Dr.G.R. Vijayakumar: Compiled by
Dr.G.R. Vijayakumar: Compiled by
Dr.G.R. Vijayakumar: Compiled by
Dr.G.R. Vijayakumar
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'THREE SAI PRACHARAKS: TRIVENI':
Sri Narasimha Swamiji, Sri Radha krishna Swamiji,
Sri Sivanesan Swamiji' - is a compilation of life sketches
of three ardent devotees of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba. Compiled
by Dr. Sri G.R. Vijayakumar. (Rendered into Tamil by
Sri S.S. Mahadevan).
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WHY THIS BOOKLET?
Bharat, because it bestows spiritual solace to the entire world
through great souls generation after generation, is known as
Punyabhoomi. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba is one such great soul. Last year
saw the completion of one century of Baba’s Mahasamadhi. Today,
crores of Sai devotees lead a life of pristine nature treading the path
of Sri Baba’s life and thought.
Today, practically there is no one who does not know Sri Sai
Baba. But the great saint remained unknown to anyone for long
years. It goes to the credit of three eminent devotees of Baba, Sri
Narasimha Swamiji, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and Sri Sivanesan
Swamiji, that Sri Sai Baba now adorns the homes and hearts of
devotees the world over. The trio, the Tirveni, silently devoted their
entire life in achieving the great mission. Even those devotees who
are well aware of Sri Baba's spiritual powers might not even have
heard of these three great visionaries.
Dr. G.R. Vijayakumar, an ardent devotee of Baba, applying his
heart and soul, has painstakingly marshaled nuggets of biographical
information and has come out with this book, so that Sai devotees
would greatly benefit. (Chennai - based senior journalist Sri S.S.
Mahadevan has rendered it into Tamil).
It is hoped that Baba’s devotees would receive this book being
published by ‘Bengaluru Kethuhalli Dwarakamayi Sai Mandir’ as
a blessing of the three great souls, the Triveni, and discover the
purpose of their life in performing Sai Seva.
The book is priced : Sai Seva.
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FOREWORD
It is a honour bestowed on me to write a few words to this
compendium 'THREE SAI PRACHARAKS: TRIVENI':
Sri Narasimha Swamiji, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji,
Sri Sivanesan Swamiji'.
The human being is an amalgam of matter and spirit, lower and
higher tendencies. In spite of having sound physical and mental
health, many of us continue to suffer as we neglect this inbuilt
spirituality of ours.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji in his masterpiece ‘Life of Sai Baba’states
‘We are not human beings having a spiritual experience but are
spiritual beings having a human experience.’ When we read about
these saints, we raise to the level of the spirit and know that we are
with the eternal divinity and we attain great spiritual merit.
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji led a life in which he demonstrated the
concept ‘Í am in you and you are in me.’ Even a little touch of his
divine inspiration to recite Vishnu Sahasranama has transfigured
thousands of Sai devotees from great disasters. Sri Sivanesan
Swamiji with his down to earth simple life gave us the pereception
of an ancient rishi and he was a role model for ‘Nama Japa’.
Sitting near a well, Baba would completely take out his intestines
and he was washing it like a piece of cloth. This ‘Dhothy-Pothy’
yoga and his other practice of his peacefully sleeping on a plank
hung by mere shreds with four oil lamps burning as a weightless
body show that Baba is ‘Parabrahman’
In the search for metaphysical truth, Sri Narasimha Swamiji, Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji and Sri Sivaanesan Swamiji, have struggled
and demonstrated that the two coins of ‘Dakshina’ – Faith and
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Patience, advocated by Sai Baba presents a more reliable approach
than intellect. Faith in Sai Baba and devotion to him shows us ‘what
is’ in a given phenomenon but certainly not ‘what should be’.
We appreciate the efforts in bringing out this book and look
forward to many sevotees to achieve spiritual upliftment.
May Sai Baba and the Trinity Sri Narasimha Swamiji, Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji and Sri Sivanesan Swamiji bless us all.
Dr.G.R.Vijayakumar
Dr.G.R.Vijayakumar (born 1949)
is known to Sai devotees since 1977
through his articles and poems in
several Sai magazines. He was guided
to Sai-marg by Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji and was associated with Sri
Sai Spiritual Centre for four decades
between1977 and 2016. His biography
on Sri Narasimha Swamiji is translated
into 13 languages and another book
‘Loving God’ on the life of Sai Baba published by Sterling – New
Delhi has been acclaimed national Best Seller. His biography on Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji is titled ‘A Profile of Greatness’. He was also
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devoted to Sri Sivanesan Swamiji. He has to his credit 23 books in
English and Kannada and over 2,000 published articles.
Dr.Vijayakumar holds a MBBS and MD from Bangalore University
and a Doctoral degree from Srilanka apart from PG Diplomas
in Nutrition and Industrial Health. He retired as Chief of Medical
Services of Ashok Leyland, an automobile major. Post retirement,
he has been serving Rajiv Gandhi Health University as a Professor
Emeritus since 2007 and also as Hon.Principal of All India Institute
of Local Self Government.
He has won several awards. ‘Rashtra Vibhushana’ – a National
award from NCERT IN 2015, an International award from USAID for
AIDS Prevention and President’s Gold Medal for having donated his
blood 107 times. He got the ‘Best Edtor’ award seven times during
1988 and 2007 when he was editing a corporate house journal
‘Ashley News’. He was also Executive Editor of ‘Saipadananda’
magazine for 29 years durng 1986 and 2016.
He has travelled all over the world. He has a love for teaching
and spends all his time with students even now.
His wife Seetha, also an author and a great Sai devotee, attained
Baba’s feet in 2010. His two sons – Sai Raghu and Sai Prabhu
are software engineers, married and well settled. Life for him has
always been’ Be good and do good.
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SRI PUTTANNA
It is with the kind blessings of him that this booklet is brought out.
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were at his command. He neither practiced nor craved
for them. In addition to daily worship, he performed Sai
Satcharita daily parayan.
He introduced Lalita Sahasranama archana, Sai Nama Japa
of ‘Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai’ both ‘Likhit’ and verbal,
Sai Satcharita parayan and many more activites during
1986-2004. The most remarkable feature of Puttanna’s life
was his success in reforming the characters of some men and
women. He was not a great scholar in the worldly sense, but
he has written over 15 books in Kannada and these works
are full of philosophical truth and spirituality. He was not
a great orator, but his speeches were charged with devotion
and sincerity.
From 2004 onwards, Puttanna founded an organization
– ‘Saipadananda Satsang’ and achieved great strides in Sai
Prachar, promoting Nama Japa and Vishnu Sahasranama
parayana. He promoted one crore ‘Likhit Japa’ of ‘Om Sai
Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai’ and interned at Malleswaram Mandir
and another five crore ‘Likhit Japa’ of ‘Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya
Jaya Sai’were immersed at Kanyakumari. His greatest
contribution is getting Vishnu Sasranama chanted nine
crore times in different places of different states and also
performing over one thousand Vishnu Sasranama homas.
He was decorated with an honorary Doctorate for this
achievement in 2017.
Puttanna visited Shirdi many times after he was first
blessed by Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji in 1953.
He helped in building Sai temples in many places. Puttanna
recovered from a near-fatal illness of Appendicular Abscess
and Peritonitis in 2014.
Puttanna has settled down with his wife in Banashankari
Third Stage of Bengaluru. His only son is well-settled in
software and has a young grandson.
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THIS BOOKLET IS IN MEMORY OF
THIS SAI DEVOTEE
Sri Naagarajan, also known as
Sri Sai Naagarajan, from Udumalpet
is an ardent Sai Baba devotee and is a
widely known and distinguished name
among Sai devotees across Tamil Nadu.
K. NAGARAJAN Hailing from a middle class family of
1960 - 2018 Tamils engrossed in devotion, he rose
to the rank of Superintending Engineer
in Agriculture Department of Govt of Tamil Nadu through
his self efforts, honesty and dedication. His career spanned
for more than 35 years and he got retired in June 2018. He
had an untimely demise in November 2018 when he was 58
years old. He was happily married to Tmt Revathi and the
couple had a daughter and a son.
He was a man of great intellect, a spiritualist and an adept
in 'Nama Saran' and Dhyana Bhakti of Sai Baba. He had
read the Vedanta and other philosophical texts to strengthen
his Sai Bhakti into Truth, Love and Happiness. He was a
Panorama of spirituality and an embodiment of devotion.
His devotion to Sai Baba has attracted wide attention.
He was the Chief founder of Shirdi Shri Anantha Sai
Baba Temple at Udumalpet and served as the Chairman for
more than 5 years right from its inception till his demise.
He was well known for his complete devotion to Sai Baba
& he spread Baba's teachings to the devotees of the town
of Udumalpet and beyond. He had been a tireless worker in
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showing the devotees, the path to surrender themselves to
Shirdi Sai's feet. He was also known for his humbleness and
social works. The temple at Udumalpet is very well managed
with the help of Trustees, Volunteers and Devotees & a lot of
social work are being done regularly.
His devotion to Shirdi Sai Baba is exemplary. He was
also one of the principal founders of Dwarkamayi Mandir
at Ketohally in the outskirts of Bengaluru. In August 2018,
he also brought in a marble idol of Sai Baba and took great
efforts in conducting the rituals and worship connected with
idol-installation. But he merged into Sai's feet even before
the 'Mandala Pooja' concluded.
Post retirement, he spent most of his time at Sai Baba
temple at Udumalpet and he even visited Shirdi several
times. He had a strong belief that doing sai bhajans is one
of the most important sadhana to remove ego, leading to
oneness with the sadhguru. He enjoyed bhajans and also
sang in many sai bhajans.
'Guruve Saranam' is the phrase that comes into one's mind
when thinking of Sai Naagarajan, as he used to chant it all the
time throughout the day. Though his demise was untimely,
he will live on in the hearts of Sai Baba devotees forever.
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vande datta guru paramparayam
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Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetam
Sankaracharya Sri
Chandrasekarendra
Saraswathi Swamigal
(Maha Periyava)
ES
LIV
P LE
M
SI
D
LE
HO
W
S
A NT
G I
L
T UA
R I
P I
S
O
TW
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SRI NARASIMHA SWAMIJI
A PROFILE
Swamiji introduced Ramana Sahasranama chanting and
Maharishi through his book mass recitation of three arathis.
‘Self-Realization’ a (biography Composed Ashtothara in which
of Ramana) in 1929 - that is 25%; he poured out his devotion.
introduced Upasani through Subsequently composed Sai
his book ‘Sage of Sakori’ a Sahasanama.
biography of Upasani in 1936 A king cobra blessed the
devotees by its presence at
Coimbatore on January 7, 1943
and later disappeared into one of
the anthills.
Nagasai Mandir came into
existence in 1944 through public
funds and efforts of Sri AVK
Chary. Narasimha swamiji was
the torch bearer of the message
of sai baba and the sai movement
grew in leaps and bounds.
Swamiji attained ‘Samadhi’
on 19th October 1956 – full
moon day at 3-45am. He did not
want any ‘Samadhi’ or memorial
to be built for him. Hence he
was cremated in the Besant
Nagar Public crematorium. Sri
that is another 25%; introduced O K Varada Rao, Sri T.Kesava
Sai Baba through his books, Rao under the guidance of
lecture-tours, personal efforts Shuddananda Bharati Swamiji
during 1936-56. (50%) That is and Swami Kesavaihji
swamiji's contribution. performed the last rites. Swamiji
He taught the priests at Shirdi was 82 and gave up his body in
the ‘Pooja vidhi’ as per Vedic full consciousness and did not
rites. Introduced of Vishnu suffer from any disease or pain.
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SRI NARASIMHA SWAMIJI
(1874 Augest 21 - ௧௯௫௬ Octoper ௧௯)
-Apostle of Shirdi Sai Baba
He propagated about Baba across the
country. He authored books on devotees'
experiences including those of people
visiting Shirdi. He took Baba out of Shirdi
and made him universal. Unveiling of his
portrait in the Samadhi Mandir by Justice
Rege was a tribute to his unprecedented
efforts in propagating about Baba all over
India. He was acclaimed as Sai Baba's Great
Apostle.
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not compose even one nama of Sai Sahasanama. On 21.12.1936
around 11 pm he was sitting in Sathe wada making an attempt to
compose Sai Sahasanama. Dasa Ganu entered the wada and told
him to look at him and start composing. Dasa Ganu sat for meditation
there itself. By 4 am Dasa Ganu came out of meditation and asked
Sri Narasimha Swamiji about the progress. Sri Narasimha Swamiji
replied – ‘I have completed the task. I have written down whatever
you have dictated, Actually Dasa Ganu was in deep meditation.
Reverting to this miracle both Ganu and Swamiji have affirmed
that Sai Baba himself dictated Sai Sahasranama to Sri Narasimha
Swamiji).
Sri Narasimha Swamiji is appropriately known as the Great
Apostle of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. It was he who discovered Sri
Sai Baba and presented him to the world. Sri Narasimha Swamiji
refused to write his autobiography and did not leave a full record
of the course of the events leading to his own spiritual pursuit
and hence, based on the available records, the following has been
gathered and presented.
With his initial publicity work about Baba and later publicity
by several devotees of Baba within India and across the world,
Baba has become known across the world including the smallest
countries in different directions. It is equally surprising to observe
that people in the farthest and smallest countries in all the directions,
also have perused the articles on Sai Baba. Some such countries
are Cuba (Havana), Taiwan, Lithuania, Benin and Rwanda in
different directions in the globe. It is all the more striking to know
that the people in St.Martin, perhaps the smallest island in the world
in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea, having a population of about
38,000, have also felt the presence of Baba. People in Curaçao, an
island having less population in the southern Caribbean Sea off the
Venezuelan coast, are also perusing the articles. This phenomenon
can be easily explained and construed by the fact that Baba, being
God I- ncarnate is known to, and is being felt by, all people in all the countries.
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Sri Narasimha (later on popularly known as Sri Narasimha
Swamiji) was bom on August 21, 1874 in an orthodox Brahmin
family at Bhavani in the then Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. His
parents were Sri B. Venkatagiri lyer and Smt. Angachi Ammal. He
had a brilliant educational career. After he had finished matriculation
in Salem, he went to Madras and passed B.A. and B.L. On return
to Salem in 1895, he joined the bar and started practicing law at
Salem. He was by nature against the unnecessary and ruinous
expenditure that litigation had caused among the poor. He was
therefore instrumental in settling several cases by arbitration
without any fee. He was always ready to render free service to the
poor and the deserving. His unassuming simplicity, integrity and
helpful nature won for him great appreciation and regard from the
public. He became the Chairman of the Salem Municipality. The
rare legal acumen and eloquence that he showed in dealing legal
cases, brought him fame and success, resulting in getting a large
number of clients, abundant income coupled with high influence in
the society. His wife Seethalakshmi had a happy family with sons
and daughters and was leading a comfortable life. She was also
religiously inclined with a pious approach to life and her helping
nature to the poor.
Even though Sri B. V. Narasimha Iyer acquired huge wealth,
he was interested in rendering public service as well. He was
associated with politics also and was a great admirer and follower
of Sri Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1912, he was elected as a member
of the Madras Legislative Council, in recognition of his flair for
public service. He continued to be a member till 1920. He was the
first Indian member to address the Legislative Council in Tamil, the
language of the region. He participated in the Home Rule League
(started by Mrs. Annie Besant) of which was an active member.
He was one of the three persons sent to Britain in 1917 to place
India's case for Home Rule before the British people. Among
the prominent national leaders and contemporaries of Sri B. V.
Narasimha Iyer were Sri C. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as
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Rajaji and Sri C. Vijayaraghavachariyar. Both were from Salem. Sri
B. V. Narasimha Iyer became a prominent figure in the public life
of Madras Presidency. His lectures in all places always drew large
audience.
A huge calamity struck his family, the one that gave a serious
shock to him in 1921 was the death of two of his children Jayaram
and Savitri. They, while playing in the garden, had accidentally
fell into the well and were drowned. After this incident, he gave
up his lucrative legal practice and also withdrew from political and
social activities. In the mean time, he had educated the other sons
and made them stand on their own legs financially. His surviving
daughters Rajalakshmi and Saradamayi had already been married
and settled in life decently. He developed detachment from his
domestic and worldly affairs. He took up the work connected with
the Lakshminarayana temple and got it completed.
He then left home in 1925 and went in search of a Sadguru for
spiritual pursuit. In his efforts in this direction, he met Jagatguru H. H.
Chandrasekhara Bharati Swamiji at Sringeri. He advised Narasimhan
to meet the ‘Brahmana Swami’ who later on became popular as
Ramana Maharishi of Tiruvannamalai. Accordingly Narasimhan
went to Tiruvannamalai and stayed with Sri Ramana in one of the
caves contemplating ‘Who am I?’ for 3 years and concentrated on
the study of Vedanta. During his stay in Tiruvannamalai he wrote
the biography of Ramana Maharishi under the title ‘Self Realisation’
in English. Through this book, Ramana Maharishi became known to
several people across the country and also in Europe and America.
This book resulted in many seekers from Europe and America to
flock to Tiruvannamalai. Thus Narasimhan introduced Ramana
to the outer world. 25% of Narasimha Swamiji’s contribution is
popularizing Ramana Maharshi.
He then stayed with Siddharuda Swamiji at Hubli for nine months
till the latter attained Samadhi in 1929. Later he went to Pandharpur
and worshipped Lord Vittal for 18 months and then went to Khedgaon
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near Pune and saw Sadguru Narayan Maharaj who advised him to
visit Meherabad, a place near Ahmednagar. He went and stayed
there with Meher Baba but he was already in a vow of silence. He
wrote on a slate to ‘go northwards’. Meher Baba was a desciple
of Sri Upasani Baba of Sakori and then Narasimhan proceeded to
Sakori to meet Upasani Baba in 1933 and there he had to defend
Upasani Maharaj in a legal riddle. Upasani had married over sixty
young women as a social reformation to permit women to perform
Vedic rituals. This was more for a social cause and not for sexual
gratification as Upasani was around 65 years of age. But society
did not approve of the polygamy of Upasani and two public interest
litigations were filed. Narasimhan defended Upasani Maharaj in
these legal disputes and the cases were dismissed and the courts
declared Upasani innocent in 1936. By then he brought out a book
on Upasani, ‘The Sage of Sakori’. He introduced Upasani Maharaj
to the outer world and this is the next 25% of his contribution.
Narasimhan felt that his life had been without any aim and
direction, even while he was wandering. He had heard from Upasani
Baba about Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. He came to know that Sai Baba
helped Sri Upasani Baba in his spiritual pursuit but somehow he did
not feel like going to Shirdi as he felt that a saint who died in 1918
cannot help him in 1936.
On a direction by an unknown Pathan, Narasimhan visited
the Samadhi of Sai Baba on August 29, 1936 and stood silently
watching the Samadhi. It was the happiest period in his life as Baba
spoke to him in eloquent silence and bestowed spiritual bliss on
him. He expressed utmost joy at that time and also expressed that
he got from Baba more than what he could take, in spiritual matters.
He had thus finally discovered his Sadguru in Saibaba. He also felt
that he was living in constant communion with Sai Baba.
During 1936 when Sri Narasimha Swamiji visited Shirdi, the
following Baba’s devotees were alive at that time for interaction with
them: Shama, Tatya, Abdul Baba, Laxmibai Shinde, Saguna Meru
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Naik, Balasaheb Bhate, B.V.Dev, Martand Maharaj, Ramachandra
Patil, Kaka Mahajani (Laxman Ganesh), Laxmanmama Joshi and
Bhagoji Shinde . After 1936, at different places, he also met Justice
M.B.Rege, Justice P.R.Avaste, Das Ganu Maharaj, Upasani Baba,
H.V.Sathe, Prof G.G.Narke, R.B.Purandare, Damodhar Savalram
Rasane, Dattatreya Damodhar Rasane, Sai Sharanandji, Narayan
Maharaj of Kedgaon and the children of other staunch devotees
of Baba. Swamiji elicited valuable information about Baba from
them. Swamiji not only met these devotees in Shirdi and but also
traveled to several places to meet the devotees for recording their
experiences. He also met Raghuji Shinde, a servant of Baba about
his experiences. Thus Swamiji collected a plethora of devotees'
experiences and compiled them for publication in 1941. Wonderful
was his service! He made available the greatness of Baba for
posterity and this is the balance 50% of his contribution.
Till 1936, the number of persons visiting Shirdi was very small, not
more than a dozen in number. He decided to carry Baba's message
to all the places in the country by touring every town and village
and spreading about Baba's mission, miracles and messages. He
took efforts to acquire some knowledge of Marathi which he used
to seek and collect information from all the devotees who were still
living at that time and who were lucky enough to meet Baba when
he was in mortal coil and got Baba’s blessings. In this direction,
he met and interviewed more than sixty such devotees and made
enquiries, collected information and recorded their experiences with
Saibaba which clearly revealed as to how Baba had helped them in
their temporal and spiritual efforts. He was also invited by Justice
M.B.Rege, an ardent devotee of Saibaba and through him, he was
able to meet Justice P.R.Avaste at Gwalior. Sri Avaste helped Swami
to read Sri Sai Satcharita, ‘Sai Leea’ monthly magazine issues,
both in Marathi and also other Marathi publications. With the help
from Avaste, Swamiji learnt and started reading books in Marathi
and thus became well informed about Baba. Then with Justice M.B.
Rege and Justice Avaste, he toured several places in Maharashtra
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and addressed mass meetings in English and Marathi. Meanwhile,
he wrote a series of articles on Sai Baba in the 'Sunday Times' of
Madras till 1938-39. His inspiring articles were published in Sunday
Times, in about 30 to 40 issues (in all 20,000 copies) of the journal.
This sparked off an awareness and became the tool for several
thousands of devotees across India to know about Baba, his
mission and his miracles. He had collected exhaustive information
about Baba from R.B.Purandare and B.V. Dev and also about
their experiences with Baba; these two ardent devotees had also
informed Sri Narasimha Swamiji about Nanasaheb Chandorkar's
experiences with Baba.
As a result of all these efforts, large streams of people started
visiting Shirdi 1936 onwards. Till then, only about a dozen local
villagers from Shirdi used to attend the Samadhi Mandir at the arati
timings. Immediately after Baba's Mahasamadhi, the restaurant run
by Sagun Meru Naik just opposite to the Masjid was also closed
temporarily due to lack of visitors to Shirdi. That was the situation
which was later transformed into a busy area after the publicity
efforts of Swamiji.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji then started at the age of 66 years, an
All India Sai Samaj in Madras in 1940 with the object of spreading
Saibaba’s mission, miracles and messages among the people.
During his visits to the Sai Bhaktas, he collected from them lot of
information and their statements and published books under the
name “Devotees’ Experiences of Sri Sai Baba” in English and Tamil
in 1940-41. This was a monumental publication which carried the
mission, miracles and message of Baba across the country
Books written by Das Ganu Maharaj, 'Glimpses of Spirituality'
by Rao Bahadur M.W. Pradhan and also 'Sai Satcharita' in verse
in Marathi, written by Annasaheb Dabholkar are instrumental in
propagating the messages of Baba. Swamiji wrote books on Sai
Baba. ‘Introduction to Sai Baba’ being the first book by him. He then
wrote 'Who is Sai Baba' which was released in 1939. He also wrote
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‘The Loving Saint' and then 'Charters and Sayings’ and 'Gospel of
Sri Sai Baba'. He composed hymns in Sanskrit, entitled 'Sri Sainath
Smaranam', which was translated into Tamil and English. In 1944,
Swamiji wrote a play in Tamil, entitled 'Sri Sai Charita Natakam'. He
also wrote Sri Sai Harikatha to popularise Sai- movement through
musical discourse. He then wrote and published in 1945 'Glimpses
of Sai Baba'. Besides these books, he also published many other
books on Sai Baba, which were translated into many Indian
languages. He then thought that it was necessary to formulate a
systematic way of conducting Saibaba worship. So, he wrote 'Sri
Sainath Pooja Vidhi' and 'Sai Sahasranamam' in addition to the
Ashtotaram already in use. This was published in Sanskrit, Tamil,
Telugu and Kannada.
To give further impetus to the Saibaba movement, he felt the
need of holding All India Sai Devotees' Convention annually. The
first All India Sai Devotees' Convention was held for four days in
May 1946 in Mylapore, Madras. More than two hundred delegates
and devotees attended the convention. Sri Martand, son of late
Sri Mhalsapati also attended the convention besides many others,
like Sri Kesavaiahji of Shenoy Nagar as also a large number of
local people. Several participants of the convention narrated their
experiences as Sai devotees. After the first All India Sai Devotees'
Convention, other conventions followed in subsequent years.
Swamiji had miraculous powers. He healed many incurable
diseases by the grace of Baba. As Swamiji’s health started declining,
Sri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji and Sri Kesavaiahji were
authorized to preside over the later conventions.
In 1940, Swamiji started the 'Sai Sudha' monthly with English,
Tamil, Sanskrit and Telugu sections. He also started in Madras the
three annual festivals, namely, Sri Ramanavami, Gurupoornima
and Baba's Mahasamadhi day on the pattern of Shirdi festivals and
these programmes were celebrated for ten days with devotional
music and songs and religious discourses with poor feeding. Free
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distribution of Baba’s photo on post card size was also done by
Swamiji along with Baba's Udhi- Prasad. In 1954, he started Sai Free
Dispensary for the benefit of the poor and slum dwellers as well as
a library and Sai Vidyalaya.
One Pappayya Chetty of Bangalore, a devotee of Baba who
read Swamiji's books, met him at Shirdi in 1940 and handed over
a bundle of cash containing Rs.11,458 to Swamiji for his work and
left without saying anything. Swamiji utilized this amount for Sai-
prachar work as per Baba’s direction.
In 1949, the Samaj was shifted from Broodies Road to Alarmelu
Mangapuram, Mylapore. By donations from generous public
and sale of Sai literature, funds were raised for constructing the
front hall where Baba's picture was installed and Swamiji started
worshipping Baba from Gurupoornima day on July 7, 1952. The
construction of the Mandir with a tower on the pattern of Shirdi was
completed in 1953.
In 1953 Swamiji slipped in the bathroom. Thus he became
seriously ill upto the middle of 1954. Notwithstanding his illness,
he decided to spend his remaining time in the propaganda service
about Baba and concentrated on completing his work 'Life of Sai
Baba'. With Baba’s grace, he was provided with a stenographer.
Without the help of a stenographer, it would not have been possible
for him to complete the task either for the book or for 'Sai Sudha'
or for the release of the numerous pamphlets.
Later the help rendered by His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore
who donated Rs.5,000 enabled the Samaj to purchase a press,
printing machines and blocks which resulted in the publication of
four volumes on the life of Sri Sai Baba. No copyright is reserved
in any of the books or publications brought out by Swamiji, it is to
be noted.
Swamiji's 83rd birthday was celebrated in Chennai headquarters
on September 12, 1956. With Baba’s grace, he acquired some
24
powers which he used for the benefit of the general public. From
October 1956, Swamiji could not move out of his bed on account
of his severe illness. Despite this, he continued his prachar work
from his bed and attended to other works and spent the remaining
time in meditating on Baba. On October 19, 1956, Swamiji left
his mortal coil and merged in Baba. Swamiji's relentless efforts in
popularizing Baba started bringing innumerable crowds to Shirdi to
have darshan of Samadhi Mandir. Swamiji was a blessed and saintly
soul, who was thus mysteriously drawn to Samartha Sadguru Sai
Baba. He dedicated his entire later life and energies to the task of
ceaseless and vigorous propagation of the mission, miracles and
messages of Sri Sai Baba across the people throughout India.
His Holiness Sri Narasimha Swamiji's portrait was unveiled in the
Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi along with those of other ardent devotees
on 26th January, 1966 by Justice M. B. Rege, an ardent devotee
of Baba, who got blessed by Baba when Baba was in mortal coil
in Shirdi. Unveiling of his portrait in the Samadhi Mandir was a
glowing tribute to his efforts in effectively carrying the message
of Baba across India and also the world. He was acclaimed as Sai
Baba's Apostle. If today in India there is hardly a town or city where
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba is not known, it is entirely due to the remarkable
zeal and selfless service of Narasimha Swamiji and based on his
publicity and the books compiled/written by him-which served as
the starting point for understanding the greatness of Baba which is
being felt now across the world also.
Moreshwar W. Pradhan paid a glowing tribute to Swamiji in an
article dated October 9, 1943 thus: “To broadcast all the experiences
and the inner joy of such countless people individually is physically
impossible. However, the real facts about Sai Baba's divinity
contained in the first edition, were spread far more extensively by
the devotional propaganda of Mr. B. V. Narasimha Swami, who by
his innumerable publications about Sai Baba's divinity in English,
Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Canarese, Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati
25
and Bengali, and by his personal tours throughout the length and
breadth of India, has been carrying the knowledge of the peculiar
Avatar of Sai Baba to all the classes and creeds of India..."
Swamiji attained ‘Samadhi’ on October 19, 1956 at 3.-45 am. It
was a full moon day. He did not want any ‘Samadhi’ or memorial
to be built for him. Hence he was cremated in the Besant Nagar
(Chennai) public crematorium. Sri O. K. Varada Rao, Sri T.Kesava
Rao under the guidance of Suddhananda Bharatiyar and Swami
Kesavaiah performed the last rites. Even before Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji arrived at Madras Central, Swamiji’s body was cremated.
However, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji led the ‘Shraddanjali’ on
October 31, 1956. Swamiji was 82 and gave up his body in full
consciousness and did not suffer from any disease or pain.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji's cottage in the All India Sai Samaj is a
tribute and homage to Swamiji.
26
SADHUS IN THE LIFE OF
SRI NARASIMHA SWAMIJI
HH CHANDRASEKAHRA BHARATHI
SWAMIJI SRINGERI
IN 1925 SWAMIJI LEFT HOME HE MET
HH.ADVISED HIM TO MEET BRAHMANA
SWAMI LATER ON KNOWN AS RAMANA
MAHARISHI OF TRIVANAMALAI.
RAMANA
MAHARISHI TRIUVANNAMALAI
AS PER THE ADVISE OF HH.
CHANDRASEKARA SWAMIJI NARASIMHA
SWAMIJI REACHED TRIVANNAMALAI MET
RAMANA MAHARISHI AND STAYED THERE
FOR 3 YEARS IN A CAVE STUDIED VEDANTA
AND ALSO WROTE A BOOK ON SELF REALISATION ON RAMANA
MAHARISHI .
SIDDHARUADA SWAMIJI OF HUBLI
KARNATAKA
FROM RAMANA ASHRAM HE TRAVELLED
TO HUBLI AND STAYED WITH SIDDHARUDA
SWAMIJI OF HUBLI TILL HE ATTAINED
SAMADHI IN1929. SWAMIJI WAS THERE
FOR 9 MONTHS.
PANDARPUR
SWAMIJI LIVED IN PANDARPUR FOR
18 MONTH. LEARN MARATHI, MET
BAPU MAI A LADY AVADHUTHA HERE.
ONCE SWAMIJI FOLLOWED HER. SHE
27
ENTERED A CREMATORIUM SHE ASKED SWAMIJI WHAT HE
WANTS. HE SAID ABOUT HIS WANDERINGS. SHE ASKED SWAMIJI,
ARE YOU HUNGRY? AND GOOD FOOD WAS SERVED IN THE
CREMETORIUM. AFTER EATING SHE SAID DID YOU SEE GOD?
SWAMIJI SAID NO. SHE SAID THE PERSON WHO SERVED YOU
WAS VITTHAL, ADVISED SWAMIJI TO SEE VITTHAL EVERYWHERE.
ZIPRUANNA
NARSIMHA SWAMJI HAD A HEAD
ACHE WHICH WAS DISTRUBING HIM. HE
TOLD ABOUT IT TO ZIPRUANNA. ANNA
LICKED HIS HEAD AND BLESSED HIM
SAYING YOUR FAME WILL REACH THE
HEVAN. SWAMIJI WAS CURED OF HIS
HEADACHE,ANNA SAID I AM NOT YOUR
GURU.
NARAYAN MAHARAJ OF
KHEDGAON
NARAYAN MAHARAJ ADVISED
NARSIMHA SWAMIJI TO MEET MEHER
BABA
28
HAZRAT BABAJAN AT
THE BAVADI CHAR PUNE
SWAMIJI TOOK DARSHAN OF HER AT
PUNE
UPASANI MAHARAJ OF
SAKORI NEAR SHIRDI
SWAMIJI REACHED UPASANI
MAHARAJ'S PLACE IN 1933.
UPASANI MAHARAJ WAS
FACING A COURT CASE.
SWAMIJI FOUGHT THE CASE
AND WON THE CASE IN WROTE
A BOOK SAINT OF SAKORI.1936.
HE WAS NOT SATISFIED IN HIS
FINDINGS. WAS TOLD BY A PATHAN TO GO TO SHIRDI.
PUSHKAR LAKE
RAJASTHAN
IN NOVEMBER 1935
SWAMIJI HAD GONE TO AJMER
FOR INTERVIEWING A WITNESS
IN UPASANI BABA CASE. WHILE
HE WAS TAKING BATH IN THE
LAKE, A CROCODILE CAUGHT
HIS RIGHT LEG AND IT WAS A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE THAT
A SARDAR JI SHOT AND KILLED THE CROCODILE. HE WAS IN
HOSPITAL FOR 3 WEEKS. EVEN AFTER THE WOUND HEALED ON
THE RIGHT LEG HE USED TO LIMP FOR YEARS .
29
OLD SAMADHI MANDIR
ON A DIRECTION BY AN UNKNOWN PATHAN SRI NARASIMHA
SWAMIJI VISITED THE SAMADHI OF SAI BABA ON 29TH AUGUST
1936, AND STOOD SILENTLY WATCHING THE SAMADHI. IT WAS
30
SRI RADHAKRISHNA SWAMIJI
A PROFILE
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji as President of AISS. He
joined Sri Narasimha Swamiji in continued in this position till his
1943 or 44. He was a voracious Mahasamadhi on 14.1.1980.
reader. He wrote only two Just like his Guru, he
books - an incomplete book ‘Life desired his last rites to be done
of Sri Narasimha Swamiji – in a public crematorium. His
mortal remains were consigned
to flames at Chamarajpet
crematorium. His favourite
devotee Sri D.V.Krishna Murthy
who served him for 29 years
as ‘Rama Bhakta Hanuman’
performed the final rites.
Ashes were collected in 7
pots. Among these, one is buried
in Poyyamani – Swamiji’s
birthplace near Trichy. One is
interned just below his idol at Sai
Spiritual Centre at Bengaluru.
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji has
recorded in several diaries his
words of wisdom and they were
published in the form of two-
Apostle of Sai Baba’ and a small page articles in ‘Saipadananda’
booklet ‘To my dear children’. quarterly magazine till October
Sri Narasimha Swamiji deputed 2018.
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji to Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
represent him as an Executive suffered from a rare disease.
member of Shirdi Samsthan Both doctors and devotees knew
from 1945. After Narasimha that he had made up his mind to
Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi, he merge in Sai Baba on the day of
gave up this position. In 1967, ‘Sankranthi’ in 1980. He did so.
he was requested to take over
31
Sri Saipadananda
SRI RADHAKRISHNA SWAMIJI
(1906 April 15 - 1980 January 14)
A Profile of Greatness
-
40
SADHUS IN THE LIFE OF
SRI RADHAKRISHNA SWAMIJI
HH KANCHI MAHAPERIAVA OF
KANCHI KAMOKOTI MUTT
KANCHI ACHARYA HAD A GREAT
INFLUENCE ON RADHAKRISHNAN'S
PERSONALITY. HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
OF VISITING JAGADGURU SHANKARACHARYA
OF KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETAM AND HAD
MET THE SWAMIJI A NUMBER OF TIMES. SWAMIJI'S BROTHER
USED TO WORK IN KANCHI MUTT. PARAMACHARYAL VISITED
POYYAMANI HIS BIRTH PLACE DURING HIS YOUNGER DAYS.
HH CHANDRASEKAHRA
BHARATHI SWAMIJI SRINGERI
HIS HOLINESS GAVE KASHAYA VASTRA
TO SWAMIJI, BUT HE NEVER WORE. HE KEPT
IT AS HIS BLESSINGS, HIS HOLINESS VISITED
POYYAMANI, RADHA KRISHNA SWAMIJIS
BIRTH PLACE, DURING
HIS YOUNGER DAYS.
41
RAMANA MAHARISHI OF
TRIUVANAMALAI
HE TOOK DARSHAN OF RAMANA
BHAGAVAN.
SHESHADRI SWAMIGAL OF
TRIUVANNAMALAI
MET RAMANA MAHARSHI AND SESHADRI
SWAMIGAL AT THIRUVANNAMALAI. THE
LATTER GAVE RADHAKRISHNAN THREE
STONES AND ASKED HIM TO COOK AND EAT
THEM. THE FORMER INTERPRETED THIS THAT
HE SHOULD GO BEYOND THE REALMS OF "SATTVA", "RAJAS" AND
"TAMAS", TO BECOME A "GUNATHEETHA".
42
ANANDA MAYIMA OF KOLKATA
SWAMIJI MET ANANDA MAYIMA DURING
HIS SAI PRACHAR. MATAJI ALSO VISITED
HIM IN 1979. THIS WAS HER LAST VISIT TO
BANGALORE.
SRI SRIDHAR
SWAMIJI OF
SHIMOGA KARNATAKA
SRIDHAR SWAMIJI NEVER USED TO
STAY IN ANY PLACE FOR MORE THAN 2
DAYS, DURING HIS SEVERAL WANDERINGS
TO BENGALURU – N.R. COLONY,
VASANTHAPURA SRI RADHAKRISHNA
SWAMIJI USED TO MEET HIM. SRIDHARA SWAMIJI ATTAINED
NIRYAN IN 1973.
SADHU VASWANI OF PUNE
RADHAKRISHNA SWAMIJI, THROUGH
HIS PUNE CONNECTIONS, WAS COLSELY
ASSOCIATED WITH VASWANI MISSION.
44
SRI SIVANESAN SWAMIJI
A PROFILE
Sivnesan Swamiji's last sing Bhajans in Chavdhi daily
destination was Shirdi; he around 8 PM, till time he was
never left Shirdi, lived their body in form. He used to do
for 40 years and served Baba Dhuni pooja by offering coconut
at Gurusthan, Dwarakamayi, at Dwarakamayi and used to do
Chavdhi, and was instrumental Pradakshina at Gurusthan and
Lendi Baugh, used to distribute
food coupons to the needy.
He breathed his last at 00.10
hrs on Monday, February 12,
1996, at Shirdi and merged
with Saibaba; many believe
that the swinging of the lantern
in the Dwarakamayi indicated
this merger. He was given agni
by Mani who was his close
associate, in the land of Zarine
at Pimpalwadi road and a asti
kalash of Swamiji kept there
for worship. During last rites,
the Sansthan adorned him with
shawl and sprayed the holy water
of Baba with his silver zari. Also
they adorned him with garland
brought from samadhi mandir
in bringing up Sai temples after offering to Baba. Baba
worldwide. Started Nam saptha, himself adorned him in his last
encouraged aspirants to write journey. Siyaram, another close
books, transalte books to various associate of Swamiji (who hailed
languages, do pradakshina from MP), stayed the full night
around Nanda Deep, Gurusthan. at Pimpalwadi near the place
Encouraged various Sai temples where Swamiji was cremeated,
to build Dhuni. Swamiji used to while all had left.
45
SRI SIVANESAN SWAMIJI
(1927 April 27 - 1996 february 12)
Originator of Sai Nama Japa
51
SADHUS IN THE LIFE OF
SRI SIVANESAN SWAMIJI
NITYANANDA SWAMI GANESPURI
SHIVNESAN SWAMIJI STAYED IN GANESPURI
HE WAS ASKED BY NITAYNADA BABA TO GO
TO SHIRDI
SRI RADHAKRISHNA
SWAMIJI.
SRI RADHAKRISHNA SWAMIJI ADVISED SRI
SHIVNESAN SWAMIJI NOT TO LEAVE SHIRDI,
SIVNESAN SWAMIJI LIVED IN SHRIDHI TILL HIS
NRIVAN.
DWARAKAMAYI
SIVNESAN SWAMIJIS
LAST DESTINATION WAS
SHIRDI HE NEVER LEFT
SHRIDI. LIVED THERE FOR
40 YEARS AND SERVED
BABA AT GURUSTHAN,
DWARAKAMAYI, AND
CHAVDHI AND WAS
INSTRUMENTAL, IN
BRINGING UP SAI
TEMPLES WORLD WIDE, STARTED NAM SAPTHA,ENCOURAGED
ASPIRANTS TO WRITE BOOKS,TRANSALTE BOOKS TO
VARIOUS LANGUAGES,PRADAKSHINA AROUND NANDA
DEEP,GURUSTHAN,ENCOURAGED VARIOUS SAI TEMPLE TO
BUILD DHUNI.
53
AT DWARAKAMAYI
SIVNESASN SWAMIJI
INSIDE DWARAKAMAYI,
AND THE SACRED DHUNI.
NOW THE DHUNI IS FULLY
COVERED. PREVIOUSLY
COCONUT COULD BE
OFFERED. NOW ALL THE
OFFERING IS STOPPED. ONLY THE PUJARI OFFERS NAIVEDHYAM
AND COCONUT IN THE MORNING.
AT GURUSTHAN
A VIEW OF SACRED FIRE PALCE IN FRONT
OF “GURUSTHAN, DEVOTEES BURN INCENSE
STICKS AND LOBAN HERE SPECIALLY ON
THURSDAYS AND FRIDAY'S. SIVNESAN
SWAMIJI PRAYING NEAR THE SACRED FIRE AT
GURUSTHAN
AT CHAVADI
54
BABA'S ‘ELDER BROTHER'
SIVNESAN SWAMIJI HAVING
DARSHAN AT HANUMAN MANDIR,
SHIRDI. BABA USED TO CALL THIS
HANUMAN BIG BROTHER. WHEN
SAI BABA WAS ON ROUNDS HE
USED TO STOP AND WAVE HIS
HAND TOWARDS THE HANUMAN MANDIR AND USED TO CALL
HIM BIG BROTHER.SIVNEASAN SWAMIJI LIVED IN HANUMAN
MANDIR FOR FEW YEARS WHEN HE FIRST ARRIVED TO SHIRDI,
ALSO HE STAYED IN KANIFNATH MANDIR AT SHIRDI.
PRADAKSHINAM
HIS DAILY ROUTINE WAS TO DO
PRADAKSHINA AT NANADA DEEP,
DATTAMANDIR AT LENDI BAUGH
AND GURUSTHAN TILL HIS DEMISE.
GURUSHTAN PRADAKSHINA WAS
STOPPED DUE TO THE RENOVATION OF
THE NEW GURUSTHAN, AND HE USED TO
DO PRADAKSHINA MORNING AND EVENING ALSO ADVISED SAI
DEVOTEES TO DO PRADAKSHINA.
56
Dwarakamayi Sai Mandir at Kethuhalli
59
Guidance to
Sai Mandir Trustees
63
ELEVEN SAYINGS OF
SHRI SAI BABA
1. Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi soil, his sufferings would
come to an end.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who
surrender to me and seek refuge in me.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
64