Guest guest Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Devotee Swami Kesavaiahji It is the purpose of this article to focus attention on the essentials and the barest minimum that any devotee should learn to enter into this noble path of spirituality, the highest aspiration of mankind. He alone is an exclusive devotee, who is never shaken from the belief that he is a servant, and the entire creation is a manifestation of God. It is not easy to give up attachment to worldly things and shake off the feeling of " I " . It is true " I " and " mine” are the results of ignorance. The right attitude born of knowledge is that God is the Master and all things belong to him. Till we get this attitude, let us cherish the idea that we are God's servants and His devotees. Even this implies a trace of ego and as shown in the following example, this will disappear with the knowledge of truth. Once Rama asked Hanuman, " How do you look on Me? " And Hanuman replied, " O Rama, as long as I have the feeling of " I " , I see that Thou art the whole and I am a part; Thou art the Master and I am Thy servant. But when, O Rama, I have the knowledge of truth, then I realise that Thou art I, and I am Thou”. Thus, the first step in the life of a devotee is humility. Self-surrender marks the next step of a devotee. A devotee has to surrender himself wholly and exclusively to God, including his five senses. Then he becomes a personal servant of God. The entire responsibility for his maintenance and protection is taken up by the Lord. As said in Bhagavadgita " O Arjuna, take refuge in me. I shall deliver you from all sin''. Did not Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi say " Cast all your burdens on me and I shall bear them " Then, the devotee becomes free from sin and misery because all his actions are performed as a divine duty without a thought for the result. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advised his devotees to surrender themselves completely to God setting aside the three veils - shame, hatred and fear, which hide God from us. Surrendering his body, heart and mind family, wealth, possessions, desires, cravings and in fact every other thing at the feet of God; the devotee is freed from the shackles’ of anxiety and worry. He sees God in everything and everything in God; loves all beings in the Universe as manifestations of God. All his works become God's works. All his thoughts, words and deeds are centered in God. Thus the natural results of this self surrender are intense devotion towards God and love towards all beings in the Universe. Such a devotee has no disappointment in life and has no fear for death. He rises above the pairs of opposites and gains an equanimity and poise which distinguishes him as the flower of humanity. He lives in the world unattached like a maid servant in a rich man's house. (to be contd…..) Swami Kesavaiahji Madras Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine May 1979 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Devotee Swami Kesavaiahji It is the purpose of this article to focus attention on the essentials and the barest minimum that any devotee should learn to enter into this noble path of spirituality, the highest aspiration of mankind. He alone is an exclusive devotee, who is never shaken from the belief that he is a servant, and the entire creation is a manifestation of God. It is not easy to give up attachment to worldly things and shake off the feeling of " I " . It is true " I " and " mine” are the results of ignorance. The right attitude born of knowledge is that God is the Master and all things belong to him. Till we get this attitude, let us cherish the idea that we are God's servants and His devotees. Even this implies a trace of ego and as shown in the following example, this will disappear with the knowledge of truth. Once Rama asked Hanuman, " How do you look on Me? " And Hanuman replied, " O Rama, as long as I have the feeling of " I " , I see that Thou art the whole and I am a part; Thou art the Master and I am Thy servant. But when, O Rama, I have the knowledge of truth, then I realise that Thou art I, and I am Thou”. Thus, the first step in the life of a devotee is humility. Self-surrender marks the next step of a devotee. A devotee has to surrender himself wholly and exclusively to God, including his five senses. Then he becomes a personal servant of God. The entire responsibility for his maintenance and protection is taken up by the Lord. As said in Bhagavadgita " O Arjuna, take refuge in me. I shall deliver you from all sin''. Did not Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi say " Cast all your burdens on me and I shall bear them " Then, the devotee becomes free from sin and misery because all his actions are performed as a divine duty without a thought for the result. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advised his devotees to surrender themselves completely to God setting aside the three veils - shame, hatred and fear, which hide God from us. Surrendering his body, heart and mind family, wealth, possessions, desires, cravings and in fact every other thing at the feet of God; the devotee is freed from the shackles’ of anxiety and worry. He sees God in everything and everything in God; loves all beings in the Universe as manifestations of God. All his works become God's works. All his thoughts, words and deeds are centered in God. Thus the natural results of this self surrender are intense devotion towards God and love towards all beings in the Universe. Such a devotee has no disappointment in life and has no fear for death. He rises above the pairs of opposites and gains an equanimity and poise which distinguishes him as the flower of humanity. He lives in the world unattached like a maid servant in a rich man's house. (to be contd…..) Swami Kesavaiahji Madras Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine May 1979 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Om Sai Ram: I am from Chennai in India and the Baba temple thats nearest to my house is that of the Shenoy Nagar temple, which was constructed by Swamiji, and his samadhi is also located within the temple premises. Though I have not seen Swami Kesavaiahji, I have heard lots of great things about this humble and simple man. He was a staunch baba devotee and was solely responsible for creating baba awareness in my area. It is this temple that gave the first glimpse of baba, and I am here today after 10 yrs loving baba more and more as days pass by. Thank you very much for helping people know about Swamiji who has done remarkable service for baba. Baba bless us all, Ram Halifax, CanadaSaileelas <saileelas wrote: Devotee Swami Kesavaiahji It is the purpose of this article to focus attention on the essentials and the barest minimum that any devotee should learn to enter into this noble path of spirituality, the highest aspiration of mankind. He alone is an exclusive devotee, who is never shaken from the belief that he is a servant, and the entire creation is a manifestation of God. It is not easy to give up attachment to worldly things and shake off the feeling of "I". It is true "I" and "mine” are the results of ignorance. The right attitude born of knowledge is that God is the Master and all things belong to him. Till we get this attitude, let us cherish the idea that we are God's servants and His devotees. Even this implies a trace of ego and as shown in the following example, this will disappear with the knowledge of truth. Once Rama asked Hanuman, "How do you look on Me?" And Hanuman replied, "O Rama, as long as I have the feeling of "I", I see that Thou art the whole and I am a part; Thou art the Master and I am Thy servant. But when, O Rama, I have the knowledge of truth, then I realise that Thou art I, and I am Thou”. Thus, the first step in the life of a devotee is humility. Self-surrender marks the next step of a devotee. A devotee has to surrender himself wholly and exclusively to God, including his five senses. Then he becomes a personal servant of God. The entire responsibility for his maintenance and protection is taken up by the Lord. As said in Bhagavadgita "O Arjuna, take refuge in me. I shall deliver you from all sin''. Did not Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi say "Cast all your burdens on me and I shall bear them" Then, the devotee becomes free from sin and misery because all his actions are performed as a divine duty without a thought for the result. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advised his devotees to surrender themselves completely to God setting aside the three veils - shame, hatred and fear, which hide God from us. Surrendering his body, heart and mind family, wealth, possessions, desires, cravings and in fact every other thing at the feet of God; the devotee is freed from the shackles’ of anxiety and worry. He sees God in everything and everything in God; loves all beings in the Universe as manifestations of God. All his works become God's works. All his thoughts, words and deeds are centered in God. Thus the natural results of this self surrender are intense devotion towards God and love towards all beings in the Universe. Such a devotee has no disappointment in life and has no fear for death. He rises above the pairs of opposites and gains an equanimity and poise which distinguishes him as the flower of humanity. He lives in the world unattached like a maid servant in a rich man's house. (to be contd…..) Swami Kesavaiahji Madras Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine May 1979 May you be healthy, happy, wealthy and wise. Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Sairam Ram Ji, What you have said about swamiji is absolutely true, Swami Kesavaiahji along with Sri Narasimha swamiji are responsible for creating Saibaba awareness in southern part of india, I am fortunate to have read the life history of Swami Kesavaiahji way back in 1999. its very strange the way these saints walk in to your life , one evening i was walking on a busy street and saw a book vendor selling some books along the foot path and i saw a book which had shirdi saibaba's picture on it. but when i opened it i found the book was not the life history of saibaba but it was the life history of Swami Kesavaiahji after i read the book i was keen to visit the " Sai Nilayam " Shenoy Nagar where Swami ji performed special worship on every thursday, which is attended by Thousands of devotees. last time i visit chennai i made it my priority to visit this temple and was elated by the peace and warmth i found in the temple. If you want to know more about Swami Kesavaiahji please read it below. To understand Sri Sai Baba is easy only for his devotees. One can read sri Sai Satcharitra writeen during the life time of sri sai baba and understand Saibaba to an extent. Without reading Sai Satcharitra and without hearing the leelas of sri sai baba from anybody the great devotee who realised Sri Sai Baba on 1-7-1939 in a few hours after merely hearing the name of Sri Sai Baba is Swami Kesavaiahji. Swamiji was born at the end of the nineteenth century. His father Sri Swami Balaiah was a ryot and a devout hindu. A peculiarly religious temper seems to have taken powerful hold of Swamiji's mind, and it continued as the ruling principle throughtout his life. He preferred charity to the breaking of coconut in the temple. In his school days he stood first in the bible classes and had a vision of jesus christ. He learnt the koran and had a vision of prophet Mohammed. He met mystics like sadhu sunder singh. Though a non-believer in temple worship and Idolatory,he had the unique privilege of being blessed by lord Muruga at Palani, where he was advised to go on a pilgrimage, after his daughter was cured. His commonsense was strong and his power of observation was keen. Sooth-sayers predicted his sainthood. Swamiji began his life as clerk in the registration department in the composite state of madras. Very soon, he was a sub-registrar and earned for himself a good name. He was sympathetic to the poor and people described him as a "saint sub-registrar". His superiors recognised his worth and paid encomiums and credited him with the coveted red entries, six times. He was a kind hearted house-holder, honest and hardworking officer coupled with integrity and character. Wonderful was the grace and kindness of Sri Sai Baba for he drew the devotees to him, or how else Sri Swami Kesavaiahji, the working at Dharmavaram would know him? By the grace of Sri Sai Baba he became a " Kripa Siddha ", Overnight , on 1-7-1939. Then he was ready to diffuse and preach the teachings of his master to the humanity. All the "Siddhis" were at his command. He neither practised nor craved for them. They flowed in profusely naturally by the grace of Sri Sai Baba. He never made a show of his worth. If anybody went to see him, to have his Darshan, he sometimes even without being asked, would give very liberally his spiritual wealth, just as the sacred Ganga flowing from the matted locks of lord Shiva, sanctified the Indian soil. Swamiji's puja's of Sri Sai Baba on thursdays, at penukonda, attracted many. Sri s. Subba rao, pleader, gooty, wrote in " Sai Leela Masik" for april, may, june 1943, about swamiji that "he has acquired marvellous powers by baba's grace. He foretells events with mathematical accuracy, cures diseases by mere touch and transfers the sick people's diseases to himself. In addition to daily worship, he performs special worship on every thursday, which is attended by hundreds of persons. As soon as devotees enter the puja room, his look at baba's picture, tells him the grievances for which they have to him, together with necessary remedies for the same. When he speaks to them in worship room, he is not conscious of himself as baba is in him. He does not do anything without baba's permission. In puja, swamiji gave baba’s udhi, ( sacred ash got from shirdi), as prasad, which was gratefully received by the devotees and acknowledged as a panacea for all ills and woes which afflict mankind. In the year 1945, late sri B.V.Narasimha swami observed that "numerous instances are found in the pages of "Sai Sudha" evidencing the wonderful accuracy of several of sri S.B. Kesavaiah’s predictions. If they were all invariably true, one would begin to identify him with Sri Sai Baba. Sri S.B Kesavaiah is frank enough to admit that a few powers (within limits) do not make him a sai. We must applaud him for his humility, candour and truthfulness." If devotees are not able to go to him, and write letters to him about their ailments and wordly worries he places them in front of baba's picture during the time of worship and gets correct answers by a mere look at baba's picture, and promptly sends replies. Baba talks to him through the picture, through dreams and in a variety of ways and helps him always to do humanitarian work without prejudice to his official duties. Within a short period of about 16 months, he has received about not less than 2000 letters each of which has beeb promptly and correctly answered. Many persons coming or writing from distant places like madras. Bangalore, Mangalore, Calcutta, Ceylon, Japan And Burma had their desires gratified and miseries removed". Swamiji often said that, "Even if I take 128 births more, I cannot become Sri Sai Baba. I am only His devotee. I visited Shirdi 73 times. The joy I had experienced is beyond words. It is difficult to understand Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. All saints are one. Service to sufferings humanity is Baba’s Dharma. He taught catholicity of religion. Everyone should serve and help others to his capacity. It is only the good we do, that accompanies our souls. Hatred and jealousy should be forbidden. Honesty and truthfulness are a must. God recedes from those who are dishonest and untruthful. Character and truth are essential. Truth and righteousness alone save us. The ignorant youth is running away from religious and moral discipline because he gets no religious education either at home or at school to mould his character. Now-a-days science and politics are considered to be the ‘Be all and end all’ of man life. The responsibility to teach their children, the devotion to god, reverence to one’s guru, obedience to their elders and to make them speak truth always is on the mothers.’ Throughout his life he was known for his strict discipline. At the same time he had deep compassion for poor and always insisted on helping the down-trodden and chanting of "Sairam" or any name of the God at least for few minutes in a day. Whenever he went he set up Samjams and mandirs for Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. He always stressed that people should be honest in their word, deed and thought. He emphasized the need for spirituality for orderly material progress. In his discourses, he always appealed to the womenfolk to bring up their children as model citizens. Swamiji was a Godman with a difference. He never claimed himself to be a Baba. On the other hand, he firmly believed that no one, however great he might be, could become Sai Baba. There is not another Ramadas. There is not another Raghavendra Swamy and there is not another Ramakrishna Paramahansa. he used to say. He was not a scholar in the worldly sense; but his words were pregnant with philosophical truths and spirituality. He was not a great orator; but his speeches were charged with devotion and sincerity and attracted huge audiences wherever he went. Although he is not seen now in his mortal form, his spirit remains immortal for the service of mankind. It pervades this universe and continues to guide the destinies of many of Sai devotees, who surrender to him heart and soul. This was his promise and prophecy. He was a saint of highest order, He was an embodiment of love, service, compassion and simplicity. He was a brilliant meteor which shone on the spiritual firmament of India in this century. Such pious souls very rarely appear on this wordly scene to remind us of higher values of life and to turn erring mankind to the right path. He is survived by a son and two daughters. It was at about 6-10 p.m., the sun had set on 9th August 1981 Sunday, Sravana Suddha, Dasami. He asked for Udhi. Took it, applied to his forehead and swallowed, said "Allah Malik" and closed his eyes, sitting. After 10 minutes he ws made to rest on the bed. At about 6-28 p.m. the sage of Shenoy Nagar left his mortal coils. Glory to Sri Sai Baba and glory to the hallowed memory of his chosen devotee Sri Swami Kesavaiahji. Re: FW: Devotee - Swami Kesavaiahji Posted by: "Ram S Annamalai" good_engr Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:22 am (PST) Om Sai Ram: I am from Chennai in India and the Baba temple thats nearest to my house is that of the Shenoy Nagar temple, which was constructed by Swamiji, and his samadhi is also located within the temple premises. Though I have not seen Swami Kesavaiahji, I have heard lots of great things about this humble and simple man. He was a staunch baba devotee and was solely responsible for creating baba awareness in my area. It is this temple that gave the first glimpse of baba, and I am here today after 10 yrs loving baba more and more as days pass by. Thank you very much for helping people know about Swamiji who has done remarkable service for baba. Baba bless us all, Ram Halifax, Canada Saileelas <saileelas@saileelas .org> wrote: Devotee Swami Kesavaiahji It is the purpose of this article to focus attention on the essentials and the barest minimum that any devotee should learn to enter into this noble path of spirituality, the highest aspiration of mankind. He alone is an exclusive devotee, who is never shaken from the belief that he is a servant, and the entire creation is a mani & shy;festation of God. It is not easy to give up attachment to worldly things and shake off the feeling of "I". It is true "I" and "mine” are the results of ignorance. The right attitude born of knowledge is that God is the Master and all things belong to him. Till we get this attitude, let us cherish the idea that we are God's servants and His devotees. Even this implies a trace of ego and as shown in the following example, this will disappear with the knowledge of truth. Once Rama asked Hanuman, "How do you look on Me?" And Hanuman replied, "O Rama, as long as I have the feeling of "I", I see that Thou art the whole and I am a part; Thou art the Master and I am Thy servant. But when, O Rama, I have the knowledge of truth, then I realise that Thou art I, and I am Thou”. Thus, the first step in the life of a devotee is humility. Self-surrender marks the next step of a devotee. A devotee has to surrender himself wholly and exclusively to God, including his five senses. Then he becomes a personal servant of God. The entire responsibility for his maintenance and protection is taken up by the Lord. As said in Bhagavadgita "O Arjuna, take refuge in me. I shall deliver you from all sin''. Did not Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi say "Cast all your burdens on me and I shall bear them" Then, the devotee becomes free from sin and misery because all his actions are performed as a divine duty without a thought for the result. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advised his devotees to surrender themselves completely to God setting aside the three veils - shame, hatred and fear, which hide God from us. Surren & shy;dering his body, heart and mind family, wealth, possessions, desires, cravings and in fact every other thing at the feet of God; the devotee is freed from the shackles’ of anxiety and worry. He sees God in everything and everything in God; loves all beings in the Universe as manifestations of God. All his works become God's works. All his thoughts, words and deeds are centered in God. Thus the natural results of this self surrender are intense devotion towards God and love towards all beings in the Universe. Such a devotee has no disappointment in life and has no fear for death. He rises above the pairs of opposites and gains an equanimity and poise which distinguishes him as the flower of humanity. He lives in the world unattached like a maid servant in a rich man's house. (to be contd…..) Swami Kesavaiahji Madras Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine May 1979 http://groups.msn.com/ Answers - Get better answers from someone who knows. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.