Our Easwaramma
The Mother of Sai Easwara
Sri Subba Raju, a deeply spiritual man, was blessed with a daughter. He brought her up with great love and taught her to be decent and gracious. As divinely ordained, she was married to Peda Venkappa Raju, and was called Easwaramma (mother of Lord Easwara [God as ruler of the universe]), by her new family. The young bride was righteous and pious, well versed in the arts, and demonstrated qualities of patience, humility, and respect. Easwaramma led a dharmic [righteous] life, full of devotion and love for the Lord, worshipping Him, reciting His name, and taking spiritual pilgrimages and holy baths. She had one son and two daughters, after which she went through four unsuccessful pregnancies. She fervently prayed to be blessed with another child.
The prayers of many saints and sages for the incarnation of God on earth were about to be answered. Easwaramma became pregnant for the eighth time, the chosen mother for the incarnation of God as Sri Sathya Sai in this Kaliyuga [Iron Age, also known as the age of unrighteousness]. Quite significantly, Lord Krishna [Avatar of Vishnu, the sustainer] was the eighth child of his mother. It is said that a glowing ball of blue light entered Easwaramma’s womb when she was drawing water from the well, and at that moment God assumed human form.
When the delivery was imminent, her mother-in-law gave her prasadam [blessed food], from the worship of Lord Sri Sathyanarayana. Musical instruments played spontaneously, bells in the temple produced melodious tunes, and at this wondrous moment, Sathya Sai, the Divine incarnation was born. It was November 23, 1926, and as per the Hindu calendar, it was a Monday, the third day after the full moon. He was born in the early morning hours, bringing with Him sunshine to shatter the veil of darkness.
Sathyam, as He was fondly called, was a cherubic child, extremely handsome with curly locks and a bewitching smile. The divine experiences which Easwaramma, as the mother of this heavenly child, had are incredible and unique.
Those who observed the rare qualities of this child pronounced Him to be brahmajnani [one who realizes the Absolute] by birth. Young Sathyam was called ‘Ammanni,’ as He was always at his Amma’s [mother’s] side. However, the Divine child was detached, unruffled, and supremely compassionate. He was known to feed the hungry and the poor with food that was served to Him. When His mother questioned whether He had eaten His meal, He used to convince her by holding up His tiny palm, which, by His divine will, would smell of food. Although it appeared that He was telling an untruth, it was not so. Sathyam as divinity was present in everyone. If the needy were satisfied, His hunger was appeased. What other proof is required to proclaim that He is ever present in the hearts of all living creatures?
Everyone was attracted to the unique powers of the sweet child. Naturally, Easwaramma was fearful of envious eyes. She tried to ward off the evil effect by burning incense, tying talismans, and other methods. Like all mothers, she had ambitions for her son. She hoped that her boy would receive a good education and grow up to achieve a good standing in society.
As time passed, Easwaramma was subject to dual feelings of fear on one side and pride and happiness on the other. She was apprehensive of people’s jealousy toward her son’s amazing abilities. On the other hand, she was highly pleased to see Sathyam as the young leader imparting devotional and moral lessons to His group mates. She marveled at His process of reforming immoral people by subtle corrective methods. She could not comprehend how He could play so many roles so effectively, moving among people with extreme ease and confidence. He was a poet, a melodious singer, a dancer, a writer, a director, an actor, a sportsman, a scout, and a merciful donor.
In the Kaliyuga a number of great people are and will be born. Their mothers are blessed indeed, but nothing can compare with the wonder and exquisite joy experienced by Easwaramma. It is not an exaggeration to say that even Sri Rama’s [Avatar of Vishnu, Lord of preservation in the Hindu trinity] mother, Kaushalya, was not as fortunate. The story of Ramayana [ancient Sanskrit epic] tells us that Rama had to spend 14 years in exile in the forest. Though Devaki gave birth to Sri Krishna, she was unable to witness His childhood leelas [miracles] and pranks. Yashoda, the foster mother had the good fortune to bring up Krishna and enjoy His mischievous deeds and miracles. However, at the young age of 12, Sri Krishna left Brindavan [the forest where he played as a child] and went to Mathura. Easwaramma is the only fortunate one of all the mothers of divine incarnations, with her long and uninterrupted association with this Avatar.
Everyone was surprised and unprepared when Sathya declared at the age of 14, “I am Sai Baba.” “Maya [illusion] has left.” “My devotees are waiting; I have to begin my work.” They were afraid that He would leave that place and go elsewhere. Easwaramma implored young Sathyam not to leave His birth place. “Please do not go elsewhere. Work for your devotees here. Grant us the boon of seeing you always.” She asked Him to carry on His mission in Puttaparthi [the village in Andhra Pradesh, South India, where Sai Baba was born and has His main ashram].
Sri Sathya Sai, respecting His mother’s wishes, made the remote village of Puttaparthi the seat of His Divinity, attracting millions to this center of spirituality. He chose to make this isolated village in the middle of nowhere the focal point of His glory. Despite numerous invitations from His devotees who had established temples in many places, He kept the promise given to His mother. This village of Puttaparthi, once unknown and remote, now has the world-renowned “Prasanthi Nilayam” [abode of supreme peace’]. Young Sathyam became “Swami” (spiritual teacher) at the tender age of 14. He was Swami to His parents, family, friends, and devotees.
Easwaramma was impressed with Swami’s role as the Divine doctor. Many unfortunate women, mistreated by witch doctors and exposed to beatings in an effort to “rid” them of their illnesses, were cured by Swami. His love, understanding, and Divine healing powers restored them to good health. He always emphasized that love is the most effective healing device. Easwaramma noticed the change that He brought about in these women by treating them with compassion. She herself felt a gradual mental transformation within her. She realized that one should not reproach or judge another person.
Large numbers of women in dire straits were seeking Swami’s help. Easwaramma spoke to them with more love than their mothers, and she gained their trust. She listened patiently to their miseries. Sympathetic and compassionate, she became an important part of these women’s lives. She was moved by the pitiable state of forsaken young widows and helpless married women discarded by their husbands, who came to Swami seeking strength and solace. Such women were brought to Puttaparthi by their friends so that they could recover from life’s bitter challenges and regain the optimism to start anew. Mother Easwaramma used to comfort them and renew their faith to face life.
She was the most sought-after woman in Puttaparthi. Ladies used to come to her to pay their respects, and on festival days she was honored and worshipped along with different deities. However, Easwaramma was a modest woman, and although she was the mother of the Lord on earth, she did not encourage devotees to worship her in any form..
The first family tragedy occurred when her young daughters Venkamma and Parvathamma were widowed. As a mother she went through incredible grief. Swami used to console her with lucid explanations about birth, death, and rebirth. He imparted to her the strength to bear the loss, and thus He reduced the impact of her sorrow. Easwaramma prayed to Swami in times of distress, just like any other devotee. When her son, Janaki Ramaiah, was suffering from an incurable illness, she carried her ailing son to Swami and begged Him for a cure. Merciful Lord that He is, He granted her wish. On other occasions like the death of her mother-in-law, she prayed for strength and guidance and always followed His advice.
Easwaramma gradually made her life one of service, helping the poor and simple rural folk. She insisted on taking the diseased and bed-ridden patients to the Sathya Sai Hospital in Puttaparthi. She was adamant that a lady doctor be available to help and treat women in routine and medical emergencies. She wished to spend the rest of her life in Prasanthi Nilayam, and Swami allotted a room for her in the ashram. Easwaramma was always appreciative of Swami’s grace, be it a tender glance or a few joking words.
Easwaramma was most fortunate to have given birth to the Divine child, who has become mother, father, and teacher to so many; who has become protector, preceptor, and God to all humanity. She was indeed blessed to see her child being respected and adored by elderly scholars, wealthy people, and people in important positions from all over the world. What more can a mother hope for? Women the world over are grateful to the blessed mother for gifting mankind with Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of the Kaliyuga.
Easwaramma’s piety and love for the Lord were evident when she had Swami’s name on her lips at the very end of her life on this earth. In His Divine discourse on May 6th in 1983, Swami said, “To think of God during the last moments of life is the result of great purity of mind. This is an example of an exemplary and virtuous life.”
Source: Sri Sathya Sai Divine Path Mahila, pp. 36-46
