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Sai Sandesh Volume
6, Issue 6-8; Jun-Aug 2009 |
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Baba Can Give You
Anything
Baba's Ever Watchful Eye
God Can Change
Destiny
Sai Wisdom
Why Fear When I am
Here
Devotees'
Experiences
Vinayaka -- The
Leader of All
Lighting the Lamp
of Wisdom
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Baba Can Give You Anything |
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By The Sai Sandesh Team |
“Ask and ye shall be given,” says the Holy
Bible. Our Sai, too, has given us His assurance that He will give us not
just what we ask, but also the unasked and most beneficial gifts from
His treasury. “My treasury is every full,” declared Shirdi Sainath, “and
yet all come to ask from me petty boons. None ask for what I have come
to give.” As Baba often says, “Don’t go to God and ask for a
handkerchief ,” for these are trifles in comparison to His real
treasury.
An impoverished brahmin accosted Lord Krishna when He was taking a walk
with Arjuna, His friend and beloved devotee. The Brahmin touched Lord
Krishna’s feet and went home. Much to his surprise, however, he lost a
cow that was his only possession and sole means of sustenance. Soon
thereafter, Duryodhana visited Krishna and touched His feet. No sooner
had he done so, Krishna conferred a boon that he would be blessed with
immeasurable wealth.
Arjuna was perplexed and expressed doubt over Krishna’s apparent
partiality. He was wondering why the brahmin, who was pure and devout,
lost his only means of survival, whereas Duryodhana, who was wicked and
wealthy, won Krishna’s favor in the form of riches. Krishna responded:
“Arjuna, you cannot understand my ways. There is always a deep
significance and mystery behind every act I perform. Common mortals
often blame me, but my ways are always beneficial in the long run. The
brahmin is very pure and my beloved devotee. I desire to personally take
care of his welfare and so I took away the cow and replaced it with My
own protection and grace. I will ensure his dishes will always be full.
Also, since he won’t have any pride and egoism due to a lack of
possessions, he will depend only on Me and this humility will enhance
his devotion and expedite his path to liberation. Duryodhana, on the
other hand, is wicked. I have blessed him with more wealth than he can
handle, so he will soon lose all his good qualities and thus stray away
from Me. He is sure to perish due to his own egoism.”
Akkalkot Maharaj had a devotee by the name of Balappa. In Balappa’s
presence, He would often bless His devotees with many boons, none of
which were given to Balappa. Balappa knew, however, that service to the
sadguru is the only discipline and hence obediently served the master
without ever asking for anything. In the end, Maharaj declared that
Balappa was to be His successor and the one whom He had chosen to make
into an image of Himself. It was for this reason that Balappa was denied
all other pleasures. He was chosen, however, to receive the highest
treasure.
Sathya Sai Baba, in one of His discourses, described the story of an old
woman. In an ancient kingdom, the king declared that all his treasures
were available for his subjects. Some took jewels, others took gold
coins, while still others took away elephants. There was one old lady,
however, who went through the entire exhibition but chose nothing. She
just walked out. The king, who was observing her, was confused. He went
to her and asked her to accept something. He assured her that there was
nothing he wouldn’t grant. The lady kept quiet, however, and said she
didn’t desire anything. He requested her once again to accept something.
She was wise and so sought the king’s promise that he would give her
whatever she wanted. The king was so pleased with her desirelessness
that he assured her he would grant any wish, if only she would ask. She
then asked for the king himself. He was shocked at the strange request
but decided to honor his promise. He then asked her why she chose the
king, at which she replied: “Lord, everything you displayed was your
property. Had I chosen any of those things I could have only gained
those possessions, but now by winning you over, I have gained
everything.” God is like that. Everything is under His sway. If we
choose, He can give us anything that is present in this universe, or
even create something for us, but if we act like the wise lady, we can
have God Himself. There would be no room to desire anything else in this
world, then, for, all belongs to the Lord and all is contained within
Him. |
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Baba's Ever-Watchful Eye |
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By The Sai Sandesh Team |
After attending Sunday bhajans at Om Sai
Mandir, the author was on his way home when he came across a
four-year-old girl running alone on the street. An unseen voice urged
the author to help the little child.
The child was very difficult to control and was impatiently hurrying to
the main intersection, an area frequented by many speeding vehicles.
When he questioned her about her whereabouts she did not give a definite
answer and babbled strange words. It was very clear that she was lost.
How was the author to control her? She was unwilling to take his help
and was intent on running in an unknown direction. It was a dilemma. If
he were to force help on her, people could easily mistake his
intentions. Leaving her alone was not an option either. Baba was the
only one who could suggest a way out of this dilemma, and so he
fervently invoked Baba's grace.
The invisible voice again drew the writer's attention to the girl's
forehead. There was a distinct vermillion mark, suggesting that she had
just visited a temple across the street. This was a wonderful clue.
Next, the voice suggested, "Ask her to run a race with you. That way she
won't resist your help."
It worked. The girl cheerfully ran in the direction of the temple. When
they reached the temple's cafeteria, a group of people were frantically
looking for the girl and as soon as they saw her they felt very
relieved. It was a wonderful reunion -- all hugs and kisses.
How did the author reach the spot just when the girl was lost? Who was
the invisible voice guiding him through the entire situation? It was
none other than Baba. Were it not for Baba's help, the innocent child
could have fallen in serious danger.
When devotees are in harm's way, Baba cannot but rush to their help.
This has been the experience of countless devotees. When Baba was
physically present in Shirdi, a devotee visited the place to seek His
blessings. As is normally the case, some villagers misguided the man
into visiting a woman who offered her services to travelers.
The two engaged in a conversation and just when the man was to face
spiritual downfall, the door slammed open and he saw Baba physically
standing there. Baba made hand gestures, indicating as if that you have
come to seek my blessings and is this what you engage in? The devotee
immediately left the place and was saved by Baba's timely warning.
Nanasaheb Chandorkar, too, was saved from physical harm because of
Baba's vigilance. Nana was on a pilgrimage to a shrine that was situated
on a hill. When he was climbing the hill, he felt intensely thirsty and
extremely weak.
He prayed to Baba and at that very moment a man came to him and offered
water. It need not be mentioned that the man was none other than Sainath.
In fact, at that very instance, Baba remarked to villagers at Shirdi
that he just gone to deliver water to Nana. None understood this comment
but when Nana visited Shirdi, the purport of Baba’s remark became clear.
Our beloved Baba keeps an ever-watchful eye on His children and He
ensures our safety and welfare in every way possible. He is ever
vigilant and ever-ready to help everyone. |
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God Can Change Destiny |
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By The Sai Sandesh Team |
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The warmth of sincere devotion can
melt God's butter-soft heart in an instant, and in response to a
devotee's plea the Lord becomes like a servitor, willing to
extend any service possible.
When the call is sincere, He will alter even destiny and rescue
devotees from sorrow. This has been the experience of
innumerable devotees.
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 visited Puttaparthi with utmost
reverence and placed her sorrow at the feet of the Lord of
Parthi. He heard her request with 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.
Obedience to God’s teachings is a sure way to draw His response
and when a devotee adapts his lifestyle to match Baba’s
teachings, Baba is sure to save such a devotee from even the
most unalterable writ of destiny.
In the Sai Satcharita, there are numerous instances where
a devotee was to meet death or a terrible accident, but Baba
intervened and saved the devotee.
Once a devotee was intent on visiting Chitali on business
purpose. Just before the visit, Baba warned the devotee of
upcoming danger. Shirdi Baba posed his hand in the form of a
snake and said: “The lamba buva (snake) is dangerous but what
can he do to the children of Dwarakamai.
The presiding deity (Baba) is merciful; He will always protect.”
In compliance with Baba’s warning and instructions, the devotee
took Shama on the trip. True to his word, just when the devotee
was reading a newspaper a snake was found unnoticed, but Shama
noticed the snake and quickly called for help. Needless to say,
the devotee’s life was saved. There are many such instances
where Baba saved devotees from accidents and even predictions of
sure death.
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 chores--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 her darling. Similarly, God,
who bears the love of a thousand mothers, rushes to respond to
His children's calls. His simple words will allay all fears and
fulfill devotees' wishes. |
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Sai Wisdom |
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The sanctification of the five
senses is the way to Truth. If the senses are polluted, of what
avail are spiritual exercises? When the water in a tank is
polluted, all taps will give only polluted water. Your heart is
the tank. When the heart is polluted, the senses are bound to be
sullied. When the heart is filled with good thoughts and
feelings, all that comes out of the senses - your speech, your
vision, your actions - will be pure. The secret of spiritual
wisdom is not to be got from scholars or by study. Spiritual
understanding can only come from mastery of the senses.
Source: Thought For The Day, Prashanti Nilayam, August 12, 2009 |
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Why Fear When I am
Here? |
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A Sai Devotee, New York |
An old knee injury had resulted in a
serious tear of my left knee's cartilage (Meniscus). A surgery was
recommended but due to some lapse at my end, I had not undergone the
treatment. The excruciating pain from the injury relapsed after a period
of ten years and I fell to the ground, unable to stand or move. It was
almost as if I had lost one leg.
As I helplessly looked at Baba's picture, He diverted my eyes to a car
sticker that had the picture of Shirdi Sai Baba with abhaya hasta mudra
(the blessing hand gesture granting freedom from fear).
I could distinctly read what was written under the picture. The words
were "Why fear when I am here."
As soon as I saw the sticker, a miracle happened and as I tried to stand
back on my feet I did not experience the slightest pain or discomfort. I
have been pain free ever since.
On another occasion, an elderly family who were worried about their
health prospects were advised not to worry because Baba would always
protect them. At first, the mother of the household did not have faith
in these words and would constantly worry about the family’s safety.
One night, her husband developed a serious health problem and she
panicked at the prospect of what could happen. She was quietly praying
within her heart but did not know what steps were needed at the moment.
Within moments, however, doctors came to her house even without her
calling and she was relieved as they took over the patient’s health and
healed him from the dangerous condition. She then realized that Baba was
indeed with her and that He was always protecting her.
Millions of devotees across the world experience many such acts of
protection and grace the moment they invoke Sai’s name.
True to His words, Baba is ever-active in protecting His devotees. A
sincere, heartfelt call cannot but melt His butter-soft heart. |
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Devotees' Experiences |
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By H. Shivaramakrishnan,
Flushing, NY |
By late July 2008, I was looking for a job as it was about time for
graduation from grad school. At the same time, I was in a situation to
ask my parents for my wedding. It was impossible for them to even
consider my request if I did not have a job. The same was the case with
my fiance’s parents. So, getting a job in that situation was not an
option, it was a compulsion. Hearing from the radio, news channels and
also from my own friends about the diminishing chances for a fresh
graduate to get a job, I was ridden with worries and distress and faced
with a very challenging situation in my life.
Baba's Call
I was a devotee of Sai Baba back then as well, but my devotion got more
amplified through the practical teachings of our adorable Sadguru over a
course of events illustrated further. I can literally say that this was
the best period of time in my life so far and will continue to remain
the same. I started to frequent Om Sai Mandir in Flushing, NY, and in
fact it was Baba who pulled me to him like a bird with string attached
in its feet. In fact, I could not myself stop going to the mandir on
Thursdays no matter how far away from the temple I used to be. I enjoyed
the tranquility and divinity that I experienced then and still
continuing to experience in our beloved sadguru's company. The joy of
being taken care by our sadguru is priceless and cannot be explained in
mere words. Back then, it used to alleviate me from my mental faculties
and worries. Very very slowly, Baba started to take my burdens on his
shoulders and started to become literally my everything. My worries
about finding a job slowly lessened and I became more confident in
undertaking this herculean task.
Our Guru's subtle moves
Devotees of Baba mention many times that there is no necessity to worry
once we land in Baba's arms, He starts to run the show. All that we have
to do is stand back and let him take control. In my case, I realized it
very slowly as the following events took place. Few months passsed by
and it slowly became a battlefield for my fiance as her parents were
looking for a bridegroom for her. To add fuel to the fire, her parents
received sevaral proposals from many qualified grooms and I still did
not find a job. All of a sudden, from thin air, I started getting
interview calls and was blessed with three job offers, out of which I
chose one. I was elated and overjoyed by this and started to understand
Baba more and more. Only upon constant pondering of the situation, I
began to just feel like puppet of the play and that Baba is the actual
wirepuller.My time was fast
approaching to go to India and persuade our parents to accept the
marriage proposal. And as I was inexperienced in dealing with such
issues, it was only Baba who gave me intense inner strength and courage
to undertake the task. Eventually, both my father and mother were
convinced with my points. The same was the case with my fiance’s
parents. In fact, there are a lot of unforgettable incidents where Baba
appeared in portraits, gave us a vision, etc. which further strengthened
our faith.
Baba's reinforcing acts
As soon as I came back to the US to proceed with my new job, I started
facing difficulties in the company as there were talks of layoffs and
staffing cuts. And this was a more serious situation. To find another
job amidst this recession and accumulate some money beforehand to start
my life with my fiance would have been difficult without Baba's grace.
But I faced the situation with full courage as Baba was there to take
care of anything if it happens. I started looking out for another job.
With Baba's sheer grace, the other company that I initially got the
offer was still having the doors open for me. I switched jobs. Recently,
I heard from a friend of mine who is still working for the old company
that my position along with two others were eliminated and the
department was downsized. This was just another situation Baba put me
into, which confirmed my faith on him. Another important milestone was
the fact that I was able to find an appartment very close to the mandir.
Dr. Rao and devotees at Om Sai Mandir were instrumental in making this
possible. From these events, the best lesson I learned is that we are
merely instruments in His show and that complete surrender to this
greatest of the greatest guru is the best resort. I shall pray to Baba
to take care of all the same way he is taking care of me and that we on
our part have to surrender to his feet to listen to his subtle
instructions. |
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Chinna Katha |
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Adapted from Oka Chinna
Katha Part I |
Vinayaka - The Leader of all
On one occasion, a competition was arranged among the gods for selecting
the leader of the ganas (troops of demigods who are attendants of S'iva).
Participants had to go round the world quick and come back to the feet
of Lord S'iva. The gods started off on their own vehicles; the elder son
of S'iva also enthusiastically entered the competition.
He had an elephantine head; his vehicle was a mouse! Therefore, his
progress was severely handicapped: He had not proceeded far, when Nârada
appeared before him and asked him, "Whither are you bound?" The son was
very much annoyed; he fell into a rage. For, what happened was a bad
omen, doubly unpropitious for those going on a journey. It is
inauspicious if the first person you come across when you are on a
journey is a lone brahmin. Though the foremost among the brahmins (he
was the son of Brahmâ Himself), Nârada was a bad omen! Again it is a bad
omen if you are going somewhere and someone asked, "Whither are you
bound?" Nârada put him that very question!
Nevertheless, Nârada was able to assuage his anger. He drew forth from
S'iva's son the cause of his predicament and his desire to win. Nârada
consoled him, exhorted him not to yield to despair, and advised him
thus: "Râma -the name- is the seed from which the gigantic tree called
the universe has emanated. So, write the name on the ground, go round it
once, and hurry back to S'iva, claiming the prize." He did so and
returned to his father. When asked how he returned so soon, he related
the story of Nârada and his advice. S'iva appreciated the validity of
Nârada's counsel; the prize was awarded to the son, who was acclaimed as
Ganapati. (Master of the Ganas) and Vinayaka (leader of all). |
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Lighting the lamp of wisdom
Once a sadhaka, who had great ambition to know something about the
divine, wanted his eye of wisdom to be opened. He entered a cave where a
guru was residing. While entering the cave he saw a small light. As he
moved forward even that little light got extinguished. In darkness one
feels frightened, and in fear, we think of God very intensively. Thus he
uttered loudly the word 'Namah S'ivaya' and on hearing this, the saint
asked him who he was. He said that he had come to seek his grace. The
great saint, who was sustaining himself in the cave only by breathing
the air around him, had the competence to know the mind of his visitor.
He said that he will answer his question later but asked him first to go
and light the lamp, which had been extinguished. The visitor took a
matchbox and tried to light the lamp but did not succeed. He told the
guru that he had finished all the matchsticks and yet he had not
succeeded in lighting the lamp.
The guru then asked him to open he lamp, put out all the water and pour
oil in it, and then try to light it. The person did this but the lamp
would not light even then. The guru then said that the wick was probably
wet with water and asked him to dry it nicely in the open and then
attempt to light the lamp. He did this and succeeded. Then the person
ventured to mention his need and sought it to the guru. The surprised
guru said that the appropriate answer was being given all the while. The
visitor pleaded that, being an ignorant man he was not able to
understand the significance of the teaching and requested the guru to
explain to him in clearer terms. The guru said: "In the vessel of your
heart, there is the wick of your jîva. The wick has been immersed all
these days in the water of your sensuous desire.
Therefore you are not able to light the
lamp of wisdom. Pour out all the water of desires from the vessel of
your heart, and fill it with Namasmarana of God. Take the wick of jîva
and dry it in the sunshine of vairagya; squeeze out of it all the water
present in the form of desire and put into the heart the oil of devotion
of Namasmarana. It will be possible for you to light the lamp of
wisdom". |
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