Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Ever Your Own




When I touched Your Holy Feet,
I left my heart.

When You spoke to me,
I was lost in bliss.

When You smiled at me,
I became Yours.


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

Sai Blossoms




Sunday, May 28, 2017

Baba's Storytime - How the Divine Operates



Whatever the role one has to play at any place or time, and in any capacity, he has to act up to that role properly. It will be seen from the Puranas that this principle applies to the Divine also (when the Divine appears in human form). This may be illustrated by a small story from Sri Krishna's life in the Dwapara Yuga. 

Once a Gopika went to a well to bring two pitchers of water. After placing one pitcher on her head, she wanted someone to place the other water-filled pitcher on the first one. At that time, Krishna came there and she asked him to place the water-filled pitcher on the first one. Krishna refused to do so. Soon another Gopika came along and helped the first Gopika. The Gopika carrying the two pitchers reached her home. 

Krishna followed her to the house and without even waiting to be asked, he took the top pitcher from the Gopika's head and placed it down. She was surprised at Krishna's strange behaviour. 

She asked him, "Krishna, at the well, you refused to place the pitcher on my head when I appealed to you to help me. Now you take it down from the head without my asking. What is the inner meaning of this action?" 

Krishna replied, "Oh Gopika! I am wont to remove the burdens borne by people and not to add to them." 

This shows that the Divine operates only to reduce the burdens of the people and not to increase them. It means that there are rules which govern the role which each one has to play in life. Men, however, find it difficult to act upon this truth. 


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


Life



"Life should be full of joy and it will be,
if you live life in complete harmony with God."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(SSS Vol. IV)

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

A Beeline to Thammiraju




During Sathya's school days at Uravakonda, one of the school teachers, Sri Thammiraju, was strongly drawn to Sathya.  He freely put forth his doubts in the philosophies of knowledge and devotion for clarification to Sathya.   Quoting extensively from Upanishads and Puranas, Sathya dispelled the teacher's doubts.  Meanwhile, Sathya went to Pattaparthi leaving Thammiraju, pining for a photo of Sathya, in His absence, to keep him company.  At that moment, into the room buzzed a big bumble bee through the window and dropped something.  Thammiraju was thrilled to find it to be the photograph of Shirdi Sai  Baba.

The matter did not end there.  On another day, a monkey threw a packet through the same window and disappeared.  There was a letter and a laddu in that packet.  Sathya wrote in His letter that He had sent His picture with the bee earlier and now He sent a laddu Prasadam for him.  The teacher was overwhelmed with the realization of Sathya's love and omnipresence.


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

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Sai Madhuryam




When sandalwood is rubbed repeatedly, 
the fragrance from it increases; 
When the sugarcane is chewed again and again, 
the juice gets sweeter. 
When gold is heated in the crucible repeatedly, 
it becomes pure and brighter. 
The noble ones adhere to righteousness 
through all the vicissitudes of life. 


~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~


As Long As ...



As long as I smile,
My sorrows are with You.

As long as I sleep,
My dreams are with You.

As long as I  serve,
My thoughts are with You.

As long as I breathe,
Baba, my heart is with you.

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


Saturday, May 20, 2017

God's World

For a long time I wanted to live in a world of my own making. I carried this world around in my mind like a secret treasure and did all I could to bring it into reality. In my world I was famous for the things I wrote. I was on television, gave speeches, and was respected by all the great minds of this world. In my world I was rich beyond belief. I had money, mansions, cars, and boats. I went on vacations and lived in the lap of luxury. In my world I was loved by all whether I deserved it or not. I got anything I wanted from the people around me and my days were spent in comfort and ease.

Of course, this world never came to be. It remained in my mind and after a time lost its luster. I realized that it was full of the hollow, egotistical dreams of an immature mind. It took me a while to give up this world and accept another but when I did I got more happiness than I could have ever dreamed.

The world I finally accepted was the world God had in mind for me. In God’s world I wrote without thought of reward. I wrote to share the truth and love He had placed inside of me. I was amazed too at how many people I touched by sharing it. 

In God’s world I wasn’t rich by the standards of this world but was rich in the treasures of Heaven. I was full of kindness, compassion, and the true joy that only God can give. 

In God’s world I was called to love others whether they deserved it or not. I was called to give, share, and care and my days were spent in work and growth. 

I am still here in God’s world today. I am living in His love. I am becoming the person I was meant to be, doing what I was meant to do and my life has never been better.

May you always choose to live in God’s world. When you do you will have love. When you do you will have joy. When you do your life will be forever full of meaning and purpose.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella


Quotable Quotes




“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. When you are born a lotus flower, be a beautiful lotus flower, don't try to be a magnolia flower. If you crave acceptance and recognition and try to change yourself to fit what other people want you to be, you will suffer all your life. True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, having confidence in yourself.” 




Friday, May 19, 2017

Divine Wisdom




The True Celebration of Life



"True celebration lies in each sharing the happiness of the other.  Give happiness to others.  Only then you have the right to receive from others.  Always practise "Give and Take".  Strive for the welfare of everyone, not just you and your family."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 15.4.2003)

Monday, May 15, 2017

Divine Wisdom




Baba's Storytime - Consequences of Departing from the Truth



Dharmaraaja, the eldest of the Paandavas, was a sincere adherent of sathya. But during the Kurukshethra battle, he was persuaded to utter a white lie, a subterfuge which he thought was excusable, though it was not cent percent honest. 

In order to kill Dhrona, the master archer and General on the opposite side, they had to somehow trick him into discarding his bow, so they planned a subterfuge. They named a war- elephant after Dhrona's son, Aswatthaama. Then, they killed it. Immediately within the hearing of Dhrona, the Paandava army was asked to shout in glee, Aswatthaama is killed i.e.the elephant, which was strictly true. But while the soldiers were repeating the words, drums were beaten, bugles were sounded, trumpets pealed, so that Dhrona heard only the first three words. Naturally, he took them to mean that his son had met with his death from enemy hands. 

Dhrona was heavily laden with grief, his hands could not wield the bow and the arrow, as deftly as usual; at that moment, he was overwhelmed and slain. For this one sin that he had encouraged, the only one in his life, Dharma-raaja had to spend a few minutes in Hell, says the epics. Such is the consequence of departing from sathya even by a hair's breadth. 

Life is best spent in alleviating pain. Listen to the sequel. When the emissaries of the other world were escorting Dharmaraaja after death to Hell, for this nominal sojourn, the denizens of Hell suddenly felt a coolness and a fragrance in the air they breathed, a strange peace and joy, a thrill and exhilaration which they had never hoped to enjoy. That was the consequence of the holy soul approaching the region of terror and torture. 

The unfortunate sinners gathered around Dharmaraaja to be soothed and comforted by his very sight. When Dharma-raaja was directed to turn back towards Heaven (the term of his sentence was soon over) the populace of Hell cried out to him to prolong his stay. They were reluctant to go back to the heat and the pain. 

Hearing their piteous wail, Dharmaraaja declared that he was surrendering to them all the merit that had earned Heaven for him; he was willing to stay with them! But that great act of renunciation not only benefitted the suffering creatures, it gave Dharmaraaja a greater lease of life in Heaven and a more honoured place there. 

Life is best spent in alleviating pain, assuaging distress, and promoting peace and joy.


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

Win the Lord's Grace



"The Lord is so full of Grace that he will willingly guide and guard all who surrender to Him. When the battle with Raavana was over, one glance from His merciful Eye was enough to revive the vaanara hordes which had fallen on the ground and to heal the wounds they had earned during the fight. There were some Raakshasas who had penetrated into the camp in vaanara disguise; when they were brought before Raama for summary punishment, Raama smiled and pardoned them, for they had assumed the monkey form so dear to Him; He sent them away, unharmed to the enemy's camp. That was the measure of His mercy. 

To win that Grace, you must become permeated with dharma so that every act is God-worthy. With the sharp chisel of intellect (buddhi), shape the mind (manas) into a perfect image of Dharmamurthi, the embodiment of dharma. Then, the rough-hewn idol of humanity that you now are, will shine with the splendour of Divinity itself. That is the task to which you should dedicate yourself today."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - Uttharaayana Day - 11-1-1966)

Sunday, May 14, 2017

May all Living Beings In All the Worlds be Happy




A Mother's Love




A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . . 

A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~ Helen Steiner Rice~

Friday, May 12, 2017

Sai Blossoms




The Coffee Planter




A coffee planter from Malnad in Mysore State came to Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam with high fever and a damaged kidney.  In those days, Dr. Seetaramiah was the only doctor available in the hospital.  Bhagawan used to visit the hospital frequently and assure Seetaramiah, "Don't be afraid.  Just be an instrument, I will do everything for you!"  

True to His words, Bhagawan instructed Dr. Seetaramiah to examine that coffee planter and administer a few injections.  But the patient who was highly emaciated and bedridden refused any medical aid.  He wanted only Bhagawan to treat HIm.

The loving God graciously complied.  Bhagawan created a small bottle of liquid for the patient and asked him to mix two drops of it in water and drink it twice a day.  In ten days' time, the patient walked by himself onto the verandah of the mandir at Prasanthi Nilayam and within a month, he went into the mandir and sang bhajans and he was completely normal within the next fifteen days!  Bhagawan's love cured him completely.


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

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Sai Madhuryam



O foolish mind! Whither do you wander 
In search of the blessed Vision of Brahman. 
It is within Your own self; find It there. This
is the word of Sai revealing the Truth. 

Love cannot be grown on a farm as a crop; 
Nor will it be for sale in a shop. 
Whether they be kings or commoners, 
They can know love only through selflessness. 


~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~



Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Baba's Storytime - True Sacrifice



Buddha was once asked: "Who is the richest man in the world?" Buddha replied: "He who has much satisfaction (with what he has) is the richest man." To the question, "Who is the poorest man?" Buddha replied: "He who has many desires." 

A Maharaja, who was listening to Buddha's sermons on contentment and renunciation, wished to earn the approbation of Buddha. Buddha used to keep with him always a rattle-drum. His disciples once asked him: "Master! Why are you always keeping this rattle-drum by your side?" Buddha replied: "I shall play on this drum the day a person who has made the greatest sacrifice approaches me." 

Everyone was eager to know who this person would be. Such persons are often the forgotten men of history. Wishing to attain this distinction, a Maharaja loaded his elephants with considerable treasure and went to Buddha. He hoped to offer the treasure to Buddha and earn his praise. 

 On the way, an old woman greeted the Maharaja and pleaded: "I am hungry. Will you give me some food?" The Maharaja took out a pomegranate fruit from his palanquin and gave it to the old woman. The old woman came to Buddha with the fruit. By then, the Maharaja had also come to Buddha and was eagerly waiting to see when Buddha would sound the rattle-drum. 

For a long time Buddha did not use it. The Maharaja stayed on. The old woman approached Buddha staggering on her legs and offered him the pomegranate fruit. Buddha took it immediately and sounded the little drum. 

The Maharaja asked Buddha: "I offered so much wealth to you. You did not sound the drum. But you rattled it after receiving a small fruit. Is this a great sacrifice?"

Buddha replied: "Maharaja! In sacrifice, it is not quantity that counts. It is the quality of sacrifice that matters. It is natural for a Maharaja to offer gold. But what great sacrifice is made when a hungry old women offers the pomegranate fruit to the Guru despite her hunger. She did not care even for her life and gave the fruit. What greater sacrifice can there be? It is not sacrifice to offer what is superfluous for you. True sacrifice means giving up that which is most dear to you, that which you value most." 

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

Monday, May 8, 2017

Buddha Poornima




May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes,
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes,
May all sentient beings never be separated from bliss without suffering,
May all sentient beings be in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger.

(The Four Immeasurables)

Heart 2 Heart



For all who are near or distant,
Baba is our Friend, Guide and Divine Parent.
His concern for every devotee
Is a tale of shade under the Divine Tree.

His soft spoken sweet tone
Will never make you feel alone,
For His love towards mankind
None can ever hinder nor bind.

Therefore, once He holds, you can be never apart
Since His connection is between Heart to Heart.

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

Saturday, May 6, 2017

A Strong Heart


I may be a bit old school but I think that people who store all of their pictures on their smart phones are missing out on something. There is nothing like seeing a loved one’s smiling face looking down on you from a picture frame on your wall. It is both comforting and reassuring, almost like they are watching over you while you work at your desk. 

As I work at my own desk I can see my Mom’s picture smiling down on me. She left us too soon. She was only 55 years old when cancer took her. If one’s years here were based on merit then she should have lived to be over 100. My Dad’s kind smile is next to hers. It has only been a few years since he passed. Sometimes I still pick up the telephone wanting to call him and tell him something that has just happened to me only to remember that he is gone. My Nana’s picture is there too, holding the 90 years young sign at her birthday party 16 years ago. How I wish I could walk into her kitchen again, have a talk, and share a big slice of homemade Italian bread with her.

Sometimes looking at these pictures gives me a touch of melancholy and sadness. I still miss them all and I don’t feel ready to be the oldest generation yet. Most of the time, though, I only feel the warmth and joy that comes from a million loving memories that these pictures bring back. It makes me feel blessed knowing that I had them all in my life for the years that I did. It makes me want to follow their loving example in my own life as well.

A lot of people say that you have to have a hard heart to get through life. Others say a soft heart is better. I myself think that a strong heart is best. We need a heart that loves through the pain. We need a heart that keeps loving even when we lose the people we love the most. We need a heart that knows that “Anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him.” May your heart be strong then. May your love shine from your pictures and from your life.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella

Quotable Quotes



Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, 
so that's very important for good health.

~ Dalai Lama ~

Divine Wisdom




Thursday, May 4, 2017

Mother



"It is your foremost duty to love your mother. As soon as you wake up in the morning, the first thing you should do is to touch your mother's feet and offer your salutations. Such a noble practice will protect you always and bestow on you all types of wealth. You are going to be fathers and mothers in future. You will be loved and respected by your children only when you love and respect your parents now. You are bound to face the reaction, resound and reflection of your actions. When you respect your parents, there will be rich rewards for you in the future”.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Eswaramma Day Divine Discourse - 6.5.2003)

A Thousand Mothers



"Understand this: each one of you know the love of a single mother only. But My affection, My love towards everyone of you is that of a thousand mothers!  Do not deny yourself that affection, that love, by denying Me your love."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(SSS Vol. X)


May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy




Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Baba's Storytime - The Last Thought



Once, there was a .man whose devotion was great. He had four sons. In order that their names may help him to remember the Lord, he had named them Govindha, Naaraayana, Krishna and Raama. He thought that he could, on some pretext or other, have the Lord's name on his tongue. 

To facilitate his plan, he started a factory and kept all of them busily employed there, so that they could respond to his calling them by name. 

The day when he had to yield to death arrived, he called Govindha; the son came near saying, "Father! I am here." He called Naaraayana; "I am here, father;" he too stood by his bed. He called Raama; Raama came to him and asked him what he desired to confide in him. Finally he called Krishna. He too bent low and wished to know what message the father had for him. He said, "Don't hesitate, tell me what you want to say." 

Seeing around him all the four sons, the dying man's mind was seized with anxiety. He blurted out "All of you are here! Who is in the factory?" 

Those were his last words. That was his last thought. When one is involved in the world, only worldly thoughts will emerge at the end. 

To those who yearn with full heart for the Lord at that time, the Lord will present Himself. So, one has to attach oneself to kith and kin and respect them so long as one is concerned with the world. One must need to humour them. But one must offer unstinted love and loyalty all through life to the Lord alone. 


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


Who is a Good Son?



""Suputhrah Kula Deepakah" (A good son is a beacon for the family). 
Who is a good son? 

He is a good son, who is always immersed in the contemplation of God, in sacred activities and leads a godly life. 

A good son is one who reveres his parents, pleases them by rendering service, and is grateful for all that he has received from them. Nor is that all. 

A good son earns a good name in society. 

A good son sheds greatness on the family like the fragrance of a jasmine creeper in a forest. 

Nowadays, parents distribute sweets on the birth of a son. But it is not the birth that is the right occasion for celebration. The right moment for celebration is when the son earns a good name in society. 

"The father will not rejoice on the day a son is born. 
He will rejoice when he hears the praise of the virtues 
Of his sort by others," says a Telugu poem. 

God also will be happy when a son earns such a good name. A son should be called a good man by one and all. Such a Suputhra (good son) is a beacon-light for the entire family."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 18.6.1996)

Pray



"Pray for the welfare of all. The power of prayer is incalculable. Every one gathered here should pray every day for the welfare and happiness of all people everywhere. This is true spirituality. "

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 23.3.1996)