PRAYER
{At Dwaraka}
May the wicked turn good;
May the good attain peace;
May the peaceful be freed from all bondage, and
May the liberated redeem others.
May everybody be happy;
May everybody 'be free from disease;
May everybody have good luck;
May none fall on evil days,
May everybody surmount difficulties;
May everybody have good fortune:
May everybody realize his ambitions;
May everybody rejoice every where,
-
Sri Saipadartanda Radhakrishna Swamiji.
SAIPADANANDA
A Thought
Reliance on God should not take a gross and material form, Dependence on Him means primarily inner strength, intrepidity and assurance for, God dwells in us. He provides for all things. His will is supreme. It works always for the good of all.
- SRI RADHAKRISHNA SWAMIJI
Volume 9
OCTOBER 1995
No.35
Editor R. SESHADRI
SRI SAI SPIRITUAL CENTRE
SAI BABA MANDIR ROAD, THYAGARAJANAGAR BANGALORE
-560 028
PHONE: 603922
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CONTENTS
Sl. No.
Description
2.
Significance of Mahasamadhi
4.
A dip into Vishnu Sahasranamam
10.
Road to Sai Baba
Editorial
Concept of Eternal Life
Anyone can
see what happens to the physical body at the change called death - the body is
burnt to ashes or buried. There is no difference in the physical and chemical
constituents of a leaf fallen off a tree and that one still in the tree, but
the animating principle, which makes the leaf in the tree shoot forth new
leaves and buds, has been withdrawn from the discarded leaf. Beings are like
leaves, and God is the unseen tree of life without whom there can be no
separate life for the beings. The animating principle in us called 'Atman', of
which we are only dimly aware of, during our earthly life, which is a small
and insignificant part of the universal which becomes clearer after the
physical body has been shed.
In
Ramayana, soon after Vali is killed, Tara laments over the body of Vali on her
lap. Rama consoles her pointing out that if she is grieving over the body,
that body is still in her lap, but if she is grieving over the dweller in the
body then nothing has happened to Him as he is neither born nor dead, as he is
all pervasive, stable and indestructible. Death is casting off of the fleshy
sheath. In the case of ordinary men, such a day is called the date of death or
the anniversary of death. For recently departed souls, it is a day of
mourning. But when time breaks off the edge of sorrow, pious and noble
memories are recalled that day, and lead to acts that would please and benefit
the departed soul. In the case of saints, the anniversary of their escape from
the flesh is a day of rejoicing. From beyond the veil they are more clearly
discerned as God or fragments of God that will continue to guard, guide and
save their loving devotees and answer prayers.
Sai Baba
spoke of 'Rinanubandha' and this very
idea imports that he considered himself a person dealing with a number of
limited Jeevas receiving from them and returning to them various obligations.
Sai Baba entered upon his worldly life for that very purpose and came at the
age of sixteen to Shirdi to draw to himself the thousands that were to benefit
by his contact in this birth again, after their previous contacts in various
earlier
Births. In 1886, he had given up his life for three days and after re entering his body carried on his activities in the same physical frame for another 32 years. We are faced in this connection with two questions:
a) What is the process of the soul
leaving the body and returning to it after a considerable length of time like
three days?
In this case of Adi
Sankaracharya, he returned to his dead body after thirty days.
b) Then, the nature of this process -
whether it is actual death or not?
This was the very
matter discussed when Baba left his body in 1886. Doctors opined that he was
dead and wrote the inquest report. This became incorrect as Baba did come back
to life. Sat Baba told his devotees that during those three days, he was at
the feet of Allah. In case of souls having wonderful powers like Sai Baba,
they have their bodies and enter into new bodies or simply merge in the
divine. Sai Baba regulated the time at which he can leave the body. He had the
power, when his physical body was seen at Shirdi, to take up other bodies and
proceed to carry on his activities in various places with those bodies. Those
devotees who lived with Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
also recall hundreds of instances in which though physically present at Madras
or Bangalore, they were operating in the entire universe, answering the
devotees' prayers and rushing to aid them in distress. This is a wonderful
phenomenon, which will naturally make us ponder over the meaning of the change
from one body to another in the process called death. If during life we can
pass from one body to another, can that also not be called death? And if Sai
Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji or Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji were doing hundreds of
times, we may say, births and deaths in various places by appearing in and
withdrawing from various forms.
We have
the instance of Mahalsapathy seeing Baba at Jejuri - 220Km away from Shirdi or
Sai Baba appearing in front of Sadhu Bayya at Harda and handing over a
toothpick. Baba could produce forms by will and withdraw from those forms,
i.e., to use the ordinary language, Baba was born and dead within a few
minutes. Are these births and deaths matters for exaltation and weeping?
If they
are not, then there is no greater reason for one's taking seriously to heart
the appearance of Baba on earth and disappearance there from. Baba himself
gave his bhaktas the strong faith that his actual death was really no death.
Mrs.
Pradhan had a dream in which she saw Baba passing away and she said ‘Baba is
dead.’ Baba corrected her and said that saints are not dying. When several
devotees were frightened at the idea of Baba leaving them, he told them:
"Wherever you are, if you think of me, I am there at any place you please
(whether I am in the body or out of it)". Thousands of people have seen
and experienced Baba's presence in their lives years after his Mahasamadhi. In
‘Sanat Sujathiya’, Sanath Kumar said that there was no such thing as death i.e.,
extinction of the living jeeva. In Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad
it is said that souls Yagnavalka that passed beyond the physical life and good
souls were rewarded for their good deeds and wicked souls were punished for
their wickedness in their after life. In Katopanishad, for a query by
Nachiketha, Yama says, "All phenomena are fleeting and that death
(meaning change) inevitably overtakes everything that appears to live and that
the only thing that does not die and is perpetual is Brahman".
Let us
think every moment our Trinity -Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji - their deeds, all glittering as divine traits. And this
picture growing vivid every day not only blesses us in various efforts, but
also transforms our whole life into Him. May the Trinity bless one and all.
The Silent One
Mahavira
goes from place to place to preach his doctrine: and many mock were at him. He
is silent! At meetings they disturb him, insult him. He is silent! A band of
men beat him in the forest, as he sits in meditation. He is silent! A disciple
of his deserts him and goes about spreading evil reports against him. He is
silent! He becomes a Mahavira, a great victor, a superman, because he develops
santi-shakti, the power of peace.
Significance of Mahasamadhi
BY SRI NARASIMHA SWAMUI
The Secret of Peace
Thee can
make no mistake. So many things happen to us everyday, - little irritations,
small disappointments, and tiny upsets. If we will accept them all in
gentleness, patience, and love, far from disturbing our inner peace, they will
work for our edification. May we never forget that God's loving eyes are ever
watching us to see whether we accept the little troubles and tribulations,
worries and vexations as His prasadam. For everything comes from Him. And if,
perchance, sometimes we do feel upset over something and lose our patience,
let us not be discouraged but let us quickly regain our lost composure. Our
richest treasure is peace of mind and heart. Let nothing, - no one, - takes it
away from us.
What is termed Death
in the case of ordinary people is termed 'MAHASAMADHI' in the case of Parama
Jnanis and Parama Bhaktas like Sri Sai Nath Maharaj. The change in terminology
is essential to prevent people to attach association of death of an ordinary
individual to the parting of Saints from their body. In the case of ordinary
people death is a thing to fear and undesirable termination of the known
enjoyments of life and transition to an Unknown State. To the Parama Jnani and
a Great Samartha like Sri Sai Nath Maharaj, the State beyond the border is
just as clear as the present state and has nothing to cause fear and can also
be so regulated as to carry out the further stages of One's Mission in Life.
To many a Jnani or Bhakta that state is sought as one continuous, uniform,
homogeneous state in contact with Divinity and is often referred to as
Viakuntam, Kaivalyam, Mukti, etc.
To the
Mukta, individual personality attains Laya in Supreme Personality, Paramatma,
and there can be no unhappiness or change there. Thus the Mahasamadhi of the
Parama Jnani is a Blissful State, the reaching of God -'Allah Milnar', and
thus the term 'Mahasamadhi' with its happy association is used to denote what
happens to such Parama Jnani like Sri Sai Nath and not the term 'death'. In fact,
there is ready no change in them at all. Sri G.G.Narke giving his statement in
1936, said: "Baba is now in the state in which he was when in the flesh,
and when he was in the flesh he was in the State in which he is now."
Thus the
first great truth that Baba's devotees should think of on the occasion of
Baba's Samadhi Anniversary is the above stated fact that there is no change in
Baba. HE WAS, HE IS, AND WILL EVER BE AN APANTARATMA.
All His
devotees know how Baba spent the closing portion of His life. He went on with
His usual devotees, protecting them everywhere and giving not money as usual
or as special gifts and passed away from the fleshy life to the life beyond
the border, calm and collected and thereby set and example to all wise people
to follow. HE CONTINUES TO EXIST but in an unseen state. That does not mean
that His activities for the benefit of devotees, that is either the devotees
already existent before Dusserah, 1918, or those becoming devotees thereafter,
ceased. Unfortunately several misunderstood His passing away as a total toss
of His Presence and Sai Nath had to correct that impression. Bapu Saheb Jog,
who was daily performing His pooja, thought that Baba was dead and that no
Aarti were necessary. So Baba appeared to Laxman and told him the wrong
impression of Jog and directed him to go to Dwarakamayi where Baba's body was
tying and to do Aarti. Accordingly Laxman did the Aarti before the body of
Baba before it was interred. Baba had given several hints about His passing
away which were recalled only after his Samadhi. Chota Khan says, 'Baba said
'Turbate Hun Dande Hanin" (which means "From my tomb I shall be
active"). Baba also assured Mrs. Tarkhad, Damodar Rasne, Uddav Bua and
others that after Mahasamadhi no one was to fear.
Each one
of them feared that after the passing away of Baba they would be left without
help. Baba assured them that wherever they might be, they had only to think of
Baba, and He would be there with them to help them. Innumerable devotees have
found this to be a fact from their own experience. In fact from Gita
declaration of Sri Krishna and Baba's own declaration, it could not be
otherwise.
As Sri
S. B. Dhumal states and other devout bhakthas say, "Where is Baba gone?
He is still existing and helping (even after Mahasamadhi)".
One that
goes through Baba's Charters and Sayings and the Devotee's Experiences will be
thoroughly impressed with the perfect truth of the above. Sri M. B. Rege
expresses this most tersely, "BABA IS GOD; to me HE IS NOT GONE,"
and innumerable people who made up their minds to trust these statements and
adopt Sai Pooja, Sai Bhajan and Sai Dyana etc., who have the perfect peace and
perfect protection that Sai gives now as he has always given.
This is
the great and most precious truth that any devotee can care to have. Let every
devotee ever remember this and get on. He will prosper by constant remembrance
and protection of Baba.
You Can Build Your Destiny
Always
be a master of your thoughts, never let thoughts control you. Through a little
practice and effort you can refuse to think along negative lines and you will
always be calm, composed and at peace. Refuse to be disturbed by anything,
refuse to be resentful or unhappy and no outer condition will have any power
over you.
Need for Sai Prachaar
-By Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji
(Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji presided over the 15th All India Sai Devotees' Convention
held at Madras on 16th August, 1974. We are publishing relevant extracts from
his Presidential remarks about the need for Sai Prachaar - EDITOR)
The Master of Compassion
The Lord of Mercy
and Love,
Prince of the Raghu
House!
Knowledge I ask not
of Thee:
Knowledge Thou hast
poured in abundance
On the world!
Rama, Thou art
called:
And Rama means the
Beautiful,
Pure and Fair beyond
compare!
I ask of thee this,
O Lord of the
monkeys and of men!
Give me shraddha,
faith,
Grant me wisdom of
the Heart,
And cleanse my mind
Of passion and
pride!
Sri
Narasimha Swamiji, the Founder-President of the All India Sai Samaaj,
considered it is very essential that Sai Devotees conventions should be held
at frequent intervals at various places so that Sai devotees might come
together and chalk out the course of action for doing Sai prachaar and
preaching His Gospel of Universal brotherhood and unity of all religions. One
may as well ask whether Sai prachaar is necessary at all. Swamiji has stated
in his writings that wherever prachaar he had been able to do had actually
been done by Baba Himself, through him as the instrument, by fulfilling the
blessings that he (Swamiji) invoked on the devotees in the name of Sai Baba.
This also shows that Sai prachaar has Sai's approval. Therefore, following in
the footsteps of Sri Narasimha Swamiji, all of us should enthusiastically
engage ourselves in the propagation of Sai Baba's glory and His teachings.
Sri
Narasimha Swamiji in the latter half of the thirties of this century got into
spiritual contact with Sai Baba, through Upasani Baba of Sakori, and had Sai's
Blessings to the fullest extent. To use Swamiji's language, Baba simply
possessed him. Swamiji saw in Sai Baba his Guru-God and Savior of all.
Swamiji had a large heart and was full of compassion for humanity. Therefore, he wished that Baba's answers to prayers first for temporal welfare and next for spiritual welfare should be broadcast to the largest number of people so that all might benefit. Sai is all Gods, as stated in the ‘Ashtotara Namavali’, ‘Sri Venkatesaya Namah’, and so on. The one specialty about Sai Baba is that prayer to him for relief from troubles of all sorts is immediately granted. Once the devotee is relieved of his immediate trouble, say, physical illness, financial trouble or other inexpressible trouble, he becomes full of gratitude to Sai Baba. Sai thereafter helps him to progress step by step in the spiritual path. Any prayer to God will be f uplifted by God, but the experience of Sai devotees is that prayer to Sai, the latest incarnation of God we know of, with full faith in His power to grant the prayer, surely brings down Sai's grace upon the devotee and helps him to overcome his troubles. Any one in great affliction will not care for the so-called propriety or nicety of praying to Sai Baba instead of to Krishna, Rama or Siva. All that he wants is immediate relief from trouble, and if that relief can be had from Sai Baba immediately on offering a prayer, that God atone is his God. To give an analogy, a person suffering from serious illness will necessarily go to that doctor who will surely cure him of his ailment, and will not care to take notice of the doctor's birth, parentage, dress, behavior, etc. All that he wants is immediate relief. Faith in Sai's power to answer prayers gets firm and strong by repeated experiences of the devotee. Later on the devotee discovers that Baba is no other than his own Ishta Devata in another form. Sai himself has stated that He is all the Gods and the offerings made by the devotees to their Ishta Devatas had come to Him.
Baba, in
1886 left his mortal coil informing his attendant Mahlaspathy that He was
going to Allah, that He might return in three days, and that if he did not
return, his body should be interred at a place specified by Him. Actually on
the third day, Baba came back to life and
lived for thirty-two years till he attained Mahasamadhi in 1918. If he had not
come back to the world, nobody would have known about Him and His glory. What
for did He come back? As Swamiji says, Baba came back to life to establish the
religion of love and harmony between the various communities of this country,
by stressing the essentials of all religions and rejecting the non-essentials,
which are mostly external. In His presence, Parsees, Hindus, Muslims, and
Christians felt that they all belonged to one common religion of love. And
Baba was their father providing for all their wants, temporal and spiritual.
Narayan Govind Chandorkar, Das Ganu and a few others in a small way did the broadcasting of Baba’s glory and His prema towards all. But then the movement was very much limited and did not cover all India. Baba is God, and His glory should therefore spread all over the country and abroad. It fell to the tot of Swamiji to carry Baba's name and fame all over the country by arranging lecture tours, issue of books, and pamphlets and wherever possible he displayed magic lantern slides so as to be impressible on the hearers. In 1940, Swamiji started the 'SAI SUDHA' monthly journal for publishing the experiences of devotees with Baba and bringing thereby a much larger number of people in different parts of India into Baba's fold. For the same reason, he founded the All India Sai Samaj in Mylapore in 1941. The growth of the Samaj from small beginnings to its present majestic position is well known.
As Baba was full of compassion for the sick and cured their ailments first by giving bazaar herbs and next by mere Udhi from the Dhuni, even so Swamiji started the Sai Free Dispensary as a wing of the A.I.S.S. for the medical care of the poor in the area. Later on, an elementary school styled 'Sai Vidyalaya' and a Library has been added to the Samaj. It is our ambition to give elementary education free to all the pupils, as and when funds permit us to do so.
We have to evolve ways and means of effectively
carrying Sai's name and fame to all the nooks and corner of India and thus
fulfill Sri Swamiji's cherished ambition of Sai propagation. We may arrange
Nagar sankirthan on Sundays and other holidays, and at frequent intervals hold
His blessings in abundance on all those who pray to Him sincerely. In this arrangement, there is
no question of caste, community or religion. All can join together and do the
work, keeping Baba as the common father of all. Baba has more than once stated
that all are his children. Baba's whole life is an example of love for all.
This is the only way to establish a universal religion where people can live
in peace and amity without mutual rivalry, jealousy intolerance, and quarrels
of a petty nature over non-essentials.
About
the publication of Baba's life and teachings, at present it is confined to
only the major languages in the country. Every attempt should be made to bring
out publications in all the languages of the country.
In this
Kali yuga ‘Nama smaranam’ alone will
ensure happiness here and hereafter. Baba has emphasized on many occasions the
need to repeat God's name. Sai Himself has recommended the Japa of 'Sai nama'
to a devotee. He has also recommended the parayanam of Vishnu Sahasranama. He
has actually stated that he had kept on his chest a copy of Vishnu Sahasranama
and Hari descended there from onto His heart and cured him of his illness. In
the face of this statement of Baba himself, it is very necessary that Sai
devotees should pay attention to the Japa of 'Sai Rama Nama' and the parayanam
of Vishnu Sahasranama.Ten minutes parayanam of Vishnu sahasranama everyday
will bring innumerable benefits to the devotees.
Sri Rama! The Beautiful One
Him I
invoke!
Him I
adore!
The
Eternal,
Peerless
in purity and love!
Hari
Himself
Descended
on the plane
Of
earthly beauty
Blended
with wisdom and valor!
A dip into Vishnu
Sahasranamam
Sahasranama's approach to the Non-believer
-By
Dr. H. Janardhana Acharya
Always
better let me be as good as I can, but never feel that
I am superior to others. And let me never forget that the others are always
better than I am. For the non-believer, the Sahasranama says "Aatmayonih
Swayamjaato Vaikhaanah Saamagaayanah" (85-88). These four words
in one combine are pregnant with significance having several facets of
illumination.
Taken as an uncut, raw crystal without facets, it reflects that He is
His own cause (Aatma-yonih). He is born of Himself (Swayamjaatah). As
Vai-khaanah, He restored the earth from destruction. In other works, he
rescued dharma from extinction {Saamagaayanah).
The
embellished crystal is sparkling. Vai-khaanah takes you to the bottom and
Saama Gaayanah where the ultimate is ether, lifts you to the heights.
Vai-khaanah
means a relentless digger. It says "dig on and dig on, and you will reach
the very core." The puranic Vai-khaanah had rescued dharma from
destruction and restored it to us so that we may cherish and preserve it and
reach our heavenly destination (saama-gaayanah).
The
primitive animal Vai-khaanah is essentially a digger of earth and hence Its
name. The Saama gaayanah refers to the melodious music. These figuratively
mean - "Where music sounds, gone is the earth, I know". A high note
or the lowest of the pitch will carry you to say that persistent perseverance
of dharma will lead you to an ecstasy of bliss.
The
burden of 'Aatmayonih Swayamjaato etc. is you are the cause and effect or
yourself. Your progress or retrogression is entirely in your hands. Strive and
strive for the right cause and you shall leave the mundane earth and reach the
celestial stars. The non-believer will certainly take this burden in his head
without demur.
The
non-believer should remember Sai Baba's assurance "My Sircar's treasury
is full. It is overflowing. I say - dig out and take away this wealth in cart
toads, the blessed son of a true mother should fill himself with this
wealth." But Sai Baba has added a rider to it: "I have to see
whether he is qualified to receive what I give."
In 1953,
Sri Narasimha Swamiji was at General Hospital. Madras, with a broken thigh
bones. He never questioned why Baba should put him to this pain as suffering.
Instead, he converted the whole ward into a miniature Sai Mandir. He went on
giving 'udhi' to all hospital staff, visitors and patients and continued his
Sai-prachaar. Any ordinary person would have probably held Baba to blame for
the suffering.
Sri
Radhakrishna Swamiji opined that every problem we face in life would take up
one step towards SaiNath. He said “Why not suffer for some time and finish up
your store of the fruit of your past deeds and be done with it for once and
for all."
Gospel of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Due to reasons beyond our control,
we could not carry the current installment of the popular series, "Gospel
of Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji" by Dr. R. Narayana lyengar, in this issue.
It will appear in the next issue as usual.
- Editor
SIMPLICITY AND UNIVERSALITY IN
BABA'S APPROACH
Sai Baba's advent is
for the purpose of reiterating the eternal imperishable truths of the
scriptures in an easy, understandable practicable way to the common people to
suit the (Yuga Dharma) context of modern life and conditions. For example, in
spite of the different castes, creeds and religions, the reality of the
situation, whether one likes it or not, is that we are all one people to-day
without superiority or inferiority complexes necessitating that all of us
behave like brothers of one universal family (Vasudeva Kutumbakam). As stated
by Lord Krishna in the Gita, though this ancient truth was declared to
Vivaswan in the days of old, the Lord had to restate the truth to Arjuna, as
this truth had decayed due to the lapse of time.
The
tenets of any religion to survive in the modern conditions of science,
technology and to intellectual awakening must have a demonstrably transforming
and transcending effect on the practitioners. A religion can survive only on
the strength of its inherent truth, otherwise it will go the way of so many
religions and doctrines that are no more current. Sai religion is a religion
of the people, for the people and by the people for the greatest good of the
greatest number "Bahu Jana
Suka". Here are no elaborate or difficult rituals or ceremonies.
All that Baba demands are easy, simple and can be complied with by the simple
people of the lowest I.Q., Bhakthi, Sraddha, constant remembrance and
sharanagati.
- Sri RADHAKRISHNA
SWAMIJI
Power of Guru
{From the glorious
life of Pavhari Baba of Ghazipur (Narration - V. Ganesan, Mountain Path - Dec
'90)
"Life
we look upon as the One Form of Existence, manifesting in what we call Matter;
or what, incorrectly separating them, we name Spirit, Soul and Matter in man.
Matter is the vehicle for the manifestation of Soul on this plane of
existence, and Soul is the vehicle on a higher plane for the manifestation of
Spirit, and these three are a Trinity synthesized by Life, which pervades them
all."
— H.P Blavatsky
About 5
Km from Ghazipur in U.P. there is a village called Kurtha. Here in the latter
half of 19th Century, lived a saint called Pavhari Baba (meaning ‘air-eating
Swami’). He was reputed to have lived without eating any food. Swami Vivekananda
devotes a whole chapter in his autobiography to this ‘saint of Ghazipur’.
It is
said that the Baba hailed from the South and had started on a
'Gangapradakshina'. Many saints are supposed to be constantly on this
river-circuit pilgrimage. One begins the trek at Gangothri, follows the river
to Calcutta, where the Ganga has her confluence with the sea, crosses over to
the other bank, and then walks back to Gangothri, thus ending the
circumambulation. However, some saints are said to settle down at some points
along the banks of the Ganga, owing to the influence of overpowering spiritual forces. It fell to the happy tot of
Kurtha that our Baba stayed in that
village.
At Kurtha, Baba's ashram is now a small house, where the family guards the tiny, beautiful deities, which he worshipped. There is a cave now almost closed except for a little opening, and a slab on which the Baba lived on one element - air. There is an undoubted power about the place.
Pavhari
Baba spent most of his time inside the cave, but he would stick his head out
whenever his counsel was sought. He was said to have been endowed with
tremendous ‘siddhis’, which he used frugally. A stream of the Ganga flows in
front of the Baba's ashram. Mother Ganga herself flows at a distance of about
3 Km from Kurtha. Legend has it that once there was a sudden necessity for a
copious supply of water at the ashram. About ten thousand people had gathered
in the little village to participate in the birthday celebrations of the Baba,
but there was little water around. The Baba used to go to the thirsting
villagers to go to the Ganga and invite her with due ceremony. The puzzled
villagers took a boat to the middle of the Ganga, offered her clothes, jewels,
food and also dropped a written prayer begging her come to their village. The
next morning (it was the height of summer), the Ganga streamed into Kurtha!
Swami
Vivekananda met Pavhari Baba in 1890, four years after the Mahasamadhi of his
Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It was to learn the yoga that would make it
possible for him to remain serene in all circumstances and concentrate on
Brahman that he went to Pavhari Baba.
While
Vivekananda came to Ghazipur, his friend took him daily to Kurtha. The Baba
was sphinx - like. Days rolled by and not a word was spoken. Nor did Swamiji
find anything in the Baba, which struck him as great. He was disappointed, and
after 221 days of fruitless visits, decided to return to Calcutta.
Finally,
when Vivekananda went to the cave to take leave of the Baba, the Baba stuck
out his head and told his friend “This boy is disappointed and wants to leave.
Leave him with me this night." He then took Vivekananda inside the cave,
a big hole beneath the ground, provided with a dozen steps, dig out by the
Baba himself.
The next
morning young Vivekananda emerged beaming with joy. His search had perhaps
ended at last. But the Baba told him, "I am not your Guru. Your Guru is
Sri Ramakrishna. Cling to him and he will quench your spiritual thirst
fully." The Baba blessed him profusely.
Vivekananda’s
biographers added, "Babaji showed
no disposition to pass on to Naren the knowledge he craved. To add Naren's
importunities he was deaf. At last the Swami decided that he should have
initiation from Pavhari Baba. No sooner had his decision been made then Sri
Ramakrishna appeared before him and looked intensely without a word. Through a
mist of tears Naren saw words of power, divinity, love and insight. He was
abashed, overcome by self-reproach. Vision of Ramakrishna recurred. Swami gave
up the idea. In the end it was Sri Ramakrishna who was triumphant." The
'Upaguru' had returned the disciple to the 'Sadguru'.
Pavhari
Baba would address every male as 'Baba', every female as 'Mataji and he
referred to himself 'Dasa', the
servant. 'Sarvam Vishnu Maya was a direct and constant experience of the Baba.
In his cave rats and poisonous serpents kept him company. A cobra once bit him
and he was unconscious for several hours. When he revived, he said, “the Cobra Baba was a messenger from the
Beloved. A Rat Baba fell on my lap and was given shelter under a cloth. The
Cobra Baba who was chasing him got angry and bit me on my shoulder."
On
another occasion, thieves came, picked up all his idols and were bundling them
up. Seeing the Baba coming, they dropped the bundle and ran. The Baba ran
after them, overtook them and putting the bundle in front of them, said “You
Babas If you need these things, they are yours. Why do you abandon them? What
wrong has this Dasa committed? Please take them with you, They are yours."
Pavhari Baba was great and our salutations to him.
SAI DARSHAN
What Sai
Baba and Sri Radha Krishna Swamiji gave their devotees in former times, this
booklet offers to the men and women of today in the form of simple guidelines
to be practiced. It gives peace of mind, an inner power and joy, even
enlightenment. This booklet is meant for Sai-devotees of all ages-young, old,
middle-aged, men, women and children.
This
booklet is meant to lead a Sai Devotee to have a personal contact with Sai
Baba, from feeling Him, fantasy and sense to silence. So use it like a
staircase to get up to the terrace. Once there, be sure to leave the stairs,
or you will not see the sky. When you are brought to Silence, this booklet
will have served its purpose. Let anyone be turned off by the reference to
Silence these words should make our meaning clear: "The market is as good
a place for silence as the Mandir. For silence is the absence of the
ego." Sai Ananda”- Sri S. Natarajan, a great devotee of Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji, is renowned for his efforts to bring the spiritual treasures of Sai
Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji through several SAI publications - Sai
Leela, Sai Sudha, Saipadananda etc., This practical handbook is priced at a
nominal rupees two which are indeed coins of "sraddha' and “saburi.”
Dawn
of a New Era
By R. Radhakrishnan
As the
old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking
up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the youth
he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish
would die if left until the morning sun.
"But
the beach is very long and there are millions of starfish," countered the
other. "How can your effort make any difference?" The young man
looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to the safety in the
waves. 'It makes a difference to this one," he said. - Anon.
It was
the early hours of 20th March 1995. Sai Baba appeared to me in my dream and
commanded: "Help build my temple at my birth place Pathri". I woke
up and was wondering at the significance of this vision. I also recalled a
similar incident in Chapter 39 of Sai Satcharitra, wherein Shama and Booty had
a dream vision at the same time and was commanded to build a temple in
Dixit-Wade.
I had
heard about Pathri being Baba's birth place but I did not known where exactly
it was situated and the route to go over there. Moreover, I am from a lower
middle class family and with my resources, building a temple is next to
impossible.
In the
same afternoon, I had a letter from Sai Brother T.A. Ram Nathen of Sarangabad
(West Bengal) in which he had narrated that Sai Brother V.B. Kher, Ex-Trustee
of Shirdi Samsthan had performed 'Bhoomi Pooja' on 24the October 1994 (Vijaya
Dashami day) at Pathri to raise a memorial to Sai Baba. He also mentioned that
work had not progressed due to paucity of funds. Sai Baba directed me to send
Shri T.A. Ram Nathen’s letter to a millionaire Sai bandhu of mine at Madras,
Shri K.V. Ramani. On the 10th April 1995 I received a letter from Shri K.V.
Ramani that he took out a DD for Rs. 1,10,000 in the name of Shri V.B. Kher
payable at the State Bank of India, Pathri and sent it to Shri Ram Nathen to
be passed on to Shri V.B. Kher. Somehow, Shri Ram Nathen did not accept the DD
and sent it back to Shri Ramani. Shri Ramani had asked me the address of Shri
Kher so that he could send the DD to Shri Kher.
It took
almost a month for me to get the address of Shri V.B. Kher and I passed it on
to Shri Ramani. Promptly on 16th May 1995, Shri Ramani sent the DD to Shri
V.B. Kher, who received it on 22nd May 1995. Shri Kher had started a trust by
name ‘Sai Smarak Samithi’ along with some local devotees and Shri D. V.
Choudhary as the Managing Trustee. Shri Kher and Shri Choudhry are operating a
joint account on behalf of the trust. Shri Kher passed on the cheque to Shri
Choudhry for depositing in the Bank and Shri Choudhry received it on 24th May
1995. Incidentally Shri Kher stays at Bombay and had done extensive research
into Sai Baba's birth and has finally concluded that Pathri is His birthplace.
Exactly
one week before the receipt of the DD by Shri Choudhry, i.e., on 16th May
1995, Shri Choudhry had a dream vision in which an old man - a stranger to
Pathri - going to bank and depositing Rs.1,10,000.00 to Sai Samarak Samithi.
When Shri Choudhry conveyed this news to fellow Sai-devotees at Pathri, they
were wonderstruck and anticipated something great to follow. Shri Kher's
letter and DD received on 24th May 1995 made their faith in Baba take deep roots.
Subsequently,
Shri Ramani contributed another as 4 lakhs to the trust so that the temple can
be completed at the earliest. Now hectic efforts are going on that at Pathri
and in a very short period from now on, Pathri will be another Shirdi for us.
The Greatest Proof
Love - How Baba Developed
Conferring
of benefits is the surest means of the development of love. Baba conferred
benefits in a very peculiar, often in a very mysterious way and the manner of
benefit being conferred, as well as the nature of benefit being conferred,
equally tended to develop the mysterious element of LOVE.
- By Mr. Usha
Ranganathan
"I take it
that,
When a man's life
ends in death (What is called death),
Another mother gives
him birth, with sturdier limbs
and brighter brain
And the old soul
takes the road again
Whatever he has
blessed or cursed,
come back to him in
exact measure.
To make him wonder
why this stranger helps
and the other
hinders, not knowing that all these are his
own actions in exact
measure.
Thus the old Soul is
born again and again,
till it is cast in
purest gold."
Recently, I was
deeply moved by a plea from a broken hearted mother. A short time ago her
three-year old daughter was hit by a car in the street and killed instantly.
"Who is God and where is He that He would allow this thing to
happen?" She asked, "How do we know there is anything beyond death?
I must know, somehow, that my daughter is not dead, just gone for a while, and
that I will see her again some day"
Out of
my own experience, I understand this need of knowing. It always comes when
death invades one's personal world. Prior to my husband, Dr. R. J. Rang
Nathan’s death in December 1990, I had never seriously considered the subject
to immortality. In fact, for years I had been doing what many do -ducking,
pretending that my family members and I had a long lease of life. We were still young. Why should we even think
about such gloomy matters? Then came that day when, like the young mother, I
needed answers. And I wanted them to be authoritative answers, not just
someone's opinions. So I went directly to the most authoritative source I know
- Sai Satcharitra. Here I found solid help.
My first
discovery was that Hemadpant never argued about immortality any more than Sai
Baba argued about the existence and the love of God. The reason for these
assumptions is that wise men knew that certain matters can never be proven by
logic. They must be experienced. Then we know, and not until then.
During
His talks with devotees, Sai Baba pointed to them the path that they should
follow in order that they might know. 'Believe Me, though I pass away, My
bones in My tomb will give you hope and confidence. Not only Myself but My
tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who surrender
themselves wholeheartedly to Me."
"Watch
Me." He seemed to be saying when He appeared in the dream vision of
Laxman Mama Joshi. He seemed to be saying: "Watch I am ever Living."
His assurance 'If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am readily
with you day and night. Then you will know finally and forever that there is
no death.
And they
did watch, and they did know. They knew so surely that they became utterly
changed men. From timid, fearful creatures who had crept away following Baba's
death, they had seen an immortal Sai Baba, suddenly they became courageous men
whose flowing declaration of faith nobody could silence...
Then we
find Dasganu coming to Shirdi and worshipping Sai Maharaj on the third day of
Baba's passing away, picking up the joyous tidings and reiterating the same
line of reasoning that Sai Baba is real proof of immortality.
"And
if Sai Baba did not rise, then those who have slept the sleep of death... have
perished after all." But it is not so.
Millions
of His devotees have seen him and He is more active after Mahasamadhi than
when He was in physical frame.
When I
look back over the years of my own seeking. I know that once again 'Sai
Satcharitra' has not misled us. For I have come full circle in my thinking
about immortality. A variety of evidential experiences have been granted to
me, but I know now that they are just that evidence, not the final words.
Nevertheless
I am grateful for them; like the comfort of the everlasting arms some four
hours before husband was to step over into the next life. It happened in the
midst of churning emotions of fear from the realization that his life was
about to come to a close. Quite unexpectedly, a strange, all pervading peace
replaced the fear. Love, of a quality that I never had felt before, flowed through
and around me. Not love in the abstract, but as from someone who cared
tenderly for my husband, for me. Only later did I realize that this was
granted to me, so that when the blow fell, I would have this proof that
Sainath's love had been with us every step of the way, in death as in life.
Then
there was a dream in which I was allowed to see my husband playing with a
lovely kid. As I sped to him, running with a lightness and freedom, he held
out his arms to me and the dream was over. And yet my impression was that my
husband was bewildered by the swiftness of events that had dropped the curtain
on his earthly life. And the infant to play was that we had no children in
this life. For me there are so many concepts implicit in this dream that to
this day I cannot doubt its relevance.
Years
later, I met a God-centered couple. The wife, in particular, has an
extraordinary ability to see through the curtain, which separates this world
from the next. It was in the evening of August 1995, when we were chatting in
their living room. Suddenly, apropos of nothing, the wife said Usha, your
husband is here with us now. There are some things he wants to relay to
you."
She
spoke in a matter of fact voice. The room was fully lighted. There was not a
trace of the atmosphere that one associates with séances or the like. In fact,
I had come seeking nothing of the sort... "Your husband is happy to see
you. He says that he had many adjustments to make and rigid ideas to shed....
He is a part of a little group which gets together frequently to check one
another out on a spiritual progress. At intervals, they are allowed the great
privilege of sitting at Sai Baba's feet"
I was
moved by these experiences. In fact, this is a kind of confirmation of
immortality though it has convinced my mind, such experiences cannot satisfy
the deep needs of the bereaved heart. So this is why I have come full circle
right back to the path to the assurance pointed out in Sai Satcharitra.
For Sai
Baba is very active and alive today. When we become His devotees and get in
touch with Him, a personal contact is made. Then we shall be convinced that He
is, in fact, who He said He was. We can then trust what He told us - including
His quite definite and clear-cut promises about immortality.
Thus
every time I have known Sainath's guidance or an incisive answer to prayer or
have watched the miracle of His taking disappointments and frustrations and
turning them into joys and blessings, I had a foretaste of immortality.
Every
time I have had depth-dimension fellowship with a friend of love let into
transform a sour human relationship, I have had a preview of immortality.
Every time I have had real joy, I have glimpsed eternal life. For all of these
are attributes of the life of come. They illustrate one of the chief messages
of Sai Baba that the 'Heaven' is not so much a place as a quality of
living.
Therefore,
eternal life can be partially realized here and now. And in these daily
realizations of personal contact with Sai Baba lie the real proof immortality.
Sai Baba's Ashirwad
By B. H. Chamaraj
It was
14th May 1995. Shirdi Sai Baba Satsang had organized ‘Sai Laksharchana’ at
Batchu Ramaih Setty Kannamma Kalyana Mandir, 260, Kamaraj Road, Bangalore. His
Holiness Sri Narasimha Baba of Karur who graced the occasion himself performed
the 'Arathi' to Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and camphor fell down on the
ground and left a mark on the floor in the form of 'ABHAYA MUDRA' (blessing
hand). It was not an accidental fall on burning camphor but Sai Baba's inimitable
'Chamatkar" of blessing His devotees, having accepted the 'Laksharchana'.
Over two hundred devotees present in the hall were in divine ecstasy to see
yet another proof of ever-lasting and ever active Sai Maharaj.
Baba -
Realization through Self-Enquiry
Sai Baba
is the antharyami in all beings from Hari downwards. He is the soul, Jeeva or
our very self. He is nearer to us than our hands and feet. It is on Him this
upadhi or super - structure of psycho-somatic machine or body-mind comes into
existence (birth) grows, decays and dies, lives in Him who is unaffected by
such surface changes just as waves, ripples, froth and foam appearing and
disappearing on the surface of the ocean do not affect the substratum of the
water of the ocean.
When
Baba is our very self or the "even each of us, is it not ridiculous that
without enquiring into "who I am really?" one sets about to find the
truth about the world, God etc. which are outside his self. Is it any wonder
that all one hears, reads about these things without first finding out Who he
himself really is, can fill only with doubt, perplexities and confusion?
Without
a clear knowledge of "Who I am" one can never truly know anything
else. In the absence of self-knowledge, one's so called knowledge, wealth,
power and position" are all only false shows.
The path
of finding Baba within us, as our own "eye" is easier than all other
paths. It is the most direct path open to all without restriction of caste,
creed, religion or nationality.
- SRI RADHAKRISHNA
SWAMIJI
Descent of Grace
By Mrs. Nilima Mukund Vartfe
"From
the viewpoint of the body
I am
Thy servant;
From
the viewpoint of the jeeva,
I am
a portion of Thee;
From
the view point of the Atman,
I am
thyself
This
is my conviction."
- Hanuman
Sai Baba
said that he was giving to His devotees whatever they wanted eg., cure of
diseases, passing of examination, building a house etc. Having given His
devotees whatever they wanted in worldly matters, He was hoping they would
approach Him for what He really wants to give viz., Brahma Jnan.
I came
across a rare instance of Baba's elevating an individual spiritually. A Parsee
gentleman, Rustom Mehta is devoted to Sai Baba for quite some time. As an
orthodox Parsee he was doing his prayers according to Parsee scriptures in the
morning; and Sai Baba's pooja in the evening. So long as he stuck to this
routine, everything went on smoothly. But whenever due to pressure of time he
could not do Baba's pooja in the evening, he combined it with his morning
prayers to Ahura Mazda, then some disaster fell on him. He could not brush
aside these disasters as mere chances or coincidences. He tried in vain to get
a satisfactory explanation from many.
Whenever
he was praying to Parsee God. Ahura Mazda, he had a vision of a long line of
pilgrims marching along the bank of a river towards a mountain glowing with
rays of sun. These pilgrims had transparent bodies glowing with an Inner Light
and were carrying a lighted torch. He also could see pilgrims wading upstream
in the river going towards the same goal. He had this vision every day.
In May
1995, Rustom Mehta visited Bangalore on a business trip. When he visited Sai
Spiritual Centre, he had a rare spectacle of life. He made 'Pranams' to the
Trinity - Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji. The
next moment, he could only see his Parsee God, Ahura Mazda in the place of Sai
Baba and Swamijis. He was stunned, for it was a real experience. In a moment
this strange spectacle vanished and Sai Baba was communicating to him that He
is not different from his Parsee God, Ahura Mazda. He had clearly demonstrated
that Himself, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji are all one
and there is no distinction. Rustom Mehta was in heavenly bliss.
Suddenly
it struck him that he should share this strange ‘chamatkar’ of Sai Baba with
Sai Brother VijayaKumar and since he did not know his telephone number, he
thought of enquiring in the office of Sai Spiritual Centre. Sai Baba had
another miracle for him. Rustom Mehta could not believe his eyes when he saw
Dr. Vijaya kumar in the office. Sai Baba had brought him on an unscheduled
visit to Bangalore, perhaps to fill the needs of Rustom Mehta. The two
Sai-bandhus were happy to meet one another after a long time.
Rustom
Mehta told Dr. Vijayakumar his problem that whenever he combined Sai pooja
with prayers to Ahura Mazda, some disaster fell on him. Dr. Vijayakumar
pondered over a while and told him: "Your Ahura Mazda represents the fire
element of Brahman. Side by side is the river carrying pilgrims wading
upstream advancing towards the same goal through water — these represent
Sai-devotees and Sai Baba represents the water element of Brahman. When a
pilgrim from fire procession joined the procession in river, there will be
disaster. You should not combine the worship of fire-God with that of
Water-God. Even though fire and water are elements of the same Supreme Being
Brahman, these two elements are inconsistent with each other and you should
not combine the two prayers."
The
Parsee gentleman was convinced at this beautiful explanation. There was a
dichotomy in his approach all along. He was worshipping Ahura Mazda as a
different God altogether from Sai Baba and he did not look upon them as 'pure
spirit' without name or form or quality and also as a personal God.
In order
that devotees realize Him as the Supreme Being, Sai Baba Himself urged His
followers to pursue their sadhana, by gradually elevating our consciousness
from Baba's feet upward till only Baba's bust is manifest - then Baba's face. Finally
the face is dissolved in the unmanifest spirit. Baba helps and inspires in
this direction all persevering devotees.
The
strange spectacle at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre and his one hour long discussion
with Dr. Vijayakumar made Rustom Mehta give his approach of dichotomy. Now he
visualizes Ahura Mazda in Sai Baba and Sai Baba in Ahura Mazda. He has made it
a single prayer to the Supreme Being. This striving has taken him to a goal of
perfection and his worship of God as the Higher Truth and Supreme Spirit is
exemplary. The vision he had earlier of pilgrims marching with torches of fire
and pilgrims wading upstream in a river are no longer there. He sees a radiant
light throughout his prayers and is leading a peaceful life.
Fragile moments
-
By Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar
Dad's
suffering came mercifully to an end on 11th August 1977. Pealing church bells
punctuated his final breath at St. John's Medical College Hospital - breath
that neither the deft hand of a surgeon nor unceasing prayers of intercession
was able to sustain.
On the
face of it, Diabetic Kidney seemed to have wrested the victory. Yet in this
final scene of human drama, my father won for him self-a heretofore-unknown
serenity also won a complete peace with Sai Baba. What a joyous comfort this
was to us - a measureless comfort sent by a compassionate God who caressed
with His love. But God saved His best gift until the very last.
We laid
him to rest next day. Mother and I walked outside into the yard to breathe
fresh air in the night after dinner. Fallen leaves swirled gentry about our
feet. Then from behind a bank of clouds, the moon suddenly spread its light
resplendently across the sky. Around it was a prism of color-a rainbow in full
circle. I never had seen a moon like this before.
Though
there may be a scientific explanation for such a phenomenon, I felt God was
reassuring us that nothing had changed that His promises still stood. Death is
just a transition -change over to a new garb.
Why Worship Sai Baba?
By M. Rama Rao
What Kids Need From
Their Fathers
1. Someone who shows his love for them
2. Someone who will spend time with them
3. Someone who can see the world through
a child's eye
4. Someone who will set limits
5. Someone whom they feel proud to
imitate.
Despite
all that mothers can provide, children feel safe and protected with their
fathers.
Nothing can change
the need for a dad.
I
attended the ‘Guru Poonima’ celebrations at Sai Spiritual Centre on 12th July
1995 and on our return trip home, my grand-daughter asked me : "Why so
elaborate pooja and rituals? Sai Baba has stated simple remembrance of My name
as 'Sai' 'Sai' will do away all the sins of speech and hearing'. I pondered
for a while and told her that she will have a convincing reply from Sai Baba
Himself by that evening.
When we
went home, we had a guest who had just returned from Africa. He was describing
African sanctuaries and other places he visited there. He showed us several
photographs taken in Africa.
I had
almost forgotten the morning's incident. In the evening, my grand daughter
said that Sai Baba is ever living to help and guide all and she herself had a
unique experience in this connection when she asked me in the morning - Why
worship Sai Baba?
Her
experience is something, which is a direct reply of Sai Baba Himself. Sai Baba
anticipated the psychological difficulties of His devotees who have been
worshipping their family Gods through traditional forms of worship by
insisting that they continue to worship their family Gods with undiminished reverence. She told me that the very fact of a guest
coming to our house and narrating his experiences of African sanctuaries is a
Sai-miracle. Sai Baba has made her learn that in the African sanctuaries where
wild life is protected, there are guide posts and shelters where lost tourists
may take shelter and procure information about correct routes and directions.
Our temples, churches, mosques etc., are like these guideposts set in the
wildlife sanctuary for the guidance and protection of toast tourists. Sai Baba
is that facet of the Supreme who out of irrepressible love and compassion is
such a guide always on the look out for the lost tourists and waiting eagerly
with open arms to welcome them. That is why it is easier for all of us to take
shelter in Sai Baba from the terrors lurking in the forests of this 'samsara.'
Regarding
the elaborate rituals in worshipping Veda Vyasa, Krishna, Shankaracharya and
the lineage of Gurus upto Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha Swamiji and Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji at Sri Sai Spiritual Centre, she understood that the Supreme Being
containing all Gods, avatars, prophets and Gurus like the 'Viswaroopa'
revealed in the 11th chapter of Bhagavad-Gita. Sai Baba repeatedly stressed on
'Allah malik' and thereby tunes the minds of His devotees to the Supreme
Being. She concluded that Sai Baba insisted on continuing traditional methods
of worship.
Sai Baba
- the ‘Antaryami’ seated in my heart - in His own inimitable manner had
convinced my granddaughter in less than ten hours of her argument with me.
This transformation itself is a Sai Leela par Excellence.
I asked
a child, walking with a candle, "From where comes that light?"
Instantly
he blew it out. "Tell me where It is gone - then I will tell you Where it
came 'from."
- Hasan of Basra
Vigilance
- The Road to Baba
Sai Baba
can be seen as the antharyami in your own sell, when your mind is no longer
unstable, but is firmly under control. Stability of the mind is the royal road
to Baba, as it is the highest tapasya. Pilgrimage, alms giving, strength,
wisdom and the only panacea for all the ills of this Maya - covered man's
life. Mind, when restless and under the sway of the senses takes man to hell -
the same mind when under perfect control reveals Baba to man within himself.
Therefore let your spiritual Sadhana for finding Baba which yourself be for
ever for holding the mind in pure awareness, which is nothing but the radiance
of Baba.
One who
recoils from detestable actions and sensual pleasures and devotes himself
solely and wholly on purifying the mind by Japa, Pooja, Kirtan, Yoga, etc. is
sure to attain Baba though he may not be aware of his proximity to Baba.
Recognition
of the Universe as the manifestation of the Supreme Power and seeing Baba -
the Supreme power in all creatures, high and low, is the truest and highest
worship of Baba. Pure knowledge, parse unrelated to objects of the world is
the true knowledge. There is no worship, pooja, kirtan, japa, meditation or
anything else to be done or thought of, once Baba becomes 'Prakat' within
yourself. You simply keep perfectly still and quiet for Baba to shed his light
and do what he wants.
- Sri Radhakrishna
Swamiji
Road
to Sai Baba
By U. Sangamesan
"I took a piece
of plastic clay
And idly fashioned
it one day,
And as my fingers
pressed it still,
It moved and yielded
to my will.
I came again when
days were passed;
The bit of clay was
hard at last,
The form I gave it
still it bore,
But I could change
that form no more.
I took a piece of
living clay
And touched it
gently day by day.
And molded with my
power and art
A young child's soft
and yielding heart
I came again when
years were gone;
It was a mind I
looked upon;
That early impress
still he wore,
And I could change
that form no more."
It was
October 1943.1 was in my early twenties and was passing through a turmoil in
life. I had problems from all sides - physical, domestic, official etc., I had
lost my peace of mind. I had resorted to traditional forms of worship and
nothing concrete had come out of it. At times I felt like running away from
life and even on a few occasions thoughts of committing suicide had entered my
mind. It was at this juncture, I was drawn towards Sai Baba through Sri
Narasimha Swamiji.
One
evening I went to Mylapore and sat on the steps of the tank adjoining Kapaleeswarar's
temple. I sat quiet for a long time and my mind was debating as to whether I
should run away from my family or ends my life. The time was already 8 '0'
clock and as I got up. I saw a board 'All India Sai Samaj' just opposite the
tank.
I had
heard of Sai Baba but did not know the existence of a Samaj. I approached the
building. It was Dr. Nanjunda Rao's residence. I went upto the gate. I saw
there a saintly person with a half grey beard talking to another person. I saw
the picture of Sai Baba in a wooden enclosure. I stood there for a while.
On
seeing me the person who was talking to the saintly person came out and
introduced himself as 'K. Radhakrishna' and asked me to come in. He pointed
out to the saintly personality as Sri Narasimha Swamiji, President of All
India Sai Samaj. I had heard his name as the one who spearheaded Sai prachar
and was immensely happy to meet him. I prostrated before Sri Narasimha
Swamiji. He blessed me with the words: "May Sri Sai Baba protect you and
your family". The very blessings of Swamiji were a turning point in my
life. I narrated my tale of woes to him. Swamiji asked me to worship Sai Baba
with total surrender and promised me that He would take care of everything. As
foretold by Swamiji, I came out of my problems shortly thereafter and peace of
mind dawned on me. I became a regular visitor to All India Sai Swamiji and
also a 'Sai Sevak' in Sai Prachar of Sri Narasimha Swamiji.
Sri K.
Radhakrishna who later on blossomed himself to a great saint Sri Saipadananda
Radhakrishna Swamiji affectionately recalled the above incident whenever I met
him at Bangalore and once wrote on the flyleaf of my copy of Sai Satcharitra
as follows:
"Got any rivers
you think are uncross able?
Got any mountains
you can't tunnel through?
Sai Baba specializes
in things thought impossible.''
Once we
grasp this great truth, the exhilaration and adventure that Sai Baba brings
into our lives makes anything else seem pale stuff. For everyone's problem, I
always quote : "Take heart - these are the very adventures in which Sai
Baba delights.
SHIRDI SAI BABA ARATHI SONGS
Sai
devotees had started offering Arathi to Sai Nath at Shirdi even during His
lifetime, After leaving His body, Sri Sai Baba had instructed His devotees,
through Lakshman Mama Joshi, to continue the practice of Arathi.
Sai
devotees Smt. Saimani R. Jayamani and Dr. R. Rukmani of Madras have rendered
the Arathi songs in Tamil. This well got-up booklet costs Rs 8 per copy.
- Editor
Baba's Wonderful Udhi
ByB.N.Kaul
What
have you done for your son? What are you doing for him each day...? Do
you give him each day a patient, sympathetic attempt to see life from his
viewpoint? Do you nag at him
about his faults, or are you wisely silent when you cannot truthfully praise?
Do you hold up before him a high ideal toy trying each day to be in
your own life and character all that you wish him to be?
If my
questions contain any hints that you can use, then seize them and act upon
them without delay, it may take time, but if you never give up, but patiently,
day by day, live before him according to your highest ideals, you will finally
command his respect and influence his life. Example is better than a precept,
influence is more far reaching than authority.
_ Sri
RADHAKPISHNA SWAMIJI
It was
1964.The Olympic games were going on in Tokyo. India was not doing well in
Hockey and it was feared whether she would even reach the final, let alone bag
the gold medal. Meanwhile my friend Shri G.N. Rana, invited me to attend Sai
Baba's Kirtan. With some hesitation I went there with my child. I saw one Sai
devotee watching how 'Prasad' was being prepared for the occasion. Later the
Kirtan started and I also joined it.
If I
remember it well, there was a small statue of Sai Baba, apart from His
photographs. At the time I looked on the Statue and found something was
attracting me towards it. What it was I could not realize it then, but to test
Sai Baba as it were, I pledged there and then that if India won the gold medal
in hockey, I would send Rs, 5/- to Shirdi. It was very funny on my part but it
is a fact. India did win the gold medal and I kept my promise by sending an
M.O of Rs. 5/- to Shirdi.
It was
1986.1 had some stomach trouble for some time, I was advised by doctor that I
should never keep my stomach empty. So whenever I felt pain in stomach, I
would eat a biscuit or two or have a cup of milk. This would give me some
relief, but pain would again be there after some time. I consulted my family
doctor and he warned me that if I were not regular in my diet, I would develop
a stomach ulcer. He gave some medicine, which of course did give me some
relief. One day I took this medicine when the above-mentioned Sai devotee was
with me. He asked me what it was. I told him every thing. He told me that he
had a medicine to cure me provided I stop taking my medicine. I readily
agreed. He gave me some Udhi and asked me to take it daily in the morning with
a little water. I did accordingly and was soon rid of the trouble. Since then
I have been taking Sai Baba's Udhi with water regularly and I never had any
stomach pain.
What I
want from Sai Baba is His blessings. One day an old lady living in Natha told
me that she had seen Sai Baba in a dream extending His hand like an umbrella,
over me i.e., B.N. Kaul, and members of my family. I invoke Sai Baba's name
and pray to him to continue to extend His protective Hand on members of my
family and over me.
Only the truly brave can be
non-violent
The
legendary Muslim Emperor Harun Al Rashid was renowned for his justice. Once
his son was insulted badly by the commander-in-chief's son, who called him
names. FeeHng extremely hurt, the prince complained to his father. The King
consulted his ministers.
'The arrogant fool
must be beheaded; he doesn't deserve to live any more.'
'His tongue must be
pulled out'
'He must be banished
from the kingdom.'
These were the
replies received from the advisors.
Harun Al
Rashid now turned towards his son and said: "I have listened to the
opinion of the ministers. Now what do you say?' But the prince preferred not
to decide for himself and left the judgment to the King.
The King
became grave and said It is easy to punish, but to forgive is extremely hard,
and is possible only for those who are truly brave. If you think you can do
it, well and good; otherwise you too can retaliate in any of the various ways
suggested by the counselors.'
The
prince's face beamed with joy. He said 'I am a brave son of a brave king. I
whole-heartedly forgive my friend, the commander's son, however much he might
have offended me.
Guru Poornima –1995
Guru
Poornima was celebrated with special pomp and ceremony on Wednesday the 12th
July 1995. Sri D.V. Krishna Murthy conducted Ekadasha Rudrabhisheka Pooja.
Devotees over a thousand participated in the worship of the Guru.
There was
‘Sathyanarayana Pooja’. In the evening there was Sai Nama Tryaham
Akhanda
Sai Nama Saptaha Committee, 89, Benson Cross, Bangalore, arranged a 72-hour
non-stop recitation of Sai-Taraka mantram: 'Om Sai-Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai at
Vyasa Hostel, Ibrahim sahto Street, Bangalore, from 20th July 1995 to 23rd
July 1995. Thousands of devotees partook in this program and had 'darshan' of
Sai Baba's padukas. Sri Narasimha Baba of Karur delivered the benedictory
address and released the booklet 'SAI DARSHAN' published by Shirdi Sai Baba
Satsang, Bangalore.
H.H. NARASIMHA SWAMIJI says, "Vedas enjoin ME (God). ME they express". This is the import of the entire Vedas, with Me as their substratum, i.e., the Vedas affirm the existence of duality, which (duality) is but illusion. Refuting that duality at the end, the Vedas are satisfied. Baba did not stop with stating the principles on which all could be brought to a common basis. He went further and worked out the actual unity of the groups by bringing men from different groups and making them all form one solid block of Sai devotees under his own care. Those who came to him saw in him their only God, recognized him as their ‘Guru Deva’ and that was the highest religious sentiment that they had), and there was no possibility of their tearing themselves off into divisions though their original lay a lilies were in other respects maintained. Baba hated intolerance and made people tolerate each other's views and peculiarities. He did not allow the Hindus under him to fight against the Muslim devotees. He removed asperities and made them work in unison as fellow devotees, as brothers in Sai faith. Thus he worked out not merely the unification of Hinduism but also the unification of Hinduism with the other great religion in India, namely, Islam. Especially under Sufi influence, one sees that it is impossible to distinguish the essence of Hinduism from that of Islam.
Babas
Magnetism
The most
important way in which the influence of a divine spirit expands is the very
magnetism it exerts. The magnetic Baba with his wonderful qualities and powers
to save his devotees from every harm, including the danger of death and to
provide all things necessary for one's temporal and spiritual welfare,
naturally attracts the various pieces of steel called devotees to Himself.
In some
cases, no doubt, the attraction is based upon rinanubandha, but whether due to
that or not, the force is exerted and persons are pulled to the wonderful
dynamo, Baba said, 'I draw my devotees to Me from thousands of miles even and
they come to Me first under one pretext or another and after their needs are
satisfied to some extent at least, they adhere and their welfare here and
hereafter is looked after. Most bhaktas that we have noticed were drawn for
specific temporal gains but they stuck on and became very good adherents of
Baba. In the case of few it is not the temporal gain that attracts.
IT IS SOMETHING
WITHIN, SOMETHING UNINTELLIGIBLE, JUST LIKE LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT OF A PURE GIRL
AND A PURE BACHELOR. There is something that attracts and things beings
favorable, the love grows stronger and stronger, and what was once a thin silk
line becomes as strong as 'a ship's cord.
Baba
returns the love of his devotee ten-fold and a hundred-fold. If the devotee
takes one step towards him, Baba takes ten steps towards him. If the devotee
gives him one rupee, Baba gives him ten rupees in return and what is more
valuable than rupees or earthly goods is that Baba shields him with all this
wonderful power and saves him from harm by using his Pratibha (omniscience) or
Antarjnana, noting what danger await a devotee at what our. Thus the devotee
perceives that the only God that he is going to see and get the benefit of is
this living SAI and gets powerfully attached to him.
- H. H. Narasimha
Swamiji
Om Sri Sai
Serve your 'Guru-God'
to wipe out your Karmas,
Revere Saints and
Sadhus for Blessings,
Imbibe good qualities
to fight the evils of life,
Spiritual Life is the
real Life,
Accumulate Divine
virtues,
Implicit faith in God
will lead you for good,
Never neglect your
prayers of worship,
Associate with Good
Saisangh,
Truth, and well
practiced, 'Self will be realized,
Hold your banner of
Ahimsa, Satya, Akrodha Tyaga and Shanthi,
Observe silence at
Least a few minutes daily,
Follow the teachings
of your Master to the very letter,
Surrender completely
to the will of the ‘Divine’
Hearken to your inner
voice for guidance
Intelligence Shines
only by the Grace of the Guru,
Renounce ‘Passion,
Anger, and Greed’, the triple gates of Thee
Dedicate your life
wholeheartedly to God,
Inquisitively
enquire, “who am I”,
"Shun hypocrisy,
concert and arrogance"
Wise only attains
supreme satisfaction.
-
SRI RADHAKRISHNASWAMIJI-
MY PRAYER
By S. Natarajan
When
life grinds to a halt
I pray
only for Sai’s darshan
To absolve
me of my sins any sort
And
lead to Jiva and Paramathma fusion
I pray
for Sai's radiant light
To bum
out my past bonds
And be
with me in future births
Till I
qualify for eternal peace
I want
to rest at His holy feet
And be
ever in bliss and ananda
This
bliss I would never forfeit
By the
accumulated sins of Samsara bandham
I know
Baba is an ocean of mercy
And a
Bhakta praadheena of his devotee
Sure,
Sai follows him in every birth
Till
the devotee merges in Sai's eternity
Baba
followed Chandorkar for four generations
For 72
generations Sai was with Shama
Durandar
brothers had Sai's grace for 60 generations
Even a
Jnani has to suffer many births
Before
realizing and attaining the Almighty.