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Sai Sandesh Volume 4, Issue
8; June 2007 |
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Click here to download this issue
in PDF format |
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In this issue |
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Devotees are requested to e-mail suggestions, articles,
experiences, etc. to
saisandesh@omsaimandir.org
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Editorial:
Pleasure is an interval between two pains |
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Sai
Wisdom |
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Sai
Leela: Power restored |
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Mind
Boggling Miracles of Sai Baba: How
Swami assumed 1400 forms |
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Chinna Katha: Experience is the best teacher |
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Beacon Lights: The devotion of Hanuman |
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Sri Rudra
Abhishekam - 11 Times Daily |
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For the welfare of humanity,
Sri Rudra Abhishekam is being performed eleven times a day for a period
of 121 days. The prayers start at 8.00 A.M. and continue until 11.30
A.M. All are welcome to participate. |
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Editorial:
You are not
who you think you are |
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By The Sai
Sandesh Team |
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The journey of life
can be likened to a joy ride in a giant wheel since the upturns
and downturns of the wheel closely mimic the ups and downs of
human life, both alternating successively. The truth is that
pain and pleasure follow one another inevitably, and pleasure is
nothing but an interval between two pains. Yet, we feel so
elated when circumstances are favorable and frown at the very
thought of experiencing an unpleasant situation.
Swami often says that if we evaluate our lives closely, we will
realize that we suffer for only a quarter of our life, while the
rest is spent in happiness. Yet, even this short duration
appears to be unbearable for most of us. The desire to avoid
pain keeps us on a constant emotional roller coaster--we are
elated when good things happen and become despondent during
tough times. By acting in this manner, we are essentially
allowing external situations to control our emotions and not
vice versa.
It is only through constant practice of equanimity--remaining
unaffected by circumstances--that we can remain in bliss
regardless of what happens around us. Prahalada was one devotee
who had achieved this state of equanimity even when he was a
mere child. At the orders of the demon, Hiranyakashyapa,
Prahlada was subjected to unbearable torments, such as being
thrown from the top of a hill, subjected to harassment from
terrifying demons, thrown in blazing fire, and many
unmentionable atrocities. Even at that tender age, he bore all
these inflictions with a smile on his face, bliss in his heart,
and the incessant chanting his favorite mantra "Om Namo Narayana".
Can we compare our troubles to the ones faced by this tender
child? Constant naama smarana (remembrance of the divine name)
was a potent armor that shielded this child from several fatal
situations.
Prahlad has set a beautiful example that can be emulated by one
and all. He demonstrated to mankind that during tough times--and
even otherwise--we should resort to the chanting of the divine
name just the way we cover ourselves with a blanket when it
becomes extremely cold.
The painful circumstances we are subjected to are like the
purifying fire. A slab of gold when passed through a furnace
becomes malleable and worthy of being molded into precious
ornaments. Our essence is like pure gold and when we pass
through painful situations, we are purified and become worthy of
being molded into worthy instruments that can be adorned by the
Divine.
During the time of Shirdi Sai Baba, one Kashinath Upasani came
to Him in search of enlightenment. Baba asked him to stay in
Shirdi for four years, during which Upasani was subjected to
numerous difficulties. When he would complain to Baba about
this, the latter would revert with the response, "The more you
suffer now, the better is for your future. I am with you." These
words were prophetic considering the fact that Kashinath Upasani
was transformed from an ordinary human being to a great master
within a short span of four years. The pure gold that came as
Kashinath Upasani was molded into a perfect master by being
subjected to the fire of innumerable trials, tribulations, and
tests. The final outcome was that Upasani achieved the final
state of blessedness in which there was nothing but endless
bliss.
During one of His discourses, Swami said that when compared with
the cosmic time, our life on earth is not even a fraction of a
second. If such be the case, what difference does it make
whether we live in a hut or a palace. True happiness comes from
loving God and only such love can free us from all our shackles. |
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Sai Wisdom |
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The Divine manifests
itself in many forms. God is worshipped in many forms for the
joy to be derived from it. The primary duty of human beings is
to recognise that though the paths indicated by the various
religions are different, the goal is One. Love, sacrifice,
compassion, morality, integrity and similar qualities are common
to all religions. In different ways all religions seek to
promote unity in diversity.
Source: Thought for the day, Prashanti Nilayam, August 01, 2007 |
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Sai Leelas:
Power Restored |
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By A Sai
Devotee, NY |
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In 2005, there was a
severe power failure during a hot summer evening. It was late at
night and, much to our dismay, ours was the only apartment that
was without power. We were concerned about temperature-sensitive
medicines that were in our refrigerator, but despite our best
efforts the power was not restored.
Our building superintendent did his best too, but was
unsuccessful. Finally, after many hours of struggle, he decided
to call an electrician the following day.
Before giving up, however, we invoked Baba from the bottom of
our heart. Much to the amazement of our super, and to our
delight, the power was miraculously restored the moment we
sought Baba’s assistance. Seeing this miracle, the super, too,
was awestruck and even to this day he asks us to pray to Baba
for his welfare. Strange are the ways of the Lord. |
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Mind
Boggling Miracles of Sai Baba: How Swami assumed 1400 forms |
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During a power
failure, once Swami visited the student's hostel. 1400 students
were living in that hostel and all stood obediently in front of
their beloved Lord. In the darkness, Swami accosted one boy and
said, "Atul, I have something for you. Don't tell anyone." Swami
then placed a laddu in the boy's hand.
At that very moment the power was restored and when Atul looked
around, he found all 1400 boys trying to hide something behind
them. Such is the power of the Lord--incomprehensible, beyond
the limited perceptions of human understanding. In a trice the
Lord had manifested Himself to all 1400 students. In the Krishna
Avatar, God had performed a similar leela by assuming numerous
forms, one for each gopi. In the present incarnation as Sai, He
continues to perform mind boggling miracles for the delight of
his devotees. |
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Chinna
Katha: Experience is the best teacher. Adapted from Chinna Katha |
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One day, Brighu, the
son of Varuna approached, his father and asked, "Father! Will
you enlighten me about Brahman (God)?" Sage Varuna replied
endearingly, "Son, none can enlighten anyone on Brahman. One has
to experience through meditation. Go and do meditation and carry
on self-enquiry. I bless you."
Brighu went into a forest and sat for meditation. He used to
carry on self-enquiry too. He used to contemplate on several
questions related to the spiritual world. One day, he thought,
“What is the most essential thing that is necessary for the
existence of all living beings in general and man in particular?
It must be food,” he decided. Man lives, grows and works only
because of food. The most essential thing for life is food, so
food is Brahman." He ran to his father and
said: "Father, I know what is Brahman. Food is Brahman." Varuna
replied with a smile, "No, my son, food is not Brahman. Go and
meditate."
Brighu went to the forest and continued his tapas for some more
time. One day he thought, “Food may be essential, but unless
there is energy, how can the food be digested? What is that
energy? It must be prana (vital air) so prana is Brahman.” So,
he went to his father and said, "Father, I know what is Brahman,
Prana is Brahman." Varuna replied, "No, my son, go and meditate
for some more days."
Brighu obeyed his father's command. He continued his meditation.
One day he thought, “Food is essential, prana is essential, but
what is more essential? Unless one has desire to live and to
eat, of what avail is food and prana? The seat of desire is
mind. So Manas is Brahman,” he decided. Brighu reported about
his discovery and said, "Father, Manas is Brahman." Varuna
smiled and said, "Son, no, Manas is not Brahman. Go and do tapas
for some more days."
Brighu continued his meditation. One day he thought, “Food is
essential, prana is essential, manas is also essential, but what
is still more essential? Unless one is able to distinguish and
discriminate between good and evil, of what use is this life?
What is the seat of this discriminating faculty? It is
intellect, vijnan. So vijnan is Brahman," he decided. Brighu
went and told his father, "Father, vijnan is Brahman". Varuna
once again said, "Son, no, vijnan is not Brahman. Go and do
tapas for some more days."
Brighu once again continued to do tapas. One day he thought,
“Food gives strength, parna energises, manas causes desires, and
vijnan endows man with discrimination (viveka). But, I must find
out what is the ultimate goal of man's life. I have to
experience it.” Having thus resolved, he went into deep
meditation again.
One day, he experienced ineffable joy and he sat utterly
unconscious of the outside world. That day, Varuna came to the
forest in search of his son. He was happy to see his son in
samadhi. From the effulgence which shone on Brighu's face, he
knew that his son had realised that Bliss is Brahman.
In the upanishadic age, parents and preceptors used to encourage
their pupils to ask questions, yet they would not give them
immediate answers. They would advise them to carry on self
enquiry and find out the answers for themselves.
Experience is the best teacher. |
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Beacon
Lights: The devotion of Hanuman |
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Once, Hanuman
noticed Mother Sita applying the sacred vermilion mark to her
forehead. With child-like devotion he asked, "Mother, why do you
apply the vermilion to your forehead?" The compassionate mother
responded by saying, "Son, I apply the mark as a symbol of my
devotion to my husband and also because the practice will help
my husband live a long and healthy life."
Hanuman was intelligence personified but when it came to Rama,
he always demonstrated extreme child-like simplicity. The
mother's words were imprinted on his pure heart and he rushed to
apply buckets of vermillion all over his divine body.
When Rama questioned why Hanuman had indulged in such an act,
pat came the response, "Lord, if the application of a little
vermillion on my beloved mother's forehead can secure a long and
healthy life for you, how much longer would it be if I were to
apply it all over my body. It is for this reason that I applied
the sacred vermillion all over my body." This child-like
simplicity and sincere devotion touched Rama's heart and His
divine eyes were filled with tears of love.
For the sake of God, Hanuman was willing to go to any extent.
What a beautiful example he has set before us. |
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Devotees are
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