Mahans In Your Life: Friday, November 23, 2012

Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devo Maheswara
Gurur Saaksaat Param Brahma
Tasmai Shri Guruve Namaha

"Guru Is Brahmaa (Who plants the qualities of goodness)
Guru Is Vishnu (Who nurtures and fosters the qualities of goodness)
Guru Is Maheswara (Who weeds out the bad quality)
Guru Is Supreme Brahman Itself
Prostration Unto That Guru"

The Ratnakaram Raju Family

The Raju family of Puttaparthi was noted for its piety since the days of the renowned sage, Venkavadhootha, a saintly ancestor who was looked upon as a Guru in hundreds of villages around. Not only did the family build and endow the Gopalaswami Temple (dedicated to Lord Krishna), but Sri Ratnakaram Kondama Raju, the grandfather of Bhagawan's physical frame, dedicated a temple to Sathyabhama, consort of Lord Krishna, a deity to whom this type of homage is seldom offered in any part of India. Peasants by vocation, they were known for their musical and dramatic talent and were much involved in the propagation of the sacred scriptures through village plays and musicals. Consequently, the family was given the name ‘Bhat Raju’ (Bhat – priest).

Sri Kondama Raju was a pious soul who lived out his hundred and ten years of earthly existence in the unceasing contemplation of the Lord. His wife Srilakshmamma predeceased him by twenty years. They had two sons who were both named after Sage Venkavadhootha - Pedda Venkama Raju and Chinna Venkama Raju. Pedda Venkama Raju, the elder son, was married to Easwaramma, daughter of Sri Meesaraganda Subba Raju of Kolimigundla of Kurnool district. Pedda Venkama Raju and Easwaramma were blessed with a son and two daughters in that order, Seshama Raju, Venkamma, and Parvathamma.

Some years passed and Easwaramma longed for another son. She prayed to the village gods, performed Sathyanarayana Puja and observed a number of rigorous vows. One day, an extraordinary incident occurred that heralded the descent of the divine into her womb. Easwaramma had gone to the village well to draw water. There, she noticed a strange bluish glow that transformed itself into a luminous orb. The ball of light then glided towards her and entered her being. Shortly thereafter, to the joy of her family, Easwaramma found herself in the family way.

Divine Portents

After a while, mysterious indications of the impending incarnation occurred in Pedda Venkama's house. For example, there was the twang of the tambura! Since the brothers and the father were all interested in the village operas, there was a big tambura (a string instrument) and a maddala (drum). As the birth of the son for whom Mother Easwaramma prayed, announced itself as imminent, the house was awakened at midnight, and sometimes even later, by the tambura twanging automatically, and the maddala beating rhythmically as if an expert Hand was playing on it! One Shastri (Vedic scholar), whom Pedda Venkama Raju approached for an explanation, said that it was an auspicious occurrence: it meant the presence of a Shakthi, a beneficent Power, conferring harmony, spiritual elevation and joy.

The Advent

23rd of November, 1926, the Hindu year of Akshaya, meaning, the Never-declining, the Ever-full. It was the time of sunrise and the villagers were chanting the names of Lord Shiva, remembering that the day was still Karthika Somavara, a Monday of the Holy Month of Karthika, devoted to the puja (worship) of Shiva. That day was made even more auspicious for Shiva worship, because the ascendant star was Ardra (the star of Shiva). On this day, when these rare and propitious signs came together, the people thronged the temples of the Lord to offer special pujas and pray for His benediction.

The Mother had also just finished her Sathyanarayana Puja in accordance with her vows, for, even while she was going through the final rituals, the pangs forewarned her. When Easwaramma announced the pangs, word was sent to the mother-in-law, Lakshmamma, the pious lady of the house; but, it became known that she had gone to the house of the priest to perform the Puja of Sathya Narayana; the messenger discovered her there and urged her to return; but she was so confident of the Grace of Lord Sathyanarayana, so steadfast in her devotion, so disciplined in her religious adherence, that she refused to be hustled!

She sent word that she would bring with her the sacred offerings after the Puja and that on no account would she allow her prayers to be interrupted! She finished the entire ritual with full concentration, came home and gave her daughter-in-law the flowers and the sacred water. Easwaramma partook of the blessings of the Lord. Next moment, the Lord was born and the Sun rose above the horizon!

The Divine Child

A very significant event occurred soon after the birth of the child, which revealed the divinity of the baby. One day, it was noticed that the bed of clothes on which the baby was lying was being moved up and down in a peculiar way by something underneath. They watched with bated breath and when they looked under the bed they found a cobra underneath! The snake was playing the role of Sesha to the Seshasai! [Sesha, according to Hindu belief, is the serpent on whose bed of coil Lord Vishnu rests.]

The baby was named Sathyanarayana because there seemed to be a significant relationship between the worship to that God and the realisation of the mother's cherished desire. When the Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony) was performed and the name was whispered in the ear; it seems the baby smiled, for the suggestion to give that name must have emanated unobtrusively from Itself! The embodiment and exponent of Truth could not give Himself a more appropriate name.

The little “Brahmajnani”

Little Sathya soon became the pet of the entire village of Puttaparthi and the farmers and cowherds vied with each other in fondling it and feeding it and playing with its lovely silken curls. Its charming smile attracted every one. Like a lighted lamp, Sathya moved about the house and laughter tinkled in the street when He lisped His sweet vocabulary of sounds.

The villagers soon started referring to Him as “Brahmajnani”, the knower and proponent of Brahman or Godhood. Even at a young age, Sathya was known for His extraordinary love and compassion towards creation and aversion towards harming any creature. His heart melted at human suffering. Whenever a beggar appeared at the door and raised his cry, Sathya abandoned His play and rushed in, to force His sisters to dole out grain or food. The elders in the house tried to dissuade Him saying, "Look here! You may give him food; but, mind you, you will have to starve." That did not daunt the child; He used to run inside and bring food to the hungry man at the door; and stay away from dinner or lunch, himself. Nothing and nobody could persuade Him to come to His plate, which was left untouched!

While others in the family relished non-vegetarian food, little Sathya would advise them to desist from such cruel habits. Whenever such food was cooked in the household, the boy used to run to the Karnam's (village chief) house, and partake of the food offered by Subbamma, the aged lady residing there, for they were Brahmins and vegetarians.

So distinct was His behaviour that a wag once nicknamed Him "the Brahmin child"! Yes, it was a fitting description. Little did that wag know that, while in the previous body, this child, so laughed at now, had declared at Shirdi, "This Brahmin can bring lakhs of men on the White path and take them to their destination!"

The early school days

At the age of eight, Sathya was declared fit to proceed to the Higher Elementary School at Bukkapatnam, about two and a half miles from Puttaparthi. He had to start early, after a meal of cold rice and curds or cooked ragi (maize), rice and chutney, carry the afternoon meal in a bag, and with His companions make the arduous trek daily to Bukkapatnam.

Sathyanarayana was a precocious child, learning more things than anyone could teach Him and much quicker than most; He could sing all the songs and Stotras (prayers) that were recited at the village operas. He even composed at the tender age of seven or eight, some touching songs for the cast, which were gladly accepted by them for public presentation!

The Pandhari Bhajan group

When He was about ten years of age, Sathya formed a 'Pandhari Bhajan' group in the village of Puttaparthi. The group consisted of about sixteen to eighteen boys dressed uniformly in ochre clothes, holding each a flag in the hand and wearing jingling anklets. They all danced to the tune of folk-songs and ballads, describing the yearning of pilgrims for Lord Panduranga's Darshan. He also added some Bhagavatha songs of His own. It was noticed that He added to these traditional themes, songs on a pilgrimage to a new shrine of which no one had heard, and the majesty of a new Deity of whom they had not even the faintest idea, Shirdi and Sai!

Moreover, it was observed that when an infection of cholera swept like a poisonous miasma over the area and wiped out entire families in the surrounding villages, Puttaparthi did not feel the blast of death. Wise men told one another that the Divine Atmosphere generated by the Bhajan group was responsible for saving their lives.

At Kamalapuram

Sathya had to move to Kamalapuram, a small town about 200 kilometres from Puttaparthi, with His brother Seshama Raju. His parents planned to give Sathya a college education, so that He may become an officer! And hence, they were prepared to part with their beloved son and send Him to Kamalapuram to the Board Middle School there, so that His studies could be continued.

Sathya was a quiet, well-behaved boy and the favourite of His teachers. Once, He sang the prayer song before the curtains went up on a drama in the town and those who heard His sweet voice spread the news that a 'fine musician' had come to town. Prayer songs at functions like public meetings became His monopoly thereafter.

A merchant by name Kote Subbanna who sold medicines, tonics, glassware, umbrellas, etc. came to know of Sathya’s talents and approached Him for a ditty to market his new product. He gave Him the necessary information and by evening, Sathya was ready with an attractive Telugu song, which was sung in chorus by His friends and Him. They used to march along the streets, with placards in their hands, singing Sathya’s slogan-filled jingle and evidently enjoying their task!

A word may be said about Sathya and His involvement in the theatrical activities at school. Sri Thammi Raju, the teacher in-charge, once asked Sathya, who was only twelve years old then, to produce a play in Telugu. Sathya plunged into the work very enthusiastically. The drama was a great success, not only because the hero of the play was a little boy, a role enacted by Sathya himself, but, chiefly because it had as its theme the eternal sin of man – hypocrisy. The title of the play was "Cheppinattu Chesthara?" meaning "Do we practise what we preach?"

Meanwhile, Seshama Raju was transferred to Uravakonda. He decided to take Sathya along with him with the intention of admitting Him at the Sri Karibasavaswami District Board High School there. Accordingly, Sathya accompanied His elder brother to continue His studies at Uravakonda. The town of Uravakonda would be witness to the grand and mysterious events that would mark the momentous transformation of the young child into a great spiritual master who would change the very destiny of mankind.

Mysterious Turn of events at Uravakonda

Sathya was sought after by people who had lost articles of value, for He had brought with Him to Uravakonda the reputation for intuitive perception, which revealed to Him the place where anything was! Baba says that in those days, He used to give His friends only the first and last letters of the names of the persons with whom the lost articles could be found. He left them with their own resources to recover the goods.

On March 8, 1940, the whole town was shocked to hear that a big black scorpion had stung Sathya in the twilight hours of the evening. However, Sathya slept that night without any sign of pain! Every one felt relieved, only to become anxious once again when the next evening, Sathya fell unconscious and became stiff; He would not speak and breathing appeared faint. Seshama Raju brought in a doctor, who gave an injection and left behind a mixture. Sathya was apparently unconscious throughout the night. The doctor came again in the morning and declared that the boy was out of danger!

An incident happened in the night which showed that Sathya was not 'unconscious' but, that He was actually supraconscious! Some one suggested that the local deity be propitiated, because the condition of the boy may be due to some evil spirit that possessed Him. So, volunteers hurried to the temple and offered worship, placed flowers and incense, and broke a coconut at the altar. At that very moment, Sathya, who was to all intents 'unconscious', said, "The coconut has broken into three pieces," and when the volunteers came home with the offerings, they had with them three pieces and not the usual two!

Sathya got up in a day or two and began to behave in an extraordinary way. Baba has said that He Himself initiated the process of manifestation, for He could not wait any longer, playing about as a mere boy, with 'brother' and 'sister' and 'classmates' and other secular bonds. He wanted to demonstrate that He was beyond both ‘Visha’ and ‘Vishaya', that neither the poison of the scorpion nor worldly attractions could ever affect Him.

Meanwhile, Sri Seshama Raju had informed his parents at Puttaparthi about the state of affairs at Uravakonda. He had written that Sathya was not answering anyone who spoke to Him, that it was a herculean task to make Him accept food, that He was spending the time mostly in silence but, sometimes bursting into song and poetry or reciting long Sanskrit slokas (hymns) and at times, expounding the highest Vedantic philosophy. The parents took about a week to reach the place, because of unforeseen and inexplicable difficulties.

Seshama Raju got nervous as to why the parents had not arrived. He decided to send someone to Puttaparthi to find out the reason for the delay. But, Sathya interposed and said, "You need not send for them now, they will be here in half an hour," and true to His words, they came in exactly thirty minutes later.

Divine Fortitude

The parents were beside themselves with worry at the condition of Sathya; He sang and spoke and behaved in such a queer manner. It was all so mysterious. At that time, someone gave information to the worried parents that there was an expert exorcist before whom no evil spirit dare wag its poison tail! He will cure Sathya perfectly and make Him fit to go to school, they assured.

The exorcist was a gigantic figure, terrible to behold, with blood-red eyes and untamed manners. He tried all his craft which he dared not experiment even with strong adult patients! For example, he shaved the head of the boy and, with a sharp instrument scored three ‘X’ marks on the scalp, from the top towards the forehead. Sathya sat through the pain without wilting. With the scalp injured and bleeding with those markings, the witch doctor poured on the open wound the juice of lime, garlic, and other acidic fruits.

The parents who were watching the proceedings in utter despair were surprised, for there was not even a tear, or a gasp of pain from the boy! But the exorcist was unrelenting and put the boy through even more terrifying trials until the parents could bear to see it no more. They wanted to save the boy from the jaws of that Yama (God of Death) in human form; they had seen and suffered enough. They paid him full fees and also gave some unasked gifts, and thanked him for all the 'learning' he had utilised.

When asked later as to why He chose to go through this diabolical adventure, Bhagawan remarked, "Even after seeing all that fortitude and the miracle of a little boy passing unscathed through all that terror, even now, you are not convinced that I am Baba; how then would you have reacted if I just made the announcement one fine day? I wanted to make known that I am Divine Stuff, impervious to human suffering, pain or joy."

Meanwhile, Sri Krishnamachari, a lawyer-friend from Penukonda, heard of these occurrences in the Raju household and came to the village to study the situation and offer what help he could. He had a good look and told Venkama Raju, “It is really more serious than I thought; take Him immediately to the Narasimha Temple (Lord Narasimha – the Man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu) at Ghatikachalam; that is the last chance". On hearing these words, Sathya said, "Funny, is it not? I am already there at Ghatikachalam and you want to take Me to Myself!" The lawyer had no further inclination to cross-examine.

I am Sai Baba

On 23rd May 1940, Sathya rose from bed as usual, but after some time, He called the members of the household around Him, gave them sugar candy and flowers taken from nowhere. At this, the neighbours too rushed in. He gave them each a ball of rice cooked in milk, flowers and sugar candy concretised by a mere wave of the hand. Meanwhile, Sri Venkama Raju came and he was incensed by what he thought was a trick, hiding things somewhere and producing them by sleight of hand. He wanted the chapter to be closed before it lengthened into a tragedy.

So, arming himself with a stick, he accosted Sathya and asked, "Are you a God, a ghost or a madcap? Tell me!" Prompt came the answer, the Announcement, that had been held back so long, “I am Sai Baba."

At this, Venkama Raju was stunned into silence; the stick slid from his hands. He stood staring at Sathya trying to grasp the implications of that announcement - “I am Sai Baba."But, Sathya continued, “I belong to Apasthamba Sutra; I am of the Bharadwaja Gothra; I am Sai Baba; I have come to ward off all your troubles; keep your houses clean and pure."

The elder brother, Seshama Raju went near Him, and asked, "What do you mean by 'Sai Baba'?" He did not reply, but only said this much - "Your Venkavadhootha prayed that I be born in your family. So, I came." The father felt that Sai Baba was a Muslim spirit speaking through the boy and so, he asked, "What are we to do with you?” Prompt came the answer;"Worship Me!" "When?" "Every Thursday! Keep your minds and houses pure."

One Thursday, someone challenged Sathyanarayana and asked Him, “If you are Sai Baba show us some proof, now!" Baba replied, “Yes, I shall" and asked for some jasmine flowers. With a quick gesture, He threw them on the floor and said "Look." They saw that the flowers had formed, while falling, the Telugu letters, ‘Sai Baba’!

Divine Omnipresence

On an invitation from some townsmen in Hospet, Seshama Raju decided to take Sathya on a picnic to see if it might improve the mental health of the boy. Hospet is a few miles away from the ruins of Hampi, the capital city of the Emperors of ancient Vijayanagara Kingdom in what is now the state of Karnataka.

There, they visited the temple of Lord Virupaksha, the patron deity of the Vijayanagara royal family. While the others in the party went into the temple to offer worship at the sanctum sanctorum, Sathya stood outside admiring the height and majesty of the Gopuram (tall pyramid-shaped roof of a temple). When the priest waved the flame of camphor before the Lingam (ellipsoid structure worshipped as Lord Shiva), they saw to their utter amazement, Sathya there inside the shrine! He was standing in place of the Lingam, smiling and accepting their salutations.

Thinking that Sathya may have slipped into the shrine evading everybody's notice, Seshama Raju went outside to verify whether He was still there. Yes, indeed Sathya was there, leaning on a wall and staring at the horizon! He rushed inside the sanctum sanctorum and, yet again, he found Sathya standing there and blessing everybody.

This incident confirmed their faith in Sathya as a Divine Manifestation. They offered special Puja (worship) to Him that day. Hospet was on its toes with expectation and excitement. The story that He was seen as Virupaksha had spread to that town long before they reached it. The next day He cured a chronic tuberculosis patient by His touch and made him get up and walk a mile; He materialized a variety of articles for the devotees and the enthusiasm of the people knew no bounds. Bhajan and Namasankirtan (singing the name of God) continued far into the night.

The Mission Begins

On the 20th day of October, 1940, the day after they all returned from Hampi, Sathyanarayana started for school as usual. However, within a few minutes, He returned to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, He cast aside the books He was carrying and called out, “I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai". The sister-in-law came from the kitchen, only to be blinded by the splendour of the halo around Baba's head! He addressed her, “I am going; I don't belong to you; Maya (delusion) has gone; My Bhaktas (devotees) are calling Me; I have My Work; I can't stay here any longer."

When the brother hurried home on hearing all this, Baba only told him, "Give up all your efforts to 'cure' Me. I am Sai; I do not consider Myself related to you".

In spite of repeated pleas, Sathya would not step into that building again. He moved in into the garden of the Excise Inspector Sri Anjaneyulu's bungalow, and sat on a rock in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers, fruits, incense and camphor to worship Him. The garden resonated with the voices of hundreds singing bhajans (devotional singing) and following the lines of the first prayer that Sri Sathya Sai taught them.

“Manasa Bhajare Gurucharanam Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam “

(O Mind! Meditate on the Feet of the Guru, which will take you across the wearisome sea of Samsara or worldly existence.)

A photographer came with a camera to capture a beautiful picture of the young Swami. He wanted to remove a crude stone that was right in front of Him, but Baba did not heed to the prayer. He clicked nevertheless and lo! When the photo was developed, the stone had become an image of Shirdi Sai Baba!

A few days later, Baba left Uravakonda for Puttaparthi. There, He shifted to the house of Karnam (the village headman) whose aged and devout wife Subbamma attended on Him with love and affection and welcomed all devotees into her spacious house; she spared no effort to make their stay happy and comfortable. Baba often speaks about her dedicated service, working incessantly from dawn to dusk, cooking and making other arrangements for the hordes of devotees who began to land in Puttaparthi every day. As the number of devotees swelled, a mandir (temple) was constructed in February 1947, where He began to reside and grant darshan. On 23rd November 1950, Prasanthi Nilayam (The Abode of Supreme Peace) was inaugurated, which remains till today the central venue for Bhagawan’s darshan and the festival celebrations that take place in His Divine Presence.

Sri Sathya Sai Avatar

This was the story of the Advent of the Avatar and the early years of His life and mission, a mission that would bring millions to His Lotus Feet to taste the bliss of Divine Love and thus transform their lives. In a letter He wrote to His brother Sri Seshama Raju way back in 1947, Bhagawan emphatically declared the grand purpose for which He has come.

He said:

I have a Task: To foster all mankind and ensure for all of them lives full of Ananda (Bliss).

I have a Vow: To lead all who stray away from the straight path, again into goodness and save them.

I am attached to a Work that I love: To remove the sufferings of the poor and grant them what they lack.

I have a reason to be proud, for I rescue all who worship and adore Me.

The decades that have rolled by since that epochal letter was written have been witness to the grand manner in which His vision has taken shape. The world class super-speciality hospitals that offer tertiary level medical care free of charge, schools and colleges that impart values-based education, the mammoth drinking water supply projects and the numerous other service projects undertaken by Him stand as a testimony to His selfless Love and His compassion for humanity. However, even more significant than these activities have been His tireless efforts towards spreading the message of spirituality and inculcating love and brotherhood throughout the world. Through the Sri Sathya Sai Centers and the Education in Human Values (EHV) programmes, thousands all over the world have sanctified their lives by putting into practice His precepts, and by participating in service programmes such as Narayana Seva (feeding of the poor) and free medical camps. Truly, the Sathya Sai Avatar has heralded a Golden era in the history of mankind.

taken from :- http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/SriSathyaSaiBaba/LifeHistory.htm

A teaching from Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Dear devotee, your hands are very small, but with these little hands you are trying to serve me. Your eyes are very small, but my creation is enormous. With your two little eyes you are trying to see the whole vast universe. Your ears are very small, but with these two small ears you are trying to follow my words. With your two little feet you are attempting to come towards me. Merely serving me with your two little hands will not achieve very much. Merely looking at my vast world with your two little eyes will also not be of much use. Merely listening to my divine words through your two little ears will not get you very far, and merely coming into my presence with your two little feet will also not fully serve your purpose. But there is one thing that you can do, which will have a great impact, which will produce a truly significant effect; that is to install me permanently in your heart. Once you bring me into your heart, then those other activities will not seem very important. Whatever form of worship you engage in, using your eyes, your ears, your hands and your feet only serves to control the mind, but when you invite the Lord to enter your heart, then control of the mind and the senses becomes very easy. The mind and the senses will become still on their own. There will be no need for any special effort to be made in order to sacrifice the fruits of your actions. Lord Krishna said, "Once you start thinking and indulging only in thoughts of me, then all the rest will be taken care of by me automatically." To achieve this state you must develop a resolve and an unshakeable faith in the ever-present Lord residing in your own heart.

Wake up my children! Wake up to the dawn of knowledge, wake up to your divine duties, wake up to your divine rights and wake up to your divine reality. Engage in action, but all the while remembering the Lord's name. You should always keep this goal before you and strive to attain it. Due to silent sitting an expansion of energy takes place within you. This is Man's electric power. The current of the human body is will power. You should be careful how you use this energy. By talking too much, you are wasting a lot of energy. This leads to a loss of memory power. Silent sitting does not mean merely keeping your mouths shut. You should exert control over your thoughts. The brain should get full rest. By rest, in this context, I mean a change of activity, for example, after studies you can engage yourself in manual labour or in singing bhajans. Whatever you study, study with full concentration. Above all, respect God, Who is your protector.

The first and foremost duty of children is to make their parents happy. It is because of our parents and their sacrifices that we possess our bodies. Even after growing up, we should never forget our duty towards our parents. We should always be proud of our parents, and show respect and love towards them. If we love and respect our parents today, then we can expect the same treatment from our children tomorrow. God pervades the whole universe. Self-confidence is the foundation of life. To realize the core of divinity, expand your love. This has to be cultivated right from a tender age. If the sapling is straight, then the tree will grow straight. If human values are not developed in childhood, then that person will remain devoid of human values in adulthood. A child should be taught the 3Ds - Duty, Discipline and Devotion. Duty is God, Devotion and Discipline are the two bodyguards. Children are the makers of the future. If their life is good, then they will be good citizens of a good country. Ego comes due to ignorance. The causes of Ego are status, wealth, knowledge and material possessions; these come and go. Money comes and goes, but morality comes and grows.

Fill your hearts with love, and then the whole world will be full of love. Where there is love there is happiness. If you commit a mistake due to ignorance, then resort to prayer. Prayer unites two people, Man and God, into one. Prayer elevates you and helps you to abandon the evil path. Inculcation of human values (love, peace, righteousness, truth and non-violence) is the true education. The hallmark of a true education is humility. Discipline your life by practicing the human values. Take to the good path. Try and guide those who have gone astray, lovingly, onto the correct path. First endeavour to improve yourselves in a systematic and humble way as charity begins at home. Light the lamp of knowledge within yourself. By transforming yourselves the effect will spread far and wide. Remember the minute that has fled is no longer yours; the minute that is approaching cannot be counted as yours; the minute that is with you, this alone is truly yours. Make the best use of it, for it may be your last.

Joy and grief, heat and cold, are both in the plan of God, and yours is only to know this and to treat both as valuable. God draws the individual towards Himself; it is in the nature of both to have this affinity, for they are the same. They are like the iron and the magnet, but if the iron is rusty and covered with layers of dirt, the magnet is unable to attract it. Remove the rust, the impediment, that is all that you have to do. Shine forth in your real, natural form and the Lord will draw you into His bosom. Trial and tribulations are the means by which this cleansing is done. Sadhana (spiritual endeavour) is most essential, in order to control the mind and the desires after which it runs. If you find that you are unable to succeed, do not give up the sadhana but, rather, do it more vigorously. Sadhana means inner cleanliness as well as external cleanliness. You do not feel refreshed if you wear unwashed clothes after your bath, nor do you feel refreshed if you wear washed clothes but skip the bath. Both are needed. The Sadhana that you practise must make you a better, happier and a more useful person. It is your primary responsibility to demonstrate your calmness, humility, purity, virtue, courage and conviction under all circumstances. When suffering comes in waves, one after another, be glad that the shore is near. In both joy and grief remind yourself that they will not last long.

God's grace is not given free. There are today two aspects relating to Man that have to be considered. One relates to a person's rights, the other relates to a person's duties. Most people are more concerned about their rights than their duties and engage themselves in various struggles to secure them. They are, however, not keen to recognize their duties. In all the different fields of human activity - social, political, economic and even spiritual - people do not recognize their responsibilities, their duties. They want high positions and high salaries, and they devote their entire lives to the pursuit of them. Rarely does a person stop to consider whether they are actually performing the necessary work to earn their salary, whether they are discharging their duties and responsibilities correctly. Such an attitude is prevalent not only in the workplace, but also in the spiritual field.

Everyone says, "I want God, I want liberation, I want to ensure my well being both here and in the here-after", but are they making the necessary effort to achieve these desires. They say that they have no time for bhajans, that they are too busy to do any sadhana, that they have no time to think of God, and yet they still want God. To get anything you want from a shop, you have to pay the price, but Man today wants God in order to ensure his well being, but is he prepared to pay the price for getting Him? Is he prepared to offer to God the sacrifice he has to make to secure his well being in the here-after? Is he prepared to offer to God the love that has to be given to secure his peace, prosperity and security? Man today seeks to get something without paying the price for it, but the Lord cannot be deceived. He offers the appropriate reward for each action according to its nature - whether it is a gain or a loss, good or bad. We are entitled to expect what we desire from God only if we make the appropriate offering to God. Today no one is prepared to offer anything to God, but everyone is eager to get something from God.

Unfortunately, today, because the parents themselves have no purity of character, are lacking in spiritual qualities and do not lead regulated lives, evil practices and wickedness are springing up all over the world. Because of the malefic effects of the Kali Age, parents tend to be quarrelsome and the children of today take after their parents. The tree is based on the seed and the seed determines the nature of the tree. For the evil ways and the bad behaviour of children today, the parents alone are to be blamed. Few parents choose to tell their children how important it is to speak the truth, to act righteously and to earn a good name and, as a result, many children today are a disgrace to their parents and to their country. For all the ills with which the nation is afflicted today, parents and teachers are responsible. Teachers do not punish the students for their lapses of behaviour, and because the students are not punished for their mistakes, they behave as they please. Teachers are responsible for the sins of their students. They do not teach the students the right path. They transmit only book knowledge, and do not teach right knowledge, wise living and higher values. If there are no morals and no human values, then Man becomes a demon. Parents are concerned solely about the material welfare of their children and have no concern for their spiritual well-being. It is not wealth that is important. Character is primary. Parents do not teach their children the importance of cultivating good qualities. They do not try to control their children when they go astray; rather, they condone the lapses of their children and often encourage them in their bad ways. It is because of such parents that many children today take to wrong courses of action. Parents today are afraid of correcting the mistakes of the children or of chastising them, but they have the right to warn and to correct their children.

The most important thing in this world is the life of the spirit or atma. Mere bodily existence, mental life or intellectual life cannot be considered as living at all. The satisfaction that Man derives from time to time from these endeavours nearly always ends in disappointment. They are like the pursuit of a mirage. They do not serve to quench Man's thirst because they are not lasting. They come and go leaving a trail of misery. Who is a real conqueror in this world? Shankaracharya once said to his disciples, " Not the one who has subdued the world and brought it under his sway, not the one who has scaled the Himalayas and planted a flag on its summit, not the one who has crossed the oceans is a hero. You cannot look at conquests in such worldly terms. If viewed in this way even an animal can fight another and establish its victory. Likewise birds can cross oceans and can fly over the Himalayas. Where is the victory in all of these? Nowhere! Only the person who has subdued his mind is a real conqueror. It is a mental aberration to think that one has achieved a victory without subduing one's mind." All spiritual aspirants should cherish in their hearts with gratitude the good that is done to them by others and always remember the form in which help was rendered to them. Only those who lead such grateful lives will be able to find peace and happiness in their lives. Every person should therefore cherish the sense of gratitude. When wealth is lost nothing is lost, when health is lost something is lost, but when character is lost everything is lost.

Human life is supremely precious in this world. But not all are aware of this truth. Wherein lies this preciousness? Humanness does not consist merely in the physical and the mundane. It is for the pursuit of righteousness that the physical body has been given to Man. God is the repository of Bliss. He is eternal. Humanness originates from Bliss and Bliss grows in Bliss and merges in Bliss. This Bliss is the goal of Man. Man is born in Bliss. To manifest Bliss is the duty of Man. This is the secret of the human saga. From infancy to old age Man dedicates every effort to secure Bliss, but this Bliss is not to be found in the places in which he searches. When he is the very embodiment of Bliss, to seek It outside of him is sheer folly. Does any Man search for himself outside of himself? If such a search is done, it is a sign of ignorance. Human existence is based on the Divine. Man is a spark of the Divine, and without the Divine, Man cannot experience Bliss. Consequently even though Man is the embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ananda, of Being-Awareness-Bliss, he desperately seeks Bliss elsewhere. The Upanishads have long exhorted Man to wake up from his sleep of ignorance and to realize his true nature.

Man assumes that he is investigating various phenomena. This is not so. It is Man's senses that are experimenting with him. Man imagines that he is making use of his sense organs; not at all. The truth of the matter is that his senses are sporting with him, but Man is not aware of this fact. If Man had really mastered his senses and had full sway over them, he would not be subjected to anxiety. It is the senses that are holding sway over Man and are utilizing him for their own enjoyment. As a result Man has become a weakling. He is a victim of peacelessness and is prey to many troubles. It should be recognized that the senses are merely instruments. You should wield these instruments; you should not become their plaything. Unfortunately, because Man has become an instrument in the grip of his senses, he has become powerless to act properly. The slave of the senses is a fool. Only the one who subdues the senses is a hero. Anyone who misuses their senses is a fool, whatever the extent of their knowledge. It is essential to bring the senses under one's control, so that the senses will be powerless to cause any harm to Man.

Many feel that it is human to err and that God should forgive their lapses whereas, in fact, if they are truly human, they should not commit mistakes at all. Even if sometimes a mistake is committed, wittingly or unwittingly, it should not be repeated. It is a grievous error to think that it is natural for a human being to err. Such a feeling should not be entertained at all by anyone. Every man should realize, " I am not weak, I am not an animal. I am not a demon, I am a man ". When a man has this conviction he will not commit mistakes. Man is the very embodiment of the spirit or Atma and the Atma cannot be affected by any taint. It is the attachment to the body, which is the cause of bad thoughts, bad desires and bad actions. It is the one who is a slave to his senses that is a prey to such impulses. To follow the directive of the senses is a mark of the animal. To be guided by the Atma is the real sign of the human. No one should attempt to justify his weaknesses and lapses as being natural to a human being. They should be regarded as signs of mental debility. You should continually strive to master your senses. When you have truly acquired sense-control, you will experience the power of the Divine within you. Right is right even if nobody does it, wrong is wrong even if everybody does it.

If people do not love you, be sure, that it is your fault. It is disgruntled people that find fault with the world. It is those who have no peace in their hearts that cause disturbances in the world. They are restless, so they, in turn, engender restlessness in others, and then think that it is a rotten world. You should know what to do; have the right knowledge, the right judgement and the right action. If you want to see the whole world coloured green, then you should not try to paint everything green, you should simply wear green tinted glasses. Many people declare, "I am an individualised soul, I am a spark of consciousness, I am an embodied spirit", but declarations such as these do not reveal a true understanding of the life principle. The individualised soul is Divine Consciousness, installed in a chariot, the body. It is not a bundle of inert stuff, moulded into a form and labelled with a name. There is only one all-pervading Consciousness, but Man experiences It in fragments and, mistaking It as many, he gropes around in the confusion caused by his own ignorance. Many scripture have instructed Man of the truth that God dwells in his body along with the ego, with God inducing him to aspire for the heights, and the ego advising him to be content with the low. The ego has faith in the reality of the world and of itself. The Divine Principle, on the other hand, asserts that It is ever present, both close to Man as well as far from him. The fact is that people only feel that God is far away, because they are not aware of God being near them, nay in their own hearts. The truth that the scripture teach is that God is everywhere, both near and far, both above and below, both inside and outside. God is one, Indivisible and Omnipresent.

"The study of sacred books and listening to religious discourses is meant to develop self-control and peace. I am not for indiscriminate reading of books however valuable they may be. Much reading tends to confuse the mind. It fosters argumentation and intellectual pride. What I insist upon is putting the things read into practice, if not all, a least a thing or two. Moreover, remember that a book is only a pointer, a guide, a signpost. Reading alone cannot be the completion of the journey. It is only the first step; read for the sake of practising, not for reading's sake. Too many books in a room indicates that a person is suffering from intellectual illnesses, just as too many tins, capsules and bottles of medicines in a cupboard indicate that the person is suffering from physical illness."

-Sathya Sai Baba

MIRACLE OF SAI

On Feb.16.2012 during shower Swami told me in my head that I am to give theOn Feb.16.2012 during shower Swami told me in my head that I am to give the Vibhuti to a Couple, the Gentleman is a retired Commander of the Indian Air Force. After I came out of the Shower, I called his house number and his wife answered the phone. This is our conversation:

Me : Sai Ram Auntie.

She : Who is this.

Me : Sai-DeepakDeepak.

She : Who.

Me : We meet at bhajans at Jal-vayu Vihar (Jalvayu Vihar is occupied by Military people).

She : Oh.

Me : I was recently gifted Swami’s Robe.

She : Ah-ha (I could notice that she was either un-interested, or, having difficulty speaking over the phone).

Me : I went to have it blessed yesterday.

She : Ah-ha.

Me : A lot of Vibhuti has appeared on the Robe.

She : Ah-ha.

Me : This morning during shower Swami told me that this Vibhuti is for you and your husband.

SheShe : (As if taken a-back) ‘Really’? and she started crying so loud.

She : You know, I am going in for my Ovarian Cancer operation on Monday, they are going to remove the ovaries.

She : (after pausing a while) ‘Thankyou, Thankyou’.

Me : You don’t have to thank me, it’s all between you and Swami.

Me : I shall come by later and drop the Vibhuti to your husband.

She : He has gone for dialyses, both his kidneys are not functioning properly.

She : He will return only after 4 in the evening.

Me : That’s fine.

Feb.16.2012 being a Thursday there were bhajans in the house of the Naval Commander Srinivasan, I called him and told him what had happened, he asked me to come to his place in the evening at 7 and that the Air Marshal Ram Mutrthy will also be attending.

I went to Jalvayu Vihar in the evening at the residence of the Naval Commander Srinivasan and after bhajans were over I spread out Swami’s Robe and all devotees were very happy to see the Vibhuti on the Robe. Air Marshal Ram Murthy was also there. I told everyone that this Vibhuti was meant for Air Marshal & his wife, everyone happily scraped the Vibhuti off the Robe and gave it to Air Marshal, he did share some of the Vibhuti with all devotees there. After that the Air Marshal Sir came and fell at my feet like a stick, I withdrew backwards and told him that you should me doing this to Swami, not to me. With moist eyes he looked at me and said ‘Thankyou, Thankyou’. I told him that I was just a messenger like a post-man, if a post-man were to deliver a letter to him, would he be thanking the post-man again and again. After thanking him for letting me be allowed to be used as an instrument for Swami’s command, I told him ‘Sir, now the entire matter is between Swami and you’.

I brought the Robe back home and yesterday (Feb.17.2012) before putting the Robe back in it’s box, I decided to clean with a moist Q-tip that section on the Robe with the words ‘With Love Baba’, and this can be seen clearly on Picture 12.

Sai Ram & Sai Love.

Sai-Deepak

Feb.18.2012

Picture 01 - Swami's Robe spread out in front of Altar, for blessings.

Picture 02 - Same as Picture 01, but taken on my phone.

Picture 03 - Swami's Robe, with the Altar partially visible.

Picture 04 - 10 minutes after picture 03, Vibhuti manifest on Robe, Left sleeve was folded with Swami's finger prints on it, and bottom of the Robe was folded up.

Picture 05 - Same as picture 04, but taken on my camera.

Picture 06 - Close-up of Baba's writing on the Robe, 'With Love Baba'

Picture 07 - Close-up of Baba's writing on the Robe, 'With Love Baba', not clearly visible as all the words are under Vibhuti.

Picture 08 - Close-up of Baba's writing on the Robe, 'With Love Baba', taken in my house.

Picture 09 - Close-up of Baba's writing on the Robe, 'With Love Baba', also taken in my house.

Picture 10 - Robe with Vibhuti, as kept in my house.

Picture 11 - Robe with Vibhuti, as kept in my house, picture taken this morning (Feb.16.2012).

Picture 12 - I gave all the Vibhuti to a devotee couple and then cleaned out only that section with the words ‘With Love Baba’ so that it can be readable, picture taken on Feb.17.2012.

Your mission has begun

Your mission has begun. Those are My words to you, My devotees. Each of you has a unique and valuable part to play in this lifetime. Only those whom I have called can serve Me.

My Mission has now reached that point in time when each of you now has work to do. This planet has a purpose in the great galaxy in which it it held. That purpose is now unfolding before our eyes. I call upon you to radiate the Bhakti (devotion) within you so that its unseen power will envelop all who come into your orbit. To successfully perform your part, always remain centred upon Me.

Allow yourself to impart that purity of heart within you towards all human beings and all living creatures and do not reach for the fruits of your work.

This part of My Mission is performed in absolute silence. You are My instruments from whom My love will pour. Be always aware that the moment you let your ego descend upon you My work ceases. When you have overcome your negative unmindfulness, you will again become My Source.

The multiplication of My Love will be felt throughout the world. I have perpared you for this work over many incarnations. I have drawn you to Me. I have made great steps in My Mission over these past incarnations. My work is ceaseless and so your work, too, is without end.

Know that I am within and without you. There is no difference. Rid yourselves of the petty matters forevermore. You are now in Me and I am now in Thee. There is no difference. My Darshan (spiritual blessings) will pour forth from Me to and through you. You may be unaware of this constant action. Be ever pure of heart and soul and mankind in your lifetime will benefit from your unique qualities.

Others, too, will join Me in this Mission when I draw them to Me. The time is approaching when all humanity will live in harmony. That time will be here sooner than one expects. Before it arrives be prepared for whatever is needed to reveal to every living thing the true purpose of existence. It is not what anyone alive can imagine. It is not something that one can try to aspire to. It is beyond all comprehension. I can say that its beauty is magnificent beyond all dreams. And as each of you perform your silent work, I embrace you to My Heart and henceforth your souls shall be lifted up and your eyes will reveal My Presence within.

This I say to all My Devotees from the Lord's Mountain Top where all the Universes become one. Be about My work, My beloved Bhaktas. Your breath will carry the scent of the blossoms of Heaven. Your example will be that of Angels. Your joy will be My Joy.

- Message received by Charles Penn from Sri Sathya Sai Baba - 1979

From: My Beloved. The Love and Teaching of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Penn, C., Prasanthi Nilayam, Sri Sathya Sai Baba Books and Publications Trust, [1981], Page 96-97Published also in: Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas, Vol XV, No 9, Sept. 96 For Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Trust