NOTE: Today [5-2-2003] is Chinese New Year Day. We take pleasure in posting this
message of brother Deepak Bharwani on an appropriate date on.the appropriate
occasion and wish everybody Good Luck and happiness.
Photos added by ‘saidevotees_worldnet’
***
From: "Deepak Arjandas Bharwani"
CHINESE NEW YEAR (LUNAR YEAR)
Significance
"Today (5 February 1998), You celebrate the New Year of Lunar Year (calendar).
The year is described as Samvatsara in Sanskrit. This term is also one of the
names of God. Hence, the advent of the New Year should be hailed as the advent
of the Divine. Without recognising this divine significance of the New Year,
there is no purpose in celebrating it with lavish decorations and sumptuous
feasts. It is not the feast that is important. It is the ideal that is to be
pursued which is important." Sai Baba, SS, 2/98, p. 32
Origin of the Word "China"
"Today (13 February 1997) the Chinese are observing their National New Year Day
here (Prashanthi Nilayam). What is the origin of the word China? It is derived
from the two words 'Chung' and 'Kuo'. 'Chung' means the human heart. 'Kuo'
refers to the country. The word 'China' therefore means that 'My heart is my
country'. This concept is applicable to all countries and all religions. For
instance, Bharata, it is derived from the two words 'Bhaa' meaning 'effulgence'
and 'Rata' meaning 'to rejoice'. The heart is the source of effulgence.
Bharatiya is one who rejoices in the effulgence emanating from the heart. Every
man is attracted to the heart. God is not confined to any particular place. His
real abode is heart." Sai Baba, SS, 3/97, p. 60
The Chinese Tradition
"The Chinese have esteemed the heart as their native land. The heart is subject
to troubles and difficulties. From ancient times- and to some extent even
today- the Chinese have observed one ritual every morning before beginning
their day's chores. They declare, 'Difficulties are our friends. Let us invite
them.' The Chinese have looked upon difficulties as their true friends. They
have recognized that without trouble no good can be realised. They used
to-start the day's work with this thought before them. The Chinese also
realised that true happiness comes from the satisfaction of a task well done.
In Bharat (India) also there is a dictum 'UddhrethAatmanaa-aatmaanam' (Raise
the Self by the Self.') What is it that can raise the self? It is our own good
conduct. Our good conduct is not for elevating the country, but for elevating
ourselves. A whetstone is used for sharpening a knife, not for making the
whetstone smoother. Likewise, in this world, your good conduct improves you
and, as a result, the world." Sai Baba, SS, 3/97, p. 60
The Cult of Hard Work
"There is a proverb in China: 'The most delicious food is that which is got by
hard labour.' What is got by arduous effort is relished with joy. One who
enjoys his food without having laboured for it is an idler. In China everyone
works hard to earn his living. This cult of hard work should activate every
human being. Unfortunately this is forgotten today." Sai Baba, SS, 3/97, p. 60
China and India
"In different countries, peoples of the world observe their respective
festivals. Today (13 February 1997) is considered as the beginning of their New
Year by the Chinese. There is no difference between Bharat and China with regard
to the calendar. The Chinese have dates, which represent the apparent northward
and southward movement of the sun (Uttarayana and Daakshinaayana). In Bharat,
we have lunar and solar months. In China also, there is such a two-fold
division. In Bharat, in some parts of the country, the beginning of Uttarayana
marks the commencement of the New Year. They base their calendar on the lunar
cycle (Chandra-maasa). In China, they have a lunar and a solar year. In the
Bharatiya view, there is an intimate connection between the moon and the mind
and between the sun and the eye." Sai Baba, SS, 3/97, pp. 65 &; 66
"From very ancient times, there have been close relations between China and
Bharat. A short while ago, a speaker mentioned how in the Chinese pantheon,
there were deities corresponding to the deities worshipped in Bharat like
Lakshmi, Bhoodevi, Kubera and others.
Similarly a common saying currently in China regarding government regulations is
applicable to the situation in Bharat. Comparing government regulations to a
net, the Chinese used to say that very small fish escape through the holes in
the net, while the very big break through it. Only the middle-sized fish get
caught in it. In Bharat also, it is fact that the lowest among the people are
unaffected by government regulations. The very rich and powerful drive a coach
and force through them. It is only the middle class that suffers the most from
these regulations." Sai Baba, SS, 3/97, p. 61
Gift For Sai Baba on Chinese New Year
"You have presented many things as 'gifts' to Bhagawan (Sai Sathya Baba). This
Tiger Map' is one of them. That is not the gift I want. Hand over to me your
'tigerly qualities'. That is the gift I would like. The tiger is cruel animal.
Rid yourself of all cruel feelings and offer them to Me. Lead the life of a
useful, harmless, sacred cow. It gives nourishing milk in return for cheap
grass." Sai Baba, SS, 2/98, p. 33
Sai Benediction on Chinese New Year
"Embodiments of Love! You have come here from long distances, undergoing many
discomforts. Return with joy with the people in your places in an unselfish
spirit. A life of selfless love will lead you to liberation." Sai Baba, SS,
2/98, p. 33
Advice to Devotees Gathered on the Chinese New Year
"Devotees have gathered here (Prashanthi Nilayam) from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan. You may have come with many problems and
worries. Leave all of them here (Prashanthi Nilayam) and return to your places
with your hearts filled with bliss. Leave all your bad thoughts and feelings
and fill yourselves with peace and joy of Prashanthi Nilayam. Coming here with
restless minds, you should not go back in the same state. Prashanthi (Supreme
Peace) is very valuable for man. Today peace is not to be found anywhere in the
world. Peace is to be found only here. Carry it with you. This is hallowed by
the vibrations of numerous good devotees. Many noble souls have spent their
lives here. Fill your hearts with their noble thoughts. Do not bother about
what others say. Develop self-confidence and self-realization through
self-sacrifice. Ignore incidental troubles, which are like passing clouds.
Think about God alone. There is nothing more vital than that. Try to acquire
Divine Love. Love is God. Live in Love. The best way to love God is to love
all, serve all. Foster love. Adhere to truth. Follow righteousness. Achieve
peace. This is the special benediction of Swami on this day on all. Wherever
you may go, speak softly and sweetly. Thereby you will earn the esteem of
society. This is the most valuable reward you have to secure this New Year."
Sai Baba. SS, 2/98, p. 33
Sai Baba's Message on the Chinese New Year
"Embodiment of love! There is no need to celebrate the New Year. Every second is
the beginning of a New Year. People celebrate year after year New Year days, but
there is no change in their lives. The body grows from year to year but life
span is ebbing away at the same time. People should be concerned about this.
Time is most precious. God is the Over-Lord of Time. Time wasted is life
wasted. Never waste time, because lost time is beyond recall. Today you are
celebrating the (Chinese) New Year instead of thinking about God, who presides
over the passage of years. God is the basis of all that exists. Rely on God
rather on things which are dependent on God." Sai Baba, SS, 3/97, p. 68
"When people from every part of the world have gathered here (at Prashanthi
Nilayam), to rejoice in a great celebration, they are being described as
'foreigners' and residents of Prashanthi Nilayam as natives. Who are the
natives and who are foreigners? When this question is examined, it will be seen
that wherever truth and righteousness are respected and practiced, people there
are to be deemed Bharatiyas. By merely taking birth in Bharat, people do not
become Bharatiyas. Bharatiya culture proclaims the two virtues: Satyam vada
(speak the truth); Dharmam chara (follow the righteousness). Whosoever
practices these two principles is a Bharatiya." "The whole world is one vast
mansion. It contains many rooms. Each country constitutes one room in this
mansion. Hence, whole world should be considered as one home." Sai Baba, SS,
3/97, p. 65
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