Sai Baba News: March 15, 2008 - Sai Students

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March 15, 2008 Today evening, as the bhajans began at 5:00 pm, Swami came out for darshan on the chair. He slowly moved from the ladies on to the gents side. He seemed a little sedate today and He gently kept looking at everyone who had gathered. Letters were collected and then Swami went into the interview room. Very shortly however, the bhajans were halted. Students from the University had written the national GATE examination for the various Sciences. The results were out and the students had performed very well. The nationwide second rank in Physics and various other ranks had been secured. Swami decided to bless these students specially.There is a very important difference between the ways that humans judge something and the way God does the same. People judge others from the results they produce. Whether its in music or business, arts or sciences, the person is judged purely on the basis of the results he/she

obtains. But with God, its so different. God is interested only in the efforts that have been put in to achieve the results. If the efforts are 100% and in full sincerity, He is happy irrespective of the result. And that is why it is said that all are equal for God. We may all be different in terms of our talents and skills and thus vary in the results we produce. But we are equal in the fact that we all can put in our 100%. And that is all that God is concerned about. Has this person put in the effort? The result comes nowhere in the picture for God. Only the humans judge by result.Swami came on stage and a podium was set up for the vice chancellor to announce the results. As the VC went about the announcement, there was a loud and cheerful applause for all the candidates. The boy who had secured the top rank was presented before Swami. Swami created a chain for him and put it around his neck. He then posed with him for a photograph. After that, Swami called all

the students who had cleared the exam to come on stage. Swami was so happy and like a proud mother began speaking to all the students. There was no distinction for Him based on the ranks. He was just so happy with everyone. He asked for watches to be brought from inside. He personally began to hand over watches for each and every student who had made Him so happy and proud. It was such a beautiful scene. Swami was blessing and praising the students telling that they were wonderful. The students were bowing to Him and saying that it had nothing to do with their intelligence and that it was sheer Grace that they had done so well. As Swami completed the distribution of watches, one of the students expressed his desire to speak on the occasion. Swami agreed and the student was oozing with gratitude for Swami. He stated emphatically that it was SHEERLY Swami's grace that they had achieved good results. After his speech, all the students gathered around Swami. Swami asked many

of them about their future plans.Very soon Prof. Anil Kumar was called and Swami made him speak. He spoke very highly of the students talking about the multi faceted activities that they carry out. After that, he began mentioning each student by his name and also spoke of the various other activities that he did in the hostel and the Institute. Swami was many times moved into almost tears. It is such a beautiful feeling to be owned by the Lord. Even the tiniest joy that we are able to give Him comes back to us manifold. Please God and the world is pleased they say. That statement found fulfillment today. Make Swami your whole world and you become the whole world for Swami. After blessing all the students, Swami called for all the teachers. He posed for a huge group photo with all the teachers and blessed all of them too. He then slowly made His way towards the interview room. Bhajans and aarthi followed after which Swami retired for the day.March 14, 2008 All the students from the III year undergraduate class along with the batch from the Mirpuri College of Music who were passing out had assembled in the marble block, ready with their gratitude programme. At 5:00pm, like every other day, the bhajans began. This had been happening for the last few days that the students were praying for the opportunity to present their programme before Swami. Very often, we think that noble indeed are those who offer their gratitude to the Lord. Little do we realize that it is also a blessing from God that we feel gratitude welling in our beings are get the chance to express it to God. To have gratitude is really a great boon from the Lord and gratitude speaks in a language that only the heart wholly comprehends. As Cicero put it, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." And that is because Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have

into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance and chaos into a beautiful harmony.As the bhajans continued, Swami came out at about 5:10 pm. He gave darshan on the chair but He cut through into the bhajan hall after completing the ladies side. After a while, the message was that bhajans would stop and that Swami was coming out to see the gratitude programme. Everyone was happy - the students because the opportunity for which they had been pining for had materialized and the devotees because this meant Swami's darshan for an hour at least! The students began with Aumkaaram and a prayer to Lord Ganesha. After that, it was a sheer flow of the heart. In the various languages the boys expressed the inexpressible experiences with their dear Lord. As the different songs were sung, boys came forward with roses and a sheet containing the lyrics of the song being sung. A very famous story by Swami where a person tries to paint the whole world green because his guru

had instructed him to see only green was enacted. The Guru then advises him thus, "Oh fool! Instead of wasting so much money, if you had brought yourself a pair of green glasses, the problem is solved. Change your vision and everything will be fine."There was also a dance. One boy said, " Swami whatever I know of dancing is only because of you. Today, when I am able to teach some Bal Vikas students to dance in Your presence, I feel fulfilled." After they danced for the popular devotional song, "Dandaalayya", Swami called the dancers and spoke to them. Towards the end, one of the students was blessed with a chain from Swami. After the final song, Swami said that He would grant group pictures to all the students. The students grabbed at the privileged opportunity and as they went on stage in small groups, Swami thrilled all their hearts with smiles and Grace filled interactions. After all the groups were completed, one of the students asked Swami whether teachers too

could have a group picture and Swami readily agreed. It was a wonderful sight to see the Guru with all the teachers and He also seemed immensely happy to be amidst them He granted paadanamaskar to all of them and spoke to them too. He called the students who were in colourful costumes Swami blessed prasadam to be distributed to all. Then receiving Aarthi and raising His hands in benediction, Swami retired for the day.Click here to view pictures of the programme. March 6 and 7, 2008 The whole of Prashanti Nilayam seemed to have a very serene yet powerful aura about it. This is that time of the year when so many subtle changes begin to appear in the otherwise steady state Parthi. A kind of an austere aura enveloped the atmosphere and there were mystical and powerful vibrations in the air. Everyone seemed to be charged with

some mysterious energy and there was bubbling enthusiasm everywhere. Very early in the morning itself, even the birds and bees seemed to prepare for the holy night. The fragrance of incense pervaded the air and all the temples within the Nilayam were the locii of intense devotion. People began to file into the Kulwant Hall with the great desire of having a glimpse of their Sai Shiva on this very special day. A novel and huge LED screen had been erected near the Ganesh temple so that the darshan-hungry devotees, not able to pack themselves into the hall, could be satiated. It measured 14 ft by 30 ft and was perfectly visible even in the broadest of daylights!In the morning, everyone waited for the Lord to arrive but for reasons best known to Him, Swami did not come out. From 10:45 am itself, devotees began to queue up for the afternoon and evening session. The emptiness from not having Swami's darshan in the morning had intensified everyone's desire and will to see

Him. At about 4:30 pm, a wave of applause burst forth and seemed to travel through the length and breadth of the NIlayam. Swami had not only come, He had arrived on a special high chair that had been specially designed so that all could see Him even from a distance. Like every Shivarathri, Bhagawan exuded a halo of sheer power and Grace as He moved gently through the surging and revitalized assemblage. The energy and Joy that He radiated sent people into raptures. There were people wherever the eye could see. The balconies and lanes outside the hall and every inch of space in the hall had been taken up. Swami did not collect any letter or speak to anyone. A gentle smile danced on His lips and He conferred benign blessings of bounty and beauty to all as He passed by. He reached the stage and took up His place behind the discourse table. He beckoned the vedam to stop after a while and then the All India President, Sri. V.Srininvasan addressed the august gathering. Explaining

the significance of Shivarathri, he reminded everyone of the great good fortune to be in Swami's presence on the day when all the sages and saints are in intense penance.After him, Swami rose to speak. And a mere sight of that was enough to erupt goose bumps on every body assembled. The chair was new and so a it was a little difficult for Swami to stand. But He just rose unmindful of any suffering or pain and as He began with the nectarine poem, it was an experience to be felt and cherished. Given below is a summary of Swami's discourse:-Today, right from the morning till night, people always run behind money. Money seems to be everything in the world today and everyone is asking for money. Is there anyone who asks for God with the same fervent intensity. It is only God who can give peace and happiness. That is why it is stressed that one must engage in bhajans and singing God's glories always.Love is ONE and though it is one it is expressed in many

ways between mother and son, husband and wife and between friends. Take for instance the demise of Mr.Shourie. Many came to see him. There were the police too standing guard there. But what happened there was that fire merged into fire, water back with water and air back with air. All the elements returned to their original state. Nothing but ash is left there. Everything returned to nothingness. Gone back to the source. That is the Truth that all must realise.There was a certain Yogi who had learnt various forms of knowledge - the Vedas, the Shastras, the Upanishads, the Puranas and Itihasas. He heard the sound of the cosmic damaruka. (the drum that Shiva holds) There is great power in the beat of the damaruka. It is the one that destroys and burns. There is only one Truth. Brahma Satya, JagannMitya. The world is all illusory. Today as I look around I see only two forms. Those are the forms of Eashwaramma and PeddaVenkamma Raju, the parents of this body. Even as I

came out for darshan, they were there dressed in yellow. Yellow is a very auspicious colour It represents Vaikuntam. They were telling me that they were waiting for me to return to them. Swami sees yellow everywhere. All of you are in yellow now. Carry this yellowness with you always. Bhagawan wanted to also bring forth the lingam which is golden yellow in colour. But as I came out, all the children and the devotees were all praying, "Swami do not do so. We cannot bear to see you in pain." They want me to be with them in a very relaxed and tension free manner.The nature of Bhagawan is mysterious and un-understandable. Once He has decided, His sankalpa will happen. Why should the Truth remain shadowed? Itis the nature of the human mind to keep changing and not Sai's nature. (At this point Swami sang the Telugu song "Tandava Keli Salpeni" . He explained that it was only Shiva had the beat, "Dhimiki Dhimiki" and none else.)Whenever we have difficulties, we cry

out to God. Once Shiva and Parvati were passing over a hill when they saw a man on a tree about to fall. Shiva told Parvati to save him while she told that Shiva should save him. They agreed that if he calls out, "Appa"(Father) then Shiva would go to his aid and if he called ,"Amma"(Mother) then Parvati would rush to rescue him. As he fell, the man screamed,"Ayyo"( meaning" woe upon me") ! That is the fate of man today. When you are in trouble you must always remember Amma or Appa. Your parents are your Gods. The mother bore you for 9 months and father took all the trouble to bring you up. Worship your parents as God - remember that for this world, Mother is Parvati and father is Parameshwara. The amma(mother) of Eashwara(God) is Eashwaramma.The Avatar came as a trinity. The first was Shirdi Sai, the second is Parthi Sai and the third will be Prema Sai. The complete unity among all will be achieved when Prema Sai comes. Today there is absolutely no Unity. There are

only differences and fragmentation. When Prema comes, there will be Unity. The Caste, Culture and Country should all be one. When I had visited East Africa, the prime minister there, Idi Amin asked me, "Where do you come from?" I did not say Andhra Pradesh. I said India. There should be no such division based on states.Today Andra will be broken for telangana. tomorrow there will be a demand and break up for Rayalseema too. These things should not happen. Similarly Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada - such divisions are bad. There is only one country - India.(Swami narrated about the Unity that existed between the 3 wives of King Dasharatha- Kousalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and the unity between Rama and his brothers as an example. ) All the disunity is due to selfishness. A fish is better than selfish. Be and remain united always. Bharathi means Bha- God and Rathi- intense love for. He is a true person of Bharat who has intense Love for God. The only way to

attain joy and peace in this world is by singing bhajans. Never give up that.Bhajan Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi.With that bhajan, Swami kindled the night-long vigil of bhajan singing. He sat for the first bhajan that was singing. It was not a surprise as it turned out to be,"Dhimiki Dhimiki Dhim". After that, Swami slowly moved back to Yajur Mandir. It was about 7:30 pm and Swami retired.The next morning, it was about 7:10 am when along with the rising sun, the light and apple of every eye arrived into the Kulwant hall. Again, Swami chose to come on the chair. He gently coursed through the ladies side. As He came to the marble block, a plea was made to Him to bless the prasadam to be distributed in the orning. Swami went to the main gate where the idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Seeta are and blessed all the huge vessels holding the prasadam. He then came back and moved through the gents side granting darshan. He sat on stage listening to bhajans being sung.

Needless to say, His presence brought a boost to the tempo and rhythm of the bhajans. Swami sat for more than half an hour and that seemed to be the most fruitful portion of the holy songs being sung. After that, Swami asked for the Aarthi to be taken. He Himself lit the Aarthi (a rarity nowadays).After the Aarthi, the prasadam distribution began. Swami just sat silently watching. His eyes travelled almost over every soul sitting in the hall. Meanwhile, outside, the devotees were having a joyful time watching Swami on the giant screen. A lady even exclaimed, "I got the first line to see Swami in front of the screen!" Swami continued to sit and just kept seeing all around the hall. Prasadam distribution- laddoos and pulihora (tamarind rice)- went on smoothly and quickly. Brahmaarpanam was chanted, not once but twice as the tiny tots from Primary School outdid their senior brothers from the Institute. All the senses were in a state of bliss. As the prasadam was a delight to

the tongues, the ears heard the devotional strains, eyes beheld the beautiful form of Swami, there was a divine aroma in the air and the feeling on the whole was so charging. After a while, Swami slowly went back to Yajur Mandir.In the evening, Swami came out at about 5:00 pm. The hall was still jam packed. Swami's darshan is something that you can never have too much of. Each time you see Him, you feel like seeing Him more and more. And today, it seemed that Swami too had decided that His devotees can never have enough of His darshan. He completed His darshan rounds and then came out again on the chair. He slowly moved through the gents side and from there to the ladies side. Every face had a joyous look and every palm folded in deepest reverence as Swami went about blessing everyone. Thrilling all the hearts with the beauty, auspiciousness and Grace of His darshan, Swami went back to the stage. The bhajans for the evening were on in full flow. Swami had decided

to make the evening into another very special one. He called out to Mr.Ajit Popat and asked him to speak. He spoke in his well known enthusiastic way and spoke about how all of us should always be happy. He also mentioned on the importance of keeping good health. And then as he concluded, Swami filled everyone's cup of joy to the brim as He said that HE would speak. Sitting in the chair, Swami began the discourse the summary of which is presented below:-Birth,bondage and liberation; everything is a result of action. All must attempt to recognize the actions done from dawn to dusk. As is the action, so is the result. Good actions give good intellect. Actions prompted by bad thoughts give bad results. You must have seen bats. They keep flying in the air like all other birds. They also rest on trees. But its posture is upside down. Did anyone tie it that way? No. But its karma is like that. Similarly when man does bad deeds and has bad thoughts, he reaps bad

consequences. We just cannot escape the reactions of our actions. Just like a correct answer in the examination yields good marks and a wrong answer yields no marks, the way of life is also such. It is the foremost responsibility of man to do good deeds. Whenever any action is done, think, "I am MAN". Question whether what you are about to do is human or bestial. Otherwise, why God, People themselves will question, criticize and punish you. There is no need to go till God, the actions themselves will confer the consequences.Again, among the different birds, when some of them call out, people throw stones at them. But the cuckoo and the nightingale are welcomed. Our speech too determines the reactions we receive. Help ever hurt never. Many times, we knowingly hurt people. To do it knowingly is the worst of sins. Man has a mind. It can be set on the right path or the wrong path. "Mana Eve Manushyanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho". Accusing others, blindly following

people and hurting - these are not the qualities that are natural to man. Man should be free of these and help his fellowmen. When animals themselves help men, there is nothing great about helping your fellowmen. Do human actions based on human values. Follow God's command. Not any external God. Follow the God within. "Daivam Maanusha Roopena" - God is in human form. Just obey His command. You may have intimate friends. But do not follow them. Follow only God's command. Do not hurt anyone in thought, word or deed. Irrespective of caste, community or culture, be a good human being. If this humaneness is forgotten, all spiritual penance is useless. Do acts to please God. That is the fulfillment of human life. "Jantunaam Nara Janma Durlabham." - among all the creatures, human life is the most fortunate one. So do not waste this life by speaking untruth, doing injustice and having bad feelings.It is important to be good, do good and see good. Today you smile having bad

looks and vision. That is not proper. There must be harmony of thoughts, words and deeds. If there is no unity in the first place, there can be no purity. If anyone criticizes, think that it is for your good only. Everything is for the good. Be smiling always. That does not mean that you laugh unnecessarily. Have good thoughts. Let any property be lost but not humanness. True good health means developing good thoughts.Do not eat everything that you come across. Whatever you eat, offer it unto God and then only eat it. Have pure saatwik food. Remember, whatever you offer, will come back to you. You cannot get good from wrong activities. Good food alone will give good health and then alone will good thoughts arise. Once a beggar went to a house and the lady there told him, "Have a bath and come. I will serve you food." He replied, "Govindeti sadaa snaanam." (Govinda's name is the holy bath) She then said, "The Govinda's name itself will be good food for you. Have

it!" If bath is Govinda the food is also Govinda. Do not have double standards. Sometimes, we have very bad thoughts. The remedy for that is good company.Satsangatve NissangatvamNissangatve NirmohatvamNirmohatve NischalatatvamNischalatatve Jeevan Mukti.You cannot call yourself good if you have habits like drinking, smoking or eating non vegetarian. They should be totally absent. Human life is very sacred. It is a gift of past merit. Though you will get company in liquor houses and bars, you will never get good thoughts there. Give up jealousy, anger and ego. Have gratitude to those who have done even the most miniscule help to you. Then you will be successful. We get so much help and betray even those who help us. Have gratitude even for the most simple help. Else all is vain. Treat even enemies with Love and respect. Then the reaction, reflection and resound will be good. You need not worship God. your goodness will support you. You are the witness for

the mind, the foolishness is the witness for a fool.Follow the right path according to your heart. Self -satisfaction is very important. That will prepare you for Self- sacrifice. Dear students, develop good thoughts. There is no use of reading big books. People think that you are reading the Mahabharata while on the sly you are reading all nasty things. You are Vidyarthi. Seek the knowledge of the Self. Do everything for Atma Trupti or Self satisfaction. First and foremost develop tolerance and give up anger. At this age, you have sacred hearts. It is not neede that you please the world. It is enough that you please God. If you want happiness, the only way is to sing God's glory. ( Bhajan Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi)It was Guru Nanak who emphasised the importance of bhajans. When we sing together, atleast one heart will go to God and that is enough. God will be ecstatic when you sing His praises. Everyday there are nights, but the night you think of God is

Shivarathri. Do bhajans now.As Swami commanded, the bhajans began. It was quite late already and everyone were so happy at this unexpected bounty. Swami then received Aarthi and retired. Source: http://www.saistudents.org