Sharadamma, the daughter of Sri Seshagiri Rao, the
temple priest of Prasanthi Mandir for many years, came to Baba in 1942 when He
was still a young boy of 16 years. In her long association with Baba, she has
had many wonderful experiences. Here is one of her experiences as narrated by
Mrs. Shakuntala Balu:
“She remembers an occasion when she had arranged
Samaradhana Puja in her village. After the conclusion of the puja, she had
organized a feast for the Brahmins (priests).
While the puja was still under way, an old beggar
arrived seeking alms. Sharadamma sent him away saying, "Come later. The
puja is not over yet."
The occasion went off very well. The old beggar
never returned for the promised food and Sharadamma soon forgot about him.
A few months later, in Puttaparthi, she asked Sri
Sathya Sai Baba to pay her a visit at home. He looked at her severely and said, "You
invite me now, but if I come to you, you may chase me away saying the puja is
not over yet".
With a shock, Sharadamma realised that it had been
Sri Sathya Sai Saba who had come to her that day to test her. She bitterly
regretted her action of that day, but recognised that she had been taught a
very good lesson: never to turn away a hungry person who comes begging for
food."
Reference: "Living
Divinity” by Mrs. Shakuntala
Balu. Page: 180.
Published by S. B. Publications,
Bangalore
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