A Sanyasin’s Stay at Puttaparthi
The following anecdote related by professor Kasturi, one of Sathya Sai Baba’s closest devotees and His official biographer, gives us a little peek into Bhagavan’s Divinity and His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.
Two years ago, it was my privilege to have the company of an old and learned sanyasi [a monk], called Amrithananda, for some 75 days at Puttaparthi. He had accidentally seen a picture of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Bangalore, while he was on his way to Sringeri [a pilgrimage center in south India] for Navaratri [a nine-day festival devoted to the worship of Divine Mother]. Captivated by the sweet beauty of that picture, he expressed a desire to have Bhagavan’s darshan. When he came to know that I was leaving for Puttaparthi the next day, he sought me out and accompanied me. His plan was to stay for not more than three days in Puttaparthi and then proceed to Sringeri.
Swami Amrithananda was 85 years old at the time; he had taken to sanyasa [monastic life] from His Holiness Sri Sri Narasimha Bharathi of Sringeri, during the kumbhabhishekam [ceremonies associated with the opening of new temples] celebrations for the Sankaracharya and the Saradadevi temples at Kaladi [a place in south India]. He had spent many years in study and austerity at Sringeri and, as per Sri Sri Narasimha Bharathi’s command, he spent many years with Ramana Mahrishi [a well-known spiritual master] at Thiruvannamalai [a place in south India].
Following visits to holy places, including Rishikesh, Dwaraka, and Puri, Swami Amrithananda had also spent many years in the Himalayas, engaged in japa [repetition of the holy name] and dhyana [meditation]. He was a great sadhaka [spiritual practitioner] and seeker, eager to have the darshan of great souls. He had practiced yoga, too, and his scholarship had won him the appreciation of Indian leaders, including pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Bala Gangadhar Tilak.
I was naturally very interested in this great person for he could quote from the Vedas, Upanishads, and Sastras [all scriptures] with great ease. He had also a large repertoire of stories and anecdotes relating to his stay with Indian leaders including Gandhiji and Vinobhaji as well as almost all the famous religious leaders of our land.
Swami Amrithananda was, as I said, anxious to proceed to Sringeri for Navaratri, but within a day or two of his arrival, he felt that Puttaparthi was just the place where he would like to spend that year’s Dasara [another name for Navaratri], with his usual special japa etc. He said that the magnificent scenic view from the banks of the river Chitravati [in Puttaparthi] reminded him of Rishikesh in the foothills of Himalayas itself. He felt elated and exalted by the bhajans [devotional songs] in Puttaparthi and, in spite of his old age, he sat -through the two sessions every day, and never failed to derive supreme pleasure out of it.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave him interviews practically every day and I came to know that Swami Amrithananda asked Baba many questions about yoga and advaita [philosophy of non-duality], to each of which Baba gave him convincing answers. After each such interview, Swami Amrithananda used to come to me with a happy smile, and say, “Wonderful! This [Sathya Sai] Baba explains advaita as no one else has done so far.” “Oh! I have never met any person who could explain yoga so clearly to me.” I remember, one day, his coming to me with unusual joy. He asked me to sit close to him and he patted me on my back. He then said, “Even if you are offered a palace as a present, do not accept it; remain here at Prasanthi Nilayam [the residence of Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi]. He [Sathya Sai] is Shiva Himself.”
I was indeed thrilled. “For 32 years,” he said, “I have traveled all over the Himalayas just for this guru and now, at last, I have won my race. My salutations to the girl who told me about Sri Sathya Sai Baba and showed me His picture in Bangalore. Having had His darshan, I know I have no more birth. But if I take on another birth, I shall not forget that girl and the timely direction she gave me. I owe a great debt of gratitude to her.”
That was what the 85-year-old Sanyasi said that day, with tears of joy streaming from his eyes. He told me that Baba had Himself referred during an interview about the Ganapati homam [ceremonial worship of Ganesha] that Amrithananda had performed 78 years ago for 41 days; Baba revealed the elaborate mantram [chants] with which the homa was done by him. Baba assured that, at last, on that day, he had realized the fruit of that Ganapati homam; and Baba vouchsafed him a vision for which he had wandered and struggled for years and years.
It is no wonder that Swami Amrithananda decided to stay on. I know he discussed with Baba the scheme he had to construct a Veda Pathashala [school where Vedas are taught] in North India. He understood from Baba that his asthma was the result of some mistaken yogic practices which he had gone through at Skandaguha [caves] at Thiruvannamalai; Baba also clarified some points in the Ramana Gita, (in which incidentally Swami Amirthananda’s name occurs as Amrithananda-yathindra.)
When finally Swami Amrithananda had to leave Puttaparthi, I accompanied him as far as Bangalore. During the entire journey, he was speaking in glowing terms about the Avatar he was privileged to meet and congratulating me on my great luck and opportunity for self-realization that I had come by. I also came to know that there was a deeper reason for his joy. He revealed that Baba had assured him that, wherever he might go, in whichever place he might be in his last days, he would have Bhagavan’s darshan before his death.
I am sure that when Swami Amrithananda left his mortal coil at Thirukkazukunram [a place in south India], he must have had that supreme darshan; and, he must have closed his eyes with the sweet beauty of Sri Sathya Sai Baba encased within the lids.
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, Feb. 1958
