Years ago, I was asked by an Engineer at Periyar Headworks, where I had gone to see the wild-life sanctuary, why I was describing Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as God in human form. I placed before him paper and pen, and asked him to note down a list of attributes which he would seek in a Divine Phenomenon. He noted just eight, and all the eight were curiously enough included even then, in the 108 Names of the Astottara Sata Namavali presented here! Was Baba really a Sarvajña, Sarva Saktimürti, Saranāgataträna, Bhaktavatsala, Anandadāyi, Premasvarupa, Karmadvamsi and Sarvāntaryami? he asked. I gave him all the facts I knew and had experienced, and I invited him to proceed on that hypothesis, and try to understand Baba, more and longer, so that he might benefit by His Advent.
That day I was filled with a resolve to write a commentary on the 108 Names, with which devotees of Baba offer homage to Him in their homes, or when they gather in groups to glorify Him. Many of the precious gems in this Garland are found in the Astottara Sata Nāmāvalis extolling other Forms in which Baba has appeared, like Rama, Krishna, Lalita or Sai Baba of Shirdi. Commemtaries have been written on those lists by scholars and sages. But, as a perusal of this book will reveal, the commentary on this Namavali has the great advantage that each Name is fragrant and fresh for those who have seen, contacted and have been blessed by the Divine Impact from Baba. The 108 names given here of the 1008 that are current do not and cannot exhaust the Glory of Baba, which are too magnificently mysterious to be caught in words. This is the experience of thousands in all lands and all climes today.
This Garland consists of 108 names; the number 108 is sacred, because as Baba says, man breaths 21600 times a day and that is 200 times of 108. But, Baba does not insist that they should be just 108, neither more nor less; He does not even say that they should be in Sanskrt, as these are. He answers to any Name, whether it is lisped or mispronounced, or crude or meaningless, provided the call comes from a yearning heart. He is so near that He can hear us sigh or groan or pray in the silence of our heart. Baba says that a string of 108 or 1008 Names is prescribed in the Scriptures, not because the Lord is pleased when praised long and loud or that He is attentive only at some odd moments. The number is recommended, because there is just a chance that we will utter at least one Name out of the 108 or 1008 with the sincere feeling of yearning, and the Lord who is ever alert to respond to sincerity, will hear that one and bless.
This commentary is intended to fertilise that yearning and fill the mind of the seeker with reverence for Bhagawan. May He shower His Grace, so that we may deserve that response He is ready to grant.
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