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XI.
The One appears as Many
The ‘Jodi
Aadipalli Somappa’ Miracle
How Baba appeared in the form of
three villagers to help his devotee
In the Sri Sai Ashtotthara (the 108 names
of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba), one of names is “Sri
Sai Jodi Adipalli Somappa”. How this intriguing name
came to be associated with Bhagawan is narrated by Prof. N.
Kasturi. This is one of those amazing miracles when Baba assumed
multiple forms at the same time to come to the rescue of His
devotee.
On 26th November, 1958, three days after Baba’s
birthday celebrations, a devotee, Sri Venkataraman left Prasanthi
Nilayam for Bangalore by car after seeking permission from
Baba.
On the way, his 2-year-old daughter was attacked
by ‘fits’, which became so serious that the child
was asphyxiated and it collapsed.
Baba knew this and presented Himself before
them as a ‘villager' with two other 'villagers' whom
He created. He wanted the child to be given to Him and the
two comrades supported the demand. 'Give him: he will cure
it. He has cured thousands'; they (the other two villagers)
implored.
The villager (Baba) told them, 'I was busy
for the last 3 days; I just now laid myself for rest; but
I came to know that a child was seriously ill on the road.
So, I ran up"!
He placed the child on his lap and she was
cured. He gave her back to the relieved parents. They offered
him a rupee and when it was refused, they gave Him a fruit
from the many that they had received from Bhagawan’s
hands before leaving Prasanthi Nilayam.
They asked Him His name. He said "Jodi
Aadipalli Somappa". When asked later at the Nilayam,
why He chose that name of all others, Baba said, "I am
Somappa, Appa (Lord Shiva) and Sa Uma (Sa – along with;
Uma – Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva) with
Uma. The place of My residence is Aadipalli, the primeval
village, Kailasha. It is Jodi (joined together) because it
belongs to Sa & Uma 'Shiva-Shakti', - the Twin - Prakrithi
and Purusha (Nature and God). This is therefore Baba's most
appropriate epithet, selected by Himself, for that profound
miracle of grace. It reveals His truth as 'Shiva-Shakti’.”
On another occasion when a devotee asked
Baba, "How can we know that You are Shirdi Sai Baba?"
Baba said, “It is difficult for you;
when I 'went' the other day, as an old man to save Venkataraman's
child on the road near Bagepalli, he did not recognise Me,
he thanked Me profusely and held out a rupee coin towards
Me (!). He believed that I was a villager named 'Jodi Adipalli
Somappa,' when I gave that name!
Reference:
1)“Garland of 108 Precious Gems”
by Prof. N Kasturi. Page: 26-27
(Fourth Edition, 1979). Published by Sri Sathya Sai Education
and Publication Foundation.
2) “Sathyam Shivam Sundaram” Vol-I, by Prof.
N Kasturi. Page: 193. Published by Sri Sathya Sai Books
and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam.
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