Do Not Disrespect Any God-Form… Avatars Who live in the most exalted state of ‘Brahmam’ have nothing to differentiate between many forms and many names… All names and all forms belong to the One Supreme Godhood. …And when They continue Their sojourn on the physical plane they do leave indelible impressions in the human hearts and minds, teaching them the most subtle truth and lessons. In one such incident Bhagawan at Shirdi taught His devotees not to disrespect any God-Forms… an interesting episode from Sree Sai Samartha Satcharita, originall written in Marathi byGovind Raghunath Dabholkar a.k.a. Hemadpant. A beautiful lesson commemorating The Advent of Bhagawan at Shirdi. One day Baba returned from the Lendi and sat in the Masjid. The devotees began arriving for darshan. Amongst them was the great devotee Chandorkar whom Baba loved very much. He came with Biniwale, (his brother-in-law), eager for darshan. After doing obeisance to Sainath, both of them sat in front of Him. While they were exchanging generalities about the welfare and well being, Baba suddenly got ‘angry’. Baba said: “Nana, how is it that you have forgotten? After having spent such a long time in My company, is this only you have learnt? Is this the result of the time you have spent in My company? Tell Me in detail.” Listening to this Nana became dejected. He wondered about the reason for this anger but could not recall anything. He felt sad. He could not recall where he had erred. He could find no reason for the ‘anger’. But unless something had happened Baba would never ‘hurt’ anybody. Therefore, he clutched on Baba’s Feet and repeatedly entreated Him. Finally Nana supplicated earnestly and asked: “Why are You angry?” “Though you have been in association with Me for so many years, how could you have acted like thus? What happened to your senses?” Baba asked Nana. “When did you come to Kopergaon? What happened on the way? Where did you get down on the way? Or did you come here straight?” “Something strange happened on the way. I feel like listening to it in detail. Tell Me what happened and where, be it big or small incident.” Hearing this Nana realised his mistake and his face fell immediately. Though he felt ashamed to speak of it, he narrated it. Nothing could be concealed here! Having decided this, Nana told Baba whatever had happened in detail. There could be no lying before Sai. Falsehood does not gain Sai’s grace. Disharmony leads to destruction and ultimately lies lead one to hell. To deceive the Guru is a very great sin, from which there is no atonement. Realising this Nana described in detail to Baba whatever had happened. Nana said: “We hired a tonga to come straight to Shirdi, as a result of which Biniwale missed the darshan of Lord Dutta on the banks of the Godavari. Biniwale is a Dutta devotee. When we came across the Dutta temple on the way, he wanted to get down to have Dutta’s darshan. But I was in a hurry, so I prevented him and told him that we could take the darshan on our return journey from Shirdi. Thus becoming hasty and thinking it would get late to come to Shirdi, I tried to avoid the matter and disregarded Dutta’s darshan. Later, while bathing in the Godavari, a big thorn pierced my foot and gave me a lot of trouble on the way till I could pull it out with much effort.” Then Baba advised: “It is not good to be in such a haste. Thank your stars that you had only the thorn to contend with, though you had disrespected the darshan. When a very venerated deity like Dutta is on the way, awaiting darshan, unfortunate is he who has not taken the darshan! How can I help him?” II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

God cannot be a memory; He Is The Living Presence… We keep hearing many devotees, asserting with ‘thumping clarity’, looking at the ‘empty’ throne of Bhagawan that, ‘the chair is not empty’. How many of us, in reality, are able to feel Him and how many of us are able to see Beloved Bhagawan’s most enchanting physical frame…??? The Throne of Bhagawan at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam is definitely not empty…and is ‘undoubtedly’ full with Bhagawan’s ‘subtle’ presence… Post April 2011 Divine Drama, on the 1st of Oct 2011 as part of Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha, Dr PL Rani, Asst. Professor with Dept of English at Anantapur Campus of SSSIHL, addressed the Prasanthi assembly, beginning with a ‘revealing’ preface… Narrating her beautiful, revealing dream, Dr Rani ended her ‘preface’ with… God cannot be a memory; He Is a Living Presence, as ‘showed’ by Bhagawan Himself… Read on… I have had to make amendments to my talk overnight. I am compelled to add an unplanned preface to my talk due to a very small but significant episode that occurred this morning. It seems divinely ordained that I share it with all of you, due to the larger implications and universal message. Last night, after a particularly tiring day, I was planning this talk in my mind and putting my thoughts in order. At that point, there were two conflicting feelings that were filling my mind. On one side was the sense of gratitude, responsibility and loving duty that I owe to Swami, which is the motivation for this talk; and on the other hand lurked a tinge of sadness that this time, compared to every other time I have had an opportunity to be here. There is a ‘shade of difference’. I felt that it was very clever of me to think of the phrase ‘shade of difference’ because to me the shade of difference was the change from the vibrant orange to the sparkling white marble. Bhagawan, in His most inimitable manner decided to disprove it to me. I am not a person who gets frequent dreams of Swami or who works on a practical level based on some dreams. I haven’t had one for so many months and I definitely haven’t had any after April, in particular. But suddenly when I woke up this morning, I woke up with a pleasant feeling and I quickly recalled that I had had a beautiful message. In my dream, the scene was of those three painful days right here in the Mandir, when the Immortal One had decided to leave the mortal coil. In my mind, I was deciding that I was not going to see this because I can’t bear to see the lost luster on His face. My curiosity got the better of me and after a little while, I began to peep from a distance. I got a little closer and I saw that it was the same beautiful, effulgent, brilliant familiar face of Swami and I felt so relieved and satisfied. Just then Swami’s eyelids opened so vividly and in a fit of panic and fear, I sprang backwards. It is unusual that someone springs backwards on seeing Swami. He then raised His palm and beckoned me, making me even more frightened. When He beckoned me the third time, I went near, and He placed His palm on mine, and the immediate tangible sensation that I felt was the warmth of His Hand. The message was home immediately, even in my sleep, and I knew that in those moments of weak faith, we tend to believe that ‘the orange form’ has entombed itself in the ‘white marble’. Warmth is a sign of love and life and I thought, He was telling all of us today that God cannot be a memory; He Is a Living Presence. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Sai Vani Is Sathya Vani… All that He speaks become Truth, for He Is verily Truth in human form… Who can fathom the mysterious mystery of The Master Supreme, Who plays His cards at an all-encompassing… supra-conscious level, far…far…far beyond human imagination??? For an earnest seeker, every single moment with Bhagawan is a revealing moment… Revealing His endless mystery… a flashback to a beautiful December evening in 1995, with Swami and His students…  “Name the book, SAI VANI”, Swami told the students on 28th of December, 1995. But that is not the complete story. The students had assembled in the Mandir that evening with a photograph of Bhagawan and the list of contents of the book. They had sent a letter to Swami that afternoon regarding the book. On seeing the boys carrying the paraphernalia in a tray, Bhagawan gave a curious and mischievous smile. The occasional glances and smiles continued till some of the boys started wondering if Swami would come near them at all. At last, Swami came, asking, “What is that?” The students told about the book and pleaded Swami to suggest a name. “Peru Enduku?” (Why Name?) Then Swami asked, “Did you think of any name?” “No, Swami”, the boys replied in a chorus, “You have to give the name” Graciously, Swami said, “Sai Vani Pettandi” (Name it Sai Vani). “Please write it with Your Own Hands Swami”, pleaded the students. “No, No” said Bhagawan and moved away. He would have gone a few steps before He paused. Sensing that Swami may agree to bless the book by writing down the name, a few students went up to Swami and gave Him the photograph and the list of contents. Swami gently wrote: “Sathya Vani”, and after a moment’s pause, He said, “Oh I have written ‘Sathya Vani’ instead of ‘Sai Vani’. Well, Sai Vani is better. Name the book Sai Vani”…. and thus the christening of the book left a mirthful impression on the students assembled there. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

My ‘trip’ to Puttaparthi… Bhagawan at Shirdi would often repeat that, let His man be at any distance, a thousand koss (an Indian unit, measuring distance) away from Him, he will be drawn to Him like a sparrow, with a thread tied to its feet. When He wills, His Will turns into accomplishment… He chooses the right time for the right action. This is all the more true for a fledgling pilgrim who is about to reach Him. How William Hwehu Ansah, Accra, Ghana was drawn to Prasanthi Nilayam and how Bhagawan cleared him out of one last bit of skepticism…?!? …An interesting experience from December 1979 issue of Sanathana Sarathi. Towards November 1977, our centre invited names of devotees who would like to make a trip to Puttaparthi. It never occurred to me to immediately give my name since I considered it would be presumptuous for a penniless public servant to think of making such an expensive trip. Soon after this, I started seeing Swami in my dreams. The first night I woke up with a rather vague feeling that I should think of going to Puttaparthi. I discarded the thought immediately. The next dream was more detailed and lengthier. I was in a little village living in rooms with a lot of people some of whom were from my centre and with whom I ate together. Next I saw myself in front of a tall building which had protruding platforms on the first floor. Bhagawan was on the ground floor and I was doing Namaskara. At this time I didn’t know that to dream of Bhagawan was a privilege and not an ordinary occurrence and I again dismissed the dream as my silly imaginings. My third dream was a most peculiar experience. I saw only the face of Bhagawan for an instance or two; whereupon I was forced awake in the middle of the night in a sweat with a clear command that I should go to Puttaparthi! After giving so much trouble to Swami in my inexperience and innocence, I finally gave my name to the planning committee without an inkling of where the money for the trip was coming from. I need not have worried! Within the next few days I made three times my annual salary simply because a friend of mine, for no compelling reason, decided to sell a huge consignment of imported goods through me and give me a percentage of the profits. So the stage was set and need I say that all other arrangements and requirements went through without a hitch? Need I also say that those from the centre I travelled with were some of the faces I saw in my dream? So, we got to the village late on the 21st of November. The last thing on my mind was my dreams but a friend decided to take me round and as we made the turn to the back of the bhajan hall, I stopped dead in my tracks. My friend asked what the matter was and I muttered something incomprehensible to him but what had stopped me was the fact that my dream was staring me right in the face in all its details—the two protruding platforms and rather surprisingly, the architecture and colours of the structure which I remembered very well. My surprise was not too great then when my private interviews were granted in a room on the ground floor and I did my Namaskara exactly where I had dreamt it! (I went to one of the interviews with my fingers shorn of all rings having made the wish that Bhagawan would give me a ring. As the interview progressed, my wish crossed my mind and at that instant Bhagawan interrupted His discourse, turned to me and said “Tomorrow I will give you a talisman!”) But all these surprises were nothing compared to what I experienced when I was bidding farewell to Bhagawan. “When are you coming again?” He asked. I was not expecting the question as the thought of being lucky to come again was far from my mind. I was therefore flustered and in my delighted confusion I blustered out that I didn’t know and that this time I came because I had had a dream and… Bhagawan interrupted in a tone which seemed as if He was irritated. I was recounting something He already knew about. “I know, I know,” He said shortly and patted my back. I cracked up emotionally and stumbled out. I had to sit on the short wall to recollect myself. Poor human beings that we are, after all that I had seen and heard, I guess my mind had still entertained a little doubt about the omniscience of Bhagawan or whether indeed He sent those dreams to me. The last evidence shattered me out of that skepticism once and for all! II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

I Learnt The Biggest Lesson… Look around optimistically and you will be ‘priced’ with precious life-lessons… Who said a poor street boy  who thrives on a loaf of bread cannot be your ‘teacher’??? Dr Derrick Angelsz writes what he experienced…what he learnt when he landed in India’s own Mumbai… The article is sourced from Sri Sathya Sai Newsletter, Pune…originally from the internet.. academictips.org/blogs/ (the banner image is sourced from the internet and does not bear any link with the story) A few days ago I landed at the Mumbai Airport and took a cab to my scheduled destination in South Mumbai. I was enjoying the busy traffic with people rushing in every possible directon when we got stranded at a very busy intersection. As we waited for the signal to turn green, my eyes saw a poor young boy, about 12 years old. He removed a piece of bread from his pocket and took a bite. As he was about to take his next bite, a stray dog wagged his tail looking at him. Without hesitation, he sat down and put the bread on the road for the dog to eat. The dog sniffed the bread and walked away. The boy waited until he was sure the dog was gone then he picked up the bread and ate it! My heart cried and I wanted to walk up to the boy but before I could open the door the signal turned green and our car drove away. I kept thinking about the boy and later during my evening meal I realised that I was thinking of approaching the boy but I never did, I could have stopped the car and walked up to him which again I never did. All I did was ‘thinking’ and this poor little boy who had only one piece of bread, without any hesitation shared it with the dog, though he himself seemed to be very hungry. I learnt one of the biggest lessons in my life which that boy taught me without a conversation. He taught me to share with love and happiness. I am so blessed to have learnt this beautiful lesson from my ‘little unknown master’. It is my moral duty to share this incident with all my friends across the globe and be blessed with happiness. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Baba Is Lord Dattatreya… In every age He incarnates…. the Ancient One…Adi Guru Lord Dattatreya… Divine legends of yore has umpteen reference of Divine Incarnations…and about ‘The Oneness’ of all these varied forms… Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Who Is ‘The Adimoolam’, Supreme Divinty, Who described Himself as Shiva – Shakthi, Supreme Brahmam and Maha Maya in a Single Form…  has also revealed Himself to be Lord Dattatreya… verily He Is Lord Dattatreya… read on how Bhagawan revealed His original entity as Lord Dattatreya… O Bhagawan, “Swami, what is Your real form?” Baba smiled and replied, “Bangaroo, I will show it to you some day.” That day came when Baba visited Mudumalai forest. One day after breakfast, Baba walked on to the beautiful meadow in front of the guest house and posed for photographs with every member of the party. A Polaroid camera was used by a student to click the photographs. The photos were given to the members instantly. Finally, Baba asked the student to take a snap of Him standing alone. But, the lower part of His orange robe had been caught in the twigs of a bush. Before the camera clicked, Smt Ratanlal rushed forward to set right the folds of the robe. Everyone was astonished when Bhagawan shouted at her loudly “Don’t touch Me!” and she retreated quickly. After the camera clicked, Baba held the photo coming out of the camera and gave it to Joga Rao. As he held it in his palm, the black and white Polaroid picture developed gradually. But he was astonished at what did he saw. In the place where he had expected to see Baba’s form in the usual robe, there stood a young human form, which wore a white flowing garment, had three heads and six hands! Each arm was holding an insignia of Divinity. The lower right arm bent at the elbow, was resting on the back of a majestic young cow. The face in the centre was that of Baba! It was the form of Dattatreya as described in Puranas, the integrated form of Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara!. Baba had answered Joga Rao’s question. That was His real form! Bhagawan confirmed while speaking to the students at Brindavan the next morning that it was indeed His true form. He also clarified that Smt Ratanlal would not have survived if she had touched Him then. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Mahatma Guru Nanak… Nowadays, if the children ask any questions about the aspect of Brahma, the parents will curb such curiosity by saying that they should not waste their time. They are told to think of such things only after getting old. Today, many people who are preaching the aspect of Brahman will go nowhere because they are subservient to the worldly desires. There is a small story here. On the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti today, a Guru Nanak story from Bhagawan. Nanak was propagating sacred ideas of God and even the Muslims were attracted by his teachings. It appeared as if the teachings of Nanak were acceptable to all religions. He was one who was clearly indicating the path that one should adopt. After some time, some religious leaders started worrying that all the Muslims may take to Nanak’s religion. They carried complaints to King Akbar and created tales about Nanak which would influence the King against Nanak. They wanted Akbar to punish Nanak. Akbar however had a very steady mind and a great respect for all religions. Even though the religious leaders complained about Nanak, he did not believe them. Akbar decided that he should talk to Nanak directly and assess the situation. He sent for Nanak, but Nanak would not come to meet kings who rule over the material world. He said that he would go only to devotees. He said that he is a free person moving in God’s Kingdom and would not come to meet Akbar. Such a reply further excited the religious leaders. They were planning and inquiring further to trouble Nanak. However, Akbar sent word to Nanak, again telling him that the next day there would be prayers in honour of God at the mosque and requested that Nanak attend the prayers. He also sent a palanquin to carry Nanak. However, Nanak thought it very arrogant to go to God’s abode in a palanquin and walked to the mosque. Much before others came there, he unobtrusively sat in a corner. The religious leaders began to recite prayers; and as soon as this started, Nanak laughed very loudly. All those assembled there felt very angry. Nanak was laughing so loudly that people were not even able to hear the prayers. After some time, Akbar began to pray and Nanak laughed even more loudly. All others who were assembled there felt angry that he was humiliating even Akbar. After that, Akbar went and asked Nanak softly why he had laughed, when the prayers were being recited. Nanak said, “Although the priest was reciting prayers, his thoughts were in his home where the child was having fever. The priest’s mind was directed towards his home. If the mind says one thing and he does something else, he cannot be a religious leader. This is not helpful at all.” Akbar went and asked the priest if, in truth, his mind was thinking of his son when he was saying the prayers. The priest confirmed that as the child was suffering from high fever, he was thinking of his son even while reciting the prayers. Akbar then asked Nanak why his laughter continued even when he started to pray. Nanak then said, “Surely you know why I laughed. Before you came here, several horses were sent to you by the king of Panchala, and you have a great liking towards horses. Although you were praying here, your thoughts were on the horses. Is this not true?” After Nanak gave this answer about his laughter, Akbar helped Nanak spread his religion and gave him all support. In the prayers, that we undertake, we go on striking at the mosquitoes soon after we start the prayer. Because religious leaders like Nanak of earlier days had the power to concentrate, they were called Mahatmas. Their thought, word and deed were totally united. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II