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To celebrate
this landmark event in Baba’s life -
20th
October every year is celebrated as the
Avatar Declaration
Day. It is on this historically significant day in the year
1940 that the young lad Sathyanarayana Raju revealed to the
world His Divine identity and the glorious mission on which He
has come.
(Offering on the Anniversary of Avatar Declaration Day)
---- Kamaraju Anil Kumar
nēnu sāyini teliyumu nikkamuganu mamata bāyumu yatnamul mānukonumu pāse mīku nātōḍi sambandhaminka kādu nanpaţţa yeţţi ghanunikaina
“Know that I am truly Sai. Cast off attachment! Give up your attempts! From now on your ties to me are dead. Not even the greatest can bind me.”
When was this sung! Well, these are the words Baba spoke to his family, roughly 66 years ago, on the 20th October 1940, right after discarding his books on returning from school. In those days, none would have heard the name “Sai” in the whole of Andhra Pradesh. In fact, it is only after our Baba’s declaration that he is the avatar of Shirdi that people became acquainted with the name “Shirdi Sai.” Now it is well known in every nook and corner. The earlier avatar is being very widely worshipped, and Shirdi Sai mandirs have come up in their hundred and thousands. Baba’s amazing and marvellous declaration, “Know that I am truly Sai,” is indeed the prelude for all this.
Baba decided upon who his parents and close associates should be, as also the lineage of descent, the Ratnakaras. To the delight of everyone he had been performing numerous amazing miracles right from the moment of his birth. Our revered Baba uttered these words on a supremely auspicious morning. This Declaration of Avatar marks a new dawn for the earth and a new era for the universe. For the human race, it is a beacon of hope, a gentle shower of Love, a great gift of Peace, a radiant Truth, a Lamp of Dharma.
Prostrating at the lotus feet of Bhagavan and offering my respectful salutations, I submit this article, a modest attempt to recapitulate revered Baba’s sweet teachings and poems. Reading this with devotion, diligence, and faith, and acknowledging our debt to him for guiding us on the path of life, let us present to the Avatar our flower-blossoms of gratitude for being his contemporaries. Let us bathe with tears of joy our Swami who has always protected, nourished, and cared for us. Let us pray to Sai to make our lives meaningful by rededicating ourselves to fully understand and implement Sai’s message.
Once Krishna had left behind his parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, he never returned to them again. Nor had Rama met Kausalya and Dasaratha after leaving Ayodhya. History tells us that Bhagavan Buddha set out on his quest for nirvāṇa from the women’s apartments of the royal palace. It is well known that the Great Adi Sankara took leave of his mother and became the sovereign of the world of Advaita. It is common knowledge that Raman left home and acquired great fame as Ramana Maharshi. This is true of Sri Aurobindo as well. But the avatar who declared at a very tender age, “Know that I am truly Sai,” cautioned everyone to “cast off attachment,” and added, “Give up your attempts” (to bring me back),” asserted in no uncertain terms, “From now on your ties to me are dead,” and indicated that the nature of the avatar is beyond enquiry and investigation, saying, “Not even the greatest can bind me,” is the matchless avatar, the pūrṇāvatār, Sri Sathya Sai avatar.
Sri Sathya Sai is a unique, marvellous, and most urgently needed divine avatar. This great and glorious avatar offers solace to four types of people: those in distress, those in quest of wealth, or knowledge, and the wise.
padi dinambulanunḍi pastunnavāniki mancibhōjanamu labhincinaţlu ceruvubāvula nīļļu karavaina yappuḍu varusagā varshambu kurisinaţlu santati lēkanu cintillu vāniki puṇya suputrunḍu puţţinaţlu kūţiki lēkanu allāḍucunnaţţi pēdaku bhakshyambu dorikinaţlu dharmanāśana magucunna dharaṇiyandu prabhavamandenu śrī sāyi partiyandu intakannanu vēreddi erukaparatu sādhusadguṇagaṇyulau sabhyulāra!
“Like the chance of a good meal For one starving for ten days, Like a ceaseless downpour After a drought had left every tank and well dry, Like the birth of a good, pious son To one grieving without offspring, Like a few dainty dishes For a poor man in need of food, When dharma is declining in the world, Sri Sai took birth in Parthi. What else is there for me to add, O Gentle, noble, honoured, cultured people!”
Rama, Krishna and the other avatars destroyed the wicked, protected the virtuous, and revived dharma. Bhagavan Sri Krishna brought this out in the Bhagavdgita, saying: paritrāṇāya sādhūnām / vināśāya ca dushkṛtām/ dharmasamsthāpanārthāya/ sambhavāmi yugē yugē, “For the preservation of the righteous, the destruction of the wicked, and the establishment of dharma, I take birth in yuga after yuga.”
Revered Baba described his avatar in these words: durguṇambulu savarinci toḍaruţakunu sādhusamrakshaṇammunu salpuţakunu garbhaduhkha mokintayu kāncakunḍa puţţucunḍu svēcchagā puḍami sāyi
“To amend and reverse evil traits, To undertake the care of good men, Without even an iota of pain during birth Sai incarnates on earth of his own will.”
The Lord’s declaration in the Bhagavadgita, yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata abhyutthānamadharmasya tadātmānam sṛjāmyaham, underscores the decline of dharma in the world. Swami has once again reminded us of the promise made by the Gitacharya. The Krishna of that time and the Sai of today are identical, and have one and the same mission for their advent. Long ago Swami explained in detail the goals of the present avatar, and these are being accomplished all the time. He is a siddhasankalpa, one who can work miracles. He has clarified that the Sai avatar descends on earth not to punish, but to transform wicked people, “amend and reverse evil traits.”
Bhagavan has outlined the objectives of the avatar in these lines: akhilamānavulaku nānandamonagūrci rakşimcucumdutē dīkşa nāku sanmārgamunu vīḍi cariyimcu vārala patti kāpāḍutē vratamu nāku bīdasādalakaina penubādha tolagimci lēmini bāputē prēma nāku manci ceddalu kūda manasulō samamugā bhāvimcucumduṭē bhakti nāku anaga bērondi nāyanḍa nalaruvāri nennaḍunu maruvani vāḍananna māţa neţţi kucitamu madiki nēnērpakundu aţţi nā pēru ceḍuţa yeţlagunu bhuvini
“Bestowing on all men happiness And protecting them is my ‘Vow’; Bringing back those straying from the path of virtue And saving them is my ‘Mission’; For me, wiping away agony and penury, And protecting the destitute is ‘Love’; For me, holding both good and evil In the mind as equals is ‘Devotion.’ Thus, I never forsake those under my care, Nor teach them any kind of meanness, How on earth can my name be tarnished!”
Giving us reassurance of security with the words, “Bring your sorrows, leave them at my feet, and carry home happiness,” ”Your happiness is indeed my food,” “Be happy and Swami is happy,” and “Why fear, when I am here,” Swami adds, “Bestowing on all men happiness, / And protecting them is my ‘Vow’.” The good fortune of Swami’s darśan has brought about a transformation in ever so many people given to bad habits, corrupting ways, and sinful deeds. Many there are who have reformed themselves, responding to Swami’s call, “Give up smoking, drinking, and eating meat.” This is why Swami observed, “Bringing back those straying from the path of virtue / And saving them is my ‘Mission.’” Bhagavan himself conducts on his own numerous service and welfare activities. He demonstrates the ideal, and is “wiping away agony and penury,/ And protecting the destitute” all over the world through the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. Counselling us to maintain equanimity, and not to be elated by success or depressed by failure, Swami asserted, “For me, holding both good and evil / In the mind as equals is ‘Devotion.’”
On another occasion Swami described the activities of the avatar in these words: yugadharmapaddhatul vigaļitamaiyunḍa nayamārgamuna trippi naḍupukoraku lōkambulella kallōlamai ceḍiyunḍa nishkalmashamu cēsi negaḍukoraku durmārgabuddhulai krungi dīnata nunḍa sādhu samrakshaṇa salupukoraku kālasandigdhavigrahadīptulai yunḍu bhāshyārthagōpyamul palukukoraku kshmābhāramu bāpi bhūdēvi manupukoraku trētanosagina kōrkelu tīrcukoraku avatarincenu acyutu ḍavaniyandu satyarūpuḍai partilō cūḍu ḍipuḍu
“When modes of yugadharma tumble down, Reversing their course and setting them aright, When nations in turmoil head towards ruin, Removing the rot and aiding their success, When, with evil minds, men droop dejected, Carrying on the support of the meek and gentle, When time passes leaving doubts unillumined, Explaining the secret keys of interpretation, Nourishing the Earth, easing her burden, Fulfilling the boons granted in Treta Yuga, Imperishable Achyuta came down to the earth. Come! See him in Parthi as Sathya.”
In this modern age when men move about despising the nation’s culture, traditions, and customs, bidding goodbye to her values, Bhagavan Baba is reviving and implementing the cherished values of dharma, morality, and spirituality. A clue to the way he guides Bharat’s progress is suggested in the description: “When modes of yugadharma tumble down, / Reversing their course and setting them aright.”
Swami announced an aspect of his mission in the passage: “When nations in turmoil head towards ruin,/ Removing the rot and aiding their success,” Today mankind is lost and bogged down in jealousy, hatred, and ostentation. Through EHV (Education in Human Values), Swami holds out a new hope for humanity and will imbue it with Truth, Righteousness, Peace, and Love. “Carrying on the support of the meek and gentle,” Swami’s spiritual campaign is geared to the transformation of man through encouraging righteousness and inspiring righteous conduct and activities. As “time passes leaving doubts unillumined,” the truth and inner meaning of ancient Vedic lore, the Upanshads and Puranas are lost and a variety of meanings are fabricated. This accounts for Baba’s remark on “Explaining the secret keys of interpretation” and clarifies the meaning of the statement: “Imperishable Achyuta came down to the earth.“ The avatar is a special feature of Sanātanadharma. In other religions the mention of avatar is not to be found. This is the peculiarity of Hinduism. As the divine plan unfolds, the Immutable Lord, without shape or form, takes on form and attributes as an avatar in accordance with the time and the society. He uplifts mankind by demonstrating the truth of the ideals he proclaims. Swami has pointed out that the divine Sathya Sai avatar, moving among us and making us happy and the earlier avatars are indeed part of the will of the one Supreme Spirit.
ē guṇambu gaṇinci ētencenō nāḍu prahlādu pālimpa paramapurushu ḍē guṇambu gaṇinci ētencenō nāḍu pēda kucēlu brōva vēgacaritu ḍē guṇambu gaṇinci ētencenō nāḍu karini gāceḍu tari kamalanayanu ḍē guṇambu gaṇinci ētencenō nāḍu balicakravarti kāvanga nōrci ā guṇambe gaṇinci yī amaravandyu ḍārtajananādhu ḍīnāḍu avatarince śrīnivasunḍu lōkaikacinmayunḍu velge partīśuḍai nēḍu pṛthiviyandu
“Which trait had the Supreme Spirit weighed, The day he came to protect Prahlada? Which trait had the Embodied Veda weighed, The day he came to save poor Kuchela? Which trait had the Lotus Eyed One weighed, The day he came to rescue Gajendra? Which trait had the Lotus Eyed One weighed, The day he came to cherish Emperor Bali? That very trait this Adored of Gods weighed To descend, and relieve suffering mankind. Today the all-pervading Consciousness, Srinivasa, Manifests himself on earth as the Lord of Parthi.”
We should always keep in mind that Srinivasa, the all-pervading Consciousness, who out of his infinite compassion protected Prahlada, Kuchela, Gajendra and Emperor Bali appears on earth in visible form as the Lord of Parthi. On another occasion, echoing as it were, Krishna’s assurance, “I shall take birth in each yuga” depending on the state of the yugadharma, revered Baba remarked: palumāru puţţu nā caluva yella, “my Grace manifests itself several times.” Thus, the connection with earlier avatars has been suggested.
makara pīḍita mattēbhamunu nāḍu vīkshinci brōcu nā prēmaphalamu valuvalūḍceḍināḍu vaidarbhi vadinanu vaḍi gācinaţţi yavyājakaruṇa āhlādamoppa nā prahlādu saragunan pālincinaţţi yapāra kṛpayu dushţulan degaţūrci śishţulan dari jērca palumāru puţţu nā caluva yella telisikommu kastūri nā ţēne manasu janmadinamuna nā dīvenala nandukommu
“Seeing the elephant king tormented by the crocodile, My Love it was which that day came to his rescue. That day when Draupadi was being disrobed, My free Grace it was which flew to save her honour. When Prahlada was protected in a trice, It was but my infinite Compassion sporting merrily. Drawing close the good, and humbling the wicked My Beneficence fully manifests itself several times. Realise now, Kasturi, how tender my heart is And receive on your birthday these blessings of mine.”
The “Love” which rescued the elephant king, Gajendra, the “free Grace” which saved Draupadi’s honour in the royal palace, the “infinite Compassion” which protected Prahlada, and the “Beneficence” which ceaselessly manifests to humble the pride of the wicked ---- all point to his tender heart. Bhagavan Baba, the Bhōlāśankar (Easily pleased Sankara), Abhayankar (Granter of Fearlessness) is verily the embodiment of Siva. The Paramasiva, who has vibhūti daubed all over himself, became Sathya Sai to bless devotees with the most sacred vibhūti , which fulfils all our earthly desires and grants salvation too.
In Kodaikanal once it so happened that I could see Swami’s feet at close quarters. On the left foot I saw the marks of anklets, and the right foot appeared normal. I asked Swami, “What is this, Swami? This is so amazing.” Swami replied, “Don’t you know even this much? This is the form of Ardhanariswara.” Bhagavan is indeed aparaśankara, another Sankara. Let us note what he said on another occasion:
mauļi gulkeḍu candra makhanḍa kaļatōḍa beḍagāru gulkeḍu jaḍalatōḍa jaḍalatō pravahincu cadalēţi jigitōḍa ḍambaina phāla nētrambu vāḍu nallanēreḍu vanţi nallani meḍamīda karamuna nāgakankaṇamutōḍa naḍumuna cuţţina nāgacarmamutōḍa maininḍa naladu bhasmambutōḍa nuduţa cērcina doḍḍa kumkuma boţtutō tāmbūla rāgādharambutōḍa āru śāstrambulanduna nandaginci nallakaluvala hasiyinci kollalāḍu merugu cāmanacāya mēnitōḍa partivāsuḍu nēḍu sākshātkarince
“With a bright moon beaming over the top-knot, With locks of bright hair playfully stirring, With dazzling Ganges gushing down matted locks, With a gorgeous third eye adorning the forehead, With a bracelet of snakes Over the neck and arms dark as black plums, With snakeskin winding round the waist, With sacred ash smeared all over the body, With a charming vermilion mark gracing the brow, With lips reddened by chewing betel,, Elegantly sketched in all the six sciences, With a smile making the blue lotuses blush, And a body swarthy and lustrous This day the Lord of Parthi appeared in visible form.”
Looking at the pupils from our revered Baba’s institutions, we feel they might have been the cowherd friends of Krishna. Swami’s mandir in Bangalore is indeed Brindavan. Puttaparthi strikes one as though it once was Repalle with its own Gokulam started by Swami. Lord Krishna, the son of Nanda, turning himself into Sai, the embodiment of Bliss, has come down to identify his kith and kin. That Ramachandra became this Sai Ram and is looking after his former “soldiers.” The child Sai Isa is busy playing with his band of friends. MahaVishnu, the Great Vishnu himself had come down as Mahivishnu, Vishnu on earth, and got possession of his weapons. What else do we want besides watching, rejoicing, and recalling how the Supreme Spirit is at play now with his puppets on this world stage as he did in the past!
ā nanda bāluḍē ānanda bāluḍai tana vāri gurtimpa tarali vacce ā rāmacandruḍē ārāmacandruḍai tana banţulanu kangonaga vacce ā yīśuḍē bāla sāyīśuḍai tana gumputō āḍukonaga vacce ā mahāvishṇuvē ī mahīvishṇuvai tana āyudhamulu cēgonaga vacce aţţi paramātmayanu bommalātagāḍu tānu jīvula rangasthalāna nilipi āḍu ānāţi īnāţi āţa jūci sunta varṇinci konta santasamu ganuḍi
“To recognise his former kith and kin, That son of Nanda set out as this Blissful Child. To spot his erstwhile troops, That Ramachandra descended as this Sylvan Moon, For some fun with his previous playmates, That Isa arrived here as Bala Sai Isa, To once again take up arms, That Mahavishnu turned into this Vishnu on earth. That puppeteer, also known as the Supreme Spirit, Himself assigns each creature a role on this world stage. Now go, watch His old familiar game, Recount it a little, rejoice a little!”
Bhagavan Baba is ever subservient to the devotees. If you call out, “Sai,” he answers, “Ōyī! Yes!” When you address him saying, “Swami!” his reply is, “Ēmī! What now!” These instant responses confer immeasurable solace, relief, and courage. Sai Sarvesvara and no other, grants divine experiences and protects even those living in far flung areas of the earth. That is why the poem runs:
kalata dīrcu nokaţa kalalōna kanipinci dhyāna manduna tōci dariki pilucu manasulōna yunḍi manciki naḍipincu śautisaukhyadāyi satyasāyi!
“Appearing in a dream, he removes worry at one place. In dhyana at another, he beckons you to come closer. From within our mind he guides us for our good. Bestower of peace and comfort, O Sathya Sai!”
Once a pilot lost control of his plane and direction too. While he was utterly helpless, suddenly there emerged from the sky clear loud instructions. Signs saying, “right,” “left,” and “straight” were received. The p[lane landed safely at an airport. He thought to himself, “Oh God! What a lucky escape!” Nobody knows who gave the instructions and signs. Eventually the pilot reached Prasanthinilayam. A few days later, Swami gave him an interview and remarked, “I am the one who saved the plan that day.” Guess who the pilot was! He is none other than James Sinclair, an American from Connecticut.
Once a gentleman and his grandson went to Darjeeling. The boy was playing with some friends. It was getting dark. The grandfather wanted to go to the bus all by himself and lost his way. Now everyone knows how some young lad appeared there and led him to the bus. Well, that lad was no other than our Swami. Many years ago a somewhat stout lady, a devotee from our town (Guntur) came to Parthi for Swami’s darśan. She slipped and fell down from the top of the hill. But, nothing happened to her. That evening during the darśan hour, Swami was joking with her saying, “What? Did you mean to break the rocks of the hill?” Even today her family recounts this event and bursts out laughing. Once there was in the Foreign Ministry a certain gentleman, Anantaraman. He did not have much faith. Yielding to the insistence of his mother, he accompanied her to Brindavan for Baba’s darśan. His son had been playing in the swimming pool of the hotel. Suddenly they discovered the dead body of the boy floating there. In utter desperation, they were moaning and praying to Bhagavan, and attempting to revive him. The boy came back to life, and their faith was strengthened. Irrespective of time and place Sri Sai saves us and grants us freedom from fear.
aḍavilōnunna ākāśamunanunna paţţaṇamuna nunna palle nunna guţţa nunna naţţēţa nunna madini sāyi ninnu maruvaḍepuḍu
“In the sea or the sky, In town or village, wherever you may be, On a hill or in the middle of a stream, Sai will never forsake you.”
Go anywhere, and ask any devotee whatever his nationality or language may be. “What is your experience?” He begins to roll his eyes, raise his eyebrows and shedding tears of joy, instantly becomes voluble. Even if the sea were to turn into ink, the trees into pens, and the earth into a book, we doubt whether these would be sufficient to record all the experiences of every devotee. After all, how many can be recorded? Each of them has a novel feature, a unique touch to it. What matters most to the devotee is experience. That explains the song:
ē dēśamēginā yī nāmamē sumī satyasāyi yanucu nitya paţhana ē ūra jūcinā ī nāmamē sumī satyasāyi yanucu nitya japamu ē nōţa vinnanu ī nāmamē sumī sāyi rāma yanucu satya japamu ē cōţa cūcinā ī nāmamē sumī satyasāyi yanucu nitya bhajana viśva mellaḍa vyāptiyai baraguvāḍu bhakta janulaku prāptuḍai paraguvāḍu bhakti nosagi rakshinceḍivāḍu partivāsuḍu mimmēla hattukonaḍu
“Whichever be the country we visit, this name alone, “O Sathya Sai!,” thus runs the constant refrain. Whichever be the town we visit, this name alone, “O Sathya Sai!,” thus runs the unending chant. Whomever we meet, this name alone, “Sai Rama!,” thus runs the daily greeting. He who pervades the universe entire, He who is ever the prop of devotees, Who, instilling faith, protects us, Why won’t he, the Lord of Parthi, clasp you?”
When I was in Brindavan I read out this poem. Swami said, “Read it again.” and enquired, “What did you say towards the end?” I replied, “Swami! I concluded, ‘Why won’t the Lord of Parthi clasp you!’” “No, no.,” Swami added, “Correct it to read, partivāsuḍu mimmēla ettukonaḍu, Why won’t the Lord of Parthi pick you up and hold you, like a child, in his arms!” Swami’s love is lofty like the Himalayas. Swami remarked, “Even if you leave me, I shall not abandon you.”
When, after my retirement, I sought permission to leave for my native town, Swami remarked, “There or anywhere else, I myself have to look after you. Who is there for you?” Isn’t that true? Wherever I look, here, there, or elsewhere, there is only One, Bhagavan.
śrī puţţaparti nilayuḍu kāpaḍunu ninnu nepuḍu karuṇākaruḍai cēpaţţi ninnu brōcucu ē paţţuna viḍuvaka ēlunu ninnun
“The Lord of Parthi, the Compassionate Sai, Looks after you for ever and ever. Holding you by the hand, he watches over you, And never letting go, he guides you.”
For us, who struggle, drown, float, and choke in this ocean of worldly life, the boat that can lead us to the shore happily and safely is indeed Bhagavan Sathya Sai. He says, “With faith in me, patiently wait a little and your own experience will teach you.”
sāramu lēni yaţţi bhavsāgaramandu muningi tēlucun dāriyu tennunu ganaka tattara mandeḍi vōrimi yincukanta madi nūnucu bhaktini kalgicuḍu śri kāruḍu satyasāyi ninu kāvaga vaccina nāva gāncavē
“Why sink and float in this dull ocean of earthly ties, And become agitated, lacking means and method? Have a little patience, and with devotion watch! Behold the rescue boat, the giver of plenty, Sathya Sai!”
Swami says, “Do not try to understand me. Experience me.” Understanding, explaining, clarifying – all these have to do with the mind. The amazing thing to note is that Divinity is not accessible to the mind; it transcends the mind. In fact, we should say that it is beyond the reach of language and thought, but directly accessible through experience. Speech, writing, memory, intellect, and erudition are all linked to the mind. That is why Bhagavan has been described as avāŋmānasagōcara, not cognisable by speech or thought. The Upanishad declares, “The one who says, ‘I know,’ does not know.” As experience is the only evidence, nothing more is required. If we place our trust in the mind, we will be ruined.
centa cērce naţancu santasinceda ranna venţanē eḍabāpi cinta gūrcu ēḍipincuţa sāyi vēḍuka yandurā kaḍupubba navvincu naḍuma naḍuma pogaḍucunnāḍani pongi pōyeda rēmo tappa kappuḍe egatāļi sēyu abhaya miccenu gāna hāyiga nunḍeda nanna paḍu bādhalaku antu paţţakunḍu venuka kēga nīḍu cana nīḍu mundnku manasu marulu golpi madhana beţţu iţţi cinni sāyi cinmaya mūrtini eţţu tiruga galaru ilanu mīru
“When you want to rejoice over a little nearness, At once distancing himself, he makes you sad. If you think your grief is fun for Sai, From time to time he makes you burst with laughter, If you are ever elated over his words of praise, Certain it is, he will tease and mock you next. If you relax, as he assured you freedom from fear, You learn, your troubles have no end. He does not permit any retreat, or advance either. Enthralling your heart, he leaves it agitated. How on earth can you manage This little Sai, this Embodied Consciousness?”
Offering our humble salutations at Swami’s Lotus Feet during the Declaration of Avatar celebrations, let us earnestly pray that all of us may receive his boundless grace and blessings, and bear in mind that Sai’s protection is the salvation of the world,
(Translation: Padma and Ramesh Dutta Thippavajjala)
…. Source: with kind permission of Prof. Anil
Kumar (Offering on the Anniversary of Avatar Declaration Day 20th Oct.) / SBOI
20th October every year is celebrated as the Avatar Declaration Day. It is on this historically significant day in the year 1940 that the young lad Sathyanarayana Raju revealed to the world His Divine identity and the glorious mission on which He has come. The following lines capture the events on that epochal day: Sathyanarayana started for school as usual. However, within a few minutes, He returned 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.” The sister-in-law came from the kitchen, only to be blinded by the splendour of the halo around Baba's head! He addressed her, “I am going; I don't belong to you; Maya (delusion) has gone; My Bhaktas (devotees) are calling Me; I have My Work; I can't stay here any longer." When the brother hurried home on hearing all this, Baba only told him, "Give up all your efforts to 'cure' Me. I am Sai; I do not consider Myself related to you". In spite of repeated pleas, Sathya would not step into that building again. He moved in into the garden of the Excise Inspector Sri Anjaneyulu's bungalow, and sat on a rock in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers, fruits, incense and camphor to worship Him. The garden resonated with the voices of hundreds singing bhajans (devotional singing) and following the lines of the first prayer that Sri Sathya Sai taught them. “Manasa Bhajare Gurucharanam Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam “ (O Mind! Meditate on the Feet of the Guru, which will take you across the wearisome sea of Samsara or worldly existence.) To celebrate this landmark event in Baba’s life, the Avatar Declaration Day is celebrated every year with devotion and gratitude. Excerpts from Bhagawan’s Discourses: In 2002, Avatar Declaration Day discourse Swami recalled His childhood days and shared with everyone His early years. A small excerpt is here: “The Corporation Commissioner of Bellary and his wife played host to us for three days. They took us to the Virupaksha temple in the nearby Hampi Kshetra. Seshama Raju and his wife told Me to remain outside the temple and keep a watch over their belongings as they would go inside to have darshan of the deity. I readily agreed and remained outside. As soon as they entered the temple, to their utter astonishment, they found Me standing inside the sanctum sanctorum where the deity is supposed to be standing. Seshama Raju could not believe his eyes. He thought, "Why did he come here when I told him specifically to remain outside and take care of our belongings?" He at once came out of the temple only to find Me standing there! He again went inside and found Me there also! Still he was not convinced. 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. The Corporation Commissioner was also a witness to all this. He recognised My divinity. When they came out of the temple, he caught hold of Seshama Raju's hands and said, "Raju, do not be under the impression that Sathya is your brother. He is not an ordinary person. You are deluded seeing His physical form. There is divine power in Him. We came back to the Commissioner's house, had our food there and started our return journey to Uravakonda. The Commissioner wanted to give Me a gift. He said that he would get four pairs of shorts and shirts stitched for Me. I firmly told him that I would not accept even one. He did not want to force Me either. Then his wife suggested that a gold collar pin would be an appropriate gift for Me. In those days, it was a matter of prestige for children to wear a collar pin. Immediately, he bought a gold collar pin and put it on the collar of My shirt. I protested. Under any circumstances, I never accepted anything from others. But, Seshama Raju insisted that I accept the gift. He said that my refusal to accept the gift would amount to showing disrespect to the Commissioner. So, I obeyed him. After returning from Hampi, I was going to school wearing the collar pin. The pin dropped on the way and could not be traced. A major change took place in Me. Worldly attachment left Me in the guise of a collar pin. I decided to embark on My mission to alleviate the sufferings of My devotees.”
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