What, then, was the mystery of the so-called scorpion bite? Was where a scorpion? Many of the physicians who treated him could not find venom in his blood and their diagnoses boiled down to Raju being emotionally high-strung.1 As he passed in and out of consciousness, it appeared to all that he was not his own self. But his behaviour was not that of the ordinary psychiatric patient either. For a society steeped in superstition, this was looking more and more like a case of 'possession' by a spirit: for good or for evil, it was not yet clear.

The small body was going through the rigours of preparing itself to hold a blessing rarely experienced or recorded in man's long history. In order to allow the Supreme Will to emerge victorious and to announce its Divine Presence, the body had to suffer in countless ways. To transform an ailing humanity, the time had come to create a situation, however painful it might seem, that would leave no doubt in the minds of the observers regarding the outcome. The episode was far from over. The course of events had yet to play themselves out.

At Veerajinnaiahgaripalli, near Kadiri: Bhogga, the perennial water well

Raju's weird preoccupation continued, and the patience of the family soon ran out. Seshama Raju sent a message from Uravakonda that Raju had already been too long out of school. It was time he resumed his studies. His father, his uncle and the 'wise men' of the village were very anxious. Some elders advised a change of place. A family conclave strongly endorsed the idea that Raju was possessed by a spirit, for his horoscope had revealed this to an aged pundit in Kadiri. It is probable that Makineni Venkatasamy, who lived near Kadiri, could have informed Raju's parents about a famous herbal doctor-Moppoor Appayyasamy of Veerajinnaiahgaripalli, a village adjacent to Kadiri Brahmanapalli-who could treat Raju better.3 K.ondama Raju, the grandfather, was the only one who demurred, advising a longer period of waiting; nobody bothered to ask the opinion ofEaswaramma who was torn between hope and despair.

In accordance with this decision, a huge party of the immediate family left Puttaparthi, taking Raju in a bullock cart driven by the maternal uncle, Chandramouli. They started from Puttaparthi at daybreak, travelling through Bukkapatnam and Mudigubba.

Moppoor Appayyasamy who specialised in the treatment of mental diseases had a magnificent reputation,6 for having cured no less than seven insane people, himself living an austere and abstemious life like a true Brahmin. Apparently, this determined doctor used rough and ready cures in keeping with his physical prowess and thought that Raju's illness needed drastic measures. For whatever reason, his treatment was torture.

T. S. Seetharamappa (1924-) who assisted the doctor in treating Raju, would remember the hellish process:

The boy stayed with Moppoor Appayyasamy for the treatment. To begin, Bhajanthri Chinnagurrappa, a barber of the neighbouring village of Dinnemeedhipalli, tonsured him. Raju's hands were tied and he was fastened to a stone pillar. Appayyasamy made four deep 'X' marks on his head with a knife. After this, Appayyasamy took the boy to a nearby place called Bhogga, where a stream of water flows all the time and collects in a small well. He was made to sit on the lowest step. A hundred and one pots of water were picked up and poured on his head from above.

Next, the 'X' marks on his head were smeared with a terribly pungent paste-made of pepper powder, lemon juice and garlic-and was rubbed in vigorously. Turmeric powder mixed with amudham oil was applied on top of it. Raju was then returned to Appayyasamy's home. There he was made to stand for one and a half hours neck-deep in a pit into which buffalo dung and boiled neem leaves and leaves of various herbs were poured." He was then given a bath and made to lie down. He was covered with thick blankets until he sweated, and then collyrium was applied to his eyes. Consequently, his eyes and face were swollen.

A thin iron rod was then heated to redness, and the boy was branded with three marks behind the neck, two on each leg and two on each hand. Pills prepared from various roots were given to him as internal medicine. We came to know later that the boy did not take all the medicines but secretly gave some of them away to others ... There was no animal sacrifice or recitation of mantras. In a few days his 'illness' was 'cured.'

The visit to the herbal doctor lasted two days. Seeing Raju's swollen face, his sister Venkamma was so distressed that she removed her only earrings and gave them to the doctor to extricate Raju from the ordeal. Raju asked his relatives to prepare a certain remedy, which, when applied, reduced the swelling.

The escapades of the herbal doctor exasperated Easwaramma. She could not understand why her loving son Raju had suddenly taken to weird inexplicable ways. She wished he would return to his former lovable self. To fulfill her wish the group visited the famous Narasimhaswami Temple in Kadiri, praying for Raju's cure and resumed their journey back to Puttaparthi. Again disaster struck-a snake bit Raju. The snake was killed immediately, but Raju resurrected it and chided it to confine itself to its habitat and not come out in the open.

Once back home, they made the sick boy lie down on the verandah while they went inside to refresh themselves. Raju's head was full of scars-telltale marks of the nightmarish treatment. Many curious visitors had already gathered to see the result of the trip to the doctor. Some expressed concern while others chuckled in ridicule. Suddenly, a big eagle was noticed circling above the house. The villagers took it as a bad omen and moved away. The bird then descended and circled closely above Raju's head. Everyone was alarmed watching the bird make three circles and fly away. Soon people noticed that Raju's head was clean-the scars had mysteriously disappeared. None understood the implications or the emerging life pattern in these passing incidents.

The family also called Mantra Lakshmana, an occultist from Bukkapatnam, to come and treat Raju. Upon agreeing he gave the family a long list of things necessary for the treatment. Again, Raju pointed out items missing from the list but did not allow Lakshmana to treat him.

During this time Raju was strangely given to violent ways, very uncharacteristic of his nature. He would have tremendous surges of energy and would throw things about. People who tried to restrain him complained that he was suddenly possessed with great strength. Typical of the times, they pronounced that Raju was possessed. At Easwaramma's request his uncle Chandramouli would take care of him when this happened. Once, when people thought Raju was behaving in a crazy manner, they confined him to a room for a few days. Food was given through the window. Chandramouli felt badly about this and wanted to feed Raju himself. Though others protested Chandramouli opened the door and went inside, and was able to feed him after great difficulty. Witnessing his success in administering the food, the family requested him to give Raju some herbal medicine. This proved more difficult with Raju refusing to co-operate, with others physically restraining him. Chandramouli tried to pour the medicine into his mouth. Raju's hands were held, but his legs were free. A flying kick left Chandramouli short of two teeth;19 his face was swollen for many days. Another day Chandramouli saw Raju levitating, along with the small wooden plank on which he was seated. At the time, believing Raju to be possessed, he did not think of the occurrence to be a miraculous one.

Pedda Venkama Raju's cousin, Venkatasubba Raju lived next door. His daughter, H. Lakshmidevamma (1930-) would later give her version of the events, after Raju returned from the herbal doctor:

For weeks he did not talk to anyone. He behaved like a crazy boy. His head was always bent low. Whenever he got down from his cot, he fell down. But, towards the end, one day he said that he had eaten food and his hand actually smelt of very tasty food. He closed his palm tight and asked all of us to open it. We tried our best, but no one could open it. After­wards, he opened it himself. In his hand were a flower, a few coconut pieces, some vibhuti and sugar candy. The elders asked him why he was behaving in such a manner. "Tell us, who are you?" they asked. "On Thursday bathe and clean the house. I'll tell you," said Raju. But he did not tell us anything that day.

The Narasimhaswami Temple at Kadiri. Easwaramma prayed here for Raju's recovery.

Though Raju resented any treatment, he was once again forced to go to a particular Sidgunananda Swamy, also called Chidghanananda Maharaj at his hermitage in Kothacheruvu. Raju and the others set out from Puttaparthi in a bullock-cart, intending to cross the Bukkapatnam reservoir. Krishnama Raju who was in the group, would say later that after going a little way, the bullock-cart would go no further. Chandramouli, the driver complained that he was unable to see properly. He felt as if the hills around the area were 'falling' over him. When he turned the bullock-cart in the direction of Puttaparthi, not only did the cart move easily but the driver too, could see clearly and was rid of his strange feeling.24 In another recollection, Chandramouli would recall to his son, Sathya (Narayana) Raju, that on a later occasion, when he sought Chidghanananda Maharaj's audience, the latter said, "He is Daivamsa Sambhuta (embodied Divinity). Don't take him anywhere else-leave him alone." It was trange that humanity, as usual, would be so steeped in fear of the unknown that divine manifestations and wise counsels would not change it.

However, the story continued.

During this period, the erudite lawyer, P. T. Krishnamachari, who had performed Raju's Akshara Abhyaasam, came from Penukonda to see Raju. His forefathers were honoured residents of Puttaparthi, where he had spent his childhood. Now, having heard of the remarkably prescient words and behaviour of that same Sathyanarayana Raju, he came to investigate for himself, perhaps at the request of Raju's parents or at the insistence of Raju himself. Having seen Raju, he pronounced his judgement. '''A demon has entered this boy, an extraordinarily powerful one. ... Human exorcists cannot help, and even ordinary Gods will fail. ... God Narasimha (the Divine Incarnation as Man-lion) alone ... has the power to frighten the demon and force him to free Raju. Take him to Ghatikachalam to the big Narasimha Temple there, where hundred such cases have been cured by His Grace." 'Venkama Raju felt a new hope in this idea, knowing about Narasimha, from pilgrimages to other Narasimha shrines. 'He was about to write down directions [for travelling there,] ... when Sathya held up his hand. "Krishnamacharigaru! This is funny, the advice you give! Who do you think is there in the Ghatikachalam Temple? I. And you want these people to take me to Me?"

This flash of coherent dialogue came and went, with Raju reverting to his incoherent state.

Soon the bouts of fits disappeared and the alternating states of trance and poetry recitation returned. The villagers thought he was in the grip of lunacy. Easwaramma was distraught with worry and despair at this baffling state of her son. Yet, very few could see in these things a pattern of divine behaviour.

However, the climax took place one day. His father had been upset at the rude reply his son had given the learned Krishnamachari. Coming out on the streets, he saw a crowd flocking around Raju. How could a mere boy call himself Narasimha and in that process hoodwink so many people? He could not take it any more. He grabbed a stick and approached Raju, who by then had many people gathered around him on his grandfather's verandah. It was the 23rd of May.

Venkama Raju pushed himself towards Raju and shouted, "Stop this stupid drama! Tell me, are you a ghost or a rogue or a madcap? Are you a God? Are you Narasimha or Narayana?" The moment to know Truth had come. The frustration of the confused father demanded an explanation. Truth, half-truths, apparent lies and deceptions had gathered to take a formidable shape. The chaff had to be winnowed from the grain. Revelation had to surface. For young Sathyanarayana Raju, this was probably the much-awaited moment to reveal the Truth. In a determined voice he said, "I AM SAI BABA!" ... The [stick] ... had fallen from his hands but, he went on, angrily, "You may be Sai Baba or Hai Baba. It [does not] ... concern us. But you had better leave this boy and this place!" He was apparently addressing the spirit he thought [possessed] ... his son. "No," said Raju, with the same composure.' "I am Sai Baba" ... "I belong to Apasthamba Suthra; I am of the Bharadwqja Gothra; ... " - ' "I have come because Venka Avadhootha and other saints prayed for my coming. I shall bless you and remove all that troubles you. Worship me on every Guru Var (Thursday, the day of the Guru). Keep your mind and homes pure." Throughout the afternoon he kept repeating to himself, "Bharadwaja Gothra, Apasthamba Suthra." This was to become a declaration to the world.

Few could understand then what Raju had told them. Few would understand even later-only when overwhelming waves of adoration swept over the people. None could resist it. The angry but blessed father-who on behalf of all humanity, had dared to question his son-became a subdued man. He too was overwhelmed. Before divinity, this was a perennial gesture of the human race.

At Penukonda, people had heard of Sai Baba. Gopal Rao, the Karnam's foster son, brought the news that Kesavaiya, the Sub-Registrar of Penukonda was a devotee of Sai Baba of Shirdi. He felt Kesavaiya would be able to explain Raju's craziness and insisted that Raju be taken to him for treatment. Accordingly, one Thursday, the parents took him to Penukonda. Kesavaiya, as a true devotee of Sai Baba of Shirdi, offered vibhuti (also called udi) to Raju.  "Can't you see me, the Sai Baba? You have worshipped me for years and I am here before you. Here, take this udi." So saying, Raju threw back the ash at the Sub-Registrar's face."- Kesavaiya was taken aback by the response. Unable to comprehend Raju's gesture, he was annoyed and pronounced that Raju was suffering from delusion, sending the family back to Puttaparthi.

Kesavaiya, however, advised the family to install Shirdi Sai Baba's idol and sing bhajans. He assured that everything would be set right-Raju's craziness would leave. The family obeyed and brought a Shirdi Sai Baba statue made of clay and a picture. On their return whom they put the idol and the photo of Shirdi Sai Baba, in the middle of the hall and performed bhajans, for many days.

In the period that followed, Raju cast off his mood of ill-temper. He was no longer difficult, and the days of gloom were gone.

He seemed determined to be congenial and co-operative and Easwaramma and Subbamma were allowed to feed him with delicacies to their full delight. One day, someone [else] from Penukonda [probably at the insistence of the lately provoked Kesavaiya] ... came to the Raju home. Having heard of [Raju's] ... audacious claim that he was the Sai Baba of Shirdi, he threw out a challenge with a glaring eye. "We know who you are! You are just a small boy, the son of Venkapa [Venkama Raju] and Easwaramma. But if you are the same Sai Baba the Sub­Registrar worships, let us have the proof, now!" Hearing the unknown voice ringing arrogantly through the house, Easwaramma [emerged from] ... the inner apartments. "I shall give you the proof," said [Raju], ... unruffled. He asked that flowers be brought to him. The man asked Easwaramma herself to bring them, and she did so, with trepidation. In a quick gesture, [Raju] ... flung them on the floor. "There! That is who I am." They all saw the petals arrange themselves to form the Telugu words 'Sai Baba'.

The tongues stopped wagging.

Kesavaiya later visited Puttaparthi, staying for four days and participating in bhajans. Before he left he said, "You will be greater than me.40 Great things will happen. The whole world will come to you. You will have Indravaibhava (rulers and angels will come to your feet)." Raju offered vibhuti, and he accepted it.

About this time Easwaramma chose to reveal a past vision to Subbamma. In it, Raju had appeared before her as an old bearded man. Then she remembered the old times when Raju as a little boy spoke of an old fakir who used to feed him rotis. Those puzzling events now took on a mysterious dimension revealing a connection that was to clarify itself in the years to come. Subbamma instinctively grasped the situation and told the anxious Easwaramma not to let her son's pranks mislead her. ''After all," she counselled, "Wasn't Krishna also equally mischievous, calling himself Hari at one time, and Gopala at another?"

Both women were relieved that Raju was active again, though he did not associate with his old companions. He would walk to the hills alone and sit in silence on the rocks, for hours at a time. Subbamma constantly scouted around for him, in his favourite spots on the banks of the Chitravathi, to feed him with her hands.

Kesavaiya's house at Penukonda: Raju was taken here by his parents

At other times, Raju would leave the house at night and wander about aimlessly. One day, when his sister Venkamma called Raju to her home; his childhood friends Thunga Gangappa, Kamsali Venkappa and Vasi Narayana also accompanied him. Raju went and lay down on the bed. She asked his friends to keep an eye on Raju while she went next door. During their brief stay, Raju suddenly started to get up on his own. When they tried to restrain him from doing so, he threw them away. Jointly they forced him to be in bed. He fell asleep and upon waking a short time later, he recognised the three friends and asked them, "When did you come? We were having bhajans, weren't we? We will have bhajans again, tomorrow. You should all come."

While singing bhajans, he would leave abruptly and walk away anywhere he liked.44 The local villagers started calling him a crazy boy. Raju would say, "I am not crazy. All of you are crazy."

The practice of Shirdi worship was becoming common in Puttaparthi. Raju's uncles, Venkatarama Raju and Venkatasubba Raju were worshippers of Sai Baba of Shirdi, long before Raju announced himself as being 'that' Sai Baba. Venkatasubba Raju bought a Shirdi Baba portrait and started offering worship before it. During the worship, Raju used to sit behind him and, on many occasions, would fall into a trance. Venkatasubba Raju often read aloud the biography of Sai Baba. Whenever he erred while reading, Raju would point out the mistake and explain where the mistake was, including page number, stanza or line.

Raju would sit on a deerskin before a Shirdi Baba portrait and spend the time alone, without talking, eating or doing anything. One day many youngsters50 wanted to test Raju and know the reasons for His inordinate behaviour. So, they went and asked him, "What, Sathyanarayana! Why do you not eat or drink anything? What has happened to you?" Raju told them, "You are all mad boys." Saying so, he moved his hand on the deerskin, materialised a four-anna coin and gave it to them. They were surprised. They took it and bought coconuts and incense sticks for two annas, returning to the room where Raju sat, breaking the coconuts before him. Raju asked them, "Why have you brought all this? I gave it for your personal use, to buy some eatables." All of them then realised that Raju had some powers, which made them more curious than ever. They wanted to test him further and decided to take him to the Chitravathi sands. Once there, Raju said, "Tell me, what you want." They demanded that Raju give them sugar candy, sweets and many other things. One after the other, he gave them all that they wanted. He circled his hand in the air and manifested for them vibhuti. From then onwards they would visit him daily. After a few days, they took Raju to the local Gangamma Temple. 51 It was the season for mangoes and one boy in the group asked for a mango. Raju said, "There is a mango on the tamarind tree. Go and get it." Raju insisted upon waiting at the Gangamma Temple. The boy went up the hill and found a mango hanging to the branch of the tamarind tree. He brought the mango back to Raju, who cut it and distributed pieces to all.

The great power latent in Raju had finally taken over. A new persona of Raju was beginning to emerge, but the body still had to go through tremendous trauma. Years later, when devotees would ask him why he had to undergo so much suffering, and in complete silence, Raju as Sai Baba was to say, "People then were not prepared to know me. Besides, I wanted to teach humanity the noble ideals of patience, acceptance and love and put before others a good example. I had to tell them by and by who I am."

Seshama Raju, however, was very critical of Raju's utterances. One Thursday, he noticed vibhuti appearing mysteriously on Raju's brow. When a seat was provided for Raju to sit on, Seshama Raju saw that the wooden plank moved on its own, settling at Raju's feet. 'He saw other inexplicable happenings like a lime fruit appearing out of the blue, jasmine flowers and vibhuti and a rupee note moving up the wall and disappearing. ... Every Thursday he would go into a trance.'

'Seshama Raju ... carefully watched every miracle as well as every unusual occurrence. He often verified Raju's predictions. Soon, he was satisfied and thoroughly convinced that there was no pretence of any sort. His brother most definitely had some rare powers even though he had not performed any austerities, gone to a guru or taken upadesh [formal spiritual instruction] or done any sadhana [spiritual exercise].' The elder brother began to be certain that Raju ' ... was different and wondered whether the great soul of Shirdi Sai Baba had [actually] taken possession of his brother's body after the near fatal 'scorpion bite.' He was no longer the same Sathyam ... [He] continued to recite great poetry and go into trances, provide counsel or make predictions. [He gave] ... blessings to people who came to him.'

Soon Seshama Raju returned to the world of mankind, as he had to resume his teaching assignment at Uravakonda, when school reopened after the summer holidays. He decided that Raju should go with him and attend School. He was worried about Raju's future-for how could Raju continue living in the village doing nothing and without an education or a job?56 He was also confident that Uravakonda would soon clear Raju's 'fanciful hallucinations.' He insisted that Raju should be sent back to school and put to tasks that would be more useful. The parents relented, and Raju was sent back with his brother.

'Easwaramma walked with them across the Chithravathi and waved them off only when the village Karnatanagepalli...' came into sight. Little did she know, then, that Raju was lost to her as her son, for He now belonged to the entire world as its 'Teacher.'