Divine stories - THE EARLY DAYS:– 2 (20th October 1940) The first accommodation, the Open Garden. In my previous posting on “THE EARLY DAYS- 1”, we were discussing about the coming up of Patha Mandiram. Now, we shall go to a little earlier to this period. Location: Uravakonda, where Sathya Narayana Raju was living with his elder brother, Seshamma Raju, and was attending a local school there. On the 20th day of October, 1940, the day after they all returned from Hampi by special bus, Sathyanarayana Raju, started for school as usual, but soon returned back to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, he cast aside the books He was carrying and called out: “I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai. Do not bind me with your worldly ties.The relationship is broken. No one however great he maybe can stop me. My devotees are calling me.” And, so saying, He turned back and left the family home for good. After this, Swami had never stayed in any of the houses of his relatives, anywhere. Neighbour Sri Narayana Sastri heard the noise; he listened and realised that it was something serious; he ran in; he saw the splendour of the 'halo' and fell at Baba's feet. He too heard the Historic Declaration, "Maya has left; I am going; My work is waiting." But, Sathya would not step into that building again; After relinquishing the family home, the first accommodation which Swami chose was the garden of Excise Inspector's Bungalow. Swami sat on a rock, in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers and fruits; the tope resounded to the voices of hundreds, singing in chorus the lines that Sathya Sai taught them. The first prayer that He taught them that day was, as many still remember, was Maanasa bhajare gurucharanam Dusthara bhava saagara tharanam His classmates wept when they heard that Sathya will no longer attend school, that He was much beyond their reach, that His company was hereafter only for those upon whom He showers His Grace. Many came to the garden with incense and camphor, to worship Him. Some came to sympathise with the family, some to congratulate them. Some came to learn and some, alas, even to laugh! For three days Swami lived in that garden; Bhajan and Namasankirthan. A photographer came with a camera. He wanted Baba to remove a crude stone that was right in front of Him but Baba did not pay heed to that prayer. He clicked nevertheless and lo! As can be seen from the photograph, the stone had become an image of Shirdi Sai Baba! But only in the photograph, not for all assembled there! Seshama Raju was nonplussed; he could scarce collect his wits to meet this new situation. A boy, just fourteen, talking of Bhakthas, Work, Maya, and the Philosophy of Belonging! He could think of only one plan: Sathya was entrusted to him by the parents and it was therefore his task to inform them; Sathya could leave the house, only after they came back to Puttaparthi. Swami was willing to come to Puttaparthi, but not into their home. Thus the greatest Avatar in the history of humanity started his divine mission, in an open space in a garden. The search for a Divine accommodation has not yet started. -- --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "saimsg" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
