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THE DIVINE STORY OF
SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI
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The Sai Avatar is a trilogy of three successive appearances of the
Lord in three different human forms. The first appearance was as Shirdi
Sai Baba. Shirdi Baba, as He is better known, was born in the
nineteenth century and lived till the early part of the twentieth
century. Currently, we are witness to the second Sai Incarnation which
is as Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, more endearingly known
as Swami. The finale would be the Lord coming as Prema Sai.
Till our Swami disclosed some of the
details, very little was known about the early years of the Shirdi
Avatar.
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Whatever was
known was from the recordings of devotees, most of whom came to
Shirdi Baba relatively late. However, with the missing details
being most kindly provided by Swami, one now has a better picture
of the earlier Incarnation.
Swami has also disclosed that while
the Shirdi Avatar was the preamble, the current Avatar is the
pinnacle, since the Lord is now here as a Poorna Avatar, as an
Incarnation with the FULL complement of Divine Power, Divine Attributes,
and Divine Qualities.
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Like
in the case of the Shirdi Avatar, a few attempts have been made
by old-time devotees of Swami to record His Life Story. However,
no attempt was made, till recently, to present the two histories
in proper juxtaposition. The first such attempt was the TV serial,
inspired by our Swami of course, entitled, The Divine Story of
Shirdi Sai and Parthi Sai, produced by the noted film actress
of South India, Anjali Devi, who is also a great devotee of Bhagavan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
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Presented here is that same story,
the Divine Story of Shirdi Baba and Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in the form
of a play. The script is based on the television serial.
For years, Anjali Devi wanted to produce
a film on Swami but she did not get the clearance. After a long wait,
she almost gave up the idea. Then suddenly one day, Bhagavan gave Anjali
Devi the go-ahead for producing the film. For practical reasons, the
film was produced as a TV serial. Swami did not stop with just the green
signal. Most compassionately, He also gave all the story inputs [in
numerous interviews], besides extending full facilities in Prashanti
Nilayam for the shooting. On Gurupoornima Day, 1998, He personally inaugurated
the filming and blessed the effort; exactly one year later, He blessed
the release of serial. On that occasion, Swami materialised a gold chain
for Anjali Devi, as a further sign of His Grace.
The original serial was produced in Telugu.
The story as presented here is based on the English translation of the
script. Mild editing has been done, and certain explanatory comments
have been added for the benefit of the reader. Illustrations taken from
the TV serial are also included to enhance the appeal. It is hoped that
this volume would enable the reader to get a vibrant feeling of the
story of Shirdi Sai and the early years of the current Sai Avatar.
More details concerning the later portion
of Shirdi Baba’s Avatar may be obtained from the popular book
Sai Satcharita. Likewise, a highly readable biography of Bhagavan Sathya
Sai Baba entitled Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram, has been written by N.Kasturi.
It is in four volumes, and brings the reader up to about 1980.
THE
STORY OF SHIRDI SAI
ACT
- I
Many years ago in the village of
Pathri in Maharashtra, there lived an ideal couple. Ganga Bhavadyulu
was the name of the man and the lady was known as Devagiri Amma.
They ardently worshipped Lord Siva [also called Ishwara, Parameshwara,
etc] and Goddess Parvathi for the gift of children. One day, …
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SCENE 1
House of Ganga
Bhavadyulu
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GANGA
BHAVADYULU: Devagiri Amma …. Devagiri Amma!
DEVAGIRI
AMMA: Yes …coming!
G.B:
The water level in the river is rising fast. Our merchandise is
being rushed across, and I have to supervise. By tomorrow morning
the work will be over. I have to go now.
DEVAGIRI AMMA: Yes,
please do, and come back safely.
Devagiri Amma bolts the door
after her husband leaves. After some time, she hears a knock on
the door. It is late at night, and Devagiri Amma is a bit worried
as to who the caller is. Hesitantly, she opens the door.
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SCENE
2
An
old man knocks on the door
OLD
MAN: O lady!
DEVAGIRI
AMMA: [from inside] Who is that?
OLD
MAN: I am a traveller. It has become dark. I am
old and cannot see well. Besides, I am tired. Lady, if you permit,
I would like to rest here outside on the porch for the night.
I will leave in the morning.
Devagiri
Amma opens the door and takes a look at the caller.
D.
AMMA: You are an elderly person. To offer hospitality
is our duty. My husband is away on work and therefore not able
to receive you. Sir, in his place, I welcome you. Please take
rest.
OLD MAN: Thank you
lady, I shall do so. |
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Goes inside
and brings some water.
D.AMMA:
Have some water please. ……Can I get you something to eat?
OLD MAN:
No thank you, I don’t want food now. I have only
one meal a day. At night, I just have some fruits – that’s
all……..One has to be careful and eat according to one’s
age!
D. AMMA:
Please rest.
OLD MAN:
I shall.
Devagiri Amma
goes inside and fetches some fruits.
D.AMMA:
Here are some bananas. …… I shall get you
a mattress and a pillow.
OLD MAN:
There is no better mattress than the floor, and no better pillow than
the arm! You go inside and lock the door securely.
D.AMMA:
I shall.
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Devagiri
Amma bolts the door and goes inside. After some time, she hears
a knock on the door. Hesitantly she opens and peers outside.
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OLD
MAN: I have walked a long distance and my legs
are aching. Can you oblige this old man by pressing my legs? Please
can you do this service?
D.AMMA:
Kindly wait. I will be back in a minute. |
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Devagiri
Amma is embarrassed by the request of the old man. How could she
press the legs of a stranger when her husband was away? At the
same time, how could she neglect the guest who came asking for
help? Knowing not what to do, she prays to Lord Siva intensely.
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At
that time, she hears a knock on the door. She opens the door slightly
and peeps out. She sees a young lady there.
D.AMMA:
Lady, who are you?
YOUNG
LADY: I am on my way to the neighbouring village.
It has become dark. If you kindly permit, I will rest here for
the night and leave in the morning.
D.AMMA:
It is night time now, and it is my duty to help.
Please come inside.
Once
they both are inside, Devagiri Amma tells the young lady about
the arrival of the old man who is resting in the front porch,
and his request. She explains her dilemma…..
D.AMMA: [after completing
the narration] This is what happened.
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YOUNG
LADY: Is that all? Certainly I shall help. It
is one’s duty to help others, and this body is meant just
for that. Has it not been said that in times of distress, one
need not distinguish between a man and a woman? Don’t worry!
The young
lady goes to the front porch and speaks to the old man.
YOUNG LADY to OLD MAN:
Sir, please come inside.
OLD
MAN: Yes I will.
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Once
the old man and the young lady enter the house, they change their
forms and appear before Devagiri Amma as Siva and Parvathi.
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SIVA
& PARVATHI: Devagiri Amma! We are pleased
with your devotion and constant worship. Your compassion, kindness,
firm commitment to righteousness, and sense of duty to guests
give us both much happiness. We bless you with a son and a daughter.
SIVA: In addition,
for the welfare of the world, I shall Myself be born to you as
your third child. Later, this Son of yours will become famous
and be worshipped in all the three worlds as the very Embodiment
of Divinity.
D.AMMA:
Ishwara! Ishwara!……… My Lord!! |
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Devagiri
Amma is overwhelmed by the vision of the Lord and His Consort
and faints.
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TO BE CONTINUED... ...
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