Satsang Hail the Savior
Hail the Savior
By R. Radhakrishnan
"I shall draw out my devotees from the jaws of death" is Sai Baba's DICTUM.
How many times He has saved me from the jaws of death. I am writing this
article today on account of, His grace and blessings. Otherwise, I would
have been buried fathoms deep long, long ago and many births (janmas)
according to "Law of Karma" would have taken place. It is really the
wonderful leelas of Baba which are inconceivable, inscrutable and beyond our
mind and intellect. He knows or anticipates and forestalls the calamities of
His devotees and wards them off in time. His debts (obligations) will never
be repaid by us in this birth as well as in many future births. We can at
best chant His Taraka Mantra", "OM SAI, SRI SAI, JAYA JAYA SAI" day and
night which is simple, easy, powerful and a sadhana for the
aspirants/devotees to attain 'Sai Joy' and 'Sai Bliss'.
Baba assured His devotees as under:
"If you simply say Sai, Sai, I will take you over the Seven Seas." In this
connection, it is to be remembered, when Goddess Parvathi asked Siva which
is the most powerful Name (among the thousand names in Vishnu Sahasranama)
to be meditated upon for one to achieve salvation Siva recommended Sri
RAMA'S to be always chanted or meditated upon with love and devotion
(Shradda and Bhakti) to attain salvation. Our Baba also advised Mrs.
Khaparde (wife of Dada Saheb Khaparde of Amrotr) to always chant" 'Raja Ram,
Raja Ram," Our Baba is no other than Shri Ram. He is 'Sairam'.
Now I wish to relate here a recent incident (experience) showing how our
kind Mother takes care of Her children (more than a mother) and averts the
calamities/dangers that were to befall them in life. On 23-1-90 at about 5
a.m., Baba appearing as a well dressed Doctor woke me up, examined me
thoroughly and told me "Your heart is strong. There is no danger to your
life. You will survive". Saying so, He disappeared. (The dream vision was so
realistic - it was not a dream but actual vision). On that day, I with my
wife had been to Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore, to participate in the
"Punya Thithi of H.H. Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji and received His
blessings. We left on the same night for Erachakulam (a modern village 30
miles from the famous (Nagarcoil) via Madras to attend a marriage on
29-1-90. On 28-1-90 itself, perhaps due to change of climate or some other
reasons, I started coughing continuously for two or three hours with the
result, breathing trouble prevented me from getting sleep and also taking
any food.
RESCUED
The next day, I was rushed to Raman Nursing Home at Nagarcoil where I was
treated, but was unable to lie down on the cot and sleep as the breathing
was hard. I was simply sitting on a chair and remembering 'Baba's Name'
shedding tears due to unbearable mental agony. At about 10p.m. or so, I
could hardly breathe and thought that my end was nearing. In a flash Baba
appeared before me with "Abhaya Hasta" (protecting hand) blessed and
disappeared. From that moment my breathing trouble began to abate and after
half an hour or so, it became normal and I could breathe easily and
naturally.
The next day (30-1-90), I was discharged from the nursing home and every one
of my relations was surprised to see me hale hearty and in normal health.
We left Nagarcoil on 20-2-90 for Bangalore and participated in the "Akhanda
Sai Nama Japam" from 6p.m. to 6 a.m. for 12 hrs on the auspicious day of
"Maha Sivarathri" on 23-2-90 at Benson Town, Bangalore. Before leaving
Bangalore, I promised Sai Sister Mrs. C. Sharadamma and Sai Brother Sri
Ananthakrishna, that I would be back from Nagarcoil and join them in the
"Sai Nama Japam" on 23-2-90 arranged in Mrs. Sharadamma's home. It was
really Baba who enabled me to keep up the promise by saving me on 29-1-90.
I request all the Sai bandhus to pin complete 'Faith' in Lord Sai and
surrender to Him with tan, man and dhan so that we can cross over the sea of
mundane Existence, easily and smoothly and attain Eternal Bliss.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine Oct 1990)
Friday, June 01, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Satsang Sri Sai Amrit Vani - 26th April 2007
Satsang Sri Sai Amrit Vani
DEVOTEES MAY FORWARD THIS LETTER TO OTHER DEVOTEES.
26th April 2007
Jai Sai Ram
We receive so many requests for
inclusion of names in the prayers that it is difficult
to prepare a list every week. However all the devotees
are prayed for. A list is prepared of only those
devotees who says that they will recite or read or
listen to Sri Sai Amrit Vani. If you are reciting Sri
Sai Amrit Vani, please give the names in the summary
form after the main letter, enabling me to cut and
paste. Letters should reach by Wednesday evening
(Indian Time).
Group recitation of Sri Sai
Amrit Vani on 3rd May 2007 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 30th April. No
calls on Delhi Nos please during these days.
This Thursday was again normal and usual with HIS
usual Leelas except that Udi from the Statue also
started oozing from Tuesday. Bhog from the vendor
(Halwai) arrived at 8:30 AM and was kept temporarily
at the dinning table. When Mrs. Gupta came from the
bathroom after taking bath at 8:35, Udi was already
there on all the boxes of Bhog. She started her Pooja
after placing the boxes on the table before Baba. Baba
had the Bhog even before the pooja and and even before
it was offered to HIM . It seems Baba does not believe
in formalities and HIS presence in the house at that
time also. Pooja should be from the heart and not just
show off. HE is everywhere and HE should be remembered
all the time. Jai Sai Ram.
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 26th 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 also started
oozing from Tuesday.
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 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. All the 15 items in
the box were partly eaten and were having some figures
on them.
6. This Thursday 15 devotees offered Bhog to Baba.
Wishes of many devotees were fulfilled.
7. 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.
8. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
9. 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.
10. Many documents, 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 35 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 3rd May will be held in
Chandigarh, but the same on 10th May will again 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 .
Telugu Script of Sri Sai Amrit Vani has been replace
with the freshly written script and it is now on 21
pages.
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now available in Tamil script
also besides in Devnagri, English and Telugu, 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.
26th April 2007
Jai Sai Ram
We receive so many requests for
inclusion of names in the prayers that it is difficult
to prepare a list every week. However all the devotees
are prayed for. A list is prepared of only those
devotees who says that they will recite or read or
listen to Sri Sai Amrit Vani. If you are reciting Sri
Sai Amrit Vani, please give the names in the summary
form after the main letter, enabling me to cut and
paste. Letters should reach by Wednesday evening
(Indian Time).
Group recitation of Sri Sai
Amrit Vani on 3rd May 2007 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 30th April. No
calls on Delhi Nos please during these days.
This Thursday was again normal and usual with HIS
usual Leelas except that Udi from the Statue also
started oozing from Tuesday. Bhog from the vendor
(Halwai) arrived at 8:30 AM and was kept temporarily
at the dinning table. When Mrs. Gupta came from the
bathroom after taking bath at 8:35, Udi was already
there on all the boxes of Bhog. She started her Pooja
after placing the boxes on the table before Baba. Baba
had the Bhog even before the pooja and and even before
it was offered to HIM . It seems Baba does not believe
in formalities and HIS presence in the house at that
time also. Pooja should be from the heart and not just
show off. HE is everywhere and HE should be remembered
all the time. Jai Sai Ram.
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 26th 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 also started
oozing from Tuesday.
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 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. All the 15 items in
the box were partly eaten and were having some figures
on them.
6. This Thursday 15 devotees offered Bhog to Baba.
Wishes of many devotees were fulfilled.
7. 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.
8. All the boxes of Bhog which were kept on the table
were blessed with Udi,
9. 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.
10. Many documents, 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 35 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 3rd May will be held in
Chandigarh, but the same on 10th May will again 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 .
Telugu Script of Sri Sai Amrit Vani has been replace
with the freshly written script and it is now on 21
pages.
Sri Sai Amrit Vani is now available in Tamil script
also besides in Devnagri, English and Telugu, 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
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Satsang Saipadananda - The Ever Vigilant Parent
Satsang Saipadananda - The Ever Vigilant Parent
Saipadananda - The Ever Vigilant Parent
By a Doctor devotee of Swamiji who wishes to remain anonymous.
It was 11 a.m. on the 18th March 1989. I was just anticipating a happy
blissful evening at Sai Spiritual Centre as the 'Akhanda Sai Nama Saptaham'
was going on. Just then a patient entered who had cracks in feet and sought
a prescription for an ointment to heal these fissures of feet, which is
quite common. As I was writing the prescription, Saipadananda Radhakrishna
Swamiji talked to me from the small desk photograph I had kept on my table:
"Have you seen Krishna Murthy's feet". The message came twice. Immediately I
got up from my seat to get one small jar of the ointment used in cracked
feet.
Devotees who regularly visit the Thyagarajanagar shrine of Sai Baba are
familiar with Shri D. Krishna Murthy, the most intimate devotee of Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji and is more or less Swamiji's 'foster son'. When I met
Shri Krishna Murthy and handed him the jar of ointment, tears flowed from
his eyes and told me "Doctor, my feet gave me so much trouble yesterday that
I could hardly walk. I prayed to Swamiji who has taken care much more than a
true father to his infant son".
Shri Krishna Murthy gave me Baba's prasad and then listened to my story. For
a minute he was flabbergasted. He could only say : ''As Sai Baba is blessing
from his tomb at Shirdi, Radhakrishna Swamiji is taking care of us in every
moment of our life".
Sri Swamiji is our Guru and it is needless to say that Guru is greater than
God. Pranams to Swamiji and Sai Baba.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine April 1989)
Saipadananda - The Ever Vigilant Parent
By a Doctor devotee of Swamiji who wishes to remain anonymous.
It was 11 a.m. on the 18th March 1989. I was just anticipating a happy
blissful evening at Sai Spiritual Centre as the 'Akhanda Sai Nama Saptaham'
was going on. Just then a patient entered who had cracks in feet and sought
a prescription for an ointment to heal these fissures of feet, which is
quite common. As I was writing the prescription, Saipadananda Radhakrishna
Swamiji talked to me from the small desk photograph I had kept on my table:
"Have you seen Krishna Murthy's feet". The message came twice. Immediately I
got up from my seat to get one small jar of the ointment used in cracked
feet.
Devotees who regularly visit the Thyagarajanagar shrine of Sai Baba are
familiar with Shri D. Krishna Murthy, the most intimate devotee of Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji and is more or less Swamiji's 'foster son'. When I met
Shri Krishna Murthy and handed him the jar of ointment, tears flowed from
his eyes and told me "Doctor, my feet gave me so much trouble yesterday that
I could hardly walk. I prayed to Swamiji who has taken care much more than a
true father to his infant son".
Shri Krishna Murthy gave me Baba's prasad and then listened to my story. For
a minute he was flabbergasted. He could only say : ''As Sai Baba is blessing
from his tomb at Shirdi, Radhakrishna Swamiji is taking care of us in every
moment of our life".
Sri Swamiji is our Guru and it is needless to say that Guru is greater than
God. Pranams to Swamiji and Sai Baba.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine April 1989)
Satsang Children: Love ye one another By H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Satsang Children: Love ye one another By H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Children: Love ye one another
By H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
(H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji was the chief guest at the gathering of
Contributors to SAI LEELA magazine held on the 28th and 29th January 1979,
held at Shirdi. Dr. S. D. Parchure, an ardent devotee of Swamiji was then
the Executive Editor of Sai Leela magazine and has recorded Swamiji's speech
for posterity. We are presenting this inspiring speech to our readers on the
eve of Swamiji's Tenth Aradhana - EDITOR)
I thank the Shirdi Samsthan for having given me an opportunity to partake in
this illustrious gathering of the contributors to SAI LEELA magazine. It is
indeed a great day for me to meet all sincere devotees on this holy soil of
Shirdi.
Lord Krishna gave an assurance in the 'Bhagavad-Gita' that He will be taking
'avatar' whenever there is some danger to religion. We find that Lord
Krishna is fulfilling his promise by appearing on this earth in the form of
saints. Sai Baba is such an 'avatar' which has tried for the uplift of all
who came into his contact. The life of Sai Baba is like the fragrant
'agarbathi' which burns away all the time and which ultimately disappears,
but when it is burning it continues to give over fragrance all the time. Sai
Baba's greatness as a 'Guru' is beyond our expression.
Sai Baba fulfilled the desires of everyone. We call him as our father,
mother, friend and we offer all our learning and wealth to him. Sometimes a
doubt arises in our mind as to how Sai Baba can act as a mother. I will give
you an example.
One lady got a child and she wanted that her child should be fed on her
milk, but to her dismay her breasts were dry. She tried all remedies but
they were not of any avail. The lady conceived again and when she was in her
8th month of pregnancy she came to me along with her husband, and requested
me to pray to Sai Baba to give milk to her second child. I assured her that
this time she will get milk in the breasts after her delivery, by the grace
of Sai Baba. I gave her Udhi and asked her to pray to Sai Baba with full
devotion. The lady went away and in course of time gave birth to a child.
Her husband came to me saying that her breasts were dry totally and that he
was afraid that his second child also may not get mother's milk. I asked the
husband to go and pray to Sai Baba after giving him Udhi and directing him
to apply it to the lady's breasts. After the gentleman had gone I prayed to
Sai Baba to fulfill the wishes of the lady and lo, on the third day, this
mother could feed her baby as the breasts were full of milk. This is one
example wherein Sai Baba acted as a mother, because this is one thing which
only a mother can really understand.
Missing Boy Returns
Once, a gentleman came to me and informed that his son had run away and his
whereabouts were not known for 2-3 days. I told him to pray to Sai Baba and
by His grace, his son would return. On the fifth day he got a telegram from
Calcutta that his son was safe and he would reach Madras in a day or two.
After the boy returned to Madras, he was brought to me by his father. When I
enquired with the boy about the reason for his running away, he told me that
his parents were angry with him and therefore he ran away from the house.
The boy said that when he was at Calcutta, Sai Baba appeared in his dream
and told him to go to the station. There he met a person who enquired about
him and gave a telegram to Madras and arranged to send the boy back to
Madras. On further enquiries with the boy, he said that Sai Baba was seen by
him with the tin-pot in his hand as he was proceeding to beg for alms.
Here again, we find the motherly behavior of Sai Baba. His ways are unique
and inimitable. When we come to Shirdi, we forget all our differences and
become one. If our entire nation brings into practice the teachings of Sai
Baba, national unity is not a far off possibility.
The desires of various people are fulfilled in various ways by Sai Baba.
Somebody needing money for his daughter's marriage is given money while
those needing service get the service by the grace of Sai Baba.
In order to meet Sai Baba, you have to enter Dwarakamayi after crossing
three steps. What are these three steps you have to cross in order to be
successful in life? Out of the six enemies of man, lust, anger and greed are
the foremost, which you have to conquer before you are blessed by Sai Baba.
The three 'Gunas' - Satva, Rajas, and Tamas are also indicated by these
three steps and the 'prakriti' and 'purush' are attached to each other by
the Gunas.
I see the image of Sai Baba on the face of everyone sitting here. Sai Baba
has assured us that as soon as we call Him, He would rush to our help. So
keep faith in Him and invoke His favor. He never fails His devotees.
I wish happiness to everybody. Any sort of sorrow let nobody suffer from.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine Jan 1990)
Children: Love ye one another
By H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
(H. H. Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji was the chief guest at the gathering of
Contributors to SAI LEELA magazine held on the 28th and 29th January 1979,
held at Shirdi. Dr. S. D. Parchure, an ardent devotee of Swamiji was then
the Executive Editor of Sai Leela magazine and has recorded Swamiji's speech
for posterity. We are presenting this inspiring speech to our readers on the
eve of Swamiji's Tenth Aradhana - EDITOR)
I thank the Shirdi Samsthan for having given me an opportunity to partake in
this illustrious gathering of the contributors to SAI LEELA magazine. It is
indeed a great day for me to meet all sincere devotees on this holy soil of
Shirdi.
Lord Krishna gave an assurance in the 'Bhagavad-Gita' that He will be taking
'avatar' whenever there is some danger to religion. We find that Lord
Krishna is fulfilling his promise by appearing on this earth in the form of
saints. Sai Baba is such an 'avatar' which has tried for the uplift of all
who came into his contact. The life of Sai Baba is like the fragrant
'agarbathi' which burns away all the time and which ultimately disappears,
but when it is burning it continues to give over fragrance all the time. Sai
Baba's greatness as a 'Guru' is beyond our expression.
Sai Baba fulfilled the desires of everyone. We call him as our father,
mother, friend and we offer all our learning and wealth to him. Sometimes a
doubt arises in our mind as to how Sai Baba can act as a mother. I will give
you an example.
One lady got a child and she wanted that her child should be fed on her
milk, but to her dismay her breasts were dry. She tried all remedies but
they were not of any avail. The lady conceived again and when she was in her
8th month of pregnancy she came to me along with her husband, and requested
me to pray to Sai Baba to give milk to her second child. I assured her that
this time she will get milk in the breasts after her delivery, by the grace
of Sai Baba. I gave her Udhi and asked her to pray to Sai Baba with full
devotion. The lady went away and in course of time gave birth to a child.
Her husband came to me saying that her breasts were dry totally and that he
was afraid that his second child also may not get mother's milk. I asked the
husband to go and pray to Sai Baba after giving him Udhi and directing him
to apply it to the lady's breasts. After the gentleman had gone I prayed to
Sai Baba to fulfill the wishes of the lady and lo, on the third day, this
mother could feed her baby as the breasts were full of milk. This is one
example wherein Sai Baba acted as a mother, because this is one thing which
only a mother can really understand.
Missing Boy Returns
Once, a gentleman came to me and informed that his son had run away and his
whereabouts were not known for 2-3 days. I told him to pray to Sai Baba and
by His grace, his son would return. On the fifth day he got a telegram from
Calcutta that his son was safe and he would reach Madras in a day or two.
After the boy returned to Madras, he was brought to me by his father. When I
enquired with the boy about the reason for his running away, he told me that
his parents were angry with him and therefore he ran away from the house.
The boy said that when he was at Calcutta, Sai Baba appeared in his dream
and told him to go to the station. There he met a person who enquired about
him and gave a telegram to Madras and arranged to send the boy back to
Madras. On further enquiries with the boy, he said that Sai Baba was seen by
him with the tin-pot in his hand as he was proceeding to beg for alms.
Here again, we find the motherly behavior of Sai Baba. His ways are unique
and inimitable. When we come to Shirdi, we forget all our differences and
become one. If our entire nation brings into practice the teachings of Sai
Baba, national unity is not a far off possibility.
The desires of various people are fulfilled in various ways by Sai Baba.
Somebody needing money for his daughter's marriage is given money while
those needing service get the service by the grace of Sai Baba.
In order to meet Sai Baba, you have to enter Dwarakamayi after crossing
three steps. What are these three steps you have to cross in order to be
successful in life? Out of the six enemies of man, lust, anger and greed are
the foremost, which you have to conquer before you are blessed by Sai Baba.
The three 'Gunas' - Satva, Rajas, and Tamas are also indicated by these
three steps and the 'prakriti' and 'purush' are attached to each other by
the Gunas.
I see the image of Sai Baba on the face of everyone sitting here. Sai Baba
has assured us that as soon as we call Him, He would rush to our help. So
keep faith in Him and invoke His favor. He never fails His devotees.
I wish happiness to everybody. Any sort of sorrow let nobody suffer from.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine Jan 1990)
Satsang Thought for the day
Satsang Thought for the day
Submitted by "sreeraj guruvayoor"
Living in the present:
A Sadhak (student) once asked his teacher, "Master, Why can't I remain peaceful, in spite of doing so many spiritual sadhanas (practices). Why can't I be devoid of suffering in spite of reading so many spiritual books and listening to religious discourses? Is enlightenment possible for such as I?"
Sri Bhagavan says, "To be liberated from suffering, you must first understand what suffering is. Suffering is nothing but the continuous thought processing that happens in the mind over an event or incident of the past. Suffering is nothing but the ‘carry over' of the past events of our life."
There are two kinds of people who have walked on these sands, enlightened and unenlightened. Enlightened ones are those who are 'ordinary' and unenlightened are those who are 'extraordinary' (extra suffering). An enlightened one does not suffer because he is constantly living in the present - experiencing every bit of what life is offering him. But for those who are unenlightened, life itself is reduced to suffering.
To be aware is to be enlightened.
The whole purpose of life is to live life moment to moment.
If one observes the thought process in oneself, it can be easily discovered that this tendency of the mind to 'carry over', of not living life in the present, is the root of all suffering.
For example, there were two friends who were very close right from their childhood. Out of sheer misunderstanding, they landed in a bitter quarrel and they broke up. The fight by itself is nothing but mere ‘calling names'. But it doesn't end there, the event continues to plague the mind, be it in the kitchen, the office, watching TV, or even at a party! It follows you… It continues to live in your mind and emotions.
Suffering arises only when your mind indulges in unnecessary thoughts about living in past or the future, without living in the present. This constant commentary or dialogue in the mind is the cause for all suffering, where even after an event has ended it is continued within where we still talk to the other person who has hurt us.
An enlightened person experiences everything, which makes his life rich, eternal and ever fresh. But for the unenlightened, life is mechanical and repetitive, hence boring. One who is enlightened enjoys the ice cream whereas one who is unenlightened does not enjoy the ice cream because he would be busy with the question – Who made the ice cream? Which factory did it come from? Which cow's milk? What grass did the cow eat? One who is truly living will never question the purpose of life. Why would he. He is only experiencing.
To be aware is to be enlightened.
The whole purpose of life is to live life moment to moment.
Submitted by "sreeraj guruvayoor"
Living in the present:
A Sadhak (student) once asked his teacher, "Master, Why can't I remain peaceful, in spite of doing so many spiritual sadhanas (practices). Why can't I be devoid of suffering in spite of reading so many spiritual books and listening to religious discourses? Is enlightenment possible for such as I?"
Sri Bhagavan says, "To be liberated from suffering, you must first understand what suffering is. Suffering is nothing but the continuous thought processing that happens in the mind over an event or incident of the past. Suffering is nothing but the ‘carry over' of the past events of our life."
There are two kinds of people who have walked on these sands, enlightened and unenlightened. Enlightened ones are those who are 'ordinary' and unenlightened are those who are 'extraordinary' (extra suffering). An enlightened one does not suffer because he is constantly living in the present - experiencing every bit of what life is offering him. But for those who are unenlightened, life itself is reduced to suffering.
To be aware is to be enlightened.
The whole purpose of life is to live life moment to moment.
If one observes the thought process in oneself, it can be easily discovered that this tendency of the mind to 'carry over', of not living life in the present, is the root of all suffering.
For example, there were two friends who were very close right from their childhood. Out of sheer misunderstanding, they landed in a bitter quarrel and they broke up. The fight by itself is nothing but mere ‘calling names'. But it doesn't end there, the event continues to plague the mind, be it in the kitchen, the office, watching TV, or even at a party! It follows you… It continues to live in your mind and emotions.
Suffering arises only when your mind indulges in unnecessary thoughts about living in past or the future, without living in the present. This constant commentary or dialogue in the mind is the cause for all suffering, where even after an event has ended it is continued within where we still talk to the other person who has hurt us.
An enlightened person experiences everything, which makes his life rich, eternal and ever fresh. But for the unenlightened, life is mechanical and repetitive, hence boring. One who is enlightened enjoys the ice cream whereas one who is unenlightened does not enjoy the ice cream because he would be busy with the question – Who made the ice cream? Which factory did it come from? Which cow's milk? What grass did the cow eat? One who is truly living will never question the purpose of life. Why would he. He is only experiencing.
To be aware is to be enlightened.
The whole purpose of life is to live life moment to moment.
Satsang can any one guide on this
Satsang can any one guide on this
""King Janaka used to gather many rishis in his palace and take delight
in discussing with them about spiritual problems; he was a great adept at
sadhana and he attained the highest stage of samadhi through Raja yoga.
One day, while in the midst of the court, with the Queen and the maids,
even while he was conversing with them, he fell asleep. He had a dream. He
dreamt that he was deprived of his kingdom, that he was roaming half-mad,
hungry and deserted in the jungle, begging for food from whoever he met, that he
came upon some men washing dishes and vessels after a feast which they had
shared, that he ran towards them seeking some crumbs, that they gave him
some little quantity of rice scraped from the vessels, that he was about
to put it into his mouth when a big bird flew in and swooped it out of his
grasp; so, he yelled in pain and grief, and the Queen heard it and she
woke him up.
Of course, when he woke, he knew he was the King. He remembered that a
second previously, he was a beggar. He questioned within himself, which is
real, this or that? To every one who inquired what the matter was, he put
the same question. "Am I a king or a beggar?" The queen and others were
frightened at this behaviour; they sent for the ministers and with them
came, Ashtavakra, the preceptor. He discovered the situation as soon as he
saw the King; so, to the question that the King put him, he answered,
"Raja!
This is unreal; that is unreal; you, who experienced this as well as that,
you alone are real."
The waking stage is real until the sleeping stage; the sleeping stage is
real, until the waking stage. But, both are unreal, because one cancels
the other.""
I just read this story and could understand everything except that one
question keeps bothering me....
How can we explain the continuity of the waking state and the
discontinuity of the dream state... if both are as unreal as the other,
then how is it that life is continuous when we wake up every morning...
also in the dream state we do not continue our dream we had the previous
night.... please help me understand this..
*LOVE,*
*KARTIK IYER*
""King Janaka used to gather many rishis in his palace and take delight
in discussing with them about spiritual problems; he was a great adept at
sadhana and he attained the highest stage of samadhi through Raja yoga.
One day, while in the midst of the court, with the Queen and the maids,
even while he was conversing with them, he fell asleep. He had a dream. He
dreamt that he was deprived of his kingdom, that he was roaming half-mad,
hungry and deserted in the jungle, begging for food from whoever he met, that he
came upon some men washing dishes and vessels after a feast which they had
shared, that he ran towards them seeking some crumbs, that they gave him
some little quantity of rice scraped from the vessels, that he was about
to put it into his mouth when a big bird flew in and swooped it out of his
grasp; so, he yelled in pain and grief, and the Queen heard it and she
woke him up.
Of course, when he woke, he knew he was the King. He remembered that a
second previously, he was a beggar. He questioned within himself, which is
real, this or that? To every one who inquired what the matter was, he put
the same question. "Am I a king or a beggar?" The queen and others were
frightened at this behaviour; they sent for the ministers and with them
came, Ashtavakra, the preceptor. He discovered the situation as soon as he
saw the King; so, to the question that the King put him, he answered,
"Raja!
This is unreal; that is unreal; you, who experienced this as well as that,
you alone are real."
The waking stage is real until the sleeping stage; the sleeping stage is
real, until the waking stage. But, both are unreal, because one cancels
the other.""
I just read this story and could understand everything except that one
question keeps bothering me....
How can we explain the continuity of the waking state and the
discontinuity of the dream state... if both are as unreal as the other,
then how is it that life is continuous when we wake up every morning...
also in the dream state we do not continue our dream we had the previous
night.... please help me understand this..
*LOVE,*
*KARTIK IYER*
Satsang can any one guide on this
Satsang can any one guide on this
Om Sai Ram
Dear Kartikiyer ji,
Well, there are two different ways that this could be explained--
The first one is that we all agree that we see dreams in the night while we are sleeping but we also agree that we all do not remember everything that we see when we wake up in the morning and thus are able to continue with our daily so called 'real lives' that we beleive it to be without having any confusions. Since we just sometimes remember bits and pieces of one dream that was over whelming to us, the fact is that it can not make us rule out the possibility of whether indeed we do have a continuity of our dreams in our sleeping state just like our lives continue normally when we wake up in the morning.So the fact remains, everything is maya- what we experience during our waking state and what we see during our sleeping state.Nothing is real-its all maya.The only thing that is real is ur soul which is waiting for you to realize that all what u see around you is maya and to come out of it and only then u will be able to see something that is actually real and that is the great power -- the bright light---God ,who created this universe and something to fascinate all of us which is nothing but MAYA...
Another logical explaination could also be this --
We all know that what ever we see in our dreams during the sleeping state is representing our so called real lives. The feelings and emotions that for some reason remain supressed in our normal day to day life -are experienced in our sleeping state. King Janaka dreampt that he was a beggar and was alone in a jungle, he had lost his mind and was hungry for food ---- Well, this could be interpreted as his hunger for spiritual knowledge .In the path of spiritual knowledge , are'nt we all alone loosing our minds with what is right and what is wrong - what is real and what is unreal--- our desires pull us one way and temptations attract us making us do things which only a mad person can do .. If u go to think of it -we all are in a jungle-it is just that we are trying to save ourselves not from tigers ,lions and other wild animals instead we are all trying to be away from the wild beast which actually are nothing but bad temptations like greed ,ego ,selfishness ,pride , cheating and the list goes on and on.. King Janaka dreampt that he saw some men washing dishes and vessels after a feast which they shared and that he ran towards them seeking some crumbs,some little quantity of rice scraped from the vessels ,that he was about to eat but a bird swooped it out of his grasp and so he was left hungry ,angry and in pain--- this could be interpreted as:: the men whom he met who were washing dishes after a feast were the learned men in his court whom he gained spiritual knowledge from and who had the pleasure of being with the king and getting a royal treatment. The learned men did share a little knowledge with the king which were the crumbs but maya swooped it all when the king went to sleep. The pain and grief of the king were nothing but his disappointments in the path of gaining spiritual knowledge.
In the end , it is just God what is real and the rest is all a dream.A dream that sometimes we see when we are sleeping and sometimes we see when we are awake.
Allaah Maalik!
"Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;
Gurur Shakshat Parambramha
Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"
May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.
Sai bhakt,
Deepa H
Om Sai Ram
Dear Kartikiyer ji,
Well, there are two different ways that this could be explained--
The first one is that we all agree that we see dreams in the night while we are sleeping but we also agree that we all do not remember everything that we see when we wake up in the morning and thus are able to continue with our daily so called 'real lives' that we beleive it to be without having any confusions. Since we just sometimes remember bits and pieces of one dream that was over whelming to us, the fact is that it can not make us rule out the possibility of whether indeed we do have a continuity of our dreams in our sleeping state just like our lives continue normally when we wake up in the morning.So the fact remains, everything is maya- what we experience during our waking state and what we see during our sleeping state.Nothing is real-its all maya.The only thing that is real is ur soul which is waiting for you to realize that all what u see around you is maya and to come out of it and only then u will be able to see something that is actually real and that is the great power -- the bright light---God ,who created this universe and something to fascinate all of us which is nothing but MAYA...
Another logical explaination could also be this --
We all know that what ever we see in our dreams during the sleeping state is representing our so called real lives. The feelings and emotions that for some reason remain supressed in our normal day to day life -are experienced in our sleeping state. King Janaka dreampt that he was a beggar and was alone in a jungle, he had lost his mind and was hungry for food ---- Well, this could be interpreted as his hunger for spiritual knowledge .In the path of spiritual knowledge , are'nt we all alone loosing our minds with what is right and what is wrong - what is real and what is unreal--- our desires pull us one way and temptations attract us making us do things which only a mad person can do .. If u go to think of it -we all are in a jungle-it is just that we are trying to save ourselves not from tigers ,lions and other wild animals instead we are all trying to be away from the wild beast which actually are nothing but bad temptations like greed ,ego ,selfishness ,pride , cheating and the list goes on and on.. King Janaka dreampt that he saw some men washing dishes and vessels after a feast which they shared and that he ran towards them seeking some crumbs,some little quantity of rice scraped from the vessels ,that he was about to eat but a bird swooped it out of his grasp and so he was left hungry ,angry and in pain--- this could be interpreted as:: the men whom he met who were washing dishes after a feast were the learned men in his court whom he gained spiritual knowledge from and who had the pleasure of being with the king and getting a royal treatment. The learned men did share a little knowledge with the king which were the crumbs but maya swooped it all when the king went to sleep. The pain and grief of the king were nothing but his disappointments in the path of gaining spiritual knowledge.
In the end , it is just God what is real and the rest is all a dream.A dream that sometimes we see when we are sleeping and sometimes we see when we are awake.
Allaah Maalik!
"Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;
Gurur Shakshat Parambramha
Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"
May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.
Sai bhakt,
Deepa H
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Satsang Swamiji Welcomes Us
Satsang Swamiji Welcomes Us
Swamiji Welcomes Us
By Hemendra Nath Bannerjee
I live in Calcutta and have been a devotee of Sai Baba for almost two
decades. Every Sai Bandhu I have come across has narrated the greatness of
H.H. Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji. Unfortunately I could never have his
'darshan' when he was amidst us in flesh and blood. But the ever -living
Swamiji made me feel his presence the moment we entered the Sai Spiritual
Centre on February 26th, 1989.
As we steped into the 'Dwarakamayi' of the Mandir, the life size portrait of
Swamiji greeted us. Then the 'Abhisheka' started and we had the rare
privilege of performing Abhisheka to Baba's murthy as well as Swamiji.
Swamiji took me and my wife Lathika into his fold and blessed us with his
ever glowing eyes.
There was a good crowd and I was introduced to several of the devotees
present there. They all talked to me of the greatness of Sai Baba and as to
how Swamiji blessed all by asking them to chant 'Vishnu Sahasranama'.
Instantly I had an urge to perform 'Vishnu Sahasranamarchana' worshipping
Sai Baba with 1000 flowers by chanting Vishnu's thousand names.
I prayed to Swamiji and requested him to fulfill my wish. But I was shy to
ask the priest to help me as this was my maiden visit. But where is the end
to Swamiji's compassion? The priest beckoned one of the devotees to come
forward and perform 'Archana'. That devotee told him that he has to attend a
meeting. So immediately the priest beckoned me and my wife and asked us as
to whether we could do this 'Archana'. My heart was thrilled to the core.
As soon as we finished the 'archana', I sought for a book of 'Vishnu
Sahasranamam' in Devnagari script, Lo, even this was forthcoming. The office
Manager very kindly gifted me a copy of this book in Devnagari script. I
read this daily as an affectionate gift from Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. There
was a meeting going on to discuss about holding 'Akhanda Sai Nama Japam' for
one week. They invited me to participate in it and offer my views. I only
wished I could participate in this Saptaha. My visit to Sai Mandir at
Bangalore is memorable.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine April 1989)
Swamiji Welcomes Us
By Hemendra Nath Bannerjee
I live in Calcutta and have been a devotee of Sai Baba for almost two
decades. Every Sai Bandhu I have come across has narrated the greatness of
H.H. Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji. Unfortunately I could never have his
'darshan' when he was amidst us in flesh and blood. But the ever -living
Swamiji made me feel his presence the moment we entered the Sai Spiritual
Centre on February 26th, 1989.
As we steped into the 'Dwarakamayi' of the Mandir, the life size portrait of
Swamiji greeted us. Then the 'Abhisheka' started and we had the rare
privilege of performing Abhisheka to Baba's murthy as well as Swamiji.
Swamiji took me and my wife Lathika into his fold and blessed us with his
ever glowing eyes.
There was a good crowd and I was introduced to several of the devotees
present there. They all talked to me of the greatness of Sai Baba and as to
how Swamiji blessed all by asking them to chant 'Vishnu Sahasranama'.
Instantly I had an urge to perform 'Vishnu Sahasranamarchana' worshipping
Sai Baba with 1000 flowers by chanting Vishnu's thousand names.
I prayed to Swamiji and requested him to fulfill my wish. But I was shy to
ask the priest to help me as this was my maiden visit. But where is the end
to Swamiji's compassion? The priest beckoned one of the devotees to come
forward and perform 'Archana'. That devotee told him that he has to attend a
meeting. So immediately the priest beckoned me and my wife and asked us as
to whether we could do this 'Archana'. My heart was thrilled to the core.
As soon as we finished the 'archana', I sought for a book of 'Vishnu
Sahasranamam' in Devnagari script, Lo, even this was forthcoming. The office
Manager very kindly gifted me a copy of this book in Devnagari script. I
read this daily as an affectionate gift from Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. There
was a meeting going on to discuss about holding 'Akhanda Sai Nama Japam' for
one week. They invited me to participate in it and offer my views. I only
wished I could participate in this Saptaha. My visit to Sai Mandir at
Bangalore is memorable.
(Source Saipadananda Magazine April 1989)
GLASS OF MILK
GLASS OF MILK
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."
He said ... "Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit..
Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.
He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as she read the words ..
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?!
Now you have two choices.
1. You can send this page on and spread a positive message.
2. Or ignore it and pretend it never touched your heart
The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which -- To burn
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."
He said ... "Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit..
Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.
He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as she read the words ..
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?!
Now you have two choices.
1. You can send this page on and spread a positive message.
2. Or ignore it and pretend it never touched your heart
The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which -- To burn
Satsang Prayer to our dearest Sai Baba
Satsang Prayer to our dearest Sai Baba
To our Beloved Sai Baba,
I pray to you today for keeping all my friends , relatives and everyone else in a perfect and peaceful state of mind. Reside in their mind ,ease their pains, relax their nerves n keep them cool always. Give them a faith so strong in you forever.Give them peace! Give them serenity ! And help them all to live a divine life. Hold their feelings close to your loving heart so that they too may feel loved. Give them a clear mind to think your thoughts and help them to flow with those thoughts. Even though they may be facing tough times- Help them all to realise that with you being and holding them ,worry need not bother them at all. Help them to drill that thought in their minds that "when you are in control of their life, no worries should surround them ever. That they will have a best life, best future and best blessings."
Beloved Sai ,please make their faith strong and sturdy.In your Divine Name I pray.
May our liives forever be filled with your grace, blessings and love....
To our Beloved Sai Baba,
I pray to you today for keeping all my friends , relatives and everyone else in a perfect and peaceful state of mind. Reside in their mind ,ease their pains, relax their nerves n keep them cool always. Give them a faith so strong in you forever.Give them peace! Give them serenity ! And help them all to live a divine life. Hold their feelings close to your loving heart so that they too may feel loved. Give them a clear mind to think your thoughts and help them to flow with those thoughts. Even though they may be facing tough times- Help them all to realise that with you being and holding them ,worry need not bother them at all. Help them to drill that thought in their minds that "when you are in control of their life, no worries should surround them ever. That they will have a best life, best future and best blessings."
Beloved Sai ,please make their faith strong and sturdy.In your Divine Name I pray.
May our liives forever be filled with your grace, blessings and love....
Satsang Swamiji's Offer of Job
Satsang Swamiji's Offer of Job
Swamiji's Offer of Job
By M. R. Sanjeev
I am a devotee of H. H. Radhakrishna Swamiji since childhood. It is indeed a
great privilege which is only due to merits of my previous births that I was
associated with this "great God" who existed amidst us in flesh and blood. I
have followed his instructions to chant 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam' and this has
protected me as a shield.
After my matriculation, I underwent Industrial Apprentice Training and was
employed in a private factory. Soon by Sainath Swamiji's grace, I got a job
in Government service. I was posted at Holenarasipur as an Instructor in the
Industrial Training Institute there. With the blessings of Swamiji and Sai
Baba, I reported for duty.
For three months there was no problem. Suddenly I was told that some persons
have filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging our appointments.
While I was happy all along that I got a Government job without any
influence or bribe but by the grace of Sai Baba and Swamiji, this
information was a bolt from the blue.
I do not know how many times I have repeated Vishnu Sahasra Namam and
remembered Swamiji on this dreadful day. Ultimately I left it to Sai and
Swamiji that let no circumstance be changed but change my attitude to
receive everything in a spirit of surrender. Then I slept off. I had a dream
that night. I was standing in front of a Raghavendra Mutt. Two old men were
singing bhajans. While one said 'SADGURUNATH', the other said SAINATH. Then
they switched over, to SATCHI DAN AN DA and SAI PADA-NANDA. As I heard the
name 'SAIPADANANDA' I offered my pranams to them. They blessed me and told
me that I need not worry about losing my job. Then the dream ended.
True to the indication given in my dream, I was continued in my appointment.
When Sai Baba and Swamiji are protecting me in every moment of my life, why
should I at all worry?
(Source Saipadananda Magazine April 1989)
Swamiji's Offer of Job
By M. R. Sanjeev
I am a devotee of H. H. Radhakrishna Swamiji since childhood. It is indeed a
great privilege which is only due to merits of my previous births that I was
associated with this "great God" who existed amidst us in flesh and blood. I
have followed his instructions to chant 'Vishnu Sahasra Namam' and this has
protected me as a shield.
After my matriculation, I underwent Industrial Apprentice Training and was
employed in a private factory. Soon by Sainath Swamiji's grace, I got a job
in Government service. I was posted at Holenarasipur as an Instructor in the
Industrial Training Institute there. With the blessings of Swamiji and Sai
Baba, I reported for duty.
For three months there was no problem. Suddenly I was told that some persons
have filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging our appointments.
While I was happy all along that I got a Government job without any
influence or bribe but by the grace of Sai Baba and Swamiji, this
information was a bolt from the blue.
I do not know how many times I have repeated Vishnu Sahasra Namam and
remembered Swamiji on this dreadful day. Ultimately I left it to Sai and
Swamiji that let no circumstance be changed but change my attitude to
receive everything in a spirit of surrender. Then I slept off. I had a dream
that night. I was standing in front of a Raghavendra Mutt. Two old men were
singing bhajans. While one said 'SADGURUNATH', the other said SAINATH. Then
they switched over, to SATCHI DAN AN DA and SAI PADA-NANDA. As I heard the
name 'SAIPADANANDA' I offered my pranams to them. They blessed me and told
me that I need not worry about losing my job. Then the dream ended.
True to the indication given in my dream, I was continued in my appointment.
When Sai Baba and Swamiji are protecting me in every moment of my life, why
should I at all worry?
(Source Saipadananda Magazine April 1989)
Satsang Baba's Grace on Me
Satsang Baba's Grace on Me
Baba's Grace on Me
By GAYATHRI S. BELLUR
HUMILITY - BABA'S OMNIPRESENCE
On one occasion when Hemad Pant (Anna Saheb Dabolkar) came to him, there was
in the fold of his coat some channa, that is, fried grains, and it fell from
his coat; and people were joking at him. That was a day of fair at Shirdi,
and Dabolkar had perhaps been to the fair. Baba wanting to have a joke at
him, said, "Oh! This channa shows that he is in the habit of eating things
all by himself without sharing it with others." Dabolkar was much upset and
he protested that he had no such habit. But how the channa got into his
dress, he could not explain. Then Baba made further use of the occasion and
told him, ‘when you eat, do you give things to me? Am I not always by your
side’, thus impressing on him a very valuable lesson that Baba was present
everywhere and that they should first offer their food to him as their
Gurudeva, before taking their food. This is a sacred lesson and this
teaching is divine. But it came out of Baba's humor and fun poked at Anna
Saheb Dabolkar.
Sri Sai Baba is everywhere present
This incident occurred some years ago during my stay in Bandra West in
Mumbai. I had gone on a vacation to my cousin's place at East Muland. One
day, my cousins wanted to go to Muland West for shopping and insisted that
we cross the railway track, as it is of a short distance. Somehow I was
against it and suggested that we take the over bridge. They laughed at me
and finally we decided to cross the railway line.
As we were crossing the railway track, my right ankle was caught between the
fish plates and the Guard, being unaware, was
tightening the lever. A train was about to leave from the same track. I did
not lose my presence of mind and started praying to Sai Baba for relief. I
knew He would certainly save me.
Just then a crowd collected and one of them ran to the Guard who was at a
distance to inform him what has happened. The Guard loosened the lever and
my right ankle was freed.
When we returned home the right foot had developed a big swelling. I could
only limp and the pain was terrible. My cousin's parents were shocked. They
wanted to take me to an Orthopedic Surgeon then and there. I consoled them
by saying that Sai Baba takes care of me and 'Udhi' alone would bring down
the swelling.
I budged to their insistence on going to a Doctor. An X-ray was taken. The
Doctor said that there was no fracture and it was only a contusion. I became
all right in a couple of days time.
I think of that incident and gratefully bow to Sai Baba for saving me from a
ghastly accident. Otherwise, I would not be standing on my two feet today.
When I sleep, O Lord Sainath, close my eyes with your blessed hands, and let
me dream of Thy vision-Thy vision alone. When I live, let me walk in Thy
image. When I die, let my last words be: "O Lord, how grateful I am for your
gifts."
Let me close this with a poem;
"When the great External Auditor my book of life receives, And He checks the
daily entries, that are written on the leaves; May He find the accounts in
order and no need for fear or shame, But a credit carried forward to the
glory of His name."
Lord Sainath – I owe you an irreparable debt of gratitude.
While performing the Japa, the Sadhana should dwell on the meaning of these
Divine Names, and should believe that the all pervading divinity has
appeared before him in the form of the Name. This gives ineffable joy and
peace of mind. Or else the Sadhana should keep his mind fixed on the Divine
Form of the Lord-His Ishta Deva.
- Jayadayai Goyandka
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct1998.htm#BabasgraceonMe
Baba's Grace on Me
By GAYATHRI S. BELLUR
HUMILITY - BABA'S OMNIPRESENCE
On one occasion when Hemad Pant (Anna Saheb Dabolkar) came to him, there was
in the fold of his coat some channa, that is, fried grains, and it fell from
his coat; and people were joking at him. That was a day of fair at Shirdi,
and Dabolkar had perhaps been to the fair. Baba wanting to have a joke at
him, said, "Oh! This channa shows that he is in the habit of eating things
all by himself without sharing it with others." Dabolkar was much upset and
he protested that he had no such habit. But how the channa got into his
dress, he could not explain. Then Baba made further use of the occasion and
told him, ‘when you eat, do you give things to me? Am I not always by your
side’, thus impressing on him a very valuable lesson that Baba was present
everywhere and that they should first offer their food to him as their
Gurudeva, before taking their food. This is a sacred lesson and this
teaching is divine. But it came out of Baba's humor and fun poked at Anna
Saheb Dabolkar.
Sri Sai Baba is everywhere present
This incident occurred some years ago during my stay in Bandra West in
Mumbai. I had gone on a vacation to my cousin's place at East Muland. One
day, my cousins wanted to go to Muland West for shopping and insisted that
we cross the railway track, as it is of a short distance. Somehow I was
against it and suggested that we take the over bridge. They laughed at me
and finally we decided to cross the railway line.
As we were crossing the railway track, my right ankle was caught between the
fish plates and the Guard, being unaware, was
tightening the lever. A train was about to leave from the same track. I did
not lose my presence of mind and started praying to Sai Baba for relief. I
knew He would certainly save me.
Just then a crowd collected and one of them ran to the Guard who was at a
distance to inform him what has happened. The Guard loosened the lever and
my right ankle was freed.
When we returned home the right foot had developed a big swelling. I could
only limp and the pain was terrible. My cousin's parents were shocked. They
wanted to take me to an Orthopedic Surgeon then and there. I consoled them
by saying that Sai Baba takes care of me and 'Udhi' alone would bring down
the swelling.
I budged to their insistence on going to a Doctor. An X-ray was taken. The
Doctor said that there was no fracture and it was only a contusion. I became
all right in a couple of days time.
I think of that incident and gratefully bow to Sai Baba for saving me from a
ghastly accident. Otherwise, I would not be standing on my two feet today.
When I sleep, O Lord Sainath, close my eyes with your blessed hands, and let
me dream of Thy vision-Thy vision alone. When I live, let me walk in Thy
image. When I die, let my last words be: "O Lord, how grateful I am for your
gifts."
Let me close this with a poem;
"When the great External Auditor my book of life receives, And He checks the
daily entries, that are written on the leaves; May He find the accounts in
order and no need for fear or shame, But a credit carried forward to the
glory of His name."
Lord Sainath – I owe you an irreparable debt of gratitude.
While performing the Japa, the Sadhana should dwell on the meaning of these
Divine Names, and should believe that the all pervading divinity has
appeared before him in the form of the Name. This gives ineffable joy and
peace of mind. Or else the Sadhana should keep his mind fixed on the Divine
Form of the Lord-His Ishta Deva.
- Jayadayai Goyandka
http://www.saileelas.org/magazines/saipadananda/oct1998.htm#BabasgraceonMe
Friday, April 20, 2007
Satsang Baba's Call - 'Khaana Lav'
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
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
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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