May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

The Lord Looks at Your Heart

"The Lord judges you by the sincerity of your thoughts, not by the forms of your worship. The Lord sees your bhakthi (devotion) and not shakthi (power). He cares for your gunas (qualities) and not your kula (caste or lineage). He looks at your chiththam (heart) and not at your viththam (wealth). You must strive to purify your heart and engage yourself in righteous action, with devotion and integrity. No saadhana (spiritual discipline) is of any use if you are involved in sinful deeds."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 17.3.1983)

Sai Madhuryam

Without Charity and Righteousness, 

Devoid of Truth and Compassion, 

With a mind bereft of scruples 

And filled with bad impulses, 

The evil minded man fares ill 

Here and Hereafter. 

Oh foolish mind! 

Seeking the Vision of the Divine 

Where do you wander in vain? 

What you seek is within you 

Know that truth. 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

The Personal Letter

One day, in darshan, Prof. Anil Kumar was reading a letter from his daughter, who was a doctor living in Minneapolis, USA.  She was doing her internship there and had written a very touching letter that he should not worry about her.  She then went on to relate a little miracle that had happened to her.

One day while returning form the hospital, she missed a turning and got lost.  She could not find the way back to the hostel where she was staying.  Although she felt like crying, mentally she began singing some of Swami's bhajans and prayed to Swami for help.  Immediately an American stopped his car and said, "May I help you?  Where do you want go go?"  She gave him her address and he dropped her off at her hostel.  She concluded by saying that he should not worry about her and that Americans were very kind people.

Prof. Anil Kumar folded the letter and kept it in his pocket, wiping away the tears of joy that were flowing down his cheeks and then suddenly, he realized that Swami was standing in front of him.

Swami said, "Where is the letter?"  He replied with feigned innocence, "Letter, Swami?"  But Swami was not to be put off.  "Yes, the letter you have in your pocket, give it to me," insisted Swami.  Prof. Anil Kumar replied, "But it is a personal letter, Swami," to which He responded, "Oh, is there anything personal between you and Me, if you are not going to give it to me, I will tell you what is in it."  Prof. Anil Kumar made a last effort, "Swami, it is a letter from my daughter."

Swami said that his daughter in US constantly thought of Him whilst Prof. Anil Kumar being close to Him, thought only of his daughter.  That was the difference.

(Prof. Anil Kumar - Gems of Sai)

Divine Wisdom

Karma

"All that you see in the world is the result of Karma. Everything has a beginning and an end. Pleasure and pain have a beginning and an end. They are inseparable."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 29.8.1992)

Quotable Quotes

“Everyday we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: 

a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child - our own two eyes. 

All is a miracle.” 

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Baba's Storytime - The Bhasmaasura Story

Once Eeshvara gave a boon to Bhasmaasura as desired by him, namely that whatever he touched should be reduced to ashes. Immediately on getting the boon he lost his sense of gratitude to Eeshvara. He wanted to place his hand on Eeshvara himself! 

Eeshvara could not protect himself. He went to Vishnu, who has the duty of being a protector. Even as protector Vishnu had to observe the laws of Dharma. He could not punish Bhasmaasura straightaway. He staged a drama. He assumed the form of a most beautiful damsel, Mohini. 

On seeing her, Bhasmaasura's passion was aroused. He ran after Mohini. Mohini told him, "You perform all that I do, I shall marry you." Bhasmaasura readily agreed. He had no sense of discrimination or of gratitude. Mohini started dancing and Bhasmaasura kept pace with her. In the course of the dance, Mohini placed her hand on her head. When Bhasmaasura did the same, he was reduced to ashes. His hand was his undoing. 

This episode shows that even in discharging the duty of protection, the divine has to observe the code of Dharma. It should be recognized that the ways of God are governed by Shaasanam (cosmic laws). Even the Divine cannot act against these laws. 

Thank You, Swami!

Dearest Swami,

Without Your grace I wouldn't be here,

Without Your blessings, I wouldn't be what I am,

I thank You from the depths of my heart.

Happy Birthday,
My Matha Pitha Sadguru!

Happy Birthday, Swami!

"By birthday is the day when divinity blossoms in your heart."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Sai Blossoms

Endurance

"Endurance, with joyful resignation, of the ups and downs of life 

is the royal road to peace."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 23.7.1970)

To the One

To the One Whose mere glance drowns me in a sea of trance,

Whose very Presence strings our heart, to sing and dance.

To the One Whose Holy feet is my only goal,

Whose silent steps have enmeshed in this human soul.

To the One Whose every promise is a blessing in disguise,

Whose descent is to elevate mankind from ocean of cries.

To the One Whose wave of hand burns away all my sin,

And for Whom I would leave my kith and kin.

To the One Whose power rules over the sky and sea,

And Who stands as the very wish fulfilling tree.

To that Lord Sri Sathya Sai who is beyond cast and creed,

I offer my thought, word and deed.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats"}

Sai Madhuryam

All things happen according to the dictates of Time; 

Both good and bad depend on Time; 

Prosperity and poverty likewise depend on Time; 

Time is the determinant of all things, 

There is none who is not subject to Time In this entire world; 

that's the Truth. 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

The First Angel of Our Life

The night was cold and dark, with the continuous downpour of rain, coupled with the howling winds...people were rushing for shelter and protection. But he was the only one who remained calm,unaware of all the confusion outside...for he knew, from the loving hands that held him close, his mother would always be there for him.

Ask a person about their mother and you will see a sudden spark in their eyes as they talk about the person they love the most! She is our first companion in life and a bond of a lifetime is formed even before we enter this world. 

A mother's love is one of the purest of all forms and beyond comparison. She is perhaps the only one who can understand our feelings without any exchange of words. Her presence is a sense of comfort, her love and support, like an oasis in a desert...she knows how to make us smile and at the same time, knows how to make us toe the line! She's been there through all our ups and downs in life...and every sad day in life will always get better, just by seeing her loving eyes and encouraging smile.

As Agatha Christie once said... "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world."

She is our warrior,our friend,our adviser and most importantly, the one who endures all difficulties beforehand herself in order to smoothen our path of life.

To put it in a nutshell, our mother was, is and will always be our first and best friend forever!!!

~ Gayathri M. ~

Quotable Quotes

"Physical comforts cannot subdue mental suffering, and if we look closely, 

we can see that those who have many possessions are not necessarily happy. 

In fact, being wealthy often brings even more anxiety."

~ Dalai Lama ~

Desires

"Cut short your desires, day after day.
When you reduce your desires, you advance very rapidly
towards the state of renunciation, peace and bliss."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 14.3.1999)

Divine Wisdom

Vibhuti Cures a Sick Man

During one Dasara festival, a certain visitor from Telangana received an urgent wire from home, informing him that his father-in-law had a stroke and his condition was  creating anxiety.  Baba asked him not to worry but a similar wire came the next day too.

Baba agreed to his going alone, leaving his wife for the festival, even though she was the daughter of the patient.  When the son-in-law was leaving,  Baba materialized vibuti and gave him with the instruction that it should be applied to the forehead of the patient.

The next day, however, about 8 o'clock in the evening,  Baba was discussing the timings of the trains by which the son-in-law was proceeding.  Quite suddenly, He sat up and said, "You were all wrong.  His train is not so fast.  He will not reach the patient before 9.00 p.m.  Oh!  What a pity!"  Within a wink of the eye, Baba had "gone" out of His body.  He was "away" for about half an hour and when He returned, He explained that He felt happy that He could apply vibhuti Himself to the sick man in Telangana.

Someone asked Baba whether He used the same vibuthi that He had given to the son-in-law when he left.  "Yes", Baba said.  "You will know that when he returns.  Ask him and he will say that the packet was empty when he went to his father-in-law."

It was so.  The son-in-law came back and reported that He was accused by his relatives for being so careless about the precious vibhuti.  They all took the empty paper and rubbed their fingers over it in order to collect at least the tracings of the holy vibhuti.

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

Your Guide

"You do not realize your good luck in getting Me as your guide.

I shall not rest until I transform each one of you."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(SSS Vol.III)

I Realize

I had God when I was nothing,

I prayed to bestow unto me everything.

Gaining so I lost my peace,

With fickle senses, never at ease.

He asked me to choose - Him or the world?

I responded seeking the latter word.

Leaving the God of all boons,

The brilliance of thousand moons,

]I cling to that light which is not the source,

A blunder, I realized in due course.

O!  Baba, pardon me for this ignorant act,

I shall come back to You, like before - intact,

I shall be Your shadow,

Your tender footsteps, I will follow.

~ Raja Sekhar GAnta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

Sai Madhuryam

If the thoughts in the mind are good ,

The sequel will be equally beneficial. 

If the thoughts in the mind are impure, 

The resulting actions will be likewise.

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Baba's Storytime - How to Respond

When anyone accuses you and if you do not respond to it in a like manner, but ignore it, the accusation returns to the accuser like a registered letter which the addressee declines to accept. An incident in the life of Buddha illustrates this truth. 

There used to be a village-chief who did not like Buddha's way of life. He used to look upon him as a lazy person who was gathering round him young men and making them lead an idle life. 

Buddha who was aware of the man's attitude, went to his house one day with his disciples and begged for alms "Bhavathi! Bhikshaam Dehi" (Oh blessed one!Offer me alms). 

The headman, who had espied Buddha approaching the house and begging for alms, shouted: "You lazy fellow! You don't deserve any alms. Get out! You have been wasting your time." The headman went on abusing Buddha, calling him all kinds of names. 

Buddha was amused and was smiling. After exhausting his abuses, the headman calmed down and asked Buddha, "Sire! I have a doubt. Will you clear it?" 

Buddha said, "What is your doubt? Speak out." 

The headman asked how Buddha had remained unaffected by all the abuse he had levelled against the latter. 

Buddha said, "I came to you begging for food. Supposing you had brought the food and I had refused to take it, what would you have done with the food?" 

The man replied, "I would have taken it back." Buddha then said, "Now, instead of food, you gave me all your abuse. I refused to receive it. What happens to it? It goes back to you. I have no connection with it." 

The headman learnt a good lesson. You should not be concerned with the goodness or badness of others. You have to entertain good thoughts and direct your, mind towards God. Bliss is got by experiencing oneness with the Divine.

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

Akhanda Bhajan

"The bhajans that are sung permeate the ether in the form of sound waves and fill the whole atmosphere. Thus, the whole environment is 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."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 8.11.1986)

Devotion

"God can be realised only through love. Your devotion must be such that God seeks you. Like a child crying ceaselessly till the mother rushes to pacify it, like a calf calling for its mother-cow, like a forlorn wife praying for the return of her husband, the devotee should feel the yearning for His coming."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 25.6.1989)

Sai Blossoms

The Four Candles

The Four Candles burned slowly. Their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak…

The first candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.”

Then Peace’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second candle says, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.”

Then Faith’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

Sadly the third candle spoke, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.

People put me aside and don’t understand my importance.

They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”

And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.

Suddenly…

A child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning.

The child begins to cry, “Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end.”

Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”

With shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.

Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life.

With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are…Peace, Faith and Love can shine brightly in our lives.

(Author Unknown)

Quotable Quotes

Unseen Child

During one of His visits to Bangalore in the year 1947, Baba graciously remarked to Sri Keshav Vittal that He would visit his house even uninvited

On one particular day, Baba told Vittal that He would be coming to his house that evening.  But to everyone's disappointment, that did not happen.  Next morning, when Vittal went to his car garage to remove his car to go for Baba's Darshan, he saw three clear small footprints of about a 5 year old child on the sloping back portion on the top right side of the car.  All the three prints were of the right foot only, as if some child had been hopping on one foot.  The whole family looked and looked at those foot prints with wonder.  Even a coin placed at the spot would have slipped down.  Sri Vittal and his family through that it had something to do with the Leela of Baba.

They all went to Bangalore the next day.  During his conversation with Baba, Vittal slowly mentioned that Baba did not visit his house as promised.  Baba, with a beaming smile, said, "I did!  Did you not see any indication?"

The Vittal family was overjoyed.  During October 1965, Vittal sought Baba's permission to write about this incident calling it "Foot print of one foot only - right one" and wanted to add "3 such". Pat came the reply of Baba.  "My three foot prints all of the right."  Divinity soaked in Love indeed!

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

Divine Chiseller

Swami, I was a lump of coal,

In Your contact, I became a Sparking Soul!

I was a dormant bud, causing burden,

But blossomed brightly in Baba's Garden!

I had a heart, a log of wood, dark and brown,

Which Swami has chiselled into a Royal Throne!

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

Do Not Blame God

"Do not lay the blame on God, as you are often prone to doing! When everything goes right, you say that God has come near you; when something goes wrong, you say that God has deserted you and gone away! He does not move far or near. He is everywhere. He is always in your heart. Recognize Him there; realize Him as the closest and closest to you. He is Your own Self, neither terrible nor tender, but, simply is. "

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 30.5.1974)

Baba's Storytime - Never Indulge in Falsehood

Putlibai, Gandhi's mother observed a vow wherein she would not take food until she heard a cuckoo sing. One day, she waited long and the song of a cuckoo was not heard.  Worried that his mother is sticking to her vow and not taking food, young Gandhi went behind the house and mimicked a cuckoo singing. He came inside and told his mother to have her food as the cuckoo sang.  Mother Putlibai felt very sad as she knew her son was lying. She cried, "O God! What sin have I committed to give birth to a son who speaks untruth?"  Realizing the immense grief he caused to his mother by uttering a lie, Gandhi took a vow that he would never indulge in falsehood from then on . Mothers, train your children in moral values and do not overlook your children's mistakes. . You must reform them whenever they stray away from the right path and reward them for their good deeds. (From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

Worry and Grief

"Worry and grief of one sort or another will always be there, in the past, present, and future, while walking, dreaming, and sleeping. But place faith in the Lord and do your tasks as dedication to Him and they will definitely vanish! 

Remember the Lord with thankfulness at least thrice or even twice a day; that will give you great peace. Do not give up your worldly duties, but do them with the name of God on your lips. Do not involve yourselves in the affairs of others to the extent that you get so entangled that you cannot extricate yourselves. 

Spend your time in the contemplation of the beauties of nature, which are spread out before you in earth and sky - lovely green expanses, soothing and joyful cool breezes, the panorama of coloured clouds and the music of the birds. Sing the glories of God as you walk along. Do not talk hatefully, do not get angry, do not disturb the sky with your shouts and curses, and do not pollute the air with vengeful boasts."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 2.9.1958)