How Ra.Ganapati Became Sai Baba Devotee Under the Guidance Of Paramacharya

Ra.Ganapati[Anna] - the name everyone will recognize as a great devotee of Kanchi Paramacharyal and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba[Swami]. He has authored many books on both of them. Now let us get to know how he came to Swami through Paramacharyal!!! - From the diaries of Mr.Suresh who personally recorded this from Anna.

Anna when working on "Devathin Kural", used to literally stay in Kanchi Mutt so that he will not to miss any divine nectar flowing from Paramacharyal on this. His lone father was in Chennai. Their family's deity was Sri Soolini Durga to whom they were doing daily poojas for generations. The custom gets transferred to the next generations. Anna was still single and his dad was haunted that after Anna who will take this daily Aradhana. He was pursuing Anna to get married, but Anna would just dismiss it.

One of these days when Anna was in Kanchipuram and his Dad in

Chennai, when the regular pooja got over, Anna's father thought again of the Aradhana continuity. He decided that the only solution to make his son agree for marriage would be of taking this matter to Paramacharyal whose words his son will not dismiss. So he planned to go to Kanchipuram that day evening. As soon this thought came to his mind, the all-knowing Paramacharyal immediately summoned Anna to his room. He told Anna about his Dad's plan to bring this to his holiness's durbar. He also told that he may approve of his Dad's wish as this was related to custom not breaking and he is bound to Dharma than Anna's decision against marriage. Anna got upset and was pleading Paramacharyal for a remedy.

The magical words "Take your dad to Puttaparthi" fell on Anna's ears from Paramacharyal. Anna was taken aback and protested why he should he take his Dad to some "Baba". Anna asked Paramacharyal why where they sent to Puttaparthi. For this Paramacharyal answered that "I am in the position of the Judge who can [preach dharma] deliver the Justice based on the rules set, So I wanted you to be sent to the Governor who can veto it".  Anna then immediately went to Chennai and told that Paramacharyal asked both of them to go to Puttaparthi. As always an implicit obedient disciple, his father readily agreed to go. The very evening they left to Puttaparthi.

Puttaparthi and baba were both new to them. They came in settled down and sat for darshan as others did. Swami came for darshan, saw them but did not talk to them for not only that day that but next 2 two days as well. They were getting impatient and then on the third day, Swami called Anna's father alone for Personal interview.

Anna's father entered the interview room with swami. Instead of a room, he saw a dense jungle inside and swami grabbed his hand and starting walking. They walked for long and near a banyan tree swami just vanished and there came Sri Soolini Durga in her full form. Anna's father was perplexed and fell flat on her feet. Sri Soolini Durga told him that she was already very happy and satisfied with his and his forefathers Pooja and he need not pursue his son to get married and continue with the Aradhana. Then she was again replaced with swami's image. Anna’s father even after this experience was not sure on whether to do namskaram to Swami’s Form. Knowing this, Swami started of the special mantra of their family [like abhivadye] which is told before we do prostrations this makes Anna’s Father continue and finish the Mantra and Prostrate on Swami’s Feet.  Swami once more said that Anna was meant for something and not to bother him to get married. Then Anna’s Father took leave of Swami and along with Anna they travelled back to Chennai. His Marriage topic was dropped forever and Anna remained single all through his life. Infact the Pooja was given to Anna’s Cousin to continue.

Anna on the way was thrilled to know what happened inside the interview room and went on to become a great devotee of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba also. He authored many books on Swami.