SRI SATHYA SAI HRUDAYA NIVASI [9] – Concluding Part

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SRI SATHYA SAI HRUDAYA NIVASI [9] – Concluding Part

(Indweller of Hearts)

By Bombay Srinivasan

 

CHATER 29

 

BHAJANA BINA.........

 

A few years back, Sri B. Ganesh, an MBA student in `Swami's college,

was delivering a talk in the immediate presence of Bhagawan Baba

Expatiating on the various divine aspects of Swami, he recalled a

miracle which happened in his house, in the cit of Karwar where his

father, Sri Balakrishnan was working as an Engineer, in the

Telecommunication Department. One day, after the Bhajans were over,

they were pleasantly surprised to find a small vighraha of Sri

Krishna, which had appeared miraculously in the altar where they were

singing Bhajans. The whole family rejoiced over it. A vast gathering

of devotees assembled in the Bhajan hall was overjoyed by this Leela

of Swami.

 

Sri. R. Balakrishnan, well known as "Sai Premi" hails from a music-

oriented family. He had himself undergone training in the classic

music. From the early years, he was, like his elder brother, very

much interested in singing devotional songs, based on 'Sampradaya

Bhajan'.

 

Sri Balakrishnan and family became the devotees of Bhagawan Baba,

from the early years. Being a natural talented singer, he was

attracted by the melody of Sai Bhajans. His days were filled with

Bhajans and Bhajans alone. He is so committed to Sai Bhajans that,

the only topic in his conversations would always be Bhajan.

During the last two decades of his service in the Government, Mr.

Balakrishnan was working in the Madras city. I got acquainted with

him since both of us were members of the T'Nagar Samithi. At the end

of the Bhajan, after Aarathi is taken, Mr. Balakrishnan sings, in his

melodious voice, the 'Laali', which is a 'lullaby', in various ragas.

Just a few years back, he crossed 60 years. On this happy occasion

Swami had given him interviews on three consecutive days. Swami

materialized a ring of Navaratnas for him. During the personal

interview, Swami told him that he is always present in his Bhajans

and that Swami liked his Laali songs very much. This instilled him to

greater dedication.

 

I had been a witness to many miracles happening while he was singing

the Bhajans. Yes, it was in the residence of a devotee, at Anna

Nagar, Madras, while he was singing; Vibhuthi was flowing from

various pictures profusely. There were small pieces of sugar candy

too. At the end of the Bhajans a Siva lingam had also appeared in the

flowers offered at the Lotus Feet.

 

The monthly Bhajans used to be a big occasion in our house. No doubt,

Mr. Balakrishnan and his team would always be present. On one such

occasion, apparently he turned emotional while singing the 'Laali' in

our house. The `Laali' that day was very elaborate, rendered in

different ragas. We were thrilled to witness the bunch of flowers

kept at the top of a picture of Bhagawan, raising up and down,

keeping in tune and pace with the tala. As soon as the song was over,

the flower would rest at its place. Every body who participated in

the Bhajan witnessed this great miracle.

 

According to various saints and seers, in this Kali Yuga,

Nagarsankeerthan (Bhajans) is the best and smooth method of attaining

salvation. Surging the names and glory of the Lord, with devotion,

dedication and discipline, purifies the mind of the devotee. How

soulfully Swami renders the Bhajan, "Bhajana bina sukha shanthi

nahin ", 'There is no peace or Sukh i.e., real happiness in life,

without 'Nagarsankeerthan' With the Lord's names constantly on the

lips, one is bound to reach nearer and nearer to HIM. The very

process of getting proximity to Him is a process of imbibing all the

divine qualities.

 

Bhajans mechanically and routinely rendered, do not reach Bhagawan.

It is Bhajan with the bhava or devotion, which carries us to our

Swami. "If we switch on the rape recorder, it will start singing. Has

it any devotion value?" Asks Swami. When we sing the name of the

Lord, our mind should dwell only on the thoughts of the Lord. Bhava

should be developed along with raga and thala. It is only then we are

in real sense, involved in Bhajan. We will be able to derive

unalloyed joy, overcoming the opposing dual experiences like pain and

pleasure. The sole purpose of devotion is to pray (I) for the Lord to

be ever in the abode of our heart, (Hrudaya Nivasi) and (2) for

leading us to contemplate on the Lord in all states of our existence.

Basically, all of us are supremely good. And yet, we find ourselves

whirling in the ocean of Samsara with the duality of experiences of,

happiness and sorrow. All our knowledge and wisdom would be mere dry

bones without the elevating grip of Bhakti and Namasmarana is the

easiest and best expression of Bhakti. It is the Bhakti through

Bhajans which rescue us from the travails of the life and take us

proximate to the Lord.

 

What a transformation, Bhajans bring about bodily, mentally and

spiritually! "Prashanthi Bhajans" is indeed unique in this respect

and has come to be renowned as such viz., Prashanthi Bhajans. A true

Prashanthi style Bhajan has come to represent certain excellence of

discipline, devotion, and dedication. More than the mere leading and

repeating of the Bhajans, the orderly seating and sitting of Gents &

Ladies separately in rows, one behind the other, with closed eyes and

clapping hands, with tongues & lips engaged on following the Bhajans

and with minds concentrated on the Lord is something unique. This

results in "Ananda", a spiritual elevation. No wonder, Prashanthi

Bhajans is not only an introduction to the spiritual upliftment, but

it helps in the spiritual realization itself. Prashanthi style

Bhajans has indeed been Swami's most prized gift to humanity.

Swami's Bhajan is a beautiful and effective means of developing

discipline, peace, and love. The Bhajans, so subtly and continuously

influence the attitudes, behavior and lives of the participant, that

it results not only in bringing about a spiritual transformation of

men and women but surely leads to the realization of supreme

experience.

 

As we develop supreme devotion through Bhajans, very often we go into

a state of contemplation too, and our lives are enriched constantly.

The palms of our hands are reverently brought together in prayer for

His Grace and Protection. Our heads are bent in humble contemplation.

Our bodies are thrilled by the fervor of devotion, at times indicated

by the hair standing on end. Our voice is choked with feelings of

deep devotion and our eyes well up with tears of Joy. The constant

repetition of "names" of the Lord creates vibrations all over. We do

not require any "Jnana" knowledge or wisdom. Only sincere devotion

will lead you to the highest level of spirituality.

 

We should get always engaged ourselves in chanting the names of the

Lord. The holy names acquire power when repeated with utmost

devotion. The holy name will cut off everything hostile in our way.

We should develop a total faith in the name of Lord. It will rescue

one from Samsara. It helps us in the attainment of complete freedom

and mastery. Ultimately, the constant chanting of sacred names of

Lord enable us to reach the fruition of our life.

 

Swami says that there are two types of Bhajans. One is the group

singing which is time bound. The other Bhajan, which Swami wants us

to follow is the life long Bhajan, rendered in quietitude and

silence, throughout our existence. I reproduce below extracts from

Swami's Divine Discourse at the conclusion of the Shivarathri Bhajans

on 24-2-1 971.

 

"Throughout last night, you have sung Bhajans and kept vigil, as

part of the Shivarathri Celebrations. This Aarathi marks the end of

that Bhajan sessions; but, only of the outer, congregational, vocal

part, and not of the inner solitary silent Bhajan that must be the

very breath of your existence."

 

"Bhajan is one of the processes by which you can train the mind to

expand into eternal values. Teach the mind to revel in the glory and

majesty of God; wean it away from petty horizons of pleasure. That is

all that Bhajan or Pooja or Vratham can do. Bhajan induces in you a

desire for experiencing the truth, to glimpse the beauty that God is;

taste the Bliss that is the Self; it encourages man to dive into

himself and be genuinely his real self. Once that search is desired,

the path is easy. One has only to be reminded that he is divine, for

malady is: its being thrust our of recognition. Exercises like Bhajan

elevate the mind and exhort the individual to seek and find the

source of eternal joy that lies within him."

 

"The Maha-Shivarathri Festival is over; but the message of the Day

is yet fructify in your behavior, conduct, thinking and activity Do

not rest content with a nightlong Bhajan Make it a Life- long Bhajan,

of adoration, of pilgrimage to the Lord within."

 

We should understand the significance of Swami's sermons. As we are

breathing continuously, likewise, we should be always breath in

Namasmarana. When Bhagawan Baba was in His early teens, He used to

compose and sing various Bhajan songs. One such song goes as under:

 

Govindhedhi Sadha Snanam

Govindhedhi Sadha,japam

Govindhedhi Sadha Dhyanam

Sadha Govinda Keertanam

 

The meaning thereby:

Always say Govinda, while taking bath;

Always do Japa saying Govinda.

Always meditate on the Name Govinda.

Always engage in singing the Name of Govinda.

 

In the initial paragraphs of this chapter, I had made reference to

Sai Premi, Sri. R. Balakrishnan. We used to sit together very often

and talk about the efficacy of Nama Sankeertan. He had given me

valuable points on the Prashanthi Bhajans, some of which, I wish to

share with you and I am reproducing them below. He quotes:

 

"Nama Sankeertanam Yasya

Sarva papa Pranayanam

Pranamo Dhuhka Samanaastham

Namaami Harim Param"

 

The meaning: "By chanting whose name, all the sins committed by

anybody are eradicated,I bow to that HARI, the destroyer of all

sorrows".

 

Sai Bhajans are so simple and easy for everybody to repeat. It is not

a passive Bhajan. This is an active Bhajan where everybody including

children can participate.

 

During the first All India Conference of Sai Seva Organization held

in Madras, Swami had emphasized the importance of Nama Sankirtan.

>From then on, the Sai Bhajans had become a very popular activity.

After some years, Swami gave a new direction to His devotees. It was

during the First World Conference held in Bombay, that Bhagavan

directed the devotees, to awake early in the morning, and as group,

to move along the roads near their place of residence, singing aloud

the names and glory of the Lord. Swami named this programme

as "Nagarsankeerthan ". Ultimately, this programme was made

compulsory for all the active workers of Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Organizations, all over the country and overseas too and included as

one of the Nine point Code of conduct to be observed by the Active

workers. Swami had also given detailed guidelines of this activity.

A few centuries ago, Maha Prabhu Sri Krishna Chaitanya took the

Bhajans to the streets. Singing the Lord's Names aloud and dancing

through the streets, in ecstasy, Maha Prabhu infused highest level of

devotion through Nama Sankeertan. Bhagawan Baba had perhaps revived

this cult of devotion through Nagarsankeerthan.

 

Fittingly, during the First world conference, the stage from where

Bhagawan directed His devotees to organize Nagarsankeerthan, the two

huge Portraits of Saint Thyagaraja, and Maha Prabhu Sri Krishna

Chaitanya formed the backdrop.

 

Bhagawan always commences His Divine discourses, through an Aalaap,

conveying a spiritual message, and ends up with singing of one or

more Bhajans. Swami sings in his Divine voice, and the capacity

crowds, sometimes in millions, take up the lead from Swami and

repeats. It is always a sight to see, the vast humanity of devotees

following the Lord. Every devotee sings with delight and ecstasy.

Singing the Names, in full-throated voice brings Ananda to all the

devotees.

 

Swami has given assurance that,"Wherever My Name is sung, I manifest

myself" Come my dear Devotees, let us from now on, attend Sai Bhajans

with deep devotion, for Bhajan is seeing God through sound i.e.,

realizing the Naada Brahma.

 

CHAPTER 30

 

TELEGRAPHIC PRAYER

 

My eldest son, Sri S. Venkatesh was studying in the final of the

matriculation in Bombay and was also attending the Balavikas senior

courses. There was a Bhajan competition amongst the Balavikas

students to coincide with the Divine visit to Bombay that year. He

was declared the winner of the competition and won the first prize.

Bhagawan Himself at Dharmakshetra gave a cover containing some money

to my son. Baba advised him that the money should not be spent for

seeing cinemas or for anything else. He suggested he could purchase

nice clothes and stitch his dress out of this money.

 

By the very next academic year he got admission in the pre- degree

course in the Swami's college in Whitefield campus. He was one of the

lead singers in the college. He continued to study there till the

end of his graduation in B.Sc. He was somehow reluctant to pursue his

post-graduation at Prashanthi Nilayam. He did not like the idea of

studying at Parthi campus. He was earnestly trying to secure

admission in some other universities. He had even written an entrance

test in Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. My wife and myself

felt very sad but allowed him to decide his future by himself. We

helped him in all his endeavors. In the meanwhile, the summer

vocation in Sri Sathya Sai Colleges was nearing the end, and the

colleges were to reopen within a couple of days.

 

One day I had just returned home from the factory late in the

evening. My son approached me and asked me whether I had

visited "Sundaram" and had the Darshan of Swami. I was wonder stuck

by this question. There was no programme of Swami's visit to Madras

at that time. I enquired what he was talking about. He told me that

Swami had come to Madras all of a sudden and that Swami was staying

in Sundaram. He also informed that Baba may leave Madras early next

morning.

 

My son gave me an surprise. He announced that he was proceeding to

Parthi the next day and join the college, for his M.Sc. course. I

enquired what was the reason for this sudden change of mind. He

replied that it was because of Swami.

 

He explained the situation further. Though he was not a regular

visitor to SUNDARAM, on that particular day, he went there with an

old college mate, who wanted to see SUNDARAM. He understood from the

small crowd gathered there, that Swami was inside, and was likely to

come out anytime now. He was standing by 'Shantivedika' near the

gate. Very soon, Swami emerged from 'Sundaram" walked straight to my

son, and talked to him Swami had asked him, when he was proceeding

to Parthi and Join the college. There was nothing more to think about

the matter, since Swami had Himself asked. He replied "Swami I am

going tomorrow". A reluctant boy was made to fall in line with Swami

by the unexpected Divine visit and the face-to-face talk with Him.

Now the readers might be wondering how was it that Swami was in

Madras unannounced and without any real programme. Here is the story

of Divine mercy, which we all happened to witness. Maj. Gen. S.P.

Mahadevan, was then the State President of Tamil Nadu. He was a

retired senior Army officer. One day while he was in Hyderabad, he

collapsed, after a severe cardiac arrest. His wife, who was near him,

called out to Swami. Swami had heard the distress call and instantly

resurrected Maj. General. After some days, Swami wrote a letter to

Maj. Gen. Mahadevan, a letter written by His own Divine Hands, saying

that Swarm had saved him and he need not worry. He had also written

that "Why fear when l am near" For the sake of this devotee, Swami

had changed the word from 'here' to 'near'. Swami had also sent him a

basketful of fruits. After convalescing for about a couple of months

at Hyderabad, our State President had returned back to Madras.

 

On that particular day Maj. Gen. Mahadevan was sitting on the

verandah of his house, reading some news papers. His wife was talking

with the neighbor lady across the compound wall. Suddenly Swami's car

stopped in front of their house. Swami got out of the vehicle and

called out to Major General who tried to run down to the gate, which

was locked. Swami cautioned him not to rush, and waited till his wife

rushed to the gate after coming to know of Swami's unexpected

arrival, and opened the gate. Swami, in His Divine mercy had come all

the way to Madras to personally bless the devotee whom He had saved

recently.

 

This unexpected Divine visit solved the problem of my son's continued

study in Swami's college, on which he was not so keen. My son, had

ultimately completed his post graduation from Swami's university, and

had since settled down in Madras running his own business. My dear

Readers from various previous chapters, all of you would have, by

now, become aware of Swami's Grace on this boy right from his birth

and at every stage of his education, the performance of his sacred

thread ceremony, and then His Grace during his marriage. We call our

son by the pet name Kanna. By the Grace of Swami his business was

flourishing and he has purchased a flat of his own. The couple had

plans to go together to the USA for further studies. But some events

or other had been cropping up which had not made it possible so far.

An update please! (The latest information is that my son is now

settled in U.S.A. with his wife and two little children).

 

Now to continue with the story:

 

In the meanwhile, his wife, Sow. Vijaya conceived and was expecting a

baby. She was subjected to regular monthly medical check up and was

looked after by my son very tenderly. In our custom, there is a

function called "SEEMANTHAM" celebrated during the 6th -8th months of

pregnancy. This is essentially a religious function, followed by

Valai Kappu for the girl; all the lady friends and relative will

adore the girl with lots of colorful bangles and other decorations.

The essence of seemantham is to welcome a noble and pious soul in the

pregnancy, and also prayers to the Lord for the safe delivery of an

intelligent offspring without any deformity. After the celebrations,

their parents took the girl to their home, according to customs, to

be taken care of, till the delivery was over.

 

The date expected by the doctors for delivery had come and gone. And

yet there were no symptoms of any labor pains. One day by late

evening, our in-laws came to our house with Vijaya. They looked

greatly anxious and concerned. They told us that, after waiting for

several days, they had taken the daughter to a specialist doctor. A

complete check up and scanning was also done. To their surprise, the

doctors found that the size of the baby was quite large, and they

estimated the weight to be somewhere around 13 pounds, almost double

the weight of a normal child in advanced pregnancy. The doctors had

some reservation about the safety of the mother in the normal

delivery, and suggested immediate operation to take out the child.

The parents had come to us, directly from the doctor, as they wanted

to consult us before any action was taken.

 

Patiently I heard their reports, and requested them to be cool and

not to worry. They could do anything they wanted. But I suggested and

requested that one more day be given to our Swami, Sri Sai Baba, and

after that they could their own decision. It was late in the night

and yet I proceeded to the telegraph office with my son, and sent an

express telegram to Swami. I tried to explain the situation in a

nutshell and prayed that Swami should take control of the situation.

The second day after this prayer was made, our in-laws decided in

favour of cesarean operation; a baby boy of normal health was born.

There was surprise for the doctors and the parents. The child was

weighing normal, about 6+pounds only, where as the scanning

projected double the weight. Whatever others would have thought, I

firmly believed that Swami by His merciful Grace had intervened to

bring down the weight of the child to the normal one. The boy was

born on an auspicious day, having the birth star of SWATHI. The

scholars had analyzed the horoscope of the child and opined that the

timing was very appropriate and beneficial for the child. This child

is now about 5 year old. They have got another male child too during

the last year. An important coincidence is that this child was also

born on the birth star of SWATHI! (Another update: The children are

now aged 9 years and 5 years respectively.)

 

We firmly believe that our own elder son is a gift from Swami. He

looks after him and all that happens to him is only Sai's Grace. He

guides, protects and looks after the entire family and we are only

His dear Children.

 

We are striving our best to live the life as shown by HIM and to

retain His Grace all along our journey, till He wills us to be in the

earth. We do not wish to have another birth and if at all we have to

be born again, it is our earnest prayers that we should then live

again during the period of Prema Sai and be with HIM and serve HIM to

the best of our ability.

 

My Brother Late Sri Sanakra Mani (alias V.S. Mani) had left behind a

small piece of paper wherein he had inscribed the following matter.

Since his feelings almost echo the advice of our beloved Sai, I

thought I should give it a place in this Book, which had been

dedicated to His memory.

 

Srinivasan

 

THE KNOWLEDGE

 

According to Brahma - Samhita, there are two ways of acquiring

Knowledge - the ascending process and the descending process.

The ascending process elevates one elevated by knowledge, acquired by

himself. In this way, one thinks, "I do not care for any authority or

authorities or books. I will attain Knowledge by meditation,

philosophy etc.,. In this way I will understand God".

 

The other process, the descending process involves receiving

Knowledge from higher authorities. Brahma Samhita states that if one

takes to the ascending process and travels at the speed of Mind, and

wind for millions of years, he will still end up 'not knowing'! For

him the subject matter will remain elusive and inconceivable.

But this subject matter is also given in Bhagavad Gita: Krishna says

to meditate on Him without deviation from the path of devotional

service, in submission. For one who worships ME, (in total surrender)

in this way, --'Tasyaham sulabha". "I become easily available", this

process. If one works for Bhagawan 24 hours a day, Swami cannot

forget him. By becoming submissive, he will certainly attract the

attention of God!

Sankara (Mani)

 

Dear Readers,

 

At this stage, I take leave of you. I had made my prayers in the

beginning pages. I had also made my submissions to our dear Lord in

the concluding chapter.

 

'I do not know what is in store for me during the remaining period of

my life in this birth. He is the Director and I am only trying to

play my part to the best of my ability, as directed by Him. I am well

aware of the rigid disciplines and deep-rooted devotion, which He

expects from us. I shall pray to Him to forgive me, if, at any time,

by mistake, I am to deviate from His expectations. He is Karuna

murthi and l am sure He will guide me though the right path, as

chosen by Him. Somewhere, later in final stages of my life, I may get

a chance to share with you some more of my experiences of His Divine

Mercy that may unfold. Or, by any chance, if the call comes, and He

takes me unto Him, then this should be my Goodbye to all my dear

readers.

 

CONCLUDED

 

Sent with Sai love from Sai brothers

/

 

Bombay Srinivasan

E-Mail: "Venkatachalam Srinivasan" <vsvasan99

Telephone: Mobile: 9382685217

Residence: 91-44-24837093