HOW THIS VRATHA KALPAM TOOK SHAPE
(In the Words of the Authoress)
(In the Words of the Authoress)
"....First of all, I had no intention of writing this Vratha Kalpam, Then I happened to come across a Vratha Kalpam in respect of the past avatar of Sri Shirdi Sai. It occurred to me that if there could be a Vratha Kalpam for an avatar long past, it should be more appropriate to have one for the living avatar who is currently captivating and fascinating the whole world....
When I made up my mind to write this I was staying with Dr. Saraswati in Amalapuram. Swami appeared to me in a dream and proffered a few directions in this regard. At that time I was planning to follow the pattern of the popular Sri Sathya Narayana Vratha Kalpam, begin Sri Sathya Sai Vratha Kalpam with Nava Graha Sthaapana, etc. In my dream Swami asked me why I was thinking of writing on those lines. I replied, "I know no other way. Kindly guide me and I will follow". Gesticulating with his hands in his characteristic way, Swami told me to make the whole thing simple, commence with Ganapathi Pooja, follow it up with his own Pooja and conclude with the Katha (story) Section. This book is thus patterned on the lines indicated by Swami.
The Katha Section of Sri Sathya Narayana Vratha Kalpam comprises stories of five devotees. Which five devotees should I select for my book? In my dream I had forgotten to seek Swami's directions in this regard. So I placed my problem before Sri Kasturi and sought his help. He said, "Whose stories will you pick up? This may lead to unpleasantness all around. Let me think over it". That night Swami appeared in my dream and said, "You stupid, do you think that I have but a mere five devotees only? There are lakhs of them. If you pick up any five individuals, the others will be after you. Choosing a time when I am away, they will twist your neck and throw your body in the Chithraavathi river. Don't pick up any particular individual's story; write only mine own". That settled my problem.
Next day, I was mulling over the appropriate shape to be given to the Katha Section and how to apportion it into five chapters. In Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram (Swami's life story) Swami had declared that in the first 16 years he would display his leelas, in the next 16 his mahimas and thereafter he would deliver his message and exhortations (upadesh) and carry out his divine programme. To my great relief, that came to my mind and offered me a clear-cut plan of action. The Katha Section thus fell into a logical and beautiful sequence; the first chapter is Leela Kaanda, the second Mahima Kaanda, the third Raksha Kaanda, the fourth Siksha Kaanda, the fifth and final one Bodha Kaanda. My path was clear and I completed the book on those lines. The finished manuscript I kept in my box.
Then a strange thing happened. When I opened the book one day I found that numerous additions and alterations were made in red ink. They were all in the unmistakable hand of Swami himself. For instance, wherever I had used the words, "Sarva Devathaa Swaroopa", they were altered in beautiful script in red, to read, "Sarva Devathaatheetha Swaroopa". Similarly, where I had written that "led by him groups of children would go round the village singing devotional songs and bhajans", it was amended to read, "go round the village, street by street, singing devotional songs and bhajans". Elsewhere, he added in clear and beautiful hand that "Dharma is eternal and immutable", I found that the entire text had been gone through and amended by Swami. Unbelievable as it may appear to readers, it is indeed the simple, plain truth. What more is needed by way of proof to declare that Sri Sathya Sai Vratha Kalpam, as it now stands, has the full approval of Swami? At the end, in Swasthi, I had written that those who performed this Vratham would be rewarded with Swami's protection. Swami amplified it saying that Swami would grant them fulfilment of their hearts' desires and take complete care of them at all times and with immense love.
I must add here that I had never informed Swami that I had completed this book nor did I give him the manuscript.
Astonished at what I found, I mentioned it to Sri Kasturi. He remarked, "Centuries ago, when Saint-composer Pothana was translating the epic Maha Bhagavatham from Sanskrit to Telugu, Sri Rama himself, it is said, contributed to his text. Blessed are you. Please safeguard your manuscript". I have accordingly kept it in safe custody ......"
- Extracts from the Autobiography of Pedda Bottu (Smt. Gali Sarada Devi) Prasanthi Nilayam, 1985
Who is that Parandhaama, whose unparalleled Sakthi
showers Bliss around the worlds
Who is that Supreme Being, whose unparalleled Mahima
melts the stony hearts
Who is that Ocean of Mercy, whose unparalleled Prema
binds the Continents with devotion
Who is that Parameswara whose unparalleled Deeds
effulge as the glory of the Universe.
That is the Lord of Parthi, the Timeless Brahma
My heart ever his abode, Sathchidaananda Moorthy.
At his Lotus Feet my fevered brow I lay
Beg for benediction, a thousand ways I pray.
Countless poems, essays had I composed
In your praise, my Master,
With heart overflowing, imagination glowing.
Here's now your own story beatific
Glorious, ennobling, divine.
"Sathya Sai Vratha Kalpam"
For you with all my soul have I penned, my Lord;
May your merciful eye protect, till eternity
One and all who read it wherever they be.
Poorna Brahma, the Sanathana Supreme
With no beginning or end;
Endless your names, answereth thou every call and cry
Embodiment of every God, total and all pervading.
Oh, Lord Eternal, God of Parthi
Ever seated in the lotus of my heart, to you
I dedicate this dainty flower of exquisite hue.
May Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema
Your Divine lips ever and ever sing, to adorn, to glorify.
Respected friends! At last, our lives have certainly attained fulfilment. We are extremely fortunate. Parandhaama Sathchidaananda Moorthy, who cannot be reached even after long years of yogic austerities or the most rigorous dhyana, has taken human form and we are all able to see him moving in our midst in flesh and blood. We are able to meet him, touch him and talk to him in living person; we hear his edifying speeches and discourses. This, truly, is the greatest good fortune of our countrymen. There can be no happier event, indeed there is none, one can ask for.
A number of people have personally come into contact with Sri Sai Bhagavan and realised his identity with Paramathma, the Supreme Being. Many of them have been writing books enumerating their individual divine experiences, and recording their admiration and love for Sri Sai. I too have written some books about his divine life. But I believe that this particular book is singularly valuable. This is by no means merely my belief but a matter of actual fact.
We come across innumerable devotional books written by learned persons in the form of stories, puranas and vrathams in praise of that Parandhaama, who is, however, not visible to our physical eyes. We read those great works of devotion and derive spiritual satisfaction. Notable among such works is Sri Sathya Narayana Vratha Kalpam, a book of worship, available all over India in every major language.
Lord Sri Sathya Narayana is the presiding deity of the sacred temple standing on a hill in Annavaram, a town in Andhra Pradesh. This deity is celebrated for his readiness to grant every boon and every desire of his devotees; and lakhs of pilgrims throng to Annavaram every year. It is a wonderful spectacle to see hundreds of worshippers sitting peacefully on the ground in long orderly rows and ranks, and simultaneously performing the rites of the Vratham with ardent devotion.
The point I beg to submit is that the mahimas and powers of granting boons to lakhs of people are integral to the image, the idol, the representation of Sri Sathya Narayana Swami. On the other hand, what we are witnessing in Sri Sai is that Supreme Being come down to us in person. He is physically moving among us, talking to his countless devotees, fulfilling their varied desires, directing them into ways and methods by which to attain their individual salvation. I need not attempt to describe the boundless divine sakthi of Sri Sathya Sai Parabrahma. Those who have seen it with their own eyes or experienced it personally can vouch for it.
I must here refer to a true and extraordinary fact. I dare say this is a secret which ordinary people may never have even suspected. Devotees who throng to Sri Sai or persons who repose unswerving faith in him, no matter whether they reside close to him or far away, as and when their time comes, depart from life peacefully in total repose. They suffer no death pangs or struggle or physical agony as is common with most persons. Release of the soul from the mortal coil takes place in a flicker - here one moment and gone the next. This is a wonderful phenomenon witnessed not only by me but by every devotee resident here. I can assert from housestops that this unusual phenomenon is undoubtedly due to the mahima of our Sri Sai Rama Parabrahma.
The leelas, mahimas and celestial powers (sakthis) of this all merciful Sathchidaananda Moorthy are unbounded, unceasing and astonishing. I do not possess the capacity to describe every one of them. So, I thought of taking recourse to the simple form of a Vratham, which may bring out in a nutshell the sacred life story of Sri Sai and the immense spiritual significance of his avatar in human form. I sincerely believe that it all happened only at the instance of the Lord Himself. There is no room for doubt that He was at the root of that tiny flash of thought, which led in due course to this book's birth.
In the normal course, devotees worship Sri Sai Bhagavan in their own way, do dhyan to the best of their ability and obtain fulfilment of their desires. If these rituals are done in a methodical manner, following the time-honoured framework of a Vratham, the worship is bound to be more satisfying and fruitful. Vratham is a Sanskrit word meaning a holy ritual of worship (pooja) of the Lord. Kalpam, also a Sanskrit word, means a prescribed procedure, a step-by-step order which the devotee follows while performing the Vratham.
Why do devotees go through this Vratham and what exactly is its significance?
Simply stated, worship (pooja) is : rendering obeisance to that Supreme Being, the Eternal Ultimate Reality that pervades everywhere and transcends everything. To reach and to merge with that Supreme Being is the spiritual goal of every aspiring soul.
For achieving that goal, great sages of yore devised several spiritual disciplines and austerities. For the benefit of those who are not in a position to undergo those rigours, several holy rituals are also available. One of them is Vratham.
All over India, Sri Sathya Narayana Vratham is performed. The presiding deity, Sri Sathya Narayana, is celebrated for his readiness to grant every boon and fulfil every desire seeking which a devotee performs the Vratham.
Sri Sathya Sai Vratha Kalpam is patterned on the same lines. As is well known, Sri Sathya Sai, as a baby, was named Sathya Narayana; and like that deity he is well known for fulfilling every desire of his devotees. He Himself proclaimed that he would ever protect and grant every wish of his devotees at all times. becomes very convenient for one and all to perform. There is another aspect worthy of note. Sri Sai Bhagavan is the avatar of Parabrahma Sathchidaananda Moorthy, the celestial Supreme Being having no beginning nor end. Therefore I consider that to perform this Vratham in the name of Sri Sathya Sai Bhagavan would amount to worshipping that ultimate Supreme Being.
I beg of all devotees to bless this my modest effort. Let lapses be ignored, and whatever is worthy be accepted. May they all generously give their benediction to this humble sister.
Year : Krodhana Day : Gurupoornima, 2 July 1985,
The lowliest servitor at the Lotus Feet of Sri Sai Bhagavan
Pedda Bottu
SRI SATHYA SAI VRATHA KALPAM
Vratham is a Sanskrit word meaning a holy ritual of worship (pooja) of the Lord. Kalpam, also a Sanskrit word, means a prescribed procedure, a step-by-step order which the devotee follows while performing the Vratham.
Why do devotees go through this Vratham and what exactly is its significance?
Simply stated, worship (pooja) is : rendering obeisance to that Supreme Being, the Eternal Ultimate Reality that pervades everywhere and transcends everything. To reach and to merge with that Supreme Being is the spiritual goal of every aspiring soul.
For achieving that goal, great sages of yore devised several spiritual disciplines and austerities. For the benefit of those who are not in a position to undergo those rigours, several holy rituals are also available. One of them is Vratham.
All over India, Sri Sathya Narayana Vratham is performed. The presiding deity, Sri Sathya Narayana, is celebrated for his readiness to grant every boon and fulfil every desire seeking which a devotee performs the Vratham.
Sri Sathya Sai Vratha Kalpam is patterned on the same lines. As is well known, Sri Sathya Sai, as a baby, was named Sathya Narayana; and like that deity he is well known for fulfilling every desire of his devotees. He Himself proclaimed that he would ever protect and grant every wish of his devotees at all times.
The spot selected for the pooja should be properly cleaned for the event. In the four corners and in the centre, lotus designs should be made with powdered rice. If a mandapam (readymade base, wooden framework) is available, it may be put up. At the four corners of the base four banana plants should be positioned. A wooden plank (peetham) of appropriate size should be washed clean with water, wiped dry and then placed in the pooja spot in the midst of the four banana plants. A new piece of cloth should be folded and arranged on the wooden peetham. Over the cloth, five 'paavs'* of cleaned rice grains should be evenly spread. In the centre thereof, in the rice grains, Pranavam, i.e. OM, should be written with the finger. At the back of the pooja mandapam a picture of Sri Sai Bhagavan, duly decorated with a bindi and flower garlands, should be placed. A round-bellied vessel (or a large-sized tumbler) made of metal should be cleaned properly. Turmeric paste should be applied to its outer surface and vermilion (kumkum bindi) spots should be applied. It should be half-filled with clean, potable water in which five pieces each of dates (khajoor), grapes (draaksha or kismis), almonds (badaam), cashews (kaaju) and crystallised sugar (misri) are to be dropped. A pinch each of turmeric, vermilion, sandalwood paste and a few akshathas should also be dropped into the vessel. Then, small twigs of five kinds of plants should be arranged in the vessel. Each twig should contain five leaves, which are known as pancha pallavas; these can be of mango, banyan, peepul, cotton or bhel varieties. They should be so arranged that they are visible outside the mouth of the vessel. A new blouse piece folded into the form of hollow cone should be placed among the twigs. The point of the cone should be inside the vessel. The hollow base should be upwards. A garland of flowers should be placed around the conically folded blouse piece. A dehusked coconut, after its fibre is removed leaving a small tuft, should be covered with turmeric paste. A dot of vermilion should be applied to look like a bindi. Around the tuft of fibre should be placed a flower garland and another garland should be placed around the neck of the vessel. The coconut so decorated should be placed within the open hollow base of the conically folded blouse piece. After all these decorations are done, the vessel would look like the body of the deity, the coconut the head, the blouse piece the body's upper garment and the bindi, turmeric and garlands constituting the overall make-up. This is called the Kalasam. This fully made up Kalasam should now be placed on the peetham in front of the picture of Sri Sai. Over the letters OM written on the rice spread, a large-sized paan leaf should be placed, over which a small metal figure or idol of Sri Sai should be positioned. In front of that, another paan leaf should be placed, on which a small representation of Ganapathi, made of moistened turmeric powder, should be installed. While performing the Vratham, this Ganapathi should be worshipped first and foremost. Only thereafter should the metal idol, the Kalasam and the picture of Sri Sai should be worshipped.
Coconuts (8), bananas (8), all varieties of flowers, green leaves (like bhel, thulasi, banyan, peepul, mango), turmeric powder, vermilion powder, sandalwood powder, akshathas (rice grains coloured with moistened turmeric), jannivu (sacred thread, made by twisting a cotton sliver with fingers moistened with wet vibhuthi), vasthram (piece of new cloth; or cotton pressed by fingers with the help of moistened turmeric powder to look like small, thin, flat pieces of cloth), camphor, joss-sticks or incense, a lamp with provision for five wicks, spare wicks, paan leaves, betel nuts, panchaamruthams (viz., milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar or jaggery). A small bronze bell is also required to be rung at the commencement of pooja.
These articles are all essential for performing pooja.
If as many as eight coconuts as listed above are not available two will do; one coconut may be used at the beginning and the other at the end. In between, instead of a coconut, a fruit may be offered. At the end of the pooja, prasadam should be offered. Decorations may be made according to the capacity and taste of the individual devotee; they may be either simple or elaborate. What is of primary importance in performing this Vratham is the depth of faith, dedication and devotion.
COMPONENTS OF PRASADAM
Granulated wheat (sooji or daliya) (five paavs); sugar; raisins (kismis); almonds (badam); cashew (kaaju); ghee (clarified butter). (Sooji is known as cream of wheat; Daliya is broken whole wheat.)
THITHIS (DAYS) SUITABLE FOR VRATHAM
Poornima or Ekaadasi, as convenient.
TIME OF THE DAY FOR VRATHAM
In the afternoon at the time of Pradosham; in the morning at the Brahma Muhoortham.
PLACE OF VRATHAM
The Vratham may be performed in a temple, or any sacred place, or on the bank of a river, or in front of a Thulasi plant, or within the devotee's residence.
Note:
Every person is entitled to perform this Vratham. Husband and wife together, widowers, widows, old persons, unmarried boys and girls may all perform it and receive the Lord's blessings and obtain salvation.
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