"He is a Pure Atma"

Baba is kind to all who serve Him in and through all, even in the littlest way.

In the village of Bikkatti in the Nilgiri Hills lived a lame dog called Kuttan, meaning "the lame one".  He was a very old loving dog, yet alert where strangers were concerned.  Baba on visiting the village in 1962, walked down the carpets laid out for Him.  Kuttan strained at the leash by which he was held less he bounce on Baba.  But Baba stopped and patted him and asked that he be let loose saying, "Bangaroo!  Leave him alone, he is a pure Atma."

So Kuttan followed Baba up the dais, sat and listened to the bhajans, and later followed Him into the kitchen where Baba, after blessing the food, asked that Kuttan be fed first!  When he finished his meal, he walked up the decorated dais and stood beside Baba's chair, watching the long lines of villagers having their food.  After a while, Kuttan placed his head upon Baba's footstool and within a few minutes, breathed his last.

Everyone felt that he was a pure soul; he was buried near the dais, in a flower shroud.  Baba has had many pets - dogs, rabbits, peacocks, and now the elephant Sai Gita who adores her Master so much that, should He be away for long, she sheds tears!  If stray dogs are led away from the Nilayam so that the silence of the place may not be disturbed by their barking, instructions are issued that they be taken to a place where food is available.

(From the book "Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Pt.III)