Sai Blossoms

Quotable Quotes

Obstacles in our Path

There once was a very wealthy and curious king. This king had a huge boulder placed in the middle of a road. Then he hid nearby to see if anyone would try to remove the gigantic rock from the road.

The first people to pass by were some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers. Rather than moving it, they simply walked around it. A few loudly blamed the King for not maintaining the roads. Not one of them tried to move the boulder.

Finally, a peasant came along. His arms were full of vegetables. When he got near the boulder, rather than simply walking around it as the others had, the peasant put down his load and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. It took a lot of effort but he finally succeeded.

The peasant gathered up his load and was ready to go on his way when he saw a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The peasant opened the purse. The purse was stuffed full of gold coins and a note from the king. The king’s note said the purse’s gold was a reward for moving the boulder from the road.

The king showed the peasant what many of us never understand: every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

(Sunny Skyz)

None can Probe

Sai Baba, Your name,

Is sweeter than sweet,

A sigh of relief,

At Your Lotus Feet.

As You speak,

Each and every word,

Becomes a Divine boon,

Unto this entire world.

A simple smile,

Sweeps away the pain, 

A wave of Your hand,

For our spiritual gain.

You are the Lord of Cosmos,

In Orange robe,

Whose glory,

None can probe.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

Ring Saves S. N. Singh

On one occasion in Kodaikanal, Bhagawan materialized a ring for a boy and put it on his finger.  He went on to explain, "I generally gift objects like rings, watches, bracelets, chains or necklaces which can be worn on one's person.  One who receives  such a gift from Me must make it a point to wear it always.  When that person is in some distress or danger, the object sends signals to Me for my intervention."

Bhagawan illustrated the point by narrating the example of Mr. S.N.Singh, a well known hotelier from Calcutta, who always wore the rig gifted by Him.  Bhagawan called him "Topi Singh", since a cap adorned his head at all times!  Once Mr.Singh while driving his car in London met with a major accident.  The car was smashed but there was not even a scratch on his body.  The total impact of the accident was taken by the ring, which was broken into pieces instantly!  The ring had sent signals to Bhagawan at the time of the accident and He had rescued Singh from the jaws of death.

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

Blaming God

"Very often people who experience troubles in life complain: "Why is the Lord subjecting me to trials like these?" 

The truth is, the Lord neither punishes nor rewards anyone. The devotee has only to do his duty and leave the results to God. If the actions are good, the fruits will also be good. If the actions are bad, the results will be equally bad. Hence without examining the nature of one's actions, there is no meaning in blaming God for what one experiences. 

One devotee has said to have exclaimed: “Oh Lord! Among the millions of beings on earth, how will your eyes fall on me? You are not looking at me at all. Won't you see me?" 

The devotee heard a voice saying: “Oh devotee! You are immersed in so many activities that you have hardly set your eyes upon Me. You have hardly devoted any thought to Me. Who, then, has forgotten whom? Is it you or me?" 

People are involved in mundane concerns and are deeply immersed in worldly activities. All their thoughts relate to these actions. They worry about some relation or friend in some distant comer of the world, but cannot think of God who is so near to them. And when they are in trouble, they wail: “Oh Lord, hast thou forgotten me?"

It is only when you recognise your own faults that you begin to understand the ways of the Divine. What we witness today is the tendency to forget one's faults and go about blaming God for one's sufferings. Every action, however small or trivial, has its reaction. Nothing happens without a cause. Every object has its reflection. The Lord awards fruits according to ones actions. Good actions earn good returns. Bad actions result in bad consequences."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 3.5.1987)

Ananda

"People complain of grief, sorrow, distress. What exactly is grief? It is a reaction to the loss of something gained or the failure to gain something desired. Therefore, the only way to escape grief, sorrow, etc., is to conquer desire for the illusory. See the world as God (Brahmamayam). That vision will scotch desire. When the desire is limited to God and concentrated on God, success is assured and each step contributes its Ananda."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 26.2.1987)

Shivarathri

"This Shivarathri is a day when one tries to establish friendship between mind and God. Shivarathri makes one aware of the fact that the same Divinity is all-pervasive and is to be found everywhere. It is said that Shiva lives in Kailasa. But where is Kailasa? Kailasa is our own joy, our own bliss. It means that Easwara lives in the Kailasa of delight. If we can develop that sense of joy and delight in our mind, that itself is Kailasa. How can one get this joy? It comes when we develop purity and steadiness and sacredness. Then the heart becomes filled with peace and bliss. Then your heart itself will be Kailasa and Shiva will be there in the sanctum sanctorum of your heart, within the temple which is your body."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 17.2.1985)

The Divine Mother

"There are no permanent mothers in the world, the only permanent mother is the Divine Mother. Swami often reminds you of your spiritual family where Truth is your father, Love is your mother, Wisdom is your son, Peace is your daughter, Devotion is your brother, and Yogis are your friends. In the spiritual path these are your true relatives, who will always accompany you. When you have this kind of relationship, when you treasure this kind of friendship, you will be able to break the bonds of the world and become free. "

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 17.2.1985)

Quotable Quotes

“From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax and be peaceful, we may wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth.” 

~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

Sai Blossoms

A Sick Boy Gets Darshan

One of the students studying in Prasanthi Nilayam Campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute was affected by a sore and his legs were swollen with pus.  He could not take a step without help.  It was nearly two weeks since had gone for Darshan.  One day everyone, including the teacher in charge of the sick boys, had gone for Darshan.  Thus the hostel was deserted except for the boy.  He felt sad that he had been unable to go for Swami's Darshan for a very long time.  He broke down but soon controlled himself and started praying fervently to Swami.

Meanwhile, in the Mandir, Swami asked for the car to be brought out and got into the car and left the Mandir.  In about half an hour, Swami returned and went into the interview room.  Thereafter Bhajans started and Swami took Arati and retired.

When all the students returned to the hostel after Bhajans, they saw this sick boy brimming over with joy, ready to share a rare experience with everyone.  The boy's true yearning for the Darshan of the beloved Mother Sai brought the Lord to the hostel all the way from the Mandir.  Swami went to the hostel, walked right into the boy's room and sat on his bedding on the floor along with him.  He had created vibhuti and massaged it on his leg below the thigh and consoled him.  Swami blessed him profusely and left the hostel.  

A loving response from the loving mother to her child.  Needless to say, within a few days, the boy was completely healed.

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

That Someone is You

I feel my heart has to be filled by "Someone",

To whom I could say, "Other than You, for refuge there is none."

Someone who could solve my eternal quest,

Someone whom I could completely trust.

Someone to whom every secret of mine could be told,

Someone with whom I could move strong and bold.

Someone who fights with my fears,

Someone who wipes away all my tears.

Someone whose mere wave of hand,

Alters my fate beforehand.

Someone whose every word,

Becomes a blessing to entire world.

Someone whose smile shall tremble,

Hearts of evil, protecting poor and feeble.

Someone whose tender touch tingles all through my spine,

That "Someone" is my Sai ... always mine, ever Divine.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")

Divine Wisdom

A Pure Mind

"When good thoughts, good feelings and good intentions are developed, the mind becomes pure. Only when the mind is pure, can the action be pure and the fruits thereof be pure. Today we sow the seed of thought - karma - and reap the fruit of action."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 23.5.1993)

Adoration of the Lord

"What does adoration of the Lord mean? It is not mere offering of worship with the paraphernalia of rituals. It is an attempt to merge in the Divine, experiencing the bliss of oneness with the Divine, recognising unity in diversity and the Divinity that is present in all beings."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 22.5.1993)

Baba's Storytime - The Power of Faith

Faith is only one. There is nothing like blind faith. For faith there can be no reason and no season. Faith and spirituality are beyond reason. It is foolish to search for the grounds of faith.

There is a sacred pilgrim centre called Srisailam near Anantapur. In a small village adjacent to it, a widow was trying to give her seven-year old son, Ramanna, a schooling with great difficulty. The Sivarathri festival was drawing near. 

In the Rayalaseema areas, it was customary to invite home the son-in-law and the daughter for the occasion. Ramanna heard from his friends that they were expecting their sisters and brothers-in-law for Sivarathri. He asked his mother whether he had any sister and brother-in-law, where they were living and whether they would come for Sivarathri. 

His mother had borne a daughter prior to the son, but she had died in infancy. Memory of that girl's death brought tears to the mother. Suppressing her grief, however, she told her son "Darling, you have a sister." The son implored his mother to let him know where she was so that he could bring her and her husband for Sivarathri. 

Yielding to his importunities, the mother sought to satisfy him by saying; "In Srisailam you have a sister named Bhramaramba and her husband's name is Mallikarjuna." 

The boy then said: "Mother, let us both go to Srisailam and bring sister and brother-in-law and celebrate Sivarathri." 

He had complete faith in his mother's words; he was determined somehow to bring the sister and brother-in-law to their home. 

The mother was in a fix. She used various arguments to avoid the journey and ultimately said that she would have to stay at home to make the arrangements for the daughter and son-in-law. The boy said he would go alone and bring his sister and brother-in-law. 

To please the son, the mother sent him to Srisailam with some villagers who were going there. They reached Srisailam. The villagers had been instructed in advance by the mother that at Srisailam they should take the boy to the shrines of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba, and bring him back. 

The villagers took him to the temple of Mallikarjuna. They showed him the temple and said Mallikarjuna was inside. The boy cried out "Bhava, Bhava" (brother-in-law) and rushed into the temple. As he entered, the priests stopped him. The boy cried: "Bhava! please speak to me." The 'brother-in-law' was silent. The boy thought that as his brother-in-law had not seen him, he could not recognise him now. 

Meanwhile, the priests thought, the boy was out of his .mind and pushed him out of the temple. Ramanna was certain that his 'sister' would recognise him. He went to the shrine of Bhramaramba and cried aloud, "Akka, Akka" (Sister, Sister). He rolled on the ground and wailed; "Sister, speak to me." 

The priests in that temple too thought the boy was demented and cast him out. Ramanna was plunged in grief at the thought of returning home without his sister and brother-in-law. The villagers who had escorted him to Srisailam were inside the temple engaged in their puja. Ramanna was alone outside the temple. He saw a big boulder. Climbing on it, he cried: "My mother will not excuse me if I go without sister and brother-in-law. Even my friends will laugh at me. I shall not go home. If my sister and brother-in-law do not come with me, I shall end my life here." 

Such was his firm faith in his mother's words. Faith of this kind never fails one. Crying aloud, "Akka, Akka" he jumped from the precipitous boulder. At that very moment, a voice spoke: "Maridi Ramanna, Maridi Ramanna" (young brother-in-law, Ramanna). From another direction, a loving feminine voice was heard: "Thammudu, Thammudu" (young brother, young brother). 

When the boy jumped, he was held from both sides by God Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba. This spectacle was witnessed by all the pilgrims present there. Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba appearing in human form, carried the boy to his home in his native village, partook of all the special delicacies prepared by the mother, and then vanished.

Note how the Divine responded to the simple faith of an innocent lad. Faith can achieve anything. Who is entitled to make a distinction between "genuine" faith and "blind" faith? Some may look upon the boy Ramanna as a naive, ingenuous child, who could believe anything in his innocence. The boy's faith was a firm, unwavering faith emanating from a pure heart. A big shrine has been erected on the spot where the divine couple rescued Ramanna. This is known as the shrine of "Maridi Ramanna" (coming to be called later as Mythili Ramanna shrine). 

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

Sai Madhuryam

One whose heart is filled with compassion, 

Whose words spell truth, 

And who works for the welfare of others 

Will never suffer from difficulties 

Or diseases even in the Kali age. 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

A Small Kindness

I had abruptly run out of printer ink just when I needed it, so I found myself making the long drive to the only store around here that sells it. It was the worst possible time to shop. The store was packed with people and the wait at the checkout counter was long. I could see the stress and frustration on the faces of the people around me. It was no better in the parking lot and I found myself in the middle of a long line of cars waiting to pull out on the highway.

As my car was inching forward I saw her. She was a young, thin woman with black skin and a tattered coat. She was holding up a cardboard sign that read: “Homeless. Please Help!” I watched as car after car drove past her while their drivers averted their eyes. 

As I came closer my better angels whispered in my ear and I quickly grabbed my wallet and pulled out the little cash I had left. I stopped next to her, rolled down my window, and quickly put it in her hand. She looked at me with a small, sad smile and whispered “Thank You” before the honking of the car behind me forced me to drive on.

I drove away saying a prayer for her and hoping that I had helped her even a little. Did my small act of kindness make a difference for her? I don’t know. Did it change the opinion of the driver behind me? Probably not. Was it important in the eyes of Heaven? Definitely so! In this life we all want to make great changes and do great things, but sometimes a small kindness is all God asks of us.

Sometimes a small kindness is all we can do. Sometimes a small kindness is enough.

Robert Fulghum once wrote: “Maybe being a bleeding heart is always better than having no heart at all.” Let your heart guide you then. Fill your days with small kindnesses. Fill your life with love. And know there is always a home waiting for you: in Heaven.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella 

Sai Blossoms