HISTORY BEHIND COMPOSITION OF THE BHAJAN JAI DURGA LAKSHMI SARASWATI Many decades ago, when the devotees were singing bhajans in the Poornachandra Auditorium, Bhagawan came to the ladies side and said, “Sing a new bhajan.” The gents were singing a bhajan and it was almost nearing its end. The ladies who were to lead the next bhajan didn't know how they could compose a new bhajan in just 2-3 minutes and so they prayed to Swami. As they saw Bhagawan climb up the centre steps of the stage in the auditorium, they felt His walk was so graceful like a lady and they felt He embodied all three goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi. So they spontaneously started “Jai Durga Lakshmi Saraswathi, Sai Jaganmata”. That is the story behind the composition of this beautiful and simple bhajan. Bhagawan Baba as Mother Durga, the one who gives energy Once, during a dining session with Bhagawan in Kodaikanal, Dr. Voleti Choudhary, currently the Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthi Nilayam, asked Bhagawan how He managed with just 300 calories of food per day. Dr. Choudhary narrates, “I said, ‘Swami, our physiology books tell us that a person needs 10 calories per pound and you weigh about 150 pounds. How is it possible for you to manage?’” To this, Bhagawan simply said, “Simple. You people spend energy, whereas I am the one creates it.” (Source: An interview with Dr. Voleti Choudhary on Radio Sai) Swami the teaches us to respect reading material Many decades ago, one day, Bhagawan was passing through the corridor of the Veda Patashala in Prasanthi Nilayam on His way to the printing press. The students had left their books and notes there and the corridor was strewn with books. Seeing this, Bhagawan carefully walked through without stepping on a single piece of paper. He was teaching to respect the reading material, because stepping on it would mean disrespect to Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning. [Source: Pg 273, 274 from the book 'Sri Satya Sai Anandadayi' by Mrs Karunamba Ramamurthy] SRI SATHYA SAI BALVIKAS, TAMILNADU WWW.SSSBALVIKASTN.ORG .