KANSAI LIGHT APRIL ISSUE

[Guest guest]

KANSAI LIGHT APRIL ISSUE News letter of Sri Sathya Sai Sai Organization, Japan address: I.S.S, 2nd Fl, 1-3, Kumochi 5-Chome Chuo-Ku, Kobe Tel: 078-222-1885 Email: rgcjp April 2007 Sai Inspires - APRIL 2007 Man should achieve physical health, mental satisfaction and Atmic bliss (bliss of the

self). Man’s life is combination of the body, mind and Atma (spirit). The body performs actions, the mind enquires and the Atma remains a witness. These three are essential for the human life to blossom. - Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol.XXXII., Part.I, P.128. It is only when the body, the mind and the spirit are in harmony that peace will prevail. - Baba THE LORD OF THE HEART By Dr. John Hislop

This is the transcript of a talk by Dr John Hislop delivered at Dharmakshetra, Mumbai on Jan 1, 1971, which was subsequently published in the February 1971 issue of Sanathana Sarathi. We bring this special article from the archives of Sanathana Sarathi to celebrate the golden jubilee year of this hallowed magazine. When Baba sent word that I was to make some remarks at this great New Year's gathering of Sathya Sai Devotees, the thought occurred to me was that if I were to speak with all the truth that I could muster; there was only one topic on which I could speak. And, that topic is personal in its reference, not general. It

is: What does Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba mean to me, to this mind and body, educated and cultured in a foreign country and also, what does He mean to that subtler aspect of me, which is without nationality? Hearts Spring with Love Swami with John Hislop My wife and I first heard of Swamiji in 1968, through a description of Him as given to a friend of mine by a lady who had visited Prasanthi Nilayam. This lady had brought back some sacred Vibhuti, a beautiful ring as a gift to her from the miraculous nature of Baba and she had many fascinating stories to tell. But one special remark struck fire to my mind and imagination. The lady said that she had felt a change in her character, while at Prasanthi Nilayam, and that change persisted even after returning home. This statement really struck my mind with the impact of a great storm. Could there be a man, was there a man living today, whose art was so subtle, so powerful, so mysterious; so divine, that he could change the human heart. If it were indeed true that such a man lived in today's world, then nothing else in my life could equal the urgency of seeking Him out, prostrating myself at His Feet, and praying that through His Grace, He would be so kind as to cultivate my dry heart with His Divine Power so that my heart might open into fresh life as the dry fields become alive and vibrant with the spring rain. My wife and I heard the story of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on a Monday and that same week we were abroad a plane to India. I should not imply that my faith was able to keep up with the eager rush of my heart to the Lord. After all, my mind was educated in the cold scientific methodology of a Western University and then, cultured in the profit climate of the business world. Moreover, I had disappointing experiences with various spiritual preceptors. However, my intellectual doubts which had gained considerable strength during the journey were unable to survive even the first meeting with Swamiji. In His Divine Presence, how can doubt maintain itself? In His Presence, doubt is like very shallow water in the burning sun - in no time at all, it disappeared. As my wife and I sat before Swamiji at Prasanthi Nilayam, in the room reserved for meetings with inquirers, we soon realised that the elegant and charming Indian gentleman speaking with us was unmistakably something far more than that. We listened to His sweet voice, felt the warmth of His loving smile, noted the impression of irresistible power conveyed by the cast of His features, looked as deeply as we dared into His eyes - now soft, now flashing. But, beneath these surface impressions, our awareness was deepening, we became conscious that a state of love and affection now

existed in the room. In my heart, there arose a movement, a new feeling, a joy so intense that tears came from my eyes. So to me, first of all, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is the Lord of the heart, He who is able so quickly to remove all the hardness accumulated in the years and make the heart fresh again, new again, joyful again. The Mystery of His Divinity Then, the next aspect of Baba that strikes me with real force is the overwhelming and incomprehensible mystery of His Divinity. There appears to be a man, but, even a dullard can see that Baba is not a man. One looks at Him and sees the blue perfect calm of the deep sky. One tries to define His Form but can see only space. The only thing certain about Him is that He loves us - otherwise, to predict Him or define Him is like trying to capture the wind, or the silver of the moonlight. Even the stories we read of the Avatar are just other futile attempts to define Swamiji. It is said that the Supreme and Only Being wills to take Form as an object within that world of Maya created by Himself and that,

there He plays a human role without in any way compromising His Total Subjectivity. Out of such words, reason may satisfy itself, constructing some framework of meaning. But, that meaning can only be relative, whereas Baba is not relative. So, if we are honest about it, we end up where we started ­facing a Divine Mystery that is incomprehensible. The Divine Teacher The third aspect of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba which has a tremendous importance for me, is Baba as the Supreme Teacher of men, He who guides us to, liberation - to re­union with Him. Each word that He speaks carries a lesson intended for our benefit. Certain basic principles are repeated by Baba again and again. Perhaps

these basic principles could be sum­marised into seven cardinal points:- No. I. Be happy. Bliss is God's Nature expressed in the Individual and happiness is also our social duty. Simple happiness rooted in good becomes value to every one around us. No. 2. Feel always that

you are Divine. There is One Only. We are not different from that One. No. 3. Let thought, word and action flow from that Divine which is one's essential nature. How happy we feel when we engage in noble action, and how miserable when our action is petty or hateful! No. 4. Behave to others with the same kindness that we use to ourselves, because at some subtle level of our being, I am you and you are me - we are not two, opposing forces. No. 5. Awake with love, fill the day with love, end the day with love. It is not that we should feel love. In truth, we are love. As man, we are just appearance. In truth, each one of us is a flame of love, dancing in ecstasy against the background of the Lord's Maya. No. 6. Love God with all your heart. Trust Him completely. Abandon your will and your life to Him. He is the only refuge. Even though pain and death be our lot, only in God may we find refuge. No. 7. Let the mind be alert, always to penetrate appearance, and uncover Reality. Let the mind never be caught up in appearance, but let it be engaged always in ceaseless enquiry: Who am I? What is my real nature? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Where and what is my home? This summary of the seven cardinal points of Swamiji's Teachings is just as it appears to my mind, which is severely limited. Today we have the great joy of being able to hear the Truth from the unlimited, from the Lord Himself, from our beloved Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. ================================================= Why fear when I am near Experience Maj.Gen.(Retd) S.P. Mahadevan retired from India’s Armed

forces after a long distinguished service and was awarded AVSM for his outstanding services. =============================================== In 1973, I was lucky to receive a silver ring materialized by Baba while He was traveling with me in a military staff car on the way to Wellington Barracks in Nilgiris district to bless soldiers of the Madras

Regimental Center and their families. Later in 1974 during an interview graciously granted to me and my wife in Brindavan, Bhagavan declared “Why fear When I am near.” I had read about His earlier saying “Why fear When I am here”, but His statement “Why fear when I am near” turned put to be more direct divine assurance for a military man like me. At that time I was General Officer Commending of Mountain Division in the snow covered area of Ladakh facing the Chinese on one side and the Pakistan on other

side. I had my usual quota of anxiety, worries, problems , and fear about the hostile weather, inhospitable terrain and the adverse aggressive actions which either the Chinese or the Pakistanis or both could launch without notice. Armed with Baba’s, assurance I was able to ensure the security, sovereign and territorial integrity of our motherly and during my tenure of 3 years in that in the land of sub-zero temperature in spite of numerous ceasefire violations by Pakistan army and many intrusions by armed Chinese

patrol. In Treta Yoga, Lord Rama kept His word given to Sugriva and Vibhishana. In Dwapara Yuga, Lord Krishna kept His word given to the Pandavas. Similarly in Kali yuga, Lord Sai had been keeping His word given to an ordinary devotee like me. When I suffered a heart attack on 24Th April 1986 during my visit to Hyderabad. Lord Sai as “Apadhbandhava” not only saved me by responding immediately to my wife’s prayer but also mentioned to some devotees in Prashanhi Nilayam on the same day that I had suffered a heart attack and that He had saved me. In addition, in His infinite mercy. He had sent me through theAndhara Trust Convener, who had gone to Prashanthi Nilayam,

the Divine Vibhuthi Prasad, a basket of citrus fruits and also a letter full of His love, compassion and blessings saying “Don’t worry, I am with you and around you guiding you and guarding you.” Later, on 18Th July 1986 Bhagavan gave me a pleasant surprise by coming all the way to Madras unannounced just to bless me and my wife. Whenever I prayed to Him sincerely with full faith in Him, He responded promptly and saved me from dangers, difficulties and near death situation. Once in a helicopter crash over Kardungla pass in 1974, in snow –Avalanche

in 1975, in head-on car collision in 1982 and also during Bangladesh operation. When I wanted resign in 1983 as Charmian Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, being very unhappy and agitated due to the political pressure exerted on me by Ministers, MIPS and MLAs for selecting their candidates. Bhagavan counsel led me not to resign and gave me very valuable advice.”You need not oblige all the time, but you can always speak obligingly.”This golden advice stood me well during my full six years tenure as chairman of TNPSC.

In December 1977, He saved my youngest son who is an officer in Indian Navy from a scooter accident, in June 1985 He saved my second son who is pilot in the Air Force from an air crash north of Hyderabad, and in 1980, He saved my eldest son who is an Army Officer from bullets during internal security duties. My wife who is Sai devotee does not take medicines except Vibhuti given by Swami.On many occasions I have received in person during interview or listening to His Divine discourse or during His appearances in dreams or hearing His words directed towards somebody else sitting nearby. Time again Swami had made me realize by His mysterious ways that He is omnipresent, omnipotent and Omniscient, knowing all about all our past, present and future and also that He is always residing in our hearts. We are lucky or to be contemporaries of the Sai Avatar. Let us pray to this “Living God” who is also the” Loving God”to bless us all. In Tune with the

Divine - Incredible Experiences Of Santoor Maestro pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma A Skeptical Musician Shiv Kumar Sharma I first came to know of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba from my family doctor, Dr. M.L. Shukla, in 1968. Initially, I was a bit skeptical about Baba's miraculous powers and I used to have arguments with Dr. Shukla. In those days, Bhagavan Baba used to visit Mumbai twice a year and used to stay at Dharmakshetra, Andheri. One day, Dr. Shukla told me to stop these arguments and invited me to Dharmakshetra to have the Darshan of Bhagavan. Both of us went to Dharmakshetra. I had carried my instrument (Santoor) in the car, just in case I was called upon to play there. There were thousands of men and women of all age groups there, sitting and

waiting for Swami to come. We too sat there, waiting, but Baba had been held up somewhere else. After waiting for more than an hour, we had to leave as I had some other engagement that evening. After a few days, Dr. Shukla asked me again to accompany him to the residence of a devotee of Baba, where there was a constant manifestation of Vibhuthi from Baba's photograph. Here, I would like to mention that, in those days, I was still struggling very hard to establish my instrument (Santoor) in the classical field and it was a real challenge in my life. Dr. Shukla was a fatherly figure to me and was very keen that I get Bhagavan's blessings. The First Miracle We went to Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai, where this devotee of Baba lived. I saw a big framed photograph of Baba there, completely covered with Vibhuthi. In our presence this man wiped away the entire Vibhuthi and collected it in a small container. I sat in front of Baba's photograph and started playing my santoor. After an hour or so, when I had

finished playing, I got up and went closer to Baba's photograph. To my astonishment, the entire glass frame of the photograph was fully covered by Vibhuthi! I could not believe my eyes, but what I saw was a fact. This was my first indirect experience of Baba. After a year, when Baba again visited Mumbai, I received an invitation to visit Dharmakshetra and play my santoor in a special programme. I believe this was again organized by the efforts of Dr. Shukla who knew some people at Dharmakshetra. The programme took place inside a room, where Baba stays when He comes to Mumbai. There were a selected number of people; amongst them were Manoj Kumar, a film actor and director, Mahendra Kapoor, a playback singer and many others. I performed first, followed by Mahendra Kapoor's song, and then a few other musicians

performed. After the programme, Swami talked to different people; I was sitting there watching and listening. In the end, Baba spoke to me. He said, ''I liked your playing, I want to speak to you, come tomorrow morning.'' Next morning I was not free, but before I could say anything, Baba again said, ''Tomorrow you are not free, but day after you are free, so come the day after.'' I could not believe it; He was reading my mind. I said, ''Yes Baba, I will come the day after'' to which He replied, ''Bring your wife also with you.'' ‘My Home is in Your Heart’ - Baba My wife Manorama and I reached Dharmakshetra early in the appointed day. After the Bhajan and Darshan, we were asked to go up to His residence and wait there. After a

while, Baba called us inside His room. We were sitting in front of Baba with no one else in the room. Baba started talking! He told us everything about our lives, about my career, my struggle, the difficulties I was facing and then, He blessed us. Then, suddenly Baba asked, ''What do you want?'' I said, ''Baba! I just want your blessings.'' Immediately, my wife said, ''Baba, give him something." With a wave of his hand Baba materialized a ring with a golden bust of Baba embossed on it. He put the ring on my finger and said, ''From today, this is your home; come to Me any time you want and My home is in your heart.'' I cannot express in words the feelings I experienced at that moment. It was love personified in the form of Baba, the kind of love that I had never experienced before. We came out of that room quite dazed with that experience. From then onwards, a new chapter began in my life; I had many experiences of Baba's omnipresence, and above all, His divine love which He always showered on us like a Divine Mother. After Baba gave me the ring, occasionally people would ask me, ''After getting this ring, have you experienced a change for the better in your life?'' One night, when I was visiting Jammu, my birthplace, before going to bed I told myself, ‘‘Actually

speaking, there is not much change in my life.'' With this thought, I went to bed. In the morning, when I woke up, I touched the ring to my forehead, and my eyes, as I used to do every morning. To my dismay and shock, I noticed that the golden bust of Baba was missing from the ring. Naturally, I was very upset. Since I was sleeping on the terrace of my house, I started searching for the missing bust of Baba in my bed, under the cot and all over the terrace, but, it was not found anywhere. Suddenly, I realized that, because of my doubtful thoughts, this had happened. Thoroughly disappointed and dejected, I kept standing near the wall of the terrace. After a while, I looked down at the parapet and I could see some shining object there. It was Baba's golden bust! By no means was it possible that while I was sleeping in the middle of the terrace, the golden bust of Baba that I had seen before going to sleep could have come off my ring and landed on the parapet. I retrieved the golden bust from the parapet with great difficulty and tried to fix it back on the ring, but it did not work. I kept it with the ring in a small silver container and used to take it with me wherever I was traveling. In 1971, when I was in Sweden for some concerts, I saw Baba in my dream telling me, ''Why don't you put on that ring?'' When I woke up in the morning, I took out that silver container from my bag and tried once again to fix the golden bust on that ring with an adhesive. To my amazement this time it fixed! I came back to India after the concerts. A few months later, Baba came to Mumbai and I received a message that Baba would like me to play at Dhamakshetra next evening. I was very happy to have this invitation, but, the problem was that I had earlier already accepted a concert at Churchgate in Mumbai for that same evening and also, there was no tabla player available to accompany me. After a while, I got another message from Dharmakshetra, that Baba would like me to come even

late and to play without a tabla player. I was very happy. After finishing my concert at Churchgate, we directly drove to Dharmakshetra. Baba was sitting in the hall with some devotees and I played santoor without any tabla accompaniment. After I finished my performance, Baba asked the other devotees to leave. Now, only my wife, Dr. Shukla, my elder son Rohit, a couple of my friends and I were there. Baba asked, ''How was your tour abroad?'' I said, ''Baba, with your blessings the tour went off well, but my ring.... '' Before I could even finish the sentence, Baba said, “Yes, when you got that ring people started asking you questions. What benefit did you derive from this?" Although you believe in Baba, one day the doubt did come into your mind and the golden bust of Baba came off. Then Baba came in your dream one

day and told you to put it on and since then, the ring is fine. Now, what is the problem?" After speaking to us thus, Baba blessed us and we experienced the same Divine Motherly love once again. A Name Recited by the Divine On Bhagavan's 60th Birthday in 1985, I had the privilege of being invited to

give a Santoor recital. That evening's programme was taking place in the huge open area at the Hill View Stadium. The schedule of the programme was that I would give a performance on the Santoor first, followed by Baba's Discourse. But, in the evening, Baba changed the order. It was first Baba's Discourse and then my Santoor recital. I was very worried, thinking that after Baba's discourse, who would stay there for my programme? After the discourse, suddenly Baba said, ''Now Shiv Kumar Sharma will play Santoor, and he is a longtime devotee of Swami. So, if you want to experience divinity listen to his music, don't go.'' I was completely overwhelmed and tears started following from my eyes. I could not take it. I was unable to get up or move. I could not believe my ears, for in all these years Baba had never called me by my name. This was the first time I was hearing my name in the divine voice of Bhagavan. With great effort, I could get up and go on the stage. Emotionally I was in no position to play. Baba, who was already on the stage, put His arm lovingly on my shoulder. That had an electrifying effect on me and I became totally normal and started playing. After the concert, Baba materialized a diamond ring and put it on my finger. It is not possible to understand Baba's Leelas. I have also undergone a period where, for a few years, Baba did not pay any attention to me. He just gave me blessings from a distance and we had no conversations at all. Maybe Baba teaches us in this way so that we should not get attached to His physical form. But, He never leaves His devotees, wherever they may be. The Eternal

Guardian On November 13-14 in 1998, my son Rahul and I had gone to Dubai for a concert. My wife was also with us, along with Shafat Ahmed Khan, our tabla player. A day before the concert our hosts planned to take us for a sand dune safari. We left Dubai in two cars, my wife and I, accompanied by three other people, while my son Rahul, Shafat, our host, as well as a couple of people were in the Land Cruiser, a brand new car. The Land Cruiser was a few cars behind us as we made our way on the highway. After a couple of minutes there was a call on the mobile phone in our cars, asking us to go back. We drove back not knowing what had happened, till we arrived at a spot on the highway where the driver stopped the car. Then, we realized that the car in which my son Rahul and others were traveling, was lying upside down

in the middle of the highway and was totally smashed. There was an ambulance and a few police vehicles surrounding the smashed land cruiser. My wife had become hysterical and it was difficult to control her. Looking at the condition of the car, it was obvious that nobody would have survived. Suddenly, we saw Rahul standing on one side along with the other passengers. Later, we came to know that their car was traveling at 135 km/hour when one of the tyres burst. The driver tried his best to control the car, but it hit the railing on the side and flipped upside down and started spinning. Rahul, who was sitting next to the driver, shouted, "Baba.... Baba, Baba, Baba," while the car landed with a thud on its roof. For a few minutes, there were no vehicles coming from behind, as if somebody had stopped all of traffic. After a while, some cars came and stopped. The people helped the passengers out of the smashed car. Nobody could believe that all the passengers traveling in the car were unharmed through this entire ordeal. Some of them had little bruises, but Rahul, who was in the front seat was without any bruises! They were all taken to a doctor’s clinic in Dubai for a check up. As soon as they entered the clinic, they saw a big photograph of Baba smiling and looking at them! Baba gave the message that He had saved the lives of my son Rahul and all the other passengers. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma in Swami's immediate presence in Prasanthi Nilayam On 21 November, 1998, we went to Puttaparthi to attend Bhagavan's Birthday celebrations. The first day Baba did not talk to us. But on November 22, Baba came and asked me, "Where is son?" Rahul was sitting next to me and so I said, "Baba, he is here." Baba asked again, "Where is son?" Baba kept on repeating the same question.

Suddenly I realised and said, "Swami gave him a new life." Swami said, "Yes, I know," and then left. On the morning of November 24, during the interview, Swami narrated the entire episode, how the accident happened, how Rahul shouted ‘Baba... Baba, Baba, Baba,’ and Swami said, "That time somebody was sitting with Me here, and I told him Shiv Kumar's son has met with a very serious accident but he has been saved." “We Always Feel His Presence” Thirty years have passed since I had my first Darshan of Bhagavan Baba at Dharmakshetra, Mumbai in 1969 and had the opportunity of giving a Santoor recital in His presence. Since then, hundreds of Santoor recitals have been given in the presence of large audiences at several places in India and also abroad. Performing at Swami's 80th Birthday Celebrations By Baba's Grace, my son Rahul too had joined me in giving Santoor recitals with me in the Divine presence as well as at other places. We can count ourselves among the few fortunate ones, who have had the opportunity of giving vocal and instrumental music recitals in the presence of Baba at Prashanthi Nilayam, where the audience is in thousands belonging to various parts of India and several

other countries. Everywhere, in India and abroad, we have always felt the presence of Bhagavan Baba and His Grace and Blessings pouring on us in abundance. - Courtesy: “Baba Is God” "Prof Kasruri and his Story “Kasturi will dance now" .............................................................................................................. Once, during the summer course, when I was getting ready to inflict myself on the students, Swami introduced me saying, “Now Kasturi will dance!”

Yes, a dance, of course! When you are talking about Swami, you are bound to dance with joy! Once, I told Swami that I have been invited to speak in a certain place and asked for his permission Swami said, “Yes, go and dance!” I said “Swami, when I go there, I may also go to Calcutta.” “Swami said, Alright, dance there also!” Dance is joy. We

have the Dancing God, Nataraja, symbolizing that the whole creation is dancing! In every cell, in every atom, dance is going on! Vibration, wave, hardening into particle, matter. Swami said in one of his poems, Oh! That Telugu poem struck everyone! It was such a revelation of His personality! And what did He say? He said, “

I am the dance master. I am Nataraja, the prince of dancers. You all are my pupils. I only know the agony of teaching you each step of dance.” We are never in step! He has to teach us to dance. Dance is joy, bliss, and our nature. Swami says, “Anandaswarupullara” Ananda is our nature. That is why Swami told that lady to dance, to be happy. He told her, “Why are you worried? There is someone supervising your life, someone who is guiding you and guarding you and if He wills that you must be separated from your husband, let it happen. That is your karma. God’s will shape by your actions. It is your due, and you must be happy when you get your due. No quarrel” And when you can dance? Not when you are proceeding towards unreality, towards darkness, towards death. Turn your face away from these things. Turn not towards appreance, but towards reality, not towards darkness, but towards light, not towards death, but towards immortality. Once you change your direction and move towards your destination. Swami will be happy. “Ah! He has started, come on!” He will say. He will have the tune, and you can dance according to His instructions. He only knows the agony of teaching us dance. Having come to save us, and if we don’t want to be saved, having come in order to give us light, and if we are engaged in enjoying the trivial and the

temporary, and don’t want to learn even the first step in dance, He has agony. The Avatar has come on account of compassion, and if Compassion is not responded to, is not accepted, is not honored, is not revered, and is it not an agony? If I say, “Swami you are angry with me, and He has been angry with me many times, He says “No. I have no anger. I am only worried. I am only disappointed,” He wants us to help us, but we don’t want it. He wants to give us, but we don’t stretch our hands to receive. He wants us walk straight, but we enjoy stooping. That is agony of the teacher each step of dance. That is why He says; I only know the agony of teaching each step of dance. How can you dance if you carry heavy luggage? Be yourself. Then you can dance and have the music of His voice to train you in the dance. Aum Sai Ram Report from Bro. Sumitosan Kobe. ................................................................................................................................... The Veda seminar report of Kobe Sai Center .................................................................................................................................... The Veda seminar was held in Kobe Sai Center on 18th March Many devotees participated in this seminar. The teacher of this veda seminar was a Swami's colledage student Bro Sonu from India and now in KitaKyushu for reseach work.. We learned 3 suktams,namely,Ganapati prarthna,Mantra puspam,Purusa suktam. Our temple was filled with very powerful sound and holy vibrations.The Sound became more and more

powerfull. It seemed as if we were in puttaparthi chanting veda in front of Swami. We were filled with divine Love with his auora filling everyone who attended this program. The Temple was full with Sai Devotees . This program started from 11 a.m and went through 5 p.m . Brother Sonu ,Who was 8 years in Swami's colleague now working in some company came from Kitakyushu to teach us how to pronounce the words . Bro Makino from Tokyo also came to translate the Japanese . This program was a good success and all the devotees were so happy by learning We can see that many Japanese were chanting correctly . It was a wonderful secession. Swami's ways are different, no one can pridicts. He showers His Grace His Vision and His power and we are made heroes to Love God . If everyone tread this holy path, the Lord Himself will bestow on each all that is needed, all that is deserved and all that give peace of mind. Jai Sai Ram ............................................................................................................ The Small House A long, long, time ago there was a farmer named Mr. Cohen who lived with his wife and two daughters. The house was very small but very clean. Mr. Cohen did not have much land, but he was able to keep a few cows, sheep, a goat or two, some chickens,

a donkey and a horse. The donkey and horse were used to plough the land. His wife kept a small vegetable garden. Mr. Cohen was not rich, but the family always made enough money from selling milk, cheese, eggs, and vegetables. You would think that Mr. Cohen was content. However, Mr. Cohen's neighbour was very rich. He lived in a great big house with his wife and children and maids and servants. He had horses, but these horses were not working houses. They were only for riding. Mrs. Cohen was jealous of the neighbour’s large house, of the maids and servants, and of the horses that were only used for riding. She nagged Mr. Cohen constantly. She wanted a larger house, she wanted maids and servants, she wanted

fine horses which were only used for riding. With all this nagging, Mr. Cohen had no peace of mind. Mr. Cohen knew he couldn't afford a larger house, but he was tired of his wife's constant nagging. He decided to consult the Rabbi - the learned man of his village. "I am going to speak to our Rabbi," Mr. Cohen

told his wife. "Maybe he can come up with a way for us to get a larger house." So one evening after work he went up the hill to the Rabbi's home. "Good evening Rabbi," said Mr. Cohen. "Good evening, Mr. Cohen" said the Rabbi. "Can I help you with something?Yes," said Mr. Cohen. "Rabbi, as you know, we are not rich. We have a small house, which we are able to take care of with the small amount of money we receive from selling our crops, eggs and milk. But my wife is jealous of our neighbour’s wealth - of their larger house, maids, servants and riding horses. Day in and day out she nags me to get a larger house. But we can't afford a larger house. Rabbi, do you have any suggestions for what I can do to please

her?" The Rabbi thought for a few moments. Then he looked at Mr. Cohen and said, "You have chickens, do you not?Yes, Rabbi, we have chickens," said Mr. Cohen. "Well, then, bring them into your house this evening." Mr. Cohen just stared at the Rabbi. Then he thought to himself, "The Rabbi is the town's most learned man. If the Rabbi thinks that bringing the chickens into the house will help, then I will not question him." So Mr. Cohen returned home and told his wife what the Rabbi said. Then he brought the chickens into the house. The chickens proceeded to squawk and complain, and flew around the house. Chicken feathers were everywhere! And in the morning, there were chickens everywhere, scrambling this way and that. Mrs. Cohen complained, "I don't understand how bringing the chickens into the house will get us a bigger house. Maybe you misunderstood the Rabbi. Go back and ask him

again." So that evening, Mr. Cohen went to the Rabbi's house. "Good evening, Rabbi," he said. "Good evening, Mr. Cohen," said the Rabbi. "Can I help you with something?" "Yes, Rabbi," said Mr. Cohen. "Yesterday I asked you to suggest a way I could please my wife's wish for a bigger house and you told me to bring the chickens into the house. Now we have chicken feathers everywhere and my wife is not happy. Rabbi, can you help me please?" The Rabbi thought for a moment. Then he said, "You have goats, don't you?Yes, Rabbi" we have goats.Well then, bring them into the house tonight," Mr. Cohen stared at the Rabbi for a minute, then proceeded down the hill to his home and brought the goats into his house. And the goats started

whining, which made the chickens complain. Then the goats started to chew on everything, making a real mess. Needless to say, Mrs. Cohen was not happy which made Mr. Cohen even more unhappy. "Go back to the Rabbi," Mrs. Cohen said, "and ask him again. I am sure that you are misunderstanding what he is saying." So the next evening Mr. Cohen went up the hill to see the Rabbi. The Rabbi told him to bring the cows into his house! And the next night he brought in the sheep, and the next night the donkey, and the next night the horse! The house was so crowded that the family couldn't find a place to sit or sleep. It was so noisy that they couldn't hear themselves think! And you can imagine how it smelled. Mrs. Cohen was beside herself, and Mr. Cohen didn't know what to do. The Rabbi had never given them bad advice before! So Mr. Cohen went up the hill back to the Rabbi. "Rabbi," he said. "Far be it for me to question a man of your knowledge and learning,

but it has become impossible to live in our house. And the noise - Rabbi - you can't imagine how noisy it is! Please Rabbi, you have got to help me!" The Rabbi thought for a moment. Then he said, "Tonight take the horse out and put him back in the field. "Thank you Rabbi," said Mr. Cohen. And he bounded down the hill and let the horse go back outside. But of course the house was still crowded. So the following night Mr. Cohen went back up the hill to the Rabbi, and again asked for his help. And the Rabbi told him to take the donkey out of the house. The next night the Rabbi told him to take out the sheep, and the next night, the cows, and the next night the goat, and finally the next night the chickens. After the

chickens were gone, Mrs. Cohen looked around at her large house. "How peaceful it is," she said, ”and how nice and roomy." And she proceeded to clean up her large, peaceful house and never again complained to her husaband about her life! Swami says, “Contentment is the most precious treasure” and “He who has greatest satisfaction in life is the richest man”. Let us be grateful to the Lord for what we are bestowed with and make the most of it rather than compare ourselves with others and feel ever miserable. When we trust Him completely, He will provide us with the right things at the right time. Illustrations: Ms Vidya, Kuwait - Heart2Heart Team Report form Bro Sumitosan. Seva report of Kobe Sai center Aum Sri Sai Ram I pray to the lotus feet of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba Narayana seva is the most important seva in Kobe Sai Center. We provide meal for the homeless people four times a month. Many devotees participate in this seva. Frequently about 150 homeless people come to this seva . Devotee serve with warm heart and joy because Swami tells Seva is the most important sadhana Homeless people always help us to carry our equipment ,food items like bread and banana and distribute tea voluntarily . It seems like real joy for them to work together. We usually chant Gayatri Mantra and food mantra before starting Narayana seva. and chant universal prayer and shanthi mantra at the end . When a mantra begins, voices of the homeless people subside creating a holy atmosphere. Homeless people sometimes say , thank you , to

us and this makes us very happy. But tell thanks to God, who provide us this oppertunity. We notice that it is us who are happy and satisfied with joy when seva is over. Beside Naranaya seva we serve in a handicapped people's facility and participate in blood donation. We sing songs with handicapped people and help them to take a walk as a regular part of our seva. We sing bhajans in chorus on the handicapped day. Many devotees participate with joy on the annual event of bazaar organised to help the handicaps. All proceeds of the sale is contributed to the handicapped people's facility and their management and they accept with great happiness. On the day of blood donation , not only the devotees but also people from the neighborhood take

part . Let us pray to Bhagavan for giving this beautiful chance to serve, The attitude gives immeasurable joy, to lead a life suffused with this joy is indeed bliss. Jai Sai Ram ----------------------------KOBE CENTER PROGRAMS Kobe Center Place : l.S.S. 2nd Fl. 1-3, Kumochi 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe (Tel: 078-222-1885) Home Page MAP Bhajans Bhajan Practice Study Circle every Sun 4:00-5:00pmevery Thur 7:30-830pm 1st,5th Sun 2:00-3:40pm 2nd Sun 2:00-3:20pm3rd,4th Sun 2:30-3:40pm every Thur 7:00-7:20pm 2nd Sun 5:30-6:30pm (English)4th Sun 5:30-6:30 (Japanese) 2nd Sun 3:40-3:55 (Gayatri Chanting) Ladies Programme 3rd,5th Sun 5:30-6:30pm Youth Programme 3rd Sun 0:30-2:20pm 2nd Sun in odd months 5:30-6:15pm(Study Circle)1st Sun in even months 0:30-1:50 Seva Aisei-en (Orphanage home): 3rd Sun 9:30-11:30amNarayana Seva: 2nd,4th Sun 10:00-11:30am, 1st, 3rd Thur 9:00-10:00pm Veda Club Veda clup is held on every 4th Sunday after Bhajans. Study Circle in (Japanese) is held on every 2nd Sunday on 1st fl. Subscribe/Un information: (Free

copy) To , please send your request to rgcjp To , please type “REMOVE” on the subject line and send to rgcjp ----------------------- SAI CENTERS: KOBE,

YOKOHAMA, OSAKA, SAPPORE ,HAMAMATSU OKINAWA, CHIBA, NAGOYA, TOKYO & KYOTO.' SAI BHAJAN

GROUPS.: OBIHIRO, SAITAMA, SHIZUOKA, KITAKYUSHU, MORIOKA TAMA, NARA, FUKUOKA, TOHOKU, NAGANO, IWAKUNI, HIROSHIMA, KAGOSHIMA, GUNMA, KANAZAWA, KAGAWA. Note: Sometimes schedules is subject to change. Please contact respective centers and groups for information. CONTENTS: ============== 1) Swami's Quotation 2) The lord of the Heart Dr. John Hislop 3) The Divine Protector By Mr.Chakavati 4) In Tune With the Divine 5) Prof Kasturi...Kasturi will dance now" 6) Veda Seminor in Kobe. 7) Chinna Katha "Small House" 8) Seva Report from Kobe Center. 6) Kobe Seva Report by Bro. Sumito======================================Ram ChuganiKobe, Japanrgcjp

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Autos.