Jubilees - Golden and Silver

By the Grace of our Master Sri Sai and His Apostle Sri Narasimhaswamiji, we are now happily celebrating the Fiftieth Birth Anniversary (Golden Jabilee) of SAI SUDHA and the Twentyfifth (Silver Jubilee) Sai Devotees' Convention.

At no other time than now the need for spreading the message -of Sai, the dire necessity to practise the tenets of Sai, is felt more. The nation is now passing through a very crucial period. Human values are at a heavy premium. In the name of Faith people are mercilessly killed; Forces of disintegration have a field day. The nation is confronted with aggression from within and without. There is an urgency to bring peace and harmony among people. This can be done only by making people realise the value and efficacy of Love. That is the Message of our Master. That is the only path for salvation. Both the journal SAI-SUDHA and the Sai Devotees' Conventions were the media introduced by Sri Swamiji for spreading the message of the Master.

Swamiji dedicated the magazine to "Universal Religion and Philosophy" for propagation of which the Supreme Lord appeared in this world as Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi.

Holding of Sai Devotees' Conventions commenced in 1946 in Madras. By then due to the untiring efforts of Swamiji, besides All India Sai Samaj in Madras several Upa-samajas had come up in different parts of the country. The convention is a congregation of representatives of these Sai institutions and several Sai devotees all over the country, essentially aimed to increase the number of beneficiaries of Sai's Grace. The convention serves as a link between the senior devotees and the new entrants. .

The first eight conventions were held in Swamiji's life time and had the full impact of his powerful personality. Contemporary devotees of Sri Sai like Das Ganu Maharaj and Avasthe participated in the conventions. In the tenth and twelfth conventions we had the privilege of having in our midst Sri Rege, the ankita child of Baba. We have today with us elder devotees who had the fortune of being present in these earlier conventions and got the benefit of the wisdom of those pioneers. The present convention provides us an opportunity to learn from them and pass on such knowledge to future generations in the conventions to follow.

Holding of a convention, and making it purposeful too, is no mean task. With the disappearance of Swamiji's physical form in 1956, it looked as though the Sai Devotees' Conventions also came to an end. But thanks to the remarkable efforts of Sri A.V.K. Chari, a staunch devotee of Sri Swamiji and Sri Sai, the conventions got a fresh lease of life. The Ninth, the first after Swamiji's passing away, was held in Coimbatore in May 1963, in which Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna-swamiji, Sri Swami Keshavaiah and several others participated. This convention was a turning point and gave the required momentum.

In 1964 the Managing Committee of All India Sai Samaj was infused with young blood, with Sri D. Bhima Rao, the President nominated by Swamiji himself as his successor and elder devotees like Sri Panini Rao, Sri A. Varadappa Chetty, Srj K.R.S. lyer and others to guide them. It was given to these young Sai Sevaks to organise the Tenth Convention in Madras in May 1965. It was their earnest desire to have Sri Rege Maharaj inaugurate the Convention. Sri Rege, in his advanced age, led a life of seclusion in Indore and he did not take part in any of the earlier conventions though efforts were made to bring him. Sri A.V.K. Chari, who played an active role in all the earlier conventions, told the young Sevaks that it would be difficult to get Sri Rege out of his shell. Nevertheless, undaunted, pinning their entire faith in Sai, the Sevaks wrote to Sri Rege imploring him to go over to Madras and inaugurate the convention. The Gracious Master never fails His devotees. Not only did Sri Rege come, but he gained a permanent abode in the hearts of the devotees and the devotees in his heart. It was a unique occasion and words are inadequate to express the joy then experienced by; the young Sevaks.

A symposium on "Saints" and a seminar on "Religions" were the highlights of the Tenth Convention in which eminent men of letters addressed. In this convention a resolution was passed that in recognition of the yeomen service rendered by Gurudev Narasimhaswamiji to Sri Sai and the Sai Movement, his portrait should be installed in the Sai Mandir at Shirdi. 'The Shirdi Sai Sansthan, which did not till then recognise the services of Swamiji and the All India Sai Samaj, spontaneously agreed to have the portrait of Swamiji in the Samadhi Mandhir at Shirdi. This is another proof of Sri Sai's unfailing Grace. In January 1966, a group of pilgrims was taken to Shirdi to unveil the portrait of Swamiji in the Mandir for which a public function had also been arranged. Sri Rege kindly consented to unveil the portrait. In deference to the wishes of another contemporary devotee of Sri Sai, Sri Sagun Meru Naik, who enjoyed the love of Swamiji, Swamiji's portrait was taken in procession to the Mandir along the streets of Shirdi to the accompaniment of namasankirtan. But the portrait was not unveiled as programmed ! Sri Rege exclaimed, "There is nothing veiled in Swamiji to be unveiled. Let us place his portrait at the Feet of the Master !" He then placed the portrait of Swamiji at the Master's Feet and choked with emotion said, "As long as the name of Sai is there, Swamiji's name will always be linked to that of Sai". Another remarkable thing is that it was the first ever visit of Sri Rege to Shirdi after the Master's Mahasamadhi. Sri Rege was brought to Shirdi by the Master Himself in response to the wishes of His devotees and to receive Swamiji through him. What else can be a greater tribute to Sri Swamiji who unearthed the rare jewel Sai and presented Him to humanity as a whole!

After the Tenth Convention Sri Rege became an integral part of All India Sai Samaj. He was present in the pilgrimages of devotees organised by All India Sai Samaj from 1966 to 1969. He took part in the 12th Convention held in 1967 in Bangalore, in the Silver Jubilee of All India Sai Samaj in July 1966 and the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Sri Sainath's Mahasamadhi in Madras in October 1968. Everyone felt that Baba Himself was physically present in the form of Sri Rege.

Sri Swamiji attached very great importance to Bhajan. "Bhajan,tis the life of Sai Movement", he said. Hence bhajan was given a key place in the activities of All India Sai Samaj to attract more and more devotees to Sai's fold. , Here again Baba's Grace was manifest. Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavataswami (fondly known as "Appa"), who was considered a pre-eminent saint among musicians and a pre-eminent musician among saints and the foremost Bhagavata of recent times, was attracted to the Master and frequently did namasankirtan in the Sai mandir at Madras. Swami Abhedananda Maharaj, H. H. Shri Purushottam Goswami Maharaj, Shri Prabhudatta Brahmachari and several leading bhagavata luminaries flooded the Sai Mandir with their nectarine namasankirtan drawing thousands of devotees to Sri Sai.

Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishnaswamiji, the chosen disciple of Sri Narasimhaswamiji, who till then confined himself to Bangalore, was persuaded by the young Sevaks of All India Sai Samaj to take over the Spiritual leadership of Sai devotees. He presided over the Sai Devotees' Conventions from the 9th to 17th and his valuable guidance was of immense benefit to one and all.

If the momentum thus regained has been kept up till now and fifteen more conventions have been held, the credit goes to, the relentless zeal and enthusiasm of Sri T. KesavaRao, former President of All India Sai Samaj, who as a young man had the unique privilege of enjoying the love and affection of Sri Swamiji. He enjoys the honour of being the prime mover behind all these conventions. His success in this regard demonstrates the immense love and faith he has in Sri Swamiji first and then in Sri Sai.

The aims of the Convensions as set forth precisely by Sri Kesava Rao at the 15th Convention held in Madras in August 1974 synchronizing with the Birth Centenary of Sri Swamiji are still valid. They are—

1.         To strengthen the link between the All India Sai Samaj and the Upa-sainajas so as to successfully coordinate efforts in developing Sai Movement and Sai Prachar on All India scale.

2.                  To develop bhakti in Sri Sai and to spread this message of the Master for the establishment of Universal Religion based on Love.,

3.                  To develop Nishta and Saburi (Faith and Perseverance) among Sai devotees.

Let us now see how we can go about in achieving these aims.

1.         LINK BETWEEN ALL INDIA SAI SAMAJ AND UPA-SAMAJAS :

There should be a continuous rapport between the office-bearers managing the All India Sai Samaj and those managing the Upa-samajas. The office bearers of All India Sai Samaj should shred the idea that the All India Sai Samaj means only the Mandir and building in Mylapore, Madras and the worship carried on there. This is only incidental. Their main function is to guide and help the Upa-samajas to grow and through them reach large number of people with Sai's message. Periodically the representatives of All India Sai Samaj aad Upa-samajas should meet and formulate programmes for propagating Sai's message.

2.            DEVELOPING BHAKTI IN SRI SAI AND SPREADING HIS MESSAGE :

(a) The first priority of All India Sai Samaj should be to see that the enormous literature assiduously produced by Sri Swamiji are always made available in as many languages as possible. In expounding the message of Sai, no one could be equal to or better than Sri Swamiji. Swamiji himself proclaimed categorically shortly before giving up his body that he will be the permanent and always present guide, director and helper to all since he felt that no one could succeed him as the spiritual head of the institution. The power behind Swamiji's writings is irresistible. There can be definitely no better way to reach people with Sai's Message than through Sri Swamiji's writings.

(b) What is the message of Sri Sai ? We can sum it up in one word. "LOVE". What Sai gives is Love and what he wants in return is Love. This Love presupposes absolute humility, sacrifice and total surrender. This Love can only be experienced and cannot be put in words.

In writing about Baba's Love, one great bhagavata-bhakta grouped Baba's devotees under three categories, viz. (1) ankita children, (2) aspirants who are plodding on the path of devotion and (3) those that have no thirst for the sweet, hate-free and egoless Universal Love, that is God. The first group consists of godmen chosen by Baba Himself. On them Baba has conferred all His qualities and powers. They possess these qualities and power unawares, just as the mechanic's tools do not know their powers. These Godmen are used by Baba to fulfil His purpose of establishing hate-free love in the world wherever and when ever necessary. They are deathless and they become one with Sai. To this class belong Radhakrishna Ayi, Dixit, Rege, Dabolkar, Das Ganu and Sri Narasimhaswamiji and the like.

(b)       Those who know Baba perfectly or imperfectly and who feel attracted to Him in some way or other belong to the second group. Baba has undertaken to lead them to the goal pleasantly and in proper -time -best suited to their constitution and circumstances. They know that they would not be neglected. Baba who has given them nishta has also given them saburi {patient,awaiting). They await their turn gladly to become Baba's ankita children.   Most of us belong to this group. !

(c)        Those who have not yet contacted Baba in any way and who,  therefore; had  no chance of tasting His feast comprising mainly of the dishes of
(1) absolute ahimsa,   (2) fear-free distinctionlessness and-   (3) the elevating egolessrress; belong to the third group. That  this  group appears to be the major group is undeniable. Everyone in this group is sure to be drawn one after another into; the second and then into the first group. It may take some time. But finally all living beings will become Baba's ankita children. As every ankita child get the Love of Baba plus the Love of all the preceding ankita children, the last ankita child gets the maximum Divine Love.

The Convention's aim is to play an active role in providing the essential link between one class of devotees and the other and thus help the proeess of evolution. The Convention is essentially a satsangh where an aura of 'Prem'—Love—is generated which purifies the minds of the participants and paves the way for spiritual advancement. In the convention all participants are conscious that they belong to one fraternity and they feel the sweetness of mutual - Love and bond, totally forgetting their origin, caste, creed, religion or social status. By rinanubandha we have been drawn to each other.

As Swami Vivekananda proclaimed, each man is potentially divine. Let the satsangh arouse that divinity within and lead us towards the Bliss of Universal Love.

In his memorable Mahasamadhi message in 1948   Swamiji exhorted:   "Let us remember that in nature, there is no stationary stage for life.   If life does not move forward, it must move backward and downward.   If we do not keep up our advance in Sai Movement, be sure that the downward process has started. Let not Sai Movement share that fate".  "It is the unnoticed succession of drops of water that swells the tide and serves to carry heavy barges on the face of the ocean. Let us all be like the humble; drops". "It is open to every Sai devotee to purify his heart and intensify" fate devotion to such an extent as to render him a powerful engine, for the spread:of Sat Faith This service all can render.    And every one that I am now addressing should put to himself ' the question:   This call for service is universal.   Why should I not respoad-to it?".'

3.            DEVELOPMENT OF NISHTA AND SABURI (FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE) AMONG SAI DEVOTEES:

To make the slightest progress in this direction is a herculean task. Volley of precepts and tons of talk will not help in making an inch of progress.   The process. has to start from within.    Every  devotee should endeavour to practise- himself, these two  virtues constantly  meditating  on Sai which will gradually purify his heart and intensify his devotion to such an extent as to render him a powerful engine for the spread of Sai Faith.   Every devotee should always remember that it is not money that Baba wanted as dakshina but the two coins Nishta and Saburi. If nishta and saburi form one side of the coin, Love forms the other side.    The more nishta and saburi are practised, Love gushes forth from within. Such Love will be all-encompassing. It is contagious. It is bound to transform those who come under its sway. This is the sadhana which brings a devotee closer to Sai and finally enables him to get absorbed in Sai. The conventions provide an opportunity for us to come into contact with some devotees who have advanced in this sadhana and such contact will prove to be immensely beneficial.

In 1956 immediately after Sri Swamiji passed away, there was a lull in the activities of All India Sai Samaj. There was one person who had total faith in Swamiji and Sai. He made a group of young men in their twenties rally round him and gave them the taste of Sai Love and Sai Service which culminated in the institution getting revitalised and taking rapid strides in Sai movement. He was a person who had practised nishta and saburi and was thus able to provide the much needed leadership. When we celebrate the Jubilees, it will be fitting to remember him. He was V. Krishnamurthy Pantulu.

Now for making further progress we need a young band of dedicated devotees who are desirous of tasting the bliss of selfless service and a leader who can give them the proper direction. It is only Baba who can provide both. Let the convention message of Sri Narasimhaswamiji grip our thoughts and propel us towards dizzy heights:

"It is up to every hearer of this message to vigorously whip up his own attachment to Baba, improve his knowledge also of Baba's ways of working, get into contact with Baba's children, and develop himself by surrender and service to Baba into an 'Ankita child'. This is only part of the work of diffusion of knowledge about Baba. , The work of this Convention is to diffuse as much knowledge about Baba as possible to as many as possible. As already mentioned, literature is the chief means that we think about in this connection. Journals must be multiplied in various languages and books must be published or translated into various languages and gatherings and lectures and kirtans should be held all over the country. Pujas and bhajans without number must be found everywhere every day. Sai must permeate the country from one end to the other. Let no one think that this is a fancy sketch. At present conditions approximating to this are found in several parts of this country, of this town even. Even young, little, toddling creatures pick up the Sai name and have sufficient faith to cure themselves of various diseases by merely taking Sai's udhi.

"So I will close my message with this prayer that Baba may put it into the heart of you to become extremely practical and to carry on work in dead earnest. May you become the 'Ankita' children of Baba by your total surrender to Him and devotion of all your time, energies and wealth to his cause".

JAI SAI RAM

S. Seshadri Former, Secretary, AISS