(Easwaramma)

Noble mothers give birth to noble sons. Mothers should also feel lucky to have noble sons. Kondama Raju used to tell his daughter-in-law, ‘Easwaramma, you have no idea of your great good fortune. You are not an ordinary woman. The Lord Himself is with you. What a lucky woman you are’! Easwaramma was the daughter-in-law of Kondama Raju. Has there been any instance of a father-in-law adoring his daughter-in-law? He used to say, ‘Easwaramma, your name has been vindicated. Ishvara’s mother is Easwaramma’.

This was the way they praised Easwaramma. Kondama Raju was one of those rare persons who could perceive the Truth. Those who cannot recognise the Truth will never be able to understand it. They are like a blind man who cannot see the sun even during the day. (SS June 98, p. 148)

Now it is 30 years since the mother of this body passed away. But she is continuing to move about in her physical body around Swami. Three boys sleep in Swami’s room. They have also witnessed her presence. I am telling this today because the life of ideal mothers has permanent significance.

In Prasanthi Nilayam, Swami takes breakfast after Bhajan and proceeds to his place in Poornachandra auditorium. Early in the morning one day, mother Easwaramma was standing at the door in her usual form. I asked her, ‘Why did you come?’ She said, ‘Swami, I have come here with a prayer to You. You are omnipresent and omniscient, but You have to control one thing’! ‘What is that?’ Swami asked. She said, ‘Devotees and students offer handkerchiefs to You. But, heeding my prayer, please do not receive handkerchiefs from everybody. The times are not good. The handkerchief may be tainted with poisonous stuff. In the usual course, You see the handkerchief to wipe Your nose and mouth. So, You may receive handkerchief only from those on whom You have confidence and trust as good devotees. Do not accept from all and sundry.’

Mother’s love lives on for all times, long after her passing away. Twice she appeared in the night. The boys sleeping in my room noticed her presence. Those boys had not seen her at any time. They wondered who the old lady could be. The key of the lift was in their hands and there was no staircase leading to the apartment. How did she manage to come here? When the boys asked this question, Swami woke up. I went near her and asked her why she had come again. She replied’, I cannot live without seeing You often. The moment I see You, I feel happy’. After saying so, she gave me some piece of advice, ‘Swami, all persons describe themselves as devotees. But no one can tell who are real devotees and who are fake. Totally dedicated devotees will be ready to carry out anything You ask them to do, but there are others who come for their own self-interest. By coming to You they get their desires fulfilled and forget You thereafter. In this matter, You should be very careful.’

Swami replied, ‘I shall take due care. There is no need for you to tell me’. After hearing this, she laughed and left the room. I am conversing to you this episode as direct testimony to the greatness of mother’s love. She might have given up her body but she is always with Swami. She said, ‘I have performed many sacrifices for Your sake and have done many kinds of poojas. I realised the proof thereof. For 40 years I was with You. My life has its fulfilment.’ (SS June 98, pp. 142-143)

This day is Easwaramma Day. The significance of the Day is that it is celebrated as Children’s Day, a day when little children are to be reminded of ideal, a day when she presented an ideal. No one can escape death, but the aim of everyone should be to remind oneself at the time of death, of the Divine or have some holy or sacred thoughts. The importance of this Day is known to many. Kasturi also spoke about it now. There is a saying in Telugu: ‘The proof of the Good is the way they die.’ Genuine devotion is evidenced during the last moments. I shall point out a small incident concerning the goodness of Easwaramma.

The Summer Classes were on at Bangalore. In the morning at 7, breakfast had to be served to the students. They went round with Nagar Sankirtan (street singing of spirituals) and returned at 6. I gave them Darshan (audience) at its close. Then, I went for my bath. Meanwhile, Easwaramma had finished her bath; she drank her coffee as usual quite happily, and took her seat on the inner veranda. All of a sudden proceeding to the bathroom, she cried out. ‘Swami, Swami, Swami,’ thrice. At this, I responded: ‘Coming, Coming.’ Within that period she breathed her last. What greater sign of goodness is needed? She had no need to be served and nursed. Swami will come to the memory at that time only for a very few. The mind will usually seek and stay on some object or the other, some jewellery or valuables.

From the ground floor, she called: ‘Swami! Swami!’ I replied, ‘Coming, Coming,’ and she was gone. It was like the elephant’s calling and the Lord proceeding to bless it-the two wires achieving connection, the release happening instantaneously.

This is the authentic consummation that life must strive for. Beside her at the time she had her daughter Venkamma, her granddaughter Shailaja, but she called out only for Swami. Getting this yearning at the final moment is the fruit of holy purity. It is the sign of an ideal adorable life. Such attitude must emerge of its own accord and not by means of some external force. (SSS Vol.16, pp. 61-62)

Easwaramma, the mother of this physical body, was first christened as Namagiriamma at the time of birth. But after her marriage, Kondama Raju, the grandfather of this physical body, being a Jnani (one of wisdom) and blessed with a vision of the future, started calling her Easwaramma (mother of Ishvara). He used to worship Venkavadhuta. (SS June 98, p. 144)

In those days (Swami’s school days) when we returned from the Bukkapatnam school in the evenings, mother Easwaramma would lovingly enquire as to what happened in the school that day. She had no formal education at all. One day the children told her,’ mother, today a teacher by name Kondappa made our Sathya stand upon the bench.’ They started criticising him.. Mother Easwaramma intervened and said, ‘children, you should not talk ill of your teacher. No teacher would punish his student without a proper reason. Our Sathya might have committed some mistake.’’ Then she asked me. ‘ Sathya, what is the mistake You committed?’ I told her the facts as they happened. Kondappa ordered, ‘Whoever has written the notes should place it on his table. Others should stand upon the bench.’ I had not written the notes. That was My mistake. Hence, I stood upon the bench. I also said something which was more than necessary. I said, ‘Sir, can all those boys who have taken down the notes answer your questions? Though I have not written the notes, I can answer any question that you may ask. ‘Kondappa thought that I was egoistic and ordered Me to stand upon the bench for the three periods. I obeyed him and stood upon the bench. Meanwhile, the other teacher Mahboob Khan came to the class. He was a Mohammaden and a noble person. He was pained to see Me standing on the bench. He asked, ‘Kondappa, why have you made this boy stand upon the bench?’. He has not taken down notes, hence the punishment’, said Kondappa. Mahaboobkhan defended Me saying, ‘So what if He has not taken down the notes? He can answer all your questions, and though is enough. Ask Him to sit down.’ But Kondappa insisted that I should be as I had disobeyed his command. The bell rang and Kondappa had to go to another class. But he was unable to get up from the chair. Initially he thought that his dhoti had got entangled to a nail in the chair. But that was not the case. He was stuck to the chair! When He tried to get up from the chair, the chair also came along with him. Then Mehboob Khan said,’ Kondappa, He is not an ordinary boy. He is one of great divine powers. You have punished Him without a proper reason. At least now, ask, ask Him to sit down.’ Kondappa realised him mistake and told Me to sit down. Immediately, he could get up from the chair. When all this was narrated to mother Easwaramma, she said,’ Dear Sathya, you should not punish your own Guru.’ I said. ‘I did not punish him; in fact, he punished himself.’ She imparted a sacred teaching to the children, saying, ‘My dear ones, you are going to school to study. Whatever you learn, put it to proper use. Only then you will be called truly educated and earn appellation Sakshara. If you do not make proper use of your education , you become a Rakshasa (demon). Make efforts to earn the title of Sakshara.’ Then she told Me, ‘Sathya! At any time and under any circumstances, do not cultivate hatred towards anybody. Love all and You will loved by all’. In fact, there is no trace of hatred or enmity in Me at anytime. I love all. That is why everyone loves Me. If we do not love others, how can we expect others to love us? Give love and receive love. It is not a one-way traffic. You should give and take. In this manner, mother Easwaramma taught the children many sacred teachings. There are many who are highly educated, but what is the use? They do not put their knowledge to proper use. Having received many sacred teachings, you should practise at least one of them. You perform worship and sing Bhajans with devotion. It is enough if you practise and experience at least one word of the Bhajans you sing. For example, you should extol God as ‘Premaswarupa’ (embodiment of love). Accordingly, you should develop love and share it with others. Only then can you understand and experience divinity.

Mother Easwaramma used to impart many noble teachings to the devotees when gathered around her. I had given her a small room in Prasanthi Nilayam. Many ladies would go there and plead with her, ‘mother, we have been here for a long time. Please tell Swami to grant us an interview.’’ She would tell them, ‘My dear, Swami may look small to our eyes, but He does not listen to anyone, He will not act on recommendations. He will give you what you deserve. You should try to understand the divine principle of Swami.’’ In this manner, she would give proper guidance to the devotees. One day she told Me, Sathya! Your name and fame have spread far and wide. Please bestow peace on the world with Your Sankalpa (Will).’ I told her, ‘It is not that I have to make a Sankalpa for world peace. Each one has to attain peace by himself, because man by nature is the embodiment of peace. He is the embodiment of truth. He is the embodiment of love.’’ You have to manifest your love. You have to experience peace within. You have to follow the path of truth. Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara (speak truth and practise righteousness). You can achieve anything when you follow this principle.

Today we are celebrating Easwaramma Day. I want to tell you an incident that speaks of her immense compassion and love for children. In those days, students from various States and Countries attended Summer Courses. Gokak , who used to conduct the classes, was a strict disciplinarian. He was a man of great character and sacrifice. He was a great academician too. He was conducting the classes in an exemplary manner. One day, the students were having lunch in the dining hall. One of the boys got up and went outside before others could finish their meals. Gokak, who watched this through the window, called him and chided him for his act of indiscipline. ‘When your fellow students are having their food, you should not get up in the middle even though you have completed your meals. It amounts to insulting them.’’ Saying so, Gokak suspended him from the classes. The boy was in tears, but Gokak was not moved. The boy came to mother Easwaramma’ room, fell at her feet and started crying. He told her about the harsh punishment meted out to him by Gokak. He pleaded with her to come to his rescue. Easwaramma consoled him and sent him away. She was sitting on the steps where Gokak would pass by. After a while Gokak came there. She offered her Namaskar to him and he reciprocated the same most reverentially. Then she said, ‘When I did Namaskar to you, you reciprocated the same. In the same manner, if you punish others, you will be punished in return. The boy out of innocence has done a mistake. Please forgive him and allow him to attend the classes.’ Then Gokak replied, ‘Mother, if I forgive him, it would set a bad precedent for others. Anyway, I will forgive him only for your sake.’ In this manner, she would go out of her way to help and provide comfort and solace to others.

You are bound to face consequences of your actions. If you talk to others in a harsh manner, it will come back as a resound. If you hit others, it will come back to you as reflection. Hence, do not hurt others. Do good, be good, see good and speak good. Then, you will be blessed with rich rewards. Though mother Easwaramma had no formal education, she conducted herself in an exemplary manner. She was one of the profound wisdom. The teaching that mother Easwaramma imparted remained etched in the heart of Gokak Later on when he came as Vice Chancellor to Puttaparthi, he used to recollect her words of wisdom. He would remember her everyday. He would say, ‘I see Easwaramma in my dream quite often. I follow her advice implicitly.’

We should not criticise others or make fun of them. We should love all. Thus is what mother Easwaramma taught everybody. Do your duty sincerely. Then, you will certainly progress in life. Whoever he may be, follow the sacred teachings of our elders. People attribute certain teachings to Rama, Krishna and so on and so forth. It does not matter whether it Rama or Krishna, enquire what, why, when, where, and under what circumstances they had given those teachings. You should remember the context in which those teachings were imparted and act accordingly. When you obey the command of elders and divine personalities, you will certainly attain exalted position in life.

Many students do not pay heed to the words of their mother. It is a grave mistake. Mothers speak from their heart wishing the welfare of their children. You should understand their feelings and give due respect to their words. ( DD on 6.05.03 , pp. 5-8)

Today we are celebrating Easwaramma Day. Who is Easwaramma? She is the mother of Ishvara. This was not the name given to her by her parents. But after her marriage, Kondama Raju (Swami’s grandfather), being one of wisdom and blessed with a vision of the future, started calling her Easwaramma (mother of Ishvara). She was christened as Namagiriamma at time of her birth. But Kondama Raju told her that Easwaramma was the most appropriate name for her as he knew that she was going to become the mother of Ishvara. Easwaramma was born in such a poor family, that she did not even have proper food to eat. All that she had to eat was ragi sankati (gruel prepared a coarse grain). Even I too eat ragi sankati only. Many people in Karnataka eat ragi sankati. I like it very much. I do not relish rice, kurma (curry), etc.; ragi sankati with groundnut chutney is My favourite food. Both ragi and groundnut are available in our village. When I come here from Puttaparthi, I bring ragi flour with Me. Easwaramma was illiterate. When I see the egoistic attitude, perverted mentality and ostentatious behaviour of the present-day educated people, I feel it was better that Easwaramma did not have any schooling.

When I was seven and half years old, I used to teach Pandhari Bhajans to small children in our village. Easwaramma and Subbamma used to feel ecstatic watching Me sing Pandhari Bhajans and dance to their rhythm. Sometimes, her husband Pedda Venkama Raju would give Easwaramma some money for the household expenditure. Once two annas were remaining with her out of the money. One could buy two bags of puffed rice with the two annas in those days. So, Easwaramma bought two bags of puffed rice with the two annas and distributed to the children. She always used to give away whatever she had with her. She was the embodiment of sacrifice. She used to talk lovingly to those who came to her. When devotees would feel sad that Swami was ignoring them, she would console them saying, ‘Whatever Swami does is for your own good’.

Easwaramma’s Kind-heartedness

When I was being taken to Uravakonda for further education, all those children whom I used to teach many good things in the evening felt very dejected. At the time of leaving, ten of those children came to Me and offered one battu (three paise) each as Guru Dakshina (an offering of gratitude to the teacher). When I gave this money to Easwaramma, she was moved to tears. She held My hand and exclaimed, ‘What a spirit of sacrifice at such tender age!’ Till she breathed her last, she kept those coins with her.

Initially, I was staying in Subbamma’s house. But when the number of devotees increased a new Mandir was constructed. One day Easwaramma came in when I was having My food. When others tried to follow her, she told them not to come. She held both My hands and pleaded, ‘Swami, there is no hospital in our village. Consequently, when the children sick, mothers are forced to carry them to Bukkapatnam. I am unable to see their suffering. My children others’ children are one and the same for me. So, kindly construct at least a small hospital in our village.’ I promised her that I would fulfil her wish and accordingly I built a big hospital, which was inaugurated by the then Central Minister, Bejawada Gopala Reddy. Easwaramma’s joy knew no bounds. The whole day she did not feel the need for food and water as she felt highly contented and overjoyed. She caught hold of My hands and expressed her happiness as her wish was fulfilled in a big way. I told her, ‘Be happy.’ After some time, she approached Swami again and wanted a school to be built in the village. As desired by her, I got a school constructed. Initially, it was a small one, Later on; I made it into a big building. She was very happy. She went to the school, kissed the children and showered her love on them. She was extremely happy and said, ‘In this Age of Kali, it is my good fortune to have a son like You who has done whatever I wished’.

Good Intentions, Bring Good Results

Then she wanted the village to be provided with drinking water. I promised that it would be done. I found bore wells were being dug to overcome water scarcity. But they become useless within a short period of time. So, I got a big well dug in the Old Mandir. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result) If the intention is good, the result also is bound to be good. As My intention was good, a copious spring pure water gushed forth even at a seven feet! At the backside of the Mandir, an entrance was provided for people to collect water. As you are aware, Swami has now provided drinking water from the river Tungabhadra to the entire district of Anantapur. Nearly 300 crore rupees were spent for this purpose. If the ministers, leaders and elders come together, they can I undertake such public welfare schemes. But this requires concern about public welfare and spirit of sacrifice.

Before Easwaramma passed away, I fulfilled all her three wishes. There is no fee whatsoever in our institutions. Education is offered totally free to one and all. Our hospitals are’ also free. Nowadays doctors charge at least two to three lakhs for a heart operation. No doubt doctors need money. But there should be a certain limit. It is very unfortunate that the Bharatiyas are selling food, medical care and education. In fact, they are selling themselves! Bharat is a sacred land of sacrifice and spirituality. It is being converted into a land of material pleasures. Spirit of sacrifice is very essential. Share whatever you have with others. A small amount of food is enough to satiate your hunger. Why crave for the entire river Ganga when a small glass of water is all that you need to quench your thirst? Do not harbour greed and other evil qualities lest you should suffer the same fate as that of Duryodhana and his tribe. Fill your heart with love. (SSS Vol.33, pp. 144-148)

Easwaramma is the mother of this body. The meaning of the word ‘Easwaramma’ is ‘mother of Ishvara (God)’. In the history of Divinity, Mother Easwaramma exemplifies Divine Motherhood. Not only this. Pedda Venkama Raju, the father of this body, signifies the lord of seven hills. Now both of them are residing in Vaikuntha (heaven). Swami is the incarnation of both Parvati and Ishvara. In the triune Sa, the first one was Shirdi Sai, the second is Parthi Sai and the third will be Prema Sai. Prema Sai will bring about complete unity of mankind. Love is the unifying force in the world. Now we do not find any unity in the world. There are differences and differences all along everywhere. There will be complete unity only when love manifests in the heart of man. Then all will become one. There will be unity of caste, culture and country. When somebody asks you, where you have come from, you should not say that you have come from Mysore (Karnataka) or Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu. You should say that you have come from Bharat. You should proudly proclaim, ‘Bharat is my country.’ In fact, Bharat is the home of everyone.

(Baba with Idi Amin)

When I visited East Africa, Idi Amin asked Me where I had come from. I did not say that I had come from Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh. I told him, ‘I have come from Bharat.’ If everybody develops such feelings of allegiance to his country, then the whole country will prosper. Very soon, the whole of India will be united and all the differences will disappear. It is necessary that there is unity of caste, culture and country. When there is unity between these three, then all of us will become united and live like brothers and sisters. The history of Bharat exemplifies this spirit of oneness. (SSS Vol. 41, pp. 36-37)

I have been seeing both Easwaramma and Pedda Venkama Raju for the last one month. They also appeared before Me when I was coming to Sai Kulwant Hall. Even Satyajit who sleeps in My room has seen them. Both of them were wearing yellow dress. Yellow colour represents the principle of Brahman. Today I wanted to bring out an yellow colour Linga. But as I was coming to the Hall, all the students, devotees and residents of the Ashram prayed to Me, ‘Swami, You need not bring out Linga because we cannot bear the suffering that You undergo. We want to see only Your blissful form.’ (SSS Vol. 41, pp. 32-33)