Narayana Kasturi (25 December 1897 – 14 August 1987)

Kasturi stayed at Prasanthi Nilayam for about 30 years and he was always with Me. He made good use of this golden opportunity for Seva Sadhana. Kasturi was a well-known creative writer in Kannada. He was popularly as ‘Kannada Kasturi’. He was very pure and sacred. Just by looking at his respectable personality one could make out the fragrance and sacred Kannada language. It is likely that I may make some mistakes here and there while speaking such an extremely fragrant language. (SS Apr 04 , p. 114)

‘He placed His hand on my shoulder…….And ….after retiring from the University, come to stay with Me. You can write My Jiva Charitra (Biography).’ He said ‘Me’? I ejaculated. ‘Yes. I shall tell whom to consult for details- parents, brothers, kinsmen, neighbours, teachers etc, I shall also help’. (Lov God, p. 72)

………..In 1960, when I could place at Baba’s Lotus Feet the first copy of the book dealing with His Life, (The biography of the Divine come as Human) named ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ in English, He raised me by the shoulders when I showered tears on His Lotus Feet could not move away. (Lov God, p. 21)

(Prof. N Kasturi with Swami)

I gave Kasturi and Tirumalachari shawls and blessed them at the beginning of this meeting since they wrote My Life in English and Telugu; the book called ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’. Some of you might have wondered why I liked the publication of this book on My Life. Well, I like the production of all things and so, why should I not kike this? I responded to the prayers of devotees and allowed them to write it. ‘Ramayati iti Rama’: He who pleases is Rama. The joy the Bhakta satisfies the Lord; the joy of the Lord is the reward of the Bhakta. The title ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ is full of meaning. It speaks of Me as immanent in every one of you, remember. Satyam is the basic reality of you all; that is why you resent being called a liar. The real ‘you’ is innocent; he will not accept an imputation that is false. The real ‘you’ is joy, happiness, and auspiciousness. It is not Shavam but Shivam; it is Shubham, Nithyam, and Anandam. How can you bear being called otherwise? The real ‘you’ is Beauty, and so you resent being called ugly. The Atma has got entangled in the body, which it does not like; it is weighed down by shame when you identify it with the body and attribute to it the weakness and deficiencies of the physical vehicle.

The ‘Sanathana Sarathi’ is the result of My Sankalpa, My Utshaha, My ananda. Nothing can stand in the way once I have decided on any step. When the Paramatma-tattva assumes human form and appears, not with Maha-shakti and Maha-Swarupa, but with Maya-shakti and Maya-Swarupa, it is difficult to comprehend It, especially when you are in an uncertain vacillating mood. Once you understand the purpose and procedure, all doubts will cease. (SSS Vol.2, pp. 147-148)

During Dussehra celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam some years ago, while discoursing on Vedic Thought, Baba spoke of the Sanskrit language and the precious vistas of value that one can experience through that medium. Seeing me sitting before him He said, ‘This language has been preserved and promoted, as the treasure chest of spiritual victories by Brahmins. This Kasturi, however, though a Brahmin, tumbled into A B C D as a little boy, and therefore he lost a valuable chance to learn it…..’

……..Again, at the holy shrine of Badrinath among the Himalayas, when Baba called upon the Brahmins, who were with Him to recite a few specific hymns from the Vedas, while He was engaged in doubling the potency of the idol in that sacred spot, I could not join the Pundits who responded. Baba saw me sulking in a corner of the crowded hall, and pitied my plight. He said, ‘ Poor fellow! You fell into English and lost grip of ancient hymns ‘. (I resolved on the spot to learn those hymns that my friends were reciting at His command. Later, Baba permitted me at Puttaparthi to make amends for the lapse at Badrinath. I could recite in His presence every day for a few months those captivating Vedic passages, celebrated as Namaka and Chamaka….. (Lov God, p. 19)

Kasturi, why do you call yourself a worm? If that is the case, why do you think that you are not a worm when you are the state president? What difference does it make? There is nothing in being a state president. The mistake is in your thinking that the assignment of state president makes a difference in stature! Such thinking is caused by the ego. Don’t worry, do your duty properly. You are not a worm and there is God in the worm also. Why do you belittle it? Realise that you are divine! (SSSDK, 2004, p. 317)

‘Kasturi has omitted one incident. It happened in Kashi. Perhaps he did not speak about it since it concerns him alone. He prayed to Me for a Mantra, since he thought that Kashi was the best place for securing that boon. He even refused to eat till he received a Mantra from Me. He was in tears. But I was laughing all the time at his foolish request. Imagine asking for a Mantra after securing the One whom all the Mantra promise to secure for you’. (SSSm Vol.6, pp. 176-177)

One gentleman asked Kasturi, ‘Are there any books available on Swami? Kasturi replied. ‘No’, we print a monthly magazine. Baba asked Kasturi ‘What did that person ask you? He asked me if there were any books on Swami. ‘What did you tell him? ‘Swami. I told him that there were no books.’ Baba looked visibly unhappy with the answer and asserted, ‘That is not the right answer. You should have told him that this Swami cannot be understood through books!’

‘Kasturi, people at Madras and Venkatagiri are asking for literature on Swami and you are simply sitting quiet here!’ Satyam Shivam Sundaram Volume 1 was published in 1961. Bhagavan gave three photographs of Himself and said, ‘You can have these three together, side by side on the cover page. Look, the first is a little serious, that is Satyam; in the next, you and Me with a hint of of a smile, as Shivam and in the third, the smile has fully blossomed, Sundaram. Satyam Shivam,Sundaram is good!’ (SSSm Vol.7, pp. 342-343)