Satsang A BRIEF LIFE SKETCH OF GURUDEV H. H. NARASIMHA SWAMIJI

Papaiya Chetty of Bangalore, one of the readers of Swamiji's books
on Shri Sai Baba, met Swamiji at Shri Sai Baba's temple at Shirdi
in 1940. He handed over a bundle, containing Rs. 11,458 to Swamiji
for his work and left without saying anything. He asked the trustees
of Shirdi Sanslhan to utilize the amount for Sai-prachar. As they
declined to accept it, Swamiji got Baba's will through a child (who
picked one slip out of the three, written by Swamiji). According to
it, he utilised that money for Sai-pracharak work.

In 1949, the Samaj was shifted from Broodies Road to the plot of
land (10 grounds), bought in Alarmelu Mangapuram, Mylapore. By
donations from generous devotees, through the appeal in Sai Sudha
and sale of Sai literature, funds were raised to complete the front
hall. Here Baba's picture was installed and Swamiji started the
worship on Gurupoornima day on 7lh July, 1952. By 1953,
construction of the Mandir with a tower, on the model of Shirdi,
was completed.

The Mahakumbhabhishckam of the Mandir was fixed on the 18th
October, 1953. Earlier to the Mahakumbhabhishckam Swamiji slipped
in the bathroom. This brought on a serious breakage of the thigh bone
and sixty days confinement in the hospital, followed by a subsequent
serious attack of dysentery. No energy was left to him to move about.
This continued nearly upto the middle of 1954. It was clear, that his
remaining energy and remaining life were intended to be devoted to
Baba. Swamiji concentrated on completing his work 'Life of Sai Baba',
recalling all within his memory. Baba provided his ankita child with a
stenographer. Without the help of a stenographer, it would have been
impossible to turn out any work by Swamiji either for the book or for
the 'Sai Sudha' or for the numerous pamphlets. Baba designated a
doctor in good position with excellent knowledge and made him
repeatedly attend upon Swamiji.

The royal present of Rs. 5,000/ - (Rupees five thousand only) by His
Highness, the Maharaja of Mysore enabled the Samaj to purchase
a press, printing machines and blocks. It is the physical frame of
Swamiji and spirit of Baba, that has blessed us with four volumes
of the life of Sri Sai Baba. It is to be noted, that no copyright is
reserved in any of the books or publications brought out by Swamiji.

Bow to Sri Sai Peace be to all
to be contd...
- Sai Mani R. Jayamani
Madras, Tamil Nadu.
(As appeared in Shri Sai Leela May - June 1993)

Source : http://saileelas.org/articles.htm