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On the
auspicious occasion of our beloved Parama Pujya Sri Guru Maharaj's
fortieth anniversary of completion of the tapas, falling on
the 7th day of August 2001, I dedicate this article to the
fond memory of our loving Swamiji's Holy Mother Parvatamma,
to all those brothers and sisters engaged in the practise
of meditation for mind control and self-realization, and also
to all those brothers and sisters engaged in a selfless dedicated
service to the mission of our Divine Guru Shivabalayogi.
Born
For Tapas
God is
never unjust to the creation. The Divine is the Ocean of Kindness.
Whenever
there is decline of the Dharma (righteousness), the Divine
comes to the rescue of the Universe.
Always,
the righteous people are protected by the Divine which appears
on its Own or chooses a worthy Child, a mighty Soul like our
beloved Sri Swamiji Maharaj.
Whenever
Mankind is attracted too much to materialism, it loses Mental
and Moral health. This loss of health results in increasing
the miseries of the Mankind; tension prevails upon it; suffering
spreads; physically and mentally, people of the Earth suffer
from dissatisfaction, depression, unhappiness. Doubts and
fear, hatred and jealousy become the order of the day.
The righteous
always pray for peace and happiness, for love and Universal
brotherhood.
The Divine
grace descends; amazing inexplicable wonders do occur for
the welfare of the Universe. Such mighty Souls, rising above
all differences and weakness of the Mankind, use their powers,
give their abilities and energies; by drinking bitterness
they give their love and tolerance. They take the sufferings
of Mankind, give their Knowledge and Wisdom to enlighten the
universe. Their approach is always Universal. They sacrifice
their lives for sake of the World. They become Eternal guiding
and inspiring light to the Universe.
He was
hungry, young Sathyaraju sitting on the bench in the front
side of his home, waiting for the lunch that his sister was
preparing, a lunch that he would not eat. The Divine had other
plans.
It was
the 7th day of August 1949, midnoon. The loving child of Bheemanna
and Parvatamma, hungry young Sathyaraju, sitting on the bench,
thought of his mother and maternal grandfather who had gone
to the town for the grandfather's eye operation. He thought,
"Mother must be waiting anxiously for me to go there to make
payments to the hospital for the operation."
"Oh! How
long this sister of mine is going to take to give me food!"
he thought of shouting but kept quiet.
He felt
strange about himself, the otherwise naughty and picking-up-quarrel
type. Sathyaraju had lost interest in these things since quite
a few days and preferred to sit quietly in a corner, absorbed
in his own world. His mother, uncle and friends felt puzzled.
Sathyaraju was fond of eating meat and other tasty food which
he always demanded that his mother prepare.
Now suddenly
he had lost interest in everything. Quietly ate whatever his
mother gave. He had stopped even complaining, let alone shouting
or fighting. Was the Divine preparing him for the transformation?
It was painful for the mother.
While
he waited for the lunch, his mind's thoughts took him back.
The struggle from childhood after he had lost his father as
a small baby of six months. But the mighty Soul had come to
teach and inspire the world, not to suffer simply.
He thought
of that moment when, as a five-year-old, he had come to know
that they were poor, when he had seen tears rolling down his
mother's cheeks.
His uncle
had advised, "Poverty is not a thing to feel ashamed of. It
is only a circumstance." He said, "You need not become a victim
of the circumstance, if you have the will and determination
to face the challenge, if you are sincere to your self, with
hard work and honesty you can overcome the poison called poverty."
Sathyaraju
was courageous and honest with enormous will power. Always
ready to face the moment instantly. Ready to fight, whether
it was poverty, blind faith, ignorance or injustice.
His decision
was instant and he thought, "Now no need for me to go to school.
My mother should not be made to work. I can work and look
after the family." He was the youngest of the family with
an elder brother and two elder sisters.
Once again
tears rolled down from the cheeks of his mother. He was only
a five-year-old kid. The age when others go round playing
and eating chocolates and ice creams merrily. Mother protested
that he should not lose education.
Once decided,
nobody — no power — could move Sathyaraju or his
determination. He was already well educated and had come to
educate the world.
He wanted
to fulfill the promise made by his mother to his father that
he would be given in adoption to his stepmother but when he
saw his stepmother doing an illegal business of opium, he
considered it Adharma (Unrighteousness) and protested, and
when she didn't agree to discontinue the illegal business,
Sathyaraju decided to leave her.
He was
concerned about the promise but thought upholding Dharma was
foremost important. He prayed to Lord Bheemeshwara at Draksharamam
on his return journey that his mother and others should not
misunderstand his action.
At first
his mother was perturbed at her son not fulfilling the promise
but later understood. She knew her son would never tolerate
unrighteousness. She too prayed that Lord Bheemeshwara may
protect from others' misunderstanding.
When encountered
by a Tantric charlatan who was going around trying to fool
the villagers for monetary gains, threatening them that he
would turn them into tigers and other animals by his magic
powers, Sathyaraju as an eight-year-old faced this charlatan
courageously. When other older boys and even village elders
were scared of the Tantric, Sathyaraju unfolded the Tantric's
mysterious magical powers as nothing but simple boasting.
Sathyaraju stood there challenging the Tantric to turn him
into any animal if he could. The Tantric failed and ran away.
Before that Sathyaraju had told his elders, "Don't worry,
even if I may have to die, people must know the truth behind
this boasting Drama." Such was his determination.
Now at
the age of fourteen, Sathyaraju had a small shop of his own.
He was the main breadwinner of the family. A long struggle,
sincerity, and hard work had seen him through. These are the
mighty Souls, always the ones chosen by the Divine to teach
and guide the world.
HE was
hungry. His thoughts had come back to the present. Again He
wanted to shout but kept quiet. Because The Divine had other
plans.
HE was
born to feed the hungry. The hungry for love and care, hungry
for Knowledge and Wisdom.
HE was
born to give comfort and solace to the suffering.
Now His
role was to increase from house to that of a Mission. From
looking after a small family to a bigger one called Universe.
The Divine was going to declare about a Messiah. HE was BORN
FOR TAPAS.
At fourteen,
He was an expert who could face any challenge in a moment's
notice. Amazingly determined to complete any uphill task.
Overcoming obstacles was like eating chocolates for Him.
He wanted
to eat His food. He had no idea of getting up or going anywhere.
But the Divine wanted it to happen. A Divine play. Sathyaraju
was brought to that place, where it was to happen. A friend
became instrumental. A script was executed by the Divine.
A fruit became a wonderous thing. As if the Divine asked Him,
can you do this? "Yes, no problem," was the answer.
Just close
your eyes and try to keep your mind concentrated for a while.
You will understand what an uncomfortable, difficult task
it is going to be, if you are asked to concentrate like that
for hours, days and years.
In a moment's
notice Sathyaraju was ready to become SHIVABALAYOGI. He was
ready for the transformation. He accepted the challenge and
sat with an unwavering concentration. He had experienced that
GOD is all pervading and can manifest to appear from anything.
This time, the Divine had chosen a small fruit.
The villagers
had not understood Him properly. In vain they tried to move
Him from His determination. When He was woken up and when
He saw all villagers around, He had lost any interest in blood
relations, native place or home. He thought, "Space is now
my home, Universe is my Karmaksetra (sphere for Mission work)
and all are my family members." A glow shined on His face.
He was calm and unperturbed. Peace had descended.
He consoled
His mother not to worry. He said He would look after everyone
as before. When Swamiji said this to His mother, He really
meant to look after the entire Universe.
Some tried
to play mischief, thinking they could dissuade HIM from completing.
For Him it was only a child's play. He sat firmly when the
ultimate test came from none other than the Divine.
The righteous
of the Universe heaved a sigh of relief. Now their saviour
had come back to take care of them. To tell them not to worry
and be valiant to face the challenges of life. To tell them
to know who they are.
The auspicious
moment was afternoon on the 7th day of August 1949. He was
BORN FOR TAPAS.
The narration
of Shri Swamiji going into Tapas is based on my conversations
with Swamiji when HE was in HIS physical body with us. He
is a Living Yogi who continues to be with all of us. My Pranams
at His Lotus Feet with deep love and reverence.
With my
love and blessings
Baba
Shiva Rudra Balayogi.
Copyright 2001 Shiva Rudra Balayogi
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Related
reading
Other
talks and writings by Babaji
This page was published August 7, 2001.
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