25th weekly posting of Saudi SAI activities- 10h Aug 2007

[Guest guest]

Sai-Satsang in 4 centers continued

(week ending 10th Aug, Friday)

 

Sairam to all Children, Sisters and Sai Brothers

in all 4 Sai SatSanghs in Dammam, Jubail, Jeddah and

Riyadh.

 

We continue with the Twenty fifth (25) posting of the

activities of all 4 centers.

 

Summary:

1) Total Attendance all over Saudi over 80.

2) Note on Gunas (Study circle)

3) Note on Pradosham

 

Details:

 

In Dammam the weekly satsang was held on the evening

of Wednesday 8th Aug at Bro. Kannan’s SAFCO residence.

The attendance was by 8 members starting at 7.30 pm.

Aarthi was taken by Bro. Kannan. The report was

provided by Bro. Prem (although he himself was away on

business tour).

 

Jubail center held the weekly Satsang on Thursday 9th

Aug at 7.30 pm attended by about 16 members at Bro

Gopi’s residence. Aarthi was taken by Bro Gopalaiya. 2

members from Dammam joined the Bhajan. The report was

provided by Bro. Wimal.

 

Jeddah Group held the weekly Satsang on Thursday 9th

August 07, at 7.30pm. It was attended by 13 members at

Bro. Gopinathan residence. Aarthi was taken by Bro

Nada Uncle (Riyadh center) who happened to be in

Jeddah. He also introduced 2 new members. He noted

with appreciation that children also participated in

Bhajans which is to be encouraged. We look forward to

more interactions with members of Jeddah center. We

invite hem to visit other centers when they get an

opportunity. Bro Saji provided the basic report.

 

Riyadh group held the weekly Bhajan on Friday 10th Aug

morning from 9.00 pm till about 12 noon. Before the

Bhajan, Lalita Sashranamam is recited by some devotees

on Fridays. The Bhajan was attended by about 50

members. Sister. Mahesh Nada read a new chapter from

life of Shirdi Sai Baba. The aarthi was taken by Bro

Raj Rajgopal who was celebrating his birthday that

week. The Bhajans were followed by a study circle.

 

Pl find attached the text file of new Bhajans sung

this week on 10th Aug - courtesy Bro. Suresh Iyengar.

You can also visit link

http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/frbhaj.html for texts

of 108-Ashtothram, Sarvadharma, Asothama, Aarthi &

Vibudhi prayers

 

The study circle co-ordinated by Bro VenuGopal (SABIC)

was conducted with about 15 participants. In this week

a discussion was started on 3 Gunas (characteristics)

mentioned often by Swami and referred to in Vedanta.

 

As mentioned in earlier sessions, while our inner core

(Soul) remains an aspect of divine spirit (which is

pure and without characteristics like Brahman) the

body (outer sheath) consists of matter which is also

created by Brahman as part of Prakrati (nature).

Matter is of three distinct varieties named as gunas

or qualities. The 3 gunas are sattva (purity), rajas

(passion) and tamas (ignorance). The gunas determine

the quality of thoughts, emotions and actions in a

person. Together they bind us to the world. They are

in a manner of speaking, the 3 different types of

glues/stapler that hold our body and soul together.

 

Tamas is a state of inertia and indifference. Rajas is

a state of stress and agitation. Sattva is tranquility

of mind when one probably functions at one’s best.

This is one description. There can be other ways of

describing these 3 also. Pl note that all 3 Gunas are

created by God and therefore each has its own purpose.

We cannot say, “this is bad and that is good”. There

is no special way to switch from one to another. Any

modification, needs effort and has its own

consequences.

 

Another observation is, mostly all humans have a

mixture of all 3 Gunas but this mixture varies from

person to person. While humans are in born with some

Gunas, they can be changed either by special ways or

by life’s experiences.

 

The mission of life as per Swami is to go beyond the

three gunas and get liberated from the traumatic cycle

of birth, death, decay and sorrow. We are born in the

world to attain Immortality. A person who has

transcended the gunas can become Brahman even while

remaining alive if we, remain undisturbed by their

effects and understand “That which is beyond them”, we

can reach the exalted state of Enlightenment (but is

not easy). The discussion will continue in next

fortnight.

 

On Friday 10th Aug evening, I was fortunate to attend

a Pradhosham poojai at Bro Venugopal (Riyadh Bank) who

is likely to leave the Kingdom soon for better

opportunities elsewhere in Gulf. It consists of

reciting several Veda-mantras from 4.30 pm to 6 pm on

13th Day (Thryodasi) which is considered the most

auspicious time, when Lord Siva is present with all

Devas (praying to him) and grants whatever is wished

for.

 

The following is the story behind it:

Pradhosha Purana:

Once Devas and Asuras using the serpent Vasuki and the

hill Mandhara were trying to get Amrutham (nectar)

from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Then the terrible

poison Halahalam came up. All got frightened and

pleaded to Lord Shiva for rescue. Being the peak of

mercy Lord Shiva ate that poison. Then as per His

order they resumed their effort to get Amrutham. They

got it on Dhwadhasi (twelfth moon day). Without

praying and thanking the God, by whom they got

Amrutham, Devas started dancing and celebrating their

victory.

 

On thrayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) they realised

their sin of not praying the God and pleaded for

forgiveness. The pleased graceful Lord Shiva forgave

them and danced between the horns of the Nandhi (holy

bull). That time is called Pradhosham. Whoever prays

Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their

wishes and give them mukthi.

 

During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva

deity with the following is considered fruitful.

 

Milk gives long life

Ghee gives Moksha state

Curd gives good children

Honey gives melodious voice

Rice powder frees from debts

Sugar cane juice gives good health

Panjamrutham gives wealth

Lemon removes fear of death

Sugar removes enmity

Tender coconut gives enjoyment

Cooked Rice(Annam) gives majestic life

Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace

 

Many of us have been on vacation to India or some

other locations. Why not share your experiences with

other members. Pl send me a brief note at

sssdgroup so that they can be

summarized and posted. Two people briefly shared with

me their interesting vacations, Sister Preena Gopi

(who had been to Parthi and was admired for her

similarity to Swami on hair style) and family of Raj

Rajgopal who had been to some exotic islands in

Malaysia.

 

Bro Swami Mahadevan devotes his vacations to

strengthening " Sai Gramam " in Kerala which is a Rs 140

crores (appox US$ 35 million) project that provides

among others, " Free Dialysis” for needy kidney

patients. I urge especially the children to write, as

usually they have different perspectives than adults.

While each one of us can observe only through our own

eyes only, (being born with a single CPU), we can

always exchange our experiences via internet. Do not

worry about your English or grammar, just write.

Remember what Swami said

“Why Fear, when I am here”.

 

Sairam and Pranams to all.

P.B.V.Rajan