Not only did they build and endow the Gopalaswami Temple but even within living memory, the pious Sri Ratnakaram Kondama Raju, dedicated a temple to Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna,a deity to whom this type of homage is seldom offered in any part of India. He used to say in explanation of this unusual tribute to Sathyabhama, that he was persuaded to erect the temple, by events that occurred during a strange dream!

Sri Kondama Raju had two sons who were both named after the sage, Venkavadhootha, Pedda Venkama Raju, and Chinna Venkama Raju. They too inherited his musical literary and dramatic capabilities, as well as his piety and simplicity.Of the two brothers, the younger is equipped with a larger variety of skills, which cover the fields of literary composition, and the preparation of drugs and talismans with the aid of traditional formulae.

Kondama Raju - The Illustrious Grandfather:

Sri Kondama Raju lived to be a centenarian. Tears of joy would run down those wrinkled cheeks whenever Kondama Raju recollected that enthralling experience. In the dream he saw, "Sathyabhama, alone, expectant and forlorn, waiting anxiously for her Lord, who had gone on an errand to bring her the much-coveted Parijatha flowers. The minutes increased to hours and the hours accumulated into days but still there was no sign of Krishna! So, Sathyabhama broke into tears. There ensued a huge storm accompanied by thunder, lightning and a heavy shower of rain. Luckily, Her eyes fell on Kondama Raju who was passing across the place where she stood and she asked him to provide some shelter." This led to his determination to raise a sizably large temple for the Consort of the Lord.

He was a pious soul who lived out his hundred and ten years of early existence in the unceasing contemplation of the Lord. He was a master of music and of the histrionic art. He knew by heart the entire Ramayana, in what is called the Lepakashi version, that is, a series of songs composed by a poet from Lepakashi, depicting the incidents in dramatic imagery and artistic luxuriance. He played the role of Lakshmana in all the Ramayana plays enacted at Puttaparthi and other villages of the Taluk; in fact, his services to play this role were requisitioned even by far-off villages, for his depiction of the steadfast devotion and Saranagathi of Lakshmana touched the hearts of every one who witnessed it. He appeared hundreds of times in dozens of stages, until age incapacitated him from further repetition of the role. He was a strict vegetarian, prone to observe all the holy vows of the Hindu calendar; he lived in a cottage, a little apart from his sons and grand children; his hut was a veritable Ashram, resonant with Ramayana songs. He took delight in gathering around his cot the children of his sons and relating to them the tales of Gods and God-men; the children too never left him, for, he made every character and adventure live before their eyes, through the delight of song and drama.

Grandfather's Pet:

Among those children, it was Sathyanarayana who was the favorite of the old grandfather, for, the little boy could sing in a charming musical voice and he could give even the old man a lesson or two in the art of drama! There was another reason too, why Kondama Raju exhibited special affection for Sathyanarayana. The little boy hated non-vegetarian food and did not even stay in the neighborhood when such dishes were being prepared. The boy, even at the age of six and seven was also a very good cook! He was so intelligent and resourceful that he manufactured the most tasty dishes from the meager larder of the grandfather's cottage, and all this, most willingly, and very quickly too! Baba says that He would go into the kitchen of the old man and complete the cooking, rice, curries, chutney and all, in much less time than what was needed by the mother (with two daughters to help her) to finish her cooking assignment at her own place!

In his later days, Kondama Raju was visited by all the devotees who came to have the Blessings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and when he struggled to stand erect to accept their pranams, one could see a twinkle of joyful thankfulness that the Lord took birth in his family. He lived till 1950, and passed away peacefully, singing to himself loud the stanzas describing the consolation that Sri Rama gave to the dying Vanara King Vali. Truly, a life worthy to be recorded in the annals of saints!

His wife Sri Lakshamma predeceased him about twenty years earlier. She was a very pious lady whose life was regulated by the religious calendar, with its rotation of Holy Fasts, Vows and Vigils. She observed these very scrupulously, despite the worry and expense and inconvenience, with her eye only on the accumulation of the blessings of the Divine Forces, which the Sastras promised in return for the regimen.

Pedda Venkama Raju, the elder son of Kondama Raju was married to Easwaramma, daughter of Sri Subba Raju of Kolimigundla of Kurnool district. Pedda Venkama Raju and Easwaramma were blessed with a son and two daughters in that order, Seshama Raju, Venkamma, and Parvathamma. Some years passed and Easwaramma longed for another son. She prayed to the village gods, observed Sathyanarayana Puja, and kept a number of vows, which were rigorous and needed vigil and abstention from food.
The Lord in Vaikunta heard the prayer of the mother; He decided on the place where he was to take human form. He came!