This is the Story of the Lord come in human form, incarnated at a quite little village, Puttaparthi, in 1926. Born to a quiet, pious and contented couple, Sri Pedda Venkama Raju and Mother Easwaramma, and christened Sathyanarayana Raju. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is now worshipped as 'God Incarnate' and adored as 'Loving Divinity' by millions across the globe.

Signs of The Descent

Mysterious indications of the impending incarnation occurred in Pedda Venkama's house. For example, there was the twang of the tambura! Since the brothers and the father were all interested in the village operas, there was a substantially big tambura and a Maddala or drum. As the birth of the Son for whom Mother Easwaramma prayed, announced itself as imminent, the house was awakened at midnight, and sometimes even later, by the tambura twanging automatically, and the maddala beating rhythmically as if an expert Hand was handling it! One Sastri, whom Pedda Venkama Raju approached for an explanation, said that it was an auspicious occurrence: it meant the presence of a Shakthi, a beneficent Power, conferring Harmony, Melody, Order, Symmetry, Spiritual Elevation and Joy.

The Sun rises above the horizon!

On the 23rd day of November 1926, the son was born. It was the time of sunrise; and, the villagers were chanting the names of Shiva, remembering that the day was still Karthika Somavara, a Monday of the Holy Month of Karthika, devoted to the puja and worship of Shiva. That day was made even more auspicious for Shiva worship, because the ascendant star was Ardra and on such rare occasions when the month, the day and the star coincide, special pujas are performed in the temples of the Lord. The year was Akshaya, the Never-declining, the Ever-full.

The Mother had also just finished, in some hurry of course, her Sathya Narayana Puja in accordance with her vows, for, even while she was going through the final rituals, the pangs forewarned her. When Easwaramma announced the pangs, word was sent to the mother-in-law, Lakshamma, the pious lady of the house; but, it became known that she had gone to the house of the priest to perform the Puja of Sathya Narayana; the messenger discovered her there and urged her to return; but she was so confident of the Grace of Sathya Narayana, so steadfast in her devotion, so disciplined in her religious adherence, that she refused to be hustled! She sent word that she will bring with her to Easwaramma the sacred offerings after the Puja and that, on no account would she interrupt her prayers! She finished the entire ritual with full concentration, came home, gave her daughter-in-law the flowers and the sacred water Easwaramma partook of the blessings of the Lord. Next moment, the Lord was born; And the Sun rose above the horizon!

Sathyanarayana Raju

Indeed the village, which bears the name, Ant-hill Prosperity, gave the child an appropriate welcome! A snake was there lying in the room! The women did not notice it for long; but, when the baby, laid on a bed of clothes, was being moved up and down in a peculiar way by something underneath, they watched with bated breath and when at last they searched, they found a cobra below the bed! The snake was acting the role of Sesha to the Seshasai!

The baby was charming beyond description, and, no wonder! For, it had even in the cradle all the Yogic Siddhis, which Pathanjali says come along with birth itself. Baba has declared that He knew even prior to His Birth where He would be born; He has said that he was born with all the miraculous powers, which He is later out of His own will, manifesting one by one, as and when He feels each could be so announced. It must therefore follow that the baby had a halo of splendour around its head, that its smile had an other-worldly beauty and a heavenly power to captivate the heart.

The baby was named Sathyanarayana, since the relationship between the puja to that God and the realisation of her cherished desire seemed to the Mother to be very important. When the Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony) was performed and the name was whispered in the ear; it seems the baby smiled, for the suggestion to give that name must have emanated unobtrusively from Itself! How else can we explain the fact that the first requisite for spiritual advancement, now propounded by Baba, is Sathya itself?
The embodiment and exponent of Truth could not give Himself a more appropriate name.