Navarathri with Swami in 1946

 

In the 1940s, Puttaparthi was a small village.  However, at festival time, it became quite a busy place, centred on spiritual celebrations with a focus on Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Swami).  In 1946, the Navarathri (Dasara) festival was a unique celebration filled with spiritual zeal and miraculous events. The following is a summary of the description given by Srimati Vijaya Kumari in her book Anyadha Saranam Nasthi.

On day one, the simple ashram in Puttaparthi was decorated with flowers and other decorations.  The devotees of Swami were filled with excitement.  Swami arrived in a yellow robe and a blue veil.  Devotees adorned Swami with necklaces and rings on His fingers.  When He entered, it was noted that He looked like Mother Durga. 

Swami alighted the palanquin which was decorated with flowers. The melodious sound of bhajans rang out and the spiritually elevated and excited group slowly made their way through the village of Puttaparthi.  Devotees witnessed miraculous events.  White vibhuti (holy ash) was streaming from Swami’s forehead in heaps. 

On day three, Swami came dressed in a green robe, cream veil, and red dhoti.  The darshan (divine vision) He gave His devotees is truly mind boggling: He is described as looking like Mother Parvathi when seen from His left side, wearing a yellow blouse, red zari border, forearm bangles, nose ring and jasmine in His hair.  When viewed from His right side, devotees saw Lord Siva, vibhuti on His forehead, trident in hand, matted hair, tiger skin, serpent and most amazingly, a third eye (spiritual inner eye) on His mid forehead.

On day four, Swami alighted a palanquin decorated like a peacock and He looked like Kartikeya (Subramanya), son of Lord Siva and Mother Parvathi.  He even had sandalwood paste on His forehead, a sign of Lord Kartikeya. The crowds of devotees grew larger as the days passed.

On each consecutive day of Navarathri, Swami rode atop a beautifully decorated palanquin and on day 10, Vijaya Dashami day, the day which symbolises the victory of good over evil, Swami gave His fortunate devotees another wonderful event.  He performed abhishekam (sacred cleansing ceremony) to the statue of Shirdi Sai Baba while large crowds of devotees watched in bliss. The purpose of this cleansing was to reduce the anger and powers of evil in this world.  Swami then distributed prasadam.

Thus Vijaya Dasami 1946 was a spiritually charged holy event orchestrated by Swami and witnessed by fortunate devotees.

(Courtesy of SSSIO)