Puttaparthi—From Corner to Centre

There are many sacred places all over the world which have become famous as the birthplace of a great Mahatma, a prophet, or the founder of a faith, or where the advent of the lord as Avatar took place. Ayodhya, Mathura, Kapilavastu, and Bethlehem are among such holy places. In most of these cases, their greatness became known long after the birth of the great ones. It is the unique distinction of Puttaparthi that in the lifetime of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babavaru [varu is added to the name to show respect] it has achieved the honor of being a great center of pilgrimage for devotees from all parts of the world.

The miracles performed by Bhagavan from his boyhood on, are innumerable and well known. In my humble opinion, the transformation in and around the rural hamlet of Puttaparthi over the past sixty years, is one of the great miracles of them all. What was an obscure, little known corner of Andhra Pradesh has now become one of the holiest places in the world, a great seat of learning, and a perennial source of illumination and inspiration to millions who come to adore Bhagavan.

I wish to relate two of my personal experiences of the grace of Bhagavan Baba:

My grandson, Jayavardhan, was seriously ill when he was barely three months old. His condition was very critical and the doctors felt helpless, but the child was saved by Baba’s grace. His mother went to Baba, fell at His feet and prayed to Him to save the child. Swami told her, “You need not worry. The boy will be alright.” Then the doctors gave the child a saline injection and the child who had been unconscious, opened his eyes and looked at the mother. The doctors were happy and told the mother that the child had been cured by the grace of Bhagavan.

My wife Meenamma was ill with pains and fever for some months. Her condition became critical, and despite treatment by many doctors, her condition did not improve at all. They advised her to be admitted to the hospital. Before she was shifted to the hospital, she fell at the feet of Bhagavan Baba and prayed to Him that in case anything happened to her, Baba should take care of her children. At that time Bhagavan told her, “You need not worry. You will become well within a week.”

After admission to the hospital the doctors started treatment. On the third day the temperature came down to normal. The doctors told my wife that she was well on her way to recovery. Her life was saved by Bhagavan’s grace.

Let me conclude with a tribute to Easwaramma who was chosen as the mother of Bhagavan Baba. A deeply religious woman, she became an instrument to offer to the world a divine light that illuminates the hearts of millions.

~Sri R.V. Janakiramaiah
Source: Sathya Sai—The Eternal Charioteer