New book about Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Blossoms in the Eternal Spring

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New book about Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

Blossoms in the Eternal Spring

By Shammi Paranjape

Rupa, New Delhi; 2004

263 Pages

ISBN: 8129104067

 

Blossoms in the Eternal Spring, is a moving memoir about spiritual

discovery and the strength and joy this bestows on a person. In the

author's experience, the inspiration for turning inwards came with

the extraordinary entry of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in her life

which changed her forever. In this riveting book, she traces the

path that brought her here- from her happy beginnings in Kanpur, to

being a typically modern day housewife in Mumbai to becoming a

spiritual seeker with only the one goal or 'eka lakshya' - devotion

to God. This compelling story of spiritual awakening will fascinate

all those who are seeking a deeper fulfilment and meaning from life.

 

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http://web.mid-day.com/diary/2004/february/76721.htm

 

Mid Day

February 19, 2004

 

Sathya Sai Baba and the Gavaskars

 

Yesterday, on the occasion of Mahashivrathri, a grand celebration

took place at Sathya Puttaparthi ashram near Bangalore with the

release of a book which talks about Sunil Gavaskar's faith in Sathya

Sai Baba, reports Hemal Ashar.

 

The book is called, `Blossoms — In the Eternal Spring' and is

written by Shammi Paranjape, Gavaskar's sister-in-law. Mumbai-based

author Shammi, who is a freelance journalist, says, "The book is the

culmination of four years of work. I think the spiritual discovery

is the destiny of the human soul. The earlier it comes, the better

it is.

 

While the Rs 195 book, published by Rupa, has Sathya Sai Baba's

teachings and messages couched in every chapter, it also talks about

the Gavaskars' faith in Sathya Sai Baba. "We do go to the ashram as

a family," says Shammi. "Sunil, my sister Pammi and I have visited

the ashram together." The author finishes, "The book is not meant as

a last word. In fact, it is a trigger to arouse curiousity about

Baba's teachings and learn more about him."

 

Though the book cites an example of how Sunil Gavaskar got cured by

Sathya Sai Baba's Vibhuti (ash), Shammi warns, "The miracles are not

the most important part of the book. His knowledge is the most

important."

 

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/534006.cms

 

The Times of India

March 3, 2004

 

What faith did to Gavaskar

 

In her book, Blossoms in Eternal Spring, Shammi Paranjpe talks about

her family's experience with Sathya Sai Baba, and how she had the

chance of a lifetime to transform herself and see others lives being

touched by grace.

 

The book also mentions how Sunil Gavaskar, her older sister

Marshneil's (Pammi) husband, "has been a part of this collective

experience".

 

Recounting a couple of experiences, she relates how Marshneil would

carry Baba's photograph "in her wallet, for every delivery he faced.

By the `expression' on Baba's face in the photo, she could make out

how Sunil would fare as, in one photo, she could see different

expressions. The day she felt Baba was smiling, Sunil would do

really well, but on days when she felt she saw a frown, Sunil

invariably got out early! On such days, however hard she tried to

turn the photo this way and that, she could not `force' it to

smile!"

 

The book talks about the experiences of Shammi and her three

sisters, who together with their individual families moved together

in the direction of awakening and self discovery. When asked if he'd

read the book, especially since his own experiences make up at least

a couple of chapters, Sunil says, "Yes, I've managed to finish a

couple of chapters." There has been a healing incident that seems to

be very special to Sunil's own experiences.

 

"I was in Brisbane; it was the Australia tour of 1977 when Bishen

Singh Bedi was captain. I had torn an upper thigh muscle. Those were

the days when we didn't carry our own physiotherapists with us and I

had to make do with the therapist of the home team. I was to be laid

off for at least 6-8 weeks which meant I'd have had to sit out for

almost half the tour, and miss 3 Tests. And this was before even the

first test match had begun," relates Sunil.

 

"I called home. My wife sent me vibhuti through some commentators

who were coming in the next day. Having applied it for the next 3-4

days, I was able to play."