Only Gift

"You can be happy that you have given Swami a proper gift,only when you love your fellowmen, share their sufferings and engage yourselves in serving them. That is the only gift I wish for."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

 (S.S.S.Vol.XV)

Divine Wisdom

Another Day

Another day, another day,

My Lord Supreme is far away.

Another day, my heart can be

The all giving breath of patience tree.

Another day, my life can feed

My soulful world with its crying need.

Another day, I own to hear 

God’s Voice of Light and feel Him near.

Another day, another day,

My tears shall win His blue gold Ray.

Another day, another day,

And then, no more my ignorance clay.

Another day, I’ll be God’s Love

Within, without, below, above.

~ Sri Chinmoy ~

Sai Madhuryam

Of what avail is it to be 

A scholar or clever intellectual 

If one does not practise even a 

Fraction of what one knows ? 

Not all the luxuries and pleasures of the world 

Will give a man contentment and peace. 

Only when he realises the truth of the Spirit 

Will he experience true peace and contentment.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Lost and Found

This was narrated by a student of Bhagawan.  He mentioned that once he had gone to London with his parents and brother and was walking down one of the shopping lanes.  On their way out of one of the supermarkets, his father happened to put his hand into his hand baggage and to his dismay, found all the passports missing.  Initially they were panic stricken but their faith in Bhagawan steadied them.

They retraced their steps and searched high and low but to no avail.  His father finally decided to register a case with the police and started looking for a police officer.  Suddenly an unknown young Englishman came straight up to him and said, "You must be looking for the Lost and Found Department, sir, it's right over there" and gave him directions to reach it.

At the Lost and Found Department, his father found the officer-in-charge in the act of placing all the passports in a bag.  The father was extremely relieved but queried how did the passports reach him.  He replied that the man who gave the passports just left a few seconds before the father came in.  The man said he was the owner of the shop where the passports had been left behind.

The father asked what did the man look like.  To their intense surprise, the description tallied with Bhagawan in all respects.  They were all deeply grateful to Bhagawan for saving the family from big trouble.

It was about nine months later that Bhagawan came in is father's dream and confirmed how He had come to their rescue in London.

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

Sai Blossoms

Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam

Anatha Bandho Sai Prabho
Aparadha Kshama Karo Sai Prabho

Jivana Yatra Mey Sathya Raho

Prema Bhakti Hamko Dijo

Hrudaya Mandira Sey Mata Jao

Charanamrita Seva Dijo Prabho

O Lord Sai!

Thou art Lord of those who have no one to care for them.

Kindly forgive our wrong doings.

Be with us on our journey of life.

Grant us love and devotion.

Be constantly in our thoughts and hearts and

grant us service at Thy Lotus Feet.

JAI SAI RAM!

Ocean of Bliss

In your loving eyes,

I could see the light

That sustains five elements

Of Entire Universe.

In Your gracious hands,

I felt the magical touch

Which healed the bruises

Of  bitter memories.

At Your lotus feet,

I felt the warmth

And affection

Of a thousand mothers.

Swami, if only I could see,

Your most compassionate

And Cosmic Form

At one stretch.

I might get soaked

In Thy rain of love

And drown deep

In the Ocean of Bliss.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

True Devotion

"Most people today have no real idea of what is devotion and what is spiritual discipline. Different forms of worship, pilgrimages, meditation and the like are equated with devotion. These are not the indices of Bhakti (devotion). They are all actions which can confer some mental satisfaction. To realise your inner nature, your efforts must be directed internally As long as you think God is somewhere outside you, you cannot qualify for Divine Grace. The true mark of devotion is to recognise that God is within you and around you, everywhere."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 24.8.1991)

True Sadhana

"We should try to seek fulfilment in our day-to-day life by basing our mundane activities on spiritual values. As I have been telling you off and on, you must have your hands in the society and head in the forest. That is to say, whatever be the activities with which you are preoccupied in society, you must be steadfast in holding on to the spiritual ideal. This alone is the true sadhana which will bestow lasting peace on you."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 1.1.1991)

The Important Things

I was headed out the door the other day with my two sons. We were going to drive to the local grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends that we had run out of during the week. I shut the door quickly because my dogs were already barking at being left behind in the house. We headed down the hill to my car, climbed inside, and buckled our seat belts. 

Then I reached into my pocket for the car keys. They weren’t there. I tried my other pockets with the same result. Shaking my head, I walked back up the hill, opened the door, and saw my keys still dangling from the hook where I always hang them.

This, of course, isn’t the only time I have forgotten something recently. In fact, it seems to be happening more and more. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t forget something and then remember it later in the day or misplace something and have to go looking for it. The medical professionals all reassure me that this is a normal part of getting older. It seems that our aging minds begin to have trouble after a while remembering the million and one things that we need to remember every day to function in our modern world. They say not to worry about it and to take it with a smile. I am doing my best to do so.

I think I will be alright with my forgetful mind too as long as I can keep remembering the important things in life. I don’t mind misplacing my keys as long as I can remember that God loves me. I don’t mind forgetting what I came into a room for as long as I can remember what I am in this life for. I don’t mind being a bit absent-minded as long as I am being loving-hearted.

May you always remember the important things in life: You were created in love. You were created to love. You are called to kindness and made for joy. You can make a difference in this world with every choice you make. You can live your life in God’s light today and forever.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

Quotable Quotes

A Dumb Girl Talks

In the year 1948, Baba visited the town Karur in the state of Madras.  Each day looked like a
celebration in Karur during Baba's stay there.  Thousands of people gathered everyday to have His Darshan.

One day a poor villager came along with his seven year old dumb daughter and sat among the large gathering where Baba slowly walked before the throng, talking to people here and there.  When He came near the dumb girl, He asked her, "What is your name?"

Before she could respond, the father explained that she was born dumb. But ignoring him, Baba asked the girl to talk.  And she shouted, "Swami!" Baba called her near Him and went on asking her the name of her father, mother and so on.  To all questions, the girl gave appropriate replies.

The Divine Love blessed the child with the power of speech.

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

Divine Wisdom

Indweller

Scientists searched over the wide stretches of space,

They swam all across the endless sea surface.

Then went deep into earth's crust,

Cross-checked every grain of desert's dust.

Even in the herbs of Himalayan ranges,

Even in the pearls of Holy Ganges.

Finally vexed in the expedition of "human source",

Science failed miserably, through its technical force.

This mystery was preserved day and night,

Until the infinite came down as finite.

To awaken us from our frozen slumber,

As Bhagawan Baba, the Infinite, the Divine Plumber.

He chiselled away our thick layers of ignorance,

And ignited the spark of Universal Consciousness.

Which reveals that "OM" is one word,

Out of which emerged this visible world.

Where matter is the pulp of light and energy,

Leading to the genesis of plethoric geology.

But God is imprisoned in heart of man,

For the benefit of entire clan.

Our SAI says - See Always Inside,

Because only in our hearts He always does reside.

To reiterate the Almighty's Omnipresence,

Our Swami physically taught many lessons.

To authenticate the fact so deep, so internal,

That Lord of Cosmos is truly the Indweller.

Realizing which all the smut I have thrown,

Welcoming, dear Swami, to bless my heart's throne.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats)

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

The Exhortation of the Upanishads

"This Sadhana of Service should not be polluted by the spirit of competition among the sadhaks or even by dejection when obstacles loom large. God's grace will certainly be your support when you are on the march together to reveal the Atmic spring of strength, to people suffering from weakness. 

"Together"! That is the key to success. The Upanishads also teach the same lesson. Saha naa vavathu; Saha nau bhunakthu; Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai. 

In other words, the exhortation of the Upanishad is: 

Together, all together, we shall toil and travel; 

Together, all together, we shall steadily grow. 

Together, all together, we shall feed and foster 

Fortune and friendship, full vigour and virtue. 

Together, all together, the knowledge we have gained 

We shall brighten, and brighten, till it enlightens all. 

Together, all together, we shall share as friends 

The fortune we have earned, the vision and thrill. 

Together, all together, we shall acclaim Peace 

Till we raise its praise into worshipful deeds. 

Together, all together, we shall intone the Pranava 

OM, OM, OM, OM--we shall together sing. 

You have in you both the talent and the desire to uplift your fellow men. This country needs your service urgently today. God welcomed the urge to manifest the Cosmos. Ekoham Bahusyaam (I am One; I shall become Many), He said to Himself. You must also feel the need to blossom and expand. Derive Ananda in the process, possess it and share it, in order to increase it. 

The Upanishads proclaim the message of courage, of strength. Give up the idea that you are weak and helpless. Na Ayam Atma balaheenena labhyah (The Atma cannot be gained by the weak). Believe that you have in you the strength and skill you need. 

Those who can sing Bhajans (spiritual chorus) can, as a beginning, lead villagers in Nagara Sankirtan (street singing of spirituals) and teach them to sing in groups. Those who can speak on spiritual topics can gather the people, when they have returned from the fields, and explain to them, in simple language the mystery of God, Nature and Man. Persuade them to give up habits that undermine their health and peace. Promote in them the qualities of mutual aid, truthfulness and non-violence."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Valedictory discourse at Akhila Andhra Saadhu Parishath on 4-1-1987)

Sai Madhuryam

The man that is bereft of Dharma, 

Of Compassion and Truth, 

And hath no virtues in him, 

But is replete with vices, 

Cannot find happiness here 

Or in the Hereafter.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Baba's Storytime - Pray with a Pure Heart

A mother and son were living in poor circumstances. The father died when the son was born. With great difficulty the mother put the son to school and made him reach the final year. Then he had to pay Rs.90 as examination fees. The mother was at a loss how to find so much money. 

She was shedding tears under a tree, when the son asked her to reveal the cause of her sadness. When she said that the boy would have to give up further studies as she did not have the money for paying the examination fees, the son asked in his childish innocence, whether there was anybody who could help them. He would repay the amount later. 

The mother said: "God alone is the helper for the helpless. He is the source of all wealth and He is the universal provider." 

In his innocence, the boy asked his mother: "Where is that God? By some means or the other I shall get the money from Him." 

The mother said: "He is in Vaikunta." 

The boy implicitly believed in his mother's words. He ran to the post office, wrote a letter, bought an envelope, enclosed the letter in it and addressed it to "Sriman Narayana, Vaikunta." He was trying to post the letter in a post box which was fixed a little too high for him. 

The postmaster, watching his plight, came to his help and asked him: "To whom are you sending this letter?" The boy replied "Sir, this is a very urgent letter. I need money by tomorrow to pay my fees. Please see that this letter is dispatched quick." 

The postmaster took the letter from the boy and found that it was addressed to "Sriman Narayana, Vaikunta." He asked the boy who had given him that address. He related his entire story and what his mother had told him about Sriman Narayana as the refuge of the poor and the forlorn. 

The postmaster was moved to tears by the boy's story. He wondered at the innocence and pure heartedness of the boy and told him: “Dear Child! I shah post the letter. You come here tomorrow morning. The money will be received by then and you can take it." The boy was happy beyond words and conveyed the news to his mother. 

The next morning he went to the postmaster and asked him whether the money had come. The postmaster went in, brought Rs. 90 and gave it to the boy. He ran with the money to his mother. The mother wondered how he had got the money, whether he had stolen it or got it from someone. She asked him how he had got the money. He related what had all happened. He swore that the money had been sent by Narayana Himself. 

The mother then asked him to take her to the postmaster. The postmaster told her: "As soon as I saw your son's letter, God induced me to come to your son's help. The money has come from Him. I am only an instrument in His hands." 

The moral of the story is that if we pray to God with a pure heart, God will make use of someone to respond to our prayer. 

Sai Blossoms

Stepping Stones

"Our failures and disappointments, our setbacks and our problems need not retard our progress, if only we use the obstacles as "stepping stones" and not as "stopping stones".  The man worthwhile is the man who can smile when everything goes dead wrong."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(SSS Vol.IX)

Grace

"Winning the grace of the Lord is as easy as melting butter. That is why the heart of the Lord is compared to butter.  Warmth is enough to melt it.  A little affection shown to the suffering and love while chanting His name is enough to win grace."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(SSS Vol.XI)

Parable of the White Horse

There was a certain farmer who loved his daughter and wanted to give her all that she would ever want. One day his daughter asked for the most beautiful white horse in the entire world. He was distraught because he knew that the horse was located beyond the woods, where the wolves and the thieves were always lurking. He did not know what to do.

So he went to the village and found an old friend who knew of another beautiful white-spotted horse -it was not as beautiful as the one that the daughter wanted to have. He took a chance and bought the horse.

He thought of an idea to buy white paint from the local village store and paint over the spots of the horse. He then brought the horse to his farm and tied the horse near the cows’ water feed. He came inside the house and called for his daughter to come outside with him.

As he came out with his daughter, he realized that the horse had played with the water feed and all of the paint over the spots was disappearing. He did not know what to say to his daughter and all he could do at that point was to apologize that he did not get her what she wanted.

He began to cry as these words came from his daughter, “Dad, I don’t really care about the horse as much as I care that you did all of THIS for me. All that I ever needed was to be shown that you care for me. Thank you for this horse!"

~ Author Unknown ~ 

Quotable Quotes

"Happiness is not something ready made.

It comes from your own actions."

~ Dalai Lama ~

Ask for Guidance, Not Approval

Since Swami knows the past, present and future of each and everyone, and knows what is good for us, we must do as He says.  If we ask, "What should I do?"  He will respond and we must be prepared to accept His instructions.  But most of us decide in advance what we like and expect Him to bless our decision.  Since they are our decisions, we must be prepared to accept the consequences as well.

Swami says, "Why fear when I am here?  Put all your faith in me, I shall guide and guard you."

A family known to Nalini's were searching for a match for their only daughter and they selected a boy from a good family, having all the plus points.  Both the families were very keen and thought they would celebrate a grand wedding and made plans accordingly.  They took the proposal to Swami but He remained silent.  They could not understand why and in a huff, did not go for darshan after that.  Very soon after, the boy died of galloping cancer.  Tearfully, in utter remorse, the girl's parents went to see Swami and He said, "Now do you know why?  The boy's life span was very short."  Swami told them that a particular proposal would come, which they should accept.  Later with His permission and blessings, the girl was happily married.

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

Where Did You Come From?

One fine day, Swami, in His captivating Cosmic Form

Asked me, "Where did you come from?"

Given the geographical position of my physical frame,

I said, " Swami, Visakhapatnam" unaware of His Divine Game.

Hearing so, Swami nodded His head playfully,

And I was lost in bliss completely.

Coming back to senses, I contemplated on Bhagawan's smile,

Then wisdom dawned in me, after a while.

That the answer to Swami, regarding my living place,

Hasn't brought to me any kind of solace.

Because, as scriptures proclaim, that the reality is,

Beyond death and disease.

We have come form a Supreme Soul,

And when life departs from human role,

We shall merge back into the Divine beam,

Becoming One with that Celestial Stream.

So confining myself with a place, is a myth,

While blending myself with Divine, is the ultimate truth.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

Sri Rama Navami

Sri Rama Charanam Sri Rama Charanam

Sri Rama Charanam Bhaje

Vaidehi Ramam Vaikunta Ramam

Boopaala Choodamani

Atmabhi Ramam Prabhu Sai Ramam

Sri Rama Charanam Bhaje

Sathya Sai Rama Charanam Bhaje

Worship the Lotus Feet of the auspicious Lord Rama.

O Lord Rama, the Lord of Mother Vaidehi (Sita),

the indweller of Vaikunta (heaven).

O Lord Rama, the crest jewel of the Universal Kings!

Thou art the indweller in all beings as soul.

(Bhajan)

Sai Madhuryam

The Lord of the cosmos permeates the entire universe. 

Remaining invisible in the visible universe, 

The cosmic consciousness illumines everything 

Like the thread that runs through a necklace of gems. 

All things happen, good and bad, according to the dictates of Time. 

Time is the cause of joy and sorrow, gain and loss. 

Realise that Time is the cause of all happenings in the world. 

There is none who is not subject to the sway of Time. 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Practise the Teachings of the Ramayana

"Practise the teachings of Ramayana in your daily life. Obey the command of Lord Rama. It is to understand and assimilate the principle of Ramayana that we are celebrating the festival of Rama Navami today. It is not enough if the celebration is confined to merely partaking of sweet pudding and other delicious items.

Sage Valmiki declared that the Ramayana will be there so long as there are mountains and rivers on the face of the earth. You may wonder, what is the relationship between the Ramayana and the mountains and the rivers. The mountains symbolise men and the rivers women. As long as there are men and women in this world, the glory of Ramayana will continue to illumine the world. Women are compared to rivers because they are the symbols of sacrifice. They flow incessantly quenching the thirst of one and all.

The Ramayana sets great ideals to men. People should contemplate on such sacred story and follow its ideals. The marriage of Rama and Sita was celebrated in Mithila with all festivity and gaiety.

They sang songs inviting people to see the divine marriage of Rama and Sita.
Come let us go and see the marriage of Rama and Sita,
The sight shall confer great merit.
Oh come one and all to see the sacred marriage,
Rama, who is riding on an elephant, is shining effulgently.
Mother Sita is by His side,
The brothers are at their service.
Sita and Rama will smilingly enquire of our well-being;
What else can we aspire for!
Come let us go anon
to see the holy wedding of Rama and Sita.
(Telugu Poem)

People sang songs like this, rejoicing at the marriage of Rama and Sita. The people of Ayodhya as well as Mithila were greatly delighted. The entire city of Mithilapura rejoiced in great celebration. The divine marriage conferred immense joy on one and all. The story of Rama is mysterious, sacred, and blissful.

Rama is not an ancient one. It is eternal and ever new. It is full of auspiciousness. May you fill your heart with the sacred ideals of the Ramayana! May you give up hatred and all differences! May you live in peace and harmony! When you contemplate on Rama incessantly, you derive great joy and delight."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Ram Navami Divine Discourse - 11.4.2003)

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy