24-10-2004

This morning, we completed the Grama Seva in Kothacheruvu Mandal too. Tomorrow onwards we will be covering Bukkapatnam Mandal villages.

In the evening, Swami came out at 3.15 p.m. Singers from Vizag made a presentation. Wonderful songs were presented. Lovely, well coordinated voices - only men. Melodious tunes and striking lyrics made the evening a very memorable one for all of us. It went on from 3.30 p.m. till 4.30 p.m.

Then Bhagawan asked Bhajan boys to start Bhajans. They too sang very nice Bhajans. Special selections, including those sung often by Swami. Weather too was very soothing. Cool air blowing. Swami got up and went into the interview room with a group of devotees. The Bhajans went on. He came out around 5.00 p.m. and again sat down on the sofa. The Bhajans went on until 5.20 p.m. Swami was also enjoying the Bhajans keeping beat with His hand. At 5.20 p.m., Swami took Aarti and retired for the day.

Sairam

Lovingly consented by Anantha of Mumbai

Courtesy: Saibaba News

23-10-2004

This morning, we all assembled in the Sai Kulwant Hall. Swami sat on  the dais until 8.00 a.m. after which we all proceeded to the Poornachandra Hall for the Yajnam Poornahuti. Meanwhile, Swami distributed gorgeous silver bowls and silver glasses to all the core Vedam group students and teachers. These were the same momentoes that Swami also distributed to the Vedic Pundits later. What a privilege!!

Poornahuti was conducted in a very simple way. By the time we all assembled inside the hall, the Poornahuti was already over. It was  just 8.20 a.m. Of course, Swami sat on the specially designed low chair, in front of the sacred fire for quite some time, blessing all the Pundits and completing the formalities of the Poornahuti. 

Subsequently, some of us proceeded for the Seva. Grama Seva was  within the Ashram as usual. Prasadam, Ladoos and clothes were distributed to all the residents of the Ashram. Anantapur sisters carried out the distribution with some support by our boys and staff.  

In the evening, Swami came out very early, at around 3.00 p.m. First we had two speakers sharing their thoughts with us. The first one was Sri Bharath a student of the II MBA class followed by Sri Sanjay Mahalingam, a Research Scholar in the School of Business Management.

At 3.35 p.m. Bhagawan commenced His Divine Discourse. The highlights follow:

Many feel that Iswara is a special Form with a mop of hair -  interlocked, decked with snakes all around the body! This is not so. Though in reality, God is present everywhere; to satisfy the concept of the devotee, He comes down with a Form that suits the taste of the devotee!

Bharath is a great Nation. There is a weakness among Bharatiyas to  consider worship of idols as a form of begging. It you correctly analyze, you will find that there are no beggars in Bharath. It is only a mental weakness to consider the other person as inferior. Because of this temperament, foreigners consider those who approach them for money as beggars. This is not true.

Considering Bharatiyas as weak is a psychological weakness. This is a  big mistake. We portray ourselves as beggars though we are not. Merely asking for food or money does not make one a beggar. All should be convinced that there are no beggars in Bharath. Some even go to the extent of considering God as a beggar! This is a great weakness. Man praises God saying that, "If you fulfill my wishes, then you are great and noble!"

People created by God cannot be poor. We consider them as poor, take  them close to us and keep giving them money. This bad habit of begging should be slowly given up. Never consider God as a beggar. God is your own Father!! Develop Love for God and for the whole humanity. Love all those who suffer and are in pain. Develop Love for God and fear of sin. Never consider anybody as helpless and do not humiliate them.

When we practice this Atmic principle, God will surely materialize  before us! All are brothers and sisters. It is a mistake to consider that we serve others and feed others.

We also have these businessmen! They bribe others and get work done. There are others who accept these bribes. This is a sin! One who begs  and one who encourages this begging - both are wrong.

In reality all are One! You may serve food to the needy and make them happy but never look down upon them. Just because they plead for some food, do not tag them as beggars. And just because you serve them some food you do not become great or superior. Serve food and satiate the hunger of the needy but never insult and humiliate.

The glory of Bharath is lost as we encourage begging. If Bharath were  to be truly poor, why did so many foreigners invade Bharath and steal away all Her riches? Bharath is a rich nation and She is not poor. This feeling of poverty is born out of comparison!

If you find somebody begging, you must advise them, "You are not a  beggar. I am not a rich man. It so happens that at this moment in time, you do not have money. That is all." We must uphold the pride of Bharath. Declare proudly, "Bharath is my Motherland. She is a  Glorious Country!" Bharath has been a Teacher for all other nations.

Yesterday the women discussed the Upanishads at length. Bharath has  been extolled at all times. Considering your country as so great, you cannot behave in a cheap and low way. You must have the feeling that Bharath is my Mother and my Mother is very rich. The sweetest feeling is that towards the Mother!

We must treat our Motherland with all dignity and honour! Bharath is  the treasure house of all epics, scriptures and sacred texts! The physical mother may be poor but the Motherland can never be poor!  Bharath is the highest among all the nations! The morality and integrity in this country can never be seen anywhere else in this world!

When you have gold with you, why settle for copper and other cheap  metals? Educated people must decide to make this country a golden country. But educated people are unable to understand this. They encourage begging by giving money. When you find somebody begging, ask them, "Do you want clothes?" Give them clothes, give them food, and give them in kind. But do not make it a habit.

Accepting and giving bribe is a sin. The government must also be  cautioned about this. Is the government here to encourage begging? Even when we go to a temple, the priest expects money, Chhi- Chhi..This is very bad; One must never accept such Bhiksha. One should stand on one's own legs. All cannot be equal in this world. Therefore, certainly love those who are under privileged.

If you come across a beggar, you must explain to him, "O man, you are  a son of Bharath. You are not a beggar. If you beg, you will bring down the honour of this nation." You are born to keep up the prestige of your country. Never shed a tear and bring down the honour of your country. Be ready to even give up your life for the Motherland!

Whatever we have in this world must be shared by all. Never give way  to the feeling that we are superior. Foster a sense of sacrifice. Then alone can you become great. People give talks on sacrifice but are not ready to part with even one rupee! Today, there is no unity of thought, word and deed.

Today, it is these beggars who are responsible for the downfall of  the Nation. And it is the educated people who have created these beggars in the first place.

The son of Bharath must be ever ready to sacrifice. Today Bharath stands at the top of all countries only because of Her sense of sacrifice! So many Mothers, Fathers and Sons have sacrificed for this country! There can be no greater sacrifice than that for the nation.

Talk lovingly. Mere charity is not great. Consider everyone as  yourself. Sacrifice selfishness. Love all. No one is separate. With Love you can win anybody!

True education lies in developing Love for God and removing the  suffering of the people. Students do not consider others as low, as beggars or as poor people. Serve them with Love. Your feelings may be poor but there is no poverty at all in this nation! O Bhara-theeyas, you must be sweet.(O Bharathiyulara Meeru Theeyaga Undali)!!

Students, what all you have learned today, you must practice from  tomorrow. Be smiling when you serve. Do not put on a castor oil face. Never consider anybody as low. Move together, cooperate and make everybody happy. Then there will be "Nitya Kalyanam Pachha Toranam"  (Auspiciousness and festivity everyday)!!

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with this note and sat down on the sofa. The mike was held on the arm of the sofa and Swami sang the Bhajan, "Ram Ram Ram Seeta.". All joined in full swing!

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad youth were ready for presenting their programme, for which Bhagawan had granted permission in the morning. In fact, three days before, they had come to Kulwant Hall with all preparations and costumes, expecting Swami to give a green signal. That did not materialize. Even today, Swami started Bhajans after His Discourse. Bhagawan concluded His discourse at 4.40 p.m. and Bhajans went on till 5.35 p.m.

The Hyderabad youth were crest-fallen. They were truly anxious.  Chances for presenting their programme were nil and many of them had  tickets for the evening train and hence had no choice but to leave.  Yet, maybe there was just one last chance. That ray of hope too vanished when Swami got up and took Aarti and proceeded towards the Golf Cart parked near the interview room. Just as Swami was about to board the Golf Cart, He looked at the organizers and asked them about the programme!!

These are the mysterious ways of the Lord. He immediately gave a  green signal. Prof. Anil Kumar made an announcement. The youth rushed making their arrangements with ecstacy!! The backdrops were brought in. Music instruments were rushed in just like rushing a patient into the ICU. Within ten minutes all was ready and to the delight of all, Swami walked back towards the sofa. He took His seat and the programme began.

The drama was titled, "Lakshala (or) Lakshyalla" (Money vis-à-vis  Ideals). It started at 5.35 p.m. and went on till 6.15 p.m. A very, very good drama. It highlighted the true ideals of life, stressed on service to society and the role of youth in the same. It had wonderful dances, songs, very good dialogues and music!! Towards the end, they raised the tempo so well with dance and music and all possible masala - like crackers, colour strips showers, foam etc.. It was a wonderful climax!! All were so struck that there was a loud applause. Bhagawan got up and gave all of them photos. By 6.30 p.m.  Swami retired to the Poornachandra Auditorium.

Lovingly consented by Anantha of Mumbai

Courtesy: Saibaba News

22-10-2004

Sairam. On the 22nd Swami did not give any Discourse. We just had two programmes from the Ladies group. The first one was a panel discussion by the faculty members of Anantapur Campus and the Primary School of Prasanthinilayam Campus. The theme was "Upanishadic Messages in the light of Bhagawan's Discourses". It was indeed a very  informative and thought provoking panel discussion. Surely, a lot of R&D must have been done to collect so much of information and present it so comprehensively.

After the panel discussion, there was a Carnatic music recital by the  famous Carnatic music singer, Ms. Anuradha Krishnamurthy, a winner of the D.K. Pattamal Award, well renowned all over, having presented programmes in several countries. She sang a number of Tyagaraja Kritis, a Sai Bhajan. After her presentation, Swami blessed her with a grand silk sari. Then He called all the members of the panel discussion and also Blessed them with grand silk saris!

Lovingly consented by Anantha of Mumbai

Courtesy: Saibaba News

20-10-2004

Avatar Declaration Day

Today is a very significant day for the entire humanity, for today was the day, 64 years back that Bhagawan declared to His physical family members, "My Devotees are waiting for Me, I am going to them. I have no connections with you...". Yes, today is the Avataar Declaration Day!

This morning, we have almost completed doing Grama Seva in the Puttaparthi Mandal. Tomorrow onwards we will be covering the Kothacheruvu Mandal (adjoining Puttaparthi).

This morning, Bhagawan came for Darshan at the usual time. As He came onto the dais, He walked from one end to the other watching the boys  and pointed at one or two who were not chanting Vedam. Today one could perceptibly make out the raise in volume of Vedam chanting. All were chanting full-throated - in response to yesterday's Discourse! The Convoy of vehicles left for the Grama Seva at 8.05 a.m. with Bhagawan's permission.

In the evening, Swami came out by 3.35 p.m. As usual there were three talks. The first one in Telugu by a student of the II M.A. class named Ranganatha Raju, an expert orator. Telugu prose and poetry just flows from his lips as water in the river. He gave a fantastic talk, which received thunderous applause every now and then. At the end Bhagawan too joined in by Blessing him with a golden chain!! The second speaker was Sri Ravi Mariwalla, an alumnus of the Institute (MBA student) who currently works in the Super Specialty Hospital in Parthi - in the Cardiology Department. The last speaker was Prof. V.E. Ramamoorthy, a faculty in the School of Business Management, Accounting & Finance.

At 4.55 p.m. Bhagawan commenced His Divine Discourse. The highlights are as follows:

A Bharatiya does not necessarily mean an inhabitant of India alone. The culture of Bharath is like the Mother and the sacred land is like the Father. Anyone who has full faith in the Bharatiya culture and in the sacred land is a Bharatiya. This sacred land is the birthplace of many a seers and sages who have shown us the path to Divinity.

The one who is held in high esteem and who spread the Bharatiya  culture to the nook and corner of this land is Adi Sankara. He preached Non-dualism in a variety of ways. Then came Ramanuja who propagated the twin principles of devotion and steadfastness. Subsequently came Madhavacharya who stood for the principle of Dvaita (Duality), considering the fickle mind that cannot comprehend the reality all at once.

The Non-dualism of Adi Sankara, the qualified Non-dualism of Ramanuja  and the Dualism of Madhavacharya are all one and the same. The common aspect in all is the Atma Tatvamu.

Sankara gave the example of the thread and the cloth. He said that the thread is one but the cloth woven from it may appear different  and may be utilized by different people in different ways. Cows are many but milk is one, jewels are many but gold is one. Adi Sankara started enquiry into the truth of life at an early age and completed his mission in 32 years. Ramanuja followed in his path. He talked about the object and the reflection and the relationship between them. He said that without thread you cannot have the cloth, without gold you cannot have the jewels. But gold is one, thread is one. All of them understood that Truth!!

Sankara picked up a jewel and called it gold. Ramanuja identified it  as a chain based on the form, though in essence he agreed that it is gold. Sankara said, "Ekam Eva Advitiya Brahma". But Ramanuja stressed on the object and reflection relationship.

Another example is of sugarcane juice. We make so many sweets with  this juice. The forms of the sweets may be many, but the juice is one. This is what Sankara believed in. But Ramanuja put it in another way saying that the juice is definitely one but the sweets have different forms!! Since then, until today, there goes on endless arguments regarding these aspects!!

Modern students dismiss all this as mere hypothesis. Brahma Satyam  Jagath Mithya. Ekatma Sarva Bhootantaratma. Isavasyam Idagam Sarvam. Rain is one, the water that flows is one, the sand on which it flows is one. Sand is also Brahman. Whatever you see in this world is Divine! But now let us consider this argument. Here is a man, there is an animal. Can they be one? YES. But their behaviour is different. The difference is based on life pattern and life style. But the essence is ONE! Do not give scope for any difference.

This is a white kerchief (pointing to His kerchief) and this is an  orange robe (pointing to His robe). Colour is different but the cloth is the same. Only the usage may differ. The fundamental basis is the same!! When we go by the fundamental unity, there will be no differences. A boy, a youth, a man and an old person are all basically a human being. We go by the name and the form, forgetting the primordial unity.

Adi Sankara composed the song, "Bhaja Govindam.". (Swami sang the  song). When the end is near, all your scholarship will not come to your rescue. "Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam.". What is it that is born and what is it that dies? It is the body only. The body is active because of the life force. Once the life force leaves the body, the body becomes inert. Birth and death apply to the body and not to the spirit.

Once the son of a great philosopher was chanting the Vedas. His  mother died at the age of 40. The boy felt very sad. He cried out, "O Mother why have you left me and gone?" Then the Guru came to him and  asked him, "Why are you crying my boy?" The boy replied that he was crying because his mother had left him. The Guru replied, "You mother has left you? Are you crying for the body of your mother? In that case the body is very much here. Why do you cry? The body has not left you. Then are you crying for the life force that vitalized the  body? That life force has no death. Why do you cry then?" It is the life principle, which is truly our Father and our Mother.

The Vedantic Wisdom is so simple, but people complicate it with  jugglery of words. Students, we take Vedanta in a very light way, narrow way and dismiss it. No. Vedanta is very Grand! No explanation is adequate to describe it. Understand it's meaning and know it's reality.

Ayam Atma Brahma means "I am Atma and I am Brahma". If you are asked  who you are, do not say, "I am Anil Kumar". You must respond, "I am  I, I am I". Keep on telling this to yourself, any length of time. The Truth remains the same. Brahma Tatva is one. `I' in all is only ONE. It is only when you consider others as separate that all the problems arise. I am a boy, I am a youth, I am a man, all these depend on age. After death what happens? We do not know. Never give up this basic `I'. If anyone asks who you are, say `I am I'. If they cannot understand, do not bother about them. You should be clear about it, that is enough. Tomorrow, I will speak about the other aspects of Vedanta.

I did declare on the 20th of October, "Know that I am Sai, Do not  have any attachments..(Swami spoke the entire verse in Telugu)". We consider this day - the 20th of October as a big event and we celebrate it. Once, Rukmini invited Lord Krishna on His birthday. At this Satyabhama got angry and said, "For you it may be the birthday but for me it is the wedding day". Such an argument went on. However, Lord Krishna is beyond all this. Do not observe these differences. Understand that God is ONE and beyond all these events.

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the song, "Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam.." All devotees joined in a loud voice and after the  singing, Swami sat down on the sofa. He indicated the Vedam group to start chanting. They began chanting Narayana Suktam. After a few lines of chanting, Bhagawan beckoned the Pujari to give the Aarti. The Aarti song merged with the Vedic chant even as the chant faded away, thus bringing the auspicious day to a memorable close.

Sairam

Lovingly consented by Anantha of Mumbai

Courtesy: saidevotees_worlnet