The Five
decades of growth
His Holiness Narasimha Swamiji started the
monthly magazine 'Sai Sudha' in June 1940. Swamiji was a brilliant writer, a
great orator and a capable organiser, and by his forceful and convincing
presentation of facts and events, could carry the audience with him (he being a
capable analytical lawyer himself) and will leave an everlasting impression on
the lucky audience. The 'Sai Sudha' became a powerful magazine, eagerly
awaited, carrying his speeches, editorials, and messages inspiring the devotees
with faith in God and in Sai and enabling them to solve their various problems
of life.
The first decade
therefore was full of his speeches and writings and his tour programmes. 1940
to 1950 were ten years of great pioneering, foundation work of Swamiji, when
the seed that was sown has now grown into a big Banyan Tree with thousands of
roots in the form of Sai Mandirs, Sai Bhajan groups, Sai Centres of philsophy,
Sai Libraries, etc, all over the vast country of ours. North, East, South and
West. If Sai has become a household word, and Sai Baba Pictures adorn the Pooja
room of every house, this was entirely the result of Sai Prachar by His Holiness
Narasimha Swamiji. Swamiji had visited every town in Tamil Nadu, addressed
numerous meetings, performed Sai Pooja himself at various devotees' houses, and
had addressed elders as well as students in all towns, and today every taluq
and town has a Sai Mandir and a Sai Bhajan group. The places visited were
Kancheepuram, Wandiwash, Vellore, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Tiruchi, Madurai,
Pudukkottai, Coimbatore, and numerous villages on the way. Andhra Pradesh too
was extensively travelled by Swamiji starting from Gudur, to Nellore, Chirala,
Rapalle, Guntur, Vijayawada, Vishakapatnam, Secunderabad, Hyderabad,
Ramachandrapuram etc. Sai Bhakthi flooded Andhra Pradesh, and every village,
Taluq and Town has Sai Mandirs and Sai Associations. In Karnataka, Swamiji visited
Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Shimoga, Arsikere and other places where too
Swamiji's visit had resulted in Sai Mandirs and Sai Associations. So far as
Kerala was concerned, Swamiji had visited Palghat, Calicut, Ernakulam and
Trivandrum. The entire South India witnessed the resurgence of religious faith,
especially in Sai's faith which resulted in bringing together a synthesis of
religious outlook and all classes of people were drawn together by Swamiji's
personality and Sai prachar.
North India too
felt the impact of Swamiji's soul-stirring Sai prachar work. Swamiji visited
Poona, Bombay, Indore, Allahabad, Calcutta, Baroda, and by his speeches and writings had
a tremendous following in all
these important cities,
Swamiji's
initial work 'Self Realisation' put Sage Ramana Maharishi on the international
stage, and many foreigners from Europe and America were drawn to Sage Ramana,
because of this interesting book. In Madras, ardent devotees attracted to
Swamiji were Sri 0. K. Varada Rao and his wife, Sri V. Venkatarama lyer,
Advocate, Sri A. Kuppuswamy, Sri Panini Rao and family, Sri B.V. Viswanatha
lyer. Barrister Sri Krishnamurthy, Smt S. N. Sastry, Sri Vanchinatha lyer of
Egmore, Sri Kuppuswamy lyer, Sri Kothandarama Chetty, Sri A. Varadappa Chetty,
Sri G. Viswanatham Chetty, Sri V K. Pantulu, and a host of other Advocates,
Doctors, Engineers, students, and others in different walks of life. Sri A.V.K.
Chari of Coimbatore, Dr. Surianarayanan and Sri K.R.S. lyer of Madurai (Railway
Officer), Sri P. Gopalaswamy lyer, Sri J N. Bose of Calcutta, Sri K.R.R. Sastry
of Allahabad, Sri Sharma of Tribune, Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji, Sri
K. G. Sreenivasan of Bangalore, Sri Durgiah Naidu, Sri Chalapathi Rao of
Guntur, Sri G.V.R. Naidu Garu of Secunderabad, Sri Swami Kesaviahgaru of Shenoy
Nagar, Madras and many people from various centres of India became close to
Swamiji and helped Swamiji in Sai Prachiar work.
Swami
Kesaviahgaru was a great Sai Bhaktha and his Pooja at Sai Mandir at Shenoy
Nagar, Madras, attracted many devotees and Swami Kesaviah used to give Udhi as
Baba Prasad, and gave good counsel and solace to innumerable devotees. The Naga
Sai Mandir at Coimbatore where Sri Sai Baba appeared as a Naga - Cobra was a
great post-Mahasamadhi event evidencing Sri Sai Baba's continued work of
protection and guidance.
The All India
Sai Samaj was started by Swamiji in 1941 and was first located in a small
rented room in Venkatachala Mudali Street, Triplicane, Madras. From there it
was shifted on 13-4-1942 to a rented house No. 2/14 at T.S.V. Koil Street in
Mylapore, Madras. The house owner was scored at finding a dead rat in the house
and no one was prepared to live in that house. When the information was passed
on to Swamiji by Sri Panini Rao, immediately Swamiji took up that house and Sai
Mandir was housed there. Sai worship dispelled all evils and doubts and when
the owner got a good price by selling the house, Swamiji shifted the Sai Mandir
to Dr. Nanjunda Rao's house at Brodies Road, (now R-K. Mutt Road) Mylapore on
1-9-1943. Sai worship continued there till January, 1949. When that house was
needed by the owners, the Mandir was shifted to a compound in Sri Thyagaraja
lyer's (Advocate) house at Vonkatesa Agrahara very near to our present place on
14-1-1949. Meanwhile funds were raised for purchase of a plot for finding a
permanent place for Sri Sai Mandir. In Aug-Sept 1951, Swamiji arranged to
perform Homas for the welfare of humanity.
In 1943 a drama
on the "Life of Sri Sai Baba" was staged by Dr. V. Ramamurthy,
himself acting as Sai Baba. He resembled Sai Baba himself and many devotees
actually offered worship and Aarathi, and many broke down at the Mahasamadhi Scene. Swamiji
congratulated Dr. V. Ramamurthy on this splendid performance and the Doctor became
an ardent follower of Swamiji and took part in all functions of All India Sai
Samaj. Fortunately he is present today at Besant Nagar, Madras, leading a
retired life, and we offer our sincere prayers and wish Dr. Ramamurthy, his
wife and family members all prosperity and a happy life.
By the support
of the public and ardent work by Swamiji's close devotees. Sri M. D.
Krishnamurthy, Sri V. K. Pandulu, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and Sri J.D.
Pannalal, the land where the present plot of land housing the Mandir was
purchased Sai Mandir was constructed and the Samaj moved in on 7-7-1952, Guru
Poornima day. The adjoining place, where the centenary Hall has been constructed
and where all our AISS conferences are being held, was acquired later. The Sai
Mandir has been built step by step by the efforts of the Sai devotees with
their devotion and selfless service at the feet of our Gurudev H.H. Narasimha
Swamiji. The period 1951 to 1960 witnessed the speedy growth and consolidation
of All India Sai Samaj. The Maha Kumbabhisheham was performed on 19-10-1953
after performance of various Homam etc. in the immediate presence and blessings
of Swamiji, Sri Thambaiappakkam Arunachala Sastrigal did all religious rites
with great fervour and enthusiasm. There was a serious accident to Swamiji when
he slipped in his bathroom and ho suffered .thigh bone fracture. He was
admitted to the General Hospital, Madras, where he lay like Bhishma with a leg
tied up for over a month. Who knows the ways of Baba ! This period was utilised
by Swamiji to embark on his final phase of work of all times, namely,
completion of the meritorious book on 'Life of Sai Baba' in four volumes. The
first two volumes were published in his life time.
The first two
decades saw the publications of Swamiji coming out one after another, like wave
after wave. His books 'Introduction to Sai Baba,' 'Who is Sai Baba,' 'Puja
vidhi,' 'Sai Mananam’ 'Glimpses of Sai Baba,' 'Devotees Experiences/ 'Wondrous
Saint/ 'Sai Harikatha/ 'Khaparde's Diary' 'Guide to Shirdi 'Sai Sahasranamavali',
'Sai Bhajans', 'Sai Puranam' 'Sai Charithram', 'Sai Baba's Charters and
Sayings', all became the invaluable treasure given to us. These publications
were made available to one and all, and Swamiji, besides these important works,
was busy with the monthly 'Sai Sudha'. These books were all "No
copyrights reserved"
Swamiji
corrected the proofs, even wrote addresses etc and was very particular that
'Sai Sudha' should reach all members in time. It is for us his followers to see
that 'Sai S'jdha'..is wall edited and published.
In 1956 on Oct
19th after the Muhasamadhi celebrations, we witnessed the merger of our dear
Swamiji with the Master. All of us maintained nonstop vigil at the bed side of
this great Rishi of our modern times. Doctor Rangachari and others did their
utmost to save Swamiji. It was a Thursday night on 19-10-1956 and early Friday
morning at about 3 A.M. Swamiji merged with the Divine Master Sri Sai Baba.
Just about 15 days prior to his nirvana he made the declaration that he is the
only spiritual head of AISS and will continue to be a permanent indweller at
the cottage behind the Mandir and will continue to lead, guide and protect the
devotees. He, however, nominated Sri D, Bhima Rao, Retd. Post Master General as
his successor President of AISS.
Swamiji was
cremated at the Mylapore cremation grounds. Thousands of devotees paid homage
to this great and beloved Gurudev, and it was Baba's grace that I was one of
the pall bearers carrying the body with the japa of 'Sai Ram'. Sri V. K. Pandulu,
a dedicated follower of Swamiji made all arrangements for this last journey
attending to every minute particulars.
When there was a
great spiritual void in AISS created by the absence of Swamiji in flesh and
blood, by the blessings and grace of Sri Sai, we had the august presence of
Brahmasri Gopalakrishna Bhagavata Swamy who recalled that he had known our
Swamiji even before, and his presence and participation in all major functions
of AISS from 1959 onwards fulfilled the much needed spiritual leadership. The
era of Namasankeertan was thus started by our dear 'APPA' as he was called, and
the AISS became the headquarters of Sai Namasankeertan with Appa taking the
lead and giving us the amrit of Hari Ksgrtanas, the Divine Music as was done by
Saint Sri Thyagaraja, Meera, Chaitanya Prabhu, Dasganu etc.
During the third
decade, from 1961-1970, after Swamiji left his mortal coil, Sri D. Bhima Rao,
humility personified, carried on 'he mantle of Swamiji and was full of Sai
Bhakthi. Sri V. K. Pandulu like the true and dedicated disciple of Swamiji
carried out Sai Seva and Sai Bhakthi along the path laid down by his Gurudev.
When Sri Bhima Rao became sick and could not carry out his duties as President,
Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji took over as President.
Earlier, Swamiji
had sent Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to Bangalore in 1952 and conferred on him the
title 'Saipadananda'. True to his Master, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji strove hard
to continue Swamiji's teachings and Sai prachar. Wherever Swamiji toured, Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji accompanied and was indeed the AISS representative at Shirdi Samasthan.
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji developed contacts with Shirdi Samasthan, which
started realising the sternuous work of AISS in the spread of Sai's Message.
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji as the Founder of Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore and
later as the President of AISS brought these two organisations very close and
had continued the work of Narasimha Swamiji with a missionary zeal. From 1963
till 1980 Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji personally took part in all the All India
Sai Devotees Conventions held by AISS and other Sai Institutions at various
centres of India. His work as editor of Sai Sudha was outstanding and his
biography of Gurudev H.H. Narasimhaswamiji was a simple effective tribute to
his Guru Seva.
The Silver
Jubilee Celebration of Sai Sudha together with the 10th All India Sai Devotees
convention in 1965 and the Golden Jubilee of Sri Sai Baba Mahasamadhi in 1968
were the highlights of AISS in this decade. The year July 1962 was a great
shock to us in that the ardent devotee Sri V. K. Pantulu merged in his Gurudev
H. H. Narasimhaswamiji. His life of total surrender to Swamiji, his selfless
service, and his inspiring leadership in building a team of young workers were
a great contribution immediately after 1956 for continuing the future role of
AISS.
Sri P.
Gopalaswamy lyer till then Vice President took over as Secretary and carried on
the work of Samaj with all devotion to Swamiji and with an earnestness of
purpose.
The Sai
Free dispensary was
started by Sri
Narasimhaswamiji, with. Dr. Mahadevan
as its first doctor. There
was also a Homeopathy wing.
Many; doctors are doing honorary service even now. At least about 30 to 50 patients are being
treated daily. A Dental wing was
opened in 1962 in grateful remembrance and homage to Sri V. K.
Pantulu.
The Narasimha
Swamiji Free Reading Room and Library was inaugurated in 1957 by Sri B. N.
Datar, the then Minister of State for Home Affairs in the Cabinet. Sri S.
Seshadri, Sri M. S. Srinivasan, Sri S. Vittal Rao, Sri B. S. Padmanabhan and
many others did tremendous service in the opening of Library. Sri S. Seshadri
took over as Secretary in 1965, and from 1965 onwards we had the unique
privelege of having in our midst Sri M. B. Rege, the ankita child of Baba.
The Zinc Sheet
shed that was housing AISS was replaced by a concrete slab, the first of its
kind with no pillars in the Hall, and this work was done just in time for the
grand celebrations in July 1966. Sri S. Janakiraman, Engineer, and his nephew
Sri G. Seshan were responsible for this monumental construction of a pucca roof
for the Main Hall of AISS. Sri Bhagawataswami of Pudukottai opened the Hall.
This decade saw the starting of Sai Vidyalaya and the school was inaugurated at
the sacred hands of Sri M.B. Rege in 1967. It was our great fortune that we
were able to get the guidance and active participation of Sri M.B. Rege from
1965 to 1971 in all our activities of AISS and in the Shirdi tours organised by
us and at the Madras and Bangalore conventions. Bhagavatha Sammelan in 1968
being the Golden Jubilee of Sri Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi celebrations was indeed
a memorable occasion when we had in our midst the great spiritual personalities
in the august presence of Shri M.B. Rege, Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavataswamiji,
Swami Abedananda Maharaj, Sri Basheer Baba, Sri Haridass Giri, Sri
Purusho-thama Goswami of Brindavan etc. Sri Harigovindji of Brindavan with his
team of young children enacted the Chaitanya Mahaprabu Leelas and Sri Krishna
Leela. These events were unparallelled, and it was the glorious Namasankeertan
with Bhakti overflowing and devotees were overwhelmed by Divine ecstasy and
were very happy they ware fortunate enough to take part in the feasts of
spiritual food. This was indeed the grace of Sri Sai Baba and his beloved
apostle Sri Narasimha Swamiji.
In 1963 a Koti
Archana to Sri Sai was undertaken. The Koti Archana concluded in July 1966,
Guru Poornima Day, synchronizing with the Silver Jubilee Celebration of All
India Sai Samaj. A second series of Koti Archana was started in 1966, at the
request of several devotees, which concluded in October 1968 during the 50th
Mahasamadhi Celebration (Golden Jubilee). Chanting of the Lord's Nama two crores
of times was the Power behind the tremendous strides taken by the institution
during the third decade of the Movement.
The fourth
decade 1970 to 1980 once again plunged us in sorrow, Sri M.B. Rege Maharaj
reached the feet of Sai in Feb. 1971 and in April 1971 our Gopalakrishna
Bhagwataswami reached the feet of Lord Narayana. We were again orphaned. Our
Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamtji merged in Sai in Jan 1980 on the eve of
Uttarayana. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji had been our guide from 1963 to 1980, and
with his kindness, all embracing love and patience guided the AISS to overcome
many problems. His presence, his wise counsel was very much needed to steer on
a correct course for AISS. He brought about a great deal of understanding and
brought AISS and Sai Spiritual Centre as one united Sai institution. We had to
once again invoke the blessings of Sri Sai and our Swamiji to put us on the
correct path. We again started our Bhajan and Namasankeertan with Sri Sanjeevi
Anna in our midst.
Sri R. Natesan
took over as Secretary in 1970, We had of course Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to
guide us as President of AISS. Sri R. Natesan was responsible for the pictorial
depiction of "Life of Sai Baba" in beautiful and attractive paintings
which adorn our Main Hall. This indeed is of great help and attracts all
devotees who are all able to see the important events of Sri Sai's life in
pictures, so well drawn by Sri Kandaswmy of Sai Arts. After the demise of Sri
R. Natesan, Sri K. Viswanathan took over as Secretary and during his period,
there were the Nellore and Calcutta conventions, where the message of Sai and
Swamiji were taken to East, City of Calcutta, which resounds with the eternal
message of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. Sri Sai Baba and
Swamiji were indeed the continuing link in the spiritual history for religious
renaiassance stressed the essence of all religions and contributed very much to
communal harmony, having followers from all communities, Hindus, Muslims,
Christians, parsis etc.
The Padhukas of
Sri Sai Baba were brought from Shirdi to Nellore and from Nellore to Madras,
AISS. The devotees worshipped the Padhukas, and it was indeed the grace of Sri
Sai and proof of His assurance that He continues to protect and guide us in our
activities.
During 1980 to
1990, the last decade, there was again a great shock. Our beloved Gurudev H. H.
Saipadananda Radhakrishnaswamiji merged in the Master in January 1980. This
loss created a great void in spiritual leadership. But remembering his wise
counsel, we are carrying on along the path shown to us by our Narsimhaswamiji
and Sri Radhakrishnaswamiji. Sri T. Kesava Rao became the President and Sri
Muthu Venkataraman, the Hony. Secretary. During this period, three Conventions
were held, 22nd at Bangalore, 23rd at Madras, and 24th at Kausali, Garkhal,
Himachal Pradesh. At the 23rd Convention, the book "Baba's Charters &
Sayings" was released, and this fulfilled the long-felt demand of the
devotees. It was on 2nd Fehuary 1987 the Marble statue of Sri Sai Baba was
installed without in any way disturbing the present sanctum sanctorum and
preserving intact the legacy left by our Swamiji, and we are continuing to
worship Sri Sai Baba Portrait placed by our Swamiji in the Main Mandir.
Today as we
celebrate the 25th Silver Jubilee Convention of the All India Sai Devotees
marking the Golden Jubilee issue of our 'Sai Sudha' the most sacred Sai
journal, we must plan for the coming decades. Sri M. Vasudevan who is now the
Secretary and Sri R. S. Ramakrishnan, the President of AISS. have been doing
their best in conducting the affairs of AISS with the help of the various
members of the Managing Committee. Sri S. Karunakaran and Sri K. Ramaswamy, the
Vice Presidents, have taken up important functions, and the A!SS is planning
its future development, especially in again restoring and expanding the
Library, in developing the Sai Free Dispensary and also in the expansion of Sai
Vidyalaya. Efforts are being taken to reprint all books written by our revered
H. H. Narasimha Swamiji. The 'Life of Sai Baba', Vol. I has been reprinted,
thanks to the great help given by Sri Durga Rao and family. We at AISS must
maintain high principles of public conduct especially when running such
religious institutions as ours. All our actions must be charaterised by
humility, integrity, earnestnass and devotion. The devotees must be enabled to
obtain the highest fruit of Sai's grace. The reading room and Library must be
run efficiently. The Sai Free Dispensary needs greater attention and medicare must
touch the sick, the poor and the economically backward sections.
The Sai Sudha
maintains its rich traditions. The 'Sai Sudha' must carry articles which foster
inter religious cooperation and universal brotherhood. The 'Sai Sudha' stands
for the essence of all spiritual pursuits and represents the essence of Sai
teachings on Sai Faith built on Nishta and Saburi. It has no place for hatred
or dishonesty. It must at all times propagate the life and teachings of Sri Sai
Baba of Shirdi along the path shown by H.H. Narasimha Swamiji and also deal
with Swamiji's dedicated life of absolute surrender. We must march forward in
bringing about a Sai Family based on love, service and cooperation. It has no
place for quarrels on religious or any other matter that deprecates any
individual or society. The 'Sai Sudha' stands for the highest ideal of Human
dignity and shall carry on this Sai Torch for the younger generation to
emulate, and carry on this Sai Faith and Sai Bliss assiduously built on Nishta
and Saburi. This goal is as eternal as the Sun and the Moon and the Stars and
let us bscome the Ankita Children of Sri Sai Baba and Gurudev H. H. Narasimha
Swamiji.
The Golden Jubilee of 'Sai Sudha' is a milestone and by the grace of the Master Sri Sai and blessings of H.H. Narasimha Swamiji, we hope to continue the Sai Mission through the columns of tha 'Sai Sudha'. The Silver Jubilee convention of the All India Sai Devotees reaffirms our total commitment to Sai Worship as our Divine Master. Let us build Sai faith and, marching together as a Sai Family, work for the advancement and progress of all classes of people in India and abroad without any differences based on caste or creed or religion or language barriers.