The Ever-Merciful Swami One day, Swami visited a home in Bangalore. Many people had assembled there to have His darshan. Some of them had brought flowers and fruits to offer to Swami. Others were talking of Swami’s miracles and compassion. A poor cobbler overheard their talk. A beautiful thought suddenly came into his mind. He wished to have a glimpse of the Avathar. He lovingly plucked a rose from the garden and squeezed his way through the crowd, slowly walking towards where Swami was seated. He peeped inside and at the same time, Swami also peeped out. Their eyes met, and at that very instant, for the cobbler, an irresistible love overflowed through him for Swami. One day, as the cobbler was stitching some torn and broken chappals (sandals), a car stopped at the roadside in front of him. Thinking it to be a police car, the cobbler hurriedly collected his things and prepared to run. He thought that policemen had come to chase him away. Swami stepped out of the car and told the cobbler not to be afraid. Instead, He made him sit in the car. The cobbler was too stunned to speak. The car sped on with Swami and the cobbler inside. Swami guided His driver straight to the cobbler’s hut. The cobbler got out of the car and went inside. He asked his wife to spread a mattress and rushed out to welcome Swami. Swami sat on the mattress. The cobbler realized that there was nothing in his house, which he could offer to the Lord. He was in a great fix, and began squeezing his hands in agony. Looking at his plight, Swami said not to worry. He told the cobbler that He had come to give and not to take away anything from him, except love. With a wave of His hand, Swami created sweets and fruits and distributed them to all the people who were present. He then created the holy vibhuthi and applied it on the cobbler’s forehead. Before leaving, Swami said, “I shall take leave of you now. Do not worry. I am always with you.” Before the cobbler could say anything, Swami got into the car and left. Swami transformed the hut of the simple cobbler into a temple. One day, when Swami had gone to Trichinopoly, some people began spreading false allegations against Him. That evening, when Swami was addressing the gathering, He called a beggar boy who was dumb and known to all. Once in Thiruvannamalai, Swami created some medicine for Swami Amrithananda and cured him of his chronic ailment. At another time, the son of Dr. Bhagavantham was operated upon by Swami Himself. He created the instrument as well, which is still with Dr. Bhagavantham. Dr. Shankar is another ardent devotee of Swami. Many times, Swami has entered Dr. Shankar’s physical frame and performed very complicated operations successfully. Swami Karunyananda had an ashram in Andhra Pradesh. He had put up some photos of Swami in the ashram’s hospital. Once, a pregnant lady came to the ashram seeking help. The Swami-ji put her up in the ashram’s hospital. One night, leaving the pregnant lady alone, the midwives went out to watch a late night movie. The same night, the poor lady began experiencing severe labor pains. Seeing her, suffering and helpless, Swami came down from the photo hung on the wall. He treated the lady and helped her deliver the baby safely. Mother Sai even cleaned the newborn baby and gently placed it beside its mother, to feed it.When the midwives returned, they were surprised to see that someone else had done all their work. When they questioned the lady, she pointed at Swami’s photo and told them that the Sadhu Matha had come and helped her. She did not know that the Sadhu Matha was Lord Narayana, Himself! Likewise, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba takes on various forms of God, as all forms are His and all names are His. He bestows upon His devotees, His Grace and grants their wishes. He says that human values are our very life. Without sathya (truth), dharma (right action), shanthi (peace), and prema (love), education is empty. Without sathya, dharma, shanthi, and prema, charity and donations have no value. Without sathya, dharma, shanthi, and prema, sacred activities – so-called – are pointless. Thus ends the Sri Sathya Sai, Sathya Narayana Katha with all auspiciousness. Bow to Sri Sai. Peace be to all!

Refuge of the Devotees Srimathi Sakamma owned a very large coffee plantation. She was also a very sathwik and Divine lady, performing lots of charity, like feeding the poor, offering them clothes, and so on. Recognizing her worth, the Maharaja of Mysore had bestowed upon her the title, Dharma Parayane. One morning, around nine o’clock, when she was performing her morning pooja, Sakamma’s servant came and informed her that some people had come in a vehicle and wanted to see her immediately. Sakamma came out and saw an old car on which a board was put up, with the words, Kailas Committee. In front was a young boy of sixteen, with His hair all scattered. At the back, an old man was seated majestically upon on a deer skin, with a flowing beard and holy ashes smeared on His body and forehead. One day, Sakamma had to go to Bangalore. While visiting one of her friends’ houses, to her utter surprise she saw the same young boy with the scattered hair. As she looked at Him, the boy transformed Himself into the old man and back again to the young boy. Sakamma was stunned. She went close to the boy and asked Him, “Were you not the one who came to my place as the Kailas Committee?” The boy replied, “Many years ago, you had to pay one thousand rupees, which you did not pay. Therefore, I had come to take it from you.” Sakamma’s eyes welled up with tears. She prostrated before Swami and earned His Grace. One afternoon, while Swami was talking to some His devotees, He suddenly shouted, “Do not shoot! Do not shoot!” He fell down, unconscious. After about an hour, Swami arose and told the devotees to send a telegram stating, “Your revolver is with me. Do not worry.” Someone told Swami the word “revolver” should not be used, as it would raise objections from the postal authorities. Hence, the word “instrument” was written instead, and the telegram was sent. All were wondering and asked Swami about this sudden happening. Swami told them that they would soon know. At the same time, a knock occurred at the Officer’s door. The Officer quickly hid his revolver and opened the door. An old classmate had come to visit with his wife and servant. The Officer invited them inside. After a few minutes, they decided to visit the Officer’s neighbor, who was also their friend. Bolting the door after they left, the Officer returned for his revolver, but he could not find it. Once again, he heard a knock at the door. He opened it and the postman gave him a telegram which read, “Your instrument is with me. Do not worry.” Sender: “Baba.” Our Swami will not forsake nor let down whosoever worships Him. One has just to call and He will immediately run to their aid with His four arms of Truth, Right-Action, Peace, and Love. His mahima (miracle) is beyond words. In the above incident, the Officer’s wife was an ardent devotee of Swami. The fourth chapter of Sri Sathya Sai, Sathya Narayana Katha, ends with all auspiciousness. Bow to Sri Sai. Peace be to all!

Bala Sai’s Divine Leelas As Sathya grew older, the people of the village began to notice His hidden powers. They started reverentially calling Him, Swami. One day, Swami and His family members visited the Sri Virupaksha Temple at Hampi. When they arrived at the temple, Swami did not accompany the others inside. Instead, he stood near the temple’s gate. When the pooja began inthe sanctorium, everyone was surprised to see Swami standing in place of the Lingam. They had just left Him at the temple’s entrance. How could He suddenly get inside the sanctorium? They rushed out and saw Swami standing as before, all alone and gazing at the sky, with an innocent smile on His rosy lips. Everyone was awestruck and fell at Swami’s feet. One day, Swami returned home from school, threw away Hisschool bag and announced loudly, “Maya (delusion) has left me.I am no more yours. My devotees are waiting for me.” Swami’s sister-in-law, who was inside, rushed out but was almost blinded by a bright aura surrounding Swami’s head. She closed her eyes as she was unable to withstand its brilliance. Mother Easwaramma lovingly requested Swami, “O son, if You must leave us and go to Your devotees, please stay here in Puttaparthi itself and protect and bestow Your Grace upon all Your children.” Swami gracefully agreed to His mother’s humble request. For a very long time, Swami stayed with Karnam Subbamma, whose house was large and could accommodate the increasing number of devotees who came to see Him. Moreover, Subbamma herself was an ardent devotee and loved Swami with all her heart. The devotees soon began coming from all over. Sometimes the food would be insufficient to feed everyone present. At such times, Subbamma would ask Swami for help. Swami would go into the kitchen with two coconuts, strike them against each other, and sprinkle the coconut water over the food. Automatically, there would be enough to feed all the people present, and there would be some more left over! As the number of devotees increased, they offered to build a bhajan hall alongside Subbamma’s house. Once, while Swami was staying at Subbamma’s house, a priest named Laxmaiah arrived with his friend and his friend’s wife, who was mentally ill. The priest made his friend and his wife wait on the banks of the River Chitravathi. The priest arrived at Subbamma’s house and came across Swami. Not knowing who He was, the priest addressed Him, saying, “I believe there is a boy here who cures ailments. Could you please take me to Him, as I have brought my friend and his mad wife?” Swami asked the priest to bring the couple to Him. He told them to have a bath and to sit with the other devotees. Swami then distributed prasad to everyone. He created the Divine vibhuthi and put some in the mad woman’s mouth. Later, He cut some fruits, which the couple had brought as offerings to Him, and gave them the same to eat. Within no time, as the people were watching, the mad lady became normal. Bowing with great reverence to Swami, she and her husband left happily. As the life of Karnam Subbamma was coming to an end, Swami made her perform lots of charity. One day, when Swami left for Bangalore, Subbamma’s health deteriorated, but her mind was constantly on her beloved Swami. Even her mouth, which uttered His holy name, stopped moving. Her breath stopped. She breathed her last, calling out Swami’s name. At once, Swami appeared from nowhere. He called her with His loving voice, “Subbamma! Subbamma, open your mouth!” Subbamma, who was physically dead, opened her mouth and her hands started fumbling and trembling to hold Swami’s feet. Swami graciously took her hands into His and, with His right hand, poured the Holy Ganges water into her parched soul, through her mouth. Subbamma, the true devotee of Swami, left the mortal coil with her eyes fixed on Swami’s Divine Lotus face, and merged in Him. According to the wish of the devotee, Swami reveals Himself as their chosen God. To some, He shows Himself as Lord Ganesha, to some as Lord Muruga, to some as Sri Rama or Sri Krishna, and yet to others as Christ – and He pleases all. Once, a lawyer named Krishnamachari came to Puttaparthi from Penukonda, with the sole intention of exposing Swami as a charlatan. He was taken to Swami by His father. Swami took the lawyer into a room and asked him to keep his eyes closed. When they entered the room, Swami asked him to open his eyes. The lawyer was surprised to see the Samadhi of Shirdi Sai Baba, with a garland draped over it, and a priest standing nearby with pooja items in his hands. Swami told the lawyer to look at the other side. There, he saw the Hanuman temple, the neem tree, the Gurusthan, and other sites in the holy town of Shirdi. The lawyer was an ardent follower of Shirdi Sai Baba. When he received the darshan of Shirdi Baba’s Samadhi, he fell at Swami’s Lotus Feet and asked Him for pardon. The Daya Murthy (Embodiment of compassion), Swami, patted his back and immediately pardoned him. Swami is all powerful. Whosoever calls Him in any name with Love, He responds and blesses them. The third chapter of Sri Sathya Sai, Sathya Narayana Katha ends with all auspiciousness. Bow to Sri Sai. Peace be to all!

Sai Baba’s Mission Begins On the 8th of March, 1940, Sathya gave a piercing scream and fell down unconscious. He was holding His right toe tightly. Everyone at home thought that a scorpion had bitten Him. But actually, Sathya had left his physical form to save some devotees, which all the people around Him did not know, as He had not done anything like that in the presence of others before. Everyone searched for the scorpion, but how could there be one, when it was not the cause for Sathya’s state? After some time, Sathya opened His eyes, but was as calm as before. The next day, once again, Sathya fell down unconscious. Later, when He opened His eyes, He told the people around Him that the village Goddess Muthyaalamma was angry, so one of them must go and break a coconut and light camphor before her. When the coconut was broken at the temple, Sathya announced from home that it had broken into three pieces. It was true! Some people thought that Sathya was possessed by spirits. They started treating Him with all kinds of medicines and herbs. Others thought that Sathya had gone mad, and they sent for His parents. Sathya’s parents came and were shocked to see their loving son in such a state. Even they did not know what to do, so they took Him to an exorcist. The exorcist had a very cruel way of driving away spirits. He cut loving Sathya’s tender scalp with a sharp knife, squeezing in lime juice and applying a very pungent powder, which bulged sweet Sathya’s face to abnormal proportions. His eyes swelled to an enormous size. Sathya’s parents came and were shocked to see their loving son in such a state. Even they did not know what to do, so they took Him to an exorcist. The exorcist had a very cruel way of driving away spirits. He cut loving Sathya’s tender scalp with a sharp knife, squeezing in lime juice and applying a very pungent powder, which bulged sweet Sathya’s face to abnormal proportions. His eyes swelled to an enormous size. Seeing His terrible condition, Sathya’s mother and sister were very sad, but helpless, as they had handed Sathya over to the exorcist. Observing their plight, Sathya beckoned to His sister and told her that nearby there grew an herb. He told her to make juice from that herb and apply it to His eyes. The mother and sister pleaded with the exorcist to leave Sathya alone, saying they would bring Him once again, when He was fit. The exorcist left Sathya with great reluctance. According to Sathya’s suggestion, they put a few drops of the herbal juice into His eyes and before long, they were normal and sparkled with mischief. Days passed, with Sathya expounding high Vedic philosophy to the villagers. He also began talking about a saint called Sai Baba. The father, Pedda Venkappa Raju, could stand this no longer. One day, he approached Sathya with a stick in his hands to beat the devil out of Him. He asked Sathya, “Who are you? Tell me the truth!” Sathya calmly replied, with love and authority, “I am Sai Baba. Keep your houses clean and your minds pure. I shall dwell in them forever.” The stick in Pedda Venkappa Raju’s hand fell down. He was dumb-founded. He said, “If You are really Sai Baba, show us proof.” Sathya took a handful of jasmine flowers in His hands and threw them on the ground. They fell, forming the letters, “SAI BABA” in Telugu. From that day onwards, everyone in the village and nearby villages started calling Sathya, Sai Baba. They began worshipping Him with great devotion, and offered special poojas to Him every Thursday. The second chapter of Sri Sathya Sai, Sathya Narayana Katha ends with all auspiciousness. Bow to Sri Sai. Peace be to all!

Advent and Divine Childhood Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born in a small village called Puttaparthi in the Andhra Region of South India. His father’s name was Sri Pedda Venkappa Raju and His Divine mother’s name was Easwaramma. Mother Easwaramma was a very pious lady, always performing one or the other penance to please the Lord. Lord Narayana, being very pleased with her true Divine Love, decided to be born once again and to enact once more His Divine drama. He thereby chose dear Easwaramma as His mother and Pedda Venkappa Raju as His father. It is believed, according to Mother Easwaramma’s own testimony, that when she was drawing water from the well, a sparkling Blue Light from the Heavens descended down and entered her womb. She fainted and fell. Easwaramma’s mother-in-law had warned her earlier that if something should happen to her, through the Will of God, she should not be frightened. This secret was not revealed to anyone. Bhagawan’s birth was not through conception but by Advent. Bhagawan Himself asked Mother Easwaramma to share her experiences near the well a few days before her maha-samadhi. As Easwaramma was advancing in her pregnancy and as the ninth month drew closer, musical instruments in the house would play Divine notes all by themselves. The drums would beat, the veena would twang, the cymbals would clang and all the inmates of the house would be awakened by their Divine Melody and Fragrance. At last, the 23rd of November, 1926 dawned. It was a Monday, the day of Lord Shiva. It was the Year of Bountiful and the Month of Lights. Easwaramma’s mother-in-law had just finished the Sathya Narayana Pooja and offered the Divine prasad to her daughter-in-law. Soon after Easwaramma ate the prasad, Sai Narayana was born. The Baby was extremely handsome. He was named Sathya Narayana. One day, while Baby Sathya was sleeping in His cradle, the women nearby were surprised to see the clothes under the Baby moving. When they lifted Baby Sathya, they found a snake slithering away from the Lord, disappearing within a few yards. Well! The Lord Adishesha, having missed His Lord in Vaikuntha, must have come down to give Him company! Sathya Narayana, as a child, would never touch non-vegetarian food, nor would He visit houses where it was prepared. There lived a Karnam Subbamma who was a very sathwik lady, and she was very fond of dear Sathya. He would spend most of His time in her house. Even in this Avathar, there had to be a Yashoda! Any beggar who came to Sathya’s parent’s house would not be sent away empty handed. Sathya saw to it that the beggar would be fed sumptuously and sometimes, He would Himself forego food and His sister and mother would get irritated with His constant charity. Later, when they would call Him for lunch, Sathya would hold His tiny lotus palms under their noses and ask them to smell. They would discover the most delicious and mouth-watering smell from those Divine red palms. When they questioned Him as to where He had eaten, Sathya’s prompt reply was, “An old man fed me.” Even as a child, Sathya started revealing His true nature: Love. He could never see His friends sad. He would often create fruits, candies, and pencils to make them happy. He would collect all the tiny tots and make a doll-house, installing small pictures of Gods inside, and teaching his friends bhajans. After completing His primary schooling, Sathya was admitted in nearby Bukkapatnam village for elementary studies. Even there, Sathya became very popular amongst His schoolmates. One of His teachers, Mehaboob Khan was very fond of Sathya. One day, during class, another teacher found Sathya not taking down the notes he was dictating. The teacher’s ego was hurt. He made Sathya stand on the bench as punishment. The teacher’s period was over. The bell rang, however, the teacher could not leave his chair! Sathya was still standing on the bench, when the next teacher, Mehaboob Khan entered the class. Khan saw to his utter dismay, dear Sathya standing on the bench and enjoying the whole drama. Khan was shocked and asked the teacher to bring Sathya down, as then only would the chair leave him. The teacher, who was already humiliated and very ashamed, requested Sathya to get down from the bench. As soon as He did so, the teacher’s chair also released him. In this way, Sathya began revealing Himself. One day, a thanga (horse-carriage) driver lost his horse. He searched everywhere but to no avail. Someone told him that there was a Divine Boy studying in the school nearby and He would reveal to him the whereabouts of his horse. Just as in the Shirdi Avathar, Sathya beckoned to the man gently and told him that his horse was grazing outside the village, in a mango grove. The driver found, to his great joy, his horse, just as Sathya had described. From then on, all the thanga drivers would pray to Sathya to sit in their thangas, so they too would be blessed and have more business. Khan went near his colleague, who was now thoroughly embarrassed, and requested him to vacate the chair. The poor teacher was almost in tears. He said, “Saheb, the chair has stuck to me!” Khan looked around the class. As all the children had overheard their teacher’s conversation, they were giggling. The first chapter of Sri Sathya Sai, Sathya Narayana Katha ends with all auspiciousness. Bow to Sri Sai. Peace be to all!