Request...

[Guest guest]

Sairam everyOne,

Can someone please tell whether Swami has said anything about the rites that are

performed after when an individual passes away? Or has Swami said anything

related to the same?

i've read a couple of years earlier, in a book titled as 'The Tibetan Book of

Living' that prayers that we do here after one passes away can actually help

the one who has left (or something like that). Is the next life/body etc that

the deceased take has anything to do with our prayers or his own Karma? Or is

it that everthing being Aham Aham our karma is everyone's karma?

Please guide me.

Namaste...

"I am I"

[Guest guest]

Kishor Nanwani <saiyug

Sat Dec 4, 2004 2:18pm

Re: [saibabanews] Some words on Prayers for the deceased

 

OM Sri Sai Ram

 

Dear brother in Sai,

 

There might be many times Swami mentions about it but here are a few

of Swami's words regarding the yajna or offering done to the

deceased:

" Pithru Yajna (Yajna for the manes): The offering of food or

consecrated water in the name of the deceased father, grandfather,

great grandfather, and of the mother, grandmother and great

grandmother. There are those who laugh, ridiculing this rite,

saying that such offerings cannot reach them. But, the manthras

uttered during the offerings reveal that these deceased ancestors

are addressed as identifiable with Gods (Vasu, Rudra and Aadhithya)

and the rite is highly sublimated. What is done is to express

gratitude to the pwesons who brought us into this world and equipped

us to play our roles. Offering the tribute of gratitude is the

essence of the Pithru Yagna" Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 10 - 3/10/1970

 

Pls. do mail me if there is more on the same.

 

Yours in Sai Service

 

Kishor

 

----------

 

"venkat" <saivasan

Sat Dec 4, 2004 0:25pm

Re: [saibabanews] Request...

 

Sairam Ajit,

Please read the attached discourse in Swami discusses about last

rires to HIS chosen mother.

 

Venkat Govindarajan

 

IS YOUR FIRST GOD

 

(Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba in Sai Ramesh Hall, Brindavan on 6th May 2002 on the occasion

of Easwaramma Day)

 

"All the names and forms are but the manifestations of the Supreme

Being who is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and non-dual. He is

the embodiment of Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram (Truth, Goodness,

Beauty)."

 

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

Yad Drishyam Thannashyam (all that we see with our physical eyes is

bound to perish). It is not only man who is endowed with physical

eyes but birds and animals also have them. Even worms and insects

have eyes. But what is the use of eyes if we cannot see that which

is eternal and changeless? These eyes perceive only ephemeral,

impermanent and unreal things. In the world, we find people spending

their whole life in mundane activities, perceiving only ephemeral

things. Jnana (wisdom) is true and eternal. Only he who has the eye

of wisdom deserves to be ist in this desolate village. There is no

one who can treat even a simple cold, cough or fever. So many

devotees are coming to You. Do not think that all of them are true

devotees. Only those who feel the distress of others and try to help

them are true devotees. Wealth, scholarship or authority is of

little consequence. Sympathising with others in their suffering and

trying to alleviate it is the true sign of devotion. One should

share the sorrow of others. But this is scarce today. There are

people who keep talking at great length about the achievements of

their own children but they have little concern for the suffering of

others' children. Thousands of devotees come here but it has

occurred to none to do something to solve the problems that exist

here. It is now left to You. So, You must construct a small hospital

in this village for the poor children."

 

I comforted her and said, "Why are you disturbed so much over such a

small matter? It will be done. But for everything the time must be

ripe. A new-born child cannot become a youth all at once; some time

is required. Do not worry so much; in due course of time, Swami will

fulfil your desire. Try to comfort those who are suffering and pray

for their well-being." Easwaramma was a little upset thinking that

Swami was unconcerned and indifferent. But I had this Sankalpa all

the time. Mother's wish had to be fulfilled, be it small or big. Any

task to help others is My responsibility and so I resolved to

undertake this task.

 

Society Needs Selfless Doctors

 

The very next day, I arranged for the foundation to be laid, and

within a month a hospital started functioning. There was a doctor

named Brahmam. He was a great devotee. He acted in a manner

befitting his name. After him, there came another doctor called B.

Sitharamiah. He was a great devotee of Swami. He prayed to Me to

give the responsibility of the hospital to him. From that day till

his last breath he worked in the hospital. You do not see any such

doctors with dedication and commitment these days. From the moment

they qualify, the sole concern of modern doctors is how much money

they can earn. They are prepared to risk even their life for the

sake of money. They neglect their prime duty which is healing the

sick. They do not want to work in villages. They want to stay in

cities and enjoy all the comforts of city life. They want to earn

more and more money. What is money? What can it give us? It does not

stay with anyone forever. It is transient and impermanent. Money is

required but too much money is harmful. Today people are ready to go

to any length to earn money. As the proverb goes, man today is ready

even to eat grass to gain a rupee. So, a greedy man can earn only

grass, not grace.

Today we need men of sacrifice in the world. What I want is not your

devotion. You must apply your mind to the problems of society and

find remedies for them. One should aspire for social welfare.

Society today needs the service of self-sacrificing doctors. Doctors

these days have large incomes of thousands of rupees per month. But

they do not want to do work worth even a rupee. They want to have

money without work. Society today needs servants. Only those who

truly serve can become true leaders. When a leader looks upon

himself as a servant, he renders true service to society.

 

Ideal Motherhood Exemplified by Mother Easwaramma

 

Every gift of God provides man the opportunity to go from Preyas to

Sreyas. People are engaged in all kinds of worldly activities. You

grow crops, you harvest them, you eat food, you study and acquire

various types of worldly knowledge, and so on. If all these mundane

activities are performed with a spiritual outlook, then you can

enjoy bliss. Performing action with a spiritual outlook is the

essence of Atmadharma. If you enquire deeply, you would realise that

everything happens not merely because of your personal efforts but

by the Will of God. Right from the atom to the cosmos, everything in

the universe is driven by God's Will.

 

Easwaramma breathed her last in this very Mandir. Summer classes

were going on in the month of May 1972. She used to come and sit in

these classes. Swami used to be amused at her presence and asked her

what she followed in these classes. She used to say, "I am not

interested in these studies. I come here to see how the students of

Swami conduct themselves, how they obey His commands and how they

react to Swami's advice and teachings." The parents take great pains

in bringing up their children with expectation that they may lead a

respectable life. Are the children behaving in accordance with the

expectations of their parents? They wear new clothes provided to

them by their parents, but do they spare any thought for the

hardships their parents undergo to procure these clothes?

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

You are boys today; tomorrow you will be men. If your children cause

you worry, how will you feel? Will you be happy? No, not at all. All

that happens to you in future will be in accordance with your

conduct today. Everything is reaction, reflection and resound.

Today's good deeds will blossom into good results in the coming

time. If you do bad deeds today, you cannot expect to be rewarded

with good results in future. If you do evil today, you cannot escape

its consequences later. You may become a powerful officer or an

employer. But the results of your past bad deeds will always keep

haunting you. Keeping these facts in mind, make your parents happy

and serve them to your utmost capability. Only then will you find

fulfilment in life. What for is man born in this world? Is it merely

to roam around and indulge in the pleasures of the world? You should

understand that worldly pleasures are not permanent. A true son will

see to it that his parents do not shed tears of sorrow.

 

It is not a matter of great celebration when a son is born in a

family. Only when he earns a good name in society should his birth

become an occasion for celebration. Many parents in their exuberance

of joy at the birth of their son indulge in all sorts of senseless

celebrations. Such parents spoil their own children. Mothers should

keep a close watch on the conduct of their children. Is he going on

the right path? Is he working for the welfare of society? Is society

approving his conduct? Is he gaining the respect of society? Mothers

should keenly observe all this. Easwaramma was very conscious of

these matters; she was, in fact, an ideal mother. When visitors came

to the house, she would send out her children to greet them

properly, to enquire about their welfare and requirements and to

offer them a seat in a respectful manner. You scarcely find such

conduct anywhere today. Children are well educated, their talents

are encouraged, but what for? To earn money? Even a beggar earns

money. Money is not the goal of life.

 

When you have a visitor to your house, you should greet him with

respect and love. These days you cannot find any such courteous

behaviour at all. That is why I often say: You cannot always oblige

but you can speak always obligingly. But today's education is making

the children veritable demons. There is no humility or friendliness

in them. They learn the stuff given in books by rote, go to the

examination centre, empty the stuff in their heads on the answer

papers and return home with empty heads. Is this education? Not at

all. True education is that which is imprinted on the heart of the

learners. It should remain unchanged over the years. Such sacred

feelings are not to be found in today's students. Everyone pretends

to be a devotee without any trace of devotion. What is all this

acting for? People learn such false values from cinema and TV, etc.,

which are ruining them, especially the children. The world today

seems to be happy with TV and cinema. But Swami does not approve of

them. Are cinema, TV, etc., helping in the redemption of mankind?

Everyone should cultivate human qualities and lead the life of a

true human being. But there are few such people to be found. There

are, of course, a few parents who bring up their children with great

love and affection and put them on the right path. Only such parents

can be called ideal parents. Their children grow up to be ideal and

noble.

 

Ingratitude is the Worst Sin

 

Today people have little sense of gratitude. Even if you get a

little help from anyone, you should always remember it. It is

unfortunate that people even harm those who help them. Such people

are the worst sinners. We should help even those who have harmed us.

This is the vow of Sai. No matter if some people criticise or

ridicule Me or even try to harm Me, I will always look at them with

kindness. I have declared: My life is My message. How many people

follow the path shown by Me? If you follow in My footsteps, no harm

will ever touch you. Swami is giving free education to lakhs of

students. Education in Sai institutions is free up to Ph.D. level.

What is the cost of education these days? Even for admission to

primary class, many schools charge 20 to 30 thousand rupees. It is

in this environment that Swami is giving free education to all His

students. The students should remember this with gratitude. It is

harmful for them if they do not recognise it. These were some of the

truths that Easwaramma taught. When somebody came to see her, she

would tell him, "See how much help Swami is giving to the poor and

needy. It is all for their welfare. But some people are not at all

realising its value and are not grateful for it. It is not good for

them. Everyone should bear this in mind." She spoke in a gentle and

sweet manner to all the visitors. She was a source of great solace

to women who lost their husbands in young age. She helped them to

relieve their suffering.

 

Ever be grateful even for a small help. Do not be a Kritaghna

(ungrateful). Ingratitude is utter cruelty. There is a Mantra in

Suryanamaskara,"Kritagh-naghnaya Namah" (salutations to the sun who

punishes the ungrateful). What is the significance of this? It

emphasises the fact that any help received should be reciprocated to

the extent possible. Hurting someone who has helped you will result

in losing your eyesight. It is the radiance of the sun that is

reflected in man's eyes. All that you see is through the reflection

of the sun's radiance. The sun withdraws its radiance from the eyes

of those persons who commit the sin of ingratitude. Some people may

brush it aside, saying it is a mere Katha (story). Truly speaking,

it is not a Katha but a Vyatha (suffering) that an ungrateful person

has to undergo. Therefore, we should always be grateful. We should

return help for help to the utmost extent possible.

 

Do Charity with Discrimination

 

You should always help the aged and distressed. At the time when

this building was being constructed, the Rajmata of Jamnagar prayed

to Me to stay in her house. I accepted her prayer and started

staying in her house. There was a driver in that house. One day, it

was very cold and the driver was shivering as he had no coat or rug

to protect himself from cold. My driver came and told Me. I gave him

a rug. As he got the rug given by Me, he started crying loudly,

saying even his parents had not given him so much love. He lived for

quite a long time and stayed with the Rajmata. The Rajmata was also

a very considerate lady and used to look after the welfare of all

her staff. There are many such needy persons in the world. Whoever

it may be, do not make distinction between your people and others.

When you see anyone in distress, help him immediately.

 

Education that does not inculcate such values of caring and sharing

is not fit to be called education. "In spite of his education and

intelligence, a foolish man will not know his true self and a mean-

minded person will not give up his wicked qualities. Modern

education leads only to argumentation, not to total wisdom. What is

the use of acquiring worldly education if it cannot lead you to

immortality? Acquire the knowledge that will make you immortal."

(Telugu Poem) What is the use of such an education? What is the

outcome of endless arguments? One thinks oneself to be very learned

but this arrogance is the source of one's utter downfall.

 

Students!

It is necessary for you to cultivate humility and obedience. There

are a large number of people who are in much poorer circumstances

than you. You must strive to ameliorate their condition as much as

you can. When you help others, that itself is your reward. The

scriptures declare:

Paropakara Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam

(you earn merit by helping others and commit sin by hurting them).

 

Hence, always try to be helpful. Do not commit the sin of hurting

others. Set an example before young children. This is an important

duty of the students today. I have noticed that students today have

a craze for going to foreign countries. When they return, they are

dressed in a pompous manner and their behaviour is obnoxious. What

is the use of wearing a costly dress if your behaviour is mean?

 

There are many foreigners who come here and feel moved to help poor

people. But this creates more complications. They are not aware of

the conditions here. It is said that if there is somebody

distributing money, even the dead will get up and stretch out their

hands. So when these foreigners start giving money, poor people run

after them. If somebody is hungry, give him food, not money.

Similarly, if he is in need of clothes, give him clothes.

Indiscriminate distribution of money does more harm than good.

People of this country should not run after money. Lead a

respectable life. Maintain the dignity of human life. Honour and

respect cannot be bought with money.

 

Here is a small matter Swami wants to tell. The other day, a devotee

came and told that since My cars had become old, he wanted to

replace them with new cars. He brought the cars. Three days passed.

I did not even look at him. What is the reason? I already have a

sufficient number of cars. I have no desire to move about in fancy

big cars. I do not accept anything from anyone. When I was coming

here, Srinivas came to Me and said, "That person is feeling

miserable. Please accept the cars." I told him, "Do not interfere.

He can take back his cars. In fact, I am ready to give My own car.

Rather, I will give you two cars; you and he can take one each."

Develop the spirit of sacrifice and set an example before others. I

have been practising this since My childhood. If you follow the path

shown by Me, you will become blessed. This path will lead you to

liberation. It is liberation that is the goal of life. What is

Moksha (liberation)? Moha Kshaya is Moksha (giving up of attachment

is liberation). You must reduce your attachment (Moha). That is

Moksha.

 

Love everyone. But do not trust everyone without discrimination. One

who puts his trust wholly in others is headed for ruin. Love all,

Serve all. But put trust in yourself. Develop self-confidence. Give

up worldly desires. Develop divine feelings and give up worldly

feelings. This is the Dharma (righteous path) of humanity.

 

Students!

 

You have been studying in Sai institutions. You have studied well

and passed examinations. Take to the right path. Develop good

qualities. Love all, hate none. Love even those who bear hostility

towards you. This is the characteristic of Sai. There are many who

are hostile towards Me. Many ridicule or criticise Me. If they say

it aloud, it is lost in air. If they do it internally, it returns to

them. None of it will reach Me. Therefore, one should attach no

importance to praise and abuse. See to it that love principle is

installed firmly in you. This is what Mother Easwaramma practised

and taught.

 

Face the vicissitudes of life with confidence. I am never deterred

by hardships or obstacles. When there is no defect in you, why

should you have fear? Love even those who criticise you. This is the

ideal that Swami expects when He says, "My life is My message". If

you lead your life strictly according to My ideal, you will rise to

the same level. Therefore, develop good qualities and help those who

are in distress.

 

Good People have a Good Death

 

Mother Easwaramma used to go to the house of Gogineni from

Brindavan. On the day of her passing away also, she walked all the

way to their house and came back. After coming back, she had a cup

of coffee. She used to have Paan (betel leaf). In fact, I Myself

used to like Paan in the early days. She was pounding the areca nut

in a mortar and was eating it bit by bit. Suddenly she

shouted, "Swami, Swami, Swami". I called back, saying, "I am coming,

I am coming, I am coming." She said, "Come quickly, come quickly."

As I came down, she caught hold of My hands and said, "You are

capable of helping all the people of the world to any extent. But

children need more help. You have to transform them. You need not

make them scholars. Make them good and virtuous." Saying this, she

placed My hands on her eyes and breathed her last. She had Anayasa

Maranam (peaceful death). What more can one desire in life than a

glorious death?

Bodies come and go.

 

"Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam,

Punarapi Janani Jathare Sayanam "

(man is caught up in the cycle of birth and death; time and again,

he undergoes the agony of staying in his mother's womb).

 

Birth and death are natural to man. One need not worry over this

matter. I called the driver. The body was placed in a van and sent

to Prasanthi Nilayam. I sent Ramabrahmam with the body. He was a

very good person. He performed all the work assigned to him

personally. Ramabrahmam requested Me to go to Prasanthi Nilayam for

the final rites. But I firmly told him, "This is a matter relating

to the external world and I have no connection with it. I have seen

her and blessed her here. So, you may take her body for the final

rites to Prasanthi Nilayam." Ramabrahmam carried out My instructions

faithfully. Gokak and Bhagavantam came and said that the classes

were cancelled. I asked them, why. They said, it was because of the

demise of Swami's mother. I said, "What if she is dead? The boys are

all alive and so the classes must go on."

 

Gokak was amazed. He announced that the classes would be held.

Everyday I used to go to the classroom at the beginning of the

class. The students were anxious whether Swami would come or not. I

went to the classroom that day. As I entered, all the children

started shedding tears. I asked, "Why are you grieving? Whoever is

born is bound to die one day or the other. So, there is nothing to

grieve about." After that, the classes went on as per schedule. It

is because of this self-confidence and courage that I have been able

to make everything happen according to My resolve.

 

The father of this body also had an easy death. I had selected some

people for interview at Prasanthi Nilayam when he came there. I

asked him why he had come there. He replied, "Swami, I have

something to tell You." I told him to wait until I finished the

interview. For Me, all are equal. I finished the interview with the

devotees and sent them away after giving them Prasadam. I then

called him and asked the reason for his coming. He took out some

money from the knot of his Dhoti and told Me, "Swami, this is all

the money I have. With this, You should perform my last rites on the

10th day in a proper manner." I gently chided him, saying why he was

talking about his death as if he knew all about it. He went back and

bought four bags of rice for this purpose. Rice was very cheap those

days. One could get a bagful for Rs. 20 or so. Besides rice, he

bought some jaggery and other provisions. After reaching home, he

played with his grandson for some time. Then he called his wife. Men

never used to call their wives by their names those days. 'Hey, hey'

was the way they used to address them. He told her, "I have just now

seen Swami. I have no worries now." He then asked her to get him

some water to drink. As she gave him water, he breathed his last.

 

" It is not through performing penance or going to places of

pilgrimage or studying sacred texts that one is able to cross the

ocean of worldly life. It is only through service to the good that

you attain the ultimate goal of life. "

(Sanskrit Verse)

 

Such a sacred end is possible only for people who have earned it in

this way.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

All of you who have gathered here have to take a pledge today. Live

a good life. Be ready to help others. Love children, respect elders,

respect all according to their status in society. If you live

according to these principles, there is no better way of life.

Imprint these principles firmly on your heart. Act in a manner so as

to please your parents. Only then will your life find fulfilment.

You are conducting Bhajans at various places and at different times.

But mere singing of Bhajans is not enough. Behaviour and conduct are

vital.

 

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, Hari Bhajan Bina

Sukha Santhi Nahin …

- From Bhagavan's EASWARAMMA DAY Discourse in Sai Ramesh Krishan

Hall, Brindavan on 06th May 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

saibabanews, "Ajith Sankar"

<ajithstudyingmba@r...> wrote:

> Sairam everyOne,

>

> Can someone please tell whether Swami has said anything about the

rites that are performed after when an individual passes away? Or

has Swami said anything related to the same?

...........

[Guest guest]

I use to think about the deceased souls what happens to them after death? like I

know that they stay up above according to their Karmas then they return back

to earth.Now after reading Registrar Chakravarthi article where he mentions

that as he was doing rituals for deceased parents he asked Swami did my prayers

reach my parents,Swami answered back yes yes thy were here right now and took

what you offered-Registrar Chakravarthi also felt as someone was there at that

moment-

 

Anyway with all this reading and hearing Swamis messages my own conclusions in

short is that all this observations and prayers of deceased souls has an affect

-How ? well if they are back on earth and has taken rebirth in diffferent body

then these prayers reach them and then we see the miracles.Like some wins

lotttery or some unexpected good happens to them-

This is my own interpretation I may be wrong but other Brother/Sister's are

there in our Sai group who can shed some more light on this-

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu

 

At the feet od Sai

 

Soumendra

[Guest guest]

Abburi Balakrishna <b_abburi

Sun Dec 5, 2004 10:13pm

Re: [saibabanews] Re: Request...

 

Sai Ram to all Brothers & sisters. As far as I thin,

our offerings do reach the departed souls if performed

with full faith & sincerity. An year for us is

reckoned as a day for the departed souls. Which means,

if we offer on a day in year that in effect means that

we r offering them every day.

I read of a story, coube be real, abt a British

Officer in the past Empire rule has enquired a

subordinate if offerings made to Pithru Devatalu do

reach them which according to him is difficult to

believe. To this the official enquired about his

sending telegraphic maney order to his wife in London

every month from India, whether the monay actually

reaches his wife. To which the Britis Official replied

that it certainly reaches his wife every month without

fail. To this the subordinate offcial says that

similarly our offerings do reach the departed souls

without fail. This has covinced the British Official

to a large extent. Loka samastha sukhino bhawanthu.

Jai sai ram,

Balakrishna abburi

 

----------

 

"liana_rus4980" <chenresi

Mon Dec 6, 2004 3:18am

Re: Request...

 

In Christianity there is a postulate that the deceaced soul presents

in the area of Earth, our physical world about 40 days. And in the

nineth day after the moment of death it is in process of release a

mental and other structures that are inhere the human being. That's

why a kin make rituals and read prayars for helping their relative

one. I suppose that it is possible to explaine how do our prayers

reach souls. The answer might be totally simple - because the

vibration. Everything in the Universe exists as a vibration - our

acts, thougths, feelings, as well as a sound and a light -

everything is radiance. That's why all we produce here reflects

there. And special rituals, chants are completed by different

saints, sages of ancient times for better realisation to reach the

aim - help ever, hurt never because all is full of Divine energy.

Sai Ram

 

 

 

 

saibabanews, "Ajith Sankar"

<ajithstudyingmba@r...> wrote:

> Sairam everyOne,

>

> Can someone please tell whether Swami has said anything about the

> rites that are performed after when an individual passes away? Or

> has Swami said anything related to the same? ..........