The Role of Women in the Home… A happy home is where peace prevails between wife and husband…where life goes smooth with greater understanding. What is the role of a woman at home, and how best one can contribute in making it a “Sweet Home”? Mrs. Ganga Indira Pidatala from Hyderabad, India shares her views with invaluable tips given by Bhagawan in the interview room. Read on… This story was narrated by our beloved Bhagawan to a group of devotees at an interview. “Long ago there lived a saint called Tulsidas in the Maratha region. One day, he was sitting at home working on some verses that he was composing. (It was a bright day?). Suddenly, he called out to his wife and asked her to bring him a lantern. His wife calmly nodded her head and went into the house, where she lit up a lantern and brought it to her husband, who then asked her to place it on the desk. Tulsidas then looked at her for a moment and said,”Take it back! I don’t need it now.” His wife once again nodded her head and dutifully took the lantern back into the house.” Swami, without completing the story suddenly looked up at a couple of us and asked, “If your husbands had asked you to do the same, how would you have responded?” Without waiting for our reply, Swami then changed the tone of His voice, and imitated that we would have resorted to jumping, frowning, sneering and attacking our husbands saying, “Are you blind? It is broad daylight, why do you need a lantern? You must have gone mad! Crazy fellow, Go get it yourself, if you want one.” Swami continued imitating our response with “Can’t you see, I have been busy since morning taking care of your home, your kids and cooking food for you!” Isn’t it so? Swami asked us. We smiled meekly. You know us too well Baba, we thought. Then, Swami went on to elaborate that education today calls for equality among all human beings. It is true that men and women are equal but, each one has an important role to play in their own lives. Understanding this is the foundation needed for a happy life to be led between a husband and wife. Each one feels “Why should I do this? Why can’t he do it?” or vice versa. This is the thought that goes through our minds immediately when we are tired of doing something. From this thought erupts confrontation which leads to heated arguments, finally resulting in a rupture of family togetherness. Swami said that the reason we are seeing so many divorces, and disharmony among families, husbands and wives today, is because of mis-understandings. If one is able to adjust and understand one another on all counts, then there would not be any need for family courts at all! On another occasion, Swami advised me on my marriage to my husband, Gopi. He said that as a follower of Sai, I should bring a good name to the home I was born in and also to my new home: that is the home of my in-laws where I shall be living for the rest of my life. Swami said that most daughters feel that when they go to their in-laws place they lose their status as daughters, that they enjoyed back at home. On this aspect, He remarked that when you are entering your new home as a daughter-in-law, it is according to the law that you are entering your new home as a daughter. Behave like a daughter in your new home. Your love will definitely triumph and give you the status of the daughter that you feel that you might have lost! At this point, I would also like to share a few thoughts that Swami had given to my husband and me too soon after our marriage that could be of some interest to the readers. Swami told my husband Gopi, that trouble in a family erupts only when there is an involvement of the husband and the wife, with tempers riding high on both sides. Swami continued to demonstrate this point by telling us to imagine that each of our hands symbolized the husband and wife. At this point Swami clapped His hands.”CLAP” came the sound. Then, He set aside His left hand and tried to clap. There was no sound but, a wave of cool breeze. So, when both hands meet there is a loud noise indicating trouble. However, when only one hand is swinging, there was a cool breeze and no sound. Similarly, in our lives, when there is a difference of opinion between a wife and husband, if one is patient when the other is in a bad mood, there is no chance of fights breaking out at all. So, be cool and understanding. Don’t add fuel by showing your temper where there is fire already operating. If you don’t do this, your home will burn! Swami advised that instead of flaring up, we should keep quiet for some time and let the reigning temper mellow down. This will definitely help in controlling the situation. He further advised us that happiness and peace in a family will rule only when the lady of the home is happy and it is the duty of all the other members of the home, be it the husband or the children to bring in this atmosphere by reducing the amount of tension, and stress to the lady of the home.Swami went on to elaborate that Marriage is basically a matter of understanding each other and nothing more than that … Today, in this vibrant world of downward plunge of ethics and values,  the gospel of our beloved Mother Sai with regards to marriage is nothing but a greatest upadesa to make us lead lives of Happiness and Peace. These thoughts have made me realise that a home of happiness, bliss, harmony and peace lies in

Woman – The Pillar Of A Value Based Society As a precursor to the celebration of the Sacred Day of Advent, in honour of and to recognise the contribution of women, Beloved Mother Sai declared 19th November to be respectfully and joyfully observed as Ladies Day. The above lines are a tribute to all feminine beings in creation…winged, finned, four and two legged. May they know in some unique way that their presence and essence is being appreciated and applauded. A reflective article by Sri Jullie Chaudhuri. Made in the image of Shakti,So empowered instinctively and energised dynamically,To fulfil her supreme purpose –To establish and sustain all around harmony…Born to remove any and every kind of woe,Woman is a symbol of all things human……personifying Grace and Quality –Woman is the true pillar of a value based society! Women are the makers of the home, the nation and the world. – Baba Creation and Creativity.  Man and Woman are so created to complement each other. In alignment, each has their function to perform and while doing so rhythmically, in resonance with the Divine Plan, together they form a whole. To build something one needs a sturdy foundation. Then on, to support any structure one requires powerful pillars.That foundation…that support…that power of creation and creativity has been bestowed upon every woman! She embodies infinity, she characterises eternal qualities and exuding all this positively, she quite compellingly impacts eternity. There is nothing in this world that women cannot achieve. – Baba A society is made up of innumerable individuals, families, people from different walks of life…an intermingling of colours and flavours…strata and status…faiths, views, beliefs, cultures and economics ever so diverse. Doesn’t it all need a binding thread? And much more significantly, don’t these individuals have their origin in the womb of a woman?Ethics is what makes a society thrive…and a woman of quality who believes in equality has it in her to uphold and make these ethics come alive. Only if the women come up in society, the whole world will turn sacred. – Baba A woman is born to play myriad roles: a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife…integrating acts which continue on even after marriage while cementing new associations…and even as she plays out these roles she constantly exudes the highest undertaking – that of a Mother. Whether she goes on to have a child or not, every woman is a born mother, her mission intrinsically is that of a mother…a tender caregiver. She is blessed with many hidden facets along with a natural flair for compassion, care, concern, nursing, making amends, giving, forgiving, bringing together, blending, and harmonizing. She simply needs to be mindful, centred and receptive and tune in as she experiences this adventurous expedition called – Life. As a daughter she puts her parents on a pedestal, reveres them, yet, gives gentle guidance whenever necessary. As a sister, friend, colleague, teacher she will not hesitate to step in, once again channelizing righteousness.However, what about her role as a Mother? Upon the female of any species, whether amongst the animal, winged and aquatic or humankind, lies the singular onus of rearing the newly born. Most often, especially in all other species, she patiently rears the young ones all on her own – protecting, nourishing, nurturing, freeing. Freeing subtly, gently, firmly refers to demonstrating, drilling, inculcating ‘Life Skills’.In the animal kingdom, in their natural wild habitat, these skills take on a different meaning altogether from what it denotes in the more complex kingdom of man.Deep is the innate responsibility of the woman, of the human mother, to inculcate moral codes, basic principles and behavioural conducts. Children are not only the future citizens of the globe, but they are the inheritors of all the natural resources, the vast mineral wealth, the magnificent hills and lush plains, the grand glaciers, refreshing rivers and gushing streams, the surging seas and mysterious oceans, the dense forests, the exotic flora and wondrous fauna…and as such they grow up to become the custodians of all the abundance, the keepers of Mother Earth. Intuitively keeping in focus this salient truth, women as mothers, aunts, grandmothers not only do all they can to promote the physical wellbeing of their children but they foster the mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual progress too, equipping them with ethics that will regulate the flow of their conscience, consciousness and overall growth. Women embody the aspect of Mother Nature and the ancient sages found solutions to problems in life by recognising this truth. – Baba Woman and Poise. When there is accord between the heart and the mind there is an inner harmony. The world is raging with unrest for the poise within is lost. Desires and greed are drawing, dragging, and clasping humans and humanity into the dark fathomless maelstrom of no return. It is imperative that a balance be restored and a vital equilibrium maintained. The world needs beautiful minds. The inherent feminine qualities need to come to the rescue. Outer beauty is of no worth if not accompanied by a beautiful mind ensuring not only positive thoughts, words and deeds but a synchronicity between them. Women are the heirs of our ancient culture. Culture means refinement.Women are the torch-bearers of refinement and they are toiling for the emancipation of the nation.  – Baba Woman and Love. Temperatures are soaring, rivers are going dry leaving the soil ever so arid…for there is no love left in the human heart.  Women are naturally conditioned to love unconditionally for that is their inborn motherly instinct. They excel at it. As mothers, they are the first guru, guide and teacher of their children assisting them to consciously be aware, beware of unfavourable influences, trust the inner voice and evolve. This process of learning all things wise and wonderful, of loving and being exposed to the human values of Sathya, Dharma, Prema, Shanti, Ahimsa…of loving selflessly begins in the womb itself. Women have satvaguna in ample measure. They are by nature helpful, tender, compassionate, humble and trustful. – Baba Woman and Values.

Mother Divine… Though the curtains came down for the auspicious Devi Navaratri, the ever inseparable aspect for every Jiva, Mother Divine, is eternally alive…and man, with his heart full of love and devotion adores Her with varied names, seeing Her in varied forms… With Sai, as Supreme Mother Divine amidst us, this love flows perennially, …Love flows from deep within the core encircling, holding close the petal soft Lotus Feet of the Cherished Beloved…Precious Mother Sai…on this auspicious day…the culmination of Navaratri, writes Sri Jullie Chaudhuri ruminating on the festivity celebrating The Mother Divine… Aum Anuttamaayai Namaha…Aum Siddha Maatre Namaha…Aum Sarv’opadhi Vinirmuktayai Namaha…Aum Adrishyayai Namaha…Aum Leela Vigraha Dharinyai Namaha…Aum Sharmadayai Namaha… Obeisance pure and holy…brimming with love to the Supreme Mother…Who has none superior…Who is ever eager to help aspirants…Who is not an object of ordinary vision…Who assumes various forms for Her Cosmic Play…Who bestows eternal happiness… Aum Suprathishtayai Namaha…Aum Desha Kaal’aprichinnayai Namaha…Aum Divya Vigrahaayai Namaha…Aum Shubhkaryai Namaha…Aum Sarvartha Datryai Namaha…Adorations…Reverence Immense to that Divine Mother Goddess…. Who is the firm foundation of every bit in creation…the unswayable essence, base, and support of all existence…Who is not in any way limited by space and time…Who has an exquisite Divine Form…Who is ever blissful in blessing…Who is generous in granting all our wants… Aum Vrddhayai Namaha…Aum Uddhama Vaibhavayai Namaha…Aum Svasti Matyai Namaha…Aum Ajaa Jetryai Namaha…Aum Dharmavardhinyai Namaha…Aum Aatmane Namaha…Aum Nandinyai Namaha… The soul offers fervent salutations…to that sacrosanct Primeval One…Who is boundless in Her Might and Glory…Who is Herself the highest, most incomparable Benediction…Who helps overcome ignorance…Who promotes righteousness in devotees…Who exists as the self in all beings…Who bestows delight… Love flows from deep within the core encircling, holding close the petal soft Lotus Feet of the Cherished Beloved…Precious Mother Sai…on this auspicious day…the culmination of Navaratri. An earnest boon…vitally essential benevolence is being sought from the most Effulgent One…Who is the earth on which all beings rest…Who is ever keen to assist and serve any sincere aspirant…that may all darkness of ignorance…every iota of negativity…be totally erased, eliminated, eradicated…that Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, Ahimsa…Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and the sentiment, attitude, understanding of maitri-bhav…of kindred oneness…of Non Violence may vibrantly energise each human heart and mind…so that peace and harmony may usher in an age glistening in golden  hues of affinity, amity and unity. May we be blessed to be aware of the Supreme Soul in all created beings. May the Beloved One…the Almighty One Whose Mysterious Ways are unfathomable…Whose Will is sovereign and all-pervading…Whose Glory is matchless…Whose Benevolence is immeasurable…Whose Mercy is tender, yet infinite…Who is known and worshipped as Priyankaaryai – One Who grants what is dear to us…Who is ever blissful in blessing…may that Absolute Being…the All-Powerful Source confer on this day and so forth…what is of utmost delight to us all…that which each devoted heart is intently waiting for…that which will eternally enchant the vision – Priceless endearing glimpses of that Magnificent Form…the highest most superlative benediction that is You… II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II