Birthday Discourse, 23 Nov 2003: Mother's Role In Human Values

[Guest guest]

MOTHER'S ROLE IN HUMAN VALUES

Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace, the value of all your education is zero,

Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace, the result of all your good deeds is zero,

Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace, the utility of holding positions

of authority is zero,

Bereft of truth, righteousness, love and peace, the sanctity of all your acts of charity is zero,

These four qualities are the four pillars that support the mansion of Sanathana Dharma. (TeluguPoem)

Embodiments of Love!

The mansion of human life rests on the four pillars of truth/ righteousness/

love and peace. The safety and security of life depend on these four values.

Since ancient times/ the culture of Bharat has been able to sustain itself as

it is built on the bedrock of these values. Our ancestors led their lives

strictly adhering to these eternal values. Bereft of these values/ the mansion

of life will collapse in a moment. Humanity continues to exist till this day

only due to the fact that he/she is practicing these four values at least to a

certain extent.

The individual child's life is greatly influenced by the qualities of the

parents. The loving care of Jijabai made Shivaji a great warrior. Rama's

divinity blossomed because of the noble qualities of His mother Kausalya. The

twins Lava and Kusha could become powerful and famous due to their noble and

virtuous mother Sita. The same can be said of our ancient sages and seers. They

could sanctify their lives because of the noble influence of their parents.

Today/ people neglect their parents as they fail to recognize the impact and

influence they bear on their lives. They forget the fact that they could attain

exalted position in life only because of their parents. Gandhi became a Mahatma

because of his pious mother Putlibai. She used to observe a strict vow wherein

she would wait for the cooing of the cuckoo before partaking of her food.

However, on one day, she had to wait for a long time for the call of the cuckoo

without taking food. The

young Gandhi could not bear to see his mother fasting for such a long time.

Hence, he went out of the house and imitated the cooing of the cuckoo. Then he

came inside and told, "Mother, now that the cuckoo has made its call, please

take your food." She at once recognized that her son was telling a lie. Unable

to contain her grief, she slapped Gandhi on his cheeks and said, "What sin have

I committed that such a liar should be born to me!" She was shedding tears as

she spoke. Gandhi repented and prayed for her forgiveness. He took a pledge

that he would never utter a lie thenceforth. In this manner, our ancients

developed virtues and attained exalted position only because of their mothers.

Today, the country is facing hardship as people have no regard for truth and

are indulging in falsehood in their thoughts, words and deeds. The welfare of a

nation depends on the teaching that the mother imparts to her children. When

parents tread the path of truth, the children would naturally

emulate them.

In olden days, it was a common practice among the women of Bharat to perform the

sacred ritual of Sathyanarayana Vratam, on every full moon day. Likewise, mother

Easwaramma used to perform Sathyanarayana Vratam every full moon day in the

company of Karanam Subbamma, who was her neighbour. Karanam Subbamma would

often tell Easwaramma/ "You are performing Sathyanarayana Vratam. With His

blessings, you will bear a son. I want you to name him Sathyanarayana." On a

particular full moon day, Easwaramma did not have food till very late in the

afternoon as she was participating in the Sathyanarayana Vratam being performed

in Subbamma's house. The family members including her husband Pedda Venkama Raju

were very much upset to see her remain without food for such a long time. Pedda

Venkama Raju argued that there was no need to observe such severe austerities.

But Easwaramma was determined. She told them not to wait for her saying, "I am

not at all

hungry. Sathyanarayana Vratam is more important for me than food." After the

ritual was completed Subbamma brought Prasadam (blessed food) for Easwaramma.

Only after partaking of the Prasadam did Easwaramma have her food that day.

Women in those days used to perform such rituals with all sincerity and

devotion. It was only after partaking of Prasadam could Easwaramma conceive.

Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result). Some people have

faith in scriptural injunctions and adhere to them with earnestness whereas

some others ignore them. Easwaramma was the one who followed the injunctions

strictly. Only after performing the Vratam and partaking of the Prasadam would

she commence her household chores. She was unlettered. But she had unflinching

faith in God. During the seventh month of her pregnancy one day Subbamma told

her "Easwaramma the child in your womb is safe only due to the grace of Lord

Sathyanarayana." She extracted a promise from her that the child

would be named Sathyanarayana. The mother of Pedda Venkama Raju was also a great

devotee of the Lord. She too was of the opinion that the child should be named

after Lord Sathyanarayana.

Prior to the birth of the child a very significant incident took place.

Puttaparthi was then a tiny hamlet. In the centre there was a well from which

people would draw water. One day Easwaramma was fetching water from the well.

All of a sudden she saw a white luminous light emerging like lightning from the

sky entering her womb. There was a sudden gust of wind. Subbamma who came out of

her house at that time saw the light entering the womb of Easwaramma. Till this

day1 have not revealed this to anyone, I am disclosing this today so that you

may understand the significance associated with the advent of the Avatar. A day

prior to this as Pedda Venkama Raju was passing in front of Subbamma's house she

called him inside and told him, "Venkama Raju tomorrow when the child is born

name him as Sathyanarayana." But he brushed her advice aside saying it was her

foolish imagination.

At 3 o'clock in the morning at an auspicious moment the child was born. It is

natural for any child to cry when it is born. But this child did not cry at

all. The midwife and the people in the household were anxious that the child

might be stillborn. Easwaramma too was very much worried. Without anybody

noticing her she pinched the child to make it cry. On the contrary to her utter

surprise the baby started smiling. Everyone was mystified to see the newborn

babe smiling. Just then Subbamnra entered the house and said "Easwaramma1 heard

that you have given birth to a male child at an auspicious moment. Can I have a

glimpse of the child?" Easwaramma wrapped the child in a cloth and placed him

in front of Subbamma. Subbamma was an orthodox Brahmin lady. In those days

orthodox

Brahmins would maintain distance from others. If they happened to touch them

inadvertently they would at once have a bath. That was the reason why

Easwaramma kept the baby at a distance from Subbamma. Watching this the

mother-in-law said, "Easwaramma she has come here with a lot of love and

concern to see the child. Why don't you let Subbamma hold the child in her

arms? Why do you keep him at a distance?" Easwaramma said "Oh mother! Subbamma

is a very pious and orthodox brahmin lady. She may not like to touch the

newborn baby. Hence we should maintain distance from her." In fact Subbamma

herself had no such discriminatory feelings.

Mother Easwaramma looked after her child with love and care. Days rolled by and

the child grew into a boy. He was mithabhashi and mithaahari (one who spoke

less and ate less). Easwaramma was mystified by the strange behavior of her

son. Usually children are fond of eating. Especially some people would prefer

non-vegetarian items like fish or meat. But her son was totally averse to

non-vegetarian food. He would not even visit the houses where non-vegetarian

food was cooked. Seeing his noble qualities, Easwaramma realized that the child

was not an ordinary one, but one of divine nature. Her eldest daughter Venkamma

also recognized • the divine nature of the child. Together, they brought up the

child with love and care. They would sing devotional songs as lullabies. The

child was brought up in such a noble environment.

As there was no proper school in Puttaparthi, Seshama Raju, the elder brother of

this body, took Me to Uravakonda and admitted Me in a school. The then Municipal

Chairman of Bellary, Rama Raju was a friend of Seshama Raju. He took us to the

Virupaksha temple in Hampi during holidays. I was reluctant to enter the

temple. Hence, Seshama Raju instructed Me to keep a watch over their belongings

as they went inside to have Darshan of the deity. I readily agreed and remained

outside. The priest was giving arati to the deity. To their utter astonishment,

they found Me standing inside the sanctum sanctorum in place off Lord

Virupaksha. Seshama Raju could not believe his eyes. In fact, he was very angry

thinking that I was transgressing My limits. He thought it was improper on My

part to have entered the sanctum sanctorum. He at once came out of the temple

only to find Me there! He again went inside and found Me there also! Still he

was having

doubts. He told his wife, "You go outside and keep a watch over Sathya. Do not

allow Him to go anywhere. Meanwhile, I will go inside and see whether He is

still there." She did accordingly. He again saw a smiling Sathya standing in

the sanctum sanctorum. He wondered whether it was a dream, hallucination or

reality. At that time, his friend Rama Raju noticed a brilliant aura around My

face. He revealed this only to his wife and not to anybody else including

Seshama Raju. In fact, Seshama Raju was full of doubts.

The vacation was over and we were returning to Uravakonda. Rama Raju brought a

pair of knickers and a shirt for Me as parting gift. But I refused to accept

them. In those days, wearing a collar pin was considered a fashion. Hence, Rama

Raju presented a gold collar pin to Me with the prayer that I should remember

him always.

I remained there for some time. Many people came to Me and put all sorts of

questions like "Are You a ghost or a demon? Who are You?" I told them, I am

neither a ghost nor a demon. "Know that I am Sai Baba in reality." They asked

Me, "How are we to believe that you are Sai Baba? Can you prove Your claim?" In

fact in those days nobody in Anantapur District had even heard the name of Sai

Baba. I took some flowers in My hand and threw them on the floor. As people

were watching wonderstruck the flowers arranged themselves as the letters Sai

Baba in Telugu. Somebody brought a camera and took a photograph of Me sitting

on the rock. There was a small stone in front of Me which appeared like Shirdi

Sai Baba in the photograph. Many copies were made of the photograph and

distributed to all.

The same rock on which I sat that day remains there even today. At the same

place the Andhra State President of Sri Sathya Sai Organizations Anjanaiah has

built a beautiful Mandir with a spacious hall.

Gradually My fame spread far and wide. People from various villages and cities

started to flock around Me. People possessed by evil spirits were brought to Me

in bullock-carts. They believed that I could drive away the evil spirits. People

who were mentally retarded were also brought to Me. True to their faith the evil

spirits were driven away and the patients were cured of their mental ailments.

Then they started believing in My Divinity.

As people were coming in large numbers it was not possible for Seshama Raju to

keep Me with him. Hence he wrote a letter to Pedda Venkama Raju to come and

take Me away to Puttaparthi. In those days Puttaparthi was such a remote

village that it would take several days for letters to reach. However Pedda

Venkama Raju received the letter in Bukkapatnam where he had gone to make

purchases in the market. The letter said "Father it is not possible for us to

keep Sathya with us any longer. Please come and take him home at once." Pedda

Venkama Raju came to Uravakonda from Bukkapatnam straightaway. He did not have

sufficient money in his pocket. He took the bus fare from Seshama Raju and

brought Me to Bukkapatnam by bus. From there we had to walk all the way to

Puttaparthi as there was no transport facility. In fact, the name of

Puttaparthi was hardly known beyond the closest localities.

When we reached Puttaparthi, Kondama Raju (grandfather of this body) was at

home. He was very austere and God-minded. He told Venkama Raju, "Venkappa let

Him do whatever He wants, do not raise any objection. He is immersed in divine

consciousness. Let him stay with me for some time." He kept Me with him and

looked after Me with great love and care.

The four brothers - Pedda Venkama Raju, Chinna Venkama Raju Venkatarama Raju and

Venkata Subba Raju decided to live separately. Kondama Raju divided the property

equally among them. Pedda Venkama Raju then asked, "Father, whom are you going

to stay with? "Kondama Raju replied, "I will not stay with anyone. I do not

want any property for myself. Give me Sathya. That is enough. He will look

after me." In those days, nobody used to call Me by the full name

Sathyanarayana,, Everyone used to address Me as 'Sathya'. From then onwards, I

stayed with Kondama Raju and served him. Everyday morning and evening, Venkamma

used to come to Me. Sometimes she would ask, "Sathya, do You get dreams? Does

anyone appear before You and talk to You?" However, I would not say anything to

her. She had immense faith in Sai Baba. One day, she prayed, "Sathya please give

me a photograph of Sai Baba." I at once materialized a photograph of Sai Baba

and gave her. She

kept the photograph with her till her last breath.

One day Kondama Raju called Venkamma and told her, "Our people are living in

ignorance, they are unable to recognize the Divine nature of Sathya. He is

verily God Himself. He is never hungry, never thirsty. He has transcended

hunger and sleep."

Namagiriamma was the actual name of Easwaramma, given by her parents. As Kondama

Raju recognized My Divinity, he told his son, Pedda Venkama Raju to change her

name to Easwaramma as he was very well aware that she was the mother of Easwara

Himself.

In the middle of the night, Kondama Raju would quietly place his hand near My

nostrils just to see whether I was breathing or not. Sometimes, he would not

notice any breathing process taking place. He would only hear the sound Soham

coming from Me. People started pouring into Kondama Raju's house to see Me. If

anyone questioned them, they would reply "The grandson of Kondama Raju is one

of divine powers. He appears in our dreams and solves our problems."

Once Seshama Raju came to Puttaparthi during holidays. He did not like so many

people visiting the house of Kondama Raju. At that time he was thoroughly

skeptical. He argued with Kondama Raju and told him not to allow anybody to

come to his house. In those days the educated were highly respected in the

villages. Seshama Raju had just completed teachers' training. Hence people in

the village considered him to be highly educated. He told Kondama Raju

"Grandfather do not allow anybody to come near this boy. He does not have any

divine power. He is suffering from hysteria." In this manner he spoke

derisively about Me.

There used to be an exorcist in Kadiri who was considered to be an expert in

driving away from people the evil spirits that had taken possession of them. I

was put in a cart for transporting Me to Kadiri and Venkamma accompanied Me. At

no time would she be parted from Me. This so-called exorcist of Kadiri was a

thorough drunkard. He asserted that I was possessed by some powerful spirit and

boasted that he would rid Me of the evil and belabored Me with canes sticks

whips and the like. He even went to the extent of pouring some highly corrosive

liquids into My eyes expecting to drive away the spirit in this manner. I

submitted Myself to all this torture without demur. In the evening when I got

free1 approached Venkamma and asked her to put a little fluid of cow dung

dissolved in water. With this treatment overnight her house started overflowing

with the throng of visitors. So/ once Venkappa approached Subbamma and said,

"Why should you undergo

this kind of ordeals on account of my son? Let us put Him in a separate house."

Then Subbamma gave some land between the Sathyabhama and Venugopala Swami

temples. A small room was constructed there. They used to lock Me up in the

room, but, in spite of the locked closed room, I used to get out and sit on the

top of the hill. These kinds of wonders were of daily occurrence.

Meanwhile, those who were opposed to Subbamma on caste grounds decided to get

rid of Swami by poison. I was very fond of vadas (Indian delicacy) in those

days. So, these people made some vadas and mixed some virulent poison in some

of them. Subbamma was warning Me all the time against visiting those houses.

But, I used to go to all places despite her objection. On this occasion, I

visited this house and picked up the specific vadas that had been poisoned and

ate them. The sequel" to this attempt is already known. Another attempt of this

kind was when some of them set fire to My improvised house. The house had a

thatched roof. Some miscreants set fire to the house. As the fire was raging,

people were worried as to what would have happened to Me inside. Suddenly,

there was a cloudburst which poured down just above the house and put out the

fire. There was however, not a drop of rain anywhere else, Venkamma, Subbamma

and

Easwaramma came there weeping. The roof was fully burnt and only the walls were

standing. They peeped over the wall and found Me sleeping peacefully. I was

totally unharmed. Then Subbamma had the lock broken open and took Me away to

her house. After several such trials and tests, people developed greater faith

in Sai Baba.

In Penukonda, another person started claiming miraculous powers, saying that he

was a devotee of Sai Baba. Several others started imitating My dress and

manners, started going about trying to collect a following at different places.

Merely assuming My name and manners, one cannot have a following indefinitely.

People realized the truth very soon.

After this, My sojourn to Bangalore began. Easwaramma and Venkamma entreated

that I should not forsake Puttaparthi. I promised them that I would never

abandon Puttaparthi. Various royalties including the Maharani of Mysore used to

visit Puttaparthi. Those days Chitravathi was flowing most of the time. They

used to cross the river by putting planks and driving the cars over such

improvised causeways. As, such following by the high and low of the land

increased, all opportunities for creating obstacles by the local opponents

vanished.

All great men have been molded by their mothers. It is the high moral character

and behavior of the mothers that would result in the greatness of their

progeny. It is the virtues of Kausalya that resulted in the greatness of Rama.

Similarly, Sita brought up Lava and Kusa to be great. In this manner, virtuous

mothers were responsible for ideal children. After I had promised Easwaramma, I

never abandoned Puttaparthi. The whole world may flock here but I shall not

leave Puttaparthi. Generally, the Avatars adhere to their place of birth. If

you uproot a plant from here and plant it elsewhere, how long will it survive?

A tree should grow where the seed sprouted. In this manner only, Sathya Sai

Baba has retained his roots in Puttaparthi and has made Puttaparthi a place of

pilgrimage. When the High School at Bukkapatnam was established, they requested

Me for a prayer song and I composed a suitable verse emphasizing the unity in

diversity of the

people of Bharat.

The power of motherhood is indescribable. It is the righteous observances and

strict adherence to moral values of the mothers that manifest in their

children. They (mothers) may be unlettered. Their greatness does not depend on

literacy or book learning. It is the unlettered Easwaramma's virtues that have

brought about this greatness of the name and fame of Puttaparthi. It is a

matter of regret that Easwaramma is forgotten, while her son is extolled.

Without Easwaramma, how could there be such a phenomenal Power? Never neglect

your parents.

What is the origin of the name of this village Puttaparthi? There is a strange

story associated with it. Near the temple of Venugopala Swami there used to be

an anthill in which there was a snake. Everyday the cowherds would take their

cows for grazing to the outskirts of the village. One of the cows would go to

the anthill and the snake would drink milk from its udder. Everyday the cow

would return home with its udder empty. The cowherds found out the reason

behind this and planned to kill the snake. One day as the snake was drinking

milk from the cow they hit it with a boulder. The snake got enraged and

pronounced a curse on them saying the cowherds and their cows would no longer

be able to live in the village. That is why the cowherds left Puttaparthi

village and built their houses near Gokulam. Even today you can see it for

yourselves. The boulder with which the cowherds tried to kill the snake is now

being worshipped as Venugopala Swami

idol.

Today I narrated at length all this in order to make you aware of the

significance of the names Sai Baba and Puttaparthi. Puttaparthi has a great

history behind it. Many eminent people visited this place. Many people of

affluence lived here and brought great name. and fame to this village. In those

days the Mysore Maharaja and his mother used to come here quite frequently. Many

such eminent personalities recognized the greatness of Puttaparthi and revered

it.

The Lord of Puttaparthi will protect you always,

He is the embodiment of compassion,

He will hold your hand and take you across the ocean of life,

He will never forsake you under any circumstances. (Telugu Poem)

Embodiment of Love!

You are really fortunate having done great merit for you are able to enjoy the

Divine proximity of Sai. It is your great good fortune that you are able to

sing with Swami and play with Him. You are with Sai and Sai is with you. That

is why I often say " and you are one." The power and glory of God is beyond the

ken of human understanding. Develop unwavering faith in him.

Students!

Having come to Puttaparthi and studied here you should make every effort to

uphold the prestige of Puttaparthi. I want to bring to your notice one

important thing. Usually students like to spend their vacations at their

respective homes. But here the students do not like to go home even after the

vacation starts. Only very few of them go home. Most of them like to stay back

even after completing their post graduation. What is the reason for this? Here

is the greatest Divine magnet. God attracts one and all. His power is beyond

all estimation. In the years to come you will experience the power of this

magnet more and more.

(Bhagavan sang the Bhajan "Hari Bhajan Bina ..." and continued the Discourse.)

(Pointing to Dr. Anjanaiah Swami said) He has constructed a Mandir in

Uravakonda. The Mandir enshrines the rock on which I sat when I gave the first

teaching to mankind. He completed his M.Sc. Ph.D. and was doing a job. Later on

he resigned and dedicated himself to the service of Swami. At present he is the

State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations Andhra Pradesh. (Pointing

to an elderly devotee) He is the father-in-law of Dr. Anjanaiah. He also stays

in Uravakonda. He has kept aside 100 acres of land for Swami. He is growing

various types of fruits there and sending them to Puttaparthi. At present he

has completed 100 years of his life. I want to tell you another important

thing. Here in Prasanthi Nilayam all the devotees who dedicate their lives to

Swami live for full 100 years. Kasturi came here and lived a full life. Similar

was the case with Pujari Kistappa. All of you might have heard of Kamavadhani.

He was a great Vedic

scholar. He came and stayed here for 30 years. Never did he leave Puttaparthi.

One day after performing Rama Kalyanam here in the Mandir he told Me "Swami1 am

going to My room. I will have a sacred bath and come back." I told him "You

don't need to come back. After bath have your food and sleep peacefully." He

went home and had a bath. As instructed by Swami he had his food and rested. He

died peacefully in his sleep. The name of Sai was always in his mind. He never

had any illness. There was another devotee by name Soorayya. He was a bachelor.

He had no desires. Prior to coming here, he was working for Venkatagiri Raja.

One day he expressed his desire to the Raja that he wanted to go to

Puttaparthi. The Raja was very happy and made all the arrangements for his

coming here. He stayed here for more than 30 years and served Swami. He too

lived for 100 years and died peacefully in his sleep.

(Swami called Sri Gopal Rao to the dais) Many of you might have heard of Gopal

Rao. He is also completing 100 years. Even at an advanced age he used to go to

canteen regularly and serve water to the devotees. When he was the Chairman of

Andhra Bank there was a major strike. Many big people were arrested. Indira

Gandhi sent him a telegram. That day I happened to go to his house for lunch. I

told him "Gopal Rao do not yield to political pressure. What you have chosen is

the path of truth. Do not budge from it." He obeyed My command. Nobody could

touch him. At present he is living in Prasanthi Nilayam happily doing

Namasmarana. Dr. Padmanabhan's father Seshagiri Rao came here at the age of 63

after his retirement. He also lived for 100 years and had a peaceful death. All

these devotees led a happy and healthy life. At no point of time did they seek

the service of others. I told Gopal Rao that he would die peacefully without

depending on others

for service. I told him to be courageous. In this manner many devotees led a

long and peaceful life in Divine proximity. Physical body is bound to perish

one day or the other. But one should leave the body peacefully without being

wholly dependent on others. (At the end Swami permitted Sri Gopal Rao to speak

a few words.)

Source: http://www.kingdomofsai.org/DISCOURSES/DISC20031123.html

 

 

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