Kansai Light for March Issue N. 39

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KANSAI LIGHT FOR MARCH 2009 ISSUE NO.39 --------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KANSAI LIGHT , MARCH 2009 ISSUE NO.39

News letter of Sri Sathya Sai Organization Japan

address: I.S.S, 2nd Fl, 1-3, Kumochi 5-Chome, Chuo Ku Kobe

Tel: 078-222-1885, Email: rgcjp

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PLEASE PRINT COPY FOR YOUR EASY REFERENCE

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Puttaparthilive - Newsletter

 

 

 

Thought for the Day

 

 

Man has forgotten love and is hankering after worldly objects. Money comes and goes but morality comes and grows. Does your wealth accompany you when you leave this world? No! Only the results of your actions will accompany you. Only the wealth of merit will protect you. Paropakaraya Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam (one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by hurting them). Do not accumulate sin. Instead, earn the wealth of merit.-------------------

 

The Guru In Human Form

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Guru appears in human form to demonstrate both by precept and example the nature and significance of true bhakti to the benighted and erring mortals below.Shri Sai Baba's teachings, extolling the qualities of faith and devotion are true for all times. He maintained that dry intellectualism has no force, no potency, and that all great movements of life are actuated by intensity of feeling. Birth itself which is the greatest event of life is the summum bonum of the intensity in feeling. Shri Sai Baba recognized that for a religion to be a living and effective force, profound enthusiasm is necessary, and, that man is the most enthusiastic who loves the best. Devotion gives a man the power and the inclination to do and to dare. Such transcendental love is the ideal of every religion, but it is an ideal very difficult of attainment for an impersonal or unseen Being.[an error occurred

while processing this directive] The human soul hankers for something tangible, someone of flesh and blood to whom can be given this unstinted devotion. Shri Sai Baba proved this to be this ideal embodiment of God. The Sai Baba whom his devotees worship is not an ordinary human personality, for it is not possible to worship a human being who is in the same category as ourselves, but then again, he is not the transcendent God beyond human ken, since, as such, he could not have inspired so much love and warmth. The Sai Baba whom thousands of devotees worship is precisely the personified Guru --- the manifested Divine who in his infinite compassion assumes a human form to resuscitate religion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Master's compassionate sanction is there, "Cast all your burdens on me, and I will bear them."

 

 

It is possible even now, years later, to recapture vividly the wonderful leelas of this master artist. The dynamics of his personality, the versatility of his accomplishments, the works and miracles he wrought from day to day, the peculiar mysticism attached to his birth and death and deeds can be composed into a story that reads like a romance yet unsurpassed in the annals of biographical literature.A visit to Shirdi is an experience in itself. An insignificant village lying almost on the banks of the sacred Godavari river, Shirdi has nothing much to commend it in the way natural scenic beauty or civilized amenities, save for the profusion of sugar cane plants, from which it has derived its name.The name is, however, symbolically appropriate, for the mystic who chose this spot as his abode did indeed fill it with

the aroma of his sweet and gracious presence. The exterior of the Ashram is unimposing too, but as soon as one enters the precincts of the holy shrine where the mortal remains of the seer lie interred, an unspeakable thrill of ecstasy passes through one's being, and there is almost an instant awareness of a living presence. This illusion -- or should we rather not term it a supreme truth -- that Sai Baba is alive and actually present in some part of the ashram is one which many a devotee has experienced. A strange expectancy hovers about the atmosphere, as if just there round the corner we would inadvertently come across the familiar and lovable figure.For the many descriptions of the Saint and the remarkable likenesses that the camera has reproduced of him in his many moods and poses, it is possible to create him anew! A tall loosely built physique, long and shapely limbs -- one can visualize him sitting in the masjid distributing Udi (ashes of

the sacred fire that perpetually burnt before him) to all those who went to him. An arresting appearance, the olive complexion set off to advantage his handsome features. But the chief attraction lay in his deep eyes of a mystic half drunk with some secret nectar, and yet capable of reflecting the many changes in his moods. When his gaze fell upon a devotee the eyes seem to be probing into the devotee's innermost recesses, and yet no one seemed to mind this for the expression in those eyes was one of habitual compassion. This was the mystic of Shirdi, as he is described by some of the veteran devotees who saw him, as his photographs and portraits reveal him to us.Also read about Shirdi Sai Baba shrine, worship, ashram, sadhana etc... in the next

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Sathya Sai Speaks From Shavam to Shivoham

 

 

 

 

On February 23 this year falls the sacred festival of Shivarathri. This celebration has been one of the most significant events in the festival calendar of Prasanthi Nilayam, every year right from the 1950s. On many years, Bhagavan Baba, gracefully has used this occasion to offer a glimpse of His Divinity with the mysterious manifestation of the Linga from His own being. Besides this, the message that the Lord delivers to the large concourse of devotees who gather for this festival is deeply profound and revealing. Let us recapitulate one of those priceless discourses. Here is an excerpt from Bhagavan's message delivered, nearly four decades ago, in 1969.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aim of all Saadhana is to Eliminate the Mind Though we have the Mahashivarathri once a year, we have a Shivarathri every month, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. And, why is the rathri (the night), so important? During the dark fortnight of the month, sadhana (spiritual practice) has to be done to eliminate each day a fraction of the mind, for, every day, a fraction of the Moon too is being taken out of cognisance. On the night of chathurdhasi, the 14th day, which is the night of Shiva, only a fraction remains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If special effort is made that night, through more intensive and vigilant spiritual practice like puja or japam or dhyana (ritual worship, or one-pointed repetition of holy names or meditation), success is ensured. Shiva alone has to be meditated upon that night without the mind straying towards thoughts of sleep or food. This has to be done every month; once a year, on Mahaashivaraathri,a special spurt of spiritual activity is recommended, so that what is shavam (corpse) can become Shivam (God), by the perpetual awareness of its Divine Indweller. Linga " “ The Symbol of God This is a day dedicated to the Shiva that is in each of you. From the Himalayan ranges down to Cape Kanyakumari, the entire land of India resounds today to the authentic declaration "Shivoham" and to the adoration, "Om Namah Shivaaya."

Since thousands pray here, and elsewhere in lakhs and crores, the Linga is emanating from Me, so that you may derive the Bliss that pervades the World through Lingodhbhava (emergence of the Linga).

The manifestation of the Linga is a part of My Nature. These pandits (scholars of spirituality) explain it as reminiscent of an epochal event in the past when Shiva challenged Brahma and Vishnu to gauge the height and depth of the Linga Form He assumed. They failed and had to accept defeat. But, the Linga emerges, as a result of prayer and Grace. You have to recognise in this event a glimpse of Divinity, a sign of infinite Grace.

Just as Om is the sound symbol of God, the Linga is the form symbol or the visible symbol of God, the most meaningful, simplest and the least endowed with the appendages of attributes. Lingam means, that in which this jagath (world of change) attains laya (mergence or dissolution), Leeyathe. All Forms merge in the Formless at last. Shiva is the Principle of the Destruction of all Names and Forms, of all entities and individuals. So, the Linga is the simplest sign of emergence and mergence.

Just as Om is the sound symbol of God, the Linga is the form symbol or the visible symbol of God, the most meaningful, simplest and the least endowed with the appendages of attributes. Lingam means, that in which this jagath (world of change) attains laya (mergence or dissolution), Leeyathe. All Forms merge in the Formless at last. Shiva is the Principle of the Destruction of all Names and Forms, of all entities and individuals. So, the Linga is the simplest sign of emergence and mergence. Live in the Constant Presence of Shiva

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every form conceived in the Shasthras and scriptures has a deep significance. Shiva does not ride an animal called in human language, a bull. The bull is the symbol of stability standing on four legs, Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi and Prema (Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love). Shiva is described as having three eyes; they see the past, the present and the future. The elephant skin, which forms His cloak, is a symbol of the bestial primitive traits which His Grace destroys. In fact, He tears them to pieces, skins them, and they become totally ineffective. His Four faces symbolise Shantham (equanimity), Roudhram (frightening facade), Mangalam (grace) and Uthsaham (elevating energy). While adoring the Lingam on this Lingodhbhava Day, you must contemplate on these truths of Shiva that the Linga represents. It is not this night alone that you should spend in the thought of Shiva; your whole life must be lived in the constant presence of the Lord. Endeavour - that is the main exercise which is the inescapable consummation for all mortals. Even those who deny God will have to tread the pilgrim road, melting their hearts out in tears of travail. If you make the slightest effort to move along the path of your own liberation, the Lord will help you a hundred-fold. That is the hope that Mahashivarathri conveys to you. Man is called so, because he has the skill to do manana, which means " ˜inner meditation' on the meaning and significance of what one has heard. Even those who deny God will have to tread the pilgrim road, melting their hearts out in tears of travail. If you make the slightest effort to move along the path of your own liberation, the Lord will help you a hundred-fold. But, you have not yet emerged out of the stage of shravanam (listening)! All the joy you crave for is in you. However, you suffer like a man who has vast riches in the iron chest but has no idea where the key is. Listen to the instructions properly, dwell upon them in the silence of meditation, practise what has been made clear therein; then, you can secure the key, open the chest and be rich in Joy. Visualise Shiva as the Inner Power of All

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have given up even the little sadhana that Shivarathri demands. In olden times, people would not put even a drop of water on their tongues on this day. Now, that rigour is gone. They used to keep vigil the entire night, without a wink of sleep, repeating Om Namah Shivaya without intermission. Now, the name Shiva, is on no one's tongue. Resolve, on this Holy Shivarathri, to visualise the Shiva as the inner power of all. With each breath, you are even now, asserting Soham ("I am He"); not only you, but every being that breathes, lives, and exists does this. It is a fact which you have ignored so long. Believe it from now on. When you watch your breath and meditate on that magnificent Truth, slowly, the " ˜I' and the " ˜He' (the Sah and the Aham) will draw nearer and closer, until the feeling of separateness fades away and the Soham transforms into OM, the Pranava, the Primal Sound, the Fundamental Formula for God. That OM is the Swaswarupa - the Reality behind this "relative reality." ~ Divine Discourse on Shivarathri Day, February 1969 ----------------- CONVERSATIONS WITH SAISatyopanishad - part 13:Direct Directions from the Divine

 

 

 

Dear Reader, In response to your positive feedback to this section where we have a conversation with the Divine, we continue with Prof. Anil Kumar's " ˜Satyopanishad' following Dr. John Hislop's series " ˜Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba' that ended in January 2008. This series is also is in the question-answer format that many devotees prefer, and has answers from Bhagavan on topics as wide ranging as the origin of evil, the goals of human life, and aspects of God " “ embodied and formless, to price hikes, women's liberation, vegetarianism, and the generation gap among people of the present times. Published in two parts by the author, these volumes have 270 questions in all, which are neatly grouped under separate chapters. In this issue, we continue the fourth chapter: The Outer Door.

CHAPTER 4 - THE OUTER DOOR (Continued from the previous issue) Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! We have on one side the most invaluable spirituality, while on the other, we have also friends and relatives diverting our attention towards the world. No doubt, it is our fault to pay heed to their words. Yet, we face the conflict. What is to be done? Bhagavan: Today no one has true friends. Who are the friends of today's world and of what sort are they? (Addressing the students) After all, your friendship lasts for two or three years until you complete your studies here and leave the hostel. Later, you separate from each other and go your own way. So long as you have money in your pocket and your father is in a good position, everyone would come to you and say "hello", but the day your pocket is empty and your father retires, you will be left with none even to say 'good bye'. Can you still call anyone your friend?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friendship in Sanskrit is known as 'maitri,' pronounced as 'mythree'. Here " ˜three' represents the harmony in thought, word and deed. Are there friends with this purity? Nowhere! Who is your true friend then? God is your real friend. God is the only friend for you, as He is always with you and in you: Don't consider anyone else as your friend. Further, you should be very careful with people or your company. It is said, "Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are". Therefore, all and sundry can't be your friends. A warrior of outstanding stature and an expert in archery, Karna fell into disrepute because he was in bad company, and so he is branded as one among the wicked four, (the dustachathustaya) - Duryodhana, Dussasana, Sakuni and Karna. Next, who are your relatives? In what way were you related to them before you were born? All of them come in with the passage of time and pass off like passing clouds. Is it not so? Relatives come up to the main door as one dies and the members of the family at the most follow one's corpse to the cremation ground; none follow the departed soul. It is only God who is with you during your life and even after your death. So, God is your real friend and the only relation. These worldly associations shouldn't be taken as friends and relatives. Your life too is short. But God is awareness and existence. He is there before, during, and after your life. He is the eternal truth. So, follow Him, catch hold of God with your right hand as it is the right thing, and catch hold of the world with your left hand, as it has to be left behind sometime or the other. It is thus the right thing to remember God always. Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! It is most unfortunate that there is no tangible change in our lifestyle though we have been here and listening to Your divine discourses over the years. We do not know the reason why it is so. Kindly show us the way. Bhagavan: Lack of practice is the only reason. When there is no power supply and it is dark all over, can darkness be dispelled by just saying "lamp" unless you light it? The hunger of a starving man can never be satiated by merely looking at the menu of the most delicious items. He has to eat some of them to appease his hunger, shouldn't he? Can a sick man be cured of a disease by merely listening to the formula and composition of the medicine without his taking it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can the suffering of a poor man be alleviated with all the knowledge of economics and accountancy? Can you attain liberation (mukti) by reading books without practicing any of the instruction found therein? Instead of saying something without doing, it is better to do and not say anything. I repeatedly tell you that until you practice what you say, there is little effect even after listening to talks for years together. Take a small example here. Suppose you have with you a matchbox full of matchsticks and you want to light a lamp. You will now have to open the box, pick up a stick and strike against the side of the box to light it. In case you fail to light the matchstick, even after striking it again and again, what does it mean? You then come to discover the meaning: the matchbox is wet. You cannot light a stick striking it against the box. What is to be done now? You have to dry the matchbox in the sunlight for some time. Similarly, you are drowned in the water of worldly desires and attachments. Therefore, you can't light the lamp of wisdom. Dry your mind with all its limitless desires and thoughts of worldly comfort in the sunlight of renunciation; only then can you light the lamp of wisdom. You may be here listening to any number of discourses for any length of time, but you will not be able to achieve the expected results if you fail to translate the essence of one discourse into your daily life.

Dry your mind with all its limitless desires and thoughts of worldly comfort in the sunlight of renunciation; only then can you light the lamp of wisdom. You may be here listening to any number of discourses for any length of time, but you will not be able to achieve the expected results if you fail to translate the essence of one discourse into your daily life.

Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! Because of wrong direction in our thinking, we feel dejected, restless and often fail in our attempts. Kindly show us the way out of it. Bhagavan: For all these agitations, disturbances, disappointments, depressions and failures, what is responsible is your wrong way of thinking. Whatever may happen in life, you should think, " This is good for me " . You should know that everything that happens ultimately turns to be for your own good. This is called positive thinking. Today you are full of negative thoughts. How do you expect to know and experience God?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your body, mind, intellect and the senses are completely negative, but your spirit, conscience, or atma is positive. God is your conscience. Do you know why you are not able to realise and experience God? It is entirely due to these negative thoughts and attitudes. So, positive thinking and positive actions are very essential for spiritual progress. Only then will you be peaceful, blissful and successful. Take your own example. (To the students) It is absolutely because of positive thinking that you are able to plan your academic programme and prepare yourself accordingly, as also aim to secure a good rank in the examinations and later a job. But planning to study whatever would fetch you a very fat salary, help you to go abroad, earn more money and marry a girl who would get you a large amount of dowry, is negative thinking. As far as your parents are concerned, their idea of educating you is absolutely positive, but making a business out of your education is negative thinking. For a doctor, to treat a patient and cure him/her is a positive approach, but if money is the criterion for the treatment given to the patient, it is a negative approach. Today we should fill our hearts with all positive thoughts like divine feelings, divine sentiments and good thoughts. Only then you will experience God, who is satchitananda, the absolute positive principle. Therefore, it is necessary for you to take everything as good for you. This is positive thinking. Come what may - problems, difficulties, troubles, failures, losses, blame and what not, you should always be positive. You will know later that all this had happened for your own good.

Today we should fill our hearts with all positive thoughts like divine feelings, divine sentiments and good thoughts. Only then you will experience God, who is satchitananda, the absolute positive principle. Therefore, it is necessary for you to take everythingas good for you.

A small story: there was a king who had a fancy to cut sugarcane all by himself to small pieces and eat it piece by piece. One day, while he was busy doing this, as ill luck would have it, he cut his finger. The minister, who was by his side, remarked, " Oh King! You have cut your finger. This is good for you. " On hearing this remark, the king grew wild, and thought, " What! How can this be good for me? What would the minister say if I lose my head too?" So the king ordered, out of fury and anger, that the minister be put in prison. Then, the minister said, " Oh King! This imprisonment is my good fortune " .

After some time, the king went hunting all alone to a nearby forest. He lost his way and was noticed by some tribals moving in that area. They were actually in search of a man suitable to be sacrificed to propitiate their deity at the end of their ritual. They caught hold of the king and took him to their head priest. After checking the king thoroughly, the head priest said, " We can't kill this king and make an offering to our deity as one of his fingers is missing. A handicapped or crippled body is unfit to be an offering. " Saying so, he set the king free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way, the king realised the truth of what the minister had said when he had cut his finger. He summoned the minister and said, " Oh Minister! How true is what you said! It is just because of the fact that I had lost my finger that the tribals set me free, unharmed. Now I have one doubt. You remarked that it was good for you when I put you behind bars. How has this imprisonment turned out to be good for you?" Then, the minister replied, 'Certainly! Had I not been kept in the jail, I would have followed you. The tribals, after leaving you, would have caught hold of me, killed me and offered me to their deity in your place. So, this punishment has been to my good fortune " . This is positive thinking and attitude; then happiness and success will follow you.

 

 

akkaraku rani cuttamu

mrokkina varamiyani velpu

 

moharamuna tanekkina parani gurramu

grakkunna viduvangavalayu gadara sumati

This Telugu poem, means, 'A relation who doesn't come to your help in time of need, a God who doesn't grant you boons even after you pray, a horse that doesn't run in the battlefield, will have to be given up immediately, Oh! Wise one! Is it not so?'

Here, in this poem, first of all, know that it is addressed to a sumati, a wise one. It is true that you have to sever connections with a relation who doesn't come to your aid in the hour of your need, give up the horse that fails to run in the battlefield, and forget a God who doesn't grant you rewards even after you pray. Here, you should note one important point. Why don't you think this way? Before you blame your relation that he is not of any help to you when you need him most, why don't you for a while, ponder if you have ever been of any help to your relation when he needed you? A horse that doesn't gallop in the field must be given up, but why don't you question your competence in horse riding? God, who doesn't respond to your prayers, is not God; but do you deserve what you desire and pray for? This poem is meant for that person, sumati, who thinks positively before blaming

anybody. This is how your thinking process should be.

Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! Now we understand that we should also have such intense faith in God. Naturally, our experience will be proportionate to the depth of our faith. Swami! Does God also respond commensurate with the intensity of our faith?

Bhagavan: Certainly! If you put in krsi, effort, you will earn God's krpa, grace. Moreover, with krsi, effort, you can even become a rishi, sage.

A village boy happened to meet a scholar who said to him that God could be experienced through pranayama (breathing exercises) and dhyana (meditation). Hearing this, the boy began practising it most sincerely. Pleased with his devotion and sincerity, God manifested Himself before the boy and blessed him. The boy then told the scholar that he had seen God by doing what he asked him to do. The scholar could not believe it. He said, " Oh! Don't talk rubbish! How is it that you could see God while I couldn't, by practising pranayama and dhyana for years? Don't speak lies!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boy returned to his place of meditation and saw Lord Narayana there. He said to Him, " Oh God! The scholar calls me a liar! How am I to make him accept what I have experienced? Swami! Kindly stay here until I bring him here and make him see You and experience the truth for himself. But dear God! I am afraid You may run way from here and it will make me very miserable in the sight of the scholar who doubts me. Therefore, with this rope let me tie You to this pole here." He did so, ran to the scholar and requested him to see Narayana for himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the scholar came over there, he couldn't see God tied to the post, but the cowherd boy could see Him and converse with Him. Ultimately, the boy cried and prayed to Narayana to make Himself visible to the scholar too. God obliged him. This is what true devotion is. God even allowed Himself to be tied to a post. You have to note another point here. The faith that the cowherd boy had in the words of the scholar was the cause of his experience.

If you spend your life in prayer, it is bound to be peaceful and blissful. For example, if you climb up the seven hills and reach the shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala, you will feel very tired. On the other hand, if you go to Tirupati in a group, singing God's glory all along the way, you will hardly feel any strain.

Prof. Anil Kumar: Swami! In this age of Kali, devotion, faith and steadfastness are on the decline. Not only this, we often find people making fun of devotees and leading a life opposed to religious norms. This is a very sad state of affairs. What do you want us to do in these circumstances?

Bhagavan: First of all, correct yourself. Rectify your own defects and mistakes. When you are not flawless and idealistic, you have no right to blame anybody and point out the mistakes of others. So, see that your own faith is strong, deep and unflinching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raju Tygaraja

In Andhra Pradesh, there lived three Rajus, kings in their own field of activity: the king of poetry, Goparaju; the king of devotion, Tyagaraju; and the king of sublime lyrical music, Potaraju. The latter refused to dedicate his rendering of the great work, the Bhagavatam, to the king who promised him immense wealth as a token of his appreciation of the work. Potaraju, or Potana, dedicated his work only to Lord Ramachandra.

Goparaju, or Ramadasu, also called Gopanna, spent all the money he had in the treasury for the renovation of the temple of Rama, for which he was severely punished. Tyagaraju considered ramuni sannidhi, proximity to God, more precious than nidhi, money. All these three Rajus followed their chosen paths out of their deep conviction about the supremacy of God. They worked and suffered for their own self-­satisfaction and for the satisfaction of their own conscience. They did not bother about the views and opinions of others. They did not yield to temptations of any sort.

Dogs may bark watching an elephant passing by, but the elephant loses nothing. You know the vastness of a sea. Have you not heard the puranas (ancient scriptures) proclaim that amrta, nectar, and halahala, poison, are produced by the same ocean? Amrta makes you happy while visha or poison is dangerous. Isn't it so?

Similarly, society is like a vast ocean where you have nectarous and good people, as well as poisonous and bad individuals. Bad people make fun of good people. It doesn't mean that you should give up your nobility and goodness.

A crane may make fun of a swan. The singing of a cuckoo bird is horrible to the ears of a crow. A koel eats the tender leaves of a mango tree while a crow eats the bitter leaves of a neem tree. Similarly, some in society struggle for worldly, fleeting and sensual pleasures; while others make all sincere efforts for God's grace to enjoy divine bliss. A donkey that carries a bundle of sandalwood on its back doesn't know the fragrance of the sandalwood. A buffalo doesn't know the taste of beaten rice. Similarly, divinity is not relished by all and sundry.

 

If you deny God, it means you are denying yourself. You are not different from God. You are God. Your praise and blame do not affect God. The good and bad of your own actions come back to you as reaction.

 

If you deny God, it means you are denying yourself. You are not different from God. You are God. Your praise and blame do not affect God. The good and bad of your own actions come back to you as reaction. The axe cuts the sandalwood tree that has not done any harm to the axe. Because of this evil deed, the axe loses its sharpness for which it is kept in fire and hammered. The sandalwood tree does not subject the axe to any punishment. So, it is the action of the axe that comes back as reaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider another example in this context. When gold is burnt in fire it shines brilliantly. But, as a reaction the goldsmith has to suffer because ash falls into his eyes in the process of burning the gold, and his own clothes become dirty due to smoke. Here, the gold, that is burnt and hammered, does not punish the goldsmith. His own action punishes him. Similarly, if you accuse or blame or deny God, it will not do anything to Him. But, your action will come back to you as reaction; you punish yourself.

Suppose you throw some dust at the Sun, what happens? It only falls in your own eyes. If you switch on an electric fan, you will enjoy the cool breeze. If you don't switch on, it will not lose anything; it suffers no loss. If you switch on the bulb, you get light. But, if you don't switch it on, the bulb suffers no loss.

Therefore, good and bad depend only on you. Just as you can buy any material object in this world with money, similarly with the money of God's name, you can be blissful. Under a streetlight, you will be able to see all around including the bulb that illumines. Similarly, divinity makes you, and everybody around you, happy. So, deepen your faith in God and experience divine bliss. That's what you should do.

Fruits can't protect themselves. It is the tree that protects the fruits it bears. The tree is protected and kept green by its roots. If you supply water and manure to the roots, they protect the tree, which in its turn protects the fruits. Isn't it so? God is the root of this world. If you surrender to God, everything will be taken care of.

People with worldly thoughts can't relish divine feelings. A person from the fish market can't imagine who a jeweller is. A sea has most precious gems at its bottom but the seawater is full of salt. Isn't it?

Similarly, we have people of different temperaments in this world. God is never against anyone. There are none close to or distant from Him. All are alike to Him. You may hold a jasmine flower by either your right hand or left hand, it smells equally well in either hand. God is that one who is in all.

(To be continued)

- Illustrations: Ms. Vidya, Kuwait

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ring.jpg (16KB) , Swami-vibhuti25March2004.jpg (16KB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Chief Technology Officer I (N.T. Arun Kumar) had to travel a lot all over the world. Swami's Omnipresence - and His eternal promise to be always with us - was once again revealed to me that year when the airplane I was traveling on in Russia developed problems mid-air and could neither proceed to its destination in India nor return to Moscow.

 

In the gloomy silence that followed within the aircraft, I clutched involuntarily with all my strength to the green diamond ring Swami had created for me a few years back and prayed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do not remember how, but we landed safely back in Moscow. And then I had a grueling 24 hour journey back home, and by the time the plane landed in India, I was completely worn out. After reaching home, no sooner than I had done my prostrations to Swami's Robe, the ring split into two! Maybe Swami had absorbed all the energy while averting the disaster through his 'visiting card', the ring, which is now in my altar.

 

Swami's Grace has extended to the whole office too. In 2006, when we first expanded into new premises, disaster struck a week before our inauguration " “ while testing the fire extinguisher, the pressure valve gave way and the whole office got flooded. It meant losses of several lakhs of Rupees and I was on the way to Sri Lanka on an urgent meeting.

 

 

We had no insurance yet to recover, and worse still, there was dispute as to whose mistake it was! Swami appeared in the dream of our manager who was handling the project (he was not a 'devotee' then), gave him an 'interview' and asked him why I did not come to see Him. Upon being told I was traveling to Sri Lanka, Swami said I could visit Him in Colombo as well!

 

 

That same day in Colombo, I got an email informing me the address of the Sai Center there! I had been to Colombo several times but could never find time or means to visit Swami and this was completely out of the blue.

 

 

I had a blissful time in "Sai Mandir" in Barnes Place, Colombo, and back in Chennai, all our vendors by themselves agreed to fix the damages and the builder paid for their losses! There was no debate and no loss of time to inaugurate our global operations. In fact, Swami's students employed with us chanted vedic hymns and did homam as an expression of the entire company's gratitude to Him, instead of the typical MNC practice of calling VIP's to inaugurate.

Another amazing experience I had in office was when a very tough and demanding client visited us for a project review. He was intractable on all issues and wanted us to do more work within the same contract. Our deadlines and costs kept extending, and despite all our hard and sincere work, the project didn't seem nearing completion. After grueling meetings where we were forced to agree to all his terms, I persisted on our constraints and he and I had a private review again.

He came over to my office and upon seeing Swami's picture, suddenly exclaimed that his wife is an ardent devotee and they are doing a social service project based on Swami's principles near Bangalore. From then on, the conversation suddenly turned warm with discussions of Swami more than work issues in hand, and at the end of the meeting, he not only agreed to proceed our way but also said he will sanction extra budget to be paid to us!

PS: Mr. N.T. Arun Kumar is the Chief Executive Officer of Dun & Bradstreet Predictive Science & Analytics, part of a US based global organization. In 2001 Bhagavan permitted Arun to visit Sri Sathya Sai University (SSSU), Puttaparthi to offer guest lectures in technology management to the MBA students.

http://media. radiosai. org/Journals/ Vol_06/01MAR08/ 07-Kumar. htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serve Man Until " ¦You See God In All Men

By Mr. Bjørn Ribers, Denmark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bjørn is a social worker at the Red Cross. He qualified with an M.A. in Psychology and Communication Studies. A member of the Sai Youth Group, he was involved in the Centre's Project for Homeless People and also visits homes for the elderly and disabled. His wife Henriette Emilie is an artist and has portrayed Baba in her paintings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I first heard about Sri Sathya Sai Baba in 1986, when I was 14 years of age. I come from a Christian background, and it was a few months after my confirmation. My Godmother had recently been to Prasanthi Nilayam, and when she returned to Denmark she showed us pictures from the Ashram. A specific photo made a particular impression on me. It portrayed the big statue in front of Swami's temple, with the lotus flower and the five world religions, unifying spirituality and science. " Baba's message, " she told us, " is that all religions are aspects of the same Truth, the same God, although they may call Him by different names. " At this moment I experienced contact with a voice deep within me saying, " Yes, this is the Truth, this is what I have always felt myself. " The words were accompanied by a sense of peace.

A few years later, my mother went to Prasanthi Nilayam and brought back vibuthi, literature on Baba and pictures of Him " “ as well as many beautiful experiences, which she captured in the paintings " Darshan " and " Morning Prayer " .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Darshan'

 

 

'Morning Prayer'

In the family we often spoke about Baba, His teachings and other spiritual issues. I had the life of an average Danish young man, went to college, engaged in sports activities and spent time with my friends and family, but the longing for a more spiritual life increased over the years. I prayed to the omnipresent God without name and form to show me the spiritual guide that I was destined to follow. The following night Baba appeared to me in a dream and spoke to me in English, giving me advice about several aspects of my life. These dreams have been part of my inner life and contact with Him since then.

 

In 1994, I was in Prasanthi Nilayam with a group of Danish Sai devotees for Christmas. I did not travel to India to find out who Baba was. For some unknown reason it already seemed clear to me that He was the reincarnation of Lord Krishna, the Creator of this Universe. Nor did I come for healing, to be convinced about Baba's ability to materialise, or to test His Divine powers. I went there because I had a deep longing to see Him and feel His presence.

Eyes of Endless Depth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those Eyes...that encompassed eternity

 

One day during Darshan, He was standing right in front of me. He did not speak to me, but He looked into my eyes and smiled. His face was so beautiful. An old saying states, " The eyes are the mirror of the soul " and I often felt that when I looked into the eyes of a person I would see a reflection of their soul's uniqueness.

But with Swami, there seemed to be no individual soul. No beginning. No end. Looking into His eyes was a view into Eternity, into the Absolute Infinite Beingness " “ God. I was plunged into the unfathomable, overwhelmed and deeply touched. He left me awestruck, with tears in my eyes.

A few days later, on Christmas day, an Indian Sai devotee shared with me the following quote by Baba:

" No matter where you go, always know that I will be there, inside you, guiding you every step of the way. In the years to come, you will experience Me in My different manifestations of My form. You are My very own, dearer than dear to Me. I will protect you like the eyelids that protect the eyes. "

Little did I know at that time, how significant these words would be to me in the years to come!

Aspirations of the Heart

When I returned to Denmark my life changed completely. If ever I were to be worthy of looking into His eyes again I would have to put His teachings into practice. What had He told me? That I should see Him in His different manifestations of His form, and that only through love and service to mankind could I serve God and attain God's grace. On a spring day in 1995 the following poem flowed easily into my mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beloved One, Beloved One,Let me be your sacred son. I am Yours and You are mine We are all in Love Divine.

Take my life and make me You; Make me just as loving too. You are God and I am too, Let me work in love for you.

Lead me on the journey through All the way back Home to You. I am Yours and You are mine; We are all in Love Divine.

Oh, My Lord I pray to Thee, Make me humble on my knee. I will serve the best I can; See You Lord, in every man.

We are One; Father, Son. Please make me Yours, Beloved One.

Vision of Sai

I titled it Beloved One and the words defined the way I strived to live my life. Yet, words alone are not sufficient; they must be followed by practice. So I volunteered to become a visiting friend at the nearest old people's home. Several days a week I would go and spend time with the elders, talk to them, listen to their life stories and learn about the difficulties they are grappling with in the last days of their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I am everywhere, at all times..."

I realised, that when they viewed their lives in retrospect, the most valuable experience had been the love of their families. These moments of service were indeed rewarding for me. However, I often longed for India, for Swami and for the nearness of my Father, the Poorna Avathar.

It was on one such day, when I was on my way to visit an elderly man at the old people's home that I was longing for India and Swami. When I entered the room where the old man lived, I saw him lying on his bed. And as I went near and we started speaking, my thoughts went back to India and for a few seconds I didn't focus on the person in front of me, whom I had promised to serve.

When I looked up again it was no longer the old man lying on the bed. It was Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in His orange robe, with a crown of black hair! Not like a vision or a dream, but in His physical form. I was so awestruck that I almost fell on my knees. But the moment I moved, the scene changed. Again it was the old man lying in front of me.

" Serve man until you see God in all men, " Baba tells us. I spent the rest of the day with my friend, reflecting upon Baba's words. As humble as I would be towards Swami, I should be to this man. As respectful as I would be to Swami, I should be towards this man. All the love I would have for Swami, I should have for this man.

" In the years to come, you will see Me in My different manifestations of My form. " Baba had indeed kept His promise. For five years I served several different people at the old people's home and I spent almost every evening there. I didn't see Swami in His familiar divine form again, but I learned to see and experience His omnipresence and His Love in His multiplicity of forms.

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Reader, did this article inspire you in any way? Would you like to share you feelings with us? If so please contact us at h2h mentioning your name and country. Thank you for your time.

 

 

 

UNTO THEE....

By Sri Madhusudhan Rao NaiduFormer student of Baba's Institute.

 

 

 

Not very long ago, a tiny grain of sand waded its way through the waves of the mighty ocean, blissfully ignorant of what was in store for it in the heart of the sea...but only too anxious to have lost its trampled past! As if swept by the invisible waft of a tender touch, it soon found its reluctant self at the mouth of the Mother of Pearls. Even as it stepped into that haven of happiness, it only irritated and annoyed the architect of its destiny!

Will a mother ever avenge its child in her womb for all the kicks that she receives? All the deeds of the erring grain of sand were forgiven once it was engulfed in the encompassing love of the patient oyster ...only to emerge as a sparkling pearl that would adorn the neck of the one whose own feet had trampled it... not very long ago!

My voyage from the shores of humanity to the shrine of the divine is the most treasured part of my life. I was then a 'student' and now a 'Sai Student'. I am sure that my tale of transformation would not be very different from that of the others at His feet.

It was one of those pleasant afternoons when Bhagavan was seated in the portico in front of the parched millions who thirst for a mere glance, a mere word, a mere smile or just a mere sight of His countenance, but it made a difference to my life and the lives of many who were close enough to follow and gather with eager hands the pearls of wisdom that were showered by Bhagavan.

"Will you do anything that I will ask of you?", demanded the Lord.

"Yes, I will." Pat came the reply.

"Anything, you mean?"

"Yes, anything that You command."

"Well... Then eat two fishes tomorrow and come," ordered the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was speechless....

"Will you do that? Tell me now." Bhagavan insisted on an answer while that familiar mischievous smile played on His lips.

I was thinking while all the eyes, human and divine, were riveted to my face, waiting for a reply.

I thought...if I say " Yes, I will do", with the courage (if not the faith) of a Kakasaheb Dixit (an ardent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba), the Lord might scold me for not having followed His teachings .

On the other hand, if I say "I won't", I might be reprimanded for lack of faith in the Lord's command.

I was in a fix!! .

A few moments passed...My heart skipped a few beats even as I was evaluating the pros and cons of the decision I was going to make. There was pin-drop silence... to be broken only by the divine reproach

"Chee!! Neeku nammakame ledu. Swami atlantivi yepaadaina chepputhada? Swami atlanti di yeppudu cheppudu ani gettiga jawab cheppali." (meaning, You do not have any faith. Will Swami ever ask you to do such things? You must reply with firm faith that Swami will never ask such things of anyone.)

Those were the words that struck me like a thunder-bolt only to make an indelible impression on my heart. Yes, Swami asks us to do what is good for us. The pill might be bitter, the decoction might be sour, and the treatment might be agonizing... Yet that would be the only thing good that can happen to us when He commands.

Academic education was over at the divine feet. It was time to pray for further guidance. My heart searched for every opportunity to present its plight and beseech His grace. Finally, I succeeded when He chose to stop by me while gliding during the Darshan. I poured out.

"You have done so much for me ...Tell me now what shall I do for You?"

"Be Good. Be Happy."

He summed up the entire essence of all the scriptures in four simple words. I am yet to comprehend...was it a command or a blessing!

Does it not surprise when all He asks of us in return for all that He does for us is to be good and happy. Well if that is not God, then what else is!

However, when He asks us to do something, do we ever pause for a moment and think for a while as to who actually is doing it! Let me explain.

Have you ever seen a father driving a vehicle with an excited tiny tot on his lap? Well, if you have done so then it makes my task much easier. The child, who has its little hands on the steering wheel, in all its innocence, assumes and gets excited that it is able to steer the car, little aware of the greater truth that the father is holding its puny palms. The father, who is all-aware, pretends that the child is actually able to steer the car and even mentions a word or two of appreciation to the onlookers.

Many a time we are blissfully ignorant of the greater force that works through us without which we will be reduced to a mere bag of bones and flesh. In such moments of ignorance, the words of the Lord become the guiding star and show us the way.

"What grade did you get in the exams?" enquired the Chancellor (Baba).

With a twinkle in my eyes I raised myself to reach Him and reply, "Swami! 'O' Grade (Outstanding)'

"I know ...I know, Sir!" said the Lord with a smile. "Swami! It is Your Grace." I submitted.

"Yes! Grace tho ney grade vacchindi (Yes! You have got the grade due to grace) revealed the Lord.

....and He walked away leaving me behind, wondering at the simplicity of His magnificent truths.

How often do we actually realise (in the true sense of the term) that we are all puppets with our destinies tied to the fingers of the great sutradhari (divine puppeteer) that Bhagavan is? The applause that we gather greedily after every performance is because of His grace and not our greatness.

Ultimately, whatever He asks us to do or rather does through us, whatever happens to us or rather whatever He chooses should happen, is good for us.

"What ever happens is for your good."

This was the fifth time I heard Him say during the interview that He granted to our family. After He left our hearts overflowing with His loving words and souls spellbound by His silken smiles, He beckoned us yet again for a family photograph...rather a complete family photograph!

I rushed with my little camera to capture that timeless moment, when to my ill fate I realised that the flash had failed. Well...I tried again and again but all in vain. The Lord willingly waited with the other family members to be captured on that thin film of silver. However, the heartless camera that had worked perfectly well till then, refused to oblige. My younger brother who was sitting at the Feet of the Lord posing for the photo chose to try his luck too, but the callous camera would not work. The fear of losing this opportunity gripped my being and it did not go unnoticed by the Lord.

Swami, who was a silent witness to this wreck, took pity on my plight, "Aiyyo, paapam."(So sorry). He commanded me to beckon the boy with the camera sitting outside the interview room. I carried out the command and there we were having a group photo that now included me too. After this brief photo session, Swami said,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"See! Your camera did not work. Even that was for your own good. Now all of you could be together in the photograph. So you see whatever happens is for your good."

Needless to say, the point was driven straight home.

"Swami! Bless us that whatever might happen we should always have faith in You," prayed my younger brother.

The Almighty replied,

 

 

 

 

 

"Yes! You must have firm faith; however, clouds of doubts will come, which is but natural. Still, you must persist, wait for the winds to blow them away and you shall see the sun again. The sun is always there. It is only that the clouds hamper your vision.

Doubts are but passing clouds and they bring the testing times along. Only if you pass the test will they promote you to the higher standard. Is it not so?"

Test is His taste. He never promises us faith or devotion or love or peace ...all He promises are tests and, of course, the grace which can promote us to the next standard, provided we put in sincere efforts.

 

 

There is no end to this saga of Sai's love...for the story began at the commencement of creation and is destined to go on till the end of eternity...All I feel when I walk down memory lane is that there is so much being given unasked, let us rush to our homes and get back with the biggest container lest we should miss the downpour.

 

In all these years that have gone by, many times I have wondered as to what can one possibly give back to the Sun as a token of gratitude for all the light that He brings to our dark homes even as He burns Himself out...perhaps nothing at all! However, the least we could do is to keep our doors wide open and do not let His efforts go in vain.

What can I possibly gift on the birthday of the one beyond time? As someone has appositely said,

What you are is God's gift to you and what you become is your gift to God."

So, I am here to offer myself and pray That I remain moist as clay For Him to mould and play

And when I grow hard and dry Wouldn't bend how much you tryLet me have the heart to cry

With the tears of joy or pain That He shall ordain And I be wet again ...

For Him to play and cheer Not just on this day but the whole year!!

 

 

 

- Courtesy: Hridaya Brindavan, 2005 --------------

Written by Late Prof.Kasturi

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Kasturi

 

Innumerable are the instances when God has converted a 'stormy tornado' of someone's life into a 'serene sea' when they allowed Him to take over the reins of their lives. Dr. Y S Thathachari, a dedicated biophysicist who had worked for some years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and after that at Stanford University and the

University of California, suffered in 1960 'aggressively malignant and metastasising tumours in the skull, the neck, the ribs and the hips, the cancer having the features of both Ewings and Retiaulum Cell Sarcoma.' It was a death sentence enveloped in medical abracadabra! Prof. Kasturi reports in Sathyam Shivam Sundaram. The surgeon finally told him, 'Sir, miracles do happen. We hope such a miracle would happen to you.' This was in 1962.

The couple returned to Madras (now Chennai) and the doctors in Madras pronounced that even the liver is now affected with cancer. "In 1965," Tathachari says, "I felt like seeking the blessings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, following a chance reference by a friend. Baba blessed me and my wife and directed us to go back to Stanford, continuing the Endoxan, if I wished to do so. In 1970, when I approached Him again, He asked me to discontinue all drugs and dietary supplements. He gave me an assurance of cure and dispelled that ever-present dread of recurrence." Thathachari later pursued his teaching assignment and research projects in America with undiminished zeal. The 'miracle' had indeed happened.

 

The reason we quote this particular incident, though there are innumerable of such 'divine graces' happening anytime all over the world, is to bring to attention a few powerful and profound words that Bhagavan wrote to him many years later. "Busy yourselves with the duties which are entrusted to you, in good spirit and fine health," Swami's initial lines in the letter to Thathachari read. But what came later is most significant. "Sai is ever by your side. He is the charioteer of the vehicle of your life. The ship of life, however heavily loaded with the cargo of joys and sorrows, can certainly arrive at the harbour of self-realisation, if it is propelled by holy mental energy. Repetition of the Name is the 'dug-dug-dug' of the pistons; the steering wheel is love; the anchor is faith. Continue the journey in confidence. Sai is always guarding you from harm and pain " ¦Swami is constantly showering His

compassion on you. He counsels you from within and corrects you. On your part, be immersed in the duties entrusted to you; remember, that is Swami's work. When you discharge your duties, convinced that the work is Mine, health and happiness will be added unto you."

Bhagavan, in so many comforting sentences, conveyed how glorious one's life can be if He is made the Charioteer. It is these sweet and soothing words of the Lord, dripped in divine selfless love, which are His most potent weapon to induce man to pause, reflect, reform and then reestablish himself in peace.

Om Sai Ram

http://media. radiosai. org/Journals/ Vol_05/01FEB07/ 03-

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The Scintillating Story of His Splendour

Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshanam - An overview and inner view

 

 

 

 

Encase the ocean of Pure Love in a vial of Supreme Splendour and voila, you set a million seeking hearts aflutter! The chemistry of the moment is sheer magic, and its memory, simply spectacular. Etched deep into the collective DNA of the human consciousness, the recent celebration that marked the physical presence of the Avatar on this planet through a thousand full moons, lent a whole new meaning to the concept of the global village, as the world seemed to have descended on Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of Supreme Peace, to experience a spiritual high that is hard to capture in prose, poetry or mathematical formula. Yet, for each of the hundred thousand participants on the ground and thousands of virtual participants around the globe, the event marked the culmination of sincere spiritual aspirations of their soul, an answer to their deepest yearnings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CELEBRATING DIVINE RADIANCE ON EARTH

 

 

The Glory of the Grand Celebration

November 17, 2008 " “ the day posterity will preserve like the oyster safeguards its pearl. For eons to come, mankind will delight in revisiting this momentous page in history to bask in the bliss of that beatific occasion when time stood still and a million hearts gasped in awe as they beheld the heavenly vision. What unfolded on that gem of a day was not only unprecedented and extraordinary, but also so moving and majestic, entrancing and elevating, that to describe it in words would be akin to holding a lantern in front of the Moon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotees started pouring in, nice & early

 

 

 

 

 

Young and old, with babies in arm head to Vidyagiri stadium

 

Right from the early hours of dawn, people of all hues and cultures, from countless regions and nations, eagerly stepped into the galleries and the ground of the impressive Vidyagiri Stadium in Prasanthi Nilayam, India. As the Sun slowly rose, spreading its gentle rays, everybody knew they were about to witness another Sunrise that morning " “ one that would be a million times brighter and beautiful, heartening and enlightening. Yes, it was the ultimate day of the grand celebration " “ Sahasra Poorna Chandra DarshanamYagnam, being performed to mark the 83rd Birthday of their beloved Lord, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. And everyone was aware, that morning the " ˜light of their lives' was due to ride the alluring Golden Chariot, and arrive amidst them regally, in all splendour, to fill the cups of their hearts with unalloyed joy. And so it happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Witnessing an unprecedented Sunrise...

 

 

 

 

 

....Radiating the brilliance of a million splendid Suns

 

Words Could Not Match the Magnificence of the Moment When the seven-horse driven, golden and glistening divine vehicle glided into the large concourse of thirsting devotees, the sublime euphoria that enveloped the entire assembly was hard to describe. The moment was spellbinding and magical. Every face in the crowd spoke a volume, in silence. There were tears streaming down copiously on some; a few others seemed transfixed as if temporarily transported to some other realm; some were so much in awe that they just gazed with big eyes and open mouths, their palms pressed on their cheeks; there were others who were just ecstatic, big smiles sported their lips - they only wanted to savour every second to the maximum; a few others, who were probably new to Baba, were amazed and seemed to try to fathom the enigma of this divine occurrence; some had become statues of humility with folded hands and heads bowed in deep reverence, they had no clue how else to accept this remarkable blessing; there were hundreds who were simply jubilant, they waved their hands in overflowing joy and embraced themselves as if enveloping their being with the sanctifying air of divine benevolence; there were yet others who were just motionless, in bliss " ¦ at times you could see a tear or two slowly

coursing down their cheeks " ¦. How can anyone translate in letters an experience that is so overpowering, intense and deeply moving, and is experienced by each one in their own unique way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sea of humanity turns into a melting pot of adoration

 

 

 

 

 

Hands raised in supplication

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tears of joy fill hearts with bliss

 

 

 

 

 

Grateful to experience the enchanted moment

 

Brighter than a Million Splendid Suns As the Lord, adorned in sublime yellow and enthroned on the luminous limousine, smiled generously and blessed copiously, His hand often raised in loving benediction, there was not a single soul in the stadium whose heart was not stirred by the splendour of Sai! To add to the grandeur and excitement of the occasion, the chariot was led by the elegant and agile Sathya Geeta, Baba's tiny pet elephant. She was followed by the University Brass Band adding scintillating music to the sacred morning. Behind this, was the elaborate procession of students, attired in red, and vociferously chanting vedic hymns. At the same time, the huge speakers stacked at various strategic points in the ground, sprung into action belting out lovely compositions, specially created for the event. Music and poetry have it in them to express the deep emotions of the heart with more ease and clarity than prose. One of the songs, written in Telugu, captured the beauty of the event wonderfully, and now we wish to share with you the English translation of this soulful rendering, as that is perhaps a better way to communicate what transpired between the divine and His devotees that unforgettable morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving in glory and splendour befitting to mark the grand occasion

 

 

 

 

 

 

" Swarna Ratham Pai Pai Ninche " ¦ " Delectably Enthroned, the Divine Sai " ¦ Oh the timeless, most mysterious and the magnificent One!

Oh King of Kings! The Supreme Lord of Kali! Oh Brilliant Being, superlatively illustrious, And adored in all the three worlds of this Universe! Oh the highly resplendent One, Whose radiance spans this entire creation, spares none! Behold! Delight in this scintillating sacred sight!

Enthroned on the Golden Chariot is the celestial Lord - Sai! Every speck of Nature around is as if rejuvenated " ¦ One glimpse of His glorious aura And each being on earth feels so liberated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every hand tries to capture the remarkable moment for eternity in the fist of memory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truly, you are the ever-shining Sun, The thousand-petaled, illumining light of our lives " ¦

You are our most beautiful Moon too " ¦ So pure, so serene, so soothing, so moving, Ever-new and so full of bliss, eternal! In scores and thousands, from every corner of the globe, We have gathered, with thrill, eager expectation and joy, To savour You with our eyes, dear Lord, our heartthrob! How long have we pined for this momentous morning! How much have we prayed and penanced for this purifying present!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savouring the magic ofthe spell-binding moment

 

 

 

 

 

When time stood still and silence reignedat the sight of Supreme Beauty

 

 

 

 

 

 

Springs of ecstasy, welling from within, have enveloped our entire being, Witnessing this divine spectacle, unprecedented andabsolutely outstanding " ¦ Our lives have found fulfillment, our existence has found meaning! Purely for our sake, You have descended on this planet, To regale us and redeem us, You have come again " ¦ But with this, one stupefying manifestation of Your glory, The cups of our souls are now overflowing " ¦ O Lord, the Caring Caretaker of this entire creation, By this one splendid gift, You have blessed us with the utmost joy of divine communion, Elevating us to ethereal heights Of divine excitement and delectable delight. You have sanctified us; we have seen paradise!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very sight of the ocean of love swept every heart, unleashing pure

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a pure desire... and a profound blessing

 

How God guided Gayatri to put her worst foot forward and transformed her from being physically challenged to a charismatic character brimming with inspiration and inner joy

 

 

 

 

 

Driven solely by the highest aspiration to serve in the hallowed premises of Bhagavan Baba's ashram, a young lady was willing to give it her all, despite her crippling polio. All she prayed for was the special chance and in the process, she discovered untapped inner powers, a healthcare system that sought out the root of her disability, and which helped her overcome her childhood malady.

Supporting herself on a stick that she had held across her frame, Gayatri stood in the calming atmosphere near the Ganesha idol facing the main entrance of Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram. Aarti to Lord Ganesha was in progress. With eyes closed, her mind floated gently on the soft strains of hymns and the wafting aroma of incense, as her soul soaked in the serenity of the moment.

" Yesterday was a bad day. "

Gayatri's mind raced back. Though polio had completely crippled her right leg when she was three, and forced her to lead a dependent life, she never flinched. Nor did she pray to God to give her back her leg. Bearing her entire body weight on her healthy left leg and supporting herself on a stick, she had fought on.

A Pure Desire to Serve

Her family used to attend bhajans of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in her neighbourhood, and that was her first contact with Bhagavan. This was in the early nineties. She soon realised that Baba was none other than God in flesh and blood. The one desire she had was to go for seva, where she could serve as a volunteer at Prasanthi Nilayam, amid the Presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For her family, fulfilling her wish was not an easy task. The family of six stayed in their small ancestral home in Gadwal town in the Mahboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. Her father was a small time contractor, not earning much. A chunk of the family income came from a two room woman's hostel that her mother ran in a part of their house. She was the third of four daughters, and the most unassuming.

From the beginning, she knew that a sound grounding in academics was the only way for her to a secure future. She strove hard. Known for her academic brilliance, she finally graduated in Bachelor of Arts with an astounding 80 per cent marks. Her parents and sisters never made her feel that she was physically challenged, they helped her in every way they could.

When she put forth her wish to go for seva at Prasanthi Nilayam, her parents to make sure that they fulfilled her wish, put together some money and sent her along with the other volunteers from Mahboobnagar district in December 2006.

Hopes Dashed Due to Disability

But the day she reached Prasanthi Nilayam, her only dream seemed to crumble. Considering the difficulty she faced while walking, the officials of the district seva dal, remained undecided on whether to assign her a duty to perform as part of the seva or not.

As a rule, a typical sevadal volunteer is expected to be on her feet most of the time. Naturally, it was feared that Gayatri would find it extremely difficult to cope with the duties.

At the possibility of losing the opportunity of performing seva in Bhagavan's divine presence, she had cried the whole day.

Despair Drives Her to Pray for Strength in Both Feet

No wonder when she participated in the Ganesha aarthi on that momentous day, for the first time in her life Gayatri then asked Bhagavan to make her stand on her two feet, so that she too could have the privilege to perform selfless service at His holy abode.

That night when sleep finally overtook her, she had a lovely dream. Gayatri dreamt that Bhagavan in His ochre robe was standing right in front of her. He then put His hand on Gayatri's head and said,

" Do not worry, I will take care of everything " . Walking away, He gave her a red rose.

 

 

 

 

 

That night when sleep finally overtook her, she had a lovely dream. Gayatri dreamt that Bhagavan in His ochre robe was standing right in front of her. He then put His hand on Gayatri's head and said, " Do not worry, I will take care of everything " . Walking away, He gave her a red rose.

In the morning, Gayatri woke up bright and full of anticipation. Her sadness alleviated and her large bright eyes shone forth, as her face wore a curious smile. Somehow she felt the auspicious dream from Bhagavan augured a very special event ahead " ¦

It was still very early in the day and Gayatri's eyes were closed, lost in absorbing the tranquillity of the serene morning, even as the priest of the Ganesh Temple was waving the camphor steadily in circles and finally raising the fire high in the direction of the devotees marking the conclusion of the morning rituals.

Waking Reality Confirms Dream Experience

The aarti was over and Gayatri opened her eyes. From a distance she saw the priest descending the steps of the temple and distributing flowers offered to the Lord Ganesha to the assembled devotees. Suddenly, the priest turned and walked up straight to Gayatri. Picking up a red rose from the bunch of flowers in his hand, the priest handed the flower to her. One look at the rose and Gayatri eyes opened wide.

" It was exactly the rose, which Swami had given me in the dream. The resemblance was unmistakable. I could not believe it was all really true, " Gayatri said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

" It was exactly the rose, which Swami had given me in the dream. The resemblance was unmistakable. I could not believe it was all really true, " Gayatri said.

That night again Bhagavan came in Gayatri's dream, again the reassurance, and another red rose. Again after the aarti, the next day, the priest handed over the exact red rose, she had seen in the dream. It was as if Bhagavan was saying, yesterday was no coincidence.

First Encounter with Sai Medical Counselling Ushers Hope

That day, Gayatri's uncle asked her to accompany him to the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital (SSSGH), in Puttaparthi. He wanted to find out whether a prosthetic leg could somehow be fitted to Gayatri's diseased leg, so that she could walk again. The doctors at SSSGH taking a look at Gayatri, told her that what she needed was surgery on the incapacitated leg at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS), Prasanthigram, which could bring back strength to her lost right leg.

Both Gayatri and her uncle were surprised, when told that everything, right from the operation to the medicines, would be provided absolutely free of cost. They were also told that none of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Hospitals charged anything from the patients.

Information Echoes Dream Assurance

" The words of Swami came back to me, " Gayatri said. " I will take care of you, don't worry, " He had said. " I felt certain that I would stand on my two legs and will be able to come for seva, " said Gayatri exuding joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

" The words of Swami came back to me, " Gayatri said. " I will take care of you, don't worry, " He had said. " I felt certain that I would stand on my two legs and will be able to come for seva, " said Gayatri exuding joy.

Gayatri is 21 but looks barely 15. Polio had inflicted Gayatri when she was three years old. In her 13th year Gayatri's family visited a renowned hospital close to her home. The doctors who checked Gayatri told her, there was little hope of her walking again. " We cannot do anything. The limb is too deformed for us to do anything. She is too weak, even if we perform the surgery, she will not be able to recover, " were some of the answers Gayatri's family had received. Those who did not understand her pain, mocked her. Others who did understand, would try and sympathise with her. Gayatri never let the insults demoralise her or the sympathy soften her.

The visit to the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital gave her new hope and information about the super specialised healthcare available at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. This time around, she returned to her town, filled with both happiness and sadness. Happy because she had now seen a new hope after years of a difficult life with a handicap, but sad too as she could not have her much desired opportunity to serve.

Face-to-face with God's Surgeons

Early next year, on January 2, 2007, Gayatri entered SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram for the first time. On the first day itself, all the tests were done and the Head of Department, Orthopaedics, Dr. Kailash Rao, gave Gayatri an operation date for July 4, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthi Nilayam

One of the surgeons who performed surgery on Gayatri said that due to polio in her early childhood, Gayatri's muscles had become paralysed. The paralysis of the muscles had deformed the right leg down from the waist. Gayatri's condition was described as Anterior Poliomyelitis Sequelae.

Thorough Diagnosis Traces Root of the Problem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gayatri's hip joint was corrected by releasing the muscles that were twisting it out of place

 

According to Dr. Kailash Rao, Gayatri's hip had flexed and had turned away from the body, while the knee was bent in. Gayatri's right foot was pointing out of the body. The muscle function was minimal and she used to support her body on her left leg and used a stick for support.

The surgeons, then decided to first correct the hip joint and then later correct the knee and the ankle. The first surgery was performed on July 4, 2007. The muscles around the hip joint were released and the hip joint corrected. According to the doctor treating Gayatri her muscles after being released became stronger and better.

After the operation, Gayatri was put on traction so that the length of the limb was corrected. She was also made to undergo physiotherapy for a month to improve the functionality of her operated limb. The doctors advised her to walk wearing callipers for six months. After six months she was called for the second operation. In the second operation, her knee and ankle were corrected.

Second Surgery Sets Stage for Miraculous Recovery

After the second operation was performed, to everyone's surprise, Gayatri started taking her first steps, taking support of a crutch without even undergoing physiotherapy. " After the second operation, she did not require any physiotherapy, " the Head of the Orthopaedics Department said. Still, for adequate recovery and normal functioning of the right limb, Gayatri was suggested to wear callipers for six months.

Gayatri who had come for a check up in November 2008 is now able to stand on her two feet and walk. Her steps are slow and she sometimes uses a crutch for support. But doctors treating her have said that two months later Gayatri would be able to walk freely without any support.

 

 

 

 

 

" The rate of her recovery has surprised us, " the doctors said. Though such a recovery does occur in some cases, it is however pretty rare. We have seen cases in which after the surgery is performed the patients have to take the support of the callipers for the rest of their life. But this was a unique case, in which the recovery was much greater than we expected it to be. "

" The rate of her recovery has surprised us, " the doctors said. Though such a recovery does occur in some cases, it is however pretty rare. We have seen cases in which after the surgery is performed the patients have to take the support of the callipers for the rest of their life. But this was a unique case, in which the recovery was much greater than we expected it to be, " they said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" But for us it is the happiness that the patient reflects after recovery, which is far more important, " said the Head of the Orthopaedics Department, SSSIHMS, Prashanthigram.

Walking Towards God, One Small Step At a Time

For her part Gayatri is ecstatic. Taking small and cautious steps, sometimes taking support of her mother, she is slowly reclaiming what polio had snatched from her in her childhood.

Though she is gradually coming to terms with the metamorphosis, what is surprising her and giving her joy at the same time is the reaction of her friends.

" Many of my friends could not recognise me at all, " she chuckles. " They just kept staring at me, as if I was a stranger, and I used to guffaw when I saw their jaws drop in surprise, " Gayatri said. " I had phoned almost all my friends and they came to congratulate me. That feeling was so hard to describe.

" I had never prayed to Swami to grant me use of my leg. I had told him that I wanted to be able to perform seva at Prasanthi Nilayam. The moment I am able to walk on my feet freely, the first thing I would do is to come for seva, " Gayatri said.

" Swami has given me a gift of a new life and it is my duty to do whatever little I can do on my part to show my gratitude. First I will perform seva, everything else can wait, " she added.

This young lady's astonishing experience is a sure testimony of the divine grace that flows into our lives when our hearts and motivation are set on the path of virtuous conduct. If our minds are directed by purity of intent then there is no obstacle that can stand in our way as we will find ourselves walking beside a God who is literally guiding our every step.

~ Heart2Heart Team in association with SSSIHMS

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Healing Touch.

 

 

 

 

Dear Reader, did this article inspire you in any way? Would you like more such stories of patients treated in Swami's hospitals? Please write to us at h2h mentioning your name and country. Thank you for your time.

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting Love

 

 

 

 

 

Love has been and will always be the greatest of weapons that mankind can ever possess. I came to realise the profundity of its power, the day I chose to wield its influence on one of my customers at office, wherein I tried to handle an otherwise unwelcome incident in truly the " ˜Sai' way.

Working at a Helpdesk for an Internet company in New Zealand, gives me enough and more opportunities to interact with customers, who call up for help in fixing up their Internet connections. And like any employee at the helpdesk, I get my fair share of irate customers, who are either complaining or addressing an issue that has long been left unresolved.

One day at work, I had one of those " ˜difficult' customers. Many of our agents, and to make it worse, even outsiders, had given this particular individual, a lady, the run around. Understandably, she was upset and very abusive over the phone. But my training to deal with such customers and situations got the better of me. I kept my calm and patiently listened to her. But she still could not stop abusing me. It seemed that my explanation and help did not satisfy her enough. Almost immediately, I was reminded of Bhagavan Baba's words, and how sharing plain and simple words sprinkled with love can heal the other person even when not in direct contact.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking so, I placed her on hold and consulted one of my superiors on the exact solution to her problem. But even they gave me the same resolution that I had been trying to explain to her all the while.

And so, this time around, before I uttered another word, I took a deep breath and filled myself with love. I then set out explaining to her that I had only one answer to her problem, and while saying this, I prayed and sent my love to her. I prayed to Baba to fill her with content, peace and patience.

And this is when I decided to take a risk and talk to her about a similar situation that I had myself been through some time back. I promised her that I would do my best to help her, and even told her that I would pray that her predicament be solved as soon as possible. Her anger slowly subsided, so much so that she began speaking to me in her normal voice!

After being on the receiving end of her wrath, her calm words appeared as if Baba had Himself come by her side and patted her on the shoulder saying 'It is ok, life goes on'! That was the level of transformation a mere couple of sentences filled with love had brought about in her.

While the duration of the phone call was certainly longer than usual, thanks to the power of His expansive love, her problem was on its way to being solved. The lady was very thankful to me as she had finally found a person who could relate to her problem and actually listen.

The phone call that had started with anger had ended with laughter! My plain-speak and a genuine effort to reach out to her had worked miracles, leaving both the lady and me happy and content. Such is the power of love.

That reminds me of one more incident. On another day, when I was walking back from work, I happened to walk past a man who looked quite familiar. Only as I moved past him, I noticed that he did not appear happy or impressed to see me. While I did not know what had caused so much disdain in that man, I did recognise him as a superior at work in the same office as mine, but in another department. I shrugged the incident off thinking that he must have had a bad day.

But the very next day, I crossed paths with him again. This time again he did not look too happy to see me! So, I thought to myself that the next time I am face to face with him I will give him a big smile. Next day arrived, and sure enough the man was approaching. I greeted him with a discrete but loving smile. Yet again, all I received in return was a serious and morose look. That, however, did not discourage me.

For that matter, I resolved to myself that every time he would pass by me I would greet him with a smile; I had almost made it the mission of my life to evince a smile out of this man. Days passed, and still it was the same depressing story. I, however, stayed positive and continued my " ˜onslaught' with this man. At last, after a week of relentless pursuit, the gentleman greeted me with a smile, and that too, on his own! I must say, that smile melted my heart immediately, for I knew that it was God who had smiled through him.

It was Bhagavan who had motivated me to go that extra mile, so that I could share His love with a complete stranger, and it certainly was Baba again who, through this unexpected smile, had rewarded my intention and efforts. He taught me that if we persist with love, love will come to us. After all, is it not said that a smile is a curve that can set all things straight!

In both these instances, a simple expression of love had uplifted both its recipients and me. The message to me was load and clear " “ that if we broadcast love, by whichever means possible, be it by smiling, singing, through emails or posts, the same love boomerangs to us, ten-fold in magnitude! Ultimately, all that matters is our love for Him, and how we share this sacred love with everyone around.

 

~ By Ankit Narotam

Illustrations: Ms. Lyn Kriegler Elliott

~ Heart2Heart Team

 

 

 

 

Dear Reader, did this article inspire you in any way? Do you have a similar story to share? Please tell us your reflections about this article by writing to h2h mentioning your name and country. Thank you for your time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moments Memories and Miracles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practicing Medicine With SaiCharles Bollmann, M.D.

 

 

 

 

Raised a Catholic, I entered the seminary to become a priest at an early

age. After two years, I realized it was not for me. I then spent my junior

and senior years at a Catholic high school in New Jersey, attended

Villanova University in Pennsylvania, and then attended the University of Medicine, in New Jersey, for my medical degree. Residency training and

a busy medical practice kept me busy for several years, but I was always

on the "spiritual path." I simply did not have time to pursue it; there was so much to learn.

Finally, I felt I was enough of an expert in medicine to get

back to what I was really interested in - metaphysics. I

started studying all types of spiritual knowledge and paths, from Scientology to Eastern philosophy. I read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda, books by

Ram Dass and Carlos Castaneda, as well as others by Ramakrishna and Ramana Maharshi. I knew I had to go to India but did not know where to go. While visiting a

bookstore in Del Mar, California, I found a small section of metaphysical books. For two hours, while my wife was shopping, I went

over every book in the section, but found nothing of interest. When my wife returned, I refused to leave until I found the right book. Immediately, I turned around and there, not even two feet away from me, was Sai Baba's picture looking directly at me. The book was The Holy Man and the Psychiatrist

by Dr. Samuel Sandweiss. After reading it, I knew I had to go to India.

AND SO, LIKE ALL DEVOTEES WHO HAD COME UNDER THE

SPELL OF SWAMI, DR. BOLLMAN WENT TO INDIA, AND OF

COURSE SAW SWAMI. THIS WAS WAY BACK IN 1977. DURING

THIS TRIP, HE ALSO MET MANY DEVOTEES, INCLUDING

DOCTORS. LET US HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT FROM

BOLLMAN'S ARTICLE.

During this trip, I met several doctors and asked them if they had

witnessed any miracles. Dr. Rajeswari, the obstetrician-gynecologist

who was the

head of the Bangalore hospital, told me the following story. A patient

others was scheduled for a hysterectomy for fibroid tumors. On the

doctor's rounds the morning of the surgery, the patient told her that

Swami had come during

the night, ripped out a fleshy mass of tissue, and told her she did not

need surgery. Dr. Rajeswari was skeptical, but when she pulled back

the sheet to examine the patient, there was a healed scar present that

had not been there the day before. On further examination, the tumor

had completely disappeared and the uterus was back to normal.

IN JANUARY 1978, SHORTLY AFTER DR. BOLLMAN RETURNED TO PHOENIX IN ARIZONA, HIS WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO A DAUGHTER. AT THAT TIME, A PATIENT NAMED TERRY CAME TO DR. BOLLMAN. OVER NOW TO DR. BOLLMAN.

Terry's first pregnancy had progressed normally until about six weeks

before her due date. As her obstetrician, I was surprised to get a call

from the hospital that she was in labor. The delivery was uneventful, and

the baby, while premature, was doing well. On returning to my office, the

post-partum nurse called and informed me Terry's blood pressure was markedly elevated. While making rounds the next morning, I realized

Terry's laboratory findings were extremely abnormal. In essence, all of the

liver-function tests were elevated. For a healthy female of 26 years, this was extremely unusual.

Terry, developed a postpartum hemorrhage. The diagnosis of a rare

disorder, acute yellow atrophy of the liver in pregnancy, was made. This is

a condition in which the liver is almost completely replaced by fat cells and

is unable to function. The cause is unknown, and the condition is

extremely rare. Since no one can live without a liver, Terry's condition

rapidly deteriorated. Another postpartum hemorrhage developed,

and I was

required to perform a hysterectomy to control the bleeding.

Despite my efforts and those of 10 other specialists in various fields,

we continued to lose ground. Terry developed a hemorrhage from the

stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, renal failure, and a stress ulcer

.. She went into congestive heart failure and, finally, coma. During all

this she remained in a coma. I asked Sai Baba to help her and me to

get through this, and I gave her vibhuti.

LIFE NOW BECAME VERY DIFFICULT FOR DR. BOLLMAN.

TERRY'S SERIOUS ILLNESS WAS AFFECTING HIS WORK AND

HIS FAMILY LIFE AS WELL, AND HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO

DO, UNTIL HE REALISED THAT SWAMI ALONE COULD GET HIM

OUT OF DIFFICULTY. THIS IS WHAT HE SAYS.

I asked Swami to help me. I drew the curtain around the bed and began

to talk to the comatose Terry. I explained that the situation could not

continue as it was, and that it was interfering with my life, my other

patients, and my new-born child. I explained that she had a lot to live

for, with her husband and their new baby. I then returned to my office to

see patients. Within an hour, the intensive-care nurse called and

excitedly told me that Terry had awakened from the coma. Two days

later, she left the intensive-care unit and, within one week, she returned

home with her baby. Six weeks later, her liver function was entirely

normal. I know that the results would have been different had Swami

not had His hand in the matter. This was my first assurance that Swami

would always be there to guide me in caring for my patients, and this has lasted throughout my medical career.

DR. BOLLMAN NOW BEGAN TO MAKE REGULAR VISITS TO PUTTAPARTHI, AND HAD MANY EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING WONDERFUL INTERVIEWS. AS A FELLOW GYNECOLOGIST,

HE HAD MANY PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS WITH LATE DR. RAJESWARI, AND ALSO OFTEN LISTENED TO HER AMAZING EXPERIENCES. MORE ABOUT THAT NOW.

During the times I visited with Dr. Rajeswari at the hospital, she told

many stories about Swami. The most amazing story Dr. Rajeswari

shared with

me was her experience of being brought back from the dead.

She had

not been feeling well for several days, suffering from chest pain and

dizziness. She informed Swami, and He told her He would take care

of

her. However, He told her to make sure that she saw a doctor to get

her hypertension under control. Being a busy physician, she failed to

take

Swami's advice. She suffered a fatal heart attack. When she arrived

at

the small hospital emergency room, the EKG showed ventricular

fibrillation, an extreme condition where the heart is not functioning,

requiring electroshock therapy to bring it back to its normal rhythm.

She emphasized that it was not ventricular tachycardia, a condition

that sometimes spontaneously reverses, but ventricular fibrillation.

As

they did not have the personnel or the equipment where she was

being

treated, they tried to transfer her to a larger hospital. However, her

heart stopped. They later told her that she had died on the way to

the other

hospital. During that time, she was unconscious and has no memory

of

what happened. When she awoke in the hospital, the entire room

was

orange. Everywhere she looked she saw orange. She said to the

nurse,

"I have been in many hospitals all over the world, but I have never seen

a hospital room that was orange." The nurse replied, "Are you crazy,

woman? There is no orange here." She said she later checked the

EKG

for herself and confirmed the presence of ventricular fibrillation.

SWAMI BRINGS PEOPLE TO HIM, ONLY WHEN THERE IS AN

INNER YEARNING. WE HAVE HEARD DR. BOLLMAN TELL US

THAT HE ALWAYS HAD A SPIRITUAL YEARNING FROM THE

TIME HE WAS YOUNG. ONCE HE CAME TO SWAMI, THE TRANSFORMATION BEGAN. THIS IS WHAT DR. BOLLMAN

SAYS ABOUT IT.

One of the many things Swami has taught me is that the solution to

every problem is absorption in God-consciousness. It has saved me

many times, and I am sure will continue to do so. I have found that

whenever I am

confronted with any problem, I take a deep breath and think of God.

THE SPRITUAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE SAI DEVOTEE

DOES

NOT STAND ALOOF. RATHER, IT HELPS HIM OR HER TO

CONVERT KARMA INTO TRUE KARMA YOGA, A PROCESS

THAT REVEALS HOW IN THE ULTIMATE ANALYSIS, IT IS

ALWAYS GOD WHO IS THE DOER. BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATING

THIS POINT, DR. BOLLMAN NOW TALKS ABOUT ONE OF HIS

DIFFICULT CASES.

Once I had to do a hysterectomy on a short, very obese patient

(more

than 300 pounds) who had extremely heavy bleeding, so much

so that

she needed blood transfusions on two different occasions in the last

year. While hysterectomy was recommended, no other surgeon

seemed

willing to do it because of the technical difficulty involved in surgery

for a

patient of that size. Her very enlarged uterus, which could not move

up or

down, would make the surgery much more difficult. It was a surgical and anesthetic nightmare.

When I saw her for the first time, she had just bled down to a hemoglobin

of 6gms (normal is 12-14) and had just been seen in the emergency

room.

She was finally convinced she needed something done. After stopping

the bleeding with hormones and treating her with medications to improve

her blood count prior to surgery, I scheduled her for surgery. The surgery

was

the nightmare I thought it would be. It was almost impossible to see

anything due to the amount of intra-abdominal fat and the enlarged

and fixed uterus. She hemorrhaged from the uterine artery and lost

a great deal of blood, which required multiple transfusions. Needless

to say, I asked Swami for help before, during, and after surgery.

I began to wonder where He was. Actually, I knew He was there but

was wondering what He was doing.

After we finished the operation, we were far behind in our transfusions

and fluid replacement. However, the IV had infiltrated, and all attempts

at IVs and arterial lines by many anesthesiologists failed, again

because of her extreme weight. I found myself in the intensive care

unit with a patient who had no urine output, was very pale, and

obviously blood-depleted. I had no way to give her blood or fluids.

Her pulse rate was extremely high, and her blood pressure very low.

Every physician we called for help seemed to be busy with his or her

own problems. The general surgeon I usually call was at her mother's

funeral! We could not even turn the patient from side to side in the bed, because she filled the entire bed and could not be turned.

What to do? I began saying the Gayatri mantra on my japamala. I

realized I was not the doer, only the witness. I wondered if the patient

would die. When I was about halfway through my japamala, my spouse

called me and asked if I had tried vibhuti. She volunteered to bring

some. I was very surprised to realize that she had thought of the

vibhuti and I had not. While saying the Gayatri, and on hearing about

the vibhuti, I realized what Sai is to my life. HE IS MY LIFE. Not only

my life, but it seems I have trained my family the same way.

I continued to say the Gayatri. Suddenly, the anesthesiologist got

an arterial line in after about 180 sticks in the neck. We gave the

patient blood and fluids, and she slowly responded. She left the

hospital just the other day in good condition.SWAMI LAYS GREAT EMPHASIS ON KSHAMA OR

FORBEARNCE AND DAYA OR COMPASSION. TRUE

DEVOTEES TRY HARD TO ACQUIRE THESE VIRTUES

SO THAT THEY WOULD BECOME REALLY DEAR TO SAI.

KSHAMA AND DAYA NOT MERELY ADORN BUT

ACTUALLY HELP, AS DR. BOLLMAN TELLS US.

Over the years, since I have been with Swami, I have learned to

be more patient and more compassionate; I have left behind the

prejudice I was raised with. I do not judge, and this has helped

my patients open up to me.

I have learned to handle problem patients, or patients with problems

that are not physical. Previously, I would find that depressed patients

would also leave me depressed, as they dumped all their problems

on me. Now, merely by silently repeating my mantra while I am

sitting and listening to them, I find that their problems seem to

disappear. I am able to remain calm, and they leave with some

of their burden lifted. And I am doing nothing but silently repeating

Om Sai Ram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LADIES DAY TALK IN KOBE CENTER ON 16TH NOV 2008

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He has a million names and a million forms, though He is beyond all names and forms, all adulations and attributions. The One whose stature transgresses all the limits and benchmarks set by the worldly, He often comes in response with the most viable and potent solution to his puzzles and problems. Quite often we have experienced this gentle tap from the Greater Heaven in the most unexpected, unfamiliar form. Read on for yet another story of His " ˜visiting card' born out of the pen of the illustrious Prof. N. Kasturi, as published in the Sanathana Sarathi, May, 1959. Sri Jodi Adipalli Somappa " Then, suddenly from among the crowd, an old man emerged. He shouted in a loud commanding voice, " ˜Give the child to me;' there were two women and one man with him, who also pleaded, " ˜Give the child to him, lady! He is famous as a curer of children's diseases. He has saved many children from death.' And, so, losing all fear, my wife handed over the child to him. " This is from a letter written by S. R.V. on 28th November 1958. The incident happened on 25th November 1958. The " ˜old man' was no other than Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Himself; the two women and the man who accompanied him were also creations of His Grace and Power, whom He had with Him, while He appeared in disguise in His Mission of Mercy! The child is the lovely little baby that Baba is seen holding, in the picture that forms the front-piece of this number of Sanathana Sarathi. (NOTE: The same image is reproduced in this article) Let us now look a little closer at this strange story, this Leela of Bhagawan... A devotee, S.R.V. from Bangalore had come to Puttaparthi, with his wife and child, for the Birthday Festivities of the Bhagawan, on 23rd November 1958 and he left the Prasanthi Nilayam on the 25th at 12.45 P.M. taking leave of Baba, and receiving from His hands, the Vibhuti which He gets by a mere wave of the Hand, as well as a few oranges. At 5:30 P.M. that evening, when some devotees gathered round Him at the Prasanthi Nilayam, Baba told them a dramatic tale of " ˜death' and " ˜rebirth!' He said that S. R. V.'s child, Geetha Sudha, called Sudha, for short, had died on the way to Bangalore at 2:45 p.m. but, He had left His body at Puttaparthi and hurried to the place and manifested Himself as an old man and saved the child. His narration was full of details and very clear and devotees who keep diaries of their experiences have recorded every word of it. He said that the child was sleeping on the back seat; that a scratching sound was heard by the mother; that when she turned she was shocked to find the baby stiff and blue and practically lifeless; that the moving car was stopped; that the time was 2:45 P.M.; that the place was between Palasamudram and Bagepalli; that a huge crowd of villagers gathered on account of the wailing; that every one was advising all kinds of remedies

and cures; that a bus proceeding to Hindupur came on the scene, was stopped and added to the confusion; that as soon as the bus moved off, He appeared as an old man and demanded that the child be given over to Him, saying that He heard about the tragedy and had come running to the place; that He asked the party for a little Vibhuti, because He was sure they had it; that, keeping the child on His lap, He showed it His real form, upon which the baby, as usual on all occasions when He took the child up in His hands, cried; that He pretended to go through some curative rituals and handed the baby to the overjoyed parents; that S. R. V. thanked Him profusely for His service; that he offered to pay Him a rupee, which He refused to accept; that he pressed upon Him an Orange out of the five or six that He Himself had given him at noon while leaving Him at Puttaparthi, and that after invoking upon that fruit the calamity that had pursued the baby, He threw it

away before reaching the Nilayam! On the 28th November, a long letter written by S. R. V detailing the entire incident was received at Puttaparthi and it was given over by Baba to be read by those who had heard Him describing the miracle, three days earlier, within a few hours of the " ˜death' and " ˜re-birth.' What a surprise it was to read in the letter that the child was sleeping on the back seat (!) there was heard a scratching sound (!) that the body was stiff, that the child was breathless, that the villagers ran in from all directions, that there were suggestions galore, that the Hindupur bus was stopped at the scene (!) and then, the para quoted above! " Then, suddenly from among the crowd, an old man emerged " ¦ " ¦ " ¦ " ¦ " ¦ " The letter continued, " The old man placed the child on His lap and she began to cry (!) He also heated a copper wire and applied it to the brow. We thanked him much for saving the child to accept at least a rupee as a reward (!) But, in spite of our best efforts he refused to accept it. I then gave him an orange from among the ones which Baba had given us while leaving. He asked us to leave for Bangalore without worry and do Arati to our Ishtadevata, Venkataramanaswami as soon as we reached home. I asked him his name and he gave it as Jodi Adipalli Somappa. " S. R. V. concluded his letter thus, " I am now certain that the Old Man was no other than Baba Himself. I also suspect that the three villagers who asked us very forcibly to give Sudha into His Hands were also ad hoc creations of His Leela. My inference is that Baba must have gone on a " ˜trance' about 2:30 or 2:45 P.M. on the 25th. " We, who had heard Baba relate the whole thrilling story on the 25th evening itself, have no doubt in our minds that Jodi Adipalli Somappa is no other than Baba Himself, Baba manifesting Himself 48 miles away to save the child! Om Jodi Adipalli Somappaya Namah. . . Mysterious are the ways of the Lord. Words are of no avail, if one desires to describe Him. The mind is too feeble and instrument to measure His Glory. . . . . aprapya manasa saha! (Readers may note that the story is an episode from the life of one of the distinguished voices in the carnatic music in India, Sudha Raghunathan from Chennai. Smt. Sudha Raghunathan has experienced the rare blessing of singing in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan on various occassions) -------------------

 

The OVERPOWERING DIVINE `PRESENT'By Ms. Nooshin Mehrabani

 

 

 

 

Ms. Nooshin Mehrabani was born in Iran and worked as a reporter for Iranian National Radio and Television. She continued her career with an Iranian TV station after moving to Los Angeles, USA. Since 1991, when she first heard about Sai Baba, she has made many trips to India and has been blessed with several chances of interaction with Bhagavan. She now lives in Puttaparthi.

The afternoon darshan on the day after the Akhanda Bhajan, on November 10, 2008, brought joy to the hearts of thousands of devotees, especially the ladies from overseas countries who were present in Prasanthi Nilayam. It was the first day of the Sapthaham of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the week-long reading of the great epic tale of the life of Lord Sri Krishna. Swami Fulfils Heaps of Dreams The afternoon began like any other day in the Divine Valley of Prasanthi Nilayam, with Swami coming out for darshan in His chair, crossing over to the gents side and then moving up to the verandah of the Sai Kulwant Hall. But that day He didn't stay there for long. Soon, Swami was again on the ladies side and it appeared as if He would just return to His residence. But what actually happened was something unusual. Swami did not turn towards His residence, instead He moved to His right, and now the second round of darshan had begun! Swami now stopped at one place and selected three foreign ladies, and asked them to "Go". He then spun around and headed back into the hall, and on the way began to call more ladies from overseas. Everyone was amazed and delighted to see Swami selecting ladies from even the seventh and eighth rows! They gathered in a group and were led to the verandah by the head of ladies' security.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faces of happiness lined up in rows...

 

The devotees on the ladies' side had another chance to see Swami as He walked up to the verandah again, giving instructions to the ladies to assemble in the Bhajan Hall. Then, the Divine Drama really began. Soon, the security girls were seen going back and forth, selecting more foreign ladies and leading them into the m andir. Meanwhile, Swami began to talk to some of the ladies in the Bhajan Hall, and allowed them to touch His feet and personally gave each of them a beautiful maroon silk saree! A gift from the Lord Himself! It definitely became a special occasion to be cherished! As He moved up and down the aisle, more ladies flooded the hall, making it a huge challenge for the security team to actually maintain discipline with the increasing numbers.

Pining for His Darshan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What joy to touch His Beloved Lotus Feet!

Word spread throughout the ashram quickly as a result of which women ran to join the stretching queue on the ladies side of the Sai Kulwant Hall. All of them were eager to have this unexpected chance of closeness with the Lord. I entered the hall quite late that day and joined the queue where I was able to watch the women stepping out of the m andir. They were crying with joy holding tightly their precious gifts from Swami. It was such a personal moment of joy for them! Most of them had the fortune to touch His feet as well, converse with Him, and offer their salutations. It was more than a dream that saw the light of day! Like it was with many other ladies, for me too, the saree was not as important as being able to touch His feet.

Soul Searching Begins " ¦ Swami let the ladies inside the Mandir revel in His glorious company for nearly an hour. He made sure that every heart sitting there had an experience of Divine Love. It was already 6 p.m. when Swami came onto the stage to the delight of the devotees, waiting in eagerness, in the Sai Kulwant Hall. There was an important programme scheduled for the evening.

 

 

 

 

After a few minutes of silence, a soothing thought dawned on me. If we identify ourselves on the basis of our physical form, we see others as well as God as entities separate from ourselves. This is why we find it hard to appreciate another's joy or feel another's sorrow. I strongly felt Swami saying to me , "If you are not envious or jealous, you should be able to enjoy the happiness that others experience around you. You should be able to sense the pain of those who consider themselves unfortunate and hope for them and for yourself that I will bless you when it is the right time for you."

Now, some of us who were still in the queue and could not get the opportunity to even go inside Bhajan Hall were devastated when we were asked to return to our seats. Obviously, it was heartbreaking, and some of us began to break into sobs. At first, I did not know what to feel. "Should I feel rejected?" No, that was not the truth, since God never rejects anyone. "Should I feel ignored?" That wasn't the reality either because I have sat at His Lotus feet daily, morning and afternoon, fully aware that He wanted me to be there. I started to pray to Swami, asking Him to help me understand the lesson I was to learn from this drama. After a few minutes of silence, a soothing thought dawned on me. If we identify ourselves on the basis of our physical form, we see others as well as God as entities separate from ourselves. This is why we find it hard to appreciate another's joy or feel another's sorrow. I strongly felt Swami saying to me , "If you are not envious or jealous, you should be able to enjoy the happiness that others experience around you. You should be able to sense the pain of those who consider themselves unfortunate and hope for them and for yourself that I will bless you when it is the right time for you." Feeling the Joy of Others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their hearts just opened up like never before.....

 

While my eyes were still closed, I felt my heart filling with happiness and joy for those who were blessed in that one precious hour. I was as much a part of this event as the women who had received padanamaskar and a saree. I felt as if Swami had given this gift to me, too. The mind is the obstacle that creates separation when, in reality, nothing of this sort exists. It is only at the physical level that we experience duality. T he lesson I learned that day was one of unity. There are many times when Swami has given interviews to some, or gifts to others. If we feel disappointed, then where is the spiritual practice of love and oneness? I am sure people were crying not over the saree; everything we have has been given to us by God. People were dejected because they felt they might never have this opportunity of closeness with the Divine again. But Swami is our c ompassionate God. We should always believe that we are worthy of His Love and Grace. We should always be hopeful that He will find the perfect way to shower His Grace at the most opportune time. This is why He has called us to His perfect world of bliss. We are not any less special to Swami because we didn't get this chance. We have our own special moments with Him.

 

 

 

We should always be hopeful that He will find the perfect way to shower His Grace at the most opportune time. This is why He has called us to His perfect world of bliss. We are not any less special to Swami because we didn't get this chance. We have our own special moments with Him.

 

Unexpected Gift from a Sai Friend As I reflected on this divinely-inspired awareness, I felt very grateful to Swami. But the Lord had something more beautiful in store for me that afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

Before I left Sai Kulwant Hall that evening, Swami actually gave me a precious gift. I saw an Iranian friend who introduced me to a woman who had just arrived from Iran the day before. The lady seemed a bit familiar to me, but I could not place her as I had not lived in Iran for quite some time. When I mentioned my name to her, she said, "I know someone by the same name who lives in Canada." I asked her that "someone's" last name. She uttered my last name. "That person, you know, is me!" I told her. With tears in her eyes, she began to hug me, asking me if I remembered her. I felt a bit odd to tell her that I still c ould not recollect having met her or known her in any special way. The new Iranian stranger began to tell me her story. Eight years ago, when I traveled to Iran from India, this stranger had sat next to me on the plane. As usual, my conversation was all about Swami. This lady had been in India at the time not for any spiritual reason, but for business, and it was her first time to hear Sai Baba's name. I had shared some of my experiences with her for close to an hour. I left her with telephone numbers of some Sai devotees in Iran and never heard from her again. Little did I know that during the years since I had not seen her, she had become a devotee of Baba and made several visits to Prasanthi Nilayam. In this particular trip, she had even brought her brother along; his first visit to India. She told me how her life had dramatically changed for the best since she came to Swami. What moved me the most was when she narrated about the altar she had made for Swami in her home. "When I go there to pray, I remember how you introduced me to Swami and I always pray for you." Now, this was too overwhelming for me. By this time, as you can imagine, we were both crying! I told her I was just an instrument Swami had picked to bring her to God, and it is our constant prayers that make us worthy to be at His Lotus Feet.

I returned that evening to my home on a joyous note. Swami did not give me the same gift that so many had received that day, but He did give me what He knew was the best present for me. He is God, and He knows what we need and just when. Swami had shown me when I hadn't expected in the slightest that He had not forgotten me in that big gathering! His ways of comforting us are subtle, which makes it even more overwhelming. If we are able to trust His judgement, and humbly surrender to Him, and accept His will for us, we can be happy in every moment regardless of what comes our way or doesn't! And that is truly His greatest grace!

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LADIES DAY TALK IN KOBE CENTER ON 16TH NOV 2008

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SISTER FUJIWARA AND "MY LIFE IS MY MESSAGE"

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I, offer my Humble Pranaams at the Lotus feet of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

I, thank you for the opportunity of being able to enjoy, "Ladies day"

today with you.

 

SSOJ has declared this year's theme as 'YOUR LIFE IS MY MESSAGE' Though

the year is almost over, I did not think too much about this until now. Towards

the end of this year to have been asked to do speech on this theme is as though

Swami is telling me "Think about it now."

 

AS you all know Swami says "MY LIFE IS MY MESSAGE" . IN 1992, during His

67Th Birthday, the message changed to 'YOUR LIFE IS MY MESSAGE'. He showed

us how to live our lives according to His example. That year year He proclaimed that we must lead our lives in such a way that all can see that our lives are His

message, I can truly understand this message as I entered the Sai center thinking

that i can learn Swami's teachings by looking at other devotees and how they conduct themselves. I thought if Sai Baba were really true then his devotees,

then his devotees should have true devotion.

 

If His devotees were to be weired or strange, I would have thought Swami was strange. Generally Japanese would use behavior of devotees as yardsticks

to determine the authenticity of Baba.

 

In Autumn of 1994, when I came to Sai Center in Kobe for the first time, I met Brother Dayal at the entrance door. Bro Dayal, who didn't know me at all was greetings me with

a nameskar. In Japan, we generally fold our hands in front of the altar or in front of ancestral altar and in temples, but I being a human being, was surprised as to how he is

greeting me that way. I felt something pure and sacred in that action. Later, after

I read Swami's books and learned more, I realized that time that Bro Dayal was greetings me the God within me. In this way, people who are devotees and practice his teachings can leave a strong impact on anyone even if they are ignorant.

 

 

Bro Ram Chugani also used to reach out to the new devotees and make them feel

welcome. When I heard Bro Ram Chugani who is believed in Sai since 30 years, speak of Swami, I was surprised to see such love pouring out through his eyes. And if he showed such love, I wondered how much more loving Baba would.

That made such impact that if Anyone can look at others with such pure love, it didn't not matter who the object would be, I wanted to see Baba and so I went to India within the next 6 months.

 

My first darshan time was during the Holy Festival. I could not enter as we

were late but I saw Baba from afar and hear bhajans being sung. I saw

His Orange robe and felt something unexpected. Tears just poured our of

my eyes and I could not control

them. I felt He was greeting me so lovingly and my tears could not stop.

A girl who was near me came and hugged me and cried with me. I felt the unity

of love at that time. We have the role of bringing each other closer to Swami in compassion and thus creating bound of Unity.

 

 

I, think devotees have important responsibility of guiding new comers, in understanding the center and code of behavior at the center and to Swami. People who come for the'first time learn from elders devotees character

behavior and speech and understanding the center, "What Swami" require

us to be, So we must realize that all are watching and and imbibing from us..

So we have great responsibility to follow perfect harmony and his

teaching and set a good example. If we behave immorally or speak harshly or hurt others

they will see Swami as allowing that, which is against the teaching of Swami. This is our

great responsibility towards to Swami.

n 1997 I received this message of Baba's from someone and it touched my heart"

"Your mission has began. Those are My words to My devotees. Each one of you

have a unique and valuable part to play in this lifetime."

What is this valuable part to play in this lifetime."

What is this valuable part we must play? What part have Sai devotees to play?

Baba says: "I call upon you to radiate the devotion within you."

"To successfully perform your part, remain centered upon Me. Allow yourself

to impart that purity of heart within you to all human beings and all living creatures and do not reach for the fruits of your work."

"If you have no ego and if you do work not only for for limited times in the organization but during all the 24 hours, then my Darshan will pour forth and the people you meet ,will feel that they are meeting Baba and are with Baba. You may be unaware of this constant change, you do not know how this is happening. You are all unaware of this. Be ever pure of heart and soul and mankind in your life time will benefit from your unique qualities.

 

 

 

Thus we should radiate Swami's love through us and reach everyone. People should look at us and see Baba. Then only we will be able to play a unique

and valuable part for Swami.

This is our role in Kali yuga to save mankind and be part of Swami's great

mission. Each one of us has a part to play and it is our mission in life.

How can we be instruments for Swami"s love to flow through us ? Are we always

full of love? Are we receptacles of love? Swami says"there are two ways to make

this possible."

 

 

 

 

1.See others shortcoming as small and . See your own

 

 

 

 

shortcomings however small as large. Repent and correct yourselves

 

 

 

 

and reform your mistakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Even when alone or with others, always feel Swami's omnipresence

 

 

 

Swami knows,sees,hears everything. Whatever you speak,he hears

 

 

 

So realize that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By doing the above, love will expand in your heart. The 6 main enemy(pride,\

desire, desire, anger,hate red,jealousy and attachment) are all around our love,

which we have in plenty within us. To really become embodiment of love as Baba

says we are , we must eradicate these foes. Baba says, as the American President

is battling external terrorists, actually our faults are the terrorists of our lives. We must

vanquish them.

 

Whatever terrors and wars we see around us now are actually a reflections of our

inner temperaments (our inner selves). To bring peace to the world, we must first

bring the peace us. In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna told Arjuna"Your enemies are

not outside you. They are within you." Fight those enemies of ego, etc...This fight

cannot be seen outside by the eyes. This fight is within our minds. D not worry.

We have Sai as our guide.

 

God's Name is our weapon and stronger than even the power of the atomic bomb.

Hanuman chanted the name of Rama and build the bridge and crossed the ocean.

They others who tried' failed...How did Hanuman succeed?. Hanuman believed firmly

in the name of God within his heart.

 

Swami has given us numerous ways to do thus such as, bhajans,japa,namasumaran

mantra, and recently the Vedas to develop love and destroy the evil tendencies inside.

God's name is utmost important.

 

My life is My message. How many people follow the path shown by Baba.? If you

follow in My Footsteps no harm will ever to touch you. Says Baba.

 

Jai Sai Ram

Talk on Ladies day on 16Th Nov 2008 in Kobe center

By Sister Fujiwara.

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OM SAI RAM

 

 

 

 

GLOBAL RESPONSE

Dear Brother

Sai Ram

 

Thank you for your post and i love to read these posting on Swami

also "Kansai Light" ...good work and keep it up.

Thanks & Regards

SUDHEER KUMAR

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Dear Sai Ram,

I request you to send me Sai Ram speeches, miracles , also your

month;y "Kansai Light" news letter. After your many postings we are

planning to take a trip to Puttaparthi for Swami's darshans

Keep sending sai ram mail

Thank you,

geethanjalis.

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Dear Brother

Sai Ram

 

Thank you for your postings om Prof Anil Kumar and monthly news letter

"Kansai Light". I asked you because as a child what we learn will have greater

effect on our rest of our life, so when we learn them the best way, they too will have good life. Of course in my view. So I wanted to learn so my children's be

best.

 

Coming to me i am from Gudur (nellore) A.P in India.

My family have a very good relations with Swami, since my grand father pa's

mother time. ..Even Swami visited our house when He came to Venkatagiry

Raja's house. I was brought by my grand mother who had dozens of interviews with Swami, because my grand mother brought me up, she used to say about Swami, so I was pleased a lot. So from my childhood I believe in Swami, none other.

I even had many darshan and interview with Swami. I have visited Puttaparthi a lot of time, even we have house there. This all about me briefly

 

With best regards,

Sai Ram

Sister Uzwala

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Dear Sai Brother,

Sai Ram

 

Thank you for your postings, A nice heart catching drashans of Sai every month

"Kansai Light" you provide, for me this is opportunity. I pray to see Swami for his blessings.

 

Sai Ram

Hari Motwani Hyderabad.

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GLOBAL KANSAI LIGHT READERS CORNER

In this issue we share with our readers responses received from our readers

Since we have allotted a limited space for these acknowledgments, we can

only print few of these letters in every issue.

SAI RAM

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KOBE CENTERS PROGRAM SCHEDULE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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: Some schedules are subject to change.

Please contact respective centers and groups for information.

.....................................................................................................

Inside This issue...

 

 

1. SWAMI'S QUOTATIONS

2. GURU IN HUMAN FORM...SHIRDI BABA

3. SATHYA SAI SPEAKS "SHAVAM TO SHIVOHAM"

4. CONVERSATION WITH SAI...PROF ANIL KUMAR PART-13

5. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER MR.N.T.KUMAR

6. SERVE MAN UNTIL YOU SEE GOD IN ALL MEN

7. UNTO THEE BY SRI MADHUSUDHANA

8. ARTICLES WRITTEN BY LATE PROF KASTURI...K.M

9. THE SCINTILLATING STORY OF HIS SPLENDOR

10. A PURE DESIRE AND PROFOUND BLESSINGS

11. BROADCASTING LOVE

12. MOMENTS, MEMORIES AND MIRACLES

13. SRI JODI ADIPALI

14. OVER POWERING DIVINE LOVE

15. LADIES DAY BY SISTER FUJIWARA KOBE

16. GLOBAL RESPONSE READERS

17. KOBE CENTERS PROGRAM SCHEDULE.

Ram ChuganiKobe, Japan