Food for Thought - Karmayogam

"The consequence of Karma can be wiped out only through Karma, as a thorn can be removed only by means of another.  Do good Karma to assuage the pain of the bad Karma, which you have done and from which you suffer now.  The best and the simplest Karma is the repetition of the name of the Lord; be ever engaged in it.  It will keep out evil tendencies and wicked thoughts.  It will help you radiate love all around you.  The sages of ancient times divided Karma into Vikarma (that is intentionally done) and Akarma (that is done without ay intention to gain the consequence).  Follow the latter and you will save yourselves from suffering."

 

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Food for Thought No 2162)

Prayer

Is it necessary to pray to God for our needs?

"Some people may have some doubts related to prayer. Of what avail is prayer? Will the Lord gratify all that we ask for in our prayers? He gives us only what He feels we need or deserve, is it not? Will the Lord like to give us all that we ask for in our prayers to Him? 

Of course, all these doubts can be resolved. If the devotee has dedicated everything - body, mind, and existence - to the Lord, He will Himself look after everything, for He will always be with the devotee. Under such conditions, there is no need for prayer. 

But have you so dedicated yourself and surrendered everything to the Lord? No. When losses occur, calamities come, or plans go awry, the devotee blames the Lord. Some, on the other hand, pray to Him to save them. 

If you avoid both of these, as well as reliance on others by placing complete faith on the Lord at all times, why should He deny you His grace? Why should He desist from helping you?"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Ch 7, Prasanthi Vahini)

When God is ready to give strength, devotion and liberation, why should we desire worldly life and pray for worldly things? - BABA

Divine Wisdom

 

May All Living Beings in All the Worlds be Happy

 

Rama was Dharma

 

How should each and every one of us connect to Ramayana? 

"It is often said that Rama followed dharma (righteousness) a What He thought, spoke and did was dharma, is dharma forever. The t all times. This is not the correct way of describing Him. He did not follow dharma; He was dharma.

The recitation of Ramayana verses or listening to the exposition of those verses must transform the person into an embodiment of dharma. His every word, thought and deed must exemplify that ideal. Shraddha (steady faith) in Rama, Ramayana and oneself is essential for success. And for what end? To become good and help others to unfold their goodness. To be totally human with every human value expanded to the utmost and promote those traits in society to help others too. Purify the body by means of holy activity. Purify speech by adhering to truth, love and sympathy. Purify the mind, not yielding to the clamour of the senses and the desires they breed."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 18.4.1986)

Power of the Name

 

Happy Ram Navami

 

6th April 2025

"Sathya, Dharma, Santhi, Prema, and Ahimsa are the five cardinal human values. One who practises these human values is a human being in the true sense of the term. One who lacks even one of these cannot be called a perfect human being. Therefore, we should develop all these five values.

Unfortunately, when we look at the present scenario, we do not see truth anywhere, and we don’t even hear the word ‘dharma’. Therefore, man today is beset with unrest. People want peace but what they get is pieces only! Due to the lack of peace, love has become non-existent in man.

Therefore, we should develop peace. Then only will love develop in us. When love takes root in us, we will have no enemies. Then all will become our friends. Hence, man should develop love and consider all as his brothers and sisters. This is the main essence of the Ramayana."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse on 3.4.2009)

"I Am Still Sitting for Bhajans in the Hall"

 

Last year, one day, I happened to miss coming for Bhajans (having the sacred duty of being a Bhajan coordinator) due to some work. I went and did Bhajan in my room and I felt peaceful and happy. I thought to myself, “Swami why not do Bhajans here, whenever I am late. After all, these are not those times when we can see you sitting on the chair.” This thought crossed my mind and I just brushed it aside. 

That night, I got a call from someone that I was not able to pick up. I saw it in the morning and called him back. I didn’t know who he was but we had met once, about six months ago. He said, “Sir, Swami came in my dream yesterday.” 

Now, this happened just the day after I got the thought of doing Bhajans at the hostel. This example is evidence of how the sequence of events are planned by Bhagawan Himself. He wanted to give me a message and message for all mankind. 

The boy continued, “Swami told me: Tell Shailesh that I am still sitting for Bhajans in the hall. Don’t ever imagine that because this chair is empty and you can’t see the form and don’t imagine that this is just a Samadhi.”

~ Dr. Shailesh Srivastava ~

(Asst. Professor, Dept. of Physics, SSSIHL)

Purity

"Pure vision leads to pure thoughts.  Pure thoughts result in pure actions.  Purity in action is essential for human existence.  Purity in thoughts and purity in speech must lead to purity in deeds.  This is the triple purity hailed by the sages.  When this purity is manifest, human life gets redeemed."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(April 14 1988)

Shri Ram

 

In ancient tales of valor and might,

A saga unfolds, radiant and bright.

The life of Bhagwan Shri Ram, so grand,

A noble prince of Ayodhya's land.

Born to King Dasharatha's delight,

In Ayodhya, a city pure and right.

Young Ram, with grace and virtue blessed,

His path of righteousness, he would manifest.

With Sita, his beloved, by his side,

In the forest, they embraced life's ride.

Banished they were, in exile they roamed,

Facing trials and tribulations, as destiny loomed.

With unwavering courage and steadfast heart,

Ram, the embodiment of dharma's art.

He encountered demons, both fierce and vile,

Yet, his valor prevailed, mile after mile.

Hanuman, his devoted and loyal aide,

A symbol of devotion, unmatched and staid.

Together, they faced Ravana, the ten-headed king,

In a battle fierce, where righteousness would sing.

With the mighty bow, Shiva's divine gift,

Ram fought with purpose, his spirit swift.

He defeated Ravana, vanquishing his might,

Restoring dharma, bringing back the light.

Returning to Ayodhya, a hero adored,

Bhagwan Ram's tale, forever stored.

A ruler just, with compassion and care,

His reign, a golden era, beyond compare.

From his life, lessons we glean,

Of honor, loyalty, and values pristine.

Bhagwan Shri Ram, an eternal name,

His story, an inspiration, in the annals of fame.

Let his virtues guide us in life's endeavor,

To walk the path of righteousness forever.

With Ram in our hearts, our souls aspire,

To lead a life pure, fueled by divine fire.

(By VISHWASH AGNIHOTRI (INDIA) from 

https://allpoetry.com/poem/17200025)