Sai Blossoms

Quotable Quotes

“Be afraid of nothing. Hating none, giving love to all, feeling the love of God, seeing His presence in everyone, and having but one desire - for His constant presence in the temple of your consciousness - that is the way to live in this world.” 

~ Paramahansa Yogananda ~

Baba's Storytime - Anger

Anger comes from temper inside and one who yields to this bout of temper is bound to suffer. You should control anger and avoid talking or acting while in an angry mood. Another instance of how anger gets the better of even a very good person can be cited from the Mahaabhaaratha. 

 Ashvathaama prayed to Kaali to help him to keep his vow of killing the Paandavas before sunset next day and got a sword from her. Dhraupadhi heard about this and said: "The Paandavas are the five life-principles and I am the sixth. How can I live after they are gone?" 

So saying, she prayed to Krishna as He was always their saviour whenever they were in trouble. Krishna appeared before her and asked her why she had called Him. She explained how Ashvathaama had obtained a sword from Kaali with Her blessings for his killing the Paandavas before sunset next day. 

Krishna said: "The word of Mother Goddess has to be fulfilled. At the same time the Paandavas have to be protected as they are my devotees. I shall have to devise a master plan."  He summoned sage Dhuurvaasa. Though God can act on His own, sometimes He uses others as instrument. Dhuurvaasa was glad to have dharshan of Lord Krishna and asked Krishna as to why he was called. When Krishna said his help was needed, he remarked that everyone needed God's help and it was strange that God was seeking his help. 

Dhuurvaasa said: "Lord, I shall surely follow your command." Krishna disclosed His Master Plan. He asked Dhuurvaasa to prepare a pit large enough to hide the Paandavas therein. He said: "You should spread some branches of tree to cover the pit and sit on the top of the pit. Ashvathaama will come to you. You may tell the truth, but change only the tone." 

Ashvathaama came in the afternoon and prayed to Dhuurvaasa in all humility to disclose the whereabouts of the Paandavas, as he was a Thrikaalajnaani (one who knows the past, the present and the future). Dhuurvaasa said in an angry tone: "The Paandavas are under my feet." As everyone knew the effects of Dhuurvaasa's rage, Ashvathaama did not dare to proceed further and incur the sage's dreaded wrath. He slipped away from the place. By that time the sun had set and the Paandavas were saved. 

God's signs of pretending to get angry are only for the good of others and to protect humanity. God has to act in different ways in different situations. God has no anger in Himself. When He takes human form He has to act as a human.

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

Sai Madhuryam

He who is known as Allah by Muslims, 

As Jehovah by Christian aspirants, 

As the Lotus-eyed Lord by the worshippers of Vishnu, 

As Sambhu, by those who revere Siva, 

In whatever way He is worshipped, 

He gladly responds, 

Grants the grace of fame and fortune, 

And showers happiness and joy. 

He is the One, 

The Supreme Self. 

Know Him as Paramatma.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Purity of Heart

 

"Perform all your actions with purity of heart. 

Actions performed without a pure heart are futile. 

Even if a little work is done with a pure heart, it becomes fruitful.:

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 19.11.2002)

Strengthen your Faith in God

"You may forget anything, but not God. Forgetting God amounts to forgetting yourself. In ancient times, people lived for 110 and 120 years because they led their lives constantly thinking of God. They never suffered from any diseases. They used to eat simple food. They had no knowledge of vitamins and proteins. They never took tablets like Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, etc. They got the required vitamins and proteins because they offered their food to God. You can achieve anything in life if you strengthen your faith in God. In fact, you will become God yourself. You are not different from God. Understand this truth and attain the state of oneness."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 13.3.2002)

He is Everything to Everyone

He is a cherishable dream

Dancing in my eyes.

He is a fountain of nectar

Spreading on my lips.

He is a lovely poem

Slipping through my palms.

He is here, He is there,

He is my Swami present everywhere.

He is a well wisher

To His village folk.

He is the mother and father

To the abandoned orphans.

He is the all knowing God

To His devotees.

He is here, He is there,

He is my Swami present everywhere.

He is in fluttering wings

Of a soaring bird.

He is the blazing sun

Ruling this world.

He is that absolute supreme,

With all His glory and spendour.

He is here, He is there,

He is my Swami present everywhere.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

Happy Chinese New Year

"On this New Year Day, you should resolve to start every day with love, spend the day with love, fill the day with love, and end the day with love. There should be no difference of caste, creed, color, religion, or nationality. Love knows no distinction of any kind. You must wish everyone to be happy. Fill the heart with love. The country will prosper and the world will prosper and everyone will be happy. Cultivate good thoughts, speak good words, and do good deeds with the broad view that everyone in the world should be happy. Give up your evil thoughts and evil qualities, since they are the cause for all sufferings in the world.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse: 1.1.1994)

Wishing all Chinese devotees 

a Blessed and Prosperous

Chinese New Year!

Lost Japamala

During the earlier days, Baba used to take the devotees to the banks of Chitravathi river in the evenings.  On that particular day, when Sri Kasturi had his first Darshan at the Old Mandir, Baba proceeded to the sands.

Baba advised the devotees that they must concentrate on Japa as the best means of earning Shanti. He then suddenly turned to a lady devotee with the question, "Don't you do Japam?"  Baba didn't wait to hear her reply and shot the next question, "Oh, you have lost your Japamala, haven't you?"  Then thrusting His hand into the sand, He took out a rosary and said, "Here, come and take this."

The lady rose reverentially and came forward to receive it.  Baba signed her to halt and told her with a smile on His face, "Wait and first tell me which rosary is this?"  She looked at it and gasped.  She said that it was hers or rather, her mother's.  She was so excited to get back her Japamala, the one given to her by her dying mother.

Baba told the devotees around all about her month's piety, her brother's rigorous Tapas and her own Sadhana.  He asked her when she had lost the precious Japamala.  To everyone's astonishment, she declared that she misplaced it four years ago at Bangalore!  Baba's love traced it in the Chitravathi sands for the sake of His devotee.

(From the book "Mother Sai's Miracles of Love")

Sai Blossoms

Quotable Quotes

“Words and thoughts concerning compassionate action that are not put into practice 

are like beautiful flowers that are colorful but have no fragrance.” 

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

Sai Madhuryam

Forbearance is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat. 

Of all the rituals, adherence to truth is the greatest penance. 

The nectarean feeling in this country is the feeling of love toward one’s mother. 

Character is valued far higher than the very life itself. 

People have forgotten the basic principles of this great culture 

and are imitating Western culture today. 

Alas! What has happened to this country? 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Baba's Storytime- Have Firm Faith in God

Once while Sankaracharya was going to river Ganga with his 14 disciples, he came across a Brahmin who was memorising some Sanskrit passage, “Dukrun Karane”. 

The Acharya asked him what he was doing and the Brahmin replied that he was studying Panini (the Great Grammarian). 

“What do you gain out of this study of grammar?”, the Acharya asked. 

He replied, “I shall become a great scholar and go to some royal Court or the other and become an official scholar and earn all the wealth that I need. With wealth earned like that, I shall lead a happy life.” 

“How long will you live like that?” 

“I shall live as long as I am alive.” 

“What next?” asked the Acharya. 

He replied, “I don’t know,” 

Then, Sankaracharya made his famous pronouncement, 

“Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam, Govindam Bhaja Moodhamathe, Samprapthe Sannihite Kale Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrun Karane,” 

(O fool, chant the name of Govinda. 

When the hour of death approaches, the nuances of grammar will not come to your rescue). 

The Acharya said, “You fool, you will enjoy all the pleasures of the world as long as you are alive, but after this body passes away, what will you do? So, keep chanting the name of Govinda incessantly and don’t waste your time in these mundane studies. These studies are all related to Pravritti. This helps only for a very short time. You are proud of your youth; how long does youth last? Soon you will be an old man. Do not put your faith on your youthful prowess, place your firm faith in God.”

 Realise your self-confidence. 

Self-confidence leads to self-satisfaction and self-satisfaction leads to self-realisation. 

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

Etched Forever

The orange colour, anywhere in the globe,

Reminds me of Your orange robe.

The black sketch over the icy moon,

Resembles Your crown of curly hair, very soon.

The dazzling rainbow over the monsoon sky,

Reflects Your blissful smile, it's not a lie.

The glittering stars filling the night space,

Retire my thoughts on Your charming face.

The tender lotuses, dancing in a pond,

Retrieve the touch of Your holy feet, a unique bond.

Dearest Mother Sai, what have You done to me?

For I can see You, in every leaf of this worldly tree.

Swami, Your every act has blossomed into a flower,

That adorns my heart, remaining etched forever.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

Five Types of Yajnas

"These five types of yajnas have to be performed every day to atone for the sins committed in the course of daily activities. There is no need to have elaborate arrangement for performing these yajnas. 

If you carry out the behests of your parents, meditate on the deities, offer food to the animals in the house or outside or at least give alms to a beggar, you can propitiate the divine and redeem your life. 

You would do well to remember that there is no greater gift than the gift of food to the hungry, there are no greater gods than one's parents, there is no higher dharma than compassion, no more profitable acquisition than the company of the good, no worse enemy than anger, no worse disease than debt, no worse death than infamy, no higher merit than remembering the Lord."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 7.10.1986) 

Quotable Quotes

Why We Shout When We Are Angry

A Hindu saint who was visiting river Ganges to take bath found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples,smiled and asked.

'Why do people in anger shout at each other?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.' 

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.

Finally the saint explained, .

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance. 

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return. They may end up in divorce courts, for instance.' 

~ Author Unknown ~

Sankranti

"The sun appeared cool and serene,

The day started getting shorter,

The cold wind blew fiercely,

The fields were filled with golden harvest.

The farmers rejoiced in singing at night,

With moon shining bright.

The buds of flowers blossomed,

Like garlands of pearls,

On the banks of rivers,

Chillies were looking red,

Farmers were bringing home,

The newly-harvested grain,

Hailing the advent of the joyous festival of Sankranti. "

(Translation of a Telugu poem sung by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 14 January 1999 

at Prasanthi Nilayam) Sai Baba, SS, 2/99, p. 35)

"The Sankranti festival was designed to promote harmony and love in the family, to make people realise the unity of the Creator and creation, to teach people their obligations, to instill heroism in them by making the Sun-God their example, and above all, to make them realise their inherent Divinity. This is the sacred purpose of the Sankranti festival." 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(SS. 3/92, p. 39)

Sai Blossoms

The Unexpected Divine Guest

Once, during Baba's visit and stay in Bombay, a lavish dinner had been arranged for Him in a posh locality in Bombay.

But Baba directed His chauffeur to drive the car somewhere else on that day.  Crossing several streets and lanes, He had the car stopped in front of a chawl - the habitat of a cluster of poor people.  Climbing up four floors, Baba knocked at the door of a sub tenant.

The man who opened the door was flabbergasted.  "Bhagawan!  Is it true?  Has it really happened?  Or am I dreaming?  Has my yearning that Your Lotus Feet grace this house of mine fructified really?  When the barons of Bombay are waiting for You, and long for even a momentary glimpse of You, truly have You come on Your own, to this poor man's abode?"

"Not only have I come, but I am going to have My dinner also here itself.  Have you not been pining to feed Me?"

  Baba waited leisurely until the meal was cooked and served.  Relaxing on an old bed roll there, Sathya Sai who rests in the heart of devotees, took the customary betel leaves at the end of the meal.  The bright red that spread on His lips opened out His still brighter heart, as He conversed with the family members in all familiarity and bonhomie.

The loving heart of our loving Lord does not need a verbal invitation.  It is the heart  to heart yearning of the Bhakta to Bhagawan.

(From the book "Mother Sai's Miracles of Love")

Sai Madhuryam

Everyone has to face the consequences of their Karma (actions). 

Who has made the bats to hang from the branches of a tree 

with their heads downward? 

Has anyone tied them upside down out of hatred? 

No, it is their fate. 

Likewise, nobody can escape from the consequences of Karma.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Good Company

Satsangatwe nissangathwam, 
Nissangatwe nirmohathwam, 
Nirmohatwe nischalatathwam, 
Nischalatathwe jivanmukti. 
(Sanskrit sloka) 

(Good company leads to detachment; 
Detachment makes one free from delusion;
Freedom from delusion leads to steadiness of mind; 
Steadiness of mind confers liberation.) 

"You should move with good people, speak good words and see good things. It is only when you develop good vision and good thoughts and undertake good activities, you will become a good person."


~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 29.9.2006)

Quotable Quotes

"This is my simple religion. 

There is no need for temples; 

no need for complicated philosophy. 

Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; 

the philosophy is kindness."

~ Dalai Lama ~

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

I Came, I Saw and I Was Conquered

I came,

To the land of Puttaparthi,

Enriched by the flow of river Chitravathi,

Where people come and become devotees,

A heaven on earth, abode of peace.

I saw,

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba,

In Him, Jesus, Krishna and Rama,

The immortal among mortals,

His Will is beyond human portals.

I was conquered,

 By His one compassionate glance,

His wonders sent me into deepest trance,

Swami's love touched my soul,

And He became my only goal.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

"Do not count and calculate what the Puttaparthi Sai Baba gives.  I do not give in order to attract you to Me; I give only to fill you with ananda.  Showering ananda, that is My task.  I do not want you to extol Me; I shall be satisfied if you rely on Me.  The mysterious indescribable super power has come within the reach.  It will never engage itself in any task without fruit."  (SSS Vol.l P.188)

Where is Peace?

"Where is peace in the world? When you do not make your mother happy, how can there be peace in the world? Peace cannot be bought in the bazaar. Every man’s heart is the abode of peace. Only when you fill your heart with love will there be peace in the world."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse in Mumbai - 1.6.2001)

Baba's Storytime - Your True Nature

Once you recognise your Swabhava (true nature) and strictly adhere to it, there will be no scope for delusion or fear. Where is the question of fear when you are everything and there is nobody other than you? 

An actor once came to the Court of a King to give performances. That day, he had come dressed as Sankaracharya. He gave a scholarly exposition on the philosophy of Adi Sankara. He preached thus: ''s

Janma Dukkham, 

Jara Dukkham, 

Jaya Dukkham Punah Punaha, 

Antyakale Maha Dukkham, 

Tasmath Jagrata Jagrataha  

(Birth, old age and worldly life are full of misery. 

Death too is miserable. Beware of this truth.) 

Matha Nasthi, 

Pitha Nasthi, 

Nasthi Bandhu Sahodaraha Artham Nasthi, 

Griham Nasthi, 

Thasmath Jagrata Jagrataha 

(Parents, friends, relatives and wealth are like passing clouds. 

Beware of this truth.) 

The King was very pleased and offered a lot of gold. The actor said, “O King, a Sanyasi does not need gold. I cannot accept this gift.” 

The next day the actor appeared in the Court as a dancer. He danced beautifully and pleased everyone present. At the end of the performance the King offered a small gift of just a few coins. 

The actor said, “O King, this payment is meagre and not enough.” 

The King was astonished and asked, “Yesterday, you refused a substantial gift but today you are demanding more. What is the reason for this strange behaviour?” 

The actor replied, “O King, an actor will not be true to his profession if his words do not match the costume he is wearing. Yesterday, I played the role of a Sanyasi and therefore, spurned wealth. Today, I am a dancer, and a dancer always expects a handsome reward! My conduct must be in consonance with my garb.” 

Today, though man has put on the garb of a human being, his conduct is not in accordance with his ‘dress’. Having been born as a human being, man should lead his life with self-confidence and uphold his self-respect.

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

Divine Wisdom

The Lord's Love for a Buffalo

Another incident to know the depth of Love that Baba has towards animals.

In 1960, Baba stayed for a few days at the Horseley Hills near Madanapalli, where a camp was held for the college students.  At the conclusion of the camp, He joined the others in walking all the six miles to the foot of the hill in a mock race.

At the moment of starting He reminded Himself that He should take leave of one important person.  Remembering this, He rushed into the garden.  There stood under a tree the VIP, a buffalo!  Baba put one hand of His around its neck and with the other hand patted its chin.  He thanked the buffalo for its good services and said "thank you" in a voice soaked in love.  He also materialised vibhuti and smeared it on its forehead.  Then He left the place.

This was the buffalo that had daily carried drinking water for Bhagawan and the participants from the tank two miles off.  The gracious Lord acknowledged its service and evinced His gratitude by applying vibhuti with His own hand.

(From the book "Mother Sai's Miracles of Love")

Quotable Quotes

“Tea is an act complete in its simplicity.

When I drink tea, there is only me and the tea.

The rest of the world dissolves.

There are no worries about the future.

No dwelling on past mistakes.

Tea is simple: loose-leaf tea, hot pure water, a cup.

I inhale the scent, tiny delicate pieces of the tea floating above the cup.

I drink the tea, the essence of the leaves becoming a part of me.

I am informed by the tea, changed.

This is the act of life, in one pure moment, and in this act the truth of the world suddenly becomes revealed: all the complexity, pain, drama of life is a pretense, invented in our minds for no good purpose.

There is only the tea, and me, converging.” 

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

A Bigger Heart

A beautiful, young girl is smiling at me from a picture frame on my desk as I write this. She is my sponsor child from the Philippines and even though I have never met her in person she has found a special place in my heart. It doesn't cost me much to help her, about a dollar a day. Yet, millions of people in this world live on less. The joy that helping her gives me, however, is beyond price. It connects me to her, to life, to love, and to God.

I can still remember the first time that I decided to help a child overseas. It was many years ago. I was only a teenager myself and for the first time in my life had a little extra money each month. I didn't feel like buying anything, though. We had lost everything we had in a house fire a few years before and going through that had taught me a lot. I had learned that I didn't need a lot of “stuff” to be happy. 

I had also read a lot about the suffering of children in poor countries around the world. It seemed like a far better thing then to give what I could to help them. With my Mom's love and support I soon found a few organizations like Children International that were serving others around the world. 

It felt so good being able to reach out and help another in need. It felt so good being able to make even one life better. I could feel the compassion and empathy growing within me and beginning to change me.

Empathy does change us. It makes us into better people with bigger hearts and a clearer view of life. It shows us that we truly are one family on the Earth. It helps us to love, to be kind, and to make this world a better place. It connects us with God and allows the Kingdom of Heaven to live within us.

Let your empathy grow then. Let your love grow. Let your heart grow bigger and bigger every single day. Let yourself grow in Heaven while you help others here on Earth.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella 

Sai Blossoms

My First Darshan of Baba

I was five and unaware,

Regarding what was awaiting.

Unmindful of holy moments,

I was seated in Kulwant Hall,

To see Someone, whom I never saw.

Meanwhile, there was an alert and music began,

Lo, Swami swiftly glided by my way.

And there, I sat mesmerized,

By His captivating smile, and gleefully baffled,

At His incredible wave of hand.

I was just thrilled,

Even to see, the edge of His orange robe,

And now could words even suffice,

For that wonderful form of Sai Baba,

Whom I consider, as world's greatest treasure.

His placid glance fell on me,

His brilliant face transfixed me.

In those magical and blissful moments,

I became His devotee,

And He became my reverential God.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Sai Madhuryam

The stories of the Lord are amazing; 

It purifies the lives of the people in all the three worlds. 

It is like the sickle that cuts the creepers of worldly bondage; 

It is like a good friend who helps you in times of need, 

It is like a shelter for the sages and seers 
Doing penance in the forest.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

The New Year

"The New Year or a new month does not bring with it any new joy or sorrow. As Sandipan Chatterjee (who had spoken earlier) said every moment is new. Every second is new, because it heralds the march of time. A year is in fact a succession of seconds turning into minutes, days and months. It is only when every moment is cherished as new, will the new year become new. The sacred way in which every moment is spent will determine the fruitfulness of the year."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 1.1.1998)

A Blessed New Year

Wishing you a peaceful and blessed new year!