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Shirdi Sai - Parthi Sai Title Photo
 

 
 

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.

Shiridi Sai - Parthi Sai | Divya Katha  

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.

 

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.
 

Shirdi Sai Baba

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, … ...



SCENE 1

House of Ganga Bhavadyulu

GANGA BHAVADYULU and DEVAGIRI AMMA  

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.



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.

 

An old man knocks on the door

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.

Devagiri Amma bolts the door and goes inside. After some time, she hears a knock on the door. Hesitantly she opens and peers outside.  

Devagiri Amma bolts the door and goes inside. After some time, she hears a knock on the door. Hesitantly she opens and peers outside.

 

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.

 

OLD MAN and DEVAGIRI AMMA

 

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.  

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.

 

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.

 

At that time, she hears a knock on the door. She opens the door slightly and peeps out. She sees a young lady there.

 

The young lady goes to the front porch and speaks to the old man.  

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.

 

Once the old man and the young lady enter the house, they change their forms and appear before Devagiri Amma as Siva and Parvathi.
 

Once the old man and the young lady enter the house, they change their forms and appear before Devagiri Amma as Siva and Parvathi.

 

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!!

 

Shiva Parvathi Darshan

 

Devagiri Amma is overwhelmed by the vision of the Lord and His Consort and faints.  

Devagiri Amma is overwhelmed by the vision of the Lord and His Consort and faints.


TO BE CONTINUED... ...

 
  Volume3 Issue1 Jan 2005         Optimized for Netscape and Firefox. Best viewed in Internet Explorer - 1024 x 768 resolution.