DEVOTION

June 20, 2008

Dear sister Anita Bacha , SaiRam to all. In this connection , I want to bring out what Swamy said in His Discourse once Swamy said God is already revealed 75% in woman because of their motherhood love

& in man only 50% .So man has to do a harder SADHANA to gain Atma Sakshatkara ( Self- realization ) .The love of a mother is more or less selfless & so it is easier to turn her love to God , like Radha , Meera , Gopies , Yasodha , Easwaramma etc .

Hence devotion of women is more than men . You can see any gathering whether in Parthi or in temples etc , women are always more in number & men less comparatively. So ,men need not feel affended , but do more sadhana & devotion .Men generally are

doubting Thomases ( including myself !!) & queston thro' their intellects . And women use their hearts more . with loving blessings & best wishes , SaiRam . S .Ramachandran , USA .

On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 11:34 AM, Anita Bacha <akbauk wrote:

AUM SAI RAM

" Do not

become a devotee of my form; become a devotee of my teachings! " says Baba.

DEVOTION

was the topic chosen by the Study Circle Convener last Thursday. Participation

in study circles is one of the most cherished activities at our centre as to

quote Bhagawan Baba 'study circles are meant to transform, not to educate the

devotee'. As the discussion progressed,

the convener cast a fleeting look at the assembly in the bhajan hall (study

circle is held immediately after bhajans) packed mostly with the fair sex and

gallantly remarked that women are more devoted to God than men. Of course, his

point of view was not shared by the few men who were present on that rainy and

icy cold winter evening.

As nothing happens without Baba' divine will, I

sensed that I had to relate the story of Goddess Laskmi's great devotion to

Lord Shiva and that of the wood apple (the

bhel or bilva fruit) to our family gathering. This story is so beautiful

that it is worth sharing with the readers.

According

to the Brihaddharma Purana, Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, was a

very devout bhakti of Lord Shiva. She

prayed to him and offered him 10,000 lotus buds everyday to express her

adoration. One day, she fell short of two lotus buds and remembering that Lord Vishnu

had compared her breasts to lotus buds, she made up her mind to give her breasts

as offerings to Lord Shiva. She cut one and offered it in veneration but as she

was about to cut the other breast, Lord Shiva stopped her. He was

overwhelmingly pleased by her devotion. The breast that she had cut and offered

to Lord Shiva became the Bhel or bilva fruit (the wood apple).The Bhel tree is

sacred and its trifoliate shaped leaves are offered to Lord Shiva especially

for Shivratree (the great night of Shiva).

Ever since,

women are known as Lakshmi Devi.

However, in

all fairness to our men folk, we should not forget that Sri Hanuman was an

unparalleled devotee of Sri Rama but most of all, that all devotees are alike. 'Roop anek hain. Atma ek hain'. The form is

different but the soul is one.

At the

Lotus Feet of Sai

Anita

June 21, 2008

Sai Ram All,

Anita has choosen to calm the unrufelled and agitated nerves of males in the study circle (as well as the forum), but, fact is fact - WOMEN are stronger of the human species - in fact GOD is the ONLY MALE, but in his sport he created Male and Female.

Now how did God make female superior - he Gave them Compassion and tolerance much more then what he gave to men folks.

Sai Ram ~ Be Happy

JP

~~~~~~~~~~~

--- On Sat, 6/21/08, Anita Bacha <akbauk wrote:

Anita Bacha <akbauk[saibabanews] Devotionsaibabanews Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008, 12:04 AM

AUM SAI RAM

"Do not become a devotee of my form; become a devotee of my teachings!" says Baba.

DEVOTION was the topic chosen by the Study Circle Convener last Thursday. Participation in study circles is one of the most cherished activities at our centre as to quote Bhagawan Baba 'study circles are meant to transform, not to educate the devotee'. As the discussion progressed, the convener cast a fleeting look at the assembly in the bhajan hall (study circle is held immediately after bhajans) packed mostly with the fair sex and gallantly remarked that women are more devoted to God than men. Of course, his point of view was not shared by the few men who were present on that rainy and icy cold winter evening.

As nothing happens without Baba' divine will, I sensed that I had to relate the story of Goddess Laskmi's great devotion to Lord Shiva and that of the wood apple (the bhel or bilva fruit) to our family gathering. This story is so beautiful that it is worth sharing with the readers.

According to the Brihaddharma Purana, Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, was a very devout bhakti of Lord Shiva. She prayed to him and offered him 10,000 lotus buds everyday to express her adoration. One day, she fell short of two lotus buds and remembering that Lord Vishnu had compared her breasts to lotus buds, she made up her mind to give her breasts as offerings to Lord Shiva. She cut one and offered it in veneration but as she was about to cut the other breast, Lord Shiva stopped her. He was overwhelmingly pleased by her devotion. The breast that she had cut and offered to Lord Shiva became the Bhel or bilva fruit (the wood apple).The Bhel tree is sacred and its trifoliate shaped leaves are offered to Lord Shiva especially for Shivratree (the great night of Shiva).

Ever since, women are known as Lakshmi Devi.

However, in all fairness to our men folk, we should not forget that Sri Hanuman was an unparalleled devotee of Sri Rama but most of all, that all devotees are alike. 'Roop anek hain. Atma ek hain'. The form is different but the soul is one.

At the Lotus Feet of Sai

Anita

March 25, 2009

DEVOTIONThe power of Karma,The soul, which is Dharma,The knowledge of the omniscient,Is sufficient to dispel your ignorance,And entice your mind towards wisdom and devotion,Devotion, which flows like Ganges,When there is overwhelming emotion.The Ganges purifies your thoughts and soulAnd you enter the world of devotion.A world, which is a test of your temptation and determination,A world where Maya (illusion) lures you,To forsake your path of righteousness,Its a world where only your faith and belief in your Sadguru,Helps you to steer away from the course of embracing Maya.The fruit relished in this world is self-realization,Which may ultimately lead to HIS realization.