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Sai Sandesh Volume
6, Issue 4/5; Apr/May 2009 |
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Inside |
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Ganga Jal Miracle
at Om Sai Mandir Sai Wisdom
Difficulties
Draw Us Closer to God
Easwaramma --
The Chosen Mother
God Is
Words of the Wise
The Power of
Baba's Words
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Ganga Jal Miracle at Om
Sai Mandir |
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Devotees are aware that we have been
performing Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam at Om Sai Mandir since June 11,
2007. Since the past several weeks we have been witnessing an astounding
miracle. The very Shiv Lingam to which abhishekam is being performed
since almost two years is reciprocating the devotion in a very unique
and miraculous way.
Much to our amazement, sweet-tasting holy water, Ganga Jal, has been
miraculously emanating from the Shiv Lingam. This miracle was
witnessed by many individuals present during the prayers. The pictures
below were taken on Easwaramma Day, when the maximum amount of water
manifested from the Lingam. We are immensely grateful for this
compassionate act performed by the Lord.
You can view pictures of this divine
miracle by clicking on the following link:
http://www.omsaimandir.org/sai_sandesh_v6_i4_5.pdf |
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Sai Wisdom |
Pure and selfless love towards all living
beings, considering everyone as embodiments of the Divine, with no
expectation of reward, is true Love. With this attitude, when one
regards divinity as present in all beings, he experiences true love.
Whatever be the vicissitudes one may face, whatever be the personal
sorrows and privations one may undergo, true love will remain
unaffected. Today, the moment a difficulty arises, love turns into
hatred. True love is the sweet fruit that grows out of the fragrant
flower of good deeds. Love rules without recourse to the sword. It binds
without laws. Only one who has such true love can be described as human,
for, divine love is the basic quality of a true human being.
Source: Thought For The Day, Prashanti Nilayam, Mary 19, 2009 |
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Difficulties Draw Us
Closer to God |
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By The Sai Sandesh Team |
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The very word suffering brings to
our memory feelings of agony, pain, and unpleasant experiences.
Despite our ceaseless attempts, the fact remains that none
escape from the very experience that we strive to avoid. The
feeling that “I am suffering” is nothing but our response to a
situation or circumstance and, in reality, we control how you
feel, not the situation. Painful experiences can only affect us
to the extent we allow it to, nothing more than that.
Unpleasant circumstances, however long their duration, do not
last forever. They are like dark clouds that clear quickly,
revealing the clear sky of spirituality. It is the law of nature
that after every night there is day. The sun must rise at dawn.
Just before dawn, however, the night is darkest. In the same
manner, know that when you are in the darkest phase of life,
dawn (happiness) is close.
A king once made an announcement that anyone who would carry on
his shoulders a buffalo and walk all the way to the top of a
mountain would win riches and many other royal favors. The offer
was attractive to many but none thought it possible to carry the
beast, let alone walk with it to the top of a mountain.
None came forward to accept the offer and so the monarch lost
hopes. One weak-looking young man finally came forward and
declared that he would easily accomplish the feat. All wondered
as to how this young lad would ever be able to meet the
challenge. The lad had, however, had unshakable faith in God.
He purchased a baby buffalo and made it a daily practice to
carry it on his shoulders. He would walk with it in the market,
trek the mountain, and spend a lot of his time with this baby
beast. As the buffalo started growing, so did the lad’s strength
and ability to carry it. This went on for some time until the
buffalo was fully grown. By this time the boy had grown so
strong, he carried it to the top of the mountain with utmost
ease, as if the buffalo were a mere toy. Not only did he win
many royal treasures, he also won the admiration and respect of
the entire kingdom.
Our difficulties are like that. They are very heavy to carry but
if we adopt the right attitude, be persistent, and keep our
faith in God they make us stronger and ultimately lead us closer
to God.
“Those who suffer have my grace so they can overcome those
sufferings,” declared Sainath. In fact, once Kunti, the mother
of Arjuna, specifically requested Lord Krishna the boon that she
may suffer difficulties, always. When questioned about the
strange nature of her boon, she responded: “Lord, it is only in
times of sorrow that one calls out to you from the bottom of the
heart and you, too, never fail to give succor to your children.
You always beset them and shower your unlimited protection. It
is only so that I may remember you always that I sought the boon
of a life with hardships.”
The lowest periods of life should be used to learn how to avoid
future mistakes and to progress toward the goal of human life:
evolution to Divinity. Great teachers often liken suffering to
fire and speak of it as being a great furnace of life where real
gold (soul) is molded in a form worthy of adoration.
Turning inwards is the only way to permanent happiness.
Suffering compels us to turn inwards, breaking free from the
iron grip of worldly attachments. Did Jesus not have the power
to prevent His crucifixion? He could have averted it. But He did
not; instead, He embraced the torment with great joy. He knew
that this suffering would lead Him back to God. It is for this
reason that saints and great beings embrace suffering as a
divine gift—an opportunity to get closer to God. Not only Jesus,
every divine being embraced suffering with equanimity. Moses,
Buddha, Krishna, Rama, Baba, Pope John Paul II—all these
incarnations joyously accepted what came their way.
Do not ever lose hope in life. Take this opportunity to realize
your own inherent divinity. Turn inwards and
enter the gates of bliss that await your return. Tough times
wont last forever. Bliss is your birthright; strive to achieve
it in this birth itself. |
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Easwaramma -- The Chosen
Mother |
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By The Sai Sandesh Team |
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Who could be holier than the
divine mother who was chosen to give birth to the Lord Himself?
Swami has declared during several discourses that He chose
Mother Easwaramma to be the instrument for His incarnation.
Mysterious indeed are the ways of the divine. The purpose for
which He chooses individuals for His mission is known only to
Him. The ignorant writer, however, makes a humble assumption
that the Lord may have wanted to establish the ideal of
motherhood through the divine Easwaramma—and what a lofty
standard the Lord has established. If a fraction of mothers
follow Easwaramma’s example, the world would be full of selfless
heroes who would transform earth into heaven.
The mother’s past life. When the Lord had descended on
earth during the Dwapara Yuga as Sri Krishna, there was a gopi
who used to look at the infant Krishna with the highest level of
motherly devotion. Her love was so sacred that the Lord was
moved and instantly granted her the boon of being His mother in
the Kaliyuga. This gopi was reborn as Easwaramma and was the
chosen mother for the Sathya Sai avatar.
Antecedents. Around 100 miles from Puttaparthi is a
village called Kolimikuntla. In this village lived Subba Raju,
an ardent devotee of Easwara. He had fondly built a temple for
the Lord. Soon after, a bright daughter was born to him and was
named Easwaramma. Once Kondamma Raju (Swami’s grandfather) went
on a pilgrimage and also to visit his distant relative, Subba
Raju. The elder son, Pedda Venkaappa Raju, accompanied him. On
their arrival, Kondamma Raju found the place arid and unsuitable
for cultivation and also dangerously infested with dacoits. He
requested Subba Raju to sell his lands and move to
Karnatanagapalli, on the opposite bank of the river Chitravathi
in Parthi. He also proposed the marriage of Pedda Venkaappa Raju
with Easwaramma, who was then only fourteen. Within three years,
Sheshama Raju, Swami’s elder brother was born, followed by
Venkamma and Parvatamma. Soon after, the mother lost four
children; elders made attempts to propitiate the divine for
release from this sorrowful state; prayers were offered in the
local temples and the distant place of Kadri. When Easwaramma
entered her eight pregnancy, her mother-in-law, Lakshmamma,
offered a series of pujas to Lord Sathyanarayana and prayed for
a grandson.
The conception. The Sai avatar, like previous divinities,
was not born the human way. Easwaramma had mothered seven
children before the Lord was born to her. Once when Easwaramma
was near a well drawing water, when a big ball of blue light
came rolling toward her and entered her as she fainted.
The boons. Unlike ordinary mortals, Easwaramma did not
ask Swami to bless her with material opulence or luxuries, nor
did she ask for the smallest favor for herself. On the contrary,
she would beseech Swami to bless others; often devotees would
request her to plead on their behalf to Swami, which she humbly
did. On seeing that the village did not have a school, hospital,
or water facilities, she requested Swami to do something for the
local villagers. Swami instantly granted her those three boons
and as a result of her selfless desires, today Puttaparthi has
free hospitals, educational institutions, and water facilities
that serve thousands of villages across the district.
Her nature. The divine mother was humility and love
incarnate. Her compassionate nature often found her interceding
on behalf of young children or distressed devotees. Despite
being granted the lofty status of the avatar’s mother, she did
not show the least pride. On the contrary, she was humility
incarnate. Once when Swami was staying at the residence of Dr.
B. Ramakrishna Rao, the Governor of Kerala, she refused a
special invitation to stay at the governor’s residence and
instead chose a modest headmaster’s dwelling.
High ideals inculcated. Easwaramma brought up her
children in a devotional environment. They were inspired by the
stories of God and the high values of ancient India.
Forbearance, love, truth, peace, non-violence, righteousness
were the very pillars on which she chose to lay the foundation
of her children’s future. Her lofty principles were so noble
that the Lord Himself chose to bestow her the honor of
motherhood, an honor bestowed on only one person—among
billions—every yuga (age).
The vision. Once Easwaramma
was attending on Swami when she suddenly saw not Swami, but Lord
Rama in His place. The experience had a profound impact on her
noble character and she completely surrendered her thoughts,
words, and deeds at the Lord’s feet.
The last moments. Rare is the devotee that thinks of the
Lord during the last moments. Even great saints are sometimes
tempted by maya and forget the Lord. The simple saint,
Easwaramma, however, was no such. During her last moments she
called out to Swami thrice; Swami who was
then in the shower, responded with equal zeal saying, “coming,
coming, coming.” Ultimately she passed away on Swami’s lap and
reached the shore of divinity. What could be a greater death
than chanting the name of the Lord during the last moments—a
transition befittingly bestowed on the saint who dedicated her
entire life to the avatar’s service.
Undying love. Though having cast off her mortal coil,
Easwaramma makes frequent visits to Swami in her physical form.
Students who sleep in Swami’s room have often witnessed her
appearance when she comes to the room to have conversations with
the Lord. In fact during one incidence, Swami told the students
that He needed a belt for His dhoti. Very soon Easwaramma
appeared with a belt for Swami; such is her undying love for the
Lord. Easwaramma’s entire life is a message for mankind, a
message that finds expression not only through her simple life,
but also through the high ideals of motherhood, the selfless
service, and the sacrifices she made for humanity. May 06 is
Easwaramma’s day—also observed as children’s day by Swami’s
devotees—and we offer our humble pranams to the divine mother’s
holy feet. |
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God Is |
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Source: Oka Chinna Katha |
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Once a king wanted to know answers
to three questions about which he had been contemplating for a
long time. One day the king raised these questions in his Court
Hall. The questions were: Where is God? In what direction does
He cast His look? What does He do? None could answer these
questions. The King then summoned with due honor a sage to his
court. He asked the sage to answer these questions.
The Sage replied: "Like butter in the milk God is everywhere."
To answer the second question the sage asked for a lamp. He lit
the lamp and asked the King: "In which direction does this lamp
shed its light?" The lamp sheds its light in all the
directions," replied the king. The sage said, "Likewise God is
effulgence itself and His vision is not directed to a particular
place or person. He is all seeing." The king asked: "What does
He do?"
The sage said: "Since I am in a way instructing you in spiritual
matters, I am in the position of a preceptor, you a disciple. So
we have to exchange our places. Are you prepared for this?" The
king agreed and came down from his elevated position and sat on
the seat in which the sage sat.
The sage said with a twinkle in his eyes: "This is what God
does. He brings down the mighty and elevates the humble. He can
make the poor rich and the rich poor. He can do anything. He is
all pervading. He is all seeing and Omnipotent." The king was
very much pleased with these answers. He expressed his gratitude
to the sage and honoured him in a fitting manner.
Like the king in the story, every one of us should try to
understand the true characteristics of God: God is Omnipresent,
Omniscient, and Omnipotent.
- Adapted from Oka Chinna Katha by N. Kasturi |
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Words of the Wise |
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Chinna Katha |
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It was a king's court, the
ministers, pundits and artists were all seated in their
respective places. The king and his ministers had earned quite a
name and fame for their wit and wisdom. One day a sage entered
the court. He was given a warm welcome with all honor due to
him. The king asked him: "Oh revered one! May I know what brings
you here? We are very happy on account of your presence here
today." The sage replied: "Oh King, your court is reputed for
its wit and wisdom. I have brought three beautiful dolls and I
would like to have an assessment and evaluation of these dolls
done by your ministers." He presented to the king the three
dolls. The king called his senior most minister and gave him the
dolls for examination and evaluation. The minister just looked
once at the dolls and commanded a royal messenger to fetch him a
thin steel-wire.
The minister inserted the wire into the right ear of one of the
dolls. The wire came out of the left ear. He kept it aside. He
took up another doll and once again passed the wire into its
right ear. It came out of the mouth of the doll. He kept that
doll in one place. He took up the third doll and inserted the
wire, it neither came out of the other ear nor from the mouth.
The king and the courtiers were eagerly watching the scene. The
minister paying his tributes to the sage said: "Oh revered one."
Of the three dolls, the third one is the best. The three dolls
actually are symbolic of three types of listening. There are
three types of listeners, in the world. The first type listen to
every word, only to pass it out from the other ear. The second
type listen well, remember it well only to speak out all that
they have heard. The third type listen, retain everything they
have heard and treasure it up in their hearts. They are the best
type of listeners." The sage congratulated the king and the
minister on the successful evaluation of the dolls and blessing
them both, left the court.
'Shravanam' is the first and the foremost among the nine types
of devotion. Having heard the words of the wise, we should try
to revolve their meaning and message in our minds and put them
into practise to elevate our lives. |
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The Power of Baba's
Words |
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By The Sai Sandesh Team |
Nature is nothing but the manifestation of a minute fraction of God’s
infinite glory, and billions of ever-expanding universes are a mere atom
when compared to the all-powerful Lord. When such a powerful Lord
commands His creation on a course of action, it cannot but fulfill that
order with humility and reverence.
The might and majesty of an avatar cannot be comprehended by ordinary
human intelligence; it can only be experienced. During their physical
incarnation, avatars perform countless deeds that are considered
miracles in the mortal realm, but in reality they are nothing but
visible manifestations of divine sankalpa (will). This will is not an
ordinary one, though, it is so powerful it can alter even the writ of
providence and, when necessary, overrule otherwise unalterable cosmic
laws. The warmth of sincere devotion can melt God’s butter-soft heart in
an instant, and in response to a devotee’s sincere plea the Lord becomes
like a servitor, willing to extend any service possible. When the call
is sincere, Swami will alter even destiny and rescue devotee from the
clutches of sorrow and pain.
Once, a mother-in-law was fortunate enough to experience this grace. She
was a pious lady who had a big family with many sons and
daughter-in-laws. Despite experiencing all forms of happiness, she was
not at peace, for none of her children were able to become parents. She
finally visited Puttaparthi with utmost reverence and placed her sorrow
at the feet of the Lord of Parthi. He heard her request with utmost
compassion but explained that none of her family members were destined
to become parents—that was their fate. She was disheartened but she
firmly held Sai’s feet and with tear-filled eyes begged Him to
intercede. Swami was moved and asked if she believed in Him. She calmly
said that His will was supreme and that He could alter destiny itself,
if He so willed. Swami was touched by her faith and blessed her. The
following year, she came with beautiful grand children.
During the Shirdi Sai Avatar, a devotee brought several seeds to Shirdi.
It was his intense desire to plant trees near Dwarakamai. Baba was
reluctant, however, and refused to accede to the request. As time
passed, the seeds dried and became incapable of germinating. The devotee
was unable to bear his beloved Sai’s refusal and could not rest in
peace. Day and night, he was suffering in anguish. Sainath was unable to
see His devotee suffer in this manner and called him to His presence.
Baba asked him not to worry and plant the dried seeds with faith. He
declared that even though the seeds had dried, they would germinate into
beautiful plants—and they did. Such is the power of Sai’s words.
During another instance, Baba’s devotee, Shama, was bitten by a snake.
Frightened by the imminent death, Shama immediately rushed to His
beloved Sai who uttered the following words: “Oh vile bhaturdya
(priest), do not climb up. Beware if you do so. Go get away, come down.”
Shama was disheartened to think that the words were uttered at him, but
in reality they were Sai’s antidote to the poison. It was a direct
command ordering the poison to stop rising. Shama recovered completely.
On another occasion, Shirdi witnessed a terrifying storm that threatened
to devour the entire village. All its inhabitants rushed to their
beloved Lord Sai, who in His utmost mercy came to their rescue. His
simple words, “Oh, stop; calm your fury,” were sufficient to quell the
furious storm in moments.
God is so merciful, He cannot but run for His devotees. He is like the
hard-working mother who is always busy performing routine household—in
His case, cosmic—duties. Despite her burdens, the mother always provides
for the children’s needs and keeps a watchful eye on them. The children
may not know or realize this. When they are safe or at play, she
continues performing her chores, but if a child starts crying
inconsolably, she will leave everything and run to console and caress
her darling. Likewise, God, who bears the love of a thousand mothers,
rushes to rescue children who call Him in anguish. His simple words will
allay all fears and fulfill the sincere wishes of His beloved devotees. |
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