Remembering Vinny Maa

Dr. Vinny Chitluri (10th March 1943 to 24th March 2022), fondly known as Vinny Maa was an ardent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba. Due to her extensive research on life and teachings of Sai Baba, she was known as walking encyclopaedia on Sai Baba.

Many photos in this website are result of her direct or indirect work and hence a heartfelt tribute is in order.

Vinny Maa was born on 10th March 1943 in Aruvakadu in Tamilnadu. She was the youngest of four children born to Smt. Varija and Sri. Upendra Madhav Prabhu, who worked at the ‘Government Ordinance Factory’ in Aruvakadu.

As her mother was seriously unwell, her father, who was an atheist, after exhausting all medical  options, took her mother to Sri B V Narasimha Swamiji. Vinny maa who was six years old child then was lucky to accompany them. Sri B V Narasimha Swamiji blessed her mother and made young Vinny maa sit on His lap and blessed her. With Baba and Swamiji’s blessings, her mother fully recovered in due course of time. Needless to say, her father transformed from being an atheist to a staunch devotee of Sai Baba. Sri B V Narasimha Swamiji asked her father to do Sai prachar in North India; soon her father was transferred to Jabalpur (in Madhya Pradesh)! They did Sai pooja and bhajans at home and did Sai prachar.

Vinny Maa completed her medical degree at Jabalpur (in Madhya Pradesh) in the year 1963. She finished her post-graduation in Delhi and later went to USA for higher studies and practiced there. She retired from medical profession and returned to India in 1994 and stayed in Shirdi until her samadhi in 2022.

Vinny maa did extensive research on Baba’s life and teachings and has authored the following books. It is worth noting that she humbly described herself as merely the compiler of the books, not it’s author, reflecting her modesty and dedication to Baba’s service:

1. Amrosia in Shirdi – part I – published in 2000
   • Photographic walkthrough of Baba’s history, His daily routine, bhiksha route, and some rare photographs.
   • Description of places in and around Shirdi like Rui, Nimgoan, Rahata etc.
   • Highly recommended book for anyone visiting Shirdi for the first time.
   • Contains information that Vinny Maa would share with devotees on her ‘walking tour of Shirdi’.
2. Amrosia in Shirdi – part II – published in 2002
   • Baba’s leelas’s before 1918 (that were not covered in Sai Sacharitra).
3. Baba’s Rinanubandh – published in 2007
   • Book contains 82 leelas, photographs, and lives of some devotees which illustrate the karmic and rinanubandhic ties with Baba.
   • Contains material that supports reading of Sai Sacharitra.
4. Baba’s Vaani : His Sayings and Teachings – published in 2008
   • Contents from Dixit’s diary and Khaparde’s diary are included.
   • Captures how Baba spoke with devotees.
   • Book captures Baba’s teaching methods – verbal, parables, leelas.
5. Baba’s Anurag – published in 2010
   • Book covers Baba’s love for His devotees who stayed in Nimagoan, Rahata; how He travelled there.
   • How devotees at Nimagoan, Rahata, and Rui received Baba.
   • How devotees have preserved the artifacts even now.
6. Baba’s Gurukul – published in 2011
   • Vinny Maa compares Shirdi to a university and Baba as its kulpati (vice chancellor).
   • Devotees visiting Shirdi are its students.
   • How Baba sent some devotees to Radhakrishna Ayi’s house (called Shala) – Where Ayi taught devotees like Rege, Sai Sharanannd, Raghuveer Purandare how to serve Baba.
   • How Baba made some devotees recite “Janeshwari” or “Gita” etc.
   • Recommended for serious devotees.
7. Baba’s divine symphony – published in 2014
   • 365 leelas presented.
   • Devotees can read a leela each day of the year .
8. A divine journey with Baba – published in 2015
   • Half of the book contains the detailed description of Baba’s 11 assurances.
   • Other half covers about the Guru seva of Radhakrishna Ayi and Sai Sharanand.
   • Crown jewel of Vinny Maa’s books.
9. Baba’s divine manifestation – published in 2016
   • Vinny Maa’s last book.
   • Presents 108 leelas.
   • This book narrates the experiences of those blessed devotees who had the good fortune of having a divine vision of Baba either in his physical form, or in a dream, or hearing His voice.

On the topic of research on Sai baba, she advocated – “research and report without adding our own interpretation” – which is beacon of light for all of us who research on Baba’s life and teachings.

Due to her ill health, she was admitted to a hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and peacefully merged with Sai Baba on 24th March 2022. In accordance with her wishes, her final rites were performed in Shirdi. It is noteworthy that Sri B.V. Narasimha Swamiji also attained samadhi in Chennai. Vinny Maa, who seldom left Shirdi, agreeing to travel to Chennai for treatment, seems to be part of a divine arrangement.

Vinny Maa has left a lasting impact on Sai movement and benefited scores of devotees in knowing Baba. I am sure, in time to come, her work and life will continue to inspire Sai devotees world over.

Om Shanti, Om Sairam _/\_

Notes:

• Those who are interested in knowing more about Vinny Maa can refer to the following – “Sri Nikhil Kripalani’s interview with Sri Sada Ghode.”
• “House of Sai” has published several books by Vinny Maa and other authors on Sai Baba.
• “Sai Korhale temple” is continuing the service activities initiated by Vinny Maa. One may consider visiting this temple and contributing to the noble cause through donations.