Namasmaran

Namasmaran means remembering or chanting God’s name repeatedly. It is one of the spiritual practices enjoined on an aspirant endeavouring to reach God. The importance Swami attaches to it is illustrated by an incident.

A devotee asked, “Swami, we often hear about total surrender (saranagathi). How is one to accomplish it?” Swami answered softly, “Bangaru, saranagathi is beyond you; why do you bother about it? Resort to namasmaran, God Himself will be at your beck and call.”

Swami once explained the special significance of namasmaran. “It is the most sublime of all the spiritual practices, it consists of japam (chanting of God’s name repeatedly), it is the most infallible penance (thapas). Kuchela could attain Lord Sri Krishna’s grace only through namasmaran. When you do namasmaran, intone the name with fervour, deep devotion and love. It bestows on you immense benefit.

In this Kali Yuga, namasmaran is enough to earn salvation and release from the otherwise unbroken cycle of birth and death. Namasmaran is the one and only divine medicine capable of curing you of lack of mental equanimity, avarice and other ills which torment you. It gives you abiding peace and contentment.

The name you choose can be any one of the thousands of names of God. Or, it can be any one of the names now in common use in any religion, country or region of the world, or in any section of devotees. Select any name and devote at least five minutes everyday for namasmaran; make it a part of your daily routine. It will give you immense benefit.”

Here is one illustration. Moorthy, Sri Kasturi’s son, was doing research in Geology. In that connection he had to tour forest areas in Assam. On one occasion when he was alone, a wild bear noticed him and began closing in on him. Moorthy fled for his life but the animal continued to chase him.

As he ran over some rocks in his desperate flight to safety, he tripped and fell down but continued to cry loudly, “Baba, Baba!” Within moments, a motor truck appeared there from nowhere and Moorthy found safety by getting into it.

After a few months, he happened to be in Prasanthi Nilayam. Swami told him, “I received your phone call and despatched a truck. Did it reach you in time?”

From the book “Tapovanam”

Swami

Heart of my heart,

Bliss of my being,

Truth of my life,

Lord of my soul,

Living in each of us,

Speaking through each of us,

Down through the ages

Your voice is heard.

Now you are here

On earth amongst us,

Showering grace,

Truth, peace and love,

Reminding us gently,

Of your secret presence

Hidden within us

And all your creation,

That our Truth is Your Truth,

That our Love is Your Love,

That we are not separate

But one.

~ Priscilla Taylor ~

Celebrating Swami's 84th Birthday

I woke up on the morning of November 23 with a lightness in my heart. Yes, it's Swami's birthday today! I hastened to send Him my love and birthday wishes and proceeded to arrange the altar. The red and pink roses that we had bought the day before were blooming radiantly in their vase. Mum later joined me and we went about our morning duties singing happily Swami's birthday song that we had heard over the Net. It was as though Swami was physically in the house and we were like two children, laughing and singing His glory!


In the evening, we attended a bhajan at our centre. The altar too had been beautifully decorated with garlands for both Swami's and Shirdi Baba's pictures and for Lord Ganesha. There were also rings of pretty flowers around the statues of Kwan Yin and Lord Buddha and offerings of "mee koo", fruits and more flowers. The bhajan was preceded by a video on Swami's work in India and after the bhajan, one of the devotees' children cut Swami's birthday cake. It was a lovely evening, everyone had worked hard to make it a success - and it was.

Later that evening, as I sat in contemplation, my mind travelled back to the old days when I first heard of Swami. I was told He was a holy man with miraculous powers especially for healing the sick. It was hard to convince me that this man was someone "special" especially after I looked at His photograph. I could not accept a "God" with an Afro hairdo! My mum, who was already on her way to being a devotee, persuaded me to follow her to bhajans. Still my interest was not there. It was only after I was coaxed into learning up a bhajan (Jaya Guru Om Kara) in order to sing at a relative's house bhajan that curiosity got the better of me and I started reading books about Swami. He certainly has a way of doing things if He wants to call us to His fold!



My first trip to India was in 1984 and it was an exciting experience for me. Since then I have been very fortunate in that I have been able to visit Puttaparthi almost every year! A wonderful reward for one who was initially a non-believer!



It would take too long to write about all my experiences. I sincerely hope I am a worthy messenger of Swami's and can continue to uphold His teachings. As I wrote in a previous article on this blog ("Return to the Lotus Feet"), it is not an easy task. There are many obstacles to overcome and many sacrifices to make. But keep trying I will for there is nothing more priceless than the treasure at the end of the rainbow ~ Swami's rainbow, that is.

Jai Sai Ram.

The Key to God's Heart Pt 8

About Faith, Surrender, Spiritual Discipline, Ego and Service

To My Sweet Lord

Happy 83d Birthday to you SAI BABA !!!

Birthday Cake for the Lord

Here's a cake you can bake for Swami for His forthcoming birthday!


EGGLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups plain flour

1 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup refined oil

3 tbsp. cocoa powder

1 tps. baking powder

1/4 tps. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla essence

Dry fruits (optional)

Method:

1. Sieve plain flour, cocoa and baking powder at least thrice.

2. Mix baking soda in buttermilk and keep aside.

3. Dissolve the powdered sugar in the oil.

4. Mix the sieved mixture and buttermilk alternatively to the oil and sugar mixture. Beat well.

5. Add vanilla essence and mix again.

6. Transfer the mixture into a pre-greased cake pan and bake in preheated oven at 350oC for about 35 to 40 minutes.

HAPPY BAKING!

By courtesy of "Sai Reflections".

Surrender to God is our True Offering

Man does not bring any wealth with him when he arrives in this world nor does he take anything when he departs. Even a millionaire has to partake of food to satisfy his hunger as he cannot swallow gold. In fact the riches he had accumulated may ultimately fall into the hands of a thief or the ruler of the land. But there will be one garland around his neck - in the form of the consequences of his past acts, bad or good. Unfortunately no one realises this but craves for worldly pleasures and forgets the purpose of his birth.



To illustrate this Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a lecture, recounted a story. Once a priest of the Viswanatha Swami Temple in Varanasi was surprised to find a gold plate suddenly falling from above, after he had offered the daily worship, with an inscription on it, "It should be given to the most ardent devotee of the Lord." The priest felt that he was the fittest person to possess it as he had been engaged in the service of the Lord for years. But the moment he touched it, it turned into mud. When the embarrassed man put it down, it got back its original shape as the golden one.



Thousands of people started trying their hand but none succeeded in the test.
Ultimately one devotee, with reluctance, but on repeated requests by the priest, handled it when it became a gold plate with greater shine. "I have not performed austerities. All I do is to serve the poor and needy, an act that is very dear to God," he said. This was an eye-opener to all. As he stepped out of the shrine, the plate too followed him. When the poor at the entrance started asking him for alms, he said: "God is the guardian of all. He is the noblest of all. Ask Him." He prayed to God for the welfare of entire humanity.



Only such a submission with utter humility will melt God's heart.



Our scriptures have prescribed nine paths of devotion. Surrender is the true offering a person should make. God has no dearth of wealth and hence does not desire anything from His devotees. What He expects is a "heart full of love". Since ancient times, mothers have been guiding their children to be compassionate to others, to treat everyone with affection, serve the needy, be courteous and do their duty honestly. These were also the teachings of God, when He appeared in the world, and of all the saints and Divine personalities.



Shared by Rajeev Nambiar.

Reflections from Pune

True to the saying "God’s Delays are Not God’s Denials", fulfilling the long cherished desire of the Jadhav’s and the Puneites, Divinity encased in human frame, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba blessed the Peshwa City with abundance of His Love, all by His rich presence for three full days! Thousands upon thousands thronged to have a glimpse of The Lord. None would understand and decipher the subtle moves and vibrations of His Divinity, inner significance of which would go far beyond human perceptions for the emancipation of mankind. …And concluding His Holy Visit, He departed to an eagerly awaiting Mumbai City.


And His Divine Caravan sped on through the Pune – Mumbai Highway…subtly blessing thousands on His way…He knows them all…but, not all of them know Him and His Divinity…as He sped on, for some He was God, for some He was a well known social reformer, for some He was a great persona, and for another lot He was another “Baba”…He alone grants the awareness…and that is the greatest blessing upon the humanity…knowing Him while He is in the midst…


While His Maharashtra sojourn entered its second and final phase, it would be interesting to reflect upon His blessed presence in Pune. Read on a summary of reflections from Ms. Julie Chaudhuri, Editor, Sathya Sai Newsletter, Pune.


If the hills around Hadshi make a priceless necklace, then Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra is the most exquisite pendant. Such a wondrous sight to hold and behold. A veritable feast for the eyes. It was the most surreal environment decorated gaily for the Lord, His entourage and the ardent devotees gathering there. But let us start at the very beginning.


Activities were on in full swing, in a highly synchronized manner ever since our Lord accepted Mr Shivajirao Jadhav’s invitation to visit Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra. The winding road leading up to the Kshetra and then on to the mandir and the divine residence was quickly repaired and tarred. For easy flow of traffic, a one-way system was made for travelling up and for the return journey down towards the city. The mandirs were decorated for the Praan Pratishthan.


A huge stage was designed with a wonderful backdrop of Shirdi Sai, Parthi Sai and Lord Panduranga in the centre. On one side of the backdrop was Swami’s saying – I am in you, You are in Me, You and I are one. On the other side, it had words that perhaps every devotee would like to say to Him – Tum shwaas ho, Tum paas ho, Tum vishwas ho...


Barricades and seating arrangements for devotees who would be coming to have darshan of their Lord was made in this most scenic of all places. The hosts left no stone unturned to do their best for our Beloved Lord’s arrival.


There was free food being served in the prasadalay for visitors and workers during these preparations, which went on ever so smoothly. Aesthetically designed fragrant flower arrangements enveloped all the mandirs and of course Bhagawan’s Divine residence.


Day 1, Oct 28, 2009
At last, Wednesday, the 28th of Oct, dawned. It was a timeless moment and Pune’s moment in time, when the Lord’s flying chariot touched down at Pune’s airport a little after 9.30 am. The Maharashtra CM’s flight landed a little prior to Bhagwan’s. He was there not only to receive Bhagwan, but also to seek special blessings as it happened to be his birthday too. Mr Shivraj Patil and Mr Jayantrao Patil were also present along with the AAI director Capt Mahajan and Deputy GM, Airport, Mr Prasad. An ambu high lift had specially been brought in from Ahmedabad airport for the Lord’s deplanement. The lift was decorated with red and yellow carnations and a red carpet covered the floor. Another red carpet was put on the tarmac right up to Bhagawan’s car. A convoy of four cars had been lined up on the tarmac to whisk Bhagawan away through the city, to Mr Jadhav’s residence and then on to SSSPK.


Outside the airport, 11 motorbikes stood ready to lead the convoy, to which five other cars were also added. Balvikas children, traditionally attired, greeted members of the Divine entourage who were served refreshments in the arrival hall.


At SSSPK, 1200 villagers from Hadshi welcomed Bhagwan with a Tukaram Dindi. Through the day, thousands of devotees thronged the Kshetra for a glimpse of Bhagawan. The evening programme began at 5.15 pm with bhajans. Swami arrived at 6 pm. There was an instant stir in the air and all hands were folded in reverence and there was a prayer on every lip.
25 villagers performed Tukaram Abhangs, after which singers Kavita Krishnamurty (Kavita Subramaniam), Nitin Mukesh and Sapna Mukherjee took centrestage. After taking His blessings, they sang beautiful bhajans that left everyone in ecstasy.


Sapna Mukherjee and Nitin Mukesh’s new album – Sai Krishna – was released at the hands of Bhagawan. Mukherjee said, “I’ve been singing His bhajans since I was a child, and I am simply too thrilled that this CD was release by Baba…” Mukesh added, “Today’s evening was most Divine. He smiled at me and praised me. I’m too overwhelmed. First, God came to me in the form of my mother, then my daughter and now Sathya Sai…”


Kavita Krishnamurthy too said emotionally, “I am what I am because of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He is God, and it must be my past karma that has led me to perform in front of Him…”


Day 2, Oct 29, 2009
The deities at the Lord Siddhivinayak Mandir, Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir and Shirdi Sai Mandir came alive by the Lord’s touch and SSSPK will now be considered a most sacred pilgrimage centre after as the Pran Pratishthan was performed by the Lord himself. Through the ceremony, there was a paraglider who showered rose petals on the Aum-shaped Kshetra.


In the evening, Bhagawan was welcomed for darshan by a traditional Tukaram Dindi. Bhagawan gave darshan from the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir. Mr Shivajirao Jadhav spoke about Swami’s message and showed his gratitude to Swami for accepting the invitation. Then, the All-India President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Mr V Srinivasan, gave a short interesting speech which was followed by Nishikant Barodikar’s Marathi narration of his own experiences with Swami.


And then, the moment that all were eagerly waiting for – Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse, which was translated into English and Marathi. Bhagawan spoke about a life of love – not to criticise anyone and to correct one’s own faults rather than pointing fingers at others. He spoke about the oneness of all beings and also stressed that our life has to be his message.


He then lovingly blessed the gathering and sweetly expressed His happiness
Day 3, Oct 30, 2009In the morning, there was a havan that took place near the Vithhal-Rukmini mandir, following which Swami came on to the stage for Divine darshan. Village children sat in front of the stage and sang Prashanthi Bhajans for our Beloved Lord, who smilingly acknowledged their devotion.


In the evening, after bhajans, the Little Champs of Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma gave a scintillating performance in the Divine presence. They began with abhangs immortalised by Tukaram and then went on to sing devotional songs which touched the heart of one and all, including Beloved Bhagwan.


It seemed as though the musical notes had incarnated as these children to serenade the Lord! To Swami’s amusement, each child who performed kept taking Padanamaskar! Bhagawan blessed them, their parents and siblings.


He was so enchanted by their performance that He asked them for one last song together even though they had finished singing the songs they had rehearsed for!
Though the evening was melodiously blissful, the imminent departure of Bhagawan for Mumbai next morning left a sad feeling deep within.


Creator and His creation; Srishti-Karta and His Srishti; Mountains, lakes, evergreen trees, fragrant flowers, mango orchards, green, green grass, butterflies and dragonflies, the white-blue expanse of the sky, a sunset most wondrous, twinkling stars and soft silky moonlight, and the loving, loving presence of Beloved Bhagwan – could anyone ask for more?


Each and every darshan is ever so valued, but to sit in front of the Lord in the lap of Mother Nature is ever so fulfilling. Dreams do come true…


Day 4, Oct 31, 2009
The next morning, Bhagawan left SSSPK at around 10.45 am. Villagers lined up in a disciplined manner along the entrance and road leading towards Lonavla. One could see the winding procession – motorbikes, two cars with security guards, Swami’s car, and a string of 20 cars following. Swami blessed the villagers with double Abhayahasta and then the convoy sped on, towards waiting Mumbai…

The Key to God's Heart Pt 7