Duupaati Tirumalacharya
Swami on Duupaati Tirumalacharya
Duupaati Tirumalacharya, the author of (Sri Sathya Sai) Suprabhatam used to live here. He had served in the royal court of Venkatagiri. He was a great scholar in Sanskrit and Sastras. He accompanied Me to Badrinath at an advanced age of ninety.
I asked him whether he was fit enough to undertake such an arduous journey. He affirmed that with Swami by his side, he would travel any length of journey without any discomfort. He said, “Sai Matha, if you forsake me, the entire existence is a waste. If you accept me as Yours, it is as if I have everything at my command.” This was the state of Bhakthi and surrender in which Tirumalacharya spent his life. He was constantly meditating on Sai Matha.
He spent all his time in Swami’s proximity, whether it was here or in Brindavan. His Bhakthi was beyond measure. Consequently, his end was peaceful. He very well knew that his end was approaching and one day expressed his feeling.
On being questioned as to how he knew about it, he replied, “Swami is telling me from within.” Saying so, he went for his bath, brought some water, washed Swami’s feet and sipped a few drops of the sanctified water, and said, “Swami my life has found fulfilment. Now the time has come for me to merge in You.” Thereafter he cast off his mortal coil and merged in Swami. There is no shortage of men filled with Bhakthi of this kind in the world. It is only because of the presence of such persons, the world is able to sustain itself.
[Source: Sports Meet Discourse 2000]