Sai Sathya Sakha

Sai Sathya Sakha

Sai The True Friend

By

Late Abdul Razak Baburao Korbu

Ex Principal of New Law College

Bharatiya Vidyapeet, Pune - 38

Translated By

Dr. L. Siva Prasad

Mr. Vijay G. Vadnere

Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division

Prasanthi Nilayam - 515 134

Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

STD: 08555 ISD: 91-8555 Phone: 287375 Fax: 287236

E-mail: orders@sssbpt.org

Website: www.srisathyasaipublications.org, www.sanathanasarathi.org, www.saireflections.org

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First Edition: 17th August, 2013 (17/08/2013)

ISBN: 978-93-5069-174-8

Paperback ISBN: 978-81-7208-761-6

Published By

The Convener,

Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division

Prasanthi Nilayam, India, Pin Code – 515134

STD : 08555 ISD: 91-8555 Phone: 287375 Fax: 287236

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Publisher’s Note

Prof. R.B. Korbu’s ‘Sai Sathya Sakha’ is the touching story of a poor Muslim boy, whose father died when he was just two years old. As his mother was forced to work for meagre wages for their daily bread, she was unable to take care of his proper upbringing. The neighbours sent him to school mainly to protect their children.

However, as he possessed extraordinary memory, he could secure first rank in the annual examinations, after one reading of the lessons from books borrowed from his friends. But, having no money to pay the school fees, he had to work as a door keeper in a nearby cinema theatre, after school hours till midnight. Circumstances led him into bad ways, though he continued to get first rank till the tenth standard. His proficiency in Sanskrit helped him get the much needed financial scholarship and the poor doorkeeper eventually became an honours graduate. After working as a school teacher and later, as a sales tax inspector, he completed the L.L.B. and L.L.M. examinations with merit to become a professor.

Realising that academic qualifications alone cannot make one virtuous, he started on his quest for a guru, which ultimately brought him to Brindavan to seek Bhagawan’s blessings. Not satisfied with the only Darshan he had had, he returned to his place only to come back this time to Puttaparthi, as he still struggled hard to get out of his bad habits. On arrival, he was able to take the coveted padanamaskar and Bhagawan’s one deep look into his eyes brought out a miraculous transformation in him. Prompted by the suggestion of a young volunteer during his visit in 1981, he applied for the post of a visiting professor of Mercantile Law in Swami’s college. Tears of joy and gratitude filled his eyes, when he learnt that his application was hand picked by Bhagawan for that post in the process of selecting visiting faculty members in various fields of education, from out of thousands of applications received from all over the world.

This interesting book is studded with many more such incredible, but true incidents in the life of the author, which firmed up and reaffirmed his faith in Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Who stood by him and guided him in all the twists and turns of his life. The narrative also includes a long interview graciously granted by Bhagawan to the author in 1990, which appears in Chapter 8 of this book.

The reader is bound to notice how Bhagawan’s immense compassion and love transform an individual, irrespective of one’s social or religious background.

Convener

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dated: 7th June, 2013

Publications Division

Preface

My first book, ‘SAI SATHYA SAKHA’, was published in Marathi with Baba’s written blessings, on 18th June, 1988. Five thousand copies of this book reached the devotees directly, within a span of two or three years. It was not sold through any book shop. This great response and enthusiasm received by this book is indeed a SAI miracle.

Many devotees and well-wishers sincerely urged me to write further. In keeping with the overwhelming desire of all these friends, on Thursday, 13th May, 1993, I commenced writing this book in Marathi. It was published on Thursday, 25th August, 1994.

I vouchsafe that every event narrated in this book is my experience only. They are not the product of imagination or hallucination or borrowed. Their authenticity can be proved by witnesses.

[This book was blessed by Bhagawan on 25th May, 2001, Friday, at 7:25 a.m.]

Abdul Razak Korbu

Prologue

Swami has been transforming individuals into better human beings. He never reforms. Transformation is through love and is permanent. Reformation is mainly through punitive measures and many a times impermanent - the individual may slide back. Transformation is change of heart, done by constant and consistent cleansing with love as the cleanser. Reformation is changer of monkey mind, with fear of punishment as the tool. Love creates more love; fear creates more fear.

This book is a real story of transformation by Swami of Professor R.B. Korbu, as told by himself, from a very poor, uncared urchin into a highly educated and self realised person. It is amazing how and why Swami chooses persons, like Professor Korbu, irrespective of their social and religious background and transforms them. This book confirms another important truth - Once under Swami’s umbrella, we remain forever under His umbrella.

Religion divides. Spirituality unites. Swami is the Infinite Spirit of Union. Reading into this book (not mere reading it, as we often do), we can experience the ‘Oneness’.

This is a translation of the second book written in Marathi by Professor R.B. Korbu, who is no more. There is a human tendency to suppress, alter, and change truth to suit one’s requirements. It is apparent from this book that Professor Korbu did not have this tendency, so also this translation.

Prasadam

Contents

1. Tending By Baba

2. Towards Baba

3. New University And I

4. Experiencing The Miracle

5. One More Miracle

6. Order For Me

7. Hard Days

8. Big Interview

9. Farewell

Chapter 1

Tending By Baba

Many a times, Baba said that He took care of many of His devotees since their respective childhood. However, only very few of such devotees, who went to Baba either in their youth, or old age, realised as to how Baba took care of them or tended them. Only at the correct moment will a devotee know that he has already been taken under care by God.

I was nearing the age of sixty years, when I realised this, that I am one of those fortunate pre-surveyed gems and Baba’s plaything thereafter. To understand that Baba’s unique method of play is applicable in my transformation as well, you must know my first forty four years of life. That is from the year 1934 to 1977 - when I was unaware of Baba. I sincerely hope that, at least for the sake of Baba, you will have the patience to read through this narrative of mine.

My date of birth, as mentioned in the seventh standard vernacular final examination certificate, is 29th September, 1934. I was born as a Muslim. My father hailed from Udgaon (Kolhapur District, Maharashtra State) and my mother from Gokak (Karnataka State). My father was a tailor, and carried out his profession at Jaisingpur (Kolhapur District). Jaisingpur is my present place of residence. Just two years after my birth, my father, who had many vices, died of tuberculosis. We had no relatives to seek help. Therefore, discarding her veil mother took up working for meagre wages and had no time to look after me, the only child. I became very undisciplined. When I grew up into a little boy, to protect other neighbouring small children from me, I was admitted in the nearby Marathi school. For school admission, my mother had to sign a declaration regarding my date of birth in the presence of the District Officer - it was then decided that my date of birth was 29th September, 1934.

We were living in a hut. My mother was not much concerned about my school attendance. However, my neighbours used to conduct me into the school, only to protect their children from me. The cold and stale food given to my mother by her employers was the only sustenance we had - I used to eat it, that too, happily! Some nights, to appease my hunger, I stole jaggery and groundnuts from shops. At times I was caught and beaten by the shopkeepers. Reading this, you may feel sorry and grieved. I was a playful, mischievous, happy, go-lucky boy and in spite of extreme hardship, I enjoyed life as I lived then. I was contented with what I had and was never aware that I was deprived of new, well-fitting clothes, fresh and tasty food, and other simple amenities of cleanliness. I did not envy anyone or implore for anything. I was friendly and intimate with all my companions, and admired heartily if anyone was foppish. I was happy, if others were happy and if anyone cried, I too cried. There was no reading or rites and I was fearless. Who was keeping me contented, happy, and without envy, in spite of poor and adverse circumstances? Certainly my Baba, even though I did not know Him then.

This is nothing, many more miracles were yet to happen. In the beginning, I was unwilling to go to school, but started enjoying it later. The main reason for this change in my attitude was our revered Head Master, Sri Padmanna Chougle Guruji, who also hails from Udgaon. He took special care of me. Some even prompted Guruji not to leave me during recess also.

The Head Master had a heart of Gold, but had a cane in his hand with which he used to beat me. I had to learn Sri. Ganesa (ABC