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Nov 30, 2004
Swami and the Divine Energy. Three insights
Swami and the Divine Energy. Three insights
Light and Love
An Estonian Sai follower, painter and painting teacher Margus Rump presented me this picture what I wish to share with you. He has been many times at PN, worked there voluntary and has received Swami's direct Darshans. Impressions inspired by Swami he expresses through painting.
Below are three insights I should wish to share.
1. We all know that information carries not only letters, words, colors, figures but also energy. Kirlian method grounds on the fact, that all material objects leave their "patterns" (information) to the environment that surrounded them. Kirlian method is one of the technical methods what permits to visualize this impressions in high frequency pulsate electric field using photography or various kinds of info-technology applies. The luminosity (aura) of living objects is radiant, varying, rich in color, irregular, but strictly individual, reflecting not only physical but also emotional state of men, animals, plants. (The aura of inanimate objects is stable, geometrically regular and as a rule one-colored).
To percept Swami's Omnipresent Energy there is no need to proof by Kirlian camera or by others methods. This energy is as a Divine fluid into devotees hearts. The results of this Divine flow can be observed in practice, be it is by spreading His Teaching and having experiences, composing paintings and books dedicated to Swami, obtaining the skill to meditate and listen to melody of silence within, or something else...
Avatars has incarnated with his devotees as one spiritual entity. Swami is not separated Avatar: all devotees are with Him and vice versa. For that connection nothing ecxept presence of the Divine love is needed.
"The cosmos cannot exist apart from the Divine. The Divine cannot divorce the cosmos. The devotee creates (his own image of) God. God creates the devotees. The common belief is that all beings including devotees are created by God. But this is not the whole truth. The devotee also by his spiritual sadhana creates God....
Wherefrom does this Divine form come? It comes from the devotee's intense feeling for a direct vision of God. Is it folly for anyone to go in search the God. When God is omnipresent, what is the need for a search? It is a delusion to imagine that man is in quest of God. It is God who is searching the true devotee." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba at the Summer Course in Brindavan, 29 May 1991).
When one tries to look within and exclude all temporary frames of Maya reality, he/she can 'acknowledge' the reflection of the Self - bodiless, wordless, omniscient, omnipresent... and can fuse into oneness of eternal being... The last sentence is an imagination, it is impossible to describe the Self, descriptions try to express the bliss, eternal - where is no fear, no joy, no hope, neither bad and nor good actions... Probably everyone has own impulse for indirect expression the Self. For me is a special inner joy and radiant to reach closer to the Self through Cosmic Consciousness as Swami's Omnipresent Energy (Form).
"Truth is one. It is beyond mind and speech. It transcends the limitations of time and space. Innumerable seekers have pursued different paths to recognise this Truth. There are notable differences among the seekers of Truth. These differences do not affect the nature of Reality. On the contrary, it is the existence of these differences that has spurred the continuous search for a unifying principle." (Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba. Thought for the day as written at Prasanthi Nilayam on 4 May 2004).
2. It has known by modern science that between the Earth and the cosmic Space is the energetic balance. Similarly, the maintenance of a human being's energetic balance provides the security and stability of all his systems as science declares. This energetic balance is also pictorially between physical and spiritual energies with high vibrations as Swami has through His Body and His Cosmic Forms. For most devotees and followers His first form is easier to percept. It is the cause, why millions of devotees desire to have direct Swami's Darshan.
Most of us are trying to acquire knowledge and understand the sense of living. We make numerous attempts that can often fail, but every endeavor is worth making. Each of us is a God’s creature.
"Every atom is permeated with Divinity. As the rays emanate from the sun, so does Nature originate from God. Nature is the reservoir of power and energy. When Nature, which is the creation of God, is so full of power, you may estimate for yourself the tremendous power of God! It is said that the workings of Divinity are most wonderful." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Sathya Sai Baba "Divine Origin of Five Elements." 15 May 2000 PM, Brindavan).
A person's physical body is less or more in balance with different physical cosmic energies. A human being has consciousness and it expects not only being in balance with physical but also with spiritual energies.
The impulses of spiritual energy, spiritual reality (what is possible to percept as indirect evidence of Atmic reality) contains in various aspects. The different cultures explain them differently; however, the initial source is the same they all are pinpointers of Atmic reality. For example, Russian thinker G.Gourdgiev (a disciple of the Sufism School) at the beginning of the 20th century has imagined the spiritual vibrations as a row of musical sounds. The Pythagorean School found the spiritual energy in using the concepts of the Universe-wide gold-section, Phi numbers and sequence of Fibonacci numbers. In the "Book of the Dead" spiritual cosmic energy is compared with the range of light. The Chinese "Book of Changes" the action of the vibrations has explained with the help of linear geometric symbols. Dao Schools use alchemical esoteric terms. Zen Buddhists create paradox verbal construction. Each of them describes some aspects of spiritual energy.
For Swami's devotees the spiritual reality is represented in His Teaching and His Omnipresent Energy, experienced by millions of his devotees.
However, "In this world, there are two types of intellectuals. The first type is the scientists who are totally materialistic in their outlook. They have in their mind only the physical and worldly goals and gains. They are fascinated by the external appearance of a gigantic tree with its numerous branches and twigs, but they are not interested in finding its "roots". Vedantins (philosophers) are the second type of intellectuals who are not fascinated by the external appearance of the tree but evince great delight in finding the "roots". People who are worldly in outlook waste their time in watering the 'branches', whereas, the Vedantins water the 'roots' and thereby enjoy the 'fruits'.> (Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on the 1st of January 2003 in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam ).
It is a human ego-self what prevents many human beings to acknowledge this truth. Spiritual energy what is perceptible with heart is as a personal inner feeling. A person or groups of people being not in balance with spiritual vibrations are capable to pollute the powerful energy of the Universe. The fact has known to all what concern to the global chemical, physical, biological and mental pollution of five elements creation today.
What exactly is ego-self? It is feeling that one is a separate unique individual, and shows whenever we boast our accomplishments, desire and fear the unknown. In Vedas has said that this is an illusion and you are not separate from others. The modern scientist agrees with Vedas that all objects are interrelated on all levels.
If we understand that consciousness is a field (energy, deeply intertwined with spiritual energy, "I") which is the new understanding of modern science. According to it there may be a hope for spiritual growth through unison science and spirituality. More than two thousand years ago, Buddha said that humans are inter-beings that inter-arise in the inter-richness and there is only the inter-richness. Today, scientists are declaring that our bodies are recycled stardust, our blood is recycled waters of World Ocean, our breath is recycled air, our emotions are recycled energies, our thoughts are recycled information, our personalities are recycled relationships, and our souls are reflections of every other soul what all together form the same Atman.
What then remains personally to us? Nothing except Atman expressed through Cosmic Order and Harmony. A human being can reach to these values through Love as Cosmic Order and Harmony is not possible to express by other way.
"If you want to experience true love, have full faith in God. God's love is steady. It never diminishes. You may undergo any amount of suffering, yet you belong to God. You are His and He is yours. No third person can come between you and God. You say, "He is my classmate; he is my sportsmate." But none of them can come to your rescue. You have to look after yourself. You should have faith in yourself. Only then can you realise the truth." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Have Faith in God, the only True Friend" - 17th October 2004. Prashanti Nilayam).
"We have to love before we have to understand "- said Nikolaj Grundvig, the promoter the adult education two centuries ago.
What concern to knowledge, so often quoted as the chief value in human society, then I like to repeat the saying by Arthur C. Clarke, ”Let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all." However, when there is no Love all these qualities vanishes into whirl of delusion.
The Truth about the Nature (laws, orders and relations - expression of Atman in Maya reality is the same for all times and for all nations. The humankind is existing in the conditions of continuous Divine development.
"Although science and technology have made rapid strides, man has not acquired the divine qualities. Technology is the child of science. But very much anterior to science is the Veda. Science seeks to know all about creation, but the Veda reveals the knowledge about the Creator. All the natural sciences are concerned with knowledge about created things.
But there is a Creator who is the source of all them. In the quests for understanding the objects in creation, man is forgetting the Creator." (Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba. SSS. Vol.18, Chapter 4).
The explanations concern to this development and to the eternal Truth in its various forms would be clear to the younger and older generations with the different basic knowledge.
The more understandable for human consciousness is the knowledge given through examples, pictures, performances and finally through scientific explanations. Swami's Teaching is understandable to all: from scientists to persons with primary education or illiterates. Human values are within everyone and the existence of Divine spark is not depending on the stage of education. It is one of features of universality of Swami’s Teaching.
Whatever area of science (or other human activities) we look: be it today's natural, technical, social, medicine, psychological, etc. sciences we are finding a lot of fundamental identicalness between modern science and Swami's Teaching. It is as an eternal Truth fused with Divine Energy for human beings to discover their real nature. Discovered it, Swami’s Teaching is a guide how to fuse into rhythms of harmony with laws of Divine Nature.
3. The third insight is the compilation from: http://www.hinduism.co.za/god.htm connected with own thoughts and Swami's quotations.
God is described as manifest and unmanifest. Know the Self as god what is within you before you decide about the nature of God and the world.
The Self is God. 'I am' is God. This question arises because you are holding on to the ego self. It will not arise if you hold on to the true Self. For the real Self will not and cannot ask anything. If God be apart from the Self he must be a self-less God, which is absurd. God, who seems that not exists, alone truly exists. Whereas the individual, who seems to be existing, is ever non-existent. Sages say that the state in which one thus knows one's own non-existence (sunya) alone is the glorious supreme knowledge.
"There are many in this world who do not understand what is true spirituality and thereby forget the reality. If someone puts a question, "Who are you?", say with firm conviction, "I am I." Never identify yourself with the body. He who realises this truth is a blessed one.
Worldly Gurus undergo change with the passage of time. God alone is changeless and He alone is your true Guru. Have total faith in God. Develop faith day by day. Only then can you be called a true Manava (human being). Daivam Manusha Rupena (God incarnates in the form of a human being). Hence, consider yourself as divine. Declare with total conviction, "I am I." When you lead your life with such a sacred feeling, divinity will certainly manifest in you. Never be under the mistaken notion that God is elsewhere. He is always in you. Your reflection is God's reflection. Your reaction is His reaction. Everything is basically divine in nature. It is God who makes you play your role in this cosmic drama. You may call Him by any name. But He is only one." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Have Faith in God, the only True Friend" - 17th October 2004. Prashanti Nilayam).
Particles of God do not separate from Him and forms the universe. His sakti (power, energy) is acting. As a result of one phase of such activity the cosmos has become manifest.
"The Upanishads declare Isavasyam Idam Sarvam (the entire universe is permeated by God) and Easwara Sarva Bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). God is immanent in every being as "Nammakammu" (faith). Therefore, one has to cultivate faith in God, as his first and foremost duty. All the Vedas, Upanishads and scriptures emphasise this as duty of a man." (Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Have Faith in God, the only True Friend" - 17th October 2004. Prashanti Nilayam).
So the fact is that Brahman (Atman) is all and remains indivisible. It is ever realised but man is not aware of this. Knowledge means the overcoming of obstacles, which obstruct the revelation of the eternal truth that the Self is the same as Brahman (Atman). The obstacles taken together form your idea of separateness as an individual.
"The Divine is the basis of everything in the cosmos. The integral relationship between the Divine and the Universe should be properly understood.... The omnipresence of the Divine from a piece of stone and a mighty emperor should be recognised. Man should be grateful for the ennumerable benefits provided by the Divine... Self-realisation is the goal of every human being." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba at Summer School in Brindavan, 21 - 05 - 1993).
Among the many thousands of names of God, no name suits God, who abides in the Heart, devoid of thought, so truly, aptly, and beautifully as the name "I" or "I am".
In the mere presence of God, who does not have even the least volition, the living beings, who are engaged in innumerable activities, are embarking upon many paths to which they are drawn according to the course determined by their own Karmas, finally realise the futility of action, turn back to Self and attain liberation.
The actions of living beings certainly do not go and affect God, who transcends the mind, in the same manner as the activities of the world do not affect that sun and as the qualities of the conspicuous four elements (earth, water, fire and air) do not affect the limitless space.
It is inscrutable God's Will that samsara- creation and manifestation is full of sorrow and evil.
No motive can be attributed to that power - no desire, no end to achieve can be asserted of that one infinite, all-wise and all-powerful being. God is untouched by activities, which take place in his presence. Compare the Sun and the world activities. There is no meaning in attributing responsibility and motive to the one before it becomes many.
It is not possible for anyone to do anything opposed to the ordinance of God, who has the ability to do everything.
"If you want to know God, imbibe the principle of oneness. When you have the feeling of oneness, you can see the direct manifestation of God. The sages of Vedic times adored the sun as the direct manifestation of God as described in the Gayatri Mantra. Consider God as your mother, father, friend and everything." (Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Have Faith in God, the only True Friend" - 17th October 2004. Prashanti Nilayam).
Iswara has individuality in mind and body, which are perishable, but at the same time he has also the transcendental consciousness and liberation inwardly. Iswara fot our generation is Swami. How easy to understand this outlook, when we have the living God as an example for His devotees.
Iswara, the personal God, the supreme creator of the universe really does exist. But this is true only from the relative standpoint of those who have not realised the truth, those people who believe in the reality of individual souls. From the absolute standpoint the sage cannot accept any other existence than the impersonal Self, one and formless.
Iswara (as Swami) has a physical body, a form and a name. Today Swami's darshans are the evidence of this. Iswara (Swami) can be seen in visions in the form created by the devotee. His essence is the same as ours, the real Self being only one without form. Hence, forms he assumes are only creations or appearances.
Iswara is immanent in every person and every object throughout the universe. The totality of all things and beings constitutes God. There is a power out of which a small fraction has become all this universe, and the remainder is in reserve. Both this reserve power plus the manifested power as material world together constitute Iswara.
Swami gives an additional explanations concern to the different Vedic schools.
"The Advaita (non-dualistic) philosophy of Sri Sankaracharya advocates the oneness of Jiva (individual soul) and Brahman (cosmic soul). The Visishtadvaita philosophy of Sri Ramanujacharya presupposes that Jiva and Brahman are different. Sri Madhwacharya explained that there are, in fact, three concepts, namely, Dehatma Bhava (body consciousness), Jivatma Bhava (individualised form of God) and Paramatma Bhava (the universalised soul or the Supreme self). Nobody need hold on to a particular school of thought or deride the others. The question of adhering to a particular school of philosophy depends upon the mental frame work of the individual."
“I am That” and “That I am”. When you are able to realise this truth, you will find that the principle “I” underlies everything in the universe as the principle of unity. The only aspect you have to realise is “I am Brahman”. “I am I”, “I am the word, I am the form and I am the name”. This “I” represents and explains everything.
The Vedantic concepts lead to endless arguments and counter-arguments. Do not enter into them. Always be under the awareness “I am I”. This “I” principle is beyond names and forms. It represents Brahma Tattwa, which is one without a second entity." (Excerpts from the Dasara Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Who are You? I am I" - 20th October 2004. Prashanti Nilayam).
Existence of Iswara follows from conception of Iswara. Let us first know whose concept he is. The concept will be only according to the one who conceives.
God, the creator, the personal God, is the last of the unreal forms to go. Only the absolute being is real. Hence, not only the world, not only the ego, but also the personal God is of unreality. We must find the absolute – nothing else.
"Make efforts to understand the principle of spirituality. Have firm conviction that you are the embodiment of Atma and there is no second entity in this world. Develop firm faith in your 'real nation' i.e., the Atma. Believe in yourself. Have firm conviction that God is everywhere." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Have Faith in God, the only True Friend" - 17th October 2004. Prashanti Nilayam).
By such contemplation, God is as an idea.
If the individual is a form, even Self, the source, who is the Lord, will also appear to be form. If one is not a form, since there then cannot be knowledge of other things, will that statement that God has a form be correct? God assumes any form imagined by the devotees through repeated thinking in prolonged meditation. Though he thus assumes endless names, the real formless consciousness alone is God who does not reside in any place other than the Heart. It is due to illusion, caused by the ego, the 'I am the body' idea, that the kingdom of God is conceived to be elsewhere. However, God is within you. The unlimited space of Turiyatita (beyond the four states, i.e. the Self), which shines suddenly, in all its fullness, within the Heart of a highly mature aspirant during the state of complete absorption of mind, as a unknown experience, is rarely attained and true kingdom of God, which shines by the light of Self.
Usually it is said that the jiva (individual soul) is subject to the evil effects of illusion such as limited vision and knowledge, whereas Iswara has all-pervading vision and knowledge. It is also said that Jiva and Iswara become identical if the individual discards his limited vision and knowledge.
The Vedic saints' explanation concern to the relation between individual soul and Iswara (Swami) is following.
First get rid of your own limited knowledge. Why do you worry about Iswara? He will look after himself. It is indeed a great thing if we can take care of ourselves.
"The Atma is a synonym for Brahma which is nothing but the Chaitanya permeating every human being. Man has a name and form but Chaitanya has no form. The Chaitanya that is present in the human body is called 'conscience'. The all-pervasive Chaitanya is called 'consciousness'. When the individual understands the principle of unity in diversity, the 'conscience' gets transformed into 'consciousness'." (The Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on the 1st of January 2003, Prasanthi Nilayam).
To worship God with name and form is seems not wrong as that would be limiting the limitless, giving form to the formless. As long as a devotee responds to a name there is no objection worshipping a God with name or form.
It is difficult to believe in a personal God. Easier to believe in an impersonal God, a divine force and it would be a great help and source of faith and inspiration for many devotees. More easier to believe, imagine and try to follow Swami's explanations and directions.
"You are a part of Nature. So, you should strive to merge into Paramatma. There is nothing bad in the creation of God. Mistake lies in man who puts them to misuse. Change your attitude and you will see good in everything. Treat praise and blame with equanimity. By adopting this positive attitude, you will realize that there is no Yogi greater than you; there is no Thyagi superior to you; there is no one greater than you." (Excerpts from the Divine Discourse Sathya Sai Baba "Divine Origin of Five Elements." 15 May 2000 PM, Brindavan).
The most known famous physicist of our days Stephen Hawking (who's life is a legend itself), some years ago explained his outlook concern to the God. He reached to this fact through modern academic science.
"It is difficult to discuss the beginning of the Universe without concept of God. My work on the origin of the universe is on the borderline between science and religion... It is quite possible that God acts in ways that cannot be described by scientific laws." (Dr. Henry F. "Fritz" Schaefer, III, Stephen Hawking, the Big Bang, and god, http://www.origins.org/articles/schaefer_bigbangandgod.html).
Namaste - Reet
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Nov 29, 2004
Events at Prashanti Nilayam - 1st November 2004
Events at Prashanti Nilayam - 1st November 2004
This evening, Swami came out for Darshan as usual and sat down on the sofa. At 3.45 p.m., He asked Sri B.N. Narasimhamoorthy, the Warden of the Brindavan Campus Hostel, to give a talk. Sri B.N. Narasimhamoorthy, a very good orator as we know, kept us gripped in attention, with his most inspiring talk for around 45 minutes.
He started with the aspect of the Avataar and how He functions when He comes down on earth. Giving the example of Lord Sri Rama, he said that, at the end of 14 years of exile, when Rama was faced with the adverse situation of Mother Sita being kidnapped; He did not approach brother Bharatha for help - though this is what one would logically have done. Instead, He used most unexpectedly, monkeys as instruments to win over Lanka and bring back Mother Sita!! Such an event of monkeys being used as instruments had never occurred before.
Therefore, for Mahapurushas and Avataars, success comes merely by their Willpower (Sankalpa) and not by the efforts of their instruments. Instruments are used in their Mission only to Bless them and redeem them (to give them a chance)!! He said that the greatest miracle of Swami is 'Achieving perfect success with imperfect instruments'.
He also shared the happenings of the morning. This morning, after Bhajans, Swami went in the 'Prius Car' to the Super Specialty Hospital. The Nurses Quarters that is under construction, is about to be completed. Bhagawan went over there to Bless the workers with clothes and Prasadam. Around 20 senior students also followed Swami in a van to help in the distribution of clothes to the hundreds of labourers.
Once Swami reached the site, He got down from the car and stood on the scorching ground, bare feet, for more than 15 minutes, Blessing all the workers and talking to some of them! That is His Love! There is no difference in His Love, whether it is a Prime Minister or a labourer!
Then as the distribution was going on, Swami enquired, "We are giving them cloth, but are we giving them stitching charges? Go and tell them that we will be giving them stitching charges too."
Sri Narasimhamoorthy continued his talk saying that miracles are very natural in the Presence of Love. They just happen! No instruments are required for it. Quoting Prof. Gokak, the first Vice Chancellor of our University, he said that, as instruments, our only role is to make sure that we do not become obstacles in His work. We do not have to do anything else. Just let Him do everything!
Here, he narrated a very beautiful experience that happened during his tenure as the Warden of the Prasanthinilayam Hostel. This incident happened during the 60th Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan.
There was an Asthma patient named Narayan Sharma in the Hostel. This student happens to be the batch mate of Dr. Siva Sankar Sai - the current Warden of the Hostel. Narayan Sharma used to suffer from very severe attacks of Asthma. One morning, he became very serious and he had to be rushed to the hospital. By the time he was taken to the hospital, his body had become blue and was already cold. A lady doctor who was in charge, examined him and said that there was no hope of his surviving. They tried all means but in vain.
Sri Narasimhamoorthy said that he was shocked and did not know how to take this news to Swami. It was already 6.00 a.m. Meanwhile, Dr. Chary, the then Superintendent of the Hospital, came over and examined the patient. He declared the student dead. No pulse, no breath! But as the Warden was hesitant to go to Swami, Dr. Chary himself went and told Bhagawan about this case. Swami smiled and asked him not to worry as nothing would happen to the boy. Dr. Chary returned to the hospital amazed and once again checked the patient. Same status, no change!!
Now, Dr. Chary asked the Warden to go and pray to Swami. At 6.30 Sri Narasimhamoorthy went to the Mandir and submitted the case to Bhagawan. Swami again said, "Nothing will happen to him, he will be fine". Saying so, Swami thrust a flask with hot coffee into the Warden's hand and asked him to go and give the boy some coffee!!
Sri Narasimhamoorthy returned to the hospital with the flask in his hands. Seeing the flask, the doctors asked for whom it was. When the Warden said that it was meant for the patient, all of them were convinced that the Warden had lost his mind. There was the body on the bed, wrapped in a cloth, with no life and here was the Warden bringing hot coffee for him!!
As all of them prayed hard and watched. Slowly the feet of the boy started moving!! The lady doctor exclaimed and went to the boy. She held her fingers in front of his nose. Yes, there was slight breath! She whispered into his ears, "Boy, Swami has sent hot coffee for you, please have some." There was no __expression on his face, but he opened his eyes. Slowly, the coffee was poured into his mouth.
Just at this time, Swami arrived at the Hospital and entered. Moving towards the boy, Swami asked him, "Aye! all of them told that you were dead, how come you are still alive?" Bhagawan then asked Dr. Chary, "How did you declare him dead?" Dr. Chary said, "Swami, there was no pulse, no breath. According to medical science, this is defined as death."
Swami then asked, "In that case, how did he come back to life?" Dr. Chary exclaimed, "Swami, You can do anything!!" All were wonderstruck at this stunning miracle!
There were a number of boys who had gathered outside the hospital, hearing the news of the death of their classmate. Swami looked at them and told the Warden, "Go and tell them what happened here. They are very anxious."
It was wonderful to listen to Sri Narasimhamoorthy, a personal witness to this wonderful incident, narrate the entire episode in full detail. Subsequently, he started speaking about Sunil Gavaskar. Sri Narasimhamoorthy has been blessed by Bhagawan to continue the 'Satyam Sivam Sundaram' the biography volumes of Bhagawan started by Prof. Kasturi. In this capacity, Sri Narasimhamoorthy has interviewed a number of very great and longstanding devotees. He said that it was a very revealing experience for him and their devotion truly humbled him.
In this context, he shared the interview he had with Sunil Gavaskar. He narrated all about his life, how Swami was the secret behind all his successes....You must surely listen to this talk on Sai Global Radio or on the net. It's wonderful.
After Sri Narasimhamoorthy Garu's talk, Swami signaled to Dr. Siva Sankar Sai, the current Warden of the Boys Hostel, to address the gathering. Dr. Siva Sankar Sai, hesitantly got up and then praying to Swami to speak through him, began his talk with Vedic chants.
Being a batchmate of Narayan Sharma, about whom Sri Narasimhamoorthy just spoke, Dr. Siva Sankar Sai added his own comments about the episode. He also spoke about the visit of Sunil Gavaskar to the Hostel and the talk given by him to the boys. During their visit, Swami had asked Sunil Gavaskar to speak to the boys about Bakri Id as it happened to be Bakri Id that day. Sunil humbly submitted to Swami that he was totally ignorant of this topic and therefore Swami should excuse him.
Bhagawan replied, "You just go and stand over there, I will speak". Sunil did just that and for the next 10 to 15 minutes he spoke non-stop about Bakri Id and finally there was a thunderous applause!! Sunil says that to this day he does not know what he spoke on that day. On the other hand, Dr. Siva Sankar Sai who was among the audience that day, as a Research Scholar, recalled the wonderful talk given by Sunil Gavaskar!
It was very nice to hear such experiences being narrated from different people on different sides of the scene! Subsequently, Dr. Siva Sankar Sai shared an incident wherein a student who was very unwell in the Hostel was helped by Bhagawan in a very mysterious way.
The evening concluded with Bhajans.
Sairam
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Bhagavad Geetha
Chapter 12
The Bhagavad Geetha is a celestial song rendered by Lord Krishna to
the warrior Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Although the
Bhagavad Geetha as we know is a part of the great epic Mahabharata,
there is no doubt that the principles and teachings of the Geetha
are ancient. In the first three slokas of the fourth chapter,
reference is made to the Lord instructing Geetha to Surya first and
later to Manu and to the fact that from Manu it reached Iksvahu and
thence to others in succession. So the Geetha is beyond the category
of time and it cannot be assigned to a particular point of time,
past or present.
The Bhagavad Geetha is the "milk" of the Upanishads, "drawn" by the
cowherd Krishna with the help of the "calf" Arjuna, for all mankind
to drink and draw sustenance from. It is a text book for all mankind
giving the secrets of spiritual science in clear and simple terms.
The Geetha is a text for spiritual practitioners, for it emphasizes
Sadhana and spiritual attitudes more than anything else. Every
chapter lays down means and methods of reaching the goal of peace
and harmony. Geetha is a boat, which can take man across from the
self-imposed state of bondage to the freedom, which is his nature.
But it will be useful only when the reader has as much detachment as
Arjuna had when Krishna started the discourse. If you have as much
Vishada as Arjuna had, you have the Adhikara to get the teaching,
which removed the Vishada. The Geetha will act on the mental system
only when the symptoms of Vishada are strong. Arjuna, the greatest
bowman of those days, anxious since years to destroy the wicked
Kauravas who had angered him by merciless and systematic vendetta,
suddenly gets disinterested in everything that he thought precious
until that moment. In short, his mind had become ripe for the
illumination. He has the Lord Himself as Guru by his side and he
knows it. He asks Him: "I am struggling in ignorance; I am confused;
I do not know which is Dharma and which is Adharma." He seeks
disciple-hood and lays himself at the Feet of Krishna in self-
surrender! Anyone anywhere who reaches that stage of spiritual
surrender will get the response from Krishna and He will teach the
Githa from the chariot which is driven by Him, that is his own heart.
Really speaking, man has come into this Karmakshetra (field of
activity) only to engage himself in activity, not in order to earn
the fruit of such activity. That is the teaching of Geetha, its
fundamental lesson. Arjuna, the great hero capable of great
renunciation and of great wisdom is deluded by the awful needs of
war and this grief handicaps his activity. He imposes on Atma (ever
untouched by the characteristics of the moving changing world) the
unreal and ephemeral nature of the world and takes this delusion as
true. This is the tragedy not of Arjuna alone but of all humanity.
Therefore the Geetha is of universal and eternal value. To study the
Geetha is to learn the art of swimming across the sea of delusion.
The Geetha is the very voice of Lord Krishna.
The way it begins and the way it ends gives the clue to the subject,
which it expounds. The very first verse starts with the
words, "Dharmakshethre Kurukshetre..", the word Dharma being the
leading word. The last verse speaks of "Yathra Yogeshwarah Krishna"
and this word "Yogeshwara" sums up the Dharma that is being taught.
Thus it is clear that the objective of the teaching in the Geetha is
just this: "Remember Dharma; practice Dharma". Bhagavad Geetha is a
textbook of Dharma in all its aspects. It discusses all the
principles underlying Dharma.
The Geetha, which begins with the Vishada Yoga, ends with Sanyasa
Yoga; Vishada is the foundation and Sanyasa, the super structure.
Vishada (despondency) is the seed and Sanyasa (liberation), the
fruit.
Complete surrender to the Lord, freedom from the shackles, which
bind one with the external world of objects, the observance of good
deeds and virtuous disciplines, these are the principal truths
underlined in the Geetha. The Lord holds forth these as the best
form of training in the deepest secrets of inner progress. The
Lord's command is that each should pursue the Dharma that is laid
down for him; each person should plan his life according to the
spiritual foundations of his culture; he should give up
the 'objective' vision and listen to the Voice of God.
The Geetha is the greatest harmoniser of all Yogas. As a matter of
fact, once the Geetha is made the guiding star of your life, the way
you act will be Karma Yoga, tile way you feel be Bhakthi Yoga, the
way you reason will be Jnana Yoga. It will become automatically so.
What you do must be in line with Dharma; what you feel must foster
Prema; what you think must reveal Sathyam. Then you will be blessed
with Santhi, with even Prasanthi.
The Geethabhavanam (mansion of Geetha) is the mansion of Sathya and
Dharma, erected for the benefit of the world. Study it with faith
and devotion. Experience the curative and restorative effects of its
teachings by actual practice. Understand the Geetha well and
observing its injunctions establish yourselves in the attitude of
Nishkaamakarma. Do all duties as acts of worship, Hari Prasadam.
That is the sole task. Leave the rest to Him: the fruit, the
consequence, the result. Then you receive the Grace of Hari and your
life on earth is sanctified and becomes worthwhile.
-Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
[Source: Geetha Vahini | Divine Discourse: 24 Jun 1961]
Posted at 11:35 am by saiavatar
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Parthi Update, November 23, 2004
Parthi Update, November 23, 2004
Bhagawan Baba’s 79th Birthday Celebrations
It was just 5.30 a.m. when the first line of students left the Hostel to the Mandir. Luckily it was not very cold this morning. We all rushed to the Mandir fearing the huge crowds. The queue for the gent’s devotees to enter the Mandir had reached till the Primary School and was growing exponentially!! We were struck by the devotion and inspiration of these thousands of devotees. Did they not know that their chances to even enter the Mandir were almost nill? But still, what drove them to undergo so much strain and stand all these long hours? That is the miracle!! His Love is a powerful magnet that just attracts!! Who can escape that pure Love?
When we entered the Kulwant Hall, of course through the Ladies side entrance as our side was fully blocked, we found that the Hall was already full!! My! What about all those thousands standing in the queue? With a silent prayer in our hearts for al of them, we went and occupied our places – privileged as we were!! But the question kept nagging us. How could Swami satisfy all these devotees? If they do not get something, how is it that they keep coming again and again? This means that they all are receiving something – something intangible that words cannot express!! We realized the power of our omnipresent Lord, seated in each one of our hearts and having His relation with us both from within and without!!
At 6.55 a.m., the base drum of the band gave its first beat, heralding the 79th Birthday of the Avatar of the age!! Soon a huge procession marched forward from the Poornachandra Compound. It seemed like a river in full spate making its way to merge with the ocean! The Anantapur band, the Primary School girls band, the Primary School boys band, the Institute Gents Band, the Vedam boys….O the list goes on and on. And there, behind all of them, in the Lamburgini vehicle, driven by our dear brother Satyajit, was seated our most beloved Bhagawan shining brighter than all suns put together, in His brilliant white robe!! Swami was looking too good! His flowing curly black hair falling over His white robe and His shining, brilliant face with that beautiful subtle smile…..Manda Hasa Vadani Manohari Sai Jagat Janani. You would have had to see it to believe it!!
At 7.15 a.m., after taking a full round of the Kulwant Hall, Bhagawan stepped down on the dais. He walked from one end of the stage to the other end, Blessing all and casting a glance at all. At 7.30 a.m., He sat down on the sofa. Meanwhile, all the bands were playing catchy tunes one after the other. Both the Anantapur and Prasanthinilayam bands played ‘Happy Birthday to You’ in their own unique styles. There was a loud applause after each piece. After a while, Bhagawan signaled to them to be seated.
At 7.35 a.m., Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal of the Brindavan Campus of SSSIHL, made an introductory speech. He expressed his feeling that what sort of Birthday could one wish Bhagawan who is indeed the ageless and timeless, extolled as such in all our scriptures!! He also recalled several instances when devotees have wished Bhagawan a Happy Birthday and Swami has always replied, “I am ever happy, it is you who must be happy”. This indeed is the very purpose of our life and the journey goes on and on. Sri Sanjay Sahni introduced the two speakers for the morning.
The first speaker was Dr. Michael Goldstein, a physician by profession and Chairman of the Prashanti Council that oversees the service activities of the Sathya Sai Seva organizations around the globe. Dr. Goldstein began his talk by making an apparently surprising but very thought provoking statement. He said that we truly are not brothers and sisters as we normally think. We are indeed ONE. Then why call ourselves brothers and sisters? Again where is the question of sharing Love? Love is one undivided entity, which must be experienced and not shared. He said that we are not celebrating the birthday of the physical body of Bhagawan but we are celebrating the confirmation of Divinity in this Holy Form, which we can see with our physical eyes. He referred to Bhagawan as the cause of faith, reason for hope and the embodiment of Selfless Love!!
The second speaker for the morning was Padmashri Prof. G. Venkataraman, the well-known scientist, winner of several awards, former Vice Chancellor of our Institute and currently heading several projects under the direct guidance of Bhagawan – notably the Global Sai Harmony. He paid his obeisance to Bhagawan on behalf of every man, woman and child on this planet earth as, in his opinion, all of us are His children whether we believe in Him or not.
He spoke very highly about our Institute and it’s stress on moulding the character of students. He praised the boys, quoting several instances where boys had manifested in their behaviour the impact of this character building exercise. One incident was of one of our students, who went out of his way, even at the cost of arriving late to the Hostel, to help an old woman board the bus to her town – during one of the earlier Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan. That boy felt that this small service of his, was his offering to Bhagawan on that auspicious day.
Another instance was something that took place just a few days before. Old students of the Institute went to Penukonda (a close by town) in a vehicle and distributed blankets to all those sleeping on the streets, especially the children. This was very thoughtful of them especially given the weather conditions now. Prof. Venkataraman asked the audience whether there was any other University anywhere in this world, where alumni students would undertake such selfless service, even after five years of their passing from the college?
He also reminded us of the unique opportunity we have of being in the Divine Presence of the Lord. He gave the example of the ‘Lady statue of opportunity’ that he had seen in a museum. This statue had two wings and was blindfolded. On asking the curator the significance of this, the curator said that the blindfold implies that we often do not see the opportunity waiting at our very doorstep and the wings symbolized the fact that this opportunity would not wait for long, and if lost - would fly away forever!!
After the two talks, Bhagawan got up from the sofa. It was 8.15 a.m. The mike was arranged and Swami scanned the entire ocean of devotees and gave a Blissful smile!! He commenced His Divine shower of invaluable wisdom. Highlights of the Discourse follow:
Without Sathya, Dharma, Prema and Shanti, value of education is zero, acts of charity are futile and compassion is meaningless. These four values are the very pillars of human life.
Embodiments of Love, you are forgetting the very reason for your coming here. What would happen if we would post a cover, without writing the ‘from’ and ‘to’ address? It would be delivered to the ‘dead letter’ office. So too, you have come and fallen into this world without knowing your ‘from’ and ‘to’ address. You must necessarily recognize at least one of the three – Where have you come from, where are you going and where are you now. Otherwise life will be futile!
Bhagawan narrated the well-known story of the boatman, which He has mentioned several times before. A Businessman travels in a boat and in order to pass time, he keeps talking to the boatman. First he asks the boatman whether he is educated. The boatman replies in the negative. Then the businessman asks him the time, asks him about the newspaper, asks him about the prices of gold and silver in Mumbai and also the name of their destination. To all these queries, the boatman fails to give any answer, as he is illiterate in the very first place. Therefore, the businessman tells him that by not having a watch, he has wasted a quarter of his life. By not knowing how to read a newspaper and not even keeping one under his shoulder – as the fashion is these days, he has lost another quarter of his life.
Not being able to reply the query about the name of their destination, he had lost even the third quarter of his life, according to the businessman. Just then a severe storm sets in and the boat starts rocking. Then the boatman asks the businessman whether he knew swimming. The businessman nodded his head – indicating a ‘no’. Then, said the boatman, that his whole life was a waste!!
Bhagawan in detail, explained the experience of Dr. Goldstein in his encounter with the air hijackers. Many of us would have heard this from Dr. Goldstein himself. Once Bhagawan had asked Dr. Goldstein to postpone his return trip to USA. But Dr. Goldstein, worried about losing the money paid for the ticket, ‘sort-of’ disobeys Bhagawan’s command and proceeds with his plan. The result is that, he is caught in a major PanAm air hijack adventure.
Swami described in full detail as to what happened in the aircraft. How the hijackers opened fire with their guns and how almost all were killed but Dr. Goldstein and his wife were saved by Bhagawan’s Grace. Swami praised them saying that both were ardent devotees and kept on chanting ‘Sairam, Sairam’, in their heart.
Miraculously, both were spared by the hijackers and after the three day long ordeal, they were free and they caught another flight to USA. Bhagawan went into the further details and gave all the nuances of their adventure. Finally, Swami praised Dr. Goldstein’s wife and said that Ladies always had more devotion than men. Bhagawan said that ladies are able to manifest their devotion more easily than men.
He also praised Dr. Goldstein for taking up weight losing exercises seriously and burning away nearly 60 kgs of fat. Bhagawan said that growing physically is not so important, growing mentally is very essential. At this point, Bhagawan sang the Bhaja Govindam song.
Why are we born on this earth? Is it for Khana, Peena, Marna and Sona? (eating, drinking, dying and sleeping?) There is a lot that we have to do in between birth and death. There is a purpose for our coming here into this world. You all are forgetting that.
Premaswaroopulara, we are traveling in this ocean of the world. So many waves push us continuously. We must have the strength to face all these challenges. Iha Samsare Bahu Dustare Krupaya Pahe Pahi Murare. Is life merely about coming and going from the mother’s womb?
Human life is for liberation. We study to earn a lot of money and eke out a living. Even birds and beasts do this. What is the use of all this education unless it is used for noble purposes? We are here, not merely for education. A degree is necessary but not sufficient. Therefore, all must discharge their duty keeping the goal in mind. Boys say, I have done an MBA. What is the use? Degrees are just on a paper.
We must know why we have come here. Indeed, man alone has the power to know this. Being born, studying, securing a degree, earning money, going abroad – is this all life is about? No. At the end of our life, we must feel Blissful, happy and a sense of fulfillment!
Bhagawan then spoke about Mahatma Gandhi and gave several insights into his life and about the great sacrifices he made for the country. He also spoke very highly about Kasturba, the wife of Gandhi, who served the people lovingly, even when Gandhi was in prison. But then, though we won freedom ultimately, Swami said that this is not the true freedom. True freedom is that of the spirit. Mahatma Gandhi too strived very hard for this.
Swami also spoke briefly about Subash Chandra Bose, and how his wife and son had come and been with Swami for a long time, both at Ooty and Brindavan. He praised Subash Chandra Bose a lot saying that he had a very good mind. He said that these were people with great devotion. Those who have true devotion, will manifest the same in some way or the other.
Bhagawan again stressed that political freedom is only one level of freedom. True freedom is Svarajya – that of the spirit. There are many hundreds of people who have sacrificed their life for the nation and given up bodily attachment – promoting Atmabhimanam. The nation must be safeguarded by such people with Atmabhimanam – attachment to the Self. Body is merely an instrument. We must be ready to sacrifice at any moment. Body is like a dress; we can have it only till it is worn out.
Having been born as humans with this body, there may be many sufferings. But keep praying to the Lord and let the body go through all these sufferings. You will have no problem.
This body fell down in the bathroom. I have no body attachment at all. I told the doctors that they could do anything. I do not care for this body. Till this day I am walking happily. Many renowned doctors told me that I must undergo another operation. Prakriti itself did the operation for Me. My falling down and breaking the bone was an operation in itself.
I have no suffering or pain at all. Many devotees feel bad. But I have never known what pain is. Sacrificing body attachment in this manner, you can accomplish anything. I say and also act accordingly!! There is unity of thought, word and deed. I can stand for any length of time. Doctors told me not to stand for a long time. But I can stand however long I want. Even now I am standing and talking to you all. I have not resorted to any bandage or any tablet for all this.
Students, body is bound to suffer. Body is like a water bubble, mind is like a mad monkey. Do not follow the body, do not follow the mind, follow your conscience. Live with Atmabhimanam, then there will be no suffering. Swami’s programme will face no obstacles because of all this. Swami will keep moving all around the world; nothing can come in the way of His Plan!!
All this is being done to set an example to humanity. The human body is given to serve the Lord. This body must be offered to the Lord. By itself, this body is nothing but a bundle of bones and flesh, full of stench and dirt. It is not permanent. Surrender the body at the Lotus Feet of the Lord.
Serve your country as far as possible. To help an old woman in need is also an act of service. No service is too small. Even a small service will yield huge rewards!! To suffer in the process of serving others is good.
The lady devotees wonder how Swami looks so healthy and good inspite of all these problems!! You must understand this. My weight neither decreases nor increases. I can walk fast if I want. But the doctors have some fear and therefore to satisfy them, I am walking like this. The doctors have advised Me to have two boys on either side to help Me. Hence, I have these two boys over here.
I am not troubling them in any way. Arun and Prusty – both are serving Swami so well. I am not troubling anybody nor am I troubled. These boys go to their offices and do their work. In their free time, they come and serve Swami. I ask them sometimes for a glass of water, nothing more.
Today is the birthday of this body only. Do I look like a 79 years old person? Not at all!! People at this age get so many ailments. Their ears become weak of hearing, eyes develop cataract, wrinkles form on the forehead. For Me, all the organs are perfectly normal. You will not find any wrinkles on My forehead. Not just now, even at the age of 80 or even 90, I will be like this only!!!
You must have such courage and go about doing your work. But you are losing your strength by misusing the latent inner power. Otherwise, you can accomplish so much with Swami’s Grace!!
This human body must be maintained well for the purpose of serving, not for decoration or show. If anybody wants My life, I am ready to give that also immediately. You too must be ready like that. At the same time, you must also not neglect this body.
When there is smoke, there has to be fire behind; when there is a moving train, there has to be a driver responsible for it; having such faith, why not be courageous O Mind?
I see these boys sitting here. They may be just 20 to 30 years old. But look at them. They look so dull and old. No, you must not be like this. You must be ready for any task at any time. Be ever ready to sacrifice! You must always say, “I am ready, I am ready, I am ready!!” Mmmm….. Chala Santosham….
The purpose behind this Birthday celebration is to communicate the message that the body is meant for service to society. This is true Seva.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse at 9.25 a.m. with the Bhajan, “Sai Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahin…”.
Prasadam Distribution began. Meanwhile, Swami called Sri Maharaja Rasagotra, the Chief Guest of yesterday’s Convocation and materialized some Vibhuti for him. Later, Swami called him again and materialized a ring and put it on his finger. Apples were the Prasadam this time. The distribution went on and on for a long time. Swami went into the interview room and retired by 10.00 a.m. However, the Prasadam distribution went on till 11.00 a.m. Thousands of devotees joyfully partook of the Prasadam!
In the evening, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 3.20 p.m. Vedam chanting was going on and the students of the Music College were playing the Panchavadyam (Kerala equivalent of Naadaswaram). Bhagawan was in His normal orange robe and in the golf cart. He went straight into the interview room. He came out at 3.45 p.m. and gave some instructions to brother Nitin Acharya.
Immediately, there was lot of commotion - Sevadal people running around. We then discovered that Swami wanted a platform to be arranged on the dais for the singer. By 4.15 p.m., the platform was arranged with a beautiful velvet blue carpet spread on it. Bhagawan came onto the dais and sat down on the sofa. Few minutes later, Begum Parveen Sultana with her husband Ustad Dilshad Khan came over to the stage and took Bhagawan’s Blessings.
Begum Parveen Sultana was to be the singer for this evening. Accompanying her on the tabla were brothers M. Ratnakar and Niranjan Kanadia of our Institute. Dr. Shailesh Srivastava played the harmonium and Sanket Modi from the Music College played on the keyboard. All of them offered a bouquet to Bhagawan and took their seats.
The music programme began at 4.20 p.m. Bhagawan, the Master of all knowledge and art, had asked her to commence the programme with Raag Hamsavardhani. Therefore, as per Divine instructions, she started with a Tarana in Raag Hamsavardhani. This was followed by some Meera Bhajans and Sai Bhajans. We had - Mere To Giridhara Gopala, Payo Ji Mene Naama Ratana Dhana Payo, Bhaja Mana Nanda Nandana Giridhari, Sairam Sairam Sumirana Karo and Dayani Bhavani – all her top favorites!
Bhagawan took Aarti and got into the golf cart at 5.40 p.m. The ocean of devotees packed in the Kulwant Hall and also parked all along the lanes and pathways of the Ashram kept their eyes glued onto the golf cart as it slowly moved away towards the Poornachandra Hall carrying our dear Lord in it. Each one of us wanted just one more glance of His Divine Form before the curtain dropped on this most holy and auspicious day in our lives!
Let us all pray to the Lord to give us the strength to follow His command and rise up to His expectations, so that the next year when we assemble for the 80th Birthday, He feels proud of us – His children and takes us further on our journey towards Him!!
Let us wish each other a very Happy Birthday with the full knowledge that Bhagawan is residing in each one of our hearts. In fact that is what Bhagawan says about His Birthday. He says that His true Birthday falls on the day when we realize His presence in our heart!!
Posted at 08:04 am by saiavatar
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Parthi Update, November 22, 2004
Parthi Update
22-11-2004 (Evening)
Sairam. First of all let us wish a very Happy Birthday to our dear Alma Mater, our dear Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning!! This is the 23rd Birthday of our beloved Institute!!
By 2.00 p.m., graduates receiving their degrees and all other students were seated in their respective places in Sai Kulwant Hall. The Hall was jam packed to its brim. All were expectantly waiting for the arrival of Bhagawan. We could see the band boys preparing themselves to commence the procession near the entrance of the Poornachandra Hall.
This time, all the Governing Body members and the other administrators who join the Convocation Procession, assembled in the new building opposite PC, unlike they do every year inside PC. At sharp 2.50 p.m. the drum beat was given and the procession began. We could see Bhagawan coming in the SAAB car. He was standing in the rear with His normal orange robe. Brother Satyajit was driving the car and the VC, Chief Guest and other procession members were following the car.
The car stopped right at the centre of the Hall. Swami got down over there and went walking towards the dais. The two brothers holding the Shanka (Conch) and the Chakra (Disc) with the Registrar in the centre holding the maze were leading the entire procession. This time two brothers Pranav Verma and Shyam Ganesh, both from the II MBA(Fin) class were Blessed with the opportunity of holding the Shanka and Chakra masts.
At 2.55 p.m. Bhagawan stepped onto the beautifully decorated stage. A few words about the exquisite decoration. Is there any other heaven, we were wondering!! Even the heavenly gardens of Lord Indra would have been put to shame in front of the wonderful floral decoration that our Mudenehalli boys had made.
In the centre, around Ganesha there was a floral arch. The outer rim being stuffed with fresh rose buds of yellow, pink and red colour. The middle part of the arch had huge bunches of roses – red alternate with white. On either side of the stage were two huge peacock shaped floral fans with special type of flowers in all colours – blue, green, yellow. It looked gorgeous. The entire back of the dais was a curtain of flower garlands with two door like frames placed on either side, in case Bhagawan wished to go into the Portico or the Interview room.
At sharp 3.00 p.m. the nine selected Vedam boys chanted the standard Convocation Vedic Mantra – Vedamanuchyacharyo…. Prior to that the Vice Chancellor offered a bouquet to the Revered Chancellor and garlanded the Chief Guest – Sri Maharaja Krishna Rasagotra. This was followed by the talk of the Vice Chancellor. The VC prayed to the Revered Chancellor to declare the Convocation open!!
Bhagawan stood up and in His inimitable style said –“I Declare Convocation Open”. Instantly the series lights decorating the board adorning the centre of the dais with the letters “XXIII Convocation of SSSIHL’ written on it, went on!!
The VC spoke at length about the achievements of the Institute and its uniqueness and the golden opportunity of having Bhagawan as the Chancellor. He made his often-used statement “In Prasanthinilayam there is a place for everything and everything is in its place”. He highlighted the three semester - M.Phil. Course started this year in our Institute. He also touched upon the unique opportunity given to staff and students for chanting Vedic Hymns every evening in the Divine Presence and the project of Grama Seva.
Next, all the students repeating each line after the Vice Chancellor, took the pledge. It would be appropriate for us to recall this great pledge that we all have taken at one point of time. So here it goes…..
I hereby solemnly declare and promise that, if admitted to the Degree for which I have been duly recommended, I will, in my daily life and conversation and in thought, word, and deed, conduct myself as befits a member of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning; that I will, to the utmost of my capacity and opportunity; support the cause of sound learning, humanity, morality and spirituality; and that, as far as lies in me, I shall uphold and advance the social and, indeed, all round welfare of my countrymen and fellowmen.
Bhagawan lovingly gave away all the gold medals to the respective students. The All Rounder Gold Medal that goes to a person who has been an all rounder in the last five years during his/her stay in the Institute and Hostel – in terms of discipline, devotion, academics, extra-curricular activities, communication, etc.; was awarded to a Anantapur sister.
The All Rounder Gold Medal was awarded to Kumari Deepti Bhagia – the daughter of our dear Bhagia Sir. As soon as she went to the stage, Swami materialized a gold chain and put it around her neck and then also placed the gold medal around her neck. More about this fortunate sister, later in Swami’s Discourse!!
The VC then introduced and welcomed the Chief Guest to deliver the Convocation Address. Sri Maharaj Krishna Rasagotra was the High Commissioner of India in London. He has undertaken several diplomatic assignments in France, USA, Nepal and other countries. He has won the Padma Bhushan. Sri Rasagotra, true to his stature and experience, delivered a very scholarly address, touching upon various points. He referred to Bhagawan as the Messiah of change - through reform and reconstruction.
He highlighted two very important aspects of our Institution – the Grama Seva and the Hostel life, that make education socially relevant. He sketched a very brief but intellectually stirring picture of the status of the country today – in terms of the challenges to be faced both at the national and global level. He concluded his talk, highlighting the importance of faith in God and Discipline. Discipline must be at three levels in his view: at the level of the tongue, mind and the intellect.
At 4.15 p.m. Bhagawan stood up to give His Divine Discourse. Highlights of the Discourse follow:
The present condition of the world is known to all of you. There is no scope to speak about Divinity. Money is viewed as God, Dharma is lost among humans. Embodiments of Love, God can be found only through Love. There is no other path. God is Love – Love is God.
We always consider Love as worldly love. Worldly love is momentary and transient. Anyone who loves an object or a person, does so out of a selfish motive. How can such selfish love lead us to God? True Divinity is reflected as Selfless Love. Selfish love can be seen in a snake and even in a Paramahamsa. How can true Love be preached to such a person?
Bhagawan always preaches about Love. I do not know any other path. No one has any authority to decide as to who deserves love and who does not. How can you comprehend the nature of Love? If you ask a boy, ‘Whom do you love most?’ He will probably answer, ‘My Grandmother’. Now why must he love only his grandmother when so many other people and objects are there? God is everywhere.
You may give God a name, but He is unseen and formless. However, with determination and intense efforts, one can visualize the form of Love. When Love is equally perceived in one and all as the underlying current, how then can you differentiate this and that, as deserving of more or less love?
You all have Love in you. Love cannot be explained in words. It can only be realized through experience that leads to Bliss! Focusing our Love on a specific form cannot help us to realize Love in its holistic form.
We consider Love as Divine. Where is Divinity? Divinity percolates all over the human body enabling the limbs to work in perfect coordination and unity. Divinity can be seen in unity. On true and sincere enquiry we will realize that the same Love is present everywhere.
Truly speaking, Love exists in enmity too. But the most supreme form of Love is Divine Love! This Love can be experienced only by sharing it with others Blissfully. You may call it by any name but the essence is one. Gold is one, jewels are many. God is in every Human form. Daivam Manusha Rupena. Sahasra Sheerusha Purushaha….
Divine Love is transcendental. You can experience this Love in stillness, silence and solitude. There is sacred power in the depths of silence. The mouth has been gifted not merely for speaking. We must learn to maintain silence. In ancient times, all observed silence. However, true silence is not merely keeping the mouth shut. When we say ‘true silence’ does it mean that there is something called untrue also. No, everything is true. Closing our eyes, and conducting thorough enquiry in silence, can reveal the Truth to us.
Divine Love cannot be described. It transcends all descriptions and expressions. Our thoughts give a definite shape and form to an object. But God is beyond this. All that you see and hear is God. What name and form can we assign to Him? We have no authority to do so.
God is a word, but He has no form. Any amount of effort will not help us to know God. It is silence alone that can help us to realize God. Silence is Gold and Gold is silence. Many people have experienced Divinity in the past through silence. Diamond means ‘Die Mind’. Withdrawal of the mind will enable us to realize Divinity.
In My opinion, mere investigation is of no use. Have a specific form and let your mind merge in that form. The mind vanishes, reflecting the form of your taste! But make sure that the mind does not waver from one form to another. As you see a form, concentrate on it; initially it may move here and there, but finally it will come back to the same point. That is Divinity – the changeless and ever still!
As Swami was delivering this part of the Discourse, we could see Swami looking somewhere above, far far beyond the horizons, at something (or nothing???). We could possibly never comprehend the Truth! He was totally in a different dimension (if we may call it so…). Bhagawan continued the Discourse.
There you can see – 1000’s of heads and eyes. It is so clear!! Always keep Divinity in your view. It is beyond all Reaction, Reflection and Resound. Without knowing the underlying unity, you can never understand this diversity.
Nature is the true preacher. This preacher is born in us, is sustained within us and dissolves in us. This preacher can be seen through Preeti or Love. If you do not give up all your differences, you can never experience unity. You can actually experience God in a second!! But the problem is that you are not able to appreciate the fact that what you are seeing is verily God!
As is the colour of the glasses, so is the colour of the scene. Without wearing coloured glasses, see the reality as it is. (Again looking far beyond, Swami continued….)If you keep looking at it, you will keep on looking at it!! You just cannot take away your eyes from it. (At this point, we could see Swami totally lost in something far beyond our understanding. He would look at us for a while and then again switch over to see far beyond…!!)
First develop a stable mind. What we need is not physical eyes but the inner eye of wisdom. This comes from developing stability of the mind. Everyone you see is God. Mother, father, Brother, Sister, all are Divine!! Anyone you see is God. Do not give scope for any doubt. Have full Faith in the ONE!! Following such a spiritual practice, you can experience Divinity.
Have your chosen Form installed in your heart and keep it steady. This is meditation. Meditation does not mean closing your eyes and sitting in one place.
There is no spiritual practice beyond Love. Love should flow in one direction. The direction is in our hands. For this we need a steady mind. In this world, everything is based on the mind. The mind does not waver on its own. It is we who cause the mind to waver. See, it is being seen so clearly, so lustrous and brilliant!! (Swami was again looking at something beyond..…!!).
Our feelings must be our slaves. Not the other way round. Meditation is very simple. All we need is a changeless feeling. Today there is constant change in the mind. I am very surprised to see how we keep changing our mind. Mind by itself does not have this power. It is we who cause it to waver.
Why is this human life given to us? Is it just to eat and drink? It is only man who can experience the grand unity of existence through sincere efforts. You are born to verily experience this unity, not to get lost in diversity. This is what will give us fulfillment in our lives.
Bhagawan concluded His Divine Discourse at 5.05 p.m. with the Bhajan - Prema Mudita Mana Se Kaho..
After the Bhajan, again Swami started speaking. What we heard in the next 10 minutes was spellbinding!! Bhagawan was all praise for the sister who had just received the all rounder gold medal. Of course, she was none other than our dear Bhagia Sir’s daughter – Kum. Deepti Bhagia. Bhagawan spoke about her ailment – diabetes, from which she has been suffering since her childhood.
Swami said that her health was very bad and it was absolutely not under the control of any medicines or doctor. The sugar would rise up to abnormal levels at times and even her BP would go up. All diabetes-associated ailments would also trouble her. But all this did not bother her at all. In fact, her father and mother would feel very sorry for her and I would pacify her father, asking him not to worry.
Even the teachers at Anantapur were very worried and they would call up the father informing him about her condition. She was not able to attend most of the classes. But still she would study very well. Her devotion to Swami and steadiness is unparalleled. Even though her parents would feel very anxious, she would console them saying that she was very fine. She had no anxiety about her body at all. It is through her sheer will power that she is able to cope up with this problem.
All should take her life as a role model and develop such steadiness of mind. She just disregards her body and has surrendered totally to Bhagawan. It is purely by Bhagawan’s Grace that she is so healthy today and doing very well in all spheres. Be it academics, public speaking or any other activity. She is top in all. This is a matter for everyone to take note of and emulate!!
After this Swami pointed out to Mr. Bhagia who was sitting a little back, and said – See, her father is sitting here only. He is a faculty member in our Institute. He is so worried about her. Come!! Mr. Bhagia went running to Swami with tears in his eyes – tears of Bliss and gratitude to our dear Lord. He went and fell at Swami’s Feet. Swami patted him on his head and raised him up saying – Why do you worry – I am there to take care!!
Bhagawan also referred to Prof. Ramamoorthy of the School of Business Management at this point and said that he too has surrendered to Swami in a similar manner. We were all left dumfounded watching this scene of Love between a true devotee and the Lord. It’s a matter of great pride for all of us that one student among us has been able to rise up to this level, so as to please Swami and be worthy of being projected as a role model for all others!!
Prof. Anil Kumar took over then and made an announcement. He said that after half an hour break we would have the drama by the students of SSSIHL in the Poornachandra Hall. Swami indicated to him to mention that the drama was being enacted by all senior students from MBA, M.Tech., M.Sc….
The band played the National Anthem to conclude the afternoon proceedings. We all stood up and joined in singing the National Anthem. The Golf Cart meanwhile glided in, to the front of the dais – at the center. Swami signaled to Sri Rasagotra to sit down behind and Justice Bhagawati was asked to sit in the front. Swami then took His seat.
The band began and the procession went behind the band, while the golf cart went along the Ladies side and into the PC compound. We all got up and rushed towards PC to secure a good seat and enjoy the wonderful drama in the Divine Presence.
We’ll bring you the details about the Convocation Drama in our next mail.
Sairam
Posted at 07:58 am by saiavatar
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Spreading Swami's Message: The Digital Dimension
Spreading Swami's Message: The Digital Dimension
Dear Reader,
The 23rd of this November is the fourth birthday of Radio Sai. On this happy occasion, we take you down memory lane and recount the progress that has been achieved till now by the grace of Swami.
SPREADING HIS MESSAGE: THE DIGITAL DIMENSION.
In the Inaugural Issue, we wrote that things are beginning to happen that we never dreamt of. This article will take you behind the scenes and tell you how the Lord makes things happen, and quietly too, all in His own way of course. And there is a message behind it, which is that things will happen only when Samayam and Sandarpam are right, meaning the time and the circumstances must be right.
Many years ago, a devotee from America brought a team of about seven or eight people. The members of the team seemed to be important, judging from the attention given to them in veranda seating! They of course also got an Interview. At that time, we did not know anything else; it was only later we learnt that the group had come with a view to persuade Swami to give His blessings to put up a radio station here in Prashanti Nilayam, as a part of a chain of radio stations the world over, spreading religious and spiritual teachings. We don’t know if the general idea took off, but this we do know; no radio station came up in Prashanti following this visit, which means that Swami ignored the idea of a radio station at that time.
Meanwhile, there were constant attempts to “talk Swami into” agreeing to have a web site and make that the vehicle for the dissemination of His Message. People said, “Swami, this web business is a great thing. All spiritual organisations have it. You must bless one for us also.” Swami just smiled. But Internet addicts would not take the hint; they started their own web sites, many of which often became gossip and rumour sites! So much so, in one Discourse, Swami went to the extent of saying what we need is INNERNET and not Internet.
Many grumbled saying, “Swami does not understand how useful the Internet is. Why is He so much against computers?” Is Swami against computers as such? If so, how come there are so many computers in His hospitals? How come the Central Trust uses computers extensively for its administrative and accounting work? Would these computers be there without His permission? How come there is even a Master of Technology [M.Tech] Course on Computer Science in Swami’s University, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning? The answer is loud and clear. Swami is not against computers as such but their irrational and irrelevant use.
We come now to September, 2001. One afternoon that month, a group of four people came from Bangalore for Darshan. Two were from overseas and two were from India. They seemed like important people because they were seated right in the front. Swami came out for Darshan, and these people were duly granted an Interview. Nothing very special in that, since this sort of thing happens from time to time. But this time, there was something different. That became known a few days later when Bhagavan Baba announced that one of those who came earlier was Dr. Samara, Chairman of the World Space Corporation, and that he had offered free a radio channel on his satellite Asiastar, for digital broadcast of Swami’s Message, 24 hours a day. It happened just like that – no one here asked for it or even dreamt about it, and yet it happened because the time had come!
It was decided that the radio service would be up on Birthday, 2001, and that Swami would inaugurate the service that morning. All this was fine but no one here knew anything about broadcasting, and much less digital radio broadcasting via satellite! But now, we had to know all that and there was so little time left! That is how He always tests us; as He says, “Test is taste for God!” We sure know what that means here!
So a radio team was hurriedly formed with just two people to start with, and hardly any equipment dedicated for this purpose. But living in Prashanti, we know how to improvise and come up with something or the other in the last minute. And thus it was on 23rd November 2001, RADIO SAI came on the air for the first time when Bhagavan pressed a button in Sai Kulwant Hall, as a part of the Birthday celebrations. When Swami pressed the button, a message was flashed from the Mandir to Melbourne in Australia by cell phone – we had two cell phones just in case one of them failed! – and the person in the Melbourne uplink station of World Space switched on the computer which then started sending a pre-recorded programme to the satellite. That programme was received by a receiver we had set up in the Mandir, and this signal was fed to the public address system. Thanks to all this, the people assembled in the Sai Kulwant Hall heard the inaugural programme, which lasted seven minutes – we had arrived! By the way, when Swami pressed the switch, a big board that was kept in the Hall lit up and that was the symbolic inauguration.
In spite of all the announcements made, few really understood that the programme that they heard that morning actually came via satellite from Melbourne and that it was a Radio Sai broadcast. In fact, even after a year or so, many still did not have the foggiest idea about Radio Sai, though they had witnessed the inaugural function.
Going on the air seemed difficult, but once we were up, that looked like child’s play; it was staying on the air 24 hours a day that proved difficult. In those days, we did not have a studio for recording or even proper microphones, and many would not believe that we managed by using just a tie clip mike! But we went past this seemingly impossible difficulty of staying continuously on the air, and believe it or not, to celebrate our 100th day, we had a marathon 20 hour programme covering Swami’s entire Life. This programme was entitled “Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram” and Swami heard a part of it on the radio installed in His chamber, the African trip, to be precise!
Looking back it all seems amazing and unbelievable, even to us. It just goes to show, that somehow things fall into place and start happening, though we do not know how.
We now move to the summer of 2002, and Swami in His own way, was bringing some of His other instruments into the picture. The instrument that helped us to take a giant leap forward was Mr. Gopal Srinivasan, Director, TVS Electronics, a leading hardware manufacturing company in India. Brother Gopal is not only an ardent devotee of Bhagavan, but also an audio-video buff, and blessed with a keen desire to make his knowledge and resources available for the benefit of Swami’s Mission. God has a way of recognising selfless desire calculated to bring Ananda to all, and pretty soon, with Swami’s blessing, the building previously known as the EHV Building [where Mr. Hejmadi had his office and morning talks used to be given], was taken over for conversion into a modern digital studio.
Gopal and his dynamic team now swung into action. During the whole of the summer while Bhagavan was away in Brindavan, carpenters, electricians, air-condition mechanics, sound engineers and what have you, transformed the old EHV Building into not a just modern but a dream studio! And we, who had worked earlier with just one computer and two tie clip mikes, were knocked out flat.
You wouldn’t believe this; once a listener asked us, “Why don’t you give a postal address? Some of us do not have computers, e-mail and all that. How do we communicate with you?” We replied by saying, “Sir, even people here do not know we exist! We have no room of our own. If we give a postal address, the postman would not be able to find us!” We don’t know if the listener was satisfied with the answer, but that was the truth!
On 29th August, all that changed. At last, thanks to Brother Gopal, Radio Sai had a home! In the morning, after Darshan, Swami accompanied by Gopal, drove to the new Studio. There He was lovingly and ceremoniously received, and walking up the entrance, Swami set His Divine Feet in the Studio premises. We felt truly blessed, and it was a wonderful moment for all of us. We can’t exactly convey to you how exactly we all felt, but you can get an idea of how happy we must have been by looking at the pictures that accompany this story. Swami was so relaxed and happy! He took His time to tour the facilities, asking questions here and there, and patiently saw all the things we were eager to show Him. It was funny, when you come to think of it – He it was who had made it all happen; and yet here we were trying to show Him what “we had done”! The Lord in His Infinite Love puts up with all this and allows us to imagine we are the doers!
After walking round, Swami went to the main recording hall where He sat down on a chair that had been specially placed for Him. He then conversed in a most leisurely manner with one and all, in the process drawing attention to how Mr. Gopal had worked tirelessly to create these wonderful facilities. All this was being done in order to spread Ananda; spreading Love and Ananda must be the aim of one and all, and Gopal had shown how everyone can use their skills and endowments in their own way to be part of the Lord’s Mission. As a sign of Divine Blessing, Bhagavan then materialised a Rolex watch for Brother Gopal! Some more remarks and advice, and it was time for Arathi and departure. Swami had spent a full forty minutes but it seemed like just forty seconds!
So finally, we had a wonderful Studio. With Swami’s blessings, it was named the Prashanti Digital Studio. Nice place, wonderful air-conditioning and facilities. But we could not relax! More work and more challenges lay ahead! The Birthday was fast approaching, and it was decided that we would broadcast live for the first time on 23rd November 2002, the first anniversary of Radio Sai! When we decided to go live on the Birthday, we had little idea of the problems involved. Gopal and his team worked closely with us, as did Mr. Venugopal and his team from World Space and Mr. Madhava Murthy and his team from S.N. Informatics [with whose help we are running the Radio Sai web site and our audio download cum streaming service].
Many things did not quite go the way we wanted, and our BP was going up all the time. We prayed furiously of course, but glitches kept popping up. On the morning of 22nd November, things seemed to work out well, and we did a successful trial “live” broadcast. But that afternoon, when we went live with the Convocation Function, the broadcast had hiccups; it was not 100 % OK. A sleepless night followed, even as phone calls flew all over the place; from here to Bangalore, from Bangalore to Melbourne and to other places.
Birthday morning. We assembled in the Mandir, where the Bhajan Hall had become our studio. 6.15 a.m. and the hiccups were still there. Swami was due shortly and how we could we have this problem when He was giving His Discourse? We simply did not know what caused the problem, much less the way of fixing it. We just prayed. Swami came, gave Darshan and went to the dais. He started speaking. Believe it or not, the broadcast went through perfectly, not one single problem! Truly, it was miracle! The world simply did not know how thrilled we all were!!
More miracles followed and are still happening. Radio Sai now has two satellites; Asiastar and Afristar, beaming Swami’s Message to Europe, Asia and Africa. And for the American continent, where the World Space digital signal cannot be received and for others who do not have the satellite radio, we have a web radio at www.radiosai.org. In effect, you can listen to Radio Sai wherever you are in the world!
Then there is this monthly e-journal Heart to Heart. Started in August 2003, this e-magazine has become immensely popular with Sai devotees all over the world.
On the Sivarathri of 2004, by Swami’s Grace, the Studio along with TVS Electronics, brought Swami’s Message live to millions of people in India on the Sanskar television channel (did you read the article that appeared in Vol. 2 Issue 6, Prashanti Diary?). Sanskar channel also carries videos of the latest events at Prashanti Nilayam and other rare footage of Bhagavan three days a week. We hear that things really come to a standstill in Sai devotees’ homes, when these programmes are on the air! Now, other popular TV firms too are vying to telecast Swami’s Message on their channels! The idiot box, at last, is being put to some good use!
Recently, TVS Electronics has helped the Studio to expand and created a new facility exclusively for video recording, editing and live broadcasting of events from Prashanti Nilayam. Swami has most graciously consented to visit the new facility and all of us at the Studio are eagerly awaiting our Divine Lord to sanctify this place.
There are several other projects in the pipeline that are aimed at taking Swami’s Message of Love to every nook and corner of the world by His 80th birthday.
Blessed are all of us here on the SGH Team, who have been given a chance to be associated with all these momentous events. We offer our reverential and most grateful salutations to our Beloved Swami for blessing all of us in this manner and giving us all a chance to serve the world in many different ways, using the tools of modern technology.
Jai Sai Ram.
SGH TEAM.
http://www.radiosai.org
Posted at 04:42 am by saiavatar
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Nov 28, 2004
Karunyananda's Story
Prasanthi Nilayam, India
The anecdotes from Swami Karunyananda's experiences with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba are collected from several interviews between 1994 and 1997.
Karunyananda passed away in August 1997, under the auspicious celebrations of Dassara.
I have the good fortune of being the first person to greet Bhagavan in the morning. I go upstairs, and open the door of Bhagavan's room and have darshan and padnamaskar of Bhagavan. There is Sakthi in the feet of Swami. There is power in the glances of Swami. His body is not like ours, it is a Chinmaya Sareeram (divine energy form). Ours is a body made up of dust, which dissolves finally, into the primordial elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether.
He is not limited to one form. He is the form of all deities worshipped by religions. He is the very embodiment of Chaitanya (energy, force). He is the embodiment of all Gods. We cannot probe into Him. Have you not seen Him during the mornings? He has a special effulgence in Him; sometimes this effulgence is frightening. On the last day of Devi Navaratri (Dasara) when Poorna Ahuti is performed, His body temperature becomes hot. I have touched His feet at such times and found that they were very hot.
I saw Bhagavan for the first time in Bhadrachalam in the year 1936. Bhagavan was ten years old at that time. That means that He started His mission even earlier to the fourteenth year, although the manifestation of the Bhagavan was not announced in 1936. People who saw Him felt He was the Son of God. Bhagavan's sister Venkamma, and uncle brought Bhagavan to Bhadrachalam during their pilgrimage trip. Women were already worshipping Bhagavan as the Son of God. I saw Him casually, and they were saying He was the Son of God. I thought, "Who is not a child of God?"
I was a member of a spiritual organization called Jeevakarunya Sangham in Rajahmundry. There was a meeting in 1956 when Bhagavan came to Rajahmundry. My Malayala Swamy and myself then had the darshan of Bhagavan. Bhagavan called me by the name "Karunyananda," and spoke to me as if he knew me very intimately. I turned and bowed down to Bhagavan. It was night time, about 8:00 p.m. Bhagavan said, "Will you come to Kakinada? We will go together."
I replied, "As you please, Swami."
I went to Kakinada with Bhagavan and during the car journey Bhagavan recounted my entire past history. He gave very intimate details of my conduct when I was young. Bhagavan was born in 1926. He was not even born yet when I was young, but all the same, He gave all the biographical details correctly.
In 1959 I came with the Jeevakarunya Sangham [a spiritual organization] to Puttaparthi for Shivaratri celebrations. We had two jeeps, one van, and a car with a driver with us, and a lot of other paraphernalia. We had an office in Chittur also. We first went to our Chittur office and then departed for Puttaparthi to obtain Bhagavan's darshan. Facilities for travel were very unsatisfactory at that time. I traveled by bus. It was too cold to travel by bus. The bus came to Horsey Hills area, beyond Madanapalle, and then went out of order and broke down! It was evening and it was getting very cold. It soon turned into dark night. The women and children were shivering due to the cold. I then thought, "These so called Baba's—why do they put us up to this trouble? Why do they reside in the hills? Why can't they set up residence in a place accessible to common people? How many people are suffering!"
I was thinking this way but did not mention these inner thoughts to anyone.
The bus was repaired and after many trials it started again and reached Mudigubba at 2:00 a.m. I had to stop there until morning, took another old rattling bus to Bukkapatnam, and reached there with great difficulty. At Bukkapatnam I hired a bullock cart and reached Puttaparthi after even more difficulty. Puttaparthi had scarcity of water at that time. I kept my bedding and luggage in the residence of one Sathyamma, bathed somehow, and then went to the Nilayam. Mr. Kasturi then summoned Bhagavan, and Bhagavan sent word for me and I went up to His room. One Veerabhadra Sastry [a scholar] and several other people were present with us. I paid my obeisances to Bhagavan, when He asked me, "What Karunyananda! What is the news? How many cars do you have?"
I wondered why Bhagavan had interest in the number of cars! I bowed to Him and I replied, "Swami, why should you talk about cars now?"
Bhagavan insisted, "No, no. How many cars do you have?" Veerabhadra Sastry then asked me, "When Swami asks you, why do you not reply?"
I thought there was no escape and replied, "Swami, I have two jeeps, one car, and one van."
Then Bhagavan asked, "When you have four vehicles, why could you not come by one of them? Why come by that bus, and blame later 'All these Babas reside only in the Hills!'?" Then I realized that Bhagavan knew what I had thought miles away as if a telegram had been sent to Him.
There are many such incidents. Even now, Bhagavan would be hearing all the words in our conversation [during the interview].
We would be sitting with Bhagavan at times, and He would be found as if He was somewhere else. He would later say, "I have just returned from Madras. Papum (Alas)! Vijayalakshmi is suffering very much. I went to the hospital. I gave her prasad and there is no problem with her now. She will be all right."
Thereafter confirmatory telegrams or letters would arrive adding that, "Bhagavan was here but He went away without taking [food or offering] anything." Take the incident at Tirupati, which happened around 1989-90. It was 10:00 a.m. in the morning and Bhagavan was very much in Brindavan at Bangalore. Yet, He was simultaneously seen at Tirupati! He was given a chair; He was seated. All this happened. Should Bhagavan put on dramas like others? No, it is all the grace of Bhagavan. [A similar incident has happened in Tirupati again in 1998]
In 1971, as we had returned from Ooty to Brindavan, Swami asked a schoolboy to take a photograph of Him, and lo!, He appeared as Lord Dattatreya in the photograph. Everyone saw this miracle and was astonished. Gangadhar Shetty wanted the photograph and I gave Him the photo. He then asked me if it would be all right if he printed it in the Sanatana Sarathi. He wanted everyone to see this beautiful picture. Swami took the photograph and tore it into pieces as He did not want publicity.
Gold remains gold wherever it is thrown. One day Swami asked me, "Karunyananda, from the beginning I have always been simple, have I not?"
Swami was then wearing a torn dhoti that day. I did not like this. So, I asked Him, "Swami, why do you wear a torn dhoti when you have so many good dhotis?" I tried to prevail on Swami for removing the torn dhoti. Swami smiled and then pleaded, "Oh? Will you tear it up? Was it not my leela that day when I sought for a handful of atukulu (beaten rise) from Kuchela? [A story from Krishna's life] Are you not seeing me for the last thirty six years like this?"
Once Suri Bhagavantam's wife had paralysis, which Bhagavan took on Himself to alleviate her distress. We were going in a car after the birthday festival of Bhagavan. Bhagavan, Bhagavantam, and I were in the first car. Several cars followed us. We crossed the borders of Andhra Pradesh State and entered Karnataka State when Bhagavan fell ill in the car. On the advice of Bhagavantam I got up and Bhagavan was laid upon the car seat. I got into the next car. Bhagavan got up after sometime. He stopped the car and made me sit again by His side in His car. He then asked me, "Did you worry about me? There is fifty to sixty years more time for this body!" Bhagavan will incarnate Himself as Prema Sai. I will also be there before Him. Bhagavan showed me also the place in which He will take re-birth.
Bhagavan eats only a few morsels of Ragi balls (a minor cereal eaten by the poor, prominently in Rayalaseema of Andhra Pradesh). His dining is only a drama, a mere pretence, as He takes very little food. He however, sees to it that people seated by Him are fed well. This He does Himself; it is all the mother's affection. Some people bring and offer sweets and curries to Bhagavan, but Bhagavan does not even touch these foods.
I keep telling Him to eat more because between dinner and breakfast, there is a gap of 15 hours. But, Swami always replies that though He eats lesser quantity than we do, He is more active and does not become tired and weak like we do. Divinity—that is the secret! It is divine energy. You and I would be worried if our food were delayed even for a few minutes. But, He is above all this.
Some people bring Him and offer sweets and curries to Bhagavan, but Bhagavan does not even touch these foods. I said once, "Why should they carry all these food stuff here? We have two cooks. All the items are offered to you. They have to be taken back without you tasting iit. Then why should they be brought upstairs?"
Bhagavan replied, "What is your objection? They bring the food here. Those who bring it, take it back again and it gives them satisfaction to offer food for me." He is verily the embodiment of compassion!
Once when I was returning from Kakinada in 1956 Bhagavan said, "Karunyananda, you are clapping in union seated before me now. A time will come when you can see me only from a distance." He told me again in 1970, "You are able to sit and see Bhagavan now. A time will come when you have to see Swami from a hill only."
On His 60th birthday in 1985, many devotees could only see Him from the distance of a hill.
Posted at 03:01 pm by saiavatar
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Parthi Update - Bhagawan Baba's 79th Birthday Celebrations
Parthi Update - Bhagawan Baba's 79th Birthday Celebrations
It was just 5.30 a.m. when the first line of students left the Hostel to the Mandir. Luckily it was not very cold this morning. We all rushed to the Mandir fearing the huge crowds. The queue for the gent's devotees to enter the Mandir had reached till the Primary School and was growing exponentially!! We were struck by the devotion and inspiration of these thousands of devotees. Did they not know that their chances to even enter the Mandir were almost nill? But still, what drove them to undergo so much strain and stand all these long hours? That is the miracle!! His Love is a powerful magnet that just attracts!! Who can escape that pure Love?
When we entered the Kulwant Hall, of course through the Ladies side entrance as our side was fully blocked, we found that the Hall was already full!! My! What about all those thousands standing in the queue? With a silent prayer in our hearts for al of them, we went and occupied our places - privileged as we were!! But the question kept nagging us. How could Swami satisfy all these devotees? If they do not get something, how is it that they keep coming again and again? This means that they all are receiving something - something intangible that words cannot express!! We realized the power of our omnipresent Lord, seated in each one of our hearts and having His relation with us both from within and without!!
At 6.55 a.m., the base drum of the band gave its first beat, heralding the 79th Birthday of the Avatar of the age!! Soon a huge procession marched forward from the Poornachandra Compound. It seemed like a river in full spate making its way to merge with the ocean! The Anantapur band, the Primary School girls band, the Primary School boys band, the Institute Gents Band, the Vedam boys....O the list goes on and on. And there, behind all of them, in the Lamburgini vehicle, driven by our dear brother Satyajit, was seated our most beloved Bhagawan shining brighter than all suns put together, in His brilliant white robe!! Swami was looking too good! His flowing curly black hair falling over His white robe and His shining, brilliant face with that beautiful subtle smile.....Manda Hasa Vadani Manohari Sai Jagat Janani. You would have had to see it to believe it!!
At 7.15 a.m., after taking a full round of the Kulwant Hall, Bhagawan stepped down on the dais. He walked from one end of the stage to the other end, Blessing all and casting a glance at all. At 7.30 a.m., He sat down on the sofa. Meanwhile, all the bands were playing catchy tunes one after the other. Both the Anantapur and Prasanthinilayam bands played 'Happy Birthday to You' in their own unique styles. There was a loud applause after each piece. After a while, Bhagawan signaled to them to be seated.
At 7.35 a.m., Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal of the Brindavan Campus of SSSIHL, made an introductory speech. He expressed his feeling that what sort of Birthday could one wish Bhagawan who is indeed the ageless and timeless, extolled as such in all our scriptures!! He also recalled several instances when devotees have wished Bhagawan a Happy Birthday and Swami has always replied, "I am ever happy, it is you who must be happy". This indeed is the very purpose of our life and the journey goes on and on. Sri Sanjay Sahni introduced the two speakers for the morning.
The first speaker was Dr. Michael Goldstein, a physician by profession and Chairman of the Prashanti Council that oversees the service activities of the Sathya Sai Seva organizations around the globe. Dr. Goldstein began his talk by making an apparently surprising but very thought provoking statement. He said that we truly are not brothers and sisters as we normally think. We are indeed ONE. Then why call ourselves brothers and sisters? Again where is the question of sharing Love? Love is one undivided entity, which must be experienced and not shared. He said that we are not celebrating the birthday of the physical body of Bhagawan but we are celebrating the confirmation of Divinity in this Holy Form, which we can see with our physical eyes. He referred to Bhagawan as the cause of faith, reason for hope and the embodiment of Selfless Love!!
The second speaker for the morning was Padmashri Prof. G. Venkataraman, the well-known scientist, winner of several awards, former Vice Chancellor of our Institute and currently heading several projects under the direct guidance of Bhagawan - notably the Global Sai Harmony. He paid his obeisance to Bhagawan on behalf of every man, woman and child on this planet earth as, in his opinion, all of us are His children whether we believe in Him or not.
He spoke very highly about our Institute and it's stress on moulding the character of students. He praised the boys, quoting several instances where boys had manifested in their behaviour the impact of this character building exercise. One incident was of one of our students, who went out of his way, even at the cost of arriving late to the Hostel, to help an old woman board the bus to her town - during one of the earlier Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan. That boy felt that this small service of his, was his offering to Bhagawan on that auspicious day.
Another instance was something that took place just a few days before. Old students of the Institute went to Penukonda (a close by town) in a vehicle and distributed blankets to all those sleeping on the streets, especially the children. This was very thoughtful of them especially given the weather conditions now. Prof. Venkataraman asked the audience whether there was any other University anywhere in this world, where alumni students would undertake such selfless service, even after five years of their passing from the college?
He also reminded us of the unique opportunity we have of being in the Divine Presence of the Lord. He gave the example of the 'Lady statue of opportunity' that he had seen in a museum. This statue had two wings and was blindfolded. On asking the curator the significance of this, the curator said that the blindfold implies that we often do not see the opportunity waiting at our very doorstep and the wings symbolized the fact that this opportunity would not wait for long, and if lost - would fly away forever!!
After the two talks, Bhagawan got up from the sofa. It was 8.15 a.m. The mike was arranged and Swami scanned the entire ocean of devotees and gave a Blissful smile!! He commenced His Divine shower of invaluable wisdom. Highlights of the Discourse follow:
Without Sathya, Dharma, Prema and Shanti, value of education is zero, acts of charity are futile and compassion is meaningless. These four values are the very pillars of human life.
Embodiments of Love, you are forgetting the very reason for your coming here. What would happen if we would post a cover, without writing the 'from' and 'to' address? It would be delivered to the 'dead letter' office. So too, you have come and fallen into this world without knowing your 'from' and 'to' address. You must necessarily recognize at least one of the three - Where have you come from, where are you going and where are you now. Otherwise life will be futile!
Bhagawan narrated the well-known story of the boatman, which He has mentioned several times before. A Businessman travels in a boat and in order to pass time, he keeps talking to the boatman. First he asks the boatman whether he is educated. The boatman replies in the negative. Then the businessman asks him the time, asks him about the newspaper, asks him about the prices of gold and silver in Mumbai and also the name of their destination. To all these queries, the boatman fails to give any answer, as he is illiterate in the very first place. Therefore, the businessman tells him that by not having a watch, he has wasted a quarter of his life. By not knowing how to read a newspaper and not even keeping one under his shoulder - as the fashion is these days, he has lost another quarter of his life.
Not being able to reply the query about the name of their destination, he had lost even the third quarter of his life, according to the businessman. Just then a severe storm sets in and the boat starts rocking. Then the boatman asks the businessman whether he knew swimming. The businessman nodded his head - indicating a 'no'. Then, said the boatman, that his whole life was a waste!!
Bhagawan in detail, explained the experience of Dr. Goldstein in his encounter with the air hijackers. Many of us would have heard this from Dr. Goldstein himself. Once Bhagawan had asked Dr. Goldstein to postpone his return trip to USA. But Dr. Goldstein, worried about losing the money paid for the ticket, 'sort-of' disobeys Bhagawan's command and proceeds with his plan. The result is that, he is caught in a major PanAm air hijack adventure.
Swami described in full detail as to what happened in the aircraft. How the hijackers opened fire with their guns and how almost all were killed but Dr. Goldstein and his wife were saved by Bhagawan's Grace. Swami praised them saying that both were ardent devotees and kept on chanting 'Sairam, Sairam', in their heart.
Miraculously, both were spared by the hijackers and after the three day long ordeal, they were free and they caught another flight to USA. Bhagawan went into the further details and gave all the nuances of their adventure. Finally, Swami praised Dr. Goldstein's wife and said that Ladies always had more devotion than men. Bhagawan said that ladies are able to manifest their devotion more easily than men.
He also praised Dr. Goldstein for taking up weight losing exercises seriously and burning away nearly 60 kgs of fat. Bhagawan said that growing physically is not so important, growing mentally is very essential. At this point, Bhagawan sang the Bhaja Govindam song.
Why are we born on this earth? Is it for Khana, Peena, Marna and Sona? (eating, drinking, dying and sleeping?) There is a lot that we have to do in between birth and death. There is a purpose for our coming here into this world. You all are forgetting that.
Premaswaroopulara, we are traveling in this ocean of the world. So many waves push us continuously. We must have the strength to face all these challenges. Iha Samsare Bahu Dustare Krupaya Pahe Pahi Murare. Is life merely about coming and going from the mother's womb?
Human life is for liberation. We study to earn a lot of money and eke out a living. Even birds and beasts do this. What is the use of all this education unless it is used for noble purposes? We are here, not merely for education. A degree is necessary but not sufficient. Therefore, all must discharge their duty keeping the goal in mind. Boys say, I have done an MBA. What is the use? Degrees are just on a paper.
We must know why we have come here. Indeed, man alone has the power to know this. Being born, studying, securing a degree, earning money, going abroad - is this all life is about? No. At the end of our life, we must feel Blissful, happy and a sense of fulfillment!
Bhagawan then spoke about Mahatma Gandhi and gave several insights into his life and about the great sacrifices he made for the country. He also spoke very highly about Kasturba, the wife of Gandhi, who served the people lovingly, even when Gandhi was in prison. But then, though we won freedom ultimately, Swami said that this is not the true freedom. True freedom is that of the spirit. Mahatma Gandhi too strived very hard for this.
Swami also spoke briefly about Subash Chandra Bose, and how his wife and son had come and been with Swami for a long time, both at Ooty and Brindavan. He praised Subash Chandra Bose a lot saying that he had a very good mind. He said that these were people with great devotion. Those who have true devotion, will manifest the same in some way or the other.
Bhagawan again stressed that political freedom is only one level of freedom. True freedom is Svarajya - that of the spirit. There are many hundreds of people who have sacrificed their life for the nation and given up bodily attachment - promoting Atmabhimanam. The nation must be safeguarded by such people with Atmabhimanam - attachment to the Self. Body is merely an instrument. We must be ready to sacrifice at any moment. Body is like a dress; we can have it only till it is worn out.
Having been born as humans with this body, there may be many sufferings. But keep praying to the Lord and let the body go through all these sufferings. You will have no problem.
This body fell down in the bathroom. I have no body attachment at all. I told the doctors that they could do anything. I do not care for this body. Till this day I am walking happily. Many renowned doctors told me that I must undergo another operation. Prakriti itself did the operation for Me. My falling down and breaking the bone was an operation in itself.
I have no suffering or pain at all. Many devotees feel bad. But I have never known what pain is. Sacrificing body attachment in this manner, you can accomplish anything. I say and also act accordingly!! There is unity of thought, word and deed. I can stand for any length of time. Doctors told me not to stand for a long time. But I can stand however long I want. Even now I am standing and talking to you all. I have not resorted to any bandage or any tablet for all this.
Students, body is bound to suffer. Body is like a water bubble, mind is like a mad monkey. Do not follow the body, do not follow the mind, follow your conscience. Live with Atmabhimanam, then there will be no suffering. Swami's programme will face no obstacles because of all this. Swami will keep moving all around the world; nothing can come in the way of His Plan!!
All this is being done to set an example to humanity. The human body is given to serve the Lord. This body must be offered to the Lord. By itself, this body is nothing but a bundle of bones and flesh, full of stench and dirt. It is not permanent. Surrender the body at the Lotus Feet of the Lord.
Serve your country as far as possible. To help an old woman in need is also an act of service. No service is too small. Even a small service will yield huge rewards!! To suffer in the process of serving others is good.
The lady devotees wonder how Swami looks so healthy and good inspite of all these problems!! You must understand this. My weight neither decreases nor increases. I can walk fast if I want. But the doctors have some fear and therefore to satisfy them, I am walking like this. The doctors have advised Me to have two boys on either side to help Me. Hence, I have these two boys over here.
I am not troubling them in any way. Arun and Prusty - both are serving Swami so well. I am not troubling anybody nor am I troubled. These boys go to their offices and do their work. In their free time, they come and serve Swami. I ask them sometimes for a glass of water, nothing more.
Today is the birthday of this body only. Do I look like a 79 years old person? Not at all!! People at this age get so many ailments. Their ears become weak of hearing, eyes develop cataract, wrinkles form on the forehead. For Me, all the organs are perfectly normal. You will not find any wrinkles on My forehead. Not just now, even at the age of 80 or even 90, I will be like this only!!!
You must have such courage and go about doing your work. But you are losing your strength by misusing the latent inner power. Otherwise, you can accomplish so much with Swami's Grace!!
This human body must be maintained well for the purpose of serving, not for decoration or show. If anybody wants My life, I am ready to give that also immediately. You too must be ready like that. At the same time, you must also not neglect this body.
When there is smoke, there has to be fire behind; when there is a moving train, there has to be a driver responsible for it; having such faith, why not be courageous O Mind?
I see these boys sitting here. They may be just 20 to 30 years old. But look at them. They look so dull and old. No, you must not be like this. You must be ready for any task at any time. Be ever ready to sacrifice! You must always say, "I am ready, I am ready, I am ready!!" Mmmm..... Chala Santosham....
The purpose behind this Birthday celebration is to communicate the message that the body is meant for service to society. This is true Seva.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse at 9.25 a.m. with the Bhajan, "Sai Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahin...".
Prasadam Distribution began. Meanwhile, Swami called Sri Maharaja Rasagotra, the Chief Guest of yesterday's Convocation and materialized some Vibhuti for him. Later, Swami called him again and materialized a ring and put it on his finger. Apples were the Prasadam this time. The distribution went on and on for a long time. Swami went into the interview room and retired by 10.00 a.m. However, the Prasadam distribution went on till 11.00 a.m. Thousands of devotees joyfully partook of the Prasadam!
In the evening, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 3.20 p.m. Vedam chanting was going on and the students of the Music College were playing the Panchavadyam (Kerala equivalent of Naadaswaram). Bhagawan was in His normal orange robe and in the golf cart. He went straight into the interview room. He came out at 3.45 p.m. and gave some instructions to brother Nitin Acharya.
Immediately, there was lot of commotion - Sevadal people running around. We then discovered that Swami wanted a platform to be arranged on the dais for the singer. By 4.15 p.m., the platform was arranged with a beautiful velvet blue carpet spread on it. Bhagawan came onto the dais and sat down on the sofa. Few minutes later, Begum Parveen Sultana with her husband Ustad Dilshad Khan came over to the stage and took Bhagawan's Blessings.
Begum Parveen Sultana was to be the singer for this evening. Accompanying her on the tabla were brothers M. Ratnakar and Niranjan Kanadia of our Institute. Dr. Shailesh Srivastava played the harmonium and Sanket Modi from the Music College played on the keyboard. All of them offered a bouquet to Bhagawan and took their seats.
The music programme began at 4.20 p.m. Bhagawan, the Master of all knowledge and art, had asked her to commence the programme with Raag Hamsavardhani. Therefore, as per Divine instructions, she started with a Tarana in Raag Hamsavardhani. This was followed by some Meera Bhajans and Sai Bhajans. We had - Mere To Giridhara Gopala, Payo Ji Mene Naama Ratana Dhana Payo, Bhaja Mana Nanda Nandana Giridhari, Sairam Sairam Sumirana Karo and Dayani Bhavani - all her top favorites!
Bhagawan took Aarti and got into the golf cart at 5.40 p.m. The ocean of devotees packed in the Kulwant Hall and also parked all along the lanes and pathways of the Ashram kept their eyes glued onto the golf cart as it slowly moved away towards the Poornachandra Hall carrying our dear Lord in it. Each one of us wanted just one more glance of His Divine Form before the curtain dropped on this most holy and auspicious day in our lives!
Let us all pray to the Lord to give us the strength to follow His command and rise up to His expectations, so that the next year when we assemble for the 80th Birthday, He feels proud of us - His children and takes us further on our journey towards Him!!
Let us wish each other a very Happy Birthday with the full knowledge that Bhagawan is residing in each one of our hearts. In fact that is what Bhagawan says about His Birthday. He says that His true Birthday falls on the day when we realize His presence in our heart!! Sai Ram to All.
Posted at 01:34 pm by saiavatar
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Water released from Kandaleru to Chennai
Water released from Kandaleru to Chennai
Nellore, Nov 23 - Water was released from Kanadelu reservoir to Chennai on Tuesday after a brief puja ceremony at the head regulator by the Telugu Ganga Chief Engineer Vijayakumar Reddy.
According to information, directions were given by higher officials to release the water on Tuesday to coincide with the birthday of Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi who was instrumental in sanctioning Rs 200 crore for the lining works of the Kandaleru-Poondi canal, now known as Sai Ganga canal which carries water to Chennai.
Though the initial release was 200 cusec there are possibilities to increase the quantity, the SE said, and noted that it would take three days for the water to reach Poondi reservoir, near Chennai.
Pointing to the water reserves of 8.965 tmc in Kandaleru balancing reservoir and dead storage limit of 4 tmc, the SE indicated the feasibility to supply upto 5 tmc to Chennai. TGP SE Rajagopal Reddy was also present among other senior officials of the project.
Source: http://www.sunnetwork.org/news/regional/andhra/andhra.asp?id=10867
November 23, 2004
Posted at 01:20 pm by saiavatar
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Conversations with Sai
SAI: …….When you have deep love for God, then concentration on Him will come automatically.
H: But that is the point, there is the whole point.
SAI: In all these experiences we must hold to the Truth, to life. You love life. We have all these experiences because of life. So we are clinging on to that sort of pillar which is life; for we know that without life we don’t have experiences. Life gives so many things externally but life does not change; life is the same. That life is Truth and that is God. The unchangeable is Truth.
H: Since we are that Truth, we would like to have love in our hearts and flow naturally with life and not according to our arbitrary wishes. Yet we don’t. Swami says we do not, because we lack the intensity. So we say to ourselves, “Well I must get that intensity.” So we strive towards that goal, and striving towards that goal makes the thing stronger – that prevents the desired intensity.
Translator: I don’t follow that.
H: We are selfish and greedy naturally. If we substitute a spiritual goal for a physical goal, then we are still engaged in the same greed. One has just changed the physical greed to a spiritual greed. A further point. If one does not love, as indeed one does not, then one says, “I must get love”. Then love is over there and oneself is here.
SAI: Who are you? Who are you?
H: I am the accumulation of all my past, all my ideas.
SAI: Who is that ‘my’? Who is that ‘my’? Who is claiming? Between the love and yourself there is this claim. What is love and who are you?
H: I am that which I am, the accumulation of all these…
H’s Wife: The accumulation is the idea that you have, but according to Swami you [Atma] and the love are the same thing. You [ego] are the one who puts the separation.
H: Yes, I am the one who puts the separation between us. I am the ego.
SAI: Ego is untruth.
H: Ego is untruth, then I…
SAI: But you are not ego. You are Truth. Ego is not Truth. Any amount of arguments and discussions like this are just words. You will not get this without spiritual practice, without Sadhana. An example: someone asks us what sugar is. We say it is brownish and sort of sandy, because we know sugar. But the sweetness has no form. You can describe sugar like this, but you cannot picture the taste, because the taste has no form.
Even pertaining to the world there are so many things we do not know, and we don’t imagine or worry about. If we only feel intensely for God instead of much discussion and reading books. We must get into the field and try it out. Even if someone writes a book it is his spiritual experience.
You love your wife and she loves you. But if she is hungry you cannot eat for her. And if you are hungry she cannot eat for you despite the fact that you love each other dearly. Spiritual hunger is like that. Each man must seek and appease that hunger according to his faith. Even though
Swami tries to explain, you do not grasp it. It is only through experience that you can come to it.
When you start to learn to drive, you must have an open space for practice; but once you learn, then you can go confidently even on a narrow road. It is just like in a school. Gradually you go and you understand. If big words are used when the child is still learning ABC then the child does not understand.
In the beginning, we do not understand the things of the world, and do not even understand ourselves; so how can you understand that which is beyond you? So, first you try to understand yourself by doing spiritual practice, by doing Sadhana. First ‘I’ next ‘you’. ‘I’ plus ‘you’ equals ‘we’. Then ‘we’. Then ‘we’ plus ‘He’. Then only ‘He’.
H: No, I don’t understand that.
SAI: First ‘I’ then ‘you’. First ‘I’ that is life. Next ‘you’ that is the world. ‘I’ plus ‘you’ is ‘we’. ‘We’ plus ‘He’ is God. Only ‘He’. There is love, the person who loves and the person you love. And when all get together it is bliss.
You see there are three blades in the fan. The three Gunas are represented by the three blades. Only when the blades circulate together in harmony do you get the air. When they move in the same direction then they bring the cool air. The three Gunas within us are going in different directions. When you turn them in the same direction all going round together then you will have one-pointedness and you will be enabled to know.
A Visitor: Could it be like this? It is the experience of a number of people including myself that gradually one does Sadhana, but then comes such an experience that would have taken an immense time to gain, but through your Grace one has the sudden experience.
SAI: Another example: in a house, each one does a particular job and divides the work. In the evening when the family has finished the work nobody says, “Father, I did such and such a work and you must pay me.” It is one house. So you don’t ask for payment you just do the work. But when someone from outside comes you fix up the rate and pay accordingly. When you pay them that shows that they are outsiders. But when they become your own you don’t have to pay them. They work with interest and no pay is expected. Similarly with God. When you think God is the nearest and dearest to you, like one family, you don’t ask for pay. The one who surrenders like that, he is My own, he does not have to look for payment. But the one who says, “I have done so much Sadhana” and barters with God and says, “I have done so much Sadhana and you give me such and such a reward”, then that is the difference; he is the outsider.
The child who is so small does not ask the mother “I want milk. I want to be changed” and so on, but the mother looks after every need of the child without its asking. When you have surrendered yourself completely to God and become God’s child, you don’t have to tell God what you want. He will give even more than you have asked for. But it is only by love that He is your dearest. Do Sadhana and there is a closeness to God; then you don’t have to tell Him that you want this or that. Because you are like a little child, He will come and give you more than even what you ask for. Ego is what prevents us from becoming close to God. It is that ego, ‘I’ have to do this, ‘I’ have to get all this. You must see that ’I’ is only the instrument of the Lord. Like the fan is an instrument, you are an instrument of the Lord. Now is the fan making the fan rotate or is the current making the fan rotate?
H: The current is making the fan rotate.
SAI: The current is God; so you are only the instrument. Even the fact that we think that our eyes see things and that our ears hear things is not correct. My eyes are here but the mind is in Bangalore thinking of this or that. My eyes are seeing, but my mind is somewhere else. Mind is important. Body is like a torch; eye is like the bulb; mind is the battery cell; intelligence is the switch. Only when the four work together do you get the light. The body is only like a torch.
H: Surrender to God is everything of course but…
SAI: The word ‘surrender’ in English is not quite correct; it is not the right word. Because, when you say ‘surrender’, you are separate and God is separate. That is the meaning you get. But God is not separate.
Posted at 12:38 pm by saiavatar
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