Gentle Plant of Devotion

[Guest guest]

…… " The ordinary man has to remember that his gentle plant of devotion

has to be grown and tended and hedged with considerable care and for

that purpose the regular forms of worship and the usual directions

for the growth of devotion by attending pujas, Bhajanas and other

ceremonies must be followed for a long time before attaining full

fruition of Bhakti. Especially the nine modes of worship mentioned in

the Bhagavata and stressed by Sri Sai Baba often have to be attended

to and followed. In setting out those nine forms, one can see how the

external and internal are inextricably interwoven and combined and

how one gradually progresses with lower and external forms till his

inner kernel of devotion attains maturity and perfection.

 

The nine modes are:-

 

Sravana Listenging to accounts of the deeds of God, his Avataras and

Saints.

 

Kirtana of Vishnu, reciting these or repeating God's names and praise.

 

Smarana constantly recalling these, especially uttering God's names.

 

Padasevanam falling at the feet of God and Saints.

 

Archana formal worship, for example with flowers, water, food, scents

and all the 16 upacharas.

 

Vadana prostration before God and the saints.

 

Dasya, for example service, doing every work for God or Saint.

 

Sakhya remaining in the company of God or Saint.

 

Nivedana that is, surrender of the self that is forgetting oneself

entirely in the contemplation of God after formally offering the self

as a gift to God. " ……

 

Baba Said

 

" He who loves others disinterestedly, is really enlightened. "

 

Baba is every where just feel him and keep on saying `Om Sai Ram' to

whom so ever you meet.

 

OM SAI SRI SAI JAI JAI SAI!!! Let us pray at the lotus feet of

Bhagwan Baba who is the incarnation of all gods and protector of all,

to show mercy on us, and increase our devotion towards him

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!