Divine Wisdom

A Sweet Confluence

He knows

My sincere wishes and silent secrets,

My earnest prayers,

And my humble requests as well

Since He is in my heart.

He knows

My past, present and future,

And every minute as well

Since He is in my heart.

He guides

Through many illumining dreams,

And enlightening visions as well

Since He is in my heart.

He saves

From bondage of ignorance

And as well, blinds me,

From numerous perils of life

Since I am in His heart.

It is a captivating tale

Between Sai and His devotees,

For there is a sweet confluence

Of limitless devotion

and His

Endless Divine Compassion.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta -
(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

May all Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

Blessings on Sivarathri

"The ultimate goal of this Sivarathri is to develop unity among humanity, whatever be the obstacles, whatever be the difficulties and whatever be the provocations. You should never make use of harsh words while speaking to others. Always speak sweetly and softly, with a loving heart. "

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ 

(Divine Discourse on Sivarathri - 2.3.2003)

Lord Siva

 "Legend has it that when Siva, in order to save the world, swallowed Haalahala (poison), He lost consciousness and fell down. The resultant heat affected the world. In order to cool down the world, Siva created Himalayas. He then placed on His stomach Himalayas. As a result the Himalayas absorbed all the heat from His body and He got up. This event is being celebrated as Sivarathri . This is only a worldly interpretation. Truly speaking the whole world is contained within Him. Such Divinity has neither birth nor death. Under the body may change, but the Divine principle remains the same. Love never undergoes any change. It remains always love. "  

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 15.2.1999)

Gift Letter

One day Swami was sitting with a bunch of letters. He pointed to a letter and  asked Prof. Anil Kumar to pick it up and see what was inside. There was a check for Rs.37,500 / - inside. It was sent in by Swami's old student who had sent his first month's salary as a token of love and gratitude.

Swami said that the boy who had sent the check was also present, but he would not reveal his name because he would be embarrassed and hurt. He would take this occasion to tell the boys and teachers that he did not want their checks. He did not want their money. What he wanted was their love. And that love was something which He gave His gift to them as at their birth. He wanted to be given that gift back to Him. That was all. No money. Nothing else.

He tore up the check into small pieces. He continued that many gurus all over the world wanted money. They gave Discourses and collected money in the name of spirituality. But here in Prasanthi nilayam there was only one God by the name of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba who says, "I do not want your money, no, I want your love."

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

Divine Form of Shiva

Lo! Behold The Lord of the icy peak 

Crowned with crescent moon, 

Glistening matted locks, 

Bedrenched by heaven descending Ganga,

Flaming eye in the forehead, 

Venomous potion - poison - Halahala 

Purpling the beauteous neck,

Live bracelets of wriggling Serpents and 

a belt of Cobra holding up the Elephant hide, his sole

garment.

Pearly ash smearing His chest,

A blinding white spot of vermilion on the Forehead 

beside the searing eye 

Ruddy lips smeared by Fresh chewed betel, 

Diamond studded earrings of purest gold, 

dancing like Stars twinkling in the sky,

Vision negating form 

The fair person radiating Divine effulgence of the Lord.

(Telugu Poem)

(From Bhagawan's Shivarathri Discourse on 2.3.2003)

Sai Madhuryam

"Who makes the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening 

With utmost regularity every day? 

Why do the stars glitter only at night and hide themselves during the day? 

How is it that the wind, without taking rest even for a moment, 

Blows incessantly and sustains the living beings? 

Who makes the rivers flow perennially making pleasant sounds of ripple and gurgle? 

Who is the cause of delusion in creation? 

How do you find differences based on money, religion, community and nationality? 

Who is the Master and under whose Sovereignty all these marvels are taking place? 

 Come, listen to His words and Obey His command. "

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Divine Wisdom

Connected

One of my earliest memories was watching my Mom talk on our old rotary dial telephone. I was fascinated that she was talking to someone who wasn’t actually in the room with her. When she finally hung up and left the room I slowly walked over to the phone and stared at it for a minute. Then I gently reached down and picked up the receiver. When I put it to my ear I was shocked to hear voices still speaking on it. I quickly and quietly hung it back up not knowing what to make of it. Later my older brother explained to me that we were on a party line and couldn’t make a call while someone else was using it.

That, of course, was a long time ago. We switched to a private line soon after that and then later got a push button phone. Next came mobile phones that you could carry around the house with you. After that came computers, cell phones, and smart phones. These days I can send an e-mail half way around the world in a second. My daughter’s smart phone has a hundred apps and a dozen social media accounts. She stores all of her information in a mysterious place known as the cloud. We are it seems more connected in this world than ever before.

What bothers me, though, is that as much as we are connected to each other, we rarely connect with each other. Few people write letters to each other these days. Few take the time to talk face to face. Instead of talking on the phone we text. Instead of looking into our loved ones’ eyes we stare down at our phones. Instead of holding hands we scroll and swipe. It seems like the most connected generation may also be the loneliest.

Don’t let that happen. Don’t let technology take your time and your life away from you. Make the time to talk, to live, and to love. Make the time to meet, to pray, and to touch. Take a walk on the beach with a friend. Sit on the porch and watch the sunset. Play a game of chess or checkers. Hold hands and say Grace before a meal. Have a long conversation with the phones off and the hearts on. Connect offline as well as online.

Remember that God put us here to love each other. God put us here to help each other. God put us here to make this world a better place. When your technology can help you to do these things then use it. But when it can’t turn it off.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella

Quotable Quotes

"" We have a lamp inside us. 

The oil lamp is that of our breathing, our steps, and our Peaceful smile.

Our practice is to light up the lamp. " 

~  Thich Nhat Hanh  ~

Door of the Mind

"The state of mind of the confused person is described in a song by a Gopika (Cowherd girl). The doubting mind calls for closing the door of the mind (to Truth). The person with faith asks for the opening of the door. Seeing the plight of the Gopika, who is racked by both doubt and faith, Radha was amused. Radha observed: 

When the whole Universe is the mansion of the Lord, 

Where is the need for a street or a door? 

When the cosmic Lord is shining within, 

Where is the need for a door? 

When one offers one's entire life to the Lord and sheds tears of bliss, that is all that is needed. As long as there is no such complete surrender, there will be need for doors and the like. Why are doors erected? To regulate the entry and exit of persons. But it is the irony of the present Kali or Dark Age that the door is kept open for the entry of all kinds of undesirable creatures. Man's mind is kept open for the entry of evil thoughts. The door should be barred against the inroads of egoism and acquisitive impulses. The door (of the mind) should be kept sacred. "

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 1.1.1992)

Eternal Bliss

"Neither any individual nor wealth can give you eternal bliss. Bliss Originates from your heart. So, turn your vision inward.  Antarbahischa tatsarvam vyapya Narayana sthita (That all-pervasive God is present within and without). When you develop inner vision, you will automatically experience eternal bliss."

Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~ ~

(Divine Discourse - 14.4.2002)

When God Knocks The Door

 In solitude, in the woods of deep silence,

In hope, in regret, in repentance.

I renounce this mundane world, short and trivial,

Eagerly waiting for Bhagawan's arrival.

A penance that demanded several years,

Of my sincere prayers and yearning tears.

I have spread the carpet of love, at every route,

With flowers, fruits and enchanting melodies on flute.

I humbly placed my offerings at His altar,

Where my destiny needs to alter.

Lo, when Bhagawan stepped on my carpet,

His rain of love had drenched the hamlet.

I was overwhelmed, beyond measure,

Seeing the Lord a step ahead, my absolute pleasure.

Could I ask anything more,

When God Himself  knocked the door.

Happiness bloomed in the luminous skies,

And joyful tears blurred my eyes.

Then I could not see His effulgent face,

Yet I gulped, His love and grace.

I was One with Him for that moment,

Forgetting all my anguish and torment.

This was all beyond my senses,

Speechless in His holy presence.

Dear Swami, do visit our place again,

And transport us to Your heavenly domain.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats").

Sai Blossoms

Baba's Storytime - A Ray of Hope and Light

Once Wealth and Poverty approached a merchant and introduced themselves as Goddesses. The merchant offered his salutations to both of them and said: "May I know what brings you to my humble tenement?" The Goddess of Wealth said: "We want you to judge and tell us as to who is more beautiful between us two?"

The merchant was in a fix. He knew he was between the devil and the deep sea. If he were to declare Wealth as more beautiful than Poverty, Poverty would curse him. If he were to declare Poverty as more beautiful than Wealth, Wealth would forsake him. 

However, he regained his composure and said: "I have great respect for you both. Would you please act according to my instructions? Then only I can judge properly." The Goddesses agreed. 

He said: "Mother Wealth, would you please go to the entrance (gates) and walk into the house? Mother, Poverty! Would you please walk from here towards the gates? I can have a good look at you both, from near and far." 

The two Goddesses did walk as the merchant wished them to. Then the merchant happily declared: "Mother Wealth! You appear very beautiful when you enter the house. Mother Poverty! You look very beautiful when you leave the house!" 

The Goddesses appreciated the wit and wisdom of the merchant. The Goddess of Wealth happily stayed in his house while the Goddess of Poverty cheerfully walked away.

When a serious problem confronts us, if we look within and think calmly, a ray of hope and light will beam forth and show us the way.

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

Divine Wisdom

The Bull

This incident took place immediately after the completion of Prasanthi Nilayam.  There was no compound wall around the building at that time.  Many devotees were standing near and around Prasanthi Nilayam when suddenly a bull came charging towards a woman standing close by the building.  She was petrified by fear and remained rooted to the spot, bracing herself for the inevitable. None of the bystanders had the courage or the presence of mind  to intervene and divert the bull.

Then a wonderful thing happened.  At the touching distance of the woman, the bull came to an abrupt halt as if it had run into an invisible wall. Everyone came rushing to the woman.  She had suffered no injury, only her sari had been torn a bit by the bull's horn.  With its fury spent, the bull allowed itself to be led away.

It was then that people noticed Swami standing on the balcony of the Mandir (Prasanthi Nilayam) and massaging His chest.  This then was the "invisible wall", Sai the Saviour, who had taken upon Himself the powerful blow of the mad bull.

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

Quotable Quotes

Sai Madhuryam

“One may master all forms of knowledge, 

One may vanquish one’s adversaries in debate, 

 One may fight with valour and courage in the battlefield, 

One may be an emperor reigning over vast kingdoms, 

One may offer cows and gold as an act of charity, 

One may count the countless stars in the sky, 

One may tell the names of different living creatures on the earth, 

But it is impossible to control the body, mind and senses. 

Turn the vision inward and achieve the supreme state of equanimity of the mind.” 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

Need of Divinity

Man trusts that science could always heal and save,

Though it never helps beyond the grave.

He slaughters mild pets to satiate hunger,

Breaks many bonds in fit of anger.

Runs aimlessly in the name of peace,

Often stricken with the "money" disease.

He speaks hours together on topic "Dhjarma",

Goes mute when his time to do "Nishkama Karma".

He knows what to do,

Yet he thinks - why should "I" only do?

Fostering "I" he goes low, not high.

In sense cravings, everyday he does die.

O!  Bhagawan, lead us into the shores of wisdom

Towards Thy illuminating light of everlasting freedom.

Swami, be with this fear stricken humanity

Since it is in dire need of Divinity.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divinity

"The Divinity in each human being will become manifest the day each one recognises the Divinity in every being. You must all realise the supreme sacredness of human birth. The qualities of forbearance, love and broad-mindedness should germinate in every human being."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 14.9.97)

The True Offering

"Self-surrender is the true offering that you have to make to God. 

He is not interested in the worldly offerings you make. 

What you have to offer to God is the same heart that He has given you."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 6.5.2003)

Divine Wisdom

I Don't Know Why

For all of my days in this world I have been struggling to understand life with very limited success. It seems that the more I learn the more I see just how much I don't know. I think that the singer Carolyn Arends said it best when she wrote: "Life is messy. Life is mystery."

In the messy mystery that has been my own life there has been so much that I don't understand and won't understand at least while I am in this world. For example, I don't know why a house fire destroyed everything my family owned when I was just a boy. I don't know why my soul often felt lonely and isolated in high school even when surrounded by my friends. I don't know why my back was injured when I was a teenager and why it has given me daily pain since then. 

I don't know why I lost my beautiful, loving Mom when I was only 25 years old. I don't know why my sweet, Italian Nana had to slowly lose her memories to dementia before she too passed away. I don't know why both of my sons have had to struggle with Autism for all of their lives here. I don't know why I never became that rich and successful person my ego thought I should be. I don't know why just when my relationship with my Dad was achieving the closeness I always wished it would have that he too would be taken away by cancer.

Yet, there are other things that are also a mystery to me. I don't know why every time I see the sunrise my own heart rises with it. I don't know why whenever I pray my heart feels happier and my spirit feels closer to Heaven. 

I don't know why my sons, daughter, dogs, and cat love me even when I act like a jerk at times. I don't know why so many people around this world have found inspiration and joy in my simple writings. 

I don't know why God loves us completely and unconditionally whether we deserve it or not. I don't know why when we love too we not only change ourselves for the better but the world around us as well. I don't know why love brings us joy in the best of times and also in the worst of times. I don't know why everything in this life both "good" and "bad" can help us to learn, to love, to grow, and to become better Children of God.

I guess when it comes right down to it life is unknowable, no matter how long or hard we try to understand it. All we can do then is embrace the mystery. All we can do is embrace the mess. All we can do is Live and Love our way through the questions until one day we find the answers.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella

Sari Catches Fire

How Baba' love saved a devotee when her sari caught fire is worth recounting.

On 21st June 1950 at 1.30 p.m., Baba asked one of the devotees to take His temperature.  The thermometer showed 104.5 degrees F.  The devotees were alarmed.  No one could guess the reason for the sudden fever of Baba.

It was the fever of love and compassion.  After five minutes, when He again asked for the temperature, it showed normal.  Even though the devotees were eager to know the reason, Baba did not explain.

That night at 9.30 p.m.while talking to those gathered around, He asked a youth from Madras to tell his mother to take greater care about the oil lamp which she lights in the puja room.  The young man could not wait to know the truth till he reached home.  He booked a trunk call to Madras to talk to his mother.  The mother explained everything on the phone.  At 1.30 p.m., the flame of the oil lamp in her puja room touched her sari, somehow.  Baba had stopped the fire from spreading and put it off at the critical second.  It was the reflection of His subtle body surrounded by the fire that had registered as 104.5 degrees F, on his physical frame.

The young man explained to the devotees the loving leela of Baba in saving his mother from a fire accident.

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