Book Notes
Divine Doctor
Dr N. Shanthamma
Dr. Shanta was a native of Mysore. Her family was guided by a Devi Upasaka, a great Avadhootha, who later left the family to do penance in the Himalayas. The family became distressed. One friend in Mysore advised the family to visit Sathya Sai Baba in Prashanti Nilayam, as he would tell them where to find the Avadhootha. Swami gave interview; he told where the Avadhootha was and asked the family if they wanted Him to bring the Avadhootha to the interview room. The family became alarmed and told Swami to leave the Avadhootha in peace. They became devotees of Bhagavan Baba.
Dr Shantha completed her studies and used to attend Summer Course in Whitefield. Swami told her to attend medical camp, he would take care of leave from the Government hospital. Thus began a lifetime of service at the Lotus Feet, at Whitefield Hospital and Puttaparthi General Hospital.
Dr Shanta was guided by Bhagavan how to deal with the many cases she reported to Swami in darshan. Swami's sister Parvathamma, Rajamma, wife of Kasturi, Susheelamma, Ramabrahman, students of SSSIHL, ashram staff, all these people were her patients, in addition to visiting devotees, villagers, and foreigners.
Dr Shantha's book details Swami's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Swami has full knowledge of all medical procedures, dry labour, diabetes, cardiology, endrocrinology, all these medical procedures. Swami often gave Dr Shantha vibbuti in darshan for patients, “mix with water, apply to patients body, rub on abdomen”, all this advise and guidance Swami gave to Dr Shantha.
In a rare narrative, we are told of Swami's visiting Kasturi during the last hours of his life. We are told of Swami's care for his sister, his brother, nephews, grandchildren, all these devotees; Dr Shantha's narrative describes Swami as truly sarva roga nivarine namaha; remover of all ill-health and diseases.
On the eve of the Unity Cup cricket match, Dr Shantha was walking to duty in the hospital. Due crowds on the road, she had to walk the lawns in front of the SSSIHL, and stood on a live wire. Electrical shock, bones in her foot turned to jelly. Much later, diesease spread, and Dr Shantha expired in Super Specialty Hospital. Tissues decayed, the body began to stink. On New Year Day, 2000, Swami gave her life back to her after two days, stunning family members, Doctors, Anaethetists, Hospital staff. Swami's brother, Janakiramiah went and joked with her, "You have fought Yama off!" (Yama, God of Death).
Once Swami had an ankle problem and developed burstitis of the ankle. Swami took the operation, the foot was bandaged. Next day, Swami gave darshan, all doctors were sitting in the front row, looking only at Swami's foot. Swami called them 'Dunnapothu' (buffalo), 'Here I am giving darshan, you are looking at my bandaged foot, not my smiling face'.
This is a rare narrative, giving small glimpses from the point of view of a completely dedicated devotee, serving at the Lotus Feet. There is humor, laughter, joy, and fear, all these events that make up the spectrum of human life from birth to death, everyday events for Doctors. A fast read, and a rare book which shows the truly compassionate-all-knowing Divine Mother Swami truly is.
For International readers, this book is available from the Sri Sathya Sai
Books and Publications website
For Australian residents, $4 (includes postage and packaging), from Sai Books, 24 Kenilworth Ave, Wonga Park, 3115,
(Margaret and Randall McDonald), phone (03) 9722 1740
email books [at] saiaustralia.org.au