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| Food and Health |
| 10.31.04 (9:38 am) [edit] |
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Food and Health
Every activity of man is dependent on the energy he derives from the intake of food. The spiritual sadhanas he ventures upon depends on the quantity and quality of the food taken by the sadhak, even during the preliminary preparations recommended by Patanjali. The most external of the five sheaths that enclose the Atmic core, namely the Annamaya Kosa, has impact on all the remaining four - the Pranamaya, the Manomaya, the Vijnanamaya and the Anandamaya. The Annamaya Kosa is the sheath consisting of the material flesh and bone, built by the food that is consumed by the individual.
Food is generally looked down upon by ascetically minded sadhaks and seekers and treated as some thing which does not deserve attention. But since the body and the mind are mightily interdependent, no one can afford to neglect it. As the food, so the mind; as the mind, so the thought; as the thought, so the act. Food is an important factor which determines the alertness and sloth, the worry and calm, the brightness and dullness. The scriptures classify food as sathwic, rajasic and thamasic and relate these three types to the three mental modes (gunas) of the same names.
Man is the only living being who dislikes raw food found in the natural state. All other animals eat things as they are - grain, grass, leaves, shoots, fruits. Man boils, fries, melts, mixes and adopts various methods of cooking in order to satisfy the cravings of the tongue, the eye and the nose. As a consequence, the food value of these articles is either reduced or destroyed. When the seeds are fried, they do not sprout; that is clear proof that the 'life force' is eliminated. Therefore, uncooked raw pulse just sprouting, is to be preferred. Also nuts and fruits. The coconut, offered to the gods, is a sathwic food, having a good percentage of protein besides fat, starch and minerals. Food having too much salt or pepper is rajasic and should be avoided; so also too much fat and starch, which are thamasic in their effects on the body.
An intake of too much food is also harmful. Simply because tasty food is available and is being offered, one is tempted to over-eat. We have air all around us but we do not breathe in more than we need. The lake is full but we drink only as much as the thirst craves for. But overeating has become a social evil, a fashionable habit. The stomach cries out, 'Enough', but the tongue insists on more, and man becomes the helpless target to disease. He suffers from corpulence, high blood pressure and diabetes. Moderate food is the best medicine to avoid bodily ills. Do not rush to the hospital for every little upset. Too much drugging is also bad. Allow nature full scope to fight the disease and set you right. Adopt more and more the principles of naturopathy, and give up running around for doctors.
The type of food that you consume decides the degree of concentration you can command; its quality and quantity decide how much your self-control is lessened or heightened. Polluted air and water are full of maleficent viruses and germs and have to be avoided at all costs. There are four pollutions against which man has to be vigilant - of the body (removable by water); of the mind (removable by truthfulness), of reason (removable by correct knowledge) and of the self (removable by yearning for God). Vaidya Narayano Harih, the Sruthis declare. God is the doctor. Seek Him, rely on Him, you will be free from Dis-ease.
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[Source: Sanatana Sarathi, 1979. Discourse given by Bhagavan on Hospital Day, Dasara at Prashanti Nilayam on 21 September 1979. Discourse posted by Sai Deepak B. Daswani on SaiNet]
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| Dasara Divine Discourse given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and divine miracle |
| 10.31.04 (9:32 am) [edit] |
Dasara Divine Discourse given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and divine miracle
October 20: Yesterday evening there was a discourse by Swami, and during the discourse a divine thing happened. Swami was narrating the story of Markandeya (if you want to know who Markandeya was and asked the devotees if they knew what kind of Lingam did Markandeya pray to and asked what color etc. Then from the thin air Swami materialized and showed a lingam and said that this is the Lingam. It really was a divine experience. Before Swami two other people spoke. The Yagna still continues today.
Courtesy: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saidevotees_wor ldnet/" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saidevotees_wor ldnet/" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| Sathya Sai Baba's Discourses at Sai Sruti Kodaikanal during April 1996 [Part -4] |
| 10.31.04 (9:04 am) [edit] |
Sathya Sai Baba's Discourses at Sai Sruti Kodaikanal during April 1996 [Part -4]
13. GOD IS PERMANENT, THE WORLD IS TEMPORARY [April 18, 1996]
Embodiments of Divine Love,
Let us remove all of the impurities from our minds and install only pure, sacred thoughts therein. We will then have the vision of wisdom that the entire universe shines as Brahman Himself who created everything out of Love. The lasting happiness that man desires is not of this temporary ephemeral world which is mainly one of worry and misery. Happiness and comforts from this world are neither stable nor permanent. It is possible for man to attain eternal Bliss when he realizes that the universe is the form of the Divine. He who views the world as the world only, is a fool. "The differences lie in one's vision and not in the creation, but man forgets the Divine feelings and views the world only from a material perspective. All of the apparent world should be seen only with the Divine outlook.
"The world is made up of atoms. From the macrocosm to the microcosm there is only Divinity; God is therefore the biggest as well as the minutest. God is within the atom and permeates through the entire creation which consists of atoms. If we develop sacred Divine Love we will discover Divinity in the world.
Heads are separate so thoughts will also vary. Here is a small story to illustrate this. Once four students visited a temple in India. "They argued among themselves that the idol there consists of different colors and materials. The first student saw the idol as consisting of white marble, another as red stone, the other as blue, and the last insisted that it was green. "They made a very big noise while arguing as is the fashion in the modern age, and this noise attracted the attention of the priest. He exhorted them to maintain peace as they were in a sacred temple. "The students then asked the priest the colour of the idol and he replied that it is black. He said that he had been worshipping this idol for the past twenty years so he could certainly affirm that it is black. "The priest understood that the students' quarrelling was due to their level of intelligence which has been developed through pursuing knowledge only through books. He distributed prasad to all of them and then removed their eye glasses. "They were then able to see that the colour of the idol was indeed black. With Divine vision one can perceive Truth. But sometimes one is not able to perceive the proximate Divinity due to distorted vision. Today knowledge has progressed in technology and all other fields, but has led to diversity in our vision with the result that individual Divine vision has been lost.
Man has learned to travel to the moon at great expense but not an inch within himself. He has developed the outer vision only; he does not look inside himself which is cost free. The reflection of Divine Light on the mind is known as the "moon." Man has not bothered to see his own moon (mind), but travels to the moon to bring back dust. Why do we need to go to the moon for dust when we can get truck loads full of mud here on earth? Man has developed a steadfast endeavor to experience that which is far away rather than his own nature. From afar a mountain looks smooth, but when one goes near it he can see that it is full of stones.
All modem education is like building castles in the air. The knowledge man has today is only like a small mustard seed, but man claims that it is the size of a pumpkin. This pride is characteristic of the modern age. In the present day man has invented weapons for killing people; the newspapers constantly report many deaths. Oh! Mad man; is your intelligence only to be used for inventing weapons to kill the outer enemies? Man has so many internal enemies like ego, anger, pride and envy, but he does not kill them; instead he goes on killing outer enemies. First one should kill the enemy ego and the deadly enemy jealousy. Man has been acting ignorantly. When he conquers his inner enemies, then he will have the right to conquer the outer ones. One who is subject to internal enemies is a slave and does not know the human qualities. To be truly human and develop one-pointed vision to the Divine, man should be the master of himself, not a slave. Baba sang,
The jewel for one's hand is performing acts of charity,
The jewel for one's neck is speaking the Truth,
The jewel for the ear is hearing the sacred texts,
What need is there for any other jewels?
Beauty is Truth. Charity is the real decoration. Listening to sacred texts is the decoration for the ears. Try to understand the distinction between Truth and untruth. As man today has no discrimination. Truth is taken as untruth and vice versa. There is no other cosmic form beyond this world that one perceives with the senses and the mind. Who has created all these lands and worlds that man sees? Oh! Krishna, the cosmic form is not separate from You. Every person being a part of the cosmic form is Divine. You, yourself, as Atma, are God and are also ancient. God has descended to the earth in all these human forms. If we realize this Truth, that we are not this human body but Atma, we will not have low and mean thoughts. Convince yourself that, "I am God," the eternal, ancient, ever-new one. After such an investigation into yourself, you will know that everything is sacred. However, today mankind is not proceeding in this direction.
In India, when you enter a bus, the first person to enter sits in the front seat and the last person takes the last seat. The first person to board the bus gets off last and the last person to enter gets off first. In the plane also it is the same. The first person to board gets down last and the last person gets down first. In life you should understand what is meant by first and last. "First" stands for Divinity. One who understands Divinity goes slowly and merges first with the Divine. In the beginning he is in the first stage of Divinity. If he keeps anything in his bag, while sitting on the bus, if it is valuable he has to look for it, so he has to be on the bus for a long time. This is called prapti (deservedness). Likewise, for many years now, you have been taking Darshan (seeing), Sparshan (touching) and Sambashan (talking) of Swami. Though you have come first you are going last. The one who has a pure heart, even though he may have come to God late in life, comes out first (attains liberation). Wash off all the dirt from your mind and fill it with pure thoughts and thus gain the vision of wisdom. Then the universe will shine for you as the cosmic form of God. Einstein stated that the universe is a combination of atoms. Everything in creation is dancing to the cosmic tune which consists of vibrations. Long ago the ancient saints declared that the whole universe is Divine. Oh! mind, dwell on Rama, the Divine principle; sages called this Divine principle Rama, while today science calls it atoms. The only difference is in the name. The ancient culture of Bharat is very sacred with lofty principles.
Thyagaraja, a saint who lived in India, prayed, "Oh! Mind; please tell me what will confer happiness. Does happiness come from pleasure or proximity to God? What is freedom?" Thyagaraja learned that thinking of the Divinity confers Bliss; that there is nothing more in life than this. One envies others because they have material plentifulness and seem to be happy, but the point is that you will become happier by dwelling on God. They have bhoga (riches) and roga (diseases). You should feel happy that you don't have roga. One should have only sacred thoughts but humans today are attracted in the wrong direction. What is the reason for this? It is due to the samskara (tendencies) from their past lives. If one is cleansed of past life samskaras, one's life can become sacred. Man wants everything without eliminating all of the bad qualities from past lives. Listen to one word, one good word; do not follow others and play mad games. Give up the mistakes and bondages. Chant the name of Sri Sathya Sai! Sri Sathya Sai!. Nowadays man is not listening to the good things but is eager to listen to the bad. Why have the eyes been given? Is to see everything? No; they have been given only to see God. Why have the legs been given? Have they been given only to wander around? Only for earning a living to buy food? No; they have been given to serve mankind and gain liberation. All one's physical limbs should be offered for service with this attitude in mind. All one's limbs are of God and indicate that, "I am God." "I" is the first name of God. We must inquire clearly. We say "I am Swami, or I am a man, I am a woman, I am a Brahmin, I am a Vaishya." When I say, "I am Swami," "I" is first and Swami is next. Likewise, when I say, "I am a woman," "I" is first and woman is next. So "I" is always first. When you ask anyone his name, he will say Rama or Ramaya, but first is "I" and next is the name. Once when a devotee prayed to God, God appeared and declared, "I am the Deity of your prayers." Even God says "I" first. The world is bound by "I" (universal).
The reason for the existence of "I" (personal) and "mine" is the feeling of attachment one has towards things as well as one's own body. If after you sold your car, it met with an accident, you would not bother about it or become sad. If someone hung a poster on the walls of your house you would become very annoyed and fight with him, but after you sell your house, you would not bother even if a bomb fell on it. If you have money in the bank (Love of God), you can draw a Cheque, and withdraw it at anytime. In every aspect of life, as long as one carries the sense of me and mine, there exists attachment. When there is no attachment one will not be affected, and this attitude of non-attachment will lead one to the realization of Divinity. All attachments should be directed towards Divinity as God is the one reality. The prayer,
"Twameva Matha cha Pitha twameva
Twameva Bhandu cha Sakha twameva
Twameva Vidya, Dravinam twameva
Twameva Sarvam, Mama Deva Deva"
means, "You are my Mother and Father, You are my Relative and Friend, You are my Knowledge and Wealth, You are my Everything." Instead of saying "This is mine," say "God is mine and everything is God." Such a relationship has seldom been developed today and that is the cause for unhappiness.
How should one understand this detachment? One should not claim that the body, mind, intellect, etc, are his. How can one say that they are not his? Say, "Na Deham," which means, "I am not the body"; "Na Buddhi," "I am not the intellect"; "Na Manas"', "I am not the mind." Here we are referring to the external mind; the other aspect is the internal mind that consists of inner Bliss. As this Bliss is within man, no search is required to locate it. One cannot acquire this Bliss from outside through one's status or position but can attain it only through Love. Without expressing Love, no one will Love you. The entire drama of life consists of dancing puppets. Man, do not be so proud of your beauty because you lie on the doorstep of old age when you will not be able to walk, your skin will be full of wrinides and all will laugh at you. Realize now that you are only a puppet. The human body has been gifted to do sacred action to realize that work is God and to know that Truth is God Who is infinite.
Swami ended His Discourse by singing "Sathyam, Jnanam, Anantham, Brahma......:"
14. STHREE (WOMAN) [April 19, 1996]
Embodiments of Divine Love,
The karma marga (path of action) is a beautiful flower, the Bhakti marga (path of devotion) is the raw fruit; the Jnana marga (path of wisdom) is the fully ripened fruit. Children of Bharat (India), please listen. If you do not first have the flower (dedicated action to God), you will not have a fruit (devotion to God); and you also will not attain the fully ripened fruit (knowledge and experience of the Atma). The flower is the basis, that is, karma (action) is the basis for Jnana (wisdom).
In this world which is full of karma, to be born as a woman is very fortunate. Ignorant men think that they are superior to women. Ladies have pride (self-respect), wealth (noble and virtuous qualities), sweet talk, education, intelligence, strength (fortitude) and patience. Not only in India but in foreign countries, there are men who do not understand this, but think women are weaker and not capable of doing important work. Men think that they are physically strong and only they are capable of important work, due to their ignorance. If the home, community or country has respect it is due to women. We describe our country as the Motherland; no one calls it the Fatherland. No one asks what is your language? Rather, they ask, what is your mother-tongue? No one asks you what is your father-tongue? (Laughter) The communities' reputation depends on the women. Everyone in this world says, "This is my motherland and this is my mother-tongue."
If a man wishes to perform any dharmic action or any big ceremony, he should always discuss first with the women in the home. If he wishes to complete a work successfully, he needs the cooperation of the wife. If he does not discuss with her before doing, it will not be successful. Though the husband may be bad, the wife should be able to give him good advice. She would be like a minister capable of giving good advice. What about Mandodari? Due to her good advice, Ravana was able to live for such a long time with all his sins. She said, "You may be a strong one, educated, intelligent and wealthy, but if Sita would curse you once, you would immediately become ashes. Therefore, you should understand the nature of feminine power." If a man wishes to perform a Yagna (sacrificial rite), his wife must sit with him. Even if he wishes to do charity, the wife should be by his side. The truthful Harischandra knows nothing other than Truth. When he gave his kingdom to Visvamitra, his wife Chandramati, was with him. If she wouldn't have been there, he could not have done it. A woman is equal-to a man's heart, and she is half of him. Because she is the one who brings respect to the home, she is named Grahalakshmi. Men are able to earn money, but the person who brings the good reputation to the family is the woman. The one who cooks and serves the food in the home is the woman, .isn't it? Because she takes good care of everything and maintains the reputation of the home, she is also called "Kirthi." Wealth consists of good health, good qualities happiness, purity and cleanliness, not only currency notes. Because she has all of these good qualities, she is known as "Grahalakshmi." Women have the ability to speak sweetly and soothingly, and in thus doing, they maintain their own and the family's respect. Only these days one may see the wife and husband together walking and talking, but the wife does not interfere when the husband entertains another man in the visitor's room. Only a lady can maintain this type of respect.
Buddhi (intellectual discrimination) is another quality (energy) of women. When the husband leaves in the morning and returns full of worries, the one who speaks soothingly and sweetly and comforts him is the woman. That is why she is called "dharma pathini." Women are more intelligent than men. Women are able to concentrate and do work better than men. Men use their discriminative ability only to do their jobs, but women can discriminate and deal with any work according to the situation. For example: Men and women both drive scooters and cars. But go and ask the police department who gets involved in accidents (clapping). When ladies drive there are not often accidents. What is the reason? It is due to their concentration (clapping). Due to their intelligence, they do not hurt others and themselves by causing accidents. Go and ask any university. Mainly it is the girls who score first class and first rank. For Bhagawan, men and women are the same, but if you really "see," this is the true situation (laughing and clapping). Women at all times use their discriminatory power to discover what is good and what is bad.
When a man desires to give his daughter in marriage, he will look at the future bride groom's education and profession, but the mother will always find out what type of family he belongs to and the family background and reputation. It is the woman who always worries about the future. A man is always in a hurry and then later he regrets. Haste makes waste; waste makes hurry. So don't be in a hurry. A man always shows his strength in his hands, while women have their strength in their hearts. When a man arrives home tired, his wife refreshes him with her pleasant words like giving an injection of glucose (clapping). Many men know this but they will not admit it (laughing and clapping). A man prospers in life due to the support of women. Only a woman can understand all the aspects of a situation, but men will have only a superficial understanding. Though many foreigners invaded our country and tried to destroy the culture, the culture is still alive due to women.
It is only the women who are always peaceful. Although some women quarrel, most of them are quiet. The relatives may give problems, the son-in-law or daughter-in-law may cause problems but women don't say anything. Rather, they keep it within themselves and suffer, because they do not want to tarnish the name and respect of the family. Ladies have seven qualities, but since people do not understand this, the country is in its present predicament. Men have three qualities. One is that they work and earn money. Due to this they become proud and egoistic. Ladies also go out to work but they don't have this kind of ego. A few of them do have ego. The strength of man depends on the housewife's cheerful words.
Until recently in the United Kingdom the Prime Minister was a woman. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India for 12 years. In Sri Lanka the Prime Minister and President are women (mother and daughter). In the world today wherever male Prime Ministers are in position there are problems and troubles. If a man completes five years of his term as a Prime Minister it would be surprising; yet Indira Gandhi could complete more than 10 years as a Prime Minister. Women have immense courage to lead and protect their countries.
In the field of devotion women are the first to enter the spiritual path, and then men slowly follow. In spiritual pursuits women are generally ahead. Men may have wisdom but devotion is prominent in women. Without devotion to God, one is nowhere.
In the court of the Maharaja (king), men can reach only as far as the entrance hall, whereas women can go up to the private quarters. Men have no right to enter here. What does the antapuram refer to here? Antapuram means the Atma within, which only women can reach due to their devotion and sacrifice. Women have attained liberation through devotion. One should never consider women to be weak, but should show equal respect for both men and women.
In the Ramayana, Rama, because He was born to Kausalya, could be called God. Due to the tender care of Sita, Lava and Kush (the twin sons), became very great. This greatness was due only to the mother's influence. Even in the world today the father earns money whereas the mother cautions and nurtures the children, keeping in view their education and behavior. All over the world it is women who are powerful. There is nothing that they cannot achieve through using their inner power.
The entire world is a ladies' college. The drama of life is staged here. Spiritually speaking all are female. In a girls college when a drama is being enacted the king, servants, ministers etc., are all women; though the role is that of a king, servant or minister, they are all women only. Food, sleep and fear are common to both men and women; both eat, cry and have desires. Brindavan (the place where Lord Krishna was raised and also the entire universe which belongs to all of creation) belongs to all. Govinda, Krishna or the Lord belongs to all. In order to show the qualities and capacities of women, Krishna enacted the following drama: At the main gate to Brindavan, Krishna said to the watchman, "See that no woman enters into Brindavan." One day when Radha came to the gate she was refused entry by the watchman. When she told him that Brindavan belongs to all, he replied that women were not permitted entry. She asked him what he was and he replied that he was a man. Radha challenged him by saying that there is no man; all are women only. God is the only male; all the created ones are Prakriti or children of the earth.
Arjuna (devotee of Lord Krishna in the epic Bhagavad Geetha) had many titles. Dhananjaya was the title which meant "holding the weapon" (of courage). But in the battle-field while he was in the chariot, when he dropped his bow and lost his courage, Krishna said "Stand up and fight. Know that in every age fate is strong, justice will win and selfishness will die." Though Dritharashtra had one hundred sons, there was not even one alive to do his obituary rites. What a destiny! So Krishna encouraged Arjuna to live up to his destiny and not to lose courage.
The world symbolizes womanhood. Therefore, one's country is called the "Motherland" and the earth is termed "Mother Earth"; all bodies have been born from the earth. For everyone mother is important; the motherly feelings which are supreme always ensure the welfare of a country.
Once Sage Vishwamitra went to Dasaratha to request help in the ritual that he was performing. Vishwamitra told him that though he had the power to kill demons he could not use it, as in a sacred ritual there should be no violence. As the chief priest, he requested Dasaratha to send his two sons, Rama and Lakshmana to safeguard the Yagna (ritual sacrifice). Vishwamitra told the king that his two sons were highly divine, that they always prayed to the Mother Goddess first and to the father afterward. Vishwamitra paid respect to his Mother first, father next and then preceptor. Why this order? Only the mother gives birth and most often the mother is alert and awake when father sleeps; if a child suffers from fever the mother will not eat. Such sacred Love is found in a mother. The father has only 75% of Love while the mother has 90%. The progress of the entire world depends on the women; women are not for the kitchen alone.
Today both men and women go to work, earn salaries and keep a cook, a driver and servants. The salaries to these staff may be more than their earnings but if the woman remains at home she would be able to take care of these matters. The husband encourages the wife to go to work. The wife's salary may be 2000 rupees but the servants' salaries and expenses come to 3000 rupees. This is like eating more pickle rather than the meal (laughter). The expense becomes more than the income. Since she goes to work the entire family is disturbed. Listen to this point carefully.
The Bhagavad Geetha refers to three aspects of purity: the vessel, the process of cooking and the cook (all need to be pure and clean). It is very important that the cook should be a pure, clean person not only outwardly but inwardly as well. From ancient times we have said the food prayer, “Brahmarpanam Brahmahavir" to offer the food to God so it would become prasad (blessed food). So the purity of the transformed food was ensured through prayer. Nowadays the husband and wife fight on the dining table. One reason for all these disturbances is the impurity of the cook who is mainly concerned with his salary.
The housewife cooks with purity. Even in royal families the queen herself served the members of the family. As is the feeling, so is the reaction. If the family is secure and happy, the society will also be happy; if the society is happy, then the entire state will be happy. So purity and happiness should begin with the individual.
Once in Hardwar there was a sixty-year old businessman who had no one to take care of his family while he was occupied in his business. He married a sixteen-year-old girl who was often very sad and weeping, missing her deceased mother. After their marriage, this businessman usually returned home late at night. Due to loneliness and grief she decided to end her life by jumping into the Ganges River. As it was the custom to feed people on the tenth day ceremony after a death, this businessman contributed sweets to the ashrams in Rishikesh in respect to his wife. That evening a certain renunciant sat in meditation. Normally he could meditate very well, but that evening in his meditation he was bothered by a sixteen-year-old girl crying. The next morning he asked his guru the reason for this disturbance. His guru replied that he must have been having impure thoughts. The renunciant replied that he was not. Then it was discovered that the cause of the disturbance was the eating of the sweets that had come from the businessman whose wife had committed suicide. Since that day this businessman stopped participating in feasts and became content with whatever he had. Thus before partaking food we should offer it to God for purification. You are God. Your heart is His altar; Love is His form; Bliss is His food. Many ask Baba where He gets His energy because He eats so little. I am Energy! Energy is the form of Divinity.
Women should not be looked upon as of little value. A house without the woman is like a forest. When a woman is present, it is "for rest." Give them all your respect, and care for their needs and comforts. If a woman sheds tears, prosperity will not remain in that home; so do not make women suffer. A woman stands for Love and devotion. From God's perspective or from the Atmic standpoint, there is no difference between a man and a woman as both are His creation. So surrender! God is your old friend, "old is gold" friend, whereas modem friends are friends today but they may say good-bye tomorrow. They may have motives and are friends only as long as you have money and such friendship changes from moment to moment. So Love such a God; to develop such devotion is the purpose of life.
Swami ended His Discourse by singing "Hey Shiva Shankara, Namami Shankar, Shiva Shankara Shamboo."
15. THE CREATOR AND THE CREATION [April 20, 1996]
Before creation there was nothing but darkness everywhere. Later on, there was rainfall for many years after which rays of light appeared from among the clouds. Sound became evident, that which one hears from within the spiritual heart when one closes his eyes and listens. This sound was created first, and with it small vibrations. Some vibrations could be heard and others could not be heard. For example, when our eyelids flutter there is sound even though it cannot be heard by the human ear. The sound that was created by these vibrations spread all over. For example, if you throw a stone in water, it will make continuously spreading waves, similar to these spreading sound vibrations created in space. We do not know how or from where these vibrations started in the atmosphere, and we do not understand the results of these vibrations. From the vibrations in the atmosphere, the wind was created, and from wind, heat was created. As a result of the friction between the sound waves and the wind, heat was created; from heat, water was formed. When one has a fever, perspiration results when the fever is reduced. This is like the relationship between heat and water. Water is denser than fire. As water becomes more and more dense, it becomes the earth element. Sky or Akasha is prevalent everywhere — above, below, around. After water was created, earth was created. By mixing of water and earth, more aspects were created. The earth became like a container to hold the water. As the heat decreased, the liquid hardened to form rocks. The studies about this are called physics. From physics, botany developed, and then zoology. From botany and zoology, biology developed.
From space, sound was created, from air, wind was created, then heat, water, and earth. In the beginning these were not mixed together, but later when they were combined, life was formed.
The three primary colors are red, blue and yellow, and when they combine we get the other colors. The sky is blue. Sri Krishna also is blue-complexioned by birth. He has the colour blue because He is all-pervasive like the sky.
During creation, sound was formed first. Everything was created from sound, including the huge stars. When a huge star breaks up, small stars are formed. There are millions of stars, but scientists are aware of only a few galaxies such as the Milky Way where many stars are close together. The basis for all of this creation is consciousness.
Wherever there is vibration there is sound. When one breathes, there is sound; sound is all-pervasive. Wherever there is magnetism, there is electricity. The Earth is a magnet; therefore electricity is created from the earth. The human body is also a magnet. In Sanskrit, body is called deha, and nature is desha. Scientists talk .about the law of nature, and Manu (a learned sage) also speaks about the law of nature. If there is a rose flower, there must also be a Creator who has created it. It is incorrect to say that the rose's existence is due to the law of nature. For everything, there is a Creator.
The swan is able to separate and drink milk from a mixture of milk and water. Near the beak of the swan is a chemical which enables it to separate the milk. So says the scientist. But who created this chemical near the beak of the swan? Who has done this? Everything has a creator. One should not forget that there is a creator for all these things. Use the law of nature but don't break it. Lord Buddha said:
Buddham Sharanam Gachhami,
Sangham Sharanam Gachhami,
Dharmam Sharanam Gachhami.
Cultivate wisdom and discrimination by using the intelligence (Buddhi). Live in the society (Sangam) as per its laws, and adhere to, take refuge in Righteousness (Dharma). One should follow the good example of others, rather than following only the pleasure seekers. Buddhi, Sangam and Dharma were created for the sake of society. Why do we prepare food? The body requires nourishment and energy. Similarly if one sows good qualities in the community, the community becomes good.
The sun has 98% hydrogen and 2% helium. Both are gases and the heat is controlled by these gases. If helium were not there, the earth would have been destroyed by the heat. There is a relationship between the sun and the earth. Earth is the daughter of the sun, and moon is the daughter of the earth. Moon has no life on it. The life form that exists on earth does not exist on other planets. Ice, fire and water are all alive. The life forms that live and die in the water are different from the life forms that exist in other elements. The life forms in each element are unique. The life forms on earth are not like those found in water, fire or air. The life form that exists throughout the entire world is the Atma. God is in the earth and He is also in all of the five elements. The earth has five qualities: smell, taste, form, touch and sound. The earth is heaviest. Water has four qualities: taste, smell, touch and sound. Fire has three qualities: form, touch and sound. Air has two qualities: touch and sound. And ether has one quality: sound. As ether has only one quality, sound, it is all-pervasive. God is beyond any of these qualities and elements so He is able to be all-pervasive.
There are no flying saucers. The man-made satellites consist of three parts — frontal, middle and back portions. When the satellite goes very fast, the rear portion becomes detached, breaks and falls into the sea. People who see these think they are flying saucers. The satellites made by scientists do not last very long. What is permanent is created by God and is called Truth; all the rest are impermanent.
God created sound first, which is the primordial Pranava. From this primordial sound, Om, other sounds emanated. Om or the primordial sound is the basis for all of creation. If we speak concisely about it, ether is infinite, but the created is finite.
CONTINUED…
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| Brahmavidya and Women - Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba |
| 10.31.04 (7:39 am) [edit] |
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Brahmavidya and Women - Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Q. You were talking of strict regimen; men too should follow this, is it not?
A. Of course! They too are flesh and blood, bone and marrow; they too are afflicted with illness. Each and every person who is afflicted with birth and death and suffering from this cycle is in need of this medicine. And, whoever helps himself to this treatment has to follow the regimen too. Man or woman, whoever neglects the regimen, cannot get rid of the illness. Men cannot afford to say that they are free from it; they have to stick to it closely and observe it strictly. Even if they have had Brahmopadesam (initiation into the spiritual path of Brahma-realisation), if they are devoid of virtues like Sama and Dama they cannot save themselves, whether they are men or women.
Q. But then, Swami, why do many scholars learned in the Sastras declare that women have no right for acquiring Brahmavidya? What is the reason?
A. There is no reason at all in declaring that women are not entitled to Brahmavidya. Vishnumurthy taught Bhudevi the glory of the Githa; Parameswara taught Parvathi the Brahmathathva through the Guru-Githa. That is what the Guru-Githa means when it says, "Parvathi Uvaacha". What do these words mean? Besides, Easwara initiated Parvathi into Yogasastra and Manthrasastra. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mentions that Yajnavalkya taught Maitreyi this very same Brahmavidya. This is a well known fact. Now, you can yourself judge and draw your own conclusion whether women are entitled to Brahmavidya or not.
Q. There are some others, Swami, who declare that women are not entitled to Brahmacharya and Sanyasa. Is it true? Do the Vedas prohibit it?
A. The Vedas have two sections: Karmakanda and Jnanakanda. The Karmakanda is for beginners, for the undeveloped; and the Jnanakanda is for the more advanced, the developed intelligences. There is no reference to men or women in connection with these. The beginners are worldly; how can they understand the immortal message of the Jnanakanda about the Atma? In the Brihadaranyaka we have mention of Gargi and Maitreyi who shine in the spiritual splendour of Brahmacharya and Sanyasa. In the Mahabharatha also, we have Subha Yogini and other women who are ideal women, full of virtue.
Q. Can women win Brahmajnana, even while leading the householder's life?
A. Why not? Madaalasa and others were able to get Brahmajnana while in the Grihastha stage of life, the house-holder status. You must have heard of these from the Yogavasishta and the Puranas, how they attained the height of auspiciousness, Brahmajnana itself. Then again, do not the Upanishads declare that Kaathyayini, Sarangi, Sulabha, Viswaveda and others were adepts in Brahmajnana?
Q. Swami, are there any women who have attained Brahmajnana while in the Grihasdtha stage? And who attained it while in the Sanyasa stage? Or any who realised it while in the Vaanaprastha stage? Are there women who got it in the Brahmacharya stage of life?
A. Do not think that there are no women who have realised Brahmajnana while in any one of these stages. Choodaala attained it while a Grihastha; Sulabhayogini won it while a Sanyasini; Maitreyi attained it while in the Vaanaprastha stage of life; and Gargi got it in the Brahmacharya stage. There were other great women of Bharath who have achieved this height. Why, there are even today many who are of this great category. I simply mentioned some four names because you came up with that question now; so do not in the least loose enthusiasm. There is no need for loss of heart.
Q. When we have so many examples of women who have attained Brahmajnana, how is it that so many argue against it? Why do they impose limitations on women?
A. It is sheer absurdity to deny women the right to earn Brahmajnana. But in worldly matters, it is necessary that some limitations are respected by them. They are laid down only in the interests of Dharma and for Loka-kalyana. For the sake of the upkeep of morals and for social health in the world, women have to be bound by them. They are too weak to maintain certain standards of life and discipline; they have some natural handicaps; that is the reason for these limitations. This does not mean any fundamental inferiority. Why, even Pundits and men learned in the Sastras acquire their Jnana through the reverential homage they pay to the Feminine Deity, Saraswathi. The patron Deity of Vidya, as well as of Wealth and Jnana are all three
feminine. They are Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi. Even in customary correspondence, when women are addressed, they are referred to as, "To...who is equal to Lakshmi" etc. You always speak of Maatha-Pithaa, Gowri-Sankara, Lakshmi-Narayana, Seetha-Rama, Radha-Krishna etc. The feminine name comes first and then the masculine. From this itself you can gather how much reverence is paid to women here.
Q. The distinction between man and woman - do you condemn it as Mithya-jnana or do you value it as Atma-jnana?
A. My dear fellow! The Atma has no such distinction; it is eternally conscious, pure, self-effulgent. So, it can only be Mithya-jnana; it can never be Atma-jnana. It is a distinction based on the Upadhi, the mask, the Limitation. The Atma is neither masculine, feminine nor neuter; it is the form that limits and deludes and that wears the names.
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| Namasmarana |
| 10.31.04 (7:33 am) [edit] |
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Namasmarana
Words have tremondous power. They can arouse emotions and the can also calm them. They direct or infuriate, they reveal or confuse. They are potent forces that bring up great reserves of strength and wisdom. The tongue should be used for pronouncing the Name of the Lord. It should not be used to hiss like a serpent, or growl or roar with intention to strike terror. That is not the purpose for which the tongue is granted to man. Dwell on the Name, and its sweetness will saturate your tongue and improve your taste. Speech is so powerful that it indicates one's character, reveals one's personality, educates others and communicates experience and information. So be vigilant about words. Slip while walking, the injury can be repaired; but slip with talking, the injury is irreparable.
The present age is described in the scriptures as very conducive to Liberation for, while in past Ages, rigorous penance was prescribed as the means, the present Kali Age requires only Namasmarana to win Liberation. When the Name of the Lord is remembered with all the Glory that is associated with It, a great flood of happiness wells up in the mind. The Lord is full of Bliss and in fact He is Bliss Itself. All this Bliss is to be tasted through the Name. Vyasa himself knew this, for when some sages once went to him to find out which Yuga is most conducive to success in man's efforts for Liberation, Vyasa anticipated their question and repeated to himself aloud, `How fortunate are those destined to be born in the Kali Yuga! It is so easy to win the Grace of the Lord by Namasmarana in the Kali Age.'
The Name of God, if recited with Love and Faith, has the power to bring upon the eager aspirant the Grace of God. The Name has the over-mastering power of even leaping over the ocean. It can award unimagined strength and courage. When questioned whether it was Ramanama that strengthened Hanuman to cross the ocean, Rama replied that since His Body was called Rama, the Name that combines the Bijaakshras of both Siva and Vishnu, He Himself was able to conquer Ravana and his hordes. The name has such efficacy. By repeating the Name, the Lord and His Attributes can easily be identified. The tongue must be sanctified by repetition of the Name. It has also to be used for sweet expressions which will spread contentment and joy. Remember that God, in whom you move, the God Who makes you move, the God who is all this Vast Universe- every little atom and every huge star, rememeber Him! Select some Name and Form for this All-pervasive Immanent God and keep It on your tongue and before your mental eye. That is what is called Japa-sahita-dhyanam. Recitation of the Name-cum-meditation. When you select one Name and one Form for Smarana, do not talk ill of other Names and Forms. Behave like the woman of a joint family. She respects and serves the elders of the family, such as the father-in-law and his brothers and her own brothers-in-law, but her heart is dedicated to her husband, whom she loves and reveres in a special manner. If you carp at the faith of others your devotion is fake. If you are sincere, you will appreciate the sincerity of others too. The Lord has thousands of Names. There is no Name that is not His. Krishna, Shrinivasa, Sai Baba- all Names are of the same Entity.
[Excerpted from pages 1 and 2 of 'Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba on His Forty-third Birthday,' as published by Sathya Sai Seva Samithi of Poona, 18 pages softcover, 1968. Printed by W. Q. Judge Press, 97 Residency Road, Bangalore 560025.]
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| Akhanda Bhajan |
| 10.28.04 (10:25 am) [edit] |
Akhanda Bhajan
This year's Akhanda Bhajan will be on the weekend of November 13-14.
This is a continous 24 hour devotional singing session. This event is
held all over the world in all countries. We encourage all of you to
take part in your center's devotional singing program.
The bhajan commences with the lighting of the sacred lamp - the
Akhanda Jyothi - that is kept burning for 24 hours. Thus the sacred
lamp will be lit in each country during the 24 hour period based on
local time and by the time a Sai centre at Honolulu lights the
Akhanda Jyothi, centres in the East would have completed their
Akhanda Bhajan.
Before the Bhajans are completed the world would be a girdle of
Akhanda Jyothis lit round the globe in Sai Units. The Akhanda Jyothi
not only helps to concentrate the minds of devotees but promotes also
a sense of spiritual unity and harmony among the devotees. The
prayers will be for Peace in the world.
This is being done not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or
one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. The
Bhajans that are sung permeate the ether in the form of sound waves
and fill the entire atmosphere, thereby, the whole environment gets
purified." - Baba
AKHANDA BHAJAN
An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Importance Of Bhajans
"As a matter of fact, Bhajan is a constant exercise. It has to be as
essential as breathing." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238
"Bhajans always give joy and peace."
Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, p. 190
"Wherever My devotees sing, there I install myself. So sing from the
heart, conscious of the layers of meaning each word has. You can have
God installed in your heart." Sai Baba
"The Name (of God) undoubtedly brings in the grace of God. Meerabai,
the queen of Rajasthan, gave up her status, riches, fortune and
family, and dedicated herself to the adoration of the
Lord, "Giridhara Gopala". Her husband brought a chalice of poison and
she was ordered to drink it. She uttered the Name of Krishna while
she drank it. It was transformed into nectar by the grace the Name
invoked." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 217
"Cast away ignorance; you are free, liberated from all bonds that
very moment. All spiritual disciplines have this liberation as their
goal. Nama-sankirtana (repetition of God's Names), too, helps you get
rid of this basic ignorance." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 70
"Measures for the elimination of egoism: the chief among these is the
Bhajan." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 237
"Let your whole life be a Bhajan. Believe that God is everywhere at
all times, and derive strength, comfort and joy by singing His Glory
in His presence." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 75
"Bhajan is a good disciplinary process by which these two (Kama and
Krodha) can be kept away. Kama is the lust for physical pleasure,
power, fame, wealth and scholarship. Krodha is anger, which is the
result of foiled lust." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 79
"Bhajan (devotional singing) is more important than Bhojan (food).
Prayer is more important than pining for meals. Birds, beasts,
insects and worms, all feed and keep fit. Man is the crown of
creation, the monarch and master of all beings in creation. If he,
too, seeks only food and shelter as inferior species do, it is
deplorable indeed. From the moment of waking until the moment when he
lays himself down again to sleep, man is engaged in endless errands,
unceasing turmoil, never-ending tangles and boundless anxiety. And
what does he gain therefrom? More confusion, more mental agitation."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 79
"You will relish the Bhajan as you make it a daily function, like
eating and sleeping. You eat twice a day for the upkeep of the body.
Should you not do Bhajan at least once for the upkeep of the mind?
Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 81
"Those who sing Bhajans get what can be called 'double promotion',
for they derive joy and distribute joy. Life today is filled with
sorrow. It is beset with fear and despair. The only time you can
forget these thoughts and strengthen yourself to meet the hard times
is when you contact the source of all strength. God. You cannot get
that peace while you bend under the burden of daily life." Sai Baba,
SSS. Vol. X. p. 81
"Whenever an idea of hurting others or taking someone's belonging or
spreading falsehood about others enters your mind, turn to God for
help. Ask Him to give you strength. Repeat the Name of God or hum a
Bhajan. You will find that all your bad thoughts will flee, leaving
you free from evil." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 154
"The hands should be lifted in prayer and words should come out full-
throated. It is unfortunate that even those who are gifted with good
voices do not sing aloud in Bhajans. Man has been endowed with a
tongue to sing the praise of God. If he fails to do so, he remains
indebted to God." Sai Baba, SS. 8/96. p. 206
"The recitation of the Names of the Lord will help to purify the
atmosphere as a result of the sacred sound waves getting absorbed in
the atmosphere. The power of the sound waves is evident from the way
radio Waves are transmitted and received over long distances. The
atmosphere that has been polluted by impure sound waves can be
purified by chanting the Divine Name. Likewise, sacred thoughts, pure
speech and pure actions will purify other polluted elements. There is
no better purifying agent than this." Sai Baba. SS. 4/92. p. 71
Meaning Of Akhanda Bhajan
"Akhanda means uninterrupted, without any gap. "Akhanda-Bhajan"
means that it should not be just a twenty-four hour, or even a seven-
day affair. It must go on from birth to death. Bhajan (devotional
song) has to start in childhood and continue onward. It must be
constant companion of man, his solace and strength. Do not postpone
it until old age, for it is the essential food for the mind." Sai
Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, 125
"This day (4 December r976), you have resolved to imbibe Divine Bliss
by reciting the glory of God in chorus and with music, continuously
for twenty-four hours. You call it Akhanda Bhajan, even though it
will end after that period. Still the idea is good and programme will
yield good results." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. X. p. 79
"This has been named an Akhanda Bhajan, that is to say, Bhajan done
without a break. But was it really an Akhanda Bhajan? It is begun at
6:30 on the evening of one day, and is closed at 6:30 on the evening
of the next day. Can we call it 'unbroken Bhajan'? What is a period
of 24 hours when we consider the vastness of the universe and the
eternity of time? It is just a wink, a minute part of the life of man
on earth. By engaging yourselves in the recitation of the Name of God
for one single day, you claim to have done Bhajan 'without a break'.
Akhanda Bhajan must be as continuous as breathing itself if it is to
deserve its name." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 67
Meaning Of Global Akhanda Bhajan
"The Akhanda Bhajan that is observed by Sai devotees all over the
world for full twenty-four hours in November is an annual event of
global significance. Starting from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Akhanda
Bhajan concludes at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Bhajans (spiritual
songs) start with the lighting of the Akhanda Jyoti (the sacred lamp)
that is kept continuously burning for 24 hours." V.K.N, SS. 12/87, p.
341
Special Significance Of Global Akhanda Bhajan
"This programme of Akhanda-Bhajan continuously done for 24 hours all
round the world in all lands, has therefore spread the message of
love through the Names of the Embodiment of Universal Love. It has
saturated the atmosphere with thoughts of God and peace and joy that
He showers. The Bhajans that you have done here (Prasanthi Nilayam)
has affected not only this particular area and its environment, but
it will transmute the entire atmosphere. Continue this attitude of
devotion and humanity, of service and tolerance, the atmosphere will
not be polluted by hatred." Sai Babu, SSS. Vol. X, p. 75
"What is significant about the global Akhanda Bhajan is that while
apparently the duration of the Bhajan is identical, the time sequence
varies from country to country. For instance, when Bhagavan lit the
Akhanda Jyoti in the Prasanthi Mandir at precisely 6:00 p.m. on
November 14, 1987, the Akhanda Bhajans had been going on for many
hours in countries east of India from Japan to Singapore. This means
that as the earth revolves, lamps are lit at different Sai centres
according to the local time, and by the time the westernmost centre
in Vancouver lights the Akhanda Jyoti, (Sai) centres in the east
would have completed the Akhanda Bhajan. Before the Bhajans are
completed all round the world, there would be a girdle of Akhanda
Jyotis lit around the globe in Sai centres as far as Fiji in
the '"east" and Hawaii in the "west" V.K.N. SS. 12/87, p. 341
Purpose Of The Global Akhanda Bhajan
'Today we are having Akhanda Bhajans (non-stop twenty-four hour
global Bhajans by Sai devotees all over the world. This is being done
not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or one community. It
is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. The Bhajans that are sung
permeate the ether in the form of sound waves and fill the entire
atmosphere, thereby, the whole environment gets purified." Sai Baba,
SS, 11/86. p. 280
"Today the atmosphere is polluted by unholy and vicious sounds. This
results in the growth of evil thoughts and feelings, which lead to
evil deeds. If the atmosphere has to be'purified. it has to be filled
with pure and sacred sounds." Sai Baba, SS, 11/86, p. 281
"Singing with intense yearning for God and enjoying the experience of
adoring Him. helps to purify the atmosphere. Man is forced to breathe
the air polluted by sounds that denote violence, hatred, cruelty and
wickedness. Therefore, he is fast losing the high attainments that
are in store for him. The vibrations of the Namasankirtans can
cleanse the atmosphere and render it pure, calm and ennobling. It is
with this high purpose in view that this programme of global
Sankirtan was designed." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 67
"No man can escape the influence of the pollution of the air he
breathes. The sounds that we produce, with good intent or bad, spread
throughout the air around us. This is our daily experience. The
sounds produced by radio stations pass through the atmosphere and
reach our homes when we tune in. The vibrations travel vast distances
and affect the nature of those who inhale them. The atmosphere also
affects the food man consumes. The pollution in the atmosphere is
imbibed by the plants. The plants supply grain, the grain is the
basis of the meal and the meal shapes the character and behaviour of
the person who consumes it. When the environment is clean and free
from evil vibrations, the food. too, is pure. and the person develops
a tendency to be loving and simple. It is to ensure such an
atmosphere, this Sadhana (of Akhanda Bhajan) was initiated all over
the world." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, pp. 67 & 68
"The air, even of these villages, is polluted by vulgar film songs,
by demeaning and disgusting conversation. The 24-hour long Bhajan
will purify it by divine vibrations, and those who breathe. The pure
air will be healthier and more upright in behaviour." Sai Baba. SSS,
Vol. X, p. 81
"Bhajans have a place of pride in Bhagavan Baba's scheme of spiritual
Sadhana. Devotional singing in groups serves not only to concentrate
the minds of the devotees on the Divine but promotes also a sense of
spiritual unity and harmony among devotees." V.K.N.. SS, 12/87. p.
341
"The prayer to the Lord to light the lamp of wisdom and love in the
heart of every devotee, when it goes up from millions of devotees all
over the world, must have an ennobling and unifying effect which
cannot be produced by any other means." V.K.N. SS, 12/87, p. 341
"The Akhanda Bhajan should make devotees feel their unity with the
Divine and, at the emotional level, and fill them with love for
entire mankind. Bhagavan Baba's supreme role in His present advent is
to unify humanity by promoting recognition of the inherent divinity
present in everyone, transcending all divisions of creed, caste,
language, nationality and sex. The Akhanda Bhajan is like a beacon
and trumpet-call to humanity to jettison ths pretty divisions of the
past and rise to the heights of its divine destiny." V.K.N.. SS,
12/87, p. 341
Meaning Of Bhajan
"The word "Bhajan" has been derived from the Sanskrit root "Bhaj"
which means to render service. Bhajan singing is indeed a mode of
providing service for the audience to purify their head and heart."
Sai Baba
Meaning Of Kirtana
"Kirtana is the word used for the recital or singing of the Name and
the Glory of God." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, p. 217
"Kirtana is singing aloud the Glory of God." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X,
p. 67
"Keertanam (Kirtanam) is an individual affair. It is singing by an
individual for the fulfillment of his prayers." Sai Bubu. SS, 4/92,
p. 67
Meaning Of Sankirtana/Sankeertanam
"Samyak-K-eertanam Sankeertanam (Congregational singing of Bhajans)
is the best form of Bhajans. Sankeertanam aims at the well-being of
the whole universe. This is also described as "'Saamaajika Bhajans
(community singing). This method of singing Bhajans was first
initiated by Guru Nanak. the founder ot'Sikhism. 'Sankeertana' aims
at demonstrating unity in diversity. When all the participants
combine to sing in unison with one voice, it is described
as "Sankeertana." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92, pp. 67 & 68
"San-kirtana means reciting or singing well, or aloud with joy in
ecstasy." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI. p. 217
"Combining one's voice, tune, feeling and rhythm to the appropriate
beat of the song, the devotee should immerse himself in singing.
Harmonizing the feeling with devotion and love, the sacred words of
the song should be an outpouring of love towards God. That alone is
devotional singing (Sankirtana)." Sai Baba. SS, 4/92, p. 69
"Sankirtana is the process of singing that originates in the heart,
nor from the tongue. It is the _expression of the joyous thrill that
wells up from the heart when the Glory of God is remembered. It is
the spontaneous manifestation of the inner ecstasy. No attention is
paid to blame or praise that others may give. It does not seek the
admiration or the appreciation of the listeners. It is sung for one's
own joy, one's own satisfaction, and one's own delight. Kirtana of
this supreme type alone deserves the name Sankirtana" Sai Baba, SSS,
Vol. X, p. 67
Purpose
"What is the essence of Sankirtana? Its essential purpose is to earn
the love of God." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92. p. 69
Different Forms Of San-Kirtana
The name of the Lord has been glorified in different ways all over
the world. Jayadeva was one who enjoyed always the sports (Leelas) of
the Divine." Sal Baba. SS. 4/98. p. 68
"Hanuman was proficient in music. There was none that could excel him
in singing. Even Narada Tumbura could not prevail against him." Sai
Baba. SS. 4/98. p. 69
"We can distinguish four different forms of Naama-sankirtana: (a)
Bhaava-naama-San-kirtana. (b) Guna-Naama-Sankirtana, (c) Leela-Naama-
San-kirtana, and (d) sheer Naama-Sankirtana." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI.
p. 219
a. Bhaava-Naama-Sam-Kirtana:
"Bhaava Sankeertana is illustrated by Radha alone who expresses her
different feelings towards God and identifies herself with the Divine
in every mood of devotion. She expressed her devotion in five forms
of Shanta (Serenity), Sakhya (friendliness, Vaatsalya (maternal
love), Anuraag (affection), Madhura (sweetness). Radha and Mira were
the exponents of' Bhaava-Sankeertana." Sai Baba, SS, 4/92, p. 68
"Bhaava-Naama San-kirtana is the name given to recitals where (God's)
Name is sung with one emotion, or mental attitude (Bhaava) toward the
Lord.(l) It can be Madhura-Bhaava (sweet emotion) as Radha was
overpowered only by that sweetness at all times and places. Her
adoration of God is the supreme example of Madhura-Bhaava. (2) Then
we have Vaatsalya-bhaava-sankirta na. Yashoda, the foster mother of
Krishna, can be taken as the ideal for this type of Bhaava (emotion).
Though she had a series of experiences of Krishna being Divine, she
preferred to save him as mother and adore him as her son. (3) Then
there is Saakhya-Bhaava- Sankirtana (comrade feeling), as found in
Arjuna who believed in Krishna as his intimate friend and brother-in-
law (for he married Krishna's sister), and confided in him as a
comrade. That too is an attitude that will attach you to divinity and
sublimate the tower impulses. (4) Daasya-Bhaava- (servant-master
attitude) Sankirtana is another type. Serve the Lord as His faithful
unquestioning servant. This is the path of Hanumana in the Ramayana.
(5) The last attitude is Sat-Bhaava-(unruffled, unconcerned) Naama-
Sam-kirtana, praising the Lord, whatever may happen, undeviated by
ups and downs, bearing all vagaries of fortune as His play. In the
Mahabharata, you will find Bhishma saturated with this attitude. He
adored Krishna even when Krishna was advancing towards him to kill
him." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 219
"Bhava means 'attitude' (of mind). So, Bhava-Sankirtan means the
adoration, in song, of God pictured and contacted under various
relationships. Some may prefer to adore Him as the giver of
equanimity (Santam), others as a friend, guide and guardian (Sakhya).
still others as the child one loves and tends (Vatsalya) and yet
others as the Lover whom one loves with sovereign love (Madhura)."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 68
b. Leela-Naama-Sam-Kirtana:
"Another method of Naama-Sam-kirtana is to remind oneself of the
various exploits and sports, the various acts of grace and
compassion, which the Lord has manifested in the world, while
reciting His Name. This is called Leela-Naama-Sam-Kirtana. Chaitanya
and Thyagraj realised the Lord through this path." Stii Bubu, SSS.
Vol. VI, p. 219
"This is (also) exemplified by the 'Gita Govindam' of
Jayadeva. "Sai Babti. SS, 4/92, p. 68
"Leela means 'sport', therefore Leela-San-kirtana is the adoration,
in song, of the various expressions of these attributes as evidenced
by the accounts of sages and seers of all faiths." Sai Baba, SSS.
Vol. X. p. 68
c. Guna-Naama-San-Kirtana:
''Many recollect more of the majesty, the glory, the might, the
mystery, the magnificence, the munificence, the love with which God
has clothed Himself, while reciting His Name. This attitude is spoken
of as Guna (attributes, characteristics) Nama-San-kirtana. Most of
the saints gradually honoured in many lands are of this category."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI, p. 219
"Guna means 'attributes' (of God) So, Guna-Naama-Sankirtana is the
adoration, in song, of manifold attributes of God - omnipresence,
omniscience, compassion, majesty, etc." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 68
"Guana-Sankeertana applies to the kind of Bhajan in which the devotee
recites the auspicious qualities of the Divine, experiences oneness
with the Divine, and acquires the godly qualities. Thyagaraja had
recourse to this type of singing. In one of his keertanas, he
exclaimed: " Oh Lord! You are beyond all words. Is it possible for
even Brahma or other gods to extol your glorious exploits? I am
waiting for your grace. Hearken to my entreaties. You restored life
to the preceptor's son whom the Lord of Death had taken. away. You
conquered the God of Love. You liberated from prison Vasudeva and
Devaki. You protected Draupadi when appealed in despair. You were the
guardian ofPandavas. You relieved Kuchela of his poverty. You saved
16,000 damsels from subjection." In this manner, Thyagaraja recounted
the great qualities of God in his songs." Sai Baba, SS. 2/92. p. 68
d. Naama-Sam-Kirtana:
"Another category is denoted by seekers who attach value to the
syllables and sound of the Name (of God) irrespective of the meaning
thereof. When the Name is pronounced, they say, it draws the aspirant
toward God and His grace, whatever may be the Bhaava (emotion),
whether the Leela (sports) or Guna (attributes) is associated with
the Sam-Kirtana or not. The Name (of God) has a strength, a power, a
capacity to redeem, cure and save, alone and unaided, they aver." Sai
Baba, SSS. Vol. VI. p. 219
"Nama means the 'Name of God'. So, Nama-Sankirtan means the adoration
of God, calling upon Him by various Names, each describing His glory.
His achievements, His relationship with the individual. The Names are
many. or even countless. It is so in all languages. We have many
groups of thousand and eight Names, which can be used for God, as the
Vedas declare, has a 'thousand heads', a thousand eyes. and a
thousand feet. Devotees can adore Him and derive bliss through that
adoration, filling each Name with the meaning and significance it
carries." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. pp. 68 & 69
"Chaitanya was the exponent of this form of Kirtana. "All Names are
yours. There is nothing in this cosmos which does not bear the
imprint of your Name or Form,' Chaitanya revelled in singing the
Names of the Lord as signifying all that was beautiful and glorious
in the universe." Sai Baba. SS, 4/98, p. 68
Congretational Bhajan Singing
Founder Of Community Bhajan Singing
This method of singing Bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak, the
founder of Sikhism." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92, p. 67
Importance
"Community singing sets up vibrations which will cleanse the
atmosphere." Sai Baba, SS, 2/98. p. 33
"When all the devotees participate in the Bhajan, the vibrations that
are produced will generate joy and harmony." Sai Baba. SS. 11/86. p.
280
"Bhajans that arc sung permeate the entire ether in the form of sound
waves and fill the entire atmosphere; thereby the whole environment
gets purified. By breathing in this purified atmosphere, our hearts
get purified." Sai Baba
"Bhajan has been part of our (Indian) culture, part of the Sanatana
Dharma tradition. But it has survived, however, in an attenuated
form, in the villages only. It has disappeared from the towns, where
people have more 'exciting' ways of spending time and recuperating
their spirits. But this programme of congregational Bhajan by all,
must be fostered, developed and transplanted in the towns later. I am
glad to note that the young men of this (Seegehalli) village and of
the adjacent villages, especially those who are attending the Sri Sai
College, are evincing keen interest in these Bhajans. That is indeed
a promising sign fraught with great potential for the future of this
country. They are cleansing their own minds and helping to cleanse
the atmosphere of these villages." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 81
Seegehalli, 4-12-76)
Rules For Conducting Community Bhajans
"When the chanting of the (Divine) Name is done in community singing,
it should be done in a form in which the entire group can participate
easily.
The tune, the rhythm, etc. should be such that all can follow the
Bhajan. If the lead singer takes up a song that is not familiar to
others, the response from the group will be poor. There will be no
enthusiasm or genuine participation. Their minds will be distracted."
Sai Baba. SS. 11/86. p. 280
"Reciting the Lord's name is a process of 'give and take'. Singing
the Lord's name should become an exercise in mutual sharing of joy
and holiness. Sai Baba, SS. 11/86. p. 281
"Community Bhajans should not be treated as a pastime. When thousands
of persons join in singing Bhajans, they should be fully absorbed in
the devotional process and the ecstasy of that experience." Sai Baba.
SS. 11/86. p. 281
"The singing should be vibrant arid soulful and not mechanical or
drawling and uninspiring. It should combine feeling (Bhavava), melody
(Raaga) and rhythm (Taala) Sai Baba, SS. 11/86, p. 281
"Songs should glorify the Name rather than describe the attributes.
When attributes are praised, some may develop doubts." Sai Baba. SS,
11/86, p. 281
General Guidelines For Conducting Bhajans
"In the Sadhana (spiritual practice) of Nama Smarana (remembering
God's Name), which I prescribe, two other complementary processes are
included along the recollection of the Name and the fixation of the
mind on the Name: (i) there must be purity of feeling, (ii) and
dwelling on the meaning of the Name. That will ensure success." Sai
Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. 177.
"When the Puja (worship) with 108 or 1008 names is progressing, do
not be satisfied when the sound falls on the ear. Try to grasp the
meaning too, so that you can ruminate over the glory which each name
denotes." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VII, p. 287
"Many people do Japa (reciting God's name) and join Bhajans, but they
are not aware of the meaning and value of the words they utter
mechanically." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. IX, p. 167
"Take the Name of the Lord and repeat it always. Do Bhajans with
faith and enthusiasm. Let the whole city shake with devotion you put
into the Name." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. 1, p. 132
"When you sing Bhajan songs, dwell also on the meaning of the songs
and the message of each Name and Form of God. Do not waste time
purposelessly; let every moment be a Bhajan." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. V,
p. 331
"Discipline has to be observed in speech, sport and every kind of
relationship. For instance, during Bhajans, all those singing in
chorus have to maintain the same tune. Discordant singing will jar
the ears. Singing Bhajans in unison is a form of discipline." Sai
Baba. SS. 7/96. p. 174
"When the Name is repeated without concentration and without
reverence, it cannot cleanse the mind. Now the Name is on the tongue,
the word is in the mind and the owner of the Name is in the heart."
Sai Baba, SSS. VI, p. 165
"Bhajans must be sung from the heart and just should not emanate from
the lips." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 140
"Bhajan must be a felt experience. Let your heart pant for God, then
Raaga (tune) and Taala (rhythm) will automatically be pleasant and
correct. Sincerity will blot out all errors in Raaga and Taala." Sai
Baba. SSS. Vol. VIII. p. 57
"The Bhajans, this time, were done in a ritualistic fashion. Greater
attention was paid to Raaga, Taala, Laya and Shruti (the melody, the
beat, the rhythm and the tone). All these are conventional qualities
(Vyaavaahaarika). To elevate the Bhajans to a spiritual level what
are required are true feeling and the ecstasy of devotion. The
(devotional) songs should flow not from the lips but from the heart.
When the songs come out of the heart they will be blissful for the
ears.'^ Sai Baba. SS, 4/97, p. 94
"Let melody and harmony surge up from your hearts and let all take
delight in the love that you express through that (devotional) song."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 75
"The words of a song can be expressed in a prosaic manner which has
no appeal to the listener. But when they are sung melodiously, they
tug at the heartstrings. (As in the song "Rama! Nannu Kaapaadu"-
"Rama!" save me. Swami sang the song to demonstrate its appeal.)
Such sweetness is contained in the song when it is rendered
melodiously." Sai Baba, SS, 4/92, p. 70
"Conduct your Bhajans with a pure unsullied heart, oblivious to all
worldly desires. When you chant the Lord's Name with a pure heart,
you will experience the Divine." Sai Baba, SS. 4/97. p. 94
Crores (millions of rupees) are being spent to purify the Ganges
water. Of what use is this exercise if the Ganges continues to be
polluted by the discharge of drainage water into the river? First
prevent the flow of filthy effluents into the Ganges. In the same
manner, the evil thoughts arising in the mind should be diverted and
it should be filled with pure godly thoughts by reciting the Divine
Name. Everyone participating in Bhajans should sing the Name of the
Lord and thereby serve to purify the atmosphere and promote the well-
being of the nation." Sai Baba. SS. 4/92. p. 71
"Bhajans have to be sung to please the Lord, not your fans. With each
Bhajan sung, the mind must be rendered purer, freer from passion, and
stronger in faith." Sai Baba. SS. 12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX, p.
162
"You should sing whole-heartedly with the desire to please God. God
makes no distinction between a proficient musician and a beggar in
the street. It is the devotion and sincerity that matters. Merge your
soul in the Bhajans you sing. Spiritualize your Bhajan-singing. Then
you will experience real bliss." "Once Emperor Akbar asked his court
musician how he would account for the fact that a wayside beggar's
music moved him more profoundly than the music of the state musician?
The latter replied that while the beggar sang from his heart to
please God, his music constrained by the desire to please the
Emperor." Sai Baba. SS, 4/97, p. 96
"The hands should be lifted in prayer and the words should come out
full-throated. It is unfortunate that even those who are gifted with
good voices do not sing aloud in Bhajans." Sai Baba. SS. 8/96. p.
206
"Bhajans have to be sung and offered to God in an attitude of utter
humility. They are not to be taken as exercises in an exhibition of
talent and competitions for mastery of musical skill." Sai Baba. SS,
12/74, p. 297 & SSS, Vol. IX. p. 162
"When a man falls into a well, of what use is it if he controls his
voice and his emotions and whispers quietly, 'I have fallen into this
well, I have fallen into this well. I am in a great danger. Please
save me.' No one will be able to hear or save him. He must shout full-
throated, with all anguish he is experiencing and with extreme desire
to be saved, "I HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WELL! SAVE ME! SAVE ME SOMEONE!"
Then only can he hope to get succour. Similarly, when you are caught
in the coils of this world, when you have fallen into this deep well
of worldly misery, shout with all your might, with all your heart
that God may save you. There is no use of muttering faintly and half-
heartedly. 'Save me; I am floundering in this Samsar.' When the
prayer comes shrieking through the heart, help is assured." Sai Baba,
SSS. Vol. X. p. 68
"Some persons attending Bhajans do not move their lips at all. They
may say that they are singing the songs mentally within themselves.
This is not proper. If you have a devotional feeling, it should be
expressed by the tongue joining in the Bhajan. Only then it can be
called "Sankirtana"- singing in unison with others. You must sing the
Names aloud, full-throated, as far as the voice can reach. Only then
the Divine will respond in full measure and shower His grace. No one
will go to the rescue of a drowning man if his cries are feeble. Only
when he cries aloud at the top of his voice, the cries will be heard
and people will rush to save him." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92. p. 70
"Attitudes of difference and distinction should not enter the hearts
of devotees so far this sacred Sadhana is concerned. It would be far
better for all parties if such self-important and conceited folk stay
away from Bhajans rather than pollute the sacred atmosphere by spirit
of rivalry and factionalism." Sai Baba, SS, 12/74. p. 297 & SSS, Vol.
IX, p. 162
"Bhajans where you quarrel and compete, and revel in putting down
others and raising yourselves, might give you satisfaction. But, let
me announce here, they do not please Me at all." Sai Baba, SS. 12/74.
p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX. p. 163
"In singing Bhajans, there should be no spirit of competition and no
caviling of others. The entire concentration should be on the Name
and Form of God." Sai Baba. SS, 3/96, p. 61
"Remember! All are the sons and daughters of Sai Maataa (Mother). How
can I tolerate when the sons and daughters quarrel among themselves
into rival groups? Unless you sing Bhajans for your own joy, you
cannot bring joy to others." Sai Baba, SS. 12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol.
DC. p. 163
"During Bhajans the women are engaged in mutual recrimination. They
quarrel over seats. Can't they experience Bhagavan wherever they
are?" Sai Baba, SS. 7/96, p. 184.
"The office-bearers in the units of our (Sai) Organization should be
ever vigilant, that this poison does not creep into the working of
the units, either in Bhajans, or in the activities ofMahila Vibhag
(women wing),-or Seva Dal (human service wine of volunteers)." Sai
Baba, SS, 12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX. p. 163
"I am pleased only when love is the keynote, when the feeling of
unity prevails, when the melody comes from a cleansed God-loving
heart." Sai Baba. SS, 12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX. p. 163
"I do not need Bhajans which like gramophone records reproduce songs
and Naamaavalis, without any feeling or yearning while singing. Hours
of shouting do not count, a moment of concentrated prayer from the
heart is enough, to melt and move God." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. IV, p.
149
"Some people affirm that the Bhajans used at the Prasanthi Nilayam
alone should be sung. But God is omnipresent. He is the in-dweller in
every heart. All Names are His. So you can call on Him by any Name
that gives you joy." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, p. 238
"This (Sai) Organization believes that the Atma (soul) in each is the
Atma in all, and the God that each worships is the God that all
worship. You cannot insist that in the Bhajans, only songs on Sathya
Sai should be sung. Fanaticism of that kind I very much dislike and
condemn. For. all Names and all Forms denote Me only. You betray your
ignorance of My Truth when you stick to anyone of My Names and avoid
the rest." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VIII, p. 71
"Do not care for what others feel about your Dhyana or Bhajan. Do not
seek the approval, appreciation, admiration of others, or refrain
from Dhyana because others dislike it or ridicule it. Be self-
reliant, self-confident, see through your own eyes, hear through your
own ears." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 73
"I have been observing how the Bhajans are sung. When the girls sing,
the boys do not follow in chorus. When the boys sing, the girls do
not respond. When both are singing the Divine Name, why should not
they sing in unison? What is the reason for this narrow separatism?
This should be given up." Sai Baba. SS. 4/97. p. 96
"When you sing Bhajans, take care that words you utter do not convey
negative meanings. Here is an example. Our boys (students) sing many
Hindi Bhajans, in which they often use the word 'Thu'. They sing 'Thu
Rama', 'Thu Krishna', 'Thu Sai' which does not convey the respectful
way of addressing the Lord. The Bhajans you sing must convey sacred
meanings. You should not use any disrespectful words in Bhajans." Sai
Baba. SS, 4/2001. p. 114
"There should not be any wrong word in Bhajans. If you sing in this
way, every word that you utter would have sanctity." Sai Baba, SS,
4/2001, p. 115
"When the Bhajans end, you should go out in silence. When you get
back to your apartments, you may discuss your private affairs. But as
a rule, observe restraint in speech everywhere. It helps to conserve
energy. Excessive talk affects the nerves. You are liable to forget
what you have heard." Sai Baba, SS, 8/96, p. 211
"At the end of a Bhajan, we say 'Shanti' three times. This prayer is
for peace of the body, the mind and the spirit. Without this trine
peace, man cannot have real peace." Sai Baba, SS, 11/97, p. 289
Sing Bhajans With Full Concentration - An Episode
"Today there is no steadiness of mind in man. Some people think of
their footwear when they sit for Bhajans inside. Once Ramakrishna
Paramahansa was giving a discourse in a temple. Rani Rasamani, the
owner of the temple, was sitting in the front row. All were listening
to Ramakrishna's discourse with rapt attention. All of a sudden,
Ramakrishna got up, went to Rani Rasamani and slapped on her cheek.
Everyone was surprised. They thought that Ramakrishna had become mad.
Ramakrishna told the public, '0 people, you may think it is a great
mistake on my part to have slapped her. What for you come? You are
here to listen to my teachings. Whether you practise or not, at least
you should listen to what is being said. If you do not like to listen
to the discourse, you better stay back at home. This Rani Rasamani is
thinking of her legal disputes. Why should she come all the way to
think of the court affairs?' She accepted her mistake and promised
not to repeat it. In modern age, many people attend spiritual
discourses and get impressed by them. But they do not put them into
practice." Sai Baba, SS. 2/99. p. 48
Music With Bhajans
"Bhaava (feeling), Raaga (melody) and Taala (rhythm) are the
essentials for proper singing. Even the name of Bharat (for India)
signifies th? combination of these three elements. (Bh-Ra-Ta). In
every action in daily life, the combination of these three elements
should be observed. This rule can be applied even to one's
studies. "Bhaava", in relation to study of a subject, means
understanding the subject thoroughly. "Raaga" implies cultivating
love for the subject and "Taala" means expressing one's knowledge
coherently and clearly." Sai Baba. SS, 4/892, p. 69
"Its essential purpose is to earn the love of God. Combining one's
voice, tune, feeling and the rhythm to appropriate beat of the song,
the devotee should immerse himself in the singing. Harmonizing the
feeling with devotion and love, the sacred words of song -should be
an outpouring of love towards Gcd. That alone is devotional s'rging.
When the song is rendered without understanding the meanings of the
words and without any inner feeling or genuine love for God, it is
mechanical performance." Sai Baba. SS, 4/92. p. 69
"Bhajans do not become effective through drums, cymbals, violins and
other accessories. They cover up essential things- feelings,
emotions, yearning, sincerity and faith." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. IV. p.
148
"Musical instruments used during Bhajans should not drown the voice
of the singer and those who follow. If there is mor»than one
instrument used, maintain a balance among instruments along with
singing." Sai Baba
"While singing Bhajans, you should utter the Names (of God) from the
depth of the heart, not concentrating on Raaga (tune) and Taala
(rhythm)." Sai Baba, SS, 6/94, p. 150
"Realise that what matters when they (singers) sing Bhajans is not
the tune or the conduct of Bhajans, but the genuineness of the
feeling with which they sing Bhajans. When their hearts are pure and
full of deep devotion, the Bhajans will be full of feeling and will
appeal to the hearts of the listeners. What ensures from the heart
is 'positive', while what comes from the mind is often negative" Sai
Baba. SS, 4/98. p. 92
Attributes To Be Attained By Bhajan Singers
"When you do Bhajans and sing the Name of God, you should contemplate
on underlying truth. The Naamaavali, 'Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama
Hare Hare; Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna, Krishana Krishna Hare Hare'
has sixteen words. Each of the sixteen signifies a virtue, which has
to be cultivated along with that Bhajan. (i) He must be a Bhakta
(full of devotion), (ii) a Tapo-yukta (prepared to enjoy sufferings),
(iii) a Samsara-mukta (detached from worldly attractions), (iv) a
Padaasakta (eager to serve the Lord), (v) a Vihitha (correct
conduct), (vi) a Daana-sahita (charitable), (vii) a Yashomahita (with
unsullied reputation), (vni) a Kalmasha-rahita (unblemished), (ix) a
Poorna (fully content), (x) a Guna-Gana (endowed with all virtues),
(xi) an Utteerna (equipped with all virtues), (xii) a Vidya-vikeerna
(equipped with all fruits of learning), (xiii) a Jnana-visteerna
(ripe in wisdom), (xiv) a Swaantha (self-controlled), (xv) a Sadguna-
Kranta (adorned with social traits), (xv) a Vinaya Vishranta (moved
by humility), and finally (xvi) a Pada-swantha (fully dedicated to
God)." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. 1, pp. 164 & 165
Location And Time For Conducting Bhajan Sessions
"The Bhajan Mahdalis (groups), Satsahgs (spiritual meetings) and
Bhakta Mandalis (devotional groups), are now established, must spread
the message of Naama-smarana (remembering God's name), Bhajan and
Naama-sam-kirtana at all times and in all places." Sai Baba, SSS.
Vol. VI, p. 42
"Have Bhajans on as many days as you can, in your village or area.
Have them in places where all can come and join, not in the homes of
some people, for in homes not all may be welcome." Sai Baba, SSS.
Vol. VI, pp. 237
"Bhajans are best held on Thursday evenings and Sunday evenings. But
there is no unbreakable rule. for it is not the day of the week that
counts. It is the heart that must be ready and eager to imbibe the
joy and share it." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238"Group Bhajans must
be arranged to suit the convenience of the locality and the people."
Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 238
Expenses For Holding Bhajans
"Have Bhajans as simple as you can, without any competitive pomp and
show. Reduce expenses to the minimum, for God cares for the inner
yearnings, and not the outer trappings. Even this small unavoidable
expenditure must be silently shared spontaneously by a few members of
the committee, and not collected by means of a (donation) plate or
Hundi pot. or a subscription or a donation list. The participants
must be bound by love, affection, loyalty, one Name and Form." Sai
Baba, SSS, Vol. VI. p. 237
The Magic Of Bhajans
"Remembering the Name is the panacea. When the Name is chanted as a
song set to music, it delights the heart immensely. Many pundits
recite the Names as verse (shalokas). They do no experience the
intense yearning expressed in the stanzas. Some actors are able to
pronounce the words loud and clear, but without any depth of feeling.
But when the Names are sung melodiously they appeal to the hearts of
the singers and the listeners. Even non-believers and agnostics nod
their hearts in appreciation when they listen to devotional music.
The words of a song can be expressed in a prosaic manner, which has
no appeal to the listener. But when they are sung melodiously, they
tug at the heartstrings. Everyone, whether he is well-versed in music
or not, should listen attentively to the singer and try to repeat the
words of the song with feelings." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92, p. 70
"Do Bhajans and have the Name of the Lord on your lips. Do not waste
even a single moment. By chanting the name of Rama, Hanuman, the
monkey, became all-powenul, the embodiment of peace and the exemplar
of all noble qualities. Sita was full of praise for him." Sai Baba,
SS, 12/87. p. 324
"Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling heavenly cow, can be drawn and tied
to a post by means of a rope. God too. can be drawn towards you by
the rope (God's Name), and tied to the post (the tongue). Then His
Name will be dancing upon the tongue forever, conferring the
sv/eetness of His Majesty. The Name (of God) has to be sung for your
own delight, to quench your own thirst, to appease your own hunger.
No one eats to appease another's hunger, nor takes drugs to alleviate
another's illness. So do not care for what others feel about your
Dhyana or Bhajan." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 73
Bhajan Should Be A Continuous Process
'Do not think that it is enough if you just sing Bhajans when the
people from the (Sai) Seva Samiti come and join you. Sing them in
your minds, silently and sincerely, when you are at work, with your
friends or even alone by yourself. Just as a torch in your hand shows
you the way if you are walking at night in the dark, the Name of God
on your tongue will guide you through the night of ignorance in your
joumey of life." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 154
Origin Of Akhanda-Bhajan
"Embodiment of the Pure Atman! Last November (of 1975), on the 23rd,
people from all parts of the world had assembled here to celebrate
the Golden Jubilee, and the office-bearers of the (Sai) Centres were
here for the Second World Conference and other functions that took
place. Later, they expressed their desire that they should be
allotted a date before the close of the Jubilee Year, when they in
their own places could celebrate the happy occasion. In order to
overcome their disappointment, it was decided that in all (Sai)
Centres all over the world, Bhajan (Namasamkirtan) be held for twenty-
four hours, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday (yesterday, 13
November 1976), and ending at 6:30 p.m. today (14 November J 976).
Therefore, in 42 countries around the globe more than 7000 centres
have enthusiastically taken up this pleasant assignment. This has
been named an Akhanda Bhajan, that is to say, Bhajan done without a
break" Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 66
"Srimati Sundaramma is one of the old devotees who has known Sri
Sathya Sai Baba since he was a boy of sixteen. Her father, Seshagiri
Rao, came to Sri Sathya Sai Baba after her. Sundaramma continued the
weekly Bhajan singing with great dedication and without interruption
for an entire year. Her father, Seshagiri Rao, thought that they
should celebrate the completion of the year of Bhajan-singing in a
suitable style. Each member of the family thought of different ways
to celebrate the anniversary in a befitting manner, but Seshagiri
Rao's idea that was adopted: Akhanda Bhajan (unbroken Bhajans) for
the one whole day and one whole night. The decision having been
taken, they got down to planning the performance at their house -
which songs to sing, what Prasadam to distribute and pooling of
resources to obtain the ingredients of Prasadam. This was
particularly tricky as, in those days. there was rationing of rice
and the system had to be worked out fairly in cash and in kind.
After making all the preliminary arrangements, father and daughter
went to Puttaparthi to announce their attention to Sri Sathya Sai
Baba. He was very happy to hear their plans and responded
startlingly, "I have come only for this reason, for the sake of my
devotees. Go ahead with the Akhanda Bhajans. I will go there and be
with you throughout the singing."
Sundaramma explained that, up to that moment, they had planned only a
very simple celebration. But, if Sri Sathya Sai Baba was himself
going to attend, then, she felt that she ought to make more elaborate
arrangements. Then Sri Sathya Sai Baba said he would take charge of
all the arrangements. He asked her to book a place in town and to
have the Akhanda Bhajans sung there so that all those who wanted to
attend could do so more conveniently. He also advised her to ask
other devotees to assist in the event.
Sundaramma was in a quandary at this unexpected turn of events. To
cope with an occasion, such as it was turning out to be, was a
gigantic task in those days when even transportation was very
difficult. She calculated that about a hundred regular devotees might
turn up for the first Akhanda Bhajan and so she had Prasadam prepared
for that number. However, hundreds of devotees turned up on that day.
They had learned of the event by word of mouth and in dreams and
visions of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sundaramma became anxious about how
she would provide enough Prasadam to all.
Puja to Shirdi Sai Baba's and Sri Sathya Sai Baba's images was
performed under a gaily bedecked floral canopy. Sri Sathya Sai Baba
materialized a silver figurine of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba to keep beside
a large bust of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, especially made for the
occasion. Then, with circular movements of hand, he produced 108
golden flowers for the Puja. After Archana (offering with Mantras) of
rare flowers, Seshagiri Rao performed Paadapuja (worship of the feet)
to Sri Sathya Sai Baba who lighted the Akhanda Jyoti (ever-lasting
flame) at the Bhajan meeting.
Sundaramma then requested Sri Sathya Sai Baba to come into the
kitchen and pronounce Akshya (limitless) blessings over the food. He
looked at the cooked food and loudly said "Akshaya" thrice. Then he
sprinkled water on the food and left.
Sundaramma remembers with awe how food prepared for a hundred people
fed several thousands people easily, even generously. The pot
containing the Prasadam simply never became empty. At last, before
leaving the kitchen, Sundaramma entreated Sri Sathya Sai Baba to let
the pot be empty and then it was easily emptied. 'Such was the nature
of Swami's blessing that it ensured an unending stream of food,' said
Sundaramma.
The event was truly remarkable. The first Akhanda Jyoti, organized by
Seshagiri -Rao, has led the lighting of thousands of other Akhanda
Jyotis on Akhanda Bhajan day in Sai Samithis Bhajan centres
throughout the world." Extracted from Shakuntala Balu's book "Living
Divinity", First edition, 1983, pp.175-177
Glimpses Of The Akhanda Bhajan At Prasanthi Nilayam (1994)
"The Akhanda Bhajan had special significance this year when Bhagavan
lighted the Akhanda Jyoti on November 12, 1994, in the renovated
Prasanthi Mandir. The Mandir wore a new attractive look with seven
artistically designed and exquisitely executed domes replacing the
old ones, besides the huge imposing new Mandap in front for
accommodating the vast concourse of devotees waiting for Darshan. The
Mandap with twenty massive ornamental pillars, covered with shining
polished granite slabs and bearing a lotus-shaped bowl to carry
concealed lighting, transformed the former open Darshan grounds into
a spacious hall with polished black and white marble slabs for the
flooring. Two wings of the hall appeared like two gigantic pianos,
with a series of elephant images decorating the frieze. At night the
Mandir appeared like a Fairy Land with multi-coloured illuminations
setting the Mandir in bold relief and enhancing the beauty of the
sacred edifice."
"The Mandap was filled with thousands of eager devotees from all over
the world while the Mandir was occupied by students from three
campuses of the Sai Institute. On the Akhanda Bhajan day (Saturday,
12th November), Bhagavan came to the Mandap before the Bhajans
started and gave Darshan to all sections of the crowd. The Akhanda
Bhajan commenced at 6:00 p.m. after Bhagavan lighted the Akhanda
Jyoti (lamp) in the Mandir. After the first song on Ganesha sung by
the men students, the Bhajan song, "Akhanda Jyoti Jalao" was sung by
the women students. The Bhajans continued nonstop for twenty-four
hours with men and women leading by turns."
"Bhagavan sat through the Bhajan for nearly two hourc on Saturday. On
Sunday morning, Bhagavan went round the devotees, giving Darshan, and
stayed for the Bhajans for two hours. The Bhajan came to a close at
6.00 p.m. on Sunday, with the distribution of Prasadam to all the
devotees with the-blessings of Bhagavan. Prasadam consisted of
tamarind rice and sweet rice. Bhagavan supervised the distribution of
Prasadam after taking Aarati and stayed on till all were served."
Editor. SS, 12/94, p. 318
Important Questions Concerning Bhajan
QUESTION: Years of Bhajan and Meditation have not borne fruit in me;
I am where I was before. Why?
Sri Sathya Sai Baba: "How can fire be struck from a wet match-stick?
Soaked in worldly desires and caught in material entanglements, how
can the light of wisdom shine in your head? How can you generate the
fire of Jnana" SSS, Vol. X. p. 140
QUESTION: The Lord told Narada that he could find Him installed
wherever His glory is sung by His devotees. Does it mean that He is
installed in the thousands of places where Bhajan is sung?
Sri Sathya Sai Baba: "No. The pre-condition is 'sung by devotees'.
The devotees sing to please God, to acclaim His Majesty. They do not
crave for exhibition, appreciation or fame, nor have they any envy or
pride in their hearts. Tansen was a celebrated singer attached to the
court of Emperor Akbar. He was so talented that when he sang the Raga
Megahmala, clouds gathered thick in the sky. When he sang Varuna,
rain fell. When he sang Nagaswara. serpents flocked before him. One
day while Akbar was engaged in prayer, he heard a Haridasa, a
wandering mendicant, singing a song which touched his heart
immensely. Akbar called Tansen to his presence and asked him why he
could not touch his heart so deeply. 'You have all gifts and are the
most talented singer, yet Haridasa moved me as never before. Why?'
Tansen said, 'Maharaj, while I sing, I look upon your face to
discover whether you are pleased or not. The Dasa sings always
looking at the Face of God before him, and he is happy only when God
is pleased.' Bhajan must be sung from the heart and should not just
emanate from the lips." SSS. Vol. X, pp. 140 & 141
From the book - Festivals at Prasanthi Nilayam - An Exposition by
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Compiled and Edited by Suresh C
Bhatnagar
Significance of the Akhanda Bhajan can also be found here:
http://sathyasai.org/calendar/akhand.html" title="http://sathyasai.org/calendar/akhand.html" target="_blank"http://sathyasai.org/calendar...
Sourced: http://web1.mtnl.net.in/" title="http://web1.mtnl.net.in/" target="_blank"http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~sairam
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| Sri Sai Narayan Baba's Gyan Sagar-Does The Guru Ever Die? |
| 10.28.04 (9:14 am) [edit] |
Sri Sai Narayan Baba's Gyan Sagar-Does The Guru Ever Die?
Does The Guru Ever Die?
Can a spiritual dimension be lacking in this? Is it to be found wanting? Are we to think that we are without the guru because the guru is no more? The guru was and now he is not?
The guru never dies because he lives in the disciple. That he may so live, he spends his life entering into the disciple in the form of his idealism, his ideas, his vision, his attitudes, his sense of values. His aim and objective for living is to ceaselessly and continuously strive and work so that he may live forever in and through each and every one of his disciples. The bright light of a candle never ceases to shine once another candle has been lit by its flame. It itself may be snuffed out, but it is already burning brightly upon another candle through another wick—the selfsame light.
Ponder this well! You are the being through whom the guru lives. This is an honour. This is a privilege. This is a great good fortune. It is also a responsibility; it is a duty; it is a truth to be known and kept in mind always: "I must be what the guru has taught me to be. I must be what the guru was." But .......
Somehow there is always a "but." You cannot rebut the previous statement, but Pujya Gurudev himself said in effect many a times: "Do not do what I do, but do as I say. Do what I tell you. I have given you some instructions, carry them out. Don’t try to imitate me. You may emulate me, you may try to be as I am in my nature, in my character, in my lofty, idealistic way of life, in my spiritual personality, but do not imitate me. Emulate me."
Imitation and emulation are two words whose distinction each disciple must know. Sankaracharya put his cloth over his head in a certain way. Today many people imitate that style of wearing a cloth. That is not discipleship; that is not spiritual emulation; that is not what he expected that you would be doing when he wrote Vivekachudamani, Atmabodha etc. He did not write them down so that you would imitate the way he dressed. Do not imitate so you fail miserably.
You must make the vibrant spirituality of the guru live within you, the sublime idealism of the guru live within you, the spiritual teachings of the guru live within you. His loftiness of character and conduct should live within you. His divine nature and the divine way he lived his life should be relived in you. Looking at you, the world should understand the divinity of your guru.
So, Gurudev said: "Do what I tell you to do. Don’t do what I do, because I do it on another level." Gurudev also said: "Obedience is better than reverence." Thus if the disciples know the difference between imitation and emulation and follow him through emulation and obedience, the guru never dies. Sri Sai Baba or Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda or for that matter any Guru will never die as long as there are sincere striving aspirants like all of you trying to walk the path of divine life, ever striving to fulfil in your thoughts, words and deeds the essence of his teachings.
Who then can say that Sri Sai Baba was and not is. He is and he shall ever continue to be. Why? Because each one of you represents a radiant facet, a shining aspect of his noble, divinely lived life. Therefore, in and through his disciples he lives and continues to inspire hundreds and thousands. This is a great privilege. This is a great guru seva. May you be engaged in doing it, and may you discriminate at every step so that you keep on emulating him and not go off at a tangent merely imitating him.
In physical world, Sri Sai Baba has left His mortal coil, but He is still alive, comes to you when you have Faith & Perceverance & when you remember Him. In the spiritual realm, the guru never dies. The disciples ensure that the light of the guru, the inspiration of the guru, the wisdom teachings of the guru are perpetually ignited & present in human society in and through each one of themselves.
The guru lives, and he shines through each one of his disciples. Each one of you, therefore, are living lights of the Sri Sai Baba's ideals in life. May God and Gurudev’s grace and blessings enable you to do this most effectively, most fully and most successfully for the benefit of all humanity. Let burning of egify of Ranavas destroy all your negatives to enlighten you to march ahead by flying the flag of Life & Teachings of Sri Sai Baba in spreading Love, Affection, Divinity in the entire creation of the creator.OM SAI RAM
Courtesy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shirdisaiUSA" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shirdisaiUSA" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| Shri G. S. Khaparde Diary |
| 10.28.04 (6:30 am) [edit] |
Shri G. S. Khaparde Diary
(Diary of the Hon’ble Mr. G.S. Khaparde (events between 1910 December and 1918 March)
7th December 1910
In the morning after my Pryer, Mr. Baba Saheb Bhate, who is a retired Mamlatdar, came to the Wada and sat talking with us. He has been staying here for some time and has a peculiar kind of calm on his face. We say Sayin Maharaj as he was going out and went to him in the musjid in the afternoon. I, Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe, my son Baba, Bapushaeb Jog and children went togetherand sat there. Sayin Maharaj appeared to be in good humour. He asked Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe whether he came from Bombay. abasahen replied in the affirmative. Babasaheb was then asked wether he would return to Bombay. He again replied in the affirmative, but added that he could not be certain of remaining there as it would depend on circumstances. Sayin Maharaj remarked, "Yes. It is true, you have many things on hand and have to undertake more. You will be here, you will be hear, you should see yourself. The experiences gone through are real. They are not fanciful. I was here thousand of years ago". The Sayin Maharaj turned to me and started on apparently a new track. He said "This world is funny. All are my subjects. I look upon all equally, but some became thieves and what can I do for them? People who are themeselves very near death desire and make me great deal. They hurt me a good deal, but I said nothing. I kept quiet. God is very great and has his officers everywhere. They are all powerful. One must be content with the state in which good keeps him. But Iam very powerful. I was here eight or ten thousand years ag". My son asked him to tell a story as he told him before. Sayin Maharaj asked what story it was. My son replied that it was a story about three brothers who went to a Musjid. One of them wished to go out and beg. The others did not want him to do that, on the ground that food obatined by begging would be impured and would pollute their chowka. The third brother replied that if the food spoilt the chowka his legs should be cut off & c. Sayin Maharaj said it was a very good story. He would tell another when he was in the humour. My son said he did not know when the thing would happen, and if the hummour recurred after he left, there would not be much use. There upon Sayin Sahib told him that he should rest assured that the story would be told before he left.I aksked him why he was angry yesterday and he replied that it was because the Teli said something. Then I asked him why he cried out "Do not Beat. Do not beat" today at the time of the distribution of food, and he replied that he cried out because the patil family was quarrelling and divided among themselves. Sayin Sahib spoke with such a wonderful sweetness and he smilled so often and with such extraordinary grace that the conversation will remain engraved in my memory. Unfortunately other people came and the conversation was interrupted. We were so sorry for it but it could not be helped. We returned talking about it. Tatyasahib Nulkar was not present during the first part of the conversation but came later on. Balasahib Bhate came in the evening and we sat again talking about conversation.
8th December 1910
In the morning, after prayer, we saw Sayin Maharaj As usual when he was going out. Leter on we went to see him in the afternoon but had to turn back as he was washing his feet. Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe, myself, my son and a certain gentleman who came this morning formed the company that went and had to return. Tatyasahib Nulkar did not accompany us. Leter on we went again, but Sayin Sahib dismissed very soon. So we returned. He appeared very much engaged in thinking out something. At night Sayin Sahib slept at the Chavadi and we went to see the procession. It was very nice. The gentleman mentioned above is a Police-Officer, I believe, Head Constable. He was charged with extracting money and tried by the court of sessions. He vowed to visit Sayin Maharaj if he was acquitted. He was acquitted and so came to fulfil his vow. On seeing him Sayin Maharaj appeared affected and said "Ehy did you not stay a few days there? The poor people must have felt disappointed". He repeated this twice. We learnt afterwards that the gentleman's friends pressed him to stay and that he did not comply with their request. He had never seen Sayin Maharaj before. The wonder is how Sayin Maharaj Knew him and said what he did.
Source: www.shrisaibabasansthan.org
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| Shri G. S. Khaparde Diary |
| 10.28.04 (6:19 am) [edit] |
Shri G. S. Khaparde Diary
(Diary of the Hon’ble Mr. G.S. Khaparde (events between 1910 December and 1918 March)
7th December 1910
In the morning after my Pryer, Mr. Baba Saheb Bhate, who is a retired Mamlatdar, came to the Wada and sat talking with us. He has been staying here for some time and has a peculiar kind of calm on his face. We say Sayin Maharaj as he was going out and went to him in the musjid in the afternoon. I, Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe, my son Baba, Bapushaeb Jog and children went togetherand sat there. Sayin Maharaj appeared to be in good humour. He asked Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe whether he came from Bombay. abasahen replied in the affirmative. Babasaheb was then asked wether he would return to Bombay. He again replied in the affirmative, but added that he could not be certain of remaining there as it would depend on circumstances. Sayin Maharaj remarked, "Yes. It is true, you have many things on hand and have to undertake more. You will be here, you will be hear, you should see yourself. The experiences gone through are real. They are not fanciful. I was here thousand of years ago". The Sayin Maharaj turned to me and started on apparently a new track. He said "This world is funny. All are my subjects. I look upon all equally, but some became thieves and what can I do for them? People who are themeselves very near death desire and make me great deal. They hurt me a good deal, but I said nothing. I kept quiet. God is very great and has his officers everywhere. They are all powerful. One must be content with the state in which good keeps him. But Iam very powerful. I was here eight or ten thousand years ag". My son asked him to tell a story as he told him before. Sayin Maharaj asked what story it was. My son replied that it was a story about three brothers who went to a Musjid. One of them wished to go out and beg. The others did not want him to do that, on the ground that food obatined by begging would be impured and would pollute their chowka. The third brother replied that if the food spoilt the chowka his legs should be cut off & c. Sayin Maharaj said it was a very good story. He would tell another when he was in the humour. My son said he did not know when the thing would happen, and if the hummour recurred after he left, there would not be much use. There upon Sayin Sahib told him that he should rest assured that the story would be told before he left.I aksked him why he was angry yesterday and he replied that it was because the Teli said something. Then I asked him why he cried out "Do not Beat. Do not beat" today at the time of the distribution of food, and he replied that he cried out because the patil family was quarrelling and divided among themselves. Sayin Sahib spoke with such a wonderful sweetness and he smilled so often and with such extraordinary grace that the conversation will remain engraved in my memory. Unfortunately other people came and the conversation was interrupted. We were so sorry for it but it could not be helped. We returned talking about it. Tatyasahib Nulkar was not present during the first part of the conversation but came later on. Balasahib Bhate came in the evening and we sat again talking about conversation.
8th December 1910
In the morning, after prayer, we saw Sayin Maharaj As usual when he was going out. Leter on we went to see him in the afternoon but had to turn back as he was washing his feet. Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe, myself, my son and a certain gentleman who came this morning formed the company that went and had to return. Tatyasahib Nulkar did not accompany us. Leter on we went again, but Sayin Sahib dismissed very soon. So we returned. He appeared very much engaged in thinking out something. At night Sayin Sahib slept at the Chavadi and we went to see the procession. It was very nice. The gentleman mentioned above is a Police-Officer, I believe, Head Constable. He was charged with extracting money and tried by the court of sessions. He vowed to visit Sayin Maharaj if he was acquitted. He was acquitted and so came to fulfil his vow. On seeing him Sayin Maharaj appeared affected and said "Ehy did you not stay a few days there? The poor people must have felt disappointed". He repeated this twice. We learnt afterwards that the gentleman's friends pressed him to stay and that he did not comply with their request. He had never seen Sayin Maharaj before. The wonder is how Sayin Maharaj Knew him and said what he did.
Source: www.shrisaibabasansthan.org
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| Shri G. S. Khaparde Diary |
| 10.28.04 (6:17 am) [edit] |
Shri G. S. Khaparde Diary
(Diary of the Hon’ble Mr. G.S. Khaparde (events between 1910 December and 1918 March)
7th December 1910
In the morning after my Pryer, Mr. Baba Saheb Bhate, who is a retired Mamlatdar, came to the Wada and sat talking with us. He has been staying here for some time and has a peculiar kind of calm on his face. We say Sayin Maharaj as he was going out and went to him in the musjid in the afternoon. I, Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe, my son Baba, Bapushaeb Jog and children went togetherand sat there. Sayin Maharaj appeared to be in good humour. He asked Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe whether he came from Bombay. abasahen replied in the affirmative. Babasaheb was then asked wether he would return to Bombay. He again replied in the affirmative, but added that he could not be certain of remaining there as it would depend on circumstances. Sayin Maharaj remarked, "Yes. It is true, you have many things on hand and have to undertake more. You will be here, you will be hear, you should see yourself. The experiences gone through are real. They are not fanciful. I was here thousand of years ago". The Sayin Maharaj turned to me and started on apparently a new track. He said "This world is funny. All are my subjects. I look upon all equally, but some became thieves and what can I do for them? People who are themeselves very near death desire and make me great deal. They hurt me a good deal, but I said nothing. I kept quiet. God is very great and has his officers everywhere. They are all powerful. One must be content with the state in which good keeps him. But Iam very powerful. I was here eight or ten thousand years ag". My son asked him to tell a story as he told him before. Sayin Maharaj asked what story it was. My son replied that it was a story about three brothers who went to a Musjid. One of them wished to go out and beg. The others did not want him to do that, on the ground that food obatined by begging would be impured and would pollute their chowka. The third brother replied that if the food spoilt the chowka his legs should be cut off & c. Sayin Maharaj said it was a very good story. He would tell another when he was in the humour. My son said he did not know when the thing would happen, and if the hummour recurred after he left, there would not be much use. There upon Sayin Sahib told him that he should rest assured that the story would be told before he left.I aksked him why he was angry yesterday and he replied that it was because the Teli said something. Then I asked him why he cried out "Do not Beat. Do not beat" today at the time of the distribution of food, and he replied that he cried out because the patil family was quarrelling and divided among themselves. Sayin Sahib spoke with such a wonderful sweetness and he smilled so often and with such extraordinary grace that the conversation will remain engraved in my memory. Unfortunately other people came and the conversation was interrupted. We were so sorry for it but it could not be helped. We returned talking about it. Tatyasahib Nulkar was not present during the first part of the conversation but came later on. Balasahib Bhate came in the evening and we sat again talking about conversation.
8th December 1910
In the morning, after prayer, we saw Sayin Maharaj As usual when he was going out. Leter on we went to see him in the afternoon but had to turn back as he was washing his feet. Babasheb Sahasrabuddhe, myself, my son and a certain gentleman who came this morning formed the company that went and had to return. Tatyasahib Nulkar did not accompany us. Leter on we went again, but Sayin Sahib dismissed very soon. So we returned. He appeared very much engaged in thinking out something. At night Sayin Sahib slept at the Chavadi and we went to see the procession. It was very nice. The gentleman mentioned above is a Police-Officer, I believe, Head Constable. He was charged with extracting money and tried by the court of sessions. He vowed to visit Sayin Maharaj if he was acquitted. He was acquitted and so came to fulfil his vow. On seeing him Sayin Maharaj appeared affected and said "Ehy did you not stay a few days there? The poor people must have felt disappointed". He repeated this twice. We learnt afterwards that the gentleman's friends pressed him to stay and that he did not comply with their request. He had never seen Sayin Maharaj before. The wonder is how Sayin Maharaj Knew him and said what he did.
Source: www.shrisaibabasansthan.org
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| How Udhi cured an advanced case of consumption |
| 10.28.04 (5:52 am) [edit] |
How Udhi cured an advanced case of consumption
SHIRDI SAI BABA'S MIRACLE THROUGH GURUJI-6
HOW UDHI CURED AN ADVANCED CASE OF CONSUMPTION
Shri B.N. Konar is a clerk in the Bansagar Project Circle office at Rewa. In the Sixties he began suffering from consumption which reached an advanced stage. He began vomitting blood. Being a grand nephew of Guruji (Shri R.N.Konar, who attained samadhi in 1981) of Shri Sai Baba Durbar at Jabalpur, he approached the latter for redress. As was his wont in such cases, Guruji made 21 doses of Udhi and sent them to be taken for 21 days first thing in the morning with honey. It was accordingly done and, stage by stage, the cure was completed. Today B.N.Konar is in good health, married and blessed with a bonny baby boy.
Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all
Note : Guruji used to prescribe Udhi with honey in the morning , as a panacea for many ills. H.H. Shri Narasimha Swamiji, a great apostle of Baba used it as the only medicine par excellence.
(Adopted from Divine Miracle of Shirdi Sai Baba - (A RECORD OF THRILLING
EXPERIENCES OF (LATE) DR.P.S.RAMASWAMI)
(AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF SHRI SHIRDI SAI BABA)
This Book can be read from www.saileelas.org)
Courtesy: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shirdisaibaba2/ " title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shirdisaibaba2/ " target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| So Many Ways To Love by Elizabeth Benson) |
| 10.21.04 (4:58 pm) [edit] |
So Many Ways To Love by Elizabeth Benson
Story No.1
There were two incidents involving my car, in which Sri Sathya Sai made his presence known to me. The first incident was, for me, very dramatic. I had read of many incidents regarding Swami’s Omnipotence but never been involved in one. It was very exciting stuff which always happened to others. I was just a very ordinary, older woman who was learning about these things rather late in life.
One day, as I was driving alone in my car, I came across a young person lying on the side of the road, moaning, ( I thought) “Oh, I hit and run!” and I stopped and went back to see what I could do. IT was a young boy about fourteen years of age. As I bent over him to see what was wrong, he was moaning and saying, “Leave me alone, Leave me alone,” I said he couldn’t stay there as he was lying on the road,. “Come along,” I said. “I will take you to the hospital.”
At this, the “victim” jumped up and started to walk off. I was completely bewildered as one minute the youngster was lying moaning and the next walking off. I had not been aware of another car approaching, but he was.
Once this car passed on its way and was out of sight, he turned and came back to me. I was now standing beside my car. The key was till in the ignition and the driving side window was down. As he came up to the car he said to me, “ I think I’m hurt,” and he bent his head and indicated behind his ear in such a way that he was looking into the car.
Quick as a flash he had opened the car door, was in the driver’s seat and turning on the ignition with his left hand while his right slammed shut the car beside him. I had just sufficient presence of mind left to reach in through the window and keep turning the ignition off. This went of for some minutes, until I managed to pull the key out.
Then there was a struggle as he tried to get out of the car and I tried to keep him in it. I thought if he got out he would probably hit me. Finally, in desperation, I said in my mind, “Swami, you will have to do something about this.”
No sooner had I said those words in my mind then I found myself sitting in the car with the key in the ignition, my hands on the steering wheel, and the boy standing outside the car. The amazement I felt is beyond desperation! I hurriedly left the scene while fervently thanking my beloved Sathya Sai. Who knows what may have happened to me if Swami hadn’t come to my rescue.
Story No.2
At that time of the second incident I was driving a Suzuki Hatch two seater. A lady friend had been living with me for some months, so this little two seater suited us very well. However, my sister was coming from New Zealand to visit me and this meant the three of us could not go out together in a two-seater car. By this time I had learnt to talk to Baba about my problems, and I asked him to do something about this one.
When addressing Swami, I have found that one must be very careful about the wording of a request. I told Baba I could put one of my passengers into the back, but it would be uncomfortable for them and also illegal. Indeed, I needed another car for my sister’s visit, I told him. But I certainly was not in a position to buy another car, so it was up to Swami to help me solve my problem.
One Sunday, about ten days before my sister’s arrival, my friend Jane and I had been with the Sathya Sai Service Group visiting our less fortunate fellowmen. We were on our way home in the gloom of an early winter evening, when the driver of the tuck in front of me decided to make a right hand turn, giving no indication either physical or by indicator lights. The end result was that I hit a pole on the road’s grass verge. Jane spent one night in the hospital with whiplash. I had mild shock. The Suzuki was a write off broken down.
Well, Baba had successfully got rid of my car. Now I was without one altogether. As I was not insured this was quite a problem. The young man driving the truck was insured and he was, most definitely, in the wrong, as witnesses could testify. I felt confident of things turning out well for me.
But Swami was not about to make things too easy for me. He made me attend to all the details on my own. He showed me I could handle things if I only tried hard enough.
Within five weeks I had the cheque in my hand to buy another car. Everyone tells me it is unheard of to be paid in such a short time. All thanks must go to Baba for giving me the confidence and the right words to say.
Courtesy : Ramchand Chugani - Kobe Japan
Source: http://sss340.tripod.com/kobe/ways_to_love.htm" title="http://sss340.tripod.com/kobe/ways_to_love.htm" target="_blank"http://sss340.tripod.com/kobe...
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| Prof Katsuri's story, Why fear Iam Here |
| 10.21.04 (4:32 pm) [edit] |
Prof Katsuri's story, Why fear Iam Here
Prof Katsuri says that we not fear when Baba is here. He says you think that there is His assurance"Why fear when I am here"?...and you feel absolutely confident and try to break your neck, because He will save you !
You neglect even the fundamental precautions ! If some one says, "Don't go there," but you go there saying "Ah! Swami is there ! why fear/ That kind of confidence neglecting the very principle of caution.
Swami is in this room, in that room ,in my pocket, in my ring, in my watch...He is everywhere and therefore no precaution! Swami,s picture is in the car, why bother ? You look at it and go faster and fast untill you meet with with some calamity...That is why Swami has said "Because I have said "Why fear when I am here. He said don,t be over confident and foolish..
.If you don,t follow my instructions you will be in trouble, and when you come back I won,t talk to you then, I bypass you. I take diversion untill the bridge is repaired... When you realize your mistakes and correct yourself, I will call you, I will talk to you again. Again
Swami remind us, to be careful. He said, don't be glad for having been close to me and near me, you may be pushed out!... Prof Kasturi say of course, I have been target a number of times! It is difficult thing to decide how near or how far one should be from Swami...It is something like fire. If you go too near, you get burnt! and if you keep too far you get cold!..
.Taking advantage of closeness to Him, feeling it is my due, because I am a big scholar, because I am indispensable to his glory. Such swelling of head will result in being sent out. Number of times this has happened and we have seen this. Swami Says:- Carry on your highest duty to yourself. Following the four F,s: Follow the Master,face the Devil,Fight to the end,and finish the game. Then you win My love, My Love in full measure. Love is my highest Miracle. Love can make you gather the affection of all mankind. Love will not tolerate any selfish aim . Love is God. Live in Love.
Then all is right,all can be well. Expand your heart so that it can encompass all. BABA
Jai Sai Ram,
Ram.Chugani
Source: http://web1.mtnl.net.in/" title="http://web1.mtnl.net.in/" target="_blank"http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~sairam/
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| Who is Devi? |
| 10.21.04 (4:19 pm) [edit] |
Who is Devi?
In this world, every individual has a mother. But Truth is the mother of the entire humanity. Those who follow this mother will never face any difficulties in life. The worldly mothers are bound by space and time and will have to leave their bodies at one point of time, but Truth is not limited by space and time and remains the same in all the three periods of time. It is the master of all the three worlds. So, everyone must necessarily follow such a noble mother. The term Devi refers to such a noble mother.
Devi is your Divine Mother. This Goddess Devi is also called Sathya Swaroopini, which means She is the embodiment of Truth. So, worshipping Truth amounts to worshipping the Goddess Devi. If you understand and follow this Truth, you will be successful in every field. Vedas also proclaims this Truth.
Devi is also referred to by various names such as Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvathi, etc. She is described as the embodiment of Shakti, the universal energy.
The supreme Shakti manifests herself in the form of Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvathi. Durga grants to us energy - physical, mental and spiritual. Lakshmi bestows on us wealth of many kinds - not just money but intellectual wealth, the wealth of character and others. Even health is a kind of wealth. She grants untold riches to us. And Sarasvathi bestows on us intelligence, the capacity for intellectual enquiry and the power of discrimination. One's own mother is the combination of all these Divine beings. She provides us energy, wealth and intelligence. She constantly desires our advancement in life. So she represents all the three goddesses that we worship.
The term "Devi" also symbolizes the three gunas (or attributes) namely Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas. Devi takes the Rajasic form to suppress the forces of evil and protect the Satwic qualities. When the forces of injustice, immorality and untruth have grown to monstrous proportions and are indulging in a death dance, when selfishness and self-interest are rampant, when men have lost all sense of kindness and compassion, the Atmic principle, assuming the form of Shakti, taking on the Rajasic quality, seeks to destroy the evil elements. This is the inner meaning of the Durga form of Devi.
When the Divine Goddess is in dreadful rage to destroy the wicked elements, She assumes a fearful form. To pacify the dreaded Goddess, Her feminine children offer worship to Her with red kumkum (sacred red powder). The Goddess seeing the blood-red kumkum at her feet, feels assured that the wicked have been vanquished and assumes Her benign form. The inner meaning of the worship of Devi with red kumkum is that thereby the Goddess is appeased.
The significance of Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvathi has to be rightly understood. The three represent three kinds of potencies in man. Ichchaa Shakti, will power, Kriya Shakti, the power of purposeful action, and Jnaana Shakti - the power of discernment.
Sarasvathi is manifest in man as the power of speech, Vaak. Durga is present in the form of dynamism. Lakshmi is manifest in the form of will power. The body indicates Kriya Shakti. The mind is the repository of Ichchaa Shakti. The Atma is Jnaana Shakti. Kriya Shakti comes from the body, which is material. The power that activates the body that is inert and makes it vibrant is Ichchaa Shakti. The power that induces the vibrations of Ichchaa Shakti is Jnaana Shakti, which causes radiation of energy. These three potencies are represented by the mantra Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvaha. Bhur represents Bhuloka, the earth. Bhuvah represents the life force, conscience in man. Suvaha represents the power of radiation. All three are present in man. Thus Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvathi dwell in the human heart.
Men are prone to exhibit rajasic qualities like anger and hatred. They are the menacing manifestations of Durga. The extolling of the Divine in song and poetry and the pleasing vibrations produced by them indicate the power of Sarasvathi. The pure qualities that arise in man such as compassion, love, forbearance and sympathy are derived from Lakshmi.
When people worship Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvathi externally in pictures or icons, they are giving physical forms to the subtle potencies that are within them. The unfortunate predicament of man today is that he is not recognizing the powers within him and developing respect for them. He goes after the external, attracted by the physical forms. The relationship between the material and the subtle has to be understood. The remedy for man's life is contained within himself. But man seeks remedies from outside. All that is needed is to turn the vision inward to experience the Divine within. Convert your ichchaa shakti into a yearning for God. Convert your kriya shakti into a force for doing divine actions. Convert your jnaana shakti into the divine Itself.
-Bhagavan Baba
Source: Divine Discourses
|14 Oct 1988| |18 Oct 1991| |9 Oct 1994| |14 Oct 1994| |25 Sep 1998|
http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/devis.html" title="http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/devis.html" target="_blank"http://www.eaisai.com/baba/do...
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| The Lord's Touch |
| 10.20.04 (5:12 pm) [edit] |
The Lord's Touch
The story of the construction of the Mandir building at Prasanthi Nilayam is a chain of miracles wrought by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's grace. The most astounding was the transport of the huge girders for the central prayer hall from the railway station at Penukonda sixteen miles away. Girders of 40 feet length had come from Trichinopoly (now Tiruchirapalli) to Penukonda by train. The road from Penukonda to Bukkapattanam was a district board road with a sandy stream at the seventh mile and it passed through a few villages with delicately built houses(!) flanking the narrow road on either side with a few acutely angled curves. There was a track of three miles, from Bukkapatanam to Puttaparthi with a few dilapidated culverts and low-level causeways and a broad expanse of the sand of the river Chitravathi. Then there was the task of hoisting the heavy girders on the twenty-foot high walls. Therefore, the engineers gave up all hope of transporting the girders from Penukonda to Puttaparthi and placed before Baba some alternative proposals for roofing the prayer hall. But Baba did not relent.
One fine morning, the Road Transport Officer of Anantapur district, who was a devotee of Baba, woke up to find a surprise in front of his house. It was a huge crane from the Tungabhadra Dam site that had stopped there and refused to move forward. It had struck work! The driver was grappling with the engine in vain. He could not make it move. He sought the help of the Road Transport Officer who thought that the crane was Baba sent(!) for transporting the girders from Penukonda to Puttaparthi. It was agreed that the crane would transport the girders if it were repaired. The R.T.O. hurried to Puttaparthi and prayed to Baba, who materialised some vibhuti (sacred ash) and gave it to him. This vibhuti was smeared on the engine and the driver was asked to start it and lo! the crane started moving. The surprised driver went happily to Penukonda railway station, lifted the girders with the giant arms of the crane and started towards Puttaparthi. The sight of this giant carrying the girders was a great surprise for the villagers who greeted it by lining up on the roadsides. The crane somehow passed over the culverts, negotiated hairpin bends, lurched over the slushes and puffed its way up the Karnatanagapalli hill! It did not move further, may be on seeing the broad sheet of sand of the Chitravathi River! Baba himself went to the crane, sat with the driver and handled the steering wheel. Thrilled by the touch of the Lord, the crane moved happily to the work spot and unloaded the girders.
http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/bhagawan/miracle s/Lord.htm" title="http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/bhagawan/miracle s/Lord.htm" target="_blank"http://www.srisathyasai.org.i...
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| "I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai." |
| 10.20.04 (6:16 am) [edit] |
"I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai."
20th October 1940
From: Sathyam Shivam Sundaram
The Life of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
by Prof. N. Kasturi
On the 20th day of October, 1940, the day after they all returned from Hampi by special bus, Sathyanarayana started for school as usual. The Excise Inspector of the place, Sri Anjaneyulu who was very much attached to the little Baba, accompanied Him, as far as the school gate and went home, rather reluctantly. He seemed to see a superb halo, round the face of Baba that day and he could not take his eyes away from that enchantment. Within a few minutes, Baba too turned back to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, he cast aside the books He was carrying and called out, "I am no longer your Sathya." "I am Sai." The sister-in-law came from the kitchen and peeped out; she was almost blinded by the splendour of the halo, which she saw around Baba's head! She closed her eyes and shrieked. Baba addressed her, "I am going; I don't belong to you: Maya has gone; My Bhakthas are calling Me; I have My Work; I can't stay any longer." And, so saying, He turned back and left in spite of her pleadings. The brother hurried home on hearing all this; but, Baba only told him, "Give up all your efforts to 'cure' Me; I am Sai; I do not consider Myself related to you." Neighbour Sri Narayana Sastri heard the noise; he listened and realised that it was something serious; he ran in; he saw the splendour of the 'halo' and fell at Baba's feet. He too heard the Historic Declaration, "Maya has left; I am going; My work is waiting."
Seshama Raju was nonplussed; he could scarce collect his wits to meet this new situation. A boy, just fourteen, talking of Bhakthas, Work, Maya, and the Philosophy of Belonging! He could think of only one plan: Sathya was entrusted to him by the parents and it was therefore his task to inform them; Sathya could leave the house, only after they came to Uravakonda.
But, Sathya would not step into that building again; He moved out into the garden of Excise Inspector's Bungalow, and sat on a rock, in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers and fruits; the tope resounded to the voices of hundreds, singing in chorus the lines that Sathya Sai taught them. The first prayer that He taught them that day was, as many still remember,
Maanasa bhajare gurucharanam
Dusthara bhava saagar a tharanam
"Meditate in thy mind on the Feet of the Guru; that can take you across the difficult sea of Samsara."
His classmates wept when they heard that Sathya will no longer attend school, that He was much beyond their reach, that His company was hereafter only for those upon whom He showers His Grace. Many came to the garden with incense and camphor, to worship Him. Some came to sympathise with the family, some to congratulate them. Some came to learn and some, alas, even to laugh!
Three days passed thus in that garden; three days of Bhajan and Namasankirthan. A photographer came with a camera; he wanted Baba to remove a crude stone that was right in front of Him but Baba did not pay heed to that prayer. He clicked nevertheless and lo! As can be seen from the picture of that photograph given in this book, the stone had become an image of Shirdi Sai Baba! But only in the photograph, not for all assembled there.
http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsu ndaram/s1006.html" title="http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsu ndaram/s1006.html" target="_blank"http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/a...
The first Photograph taken after the Declaration, 1940
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| Sathya Sai Baba's Leelas |
| 10.18.04 (5:38 am) [edit] |
Sathya Sai Baba's Leelas
Sai Ram
Giving below a Very touching incident and Baba's mercy on devotees.
RS (name not disclosed), a wonderful human being and a staunch devotee of Baba, had a paralysis of both the legs. He showed to some big doctors and all suggested an emergency operation, but not given any guarantee of success. He and his wife went to Puttaparthi, and he managed to sit in a high cushion instead of the chair, lest Baba do not see him. Baba did came for darshan, joked with others and did not even glanced at him. He felt bad and cursing his fate. The next day Baba came near him and asked what happened. He coult not utter anything, but tears were rolling down. Baba told him to go to the interview room. In the interview room, Baba had materialsed some gold chain and gold bracelet and was giving to others, and RS was once again was feeling why Baba is not attending to him, as he is suffering. Baba knows what to give and to whom and when.
At last Baba asked some others to help RS to go to the inner room. Baba asked him what is his problem. He said my both legs are paralysed and cannot walk. Typical of motherly love, Baba had materialised some vibhuti and He Himself rubbed the vibhuti on both the knees. Just imagine, the God kneels down in front of his devotee and applying the medicine with His own hands. Baba then asked RS to get up, but RS said he cannot. Baba took his hands and made him to walk upto the door and then left him at the door and told him to walk. What a wonder, RS, who was paralysed from waist below 5 minutes back started walking.
This incident happened last year, and RS came to our Samithi this week and narrated this incident. He said I am talking to you standing for the past one hour, but last year I could not even sit, let alone stand or walk.
Tears were rolling from the eyes of the audience. "Baba your mercy is great". It reminded us how Krishna treated Sudama.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabalist/mes sage/731" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabalist/mes sage/731" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| Revelations |
| 10.15.04 (4:09 pm) [edit] |
Revelations
Student Sriram Parasuram Sri Sathya Sai Senior Boys Hostel & Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School Hostel Prashanti Nilayam.
Bandipur forest , 1974 They had driven down from Ooty. They camped in a clearing in the forest, for the night. A student asked His permission to Photograph Him with a new Polaroid camera. Swami said, “ I will show you MY True form. Proceed.” They all waited with bated breath for photograph to come out. THEY SAW THE TRINITY!
SWAMI SPOKE that night on the significance of the festival and its relation to the moon. He also said, “The scientists who have been up there, think that there is no water on the moon.
As always, they don’t know the Truth. “ He waved His palm casually and materialized a lucent disk, which just about happened to be the disk to the starry eyed audience of the Master said, “ This is the water on the moon, which tragically has been eluding the scientists.
”The list of such happening goes on and on….( But we are short of time and space ) The effects of the miracles, His visiting cards, as He calls them, are felt not only in the physical presence of the Lord, but all over the Cosmos.
Every act He performs has a Universal significance. In material science it is said, you can not move your fingers without moving the stars”. If this were for man,…. What then for GOD…?
Dig right here. Young Sai told of His more able-minded devotees. The task was carried out and from that spot was unearthed a number of Peethams (based of the lingams). The devotees asked, “The pedestals are here where are the lingams? “
In my stomach” said Sai. They laughed. Some scratched their heads perplexed. Time passed…and then came Sivarathri.
The Bhajans were on. The young Sai was seated on the chair, tinkling the cymbals. Suddenly He stopped…clutched His stomach. Uneasiness. There was a frown on His serene face. He was in pain.
It appears as though spasms of pain had gripped Him. Subbamma immediately got some water. He sipped it. But, the pain was still there. It appear to increase with every passing moment, moving upward…The chest …the gullet . The muscles of His throat tensed and then heaved…His mouth opened…and suddenly—from within came a “Brilliant ball of light.” Nay, a kind of smooth crystal…
He smiled. The relief was obvious as the tense contour of sweet countenance relaxed into Very Familiar Smile…He rose and held it up for all to see…IT WAS A LINGAM! The first ever!
For years, the holy night has witnessed the Lingobhavam and plethora of Lingams emerging from the Lord's stomach. Sometimes only one Lingam is formed, the material being apparently Sphatika, or silver, or Jade, or even Gold (last year). Often, numerous- three, five, seven, or nine! Once the number of Lingams was surprising high number of eleven.
They come in different sizes, but the same shape-ellipsoid. At times the Benevolent Lord has created them even with the Peetams and with Vibuthi smeared on the Lingam. The Night has witnessed even more…
Jai Sai Ram
“All the festivals of Bharatiyas have been designed to promote Divine love among the people. It is to confer such love on the people that the Lord incarnates on earth. He Himself demonstrates how love should be expressed. He showers His love and teaches everyone how to love. Hence experience this love and joy in your life and live in peace. ***BABA***
Source: http://aumsairam108.tripod.com/article/amazing-cure2 .htm" title="http://aumsairam108.tripod.com/article/amazing-cure2 .htm" target="_blank"http://aumsairam108.tripod.co...
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| Ways of the Divine |
| 10.15.04 (5:55 am) [edit] |
Ways of the Divine
The Pandavas during the time of their exile once walked into the forest of Romarishi. Romarishi was a sage whose body was covered with hair and his beard was so long that it spread like a carpet into the entire area of the forest.
There was a sacred tree in that forest yielding a very special type of fruit which, once tasted by a person, would relieve him of hunger and thirst for years and years. But the fruit was not to be plucked, it was to be eaten only when it fell down on its own.
One day Dharmaraja and Draupadi chanced to come near the tree. Draupadi was very much tempted to taste that luscious big fruit hanging from the tree. She said: "Can we not take that fruit? We can all share it." Dharmaraja shot an arrow and the fruit fell on the ground. He went to take the fruit with his hand. It was so heavy that he could not move it. Dharmaraja tried to lift it with all his strength using both his hands but he could not lift it. Draupadi also tried but in vain. In the meantime, Arjuna arrived at that place. He tried to lift the fruit but could not succeed. All the three tried to lift the fruit but it would not move. The two younger brothers came and tried to lift the fruit but they too could not succeed.
Finally came the mighty hero, Bhima. He asked the others to keep away and said: "I will lift it. But even Bhima failed."
Meanwhile the hair of Romarishi which had spread all over the area, began to stir because when these six people were trampling about to lift the fruit, the strands of hair were being trodden and pulled. He realised that some one must be trying to steal the fruit. He had become furious. His long hairs started coming together and coiling round the Pandavas to tie them up.
Draupadi realised the danger and immediately prayed to Lord Krishna. Krishna appeared before them. Draupadi fell at his feet and prayed to Him for help. Krishna said: "Sister, I am helpless. Romarishi is a great sage. I reside in his heart. How can I do anything against the wishes of my devotees?" Draupadi once again pleaded: "You alone can save us, you can do anything if you wish to." Krishna said: "I will help you, but all of you should be totally silent whatever may be the situation and do exactly as I tell you." Draupadi and Pandavas promised to obey his orders. Krishna went towards Romarishi's ashram and instructed them to follow him after sometime.
In the meantime, Romarishi was so much enraged that he had actually started to walk towards the tree to curse the poachers. Just then Krishna entered the ashram. Romarishi fell at the Lotus Feet of the Lord. He was overjoyed to see Him. He said, "How fortunate am I to have you as my guest. Oh Lord! What can I do for you?" Krishna engaged him in discussing certain spiritual matters till the Pandavas arrived.
As soon as the Pandavas along with Draupadi reached the ashram, Krishna hurried towards them and fell at their feet. The Pandavas were feeling embarrassed but remembering the Lord's command, kept quiet. Seeing Krishna fall at the feet of the Pandavas, Romarishi also fell at the feet of those visitors. Then Krishna asked them to come into the ashram. He introduced them to Romarishi. He praised the virtuous Dharmaraja, valiant Arjuna and Bhima and the intelligent Nakul and Sahadeva, and above all, the devout Draupadi. Romarishi by that time totally forgot about the fruit and the poachers. Krishna informed Romarishi that the Pandavas were the people who were tempted to taste the fruit being unaware of the unique nature of the fruit. Romarishi desired to please those who could please the Lord Himself. He said: "Let them take the fruit. I would like them to have it." By eating the fruit the Pandavas were able to live without hunger for a long time.
It is difficult to understand the ways of the Divine. All that we can do is to always remember Him with love and pray with faith for His matchless grace.
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Source: Chinna Katha II, 140
http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1049.html" title="http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1049.html" target="_blank"http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/a...
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| Master of Nature |
| 10.14.04 (5:58 pm) [edit] |
Master of Nature
It was on a cloudy June evening that Sathya Sai Baba was addressing an open air meeting at Mercara. The sky was overcast and gloomy rumblings of approaching rain could be heard, not far away. In fact, the rain poured on the hills on the horizon, stepped nearer and nearer, and came as far as Mahadevpet, half a mile away. Baba spoke quietly and calmly, holding the audience spell-bound, for over an hour and a half; at the end, He said, " Now, you can go home, for in about ten minutes you will get the rain that ought to have drenched you by now. "And, wonder of wonders, the rains came, as announced, ten minutes later, to the very second!
The Chitravathi River at Puttaparthi is subject to sudden floods, for it rises in the Nandi Hills and heavy rains in that region in Mysore State will bring down the waters many feet deep all along the miles. The Prasanthi Nilayam was built on an eminence away from the village to avoid these periodical floods which in some years invade the old Mandir, entering the prayer Shed, the kitchens and all the surrounding area. On many such occasions, Baba has stood on the edge of the water and said, "Ganga! It is enough, go back." and the waters have not risen more. Some years ago, during Navarathri, when the (Narayana Seva) feeding of the Poor was on, it rained all round the Nilayam, but not a drop fell in the precincts where people were being fed.
http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/bhagawan/miracle s/Nature.htm" title="http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/bhagawan/miracle s/Nature.htm" target="_blank"http://www.srisathyasai.org.i...
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| Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Quotations on Love |
| 10.13.04 (4:11 pm) [edit] |
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Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Quotations on Love
The highest type of Love sees the Divine shining in all and never wanes. It does not see men as belonging to different faiths or nations or classes or castes; it sees all as embodiments of Divinity.
Cultivate Love; sow the seeds of Love in all hearts, shower Love on the desert sands; let the green shoots, the lovely flowers, the luscious fruits, the sweet harvest of nectar be earned by mankind.
Love and you will be loved in return. Promote love, look upon all with Love and hate will never be your lot. If you want to attain the Lord, cultivate Love. This is the one lesson I teach always and that is My secret too.
Love lives by giving and forgetting. Self lives by getting and forgetting.
The highest type of Love sees the Divine shining in all and never wanes. It does not see men as belonging to different faiths or nations or classes or castes; it sees all as embodiments of Divinity.
Cultivate Love; sow the seeds of Love in all hearts, shower Love on the desert sands; let the green shoots, the lovely flowers, the luscious fruits, the sweet harvest of nectar be earned by mankind.
God is Love – Live in love.
Start the day with love
Fill the day with love
End the day with love
That is the way to God.
There is only one caste and that is the caste of humanity. There is only one religion and that is the religion of Love. There is only one God and that is the religion of Love. There is only one God and that is the Omnipresent God. There is only one language and that is the language of he heart. Hence Love is God.
Without cultivating Love for others, you can never cultivate Love for yourself.
Prema or Love is the awakening of the Soul and the blossoming and expansion of the heart and spontaneous outpouring of Love towards all. It springs from intuitive awareness and perception of the Divine as abiding in all.
Love is sweet like ice-cream
Love is joy like ice-cream
Love is cool like ice-cream
And love is pure like white ice-cream
Once you fill your heart with Prema, it really does not matter what path you adopt. It will become possible for you to reach the destination.
My message is this: Be embodiments of Prema: Do not hate anyone or fear anyone. Develop Love towards all; understand the grief and the joy of all; be happy when others are happy; don’t exult when others are in misery
Love is to become patent as selflessness; self, if it is thrust forward become patent as lovelessness.
Without cultivating Love for others; you can never cultivate Love for yourself.
Love is like sugar, you can mix it with any material. But the essence of sweetness in sugar consists of divinity only. Without this value of love, we cannot develop other values.
Love should not be rationed on the basis of caste, creed or economic status or the intellectual attainment of the recipient. It should flow full and free, regardless of consequence, for it is one’s nature of Love; one cannot but pour out Love, one cannot but seek out the dry, dreary wastes in order to water them with the spring of Love and make them yield a harvest of Love.
A farmer ploughs his land and irrigates it to grow the crop of his choice. The bhakta is the cultivator for the field of his heart. He must irrigate the field of his heart with the water of Prema, manure it with Sadhana, sow the seeds of the Divine name, fence it with spiritual discipline.
Performing your daily work sincerely, filling your hearts with Love, and feeling the presence of divinity amounts to true surrender.
You are Messiahs. You are all children of God. Live in Love. Be God. Be Love…..and freedom will be there waiting for you.
The transforming power of Love is boundless. St. Paul, who was originally an inveterate critic of Jesus, was transformed by Christ’s Love into the greatest apostle of Jesus.
Love is God. Live in Love.
Divinity is embodied in all creatures and this fundamental truth should be exemplified in practice by man. He must extend the field of his Love until it encompasses the entire creation. It is only then that he will deserve to be a worthy recipient of God’s Love.
The religion of the people of this country and the endeavor of its people have always been to sow the seeds of Prema, to promote Prema and love between the fellow human being. This indeed has been the aim and objective of the culture of this country.
Unless you have Love, you cannot claim kinship with the votaries of God; mere ritualistic exactitude or pompous adoration, or loud acclamation will not entitle you to enter the portals of Go-loka. They are as tin and trash before the treasure – chest of love. Love is the bridge which helps passage from birth to deathlessness, from death to birthlessness.
When you rise from the Jiva-sense to the Deva-sense, human-ness to God-ness, then there is no more birth or death. Liberation happens when you Love every being so intensely that you are aware of only ONE. Soak your heart in Love, soak your acts in righteousness, soak your emotions in compassion; then you attain God soonest.
God as Love dwells in your heart and therefore the kingdom of Heaven is within you. When you know that God who is Love, dwells within you, when you realize this truth in the freshness and beauty of the immortal spirit then your life will sing the music of Love.
Without love you live in death. Love is life. All are one; be alike to every one. Inquiry is of great importance. Who am I? No reply No. ‘I’ am ‘I’
Duty without Love is deplorable. Duty with Love is desirable.
The end of wisdom is freedom; the end of education is character; the end of culture is perfection; the end of knowledge is Love. Self-confidence is the basis of faith in God also.
Cultivate love; sow the seeds of love in all hearts; shower Love on the desert sands; let the green shoots, the lovely flowers, the luscious fruits, the sweet harvest of nectar be earned by mankind.
Love is the path. Start the day with love. Spend the day with Love. Fill he day with Love. End the day with Love. This is the way to God. Expansion is Love, not contraction and selfishness, not ‘my’. Such practices as meditation, Japa, mantra, bhajan are like soap. Without water soap is not used. The water is likened to love. It is the water that is important.
You should fill your hearts with Prema. That is the only way in which you can reach the eternal truth of God. You should work with a determination to fill your hearts with Prema and reach this goal.
Where there is Faith, there is Love; where there is love, there is peace; where there is peace, there is God, and where there is God, there is Bliss.
Love liquidates the blows of fate. Love is Truth, Truth is Love, for it is only when you Love that you have no Fear. And fear is the Mother of falsehood. If you have no fear, you will adhere to Truth.
Prema makes you humble; it makes you bend and bow when you see greatness and glory.
Love all; revere all; help all to the best of your ability. The words that you utter will be as holy as the scriptures. His sadhana will lead you to realization.
Prema can be truly called Prema only when it recognizes the Divinity and only when it realizes that we should love the divine. That kind of Prema alone can deserve to be described as true Prema.
Best Sadhana is Love all serve all.
Source: http://www.spiritualists.org/saibaba/love.html" title="http://www.spiritualists.org/saibaba/love.html" target="_blank"http://www.spiritualists.org/...
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| Howard Murphet on bowl materialization |
| 10.11.04 (5:59 pm) [edit] |
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Howard Murphet on bowl materialization
Once, they said, on the birthday of Lord Krishna Baba was walking aimlessly, it seemed, about the sitting room of their Madras home. Suddenly he turned to Mrs. Hanumantha Rao and remarked: "There are some devas (angels) here waiting to give me a bowl of sweets."
As she looked, seeing nothing, he held out both hands and took from the air, as if from some invisible person, a large, carved-glass bowl. The bowl seemed suddenly to materialise. Baba handed it to Mrs. Hanumantha Rao. It was filled, as they described it, with "divine-tasting sweets of many varieties from different parts of India".
Howard Murphet, Sai Baba, Man of Miracles, pp. 73-74
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| Baba’s Self-Realized Devotees |
| 10.11.04 (4:55 pm) [edit] |
Baba’s Self-Realized Devotees
Baba is said to have many Self-Realized devotees quietly doing His work in various locations around the globe. So far I’ve personally met four of them – and to my mind, nothing proves Baba’s perfection more clearly than His divinized devotees. (As Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them." These are very sweet mangoes!)
Gopalakrishna Baba
The first is a man named Gopalakrishna Baba, who lives in a small Sai Baba temple in Bangalore. His parents were ardent Sai devotees, but from his early childhood Gopalakrishna was intensely drawn to the local Sri Ramakrishna Temple, where he would spend all his time absorbed in devotion and meditation, cherishing the dream of becoming a monk in the Sri Ramakrishna order. He became so immersed in God that he almost never felt the need to sleep, and would remain awake throughout the night repeating the Divine Name. In his mid-teens, when Gopalakrishna was alone in the house one day, vibhuti began miraculously manifesting on Sai Baba’s photos in his parents’ puja room, leaving a strong impression on the young man. Soon afterwards He visited Baba’s ashram, and, as he tells it, “My heart instantly recognized in Sai Baba the same Divine Being who had lived as Sri Ramakrishna.” His devotion for Baba soon became the overwhelming force in his life, and in the coming years he often visited Baba’s ashrams, and received many blessings from Him. However, in 1990, when Gopalakrishna went to Baba’s ashram for the Birthday celebrations, due to the massive crowds he was unable to see Baba the way he wished, and therefore told Baba internally, “Next year I will celebrate Your Birthday in my own home, so please come there to receive my worship!” Clearly the Lord was listening, for the next year on Baba’s birthday, while Gopalakrishna was performing a puja in his home, Baba suddenly appeared before him in a living form, manifested a beautiful Lingam, and gave it to Gopalakrishna, an event witnessed by others. In those precious divine moments Baba told him, “Every Monday, perform worship to this Lingam. I am with you always.”
And so it is. Gopalakrishna is now established in changeless Peace, knows the thoughts of all around him, and possesses many miraculous powers. His foremost Western disciple, a beautiful man from Holland, told me an interesting miracle story. It seems that on one of his first trips to India, he had come down with dysentery, and when he reported to Gopalakrishna that the medicine prescribed by a doctor could not be found in the local shops, Gopalakrishna simply waved his hand and instantly manifested a strip of the required tablets. Some people have reported that by drinking the water used in Gopalakrishna’s worship of the Lingam they have been healed of long-standing diseases; others say they have had their personal problems solved, while others say that his grace has enabled them to find the most precious gem of all, peace of mind. It seems that Gopalakrishna Baba is a genuine wish-fulfilling tree.
Devi Amma
The second great devotee is a woman named Devi Amma, who lives near Baba’s ashram in Whitefield. She is radiant with saintly Love, and my intuition is that she is a fully-Realized Saint of the highest order. Devi Amma speaks fluent English, and tells delightful stories, often bubbling over with laughter. She humbly says that on the inner plane she often finds herself in a group of Spiritual Masters gathered around Sai Baba, saying it has been given her to keep one foot in that realm, and the other in our realm! She speaks with great familiarity about the various forms of God, and the ancient Sages and celestial beings, for it seems they visit her on a regular basis. “There are many levels of angels,” she said to one questioner. “They look very beautiful, so beautiful! When they reach the highest level of angel, they become almost as beautiful as Lord Jesus.”
Devi Amma’s life story is amazing. When she was 15, her uncle died unexpectedly, and the tragedy led her into deep introspection on the meaning of life. In the spontaneous meditations that followed, she began hearing the sound “OM”, and soon after this, a blazing sun of spiritual light appeared in her room. From within that effulgence gradually emerged the form of a divine man with a radiant aura, who introduced himself as the ancient Sage Agastya, the first of the great Rishis. (She says, with all humor and humility, that in a previous incarnation she was Agastya’s daughter.) Agastya declared that he was her Guru, and began appearing before her on a daily basis, instructing her in meditation and the secrets of spirituality, and by the age of 20 she had attained Enlightenment. One night, Sathya Sai Baba unexpectedly appeared in her room, His form repeatedly changing into the form of Lord Subramaniam (her family’s chosen Deity) and then back into the form of Sai Baba, thus revealing His oneness with God. Some years later, when she finally saw Sai Baba in person, she had the same experience: “Sai Baba - Subramaniam! Sai Baba - Subramaniam!” She says that while Agastya is her Guru, Sai Baba is the Poornavatar, and is now working through her to bless and uplift humanity.
Little Heart
The third great devotee is an Australian woman who calls herself “Little Heart.” She says she attained union with Baba through the path of Love, and now sees God everywhere, and is always aware of her true Being as all-pervading Consciousness. She lives near Baba’s Brindavan ashram, writes beautiful books, and gives sage advice, so to speak, to those with questions.
I recently had an interview with her, in which she said, among other things, "A Poornavatar like Baba doesn't exactly come along at every tick of the clock!" (We are indeed fortunate to be alive at this time, and be aware of His presence on the Earth!)
Having lived a very full life in the world before coming to Baba, including two marriages and two divorces, Little Heart is in an unusually good position to know the struggles Westerners go through in making the transition to a life of spirituality. I always find it encouraging to meet a Self-Realized Westerner. (Yes, it is possible...!)
Sai Lakshmi Ma
Then there is Sai Lakshmi Ma, who says that in 1980 Baba came into Her body and has never left. In the several hours I spent in her presence, I witnessed a steady stream of delightful miracles. As soon as she placed a garland on the altar, amrit began trickling from a large photo of Baba. Then she held her palm towards Baba’s photo, and it was instantly filled with amrit, which was passed out to all. I had brought her a bag full of grapes and laid it in front of her altar; five minutes later she opened the bag, and showed me that a number of the grapes were now half-eaten, a sign that Baba had received the offering directly! She held up to Baba’s photo some bananas which my friend had brought, and after ten seconds, showed us that each banana now had clear teeth marks in the skin! Another friend of mine put three laddus (sweets) on the altar in a bag. A few minutes later Sai Lakshmi Ma indicated he should open the bag - and one of the laddus had a large bite taken out of it! (The specially blessed food was passed out to all.) Necklaces handed to her for blessings were returned a minute later, smelling of rose perfume or dripping with amrit. Empty containers passed to her would be returned miraculously filled with vibhuti or kumkum. When questions were asked, her responses seemed to indicate that she was hearing Baba’s answer directly and then passing it on. I was told that many people have received healings through her prayers to Baba.
Although it wasn’t clear whether or not she is fully Self-Realized, the miracles were definitely genuine. At the very least, she is a great servant of God, and an extraordinary channel for Sai Baba’s blessings.
Vasantha Sai, Vijai Shankar & Others
I’ve also read about an elderly woman in Madurai named Vasantha Sai, who has attained God-Realization through her intense devotion to Baba, whom she considers to be “the reincarnation of Sri Krishna.” She says that Baba has told her internally that she is the reincarnation of Radha, the childhood consort of Lord Krishna; this identity has been confirmed by several ‘palm-leaf prophecies.’ She is now giving subtle help to many seekers. (My psychic friend Mary visited her and reported that she is truly a Saint, and does indeed have an Enlightened aura.)
I’ve also heard reports about a man named Vijai Shankar, based in Houston, who realized the Self through Baba’s grace, and is now traveling the world teaching advaitha (the philosophy of non-duality) and Atmic abidance.
In addition, I've heard that among Baba’s devotees today is the reincarnation of Saint Francis, the reincarnation of Mira Bai, the reincarnation of Sarada Devi, the reincarnation of Swami Vivekananda, and the reincarnation of Paramahansa Yogananda! (Hey, could be...)
It’s always inspiring to have the darshan of those who have reached life’s goal by following my own chosen guide. Jai Sai Ram!
By R.D. Awle
Source: http://www.saibaba-aclearview.com/contents2.html" title="http://www.saibaba-aclearview.com/contents2.html" target="_blank"http://www.saibaba-aclearview...
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| John Hislop's healing miracle |
| 10.10.04 (6:23 pm) [edit] |
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John Hislop's healing miracle
Baba's Miracle of Life
While asleep in Brindavan in the month of October, 1978, without any prior warning to me, the prostate suddenly closed off the urethra. What happened then was agonizing, but nevertheless most comical. When Baba came down from his apartment, about 8 a.m., I told him that the urethra was closed and that already the bladder was very swollen. He smiled, said not to worry, and gave me vibhuti. About 11 a.m., he returned from inspecting some new construction and as he came to the veranda, both Dr. Goldstein and I approached him saying that my condition seemed to be serious. Baba came up to me, looked in my eyes, patted me on the head and said not to worry, it was just the heat. Then at 4 p.m., when Baba usually came down after rest, I did not wait, but sent a note upstairs that the situation was steadily getting worse and that now severe pains were moving back and forth throughout my body. Baba came down immediately. In the group of devotees waiting for him, there were, as usual, several physicians, including Dr. Goldstein from California. Without any discussion, Baba told the doctors to take me at once to the hospital and operate if necessary.
Now the comedy quickened. We got into several cars and went to Baba's hospital for women in Whitefield. The Medical Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Mrs. C. Rajeswari, made an examination room available, and the assembled doctors tried some 20 or more times to insert various sizes of catheters into the bladder, but with total failure...
By now I was in agony, although I bit my tongue and kept silent. It was the immediate decision of the doctors that an emergency opening would have to be made through the wall of the abdomen...
At Bangalore, the job was botched by the resident surgeons; heavy infection set in, and in three days Baba ordered me back to Brindavan... Baba arranged for the operation at the Whitefield hospital, the Sri Sathya Sai Hospital for Women and Children. The care was magnificent... The entire inside of my abdominal cavity was filled with virulent infection, and the tissues were so rotted that standard operating procedures could not be used... The lady doctors said that certain characteristics of the operation procedures indicated to them that Sri Baba was there and in charge. I was told later that from deep anasthesia I twice said that Baba was there and that I was talking with him...
Why the big comedy in the whole affair? It took me some time to figure it out. We all knew that Baba could have corrected the entire matter by his Grace when I first reported the trouble. Why the deadly complications at the Bangalore hospital?
When Baba returned from Prasanthi Nilayam, he visited our cottage almost daily. Once he described the entire operation, including my comments under anesthesia. He said that the odds had been against me, thet he had been there throughout the operation, and that had the trouble struck me at any other place in the world, I would not have servived. Finally, at the time of another visit, I told Baba that I had figured the matter out. My conclusion was that I had come to the end of my natural life, Baba had let me go down to the final step, and at the last moment, he had reversed my natural death by giving me rebirth. Baba smiled and confirmed that what I said was true; he had given me new life.
After returning home to Mexico in January, some continuing complications arose which took me into a Mexican hospital and then an American hospital. Baba sent word to not worry, that these were just rebirth pains.
John Hislop, My Baba and I, pp. 49-51
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| Baba and Mother Ganga |
| 10.10.04 (5:26 pm) [edit] |
Baba and Mother Ganga
I wanted to share this delightful story with you that I read last night in the incredible book, "Love is My Form" which chronicles Baba's younger years. It is a giant book filled with miracle stories and wonderful photos of Baba. This excerpt is from page 415.
"One day after bhajans, when the ladies began making garlands, Baba joined them. Suddenly he stood up, urging others to follow Him. He said, "Come on! Come on! Mother Ganga is coming to visit us." He went to the gates of the Mandir and opened them, extending His arms out on either side, while forbidding others to go beyond them. Pointing out in front He said that Ganga was coming. Those with Him saw a torrent of water coming forcibly towards them. They were very frightened and stood behind Baba. The waters came very near, but did not cross beyond Baba as he stood with arms outstretched. The whole scene was unearthly. He asked devotees nearby to get coconuts, flowers, kumkum, turmeric and other articles of worship. By then, the waters almost surrounded Him. Things that stood on elevated land, like trees, were no longer visible. The surging water covered them all.
With awe and fear the devotees offered worship to Mother Ganga. Baba, breaking coconuts and offering them into the river water, placed His hands on the surface of the waters and said, "We are happy that you came to visit us. Now, go back, Ganga!" In response to his bidding, the water disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. Everybody looked in disbelief to see that there was not even a drop of water anywhere and most amazingly, Baba's robe was dry. He smiled and beckoned the devotees to look at His feet. There on the sand was a big garland of jasmine flowers lying at His feet. He picked it up, cut it open and distributed flowers to everybody. These jasmine flowers were almost as large as roses, and their fragrance filled the place."
How blessed we are to be in the presence of this being whose magnificence is beyond what we can even imagine!
Love to all.
Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabanews/mes sage/4323" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabanews/mes sage/4323" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| Sathya Sai Baba's Discourses at Sai Sruti Kodaikanal during April 1996 [Part -1] |
| 10.08.04 (1:22 pm) [edit] |
Sathya Sai Baba's Discourses at Sai Sruti Kodaikanal during April 1996 [Part -1]
1. PURIFY THE MIND TO REALIZE DIVINE BLISS [April 5, 1996; Good Friday]
Embodiments of Divine Love,
All names and forms are of the Divine. Every person is an embodiment of the Divine. The human body has been gifted in order to know the Divine.
Everyone wants peace, bliss and happiness; nobody wants misery, worries and problems. What is the nature of real happiness? Man has to make an effort to understand what true happiness is. If you ask anyone he would reply that it is freedom from troubles and anxieties. Sensual pleasure is not true happiness even though man considers it to be so. Sensual pleasure indulged in by man makes him equivalent to a beast and upon examination of the sensual pleasures; one can see that their duration is momentary. The ancient Rishis prayed and asked to be shown whether it is worldly pleasures or proximity to the Lord that gives true happiness and discovered that the Divine gives true eternal Bliss.
At one time, Germany defeated France in the Second World War. The French Chief Marshal stated that his country had been defeated because of the excessive sensual pleasures of the people. Since that time they have encouraged control of the senses.
True happiness comes from firm faith in the Divine and the full blossoming of body, mind and intellect. We should not allow our body, mind and intellect to take the wrong path.
Above and more subtle than the body is the mind, and above and more subtle than the thinking mind is the intellect. The intellect is the leader of the body and the mind, and the Master of all these three is the Atma or Spirit. We say "This is my body, my mind, my intellect." But who am I? The Master should see that the instruments are put to proper use so that true happiness which is union with God can be realized. Union with the senses brings about misery.
What is the nature of creation? God's Will transmits into creation. Everyone should have devotion to God, the Creator, so their will would be in harmony with His Will. Sita means the daughter of Mother Earth as well as all Divine qualities such as sacrifice, compassion, mercy, grace, and the Peace that is within one. In the world wherever one looks, one sees only pieces (diversity) but not Peace. Sita (see the Epic Ramayana) was always with Rama. As you are embodiments of Truth, Peace and Love (Rama), there is no need to search for Peace outside.
Napoleon had some spiritual development. In order to conquer the remaining countries during the war, he had to first conquer his sleep and hunger. He trained himself to sleep and wake at any appointed time. Once when Napoleon was wounded with arrows in the war, and the doctors wished to operate, he refused saying that he would first meditate. He allowed the doctors to remove the arrows only during meditation in the evening without an anesthetic. Napoleon had full control over his mind and thus was able to transcend it.
For the body, one's mind is the master; for the mind, one's intellect is the master; for the intellect, Atma is the Master. So the Master of life is the Atma. If we merge the intellect in God, all the senses would be subjugated. Mahatma Gandhi prayed that all should have a good intellect- "Sab ko sanmati do Bhagawan." A purified intellect reflecting the Atmic light confers true wisdom. When the intellect is full of God, naturally one will follow the correct path and experience Peace and Bliss. If the mind follows the senses, one is ruined.
Follow the Master;
Fight to the end;
Face the Devil;
Finish the game.
Who is the Master? Your conscience is the Master, so follow the conscience. To face the devil means to avoid bad company, thoughts and actions. To fight to the end means to work to subdue the unruly senses. Say, "O bad senses, don't go there, go only toward God; eyes, see only God; ears, listen only to God's glories, etc."
See no evil; see what is good.
Hear no evil; hear what is good.
Think no evil; think what is good.
Talk no evil; talk what is good.
Do no evil: do what is good.
This is the way to God.
The word "good" has two zeros. One zero stands for the world. If you remove this one zero (the world), only God will remain. So see good, do good, and be good to merge with God. Direct all of your actions toward God. In Christianity it is said, "All are One, be alike to everyone."
If you declare that your body belongs to you, then why can't you control it? If you cannot then the body. must not belong to you. How can you offer to God your mind which is also not under your control? If your body is paralysed why can't you make it move? If your body was truly under your control, then surely you would be able to make it move. Take the example of this handkerchief. If you hold it tightly, then it is in your grip. If you drop it, it is out of your control.
Buddhi (subtle intellect) has the power of discrimination. Discrimination is of two types: individual and fundamental. Fundamental discrimination has a universal nature as that indicated in the prayer "Loka samastha sukhino bhavantu" (May all the worlds be happy). Individual discrimination is only individually inclined; one thinks only of 'my body, my friend, my relative, etc. Individual discrimination is very limited, narrow, selfish, and represents untruth, whereas fundamental discrimination is based on Truth. The intellect should follow the path of fundamental discrimination having feelings of good will to all in order to reach God or oneness.
One's so called individual Atma is identical to everyone else's Atma. There are many tube lights here in this room, but the current flowing through them all is only 'One'. All of our bodies can be compared to light bulbs. The capacities of each body or bulb may be different, but the Spirit or Atma is only One in all of them. "Eka Prabhu Eka Naam” means there is only one God; so one Divinity is present in all.
One should always be charitable. The culture of Bharat (India) teaches giving and sacrifices. We must always discriminate what and how much we should give. Discriminate when you see the beggar on the street with his hand outstretched for money. Give him clothes or food but do not give him money because he may misuse the money to buy alcohol and cause fights. Your money would have been wasted; unity destroyed, and would be responsible for these problems. Encourage the needy to find employment and to develop unity as one's body has been given to do work. If, however, you see a handicapped person whom you can help through giving money, charity should be given with full knowledge of the consequences to avoid harm. "Help ever, hurt never," and in every aspect discriminate carefully.
Spiritual aspirants should not move about here and there but should keep the body still and spend time concentrating in solitude to experience Bliss. Bliss which comes through the experience of the unity of the Atma will redeem your life. Here is a handkerchief consisting of numerous threads. The unity of the woven threads gives the cloth its strength. Likewise, the unity of the body, mind, intellect and senses will confer strength and power.
Swadharma is the true dharma. Dharma is not only that which is related to a religion or faith. 'Swa' means Self or Atma. Dharma means conscience or witness. Sath and Chit mean eternal, total Being and Awareness, not fragmentary knowledge. Being or Sath may be compared to pure sugar which is always sweet; Chit to the pure water which goes on changing (moving, flowing). If you mix them you get syrup which may be compared to Bliss or Ananda. This is not the Bliss found in the material world. The material world can give you only impermanent happiness, not Bliss.
There are five types of knowledge to be found in the world. The first is bookish knowledge, the second superficial knowledge, the third general knowledge, the fourth discriminatory knowledge, and the fifth practical knowledge. Worldly happiness is termed santosha, which means only some happiness. For example, when you are hungry you eat two chapatis and after two hours you are again hungry; so the happiness you derived from eating was only temporary. The head has responsibilities; it is not a source of Bliss. Ananda (Bliss) comes only from the heart and is permanent. The highest goal of life lies in deriving happiness from the heart. The word for heart is hrudaya meaning heart (hru) and compassion (daya).
The proper study of mankind is man. Kindness should grow and fully blossom from man's heart. God has the quality of attraction and attracts to Himself whatever is good. Gold has value and attracts but brass does not attract. Iron alone attracts the magnet because of its relationship with the magnet. The magnet can be compared to Paramatma (Supreme Soul) and iron can be compared to the individual soul. The attraction between them is due to the unity of the individual soul and God. God is one. We should understand our own Divine nature. Sometimes when the magnet is unable to attract the iron many ignorant people may say that the magnet has no power. But this lack of attraction is due to the dust and rust accumulated on the iron. Similarly, bad company, bad talk, bad deeds are like dust and cause rust and do not attract Grace. God gives tests and punishes as well. We must welcome and pass a series of tests as they are the means for promotion. In order to pass examinations, one has to prepare for tests. Today from first class to tenth class there are no tests. Unfortunately today we don't want any tests due to laziness. Even if one wishes to apply for a job as a clerk he must have an interview. One should face with fortitude all tests in life.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is Love, enjoy it.
We are lucky to have this life; to be born a human being is very sacred. Make use of life in a sacred way after purifying the heart and eradicating anger. Lack of control over anger ruins discrimination and causes one to do wrong things. Anger is an animal quality not a human quality. When you become angry, go to a quiet place and repeat, "I am not a dog, I am a man." When confusion comes, repeat, "I am a man, not a monkey" ten times. Many people cheat, then repeat, "I am not a cheater, I am man"; "I am not a jackal, I am a man." The foreigners who have come here are all good devotees, but have a few weaknesses. They spend a lot of money on unnecessary things, have too many associations and do too much visiting from house to house.
The body may be compared to a house, the senses to windows, and the mouth the main door; keep it clean and sacred. Let the animal qualities go out; don't allow them into the residence. Don't follow other people, seeking sensual pleasures, but instead follow God. Unfortunately, we welcome bad qualities, and do not follow God's commands. When chanting Rama, as we say 'Ra' we open the mouth and bad qualities should go out and when we say 'm', God should enter to remain permanently. Why visit palm readers on the street who tell others' futures when they cannot tell their own. Devotees should use common sense. What is devotion? It is pure Love. Devotion to God develops from pure Love. Love between a husband and wife is attachment. Spiritual Love comes and grows whereas worldly love comes and goes. So follow God's commands until the end.
Once there was a young cowherd boy named Madhukar. One day as he was grazing his cows beside a river, he saw a Brahmin repeating, "Om Narayana Namaha" while doing pranayama in order to control his mind. After some time the boy went up to him and asked him what he was doing. The Brahmin explained that when one utters "Soham," he is declaring, "I am God." "So" (God) is uttered during inhalation and "ham” (I am) is uttered during exhalation. This is done in order to control the mind. The boy had full faith in the Brahmin and because he wanted to experience God he immediately put into practice the teaching. He put the cows on one side and sat down to begin pranayama (breathing exercises). He wondered, "How does God really look? In paintings I have seen Lord Shiva on a bull, and Lord Vishnu on an eagle."
The boy had full faith in the words of the Brahmin and began repeating the mantra, "Soham." He was ready to shed even his body for God. Where there is steady faith, there is success. One should care only for God. As the boy had this attitude, Narayana manifested Himself. The boy asked Him, "Who are You?" He replied, "I am Vishnu." The boy said, "I am not certain as I have never seen You before. I'll ask the Brahmin to come to identify You." This boy was very innocent. He feared that Vishnu might run away so he tied Him up and went to fetch the Brahmin. The Lord was very pleased with this boy's devotion. However the Brahmin could not believe the boy's story as he doubted how Vishnu could appear to a mere boy. The Brahmin’s faith was artificial whereas the boy's was heartful. Both went to the spot where Vishnu was tied up whereupon the boy exclaimed, "See, there He is." Unfortunately only the boy could see Lord Vishnu, not the Brahmin. The boy asked Vishnu, "Why can he not see the Lord?" The Lord replied that the Brahmin’s inability to see was due to his polluted mind and impure heart. The boy then requested the Lord, "At least for my sake, appear to the Brahmin.” As God was pleased with his selfless attitude. He also manifested to the Brahmin. This story illustrates the role of the Gum to show the way to God, and the effort of the devotee to develop faith and devotion.
In the culture of Bharat, the sacred axioms are:
Matru devo bhava. The mother is God.
Pitru devo bhava. The father is God.
Acharya devo bhava. The guru is God.
Mother, father and preceptor or teacher are the physical forms of God for us. We say that we have come from our parents, but this is not correct. We have come from God through our parents is correct. When you have God what more do you need? Please God by performing all actions for Him. Dedicate mind, body, senses and intellect to Him. If you have faith God will manifest in front of you.
Pray wherever you go by chanting His name. Work is worship; duty is God. God is present in all beings as Sath (Being), Chit (Awareness), Ananda (Bliss). You sit and say 'Sai Ram, Sai Ram', but your mind wanders to the dhobi's (washerman's) house, wondering whether he will bring your clothes today. Japa or meditation with an uncontrolled mind is a waste of time. Truth, Goodness and Beauty, three attributes of God, are all present in one's own heart. Pray wholeheartedly from your heart; have both compassion and Love. If you pray with Love but do not have compassion, it is useless. Coffee powder and water must both be present to make coffee. Speak softly, think of God constantly and avoid bad company and any other disturbances.
Swami concluded His Discourse by singing, "Hari bhajana bina sukh shanti nahi."
2. ALL THE WORLD IS A STAGE [April 7, 1996, Easter Sunday]
Embodiments of Divine Love,
At one time Napoleon taught his soldiers, "Be clear and the rest will follow." He meant that pure feelings and actions will give one a pure heart. The whole world is a drama composed by God where every individual is an actor and God is the Director. Only the Director God creates the actors and designs all of the scenes. Whatever may happen is the manifestation of the Divine acts blossoming from the heart. Every human being is the spark of the Divine with Love as his natural trait and the goal of every living being and animal is to realize and manifest this Divinity. In this universal drama of life we are all acting to express Love; the end of transformation is to become the embodiment of Love. Prior to this Love is information and this information (knowledge) gathered throughout our lives culminates in individual spiritual transformation. Though everyone has been created out of Love, how unfortunate it is that man's responsibility and proper role to Love has been forgotten. In this drama everyone should play his role well, because if he does not, he will lose his reputation and respect. As everyone is a spark of the Divine, everyone should express the quality of Divine Love (Prema).
There is a "chinna katha," a small story. Once there was a very loving man swimming in a river. As there had been a heavy downpour, the water was flowing very turbulently. Suddenly he saw a scorpion floating in the water. Out of concern he gently picked it up and placed it in the palm of his hand. As it is the nature of the scorpion to bite, it bit the man and he quickly dropped it back into the river. But since he could not bear to see the scorpion drown, he again lifted it up to save it and again he was bitten. A cowherd boy came up to him and asked, "Why do you try to save it when its nature is to bite?." The kind man replied, "It may be the scorpion's nature to bite, but I am a human being and my nature is to Love. Why should I disregard my nature?"
See that you never change your nature and move away from Love. Love should never be converted into greed or anger. The whole world needs Love. At one time the Gopikas prayed to Lord Krishna:
"In this dry and parched land,
In order to grow the saplings of Love,
Send rains of Love. Let rivers of Love flow,
So we may reap the harvests of Love."
One's whole life should be full of Love. The true meaning of life is Love. Love is essential for life. The mind should be full of Love, the heart compassion.
True human life must have Truth and Love. Today man is dropping Love for pleasures because he does not understand the nature of Love. Worldly life is temporary, momentary and ephemeral. Earlier the ladies sang, "I am God." Everything is the form of God and God has an infinite number of forms. When one has determination concerning this Truth, then Love will naturally flow. Right from birth to death man is searching for Bliss. A boy is happy if he passes and goes to the next class in school. But how long does this happiness last? Soon he desires a first class standing in university, and when he achieves it he is happy. Then he wants to be a post-graduate. He achieves it and is happy, but for how long? He then desires and obtains a job and then a wife. After getting these he is happy, but for how long? Next he wants a son, then a daughter. He goes on struggling for happiness, desiring objects one after another until he retires. Then he wishes for peace. Thus happiness comes and goes; it is impermanent. All the worldly happiness is not equal to the spiritual happiness of the Atma.
What is Truth? Truth is evident when one expresses selfless Love. A life lived in Truth is Bliss. One's life should be full of Love. A heart without Love is poisonous. You may smile and say hello, but if it is not expressed from the heart, but only from the lips, it is not genuine or truthful. Today the world is behaving in such an artificial manner that all are only attracted by falsehood. For example, if you drop a handkerchief, someone retrieves it for you and you say thanks, it is often artificial thanks. Only pure selfless Love is Divine Love; all other love is artificial. Some only pray to God during difficulties and when they have no difficulties they forget God. Spending our life in gratitude and giving something back is the proper role in life's drama where God is the Director and His nature is Love. This Divine drama should not only be an _expression but also a propagation of Love and Truth. All this life that we think is real is only a dream and all the pleasures that one experiences and enjoys are not Truth.
There was once a poor man who had a wife and a son for whom he could not afford to provide. So he left home to earn money. In the meantime, unknown to him, his son died. One night he had a dream that he was a very rich man living in a large bungalow with five healthy sons, servants and all other amenities. After he awoke from the dream he couldn't find his bungalow and his five sons; he visited his wife who informed him of the loss of their only son. Now he thought, "Should I weep for the poverty and the loss of my only son that I am suffering from now, or should I weep for the loss of my five sons and riches in my dream?. Which of these is the Truth?" Neither is the Truth. "I" am the Truth. In the waking state I have problems and in the dream state I had no problems, but both are false. The Truth is God and "I" am that God. Past is past and it can never return and tomorrow is uncertain. Today is the present; but it is not the ordinary present, it is the omnipresent. Both the waking and dreaming states exist in the mind, but don't follow the mind as it is like a mad monkey. Don't follow the body; it is like a water bubble that may burst at any time. You are truly the form of Supreme Bliss, non-dual, eternal, pure, unsullied, the witness, beyond comprehension, attributeless. Sai is the Supreme Preceptor. God is the eternal witness, but such Divinity is forgotten today and man struggles for the fleeting things.
Who is near God? The one who follows God's commands and manifests Divine attributes. The secret is to have full faith in God; then one is a true human. The word for man is "manaci" (ma-na-ci). Man is the embodiment of Love. If we reverse the syllables in manaci, it becomes "ci- na- ma." Today's man is a cinema man; he is artificial and lacks compassion. But if he would follow the commands of God, everything else would follow. Though you have gold (God), from which you can make any type of jewellery (receive any Grace), you pray, "I want Bliss, Grace and Love." But all of these are ignorant utterances. The correct goal is in the prayer, "God, I want You." Everything is nothing without God. Everything material in the world is really nothing. Listening and experiencing this Truth is true Happiness and Love.
Start the day with Love,
Spend the day with Love,
End the day with Love,
This is the way to God.
But we are starting and ending the day with sadness and weeping instead. Napoleon has said, "Be clear and the rest will follow." Napoleon had great control over his mind. When one has mind control work can be transformed into worship. Do all acts, whether of service or in one's profession, to please God.
How does one experience God? You are wrong to say that you are the one who is working. For example, if you make a plan for a house, the idea has first come from the heart (God) and all that comes from the heart is Divine. You are not the doer, God is the Doer. When you are hungry you satisfy your hunger for yourself. When you love a child it is for your own satisfaction that you kiss him. So all works are done to satisfy your own self. This truth is not recognized. One should perform all acts only for God or Atma and not to satisfy the mind and the inert body. When a doctor performs an operation he uses a knife, but who did the operation? The knife? No! The doctor performed the operation with the knife as the instrument. Similarly, you are the Master (the Atma), so make proper use of your instruments the body, mind and intellect.
It is our good fortune to play a part in this drama designed by God; it is not possible for all to act in this play. In this play, every role is assigned by God; there is selection. Today in the worldly life, there is no selection, but only election. What happens in an election? You are not a candidate selected by God but you have to give a note (money) to get a vote. In selection God is in you as conscience. If we have been selected by God, we are most privileged to listen to Him. Love is the most important; there is nothing beyond Love. Everything is Love, so live in Love. Be happy; serve and worship God, then you will gain Eternal Bliss. None should put on castor oil faces. Smile, because Baba likes to see smiling faces. There are two types of smiles. One is a smile and the other is the loud laughter as in a cinema. You should not laugh loudly. The language of God is silence. Be pure of heart and steady in devotion. When the heart is full of Love, there is sweetness. The ladies sang, "Lord, Your Love gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by...." One should recognize that such sweetness cannot be found anywhere except in God. Put into practice all that is learnt in the texts or else that learning is useless. As all acts are performed through the body. Love should emanate through you. In a tumbler of water, the tumbler is only a container. Without the tumbler you cannot contain the water. Likewise, the body is like a tumbler full of Divine Love.
Jayadeva prayed, "O tongue, the one that knows the taste and talks of God is the only worthwhile one. O tongue, no one has your quality of patience. How carefully and peacefully you move amidst the enemies (thirty-two sharp teeth). Knowing the taste of both sweet and bitter things, you eat the sweet and throw out the bitter."
The tongue has the sacred quality of discrimination between what is good and bad, what should go in and what should stay out. It is has no associations and visits no one; it remains in the mouth. Some people go from house to house like rats and cats. The tongue should not accuse others and spend time in falsehood. Let only the name of God dance on the tongue. The tongue is "nataki," a dancer. What does nataki mean? It is a vehicle of Maya or illusion. It dances continuously. How can one control natakfl reverse the syllables to "kitana" (continuous singing). Continuously singing the glory of God with Love is the only way to reverse the illusion, not by force but by "source" (realizing the Atma). This is the role that one should play in the Drama to gain a very good reputation. One should deserve God's Love; when you are not accepted by God, you are cheap. God's Love is immense like a Divine mother's Love, so through your exemplary conduct and by following His commands He will submit Himself to you. God creates the devotee', and the devotee also creates God by constant remembrance. The devotee has no value without God and without the devotee there is no God. The unity of God and the devotee exalts the human quality and proves that God and the devotee are one and the same. This Sacred Truth is made unsacred today.
When we take birth we cry, "Koham? Koham?" (Who am I ?). When we die we should have the answer, "Soham" (I am He). In an exam when you write the correct answers you will get good results. Learn well, pass the grades, earn the degrees, and then God will claim, "You are Mine." When God says this it is our greatest fortune. In order to safeguard this fortune, think of God continuously and sing His name with Love.
Swami ended His Discourse by singing, "Prema Mudita Manase Kaho, Rama, Rama..."
3. SADHANA [April 8, 1996]
Embodiments of Divine Love,
In order to attain and experience Divinity it is necessary to have Divine thoughts and Divine actions. Many people pursue various paths to spirituality and expect results, but at times they become disappointed and frustrated. What is the reason? Everyone has to examine whether he is obeying God's commands or not. People behave in a wayward manner and therefore do not gain freedom (liberation). Everyone should know all the aspects of Sadhana (spiritual practice). Most aspirants today consider Sadhana to be Japa (repetition of a mantra), Bhajan (singing hymns), meditation, etc., but these are merely worldly practices as they involve the use of the body, the mind and the intellect. We should transcend these three, for the body is temporary and the mind is wavering.
What does the word "sa" - "dhana" mean? "Sa" means identity or proximity. "Dhana" does not mean worldly wealth, power, etc., but it means Divine Wealth or Truth, and oneness with that Truth which is eternal, ancient, pure and unsullied. This wealth is called Sadhana. Spiritual practices do not consist only of sitting with eyes closed and limbs controlled. We should also understand the environment in which we live and then we would gain God's Grace. We must bear all opposites such as heat and cold, rain and sun, pleasure and pain, profit and loss and sin and merit, equally. Vyasa taught the essence of the Vedas in just two sentences: Helping others is meritorious. Hurting others is sin.
The word "paraupakara" is divided into three syllables - "para," "upa" and "kara." "Para" means the Supreme or the Highest Abode; "Upa" means nearness and "kara" means to do or to go. Upakara, therefore, means that one should do good and help others in order to go near God. This is the proper spiritual path, the essence of the Upanishads. In the word "Upanishad," "upa" means near and "shad" means sit. What is the meaning of sitting near? The significance is that a disciple must sit down at the Feet of God (Guru) who is on a higher level. All the spiritual texts teach how to go near God. Just as one goes near an air conditioner to get coolness and comfort when it is hot, similarly, when one goes near God, he would develop Divine qualities. This is Sadhana.
What is "papa" or sin? Harming others is sin; classifying and diversifying and forgetting the unity is a sin. Names and forms may vary, but the Spirit is only one. The words from the hymn, "Eka Prabhu, eka nam... Eswara sarva bhutanam," say that God is in every being. God and nature are in union where God is the cause and nature is the effect. There cannot be an effect without a cause. To consider unity (Atma) as diversity (nature) is a sin. The spiritual path is very easy but due to our ignorance we are confused. Accept that whatever happens is for your own good and for the good of the world. If your desire is not fulfilled, don't consider it to be bad.
You are not one, but three: The one you think you are (the body), the one others think you are (the mind or the ego), and the one you really are (the Atma). Take for example, a piece of cloth. It consists of the unity of the cotton, threads and cloth. Our many desires may be compared to threads. If you remove them one by one, the cloth would disappear. Likewise, the mind would disappear after the removal of all desires. Less luggage, more comfort, makes travel a pleasure in the journey of life. Have only the desire for God. Develop this unique novel desire and also follow the commands of God. We should develop the faith and determination to desire only God, to follow His commands and trust that whatever God says is for our own good.
Once there was a king in India whose custom was to drink sugarcane juice during a certain festival. The king desired to cut the sugarcane himself. As he had no experience in this, by mistake he cut off his finger. His minister declared, "O king, this is very good for you." The king became very angry and had the minister imprisoned. The minister declared that to be imprisoned was good for him. One day the king decided to journey into the forest, and after some time he stopped to take rest under a tree. While resting he overheard a nearby tribal king and his tribe members discussing their need for a perfect human being for a sacrifice. They soon discovered the king and expressed great happiness. They captured him, gave him a bath and made all the preparations for the sacrifice. Suddenly they spotted the place on his hand where the finger had been accidentally cut off. They decided to release him as he was imperfect, and the king returned to his kingdom. He mused, "What the minister has said was true. Indeed, it was for my own good that my finger was cut off." He went to the prison cell, told the minister that what he had said was true and released him. The minister replied, "Yes, the prison was also good for me. If I had followed you into the forest, they would have sacrificed me instead." The king now believed that everything that happened was due to the Divine command. He said, "Pleasure and pain are good for me. Whatever God chooses for me is good for me." Everyone should have full knowledge of this truth. This is Sadhana.
Sadhana is not only Japa, rituals and Bhajans etc.. The essence of all rituals is to obey God's commands. In God's treasury there are many gems and valuables. What is God's nature? It is to give more than we can understand; but if you ask your request may not be fulfilled. "O mind, without asking did Rama not fulfill Sabari's wish? Without asking did He not send the bird, Jatayu to heaven? O mind, why ask?" God gives more than you could ever ask when you follow His commands; worship Him wholeheartedly and with full surrender. That is true Sadhana.
Once Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were walking towards Chitrakoot. Rama was tired so He asked Lakshmana to build a hut for the evening's sojourn. Lakshmana asked Him where he should build the hut. Lakshmana was very pained and said, "What sin have I committed that You should ask me to choose the place? I have no desire other than to follow Your command. All is Your Will." Rama bugged Lakshmana and said, "It is easy to get a wife or a mother, but to get a brother like you is not possible." Divine Love has no limits.
The world is ephemeral and full of misery, but there is Eternal Divinity within it. Today, love, worship and other acts are merely a show; true spirituality is not being practiced. If you cannot follow the command of God, your worship is of no use. One should not have a dual mind; a man with a dual mind is half blind. Do not have feelings of mine and Thine as in a business partnership; between God and the devotee there should be only a Divine relationship; always give without expectation of return. Maintaining the spiritual heart in purity is spiritual practice. The dualistic attitude is one of no wisdom. What is wisdom? Non- dualism, recognizing the One without a second, is wisdom.
Freedom! Nowadays you are enjoying freedom by doing as you like. You are having numerous unfulfilled desires and as a result, you are not able to know your own Atmic nature. Therefore, you are not receiving God's grace. The word for freedom is "Swaicha." "Swa" means Atma or "of the spirit" and "icha" means will (God's Will). So "swaicha" is not the freedom of the body, mind or intellect, but rather the freedom of the Atma. The body is like a water bubble and the mind is like a mad monkey; by following them you would go the wrong way. We don't have God's grace due to undisciplined freedom of body, mind and intellect. Once we know this, we would be able to gain God's grace. So Sadhana is not only spiritual practices like meditation, but comprises many other aspects as well.
We should- know that pleasure and pain are not separate in that without pain, pleasure has no value. Pleasure is an interval between two pains. All experiences are like passing clouds. Sadhana comprises actions associated with purification. Another important aspect of Sadhana is to maintain equanimity at all times.
God is totally unselfish. God gifted the body to the devotee to do pure actions. Man should practice selfless Love, as God is selfless, and not question to whom this Love should be given. Man should have firm determination in this. As God is the complete totality, to reach this God, man should surrender totally.
In Italy there was a certain man who made violins. He took an entire year to make only one violin. When asked why he took so long, he replied that he was not making it for the money. He said that since God is perfect, whatever one does should also be perfect and that he desired God's Grace. A whole-hearted devotee should offer full Love. "Om, Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornath, Poorna madhacyathe." This means that, "God is full and infinite, the nature of the devotee is fullness and infinity; all are full and infinite." Always have the feeling of fullness. Obedience to God's command leads to spiritual freedom.
In this Kali Yuga, though it is difficult to have good friends, have only good friends. So long as you have wealth, all will say, "Hello," but when you lose everything your friends will run away. The greatest friend is God alone who is above, below, around and inside you. So long as there is water in a tank, there are a thousand frogs around that tank but when the tank becomes empty, the frogs will disappear. Worldly friendship is similar. The only true friend is God who embodies true freedom; when we understand this we will achieve oar goal. For this we need to surrender and for surrender we need steady faith in God.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is love - enjoy it.
Do not discriminate in Love. Enjoy it! For example, when you visit the market to purchase vegetables, if you start to enquire where they came from, etc., you may have doubts and imagine that they came from dirty places or dirty water and then you won't enjoy them. Why bother making too many inquiries, just enjoy them (God's Love).
Once Ramakrishna took his disciple, Pramananda, to a river and held his head under the water. When he pulled him out, he asked him, "What name of God did you think of?" Pramananda replied, "I could not think of anything except how to get out of the water" (gasping for air). Once you are drowned in Divine Love, you will only think of God. That is real concentration. Time waste is life waste, so love God more and more- every moment.
Swami ended His Discourse by singing, "Prema Mudita Manase Kaho, Rama, Rama, Ram."
CONTINUED…
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| Experience of the Divinity of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba by Devotees |
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| Baba's Miracle |
| 10.08.04 (11:47 am) [edit] |
Baba's Miracle
"If you know about Sai Baba what I know about Him. You will call Him the Master of all creation" - Meher Baba
The incident herein described bears ample testimony to the above-quoted asserti on of Shri Meher Baba regarding Baba's absolute mastery over all creation, animate and inanimate.
Indeed, we can realise that in reality the Creator and Creation are one, the latter being but the ocular demonstration of the former. This is in consonance with the latest discovery in the light of the post nuclear research in the frontiers of science according to which all manifested nature is only a phenomenon of throught behind which is The Thinker. This in turn reflects and reiterates the Biblical enunciation regarding the origin of creation viz., "Let there be light" said God and there was light and the Upanishadic axiom viz., "Swayam Samkalpa Sam Siddhi" i.e., God's manifestation in concrete form according to His will. It is as God's incarnation that Baba has repeatedly, both during His Incarnate stay at Shirdi and after His Mahasamadhi, given recurring proof of this divine aspect. As a direct corollary of this, forces of Nature like rain, storm, lightening, fire etc., bowed to his will. The present instance is an example of this.
We celebrated the marriage of our youngest son Dr. V Satyanarayana Sai, now a lecturer in the A.PS. University, Rewa, MP, on April 5, 1981 at Rayagada in Orissa. The other members of the family having dispersed to their respective Places, we were returning to Rewa via Raipur by the morning Passenger train from Waltair on the 7th of the month. We had not known that apart from the inconveniecnes incidental to travelling long distance by passenger train, we were wittingly in for an ordeal. We learnt later that people of the region avoid this train as a rule. The route traverses a tribal area more or less entirely dependent for sustenance on the sale and export of the forest produce without arm middleman by the tribals themselves. The Summer is the season of mangoes and the jack fruit in unbelievable abundance of Nature's bounty which has to be seen to be believed. At every stop came an unending stream of the girijans carrying the maximum possible load of the above items and literally hurling themselves and their burdens helter - skelter through the doors and windows into the compartments nearest to them. No railway control (even if tried) could stem that onslaught, as it were, at any cost. The result was the compartments were literally jam-packed and choking. It was a frightful situation in which one did not have any space to move at all. Even the lavatories were full so that we were obliged with unshed tears to possess our souls in patience till we reached Raipur, a matter of twelve hours of torture since to detrain too was physically impossible.
However, that is not only anticipating things too soon in vain, but also overlooking the terrible ordeal of near annihilation of the compartment in a burst of flames before that. For, this is what happened all of a sudden without any one knowing it.
One of our party consisting of my eldest son, the newly married couple and my wife besides myself, (I think it was the first,) said that smoke was emanating from the fan above, from a few wisps at first, later it suddenly swelled to clouds, slowly filling the entire compartment. It took a little time to realise the potential danger it portended. It was obvious, that there was spontaneous ignition in the wiring possibly due to a short circuit, which if not checked at once would prove dangerous. My son Satyanarayana immediately tugged & the chain to stop to the train.
Unfortunately it gave way. We became frantic. It is imperative to mention here that even in such a situation pregnant with danger, the girijans filling the compartment just continued sitting with their sphinx-like faces, and far away looks, unmoved, unflappable, as if lost in contemplation like 'tapasvins' entrenched in their firm faith that "God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world!" It was an object-lesson for us to understand what it is to trust God in toto, this was what Baba meant when He beseeched His devotees to cast their burdens on Him and keep QUIET letting Him to take care and provide every protection we need. Indeed, it shamed me into knowing how much too far below their standard-in truth how hypocritical-my fickle faith was. Their's was RESIGNATION flowing from complete SURRENDER.
Presently, the train stopped at a station and the guard happend to pass by. When he was told of our predicament and requested for urgent redress, he just remarked with the utmost callousness, "Marjao! (go, die) and passed on as if he were Fate's minion. He clearly smelt of liquor. We had no alternative except to fall back upon our Unfailing Eternal Source of Succour and to pray. Rightly has Dr.Alexis Carrel, the great medical scientist and savant averred, that it is not the Atom that will provide the infinite source of power for the future of the humanity but PRAYER, for, when you pray with all your heart, you are linked to that DYNAMO THAT SPINS the Universe.
The All-Merciful and solicitous Baba ever on the alert as Bhaktha Paraadina did come to the rescue in a most unexpected and dramatic manner before despair complete by overwhelmed us. In a spilt second, the skies darkened with gathering clouds and there began a downpour which continued for over an hour, lashing on all sides, partly floooding the compartment and completely smoothering out the smoke and the threatened configuration!
Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all
(Adopted from the book Divine Miracle of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba - A record of thrilling experiences of (late) Dr.P.S.Ramaswamy (An ardent devotee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba) This book can be read at www.saileelas.org)
Courtesy: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sabkamalikek/" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sabkamalikek/" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| Testing limitless Faith |
| 10.07.04 (4:24 pm) [edit] |
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Testing limitless Faith
"It is to be noted here that doubts and difficulties surround us, just to move us and confirm our faith. we are tested as it were. If we only hold on steadily to Baba, with full faith, and continue our endeavours, our efforts will be ultimately crowned with success." -Sri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. XXIX.
Milarepa, the great Tibetan yogi! Whose name has run around the globe. There is a touching incident. One day, Milarepa comes to his Guru and begs to be accepted as a disciple. The Guru, Marpa, says to him: "Do you have sufficient faith?"
Milarepa answers: "Master, my faith in you is beyond words."
"How much faith do you possess?" asks the Guru.
"As much as the limitless skies," is the answer.
The Guru hears the words but wants to put the disciple to a test!
"Here are some bricks," he says to Milarepa, "with them build a platform at this spot."
Milarepa sets to work immediately. He builds a beautiful platform which he feels should please his Guru. When the Guru arrives, he exclaims: "What a fool you are, Milarepa! You have wasted all your time and energy. I did not want a platform here, at this corner, but at the other corner."
Milarepa says to himself: "I clearly remember the Guru pointing to this spot; bet let not my faith be shaken. I must be wrong. The Guru is always right!" He dismantles the platform and starts building a new one at the other corner.
After a few days, the second platform is ready and Milarepa approaches his Guru.
Once again, the Guru is dissatisfied and says: "What a silly fellow you are! I never wanted the platform here."
Milarepa feels irritated, but controls himself and says: "Let me not doubt the Guru!" He builds a third platform.
The process is repeated several times. And now Milarepa can take it no longer. He loses his patience. His faith is completely shaken. He wants to run away from the Guru. The Guru’s wife learns of it: she comes to his rescue.
"The Guru is only testing you!" she says to him. "It was you who told him that your faith was limitless as the skies. Where is your faith gone?"
Milarepa’s faith renewed. He builds yet one more platform. When it was ready, the Guru embraces him, saying: "You are truly my child. Let me share with you the secret which I have shared with none else."
Milarepa sits at the feet of the Guru and receives from him what only a Guru can pass on to his disciple. He is enlightened. He is emancipated from the seemingly endless cycle of birth and death which is, inevitably, a cycle of suffering and pain, but from which, alas, many of us do not yet wish to be liberated.
May some of us be inspired to cultivate this great quality of faith. The Guru is too loving to punish and too wise to make a mistake. Therefore, let us learn to accept all that comes out of his hands as Prasadam. In sun and rain, in pleasure and pain, in loss and gain, let our trusting heart learn to pray: "Give me a place at Your Lotus Feet, Baba!"
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.
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| Jewels from afar |
| 10.07.04 (9:34 am) [edit] |
Jewels from afar
One evening in Brindavan, we were all gathered at Swami's feet, listening with rapt attention as He told us a fascinating story of an artisan's love for Lord Krishna. He described a magnificent gold statue that the artisan had made of his beloved Lord. He said the statue had been designed by divine inspiration. Lord Krishna, Himself, had guided every movement of the artist's hand during its creations.
Suddenly, Swami asked us: "Would you like to see it?" "Oh, yes!" we eagerly answered in union. Swami waved His hand and in it appeared a resplendent gold statue. many brilliant precious gems adorned Krishna's head and body. The graceful figure sparkled and glowed as though alive. The precious statue was then passed around and each person was able to hold and admire it. When it returned to Swami, He held it in His hand a moment. Then it disappeared.
Swami then told us a story about a treaty which India had made with another country. He explained that the entire treaty had been carved on a huge emerald that was presently being kept in the same museum as the Krishna statue. "I will get it for you," He said. When he stopped waving His hand, there appeared in His palm a very large emerald. We were all breathless! What an extraordinary, magical evening this was! We passed the emerald among ourselves slowly, not wanting there rare moments to end.
"Pass it quickly," Swami gently prodded us, "I have to return it to the museum before the guard realizes it is gone."
- Diana Baskin
http://www.saibaba.ws/miracles2/jewelsfromaf ar.htm" title="http://www.saibaba.ws/miracles2/jewelsfromaf ar.htm" target="_blank"http://www.saibaba.ws/miracle...
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| The Miraculous Appendix |
| 10.07.04 (7:16 am) [edit] |
The Miraculous Appendix
From: Sathyam Shivam Sundaram, XLV
The Life of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
by Prof. N. Kasturi
"Dear Sri Kasturi! Your telegram cancelling your promised visit to Ceylon has helped to render our faith in Baba firmer than before!" This was not a particularly polite reply to receive from a Secretary of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi. Baba had permitted me to accept an invitation to visit Ceylon, on a Sai Pilgrimage, meeting devotees in villages and towns, to share experience and delight. My passage was booked by rail and plane; so with my bag and portmanteau I went to Whitefield to take leave of Baba and to receive His Blessings. The Mail Train or Madras, from where I had to emplane was leaving Bangalore within an hour. When I touched the Lotus Feet, Baba asked me, "Where are you going?" I said that I was on my way to Ceylon. He said, "Why Ceylon? Send them a telegram cancelling your visit and come with Me to Goa tomorrow."
That was the telegram which placed the faith of Sai devotees in Ceylon upon an unshakeable basis! Later, Sri Thyagarajiah, the Secretary, set my mind at rest, explaining the cryptic comment. Dr. Nallainathan, the President of the Samithi, had read out my first letter accepting the ten-day schedule, before a large gathering of devotees and when he finished, he did a very un-Nallainathan-like thing. He heard himself say, "Of course, Mr. Kasturi has very kindly agreed to come and be with us for ten days. But listen, he may not come at all! There is many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip. At the very last moment, we may get a telegram, cancelling his visit." Six days later the telegram arrived! And Ceylon knew that it was Baba who had persuaded Dr. Nallainathan to utter those words that day, for He shapes the future, recasting His projected plan. When we cannot predict about our own selves, how can we predict about Baba? He says that no one knows that He is going to do in the next five minutes; therefore we must learn to remain content, witnessing the Divine play.
At noon the next day, I accompanied Baba on a circuitous journey to Goa. The three cars moved towards Jog Falls. The party included three lady devotees from the United States, June Schuyler, who describes herself as a simple, middle-aged teacher of young children; Indra Devi, celebrated as the 'First Lady of Yoga in America,' and Mrs. Rajagopalan, an Italian living in the United States with her Indian husband. As usual, while leaving Brindavan, devotees lined up on both sides of the road, anxious to get a glimpse of Baba and to see the Hand that waves out of the window, until a turn makes it impossible to fill the eye with it.
The afternoon was quiet and bright. "As the cars entered the tranquillity of the vast countryside," writes June, "my mind was jumbled with a feeling of incredulousness! For many years, peace of any kind seemed an unlikely prospect for me. God was my only hope; and now, wonder of wonders, I was happy, with the Lord lifting my burdens off my mind."
On the way Baba signalled the cars to turn towards a lane off the main road, so that we could drink coffee and consume some snacks. He Himself opened the tins and cans, containers and flasks, and served snacks and coffee to all. The chauffeurs too, joined the party and they were also served snacks and coffee to all. The chauffeurs too, joined the party and they were also served. A few tillers of the soil who had taken up positions to stand and stare received extra attention from the Master.
When we resumed the journey, Baba's car seemed to grumble a bit, but it was persuaded by mild and gentle pushing to take to the road. It had to be persuaded again thrice during the next fifteen miles: Jog falls were still a hundred miles away! At 8.00 p.m. the car stopped and refused to budge, despite inducements or threats. It had, indeed, to be led back in Tiptur for attention at a local workshop. Then Baba decided to go back to Brindavan. Baba was quite unconcerned, He did not speak about it with any feeling of disappointment. Among the eight attributes of Divinity, Vairagyam, absence of attachment, is one.
June writes, "A star fell; Baba who misses nothing saw it fall. He commented on it. I was grateful that I too had seen that bright thing falling where the Lord had come. While in the car, His glorious voice filled the night, for He was singing, drawing stars down to earth! Dinner was ready at midnight when we reached Brindavan. Baba's affection made Him appear anxious about our hunger. He took particular care to see that all were fed and sent to sleep, before He retired for the night. We felt that we were tiring Him even more, drawing His attention upon ourselves. Is that precious Body sustained purely by the Love It showers? We wondered." June writes, "I lay down with a feeling of anxiety. I feared that Baba might go now ahead of us, by plane to Goa. I was anxious not to miss the happy sojourn. I was sorry we had to return as a result of the breakdown of the car. Many things were battling in my brain that Sunday morning when I awoke, I pondered over them. Why had the Lord, Who produces all manner of things by the exercise of His Will, not repaired His car? He could have anticipated and never allowed it to happen! The question had great importance to me, since I was convinced that spiritual power has the mastery over matter. Perhaps Baba had willed the breakdown and the return, in order to provoke this question in me, so that I might seek answer. Every word, every act of Baba is a lesson. Here was a lesson - I wasn't sure for whom.
We knew even before we started that Baba was not keen on Jog Falls. He had ridiculed the name as 'Joke Falls' and even as 'Joke False'! He said, the route, if Jog Falls is included in the tour, will be lengthened too far. He will have to pass through many villages on the road, after nightfall. The villagers, would, He argued, be very sad when they learn that Baba had passed that way without their getting Darsan. Someone told us that Baba had questioned the driver who had supervised the 'servicing' of the 'historic car' about the quality and extent of the servicing. "He must have known that it will give a poor performance," he said.
Of course, if He had willed it, the car would have gone on to Jog; He willed a Joke instead! A day later we all left in two cars for Goa. On the way Baba spoke long, on spiritual matters. Alighting en route for breakfast, He gave us sweet, ripe, wild berries plucked by Him from the trees around saying, "Berries, such as I used to eat and pick with My comrades at Gokul on the banks of the Yamuna!"
The cars co-operated wonderfully, and we reached the grounds of the Karnatak University at Dharwar, and entered the bungalow of the Vice-chancellor, Dr. Adke at 2 p.m. There we found about 500 people singing Bhajans under a Shamiana. They had learnt about the arrival of the Lord! After lunch, Baba sat among them, silent, for a few joy-filled minutes!
June writes, "Those University Deans and Dons looking at Baba with devout childlike expressions, twanged the chords of my heart." Suddenly someone asked a question and broke the silence. For an hour thereafter, Baba related to them parables and tales from legends and folklore. "God is ever to respond, whenever there is a call for help. Yes, you seek the Grace of God, but can you get it, when you do not respond to the call of the distressed?... God waits on the doorstep, like sunlight, eager to slip through the narrowest slit, and spread light where there was darkness, warmth, where there was biting cold. So too, you must wait for the chance to brighten and lighten the lives of others, deprived of cheer and charity... Awaken the people to the Glory of the Creator through Nagar Sankirtan," He said.
June writes, on the occasional bursts of laughter which shook the room. "I felt, this is no dull sober God. When I think of Baba, I picture Jesus, with the same sense of humour. Baba was speaking in an Indian Language which I do not understand; yet in some mysterious way I too was receiving illumination."
It was a Fiat 1500 in which Baba, Mr. N.D.M. Appah, Chairman, Mysore State Electricity Board, and myself were travelling. The road was stony and rough, so the drive was full of jerks and bumps - this caused Baba to reprimand the driver for not being circumspect enough. "You do not know how much pain I get in the abdomen when it bumps," He said. We wondered why Baba who withstood worse roads better, was insisting on slow driving that day.
The last rays of sunshine cast long and slanting streaks through the tall heavily crowned trees of the Western Ghats, which we were climbing. When we were on top, the sun went down into the sea! There is a certain grandeur, albeit pathetic, in this daily drama - the inevitability of a sunset; its noiselessness and the panic it creates when you foolishly fear that it may not come up again. The forces of darkness quickly overwhelming the earth sometimes give one an eerie sensation of despair. But, we soon remember that the wise earth manages to keep one half of her lit and warm; and so, we sleep in hope and happy dreams!
When the cars reached Goa, it was night. The stars came forthy; they came with us, every yard of the road, keeping pace. When the border of Goa State was reached, Lt. Governor, Sri Nakul Sen, the host, received Baba and let us into a Rest House, where china gleamed in the shelves by the wall and geraniums glistened on the window sills. We had coffee; from then on Baba sat in the State car, with the Head of the State.
Hurrying around the rambling roads, towards Panjim Town, the cars finally arrived at Coba Raj Nivas, the Palace of the Governors-general of the "Portuguese Possessions in India and the Far East" for many centuries, but now, the official residence of the Lt. Governor. The time was 9-15 p.m. We had motored 385 miles, since morning, over good and bad roads, but Baba looked lithe and lily-like when He hastened up the red-carpeted flight of steps, 28 in all, to the flower-decked apartments, set aside for His stay. Very soon, Baba presided over the dining table to which we were led by the Lt. Governor. He watched with amusement the contingent of waiters, and the beautiful chinaware, which the Portuguese had brought from Macao.
Though Mrs. Sen made bold to remind Him of His duty to Himself, He did not eat anything. He appeared to be anxious to send every one to bed. "Go, go! You are all very much exhausted," He insisted. I protested that travelling with Him can never exhaust anyone, but He repeated that I was really in immediate need of rest. When we rose Mrs. Sen was informed by Baba that coffee need be ready for Him only at 8 a.m. the next day! She knew that at Prasanthi Nilayam, He had His coffee at 6 or 6.30 p.m. but despite appeals for revising the order, Baba gave instructions that it was to be brought only at 8 o' clock.
Baba was alone in the suite reserved for Him. Nakul Sen pleaded for permission to be within call, but Baba sent Him away to his own room. We from Bangalore were in rooms on the ground floor.
About what occurred that night, Baba wrote later to Dr. S. Bhagavantham, in a letter I carried to him on the 12th, "On the night of the seventh, strange events happened. I could not lie in bed, I could not sit upon it, nor turn, from one side to another. Nor could I speak or call. I did not like to cause anxiety or trouble to anyone. So I kept silent, pretending that all was well with me!
Next morning when the Sens grew aware of the truth it became clear, why He had abstained from dinner, and postponed the coffee hour, wanting only to hurry away to bed! I knew why He had come away from Dharwar, and why He had taken the driver to task. Obviously, He had been 'ill' when He started out from Dharwar!
Mrs. Sen felt that Cabo Raj Nivas was an 'unlucky' place since He had fallen 'ill' there, but Baba immediately corrected her. "No, it is a house of good luck! I brought the 'illness' with Me to Cabo, so that I could get rid of it here."
By daybreak on the 8th, Baba appeared to be in great pain and Nakul Sen called in doctors from the Medical College at Goa, and some leading physicians of the City. Soon an imposing medical team surrounded the sick bed; their report read as follows, "History of pain, right lower quadrant of the abdomen since 3 p.m. on the 7th December. To begin with, the pain was all over the abdomen, progressive in intensity; towards the night, it localised in the umbilical region, and the right lower quadrant. Had difficulty in extending the right lower limb. Pain is exaggerated by movement. 8th December morning, had nausea and fever." No one could be definite about the illness; there were too many experts and Baba was amused at the clash of their conclusions.
The American ladies were sent to visit the ancient Churches of Goa, redolent with history, and vibrant with spiritual power. The Sens were aghast at the turn of events for, among other reasons, the local Sathya Sai Seva Samithi had announced, that He would deliver a discourse at the large Maidan in the heart of the city, at 5 p.m. that evening.
June Schuyler writes, "Back at Cabo, we ate lunch, without Baba. It was a gloomy affair. Each person was wondering why He did not come; I did not know that some among them knew, and were too full of distress to speak. It is very strange for Baba not to come out of His room; at Prasanthi Nilayam, or wherever He is, He gives of Himself, plentifully at all times, from early morning till late evening. I knew that Baba was scheduled to go out into the city to address a public meeting. We had passed the very Maidan on our way to a Church, and noticed people streaming in, hours before the time announced for its commencement. I took heart because we would see Him then. Perhaps we would go with Him to the meeting! At ten minutes to five we gathered on the porch, dressed in our very best; my heart beat loud and rapid, as a clock ticked on, for the time was drawing near when we would see Him for the first time that day... My thoughts went back to the time when I first heard about Baba. A friend urged me to revere Him. I replied, "How can I, belonging to Jesus? I am sure about Jesus. If Baba is one with Jesus, it is to Him I pray. If He is not I won't have anything to do with Him." And, I added, "If Baba is all that you feel He is, I am sure He won't hold this against me!" The electrifying moment when I beheld Him for the first time came to my mind. I remembered the flood of awe and joy that overwhelmed me. His first comment when He saw me, assured me that He knew, and approved of my feelings about Jesus... that He was, certainly One with Him. My mind returned to the present; I watched Baba's door, intently."
Meanwhile, pain, nausea and fever kept Baba in bed all day. Information came that 20,000 people crowded the Maidan, awaiting Baba; and half the number had come from far off villages. Baba endeavoured to rise and don fresh clothes to keep the appointment, and not disappoint thousands of people. But Cabo Raj Nivas had no lift; for reaching the Maidan, Baba would have had to get down 28 steps and walk up some distance in order to give Darsan to the people. And then, climb the 28th steps up!
Baba directed me to tell the assembly to disperse quietly, and to assure them that He will be addressing them in a few days at he same place. I was to tell them that He had taken over the illness of a devotee, for I had witnessed such instances of healing and saving, in the past years.
June writes, "Baba's door opened!... Mr. Kasturi came out! Why Mr. Kasturi? Why not Baba? We sat sadly, watching a large blood-red sun sinking into the Indian Ocean."
The gathering heard my announcement with amazement and admiration, for they had heard many stories of Baba and His miracles, but this mystery of taking on an illness and saving a devotee from its consequences was something they had never heard, nor imagined as possible. Could such compassion exist? How does Baba assume the illness, and how does He rid Himself of it? How has He done it in the past? Many came up behind me to find the answers, and I could tell them of the great Guru Pournima Miracle, when Baba took upon Himself the cerebral thrombosis and heart attacks of a devotee, and after undergoing them for eight long days, rejected them before 4,000 people, becoming in a moment, His fresh, free and full Self. I could tell them that rescuing the good was as much the mission of the Avatar as Chastisement of the wicked. He atones for the Karmic debt of the devotees when they plead sincerely for Grace, I said. That is the measure of His Divine Compassion.
At 8 o'clock that night, the doctors reported, "Lying supine in bed, with legs drawn up. On examination, the right side of abdomen not moving with respiration; abdomen tender on the right side, and the lower flank... point of maximum tenderness in lower flank... no rebound tenderness... guarding present over right lower quadrant, with rigidity of flank. Temperature 100o F; pulse 100 M; respiration 16m. Total blood count 22,000; neutrophils 88%. A diagnosis of acute paracolic appendicitis was made. Unwillingness for surgical intervention."
Pressmen approached the doctors, anxious to report the reason for the postponement of the announced Public Meeting, alarmed at the news of the illness of the world-renowned Personality. The doctors told them that Baba was suffering from an acute attack of appendicitis. This news was flashed all over India and spread through the early morning editions and the papers issued from Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore and Madurai. Telegrams and telephone calls poured in from all over the country, praying and pleading, and denying - disbelieving, hoping, weeping and wailing. There were many offers to accept the 'illness' from Baba; some devotees said they would fast until Baba was free from the illness. Devotees having firm until Baba was free from the illness. Devotees having firm faith in His Divinity were convinced that just as the illness had been taken on miraculously, it will be thrown off miraculously, too.
The doctors told us Baba must be suffering excruciating pain, but He said, "If I have to acknowledge that it is paining Me, how would I have taken it on Myself? I have taken it on with Love and Love knows no pain!" June writes, "Mrs. Sen confided in me that she has been praying all day to Baba asking that she be allowed to share the pain. We all caught this idea and trooped into Baba's room with the same request. He sent us back, saying, "I do not feel any pain, and even if I do, I am never in the habit of distributing pain as Prasadam, (Gift from God)."
Indra Devi had with her a container with an idol of Ganesa on the lid given to her by Baba. It had Vibhuti in it, and Baba had declared whilst placing it in her hand, "Give this to people who suffer; it will alleviate the misery. The Vibhuti will never be exhausted. "She now offered some of it to Baba; He sent her away, saying, "That would be selfish. I want only you for the sake of others," "O Baba!" June implored silently, "You are so sweet, so completely good. The rest of us deserve this pain, but You, do not, please take this condition away from your precious Body."
June writes, "Finally, hesitantly, I prayed to Jesus, "If Baba will not heal Himself, won't You heal Him?" but I realised that this prayer was one without an answer, for Jesus and Baba were One! I fell back on metaphysics. Recognition of the Truth might cast out the illness. It was easy to behold the Christ in the Christ Himself!" Baba! You are the Light, and in the Light there is no darkness." I said this silently over and over again. I knew this statement was absolutely true, but, I also knew that, on the physical plane, Baba had allowed Maya free play for the sake of someone who had surrendered to Him. He would not let my feeble metaphysical falterings influence a step that He had determined upon. I was afraid my approach was quite wrong."
The doctors filed in and out of Baba's room. Indra Devi sat in the Cabo Shrine applying the curative Vibhuti Baba had given her, on the right flank of the Abdomen of a large sized picture of Baba, praying that He may soon heal Himself! Mrs. Sen alternated between confidence and concern.
June writes, "Mr. Kasturi oozed quiet confidence. He was certain that this was another miracle of miracles; that Baba was suffering for the sake of another; that He would concentrate into a few hours the suffering that the devotee was destined to suffer for weeks; that we would soon behold the end of another Divine Leela. We warmed ourselves often, in the warmth of His optimism. Mr. Sen too was certain that Baba would confront the doctors with another astounding and confounding miracle!
Suddenly it flashed on me that Mr. Kasturi was asked to cancel his engagements in Ceylon and join us on our journey to Goa, precisely for this reason. To spread assurance, whenever doubt raised its fearful hood! His role was to laugh the serpent off, and to restore courage. Tell us about the time when Baba took on the paralytic stroke, we begged, and Mr. Kasturi with genuine enthusiasm, plunged into that story of the eight appalling days and nights, the sudden doffing of the fell symptoms, the final triumph! The infinite compassion - the infinite power!"
The devotees came out of Baba's room. They looked solemn and serious, as if weighed by an insoluble problem. June writes, "I had once asked Baba a question, and I remembered His answer. 'Baba, why did Jesus allow Himself to be crucified?' "Because the Great Ones never use spiritual power for themselves." Ah! Baba had not set the car right on Saturday night because it was not imperative for the good of some one other than Baba." "Baba! Baba!," I exclaimed, "I adore you; I utterly love you. Imperfect as I am, I give my heart to you completely!"
Precisely at this very moment I became aware that Mr. Nakul Sen was motioning to Mrs. Rajagopalan, Indra Devi and myself to step inside the doorway of Baba's room. I could not believe it was true. We crossed the threshold half expectant, fixing our eyes on the bedstead where the Master was suffering for His dear devotee. He was not there! He was standing before us, feeble and frail, with eyes full of love and mercy - charming in spite of it all.
He drew back the orange robe, and permitted us to touch those precious Feet. The lovely feet were warm because of the fever. The beloved face was pale and etched with pain. The cheeks had been hollowed for want of sleep and refreshment. But He stood there for our sake. "Do not worry," He said tenderly, in a soft, soothing voice, "It is a little upset, that is all," indicating the right side of the body.
"Swami! accept what the doctors prescribe," We prayed. "What do the doctors know? What can they prescribe? I only want your Love," He said, quietly, almost wishfully. He stepped out of the room into the adjacent drawing room where several others anxiously waited. He stood for a few minutes, looking languidly, lovingly, at them all, reassuring the timid and charging them with courage. Then He returned to the bed. None of us knew that the appendix was very near bursting point, and the doctors had said that He must not rise from his bed at any cost."
Later in Bombay, on Christmas Day, Baba referred to the "illness He had taken on at Goa" and the suffering it caused to many. "The other day, a serious illness came upon this body in Goa. Many who are devoted to Me were plunged into anxiety and despair when they learnt of it. Illness can never afflict this Body. It cannot even approach it! If it should come sometime - believe this - it belongs to someone; not Myself. And it goes just as it came, of My free Will. I have no contact with it; I am not affected by it." The fact is that when a devotee prays for relief, Baba bestows upon Him His Grace directly or indirectly. At times, the devotee is unable to apprehend an impending illness. The All-knowing Baba at that stage intercedes between the devotee and the illness, as Lord Siva did in the case of Markandeya.
On 9th December, the doctors decided to put tubes down the nose to relieve the hiccough which was complicating matters, for taking the gas out of the stomach. They talked also of the urgent need that had arisen to puncture the lump and syringe off the pus from the abscess. It must indeed have given a terrible gash of pain for Baba, every time the hiccough pulled the muscle tight and affected the lump round the inflamed appendix! But eventually the doctors left Cabo Raj Nivas with their tubes and bottles, as Baba refused to accept their proposals.
On the 10th, a Bhajan meeting had been announced at Government House, and word had gone round indicating that Baba would attend the meeting! Baba too said "Yes! Arrange it." The doctors could not believe their ears. They did not foresee any possibility of a public appearance that day. There was doubt, wonder and amazement in the minds of various people, a few of them believing that whatever He says will come to pass. At tea time Mrs. Sen looked rather serious, as time was running out and already people were streaming towards the meeting place. Goa which had been previously shocked by the news of the agonising illness was now jolted by the impact of such good news.
Baba's condition may be described in His own words: "The doctors were unanimous that an immediate operation was necessary, or they would not be held responsible for what might happen. They said the inflamed appendix had burst, and the pus had entered the blood - a situation that is fatal for all mortals!"
Baba had to move across His own room, across the drawing room, walk along the veranda, ascend a low step, get across to the doorstep of the Hall which He had selected for Bhajan, traverse its length, reach the dais, climb two low steps - and finally sit upon the chair placed there. A total distance of 200 feet! A floral carpet stretched all this length.
Sri Nakul Sen spoke later during the Bhajan sessions. "The doctors became panicky, and I could feel that they were absolutely against what Bhagawan had said to me. My sixth sense somehow assured me that Bhagawan was showing one of His Leelas in Goa and that through His Sankalpa He would get rid of this trouble as quickly as He had assumed it."
Dr. Varma, the chief of team of doctors came at about 4 p.m. and finding a floral carpet covering a distance of 200 feet, protested that it was too long a walk. He suggested some short cuts through other doors and passages making the journey a distance of only 40 feet. He said, "The dais itself will have to go; let the chair be on the floor, for He cannot get up the steps however low they may be - and please, have the dais on the near side, not at the farthermost end of the hall."
At 5 p.m. Baba was led into the bathroom, and twenty minutes later He came out of it, clean shaven, wearing a new robe! Fresh as a new blossomed rose.
When the doctors examined Him again, they could not locate any abscess, nor could they find any trace of big lump of flesh near it. The whole area of the appendix was as soft and as normal as it could be.
"Lo and behold," said Nakul Sen, in the speech he delivered as soon as Baba sat on the dais at 6 p.m., "Bhagawan walked from His bedroom to the dais, a distance of about 200 feet without any aid. He sat down erect on an Office Chair."
June writes about that historic moment of ecstasy: "Bhajan began, and my heart was pounding a joyous tune of expectancy. Love for Baba filled the hall. Ah! There He was, moving majestically down the hall, although He had required the assistance of two men all day. He now moved as if nothing had ever happened. His steps were as sure and graceful as ever. The cheeks which had been hollow when I last saw them were completely filled out. His love flooded the hall. It was overpowering. He swung into the room, and when He saw someone leaning against the wall, with a sick child the Hand began the familiar circular motion to create the cure.
Baba's eyes which plumb the depths, His eyes which pour out love and compassion, His eyes which flash when he speaks of cruelty, falsehood, hypocrisy and injustice, eyes which can be full of quips, were as eloquent as ever. He took His place on the divan in front of the gathering and began keeping rhythm with the Bhajan being sung, with His head and hand. Mrs. Rajagopal whispered in my ear, "Look! Those eyes are more beautiful than ever. There is an ethereal expression, not of this world, in them; a look of radiant joy and adoration."
"Baba's eyes caressed the gathering, which was watching Him without even a wink, apprehensive that the cure He had effected on Himself, might be only partial or temporary."
Mr. Nakul Sen was full of gratitude and wonder! While welcoming Baba, and introducing the gathering to Him as convention demanded, he said, "Bhagawan lives in the inner recesses of the hearts of His devotees; there is nothing He would not do for them. He has simultaneously appeared in this Form at different places, to help His devotees in distress, or to save them from impending calamities, of which He alone has the precognition! Through His Sankalpa or Will, He has assumed the illness of His devotees and suffered it from them, because they would have succumbed to it, if left alone."
We have witnessed this now, a Leela which has greatly perplexed the medical experts of Goa. It leaves no doubt in our minds that there is nothing on this earth which is beyond Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. His Leela is Adbhut - unprecedented; it is Romancha Kari - exhilarating; it is Madhumaya - sweet in memory; Mangalamayi - promoting the happiness and welfare of mankind; Manoharini - overpowering the mind and turning it to truth, beauty and goodness. It gives Ananda!"
The Governor also spoke in some detail about Goa and associations it had with Rama and Krishna and their careers on earth. He spoke of the legends that enrich the holiness of the two rivers, Mandavi and Aghanasini that enter the sea right in front of Cabo Raj Nivas.
Nakul Sen concluded his descriptions of the ancient glories of Goa and its sacred contacts with Siva, Rama, Krishna, and Parasurama, the Divine Avatars, with these words: "No wonder the Lord decided to visit this ancient and sacred land again, in the form which He has assumed now, with the name of Sathya Sai Baba; He has loved Goa in His previous incarnations and Goa continues to be dear to Him even now."
Baba spoke for over forty minutes with His usual emphasis and elan. The gathering listened spellbound, for it was a message of triumph, benevolence, and benediction.
The illness that had vanished an hour ago was still uppermost in the minds of all, and so, Baba spoke of the significance of its 'entrance and exit' and its place in the scheme of the Avatar's Activities. "There are many who doubt the existence of God or deny Him, or dismiss the idea of God as a silly outworn superstition. To make them discard their conceit, the Divine, out of Its Innate Grace, reveals Its superhuman glory. The doubters receive the reply without asking, the door is opened without even a knock; for those who deny will not knock at all. The 'superstition' will be illumined into divine status by a concrete experience, an indisputable fact. The human body generates diseases as a result of faulty food or frivolous habits, or foolish rashness or fanatic emotions. The illness that was witnessed by you during the last two days was quite different. That was an illness taken over by Me, voluntarily put on, in order to save a victim who could not have survived it! His continued existence, in good health in desirable for the task dear to Me. Pouring Grace on the devout is one of the functions of the Avatar. The appendix was inflamed, it turned into an abscess which the doctors could cure only by removal... He could not have survived it, I know. I have come with this Body in order to save 'other bodies' from pain. This Body is ever free from pain. Disease can never affect it.
I had to go to the rescue of a person who had surrendered to Me - even his judgement. I took over his illness and went through it. It shall not recur again in him. You refer to this incident as a miracle, but remember, each one is a miracle! Every breath is a proof of the Providence of God. Each event is the consequence of Divine Omnipotence. Wherever you find truth, beauty, goodness, justice, wisdom, compassion - God is present, and active. An atheist denies God, with the very breath that God has given him! He closes the eyes that God has opened in Him, and declares that there he could see no God. Therefore, such amazing events have to be accomplished and made known to man everywhere, so that mankind can be saved from over-fond involvement with the world, and lovingly drawn towards the Master of the World."
For us, who adore Baba, and for all mankind who are deriving the benefit of this Advent (Whether they acknowledge it or not) it was great day, the 10th December. Baba was here with His majesty, magnificence and munificence, not only unimpaired, but enhanced, as a result of the world becoming aware of the deeper aspects of His mission.
Baba sang a few Bhajans and returned to His room. The completeness of the restoration can be gauged from one interesting incident. Baba had asked two young men from Brindavan to join Him at Bombay. We telephoned them on the 9th asking them to come to Goa itself, they rang back a few hours later to tell us that the Indian Airlines strike had spread to Bangalore as well. So they were told to proceed to Goa by car. They reached Goa at 6-30 p.m. on the 10th! Hearing Baba's voice over the loudspeaker, they entered the garden of Cabo Raj Nivas, ran up the steps and entered the hall. They heard Baba saying, "Now I shall tell you about the illness which agitated the whole country and caused great anxiety in the minds of millions, for they feared I was hospitalised and operated upon!" That was the first intimation to them of the illness that had come and gone.
Thereafter Baba was surrounded by us, the Sens and the doctors in His room. The Doctors asked Him some spiritual complexities, and He clarified them. While talking of Dattatreya, the God who represents the Trinity, the Trimurti so imposingly sculptured at Elephanta, Baba waved His palm, as He announced that He was Dattatreya, and lo, there was in His hand a picture of the three-headed God, the Trinity in Unity but, wonder of wonders, the picture Baba created showed the same head thrice, on the right, centre and left, Baba Himself, as Brahma, Vishnu and Siva! It was a picture which we were privileged to see, for the first time in our lives!
On the 11th, Baba called the doctors to His presence, created gifts of Grace for them and blessed them. Each one received a momento of the event. Every evening thereafter Bhajan Sessions were held at the Raj Nivas, attended by devotees who came from long distances. The promised meeting in the heart of the City was arranged on the 18th evening; the gathering was twice the size of the one that was sent away disappointed on the 8th; for there were many thousands who wanted to take the Darsan of a Baba who could take on and throw off illness, in order to save a devotee. Sri Nakul Sen presided; he spoke of the wide range of tasks on which the Formless Divine Principle had come 'with Form' as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Baba spoke about Yoga, and all activity as Ud-Yoga, that is to say, the higher Yoga of putting Yoga into practice.
The devotees in Bombay were getting restless, awaiting Baba's arrival. The strike of the pilots and the ground staff of the Airlines rendered them desperate; attempts to persuade Baba to sail by steamer failed, as it meant, spending long hours cooped up in the vessel! At last a privately owned plane was chartered to transport Baba and a few of us from Goa to Bombay, on 21st December.
http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsu ndaram/s1045.html" title="http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/sathyamsivamsu ndaram/s1045.html" target="_blank"http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/a...
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| Shirdi Sai Temple |
| 10.07.04 (6:37 am) [edit] |
Shirdi Sai Temple
Om Sri Sai Ram.
I wish to share an incident happenned in Coimbatore, in a suburb area, where a temple for Shirdi Sai has been built.
A couple from Palakad, Kerala was the main persons who initiated the building of this temple. The idol of Sai was ordered from Maharashtra - a Marble Statue, just similar to Shiridi Wala Himself. The marble statue was being transported from Maharashtra on road. In the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, at the check post the idol was cleared by the Karanataka state authorities.
But when it was crossing the Karnataka - Tamil Nadu border, the truck was stopped by the TN State authorities, who refused to clear the idol unless an amount of Rs.70,000/- was paid as tax. All pleading made by the lady to the check post officials that it is a God's Statue being taken for temple construction was not headed to. The officials argued that it is a commercial good for sale and wanted to charge the tax applicable for marble materials ( which is a premium product for housing construction ). The situation was very worse, because of the urgency of the idol to reach the temple site well before the date fixed for Kumbabhishekam. The lady could do nothing but cry out literally and begged Baba for mercy. She was just crying at the check post, when someone (!) suggested to her to call the Chief officer in the commercial tax department and request his intervention.
This lady made a telephone call to the Chief Commercial Tax officer and started explaining him, with tears in eyes and sobbing voice. Surprisingly, the officer at the other end also started crying on listening to her and told her not to worry and he would come to the check post. He came there and orderred for clearing of the truck immediately.
Then he explained a strange incident, that was happenning in his office. Just sometime before the call from the lady came, when the officer was seated in his office by the side of an open window, he heard a strong voice of an old man shouting out "leave me, leave me" ( as if someone is holding the person shouting ). He peeped out of the window but didn't find anyone. Then after a few minutes he again heard the same voice. And this has happenned two to three times; and not only him, a few others in his office also heard the voice. Then when the call from the lady came to him, the officer realised that the voice they heard is none other than Baba's Himself and that was why he was also crying on the telephone.
The Kumbabhishekam of the Temple was performed as planned and needless to say that the Chief Tax officer was one of the Chief Guests in the event !
Sai Ram.
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| Education is for life and not just for a living... |
| 10.06.04 (8:56 am) [edit] |
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Education is for life and not just for a living...
In these days of communal and sectarian strife, the message clearly sent down in the Sathya Sai system is - there is only one religion - the religion of love; only one caste - the caste of humanity; and only one language - the language of the heart. The students live this precept out; for the festivals of all religions are celebrated. A student of this system is equally at home singing Christmas Carols, chanting the Vedas and reciting the Suras of the Holy Koran.
A parable often retold by Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the story of a little boy who tore up his father's world map into bits. While the father was furious, the boy decided to make amends and starts putting the pieces back in place to stick them up. Even as he puts in all his efforts he fails to put the world together again. Then he notices that on the reverse of the world map there are bits of drawings of the human body; a nose here, a ear there, a foot here and an eye there... and then an idea strikes him. He reverses all the torn pieces and puts the parts of the human body together so that they form the complete picture of a man. Then he turns the picture to have the whole world again! Likewise says Baba, in these troubled times when the whole world is going into pieces, the only way to make the world united is by making each human being a wholesome person. There are no other short cuts to it.
It was precisely with this aim that Sri Sathya Sai Baba, revered as a World Teacher, began his educational mission in 1969 with the establishment of a women's college at Anantapur. Over the past three decades, the mission has grown to include a Deemed University (the Sri Sathya Sai University) under which come the Anantapur campus, the Brindavan campus of the Sri Sathya Sai Arts and Commerce College, Whitefield and the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) at Puttaparthi itself, besides a dozen schools and colleges elsewhere in India and abroad following the Sathya Sai system of education.
The Ministry of Education, Mauritius, has adopted the Sathya Sai system of education. Likewise educationists in Zambia, U.K., Thailand, Brazil and many other countries around the world have taken up this programme entitled ``Education in Human Values'' (EHV). In fact it has created so many ripples that the UNESCO is organising a conference at Puttaparthi in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education, the Institute of Sathya Sai Education (Thailand), and the Flinders University Institute of International Education, Australia, this year. The conference will discuss the roles of teachers and parents in value education and debate on value education for the 21st Century and the evolving of a practical curriculum for value education. Importantly, the youth will also have their say at the conference.
EHV programme
Historically the EHV programme has its roots in the Bala Vikas programme started by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the Sixties. Women, usually housewives, were the Gurus and once a week they would interact with children sent to them by willing parents. These sessions usually included retelling stories from the puranas and bhajan singing; discussions on how to tackle anger, envy and so on; enacting plays on nature, conservation etc.
This EHV programme, with suitable modifications, was made an integral part of the curriculum when the Sri Sathya Sai Seva organisation started educational institutions; and with the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai University, of which Baba is the Chancellor, the EHV programme has blossomed to fullness.
Two thirds of a student's education takes place outside the classroom; therefore to ensure that there is no dilution of the EHV programme, these institutions are strictly residential.
Admission to the institutions is based only on merit; and beyond the primary school stage, there is segregation of the sexes; no fee is collected; even hostel accommodation is free; the students only pay a nominal sum for food. Except during vacations when they are sent home, everyday is a working day; even festivals and holidays are converted into learning opportunities.
Academically speaking, these institutions compare with the best in the world in terms of qualified faculty and facilities; besides, classes and examinations are held very studiously. Naturally, the results are enviable and many of the alumni are scholarship students with the CSIR, Indian Institute of Science and so on.
Sports and games also get pride of place. But the main thrust of the Sathya Sai system of education is on moulding the personality of the student, for Baba says, ``The end of education is character; education is for life and not just for a living.'' The watchwords in the Sathya Sai institutions are cooperation and harmony. Discipline, orderliness and patience needed for this are assiduously cultivated.
I asked an old student how this was achieved. She smiled and said, ``Standing silently and waiting patiently for one's turn - be it for a bath, breakfast, games or class and back; well, this disciplined routine itself is a great teacher!'', Time management is another concept learnt by practice. There are no holidays to laze around; no whiling away over a pack of cards; no watching the idiot box; no gossipping. A key factor that ensures the success of the programme is that the teachers lead from the front.
Practical training in living together as a community is imparted by Self Reliance programmes. Although there are cooks, electricians, plumbers and so on at the hostels, the running of the mess, cleaning of rooms, maintenance of hygiene, electricity and water supply maintenance, keeping music equipment and sports equipment in good condition - all these activities are done by the students. A history student may thus learn how to change a fuse; a literature student may learn how to take care of overhead tanks; a physics student may learn how to cook and so on. Within one hour, five hundred students eat noiselessly in a mess and leave after all the plates and glasses are washed.
EHV is infused into the teaching of academic subjects as well. Products from trees are used in the manufacture of perfumes, for example is converted into a fantastic EHV opportunity when the social studies teacher says, ``Look at the mango tree - you throw stones at it and yet in return it gives you delicious mangoes. And as for the sandalwood tree - it imparts fragrance even to the very axe that fells it. See their spirit of sacrifice! That is what we too should cultivate.''
The biology teacher while teaching about bacterial diseases explains how the loss of pain sensation leads to the mutilation of hands and feet in leprosy patients; as a spin off, he adds ``So pain and suffering also have beneficial role on life.''
The chemistry teacher while teaching about subatomic particle says, ``Just as electrons exist unseen in all matter, living or nonliving, so does divinity exist unseen in all things.''Another facet of the EHV programme is the awareness module. Adolescence and youth are biologically explosive times when hormones race through the system and cause violent emotions and feelings. The awareness programmes help students understand themselves better. Fear, ambition, success, failure, inferiority complex, birth, marriage, death - students thrash out all these issues with teachers; often the Chancellor too participates and guides. For a practical exposition, the epics of various religions, the lives of saints and the scriptures of various faiths are also studied. In these days of communal and sectarian strife, the message clearly sent down in the Sathya Sai system is - there is only one religion, - the religion of love; only one caste - the caste of humanity; and only one language - the language of the heart. The students live this precept out, for the festivals of all religions are celebrated. A student of this system is equally at home singing Christmas Carols, chanting the Vedas and reciting the Suras of the Holy Koran.
An in-depth exposure to Indian culture and spirituality is another exercise that contributes to the success of the EHV programme. Be it Adi Sankara, the Sufis, Buddha, the Thirthankaras or Gandhiji, the students are exposed to everything; and to make the exercise more meaningful, the lessons are driven home through mime, theatre, plays and concerts. Fine arts are also given great importance; for it is art that uplifts and refines man. At the Puttaparthi campus, on every Tuesday, the boys have a fine arts session, aptly named ``Saama,'' when everything ranging from Carnatic music, Kathakali, Bach'n Beethoven, and tribal music & dance are demonstrated and discussed.
The flagship of the Sathya Sai university is the MBA course. Total Quality Management and Re-engineering, the mantras of modern management schools are suitably modified here. TQM translates as ``Total harmony in the quality of thought, word and deed'' and RE as humility combined with co-ordination of head- heart-and-hand for without the former one would not accept the need for change and bench-marking; and without the latter the change would never take place. The cold, market economics usually taught at business schools acquires the warmth of compassion and human values at this institute.
DR. HIRAMALINI SESHADRI
The Hindu, Sept. 12, 2000
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| Who is Superior? |
| 10.06.04 (5:58 am) [edit] |
Who is Superior?
Baba said, "It is not good to dispute and argue, so don’t argue, don’t emulate others" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, ch. X.
Once upon a time the senses quarrelled among themselves as to who was superior, each saying: "I am superior, I am superior."
They went to Prajapati, their father, and said: "Sir, who is the best of us?"
He replied: "He by whose departure the body looks the worst – he is the best of you."
Speech then departed and, having stayed away for a year, returned and said: "How have you been able to live without me?"
They replied: "Like the dumb - not speaking, but breathing with the breath, seeing with the eye, hearing with the ear, and thinking with the mind. Thus we lived." Then speech entered in.
The eye then departed and having stayed away for a year, returned and said: "How have you been able to live without me?" They replied: "Like the blind – not seeing, but breathing with the breath, speaking with the tongue, hearing with the ear and thinking with the mind. Thus we lived." Then the eye entered in.
The ear then departed, and having stayed away for a year, returned and said: "How have you been able to live without me?" They replied: "Like the deaf – not hearing, but breathing with the breath, speaking with the tongue, seeing with the eye and thinking with the mind. Thus we lived." Then the ear entered in.
The mind then departed and having stayed away for a year, returned and said: "How have you been able to live without me?" They replied: "Like children – not thinking, but breathing with the breath, speaking with the tongue, seeing with the eye and hearing with the ear. Thus we lived." Then the mind entered in.
Now, when the breath was about to depart, tearing up the other senses, as a strong horse about to depart might tear up the pegs to which he is tethered, they gathered round him and said: "Sir, remain. You are the best of us, do not depart."
Then speech said to him: "If I am the most prosperous, so are you the most prosperous." The eye said to him: "If I am the firm basis, so are you the firm basis." The ear said to him: "If I am success, so are you the success." The mind said to him; "If I am the abode, so are you the abode."
Hence these are not termed organs of speech or eyes or ears or minds.
They are termed signs of life.
For life itself becomes all these.
(From the Chhandogya Upanishad, XIII. v. 1, Translated by Professor D.S.Sarma)
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| Shirdi Sai Baba's Sayings |
| 10.05.04 (9:36 am) [edit] |
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Shirdi Sai Baba's Sayings
Why fear when I am here?
I am formless and everywhere.
I am in everything and beyond.
I fill all space.
All that you see taken together is Myself.
I do not shake or move.
If one devotes their entire time to me and rests in me, need fear nothing for body and soul.
If one sees me and me alone and listens to my leelas and is devoted to me alone, they will reach God.
My business is to give blessings.
I get angry with none.
Will a mother get angry with her children?
Will the ocean send back the waters to the several rivers?
I will take you to the end.
Surrender completely to God.
If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will gain the supreme goal.
Trust in the Guru fully. That is the only sadhana.
I am the slave of my devotee.
Stay by me and keep quiet. I will do the rest.
What is our duty?
To behave properly. That is enough.
My eye is ever on those who love me.
Whatever you do, wherever you may be,always bear this in mind:
I am always aware of everything you do.
I will not allow my devotees to come to harm.
If a devotee is about to fall, I stretch out my hands to support him or her.
I think of my people day and night. I say their names over and over.
My treasury is open but no one brings carts to take from it. I say, “Dig!” but no one bothers.
My people do not come to me of their own accord; it is I who seek and bring them to me.
All that is seen is my form: ant, fly, prince, pauper.
However distant my people may be, I draw them to me just as we pull a bird to us with a string tied to its foot.
I love devotion.
This body is just my house. My guru has long ago taken me away from it.
Those who think that Baba is only in Shirdi have totally failed to know me.
Without my grace, not even a leaf can move.
I look on all with an equal eye.
I cannot do anything without God’s permission.
God has agents everywhere and their powers are vast.
I have to take care of my children day and night and give an account to God of every paise.
The wise are cheerful and content with their lot in life.
If you are wealthy, be humble.
Plants bend when they bear fruit.
Spend money in charity; be generous and munificent but not extravagant.
Get on with your worldly activities cheerfully, but do not forget God.
Do not kick against the pricks of life.
Whatever creature comes to you, human or otherwise, treat it with consideration.
Do not be obsessed by the importance of wealth.
See the divine in the human being.
Do not bark at people and don’t be aggressive, but put up with others’ complaints.
There is a wall of separation between oneself and others and between you and me. Destroy this wall!
Give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and clothes to the naked.
Then God will be pleased.
Saburi (patience) ferries you across to the distant goal.
The four sadhanas and the six sastras are not necessary. Just have complete trust in your guru: it is enough.
Meditate on me either with form or without form, that is pure bliss.
God is not so far away. He is not in the heavens above, nor in hell below.
He is always near you.
If anyone gets angry with another, they wound me to the quick.
If you cannot endure abuse from another, just say a simple word or two, or else leave.
What do we lose by another’s good fortune? Let us celebrate with them, or strive to emulate them. That should be our desire and determination.
I stay by the side of whoever repeats my name.
If formless meditation is difficult, then think of my form just as you see it here.
With such meditation, the difference between subject and object is lost and the mind dissolves in unity.
If anyone offends you do not return tit for tat.
I am the slave of those who hunger and thirst after me and treat everything else as unimportant.
Whoever makes me the sole object of their love, merges in me like a river in the ocean.
Look to me and I will look to you.
What God gives is never exhausted, what man gives never lasts.
Be contented and cheerful with what comes.
My devotees see everything as their Guru.
Poverty is the highest of riches and a thousand times superior to a king’s wealth.
Put full faith in God’s providence.
Distinguish right from wrong and be honest, upright and virtuous.
Do not be obsessed by egotism, imagining that you are the cause of action: everything is due to God.
If we see all actions as God’s doing, we will be unattached and free from karmic bondage.
Other people’s acts will affect just them. It is only your own deeds that will affect you.
Do not be idle: work, utter God’s name and read the scriptures.
If you avoid rivalry and dispute, God will protect you.
People abuse their own friends and family, but it is only after performing many meritorious acts that one gets a human birth. Why then come to Shirdi and slander people?
Speak the truth and truth alone.
No one wants to take from me what I give abundantly.
Do not fight with anyone, nor retaliate, nor slander anyone.
Harsh words cannot pierce your body. If anybody speaks ill of you, just continue on unperturbed.
Choose friends who will stick to you till the end, through thick and thin.
Meditate on what you read and think of God.
I give my devotees whatever they ask, until they ask for what I want to give.
You should not stay for even one second at a place where people are speaking disrespectfully of a saint.
If you do not want to part with what you have, do not lie and claim that you have nothing, but decline politely saying that circumstancesor your own desires prevent you.
Let us be humble.
Satsang, that is associating with the good, is good.
Dussaya, or associating with evil-minded people, is evil and must be avoided.
What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get.
Recognize the existence of the Moral Law as governing results. Then unswervingly follow this Law.
All gods are one. There is no difference between a Hindu and a Muslim. Mosque and temple are the same.
Fulfil any promises you have made.
Death and life are the manifestations of God’s activity. You cannot separate the two.
God permeates all.
Mukti is impossible for those addicted to lust.
Gain and loss, birth and death are in the hands of God.
When you see with your inner eye. Then you realize that you are God and not different from Him.
Avoid unnecessary disputation.
The giver gives, but really he is sowing the seed for later: the gift of a rich harvest.
Wealth is really a means to work out dharma. If one uses it merely for personal enjoyment, it is vainly spent.
To God be the praise.I am only the slave of God.
God will show His love. He is kind to all.
Whenever you undertake to do something, do it thoroughly or not at all.
One’s sin will not cease till one falls at the feet of sadhus.
Be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred and be quiet.
The Moral Law is inexorable, so follow it, observe it, and you will reach your goal: God is the perfection of the Moral Law.
I am your servants’ servant.
Always think of God and you will see what He does.
Have faith and patience. Then I will be always with you wherever you are.
May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength, goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.
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| Statistics of the Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospitals |
| 10.04.04 (4:35 pm) [edit] |
Statistics of the Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospitals
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthi Nilayam
Cumulative Statistics from 22nd November 1991 to 31st August 2004.
Procedures Done for - Number of Procedures
Heart Surgeries - 14,232
Cath Procedures - 14,538
Urology Surgeries - 24,137
Opthalmology Surgeries - 24,105
CT Scans - 3,839
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences , Whitefield, Bangalore
Cumulative Statistics from 19th January 2001 to 31st August 2004.
Procedures Done for - Number of Procedures
Cardiac Surgeries - 4,682
Cardiac Catheterisation - 8,350
Neuro Surgeries - 4,061
CT Scans - 14,060
MRI Exams - 15,243
Source: Radio Sai E-Magazine October 2004
http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/18Oct 01/Index.htm" title="http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/18Oct 01/Index.htm" target="_blank"http://www.radiosai.org/Journ...
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| Humanitarian Works are changing the World |
| 10.04.04 (11:51 am) [edit] |
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Humanitarian Works are changing the World
Courtesy: Saibaba News http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabanews/" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabanews/" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA
His Universal Message
His Humanitarian Works
An Inspiration To Humanity
You are cordially invited to attend a meeting about a remarkable person whose life, teachings and humanitarian works are changing the world.
Saturday October 9, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Bloor Street United Church 300 Bloor Street West, Toronto
RSVP for confirmed seating: 416 224 8389
No Admission Fee & No Donations
Program
7:00 pm - Welcome & Introductions:
7:10 pm - Speaker: Dr. David Gries, Ph.D.
8:00 pm - Speaker: Dr. Yassin Sankar, Ph.D.
8:30 pm - Film:
‘His Work’ is a moving portrait, highlighting the sweeping scope of humanitarian projects initiated and inspired by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Free super-speciality hospitals, schools, colleges and a university, free drinking water to millions, rural outreach programs – all bear testimony to his selfless and tireless saga of love and compassion
8:50 pm - Closing Remarks
9:00 pm - Conclusion
Speakers
Dr. David Gries, a native of New York, received his doctorate from the Munich Institute of Technology, Germany. Since 1969, except for a few years, he has been on the faculty of Computer Science at Cornell University, USA, serving as Department Chair for five years and currently as Associate Dean of Engineering. Since 1985, Gries has been associated with the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in India, and he generally teaches there for two weeks each year. He is the webmaster of the International Sai Organization website, www.sathyasai.org and is currently Chair of Zone 1 of the International Sai Oraganization.
Dr. Yassin Sankar is Professor of Management in the School of Business Administration at the Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he has been on the faculty for 30 years. He has a Ph.D. in Education from the Johns Hopkins University. He has written several books and articles on technological change, education, human values, and ethics, and management. He is currently in the process of completing two additional books: The Quest for Ethical Leadership, and International Management and Comparative Ethical Systems.
His Life And His Message
Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a highly revered spiritual leader and world teacher, whose life and message are inspiring millions of people throughout the world to turn Godward and to lead constructive and virtuous lives. His timeless and universal teachings, along with the example of his own life, are attracting seekers of Truth from all religions of the world. He was born as Sathya Narayana Raju in 1926 in Puttaparthi, then a remote hamlet in South India. As a child he was brilliant in his studies, but what made him unique was his extraordinary wisdom and compassion. At the age of fourteen, he declared that he would henceforth be known as Sai Baba and that his mission was to bring about the spiritual regeneration of humanity by inculcating love for God and service to all beings. Or over seven decades, his life has been a stirring and moving saga of love and compassion. Today, Prashanthi Nilayam – his ashram (spiritual oasis) in South India – attracts thousands of spiritual seekers from virtually every corner of the globe. This ‘abode of highest peace’ offers solace and inspiration to all who aspire for Peace.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba uplifts man by teaching and demonstrating that man is inherently divine and his nature is selfless love. Quoting the scriptures of various faiths, Baba often reminds us that Love is God and God is Love, and that Love is immanent in the heart of every being. Through his own example, Baba demonstrates how to tap that unfailing Source. He re-emphasizes principles that form the foundation of the world’s major religions: Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Non-violence. He repeatedly exhorts mankind to “Love All, Serve All” and asserts that the essence of all scriptures is “Help Ever, Hurt Never!”
His Work
Sri Sathya Sai Baba uplifts the institutions of mankind through his unique and noble works. The sheer range and scale of the humanitarian projects initiated and inspired by him is unprecedented in modern history. What follows are glimpses of his Love in Action…
Education: Sathya Sai Baba has established a model education system, which includes primary and secondary schools and an accredited university, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, with no fees from the students. It has been hailed as a crown jewel of the Indian education system by leading educators. In addition to academic excellence, Baba’s system of integral education is designed to foster character and self-discipline, for as he often asserts, “The end of education is character.”
Healthcare: Sathya Sai Baba has established four hospitals, two of which provide advanced tertiary care. The hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology and urosurgery, and ophthalmology. To date, thousands of surgeries have been performed absolutely free.
Drinking Water: Starting from the mid-nineties, Sathya Sai Baba has executed massive drinking water projects, bringing much-needed relief to millions of villagers. For these long-suffering people a century-old dream has come true – safe drinking water, available free and throughout the year, right at their doorstep.
Rural Outreach: Every year, the students and staff of Baba’s University fan out into neighbouring villages and spend nearly two weeks distributing food and clothes, house to house, bringing comfort and love. This has inspired similar long-term projects throughout rural India and increasingly in other parts of the world.
Information
The Sri Sathya Sai Organization has a presence in over 100 countries with more than 2000 Centres world-wide, over 50 of which are in various cities across Canada. The centres provide a place to meet, study, and practice the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba. These Centres are engaged in selfless service in their local communities. The Centres also offer devotional meetings with group singing, meditation and prayer. Two programs of character development – Sathya Sai Education in Human Values and Sai Spiritual Education – are offered to children to inculcate the five human values of truth, right conduct, peace, love, and non-violence and to teach the fundamental truths underlying all religions. Such value-based spiritual training is also the basis for the Young Adult Program of the Organization.
For more information about the life and teaching of Sri Sathya Sai Baba or about the Sathya Sai Baba Organization of Canada, please contact
Sri Sathya Sai Baba Book & Information Centre
58-B Arlington Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario, M6G 3K8
Tel: 416-481-7242
www.saibooks.org
www.sathyasai.org
www.srisathyasai.org.in
Where there is righteousness in the heart,
there is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in character,
there is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,
there is order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
there is peace in the world
- Sathya Sai Baba -
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| Sai Baba talks to Russian Ladies |
| 10.04.04 (11:45 am) [edit] |
Sai Baba talks to Russian Ladies
(excerpts)
Om Sri Sai Ram
Prasanthi Nilayam 25.06.2002
Sai Baba: What is a meaning of puja?
Lady: Puja is a worship of God.
Sai Baba: It is not correct. You have to worship God inside, not outside. Don't see God as a picture, see the picture as God. See God in everything.
Sai Baba: Do you have any questions?
Lady: How to find an answer to the question: "Who am I?"
Sai Baba: Think like this. We say: "This is my handkerchief." It means that I am separate from the handkerchief. We say: "This is my body" It means that I am different from my body. "This is my hand". "This is my leg". It means that I am not the hand and not the leg. But who am I? I am the consciousness inside this body. Consciousness is everything. Consciousness is God. But nowadays too many people have body consciousness.
God is one but He has many names. Christians call Him Jesus, Muslims call Him Allah, Hindus call Him Rama, Krishna, Govinda. But God is only one. When a doctor wants to make a blood test, he takes some blood from your finger. But the blood is the same in the shoulder, in the chest, in the leg. You can wear different types of jewelry - bangles, rings, chains, earrings, but the gold is one and the same. All of you here have different names and forms, but all are ladies. Similarly, God is one, path is one, goal is one. If you want to reach the goal you have to stick to one path. Some people go to one lady, then go to another lady. This is not good. There should be one path, one goal.
Now in Russia husband and wife often live separately. They fight with each other. Husband doesn't want to take care of the family.
Ladies have two stomachs. One is for food, another is for baby. In that other stomach often there are some diseases. One man comes and gives his blood. Another man comes and gives his blood, and so on. This blood mixes inside and causes problems. Ladies also take pills to prevent being pregnant. This is another reason for a disease. This is not good. Control your senses and you will not fall sick.
Sai Baba: What do you eat?
Lady: We eat vegetables.
Sai Baba: Very good. Vegetables contain all necessary proteins and vitamins. Vegetables and green stuff are very good. Meat is not good. It is very harmful. Animals eat impure food. Sometimes they eat dead bodies. If you eat non-vegetarian food all this poison goes to your body. Ladies are usually more careful than gents. They eat only good food. But gents go to the restaurants and eat anything. They buy different snacks in the bazaars and in the streets. This food is not good.
Many people nowadays are sick with cancer and TB. But look at the animals. They don't suffer from cancer and TB. Why? Because they eat natural, raw food. Their food is not cooked. Human beings, on the contrary, eat unnatural artificial food.
Lady: Can we eat fish?
Sai Baba: Fish is not good. Nowadays the water in the ocean is polluted. Such countries as Japan and China throw bombs and nuclear waste into the ocean. Fish is therefore gets poisoned and is not good. Do not eat fish.
Sai Baba: It is very important to control your five senses. This is the best sadhana. Meditation and repetition of Gods Name is not necessary. If you control your sense organs just for eleven days you will get Moksha, Mukti, Nirvana, Liberation.
Buddha also did tapas and meditation, visited different teachers and sages but finally he gave up all these practices. He understood that five senses are given to us by God and that we have to control them. He learned to control his senses and in eleven days he reached Nirvana. Once a very bright, effulgent Light came down on him from heaven. Ananda, who was sitting next to Buddha, also saw this light. He understood that Buddha is going and started crying. Buddha asked him: Ananda, why are you crying? Don't cry, I am going to God. My life is fulfilled. Thus Buddha went to God. After some time Ananda also was engulfed in Light and reached the state of Nirvana.
First of all you should control your tongue, eyes and ears. Tongue is the most important among the five sense organs. Many ancient sages observed mauna (period of silence). As a result they were in the state of bliss. Silence is gold. You should talk less.
Sai Baba (addressing one of the ladies): What sadhana are you doing?
Lady: Every morning I meditate on Your Name and Form.
Sai Baba: Very good. During meditation you should look at the tip of your nose, like this (demonstrates). If you keep your eyes fully open, your attention will be easily distracted, this is Raja guna. If you close your eyes completely, you may fall asleep, this is Tamo guna. Therefore you have to keep your eyes half-closed, looking at the tip of your nose. Then you will reach Sattva guna. And you always have to keep your mind here (points at the area between the eyebrows, third eye), and not there (points at the chest). Here is the minds real place. Here is God.
Lady: Why do bad omens come true?
Sai Baba: This is because of your mind. Mind is everything. If you think that something bad should happen, it happens. If you think of something good, then good thing happens.
Don't talk evil, talk what is good.
Don't hear evil, hear what is good.
Don't see evil, see what is good.
Don't do evil, do what is good.
Don't think evil, think what is good.
You are what you think. Yad Bhavam Tat Bhavati (As is the feeling so is the result). If you think you are a man, you are a man. If you think you are God, you are God.
What is mind? Mind is just a bundle of desires. Desires are like luggage in this journey of life. Less luggage more comfort. Therefore reduce the number of your desires, one by one. Take, for example, this handkerchief. It is just a piece of cloth made of threads. If you remove threads one by one, the cloth will disappear. Similarly, if you remove your desires, the mind will disappear.
Sometimes you feel envy, jealousy. This is a quality of a monkey. When you feel jealous, say to yourself: I am not a monkey, I am a man. The jealousy will go. Anger is a quality of a dog. If you feel angry, say to yourself: I am not a dog, I am a man. Then you will be free from anger. Envy, jealousy, hatred, anger - these are all animal qualities. You have to get rid of animal qualities and to develop human qualities Lust is like thorns and love is like a flower, a rose. You have to pluck a flower of love without touching the thorns and offer it to God.
You have to keep your heart pure. Pure heart means pure death. This is very important. Body is a water bubble, mind is a mad monkey. Don't follow the body, don't follow the mind. Follow the consciousness.
Never think that the work you have to do is your work. Consider all your work, all your actions to be an offering to God.
Think of God always. Mira used to spent all her time in the Krishna temple.. Once there came her angry husband and started shouting at her: What are you doing here?! Go home and do your household duties! He forbade her to go to the temple. At first, Mira got very upset. But then she understood that all temples are built by human beings and that body is the only temple built by God Himself. She started worshipping Krishna within her heart. (Swami sings Miras song): O, mind, go to the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna. The point of confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is here, in the center of the forehead. Here is the seat of God. It is not an ordinary seat. It is His coronation seat.
(To a lady who is crying): Why are you crying?
Another lady: She is crying out of love.
Sai Baba: Love is very easy.
Start the day with love
Fill the day with love
Spend the day with love
End the day with love
This is the way to God.
During the interview Swami materialized nine diamond rings, small golden statue of Goddess Lakshmi and a watch.
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| Sai Baba's Miracles |
| 10.03.04 (2:20 pm) [edit] |
Sai Baba's Miracles
Picture of the 'Previous'
Venkamma, the 'sister' was pestering Baba for a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba, about whom so many songs were composed for the Bhajan by Baba, and it seems, He told her that He would be giving it by a certain Thursday. But, Baba went off to Uravakonda on the day previous to the Thursday indicated, and she too had forgotten all about it, for, she as sure she would get it some day and was not very particular. When night fell and all were asleep at Puttaparthi; some one called out, "Ammayi," "Ammayi" outside the front door, but, the sister did not go and open the door, since the call did not persist. She argued it must be some one calling the neighbour. When she laid herself down after the sitting up, she heard a sound, behind one of the bags of jowar in the same room; she imagined it to be a rat or a snake; it was distinct and loud; so, she lit a lamp and searched and, lo, something was sticking out behind the bag, white, sharp, a piece of rolled paper, a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba, mysteriously presented to her by Baba, who was at Uravakonda at the time!
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| Sri Sathya Sai Exhibition on Value Parenting |
| 10.03.04 (9:43 am) [edit] |
Sri Sathya Sai Exhibition on Value Parenting
DO YOU WANT TO UPGRADE YOUR PARENTING SKILLS ?
HERE IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
Venue: Swami Vivekanand High School Auditorium,
Sindhi Society, Chembur.
Date: 3rd to 5th October 2004
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mrs. P. U. Vaswani, Executive Secretary, Vivekanand Education Society, shall inaugurate and grace the function on 3rd October 2004 at 10 a.m.
Please make it convenient to attend the exhibition and enrich yourself as a parent.
Roma Talreja
Sai Ram
The 3rd Sri Sathya Sai Parenting Exhibition will be held at Chembur Vivekananda School as per the schedule and details as above .
This Exhibition is on Parenting called `Sri Satya Sai Parenting exhibition ' was inaugurated in Puttaparthi during last Gurupoornima and held last week in Vashi. The Current Chembur one is the third in the row and it is likely to be taken to other centres as our organisation decides.
A small handout of the display material on request shall be distributed along with the CD publication of this also is under consideration by the organisation.
The current Exhibition held in Chembur Vivekananda School will have the following coordinators (on 2nd/3rd/4th/5th Oct 04)who will handle the matter relating to their domain.
a. Mr.V.Shankar Znl.Cr. - All Volunteers and support services Ph.05229172
b. Ms. Radha Prabhakar/Ms.Jaya Talreja - Guest for Inauguration and school invitations - Ph:25224270
c. Mr.R. Chandrashekar - Exhibition display arrangements etc Ph: 9821482711 (Contents & Design Assistance - Miss Roma )
All are invited to visit the exhibition.
SAIRAM
R.Chandrashekar
Exhibition Coordination group
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| Prof Kasturi and Governor's Birthday |
| 10.03.04 (8:59 am) [edit] |
Prof Kasturi and Governor's Birthday
Prof says once it happened to me. Swami was in Whitefield at that time and the private Secretary of the state Governor was running about to carry a message to Swami. Unfortunately for me, he saw me, and said "Mr. Kasturi, I am glad you are here. I am trying to contact Swami, but not able to do so. Tomorrow is Governor's birthday and He wants to come to offer his homage to Swami tomorrow morning. So Please find out from Swami when he can come.
"My head began swelling! "Ah private secretary of Swami!" I accepted the assignment and asked him to wait. I went inside the bungalow, and waited for Swami being alone. Because, if Swami reprimands me, there should be no witness of my discomfort!
I succeeded in having Him alone, and said "Swami private secretary to Governor" and so on. Swami was furious. He said " Who gave you authority to wag your tail here.
If you wag your tail, I will cut it. Why did you accept the assignment? That man asked you" to find from Swami! Is it a thing to be found out? It is his birthday, he wants to come, and I will have to be ready to receive him, is it? Tell that man that the gate will be open from 6 am to 8 p.m. nothing very remarkable about Governor's visit. It is not such important thing that you bring that message to me.
You got my reply, now go back and tell him. What is all this nonsense? This is what I got. So don't take advantage of closeness and don't allow your head to swell! You should not look down upon others, who have not that chance. You should not try to find out the reason for your being graced so much to be near Him.
Even the slightest wave of egoism in your mind is unspiritual, because Swami is spiritual leader. So every act of His, ever gesture of His, every word of His, is to promote our spiritual progress, to illumine our consciousness, to elevate our consciousness.
Swami Says: "Life is a game of football. You are the ball, and you are bound to be thrown and kicked about, this side and that. How long have you to bear this treatment? Until the air is full in the ball. Deflate it; no one will kick it again. The air that inflates it is ego. When the ego is out, bliss comes in.
Jai Sai Ram
Courtesy: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saidevotees_wor ldnet/" title="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saidevotees_wor ldnet/" target="_blank"http://groups.yahoo.com/group...
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| "Training ground for spiritual life" |
| 10.03.04 (8:39 am) [edit] |
"Training ground for spiritual life"
There was a poor man in a village who had desire to become rich. God took the form of a fortune-teller and told the poor man to dig a pit near the wall at the back of his house to find a rich treasure-trove in it. The poor man did the same and obtained much wealth and thereafter, he became relaxed and careless even for the maintenance of the wealth. Coming to know of his carelessness, one day a thief entered the house and carried away the treasure-trove. The poor man found that his wealth was gone and ran here and there in search of the treasure-trove. In the meantime, the same fortune-teller caught hold of the thief and duly returned the treasure-trove to the poor man. From that moment, he never relaxed his vigilance and was ever guarding the treasure-trove and exerted himself to add to it.
Similarly, God sends a Guru to the Spiritual Aspirant who shows him that God resides within the chambers of the heart in the form of Supreme Bliss. The Spiritual Aspirant exerts himself and attains some measure of success in the sadhana. This success turns his head and makes him relax his efforts. Finding this, Maya overpowers him and carries away his spiritual progress. He suddenly discovers the truth and laments over his fate. The Guru comes to him again and recaptures for him the experiences he had previously gained by Sadhana. He also warns him against relax in Sadhana. Once having known the consequences of non-vigilance, viz., great misery, he never relaxes his vigilance once again.
The basic teaching of our ancient scriptures says that you are child of Immortality (Amrithasya puthraah). Man is not a product of slime or mud but he is the one who manages to live with viveka so that he is able to attain the divinity latent in him. The word 'Man' means - Ma means 'Ajnaana' (basic ignorance), n, na means 'without'. One is called as 'Man', He who is without ignorance, who is wise and who knows himself and knows that he is immortal. Man is frittering his energy on collecting tawdry tensel (Materialistic things) and forgetting the diamonds (God's Grace). Both are available on earth but man is led by glitter and not by worth.
The most desirable form of wealth is the Grace of God i.e., Ishwara anugraha (the Lord's Grace). The bliss that bestows due to God's Grace is experienced by many saints and sages who had faith in their hearts and withstood the onslaughts of poverty, neglect and cruelty. The sky and the sea are blue in colour on account of their vast depth. Similarly, God is described in blue colour because of his greatest mystery. Remove from the heart the darkness of vice and ignorance so that, the Meghashyama (whose colour is that of a rain-cloud) can easily be seen in that white background. Do not further darken your consciousness by blaming God due to your materialistic problems. Better live a moment as hamsa(swan) on milk than live for a century as crow by feeding on carrion.
Man is the repository of vast power. The body encasing you is the means to enable you to realise the Reality. Use the opportunities in the house-holder life as a training ground for spiritual life and develop detachment and self-sacrifice. You must remove the fibrous matter that encases his heart i.e., lust, anger and envy. You must Draw inspiration from the Divine in you and earn the glory by being good, sincere, honest, selfsacrificing and lovable.
Use your tongue for spelling the name of the Lord but not for hissing like a serpent or for growling with intention to strike terror. Do not start blaming the God if your wish is not fulfilled because the fault lies in you for not having the needed qualification to earn the fulfillment. The sorrows of life will yield only to nobler and higher thoughts and experiences. Our dharma insists that every act must be done as efficiently as act of worship and true love must forget all differences of status, age and wealth and man cannot claim humanity without self-control and detachment. Hear good things, see good, do good, think good and uproot all the evil tendencies will be uprooted otherwise, you are like the fool who puts on wrong glasses and spoils his vision.
--SATHYA SAI BABA
Omsai Srisai Jaijaisai
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| Mario Mazzoleni... about good & evil |
| 10.03.04 (8:28 am) [edit] |
Mario Mazzoleni... about good & evil
" To ask whether it is God or the devil who works miracles shows how deeply men are trapped in the snare of dualism. In fact, there is only one Divine Energy, there is only one Inventor of all things, only one Law that governs all. Obviously He is not the direct author of evil, but He is its Witness. In this dualistic play put on by an inscrutable Will, good and evil are two categories that have a precise purpose: to reveal the Principle that gave rise to the whole play, and to lead all things back to the Totality.
In this game, which the capricious human mind rejects as incomprehensible and absurd, the Supreme Principle, the Without-a-Cause, does not enter into the competition. He does not participate in it by rooting for the good, nor does He manipulate events so that the good people are on the winning team. The I Am of the Bible is the Pure and Simple Witness, the Absolute Observer of all happenings, recognized by Him as being perfectly in harmony with His Law. Everything derives from Him. How could He take sides? The distinction between good and evil, ethics, moral codes, all originate from man and vary according to tehe times, the place, the era, and the nation.......
If one understands the term miracle in its proper sense, devils cannot perform miracles, nor can any other creature, but only God."
from a CATHOLIC PRIEST MEETS SAI BABA
page 97-98
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"What description can I find for this generation? It is like
children shouting to each other as they sit in the marketplace:
-We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't be mourners. For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they said,'He is possessed 'The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they said, 'Look a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners."
-Jesus
And these people, in whose name do they cast out their demons?
page 99
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"Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and no town, no household divided against itself can stand. Now if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself, so how can his kingdom stand? And if it is through Beelzebub that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out?" -Jesus
page 97
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"It is foolish for people to think that I am just a man of miracles and no more. The kind of feeling which an elephant gets when a mosquito lands on its body is exactly like what miracles are for me. These miracles have an insignificant place in my totality. Sometimes I feel like laughing at the ignorance
of people when they attach importance to my miracles. People talk of only such small things and forget the much bigger aspect in me." - Sai Baba
page 96
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A Catholic Priest Meets Sai Baba
by Don Mario Mazzoleni
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| You are the Atma, You are not this Body |
| 10.02.04 (2:31 pm) [edit] |
You are the Atma, You are not this Body
Krishna said, "Arjuna, obey my commands. Give up body consciousness. Give it up completely. Stop identifying yourself with your body. The body is full of mucus and filth. You are not this body; it is only temporary and transient. You are the witness, the indweller, the atma inside this body. This six-foot frame is not you. You are the cosmic personality; you are boundless. This body is subject to birth and death. You, however, are the atma which is birthless and deathless. You are not a limited individual, subject to the passage of time. You are that most effulgent form which has conquered and mastered time itself. Discriminate between the permanent and the impermanent! Inquire into wisdom and ignorance! Distinguish between truth and untruth!"
Krishna continued, "Arjuna, recognize your real nature! Censure and praise are associated with the body; they are not permanent. Profit and loss are also associated with the body. They are a result of activity, of karma, but they are not characteristics of your essence, the atma. Be indifferent to all these polarities. Treat joy and sorrow equally. Only when you develop this kind of equal-mindedness, will you be able to realize true fulfillment and become a truly wise being." In this way, Krishna taught Arjuna the highest wisdom, the discrimination between truth and untruth, the recognition of that which is permanent behind all that which is impermanent.
- Sathya Sai Baba
Sai Baba Gita
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| Let all the Poisons emerge Without Interference |
| 10.02.04 (2:24 pm) [edit] |
Let all the Poisons emerge Without Interference
Suppose someone insults you what will you lose by their insult? You should not respond to such insults with any agitation or excitement. If you remain peaceful, all the anger of the other person may freely pour out. But if you try to obstruct others' strong feelings by preventing them from venting their anger, it could possibly lead to a dangerous situation. Consider, as an example, that someone has become sick, that he is feeling quite nauseous and is throwing up the contents in his stomach. What is the reason for his being sick and vomiting? It is because some impurities, some toxic substances have entered his stomach. Wherever there are impurities you will soon find germs or poisons, and along with them come sickness and diminution of health. For this reason, it is most important that no impurities enter your system.
The body is carefully arranged to immediately throw up and expel any toxins that attempt to enter it. When the body reacts naturally by vomiting out the poisons, it would be incorrect to give medicines to stop that vomiting. If medicine is given, the toxins will not be thrown up; instead they will remain in the stomach and soon poison the whole system. Therefore, one should allow all the impurities to come out and not obstruct them by giving medicine which suppresses the nausea. After all the impurities have been thrown up, then one can give some healing medicines.
Once the vomiting and nausea are over, a person will feel very weak. Then he will do whatever you ask; that is when he will obey you. So this is the best procedure to follow when someone is vomiting out poison. The same thing applies whenever someone is very angry and is vomiting out poison, in that form. Let them do it; do not obstruct them. Whatever they want to say, let them say it as long as they want to. Until such time as it all comes out, you should remain peaceful and patient. Why should you subject yourself to a lot of disturbance and excitement? Instead of becoming upset, your patient attitude will actually promote feelings of peace and happiness within you. This itself is the experience of heaven, namely. to maintain your equanimity and compassion under all circumstances. Why should you deny yourself the joy of such heavenly feelings?
Patience is a most important quality. Of all the good qualities a person can have, patience and forbearance rank at the very top. Baba has said a number of times that forbearance is truth, forbearance is righteousness, forbearance is nonviolence, forbearance is happiness. Forbearance really is equal in value to everything that you can find in all the worlds. If a person has forbearance, then he will be able to acquire all the other important qualities such as mind control, sense control, renunciation, fortitude, faith and equipoise. All these make up the state of inner purity.
You use soap and water and powders and perfumes of various kinds to purify yourself externally. In the same way, you develop these six spiritual treasures and put them into daily practice in order to purify yourself internally. Inner purity is extremely important; it is even more important than outer purity. The Lord is ever present both inside and outside. The entire place where the Lord is to be found must be purified and sanctified, both inner and outer. Then the indwelling God will protect you wherever you go.
- Sathya Sai Baba
Sai Baba Gita
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| Baba's Miracle |
| 10.02.04 (1:20 pm) [edit] |
Baba's Miracle
BABA AS BHAKTHA PARAADINA
The facts herein set down clearly demonstrate how one's absolute surrender to Baba blesses one with his infinite and never failing grace which in turn generates all the noble qualities like honesty and courage-honesty to confess one's errors, come what may, and courage to constitute oneself into a majority of one and stare the world in the face, even if it should have, blood-shot eyes! And by no means the least gratifying aspect of the situation is that in the final analysis such a one is seen invariably to come out unscathed, the so-called copy-book maxims incarnating themselves into little giants so to say, and forming an effective bodyguard.
My appointment in the Naval Armament Inspectorate, Khamaria as Examiner-in-charge of the manufacture of various components for a particular defence item involved meticulous planning and provisioning of high-precision gauges to be used at various stages. Since we were embarking upon the job for the first time in India, we had to obtain the blue-prints for the purpose from the British Admiralty. They were in the from of one single schedule catering for the different marks in use including the one being made by us. My boss Lt. Cdr. Rodney Todd by name, trained in England, was quite conversant with the practical aspects of the work. Nevertheless, he left the whole thing to me, both because he felt I could do it and it was the best way for me to learn. The result was I Bungled. Instead of confining my-self to the Particular mark in view, I prepared a demand for gauges for all the marks as given in the schedule. Quite a few of them had to be made in England, Since such sophisticated technology for making the special steel and achieving -the Precision was not then available with us. And so, the list as Prepared by me was forwarded and went through different channels at higher levels without anyone detecting the grievous error.
None of us was wise to the ignominious blunder, least of all myself. It is difficult to imagine what sleepless nights of anxiety and fear of impending doom would otherwise have held me in thrall. For, as will be seen presently, my huge mistake was to cost to the government quite an unnecessary loss of a few lakhs of rupees. This came to light only during the visit of a high-ranking Naval Officer sent to review and report on the progress we were making. While going through the records, he was taken aback to find that we had ordered for so many guages not required for our purpose and he was in a towering rage. He was closeted with my boss whom he squarely took to task for such sheer incompetence amounting to criminal negligence putting the government to the loss of a sizeable amount. What explanation had he to offer for such a disgraceful lapse? And so on.
Sitting in the adjacent room where I could heat everyghing, I felt as if I were the target of the 'slinge and arrows of the outrageous' insults sought to be heaped on thehead of my boss since the actual blame lay at my door. The impact on me of the realisation of the grave magnitude of my stupid error was stunning. I felt the need for courage to speak out the truth. After all, courage and honesty are not things to be put on the shelf, to be used when convenient. They should be the rules of life. Baba sees to it that it is so if one avoids trying to deceive oneself and Him into the bargain. Further, this would not be the first time when an unreserved confession of truth had steered me clear through "the sharks and shoals" of life's ocean.
So, nerving myself up and invoking Baba's grace for my aid, I went and knocked for permission to enter. I went in begging to, be excused for the breach of decorum in thus intruding but nevertheless requesting to be heard. Surprise and annoyance writ large his face, the officer from the NHQ demanded to know what the dickens I meant. I said the statement I wished to make would explain everything. I could see he was arresting his inclination to tell me to get out and asked with obvious jmpatience, "Yes, what, do you wish to say?" "Just one thing sir. I said, "and that is, the responsibility for this unfortunate state of affairs is primarily if not solely mine. Hence, it is I that should take the choking".
This momentarily nonplussed him. Presenlty he asked me authoritatively, "Who is running the show here, Rodney or you?'. "No doubt, he runs the show, sir, "I replied," but may I point out that situation de facto is that he has to take my word for granted for the purpose. This is the first occasion when he has had to regret it." The officer's mood suddenly changed, he seemed a bit overwhelmed by the unexpected turn things were taking. He calmed down, rang for a chair and asked me to sit down.
"Now that you own up responsibility for the sorry mess", he continued, "will you please say how it.happened and why?" "Pure ignorance, sir," I said. "That I can see what a blithering idiot I was, though I acted in good faith. However, I arn not asking for any leniency. I plead guilty to the charge if what is tantamount to criminal negligence1'. Silence reigned in the room for a minute or so. Collecting himself, the officer exclaimed, "Well, I don't know what to do with you, Mr, Ramaswami!
You have so frankly owned up the error for which you alone are not responsible. That calls for the frankness on my part too. I myself was guilty of having committed such blunders when young. "Then, turning to my boss, he continued, "The only thing to do now is to forget the whole affair.
A few lakhs are nothing to he government. We need honesty. I shall recommend for the loss to be written-off". "You can go, Mr, Ramaswami, thank you." He concluded. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realised the full significance of the dramatic manner in which acting in a split second as He always does, Baba had turned the tables to retrieve my position.
Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all
(Adopted from the book Divine Miracle of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba - A record of thrilling experiences of (late) Dr.P.S.Ramaswamy (An ardent devotee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba) This book can be read at www.saileelas.org)
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| Baba's Miracle |
| 10.02.04 (1:20 pm) [edit] |
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Baba's Miracle
BABA AS BHAKTHA PARAADINA
The facts herein set down clearly demonstrate how one's absolute surrender to Baba blesses one with his infinite and never failing grace which in turn generates all the noble qualities like honesty and courage-honesty to confess one's errors, come what may, and courage to constitute oneself into a majority of one and stare the world in the face, even if it should have, blood-shot eyes! And by no means the least gratifying aspect of the situation is that in the final analysis such a one is seen invariably to come out unscathed, the so-called copy-book maxims incarnating themselves into little giants so to say, and forming an effective bodyguard.
My appointment in the Naval Armament Inspectorate, Khamaria as Examiner-in-charge of the manufacture of various components for a particular defence item involved meticulous planning and provisioning of high-precision gauges to be used at various stages. Since we were embarking upon the job for the first time in India, we had to obtain the blue-prints for the purpose from the British Admiralty. They were in the from of one single schedule catering for the different marks in use including the one being made by us. My boss Lt. Cdr. Rodney Todd by name, trained in England, was quite conversant with the practical aspects of the work. Nevertheless, he left the whole thing to me, both because he felt I could do it and it was the best way for me to learn. The result was I Bungled. Instead of confining my-self to the Particular mark in view, I prepared a demand for gauges for all the marks as given in the schedule. Quite a few of them had to be made in England, Since such sophisticated technology for making the special steel and achieving -the Precision was not then available with us. And so, the list as Prepared by me was forwarded and went through different channels at higher levels without anyone detecting the grievous error.
None of us was wise to the ignominious blunder, least of all myself. It is difficult to imagine what sleepless nights of anxiety and fear of impending doom would otherwise have held me in thrall. For, as will be seen presently, my huge mistake was to cost to the government quite an unnecessary loss of a few lakhs of rupees. This came to light only during the visit of a high-ranking Naval Officer sent to review and report on the progress we were making. While going through the records, he was taken aback to find that we had ordered for so many guages not required for our purpose and he was in a towering rage. He was closeted with my boss whom he squarely took to task for such sheer incompetence amounting to criminal negligence putting the government to the loss of a sizeable amount. What explanation had he to offer for such a disgraceful lapse? And so on.
Sitting in the adjacent room where I could heat everyghing, I felt as if I were the target of the 'slinge and arrows of the outrageous' insults sought to be heaped on thehead of my boss since the actual blame lay at my door. The impact on me of the realisation of the grave magnitude of my stupid error was stunning. I felt the need for courage to speak out the truth. After all, courage and honesty are not things to be put on the shelf, to be used when convenient. They should be the rules of life. Baba sees to it that it is so if one avoids trying to deceive oneself and Him into the bargain. Further, this would not be the first time when an unreserved confession of truth had steered me clear through "the sharks and shoals" of life's ocean.
So, nerving myself up and invoking Baba's grace for my aid, I went and knocked for permission to enter. I went in begging to, be excused for the breach of decorum in thus intruding but nevertheless requesting to be heard. Surprise and annoyance writ large his face, the officer from the NHQ demanded to know what the dickens I meant. I said the statement I wished to make would explain everything. I could see he was arresting his inclination to tell me to get out and asked with obvious jmpatience, "Yes, what, do you wish to say?" "Just one thing sir. I said, "and that is, the responsibility for this unfortunate state of affairs is primarily if not solely mine. Hence, it is I that should take the choking".
This momentarily nonplussed him. Presenlty he asked me authoritatively, "Who is running the show here, Rodney or you?'. "No doubt, he runs the show, sir, "I replied," but may I point out that situation de facto is that he has to take my word for granted for the purpose. This is the first occasion when he has had to regret it." The officer's mood suddenly changed, he seemed a bit overwhelmed by the unexpected turn things were taking. He calmed down, rang for a chair and asked me to sit down.
"Now that you own up responsibility for the sorry mess", he continued, "will you please say how it.happened and why?" "Pure ignorance, sir," I said. "That I can see what a blithering idiot I
was, though I acted in good faith. However, I arn not asking for any leniency. I plead guilty to the charge if what is tantamount to criminal negligence1'. Silence reigned in the room for a minute or so. Collecting himself, the officer exclaimed, "Well, I don't know what to do with you, Mr, Ramaswami!
You have so frankly owned up the error for which you alone are not responsible. That calls for the frankness on my part too. I myself was guilty of having committed such blunders when young. "Then, turning to my boss, he continued, "The only thing to do now is to forget the whole affair.
A few lakhs are nothing to he government. We need honesty. I shall recommend for the loss to be written-off". "You can go, Mr, Ramaswami, thank you." He concluded. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realised the full significance of the dramatic manner in which acting in a split second as He always does, Baba had turned the tables to retrieve my position.
Glory be to Shri Shirdi Sai - Grace be to all
(Adopted from the book Divine Miracle of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba - A record of thrilling experiences of (late) Dr.P.S.Ramaswamy (An ardent devotee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba) This book can be read at www.saileelas.org)
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| An Avatar's Words |
| 10.02.04 (9:42 am) [edit] |
An Avatar's Words
Porf. N. Kasturi
Only an Avatar (incarnation of God) could say those words. Lesser souls like seers, spiritual aspirants, great souls ascetics, and realized persons would not have the courage to utter them, and even if they mustered enough strength, the words would not have the ring of authenticity.
About four years ago, I went from Bangalore to Puttaparthi by night train. When I reached the place by 10 A.M. I peeped into the old temple near the village on my way to the new ashram and was shocked by the heavy cloud of sadness that hung over it. Baba” brother –in-law ( as we, with our limited family outlook, do prattle in delusion) Sri Subba Raju, Baba,s sister's husband, who was also his maternal uncle, had passed away the previous evening and was buried late at night.
I had known him as a good and active worker at the Prashanthi Nilayam, with a kind enquiry always on his lips, and so I was overwhelmed with sorrow. I also felt great anguish when I thought of the bereaved lady and her only son, a sweet little boy. With a heavy heart I moved towards the Nilayam, half apprehensive to meet there the stricken brother and nephew (Baba) and doubting all the time whether the words I might use would be enough to express my sorrow and convey my sympathy in front of Him.
The bereaved lady was evidently inside the Nilayam for her lamentation could be heard out side. Dark despair lay thick on every face and all were eagerly watching Baba's lips, waiting for His words.
Since I had not yet heard those words which only an Avatar could say, I had foolishly manufactured on my way to Prashanti Nilayam a sentence of consolation in the conventional style to be spoken to Him. But luckily, before I could commit that sacrilege, Baba looked at me with a be witching smile and, seeing my tears, He said, “Why? What is this? Don’t you know me? If there is no birth and no death, how am I to pass my time? And then He laughed!.
“How am I? … “Birth and death”… pass my time”?…What a profound utterance and before what an audience and against what a background!.
I saw before me not Baba with a physical body 28 years old, but an Avatar of the Lord Himself. Who else could have the courage?. Who else could infuse into those words that true ring of authenticity? Ponder over this, …Brother reader, that is my prayer.
SWAMI says: The principle of Atma is one and same in all, be it yogi or bhogi. A yogi renunciant or varagi. It is present in theists and also atheists, But you are unable to recognize this all-pervasive Divinity. You are undertaking various spiritual practices should confer the awareness that Divinity is all-pervasive just as fire is needed till the rice is cooked, so also the spiritual practices are needed till you realize the innate Divinity…*BABA*
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, April 1958
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| Team from Britain visits City |
| 10.02.04 (7:39 am) [edit] |
Team from Britain visits City
Deccan Herald, http://www.deccanherald.com/" title="http://www.deccanherald.com/" target="_blank"http://www.deccanherald.com/Wednesday, September 29, 2004
BANGALORE, DHNS:
An eleven-member team of the Conservative Parliamentary Friends in India (CPFIN), comprising British parliamentarians, visited Bangalore on Tuesday.
The team is on a ten-day tour of India to promote a better understanding between the people of the two countries. They will also study the economic development of India and its industries.
During their short stay in the City the team visited Biocon, several hospitals and information technology companies including Infosys, Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Conservative Party MP for Mid Worcestershire, Opposition Chair CPFIN and leader of the team, Peter Luff, was particularly impressed with the quality of medical services offered in the hospitals in the City.
Speaking after visiting Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Peter said that while some hospitals offered medical treatment at exorbitant rates, some others offered the same services at no cost at all. “The quality of medical care is remarkable,” said Peter.
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| Chinese weavers eye Satya Sai Baba's saffron robe |
| 10.02.04 (7:31 am) [edit] |
KATHMANDU: After dragons, exotic flora and images of the Buddha, Chinese weavers have turned to a new design for textile exports - Satya Sai Baba, one of India's spiritual gurus.
China has entered the lucrative market of making memorabilia of the 78-year-old Baba, who has millions of followers all over the world, by churning out polyester silk with busts of the godman in orange, yellow and black.
Chinese silks and polyesters are exported to Kathmandu where they are in high demand for garments for tourists as well as the Tibetan diaspora living in the Himalayan kingdom.
Amidst bales of bright coloured cloth in traditional design, there is also the face of the Baba, smiling enigmatically against a white background.
"The Chinese have a quick eye for profit," says Mahendra Shrestha, who has been selling strips containing four images of the Baba for Nepali Rs.100 per strip. "From the traditional designs, they are venturing into any new design they think will have a market."
There are at least two Sai Baba centres in Kathmandu alone. However, there are none in mainland China, the nearest being in Hong Kong.
The Baba, born Satyanarayana Raju, has a sprawling ashram at Puttaparthi, in Andhra Pradesh (India).
The Baba is known by his trademark halo of shoulder-long frizzy hair, saffron robe and hand raised in the posture of conferring blessings.
Photographs, posters and calendars of the Baba are a familiar sight in India and even neighbouring Nepal where senior politicians, army chiefs and even members of the royal family are followers of the miracle man who materialises objects out of thin air and whose
photographs are said to produce 'vibhuti' or sacred ash.
There have been cases of enterprising designers trying to cash in on the exotic and then running into trouble with devotees, like when they used images of Hindu gods on bikinis.
However, it is unlikely that the Chinese design on the Baba will create a similar uproar.
Mahendra Shrestha says: "The cloth with the Baba is thicker than that used to make dresses. It is intended to make wall hangings or, at the most, bags."
Source: Agencies
http://www.bharattextile.com/newsitems/1991956" title="http://www.bharattextile.com/newsitems/1991956" target="_blank"http://www.bharattextile.com/...
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| The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba - Chapter XXIV |
| 10.01.04 (6:31 am) [edit] |
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The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Chapter XXIV
Sai Satcharitha
Baba's Wit and I lumour - Chanak Leela - (1) Hemadpant (2) Sudama (3) Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai.
Preliminary
To say that, we shall state such and such in the next or this Chapter, is a sort of egoism. Unless, we surrender our ego to the feet of our Sad-guru, we will not succeed in our undertaking. If we become egoless, then our success is assured.
By worshipping Sai Baba, we attain both the objects, worldly and spiritual, and are fixed in our true Nature, and get peace and happiness. Therefore, those who want to gain their welfare, should respectfully hear Sai Baba's Leelas or stories and meditate on them. If they do this, they will easily attain the object of their life and get Bliss.
Generally, all people like wit and humour, but they do not like that jokes should be cut at their expense. But Baba's method was peculiar; when it was accompained with gestures, it was very interesting and instructive, and the people, therefore, did not mind, if they were held up to the ridicule. Hemadpant gives his own instance below.
Chanak-Leela
In Shirdi, bazar was held every Sunday, and people from the neighbouring villages came there, erected booths and stalls on the street, and sold their wares and commodities. Every noon, the Masjid was crowded more or less; but on Sunday, it was crowded to suffocation. On one such Sunday, Hemadpant sat in front of Baba, shampooing His Legs and muttering God's name. Shama was on Baba's left, Vamanrao to His right - Shriman Booty and Kakasaheb Dixit and others were also present there. Then Shama laughed and said to Annasaheb - "See that some grains seem to have stuck to the sleeve of your coat". So saying he touched the sleve and found that there were some grains. Hemadpant straightened his left fore-arm to see what the matter was, when to the the surprise of all, some grains of gram come rolling down and were picked up by the people who were sitting there.
This incident furnished a subject-matter for joke. Everybody present began to wonder and said something or other as to how the grains found their way into the sleeve of the coat and lodged there so long. Hemadpant also could not guess how they found an entrance and stayed there. When nobody could give any satisfactory explanation in this matter, and everybody was wondering about this mystery, Baba said as follows :-
Baba - "This fellow (Annasaheb) has got the bad habit of eating alone. Today is a bazar-day and he was here chewing grams. I know his habit and these grams are a proof of it. What wonder is there is this matter?"
Hemadpant - "Baba, I never know of eating things alone; then why do you thrust this bad habit on me? I have never yet seen Shirdi bazar. I never went to the bazar today, then how could I buy grams, and how could I eat them if I had not bought them? I never eat anything unless I share it with others present near me".
Baba - "It is true that you give to the persons present; but if none be near-by, what could you or I do But do you remember Me before eating? Am I not always with you? Then do you offer Me anything before you eat?"
Moral
Let us mark and note carefully, what Baba has taught us, by this incident. He has advised us that before the senses, mind and intellect enjoy their objects, he should first be remembered, and if this be done, it is in a way an offering to Him. The senses etc. can never remain without their objects, but if those objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment for them will naturally vanish. In this way, all the Vrittis (thoughts) regarding Desire, Anger, Avarice etc. should first be offered and directed to the Guru and if this practice be followed, the Lord will help you in eradicating all the Vrittis. When before enjoyment of the objects, you think that Baba is close by, the question whether the object is fit to be enjoyed or not will at once arise. Then the object that is not fit to be enjoyed will be shunned and in this way our vicious habits or vices will disappear and our character will improve. Then love for the Guru will grow and pure knowledge will sprout up. When this knowledge grows, the bondage of body - consciousness (we are the body) will snap and our intellect will be merged in spirit-consciousness (we are the spirit). Then we shall get Bliss and contentment. There is no difference between Guru and God. He who sees any difference in them, sees God nowhere. So leaving aside all ideas of difference, we should regard Guru and God as one, and if we serve our Guru as stated above, Lord (God) will be certainly pleased and purifying our minds He will give us self-realisation. To put the matter in a nut-shell, we should not enjoy any object with our senses etc. without first remembering our Guru. When the mind is trained in this way, we will be always reminded of Baba, and our meditation on Baba will grow apace. The Sagun Form of Baba will ever be before our eyes and then devotion, non-attachment and salvation will all be ours. When Baba's Form is thus fixed before our mental vision, we forget hunger, thirst, and this samsar; the consciousness of worldly pleasures will disappear and our mind shall attain peace and happiness.
Sudama's Story
When the above story was being narrated, Hemadpant was reminded of similar story of Sudama, which illustrates the same priciple and, therefore, it is given here.
Shri Krishna and His elder brother, Balarama, were living with a costudent, named Sudama, in the ashram of their Guru, Sandipani. Once Krishna and Balarama were sent to the forest for bringing fuel. Then the wife of Sandipani sent also Sudama for the same purpose with some quantity of grams for the three. When Krishna met Sudama in the forest, he said to him - "Dada, I want water as I am thirsty". Sudama replied - "No water should be drunk on an empty stomach, so it is better to rest a while". He did not say that he had got grams with him and that He should take some. As Krishna was tired, He lay down for rest on the lap of Sudama and was snoring. Seeing this, Sudama took out the grams and began to eat. Then Krishna suddenly asked him - "Dada, what are you eating, whence is the sound?". He replied - "What is there to eat? I am shivering with cold and my teeth are chattering. I can't even repeat distinctly Vishnu-Sahastra- Nama". Hearing this, the Omniscient Krishna said - "I just dreamt a dream, in which I saw a man, eating things of another, and when asked about this, he said - "What earth (dust) should he eat?", meaning thereby that he had nothing to eat? The other man said - "Let it be so". Dada, this is only a dream. I know that you won't eat anything without Me; under the influence of the dream I asked you what you were eating?" If Sudama had known a bit of the Omniscient, Shri Krishna and His Leelas, he would not have acted, as he did. Therefore, he had to suffer for what he did. Though he was a chum of Shri Krishna he had to pass his later life in utter poverty. But when he later offered Krishna a handful of parched rice, earned by his wife with her own labour, Krishna was pleased and gave him a golden city to enjoy. This story should be remembered by those who have the habit of eating things alone without partaking them with others.
The Shruti also emphasizes this lesson, and asks us to offer things first to God and then enjoy them after they are renounced by Him. Baba also has taught us the same lesson in His inimitable and humorous way.
Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai
Hemadpant, now describes another witty incident, in which Baba played a peace-maker's part. There was one devotee by name Damodar Ghanashyama Babare alias Anna Chinchanikar. He was simple, rough and straightforward. He cared for nobody, always spoke plainly and carried all dealings in cash. Though he looked outwardly harsh and uncompromising, he was good natured and guileless. So Sai Baba loved him. One day, like others serving Baba in their own way, this Anna was, one noon standing prone and was shampooing the left arm of Baba, which rested on the kathada (railing). On the right side, one old widow named Venubai Koujalgi whom Baba called mother and all others Mavsibai, was serving Baba in her own way. This Mavsibai was an elderly woman of pure heart. She clasped the fingers of both her hands round the trunk of Baba and was at this time kneading Baba's abdomen. She did this so forcibly that Baba's back and abdomen became flat (one) and Baba moved from side to side. Anna on the other side was steady, but Mavsibai's face moved up and down with her strokes. Once it so happened that her face came very close to Anna's. Being of a witty disposition she remarked - "Oh, this Anna is a lewd (bad) fellow, he wants to kiss me. Even being so old with grey hair he feels no shame in kissing me." These words enraged Anna and he pulled up his sleeves and said - "You say that I am an old bad fellow, am I quite a fool? It is you that have picked up a quarrel and are quarreling with me". All the persons, present there were enjoying this encounter between them. Baba Who loved both of them equally and wanted to pacify them, managed the affair very skillfully. Lovingly He said - "Oh Anna, why are you unnecessarily raising this hue and cry? I do not understand what harm or impropriety is there, when the mother is kissed?" Hearing these words of Baba, both of them were satisfied and all the persons laughed merrily and enjoyed Baba's wit to their heart's content.
Baba's Characteristics -- His Dependency on Bhaktas
Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way, and did not like any other persons interfering in this. To quote an instance, the same Mavsibai was on another occasion, kneading Baba's abdomen. Seeing the fury and force used by her, all the other devotees felt nervous and anxious. They said, "Oh mother, be more considerate and moderate, otherwise you will break Baba's arteries and nerves". At this Baba got up at once from His seat, dashed His satka on the ground. He got enraged and His eyes became red like a live charcoal. None dared to stand before or face Baba. Then He took hold of one end of the Satka with both hands and pressed it in the hollow of his abdomen. The other end He fixed to the post and began to press His abdomen against it. The satka which was about two or three feet in length seemed all to go into the abdomen and the people feared that the abdomen would be ruptured in a short time. The post was fixed and immovable and Baba began to go closer and closer to it and clasped the post firmly. Every moment the rupture was expected, and they were all dismayed, did not know what to do, and stood dumb with wonder and fear. Baba suffered this ordeal for the sake of His Bhakta. The other devotees wanted only to give a hint to the Mavsibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any trouble or pain to Baba. This they did with good intention, but Baba did not brook even this. They were surprised to see that their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this catastrophe; and they could do nothing but to wait and see. Fortunately, Baba's rage soon cooled down. He left the satka and resumed His seat. From this time onward, the devotees took the lesson that they should not meddle with anybody but allow him to serve Baba as the chooses, as He was capable to gauge the merits and worth of the service rendered unto Him.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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| The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba - Chapter XXIII |
| 10.01.04 (6:26 am) [edit] |
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The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Chapter XXIII
Sai Satcharitha
Yoga and Onion - Shama Cured of Snake - Bite - Cholera Ordinance Broken - Ordeal of Guru-Bhakti.
Preliminary
Really this Jiva (human soul) transcends the three qualities, viz. Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas, but being deluded by Maya, he forgets his nature which is 'Existence-knowledge-blis s', and thinks that he is the doer and enjoyer and thus entangles himself in endless miseries and does not know the way of deliverance. The only way of deliverance is Loving Devotion towards the Guru's feet. The great Player or Actor Lord Sai has delighted His Bhaktas and transformed them into Himself (His nature).
We regard Sai Baba as an incarnation of God for reasons already stated, but He always said that He was an obedient servant of God. Though an incarnation He showed the people the way, how to behave satisfactorily and carry out the duties of their respective stations (Varnas) in this life. He never emulated others in any way, nor asked others to have something done for Him. For Him, Who saw the Lord in all movable and immovable things of this world, humility was the most proper thing. None He disregarded or disrespected; for He saw Narayan (Lord) in all beings, He never said, "I am God," but that He was a humble servant and He always remembered Him and always uttered - "Allah Malik" (God is the sole proprietor or Owner).
We do not know the various kinds of Saints, how they behave, what they do and eat etc. We only know, that by God's grace they manifest themselves in this world to liberate the ignorant and bound souls. If there be any store of merits on our account, we get a desire in listening to the stories and Leelas of the Saints, otherwise not. Let us now turn to the main stories of this Chapter.
Yoga and Onion
Once it so happened, that a sadhak of Yoga came to Shirdi with Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had studied all the works on Yoga, including the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali, but had no practical experience. He could not concentrate his mind and attain samadhi even for a short time. He thought that if Sai Baba be pleased with him, He will show him the way to attain samadhi for a long time. With this object in view he came to Shirdi, and when he went to the Masjid he saw Sai Baba eating bread with onion. On seeing this, a thought arose in his mind - How can this man, eating stale bread with raw onion, solve my difficulties and help me?' Sai Baba read his mind and said to Nanasaheb - "Oh Nana, he who has the power to digest onion, should eat it and none else". Hearing this remark, the yogi was wonder-struck and then he fell at Baba's Feet with complete surrender. With pure and open mind, he asked his difficulties and got their solution from Baba. Thus being satisfied and happy, he left Shirdi with Baba's Udi and blessings.
Shama Cured of Snake-Bite
Before Hemadpant begins the story, he says about the Jiva that it can be very well compared with a parrot, and that they both are bound, the one in the body and the other in a cage. Both think that their present bound state is good for them. It is only when a Helper, i.e., Guru comes and by God's grace opens their eyes and liberates them from their bondage, that their eyes are opened to a greater and larger life, compared to which their former limited life is nothing.
In the last Chapter, it was shown how Baba anticipated the calamity, that was to befall on Mr. Mirikar and rescued him from it. Now let the readers hear a story grander than that. Once Shama was bitten by a poisonous snake. His little finger of the hand was stung and the poison began to spread into the body. The pain was also severe and Shama thought that he would pass off soon. His friends wanted to take him to the God Viroba, where such cases were often sent, but Shama ran to the Masjid -- to His Viroba (Sai Baba). When Baba saw him, He began to scold and abuse. He got enraged and said - "Oh vile Bhaturdya (Priest) do not climp up. Beware if you do so" and then roared - "Go, Get away, Come down." Seeing Baba thus red with wrath, Shama was greatly puzzled and disappointed. He thought that the Masjid was his home and Sai Baba his sole Refuge, but if he was driven away like this, where should he go? He lost all hope of life and kept silent. After a time Baba became normal and calm when Shama went up and sat near. Then Baba said to him - "Don't be afraid, don't care a jot, the Merciful Fakir will save you, go and sit quiet at home, don't go out, believe in Me and remain fearless and have no anxeity". Then he was sent home. Immediately afterwards, Baba sent Tatya Patil and Kakasaheb Dixit to him with instructions to the effect, that he should eat what he liked, should move in the home, but should never lie down and sleep. Needless to say that these instructions were acted upon and Shama got all-right in a short time. The only thing to be remembered in this connection is this - the words of Baba (or the five syllabled Mantra, viz, Go, Get away, Come down') were not addressed to Shama- as it apparently looked - but they were a direct order to the snake and its poison not to go up and circulate through Shama's body. Like others well-versed in Mantrashastra, He had not to use any incantation, charged rice or water etc. His words only were most efficacious in saving the life of Shama.
Any one, hearing this story and other similar ones, will beget firm faith in the Feet of Sai Baba, and the only way to cross the ocean of Maya is to remember ever the Feet of Baba in the heart.
Cholera Epidemic
Once, Cholera was raging virulently in Shirdi. The residents were much frightened and they stopped all communication with the outside people. The panchas1 of the village assembled together and decided upon two ordinances as a remedy to check and put down the Epidemic. They were (1) No fuel-cart should be allowed to come in the village, and (2) No goat should be killed there. If anybody disobeyed these ordinances, they were to be fined by the village-authorities and panchas. Baba knew that all this was mere supersition, and therefore, He cared two pence for the Cholera-ordinances. While the ordinances were in force, a fuel-cart came there, and wanted to enter the village. Everybody knew that there was dearth of fuel in the village, still the people began to drive away the fuel-cart. Baba came to know of this. He came to the spot and asked the cartman to take the fuel-cart to the Masjid. None dared to raise his voice against this action of Baba. He wanted fuel for His Dhuni and so He purchased it. Like an Agnihotri2 keeping his sacred fire alive throughout his life, Baba kept His Dhuni ever burning all day and night; and for this He always stocked fuel. Baba's home, i.e. the Masjid was free and open to all. It had no lock and key; and some poor people removed some wood from there for their use. Baba did not grumble about this. Baba saw that the whole universe was pervaded by the Almighty, and so He never bore enmity or ill-will to anybody. Though perfectly detached. He behaved like an ordinary house-holder to set an example to the people.
Ordeal of Guru-Bhakti
Let us now see, how the second Cholera-ordinance fared with Baba. While it was in force, somebody brought a goat to the Masjid. It was weak, old and about to die. At this time Fakir Pir Mohamad of Malegaon alias Bade Baba was near. Sai Baba asked him to behead it with one stroke, and offer it as an oblation. This Bade Baba was much respected by Sai Baba. He always sat on the right hand of Sai Baba. After the chilim (pipe) was first smoked by him, it was then offered to Baba and others. After the dishes were served, at the time of taking meals at noon, Baba respectfully called Bade Baba and made him sit on His left side, and then all partook of food. Baba paid him also daily Rs.50/- out of the amount collected as Dakshina. Baba accompanied him hundred paces whenever he was going away. Such was his position with Baba. But when Baba asked him to behead the goat, he flatly refused, saying "Why it should be killed for nothing?" Then Baba asked Shama to kill it. He went to Radha-Krishna-Mai and brought a knife from her and placed it before Baba. Knowing the purpose for which the knife was taken, she recalled it. Then Shama went to bring another knife, but stayed in the Wada, and did not return soon. Then came the turn of Kakasaheb Dixit. He was 'good gold' no doubt, but had to be tested. Baba asked him to get a knife and kill the goat. He went to Sathe's Wada and returned with a knife. He was ready to kill it at Baba's bidding. He was born in a pure Brahmin family and never in his life knew killing. Though quite averse to do any act of violence, he made himself bold to kill the goat. All the people wondered to see that Bade Baba, a Mahomedan was unwilling to kill it while this pure Brahmin was making preparations to do so. He tightened his dhotar and with a semicircular motion raised his hand with the knife and looked at Baba for the final signal. Baba said - "What are you thinking of? Go on, strike". Then, when the hand was just about to come down, Baba said - "Stop, how cruel you are! Being a Brahmin, you are killing a goat?" Kakasaheb obeyed and kept the knife down and said to Baba- "Your nectarlike word is law unto us, we do not know, any other ordinance. We remember you always, meditate on Your Form and obey You day and night, we do not know or consider whether it is right or worng to kill, we do not want to reason or discuss things, but implicit and prompt compliance with Guru's orders, is our duty and Dharma".
Then Baba said to Kakaseheb, that He would Himself do the offering and killing business. It was settled that the goat should be disposed of near a place called Takkya, where fakirs used to sit. Then whenthe goat was being removed to that place, it fell dead on the way.
Hemadpant closes the Chapter with a classification of disciples. He says that they are of three kinds : (1) First or best (2) Second or middling and (3) Third or ordinary. The best kind of disciples are those who guess what their Gurus want and immediately carry it out and serve them without waiting for an order from them. The average disciples are those who carry out the orders of their Masters to a letter, without any delay, and the third kind of disciples are those, who go on postponing the carrying out of their orders and making mistakes at every step.
The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant. Control of breath -- ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult practices are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the abovementioned qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the Masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to perfection.
In the next Chapter we will deal with Baba's interesting wit and humour.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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| The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba - Chapter XXII |
| 10.01.04 (6:21 am) [edit] |
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The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Chapter XXII
Rescues from Serpent-bites - (1) Balasaheb Mirikar (2) Bapusaheb Booty (3) Amir Shakkar (4) Hemadpant - Baba's Opinion Regarding Killing of Serpents.
Preliminary
How to meditate on Baba? No one has been able to fathom the nature or the form of the Almighty. Even the Vedas and the thousandtongued Shesha are not able to describe it fully; but the devotees cannot but know and look at the form of the Lord, for they know that His Feet are the only means of their happiness. They know no other method of attaining the supreme goal of life, except meditating on the Holy Feet. Hemadpant suggests an easy way of devotion and meditation as follows:-
As the dark fortnight of every month wears out gradually, the moonlight also wanes in the same degree and on the newmoon day, we do not see the moon at all, nor do we get her light. Therefore, when the bright fortnight begins, people are very anxious to see the moon. On the first day, the moon is not seen and on the second day also she is not clearly visible. Then the people are asked to see the moon through an opening between the two branches of a tree, and when they begin to see through this aperture eagerly and after concentratedly, the distant small crescent of the moon comes, to their great delight, within their ken. Following this clue, let us try to see Baba's Light. Look at Baba's posture, how fine it is! He is sitting with His legs folded,the right leg held across the left knee. The fingers of His left hand are spread on the right-foot. On the right toe are spread His two fingers-the index and middle ones. By this posture Baba means to say, as it were-if you want to see My Light, be egoless and most humble and meditate on My toe through the opening between the two branches-index and middle fingers-and then you will be able to see My Light. This is the easiest means of attaining devotion.
Now let us turn for a moment to Baba's life. Shirdi had become a place of pilgrimage on account of Baba's stay. People from all quarters began to flock there, and both the rich and the poor began to be benefited in more ways than one and in some form or other. Who can describe Baba's boundless love and His wonderful natural knowledge and His all-pervasiveness? Blessed is he, who could experience one or all of these. Sometimes Baba observed long silence which was, in a way, His dissertation on Brahman; at other times He was Consciousness- Bliss Incarnate, surrounded by His devotees. Sometimes He spoke in parables, and at other times indulged in wit and humour. At times, He was quite unambiguous (clear) and at times He seemed enraged. Sometimes He gave His teachings in a nut-shell, at other times He argued at length. Many a time He was very plain. In this way, He gave varied instructions to many, according to their requirements. His life was, therefore, inscrutable, beyond the ken of our mind, beyond our intellect and speech. Our longing to see His face, to talk with Him and hear His Leelas was never satisfied; still we were overflowing with joy. We can count the showers of rain, encircle (tie) the wind in a leather bag, but who can gauge or measure His Leelas? Now we deal here with one aspect of them, viz. how He anticipated or forestalled the calamities of His devotees and warded them off in time.
Balasaheb Mirikar
Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar was Mamlatdar of Kopergaon. He was going on tour to Chitali. On the way he came to Shirdi to see Sai Baba. When he went to the Masjid and prostrated himself before Baba, usual conversation regarding health and other matters commenced, when Baba sounded a note of warning as follows:-"Do you know our Dwarakamayi?" As Balasaheb did not understand he kept quiet, Baba continued - "This is our Dwarakamayi, where you are sitting. She wards off all dangers and anxieties of the children, who sit on her lap. This Masjidmayi (its presiding Deity) is very merciful, she is the mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over. He, who rests in her shade, gets Bliss". Then Baba gave him Udi, and placed His protecting hand on his head. When Balasaheb was about to depart, He again said- "Do you know the "Lamba Bava" (long gentleman), Viz. serpent?" And then closing the left arm like fist He brought it near the right elbow, and moving His left arm like the hood of a serpent, He said- "He is so terrible, but what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi: When the Dwarakamayi (its presiding deity) protects, what can the serpent do?"
All who were present there, were curious to know the meaning of all this and its reference to Mirikar, but none had the courage to ask Baba about this. Then Balasaheb saluted Baba and left the Masjid with Shama. Baba called Shama back and asked him to accompany Balasaheb, and enjoy the Chitali trip. Shama came to Balasaheb, and told him that he would go with him according to Baba's wish. Balasaheb replied that he need not come as it would be inconvenient. Sharma returned to Baba and told Him what Balasaheb said to him. Baba said, "Alright, do not go. We should mean well and do well. Whatever is destined to happen, will happen".
In the meanwhile Balasaheb thought over again, and calling Shama asked him to accompany him. Then Shama going again to Baba and taking His leave started with Balasaheb in the tanga. They reached Chitali at 9 P.M. and encamped in the Maruti temple. The office-people had not come; so they sat quiet in the temple, talking and chitchating. Balasaheb was sitting on a mat reading a newspaper. His Uparani (upper dhotar) was spread across his waist and on a part of it a snake was sitting unobserved. It began to move with a rustling sound which was heard by the peon. He brought a lantern, saw the snake and raised an alarm- 'serpent, serpent'. Balasaheb was frightened and began to quiver. Shama was also amazed. Then he and others moved noiselessly and took sticks and clubs in their hands. The snake got down slowly from the waist and it moved away from Balasaheb; it was immediately done to death. Thus this calamity, which was prophesied by Baba, was averted and Balasaheb's love for Baba was deeply confirmed.
Bapusaheb Booty
A great astrologer named Nanasaheb Dengale told one day Bapusaheb Booty, who was then in Shirdi, "To-day is an inauspicious day for you, there is a danger to your life". This made Bapusaheb restless. When they, as usual, came to Masjid, Baba said to Bapusaheb- "What does this Nana say? He foretells death for you. Well, you need not be afraid. Tell him boldly "Let us see how death kills." Then later in the evening Bapusaheb went to his privy for easing himself where he saw a snake. His servant saw it and lifted a stone to strike at it. Bapusaheb asked him to get a big stick, but before the servant returned with the stick, the snake was seen moving away and soon disappeared. Bapusaheb remembered with joy Baba's words of fearlessness.
Amir shakkar
Amir Shankar was a native of the village Korale, in Kopergaon Taluka. he belonged to the butcher caste. He worked as a commission agent in Bandra, and was well-known there. He once suffered from Rheumatism, which gave him much pain. He was then reminded of God, and so, he left his business and went to Shirdi, and prayed to Baba to relieve him from his malady. Baba then stationed him in the Chavadi, which was then a damp unhealthy place, unfit for such a patient. Any other place in the village, or Korale itself would have been better for Amir, but Baba's word was the deciding factor and the chief medicine. Baba did not allow him to come to the Masjid, but fixed him in the Chavadi, where he got very great advantage. Baba passed via Chavadi every morning and evening; and every alternate day Baba went to the Chavadi in a procession and slept there. So Amir got Baba's contact very often easily. Amir stayed there for full nine months, and then, somehow or other, he got a disgust for the place. So one night he stealthily left the place and came to Kopergaon and stayed in a Dharmashala. There he saw an old dying Fakir, who asked him for water. Amir brought it and gave it to him. As soon as he drank it, he passed away. Then Amir was in a fix. He thought that if he went and informed the authorities, he would be held responsible for the death as he was the first and sole informant, and knew something about it. He repented for his action, viz. leaving Shirdi without Baba's leave, and prayed to Baba. He then determined to return to Shirdi, and that same night he ran back, remembering and muttering Baba's name on the way, and reached Shirdi before day-break, and became free from anxiety. Then he lived in the Chavadi in perfect accordance with Baba's wishes and orders, and got himself cured. One night it so happened that Baba cried at midnight- "Oh Abdul, some devilish creature is dashing against the side of My bed". Abdul came with a latern, examined Baba's bed but found nothing. Baba asked him to examine carefully all the place and began to strike ground with His satka. Seeing this Leela of Baba, Amir thought that Baba might have suspected some serpent had come there. Amir could know, by close and long contact, the meaning of Baba's words and actions. Baba then saw near Amir's cushion something moving. He asked Abdul to bring in the lighht, and when he brought it, he saw the coil of serpent there, moving it head up and down. Thereupon the serpent was immediately beaten to death. Thus Baba gave timelyy warning and saved Amir.
Hemadpant (Scorpion and Serpent)
(1) At Baba's recommendation Kakasaheb Dixit was daily reading the two works of Shri Eknath Maharaj, viz., Bhagwat and Bhawartha Ramayana and Hemadpant had the good forturne to be one of the audience when the reading of the works was going on. Once when a portion from the Ramayana relating to Hanuman's testing Rama's greatness, according to his mother's instructions, was being read, all the listeners were spell-bound. Hemadpant was one of them. A big scorpion (none knew where it came from), jumped and sat on the right shoulder of Hemadpant, on his Uparani (upper dhotar). First it was not noticed, but as the Lord protects those, who are intent on hearing His stories, he casually cast a glance over his right shoulder and noticed it. It was dead silence, not a bit moved here or there. It seemed as if, it also enjoyed the reading. Then by the Lord's grace, Hemadpant without disturbing the audience, took the two ends of his dhotar, folded them, and brought them together, enclosing the scorpion within. Then he went out, and threw it in the garden. (2) On another occasion some persons were sitting in the upper floor of Kakasaheb's Wada, just before nightfall, when a serpent crept through a hole in the window frame and sat coiled up. A light was brought. Though it was first dazzled, yet it sat still and only moved its head up and down. Then many persons rushed there with sticks and cudgels, but as it sat in an awakward place, no blow could be dealt. But hearing the noises of men, the serpent went out hastily through the same hole. Then all the persons there felt relieved.
Baba's Opinion
One devotee named Muktaram, then said that it was good that the poor creature escaped. Hemadpant challenged him saying that serpents should better be killed. There was a hot discussion between them - the former contending that serpents, and such creatures, should not be killed, the latter that they should be. As night came on, the discussion came to an end, without any decision being arrived at. Next day, the question was reffered to Baba, who gave His settled opinion as follows:- "God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be serpents or scorpions. He is the Great Wirepuller of the world, and all beings, serpents, scorpions etc., obey His command. Unless He will it, nobody can do any harm to others. The world is all dependent on Him, and no one is independent. So we should take pity and love all creatures, leave off adventurous fights and killings and be patient. The Lord (God) is the Protector of all.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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| The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba - Chapter XXI |
| 10.01.04 (6:14 am) [edit] |
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The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Chapter XXI
Stories of (1) V.H. Thakur (2) Anantrao Patankar and (3) Pandharpur Pleader.
In this Chapter, Hemadpant relates the stories of Vinayak Harishchandra Thakur, B.A., Anantrao Patankar of Poona, and a pleader from Pandharpur. All these stories are very interesting which if very carefully read and grasped, will lead the readers on to the spiritual path.
Preliminary
It is a general rule, that it is our good luck in the form of accumulation of merits in past births, that enables us to seek the company of Saints and profit thereby. In illustration of this rule, Hemadpant gives his own instance. He was a resident Magistrate of Bandra, A suburb of Bombay, for many years. A famour Mahomedan Saint named Pir Moulana was living there and many Hindus, Parsis and many others who followed different religion used to go to him and take his darshan. His Mujavar (priest) by name Inus pressed Hemadpant many a time, night and day, for going to see him, but for some reason or other he was not able to see him. After many years his turn came and he was called to Shirdi where he was permanently enlisted in Sai Baba's Darbar. Unfortunate fellows do not get this contact of the Saints. It is only the fortunate ones that get it.
Institution of Saints
There have been institutions of Saints in this world, from time immemorial. Various Saints appear (incarnate) themselves in various places to carry out the missions allotted to them, but though they work in different places, they are, as it were, one. They work in unison under the common authority of the Almighty Lord and know full well what each of them is doing in his place, and supplement his work where necessary. An instance illustrating this is given below.
Mr. Thakur
Mr. V.H.Thakur, B.A., was a clerk in the Revenue Department and he once came to a town named Vadgaum near Belgaum (S.M. Country) along with a Survey party. There he saw a Kanarese Saint (Appa) and bowed before him. The Saint was explaining a portion from the book "Vichar-Sagar" of Nischaldas (a standard work on Vedanta) to the audience. When Thakur was taking his leave to go, he said to him, "you should study this book, and if you do so, your desires will be fulfilled, and when you go to the North in the discharge of your duties in future, you will come across a great Saint by your good luck, and then he will show you the future path, and give rest to your mind and make you happy".
Then, he was transferred to Junnar, where he had to go by crossing Nhane Ghat. This Ghat was very steep and impassible, and no other conveyance, than a buffalo was of use in crossing it. So he had to take a buffalo-ride through the Ghat, which inconvenienced and pained him much. Thereafter, he was transferred to Kalyan on higher post, and there he became acquainted with Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He heard much about Sai Baba from him and wished to see Him. Next day, Nanasaheb had to go to Shirdi, and he asked Thakur to accompany him. He could not do so as he had to attend the Thana Civil Court for a civil case. So Nanasaheb went alone. Thakur went to Thana, but there the case was postponed. Then, he repented for not accompanying Nanasaheb. Still he left for Shirdi and when he went there, he found that Nanasaheb had left the place the previous day. Some of his other friends, whom he met there, took him to Baba. He saw Baba, fell at His Feet and was overjoyed. His eyes were full of tears of joy and his hair stood on end. Then after a while the omniscient Baba said to him - "The path of this place is not so easy as the teaching of the Kanarese Saint Appa or even as the buffalo-ride in the Nhane Ghat. In this spiritual path, you have to put in your best exertion as it is very difficult". When Thakur heard these significant signs and words, which none else than he knew, he was overwhelmed with joy. He came to know, that the word of the Kanarese Saint had turned true. Then joining both hands and placing his head on Baba's Feet, he prayed that he should be a accepted and blessed. Then Baba said - "What Appa told you was all right, but these things have to be practised and lived. Mere reading won't do. You have to think and carry out what you read, otherwise, it is of no use. Mere book-learning, without the grace of the Guru, and self-realization is of no avail". The theoretical portion was read from the work Vichar Sagar' by Thakur, but the practical way was shown to him at Shirdi. Another story given below will bring out this truth more forcibly.
Anantrao Patankar
One gentleman from Poona, by name Anantrao Patankar wished to see Baba. He came to Shirdi, and took Baba's darshan. His eyes were appeased, he was much pleased. He fell at Baba's Feet; and after performing proper worship said to Baba - "I have read a lot, studied Vedas, Vedants and Upanishads and heard all the Purnas, but still I have not got any peace of mind; so I think that all my reading was useless. Simple ignorant devout persons are better than myself. Unless the mind becomes calm, all book-learning is of no avail. I have heard, from many people, that you easily give peace of mind to so many people by your mere glance, and playful word; so I have come here; please take pity on me and bless me". Then Baba told him a parable, which was as follows:-
Parable of Nine Balls of Stool (Nava-vidha Bhakti)
"Once a Soudagar (merchant) came here. Before him a mare passed her stool (nine balls of stool). The merchant, intent on his quest, spread the end of his dhotar and gathered all the nine balls in it, and thus he got concentration (peace) of mind".
Mr. Patankar could not make out the meaning of this story; so he asked Ganesh Damodar, alias Dada Kelkar, "What does Baba mean by this?" He replied - "I too do not know all that Baba says and means, but at His inspiration I say, what I come to know. The mare is God's grace and the nine balls excreted are the nine forms or types of Bhakti, viz., (1) Shravana (Hearing); (2) Kirtana (Praying); (3) Smarana (Remembering); (4) Padasevana (resorting to the feet); (5) Archana (Worship); (6) Namaskara (Bowing); (7) Dasya (Service); -8- Sakhyatva (Friendship); (9) Atmanivedana (surrender of the self). These are the nine types of Bhakti. If any of these is faithfully followed, Lord Hari will be pleased, and manifest Himself in the home of the devotee. All the sadhanas, viz. Japa (vocal worship), Tapa (penance), Yoga practice and studying the scriptures and expounding them are quite useless unless they are accompanied by Bhakti, i.e., devotion. Knowledge of the Vedas, or fame as a great Jnani, and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is wanted is Loving Devotion. Consider yourself as the merchant or seeker after the truth and be anxious and eager like him to collect or cultivate the nine types of devotion. Then you will attain stability and peace of mind".
Next day, when Patankar went to Baba for saluation, he was asked whether he collected the 'nine balls of stool'. Then he said that he, being a poor fellow, should first be graced by Baba, and then they will be easily collected. Then Baba blessed and comforted him, saying that he would attain peace and welfare. After hearing this, Patankar became overjoyed and happy.
The Pandharpur Pleader
We shall close this Chapter with short story showing Baba's omniscience and His using it for correcting people and setting them on the right path. Once a pleader from Pandharpur came to Shirdi, went to the Masjid, saw Sai Baba, fell at His Feet and, without being asked, offered some Dakshina, and sat in a corner eager to hear the talk, that was going on. Then Baba turned His face towards him and said - "How cunning the people are! They fall at the feet, offer Dakshina, but inwardly give abuses behind the back. Is not this wonderful?" This cap (remark) fitted the pleader and he had to wear (take) it. None understood the remark. The pleader grasped it, but kept silent. When they returned to the Wada, the pleader said to Kakasaheb Dixit - "What Baba remarked was perfectly right. The dart (remark) was aimed at me, it was a hint to me, that I should not indulge in reviling or scandalizing others (calling by names). When the subjudge or munsiff of Pandharput (Mr.Noolkar) came and stayed here for the improvement of his health, a discussion about this matter was going on in the bar-room at Pandharpur (as it ever happens in many a bar-room). It was said or discussed there whether the ailments, from which the sub-judge suffered were, ever likely to be got rid of without medicines, by merely going after Sai Baba, and whether it was proper for an educated man, like the sub-judge, to have recourse to such methods. The sub-judge was taken to task, i.e. he was ciritisied, as also Sai Baba. I also took some part in this affair; and now Sai Baba showed the impropriety of my conduct. This is not a rebuke to me, but a favour, an advice that I should not indulge in any scandal or slander of others; and not interfere unnecessarity in others' affairs".
Shirdi is about 100 Koss (Koss=3 miles) distant from Pandharpur; still Baba by His omniscience knew what transpired there in the bar-room. The intervening places -- rivers, jungles and mountains - were not a bar to His all-perceiving sight and He could see or read the hearts of all. There was nothing secret or veiled from Him. Everything, far or near, was plain and clear to Him as broad as daylight. Let a man be far or near, he cannot avoid the all-pervading gaze of Sai Baba. From this incident, the pleader took the lesson that he should never speak ill of others, nor unnecessarily criticize them. This his evil tendency was completely got rid of, and he was set on the right path.
Though the story refers to a pleader, still it is applicable to all. All should, therefore, take this lesson to heart and profit thereby.
Sai Baba's greatness is unfathomable, so are His wonderful Leelas. His life is also such; for He is Para-Brahman (Lord God) incarnate.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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| The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba - Chapters XVIII, XIX & XX |
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The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Sai-Satcharitra
Chapter XVIII, XIX & XX
How Hemadpant was Accepted and Blessed
Stories of Mr. Sathe and Mrs. Deshmukh - Encouraging Good Thoughts to Fruition-Variety in Upadesh-Teachings Readings Slander, and Remuneration for Labour.
In the last two Chapters, Hemadpant described, how a rich gentleman, aspiring for quick Brahma-Jnana, was treated by Baba, and now in these two Chapters, he describes how Hemadpant, himself, was accepted and blessed by Baba, how Baba encouraged good throughts and fructified them; and gives His teachings regarding Self-improvement, slander and remuneration for labour.
Preliminary
It is a well-known fact, that the Sadguru looks first to the qualifications of his disciples; and then gives them suitable instructions, without unsettling their minds in the least, and leads them on towards the goal of self-realization. In this respect, some say that what the Sadguru teaches or instructs, should not be divulged to others. They think that their instructions, become useless, if they are published. This view is not correct. The Sadguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours down profusely, i.e., scatters widely his nectar-like teachings. These, we should enjoy and assimilate to our heart's content; and then serve others with them, without any reserve. This rule should apply, not only to what he teaches in our waking state, but to the visions he gives us in our dreams. To quote an instance: Budhakowshik Rishi composed his celebrated Ram-raksha stotra, which he had seen in his dream.
Like a loving mother forcing bitter but wholesome medicines down the throats of her children for the sake of their health, Sai Baba imparted spiritual instructions to His devotees. His method was not veiled or secret, but quite open. The devotees who followed His instructions got their object. Sad-gurus like Sai Baba open our (eyes of the) intellect and show us the divine beauties of the Self, and fulfill our tender longings of devotion. When this is done, our desire for sense-objects vanishes, twin fruits of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassion or non-attachment) come to our hands; and knowledge sprouts up even in the sleep. All this we get, when we come in contact with Saints (Sad-guru), serve them and secure their love. The Lord, who fulfills the desires of His devotees, comes to our aid, removes our troubles and sufferings, and makes us happy. This progress or development is entirely due to the help of the Sadguru, who is regarded as the Lord Himself. Therefore, we should always be after the Sad-guru, hear His stories, fall at His Feet and serve Him. Now we come to our main story.
Mr. Sathe
There was a gentleman named Mr. Sathe, who had attained some publicity many year ago during Crowford Regime, which was put down by Lord Reay, the then Governor of Bombay. He suffered servere losses in trade. Other adverse circumstances gave him much trouble, and made him sad and dejected. Being restless, he thought of leaving home; and going out to a distant place. Man does not generally think of God, but when difficulties and calamities overtake him, he turns to Him and prays for relief. If his evil actions have come to an end, God arranges his meeting with a Saint, who gives him proper directions regarding his welfare. Mr. Sathe had similar experience. His friends advised him to go to Shirdi, where so many people were flocking to get Sai Baba's darshan, for getting peace of mind and the satisfaction of their wants. He liked the idea, and at once came to Shirdi in 1917. Seeing Baba's Form, which was like Eternal Brahma, Self-luminous, Spotless and Pure, his mind lost its restlessness and became calm and composed. He thought, that it was the accumulation of merits in his former births, that brought him to the Holy Feet of Baba. He was a man of strong will. He at once started to make a parayana (study) of Guru-charitra. When the reading was finished in the saptaha (seven days), Baba gave him a vision that night. It was to this effect: Baba with Guru-charitra in His hand was explaining its contents to Mr. Sathe, who was sitting in front and listening carefully. When he woke up, he remembered the dream and felt very happy. He thought that it was extremely kind of Baba. Who awakens souls like his that are snoring in ignorance, and makes them taste the nectar of Guru-charitra. Next day, he informed Kakasaheb Dixit of this vision, and requested him to consult Sai Baba regarding its meaning or significance -- whether one saptah (week's) reading was sufficient or whether he should begin again. Kakasaheb Dixit, when got a suitable opportunity, asked Baba- "Deva (Oh God), what did you suggest to Mr.Sathe by this vision? Whether he should stop or continue the saptah? He is a simple devotee, his desire should be fulfilled and the vision explained to him and he should be blessed." Then Baba replied - ‘He should make one more saptah of the book; if the work be studied carefully, the devotee will become pure and will be benefited, the Lord will be pleased and will rescue him from the bondage of the mundane existence."
At this time, Hemadpant was present there. He was shampooing Baba's Legs. When he heard Baba's words, he thought in his mind as follows - "What! Mr. Sathe read for a week only and got a reward; and I am reading it for forty years with no result! His seven days' stay here becomes fruitful while my seven years' stay (1910 to m1917) goes for nothing. Like a Chatak bird I am ever waiting for the Merciful Cloud (Baba) to pour its nectar on me; and bless me with His instructions." No sooner did this thought cross his mind, Baba knew it then and there. It was the experience of the Bhaktas that Baba read and understood all their thoughts, and that He suppressed the evil thoughts and encouraged the good ones. Reading Hemadpant's mind Baba at once asked him to get up, go to Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande), get from him Rs. 15/- as Dakshina, sit and chitchat with him for a while and then return. Mercy dawned in Baba's mind, and so he issued this order. And who could disobey Baba's order?
Hemadpant immediately left the Masjid and came to Shama's house. He had just bathed, and was wearing a dhotar. He came out and asked Hemadpant - "How is it that you are here now? It seems that you have come from the Masjid. Why do you look restless and dejected? Why are you alone? Please sit and rest, while I shall just do my worship and return: in the meanwhile you please take pan-vida (leaves and betel nuts etc.) let us then have a pleasant chat." After saying his, he went inside and Hemadpant sat alone in the front varandah. He saw in the window a wellknown Marathi book named 'Nath-Bhagwat.' This is a commentary by the Saint Ekanath, on the eleventh Skandha (chapter) of the bigger Sanskrit work, the Bhagwat. At the suggestion or recommendation of Sai Baba, Messrs. Bapusaheb Jog and Kakasaheb Dixit read daily in Shirdi, BhagwadGeeta with its Marathi commentary named Bhawartha-Deepika or Jnaneshwari (A dialogue between Krishna and His friend devotee Arjuna) and Nath Bhagwat (A dialogue between Krishna and His servant devotee Uddhava) and also Ekanath's othe big work, viz. Bhawartha Ramayana. When devotees came to Baba and asked Him certain questions. He sometimes answered them in part, and asked them to go and listen to the readings of the above-mentioned works, which are the main treatises of Bhagwat Dharma. When the devotes went and listened, they got full and satisfactory replies to their questions. Hemadpant also used to read daily some portions of the book Nath-Bhagwat.
That day, he did not complete the daily portion of his reading, but had left it unfinished in order to accompany certain devotees, who were going to the Masjid. When he took up the book from Shama's window and casually opened, it, he found, to his surprise, that the unfinished portion turned up. He thought that Baba sent him very kindly to Shama's house for enabling him to complete his daily reading. So he went throught the unfinished portion and completed it. As soon as this was over, Shama, after doing his worship came out, and the following conversation took place between them.
Hemadpant :- I have come with a message from Baba. He has asked me to return with Rs. 15/- as Dakshina from you, also to sit with you for a while and have a pleasant chitchat and then return to the Masjid with you.
Shama (with surprise):- I have no money to give. Take my 15 Namaskaras (bows) in lieu of rupees as Dakshina, to Baba.
Hemadpant:- Alright, your Namaskaras are accepted. Now let us have some chitchat. tell me some stories and Leelas of Baba, which will destroy our sins.
Shama:- Then sit here for a while. Wonderful is the sport (Leela) of this God (Baba). You know it already. I am a village rustic, while you are an enlightened citizen. You have seen some more Leelas since your coming here. How should I describe them before you? Well, take these leaves, betel nut and chunam and eat the pan-vida; while I go in, dress myself and come out.
In a few minutes Shama come out and sat talking with Hemadpant. He said - "The Leela of this God (Baba) is inscrutable; there is no end to His Leelas. Who can see them? He plays or sports with His Leelas, still He is outside of (unaffected by) them. What do we rustics know? Why does not Baba Himself tell stories? Why does He send learned men like you to fools like me? His ways are inconceivable. I can only say, that they are not human." With this preface Shama added, - "I now remember a story, which I shall relate to you. I know it personally. As a devotee is resolute and determined, so is Baba's immediate response. Sometimes Baba puts the devotees to sereve test; and then gives them 'Upadesh' (instructions)."
As soon as Hemadpant heard the word 'Upadesh', a flash of lightning crossed, through his mind. He at once remembered the story of Mr. Sathe's Guru-charitra reading and thought that Baba might have sent him to Shama, in order to give peace to his restless mind. However, he curbed this feeling, and began to listen to Shama's stories. They all showed how kind and affectionate Baba was to His devotees. Hemadpant began to feel a sort of joy while hearing them. Then Shama began to tell the following story.
Mrs. Radhabai Deshmukh
There was an old woman by name Radhabai, She was the mother of one Khashaba Deshmukh. Hearing Baba's fame, she came to Shirdi with the people of Sangamner. She took Baba's darshan and was much satisfied. She loved Baba intimately and resolved in her mind, that She should accept Baba as her Guru, and take some Upadesh from Him. She knew nothing else. She determined to fast herself unto death, so long as Baba did not accept her, and give her any Upadesh or Mantra. She stayed in her lodging and left off taking any food or water for three days. I was frightened by this ordeal of the old woman, and interceded with Baba on her behalf. I said, "Deva, what is this You have started? You drag so many persons here. You know that old lady. She is very obstinate and depends on You entirely, She has resolved to fast unto death, if You don't accept and instruct her. If any thing worse happens, people will blame You, and say that Baba did not instruct her, and consequently she met her death. So take some mercy on her, bless her and instruct her." On seeing her determination, Baba sent for her, changed the turn of her mind by addressing her as follows:-
"Oh mother, why are you subjecting yourself to unnecessary tortures and hastening your death? You are really My Mother and I am your child. Take pity on Me and hear Me through. I tell you My own story, which if you listen carefully, will do you good. I had a Guru. He was a great Saint and most merciful. I served him long, very long; still he would not blow any Mantra into My ears. I had a keen desire, never to leave him but to stay with and serve him; and at all costs receive some instructions from him. But he had his own way. He first got my head shaved and asked Me two pice as Dakshina. I gave the same at once. If you say that as My Guru was perfect, why should he ask for money and how should he be called desireless? I replied plainly that he never cared for coins. What had he to do with them? His two pice were (1) Firm Faith and (2) Patience or perseverance. I gave these two pice or things to him, and he was pleased.
"I resorted to My Guru for 12 years. He brought Me up. There was no dearth of food and clothing. He was full of love nay, he was love incarnate. How can I describe it? He loved Me most. Rare is a Guru like him. When I looked at him, he seemed as if he was in deep meditation, and then we both were filled with Bliss. Night and day, I gazed at him with no thought of hunger and thirst. Without him, I felt restless. I had no other object to meditate, nor any other thing than My Guru to attend. He was My sole refuge. My mind was always fixed on him. This is one pice Dakshina. Saburi (Patience or perseverance) is the other pice. I waited patiently and very long on My Guru and served him. This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence. Saburi is manliness in man, it removes all sins and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways, and casts aside all fear, and ultimately gives you success. Saburi is the mine of virtues, consort of good thought. Nishtha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) are like twin sisters, loving each other very intimately."
"My Guru never expected any other thing from Me. He never neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. I lived with him, and was sometimes away from him; still I never felt the want or absence of his love. He always protected Me by his glance, just as the tortoise feeds her young ones, whether they are near her or away from her on the other side of the river bank, by her loving looks. Oh mother, My Guru never taught Me any Mantra, then how shall I blow any Mantra in your ears? Just remember that Guru's tortoise-like loving glance gives us happiness. Do not try to get Mantra or Upadesh from anybody. Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and actions; and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life). Look at Me whole-heartedly, and I in turn look at you similarly. Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth, nothing but the truth. No Sadhanas, nor proficiency in the six Shastras, are necessary. Have faith and confidence in your Guru. Believe fully, that Guru is the sole Actor or Doer. Blessed is he who knows the greatness of his Guru and thinks him to be Hari, Hara and Brahma (Trimurti) Incarnate."
Instructed in this way, the old lady was convinced; she bowed to Baba and gave up her fast.
Hearing this story carefully and attentively, and marking its significance and appropriateness, Hemadpant was most agreeably surprised. Seeing this wonderful Leela of Baba, he was moved from top to toe, he was overflowing with joy, his throat was choked, and he was not able to utter a single word. Shama, on seeing him in this condition asked him, - "What is the matter with you, why are you silent? How many innumerable Leelas of Baba shall I describe!"
Just at that time the bell in the Masjid began to ring, proclaiming that the noon-worship and Arati ceremony had begun. Therefore, Shama and Hemadpant hurried to the Masjid. Bapusaheb Jog had just started the worship. Women were up in the Masjid, and men were standing below in the open courtyard and they were all loudly singing the Arati in chorus to the accompaniment of drums. Shama went up, pulling Hemadpant with him. He sat to the right and Hemadpant in front of Baba. On seeing them, Baba asked Hemadpant to give the Dakshina brought from Shama. He replied that Shama gave Namaskaras in lieu of Rupees and that he was there in person. Baba said, "Alright, now let Me know whether you both had a chitchat, and if so, tell Me all that you talked about." Not minding the sounds of the bell, the drum and the chorus songs, Hemadpant was eager to tells what they had talked and started to narrate it. Baba was also anxious to hear, and so He left the bolster and leaned forward. Hemadpant said all that they talked about was very pleasant, and that specially the story of the old lady was most wonderful and that on hearing it, he thought that His Leela was inexplicable, and under the guise of that story, He really blessed him. Baba then said - "Wonderful is the story. How were you blessed? I would like to know everything in detail from you, so tell Me all about it." Then Hemadpant related in full the story which he had heard a little while before, and which had made a lasting impression on his mind. Hearing this Baba was much pleased and asked him - "Did the story strike you and did you catch its significance?" He replied - "Yes, Baba the restlessness of my mind has vanished and I have got true peace and rest, and come to know the true path."
Then Baba spoke as follows:- "My method is quite unique. Remember well, this one story, and it will be very useful. To get the knowledge (realization) of the Self, Dhyana (meditation) is necessary. If you practice it continuously, the Vrittis (thoughts) will be pacified. Being quite desireless, you should meditate on the Lord, Who is in all the creatures, and when the mind is concentrated, the goal will be achieved. Meditate always on My formless nature, which is knowledge incarnate, consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on My Form from top to toe as you see here night and day. As you go on doing this, your Vrittis will concentrate on one point and the distinction between the Dhyata (meditator), Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya (this meditated upon) will be lost and the meditator will be one with the Consciousness and be merged in the Brahman. The (mother) tortoise is on one bank of the river, and her young ones are on the other side. She gives neither milk, nor warmth to them. Her mere glance gives them nutrition. The young ones do nothing, but remember (meditate upon) their mother. The tortoise glance is, to the young ones, a downpour of nectar, the only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar is the relation, between the Guru and disciples."
When Baba uttered these last words, the chorus of the Arati songs stopped and all cried out loudly in one voice: "Victory be to our Sadguru Sai Maharaj, Who is Existence, Knowledge and Bliss." Dear readers, let us imagine, that we are at this time, standing amongst the crowd in the Masjid; and let us join them in this Jayajayakar.
After the Arati ceremony was over, Prasad was distributed. Bapusaheb Jog advanced as usual, and after saluting Baba, gave into His hand a handful of sugar-candy. Baba pushed all this quantity into the hands of Hemadpant and said to him, "If you take this story to heart and remember it well, your state will be sweet as the sugar-candy, all your desires will be fulfilled and you will be happy." Hemadpant bowed before Baba and implored, "Do favour me like this, bless and protect me always." Baba replied - "Hear this story, meditate on it and assimilate its spirit. Then you will always remember and meditate on the Lord, Who will manifest Himself to you."
Dear readers! Hemadpant got Prasad of sugar-candy then; and we now get the Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar of this story. Let us drink it to out heart's content, meditate on it, and assimilate it, and be strong and happy by Baba's grace. Amen!
Towards the end of the 19th Chapter Hemapter Hemadpant had dealt with some other matters which are given below.
Baba's Advice Regarding our Behaviour
The following words of Baba are general and invaluable. If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do you good. "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them, with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you, and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him, like a dog. Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy. Let the world go topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing or staying in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you. Demolish the wall of difference that separates you from Me; and then the road for our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation, as I and thou, is the barrier that keeps away the disciple from his Master, and unless that is destroyed the state of union or atonement is not possible, "Allah Malik" i.e. God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His method of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart's desires. It is on account of Rinaubandh (former relationship) that we have come together, let us love and serve each other and be happy. He, who attain the supreme goal of life, is immortal and happy; all others merely exist, i.e., live so long as they breathe".
Encouraging Good Thoughts of Fruition
It is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good thoughts. You have to surrender yourself completely to Him with love, and devotion, and they you will see how, He helps you, off and on, in so many things. Some Saint has said, that when you get a good thought, immediately after awakening from sleep, and if you develop the same afterwards during the day, your intellect will be unfolded and your mind will attain calmness. Hemadpant wanted to try this. On one Wednesday night before going to bed, be thought - "To-morrow is Thursday - an auspicious day and the place, viz. Shirdi, is so holy; so let me pass the whole day in remembering and chanting the Rama-nama, and then he slept. Next morning when he got up he remembered without any effort the name of Rama and was much pleased. He then, after finishing his morning duties, went to see Baba with flowers. When he left Dixit's Wada, and was just passing Booty's Wada (present Samadhi-mandir) he heard a beautiful song that was being sung nicely by one Aurangabadkar, in the Masjid before Baba. The song was Guru - kripanjan payo mere bhai" etc. by Ekanath, in which he says that he got collyrium in the form of Guru's grace which opened his vision and made him see Rama, in and out, in sleep, dream, and waking state and everywhere. There were so many songs; and why was this song particularly chosen by Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba? Is this not a curious coincidence arranged by Baba to feed the determination of Hemadpant to sing unceasingly Rama-nama, during the day?
All Saints agree on and lay stress upon the efficacy of uttering Rama's (God's) name, in fulfilling the ambitions of the Bhaktas and in protecting and saving them from all calamities.
Variety in Upadesh -- Slanderer Condemned
Sai Baba required no special place, nor any special time for giving instructions. Whenever any occasion demanded, He gave them freely. Once it so happened that a Bhakta of Baba, reviled another behind his back, before other people. On leaving aside merits, he dwelt on the faults of his brother, and spoke so sarcastically, that the hearers were disgusted. Generally, we see that people have a tendency to scandalize others, unnecessarily; and this brings on hatred and ill-will. Saints see scandal, in another light. They say that there are various ways of cleansing or removing dirt, viz. by means of earth, water and soap etc., but a scandalmonger has got a way of his own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others by his tongue; so in a way of obliges the person, whom he reviles and for this he is to be thanked. Sai Baba had his own method of correcting the scandal-monger. He knew by his omniscience what the slanderer had done and when He met him at noon near the Lendi, Baba pointed out to him a pig that was eating filth near the fence and said to him - "Behold how, with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart's content. After performing many deeds of merit, you are born a man, and if you act like this, will Shirdi help you in any way?" Needless to say, that the Bhakta took the lesson to his heart, and went away.
In this way Baba went on giving instructions whenever necessary. If these are borne in our minds and acted upon, the spiritual goal (realization) is not far off. There is a proverb which says - "If there be my Hari (Lord), He will feed me on my cot." This proverb is only true in respect of food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this, sits quiet and does nothing in spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert himself to his utmost for attaining self-realization. The more he endeavours, the better for him.
Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited. To remove the misunderstanding of those, who thought that Baba was only His body - three cubits and a half in length, He incarnated Himself in this form and if any devotee meditated on Him day and night with complete self-surrender, he experienced complete union (without any difference) with Him like sweetness and sugar, waves and sea, eye and its luster. He, who wants to get rid of the cycle of births and deaths, should lead a righteous life, with his mind calm and composed. He should always engage himself in good actions, should do his duties and surrender himself, heart and soul to Him. He need not then be afraid of anything. He who trusts Him entirely, hears and expounds His Leelas and does not think of anything else, is sure to attain Self-realization. Baba asked many to remember His name and to surrender to Him, but to those, who wanted to know who they were ('Who am I' enquiry), He advised Shravanam (study) and Mananam (meditation). To some, He advised remembering God's name, to others hearing His Leelas, to some worship of His Feet, to others reading and studying Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari and other sacred scriptures. Some He made sit near His Feet, some He sent to Khandoba's temple, and some He advised the repetition of the thousands names of Vishnu and some the study of Chhandogya Upanishad and Geeta. There were no limit, nor restriction to His instructions. To some, He gave them in person. To others by visions in dreams. To one addicted to drink, He appeared in his dream, sat on his chest, pressed it and left him, after he gave a promise not to touch liquor anymore. To some, He explained some Mantras like Gurur Brahma' in dreams. To some devotee, who was practising Hath-Yoga, He sent word that he should leave off Hath-Yoga practices, sit quiet and wait (Saburi). It is impossible to describe all His ways and methods. In ordinary wordly dealings, He set examples by His actions, one of which is given below.
Remuneration for Labour
One day at noon, Baba came near Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and said - "Bring Me a ladder." Some men brought it and set it against a house as directed by Baba. He climbed up on the roof of Vaman Gondkar's house, passed the roof of Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and then got down from the other corner. What object Baba had, none could know. Radha-Krishna-Mai was, at that time, shivering with Malaria. It may be to drive off that fever, that He may have gone there. Immediately after getting down, Baba paid Rupees two to the persons who brought the ladder. Somebody asked Baba, why he paid so much for this. He replied that nobody should take the labour of others, in vain. The worker should be paid, his dues promptly and liberally.
Das Ganu's Problem Solved by Kaka's Maid-Servant
In this Chapter, Hemadpant describes, how Das Ganu's problem was solved by Kakasaheb Dixit's maid-servant.
Preliminary
Sai (Lord) was originally formless. he assumed a form for the sake of Bhaktas. With the help of the actress Maya, He played the part of the Actor in the big drama of the universe. Let us remember and visualize Shri Sai. Let us go to Shirdi, and see carefully the programmes, after the noon-Arati. After the Arati ceremony was over, Sai used to come out of the Masjid, and standing on its edge, distribute udi to the devotees with very kind and loving looks. The Bhaktas also got up with equal fervour, clasped His Feet, and standing and staring at Him, enjoyed the shower of Udi. Baba passed handfuls of Udi into the palms of the devotees and marked their foreheads with Udi with His fingers. The love He bore for them in His heart was boundless. Then He addressed the Bhaktas as follows:- "Oh Bhau, go to take your lunch; you Anna, go to your lodgings; you Bapu, enjoy your dishes". In this way He accosted each and every devotee and sent them home. Even now, you can enjoy these sights if you bring into play your imagination. You can visualize and enjoy them. Now bringing Sai before our mental vision, let us meditate on Him, from His Feet upwards to His face, and prostrating before Him humbly, lovingly and respectfully, revert to the story of this Chapter.
Ishavasya Upanishad
Das Ganu once started to write a Marathi commentary ont he Ishavasya Upanishad. Let us first give a brief idea of this Upanishad, before proceeding further. It is called a Mantropanishad', as it is embodied in the Mantras of the Vedic Samhita. It constitutes the last or the 40th Chapter of the Vajasaneyi Samhita (Yajurveda) and it is, therefore, called Vajasaneyi Samhitopanishad. Being embodied in Vedic Samhitas, this is regarded as superior to all other Upanishads, which occur in the Brahmanas and Aranyakas (explanatory treatises on Martras and rituals). Not only this, other Upanishads are considered to be commentaries on the truths mentioned briefly in the Ishavasya Upanishad. For instance, the biggest of the Upanishads, viz, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, is considered by Pandit Satwalekar to be a running commentary on the Ishavasya Upanishad.
Profesor R.D. Ranade says:- "The Ishopanishad is quite a small Upanishad; and yet it contains many hints which show an extraordinarily piercing insight. Within the short compass of 18 verses, it gives a valuable mystical description of the Atman, a description of the ideal sage, who stands unruffled in the minds of temptations and sorrows; and adumbration of the doctrine of Karma-Yoga as later formulated, and finally a reconciliation of the claims of knowledge and works. The most valuable ideas, that lies at the root of the Upanishad, is that of a logical synthesis between the two opposites of knowledge; and work, which are both required according to the Upanishad to be annulled in a higher synthesis". (page 24 of the Constructive Survey of the Upanishad Philosophy). In another place he says that "The poetry of the Ishopanishad is a Commixture of moral, mystical and metaphysical (ibid, Page 41)".
From the brief description given above about this Upanishad, any one can see how difficult it is to translate this Upanishad in a vernacular language, and brief out its exact meaning. Das Ganu translated it in Marathi 'Ovi'metre, verse by verse, but as he did not comprehend the gist or essence of the Upanishad, he was not satisfied with his performance. He therefore consulted some learned men regarding his doubts and difficulties and discussed with them at great length. They did not solve them nor did they give him any rational and satisfactory explanation. So Das Ganu was a little restless over this matter.
SadGuru only competent and Qualified to Explain
As we have seen, this Upanishad is the quintessence of the Vedas. It is the science of self-realization, it is the scythe or weapon which can rend asunder the bondage of life and death, and make us free. Therefore, he thought, that he who has himself attained selfrealization, can only give him the true or correct interpretation of the Upanishad. When nobody could satisfy Das Ganu, he resolved to consult Sai Baba about this. When he got an opportunity to go to Shirdi, he saw Sai Baba, prostrated himself before Him, and mentioned his difficulties about the Ishavasya Upanishad and requested Him to give the correct solution. Sai Baba, blessed him and said- "You need not be anxious, there is no difficulty about the matter, the mind-servant of Kaka (Kakasaheb Dixit) will solve your doubts at Vile Parle, on your way home". The people who were present then and heard this, thought that Baba was joking and said, "How could an illiterate maid-servant solve the difficulties of this nature", but Das Garu thought otherwise. He was sure, that whatever Baba spoke, must come true, Baba's word was the decree of the Brahma (Almighty).
Kaka's Maid-Servant
On fully believing in Baba's words, he left Shirdi and came to Vile Parle (a suburb of Bombay), and stayed with Kakasaheb Dixit. There the next day, when Das Ganu was enjoying his morning nap (some say when he was engaged in worship), he heard a poor girl singing a beautiful song in clear and melodious tones. The subject matter of the song was a crimson coloured Sari, how nice it was, how fine was its embroidery, how beautiful were its ends and borders etc. He liked the song so much that he came out, and saw that it was being sung by a young girl, the sister of Namya, who was a servant of Kakasaheb. The girl was cleaning vessels, and had only a torn rag on her person. On seeing her impoverished condition, and her jovial temperament, Das Ganu felt pity for her and when Rao Bahadur M.V.Pradhan next day gave him a pair of dhotars, he requested him to give a sari to the poor little girl also. Rao Bahadur bought a good Chirdi (small Sari) and presented it to her. Like a starving person getting luckily good dishes to eat, her joy knew to bounds. Next day she wore the new Sari, and out of great joy and merriment, whirled, danced round and played Fugadi' with other girls and excelled them all. The Day following, she kept the new Sari in her box at home and came with the old and torn rags, but she looked as merry as she did the previous day. On seeing this, Das Ganu's pity was transferred into admiration. He thought that the girl being poor had to wear a torn rag, but now she had a new Sari which she kept in reserve and putting on the old rag, strutted herself, showing no trace of sorrow or dejection. Thus he realized that all our feelings of pain and pleasure depend upon the attitude of our mind. On thinking deeply over this incident, he realized that a man ought to enjoy whatever God has bestowed on him in the firm conviction that He besets every thing, from behind and before, and on all sides and that whatever is bestowed on him by God must be for his good. In this particular case, the impoverished condition of the poor girl, her torn rag and the new Sari, the donor, the dance and the acceptance were all parts of the Lord and pervaded by Him. Hence, Das Ganu got a practical demonstration of the lesson of the Upanishad - the lesson of contentment with one's own lot in the belief that whatever happens, is ordained by God, and is ultimately good for us.
Unique Method of Teaching
From the above incident, the reader will see that Baba's method was unique and varied. Though Baba never left Shirdi, He sent some to Machhindragad, some to Kolhapur or Sholapur for practising sadhanas. To some He appeared in His usual form, to some He appeared in waking or dreaming state, day or night and satisfied their desires. It is impossible to describe all the methods, that Baba used in imparting instructions to His Bhaktas. In this particular case, He sent Das Ganu to Vile Parle, where he got his problem solved, through the maid-servant. To those, who say that it was not necessary to sent Das Ganu outside and that Baba could have personally taught him, we say that Baba followed the right or best course, or how else could Das Ganu would have learnt a great lesson, that the poor maid-servant and her Sari were pervaded by the Lord.
Now we close the Chapter with another beautiful extract about this Upanishad.
The Ethics of the Ishavasya Upanishad
"One of the main features of the Ishavasya Upanishad, is the ethical advice it offers, and it is interesting to note that the ethics of the Upanishad are definitely based upon the meta-physical position advanced in it. The very opening words of the Upanishad tell us that God pervades every thing. As a corollary from this metaphysical position, the ethical advice it offers is, that a man ought to enjoy whatever God bestows on him in the firm belief, that as He pervades everything, whatever is bestowed on him by God must be good. It follows naturally, that the Upanishad should forbid us from coveting another man's property. In fact, we are fittingly taught here a lesson of contentment with one's own lot in the belief that whatever happens, it is divinely ordained and it is hence good for us. Another moral advice is, that man must spend his life-time always in doing action, specially the karmas enjoined in the Shastras, in a mood of believing resignation to His will. Inactivity, according to this Upanishad, would be the canker of the soul. It is only when a man spends his life-time on doing actions in this manner, that he can hope to attain the ideal of Naishkarmya. Finally, the text goes on to say that a man, who sees all beings in the Self and sees the Self as existing in all beings; in fact, for whom all beings and everything that exists have becomes the Self - how can such a man suffer infatuation? What ground would such a man have for grief? Loathfulness, infatuation and grief verily proceed from our not being able to see the Atman in all things. But a man, who realizes the oneness of all things, for whom everything has become the Self, must ipso facto, cease to be affected by the common foibles of humanity. (Page 169-170 of The Creative Period by Messrs. Belvalkar and Ranade).
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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| The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba - Chapters XVI & XVII |
| 10.01.04 (5:53 am) [edit] |
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The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Sai-Satcharitra
Chapter XVI & XVII
Quick Brahma-Jnana
These two Chapters relate the story of a rich gentleman, who wanted Brahma-Jnana, quickly from Sai Baba.
Preliminary
The last Chapter described how Mr. Cholkar's vow of small offering was completed and accepted. In that story, Sai Baba showed that He would accept with appreciation any small thing offered with love and devotion, but if the same thing was offered with pride and haughtiness, He would reject it. Being Himself full of Sat-Chit-Anand (Existence, Knowledge and Bliss) He did not care much for more outward formalities but if an offering was made in meek and humble spirit, the same was welcome and He accepted it with pleasure and avidity. In fact there is no person more liberal and benevolent than a Sadguru, like Sai Baba. He cannot be compared to the Chintamani jewel (the Philosopher's stone which satisfies desires), the Kalpataru (the Celestial Tree which fulfills our desires) or the the Kamadhenu (the Celestial Cow which yields what we desire), for they give us only what we desire; but the Sadguru gives us the most precious thing that is inconceivable and inscrutable (The reality). Now let us hear, how Sai Baba disposed of a rich man, who came to Him and implored Him to give him Brahma-Jnana.
These was a rich gentleman (unfortunately his name and whereabouts are not mentioned) who was very prosperous in his life. He had amassed a large quantity of wealth, houses, field and lands, and had many servants and dependents. When Baba's fame reached his ears, he said to a friend of his, that he was not in want of anything, and so he would go to Shirdi and ask Baba to give him Brahma-Jnana which, if he got, would certainly make him more happy. His friend dissuaded him, saying, "it is not easy to know Brahman, and especially so for an avaricious man like you, who is always engrossed in wealth, wife and children. Who will, in your quest of Brahma-Jnana, satisfy you that won't give away even a pice in charity?"
Not minding his friend's advice, the fellow engaged a returnjourney tanga and came to Shirdi. He went to the Masjid, saw Sai Baba, fell at His Feet and said, "Baba, hearing that You show the Brahman to all who come over here without any delay, I have come here all the way from my distant place. I am much fatigued by the journey and if I get the Brahman from You, my troubles will be well-paid and rewarded." Baba then replied, "Oh, My dear friend, do not be anxious, I shall immediately show you the Brahman; all My dealings are in cash and never on credit. So many people come to Me, and ask for wealth, health, power, honour, position, cure of diseases and other temporal matters. Rare is the person, who comes here to Me and asks for Brahma-Jnana. There is no dearth of persons asking for wordly things, but as persons interested in spiritual matters are very rare, I think it a lucky and auspicious moment, when persons like you come and press Me for Brahma-Jnana. So I show to you with pleasure, the Brahman with all its accompaniments and complications."
Saying this, Baba started to show him the Brahman. He made him sit there and engaged him in some other talk or affair and thus made him forget his question for the time being. Then He called a boy and told him to go to one Nandu Marwari, and get from him a hand-loan of Rs. five. The boy left and returned immediately, saying that Nandu was absent and his house ws locked. Then Baba asked him to go to Bala grocer and get from him, the said loan. This time also, the boy was unsuccessful. This experiment was repeated again twice or thrice, with the same result.
Sai Baba was, as we know, the living and moving Brahman Incarnate. Then, some one may ask - "Why did He want the paltry sum of five rupees, and why did He try hard to get it on loan? Really He did not want that sum at all. He must have been fully knowing, that Nandu and Bala were absent, and he seems to have adopted this procedure as a test for the seeker of Brahman. That gentleman had a roll or bundle of currency notes in his pocket, and if he was really earnest, he would not have sat quiet and be a mere onlooker, when Baba was frantically trying to get a paltry sum of Rs. five. He knew that Baba would keep His word and repay the debt, and that the sum wanted was insignificant. Still he could not make up his mind and advance the sum. Such a man wanted from Baba the greatest thing in the world, viz., the Brahma- Jnana! Any other man, who really loved Baba, would have at once given Rs. five, instead of being a mere onlooker. It was otherwise with this man. He advanced no money nor did he sit silent, but began to be impatient, as he was in a haste to return and implored Baba saying- "Oh Baba, please show me the Brahman soon." Baba replied - "Oh my dear friend, did you not understand all the procedure that I went through, sitting in this place, for enabling you to see the Brahman? It is, in short this. For seeing Brahman one has to give five things, i.e. surrender five things viz. (1) Five Pranas (vital forces), (2) Five senses (five of action and five of perception), (3) mind, (4) intellect and (5) ego. This path of Brahma- Jnana of self-realization is 'as hard as to tread on the edge of a razor'.
Sai Baba then gave rather a long discourse on the subject, the purport of which is given below
Qualifications for Brahma-Jnana or Self-Realization
All persons do not see or realize the Brahman in their life-time. Certain qualifications are absolutely necessary. (1) Mumuksha or intense desire to get free. He, who thinks that he is bound and that he should get free from bondage and works earnestly and resolutely to that end;and who does not care for any other thinks, is qualified for the spiritual life. (2) Virakti or a feeling of disgust with the things of this world and the next. Unless a man feels disgusted with the things, emoluments and honors, which his action would bring in this world and the next, he has no right to enter into the spiritual realm. (3) Antarmukhata (introversion). Our senses have been created by God with a tendency to move outward and so, man always looks outside himself and not inside. He who wants self-realization and immortal life, must turn his gaze inwards, and look to his inner Self. (4) Catharsis from (Purging away of) sins. Unless a man has turned away from wickedness, and stopped from doing wrong, and has entirely composed himself and unless his mind is at rest, he cannot gain self-realization, even by means of knowledge. (5) Right Conduct. Unless, a man leads a life of truth, penance and insight, a life of celibacy, he cannot get God-realization. (6) Preferring Shreyas, (the Good) to Preyas (the Pleasant). There are two sorts of things viz., the Good and the Pleasant; the former deals with spiritual affairs, and the latter with mundane matters. Both these approach man for acceptance. He has to think and choose one of them. The wise man prefers the Good to the Pleasant; but the unwise, through greed and attachment, chooses the Pleasant. (7) Control of the mind and the senses. The body is the chariot and the Self is its master; intellect is the charioteer and the mind is the reins; the senses are the horses and senseobjects their paths. He who has no understanding and whose mind is unrestrained, his senses unmanageable like the vicious horses of a charioteer, does not reach his destination (get realization), but goes through the round of births and deaths; but he, who has understanding and whose mind is restrained, has his senses being under control, like the good horse of a charioteer, reaches that place, i.e., the state of self-realization, whence he is not born again. The man, who has understanding as his charioteer (guide) and is able to rein his mind, reaches the end of the journey, which is the supreme abode of the all-pervading, Vishnu (Lord). -8- Purification of the mind. Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and dis-interestedly the duties of his station in life, his mind will not be purified and, unless his mind is that Viveka (dis-crimination between the Unreal and the Real), and Vairagya (Non-attachment to the unreal) crop up and lead on to self-realization. Unless egoism is dropped, avarice got rid of, and the mind made desireless (pure), self-realization is not possible. The idea that ‘I am the body’ is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment therefore, if you want to get tot he goal of self-realization (9) The necessity of a Guru. The knowledge of the Self if so subtle and mystic, that no one could, by his own individual effort ever hope to attain it. So the help of another person-Teacher, who has himself got self-realization is absolutely necessary. What others cannot give with great labour and pains, can be easily gained with the help of such a Teacher; for he has walked on the path himself and can easily take the disciple, step by step on the ladder of spiritual progress. (10) and lastly the Lord’s Grace is the most essential thing. When the Lord is pleased with any body, He gives him Viveka and Vairagya; and takes him safe beyond the ocean of mundane existence, ‘The Self cannot be gained by the study of Vedas, nor by intellect, nor by much learning. He, whom the Self chosses, gains it. To him the Self reveals Its nature,’ says the Katha Upanishad.
After the dissertation was over, Baba turned to the gentleman and said - "Well sir, there is in your pocket the Brahma (or Mammon) in the form of fifty-times five(Rs.250/-) rupees; please take that out." The gentleman took out from his pocket the bundle of currency notes, and to his great surprise found, on counting them, that there were 25 notes of 10 rupees each, Seeing this ominiscience of Baba, he was moved and fell at Baba's Feet and craved for His blessings. Then Baba said to him, "Roll up your bundle of Brahma viz. Currency notes. Unless you get rid completely of your avarice or greed, your will not get the real Brahma. How can be, whose mind is engrossed in wealth, progeny and prosperity, expect to know the Brahma, without removing away his attachment for the same? The illusion of attachment or the love for money is a deep eddy (whirlpool) of pain full of crocodiles in the form of conceit and jealousy. He, who is desireless, can alone cross this whirlpool. Greed and Brahma are as poles asunder, they are eternally opposed to each other. Where there is greed, there is no room for thought or meditation of the Brahma. Then how can a greedy man get dispassion and salvation? For a greedy man there is no peace, neither contentment, nor certainty (steadiness). If there be even a little trace of greed in mind, all the Sadhanas (spiritual endeavors) are of no avail. Even the knowledge of a well-read man, who is not free from the desire of the fruit or reward of his actions, and who has got no disgust for the same, is useless and can't help him in getting self-realization. The teachings of a Guru are of no use to a man, who is full of egoism, and who always thinks about the sense-objects. Purification of mind is absolutely necessary; without it, all our spiritual endeavors are nothing, but useless show and pomp. It is, therefore, better for one to take only what he can digest and assimilate. My treasury is full, and I can give anyone, what he wants, but I have to see whether he is qualified to receive My gift. If you listen to Me carefully, you will be certainly benefited. While sitting in this Masjid, I never speak any untruth.
When a guest is invited to a house, all the members of the household and other friends and relations that happen to be present, are entertained, along with the guest. So all those that were present in the Masjid at this time, could partake of the spiritual feast, that was served by Baba for the rich gentleman. After getting Baba's blessings, one and all, including the gentleman left the place quite happy and contented.
Special Characteristic of Baba
There are many Saints, who leaving their houses, stay in forest, caves or hermitages and remaining in solitude, try to get liberation or salvation for themselves. They do not care for other people, and are always self-absorbed. Sai Baba was not of such a type. He had no home, no wife, no progency, nor any relations, near or distant. Still, He lived in the world (society). He begged His bread from four or five houses, always lived at the foot of the (Neem) tree, carried on wordly dealings, and taught all the people how to act. and behave in this world. Rare are the Sadhus and Saints who, after attaining God-vision, strive for the welfare of the people. Sai Baba was the foremost of these and, therefore, says Hemadpant.
"Blessed is the country, blessed is the family, and blessed are the chaste parents where This extraordinary, transcendent, precious and pure jewel (Sai Baba) was born."
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
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| Aura of Divinity |
| 10.01.04 (5:21 am) [edit] |
Aura of Divinity
It is often said that Divine personalities have an aura about them. Some scientists believe that all living beings, including plants, have an aura. This is not visible to the eye but can be photographed by a technique known as Kirlian photography.
Dr. Frank Baronowski, a Professor in Arizona State University in America, is an expert in this field. He not only photographs aura but is blessed with the rare gift of being able to see the aura directly with his eyes.
In 1979, he came to India to make a study of aura of holy men in the country. Inevitably, his travels brought him to Baba, who was then in Bangalore. At the time Baronowski reached Whitefield, a course arranged by Baba for school teachers was in progress. Baronowski heard about this and was naturally keen to speak in the conference, sharing his numerous experiences. Baba knew about this and in His own way made it possible. But first, Baronowski had to see something he had never seen before!
The Professor's first glimpse of Swami was during the early morning Darshan. In those days, Swami used to give Darshan at the conclusion of the Nagarsankeertan, the early morning prayer/Bhajan procession that one can see to this day in Prasanti Nilayam. Baronowski was stunned by what he saw - Baba's aura was simply out of this world. He saw it again and again - during the morning Darshan and the afternoon Darshan. He saw how this extra-ordinary aura enveloped one and all, believers and non-believers alike, those who were directly looking at Him and those whose attention was wandering. Later, Baronowski was given the opportunity to speak during the conference proceedings, in the immediate presence of Bhagavan Baba. Here is an extract of what he said:
I have met over a hundred holy men in India. Too many of these holy men are involved in their own personal egos. Their auras show mostly concern for themselves and their institutions. So, the auras are only about 25 cm. broad or perhaps 50 cm. I am not a devotee of Sai Baba. I have come here as a scientist, to see this man Sai Baba.
I saw Him on Sunday, on the balcony giving Darshan to devotees below. The aura that Baba projected was not that of a man. The white was more than twice the size of any man's, the blue was practically limitless, and there were gold and silver bands beyond even those, far beyond this building, right up to the horizon. There is no scientific explanation for this phenomenon.
His aura is so strong that it is affecting me standing by the chair on which He is sitting. I can feel the effect and I have to wipe my arm, off and on, as you must have noticed. It is very difficult for me to admit. I am a scientist. I have given over six thousand lectures in all parts of the world, but this is the first time, believe me, my knees are shaking. The aura that emanates from Baba shows His Love for you. I have met any number of holy men, but none of them have made themselves as available to you as Baba does. That is a sign of greatness.
Baba has given you the key to success - the simple four-lettered word: LOVE! If ever I can use the phrase that I have seen Love walking on two feet, it is here.
I have been watching Baba, while He was addressing you. The pink aura that was manifesting was so vast and strong that it went even to the hall behind this chair. It filled the big hall, embracing all of you here. There can be no scientific explanation for this phenomenon. I have watched Him for a week now as He walked among you, morning and evening. I have seen this aura, pink in colour, go into the person He is talking to or touching. This is because we draw on His energy. His energy seems to be limitless. It spreads everywhere and can be drawn upon by everyone around. An ordinary man will soon get exhausted going round as He does, among so many. I have watched Him come to a little girl, in a wheel chair and tickle her. I was astounded at the aura of Love that was all around Him then.
I am not brought up in any belief, though I am a Christian born and a Roman Catholic. The scientific community in my country finds it difficult to accept a God. It is not scientific, they assert. I am risking my reputation when I make this statement. Two days ago, right outside this hall, I looked into His eyes. They have a glow inside them. It is clear to me that I looked into the face of Divinity. There is no scientific explanation for this; there should not be! In my estimation, He is exactly what He appears to be - LOVE! That is what He is!
I have spoken on platforms where President Ford of the United States, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Queen Wilhelmina of Netherlands have been present, but I will never forget this experience! It is really overwhelming in its impact.
Dr.Baronowski had the rare blessing to 'see' the aura of Love. The rest of us may not be able to 'see' it, but none can deny that we all 'feel' the infinite Love of Bhagavan, when in His presence or even when we just think Him!
http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/06Nov15/Aura Divinity/divinity.htm" title="http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/06Nov15/Aura Divinity/divinity.htm" target="_blank"http://www.radiosai.org/Journ...
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| 10.01.04 (4:59 am) [edit] |
Devotees' Experiences
DearSaiDevotees!
I would like to narrate the following miracle of our beloved Sairam happened in my mother's life today ! My mother Mrs.Janaki Sundaram is suffering from acute kidney failure and has been advised by doctors to undergo dialysis treatment very frequently. All of us in our family prayed to Sairam to save her from this serious problem and bless her with Udhi or Vibhuthi to cure her illness. As I am staying at Mumbai with my husband and children I could not go to my mother's house at Chennai to stay with her presently. My brother is also staying away from my mother in US with his family and unable to come to India immediately. So, we resort to surrender at the Lotus Feet of our Sairam to help us out in this critical situation and save my mother fully from her serious kidney problem. Our Beloved Baba listened to our prayers as promised by Him! and today evening (12-9-04/1630hrs)we got a phone call from Chennai that one of the Sai Devotees residing at Adayar/Chennai area visited my mother's house along with one of our relatives and performed Sai Pooja using a Divine Vel (The Velayutham of Lord Subramanaya). During the pooja and after the pooja Vibhuthi started coming from the idol of Sri Shirdi Saibaba and from other pictures of Bhagavan Sri Sathaya Sai Baba!! We never knew who this Sai Devotee is and why she came to our house with our relatives and why she performed Sai Pooja specially at our house without even asking for the same. All these are our Beloved Baba's miracles only and we believe fully that He Himself has come in the form of a lady to our house to bless my mother and blessed her with Vibhuthi as we wished to Him to save my mother by performing a Pooja specially for her. Sri Sairam has once again proved to us through this miracle that He never lets His devotees down when they fully surrender to His Lotus Feet.
JaiSaiRam!
Devotee Experiences:
A Sai Devotee, Canada
Mrs. Veena Gupta, a world-renowned liberated and a realized soul of Baba is in Georgia for a brief stay to join the family. Baba has always manifested His omni presence by His miracles whenever she moves in India or abroad. It is every Thursday at the end of Sai Amrit Vani prayer in Georgia, Baba has blessed her with Vibhuti manifestation either on her Sari, Prasad and on glass and frame of photo of Baba.
I came across this Divine soul 2 years ago when Baba has manifested Vibhuti on the idol of Him at my place in Toronto during her brief Aarthi prayer to Him in the presence of all Sai Devotees at my new residence. She drove all the way from Washington just to bless my Home as per Lord Wish. On Sept.1, 2004 I was struggling with my Life and Death and was to undergo surgery in Toronto, Canada. Prior getting admitted to the Hospital for Pre surgery check up, I phoned up to her and took the blessing of this Divine Soul. By Lord Sai Grace and realized soul of Baba everything went on well and I am back home safe on Sept.12.2004 with success. Baba once again blessed her this Thursday on Sept. 9, 2004 by His presence while this Great Divine Soul was Traveling from Georgia to Florida in the car. After Sai Amrit Vani prayer, which she performed in the moving car, Baba manifested Vibuthi on the sari in the car and proved that whenever this Divine Soul traveled, He is always with her.
Baba never left His Devotees alone; He has always showed His presence in some form or other at any place on this earth. May Baba Showers His blessings on you all who has Faith and Patience in Him.
From: The Glory of Shirdi Sai - Issue 20-2004
Courtesy: http://www.saidarbar.org" title="http://www.saidarbar.org" target="_blank"http://www.saidarbar.org
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Devotees' Experiences
LEELAS OF BABA ON GANESH CHATURTHI
- Ashok Kumar Gupta, Atlanta, USA
September 18, 2004
Today is Ganesh Chaturthi and Baba’s presence can be strongly felt in the house. Baba blesses Mrs. Gupta with Udi [vibhuti] on all important occasions, including Thursdays.
Today, being Ganesh Chaturthi, is an important day and Udi started emanating from the picture of Baba kept in the small mandir in our house in Marietta, Atlanta. Vibhuti regularly appears from the hand of Baba. This morning we performed puja [worship]. Last year, when we were in Delhi, India, Udi started flowing on Ganesh Chaturthi and continued till the day of Ganesh Visarjan [immersion of Ganesha in the sea]. On the day of Ganesh Visarjan, water was flowing from the photo and much of the udi vanished with it. These miracles have become so much of a part of daily life that we would be surprised if they don’t happen. In this process, all those near and dear to Mrs. Gupta and Baba benefit immensely. Let us see what leela Baba will show next time. Jai Sai Ram!
O SWAMI, YOU ARE MY REAL WELL-WISHER AND DOCTOR
- Shatrughan Lal Gupta, Kanpur, India
September 17, 2004
O Swami, how can I express my feelings of gratitude for your kindness. Since September 4th, 2004, I was suffering from severe stone problems which disturbed me immensely because of severe pain in my stomach and intense nausea. I consulted so many doctors, but just wasted my time and energy. Finally, I consulted a doctor yesterday, who advised me to go for immediate treatment for removal of the stone. However, because of your mercy, I am feeling much better now. Today afternoon, Swami mercifully appeared to us in his physical form and consoled and advised us. I prostrate at your holy feet.
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