Rajendra's Spiritual World

2006-09-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

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2006-05-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

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I recently added Shirdi Sai's couple of aarti's (video) in Google Videos.
Here I am embedding for direct viewing. I allowed download also, so you can download the same.
I would suggest you to buy the VCD from Sai Sansthan as it is just 75/-.

Shirdi Sai Baba's Kakad(Morning wake up) Aarti

Shirdi Sai Baba Snanmantra Aarti

Om Sai Ram.

2005-12-28T04:05:00.000-08:00

Calender of Events in Sai baba's life

A. D. Year	Event	Reference
1838	Hemadripant has appoximately determined the date of Sai Baba's birth as A.D 1838.,	Ch. X., L. S., Ch. 1.
1842-54	" Sai Baba spent 12 years with his Guru. The name of his Guru is not exactly known but could be 'Venuksa' alias Gopalarao Deshmukh of Selu or even a 'Sufi' fakir. Some. say " Baba practised penance at the tomb of His (Guru in the cellar under the Neem Tree at Shirdi".	Ch. IV. DasGanu'sBhakti-Sardmdt,
1846	Arrival of Devidas at Shirdi. (Aged 10-11 years)	Ch. V.
1854	Sai Baba first appeared at Shirdi under the Neem Tree (aged about 19 Years) and after sometime disappeared to an unknow place.	Ch.IV.
1857	Sepoys Revolt and India's First War of Independence against the British Raj.
1858	Sai Baba returned to Shirdi along with the marriage-party of Chand Patil of village called Dhoop in Aurangabad Disttict and remained for ever.	Ch. V.
1865	Saint Manik Prabhu of Homanabad in Bidar District of Kamataka passed away.	'Bhalchandm' of Nasik, Sept. 90.
1878, Chaitra Vadya 14.	H. H. Akkalkot Swami left His mortal coil at Akkalkot in Solapur District of Maharashtra. (First appeared in 1835.)	Shii Guru-Leelamrit, Ch. 55/167.
1885	Saint Anandnath (aged 95 years) of Yewala Math and a disciple of Akkalkot Swarni visited Shirdi and seeing Sai Baba exclaimed, "This is a precious real diamond."	CH. V, .D.E., P. 180
1886, April 16	Mahasamadhi of Shri Rainakrishna Parahamsa of Bengal	Life of Shri Rainakrishna Paramahamsa
1886, margashirsh15	Sai Baba, to get rid of an attack of asthma, went into samadi for 72Hrs.	Ch. XLIV.
1889	Abdullah arrived at Shirdi from Nanded (in WestKhandesh NEAR Jalgaon and Amalner)	D.E., P. 143.
1892(approx)	Nanasaheb, Chandorkar arrived at Shirdi for the first time	Abridged Biography (M) by B.V. Deo.
1894(approx)	Das Ganu (Ganesh Dattatreya Sahasrabuddhe) accompanied Nanasaheb Chandorkar to Shirdi for the first time	'Santakavi DasGanu'(M)by A. D. Athavale.
1896	Celebration of 'Urus' ( fair) started at Shirdi due to the efforts of Gopalrao Gund, a Circle Inspector of Kopargaon	Ch. VI.
1897	A son (Nanasaheb Rasane) was born to Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar by Sai Baba's Grace.	Ch. XXV. D.E., P. 136.
1898	Sai Baba seen sleeping on a narrow plank suspended with old rags about 7 or 8 feet above ground with lighted lamps placed on the plank.	Ch. X. D.E., P. 134.
		Ch. VIII.
1899-1900	Nanasaheb Chandorkar visited Shirdi with his sister-in-law's husband, Shri Biniwale. Baba scolded Nanasaheb for dissuading Biniwale, a devotee of Shri Dattatmya from visiting Dattatreya Temple on the bank of Godavari River to avoid delay in reaching Shirdi.	Ch. XXXVIII. D.E., P. 199
1900-1902	Sai Baba like a learned Pandit explained Geeta to Nanasaheb Chandorkar.	Chs. XXXIX and L. D.E., P. 228.
1903	Das Ganu left Govt. service and as per Baba's instructions settled at Nanded and started performing keertans and writing life histories of recent saints	D.E., P. 125.
1903	Das Ganu's book 'Sant Kathamrit' was published. (Ch. 57 about Sai Baba's advice to Nanasaheb Chandorkar)	D.E., P. 130.
1904, April	Rao Bahadur H. V. Sathe first arrived at Shirdi. (Aged 49 years)	D.E., P. 105.
1904-1905	Nanasaheb Chandorkar's pregnant daughter Mainatai at Jamner in Jalgaon District had severe pains of delivery. Sai baba sent Udi and Arati with Ramgir Gasavi from Shirdi and she had a safe delivery. Sai Baba even took the from of tange and its driver to reach Ramgir in time to Jamner.	Ch. XXXIII,. D.E.P 198
1906	Das Ganu's book 'Bhakti Leelamrit' was published. (Chs.. 31, 32 and 33 about Sai Baba)	D.E., P. 130
1906	Nanasaheb Chandorkar transferred as Mamlatdar from Nandurbar to Pandharpur. On the way, he stopped at Shirdi with his family and started requesting Baba to accompany them to Pandharpur and stay there premanently with them. The devotees then told Nanasaheb about the singing of bhajan just finished in which Baba's mood of going to Pandharpur and staying there for ever was expressed.	Ch. VII.
1907	Radhakrishna Mai (Sunderabai Kshirsagar) arrived at Shirdi. (Young good-looking widow aged 25 years)	Bhagavan, P. 135. Sai Sarovar, P. 11, P. 17.
1908	Sathe Wada constructed	D.E., P. 1 13. Pradhan, P. 45.
1908 Ekadashi	Kashiram Shimpi died. (Chaitra Shuddha 11)	Upodghat, Shri Sai Satcharita (M), P. 6.
1908	Pundalikrao of Nanded met Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati. (Tembe Swami) at Rajahmundry on banks of Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh and Swami gave a coconut to be presented to Sai Baba.	Ch. L Life of Tembe Swami.
1908	Shri Tatyasaheb Noolkar, the Sub-judge of Pandharpur first, arrived at Shirdi. (Aged 45 years)	Shri Sai Leela, May-June 91
1908 Gurupournima	Prompted by Baba, Dada Kelkar, Tatyasaheb Noolkar,. Madhavrao Deshpande and others started Guru-worship on that day.	D.E., P. 106. Dr. Gavankar's 'Shiladhi' (M).
1909	Sai Baba threw an ochre garment on Balasaheb Bhate, Mamlatdar of Kopargaon and an atheist, on his very first visit and Balasaheb lost complete interest in worldly matters. He retired prematurely from service and settled down at Shirdi permanently.	Chs. XXXIII, XLIV. D.E., P. 197
1909	Bapusaheb (Sakharam Hari) Jog on retirement from Govt. service came to stay at Shirdi permanently accompanied by his wife.	Ch. XLIV.
1909	Bhimaji Patil of Narayangaon (Pune District) came to Shirdi for getting his chronic tuberculosis cured.	Ch. XIII.
1909 Nov. 2	Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb Dixit, a prominent solicitor and M.L.C. first arrived at Shirdi. (Aged 45 years)	Ch. IV.
1909,Dec.10	Devotees began to offer regular worship to Baba in the Chavadi, where He slept on alternate days	Ch. XXXVII.
1909, Dec.25	Baba gave darshan in the form of Sri Rama to a doctor, devotee of Sri Rama came with a Mamlatdar.	Ch. XII
1910	Baba's 'Handi' business (cooking food Himself in a big pot and distributing to devotees and poor people.) continued till this year. After wards due to Das Ganu's keertans, Baba's fame spread far and wide and devotees coming in large numbers offered large quantities of food as 'naivadya' and thus there was no need of 'Handi.	Ch. XXXVIII
1910	Ramachandra Atmaram alias Babasaheb Tarkhad from. Bandra (Bombay) first visited Shirdi.	Pradban, P. 23., Chs. IX, XXXV.
1910	Rao Bahadur Moreshwar W. Pradhan of Santacruz (Bombay) first visited Shirdi.	D.E., P. 91
1910	Govind Raghunath alias Annasaheb Dabholkar, the author of Shri Sai Satcharita (Marathi), had his first darshan of Sai Baba and received significant and prophetic title of 'Hemadpant. (Aged 51 years)	Ch. 11.
1910	Balkrishna Vishwanath alias Balasaheb Deo (Dahanu Mamlatdar) first visited Shirdi prompted by Nanasaheb Chandorkar	Chs. XL & XLI. Shri Sai Lecla (M), Oct.-Dec. 51,
1910, Bhadrapad Shuddha 5	H. H. Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon (Buldhana District of Bhadrapad Maharashtra) left His mortal coil. (First appeared in 1878.) At that very time at Shirdi, Sai Baba grieved profusely and said, "Hello! My Gajanan is gone."	Gajanan Vijay (M), Chs. I & 19. D.E., P. 117.
1910	Shriman Gopalrao Mukund alias Bapu saheb Booty of Nagpur, started staying permanently at Shirdi.	Pradhan P. 45
1910	Harishchandra Pitale's son suffering from epilepsy, cured with Baba's mere glance. Baba gave Pitale three rupees and reminded him of two rupees earlier received by him from Swami Samarth of Akkalkot	Ch.. XXVI.
1910, Ashwin Vady13	Sai Baba pushed his arm into the brightly burning Dhuni to save a blacksmith's child. 'The arm was scorched and burnt. Nanasaheb came from Bombay with Dr. Parmananda but Baba did not allow the doctor to treat him. Bhagoji Shinde's service of massaging the arm with ghee and bandaging it continued till Baba's Samadhi.	Ch. VII.
1910 Dec. 5	Hon'ble Mr. Ganesh Shrikrishna alias Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti (Maharashtra) first visited Shirdi. (Refused on 10 Dec. 1910)	K.D., P. 1 and 12.
1910, Dec10	Foundation-stone of Dixit Wada laid with Baba's permission	Ch. IV.
1910, Christmas	Lala Lakhamichand of Santacruz (Bombay) came to Shirdi.	Ch. XXVIII.
1910	Megha returns to Shirdi and stays till his death.	Ch. XXVIII.
1911,	Madrasi Sanyasi Vijayanand, while on a pilgrimage to Manas Sarovar, halted at Shirdi and breathed his last while reading 'Bhagawat' for 3 days on Baba's advice	Ch. XXXI. D. E., P. 273.
1911, March	Tatyasaheb Noolkar, the Sub-judge of Pandharpur breathes, his last at Shirdi. (Aged 48)	Ch. XXXI. Shri Sai Leela May-June 91
1911	After Tatyasaheb Noolkar passed away, Megha took over regular daily worship of Baba in the Dwaraka mai. (He used to stand on one leg while performing the Arati.)	D. E., P. 109.
1911 Ram-Navami	Ram-Navami Festival was started at Shirdi due to the efforts of Shri Bhishma and Kaka Mahajani	Ch. VI (M).
1911, Ram-Navami	Construction of Dixit Wada was completed and was inhabited with due rites.	Ch. iv.
1911	Extension and roofing of the open space in front of the. Dwaraka mai being carried out by Kakasaheb Dixit. Baba got enraged and tried to shake and uproot a pole. Then removing Tatya Patil's pugree, struck a match, set the pugree on fire and threw it in a pit along with one rupee as if an auspicious offering to avert evil	Ch. Vi
1911	Somdev Swami alias Haridwar Swami visited Shirdi.	Ch. XLIX.
1911,June 27	Kashinath upasani first visited Shirdi (aged 41 years). and returned again on 6 July. Baba ordered him to stay for 4 years in the Khandoba Temple.	Ch. XLIV. L. S., Vol. 11, P. 225
1911.Dec	Kashinath Upasani composed the famous 'Shri Sainath Mahimna Stotra in Sanskrit. (Now being recited daily during Arati at Shirdi.)	K. D., P. 16.
1911, Dec	Bubonic plague raged at Shirdi, (Lasted upto March 15 next year.)	L. S., Vol. 11, P. 296. D. E., P. 153.
1911, Dec	Baba's grinding of wheat in the hand-mill. It was not wheat that was ground but plague or cholera itself was ground to pieces and cast out of village. Seeing this Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) was inspired to write 'Shri Sai Satcharita.'	Ch. 1.
1911,Dec.5	Dadasaheb Khaparde of Arnraoti anived at Shirdi again with family and stayed for 3 months. The author of Arati book 'Sagunopasana Shri Krishna Bhishma accompanied. Him.	Ch. VII. K. D., P. 113
1911, Dec.1 1	Waman Rao Patel (Later Swami Sai Sharanananda) first arrived at Shirdi. (Aged 22 years).	K. D., P. 26
1911,Dec.13.	Chandrabhan Shet Marwadi, uncle of Khushalchand of Rahata. expired.	Chs. VIII and XXX., D. E., P. 267.
1911,Dec.16	Dr. Capt. Hate first visited Shirdi. (Young and had just appeared at LCPS examination.)	Ch. XXIX. K. D., P. 24
1911,Dec.19	Sai Baba's great devotee and a great saint of Nath-panth order, Shri Rama Maruti visited Shirdi. (Stayed for 34 days.) '.	Ch. XXXIV. K. D., P. 26-61, Shiri Sai Leela (M), Sept. 76
1911-12	Sagun Meru Nalk arrived at Shirdi at the age of 23 and on Baba's advice settled permanently running a small restaurant. for the devotees visiting Shirdi.	Chs. V and XXVI. D. E., P. 259
1912,. Jan.	Dadasaheb Khaparde's youngest son Balwant was cured of bubonic plague by Baba by taking the disease on himself.	Ch. VII. K. D., P. 131-132
1912, Jan. 3	Megha fed some Brahmins on completion of his Gayatri Purascharana. Dadasaheb Khaparde attended it Sathe Wada.	K. D., P. 43
1912, Jan. 19	Megha died at Shirdi at about 4 A.M. Baba lamented loudly and followed the funeral procession for some distance. Baba showered flowers on Megha's body.	Ch. XXXI K. D., P. 57
1912., Jan 20	Bapusaheb Jog started performing Baba's Pooja and Arati after Megha's death. He continued this till Baba's Samadhi and even some years afterwards until he shifted to Sakuri and joined Upasani Maharaj there.	Chs. XII and XXVIII ., K. D., P. 59.
1912.	Transformation of Dwaraka mai started. Pits were patched up and the stone slabs fixed on the floor. Baba gave up sack-cloth seat and start using cushion seat andboister in deference to devotees' wishes	Ch. V.
1912.Jan	Ganapatrao, father of Tatya Kote Patil passed away. Tatya Patil stopped sleeping in the Dwaraka mai with Baba.	Ch. VIII., K. D., P. 56.
1912, Feb. 25	Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) left Shirdi to attend Kakasaheb Dixit's son's thread-ceremony at Nagpur. and Nanasaheb Chandorkar's son's wedding at Gwalior. From there accompanied by Appa Kote, he went on a pilgrimage to Mathura, Prayag, Ayodhya, Kashi and Gaya. At Gaya Madhavrao saw Baba's picture at the priest's house and was reminded of Baba's words, "After visiting Kashi and Prayag I would be ahead of Shama."	Ch. XLVI. K. D., P. 94
1912, Mar.15	Dadasaheb Khaparde returned to Amraoti. Mrs. Laxmibai Khaparde stayed behind.	Ch. XXVII. K. D., P. 113
1912, Ram-navami	Bala Buva Sutar, known as 'Modern Tukaram', wasinvited to perform Ram-navami Kirtan. When he bowed down in obeisance, Baba said, "I know this man since last 4 years". Bala Buva had never met Sai Baba before but 4 years ago at Bomba'y, he had prostrated before Baba's picture. Thus Baba proved to His devotees that seeing His picture was equivalent to seeing Him in person.	Chs. VI and XXXIII.
1912., April	First visit of Balaram Dhurandhar along with his brothers. Before they arrived Baba had expressed, "Today many of my Durbar people are coming". Baba offered Balaram 'Chillim, to smoke and since then his 6 year old asthma was cured for ever	Ch. L.
1912, Shravan 15	Guru-sthan padukas installed under the Neem Tree at. Shirdi	Ch. V
1913.	First visit of Mahadev Rao Sapatnekar of Akkalkot accompanied by his younger brother Pandit Rao. When Mahadev Rao prostrated before Baba, the latter shouted 'Chal hat' (Get away).	Ch. XLVIII
1913	Baba gave at Dwaraka mai darshan of himself as Vitthal and Rakhumai of Pandharpur to the wife and mother of R. B. Purandare of Bandra.	D. E., P. 74.
1913, Ram-Navaimi	Bala Buva Satarkar performed Ram-Navami Kirtan at Shirdi and Baba gave him a gift of Rs.150/- for the Kirtan.	Ch. VI.
1913, May	Wamanrao Patel (Swami Sai Sharanananda ji) visited Shirdi again and this time stayed for 11 months. (Aged 24 - 25 Years.)	Sai Babane Sharane. (Gujarati).
1913	Rao Bahadur Sathe got,a son by Baba's Grace at the age of 57 years.	C. and S., No. 540.
1914	Sapatnekar of Akkalkot arrived at Shirdi again with wife and returned being blessed for begetting a son.	Ch. XlVIII.
1914, Feb. 14	Mr.B.V. Deo(Memlatdar of Dahanu in Thane Distict) was charged by Baba for stealing His rag and after lot of abusing and scolding was favoured with instructions to read Dnyaneshawari regularly every day as per Deo's desire.	Ch. XLI. Shri Sai Leela, Jan. 86
1914, Feb. 22	A Sadhak of Yoga (Swami Ram Baba) visited Shirdi and seeing Baba eating bread with onion got suspicious and disappointed. However Baba proved His power of omniscience by reading his mind and the Sadhak returned highly satisfied and blessed.	Ch. XXIII. Shri Sai Leela, June 87.
1914, April 2.	Before the year was over, Baba appeared to Deo in a dream and inquired if he understood Dnyaneshwari properly. Deo said 'No' and added that without Baba's Grace it will not be understood. Then Baba explained to Deo how to read it slowly and without making haste.	Ch. XLI.
1914, Ram-Navami	Das Ganu was ordained by Baba to perform. Ram-Navami Kirtan at Shirdi every year.	Ch. VI
1914, Shravan	H. H. Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Temple Swami) left His mundane body at Garudeshwar on the banks of River Nannada in Gujarat. (Aged 80 years)	Ch. L.
1914. July 15	Kashinath Upasani left Shirdi (total stay 3 years, 19 days) and proceeded towards Nagpur, Khadakpur etc.	Sage of Sakuri by H. H. Narasimha Swam!, P.210.L.S.Vol.11, P. 271
1915,Dec.	Sai Baba 'suffered from asthma and was very weak. Yet He climbed over Radhakrishna Mai's roof with a ladder. Paid Rs. 2/- to the person bringing and placing the ladder.	Ch. XIX. D. E., P. 78. K. D., P. 123.
1915, Dec.	Balakram Mankar passed away at Shirdi.	Ch. XXXI
1915, Dec.	Mrs. Tarkhad (wife of Babasaheb Tarkhad of Bandra) sent a pedha (ball of sweetmeat) which was already offered as naivadya and that too with Balakram's son Govindji who was in mourning. Yet Baba swallowed it with great eagerness and love	Ch. IX.
1915, Dec. 30	Construction work of Booty's Wada was in progress	K. D., P. 123
1916	Sai Baba made Das Ganu to do 'Nam-saptah and Kirtan' at Shirdi for a week	D. E., P. 127.
1916	Radhakrishna Mai passed away. (Aged 35 years)	Bhagavan (M), P. 137. D.E., P.117.
1916.	Arrival of a Madrasi Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramdasi Order)., Baba gave darshan to the chief's wife in the form of her beloved diety Shri Rama. The chief also got a dream and his attitude towards Baba was completely changed	Ch. XXIX.
1916	Nephew of Dr. Mulky from Malegaon (District Nasik), suffering from tubercular bone-abcess, was fully cured by Sai Baba's Udi and his loving glance. The doctor himself visited Shirdi afterwards and became a staunch devotee of Shri Sai Baba.	Ch. XXXIV., D. E., P. 163.
1916	Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) retired from Govt. service. On Guru Poumima Day while at Shirdi, Anna Chinchanikar pleaded before Baba for getting some other appointment for Hemadpant as his pension was quite insufficient and his family was growing.	Ch. III
1916, Vijaya Dashami	When in the evening Shirdi residents were returning from Seemollanghan ceremony (crossing of the border or limits village), Baba suddenly got into wild rage and taking off His head-dress, kafaffi and langota etc., tore them into pieces and threw them in the burning Dhuni before Him. The fire in the Dhuni became brighter and Baba stood there stark naked. Later when cooled down and dressed again Baba said, "This is My Simollanghan" and thus hinted at His departure from this world soon on Dassehra Day.	Ch. XLII
1916	Ramchandra Dada Patil became seriously ill. One night. appearing before him, Baba told him that he would recover soon but Tatya Patil will die on Vijaya Dashami Day in 1918. Thus by substituting Tatya's name for His, Baba foretold His passing away.	Ch. XLII
1916	Baba averted Gopal Narayan Ambadekar's effortof suicide by prompting him to read an appropriate incident from Akkalkot Swami's Chaiitra.	Ch. XXVI.
1917	Parayana (study for 7 days) of Guru Charitra by one Mr.. Sathe (Not Rao Bahadur Sathe of Sathe Wada) and Baba's vision to him on the last day. Shama narrated to Hemadpant the story of Radbabai Deshmukh and Baba asking Hemad- pant to narrate the same to Him again blessed Hemadpant by pouring into his hands sugar-candy as prasad.	Chs. XVIII and XIX
1917, May19	Lokmanya Tilak arrived at Shird! with Dadasaheb Khaparde for Baba's Darshan.	K.D., P. 124. D. E., P. 118.
1917	Haiibhau Karffik of Dahanu (District Thane) wished to offer. one more rupee to Baba while leaving Shirdi, but could not do so. On the way at Nasik, in the Kala Rama Temple another saint Narasing Maharaj demanded one rupee from him. Kaniik gave it willingly thinking that Baba was demanding the rupee he wanted to offer. at Shirdi.	Ch. XXXIII
1917	Sai Baba appeared at thane (North of Born'bay) to inquire the well-being of Appasaheb Kulkarni's wife and children when the latter was away on tour. When Appasaheb returned. Baba not only fulfilled his desire of offering Rs. 10 as Dakshina but also favoured him by returning nine rupees consecrated by His touch.	Ch. XXXIII.
1917	Upasani Maharaj made Sakuri (near Rahata) his permanent residence. (Aged 47 years)	Sage of Sakuri By H.H Narasimha Swamiji, P.211
1918	Rao Bahadur Moreshwar Pradhan purchased Lendi Baug and later presented it to Shirdi Sansthan'.	Pradha, P. 49
1918, April 1	At Vile Parle (East) (now suburb of Bombay) on Hanuman Road, Narayan Mahadev Thosar (later known as Narayan Ashrarn) built a Hanuman Temple. On the day it was consecrated, Baba paid Rs. 25 to a Brahmin named Waze and made him perform Shri Satya-narayan Pooja	D. E., P.63
1918	Prof. G. G. Narke, son-in-law of Butty got a permanent job by Baba's Grace as Professor in the Engineering College at Pune	D. E.,. P.17
1918, August	Baba offered Hemadpant a glass of butter-milk and said, "Drink it all, you won't get such opportunity again	Ch. XXXVIII.
1918, Sep.9	Das Ganu wrote 'Shri Sai Stavan Manjaril at Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) on the banks of River Narmada.	Stavan Manjari (M), P. 159.
1918, Sept.28	Nath Panthi saint Rama-Maruti of Kalyan passed away.	Ch. XXXIV.Shri Sai Lecla(M),Sept 76
1918, Sept.28	Sai Baba had a slight attack of fever which lasted for 3- 4 days. Since then Baba abstained from food and day by day His weakness increased.	Prof. Narke's letter to Khaparde, dt. 5 Nov. 191 8.
1918, Oct. 1	Baba asked a Brahmin devotee by name Waze to read 'Raum- Vijay' (by Sridhar Swami) and listened to it for 14 days.	Ch. XLIII.
1918,Oct. 8	A tiger met its death at the feet and presence of Sai Baba and was emancipated	Ch. XXXI.
1918Oct.,15, Tuesday.	On Vijaya Dashmi, Sai Baba left his mortal coil at about 2-30 p.m. Few minutes before, He gave Rs. 9/- as charity to Laxmibia Shinde.	Ch. XLII
1918, Oct. 16 Wednesday	Early morning Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur, in dream and said, "The Dwaraka mai has collapsed and all the oilmen and grocers have troubled Me a lot. So I am leaving the place. Go there quickly and cover My body copiously With flowers".	Ch. XLII.
1918,Oct.16 Wetdnesday	In the evening Baba's body was taken in procession through the Shirdi village and then interred in Butty Wada with due formalities	Prof. Narke's letter Dated
1918, Oct.27	On the 13th day Baba's devotees from all over gathered and funeral rites were performed by Balasaheb Bhate with. a feast to Brahmins and poor. Later Upasani accompanied by Bapusaheb Jog went to Prayag (Allahabad) and per- formed all the remaining obsequies on the banks of River Ganges	Prof. Narke's letter as above
1918, Oct. 27	A committee was formed to manage the worship of Sai Baba's Samadhi, comprising of 15 members with Shrimant. Bapusaheb Butty as the.Chairrnan.	Prof. Narke's letter as above
1918, Oct.27	Nanavalli a great but quaint and queer devotee of Baba breathed his last. His samadhi is at the entrance of Lend! Baug. (Aged 70 years)	Ch. X., D. E., P. 181.
1918. Nov.5	Kbushalchand Sheth of Rahata passed away	Chs. VIII & XXX D. E, P 267.
1919, Jan.	Nanasaheb Nimonkar (Shankarrao Raghunath Deshpande and elderly cousin of Shama) passed away at Pune.	Ch. XII. D. E., P. 177.
1921	Narayan Motiram Jani of Nasik used to visit Shirdi twice a year during Baba's life-time. After the passing away of Baba in 1918, Narayana rao wanted to visit Shirdi but could not do so due to his illness. Three years passed and then Baba coming out of a cellar appeared in his dream and assured him that he Would recover and within a week would be able to visit Shirdi. Accordingly Narayanrao visited Shirdi and Baba proved that He was ever alive and would appear before His devotees whenever required.	Ch. XXXIII.
1921	Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) was temporarily re- employed for 6 months on a special job as per Baba's words to Anna Chinchanikar earlier.	Ch. 111 (Note in Marathi Shri Sai Satchadta).
1921	Shrimant Bapusaheb Buity who constructed the present Sainadhi Mandir passed away at Bombay.	Pradhan, AppX.II
1921 Aug. 21	Nanasaheb Chandorkar passed away at Kalyan (Shravan Vadya 4) (Aged 61 years)	Brief life-story by B. V. Deo (M).
1921	Shirdi Sansthan of Shri Sai Baba was formed. (Sanctioned by the District Judge of Ahmednagar under Sec. 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure.)	Pradban, Appx. II.
1922, Chitra	Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) commenced writing Ctiaitra 'Shri Sai Satcharita' in Marathi Ovi Verse.	Ch. 53 (Marathi).
1922, Sep.11 (Ekadashi)	Mhalsapati passed away. (Monday, Bbadrapad Vadya 11)	L. S., Vol. II, P. 20, 26.
1923 April	First issue of 'Shri Sai leela (Marathi) magazine published (Editor Laxman Canesh alias Kaka Mahajani)	Shri Sai Leela (M), April 80.
1924	Sathe Wada (present Guru-sthan area) purchased by Shri Navalkar whose successors presented it in 1939 to the Shirdi Sansthan.	Pradhan, P. 45.
1925	Balara:m Dhurandhar of Santacruz (Bombay) passed away. (Aged 47)	Ch. L.
1925	'Bhakti Saramrit' of Das Ganu published. (Ch. 26 about Baba's Guru Venkusha alias Gopalrao Deshmukh of Selu and Chs. 52 and 53 about Baba's early life.)	D. E., P. 30.
1926	Bapusaheb Jog passed away at Sakuri. (Aged 70 years) (Samadhi near Datta Mandir at Sakuii.)	Chs. XXVIII and XLIV.
1926, July 5	Kakasaheb Dixit passed away while travelling in a local train at Bombay and talking to Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) about Baba's love for His devotees. Thus Baba carried out His promise to take Kaka in a viman (aeroplane) which means a happy ending and sadgati. (Aged 62 years)	Ch. L. L. S., Vol. Ill, P. 194.
1928	Ganesh Damodar alias Dada Kelkar (Rao Bahadur Sathe's father-in-law) passed away.	D. E., P. 36.
1929, June	Annasaheb Dabholkar (Hemadpant) completed writing 'Shri Sai Satcharita' (52 Chapters only). An index giving the, contents of all the Chapters though promised could not be traced. This was later composed by Shri B. V. Deo (retired Mamlatdar mentioned in Chapters XL and XLI) and added as Ch. 53 in the Marathi Shri Sai Satcharita.	Epilogue to Marathi Shri Sai Satcharita Chs. 52 and 53.
1929, July 15	Annasaheb (Govind Raghunath) Dabholkar alias Hemadpant, the author of Shri Sai Satcharita in Marathi Ovi passed away at Bandra (Bombay). (Aged 70 years)	Ch. 53 (M).
1929, Aug. 28	Composer of 'Sagunopasana' Arati book, Shri K. A. Bhishma passed away at Mohra in Nagpur District.	Shri Sai Leela (M), Oct. 87.
1939	H. H. Narasimha Swarniji started popularising Sai devotion by writing articles in 'The Sunday Times' at Madras and large number of devot" started pouring in at Shirdi especially from the South	Preface to D. E.
1938	Laxman Ganesh alias Kaka Mahajani passed away.	Chs. VI, XII, XIII.
1938,Jul 1	Dadasaheb Khaparde passed away at Amraoti. (Aged 84 years)	Chs.VII, XXVII., L. S., 11, Ch. 7.
1940, April 26	Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) passed away at Shirdi. (Thursday, Chaitra Vadya 4) (Aged 80 years)	Bhagavan (M), P. 110.
1940, June 29	Bapusaheb (Sakharam Balvant), advocate of Nasik, passed away due to heart-attack. (Aged 67 years)	C. h. XII. L. S., Vol. Ill, Ch. VI.
1941, Jan. 20	Damu Anna (Damodhar Savalaram Rasane) of Ahmednagar passed away. (Aged 89 years),	Ch. XXV., L.S., Vol III, Ch. 111.
1941, July 1	'All India Sai Samaj formed by H. H. Narasimha Swamiji at Madras.	Sai Sudha, Jun-July 91.
1941, Shravan vadya 12	Shri Narayan Maharaj of Kedgaon (District Pune) left His mortal coil at Bangalore. (Aged 56 years)	Ch. XXVIII.
1941, Dec. 24	Upasani Maharaj left His mortal coil at Sakuri (near, Rahata).	Sage of Sakuri, P. 212.
1944	Publication 'Shri Sai Leela' magazine was suspended till 1947 (3 years).
1945	Tatya Kote Patil passed away.	Samadhi at Shirdi.
1946, Jan. 1	Shri Balkrishna V. Deo passed away (composer of index viz. Ch. 53 of Marathi Shii Sai Satcharita).	Chs. XL and. XLI. L. S., Vol. Ill, P. 197
1948	Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare of Bandra passed away.	D. E., P.72.L.5.,Vol. Ill, P.1, Ch. IX.
1951, Ram-Navami	In front of Baba's Sarnadhi in Butty Wada, a spacious Assembly Hall was constructed for ccommodating 400 to 500 devotees.	Inscription on the Assembly Hall.
1952, Sept. 29	'Kalash' (an ornamental pointed piece) of gold was fixed on the spire of the Samadhi Mandir.	Shri Sai Lecla (M), Oct.-Nov.-Dec. 52.
1953, July 14,	Wamanrao Patel adopted 'sanyas' ashram (abandonment of all worldly possessions and earthly affections) with the name. 'Shri Sai Sharanananda.'	Sai Babane Sharane (Gujarati), P. 380
1954, April	Abdul Baba passed away. (Aged 83 years)	L & S Ill, P. 173.
1954, Oct. 7	A big and beautiful marble statue of Sai Baba was installed behind Baba's Samadhi at the hands of Swami Sai Sharananandji.	Shri Sai Leela (M), April 8 1.
1956, Oct. 19	H. H. Narasimha Swamiji passed'away. (Aged 82 years)
1960, Nov. 6	Shirdi Sansthan's administration was taken over by the City Civil Court and a 'Court Receiver' was appointed.
1962, Oct. 23, Ekadashi	Das Ganu Maharaj passed away. (Kartik Vadya 11) (Aged 95 years)
1963	Laxmibai Shinde whom Baba gave Rs. 9/- in charity just. before His Mahasamadhi, passed away.	Ch. XLII
1964	Ramachandra Dada Patil passed away.	Ch. XLII.
1969	Avatar Meher Baba left His mortal coil. (Aged 75 years)	Sai Baba-The Perfect Master, P. 3.
1973, April	'Shri Sai Leela magazine separated in two different issues - one in Marati and the other in English and Hindi combined.
1976, July 23	Shri Mota Maharaj, great saint of Gujarat left His mortal coil. (Aged 78 years)	Shri Sai Leela, May 86.
1980, Jan 14 1982, Aug. 26	H. H. Radhakrishna Swamiji passed away at Bangalore. (Aged 74 years) Swami Sai Sharananandj! (Wamanrao Patel) passed away at Ahmedabad. (Aged 93 years)	Sai BabaneSharne(Gujarati), P. 375.
1984, Aug. 16	Administration of Shirdi Sansthan handed over to the Board of Trustees by the Court and Executive Officer appointed for day to day administration.
1988, Mar. 6, Mahashivratri	Swami Ram Baba left His mortal coil at Bombay. (127 years)	Shri Sai Leela, June 87.
1989, Sept. 1	New Board of trusts consisting of 25 members appointed.
1990, May 4	Foundation-stone of 'Sai Baba Bhakta Niwas-sthan' laid.
1991,Jan-Feb.	Size of 'Shri Sai Leela' magazine enlarged and converted in to a bi-monthly magazine.

Few articles about Shirdi Sai Baba
http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/ShrdSai/ShSai.htm

2005-12-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

OM SRI SAI RAM-GURUDEVADATTA

SRI SHIRIDI SAI BABA

First I bow my head on the feet of Sadguru and Madguru Sri Shiridi Sai Baba with Sahasra Pranams.

Dear Sai Brothers and Sisters ! Sai Tatwam is spreading all over the world speedly from 1985 on words and number of Sai Mandirs are also constructing with huge amounts. We can see that there is no person in any religion in the world to point out Sri Shiridi Sai Baba. He is only a such person in the world.

So far perfect Sai Tatwa Pracharam was conducted by Sri Pujya B V Narasimha Swamy, Sri Kesavaiahji, Sri Ekkirala Bharadwaja Master, Sri Bapatla Hanumantha Rao, Sri Vemuri Venkateswarlu, Mathaji Krishna Priya, Matrusri Pulamma (Srimathi Chunduru Kameswaramma), Sri Chodavarapu Sambamurthy, Sri Adipudi Mohana Rao and Sri M Rangachari in Andhra Pradesh with Love and devotion in Satsanga Manner.

But now-a-days, so many Gurus are coming forward in Sai Tatwam also. As per Sai Sacharitra, there is no Guru other than Sai Baba in Sai Tatwam. At present also Baba is giving His blessings as Guru to the devotees who are fully surrender to Him with faith and patience.

So, it is the duty of every Sai devotee to know about Sai Baba and Sai Baba and Sai Tatwam in detail as per Sai Sacharitra for their benefit in future. Now I am giving a picture about Sai Baba as per Sai Baba Charitra in a short notes.

WHO IS SAI BABA ?

Sai Baba came to Shiridi first time in 1854 at the age of 16 years. What all we know about Sai Baba , is only after He attained the age of 16 years. We do not know where He was and what He was doing prior to His 16th year of age.

Baba disappeared for a period of ONE Year and came to Shiridi second time in 1858 with a marriage party. From that time He stayed at Shiridi upto 1918, for a period of 60 years, until He left physical body.

So, no one knows definitely where He was born and when He was born. No one knows His parents. He has no wife and children. He is free from bonds of Samsara. No one knows His caste. We do not know any thing about His religion. He loved humanity and His religion is Universal Love or Love for all Humanity.

The nameless young boy (young Fakir) who came to Shiridi at the second time with marriage party, was getting down from Bullock Cart near Khandoba’s Mandir, Bhakta Mahalsapathi welcomed Him " Aayiye Sai". Then others also addressed Him "Sai". Ever after He became known as "Sai Baba" and permanently settled in the village of Shiridi.. He is called ‘SHIRIDI SAI BABA". So, He is Sai Baba.

AVATHARAPURUSHA

The devotees of Sai Baba are believing that Sai Baba is Avathara Purusha. Once Baba said to His devotees "Be stay wherever you like, do whatever you chose, remember this well - that all what you do is known to me. I am the Inner Ruler of all and seated in their hearts. I envelope all the creatures, the movables and immovable world, I am the controller – the wire puller of this Universe. I am the Mother – Origin of all beings – the Harmony of three Gunas, the propeller of all senses, the creator, preserver and distroyer. Nothing will harm him, who turns his attention towards Me. But Maya will lash or whip him who forgets Me. All the insects, ants, the visible, movable and immovable world, is my body or form.

In Sai Sacharitha we can see so many instances that Sai Baba is seated (Live) in every heart of living beings in the world. So, the statement given by Baba is proving that Baba is Paripurna Avathara Purusha.

The five elements i.e., sky, air, fire, water and earth constitute the creation. They are controlled by the creator (i.e., Paramathma). Baba controlled above five elements in so many instances and proved that He is Himself creator. We can see such instances in Sai Sacharitha. So, Baba Himself is the "Para Brahma". He is not limited by time and space. He is eternal. He is everywhere and does not belong to any one place. Hence He is " Avathara Purusha."

Sri Sivananda Saraswathi of Hrushikesh says " As all features of all Awatharas are found in Sai Baba". We can, without doubt, declare that Sai Baba is Paripurna Avathara or the Unique Avahara Purusha ("Perfect incarnation of God").

As per Sai Baba Charitha we can see that Sri Sai Baba one in physical form. But He appeared to different devotees in forms of different Gods as devotees liked or desired. Now also Sai devotees are getting physical appearance of Sai Baba. Baba protecting His devotees more than He used to do before entering into the Samadhi. So the devotees of Sai Baba decided in full faith, that Baba is perfect Avatharapurusha. They are installing Sai Statues in Mandirs and Sai Chitrapatams in their houses and performing Shodasopachara Puja and praying for their protection. They are also getting the protection by Sai Baba. Hence Sai Baba is "Avathara Purusha." So He is Sai Baba.

SAMARDHA SATGURU

Every Sai devotee while praying Sai Baba says "Samardha Sadguru Sainath Maharaj (Ki Jai)" at every Arati time, and also in puja and Satsanga times.

Baba says "many people came to Me for wealth, health, power, employment, cure of diseases etc. They want only earthly things. Very few ask Me for "Brahma Jnanam". "But whatever they pray for, I am ready to give. The only thing is that they should possess that fitness (Arhatha)". Baba also said "I call all to come to Shiridi. But all are not ready to come".

Devotees came to Baba to get their desires fulfilled. Baba fulfils their desires. But in the case of devotees who completely surrender themselves to His will, Baba himself, without being asked, give every thing to them. He is ‘SATGURU".

Baba said His devotees "Remove the Mediator. He is like a wall between us. There is no need for any mediator to get contact with Me" (with Guru).

Baba did not tell any Mantra in the ear of His devotees. He said a devotee "My Guru never taught Me any mantra, then how shall I blow any mantra I your ear ? Don’t try to get Mantra or Upadesh from anybody. Keep all your thoughts on Me and do all things for Me. I shall reciprocate your actions." So Baba never encouraged Mantropadesham.

Look at Me whole-heartedly, an I in turn look at you similarly and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (Goal).

Ashada Purnima is also called Gurupurnima. In 1908 on Gurupurnima day Baba told Syama "Let Krishnaji Nulkar of Pandaripuram carry on his puja to the pillar near Dhuni. But it was earlier on the day, Syama and others had their Gurupuja to Sai Baba Himself in person instead of to the pillar. It is only for celebration His festival that devotees has permission of Baba. Now also devotees of Sai Baba celebrate Gurupuja on Gurupurnima day.

We are knowing that death is certain and may snatch us at any time; we should be ever alert to achieve the object of our life, we should not make the least delay but make every possible haste to gain our object. So with all earnestness and speed we should drive to attain our end i.e., self realization. Hence we should day and night meditate on the self.

Hemadpanth says that "Sai Baba Life History" is our present Guru Charitra. "We can see Guru Leelas in every chapter of this Charitra. If we read these leelas with knowing sense of subject and get memory of the subject and put the same into our practice, then we will get Baba’s Blessings for our salvation. Baba says "I will help them those who read or hear My Leelas".

Baba promised His devotees "Even after My physical non-existance, I will aware of My duty". He is still keeping his promise. As Satguru, He looks His disciples Welfare. This is my personal experience. Baba makes them lead their lives with peace and happiness and get Satgathi.

A great yogi Sri Gunavani Maharaj said "Even after entering into Samadhi, Sai Baba is giving darsanam to many of His devotees in His physical form and helping them for their salvation or otherwise. "Sri Ekkirala Bharadwaja Master once said to me "Even now we can look to Sai Baba to help us as "Satguru". We need not search for any other".

Once Mehar Baba said "Worshipping Sai Baba is worshipping God Himself. He also said that Sai Baba is the "Emperor among Satgurus".

We are fortunate in having Baba for us. He is a Satguru. He did not name any devotee as His representative after Him as Guru. Now there is no need to Sai devotees to run for other Gurus. At present Baba can lead our souls in the right path and bless us.

So we have to trust our Samardha Satguru Sri Shiridi Sai Baba in getting over the ocean of worldly existence. Now we can Sai Baba is Satguru. So, He is Sai Baba.

SAI THATWAM

1. Baba asks men of different religious to learn to live together and work together. The letter " I " as a ward stands for Atma. Body is not meant by it. " I " means Atma. But Atma does not have the differences of caste, creed or sex. We born alike and die alike. Even our bodies are all made of the same five elements i.e., sky, wind, fire, water and earth. Then why should we unnecessarily create differences among followers of different religions and make lives of all miserable. Baba said "No one has no right to change his creed". A devotee of Baba changed his religion. Baba came to know of it. He remarked disapprovingly. "Do you change your father also ?"

So, as Sai devotees, we should unitedly work for strong integrated nation and welfare of Humanity. Sai Devotees should unitedly propegate Sai Thatwam as per Sai Sacharitra and improve the "Naithika Viluvalu"

2. Baba started His life with service to sufferers and needy. Baba cured different people suffering from different diseases and also the same diseases with different methods. He is now, after Mahasamadhi also, curing the diseases of His devotees. Even now His devotees are curing many diseases with "Udi" from Shiridi "Dhuni". Devotees of Baba delieve that "Udi" has been left to us as His deputy to cure all diseases.

3. Service to poor. Baba collected raw materials and cooked food Himself and feed the poor. He liked the poor. Baba says "Service to Humanity is service to God". He liked more those devotees who fed hungry and dressed the poor. "So Baba served Humanity and made His devotees serve Humanity. He promised His devotees "that they would never be I want".

Baba says Charity (giving help) is like sowing of a seed. If you had sown seeds in previous Life (Janma), you enjoy the fruits of it in the present life. So, it is good for every one to be charitable in this life atleast, so that we can enjoy happiness in the next Janma.

4. Baba says "to be kind to all living beings." This is what we call "Bhuta Daya". Baba says "All living beings in the world including cats, pigs, flies, cows are all of my "Amsa" (physically separated parts). I live in those forms and Act. Those who can seen Me in all those things (living beings) are My loving devotees. Baba said "Giving food to any one, who is hungry is giving food to Me. We should not be cruel to other living beings. Baba also says "Whichever the animal it is, if it is a guest, it should be treated with respect due to a guest. Put "Kaka Bali" (food to crow) outside. Don’t try to know if it is a crow or some other living being that come to eat. Let it eat that. It amounts to feeding a million living beings".

5. "Don’t dislike the evil doer, but help him to become a good citizen." This is Baba Tatwam. Baba never punished any evil doer. Many a evil doer was transferred into good citizen by the grace of Lord Sai Baba. We can see such instances in Sai Charitra. Baba says "whoever speaks ill of others, causes Me unbearable pain and whoever bears with the ill caused to him by others, gives Me much pleasure and happiness. So the above are Sai Tatwam. So He is Sai Baba.

BABA TEACHINGS

Baba promised His devotees "That they would never be in want". Baba says "speak always truth. Sitting in the Mosque, I cannot speak untruth. Never break your promise. If you are sincere and patient I shall always be with you. Whatever you do, do it perfectly. If you cannot do perfectly, don’t undertake the task. Don’t argue. Speak little. Try to live as you were, when you were born." And also Baba says "What is given by God will not be lost. What is given by man will certainly be lost. Don’t desire tasteful dishes. Do your duty. Give up quarrels. Read good books. Respect always God’s name. God will then protect you".

Baba told a devotee "It is enough if you once make salutation (namaskaram) with Love, faith and obedience. We must remember and implement in our day to day life the above teachings of Sri Sai Baba. So, He is Sai Baba.

SAI BABA’S ASSURANCES

Baba said "Whenever and wherever (after samadhi also) you think of Me, I shall be there instantly". He also remarks "where is death to Me ?"

Even though I enter to my Samadhi, My ashes will speak from Samadhi. Not only I, My Samadhi also will speak and move. If you surrender yourself completely without reservations, it speak to you. My ashes also speak and enquire of your welfare. Remember Me forever. Believe Me whole-heartedly. Then only you can have the greatest happiness". On another occasion Baba also assured "My Samadhi speaks. Utter my name. This dust will give reply".

Baba once said to Pille "We can get rid of our sins of previous Janmas (lives) by suffering only. Our actions in previous Janmas are responsible for our present sorrows or happiness. I can reduce the period of sufferings of Sanchita Karma of 10 previous Janmas to 10 days". Can it possible for ordinary yogi to do so ? i.e., giving remission in the period of sufferings for sins committed in prior Janmas (Birth). It is that Satguru only can do such things.

Baba told Srimathi Tharked "I shall continue our relations in further Janmas as we had in the past Janmas. I leave no one until I lead them to salvation". Who can give such assurances ? Sai Baba giving such assurances to His devotees. So, He is Sai Baba.

WAYS TO ENTER INTO BABA’S CIRCLE

The following are some ways to enter into Sai Baba’s circle.

1. Chant His name always "SAI SAI"
2. Read His Charitra (Life History) daily with knowing sense of subject.
3. To see the photo or statue of Sai Baba with concentration (Ekagrata).
4. To serve the poor and to be kind to all living beings.

Baba whatever He did, was done for the good of His devotees. We should never be lazy, but always be alert to gain our end and aim of Life. Paramathma came to earth as Sai Baba and Sai Baba is leading His devotees in His path for their Salvation as Satguru. So He is Sai Baba.

2005-12-28T03:45:00.000-08:00

"SAI SAI " - Manthra will protect sai devotees

Now a days Sai Tathva is spreading all over the world very fast. I am hereby requesting sai devotees not to wish each other with "HELLO". Instead of "Hello" you may practice to wish " SAI"," OMSAI " or "SAI RAM "as you feel like.

Bhakta Mahalsapathi addressed the young fakir who came to Shiridi during the year 1858 as "YA SAI" (Welcome Sai). Thereafter everybody called Him with thesame name Sai Baba.

Pesently, "SAI", the three lettered word in English and two lettered word in Telugu "sa.yi" have popularly become the "Manthra" to the devotees of SriShiridi Sai Baba.

In Sai Baba's life History, Sai says, " Those who chant my name- "SAI, SAI", "I will reach him ,nomatter even if he is seven

Seas across". That is uplifting one from the from maya of Samsar(Worldly affairs).It is Baba’s promise (Pratigna)to his devotees. He will always give His help and protection to those who constanyly chant His name "SAI- SAI".Devotees

may practice to

1.Chant his name always " Sai- Sai ". This is called "SMARANA".

2.Read Sai's Life History (Charitra ) daily with ( " MANANA"). (Routine work "NIDHI-DHYASA"). These three are called Sravana (Hearing), Manana (getting into memory) and Nidhi-Dhyasa (Putting into practice). Baba says "I will help those who read or hear My Leelas (Miracles).

3.To Look at the photo or statue of Sai Baba with full concentration (Ekagratha) or in Meditation.

4.Service to the poor( Charity). Charity and meditation are the two things in Kaliyuga, that can give salvation (Sadhgathi).

Baba always liked those devotees who feed the hungry and who provide clothing to the poor. "Service to Humanity is

Service to God".

Baba served Humanity and made His devotees also to serve Humanity. Baba also advised devotees to see Him in all

living beings whether they are animals or creatures or other wise. He says - Those who can be see Me in all those living beings are my beloved devotees".

In Maha Bhagavatha Grandha one devotee prays the God as follows:

"Nee Padha Kamala Sevayu

Nee Padharchakula Thodi Neyyamu Nitham

Thapara Bhuthadhaya yu nu

Dapasa Mandara ! Nakudaya seya gade"

(Pothana Bhagavatham.)

I always love to bow at your Lotus feet. May your mercy bestow and instill in me ever lasting love for all living beings.

We are suffering from so many troubles and we are not able to get them rid off. Sai Baba is ever ready to help those who are asking for His help.

So we put Him in the position as the Head of the family to protect and guide us. Then there will be no need to run here and there for our protection. This is called faith. Baba asked us to give only two things. One is "NISTA" and another is "SABURI". They are called "Faith" and "Patience". So it is our duty to put faith in Baba and remember Him always with out

any break with patience. That will be sufficient to solve all our problems.

" MANANATH TRAYATHE ITHI MANTHARAHA"

Those who chant one "MANTRA" always, the Mantra it self will protect them. Baba says to his devotees to

chant His name "SAI-SAI" for ever. It is enough to solve all their problems and also get " Gnana". There is no need to chant other "Mantra". In Ramayana we will see Rama Thatvam "That is one word, one Bana and one wife (Ekapatnivartam).

So Sai Devotees should practice to do all the karmas (works) with "NISHKAMA" (with out expecting any result or returns) and

put whole responsibility on the shoulders of Sai Baba. Then He will protect us.

I am therefore requesting all Sai devotees to read SAI CHARITRA and get full knowledge. Sai Baba’s sayings should be implemented in our day to day life. We shall then attain salvation.

Om Sai Sri Sri Jaya Jaya Sai

2005-12-28T03:41:00.000-08:00

SHIRDI SAI BABA

For the first time in 1854, Baba was seen sitting under a neem tree in Shiridi. The tree stood to the North of the village. Then He must be of sixteen years of age. Baba said that the place where He was sitting was His Gurusthan. It may mean that His Guru had lived there or that it was the place of the Samadhi of His guru.

An old woman of Shiridi, the mother of Nana Chop dar described the then Baba in the following manner. "Thi young lad, fair, smart and very handsome was first seen under the Neem tree. He is seated in an 'Asan' (a posture for sitting at the time of meditation) He was practising hard penance, not minding heat and cold. He spoke to none. He was fearless. Without caring for food, He would always be in Samadhi (deep meditation).

He lived there for about 3 years. He suddenly disappeared. His where abouts were not known to any one for about a Year.

One day in 1858, Chand Patil, a gentleman happened to see Baba sitting under a mango tree as a Fakir near the village of Dhoop in the district of Aurangabad. Then He had a cap on His head. He wore Kafni (long robe). He had a Satka (iron rod) under his armpit. He was preparing to smoke a Chilim (a pipe to smoke).

Baba helped Chandpatil to find his lost horse. Patil was attracted by miraculous ways of Baba who got water by piercing the Satka into earth. Baba also got fire by striking the earth with Satka. (So Patil invited Baba to his house. He thought "He is not an ordinary man. He is owlia".

So while going to Shiridi for the marriage Of His brother-in-law's son, Chand Patil, requested Baba to accompany them. So in 1858, Baba came to Shiridi for the second time in a bullock-cart of the marriage party.

The bullock carts of the wedding party halted near Khandoba's temple in Shiridi. Members of the party were getting down from their carts. The namleless young Fakir, Baba, was also getting down the cart. Bhagat Mahalsapathi, the preist, saw Him and said "Ya Sai, Welcome Sai. Others also addressed Him "Sai". Ever after He became known as "SAI BABA". As Sai Baba permanantly settled in the village of Sliiridi ever after. He is called, "SHIRIDI SAI BABA".

After Sai Baba coming to shiridl for the second time in 1858, He lived in the place for 60 years and entered into Maha Samadhi at the age of 80 years.

In Shiridi, Baba lived In Dwarakamai .

Baba arranged for permanent Dhuni (Nityagni Hotra) in the Dwarakamai. It is kept burning for ever. He also grew Tulasi Vanam in front of the Dwarakamai.

Baba used'to wear ringing bells (Gazzelu) to His feet and sing and dance (Nrutyam) with other Sadhus near "Thakiya" (Ratcha Banda) up to 1890.

Baba used to wear shorts (Langooti) and a long flowing kafni and a piece of cloth round His head. The piece of white cloth on the head was twisted like matted hair and flowed down from the left ear on the back.

Earlier, a tailor by name Kasi Rani gave Baba a green jubba and a Cap. He wore them. But later He always wore white robes only.

In the beginning, Shiridi villagers thought that Baba as insane. He used to murmur to himself now and then. He would be angry and cry out at others. His behaviour was peculiar and unintelligible.

Babia used to sit on a piece of sack cloth in North-East corner of the Dwarakamai all day long. He would not sleep in day time. He would just glance at the new comers when visitors came. Then he engage himself in his routine work. He would speak but littile. He would answer only when he was asked for something or other.

Baba was pretty with golden hue (Hiranya varna) His eyes shone brightly in darkness. His lovely smile is very sweet and fascinating. He was of 5ft 6inches height.

Baba liked children very much. He used himself in engaging them in conversationtion. He was free with them and allowed them to do what ever they liked to do. He even took them into his arms and carried them . He allowed no one punish children. One day His devotee Syama tried to punish his child Uddava Rao Desapande. Baba stopped him from doing so.

Baba possessed only a few needed things. They were (a) A Chilim, (b) tobacco (c) a Tumru (tinpot) (d) long flowing Kafni (e) a piece of cloth round His head (f) a Satka (short iron bar) and (g) a piece of sack cloth for His seat. See, How simple He is !

Baba always used to say , "Allah Atcha Karega". It means "God always does Good". Baba knows all languages But He spoke in Marati Language only.

Baba, in early years of his Stay in Shiridi, brought Varities,of flower plants of Merry Gold, Jai and Jui from a place Rahata at a distance of three miles from Shiridi. He cleaned the place and planted them A devotee by name Vaman Tatya supplied him daily with two earthen uhburnt pitchers. He used to draw water from the well with the pitchers, carry them to the plants and water them .Thus He carried on the work for three years. A beautiful flower garden came into existence. At present, We have Samadhi Mandhir in the flower garden place.

In 1912 the Dwarakamai was repaired with Polished Stones. Baba usde to sit there on a cushion from that time. For warding off cold, He always sat infront of the "DHUNI" (sacred fire), facing south, with His left hand resting on a wooden railing. Photos of Baba taken in this posture are called Dwaaraka Mayi photoes. At present there are such photoes and padukas of Baba kept at that place.

The two Greatest devotees that first recognised Baba as incornation of God, are 1. Mahalsapathi , and 2.Bayaji Bai. Bayaji Bai was the mother of Tatya Kote Patil. She was attracted by the grace of Baba. She used to Prepare bread and vegetables for Baba every day. She would search for Him everywhere including in woods. She would make Him eat and drink. Only after He ate She would eat. This kind of taking food after He ate, she continued even after He gave up His wanderings and made the Dwarakamai, His residence. He used to beg food after He settled in the Dwarakamai. Yet she used to take her meals only after she comes to know of His eating ever after.

Baba used to beg at five houses. He never took coffee or tea. Amean Bhai, Was the first to give alms to Baba. He called at the doors of 1. Sakharam Shil ke 2. Nandu Marwadi 3. Ganapathi Rao Kothe Patil 4. Bayaji Mami and 5. Vaman Godkar.

Every day at 12 noon, Baba used to go out with His Tumrol (Tin Pot) in one hand and Joli (cloth for collceting alms) in other for begging. He would cry, "Sister! A piece of bread". He would have the bread placed in the Joli and all other things into Tumrol.

Baba would come to Dwarakamai after begging. He would put, all things in a big pot. He would put some of it into Dhuni. It is "Ahuthi". Some portion of it would be taken by the sweeper of the Dwarakamai as her share. Then Baba would enjoy the remaining in company of Birds, Dogs and Cats. He loves all living beings He would never try to drive them away. They eat freely without fear or anxiety in His company.

Baba would also collect various kinds of raw stuffs required for making eatables. He would also with His own hands grind Wheat flour on a hand mail. He would cook the articles in big pots put on brick Ovens constructed in front of the Dwarakamai. He used no Theddu (Wooden or Iron instrument for stirring boiling articles). He would put His hand into the boiling things and stir them. It is a miracle. His hand was never burnt or hurt. He would distribute the eatables thus made to His devotees and the poor. How kind He is to the poor.

Baba used to take betel leaves etc (Pawn Killey) twice a day, day and night. After eating the leaves he would eat much fress water. After mid day meal, He would take pawn and take rest for a while. Radha Krishna Mayee a devotee of Baba, would be sending him every time.

The practice of giving Arati (Presenting lighted wicks and camphor to deity) four times a day in the presence of Baba began in the Year 1908 at the instance of Radha Krishna Mayee.

1. At 5-15 A.M. Kakada Arati (Dawn) is given

2. At 12-00 noon Mid-day or Noon Arati

3. At 6-15 P. M. Sandhya Arati (Dusk) It is given at the time of sun set.

4 . At 10.00 P.M Seja Arati.

From 10.12.1909 on alternate days they began giving Seja Arati and Kakada Arati (next day morning) respectively in the Chavadi. Megha used to do it in the beginning. Later Bapu Saheb Jog under took it. It is now being done in the Samadhi Mandir only.

After mid-day Arati, Baba would go out of the Dwarakamai and stand leaning against a wall, running along a road He would then put Udi (ashes) on the foreheads of devotees and pour out some more of it into their hands.

Baba would then gracefully address each devotee taking permission to leave him. and ask him to go for meals.

He would say, "Brother ! Go for mid-day meal or "Bapu ! Go and take meals".

Devotees used to present Baba some coins. if Kani coin ( 1/4th anna) is given, he would put it into His own pocket. If Ardhana coin (1/2 anna or two Kanis coin) is given, He would return it. He would buy oil and tobacco with the presented coins.

As the number of devotee visitors had increased, He began to demand "Dakshinas". He would say "If I take one rupee as Dakshina from any body, I have to return it ten fold to him". He. Also used to do so. But He never kept them money for Himself. Every evening, He used to give away the whole amount of collections of the day to the poor. How kind He is to Poor!

Baba would demand His devotees to pay Him Dakshina to advance in spiritual line. Puranda Rey had to pay two coins. They Were Nishta (Faith) and Saburi (Patience). The wife of Tharkad was made to pay six rupees in kind. They are called Arishadvarga (Six inner enemies of man). They are 1. Kama 2.Krodha 3.Lobha 4.Moha 5.Mada and 6.Macharya.

Ashada Purnima is also called Guru Purima. It was only for celebrating this festival that devotees had permission of Baba. Now also devotees of Baba celebrtate Guru Purnima day in great pomp and colour.

Sai used to sleep on a torn Mat every night in the Dwarakamai in company with Thathya Kote Patil and Mahalsapathi. They kept their heads to East, North and west. Their feet touched together. They used to speak till they got sleep. They kept sleeping like-wise for 14 years. Tathya Kote Patil discontinued sleeping there after the death of his own father.

Mr Nana Saheb Dangle brought for Sai Baba wooden plank, about 4 arms in length and only a span in breadth. Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of Dwarakamai with old rags. The rags could not even bear the weight of the plank. But Baba would sit on it and lie over it with lighted pots on all four sides of the narrow plank. It was a great wonder for His devotees.

Some devotees asked Baba to allow them to take His Photo. Baba unwillingly gave His permission. They took photoes of Him. His feet only are found in the photoes. When it was brought to the notice of Baba, He remarked, "Feet are the only important parts of the Body". They are Guru Charanamulu (feet of Guru).

Learn to sit at the feet of Sat Guru, Sai Baba.

Sri Vasudeva Sada Siva Joshi was a devotee of Baba. He sent photographer to Shiridi to take the photo of Baba. The Photographer forgetting his, purpose, Sat in front of Baba looking at the Latters face with great enthusiasim. Baba said to him, "You are here to take my photo. You are sitting in front of me without taking photo. Take the Photo. The photographer took the photo of Baba with His permission. It is very attractive with "Varada Mudra" (Blessing posture).

Baba used to sleep in Chavadi every alternate day from 10. 12.1909. Procession of Chavadi festival used to go from Dwarakamai to Chavadi.

There is a well near a Banayan tree at a far off place from the Dwarakamai. Baba used to go there every third day for washing and bathing, for some time in the beginning. Later, He used to bathe in the Dwarakamai itself. Devotees used to erect a curtain and place behind it two buckets of water. He used to take bath for one and half an hour. No one was allowed to touch Him while bathing. After bathing, He would go near Dhuni and stand there. The devotees would rub His body with towels.

Baba knows all kinds of yogas. His way of practising the yoga of Dhouthi Is very surprising (Cleaning the inner organs of Body). One day He vomitted out His lungs, cleaned them and placed them on the branch of a Jamboo tree. Many devotees of Baba witnessed it.

He also knows Khanda yoga. One day He separated each and every part of His body and kept them all in different places in Dwarakamai. Appa Bhill saw the parts and thought that Baba was cruelly murdered. But when he came to Dwarakamai the next morning, he was surprised to see Baba sitting alive in tact.

Baba used to have a.brick kept under his head every night before going to sleep. It was broken. Then Baba remarked, "My fortune itself is broken into pieces". It was construed as a sign for approaching end".

It was 10PM On Margasira Purnima in the year 1886. Baba was lying On the thighs of Mahalsapathi. Suddenly the breath of Baba stopped. He became lifeless. He entered Into Samadhi. He lay unconscious for 3 days for about 72 hours, He was in Samadhi. At 3 A.M. on the third day, Baba became conscious. Mahalsapathi was so fortunate as to have the Lord Sai Baba lying on his thighs all through for 3 days. He gave us back the Lord in consciousness. How unique the incident is !

It was after about 32 Years after the 'Incidents it happened. It was at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, the 15th October, 1918. Dhasami 'Thidhi passed away and Ekadasi Ghadiyalu were continuing, Baba said, "This place (Dwarakamai) is not convenient. Take me to the building of Buty". It will be better there, They were his last words. So saying, He fell aside on Bayaji and breathed His last. His sacred body was taken to the building of Buty, in great procession. He was laid in peace after 36 Hrs, where the idol of 'Muralidhar' was intended to be installed, it is now the "Baba Samadi Mandir".

Bayaji bai had served Baba with great devotion. Thathya was her son. He fell ill and was on death bed. Suddenly Baba gave up His body. Thathya recovered soon after the incident and became healthy. It was said Baba had given up the soul to save the life of the son of His great devotee, Bayagji Bai.

Before His sacred body was laid in rest He appeared to His devotees. Lakshmana Mama Joshi and Dasaganu, in dreams and asked the former to give his sacred body Arati and the latter to garland His physical remains. They enjoyed their previlleges given by Lord Baba also had heard Ramavijayam read to Him by His devotee Vajhe before He breathed His last.

Baba's sacred body was kept exposed for 36 hours. Professor Narkey observed that it did not get stiff and that all the limbs were elastic. His Kafni could be taken out without bring torn to pieces. Can there be death to Anantha ?

They tied the pieces of broken brick used as pillow by Baba with a silver wire and kept it under His head in the Samadhi. Green Kafni and Green Cap Presented to Baba by the tailor, Kasi Ram, were also placed in the Samadhi.

Obsequies (functions relating to the dead) of Baba were celebrated by Upasani Baba and Bala Saheb Bate with great reverance. They gave food to all (anna santharpana)

Baba gave darsan in dream to the sister-in all Of M W'. Pradhan and said "Cover my samadhi with the pethambaram (cloth made of best silk) in your bag". As was asked she got the pithmbaram cover the samadhi.

A life like Chitrapatam (picture) of Baba was painted by Syama rao Jyakar. It was kept on the west side of the Baba’s Samadhi till 1956.

Later Thalim a sculptor carved a life like white marble statue of sri sai Baba by his grace. It was installed in 1956 by Sai Saranananda behind Baba’s samadhi in the place of Chitrapatam in Samadhi Mandhiram. Devotee go there for Darshanam.

Let us pray the Lord saintah , in samadhi with all earness to bless our littile planet, the Earth, with peace and prosperity.

2005-12-06T05:07:00.000-08:00

Shirdi sai baba

Sri Sai Baba, a personification of spiritual perfection and an epitome of compassion , lived in the little village of Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra (India) for sixty years. Like most of the perfect saints he left no authentic record of his birth and early life before arriving at Shirdi. In fact, in the face of his spiritual brilliance such queries do not have much relevance.

He reached Shirdi as a nameless entity. One of the persons who first came in contact with him at Shirdi addressed him spontaneously as ‘Sai’ which means Savior, Master or Saint. ‘Baba’ means father as an expression of reverence. In the Divine play it was designed as such, that He subtly inspired this person to call Him by this name, which was most appropriate for His self-allotted mission.

All that we definitely know of Sai Baba is that his arrival at Shirdi was anonymous. He was first noticed in the outskirts of the village Shirdi, seated under a ‘neem’ (margosa) tree, about the year 1854. However, even this date is not definitely noted. Sai Baba of these younger days remained a stranger staying under the neem tree for some time and then suddenly he left Shirdi to come back again sometime in 1858, and stayed on there till he left his gross body in the year 1918.

The second advent of Baba at Shirdi, around 1858 was interestingly quite different from the first. This time he accompanied a wedding procession as guest of honor. On the arrival at Shirdi, he was immediately recognized by someone as the same anonymous saintly personality who used to be seated under the neem tree a few years earlier and, greeted Him as "Ya Sai" – Welcome Sai.

In the early days of his stay at Shirdi he spent his time either wandering in the outskirts of village and neighboring thorny jungles or sitting under the neem tree totally self absorbed. The first set of villagers who regarded this saintly figure were Mhalsapati, Tatya Kote, Bayyaji Bai and few others. Bayyaji Bai felt deeply motivated by this Divine Saint, and with her motherly instinct she used to walk miles on end into the jungles in search of him, carrying food in a basket on her head. Often she found Sai Baba sitting under some tree in deep meditation, calm and motionless. She would boldly approach him, serve the meal and return home.

After sometime as though out of compassion for her, Sai Baba ceased wandering and moved into a dilapidated mosque in the outskirts of the village. He referred to this mosque, where He resided till the end, as ‘Dwarkamai’ (Dwarka was the place where Lord Shri Krishna stayed to fulfill His divine Advent). This mosque ‘Dwarkamai’ – abode of Sai Baba became Mother of Mercy for all the time to come.

He had a body of athlete built and in his earlier days he was fond of wrestling. Another aspect of Sai Baba’s personality was his love for song and dance. In those early years of his life he used to go to ‘Takia’, thepublic night shelter for moslem visitors to the village. There in the company of sojourning devotees and fakirs, he used to dance and sing in divine bliss, with small tinkles tied around his ankles. The songs he sang were mostly in Persian or Arabic. Sometimes he sang some popular songs of Kabir.

He donned a long shirt – ‘Kafni’ and tied a cloth around his head, and twisted it into a flowing plait like manner behind his left ear. He used a piece of sackcloth for his seat and slept on it with a brick as his pillow. He always declared that Fakiri (Holy poverty) was far superior to worldly richness. He was no ordinary fakir but an ‘Avatar ’(incarnation) of a very high order. But His external appearance was of simple, illiterate, moody, emphatic – at times fiery and abusive and at times full of compassion and love. In the moments of towering rage people with him thought it was ungovernable rage. But his anger never prevented his compassion dealing with the devotees. His anger was evidently directed at unseen forces. He enacted all these simple traits only to hide His real identity as the God incarnate. Under the cover of simplicity He silently worked for the spiritual transformation and liberation of innumerable souls – human beings and animals alike, who were drawn to Him, by an unseen forces.

He begged for alms and shared what he got with his devotees and all the creatures around him. He never kept any food in reserve for the next meal. He maintained the ‘Dhuni’ – the perpetual sacred fire and distributed its ash – ‘Udi’ as token of His divine grace to all who came to Him for help. Baba would ask for ‘Dakshina’ (money offered with reverence to the ‘Guru’ or the master) from some of those who came to see him. This was not because he needed their money but for deeper significance, which the devotees realized at, an appropriate time.

Baba used to freely distribute all the money that was received in the form of Dakshina to the destitute, poor, sick and needy the very same day. This was one of Baba's methods for testing out the devotees attachments to worthy things and willingness to surrender.

He ploughed up the village common land and raised a flower garden thereon, he watered the plants, carrying pots full of water on his shoulders. In the later years he spent a few hours in this Lendi garden which he himself had laid out in the early days.

He was every moment exercising a double consciousness, one actively utilizing the apparent Ego called 'Sai Baba' dealing with other egos in temporal and spiritual affairs, and the other - entirely superceding all egos as the Universal Ego or Over soul.

He was the common man’s God. He lived with them, he slept and ate with them. Baba had a keen sense of humour. He shared a ‘chillum’ (clay pipe for smoking) indiscriminately with them to write off the cast superiority and orthodoxy in their minds. He had no pretensions of any kind .He was always very playful in the presence of children. Baba used to feed the fakirs and devotees and even cook for them.

Saibabas perfect purity, benevolence, non -attachment, compassion and other virtues evoked deep reverence in the villagers around him. His divinity could not conceal itself for long. Initially when people wanted to worship him formally, Baba protested and dissuaded them. But gradually he allowed it with the prescience that it would become the means for temporal and spiritual benefits to millions of individuals for all time to come.

The Dwarkamai of Sai Baba was open to all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. As the days passed devotees from all walks of life started streaming into Shirdi. The village Shirdi was fast assuming prominence. As the gifts and presentations flowed in, the pomp and grandeur of Sai worship also increased. But Baba’s life of a fakir remained calm, undisturbed, unaltered and there is the Saint’s spiritual glory.

He lived His divine mission through His pure self in a human embodiment. The immense energy that was manifest in the body of Sai was moving in a mysterious way, creating and recreating itself every where beyond the comprehension of time and space.

This fountainhead of unsurpassed spiritual glory shed His gross body on 15th October 1918. Every limb, every bone and pore of his body was permeated with divine essence. Baba claimed that though one day his physical body will not exist his remains will communicate with all those who seek him with inner yearnings. His self-allotted labour of love in His physical body was perhaps over. Today He continues to work ever vigorously as the ‘Sai Spirit’.s

2005-09-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

The Legacy Of Annamayya

About Annamayya

*Annamacharya, The Saint-Composer was born in the year 1408 According to Telugu "PANCHANGAM"(calendar) the month & star of His birth are : Vyshakha Masam l Vishakha Nakshatram.
* He hailed from TALLAPAKA. A village in Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh in INDIA.
* He composed 32,000 Sankeertanas(devotional songs)and dedicated them to Lord Venkateswara.
* His Son, Peda Tirumalacharya and Grandson, Chinatirumalacharya got the Sankeertanas of Annamacharya engraved on copper-plates and Treasured those Copper Plates in "Sankeertana Bhandaram"(a rock-built-cell at TIRUMALA temple).

Eighty years ago Tiruvengadam looked very different. Perched on top of the Seshadri mount, the temple nestled in thickly wooded areas, surrounded by waterfalls and lakes. Viewed from a vantage point high above, the temple was a large square with flights of stairs, hewn out of rock, leading down from all sides. All around was a walkway, about 10 yards wide, laid out using a mixture of black loamy soil and mortar, cemented with regular application of cow dung and water. Pilgrims those days did not wear colored clothes to the temple. Men wore white cotton loincloth under a shirt and women wore white cotton saris dipped in turmeric. They got their food from the temple. Huge gangalams full of cooked rice were emptied on the mukha mandapam floor, the mass so heaped that it took the customary pyramidal shape. Other eatables such as vadas, appams and atirasams were deposited on the top. Once the offering to the Lord was completed, pilgrims were allowed to collect a share from the heap. At night, the temple complex looked magnificent with hundreds of oil lamps lit all over. Pilgrims were treated to harikatha renditions; yakshagana and kuchipudi dance dramas and many more such programs were conducted at the 1000-pillar mandapam near the temple. Getting there was tough and involved a lot of effort.

During medieval times pilgrims used ancient foot routes through thick forests teeming with wild animals to reach the hills of Vengadam. The great Rayas donated huge sums of money and resources to build rest halls, cobbled-stone pathways etc. Tuluva Krishnadeva Raya made several visits to the temple and on each visit donated huge offerings to the Lord. His queens, Chinnadevi and Tirumalamba, always gave jewels of uncountable value to the Lord. His heir, Achyutadeva Raya was so devoted that his coronation was held in the very presence of the Lord. Later, after the battle of Tallikota, the great Vijayanagara kingdom fragmented. The capital moved to Penugonda and the illustrious Rayas ruled from Chandragiri. They were so staunch in their devotion that they chose not to eat until the daily meal offering to the Lord was completed at the temple. Huge gongs placed along the way from the temple to Chandragiri were sounded in succession to inform the royalty of the completion of Tiruppavadam.

On a day like any other, during March in 1922, Rangayya was running quickly towards the Anusandhanam Office in Tirumala. He pushed people that came in his way as he ran, shouting, "Jaragandi, jaragandi, please move, please move". He ran into the office room and cried out, "Ayya, ayya…. Peddetirajul Jiyyar is asking you to come immediately to pedda hundi".

G V Subramanyam was sitting in his chair looking into some papers. Dressed in western attire, white starched cotton slacks over a pair of khaki half-pants, hair combed slick and a pencil moustache; his rimless spectacles made him look like a brown sahib. He thought someone had looted the pedda hundi, which was this huge vessel into which pilgrims dropped their valuable offerings to the Lord of the Seven Hills. Eyes wide open and shining brightly, stammering and excited, Rangayya said, "Ayya, I believe the temple workers have found a treasure in the room across the pedda hundi. You are wanted there immediately".

Subramanyam grabbed his baton and shot out of the room. He walked up to the stable briskly and putting on his hard hat, leapt onto his stead and rode away in the direction of the temple raising dust along the path. He reached the temple within minutes and jumping off the horse, ran inside through the mahadwaram. As he walked in big strides towards the pedda hundi, he saw the chief priest of the temple, Peddetirajul Jiyyar, waiting there along with a few other priests and workers. The Jiyyar led Subramanyam towards the small room on the left of the hundi. The entrance was small, about 2 feet wide and 3 feet high. Subramanyam went in first and the Jiyyar followed. It was dark inside and only a streak of light came in through the rock lattice window. There in front of them was a small pit caused by the removal of a rock slab. Inside the pit was a singular bundle wrapped in worn out but expensive-looking silk cloth. The Jiyyar stepped forward, and sitting on his haunches, slowly unwrapped the bundle. The old cloth, totally decimated, came apart at every turn. It took several turns to unwrap it. Then, in an abrupt moment, the bundle jumped out of the Jiyyar's hands and fell into an open heap.

There was a collective gasp!

Mouths agape, everyone stared at the shining mint of copper talapatras that emerged from the bundle. The light through the lattice fell directly on the copper plates which shown brilliantly in their burnished red splendor. The Jiyyar picked a couple of them with shaking hands and, on peering at the plates momentarily, exclaimed loudly, "Aedukondalavada, Venkataramana, Govinda, Govinda … this is a miracle", his voice became thick with glee. "These are the Annamacharya sankirtanas that were lost centuries ago. Narayana, you are there! This is the proof that you are there. Annamacharya, you are blessed. We all are blessed! This is a day of great significance. These are the divine sankirtanas written by Annamaya himself under the guidance of Sri Venkateswara". Copious tears were flowing out of the Jiyyar eyes as he started chanting the Govindanamam. Everyone around joined in. "Call Tiruvengalayya, the heir of the Tallapaka family. Subramanyam garu, please send somebody to fetch him. They live near the Chennakesavaswami temple in Tallapaka village", said the Jiyyar. His voice resounded around inside the great hallways of the ancient temple.

The Jiyyar picked up the bundles and hurriedly walked towards the sanctum sanctorum. He placed the bundles on a small platform in front of the mulaberam or main deity. Then, he and several other priests started chanting holy recitations from the vedas. Subramanyam sent off people to fetch water from the Akasaganga waterfall and other items required for the purification ritual. He could feel goose bumps all over his arms. He had heard of Tirumalacharya, son of the saint poet Annamacharya, who got his father's sankirtanas engraved on copper plates so as to save them from the affects of time. But, no one knew the whereabouts. Earlier there were several instances when they found rock edifacts, statues and on rare occasions treasure troves. But this find was entirely unique. Subramanyam wondered how the talapatras got to the place where they were found. Why were they hidden? He was quite intrigued.

That evening, he met the Jiyyar during the pavalimpuseva or the resting ritual of the deity. "Jiyyar swami, what happened to these talapatras for so many years? I am quite astounded by this morning's happenings. What were the reasons for them to be hidden? And why was this whole thing such a secret that none knew the whereabouts of the talapatras", Subramanyam asked agitatedly.

The Jiyyar looked at him and said, "I too am astounded by the fact that these were hidden right here in the temple with no knowledge of anyone. I am not sure why that happened. But, the one thing I am sure about is that these talapatras were hidden from some danger. One can only imagine what may have happened during those days in the hoary past. Pedda Tirumalacharya, or Peddanna, the third son of Annamacharya borne by his second wife Akkalamma, was considered the real heir to his father in terms of writing, composing and singing sankirtanas in praise of the Lord. Peddanna, as he was called, continued the legacy of his great father and got several of the sankirtanas that were originally written on Palmyra leaves, transcribed onto copper plates so that they could be preserved for posterity. But, I do not know why they were hidden like this. I really don't know", the Jiyyar paused.

Rangayya, who was waiting on Subramanyam a few feet away, cleared his throat and when Subramanyam looked at him, said, "Ayya, I am a simple man. I do not know about many things as you all do. But, I can suggest one thing. In my village, we have one Sevvusetti, who goes into a trance every now and then. I believe that god speaks with his voice. Why don't we ask him what happened? Maybe he will be able to tell us".

Subramanyam liked the idea. So did the Jiyyar. The very next day was considered auspicious and arrangements were made to fetch Sevvusetti to Rama Meda, where they would ask the question.

The next day many people collected at Rama Meda. Sevvusetti was a tall man. He had a slender body and large limpid eyes. His long hair was tied up in a knot at the back of his head. He walked with a strange gait as if he had no control over himself. He came up and sat down on the mandapam looking up into the sky mumbling meaningless gibberish. Rangayya placed a piece of kasturi on Sevvusetti's head and applied the sindhooram to his forehead. Then, in a moment, as if some higher power took over his body, the iris of Sevvusetti's eyes shrunk to half of their normal size. The gaze was rock steady looking at some object far away in infinity. Subramanyam was taken aback at the sight. There seemed to be some sort brightness around Sevvusetti's eyes.

On Rangayya's signal to him, Subramanyam asked, "Sevvusetti, we have one question for you. Will you answer?" Sevvusetti did not answer. Subramanyam asked again, "Sevvusetti, we need the blessings of the Lord to get some answers to a difficult question. We want to know why the copper talapatras of Annamacharya were hidden under the rock slab inside the small room".

Sevvusetti started shaking. His mouth opened and he seemed to say something. No sound was heard. Then, they heard disjointed words of a monotonous voice crying in a singsong manner. To everyone there, it seemed as if no synchronization existed between Sevvusetti's lip movement and the words that came out of his mouth. His voice had a heavy lisp and people around had to strain to decipher the words.

"Four hundred years ago … Peddanna was a worried soul … Thimmarasu mahamantri had spoken to him … he had heard that the Turkis were planning to invade and loot Vengadam… loot its famous riches … Bahamani sultans invaded and destroyed many temples… in Tallapaka, they broke off the arms from the statue of Annamaya… go and see, go and see… Peddanna decided he had to do something… the legacy of Annamaya's divine harikirtanas … could not be lost … it would be cataclysmic… he called his son Chinnanna and… both had discussions and … and they made an enigma … the next night there was… a big festival going on … hundreds of people were sitting… in the 1000-pillar mandapam … watching… the dance and song of gods… the temple complex was quiet and empty … quietly, Peddanna and Chinnanna tiptoed to the temple … dressed as common men … Peddanna was pushing a handcart with bundles on it … wrapped in silk … Chinnanna was carrying a small crowbar … soon, reached the pedda hundi area … they jumped and darted into … the small room opposite to hundi … no oil lamps were alight … inside the room it was pitch dark … after several hours they left … as quietly as they came… as quietly as they came … with hearts heavy and minds cloudy … minds cloudy and eyes raining … they came away … leaving the treasure of the Lord … in the care of the Lord……that's all…..that's all… that is all what happened to the treasure…. there are more bundles in that room … go and check … go and check…." What Sevvusetti said after that was more enchanting. In his staccato voice, he continued, "Annamaya is the avatara of Nandaka… the sword of Sri Maha Vishnu… his harikirtanas are divine and holy… listening to them will rid you… of your sin and disease… let it be known to all humans… that Annamaya's music is divine… anybody who listens to Annamaya sankirtanas… will be graced by divinity of the Lord…"

So saying, Sevvusetti swooned and fell down in a heap. The people around picked him up and sprinkled water on his face. It took Sevvusetti 10 full minutes to recover. As he recovered, he stood up and walked away looking into the sky and mumbling gibberish to himself, followed by his relatives that accompanied him from the village. Later, as Sevvusetti predicted several packages with talapatras were found under the floor of the room. This discovery was one of the most important in the history of the Tirumala temple. Since then, TTD has been investing a lot of effort in popularizing the divine music of Annamaya, both within India and abroad. Hinduism says there are four ways to achieve kaivalyam - karmayogam, samadhiyogam, gyanayogam and bhaktiyogam. Listening to the divine sankirtanas of Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya is a freeway to bhaktiyogam and thereon to muktiyogam. Please visit http://sai.aros.net/music/annamayya/ for some exhilarating recitals of Annamaya sankirtanas by the renowned vocalist Padmashri Srirangam Gopalaratnam. Her voice is celestial and her carriage of bhava, raga and tala is unbeatable. Personally, I would rate her rendition of Annamaya sankirtanas, as awesome, singular and matchless.

The 500th Vardhanti of Annamaya happens to fall in the current year of 2003. This story is part fact, part fiction and above all a dutiful offering to Annamaya. Distinguished as the first saint poet in the age-old tradition of vaggeyakaras Annamaya is honored as Padakavithapitamaha and Harikirtanacharya. Annamaya's poetry has enchanted both the learned and the common. Each and every song from his repertoire is a delightful stroke of Nandaka, the celestial sword of Sri Maha Vishnu, of which Annamaya is believed to be an incarnation. Annamayya was born in 1408 in a small hamlet called Tallapaka near Cuddapah in Andhra Pradesh. In that sense he preceded the Sangithatrayam of Thyagaraja, Syama Sastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar by more than 300 years. He lived immaculately for 95 years and achieved immortality in 1503. During his lifetime, Sri Annamaya wrote, composed and sang more than 32,000 sankiratanas and 12 satakas (each sataka consisted of one hundred verses) in praise of his istadaivam, Sri Venkateshwara Swami. Besides these, he authored several works; Sri Venkatachala Mahatmayam, Sringara Manjari and Ramayanam in the dwipada format are some. He wrote mainly in Telugu. While there are several sites that provide information about Annamaya, www.svasa.org is a good site to visit for a comprehensive understanding of Annamaya and his works.

2005-09-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

Venkateswara Suprabatham & English Translation

Kausalyaa suprajaa raama poorvaa samdhyaa pravartate
Utthishtha nara Saardoola kartavyam daivamaahnikam (Twice)

O Rama, son of Kausalya and dearest to the people. The dawn before sunrise is on its way. Rise, O Tiger amonst humans. Your divine duties beckon you.

Utthishthotthishtha govimda utthishtha garuda dhvaja
Utthishta kamalaa kaamtaa trailokyam mamgalam kuru (Twice)

O Govinda, who has Garuda on his dhvaja sthambha, lord of the lotus eyed Lakshmi! Please wake to bless the three worlds for happiness and prosperity.

Maata ssamasta jagataam madhukaitabhaareh
Vaksho viharini manohara divya moorte
Sree svaamini Srita jana priya daana seele
Sree vemkatesa dayite tava suprabhaatam

O Lakshmi, mother of the entire universe, residing always in the heart of Sri Vishnu, the enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha; O pleasant one! Dear consort of Vishnu,fulfiller of the wishes of people comming to you, good morning to you!

Tava suprabhaata maravimda lochane
Bhavatu prasanna mukha camdra mamdale
Vidhi samkaremdra vanitaabhirarcite
Vrsha Saila naatha dayite dayaanidhe

O lotus eyed godess, yours is a pleasent moonlike face. You are worshipped by the wives of Brahma, Shiva and Indra. You are full of love and affection. You are the beloved wife of Vishnu who is the lord of Vrishachala. O mother, good morning to you.

Atryaadi sapta Rshaya ssamupaasya samdhyaam
Aakaasa simdhu kamalaani manoharaani
Aadaaya paada yuga marchayitum prapannaah
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

Having worshipped the morning twilight and said their morning prayers, called sandhyavandana, the seven sages like Atri, bringing the beautiful lotuses from the divine Ganges, have arrived to worship Thy feet. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Pamchaana naabjabhava shanmukha vaasavaadyaah
Traivikramaadi caritam vibudhaa stuvamti
Bhaashaapatih pathati vaasara Suddhi maaraat
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

The Gods, like the five-headed Brahma, the lotus-born Subrahmanya, and the six-headed Indra are praising the deeds of your incarnations as the Trivikramavatara. Nearby is Brhaspati who is reading out the planetary position (called Panchangam) of the day. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Eeshat praphulla saraseeruha naarikela
Phoogadrumaadi sumanohara paalikaanaam
Aavaati mamda manila ssaha divya gamdhaih
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

The breeze, carrying the wonderful fragrance of the partly-opened lotuses, and the beautiful trees like the Areca and Coconut, is blowing gently. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Unmeelya netrayuga muttama pamjarasthaah
Paatraa vasishta kadalee phala paayasaani
Bhuktvaa saleela matha keli Sukaah pathamti
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

The parrots in their cages are opening their eyes, and graciously singing, after eating the remains of the plantain fruits and the payasam in the vessels. Lord Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Tamtree prakarsha madhura svanayaa vipamcyaa
Gaayatyanamta caritam tava naaradopi
Bhaashaa samagrama sakrt kara saara ramyam
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

The sage, Narada, is playing sweet music with his veena, and, in fine language, is singing praises of Thy endless deeds, gracefully waving his other hand. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Bhrmgaavaleecha makaramda rasaanu viddha
Jhamkaara geeta ninadai ssaha sevanaya
Niryaatyupaamta sarasee kamalodarebhyah
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

The humming swarm of bees are sucking honey and emerging from the interiors of the lotuses of the adjoining pools, in order to serve Thee. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Yosha ganena vara dadhni vimathya maane
Ghoshalayeshu dadhi mamthana teevraghoshaah
Roshaatkalim vidadhate kakubhascha kumbhaah
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

While the womenfolk of the hamlet of cowherds churn the curds, the loud sounds and echoes emanating from the pots seems like as if the pots and the eight directions are quarrelling. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Padmesa mitra Satapatra gataali vargaah
Hartum sriyam kuvalayasya nijaamga lakshmyaa
Bheree ninaada miva bibhrati teevra naadam
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

The swarm of bees in the lotuses are friends of the sun, and are making lound sounds with a view to surpassing the splendour of the lustrous blue lotuses. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sreemannabheeshta varadaakhila loka bamdho
Sree Sreenivaasa jagadeka dayaika simdho
Sree devataagrha bhujaamtara divya moorte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

One with Lakshmi! One who grants boons! Friend of all the worlds! Abode of Sri Lakshmi! The matchless ocean of compassion! One having a charming form on account of the chest which is the abode of Sri Lakshmi! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sree svaami pushkarinikaaplava nirmalaamgaah
Sreyorthino hara virimchi sanamda naadyaah
Dvaare vasamti vara vetra hatottamaamgaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Brahma, Shiva, Sanandana and several others have bathed in purified water. They are at your doorstep eager to see you, for their own well-being, though they have been hit with canes by your gods. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sree seshasaila garudaachala vemkataadri
Naaraayanaadri vrshabhaadri vrshaadri mukhyaam
Aakhyaam tvadeeya vasate ranisam vadamti
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Lord of Venkatachala! Thy abode is always called by several names, such as Sri Sesasaila, Garudachala, Venkatadri, Narayanadri, Vrsabhadri, Vrsadri. May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sevaaparaa Siva suresa krsaanu dharma
Rakshombu naatha pavamaana dhanaadi naathaah
Baddhaamjali pravilasa nija Seersha desaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Siva, Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairuti, Varuna, Vayu and Kubera, with folded hands placed on their heads, are desirous of offering service to thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Dhaateeshute vihagaraaja mrgaadhiraaja
Naagaadhiraaja gajaraaja hayaadhiraajaah
Svasvaadhikaara mahimaadika marthayamte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

The modes of Thy conveyance Ã¢Â€Â“ Garuda, the Lord of Birds, the Lion, Lord of Animals, Adisesa, the Lord of Serpents, Airavata, the Lord of Elephants and Uccaissravas, the Lord of Horses - are begging Thee to grant them their respective authority and power to serve Thee better, on Thy pleasure trips. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sooryemdu bhauma budha vaakpati kaavya Soori
Svarbhaanu ketu divishat parishat pradhaanaah
Tvaddaasa daasa charamaavadhi daasa daasaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

The main deities of the Assembly of Gods Ã¢Â€Â“ the nine planets - the Sun, the Moon, Mars (Angaraka), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brhaspati), Venus (Sukra), Saturn (Sani), Rahu and Ketu are happy to serve even your servants and remain most obedient to Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Tvatpaada dhooli bharita sphuritottamaamgaah
Svargaapa varga nirapeksha nijaamtaramgaah
Kalpaagamaa kalanayaa kulataam labhamte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Lord of Venkatachala! Thy devotees, whose heads are sanctified by the dust of Thy feet, being in Thy presence, do not desire Heaven or Liberation, but are worried that another kalpa will start, when there will be no such glory to Venkatachala!

Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Tvadgopuraagra sikharaani nireekshamaanaah
Svargaapavarga padaveem paramaam srayamtah
Martyaa mnushya bhuvane mati maasrayamte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

On seeing the crests of Thy temple tower, the mortals, who are attempting to attain the exalted paths of Heaven and Liberation, feel like living on in the mortal world, as it gives them the opportunity of worshipping Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sree bhoomi naayaka dayaadi gunaamrtaabdhe
Devaadi deva jagadeka saranya moorte
Sreemannanamta garudaadibhi rarchitaamghre
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Lord of Sridevi and Bhudevi! The ocean of nectar of compassion and other virtues! The chief of the Gods! The sole refuge of the Universe! The possessor of Sri (wealth)! One whose feet are worshipped by Ananta and Garuda! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Sree padmanaabha purushottama vaasudeva
Vaikumtha maadhava janaardana chakrapaane
Sree vatsa chihna saranaagata paarijaata
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Padmanabha! Purushottama! Vasudeva! Vaikunta! Madhava! Janardana! Chakrapani! Bearer of the mole Srivatsa! Celestial tree (parijata) under whom refuge is sought! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Kamdarpa darpa hara sumdara divya moorte
Kaamtaa kuchaamburuha kutmala lola drshte
Kalyaana nirmala gunaakara divya keerte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Bearer of the charming and divine form surpassing the pride of Cupid (Manmatha)! One whose sight is fondly centred on the lotus bud like breasts of His beloved! The abode of auspicious and pure virtues! The possessor of Divine fame! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Meenaakrte kamatha kola nrsimha varnin
Svaamin parasvatha tapodhana raamachamdra
Seshaamsa raama yadunamdana kalki roopa
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Lord in ten incarnations of Matsya (Fish), Kamatha (Tortoise), Kola (Boar), Narasimha (Man-lion) Trivikrama (Dwarf), Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Elaa lavamga ghana saara sugamdhi teertham
Divyam viyat sariti hema ghateshu poornam
Dhrtvaadya vaidika sikhaamanayah prahrshtaa
Tishtamti vemkatapate! Tava suprabhaatam

The Brahmins, well-versed in the Vedas, are now joyfully waiting to worship you. They are carrying golden pots on their heads that are filled with the water of the Divine Ganges (Akasa Ganga), which has been rendered fragrant by mixing cardamom, cloves and camphor in it. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Bhaasvaanudeti vikachaani saroruhaani
Sampoorayamti ninadaih kakubho vihamgaah
Sree vaishnava ssatata marthita mamgalaaste
Dhaamaasrayamti tava vemkata! Suprabhaatam

The Sun is rising; the lotuses have blossomed; the birds are twittering; the Sri Vaishnavas, always imploring auspiciousness, are waiting at Thy abode. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Brahmaadaya ssuravara ssamaharshayaste
Samta ssanamdana mukhaa stvatha yogi varyaah
Dhaamaamtike tavahi mamgala vastu hastaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Brahma,the great sages and the good Yogins as Sanandana are waiting at Thy abode, with auspicious offerings in their hands. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.
Lakshmee nivaasa niravadya gunaika simdhoh
Samsaara saagara samuttaranaika seto
Vedaamta vedya nija vaibhava bhakta bhogya
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Abode of Lakshmi! Ocean of faultless and auspicious virtues! Bridge to cross the ocean of transmigration (samsara)! One whose glory is known through the Upanishads! One who is enjoyed by devotees! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

Ittham vrshaachala pate riha suprabhaatam
Ye maanavaah prati dinam pathitum pravrttaah
Teshaam prabhaata samaye smrti ramga bhaajaam
Praj~naam paraartha sulabhaam paramaam prasoote!

Day-to-day prayers to You, Sri Vehkatesa! Fetch untold wealth of devotional culture and fervour. God, give us your grace.

Link : Suprabatham

2005-09-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Srisailam

Stone carving showing serpent form of Shiva and goddess Shakti at Srisailam temple,
Andhra Pradesh state, India

Located on the side of the ancient sacred hill of Srigiri, in the Nallamalai range of Andhra Pradesh, is the exotic temple of Srisailam. The temple complex, whose existing buildings date from the 2nd century AD, is one of the twelve Jyotir Linga Shiva shrines as well as one of the eighteen most sacred goddess shrines, or Shakti Pithas. This unique combination of major god and goddess shrines at the same site makes Srisailam one of India's most holy sites. Shiva is worshipped here in his form of Lord Mallikarjuna, and Shakti, his consort, as Sri Bharamaramba Devi. The images of these deities, both extremely old, are enshrined in the more recent temple built by the Vijayanager king Harihara Raya around 1404 AD. The temple, whose popular name is Sriparvata, is surrounded by a great fortress-like wall that is 20 feet high, 6 feet wide and 2120 feet in circumference. Built in in 1520 AD, the wall has 3200 stones, each weighing over one ton, and is decorated with fine relief carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

Goddess worship occurred in India since deepest antiquity and certainly predates both the Aryan incurions (1800BC) and the Indus Valley Harappan civilization (3000 BC). Worship of the goddess in her many froms occurs all over the sub-continent and in many places she is more popular than the gods Shiva or Vishnu. All the goddesses of Hinduism are considered to be manifestations of the multi-faceted personality of the one great Mother Goddess of creation. According to certain Hindu myths, the goddess is the combined energy of all the gods, who created and then equipped her with weapons so that she might destroy a demon whose power was greater than theirs. Different temples will enshrine different images of the goddess, from her peaceful aspects of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, to her fearful aspects of Durga, Chamunda and Kali; she is both the gentle giver of life and the terrible mistress of death. Worshipped by particular sects of Hinduism known as Tantric, the goddess encourages meditation on yantras (visual mantras and magic diagrams), erotic sexual practices, and the ritual slaughter of animals. Before her shrines at many Shakti Pitha sites are large, two-pronged forks for securing the heads of animals being sacrificed. In the active Shakti Pitha shrines at least one goat will be sacrificed daily and on major festival days several hundred goats and many buffaloes will be slaughtered. Pilgrims passing the place of sacrifice will dip a finger in the blood and touch it to their lips and foreheads. The background idea here is not that the goddess is cruel, but that she is looked upon as the protectress from all evil, ailment, danger and death. She should frighten away the demons and sorcerers of misfortune. In her terrible aspects she also confronts the pilgrim with the transience of life and death, and thereby encourages them to seek eternal wisdom and enlightenment.

The primary sacred places of the goddess are the Shakti Pithas and they are variously described in different texts as being 18, 51, 52 or 108 in number, each of these sites being associated with a particular part of Shakti's body. A fascinating legend (recounted from Pilgrimage in the Hindu Tradition, by Morinis) gives insight into the miraculous healing powers of the Shakti Pithas. Shakti is the daughter of Daksa and Prasuti, and the wife of Shiva. Daksa decided to hold a great sacrifice to which he invited neither his daughter nor son-in-law. Shakti was offended by this slight and attended the sacrifice uninvited. There she was insulted by Daksa and, thus humiliated, she took her life. On hearing this news, her husband Shiva hastened to the house of Daksa, disrupted the sacrifice, killed Daksa, and claimed the body of his wife. Inconsolable at his loss, he placed Shakti's body on his shoulder and began a mad dance through the three universes. His dance threatened to destroy all creation and the gods became distraught at this prospect. One version of the story has it that the gods approached Vishnu to restrain Shiva. Vishnu sent arrows or his discus to dismember the body of Shakti limb by limb. An alternative version states that Brahma, Vishnu and Sani entered Shakti's body and caused it to disintegrate. When Shiva was thereby deprived of the body, he ceased his mad dance. The parts of Shakti's body fell from Shiva's shoulders to the earth, and the places where they landed became the sacred Shakti Pithas. For countless centuries these sites have been visited by women having ailments in certain parts of their bodies - the temple enshrining a particular part of Shakti's body is believed to have the miraculous capacity to heal that exact part of a woman's body. Some of the Shakti Pithas are also called Siddha-Pithas because they are considered highly effective for the acquisition of spiritual powers; At these sites, Srisailam being one of them, the goddess is known to confer wisdom, bliss and enlightenment. The names and locations of the Shakti Pithas are too long to list here, readers interested in studying and visiting these places should consult the works by Bagchi, Housden, Morinis, Sastri, and Sircar. A particularly good listing of the 51 Shakti Pithas is given in Housden's excellent book, Travels Through Sacred India.

2005-09-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

History of Annamacharya
Yadha yadha hi dharmasya glanirbhavathi bharatha AbhyuthdaanaMadharmasya Thadatmanam Srujamyaham Whenever there is decay of Dharma (religion) and an ascendancy of Adharma (irreligion) then God manifests Himself!	Parithranaya sadhunam vinasayacha dushukrutam dharmasamsthapanardhaya sambhavami yugey yugey For the protection of the Good, for the destruction of the Evil, for the firm establishment of Dharma, He is born in every Age (Yuga)
Lord Vishnu manifested Himself as Lord Venkateswara inTirumal Hills to protect the Dharma from decay in the Current Age (Kali Yuga). Annamacharya was born as the incarnation of Venkateswara to promote Dharma through his powerful Sankirtanas (devotional songs).
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya (1408-1503) the mystic saint composer of the 15th century is the earliest known musician of South India to compose songs called “sankIrtanas” in praise of Lord Venkateswara, the deity of Seven Hills in Tirumala, India where unbroken worship is being offered for over 12 centuries. Annamcharya is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Venkateswara's. nandaka (Sword). A rhyming couplet of poems called “Dwipada” written by Tallapaka Chinnanna, grandson of Annamacharya, enabled us to learn about the Saint Annamacharya, his life and works. Annamacharya was born on Vaisakhapoornima in the year Sarwadhari (May 9, 1408) in Tallapaka, a remote village in Andhra Pradesh, and lived immaculately for 95 years until Phalguna Bahula Dwadasi (12th day after full moon) in the year Dhundhubhi (February 23, 1503). Annamacharya is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Venkateswara’s Nandaka or Sword. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) have consecrated Annamacharya in two places, one in the Annamacharya Mandiram located in the Annamacharya Project Office premises at Tiruapati and the other one in Annamacharya temple at Tallapka the birth place of Annamcharya. The evidences supporting the fact that Annamacharya is the incarnation of the Lord are found in Chinnanna’s Dwipada. It is believed that in the 10th century a big famine broke out in Varanasi and scores of scholars migrated to southern part of India for earning their livelihoods. Some of them concentrated in a town called “Nandavaram” in Andhra Pradesh which was ruled by the then king Nanda. These immigrants were called “Nandavarikas” and Annamacharyas forefathers were the so called Nandavarikas and hence Annamacharya. In the Dwipada the story of Annamacharya goes back three generations to his grandfather Narayanayya. As a boy Narayanayya was not keen in studies and it was customary in those times for the gurus to subject the students to different kinds of torturous methods to create concentration on studies. When nothing worked for the young boy, he decided that death would be better than the life filled with torture, humiliation, and shame. He heard about the venomous cobra in the snake hole at the temple of Chinthalamma the village Goddess. In an attempt to take his life away, Narayanayya put his hand in the snake hole at the temple. To his surprise, the village Goddess appeared before him and advised him not to take his life away since a boy with an element of Hari or Vishnu would be born in the third generation of Narayanayya.		Narayana Suri, the son of Narayanayya, did not have children for a long time. Narayana Suri and his wife Lakkamamba visited Tirumala Temple and while they were prostrating in front of the Holy Mast (Dhwaja Sthambha) a dazzling brilliance from the sword of Lord Venkateswara struck them like a lightening. Eventually a boy was born to them and they named him Annamayya. Annamayya became Annamacharya when the sage Ghana Vishnu at Tirumala converted him into a Vaishnavaite at the age of 8. During his long and prolific career, Annamacharya composed and sang 32,000 Sankirtanas, 12 Satakas (sets of hundred verses), Ramayana in the form of Dwipada,SsankIrtana Lakshanam (Characteristics of sankIrtanas), Sringaara Manjari, and Venkatachala Mahatmamyam. His works were in Telugu, Sanskrit and a few other languages of India. Chinnanna called the 32,000 Sankirtanas as 32,000 Mantras or Sacred Hymns. It was also recorded in Chinnanna’s Dwipada that Purandara Dasa, who was 70 years younger to Annamacharya, heard about the miracles of Annamacharya and visited him. Purandara Dasa paid his respects to Annamacharya by calling him the incarnation of Lord Venkateswara and his Sankirtanas as Sacred Hymns. Annamacharya wrote the sankirtanas on palm leaves and later his son Tirumalacharya got them engraved on copper plates. But for reasons not known, most of these copper plates lay hidden in a rock built cell opposite to Hundi in the Tirumala temple unnoticed for over 400 years. In 1922, twenty five hundred copper plates, comprising of about 14,000 sankIrtanas and a few other works, were found in a rock built cell, later named as Sankirtana Bhandagaram, opposite to the Hundi (donation box). Ever since the discovery of this lost treasure, Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD) and other organizations in India are working hard to promote the music and literature of Annamacharya. SVASA based in Riverside, honors Annamacharya by organizing both the jayanti (birth anniversary) and the vardhanti commemorations annually and also organizes other devotional activities such as spiritual discourses, devotional music recitals, and other devotional services and thereby creates/increases spiritual awareness in the community.

2005-09-13T22:59:00.000-07:00

Zen Story

There is a Zen story about a poor man walking through the woods reflecting upon his many troubles. He stopped to rest against a tree, a magical tree that would instantly grant the wishes of anyone who came in contact with it. He realised he was thirsty and wished for a drink. Instantly a cup of cool water was in his hand. Shocked, he looked at the water, he decided it was safe and drank it. He then realised he was hungry and wished he had something to eat. A meal appeared before him. "My wishes are being granted," he thought in disbelief. "Well, then I wish for a beautiful home of my own," he said out loud. The home appeared in the meadow before him. A huge smile crossed his face as he wished for servants to take care of the house. When they appeared he realised he had somehow been blessed with an incredible power and he wished for a beautiful, loving, intelligent woman to share his good fortune. "Wait a minute, this is ridiculous," said the man to the woman. "I'm not this lucky. This can't happen to me." As he spoke...everything disappeared. He shook his head and said, "I knew it," then walked away thinking about his many troubles. There is a great truth hidden behind this simple Zen story. Our mind is like this magical tree. "Whatever the mind conceives and believes, it achieves." Since Vedic times, this universal truth has been understood by our rishis. Recitation of mantras is one of the tools for programming our unconscious minds. But alas, mantras are like the magical tree mentioned in the zen story narrated earlier. Mantras work for those who believe in their power. The Vedas, Upanishads and Samhitas are a rich source of powerful mantras. Out of these mantras, the Gayatri Mantra is known as the "Maha Mantra". The Gayatri Mantra has been recited over the ages by Indian rishis and it has been accorded the pride of place among all Vedic Mantras. No lesser a Godhead than Sri Krishna says in the Holy Geeta " Among Mantras I am Gayatri"

The Vedika form of the famous Gayatri mantra is: Om bhur-bhuvah-svah

tat savitur varenyam

bhargo devasya dhimahi

dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

This can be translated: Om. Let us contemplate the spirit of the divine of the earth, the atmosphere and heaven. May that direct our minds. Savitur is the Sun and this mantra is pronounced at the three junctions or twilight's of the day.

The tantrik compilation Prapanchasaratantra, outlines pujas and meditations on Gayatri in great detail. Here is described how the mantra Om hums in the base or Muladhara chakra, and moves through seven stages to the chakra above the head. (Sahasrara). According to our rishis, Mahavishnu describes Om as consisting of the following. Bhuh is existence, Bhuva is the elements, Svah is the atma of everything, Maha is greatness and light, Tat is Brahman (the absolute), Tapah is all knowledge, Satyam is supremacy and internal wisdom. This tantra connects the three letters of Om (A+U+M) to the seven worlds. (See also Jnanasankalini Tantra).

Tat refers to the first cause of all substance, as fire in the circle of the sun and is supreme Brahman. Savitur is the source of all living beings. Varenyam is the excellent one who receives adoration. Bharga destroys sin, Devasya means it is full of light, while Dhimahi refers to knowledge being golden and always within the sun. Dhiyo means Buddhi, Yo stands for energy (tejas). The mantra is divided into three sections of eight letters and four sections of six letters. A dhyana (meditation) describes Gayatri as having three faces, which are white, red and black. ( morning, afternoon, evening, / visual, auditory, kinesthetic) Yet the tantrik tradition has newer views of the Gayatri. For example, in the Matrikabhedatantra, there is a couplet which says a person who knows the Brahman (the absolute), is a brahmin. In the tantrik tradition, each aspect of devata has her or his own form of the Gayatri and it is often pronounced at the junctions of the day, including midnight.

For example, Tripurasundari Gayatri runs: Tripurasundari vidmahe,

kameshvari dhimahi,

tanno klinne prachodayat.

This means: Let us contemplate Tripurasundari, let us think of Kameshvari, may that sweetness direct.

The Gandharva Tantra uses the 24 different syllables of this mantra in Sanskrit as a visualisation, starting from the base of the spine and moving to the top of the head. The other tantrik Gayatri is a mantra known as Ajapa. This is recited by every living being unconsciously several hundred times a day as she or he breathes. Half are sun breaths and half are moon breaths. It consists of the letters Ha and Sa.

In the morning, Gayatri takes the form of Brahma, In the afternoon of Vishnu and in the evening of Shiva. Thus the recital of the Gayatri Mantra as per the ZeNLP classification of Visuals, Auditories and Kinesthetics are as follows:

Visuals - to recite in the afternoon followed by Chakra Meditation
Auditories - to recite in the morning followed by Sound Vibration
Kinesthetics - to recite in the evening followed by Dynamic Meditation
This ZeNLP classification is on the basis of your unconscious mental map. First time readers may refer the October'1998 issue of Zenotes, where these mental maps have been elaborated in detail in the article titled " What is your Unconscious Mental Map?" Thus, to derive maximum benefits from the recitation of Gayatri Mantra, it is imperative to discover your unconscious mental map and proceed with the recitation. The exact pronunciation of the Gayatri Mantra makes it necessary to begin this Holy recitation under expert guidance.
During ZeNLP workshops, this expert guidance is provided, based on the participants unconscious mental map.
God is the Life of life, the Light of the world, the Eternal Origin and Support of the creative cycle of the universe. The Sun is the metaphor of Divinity, being the generative support of life on Earth. Vedas are the poetry of God uttered in metalanguage, which is the sound correspondence of the Omniscience and infinite creative joy of Divinity, the power of Infinity, and the glory of Immortality. In the Vedas, Savitur is a symbol of the Divine. On the plane of Eternity, Savitur means God; on the physical plane, it means the Sun; on the psychic plane it means Intelligence; on the biological plane, it means Vitality. The Gayatri Mantra (Yajurveda, 36.3) is the essence of the Vedas.
Gayatri indeed is a quintessential reflection of the blazing Omniscience of Divinity captured in 24 syllables. It is a homage to the Sun the Sublime; a symbol of the radiance of the Divine vibrating through the earth, heaven, and the intervening spaces, inspiring life with energy, intelligence and blessed joy. The splendour of Lord Savitur, the creator Sun, is like the galactic explosion of a thousand suns bursting forth on the horizon in the first morning of the Universe - the same as Lord Krishna revealed to Arjuna in the Bhagvad Gita. The Gayatri Mantra moves us to superconscious elevation of the soul with the impact of its beauty, wonder and bliss. It consecrates us into a mood of prayer to participate in the creative epiphany of the Universal Mother. It opens the floodgates of light and beatitude of peace and immortality to a world otherwise shaken by mortality and pain.
A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, "I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it." The teacher's reply was casual, "Ten years." Impatiently, the student answered, "But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?" The teacher thought for a moment, "20 years."

2005-01-13T23:08:00.000-08:00

Hear the ancient history of Tirupati Venkateswara

as told by pauranika Sri Atmatattva Das.

Part One (16 kbps)

Part Two (16 kbps)

Some extracts from the Varaha Purana:

The Rishis headed by Kasyapa began to perform a sacrifice (yaga) on the banks of the Ganges. Sage Narada visited them at that time and asked them to tell him why they were performing the sacrifice and who would be pleased by it.

Not being able to answer the question the Rishis approached Sage Bhrigu.To reach a solution after a direct ascertainment of reality, Sage Bhrigu first went to Satyaloka (the abode of Lord Brahma).

There, he found Brahma reciting the four Vedas with his four heads in praise of Lord Narayana and attended upon by Sarasvati and not taking notice of Bhrigu offering obeisance. Concluding that Brahma was unfit for worship, Bhrigu left Brahmaloka for Kailasa.

At Kailasa, Bhrigu found Lord Siva spending his time pleasantly with Parvati and not noticing the Sage Bhrigu. Parvati drew the attention of Siva to the presence of the sage.

Lord Siva became furious at the intrusion of Bhrigu and tried to destroy him. The sage cursed and left for Vaikuntham.

The angry sage went to Sri Vaikuntham. Srimannarayana was reposing at that time on Adisesha with Sri Mahalakshmi at His feet in service. Finding that Srimannarayana also did not notice him, the sage was infuriated and he kicked the Lord on His chest, the place where Mahalakshmi resides.

At once the Lord hastened to make apologies to the angry Sage and pressed his feet to allay the pain caused to the leg. In doing so the Lord removed the eye in the foot of the Sage, which gave him power as to defy the Devas. The Sage thereupon decided that Sri MahaVishnu was the most Supreme of the Trimurtis and told the Rishis the same.They thereupon decided that Sri MahaVishnu was the fruit of the Yaga and sacrifice was offered to Him (Vishnu).

At the commencement of the present Sveta Varaha Kalpa, the whole Universe was filled with water and the earth was immersed in it. Lord Vishnu took to form of a White Boar and dived into the water to lift the earth. He slew the demon Hiranyaksha who caused obstruction to him and rescued the earth.

Brahma and the other Devas extolled Sri Varaha at the time with the chanting of the Vedas and showered flowers on him for saving the Earth. Lord Vishnu decided to stay on Earth in the form of the White Boar for some time, to punish the wicked and protect the virtuous. This place thenceforward came to be known as Varaha Kshetra and Varaha Kalpa began from that time.

After the departure of Mahalakshmi, Lord Vishnu left Vaikuntha in a forlorn condition and took his abode in an ant-hill on the Venkata Hill under a tamarind tree beside a Pushkarini.

Brahma and Mahesvara, taking pity on the condition of Vishnu, made up their mind to assume the forms of a cow and its calf to serve him.

The Sun God informed Mahalakshmi of this and requested her to sell the cow and calf to the king of the Chola country assuming the form of a cowherdess.

The king of the Chola country bought the cow and its calf and sent them to graze on the Venkata Hill along with his herd of cattle. Discovering Lord Vishnu in the ant-hill, the cow everyday emptied her under over the ant-hill and thus fed the Lord.

Finding that the cow did not yield any milk, the Chola Queen chastised the cowherd severely.

To find out the cause of the absence of milk, the cowherd followed the cow and hid himself in a bush and discovered the cow emptying her under over the ant-hill.

Getting wild over the conduct of the cow, the cowherd aimed a blow with his axe on the head of the cow. But the God rose from the ant-hill to receive the blow and save the cow.

When the cowherd saw the Lord bleed at the blow of his axe he fell down and died.

On the death of the cowherd, the cow returned bellowing to the presence of the Chola King with blood stains over her body. To find out the cause of the terror of the cow the Chola King followed her to the scene of the incident.

Near an ant-hill, the King found the cowherd lying dead on the ground. While he stood wondering how it had happened, the Lord rose from the ant-hill and cursed the king to become an Asure from the fault of his servant. Entreated by the king who pleaded innocence, the Lord blessed him by saying that His curse would end when He was adorned with the Kireetam presented by Akasa Raja at the time of His marriage with Sri Padmavati.

Thereafter Srinivasa decided to stay in this Varaha Kshetra. He therefore requested Sri Varahaswami to grant Him a site for His stay. His request being readily granted, Srinivasa ordained that a pilgrimage to His shrine would not be complete unless it is preceded by a bath in the Pushkarini and Darsan of Sri VarahaSwami, and that Puja and Naivedyam should be offered to Sri Varaha first.

Yasoda brought up Sri Krishna, the son of Devaki, in his early years. Yasoda was not blessed to witness the marriage of Sri Krishna with Rukmini and she felt very sad. Sri Krishna promised to fulfil her desire in her next birth as Vakuladevi in his next Avatara as Srinivasa. This Vakuladevi was sent to serve Srinivasa by Lord Varahasvami, on whom she was attending till Srinivasa came to Venkatachala.

Sometime after, a King named Akasa Raja who belonged to the Lunar race was ruling over Thondamandalam. He had a brother named Thondaman. Akasa Raja had no issue for a long time and so he wanted to perform a sacrifice for obtaining an offspring. While he was himself ploughing and ground for sacrifice, his plough turned up a lotus in the ground. On examining the lotus, the King found a female child in it.

The king was happy to find a child even before he performed a sacrifice and carried it to his place and gave it to his Queen to tend it. At that time he heard an aerial voice which said "O King, tend it as your child and fortune will befall you". As she was found in a lotus, the king named her Padmavati.

In course of time Princess Padmavati grew up into a beautiful maiden and was attended by a host of maids. One day while she was spending her time in a garden picking flowers with her maids, Saint Narada approached her. Assuring her that he was her well-wisher, he asked her to show him her palm to read her future. He foretold that she was destined to be the spouse of Lord Vishnu himself.

At this time Lord Srinivasa, who went for hunting chased a wild elephant in the forests surrounding the hills. In the pursuit, Srinivasa was led into a garden, where Princess Padmavati and her maids were picking flowers.The sight of the elephant frightened them and their Princess.

But the Elephant immediately turned round and saluted the Lord and disappeared in the forest.Lord Srinivasa came on horse back and saw the frightened maidens and he was accosted by them with queries.

Lord Srinivasa had explained them about his birth and parentage. He enquired them about their princess and her parentage and birth.

When he was informed that the Princess was Padmavati (lotus-Born) the foster Daughter of Akasaraja, he loved her and made advances to the Princess. He was repulsed with stones by the maids and he urgently returned to the hills leaving the horse, which fell on the ground.

Vakuladevi, as usual, brought dinner to Srinivasa comprising various delicious dishes. But she found him lying on his bed love-sick. She enquired the cause of his sickness. The Lord informed her that unless he secured Princess Padmavati, he would not be well. Vakuladevi then asked him to tell her all about the Princess, who she was, and how he came to love her. The Lord then narrated the story of her (PadmavatiÃ¢Â€Â™s) previous birth and his promise to wed her.

In olden times Lakshmi was staying as Vedavati in a Rishi Asrama in the forests. At that time Ravana, the lord of Lanka came there and tried to tempt her. Vedavati grew angry and cursed him that she would bring about his death.

To fulfil her words, Vedavati entered into the fire but the fire-god rescued her. He took Vedavati to his house and entrusted her to his wife to take care of her.

When Ravana was about to carry away Sita from Panchavati in the absence of Rama and Lakshmana, the Fire-God appeared on the scene and offered Vedavati to Ravana as the real Sita who was kept with him by Rama to evade Ravana.

Ravana took Vedavati to Lanka thinking she was the real Sita, while Agni(Fire-God) took Sita to his house and asked his wife Swahadevi to look after her.

After the destruction of Ravana, Vedavati entered the fires when rejected by Rama. Then the Fire-God offered the real Sita to Rama. Rama then questioned her as to who the other lady by her side was.

Sita informed Rama that she was Vedavati who suffered all the tortures for her sake for ten months in Lanka and requested Rama to accept her also as his spouse. But Rama declined her request saying that he was wedded to policy of having only one wife during his life time, and he promised to wed her in her next birth as Padmavati, born as the daughter of Akasaraja when he will take the form of Srinivasa.

There upon Vakuladevi thought that Srinivasa would not be happy unless he married Padmavati and she offered to go to Akasaraja and his queen and arrange for the marriage. On the way she met the maid-servants of Padmavati returning from a Siva Temple. She learnt from them about Padmavathi's love-sickness and went to the queen along with them.

Akasaraja and his queen Dharanidevi became anxious about the health of their daughter. They learnt about Padmavati's love for Srinivasa of Venkata Hill. Akasaraja consulted Brihaspati about the propriety of the marriage and was informed that the marriage was in the best interests.

After the departure of Vakuladevi Srinivasa could not rest in peace. He doubted her success in the mission. He therefore assumed the form of a Yerukula-woman and entered the streets of the capital telling fortunes. Padmavati's maids saw her and invited her to the presence of their queen.

The maid-servants went and informed the queen that the fortune-teller was hesitating to come into the palace without an invitation from the queen.

The queen came out herself and invited the fortune-teller into the palace.The fortune-teller was taken to the presence of Princess Padmavati.

The fortune-teller saw the palm of the Princess and told the queen about the cause of Padmavati's indisposition and advised to give her in marriage to Lord Srinivasa. She also told the queen that a lady would approach her shortly to formally request Padmavati's hand in marriage on behalf of Srinivasa.

After the departure of the fortune-teller, Vakuladevi went to the queen along with the maids and informed her that she came from Srinivasa to request the hand of Padmavati in marriage for him.

Having consulted Brihaspati and heard from his queen about the prediction of the fortune-teller and arrival of the messenger, from Srinivasa, Akasaraja decided to bestow his daughter on Srinivasa and he called the palace purohits to fix a Muhurtam for the marriage.

Akasaraja informed his Ministers and other Officials of his intention. Immediately a letter was drafted for being sent to Srinivasa requesting him to come and marry the Princess.

Akasaraja entrusted the letter to Sukamahamunin for being delivered to Srinivasa. Suka went to Venkata Hill with Vakulamalikadevi. He presented the Patrika to Lord Srinivasa, who felt pleased and sent his garland through him for Padmavati.

Immediately Lord Srinivasa called for a conference of the Gods to win their consent for His marriage with Princess Padmavati.

To meet the expenses of the marriage, Kubera lent money to the Lord.

Lord Srinivasa started for the residence of Akasaraja with his consorts and Brahma and Siva and his vehicle Garutman.

At the entrance the Lord was received by Akasaraja with all honours and was taken in procession on a mounted elephant to the palace for the marriage.

In the presence of all the Devas, Lord Srinivasa took the hand of the Princess Padmavati and wedded her and thus blessed Akasaraja.

Contest between Adisesha and Vayudeva

During the Dwaparayuga, Vayudeva (the Wind God) went to Vaikuntam to pay his obeisance to Lord Sri Vishnu. The Lord was reclining in the company of Sri Lakshmi. The doorway was guarded by Adisesha. Vayudeva was incensed when Adisesha prevented him from entering Sri VishnuÃ¢Â€Â™s mansion. Adisesha and Vayudeva began to fight with each other.

When Lord Vishnu intervened, each was boasting of his superior valour and supreme might. To test who was stronger, the Lord suggested that Adisesha encircle the Ananda hill, an off-shoot of the Meru mountain on its northern side, and that Vayudeva blow hard to try and dislodge the Ananda hill from Adisesha's hold. The contest waxed furiously, and as the World trembled, Brahma, Indra and the other Divine Beings requested Adisesha to yield victory to Vayudeva for the welfare of the world.

Obliging them, Adisesha released his hold on the hill. As a result, Adisesha and the Ananda hill were blown away to the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. Adisesha was dejected by his defeat. Lord Brahma and the others appealed to him by saying that he would be merged with the hill Venkatadri and Vishnu would reside on him. Adisesha then metamorphosed into the vast Seshadri, with his hood manifesting itself as Venkatadri sustaining Sri Venkateswara, his middle as Ahobila supporting Lord Narasimha, and his tail as Srisailam bearing Lord Mallikarjuna (Lord Siva).

Restoration of the Earth by Adi Varaha

During the eight thousand yugas (the equivalent of a day and night for Brahma, the Creator), there was a raging fire, and everything on Earth was reduced to ashes. Man had to forsake the Earth and seek refuge in Janaloka.

At the approach of night (of Brahma), Vayu, the Wind God, blew furiously. Huge clouds were formed, there was torrential rain, and it resulted in Pralaya Kalpa (the Great Deluge). The Earth sank into the Patala loka, and remained in that state for a thousand years (during a part of that night of Brahma).

Sri Maha Vishnu, wanted to rescue the Earth. He assumed the form of Adi Varaha and proceeded to Pataloka. He fought a fierce duel with Hiranyaksa and killed him. He then slashed the water and brought up the Earth on his tusks.

Brahma, the Devas and the sages extolled Adi Varaha's virtues, by chanting the Vedic mantras. They prayed to Him to re-establish the Earth as before. Adi Varaha obliged them, and called upon Brahma to recreate the world. He expressed his desire to reside on the Earth to protect its people. He commanded his vehicle, Garuda to fetch Kridachala (an extensive natural hill with lofty peaks, embedded with gold and precious stones, and which resembled Adisesha in shape) from Vaikuntam.

Garuda brought Kridachala and deposited it on a sacred spot (to the East of Swami Pushkarini) chosen by Adi Varaha. Adi Varaha stood within the divine vimana of Kridachala, which shone with many gem-studded gopuras.

Brahma and the other holy personages requested the fearsome-looking Adi Varaha to assume a tranquil and composed look, and rest on the hill to protect men and grant boons to people unable to reach God through Dhyana Yoga (meditation) and Karma Yoga (doing one's own duty).

Adi Varaha appeared with four arms and a white face. He was adorned with jewels and accompanied by Bhu Devi. He resolved to stay at Venkatadri, under a divya vimana, to grant the prayers of men.

Source: Tirupati History

2005-01-13T22:19:00.000-08:00

SRISAILAM On the Nallamalais - The Tail of Adisesha

The ancient and sacred temple of Srisailam is of great historical and religious significance. Situated on the south bank of the river Krishna, in the Nallamalai forest, on a 457 meter high hill is the Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy temple, one of the 12 Jyothirlingas in the country. One of the state's three famous Linga Kshetrams (Draksharamam and Nagarjunamo are the other two), it is also known as "Sri Mallikharjunam" and "Sri Parvatham". The temple is also the seat of Mahakali in the form of Bhramaramba.The most appealing feature of this temple is that any one of any cast or creed can touch the deity and worship here.

Till 1957 the place was not easily accessible to the pilgrims as it involved a walk of 64 kms through dense forests and hilly terrains. Now there is a 60 km long motarable road to the top of the 1563-foot high plateau, from Dornal on the Kurnool-Guntur road. It is a pleasant drive on a road lined with green and flowering trees. Passing through the small town of Dindi one reaches Mannanur from where the Rajiv Gandhi reserve forest starts and so does the climb on to the Nallamalais. After about 10 km drive on the elevated plane one can see the majestic white gopuram of the Srisailam temple. The 512 meter long Srisailam dam across the river and the hydroelectric project is surrounded by natural beauty. One requires special permission to go on to the main dam. Buses and trucks are allowed to go on a road bridge that runs parallel to the dam.

LEGENDS

As the legend goes, Vrishabha, the sacred bull of Lord Siva performed penance here. Siva and Parvati apeared in the form of Mallikharjuna and Bhramaramba. A massive fort, with six meter high walls encloses the temple. A cluster of minor shrines within the temple compound include the Sahasra Linga, Panchapandava temples and Vatavriksha.

Hiranyakasipu of Kretayuga is believed to have conducted pujas here. It is said that Srirama and Sita visited the shrine and installed Sahasra Lingas (thousand lingas). The place is also associated with Pandavas who installed idols of Siva. Several devotees have attained salvation by performing pujas here while several saints have sanctified the place by doing penance. The greatness of the place has been described in "Srisaila Kandam" of Skanda Puranam.

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2004-04-11T23:07:00.001-07:00

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SRISAILAM On the Nallamalais - The Tail of Adisesha

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