moreover, I see in these figures the great sculptors themselves!

SESHAMA: What? You see the sculptors? Does that mean You do not see sculptures at all?

SATHYA: External beauty is seen by all but internal beauty is visible only to a few. I am able to see not only the sculptures but also those who carved them.

RAMA RAJU: Sathyam identifies the inner aspect of everything.

MAN: If everyone sees the trees, Sathyam can see even the roots!

SATHYA: Without roots, there cannot be a tree. Without a chisel, the stone cannot become a sculpture. Without the hand, the chisel is useless. Without a steady mind, the hand cannot do what it is supposed to do. Without the thought of God, there can be no calm mind. And without the merits of earlier births, there can be no thoughts of the Divine!

SESHAMA: Have you heard the words of our boy? How unusual they sound! Are they what one expects from a boy of that age?

MERCHANT: Seshama Raju, Sathyam is a child philosopher!

SESHAMA RAJU: I wonder. He doesn’t speak and act like boys of His age ought to.

RAMA RAJU: This is the temple of Virupaksha. Please come in.

SESHAMA: Brother, You also come inside.

MERCHANT: Come, let’s go into the sanctum and have the Darshan of Virupaksha.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, why are standing outside, instead of coming into the temple?

SATHYA: You go and have Darshan, while I wait here.

RAMA RAJU: Having come to Hampi, how can You go without the Darshan of Virupaksha? Come inside!

SESHAMA: I told you earlier that His actions are strange. No one can predict what He will say and what He will do. If He does not want to come, it does not matter. Let us go inside and have Darshan. Sathyam, You take charge of this luggage and sit here. Don’t be absent-minded! ……………Come, let’s go inside.

Priests chanting.

PRIEST: Name?

SESHAMA: Seshama Raju.

PRIEST: The name is Seshama Raju…… Lineage?

SESHAMA: Bharadwaja Gotram.

Priests chanting.

SESHAMA: Sathyam appears to be visible in the idol of Virupaksha!…….. Hey, it really looks like Sathyam! We told Him to take care of the luggage, and how did He come in here?

MAN: Yes it is true! How did He come here?

SESHAMA: I too cannot understand that. Did He come when we were not looking? Let me go out and check; you stay right here.

MAN: OK.

Seshama comes out.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, were You here all the time?

SATHYA: Yes brother, I have been only here.

SESHAMA: You are sure You did not go anywhere?

SATHYA: No.

SESHAMA: OK. Stay right here.

Seshama goes in.

SESHAMA: It is all very surprising. Is it that I alone am able to see Him or is He visible to others also? …..Sathyam, ……. one minute…..move aside.

Comes out again.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, did You come inside?

SATHYA: Inside? What do you mean?

SESHAMA: You mean You were only here all the time?

SATHYA: Yes.

SESHAMA: OK, OK, don’t go anywhere. Stay right here and mind the luggage.

SATHYA: Yes.

Goes in.

RAMA RAJU: Seshama, did you go out to check if Sathyam was there or not?

SESHAMA: Yes.

MERCHANT: Was He there?

SESHAMA: Yes, He was there; but He is here also! I just don’t understand!

ELDER: We told you! Sathyam is no ordinary boy. There is Divinity in Him, and all these are His miracles.

SESHAMA: To me, it all seems to be imagination!

R.RAJU: Seshama, it is not imagination, but a fact.

SESHAMA: It’s all topsy-turvy!

SATHYA: Did you have a good Darshan of Virupaksha?

SESHAMA: Very well indeed. I also prayed to Virupaksha to bless You with intelligence and good education.

SATHYA: Brother, God’s vision falls equally on all but only those who respond to it earn His Grace. Everyone can see that the rays of the Sun illumine the whole world, but how many are conscious of the blazing fire in the Sun? With a magnifying glass, one can demonstrate the fire in the Sun. Likewise some minds can see God. If we turn to God with intense and pure devotion, then He, in turn, will shower Grace with His vision.

SESHAMA: You all heard what He said! This is an example of His strange behaviour.

RAMA RAJU: Now that the sight-seeing is over, please come to my house and accept my hospitality.

SESHAMA: OK. Come, let’s go.

- END OF EPISODE 22 -

SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI
PART - 42
(Continued from the previous issue)

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EPISODE 23

ACT XVI - SCENE 1

Rama Raju’s house

RAMA RAJU: Seshama Raju, we are indeed very happy that you brought your brother Sathyam to our town.

SESHAMA: It was our pleasure to receive your kind hospitality.

RAMA RAJU: Places visited by the pious become holy and sacred. In such places, even the grains of sand contemplate on the Divine! ……..Seshama Raju, please accept this token of our affection.

SESHAMA: Oh no! Why all this! Your love and affection alone are more than enough.

RAMA RAJU: It is our tradition to honour our respected guests; please take this…… That one is for Sathyam….. The collar pin will look very beautiful on You. Please accept.

SATHYA: This is made of gold. Gold lies beneath our feet as ore inside the earth. The ore is first taken out, put in fire and then refined. Only then it becomes the precious metal that everyone admires. Just as objects gain beauty with processing, man develops Divinity with culture and refinement.

MAN: How nicely put!

SATHYA: I have no attachment for such things, but since you have given it with love, I am accepting it.

RAMA RAJU: We hope you will come again and give us happiness.

SESHAMA: Most certainly! We can never forget your hospitality. We now take your leave.

ALL: Thank you!

SCENE 2

Seshama Raju’s house

RAMESH: Raju, Raju!

SATHYA: Hello Ramesh, how are you?

RAMESH: I am fine, and how about you, Raju?

SATHYA: I am OK.

MAHESH: We heard that You had returned, and immediately rushed here. Raju, without You, the School seemed lifeless.

RAMESH: Raju, when will You start coming back to School?

SATHYA: I am thinking of coming from tomorrow.

RAMESH: You must come without fail. If You sing the prayer song, it is so nice. Right now, there is no one who can sing like You.

MAHESH: The Telugu Teacher also said the same thing.

RAMESH: The Principal too!

MAHESH: Raju, You must definitely come tomorrow and sing the Prayer.

SATHYA: I’ll certainly come. I like you both, and you two will always be there, wherever I am!

RAMESH: OK Raju, we will now go.

MAHESH: From tomorrow, You must definitely come to School.

SCENE 3

Boys walking near tree

RAMESH: Raju, You are back in School, just like You said. It is wonderful!

MAHESH: The classes are going on fine.

GAFUR KHAN: Raju, I’m happy You are back again.

RAMESH: Raju, this is interesting. What’s this dazzling object?

SATHYA: It is a collar pin.

MAHESH: Is it made of gold?

SATHYA: Yes, it is a gold pin.

GAFUR: Great Raju! Did You buy it?

SATHYA: No. When I went to Hampi, Rama Raju gave it to me as a token of love. He would not listen to My refusal. So, in order not to hurt him, I accepted the pin.

RAMESH: The collar pin looks very nice on You, Raju.

SATHYA: More than the body, the mind ought to be beautiful. More than the dress, behaviour ought to be beautiful. More than ornaments, feelings must be beautiful. Only then would the world be filled with spirituality, and life would become sanctified.

GAFUR: Raju, Your words sound just like the holy Quran!

BOY: Raju, Your words are too big for our small minds!

MAHESH: There goes the bell!

ALL: Come on, let’s go!

BOY: Come, Raju!

Boys run

Collar pin lost.

SCENE 4

Seshama’s house

SESHAMA: I say, what kind of impertinence and arrogance is this?

SATHYA: I am not yours. Illusion has left and My devotees are calling Me. The time has arrived for Me to start the work for which I have come. I will not stay here any longer, not even for one more moment. I am going.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, stop! …. Sathyam, stop!…… Where are You going?

SATHYA: To the inevitable goal!

SESHAMA: What kind of meaningless words are these?

SATHYA: You cannot understand the words of those seeking higher realms. Don’t stop Me. Let Me go My way!

SUSEELA: Sathyam, don’t slight the words of elders. Listen to the words of Your elder brother.

SATHYA: Old, young, rich, poor, male, female – all these are the same to Me! For those who have given up all these, the world is the home!

SESHAMA: Sathyam!…Sathyam,……Sathyam, stop! Are You going to listen to my words or not?

SATHYA: The word “MY” is the form of ego! Ego is an invisible poison whereas the Knowledge of the Atma is ambrosia. It is the stepping stone to the path of Liberation.

SESHAMA: Cut out all this foolish philosophy! Let me see how you will defy this brother of yours and go!

SATHYA: Give up this effort to stop Me. No power can stop Me. Move out of the way!

SESHAMA: Sathyam, our parents have entrusted You and the responsibility of bringing You up to me. I have to discharge that responsibility. Listen to me. Stay at home till they come. Don’t go anywhere.

SATHYA: No!

SESHAMA: If You refuse, do you know I will use force to drag You inside?

SATHYA: Stop! Do you know who I am?

SESHAMA: You may believe Yourself to be anything, but to me, You are my brother Sathyam.

SATHYA: You are referring to mere worldly relationship, but for Me, there are now no bonds or attachments.

Sathya walks away

SCENE 5

Sathya on rock

Sings Manasa Bhajare

People come

Aarathi

ANJANEYULU: I am not wise enough to speak to You, but let me anyway mention some thoughts that come to my mind. Don’t go against Your brother’s words. By all means, perform Bhajans here and give Darshan to devotees here, but don’t stay away from home.

LADY: Your elder brother is like Your father. He should not feel pain. So, please go back home.

SATHYA: To one who is liberated from all bondage, everything is the same. The work for which I have come, is just beginning. None must try to stop Me. It is impossible for anyone to do so!

- END OF EPISODE 23 -

SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI
PART - 43
(Continued from the previous issue)

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ACT XVII - SCENE 1

SESHAMA: Suseela, can you please get me some water?

SUSEELA: Yes I will. But tell me did you write to your father and mother?

SESHAMA: Well, I have sent a messenger immediately. But I am still not able to decide whether Sathyam’s behaviour is due to immaturity or mental imbalance.

SUSEELA: Why should we think that way? Why can’t it be the Will of Providence? If there is no Divinity in Him, then how can we explain the Vibhuti and all those other articles that He materializes? And why will so many people offer Aarathi to Sathyam? Look at it this way - ants gather only where there is jaggery and similarly devotees flock only where there is Divinity!

SESHAMA: What Divinity and what devotees are you talking about?! I don’t see any. No matter how many times I call Him back home, He refuses to come. When father and mother arrive and we hand Him over to them, our responsibility would be over.

SUSEELA: When I take food to Him, He says, “Offer it as Naivedyam [sacred offering] to God.” To the devotees, He says, “Perform worship on Thursdays”. We just don’t know what Sathyam will do till mother-in-law and father-in-law come.

SESHAMA: Well, I guess we will have to wait and see.

SCENE 2

ANJANEYULU: Rama Rao, you must take very good photos of Sathyam. They must be terrific!

RAMA RAO: Anjaneyulu, it is your good fortune that Sathyam is in your garden; and it is my good fortune to be able to photograph Him. Just watch, I will take a great picture!

ANJANEYULU: OK, go ahead.

RAMA RAO: Anjaneyulu, remove that small stone in front of the boy.

SATHYA: No; leave the stone where it is; it must appear in the picture.

ANJANEYULU: OK.

RAMA RAO: Smile please!

SCENE 3

KONDAMA: What is it that you are reading with so much agitation? Is it a letter from Seshama?

VENKAMA RAJU: Yes, father.

EASWARAMMA: What’s the matter? Has something happened again to Sathyam?

VENKAMA: Easwari, don’t get agitated. You know about our Sathyam; His behaviour has once again turned peculiar.

EASWARAMMA: That is why I am asking you. What has happened now?

VENKAMA: Seshama says that the other day, Sathyam suddenly declared that He would not attend school anymore. And that He does not need any further studies and has no bonds. Sathyam said that He has a lot of work to do, and that He is SAI!

EASWARAMMA: What is Seshama doing about all this?

VENKAMA: What can Seshama do? Sathyam does not listen to either his word or threat. Instead of staying in His elder brother’s house, Sathyam has established Himself in Anjaneyulu’s garden, and is performing Bhajans there!

EASWARAMMA: Father-in-law, we must immediately go to Uravakonda and see what has happened to Sathyam.

VENKAMA: This Sathyam’s affair is very perplexing; I cannot make out anything from all this.

KONDAMA: Listen Venkama, our perception is very limited. Whatever happens is the Will of God. People study in order to earn wealth but my grandson is renouncing worldly education in favour of Higher Realms. While others are in quest of worldly happiness, my grandson is after the Wealth of Spiritual Wisdom. Sathyam, the lamp of our family, will illumine the whole world. OK, if you wish, go and bring Sathyam back to Puttaparthi.

VENKAMA: Sambamurthi!

SAMBA: Sir?

VENKAMA: Please inform Seshama that we are on our way.

SAMBA: Will do so at once, sir.

SCENE 4

ANJANEYULU: My dear boy, I have brought Prasaadam for You. Today is Thursday. Since morning You have had nothing, except a little milk. Kindly partake of this Prasaadam.

SATHYA: Is it Naivedyam [a sacred offering] or Prasaadam [remnant of a scared offering]?

ANJANEYULU: For You, it is Naivedyam, and for us it is Prasaadam! Pray accept.

SATHYA: The leaf is full of food but every morsel of it has the taste of the whole. The ocean is full of water but every drop of it has the same quality as the entire ocean. In the same way, every man has all the qualities of God. Everything we eat is the gift of God.

ANJANEYULU: It is so wonderful to listen to Your words! They bring fulfilment to our lives. It is due to the merit earned in earlier lives that we are able to have the proximity of a Noble One like You!

SATHYA: Here, I have touched this Naivedyam with My hand; take it now as Prasaadam.

ANJANEYULU: This was specially made for You. Please have at least a tiny bit.

SATHYA: People say, “This was harvested in my field,” “I have cooked it,” and so on. You are a spark of the Divine. Everything is God – the field, the crop, and every happening, including harvesting and cooking. God harvests, God cooks, and God is also the One Who tastes. The word “I” is the sure sign of ego. If you give it up, it is equal to giving up the whole world!

This tastes good. Do you know what is in it?

ANJANEYULU: I do not know.

SATHYA: Taste! The Divine is hidden in the devotee, in the same way taste is hidden in the pudding.

ANJANEYULU: Ah, blessed are we!

RAMA RAO: Anjananeyulu, did you see this great wonder! There is an idol of Shirdi Baba in the photo, in place of this stone!

ANJANEYULU: My God! How did Shirdi Baba appear?

RAMA RAO: Remember I wanted the stone removed and the young Swami did not permit it? Now do you see the miracle!

ANJANEYULU: What a wonder! We did not know that Shirdi Baba was in the stone! Devotees! Look here! In this photo taken yesterday by Rama Rao, this stone is seen as an idol of Shirdi Baba!

SATHYA: There, Maya is coming! Everything is an illusion. Who is what to whom? To Me, all are one.

EASWARAMMA: Sathyam, what kind of words are these? What are these ceremonies and Bhajans? My boy, I am unable to understand Your behaviour! What’s all this?

SATHYA: The path of devotion and love to the Highest Realm. If understood, it is the easiest!

EASWARAMMA: What’s all this philosophy?

SATHYA: This is not dry philosophy but the highest Truth!

EASWARAMMA: I don’t understand all this. I know only one thing and that is my love for my child. My boy, understand the heart of this mother and know the pain it is suffering.

SATHYA: Take a look at this idol.

EASWARAMMA: Do you see Shirdi Baba next to Sathyam?

VENKAMA: How did Babaji come here? It is most surprising.

SATHYA: God is everywhere! It is our duty to realise that.

EASWARAMMA: What are You saying? ….What is this boy saying?

VENKAMA: Sathyam, I am not able to understand Your feelings. You say that You are on Your way to becoming the beacon to those in quest of the nobler purpose of life. What is all this?

EASWARAMMA: Boy, this is not good at this age. And do not belie the dreams of Your parents.

VENKAMA: Are You trying to become a renunciate in Your childhood? Before You save the world, You must first help Your mother who gave birth to You, Your father who brought You up, and other elders who have strained for Your welfare. That is Your Dharma, and don’t forget that! Listen to me! Change Your decision!

EASWARAMMA: Sathyam my boy, we don’t know what’s in Your mind. Come at once to Your brother’s house, and explain to us in a manner we can understand about what is in Your mind. We must know what You want to do, right? Look my boy, listen to my words. Sathyam, don’t refuse this wish of Your mother.

SCENE 5

SESHAMA: Mother, father! I am the eldest son of the family. All of us thought that the younger son Sathyam would receive English education and secure a Government job. We have worked very hard towards that end but with no result. His path seems to be different. Instead of being in the world, He is aspiring to be spiritual. Instead of the body, He loves the Atma. Divinity and meditation are His very breath. He says He is God. He says that He has no earthly bondage and that He will go wherever He wants. That is why I sent for you both, and asked you to come immediately. Please put some sense into Him.

VENKAMA: Seshama, that stage has passed. I don’t think that Sathyam, who wants to reach out to the wide world, will listen to our words. Maybe she can try…..

EASWARAMMA: Whether He listens or not, it is our duty to try. Suseela dear, please get some food.

SUSEELA: Yes mother-in-law.

SUSEELA: Here, mother-in-law.

EASWARAMMA: Sathyam my boy, please accept three handfuls of food from Your mother’s hand.

SATHYA: Illusion, illusion!

SESHAMA: Mother, He is calling you illusion!

SATHYA: No more bondage; illusion is gone, illusion is gone!

EASWARAMMA: What bondage, what freedom? Is it for declaring that I gave You three handfuls of food? My boy Sathyam, what’s all this? Maybe we are in illusion and we are ourselves illusion, but You are beyond illusion. Therefore my boy, we will not come in Your way. We will not argue either. But don’t go away from us to some cave, or to the Himalayas. Sathyam my boy, promise Your mother that You will stay in Puttaparthi. Let Your devotees come there, and I will gladly receive them.

SATHYA: I have chosen Puttaparthi as My arena. I am granting this wish not only to you, but to the village of Puttaparthi and to whole world.

VENKAMA: Seshama, make arrangements for our return. We will go back tomorrow itself, before He changes His mind! We will take Him to Puttaparthi.

EASWARAMMA: My boy’s mind does not change. True to His name, He will always speak the Truth.

- END OF SCENE 5 -

SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI
PART - 44
(Continued from the previous issue)

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Episode 25

ACT XVIII - SCENE 1

PRINCIPAL: Students! In the past, Sathyam used to lead the Prayer Session everyday. And we all know He was very good at it. But Sathyam has now discontinued School and taken to the spiritual path. He has resolved to go on the path of devotion, and will soon make His Voice of Love heard all over the world. So, today I want one of you to lead the Prayer Session. Gafur Khan, you come here and start the proceedings.

Gafur Khan at the behest of his principal leads the prayer session.

But despite that there is an air of vacuum. All the boys, including Gafur were so used to seeing their Sathyam lead the prayer session that somehow that day’s session left a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction in their hearts. Sensing this, the principal said:

PRINCIPAL: Boys, calm down! Sathyam gave His love to all of you, and along with that a Prayer Song that will remain in our hearts for all time to come. Your love for Sathyam is very evident. Instead of merely singing a prayer song, you have all poured out your hearts. Now that the session is over, all of you may go to your respective classes.

SCENE 2

LADY: So they brought Raju back to Puttaparthi.

LADY 2: Is that so?

LEELA: Vasanthamma, this is Kondama Raju’s grandson Raju, is he not?

VASANTHA: Yes, this is Raju, the son of Easwaramma. When young, He along with His friends used to play on the sands of Chitravathi. What a glorious sight it used to be! Later when He went away to Uravakonda for studies, Chitravathi felt lonely.

LEELA: Well, He is back again and seeing Him, Chitravathi seems happier than even us!

VASANTHA: Do you know that there is Divinity in Raju? It seems that He sings and conducts Bhajans, gives Discourses and all that. That’s why He discontinued studies and has returned to Puttaparthi. Isn’t that wonderful? How radiant He is!

SURESH: Raju, do You know that after You went to Uravakonda, we all felt most miserable?

SATHYA: I know.

RAVI: Raju, we were all eagerly looking forward to Your return.

SATHYA: Happy to hear that.

SURENDRA: Raju, You must always be with us, and we must all play once more on the banks of Chitravathi.

KASI: Wow! Look how many fruits this tamarind tree has!

SURENDRA: That’s right, so many tamarind fruits here!

SURESH: What a thing to say, as if there will be guavas on a tamarind tree! Sathyam, what do You say?

SATHYA: You want guavas?

SURESH: Guavas from a tamarind tree? Well, pluck one and let us see!

GROUP: Laughter.

SURESH: Guava!

RAVI: Yes!

SURENDRA: Where is Raju?

GROUP: Raju, Raju!

SURESH: Hey! Raju is on the tree!

SURENDRA: Raju, I want grapefruit.

SATHYA: OK.

KAMESH: Raju, I want oranges.

SATHYA: Alright, here are two oranges.

SURENDRA: Raju!

SATHYA: What fruit do you want?

SURENDRA: I want an apple!

GROUP: Apple, apple!

BOY: Raju, I want a banana.

SATHYA: You want a banana?

BOY: Hey! The tamarind has become a banana! Raju, Raju!

BOY 2: Raju, Raju, I want citrus fruits.

SATHYA: Oh alright.

BOY: Citrus fruit!

BOY 2: Whatever anyone asks Raju gives!

CHORUS: Raju, Raju,…..Where is He? Raju!

SURENDRA: Over there! There He is!

SURENDRA: Hey, He is there also;… now He has vanished!

BOY: Yes, He cannot be seen.

BOY 2: Yes, and it is all very strange!

GROUP: Raju, Raju!

SURENDRA: Here! ….Raju is here!

GROUP: Raju, You are here!

SURENDRA: Raju, when You disappeared, do You know how anxious we were?

SURESH: Just now we saw You here on the banks of the Chitravathi. Raju, how did You suddenly come there?

SATHYA: I am everywhere. How can you search for Me in just one place?

BOY: It is all so very mysterious! From one tree, You gave us so many fruits! Raju, did You chant any mantras?

BOY 2: Yes, Raju, did You chant any mantras?

SATHYA: It is neither magic nor mantra. Divinity can always alter the nature of Creation. That is all there is to it. Anyway, let us leave that aside; shall we all go now to the Hanuman Temple?

GROUP: Yes. Let’s go, Raju.

SCENE 3

GROUP: Jai Hanuman! Jai Anjaneya!

BOY: Come, let’s circumambulate.

GROUP: Jai Hanuman, Jai Anjaneya, Jai Hanuman, Jai Anjaneya!

ANJANEYA: Rama! Sri Rama!

SATHYA: Hanuman!

ANJANEYA: Sri Ramachandra! Sri Rama! Swami! Sri Rama should not go round Hanuman; rather, it should be the other way around. Ram, Ram, Ram, Ram,……

RAVI: Raju, instead of going round, why are You just standing? Come, let’s circumambulate.

SATHYA: Hanuman is holding My feet! I can’t take even one step!

RAVI: Hanuman holding Your Feet? Good God! Where?

GROUP: Where is Hanuman? We can’t see him!

RAVI: Hanuman is not to be seen!

SURESH: Raju, are You joking?

GROUP: Come, let’s pull. Come on, hold on fast and pull!

RAVI: Raju, is Hanuman really holding Your Feet?

SURESH: Then, are You Sri Ramachandra? Tell us!

GROUP: Tell us, Raju, tell us! Are You Sri Ramachandra?

GROUP: Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, …. [they repeat 7 times].

BOY: Raju, what a dazzling Darshan You gave us in the Form of Sri Ramachandra!

SATHYA: In future, you will see even more of the grandeur of My Avatar. Come, let’s go.

GROUP: Raju, we are indeed most fortunate!

SCENE 4

MAN/PEOPLE: That is Kondama Raju, the grandfather of the Young Swami.

KONDAMA: You are a liberated soul, a form of God, and the Jewel of the Ratnakara family. I have had the good fortune of seeing God in form of my grandson. I have now brought these fruits not as a grandfather, but as a devotee! Please accept!

SATHYA: O old and Wise one, you are equal to the Divine! Good be unto you!

KONDAMA: In my time, I have, with these hands, offered the first morsel of food to many babies, initiated many children into education, and blessed many marriages. With these hands, I have also carried many grandsons and granddaughters. They were the hands of Your grandfather but Your hands will confer universal good. They will perform great deeds for the world. …….. I ask, not as Your grandfather but as a devotee, please apply Vibhuti on my forehead with Your Sacred hands. That would be the ultimate fulfilment.

MAN/PEOPLE: Salutations!

EASWARAMMA: My boy Sathyam, who are You really? Are You my Sathyam or something else? And what are all these powers?

SATHYA: When the time comes, you will know all the answers.

- END OF EPISODE 25 -

SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI - PART 45
(Continued from the previous issue)

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ACT XIX

SCENE 1

LADY 1: Did you hear that this Young Swami is God? It seems that people from all the surrounding places are flocking to have the darshan of Bala Swami.

LADY 2: Sister, I too want to have the darshan of this Young Swami. Shall we all go together for darshan?

GROUP: Alright.

LADY: Come sister, we shall all go together.

GROUP: Alright. ….. What do you say? …. Come on, come!……….Come mother…..Here auntie……. I am coming!

MAN 1: Kondama Raju is Guru for all of us but for him, his Grandson is the Guru!

MAN 2: Not just Guru but God in human form, with miraculous powers.

EASWARAMMA: What is it that people are saying about our Sathyam?

VENKAMA RAJU: They believe that Sathyam is God. In many neighbouring places also, Sathyam is revered as God. But there are also some that disbelieve, while others attribute it all to magic and mantras. Easwari, what can we do about the way people think?

EASWARAMMA: Even father-in-law thinks that Sathyam is God.

VENKAMA: That is true. Once he said to me that his Guru Venkavadoota told him that in order to protect the world, Lord Narayana would Himself be born in the Ratnakara lineage. Based on that prediction, father believes that our Sathyam is Lord Sriman Narayana.

EASWARAMMA: Is it? Listening to all that you say, perhaps what Venkavadoota said has come true. In any case, whatever happens, Sathyam must always be near me.

SCENE 2

GROUP: Salutations!

VENKAMA RAJU: Salutations!

PERSON: Salutations, Mr. Venkama Raju!

PERSON 2: We are from Kottacheruvu.

PERSON 3: We have heard a lot about the Young Swami.

VENKAMA: Very happy.

LADY: We have come from Uravakonda to see Young Swami.

EASWARAMMA: Is that so?

LADY 2: Is she Easwaramma?…. Salutations mother!

EASWARAMMA: Salutations.

LADY 3: Mother, we consider it a great fortune to have your darshan!

SUBBAMMA: Easwaramma,……Easwaramma!

EASWARAMMA: Come, Subbamma!

SATHYA: In all of you, there is a third eye that you cannot see. That is the Eye of Wisdom! Open that eye and you will see that God is not just here or there but everywhere! Develop Love in your hearts. Always adhere to Truth [Sathya] and Righteousness [Dharma]. Those who have attained the Knowledge of the Atma, will not specially go in search of God because they can see God wherever they are. May all good be unto you!

SUBBAMMA: Easwaramma, your house is not big enough to accommodate the devotees who throng to see Sathyam. Many devotees are standing outside, unable to get in. My house is more spacious; it can not only accommodate more devotees but is also very convenient for having bhajans and various other ceremonies. What do you think?

EASWARAMMA: As you say, Subbamma.

SUBBAMMA: Very good; shall I now take leave of you?

But after a few days, even Subbamma’s spacious house was not enough to accommodate the ever increasing number of Sathyam’s followers.

SUBBAMMA: Saying that your house is not spacious enough, we shifted the venue of the Thursday bhajans to my place. Now, even this house is not big enough! Day by day, the crowd of devotees is increasing!

EASWARAMMA: True Subbamma. When I see devotees worshipping Sathyam, I feel it is all due to the merit acquired by Him in earlier births. At the same time, I am scared by the jealousy of others. I don’t want any harm to come to Him. Personally, I think it would be safer for Him to remain just my son, rather than the One who is Universally adored!

SUBBAMMA: Easwaramma, you need not have such fears. Sathyam is no ordinary boy as you seem to imagine. He is the gift of Lord Sathya Narayana, and cannot be harmed by any evil force whatsoever. I will make available some land I have near the Chitravathi River. Devotees can stay there and sing bhajans, while I take care of all the arrangements. Sathyam also can reside there. That will make it possible for Him to spend all His time with devotees.

EASWARAMMA: Subbamma, why are you so generous?

SUBBAMMA: Easwaramma, don’t say that! Rather, it is my good fortune to know at least now that Sathyam who was born right before my eyes is verily God Himself! When you serve God, it is not called generosity! Easwaramma, it is my supreme good fortune to perform service to Sathyam!

EASWARAMMA: Subbamma, I am lost! I don’t understand anything. All I want is that my child should not be separated from me!

SUBBAMMA: Don’t we all feel pain? As the mother of One born for a special Mission and who is also the Master of the Aeon, you must be prepared to make some sacrifices. Worldly bonds are for the ordinary but not for One who has come with a Mission. Your Son is drawing the whole world to Him. Just as the waves of the entire ocean come to the shores, devotees from all over the world will throng to Sathyam. We must all be happy about it and not feel disturbed. Easwaramma, don’t be afraid.

SATHYA:

Evil thoughts bring misery,

While good thoughts bring joy.

But one who is free from thoughts

Enjoys total peace!

This is the Truth that Sai wishes to convey!

A cloth is a combination of threads but if the threads are all removed, there is no cloth. In the same manner, if all thoughts are removed, there will be no mind! Human values latent in man will blossom only when there is a ceiling on desires. A person lacking in human values is not fit to be called a human being.