A list of 6 must-nots from ‘Prasnothara Vahini’ Every thought, word and deed which was not in sync, that was negative, harmful in intent, thoughtless, uncaring, acutely insensitive, horrifyingly arrogant, cruel and abusive to any living being or the minutest part of creation, was indeed an arrow, an arrow towards man’s self-existence. Every lackadaisical attitude, each action that reeked of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, madha and matsarya was an arrow, a dart, a shaft, a missile, embedded in the lotus-like frame of Beloved Bhagawan, which again is affecting the human existence. Each arrow had a name on it. Countless arrows’ pierced’ His gentle frame through the flaming orange robe, arrows that came from the creation in its entirety, beyond time and space, yet, He Is unaffected, but not the man with his selfish feelings of ‘me’ and ‘mine’. Yes, every one of us was responsible for having pierced with toxic arrows and shafts, the benevolent, magnificent and supreme frame of Supreme Godhood as Sri Sathya Sai. Beloved Bhagawan in His self-scripted human sojourn on earth did the most benevolent blessing on humanity, by scribbling His Own Vahini series, attending to every single human problem, allowing him to rise and soar with conscious evolution. Bhagawan’s famed ‘Prasnottara Vahini’ thus deals with the most potent of the questions a spiritual aspirant can face, with answers flowing from Sri Sathya Sai HiranyaGarbha. Let’s pay attention to what our Beloved Bhagawan speaks about those venomous and destructive weapons human minds possess. Q: Swami! What are the traits of character that we have to avoid, that is to say, which are the obstacles in the path of one who seeks liberation from the cycle of Birth and Death? Ans: The six, the Ari-shadvarga: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha and Matsarya; these are to be avoided. Q: What exactly is Kama? Ans: Desire for riches, property, honour, status, fame, children; why list the lot? Attachment to all things of this sensory world – this false, temporary, impure world. Q: Krodha? Ans: Yearning to harm others and cause ruin to them. Q: And Lobha? Ans: Determination that no one else should partake of even a small fraction of what one has earned or what one has; also, that even in times of distress, one’s possessions should not be diminished by use. Q: What is the meaning of Moha? Ans: The delusion that some people are nearer to one than others and the desire to please them more than others, leading to exertions for earning and accumulating for their sake. Q: Madha? Ans: Madha means the swagger that develops when one feels that he has either scholarship or strength or riches or fame, more than others. Even when one has not got these, Madha makes men move about without reverence for elders and consideration for others’ feelings and craving only for one’s own comfort and security. Madha is extreme egoism. Q: The last that You mentioned is Matsarya. What does that mean, Swami? Ans: When others are as happy as yourself, Matsarya makes one miserable; one cannot tolerate it.

Love In All Of Creation “Love is present not only in human beings but also in all creatures, birds or beasts.   Nor is that all; it is in fact all-pervasive.  Love pervades everything in Creation. Man’s humanness is vitiated when he fails to recognise this love”, said Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Man, who is considered as the top-ranked creature in the evolutionary ladder is often found lacking, lagging behind in practising ‘LovE’. Today, when he falters, owing to the ‘timely’ influence of the Age Of Kali, he can better learn from the world of mute children of Beloved Mother Sai, of practising LovE. A story from the Shirdi Baba time followed by another one from the collections of late (Ms) Mercini Sherrat of the UK, a champion crusader for the world of Sai’s mute children.  “Once Baba (Shirdi Sai) was sitting in the Masjid (Dwarakamayi at Shirdi).  A devotee sat in front of Him, when a lizard tick- ticked.  Out of curiosity, the devotee asked whether this tick-ticking of the lizard signified anything; was it a good sign or a bad omen?  Baba said that the lizard was overjoyed as her sister from Aurangabad was coming to see her. The devotee sat silent, not making out the meaning of Baba’s words.  Immediately, a gentleman from Aurangabad came on horse-back to see Baba. He wanted to proceed further, but his horse would not go as it was hungry and wanted grams.  He took out a bag from his shoulders to bring grams and dashed it on the ground to remove dirt. A lizard came out therefrom and in the presence of all, climbed up the wall.  Baba asked the questioner devotee to mark her well. She at once went strutting to her sister.  Both sisters met each after a long time, kissed and embraced each other, whirled round and danced with love!” Our Beloved Bhagawan reminds us: “For He makes us aware that the God we adore, the God we love, the God we live by, is in every other being as LOVE.  Thus LOVE expands and encompasses all Creation. I would like to start with Susie Bear, a remarkable big black bear who so loved her human carer that he, Steve Karlin, seemingly an angel of compassion in human form and founder of Wildlife Associates in California, a sanctuary for animals and humans where animals are the teachers, wrote this: “Susie Bear and I would go on walks together, and when we would sit together on the trail, she would put her arm around my shoulder and kiss me on the face. We would talk a lot, and she would fall asleep with her head in my lap. I would fall asleep with my head against her chest. She would hug me. I wasn’t sure if this was a platonic relationship or any other, because she seemed to be teaching me lessons all the time. Even today I wake up sometimes and I thank Susie Bear, because I finally understand something that she taught me. It took me years to finally reach a point where I saw what a lesson it was”. Steve Karlin was so grief-stricken when Susie finally died…she herself gave warning of this the night before… that he could not speak about it for a long, long time.  This is how he describes her last moments: “… The next day, we came with the veterinarian and we gave Susie Bear a shot to relax her a bit. And I put the leash on her and she walked out and lay down. I was not telling her where to go. With both of her paws, she grabbed my hand. She held onto it and looked me in the eyes and told me it was time to go. I tried to pull my hand away and she grabbed it, hard, and held it close to her. Then the doctor gave Susie Bear the shot, and she held on and looked me in the eyes until she left her body, and then her eyes closed. And she still held onto me for maybe twenty minutes, until it loosened up. I was so attached to her; I didn’t know how to let her go at the time. That part of me tore away and went with her. I couldn’t talk about it for years and years.

25th Mar 2011 – Last Darshan,Thus Far… He Is The Lord Supreme, Who, Out Of Sheer ‘Love For Love’ resolved once to manifest in a human frame, transcending from The Infinite to the finite, at His sheer Will. Then He chose to walk among the earthly clan of humans, gliding past men and women of devotion, touching their hearts and souls many for a long eight and a half-decade, engaging the planet with His Pure Love! Looking back in time, can we spare a moment at least delving on the infinite boon that He has passed on to us, you and me and the world at large, bringing in HimSelf in His most adorable Beauty Beyond Compare human frame, as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai?!? What greater bliss could there be to ask for, than having The Infinite Essence amidst us in His hallowed human frame?!? Let’s ever remain Grateful!…Grateful!!…Grateful!!! 25th March 2011, the Divine Chariot cruised along on a carpet of adoration that distinctly flowed from every heart that had gathered in Sai Kulwant Hall that evening, for a glimpse of The Lord Supreme. All necks craned to view this Most Adored Form. Awe, exultation and deep reverence did exude forth embracing the ever-loving and living Godhood in human frame. Oh! Lord, The thoughts that flit through the mind upon viewing Your Beloved Form, makes me realize that You Are that vital shade that soothes and refreshes even as life represents scorching rays of the Sun…Yet, when no longer visible, can we fathom or acknowledge what have we lost or comprehend/assess what have we received or gained…?” The time that was to follow, the unfolding of His Divine plan and what necessitated it, was and is known only to the Beloved One…the unreserved shock, utter anguish and deep pain felt as He chose to hitherto withdraw the Cherished Form, could be overcome only by the downpour and surge of love His very Name brings forth. As Beloved Bhagawan gave that most loving, lingering, everlasting, decisive and significant erstwhile Darshan as yet, He made all know – You are never alone but God’s very own… In fact, He silently whispers to the collective ear of humanity, that He Is The EverLasting OneNess! Come, join us in as Prasanthi Nilayam reminisces and recalls that ultimate public Darshan of The Beloved Supreme, thus far. Prasanthi scripted a beautiful Darshan story this evening with Bhagawan emerging at 1915 hrs, coming for two full rounds of Darshan. Completing the usual first round, Bhagawan soon moved into the ladies’ block again, continuing with a bonus round of Darshan. With Bhagawan stopping at the ‘primary school block’, the tiny tots had a wonderful time, feasting the ‘All-Loving…All-Encompassing Beauty’ gliding past.  The little ones literally swarmed around Bhagawan’s car holding aloft greetings vying for His attention.  One after one, each one of them sought blessings from Bhagawan before He moved into the ladies’ side, granting the bonus round of Darshan. A group from Alike, Muddenahalli institutions also received Bhagawan’s special attention during the round. Coming on stage at 1930 hrs, Bhagawan sat for the next half-an-hour and bhajans turned intense. With Bhagawan joining, giving finger beats in between, the session turned out to be a delectable treat for the august assembly in the twilight. Just two minutes short of 2000 hrs, Bhagawan asked for Mangala Arathi. Even as the Arathi was coming to an end, Bhagawan turned into a blessing mood, blessing the assembly profusely with double hand abhayahastha. Post the Arathi, before leaving the dais, once again His blessing right Palm went up, blessing the assembly again with Abhayahastha. Soon Bhagawan left for Yajur Mandiram at 2005 hrs, retiring for the day.

Why Fear When I Am Here With Sai in our lives, or in more clear terms, we being fortunate to be ‘with Sai’ in thought, word, and deed, we are sure to go fearless, come what the situation is. What fear is and how do we encounter this so-called devil, relying on Swami, depending only on Godhood, explains Swami vide His message to Lucas Ralli from the United Kingdom. Extracted from the book series, ‘Sai Messages For You And Me’. Fear is an aspect of separation, a feeling of being entirely alone. You think you are on your own and you become confused, disturbed, uncertain, and above all, “fearful”. All these negative thoughts and emotions send out alarm signals through the nervous system and these affect the body and disturb its natural balance. Whenever you experience fear, turn to God, think of God, speak to God and ask for His divine help. Always remember your own innate divinity and that fact that God resides in your heart and is there with you now. What can there be to fear, provided you maintain that constant link with the Divine? Life with God is bliss; Life without God is meaningless and empty. You live, but what can be the purpose of such a life? It will have its ups and downs, apparent successes and moments of pleasure, but at the end of that life, what have you really achieved? It is like a cork which falls into the sea and bobs about endlessly, getting nowhere. Is that the sort of life which you want to live? Today, everyone has the chance for a new awakening and the opportunity to move closer and closer to God and realise their inner Divinity. That awakening can come quite quickly. One day you are ‘lost’, and then some experience brings about an awakening, even though it may be only the beginning. But it is a start on the spiritual path, the only path that can lead your real destination, the merging with God. Leave the past behind you and do not dwell on it. Look ahead, towards the light, and continue your journey, knowing that The Lord is there beside you. Bring Him into your life in all that you do; then peace will come, and all negative feelings will fade away.

Divine Pastime… When God Supreme is credited with the creation of the very visible and all invisible realms of existence, He and He alone can authentically speak of His mysterious creation. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai has often made profound revelations about His projected creation and His role as the Master Creator. God initiates man into innocent, tender, loveable and loving childhood, and what does he do in turn… Read on Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai… Creation has emerged from God, Who Is free from desire. It is a spontaneous unfolding, beyond human understanding. No one can unravel the Divine Mystery. Human activity, however spontaneous it may seem, can be explained to originate from some patent or latent wish or other. But, God’s activity can never yield an answer to human enquiry about its why or whence or wherefore. God is omniscient. He Is the source of supreme delight, of extreme ecstasy. The joy flashes as sport, as prank and purposeless play, leela. God needs neither helper nor material for the process of Creation. His serene, stable, sovereign Fullness can become movement, rotation and vibration, when He Wills. And, all the living and non-living entities God projects are led towards acquisition of the very Ecstasy Whose overflow they are. God is the paramount principle of Bliss that is not affected by time or materiality, for He Is the basis for the material world of time and matter. His Bliss pervades all Creation. That is the way His leela works. But, created beings are diverse and entangled in duality. If they emerge from the Bliss of the One, how could some be so fearful and anxious and some calm and peaceful? An inference such as this is very wrong; it is unwarranted and unjustified. The Rain God showers His gift on all things on earth, edible crops as well as thorny weeds. The seeds of both sprout and grow in accordance with their different natures. Likewise, the Divine Bliss, Love and Light are the sustenance for all nature. The qualities of head and heart, either virtuous or vicious, decide whether life is happy or miserable, praiseworthy or blameworthy. Good deeds mould men into saints; bad deeds shape them as sinners. God initiates men into innocent, tender, loveable and loving childhood. But men relish envy, greed and hatred and cast off the gift of softness and sweetness. They cultivate instead the thorny weeds. Men seek joy in this Cause Consequence duo.

The Unity Of God’s Way Planet Earth had the rarest of the privileges, having had the Sampoorna Avatar, Who can be easily termed as ‘Sarva Karana Karanam’, walking the earth, showering the most gracious Divine blessings upon humanity and the creation at large.  Bhagawan has delivered messages on the True Truth in multifarious ways for the man to listen and amend. How many of us has listened to Him with rapt attention, and how many have made the amends to follow His messages. A rare message from Bhagawan through Lucas Ralli, as recorded in the first of the series of 5 books, Sai Messages For You And Me. (edited version). Sai Messages For You & Me was originally published by the Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, as guided and directed by Bhagawan through Prof N. Kasturi.  Co-operation results from an expanding heart. Where there is none, it is due to a failure to open the heart, and it means that the animal instincts remain in the ascendant. Thus, the ego remains strong, and with it desire. Against such a background, the will to co-operate does not come easily. No one seems to have reached a full understanding of My message and a few people reflect the love which I have showered upon them. They are separated, isolated, and they try to continue their own lives along the same old lines, but this will lead them nowhere. Even those who visit Me are little better. They come, they go, but what happens? They simply return to their old habits and their old way of life and make no real effort to put My teachings into practice. “The day of awakening is not far away and when it comes there will be a true revelation of the true power of God, a manifestation of the omnipresence of The Lord. This will be the signal for a great move forward and the weeding out of those who are not ready to accept the challenge of the moment… It will be just so. Mark My words. But few will listen, very few. After the storm there will be completely different beginning and the atmosphere will be completely different. It will be like a new age, the age of love, harmony and cooperation replacing the age of war, fighting, hatred, jealous, greed and all the negative aspects of life. Everyone should prepare NOW for this change, for I promise you that it will come, and only those who are ready will survive. I have given the warning. I have given My message a thousand times and no one who hears My words can proclaim ignorance. Don’t delay action to put right your own lifestyle and to change it to the way of God. There is no other way.”

Sai Messages For You & Me In the first half of the eighties, Lucas Ralli from the UK had authored a series of message-oriented books, inner messages received in deep meditation, titled ‘SAI MESSAGES FOR YOU & ME’, published by the Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam. Presenting a preface for the first book of the series, Lucas Ralli wrote the following, narrating as to how Bhagawan confirmed the authenticity of the messages received in meditation, followed by His Divine Nod Of Approval to publish the same. In 1979, I picked up a magazine and opened it at random. My eyes fell on an article about Sai Baba and this was my first introduction to our beloved Baba. For many years I had been searching for the truth and an acceptable philosophy of life and here I found the answer overnight in the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I was even more fortunate as I also found that I could link up in meditation with my new master and receive messages from him. I was so fascinated that I wanted to go to India immediately to see this wonderful holy man. But, one of the earliest messages said quite clearly, “Not now, later.” However, in the summer of 1980, I received another message which said, “I will speak to you in Bombay.” That seemed more encouraging. The following January I set off for India with three friends and spent three weeks in Bangalore, visiting Brindavan twice a day to see Baba. Our return home via Bombay coincided with a short visit to Baba to that city and, on the very last day, we were granted a private interview at Dharmakshetra in Bombay. Swami duly spoke to us in Bombay, as He had said in the message, and our interview lasted more than half-an-hour, an unbelievable experience. In October 1981, we were back again in India and, by this time, I was receiving much longer messages. At a private interview I decided to ask Swami for confirmation that the messages were definitely from Him. His answer was, “Yes, where do you think they come from, the sky?” I also asked if I could share some of these beautiful messages with others and His reply was “You must, you must.”

How To Face Difficulties Upfront? Bhagawan, in one of the messages to Lucas Ralli, spoke about how one should face up to the challenges of life, accepting them as the right opportunities in one’s spiritual path. Before getting into the subject, here is a small ‘interview room’ story from Peggy Mason of the UK, ‘certifying’ the authenticated messages received by Lucas Ralli. “Can these messages be truly accurate, one may ask? Well, I shall always remember the occasion, very early on, when Lucas asked Baba for verification of a certain rather long message. Baba asked for a pen and simply altered one word.’  – Peggy Mason It is good that you ask Me, for you are confused, and even though all is God, confusion can and does exist. The manifestation of God is at many levels because all levels are simply different aspects of God. God is everyone and everything. So, when you consider the problem that face you, contemplate the thought that all is God, even all problems are God, just different manifestations. You have to decide how to relate to all this and the particular experiences that come to you in each life time. Sudden decisions to do this or that, or to opt out of this or that, will only bring what appears to be temporary relief, a token satisfaction. But the fact that these experiences have come to you in this life is the important thing, because it means you have a direct opportunity to face such problems, solve them, learn from the lessons which they bring, and then pass on, leaving behind a cleaner slate. If, however, you shy away, you merely postpone the working out of this part of your karmic state. So, be like the wise souls who welcome difficulties and grasp the chance to face them and, thus, the opportunity to move ahead on the spiritual path. Look at all problems in this way, as opportunities, not real difficulties. At the same time, you get the opportunity to help others whose past karmas are inextricably linked to your own. Everything will fall into place, although seldom in quite the way you expect, but that is not important. What is important is that you remain intact, on the path, and do not allow yourself to withdraw away to some sidewater, where you appear to find rest, but which takes you away from the true spiritual path. Contemplate all these thoughts as you decide what to do. It is right to be firm, but fair, when you are in a position of trust and authority. Do not lower yourself to the levels which some people reach in moments of anger, because that will not do anyone any good, nor will it solve the problem. Be kind, be understanding, be tolerant, be logical, be true to your own self and do not be influenced by emotion, whether it is your own or the emotion of others around you. I will help you. The problems are not as big as you think. There is nothing which cannot be solved with a little patience, love and understanding.

Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu – Prayer For ‘Worlds Many… Worlds All…’ For the jeeva (individual) who is made in His ‘own’ image, is there anything bigger or better or more important than knowing his own self, The Truth behind his existence? When he does this, the world around him pales into insignificance, establishing him in Oneness. And for those devout folks, who with passionate devotion follow Him, The Avatar Supreme Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, there can be nothing beyond than THE COSMIC BEAUTY BEYOND COMPARE!!! Amid changing scenarios and apparent threatening developments of global magnitude, he, one who is His true devotee is sure to follow Him with love and gratitude, knowing and understanding everything as His Divine Sport. With this inner awareness, he stands focused, knowing and seeing Him and His Hands in everything around. Here, every looming threat that seems to endanger His creation becomes His own blind-fold game, a reminder from Him to His own images and reflections, you and me and everyone. On that infinitely fateful day of 31st August 2008, Beloved Bhagawan, addressing a selected congregation of His White Army in Prasanthi Nilayam spoke of the Cosmic MahaMantra, ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ introducing the same, rephrasing the already existing one from the Vedic lore.  Addressing His folk of White Army, A group of men of cadre and character, Thus Spake Sai on 31st August 2008, Inside the sacrosanct bhajan hall, In The Cosmic Hub at Prasanthi Nilayam, At Puttaparthi in the south of India. He spoke on the greater need to pray for the many existing worlds… Focusing on the intensified feeling of goodness for all… Stressing on OneNess He intoned… Birthing a new MahaMantra… Rephrasing the existing one from the Vedic lore… Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, The Cosmic Monarch of time and beyond, The Master Supreme averred then… “Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu” Blessings the worlds many with Peace n‘ Happiness. Before it slips away, let’s reaffirm in ‘BOLD CAPITALS’ that we are duty-bound to follow our Beloved Master Supreme as our True Truth, as The Love behind our very existence, beingness. Let’s remember Him in The Now with absolute love and gratitude, for, He Alone Is…Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai!!!

The Divine Name Is The Panacea How in times of adversity can man win the oddities of nature and time by relying on The Divine Name, explains Bhagawan, citing the cholera epidemic that had hit Puttparthi when Bhagawan’s physical frame was just seven years old. A holy read during this testing time of coronavirus pandemic looming large over the globe. Once the village of Puttaparthi was affected by infectious diseases like cholera and plague. Several people died due to these diseases. Then, I warned the children of the village that these diseases would spread through drinking polluted water and eating impure food. I, therefore, advised them to take proper care in this regard. I advised them to drink clean and pure water. I told them, “Do not eat too much. Avoid unclean food. Eat only clean food in small quantities. Not only that, keep your mouth always fresh and clean. Several diseases affect you due to unclean mouth. It is not good to eat anything and everything when you feel hungry. Eat only wholesome food. God’s grace is important both for good health and happiness in life. Hence, always pray to God.” Happiness can be attained only through constant contemplation on God, nothing else. It is not something that can be attained from outside. It springs forth from one’s own heart. In order to attain health and happiness, we should constantly contemplate on God and thereby sanctify our time. Each one should enquire for whose sake he or she is living. When any one poses this question to oneself, the answer is: “I am living for myself and not for others.” He justifies his answer by saying: “I am eating to appease my own hunger. I am taking medicine to cure my illness. It cannot be cured by anyone else taking the medicine.” When two persons are sleeping in the same cot, they do not get the same dreams but have different dreams. Basing on these facts man feels that he is living for himself. Later on, when he grows up he seeks a job on the ground that he has a family to look after and support. The same person, who once said he was living for himself, later on pleads that he is living for his family. When invited by a friend to accompany him to Bangalore for an interesting sports event, he says that he has to attend his office and cannot take leave and hence he is unable to accompany him. He thus cites his duty as a reason for his inability to enjoy the sports. But when his wife or child is sick and in a hospital he takes leave even on loss of pay and goes to attend on them. The same person, when he is hungry and just sits for taking his dinner, leaves the meal served on the table and rushes out when he hears that his son or daughter is involved in an accident. Even hunger is forgotten. The person, who was proclaiming that he was living for himself only, now starts caring for his wife and children. When the village is in the grip of an epidemic like cholera or plague, the same person comes forward to do his best to combat the spread of the disease, because this may affect his own family too as they are part and parcel of the village. Thus man is born in society and grows in society. It is the bounden duty of everyone to feel that his own welfare is bound up with the welfare of all others in society. When this body was seven years old, this tiny hamlet of Puttaparthi was afflicted by dreadful and infectious diseases like cholera and plague.