|
Sai Sandesh Volume 4, Issue
4; April 2007 |
|
Click here to download this issue
in PDF format |
|
|
|
In this issue |
|
Devotees are requested to e-mail suggestions, articles,
experiences, etc. to
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
Important
Please add
info@omsaimandir.org
and
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
to your e-mail address book and "safe list". This
will prevent the filtering of our e-mails.
Has your
e-mail address changed? Please enter your new address on our
website,
or send an e-mail to
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
Visit
www.omsaimandir.org to
subscribe |
|
Editorial: Sai is Sarva Devata Swaroopa |
|
Sai
Wisdom |
|
Sai
Leela: Saved from Hepatic Comma |
|
Mind
Boggling Miracles of Sai Baba: How Swami Saved the Snake |
|
Chinna Katha |
|
Beacon Lights |
| |
|
Editorial: From Pain Comes Pleasure |
|
By The Sai
Sandesh Team |
|
"All divine
principles, names, and attributes known to man are present in
this body of mine," declared Sri Sai Baba during His divine
discourse. Reverberating through the wall-less Sai Kulwant Hall,
these emphatic words appeared to envelope the entire cosmos,
filling with bliss the hearts of those who had experienced His
divinity first-hand.
The Universal Absolute is originally nameless and formless, yet
for the sake of saving His children, He assumes infinite names
and forms. The uniqueness of the Sai avatar is that He
encourages His followers to continue worshipping their chosen
deities, in accordance with the religious practices known to
them. "All names and forms are mine," He says -- and proves.
Swami once invited an elderly devotee to the interview room.
During the conversation, Baba reminded him of a childhood
incidence when he had participated in a rigorous spiritual rite
to invoke the vision of Lord Ganesh. This was their first
meeting and yet Swami revealed an incidence that had taken place
before many decades. "You didn't see him then, but I will
fulfill that wish today," said Swami, and immediately a divine
radiance filled the entire room. Lo! Before his very eyes, the
form of Sai Baba immediately changed into that of Sri Ganesh.
Even the mother of Swami's physical body, Easwaramma, was
blessed with the divine vision of her favorite deity. Once,
Easwaramma was lying ill with very high fever. When she was
fervently praying to God, Sai Baba entered her room. He
manifested vibhuti for her. When she looked up, she saw Lord
Rama, resplendent with His divine glory, standing in place of
Baba. Before her very eyes, the form of Rama changed back into
that of Sri Sai Baba.
A devotee of Lord Buddha got the chance to experience the
oneness of all divine forms in a very strange way. Her newborn
child was on the verge of death. Unable to withstand the loss,
she took the child to her shrine and placed it at Lord Buddha's
feet. Much to everyone's amazement, the child recovered
instantaneously. He grew up to be a fine young man who pursued a
doctorate degree and went on to work with NASA. Years later when
the mother and son visited Swami, Baba gently reminded them of
the time when He had come to their rescue. The young man was not
aware of the incidence but the mother immediately recognized
that it was the compassionate Sai who had responded to their
plea for mercy. A prayer that was apparently addressed to Buddha
had been answered by Sai.
Pedda Botu was another fortunate devotee who could catch a
glimpse of the Lord's divine sport. She was originally a devotee
of Shirdi Sai Baba and had resided in Shirdi for many years
during the Shirdi Sai avatar. On hearing of the reincarnation of
Shirdi Sai Baba, she visited Puttaparthi out of curiosity.
Unable to see the famliar form of Shirdi Sai, she decided to
leave the place and visit Shirdi instead. When she went to bid
farewell to Swami at the Chittravathi river, Swami granted her
the vision of Himself as Shirdi Sai Baba. She immediately fell
at His feet and begged for forgiveness for being unable to
recognize Him.
The number of instances when Sainath has blessed devotees with
the vision of their chosen deities is innumerable. Appearing at
times as Datta, at times as Krishna or Rama, He bathes His
devotees in divine bliss. All names and forms are His. One can
choose any name or form, the response comes from the same
Supreme One. |
| |
|
Sai Wisdom |
|
God has no
distinctions or differences. No one can stipulate do's and
don’ts for Him. He can do anything, as He is in everything and
is everything. He has no master above Him. If man wants to
visualise God, he will see Him only in the form of a human being
who is far superior to him in all respects. It is also said,
Daivam Manusha Rupena (God is in the form of man). All the
sacred texts have described God as having human form. It does
not mean that God is confined to a human form. All forms are
His. No one can say that God has a particular form. He is
present everywhere.
Source: Thought for the day, Prashanti Nilayam, March 28,
2007 |
| |
|
Sai Leelas:
Saved from Hepatic Comma |
|
By A Sai
Devotee, NY |
|
"I will pull my
devotees out from the jaws of death," declared Sai Baba in the
Satcharita. I was fortunate enough to witness the fulfillment of
this promise.
In 1997, my cousin, Rupesh, suddenly slipped into Hepatic Comma.
He was just 22 then and the whole family was shocked at the
development. We all gathered at the ICU unit of Kothari Hospital
in Mumbai. The patient did not show any signs of recovery
despite being comatose for over 72 hours. The helpless parents
could not control their grief when a panel of doctors declared
the patient had "no chance of recovery".
Fortunately, I had just returned from Shirdi at the time and was
carrying some vibhuti with me. After touching the patient’s
forehead with a ring that had been blessed at Shirdi Sai Baba's
Samadhi, I applied some sacred vibhuti. During the hours that
followed, me and a doctor-devotee of Baba offered fervent
prayers to Sai Baba. Next morning, we heard the wonderful news
that the patient had made a miraculous recovery, much to the
surprise of medical experts who had seen no hope of such a
possibility.
Rupesh is now married and leads a healthy and happy life. |
| |
|
Mind
Boggling Miracles of Sai Baba: How Swami Saved the Snake |
|
Adapted from Adapted from "Tapovanam" by Jandhyala Venkateswara
Sastry |
|
A student was once
driving Swami from Puttaparthi to Bangalore. They had covered a
significant distance when the student noticed a long snake
crossing the road. As the car was moving at a very high speed,
the student faced a dilemma. He would have to apply sudden
breaks to save the snake, an act he thought would disturb Swami
who was seated with His eyes closed.
Thinking Swami to be asleep, the student continued driving. He
felt guilty for having run over the snake, but kept quiet.
When Swami alighted from the car at Bangalore, the youthdriver
noticed distinct tire marks on His robe. He was perplexed
because the robe was very clean when they had started from
Puttaparthi. Failing to understand this mystery, he mustered
courage and asked Swami how the tire marks had appeared on His
robe.
Wearing a mischevious smile Swami said, "I had to go under the
car to save the snake you were planning to run over." |
| |
|
Chinna
Katha: Recite the Sacred Name (Adapted from Chinna Katha) |
|
Sri Krishna
Chaitanya was the pioneer of the movement of Nagarsamkeertan
(1). Completely oblivious to the externa world, he would immerse
himself in the contemplation of the Lord while singing His
glory.
Once he was conducting Nagarsamkeertan in Navadweep. Several
leaders of the town joined him. 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 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 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 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."
Even by then transformation had taken place in the thief because
of the touch of a 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 and broke into 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 place
all the jewels she had worn back in the safe. She saw a stranger
lost in the recitation of the sacred mantra "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 meditation. The entire family 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 the mantra. 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 can happen to me if I sincerely make it a daily habit. 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.
1. A group of devotees make rounds of the community while
singing devotional songs. The practice purifies and spiritually
uplifts the entire community. |
|
|
|
Beacon
Lights: Yes, What you Said is True (Adapted from Chinna Katha) |
|
|
One day, in the
midst of a conversation, Lakshmi, the divine consort and goddess
of wealth, addressed Naryana, "Lord! The entire world is adoring
Me; not even one in a hundred, nay, not even one in a million,
is worshipping you." She teased the Lord by this statement and
put forward a plan to test the sincerity of man. She said,
"Lord! It is best to discover for ourselves how true the facts
are. Come, we shall both go into the world and find out."
Narayana agreed. He changed into a great pandit, wearing golden
bracelets on his wrists as evidence of the appreciation and
admiration of famous academic bodies. He wore a garland of
rudraksha beads round the neck and thick streaks of vibhuthi on
the forehead. He manifested himself on earth as a redoubtable
scholar. He moved from village to village and began enchanting
the people through his enrapturing discourses. His splendorous
personality and deep scholarship attracted the people; thousands
gathered to hear him and followed him from place to place.
Brahmins invited him to their settlements and honoured him. His
arrival was celebrated as a festival, with rich feasting.
While Narayana was being feted thus, Lakshmi too appeared on
earth as a great yogini (female ascetic). She too proceeded from
village to village enlightening people on the atma (soul)
through her discourses. Women assembled to hear her fascinating
speeches in wave after wave, in massive numbers. They prayed she
should honour their homes with a visit and partake of the feast
they were most eager to offer. In reply, she informed them that
she was bound by some vows which made it difficult for her to
accept their request. She would not eat out of plates already in
use in the homes. She said that she should be allowed to bring
her own cups and plates with her. The women were yearning so
deeply for hosting her that they accepted the condition.
Whatever her vow, they were ready to respect it. Invitations
came from every woman from every place.
The yogini reached the house where she was to take food the
first day and took out from the bag she had with her a gold
plate, a few gold cups and a gold tumbler to hold drinking
water. These she spread before herself for the various items of
the menu. When the meal was over, she left the place, leaving
the precious golden articles to be taken by the host. She had a
new set for each day, she said.
The news spread. The
villages where Narayana was holding his delightful discourses
also heard the wonderful happenings of the yogini's gifts. The
brahmins who were staunch admirers of the far-famed scholar also
rushed to invite the yogini to their homes for lunch! The yogini
told them that they ought to drive the pandit out before she
could enter their settlement. She would not set foot there so
long as the person continued to stay there! She was adamant on
that point. Their greed for gold was so strong that they forced
the pandit, whom they had adored so long and with so much pomp,
to go out of their village.
Thereafter, the yogini entered the brahmin settlement, gave
discourses, partook of feasts arranged in her honour and
presented the golden plates and cups to each of her hosts. Thus,
the yogini managed to get the pandit driven out of every place
where he sought recognition and attention. Instead, she secured
the worship of people everywhere. Unable to bear the universal
insult, the Pandit cast off the role and Narayana disappeared
from the earth. The yogini came to know of this. She too gave up
the cast she had assumed and, resuming her real form, she joined
Lord Narayana. While talking among themselves, she told the
Lord, "Now, tell me! What did you discover? Who between us is
honoured and worshipped more on earth?" Narayana smiled at her
question. He replied, "Yes, What you said is true." |
|
|
|
Click Here to Read Past Issues |
|
Devotees are
requested to e-mail suggestions, articles, experiences, etc. to
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
Important
Please add
info@omsaimandir.org and
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org to
your e-mail provider's address book and "safe list". This will
prevent the filtering of our e-mails.
Has
your e-mail address changed? Please enter your new address on
our website,
http://www.omsaimandir.org/newsletter_subscribe.cfm,
or send an e-mail to
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
Please visit
www.omsaimandir.org to
subscribe.
You are receiving
this e-mail because you have opted to receive newsletters and
communications from
Om Sai Mandir
45 11 Smart Street
Flushing, NY 11355
Tel: 1.718.461.0454
www.omsaimandir.org
info@omsaimandir.org
Om
Sai Mandir follows a strict
privacy policy.
Click
here to unsubscribe from future
announcements and newsletters.
Om
Sai Mandir - Sai Baba Temple in New York NY |
|
Copyright
(c) 2007, Om Sai Mandir. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
|
