By: Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar
Swami Keshavaiah was a contemporary of Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. I had his blessings when he came on a visit to Bengaluru in 1979 for a short-visit to his son’s residence in Malleswaram.
Born to parents – Balaiah and Sanjeevamma, Bala Keshavaiah was born on 1st July 1899 in a pious Vaishnava family in Pamidi on the banks of Pennar River, in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. On 15 th October 1918, when Sai Baba attained
Mahasamadhi at Shirdi, both Keshavaiah and his mother were on the verge of death due to Plague. While his mother passed away, Keshavaiah survived to become a great saint.
Keshavaiah ‘s entire childhood was spent at Pamidi village. He did not attach any importance to rituals or visiting temples. He preferred charity to breaking a coconut in the temple. In his school days he studied Bible and had a vision of Jesus Christ. He also learnt the Koran and had a vision of Prophet Mohammed. Astrologers predicted that he will be a great saint.
Keshavaiah studied up to Matriculation and joined Government service. He began his service as a clerk in the Registration Department in the composite State of Madras. Very soon he became a Sub-Registrar and earned for himself a good name. He was sympathetic to the poor who described him as a “Saint Sub-Registrar”. During the entire period of his service in the Registration Department, Kehsavaiah maintained a spotless character, and could not be lured with any presents or baits.
In May 1939, he visited Palani and as he stood in front of Lord Murugha, the idol disappeared and, in its place, saw a bright light. There was a transformation in him and he could read the past-present-future of any one. In June 1939, an advocate Malli Reddy of Dharmavaram told him about Sai Baba. On the night of 1st July 1939 Sai Baba gave him a dream vision and the next day he received a picture of Sai Baba and Udhi from Shirdi unsolicited. Around this time, he met Sri Narasimha Swamiji too.
Keshavaiah did not go in search of Baba. But Sai Baba came in search of him and made him an instrument to convey his grace to humanity.
On April 7, 1941, he came to Penukonda on transfer and his Poojas of Sai Baba on Thursdays attracted many devotees towards him. Many siddhis were at his command. He neither practiced nor craved for them. In addition to daily worship, he performed special worship every Thursday. As a devotee entered the Pooja Room, Keshavaiah looked at Sai Baba’s picture, spelt out the grievances for which the devotee had come, and gave necessary remedies. When he spoke to them, he was not conscious of Sai Baba in him. He did not do anything without Sai Baba’s permission. He used to reply to devotees’ queries through correspondence also. He helped people without hampering his official work.
In 1947, Swami Keshavaiah constructed a temple for Baba at Penukonda. People saw Baba’s grace shining through him. He infused strong faith in the people, rich and poor, high and low. He did not
claim any powers of his own. On one occasion by his prayer to Baba he brought rainfall in Gooty after a severe drought.
Swami Keshavaiah visited Shirdi 73 times after he was first blessed by Baba in 1939. He helped in building Sai temples in many places.
Swami Keshavaiah recovered from a near-fatal illness of TB in 1948. He settled down in Madras and conducted Sai Pooja from his residence in Shenoy Nagar. Later in a plot opposite his residence, he constructed a magnificent temple which was inaugurated on 14 th March 1975.
The most remarkable feature of Swamiji’s life was his success in reforming the characters of some men and women. He could do this through the benediction he received from Sai Baba. Atheists became believers and devotees of Sai Baba. He was not a great scholar in the worldly sense, but his works were full of philosophical truth and spirituality. He was not a great orator, but his speeches were charged with devotion and sincerity.
Swami Keshavaiah attained Samadhi on August 9, 1981. He asked for Udhi, applied it to his forehead and said “Allah Malik” and closed his eyes. Swamiji is survived by a son and two daughters.
Although he is no longer seen in mortal form, his spirit remains eternally to serve mankind and guide the destinies of Sai devotees.
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