Parents Should Set A Good Example

"When the parents and teachers themselves have not realised the importance of spirituality, how can we blame the students? First, the parents must teach their wards to pray to God everyday. But the modem parents themselves do not pray to God. As soon as they return from office, they go to clubs and spend their time in drinking and playing cards. Naturally, children follow their footsteps.

In some houses, parents quarrel in front of their children, which is an unhealthy practice. If there is any difference of opinion between parents, they should resolve it in the absence of their children. Children cannot concentrate on their studies, if they are disturbed by the family problems. So, parents should never discuss them in front of their children. They should instead teach them all good .things and show them good ways of life. There are a few parents who set bad example to their children by speaking untruth. For example, if some unwanted person makes a phone call, they instruct their children to tell him that they are not available. Thus, they teach their children how to tell lies." Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 162

"Parents Are Responsible For The Misbehaviour Of Their Children."

"For all the bad ways followed by youth today, for all their wayward behaviour and bad conduct, the parents are to be blamed. If mothers are good, there will be no room for bad behaviour by the children. Although parents may appear innocuous like fig fruits, they are responsible for the misbehaviour of their children, like the worms inside the fruits." Sai Baba, SS, 6/93, p. 142

Parents Should Advise Their Children

"Parents ought to advise the children: Be convinced that there's God, guiding and guarding us. Remember Him with gratitude. Pray to Him to render you pure. Love all, serve all."

Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, p. 4

"Parents must encourage children when they evince any interest in spiritual advance and study. They must also set them good examples." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. IV, p. 98

Maternal Inspiration

"Rama attained godhood because he was the son ofKaushalya. Lava and Kusha became heroic children because of their great mother, Sita Devi. It is the noble thoughts of the mother which make the children great." Sai Baba. SS, 6/97. p. 141

Madalasa's Example

"In ancient times. Queen Madalasa was teaching the children from their infancy the greatness of detachment (' Vairagya'). She used to sing a lullaby while putting the children to sleep: 'Placing you in the cradle ofOmkaara on the bed of the great saying 'Tatvam Asi' (That thou art), swinging to the music of Awareness, dear child, may the gods lull you to sleep.'

This was the way the mothers in ancient Bharat (India) taught their children. The ancient teachings exhorted the people to 'Speak truth, adhere to righteousness' (Satyam Vada, Dharmam Chara). No mother taught the child to speak untruth. No mother would think asking the child to follow unrighteousness.

Because the mothers in ancient times filled the child with devotion and detachment, Bharat stood out as a land of sacrifice, wisdom, Yoga and contentment. Because today mothers do not bring up the child in this spirit, this sacred land is ceasing to be one of sacrifice and is becoming a pleasure-loving nation." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96, p. 159

Example Of Vidyasagar

"In the past, mothers used to play a big part in moulding their children. For instance, there is the example oflshwara Chandra Vidyasagar. He was a native of Calcutta. He justified his name by being a great scholar ('Vidyasagar' means ocean of knowledge). He belonged to a very poor family. His mother brought up her son at the expense other own food. Pursuing his studies under most adverse circumstances, he completed his education and found a job on a salary of Rs.50 per month. In due course, he rose to an eminent position by dint of hard work. One day he approached his mother and said, 'Mother! I have reached an eminent position; thanks for your blessings and guidance. I am now able to fulfill any of your wishes.' The mother said, 'Not, yet my son. I have three desires but I shall tell them in due course.' Reaching a still higher position after sometime, Ishwara Chandra renewed his appeal to his mother. The mother said, 'Our village is poor and the village has no school. Please set up a school here so that the children will not have to go outside for their education. That school will be the first ornament for me.' The son carried out her wish. Later, the mother revealed her second wish. She wanted Ishwara Chandra to set up a small hospital in the village to serve the villagers;

She said that this would be the second ornament she wanted from him. He set up a hospital as desired by his mother. In the following years, Vidyasagar rose to a greater eminence, but remained humble and free from conceit as ever. He asked his mother what her third desire was. She said that he should build a small rest house for traveler passing through the village to stay. Vidyasagar built a small community hall in the village. Today's educated persons get puffed up over their petty educational attainments. It was his mother's teachings which made Vidyasagar practise humility." Sai Bab a, SS, 6/96, p. 160

Mother Easwaramma

"Today we are celebrating Easwaramma Day. Who is Easwaramma? She is the mother of Easwara (God). This was not the name given to her by her parents." Sai Baba, SS, 6/2000, p. 166

"Easwaramma, the mother of this physical body (Sathya Sai Baba), was first christened as Namagiriamma at the time of birth. But after her marriage, Kondama Raju, the grandfather of this physical body, being a Jnani (wise man) and blessed with a vision of future, started calling her Easwaramma (mother of Easwara=God)." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96, p. 144

"Kondama Raju, being the one with wisdom always craved for Me. One day, he called Pedda Venkama Raju by his side and told him to change his wife name to 'Easwaramma' He told this because he felt the divine vibrations originating from within. His intention was to convey that she was the mother of Easwara, God Himself. But, Pedda Venkama Raju was not aware 01 me inner meaning of this name. He implicitly obeyed the command of his father and changed the name of his wife to Easwaramma." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96, pp. 144 & 145

"Easwaramma was born in such a poor family that she did not even have proper food to eat. All that she had to eat was Ragi Sankati (gruel prepared from a coarse grain). Even I too eat Ragi Sankati only. Many people in Karnataka eat Ragi Sankati. I like it very much. I do not relish rice, Kurma (cury), etc. Ragi with groundnut chutney is My favorite food. Both Ragi and groundnut are available in our village. When I come here from Puttaparthi, I bring Ragi flour with Me. Even when I go to Kodaikanal, I tell the boys to bring Ragi flour for Me. Easwaramma was illiterate. When I see the egoistic attitude, perverted mentality and ostentatious behaviour of the present-day educated people, I feel it was better that Easwaramma did not have any schooling."

Sai Baba, SS, 6/2000, p. 166

"When I was seven and half years old, I used to teach Pandhari Bhajans to small children in our village. Easwaramma and Subbamma used to feel ecstatic watching me sing Pandhari Bhajans and dance to their rhythm. Sometimes, her husband Pedda Venkama Raju would give Easwaramma some money for household expenditure. Once two annas (nickles) were remaining with her out of this money. One could buy two bags of puffed rice for two annas in those days. So, Easwaramma bought two bags of puffed rice with the two annas and distributed to the children. She always used to give away whatever she had with her. She was the embodiment of sacrifice. She used to talk lovingly to all those who came to her. When devotees would feel sad that Swami was ignoring them, she would console them saying. 'Whatever Swami does is for your own good.'

When I was being taken to Urvakonda for further education, all those children whom I used to teach many good things in the evening felt very dejected. At the time of leaving, ten of those children came to Me and offered one Bottu (three paise) each as Guru Dakshina (an offering of gratitude to the teacher). When I gave this money to Easwaramma, she was moved to tears. She held My hand and exclaimed, 'What a spirit of sacrifice at such a tender age.' Till she breathed her last, she kept those coins with her." Sai Baba, SS, 6/2000, pp. 166 & 167

"After the construction of Prasanthi Nilayam, one day I went to see Kondama Raju. He asked Easwaramma to get a glass of water. He told her, 'God has come to take me away. He made a promise that He would pour water into my mouth with His hands, before I leave this body. He has come to fulfill His promise.' Puzzled by Kondama Raju's request, Easwaramma said, 'You are not suffering from any disease, you don't have fever or cold. What makes you think that your end has approached. Then Kondama Raju said, 'Death occurs as per the Will of God. Just as birth has no reason, death too has no reason. This is the Truth of truths.' Easwaramma did not want to argue with him. According to his wish, she brought a glass full of water and gave him. He sat down on the floor and made Me sit on the cot. he kept his head on My knees and said, 'Swami! Please listen to my prayer.' Easwaramma was watching all this. She wondered, how is that he had so much love and regard for his young grandson. Kondama Raju said, 'As you know, I was doing a small business to make both ends meet. Perhaps I may still have to pay a paisa or Anna to certain people. Please bless me so that I am not indebted to anyone in my death. I said, 'So shall it be.' And started pouring water into his mouth. He breathed his last, as he was drinking water. His desire was fulfilled. Before leaving his mortal coil, he told Easwaramma not to get deluded by body attachment. He said, 'Bodily relationship is temporary, whereas Atmic relationship is permanent. So, give up body attachment and develop attachment to the Atma." Sai Baba. SS, 6/99. p. 146 & 147

 

Father-in-law Adored Her Daughter-in-law, Easwaramma

"Noble mothers give birth to noble sons. Mothers should also feel lucky to have noble sons. Kondama Raju (Sai Baba's grand father) used to tell his daughter-in-law, ' Easwaramma! You have no idea of your great good fortune. You are not an ordinary woman. The Lord Himself is with you. What a lucky woman you are!' Easwaramma was the daughter-in-law of Kondamma Raju. Has there been any instance of a father-in-law adoring his daughter-in-law? He used to say, 'Easwaramma! Your name has been vindicated.' Easwara's mother is Easwaramma. This was the way he praised Easwaramma. Kondama Raju was one of those rare persons who could perceive the truth. Those who cannot recognise will never be able to understand it. They are like a blind man who cannot see the sun even during the day." Sai Baba, SS, 6/98, p. 148

Sai Baba Showed His Glimpses Of Divinity To Easwaramma

"From that day onwards, Easwaramma never stayed at home. She started staying in Prasanthi Nilayam. Everyday, both in the morning and evening, she used to come upstairs and talk to Swami. She also understood My Divinity very well. When I appeared in the form of Lord Shiva to her, she would ask, 'What Swami? Why are you adorning the snakes around your neck?' I would act innocent, 'Well, I don't have any snakes on Me.' She would move away saying, 'There are some snakes inside.' But later on, not finding any snake inside, she would ask for forgiveness. Like this on many occasions, she had the experience of My Divinity. Similar was the case with Kaushalya and Yashoda. Though they knew that their sons were Divine, they used to get carried away by their motherly affection towards them. Mothers are highly noble and virtuous. Their nobility cannot be described in words." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96, p. 147

"I Do Not Want To Put You To Inconvenience" - Easwaramma

"Once on a Shivaratri day, after I had completed My discourse, the Lingas were ready to emerge from My mouth. I sat on the chair and was in severe pain. Seeing Me suffering, Easwaramma got up from the gathering, came up to Me and said, 'Swami! Why do you suffer like this? Come inside, come inside.' I said I would not come inside. She cried and tried to persuade Me, but I did not budge an inch. Unable to see My suffering, she went inside. As soon as she left, Hiranyagarbha Linga emerged. All the devotees burst into thunderous applause. Listening to this, she came back, but by then the Linga had already emerged and I was showing it to the devotees. All the people got up to have a glimpse of the Linga. As a result, Easwarama could not see it. Next day she pleaded with Me to show the Linga to her. I said I had given it to somebody. But she said, 'I have not seen. I want to see.' I told her that she would see in the future anyway. She said, 'I do not want to put to inconvenience,' and went away. She had never put Me to trouble anytime. Whenever she asked Me for something, she would come back and inquire if she had given any trouble. To all devotees who came, she used to entreat not to cause any inconvenience to Swami." Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 150 '

Sathya Sai Baba Fulfilled Three Wishes Of His Mother

"Ishwara Chandra Vidyasagar spent all his earnings to fulfill the desires of his mother. Easwaramma also had similar desires. Once she told Me, 'Swami! Our Puttaparthi is a small village. As there is no school in this village, the children are forced to walk long distances to attend schools in the neighbouring villages. I know that You are the ocean of compassion. Please construct a small school in the village.' I r.sked, where she wanted the school to be built. She said she had a piece of land behind her house. She wanted the school to be constructed there. As desired by her, I got the school constructed. Though it was a small school, the inaugural function was a grand affair, attended by many devotees. The next day, Eeswaramma expressed her happiness over the inaugural function and said that she had one more desire. She wanted a hospital also to be built in the village. She said, 'Swami! I don't want to put You to trouble. If You are troubled, the whole world will be in trouble and if You are happy, the whole world will be happy. So, if it gives You happiness, please construct a small hospital.' As per her wish, I got the hospital constructed. Bejawada Gopal Reddy, a highly reputed person in those days, was invited to inaugurate the hospital. The inaugural function was a grand one, attended by thousands of people from neighboring villages. Easwaramma did not imagine that this would be such a grand affair. Next day, she came up to Me and said, 'Swami! It does not matter even if I die now. I have no more worries, You have fulfilled my desires and mitigated the sufferings of the villagers to a great extent.' I said, if you have any more desires, ask Me now. She replied hesitantly that she had another small desire: 'You know the river Chitravati is in spate during the rainy reason. But, in summer it dries to a trickle and people do not have drinking water. So please see that some wells are dug in this village.' I told her that I would not stop with small wells and that I would provide drinking water to the entire Rayalaseema region. Easwaramma said,'! don't know what Rayalaseema is. I am satisfied if our village is provided with drinking water." Sai Baba. SS, 6/96, p. 149

Sai Visits His Mother's Samadhi

"Mothers are responsible for the well-being of their children. They also show spiritual path to their children. So, never forget your mother. To set an ideal in this regard, I visit the Samadhi of My parents on My birthday. To inculcate this good feeling in the hearts of people, even Sai Baba has undertaken this sacred activity. Every individual should adore, respect, worship and love his/he: mother." Sai Baba, SS, 12/98, p. 324

 

Pedda Venkama Raju, Sai Baba's Father

"Pedda Venkama Raju was the father of this physical body (Sathya Sai Baba)" Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 144

"I would prepare sweet Puris (fried bread) and serve not only the grandfather, but also the washerman, the barber and others. On Such occasions, Pedda Venkama Raju (Swami's father) came to see us at lunchtime. Kondama Raju invited him for lunch, as it was a festival day. Pedda Venkama Raju had his lunch with us and felt food items were very delicious. He went home and chided Easwaramma and Venkamma for not being able to make the items tasteful. He said, 'Look at Sathya, what a fine cook he is! Why can't you prepare the food items the way Sathya does?' From the next day onwards, he started sending them to Me asking them to bring whatever food items I prepared. They would come and complain that it was because of My cooking that they were being blamed at home." Sai Baba. SS, 6/99. p. 146

Mother Easwaramma's Loving Care

"Now it is 30 years since the mother of this body passed away. But she is still continuing to move about in her physical form around Swami. Three boys sleep in Swami's room. They have also witnessed her presence. I am telling this today because the life of ideal mothers has permanent significance.

In Prasanthi Nilayam, Swami takes breakfast after Bhajan and proceeds to His place in Poornachandra Auditorium. Early in the morning one day, mother Easwaramma was standing at the door in the usual form. I asked her: Why did you come? She said:

Swami i I have come here with a prayer to you. You are omnipresent and omniscient, but you have to control one thing. What is that? Swami asked. She said: 'Devotees and students offer handkerchief to you. But, heeding my prayer, please do not receive handkerchiefs from anybody. The times are not good. The handkerchief may be tainted with poisonous stuff. In the usual course, you use the handkerchief to wipe your nose and mouth only from those on whom you have confidence and trust as good devotees. Do not accept from all and sundry.'

Mother's love lives on for all times, long after her passing away. Twice she appeared in the night. The boys sleeping in my room noticed her presence. Those boys had not seen her at anytime. They wondered who the old lady could be. The key of the lift was in their hands and there was no staircase leading to the apartment. How did she manage to come here? When the boys asked this question, Swami woke up. I went near her and asked her why she had come again. She replied, 'I cannot live without seeing you often. The moment I see you I feel happy.' After saying so, she gave me some piece of advice, 'Swami, all persons describe themselves as devotees. But no one can tell who are real devotees and who are fake. Totally dedicated devotees will be ready to carry out anything you ask them to do, but there are others who come for their own self-interest. By coming to you they get their desires fulfilled and forget thereafter. In this matter, you should be very careful.' Swami replied, I shall take due care. There is no need for you to tell me. After hearing this, she laughed and left the room. I am conveying to you this episode as a direct testimony to the greatness of mother's love. She might have given up her physical body, but she is always with Swami. She said, "I have performed many sacrifices for your sake and have done many kinds of Poojas. I realised the proof thereof. For 40 years I was with you. My life has its fulfillment." Sai Baba, SS, 6/98, pp. 142 & 143

Glimpses Of Easwaramma Day Celebrations At Brindanan - 2000

"On the morning of 6th May 2000, Sai Ramesh Hall was aesthetically decorated with banners, buntings and festoons. Beautiful flower designs decorated the dais, where a picture of Divine Mother Easwaramma was placed to enable the devotees to pay their tributes to her. Bhagavan came to the Hall at 7.30 a.m. and showered the bliss of His Darshan on the huge concourse of devotees assembled there to celebrate this function. Bhajans on this morning were sung exclusively by Bal Vikas children who paid their homage to the Divine Mother Easwaramma through this excellent programme of vocal music, which continued up to 8.00 a.m. After the Bhajans, the next programme started with Veda chanting by Institute students. Before the Divine Discourse of Bhagavan Baba, Sri Shriram Parshuram, a student ofPrasanthi Nilayam campus, made a brief speech narrating how Bhagavan showered love of a thousand mothers on him and cured his mother of a serious illness. After this brief speech, Bhagavan Baba gave His nectarine discourse. The morning programme came to a close with Aarati to Bhagavan and distribution ofPrasadam.

There were two programmes in the afternoon. The first programme was presented by the Bal Vikas Gurus, both ladies and gents, who enthralled the audience for about 15 minutes with melodious Bhajans in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan. Another wonderful programme of the afternoon was the musical presentation made by three students, Sri P. Sujith Kumar, Sri Tara Shankar and Sri N. Karthik wno sent me audience into raptures by their Telugu, Hindi and Tamil songs. At the end of this programme, Bhagavan blessed the students by creating Vibhuti and blowing it on them and those who gave them instrumental support as a gesture of His Grace. With this, the grand function of Easwaramma Day came to a close at Brindavan. Aarati was offered to Bhagavan at the conclusion of the programme." Editor, SS. 6/2000. p. 177


From the book - Festivals at Prasanthi Nilayam and Their Significance - An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Compiled and Edited by Suresh C Bhatnagar