Arunachala Baba

Arunachala Sathya Sai

Nov 23 marks the 84th birthday of Sathya Sai Baba.

Worshipped as God by millions, this Godman of South India has many times fascinated me by surreal dreams.

Though I have never met him before my firts girivallam of Arunachala took place last year on his birthday. For the same, Nov 23 is very close to my heart.

It is reported that Sathya Sai Baba first instructed the world by a song:

On October 20th, 1940, at Uravakonda, He came back from school, threw his books and declared, "I am no longer your Sathya! I am Sai Baba. I do not belong to you. I have my work. My devotees are calling me." He walked into the neighbor's garden, sat on a rock and gave His first message, to the faithful who had assembled there, in the form of a bhajan: Manasa Bhajare Gurucharanam…

Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam
Dustara Bhava Sagara Tharanam
Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai
Sai Natha Sad Guru Jai Jai
Om Namah Shivaya Om Namashivaya
Om Namashivaya Shivaya Namah Om
Arunachala Shiva Arunachala Shiva
Arunachala Shiva Aruna Shiva Om
Omkaram Baba Omkaram Baba Om Namo Baba

This song urges the devotee to adore the feet of the guru.

Also, this song contains the Arunachala Mahamantra. It is very surprising that a young boy of 14 knew about Arunachala much before the majority in the world had known it, even though he had never gone there.

Let us all wish this great man a wonderful birthday.

Sathya Sai Baba himself says,"I am beyond the reach of the most intensive enquiry and the most meticulous measurement. Only those who have recognized my love and experienced that love can assert that they have glimpsed my reality. Do not attempt to know me through the external eyes."