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Lokanatha Sai - Part 2
Part 1 -
Part 3
By Smt. M L Leela
Omsrisairam
"Lokanatha Sai" by Smt. M L Leela
Leela of the Bestower of Supreme Knowledge
It was Gurupoornima 1964. I was prostrating and taking His leave.
Swami asked, "Why are you working only in Men's Colleges?" I
replied, "My subject Botany is available only there". Baba said,
"Why don't you start Botany in a Women's college?" I came to
realise the potency of Bhagawan's words only after I reached
Madras next day, 12 Jul. 1964. I was transferred to Queen Mary's
College for women as Asst. Professor of Botany without any effort
on my part.
In June 1971, I was expecting a promotion as Professor. I learnt
from newspaper that my junior had been promoted. I was shocked. I
had none other than my Swami. I rushed to His Abode. He said, "Go
back and sit in your usual place in the temple". I was in the
Guindy Mandir next morning by 7AM. Dr. T K Govindarajan, a
devotee, suddenly appeared. I explained my plight in detail. He
said that his own brother was the person to be approached. In the
next few hours, my principal told me that I was wanted at the
secretariat. There I was told that my posting order has already
been signed by the Secretary. He asked me immediately to join as
Professor and Head of the Department at the College for Women,
North Madras. I remembered the words of Swami, "Sai Sankalpa is
Vajra Sankalpa". At every point of my career, a favourable action
was taken by the authorities due to Divine Sankalpa. There was
absolutely no effort on my part.
There was still
jealousy expressed from even unexpected quarters. This gave me a
chance to identify my true well wishers. Every year I used to
plead and Swami used to console me, "Don't worry. Nothing will
happen this year". Things went on for many years without my being
transferred out of Madras. Just three years before my retirement
(1986), when I asked the same Blessings, Swami replied, "This is
the 111th time you are asking. Hereafter you will never be
transferred". I learnt after my retirement that even during the
last year of my service, there was an order of transfer, but it
never reached me. I remembered His words, "Ninnu inta Varaka
Kapade Devudu Ippudu Vadaleshada" meaning, the God who protected
you, all these days, will He leave you now?
The worst tragedy came when my mother breathed her last in the
early hours of 14 March 1957. I, who had never entered the
kitchen, had to prepare my own food. Instead I took hotel food. I
threw away my jewels and wore only white dress. My relatives gave
me a lot of mental and physical agony to force me out of my own
house. Bhagawan was my only solace. I went to attend Dasara at
Parthi. Swami said in a very angry tone, "This world is full of
pain and misery. Why are you adding to it? Are you not by your
behaviour emanating grief to all? By adding more pain to others,
you are incurring more sins. Be happy, be bright, spread Ananda
everywhere. By looking at your life, let others forget their own
problems and worry. Spill and spread Ananda everywhere". From that
day I turned a new leaf. In spite of loads and loads of troubles,
it never affected my inner core due to the Abundant Grace of my
Lord.
Photo in the book:
The Divine Durbar - Swami in His throne in Guindy temple
Leela of the Dharma Poshaka (Sustainer of Dharma)
It was 20th Oct. 1962. Madras was threatened by a cyclone. I was
worried about my father and rushed to Guindy. Two days later, he
stopped me from going to college. The whole day was a day of old
reminiscences. He started enlightening me about future, in case he
were to leave suddenly. All he said and did, indicated that he was
preparing for his exit. He showed me a gift deed in my name and
all valuables and movables he had collected in the temple. He
almost begged me to become his successor in managing the temple.
Next day dawned in all gloom. He ordered the cook to prepare
'Vegetable Biryani' and 'Kurma' which Baba loves so much. After
noon Puja he left the temple and came home. It was raining cats
and dogs. He asked me to shift all movables from Triplicane to
Guindy. He began cutting jokes after jokes. Suddenly with a jerk
of his head, he closed his eyes.
I opened the darkest chapter of my life. I remembered that my
father had built a vault in a corner of the temple to inter his
body. My father was given a divine permanent rest where he loved
most, much to the disappointment of some devilish minds. Good
hearted tenants sent word urging me not to enter my residence, as
a bottle of acid was awaiting my arrival. The Chinmaya Mission
Mahila President took the role of my mother and provided me new
clothes. I was forced to renounce - clothes, jewels, books, degree
certificates, which I later received as ash. Attempts were made to
kidnap me. All valuables were removed from my residence. I felt
orphaned to the core. Steps were even taken by close relatives to
suspend me from Government service. I was saved by the Director of
Collegiate Education. I tried to recollect the Lord's words, "Why
make a sad world sadder by your lamentation and suffering?"
Brighter days dawned from 6 Dec. A condolence meeting was held by
the (temple) trust. I had till then no response to my letters to
Bhagawan, the Spiritual and Executive Trustee, to whom the temple
belongs. I implored the presiding Deity to protect His temple. I
heard the voice of M E Raja Pillai announcing, "Amma, Baba has
come". I prayed within, "...Aparadh Kshama Karo Sayi Praho, Jeeva
Yatnamey Saath Raho...". I rushed to Alwarpet (past midnight) and
waited at the gates of the house. At dawn I was instantly summoned
to his Divine Presence. I wept to my heart's content and Bhagawan
ordered the trust meeting the next day.
At the meeting Bhagawan added new trustees, since existing family
members were fighting among themselves. My lonely hand got
strengthened by staunch devotees. Swami left for Bangalore after a
month. He came to the temple, took Arathi and gave me an envelop,
as the car started. The letter read:
To
Miss M L Leela
Guindy, Madras
I hearby authorise you to adopt the following timings for Pooja
and Darshan in the Sri Sathya Sai Mandali, Guindy, Madras and to
be in charge of all equipment ......
The keys of the temple and other keys should be in your possession
and control. .....
Hours of opening ........
With Blessings
(Signed. Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
Executive Trustee
Sri Sathya Sai Mandali, Guindy , Madras
So all my preparations to leave were totally defeated (by the
Lord). I had been longing to join an ashram even while in high
school. Swami gave me His First Interview in Sep1943. He said,
"Wait. There will be an Ashram of your own - your father will
provide". I realise the potent words of the Lord as late as
Dec.1962. Swami Chinmayananda was opening an ashram in Bombay in
Jan1963. I had received my admission and my father had known about
it. I had planned to leave after Swami left for Bangalore. Swami
had thrust that envelop in my hands and my plan for 20 years never
got materialised. It is Lord's plan for man. I am reminded of His
Divine words, "When there is a desire for mental tranquility, I
hurry to grant it. Where there is dispiritedness, I hasten to
raise the drooping heart. Where there is no mutual trust, I rush
to restore it. I am ever on the move to fulfill the Mission for
which I have come. I want to light the lamp of Prema in every
heart."
By then litigations started mounting. Whenever I went, Bhagawan
used to proclaim, "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithaha". Sri K G
Manickavasagam, a honest lawyer of great integrity, was approached
but he was related to the other party. I rushed to our Lord at
Alwarpet. Instantly Baba asked me to phone the lawyer. The lawyer
said, "I had decided to take up your case, since it relates to a
temple property". Bhagawan asked me to bring the lawyer to discuss
the case. He came after mentioning that he would never do Namaskar
or prostrate before any Swami. But about two car loads of the
lawyer's relatives came to have Darshan. When Swami came to meet
the lawyer, he suddenly fell at the Lotus Feet of Baba. He started
shedding tears of devotion. When he opened the case bundle, Swami
said, "I know what is going to happen in the case. Only if I call
you to discuss, you will come. You have a pure heart and I want to
make you my devotee. Your qualification is BSc. BL. Do you know
ABC of spirituality? You are a zero. I will teach you".
Swami started giving Upadesa, "By means of Nama, Prema is
developed. Through Prema, Dhyana of the Lord can be developed.
However many paths, there is none as easy. ..... Keep always
trying to turn others into good ways. One should cultivate Peace
of Mind, Charitableness, and Eagerness to promote the welfare of
all". Thus, he had drawn like a magnet this chosen devotee. Swami
made him the District President of the Organisation in Madras,
later the Editor of Sanathana Sarathi (Tamil) and finally as
Member of Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Tamilnadu.
Bhagawan asked him to give me all protection like a father. One
day he had heart attack. I rushed to Whitefield at 8AM in the
morning. Swami manifested Vibuthi and gave me directions to apply
on his chest. He told me not to tell anybody that He will visit
Madras next day. I rushed to the hospital gave the Prasad to the
lawyer. In a few minutes he was taken out of the Intensive Care.
Babaji arived by flight with Indulal Shah by noon and gave Darshan
and Prasad to his staunch devotee at the hospital. He blessed the
other patients in the hospital and left in the evening. "Just take
one step towards Me and I shall take ten".
In the court, Bhagawan used to give His Darshan with 'Abhaya
Hastha' just a foot above the head of the judge. Bhagawan's words
(Nee Vantaney Intaney Kantaney Kanti reppa valey ninnu, nee
kaapadu thaanu) acted on me like a perennial spring and made me
'fearless'. I came out victorious in all litigations, which lasted
over 23 years! Thus Bhagawan became my Dharma Poshaka,
Dharamasthapaka and Dharma Rakshaka. To Him, my Dharmachari, my
eternal prostrations.
Leela of the Doctor Divine
"Transfer the faith you have in drugs to God. No tablet is as
efficacious as RamNam. I shall give you Vibuthi and that will cure
you. The day will surely come when the hospital will be
superfluous, since all will be healthy." - Baba
30Jan. 1948, the Father of the Nation was shot dead. I started
weeping profusely. My eyes turned red, became painful and my
vision was blurred. I became very ill. The doctor said my blood
had become poisoned. We received a letter from Swami that He would
be performing the marriage of Kuppam Vijayamma (author of 'Anyatha
Saranam Nasthi'). He added, "Your Kumari is unwell. Bring her to
Kuppam". My father immediately took me to Kuppam. There was no
confirmation from Bhagawan to visit. Everyone became jubilant,
when my father showed the letter. The next moment, Bhagawan's car
reached the place. I rushed towards His Lotus Feet. Immediately
all pain subsided, tears stopped flowing. He sang Thyagaraja
Keerthanas and Meera Bhajans in the evening. He asked us to leave
in the evening and blessed me with a First Class in the final year
BSc examination. Baba materialised a Vibuthi block having iodoform
smell and a silky touch. He smeared it on my eyelids and asked me
to repeat the treatment frequently. He kept jasmine petals in a
handkerchief and tied the bandage on my eyes. He said that it
should be removed on reaching Madras and I have to attend college.
How could I express my gratitude to the Lord who gave me a fresh
vision?
June 1965 - suddenly several white patches appeared on my face. I
rushed to Whitefield. Swami just gave a glance and asked me to
look at the mirror. Lo! My face appeared without spots. His very
look acted like a laser treatment. My brother had a baby boy born
in 1965, with 'club foot'. The doctor had informed that he would
be operated when he became 9 years of age. Baba told us that no
operation should be performed. He materialised a gold pendant of
Lord Shiva and Parvathi. He asked us to do Abishekam to it daily
and give the water to the boy to drink. Within a few years, the
boy could play football!
April 1972, my brother had an accident and taken to the hospital,
unconscious. The upper arm bone was bent like letter 'S' and he
had multiple fractures. After 4 months, a plate was fixed inside.
A doctor said the forearm should also have been operated. Because
of gangrene, the forearm might have to be amputated. Bhagawan
instructed us to take him to Parthi. He materialised Vibuthi and
gave him. He materialised a ring with His own figure carved on it.
He slipped it on the little finger. He advised us to apply some
warm oil daily on the forearm. A doctor from Puthur straightened
the bone one day. In a month's time, the hand looked normal.
June 1991, I had returned after attending the summer course. My
right eye started giving me trouble. It was diagnosed to be a
fungal infection. There was no sight in my right eye and I was
afflicted with acute glaucoma, iriddocyclitis and fungal
infection. I reached Whitefield. Bhagawan asked, "What happened to
your eyes?" I had only a partial vision of my Lord. I had
Padanamaskar, attended two Bhajans and His Discourse at 'Trayee
Brindavan'. He explained how Sri Ramachandra had suffered, how
Pandavas had suffered. He said, "Nowadays devotees do not want to
have any more birth. If I have to make them merge, is it not fair,
that they suffer for all the sins in this birth itself? All
varieties of problems strike only the devotees. Only when there is
intense pain, Ananda can be enjoyed".
After Arathi, Bhagawan told me "It is reduced now" and gave me a
slight pat on the head. A tiny particle entered my eye and started
revolving like Vishnu Chakra. Swami left next morning and sent
packets of Vibuthi for me. All Sevadal sisters at Guindy decide to
take care of me by turn. They made me forget my problem. On 21
June, the doctor told me that I was free from all infections. He
said there was scope for my vision getting restored. I was treated
with cortison tablets which was gradually reduced. The side
effects were unbearable.
26 Jun.1991, was a memorable day. At 0230AM I saw Bhagawan
descending from above, seated in His red chair, with His Lotus
feet crossed. I kept them on my head. He said, "I have come. You
have become alright". Instantly I regained my total vision. I
could not sleep at all due to joyous excitement. I wonder a how to
express my intense gratitude. The only way will be to live as He
wants us to live - with 'Love' in my bosom, 'Service' in my
actions and 'Sacrifice' in my attitude. It is not enough for all
that Bhagawan has done for me. Swami says, "The entire
give-and-take is the play of life".
Dr. Ramalinga Mudaliar went to Parthi, as his wife was having
appendicitis and urinary bladder problem, while in the family way.
He stayed there more than 40 days and daily Bhagawan promised to
perform the operation Himself. The doctor had exhausted his leave.
Baba materialised a tiny cylindrical bottle with amber colored
medicine, during the interview. Swami said that the medicine would
last only a fortnight and after that the appendix would come out.
I was administering this medicine and exactly after 15 days, the
bottle was empty. Next day the appendix was in the excreta. Swami
had removed it without a knife. "Regular prayers twice a day, will
give strength and courage to withstand illness. The Grace of God
will confer mental peace. Feel that you are hundred percent
dependant on God. He will look after you and save you from harm
and injury", says Swami.
Leela of the
Divine Protector
1963, Baba was in Madras. I used to sleep in the temple, as
Bhagawan had said that it was the only place of Divine Protection.
One night, 3 or 4 tiny cobras surrounded my bed, and followed me
wherever I went. I rushed to Bhagawan at dawn. He said I should
not come out of the temple, as there was protection only there. he
said that it was the act of some enemies.
The same year, a relative used to abuse me every Thursday, at the
gate of the temple. When I went to Baba, He said that the person
will not reach the gate thereafter. By His mere words uttered in
PN, someone in Madras was restrained. I had yet another encounter
with snakes in 1964. A cobra, 12 to 15 feet long, was about to
strike the boy, bringing coffee, approaching my house. After
sometime it hid itself. When approached, Swami said, "Kill it,
burn it, pour milk and bury". At 5PM we saw it again at the gate
and we did as advised by Swami.
Jul.1967, when Swami was in Africa, one night large stones started
falling in the temple. The frequency increased daily. I rushed to
Whitefield after a week, but Swami had left for Parthi. He came at
4PM and told me that such a thing will never repeat itself. 25
years later, He said that it was the foul act of a relative. He
said that if He had revealed the truth, I would not have had any
peace and would have refused to return to Guindy.
I engaged a night watchman as per Swami's advice, but the person
became a nuisance. When I implored Bhagawan, He said, "nenae
watchman ga untaanu - I Myself will be your watchman". A tenant of
mine, at midnight once, saw our Bhagawan leaning against the
parapet wall of the Mandir, like a watchman. After that the tenant
could not sleep at all and reported to me. He was perspiring and
tears flowed down his cheeks. Bhagawan never fails in His words.
Peoples War group of Andhra Pradesh had announced a bandh call
from 6AM on 4Aug. 91. Our bus to Parthi was near Bukkapatnam at
5AM. Suddenly the bus stopped since the road was blocked. Myself
and Radhika went towards a gang of men who asked us why we were
travelling. When we told them about morning Darshan, they
commented sarcastically that we could have Darshan on the same
road. Fear engulfed me, seeing their dreadful weapons - they were
naxalites. They suddenly started smashing the window panes without
forewarning. We were at our wit's end. They left the place as the
darkness was being cleared by daylight. A police inspector arrived
who tried to blame the driver and conductor. We told him that the
passengers were alive only because of the calm attitude and
patient approach of the driver and conductor. Around noon we were
escorted by the police and we could see the same gang of naxalites
under a tree. I was chanting "Sai Gayathri". During afternoon
Darshan, Swami remarked, "Your life ought to have gone, but those
naxalites were good people". Tears of joy welled in my eyes. I
realised then the potency of chanting "Sai Gayathri" when we are
in danger.
Swami has given Darshan as Rama or Krishna or Jesus, to many
devotees, but here He does something opposite.
Leela of Sri Sai Aiyaapa
My father told me just the day before passing away that he had
vowed to go on pilgrimage to have Darshan of Lord Aiyyappa of
Sabarimalai (Kerala). In March 82, when I asked about fulfilling
my father's wish, Swami said, "You must fulfill his wish. i will
be coming along with you". He blessed me with a Thulasi Mala. We
had to undergo some rituals. We proceeded to Palghat by train, and
were greeted by a busload of devotees with "Sairam, Sairam". Swami
was reminding me of His Presence. We reached Sabarimala and
climbed the 18 steps. The Sanctum door opened and Arathi was shown
to Lord Aiyaapa. What did I see - Form of Aiyyappa with the Head
of our Lord "Sathya Sai" to prove me they are the same. I rubbed
my eyes and asked the devotees near me - they were seeing only
Lord Aiyyappa. At 1030PM, I was still having only our Swami's
Darshan. I prayed, "I can see You at Parthi at anytime I like (!)
Please permit me to have Lord Aiyyappa's Darshan at least once. I
cannot come over here again". At 0330AM, when the shrine opened, I
was blessed with the Darshan of Lord Aiyyappa.
After we reached Madras, I got a call to visit Bhagawan to
handover the first invitation of the seminar on EHV. Swami came
along Darshan line exactly opposite to me and said, "Yemi Darshan
is they vaddhantava?" (When I give Darshan, you have the audacity
to say, 'Don't give Darshan'). I caught hold of His Lotus feet to
pardon my arrogance. The Thulasimala got snapped and fell at His
Lotus feet. I collected it and thanked the Lord for completing My
Sabarimala Yathra at His Lotus Feet.
The pilgrims visiting the temple for Makara Sankaranthi (Jan14)
witness the appearance of a star like celestial light on the
northern horizon. It is known as 'Makara Jyothi' and lasts a few
minutes. It is symbolic of Lord Aiyaapa's Presence to bless the
devotees.
Photos:
- The Manifested Pendent (with Swami's picture) 1-1-1965, color
photo
- Lord Sai Aiyappa - Swami in procession, among devotees, riding a
lion
(One similar incident has been reported a few years back, in the
Tiruppathi
temple of Lord Balaji.)
Leela Madhuram (Leela of the Sweet Lord Sai)
Swami was in Madras for Christmas 1964. He asked me to go to
Parthi for New Year. During the train journey, a huge monkey
jumped on my head and blood oozed out of the injuries on the head.
The pain was unbearable. Swami was not at Parthi and we rushed to
Whitefield. Swami welcomed me, "How did you escape from Hanuman? I
have saved you from a fatal hit on your head from a human one". I
placed a newly made 'OM' pendant at His Feet but He said it looked
like a Mangal Sutra for married women. He closed it in His palm
and blew. It had been replaced by a big pendent with Bhagawan's
Form on it. Again He closed it and blew. It now had a diamond
studded frame with five large pearls hanging. Swami explained He
was Divinity and the multicolored background indicated the
pluralistic world. The diamonds represented the Kalas and the
pearls, the Pranas. He said it would serve me as a protective
shield. Any change in color of any pearl meant meditation to
correct a particular Prana. He added that it was a gift for 25
years of devotion. Mercy and Kindness for His children?
One morning at Whitefield, Swami took a Manoranjitham flower
(Artabotrys) with fresh green petals. He carved a figure of a
peacock with wings spread on one petal in a few seconds. He blew
over it and it became a large amethyst stone. He blew again to
transform it into a large diamond. Then it became a saphire stone.
Finally it disappeared. Perhaps Swami has shown us in a very
informal way His Divinity.
One evening at a quiet spot at Horsley hills, Swami materialised a
Dattathreya photo and gave to Ramanatha Reddiar. After a few days,
in a group photo we were astonished to see the Form of Dattathreya
in place of Swami. Swami's first Bhajan on Avatar Day 20Oct. 1940,
"Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam" contains the last line, "Om Sri
Datta Anusuya Puthra Sai Babaji Venkusa". In "Guru Charithra" Lord
Vishnu is mentioned as Datta and son of Sage Atri, hence the name
Dattathreya. Since this Avatar is for the welfare of all
creatures, He does not lay down His body but goes on wandering and
manifests as perfect saint of all religions of the world.
Akkalkote Maharaj and Shirdi Baba are considered as Dattathreya
Avatars. Bhagawan Satya Sai is also Dattathreya.
During one summer in Ooty, Smt. Bulbir Kaur (Mathaji) joined us
after the miraculous cure of her cancer by Bhagawan. He asked her
to look after her. One day her tablets ran out of stock. Our
Vaidhyanatha Sai just took a Dahlia flower offered to him and gave
two pats; there was a heap of green translucent capsules. She got
immediate relief from them.
On 6 Jan. 63, Vaikunta Ekadesi, Swami witnessed the Abhisekam at
Guindy temple and left. He asked me to join the devotees at
Alwarpet going to Mahabalipuram with Him. I was late and missed
it. Next day He showed me two silver idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord
Krishna about 6 inches high, created the previous day. He asked me
to take one. In 1962, when I lost all my possession including
idols, Swami had advised me to go beyond Form to the Formless. So
I repeated this to Swami and He said He was testing me. He gave me
"Amruth' from a beautifully carved small gold Kalasa with a tiny
gold spoon, manifested the previous day. He blew over it and it
disappeared.
"The Joy of the devotee gives Joy to the Lord.
The Joy of the Lord is the Reward for the devotee"
- Baba
"Your task as Swayam Sevak will be done when you know the task for
which you have earned this human form with all potentialities and
possibilities. It is to grow in Love, strengthen Love, become Love
and finally merge in the 'Limitless Love'. All your life you must
be Love. This drawing of Love from you helps to increase it and
deepen it. It may irrigate the heart which otherwise may go dry".
- Baba
Photos (color):
- Swami in Guindy temple with Shirdi Sai Idol decorated with
Sandal paste
- Sai Maa - Swami in Guindy temple with Shirdi Sai Idol decorated
as the
Mother
Sri Sathya Sai Mandir, Guindy (Chennai) - Its Genesis
Sri Kaka Bhujanga Nadi gave a reading unasked about the genesis of
the Mandir. Our Lord always refers to this Divine Abode as
'Devalayam'. In Vaishnava Sampradaya (tradition) the idol itself
is taken as Avathar and referred to as 'Archavathar'. There are 4
sources for the origin of a temple:
- Swayam Vyakta - manifested on its own
- Divyam - created by Gods
- Saitha - created by Siddha Purushas
- Manusha - created by man
There are tombs of Saints over which temples are built. Some
deities are special manifestations to answer a specific prayer of
a devotee. Even the lower organisms are the main cause of origin
of some temples. Sri Sathya Sai Mandir, Guindy belongs to the
Divya category. It is created by God Himself in human form. The
installation ceremony was also done by Divine Hands on Thursday,
3Feb. 1949. The Shakthi or Divine Power to the idol was also given
by the Lord Himself directly. Bhagawan breathes Divine Prana into
it during every visit. Before installing the idol, Swami
manifested Lord Ganesha, nine gems, Gold Thumbi flowers,
Srichakra, Vibuthi, Kumkum and Turmeric powder and placed them in
the pit and then installed the idol of Shirdi Baba. Rare indeed is
it to find such Divinity charged idol.
(It is in this temple, the first idol of Shirdi Baba was installed
by the Divine Hands. At Shirdi, at that time, only a picture was
kept near the Samadhi and worshipped).
During Dasara 1943, Sri M J Lokanatha Mudaliar, residing at 13,
Veeraraghava Mudali Street, Triplicane, Madras suddenly became
mentally ill. Doctors gave up hope. The house was plunged in
sorrow since Friday morning. Saturday past midnight, he said,
"Just now a very young charming and beautiful Saint with curly
hairs and red gown entered our Puja room. He gave me Tulasi
Theertham (water) from the vessel in the shrine, three times. I am
now cured". He fell fast asleep. Sunday lunch time, a car suddenly
stopped in front of our house and Swami entered the bedroom. He
said, I came last night and gave Theertham, Naina - are you
alright now?" My father tried to prostrate but his knee was
dislocated. Swami instantly pulled the large toe and the ball and
socket joint got refixed. Swami materialised a lime and kept it
under the pillow. He tied a talisman round my father's neck. He
invited my father to Parthi next day itself. Swami told us that a
black magician had done havoc to my father, because he was evicted
from our land at Guindy. He said, "Dig the spot and remove the
remains of goat and chicken etc".
A great Siddha Purusha had entered into Jeeva Samadhi there in
1904. The local urchins used to throw anything - including excreta
of goat and chicken at him. He would quietly convert them into
gold or sandal wood paste and return to them. Sri Kaka Bhujanga
Nadi gives his name as Sri Satyananda. He had met Shirdi Baba. He
had predicted and written on palm leaf that to the right of his
Samadhi a Saint's temple would come and to its left an Industrial
Estate.
Sri Sathya Sai Mandir, Guindy (Chennai) - Its Genesis
My father reached Penukonda and Chithravathi was in floods. Swami
had apportioned a portion of His Lunch, to keep for 'Loganathan'.
He rushed to the banks of the river to lift my father from the
waters. My father had an idea to build a bungalow for Swami at
Guindy. With Swami's blessing, construction began. A letter from
Swami instructed Mudaliar to construct a Bhajan Mandir, instead of
Bungalow. On 10Jul. 1946, Babaji laid the foundation stone. he
materialised Sri Chakra, Kumkum, Turmeric and Vibuthi and placed
them in the pit and then fixed the foundation stone. He said,
"This place is going to become very sacred and famous soon. This
is My first Mandir and First Spiritual Center". A snake pit
started growing very fast at the northern part. Wherever there is
Sai, there will be Naga Sai. The saint in Samadhi had also said
that he will be there in the form of serpent for hundreds of
years, blessing devotees. Shirdi Baba came in the dream of the
Station master and told him to prevent my father from destroying
the snake pit. Swami ordered us to build a Mandap over it to check
its over-growth. Devotees offer milk there. Prayers to give
vision, for progeny etc. are blessed with quick results.
Babaji gave a small clay model of Shirdi Baba. In a village near
Madhuranthakam (south of Madras), an old Muslim Saint appeared in
the dream of a sculptor and ordered him to go to this temple for
work. He came to my father and offered his services. he chiseled
beautiful idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Shirdi Sai Baba. The side
view of the idol reflects the form of Sri Sathya Sai. It radiates
Joy and Peace all round. The sculptor promised to return for
wages, but he never did so!
Thursday 3Feb. 1949 is the day to be written in Gold. Baba came by
flight from Hyderabad with Sakkamma, Chincholi Rani and others.
The registration of the Trust Deed was completed and the idols
were taken in procession. Swami first installed Lord Ganesha in
the Ganesh Mandir. Then He called all family members inside the
Sanctum. He materialised a silver Ganesha idol and kept it in the
pit. He manifested nine gems, gold flowers, Sri Chakra and placed
them. He placed the idol of Shirdi Baba and did Ashtabhandanam
with His Divine Hands. He decorated the idol with flower garlands
and showed Arathi. Suddenly He said He was going to give Power to
the idol. It levitated, being pushed up by the Divine Energy of
Babaji and then got settled after being energised. Even now
several devotees recollect this Divine Leela. Bhagawan stayed for
a month and daily visited the Mandir, morning and evening for Puja
and Bhajans. Once in 8 to 10 years Bhagawan used to perform
Ashtabhandanam to the Deity by His Divine Hands and give
additional Power by manifesting Sri Chakras, Navarathna. Swami
materialised a Sudarshana Chakra in 1984.
Photos:
- Swami manifests Sri Chakra
- Swami manifests Navarathnas
- Swami passing His Shakthi into the idol
- Swami under devotees' floral load
- Foundation stone
- Naga Sai Mandir
- Lord Ganesha
- Mandir views
- The floral bond (Swami and idol garlanded)
Invitation
The Trustees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba Mandali, "Sai Nagar",
Guindy request the pleasure of your company on the ocasion of
"Idol Installation Ceremony" at the Mandali Premises by His
Holiness Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Garu of Puttaparthy on
Thursday 3 Feb. 1949 at 10AM. - Trustees, SSS Baba Mandali, Guindy
(from the book "Lokanatha Sai" by Smt. M L Leela)
Love all serve all
Bala (Subramanian)
Sourced from:
http://sathya-sai0.tripod.com/bala/lokanatha-2.htm |