Guest guest Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 --- On Wed, 9/3/08, Ramchand Chugani <rgcjp wrote: Ramchand Chugani <rgcjpKANSAI LIGHT FOR SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2008"OMSAIRAM..RAMCHAND GHANSHAMDAS CHUGANI" <rgcjpWednesday, September 3, 2008, 11:20 AM Flag this message Fw: KANSAI LIGHT FOR SEPTEMBER ISSUE.33 Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:48 PM "Ramchand Chugani" <rgcjpView contact details "OMSAIRAM..RAMCHAND GHANSHAMDAS CHUGANI" <rgcjp Message contains attachments image001.jpg (10KB) , image002.jpg (8KB) , image003.jpg (9KB) , image004.jpg (7KB) , image015.jpg (6KB) , image001.jpg (10KB) , image002.jpg (8KB) , image003.jpg (9KB) , image004.jpg (7KB) , image015.jpg (6KB) --- On Tue, 9/2/08, Ramchand Chugani <rgcjp wrote: Ramchand Chugani <rgcjpFw: KANSAI LIGHT FOR SEPTEMBER ISSUE.33"OMSAIRAM..RAMCHAND GHANSHAMDAS CHUGANI" <rgcjpTuesday, September 2, 2008, 11:12 AM DATE : 1ST SEPTEMBER 2008 KANSAI LIGHT ISSUE 33 KANSAI LIGHT FOR SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE NEWS LETTER OF SRI SATHYA SAI ORGANIZATION,JAPAN ADDRESS: I.S.S, 2ND FLOOR, 1-3 KUMOCHI 5-CHOME,CHUO-KU KOBE TEL: 078-222-1885...EMAIL : rgcjp ---------- PLEASE PRINT COPY FOR YOUR EASY REFERENCE. ----------- Thought for the Day Education has to cultivate humility and discipline; but today it is yielding a harvest of pride and envy. 'Vidya' means: 'Vid' (Light) and 'Ya' (that which gives). So education has to shed light and illumine the darkness in the mind and the intellect. It does not indicate mere bookish knowledge. It has to clarify the kinship of man with man and his intimate relationship with nature. It must harmonize one's earlier experiences with one's present ones, and guide one to beneficial experiences in the future. It must validate the knowledge gained from the books by the experiences and in the process make man grow, until he becomes Divine. Episode 25 ACT XVIII - SCENE 1 PRINCIPAL: Students! In the past, Sathyam used to lead the Prayer Session everyday. And we all know He was very good at it. But Sathyam has now discontinued School and taken to the spiritual path. He has resolved to go on the path of devotion, and will soon make His Voice of Love heard all over the world. So, today I want one of you to lead the Prayer Session. Gafur Khan, you come here and start the proceedings. Gafur Khan at the behest of his principal leads the prayer session. But despite that there is an air of vacuum. All the boys, including Gafur were so used to seeing their Sathyam lead the prayer session that somehow that day¡¯s session left a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction in their hearts. Sensing this, the principal said: PRINCIPAL: Boys, calm down! Sathyam gave His love to all of you, and along with that a Prayer Song that will remain in our hearts for all time to come. Your love for Sathyam is very evident. Instead of merely singing a prayer song, you have all poured out your hearts. Now that the session is over, all of you may go to your respective classes. SCENE 2 LADY: So they brought Raju back to Puttaparthi. LADY 2: Is that so? LEELA: Vasanthamma, this is Kondama Raju¡¯s grandson Raju, is he not? VASANTHA: Yes, this is Raju, the son of Easwaramma. When young, He along with His friends used to play on the sands of Chitravathi. What a glorious sight it used to be! Later when He went away to Uravakonda for studies, Chitravathi felt lonely. LEELA: Well, He is back again and seeing Him, Chitravathi seems happier than even us! VASANTHA: Do you know that there is Divinity in Raju? It seems that He sings and conducts Bhajans, gives Discourses and all that. That¡¯s why He discontinued studies and has returned to Puttaparthi. Isn¡¯t that wonderful? How radiant He is! SURESH: Raju, do You know that after You went to Uravakonda, we all felt most miserable? SATHYA: I know. RAVI: Raju, we were all eagerly looking forward to Your return. SATHYA: Happy to hear that. SURENDRA: Raju, You must always be with us, and we must all play once more on the banks of Chitravathi. KASI: Wow! Look how many fruits this tamarind tree has! SURENDRA: That¡¯s right, so many tamarind fruits here! SURESH: What a thing to say, as if there will be guavas on a tamarind tree! Sathyam, what do You say? SATHYA: You want guavas? SURESH: Guavas from a tamarind tree? Well, pluck one and let us see! GROUP: Laughter. SURESH: Guava! RAVI: Yes! SURENDRA: Where is Raju? GROUP: Raju, Raju! SURESH: Hey! Raju is on the tree! SURENDRA: Raju, I want grapefruit. SATHYA: OK. KAMESH: Raju, I want oranges. SATHYA: Alright, here are two oranges. SURENDRA: Raju! SATHYA: What fruit do you want? SURENDRA: I want an apple! GROUP: Apple, apple! BOY: Raju, I want a banana. SATHYA: You want a banana? BOY: Hey! The tamarind has become a banana! Raju, Raju! BOY 2: Raju, Raju, I want citrus fruits. SATHYA: Oh alright. BOY: Citrus fruit! BOY 2: Whatever anyone asks Raju gives! CHORUS: Raju, Raju,¡..Where is He? Raju! SURENDRA: Over there! There He is! SURENDRA: Hey, He is there also;¡ now He has vanished! BOY: Yes, He cannot be seen. BOY 2: Yes, and it is all very strange! GROUP: Raju, Raju! SURENDRA: Here! ¡.Raju is here! GROUP: Raju, You are here! SURENDRA: Raju, when You disappeared, do You know how anxious we were? SURESH: Just now we saw You here on the banks of the Chitravathi. Raju, how did You suddenly come there? SATHYA: I am everywhere. How can you search for Me in just one place? BOY: It is all so very mysterious! From one tree, You gave us so many fruits! Raju, did You chant any mantras? BOY 2: Yes, Raju, did You chant any mantras? SATHYA: It is neither magic nor mantra. Divinity can always alter the nature of Creation. That is all there is to it. Anyway, let us leave that aside; shall we all go now to the Hanuman Temple? GROUP: Yes. Let¡¯s go, Raju. SCENE 3 GROUP: Jai Hanuman! Jai Anjaneya! BOY: Come, let¡¯s circumambulate. GROUP: Jai Hanuman, Jai Anjaneya, Jai Hanuman, Jai Anjaneya! ANJANEYA: Rama! Sri Rama! SATHYA: Hanuman! ANJANEYA: Sri Ramachandra! Sri Rama! Swami! Sri Rama should not go round Hanuman; rather, it should be the other way around. Ram, Ram, Ram, Ram,¡¡ RAVI: Raju, instead of going round, why are You just standing? Come, let¡¯s circumambulate. SATHYA: Hanuman is holding My feet! I can¡¯t take even one step! RAVI: Hanuman holding Your Feet? Good God! Where? GROUP: Where is Hanuman? We can¡¯t see him! RAVI: Hanuman is not to be seen! SURESH: Raju, are You joking? GROUP: Come, let¡¯s pull. Come on, hold on fast and pull! RAVI: Raju, is Hanuman really holding Your Feet? SURESH: Then, are You Sri Ramachandra? Tell us! GROUP: Tell us, Raju, tell us! Are You Sri Ramachandra? GROUP: Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, ¡. [they repeat 7 times]. BOY: Raju, what a dazzling Darshan You gave us in the Form of Sri Ramachandra! SATHYA: In future, you will see even more of the grandeur of My Avatar. Come, let¡¯s go. GROUP: Raju, we are indeed most fortunate! SCENE 4 MAN/PEOPLE: That is Kondama Raju, the grandfather of the Young Swami. KONDAMA: You are a liberated soul, a form of God, and the Jewel of the Ratnakara family. I have had the good fortune of seeing God in form of my grandson. I have now brought these fruits not as a grandfather, but as a devotee! Please accept! SATHYA: O old and Wise one, you are equal to the Divine! Good be unto you! KONDAMA: In my time, I have, with these hands, offered the first morsel of food to many babies, initiated many children into education, and blessed many marriages. With these hands, I have also carried many grandsons and granddaughters. They were the hands of Your grandfather but Your hands will confer universal good. They will perform great deeds for the world. ¡¡.. I ask, not as Your grandfather but as a devotee, please apply Vibhuti on my forehead with Your Sacred hands. That would be the ultimate fulfilment. MAN/PEOPLE: Salutations! EASWARAMMA: My boy Sathyam, who are You really? Are You my Sathyam or something else? And what are all these powers? SATHYA: When the time comes, you will know all the answers. - END OF EPISODE 25 - --------------- Hetal Patil <hetalpatil[ Sai Baba Arti in Ganesh Arti TuneThursday, July 10, 2008, 2:25 PM Ambrosia for Sai Devotees By D. V. Murthy God stands for unity, harmony and oneness. When we make God our very own, we realize unity in diversity and so we will have harmony within and harmony without. We will then create a tranquil atmosphere around us, and then there will be no strife, conflict or war that is why we must turn to that Spirit within us which stands for unity and harmony. Poojya Sri Narasimha Swamiji, who familiarized our Samartha Sadguru Sri Shirdi Sai Baba to millions of devotees all over the country, was an apostle worthy of great esteem and veneration. After his first visit to Shirdi and to the very end he breathed and talked SAI and dedicated himself to Sai Prachar work traveling all over the country. All of us of this generation, who were fortunate enough to come in contact with him during his lifetime, should consider ourselves lucky and blessed. Apart from his innumerable writings like "Wondrous Saint Sri Sai Baba", "Sri Sai Baba Charters", "Devotees Experiences" etc., one of the most significant contributions of Swamiji was the composition of "SRI SAI BABA ASHTOTTARA NAMAVALI", recanting the innumerable, auspicious attributes of Baba for daily Parayana which are chanted by devotees in Sri Sai worship daily. Unlike other Ashtottaras, which are usually composed in alphabetical order, Swamiji's Ashtottara Namavali starts with the basic personality of Baba that he could be Sri Rama or Sri Krishna to some, Sri Dattatreya to someone else, or Maruthi to others etc. Thereafter, it deals first with the material benefits conferred like food, shelter, clothing, riches, good health summed up aptly as "Yoga Kshema". Very interestingly Baba never permitted his devotees to observe fast. He used to say that with pangs of hunger it would be difficult for any to fully concentrate on the spiritual side. The help rendered during distress of the devotees is described as "Aapathbandhava". Baba is also the guide during one's life journey and problems faced being "Maargabandhu." He is also the Supporter - "Jeevadhara" who has taken the vow to protect his devotees 'Bhaktavana Pratignya." Thereafter comes the very apt description "Bhukti-Mukti Swarga Marga - Daya - the bestower of worldly pleasures. One of the descriptions given of Baba is the helper of the helpless - and protector of unprotected "Asahaya-Sahayaya" and "Anaathanatha Deena Bandhu" but the best to my mind is "Sarva Bhavabruta" sums up my real Baba all these seventy and odd years who takes the entire burden of the devotees on himself. "Look unto me" and I look to you" has been the key word as to why millions flock to him for succor and strength. Many of us believe in the laws of "Karma". It is also said that all our present misery and troubles in this world are due to our past Karmas {Prarabdha Karma) and one has to undergo the results of the same. It is also said that in case of Sadgurus, they have the power to mitigate the Karmik effects. Sri Sai was and is one who has this power as experienced by his many devotees and is aptly put as "Karma - Dhvamsine" and "Ashakya Rahitaya" as one for whom nothing is impossible. Our entire life provides instances of special blessings in times of dire need and distress when we recite "Om Sri Sai Aapthabandhavya Namah", we automatically recollect the myriad instances where He came to our succour and tears swell in our eyes. The same is the case with many other Naamas in the Namavali. The piece de resistance of the Naamavali is perhaps the apt description - "Bhaktanugraha Kataraya" the one tremulously eager to shower His blessings on His devotees. What an apt description of Baba; But do we deserve him? In a way the recitation of Ashtottara Shata Naamavali is a very handy Sadhana to all householder Sai devotees to directly commune with Him with our limited vocabulary and coupled with Bhaava will surely lead to our goal. Sri Sai Ashtottara can be recited individually or in groups. It has been our experience that Group chanting with "Bhava" (feeling) has been found to confer immense benefits to one and all. God is all love and kindness and He means no ill. He is also the sole doer. If we have this faith and surrender, we can remain happy and cheerful in all conditions. (Source Shri Sai Padananda April 1998) ------------------------------- MUSINGS ON AVATARS PART 6 (Continued from the previous issue) By Prof. G. Venkataraman Dear Readers, for 40 previous issues ¨C from October 2004 to February 2008 - we brought you a spiritual feast in the form of the "Gita for Children" in a serialized form. Prior to that, we had started our first series entitled "Shirdi Sai ¨C Parthi Sai" which is continuing till date. The "Gita for Children" series was taken from the book "Krishna - Arjuna Dialogue" authored by Prof. Venkataraman. As we concluded the final segment of this book in February 2008 issue, from March 2008, we started a new series on "Avatars" or Divine Incarnations. The articles in this series are actually adaptations of talks delivered recently on Radio Sai by Prof. G. Venkataraman, and are based on the book "Message of the Lord" authored by him a few years earlier. We hope H2H readers will relish the spiritual insights this series offers. Previous Articles In The Same Series ------- THE EPIC MAHABHARATA: The Kauravas and the pandavas The story of Krishna that I narrated earlier does not include a description of the Great War between the Kauravas and the Pandavas which took place at Kurukshetra. This war is a story in itself, and Krishna's role in this war is of paramount significance, particularly because it was at the beginning of this eighteen-day war that Krishna preached the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. The Kurukshetra War was basically a family feud which not only snowballed into a huge conflict but actually became a tussle between righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma). Initially it seemed as if fortune favoured the forces of evil (as indeed it always appears to). Eventually of course, Dharma triumphed, as it has to always, though throughout history mankind has generally lacked the confidence that it will! By the way, it is no surprise that Dharma had the final say since the Blessed Lord was personally backing it. As in every other instance, the war left a massive trail of devastation, reminding us that the price of victory is never cheap; but when Dharma itself is at stake, no price is too expensive - that was the moral then and it remains the same today too. King Santanu's Marriage Vow to Goddess Ganga Santanu watches helplessly as Ganga drowns her newborns The story starts with King Santanu of Hastinapura who one day came across a damsel of extraordinary and bewitching beauty. The young lady was none other than the goddess Ganga (representing the River Ganges) who, for divine reasons, had assumed a human form. Succumbing to her charms, the King begged her to become his wife, which Ganga agreed to but on one condition. She said: ¡°O King, under no circumstances must you ask me who I am, where I come from, etc. Nor must you ever probe my actions however legitimate your concern might seem to you. If you agree to my stipulations, I shall marry you but be warned that if ever you violate your promise, I shall forthwith leave you for ever.¡± So infatuated was the King that without a second thought he agreed to all the laid conditions. Soon a child was born but Ganga, without batting an eyelid, threw the baby into the river Ganges! Santanu was horrified but bound by his promise, could do precious little. Other children came but every one of them was promptly despatched to a watery grave and the count quickly rose to seven. Then came the eighth child and as Ganga was about to throw the baby boy into the river, Santanu picked up courage and tried to stop her. Promise broken, Goddess Ganga ascends to heaven with their son Ganga then said to Santanu: ¡°O King, you seem to have forgotten your promise and so I have to leave you now. This child I shall not kill but will take him with me; however, later I shall hand him over to you. But before I go let me tell you that I am not a heartless woman given to killing her own children. Those whom I was forced to destroy were bound by a curse and I was the agency used for implementing the curse.¡± She said so and disappeared with the baby. About eight or so years later Ganga appeared before Santanu and handed over his son who had been named Devavrata and had already become proficient in the martial arts. Ganga then vanished. Bhishma's Terrific Vow Four more years went by and one day, Santanu saw a young fisherwoman named Satyavati whom he wanted to marry. He approached the father of the girl and the father said that he would give his daughter in marriage provided Santanu would make her child the King of the realm after Santanu's death. This, the King would not agree to, because that would amount to rank injustice to Devavrata, now blossoming as a fine prince. Nevertheless, he continued to pine for Satyavati. Seeing his father in a distraught condition, Devavrata made enquires. Once he came to learn of the reason, he promptly renounced his claim to the throne and in addition swore that he would never marry so that there would be no children through him who could later contest the kingship. On account of this vow Devavrata came to be known as Bhishma or the one who took a terrific vow, a name that replaced the one given by his mother. Bhishma renounces his prospective throne by taking a vow of chastity Santanu had two sons named Chitrangada and Vichitravirya through Satyavati, and to Vichitravirya were born two sons named Dhritarashtra and Pandu. Dhritarashtra married Gandhari and sired a hundred sons known collectively as the Kauravas. Pandu married two wives - Kunti and Madri - and had five sons in all, known as the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra, the elder son, was born blind and therefore Pandu was appointed to the throne. At that time, Pandu had no sons. One day he went hunting and as the result of unhappy circumstances came under the curse of a Rishi according to which he, Pandu, would forfeit his life if he sought conjugal pleasure. Heartbroken, Pandu surrendered the kingdom to his elder brother Dhritarashtra, and retired with his two wives to the forest to lead a life of penance and austerity. Dhritarashtra was advised in the affairs of the state by his able minister Vidura and of course also by his uncle Bhishma. A Gift from the Sun God Pandu's elder wife Kunti was actually the sister of Vasudeva, the father of Krishna. You might remember that I have mentioned this before. When she was young she had been given in adoption to a king named Kunti Bhoja and for that reason, she was known as Kunti. As a young girl, Kunti had won a special boon from Sage Durvasa. According to that, by chanting a sacred Mantra and thinking of a deity, she would get a son with all the qualities of that deity. Radha and Adhiratha adopt the child Karna, the Sun God's son Tremendously excited, Kunti decided to try it out immediately and chanting the Mantra, she meditated upon Surya (the Sun god). Surya at once appeared before her and said: "I bless you with my son." Aghast, Kunti said, "My Lord, I didn't realise that this Mantra was so powerful and that it would work so fast! I am not married and what would people say if I were to have a son now? Please help me!" Surya replied, "I am afraid I cannot take back the son. But don't worry, for, the baby would be born right now and you don't have to wait for nine months; also, the birth would not affect your virginity." Karna, the child of Surya, was born forthwith and putting the baby in a sealed box, Kunti let the box afloat in a river. The box was spotted and picked up by a charioteer named Adhiratha, and Karna grew up under the care of the charioteer¡¯s wife named Radha. For this reason, Karna was also sometimes referred to as Radheya. Later Kunti got married to Pandu and when she went along with him to the forest, Pandu desiring progeny asked her to invoke the boon granted by Durvasa. Thus it was that Kunti gave birth to Yudhishtra by meditating upon Dharmaraja, the Lord of righteousness and death; Bhima, by meditating upon Vayu, the wind god; and Arjuna by contemplating on Indra, the King of the Devas (angels). On Pandu's request, Kunti taught Madri the same Mantra and helped her to get two sons named Nakula and Sahadeva. In this way, Pandu became the notional father of five sons [collectively known as the Pandavas], but biologically he was not. Arjuna vs. Karna: A Prelude to War After the birth of the five sons, Pandu was one day seized with physical desire and sought to enjoy conjugal relations with Madri. Instantly the curse became effective, and he died. The Pandava princes now returned from the forest to Hastinapura and came under the protection of their grandsire Bhishma. The latter appointed Kripa (known reverentially as Kripacharya) as a teacher to the sons of Dhritarashtra as well as of Pandu. Though the Kauravas and the Pandavas grew up together, there was generally no love between them, particularly between Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, and Bhima. The only one to rise totally above all ill feelings was the eldest of them all, the wise and gentle Yudhishtra (also known as Dharmaputra) who was singularly different. Karna is crowned King in order to challenge Arjuna to combat Sometime later, the task of imparting instruction fell to Drona (also referred respectfully as Dronacharya), the brother-in-law of Kripacharya. One day, Drona announced a public contest to test the skills of his pupils. It was a big event, and besides the king, the elite as well as the general public were invited to witness the proceedings. One by one the young princes were called upon to display their skills, and when it came to the turn of Arjuna, there appeared in the arena an intruder who dared to challenge Arjuna, and actually displayed equal skill in archery. Feeling deeply insulted, Arjuna challenged the intruder to a combat; the intruder was none other than Karna. At this stage, Drona intervened to say that a prince could fight only another prince. Would Karna identify himself? Was he a prince? Whose son was he? Karna, who believed that he was the son of a charioteer, felt deeply pained that he was being kept out on flimsy technical grounds. It was at this stage that Duryodhana came forward to extend support and patronage to Karna, an act that was to have far-reaching consequences. On the spot, Duryodhana made Karna the King of Anga, a territory lying within the kingdom of Dhritarashtra. Meanwhile the Sun had set and the days proceedings were declared concluded; as a result the fight between Karna and Arjuna did not take place. But deep animosity between the two took root and it lasted till Karna was finally killed in the Kurukshetra war. Duryodhana's Plot Backfires When the Kaurava princes and the Pandavas reached the age of assuming responsibility, there was much speculation about how Dhritarashtra would transfer power. On the compelling advice of Bhishma and Vidura [in passing I should mention that Bhishma and Vidura acted as advisers to Dhritarashtra], Dhritarashtra appointed Yudhishtra as the Crown Prince. However, that did not imply, at least in Dhritarashtra's mind, that Yudhishtra would automatically succeed to the throne. The Pandavas build a tunnel to escape certain death Duryodhana, of course, was in no mood to be deprived of power or even to share it with the Pandavas, and he spared no pains to hatch schemes for the elimination of his cousins. Plotting with his uncle Sakuni and Karna, Duryodhana got built a fabulous palace at a place called Varanavata. The palace was unusual in that it was built entirely of lacquer, a highly inflammable material, though this was not evident to the eye. Duryodhana's idea was to somehow entice the Pandavas to visit the palace and once they were there, to arrange an "accidental" fire in which his cousins would perish. The Pandavas duly fell into the trap, but Vidura who got wind of Duryodhana's evil intentions gave a coded warning to Yudhishtra with the words: "A forest fire cannot hurt a rat which shelters itself in a hole." When the Pandavas reached their destination and discovered that the palace was nothing but a fire bomb, they quietly built a tunnel, set fire to the palace themselves before Duryodhana's agents could do so, and silently escaped through the tunnel into the forest. News about the fire reached Hastinapura and Duryodhana, who did not know that his plan had gone astray, assumed that the Pandavas were dead and secretly rejoiced. Only Vidura knew that the Pandavas were safe and he shared that information with Bhishma alone. Deeply conscious now that the Kauravas would not stop at anything, the Pandavas chose to remain in disguise as they wandered about. In the process, they came to the kingdom of Panchala (the land of the five rivers, i.e., modern Punjab) ruled by Drupada. Drupada was an enemy of Drona, and he had two sons named Dhristadyumna and Sikhandi. The latter was actually born as a girl but aided by divine circumstances later transformed into a boy; this sex change was to have implications in the elimination of Bhishma in the Great War. A 'Prize' for the Pandavas At the time when the Pandavas made their entry into Panchala, Drupada had arranged an exotic archery contest to select a suitor for his daughter Draupadi (also known as Panchali). Arjuna wins the 'prize' : Draupadi, the daughter of Drupada Disguised as Brahmins, the Pandavas made their way to the scene of the contest. The contest, which was open to members of the warrior class (i.e., the Kshatriya caste), soon got under way. None could score a success, including Karna, who missed by the proverbial hair's breadth. At this stage, Arjuna stood up to ask if a Brahmin could make a try. Draupadi's brother Dhristadyumna said that any noble son of a noble mother could do so, whereupon Arjuna with effortless ease shot into the complex target. Without a moment's hesitation, Draupadi followed Arjuna to the hut of the Pandavas. As the victors were entering, Kunti asked them what they had brought home from the contest. "A prize", was the reply, whereupon, Kunti having no knowledge of the nature of the so-called prize, asked them to share it equally. Naturally this posed a nasty problem, and Draupadi was duly consulted. She did not mind marrying all the five simultaneously, but her father Drupadha was shocked beyond words - naturally. At this stage, Sage Vyasa arrived on the scene and he told Drupadha that in her previous birth, Draupadi had prayed five times intensely to Siva for a good husband. Her prayers were being answered all together now in this birth, and so, a one-time exception could be made to a woman marrying more than one husband. Vyasa also added that no other woman could invoke this example as an excuse to marry more than one husband. Drupada withdrew his objection, and Kunti welcomed the new addition to their family. At the time of their marriage, the Pandavas gave up their disguise, and of course, Drupada was most delighted to learn that his sons-in-law were actually princes. The Pandavas returned to Hastinapura triumphantly, much to the delight of Vidura, Bhishma and the general public as well; needless to say that Duryodhana and Karna boiled inside with fury since their plan had completely backfired. The Pandavas return to Hastinapura amidst much fanfare The big question was: "What would happen now?" Bhishma advocated that the best course would be for Dhritarashtra to divide his kingdom into two parts and hand over one of these to the Pandavas to rule, leaving the other half to the Kauravas. Vidura lent active support and added, "It is a common talk among the people that we tried to kill the Pandavas. This is the only way of silencing such gossip." Though not quite willing, Dhritarashtra yielded as this seemed the best way of securing peace. Outwitted, Duryodhana tried to make the best of a bad bargain by making sure that the portion of the empire that the Pandavas received was dry, barren and unproductive. Naming their kingdom as Indraprastha, by sheer hard work the Pandavas transformed it into a lush and prosperous country, whereupon Duryodhana once again became furious and consumed with jealousy. Meanwhile, Krishna's association with the Pandavas grew, and that is how He came to use Bhima to exterminate Jarasanda. Later, Krishna exploited the opportunity provided by the Rajasuya Yajna performed by Yudhishtra to personally annihilate Sishupala. Fates Decided by a Game of Dice Duryodhana's anger against the Pandavas having reached new heights, the plotting against them resumed with renewed vigour. Many plans were considered, outright war being one of them. Karna was fully in favour of a direct attack, but Duryodhana's uncle Sakuni strongly advised against it. He said, "We must use brains and not brawn. Entice them to a game of dice and leave the rest to me." Seeing the merit of the suggestion, the plotters then met Dhritarashtra and sought his blessings to invite the Pandavas for a game of dice. Dhritarashtra consulted Vidura who was revolted by the idea. However, by exploiting parental softness, Duryodhana had his way and Vidura, the objector, was himself despatched to convey the invitation to the Pandavas for a game of dice. In those days, the etiquette among kings was that an invitation to a sport, especially a game of dice should be honoured and not refused. And thus, it was that Yudhishtra and his brothers came to Hastinapura for what they thought was a normal game of dice. Yudhishtra gambles everything away through a rigged game of dice Duryodhana, of course, had other plans and proposed that while he would make the wagers, the dice would actually be thrown on his behalf by Sakuni. The ever-soft Yudhishtra raised no objections, not suspecting in the least that Sakuni would skilfully manipulate the dice, literally making them dance to his (Sakuni's) tune. Yudhishtra had a string of failures or bad luck, unprecedented in history but never once did he suspect foul play. In all innocence, he played according to the rules, while his opponents cheated at every conceivable opportunity. To cut a long story short, Yudhishtra wagered and successively lost jewels, chariots, animals like horses, elephants, even cows, sheep, etc. Having lost all worldly possessions, he then bet his four brothers and lost them too. Egged by Sakuni, he then thoughtlessly offered his own self as a wager, and soon found that he too had become the slave of Duryodhana! One would have thought that would be the end of the game; no, Yudhishtra was reminded that he still had something he could wager and that was his wife, Draupadi. His discrimination entirely blunted, Yudhishtra took the incredible step of offering Draupadi as a bet and lost her too. And this precisely was what many like Karna were waiting for - to inflict the ultimate in humiliation. While all this drama was going on in the royal assembly, Draupadi was indoors blissfully unaware that her husband had lost everything including himself and her too. But when Duryodhana's brother Duhsasana burst into her chambers to drag her by her hair to the assembly, the reality of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. There she was in the assembly, the high and the mighty at one end, her enslaved husbands at the other, and she in the middle held by her hair by Duhsasana, while the Kauravas took turns in taunting her and hurling filthy remarks. Draupadi's Miracle Deep in anguish and eyes drenched with tears, Draupadi looked pleadingly at her husbands, five of them, but there was no help from that quarter. She then appealed to the learned ones like Bhishma and Kripacharya, but they silently looked the other way. And then, rising to new levels of indecent and atrocious behaviour, Duhsasana, at the behest of Duryodhana and Karna tried to disrobe Draupadi in public. Krishna's miracle answers Draupadi's pleas The distressed damsel now had only one resort, and that was to appeal to Lord Krishna Himself. Loudly and pathetically she wailed, "O Krishna, O Lord of Mathura, O Lord of Dwaraka, O my Indweller, where are You in my hour of distress? They say You have a thousand eyes. Are they not watching what is going on? "And pray, what did I do to deserve all this? My husbands swore by the sacred fire to protect me and my honour. Look at them now standing silently and not lifting a little finger! You are my only refuge and I surrender totally to You; it is now entirely up to You to protect my modesty." Lo and behold, an extraordinary miracle took place. Even as Duhsasana tried to remove Draupadi's garments, fresh ones kept appearing. He tried and tried to strip her completely, but her sari kept extending endlessly. Eventually he became physically tired and simply quit, after which the proceedings abruptly ended. Altogether, it was an electrifying drama and different people reacted differently. Dhritarashtra, for one, was frightened out of his wits, and counselled by his Queen Gandhari, he drew Draupadi aside, profusely apologised to her and promised that he would grant any wish of hers. Draupadi merely desired that her husbands be set free; they did not come to her rescue but here she was rescuing them! Dhritarashtra gladly did as asked and offered another boon to Draupadi which she politely refused. However, in a rare mood of generosity, Dhritarashtra gave back to Yudhishtra all that had been won (by unfair means) from him. So, at the end of the day, the Pandava brothers went back with their kingdom intact and a bag full of unpleasant memories. This scene in the Mahabharatha is full of significance. This I shall elaborate in the next episode. Till then, all the best and may God be with you. Jai Sai Ram. (To be Continued...) ---------- CONVERSATIONS WITH SAI Satyopanishad - part 7: Direct Directions from the Divine To access all the previous issues of Conversations With Sai, please Dear reader, in response to positive feedback to this section where we have a dialogue with the Divine, we continue with Prof. Anil Kumar¡¯s ¡°Satyopanishad¡± after completing the serial Dr. John Hislop¡¯s ¡°Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba¡± in January 2008. This 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, aspects of God ¨C embodied and formless, to price hikes, women¡¯s liberation, vegetarianism and the generation gap 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 with chapter two, called Trends in Society. CHAPTER 2 - TRENDS IN SOCIETY (Continued from the previous issue) Anil Kumar: Swami! Many speak of culture? What is the value of culture? Bhagavan: Culture is very important because your life and its value depend on it. Culture is a way of life. It enables you to experience divinity in your life and realise unity in diversity. Without culture, a person becomes a demon. He falls down in stature and ultimately ruins himself/herself. You know that sea water is saline or salty. Human life is like a vast sea. God's grace is like sunlight that falls on the sea. The seawater, because of the heat of the sun, becomes vaporised. This is the vapour of bliss that settles as clouds in the sky to fall down to the earth as rain. It is the rain of love. The seawater is salty but the rainwater is sweet. Why? Where does the difference lie? Seawater is refined by sunlight. So also, our life must be cultured and refined. The value of life will then rise. A piece of iron worth less than a rupee can be made into a beautiful and expensive watch after it is processed and refined. This is due to the culture it has undergone. So long as a boulder remains itself, it is bound to be neglected. But, once it is in the hands of a sculptor, chiseled and hammered, and shaped into a beautiful Krishna idol; it starts receiving respect and worship. Why? It is only culture that makes all the difference. A boulder, once trodden by everyone underfoot, now in the form of an idol, occupies a place at the altar in a temple and is worshipped everyday. This is the value that culture confers. Without culture, one develops a foolish view of life finding diversity in unity. For example, take a needle. It stitches pieces of cloth into a garment. The needle stands for culture. But scissors cut the cloth into pieces. This is the condition in the absence of culture. Anil Kumar: Swami! Have people come closer to God in this modern world? Bhagavan: The modern world is completely superficial and artificial. Outwardly, all say 'hello', 'hello' to each other. Everyone says 'thanks' for every small thing. This is all mechanical, routine courtesy, and those words don't mean anything. You find utter selfishness everywhere. Modern science has enabled man to land on the moon. But, man has forgotten to step into his neighbour's house. Yes, he can reach chandra, the moon, but can't see Ramachandra (God) in his heart. Modern man can swim in water like a fish, and fly like a bird, but can't walk a mile with his two legs on the ground. With his physical eye, which is not even two inches in size, he is able to see a galaxy several thousand miles away from him, but he is not able to see himself. The eye and the ear are so near but they don't see each other! Do they? God reclines on the ksirasagara, 'ocean of milk' located in your Heart, but today we find that the 'Heart' has become ksarasagara, 'ocean of poison'. How do you expect him to realise Divinity? Even after having become a very rich country, France, lost the Great War. Why? It was because of her reckless youngsters and the vices of the day. This trend is increasing today among people. Man is living and working for the fulfillment of his asalu, lowly desires, but he should live for asayalu, ideals. People with high ideals alone can come closer to one another spiritually. Anil Kumar: Swami! How can we come up in life? Bhagavan: You have to work for it. It may be difficult, but it is desirable to achieve it. In fact, everyone should strive to come up in life, therefore, it is said, 'Aim high. Low aim is a crime'. One has to travel in the right direction and reach the goal. This is the purpose of the birth of every human being. Man has to realize that he is essentially divine. One has to attain Divinity. But this is not as easy and as simple as it seems. After all, a fall is easy and quick too. Take this example. As you come to Kodai Kanal by bus climbing the hills, the vehicle makes a lot of noise. Lorries also struggle and make loud sounds climbing these hills. But, the very same bus or lorry finds it easy to go downhill. So is the case with human life too! You have to struggle and work hard to come up in life. But to fall from a height and ruin yourself is easy, simple, and quick. Take another example. When you shoot an arrow, the more you pull it backwards closer to the string, the farther the arrow goes when released. Similarly, if you work more, your success will be equally greater. A rocket, the moment it is launched with force, jerks backwards and thereafter it gets released into space where it rises with burning flames. So, in life the amount of effort you put in decides your rate of success. Anil Kumar: Swami! Kindly tell us how to achieve greatness in life? Bhagavan: Never allow this sort of idea to get into your head. You are mistaken if you think that you have achieved something very special and unique by becoming great. It is not true at all. Becoming great in life should not be your aim. There are several great people in society. I don't think this is important or matters the most. Goodness is superior to greatness. Instead of aiming to be great, try to be good. It is far more important to be a good man than a great man. What is the difference between the two? A great man sees man in God, while a good man sees God in man. Ravana, as portrayed in the Ramayana, was undoubtedly a great man. He considered Rama, the Lord, a mere man. But, Rama was an ideal good man. He saw divinity in a bird like Jatayu, in squirrels, and even in demons like Vibhishana. Even women like Sabari, illiterate people like Guha as well as saints appeared to Rama like His own reflections. So, Rama was good. You should try to get the reputation that you are a good man and not a great man. Anil Kumar: Swami! What is an ideal government? Bhagavan: In an ideal government everyone willingly observes the rules and regulations of the State. Everybody discharges his or her responsibilities. 'Godment' is superior to Government. But, today we see people fighting for their rights, forgetting their duties. You should not give any scope for laziness. All employees should work most sincerely doing justice to the salaries they receive every month. Otherwise, it will amount to cheating or betraying their fellow beings or the government. People should cultivate samarasyam, integration, samagrata, coordination, samaikyata, unity, and saubhrdtrata, fraternity. Look at this piece of cloth. This is very strong because the threads are closely interwoven. But if you separate the threads, you can cut it with your finger. Everybody should know that strength lies in unity. India could achieve independence but not unity. You are free to walk waving your walking stick, so long as it does not hit the nose of another pedestrian and your freedom does not rob the independence of others. Fundamentals applicable to all must be followed. The individual is less important than the community or society. It is always better that you manage to employ yourselves in learning those things that are needed for society. Your education should help you to better the community. Anil Kumar: Swami! This gentleman is a famous journalist. Many say that he reports well for the newspapers. Bhagavan: Is that so! Good! Who is a journalist? He who writes a general list of matters in papers is a journalist. What is news? All the information from North, East, West and South form news. It is good to know the news that comes from the outside world. What about nuisance that comes from within you? Know that and correct yourself. Anil Kumar: Swami! What is essential for us now? Bhagavan: If you have love, it is enough. Everything will be added unto you. Service, sacrifice, humility, devotion, discipline, etc. are contained within love. It is only love that prompts and promotes all virtues. Where there is love, there will be no ego, hatred, jealousy and such other low and mean animal qualities. There was a lady in Paris. She led her life with the little money she had. One day she saw some helpless footpath dwellers shivering in the cold. She was deeply moved by this sight. Everyday she used to take a few blankets along with her and offer them to those poor, needy and forlorn. This had gone to the notice of the elders and finally the government. They decided to honour her. A few youngsters came to her to congratulate her. She said that she was not happy since she could not help everyone, when the compassionate Almighty God was helping everyone always. She further added that she felt ashamed and frustrated, as her help could not be extended to everyone. I will tell you another story. There was in an army a soldier who lost both his legs in a war and had to move with the help of crutches. Since his service was relatively short, he was not eligible for all the retirement benefits. The Major of his unit gave him some money and asked him to return. The soldier, on his way back home, had to stop in a village and take shelter in a choultry as it was raining heavily. The money on hand also was exhausted. Next morning, a schoolgirl happened to pass the same street, saw this soldier, and made enquiries. The girl was deeply moved by his plight. Since then, she used to go to school an hour early everyday, collect some fruits on the way, sell them, and purchase a few chapatis for the soldier. After a couple of weeks, the Major happened to pass the same way and noticed the soldier. The major was surprised to see him, for even after a long time he had not yet reached home. He found that it was due to paucity of funds. The Major also learnt how the soldier was managing himself all these days. In the meantime, the girl came and served chapatis to the soldier. The Major followed her and went to her house. On seeing him, her parents thought that their daughter must have done something wrong and therefore he had come to make an enquiry. When they were about to punish her, the Major intervened and said to her parents, "You are indeed very lucky! How many of us have such children with magnanimity, love, concern for the needy, and the spirit of service?" He was about to give some gold coins to her parents who said, "Sir! We don't want all this. We can live with our hard earned money. Who can guard these gold coins at home? Please leave us alone, Sir!" The Major felt happy and left for his native place where he found an eligible bridegroom for this girl and performed her marriage. This is the true wealth of love. 'Expansion of love is life. Contraction of love is death'. - END OF CHAPTER 2 - (To be continued) --------------- THIS LIFE IS FOR H He was totally new to Sri Sathya Sai Organization till 1971, and before that he was a shy graduate who thought he failed in the first year examination of his Masters; well, that is what his results said. But assured earlier by Bhagavan that he would pass the exam, he waited, only to hear that he indeed had passed in first class. And the very next year he went on to top the university in the final examinations. After that, he waited again for two years for another shower of Grace, which came as his first job, a chemistry lecturer in the erstwhile Sri Sathya Sai Junior College. Mr. Y. Siva Rama Krishnaiah receiving his principles from the Divine Principal Embraced and assimilated into the Sai mission, slowly but surely, Mr. Siva Rama Krishnaiah was to become the Principal of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam. In 2003, he was conferred with the ¡°Best Teacher¡± award by the Central Board of Secondary Education of the Government of India. Fortunate to be an instrument in the divine hands in shaping the school for the last 25 years, his journey to Sai is as wonderful and exciting as the story of the school itself! In the July 2008 H2H issue, we offered you the sublime story of the School, and now here is the tale of the school¡¯s principal, a story suffused with same love, care and protection of the Supreme Teacher and Divine Mother, Lord Sai. In July 2008, H2H met this 59 year old principal, who never reduced the number of his lectures, in spite of umpteen administrative responsibilities as a principal. ¡°I am a teacher first, and only then a principal,¡± he said. ¡°I never dreamt that I would become the principal of this school. And tomorrow, if Swami gives me some other assignment, I¡¯ll do it gladly. This life is for Him. For what He has done for me, I cannot ever repay Him for any number of lives to come.¡± H2H: How did you come into Swami¡¯s fold? And how did He groom you to become a vital part of His education mission? A young Mr. Siva Rama Krishnaiah with Swami Siva Rama Krishnaiah (SRK): I was totally new to the organization till 1971. In that year, I got married and since my in-laws were devotees, I came to Brindavan (Bangalore) along with them for Swami¡¯s blessings. When we reached there, we saw Bhagavan going to the college to speak to the boys. We were in the crowd and did not know if He had seen us. But just when He was entering the college building, He seemed to have told one of the caretakers there: ¡°Call the people from Guntur; they have come.¡± So, we went inside. Swami was talking to the boys about the Geetha in Kannada. It was a very informal session, and since Telugu and Kannada are quite similar, I could fairly understand what He was saying. He spoke for more than half-an-hour and then returned to His residence. We waited for two more days and Swami came to us on the third day. He blessed my wife and me, and accepted a garland from us. In those days, we could offer Him garlands. He also gave us Prasadam and said, ¡°I will see you in Puttaparthi.¡± After that, we returned. That was my first personal interaction with Swami. H2H: Did Swami ever interact with your wife¡¯s family prior to this incident? Was such an experience a first for your wife too? SRK: Prior to our marriage, my wife had been an active Sevadal member for 2-3 years. Their entire family used to come to Swami. So, it was not new for them; but for me, it was. Yet Swami spotted me out in that crowd! He came to me and said, ¡°I just saw your wife, I blessed her. Take Namaskaram.¡± So I bowed down and touched His holy feet. Later, in 1971, I got admission into M. Sc. (Master of Science). H2H: Oh, so you were still studying? SRK: Yes, I had just finished my B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) and had joined the Masters programme. After the first year of M. Sc, I came to see Swami again. He called me for an interview and spontaneously said, ¡°I will see that you get a job. Don¡¯t worry.¡± He also told me that I would achieve first class result in the examinations, and before sending me off gave me clothes and blessed me profusely. When I returned to Guntur, I was shocked to hear that I had failed in the first year examination! Since Bhopal, the city where I was doing my M.Sc., was quite far, I decided I would join a college in Guntur itself, and switch my discipline to M.A. (Master of Arts) in English. During this time, I used to attend bhajans in my hometown, Guntur, every Monday. One such day, as we just started Omkaaram, I got a telephone call from Bhopal which said that the previous communication was a mistake and that I had passed the exam in first class! Here he reaches out to the Lord with a prayer in his heart... ...and the Lord accepts his sincere offering H2H: Oh, that¡¯s wonderful! SRK: Yes, but the people who had seen the examination results in Bhopal were still surprised since they could not find my hall-ticket number anywhere in the list of passed candidates! I believe it is just Bhagavan¡¯s word that turned the situation around. I returned to Bhopal and completed my second year. At the end of it, I achieved first rank in the college! H2H: That¡¯s great! SRK: Yes, then I came to Swami and He called me for an interview and said, ¡°I will help you in getting a job. Don¡¯t worry, just be here.¡± I waited. He called me for an interview two or three times again and every time He assured me about my employment, blessed and sent me back. As a Sevadal in the early 1970's (he is in far right) Later, when I went to Brindavan, Swami introduced me to Prof. V. K. Gokak, saying that I was from the Andhra Seva Dal. Actually, I never heard the word ¡®Sevadal¡¯ till then! That was the first time I was hearing it! Now when I look back at it, I understand that it was all a preparatory ground He made for me. Prof. Gokak called me later and said that they needed experienced lecturers for their college and not fresh ones like me. When Swami returned to Puttaparthi, I also came along with Him and told Him what Prof. Gokak had told me. Then, Swami asked me to wait, and I waited for five months! However, those five months were, in fact, the golden period in my life, because I participated regularly in Sevadal work. It was then the domes of the Mandir and the Poornachandra Auditorium were being constructed, and I eagerly participated in that work. At the construction spot, Swami used to stand on the barricades and supply drinking water to us! There He saw me one day and acknowledged my participation saying, ¡°Oh! You are here too! See, your hands have become soiled and red!¡± Swami used to stand at the construction site and spend time with us on a daily basis. There were about twenty of us. H2H: This was in 1973? SRK: Right, 1973. Earlier, Mandir did not have any domes. Swami used to spend hours with us talking casually. Mr. Subba Rao, who teaches mathematics in our school, Mr. Ramana Rao, Mr. Patel, Mr. Narendra Popat and other Hyderabad Sevadals were also there. Swami used to bring so many things for us to eat. That was how He initiated us to participate in service. In the end, on December 28 or 29, there was a conference in Rajahmundry which Swami was going to preside over. The evening before that, He came for normal rounds to the construction spot. I was sitting there. He came to me and asked, ¡°Did you see the newspaper today?¡± ¡°Swami, I did not!¡± I replied. Then, He said, ¡°In the newspaper, there is a notice requesting interested and experienced teachers to apply to the Brindavan College. By now, they have already selected a person for the post.¡± Then I asked, ¡°What shall I do, Swami?¡± He said, ¡°Nenu emi chesthaanu?¡± (What can I do? They have already made the selection.) I kept silent and Swami went to Rajahmundry the next day. I returned to Guntur and with the initiation into Seva that I had in Puttaparthi, I continued participating in Seva activities. I had no job for the next two years; I was just waiting. In 1975, a miracle happened. One night, I returned from service, and we, my wife and I, were sleeping in our bedroom. Suddenly, Swami came into our room! H2H: He appeared! SRK: Yes, physically! He tried to wake me up but I wasn¡¯t opening my eyes (I came to know of this later). But my wife woke up. Swami, then, sat on the bed! He spoke of a few things and then asked my wife to go to the library and check a particular newspaper. He also told her that in it there was an advertisement. After this, He just disappeared. Startled, my wife woke me up saying, ¡°Swami came! Swami came!¡± ¡°Are you mad?¡± I asked her. ¡°Go to the mirror and check yourself!¡± she replied. When I looked myself in the mirror, there was Vibhuti on my forehead which Swami had placed. In fact, both of us were having Vibhuti marks on our foreheads! Now, I had to believe this. So, I went to the library and checked the newspaper Swami had mentioned. In one corner of this daily, I saw the ¡®Wanted¡¯ column, and there I saw an advertisement from a college seeking three chemistry teachers. It was from a big and reputed college in Guntur by name ¡®The Hindu College¡¯. This college had a long tradition; it was started in 1885! I applied for the post. Within 15-20 days from then, I saw so many changes happening in that college and so fast! The D.E.O (District Education Officer) of the college was transferred and the new person in charge happened to be my father-in-law¡¯s friend! When my father-in-law spoke to the new D.E.O, he advised me to apply for the post. I did and I was called for an interview. I was a little nervous as I was fresh graduate, without any work experience. But when I went into the interview room, I mustered some courage since the interview panel members were already known to me. They asked me a few questions and I could answer all of them satisfactorily. Though I performed very well, getting selected was not going to be easy. There were three teachers who had retired from the college at that moment which had created three vacancies. But they had one son each, and all three of them had done M. Sc. in Chemistry! Each one of them had applied for the job; hence I was the fourth candidate. Somehow, by God¡¯s grace, one person among them was overlooked and I was given the job! H2H: So, it was divine intervention! He always took directions from the divine and followed it steadfastly SRK: Nothing else. Swami was guiding us all the time. Even before my marriage, when my in-laws were looking for a boy for their daughter, they were considering four or five matches for her among which I was also one. When they took all the profiles to Swami, He chose me among them saying, ¡°This boy is very good. I will look after him. You give your daughter to this boy.¡± H2H: Even before you knew Swami physically, He has been looking after you! Sometimes instances like these makes your hair stand on end! SRK: Yes! He was guiding me. In fact, He was making up for every deficiency of mine. Since Prof. Gokak asked for an experienced candidate, Swami granted me the job in the Hindu college, only for me to gain a couple of years of experience. I worked there for four years and returned to Swami in 1979. At that time, they were looking for a teacher who could work for the junior college in Puttaparthi. They wanted someone who could teach in Telugu too. I was told later that Swami showed my application to Dr. Bhagavantham and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you call this boy?¡± That is how I was called to Puttaparthi. I came and when I sat in Darshan line, Swami came straight to me and said, ¡°Aaa¡Emappa? Class theesuko, choosthaam.¡± (How are you? Take the demo class, I will see.) I said, ¡°OK, Swami¡±, and took Namaskar. I actually had never thought Swami would come to me! I went to take the demo class. Three other lecturers were seated in that class. I started the lecture in English and then changed to Telugu. While I was lecturing in Telugu, Swami came in and sat in the last bench! I looked at Him, and He said, ¡°Carry on!¡± I started writing chemical equations on the board. Swami then asked one of the boys, ¡°What would happen if you consume more calcium?¡± The boy could not answer, and so He passed the question to me. Actually, I could not hear the question properly and communicated to Him the same. Swami then answered the question Himself saying, ¡°If you take more calcium than needed, you will loose your teeth.¡± Then looking at me, He said, ¡°Good! Write big letters on the board so that they would be visible even to the people sitting at the back¡± and went away. I finished my lecture, came out of the class and was standing on the steps. Swami suddenly came there and said, ¡°Aa vaachaavaa? Namaskaram theesuko! Baga chesuko!¡± (Oh, you are here! Take Namaskaram. Perform well.) With that, I knew I was in. That was the initiation; that was how I came here and joined the Junior college. In every situation, he sought His guidance... .....and the kind Lord explained with patience and love H2H: So, how did the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School come about? SRK: From 1979 to 1982, only the junior college existed. In 1982-83, a new building was constructed, and Mr. Anjaiah, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, was expected to open the building. Swami arrived at the venue, but Mr. Anjaiah was late. Swami did not wait for Mr. Anjaiah, He entered the building passing below the ribbon and inspected the rooms. The school was formally opened by Mr. Anjaiah a little later. H2H: Interesting! SRK: The Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School was started in the new building, and I was instructed by Swami to take care of it. H2H: So, that was how you were associated with the school. How was Swami¡¯s involvement in the school activities in the early days? SRK: Swami used to come to the school often. When the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) inspection committee came to the school to check our functioning and grant us affiliation, Swami also came along with them. He even entered into my classroom! He also used to come for the practice sessions of Christmas carols and sit in the portico of the school. He also gave two discourses in a small room of the school. But the very first time when Swami came to the school, we, the teachers invited Him chanting Vedic hymns. All of us learnt Narayana Suktam just for this purpose! H2H: Swami must have been extremely pleased. And about carols, this is something really good! We never knew that Swami used to come for carol practice sessions! Can you share with us any other experiences? SRK: Yes, once I had to go to appear for my B. Ed. (Bachelor of Education) examination. H2H: Oh, did Swami ask you to do B. Ed? SRK: Yes, He asked me to do it. But I could not go and write the examination. That was the period of time, for some reason, Swami wasn¡¯t talking to me often; I thought He was not so happy with me (or that is what I thought with my limited knowledge). I wanted to ask Swami to permit me to go and write the examination, but I did not have the courage. I was afraid, ¡°What if He asked to me leave forever!¡± Thinking so, I did not ask Him. I thought, ¡°Let it go! If Swami wills that I should write the exam, He will tell me.¡± Of course, that period cleared up, but then I forgot about it, thinking that I should wait for a clear directive from Swami. I waited for ten years! In fact, I was asked to do B. Ed. in 1982-83. I prepared well but did not write because I could not a chance to seek His permission. After ten years, Swami asked Mr. Chakravarthi, who was then the Registrar of His University, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Siva Ram Krishnaiah done B. Ed.? I told him to do it long back.¡± It was only then that I actually went and wrote the exam. We never know how Swami¡¯s plans are! Swami visits the school to the delight of the Principal He listened to his every prayar and answered too H2H: It is all Divine design! Coming back to the school, can you recollect how Swami used to interact with the students? Bhagavan blesses the Board examination hall tickets SRK: Swami used to encourage the boys, in whatever program they took up. Be it a drama or a skit, Swami used to inspire them always. Once, in 1984, Swami gave Discourses on the Geetha for almost 35 days! In those days too, Swami used to give opportunities to one boy from the institute and one from the school to speak every day. We had speakers on all the thirty-five days. Swami used to call a few X or XII grade boys during morning Darshan and give them interviews. He used to create things for them and fascinate them. He loved and encouraged them like anything! Once I was holding a set of examination hall tickets (for the Board examinations) in my hand waiting to distribute them to the boys. Swami came to me and said, ¡°I will distribute them.¡± He gave hall-tickets to all the 80 boys personally! He continued this sweet and benevolent act for 2-3 subsequent years. Once He also called the boys for an interview and explained to them how to prepare for examinations. We keep a copy of that divine lecture on the notice board every year during examination time for the boys to take advantage of it. H2H: Can you relate any more instances where you witnessed the love that Swami has for students? SRK: Yes! We used to conduct science exhibitions. Swami used to visit the school on these occasions, stand patiently at each model and ask the students to explain to Him what the model is all about. He came to each of the three exhibitions during the years 1994, 95 and 96. He spent hours together in each exhibition. It is in one of those exhibitions, that the famous burglar¡¯s alarm leela took place. The boy who was demonstrating the model of a burglar¡¯s alarm to Swami, requested Him to put His Hand across the model, saying that it would ring the bell. Swami kept His Hand, but the bell did not ring! Swami then asked the boy to keep his hand in it. It rang! And this mysterious thing happened twice! Then Swami commented beautifully, ¡°I am not Chora; I am Chittachora.¡± (I am not a stealer, but stealer of hearts.) Once I was telling Him about a particular boy. Even before I started to talk about him, Swami told me his residential address. He said, ¡°Oh, that boy is from Bombay, isn¡¯t he? He lives near Andheri. His father is a doctor¡¡± In fact, I had never seen Swami speak to that boy before! In the earlier days, Swami visited the school very often... ....and spent plenty of time with the teachers and the students H2H: Moments like these are really a revelation to you, aren¡¯t they? SRK: Yes, what else do we want! Even now, I remember those incidents and derive such inspiration and satisfaction. He, of course, gives internal guidance so that we can carry on our work. Whenever I took the results of the examinations of each class with me to Swami, He used to ask me how many students passed in first class, how many got through in the second class and similarly in third class. When there were one or two who passed in third class, Swami would be very concerned. ¡°Why did this happen? Ask the teachers to conduct special classes in the evenings for academically weak students. Make them work more and they will improve automatically. Nobody should be left behind,¡± He used to say. H2H: Yes, for Swami, the fact that 99 boys have passed is not important but that one boy who failed is of note! Where he will always abide... SRK: Yes! That is His love! He built up the institution in such a way! For each student who was weak in academics, He asked us to appoint one boy who was senior to him as his mentor. The idea behind having student-mentors was that the boys would be able to exchange their ideas easily among themselves. We did it, and we are doing it even now. It works wonderfully. H2H: Having served as a principal for so many years, you would have surely received lessons from Swami regarding running the institution. What has been your guiding principle? There must be a few things in your mind which always help you to self-check if you are going on the right track. SRK: Well, everyday, as soon as I get up, I put before Swami the day¡¯s work which I would be taking up that day and ask Him to guide me. And whatever is the first thought that I get after that, I do not question it. I firmly believe that it is Bhagavan¡¯s message. I never faced any problem following this approach. Bhagavan has always been guiding me. At times, I might not get a chance to seek His direct guidance. But during such times, I remind myself that whatever I do, it should bring glory to Him. I always question myself ¡°Will Swami like this?¡± Only after an affirmation, I proceed. I also draw upon my previous experiences and His inner guidance to take decisions. When we act after thinking of Him, He is always there with us. To be continued¡ ------------------ NO More Fires... He wants "Mukti Do" to be sung... ---------------------------- Popularly known as the ¡®First Lady of Yoga¡¯, Ms. Indra Devi had been the recipient of immense blessings from Bhagawan and many of her miraculous experiences were published in the early editions of Sanathana Sarathi. Read on yet another scintillating experience heralding the omnipresence of Bhagawan. We were returning form TIJUANA, a town on the Mexican border, 42 miles away from Tecate, my husband and I, when we saw big clouds of smoke in the distance. Alfonso, our headman, who was at the wheel, said, "Fire, on Rancho Cuchuma!" When we drove into the gates of our ranch, we saw the wall of fire and smoke rapidly approaching the STUDENTS' HOUSE. A strong wind was blowing in the direction of the House. Firemen and people from the nearby village were there; but, they were watching the vast area of burning brush land, without being able to do anything. For, there was no water outlet, anywhere around. "Did you talk to Sai Baba?" asked my husband. "Not yet. i'm going to, now," i answered, running towards the main house. "Ask Him to change the direction of the wind," shouted Renia, who was living on the top floor of the STUDENTS' HOUSE, "Nothing else," she added, "Change the direction." I went downstairs into the meditation room; (We also have another meditation room with a light perpetually burning in it). I lit all the candles, about 30 of them; and, while lighting them I decided not to ask him for anything. Just let him know that the fire is within a few minutes of the house. If he thinks it should burn down, let it go. If he thinks it should stay, he'll protect it somehow. Then, I sent for my husband and Renia, deciding that I should not be the only one involved. When the three of us came upstairs we all stood still in amazement! The wind was chasing the `fire wall' into exactly the opposite direction! "There goes Sai Nilayam," i though to myself. I learned later that the firemen on the American side prevented the flames from leaping across the border, although everyone at the Nilayam had packed their things and sat ready to leave by car. The Mexican workers watched the wind turn round, and exclaimed, "Milagro! Senora" (Miracle! Madam!). Rosita (our Instructor and my adopted daughter) and Lynn (one of the participants and the only one who had remained reserved about Bhagawan; every one else became his devotee) in the Teachers' Course were standing behind the STUDENTS HOUSE, watching the approaching flames. Of a sudden, Rosita felt something happening within her. "SAI BABA" was her first thought. She turned to Lynn; Lynn gave her a strange look, saying, "SAI BABA IS HERE", and tears tolled down her cheeks. "Look'' Lynn said, grabbing Rosita's arm. Both saw a most unbelievable thing happen. The ¡®running fire' stood still for a moment! And, then as if swept by the movement of an invisible hand, turned around, and `dashed' into the opposite (!) direction! ¡°Do you have photo of Sai Baba you could give me? ' asked Lynn in a hurry. "Mataji", concluded Rosita, I've "never seen such a quick change iany one, as I saw in her.¡± Wearing Bhagawan's ring, Japamala, and a new sari, I took the movie camera, and went to take a picture of the fire. Later, towards, the evening, as we sit in the kitchen, with all our workers to have some tea, Matias, our cook said, "I shall have to start believing in Sai Baba, after what I've seen today, with my own eyes". The phone rang and the telegraph office clerk said that nobody came to pick up a telegram that had been lying there for a whole week, since we had totally forgotten to send for it. When Rosita brought it in, it was a wire from Baba(!) inviting me to come to the opening of the Anantapur College on July 8th. "He wants you to come", said my husband, "so, why don't you go?" Three days later, i was on my way to India Oh! Bhagawan! While leaving Prasanthi Nilayam for Tecate, Bhagawan gave a beautiful medallion of Laxmi. "That is for the house", He explained, "for protection...NO MORE FIRES".(source: Sanathana Sarathi, Sept 1971) ------------------------ The108 Devotees from Assam for Baba's Birthday. -------------------- .. The descent of the Lord towards the children.. The ascent of a child to her Lord The 108 devotees from Assam, who had come to Prasanthi Nilayam for the Birthday Festival, were asked by Bhagawan to assemble in the Prayer Hall, at 8 pm on the 24th, so that He might meet them all together. He spoke to them for over an hour on Sadhana and spiritual progress. He gave them His Blessings for a happy return journey, and spoke affectionately of the hardships they underwent on their 'way by train, linguistic disturbances in Assam and Bengal whose brunt they bear, the Cyclone in Orissa, Bandhs and Strikes in Andhra, downpour of rain due to the depression in the Bay near Chennai (formerly Madras) etc. Then, He moved along the lines of men and women, sitting face to face, distributing the precious Vibhuti Prasad to each one. He gave a handful of packets to one woman and passed on. A few steps later, He halted and returned to where that woman sat. Picking a couple of packets from the basket He had in His left hand, He gave them again to her, saying, "Ye billy ke liye"! She looked up, puzzled! Bhagawan repeated, "Ye billy ke liyeThese, for the cat"! She was thrilled; she remembered her pet cat, at her home, in far off Gauhati. O, How Baba loved it! Yes! Eight months ago, Baba had given proof of that. That night, she had some friends for dinner; her sister, the matron of the Government Hospital was there too. The cat was in the corner of the kitchen eyeing what was going on; suddenly, it snatched a piece of fish and ran. She was enraged; she took a stick and gave it a nice good beating. But, even while she was doing it, all the pictures of Baba on the walls of her home, in the shrine, and on the table began, swaying, swinging and even falling! Two fell on the table from the wall but were luckily unhurt! Her sister and the friends ran out of the house suspecting an earthquake! The woman was plunged in fear. Recovering gradually, she suspected that it must be Baba's way of teaching her the Lesson of Love. She took the crouching, shivering, cat in her lap; while stroking its back, she found that its fur was full of fragrant Vibhuti which Baba had already showered to alleviate its pain! Tears of repentance filled her eyes; thinking of Baba's presence in the house filled her with joy. That was the Cat for which Baba gave her the two packets, at Prasanthi Nilayam, eight months later. Infinite Compassion of Baba!(source: Sanathana Sarathi, January 1972) KOBE CENTER'S REPORT. -- On August 17th Devotees of the Kobe Sai Center organized a Physically challenged day Program at a beautiful venue called "SHIWASO" NO MU RA" which is a 30 minute drive from Kobe center. This mountain side venue has special blessings of nature, gardens and trees One can also meditate in this quite surrounding of nature. We have used this venue several times for our Sadhana camps & Bhajans programs Kobe center arranged program with consultation of Kobe City officers at "AISEIEN" where the center for physically challenged children and old folks is located. Many devotees participated . We sang Ganesha bhajan at the beginning. Then Youth members sang 4 bhajans in chorus . They had practiced for a day to entertain and give good time to these children and the aged. We also sangJapanese songs "MAARUI INOCHI" and Hindi bhajans to conclude. This charged the atmosphere with divine vibrations and we could see Harmony amongst the people of all ages .. Then came Indian tea and ladies served seasonal peaches to all. They tasted the peaches and found it was just as sweet as Amrata. AISEIEN Seva is scheduled every month and help for handicapped people to sing songs , change bedsheets and make the beds, and also take them in wheelchairs for strolls outside for fresh air. Please check the website, everyone is welcome to join us. In September Kobe center will have another outing in OIDEYASU carnival At "AISEIN" This is an annual event and very enjoyable. We pray to Lord Sai to bless us to continue serving our brothers and sisters Jai Sai Ram. DSCN0023_.jpg DSCN0038_.jpg DSCN0053_.jpg ----------------- On the occassion of 33rd Anniversary of Kobe Center. Hall was full with Sai devotees, who had come from long distance form many cities. Started with Veda Chanting, Jyoti Lightening By Ram. Bhajans were so meloduos The program was started at 2:30 PM in the temple of ISS. Many devotees has participated. The opening speech was by Bro.Dayal the president of SSOJ And some devotees talked about their experience with Swami. The closing speech was by Bro.LP chablani the central co-ordinator for zone 5 After speech we had Bhajans dedicated to the lord Krishna. And read Swami¡¯s massage about krishna Krishna¡¯s Prema Tathwa¡¡ Love is God. Everything is filled with love. This love can be experienced only through love. There is no other way than love to realise the One who is the embodiment of love. This (Divine) Love is not something which grows in one moment and falls off in another. This Love dwells in man as Atma (the Spirit). The body has been described as the temple of God. In this temple Love is enshrined as Atma. Such sacred and pure Love can dwell only in a pure heart. The gopikas experienced the presence of Krishna in everything. What joy can be had when God's omnipresence is experienced can be known only to those who have had the experience. Many have treated the gopikas as deluded simpletons carried away by their own fancies. This is a grievous mistake. Their hearts were pure and filled with selfless love. Mundane love believes only in receiving and not in giving. God's love revels in giving and not receiving. This is the difference between worldly love and Divine love. The gopikas were able to experience the Divine by pure selfless love. Once, Uddhava went to Gokulam with a message from Krishna to the gopikas. The gopikas said, ¡°We do not need your yoga.We need merger of Krishna! Your yoga will not quench our thirst of separation. we cannot absorb your words.¡± Uddhava asked the gopikas, "If you are not prepared even to listen to Krishna's message, what sort of devotion do you have towards Krishna?" The gopikas gave the essence of yoga in the following words: "Uddhava! We have only one mind. That mind is no longer with us. It has gone to Mathura along with Krishna. As we have no mind of our own and have become totally mindless, how can we receive your message? If we had ten different minds like you, we could listen to your message, think about Krishna, attend to the commands of our mothers-in-law and husbands and do other things." The supreme message of the life of Krishna is the uniqueness of the Prema tathwa (Love Principle). This message is all that the world needs. Krishna is the embodiment of Love. This love can be understood only through love. This love is strong, brilliant and unbreakable like diamond. It is extremely precious. If you want to secure such divine love, your love (for God) must be equally strong. You can cut diamond only with diamond. If there is any defect in your love, it should be removed only through love. Love begets love. Hatred can only beget hatred, not love. Jealously begets jealousy. Anger breeds anger. Therefore, if you want to foster love, you have to get rid of hatred, jealousy and anger. To attain Krishna, the very embodiment of love, love is the only way. ----------------------- GLOBAL KANSAI LIGHT READERS CORNER: IN THIS ISSUE: We share with you responses received from Readers, who have received "KANSAI LIGHT" issue.33 ..Since this corner of acknowledegement is limited, we can only print a few of these letters in every issue. Jai Sai Ram. ------------------- KANSAI LIGHT Humble pranams at the lotus feet of Bhagavan Baba. Respected Sir, SaiRam Hiw should i thank you and convey my regards please...I am very happy to receive the most sacred information. Expating always please, We the sevadal and sai devotees of venasthalipuram Samithi are very grateful to your mail. Sairam, With Kind Regards, Convenor sai samithi. -------------- Thank you for Sharing!.."KANSAI LIGHT" This teachings comes just for the right time! Coming home two days before from 3 weeks stay at Prashanthi. ..I am happy getting Swami's teachings around the globe. Sai Ram Liza. -------------- Subject" Kansai Light for August 2008 Respected Ramchand Ghansamdas Chugani ji, Sadar Pranams, It will be my pleasure to meet you here in Delhi. You are doing a great spiritual work I, will be too happy to be of any assistance from here, Regards, Virendra...Delhi ------------- Dear Sir. These Newletter "Kansai Light for August issue have touched and changed me in many ways...I cannot thank you enough. Kindly include my private email address: femme.fatal... Thank you in advance, Jeya ---------------- Sai Ram Dear Brother,...'KANSAI LIGHT' How absoultely lovely...You did so much work. Blessings to you. Please visit my website...www.jessicaetalor.org Jessica --------------- From Sanjiva N. Appadoo (President) Mauritius) Dear Brother, Sai Ram, Several times you have been sending me mails under "KANSAI LIGHT" which i was just viewing them like this. I paid little more attention to your last mail. It really ignited 'SAILIGHT' in me. I was wonder struck with the humility with which you try to share for the betterment of the Society. I even go on the net to find you. I got your home telephone number. I phoned at your home. I was informed by the lady that you are out. I wish to talk to you. Jai Sai Ram --------------- Sai Ram Sir, 'KANSAI LIGHT' Its been a pleasure to see your posting. I realy wait for them. For some of your posting, I found that the llusttator is of Kuwait. Can please tell me where is the Bhajans samiti here in at Kuwait or any having regular bhajans at his home. Regards, Pradhan KOBE CENTER PROGRAMS Kobe Center 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 club 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: Sometimes schedules are subject to change. Please contact respective centers and groups for information. ..................................................................................................... In side This issue...1.SWAMI'S DAILY GUIDENCE . 2-BABA'S STORY EPSODE 23 3.SHIRDI BABA. 4-PROF G.V KRISHNA"STORY.5. PROF ANIL KUMAR. 6.THIS LIFE IS FOR HIM...7.NO MORE FIRES...8. PANAMA KODDINIPING 9. IAM IN EVERYBODY & EVERYTHING. -------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.