SAI SPIRITUAL SHOWERS â€“ ISSUE 62

October 30, 2008

The Grace of Baba, though unseen and silent, is gained, when sought with the single mindedness of an arrow in flight. It calms the seas and soothes the beleaguered vessel, guiding it to the Infinite Eternal through the current of His Will. So, let all else fall away; have trust and courage in Our Father; be at Peace, and be Happy.

Brindavan. Evening Darshan! I sat on the Darshan Line, writing to some members of the Sai Family. Of a sudden, thirst drew me to the water spicket close by. Placing a mat where I sat, I ran and drank seven handfuls of water. Meanwhile, the Lord of Love emerged from the garden, and walked down the lane of Bhaktas.

This one, the writer, made haste to his mat, and settled down to receive the command of the Master. Approaching slowly, showering smiles, He greeted a few with a kind compassionate look, and then, He stopped directly in front of this one! He spoke barely audibly, "Be Good; Do Good" and passed on. What had I done to deserve this Grace? The ego was welling up: Turmoil. No, no, no, no to all contending gang of desires. YES, only, to Baba's command: Be Good, Do Good.

I wanted to offer the YES to Baba, on His return walk along the line. Those four words occupied the entire space of my awareness. O He was moving quickly; coming closer; there was little time; the heart was pounding Sai Ram, Sai Ram ...YES YES YES Swami, I shall be good, I shall do good. I was crying.

Ah, He stopped close to me on the left, and, moving before me, His robe brushed over my knees! He, looked down, into, through, my eyes! I concentrated on `goodness'; my heart and all of me, said, "Achha, YES, Swami, I accept.â€ He passed. I was initiated. The Universe is brimful of Peace.

[An article by Sri Peter Ram from Sanathana Sarathi April 1973 issue]

When Bhagavan proceeded with a large group of devotees to Badrinath, He directed those who remained behind at Prasanthi Nilayam to spend their time in the contemplation of God, by means of a daily routine, of what is called "Likhitha Japa,â€ or "Writing the name of the Lord,â€ as many times as possible (or a certain predetermined number of times a day). This year, being the Golden Jubilee Year of the Avatar, and the Silver Jubilee year of Prasanthi Nilayam many devotees have resolved to `write' the Name and offer the Books at the Lotus Feet on the occasion of the Birthday, 23 November 1975.

Let us delve a little deep into this Sadhana and resolve to do it correctly so that maximum benefit can be derived. I feel it is better to take the ruled note book and write on the topmost line the Mantra or Name that has appealed most, say, four times. After this, it is easy to divide the page into columns. This is preferable to purchasing books that have already been divided into columns; for, a mechanical division like that may force some to cramp their writing and deform the Name. Three partition lines will make four columns. With the mantra written on the first line, as freely as our handwriting needs, the whole book can be prepared for the japa-sadhana. There is no more need to spend time in searching for rulers or scales; and writing need not be haphazard or tentative. It can proceed on even stream.

Writing is best done in the shrine room, or at the place where we generally sit for Dhyana or Meditation. Or, we can select a place where we will not be disturbed; but, it is best, it is the same place every day. A picture of Bhagavan in front of us will help the atmosphere of devotion to persist and whenever we feel exhausted or tired, a brief contemplation of the Face will inspire us to carry on. The entire family sitting together and silently writing in a spirit of dedication will be ideal, if it is possible.

It would be advisable to decide beforehand whether we write a page or two or more at the sitting. Otherwise, the mind would be prodding us at the end of every line, `How many more lines?' The target will keep it quiet, and co operative.

For, concentration on the Glory and Majesty, the Compassion and Message of Baba is the very purpose for the Sadhana. Without it, the `writing' is frittered away and results only in waste of paper and time. Let us sit in a comfortable posture, with proper and sufficient light falling on the book, and maintain silence while `writing'. Let us think of the meaning of OM, of Sri and of Sai Ram (if that is the name you write).

The deeper the understanding, the greater the benefit. Ananyaaschinthayantho maamâ€”Think of Me, and think of Me alone, to the exclusion of everything else; and, I shall be ever with you and provide you with prosperity, here and hereafter, says Bhagawan in the Gita. While writing we will feel happy, and peaceful. That is the test whether the Sadhana is progressing well. When strain is experienced, we, can lift up our eyes to the picture of Baba and start again. When stray thoughts peep in, we can pray to Baba and He will help.

Of course, the 'writing' should not be done in fits and starts, in occasional jerks and lapses. No Sadhana should be treated thus. After a few days, we would be extremely miserable, when a session of `writing' is missed! Sraddhavan labbate Jnanamâ€”He who is steady and full to faith gets the rewardâ€”namely, Realisation of the Truth embedded in Oneself.

[A classic article from the Sanathana Sarathi Archives (June 1975 issue)]