Mrs. Kamaraju's Talk at Cleveland, Ohio,
May 16, 2009
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,
Sai Ram to all of you! Thanks to the management of Cleveland Sathya Sai Seva centre. Thank you, one and all. Thank you, Swami, for giving me this wonderful opportunity!
Madhuvanambhunu Viresenu Oka Mandara Mala
Maanasambuna Sakshatkarinche Manavanundu Mandara,
Mala Idhi Rama Nama Ratanala Mala
Parthivasunikichhe Idhi Divya Nirajamala.
There was a beautiful lady who lived in Madhuvana (near Mathura). Swami appeared in her dream and called her, “Mandara, this is the precious Rama Nama mala that you can offer to Parthi Sai.” That is the meaning of this poem.
I could relate to this poem. Whenever Swami inspired me, I wrote poems. I went home and told my friend who helped me in my household work that Swami had asked me to offer a garland. I had thought of buying a rose garland to offer to Swami, but she told me, “You often write poems. So you can offer 108 poems compiled into a book; offer that garland of poems to Swami.” That is how I could relate to this incident.
Patti Chusi Sodinchi Bhakthuni Gattiga Katti Veyuduvu Swami
Nee Prema Pattu Vadhalipova Throva Kanupattuna Maaku
Guttuga Prashanthi Chettunanti Guvva Pittalu Unnappatiki
Paramatmananti Prakruchunduta Sahajamukadhu.
One morning at the Ganesha temple, I stopped and did namaskar to Ganesha. The aromatic smell of the parijatha flowers, the cool breeze, and the sounds of the birds inspired me to write this poem. It also had a message for me. During our early stay in Puttaparthi and Bangalore, I used to say that we will go back to Guntur. It was my daily suprabhatham (early morning awakening prayer) that went on for three years. One day I forgot to say it, and that day Swami asked me, “You didn’t say your Suprabhatham today?” (Laughter)
So at that time, this poem came to me and its meaning is: “when the small innocent birds are anchored and lead peaceful lives on the trees in Prashanthi Nilayam, why can’t I? The creation should follow the Creator.” That is how Swami gave me this message.
DO NOT SCOLD OTHERS, SCOLD YOURSELF
Sometimes Swami gives me a message through some person or through TV. This has happened several times. One day before going to darshan, I saw Swami on TV, giving a discourse. Swami was saying, “If you are angry, scold yourself. Don’t scold anybody else.”
I ignored that message and went to darshan. That time Swami was walking in the lines. He came to me and said, “Buddhi ledhu.” I could not understand the meaning of this. So I enquired within myself and got the meaning. Something was wrong with me as I had committed a mistake; and whenever we make a mistake, Swami tells us directly or indirectly. That morning I had scolded the maid and my son as they were not co-operating with me, so I had to rush to darshan.
Whenever I commit a mistake, I go to Ganesha temple and enquire within myself. That is how I analyse myself. Many messages come to me in front of Ganesha. One day my daughter and I were sitting in the darshan line. It was the festival of Vaikunta Ekadasi. Swami came close, gave me padanamaskar and asked me, “Are you going abroad?” We never had any plans of going abroad at that time. I was shocked and wondered why Swami asked this question. After four months, I had to make arrangements to come over here (to USA). So Swami was giving me hints directly and sometimes in visions.
SWAMI HELPED PREPARE ME FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
I used to go to Swami’s parents Samadhi every evening. There used to be many people there studying and discussing about Swami. At one discussion, a lady was reading and explaining to others about Swami. I went to Eswaramma and prayed that it would be better if they find a right person to explain.
The very next morning they came and asked, “Can you tell us anything about Swami?” I told them that I did not have time as I had many duties to attend to. But they were very insistent that I should share my experiences with them, so I had to oblige them. I talked to them continuously for a month.
So Swami trained me like that, before I came to the USA. Though I had worked as a teacher, I forgot the ABCs of life because I had been completely involved in bringing up my children. But Swami has plans for us ten years ahead of time. When I came to the U.S., people asked me to speak wherever I went. I was very nervous in the beginning, and did not know what to say. I used to pray to Swami, “These people are asking me to speak as if I am a scholar. But I don’t know anything; I am a simple housewife.”
They were very persistent that I should speak. So, one day I was asked to speak in Minneapolis. I was feeling very nervous, as it was in the beginning of my career. I started my career in Dallas, where they had given me many opportunities. After that, when I was asked to speak in Minneapolis, I told them I didn’t know anything as I wanted to avoid it. But Swami was pushing me forward. So, I thought I would speak, as it was Swami’s command.
Then I prayed to Swami to give me a topic. Swami gave me the topic: Unity, Purity and Divinity. But I did not know anything about that. I prayed to Swami, “What is this? You are telling me ‘Unity, Purity and Divinity’ but I don’t know anything of that sort.” Then Swami gave me three stories relating to Unity, Purity and Divinity and somehow I could finish that talk.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES OF SWAMI
In the Milwaukee centre, they also asked me to speak; so I thought I should get permission from Swami. Then I prayed to Swami to give me some hint, some sign to speak.
That day I was reading a book by Joy Thomas, and when I opened the front page, there was a message for me. Joy Thomas was speaking about Swami all over the country. When she went to Parthi and entered the interview room, Swami stared at her. She thought Swami was angry at her because she was speaking about Him. Later Swami smiled at her, “You can go on speaking about Me,” He said.
That is how I got my message from Swami. From then on, I have been speaking to all the groups whenever I am comfortable, and find time to share experiences with them. That is how Swami encouraged and inspired me to write poems.
Nowadays Swami is giving me several opportunities to speak. Sometimes I think I am getting opportunities because of my husband. I told my husband that he could drop my talk if it is not interesting or if they don’t like it. It is not an obligation.
But Swami is there to encourage me and guide me. He has been there all through, because the strain and travel involved is not a joke.
BEST ORNAMENTS
At one time, Swami gave me another poem. It was my sister’s daughter’s marriage in Boulder, Colorado. She asked me to send a few saris for the marriage. I was making a list of the saris needed. It took a month to prepare and purchase these saris. I was feeling in my heart of hearts that I wasted an entire month. I was afraid that Swami might scold me. But Swami was already on the job! He scolded me and gave me a poem, indirectly giving me His message:
Kottha Koka Etancchu Kulikadu Oka Kodalamma
Kalikithurai Sahanamu Nee Sommu
Katinasila Kariginchu Karuna Needhani Nammu
Oh Kanaka Mahalakshmi Idi Mee Atha Svaanubhavamu
One daughter-in-law wore a new sari and she was dancing in joy.
Kalikithurai Sahanamu Nee Sommu
For women, patience is the best jewel and compassion is another,
Not the saris or ornaments.
That is your mother-in-law’s experience.
‘Mother-in-law’ here means that Swami is guiding me and ‘mother-in-law’ also means ‘elders’. That is the meaning of this poem. That is how Swami used to correct me and guide me, whenever I wasted my time.
TURN INWARD
At another time, my daughter and I were sitting in darshan line. He came near and I gave Him a letter. Whenever we go out of town, we give a letter to Swami. That day I gave my letter to Swami and asked, “Swami, can I take namaskar?”
Then Swami said, “Neeku kudana” which means, “You too want namaskar?” Then I kept quiet and did not take namaskar. I came home and told my husband what Swami had said and asked, “What is the meaning of that?”
That same evening Swami had told him, “From now on, I am going to stop padanamaskar because all these people are after My physical form. I don’t want this anymore. You should turn inward.”
This was another message for me. At that time also I was inspired to write a poem:
Palukarinchi Padadarshanamu Itthuvani Parthiki Vacchiti Swami
Turn Inward, Turn Inward Ani Tarachi Tarachi Cheppithivi
Paatha Vasanalu Tarimikotti Antaramukuduauta Naaku
Sadhyamena Deva Deva Sai Deva
Swami, with a hope that You will give me darshan and namaskar, I came to Parthi.
But instead of that, You are asking me to turn inward.
What is this, Swami?
Is it possible for ordinary people to turn inward so soon?
That is the meaning of the poem.
SWAMI CAME AS A CAT TO INSPIRE ME
I read in a book written by a Chinese woman that she kept some milk before Swami’s altar. So I thought, ‘Why can’t I do that?’ And so I started keeping some milk near the altar. A cat used to come and take the milk.
Now, my husband is afraid of cats. When he is in the house, the cat does not come. (Laughter) The cat came only when I was in the house. One day, the principal of a college asked me to write an article about Swami, and my experiences after coming to Parthi. I told her that I wanted some time. She gave me a week.
Six days passed and it was the last day. I was cooking and cutting vegetables, when this cat came, drank the milk and went away. Suddenly, I got inspired and wrote a poem, and then I could finish the article as well. Swami came as a cat and inspired me! Tears rolled from my eyes. At once I could write the article and finish it off!
SWAMI ATTENDS TO OUR NEEDS IN EVERY DETAIL
At another time, my second daughter applied for her visa to come to USA. Even before that, Swami had said, “Your daughter will get the visa.”
Swami had hinted about it, but at that time it was very difficult for medical graduates to get visas, so we were worried. The rumour was that the lady-in-charge was very strict and wasn’t giving visas. When my daughter went to get the visa, that lady asked several questions and my daughter lost all hope. But suddenly there was a phone call for that lady, after which she changed her mind. She gave my daughter the visa! (Applause)
That is how Swami helps. Before that, Swami appeared as Shirdi Baba to my daughter and helped her a lot. After that incident, we went to Parthi to thank Swami, as it was very difficult to get a visa for medical graduates at that time.
Swami said, “Who gave the visa? I, Myself, gave the visa.” Whenever we pray from the bottom of our hearts, Swami is sure to help us. That is my personal experience. Swami attends to our needs in every minute detail, helping us and taking care of us.
Sometimes I pray near Ganesha that during darshan Swami should take my letter. It is because giving Him letters also is a big problem. I am afraid of giving letters to Swami, so I try to minimise that. When I pray near Ganesha, Swami is sure to respond to my prayers, and He takes the letter. (Laughter)
Usually in the evenings, I go around Ganesha and Gayathri. One day Swami asked my husband, “Your wife does pradakshinas (going round) at Ganesha and Gayathri, but you don’t.” (Laughter)
Then he said, “No Swami, I don’t.”
Swami said, “She believes and has faith in that. That’s why she is doing it.”
SWAMI IS HAPPY WHEN YOU MAKE OTHERS HAPPY
Whenever I want some clarification through my husband or friends, I can get the clarification and the message from Swami. One day we were invited to a bhajan. My maid was working in the house. At the last minute, she asked me if she could also attend the bhajan. Her clothes were dirty, so I gave her a new sari. She wore it and was very happy. Whenever we do some small service that makes people happy, Swami is very happy. This is my personal experience.
Once in a vision, Swami showed me a kalasam (pot) which is usually kept in pujas (worship) such as Varalakshmi puja. We keep a small pot there, over which a coconut and a blouse piece are placed. In my vision, I saw a kalasam similar to that, and there were many mangalasutras (wedding necklaces) around the kalasam. I could not understand its meaning at that time.
Later, my friend mentioned that we should perform mass marriages and that she wanted my help. I told her that it would be very difficult and I reluctantly refused. But somehow Swami changed my mind, and I was able to participate and play an important role.
We finished 108 marriages and 108 sashtipurthis (celebrating the 60th year of the husband along with wife) in one year, with Swami’s grace. Swami arranged everything for us even before we left our house. There was one group to cook food for all those people and take it to the villages where we performed these marriages. He encouraged us to take up projects and provided us with such opportunities.
I think because of such service, Swami has given me this wonderful opportunity to speak. It is not easy to speak to highly educated and qualified people. A simple housewife talking to all of you is a miracle! I think it is a gift from Swami for the little service I did, and I am grateful for it.
Swami has helped me in many ways. He moulded my personality and vision, and made me broadminded. I have changed a lot since I came to Parthi, without realising it. Swami transforms people silently.
In the beginning, I used to think only of myself and my family. Now I feel that everyone belongs to our family. Whenever I see the poor and the needy, I feel badly and want to do something for the society. I feel that Swami has given me this life and I should contribute and serve them in whatever possible way within my economic limits. That is what Swami likes.
I feel that this is the message from Swami today, because you are all highly educated and capable of serving a lot. That is how you can be closer to Swami and serve Swami. If you serve the poor and needy, Swami will be very happy.
Thank you very much! Jai Sai Ram!
© Copyright Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju, Puttaparthi. All rights reserved.