SHIRDI SAI PARTHI SAI
PART - 39
(Continued from the previous issue)

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ACT XIII - SCENE 3

After this scorpion incident, there was a great change in Sathya. He seemed withdrawn and lost in spiritual contemplation. Sometimes, He would speak of places and pilgrim centres He had never visited and give graphic descriptions too! Though He had never been to Shirdi, He would speak about that place.

Sathya continued to go to school but brother Seshama Raju was much worried about the change that had come in Him. Seshama wrote a letter to his parents about these changes. And then…

The scene is Venkama Raju’s house in Puttaparthi. Kondama Raju is also present.

VENKAMA RAJU: Our Seshama has written a letter.

EASWARAMMA: Is that so? What has Seshama written?………. What does he say about Sathyam?

VEKAMA RAJU: Easwari, it seems Sathyam was stung by a scorpion.

EASWARAMMA: What did you say? Sathyam bitten by a scorpion?! My God! What happened? How is He?

VEKAMA RAJU: Don’t get excited Easwari, nothing will happen to Him.

SISTER: Scorpion bite is itself very dangerous! Father, can there be a greater danger?

VENKAMA RAJU: Don’t get worried, my dear. Snakes and scorpions are common in villages, and it is natural for them to bite.

EASWARAMMA: Are you suggesting that being stung by a scorpion is a natural occurrence? How lightly you speak! If my child is bitten by a scorpion, will I not feel anguish?

VENKAMA RAJU: Easwari, do I also not feel agony? But tell me, what can we do? He is there and we are here.

EASWARAMMA: Has Seshama written anything about how Sathyam is now?

VENKAMA RAJU: After herbal treatment by the doctor, Sathyam is moving about normally. But……

EASWARAMMA: But? What has happened? What does Seshama say?

THE TWO SISTERS: Father, what happened?

VENKAMA RAJU: There is a peculiar change in Sathyam’s behaviour. Apparently He speaks a lot to Himself, recites the Puranas, keeps waving His hands, and speaks generally in a philosophical manner.

EASWARAMMA: Let’s go to Uravakonda immediately! I HAVE to see my Sathyam! It does not matter if He does not study further. It is enough if my child is with me!

KONDAMA RAJU: My dear, there is no need to be so agitated. Scorpions and centipedes cannot do any harm to Him. Sathyam is born for a special purpose. He is beyond all these worldly disturbances.

VENKAMA RAJU: Easwari, don’t you realise that right from the beginning, our Sathyam has always been different from the rest? That is His nature.

EASWARAMMA: I don’t know about all that. I feel very frightened, and I have to go to Uravakonda immediately! I have to see my son, I have to see Him!

KONDAMA RAJU: Alright my dear, alright. Go and come back. Over there, they too must be scared; so, go and pay a visit………..Please go.

SCENE 4

Seshama Raju’s house in Uravakonda. Sathya has regained consciousness.

SATHYA: Poison entered and drove out illusion. Worldly bonds and attachments are obstacles to the higher worlds. The body is temporary, and the Atma alone is Eternal!

SESHAMA: He is speaking in a most strange manner – must be the result of the poison. Although speaking queerly is not new to Him, today His speech is full of high philosophy.

SUSEELA: You wrote to your mother and father but they have not come yet. So why don’t you write again and send the letter through someone?

SESHAMA RAJU: I was thinking the same, and shall do so immediately.

SATHYA: There is no need to write the letter; in half an hour, the lady of the house will be here.

SESHAMA RAJU: The lady of the house? Whom are You referring to in that manner?

SATHYA: The mother who gave birth to both of us is the lady of the house.

SESHAMA RAJU: Our mother?……….. How do You know she is coming soon?

SATHYA: Well, that’s the way it is!

Venkama Raju and Easwaramma come to Seshama’s house.

SUSEELA: [to Seshama] Mother and Father are coming, exactly as Sathyam said!

SESHAMA: Mother!

EASWARAMMA: Seshama!

SESHAMA RAJU: Mother, come. He is over there. Father!

VENKAMA RAJU: Sathyam, what happened?

EASWARAMMA: Sathyam my boy, how are You feeling? Where did the scorpion sting You? Did it pain a lot?

SATHYA: Mother, the pain is for the body and not the mind. For the mind, everything is an illusion; you too are an illusion!

EASWARAMMA: My boy!

SESHAMA RAJU: Sathyam, that is not an illusion; that is our mother!

SATHYA: Mother and father, brother and sister, all are the children of God and all are same to Me.

EASWARAMMA: Sathyam! What are You saying!

SATHYA: Sathya [Truth] is My Name, Dharma [Righteousness] is My Body, and Prema [Love] is My Form!

SESHAMA RAJU: Mother, now you have heard all His great philosophy! This is the way He speaks.

EASWARAMMA: Sathyam, unlike other people, I only thought that You were different from the rest. But what is this? You are speaking of things far beyond Your age! What has happened to You my boy?! Seshama, what’s all this?

SESHAMA RAJU: That’s the effect of the poison, mother; but don’t worry, for it will all go away with the medicine.

EASWARAMMA: No, no! I will take Sathyam with me to Puttaparthi, and have Him treated there. I will not leave Him here. I cannot leave my Sathyam here!

SUSEELA [to husband]: It is better to do as your mother says. Perhaps a change of place would do good.

SESHAMA RAJU: Mother, what you say is true. Do as you wish.

VENKAMA RAJU: Seshama, make arrangements immediately for our return journey.

SESHAMA RAJU: Yes father.

SCENE 5

Sathya is back in Puttaparthi in His parent’s place. The whole family is gathered there. Kondama Raju is also present.

EASWARAMMA: Venkamma, Parvathamma, I have brought Sathyam home!

KONDAMA RAJU: My dear, you have brought Sathyam with you?

EASWARAMMA: Yes, father-in-law.

VENKAMMA [sister]: Well brother, are You alright?

SATHYA: I am OK, sister.

VENKAMMA [sister]: Where did the scorpion sting?

SATHYA: On the leg.

PARVATHAMMA [sister]: Is it paining now?

SATHYA: No, the pain went away long ago.

VENKAMA RAJU: But there is a mysterious change in His behaviour – He is talking too much philosophy!

KONDAMA RAJU: It was so right from the beginning, wasn’t it?

VENKAMA RAJU: Tomorrow, we must have Him examined by a good doctor.

KONDAMA RAJU: Come here and take this fruit. It is Praasadam.

SATHYA: Grandfather, do you know what this fruit symbolises? The outer skin represents Maya or illusion. The fruit inside represents the human body, and the sweet taste represents the Atma. Maya engulfs the body and eclipses the Atma!

(To be continued)

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