Swami's Grace

This is the story of the son of Ratibhai Patel of Southhampton Sai Centre, U.K.

Ratibhai's son, Kishore, once visited a devotee who wanted to throw a statue of Amba Ma (the Divine Mother) in the waters of a flowing river because the hand of the idol was broken.  Kishore volunteered to take this statue home to mend it but his father was reluctant to accept the broken image as he thought it was a bad omen.

Kishore said to his father, "If my mother's hand was broken or amputated, would we throw her away?  I must bring this image home and will join the hand and make it perfect again."

He did exactly what he said.  During the period of mending the statue and painting it, Kishore started to lose his sight and became blind.  The family went to Prasanthi Nilayam and prayed to Beloved Swami.  The compassionate and loving Baba restored Kishore's sight in the interview room!  Ratibhai thanked Swami and asked for His kind permission to install a temple in their home in Wolverhampton, which would be used to serve devotees selflessly.

Through Beloved Swami's Grace, within a short time, a beautiful temple was installed in their home.  Thousands of devotees have visited this temple where many leelas have taken place, and is well known among devotees throughout the U.K.

(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D.J. Gadhia)

Sai Madhuryam

Sai seeks from you good qualities, 

Friendliness towards mankind, 

The spirit of sacrifice, 

Eschewing of selfishness and 

Rendering service to society. 

This is the offering Sai desires from you. 

And this is verily the wealth you should offer to Sai. 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Divine Wisdom

Quotable Quotes

“The best way to take care of the future is to 

take care of the present moment.” 

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown ~

Sai Blossoms

My Life is My Message

"Face the vicissitudes of life with confidence. I am never deterred by hardships or obstacles. When there is no defect in you, why should you have fear? Love even those who criticize you. This is the ideal that Swami expects when He says, “My life is My message”. If you lead your life strictly according to My ideal, you will rise to the same level. Therefore, develop good qualities and help those who are in distress."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 6.5.2002)

Human Values

"Man cannot be called a human being unless he practises human values – Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema and Ahimsa. These are like the five life-breaths of man. The absence of these life-breaths amounts to living death. Each one is responsible for his own downfall. Man kills himself by not practising these human values."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse = 12.3.2002)

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

Birthday Wishes

Happy 91st Birthday, Swami!

Thank you Baba for loving us

Thank you Baba for protecting us

 Thank you Baba for guiding us

Thank you Baba for loving us

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWAMI!

Just One

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,

You see, it's up to you!

(Author Unknown)

Quotable Quotes

Love of God

"Life is one long series of worries from birth to death. But all worries can be overcome by the love of God. Cultivate this love at least from now onwards. Turn your minds towards God. Limit your worldly desires. Why waste all your life in the endless pursuit of wealth?"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 11.3.1994)

Baba's Storytime - The Power of Faith

Complete faith is most essential if you want to experience Divinity. There should not be even an iota of doubt. One living without faith in the Divine is like a lifeless corpse. I would relate a story to illustrate the power of faith. 

A young boy used to go from his village to school which was in a nearby town. He had to cross a forest en route to the town. Generally he used to return home well before sunset. One day; it so happened that he had to leave the school late in the evening and darkness set in. The boy was afraid to walk through the forest in darkness and told his mother that he was afraid to walk in the night without company. 

His mother said: "Why are you afraid? Whenever you are in need of company, shout aloud calling your brother. He will help you." The boy asked her: "Who is my brother?" The mother replied: "He is none other than Lord Krishna. God is mother, father, teacher, brother, relative, friend and all. Whenever you are in trouble don't hesitate to call on him for help." The boy had full faith in his mother's words. 

In these days, even if God himself tells, nobody believes. That is why Jesus declared: "If I were to be a child everyday for a while, with full faith in my mother, how happy I would be!" 

Another day the boy was returning home from school late at night in the darkness. He shouted: "Anna Krishna" (Brother Krishna). After a few moments Krishna appeared before the boy in the form of a lad and told him- "Why do you fear when I am here? I shall escort you home." He accompanied the boy to the village outskirts and disappeared. 

The boy told his mother how the brother helped him true to her words. The mother said: “He helps not only you, but everyone who seeks his help." From that time onwards, the boy used to call the brother whenever he needed his help and Krishna never failed to respond. Gradually he picked up courage.. 

When you have full faith, God will surely help you and make you fearless. People who have faith in God will never be let down. But those who have no faith suffer. You need not search for God. It is God who is searching for a real devotee. 

(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Sai Madhuryam

On enquiry, one will realise that charity,

acts of sacrifice like Yajnas and Yagas,

positions of honour, 

adherence to truth, 

sacred rituals or even 

Sanathana Dharma for that matter

pale in comparison with the principle of Love.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Divine Wisdom

Things Aern't Always What They Seem

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. 

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem." 

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. 

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel: "How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him", she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die." 

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it." 

"Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem." 

~ Author Unknown ~

Quotable Quotes

"If I am only happy for myself, many fewer chances for happiness.

If I am happy when good things happen to other people,

billion more chances to be happy!"

~ DalaiLama ~

Quality not Quantity

"You attach importance to quantity but the Lord considers only quality.  He does not calculate how many measures of sweet rice you offered but how many sweet words you uttered, and how much sweetness was present in your thoughts.  Offer Him the fragrant leaf of devotion, the flowers of your emotions and impulses which are freed from the pests of lust, anger, etc.  Give Him fruits grown in the orchard of your mind, sour or sweet, juicy or dry, bitter or sweet."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse -8.2.1963)

Sai Blossoms

The Great Miracle

Akhand dhun (non-stop chanting) for 60 hours was organised at Ashton-under-Lyne (UK) and a garland of large rose flowers was put over beloved Swami's photo.  Towards the end of the 60 hours, "this Das"* came just before the Aarati and everyone appeared dejected as no specific blessing was apparent.  "This Das" said, "Have patience, we may see some sort of blessings after the programme is over.  So please don't be disappointed."

Aarati started and a miracle was witnessed by all the devotees.  One big rose flower from the garland started revolving in circles during the whole of the Aarati, as if the Lord was moving the Sudarshan Chakra round His finger - exactly near the right hand of the Lord at the same level in the photo.

Beloved Swami has said many times that sadhana done sincerely and from the heart will be blessed by the Lord in one way or another.

(From the book "Sai Smaran" by Dr. D. J. Gadhia)

* (Refers to the author)

Akhanda Bhajan

"Today we are having non-stop twenty-four-hour global devotional singing (akhanda bhajan) by Sai devotees all over the world. This is being done not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole.

The bhajans that are sung permeate the ether in the form of sound waves and fill the entire atmosphere. Thereby, the whole environment gets purified. Breathing in this purified atmosphere, our hearts get purified. Reciting the Lord's name is a process of give and take. Singing the Lord's name should become an exercise in mutual sharing of joy and holiness. It should be remembered that the sounds we produce reverberate in the atmosphere. They remain permanently in the ether as waves and outlast the individual uttering the sounds.

Community bhajans should not be treated as a pasttime. When thousands of persons join in singing bhajans, they should be fully absorbed in the devotional process and the ecstasy of that experience. The singing should be vibrant and soulful, and not mechanical or drawling and uninspiring. It should combine feeling (bhava), melody (raga) and rhythm (tala). What delight can be experienced when all sing in chorus, with the same feeling, in the same tune, and to the same timing! When there is such unity, the Divine can be experienced."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 8.11.1986)

Sai Love in Kodaikanal

"Bhagavan calls the boys and tells them, "There are some Tibetan women selling woollen clothes.  They are poor people.  They carry on their livelihood because of these sales only.  Go to them and buy whatever you require. They will be happy that they have got good business."

One day, Swami bought a straw hat and wore it.  Then everybody bought straw hats.  In this way, He helped the poor man who was not having good business.  They are all poor people.  They all wait for Bhagavan because the Goddess of Wealth follows Him necessarily.

One day, He called two servant maids and gave them silk saris.  I said, "Swami, You are giving such costly silk saris to servant maids!"  Swami looked at me and said, "When they go and attend marriages and when they go to their relations, they can wear these saris.  It will give them a lot of joy."  

That is Sai's love. It is uniform for everyone."

(As related by Sri Anil Kumar - S.S. May 2006)

Sath-Chith-Aanandha

"What is meant by Sath-Chith-Aanandha? Sath is "Being", that which is eternal and unchanging. Sugar has the quality of sweetness, which remains in whatever form it may be used. For purposes of analogy, sugar may be described as Sath. Chith may be compared to water. It has the quality of mobility. When sugar and water are mixed, you have neither sugar nor water as such, but a new product, syrup. When Sath and Chith come together, you have Aanandha (Divine Bliss). People imagine that this bliss is to be found in jobs, marriage, property or progeny. That is not the case. You hope for happiness in one thing after another: education, jobs, marriage, children and so on. But happiness eludes you. The only enduring happiness is got by oneness with the Divine."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ 

(Divine Discourse - 18.1.1996)

Divinity

"Names and forms are many but Divinity is one.  Atma is the nameless, formless divinity. When you worship such a formless and nameless divine principle, you will certainly attain Divinity."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 30.3.2006)

Divine Wisdom

What I Want

When I was a freshman just starting college I really wanted to be rich. I even had pictures of a big luxury car and a huge mansion that I had cut out of magazines and pasted in my notebook. I wanted to become a wealthy businessman or a best selling author. I wanted to be both famous and successful. Of course, I never did get any of those things and I thank God for that everyday.

You see, in time I realized that what I really wanted was the happiness that my swollen ego thought those things would bring me. It took me many years to realize that happiness comes from the love we give and not the things we get. It took me many years to shrink my ego, grow my humility, and accept what God wanted for me. As a result what I want now has become a lot different from what I wanted back then.

Now I want to do the things that fill my heart with love, my spirit with joy, and my soul with God. I want to start each morning with the prayer, “I love you God and I thank you for my life!” I want to give my sons hugs and tell them how much I love them. I want to kiss my daughter’s hair when she shares her problems with me. I want to play fetch with my puppy and laugh when he climbs on my lap and licks my face. I want to pet my old, gray cat and smile when she curls up on my chest to take a nap. 

I want to read and write inspiring words that help hurting hearts. I want to feel God’s love when I look at the flowers of Spring, the sunsets of Summer, the leaves of Autumn and the snows of Winter. I want to share my smile, my strength, my laughter, and my love with the world and do everything I can to make Earth more like Heaven.

What do you want out of life? What do you want to give to life? Maybe they are the same. Always remember that it is in giving that you receive. It is in loving that you are loved. It is in sharing your joy that you create happiness in the hearts of yourself, others, and God.

~ Joseph J Mazella 

Quotable Quotes

Sai Madhuryam

God has endowed mankind 

With the great weapon of the Mind. 

Only the one who subjugates the mind 

can achieve victories on earth. 

We cannot imagine anyone who is a slave 

of the mind and has attained happiness or peace.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Passing Clouds

"When you get some troubles, you cry in a state of despair and even blame God. There is no need for you to feel aggrieved at all. All troubles are passing clouds. The clouds cannot hide for long the effulgence of the Sun which is permanent. Similarly the Aathma cannot be affected by anything. If you identify yourself with this Reality, you will have no cause for grief at all as you will be embodiments of bliss."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse on 20-10-1993)

Baba's Storytime - The Martyrdom of Mansur

About 400 years ago, there was a man by name Mansur in the city of Benaras. By virtue of his good samskaaras (inherited tendencies) and his preceptor's teachings, he had developed firm faith in the Vedhic dictum: "Aham Brahmaasmi" (I am God). 

When people heard him always repeating this aphorism, they questioned him whether he was really God. He used to emphatically tell them thrice, "Yes, I am God." 

In course of time, he became the target of envy and hatred among the prominent men in Benaras, including Vedhic scholars and heads of religious institutions. They went in a body to the King of Benaras and complained against Mansur, saying that he had no knowledge of Sanskrith or scriptures but was going about shouting, "I am God," thereby insulting eminent scholars and pandiths. The King summoned Mansur to his court and asked him, "Who are you?" Promptly came the reply, "I am God." 

The King got him examined by medical experts and found that he was not insane. Then the King advised him to give up saying "I am God," in view of the complaints from scholars and Mataadhipathis that he was guilty of blasphemy. Mansur firmly refused to obey the King's command and declared that he would sooner give up his life than forswear his unshakable faith and firm conviction in his oneness with the Divine. He questioned the King boldly, "Why do you want me to give up truth? The truth is: I am God; you are God; everyone is God." 

As he did not change his attitude despite all kinds of persuasions and threats, the King ordered that his hands should be cut off for the offence of disobeying the King. As the King's minions held Mansur tightly and raised their gleaming swords to cut off his hands, Mansur went on boldly shouting aloud: "Aham Brahmaasmi" unceasingly and smilingly. After severing both his hands, the executioners went to the King and reported that Mansur was fearlessly and smilingly repeating his declaration even after his hands had been cut off and he was bleeding profusely. The King went to the scene of Mansur's ordeal and found that the place was reverberating with the sacred sound of "Aham Brahmaasmi" coming unceasingly from the tongue of the smiling Mansur as well as from the blood flowing profusely on the ground from his hands. 

In a short while, Mansur fell down dead with a smiling and calm face and "Aham Brahmaasmi" on his lips. The King was deeply moved and he prostrated at the feet of Mansur. He sent for the scholars, priests, pandiths and heads of religious institutions who had complained against the saintly Mansur. On their arrival, he reprimanded them saying, "What is the use of your book learning? You could not recognise or understand the greatness of Mansur. He was a man who established unity in thought, word and deed. You don't practise what you read and teach. You are all a pack of conceited, book-worms, envious of truly great persons. Misled by your complaints, I have committed the sin of virtually murdering such a saintly person. However, he has become a martyr in upholding the highest truth of "Aham Brahmaasmi." In order to teach you a lesson and to provide a source of inspiration to you and your progeny, I am building a memorial for Mansur in your Agrahaaram itself." 

The criterion for true devotion is not proficiency in scriptures or routine performance of so-called spiritual practices, but the realization of the divinity in oneself as well as in all others which can be attained only through steadfast adherence to truth, purity of heart and universal love. Where there is Chittha Shuddhi (purity of mind and heart), there will be Jnaana Siddhi (attainment of wisdom). One with Chittha Shuddhi need not go to the forest or pilgrim centres in search of God He will find God in. himself and in others too. 

(From Bhagawan's Divine Discourse in Thrayee Brindhaavan on 26-3-1993)

Sai Blossoms

Developing Talent at Kodaikanal

"Swami makes them (His students) sing devotional songs  They will be asked to play on musical instruments.  Boys who are gifted with the talent of public speaking will be asked to address the devotees.  And sometimes we have Kavi Sammelan (poets' meet) also. 

Sathya Sai University is unique in the sense that we have students from all over India and a few from overseas also.  Each student is talented.  Some of them can write poems and compositions in their own language.  They have altogether some fifteen languages.  

Swami organises the Kavi Sammelan, the assembly of poets.  Swami will ask the boys to sing a song or recite a poem in his own native language.  Swami explains, interprets and translates them.  He also corrects them wherever they go wrong."

(As related by Sri Anil Kumar - S.S. May 2006)

May all Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

The Mysterious Ways of Fate

Once a ferry was carrying passengers to cross a deep river. Passengers were in a hurry to reach their destination. The boat man became a little greedy looking at a good number of people. He was very happy, thinking that he would have enough money that day! So, he didn't refuse anyone to have a seat. All passengers were so impatient that they had no time to see the capacity of the boat but rode on it. The boat man unlatched the boat and started his journey.

The speedy water in the river was creating a horrible sensation among the passengers. Suddenly, on the middle of the river, the sailor felt that his boat was going to sink if the number of people would not be reduced. So, he earnestly requested a fellow to jump into the river as he was the extra one who didn't get a seat and stood in a corner.

The man politely asked,'Why me? What is my fault?'

The boat man responding his question explained that if he would not jump, then all the passengers would die because of excess weight in the boat!

The man thought for a while! He couldn't appreciate the idea of becoming a cause of death of so many innocent lives. So he decided to sacrifice his own life for the sake of others! Without any further delay, he jumped off!

After that, what happened was unbelievable! He jumped into the water and struggled for his survival. Few minutes later, when he looked back, he couldn't see either a trace of the sailor or the boat! The boat with all the passengers were simply vanished! However, with much difficulty, he reached at the other end of the river.

Ironically, he was the only survivor!!! The moment he jumped off, the whole boat sank in the water including the sailor and all of them died then and there! He just remembered the words uttered by the sailor 'all will die because of you, unless you jump'!

This is called 'Fate'. He was destined to live. Perhaps, that's why he was requested to jump not anybody else. Isn't it mysterious, the intricate workings of fate? We can't really figure out the ways of the supreme power we all believe in. This story was told to me by my mother many years ago and I still puzzle over how powerful and enigmatic 'fate' is.

~ Anjali Mohapatra ~

Quotable Quotes

"The essence of any religion is a good heart.  

Sometimes I call love and compassion a universal religion.  

This is my religion."

~ Dalai Lama ~

Throw the Bomb Away

"Today man is shouting ‘peace,’ ‘peace’ while holding atom bomb in his hand. Although he has conquered space and reached the moon, he has no peace in his heart. How can it be attained? Fill your heart with divine feelings. Throw the bomb away. Then you can experience peace. Peace is the reflection of your inner being. Everything comes from within."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 5.3.2000)