From Bhagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba Prasanthi Nilayam

50 Letters To Elder Sister Venkamma and Her Son M. Senkara Raju

PART I

32 Handwritten Letters by

Bhagavan to His Sister Venkamma

Venkamma and Bhagavan

PART II

18 Handwritten Letters by

Bhagavan to M. Senkara Raju

M.Senkara Raju (Senkarappa)

PART III

Photographs

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PART I

Sri Sathya Sai Camp – Bhadrachalam 1-1-1955 Venkamma Today is New Year’s Day. I bless you with a long life, happiness and peace. This New Year will give you all kinds of happiness. I am in Bhadrachalam now. We came in eight cars yesterday night Rajamma, Seeethamma, Seshagiri Rao, Narasamma, Cincholi Lakshmi Bai and Chincholi Rani are here with me. Kousalyamma, Bhanumathi, their next door neighbor, her husband, their child and many new people are all here. Here Rajamma’s son Krishnaswamy is a D.S.P. That is why boats and all arrangements were offered to us with all facilities. Tell all the people in the Old Sai Mandir and tell Krish-namma in the New Mandir that I am very well, happy and in bliss. I will be coming back soon. Tell everyone in the village. That’s all. No time. Revered Baba

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Blessings Venkamma Himayatnagar 20.12.1955 Arrangements have been made here on a very grand scale. I left Hyderabad and came to Himayatnagar yesterday. From here I will go to Suryapet, Nalagonda, Jangam, Warangal and Mehboobabad. We have been greeted in every town with excellent lodg-ings, festooned with mountain sized hanging garlands. I am very happy. Krishna went to Madras day before yesterday. Patala Ramu, Seshagiri Rao, Narasamma, Chincholi Rani, Narasimha Reddy and many other people are coming with me to every town. I am eating food from time to time. I am very happy. Otherwise there is no time for even a second. There is no rest. Thousands and thousands of people are making grand arrangements and expressing their deep devotion. Write to me at Chincholi Rani’s house in Hyderabad, iIt will reach me. Look after the Mandir very well. Convey my blessings to all our friends there. Chebroli Subba Rao and his wife, Minister Naragondu Rama Rao, his wife and brother, Vijayalakshmamma are all coming to Hyderabad. I will write about other matters later. All is well. Polakamma’s daughter and Janaki’s wedding is on the 28th. Knowing my program, I have made all the arrangements. They are all very happy. I am going to Jangam. That’s all. My Blessings to all. Convey to everyone that I am in bliss and happiness. Blessings Revered Baba

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Camp – Suryapet 23-12-1955 This letter is Venkamma I came to this town yesterday. I am doing well. All types of facilities have been prepared for us here. There are lots of people following behind me wher-ever I go. Everywhere we go people have extended great hospitality to us. The arrangements they have made put me in bliss. Seven to eight cars are following me wherever I go. I am writing this letter quickly as time is very short. I am going to Jangam tomorrow. I will write a letter from there. That’s all. Blessings. Revered Baba

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Rutland Gate, Vijay Sai Vihar 10-12-1953 Venkamma We reached Madras at 10 pm yesterday night. We arrived in bliss without any difficulties. In the middle of the journey we had our lunch and later stopped for coffee at Madanapalle. We are all fine and happy. How is Vijaya? Are all the devotees doing well? I suppose all are happy and com-fortable there? Take good care of the temple. Is Krishtappa there? Has his sister-in-law gone to her na-tive place? She said that she would be going. I told them to start the work in the village. Give ten rupees to each of them for their meals (work-ers). Take vouchers for everything. As soon as the money is all spent, write a letter to me and I will send you more. Work should start in Bukkapatnam too. Tell them I en-quired about them and sent my blessings to all of them; Grandmother and her grandchildren, Savithramma, Sharadamma, Kishtamma, Konamma and Kamalamma, Parvathamma, Ramiah, Kishtappa, Seshagiri Rao and the Gurkha (security guard). Give my Blessings to all of them. Get the work done in the village quickly. I am fine and well. Tell them to take care of the cattle. Tell them to pour water in the places where the trees have been axed. Put some manure around the plants. Revered Baba

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Vijay Sai Vihar, Rutland Gate, Madras Venkamma Baba writes with blessings. Hope you have received my letter. There have been no letters from there. Have the workers come? I have received a letter from Hindupuram saying that they will come if we send money. But do not send money to them. They have completed only 15 days’ work with our one month salary along with food. Those four people have cook’s money of Rs.40, Nanjappa’s past debt of Rs.10 and Babu has Rs.20. Even after having this amount with them, they wrote to us to send them money. So, do not give any money to them. They took advantage of our kindness and got spoiled.

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(Reverse side) So, inform Krishtappa and ask someone else to come. Or if they want to, then they can only come. You will not know if they ask for money. Tell them that it can be discussed once Swami arrives. And do not talk about any other debts. We can discuss that after the work is completed. If they say that they are not going to come anymore then ask them to pay money for the food and the past debt with Nanjappa's money. Some people, either from that town or other, will come for cheaper rate. Send Krishtappa by giving him bus fare and get the work started. I am fine here. That's all. Convey my regards to everyone. Janaki Ramaiah is fine. He's here only. (These are the sentences written on the top diagonally.)

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Venkamma We reached Madras at 1:30 in the night. I saw Ramaya in Madanapalli. He is fine and has become quite fat. The doctors have told him that he is alright and to go home. But they have asked him to come for a monthly check-up. That is why he said he will stay in the village. Otherwise he will come to Madras. I told him it is al-right. The moment I came here Parvathamma, Hanumantha Rao and Rajagaru and others cried very much that I have be-come very thin. They asked about you too. You eat on time, forget everything and look after the work. Have you seen Senkarappa or not? Tell him to study hard. Stay at the Old Mandir and look after the work.

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(Reverse side) We will try for a house when I come there. Inform Parvathamma too. Tell her not to speak too much to anybody with the Mandiram people. Do not quarrel with each other and be happy. Tell her that I have written very well on her. Even if it is good they will take it in a negative way. So do not meddle in the affairs of anyone. Be happy. I will look after everything. I will write again later. Convey my regards to Maruthi, Nagendra, Senkara and Chitti. Convey to Pushpamma also. Convey my regards and blessings to all the devotees. That’s all. Blessings Yours Baba

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Venkamma. Baba writes with blessings. I received the letter you sent through Krishtappa and I hope you got my letter sent through post. I am happy. You wrote that you are not feeling good mentally. This is all normal. This all happened due to Subbaraju. You should get used to it. Don’t take it to your heart and think about them in your mind unnecessarily. Everything will pass soon. Go to the Mandir. The matters will settle down. The matters concerned with the village and the house will be normal soon. Be at peace for some time. Convey my blessings to Senkarappa. Inform Nagendra, Maruthi and Chandralekha too. I heard that Parvathamma has a nerve problem. I have sent the medicines and tell her the pain will subside soon. She is in great difficulty after she went there. I will be coming there soon. I have sent medicines for Parvathamma and you too. Do not inform Subbaraju. Subbaraju is writing letters to Janakiramiah asking for money. I had recently sent 100 rupees. He had even acknowledged that. He wrote that he is now healthy and fine and has been sent home from the hospital. I wrote and told him to stay in Krishna’s sister’s place and I would send money for expenses. Let Pushpamma know all this. Tell her not to worry about it and shortly the boy will get a job in a good place. In these times attaining knowledge is difficult. Even though there is a difficulty inform the boy that he has to bear it for some time. Tell him that Swami will take care of everything.

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(Reverse side) I have not written a letter to Karnam Kamalamma separately because everyone would see it. Inform her accordingly. Tell her not to be afraid and live happily. Swami would take care of her in all respects. Tell her that she will be victorious soon. Inform her through Pushpamma at least. I will come soon. That’s all, Blessings Convey my blessings to Swami Rao and Bheemanna.

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Brindavan, Bangalore I came to know all the matters. All are happy and healthy here. I think that the children are healthy there. You do not give space for all unnecessary things they say. They have menial thoughts and knowledge. Their loose talk will not stand any day. They will not come to any good in their lives. They are not able to accept people who are successful. They are not good people any day. It will be good if we do not have any type of affinity towards them. Do not bow to them at any cost otherwise they will become headstrong and try to rule over us. You do your duty bravely. Talks with them are unnecessary. They are the type of people who do not have patience, good words and good habits. Not one person is of a good nature in that group. They are all like that. Mixing with them for any reason is not good at all. Do not keep all these in mind and do your work. This is the best way to go about this matter. Their stomachs are full of dirty wicked nonsense and bad thoughts are dancing in their minds. You cannot do anything. It is their karma and only the divine can decide about it. It is no surprise that these types of people exist. That’s all. Baba

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Venkamma Madras Yesterday I left Puttaparthi and went straight to Krishnammas village. I consecrated an idol there. Oh! What a crowd. Must be more than 10,000 people. The car could not move on the road, so we had to leave the car and walk. After finishing that we reached Palamaner in the night stayed there and reached Madras at 12 o clock. All are fine here. The aeroplane for all has been booked for the 20th. We will all be leaving at 7.00 am on the morning of the 20th. The lady of the house and Ramiah will also be coming on the flight. It is a special flight. Only our people will be on it. No one else will be there. Even Susheelamma will be coming. Indiramma, Kumar Raja, Minister Chandra, Dr. Lakshmi, Satchid-anandam, Kasturi, Collector Puruvashottam, Venka-traja, Ramu the cook, Chandrika, Lalli and we all will be on the flight. Let everyone know in the Mandir. I will write a letter again. Lokanadham, Gardha Mayana, Raja Ram brother, Madurai Jail Superintendent Rama Murthy his wife, Partha-sarathy and Bhujanga Rao will also be coming by 3rd class train. Blessings to everybody. Look after the Mandir very well. Ask Krishtappa to look after it very well. Revered Baba I admitted Maruthi in the school. Let Parvathamma know that he is doing fine.

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Venkamma, Baba is writing this letter to you with blessings. I am very happy here. I am taking food from time to time and taking rest. Only on Thursdays there is Darshan and on the remaining days I am free. We are doing work for the Dasara festival. I also bought some materials. The devotees are also doing fine here. I hope all of you are fine in the Mandir there. I also hope that Narasamma, Krishnamma, Lakshmi Narayanamma, Namagiriyamma, Seethamma, Pushpamma, Kamalamma, Alakamma and Parvathamma are all doing well. Convey my blessings to all of them. Look after the workers well. Talk to Chandramouli and arrange for the bricks. If the price is agreeable then give an advance of Rs. 20-30. I will speak when I come there. Tell them I enquired about the pillars. I wrote to Janakiramiah too. Look out for a house in the village. Namu Nagi Reddy will come to Puttaparthi in the lorry in two or three days and send people to fix tiles on the rooftop. Start the work the moment these people come. I am fine. Inform Senkarappa, Nagendra and Patel that I have asked them to study hard Convey my blessings to Chitti, Maruthi and Tilakamma’s child. Tell them that Narasanna is fine. That’s all. Blessings. You eat properly and go around happily. Yours, Baba

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Sivam, Hyderabad Venkamma! Do not worry about Senkarappa. He is thinking more about some matters regarding his job and he has gone in that context. He is not satisfied with his current job and is trying carelessly in other pursuits and is suffering. He will come back soon. He is not a small child. He knows all matters. He has done this before and has gone for seven to eight days without telling anyone. He doesn’t think that you will all be very anxious. Once before he left and did not inform anyone about his whereabouts even in the house. Last time he also took some clothes, this time he has not taken anything. That is why all this tension is being created. But he has not gone to his company. He got the idea to change the job himself. He will come back soon. Do not worry, I am also coming shortly. Be brave. Yours, Baba

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Venkamma Baba writes with blessings. We reached Venkatagiri very quickly. We left Puttaparthi and went to Madanapalle via Kadiri and the car broke down there. We reached Madanapalle at 8.00 pm We saw and spoke to Janakiramiah there. We filled up the petrol tank and went on to Venkatagiri. By the time we reached the Post office the fan belt snapped. Nagi Reddy recognized the license plate of our car and came to us. He felt very bad that we had not informed him, and he arranged dinner and everything for us. He got the car repaired around midnight himself and rectified everything. We stayed there that night and departed on the 2nd day morning and reached Venkatagiri for lunch. Today the Naming Ceremony was celebrated very grandly. No words can express the royal ambiance of those proceedings. Indiramma, Professor Chandra, Hanumantha Rao, Ramu, Raj Mahal’s mother, sisters, his elder daughter all came there. Many of their relatives too came there. I will write again later when I have time. Inform everyone about this matter in the Mandir and in the village. That’s all. Yours, Babagaru

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Bhagawan Sri SathyaSai Baba Venkamma Baba writes with blessings. I am happy here. Seshagiri Rao wrote all the news in his letter. Meda Ramiah and Gruhamammayi went to Berham. They will be coming back in the evening. Tell the workers to start the work immediately once they arrive. I will write the details once I reach Madras. I am fine. There is no time. Thousands of devotees are here. That’s all the news for now. Blessings to everyone Babagaru

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Sri SathyaSai Baba 9, Rutland Gate Nungambakkam Madras 6 Venkamma Baba writes with blessings. I got the letter which was written by Krishtappa. I got to know the details. He wrote that the water in the well is not sufficient for the plants also. I am trying my best to come soon. The spares for the car have to be procured from Bombay and then only I can return. So that’s why they have written a letter to Bombay. The car broke down when I went to Bangalore for Akhanda Bhajan. Due to this it got very late. Nothing other than that. If I come without the car it might not be good. So I stopped, to get everything ready and come. I will return as soon as possible. Put enough water so that the plants grow well. Get the cement ready. If everything is ready and the basic lime powder is also ready then we can start the painting work of the house. Inform all the devotees about this matter. I will send money order of Rs. 100 tomorrow. Give that to the workers who mix water with the limestone powder. That’s all. Blessings Maruthi is very good. Yours, Babagaru

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Venkamma! Your letter has reached me. Got to know about all the news. As the work was going on, I had to stay here. After this Vaishakha month (one of the Telugu months), there is no auspicious day for two more months. In Jyeshta month, eldest son's marriage cannot be performed. And then comes Aashadha month in which marriages are not done. So, better to arrange the marriage this month itself. If they accept, then the marriage can be arranged in their place, at the bride's place. Else, we can arrange in the Old Mandir in Puttaparthi. I will send the money for expenditures. I will not come to Prasanthi Nilayam till June. Inform Subrahmanyam about this. I will make them happy once I am there. I am sending ten thousand rupees for expen-ditures. I am sending clothes also. I will give the jewelry once I come to Prasanthi Nilayam. I do not have with me. If possible, I will send someone to Coimbatore to get the jewelry. Here it is very expensive. So, even if a little bit of amount gets wasted, I will try to send from Bangalore If possible on Thursday 18th of May, Trayodashi or on Thursday 25th of May, Panchami. These two are auspicious days. Inform the bride's family members. Show this letter to Subrahmanyam. It is not correct to change again, as it's already late for the groom (means, he is already crossing young age).

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So, it is good to arrange the marriage in the month of May itself. We have a lot of Swami's mercy. Swami Sharanam, Shravana and Ratnakars will attend from here. I will send money with them. Will also send the rest of the things. That's all. Blessings! Baba

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Venkamma! Senkarappa! Receive my blessings. It is good if brother in law goes back to his old company job. They are very good people. Just wasting time is good for nothing. It is just a way of extending your laziness into something even more meaningless as a way of life. This is not good at all. You have children. You have to get yourself together and do something for their well-being and also for your own development. Getting yourself into unwanted and unnecessary trouble is useless and this is nothing but total ignorance. It’s always better to be patient. Resigning in haste brings indignity to us. Sulking will bring disrepute to us. They are good people. That’s why there are calling you back. I hope you will do your level best with those good people, learn to behave with dignity and reach a good position. Whatever the matter is, either let them or me know about it. But resigning without discussing and without informing is not what dignified people do. We should do our work sincerely, truthfully and try to get a good name for ourselves for our own personal development. Join work immediately. With regards, Baba

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Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Camp: Brindavan, Kadugodi P.O., Bangalore Dist., Mysore State Venkamma! Receive my blessings. I received your letter and have noted the contents in detail. The day you went, Senkarappa came home. He is still applying balms on himself all over but seems to be getting alright and moving around. He is doing work in the compound here and there. Do not worry and think unnecessarily about it. The little child is sick with Jaundice. Take care of her food habits carefully. It is because of very unhealthy food she has got this. Give her a liquid diet and keep her away from oily preparations. Subbu and Shekar can be sent to the school in the Mandir itself. It will be good for them. Otherwise they will be up to a lot of mischief if they are at home. They will recover their health too very soon. Here, I have made arrangements for Senkarappa once again. He is taking good food and is in Bangalore itself. You do not worry about anything. There will be some difficulties with the children. You stay in the Mandir for some time and send the children to the Mandir School. Let the little girl get an education too. You can stay in Dr. Saraswathi’s house. He is living downstairs next to Katyayamma. If you want I will write to Surayya and ask him to give that house to you. The children coming and going from the village to the school will be difficult. You do what is best for yourself. Here, I have work regarding the college construction and it will take me one more week to come to Prasanthi Nilayam. I will be in Prasanthi Nilayam for Shankranthi. Blessings and good health to everyone. Convey to the children too. Yours, Baba

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Venkamma! You seem to have grown very lean. This is not good for you. How long will this continue? You should eat on time and should walk around. But do not lie down all the time and do not get your body sunken. You do not need to worry. Nothing is insufficient. I am there for you, if you need anything. Don't eat food like sorghum balls (Indian dish). You will become ill as such food will not get digested when you are weak. What is the use of having everything, but no health? Do not cook sorghum balls at all. It is not good for anybody. To Lakshmi Narayanamma, to Pushpamma or to you – whomsoever. If everyone is together, then anything can be done, else it will be difficult for everyone. Forget the past and look for the yet-to-be-done. Use rice instead of sorghum. I will send. If you need anything, ask me. Do not hesitate. How will you manage without asking me? Shankar and you take only milk at nights. If you need milk, I can send you every week. Or you send someone here, I will give. Take care of your health. Walk around now and then. If you are too sick, there is a room in the Old Mandiram right? You can stay there. After sometime, we will have all facilities here. Whatever you need, inform me. But don't eat whatever is available. Avoid sorghum at home. I will take care in all the possible ways. Do not think too much and do not get worried. Follow what I have told you without fail. That's all. Blessings. Baba Sent 50 along. Use for any petty expenditure.

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9 Rutland Gate, Vijaya Sai Vihar, Nungambakam, Madras. Venkamma The letter that I wrote yesterday to Seshagiri Rao might have reached you by now. You might have been aware of all the news. We are doing well. Venkatagiri people's car has broken down. So we left it in the middle of the forest. We have asked Nagi Reddy to repair it and send it back to us. Janaki Ramaiah has got to know about this. Today Nagi Reddy has repaired it. Janaki Ramaiah has come to Madras by that car today. He is fine. He is happy and is healthy too. Inform this to everyone. Take good care of the house construction work. If you keep soil and plaster ready, then it will be easier for the workers when they come. You personally take care of this. It will be better if it gets finished fast. Convey my regards to everyone in the Mandir; Saradamma, Chayamma, Ammannamma, Ramalinga Reddy, Krishtappa, Seshagiri Rao, Krishnamma and her son, Lakshmi Narayanamma, Pushpamma, Tilakamma, Parvathamma, Chandramala. Convey my regards to Soubhagyamma, if she is there. We all are doing well here. If it has rained there, then take care of the trees. It will be better if you use fertilizers on them. Get Cypress trees from near the well and plant them here and there, where there is space. Tell Senkarappa and others to study well. Convey my blessings to Nagendra, Maruthi and Chitti. Convey my regards to Kamalamma as well.

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Venkamma! Your letter has reached me and I got to know the news. If the girl is good and if Senkarappa too has accepted, then I do not have any objections. Better to arrange soon. We can think of the rest of the things later. I will be happy if Senkarappa and accept the bride. If you two are satisfied, there lies my satisfaction too. Call them and discuss. It would be better if we arrange next Kartika Masam (an eighth month as per Hindu calendar). Senkarappa does not have any disease. But he is always thinking and behaving so. And that is why I could not say anything stubbornly. There won't be any use even if we say anything when he has an absent mind. So, if we arrange for the marriage first, we can check later on what to do and what to say. It will be a mere waste if he does nothing and just behaves in this manner. And if he is here, his behavior will get totally deteriorated. He may become talkative, but he will not find peace in this game of life. It will be better to get him married soon. Call them and discuss it further. If you all discuss and confirm, then it will give me happiness. It is not good to delay. By the time I am back, if you call them, see the girl and decide the Muhurtam (an auspicious time to perform any event as per Hinduism), then I will get it done. I will be back by 10th. It will be better to arrange between 12th of November and 18th of November. There won't be much crowd also. We can finish the marriage in one day.

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Coming to the kids, you do not need to worry about them. Swami will definitely take care of them. Nobody needs to worry about them. I will take care of them in every possible way. Coming to the Madras lady's matter it is unnecessary. Every family has their own problems and difficulties, which is not our business. If she doesn't need it, it will be better to sell and save that money in a bank. Alas! She too can live without depending on anybody, for the rest of her life. It is enough if she lives happily and peacefully. We do not need her money. Tell her to sell the house and save the money in a bank. If I find her, I will tell her this for sure. Yours, Baba

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To Chi. Kum. Sow. Venkamma (Chi. Kum. Sow = Chiranjeevi Kumkuma Sowbhagyavati = Used as prefix to address an unmarried lady, with respect).

Babagaru writes with blessings. A lot of devotees are here: Maharaja of Baroda, Maharaja of Cooch (Behar), and other great people. It is not possible to write or explain that grandeur. As you have already seen it once, it is ok. Samrajya Lakshmamma has told that Parvathamma’s family, Gruhamammayi’s family, and you too should have come. But as it will be difficult to arrange food for Subbaraju who works on time and for Musalabbayi who lives in that home. I myself refused. If Parvathamma’s family, lady of Gruham and others, Pushpamma and you come to Bengaluru on 10th, then you can watch the great bhajan. So, you can come then. But now, send the boy of Gruham. Because he can see the grand happenings of Madras now. While returning, we will bring him with us by the same flight.

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(Reverse side) The lives in this materialistic world are something very common. If we all the time drown in this ocean, then when can we transcend it? So, even if they wait for some time, it is ok. So send him immediately along with Krishtappa. Also, ask him to start after finishing the arrangements for Lord Rama’s temple. If the idols are ready, then we can grandly enshrine those in the month of Shravan (a month as per Hindu calendar) once we are back. That should be done on the name of Musalabbayi. So assist him, and send him immediately. Convey my regards to Pushpamma, Kamalamma, Parvathamma, Gruhamammaayi, Sankar, Nagesam. Ask the husband, Chandra Mouli and others to look after Kanjeemu Chatramu. Kishtappa will tell you other news. I have written a letter to Vayalpadu also. They will also come.

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Venkamma I am resting well and I am happy too. I felt happy by learning your news. I will be coming soon, by this months’ end. I will write a letter before I start. I have written about the bricks matter. Get the bricks ready, as I said. We can start once I come there. Not much to write. Janaki Ramaiah is discharged from hospital. They are in a hotel. Yesterday I sent Rs.200 also. They are asking him to stay in Madanapalle for one more month after which they can leave to any place. This month they are supposed to visit the doctor once in 15 days. If he comes back to Puttaparthi, he will not go to visit the doctor. So I suggested that he stay there for a month and then come back to Puttaparthi. He’s fine. I suggested that he eat only healthy food and to take care there. Narasanna is fine. All the rest of the devotees are also fine. A lot of devotees are coming. That’s all. Blessings Ask Senkarappa to study well. Convey my regards to Chandra Mouli, Gruham-ammayi, Parvathamma and all other devotees. With regards Babagaru

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Sri SathyaSai Baba Tuesday, 23.06.1953 PrasanthiNilayam Camp. Madras. 6. Venkamma, Babagaru writes with blessings. We came to Madras from Bejawada (now, Vijayawada) today only. A lot of devotees had come from Bandar. Mohandas bhajan group from Bheemavaram had also come. We had gone to Chebrolu. I cannot explain how that place was! Cars were running over the people. It was that crowded with thousands of devotees. Everyone felt so happy. As the Krishna River was on high tide, we could not travel by cars. So we, along with the cars came by steamers. Gruhamammaayi and her family had visited Bandar. Then we all came back to Madras. Janaki Ramaiah and others are fine. We will be back as soon as possible. In Bejawada it rained day and night. It was very cold. I wrote a letter to Seshagiri Rao, from Bejawada on how it was there. The letter should have reached by now. No letters from anybody from Puttaparthi. Has the cow delivered? Has it rained there? Convey my blessings to Ammannamma, Bayamma, Pushpamma, Krishnamma, Bayammas children, Saradamma and Kamalamma. Have the workers come? If they have, then get the work started. I am eating and resting on time and am fine. That’s all. Blessings! With regards, Babagaru Convey my regards to Parvathamma, Narasanna, Kishtappa, Chandra Mouli and others. Ask them to take care.

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Vijaya Sai Vihar, 9 Rutland Gate, Madras 6 Venkamma Babagaru writes with blessings. Your letter has reached. So, I write about my travels. Now most of the car work is done. It will be finished in two or three days. I will write once it is finished. 30 bags of rice have come from Chebrolu. It has been 20 days since they were loaded into a train. So give the fare amount and send someone to check if those bags have reached or not. We need to pay the money to collect those. It might cost Rs.70 or Rs.80. Send the money with someone and make those reach Puttaparthi. Send those either by bus or lorry. So, I had sent a money order of Rs.200. We need to pay Rs.10 per day for keeping the bags in the station. Send someone to check now and then, though it costs the charges. I have sent a railway pass along with this letter. Keep it safe and give it to the station master, after collecting the bags. I came to know that Savitramma and Saradamma have not gone. Happy! Convey my blessings to them. Convey my blessings to all the devotees. Inform about this matter to either Krishtappa or Narasanna or Chandra Mouli and get the rice to reach fast. That’s all. Blessings!

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(Reverse side) Along with the pass, I have written a letter to the station master. Show those two letters to the Station master. I have written Narasanna’s name in that. So send Narasanna and Chandra Mouli or someone else. We need to pay around Rs.69. They may ask a little more. Ask Narasanna to get a signature on the pass, whenever he goes. To Venkamma Puttaparthi

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Sri SathyaSai Baba

Vijaya Sai Vihar 9 Rutland Gate

Nungumbakkam Madras

Venkamma Babagaru writes with blessings. No letters at all from town. Have the rice grains reached? How is everything going in town? Do not bother about that. Just be brave and live by yourself. Why should we bother? Did you buy lime (limestone powder) again? If not, then buy now. We also need tiles for the backside of our building. It will be difficult when the rainy season starts. It will be good if the house construction gets finished in two months. Convey my blessings to all the devotees in Mandir. Has Seshagiri Rao come? Convey to Pushpamma, Krishnamma, Lakshmi Narayan-amma, Vayalpadu members, Parvathamma, Gruhamam-maayi and others, Savitramma, Kamalamma, Saradamma and others. Ask Krishtappa, Chandra Mouli and others to take care of the Mandir. Ask Sankara, Nagendra and others not to roam under the sun. Maruthi is fine. Ramaiah is fine. I will start after receiving your letter. That’s all. Yours. Babagaru

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Sri Sathya Sai Baba

VijayaSaiVihar 9 Rutland gate

Nungumbakkam MADRAS 6

Venkamma Babagaru writes with blessings. I feel my letter has reached you. You might have known all the news by now. I am starting right away. But it is not good to keep the car here, after I leave. It is better to get it immediately. Luggage has come from Bombay. But as it is Tamil New Year yesterday and today, all the shops were closed. So the luggage has not reached us yet. Once we get the luggage, I can get it loaded into the car and start immediately. We are getting delayed only because of the car. Convey to all the devotees in Mandir, I mean to Vayalpadu devotees and others, Krishnamma, Kamalamma, Narasanna, Krishtappa, Parvathamma, Gruhamammaayi, ChandraMouli and to all others. Maruthi and Ramaiah are fine. Will bring them soon. Here bhajans are happening wonderfully. A lot of people. Narasamma is coming twice in a week. And all the time, a lot of devotees are coming. Have Senkara’s examinations finished? Tell Nagendra and others to study well. Convey my regards to Lakshmi Narayanamma, if she is there. That’s all. Babagaru.

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Sri Sathya Sai Baba Vijaya Sai Vihar

9 Rutland Gate MADRAS 6

Venkamma I had come to Madras last Monday. Here everyone is doing well. Ramaiah also is healthy and happy. Seshagiri Rao and Krishtappa from Venkatagiri might have come and told you all the news. Look after the Mandir, there. How is Senkarappa’s health? Did he go and join in Bukkapatnam? Have sent Maruthi today. He may reach by evening. Convey my blessings to Chandra Mouliand others, Saradamma, old lady of Vayalpadu members, Ammannamma, Savithramma, Pushpamma, Krishnamma, Gruhamammaayi and Parvathamma. Convey to Kamalamma also. I will write when I will come in my next letter. If lime (limestone powder form) comes, take it. Get the plants watered by Chennappa’s son and pay him three rupees per week. I will send. We are happy here. That’s all. Blessings! Baba

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23.03.1953 Venkamma Babagaru writes with blessings. We all have reached safely at around eight at night. It got delayed as we had food and rested for some time, on the way. Ramaiah and everyone are fine. Sri Rama Navami celebrations are happening. I have just washed my hair and will go for bhajan now. Convey my blessings to all the devotees there. Savithramma, Saradamma, Amman-amma and another lady are suffering from vomiting. Inform the lady’s family members, Krishnamma, Parvathamma, Chandra Mouli’s family members, Sankara, Nagendra and Chitti and Gruhamammaayi that Ramaiah is fine. I will write again when I have some free time. That’s all. Blessings. Convey to Kamalamma, Pushpamma and others also. Singers Ramu Lakshmana, Revathi, Dhamila Mistress Chandra, Lakshmi (doctor), Indir-amma and others have come. That’s all. Blessings.

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Venkamma, I sent a letter to you along with the letter to Narasamma, yesterday itself. Today I am writing as Narasi Reddy and others are coming. Narasanna went to the hospital yesterday. We are taking good care of him. Nurse Rukminamma is taking good care of him. Nothing to worry. So he cannot come home for another two or three months. Ask Krishtappa to take of his family there. Krishna, Parvathamma and I are visiting him daily and are also giving him fruits and Horlicks. He is being given injections from today. Narsanna got very scared and faced difficulties on the first day. But we all consoled him that we will take care of everything. They had a bed vacated through recommendations from friends and admitted him immediately. Now he is fine. Ask his family members not to worry. That’s all. I wrote a short letter, as no time.

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Venkamma Babagaru writes this letter. I feel that the letter that I sent day before yesterday, with Bala Chandra, has reached you. I had to stay back due to some work. We have bought the things (groceries) also. We are starting to Bengaluru on 3rd and then will come to Puttaparthi from there. Inform Subbaraju and others to take good care of everything there. Ask Gowramma to water the coconut trees. Tell them to take care of everything. Has it rained? I feel that everyone is fine. Convey my blessings to Parvathamma and kids, Sankar and everyone. JanakiRamaiah has written a letter in which he mentioned that Susheelamma has gone to Madanapalle and is there now. How is she now? I feel that her children are fine. Convey my regards and blessings to Jeevamma, Krishnamma, Narasanna, Hyderabad Bheemanna’s brother and everyone. That’s all. Everyone is fine here. With regards, Babagaru

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Venkamma Venkatagiri, 17-3-1954 Babagaru writes this letter. I couldn’t meet you when I was there. I had given Rs.100 to Senkarappa. From that spend Rs.50 to pay the fees for kids, get one bag of gram flour and to pay the workers for watering the plants. And keep the remaining amount for you, for household purposes. I will come soon. If the brick workers come, as it will be better to be near to the Mandir, show them that place and make some arrangements. Inform about this to Ramaiah, Krishtappa and Gruhamabbaayi. We need one lakh bricks. Inform them that it will be better if we can have some work done within the Mandir area. If not, it is fine to have somewhere nearby. I am happy here. We have a lot of devotees here. No rest for at least a minute, here also. Has Krishtappa gone to town? Tell Shankarappa and Nagendra to take care of the dogs. Convey my blessings to all the devotees in Mandir. Ask Ramaiah to take good rest. Tell children to study well. That’s all. Blessings! Yours, Babagaru

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From Sri SathyaSai Baba

Vijaya Sai Vihar 9. Rutland Gate Post Cathedral

Nungambakkam Madras

Venkamma, Parvathamma, Narasamma, Krishnamma, Pushpamma, Lakshmi Narayanamma, Tilakamma, Seethamma, Namagiriyamma, Babagaru writes with blessings. I wrote a letter yesterday. You might have got to know about all the happenings. I am taking good rest here. Do not worry about me. I will complete the tasks and will come soon. Wherever I am, I will be in bliss if the devotees are happy. That is my happiness. Wherever I am, whatever I do, it is for my devotees. It is for their sakes not mine at all. Here the devotees are fine. We didn’t get together to discuss yet. Once we discuss about Dasara (a Hindu festival) celebrations, I will write. As it has been only two days since I came here, nobody is coming to visit as they wanted to give me some rest. They just are visiting me. Narasanna has come home.

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(Reverse side of letter) Inform Krishtappa and others that he is fine. You all be united and happy. Do bhajan and wait for me to come. I am going to call Narasamma’s mother to visit me tomorrow or day after tomorrow. Operation will not be performed soon. She is asked to take rest for one more month. Now, they are giving some injections to her. She’s stronger here than she was in Puttaparthi. Inform this matter. Look after all the tasks there. Convey my blessings to Sankar, Nagendra, Maruthi, Chitti, Tilakamma’s children and to all. Tell them to study well. Also, ask Patel not to roam around, but study well. That’s all. Blessings! With regards, Babagaru

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Sri SathyaSai Baba

Camp, Madras 18.06.1953

Venkamma Babagaru writes with blessings. We have reached safely. We are leaving to Bejawada today. I will write a letter and let you know the address, once we reach. Water the plants there. Has the cow delivered? Take care of those. If the workers come, get the house construction done at the earliest. Convey blessings to everyone in the Mandir. Inform Krishtappa and Chandra Mouli to take care of everything in the Mandir. We are starting now, so no time to write. That’s all. Blessings! With regards, Babagaru

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Memu ee card pina unna flight lone. Bbayalu dere vellu chunnamu. Ee card flight lone prayanisthunnau. IppudE Africa border lo. Border lo Cherinamu. Inka ganta lo.Nairobi lo diguthamu. 30 vela adgalu pai pothaunnanu. Anandamuga prayanamu jaruguthunadhi. Akada cheregane telegram ittumu. Bombailo Chala baga jarigenu. Akkada Andariki telupedavu. Rama Brahmam varalaku inte ashirvadamulu. Itlu, Baba

We are on our way to Africa. Bombay was very good. We are travelling at 30,000 feet and I am writing this post card on the plane the same as you can see on this post card. We are near African border and will be reaching Nairobi in the next one hour. The travel is good. Tell Rama Brahmam and every one. Blessings to all. Yours, Baba

PART II

Bhagavan Handwritten Letters to M.Senkara Raju

Krishnama Raju,Janaki Ramayya, Senkara Raju (Senkarappa), Swami,

Meenamma, Venkamma, Parvatamma

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Bhagavan Sri SatyaSai Baba Prashanthi Nilayam S.O, A.P. 20-7-1966 Senkarappa! Take my blessings. Here your children are in bliss and in good health. Don’t worry about them. You do your duty. I will take care of the children’s future. I will fulfill all their needs. The branches of a tree which fall into the water part from each other and flow into the ocean. People, who have family attachments, merge and detach from each other due to past debts. They are bound together and separate through the passage of time. Nobody is the cause for this to happen. Otherwise due to karmic reasons, someone else will be blamed for our ignorance. This is foolishness and nothing else. We should not look at the divinity in humanity with disgust or aversion. At this time, divine power will take you to a pure state. What you consider real in the waking state is not real in your dream state. The dreams you had in the night are not a reality in the day. What is the truth? One is a night dream and the other is a day dream. Both are dreams. Both of them have the feeling of the “I”, as in, “I am the doer”. Look for the source of the “I”. There you will find the truth. If you have the “I” (ego) feeling and identify it with your body, this is the root cause of all your miseries and desires. When you stop giving importance to your material desires, the ego identification will become weak and this type of misery will disappear. This is the truth. If you don’t fan the burning coal of your desires, they will die down. Like this, truth will reappear from this divine human life. Even the brightest sun cannot come out of the darkest clouds. You should be brave at this time. This is good for you. Know everything with your discrimination; reduce your grief and earn peace. Do not be alone and think of what has happened. Don’t wallow in grief. Go with Rama Brahmam Babu to the weekly classes of Bhagavad Gita. Time will heal everything. Do not worry about your children. They are my responsibility and I will take care of them. Swami’s grace will be with you in abundance and fill you completely. Convey my blessings to all there. Baba

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9-10-1966

Senkarappa! Take my blessings. Here we are all well and happy. Subramanyam had fever day before yesterday. There was a little cough and cold too. Due to the recent heavy rains, there is a lot of cough and flu going around. I sent for the doctors and they are suspecting that it may be a case of pneumonia. Last night Thangamma slept soundly. The doctor gave some medicines and the illness has reduced. The fever has still not completely gone, but the cold has come down. There is just a little cough now. I came here today. He has not been eating food properly and is still very weak. We are giving him milk, Horlicks and glucose regularly. He will be alright in two or three days. I have no free time; not even a break of two or three minutes. Work is going on at a brisk pace. The township is going to start from the 18th onwards. Several government Ministers are expected to attend. The Yagnams will start on the 17th. Come for the Dasara festival without fail. Take leave from your work for a week and you can stay here from the 18th to the 23rd. Otherwise even if you can take leave for two days or you can do it however you like. Rama Brahmam said he would be here before that. Convey my blessings to Deekshith, his wife, Nageshwara Rao and his family, Gurkha (security guard). Convey my blessings to Venkat Rao and his wife also. I will send this month’s salaries with someone if they are coming from here. All are happy and in bliss here. Do not harbor any thoughts and anxiety about the things that are happening here, and be in happiness and bliss. Swami can take care of everything. With regards, Baba

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Prashanthi Nilayam

Senkarappa. Take my blessings.

We reached Prasanthi Nilayam in Bliss. Yesterday and today weddings

were conducted in the Mandir and there were a lot of people in

attendance. There was no rest for me even for a minute. Seeing an

opportunity now, I am writing this letter to you.

Narayana Raju’s son Sathyam is roaming around the streets in the town

aimlessly and lazily. Not only that, but his family is also in deep misery.

That is why I put him to work. He will be a help for them and for himself.

Don’t be lenient with him. Tell him that I wrote this. Put this boy to work.

Let him be in front of our Brindavanam.

When there is some free time, make him work in the compound. Let him

know that he has to behave in a responsible manner. He should behave

like a representative of Swami and get a good name for himself. He has

to do the work assigned to him with faith and devotion. He has to be in

the good books of his associates. He should listen to what they say and

follow their orders. He has to work diligently and with devotion. .

Swami’s devotee’s prayers will be fulfilled with divine intervention and

their requests will be answered instantaneously.

Do not allow yourself even a little deviation from the path. Even while

going in the town, one’s mind should not show different types of emotion.

The people who come here for Swami’s darshan should set a good

example with their good behavior and earn a good reputation for

themselves. Taking unwanted leave and spending time unnecessarily in

the bazaar is not good. They should immediately get back to the job at

hand. I have kept 100 rupees here. Give 70 rupees to the Gurkha

(security guard) and give 30 rupees to the cook Rama from

Kalyanapuram.

Send that lazy man Kuldeep here who says he feels lost as he has no

work there.

With regards,

Baba

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Bombay 17-3-1967

Senkarappa, receive my blessings.

We came to Bombay on the 16th at 10 O’ clock with Chiranjeevulu in bliss.

We achieved our objective of travelling without any untoward incidents and came here in bliss and happiness with Chiranjeevulu after taking food.

The children are happy. Today three accredited doctors came and examined the patient. They said there was nothing seriously wrong, and said an operation is not necessary: a plaster would suffice. Savanth is calling a doctor who is a children’s specialist and an Osteopath is also coming to re-examine the patient.

I will let you know the results of everyone’s conclusion in detail. The devotees have reached here in lakhs. I will let you know the details tomorrow and the day after.

You take care of the works at Brindavanam carefully in bliss and happiness. Convey my blessings to our friends Deekshith, his wife Venkataratna, Nageshwar Rao, his wife and children. I have sent a monk to Brindavanam. Make whatever arrangements he needs. I have still not seen Deekshith. He might have gone back to Bombay

With regards,

Baba

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Bombay 23-3-1967

Senkarappa, Take my blessings.

You would have received the last letter I wrote, and know all the news.

We are all in bliss and happiness here. People are converging in lakhs.

There are even more here than the other day.

On the 19th our school children enacted a drama on Radha’s bhakti.

Yesterday there was a drama on Sakku Bai. They did it very well with

great talent and it was very attractive. Governor Cherian gifted golden

certificates to the children who enacted the parts of Krishna and

Rukmini. There were more than two lakhs of people present for the

drama itself. A number of meetings took place which will not require

mentioning. All the work is going on wonderfully. Rama Krishna Rao is

here. He got the drama translated into Hindi.

We will talk about the matters concerning the children. All the special

doctors have examined the patient and everyone has come to the same

conclusion. The operation is not required. There was a lapse during the

delivery of the child and a nerve got expanded. That will rectify itself in

the course of time. There is nothing to worry about. The hand also is

good in all respects. It will strengthen itself within one year. It will cure

on its own. They have put a plaster on it so that she can use it regularly.

Now she can lift her hand on her own and is playing around.

Subramanyam and Shekar are happy and playing a lot. They went to

see the city today. Swami will look after them and fulfill all their

requirements. Do not worry about them.

I am writing this letter very very quickly as I have no time.

I am going by flight to Bhavanagar, Jamnagar, Surat and Baroda.

These are all the matters. Baba

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To Chi. Senkarappa. Take my blessings. (Chi. = Chiranjeevi; used to address young people by elders),

I think you must have got my letter which I wrote earlier. You must have got to know all the news. Yesterday at Kothacheruvu, Minister Lakshmi Narasaiah and I were taken to a health center in a grand procession carried by 108 bullock carts. The congregation went marvelously. Thousands of people gathered there. We were there up to 8 pm and then reached Prasanthi Nilayam. The Township at Prasanthi Nilayam is started today. District officials, the Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Members of the Legislative Council, the Members of Parliament; all were gathered here. We had dinner on the top of the Mandir. 500 officials have arrived from Anantapur and Penukonda itself. We made good arrangements for them and we did the programme in an excellent manner. This is a programme of Prasanthi Nilayam. Deekshit can tell you the details. The children went to Dharmavaram day before yesterday. They are happy and healthy. They are playing without any worries. You don’t worry about them. Everything will be fine, soon. You just be brave and spend the time happily by performing your responsibilities. Whenever you find time, do Bhagavat Chintana (thinking of God, through meditation or bhajan) or read a good book. Time is the most valuable thing in this world. Your life will be meaningful only when you can utilize it properly. No one can stop the time in this world. Time consumes the body but the body cannot consume the time. Life is a long struggle. The body is a holy place, which is called Kurukshetra (a field where the Mahabharata war took place). In this (body), every man fights daily with good and bad, inward (inmost heart) and outward. Our inmost feelings appear to be our friends and enemies outside. Whatever we see outside are nothing but the reflections of our inmost feelings. Is it right or not? So if you have good thoughts inside, then outside events will not bother you. I took it up to inform you these, personally. Be delightful. Forget about the past and think of how to improve the children’s future. Mother and others are all healthy. With regards, Baba

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Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba Prasanthi Nilayam S. O., A.P. Senkarappa! Accept my blessings. I reached Prasanthi Nilayam from Hyderabad. I went there in regard to the matters concerning the Satya Sai Medical College. Brahmananda Reddy made all the arrangements cheerfully and arranged a dinner for all of us. He said not to entertain anybody from Anantapur due to politics and we should not mix this matter with anything else. He said all the rights are with Swami alone. That is why Dr. Rama Krishna Rao, Dr. Bhagavantham, V.K. Rao , I.C.S. Heavy Electricals Appu, Bombay minister Savanth, Maro, Somani, Rani, Rama Naryana Rao, Delhi Yukhi Rai, L. K. Jha (Indira Gandhi’s secretary) all these people who are members of the medical college committee met in Hyderabad and went to the Chief minister for deputation. Bramhananda Reddy’s wife took me there herself. We have to pay Rs. 10 lakhs and the rest will be allocated by the government. They spoke like this to Susheela Nair in her bungalow, and they also agreed. Probably I will have to go to Delhi in the coming month of September. Oberoi, Bhagavantham and Kanjilal came and requested me a lot. This is the news. So here the works are going on at a fast pace. We received 100 bags of wheat semolina and 50 bags of milk powder from America. We are feeding 1000-2000 people every day with upma and milk. The children are happy and healthy and playing. Yesterday they came upstairs. Deekshith asked me that we have to leave soon and that is why I am writing very fast. Look after everything well there. Tell the Gurkha to look after everything well. Give him an additional 10 rupees. Blessings to Rama Brahmam, his wife, Venkata Rao and Nageshwar Rao. Since you are coming on the 25th, we can discuss other matters here. I am sending this month’s salaries with Deekshith. I have kept 100 rupees for the cattle. Use this for them. I have sent 10 rupees for the Gurkha which you can give to him. Baba

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Bhagavan Sri SatyaSai Baba Prasanthi Nilayam S.O., A.P Senkarappa! Receive my blessings. The children are very happy and playing around. The devotees are there in large numbers. Time is not enough to send them to their homes. Take care of everything there properly. Spend your time bravely and happily. Swami’s grace will be there with you always. I am finishing this letter due to absence of time. Baba The Dasara festival of 9 nights was happily celebrated.

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Bhagawan Sri SatyaSai Baba Prasanthi Nilayam Puttaparthy (Anantapur Dist.) Senkarappa. Receive my blessings! I completed the meetings and reached Prasanthi Nilayam in the night. Thousands of people gathered at Anantapur. It was very good. Tomorrow on the 5th, we are starting the town ship in Prasanthi Nilayam. On the same day, there will be a president election followed by dinner. Very senior officers from the district are coming. Send plastic tumblers and plates through Raghav. If Jeeva doesn’t open the door, then inform the manager. On that day, send 200 cups of ice cream, 200 jhangirs (sweets) and 500 bananas in the car. Their partner should also come to the dinner and meetings. If the car they are coming in is not alright, we will make arrangements for a different car. Baba Blessings to Rama Brahmam and Deekshith.

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Senkarappa! Receive my blessings. So sorry, these people are living in a pathetic condition. I am sending them to Brindavanam. If Jeeva comes, accommodate him with a job in any position. For some time, you both cook for yourself. Make some other arrangements later for him otherwise if you bring him some materials he can make his own arrangements. Narayana Raju’s son and Venkatsubbaraju’s son may be accommodated there. Let Jeeva know that I wrote about these matters. There are no further issues other than this for the present. The daily routines are continuing nonstop for me and I have no rest. Since I was not here for many days, a lot of devotees are coming now. The children are very good. Baba. Blessings to Rama Brahmam, Deekshith, Govinda Reddy and the old woman.

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Blessings to Senkarappa, Narasamma, Krishnamma, Pushpamma and NarayanaRaju. I think you must have received my earlier letter concerning all matters. I am happy and healthy here. I surmise that all of you are happy and healthy there too. Is Krishnamma keeping good health now? I think that Senkarappa, Nagendra, Maruthi, Chandra Leka, Susheelamma and the children are happy and healthy. Convey my blessings to all of them. Are Narasamma and the others good? Convey my blessings in their house too. There is nothing to be afraid of. Are you looking after everything in the Mandir? Tell Subbaraju too. I have sold the car. Today itself I bought a new car and it is called Plymouth. The cost is Rs. 36,000. It is very good. Today is Thursday so we all sat in it and went to the beach. The car was decorated with flowers and a festival atmosphere was created and we all went to the temple in Guindy (Chennai). This is the first car of its type which has come to Madras. Everybody is gazing at our car. They broke coconuts (making circular hand motions) in Guindy to ward of any evil eye that may befall the car. It was very good.

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(Reverse page)

Since there is nothing more to write, I am

writing all these happy moments. Tell

Narasamma, Krishnamma,

Lakshminarayanamma, Pushpamma,

Karnam Kamalamma and Parvathamma

about this car.

Here all are happy and healthy.

Like this

Baba

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Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba

Prasanthi Nilayam, S.O. (A.P.) Senkarappa! Receive my blessings. I received the letter you wrote and many matters are now clear to me. Here the children are happy. Shekar and Subramanyam came to the house early in the morning. They are playing nicely. The little girl is also doing well. The devotees here are in excess and in big groups and I do not have time for even a second. I could not rest too. I am writing this letter after the night bhajans. I am not able to get even a little time during the day. I am happy that everyone is fine there. As we are not giving the laborers any days off, give them full salaries instead of deducting from the leave they might have taken. Send the cattle soon. Feed the cattle with the grains in plenty. You have not told me about other things that I should know. Yesterday Whitefiled, Kadugodi Panchayat president had come here. A pipeline which cuts though our compound near the guest house and where the cars are kept has to be shifted. They need Swami’s permission. I told them that I will be coming soon. This is the news. All of you be happy. Convey my blessings to Deekshith, his wife, Rama Brahmam, Venkata Ratnam, his wife and the two Ghurkhas. Baba

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Senkarappa Receive my blessings We finished our program successfully at Gauribidnur and there were lakhs of people who were very happy and blessed. We started on that very night, went to Penukonda and had dinner at the D.S.P. Mr. Rama Krishna’s house and reached Prasanthi Nilayam happily. I didn’t see you or Hema Chandran so I could not tell you about many matters and works. Now I am writing a letter in detail. Read the letter along with Govinda Reddy, Venkataratnam and Rama Brahmam. I am writing about the drama which is going on in Brindavanam. I just had been patient as I didn’t like to interfere in such trivial issues. The matters have come to a boil. I gave a hard hearing to Rama Chandran before I left. Even for a small work in Brindavan, Swami should be informed before doing it. This is the first step. 1. No other work should be undertaken freely without the consent of Swami. 2. The workers should be taken into confidence and get the work done in a kind manner. But you should not fall to their whims and fancies and start any other new work. 3. No materials of any kind should be removed from our compound without my permission. If done, there will not be any place for such people in our compound. 4. I felt very sad after I came to know that Rama Brahmam was selling wood, milk and fruits. It is very surprising that such a gentleman has done such cheap acts. Very surprising. At least now we must see that these types of activities do not happen again. 5. The fruits that are available there should be taken care of by you and distributed amongst the school children, and the children at the blind school. No money should be collected from anybody. It seems Rama Brahman has taken money in advance too from someone. Recover the money from him immediately. We will get a bad name. There is nothing more shameful then this. He has donated lakhs of rupees and now he is selling fruits; what an unworthy act. This ruins the name.

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6. Our cow’s milk should not be sold to anybody. Distribute the milk equally to yourself, Rama Brahmam, Hema Chandran, Deekhsith, Venkataratnam and Govinda Reddy. Do not give it to anyone else. Drink it yourselves. Inform Govinda Reddy the quantity each one of you need and consume it equally. 7. The same applies for vegetables also. Every week, send the left over vegetables to Puttaparthi by someone. Don’t sell it. 8. Ripen the chilies, dry them and preserve them in rooms. 9. Appoint only the required number of laborers for the field. Don’t spend unnecessarily. Do not take your own decision. 10. I will send a different money order. Distribute the money among the Gurkha, Govinda Reddy and Venkatratnam. Discuss with Govinda Reddy about the expenditure for the current bill and agriculture purposes and spend accordingly; keep records of everything. Do not bring Rama Brahman into the picture in these matters. If he does not know the correct procedure for the past four years, how will he know now? Too much knowledge is the root cause of destruction. Without Swami’s permission, Rama Brahman should not make his own decisions and have a free will over everything. Rama Brahman is acting freely and making decisions himself. It is difficult to believe all this is happening. There is a big difference between words and actions. Telling him will be of no use. If he likes, let him stay in the compound, otherwise let him go if he wants. He should not involve himself in any way anymore. Inform him that you will have nothing to do with him, if he has connections with outsiders giving him loans. If someone has given him loans or anything else, tell him that we will not have anything to do with it. I have written about this topic to him also. Overruling will be a cause for destruction. This applies to anybody, but not only to him. In Brindavanam, do not make your own decisions for small and big matters without taking Swami’s permission. Make this clear to Gurkha also. Let the children and Deekshitulu know too. Baba 58

Shenkarapa! Receive my blessings. Nageshwaran came today and I am sending this letter with him. The Gurkha (security guard) came recently and asked for an advance as his house was burnt, his wife and children were suffering and he needed the money to be sent to them. I did not talk to him. He sent a note upstairs. I just gave him Rs. 20 for charges and sent him. I did not talk about any other matters. Do not raise salaries to any one of them. You do not know anything. Tell them that you will look into the matter once you receive a letter from Swami. When you come for Sivarathri, we will discuss all the matters in detail. That’s all. Blessings Baba

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Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Prasanthi NIlayam S.O. (Ananthapur)

Senkarappa Receive my blessings. I received the letter you wrote just now. I could not send the money with your wife as she had already left before I could see her. However, I have sent Rs.780 with Naidu. If you are coming to Kodai from Nellore, send Rs. 800 or Rs. 900. If it is there we will not have any problems. Otherwise it will get very confused. Take care of the rest of the things carefully. I do not have time and aim to close the letter. Like this Baba

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Senkarappa! Receive my blessings. I received the letter you wrote and have noted the contents in detail. Rama Brahmam wrote that he went to Guntur. If you are having any problems there, lock all the doors carefully frequently. Even in the night check that all the locks are in place and sleep. Inform the Gurkha about this in detail. You wrote about the matters regarding the cows. Inform some people about the cows and try to sell them at a good price if you can. They are all jersey cows, so you will get a good price. Sell the calf of the white cow too, if someone wants it. Talk to people whom you know. The people there are all thieves. They will talk to each other and become one. You can talk to Subbiah Gowda and the veterinary doctor too about this matter. Here, there is no time even for a minute. The works are going on briskly on time. There are a lot of rains here but it has not affected the work. They are going on satisfactorily. Shekar and Chanti’s son have got chicken pox. The fever is too much. But from yesterday the fever has come down to normal. Now he is playing around. They will give him a bath tomorrow. Subramanyam is staying here itself. Your mother is also taking care of the children in great faith. Chitamma is giving company to her and two more ladies from the Mandir. They are all staying with her in the night. Yesterday Venkamma was here too. I also told them to be brave and nothing to worry about. Do not worry about the wellbeing of the children or your mother. I am looking after all their needs. Send both the children to school. They will reap good results for themselves in their lives.

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(Reverse page) You can also send them to a school in Bangalore with a hostel facility and you and your mother can visit them frequently. Even in a town this can be done. But do not think about these matters now. In a short space of time all the matters will be settled peacefully and safely. Try and come for Dasara if you can. May be Rama Brahman would have come by then. Before Dasara I will send clothes to Nageshwar Rao, his wife, children, Venkat Rao, Deekshit family and the Gurkha. Like this Yours Baba

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Senkarappa! Receive my blessings. I received your letter and noted all the contents in detail. You do whatever you think is best. I will be happy and you also will be happy. But do not be idle and laze around without any work. Fix a job for yourself somewhere. If you are in Puttaparthi, you will be good for nothing as there is no work there. The people in Puttaparthi will also not live happily and will not let others to live too. If someone is happy and doing well, they will not accept the facts. Think about it when you are away from here, do what you can there itself and resist coming here. Here everyone is fine and doing well and happy. I am sending Muddukrishna. In my room there is a Godrej Almirah. Either in the second drawer or the first drawer there are two bottles of shaving lotion. Lock the Almirah again and send the keys and the shaving lotions and send it through Muddukrishna. Govind Reddy is coming now. There is a lot of work there. His wife is coming too. You can send them in that car too. That’s all the news. Like this Yours Baba

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Senkarappa Blessings Guru Poornima has been celebrated wonderfully here. A lot of devotees had come. As two to three marriage families were here, I couldn't come sooner. Also, here it is peaceful as it rained. I may come in the first week of June. I'll phone you and inform before I start. Please inform Seshagiri Rao also. Ask the Buddhist monk to go either to Delhi or some other place and look after his own business. At Whitefield, I mean at Brindavan, someone might come in summer. And also inform him that they may need to stay at the other side. As it's very hot here, ask him not to come to Puttaparthi also. Inform him that Swami has written so. Ask Nageswara Rao's family to vacate by this month end. With his salary and Rs.30 for fare, give him Rs. 100 in total and ask them to vacate. Someone else is going to come on 1st. So, they need that home. Inform them that Swami has written so. Tell them not to wait for me, as I do not plan to come in near future. So, inform them that Swami has asked both of them to leave (Buddhist monk and Nageswara Rao's family). Blessings to Deekshit's family. Baba Everyone here is happy and healthy.

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With the Season’s greetings and all good wishes for a Happy New Year

from the Revered Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Blessings to all on this New Year Day

from the bottom of my heart so that you all may live happily and in peace,

bliss and prosperity. Baba

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Part III

PHOTOS

Pedda Narasanna, Venkamma, Kondama Raju, Lakshamma, Narasamma, Parvatamma

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Krishnama Raju, Janaki Ramayya, Senkara Raju (Senkarappa), Swami, Meenamma, Venkamma, Parvatamma

Venkamma and Swami Venkamma

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Venkamma Venkamma Swami and Venkamma, Neeraja and Children

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Venkamma and Swami on Dasara Festival Swami and students in the 1980s at Anantapur College

Venkamma 4th from right.

Swami distributing Laddu Prasadam, Venkamma and Family Members

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1. Row: Vidyullata, Venkamma, Neeraja, Gitalata

2. Row: Vanaja, Meenamma 3. Row: Leelamma, Sailaja, Suseelamma

Lakshmi, Vidyullata, Pushpitha, The Three Grand Daughters and Great Grandson of

Venkamma and Daughter In-law Prameela

Venkamma and Grand Son Soma Shekar

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Venkamma, Devotees Venkamma, Devotee at the Chitravathi River

COPYRIGHT M. SANKARA RAJU 515134 PUTTAPARTHI, A.P., INDIA

2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Attachment

Letter by the Production Team

Dear Sai Devotee Sai’s Love to all of you! The latest product of the Sai Love Team from Puttaparthi is Bhagavan’s Handwritten Letters. It’s a draft for an e-book and paperback book. These are letters from the 1940s to 1960s, which have been translated from Telugu into English for your edification. We would like to produce an e-book as well as paperback books. The first 1000 paperback books will be free for Sai Libraries, Sai Schools and Sai Centers. We are just a small group involved with this project. Any help will be appreciated. Feel free to support us: contact@sailove.org. As Sai Volunteers we do our best to provide QUALITY and TRANSPARENCY in all Sai Projects.

In Sai Love Your Sai Love Team from Puttaparthi