Swami Kesavaiahji
Knowing Swami Kesavaiahji is knowing Sri Sai Baba in as much as knowing Swami Vivekananda is knowing Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Swami Kesavaiahji, the Founder - President of Sri Sai Baba Bhaktha Samajam, Shenoynagar, was an ardent devotee of Sri Sai Baba and His chosen instrument for spreading His divine message to the world.
Swami Bala Kesavaiah was born in a pious Sri Vaishnava family in Pamidi on the banks of Pennar River, in Anantapur district in South India.
Swamiji was born on Sravana Bahula Amavasya day of Heavalambi year, at the end of the 19th century. His father Sri Swami Balaiah was a devout person.
Swamiji's childhood was all spent at Pamidi only. He was attracted by the three Temples of Bhogeswaraswami, Chennakesavaswami and Anjaneyaswami in Pamidi. The holy and sacred atmosphere around the banks of Pennar River where these Temples were situated had also attracted him. Very often he used to go to these temples and meditate. The influence of the place and the legends associated with the place impressed on the illuminating mind of Bala Kesavaiah, godliness, love, affection and kindness to all beings which have all moulded him even at his tender age into a devout soul of extraordinary calibre.
He was brought up in good discipline. He was very dutiful to his teachers. He had an enquiring mind. He was of charitable disposition even as a boy. He did not believe in rituals.
HIS EDUCATION
Bala Kesavaiah had not gone to any school till his fourteenth year, and it was only when he was 14 years old he joined the London Mission Middle School at Pamidi. He started learning English alphabets under Mr. E.D. Lekler who was then Headmaster of the School. Bala Kesavaiah in no time impressed Mr. Lekler with his pleasing manners and keen interest and curiosity to learn. He was always in the company of his teacher and accompanying him to his house or wherever he went, and utilised every opportunity to get more and more knowledge on subjects pertaining to God and religion. Within -the course of two years he completed his Middle School education, and obtained eligibility for admission into IV Form in the High School at Ananthapur. During this period of schooling, his progress was always above the standard in his classes. Further he showed keen interest in knowing more and more about Jesus Christ and made a deep study of the book "33 Years Life of Jesus", and got a First Prize in the Bible Course. He was fortunate that he had not only had the manifestation of Jesus Christ but also of Mohammed the Prophet for which he had all the environmental help in his School. Miss Christlieb, a German Lady, who was the Chief Administrator of the School, observed with delight and admiration the power of intuition of Bala Kesavaiah and she took special interest in imparting him the best of education. Although Bala Kesavaiah showed keen interest in all religions, his faith in Hinduism was unshakable. The two years of his study in the London Middle School at Pamidi under the tutorship of Mr. Lekler and Miss Christlieb laid firm foundations for the inspiring future of Bala Kesavaiah who came to be known as Swami Kesavaiahji in later years. Mr. Lekler personally took Bala Kesavaiah to Anantapur and got him admitted into IV Form in the Municipal High School there. He passed his higher forms, and Matriculation from that school only. Since his circumstances did not permit for persecuting higher studies, he made up his mind to get into a suitable service, and further secured the required qualification for eligibility to a Government Job.
Swamiji began his life as a clerk in the Registration Department in the composite State of Madras. Very soon he was a Sub-registrar and earned for himself a good name. He was sympathetic to the poor who described him as a "Saint sub-registrar". His superiors recognised his worth and paid encomiums and credited him with the coveted Red Entries six times. He was a kind-hearted householder, an honest and hardworking officer, coupled with integrity and character. During the entire period of his service in the Registration Department, Sri Kesavaiah maintained a spotless character, and he could not be lured with any presents or baits which are invariably common in the Registration Department. His whole service was without any blemish, and he had the distinction of winning laurels and high encomiums from the public as well as his superiors. There were annual inspections of his office by his superiors and all the inspection reports spoke very high of his character and efficiency.
Wonderful was the grace and kindness of Sri Sai Baba for he drew the devotees to him or how else would Swami Kesavaiahji then working at Dharmavaram know Him? By the grace of Sri Sai Baba he became a Kripa Siddha overnight on July 1, 1939.
He visited Palani, the Hill temple of Lord Muruga in Madurai district. After worship he closed his eyes in meditation. When he opened his eyes he had a wonderful experience. He saw a jothi (wonderful light) in the place of the idol. He felt his body light. He had a spiritual experience. From that day he seemed to possess rare powers. He could tell the past events in the life of anyone who came to him. He could even know their future. He would advice them as to what they should do to free themselves from any calamities.
BABA APPEARS PHYSICALLY
Swami Kesavaiahji at that time had not heard about Sai Baba and not even seen his picture on one occasion he was relating to his friend Mr. Malli Reddi, an Advocate of Anantpur, some of his personal difficulties. Mr. Reddi said, "Pray to Sai Baba. Your difficulties would be over” Swami Kesavaiahji mentioned this to his dear wife Govindammal. On that night Sai Baba came to Swami Kesavaiahji in his dream. He remained with him for four or five minutes. Swami Kesavaiahji felt blessed and overjoyed. He wanted to buy a picture of Baba the next day and worship him. Strangely enough, on the same day a picture of Baba and a packet of udhi one day later arrived from Shirdi although the name of the sender was not known.
H.H. Swami Kesavaiahji did not go in search of him.
Sri Sai Baba came in search of him and made him an instrument to convey his grace to humanity. The choice was appropriate and well proved by Swamiji's service to the devotees during the last four decades. The history of Swamiji (after 1939) is the life of Sri Sai Baba. On April 1, 1941, he came to Penukonda on transfer and his pujas of Sri Sai Baba on Thursdays at Penukonda attracted many.
In addition to daily worship, Swamiji performed special worship every Thursday, which was attended by hundreds. As soon as the devotees enter the Puja room, Swamiji looked at Sri Sai Baba's picture, spelt out the grievances for which the devotees had come to him, and gave them necessary remedies. When he spoke to them, he was not conscious of Sri Sai Baba in him. He did not do anything without Sri Sai Baba's permission. If devotees were not able to go to him, they wrote letters about their ailments and worldly worries which Swamiji placed before Sri Sai Baba's picture at the time of worship, got correct answers, and sent replies. Sri Sai Baba talked to him through the picture, through dreams and in a variety of ways and always helped him to do humanitarian work without hampering his official work.
In 1948, Swamiji got a temple constructed for Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi at Penukonda. Swami Kesavaiahji's services in organising the Mandir at Penukonda were gratefully remembered by friends there. People from far and wide used to go to the mandir. They were relieved of their difficulties and illnesses. They were given tirtham (sacred water) and udhi (sacred ash). Swamiji would bless everyone. People saw Baba's grace shining through him. He infused strong faith in the people, rich and poor, high and low. Sometimes he used to prophesy what was to happen. This strange power was due to his meditation and Sai's Grace. He did not claim any powers of his own. On one occasion by his prayer to Baba he brought rain fall in Gooty after a severe drought. Swami Kesavaiahji visited Shirdi 73 times after he was first blessed by Baba in 1939. He helped to construct and open mandirs for Baba in many places.
Swami Kesavaiahji came to Madras in 1948 for medical treatment. After his recovery in 1949, Swamiji conducted Thursday pujas at Sai Nilayam, Shenoy Nagar. Thousands of devotees gathered on these days, and in silence sought relief from spiritual and material worries. Sai Ram's merciful glance was the strength behind Swamiji. In the puja, Swamiji gave Sri Sai Baba's udhi (sacred ash) got from Shirdi as prasad, which was gratefully received by the devotees and acknowledged as a panacea for all ills and woes which afflicted mankind.
Special occasions like Guru Poornima, Sri Rama Navami, Gokulashtami and Sri Sai B aba's Mahasamadhi Day, (Vijayadasami day) were celebrated with great devotion and solemnity. Men, women and children participated in these functions in large numbers. Swamiji's messages on these occasions were inspiring. The pujas were attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.
Week after week, the number of devotees participating in worship at Sai Nilayam began to increase rapidly. Swamiji's heart overflowed with love for the devotees who stood in scorching heat, biting cold, drizzles or heavy showers, and even those who came to see him in the night.
Swami Kesavaiahji's wish had been to build a big mandir and meditation hall, to accommodate the increasing number of devotees. This was a mighty task. It was a difficult to get a piece of land. He had to face many difficulties patiently. Swamiji, by Baba's grace, secured the use of the land opposite to Sai Nilayam.
It had been the dream of Swamiji to have a mandir in the spacious open ground in front of Sai Nilayam. This Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir was inaugurated on the 14th March, 1975 amidst great enthusiasm and acclamation by the Hon'ble Sri K. Brahmananda Reddy, the Home Minister of the Government of India. The Meditation hall was opened by Hon'ble Sri C.Subramaniam, Finance Minister, Government of India. He also released the Souvenir, on the 15th March, 1975.
"If a hundred out of a thousand people get benefit by listening to me, 900 people get benefit by attending H.H. Swami Kesavaiahji's puja. After puja he tells of future events in a remarkable way. One is so overawed with Swamiji's magnetic personality, purity of life, his motto of service and spiritual powers that one forgets himself and cannot resist the spontaneous urge of offering obeisance to him. Swamiji required no particular place or time to invoke Sri Sai Baba and gave Udhi and conveyed His blessings. He visualised a stage, and that vision was so clear in his mind that he felt that he was sitting and meditating by the side of Sri Sai Baba."
The most remarkable feature of Swamiji's life was his success in reforming the characters of some men and women. He could do this through the benediction he received from Sri Sai Baba. Atheists became believers and devotees of Sri Sai Baba. Swamiji, the chosen apostle, was revered and adored by multitudes of people who came to him. To these devotees, Swamiji gave a soothing touch, a kind word, guidance and comfort. He was a unique personality in the Sai cult.
Swamiji was a Godman with a difference. He never claimed to be Baba. On the other hand, he firmly believed that no one, however great, could become Sri Sai Baba. There is no second Ramdas, there is no second Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he used to say. Swamiji was not a great scholar in the wordly sense, but his works were full of philosophical truth and spirituality. He was not a great orator, but his speeches were charged with devotion and sincerity. He attracted huge audiences wherever he went. Although he is no longer seen in mortal form, his spirit remains eternally to serve mankind and guide the destinies of Sri Sai Baba's devotees. Swamiji had made such a promise. He was a saint of the highest order - an embodiment of love, service, compassion and simplicity. He was a star in India's spiritual firmament. Such pious souls make rare appearance in the world to remind people of higher values and to turn erring humanity to the right path.
Swamiji is survived by a son and two daughters. Before his Samadhi on August 9,1981, Sravana Sudha, Dasami, Swamiji had asked for udhi. He applied it to his forehead and swallowed. This occurred at sunset. Still seated, he said 'Allah Malik" and closed his eyes.
After a while, he was made to rest on his bed. At about 6.30 p.m. the sage of Shenoynagar left his mortal frame.
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