Shirdi Sai Baba Stories,Leelas and Teachings.: B.V Narsimha Swami ji-After Mahasamadhi.

Dear all,

In the last post we read about Swami ji's Mahasamadhi and today's post continues on details of development that took place after Mahasamadhi of Swami ji. .Readers who have missed earlier parts of biography can read by clicking on the links which are given below at the end of post , chapter by chapter.Jai Sai Ram.

CHAPTER-4 PART-X
After Mahasamadhi.

Narasimha Swamiji’s masterpiece is ‘Life of Sai Baba’ in four volumes. The first two volumes were published before his Mahasamadhi and the other two posthumously. This work of over one thousand pages is a comprehensive biography of Sai Baba dealing with all aspects and is indeed a unique treasure for all Sai devotees. It has already gone into several reprints.

Narasimha Swamiji’s cottage is just behind the temple.All the articles sanctified by the touch of Swamiji are preserved there.A marble idol of Narasimha Swamiji has been installed there. Devotees visiting his shrine feel his living presence there.

During Swamiji's time, the main hall of the temple was zinc sheet roofed and in its place, a pucca RCC roofed hall with inverted beams was constructed and this new hall was opened by Justice Sri. M.B. Rege on ‘Guru Poornima’ day in July 1966. On this occasion, the fourth volume of ‘Life of Sai Baba’ was also released along ‘Charters and Sayings’ in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Malayalam.

The thatched roofed structure temporarily put up to carry on Sai Bab’s pooja during the construction of main hall was converted into a pucca building and a beautiful life size portrait of Radhakrishna brought from Brindavan was installed there.

As a result of Narasimha Swamiji’s work princely revenue was received by the Shirdi Samsthan from pilgrims from various parts of the country. The Shirdi Samsthan nominated Narasimha Swamiji as a member of the Executive committee of the Samsthan. Due to his physical inability Narasimha Swamiji, declined this offer and on his behalf deputed Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and after 1952 Sri P. Gopalaswamy Iyer to represent him on the Executive Committee of Shirdi Samsthan.

In 1964, the All India Sai Samaj had to face litigation on the subject of the temple being brought under the control of the Hindu Religious Endowment Act by the Government of Tamil Nadu. However, due to Swamiji’s grace the High Court of Madras gave a landmark judgment that the All India Sai Samaj did not come under the Hindu Religious Endowment Act.

On 26th January 1966, Narasimha Swamiji’s portrait was placed at the feet of Sai Baba in Shirdi and later displayed in the hall along with pictures of intimate devotees of Sai Baba. Sri Sagun Meru Naik, a contemporary devotee of Sai baba, had great regards for Narasimha Swamiji and as desired by him, Swamiji’s portrait was taken in procession along all the streets of Shirdi before being placed at the holy feet of Sai Baba by Justice Sr. M.B.Rege. He declared that as long as Sai Baba’s name is there, the name of Narasimha Swamiji would also remain linked to that. What a prophetic declaration about a great apostle by a great devotee of a great Master! In January 1980, Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi and his portrait has been installed in the Samadhi Mandir Hall at Shirdi.

In 1967, as per the wishes of Sri Godavari Mathaji, a portrait of Narasimha Swamiji was displayed at Upasini Baba’s ashram at Sakori. Ramana Ashram at Tiruvannamalai also has displayed since 2001, a portrait of Narasimha swamiji due to an initiative by Swamijis’s devotees at Bangalore.

Swamiji was for ‘Vidya dhan’. In July 1967, Justice Sri M.B.Rege inaugurated Sai Vidyalaya. It started functioning with kindergarten classes and first two standards. Over the years it has further developed into a leading School.

1968 was a memorable year for the All India Sai Samaj. It was 50th year of Sai Baba’s ‘Mahasamadhi’. A ‘Bhagavatha Mela’ was organized and Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavatar presided over. A soul-stirring ‘Rasa Lila’ programme was conducted for nine days and thus attracted thousands of devotees. On Baba’s Mahasamadhi day ‘Swarnapushpa archana’ was performed with 108 gold lockets. The Samaj premises looked like a veritable paradise and Justice Sri M.B. Rege exclaimed-“Who says baba is only at Shirdi? See the glory of the Master here!”

In 1971, the main hall was decorated all around with colorful pictures portraying the life and lilas of Sai Baba. This was followed by construction of a kitchen for preparation of ‘prasad’ and a dining hall. At this time, Narasimha Swamiji’s cottage was converted into a ‘Dhyana Mandap’.

In 1974, the All India Sai Samaj and the Upasamajams celebrated the birth centenary of Narasimha Swamiji on a grand scale all over the country. A Sai Devotee’s Convention was also held at that time.

In February 1987, a marble idol of Sai Baba was installed at the All India Sai Samaj, ‘Kumbhabhishekam’ was also performed at that time.

In June 1991, the Golden Jubilee of the All India Sai Samaj was celebrated. To commemorate the Golden Jubilee, ENT and Eye blocks were annexed to the Sai Dispensary. Another highlight of this jubilee was a gathering of contributors to various Sai magazines.

During 1998-2000 various books of Narasimha Swamiji, which were out of print, were reprinted.

In June 2002, the Diamond Jubilee of the All India Sai Samaj was celebrated on a grand scale. A Sai Devotees convention was held at that time. A special feature was bringing out all the four volumes of ‘Life of Sai Baba’ as a single attractive book. This popular measure was an instance success and the copies were sold out very fast thus a second edition became necessary.

To be continued....

Chapters Posted:

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