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Tribute - Remembering
Sai Geeta - The great Legacy of Sai Geeta
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To the mortals, exit from the physical
plane comes as a big blow, for.
It inflicts pain of separation
from near and dear ones. Quoting an anonymous poet, Prof. N.
Kasturi wrote substantiating his statement that anything, which
is born and grows, declines and dies, …as soon as we are born
our funeral procession started! Our heart is the drum. Our
hearts beat like a muffled drum and the funeral march starts!
So,
birth is only the beginning of death!
Sai
Geeta’s illustrious story that has essentially become a part of
His Story is indeed an inspiring saga, especially in an age when
man often falters to understand God’s greatest boon to humanity,
the great sojourn called life. In an age when human values
struggle to find their way into human hearts, when man's bestial
tendencies often prevail upon the latent good in him, it is
Divinity's masterplan that showcases the dedicated life of an
elephant modelling devotion in its real and complete sense.
indeed, it serves as a great lesson to humanity.
Tears
that rolled down her cheeks on many a occasion, her mischievous
pranks acknowledging ecstasy at having been blessed to be in the
Divine Presence, were testimonies to the unmatched love,
pristine in quality, she has had for her Beloved Master,
Bhagawan, that for sure would be envied even by human beings.
It
was not a mere coincidence that brought The Creator and His
Creation together in the Mudumalai forest marking the beginning
of this glorious tale of love. It was a Divine happenstance, a
well-crafted master plan by the Divine that would have had its
roots linked to many previous births that had made such a
meeting possible. Sai Geeta is a Shuddha Brahmacharini (pristine
and perfect celibate). She has come for Me, said Bhagawan once,
at the end of a long arduous trial she had been forced to
undertake at the instance of some senior devotees; she had been
‘reluctantly’ sent to the forest for breeding at the dogged
persuasion of some senior devotees in the ashram for no positive
result.
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Tribute
- Sai Geetha Special:
Click on the links below to read more about Sai Geeta
Video:
Sai Geetha An Unmatched Love Story - TRIBUTE
This video
presentation was made as a tribute to the devotion of Bhagawan's exceptional
devotee - Sai Geetha on the first anniversary of her passing.
Swami personally saw this video in His residence on June 14, 2008, and at the
end of it blessed the Radiosai Sai team with the loving words, "Chala Santosham...
Chala Bagundi (I am very happy, it is very nice).
May 22, 2014 marks the 7th year anniversary of her passing away. She merged with
her beloved Lord on Tuesday, 22 May 2007, at around 1800 hrs IST.
Pictures:
Latest Photos: Sai Geetha's burial & last rights Photos
Eye witness account of : - SAI GEETHA'S "FUNERAL"- Entombment
A.
Sai Geetha…A
mystifying tale of unmatched love:
"It was on a trip along with few devotees to the Muddumalai forest in 1962 that Swami first
noticed the tender and tiny toy of joy that Sai Geetha was then...."
Read all about Sai
Geetha
B.
Talks with Pedda Reddy garu, the caretaker of
Planetarium and Sai Geeta
C. Sai Geeta's New Home's ceremonial
inaugural by Swami 18th Nov 2006, Images
D. Sai Geetha Wallpapers
E.
Eye witness account
of : SAI GEETHA'S "FUNERAL"-
Entombment
F.
THE ELEPHANT
SYMBOL : excerpt from Swami's discourse about Sai Geetha
G. Sai
Geetha news in media -
H.
Sai Geetha: reflection of a
devotee... - I.
Significance of Sai Geetha
elephant
I.
Remembering Sai Gita - Sai Gita - a
Tribute... by SSSBPT, Prasanthi Nilayam
J. SAI
SPIRITUAL SHOWERS – SPECIAL ISSUE - Remembering Sai Gita:
"Sai Geeta is history now and essentially a part of His-Story. She
must have been with Bhagawan through many of His previous Avatars and hence possibly
having found her way to Prasanthi Nilayam. Who are we to decipher Bhagawan’s play with
our very limited intellect? It all seems a part of His overall drama...."
Pictures of Sai Baba
with His new pet elephant calf |
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Sai Geeta
is history now and essentially a part of His-Story. She must have been
with Bhagawan through many of His previous Avatars and hence possibly
having found her way to Prasanthi Nilayam. Who are we to decipher
Bhagawan’s play with our very limited intellect? It all seems a part of
His overall drama. He knew that the children would come in to study at
the schools and the universities. He knew that they loved animals and
animals loved them in return. He had a plan to instil the mantra of
divine love through His interaction with Sai Geeta. And she too seemed
to play with the Divine, just the way the cows nuzzled up to Him in
Brindavan.
"Death is the
denouement of the drama of life" wrote Prof. N. Kasturi. For those who
loved Sai Geeta, her passing away marked the end of a drama in physical.
Devotees would definitely miss her beautifully caparisoned frame
majestically leading processions, her gorgeous princely gait, rare sight
of tears of love rolling down her cheeks, the beauty of her being
cuddled and fed by Mother Sai so
affectionately, her unruffled nonchalant looks dissipating every passing
thought into the gleam of eternity and lots more…. But, her footprints
would continue her legacy in the hearts of millions who loved her so
dearly.
Two full
years has have
gone by and it is still vivid in the minds of those who were present to
witness the scene on the morning of 23rd May 2007 when His all
conquering love filled and fulfilled Sai Geeta and perhaps her final
wish to have Him with her during her final earthly moments. How an
ordinary mortal could decipher the mysterious moments that happened on
that fateful morning when Bhagawan Himself drove down to the planetarium
side to have a look at His pet elephant that had dropped down on the
previous evening? He went close to Sai Geeta and smeared vibhuti all
over her head. He was there for a couple of minutes pressing her head
with His fingers, stroking her trunk, applying vibhuti on her face and
limbs. He then lovingly moved His fingers over her eyes and even asked
the caretaker to open her eyes. Though it had been fifteen hours after
her passing away, clinically, her body was still supple and flexible as
if it was still having traces of life inching towards final exit.
Braving the simmering summer, there waited God in human form, silently
guiding the entire proceedings of His beloved's final journey, for more
than two and a half hours, at the newly constructed Sai Geeta Mahal, as
devotees affectionately started calling the same. All knowing God, the
master crafter and designer who knew in advance of the events to come
had a well thought out plan for His beloved pet elephant. He had in fact
shared with Mr. Pedda Reddy, the caretaker, an interesting idea well in
advance of the fateful happening that the new building could be
dedicated as a memorial to Sai Geeta. The hidden truth behind Bhagawan’s
‘indication’ was not properly understood by anyone, then. In similar
fashion, it was against the usual schedule that had been in place over
the years, that Bhagawan returned straight to Prasanthi Nilayam after
three week’s stay in Kodaikanal, as if some important event was awaiting
Him over here.
A Divine
Grace to Record the Present:
Alex Prowse, an
accomplished artiste from the United Kingdom, member of
The Pastel Society, a member of The Federation of British
Artists, The Mall Galleries, London and more importantly
an ardent devotee of Bhagawan had a beautiful experience
with Bhagawan that had a Sai Geeta flavour. He believes
that, foreseeing the future, Bhagawan had given him a rare
chance to record the present, painting Sai Geeta alive!
Alex Prowse along with his wife was fortunate to have an
interview with Bhagawan on the afternoon of 3rd April
2007. During the interview Bhagawan lovingly enquired
after his health, as he had been unwell in between. Upon
answering the question in affirmative, Alex showed Him a
pencil drawing on Sai Geeta that he had done just a week
before and expressed his concern that the elephant was
suffering from a bad tummy. Bhagawan keenly looking at the
drawing asked his wife, 'now he will do painting?' His
wife, sitting at the other end, looked across to Alex
before nodding and replying that yes, he would. During the
following week Alex spent more time dedicated to drawing
and filming Sai Geeta in preparation for a series of
paintings that he was sure by then to undertake, as
inspired by Bhagawan. “What a joy and privilege it was”
writes Alex. Upon returning to the UK on the 19th April
2007 he began working on the first painting. Barely a
month later, on 22nd May, he was shocked and saddened to
receive a message informing him of the passing away of Sai
Geeta. Alex writes:
Swami had seen the future and given me the chance to
record the present. The painting given here shows Sai
Geeta losing her worldly form and morphing with her
heavenly energy surrounded by Devas.
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Urs Keller, a devotee
from Switzerland and a great fan of Sai Geeta has had some
interesting tales about the little princess of Prasanthi
Nilayam. But, before turning into the Sai Geeta pages, it would
be interesting to read, in his own words, how this man who set
out to meet Sathya Sai Baba of Prasanthi Nilayam mysteriously
reached the Abode of Shirdi Sai Baba at Shirdi from where he was
subsequently guided to Parthi during his maiden trip to
Bhagawan, as if some unseen hand was orchestrating the whole of
the happening. Writes Keller:
"In the year 1978, I was
in Luzern for teacher's training. To go somewhere after my
studies where there was peace was the most important thing for
me. So, I began searching for this place in different spiritual
groups and in literature where I could be free and at peace.
After a long search here and there I came across an article in a
magazine with a small photo of Sathya Sai Baba. The title was
‘Prashanthi Nilayam, The Abode of Supreme Peace’.
I told myself
spontaneously, “I’ll go there!” and cut out the article and put
it into my wallet. Then I forgot about it, since I did not know
about Sai Baba and Prashanthi Nilayam. Half a year later someone
saw the photo of Sai Baba and invited me for tea. This Swiss man
had visited Sai Baba in India and told me about the place. Now,
everything became clear to me. Subsequently I had earned enough
money and was able to travel to India to see Sai Baba in August
1980 and stay for three months. The article about Sathya Sai
Baba had been with me for a long time.
Because I was told that
all people in India know Sai Baba, I flew to Bombay. Outside the
airport I asked where I could find Sai Baba. Everywhere I got
the answer ‘yes, yes’ and was first directed to the railway
station. There I heard different answers until I got exhausted,
crouched down in a corner and wept. After some time someone came
to me, took my hand, guided me to a train, put me into a
compartment and told the fellow travellers where they should let
me get off. At last he placed a ticket into my hand, smiled and
disappeared. I had no idea who he was, but until today I am very
grateful to him.
In the early morning
hours I reached a small village north of Bombay. I walked
through the deserted lanes as if guided by an unseen hand to a
temple and stepped inside with my shoes on, like in a church.
Because I was there all alone, ready to drop down, I fell asleep
at the feet of the marble idol.
When the priests came
they did not know what to do with me and first of all took my
shoes off while I was still asleep. Waking up I realized that
the priests and some other people were looking at me with eyes
wide open. As I walked out of the temple one of the priests
started conversing with me in a very friendly way. He explained
that this was Shirdi Sai Baba’s temple and asked me to stay
another day. Then he arranged my tickets for the train and bus
to Prashanthi Nilayam – the Abode of Supreme Peace- about 800 km
in the South."
And once in Prasanthi
Nilayam he developed a new found love, apart from regular
darshan of Bhagawan, Sai Geeta, Bhagawan’s pet elephant. Keller
continues:
"For several weeks, I
spent my time at noon sitting near Sai Baba’s pet elephant, Sai
Geeta, in the cowshed called Gokulam. Many a time, I went for a
walk with Sai Geeta and her mahout. Once we were on our way to
the small animal park next to the college when Sai Geeta
suddenly started trumpeting like mad. The mahout told me that
Sai Baba’s car would come from the village at any moment. In
fact, after a few seconds the car showed up to the place.
Bhagawan got down, patted Sai Geeta and smiled at me. I bowed
down before Him. Sai Baba then explained to the man in charge of
the small animal zoo in a very fast way many things about small
animals like deer, rabbits and birds."
It is indeed a known fact
that every time Bhagawan would cross the then Sai Geeta
residence through the road His attention would be diverted to
Sai Geeta at that split second. Joy Zieglere of the US wrote
about such an incident.
Almost each day of my
stay at Prasanthi Nilayam, I walked through the village, past
the schools, past the new planetarium, to the large plot of
tropical land that is Sai Geeta's home. Often I would stop at
one of the many small fruit and vegetable stands along the
roadside and pick out five or six ripe bananas to take for the
elephant. Usually, the gentleman who took care of Geeta allowed
me to feed her and stroke her trunk.
Some days, if Swami was
going to the Gokulam, He would drive by Geeta's lush area and
wave. Geeta would run to the gate and bow, holding her trunk out
in salute to her adored Swami. I witnessed this many times
during the two months I had been at the ashram. Sometimes Geeta
would trumpet her love for Swami, sending elephant sounds deep
into the sultry jungle that surrounded her.
There were other days
when Swami would drive by and not glance Geeta's way. Unhampered
by this, the faithful elephant could still be seen at the
roadside, knees bent, trunk outstretched, in praise to the
Divine, as His car slowly passed. Geeta's keeper was ever ready
with assistance. Each day she was bathed, Indian designs were
painted on her large forehead, usually in white, and a brass
bell hung lazily from her neck. Purple bougainvilleas adorned
the fence around Geeta's yard as well.
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One morning, as was
my practice, I waved at the keeper and held up my gift of
bananas. Holding up his hand in returned recognition, he
walked toward the entrance. Speaking to me, he said, "I will
not have you feed these to Geeta today,” taking the fruits
from my hand.
I
responded quickly, "Is she sick?"
"No,
no,” came his reply. "Swami may stop and feed her these
bananas today."
I
thought to myself, `I have been here almost every day, and
Swami has never stopped to feed her. Why, sometimes He has
not even looked her way. This man must be dreaming.' I
finally presumed that the keeper was going to consume the
bananas himself.
No
sooner had this thought gone through my mind than a student,
neatly dressed in fresh, white trousers with matching shirt,
galloped up to the gateway and shouted to the elephant
keeper that Swami was indeed on His way. Wiping Geeta's
trunk and straightening her bell, the keeper walked with Sai
Geeta to the entrance. He opened the gate and she stepped
out on the sand to wait in anticipation of Swami.
She
bowed low and trumpeted loudly, as the red car came to a
stop in front of her. The door opened and Swami stepped out.
Walking several steps toward Geeta, He reached out and put
His arms around her trunk and gave a hug. Geeta closed her
eyes in ecstasy. Swami then took the bananas and fed them
one by one to Geeta, stroking her trunk as she ate.
I was
breathless. How had the keeper known Swami would stop there
that day?
Nudging me gently, the elephant mahout pointed to the camera
that hung forgotten around my neck, then to Swami, reminding
me of the opportunity to take pictures.
What
went on between God and His elephant that day was
inexpressible. But the love that passed between them was
glorious.As Swami's car vanished down the narrow road, I
turned to the keeper in near hysteria. "How did you know
that Swami would stop and feed Geeta today?" I asked in an
almost scream.
Softly, the man replied, "I didn't know. What I did know was
that Geeta needed to be close to Swami. It had been waiting
for a long time. God gives each of us what we need; not just
to humans alone, but to each species of creation. Every
being is in His ever knowing hands."
Sai Geeta is incomparable and her
life is a deep mystery that the ordinary cannot comprehend.
She is arguably the most fortunate of her kind, a great
devotee of Lord. There were questions after her passing away
as to ‘who next?' But, none expected another calf to come so
soon to fill the vacuum. Barely few months after her passing
away, another sweet calf was brought to Prasanthi Nilayam.
Yes, yet another Geeta – Sathya Geeta and that too all the
way from the Bihar Nepal border. The new calf that was fed
and christened by Bhagawan Himself would continue the great
legacy of Sai Geeta traversing in her footsteps unravelling
greater heights of devotion towards God in human. Sathya
Geeta would once again demonstrate the interplay of God with
Nature. The very name rings true of the closeness which
Nature has with God – Sathya – and Geeta. Is this the new
song of love being demonstrably played by Bhagawan so that
we soak in the melody and transform our lives?
Bhagawan’s love for the world is unfathomable. When Sai
Geeta moved on there was sadness and now when Sathya Geeta
has taken her place, this little bundle has brought great
joy. Is not this the message that Bhagawan is constantly
trying to help us internalise? That pain and joy come in
close cycles?
Yes,
as a devotee wrote about the pet elephant, Sai Geeta got her
befitting due, and a Divine Adieu! His words on Sai Geeta
would be ringing in every human heart reminding them of the
level of devotion human should strive to peak, after having
been blessed with the Lord in physical, to transport
themselves to the gleam of eternity. In His first address
after the passing away of Sai Geeta, to the students of His
educational institution, Bhagawan exhorted: “If only
you can remember and ruminate on the intense love that Sai
Geeta had for Swami and develop such sacred and noble
thoughts, I will Myself take you close to My heart. You do
not have to do anything else."
Let
us feel grateful to Bhagawan for making every large and
incomprehensible lesson so seemingly simple that it reaches
out to us – time and time again!!!
source: sssbpt.org |
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Click on the links below to read more about Sai Geeta
2009 -
Remembering Sai Geeta - The
great Legacy of Sai Geeta
Pictures:
Latest Photos: Sai Geetha's burial & last rights Photos
Eye witness account of : - SAI GEETHA'S "FUNERAL"- Entombment
A.
Sai Geetha…A
mystifying tale of unmatched love:
"It was on a trip along with few devotees to the Muddumalai forest in 1962 that Swami first
noticed the tender and tiny toy of joy that Sai Geetha was then...."
Read all about Sai
Geetha
B.
Talks with Pedda Reddy garu, the caretaker of
Planetarium and Sai Geeta
C. Sai Geeta's New Home's ceremonial
inaugural by Swami 18th Nov 2006, Images
D. Sai Geetha Wallpapers
E.
Eye witness account
of : SAI GEETHA'S "FUNERAL"-
Entombment
F.
THE ELEPHANT
SYMBOL : excerpt from Swami's discourse about Sai Geetha
G. Sai
Geetha news in media -
H.
Sai Geetha: reflection of a
devotee... - I.
Significance of Sai Geetha
elephant
I.
Remembering Sai Gita - Sai Gita - a
Tribute... by SSSBPT, Prasanthi Nilayam
J. SAI
SPIRITUAL SHOWERS – SPECIAL ISSUE - Remembering Sai Gita: "Sai Geeta is history now and essentially a part of His-Story. She
must have been with Bhagawan through many of His previous Avatars and hence possibly
having found her way to Prasanthi Nilayam. Who are we to decipher Bhagawan’s play with
our very limited intellect? It all seems a part of His overall drama...."
Pictures of Sai Baba
with His new pet elephant calf |