EASWARAMMA THE CROWN OF MOTHERHOOD ~ PART 2

see: Easwaramma the crown of Motherhood ~ Part 1

 

Part 2

The Flame And The Fire Become One

 

This vision and revelation was surely the fittest prelude to the mergence of that sacred ray in the Paramjyoti, the Supreme Flame, from which it had emerged. Swami, the embodiment of that Paramjyoti, himself disclosed the events and incidents of Easwaramma's last day, May 6, 1972, during one of his discourses on the 6th of May, the day dedicated to her memory. He said:

 

It was the day before her passing away and I suddenly asked her, in the midst of casual conversation, "Tell me, is there anything else you desire?" She said, "I have finished my pilgrimages to all the temples. I have seen the biggest temple of all and the God that resides there. I have no desire for anything more." But I knew that a small wish still lurked in a corner of her mind – she wished to give a gift to a granddaughter on her birthday. So I insisted that she should accept Rs. 500, go to the bazaar and buy whatever she wished. I sent her along with a companion and she returned happy with what she had bought.

 

On the 6th of May, 1983, Swami continued the narrative, speaking in greater detail of Easwaramma's Day of Deliverance:

 

This day is Easwaramma Day. The significance of the day is that it is celebrated as Children's Day, a day when little children are to be reminded of the ideal, a day when she presented an ideal. No one can escape death, but the aim of everyone should be to remind oneself at the time of death of the divine or have some holy or sacred thoughts. The importance of this day is known to many. There is a saying in Telugu: "The proof of the good is the way they die." Genuine devotion is evidenced during the last moments. I shall point out a small incident concerning the goodness of Easwaramma.

 

The summer classes were on at Bangalore. In the morning at 7:00 breakfast had to be served to the students. They went round with Nagara Sankeertan and returned at 6:00. I gave them Darshan at its close. Then I went for my bath. Meanwhile, Easwaramma had finished her bath. She drank her coffee as usual quite happily and took her seat on the inner veranda. All of a sudden proceeding to the bathroom, she cried out, "Swami, Swami, Swami!" At this, I responded, "Coming, coming." Within that period she breathed her last. What greater sign of goodness is needed? She had no need to be served and nursed. Swami will come to the memory at that time only for a very few. The mind will usually seek and stay on some object or the other, some jewelry or valuables.

 

 

 

The 'call' and the 'coming'

 

 

 

The Samadhi Mandir in Puttaparthi

 

From the ground floor she called, "Swami! Swami!" I replied, "Coming, coming," and she was gone. It was like the elephant's calling (Gajendra of Indian mythology) and the Lord proceeding to bless it – the two wires achieving connection, the release happening instantaneously.

 

This is the authentic consummation that life must strive for. Beside her at the time she had her daughter Venkamma and her granddaughter Sailaja but she called out only for Swami. Getting this yearning at the final moment is the fruit of holy purity. It is the sign of an ideal, adorable life. Such attitude must emerge of its own accord and not by means of some external force. Here is an example to learn from.

 

Every Child - A Darling Sathya

 

Truly, the whole life of Easwaramma is a shining example and ideal for Sai devotees to emulate. "Amazing love for Swami and constantly seeking happiness and welfare of others" – this is the summary of her life. She had a special love for children because in every child she saw Sathya hiding, inviting her to seek and succeed. Naturally, they cuddled in flocks around her. They watched with delight the twinkle in her eyes and the wrinkles on her cheeks and chin as she joked and laughed. They were amused and their attention was aroused when her gold and glass bangles jingled as she gesticulated, while stressing a point or underlining a caution. When she found a child chubby, she squeezed and pulled its cheeks to see the patch of pink, the thrill the impact lent to the angel face.

 

She could be easily inveigled into the narration of hair-raising or heart-warming tales in order to keep the children wrapped in excitement. Her pleasing pliant voice reproduced the screams of the kidnapped heroine, the wail of the wounded demon, the plaint of the frightened son, the roar of the victorious warrior, and the crooning of the child cast on the jungle track. In fact she was quick in adding to her repertory stories about Sai Baba of Shirdi and Swami.

 

The children watched the pictures she so realistically designed and described – the white umbrella with tassels of gold held over a pair of sandals, the emergence of the lion-faced God from the marble pillar of the royal audience hall, the dance of the child on the hood of an angry serpent. Easwaramma forgot her physical ailments, the deeper deprivations, and the assaults on her inner peace when engaged in storytelling. Invariably she rounded up the tales with emphatic words on humility and honesty, love and loyalty. These lessons were lapped up by the children for they were soaked in the syrup of her affection.

 

She appreciated the earnestness and enthusiasm of the young. Her grandsons were a bright lot and she insisted that they join higher classes and educate themselves to the utmost. She loved to encourage the sons and grandsons of others, too. She prevailed upon Swami to agree with her choice and send money to them to meet their tuition fees and the cost of books and boarding. She felt pained whenever she discovered that the dispatch had suffered delay. "The boys cannot study well now," she used to say, "they will be too worried to read in peace." When she found that a name had been dropped because the boy had left school, she tried to persuade the parents to keep him enrolled. To immortalize this warm love and moving concern she had for children, Swami established the Easwaramma High School within two months of her passing away in Puttaparthi. Every year hundreds of village children graduate from this school confident and conscientious to pursue higher studies and make their parents proud.

 

 

 

Lovable to all

Every Easwaramma Day Is A Children's Day

 

May 6th is also celebrated as Children's Day in all Sai Organizations throughout the country. Bal Vikas groups in every Sai Center perform songs, dances, and value games glorifying God and expressing their gratitude to the blessed Mother for having gifted them with the most precious possession of their lives, their Swami. In the divine presence too every year small children perform various plays and Swami lovingly showers them with gifts and love after their presentation.

 

 

 

 

Swami with the Bal Vikas children during Easwaramma Day celebrations in Brindavan

 

 

 

Lessons To Emulate

 

On almost every Easwaramma Day, Swami gives a discourse and lauds the devotion and love she held for him and the compassion and concern she showed towards others. In these discourses Swami has shared events which provided deeper insights into her noble life and character. For instance, on Easwaramma Day in 1999, Swami revealed:

 

 

The eternal inspiration

 

Once, on Shivaratri day, after I had completed My discourse and the Lingas were ready to emerge from My mouth, I sat on the chair and was in severe pain. Seeing Me suffering, Easwaramma got up from the gathering, came up to Me and said, "Swami, why do You suffer like this? Come inside, come inside." I said I would not come inside and rather than watch My suffering, she went inside. As soon as she left, Hiranyagarbha Linga emerged. All the devotees burst into thunderous applause. Hearing this, she came back, but by then the Linga had already emerged and I was showing it to the devotees. All the people got up to have a glimpse of the Linga. As a result, Easwaramma could not see it.

 

Next day she pleaded with Me to show the Linga to her. I said I had given it to somebody. But she said, "Swami, I have not seen. I want to see." I told her that she would see in the future anyway. She said, "I do not want to put You to inconvenience," and went away. She never had put Me to trouble any time. Whenever she asked Me for something she would come back and ask if she had given any trouble. To all the devotees who came she used to entreat not to cause any inconvenience to Swami. She used to be very much worried whenever any minister came to have My darshan. The situation in those days was such that even a policeman with a red cap was enough to frighten the villagers. Easwaramma used to be very much afraid of the ministers, thinking that they might cause some problem to Me. This was only the result of her sacred love for Me.

 

The Eternal Bond Of Love

 

They say great and noble souls never die but continue to inspire after death. Easwaramma was one such being who unceasingly is concerned about Swami even after her death. During a discourse on May 6, 2001, to the utter amazement of the audience Swami disclosed:

 

You may be aware or not, but even after thirty years of her passing away, Mother Easwaramma continues to express her love for Swami in a number of ways. Even to this day, she moves around in her physical body. At times she comes to Me and expresses her motherly concern for My well-being.

 

Once she cautioned Me not to accept a handkerchief from everybody. I told her that I had to accept when people offered it with devotion. She said, "Swami, no doubt there are crores of such noble persons. But there are also a few evil-minded persons who may smear poison on the handkerchief and offer it to You. This can prove dangerous when You use it to wipe your lips." I promised her that I would follow her advice.

 

Even to this day she makes her appearance in My room. The boys who sleep in My room have witnessed this. Whenever she comes and talks to Me, they sit up on their beds and listen. One day I asked the boys for a belt to keep the silk dhoti tight around My waist. The belt they gave Me had a shiny buckle and could be seen through the robe I wear. I did not want to use it lest people should think that Sai Baba wears a gold belt. After this, one day Easwaramma came to My room early in the morning and started talking to Me. Then Sathyajith, Sainath and Srinivas woke up and wanted to know with whom I was conversing. They wondered how anyone could enter My room since the lift was locked and the key was with them. Then I told that Griham Ammayi [Mother Easwaramma] had come. I showed them the belt that she gave me. It had no buckle. There are many such noble mothers in this world but Easwaramma was the chosen one. I chose her to be My mother [cheers]. That is the intimate relationship between Mother Easwaramma and Myself.

 

 

 

The Mother is alive today

Truly…The Crown Of Motherhood

 

So that is how intimate is the bond between Swami and Easwaramma. No doubt the crown of motherhood was acquired by Easwaramma as a reward for her accumulated goodness but in this life too she rose to those heights which made a laudable example of a great devotee of the Lord. Her love for him was unparalleled and as well as being an ideal wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, she was a constant source of support, inspiration and love for the village folk and the ever-expanding Sai family. The Lord chose her as his Mother not only as a reward for her past deeds but also, as Prof. Kasturi noted, "in appreciation of what she was capable of in this life." And with the Supreme Teacher to guide her, she learned every lesson Swami gave her with his glance, a word, a question, or a smile, and became a living saint radiating love and purity. Ultimately, the great soul we know as Easwaramma reached a state where she took every event and emotion, every thought and activity as a gem set doorway through which she could cognize the One.

 

Most of the content for this cover story is taken from Prof. Kasturi's book Easwaramma - The Chosen Mother. We have also interacted with several long time devotees of Bhagawan and integrated their experiences into the story.

 

 

 

- Heart2Heart Team

 

Source: Radio Sai E-Magazine, May 2006

media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01MAY06/Easwaramma_cov...

 

 

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