Satsang Baba's Call - 'Khaana Lav'
Baba's Call - 'Khaana Lav'
By K.NAVIN CHANDER
Correct knowledge of any kind is good. But correct knowledge of facts
connected with the lives of saints is not only good for the individual who
knows them but is beneficial to society as in the long run it promotes
social unity and ethical, spiritual and religious study and endeavor. Lives
of saints give not merely information for the brain of the reader, but food
and strength for his heart and they facilitate the general advancement of
the temporal and spiritual interests of mankind. By the study of such lives,
basic ignorance and illusions are dispelled. Rajasic and Tamasic qualities
such as egotism, pride, hatred and cruelty are checked or suppressed and
noble virtues like humility, earnestness, love to all, service of saints,
Guru Bhakthi are developed. These in due course lead to the goal of God
realisation.
- H.H. Sri Narasimha Swamiji
QA was on 3rd February, 1998. I was about to complete an article on Sai
Baba. I heard a sharp rap at the gate of my house. I shouted: "Who is
there?" Promptly the reply came: "Khaana Lav" (give me food). From where I
sat I could not see him. Nevertheless, I called my wife to serve food to
him. She brought rice and dhal but oddly he did not have anything on him to
receive it. My wife did not feel like serving in the plate she had brought.
So she came back to the house, took a small card board and served the fare
on it outside the gate. He sat on his haunches preparatory to eating.
Meanwhile, my wife came inside to fetch water for him. It did not take a
couple of minutes for her to do so. But the stranger was not to be seen
anywhere. There were tell-tale marks of his having taken the food. He did
not even wash his hands. It was impossible to eat the food-that too without
water-and walk away out of sight in less than a couple of minutes.
It was then the truth hit me like a whiplash. I should have known much
better when he said: “Khaana Lav”. It was truly a command. Even during his
begging rounds sometimes, Sai Baba never begged. He simply commanded,
"Lassie, roti lav". I asked my wife as to how he looked like. She said: "He
was lean and aged and looked like a village Muslim of the old order, with a
sharp beard. He was wearing a faded green lungi with brownish checks on it
and a soiled white long-sleeved kurtha with a black vest on it. His head was
turbaned leaving the top crown open." Though the description did not
actually tally with that of Sai Baba, I was by then more than convinced who
He was. I cursed myself because the food that was served was overnight food
and served on a cardboard outside the gate.
Later when I slowly composed myself, I went into the pooja room and begged
His pardon for my lapse. At that stage my own conscience began to reply:
"Your repentance is enough for me. Keep on feeding the hungry, who come to
your doorstep, as best as you can. Believe me, charity especially that of
food is indeed a great spiritual virtue.
I recollected three incidents during Baba's life time. On 9th May, 1913,
Kasinath Kande Rao, a sub judge had Baba's darshan and presented a basket of
mangoes. Baba ordered them to be cut and distributed. He picked a piece for
himself and said: 'This man has purchased the whole lot for me without
tasting any of it. But a Pundit a few days ago offered a big packet of
laddus. However on the way from Kopergaon, he got hungry and ate away some
'laddus'. What he gave me was only the 'Sesh',"
But 'sesh' offerings have their own value if they are offered with soulful
love. Once a poor woman brought a jawar roti and two onions to Baba. On the
way, she felt hungry and ate one half of the roti and an onion. She admitted
this to Baba, who unflinchingly took and ate it. The roti was hard and dried
up and Baba's teeth were weak and some missing. Nevertheless, he ate with
relish and then blessed her with his hands firmly on her heads.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct1998.htm#BabasCallKhaanaL
av
Friday, April 20, 2007
Satsang A Garden of Spiritual Life By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Satsang A Garden of Spiritual Life By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Spiritual Blossoming
Sri Ramakrishna said," The greatest purpose of human life is to see God, to
realize God." God has to be brought into every fiber of our being - in our
body, in our senses, in our will, in our emotions, and in our knowledge.
When this happens, our life becomes like a flower garden in full bloom. Such
a flower garden cannot be kept concealed. People will stand by such a garden
and enjoy it, even if they have not worked in it. Whoever comes into contact
with a genuinely spiritual person imbibes the peace, the sweetness, the
love, the compassion, and the faith emanating from that individual. It is in
the gardens of full blossoming that we find the treasures to humanity.
But spiritual life requires care. A person cannot bring forth a vegetable or
flower garden from the soil overnight. At first it seems baffling. You clean
out the weeds one day and then, only three days later, the weeds come again.
Gardening requires patience and hard work. You plant a seed, but it may take
one or two years for that seed to grow into a shrub and become beautiful. So
it is in our spiritual life with whatever we plant. We plant faith, we plant
love, we plant detachment, we plant self-control, and we plant knowledge.
All of these seeds must be planted, and we must not be impatient. We must go
on watering and feeding and weeding the soil until, slowly, the barren plot
is transformed into a garden of beauty.
Spiritual interest comes to a man as a result of great, good karma. The
Bhagavad Gita says, "Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye"; "Among
thousands and thousands of human beings, maybe one person becomes interested
in the search for God." This person is not satisfied with his normal life of
pursuing pleasures; intellectual achievement, honor, fame - none of these
things satisfy him. His life may be fully successful from the worldly point
of view, but he feels emptiness, a vacuum.
What is lacking is spiritual Truth. Or, as we read in the Taittiriya
Upanishad, "The great Paramatman, infinite Spirit, who is ever pure,
eternal, immortal, who is of the nature of infinite Bliss; that immortal
Spirit, after creating these jivas, entered into those individuals." In
other words, the spirit of God, that infinite divine Being, resides in the
heart of every man.
But in most men He is neglected. He is covered over with our distractions or
what we call the worldly life, the ignorant life, the life in Maya. Among
thousands of people, maybe one becomes restless for God. Even then, the
Bhagavad Gita says, "And among thousands of people who are struggling for
that spiritual enfoldment, maybe one becomes really successful". If it is
the highest fulfillment, one cannot have it too easily. One must carry on
the search with patience, with perseverance, with faith, with courage. Only
then does the garden slowly become living.
The important step then is the awakening of this spiritual interest. Let a
spiritual seeker compare his life to a plot of land; let him resolve to make
that land into a beautiful garden. It will be a garden of enjoyment, but not
in the worldly sense, it is a refined enjoyment to feed the emotions and
bring harmony to the mind and nerves.
In this way spiritual experience grows as a garden grows. One season we have
certain plants; next season we replace some with different kinds of annuals.
But the garden is all the time filled with shrubs and flowers. Our journey
has come to an end. God is the totality of things; God is the totality of
all experiences. What more do I want? There is nothing for which to ask.
There is no more fear. Where shall I go?
All these questions are relevant only in the life of ignorance. But when the
Light of God has come, when that experience of God has come, these questions
cease because we find our true Self, our eternal companion. We become
eternally linked with that truth. This truth will not deprive us of our
normal activities and ideas; it transforms them, giving them new colour, new
fragrance. Such is the glory of spiritual life. If we compare it to our
known experiences, indeed a spiritual life is like a beautiful garden, a
source of joy and peace to us and to ail those whose lives we touch.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#AGardenofSpiritu
alLife
Spiritual Blossoming
Sri Ramakrishna said," The greatest purpose of human life is to see God, to
realize God." God has to be brought into every fiber of our being - in our
body, in our senses, in our will, in our emotions, and in our knowledge.
When this happens, our life becomes like a flower garden in full bloom. Such
a flower garden cannot be kept concealed. People will stand by such a garden
and enjoy it, even if they have not worked in it. Whoever comes into contact
with a genuinely spiritual person imbibes the peace, the sweetness, the
love, the compassion, and the faith emanating from that individual. It is in
the gardens of full blossoming that we find the treasures to humanity.
But spiritual life requires care. A person cannot bring forth a vegetable or
flower garden from the soil overnight. At first it seems baffling. You clean
out the weeds one day and then, only three days later, the weeds come again.
Gardening requires patience and hard work. You plant a seed, but it may take
one or two years for that seed to grow into a shrub and become beautiful. So
it is in our spiritual life with whatever we plant. We plant faith, we plant
love, we plant detachment, we plant self-control, and we plant knowledge.
All of these seeds must be planted, and we must not be impatient. We must go
on watering and feeding and weeding the soil until, slowly, the barren plot
is transformed into a garden of beauty.
Spiritual interest comes to a man as a result of great, good karma. The
Bhagavad Gita says, "Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye"; "Among
thousands and thousands of human beings, maybe one person becomes interested
in the search for God." This person is not satisfied with his normal life of
pursuing pleasures; intellectual achievement, honor, fame - none of these
things satisfy him. His life may be fully successful from the worldly point
of view, but he feels emptiness, a vacuum.
What is lacking is spiritual Truth. Or, as we read in the Taittiriya
Upanishad, "The great Paramatman, infinite Spirit, who is ever pure,
eternal, immortal, who is of the nature of infinite Bliss; that immortal
Spirit, after creating these jivas, entered into those individuals." In
other words, the spirit of God, that infinite divine Being, resides in the
heart of every man.
But in most men He is neglected. He is covered over with our distractions or
what we call the worldly life, the ignorant life, the life in Maya. Among
thousands of people, maybe one becomes restless for God. Even then, the
Bhagavad Gita says, "And among thousands of people who are struggling for
that spiritual enfoldment, maybe one becomes really successful". If it is
the highest fulfillment, one cannot have it too easily. One must carry on
the search with patience, with perseverance, with faith, with courage. Only
then does the garden slowly become living.
The important step then is the awakening of this spiritual interest. Let a
spiritual seeker compare his life to a plot of land; let him resolve to make
that land into a beautiful garden. It will be a garden of enjoyment, but not
in the worldly sense, it is a refined enjoyment to feed the emotions and
bring harmony to the mind and nerves.
In this way spiritual experience grows as a garden grows. One season we have
certain plants; next season we replace some with different kinds of annuals.
But the garden is all the time filled with shrubs and flowers. Our journey
has come to an end. God is the totality of things; God is the totality of
all experiences. What more do I want? There is nothing for which to ask.
There is no more fear. Where shall I go?
All these questions are relevant only in the life of ignorance. But when the
Light of God has come, when that experience of God has come, these questions
cease because we find our true Self, our eternal companion. We become
eternally linked with that truth. This truth will not deprive us of our
normal activities and ideas; it transforms them, giving them new colour, new
fragrance. Such is the glory of spiritual life. If we compare it to our
known experiences, indeed a spiritual life is like a beautiful garden, a
source of joy and peace to us and to ail those whose lives we touch.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#AGardenofSpiritu
alLife
Satsang A Garden of Spiritual Life By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Satsang A Garden of Spiritual Life By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
A Garden of Spiritual Life
By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
A servant of the Lord In love And prayer did build a temple small He Jo
vedandhe did pray for ail And he was gentle as the dove!
His temple was not seen by eyes Of men who glare and glitter see: His temple
was forth simple free-The truly pure and fair and wise!
He built this temple in the soul Of the little ones: and they adored The
Lord of Love and they outpoured On all their love: they saw the goal!
Travelers come to a crossroad on their journey. To one side of the road is a
barren plot, full of weeds and thistles. Travelers look at that barren place
and frown. But on the other side of the road is a beautiful garden - full of
trees, shrubs, and fragrant flowers. In the spring, in the summer, even in
the winter, varieties of flowers bloom there. Travelers look at the plot, so
beautiful and fragrant, and praise the owner of that garden.
Our life can be compared to a piece of land. If we are careless, our life
becomes just as that barren plot- full of thistles and unwelcome growth; a
Godless life; a life in which there is no peace, no harmony; a life which
has cultivated only material pleasures and harvested egotism, vanity, greed
and hate. But if we have dedicated our life to spiritual and moral values,
it becomes like the fragrant flower garden - a life grounded in faith in
God; a life in which the character has been freed from greed and unwelcome
passions. A person of such character will be known by his behavior he will
have cultivated sweetness, compassion, kindness, understanding, and
patience.
Spiritual life is indeed a flower garden. Sometimes we are afraid of living
a spiritual life. We think that if we travel too far in this direction, we
will be deprived of many things. There will not be any emotion, any love,
and any action. We will become like stone; our life will be like a desert.
That is a wrong idea. On the contrary, if spiritual life is rightly
understood and rightly lived, it becomes a wonderful flower garden. A flower
garden is not simply dear to the person who works in that garden; it is dear
and appealing to any onlooker. So too with a spiritual life; it is very dear
and precious not only to the person who is living that life but also to all
those who come in contact with it.
Spiritual Blossoming
to be contd......
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#AGardenofSpiritu
alLife
A Garden of Spiritual Life
By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
A servant of the Lord In love And prayer did build a temple small He Jo
vedandhe did pray for ail And he was gentle as the dove!
His temple was not seen by eyes Of men who glare and glitter see: His temple
was forth simple free-The truly pure and fair and wise!
He built this temple in the soul Of the little ones: and they adored The
Lord of Love and they outpoured On all their love: they saw the goal!
Travelers come to a crossroad on their journey. To one side of the road is a
barren plot, full of weeds and thistles. Travelers look at that barren place
and frown. But on the other side of the road is a beautiful garden - full of
trees, shrubs, and fragrant flowers. In the spring, in the summer, even in
the winter, varieties of flowers bloom there. Travelers look at the plot, so
beautiful and fragrant, and praise the owner of that garden.
Our life can be compared to a piece of land. If we are careless, our life
becomes just as that barren plot- full of thistles and unwelcome growth; a
Godless life; a life in which there is no peace, no harmony; a life which
has cultivated only material pleasures and harvested egotism, vanity, greed
and hate. But if we have dedicated our life to spiritual and moral values,
it becomes like the fragrant flower garden - a life grounded in faith in
God; a life in which the character has been freed from greed and unwelcome
passions. A person of such character will be known by his behavior he will
have cultivated sweetness, compassion, kindness, understanding, and
patience.
Spiritual life is indeed a flower garden. Sometimes we are afraid of living
a spiritual life. We think that if we travel too far in this direction, we
will be deprived of many things. There will not be any emotion, any love,
and any action. We will become like stone; our life will be like a desert.
That is a wrong idea. On the contrary, if spiritual life is rightly
understood and rightly lived, it becomes a wonderful flower garden. A flower
garden is not simply dear to the person who works in that garden; it is dear
and appealing to any onlooker. So too with a spiritual life; it is very dear
and precious not only to the person who is living that life but also to all
those who come in contact with it.
Spiritual Blossoming
to be contd......
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#AGardenofSpiritu
alLife
Sri Sai Amrit Vani - 19th April 2007
Sri Sai Amrit Vani
DEVOTEES MAY FORWARD THIS LETTER TO OTHER
DEVOTEES.
19th April 2007
Jai Sai Ram
A Request -- Whenever devotees
write letters for prayer and inclusion of their names
in the list of devotees who recited Sri Sai Amrit Vani
also, should give the names in the summary form also
as in the list, at the bottom of the letter. As it
takes a long time to extract the names from the whole
letters. I will cut and paste as it is after reading
the letter. Letters should reach by Wednesday evening
(Indian Time).
The week was hectic for us due
to some social functions. On Tuesday the 17th April
there was Sai Sandhya at Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, in
connection with the marriage of daughter in
Dhingra’s family. As they are very close to us we
had to attend the entire function. As the singer was
singing the bajan “Thora dhyaan laga, Baba dhode
chale aayege” Udi started falling in the lap of Mrs
Gupta. She was in deep dhyaan at that time in the
pandal among the
Devotees. Earlier, in our neighbourhood a devotee
held the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani along with
some other bhajans for her daughter’s birthday. There
also Udi appeared in the lap of Mrs Gupta, during the
Sai Amrit Vani. It is all HIS Leelas. Jai Sai Ram.
Once again I may mention that
on 3rd may 2007 Group recitation of Sri Sai Amrit
Vani will be held at Chandigarh instead of Sidhartha
Extension, New Delhi. Devotees interested in attending
it in person may contact on Chandigarh phone no.
0172-3244900 after 27th April. No calls on Delhi Nos
please during these days.
The Thursday was normal as usual with HIS usual
Leelas. We have become so used to HIS Leelas that they
are usual to us and has become part and parcel of our
life. Devotees discussed the miracles which are
happening to them with the holy Jal, which oozes from
the charens of Baba. So many miracles are happening
that it is simply not possible to me to describe, but
one should hear them oneself.
Following devotees
participated in absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai
Amrit Vani, Pooja, prayers and Prayan of Sri Sai
Satcharitra by reciting Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their
places on 19th April 2007. The list is sorted as per
their email ids. However Mrs. Gupta prayed for all the
devotees. In this list only those devotees are
included, who themselves recited or read Sri Sai Amrit
Vani at their places. The names of the devotees “for
prayer”, are prayed for, but not included in the list.
Kindly mention clearly, against each devotee’s name
that he/she will recite or read or listen to Sri Sai
Amrit Vani, or only for prayers. Please also give the
name of the place.
This Thursday the 19th April we enjoyed the
following Leelas.
1. As usual Udi started appearing and oozing from the
two photos on the wall from Monday, Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’, and figure of Trishool were formed
with Udi on one photo. On Tuesday Udi started oozing
from the main photo in the mandir. Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’ along with other figures were also
formed on the photo. From Statue Udi started oozing
from Wednesday.
2. There was lot of Water from the Charans this week
also. This water was collected in the Thali. The
taste of water was similar to gulab jal and kewara
mix. After Sai Amrit Vani, this water was given to the
needy devotees and again the Thali was filled with
water. This water was taken out of thali 3-4 times
throughout the day. Devotees even bring bottles to
take the water home.
3. Lap of Mrs. Gupta was filled with Udi during the
prayers. Udi was there between the falls of the Sari
and all over the sari.
4. Udi also appeared on many other devotees in their
laps and also in the books of Sri Sai Amrit Vani.
5. On Thursday as soon as Bhog was offered, it was
duly accepted by Baba and after the Sri Sai Amrit Vani
we noticed that the box, which was placed before HIM
was partially eaten and partially remained pieces of
items in the box. Part of Bhog was on the lips of
many photos and statue of Baba. These parts of the
remains in the box were given to the devotees who
offered that item of bhog to Baba.
6. Presence of Baba during the recitation of Sai Amrit
Vani, Prayer and Prayan of Sr Satcharitra was very
strong. Many devotees felt HIS presence in different
ways.
7. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
8. The Charnamrit, the water in which Baba took the
bath in the morning was also sweet as if some honey
has been mixed into it.
9. Photos, statue and other articles of devotee kept
in the mandir room, were blessed with lots of Udi as
soon as they were placed before Baba.
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Amrit Vani started at 11:04 AM. Noon Aartee
started at 12:00 Hrs. followed by brief Meditation and
the prayer, Prayan of Chapter 34 from Sai
Satcharitra. Mrs. Gupta offered prayers and thanks to
Baba. Finally distribution of Prasad, Udi and the
water from the Charans.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 26th April, again will be
held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi. Devotees
interested in attending it in person may contact on
phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or 9312494767 only
after 11 AM (IST) on any day except Thursdays but no
calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They should NOT bring any
bhog with them and be in time. Kids are also not
allowed in the hall. No disturbance is tolerated
during the Sri Sai Amrit Vani .
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now available in Tamil script
also besides in Devnagri, English and Telgu, in the
file section of the yahoogroup. Links of Audio MP3
files are given in the link section of the home page
of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To go to home page of
yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 . Audio Mp3
file has also been made available in the publication
section of http://saimemorial.com , the site of Sai
Memorial Temple of Baba of Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani
will be in addition to any other pooja or sewa or
prayer that you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
akg_vg@bol.net.in
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
DEVOTEES MAY FORWARD THIS LETTER TO OTHER
DEVOTEES.
19th April 2007
Jai Sai Ram
A Request -- Whenever devotees
write letters for prayer and inclusion of their names
in the list of devotees who recited Sri Sai Amrit Vani
also, should give the names in the summary form also
as in the list, at the bottom of the letter. As it
takes a long time to extract the names from the whole
letters. I will cut and paste as it is after reading
the letter. Letters should reach by Wednesday evening
(Indian Time).
The week was hectic for us due
to some social functions. On Tuesday the 17th April
there was Sai Sandhya at Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, in
connection with the marriage of daughter in
Dhingra’s family. As they are very close to us we
had to attend the entire function. As the singer was
singing the bajan “Thora dhyaan laga, Baba dhode
chale aayege” Udi started falling in the lap of Mrs
Gupta. She was in deep dhyaan at that time in the
pandal among the
Devotees. Earlier, in our neighbourhood a devotee
held the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani along with
some other bhajans for her daughter’s birthday. There
also Udi appeared in the lap of Mrs Gupta, during the
Sai Amrit Vani. It is all HIS Leelas. Jai Sai Ram.
Once again I may mention that
on 3rd may 2007 Group recitation of Sri Sai Amrit
Vani will be held at Chandigarh instead of Sidhartha
Extension, New Delhi. Devotees interested in attending
it in person may contact on Chandigarh phone no.
0172-3244900 after 27th April. No calls on Delhi Nos
please during these days.
The Thursday was normal as usual with HIS usual
Leelas. We have become so used to HIS Leelas that they
are usual to us and has become part and parcel of our
life. Devotees discussed the miracles which are
happening to them with the holy Jal, which oozes from
the charens of Baba. So many miracles are happening
that it is simply not possible to me to describe, but
one should hear them oneself.
Following devotees
participated in absencia in the recitation of Sri Sai
Amrit Vani, Pooja, prayers and Prayan of Sri Sai
Satcharitra by reciting Sri Sai Amrit Vani at their
places on 19th April 2007. The list is sorted as per
their email ids. However Mrs. Gupta prayed for all the
devotees. In this list only those devotees are
included, who themselves recited or read Sri Sai Amrit
Vani at their places. The names of the devotees “for
prayer”, are prayed for, but not included in the list.
Kindly mention clearly, against each devotee’s name
that he/she will recite or read or listen to Sri Sai
Amrit Vani, or only for prayers. Please also give the
name of the place.
This Thursday the 19th April we enjoyed the
following Leelas.
1. As usual Udi started appearing and oozing from the
two photos on the wall from Monday, Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’, and figure of Trishool were formed
with Udi on one photo. On Tuesday Udi started oozing
from the main photo in the mandir. Hindi words ‘RAM’
‘SHAM’ and ‘OM’ along with other figures were also
formed on the photo. From Statue Udi started oozing
from Wednesday.
2. There was lot of Water from the Charans this week
also. This water was collected in the Thali. The
taste of water was similar to gulab jal and kewara
mix. After Sai Amrit Vani, this water was given to the
needy devotees and again the Thali was filled with
water. This water was taken out of thali 3-4 times
throughout the day. Devotees even bring bottles to
take the water home.
3. Lap of Mrs. Gupta was filled with Udi during the
prayers. Udi was there between the falls of the Sari
and all over the sari.
4. Udi also appeared on many other devotees in their
laps and also in the books of Sri Sai Amrit Vani.
5. On Thursday as soon as Bhog was offered, it was
duly accepted by Baba and after the Sri Sai Amrit Vani
we noticed that the box, which was placed before HIM
was partially eaten and partially remained pieces of
items in the box. Part of Bhog was on the lips of
many photos and statue of Baba. These parts of the
remains in the box were given to the devotees who
offered that item of bhog to Baba.
6. Presence of Baba during the recitation of Sai Amrit
Vani, Prayer and Prayan of Sr Satcharitra was very
strong. Many devotees felt HIS presence in different
ways.
7. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
8. The Charnamrit, the water in which Baba took the
bath in the morning was also sweet as if some honey
has been mixed into it.
9. Photos, statue and other articles of devotee kept
in the mandir room, were blessed with lots of Udi as
soon as they were placed before Baba.
Jai Sai Ram
Sri Sai Amrit Vani started at 11:04 AM. Noon Aartee
started at 12:00 Hrs. followed by brief Meditation and
the prayer, Prayan of Chapter 34 from Sai
Satcharitra. Mrs. Gupta offered prayers and thanks to
Baba. Finally distribution of Prasad, Udi and the
water from the Charans.
Next Sri Sai Amrit Vani on 26th April, again will be
held in Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi. Devotees
interested in attending it in person may contact on
phone nos. 26346942, 9810714688 or 9312494767 only
after 11 AM (IST) on any day except Thursdays but no
calls on Thursdays PLEASE. They should NOT bring any
bhog with them and be in time. Kids are also not
allowed in the hall. No disturbance is tolerated
during the Sri Sai Amrit Vani .
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now available in Tamil script
also besides in Devnagri, English and Telgu, in the
file section of the yahoogroup. Links of Audio MP3
files are given in the link section of the home page
of ‘ mysaibaba20’ yahoogroup. To go to home page of
yahoogroup key in or click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysaibaba20 . Audio Mp3
file has also been made available in the publication
section of http://saimemorial.com , the site of Sai
Memorial Temple of Baba of Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
This activity of Sri Sai Amrit Vani
will be in addition to any other pooja or sewa or
prayer that you are doing.
Jai Sai Ram.
Ashok Gupta
mysaibaba20@yahoogroups.com
akg_vg@bol.net.in
veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Satsang A story of greed By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Satsang A story of greed By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
But the old hankering for wealth was still working in Veerabhadrappa and he
appealed to the Fakir Baba to get him wealth. Baba told him to wait, for the
suitable time would be coming soon.
And it came. For that vast stretch of coast land, there was at last a demand
and a sudden appreciation of value. It sold for Rs. 1, 00,000 (just 100
times the worth of the jewels) a moiety of which was paid down in cash, the
rest being payable in 24 annual installments. Now was Veerabhadrappa's
chance. He tried to clutch at that money. Basappa was naturally hostile to
his claims and resisted his efforts.
Baba's intercession was sought and Baba pointed out that Gowri had the right
to the entire money and that none else should interfere. Veerabhadrappa got
angry with Basappa and Baba. He threatened to kill Basappa who, in his
cowardice, sought refuge from Baba. Baba plighted his word that he would
shield him from the wrath of his wicked foe. Then the parties to this feud
died. Veerabhadrappa was born as the serpent and was still unrelenting in
his hatred. The coward Basappa was born as a frog.
Veerabhadrappa tried even in this birth to kill his enemy.
Winding up, Baba said, "Hearing the miserable croaking of Basappa, and
remembering my pledge to save him, I am here. I have kept my word and saved
him." Baba then changed his expression and said "God saved Basappa, his
devotee, by sending me. All this is God's leela or sport."
This may be taken for a perfectly true history. For Baba never spoke
anything but truth. This anecdote has been embodied in grand sonorous
Olivares in Dabolkar's Sai Satcharitra Ch. 47.
That book is read for daily study, "Parayana" by numerous devotees of Sai
Baba. One day, Mr. G. B. Dattar, B.A., LL.B., a Pleader of Thana, was
reading it. A lady in the house was listening to it in a half drowsy
condition. She suffered from periodical internal pains. As she listened, she
burst out half involuntarily, in that drowsy condition, and said "Baba, you
have such pity for a dumb irrational creature. Have you no pity for me, a
human being?"
Then she heard a voice emanating apparently from a peg in the wall saying
"Will you give me Rs. 5 Dakshina for the Dasara?" And she answered she
would, if she was cured. At once she woke up from her dozing condition and
had the money sent up to Sai Samsthan. She began to improve and in some
hours, her agony considerably abated. This was in 1932.
To love God with all your soul: How can you do this if you don't know what
your soul is? Meditation is the way to know your Self as the soul. As you
progress in meditation, you suddenly realize. "I am not this little body
made of flesh. I am not all of these emotions and these habits. I am that
something which is behind this flesh, which is behind these thoughts, which
is surely directing the course of my life." Gradually you see that you are
the master of your own fate. You see you are that which is made in the image
of the Divine-the soul of Self within you. And you feel a sense of expansion
as your soul-awareness unfolds revealing itself as a part of the Infinite.
- Self-Realization
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#Astoryofgreed
But the old hankering for wealth was still working in Veerabhadrappa and he
appealed to the Fakir Baba to get him wealth. Baba told him to wait, for the
suitable time would be coming soon.
And it came. For that vast stretch of coast land, there was at last a demand
and a sudden appreciation of value. It sold for Rs. 1, 00,000 (just 100
times the worth of the jewels) a moiety of which was paid down in cash, the
rest being payable in 24 annual installments. Now was Veerabhadrappa's
chance. He tried to clutch at that money. Basappa was naturally hostile to
his claims and resisted his efforts.
Baba's intercession was sought and Baba pointed out that Gowri had the right
to the entire money and that none else should interfere. Veerabhadrappa got
angry with Basappa and Baba. He threatened to kill Basappa who, in his
cowardice, sought refuge from Baba. Baba plighted his word that he would
shield him from the wrath of his wicked foe. Then the parties to this feud
died. Veerabhadrappa was born as the serpent and was still unrelenting in
his hatred. The coward Basappa was born as a frog.
Veerabhadrappa tried even in this birth to kill his enemy.
Winding up, Baba said, "Hearing the miserable croaking of Basappa, and
remembering my pledge to save him, I am here. I have kept my word and saved
him." Baba then changed his expression and said "God saved Basappa, his
devotee, by sending me. All this is God's leela or sport."
This may be taken for a perfectly true history. For Baba never spoke
anything but truth. This anecdote has been embodied in grand sonorous
Olivares in Dabolkar's Sai Satcharitra Ch. 47.
That book is read for daily study, "Parayana" by numerous devotees of Sai
Baba. One day, Mr. G. B. Dattar, B.A., LL.B., a Pleader of Thana, was
reading it. A lady in the house was listening to it in a half drowsy
condition. She suffered from periodical internal pains. As she listened, she
burst out half involuntarily, in that drowsy condition, and said "Baba, you
have such pity for a dumb irrational creature. Have you no pity for me, a
human being?"
Then she heard a voice emanating apparently from a peg in the wall saying
"Will you give me Rs. 5 Dakshina for the Dasara?" And she answered she
would, if she was cured. At once she woke up from her dozing condition and
had the money sent up to Sai Samsthan. She began to improve and in some
hours, her agony considerably abated. This was in 1932.
To love God with all your soul: How can you do this if you don't know what
your soul is? Meditation is the way to know your Self as the soul. As you
progress in meditation, you suddenly realize. "I am not this little body
made of flesh. I am not all of these emotions and these habits. I am that
something which is behind this flesh, which is behind these thoughts, which
is surely directing the course of my life." Gradually you see that you are
the master of your own fate. You see you are that which is made in the image
of the Divine-the soul of Self within you. And you feel a sense of expansion
as your soul-awareness unfolds revealing itself as a part of the Infinite.
- Self-Realization
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#Astoryofgreed
Satsang A story of greed By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Satsang A story of greed By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Sai Baba then went near and thus addressed the creatures.
Sai Baba: Hallo! Veerabhadrappa! Even now, you have no pity for your enemy
Basappa though he has now taken birth as a frog, just as you have turned
into a serpent? Shame! Shame upon your hatred! Get rid of hatred and rest in
peace!
These words acted like magic. The snake let go its prey, dived into the
river and was lost to sight. The frog hopped away and hid in some tree.
Wayfarer: What a wonder! I cannot see why the snake dropped its prey at your
words. Which of these creatures is Veerabhadrappa? And which Basappa? Give
me their full history, please.
Sai Baba resumed his seat, shared a few puffs with his visitor at his pipe
and spoke: Some 6 or 7 miles off my place, there
was a village sanctified by a temple of Maheshwara. That temple was getting
dilapidated. So the villagers began to collect funds for its renovation. The
treasurer appointed was a rich miser. He spent but little of the collections
on the renovation which consequently made very poor progress; and he
swallowed much of the public funds. Seeing the work thus hampered, God
appeared in a dream and told the wife of the treasurer: "If you spend any
money in renovating this temple, Maheshwara will give it to you back a
hundredfold". On waking, the wife communicated the dream to her husband. But
he sniffed "expenditure" as the drift of her dream and this Shylock would
launch into no such venture. He replied that this was no business
proposition. Was he not the man in charge of funds? If God meant business,
would He not have come to him? And how far was he from her?
Another night, God again came to the wife in her dream and said: "Do not
bother yourself about your husband and his money. Give, if you like, out of
your own." The wife then told her Lord that she was going to endow the
temple with the value of her own jewels. They were worth Rs. 1000. Then this
treasurer, not content with the amounts already embezzled by him, wanted to
do Maheshwara, even in this transaction. He told the wife that he would take
the jewels himself and give them to God i.e. the temple, his vast stretch of
land as its endowment; and the simple woman agreed. But the land was not
his. It was the property of one Dubaki, a poor widow, who was just then too
poor to redeem it. But there was no period of limitation for exercising the
right of redemption. And the present possession of the land was worth
nothing. It was barren, saline coastland yielding nothing in the best of
seasons.
Thus ended this transaction; and sometime later there was a terrific storm.
Lightning struck down the house of the treasurer. He and his wife died. That
lady was born in the same village, as the daughter of the temple priest, to
whom the above land, had been given as service inam. And she was named
Gowri. She had come back to enjoy the land and the priest who was very fond
of her devoted the land to her use. Then he adopted a boy Basappa who was no
other than Dubaki, the mortgager of that land in the previous birth. Basappa
was to have the reversion after or a joint right with Gowri.
Gowri had to be married and the priest came to his great friend Sai Baba,
living in a mosque in that birth also, and asked for advice. Baba told him
to wait for the man destined to marry her would himself soon turn up. Then
came a poor boy of their caste, named Veerabhadrappa, and he married Gowri.
Who was Veerabhadrappa? That embezzler of public money, and God's money, the
treasurer. He had been born of poor parents at Muttra and named
Veerabhadrappa. Veerabhadrappa was at first devoted to Baba as the latter
had proposed his marriage to Gowri.
(to be contd....)
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#Astoryofgreed
Sai Baba then went near and thus addressed the creatures.
Sai Baba: Hallo! Veerabhadrappa! Even now, you have no pity for your enemy
Basappa though he has now taken birth as a frog, just as you have turned
into a serpent? Shame! Shame upon your hatred! Get rid of hatred and rest in
peace!
These words acted like magic. The snake let go its prey, dived into the
river and was lost to sight. The frog hopped away and hid in some tree.
Wayfarer: What a wonder! I cannot see why the snake dropped its prey at your
words. Which of these creatures is Veerabhadrappa? And which Basappa? Give
me their full history, please.
Sai Baba resumed his seat, shared a few puffs with his visitor at his pipe
and spoke: Some 6 or 7 miles off my place, there
was a village sanctified by a temple of Maheshwara. That temple was getting
dilapidated. So the villagers began to collect funds for its renovation. The
treasurer appointed was a rich miser. He spent but little of the collections
on the renovation which consequently made very poor progress; and he
swallowed much of the public funds. Seeing the work thus hampered, God
appeared in a dream and told the wife of the treasurer: "If you spend any
money in renovating this temple, Maheshwara will give it to you back a
hundredfold". On waking, the wife communicated the dream to her husband. But
he sniffed "expenditure" as the drift of her dream and this Shylock would
launch into no such venture. He replied that this was no business
proposition. Was he not the man in charge of funds? If God meant business,
would He not have come to him? And how far was he from her?
Another night, God again came to the wife in her dream and said: "Do not
bother yourself about your husband and his money. Give, if you like, out of
your own." The wife then told her Lord that she was going to endow the
temple with the value of her own jewels. They were worth Rs. 1000. Then this
treasurer, not content with the amounts already embezzled by him, wanted to
do Maheshwara, even in this transaction. He told the wife that he would take
the jewels himself and give them to God i.e. the temple, his vast stretch of
land as its endowment; and the simple woman agreed. But the land was not
his. It was the property of one Dubaki, a poor widow, who was just then too
poor to redeem it. But there was no period of limitation for exercising the
right of redemption. And the present possession of the land was worth
nothing. It was barren, saline coastland yielding nothing in the best of
seasons.
Thus ended this transaction; and sometime later there was a terrific storm.
Lightning struck down the house of the treasurer. He and his wife died. That
lady was born in the same village, as the daughter of the temple priest, to
whom the above land, had been given as service inam. And she was named
Gowri. She had come back to enjoy the land and the priest who was very fond
of her devoted the land to her use. Then he adopted a boy Basappa who was no
other than Dubaki, the mortgager of that land in the previous birth. Basappa
was to have the reversion after or a joint right with Gowri.
Gowri had to be married and the priest came to his great friend Sai Baba,
living in a mosque in that birth also, and asked for advice. Baba told him
to wait for the man destined to marry her would himself soon turn up. Then
came a poor boy of their caste, named Veerabhadrappa, and he married Gowri.
Who was Veerabhadrappa? That embezzler of public money, and God's money, the
treasurer. He had been born of poor parents at Muttra and named
Veerabhadrappa. Veerabhadrappa was at first devoted to Baba as the latter
had proposed his marriage to Gowri.
(to be contd....)
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#Astoryofgreed
Satsang A story of greed By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Satsang A story of greed By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
A story of greed
By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
THE LORD'S MY SHEPHERD
A brilliant and accomplished writer was invited to deliver a talk on Psalm
23 - "The Lord is My Shepherd." For over an hour he spoke feelingly on the
thought content, the beautiful language, the lyrical verse and the poetic
metaphors in the Psalm. At the end of the talk, an old pastor came up and
shook his hands. His eyes were touched with tears, and he asked if he could
recite the Psalm to conclude the meeting. The speaker requested him to do
so.
The old man held his hands in devotion and with eyes closed in piety,
recited the entire psalm from memory. A hushed silence fell on the audience.
The speaker said to his audience; "I know the psalm. But this gentleman here
knows the Shepherd!"
Sai Baba occasionally narrated a few reminiscences of his own past births.
These were never taken down and most are forgotten. But a few are still
fresh in the memory of the hearers. One of these is given below,
substantially as given out by Baba. The readers will note how every sentence
of his brims with wisdom and virtue; and now, for centuries, Baba is the
same
Samartha carrying on his mission of helping humanity with his superhuman
power, lofty principles and benign impartiality.
One morning Sai Baba strolled along till he came to a river bank. There he
sat under a tree, admiring the dense foliage of an alley and lit his pipe
with a pair of flints. A wayfarer came up and the hospitable Baba gave him a
few puffs out of his pipe. Then a peculiar sound was heard.
Wayfarer: Let us see what the matter is.
Sai Baba: Matter! It is the croaking in pain of a frog seized by a snake. It
is reaping the fruit of its own karma. What we have done in the past comes
to us now as present suffering. And yet there is an outcry against Fate!
The wayfarer went out to see the frog for himself.
Sai Baba (without leaving his seat): The frog is caught by a huge serpent
and is crying. But both the frog and the serpent were wicked in their past
birth and have come into their present bodies to reap their reward.
The wayfarer, returning to Baba: Yes, I went and saw. A big frog, it is, in
the mouth of a huge black serpent. In 10 or 20 minutes, it will be all over
with the poor frog!
Sai Baba: No I am its father and am here. Will I let the snake eat it? Just
see how I release it!
Then Baba walked on to the place where the frog was. The wayfarer who was
going in advance suddenly took fright.
Wayfarer: Baba! let us go back. Do not go nearer. The serpent may fly at us.
Sai Baba: Do not fear.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#Astoryofgreed
A story of greed
By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
THE LORD'S MY SHEPHERD
A brilliant and accomplished writer was invited to deliver a talk on Psalm
23 - "The Lord is My Shepherd." For over an hour he spoke feelingly on the
thought content, the beautiful language, the lyrical verse and the poetic
metaphors in the Psalm. At the end of the talk, an old pastor came up and
shook his hands. His eyes were touched with tears, and he asked if he could
recite the Psalm to conclude the meeting. The speaker requested him to do
so.
The old man held his hands in devotion and with eyes closed in piety,
recited the entire psalm from memory. A hushed silence fell on the audience.
The speaker said to his audience; "I know the psalm. But this gentleman here
knows the Shepherd!"
Sai Baba occasionally narrated a few reminiscences of his own past births.
These were never taken down and most are forgotten. But a few are still
fresh in the memory of the hearers. One of these is given below,
substantially as given out by Baba. The readers will note how every sentence
of his brims with wisdom and virtue; and now, for centuries, Baba is the
same
Samartha carrying on his mission of helping humanity with his superhuman
power, lofty principles and benign impartiality.
One morning Sai Baba strolled along till he came to a river bank. There he
sat under a tree, admiring the dense foliage of an alley and lit his pipe
with a pair of flints. A wayfarer came up and the hospitable Baba gave him a
few puffs out of his pipe. Then a peculiar sound was heard.
Wayfarer: Let us see what the matter is.
Sai Baba: Matter! It is the croaking in pain of a frog seized by a snake. It
is reaping the fruit of its own karma. What we have done in the past comes
to us now as present suffering. And yet there is an outcry against Fate!
The wayfarer went out to see the frog for himself.
Sai Baba (without leaving his seat): The frog is caught by a huge serpent
and is crying. But both the frog and the serpent were wicked in their past
birth and have come into their present bodies to reap their reward.
The wayfarer, returning to Baba: Yes, I went and saw. A big frog, it is, in
the mouth of a huge black serpent. In 10 or 20 minutes, it will be all over
with the poor frog!
Sai Baba: No I am its father and am here. Will I let the snake eat it? Just
see how I release it!
Then Baba walked on to the place where the frog was. The wayfarer who was
going in advance suddenly took fright.
Wayfarer: Baba! let us go back. Do not go nearer. The serpent may fly at us.
Sai Baba: Do not fear.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/jan1999.htm#Astoryofgreed
Satsang The Source of Inspiration By Justice T. N. Vallinayagam
Satsang The Source of Inspiration By Justice T. N. Vallinayagam
The Source of Inspiration
By Justice T. N. Vallinayagam
Mr. Justice I N. Vallinayagam of the Karnataka High Court was with us on
15.1.1999 to release the booklet ‘Thus Spake Saipadananda' and we are
pleased to publish excerpts from his speech in the form of an article.
- Editor
Religion exists for the uplift of humanity and is a path to Divinity.
Fundamentally the basic principles of all religions are alike; but the base
ego often perverts them for its own ends. The Vedas and works like those of
Valmiki and Veda Vyasa, the former depicting the life' story of Lord Rama
and the latter of Lord Krishna in the Mahabharata which inter alia contains
the Bhagavad Geetha - the Divine Song - and a code of conduct for humanity
in spiritual, moral and social spheres, are epics of which one could be
justly proud. The great prophet Mohamed and Jesus Christ propagated
religions of peace and universal love.
In Kali Yuga, politics and greed have deflected the Hindus from the
teachings of the Vedas and Puranas; the Muslims from those of the Koran and
Christian nations are claiming a desire to establish peace by war! India is
in turmoil despite its proud culture and peace loving nature. Even nature
has become violent and we hear of destructive floods and earthquakes.
For fifty years, the great Master Sai Baba of Shirdi disseminated by precept
and example the religion of faith, truth and love to humanity, when he was
in the mortal coil, and decades after his Mahasamadhi in 1918, his message
has progressively rung louder throughout the length and breadth of India-
and even beyond, thanks to the sincere and untiring labors of His apostles -
Poojya Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. As a humble
devotee of Sai Baba, I am proud of his glory and grace.
Sai Baba was 'Parabrahma' but was humility incarnate. He would say: 'I am a
servant of God." Many instances of His supreme mystic power and leelas could
be cited, but he never paraded them and attributed everything to Allah and
the Guru. There was no distinction with him of caste, class or creed and the
Hindu would do his worship in the mosque along with Muslim and Parsi
devotees and others who offered prayers in their own way. He never gave up
'Bhiksha' although after 1911 there were large offerings of fruits and
sweets of which He took only little bits. He used to distribute fairly large
amounts of money every day but spent nothing on Himself. Just before His
last breath He took nine coins from his pocket and gave to Lakshmi.
He was an ocean of 'Premamrita' but people looked up to Him more for worldly
benefits than spiritual. He once said that thousands had come to Him, but
those who came for purely spiritual benefit could be counted on his fingers.
Our duty is to vow complete surrender of ourselves to Him and live our
worldly life with as much detachment as possible, and with faith and love,
be living examples of Universal Brotherhood. We have the ideals of Sri
Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and may the Master in His
unbounded Grace make us worthy of Him.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/april1999.htm#TheSourceofIns
piration
The Source of Inspiration
By Justice T. N. Vallinayagam
Mr. Justice I N. Vallinayagam of the Karnataka High Court was with us on
15.1.1999 to release the booklet ‘Thus Spake Saipadananda' and we are
pleased to publish excerpts from his speech in the form of an article.
- Editor
Religion exists for the uplift of humanity and is a path to Divinity.
Fundamentally the basic principles of all religions are alike; but the base
ego often perverts them for its own ends. The Vedas and works like those of
Valmiki and Veda Vyasa, the former depicting the life' story of Lord Rama
and the latter of Lord Krishna in the Mahabharata which inter alia contains
the Bhagavad Geetha - the Divine Song - and a code of conduct for humanity
in spiritual, moral and social spheres, are epics of which one could be
justly proud. The great prophet Mohamed and Jesus Christ propagated
religions of peace and universal love.
In Kali Yuga, politics and greed have deflected the Hindus from the
teachings of the Vedas and Puranas; the Muslims from those of the Koran and
Christian nations are claiming a desire to establish peace by war! India is
in turmoil despite its proud culture and peace loving nature. Even nature
has become violent and we hear of destructive floods and earthquakes.
For fifty years, the great Master Sai Baba of Shirdi disseminated by precept
and example the religion of faith, truth and love to humanity, when he was
in the mortal coil, and decades after his Mahasamadhi in 1918, his message
has progressively rung louder throughout the length and breadth of India-
and even beyond, thanks to the sincere and untiring labors of His apostles -
Poojya Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. As a humble
devotee of Sai Baba, I am proud of his glory and grace.
Sai Baba was 'Parabrahma' but was humility incarnate. He would say: 'I am a
servant of God." Many instances of His supreme mystic power and leelas could
be cited, but he never paraded them and attributed everything to Allah and
the Guru. There was no distinction with him of caste, class or creed and the
Hindu would do his worship in the mosque along with Muslim and Parsi
devotees and others who offered prayers in their own way. He never gave up
'Bhiksha' although after 1911 there were large offerings of fruits and
sweets of which He took only little bits. He used to distribute fairly large
amounts of money every day but spent nothing on Himself. Just before His
last breath He took nine coins from his pocket and gave to Lakshmi.
He was an ocean of 'Premamrita' but people looked up to Him more for worldly
benefits than spiritual. He once said that thousands had come to Him, but
those who came for purely spiritual benefit could be counted on his fingers.
Our duty is to vow complete surrender of ourselves to Him and live our
worldly life with as much detachment as possible, and with faith and love,
be living examples of Universal Brotherhood. We have the ideals of Sri
Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji and may the Master in His
unbounded Grace make us worthy of Him.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/april1999.htm#TheSourceofIns
piration
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Satsang Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder? By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Satsang Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder? By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
If one had no other pre-existing loyalties and came to Baba to treat him as
one's Guru-God and his name as the sacred guru mantra, Baba allowed and even
encouraged it. To such people, Baba even touched his own pictures and
presented or returned the same for worship, and assured people that he
resided in the picture thus worshipped, and even gave proofs of such
residence. Baba, however, never gave any picture or other object to Moslems
or Christians that had a strong aversion to the worship of objects. Baba
never disturbed the faith of people in their own scriptures.
Building or creation is a complex process, and involves the replacing of old
forms by new ones. Though the old order change giving place to the new, in
god's plan, several people stick to their old forms and these are called
superstitions. But instead of applying opprobrious epithets to these, it is
better to allay their fears by demonstrating that apparent destruction by
God of the old is an indispensable part of His constructive work and that
really destruction is construction in such cases. When in the march of
evolution, the single cell bursts into two, the death of the old is the
birth of the new. Even where highly complex organisms with sex
characteristics differentiated, the older must wear out and die before the
younger are born and developed.
The old dilapidated temple however sacred must be pulled down before the new
beautiful temple is built on the same site. Similarly, though Baba assures
people of his respect for old forms, old gods and gurus, what happens often
is that a new strong, vigorous, charming and fruitful faith in Sai Baba
replaces the old decadent profession of faith in one's older gods and gurus.
But do those enjoying the new faith deplore the loss of the old or even
declare that they have lost anything? In fact, they have lost nothing
really. What has been given up was not any living faith. People should not
give up their living and fruitful faith in Rama, Krishna, etc. and in their
gurus. They never do give up such faith.
A more recent instance occurring at Kumbakonam may be repeated. A staunch
Vaishnavite Brahmin was worshipping God as Tirupati Venkatesa and refused to
pay any regard to any other form. He was ailing from very acute and painful
Sciatica and Rheumatism. His son-in-law gave him Baba's udhi and asked him
to repeat Sai Baba's name with faith. At first, he resisted this attempt to
subvert his faith in Venkatesa, as he termed it. But necessity is the mother
of faith.
One night, when the pain in his body could not be endured any further, he
suddenly took Baba's udhi and applied it to his legs thrice, calling on Sai
Baba to remove his pain. The effect was instantaneous. The pain was off.
Sleep that he could never obtain instantly supervened. He woke up in the
morning freed from sciatica and was able to walk. He first thought that
Venkatesa had led him into faith in Baba. He finally discovered that Baba
was Venkatesa. Baba's Guru being Venkatesa, or one that had merged his self
in Venkatesa. In fact, there is only one God, however necessary it may be to
start one's faith in God by localizing God and attaching a particular form
and name to Him.
Sai enables men ultimately to see that the fruit of former faith is the
present faith, that Sai is no other than the Old Ishta Devata and guru and
that the unifying and harmonizing influence molding their lives and selves
points and leads to that ultimate unity-Sai-chit-Ananda. Such experience has
come to several. Reader, if it has not come to you yet, you also may get it
one day. It is your own God who draws you through the Sai form.
Freedom
The truly blessed are those who, flinging freedom aside, have clung to Thy
Lotus-feet;
In pain is their gain;
In defeat is their joy;
In sorrow is their dawn of awakening;
In suffering is their victory!
And to those that smite them, they give their smiles!
And to those that persecute them they send out the benedictions of their
love-filled hearts!
They are the truly free! They have broken all fetters-Aye, even the fetter
of freedom!
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/april1999.htm#IsSaiBabaaBrea
kerorBuilder
If one had no other pre-existing loyalties and came to Baba to treat him as
one's Guru-God and his name as the sacred guru mantra, Baba allowed and even
encouraged it. To such people, Baba even touched his own pictures and
presented or returned the same for worship, and assured people that he
resided in the picture thus worshipped, and even gave proofs of such
residence. Baba, however, never gave any picture or other object to Moslems
or Christians that had a strong aversion to the worship of objects. Baba
never disturbed the faith of people in their own scriptures.
Building or creation is a complex process, and involves the replacing of old
forms by new ones. Though the old order change giving place to the new, in
god's plan, several people stick to their old forms and these are called
superstitions. But instead of applying opprobrious epithets to these, it is
better to allay their fears by demonstrating that apparent destruction by
God of the old is an indispensable part of His constructive work and that
really destruction is construction in such cases. When in the march of
evolution, the single cell bursts into two, the death of the old is the
birth of the new. Even where highly complex organisms with sex
characteristics differentiated, the older must wear out and die before the
younger are born and developed.
The old dilapidated temple however sacred must be pulled down before the new
beautiful temple is built on the same site. Similarly, though Baba assures
people of his respect for old forms, old gods and gurus, what happens often
is that a new strong, vigorous, charming and fruitful faith in Sai Baba
replaces the old decadent profession of faith in one's older gods and gurus.
But do those enjoying the new faith deplore the loss of the old or even
declare that they have lost anything? In fact, they have lost nothing
really. What has been given up was not any living faith. People should not
give up their living and fruitful faith in Rama, Krishna, etc. and in their
gurus. They never do give up such faith.
A more recent instance occurring at Kumbakonam may be repeated. A staunch
Vaishnavite Brahmin was worshipping God as Tirupati Venkatesa and refused to
pay any regard to any other form. He was ailing from very acute and painful
Sciatica and Rheumatism. His son-in-law gave him Baba's udhi and asked him
to repeat Sai Baba's name with faith. At first, he resisted this attempt to
subvert his faith in Venkatesa, as he termed it. But necessity is the mother
of faith.
One night, when the pain in his body could not be endured any further, he
suddenly took Baba's udhi and applied it to his legs thrice, calling on Sai
Baba to remove his pain. The effect was instantaneous. The pain was off.
Sleep that he could never obtain instantly supervened. He woke up in the
morning freed from sciatica and was able to walk. He first thought that
Venkatesa had led him into faith in Baba. He finally discovered that Baba
was Venkatesa. Baba's Guru being Venkatesa, or one that had merged his self
in Venkatesa. In fact, there is only one God, however necessary it may be to
start one's faith in God by localizing God and attaching a particular form
and name to Him.
Sai enables men ultimately to see that the fruit of former faith is the
present faith, that Sai is no other than the Old Ishta Devata and guru and
that the unifying and harmonizing influence molding their lives and selves
points and leads to that ultimate unity-Sai-chit-Ananda. Such experience has
come to several. Reader, if it has not come to you yet, you also may get it
one day. It is your own God who draws you through the Sai form.
Freedom
The truly blessed are those who, flinging freedom aside, have clung to Thy
Lotus-feet;
In pain is their gain;
In defeat is their joy;
In sorrow is their dawn of awakening;
In suffering is their victory!
And to those that smite them, they give their smiles!
And to those that persecute them they send out the benedictions of their
love-filled hearts!
They are the truly free! They have broken all fetters-Aye, even the fetter
of freedom!
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/april1999.htm#IsSaiBabaaBrea
kerorBuilder
Satsang Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder? By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Satsang Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder? By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder?
By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Worth Living
Believe that life is worth living-and you will see that it is so.
- J. P. Vaswani
All people are informed of Sai Baba's glorious nature and deeds, his
wonderful help in matters of this world and beyond, some exclaim, "Why do
you ask me to give up my old loyalties to my Ishta Devata Rama and Krishna
and my guru with his guru mantra and sadhanas ?" Some even go further and
condemn what they call the creation of a new cult with a new god through
"violent methods of propaganda and proselytism so foreign to the satvic
ideals of "Hinduism." Let us pause to analyze and examine each of these
objections.
The first sets of objectors are using leading or misleading questions. "Have
you left off beating your mother? Answer yes or no", if put to a witness who
has not admitted that he ever beat his mother, is usually quoted as an
example of this objectionable question. The short answer to this set of
questioners is that neither Baba, nor any true devotee of his ever asks
people to give up their loyalties to their gods, gurus or guru sampradayas
etc. but in spite of this declaration, these objectors often repeat their
question, though some are satisfied when the following facts are narrated to
them.
Baba did not wish Hindus to give up their religion, to embrace Islam or
Christianity. Once a Hindu recently converted to Islam was brought to Baba
who asked him then, "Have you given up the father that begot you and taken
another father?"
Baba first dissuaded Hindus, who ran up to worship him and directed them to
go back and worship the stone gods, which their fathers worshipped and
allowed them finally to worship him in addition to and not in substitution
of their old gods. When a man approached Baba with the fear tucking at his
heart that he was doing gurudroham to his former guru in approaching a new
guru, Baba sent him away. Where another approached him with the same fear,
Baba expressly told him that one's previous gurus and guru mantra and guru
sampradaya etc., should not be given up, however little their apparent merit
and however great the merits of other gurus might be or seem.
To a third man, who had already obtained gurumantram from his guru and yet
light-heartedly applied to Baba to make himself the guru, Baba's answer was
that no guru was necessary and all that the man had to do was to dive within
him and see himself-Adwaitic line being evidently that man's hereditary or
chosen marga. Baba generally added the assurance that by intensifying one's
own guru, be that guru even a mere potsherd, one is sure to achieve one's
objects, including even moksha.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/april1999.htm#IsSaiBabaaBrea
kerorBuilder
Is Sai Baba a Breaker or Builder?
By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Worth Living
Believe that life is worth living-and you will see that it is so.
- J. P. Vaswani
All people are informed of Sai Baba's glorious nature and deeds, his
wonderful help in matters of this world and beyond, some exclaim, "Why do
you ask me to give up my old loyalties to my Ishta Devata Rama and Krishna
and my guru with his guru mantra and sadhanas ?" Some even go further and
condemn what they call the creation of a new cult with a new god through
"violent methods of propaganda and proselytism so foreign to the satvic
ideals of "Hinduism." Let us pause to analyze and examine each of these
objections.
The first sets of objectors are using leading or misleading questions. "Have
you left off beating your mother? Answer yes or no", if put to a witness who
has not admitted that he ever beat his mother, is usually quoted as an
example of this objectionable question. The short answer to this set of
questioners is that neither Baba, nor any true devotee of his ever asks
people to give up their loyalties to their gods, gurus or guru sampradayas
etc. but in spite of this declaration, these objectors often repeat their
question, though some are satisfied when the following facts are narrated to
them.
Baba did not wish Hindus to give up their religion, to embrace Islam or
Christianity. Once a Hindu recently converted to Islam was brought to Baba
who asked him then, "Have you given up the father that begot you and taken
another father?"
Baba first dissuaded Hindus, who ran up to worship him and directed them to
go back and worship the stone gods, which their fathers worshipped and
allowed them finally to worship him in addition to and not in substitution
of their old gods. When a man approached Baba with the fear tucking at his
heart that he was doing gurudroham to his former guru in approaching a new
guru, Baba sent him away. Where another approached him with the same fear,
Baba expressly told him that one's previous gurus and guru mantra and guru
sampradaya etc., should not be given up, however little their apparent merit
and however great the merits of other gurus might be or seem.
To a third man, who had already obtained gurumantram from his guru and yet
light-heartedly applied to Baba to make himself the guru, Baba's answer was
that no guru was necessary and all that the man had to do was to dive within
him and see himself-Adwaitic line being evidently that man's hereditary or
chosen marga. Baba generally added the assurance that by intensifying one's
own guru, be that guru even a mere potsherd, one is sure to achieve one's
objects, including even moksha.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/april1999.htm#IsSaiBabaaBrea
kerorBuilder
Satsang Thought for the day
Satsang Thought for the day
DON'T LOOK BACK
As you travel through life there are always those times
When decisions just have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.
There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.
So pack up your troubles and take a step forward -
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you can be stalwart enough!
There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!
Perhaps you'll find friendships that spring from
new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!
Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!
Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.
Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.
So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
And taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road -
Don't look back! You're not going that way!
-- Author Unknown
DON'T LOOK BACK
As you travel through life there are always those times
When decisions just have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.
There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.
So pack up your troubles and take a step forward -
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you can be stalwart enough!
There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!
Perhaps you'll find friendships that spring from
new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!
Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!
Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.
Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.
So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
And taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road -
Don't look back! You're not going that way!
-- Author Unknown
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Satsang Sai Baba speaks to you directly
Satsang Sai Baba speaks to you directly
Sai Baba speaks to you directly
By Chakor Ajgaonkar
Baba spoke in a few words. But His meaning was deep and all-pervading. The
words could not be commented upon in Vedic, darshanic and ecclesiastical
words. The interpreter could not analyze or plunge into his truth fully. His
words were exuding direct veracity of life and spirit. I therefore, quote
him without my intermediary or symbolic diction.
Vows and Welfare:
Baba: I cater to your prayers and demands to fulfill your longings. You
approach Me again and again with new demands. Do not take for granted that
My mission is to feed your wants. It is true that I am bound by your love.
However, the real reason why I fulfill your wishes is that there is stark
ignorance in you which makes such childish demands. I wait with hope that
you would realise your ignorance one day and begin to desire and want what I
really yearn to give to you, realising where your welfare lies. I thirst for
this fortunate and divine hour in your life.
This opportunity will never recur:
My dear children, God is standing before you in person in flesh and blood in
the frame of Sai. This is a most fortunate and uplifting hour. The moment
will never come again. God is standing in front of your door with a begging
bowl in His hand. Awake, arise and try to know His divine identity and
purpose. Sai is begging you to select the ultimate way of welfare and fill
His bowl. This is a rare opportunity in your existence. If you fail to
understand, you will be an eternal loser.
Offering to God:
What will you offer to the Lord begging at your door?
You have nothing of your own to give Him. All things in this universe belong
to Him. You cannot deceive Him by offering Him worldly objects like flowers,
water, fruit or even golden or more precious articles on earth. You have
nothing of your own except your body, mind, intellect and ego. You can offer
these things to Him. This is known as dedication and surrender. Sai means
this offering only when He speaks of Faith and Perseverance. You have to be
vacant leaving everything at His feet and follow His dictates by installing
Him at the helm of the chariot of your existence.
What you can demand from Sai?
My dear children, my Guru's wealth is lying in the field in abundance. I am
waiting to see when you realise the wealth and approach me for gifting you
with the fortune. This fortune is not different from the wealth of
liberation which is my Guru's treasure. You make claims for all other things
except my Guru's treasure. You ask for petty worldly things. When will you
ask for the recitation of name and meditation of form? When will you merge
in God in absolute surrender? I cannot give you your choicest treasure
unless you stop demanding material benefits and turn your face to the Lord.
Ask for your ultimate welfare:
My dear sons and daughters, rise up from your slumber of ignorance and long
for God's love, proximity and merger with him. Do not ask for temporary,
transient and fleeting interest in life. Worldly object can be achieved by
labour and efforts. My fakir sarkar's gifts are limitless and eternal. They
are liberating, relieving and uplifting. Ask for the auspicious and undying
objects that God wishes to grant you. Ask for His eternal grace. Do not turn
your face away from Godly gifts of grace for petty material worldly
benefits.
Comprehension
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji once made an observation: "Every word, every image
used for God is a distortion more than a description:"
Devotee: "Then how does one speak of God?"
Swamiji: "Through silence."
Devotee: "Why then do you speak in words?"
At that Swamiji smiled and said: "When I speak, you mustn't listen to the
words, my dear. Listen to the silence."
Meaning
A visitor to Sri Sai Spiritual Centre told a devotee: "I have traveled a
great distance to listen to Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, but I find his words
quite ordinary.
Devotee: "Don't listen to his words, Listen to his message."
Visitor: "How does one do that?"
Devotee: Take hold of a sentence that he says. Shake it well till the entire
words drop off. What is left will set your heart on fire."
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#SaiBabaspeakstoy
oudirectly
Sai Baba speaks to you directly
By Chakor Ajgaonkar
Baba spoke in a few words. But His meaning was deep and all-pervading. The
words could not be commented upon in Vedic, darshanic and ecclesiastical
words. The interpreter could not analyze or plunge into his truth fully. His
words were exuding direct veracity of life and spirit. I therefore, quote
him without my intermediary or symbolic diction.
Vows and Welfare:
Baba: I cater to your prayers and demands to fulfill your longings. You
approach Me again and again with new demands. Do not take for granted that
My mission is to feed your wants. It is true that I am bound by your love.
However, the real reason why I fulfill your wishes is that there is stark
ignorance in you which makes such childish demands. I wait with hope that
you would realise your ignorance one day and begin to desire and want what I
really yearn to give to you, realising where your welfare lies. I thirst for
this fortunate and divine hour in your life.
This opportunity will never recur:
My dear children, God is standing before you in person in flesh and blood in
the frame of Sai. This is a most fortunate and uplifting hour. The moment
will never come again. God is standing in front of your door with a begging
bowl in His hand. Awake, arise and try to know His divine identity and
purpose. Sai is begging you to select the ultimate way of welfare and fill
His bowl. This is a rare opportunity in your existence. If you fail to
understand, you will be an eternal loser.
Offering to God:
What will you offer to the Lord begging at your door?
You have nothing of your own to give Him. All things in this universe belong
to Him. You cannot deceive Him by offering Him worldly objects like flowers,
water, fruit or even golden or more precious articles on earth. You have
nothing of your own except your body, mind, intellect and ego. You can offer
these things to Him. This is known as dedication and surrender. Sai means
this offering only when He speaks of Faith and Perseverance. You have to be
vacant leaving everything at His feet and follow His dictates by installing
Him at the helm of the chariot of your existence.
What you can demand from Sai?
My dear children, my Guru's wealth is lying in the field in abundance. I am
waiting to see when you realise the wealth and approach me for gifting you
with the fortune. This fortune is not different from the wealth of
liberation which is my Guru's treasure. You make claims for all other things
except my Guru's treasure. You ask for petty worldly things. When will you
ask for the recitation of name and meditation of form? When will you merge
in God in absolute surrender? I cannot give you your choicest treasure
unless you stop demanding material benefits and turn your face to the Lord.
Ask for your ultimate welfare:
My dear sons and daughters, rise up from your slumber of ignorance and long
for God's love, proximity and merger with him. Do not ask for temporary,
transient and fleeting interest in life. Worldly object can be achieved by
labour and efforts. My fakir sarkar's gifts are limitless and eternal. They
are liberating, relieving and uplifting. Ask for the auspicious and undying
objects that God wishes to grant you. Ask for His eternal grace. Do not turn
your face away from Godly gifts of grace for petty material worldly
benefits.
Comprehension
Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji once made an observation: "Every word, every image
used for God is a distortion more than a description:"
Devotee: "Then how does one speak of God?"
Swamiji: "Through silence."
Devotee: "Why then do you speak in words?"
At that Swamiji smiled and said: "When I speak, you mustn't listen to the
words, my dear. Listen to the silence."
Meaning
A visitor to Sri Sai Spiritual Centre told a devotee: "I have traveled a
great distance to listen to Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, but I find his words
quite ordinary.
Devotee: "Don't listen to his words, Listen to his message."
Visitor: "How does one do that?"
Devotee: Take hold of a sentence that he says. Shake it well till the entire
words drop off. What is left will set your heart on fire."
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#SaiBabaspeakstoy
oudirectly
Satsang The Immortal Theme
Satsang The Immortal Theme
The Hindus worshipped the saint in accordance with their Sastric modes,
using mantras in the worship. The saint had a deep knowledge of the Hindu
scriptures as well as of the Quran, the scripture of the Mohammedans. He
often expounded the tenants of these religions in a wonderful way to His
devotees. He often gave money to poor Mohammedan pilgrims for pilgrimage to
Mecca. The holy name of Allah was always on the lips of Sai Baba. He gave
His pictures and Padukas to His Hindu devotees and asked them to worship
them. He exhorted the Mohammedans, to perform their Namaz regularly and
without fail. He deprecated strongly the idea of a man praising his own
religion and belittling the religion of another.
Baba held Rama, Krishna, and Hanuman etc. in great reverence as God. Hence
He would refuse to sit on the same level with them. For saints like
Gnyaneshwar, Eknath and Tukaram, He had the highest regard. And He would sit
up, join His palms in front of His chest in token of reverence and close His
eyes as soon as arati of any of them was commenced. About Eknath, He would
say that Eknath was an excellent Brahmin the like of which you do not come
across these days.
Sai Baba was a Puma Jnani and an adept par excellence in yoga. Kharida yoga
is a practice which one in a billion among yogis knows. Baba was that rare
yogi, the yogi among yogis. So He would guide seekers of Gnana yoga and Raja
yoga and Hatha yoga who would seek His personal help and guidance. Their
experiences being personal may not come before the world.
Knowing the operation of the law of cause and effect in the universe, 'What
you sow, so you reap' was the truth underlying the tales and parables that
the narrated. For the laymen, He advocated the Bhakti marga, the path of
devotion, of which devotion and chanting the Name are the main planks.
Worshipping, serving and loving God are its chief features. He stressed by
word and example the importance of developing this devotion to one's Guru.
The saint sincerely worked for the spiritual uplift of mankind, healing the
sores of suffering of humanity by the extraordinary power of His spiritual
attainments and shuffled off His mortal coil on October 15, 1918.
But is Baba really dead? No. From His Samadhi, He hears our prayers and
supplications and grants them with a generous heart. It is this generosity
of Baba that is responsible for the unqualified success of the Baba Mission.
The saint is as alive today with His body in His Samadhi, as He was while in
flesh and blood. He inclines His ears unto our prayers today from His
samadhi as vigilantly as He did while He was in our midst in His physical
body.
When Baba is ever willing and ready to favour the devotee with his grace, it
is incumbent on the devotee, and it becomes his sacred duty to become a fit
receptacle to receive such grace. He can become eligible to receive such
grace by leading a chaste, pure, simple and virtuous life. Sincere
repentance and confession will wash away the feeling of guilt. He has to
look up trustfully and sincerely to the Guru to operate or work on him and
raise him higher and higher through various experiences till at last he is
taken to the distant goal as a culmination of his sadhana.
Identification
A devotee asked Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji - "I wish to see God."
Swamiji said "you are looking at Him right now."
Devotee: "Then why do I not see him?"
Swamiji: "Why does the eye not see itself?"
Later Swamiji explained: "As well ask a knife to cut itself or a tooth to
bite itself as ask that God reveal Himself."
Friendliness
A devotee queried Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "What shall I do to love my
neighbour?"
Swamiji: "Stop hating yourself." The devotee pondered those words long and
seriously and came back to say "But I love myself too much, for I am selfish
and self-centered. How do I get rid of that?"
Swamiji advised him, "Be friendly to yourself and your self will be
contented and it will set you free to love your neighbour."
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#TheImmortalTheme
The Hindus worshipped the saint in accordance with their Sastric modes,
using mantras in the worship. The saint had a deep knowledge of the Hindu
scriptures as well as of the Quran, the scripture of the Mohammedans. He
often expounded the tenants of these religions in a wonderful way to His
devotees. He often gave money to poor Mohammedan pilgrims for pilgrimage to
Mecca. The holy name of Allah was always on the lips of Sai Baba. He gave
His pictures and Padukas to His Hindu devotees and asked them to worship
them. He exhorted the Mohammedans, to perform their Namaz regularly and
without fail. He deprecated strongly the idea of a man praising his own
religion and belittling the religion of another.
Baba held Rama, Krishna, and Hanuman etc. in great reverence as God. Hence
He would refuse to sit on the same level with them. For saints like
Gnyaneshwar, Eknath and Tukaram, He had the highest regard. And He would sit
up, join His palms in front of His chest in token of reverence and close His
eyes as soon as arati of any of them was commenced. About Eknath, He would
say that Eknath was an excellent Brahmin the like of which you do not come
across these days.
Sai Baba was a Puma Jnani and an adept par excellence in yoga. Kharida yoga
is a practice which one in a billion among yogis knows. Baba was that rare
yogi, the yogi among yogis. So He would guide seekers of Gnana yoga and Raja
yoga and Hatha yoga who would seek His personal help and guidance. Their
experiences being personal may not come before the world.
Knowing the operation of the law of cause and effect in the universe, 'What
you sow, so you reap' was the truth underlying the tales and parables that
the narrated. For the laymen, He advocated the Bhakti marga, the path of
devotion, of which devotion and chanting the Name are the main planks.
Worshipping, serving and loving God are its chief features. He stressed by
word and example the importance of developing this devotion to one's Guru.
The saint sincerely worked for the spiritual uplift of mankind, healing the
sores of suffering of humanity by the extraordinary power of His spiritual
attainments and shuffled off His mortal coil on October 15, 1918.
But is Baba really dead? No. From His Samadhi, He hears our prayers and
supplications and grants them with a generous heart. It is this generosity
of Baba that is responsible for the unqualified success of the Baba Mission.
The saint is as alive today with His body in His Samadhi, as He was while in
flesh and blood. He inclines His ears unto our prayers today from His
samadhi as vigilantly as He did while He was in our midst in His physical
body.
When Baba is ever willing and ready to favour the devotee with his grace, it
is incumbent on the devotee, and it becomes his sacred duty to become a fit
receptacle to receive such grace. He can become eligible to receive such
grace by leading a chaste, pure, simple and virtuous life. Sincere
repentance and confession will wash away the feeling of guilt. He has to
look up trustfully and sincerely to the Guru to operate or work on him and
raise him higher and higher through various experiences till at last he is
taken to the distant goal as a culmination of his sadhana.
Identification
A devotee asked Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji - "I wish to see God."
Swamiji said "you are looking at Him right now."
Devotee: "Then why do I not see him?"
Swamiji: "Why does the eye not see itself?"
Later Swamiji explained: "As well ask a knife to cut itself or a tooth to
bite itself as ask that God reveal Himself."
Friendliness
A devotee queried Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji: "What shall I do to love my
neighbour?"
Swamiji: "Stop hating yourself." The devotee pondered those words long and
seriously and came back to say "But I love myself too much, for I am selfish
and self-centered. How do I get rid of that?"
Swamiji advised him, "Be friendly to yourself and your self will be
contented and it will set you free to love your neighbour."
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#TheImmortalTheme
Satsang Thought for the day
Satsang Thought for the day
START OVER
When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.
When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...
Start over.
When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...
Start over.
When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.
When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.
When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.
When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...
Start over.
Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there ..............
START OVER
-- Author Unknown
START OVER
When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.
When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...
Start over.
When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...
Start over.
When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.
When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.
When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.
When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...
Start over.
Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there ..............
START OVER
-- Author Unknown
Monday, April 16, 2007
Satsang The Last Days
Satsang The Last Days
Shadows of Death:
About the same time Ramachandra Patil, became seriously ill. He was counting
his days in despair. Sai Baba appeared before Ramachandra Patil, physically.
Patil held His feet firmly and asked Baba to tell him the exact time of his
death. Baba was moved and said, "Don't be anxious, your death-warrant has
been withdrawn and you will soon be all right; but I am worried about Tatya
Patil. He will pass away on the Vijayadashmi day. Do not divulge this to
anyone." Indeed Ramachandra Patil recovered, but he was afraid of Tatya's
safety.
On the 3rd October 1918, Raghuvir Purandare and H. S. Dixit were at Shirdi
but Baba sent them to Bombay. He said: "I will go ahead and you follow Me."
He gave them permission saying "My turbot (tomb) will speak, my muff (dust)
will give you replies; My name will speak." As the terrible day neared,
Tatya fell ill and was bed-ridden. Though Baba was also down with fever,
Tatya had full faith in Baba that He would save his life.
Tatya's condition worsened and at one stage Tatya felt his end was certain.
He was getting udi regularly from Baba. One day Baba summoned Tatya. As
Tatya could not walk, he was carried thither by a devotee. Then Baba gave
him rice boiled in milk which he ate with difficulty. Baba looked
enquiringly at Tatya, applied udi to Tatya's forehead and said, "Tatya at
first I got two swings ready for both of us. But now I've changed My mind. I
don't want to take you now. I am going alone, Go home!" Then Baba gave him
udi and Tatya was taken home.
During this period, Baba made one Mr. Vaghe read 'Rama Vijaya' once in a
week. Next, Baba made him go through it a second time, non-stop in three
days. A third round was also finished. When the man was exhausted Baba let
him go and observed silence.
It was four days to go for Vijayadashami. Mrs. Andu Marwadi was sitting
before Him, and then Baba told her, "Bat, I am tired of Dwarakamayi and
Chavadi. I will go over to the Booty's wada where big people will look after
Me." At that time Baba's health was far from satisfactory. He stopped His
trips to Lendi and His begging rounds and sat in the mosque.
He told them that He did not feel well there and asked them to take Him to
the Dagdi (stone) wada to Booty. Saying these last words, he leaned on
Bayaji's body and breathed His last. Bhagoji noticed that His breathing
stopped and told Nanasaheb Nimonkar who was sitting below. Nanasaheb then
brought a little water and poured it in Baba's mouth but it all came out.
Then Nanasaheb burst out weeping.
It was a terrible blow to the countless devotees and the whole of Shirdi
felt like a corpse with its spirit gone. The news spread fast and the whole
village rushed to the mosque weeping and crying. Strangely, Tatya recovered
very rapidly and could sit up by noon. Devotees felt that Sai made the
supreme sacrifice of His life to save Tatya from certain death. For did not
Sai say that He would even give His own head to save His devotee?
Samadhi or death?
Mrs. M. W. Pradhan, one of Sai Baba's devotees records her experience:
The night after Baba's departure, I saw His body in a dying condition in my
dream and said, 'Baba is dying'. Baba replied, 'People do not talk of saints
as dying, but as taking samadhi'. His body was still. People were mourning.
Such was the dream. I felt sad. I woke up at 12-30 midnight. In the morning
we got from Anna Chinchinikar a post-card that Baba passed away at 3-00 p.m.
on holy Dasserah, 15-10-1918."
On the day following His Mahasamadhi i.e., on 16th of October, Baba appeared
to Das Ganu in his dream at Pandharpur and said, "The masjid has collapsed;
all the oil men and grocers of Shirdi have teased Me a lot; so I left the
place. I therefore came to inform you here; go there quickly and cover Me
with Bhakkal flowers." Das Ganu came to Shirdi and started bhajan and kirtan
before Baba's samadhi which he garlanded. Later he fed a large number of
people in Baba's name.
A little later Baba appeared in the dream of another lady and told her to
send the pitamber (light yellow silk dhoti) in her trunk to cover His
samadhi. So she did. When the thirteenth day after the samadhi neared He
appeared in the dream of yet another devotee and told him to celebrate the
day.
Thus Baba rightly declared:
"I shall be alive and vigorous from the tomb also."
"Even after My Mahasamadhi, I shall be with you the moment you think of Me
at any place."
And He stands by His word even today. And that is taking samadhi."
"It is Death that's dead, not He!"
To live is, in itself, a value judgment to breathe is to judge.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#TheLastDays
Shadows of Death:
About the same time Ramachandra Patil, became seriously ill. He was counting
his days in despair. Sai Baba appeared before Ramachandra Patil, physically.
Patil held His feet firmly and asked Baba to tell him the exact time of his
death. Baba was moved and said, "Don't be anxious, your death-warrant has
been withdrawn and you will soon be all right; but I am worried about Tatya
Patil. He will pass away on the Vijayadashmi day. Do not divulge this to
anyone." Indeed Ramachandra Patil recovered, but he was afraid of Tatya's
safety.
On the 3rd October 1918, Raghuvir Purandare and H. S. Dixit were at Shirdi
but Baba sent them to Bombay. He said: "I will go ahead and you follow Me."
He gave them permission saying "My turbot (tomb) will speak, my muff (dust)
will give you replies; My name will speak." As the terrible day neared,
Tatya fell ill and was bed-ridden. Though Baba was also down with fever,
Tatya had full faith in Baba that He would save his life.
Tatya's condition worsened and at one stage Tatya felt his end was certain.
He was getting udi regularly from Baba. One day Baba summoned Tatya. As
Tatya could not walk, he was carried thither by a devotee. Then Baba gave
him rice boiled in milk which he ate with difficulty. Baba looked
enquiringly at Tatya, applied udi to Tatya's forehead and said, "Tatya at
first I got two swings ready for both of us. But now I've changed My mind. I
don't want to take you now. I am going alone, Go home!" Then Baba gave him
udi and Tatya was taken home.
During this period, Baba made one Mr. Vaghe read 'Rama Vijaya' once in a
week. Next, Baba made him go through it a second time, non-stop in three
days. A third round was also finished. When the man was exhausted Baba let
him go and observed silence.
It was four days to go for Vijayadashami. Mrs. Andu Marwadi was sitting
before Him, and then Baba told her, "Bat, I am tired of Dwarakamayi and
Chavadi. I will go over to the Booty's wada where big people will look after
Me." At that time Baba's health was far from satisfactory. He stopped His
trips to Lendi and His begging rounds and sat in the mosque.
He told them that He did not feel well there and asked them to take Him to
the Dagdi (stone) wada to Booty. Saying these last words, he leaned on
Bayaji's body and breathed His last. Bhagoji noticed that His breathing
stopped and told Nanasaheb Nimonkar who was sitting below. Nanasaheb then
brought a little water and poured it in Baba's mouth but it all came out.
Then Nanasaheb burst out weeping.
It was a terrible blow to the countless devotees and the whole of Shirdi
felt like a corpse with its spirit gone. The news spread fast and the whole
village rushed to the mosque weeping and crying. Strangely, Tatya recovered
very rapidly and could sit up by noon. Devotees felt that Sai made the
supreme sacrifice of His life to save Tatya from certain death. For did not
Sai say that He would even give His own head to save His devotee?
Samadhi or death?
Mrs. M. W. Pradhan, one of Sai Baba's devotees records her experience:
The night after Baba's departure, I saw His body in a dying condition in my
dream and said, 'Baba is dying'. Baba replied, 'People do not talk of saints
as dying, but as taking samadhi'. His body was still. People were mourning.
Such was the dream. I felt sad. I woke up at 12-30 midnight. In the morning
we got from Anna Chinchinikar a post-card that Baba passed away at 3-00 p.m.
on holy Dasserah, 15-10-1918."
On the day following His Mahasamadhi i.e., on 16th of October, Baba appeared
to Das Ganu in his dream at Pandharpur and said, "The masjid has collapsed;
all the oil men and grocers of Shirdi have teased Me a lot; so I left the
place. I therefore came to inform you here; go there quickly and cover Me
with Bhakkal flowers." Das Ganu came to Shirdi and started bhajan and kirtan
before Baba's samadhi which he garlanded. Later he fed a large number of
people in Baba's name.
A little later Baba appeared in the dream of another lady and told her to
send the pitamber (light yellow silk dhoti) in her trunk to cover His
samadhi. So she did. When the thirteenth day after the samadhi neared He
appeared in the dream of yet another devotee and told him to celebrate the
day.
Thus Baba rightly declared:
"I shall be alive and vigorous from the tomb also."
"Even after My Mahasamadhi, I shall be with you the moment you think of Me
at any place."
And He stands by His word even today. And that is taking samadhi."
"It is Death that's dead, not He!"
To live is, in itself, a value judgment to breathe is to judge.
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#TheLastDays
Satsang The Last Days
Satsang The Last Days
The year 1918 commenced as any other and a few months passed. Uddhavesa Bua,
usually visited Sai Baba every fortnight. One day, when he arrived, Baba
told him not to take the trouble of visiting Him thereafter. He said the
same to another Mrs. Chandrabai also in July 1918.
Not long after this, one day Sai Baba gave some boli with boiled foul to
Kasim (the son of Bade Baba) and told him, "Go to Aurangabad and see
Shamsuddin Mia, give him this money, Rs. 2507- let him do Moulu, Kowali and
Nyas." Moulu is the singing of devotional songs Kowalis are devotional songs
about saints, sung to the accompaniment of Tabla; Nyas is feeding poor
people. Baba then told Kasim to go to another fakir, Banne Mia, decorate him
with a garland. Thereafter Kasim was to tell Mia "On the ninth day of ninth
month, Allah Himself takes away the lamp which He had lit. Such is Allah's
mercy." Sai Baba gave him Rs. 250/- and a garland. Kasim pleaded he was a
stranger to Aurangabad and so Baba asked Chote Khan to accompany him.
Both Kasim and Chote Khan started for Aurangabad. When they arrived at
Aurangabad railway station, Fakir Shamsuddin whom Chote Khan knew had come
to the station. He was enquiring "Who are the guests come from Fakir Sai?
Chote Khan and Kasim were surprised and bowed to him. Shamsuddin himself
repeated the message of Sai Baba, word by word! Then he led the three guests
’ home and fed them. With the money sent by Sai Baba, he fed a large number
of people. He also performed Kowali and Moulu. By night all this was
completed.
Next day, Kasim, started in search of Banne Mia. When they reached his
house, they saw him standing still, with one hand raised and the other held
down in a trance. There were a few Arabs. They warned the visitors not to
approach him, when he was in that state as he would be furious with them. So
visitors waited for one hour but Banne Mia showed no sign of regaining
awareness. Then Chote khan took the garland which Baba had given them in his
hand and put it round the fakir's neck. Then Banne Mia lowered his raised
arm, as though he became aware of the arrival of the visitors. So Chote Khan
repeated to him the words of Sai Baba, "Ninth day of the ninth month Allah
Himself takes away the lamp which He had lit." On hearing the words, Banne
Mia gazed at the sky and tears rolled down his eyes.
The party left Aurangabad quite thrilled by the happenings. But they could
not understand what it was all about nor had they the courage to ask Baba
about it.
The Brick Breaks:
It was October; one day Baba left the mosque on His daily rounds. Madhavan
Fasle was sweeping the mosque. He found the brick which was so dear to Baba
on the floor. To prevent the dust falling on the holy brick, the boy took it
up in his hands but suddenly it slipped, fell down and broke into two. When
later Baba saw it, He was depressed and said: "It is not the brick
that is broken; it is My destiny."
to be contd.....
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#TheLastDays
The year 1918 commenced as any other and a few months passed. Uddhavesa Bua,
usually visited Sai Baba every fortnight. One day, when he arrived, Baba
told him not to take the trouble of visiting Him thereafter. He said the
same to another Mrs. Chandrabai also in July 1918.
Not long after this, one day Sai Baba gave some boli with boiled foul to
Kasim (the son of Bade Baba) and told him, "Go to Aurangabad and see
Shamsuddin Mia, give him this money, Rs. 2507- let him do Moulu, Kowali and
Nyas." Moulu is the singing of devotional songs Kowalis are devotional songs
about saints, sung to the accompaniment of Tabla; Nyas is feeding poor
people. Baba then told Kasim to go to another fakir, Banne Mia, decorate him
with a garland. Thereafter Kasim was to tell Mia "On the ninth day of ninth
month, Allah Himself takes away the lamp which He had lit. Such is Allah's
mercy." Sai Baba gave him Rs. 250/- and a garland. Kasim pleaded he was a
stranger to Aurangabad and so Baba asked Chote Khan to accompany him.
Both Kasim and Chote Khan started for Aurangabad. When they arrived at
Aurangabad railway station, Fakir Shamsuddin whom Chote Khan knew had come
to the station. He was enquiring "Who are the guests come from Fakir Sai?
Chote Khan and Kasim were surprised and bowed to him. Shamsuddin himself
repeated the message of Sai Baba, word by word! Then he led the three guests
’ home and fed them. With the money sent by Sai Baba, he fed a large number
of people. He also performed Kowali and Moulu. By night all this was
completed.
Next day, Kasim, started in search of Banne Mia. When they reached his
house, they saw him standing still, with one hand raised and the other held
down in a trance. There were a few Arabs. They warned the visitors not to
approach him, when he was in that state as he would be furious with them. So
visitors waited for one hour but Banne Mia showed no sign of regaining
awareness. Then Chote khan took the garland which Baba had given them in his
hand and put it round the fakir's neck. Then Banne Mia lowered his raised
arm, as though he became aware of the arrival of the visitors. So Chote Khan
repeated to him the words of Sai Baba, "Ninth day of the ninth month Allah
Himself takes away the lamp which He had lit." On hearing the words, Banne
Mia gazed at the sky and tears rolled down his eyes.
The party left Aurangabad quite thrilled by the happenings. But they could
not understand what it was all about nor had they the courage to ask Baba
about it.
The Brick Breaks:
It was October; one day Baba left the mosque on His daily rounds. Madhavan
Fasle was sweeping the mosque. He found the brick which was so dear to Baba
on the floor. To prevent the dust falling on the holy brick, the boy took it
up in his hands but suddenly it slipped, fell down and broke into two. When
later Baba saw it, He was depressed and said: "It is not the brick
that is broken; it is My destiny."
to be contd.....
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct2001.htm#TheLastDays
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