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Sai Sandesh
Volume 4, Issue 2; February 2007 |
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In this issue |
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Editorial: Be Like the Squirrel |
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Sai
Wisdom |
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Sai
Leela: The Flower from His Feet |
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Mind
Boggling Miracles of Sai Baba: Transported to Australia in a
Trice |
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Chinna Katha: Recite the Sacred Name |
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Editorial:
Be Like the
Squirrel |
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By The Sai
Sandesh Team |
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In the legend of
Ramayana one cannot but help notice the mighty contribution of
the little squirrel, the same squirrel that was blessed thrice.
First, for being able to make a contribution to the Lord's
cause; second, for being blessed by Lord Rama; and third, for
being sanctified by His holy touch, a mark of which is still
borne by descendants of the squirrel race.
When in order to reach Lanka, Rama was getting a bridge built
over the Indian Ocean, millions of members of the monkey army
were gathering large stones and mountains for the construction.
When the monkeys were busy constructing the bridge, a little
squirrel busied itself in carrying small pebbles to the site of
construction. It would run and carry small pebbles in its mouth
and empty them at the place where huge stones were being
assembled. The squirrel's small size was not a deterrent to its
devotion. A band of monkeys noticed this unusual behavior and
tossed the squirrel out in an act of mockery. Their apparent
cruelty turned out to be an act of blessing, a blessing seldom
secured by even the greatest of gods, for the squirrel landed
straight into the hands of the Lord Himself. [What a beautiful
lesson this is. When the world tosses us out, the Lord's
ever-protecting hands are always ready to save us.]
The ever-merciful Lord asked the squirrel, "What is it that you
were trying to accomplish, my child?" The meek creature humbly
replied, "Lord, I am very small in size and I cannot carry big
rocks, but I was very eager to contribute to your cause and was
therefore carrying these small pebbles in my mouth. I did not
want to lose this opportunity to serve you and so I tried
performing service in a manner that befits my size, strength,
and abilities."
When the squirrel fell into the hands of the Lord, three
beautiful lines were imprinted on its back, and Lord Rama
blessed the squirrel with the boon that all its descendants
would bear the same three marks on their backs. This act was a
beautiful lesson for mankind. The big works being performed by
giant, able-bodied monkeys did not catch the Lord's attention,
but this little act of service that was being performed with
sincere devotion ultimately won grace.
This truth was also demonstrated by a little child of Swami.
When Baba was constructing a super specialty hospital, huge
project plans were being drawn out. The elite of elite were
eagerly awaiting a chance to contribute to this project. All
along a little student in Swami's university was wondering how
he could do his bit.
During the construction of the hospital Swami would often spend
hours behind closeted doors conferencing with engineers and
doctors. One afternoon, the doors opened suddenly and the Lord
appeared holding a letter in His hand. There was a twinkle in
His eye and an aura of satisfaction.
When the letter was read aloud, all were dumbfounded to hear the
plea of a small child. When all other students were giving their
clothes for professional laundering, this little boy was washing
them with his own hands. This went on for months until the boy
finally managed to save hundred rupees. This currency of love
was enclosed with the letter where he had poured his heart out
to Swami. The letter read as follows:
Dear Bhagavan:
You have given so much to me and to every one here. You have
provided free education for me and all my brothers and now I
hear that you are constructing a BIG Hospital what will provide
the most modern health care facilities to every section of the
society totally free of cost. Bhagavan! I also want to be a part
of your glorious mission but I am just a small boy and I don't
know how I can contribute. Bhagavan, my parents are extremely
poor but in spite of that they send me a little extra pocket
money every month. I know it's due to their love and concern for
me.
Bhagavan! For the last three months I have not given my clothes
to the dhoby. While all the other boys were sleeping in the
night I washed my clothes and thus I managed to save a little
money. Bhagavan! I have also resisted the temptations of
toffees, chocolates and all the other things and thus managed to
save a little money. Bhagavan! I offer this 100 rupee note to
you. I feel ashamed and small to give you so little but even if
this money can be used to buy a small brick for the new
hospital, I will be the happiest child in the world.
--Your Loving Son (1)
Baba held this note close to His heart and declared with utmost
joy that this single note was more than millions.
How many times do we stop from undertaking devotional or service
activities with the fear that our little acts won't matter to
God. Had the squirrel or the little boy paid heed to such
thoughts could they have won God's grace?
1.http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/SatyaSai/SatyaSai.htm.
Accessed on January 21, 2007. |
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Sai Wisdom |
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Man's life is bound
by Kala, Karma, Karana and Kartavya (time, action, cause, duty).
Due to the effect of the Kali age, man does not work hard; he
has become lethargic. You have to sanctify your life by
performing righteous action. Action is the cause for everything.
It is very unfortunate that man has not understood the
importance of action. He wants to lead an easy life. It is said,
"Kashte Phali" (hard work alone yields rich rewards). The
rewards that one gets will be commensurate with the efforts one
puts in. One should recognise this truth and work hard
accordingly. It is said in the Gita, "Karmanubandheeni Manushya
Loke" (human society is bound by action). Nobody should waste
time. Right from the time he wakes up in the morning, man should
utilise his time and energy for the welfare of society. This is
the main duty. He should realize this his welfare lies in the
welfare of the society.
Source: Thought for the day, Prashanti Nilayam, January 29, 2007 |
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Sai Leelas:
The Flower from His Feet |
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By A Sai
Devotee, NY |
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When I remember my
younger days I recall the naïve, child-like innocence with which
I would often call on Baba, a call that was never -- and is
still never -- ignored by the Lord. I was a regular visitor to
Sunday bhajans at a local Sai Center, a habit that had become a
part of my weekly routine.
During one of my visits to the center, I accidentally met some
evil mongers who were talking ill of Baba. Ignoring their paltry
remarks I proceeded for my bhajans as usual. The guilt of having
heard the evil words, however, was eating me from inside, and I
could not concentrate on the soulful bhajans that were being
sung at the center. I chided myself for having feared the evil
doers even for those few moments.
The feelings of remorse were disturbing my concentration and I
could not enjoy the spiritual retreat that was at hand. I was
earnestly praying to Baba seeking pardon for my irresponsible
behavior. Wanting a sign from Baba, I requested the Lord to drop
the big (very big) flower that was adorning His lotus feet.
With all the prayer strength that I could muster at the moment,
I requested the Lord to drop the big flower if my mistake was
pardoned. For a few moments nothing moved and I felt even more
morose. The [imaginary] thought that the Lord had not forgiven
me caused me to sink into further despair -- little did I know
then that the Lord never gets angry for anything, let alone for
such a silly cause.
Just at the moment the flower that was adorning Baba's feet
jumped -- it did not fall, it jumped -- from the altar and fell
a few feet away, as if Baba had physically forced it to do so.
This wonder was noticed by all present. At the end of the
bhajans, and much to my delight, the flower was distributed
among all present.
I have seen many flowers fall at Sai bhajans but this was
different. The flower had fallen in an unusual semi-circular
fashion, guided, as if, by an invisible hand.
The Lord is indeed omnipresent and ever listening to our
prayers. What is wanted is implicit trust and patience. The call
WILL be answered when the time is right. |
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Mind
Boggling Miracles of Sai Baba: Transported to Australia in a Trice |
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Adapted from "The Wonderful Leelas of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba" by Anil Kumar Malhotra, Prashanti Nilayam |
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Once a devoted group
of eleven Australian devotees were taken to the interview room.
A member of this group was utterly depressed at the thought of
leaving his ill wife in Australia. When Swami inquired about the
cause of his anxiety, the devotee cried uncontrollably and
sought Swami's help.
Seeing his helpless state and innocent plea, the Lord was moved
and asked if he would like to be transported to her bedside
instantly. The devotee replied in the affirmative. Baba
immediately hit the adjacent wall with His fist three times. Lo
and behold the devotee could now see Australia on the wall. At
the fourth knock the devotee could see his town and at the
fifth, his house in Australia.
Baba commanded the devotee to meet his wife. The devotee obeyed
and immediately went near his sick wife. At the end of the
interview only ten people came out. Some curious devotees
investigated this matter only to find that the concerned person
had actually reached his home in a trice. |
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Chinna
Katha: Recite the Sacred Name |
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Adapted from
Oka Chinna Katha |
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Sri Krishna
Chaitanya was the pioneer of the movement of Nagarsamkeertan. He
used to get himself immersed in the contemplation of the Lord
while singing His glory and used to be oblivious of the external
world.
Once he was conducting Nagarsamkeertan in Navadweep. Several
leaders of the town too joined him in his bhajan. They were all
ecstatically singing bhajans and walking along the streets. A
thief also joined this group. He thought it would be an
opportunity for him to pick the pockets of rich devotees who
would be lost in singing and dancing. But when he actually
participated in it he began singing with more zeal than others.
All of them had come to a temple and were seated. He sat near
Chaitanya, while those sitting in front were listening to his
discourse. Many had left the temple precincts by then. He held
Chaitanya's both feet and said: "Swami, you are giving so much
advice to so many people. Kindly impart to me some sacred "manthra".
Chaitanya looked at him and said: "Tell me first of all who you
are and what you do". The thief said: "Swami! How can I lie to
you? I am a thief. I have been a thief all my life. My name is
Rama, people call me 'Rama' - the thief."
Chaitanya said: "Oh what a pity. I shall give you a name or a
message but what will you give me as guru dakshina?" The thief
at once said without any hesitation: "I shall give you a share
in the booty I get from my theft." Chaitanya said: "I have no
need for any money. All that I insist is that you should give up
stealing." The thief said: "Swami, that is my profession, how
else can I earn a living, when I do not have any other skill?"
"Well," said Chaitanya, "I shall give you a sacred name on one
condition, when you go for thieving, you must first recite the
sacred name I give you 1008 times." Chaitanya whispered into his
ear: "Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya". Transformation even by
then had taken place in the thief because of the touch of the
holy person. He was also freed from the sin of his past deeds
because of the conversation with Chaitanya. The thief went back
a refined person.
One day many wealthy house-holders had locked their houses and
had gone for the darshan of Sri Krishna Chaitanya. The thief did
not want to lose this opportunity to break into a house. He went
to the house of the richest man of the town. He broke into the
house and entered the room where the iron safe was kept. He
opened it and saw valuable gems and jewels of gold. He resolved
not to touch anything until he had finished reciting 1008 times
the manthra given to him. Before he completed the number, the
master of the house arrived along with the familiy. The lady of
the house wanted to remove all the jewels she had worn before
she left the house and keep them back in the safe. She saw a
stranger lost in the recitation of the sacred manthra "Om Namo
Bhagavathe Vasudevaya." She thought he must be a great sage who
had come to their house to bless them. She called her husband.
The thief was lost in his meditation. The entire familiy sat
round him with folded hands. They thought he must be a saintly
soul like Chaitanya.
The thief opened his eyes after the completion of 1008 times the
manthra. He was surprised to find a group of people sitting
reverentially before him. The master of the house asked him, "Oh
Sir! May we know who you are and may we request you to honour us
by accepting to take food with us today so that we shall be
redeemed of our sins." The thief said to himself: "If the mere
recitation of the Lord's name, now and then can bring me such
honour, what greater things cannot happen to me if I sincerely
make it my daily habit of reciting the name continuously. I may
certainly win the grace of the Lord." He decided to give up
thieving. He prostrated before the master of the house and his
wife and said, "Mother, let me tell you the truth. I am a thief.
Let me go to the forest. I shall spend the rest of my life in
the contemplation of God." All were surprised at his words but
were very happy.
He stayed with them as their guest that night. The news of this
event spread fast around in the morning. As a result, the whole
neighbourhood came to see him. They took him in a palanquin
round the town and left him in the forest where he wanted to do
his tapas. Later, once again, he came to Chaitanya and received
his blessings so that he may blossom into a real sage. |
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