Episode 25

ACT XVIII - SCENE 1

PRINCIPAL: Students! In the past, Sathyam used to lead the Prayer Session everyday. And we all know He was very good at it. But Sathyam has now discontinued School and taken to the spiritual path. He has resolved to go on the path of devotion, and will soon make His Voice of Love heard all over the world. So, today I want one of you to lead the Prayer Session. Gafur Khan, you come here and start the proceedings.

Gafur Khan at the behest of his principal leads the prayer session.

But despite that there is an air of vacuum. All the boys, including Gafur were so used to seeing their Sathyam lead the prayer session that somehow that day’s session left a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction in their hearts. Sensing this, the principal said:

PRINCIPAL: Boys, calm down! Sathyam gave His love to all of you, and along with that a Prayer Song that will remain in our hearts for all time to come. Your love for Sathyam is very evident. Instead of merely singing a prayer song, you have all poured out your hearts. Now that the session is over, all of you may go to your respective classes.

SCENE 2

LADY: So they brought Raju back to Puttaparthi.

LADY 2: Is that so?

LEELA: Vasanthamma, this is Kondama Raju’s grandson Raju, is he not?

VASANTHA: Yes, this is Raju, the son of Easwaramma. When young, He along with His friends used to play on the sands of Chitravathi. What a glorious sight it used to be! Later when He went away to Uravakonda for studies, Chitravathi felt lonely.

LEELA: Well, He is back again and seeing Him, Chitravathi seems happier than even us!

VASANTHA: Do you know that there is Divinity in Raju? It seems that He sings and conducts Bhajans, gives Discourses and all that. That’s why He discontinued studies and has returned to Puttaparthi. Isn’t that wonderful? How radiant He is!

SURESH: Raju, do You know that after You went to Uravakonda, we all felt most miserable?

SATHYA: I know.

RAVI: Raju, we were all eagerly looking forward to Your return.

SATHYA: Happy to hear that.

SURENDRA: Raju, You must always be with us, and we must all play once more on the banks of Chitravathi.

KASI: Wow! Look how many fruits this tamarind tree has!

SURENDRA: That’s right, so many tamarind fruits here!

SURESH: What a thing to say, as if there will be guavas on a tamarind tree! Sathyam, what do You say?

SATHYA: You want guavas?

SURESH: Guavas from a tamarind tree? Well, pluck one and let us see!

GROUP: Laughter.

SURESH: Guava!

RAVI: Yes!

SURENDRA: Where is Raju?

GROUP: Raju, Raju!

SURESH: Hey! Raju is on the tree!

SURENDRA: Raju, I want grapefruit.

SATHYA: OK.

KAMESH: Raju, I want oranges.

SATHYA: Alright, here are two oranges.

SURENDRA: Raju!

SATHYA: What fruit do you want?

SURENDRA: I want an apple!

GROUP: Apple, apple!

BOY: Raju, I want a banana.

SATHYA: You want a banana?

BOY: Hey! The tamarind has become a banana! Raju, Raju!

BOY 2: Raju, Raju, I want citrus fruits.

SATHYA: Oh alright.

BOY: Citrus fruit!

BOY 2: Whatever anyone asks Raju gives!

CHORUS: Raju, Raju,…..Where is He? Raju!

SURENDRA: Over there! There He is!

SURENDRA: Hey, He is there also;… now He has vanished!

BOY: Yes, He cannot be seen.

BOY 2: Yes, and it is all very strange!

GROUP: Raju, Raju!

SURENDRA: Here! ….Raju is here!

GROUP: Raju, You are here!

SURENDRA: Raju, when You disappeared, do You know how anxious we were?

SURESH: Just now we saw You here on the banks of the Chitravathi. Raju, how did You suddenly come there?

SATHYA: I am everywhere. How can you search for Me in just one place?

BOY: It is all so very mysterious! From one tree, You gave us so many fruits! Raju, did You chant any mantras?

BOY 2: Yes, Raju, did You chant any mantras?

SATHYA: It is neither magic nor mantra. Divinity can always alter the nature of Creation. That is all there is to it. Anyway, let us leave that aside; shall we all go now to the Hanuman Temple?

GROUP: Yes. Let’s go, Raju.

SCENE 3

GROUP: Jai Hanuman! Jai Anjaneya!

BOY: Come, let’s circumambulate.

GROUP: Jai Hanuman, Jai Anjaneya, Jai Hanuman, Jai Anjaneya!

ANJANEYA: Rama! Sri Rama!

SATHYA: Hanuman!

ANJANEYA: Sri Ramachandra! Sri Rama! Swami! Sri Rama should not go round Hanuman; rather, it should be the other way around. Ram, Ram, Ram, Ram,……

RAVI: Raju, instead of going round, why are You just standing? Come, let’s circumambulate.

SATHYA: Hanuman is holding My feet! I can’t take even one step!

RAVI: Hanuman holding Your Feet? Good God! Where?

GROUP: Where is Hanuman? We can’t see him!

RAVI: Hanuman is not to be seen!

SURESH: Raju, are You joking?

GROUP: Come, let’s pull. Come on, hold on fast and pull!

RAVI: Raju, is Hanuman really holding Your Feet?

SURESH: Then, are You Sri Ramachandra? Tell us!

GROUP: Tell us, Raju, tell us! Are You Sri Ramachandra?

GROUP: Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, …. [they repeat 7 times].

BOY: Raju, what a dazzling Darshan You gave us in the Form of Sri Ramachandra!

SATHYA: In future, you will see even more of the grandeur of My Avatar. Come, let’s go.

GROUP: Raju, we are indeed most fortunate!

SCENE 4

MAN/PEOPLE: That is Kondama Raju, the grandfather of the Young Swami.

KONDAMA: You are a liberated soul, a form of God, and the Jewel of the Ratnakara family. I have had the good fortune of seeing God in form of my grandson. I have now brought these fruits not as a grandfather, but as a devotee! Please accept!

SATHYA: O old and Wise one, you are equal to the Divine! Good be unto you!

KONDAMA: In my time, I have, with these hands, offered the first morsel of food to many babies, initiated many children into education, and blessed many marriages. With these hands, I have also carried many grandsons and granddaughters. They were the hands of Your grandfather but Your hands will confer universal good. They will perform great deeds for the world. …….. I ask, not as Your grandfather but as a devotee, please apply Vibhuti on my forehead with Your Sacred hands. That would be the ultimate fulfilment.

MAN/PEOPLE: Salutations!

EASWARAMMA: My boy Sathyam, who are You really? Are You my Sathyam or something else? And what are all these powers?

SATHYA: When the time comes, you will know all the answers.

- END OF EPISODE 25 -