Sri Venkateshwara Balaji and Sri Sathya Sai: Same Divinity, Different Forms - By Sri V. Guru Raja

Sri Venkateshwara Balaji of Tirupati

“Ananyaschintayanto Maam Ye Janah Paryupaasate

Tesham Nityabhiyuktaanaam Yogakshemam Vahamyaham.”

“I assure protection for those who always think of Me. Whoever offers worship to Me with single-minded purpose, I will fulfill their needs and look after their welfare.”

Swami fully proved the truth of the above verse from the Gita in the life of a little girl, Sai Praveena. 

There is a person by name Mr. Vishwanathan, working for a private firm in Patancheru, Medak district. The following incident happened in his family ten years ago when he was working in Vishakapatnam. He was a very ardent devotee of Bhagavan. But his wife did not believe in Swami’s Divinity. She was a devotee of Lord Venkateshwara. 

The couple was blessed with a baby girl. But, after a few weeks of her birth, all their troubles began. The baby started crying, as she was not able to breathe properly. The parents were worried and rushed the baby to King George’s Hospital, Vishakhapatnam. The doctor examined her, did tests and took X-rays. In the meantime, the baby lost consciousness. 

The report showed that the baby had two holes in her heart. The parents were stunned on hearing this. The condition of the baby was becoming worse day by day. She was admitted in the ICU. The father was praying to Swami and the mother to Lord Venkateshwara. 

The doctors told them that the baby’s condition was so serious that they could not dare perform an operation; they said that it was not possible for them to do anything, and asked the parents to pray. However, they promised that they would try their best to save the child. 

That night the mother was sitting beside the baby who was breathing with the help of a respirator. Suddenly she burst out and cried, “Oh Lord! If You save my child, I will be the happiest person.” 

Suddenly, she was wonder struck as she saw the Lord, with half the body of Lord Venkateshwara, bedecked with glittering jewels, and the other half that of Lord Sathya Sai with His orange robe. Her joy knew no bounds when she saw Lord Venkateshwara. Then she heard Swami saying, “There is nothing wrong with the baby. Only, her age is very less. Nevertheless, I will increase her age and give rebirth.” Swami created Vibhuti, applied it all over the child’s body and disappeared. 

The One Lord with many names and forms

Just like Lord Shiva increased the life of His devotee Markandeya when Lord Yama came to take his life, here Lord Sai also did the same in the life of Sai Praveena. The mother called the doctors and related this incident to them. They re-examined the baby and found that there were no holes in her heart! They were astonished . 

Now the baby is perfectly healthy. Her mother has also become a devotee of Swami. The girl has joined Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School at Prasanthi Nilayam. She narrated her story in the form of a ‘Burra Katha’ (folk song) in Swami’s presence.

Let us all celebrate the glory of our Lord Sai. 

- V. Guru Raja

Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Currently Researcher, Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore

Source: Sai Nandana 2005 (80th Birthday Issue)