Ambrosia for Sai Devotees

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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.